Chapter 4: Tangled in a Web of Lies
Ah Katsura-san. How are you today?
What do you want Iizuka?
You presume I want something from you.
Iizuka the only time you ever ask me how I'm doing is when you want something. Spit it out. I don't have the time for you or your games!
How is Ikumastsu-san's plan working on the battousai?
Even someone as dense as you should know the answer to that question. I don't think that Ikumatsu-san has ever failed in a matchmaking quest. She did set Takasugi up with Uno if I'm not very much mistaken. And it worked. She just takes this like any other matchmaking test. By the way, why do you happen to be so interested in this?
Well let's just say that I have received some very interesting death threats from the Battousai.
You didn't happen to give him advice on women again. Did you?
Hai.
Well in that case you deserve exactly what you got.
Hey!
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That fox bossing me around like I'm her husband... Kuso I don't believe that Jou-chan disappeared yet again... Man when the itachi finds out she's gonna flip her lid. This was a small sample of the musings going on inside the head of Sanosuke Sagara's head has he strode down the streettoward the rather large wood building known as the Aoiya. Why did I even agree to this... if Weasel girl doesn't kill me the ice cube probably will... well I guess the moment of judgment has finally arrived.
Sano tried to hide the glum look he had on his face but, unlike Aoshi, was unable to. He walked has quietly has he could into the Aoiya preferably to reach the Okashira before the Itachi found him.
"Tori-atama what the hell are you doing here!"
Mission failure.
"Rooster-head is something the matter?"
How does she always read me like an open book...
" Calling all bird-heads. Would you please report to the front of the boat"
"Boat! Nani?"
"Geez what's up with you?"
"Oh that, I kinda need to talk to the Ice cube..."
"AOSHI-SAMAAAAAAA, TORI-ATAMA WANTS TO TALK TO YOU!"
"Geez, can't you keep quiet for one minute! Your going to make me deaf!"
"Zanza, what did you come here to tell me?"
"Ah, Shinomori-san. Can we please discuss this somewhere else..." Sano tried to get away from the overly zealous weasel bouncing at his side.
"I'm kind of busy right now. What ever you have to tell me, Misao can hear right?"
"Hai..... Iie, Iie! No as a matter fact she can't..." Sano was at this point willing to sell his soul to the devil just to get away from the Itachi.
"Pleeaase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise I won't tell!" Her waist long braid waving back and forth.
"She will stay..."
The second those words were out of his mouth Aoshi found his breathing getting rather difficult.
"Misao let me go." Instantly the hug was broken.
"Hai... Gomen.." Misao removed her hands and turned away, a slight blush staining her cheeks.
"Geez weasel can't you act more your age? You are 16 right?"
" Zanza I told you before. I really don't have time to waste. Please give us the message."
"Demo..."
"Just spit it out tori-atama!"
"Fine," Sano did his best to gather his courage for the maelstrom that was sure to follow. Closing his eyes, he spoke, "Jou-chan is missing." He opened his eyes expecting a storm of kunai coming his way. But, what he saw, he was not expecting. Misao was on her knees, her face as pale as a ghost and the Okashira was kneeling next to her trying to comfort her...
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Damn it! How can that baka think he understands me! When I get my hands on him he is sooooo dead. Kaoru was steamed. I need to vent. I need my bokken... His pretty little head between a rock and my bokken... what I wouldn't give up to be able to do that... but that damn act. I need to act like a perfect lady around the others. I can't just go about asking for a bokken. Let alone a gi and hakama. Kaoru knew that if she was ever going to feel any better about this predicament she would need a release. The laundry... it's hanging back there...
Kaoru stole out of the room and down the stairs opposite to the kitchen. She tiptoed out and around the inn to the back where the laundry was hanging. Nabbing the smallest hakama and gi, she rushed to the shed in the backyard of the inn opening the door just a crack she was able to make out several swords and dusty shinai. She changed into the training outfit in the shed and snatched a shinai leaving her kimono behind. Hmmm I need a quiet place where one could practice and not be overseen... The woods!
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Kenshin's blade paused mid-swing at the sound of somebody approaching. Who the hell would come into the woods in the middle of the day... Amber eyes narrowed, as the person seemed to walk even closer to his secluded training spot. Jumping, not a moment to soon, into the relative cover of the trees. He leaned against the larger branches peeking through them at the figure just entering the clearing below. It's her...What the hell is she doing with a shinai?
Kenshin soon got his answer, as Kaoru chose a stance and began a kata that he had never seen. She knows kendo! Not bad... Kaoru was wielding her bokken with grace such that even someone as as talented as himself thought she was a decent swords women. Kenshin grinned inwardly. She could beat most of the men in this inn...
