As always, I do not own Kenshin or Bridal Mask.
Chapter 8: Entering the Lion's Den
On the Train to Kyeong Seong...
Even though the train rocks slightly, it doesn't seem to faze the passengers in the dining car, and they are still able to enjoy their meals. Holding up a wine glass, Countess Han addresses her husband sitting across the table, "to my glorious husband." Giggling, "whose ambition only continues to grow."
Seeing the toast a few tables over, a muscular man with a mustache and dark suit nods to his companion. "Are you enjoying the food?" The woman in front of him asks, long black hair pulled up into a loose french twist, both people oozing class and sophistication. "Yes, it's delicious." The man smiles, slight dimples pressing against his cheeks, and the woman moves the bangs from her eyes with a delicate hand.
"Omo!" The two look over at the countess' wine glass that has spilled onto the table cloth. "Are you alright?" Her husband asks seeing the look of terror on her face, and glances towards the end of the car behind him. Instantly sweating, the man turns around abruptly as another well dressed man walks into their car, a stick of dynamite in his hand.
Screams in unison can be heard from the lone four passengers, "shut up! Officers are going to be coming by any moment asking for identification." The terrorist glances at the couple closest to him, but keeps moving towards the table with the Hans. "If they find out I don't have any, I'll light up this whole train!"
Sitting in an open seat beside the count, the man in a tan suit turns to face the wealthy man, "father, I know you won't let me get caught right?" Sensing his hesitation, he is about to say something when two armed officers enter the cart as he hides his explosive under his jacket.
Approaching the other couple first, "identification please," the officers state while the pair place small, thin papers on the table. "President Geong Lee," one of the men murmurs as he looks at the yellow tinted paper, verifying that the man with the glasses and mustache is indeed who he says. "And," the officer picks up the woman's paperwork, "Mrs. Yoon Lee." With a slight bow, the officer hands back the sheet, "thank you, enjoy your stay in Kyeong Seong."
Shivering with fear, the count glances to his side at the man next to him as the men in white imperial uniforms approach his table. "Identification please." With a trembling hand, the count removes his paperwork, his wife doing the same. "Ah, Count Changsu Han and Countess Miyung Han." Bowing slightly, the officers turn to the unwanted guest.
"Paperwork please."
The countess kicks her husband under the table, and he finally speaks up, "this- this is my son. Ka-Kamatari H-Han, we- mis- placed his papers." Gaining a quizzical look from the officers, after only a moment, the count breaks down into hysterics.
Cowering into his seat, "He's not my son!" Pointing a grubby finger at the man next to him, "He's got a bomb, arrest him!" The man instantly stands, lighting the dynamite while simultaneously knocking down the policemen. "Now we're all dead!"
Just as quickly, Geong from the table nearby rushes the scene, disarming the man with a few swift movements of his hands. In a rush, he tosses the explosive from the car window, a small burst causing the dining cart to shake. It all ends quite fast, with the officers taking the man away in handcuffs, leaving the opposite way that they came, glancing at the two couples who have come together, "are you alright?" The Lees ask receiving grateful nods from the other pair.
"Wow, you really saved us all!" The countess gushes, grasping Geong's muscular arm. "We are really grateful!" Changsu bows, inviting them to sit with them for the rest of the trip.
"So what brings a businessman like you to Kyeong Seong?" Miyung, the countess, asks.
"I own a ginseng trading company, but am looking to expand into real estate. I am interested in purchasing property here. I heard that this area will be very ripe in the coming weeks." The hans look at each other, wondering about the truth to this statement.
"Why don't you come over for tea when we arrive in town? I'm interested in hearing more about your company."
Nodding, the couple agrees, bowing slightly with respect "thank you, we would like that very much." As the whistle blows, the four gather their coats, walking out of the train station. Seeing the two policemen leading the terrorist away from the area, the Hans shiver with fear, not noticing the look of affirmation coming from Mr. Lee toward the three men in the distance.
Police Headquarters...
Taking a deep breath, Kenshin stands outside police headquarters, black hair gelled into a deep side part, adorning a newly pressed charcoal suit with violet accents. It's now or never... Gathering his bearings, the lieutenant walks swiftly into the building, arriving at the police chief's office, knocking lightly on the door.
