Disclaimer: If I owned Rurouni Kenshin, beer would flow thru the rivers and cigarettes would rain from the skies. That's just how fanciful the idea of me owning Rurouni Kenshin is.
Chapter 6 is up and running and its f***ing long! I asked my sister to read a certain scene(you'll know it when you read), because I wanted to know if Kenji was acting to much like a toddler having a temper tantrum. And she said "No, this isn't a tantrum, this is insanity". Lol. So yea, I guess that's what you could call it.
BE WARNED: This chapter is actually longer than the previous chapter. I know I really should've separated it into two chapters but, it would've messed up the flow of the action. Its better to read it all in just one chunk. And I wanted the rescue scene in only two parts anyway. So be warned!!!
BE WARNED: Once again this chapter contains child rape and abuse themes, so, be warned…again!!!
Chp. 6
Blah Blah Blah! Kai thought, listening to Kido talk on their tour of the brothel. Our prostitute Sakura, our newest whore Kimiko, the most talented brothel girl Ayame, is this all that he can talk about Kai asked himself sullenly walking behind everyone as they followed Kido.
They had followed Kido up and down stairs, all throughout the brothel even into the kitchen where buns were laid out. Kido offered them citing how he had them prepared when they were with Kenji and Chizura. They had chewed on the buns mutely, walking back down the hall to the meeting room.
"When you get to the meeting room" Kido said smiling at everyone, and a very fake smile at that, "You can make your choice selections…may I suggest Hana-chan for one of you?"
Kai mentally rolled his eyes. We've already made our choice you bastard, he almost yelled in his mind, mentally and physically worn out.
"I'm so tired" He mumbled to himself, head down, feet shuffling.
"Your a man now" Kai heard Yahiko's familiar voice jingle in his ear, "And yet you get tired from a little excitement? That's sad."
"Oh shut up!" Kai replied elbowing him playfully, but then suddenly serious, "What do you think about all of this…I mean Kenji and everything?"
Even though Kido was far ahead of them, Yahiko's voice didn't even get higher then a whisper. He knew that in places like this even the walls had ears . His mother had taught him that at least, before she died.
"I don't know…I really don't, not until we really talk to Kenji and see how well he really is"
"Yea I guess" Kai answered his head low. How can I tell them how I really feel about all of this? After all that's he's gone thru, I would be the jerk if I said I really didn't like him before I even met him. And their all so happy to have finally met him…and I? I'm such a craven, resentful…hey wait? Why did everyone stop?
Kai ended his soliloquy and looked up to see the whole group grind to a halt at the front of the meeting room door.
Kai turned to Yahiko, "Hey, why did everyone stop?" he asked looking up at his pseudo-brother.
"There's someone in the room with Kenji" Yahiko answered not even looking at him but at the door, "Kido doesn't know whether to walk in or not. For some reason at this place you can't just walk into rooms without knowing who's in them…or at least that's what he's saying."
Kai looked up to see Saitou motioning toward the door and Kido shaking his head. Saitou motioned some more, however despite his gentle smile and demeanor, Kai could feel Saitous ki rolling off of him. Saitou was obviously trying to 'persuade' Kido to let them back into the meeting room, using his ki to add a bit of pressure.
Finally Kido relented. Kai couldn't hear what they were saying but he did see Kido shrug his shoulders and grab the screen doors handle. Finally Kai thought as Kido opened the door.
~~~---~~~
With each brush off the tabi moving closer, Kenji's heart jumped faster. Harada hadn't even turned around so captivated by his feet. Kenji's muffled cries seemed not to disturb him.
Kenji's smile widened when he heard the tabi stop. Whoever it is must have stopped, his mind elated, are they going to pull him off of me?
However, whatever hope for salvation Kenji was feeling before dissipated in an instant when he saw the hand on Harada's shoulder and the face leaned over it. Kenji's eye's widened and he suddenly felt such horror that he went a bit limp.
Oh fuck
"You know Harada-san" Akira owner of the Sakura Brothel drawled, his dull alcoholic yellow eyes glittering, "You know we don't open the merchandise before we pay for it, right?"
~~~---~~~
Akira generational owner of the Sakura Brothel might have been good looking in his younger years. But access to the brothel and all its excesses ruined his looks and his health. Though only middle aged he looked like an old man and smelled of alcohol. But despite his apparent alcoholism, debauchery, and general bad habits, he carried himself like a prince. He was obeyed and respected and no one who lived in the Sakura Brothel dared defy him. He was the person Kenji feared above all.
Harada scuffled off of Kenji and bowed low. I must make a good impression on this man, Harada thought, If I can he might sell me Kenji at a low price!
"I'm sorry, my deepest apologies, I lost myself" Harada apologized.
Akira nodded his head, turning his attention to Kenji who was still lying on the floor looking up at him darkly.
"Get up off of the floor you fool" Akira growled looking down at Kenji.
Kenji's temper was rising by the seconds, only kept in check by the fear pounding the back of his head.
"I can't, this bastard nearly broke my leg!" he nearly yelled turning to shoot daggers at Harada.
Akira's face changed in an instant, soft and concerned.
"Really, which one?"
"My le-AHHH! Shit!!" Before Kenji could even get out the word 'left' Akira had landed a hard kick to his leg. Kenji rolled over onto his side in pain biting down on his hand to keep from screaming.
"Your still just as ornery as ever" Akira said looking at Kenji in distaste, "Tell me, how many times have I told you to be gracious to your customers? We don't call customers bastards Kenji…now apologize to Harada-san."
Kenji turned over onto his back to stare directly at Akira, with his solid amber eyes. His fury was in full swing and all good common sense (and fear) were firmly set on the back burner.
"No!" He said soundly, staring into Akira's eyes unwaveringly.
Akira merely rolled his eyes, and picked Kenji up by his arm so that he was hanging limply, only supported really by his uninjured leg. Akira leveled Kenji's face with his so that they could stare at each other.
"Apologize"
"No, ugh!" Akira swung his hand around to slap Kenji across the face. A ring on his finger made a small indent on his face.
"Apologize" Akira repeated.
Kenji wheeled his face back around, tasting a little blood in his mouth.
"I said no!" Kenji didn't even make a sound as Akira took his leg and kneed Kenji in the stomach. Akira let go of Kenji's hand and let him crumple unceremoniously to the ground. Kenji didn't even cry out, just taking his hand to grab his stomach, gasping as if he couldn't breath.