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Kaoru entered a seemingly empty clearing. Perfect... Took a deep breath, and began her kata, imagining a certain red head as the target for her onslaught. Soon all her worries were forgotten and she began to take note of her surroundings. The smell of pine, sandelwood and soap began to invade her senses. Smells like the dojo right after the students cleaned it. She imagined herself sparring with her father on the smooth pine floor. Spending more time on the floor then actually on her feet. The sight of the built man hunched over a small raven haired girl hugging her tightly... Don't think like this... You know that they're never coming back... Don't cry...
Instead she took a peek into the sky noting the position of the sun. I'm going to be late! She hurried out of the clearing and back toward the inn of her "captors".
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"Okashira is something the matter?"
"Hai, It turns out the Kamiya girl has disappeared."
"I guess I better go visit Okita-san then."
"Hai, even though he's barely older than her, he still should have taken her under his custody."
"I agree. It would have made all of our lives a bit easier. That girl is a magnet for trouble."
"I have a really bad feeling about this."
"I know what you mean. Ever since her father died one thing after the other seems to be going wrong."
"Kamiya was last seen at Okubo's dinner party. It turned out she was singing there."
"She could have been raped... or worse dead." Okina was finding it hard to think of any positive ways this new bit of information would help. "I better tell Okita-san that. Okubo is very lucky that he's dead. If he wasn't already killed by the Battousai, he would most definitely be killed by Okita. If not Saitoh. "
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"Misao-chan get out of your room!"
"Iie!"
"But, it's time for dinner!"
"I said Iie!"
"Fine, if your being this stubborn. I'll just leave some food for you later on in the kitchen."
"Arigato..." came the muffled reply.
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"Okon what's wrong?"
"It's Misao." she said sighing "She doesn't seem to want to eat. Misao-chan skipped lunch and now refused to eat dinner. Omasu why does she always have to get so hung over things?"
"I dunno. That girl just has too much energy for her standard duties so she wastes it all bouncing around I guess."
"Or ogling at her beloved 'Aoshi-sama' !"
"Or grieving over her best friend who could be dead." intoned a third voice.
"Okashira!" stammered out the two ninjas.
"Kaoru Kamiya has gone missing. Misao has chosen to go into grieving."
"Grieving! Misao! Nani?" stammered Okon.
"The words Misao and grieving don't even belong in the same sentence!"
"I would advise you two to stay clear of her for a little while. She needs time alone." This said, Aoshi strode out of the dining hall and back upstairs.
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"Okita-san, I have some terrible news to deliver. Your niece, Kaoru Kamiya, has disappeared."
"Arigato, Okina-san. Is there, perhaps, any information about the location of her last appearence?"
"Hai, she was last seen, singing at Okubo's dinner party."
"That idiot should be glad he is dead! He was a moron who thought he could use the war to his advantage. Take over the ishin shishi and the shogunate while they are to busy fighting each other!"
"Maa maa Okita-san. He is dead. No need to get all riled up over it."
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Kaoru walked up the stairs to the room that she was temporarily sharing with the red head. Only to pause. The door was ajar and Himura was changing. Wow... Kaoru couldn't help but let her jaw drop open at the sight of the half naked hitokiri. She let her eyes wander down his back. From his leanly muscled shoulders all the way down to the strong lower back. Damn. What a figure. To put a finger and trace it along every... Bad Kaoru! Thus she snapped out of her reverie and knocked firmly on the door.
Kenshin donned his gi and opened the shoji to reveal a lightly blushing Kurasa.
"Could you please tell me where I could get a clean kimono? Mine is tad dirty." To put it lightly. She glanced down at the once clean kimono. Now it's pale blue color was dirtied by drops of dried blood. The hem darkened with dirt.
"Okami-san left a couple in the room for you." He strode into the room and crossed to the chest from which he just took out his gi. He opened it, and pulled out a folded article of clothing. Handing it over he glided toward the door but, paused. "The meeting will take place 3 rooms across the hall to the right. Remember what I told you before. I'll be waiting." With that said he took his exit closing the door behind him.
Kaoru unfolded the kimono and gasped at the beauty. It was a light shade of periwinkle with swirls of silver filigree scattered about. The obi a rich shade of silver matching the swirls. She put it on and tied the obi in a complicated knot and exited the room.
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Kurasa kneeled next to the battousai. Across from them kneeled another man whom she assumed to be Katsura and another women.
"Battousai, would you please introduce your lady friend."
"Katsura-san, Ikumatsu-san, I'd like you to meet Ukiko, Kurasa. This is the girl who saw the assination of General Okubo."
