Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodline ❯ Omens ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Angie-san 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.12.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 826 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.12.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 826 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer - Sadly, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. It is the sole property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and the many companies who have purchased the rights.
Chapter 3 – Omens
"KAORU, WAKE UP!"
When no answer was forthcoming after his third and most vehement call, Yahiko beat on the wooden frame of her door again.
"HEY, BUSU! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
Kaoru rose slowly into consciousness as Yahiko's insistent thumping continued to reverberate through her fogged mind, dragging her out of the comforting blackness.
"WAKE UP, BUSU! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE IN TEN MINUTES!"
That got her attention. Bolting awake for the second time that morning, Kaoru glanced out the window and was stunned to see the sun high in the sky. Cursing colorfully under her breath, she scrambled from the blankets to throw her clothes on, not bothering to straighten her gi as she fought to take down her braid. With a near vicious yank the braid unraveled to be tied up just as rapidly into a tail again. Flinging the door open she almost barreled straight into Yahiko, who stood wide eyed at her sudden emergence.
She paused long enough to spear him with a glare. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!" she demanded.
"I tried to, but you just kept snoring away," he replied with a smirk.
Kaoru's eyes flashed dangerously. "I do not snore!"
Reaching out to whack him, Kaoru connected with empty air as Yahiko bolted down the hallway, snickering as he ran out of sight. Coming back to her senses she sprinted in his wake, even knowing there was no way they would make it all the way across Tokyo in ten minutes.
Spying Yahiko in the doorway she grabbed his collar and with a hasty "Bye, Kenshin" flung over her shoulder, she darted out the front gate, dragging the kid behind.
Surprised, Kenshin stood in the yard with a shocked look on his face for a long moment before he shook his head with a chuckle and resumed sweeping the walkway. A few minutes later Sano ambled out onto the porch clearly irritated by something.
"What was all the noise just now?" Sano grumbled when he caught sight of Kenshin.
"Kaoru-dono woke late for her lessons, that she did," Kenshin replied with a grin.
Rubbing his aching head Sano sat down on the porch step. "Man, she has got to learn to be quieter. I could have used a little more sleep after the three bottles of sake Katsu and I downed last night."
Amused, Kenshin shrugged his shoulders and continued with his task, not feeling any sympathy for Sano's self-induced idiocy.
"Hey, Kenshin, wanna go to the gambling hall? I could use your help today, my pockets are getting a little light."
Kenshin shook his head. "No, sessha needs to finish the chores from yesterday, that he does."
Sano eyed him for a long moment before he shrugged and headed for the gate. "Alright, see ya later."
Once the ex-fighter closed the gate behind him silence fell over the dojo and the yard was restored in short order allowing Kenshin to set to his next task. Making his way over to the well, he filled the washbasin and settled in to finish the remaining laundry. It didn't take him long to fall into the familiar rhythm and his mind took the opportunity to wander back to the exchange between him and Kaoru the day before. He had been so close to just letting the rurouni go and take her as his own. She had looked so beautiful there in the afternoon sun, a gentle smile lighting up her delicate features. He knew she would accept him, bloody past and all. But there was still a nagging voice in his head that continued to tell him he wasn't worthy of her love, his hands too blood-covered for her innocence. Common sense dictated that he should leave.
Yet something kept telling him that she was in danger.
It had hit him hard at dawn when he'd heard her bolt awake muffling a scream as he sat outside her window, unable to sleep. He could feel the waves of fear wash over her as she had fought whatever demon had awoken her, her rapid heartbeats pounding in his ears. That had almost done him in. He had actually risen and was just about to make his way into her room, to wrap her in his arms to protect her from whoever dared to haunt her. But when he had glanced through her window and saw she had lain back down, already drifting back to sleep, he stepped back instead.
A familiar ki suddenly brushed against his own, pulling him from his thoughts and Kenshin shifted his head just enough to glance over his shoulder at the newcomer. He stiffened when he caught sight of the one man that had been his equal during the Bakumatsu. The one man he hoped to never encounter again.
"So the rumors are true," Saitou Hajime drawled, as he neared Kenshin's seated form. "The Hitokiri Battousai has lowered himself to being a housemaid." A dry chuckle escaped the ex-Shinsengumi's lips as he eyed Kenshin with disdain. "Never thought I'd see the 'greatest assassin' in Japan scrubbing a woman's kimono."
Clearly enjoying the sight before him, a mocking smile formed on Saitou's face.
"What are you here for, Wolf?" Kenshin asked, as he rose to face the man who would gladly kill him today if given the chance. However that question seemed unimportant when he turned to face the man and saw the uniform Saitou was wearing. Eyebrows lifted in surprise, Kenshin asked, "You work for the Meiji government?"
Saitou shrugged dispassionately, "If you can't defeat 'em, join 'em...” A hungry look flashed through his eyes as he stared at Kenshin, purposefully resting a hand on the hilt of his katana. “Besides, it gives me a chance to still kill when need arises."
