Scars of the Past
Chapter Fifteen
It had been several hours since Sano had returned. Everyone was still asleep, and even Yutaro was beginning to doze off. Megumi had popped into the bedroom to make sure everything was all right about an hour before.
She had not answered Yutaro's inquiries as to Soujiro's health, her normally pretty face grim and her lips a thin line. Yutaro was trying not to dwell on that and remind himself that sometimes no news was good news.
The peaceful atmosphere of the dojo was abruptly shattered by the shrill sound of a police whistle. Faster than a rabbit, Yutaro had leapt to his feet, heart racing.
The police and Saitoh had finally arrived. And nothing good could come from it.
"It will be all right, Yutaro-kun," said a quiet voice from the corner, and the German boy jumped in surprise. He hadn't known Kenshin had been awake. "Help me up, please. I will go talk to Saitoh."
Acting as a human crutch, Yutaro helped Kenshin to shuffle out of the room and down the hall towards the front entrance of the dojo. They reached the front porch just as a tall, black-haired and golden-eyed cop was about to enter.
"Saitoh," Kenshin greeted as cordially as possible, doing his best to balance on his own.
"Battousai," the man sneered. "I think you and I are going to have quite the discussion."
Kenshin inclined his head. "I had assumed as much. If it is all right with you, might we discuss it right here? I'm afraid Kaoru-dono's dojo is quite damaged from last night's attack."
"The building isn't the only thing. Sit down before you die on me."
Yutaro eyed the man curiously. Despite his rough and callous tone, he almost swore that the man was concerned about Kenshin's health. Maybe this would work out after all.
"Yutaro-kun, could you please go fetch us some tatami mats? There should be some in the front room."
Not daring to speak, the boy gave a nod and after making sure Kenshin wasn't going to tip down the steps, he dashed off, returning moments later and placing the cushions on the ground.
Police officers were in the process of loading the dead ninjas onto a wagon and hauling the captive ones into a jail carriage. They were nothing if not efficient.
"Talk," said Saitoh as the police finished their business and began to head back to town.
"Would you like to be more specific?" Kenshin asked.
"Why are there dead ninja all over your yard for starters?"
"As you should be well aware Anohorea is after Yahiko's life. He seems to have employed the help of these ninjas, as they all attacked us at the dojo last night."
"And where is Anohorea now?"
"He is dead. After he kidnapped Yahiko and Makamichi Misao, a friend and a member of the Oniwabanshu, Sanosuke went after them."
"So Sagara is here? Lovely," Saitoh said, lighting a cigarette and blowing out a cloud of smoke. Yutaro did his best not to cough. "This still does not explain the dead bodies in your yard, Battousai. Unless you've taken up killing again."
"I have not."
Saitoh glared. "Well, then are you going to explain them to me?"
"I do not think it is relevant," Kenshin said. "Once Sanosuke wakes up he will be happy to take you to the hideout of the ninjas and Anohorea's body. Until then, I have nothing else to report."
"Cut the bullshit, Battousai! We've had sightings of the Tenken in Tokyo and he would no doubt come to you. You will hand him over now or face the charges of harboring a wanted criminal."
"There is no one named the Tenken here," Kenshin said his gaze hard.
"I refuse to play your mind games. I will go search inside if I must and find the Tenken myself."
"You are not allowed inside Kaoru-dono's home without her permission," Kenshin said, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
"I don't need her permission. I have a warrant," the wolf said, breathing another ring of smoke at Kenshin's face. "If you try to stop me, it will be an obstruction of justice and I will have you arrested as well."
"Do not do this, Saitoh," Kenshin hissed, amber flashing in his eyes.
"Don't make me laugh," the ex-Shinsengumi member said, rising to his feet. "You just hang tight; I'll be right back with the Tenken."
Kenshin rose and stepped in front of the doorway. "Saitoh, I am warning you. Do not take a step further."
The man merely laughed and pushed past Kenshin like he was a blade of grass and entered the house.