"Come in," the smell of cigarettes linger in the air as Hajime allows the officer entry. Bowing low, Kenshin enters as his superior takes a long drag, blowing it out swiftly when he sees the man he never expected.
Rising from his position, a new conviction noticeable in his voice, "Kenshin Himura reporting for duty sir."
Placing the cig in the ash tray, "welcome back." After a pause, "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Accept my condolences for your parents."
Another slight bow, "hai. Thank you."
"Now, on to the matter of battousai." Kenshin gulps at the mention of the vigilante's name with his obvious discomfort not getting past the chief's eyes. "Tell me what happened. I heard he was shot three times by your hand, and yet he was able to murder your fellow officer."
Thinking quickly, Kenshin completes another low bow, hiding his features from his superior. "Please forgive this unworthy one. You are correct, the shots I fired should have been fatal, but... battousai had an accomplice." Smoke fills the air once more as Kenshin rises from his position again, "I was about to reveal the bastards face when I was struck," the man points to the welt on his forehead, "When I came to, they were gone."
Gaining a quizzical look from Hajime, "so... battousai isn't working alone?"
"Hai, I believe they must be working as a group, with multiple people putting on the mask. Otherwise, how could he possibly reappear so quickly after being critically injured? He is only a man after all."
Leaning back in his chair, Saito contemplates this new information, "Thank you for the excellent work Lieutenant Himura. I will recommend to the governor that you take over Hoji's position as senior lieutenant."
Another slight bow, "hai. Thank you sir."
"From now on, I want you to work on something new for me." The chief pauses, "You may still investigate the battousai case if you wish, but Superintendent Makoto is taking over in that area. I have reason to believe there may be some illegal dealings going on within our police department. Find out any information possible, and if there is something occurring that is not in accordance with the law, inform me immediately."
"Hai."
"Oh, and one more thing," Saito pulls out four white uniforms from his drawer, "I thought you might need these at some point." After grabbing the uniforms, with another bow the lieutenant leaves the office, door closing behind him, and a sigh of relief escaping his lips.
Placing the uniforms beside him in the car, it is only a few minutes before he arrives at the Chong Ro police station. To his surprise, he is met with chaos in the office. The merchants of the Kyeong Seong market gather at various desks in the foyer, being held by officers.
"He doesn't show up for Hoji's funeral, but finally shows his face now." Kenshin hears Dysuke mumble.
Seeing Sano near his desk, kneeling in front of Dysuke, Kenshin rushes up, kicking the man to the ground. "What the hell?!" Hauling him to his feet, Kenshin grasps the man's collar, "I knew it was you, you bastard. You burned down my house, didn't you?" A pause, "you killed my parents you son of a bitch!"
"Calm down Himura," Dysuke's voice pipes up again. "these people are here for a different matter. They are all accused of receiving stolen goods. The money that battousai stole was redistributed in the market place."
Kenshin can't help punching that smirk off that smug, round, face, knocking the officer to the hard wood floor. "Your superior officer's family was murdered! Where are the suspects in this case?!"
"You know our office doesn't deal with petty cases involving Joseon people."
Pulling out his gun, he points it at Dysuke, "officer Dysuke. My name is Kenshin Himura, it has been since before I became employed in this department." Changing trajectory, the barrel now facing Sagara, Kenshin can see the fear written on the man's face. "How much Joseon blood do I need to spill before you understand that I am Japanese. This is no mere murder case involving Koreans, but your superior officer."
"Go ahead kill him, nobody will feel bad if the man dies during interrogation." With speed blinding, Kenshin fires a shot towards the officer, the look of fright quite satisfying, making a hole in the wall behind him. Pulling the safety once more, he directs the pistol at Sanosuke, but officer Cho runs in between, "Kenshin, stop, we don't have enough proof that he did it. Calm down, do you want to lose your job?" With arm still stretched out, he hears a throat clear a few feet away. Standing at attention, gun dropping to his side, the officers bow to Shishio as he enters the area.
"Himura, in my office."
With a quick glance at Sano, he can see the hatred in the tall man's eyes, "hai," Kenshin walks with the superintendent to an office in the back on the second floor. Turning abruptly in the doorway, "you're lucky the police chief believes you are an asset to this company." Even though most would be shaking with fright in the presence of the superintendent, Kenshin has no problem standing his ground.