"Tsk, tsk Kenji I thought you were smarter then this" Akira said staring down at Kenji with a smirk, "You know what happens when you don't obey. If you keep this sort of behavior up…" Akira paused and smiled wider as if remembering some pleasant memory, "Well, we might resort to trying to hurt Chizura again…and this time there won't be any compromises."
Kenji snapped. Despite all the pain, now all across his body, he swiftly got up and grabbed the front of Akira's yukata. He didn't even feel it anymore, it was like he was on a whole other level.
"Don't you dare!" Kenji's voice was like a growl and was deep and low, "Don't you ever threaten Chizura! If you so much as look at her I'll kill you! You hear me!" Kenji was yelling now, his face contorted in rage.
Akira took his hand and slapped Kenji as hard as he possibly could. Kenji stumbled sideways grabbing the wall for support.
"Don't I dare!?" Akira gasped, his breathing heavy from the shock of Kenji's sudden fiery outburst, "Don't you dare! I own the both of you, I'll do what I please with you both!"
The pain in Kenji's leg came back and he stumbled to the floor, falling on his knees
Akira watched him fall, absentmindedly wiping the front of his yukata where Kenji had grabbed it.
"Know your place whore!" Akira spat at him. Suddenly he turned toward the door, seeing Kido and the others standing stock still, staring.
"Well if it isn't Kido-chan" Akira sneered looking at him, "How long have you been standing there?"
~~~---~~~
Kido opened the door just as Kenji got up and grabbed Akira's yukata.
Kido felt a spasm of horror as Kenji screamed in Akira's face. Oh Kami-sama Kenji don't, please don't, was all Kido could think about standing still in the doorway
He turned backwards to his companions moving his fingers to his lips to warn them to stay quiet. When he turned back to the scene with Akira, he heard something akin to a clap of thunder. Kenji stumbled sideways onto the wall grabbing it. Kido winced…he knew how painful Akira's slaps were.
The praying for Akira not to notice him ended, when Akira turned to Kido. When Akira looked at Kido, his heart dropped straight to the floor. Oh Kami-sama, please help me!
"Well if it isn't Kido-chan" Akira sneered looking at him, "How long have you been standing there?"
~~~---~~~
To the untrained eye, it would only seem like simple movement in the group behind Kido. It would only seem like Sano moved forward towards Kenshin to get a better view, and that Saitou and Aoshi moved backwards a bit to give Kido some space. But that is not the case.
Sano watched as Kenji grabbed Akira's yukata. The kids got guts he thought with a smirk as Kenji yelled in Akira's face. The amused smirk dropped when Akira slapped Kenji, sending him towards the wall. Sano cracked his knuckles angrily, but turned his attention toward Kenshin. He was motionless, his breath barely coming out, watching Akira.
"Know your place whore!" Akira spat at Kenji, causing Sano to scowl and almost miss Kenshin.
Kenshin moved forward, but before he barely moved his foot from the ground, Sano had grabbed his shoulder. Saitou and Aoshi moved backward, barely a step, each grabbing a wrist. They did this with such fluidity and grace it would seem only like simple frontward's and backwards movements. Kai and Yahiko merely looked on.
"Let go of me" Kenshin whispered, his voice low but everyone recognizing that telltale deep voice, even if they couldn't see his eyes.
"No, you need to calm down!" Sanosuke said, his voice steady and calm despite his anxiety over Battousai Kenshin loose.
"I said let me go" Kenshin's voice stayed at the same monotone deep level but his ki pushed at Sanosuke with a dark warning 'let me go or I will kill you'. Kenshin's suddenly dark ki threw Sano off for a minute, causing him to loosen his hold on his shoulder a bit. Kenshin used the opportunity to jerk his shoulder away. But Saitou and Aoshi still held his wrists.
"Let go of me" Kenshin repeated looking up at Saitou and Aoshi his glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose to glare at them with his bright amber eyes.
Saitou didn't even flinch. "What did I say before we came in here?" he hissed, his mouth barely moving, "your going to mess all of this up and then you'll never get that child back Battousai".
Battousai/Kenshin glared at Saitou and cocked his eyebrows, "When have I ever listened to a wolf? I fulfilled my part of this bargain, now I'm going to go get Kenji." He jerked his wrists, but Saitou and Aoshi had a firm hold.
"Listen!" Aoshi muttered, his voice monotone and icy cold like his eyes. While Saitou and Sano had argued with him, Aoshi had been paying attention to the conversation between Kido and Akira. Kido was explaining to Akira who they were (or who Kido thought that they were) and his explanation was almost finished.
"Listen, you can't you use Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu anymore, none of us have any swords and this building has many guards. What could you possibly hope to accomplish? These men would probably sooner kill Kenji then see him taken away. Is that what you want?" At this point Aoshi paused, looking directly into Battousai's eyes, "Do you want to put Kenji in danger?"
Battousai growled, the question tearing thru him. All his senses his whole body ached to kill this man, in fact, kill all of the men around Kenji. But Kenji came first, Kenji came before all of them. If his actions put Kenji in danger…? But no matter how much he hated it, the Shinomori man was right. He could no longer use Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, and though he had some martial arts experience, without a sword him attacking the men was pretty much out of the question. Anyway, what joy would there be in killing the men if he couldn't slice thru them like the useless beef that they were? No…it might be better to just not kill these men (yet) after all…
Aoshi looked into Battousai's eye's preparing himself to be able to restrain him. He looked pretty damn mutinous right now, his amber eyes set in concentration, a grimace set on his face.
Just when Aoshi felt that there might be no hope, Battousai blinked and his eyes reverted back to their normal violet hue, though the hard scowl on his face didn't leave.
"Alright" Kenshin muttered pushing his glasses up on his eyes and rubbing his hair back, "I'm all right".
~~~---~~~
Kido let out a sigh of relief as Akira nodded. He's not mad at me! Kido thought elatedly, Thank the God's he's not angry!
Kido finally turned around toward his group and motioned for them to go in.
"Don't mind Kenji" he said turned to them with a happy grin, "He's just a little upset that's all."
~~~---~~~
Akira gave a short bow to the Kenshin-gumi as they were seated a little ways away from Harada.
"I thank you for choosing the Sakura Brothel for you 'midnight excursions'" Akira said, smiling warmly at them, "Kido said that you are done with your tour and are ready to choose partners? Excellent. I am Akira Takei, owner of this brothel. Kido here, is merely an agent of mine. Please, if you have anything to ask or tell while you're here refer to me."
Kido's left eye started to twitch uncontrollably at Akira's comments but he controlled himself.