"Saitoh!" Kenshin yelled, regaining his balance and going after the officer.
But he was already too late. Saitoh was faster and his health was not compromised. He strode through like he owned the dojo, glancing into rooms as he went before he looked into the kitchen where a savage grin lit up his face.
"And here lies the so mighty Tenken," he sneered, looking down at the fallen boy in front of him.
"You stay away!" Megumi said, stepping in front of the prone form.
Blood was spattered all over her smock and over her hands and arms. It coated the floor and was smeared across Soujiro like fearsome war paint. Bandages, already staining with blood, were wrapped around his grievous injuries. His arm had been splinted as best she could given her timing, as the biggest concern was the poison, blood loss, and location of the stab wounds.
He wasn't even close to being out of the woods yet. He had not so much as stirred during the entire treatment, even when she had cut him open to patch up his stomach. It was a bad sign. Only his shallow breathing let her know he still lived, but even that was slowly fading.
"Healing a criminal? I believe I might have to add another mark to your record, Takani Megumi. Don't make me have to add obstruction of justice as well."
"He will die if you take him now," she said, holding a scalpel in front of her. "As his doctor I cannot allow you to do that."
"You have no say in the matter. He is wanted by the government, dead or alive. Dead might actually be easier on me; less paperwork."
"You heartless bastard," she hissed.
"Get away from both of them," growled out a new voice as Sanosuke entered the kitchen. "I may be exhausted, but I bet I can still kick your ass, Saitoh."
"Saitoh, please," Kenshin said, finally making it to the kitchen with Yutaro's aid. "Be reasonable. At the moment Soujiro is of no threat to you… let him remain here until he well."
"So that you can help him escape once he can move?"
"No. Soujiro is trying to atone for his sins, and if turning himself into the police is required then he will. But not without terms set by me… I will not allow you to harm this boy any further. He has suffered enough."
Saitoh gave him an appraising stare. "Very well. I will make a deal with you. You have three days, including today, to heal the Tenken. I will then be taking him to the police station and you may tag along if you so wish. Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets a sentence worthy of his crimes."
"That's what we're afraid of," Sano muttered.
"We accept your terms," said Kenshin.
"Then I will return in three days and retrieve him, despite whatever his condition may be. If he does die before that, let me know so I can have someone collect the body."
And with that Saitoh strode from the dojo, flicking his cigarette into the sand garden on his way out.
Kenshin collapsed a moment later, only Sano's quick reflexes saving him from hitting the ground.
"That went better than I expected," the rurouni said, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm surprised Saitoh accepted my terms."
"Is he even going to be able to move in three days?" Sano asked, staring at the blood-soaked form.
Megumi gave a half-hearted shake of her head. "I don't know. He's in terrible shape. If he manages to pull through this I doubt he would survive in prison conditions. He needs round-the-clock treatment."
"It will work out," Kenshin said. "I'm sure it will. But for now, Yutaro-kun, could you please help Sessha back to bed?"
"Of course."
"And I should take a look at that hand," said Megumi, looking at Sano's mangled appendage.
Sano waved her off as Kenshin and Yutaro moved down the hallway. "You look exhausted, Fox. My hand isn't that bad… it can wait till you get some rest."
She glanced at Soujiro. "I can't-"
"I'll come wake you up if anything with Seta changes," Sano assured. "Just go lie down for a little bit. The Weasel is gonna need her leg reset and Yahiko's got some injuries that need stitches. Nothing life-threatening though, so go lie down."
She seemed flustered by Sano's offer, not used to the street fighter feeling concerned about her own health. "All right then. Arigato, Sanosuke."
Once she left the kitchen, Sano sank down on the ground, a cup of water in his good hand. "You'd better make it through this," he told Soujiro's prone form. "If for nothing else you'll at least give Saitoh more paperwork."
He sighed, leaning back against the wall next to the door. He was still exhausted and would love to just go home and pass out on his futon. But he was in the next best condition to Yutaro and the kid hadn't slept at all so much as he was aware. Besides, if he didn't think about it, his hand didn't hurt too badly. And if he had to count his lucky stars, then at least he hadn't been poisoned.