Tilting his head down slightly to feign respect, Kenshin notices a picture laying on Shishio's desk. "Did you need me for something of importance? If not, I will return to my work."
"Tell them to release the merchants." A pause, "and one other thing. What does that Joseon bitch mean to my son?"
Kao-dono... "I have reason to believe that she is the girl that he met in the hospital when he was a boy." Recognition registers in Shishio's face as he remembers beating the young man when he saved Yumi back then. Seta's blind conviction to protect that girl staying strong in his mind.
"I see..." Another pause, "find her, and bring her downstairs for questioning."
Bowing low, "hai." Kenshin leaves the office, a slight smirk on Makoto's lips, this should be easier than I thought.
The Governor General's Office...
"I've made up the paperwork to promote Himura to senior lieutenant. All you have to do is sign at the bottom." Looking over the documents for a moment, Gohei sits across from Saito with the older man rolling his eyes slightly. God only knows how his fool of a brother managed to become the Governor of Kyeong Seong. Simply sitting beside him in his office leaves a bad taste in Saito's mouth. Not only is his brother known for his greed, but also for indulging in affairs with the local Geishas as well.
"Brother, I'm not sure if you've met, but this is Tomoe," Gohei points, indicating the woman pouring tea. There is no doubt the beauty she holds is striking, wearing an extravagant violet kimono with glittering white plums along the hem, and golden obi. With only light makeup, ruby lips, and her hair pulled up in an elaborate bun, she is definitely a sight to see. It is obvious that his brother has been taken by this woman, "she's a very popular singer in Japan. What's that club you are working at now?"
"Club Akabeko." Her voice is sweet as she hands the governor and Saito their tea.
Ignoring the woman, Saito continues with his task, "just sign at the bottom, and I will take my leave." Without even reading the document, Gohei signs at the "x," and in one swift move Hajime does a slight bow, leaving the two alone in the room.
Kyeong Seong Elementary School...
Parking in front of the school, I hope he's here, Kenshin thinks as he races to Seta's classroom. "Kenshin," the man smiles seeing his friend.
"I've come here because you are my friend, and this is out of courtesy to you. I know you have feelings for that woman." The lieutenant pauses, "your father has requested that we bring Kaoru in for interrogation again. This time, I don't know if there will be leniency because of what happened with Hoji." Kenshin sees the horror written on his friend's features, "I wouldn't be surprised if they let it go too far..." another pause, "I'm not even sure if we can get any information from her. Battousai doesn't seem the type that would allow people to know his identity."
"I am telling you this because I am certain you know how to get into contact with her, and I would prefer not to have an innocent woman's blood on my hands."
"Is she really the only way to catch battousai? There is no other way?" Seta asks.
"He saved her multiple times already. Even if she doesn't know him personally, she appears to be our only link."
"I see, thank you for telling me this Kenshin. You are a true friend. I will talk to my father, and make him understand that she doesn't know any information."
"You love her don't you?" Kenshin asks, and Seta can't help the simple nod. Closing his eyes for a moment, "do you really think you can protect her all the way until the end?"
"If love is not worth protecting, then I don't know what is." Kenshin leaves Seta on that note, hoping the man gets the hint to tell Kaoru to leave Kyeon Seong. With no intention of running into the woman himself, Kenshin heads back to town.
Just as Seta is walking out of his classroom, Shishio and the president of the school come walking by. "Ah, there he is."
"Father, you can't interrogate Kaoru again. Just this one time, let it go, I'm sure she doesn't know any information."
"Is this my son? Protecting a mouse from Joseon? Are you harboring battousai as well?"
"Father, just this one time, can't you just let it go?"
Pulling his pistol from his side, Shishio aims it between the man's eyes, "until you can wipe that bitch from your heart..." Pulling back the safety, Soujiro can't help jumping when the trigger is pulled, breaking the wooden name tag above his head in half. "I no longer have a son." The president shrieks with fear at the confrontation, and Shishio leaves Seta to pick up the pieces.
Kyeong Seong Market...
