The Return Of Kanryu Takeda
Part IX
by
Chibijem
Disclaimer: See Part I
A/N: This part is dedicated to my Imoto-chan. She helped me along with this part, gave me some of the ideas and sparked my imagination for writing this part. You are the best!
Everyone who was helping fight the spreading fire, looked up when they heard the unmistakable sound of a building collapsing. Misao looked up from filling a bucket when she heard it and her heart stopped. "NOOOOO!" Came the pain filled cry as she dropped the bucket and ran towards the warehouse where she had left her heart.
Kenshin rushed to intercept her, "No, Miss Misao. You'll get hurt. Aoshi will need you." He tried to reason with the lithe young woman desperate to evade his grip.
Sanosuke lifted Misao off her feet and pressed his mouth to her ear. "Aoshi will be all right, Misao. You know him better than anyone, right? He will not let himself die like this." The usual cocky attitude gone, sincerity in it's place. He felt her relax and put her on her feet and leaned down to look into her eyes.
She looked into his warm brown eyes, "Arigato, Sanosuke." She softly told him and turned her eyes back to the now fallen building. She prayed for another miracle.
In the following minutes, more and more people showed up offering assistance in containing the fire which had spread to several buildings with the help of the wind. Misao would look to the collapsed warehouse every couple of minutes in hopes of seeing Aoshi stumble out of the rubble.
Saitou, along with several other police officers, had found several other caches of explosives in adjoining buildings and had placed them in a far away location. Yamagata, along with Okina and the others from the Aoiya, had come to help. Okina placed a fatherly hand on Misao's shoulder in comfort. "They'll be able to start soon, Misao-chan. They need to wait for the fire to die down a bit more," He told her as she laid her head against his arm, burying her face to hide her tears.
As it happened, a gentle rain began to fall and helped to dispel the fire and work was begun pulling the debris to search for Aoshi and Kanryu. Misao helped take away debris as Okon and Omasu brought refreshment to the workers. Even Yamagata helped, which surprised everyone.
Misao was standing next to Kaoru when Shiro and Kuro looked in her direction with a sad smile. She started shivering and felt Kaoru's arm go around her. "We found Takeda." Shiro called out. Misao made her way to them, climbing over piles of burned wood and other remains. "Are you sure you want to see this?" Saitou asked her, running his hand over his jaw, wiping away the rain.
Misao merely nodded and looked upon what remained of Aoshi's foe; there was little left but a charred corpse. With the exception of Aoshi's kodachi protruding from his chest cavity. Misao reached out gingerly, feeling the heat still coming from the hilt, she unwrapped the remains of her uniform tie and wrapping it around the sword, pulled it out. She turned and saw Yamagata watching her. "I...will he..." She couldn't continue, fearing what Yamagata's answer would be.
The old general smiled gently at her, "Iie, Makimachi-san. Shinomori-san is not going to be taken away. Tokyo sent their order: Takeda Kanryu was to be dealt with by whatever means necessary. Your Aoshi saved many lives this day."
Misao felt a surge of relief; now if we can only find him, she thought, her eyes roaming the wreckage. As she picked her way around, she almost lost her footing as she felt it give. She thought she heard a groan and pulling the large piece away, saw part of Aoshi's coat. "HERE! He's here." She yelled and began rapidly digging through the still smoking pile. Everyone rushed to her and carefully assisted the determined shinobi. As they uncovered Aoshi, they realized the only thing that had saved him was a large piece of timber holding most of the heavier debris away.
When a large enough space opened up, Misao settled in beside Aoshi, taking his hand. She talked softly to him even though he was unconscious as Shiro and Sanosuke kept working to uncover Aoshi enough to get him out. Once, as they were working, the mound of rubble shifted, causing Aoshi to emit a soft groan. Misao put her lips to his ear, "Anata, I'm here. You're going to be fine." When she felt his fingers tighten on hers, she pulled back to look at his bruised and smoke darkened face.
Aoshi feeling some heavier timber come to rest against his legs, could not stop a slight sound from leaving his throat. He could feel Misao's ki near and knew it was she who held his hand. He opened his startling green eyes the tiniest bit to see her face, "Aishteru, koiishi."
The words barely heard, but to Misao, they meant the world. He was alive. Misao laid a hand against the blooming bruise on his sharp cheekbone as he lost the battle to keep his eyes open. Her tears fell to bathe his face.
Sanosuke, Shiro and Kuro worked quickly to free Aoshi; Megumi had borrowed a cart and laid some offered blankets in the back to make Aoshi more comfortable for the journey back to the Aoiya. She watched as the men gently lifted the injured Okashira and carefully made their way towards her. "Carefully." She ordered, climbing into the cart with Misao. "Can you take his head, Misao? Alright shift him forward, but keep his body in alignment." When Aoshi was set in place, head in Misao's lap, the cart moved forward at a slow, easy pace, Megumi already cataloguing the many injuries. She called out to Okon and Omasu who were running ahead to have everything ready.
