Elvengirl: Early update this week as I'll be away this weekend. I've been in a very good mood this week.
Sain: Dare I ask why?
Elvengirl: Well, last weekend I went to an anime convention and got a ton of manga, and got the FullMetal Alchemist anime. I aslo got to see Gundam Seed Destiny and that was awesome as well. I can't wait for it to come over from Japan.
Sain: I have a bad feeling about this. Don't tell me the G-project is coming back into focus.
Elvengirl: It might be.
Cast:
Doctor: Lowen
"How is he, Doctor?" asked Lyn, as the young man emerged from the other room. The room was dimly lit. Lyn and Hector sat, awaiting the news.
"He should be fine in a few days," replied the Doctor, brushing a lock of green hair from his eyes.
"Thank you so much !" Lyn gasped with relief.
"Well, you really shouldn't be thanking me. You should thank whoever wrote this. Everything was on it, from ingrediants to preperation. Clearly someone who studied in Europe."
"Or studied poisions..." Hector mumbled.
"It's actually a fine line. Jimson-weed is a powerful medicane, used properly. It's used in anesthetic. Whoever wrote this was well versed in European medicane and pharmocology."
"An-e-sthe-tic? Pharma-what? What language are you speaking?" demanded an annoyed Hector.
"I don't get it...I thought that she was just..." Lyn began, trying to figure out who Limstella was.
"She? You mean Takani Limstella?"
"You know her, Lowen-san?"
"Yes. Takani Limstella was the assistant to a doctor murdered three years ago."
"Going somewhere, Limstella-dono?"
Limstella jumped. Karel was standing right behind her. They were in front of the crumbled was that belonged to Kamiya Dojo.
"Shouldn't you be with the boy?" gasped Limstella, recovering from her momentary shock.
"Guy's strong. He'll make it, but let this one thank you on his behalf," smiled Karel.
"It's nothing, after all, it's me they were after," replied Limstella, playing with her hair.
"So, where are you off to now?"
"I'm leaving Tokyo. Marcus shouldn't attack again, soon anyway." Limstella began to walk away.
"Doesanyone await you, at your home in Aizu?"
Limstella stopped.
"This one fought and knew many from Aizu during the Revolution. It is hard not to forget the accent. Will you tell us your story now?"
"The Takani family was famous in the medical community. Everyone studied medicane. All generations including women and children. They treated all patients equally, and saw them regardless of class. This naturally angered the Samurai, with thier rigid caste system. To doctors, though, they were the living example of our ideals. Limstella's father saw the efficancy of European medicane and left Aizu to study in Nagisaki. which was an extreme risk in that time. When the Takani family was finally allowed back, the Boshin War broke out and what followed was the Aizu war. The father left to fight and her mother and two brothers went missing, leaving young Limstella alone."
Lowen stopped for breath. "I can only imagine what's happened to her since then, but five years ago she appeared as a Doctor's, that I knew, assistant. But the Doctor was killed three years ago. I don't know what happened after that. Where is she? I'd like to see her."
Lyn and Hector just stared.
"The Doctor I worked for was allied with Marcus. He processed opium with the raw ingrediants Marcus would give him. The Doctor then created this, Spider's web, better processed opium with twice the potency. Marcus wanted it mass produced, but the Doctor said no, wanting the profits for himself. They fought. Marcus killed him, and I, the loyal assistant was forced to work. I was told I was saving lives, but then I learnt the truth...and I wanted to die, but I couldn't. I knew that if I continue as a Doctor, I'll eventually see my missing family again. So for three years, I've ruined people's lives." Limstella was sobbing.
"But, you, the only one who knows how to make Spider's Web, ran away. You alone carry all the guilt. You've suffered for three years. It's time you were freed."
"Karel-san, I..."
"It's alright Limstella-dono, you can stay here. I understand the feeling of being alone. I understand," Lyn sobbed silently, as she and Hector came out of the Doctor's office. Hector just looked away.
"So, Denning and Wallace are out of action for right now?" asked Jaffar.
