CHAPTER 6: A STEP CLOSER

Together Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko took Tae to the dojo to be seen by Megumi. She seemed ok. Just unconscious. It seemed even stranger to carry her to the dojo than to be running from it. They received a great variety of looks from passerby. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they got back to the dojo. Kaoru and Megumi had a look of horror on their faces, but Megumi acted quickly. "TAKE HER INSIDE!" They rushed her inside and set her down for treatment. When Megumi was checking her to see what to do, she abruptly stopped.

"Miss Megumi. What is it?", Kenshin asked.

"She's fine. Her breath. It smells of chloroform. All he did was force her to inhale it. There's nothing else. She probably just needs rest."

Sanosuke asked, "Chloroform, how can you tell?"

"I knew Kanryu. I know what it smells like. He used it on me whenever we fought or argued. He would catch me and knock me out."

Kenshin spoke, "Miss Megumi, thank you. I understand that it must be hard to revisit this past."

She spoke quickly, "Sir Ken, you are to be thanked as well. Your past is revisited more times than I could count and you always press on."

"But your expertise has saved us many times. Yahiko when Beshimi poisoned him. Me when I was wounded in my battles with Shishio and Enishi. Thank you very much, Miss Megumi."

"Think nothing of it.", she said with a smile. "Now I need to ask the men to leave. I need to make sure she really is ok."

Tsubame sat on the outer porch area with Yahiko. Or as it has been of late, the party area. The sun was high in the sky as late afternoon came. "Sorry you got mixed up in all of this. It's just that, well, there's this guy we beat. We beat him before we met you and he was just a lot of trouble back then. Megumi knew the guy and now he's back and he knows a lot about us all somehow." He showed her the drawing that they received from Kanryu. Tears began to spring up in her eyes.

"Yahiko. That's awful."

"Well, now he knows about you and Tae, so you guys are gonna have to stay here for a while. I'll ask if you can stay with Kaoru and Megumi in the same room. Tae too. We don't wanna get caught off guard." Tsubame smiled. He had changed a lot from when they first met but he was still just a boy at the same time. Still easily irritated. Still ill-mannered at times. But he was growing. Tsubame could not help but be impressed, especially when he acted so quickly earlier.

Kenshin walked by them silently. Yahiko called out, "Hey Kenshin! Where are you going?"

Kenshin's expression was somber. Sad even. "I just need some time alone right now Yahiko." Tsubame suddenly remembered. She had found him by himself once. He was in the bamboo forest, destroying it all around him in an instant. It had frightened her when she saw it. She knew that was exactly where he was going. She was right.

Kenshin stood in the forest. The sun would set soon, but he wouldn't be long. Soon it would be red. He had seen enough red. Too much red. Soaked in it. Lived in it. He needed time with just him and his thoughts. And they were racing. How did Kanryu know about Tomoe? Who else did he have lined up against them? How did he find out about Yahiko's past? How did he know about their past experience with those brothers from before? One bamboo shaft broke in front of him. When would he strike next? Another broke. What would Aoshi do when he found out? What about Misao? No doubt she was coming too. Another broke. And another. And how did he know...about the white plum? The last of the shafts around him broke, leaving him in silence. These things continued to race through his mind. He knew they visited the Akabeko. If he were to strike again, which one of them would he hit? Each deed he commited seemed to focus on one of them, with the exception of the Akabeko. That was an attack on them all. Kenshin's thoughts just could not line up. He was too bewildered by the memories of his past somehow being known to his enemy. That was an advantage in and of itself. He couldn't concentrate anymore. He needed rest. He sheathed his sword and departed from the maze of bamboo, carrying with him, his maze of thoughts. It was there, that he was truly lost.

Sanosuke decided to go get some food while everyone waited up, and who better to go and ask for some money from than his friend Katsu? He whistled his way down to where he used to live. Yahiko had been staying there alone since he left, but he decided to see the shape of the place. It looked pretty good for a kid living there by himself. Although he would no doubt be staying at the dojo until these events blew over. So Sanosuke made a desicion right then and there. He would let himself in. Of course the door was locked. Though he was a runt, Yahiko was no fool. And of course Sanosuke had a hidden key. He turned over the rock he kept beside the door to grab the key he had hidden under it. It was gone.

"THE RUNT FOUND IT?!"

