Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 18

Much love and gratitude to everyone out there. Life has been crazy! However,I'm finally settling into my new position and things are starting to roll now that I am nearing the point where I was banned. Stay with me! I promise I will get you there and beyond!

 

Stating for the record, that I do not own anyone below. However, I wish I could find someone like Kenshin, because all the males in my life right now are so not worth it.

 

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The walls had been breached. Kenshin knew that the moment he had seen the dead man on the floor of the grand hall. Where the man had come from, he had not a clue. He had been with Sanosuke at the front gate. As the thieves began to scatter, he left, intent on finding Kaoru. When he spotted the body, he had known there was more trouble. He rushed to the bottom of the stairs, ignoring the shouts behind him. Swiftly he went up the steps, one destination in mind.

 

A hand grabbed him when he reached the top and his hand instinctually went of the hilt of his sword. “Kenshin!”

 

He barely prevented himself from landing a nasty bruise on Sanosuke. `What are you doing here?”

 

“What are you?”

 

“The walls have been breached. I have to get Kaoru-dono out of here.”

 

“Where is she now?”

 

A sliver of guilt slid over him. “I left her in her room.”

 

“They're already receding, you saw that.”

 

“What about the small bands of men Misao reported.” He pointed to the dead man on the floor. “Where did he come from?” He demanded.

 

“Aoshi claims even they're fleeing.”

 

Kenshin stared at him. “Why?”

 

The man shrugged. “I don't know. They just are. Jou-chan should be safe.”

 

A feeling of unease rippled through him. There were two reasons to admit defeat. Either the enemy truly had been overcome, or else they had found what they came for. The last time he had felt something off, he had returned to find Chou holding a knife to Kaoru's throat. Without pausing to explain himself to Sanosuke, he rushed down the hall. He pushed past a guard and skidded to a halt outside of her room. The door was open. A splintered table leg lay discarded next to the doorframe. Cautiously he peered inside and swore loudly when he saw the prone body on the floor.

 

The brunette came up behind him as Kenshin pushed the door open, his eyes searching for the young woman. “Where is she?”

 

“Not here.” He retorted crisply. He didn't think she had been taken, at least not here. The body on the floor proved she had managed to fight him off. Kaoru would realize that she was in trouble if someone had reached the room. Kenshin swore loudly again and spun, stealing out of the room and thinking of where she might have gone.

 

“Where do you think Jou-chan went?” Sanosuke asked.

 

He turned to glare at the man, his nerves strung tight. “She went looking for me.”

 

Sucking in a deep breath, he moved down the hall and towards the stairs. Kaoru was bound to think he had been involved in the fighting. He took an alternate route towards the great hall. He stopped when he came across a balcony overlooking the throng below. Just moments before he had been down there. The fighting had indeed ended, but there were still people below, calling for a surgeon, and attempting to establish the living from the dead.

 

Kenshin hesitated for a moment. His feeling of foreboding grew. He saw a door that led to an unused section of the gardens. The attack had come from the front and through the servant's gate. No one had ventured over the narrow walls surrounding the garden, or had they? He pushed through the door and stared out over the narrow paths. He nearly missed the movement, but then he saw her.

 

The woman stood in a small clearing. Two people stood with her. One was female, the other male. He couldn't fully see the man standing next to Kaoru, but the tall female was unmistakable. All of his fears rushed to the surface as his doubts could no longer be disputed. Yumi, Shishio's bride, held Kaoru mesmerized. The dark eyes turned towards him and a sinister smile played on her full lips. She whispered something to the woman at her side. Kaoru turned.

 

The woman saw him and recognized him. There was no panic in her face. As he watched, the princess raised a hand into the air. It hung there for a few seconds before finally moving back and forth in a wave. A wide smile adorned her full lips. Calmly, she then turned and walked away from him. Yumi's grin deepened. She blew him a kiss and then she too was gone.

 

He swore loudly and began to run towards them, ignoring Sanosuke's shouts behind him. He burst into the clearing where Kaoru had been standing only seconds before. However there was no sign of her or her captors. She had vanished into the night.

 

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“He took her!”

 

The words rang out across the hall. Hiko sighed and closed his eyes. Then he turned, ready to face the anger he knew would come. “How did that happen?” He asked nonchalantly.

 

The redhead's eyes glowed dangerously amber. Hiko rose from his position preparing himself for the barrage of animosity he could already feel. The golden glare had always unnerved him, though he had long since figured out how to hide his discomfort. For some reason, however, the amber eyes were more unsettling now. Perhaps for the first time, Hiko truly didn't know what his student's intentions were. Nor precisely where his fury was directed.