"Akira-sama, don't you have business elsewhere tonight?" Kido asked pleasantly.
Akira shook his head equally pleasant despite the apparent electricity between the two men, "No, not tonight, after taking my bath I decided to go down to this room to converse with any customers. It's good for business for the owner himself to come down and greet customers!" At this Akira turned to the Kenshin-gumi and winked.
Kai and Yahiko shivered in disgust, but everyone stopped and stared when Kenji started to cough. He was still on his hands and knee's and was coughing near Akira.
"Ah, look who's up" Akira said looking down at Kenji in loathing, "Get up fool and introduce yourself."
"There's no need" Saitou said, his mask back on, "We've met already."
"Ah, I see" Akira said looking at Saitou and nodding, "Well, we might as well get down to business. Harada-san!" Harada, who was looking at Kenji in concern, jumped when his name was called.
"Y-yes Akira-san?" Harada asked ungluing his eye's from Kenji to look up at Akira.
"Harada-san, what is your business here tonight?"
Harada licked his lips, pleased to finally get down to business. Sure, he could have intervened when Kenji was getting beaten. But, Harada thought, the beatings he gets here will surely destroy that rage and disobedience in him! When I buy him, I expect him to be as submissive as he was last night! So long as he isn't to hurt. I don't want to have to hire a doctor for him.
"I actually have two orders of business tonight" Harada said, licking his lips and wringing his hands in anticipation, "The first I must talk to you about later, the second…I would like to purchase Kenji for the night."
~~~---~~~
Kenji's eyes snapped open and he stared at the floor. All the memories of his last night with Harada came flooding back. The bite marks. The feeling of Harada's tongue never leaving his mouth, the hands that kept squeezing and groping him. But most of all it was the inability to ignore it. The inability to stop it.
Usually during a session he was able to go into himself, to not really see or feel what they were doing to him. But with Harada it was different. He couldn't ignore Harada. For one, the session was to long, his nerves frayed to the braking point. A normal session only lasted at most 4 hours. Harada's had lasted 7. Second, Harada never stopped. Usually Kenji's customers would be old or middle aged men, rarely younger then 50, and would fall asleep long before the time ran out. But Harada didn't fall asleep. If he wasn't touching he was kissing, if he wasn't kissing he was biting him.
Kenji's hands started to shake uncontrollably, and he felt bile rise in his throat. Ever since that night with Harada his situation had become real. Before it only seemed barely like reality, he could barely tell sometimes that he was living and working in a brothel. He spent his days with Chizura and Obaa-san, playing and laughing or on the roof staring at the blue sky he could never reach. And when night came, he buried himself, forgetting the fact that he was under some man, imagining he was somewhere else. But with Harada there was no imagining. It was real.
It came to him in an epiphany. It was all just a fantasy, Kenji thought tears welling up in his eyes. It was just fantasy to think that me and Chizura and Obaa-san were like a real family. It was just a fantasy, a damn fantasy world I created in my own mind to shield myself from the truth. I ignored them, I pretended they weren't there, but they were there. They were right there on top of me. So that's the truth…the truth is, Akira's words came crashing back to Kenji like a tidal wave. "Know your place whore!" . Whore. That's the truth. I'm just a…
"I can't" Kenji muttered to himself, hands shaking his eyes wide from his epiphany, "I can't, I can't, I can't ,I can't ,I can't"~~~---~~~
Kenshin's eyes snapped around to Harada and glared. He could feel everyone staring at him trying to gauge his reaction. I should have expected this, he told himself grinding his teeth, I have to expect this. But, Kenji won't be touched by him or anyone else tonight. I'll make sure of it, regardless of Saitou's plans or not.
Saitou looked toward Harada and sighed inwardly. He was hoping that something like this wouldn't happen, but it did. It was the one thing he had prayed above all things not to happen and it did. And then there was Battousai, who at any moment could snap and go attacking at them like a raging bull. Not to mention he knew who this man was. Battousai and the others from Tokyo may not know, but Saitou and Aoshi knew exactly who this man was. Isei Harada, rich and powerful politician of Kyoto. But not for long thought Saitou with a smirk, once we infiltrate this brothel ring and reveal to the general public what Harada likes to do in his spare time! Saitou could feel himself getting happy, oh how I enjoy destroying politicians…whether it be by blade or police!
Saitou turned to Harada, once again as Fujita Gorou, and gave him a syrupy sweet (but to those who knew him disturbing) smile. "Forgive me sir, but me and my comrades also wish to purchase Kenji for the night".
~~~---~~~
Harada squawked like a pigeon. "No!" he screeched like a petulant child, "I asked first!"
"Indeed" Saitou replied smiling smugly, "But we were here first, the only reason we didn't ask first is because we were on a tour".
Harada's meaty face turned a nasty shade of red, and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish dying on land. He wasn't used to being challenged.
Akira smiled and waved his arms attempting to placate them.
"Yes, yes" he smiled graciously, "You both make valid points…how about this? Who ever gives the most money can see Kenji for the night, ne?"
Harada smiled happily, his almost tantrum forgotten, while Saitou's eyes narrowed. They had a decent amount of money but Harada probably had more…much more.
Sano looked at Kenshin, his hands clenching and unclenching at his side, aching for a sword hilt. He was suddenly very grateful that Kenshin had given his sakabatou to Yahiko. But if this man buys Kenji…who knows what Kenshin will do? Suddenly his thoughts and everyone else's in the room were shattered and they all looked at Kenji.
Kenji had suddenly gotten up, with his back to the wall staring at Harada. His eyes were a deep red, dark and unreadable and his face had almost a feral look to it. All Sano could think about when he looked at him was, a caged animal, suddenly set lose. The kid looked downright frightening.
"NO!" Kenji barked at Harada, "I won't!!"
~~~---~~~
"Yes, yes" Akira smiled graciously, "You both make valid points…how about this? Who ever gives the most money can see Kenji for the night, ne?"
Kenji snapped to attention looking up at Akira. He looked backward at the small group of men behind him and then to Harada, who was smiling disgustingly his fat face bloated. Judging by the look of the group of men behind him, there was no way they could beat Harada as far as money went.
I can't, I can't, I can't do it again, Kenji thought in his mind panicking, I can't, I can't.
He couldn't stand another night with Harada. Another 7 hours in hell. Another 7 hours of seeing his fleshy, obese face again bending over him. Another 7 hours of helplessness, of not being able to just ignore it anymore. Another 7 hours of being a helpless goldfish in a glass bowl.
I can't, I can't, I can't…I won't!