Five seconds later, he broke the door into two pieces and let himself in. He didn't want to think on it too long. He'd consider fixing the door later. He needed to find some stuff he left behind. One thing he took to anyone else would have looked like a large metal pike. Zanbatou. It was as light as a feather in Sanosuke's hands, and it was going to be something very great soon. He took that and some papers he had hidden under some floor boards. After that, he went to close the door...the door he broke. He began to walk to Katsu's. On his way though, his thoughs had been rapidly processing. He thought about Captain Sagara and the Sekihoutai. He though about Anji and the Juppon Gatana. He thought about Inui Banjin and the six comrades. He thought about his family. Sanosuke never really was one for sentimentality but Kanryu was prying into the lives of his friends, his comrades and if he found out that his family had been harmed in any way, he would personally pull out Kanryu's teeth. Or maybe just cut to the chase and kill him. That sounded much more enticing. He was so lost in thought, he almost walked straight into Katsu's front door. He knocked hard, as if telling him in that rude way he was so good at that he had come to see him. The door opened and there stood Katsu, smiling wide. Sanosuke spoke, "Hey. I need a little help."

"So you need money.", Katsu replied, flatly.

The silence was so awkward, and Sanosuke's face looked so blank that Katsu laughed. Sanosuke was certainly puton the spot. "Of course I'll help old friend. What is it you need?"

"We can discuss that in a while. What do ya say that we go on my errands and discuss it all there. No doubt you know about what's going on."

"More or less."

"Good. That saves some time. Just grab whatever you need and we can head out.", Sanosuke said with a smirk. Not a smug smirk, just a Sano smirk.

"I already have my wallet Sano. No doubt that's all I need to bring isn't it?"

"Well I'm an open book aren't I?"

They departed into town. Katsu's eyes fell on the large metal pike in Sanosuke's hands. It was about six feet long. It looked somewhat like a javelin to Katsu, but his curiosity caused him to speak. "Sanosuke. What is that? And those papers...are those plans?"

That smirk came back to Sanosuke's face. "Food and a big favor."

The day passed on. Sanosuke had returned from Katsu's and done his errands. He brought the food back and they ate well. Kenshin had returned as well, looking more pleasant than when he left. Tae had woken up and together they all ate. They had not eaten like this in a long time. It was nostalgic for all of them. Kenshin, Sanosuke, Yahiko, Kaoru, Megumi, Tae, and Tsubame. Soon, Aoshi and Misao would arrive. Yahiko had gone to the front of the dojo after their meal. Sanosuke met him there and the talked about their time since Sanosuke had to leave.

"YOU BROKE MY DOOR?!"

"You mean my door?"

"I'M THE ONE LIVING THERE!"

"Only because I'm such a nice guy."

"Only because you became a wanted criminal!"

Kaoru piped up, "Oh yea, Sanosuke how come the police haven't come looking for you?"

"I put in a dispatch to our good friend the police chief. I told him that I needed to come by. He said he would keep the cops away from the area as long as I needed."

"You know they'll be patrolling the streets again soon."

"Yea. I know."

The sun was about to set. Alliances were being reforged. The Kenshingumi was coming back together. All of these things created an atmosphere that put the dojo at peace.

At the gate of the dojo, there was a loud knock. Maybe it was Aoshi! Yahiko ran to the gate but stopped short. Yahiko stayed still. But the person still knocked. They knocked so hard and so loud that everyone came to see what the noise was.

"Why don't you answer it runt?", Sanosuke asked.

"It's not Aoshi."

"Huh?"

"It's not him."

"Sano.", Kenshin began, "We are only expecting Aoshi and Misao. Misao would have spoken up by now, and it leaves room to believe that this is a trap."

Megumi spoke, "You don't think it's Kanryu do you?"

A voice spoke from the other side of the door, "Very smart, Battousai." A blade came through the door, cutting the locking mechanism. The door opened and the man stepped in.

Tae yelled out, "HE CAME TO THE RESTARAUNT TOO!"

Yahiko's mind froze when he saw his face. This was Kanryu's idea too then, no doubt or else he wouldn't have been to the Akabeko to go see him. And this strike was intended for Yahiko.

"Been a long time you arrogant little punk."