Kenshin crouched down and retrieved his sakabatou from its resting place at his feet, sliding it into the belt of his hakama. "I'm no longer that man."
A disbelieving smirk curled his former enemy's lips. "Once a killer...always a killer."
Kenshin scowled but said nothing more in his defense. This man would never understand. A heavy silence stretched between them and Kenshin could feel the antipathy radiating off Saitou as they stood staring at each other, locked in a battle of wills. The tension in the air thickened as the minutes passed by causing his hand to involuntarily grasp the hilt of his sakabatou as he waited for the first strike.
The strike never came, Saitou relaxed and speared him with a hard glare. "I see, you truly are not the man you were, but," a slow smile lit up his face, "when he reappears we will settle what we didn't finish during the revolution."
Kenshin relaxed, but didn't completely let his guard down. "Why did you come here?"
"I just wanted to see if the rumors were true." Slipping a cigarette between his lips, the cop added, "It seems Kamiya Kaoru has found herself a maid...and a guardian."
Kenshin tensed at the familiar tone in Saitou's voice when he spoke Kaoru's name, then focused on Saitou’s last word. "Guardian?" he asked cautiously. The way the wolf had spoken it, the pause and inflection, alerted the rurouni that it meant more than it seemed…that Saitou knew something Kenshin did not.
The cop remained silent as a feline grin formed on his lips.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously at the mocking smile as amber seeped into violet and he growled between clenched teeth, “What do you know about Kaoru?"
ooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru slowly made her way back to the dojo in the early afternoon sun, her body aching as if she'd been trampled multiple times. The surge of adrenaline that had coursed through her upon waking this morning had dissipated when she and Yahiko had finally made it to the Kamina dojo. Fifteen minutes late for the lessons she was suppose to give. On top of that, the students had been boys ranging from thirteen to sixteen. Boys who liked to think they already knew all there was to know about kendo, driving her mad with their complete lack of attention. Poor Yahiko had gotten to the point where all he wanted to do was whack every one of the brats over the head, so she had sent him off to finish working off the debt at the Akebeko to keep him from losing control. And to top it all off they had to go back and do it again the next day.
Groaning at the thought of what tomorrow would bring, she rubbed her aching head and opened the gate. Automatic steps took her to her room where she grabbed a change of clothes, intent on washing away her aggravation in a nice hot soothing bath. Maybe searching through her mother's things afterwards would be more pleasant with a calmer state of mind. Stepping out onto the porch she froze when she saw Kenshin facing off with the man who had looked out for her since her father had died two years ago. The tension between the two nearly pulsed in the air, holding her fast as she took in the sight. Kenshin's eyes slid to her still form causing a flutter of anxiety to tickle through her belly. He looked on the verge of shedding blood.
"Kamiya...it's been awhile." Saitou greeted, without taking his attention off Kenshin.
"About seven months, where have you been?" Kaoru asked, clearly feeling the deadly intent that arced between the two men like a bolt of lightning.
"I've been busy." Throwing a sly look her way, he added, "But I see you've found a new guardian."
"He is not my guardian. I can take care of myself!" Kaoru shot back, her eyes narrowed in irritation. Forget the chance Kenshin might be on the verge of taking him out, she might just take a shot at it herself.
Saitou grinned to himself at the slight reddening of his charge's cheeks and cast a hooded glance at Kenshin. His smile widened even more as he watched the possessive look pass through Kenshin's eyes when he glanced at Kaoru. Locking eyes with his nemesis, his smile vanished instantly, replaced with a stern countenance. "Don't leave Tokyo anytime soon, Battousai...or you may regret it."
With that he pivoted on his heels and left, leaving a stunned Kenshin standing in the yard staring at his retreating form, hand still firmly gripping his sakabatou. The abrupt departure had the redhead frowning in quizzical consternation. A moment later Kaoru step off the porch and Kenshin swung his head around, pinning her with his still lethal amber gaze. "How do you know that man?"
Kaoru froze again and shifted nervously under his intense gaze. Clutching her clothes tightly to her chest she dropped her attention to the ground "I met him when....” she started with a low whisper. Then with a shiver continued, “Saitou, he's the one who told me of my father’s death.”
Seeing the discomfort she was in, discomfort he had caused, Kenshin felt his anger fade, his eyes settling back to violet, and he decided to drop the questioning. With a reassuring smile he softly said, "Sessha will heat your bath now, Kaoru-dono."
Startled at the sudden change, Kaoru snapped her head up and reflexively speared him with a glare at the 'sessha' he would not stop using. Staring up into his face, though, she saw the shadow of that intense being he had been just moments ago still lingering. Unbalanced she decided to not press the issue. Instead she nodded and turned to make her way into the bathhouse. Sliding the door closed behind her with a soft click, she tried to ignore her still thundering heartbeat and quickly shed her dirty clothes then sank gratefully into the tepid water and waited for the heat to start filtering in. Her aching muscles were still screaming from their earlier abuse and she focused on them instead of the tumult of emotions that were rioting within.
