Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 14

Forgive me for the delay. I can't even the last time I posted and made so many promises! That makes sense as I am in denial about the fact that Christmas is a week away and I have bought nothing for no one!! Work is driving me crazy, but I have finally managed to fulfill my goal for the year and for me, that is huge. But enough, you're hear for the next chapter and therefore I will deliver.

 

Enjoy!!

 

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A smile broke out across his face as he finally spotted his prey. She stood at the window, a book in her hands. Her focus was on some scene below. Her back was to him and Sanosuke was positive the woman hadn't noticed his presence yet. He had questions he wanted answered, but first he thought he might have a bit of fun.

 

Stealthily he crept towards her, careful not to make a sound. Just as he reached her, he stretched out his hand, ready to grip her shoulder and hopefully startle the woman.

 

“Don't even think about it.”

 

Her voice was sharp and crisp. Now he blinked, not sure how she had known he snuck up on her. “I saw your reflection.” Megumi told him, answering his unspoken question. “What do you want?”

 

He straightened, scratching his head, trying to appear nonchalant. “I wanted to ask you something?”

 

“So ask.” She turned to face him. She backed away in surprise, not realizing how close he was to her.

 

Instinctually he grabbed her, though she was in no danger of tripping. “Watch it Kitsune. You're not as nimble as you think.”

 

Fury lit up her dark eyes and she brushed his hands away from her. “Ask your question.” She ordered, her irritation evident.

 

Sano couldn't help but smirk. He loved getting underneath her skin, knowing it bothered her more than she liked to admit. “I can't seem to recall it.”

 

She glared at him. “Then leave me alone.” Megumi turned back to the window.

 

He came to her side. “What are you looking at?”

 

“Trying to figure out how we got here.”

 

Sanosuke looked down at the scene below. Kaoru and Misao were down in the gardens. They were sitting on a bench, talking. Not far away was Kenshin. He was alone, his attention on the two women, or perhaps really on only one of them. “You know who she is, don't you?”

 

Megumi nodded. “Aoshi informed me this morning.”

 

Sano glanced at her in surprise. “You didn't know before then?”

 

She shook her head. “No.” Her dark brown eyes flashed before he could make a smart comment. “But I'm not exposed to the same gossip you are. I had my own fears to deal with, my own emotional baggage.” She snapped.

 

He held his hands up in protest. “I didn't say anything.”

 

“You were going to.”

 

Gingerly he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “What's really bothering you?” He asked.

 

She looked up at the ceiling, moving away from him. “How did we get here? Five years ago some crazy loon, who wanted to poison the world, sequestered me. Four years ago I was placed in Tae's care. Two years ago I met you.” Pink tinged her cheeks and she cast a furtive glance at him. “And just yesterday Kaoru was a peasant whose biggest fear was she would never get married.”

 

She wrapped her arms about her and turned to him, tears rimming her eyes. “Even when Kanryuu had me in his custody, I knew what to expect until Aoshi released me.” She shook her head and sat heavily on a bench. “I don't know what tomorrow will bring.” She whispered.

 

Sano shifted uneasily and came to her side. He knelt in front of her and caressed her cheek. He brushed the silky strands from her face. “You know that he's dead, don't you?”

 

There was a touch of fear in her eyes, and then it was gone. Finally she nodded. “I do.”

 

“Jumped out a window. Crazy bastard.” He grinned. Megumi stared at him. His fingers fell from her skin and he sat back on his heels. “Give it up, Kitsune.”

 

Surprise filled her velvety brown eyes. “What are you talking about?”

 

“What's really on your mind?”

 

She sighed, her irritation evident. Sano's grin deepened to have penetrated her momentary depression. “You already asked me that once.”

 

“And I'll keep asking until you tell me.”

 

Megumi studied him. “You've never seemed to care before.”

 

He placed a hand over his heart, falling to the floor. “I ache that you would think I'm such an uncaring imbecile.”

 

She shook her head in disgust and rose. “Get up.” She ordered, offering him a hand.

 

“But I'm in such agony!” He wailed.

 

Her eyes darted around before she grabbed his forearm. “You're making a fool of yourself.” She hissed.

 

“Not until you reveal what I want to know.”

 

“Fine!” She answered quickly. “Now get up!”

 

He bounded to his feet. His sudden movement threw Megumi back and again she stumbled. He gripped her shoulders and hauled her against him. “If you want to be in my arms, all you have to do is say so.” He murmured.

 

Her eyes searched his face for seconds before she pushed away from him. “Now you're no longer interested in what I have to say?” She sneered.

 

Sanosuke reached for her hand. “Tell me.”

 

“Why do you even care?” She asked petulantly, trying to pull her fingers free from his grasp.

 

“You know why.” He told her softly.

 

Megumi was quiet for a moment. “What do you think will happen now?”

 

“In what regards?”

