The Underground Oniwanbanshu

"Kenshin, what are we doing in this dump? Yuck!" Kaoru yelped as she stepped in a pile of garbage. Kenshin had led Kaoru into the dirty streets of downtown Tokyo. Why, she couldn't really be sure. It hadn't been an easy morning for her. After getting home late last night, she had about four hours to sleep before getting up again at five to start her day again. She was about to leave for work when she got a call from Saitou to meet Kenshin downtown in an hour. He didn't say why, so she didn't know anything. All she knew was that they had fifteen days to find this psycho before he struck again.

Kaoru followed Kenshin down the alley. She hated being in this part of town. It always brought back the worst of memories. There had been so many times she had to investigate murders in this part of the town, but the worst memory was the one of her mother being discovered. It was in this particular neighborhood that Kaoru's mother had been found ravaged and found dead. She never wanted to relive the memory if she had to, but something told her she would have to open that can of worms again.

She shook off her thoughts as she ran straight into Kenshin's back. "Kenshin, what's up? Why the sudden stop?" Kenshin's body had grown rigid as he put his hand on his sword. Kaoru had noticed it too. Someone was following them. She went for her gun, but Kenshin stopped her.

"We don't need anymore bloodshed," Kenshin said as he threw her a bokken. "Use this instead. I've heard your father and Saitou have taught you well." Kaoru nodded as she prepared for a fight. All her senses were alert, making sure she wouldn't be caught off guard. She saw something in the corner of her eye and swung as it came charging at them, making full contact with the midsection. A boy with short, black hair flew into a garbage dumpster. He got up slowly, moaning in pain as he rubbed his stomach.

"Jeez! What did you do that for? You went and got my clothes dirty." The boy grumbled as he brushed his clothes off. From what Kaoru could tell from the rags he called clothes, it appeared this boy was an orphan that hadn't bathed in weeks. He had a bokken tied to his back, and his eyes were full of spirit, but Kaoru knew this kid was a brat. "What are you looking at, ugly?" That little comment awarded the boy a bump on the head courtesy of Kaoru.

"Who are you calling ugly, kid?" Kaoru retorted.

"I'm not a kid!" Kenshin quickly separated the two before they ripped each others heads off.

"Now, now, Yahiko. Be nice to Kaoru-dono. She's my friend and she's here to help me with something." Help you? Kaoru thought. You are supposed to be helping me, Kenshin. Why are we here anyways? He hasn't said a word since we got here. As Kaoru continued to fume, Kenshin continue to talk to Yahiko. "Have you seen Misao-dono? We need to find Aoshi Shinomori."

"Pff. You mean Iceman? I haven't seen him or Weasel Girl anywhere."

"What did you call me?" The high pitched voice made Yahiko jump out of his skin, but he was back on the ground when a girl jumped onto his head. She drew out some throwing knives, ready to kill the boy when she noticed Kenshin standing in front of her. "Hey, Himura. What are you doing her?"

"Hey, Misao-dono. Could I speak with Aoshi? It's pretty important." Misao looked over to Kaoru who was now standing behind Kenshin. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is Kamiya Kaoru-dono. Kaoru-dono, this is…" Misao interrupted by running around Kenshin and offering Kaoru her hand.

"Makimachi Misao, also known as the leader of the Oniwanbanshu, the best Mafia group of Japan. Nice to meet you." Kaoru took her hand and shook it with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, leader. I am Kamiya Kaoru, detective of the Tokyo Police Department." Misao jumped back, ready to attack Kaoru. "Is something wrong?"

"Himura, why didn't you tell me she was from the TPD?"

"I tried, but you wouldn't let me. Don't worry. She won't arrest you. We're working on a case, so we need some information from Aoshi." Misao lowered her knives and signaled them to follow. Of course they left Yahiko behind. He didn't want anything to do with the Mafia, so he kept his distance.

Misao led them to a dead end alley with a dumpster set against the wall. It was chained up, so no one had emptied it in a while. Misao knocked three times on the front, making Kaoru wonder if the sixteen year old was crazy. Misao also mumbled something, and to Kaoru's surprise, the front of the dumpster opened. They all crawled inside and went down a set of stairs. It appeared they were in an underground fortress. Kaoru would have never dreamed something like this was underneath Tokyo. It was amazing.

They finally reached a door that was guarded by two muscles. Misao told them that Kenshin had business with Aoshi, but they were leery of Kaoru.

"She stays out her with us until he comes out." Kenshin looked at Kaoru, but she reassured him.

"It's alright. I can wait." Kenshin nodded as Misao led him into the room, leaving Kaoru between two giant guards. She gulped nervously and said, "So, how's the weather up there?"

Kenshin walked into a Japanese style room behind Misao. In it a man in a tan kimono was kneeling on a pillow meditating. Misao's eyes instantly lit up when she saw him turn to look. His eyes were cold as ice, and his face showed no emotion. Kenshin had always known Aoshi to be stoic, but it wouldn't kill the Mafia leader to greet him warmly.

"Aoshi-san, Himura has come to see you," Misao said as Kenshin bowed. Aoshi did the same.

"Thank you, Misao. Could you please excuse us?" Misao nodded and left the two to talk. As Kenshin sat down, Aoshi poured him some tea. "It's been a long time, Kenshin. I don't believe we had that tea I promised."

"Thank you, Aoshi." Kenshin sipped it and smiled. "Well, this is possibly the best tea I have ever had. I almost forgot what good tea tasted like." Aoshi smiled as he sipped his tea.

"So, Kenshin, what brings you here? It must be important." Kenshin's smile disappeared and the conversation took a serious turn.

"For the past six months, women have been found raped, tortured, and murdered in this area. All of them have been young, beautiful, and single as far as we know. The killer leaves a rose brand on the body and nothing else. No hair, no blood, no fingerprints. We can't get this guy to screw up, and we have fifteen days until the next strike."

"And how can I help you?" Aoshi asked.

"You are an expert at gathering information, Aoshi. You must have heard something about these occurrences. I need your help." Aoshi looked at the detective with his cold stare.

"I'm sorry. I can't help you. You are on your own." Aoshi was about to show Kenshin out when the two body guards came through the door. One was holding a pissed off Misao, and the other was holding a gagged and cuffed Kaoru. "What is the meaning of this?"

"We searched the girl and found these, boss." The guard threw Kaoru's gun and badge at Aoshi's feet. "Misao let in a TPD detective." Aoshi shot Kenshin and Misao deadly looks, waiting for an explanation from either one.

"Kenshin, I thought you were retired from the TPD. Explain yourself." Kenshin looked at Kaoru then Aoshi. There was no way around it.

"Kamiya Kaoru is a detective for the TPD. She is also working on the case. She is very valuable to this case." Aoshi looked at Kaoru and sighed as he drew his sword.

"You know the rules, Kenshin. I can't have anyone in the police force know about our secrets. You are an exception because you are retired and you can be trusted, but I can't say the same for this young lady. I'm sorry, but she must be eliminated."

Yeah, I know. That isn't how it should go. I had to make the Oniwanbanshu a Mafia group so I could fit them in the story. Sorry for the short appearance of Yahiko. I'll try to update soon. Cya and Happy Holidays.