Outside Kenshin fed and stoked the fire into a healthy blaze, then sat to lean back against the wall of the bathhouse thinking about the odd confrontation. Why would Saitou have any interest in Kaoru? This went beyond a simple nod to self-imposed duty over her father’s death. That underlying intensity spoke beyond that when Saitou had given his parting shot. Some way or another the wolf was connected to Kaoru, in a way that wasn’t the conventional norm. He couldn't think of a reason for it, however.
Within the bathhouse Kaoru found herself relaxing as the heat started to sooth her aches away and she rested her head against the rolled towel. "Kenshin, are you still there?"
"Hai, Kaoru-dono."
Suddenly nervous, Kaoru sank down in the water a little further and tried to decide if she should ask about what had occurred in the yard a few minutes ago. Taking a deep breath she decided on a subtle route and asked, "How do you know Saitou?"
A soft sigh came before he replied, "He was the captain of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi during the revolution, we never settled our differences."
Kaoru could hear the withdrawn sound in his voice. "So, you two are enemies." She stated, already knowing the answer.
"Yes."
Several moments of silence passed before Kaoru spoke in a soft voice barely loud enough for Kenshin to hear. "He's been watching over me since my father died, he came himself to tell me what had happened. Told me of the promise he had made with my father just before he'd died."
"What was the promise?"
"He promised to watch over me until the one destined to protect me arrived." Kaoru sighed at the confusion that statement still caused. "I don't know what that means, it all sounds ridiculous but he's come to visit about once a month, until recently."
"Protect you from what?" Kenshin asked, the hope in his voice unmistakable.
A sad smile touched Kaoru's lips. She wished she knew that too but that was still one of the mysteries no one could seem to answer. Exhaling softly, she dejectedly murmured, "I don't know, Kenshin.”
Kenshin frowned at the sadness and bewilderment in her voice and decided to let the discussion go for now, if he pushed her too hard she may never tell him. Rising from the ground he ran his fingers through his fiery hair, wishing there was something he could do to erase the forlorn tone in her voice. "Sessha's going to go start dinner now, Kaoru-dono."
"Okay," Kaoru muttered in reply. Listening as his soft footfalls faded away she slipped further into the water and whispered into the empty room, "I wish I could remember, Kenshin, for both of us."
With a resigned sigh, Kaoru eventually rose from the cooling water and dressed. Leaving the bathhouse she made her way over to the storehouse and opened it up wide to let in the late afternoon sun. On silent feet she padded to the back where her mother's things were and started where she had left off the day before in hopes of finding the answers to all their questions. The time passed quickly as she searched the numerous crates, her hope diminishing as each one she emptied held nothing but painful memories and no clues. Reaching the last one, she set it down and began lifting out the empty scrolls and ink bottles that had rested on her mother's desk so long ago when her fingers brushed against a smooth surface. With a bemused expression she lifted out a small wooden box with a brass lock on it. Kaoru studied it, racking her memory but she didn't remember her mother having such an item. Looking at it closely she saw the name Aiko etched into the smooth surface of the lid.
Aiko?
It wasn't her mother's name, but she still felt like she had heard it somewhere before.
Inwardly shrugging she set the box aside and continued searching the crate for the key that would unlock this mystery. Not finding it she restacked the other items and placed the crate back in its resting spot on the shelf.
"Hey, Kaoru, Kenshin said dinner is ready."
Kaoru jumped and nearly lost her balance at the sound of Yahiko's voice echoing through the wide space.
Gathering her wits again she called out, "Ok, I'm coming."
Grabbing the small box, she eyed it thoughtfully as she headed into the dojo towards her room, wondering where the key might be. The insistent growling of her stomach invaded her thoughts, however, and set the box on her desk for later perusal. The delectable scents wafting through the air were far more important at the moment. spinning on her heel she quickly made her way out to the dining area where Yahiko and Kenshin were already waiting for her and settled in beside Yahiko where Kenshin had already laid out her dinner. Smiling at Kenshin in thanks she murmured a soft “Itadakimasu,” and quietly tucked into the meal, thinking about all of the strange things that had occurred lately and the name that seemed so familiar to her. Unaware of the odd glances her companions gave her as her introspective thoughts seemed to consume her.
The silence stretched for several minutes before Yahiko broke. "Hey Busu, why are you so quiet?"