 

She shrugged. “Shishio. Kaoru.” She turned to look at him, her large eyes sad. “What will become of us?”

 

Sanosuke reached up and stroked her jaw, wondering when he had fallen so desperately in love with this woman. She didn't back away from him. He took another chance and framed her face in his hands. “Is there an us to be worried about?” He murmured.

 

She swallowed. “I worry about you.” She said lightly.

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Really?” His fingers trailed down her cheeks and came to rest on her slim neck.

 

She laughed and shook her head. “You are impossible.”

 

Megumi turned to move away from him. He grabbed her arm, tugging her back to him. “I worry about me too.” He told her. Then he lowered his head, demanding a much desired and needed kiss from the woman.

 

He felt the surprise course through her body. Then she was responding, her arms thrown about his neck, her own lips insistent against his. It had been too long since he had held her in his arms. After a moment, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. “I don't know what's going to happen. We don't even know if Shishio will come for her.”

 

“Don't lie to me, please.” She pleaded. “We both know he will come for her, sooner rather than later.”

 

Sano sighed. He pulled back to look at her and stroked her glossy tresses. “I'm to go out tonight and comb the underbelly of society. See if any insalubrious people are making any suspicious offers.”

 

”Why?”

 

He moved away from her. “Shishio knows that Battousai had returned and is protecting Jou-chan. He's going to have to catch us off guard in order to take her.”

 

Megumi looked at him. “Kaoru wouldn't be taken without a fight. She could get herself killed.”

 

Her bottom lip trembled. He kissed her quickly, trying to ease her fear. “I won't let that happen. We know the few people Jou-chan has ever come in contact with. Between Aoshi, Kenshin, and myself, we can identify all those who reside in the castle. We know who they are. If Shishio attempts to befriend the princess from another venue, we'll be aware of it.”

 

Megumi licked her lips and disentangled herself from his embrace. He frowned at her as she wrapped her arms about herself. “What if we weren't aware of someone already associated with her?” She asked.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

She appeared distressed with the knowledge she had. “What if someone Kaoru knows is really working with Shishio?”

 

He narrowed his brown eyes. “ I just told you that's not possible. We know everyone she has ever befriended.”

 

Megumi shook her head. Something akin to terror began to build in the pit of his stomach. “What do you know, Kitsune?” He demanded. She didn't say anything. Sano grabbed her shoulders and gave her a light shake. “Tell me what you know.”

 

“I didn't know who she was!” She cried. “Kaoru has snuck away from me whenever we go to the village. I never understood the restrictions Tae placed on her. I never told anyone. It never mattered. Eventually she introduced me to Misao and I knew Aoshi. Then you came into my life. She was so afraid she wouldn't ever get married and escape her life. She deserved some freedom and a future.”

 

“Who did she meet?”

 

Megumi licked her lips again, apprehension causing her dark eyes to glitter. Her words were coming faster. “Several months ago, I saw her with a wooden weapon. She hid it and I haven't really seen it since then. But every now and then when we're in the woods, she'll pick up a stick and swing it around. Except it's not just idle movements; she knows what she's doing.”

 

The implication hit him. “She's learned to fight.”

 

Megumi nodded. “I don't know who he is. She's refused to tell me.” She took a deep breath and pushed her long hair form her face. “What if this man was ordered to befriend her, so she would go willingly.”

 

Sanosuke could see the reason for the woman's distress. He opened his mouth, trying to come up with some words of comfort. A peal of laughter interrupted them. He looked up to see Kaoru and Misao enter. Kenshin and Aoshi were not far behind the pair of women. He gripped the woman's shoulders, meeting her stricken gaze. “Listen to me. I will talk this over with Kenshin. He'll know something. He's fought so many over the years; he might be able to identify the technique and therefore the man who taught her. It will work out, trust me.”

 

She stared up at him. “I trust you.” She whispered.

 

He cast a furtive glance at the two couples, hoping they hadn't spotted them yet. “Don't say anything to Jou-chan, or anyone. For some reason the king doesn't want her informed yet.”

 

She nodded quickly. “Meg!”

 

They turned to see Kaoru and Misao waving at them. Megumi picked up her skirts and hurried towards the two women. Aoshi strode towards him, a frown on his usually stoic features. “Should you not be getting ready?”

 

“I'll leave in a moment. I need to speak with you and Kenshin.”

 

Kenshin arrived at his side. “What is it?”

 

He hesitated, not sure how to proceed. “Not to question your abilities, but has anyone you are unaware of ever approached Jou-chan?”

 

The violet gaze narrowed. “Approached her how?”

 

Sanosuke shrugged. “I don't know. You spent several days alone with her. Are you aware that the woman knows how to wield a weapon?”

 

Kenshin's face never altered, his gaze never wavered. Yet Sano could sense the man's tension. “Yes.”

