The Art of Seduction: Chapter 3
Dangerous Liaisons
by Iridian
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, it belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama
The knowledge and names of moves performed by any of these characters is credited to Let It Burn.
A lesser man in Aoshi's place might have shed a tear.
"Aoshi-sama?" prompted Misao for the umpteenth time, still happily chattering away while the other occupants of the table had already given up conversation in favor of watching a different form of entertainment.
Aoshi sucked in a huge breath, then slowly set down the bowl and chopsticks he was holding, preferring to hold his steaming cup of tea, in which he sought some comfort and solace.
"Yes, Misao?" replied Aoshi.
"Uhh…actually, after all this time, I don't remember anymore," remarked Misao happily, putting on a blinding smile.
Everyone at the table sweatdropped. Aoshi took another sip of his tea.
Kenshin looked up sharply, then said casually, "We have company."
Kaoru looked startled for a moment, and her gaze snapped to the shoji doors that opened to reveal.
"Konbanwa minna-san," said the Tenken, bowing politely.
"Sou-chan?" cried Kaoru, jumping up and engulfing her friend in a huge hug.
The Tenken merely smiled, giving Kaoru a congenial pat on her back.
Kenshin stood, his gold eyes flashing at the sight that was before him.
"Tenken," he greeted carelessly.
"Battousai," replied Soujirou.
Aoshi, Sano, and Misao were immediately on guard when they heard the name, Aoshi's hands hovering dangerously close to the hilts of his kodachi, Sano clenching his fists, and Misao holding a fistful of kunai in her hand.
Soujirou glanced over at them, his smile still firmly in place. "Makimachi-san, there is no need to hold those. I assure you that you would miss."
Misao growled, bristling at the comment. "What the hell does that mean, Tenken?" She spat the last word out.
"I only say that, because it my student dodged your kunai with no effort, her shishou wouldn't have too hard a time of it, now would he, Makimachi-san?"
Misao let out a hmpph, but knew that he was right. Not that she'd ever admit it aloud.
Kaoru cleared her throat, then ignoring the tension in the room, began to make introductions.
"Sou, this is my fiancé, Lord Himura Kenshin. That is Shinomori Aoshi, Sagara Sanosuke, and Makimachi Misao," said Kaoru, pointing in turn to each person.
"This is my shishou, Seta Soujirou," she said.
"Oh yes, we know him, the Tenken, second in command of the Juppongatana," said Sano viciously.
"And I know you. Himura Kenshin, the Hitokiri Battousai of the Ishin Shishi, Shinomori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, Sagara Sanosuke, captain of the Sekihoutai, and Makimachi Misao…a kuroichi," finished Soujirou.
The four bristled, their hands all inching towards their respective weapons.
Kaoru quickly sought a solution.
"Do not draw your weapons," said Kaoru, her commanding voice earning all of their attention. "We are all on the same side. Seta Soujirou's loyalties lie with myself and my kingdom, therefore making his loyalties also to you, my future husband and his allies," said Kaoru calmly.
"Soujirou no longer belongs to the Juppongatana and has since severed all ties with them. I will not tolerate your ostracizing him, his loyalties are proven."
"Kenshin, Sano, Aoshi, and Misao are all my friends and I trust them with my life. They are not a threat," said Kaoru.
The five dropped their hands to their sides, though the tension was still there.
"I suggest you resolve your differences. It is the past, and we are all bound together now." Kaoru turned and slid the shoji doors open, padding down the hallway to her room.
The five were left alone.
---
The four who were at the table took their seats, and Kenshin gestured for Soujirou to sit down.
"Kamiya-san is correct. We are all allies now, through her," said Aoshi, black bangs falling gracefully over his eyes as he looked steadily at the Tenken.
Misao smiled widely, sticking her hand out to the Tenken. "Welcome! Well, you already know my name so…hey! Can I call you Sou-chan?" She smiled brightly at Soujirou, the hitokiri sweatdropping slightly.