He really did need to do something to occupy his attention. If he just sat here he would be asleep before he knew it. Sano glanced around the kitchen, a plan slowly forming. When everyone eventually woke up they'd be hungry. And although he couldn't cook like Kenshin, the few dishes he could make were at least edible unlike a certain tanuki he knew.
That decided, Sano rose to his feet and began gathering together ingredients for a pot of rice. Normally he'd make rice balls, as he'd seen umeboshi, but with his hand the way it was rolling it was near impossible. Better to stick with the easy stuff.
Once he had rice going, Sano started on miso soup. Sick people always liked soup, he reasoned, and it would feel nice going down. While he wasn't going to mess around with Yutaro's herbal teas, he did know some green tea would be welcomed, so he started to prepare the leaves for that.
Before he knew it, it had been nearly half an hour and the smell of the cooked food was beginning to waft through the house. Keeping the soup hot on the stove, Sano sorted the rice into different bowls and placed them all on a tray next to the oven to stay warm.
But before they could eat it would probably be sanitary to clean up the blood in the kitchen. He was pretty sure that had Megumi not been so tired she would have had a fit. So grabbing one of the buckets they normally used to fill the bathhouse, Sano started to scrub the floor.
"Something smells good," said Yutaro, entering the kitchen about an hour after Sano had begun cooking.
Sano grinned. "Thanks. Anyone else up to eat or just me and you?"
"Misao's stirring and Yahiko was mumbling so they'll both probably be up soon. I don't think Megumi-san set Misao's leg yet, so she isn't in any condition to really be moving."
"We can probably bring dinner to them," Sano said. "As it is, we really should move Seta out of the kitchen and into a futon… I think he'll be more comfortable."
"Has he woken up yet?" Yutaro asked, glancing at the motionless form.
"Not an inch. But he's still breathing and that's about as much as we can hope for right now. Do you want to go set out a clean futon for him in the bedroom? I'll move him and then we can eat… I don't want to leave him unattended."
"Sure," he agreed. "Should I grab him a clean change of clothes? The blood isn't all that hygienic."
"Maybe just a pair of pants… I think Jou-chan's got some like mine," he said, gesturing at his attire, "that would be best. I'm sure Megumi wants to be able to get to his injuries."
Yutaro was quite good at finding items on the dojo, and brought Sano a pair of the pants as requested, save they were black instead of white. Within minutes Sano had carefully dressed the Tenken and was carrying him into the bedroom, the boy hanging limply like a doll in his arms.
While he allowed Yutaro to arrange the futon blankets, Sano went and retrieved a good portion of the dinner, having to make several trips.
"Mmmmm. I smell miso soup," Misao said, her eyes closed as she reclined. "Did you make this, Sano?"
"I can cook a few things," he said. "You sound better… how're you feeling?"
The leader of the Oniwabanshu gingerly raised herself to a sitting position, briefly touching her taped ribs. "Better than before. Just need Megumi to fix my leg and I'll be all set to go."
And then, realization dawning, she blurted out, "Sou? Where is-?"
"He's right next to you," Sano said. "We just brought him in… see, sleeping like a little baby."
Misao awkwardly crawled over to the Tenken, tentatively reaching out and touching his face, reassuring herself that she felt his breath on her hand. "He'll be okay then?" she whispered, intertwining their fingers and pressing his hand to her heart.
Sano blinked, not quite sure how he'd missed this. He had never seen Misao look like this… love was practically shining out of her. She was always so rambunctious and lively that he rarely saw her quiet and thoughtful. And even when he had, it was nothing like this.
She really loved him.
"He's still in critical condition," Yutaro said quietly. "But if he can make it through today he should be fine. It's just…" he trailed off.
"Just what?" she asked, looking up, worry clouding her aquamarine eyes.
"Saitoh stopped by earlier today. He was trying to take Seta in but Kenshin got him to leave for now."
