Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Of Legendary Creatures and Mystical Beasts ❯ The calm that precedes the storm ( Chapter 14 )

I don't own RK or the characters except Asiyah.

Thanks to my dear beta-readers, Wombat, Kamorgana, and MightyMightyMunson. Without them, I am just dust in the wind…

Julie, you are my Guardian Angel!!!!!!

First things first: You should re-read the previous chapters to fully understand what's going on here. Remember this is the continuation of what was happening there…

MondMoon, Chri, Kamorgana, Mica-Chan, Jason M. Lee, Claudia, Fujifunmum, Midori, MightyMightyMunson, Xark D, Mara, EK and to all the rest, thank you so much for the patience and the encouragement.

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As usual, the market was full of buyers, hurrying before the dying sunset made the merchants close their stalls. The air was full of smells, rich with voices raised in bargaining, and best of all, the welcome laughter of children marveling at the colorful new goods on display.

Kenshin sighed, inhaling the subtle aromas of the market place, brought to him by the soft breeze of the evening, then quickly picked up his pace. He used the swinging ponytail of a young girl, dark as the wing of a raven, like a beacon to guide himself through the crowd, as he struggled to keep the high stack of parcels properly balanced in his arms.
The owner of the midnight colored hair, a small and utterly vivacious girl, was arguing as usual with the spiky haired boy by her side.

The battle hardened eyes of the man softened as he looked at his friends and listened to their innocent bickering, glad that they had finally returned to a more amiable routine.

The last few days had been less than easy for them, to say the least. His worst fear was that their new relative calm could vanish soon, with the re-emergence of an old foe to threaten the small group around him.

Ten years had elapsed since the end of the war, and it was becoming more and more evident that despite the passage of time, there were some men who could not....or would not... leave the past completely behind.

Udo Jin'e had come first. A shudder coursed through the redhead's spine as he recalled how close he had been to relapsing into the dark, horrible demon he had been during the Bakumatsu. For many years, his bloody temper had been lingering in the pit of his soul, waiting in the dark, until he had thought that he had mastered it completely. And then it had treacherously leaped up in the shrine, where he lost his iron grip on his fiery emotions and all his bloodlust rose to the surface of his spirit with its deep red aura, as if the bloody days of Kyoto were back again.

If the black-haired girl hadn't stopped him…

He and his foster family had barely recovered from that incident when the next affair erupted, involving a rich opium dealer and the trapped young doctor of Aizu. His past still laid upon him like a curse, bringing a new challenge from the old guardians of Edo Castle, the elitist Oniwabanshuu. His temper once again fought its self-imposed limits at the sight of that wicked criminal Kanryuu destroying fine warriors with treachery, for the sake of money and power.

The red-haired man gave a mental sigh at the recollection. He should have known that any respite would be only temporary for him.

Yearning for a peaceful life was a utopian dream for him; he had come to terms with the harsh reality long ago. A murderer like him had to pay the price for all the blood shed by his sword, and he had accepted it. However, he was worried about his new temporary 'family'. They had been involved again and again in each dangerous situation, and if the events around him maintained their pace, sooner or later one of them would pay with blood for his infamous past.

There was only one way: he had to go back to his life as a wanderer.

No ties meant no harm to innocent people.

But his heart was lonely, cold. For once, he wanted to be selfish. He needed to be selfish. Only for a while.

To hear laughter, to keep the illusion of friends, people who cared for him and he cared about… Just… just for a fleeting moment, he wanted to keep the pretense of belonging… Just for a little while longer...

Then he would return to the road again.

<Meanwhile, I will enjoy the charade.> he thought

He locked his eyes on the girl.

She was untouched by the crude evils of the world or the lingering curses of men dying under his sharp blade. She was a living reminder of the lost paradise of his early innocent childhood, before death, before slavery, before sacrifice, before his master...

She was too naïve, too confident. Her open heart had nearly proved her undoing at the hands of the Hiruma brothers. She had come so close to losing everything that mattered.... her property, her honor, and very nearly her life had he not stepped in to protect her. He had known that since the moment he'd heard her calling him by that hated nickname from the Kyoto alleys. If on that evening she had met that name's usurper instead of himself, attacking him so fearlessly, Gohei would have killed her… And even then... after that near brush with disaster, she still refused to learn her lesson, allowing him to stay in her house. Even when she knew who he was… what he was.