Seeing a shoe shine, Kenshin sits at the man's stand, placing his foot on the perch. As if passing pleasant conversation, "I found a picture on Makoto's desk. Saizuchi from the bank, Shishio, Gein of the Kyeong Seong daily paper, Dr. Hiroshi, and the judge father assassinated six months ago... They were all wearing the same dark gi and hakamas with a double striped 't' on their breasts. I have a feeling they are a part of some bigger group than we first anticipated."
"Shinta," Katsura keeps his voice low, "do you really think you can do this? You might have to end ties with Seta in the end."
Breathing out a small sigh, Kenshin switches feet on the platform, "that man is my only friend. He is Japanese, and yet he has always been there for me... Even so, it has been started, there is no turning back. To get revenge for what happened so long ago... to stop those bastards, there is no other way." The lieutenant takes a few bills from his wallet, "speaking of which, it's time to pay a visit to our friend at the bank." Kenshin rises from the seat, leaving Katsura to mull over the new information.
Chong Ro Police Station...
Tsubame hesitates walking into the Japanese run building, but sees Dysuke standing near the entrance. "Excuse me," she mumbles, gaining a quizzical look from the officer. "I saw the wanted posters outside, and Mr. Hoji told me to come here with any information."
"What is it?" Dysuke asks, his voice harsh.
"Um, he said I would be compensated..."
"Yes yes, now out with it, if it's relevant, you will be rewarded."
"The-" a pause, "Oniwaban circus troupe were the ones who attacked lieutenant Himura"
"Is that so?" The officer's lack of enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed, "and I think one of our members knows where to find Kaoru." Tsubame adds shakily.
Dysuke's eyes light up at the girl's words, finally I will be recognized in this backwards police station, he laughs in his mind and shakes his head slightly, I can't believe they would hire that Joseon pig. Gathering a few won from his wallet, the man gives the money to the young woman. "Go back to the circus, and don't tell anyone you were here."
Bowing, "yes sir." The girl turns away from the station, shoving the money into her skirt pocket.
On the Road from Kyeong Seong Reserve Bank...
Racing along the rooftops, his hair a soft mess atop his head with black bangs nearly shielding his eyes, and the wooden mask covering from his nose to his forehead not hindering his sight at all, Kenshin chases the President's car. Coming through a large tunnel beyond the city limits, Kenshin sails through the air, landing atop the hood of the dark vehicle, "what the hell?!" The driver stops immediately, glancing behind him to Saizuchi crouching in the back seat.
"It's battousai! Run him down!" The skinny man exclaims, screaming in fright, but before the man has a chance to press on the gas, Kenshin swings around to the side of the car. One strike with his sheath is all that is necessary to shatter the driver's side window, rendering the man in front unconscious.
By this time, Saizuchi is running from the vehicle, but it only takes a moment for battousai to catch the pathetic man. With sakabatou in hand, metal strikes the back of the President's knees, making him fall hard on concrete. Turning swiftly, the man puts his hands up in defense, "please, please don't kill me."
"For selling out the lives of your fellow Koreans, your punishment shall be slow." Kenshin's voice is deep, menacing as he brings up his weapon for one last blow, the small man cowering with fright.
Joseon Market...
All the merchants rejoice as they return to their place of business, not noticing Katsura in a straw hat in the middle of the square, placing a rickshaw down, covered entirely with a black sheet. Walking away, he stops for a moment as a man in a blue suit approaches the group.
"Sanosuke Sagara... Chae-ah Park... Tae-gook Min..." The man continues to list all of the merchants names. "Good, you are all here." He pulls out envelopes, handing it to everyone in the group, "you each have certified mail."
"What is this?" Sano asks, tearing the letter open. "A fine?! For receiving stolen property?! This is bull!"
"Yeah! It was our money to begin with!" Another man exclaims with Katsura walking from the scene. If looks could kill...
Oniwaban Circus...
Gathered in the center of the stage, all fifteen of the members, besides Koaru, crowd around Sano, "what are we going to do about this fine Aoshi? This will set our group back quite a bit." Disregarding that part of the conversation, Yahiko pipes up mumbling obscenities about his favorite lieutenant. "Someone really needs to take care of that guy. How can he just attack you like that without any proof?!"
"He wasn't wrong in a way Yahiko, you two did burn down his home."