Kenji stood up, everything else in his mind forgotten. His mind was only on one track, one idea, one focus. He was not going to sleep with Harada tonight. It wasn't even a conscious choice anymore. He couldn't sleep with Harada, if he did he would probably lose his mind.
"NO!" Kenji barked at Harada, "I won't!!"
~~~---~~~
"Kenji-chan what's the matter?" Harada crooned sounding hurt, and getting up.
"NO!" Kenji shouted, pointing a finger at him, "You stay away from me!"
"Kenji!" Akira yelled grabbing the front of his gi and swinging him around toward him, "What the hell is wrong with you!?"
Kenji looked up at Akira his eye's crazed with fear and fury, "I don't care! I don't care what you do! I won't do it again I won't!"
Akira looked at Kenji oddly and without moving his eyes from Kenji's face called to Kido.
"Kido, send for Hyoe-san… and be quick about it!'
Kido's eyes widened and he stared at Akira, "B-But sir!"
Akira snapped toward him, "I said go!"
Kido bowed and left the meeting room.
~~~---~~~
Kenshin looked up and stared at Kenji, his eyes wincing. His ki was screaming, and it hurt him physically, not only because it was his son, but also because it was a painful thing to hear. He couldn't read anything else in his ki, the scream drowned out everything.
But he could see it in his eyes. Kenji was afraid…desperately so. Kenshin looked toward this man…this Harada person. What had this man done to Kenji that made him fear and hate him so? Battousai's screaming was almost as loud, if not more so, than Kenji's ki. He would have to thank Aoshi later…what he had said to him kept him down, for now at least. But Kenshin was finding it hard to control his sword arm, clenching and unclenching reaching for a sword that was no longer there.
Kenji…Kenshin could no longer see his face only the back of his head, but he could see his hands shaking. Kenshin felt such self loathing that he hadn't felt in years. What kind of a father Kenshin asked himself, would let this happen to their child,
And do nothing? Battousai finished whispering in his ear.
I'm rescuing him
How? By sitting here staring?
Be patient, even if we can't get rid of Harada, he won't touch him
So you say, but what are we going to do with no sword, not even a kitchen knife?
Kenshin didn't answer him
That's what I thought, and then the Battousai disappeared, just as Kido left the room.
~~~---~~~
Nothing happened for about a minute. Everyone sat frozen as if in time, the same spot they were at since Kido left. Then Harada spoke up breaking up the ice.
"Um, Akira-san?"
"Yes, Harada-san?" Akira answered not taking his eyes off of Kenji's still violent face.
"Who is this Hyoe-san?"
"Hyoe-san is our doctor Harada-san."
Harada looked up at Akira in alarm, "T-Then is Kenji-chan sick?!"
Akira smiled, "Yes Harada-san, Kenji is very sick…and we're going to fix him…ah, here he is now!"
~~~---~~~
Kido stepped thru the door, head bowed, followed by a tall gaunt man. He wore glasses, and carried a briefcase. He had a sad, grim expression on his face, as if he was always in a bad mood.
Akira motioned for him to come closer and he did.
"Take Kenji-chan here" Akira said shaking Kenji a bit, "And take him to his room. Make sure he is in his yukata, and then I want you to give him a drink…you got that?"
Hyoe nodded his large grim head. Kenji's eye's widened a bit, but he allowed himself to be led by the arm by Hyoe to his room. They heard the shoji door click shut behind them.
~~~---~~~
Once they were out of the room, Akira clapped his hands together as a call to attention.
"Alright, now that he's taken care of, lets get back to business…who has more money?"
"Wait Akira-san!" Kido spoke up raising his head.
Akira rolled his eyes, "Good God, what is it now!?"
"Instead of judging by money…how about this?" Kido turned to Harada, "Harada-san, did you not say that you had an order of business with Akira-san?"
Harada nodded his head slowly as if he didn't understand.
"Well, why don't you talk to Akira-san now and then buy Kenji-chan after they are done?"
Akira clapped his hands again in agreement, "My, my Kido, you do have a brain in that skull of yours! This way, both groups will be able to see Kenji!"
Harada pouted, almost looking like he was sticking out his lower lip, "But what if they take to long?"
Akira walked over to Harada pulling him up and putting an arm around his shoulder. He started walking with him to the exit of the meeting room. "My dear Harada-san" Akira crooned, "There will be plenty of time!"
Kido didn't move till he heard the door shut behind them and their tabi scuffling across the hall. "Phew!" Kido exclaimed, wiping his brow, "We sure dodged a bullet on that one!"
~~~---~~~
Saitou looked up at Kido, "Kido-san, can we see Kenji-chan now?"
"Of course, of course!" Kido said smiling, "But first, the money first"
Saitou reached into his pocket and handed Kido a small sack of money.
He looked into it. "Hmmm, this should be enough for about…hm, 4, 5 hours I think!" Kido nodded his head, as if agreeing with himself and stuffed the sack of money into his pocket. "Alright, I'll lead you to Kenji's room…all of you right?"
Saitou nodded his head.
Kido shrugged, "Alright, lets go!"
Everyone got up heavily, exhausted by the ordeal, ready for the final stretch of the race, the actual rescue. They left thru the door, leaving the meeting room completely empty.
~~~---~~~
"W-Whats wrong with him?!" Kai was the first to speak up, looking down at Kenji lying on the futon. He looked asleep…he was breathing and everything but no matter what they did, they couldn't wake him up. His eyelids fluttered every now and then, but he still wouldn't wake up. It was almost like he was dead.
Kido was standing near the door and shook his head. "My apologies" he said with a pained smile, "Hyoe-san must of given him a drink of that stuff…"
"What stuff!?" Kenshin hissed whirling around to Kido.
Kido waved his arms in front of his face as if trying to protect himself from Kenshin's sudden burst of anger. "Hey, Hey!" he whined out, "Don't blame me, I didn't tell him to do it! It's a drink that we often give the prostitutes if they're sick or something. It's a sedative, he's not hurt, he'll just be out of it while you're with him…I'm sorry. We've never had to give it to him before…I'm sorry your experience may not be as enjoyable…maybe you want to switch to Ayame-san or Hana-cha-?"
Before Kido had finished Kenshin cut him off, turning back around to look at Kenji, his voice hard, "We're not changing, get out."
Kido nodded obediently and scurried out of the stifling room.
~~~---~~~
Aoshi looked around the room, that Kido had said was Kenji's. But even though he was a stiff cold ninja who was never around children, even he could tell that this didn't resemble the room of a 15 year old boy at all. An empty fishbowl, a vase with a single flower in it, and the futon that he was lying on was all that was inside his room. Even his room had more items in it.