 

Aoshi glanced at him, his dark cobalt eyes surprised. “I know that Misao gave her a blade.”

 

“Megumi says that there might be another person involved.” Sanosuke stated bluntly.

 

Aoshi glanced at him sideways. “What has led her to believe that?”

 

Sano hardly heard him, his attention focused on the redhead. Kenshin's jaw had tightened and he looked up at him. “Kaoru-dono has learned to fight.”

 

“What do you mean fight?” Aoshi demanded.

 

“She knows how to wield a weapon, that she does.”

 

There was a second of shock in the dark cobalt eyes in the usually unflappable man's gaze. “Where in the hell did she learn to fight?”

 

It took him a moment to realize the question was directed at him. Sano shrugged. “I don't know. Kitsune mentioned it. She was afraid this person could be working for Shishio.” The quiet man stared at him for a moment and then turned to Kenshin. “What do you know of this?”

 

The look adorning the former assassin's face was harsh. “I don't really know much more than you do.”

 

Kenshin `s face was passive, but Sano could sense the stress that quivered underneath. He took in a deep breath, wondering how long the redhead could keep up this charade. He only hoped he wasn't around when it finally did explode.

 

“Has she informed you of anything? Given any clues to who this mystery mentor could be?” Aoshi asked.

 

“I believe she was going to tell me on numerous occasions. For one reason or another however, her secret remains just that.”

 

“But you have some suspicions.” Sano pressed.

 

The violet gaze swung in his direction. A trace of fear glimmered in the depths. “I don't know how much of this has become personal and how much is coincidence.”

 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 

Kenshin sighed. “I have reason to believe Kaoru-dono has been befriended by an old foe.”

 

“Then Megumi's fears have a basis.” Aoshi reasoned.

 

“I don't know the nature of her relationship to him. I'm under the impression that he is her teacher.” The redhead's jaw tightened. Sano studied him curiously, realizing there was something else bothering him. “I'm also unclear of this man's ties to the sorcerer. Even if he is not connected, his presence is not without some hidden agenda that may be tied to me.”

 

“Who else besides Shishio would have a vendetta with you specifically.” Aoshi wanted to know.

 

“Someone who felt that Kenshin wronged him and now wants revenge.” Sano shifted uncomfortably. “You killed a lot of people a long time ago. I'm sure there are plenty of people looking to avenge their fathers and brothers.”

 

“Or sister.” The redhead replied sadly.

 

Comprehension dawned in the stoic man's dark blue eyes. “You cannot be serious.”

 

“Whom are you referring to?” Sano demanded.

 

Aoshi glanced at him furtively and then to where the three woman chatted. “You honestly believe he would approach her?”

 

“I saw him with her. I know I did.”

 

“Who?” Sanosuke asked again.

 

“Yukishiro Enishi.”

 

He felt his dark eyes widen. He ran a hand through his spiky brown hair. “That could be very bad.” He murmured. He had not been around during the final showdown between Shishio and Battousai. Nor had he met the assassin until after he had given up his trade with a blood oath. What had led him to give up his sword was whispered among the courtiers. Sanosuke was not unaware of the fierce animosity Enishi had felt when Kenshin had murdered his sister.

 

“We need to know if he indeed has befriended the princess.” Aoishi declared.

 

“I have become…close with Kaoru-dono.”

 

”How will you find out?”

 

“I will ask her.”

 

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Megumi winced as she pricked her finger again. She wiped the drop of blood away before sticking her finger into her mouth. “Something troubling you?” The wry tone had the woman fighting to roll her eyes. She glanced at the woman who had been her guardian for the past few years. “No.” She retorted haughtily.

 

Tae was sewing a button onto a faded gown. She was closer to the fire; her old eyes squinted to see the thin thread better. “Then why is it you can't seem to prevent yourself from bleeding all over the garment in your hands?”

 

Her words, delivered with the same tone she delivered all her criticism grated on Megumi's nerves. With a frustrated sigh, she flung the tunic onto the basket of yarn and rose from her position. “Aren't you worried at all?”

 

Tae glanced up at her slowly. “What should I be worried about?”

 

Her rich brown eyes blinked. “What should you be worried about?” She advanced on the older woman. “I can only begin to wonder.”

 

With a sigh, she put the gown down on her lap. “You speak of Kaoru?”

 

“Yes! And everything else.” She placed her hands on her hips studying Tae. “What do you have to say about all of this?” She demanded tersely.

 

“What do you want me to say?” The old woman asked, rising from her position.

 

“I understand that Kaoru isn't really your daughter. All of a sudden in the last few days we find out that she's the missing princess from myth.”

 

“Keep your voice down.” Tae ordered, her eyes blazing. “She's not yet aware of her heritage.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“I don't know any more than you do.”