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Several hours later, Aoshi had been treated, cleaned and was resting in his rooms, Misao watching over him. The others had gathered in Okina's sitting room to go over details and share information.
"We found where Takeda had been staying and questioned the other residents." Saitou told the group as he handed a bound journal to Yamagata. "Makes for very interesting reading. I'll say this of him, Takeda kept excellent records." He crushed out his cigarette.
Yamagata opened the book and skimmed the contents, "Aa, this should prove to be useful in our investigations." He concluded with a nod in Saitou's direction.
"I hope the Oniwabanshu's assistance will no longer be necessary," Okina said lighting his pipe. "I believe we've done enough." He finished, softly, thinking of the young man injured beyond belief upstairs. A young man he considered a son.
"Iie, you and your group have done more than enough, Okina-sama. I thank you." Yamagata then turned to Megumi, "How is Shinomori-san?"
"I believe he'll make a full recovery." Megumi answered and accepting tea from Omasu, continued. "He has several bullet wounds, one of which bled heavily. He has a puncture wound in his leg from a piece of debris; I've cleaned it and will have to monitor it closely. He has many bruises, scratches and contusions, probably from the fall. He's unconscious but that's normal. Between the blood loss, trauma not to mention the stress he's been under it's no wonder he's not dead. The fall alone..." She left that thought hanging, knowing full well everyone knew what could have happened.
"Aoshi has always been strong." Okina replied.
"He will be fine, that he will." Kenshin told the group. "He has much to live for after all." He finished, taking Kaoru's hand in his.
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Misao sat next to Aoshi, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. "I know you kept your promise by coming back to me, anata. But I want to see your beautiful green eyes smiling at me again, I want to see the little frown your lips wear when you read reports...I want to hear you say you love me..." Her voice trailed off. She brushed his hair away from his closed eyes, being careful of the bandages on his head. "It's over now, Hanya and the others can rest and so can you. You defeated the demon, Aoshi-sama." She leaned over and pressed the softest of kisses to his forehead.
Hours passed as Misao kept watch; Omasu and Okon had brought her something to eat which she left untouched. Her eyes never left Aoshi's slumbering form. As time crept, she became concerned when he never moved, never made a sound. When Megumi came to check on him before she retired for the night, Misao asked. "Is he really alright? He's not moved since you finished treating him."
Megumi smiled, "He's fine, Misao-chan. It's perfectly normal after what he's been through. Remember when he, Sir Ken and Rooster returned from Shishio's? Sir Ken was unconscious for days." When she saw the tension rise then fall in Misao's body she reassured her. "He's fine, he'll be barking orders before you know it." She then continued checking Aoshi's most serious injuries and found there was no sign of infection and was pleased.
Misao laughed quietly at the image that sprung to mind of Aoshi barking orders, "Domo arigato gozaimasu, Megumi-sensei. For treating him."
"Iie, he saved me from Kanryu." Megumi replied coming to her feet. She then noticed Misao's uneaten dinner. "You need to eat; keep your strength up. He'll need you." She told Misao, inclining her head in Aoshi's direction. She then knelt to pick up the tray, "I'll bring you something warm."
When Megumi left, Misao moved back to Aoshi's side, "You'd better not sleep for long, anata. I need you too."
The following morning, Omasu slid the shoji open to find Misao curled up as close to Aoshi as she could get. She smiled and knelt next to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. Misao jerked awake, "Gomen nasai, Misao-chan."
"Iie, Omasu-san. "Misao assured her. "What time is it?" She asked rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and stretching.
Omasu went to stoke the fire, "It's early yet. Did he have a good night?"
"Hai, he was quiet." Misao answered softly.
Omasu caught the fear in Misao's voice, "Megumi-sensei did say that was normal." She looked at Aoshi, "He can finally rest."
Misao stared at the woman who was like a sister to her, "You too?" When Omasu nodded , they shared a smile. They both knew Aoshi would finally find peace.
"I'll bring you some tea and breakfast."
An hour later, Megumi entered and examined Aoshi again. She left the room and came back with Omasu following, carrying a bowl of hot water and some cloths. Misao looked up in fear. "Something's wrong?"
"Iie, just want to take some precautions. I want to make a poultice for the puncture wound on his leg. His temperature is a bit elevated this morning. His other wounds are already healing nicely." Megumi replied, unwrapping the bandages from Aoshi's firmly muscled thigh. Shiro then came in carrying an armful of firewood.