Misao managed to carry out the mostly one-sided conversation for entirely too long, until she loudly announced she was tired and skipped off to her room.
The four men were left in the room alone.
"Kaoru…has all the top organizations either with her or against her. Interesting place for a girl like her, ne?" said Soujirou conversationally.
"The Ishin Shishi, the Sekihoutai, the Oniwabanshuu, the Shinsengumi…and the Juppongatana." Soujirou counted off each organization with a finger.
Kenshin leaned forward, his gold eyes guarded. "Why the Juppongatana?"
"Why do you think Saitoh agreed to your demands so easily?"answered Soujirou easily, "Shishio has wanted his hands on that girl to cement his ties to a valid government and the Shinsengumi. Whoever marries Kaoru is next in line for the Kamiya throne."
"Saitoh has the forces to protect his daughter himself, doesn't he?" said Kenshin, his eyes narrowing.
"The Juppongatana is a force to be reckoned with, even after I left them and pledged allegiance to Saitoh. They have a core of elite warriors that are more than enough to take on Saitoh's whole army in a fair fight," said Soujirou, his smile empty.
"So Saitoh sought protection for his daughter in creating an alliance with other factions," said Aoshi, his eyes closed in understanding.
"He pulled us into a war we didn't even know was a threat," said Sano, his voice quietly enraged. "The Juppongatana haven't been active at all lately, we haven't even expected this."
"Do you still want to marry her, Battousai?" said Soujirou, his smile mocking.
Kenshin answered, his voice hard, "I will not give up on her so easily. If war is my choice, then preparations will begin immediately and the wedding will go forth as planned."
"Kenshin, do I have your permission to activate the Oniwabanshuu?" said Aoshi.
"Yes. I want all of our allies informed, Emperor Hajime…and…Seijirou Hiko," said Kenshin, the last name preceded by a heavy sigh.
In spite of everything, Sano grinned. "I can't wait to hear what our shishou has to say, baka deshi."
Kenshin glared at him, then stood.
"Soujirou, you will be lending your intelligence and your skill to our efforts, we will further discuss this later."
Soujirou stood, his voice effectively stopping the Battousai. "Shishio would not stand up so blindly against you if he did not have backing. I have hear rumors that it is headed by none other than the Empress's own brother."
"Do you have knowledge of this group?" said Kenshin, not turning to face him.
"Not yet. I am leaving tomorrow to begin…inquiring after them," said Soujirou.
Kenshin walked away, heading towards his room, and the remaining dispersed soon after.
---
Kenshin's mind was swirling. He knew of the organization that Soujirou had mentioned. The Empress's estranged brother, Yukishiro Enishi, had been implicated in the group. The Jinchuu. According to the latest intelligence, they had recently been joined by the Shimabara, a Japanese-Christian group.
He walked quietly into the bedroom, where he discovered Kaoru sprawled over the bed, the sheets thrown halfway off.
He walked into the bathroom, changing quickly into his sleeping yukata, then maneuvered Kaoru so he could get onto the bed. Almost as quickly, Kaoru rolled back over, her long limbs thrown precariously over his body, her face pillowed on his side.
Kenshin looked down, expelling a breath he didn't know he was holding. His resolve strengthened.
This is what I am fighting for.
---
Soujirou hadn't gone to sleep. Sleep was something he had learned to do without long ago, and tonight he needed to think. He leapt onto the roof of the hotel, leaning back and staring at the stars.
This war would cost many lives. Soujirou expected that the Battousai knew more than he let on, but decided to conceal the more unhappy truths. Soujirou was content with that. Sometimes it is better to go into battle without knowing all the specifics.
It was a monotonous thing, killing. The world was painted in one shade, the sounds were always loud and unappealing. The end was always the same, with variances on the amount of pain. It was not something Soujirou enjoyed, but he excelled at it. He had been always used for this purpose when his skills had first emerged, and his speed surpassed all else. Even the Battousai's god-like speed paled in comparison to Soujirou's Shukuchi. Not that Soujirou's head was getting big. He knew that should he come against the Battousai, he would most likely lose.