 

“Yet you act as though nothing has changed.” Megumi cried, her emotions held at bay finally releasing. Earlier she had fought to maintain her composure in front of Sanosuke. She could no longer maintain her terror.

 

“Kaoru doesn't realize her position has changed. She doesn't understand why she is here as of yet. Any change will only augment her curiosity.”

 

“But I know! And you continue to walk around here when it's just you and me as if nothing has changed!”

 

“Do you honestly believe that I'm completely unaffected by this whole affair?” Tae asked harshly. “I have known about Kaoru since the day she was born. It was my job to protect her until a redheaded swordsman was sent to me. At that time I was to return. Don't for one moment think this has been easy for me. I don't know why Koshijirou wants his daughter to remain anonymous at the moment. All I know is, her life is in danger and it tears at me that I cannot do anything to protect her.”

 

Wide-eyed and ashamed, Megumi stared at the woman who had taken her in. She had witnessed the harsh truth the woman had been living with for the last fifteen years. She licked her lips anxiously. “Sanosuke and Kenshin are worried they might not be able to keep her safe.”

 

Tae whipped about sharply. “Explain yourself.”

 

She cringed and perched on the edge of a chair. “I told them about Kaoru's teacher.”

 

“Teacher?” Tae narrowed her dark eyes. “What teacher?”

 

“She's been learning to wield a sword. I don't know who's been teaching her.”

 

“That?” Tae waved a hand dismissively. “Her teacher is no threat to her.”

 

“How can you say that?” Megumi asked her, skeptical at the older woman's lack of concern.

 

“I am well aware of my young ward's lessons.”

 

“You don't think it could be someone Shishio implanted here to confuse her?”

 

“No.”

 

The complete finality in the woman's word had Megumi pausing. “Sanosuke and Kenshin think it might be Enishi.”

 

“It's not.” She retorted, moving back to her chair by the fire. She picked up the gown and paused. Her eyes lifted to meet Megumi's gaze. A look of recognition and wonder was etched on her lined face. “What do you know of Enishi?”

 

“He's made Kaoru's acquaintanceship.”

 

“How can you be sure?”

 

“Kenshin claims he saw them together. I don't think he would make a mistake such as that.”

 

“The boy makes very few mistakes.” Tae agreed.

 

Megumi stared at the woman and realized there were traces of fear lurking behind the steady calm. “What do you know of him?” She repeated.

 

“How are you aware of all of this?” Megumi, realizing her folly, blushed and looked down at her hands. Sanosuke had told her of the nature of Kenshin and Enishi's enmity. Tae snorted and shook her head. “I should have known tori-atama couldn't prevent himself from opening his mouth to you.”

 

Megumi glared at her, jumping to the defense of the man she loved. “Then explain it.” She ordered.

 

The old woman sighed. “You know who Kenshin is, do you not?”

 

“You spent two days convincing me he was nothing more than he appeared. Who is he? Is he a threat to Kaoru?” She demanded, fearful of her friend. The attraction between Kaoru and Kenshin could be dangerous.

 

Tae shook her head. “Not a threat to her. A long time ago he was known by a different name. The name of Battousai.”

 

The utterance of his name made her blood run cold. “Kenshin is Battousai?” She whispered fretfully.

 

She nodded, her face grim. “They are one in the same.”

 

“And you left Kaoru alone with this man?” She breathed.

 

Tae looked up at her. “It wasn't my choice, but that of the king. I can not disobey him any more than you can.”

 

Megumi nibbled on a fingernail. “I think she might be falling in love with him. That would not bode well for the kingdom.”

 

“You forget that it was the king that sent Kenshin to the cottage in the first place.”

 

She hadn't thought of that. She sat back in her chair, twisting the various implications over in her head. “But you do fear Kenshin. Why?”

 

Tae sat up a bit straighter, staring into the fire. “It is not Kenshin I fear.”

 

“Who exactly is Enishi?” Megumi asked a third time, realizing it was this stranger whom the woman feared.

 

“You have heard the rumors that surround Battousai. Ten years ago he gave up the sword, vowing never to kill again. There was particular death that plagued the man.”

 

“Whose?”

 

“His lover.”

 

“What does that have to do with what's going on now?”

 

Tae looked up at her. The distant look in her dark eyes sent a chill down Megumi's spine. “His lover was an intricate part in Shishio's plans. It is said her brother witnessed the duel that led to her death and swore revenge. His name was Enishi.”

 

Terror seized at her as Megumi fully realized the inferences. “You think he'll come back for Kenshin and use Kaoru to do it.”

 

“I don't know. The possibility that he has befriended Kaoru makes me nervous, however.”

 

There was a knock on the door. A maid opened it several second later. “Her water has been drawn and the lady has returned.”

 

“Thank you.” Tae answered her and moved to her feet.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I need to speak with Kaoru.”

 

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Happy Holidays to everyone. Hope you get what you want!! Kisses and love until next time.