So, I'm failing at updating regularly. Sorry about that. I promise I will finish the story, but updates probably won't be as regular. School started, and life has become a little hectic. Sorry this chapter is a little short and choppier than normal. I just wanted to lay a bunch of stuff out at once. Hope you enjoy.
The Sickness
The hospital was swamped, to the point where she had been asked to come in part time and help. The reason for all the people, well that was because they had just poisoned most of the adults in the city. Shura had managed to contaminate the ingredients before they came to the city, so it was almost impossible for the blame to land on her or Kenshin.
She had spent hours searching for something that would do what she wanted without potentially killing someone. Anything she thought of had side effects that could cause serious harm and, since she was already combining it with alcohol and affecting a large group of people, it was too risky. No matter how much they needed to change how the upper class perceived them, she wouldn't risk killing someone. She was better than them. She valued all life.
The solution she had come to her was a simple one. She didn't need to get everyone sick, because they possessed something that was just as useful. Vanity. After that clicked in her mind it wasn't hard to find a herb that caused a rash. All she needed was a rather large dose of burdock root. Shura and her group were more than willing to help them contaminate a factory and their plan was set in motion. It wasn't long before people started showing up at the hospital with complaints.
They had to let the doctors search for a cure for a while before accidently discovering one. She warned people not to take alcohol while using her topical medicine, since there could be a reaction between the two. People were warned to not consume alcohol for twenty-one days. While it is always good practice to not mix alcohol and medicine, the warning was mostly to give Aoshi and Misao time to break into people's houses and replace the contaminated alcohol.
They were all being kept busy as more people showed up to the hospital. It only took a few weeks before upper-class women started showing up, desperate to remove the rashes and regain their beauty. Because of this, they were able to keep Megumi out of informing the upper class, which she had hoped for after learning how dangerous Megumi's current predicament was.
"How's it going?" Kenshin asked as she walked back into her apartment and flopped down on the couch.
"Next time I suggest something like this, stop me," She said. "You should have heard the tantrum that ensued when I told a group of upper class women that they had to wait to be seen."
"They are used to getting what they want when they want it, that they are," Kenshin said handing her a cup of tea.
"They definitely aren't used to lower class people getting something before them."
"Is it working?"
"Slowly. Some of the women even offered to help out in the hospital. I think they might have been friends of Megumi. It is working, but it is also draining on everyone else. And some of them are too stubborn to come to us."
"But those are the ones we need to focus on. Your plan bridges the gap between the classes and brings out the ones that truly believe we are better off as slaves."
She smiled at him, he always knew what to say to make her feel better. She leaned back against him and they sat for a while, enjoying each other's company. Others might find it odd, that they spend so much time sitting together without talking, but they didn't. The communication during those times were far stronger than any words could convey.
Kenshin sighed, "One should get going, that one should."
"Ah, right. To meet with the police chief friend, you forgot to tell everyone about," She said with a laugh. It had been rather amusing to have Aoshi come back and start berating Kenshin for not mentioning his connection to Inspector Yamagata.
"As I said before, I was unaware of his change in position. I knew him a long time ago, that I did."
She just laughed and continued to tease him as he got ready to go. "Be careful," she said, and pulled him down for a quick peck on the lips before shoving him out the door before he got any ideas.
He stood outside Kaoru's door for a few seconds, regaining his composure. She had been doing that frequently. Little signs to remind him of her affection. Jut little things here and there, but it was driving him insane. Every time she did it he had to fight the desire to just stay with her and forget all his duty's. All he wanted was to be by her side, always.
He sighed and pushed himself away from her door. There were things that needed to be done. A war that needed to be won. Once the war was done he could only hope she would still be there.
The streets were quiet as he made his way through the darkness. The streets had become quieter since Kaoru's sickness had taken hold. That and people were becoming more aware of the kidnappings that happened at night. Slowly their influence was growing, and people were listening to them. Now all they could do was hope. Hope that with the sickness came a change of mind. That a majority of the upper-class could be swayed to believing that slavery wasn't the answer. Then they would move to the next step of removing those from power who still believed slavery was a good thing, hopefully without too much violence.
"You're late," Master Hiko said, appearing out of the darkness as he neared the meeting point. He didn't grace his master with a reply. They made their way cautiously towards the meeting point. He truly believed Mr. Yamagata was an honorable man, but they still needed to be cautious.
