Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

JeniNeji Comments:

I can't believe it! 35 reviews for one chapter. Oh my God! O_O…it was like…and it was just sort of a random thing! Well, that aside… Animeprincess07 has volunteer to help me beta-read this short novel…yes, it will be sort of short, sorry, but my classes begin on August 10 so…I will be a little occupied to make it too long.

We hope to be posting the chapters soon…but hey [not so soon], remember that they are going to be beta-edited so it will be a little more time. Please, be good with me…and us.

Here is the second chapter of The Voice, enjoy!

xxoOoxx

The Voice

2

I don't bleed, only my heart does.

Mend it, now.

Softly.

Caring.

xxoOoxx

The truth is, he had spread those rumors about this gathering purposely. It was bait which couldn't be ignored, even when the smell of a trap was poisonous. Even more so when the activity was going to last for three days, a gangster meeting in the most luxurious Hotel & Casino of Japan? For three days…too fishy.

Still, he was sure that they were going to send an undercover. He had not been mistaken, Yukishiro Enishi, was never mistaken. He had watched the guests the first night, the anticipation of the game pumping his blood happily. He had visually revised each of his guests, and they were all there, no one came late, no one was missing. He had never enjoyed the game of 'hide and seek' when he had been young, but now, at the age of twenty-six he had learned to do so…in his own way.

After that little search, he still had three leads: Cooks, security or the extras…the succulent women. If he was to go for simplicity, it would be security, but if he channeled his thought with those of the infamous company, he was sure the spy wasn't going to be on security…so he didn't bother much.

At the next day, most of the guest had been on the pools. People gossiped between themselves and laugher filled the place. Of course, so did the scanty bikinis. He had spent the first half-hour inspecting the females for any oddity, in fact, he had found none. However, he had to admit that he had just taken some glances, he was not worried about this spy, and so, he hadn't scrutinized for it seriously as of yet.

He had been wearing gray surfing shorts even when he had no real intention of swimming, but since he owned some, this was the best excuse to use them. He didn't spend money foolishly, and so, he had to make sure to use those pieces of clothing stored on the back of his closet…he knew it was just a matter of time.

He had summoned these people out of boredom. Many of them were associates he disliked. The one's which were really important never attended such things. True, most of them were…older and boring, but others that were almost as young as him were still working through their 'empires'. He had been orphaned when he was very young and had managed to reach China. As a lone, poor and weak boy he had mixed with thugs and from them he managed to learn some tricks, which later helped him reach his current state, his current Empire. He had luck as well. He had to admit the heavens had shone upon him at that time. It was ironic, the heavens helped a man become the greatest and most feared drug dealer of the Orient…well almost; he was just starting with India now.

A woman neared him and sat at his side with a sultry smile. She offered him a drink which he politely denied, he was not over worried about the spy or his cheap enemies but he wasn't going to be foolish either. He looked at the red haired woman over his shades, his eyes roaming her figure from her face to her feet before turning altogether and dismissing her. He had heard her angry mutter, she had been left with a broken pride and…an aching body. He had no interest in her, she was not the spy; he was sure. There was only thing that had allured him from his bed today and that was, exploring the supposedly undercover abilities of the Aku-Soku-San.

The Aku-Soku-San was Japan's infamous branch of assassins. They had inherited the name from a rebellious group back in the Tokugawa Era, the Shinsengumi. It had surprised him to find that in the beginning, there had been two groups fighting for power: The Shinsengumi and the Imperialist. After nearly ten years of war, the two sides managed an agreement and had finally merged making thus, the infamous company.

The company where he worked. Memories of his childhood assaulted him and he fisted his hands in anger. He was the source of all his pain, of all his misery. He was one of the three most powerful assassins of Aku-Soku-San, Hitokiri Battousai.

The name made him growl with his deep hatred. The Battousai had murdered his sister, his only sister. Tomoe had been betrothed to Kiyosato Akira since childhood and had been very in love with him. She was his right hand on his work and had done everything she could have to always help her beloved. She had been a hard worker, dutiful and extremely beautiful. He had always been proud of his sister, even when he was still barely twelve; he knew he loved her deeply, even more than he loved his severe father. But she still died, not all that greatness or beauty had kept her alive. He could still see her pale body and the angry slash that had cut her from shoulder to waist. She had been innocent; she had not needed to die, Akira had been the target, but she had been a witness.

He was going to avenge Tomoe. He was going to make Battousai suffer as much as he had. So, he had finally become strong enough to enter the deadly world of Japan's underground and he had begun his search for Battousai. He hadn't been able to find much about the man. His previous contact, Jineh, had only said so much…and he had been somewhat unstable, so it was distrustful information. Still, Yukishiro Enishi wasn't one to be disheartened so quickly, and well, he made this gathering to know how Aku-Soku-San dealt with these matters. So far, they have done remarkably well. They surely knew how to put an undercover agent. However, no one could best him, he had this…sixth sense or an eccentricity that few were aware of.