"Man!" Kai said looking around at his brothers room, "What a boring room."
"At least it isn't a wreak like yours!" Yahiko told him earning him an evil glare.
"What a sad way to live" Aoshi said, one of his philosophical musings, "Surrounded by emptiness."
"Why would he want to live in something like this?" Kai asked glancing at him.
"Be…cause…I…" Kenji suddenly muttered everyone snapping around to stare at him. "I…." But then he was asleep again, breathing lightly.
Sano shook his head thinking this would be amusing if it wasn't so sad, "That Kido man was right…he really is out of it."
Kenshin frowned disappointed; how badly he had wanted to come in here and talk with Kenji for a little while. To hold him and hug him, and tell him that everything was all right and he was coming home.
But, Kenshin looked down on Kenji's sleeping form, that can wait…I've waited 10 years already…I can wait a few more hours.
Saitou snorted and pulled out a cigarette, not lighting it however, only putting it in his mouth. "Come Battousai, lets finish this now and be done with it…since the boy is drugged he should be much easier to smuggle out."
Kenshin frowned at Saitou's callousness, but noted that he did have a point.
"How are we going to get him out?" Kai asked looking around, "In the hallway's we'd probably get caught."
"I guess we'll just have to go thru the windows then" Kenshin bent over to pick up Kenji, when the shoji door opened like a clap and closed. Everyone turned around and stared, at the furious looking brown eyed girl staring back at them.
~~~---~~~
Chizura walked down the hallway, skipping a bit, chewing on a rice ball ecstatic over her no customers night. Of course she wasn't going to bed just because Kenji told her to. In fact…a wicked grin spread on Chizura's face. I'll get him back, she thought wickedly, how dare he order me around like a child! I'll go right into his room and pummel him!
Chizura scampered over to Kenji's room, not far from her own, but stopped at the door when she heard voices. Oh no, she thought worriedly, does Kenji have customers for tonight? She put her ear to the door to catch the whispers.
"Much easier to smuggle out." "How are we going to get him out?" was all she caught but that was enough for her. She sucked in her breath and put her hand over her mouth to cover her scream. They were going to kidnap Kenji! They were probably from some rival brothel or something and they were going to take him away….and she would probably never see him again. The realization that she may never see her best friend, no, her only friend in this whole hell hole was to much for her.
Characteristic anger flooded thru Chizura and she clenched her fists. They won't take him away, she thought her rage in full blossom, all common sense thrown to the wind, they won't take him away from me!
Chizura ran into the room and closed the door shut behind her. She looked up into the eyes of six men all staring at her like a ghost. Uh..oh…was all Chizura could think about, her anger withering the same way it blossomed. She realized how foolish she was barging in a room with six men who probably wouldn't hesitate to kill her. She stood stock still as the man nearest Kenji sat up and walked toward her.
~~~---~~~
"You…are Kenji's friend, right?" Kenshin asked Chizura pleasantly, not wishing to frighten the girl. Kenji's ki had proven her a friend in the meeting room and Kenshin would treat her as such.
"Y-yes…" Chizura answered, obviously frightened, but trying to gain her former bravery back, "Y-You can't take him away!"
Kenshin shook his head, smiling at her, and removed his glasses, motioning for Kai to do the same. Chizura's eyes widened when she looked into Kenshin's purple eyes.
"I am Kenji's father…I merely want to take him home" Kenshin explained to her, the Rurouni grin again plastered on his face, "Of course…if you still don't believe me I don't think I managed to dye some of the roots of my hair…its red like his!"
Chizura shook her head, still staring at him in wonder. It wasn't everyday you saw a Japanese man with brilliant purple eyes, that, though different in color reminded her so vividly of Kenji's. And not only that he looked like Kenji, even sounded a bit like him. This man has to be Kenji's father, Chizura thought. "No, no that's okay I believe you…" she looked beyond him, at Kenji lying on the futon, "Uh oh, they must of drugged him…wait till he wakes up and sees you, he'll be so happy!"
Kenshin smiled at her, taking a liking to his sons friend. Kenji, he said in his mind, you have a good taste in friends.
Saitou spoke up turning toward Chizura, "Girl, you must not speak a word of us to anyone got it!"
Chizura nodded her head, a bit startled by the gruff mans voice, but understanding completely. No one must know that Kenji was gone yet…and once they did know he was gone, she must not tell anyone who took him, no matter how harmless it would seem. Brothel rings had a strange ability to hunt down anyone they got a name or good description of.
"By the way…" Chizura asked looking up at them, "How do you plan on sneaking him out?"
"Thru the window" Yahiko answered innocently enough, then Chizura burst into laughter, stopping quickly to cover her mouth, snorting and looking up at them giggling.
"What's so funny about that?" Kai asked irritably.
"What a silly thing to do!" Chizura answered, finally composing herself, "You'll never, ever make it out that way! Don't you know that they watch the windows to make sure no one escapes?! That's such an obvious way out its funny!"
"Do you know another way out Chizura-chan?" Kenshin asked, not smartly but honestly wanting to know.
"Yea, of course, me and Kenji used it a couple of times"
"How"
"This building used to be connected to another building. When they tore the other building down I guess they forgot to check all the doors. Some walls in here are really doors, but the walls and the doors look so similar its hard to tell them apart. That's the best way to get out, because the guards never check them."
"Can you show us one?" Kenshin asked her, and she answered with a nod of her head.
"Sure…actually one isn't far from here" Chizura turned toward the door and motioned for them to follow her.
"Wait." Aoshi said stopping everyone in their tracks, "What if we get caught in the hallways?"
Chizura shook her head again smiling, "You just leave that to me! When you sneak out like I do, you have to know who's coming and going at certain times…theirs usually no one in the hallways around this time."
And with that she opened the shoji screen door, peeking her head out looking right and left. She turned her head back to the group summoning them with her hand to follow her. They slipped out, not even their tabi making sound, with Kenji slung over Kenshin's shoulder like a rag doll.
~~~---~~~
Chizura and the Kenshin-gumi, pitter pattered down the hallways stopping only when Chizura stopped at intersections between two hallways. She would look both ways as if trying to cross a busy street and then motion with her hand for them to follow. No one said a word, everyone understanding the necessity of silence.
Chizura stopped suddenly, extending her arm to prevent them from moving closer. Kenshin and everyone else heard voices up ahead, that were moving in closer. Chizura must of heard them to, because she immediately started looking around, as if for a place to hide. Then, with a happy chirp, she raced over to a door and flung it open.