"Aoshi-sama!" Misao interjects, "how can you take his side?!"
"I am merely stating a fact, Misao." His voice stoic as ever, "but nonetheless, something does need to be done about lieutenant Himura at some point, I don't think it's necessarily going to be our group that does it."
"If not us than who?" One of the other members asks.
"Time will tell, let us wait and see."
"How can we wait around while he is terrorizing everyone in town?!" Yahiko shouts, and rushes from the area. "Yahiko!" Sano yells, "he really can be a brat sometimes."
As Yahiko makes his way behind the curtain, he hears boots on pavement running into the building, and stops in his tracks. "What's the meaning of this?" Aoshi asks as the group is surrounded by officers in white. With Dysuke in the lead, gun aimed at the emotionless leader. "You are all under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, and for harboring a criminal." All of the members seem to gasp simultaneously, Tsubame among them, with the exception of Aoshi and Okina, who somehow knew this was coming at some point. Without putting up a fight, the circus troupe follows the officers into the pickup heading for the police station with Yahiko running in the opposite direction.
"Kaoru! Kaoru!" Yahiko yells as he enters his yard, seeing the brunette hanging laundry on a line. "What's wrong Yahiko?"
"All the circus members have been arrested! What should we do? What if they are all tortured? They even took Tsubame-chan!"
"Where are you going?!" He screams as Kaoru heads towards the gate.
"They are after me Yahiko, I have to turn myself in."
"What? You can't!" The boy is frantic, he can't lose Kaoru too.
"I'll be alright, you should be happy though Yahiko. Because they want me, it must mean that battousai is alive. I can't just stay hidden while all my friends are in danger."
As if on cue, Seta comes running up towards the house. "Kaoru!" He yells, grasping the woman lightly by the arms. "You have to leave town right away."
Tilting her head down to shield the man from the fright in her eyes, "I can't Seta."
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I have to go to the police station."
"Are you crazy?! They are looking for you!" shaking her arms, "if you go there, you're going to die!" There is no mistaking the desperation in his voice.
"They arrested the circus members... If I don't go..." She is unable to stop the tear from escaping her navy irises.
"My father can be ruthless, Kaoru. After what happened to Hoji..." He pauses, "he's going to have you killed, regardless of whether you have information or not. Don't you get it? Please, don't go!"
Placing soft hands on Seta's, she gently removes herself from his grip, turning to walk away from him. Looking back, his face is pale, "I'm sorry Seta, but I have to go. I don't want you to get involved..." She pauses, "I don't think we can be friends anymore... I know you don't act like it, but you are still Japanese." Another tear falls from her eyes, "I'm sorry, but we need to end things here before it goes too far." With that, the woman turns her back, walking swiftly towards the Chong Ro police station. Seta's knees buckle, nearly crumbling to the ground, heart aching as he watches the raven haired beauty walk to a nearly certain death.
Chong Ro Police Station...
With the members huddled on their knees in the middle of the lobby surrounded by imperial policemen, Dysuke's voice is poison. "I know someone here knows where to find Kaoru Kamiya, now which one..." He looks over towards Tsubame who is situated in front, her eyes indicating Misao a few feet away. "You!" He points his gun at the ninja girl, and she jumps, "where is the girl?"
Coming closer, he presses the barrel against her forehead, and she closes her lids with Aoshi never taking his eyes from the officer. "Tell me, or I shoot."
"I-I don't know." She mumbles with a slight quivering in her lips.
"You don't know?" He presses down harder, making her lean back, "maybe I should take you downstairs, and beat it out of you." Dysuke pulls back on the safety, and Aoshi gets ready to strike when, walking with conviction, Kaoru makes her way inside the station.
"Kaoru?!" One of the members exclaims, and the officer releases Misao.
"Well well well."
"I've come, now let them go." Kaoru's voice is stern, and Shishio appears from the second floor, standing near the railing.
"Dysuke," the man straightens up, and bows to the superintendent, "put them all in a holding cell." Nodding, he leads the group to the prison.