Yahiko's eyes had never looked so serious on all of his life. This was the one person in his life that if he ever saw again...he didn't even know what he would do. This was Gasuke the manslayer. The Gasuke that would beat him if he didn't pickpocket the amount that he and his Yakuza lackies wanted.

"I'm only here for the kid. By request of my client, I must ask you all to stand back."

"Don't worry. We won't move. And you won't win."

Gasuke turned to see that Kenshin had said those words. He thought back to when he knocked him straight into the ceiling, and left him hanging by his head. He turned back to see Yahiko, bokken drawn, and a look that could freeze water.

"Yahiko, did you like the drawing?" Yahiko's eyes snapped wide and he went into a mad charge. He lost all of his fearin that instant. Gasuke still had his sword in the wooden sheath, and used that as his weapon. It was a medium length and red, with the appearance that it may be a bo-staff but Yahiko knew otherwise. His eyes were steel. Yahiko's charge never faltered. Gasuke had him mad, and blocked with ease. He countered and slammed the sheath into Yahiko's stomach, throwing him backwards, but still landing on his feet. He was numb to the pain. Yahiko's set eyes met Gasuke's. Nothing had changed in his. He was the same. The same fisgusting eyes that so easily condemned. Yahiko immediately got back up and fought. They attacked and blocked, but both had such a built up rage against each other that when either of them hit each other, they showed almost no sign of it. Much like Sanosuke's fight with Anji. The only difference was that if Gasuke was angry, this time, he didn't show it. He laughed with each hit he took.

"I'm going in!", Sanosuke began to run.

"NO!", Yahiko yelled. "This is my battle and you can't fight it for me! You fought all of your battles now let me fight mine!"

Sanosuke stoped for a moment. It was true. No one stepped in when he had to fight Anji. No one stepped in when he fought Inui Banjin. They were his battles. And this was Yahiko's. And the battle raged on. To Yahiko, it was a battle of memories more than a physical battle. Before him stood the filth that had the gall to call himself a man. He beat Yahiko on almost a daily basis, demanding money but giving no food or water, leaving him to fend for himself. The man who rubbed his father's death in his face and considered his mother's misfortune a joke. And when she died, it only became funnier to him.

Gasuke swung straight down. Yahiko blocked. Swung sideways, blocked. Spun to add force, blocked. Swung straight down again. Yahiko understood now. He blocked the next two attacks and dropped his shinai. Everyone stopped breathing. Kenshin. Megumi. Kaoru. Tsubame. Tae. Sanosuke. No one moved. But Gasuke's swing never hit. Yahiko had caught the sheath right on the back of his hands. He would swing straight down and attack twice. Then start again. Always starting with a straight down swing as hard as he could. Yahiko caught the attack pattern. Brutal, quick quick. Brutal, quick quick. Kaoru beamed at the sight and jumped off of the floor as if Yahiko had already won. Yahiko smirked. He wanted to do this for too long.

Kaoru still exclaimed, "Hawatari! HE DID IT AGAIN!"

Yahiko spoke through his smirk, "Get ready. You abomination of a man." Instead of the normal twist of the wrist that the hawatari involves, Yahiko grabbed the sheath and took a step to the right. He pulled the sheath off of the sword as he spun and slammed it into Gasuke's head. As he spun, every single memory of this man went through his head. It made the impact feel all the beter to Yahiko. It was frighteningly satisfying. He felt the shockwave all the way to his hands, as blood shot out from the impact of the hit. Kenshin's eyes went wide. Never did he ever see Yahiko make such a quick solid victory. Gasuke hit the ground and went to swing the sword left in his hand at Yahiko.

It wasn't there.

Yahiko held it, pointed straight into his face, eyes set. He used the skills he used to use for him against him. Once again he watched Gasuke's defeat but this time, he could finish it. He could finish it all. He just had to kill him.

Tsubame couldn't speak. No one moved. In this instant, no one breathed. Even Kenshin stood still, knowing that Yahiko was battling with himself. If any of them had closed there eyes, it would have been believable that they were there alone. The silence was thick. The only thing that broke it was the plop of teeth as they fell from Gasuke's mouth and the blood that followed.

"Yahiko." He recognized it instantly. Kenshin. "If you do this, than you are the same as I once was and I don't want that for you. A manslayer is a manslayer until the day he dies. Don't join him. You have won. This is enough."