 

“Shishio has taken the princess.” He reiterated.

 

“You are certain of this?”

 

“I saw Yumi.”

 

Hiko fought the urge to swear. Instead he merely raised an eyebrow. “Where did you see her?”

 

The information was new. Yumi had been a rival with Eiko years ago, though the former had actually wanted to be married to the madman. If the wizard's pride hadn't been on the line, he probably would have married Yumi and been done with the entire mess more than eighteen years ago. As it were, many had believed Yumi had perished in the fire that had ended the wars ten years ago. But since Hiko had been privy to the knowledge Shishio had survived, it only made sense that his bride had as well.

 

“They were on the outer fringes of the grounds.”

 

Hiko moved closer to the redhead. “Why was Kaoru there?” He asked.

 

Indecision in the glittering eyes belied the redhead's answer. “A man reached her room. She managed to knock him unconscious before leaving her room.”

 

“Where were you that a man reached her room? You were the one put in charge of her protection.” He stated abrasively. He had long learned the only way to deal with Battousai was to attack his weaknesses. The assassin didn't have many, but they were poignant marks in the man's psyche. It was why he constantly patronized the man.

 

As expected the redhead lowered his gaze. The anger didn't diminish, but rather changed it's target. He had not wanted Kenshin to put any more guilt on himself. If he continued to blame himself, then the plans he and Koshijirou had laid out would all be for nothing.

 

“What will you have me do?” He demanded harshly, trying to bring his student's attention back to the present. For some reason, Hiko didn't dread the temper when it was directed at him; he did not fear Battousai or his capabilities.

 

The eyes glared at him up through the fiery bangs. “You will tell her father.”

 

“No.”

 

Kenshin said nothing, only continued to stand there, his eyes glistening with a dangerous golden glint. This could only end badly. He prayed he hadn't misjudged his apprentice's intentions. Otherwise Koshijirou would never forgive him. “It is not possible at this very moment.” He answered the unspoken challenge.

 

“I'm sure you will find a way.”

 

The edge to those words made his insides grow cold. The door behind the redhead opened and Sanosuke entered. The brunette skittered to a halt at the sight of Kenshin. “I'm sure you've heard the news by now.”

 

“I have.” He rose and took a step towards the tall man. “What are you doing about it?”

 

Sano shifted, casting a furtive glance in the direction of his friend. “Aoshi is already sending out spies to scout any known place where Shishio might have taken Jou-chan.”

 

“You're wasting time.” Kenshin turned the fierce gaze on the brunette. Sanosuke visibly cringed underneath the malevolent stare. “I know exactly where to find Kaoru-dono.”

 

Overtly he studied the shorter man. He had mentioned the princess, not Shishio. “Fine. Then let's get some men together and make a plan of attack.” The brunette said.

 

Kenshin shrugged impassively. “Make your plan of attack.”

 

Hiko narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, watching the two men interact. “I'll just go track down Aoshi.” The tall man stammered. He made a hasty bow and then exited.

 

“Why you constantly prove what little you have learned is beyond me.” He snorted, knowing the comment would goad the boy into departing that much sooner.

 

The eyes flared, Kenshin's head whipping around. “Inform Koshijirou what has occurred.”

 

He stepped towards him, stealing himself against the hostile glare of Battousai. “What exactly should I tell him?”

 

“Tell him I'm returning his daughter to him.”

 

“You won't wait for your cohorts?” He asked lightly, already knowing the answer.

 

“They'll only be in my way.” Kenshin sneered.

 

Hiko purposefully turned his back on the unpredictable man. He was not fully satisfied, needing to know he had not made an egregious error. The redhead's comments left much to interpretation. However, he needed to be sure. Leisurely he sat down, reaching for his cup of sake. Skeptically, he watched his student. He sipped, the liquor burning his throat with its welcome warmth.

 

“What will you do?” He asked slowly.

 

“What do you think?”

 

Hiko wasn't sure. There were two answers, only one, which he wanted to hear. The boy was foolish enough to go storming the wizard's fortress alone; that was a given. With the passions of Battousai driving him, there was little doubt of his success. But who he would seek out first remained unclear.

 

“The question is really simple.” He sat back, praying the boy could not sense the beating of his heart. “Once inside, who will you look for first?”