She turned to the group, the voices getting louder every second. "Get In!" she hissed quietly but firmly. She didn't have to tell them twice, as they raced into the room and heard it click shut behind them.
~~~---~~~
Kenshin and everyone stopped dead in their tracks, as they walked into the room. There in front of them was a giant of a woman…a giant naked woman laying face down on her futon. She was surrounded by sake bottles and snoring. Kenshin was dimly reminded of Hiko, but allowed himself no time to dwell on it by swiftly turning around. He could feel the tic developing above his eye.
Aoshi and Saitou turned around also looking not especially bothered by the woman about two feet away from them.
Kai stood staring at her, his mouth open a bit. He didn't stop staring till he felt Sano and Yahiko give his ponytail a very harsh pull from behind, whirling him around so his back was facing the woman. Kai could feel Yahiko's grin on him, and knew that he might never, no would never, here the end of this.
Kenshin closed his eyes and inwardly sighed at his eldest son. But he wouldn't scold him…if he had been younger and not married he would've stared to. Anyway Yahiko's teasing would do more than enough. His mind wandered back to Kenji. It was a blessing in itself just to be able to touch him again.
Kenji was draped over Kenshin's shoulder, they best way to run and hold him in the rush. He occasionally muttered some sort of nonsense in his sedated state and made Kenshin smile. He was like a baby, gurgling out a word or two every now and then and then falling asleep. But Kenshin didn't mind, not in the least bit. He had his hand on Kenji's back and felt the soft rise and fall of his body from his light even breathing. And he was so warm. Kenshin felt such love for him, love stored up over 10 years of separation, that he felt he might burst. Kenji, Kenshin thought feeling the ki of the people that they had hid from fade away, Kenji, I promise, nothing like this will ever happen to you again, I swear.
The shoji door clicked back open and Chizura motioned for them to come back outside.
~~~---~~~
"Why?!" Kai hissed at Chizura as they trotted down the hallway, "Why did you put us in a room with that woman!"
Chizura looked back at him casually, as if she couldn't understand what he was so upset about. "Oh…you mean fat Hana-chan?" How would I know her name! Kai thought venomously.
"I guess that's who you mean" Chizura said not even allowing him time to answer, as she rounded another hallway and stopped, "Fat Hana-chan is always drunk…she probably didn't see you and if she did she won't remember in the morning. When me and Kenji are bored we take Fat Hana's sake bottles and she chases us all around."
Chizura looked up dreamily as if remembering a particularly good memory. "Ah…good times, good times!"
Chizura pointed at an innocent looking wall a good 10 feet away and turned to them. "That's the secret door, when you go out it go left…if you go right you'll be in our courtyard. Once you're at the end of the alley, go right, or else you'll have to walk in front of the building."
With that, she walked over to the secret door and slid it open. The small group walked out the door, the fresh air hitting them. For so long, to long, the only thing they had smelled was perfume and sweat.
Kenshin was the last to walk out and he turned to Chizura. "Chizura-chan" he said looking into her brown eyes, "If you wish to come with us-"
Chizura shook her head before he finished, her eye's sad. "No…when you first told me who you were, I thought about asking you to take me with you. But now that I've thought about it…" She looked up at Kenji and then looked back at the brothel meaningfully. "No, if I stay here, it'll be easier for Kenji to leave. If they look for me and see that I'm gone, then they'll get suspicious about Kenji. And I'll stay in Kenji's room to stall them…tell them he's sick and can't come out or something like that!"
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Yahiko asked her, knowing all to well what happened when you disobeyed criminals.
She smiled, nodding her head, "Yeah, I'll be fine, I know how to survive".
"Kenji-chan" Kenshin said, not wanting to leave Chizura in such a dangerous position…but also not being able to force her to come with them, "Will not be happy when he wakes up and sees that you're not there."
Chizura blushed and shook her head, as if trying to not think about something, "No, its all right, he's not happy when he wakes up and sees me around now! And anyway…he has his family now…its alright if I'm not there."
Kenshin let out a defeated sigh. What a stubborn child, he thought and he smiled, pleasantly reminded of Kaoru. "Alright Chizura-chan….thank you for your help". He turned as if to leave but then stopped at her sudden cry of "Wait!"
Kenshin had to use all his powers of balance not to fall over as Chizura rushed at him, grabbing Kenji and hugging him, burying her face in his neck. As soon as the moment started, it ended, with Chizura pulling away looking as if she was about to cry.
"Here" she said mutely, digging into her kimono and pulling out a plain silver necklace, clasping it around Kenji's neck. For a moment she looked like she was going to burst into tears. But the moment subsided, and she turned around and ran back into the brothel before anyone could convince her not to. The secret door clicked shut behind her.
~~~---~~~
Kaoru let out a battle weary sigh, and laid down on her futon heavily. It had been a long arduous battle and she almost hadn't came out the victor. But there was no way she was going to let Misao and Okina put up a Welcome Home Kenji! Banner in front of the Aoi-Ya.
"Okina's getting to old for this sort of stuff anyway" she muttered. Not only had they attempted to put up the banner, they had also tried to throw a party, which Megumi had helped shoot down saying that Kenji would need rest when he got here. Then they had tried to convince Kaoru to let them take Kenji all across Kyoto, a "Welcome Back!" trip they had called it. That idea got shot down to. They finally decided to just do nothing…which was fine by Kaoru.
I'm so excited, she thought stretching out on her futon. I can't even sleep! My baby, Kenji. I can't wait to see him walk thru the door…will he even remember me? Its been ten years…what has he forgotten? What does he remember?
Kaoru had been sitting at the front of the Aoi-Ya, wanting to be the first one to see him when he came home. First Misao and Okina had joined her, still trying to plan some sort of activity for him. Then Megumi, who, as blunt as ever, proceeded to tell her of the numerous diseases one could catch at a brothel. She left after awhile, though not until Kaoru's eye started to twitch and her grip on her bokken tightened to the point of showing blood vessels. Finally Kaori, who didn't last very long, falling asleep after 10 minutes.
Kaoru at that point didn't care whether she saw him first or not, as long as she got to see him. So she dragged Kaori and herself up to their room, laying Kaori on a futon near hers. And here she lay.
She scooted over to where Kaori lay, touching her soft silky ebony hair, just to feel its texture and smoothness, something she had done since she was a baby. She could feel Kaori breathing beside her, deep even breathing.