Him of all people. Feared, hated, hunted…

That had drawn his attention.

Her proposal had been so tempting… It had been a while since he'd had a decent place to spend the night or protect himself from the rain, the unbearably hot summers, or the chilling cold. It had been a long time since he had enough money to pay for an inn and warm food…

And he truly had never enjoyed the warmth of a merciful hand.

His memories of his lost family were far too vague; the girls in the slavers' caravan had tried to care for him before their murder, the last loving hands he'd known for fifteen long years. While his master was the best swordsman in Japan and the closest thing to a father he would ever know, he was not the most expressive or gentle man in the world.

Therefore, he succumbed to temptation now and stayed.

First, the little spiky haired pickpocket had come to them. And then they were three.

When the young, resentful street fighter and the atoning lady doctor from Aizu joined their ranks, they were complete.

They were the most uncommon of families, strange and unwelcome, outcasts, people from whom honorable people would keep distance, looking down on them with disdain.

But such things didn't matter when you had a family...however strange.

Just a few paces ahead of him, the girl stopped briefly, as if deciding the next stop in their itinerary. She turned to the left, and he followed as fast as he could without disrupting his burden of parcels. Otherwise, the girl would not be happy with him, no sir.

This time he let a soft sigh to escape his lips, while his thoughts continued flooding his head. It was so hard, resisting the urge to pretend that he could have a normal life for once, especially when he knew he would never enjoy the actual opportunity. Even when he was certain that he would pay dearly for the many sins of the Hitokiri, through at least his five next incarnations, he wanted nothing more than to wish for a brief time under the warmth of the sun that shone above the unfathomable darkness of his life. Was that so terribly wrong to desire a little respite...so selfish to desire a moment of peace?

The suffering of his friends during the last battle made him think so. His presence was endangering his newfound home and friends.

He would have to leave soon.

<I can't afford to make the same mistake twice.> A dark wave of memories clenched his gut, and his mouth filled with the bitter taste of guilt.

Once, he been as naïve as the little girl walking in front of him, believing that a man could make a better life for the people if he was only willing to sacrifice his soul. He once had also believed that when the madness of war was over, he could live as a simple farmer, with his own family. And someone else had paid with her blood for his stupid naiveté, his childish mistake. That would never happen again. Never.

Still he couldn't force himself to leave...not now...not yet. He still needed a little rest, a little peace, something to soften the harsher times that he'd endure after departing. A few memories would have to be enough to go on with his life of atonement.

He wondered if they'd ever know how he treasured the little things... The chores, Kaoru's bad cooking, Yahiko's big mouth, Sanosuke's shameless freeloading, Megumi's coquettish behavior… soon all these would be only warm memories, his only treasure until the day of his well deserved death. Maybe these would even help him to bear his punishment in Hell. Yes, maybe.

Today, however, was not a day for goodbyes or tears. It was a time of jokes, teasing, and ridiculous fights. It was a time for living.

- "Kenshin! Are you listening to me?" The girl had stopped and was just in front of him, shifting her feet impatiently "And why do you have such a foolish expression on your face?"

- "Oro?"- He didn't even try to avoid the smack to his head, even though she couldn't have touched him under normal circumstances. It was all part of his clueless mask. And he deserved it, after all. He hadn't been paying attention…

- "Kenshin! You are more clueless than usual. You are a real danger like this. You could cause an accident and we haven't enough money to pay for any damage from your distraction. Just stay here. I will take a look at that stall. I need a new ribbon, after you were so careless with the one I lent you the other day[1]. I'll see if there is something we can afford."

- "Kaoru-dono… I would prefer to escort you…"

- "No, you and Yahiko stay here, looking after our purchases ."

Trying to balance the parcels and the bucket with tofu, he followed her with a concerned gaze. She murmured something about irresponsibility of those who were left in custody of precious possessions before mixing with the rest of the patrons in the stall.[2]

But he knew the truth for what it was.

Kaoru had given him the ribbon on the condition that he should give it back after he finished his match with Jin'e. A smile blossomed on his face as he remembered the innocent gesture, enclosing the untold plea: she wanted him to stay. His smile faded as other memories intruded...Jin'e… the indigo ribbon stained with his blood….

