First of all, I'd like to thank MindIIBody for helping me in writing this chapter. She made Ayame somuch more interesting, and I'm sure that you all will enjoy the chapter. X) Goodness knows that if she hadn't helped, Ayame would be rather boring in comparison to how she is now. Thank you so much!
Second, to my anonymous reviewers:
Thank you so much for reviewing! I'd list you all, but I'm sure that you'd rather read the story... that and I'd probablymiss someone. So to avoid hurting anyone'sfeeling, let me justsay thatI appreciate you all for reviewing, and I hope that you'll continue to read and enjoy!
Last, and least-the Disclaimer: No, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Too bad for me, but I'm sure the rest of you are happy about that, lol. ; P
--Chapter 8-Snake and Weasel--
The two men straightened at the girl's voice, confusion written all over their faces. "Misao-chan?"
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Kanaye was furious-no, livid. How on earth had the girl managed to outrun Okina? Granted, the man was old-but he was the best they had in this town!
Etsu calmly watched him pace, or rather stomp, the length of their bedroom from her seat on the bed. "It's of no use to be getting angry over it, Kanaye. Misao-chan's gone, but I do have something to tell that might appease you."
He stopped his pacing and looked up at his wife, anger was still coming from off his body in waves.
The woman sighed; her husband was so hard to deal with. "Listen, Soujiro-san may not be able to marry our actual daughter, but what about Kagami-chan?"
"What about her." he barely tried to make it sound like a question.
Repressing another sigh, Etsu continued, "Well…we've adopted her. Have we not?"
He nodded his head in affirmation in regards to her previous statement and she continued, "So, technically she is our daughter now. This could still create an alliance between our two families."
Kanaye's face suddenly lit up with understanding, "That's right, but would he-"
Etsu waved off his question with a gentle motion of her hand, "I've already taken care of it. Soujiro-san is still interested in allying his family to ours. He will be coming later today to discuss this with you."
The man looked very happy, a stark difference to his former appearance. "I'll go prepare for his arrival."
He left the room quickly, all thoughts of an alliance with the Soujiro family erasing the past thoughts of Misao's departure.
Etsu quickly closed the door to their room, "You can come out now, Kagami-chan."
The closet door creaked open slowly, a young woman's face peeking out nervously. "Is he gone?"
"Of course, child, I wouldn't have allowed you to come out otherwise." she smiled kindly at the girl as she timidly crept out of the closet and shut the door behind her.
Kagami was a beautiful girl, and looked perfect for the role of Soujiro-san's wife. A smile played about the older woman's lips, at the thought of her being able to help the two.
"Thank you so much, Etsu-san!" the girl cried, throwing her arms around the woman. "I'll never forget what you have done for me!"
Etsu stroked her hair softly, reminded of her daughter, she fought back a lump that arose in her throat, "It wasn't that much, and your Soujiro-san helped me greatly as well. I hope you two are very happy together."
She knew that even though this would appease Kanaye for a long while, he would still be furious over their daughter's disappearance. He could have had two alliances instead of just one. Sometimes, Etsu cursed her husband's greed-and this was one of those times.
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The two men had gotten over their surprise and were now chatting amiably with the girl. Everyone had stopped for a quick rest while Aoshi listened to the men's report.
Han'nya stayed close to Misao, finding himself oddly amused by her ceaseless chatter. It was of no surprise to see Shikijo staying close by as well, for close to the same reason as the masked man-and for the fact he wanted to stay away from Ayame. Ayame, on the other hand, seemed to have calmed down from her earlier tantrum as she turned her emerald eyes towards Aoshi.
"Aoshi-san, why on earth did you ignore me earlier?" the pretty, jade-eyed woman pretended to act curious but it rather came out to resemble more of a pout. In a slight way, she was hoping to induce a response from the stoic man.
Silence greeted her, but she could tell he was starting to react as the quirk of his eyebrow at her repeated question stated all. Twirling a kunai out of boredom between her slender and delicate fingers, she decided to see what the weasel was up to. No sense in irking Aoshi-san to the point of the man telling her to leave him alone. Having gotten that minimal reaction was enough... for now. It's time she paid homage to her new competition, even though she seemed like nothing worth her time.