"For now?" she echoed.
"He's coming back in three days," said the German boy. "He said he was taking Soujiro no matter what… but he did say Kenshin could go with to figure out his sentence."
"Demo…" she whispered, "he's not in any condition… and what kind of sentence?"
Sano gave a half-hearted shrug. "We have no idea. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping Kenshin manages to work something out."
Misao glanced at Soujiro's unsmiling face, her fingers gently brushing his bangs away from his eyes. Tears were starting to gather in her eyes again and Sano felt his heart clench.
Just when they thought they'd made it out Saitoh had to show up and ruin everything. Besides Soujiro being mortally wounded everyone else was coming out of this alive. A little shaken and scared, but alive.
Didn't they deserve a happy ending?
"Let's not dwell on that right now, okay?" Yutaro suggested. "It won't do any of us any good… and we don't want the food to get cold, ne?"
"Y-yeah," Misao said, running a hand across her eyes and forcing a smile upon her face. "I'm starving… let's eat!"
"I like food," Kaoru mumbled sleepily from her futon.
"You waking up, Jou-chan?" Sano asked, going over and nudging her gently.
He would never admit it, but he had been terrified when he had found her last night. She may get on his nerves, but she was the closest thing he had to a sister and he loved her dearly despite their bickering. She was the foundation that held their ragtag band together and if she went, he knew they would all collapse.
"Maybe," she said, her eyes still closed. "Jus' five more minutes."
"C'mon, Jou-chan, time to get up," Sano said, poking her in the forehead. "We've even got edible food since you didn't cook."
"Don't insult my cooking," she said, opening her eyes to glare at the street fighter, though sleep still clouded them. "I just… need practice."
"No amount of practice is going to help," Sano grinned.
With a bit more coaxing, Kaoru finally woke up, her mind automatically jumping to last night's events and then a through interrogation of Sanosuke and her own check-up of her family.
"I was so scared," she said, staring into her cup of tea. "I remember getting hit and then eventually everything went quiet. I tried calling for help, but no one answered me.
"I remember thinking that everyone was dead… that I hadn't been able to save anyone. And then you and Megumi came, Sano. I don't think I've ever been that happy to see you."
"Feeling's mutual, Jou-chan," Sano said gruffly, trying to hide his own emotions.
"And what Anohorea did…" she said, "to all of you." She glanced at Yahiko's still slumbering form and Soujiro's deathly still one. "And Misao…"
"Aww, don't worry about it, Kaoru," she said, a chipper smile on her face. "I'm perfectly all right. And Yahiko's a strong kid… he'll be just fine." Her gaze lingered on Soujiro, the smile dimming, before she pushed it back to full watt energy.
"You guys talking about me?" asked the groggy voice of Tokyo's littlest samurai.
"Yahiko!" Kaoru exclaimed, rushing over and pulling him into a gentle embrace, mindful of the injuries all over him.
"Hey Busu," he said with a tired grin, the one-time insult now an affectionate nickname.
"I'm so glad," she whispered, pressing her face into his spiky black hair. "I was so worried."
Once upon a time Yahiko would have reddened in embarrassment and tried to shove the kendo instructor away. But he instead said, "Me too," and returned the hug, a lone tear making its way down his cheek.
"Come and eat something, Yahiko!" Misao said, a grin lighting up her face. "Don't worry, Sano cooked."
"Sano cooks?" he asked, bewilderment over his face.
"Why is that so surprising?" Sano muttered, awkwardly eating his rice with only one hand.
"Because we generally just take you for a baka tori-atama. Now give me that rice bowl before you hurt yourself."
"F-fox?" Sano stuttered in a rare show of weakness as the doctor took the bowl and chopsticks away only to lift up a bite of rice for him to eat.
"Aww, how cute," Misao gushed, watching at Sano blushed.
"Shuddup," he said, dutifully accepting the rice.
"Sessha smells something delicious," Kenshin said, joining the land of the awake.
"Kenshin! You're awake too!" Kaoru said happily. "How're you feeling?"
