The ideas are finally coming to fruition as I continue this. If it seems rushed I do apologize, I originally created this character while thinking about his place in the Kyoto Shishio battles, however the Aoshi arc gives a good chance to develop his character while simultaneously showing his relationship with other characters good and evil.
"So you were being forced to make opium for Kanryu?" Kenshin asked, listening to Megumi finally answering why the Oniwaban were after her so intently.
"Yes, worse than that I created a new opium formula, deadlier and more addicting than normal. It was then that I finally decided it was too much and fled from Kanryu, I won't end lives any longer."
The air became thick as Kenshin, Derek, Kaoru and Sanosuke listened to her story, Yahiko was in the other room, enjoying a plate of ohagi with Ayame and Shizune.
"So it was you who gave that opium to Yoita…that killed him." Sanosuke grinded his teeth, balling up his fists with anger.
"Don't be so harsh Sano," Derek responded, laying his hand on Sanosuke's shoulder. "It wasn't Miss Megumi personally, this whole turn of events is Kanryu's doing."
Sanosuke shrugged off Derek's hand, with a grunt his walked out the door, hands in his pockets.
Silently Kaoru and Megumi returned to the dining area, not wanting to make Yahiko suspicious.
Kenshin and Derek sat together, as they usually did during meditation, heads bowed in thought, after several moments of silence Kenshin finally spoke.
"Pupil, what did you assess of the fighter you faced? Other than Jinei I have seen no opponent able to land a straight punch on you that I have not."
Derek rubbed his face, still self-conscious despite the fact the mark had vanished since the battle the previous night.
"I wouldn't exactly call it a straight punch sensei," he responded. "I predicted where his fist would land, and yet it went further than it seemed possible, I miscalculated is all."
"You don't give yourself enough credit young one that you don't," his master replied, his eyes feeling compassion towards his student's uneasiness. "You are more perceptive than that, there may be a secret behind his ability, perhaps you must seek this out, rather than assume it was your own fault."
"I will think on his technique," Derek bowed slightly to Kenshin. "He was using an advanced form of Kempo, so even without such an ability it would not be easy facing him in close quarters."
"Relax now," Kenshin replied, getting to his feet. "Until they make their next move there is little else we can do." With that he left the room, leaving Derek alone to his thoughts.
Derek walked outside the dojo to the back, letting the wind strike his face, his kimono rippled in the wind as he stared up at the sky, sighing heavily.
"Another strong opponent," he whispered to himself, shielding his eyes from the wind and sun. "I can't lose again…not with sensei's teachings to guide me," laying his hands on his sword he gripped it tightly, even as the pain stung his palms, he continued to squeeze it.
At Kanryu's estate…
The estate loomed on the horizon, it was massive, surrounded by gates, dozens of guards with swords and guns, it was truly an eerie sight to behold.
Within, a single man sat at a desk, looking over some documents he had recently received. He was quite tall, raven hair, wearing a long coat that extended to his ankles, at all times he appeared utterly calm and devoid of any emotions.
As he looked over his documents he suddenly stopped, raising his head slightly he spoke without moving.
"Any word on our opponents Han'nya?" he asked.
Outside the window behind him, a single shadowy form appeared, gazing into the mansion.
"It is indeed the legendary Battousai himself commander, his name is Kenshin Himura" the demonic Oniwaban answered. "As well as a former muscle for hire known as Zanza, and a young man who is thought to be the Battousai's apprentice. They are all protecting Megumi Takani at a dojo outside of town, however the apprentice leaves every other day, it seems he works at a beef pot shop known as the Akabeko, Zanza and Himura however are at the dojo with her at almost all times."
"So it is indeed the Battousai himself, what a most interesting turn of events. Keep a close watch on them Han'nya, Kanryu is putting his plan to retrieve Miss Takani into effect tomorrow evening, we are to accompany him."
"Yes Lord Aoishi," Han'nya replied before vanishing into the shadows as swiftly as he had appeared.
Later…
"Good night Miss Tai," Derek shouted back into the Akabeko, having completed his shift, already the night had settled in around the city.
