Chapter 4-
It had begun to rain.
Aoshi strode rapidly down the last stretch of road leading to the Kamiya dojo, not caring who saw him hurry now. Large water droplets splattered against his face and a jagged streak of lightning flashed above his head. A low clap of thunder soon followed.
He quickened his long steps, willing himself to walk faster, pushing away the urge to break out into a frantic run. His jaw was tight as he clenched his teeth, cursing himself for letting the others come with him to Tokyo. He should have left Kyoto on his own…
But would have Okina and Misao been safe even then?
When he stopped in front of the large red dojo doors, the rain was starting to fall even harder. He glanced around, satisfied that Soujirou hadn't followed him. Then, taking a deep breath, he slid the doors open, and stepped over the threshold, nearly colliding with Kenshin.
The two stopped and looked at each other for a moment, both of them blinking rainwater from their eyes.
"Where is Misao?" Aoshi kept his voice low as he glanced over the rurouni's shoulder at Sanosuke's bewildered face.
Kenshin said nothing, his expression dark. His fingers clutched a crumpled piece of white paper, which he slowly offered to Aoshi.
Aoshi stared at the paper as the rain splattered against it, smudging the black ink.
Glaring fiercely, he looked at up at Kenshin.
"I said, 'Where is Misao?'"
"Come with me." Kenshin's voice was quiet, but his eyes betrayed his deep anxiety. He turned and strode quickly across the courtyard. Aoshi looked again at Sano, who avoided his gaze, and hurried his steps to catch up with the rurouni. Wrapping his hand around his kodachi's hilt, Aoshi followed the others, his heart beginning to thud sickeningly in his chest.
Kenshin stopped at the open sliding door to Kaoru's room, waiting as Aoshi caught up to stand beside him.
Aoshi took in the scene, his keen eyes missing nothing. The haphazard kunai, the awry tatami mat, a small stain of blood on the wall…
"There was another message?" he asked, not riveting his stare from the bloodstain.
Nodding, Kenshin again handed the paper towards Aoshi. He snatched it from his hand, his eyes running over the three lines.
"It's Soujirou." He spat out the name as he crushed the paper in his fingers.
"The little jerk," Sano muttered. "What's he thinking, going right back to what we got him out of."
"I'm weary of all of this foolishness," Aoshi said through clenched teeth. "I'm not going to chase some hireling." He turned to look at Kenshin with quiet intensity. "I'm going to find Misao. Even if it means bloodshed."
Kenshin nodded slowly. "If Misao-dono's life is in jeopardy, then so be it."
0-0-0
Sano sulked in the doorway as he watched Kenshin strap on his sakabatou.
"Why is it that I always get stuck with babysitting duty," he complained. "while you go get all of the fights to yourself?"
Kenshin felt a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, despite the press of urgency he felt. "This one would rather not fight."
"Yeah, life is cruel that way. You would rather not fight. I would rather not stay here."
Kenshin sighed heavily and he looked up to meet Sanosuke's gaze.
"Someone has to stay here and watch out for Kaoru-dono and Yahiko." His voice became quiet. "This one was too late to save Misao-dono. That's why it's my responsibility to go with Aoshi. And this one would never forgive himself if this happened again. You have to be on your guard, Sano. If they got in once, they can do the same again, that they can."
Sano punched his fist in his palm, a smirk on his face. "Let 'em try."
0-0-0
Kaoru looked up from rearranging her futon as Kenshin walked quickly past her bedroom. She scrambled to her feet quickly and leaned out from the door.
"Kenshin?"
Stopping in his tracks, he turned. She was taken aback by the change his eyes took when he looked at her. From deep anxiety, to deep tenderness.
"I…are you leaving now?" she asked, feeling foolish at her lameness.
"Yes. Aoshi is waiting for this one outside the gates."
"When will you be back?" Her eager tone seemed to bring a small smile to his face.
"I don't know yet. But this one promises, he will be back as soon as he can."
He nodded in farewell, and as he turned to go, Kaoru couldn't help but feel a pang of worry stab her heart.