 

For the first time, the amber gaze wavered, genuinely surprised by the inquiry. “There is only one that matters, that there is.”

 

The slip gave Hiko all the answers he needed. “Then go save your princess. I will inform her father.”

 

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The red head glared at his mentor for several seconds. Then with a deep breath, he moved towards the door. His feet hardly made a sound and Koshijirou shivered, knowing what had just been unleashed. The hitokiri vanished and for a brief moment, he wondered if he would ever see the redhead again.

 

“I imagine you heard.”

 

Hiko's voice had him stepping from his position. “How the hell could you let this happen?” He demanded.

 

The dark eyes turned in his direction. “I didn't let anything happen. The boy was foolish enough to leave her alone.”

 

“Does it matter? That madman has my daughter!”

 

Hiko rose from his position. “Perhaps if you had contained some semblance of intellect you would have taken some of my advice. You were the one who insisted on her ignorance. You are the one acquainted with her. You know how capricious and stubborn she is. The idiot left her alone and she disobeyed him, as she is prone to do. If she had been informed of the situation, she might have used a bit more caution.”

 

Koshijirou glared at the man, angry to have his motives questioned. “You don't know what happened. How she was taken. For all you know someone could have taken her from her room. What we are aware of is that I was the intended target. Because we didn't announce her identity, Shishio didn't know where Kenshin had taken her.”

 

The tall man took a deep breath and rubbed his brow. “For once you were right.”

 

“When I reveal my intentions to everyone, I will face Kenshin's anger for not revealing the truth to Kaoru sooner.”

 

“You won't receive an argument from me.” He muttered. “Though I didn't agree with it, you were correct on that aspect. Shishio didn't know where she had disappeared to.”

 

He stepped into the room and sat down in a small chair. “And what happens now?”

 

Hiko crossed the room. “You saw for yourself. The boy will go after her.”

 

He took a deep breath and ran a hand over his face. His stomach twisted and Koshijirou feared he might be sick. “That's not what it sounded like.”

 

The dark eyes flashed. “You obviously weren't paying very close attention.”

 

Koshijirou pressed his lips together. “Then explain it to me.” He snapped.

 

“The boy is going after your daughter. She is his concern, not Shishio.”

 

He stared at his long time friend. He seemed so certain. “How can you be sure?”

 

“Be sure of what?”

 

“Of your student?” He raised his dark cobalt eyes. `I do not want history repeating itself.”

 

“First of all, Kaoru is not on Shishio's side. That should give you some comfort.”

 

“Very little.” He snorted.

 

“Regardless, the woman is not about to take up a sword to defend him.”

 

“It's not that what worries me so.”

 

“Then what?” Hiko demanded, his irritation clear.

 

The usual calm, detached demeanor cracked. He stared at the man across from him, his indigo eyes wide. “What are you worried about?”

 

Hiko grew quiet, staring at the window. He was still so long, Koshijirou wondered if he would answer at all. He sat back, trying to rein in his fear.

 

“I do not want to lose the boy.”

 

The words, murmured quietly, stunned him. “You don't think Kenshin will return?” He asked, a bit skeptical that his friend honestly feared the redhead's death.

 

Hiko shook his head slightly. “We saw them today, though I still have no clue how he gets there.”

 

“You mean the courtyard.” Koshijirou recalled looking over maps in his personal chambers when he had heard faint laughter. It had been a long time since he had seen anyone down below in the small garden. He had searched endlessly for the corridor, which led below, but had been unsuccessful over the years. Only Kenshin knew of it's origin and therefore, the king had been more than content to allow the small redhead to make it his own after suffering the humiliations doled out by his mentor.

 

“It was the only place he was allowed to be a boy. He took Kaoru there. To my knowledge, he hasn't been there since the end of the wars and before that, not since he accepted the name of Battousai. It gives me some small measure of hope that I didn't completely annihilate the boy I found wondering the high road.”

 

He stared at the man, surprised by his unusual admittance of sentiment. Hiko never hesitated to disparage the redhead, knowing it was an offhand way to control him. To the outside eye, it appeared as though there was no respect or affection between the two. To Koshijirou, who had endured the withering remarks even longer than Kenshin, knew it was the only way the daunting man knew how to deal with people. If Hiko didn't insult you, it was because you weren't worth his time. But in the eighteen years the king had witnessed the strange relationship between teacher and student, he had never seen Hiko openly express his paternal emotions.

 

“You fear exactly what I do.” Koshijirou surmised aloud.