"Night hun," she responded, waving goodbye as he walked away. "See ya day after tomorrow ok?"
"Sure thing!" he shouted back, placing his earnings for the day into a pouch he kept hidden in his blue sleeves for safe keeping.
Walking down the dimly lit street Derek felt uneasy, as if he were being watched, on a quick survey of the surrounding area he could see nothing. Stooping down her picked up a small rock, tossing it up and down absent mindedly, slowly he continued walking.
As he exited the street, making it to the forest that surrounded the dojo he stopped, listening once more to the wind rustling in his ears before moving.
Quickly he spun around, throwing the rock as hard as he could towards the nearby tree.
A shape swiftly leapt out of the way of his stone, allowing it to harmlessly strike the tree, leaving an indentation.
"I thought I sensed you a while ago," Derek muttered, facing the one who he knew had followed his footsteps since he left the Akabeko.
The man who had dodged the stone appeared to be no more than a common merchant. However, as he stood he removed his hat, simultaneously his face itself fell away, as well as his everyday clothes, revealing the form beneath.
Han'nya stood before him, his face still unreadable due to his eerie demon mask, frozen in a perpetual smile.
"Your skills are certainly not lacking too greatly behind your masters," he spoke, his voice completely unreadable. "The Battousai trains his pupils well."
Derek's eyes shot open wide, briefly surprised that the ninja had known his masters origins, however this thought was fleeting, realizing he was facing a group famous for their skill at information gathering.
"Your information is accurate," he responded at length, keeping his sword sheathed. "I am surprised you do not know my name."
"That is because you never use it beyond conversations with friends and close ones, or at least it seems that way considering not one of our informants could name you, though they remembered your face," Han'nya rebuked, his tone never once changing. "Since our first meeting I have heard it used three times from the shadows, and Derek is quite an odd name for a swordsman."
"What do you want?"
"To inform you that Miss Takani recently decided to return to Kanryu's mansion…through some persuasion on Kanryu's side, she arrived early this afternoon, already your master and friends are off to free her."
"What!" Derek shouted. His body tensed as he was filled with a strong urge to quickly rescue Megumi, however Kenshin had always taught him to learn all about a situation before rushing in, and it was this lesson alone that caused his feet to remain planted. "Why are you telling me this then, are you going against Kanryu?"
"I do so because our lord Aoshi commanded it, I hold no loyalty to that worm Kanryu Takeda, but I will follow ANY order given by our glorious commander."
"And why would he want me at Kanryu's estate?"
"Why to claim the title of strongest."
"Strongest?"
"Indeed, your master is considered the strongest swordsman of the revolution; if he were defeated then it would prove the Oniwaban's superiority to all others in terms of skill. But…the victory would be meaningless without the knowledge that not only the Battousai, but his apprentice whom he taught all he knows was also bested."
"So you care more about this than following Kanryu's orders?" Derek asked, bowing his head in thought. "I guess your group isn't as low down as I figured you were, working for a man like him."
"The message is given," Han'nya quickly responded, leaping into a nearby tree. "Your friends shall be nearing Kanryu's estate very soon, if you wish to join them, then I suggest you hurry." With those last words echoing in Derek's ears he vanished once more, even Derek couldn't follow where he had gone.
Allowing his heart to take control Derek turned, running as fast as he could towards Kanryu's estate, where the Oniwaban group lied in wait.
He felt as if he ran for hours, the passage of time indistinguishable as he raced through the forest, thankful that the mansion was not too far.
After the agonizing moments he could make out the mansion on the horizon, several shapes stood before the main gate.
"Kenshin-sensei!" Derek shouted, waving his arms to gain their attention.
Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Kaoru were all beside Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko had their wooden swords at the ready, Sanosuke was balling his fists together, ready for a fight.
"Apprentice," Kenshin responded, turning to face his student. "I am glad that you knew to come that I am."
Next chapter or 2 will conclude the Aoishi arc, I hope I have the time to start up the epically long and fantastic Kyoto arc afterwards, read, review, and enjoy :)