Driven by pure instinct Kaoru shot out a hand and smacked the boy on the back of the head. "I told you to stop calling me that!" She grumbled half-heartedly before she rose and set her dirty dishes near the wash basin then silently left the room and its shocked occupants. A faint muttering followed her out but Kaoru didn't bother to listen as her mind shifted back to its previous thoughts. Within moments she was back in her room and she lit a candle to chase away the shadows before sitting down in front of the desk. Trailing a finger over the smooth wood of her find she pondered the whereabouts of the key she needed. She somehow knew, almost instinctively, that she would find the answers she desperately needed in this box, but how to open it?
Fingering the sturdy lock that still gleamed like new, she gave it a test tug to see if it would give any. When it didn't budge she smiled ruefully, like it's going to make it easy for her.
Staring blankly at the etched lid Kaoru continued to absentmindedly rub the cool metal of the lock, hoping the location of the key would somehow give itself away. Given free reign her subconscious took immediate advantage and let loose the painful memory that always resulted in a blinding headache. All of a sudden the room faded around her as an image of her mother laid out on her futon filled her sight, a faint glimmer against the pale skin of her mother's neck catching her attention. As Kaoru watched the glimmer intensified until it was encased in a golden aura leaving everything else in shadow. Focusing on the glinting item in the center of the blinding glow she saw a small brass key suspended by a slender silver chain.
Shocked by what was happening, Kaoru didn't notice the pain that began to slowly build behind her eyes as she continued to watch the memory unravel. Unexpectedly a spear of white hot fire tore through her mind, causing her eyes to water and she fisted her hands enough to draw blood as her nails bit into her palms. The pain wrenched her back into reality and she hurriedly emptied her mind in an attempt to stave off the rest of the attack and was surprised when the ache gradually receded.
Kaoru rubbed her temples until the pain was nothing but a memory and she heaved a great sigh of relief when it completely subsided. Shaking her head she eyed the box in confusion. She had only ever seen their aura once when her mother had shown while teaching her how to make the barrier and it had been nothing like that. Where had that come from!
Unable to answer the question, Kaoru let out a weary sigh and tugged on the lock again. Well now she knew where the key had been... but where was it now?
With a rueful smile, Kaoru glanced out her open window at the full moon riding high in the sky. Everything that had happened in the last couple of days was starting to tax her mind, causing a weariness to settle into her bones. Swallowing a yawn, she rose and changed into her sleeping yukata, too worn out to unravel it anymore that night. This could wait for the morning, with a fresh mind and renewed energy. A quick tug on her ribbon set her hair free and she didn't bother braiding it, instead just blew out the candle and lay down. With an exhalation she curled up into a tight ball on the futon, mentally and physically drained from all that had happened.
Just as she started to drift off to sleep she heard the light padding of feet stop before her door.
"Kaoru-dono, are you alright?"
"Hai, Kenshin, just a little tired" she murmured, her heart twisting slightly at the concern in his voice. "I’ll see you in the morning."
A long pause came before Kenshin finally muttered, "Goodnight, Kaoru-dono."
She listened as he headed outside to the porch in front of her room and sat down. A feeling of security fell over Kaoru like a blanket at Kenshin's soothing presence just outside her window. Almost as if he was guarding her sleep.
Sitting in the glow of the full moon, Kenshin listened to Kaoru's breathing as it leveled out behind him, watching over her as she slipped into her dreams. Slowly the feeling that events were starting to spiral out of his control began to well up in his chest, causing a twinge of anxiety to shoot through him as he thought of what Saitou had said.
Don't leave Tokyo anytime soon, Battousai, or you may regret it.
He was sure Saitou knew something, and tomorrow he would drag it out of the Wolf even if he had to draw blood to do it.
ooooooooooooooooo
Shinomori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwabanshu, leaned back from the desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose in attempt to quell the ache that was starting to rise behind his eyes. Frustration was beginning to mark his usually stoic countenance as the events of the day ran through his mind. It had been a bloody day in the streets of Kyoto, five men seemingly chosen at random, had been killed by an unknown assailant. Each one having had their throats slit and a huge X carved into their chests, then left in an undignified heap in the middle of the busy streets. Yet no one had seen a thing, it was as if they had simply materialized out of thin air.
But that wasn't even the best part.
Closing his ice blue eyes, he recalled the discovery not two hours ago. Someone had slipped into the Aoiya and left a chunk of marble on one of the tables, slipping out again unseen by all the members of the Oniwabanshu. The jagged piece now sat before him gleaming slightly in the moonlight filtering through the open shoji door behind him. He opened his eyes to read again the name etched deeply in the smooth surface.
Himura Tomoe
It seemed one of Battousai's enemies had decided to leave him a calling card.
A shadow materialized before him and without taking his eyes of the marble he asked, "Well?"
"It's completely destroyed...all that's left is that piece." Hannya replied nodding at the portion on the desk.
"It's as I thought." Sighing Aoshi lifted his eyes, "Summon Misao, I have an assignment for her."
Hannya nodded and in the next instant was gone. Aoshi drew out a clean piece of rice paper and began writing the letter that would summon Himura Battousai to Kyoto... one that would unwittingly leaving Kaoru alone.