 

“What if he is not strong enough?”

 

It was humbling to see the man, usually so in control, express his darkest fear. “He loves her, of that I am sure. Your daughter has taught the boy within to live again.”

 

“But?”

 

Hiko looked up at him. “Kenshin goes now to the lair of the madman in search of you daughter. However, he knows he cannot leave without disposing of Shishio.”

 

“If he kills, will Kaoru's love be enough to sustain him?” He finished.

 

“Or will Battousai once again roam the countryside?”

 

Suddenly Koshijirou felt extremely old. Wearily he leaned against his hand, wishing for a brief moment he had opted to deal with this problem years ago, before Shishio had taken his beloved's life. “Do you think I made a mistake?” He asked.

 

“Which of your asinine choices are you referring to?”

 

“Sending her away. Having her aunt raise her.”

 

The man fell silent. “No.” He finally answered.

 

Koshijirou looked up at him wearily. “Really?”

 

Hiko shook his head. “For a variety of reasons. First, think of how perilous the courts were during her early years. With the war, there could have been any number of assassinations attempts on her life; think of how many you encountered.”

 

He grimaced. Indeed, many people had managed to infiltrate the palace in search of his life. Only, their blood had spilled instead. The thought led to another attempt, not on his, but on the man the king had created. Shishio had known exactly what he was doing when he sent Tomoe into that camp.

 

“Secondly, Kaoru has grown into an intelligent and compassionate young woman. She had a similar upbringing to her mother, Eiko. Who knows what kind of person she'd be like if she had been exposed to the bitter cutthroats that wear skirts around here.” A wry smile touched his lips. “Isn't that why you fled the castle in the first place?”

 

A soft grin curled his mouth as Koshijirou recalled the day he had met Eiko. “She had such an exuberant innocence about her. She so wanted to see the good in everyone around her.”

 

“That is why I did what I did without alerting you.”

 

Koshijirou looked up at his friend. He had not approved of sending Kenshin to Kaoru so soon. He rubbed his temples. “You're right. I think I have already conceded.” He sighed and sat back. “There is one other matter that has me worried.”

 

Hiko raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

 

“How will Enishi factor into all of this?”

 

“Ah yes. There is that.” He slowly returned to his seat, deep in thought. “Unfortunately, that particular aspect is a bit trickier.”

 

“Are we sure that he has a role to play?”

 

“The boy seems to think so. I'll admit he doesn't make such glaring mistakes often. If he believes he saw Enishi, then chances are he did.”

 

“But?”

 

“You and I are aware that you are the girl's teacher. Why the idiot thinks it is his nemesis, I have no idea. But what the petite spy also said rings with truth.”

 

“What did she have to say on the matter?”

 

“Kaoru has never spoken of Enishi to her.”

 

“Could be for any number of reasons.”

 

Hiko nodded in agreement. “If the boy did see Yumi, it wouldn't take much for Enishi to compel Kaoru to never speak of their meetings. It would explain the reason why Kaoru lied when she was questioned.”

 

“Perhaps.”

 

They grew quiet for a moment. “Something else bothering you?”

 

Koshijirou leaned his elbows on the tabletop and rested his chin on his hands. “I cannot help but think of the reason for the animosity between them.”

 

“I think I fully understand now. You really are afraid history will repeat itself.”

 

“Not in such a tragic manner. Kenshin will not hurt her, at least not physically.”

 

“It's not her that you doubt.”

 

“I hid my identity from her because I wanted to know my daughter. I have seen how she feels for him, though I don't think she has fully comprehended it yet. But Kenshin on the other hand. He remains an enigma, even to you.”

 

“If he kills Shishio and Enishi, what happens next for them?” Hiko asked the question that had been plaguing him for days.

 

“I will not have him breaking her heart.”

 

The tall man sat back. “You're afraid he'll wander again.” Hiko stated aloud Koshijirou's biggest fear.

 

“What's to prevent him from leaving once his biggest adversary is gone?”

 

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Hiko is so difficult to write sometimes. Particularly in this chapter, dealing with the delicacy of Kaoru's abduction and the emergence of Battousai was nerve racking. On that note, I hope you forgive me for any oversights I might have made. An apology to those who asked, but I couldn't have any fluff since Kaoru was taken. However, when they meet again, expect some interesting things to happen.

 

Please let me know what you think. It helps me to know if I'm going the right direction or if I just toss it away and forget about it. Kisses to all of my supporters. Until next time.