"You're not going to have to cauterize it, are you?" Misao asked, coming to sit at Aoshi's head, stroking his silky, black hair.
"Medicine has come a long way from those days. The poultice should do the trick." Megumi told her, crushing the ingredients, making the paste. When she finished re-bandaging the leg, she looked up to see Misao caressing Aoshi's head and shoulders, love evident in every gesture. "I promise you, Misao. He'll be up in no time. Try not to worry."
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The next three days were a repeat of the first. Aoshi had still not regained consciousness and Misao was beyond worry. Everyone was concerned about her too. It finally took Sanosuke to shake her out of her depression and get her to eat, if only a little. But it was enough to satisfy even Megumi.
Omasu sighed and slid the shoji open on the fourth day, hoping to see Aoshi awake. To her sorrow, he was not. Though Misao was smiling for the first time in days; she raised an eyebrow in question.
"Look," Misao said quietly. Omasu moved closer and saw Aoshi had a tight grip on Misao's hand. "Watch." Misao then attempted to remove her hand from his and Omasu witnessed his grip tighten.
"I'll get Megumi." She said and laying a hand on Misao's shoulder, left the room.
Megumi entered, dressed only in her yukata. After a quick exam she looked to see Misao's hopeful face. "His temperature is much better," The past two days, they had battled an infection and even though his fever was dangerously high, Aoshi had still not moved. This had alarmed even Megumi. "Try talking to him."
Misao leaned down and whispered into Aoshi's ear, "You need to wake up now, anata. We need you back with us; I need you." When she tried pulling from his grasp, she thought she heard him say no. She pulled back to see his beloved face, "Aoshi?" When she tried again, he turned his head.
"...Iie...onegai..." His voice ragged from disuse.
Megumi seated herself next to him, opposite Misao. "Aoshi-san? Can you open your eyes?"
Misao watched as Aoshi's face took on a look of concentration and then his eyes opened to reveal an emerald fire she missed.
He did not want to let go, but it kept pulling away. He struggled to get his thoughts in order to form something coherent. Why can't they leave me be for just a little longer? he thought as he opened his eyes to the dimness of a room. He saw Misao leaning over him, tears in her smile. He gave a tug on her hand and she came closer. When she pressed her cheek to his, he whispered in her ear, "I kept my promise."
To Misao, those were the sweetest words ever said to her. She turned her face and blue met green, love being exchanged. She reached up to run the backs of her tiny fingers along his face, tears falling when he in turn, placed a kiss on her palm.
Later that afternoon, during one of the times Aoshi was awake, Yamagata visited. Aoshi was very wary of this meeting, not knowing what would happen to him. He had, after all, killed Kanryu.
"You are not in trouble, Shinomori-san. I received word from Tokyo just after you left that Takeda was to be dealt with in any manner possible. He was becoming a greater threat than even we knew at the time." Yamagata went on to explain about the contents of the journal Saitou had found.
Aoshi sat quietly, trying to digest the information. I'm finally free. The nightmare is over? he thought. He looked up when Yamagata said his name to get his attention. "Gomen, Yamagata-sama." He apologized.
"Iie, you are still recovering," the general said standing. "We can continue this later." He stopped at the door and turned to regard the younger man, leaning against the mound of pillows at his back and his guard for the afternoon, Okina. "Domo arigato gozaimashta." He bowed deeply in respect. "You and your friends have once again saved Japan." With that and a smile, he left.
Aoshi sighed deeply and closed his eyes. It was over. Finally. He made up his mind to go visit the graves and to take flowers this time. He would take Misao with him. He opened his eyes when he felt Okina's fatherly hand on his bandaged shoulder.
"You need to rest, Aoshi."
"Okina..."
"Don't argue. You're still recovering. You only awakened this morning. No need to push yourself." When Okina saw the argument brewing he went on, "I can always tell Misao."
Aoshi let his head fall back on the pillows, "Alright, I surrender. Please not that."
As Okina was helping him settle back into his futon, Misao came in carrying a tray with tea and snacks. She looked to her adopted grandfather, "Is he alright?"
"Hai. Just needs to rest." Okina replied taking a cup of tea from the tray. He watched as Misao took another cup and helped Aoshi to sip it.
Misao held the cup to his lips and when he motioned he was done, motioned to the tray. "Master Yugi brought your favorites, Aoshi. You wouldn't believe how many people have visited asking after you." She told him, brushing the hair out of his sleepy eyes.
"Mmmmm," Was the drowsy reply.
Misao looked back at him and smiled. He had fallen asleep again. She knew this would be the pattern for several days. He would sleep in snatches and they would grow further and further apart as he regained his strength. As Megumi had said, he would be up in no time.
END Part IX