The sound of footsteps was at Soujirou's left. His hand crept closer to the hilt of his sword as they came nearer.
He leapt, pinning the intruder underneath him, his sword partially drawn with the blade pressed against the intruder's neck.
"Misao?" said Soujirou, suddenly aware of the identity of said 'intruder'.
"Kami-sama, Sou-chan. You certainly scared me there," said Misao, rubbing her neck experimentally. "Your reflexes are amazing though." She smiled at him, then moved to a more comfortable position, her legs splayed out over the tile roof.
"Couldn't sleep?" said Soujirou politely.
"Nope," replied Misao, "I haven't done anything all day. I'll tell you a secret though." She leaned conspiratorially towards Soujirou.
"I intend to spar Kaoru tomorrow," she whispered.
Soujirou leaned back, his smile still in place. "I would not advise that Makimachi-san. Her skill surpasses your own, she has trained since birth."
"Well…I've trained all my life too! Ninja training, you know," said Misao arrogantly.
"How many weapons can you wield proficiently? You know only of kempo, and have mastered kunai, I believe," said Soujirou. Misao smiled, her arrogance getting the better of her. "You have only been half-trained. Your training has never been completed, you can never seem to finish a fight, which means that you have never learned your style's more complicated attack forms."
"Kaoru has mastered many different styles, some of which I did not teach her. Kamiya Kasshin Ryu was passed on to her by a monk who was the last of that style, she is now the sole master of that. I have taught her my style, the Tenbu no Sai Niyoru Ken, though she will never exceed me in that area. The two of us also learned her father's style, the Mizoguchi Haiitou Ryu," said Soujirou, watching Misao's expression of awe. "She has been trained in weaponry by all the masters in her father's kingdom. She is proficient in katana, staff, kodachi, kunai, bladed fan, and every other blade I have managed to get my hands on and teach her."
Soujirou smiled complacently at Misao. "Do you still want to challenge my tanuki deshi, Makimachi-san?"
"Of course I do! Now I will train until I can exceed her of course!" cried Misao.
Soujirou eyes looked admiring for a split second, before they shut again. "If you wish, Makimachi-san."
"Mou, Sou-chan. Call me Misao! Makimachi-san makes me feel thirty. Besides, if anyone should be called san around here, it should be you. You are my senior by three years," said Misao.
"If you like," said Soujirou, conceding.
"Good," said Misao, again giving him a bright smile, before turning back to gaze at the stars.
The two sat in companionable silence, Soujirou breaking the silence.
"Do you see that start, Misao? The bright one over there?" said Soujirou softly, pointing to one bright pinpoint of light in the east.
"I used to look at that star when I was younger. It always brought me a lot of hope and peace. It still does, actually," said Soujirou, laying his hand back down at his side.
"It's a beautiful star, Sou-chan," said Misao, sensing Soujirou's silence. "Hey, let's name it!"
Soujirou peeked over at the onmitsu in surprise. "Ara?"
"Hm…I guess naming it Sou or Sou-chan would be a tad obvious…hmm…How about…" the young ninja trailed off, not knowing what to name it.
"Ne, how about matsudai?" suggested Soujirou, his eyes veiled.
"Forever…" thought Misao out loud. "Ok, Sou-chan. It can mean that we'll be friends forever. How about that?"
"I would like that very much, Misao," said Soujirou.
"Great!" said the ninja, leaning over to give Soujirou a big bear hug.
The two sat in silence, gazing quietly at the stars.
Soujirou was surprised when he felt warm weight drop into his lap, casting his eyes downward to see Misao pillowed in his lap.
He watched the sun rise, bringing warm colors across the horizon and casting a warm glow on Misao's face, highlighting her light gold complexion. Without a sound, the Tenken gathered her in his arms, and leapt down from the roof to set Misao back into her room.