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Chapter 3 – Omens
"KAORU, WAKE UP!"
When no answer was forthcoming after his third and most vehement call, Yahiko beat on the wooden frame of her door again.
"HEY, BUSU! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
Kaoru rose slowly into consciousness as Yahiko's insistent thumping continued to reverberate through her fogged mind, dragging her out of the comforting blackness.
"WAKE UP, BUSU! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE IN TEN MINUTES!"
That got her attention. Bolting awake for the second time that morning, Kaoru glanced out the window and was stunned to see the sun high in the sky. Cursing colorfully under her breath, she scrambled from the blankets to throw her clothes on, not bothering to straighten her gi as she fought to take down her braid. With a near vicious yank the braid unraveled to be tied up just as rapidly into a tail again. Flinging the door open she almost barreled straight into Yahiko, who stood wide eyed at her sudden emergence.
She paused long enough to spear him with a glare. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!" she demanded.
"I tried to, but you just kept snoring away," he replied with a smirk.
Kaoru's eyes flashed dangerously. "I do not snore!"
Reaching out to whack him, Kaoru connected with empty air as Yahiko bolted down the hallway, snickering as he ran out of sight. Coming back to her senses she sprinted in his wake, even knowing there was no way they would make it all the way across Tokyo in ten minutes.
Spying Yahiko in the doorway she grabbed his collar and with a hasty "Bye, Kenshin" flung over her shoulder, she darted out the front gate, dragging the kid behind.
Surprised, Kenshin stood in the yard with a shocked look on his face for a long moment before he shook his head with a chuckle and resumed sweeping the walkway. A few minutes later Sano ambled out onto the porch clearly irritated by something.
"What was all the noise just now?" Sano grumbled when he caught sight of Kenshin.
"Kaoru-dono woke late for her lessons, that she did," Kenshin replied with a grin.
Rubbing his aching head Sano sat down on the porch step. "Man, she has got to learn to be quieter. I could have used a little more sleep after the three bottles of sake Katsu and I downed last night."
Amused, Kenshin shrugged his shoulders and continued with his task, not feeling any sympathy for Sano's self-induced idiocy.
"Hey, Kenshin, wanna go to the gambling hall? I could use your help today, my pockets are getting a little light."
Kenshin shook his head. "No, sessha needs to finish the chores from yesterday, that he does."
Sano eyed him for a long moment before he shrugged and headed for the gate. "Alright, see ya later."
Once the ex-fighter closed the gate behind him silence fell over the dojo and the yard was restored in short order allowing Kenshin to set to his next task. Making his way over to the well, he filled the washbasin and settled in to finish the remaining laundry. It didn't take him long to fall into the familiar rhythm and his mind took the opportunity to wander back to the exchange between him and Kaoru the day before. He had been so close to just letting the rurouni go and take her as his own. She had looked so beautiful there in the afternoon sun, a gentle smile lighting up her delicate features. He knew she would accept him, bloody past and all. But there was still a nagging voice in his head that continued to tell him he wasn't worthy of her love, his hands too blood-covered for her innocence. Common sense dictated that he should leave.
Yet something kept telling him that she was in danger.
It had hit him hard at dawn when he'd heard her bolt awake muffling a scream as he sat outside her window, unable to sleep. He could feel the waves of fear wash over her as she had fought whatever demon had awoken her, her rapid heartbeats pounding in his ears. That had almost done him in. He had actually risen and was just about to make his way into her room, to wrap her in his arms to protect her from whoever dared to haunt her. But when he had glanced through her window and saw she had lain back down, already drifting back to sleep, he stepped back instead.
A familiar ki suddenly brushed against his own, pulling him from his thoughts and Kenshin shifted his head just enough to glance over his shoulder at the newcomer. He stiffened when he caught sight of the one man that had been his equal during the Bakumatsu. The one man he hoped to never encounter again.
"So the rumors are true," Saitou Hajime drawled, as he neared Kenshin's seated form. "The Hitokiri Battousai has lowered himself to being a housemaid." A dry chuckle escaped the ex-Shinsengumi's lips as he eyed Kenshin with disdain. "Never thought I'd see the 'greatest assassin' in Japan scrubbing a woman's kimono."
Clearly enjoying the sight before him, a mocking smile formed on Saitou's face.
"What are you here for, Wolf?" Kenshin asked, as he rose to face the man who would gladly kill him today if given the chance. However that question seemed unimportant when he turned to face the man and saw the uniform Saitou was wearing. Eyebrows lifted in surprise, Kenshin asked, "You work for the Meiji government?"
Saitou shrugged dispassionately, "If you can't defeat 'em, join 'em...” A hungry look flashed through his eyes as he stared at Kenshin, purposefully resting a hand on the hilt of his katana. “Besides, it gives me a chance to still kill when need arises."