As long as he's still breathing, that was what I thought when he first disappeared. That's what I prayed for, everyday. Even if the gods have deemed that I should never hold you or kiss you again, please, let you still be alive. Please let you still be breathing. That's what I prayed for. But now…
Kaoru smiled into Kaori's hair, Now, I'll pray to finally see you, to finally get to hold you, Kenji.
Kaoru drifted off to sleep memories of a smiling little boy with flame red hair dancing in her head till she was woken by Misao's boisterous voice, excited and breathless snapped her awake.
"They're back! They're back! And they have Kenji, he's downstairs! Oh you should see him Kaoru he's so pretty! And he looks just like Kenshin!"
Misao kept chattering on but, Kaoru had stopped listening at "they have Kenji, he's downstairs!" She jumped up, throwing the blankets aside and smoothing out her kimono. She turned to Misao, a wide smile and her eyes sparkling.
"What did he say, is he happy?!"
Misao quickly went quiet and looked the other way. "Well…he didn't say anything" she said twiddling her thumbs.
Kaoru's smile fell, her eyes concerned. "What do you mean? Is he upset?"
"Well…no…I mean…we don't know because he's sleeping…"
Kaoru cocked her eyebrow and folded her arms, "Why hasn't anyone woken him up?"
"Well…um…" Misao's voice was barely a squeak, "because he won't wake up."
Kaoru was out of the door in a flash, Misao barely keeping up, calling to her "Wait, Kaoru, Wait!"
But Kaoru wasn't listening, beyond listening. Something was wrong with her baby and she was going to figure out what it is. She flew down the stairs, Misao close behind. She reached the end of the stairs only to round the corner and slam into Sano.
"Whoa Jou-chan!" Sano said waving his arms, Megumi trotting up beside him.
Kaoru ignored him turning to Megumi, her face washed in worry, "Megumi, what's wrong with Kenji?!"
Megumi yawned, waving her hand back and forth as if to flow away Kaoru's worries, "Don't worry so much, they just sedated him, he'll be fine in the morning."
"What!?" Kaoru screeched, fists tight, "They drugged him!?"
"Please don't yell" Megumi said, massaging her nose, "He's in the room a little down the hall with Ken-san…and he needs rest so don't stay to long…come Sano!" And with that Megumi trudged up the stairs, with Sano following dutifully.
Misao turned to Kaoru, "Everyone is sleeping…Kenshin is the only one in the room with him."
Kaoru nodded her head and walked down the hallway to the room.
~~~---~~~
Kenshin sat looking at his sleeping son, content for now to just sit and stare at him. As soon as they had come back they had called Megumi to look at him. She hadn't performed her whole medical check over for him, merely making sure the drug they had given him wasn't compromising for his health. She had said he was fine, and he would probably be alright in the morning, when the drug wore off.
With that knowledge, everyone had left, Saitou back home, and everyone else to sleep. Everyone that is except Kenshin.
When everyone had left, Kenshin had gathered Kenji in his arms, resting his head on his soft red hair. He hadn't let himself cry, but he let the tears fall now, dropping on Kenji's head. It's going to be hard Kenshin thought looking down at Kenji's peaceful face, It's going to be hard for him to adjust…but…Kenshin smiled as Kenji muttered something he couldn't catch and squeezed him tighter. But…you're here now, and we'll all try to make it easier for you.
Kenshin lay Kenji back down reluctantly, remembering Megumi's warning that he needed rest. He wanted so badly to talk with Kenji, and hear his voice again! But that could wait till the morning. For now he would just have to be content with looking at him. And anyway, he thought smiling, Kaoru will be have him all to herself…about now! Just then Kaoru opened the door and walked into the room.
~~~---~~~
Kaoru walked into the room, mesmerized by Kenji. She slowly put a hand over her open mouth, staring at the boy she knew instinctively was her son. She had been afraid that if she saw him she might not recognize him, that she wouldn't be able to recognize her own child. But she knew with just one look who he was.
She dashed over to where he lay, ignoring Kenshin, bending over him, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. It had been a sort of affectionate gesture she had had for him. He didn't make a move, completely oblivious in his sleep. She put her face in her hands and sobbed. Her baby, Kenji, was right here! Right in front of her after all these years. And he had gotten so big! Suddenly she felt two firm arms wrap around her waist pulling her close. Kenshin laid his head on her shoulder, breathing in her scent. Kaoru rearranged herself so that she was sitting on his lap. She was still crying, silently, the tears cascading down her face.
"It's alright" Kenshin hummed in her ear, "It's alright, koishii, he's here now, it's alright."
"I know that Kenshin!" Kaoru said, smiling playfully smacking his thigh despite the tears that were still flowing, "I'm just so happy to see him again!"
Kenshin smiled warmly at her, leaning down to kiss at her cheek, "As am I…but Megumi-san said he needs rest, we should go to bed and wait to be with him in the morning."
Kaoru nodded her head, bending down out of the comfort of Kenshin's lap, to stroke Kenji's cheek lovingly, "I don't see what sort of rest he needs! He's sleeping enough as it is!"
Kenshin laughed, reaching down to pull her to her feet, then wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "It's the doctors orders koishii…lets go to bed."
Kaoru stopped halfway to the door, to look back at Kenji, "Will he be all right down here by himself?"
Kenshin nodded his head, "Yes, he'll be fine, everyone is on alert…and I am a light sleeper."
Kaoru giggled and slapped at his hand, "I know you are anata!"
Then they were out the door.
~~~---~~~
Chizura's face was slammed down on the tatami mat, sharp pain radiating from her temple. A low moan came from her throat.
"Where the HELL is he!!" Akira bellowed at her, surrounded by Harada, Kido, and a about 3 bodyguards.
Chizura lifted her face, her whole body in pain, "I told you I don't know!"
Akira kicked her in the face, and proceeded to stomp on her with his foot. "You little bitch! You were the only one in here!"
That's right, Chizura thought, each stomp sending pain flowing throughout her whole body, I was the only one in here. But I'll never tell you who has Kenji or where he is!
Chizura had raced back to Kenji's room once everyone had left. She stayed there for the whole of the time that the Kenshin-gumi had bought, 5 hours. When the 5 hours were up Kido had come to retrieve the men. But Chizura had stopped him from coming in, telling him that they had already left and Kenji was feeling to sick to see anyone else.
That lie had saved her an hour before Harada barged into the room demanding to see Kenji sick or not, tired of waiting. When he had seen only Chizura and no Kenji in sight, he had sent up the alarm, that led to this. Akira and his cronies had searched the whole brothel up and down but no trace of Kenji was found anywhere. And Chizura was their only lead.