"Not it's not. Not yet." He got ready to swing pulling the blade over his head. And he swung. Hard. Everyone looked away leaving only the sound of the sword moving through the air as an indication of what was to come. They heard Gasuke's agonizing cry, and they heard it stop. Kenshin and Sanosuke were the only ones to leave their eyes open. As everyone else opened theirs, the saw Gasuke, on the ground unconscious and Yahiko halding the sword upsidedown. He hit him with the blunt end. Yahiko spoke, "That's enough." He dropped the sword, hoping to never touch it again.

Yahiko turned to Kenshin. "I guess there's nothing wrong with your way." Kenshin smiled. They would take him to the police chief. Yahiko began to walk towards Kenshin when Gasuke began to move. "This guy doesn't quit does he?"

Sanosuke stepped forward. "Hey runt. That was some good fighting but leave it to me for now."

Kaoru's thoughts whirred back into rationality. "Yahiko's gotten so much stronger than before! He truly does wish to catch up to them.". she thought as her eyes fell on Kenshin and Sanosuke. "To catch up to the backs of those who came before him. And now, he's one step closer."

Just at the mere sight of Sanosuke, a look of terror came over Gasuke's face. He began to crawl to the front door. Then when he got there, he pulled himself to his feet. As he got there, he yelled back "JUST YOU WAIT YOU RUNT! ONCE KANRYU KNOWS ABOUT THIS HE'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

He slammed the door. It bounced back open just a little as he ran. But he didn't get far. He came careening back through the dojo door so fast, and with so much force that it was reduced to splinters. Fresh blood ran down his face. As the dust of the ground cleard, they saw Gasuke being held by his throat, and he wasn't standing. Holding him high with eyes that pierced him, was Aoshi Shnomori.

Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Nobody felt alive. Frozen in tension and lost in thought, everyone watched as Aoshi's eyes pierced deeper than any sword could.

"Where is Kanryu Takeda?" Gasuke couldn't do anything except fear for his very life. Aoshi then took him and threw him outside, leaving him with fresh cuts and scrapes. Gasuke looked up to see Aoshi and the setting sun behind him. In that sillhouette he knew that those eyes were still piercing him. A menacing sight, even though he could not see it. He grabbed Gasuke and dragged him along the ground. Gasuke's cries became pitiful. He couldn't even say a word anymore. Just whimpering. Aoshi slammed him hard into the wall next to the the gate, he then flung the sheath off of his kodachis, took the one he held and pinned Gasuke to the wall by his shoulder, leaving him hanging on the wall. His screams could've been heard for miles, that is, if Aoshi hadn't grabbed his face. He squeezed. Hard. "I won't ask again."

"AOSHI!"

He turned and saw Kenshin. His look said to challenge Aoshi. Kenshin understood that this was sensitive ground for Aoshi, but this madness had to stop. Aoshi turned back to Gasuke. He still held his screams shut until he showed a sign of surrender, which he didn't. He was still just whimpering. Trying to scream through his hand. Whith his other hand, he grabbed him by the scruff and tore him from the wall, bringing the sword through his shoulder. The scream was piercing, the sound of pure physical pain, and the fact that it was muffled gave it a twisted feel. Tsubame looked away, clinging to Tae. Kaoru couldn't help but to stare, asdid Sanosue who stood beside her. He coldly threw him to the ground. Gasuke passed out from the pain before he even made impact.

"LORD AOSHI!" At the gate stood a horrified Misao Makimachi. Then all was silent. No one made a noise. Aoshi then sheathed his sword and silently walked past everyone and into the dojo. For a few moments, all was silent. Misao begin to walk toward the dojo. Then from inside, they could hear it swelling. Aoshi's rage had boiled over. The only other who had ever done this to him was Kenshin and even then his rage had a feel to it as if it were contained. And his yells only got louder, until he could do nothing but scream as loud as he possibly could.

Misao went to the dojo door. She put her hand to it to open it, but Kenshin stopped her without saying anything. Misao's face instantly looked to Kenshin with a total look of defiance. She wasn't going to let him stop her, no matter who he was. Sanosuke looked and saw nothing short of an exact replication of the look Kaoru gave him when he tried to stop her from seeing him during the incident with Jine Udo. Kenshin recoiled and let her go. And when the door closed, she began to cry too. The no one moved. All they could do was listen as their friends both grieved for the loss they suffered at the hands of the merchant of death.