Kenshin crouched down and retrieved his sakabatou from its resting place at his feet, sliding it into the belt of his hakama. "I'm no longer that man."
A disbelieving smirk curled his former enemy's lips. "Once a killer...always a killer."
Kenshin scowled but said nothing more in his defense. This man would never understand. A heavy silence stretched between them and Kenshin could feel the antipathy radiating off Saitou as they stood staring at each other, locked in a battle of wills. The tension in the air thickened as the minutes passed by causing his hand to involuntarily grasp the hilt of his sakabatou as he waited for the first strike.
The strike never came, Saitou relaxed and speared him with a hard glare. "I see, you truly are not the man you were, but," a slow smile lit up his face, "when he reappears we will settle what we didn't finish during the revolution."
Kenshin relaxed, but didn't completely let his guard down. "Why did you come here?"
"I just wanted to see if the rumors were true." Slipping a cigarette between his lips, the cop added, "It seems Kamiya Kaoru has found herself a maid...and a guardian."
Kenshin tensed at the familiar tone in Saitou's voice when he spoke Kaoru's name, then focused on Saitou’s last word. "Guardian?" he asked cautiously. The way the wolf had spoken it, the pause and inflection, alerted the rurouni that it meant more than it seemed…that Saitou knew something Kenshin did not.
The cop remained silent as a feline grin formed on his lips.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously at the mocking smile as amber seeped into violet and he growled between clenched teeth, “What do you know about Kaoru?"
ooooooooooooooooo
Kaoru slowly made her way back to the dojo in the early afternoon sun, her body aching as if she'd been trampled multiple times. The surge of adrenaline that had coursed through her upon waking this morning had dissipated when she and Yahiko had finally made it to the Kamina dojo. Fifteen minutes late for the lessons she was suppose to give. On top of that, the students had been boys ranging from thirteen to sixteen. Boys who liked to think they already knew all there was to know about kendo, driving her mad with their complete lack of attention. Poor Yahiko had gotten to the point where all he wanted to do was whack every one of the brats over the head, so she had sent him off to finish working off the debt at the Akebeko to keep him from losing control. And to top it all off they had to go back and do it again the next day.
Groaning at the thought of what tomorrow would bring, she rubbed her aching head and opened the gate. Automatic steps took her to her room where she grabbed a change of clothes, intent on washing away her aggravation in a nice hot soothing bath. Maybe searching through her mother's things afterwards would be more pleasant with a calmer state of mind. Stepping out onto the porch she froze when she saw Kenshin facing off with the man who had looked out for her since her father had died two years ago. The tension between the two nearly pulsed in the air, holding her fast as she took in the sight. Kenshin's eyes slid to her still form causing a flutter of anxiety to tickle through her belly. He looked on the verge of shedding blood.
"Kamiya...it's been awhile." Saitou greeted, without taking his attention off Kenshin.
"About seven months, where have you been?" Kaoru asked, clearly feeling the deadly intent that arced between the two men like a bolt of lightning.
"I've been busy." Throwing a sly look her way, he added, "But I see you've found a new guardian."
"He is not my guardian. I can take care of myself!" Kaoru shot back, her eyes narrowed in irritation. Forget the chance Kenshin might be on the verge of taking him out, she might just take a shot at it herself.
Saitou grinned to himself at the slight reddening of his charge's cheeks and cast a hooded glance at Kenshin. His smile widened even more as he watched the possessive look pass through Kenshin's eyes when he glanced at Kaoru. Locking eyes with his nemesis, his smile vanished instantly, replaced with a stern countenance. "Don't leave Tokyo anytime soon, Battousai...or you may regret it."
With that he pivoted on his heels and left, leaving a stunned Kenshin standing in the yard staring at his retreating form, hand still firmly gripping his sakabatou. The abrupt departure had the redhead frowning in quizzical consternation. A moment later Kaoru step off the porch and Kenshin swung his head around, pinning her with his still lethal amber gaze. "How do you know that man?"
Kaoru froze again and shifted nervously under his intense gaze. Clutching her clothes tightly to her chest she dropped her attention to the ground "I met him when....” she started with a low whisper. Then with a shiver continued, “Saitou, he's the one who told me of my father’s death.”
Seeing the discomfort she was in, discomfort he had caused, Kenshin felt his anger fade, his eyes settling back to violet, and he decided to drop the questioning. With a reassuring smile he softly said, "Sessha will heat your bath now, Kaoru-dono."
Startled at the sudden change, Kaoru snapped her head up and reflexively speared him with a glare at the 'sessha' he would not stop using. Staring up into his face, though, she saw the shadow of that intense being he had been just moments ago still lingering. Unbalanced she decided to not press the issue. Instead she nodded and turned to make her way into the bathhouse. Sliding the door closed behind her with a soft click, she tried to ignore her still thundering heartbeat and quickly shed her dirty clothes then sank gratefully into the tepid water and waited for the heat to start filtering in. Her aching muscles were still screaming from their earlier abuse and she focused on them instead of the tumult of emotions that were rioting within.