"Yes," Nergal replied from the shadows.
"And how are you doing Nergal?"
"I'm fine...barely. That man is no ordinary swordsman, using his sheath to attack my liver."
"Can you move?"
"Not for three days, but I can watch."
"Then you've three days to learn of his past. There mus be something we've missed."
"It shall be done."
"Wow, this looks good!" said the newly recovered Guy, as he stared at the plate of ohagi.
"It's been years since I've made it," replied Limstella.
"It's delicous," smiled Lyn, stuffing her face, and glaring at Guy, who was doing the same. The two were soon in an arguement over whose ohagi was whose.
"Oh, good morning Hector. Would you like some ohagi? Limstella-dono made it," said Karel, greeting his friend.
"Don't want any. I'd rather eat Lyn's cooking that anything made by that opium woman," Hector spat as he walked off. Limstella looked away.
"He didn't mean anything Limstella-dono. He knows your story. It's just that Marcus hasn't made another move and he doesn't know what to do with the fist he's already raised. Just let him be for now."
'Opium woman...' The word echoed in Limstella's mind as she washed the dishes from the meal. She was out back near the well.
"Hello, is anyone home?" A voice woke Limstella from her thougts. She looked up to see a middle-aged man coming through the gate. "I'm the booklender, here with pleanty of new titles."
"I'm sorry, but I don't live here. I'm just visiting for awhile," Limstella replied, standing up.
"Hm, well I'd say that works out fine," said the booklender. removing his face, to reveal the fanged mask of Nergal. "Marcus just wants to talk. Come quietly or this goes in their well." Nergal held up a small vial containing a vicous, sliver, liquid.
"Mercury," Limstella gasped.
"Come." Nergal took Limstella to a small clearing. Marcus, dressed in western fasion, stood there, smoking a cigar.
"What do you want?" demanded Limstella.
"I want you back, that's all," Marcus replied, smarmy-like.
"I'd die before going back to you."
"You leave me no choice then. If you don't come back, we'll burn down Kamiya Dojo. My entire army is here. They'll make sure no one escapes, because we can't have you dieing alone, can we? Don't bother with chasing dreams, Limstella my dear. After all, what would your family say if they found out that you helped produce a drug that led people to their deaths, hm?" Marcus began to walk away. "We attack at midnight tonight, so don't bother to escape, or try anyway."
"Will Takani Limstella come back?" asked Jaffar, from behind a tree.
"She'll have to. We shouldn't force our hand. 'Takani Limstella came back of her own accord.' There will be no reason for the Sword Demon to act."
"Or will there?" muttered Jaffar, with one last look at Limstella.
"I can't escape," sobbed Limstella, " No matter how hard I try."
"What's that Karel?" asked Lyn, the next morning.
"A letter from Limstella-dono."
"I'm sorry to leave with such little notice. Marcus seems to have given up, so I have gone home to Aizu. It may have been only ten days, but I'm so greatful. Thank you."
"Lies! There's no one waiting for her in Aizu," said Karel, angerily, " Marcus threatened her somehow. Hector, you know where the Kanryu mansion is. Let's go!"
"Go ahead. I ain't going. Why should I have to fight for that opium woman."
"Hector, this doesn't suit you."
"Her opium killed my friend. I'm no rurouni! Why are you going?"
"Hector, did you ever see Limstella-dono's eyes. She would act tough, but her eyes were filled with loneliness and longing. Like an abandoned child, looking for her lost family. That reason is more that enough for this one." With that, Karel heading toward the gate. Lyn simply staring in shock.
"Karel, wait!" Guy ran to catch up.
"Guy, no. Not this time."
"She saved my life, so I need to pay her back!"
"Have baths ready for five when we get back." Hector headed for the gate as well.
"Hector..." Karel began with a smile.
"I'm tired of thinking. Now is the time to fight."
"Let's go!"
"Here it is." The three stared up at the large, groutesque, western-style mansion.