"It's been a long time," Mr. Yamagata said when they finally appeared before him after checking the perimeter for a trap.
"So it has," he said with a smile. "That's a fine mustache you've grown."
"Thanks," Mr. Yamagata said, and silence fell. Mr. Yamagata cleared his throat. "Right. Down to business. Does the sickness going around the city have something to do with you?"
He thought for a second before responding, "I didn't start it, if that's what you're asking. But I do know where it is originating from."
Mr. Yamagata gave him a look that said he was not amused. "Poisoning two thirds of the city is pushing it, even for me." He heard the danger in the words. Mr. Yamagata had limits. He was an ally only if they didn't push things too far. Mr. Yamagata had his bounds and would stick to them. They would lose him if they stepped outside those bounds
"Since the sickness started, how has the upper-classes view of the lower class changed?" He asked.
Mr. Yamagata thought for a while before a smile crept onto his face, "So that's why you did it. I was starting to worry that we might have different goals after all."
"Not different goals, just different approaches," he said with a smile. "Though I can assure you the sickness does no more than attack their vanity."
"So, where should I be looking to solve this mystery?"
"I wouldn't suggest drinking alcohol until this mystery has been solved," he said with a grin.
"That's not much help," Mr. Yamagata said.
"If you figured it out too quickly people would get suspicious, that they would."
"Fair point," Mr. Yamagata conceded. "Take care of yourself Kenshin. I'm glad to see you are doing well," he said and walked away.
"He's a good man," Master Hiko said as they walked back towards home. It was a surprising comment coming from his usually taciturn mentor. Master Hiko must have sensed his surprised because he elaborated. "It is not an easy thing to stick to your beliefs while trying to change the world around you."
"When this is all over, he will make a good military leader," He said. He had respect for Mr. Yamagata, for standing by the laws he swore to uphold while trying to overthrow the upper-class. They were afraid of a military coup, but with Mr. Yamagata at the helm, they were less afraid. Mr. Yamagata didn't want to lead, he simply wanted to protect.
"I've been thinking about what you said, about being able to continue using your home," she said to Raku as they drank tea. She needed to be careful about how she said this, otherwise Raku might get suspicious.
"What about it?" Raku asked.
"Would it be alright if I stayed for a while longer. I keep looking at houses, but they are all too big. Anything smaller are in places I'd prefer not to live. And if I think about it logically, either I get a house and spend the rest of my life by myself. Or I find someone who accepts my mistakes and then I will live with him. I don't know. Do you think it is odd of me not to want to buy a house?"
"No, I think if I was in your position, I'd do the same thing. After all, we would normally live with our parents until marriage and then we would move in with our husbands. Men are often intimidated by a woman who acts too independent. It makes finding a husband harder. Besides, I enjoy being to see you all the time, just like when we were kids."
She smiled, "Thanks."
"Your welcome."
"Since I'm staying for a while, I was thinking of investing in some merchandise," she said demurely.
Raku clapped her hands in excitement, "Ooohhhh, excellent. What kind are you thinking?"
"I was thinking one like yours to begin with, since I'm inexperienced," she said this looking straight at Tau, hoping dearly he got her message and didn't see her actions as a betrayal.
"I'll start looking for you and let you know when I've found some options."
"Thanks," she said, and their conversation devolved into simple conversation about unimportant things.
"Do you think she bought it?" Sano asked once they were back in the house.
"I think, but I don't know how good I am at reading her. After all, she did fool us completely."
"And Tau?"
"I don't know. I only hope he understood what I was trying to say. Otherwise we've lost his trust forever."
"And what do we do if he doesn't understand. We could end up…" Sano couldn't finish his sentence, but she understood.
"If we don't hear from him soon. Then we get a message to the others and see if they can find someone willing to pretend to be a slave." If it came down to that, it would be a lot harder to get Raku to believe the slave was real, but it was their only other option. She wouldn't be able to stand herself if Raku brought her a truly broken person.
Eichi stood outside the fence and looked towards the house. It wasn't a large mansion, but it still looked like a mansion to him. It was still larger than a normal house. He had followed Chief Yamagata's suggestion, and this is where it had lead him. Now he wasn't quite sure what to think. There was only one question that kept bouncing around inside his head.
How had a pour farming family been able to afford something like this?