Outside Kenshin fed and stoked the fire into a healthy blaze, then sat to lean back against the wall of the bathhouse thinking about the odd confrontation. Why would Saitou have any interest in Kaoru? This went beyond a simple nod to self-imposed duty over her father’s death. That underlying intensity spoke beyond that when Saitou had given his parting shot. Some way or another the wolf was connected to Kaoru, in a way that wasn’t the conventional norm. He couldn't think of a reason for it, however.
Within the bathhouse Kaoru found herself relaxing as the heat started to sooth her aches away and she rested her head against the rolled towel. "Kenshin, are you still there?"
"Hai, Kaoru-dono."
Suddenly nervous, Kaoru sank down in the water a little further and tried to decide if she should ask about what had occurred in the yard a few minutes ago. Taking a deep breath she decided on a subtle route and asked, "How do you know Saitou?"
A soft sigh came before he replied, "He was the captain of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi during the revolution, we never settled our differences."
Kaoru could hear the withdrawn sound in his voice. "So, you two are enemies." She stated, already knowing the answer.
"Yes."
Several moments of silence passed before Kaoru spoke in a soft voice barely loud enough for Kenshin to hear. "He's been watching over me since my father died, he came himself to tell me what had happened. Told me of the promise he had made with my father just before he'd died."
"What was the promise?"
"He promised to watch over me until the one destined to protect me arrived." Kaoru sighed at the confusion that statement still caused. "I don't know what that means, it all sounds ridiculous but he's come to visit about once a month, until recently."
"Protect you from what?" Kenshin asked, the hope in his voice unmistakable.
A sad smile touched Kaoru's lips. She wished she knew that too but that was still one of the mysteries no one could seem to answer. Exhaling softly, she dejectedly murmured, "I don't know, Kenshin.”
Kenshin frowned at the sadness and bewilderment in her voice and decided to let the discussion go for now, if he pushed her too hard she may never tell him. Rising from the ground he ran his fingers through his fiery hair, wishing there was something he could do to erase the forlorn tone in her voice. "Sessha's going to go start dinner now, Kaoru-dono."
"Okay," Kaoru muttered in reply. Listening as his soft footfalls faded away she slipped further into the water and whispered into the empty room, "I wish I could remember, Kenshin, for both of us."
With a resigned sigh, Kaoru eventually rose from the cooling water and dressed. Leaving the bathhouse she made her way over to the storehouse and opened it up wide to let in the late afternoon sun. On silent feet she padded to the back where her mother's things were and started where she had left off the day before in hopes of finding the answers to all their questions. The time passed quickly as she searched the numerous crates, her hope diminishing as each one she emptied held nothing but painful memories and no clues. Reaching the last one, she set it down and began lifting out the empty scrolls and ink bottles that had rested on her mother's desk so long ago when her fingers brushed against a smooth surface. With a bemused expression she lifted out a small wooden box with a brass lock on it. Kaoru studied it, racking her memory but she didn't remember her mother having such an item. Looking at it closely she saw the name Aiko etched into the smooth surface of the lid.
Aiko?
It wasn't her mother's name, but she still felt like she had heard it somewhere before.
Inwardly shrugging she set the box aside and continued searching the crate for the key that would unlock this mystery. Not finding it she restacked the other items and placed the crate back in its resting spot on the shelf.
"Hey, Kaoru, Kenshin said dinner is ready."
Kaoru jumped and nearly lost her balance at the sound of Yahiko's voice echoing through the wide space.
Gathering her wits again she called out, "Ok, I'm coming."
Grabbing the small box, she eyed it thoughtfully as she headed into the dojo towards her room, wondering where the key might be. The insistent growling of her stomach invaded her thoughts, however, and set the box on her desk for later perusal. The delectable scents wafting through the air were far more important at the moment. spinning on her heel she quickly made her way out to the dining area where Yahiko and Kenshin were already waiting for her and settled in beside Yahiko where Kenshin had already laid out her dinner. Smiling at Kenshin in thanks she murmured a soft “Itadakimasu,” and quietly tucked into the meal, thinking about all of the strange things that had occurred lately and the name that seemed so familiar to her. Unaware of the odd glances her companions gave her as her introspective thoughts seemed to consume her.
The silence stretched for several minutes before Yahiko broke. "Hey Busu, why are you so quiet?"
Driven by pure instinct Kaoru shot out a hand and smacked the boy on the back of the head. "I told you to stop calling me that!" She grumbled half-heartedly before she rose and set her dirty dishes near the wash basin then silently left the room and its shocked occupants. A faint muttering followed her out but Kaoru didn't bother to listen as her mind shifted back to its previous thoughts. Within moments she was back in her room and she lit a candle to chase away the shadows before sitting down in front of the desk. Trailing a finger over the smooth wood of her find she pondered the whereabouts of the key she needed. She somehow knew, almost instinctively, that she would find the answers she desperately needed in this box, but how to open it?