He had managed to wash the stains away completely, but even then, had kept the soft, silky object with him.

He shuddered as Jin'e's words echoed in his mind and heart.

<Your true nature is that of the Hitokiri. As was mine. A Hitokiri is a Hitokiri until death, after all. No one else can change this. I'll watch you from the abyss of Hell to see how long you can wander as a vagabond. > [3]

Yes, Jin'e was right, he still was a Hitokiri. And as such, his hand polluted everything he touched. Like Kaoru's ribbon.

That was the reason he had kept it. He couldn't give her back something he had polluted. That was his main reason, but he also wanted to have something to remember her by when he left. The fight with Jin'e had been the final proof that he had to go back to the road again.
The ribbon would be a new addition to his collection of memories...a long-lost top, burnt with the last breath of his innocence, the smell of white plums, a sheaf of paper with the words of a damaged soul who found peace at last in forgiveness…

"Hey, Kenshin… what's up??? Ugly is right… you are weirder than usual today…"- before the redhead could utter a word, the boy got up and waved his hand- "Hey, Kaoru, we're over here!"

Yahiko was wrong, Kenshin thought. She was more beautiful in his eyes than an Imperial princess. Granted, she lacked the luster of a well bred daughter of a samurai family, but her kindness and soft heart were rare gems that he treasured. In his eyes, she was more attractive than the best geisha.

But she was forbidden, as much as the killer's sword was also forbidden to him.

He had loved once, and he had lost all, because of his sins.

Once was enough.

No matter how tempting the idea of her warm skin, or her embrace, she was not meant for him.

A Hitokiri is a Hitokiri until death.

Those words were as real as the sun in the sky.

As real as blood on his hands.

As real as death.

But today was not a day to die, but to live.

- "Ah, well… We can't afford it…"- Kaoru pouted, again by his side- "Perhaps I'll be able to buy it if I'm really thrifty this week."

- "I'm hungry… why don't we go to the Akabeko?"- the boy asked.

- "I'm talking about saving money and you want to spend it all on luxuries! No, let's go home. I'll fix something for the three of us!"- Kaoru answered

- "Oi! Kenshin, do something, please! I'm too young to die with this ugly-face's cooking!"

- "What did you say?!"

- "Maa… maa.. Kaoru-dono, sessha will prepare the bath for you, and then will cook something for us all…" "Thanks, Kami-sama!"- the boy's exclamation made several heads turn toward the strange group

- "Kenshin, what are you implying? That he is right and I'm a bad cook after all?"

- "No, no, Kaoru-dono, sessha never meant that… it's just that you've been giving lessons at the other dojo, and sessha thought that maybe Kaoru-dono was too tired to also do the cooking… It would be unfair for us to take such advantage of you, you've worked so hard today…"

- "Kenshin, you might be right, after all. Listen to him, Yahiko, and listen well, so you might learn some manners from our good Kenshin. He is a true gentleman who cares for a lady. Fine, Kenshin, you'll prepare dinner, and I'll do lunch tomorrow."

- "Oi!"- Yahiko's voice raised again and the eternal quarreling between the foster-siblings started anew

- "You'll be cleaning the dojo, Yahiko-chan, and after that, I expect you to do five hundred swings, as punishment for your lack of consideration and respect for your sensei."

- "Don't call me chan, you hag! Oi! Why are you punishing me now? Because I said the truth? It is not fair!"

- "A thousand swings might suit you better…"

Finally, wisdom made its way into the boy's mind and he closed his mouth, though the glares he shot towards his teacher left no doubt about his thoughts.

Kenshin couldn't help but let a soft chuckle escaped his mouth, as he looked at them again.

<Tomorrow, I'll get a new ribbon for Kaoru-dono. > He'd look after that.

It was good to dream once in a while about small, domestic pleasantries. These gave him the illusion of having a life despite reality knocking on his door, demanding that he resume his wandering again.

It was only a matter of time....

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An unusually tall man, dressed in the blue uniform of the Tokyo Police, made his path among the many buyers and sellers in the market. An European-style tobacco stick hung from his thin lips, which were barely curved in a creepy smirk. His narrow eyes were almost closed, but traces of gold could be detected when the pale rays of sunset made their way to his features, half-concealed behind the shadows cast by his police hat.

He walked calmly; there was no need to hurry.