0-0-0
Aoshi stood outside of the dojo gates. The rain had grown fiercer and the wind lashed against his body, whipping his long white coat about his legs. He remained motionless, but kept his eyes alert. People ran past him, stooping over in the rain, splattering mud on his pants. But he didn't move.
He turned his head when he saw movement from across the dirt road. A lithe figure, clambering down a tree. It landed on its feet and stood, looking at Aoshi. Then, nonchalantly, it strolled towards him.
"I was right when I said that you wouldn't come after me," Soujirou said cheerfully.
"Where is she?" Aoshi growled, his hand ready to draw his kodachi.
"Tsk tsk!" Soujirou taunted, looking surprised. "Drawing your blades in broad daylight, in the middle of the street? I didn't think you were that stupid."
Aoshi slowly put his hands down at his sides, glaring hard at Soujirou. The two of them both turned to look as Kenshin came from the gates. The red haired rurouni stopped in his tracks when he saw Soujirou's grinning face.
"Himura-san!" Soujirou said amiably, his smile growing broader. "You seem surprised to see me."
Kenshin glanced at Aoshi, then at Soujirou. He was quiet as he seemed to search the young man's face, looking for something. For a moment, Soujirou's smile faltered as he caught Kenshin's scrutinizing gaze and he ducked his head slightly, looking towards the ground, as if ashamed.
"This one hopes you are well, Soujirou," Kenshin said softly.
"If you don't mind, Himura-san," Soujirou replied, his composure regained. "I think Shinomori-san would like me to get to the point of this meeting. Am I right?" He turned his face towards Aoshi.
Aoshi said nothing.
"This is actually ruining the plans," Soujirou said, pushing his wet hair from his forehead. "You were supposed to leave the dojo while I followed you. But, seeing Shinomori-san standing there, I knew that I was going to have to come to you."
"Get to the point," Aoshi snapped impatiently. "Where is Misao?"
Aoshi's uncharacteristic emotion seemed to amuse Soujirou and he lifted his eyebrows mockingly.
"You will have to follow me," he said. "Speaking of it here is dangerous."
"Listen." Aoshi grabbed Soujirou by the collar, pulling him close to his face, his eyes narrowed into a glare. "I'm not going to be manipulated. You are going to tell me where Misao is. And if you have hurt her-"
Soujirou never flinched. He only held his hands up in surrender. "You needn't worry," he assured Aoshi. "She's perfectly alright."
Aoshi stared deeply into Soujirou's unreadable eyes.
"If you don't trust me, then come and see for yourself."
Kenshin came up behind Aoshi and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Let him be," he murmured. "We need to go quickly, for Misao-dono's sake, that we do."
Aoshi released his grip on Soujirou, his face full of dark anger.
Soujirou didn't seem perturbed as he smoothed out his gi. "Now, gentlemen, if you will just follow me."
The sky was fading into a clear evening, the clouds seeming to have been whisked away by the reckless summer wind. Kenshin walked beside Aoshi as they followed Soujirou, who strolled in front of them, humming a tune to himself. Kenshin looked down at Aoshi's coat. There was a smear of blood on the lining in the inside of it.
"Is that your blood?" Kenshin asked quietly.
Aoshi followed Kenshin's gaze and his whole body seemed to tense.
Shaking his head sharply, Aoshi said simply, "Soujirou killed the apothecary."
Kenshin paused in his steps, a confounded looked on his face.
"What?" he exclaimed, his voice edged with shock. He caught up beside Aoshi again.
He spoke in a dull voice. "When I went to the hut, Soujirou had already killed her. With my kodachi."
Kenshin looked even more amazed. "But how did Soujirou get it?"
"I don't know."
"What did you do?"
"Took the blade, cleaned it." He looked down at his stained coat. "A woman saw me. She ran out into the street, screaming murder. I came to the dojo."
Pensive, Kenshin stared ahead at Soujirou's back. The young man seemed carefree, happy even. Who was this Misuteri that had lured him back into his insanity?
"This is ridiculous," Aoshi muttered, looking towards Soujirou. "I have never been so furious…except once when at Edo-" He stopped abruptly and self-consciously glanced at Kenshin. "But I promise you," he resumed, keeping his voice lowered. "Whoever this Misuteri is shall wish they had never dared to touch her."