Fingering the sturdy lock that still gleamed like new, she gave it a test tug to see if it would give any. When it didn't budge she smiled ruefully, like it's going to make it easy for her.
Staring blankly at the etched lid Kaoru continued to absentmindedly rub the cool metal of the lock, hoping the location of the key would somehow give itself away. Given free reign her subconscious took immediate advantage and let loose the painful memory that always resulted in a blinding headache. All of a sudden the room faded around her as an image of her mother laid out on her futon filled her sight, a faint glimmer against the pale skin of her mother's neck catching her attention. As Kaoru watched the glimmer intensified until it was encased in a golden aura leaving everything else in shadow. Focusing on the glinting item in the center of the blinding glow she saw a small brass key suspended by a slender silver chain.
Shocked by what was happening, Kaoru didn't notice the pain that began to slowly build behind her eyes as she continued to watch the memory unravel. Unexpectedly a spear of white hot fire tore through her mind, causing her eyes to water and she fisted her hands enough to draw blood as her nails bit into her palms. The pain wrenched her back into reality and she hurriedly emptied her mind in an attempt to stave off the rest of the attack and was surprised when the ache gradually receded.
Kaoru rubbed her temples until the pain was nothing but a memory and she heaved a great sigh of relief when it completely subsided. Shaking her head she eyed the box in confusion. She had only ever seen their aura once when her mother had shown while teaching her how to make the barrier and it had been nothing like that. Where had that come from!
Unable to answer the question, Kaoru let out a weary sigh and tugged on the lock again. Well now she knew where the key had been... but where was it now?
With a rueful smile, Kaoru glanced out her open window at the full moon riding high in the sky. Everything that had happened in the last couple of days was starting to tax her mind, causing a weariness to settle into her bones. Swallowing a yawn, she rose and changed into her sleeping yukata, too worn out to unravel it anymore that night. This could wait for the morning, with a fresh mind and renewed energy. A quick tug on her ribbon set her hair free and she didn't bother braiding it, instead just blew out the candle and lay down. With an exhalation she curled up into a tight ball on the futon, mentally and physically drained from all that had happened.
Just as she started to drift off to sleep she heard the light padding of feet stop before her door.
"Kaoru-dono, are you alright?"
"Hai, Kenshin, just a little tired" she murmured, her heart twisting slightly at the concern in his voice. "I’ll see you in the morning."
A long pause came before Kenshin finally muttered, "Goodnight, Kaoru-dono."
She listened as he headed outside to the porch in front of her room and sat down. A feeling of security fell over Kaoru like a blanket at Kenshin's soothing presence just outside her window. Almost as if he was guarding her sleep.
Sitting in the glow of the full moon, Kenshin listened to Kaoru's breathing as it leveled out behind him, watching over her as she slipped into her dreams. Slowly the feeling that events were starting to spiral out of his control began to well up in his chest, causing a twinge of anxiety to shoot through him as he thought of what Saitou had said.
Don't leave Tokyo anytime soon, Battousai, or you may regret it.
He was sure Saitou knew something, and tomorrow he would drag it out of the Wolf even if he had to draw blood to do it.
ooooooooooooooooo
Shinomori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwabanshu, leaned back from the desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose in attempt to quell the ache that was starting to rise behind his eyes. Frustration was beginning to mark his usually stoic countenance as the events of the day ran through his mind. It had been a bloody day in the streets of Kyoto, five men seemingly chosen at random, had been killed by an unknown assailant. Each one having had their throats slit and a huge X carved into their chests, then left in an undignified heap in the middle of the busy streets. Yet no one had seen a thing, it was as if they had simply materialized out of thin air.
But that wasn't even the best part.
Closing his ice blue eyes, he recalled the discovery not two hours ago. Someone had slipped into the Aoiya and left a chunk of marble on one of the tables, slipping out again unseen by all the members of the Oniwabanshu. The jagged piece now sat before him gleaming slightly in the moonlight filtering through the open shoji door behind him. He opened his eyes to read again the name etched deeply in the smooth surface.
Himura Tomoe
It seemed one of Battousai's enemies had decided to leave him a calling card.
A shadow materialized before him and without taking his eyes of the marble he asked, "Well?"
"It's completely destroyed...all that's left is that piece." Hannya replied nodding at the portion on the desk.
"It's as I thought." Sighing Aoshi lifted his eyes, "Summon Misao, I have an assignment for her."
Hannya nodded and in the next instant was gone. Aoshi drew out a clean piece of rice paper and began writing the letter that would summon Himura Battousai to Kyoto... one that would unwittingly leaving Kaoru alone.
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