Not now.

For ten years, he had been tracking down the man walking slightly ahead of him, following rumors, slight hints, and pure instinct; waiting for the perfect time to begin the final hunt... and now his goal was closer and closer.

The fire of the expected chase ran with wild anticipation through his veins, arousing his senses almost sexually, until they were sharper than the sword at his side.
.

He smelled the cold air of the evening. The prey was almost within his hands' reach... So defenseless... so confident...

< Take it easy... there're still a couple of weeks of waiting ahead...>

It was evident that the years had played against his future target, dangerously rusting his senses.

There was a time when it had been impossible to be so close without him noticing it immediately.

He had even considered giving up the game, not wanting to waste his time of effort chasing such a weak prey... but what he saw in the small shrine some weeks ago convinced him otherwise[4]. Anyway, he was using his present mission as an excuse, because to him, trusting in that creature was a mistake.

The policeman assessed the small figure walking in front of him, through narrowed eyes. Perhaps the man was rusty, but he felt within his warrior bound bones that the future target was still worthwhile.

Maybe, he needed something that would jar awake his sharpness again, erasing that childish whim of becoming a peaceful being.

Battousai could struggle for an eternity...but to no avail... He knew better, the lanky man thought... the demon still lingered inside the other man's dark soul. He could sense the evil; he was born to exterminate it, the police thought, smirking.

Sooner or later, that evilness lurking inside the foolish man he was following, would rise to the surface, no matter if he wanted it or not. And he'd be there to put an end to the evilness lurking under the gentle façade that the red head had started to believe as a truth.

It was useless to try to run, to escape or to hide. It was useless, because the wildness was inside. It was sheer idiocy to live as if one were not. It was a lie, and lies always had bad endings. Men had to accept themselves just as they were. Otherwise, it was better to cut the thread of one's life.

But, then again, the man was a simple minded fool, a farmer.[5]

He never should have carried the sword that he wasn't born to have, and that brought to his unprepared soul that unbalanced evilness.

The man in police clothes followed them with unnatural silence, shielded by the huge crowd finishing their shopping until they reached the dojo that was the girl's property.

That Kamiya girl… a disgrace for a samurai woman[6]. She was an uneducated, brattish tomboy. How could such formerly fierce man like the redhead let that girl disrespect him in such way? Tokio, his own wife, was turbulent and brave with the heart of a warrior, but she knew her place. The differences between the two women were even more evident at the rude treatment Battousai was receiving before his own eyes.

< Pathetic...> he thought , shaking his head with disdain as he watched his old adversary reduced to servitude, trying ridiculously not to fall on his face, fully loaded with packages and tofu.

His true nature of servant showed in that detail… He was not a samurai…

He would do him a favor killing him; he had really reached the bottom of human misery.

The tall, lanky man turned at the next corner and followed his habitual round into the alleys of Tokyo, stopping several blocks away from the dojo to light another cigarette. Then he resumed his slow pace under the full moon, his predatory smile half hidden behind the shadow of his police hat and several long bangs swaying in the breeze of a full moon night.

A wolfish night

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Kyoto.

The dark alleys, the shouting, the blue and white striped haoris dancing in the wind as the Shinsengumi rushed madly for his head.

He knew the place of his nightmares very well. He had been there once, though these gloomy images were only echoes from his bloody past. Echoes that haunted him each night with remorse and guilt. He was aware that he was dreaming, but even if he tried, and he had tried hard through the years to change the scenery and the outcome of this nightmarish land, there was no way to escape what was already decreed for him. It was the will of the Gods for his guilt-ridden mind to re-enact these terrible deeds over and over again as part of his punishment, even when he was still alive.

But this night was different somehow…

Someone was watching him from within the dreamscape...someone who was not a distant ghost of the past.
She was real. How she was there, Kenshin didn't know.
.

- "Reveal yourself!"- he shouted, once again inside a younger body, fiery golden eyes and a wild red mane raised in the traditional topknot.- "Who are you? I know you are there!"

- "Who are you, master assassin?"

-

The unexpected voice of a woman, a young one at that, startled him, but he kept his iron grip over his features and emotions. A master assassin, as she had called him, couldn't afford to display weakness in front of a potential enemy.