His turquoise eyes suddenly glanced at the door which lead to the Hotel, and smirked when a shudder took hold of his body, beginning from his knees, going up his tights and brazing his chest. From the Hotel came a young woman, twenty at most, and walked towards him. She had long black hair that caressed her fined hips and sleek arms with the soft hint of muscles. She had a white towel on her shoulder and an authentic par of renowned sunglasses. Her skin was pale, but still healthy pale. These were, however, small additions to her controlled and refine movements. The gracefulness she accomplished shouted her skill as a martial artist.

He kept his smirk even when she was nearing him and he couldn't help the second tremor that racked him when she raised her chin sensuously away with just the necessary amount of rebelliousness. She walked past him without a second glance, he noticed with an injured pride, and settled on one of the empty beach chairs. He turned his upper half and stared at her as she placed the towel over the chair, the obsessive-clean type. He grinned when he watched other men staring at her, the lustrous marked lines of her back, the slender legs and her short and inviting bikini skirts.

He accommodated himself on his chair again. Yes, not many knew of his sixth sense. They couldn't use women as spies on him. That could never work. Why? Well, because he had a thing for singular women and they never, escaped his radar or his deadly hands. Specially the martial artists.

xOx

Night had finally come and he was sitting on a huge rectangular table. It was made of onyx stone but was covered with glass making it look royal. He was glad that the table he was sitting on was a little higher than the floor where the other tables were set, it allowed him to see all the other tables and occupants without stressing his neck.

Almost everyone had finished eating and most of them had gone to a small stage on a corner where a DJ was mixing some music for them. He watched as they danced or some wobbled a little since they had drank one too many drinks. The lights of the room had dimmed to relax the people and allow some…privacy for the unstoppable indiscretions of some.

His aqua eyes inspected the room for the woman he guessed was the spy. After a little search he found her surrounded by a couple of men and some overly pompous dressed women. He smiled when he watched her attire approvingly. She had her hair up on an exotic ponytail with golden pins and was wearing only a simple golden wristband. Her dress was dark: maybe red, wine or purple. It was stretch, making her tiny waist stand out under her moderate chest and over her exquisite hips. Her back was completely bare and the lack of a bra made him smirk. Was she using temptation as a cover, hoping to distract most men? It was working.

The buzzing of his cell phone ripped his eyes from the slender woman at the bar and after confirming the caller he flipped the phone open.

"Tell me" the rough voice of Yukishiro Enishi asked on a loud voice, drowning the music on the background.

"Of course," a sultry female voice replied, not afraid at all of the dangerous drug dealer "There is definitely an uninvited guest at your party" the voice confirmed with satisfaction.

"Those aren't news" he replied somewhat annoyed "I knew that since a week ago" he said with impatience, he had know that it was impossible that Aku-Soku-San would dismiss the opportunity.

"Of course," the voice laughed "Well, to the details then," the woman began and took on a sickly alluring voice "Woman, black hair, blue eyes, 5'2 inches tall".

Enishi couldn't help his satisfied laugh. He had gotten the correct woman all right, though he hadn't confirmed the color of her eyes yet "I had pinpointed her already, anything else?" he asked, his voice more relaxed.

"Maybe," the woman said, but this time her voice was somewhat serious "I overheard some…rumors. She may be Battousai's…partner" she explained warily.

The world turned black, then red and then black again. Battousai's partner?! He closed the cell phone without thinking and stood. He couldn't believe it, it was simply impossible. The Gods were still shining upon him! It was the only thing that made sense, his sister was with him, and she was helping him get his revenge!

Battousai's partner! He wondered if she had been paired up with him because she was the strongest female or if it was simply coincidence. But still, that the company had sent her, Battousai's partner to this gathering…it was simply, unexpected. Or, maybe not. After hearing what his leak had told him he finally decided on something, he had to have her, tonight!

The white haired drug dealer danced his way through the crowd, his blood singing it's over joy. He walked towards the entrance room and intercepted one of his subordinates. "You" he called abruptly making the man squirm momentarily "I want that woman," he said as he signaled for the young spy "in my room" he ordered and fled the room.

xxoOoxx

He hadn't been contacted that night, not the morning after either; in fact, he hadn't been contacted at all. He could assume that Katsura had managed to resolve Tanuki's disappearance without his help, but he doubted it. Was he being left out?