Creeping quietly in the hallway, he walked into what he guessed was Misao's room, and laid her on the futon, drawing the sheets up around her slender form.
"Okaeri nasai, Misao," said Soujirou, before padding back out into the hallway.
Aoshi stood, leaning against a wall, his blue-grey eyes locking with Soujirou's dark blue ones. The tall silent man nodded slightly, then turned to open the shoji doors to his own room, the sliding them shut. The Tenken went back into his room to seek sleep, but that night he found none.
---
Meanwhile Kenshin heard the meeting out in the hallway, his light sleep broken. He looked at his fiancée, his mind confused.
Surely no woman is worth such a war. A woman, drawing out the tiger, the wolf, and the panther all out to fight for her…Kenshin broke off his thoughts as he saw the last vestiges of the moonlight cross Kaoru's face, chased away by the rays of sunlight.
He reached out a hand, brushing her face with the backs of his fingers.
This woman…is worth it.
---
Sano tossed and turned in his sleep, unable to find it.
This war…will cost many lives. Kaoru has all the strongest factions coming out in a head to head battle for her. It makes me wonder why her. She is an extraordinary woman, but even that is far from warranting a war of these proportions.
Sano sighed, turning his thoughts to better things.
I wonder how the Megitsune it doing…I bet that little brat Yahiko-chan is driving her insane. Oh sis…what's going to happen to us now?
Sano got up, but whipped around, in a fighting stance, when the shoji doors to his room opened slowly, revealing little Tsubame.
"Hey kid," said Sano, frowning at Tsubame's slumping figure, "What's up?"
"I can't sleep, Uncle Sano," said Tsubame, rubbing her eyes. "My lady Kaoru is in her room with Uncle Kenshin, and I can't disturb them. Uncle Aoshi looked so tired today…Aunt Misao would wake everyone up, and Uncle Sou wasn't there," explained the little girl.
Sano smiled at the familiar way that she addressed everyone. The kid really gets to everyone. Even Kenshin and Aoshi like her. She's got spunk, and is so devoted to Kaoru…
"So kid, what do you want to talk about?" said Sano, sitting down on the tatami mat, leaning against the wall.
Tsubame kneeled, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "Could you tell me about Uncle Kenshin's estate?"
Sano cleared his throat. "Well, Kenshin has got the biggest estate of any lord, and it's all very beautiful, or so my sister says. He owns Kyoto and the surrounding area, and there's this huge stretch of coast. You can cross the ocean there to China, and all sorts of other places…"
Sano continued on, rambling affectionately about the main house, and the people there, before he noticed that little Tsubame had already fallen asleep. He walked over and picked her up, walking out into the hallway and setting her on her futon, tucking her in.
What a kid. Her parents must be proud… Sano grinned, then shook his head.
I'm not going to be having kids any time soon though…heh, the brat is enough before trying to have my own.
With one last affectionate glance at Tsubame, he left, shutting the shoji doors softly behind him.
Aoshi's voice cut through the silence, his tone low. "Itching to be a father, tori-atama?"
Sano chose to ignore the slur, and waved a hand at Aoshi. "No more than any other guy."
Aoshi nodded, and the two bid each other good night and went into their respective rooms to settle for the night.
That's right…Sano wants to be a father! There are going to be a lot of alternate pairings in this fic…but I can't tell you, because if I did, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it? Review!
Iri
Lady Vite: Thanks, and no offense taken. If I found something like that, I probably would say something too.
Koopatroopa2: I've changed the story…but if you don't read it, it's your choice.
Reignashii: Thanks…if I get another comment on the similarities, I might give up on the story all together. I won't have myself plagiarizing…argh…that makes it sound so unoriginal…
Sims are awesome: Thanks for the advice!
Thanks to:
Half-breed-demon-fox
Tdkl
For reviewing!