- "I told you, reveal yourself!"- he hissed in the chilling tone that he used with those whose lives were mere moments away from being cut asunder.
"Or else what? Will you destroy me as you destroyed them?"

As he had guessed, the small, slim figure of a young woman stepped out of the shadows, and suddenly, he recalled another night, another time, another woman. However, the resemblance with that old moment under the rain of blood and water died as quickly as it had risen.

This woman bore a severe, dark expression while gesturing down at the scattered bodies in the street. Long crimson tresses surrounded the strange lady, making it appear as through a bloody rain was falling all around her, matching his own hair falling from the high topknot.

Unworldly, piercing green eyes sliced through his very soul in a spiteful, loathing stare full of terrifying anger. Had he been someone else, he would have cowered at the physical intensity of her feelings.

Who was she? Why was she so full of unwavering hatred powerful enough to strike at him, even in a world long gone, a world that only lived in his mind? How could this be possible?

One part of his mind registered that she was real, that she was alive, out there, somewhere in the real world. Why she was now inside his dream, he didn't know, but something told him that he had to learn who she was and why this was happening.

- "Who are you?"- he insisted, grabbing the hilt of his sword menacingly.

- "You know what I am. I'm your kind." - the strange lady laughed in a frightening manner and walked towards him - "Are you trying to scare me? Never again try to threaten me… You can do nothing to me here, but I can hurt you…"

- "What are you doing here? This is not real, not now… It happened long ago… How is it possible that you are here?"

- "Why did you do this? Whom do you serve?"

- "I did it to help people… to give them a better future… Freedom, justice, a life without being crushed by the powerful… I didn't want this… But it was necessary…"

- "We are forbidden to interfere in human lives like this… We can't take sides in their wars… You have broken the rules… and look what you've done…"- she said, pointing around them

- "W-what? What are you talking about?"

- "You are a demon!"

- "No… no… please… understand… I just wanted to help the people in need…"

- "Lies… You just allowed your bloodlust to dominate your soul"- the green eyes were suddenly replaced byamber pupils glowing in her face, and her hair was now an aura of pure, blazing fire that surrounded her body without burning it.

- "No…"Kenshin backed away from the wrathful creature, confused by her sudden transformation.

- "I know what you want but you will never reach him… I won't allow it… You won't hurt him… Demon…"-

A surge of immense power flowed from the young woman, and she rushed forward. She was attacking him! And though she had no weapon in her hands, he knew instinctively that she could harm him severely. He fell into a defensive stance , though he would try not to hurt her. However, the sword in his hand was reduced to dust long before she was close enough… Who, no, what was that woman?, he asked himself, torn between horror and wonder. She was descending upon him now…

- "No, I'm not a demon… I'm not…"

The cry resounded in the room. It was his own voice. Tiny pearls of sweat covered his face, even though the early spring breeze cooled the room. The familiar and dreaded scent of white plums filled his nostrils. He sat heavily down on the futon, as confusion, anger, and panic all washed over his mind. Soon the shoji door opened, showing the pale and worried features of Kaoru carrying a lamp.

"Kenshin… what happened? Are you all right? I heard your cries…"

"It's nothing, Kaoru-dono…. sessha… sessha apologizes"

"You're having nightmares once again… Oh… Kenshin…"

"Kaoru-dono, it's cold here, you should go to your room, and stop worrying about me. Sessha is really sorry to make you worry."

He patted her hand, flashing his usual smile to reassure her. Though it would be better to spend the rest of the night alone, trying to reorganize his thoughts and decipher his dream, he knew that the young lady would not allow him to escape so easily. Therefore, he gave up, allowing her to bring him tea and stay with him in a companionable silence until she fell asleep.

Then carefully, almost tenderly, he carried her down the hall, tucked her into her own futon, and started the mechanical routines of his day, trying to calm down and focus on the meanings behind his strange nightmare.

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Though several days had elapsed since her weird experience in the dreams' realm, Asiyah still found herself deeply disturbed.

Truth be told, she doubted that it had been a dream at all. After all, the other Jinn had been almost solid, concrete, too real just to be part of a mere dream- induced fantasy. She had questioned him about what he had done in front of her very own eyes, more in the land of memories than in the blurry haze of dreams.

And while she was talking to him, she had seen regret, repentance, and an infinite sadness that transcended his eyes and floated around him like a heavy mantle of spiritual chains grounding him to the material plane.