I knew this was going to happen, Chizura thought painfully aware that her nose was broken, 'I know how to survive'?. What a load of crap. But…I was able to help Kenji. I was finally able to repay him…
Chizura was suddenly conscious that the stomping had stopped. She looked up painfully, only to meet the eyes of Kido who was bending over her.
"Please Chizura!" Kido said his voice frantic, his eyes constantly looking over to where Akira was talking with his bodyguards, "Just tell them where Kenji is…or tell them who took him! I know you know!"
"He's….He's" Chizura wheezed out, feeling like there was a crushing weight on her chest.
Everyone had stopped talking and was looking at her. "Yea, Chizura, yea? He's where? Where is he?!" Kido egged her on, nodding her head.
"He's…" then the old fierceness roared up in Chizura's eyes, some strength coming from nowhere, "He's in a place where you can't hurt him!"
Kido's face dropped, but she couldn't analyze it for long cause he was pushed out of the way, his face replaced by Akira's.
Akira's face was contorted by rage and Chizura was dimly reminded of a scary kabuki mask she had seen once. But she found herself lifted, level with Akira's face. His breath blasted onto her face, smelling of sake, garbage, and sweat.
"OH!? We can't hurt him…but we sure as hell can hurt you, now I'll ask you again…where is Kenji?! If you don't tell us, I'll surrender you to my bodyguards over there" Akira jerked his head over to his bodyguards, standing tough and solid near the door, "And yes they hit much harder than me…"
Chizura blinked, for a split second consumed with an overwhelming desire to tell them who had Kenji, where he was, everything, anything to make the pain stop. I really am such a dirty girl, she thought, tears spilling from her eyes, down her bruised face. To even think of something like that! But I'm going to change…I'm going to save you this time Kenji. I'll repay my debt in full.
"I don't know where he is" Chizura said weakly, screaming in pain as Akira slapped at her broken nose. He let go of her, letting her crumple to the ground.
Akira shook his head at her in disgust, "As you wish Chizura…" he made a motion for his guards to come near her.
Chizura managed to cover her face and head with her hands, but the guards hit, kicked, and punched at every other area. But one swift blow to her solar plexus left her on the ground writhing and screaming. Akira shook his head at her.
"Put her out of her misery for now" he said to one of the guards, "We'll finish this tomorrow."
A punch to the face sent her world spiraling into lights.
~~~---~~~
Lights.
Kenji, blinked, lifting his head off of the futon to look around. He rubbed his head, groaning a bit, a headache already pounding. But first.
Kenji looked around, aware that this was not his room at the brothel from the simple fact that the door was on a different side. Not to mention the fact that this room had more decoration than his room had ever seen.
Lights…Kenji thought, all I can remember are lights….how the hell did I get here?
When he had been led up to his room by Hyoe, he had willingly drank what Hyoe had silently handed him. He had been praying that it was something to knock him out, keep him asleep for the duration of that session. But, it wasn't. He was asleep sure, but not perfect sleep. He would wake up occasionally, hearing hazy noises and blurry faces that looked sort of all mashed up together. Then sometimes the faces and voices were clearer…but more often then not he could hear the voices clearer then the faces. But whenever he tried to answer whatever the voices said, he could barely gurgle out a few slurry words or more before sleep overtook him.
The sleep wasn't even perfect. Lights, pretty dancing lights, were always playing behind his eyelids. So he didn't even get that much sleep.
Kenji took another look around at his surroundings and got up heavily. He felt something around his neck, and stopped to grab at it, eyes widening when he saw what it was.
How in the world, Kenji thought staring down at the silver necklace around his neck, how did this get here? Didn't I give this as a birthday gift to Chizura? Kenji looked up thoughtfully, as if some answer would come down from heaven, "I must really be dead" Kenji said out loud. Some people did die from the medicine Hyoe gave them…bad reactions or bad medicine no one ever knew for sure.
Kenji looked down at his feet, a small vase with some flowers arranged in it, and was reminded of his vase in his room. He bent over to pick it up, looking the flowers over.
Chizura would like these…wait why am I thinking about her? Kenji thought blushing and grabbing a certain flower out of the vase. It was still slightly pink but browning at the edge's of the petals, and its stalk was starting to stiffen.
"Its dying" Kenji said out loud looking down at the flower mournfully. I don't think I'm dead…but where am I? I can't still be in the brothel because I've never seen this room before. And where is Chizura? Kenji mentally kicked himself and felt the blush riding up his cheeks again.
Why am I thinking about her so much? Why can't I get her off of my mind? A memory surfaced from his mind and he looked down at the dying flower. Something he had said long ago came to mind.
"Don't fade away" he said, half to the flower, and half to Chizura, even though he had no idea where she was or where he was for that matter. But something didn't feel right to him about this whole situation. "Don't fade away, my one and only flower".
I hope nobody got to attached to Chizura…haha, no, sorry, I'm just kidding!
Maybe she'll die…and maybe she won't. I really don't decide these things till I start writing. I didn't write all of Kaoru's thoughts on seeing Kenji again, because they were the same as Kenshin's when he sees him. It would just be redundant.
Holding On to Heart: Indeed I get the same feeling when I think about Kenji (sigh). Sorry Battousai won't come and chop them up…Damn vow getting in the way of all the sexiness!!
TheLostDuck: No worries, thanks for reviewing!
Yappariaiza: Nobody likes Harada…I wonder why? And thanks, I'm going to print out your review and give it to my old English teacher!
BrilliantIceBluexx: Wow thank you! RK stories are hard to get reviews for because the series is a bit dated. But may it live on forever! Ok enough obsessive fan girlishness, I was waiting for someone to figure out where I got Chizura from…even though I can't say I enjoyed the last OVA that much. Nope, none of the guys save Kenji in that particular scene…even though just thinking about Sano seeing that and his reaction lmao!!!
Catschewmytoes: Thank you! Is everyone's favorite chapter last chapter? God, I hope this chapter can live up to its predecessor…
And thanks to everyone else who reads!
By the way, Saitou's plan B was for them to hire another prostitute, put her to sleep, and leave Kai in the room with her. Then race to Kenji's room and take him, knocking Harada out in the process. Of course this was plan B because there's no way to go back and get Kai (lol). But I doubt Saitou really cares. I couldn't add it because there was no place to put it and the chapter was to long anyway. And its sort of useless to. Oh well…off to sleep. I'll work on the next chapter…(yawn)…later…