Racing to his father's office at police headquarters, Seta barges in without knocking. Shishio laughs slightly at his son's predictability. "Father," the man pauses, "if you let Kaoru and the circus members go this one time." Another stop, "I will take over Hoji's position..." With a smirk forming on his father's face, "I will wipe that Joseon bitch from my heart, I promise. Just... This one time, let them go, and I promise, I will be the son you always wanted. I will do what you wish... This once, just let them go. Please."
"How can you so quickly erase her from your heart?"
"I will! This is the last time. Just leave her alone from now on, and I will help you kill battousai."
Letting the boy squirm, Shishio contemplates what the young man has told him, but after a few moments, he picks up the phone for the station. "This is superintendent Makoto. Let the circus troupe go," a pause, "yes, all of them, including Kamiya." Listening to the voice on the other line, Seta can hear a frustrated Dysuke on the other end. "You think to question my orders?!" Another pause, "yes, immediately." The man hangs up, and Seta bows low to his father, "thank you father."
After his son leaves the office, Shishio dials the phone once more. "Yes, is this the governer general's office? This is Superintendent Makoto, please connect me with Ms. Tomoe Yukishiro, she should be in the building."
A few minutes go by, "hello, this is Tomoe."
"It's me. Did you speak to your father about promoting my son to senior lieutenant?"
"Yes, he is not very supportive of the idea. You must receive special order from the Governor General to hire someone without experience. What business does a school teacher have becoming an officer?" She stops, "also, there is no evidence that battousai is dead. If he should appear again, it will look very bad for the organization."
"If he shows up, we will take care of it. Just see what you can do, I can't let that snake, Himura, take my son's position."
"I see," Tomoe hangs up, and heads towards the Governor's office. Readying herself outside, she begins to pout, water welling in her eyes. Knocking softly on the door, "come in," she rushes in, sobbing and running into Gohei's arms.
"Tomoe, what's wrong?" He asks, "it's my father," she sniffles. "He's very upset. He wants Seta Makoto to be hired into the imperial police, but he doesn't have any experience."
Pulling her back at arms length, with that salty liquid springing from her eyes, Gohei can't help feeling sorry for the woman. "He is in such distress about it, I don't know what to do."
Remembering that Saito had him sign some document earlier about some position on the force, "don't worry, I believe a spot just opened up. I can sign the paperwork right now if you wish."
Feigning surprise, Tomoe smiles, "really? You'd do that for me?" The hulk of a man nods affirmative, and Tomoe bows low, "thank you so much." Leaving the room, the woman smirks as she closes the door behind her.
Chong Ro Police Station...
With the sun nearly setting, Kenshin walks towards his workplace, dressed once again in the charcoal suit. Heading towards the entrance, he tries to hide his shock when he sees the circus members, along with Kaoru, at the front of the building. What is she doing here, hardening his features, he strides past the group, not giving them notice as they walk by. But, he can feel blue irises focusing on him, and he closes his eyes for a second, heart racing with the proximity.
"Isn't that Kenshin Himura?" He hears one of the women whisper. "Kaoru?! Where are you going?"
Kenshin can sense her coming up behind him, but chooses to ignore it until she taps him lightly on the back of his defined shoulder. Turning abruptly, Kaoru jumps back slightly, startled, but stands her ground. "Why did you let me go?" With tears threatening to fall, "is battousai really dead, so you don't need me as bait anymore? Is that it? Is that why?" To her dismay, a drop spills, piercing the man's soul.
Kenshin remains silent, and like daggers, "you should have died instead, and battousai should have lived." His heart aches at the truth of her statement. Yes, his father is alive, but barely. Staying firm, "don't ever come back here," his voice hard, "or I will kill you myself." Without another word, the lieutenant walks swiftly inside the police station, nobody aware of the aching in his chest.
He is not really surprised to see Seta standing in the lobby dressed in a white uniform with Shishio by his side. "Attention, Seta Soujiro is the new senior lieutenant. He will be in charge of the battousai case from now on."
Receiving tentative applause from the rest of the squad, Kenshin approaches his friend, smile plastered on his face, "congratulations." He shakes Seta's hand, "thank you lieutenant."
Addressing the crowd, "from now on, anyone with Joseon blood who is caught, or suspected of being involved in treasonous acts will be prosecuted, and interrogated to the fullest extent. There will be no more leniency in these matters, even if we have to bleed this country dry, we will stop these terrorists."