Even then, watching the blood he had brutally spilled, she had given her verdict to him with utter harshness. She had threatened and almost attacked him, a deep hatred, and uncontrollable rage boiling puzzlingly within her.

She could not understand her own raw reaction to the sight. To be honest, it wasn't as if she hadn't seen such scenes in her life, or that she hadn't killed herself. However, the scene was truly horrifying, and she had been disgusted at the picture. On the other hand, she had never been so sympathetic towards humankind as to be overly moved at their sufferings, much less to the point of pitting herself against one of her own kind. So she was very puzzled about her own violent feelings towards that unfamiliar Jinni. Maybe it was the disgusting fact that the other Jinni had interfered brutally in the great scheme of things in the human realm, something forbidden and deeply rejected by the Jinni Clans. After all, they had lost all their prestige because some of their people had defied the Law concerning humans… However, she had the feeling that she acted like that because in the bottom of her heart something told her that he was a threat to Enishi…

In a more rational light, she should be trying to investigate who he was. She hasn't any clues, and with the latest developments, it was imperative to learn his true identity, his location, and his intentions. Yes, indeed, she should stop to be disturbed about her own experience and learnt the role of that Jinni, especially concerning Enishi, in the complex puzzle that she was discovering around her lover.

In addition, and most importantly, why was she acting so aggressively toward him? Sure, the mere fact of thinking that the Jinni might endanger Enishi was enough to keep her guard high, but she experienced pure rage and true hate in their last meeting, which in fact had been the only 'real' one in a sense. Why, she didn't know. However, she planned to learn soon.

"Asiyah-san, are you feeling well? You look so pale…" said Seta Soujirou, with that infuriating cheerful smile he seemed to have been born with.

Asiyah looked at the young boy with a barely contained air of disdain. As she had foreseen, the demon and his court had chosen to move rather precipitately from Enishi's manor, once it was clear who each one of them was beneath their human skins. However, every time their company was reunited, the boy seemed stuck to her shadow since Shishio had arrived in Shanghai. As much as she had stuck to Enishi on every occasion, he had been forced to meet Shishio. As a matter of fact, she hadn't left Enishi alone under any circumstances. The stakes were high in their game, and she couldn't afford to lose Enishi to the Shadows, at least not without giving battle.

"The weather is a bit cold, that's all " she finally answered; acknowledging her guest's comment. The early spring weather has not been benign in Shanghai, so her excuse was valid.

"Maybe you should have stayed at home, then…"

"Your experience with Yumi-san must have taught you that we are always there by our masters' side whenever it's required." Asiyah said, pulling out a fake, polite smile.

She shifted slightly from her position near the annoying human boy, following Enishi's every move. Sadoshima and Shishio were by his side while he presented and explained in detail the sophisticated new weapons that his syndicate had in stock.

Yumi had just approached Shishio, an open umbrella in her hands, to protect her master from the late afternoon's weak sun. Asiyah didn't miss the detail. It just added to many other small observations and the information from Enishi's reports about the soon-to-be revolutionary.

A careful recollection of all these had allowed her to figure out the truth about Shishio. From the beginning, his charred flesh had been bothering her, since such a powerful demon as he evidently was should have been able to heal any physical wound, unless it had been performed in his magical body . However, in Shishio's case, the reports clearly stated that he, a well-known assassin for the Ishin, had been betrayed and ambushed by the Meiji government. His former employers had burnt him alive, leaving him for dead at the terrible sight of his damaged body. The reports didn't allow any doubts: the ambushers had almost killed an ordinary human.

Because of the terrible extent of the wounds, an average human being would have perished indeed. However, in spite of everything, the man was still alive. Permanently disfigured beyond repair, and in need of continuous physical care, provided attentively by his sorceress servant, this could only meant one thing: Shishio's body was possessed by one of the rare disembodied demons floating through the realms.

Asiyah recalled the story; how could she not? It was a tale repeated generation after generation, reminding the Jinni how they had lost the human realm and the privileged place in the Celestial Army.

After humankind had been created, a group of Jinni had revolted against the Great Architect's decree that had given the Earth to humans. Earth was, after all, the key portal to every Realm, and thus a coveted prize. It wasn't fair that a race of weaklings possessed it… or at least so thought the more powerful among the Jinni.