"Since she saw you kill somebody she is to stay with the ishin shishi until the end of this war arrives so that nobody will know about your whereabouts. In addition with having to stay with the Ishin, she will also be required to work for her board and stay. Kurasa will be paid for her work."
"Is this how you treat your prisoners?" snapped Kurasa.
"Iie. Normally they are simply killed. But, since you are female you have a few more options."
This is not good. How am I to tell those guys that I'm fine when I'm stuck being servant in this inn!
" Since there currently is a lack of rooms. You will be rooming with Himura..."
"I refuse!" stated kurasa and the battousai simultaniously.
"As I said there is a lack of rooms. Unless you would like her to room with Iizuka, Battousai."
"She can stay with me." God only knows what he'll do with somebody so kawaii. He'll probably do something like defile her. That damn hentai.
"Ukiko-san you may now return to your room. I have some business to discuss with the batttousai."
"I'm not happy with these conditions Katsura-san. Though I might be a women, I will find a way to make you pay for this." With that Kurasa exited slammimg the shoji shut behind her.
"Himura-san here," he slipped a black envelope across the table, "Please take care of this tonight."
"Arigato, Katsura-san." Kenshin then snatched the envelope off the table and walked out of the meeting room. Upon exiting he was met by ice blue eyes.
" I want to go with you."
"You'll just get in the way."
"I'm coming with you and thats final." Kurasa latched onto his arm relishing the warmth.
Kenshin sighed inwardly. I'll go to the Aoiya then come back here and ditch her. With that decided Kenshin and Kaoru started down the stairs arm in arm. Only to be met with a very unwelcome presence.
"Nice women you got their Himura. Won't she be a little too fiesty in bed for your taste?"
"Iizuka, I've got my katana right now thirsty for your blood. If you don't shut the fuck up, right now I'll give in to its want and slit your throat in the most painful manner I can think of. Believe me you really don't want that to happen."
"I believe you. Can't you take a joke?"
"He can take one. Just not one from you. Asshole!" called Kaoru toward the retreating form of Iizuka. "Arigato, Himura-san for not making me stay with him. Also gomen if I caused you any trouble. As far I've seen you've only tried to look out for me. And I've gone and treated you like dirt. Gomen nasai." She bowed toward him then latched on to his arm yet again."That doesn't mean that I'm not coming with you though. I was bored out of my mind today!"
She changes her opinions about people so quickly. She trusts people so easily too...
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The walk to Aoiya passed in silence. Both too preoccupied with their own thoughts.
Why are we entering the Aoiya. Don't Misao and all those guys work for the Shogun?
Omasu walked up to the pair that just entered. Glanced at Kaoru and politely asked "Would you like a table for 2?"
"Actually no. I'm here to see Shinomori, Aoshi."
How the hell does he know Aoshi! Kaoru's thoughts were reeling from all the implications of this new development.
"I'll get him right away. Could you please follow me to the meeting room?"
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Misao was finally hungry after all her crying and decided to go get the food that was supposedly left for her in the Kitchen. Knowing Sano he probably ate the food before leaving. A wistful smile crossed her face as she left the room in search of food. Looking up she glanced a pair of blue eyes. Upon closer inspection she noticed raven black hair. Kaoru?
Without further thought she yelled joyfully. "KAO-CHAN!"
Author's Notes : Well how did you guys like that chappie? I'm really sorry it took so long to update. I'm just really, really busy. I didn't think that chapter was as good as my previous ones because my muse died on me! (muse reviews)
If I recieve 7 more reviews within the next 2 days I'll give you guys a new chapter in a week or less. If I don't, it'll take 2 weeks or more for a new chap to come out. So please read and review!
Disclamer: The day I own Rurouni Kenshin is the day pigs fly and hobbits rule the earth.
Nobuhiro Watsuki owns all the characters!
Japanese to English Glossary
hai- yes
iie-no
gomen nasai- sorry
-chan - little
-san - mr, miss. mrs
-sama - lord...
okashira-leader
kunai- throwing knives
katana - japanese long sword
bokken - wooden sword
shinai- practice bamboo sword
tori-atama- bird head
tanuki -racoon
itachi- weasle
arigato- thank you
demo-but
nani-what
kata- series of moves to practice a certain martial art
kendo-swordplay
gi- shirt worn by the samurai
hakama- pants worn by the samurai
kimono- robe worn by women tied with an obi
obi- sash that ties the kimono closed
shogun- ruler of japan
shogunate- people supporting the shogun. like the shinsengumi
kawaii-cute
hentai-pervert
shoji- rice paper door
kurasa - raven
ishin shishi- rebel group during the bakumatsu
Remember if I recieve 7 or more reviews you'll get your chappie in a week or less. If not you won't get another chappie for like 2 weeks! Please review!