With more conviction, "I know most of you don't think I am qualified for this job, but with time you will see... We will wipe these Joseon rats from the map, and soon this nation will sing the Japanese anthem by memory."
Turning to Kenshin, "lieutenant, in my office."
"Hai."
Seta closes the door behind him, the blinds as well. With a sigh of relief, he looks towards his friend, "how did I do? Do you think they believed me?"
Shaking his head, "hai, you did excellent," Kenshin smiles, and Seta takes a seat behind his oversized desk. "With your help, we will catch that bastard in no time."
"Hai." Kenshin pauses, "I was just signing out for the day, I will see you in the morning."
"Thanks Kenshin." Seta grins as the officer closes the door behind him.
When Kenshin glances toward his desk, the phone atop it rings, "lieutenant Himura." He rushes over, just in time, "hai, we will send someone right away."
"Officer Cho!" Kenshin calls, "go to the marketplace, there is a mysterious rickshaw that needs to be looked at. I am off for the rest of the day." And just as quickly as he arrived, Kenshin leaves the station once again.
Deciding to cut through the marketplace, Sano notices the black rickshaw still positioned in the middle of the square, the other merchants beginning to worry. "The police are on their way," one man says, "what could it be? It's been sitting there all day? Do you think it's a bomb?"
In a matter of minutes, the blonde officer walks into the crowd, "what's all this about some rickshaw?"
Pointing to the abandoned vehicle, "it's been sitting there all day, we can't see what's inside."
Mumbling, "they send me over here for this?" Quickly, Cho flips open the black cover, and a man tumbles out onto the ground, dirt hitting his face. With hands and feet tied, and cloth gag covering his mouth, President Saizuchi shivers with the passing breeze. Goosebumps form along his nearly naked body, dressed only in underwear and omen taped along his hairy chest. If you live a good life, may your children be blessed. If you do many wrong deeds, your children will suffer.
Untying the man, officer Cho looks around as the embarrassed businessman attempts to run off. He doesn't get far though feeling something small and hard slam into his back. Glancing tentatively behind him, "it's battousai!" Yahiko shouts, pointing, and the people of the market cheer seeing their hero standing tall on a roof nearby. Directing the metal pipe that the rock flew from towards the President of the bank, Kenshin can't help the slight grin from forming on his lips as he looks down below.
His throat catches when he sees Kaoru smiling from ear to ear, no wonder Hiko did this for so long, he thinks while running from the scene with white hambok fluttering with the breeze. The brunette's feet seem to move on their own as Kaoru chases after battousai, trying to catch glimpses of the man like wind racing through the clouds.
She doesn't know why, but ends up once again at their spot in the woods. Hands moving on their own, she tears a piece of her blouse, and with a quick poke with her precious dagger, blood trickles from her finger. In a few strokes, "Kao-dono," is written in crimson on cloth, and she ties the fabric to a branch nearly out of sight. But, somehow she knows that battousai will see it if he should happen by. Walking back to Misao's, her heart is giddy with the fact that she knows he is truly alive, that that bastard didn't kill him after all.
Well, that's it for now, until next time :) Happy reading ^_^x
Oh yeah, I hope you guys got it. In the beginning of the chapter, when the woman moved her bangs, she was signaling for that man to enter the dining car, it's kind of hard to describe something like that. As always, reviews are loved and make me happy :)
Just a couple things. Kenshin has black hair in this story because Hiko planned it that way just incase Kenshin would ever have to take over as battousai. Also, nobody really notices the height difference between the two because no one has really had a close look at battousai besides Kenshin himself, simply because of Hiko's superior fighting skills. Also, Kaoru doesn't really notice the height difference because it's just not something you pay attention to in a life and death situation I think. Plus, lol it's a story, so of course there are going to be certain things that you just have to go with lol, like how can he do the quick change etc... All hero stories have issues like that I suppose, oh well, enjoy anyway :)
Also, I haven't really described Shishio up to this point, but right now he looks more like what he did before he was burned up (when he was the assassin). Oh yeah, Kenshin also has superior fighting skills simply because in this story, he hasn't made the vow never to kill, so he doesn't really have anything morally wrong with it if the person is someone they feel is evil.