"Better," he said simply. "Megumi-dono is a wonderful doctor."
"Anything for you, Ken-san," she said, a set of fox ears popping up.
"Hey! I thought I was getting the special attention," Sano pouted.
"Back off, he's not yours, you fox!"
"You don't deserve someone as distinguished as Ken-san, tanuki!"
"Oro?"
It would almost have been like old times, except for the only silent member of the group. And the joyful mood fell to somber almost instantly.
"So what are we going to do?" Kaoru asked, drinking her tea.
"First I'm going to finish fixing you all up," Megumi said. "Yahiko, you're in need of some stitches and Misao-chan you need your leg set. And of course you, Sanosuke."
"And then?" Kaoru asked, running her fingers through Yahiko's hair.
"I informed Saitoh that Sanosuke would show the police the Tozuma ninjas base and lead them to Anohorea's body," Kenshin said. "I am hoping to use that as a bargaining chip when it comes to Soujiro's sentence."
"What… what do you think they'll do to him?" Misao whispered.
"I wish I knew," Kenshin said sadly. "Many of Shishio's subordinates either are doing jail-time or some odd form of community service. However, next to Houji, Soujiro has the most knowledge of the Juppon Gatana's inner workings. Shishio must have had a larger network than his personal fighters… he was planning the takeover of Japan. I fear that they will want to know what the extent of that net is."
"So you mean interrogation," Megumi said, her voice sharp. "Ne, Ken-san?"
He nodded. "Either that or I see them using him as an assassin to get rid of the government's enemies. Neither choice bodes well."
"Can't we just hide him?" Misao asked. "Or say he ran away?"
"I already told Saitoh that we would bring Soujiro… that was the entire reason why he allowed us to keep Soujiro for the three days. Besides, I can see it in Soujiro that he does not want to run for the rest of his life. He is like me in more ways than one, and I know if I were in his shoes I would rather face my trial than always be in hiding."
"So what exactly are we supposed to do? I hate waiting!" the ninja said, her fear evident. "I won't let them take Sou away. I won't!"
"We must just hope for the best, that we must," Kenshin said softly. "Saitoh, for all his appearances, is not entirely unreasonable."
"And all of these "what ifs" aren't going to get us anywhere," Megumi said. "A healthy and positive mind is needed to speed up the healing process. So I order you all to stop worrying… this will all work out in the end. Now, Misao, you're up first. The rest of you go outside for some fresh air and stop hovering. Otherwise I'm confining you all to bed."
Within minutes the group had all stumbled outside to sit on the back porch by the giant sakura tree. Yahiko was nearly asleep again, leaning against Kaoru and in turn Kaoru was resting her head on Kenshin's shoulder, the rurouni slightly red and stammering.
Yutaro had dozed off in a bright patch of sunlight and Sano had taken to chewing on a long blade of grass, his eyes closed.
It had to work out. He still wouldn't apply the term of "like" to Soujiro, but he respected him. And very few people earned his respect like the Tenken had.
He felt strangely over protective of Soujiro, despite the fact that the boy was only a year younger and had faced many more demons then he had. But he was so small… he barely reached Sano's shoulder.
The ex fighter-for-hire sighed and chewed harder on the blade of grass. It all just got so confusing so fast. He could no longer hate Seta, even after what he'd done to Kenshin back in Kyoto.
Which was why it hurt to know that soon the boy would be in the hands of the police, who would be merciless in their punishment. They would torture him, maybe kill him, for crimes that he was trying to atone for. They would erase him just like they had erased the Sekihoutai. Just like they had erased his captain.
And he was just as helpless now as he had been all those years ago.
Author's Notes:
You know what I realized? I've never written Saitoh before. Which is strange since he is head of the police and you would think he would have crossed paths with the Kenshin-gumi in the first Anohorea fiasco. Ah well, that's just me missing key plot points :P But I've remedied that now.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter! Thanks for reading.
And Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you get lots of turkey and cranberries! Yum!