"So this is the Kanryu mansion. The best way to do this would be to break the gate and run," said Karel, sizing up the situation.
"Frontal assualt. Got it," smiled Guy.
"Go!"
The three charged the gate, catching the guards completly by surprise.
"Welcome back Limstella-san. Our spider's web stock is nearly out. Will you make more?" Marcus sat at his desk, smoking. Limstella glared hard at him. "Why must you always reject me?" he sighed.
"Kanryu Marcus, I've come to kill you. I will follow you shortly, as the one apology I can offer my victims!" Limstella made to stab Marcus, only to find her knife missing.
"Let's stop here." Shinomori Jaffar stood behind her, holding the knife by the blade. Marcus knocked Limstella to the floor.
"Where are my men! I'll torture the secret of spider's web out of her."
"In the yard...listen..." said Jaffar.
"The emergency whistle?"
"That man is here."
One by one, the Yakuza and swordsman fell to Karel and Hector, with a little help from Guy.
"That's those guys down," said Hector, clearly enjoying himself.
"Gunmen!" yelled Guy. Karel kept running, taking out a few as he ran past.
"The guns didn't even slow him down..." the soldiers gasped. Hector and Guy followed.
"Fly Guy! Now's your cue," Hector picked up Guy and flung him at the Gunmen. Guy barreled into them.
"You little..." muttered a soldier who had been hit, "huh?"
"Looking for this?" Guy held up the gun. "BANG!" The soldier fainted. "Idiot, I'd never really shoot." The remaining soldiers were about to gang up on Guy, but were taken care of by Hector and Karel.
Up in the mansion, Marcus watched with horror. He had never expected this. Never.
"I don't understand. What could he gain from rescuing her...what? And Hector, what is he doing here?"
"If the Sword Demon was a man of gain, he could be a general in the army, but a capitalist like you would never understand what it means to live and die for your ideals. This man's spirit still seems fresh, compared to the others. He is prey for the Oniwabanshu."
"W-we c-can't make the Sword Demon our enemy."
"Fool...we want this fight." Jaffar glared at Marcus. Marcus wimpered.
"Marcus! Your time has come! Come down with Limstella-dono!" Karel's voice rang from outside, splitting the silence.
"I'm very impressed Sword Demon! If you join me and the Oniwabanshu, we'll be unstoppable! I'll pay you fifty times the normal pay of a Yukuza!"
"Are you coming down or am I coming up? Choose!" Karel took a step forward.
"One hunderd times the norm!"
Another step.
"Two hundred times!"
"You don't get it. The Sword Demon does not live for gain. Your money is of no use here." said Jaffar, coldly.
"Fine, you win. I surrender. Just give me an hour to prepare!" yelled Marcus, in a panic.
"I don't like this Karel," said Hector, glaring up at Marcus.
"Neither do I," agreed Guy. Karel turned and used the sharp edge of his sword to cut through the stone pedestal that a lamppost stood on. It was a clean cut and the lamppost toppled over.
"One hour Marcus! Make your piece in that time!"
Elvengirl: Hope you all liked it. To bring you all up to speed as to where I am in the Rurouken story, ie: how far I've gotten in my notebook, I'm done the Raijuta arc and will be starting the Kyoto arc in just one more chapter.
Sain: Yay! I'll be coming soon then.
Elvengirl: Yes, you will. Also, I've learned to recolour sprites, so I'll be playing around with various animes and Fire Emblem. I'll let you all know when I'm on Kenshin.
Reviews:
Nightmare3: Thanks. I'm really glad to hear that I'm improving. I feel that I am and I'm glad that it's showing.
Wandering Cat: Poor Soujiro indeed. Although I'm about ten volumes away from that particular part. Eliwood is definetly not Soujiro. I need him for someone else.
Psychoswordlady: Thanks. I won't attempt to understand the inside joke. Hope you are enjoying it so far. I'm a big Yukimura fan, he's so smily
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Next time: Karel vs. Nergal and Hector vs. Shikijo.