Rule number one: All female human beings are competition…unless they were children. Although that girl resembled much of a child, it didn't mean she was one. Ayame was no fool; she saw the slight change in Aoshi before…and she was most definitely not going to get that little weasel have a turn with her Aoshi!
Misao's POV
"Yeah, Gramps said he wouldn't take me back. I was really relieved to hear that, I mean, can you imagine going back to my father? No thanks!"
I watched as Shiro and Kuro winced in sympathy as I mentioned my father. "Yeah, no way would I want to go back either," agreed Shiro, grimacing at the thought, "That man is a horrible-" he then stopped to look at me while adding, "No offense, Misao-chan."
"None taken," I replied, stretching upwards to ease a little tension out of my back.
"A run away are you? How interesting…" said a sarcastic voice full of mock humor and interest. Ayame sat down near me, but out of arm's reach. Heh, if need be, I can use my kunai to skewer that woman. Staying a little ways away wouldn't help her once I was angry.
"You know, Aoshi-san would never bring me on missions unless he thought it was fitting for me to do so," she smirked at me with her perfect lips as they pulled themselves into a slight sneer.
Instantly angered at this; I just couldn't help it as I glared, "What's that supposed to mean!"
She yawned almost thoughtfully as she gazed at me with pseudo awe that could be seen in her green orbs. A devilish smirk graced her features as she then twirled her kunai expertly between her fingers before starting to explain," He felt sorry for you, Misao-chan. I can't see why, you're perfectly capable of defending yourself… am I right?"
I bristled at her derisive use of that suffix, now I know what Yahiko felt when Kaoru and I would tease him with that, "You witch! He does not feel sorry for me!"
"Are you positive? It doesn't seem that way to me, I mean after hearing your case and all. Who wouldn't feel sorry for you?" she retorted with the utmost self-confidence.
I suddenly felt very small inside, maybe that was the case? Maybe Aoshi-sama did feel sorry for me? Then I shook my head, erasing those thoughts as best as I could. "He does not feel sorry for me!" I repeated loudly.
Seeing as she deliberately ignored my protest with her amused yet aggravating laughter, I stood up and turned away from her. Unless she wanted to be a human pincushion or better yet kunai cushion, she had best stay out of my way.
Han'nya remained silent, but placed a hand on my arm as I walked by. I gave him a half-smile in return but I just wanted to be by myself right now to try to get my emotions all under control.
Shikijo looked at me as I walked past and whispered with assurance, "Remember what I told you, kid."
I nodded and continued to walk away from the now bothersome area, for me at least. However, trying to find someplace comfortable to be able to sort out my problems was easier said than done. Wandering further and further away from the camp, so I could not hear that woman's horrendous laughter in the wind; I finally sat down in a semi-comfortable place. 'At least I can't hear her,' I comforted myself with that thought.
My thoughts suddenly turned to the time Aoshi-sama and I had first met. For some strange reason, it seemed I had met him before... but where?
A rustle behind me startled the train of thoughts away as I turned to look. A masked man stepped forward. "Come quietly, and I will not harm you."
I glared, quickly reaching for my stash of kunai, "Yeah right!"
I quickly released them before he could move towards me, "Kansatsu Tobikunai!"
To my utter shock he dodged them fluidly, moving with surprising speed as well as grace. 'It was a nice combination…NO! I'm NOT suppose to admire my opponent…I'm supposed to defeat him for threatening me like that!'
In one sudden moment, I sensed someone's chi behind me. It was a grave mistake to not concentrate sooner…but it was a little too late. Cursing myself for paying too much attention to the man in front of me, I tried to turn around when I felt something break into the flesh upon the back of my neck..
Reaching back to annihilate whatever insect that had dared to assault me, I found a feathered dart instead. I could feel my face pale as my world began to tilt menacingly. My vision was blurring as my eyes began to water…
The masked man stepped forward, "It was a shame that we had to rely on such violence, it would have been better if you had taken up on my offer when I told you to come quietly."
He chuckled slightly before standing up, "I suggest that you pray to kami-sama that your Okashira finds you valuable enough to trade for. The boss seems to want something from him."
"What would that be?" asked a cold voice that penetrated the haze that was currently taking over my mind. My vision was so blurred at that point that I could barely make out the two men's figures. What the heck had that dart's tip been covered with?
I sank heavily onto my knees as the world started to turn black. The screams of the unfortunate man was the last thing I heard before everything turned black and I tumbled headlong into oblivion.