Kamiya Kaoru. How controlled her voice had sounded, even when she was being accosted by what he guessed were bodyguards. It only made him more curious about her. Why? Why did he have to get involved on this? Only because of curiosity? It couldn't be…but he was one to trust his instincts…and he will.

"Battousai. Good Morning" the still unfamiliar voice of his temporary partner came from the laptop. Weary and tense he walked towards the chair in front of it and sat "Battousai?" the woman asked and he growled. She was so imposing!

"I'm here" he replied blankly "What do you want?" he lashed at her.

"I think I deserve more respect assassin" she lashed back at him.

"And I think I deserve faster service. You are not paid to lash out at me, they pay you for delivering messages" he growled back.

"You have the day off. Dismissed."

He smirked. He preferred this strategy with her, that way he won't have to hear her voice. It only served to remind him how much he preferred Tanuki's voice. He hadn't slept last night, still expecting the call, the one that never came.

He wondered if she had been killed already…he didn't think so. At least not yet, she was a wonderful piece of information and he was sure that they, whoever they are, were going to try to extract it from her. If he guessed correctly her sense of honor would make her hold to that information for a while, and she must be found in that meantime.

He walked towards his closet and took out plain black clothes and a long leather black coat. After taking his sword he fled the room. He was going to have to contact his own information resources, since it was apparent that Katsura was leaving him aside on this mission.

A pang of hurt and betrayal slapped at him, but he was quick to erase it. Katsura was right to deny him participation. He had become quite unreliable this last week, always moody and uncooperative. The fight with his new mediator and his constant calls had disconcerted The Company. This was not who he was. People had become frightened of this new Battousai, and so had him. He had no idea of what he was doing and had no idea of what he was going to do later either. The demon had escaped his chains, he was free.

As he walked down the streets he stopped in a few places. Contacting some thugs and sellers he had overlooked before. He had found nothing, no one knew about something odd or someone important visiting. He had been somewhat frustrated, but he himself had not overheard much. He had to admit that for years he had been one to never ask questions and only to do as ordered, this fact had made him slow.

Sunset was nearing and his anger was growing. This was going too slow, he repeated himself once and again. The idea of calling Katsura had crossed his mind, but he knew that it was a bad idea, besides, he was Battousai, he wasn't supposed to need help. A strange feeling of dread slipped inside of him, was he losing his abilities? Had he gone weak?

The loud music of a bar made him twitch his eyes. He walked past the people and settled on the bar calling out to the bartender.

"How odd to see you so soon Battousai" the surprised voice of the male-female bartender greeted him "Want something to drink?" the bartender with short dark hair with pointy ends asked with unhidden interest.

"Give me something strong…whatever" Battousai said edgily and stared as the bartender as he prepared the drink. He received it with a small nod and drowned the drink in one swoop.

"So Battousai, did you find Jineh?" the bartender asked evenly, his eyes didn't show any ill intentions.

"Yeah" Battousai muttered and his amber eyes turned momentarily to the screen over the bartender.

"In that case," the bartender said with a smile "I have something for you…someone came today and left it for you" the bartender said handing him an envelope.

Battousai snatched the enveloped and opened it in a second. His golden eyes moved over the words hastily…and he gripped the paper tight, making the corners shrug. Damnation!

"Thanks Kamatari" Battousai said with a strong voice and handed the bartender a twenty and left the room hurriedly, leaving the bartender shrugging nonchalantly.

Battousai hurried to his car and sped up to the "little" complex of Tokyo, where only the blue bloods could live. He drove like a mad man, in fact, he was mad…very. The words on the white sheet of paper still hunted him, the address on it flashing on his brain over and over again.

I have a woman with me. I think she's was spying on me. Find me tonight or else…you won't find me…unless I want you to, and with this little exquisiteness I found…I think it won't be anytime soon.

xxoOoxx

At the same time a man, nearing his forties received a phone call. The tall man looked over his cigarette to his mobile. He lazily stood from the couch and walked towards the kitchen counter and pressed the SEND button.

"Saitou" the voice of a respectful man asked from the other line "It's me" the man identified himself, he was Kogoro Katsura "You will have to work tonight and…together with another assassin" the man told flatly.

Hajime Saitou groaned and took his cigarette with two skilled fingers "I don't mind, unless he's Battousai or he would only slow me down".

"Battousai is…unable to complete this job" Katsura commented "You will work with Okita" the man on the line explained "Prepare, in fifteen minutes the report would be on the laptop. Dismissed."

Fifteen minute later the report had been delivered to him and he walked out of the door of his apartment with his sword skillfully hidden and an address engraved on his mind. The mission was easy, and he liked it, it brought back memories. Kill everyone on a certain floor of a luxurious Hotel, women included.

xxoOoxx

To be continued…

xxoOoxx

Please, comment!