End of Misao's POV
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Aoshi wanted to kill the man for harming Misao, he really wanted to kill him. Trying to keep the icy bloodlust from taking its revenge upon the now unconscious man, he grasped the collar of his shirt and dragged him over to where Misao had fallen.
He gave an unnoticeable smirk as he thought of the man that was still in hiding. Fool…
With lightning speed and the agility of a panther, he disappeared in a blur only a rustle of grass and dead leaves giving evidence to the fact that he had been there previously.
Breaking out into a cold sweat, the black covered man couldn't believe what he just saw. One minute that man had been there with his fallen companion and captured enemy, the next minute he disappeared into thin air!
His breath caught in his throat and his heart skipped a beat as he felt the cold bite of steel across his throat.
"Don't move," voiced a command; the glacial tones of his attacker warned him of the upcoming pain that would come if he did indeed move.
The darts and blowpipe fell from his nerveless grasp and hit the tree's branch with a small clatter and it seemed tovibrate ominously in his ear as he surrendered to his fate of captivity.
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"Aoshi-san, if I may ask, who are these men?" questioned a bewildered Ayame as she glanced at the men that were being dumped unceremoniously in front of the five other Oniwabanshu.
Ice blue eyes flickered from Han'nya to the woman, "You both take one and interrogate them. Find out what they were doing, why they were spying on us, and who they work for." After taking a quick glance at Misao's pale face, he added, "Also, find out whether or not that man's darts were tipped with a lethal poison."
He motioned with his head towards the conscious captive who paled at the angry gleam in Ayame's eyes.
Han'nya bowed and dragged the unconscious man away to the shelter of the woods, taking with him a bottle of smelling salts.
Shikijo smirked slightly; you almost had to feel sorry for the man.
Though he was not as cruel as Okina, Han'nya had his ways of... convincing them to talk.
Ayame glared viciously at the offending man who cringed visibly at her look. He just had to interrupt any time she could get with her Okashira. Then again, if she did a good job with the interrogation, Aoshi-san would at least commend her. With that thought in mind, her lips curled into a malicious smile. Oh yes, the man would talk. She never failed to get a hostage to talk, whether through cruelty or other means. After all, it was her job to get them to talk and she would not fail now. Besides they never stayed quiet long. Casting a glance at the object Aoshi was carrying, she could have sworn her mouth dropped open slightly. The minx had apparently passed out and he was carrying her!
She glared as she watched Aoshi place her gently down on the ground before issuing orders to his men. With a growl, she turned on her heel sharply and whipped out her favorite weapon, a shikoro. The wide blade's jagged toothed edge flashed dangerouslyin the light causing the man to pale further. Since she was now in a foul mood, she decided it would be best to take it out on the one who was part of her problem. 'It appears my prey is scared, that's good since when I'm done with him, he'll be nothing but skin and bones…this would be satisfying after all.' Ayame thought with sadistic glee as she eyed the pale wide-eyed man.
Crouching down in front of him, she smiled as her green eyes possessed the same wicked tint as her smile. "Now, let's go somewhere else. I'd rather you not disturb my Okashira if you decide to scream."
With that being said, she pulled her ill-fated captive into another deserted area where her 'interrogation' was about to begin. She turned back briefly to look at her beloved Okashira before heading deeper into the wilderness. As she stared at him longingly, her final thoughts were –as she glared at Misao, 'I will not lose…not after everything I've done just to get this far. She will not have him…I'll see to it that she does not. I think it's about time we start the game of war…'
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--END NOTES--
Enjoy it? Well if you did, please review and let me know. : )
MindIIBody did such a great job in shaping Ayame's character, ne? This is just how I wanted her to turn out, I was simply unable to achieve it without help. She will -hopefully- help me with her until Ayame isn't able to be put in anymore. I'll leave you to guess as to why she's going to not be able to stay until the end. Hopefully this chapter did not disappoint those of you who have waited so long for it. And I'm really really sorry for the wait! I had planned on posting this yesterday, but when I came home from work, my dad was fixing my aunt's computer and had kidnapped my keyboard from the computer in my sister's and my bedroom. So... between the job and that, I couldn't post it. I sincerely apologize and I promise that won't happen again. I'll at least give some warning beforehand if I know my week's going to be hectic.