After the failure of the revolt, some of its main chieftains had been condemned to wander around the Realms as disembodied demons, barred from entering any plane of existence, as a mark of their curse until the Final Day. There was, however, an extraordinary exception to this rule: if they gained control of a human body, they could enter the more dense physical plane of humans on Earth. The irony was that, in the first place, their loathing for humans had fuelled the revolt, but the only way these accursed Jinni-turned-demons could dwell in a physical plane was by using a human body as a vehicle. On the other hand, this was precisely part of the punishment inflicted upon them: if they wanted to walk proudly amid the creatures again, they had to use the bodies of the same creatures they despised and had fought to destroy.

But there was a condition that they had to fulfill to gain access to a body: their entrance had to be granted out of free will, with full foreknowledge that the mortal owner would be tied to the demon's fate for all Eternity. If the human accepted the conditions, there would be no turning back, no chance at all of redemption for that foolish creature later. These incidents were quite rare, since even the simplest humans were reluctant to share their bodies. After all, everybody knew that demons weren't the most reliable creatures in Creation…

Anyway, the demons that got consent to enter these human bodies usually tricked their original owners, sending these fools' spirits to float in the nothingness between the realms, from where they had just escaped themselves.

Asiyah suspected, through the hints and clues that she had been picking up here and there, that the former Ishin Hitokiri had been approached by the demon while he was at the brink of death, offering him life in exchange for sharing his body. A duped, dying man with a big ego had powerful reasons to accept such a deal.

This was the most satisfactory theory she had managed to develop, which explained both the survival of those terrible wounds and the powerful demon hidden behind them. She was sure that her conclusions were the right ones, but she still had the dangerous and complex task of confirming it.

Anyway, because of the possessed body's physical limitations, those demons within them were also limited, reducing their full capacities and skills to a mere fraction of the frightening and terrible power they originally had. Even then, since only some of the more powerful demons ever created had suffered the disembodiment, they still made formidable enemies, even to Jinni of respectable magic power. Shishio's deplorable physical condition, which required the continuous attention of his sorceress aide, granted Asiyah some advantage. However, she was absolutely sure she would never survive a serious encounter with such a powerful adversary. She'd die a very painful and horrific death in a quite short time. On the other hand, she also knew that she had a serious chance to damage the demon enough to let Enishi survive and escape. Somehow, she wished that she would never have to be in the position to test her theory.

Asiyah narrowed his eyes; something fishy was going on near Enishi…

Though she was absorbed by her thoughts, she was not oblivious to any of the movements of Shishio or his sorceress. The demon seemed focused in examining the finely polished surface of a Gatling gun. It was a new model designed by Enishi and his engineers at his factory. This was much more efficient and sophisticated than American, German and British products, yet incredibly easy to disassemble; perfect for smuggling across the borders, especially those with tighter vigilance than the Central Asian lands, as Japan had recently become.

According to Enishi's informants, the security had improved across Japanese borders since a certain member of a former elite Shogunate swordsmen's group had been secretly appointed in charge of the country's intelligence net. To smuggle weapons into Japan wasn't as easy as it used to be, but it was still possible.

She was in full alert when he saw the demon removing one of his gloves, and therefore, she was at Enishi's side in the blink of an eye, as soon as she noticed Shishio's next suspicious movement. Shishio tried to brush Enishi's hand with his own, using the perfectly suitable excuse of examining the weapons closely and discussing the details with Enishi. But Asiyah knew better than fall for the trick. She was completely aware of the demon's intention behind the apparent 'accidental' contact: placing some spell over Enishi's will.

To the demon's dismay, she was quicker than him, managing to put her own hand between both men's. A brief reddish flash glowed from the contact, and both the Jinni and the demon took a step back, almost instinctively, struck by the power behind the mutual touch. Her movement was so fast and unexpected that it surprised even the demon, and none but Enishi and Yumi really realized what had happened in that instant. Seta Soujirou, who had been by her side, only had time to blink before realizing her change of location, while Sadoshima could only stare, wide eyed.

Shishio's fiery stare crossed hers, and even when a chill ran down her spine, she didn't waver at the explicit threat it meant; rather, she stood her ground with an equally threatening stare of her own.

Suddenly, she felt Enishi's hand resting on her shoulder reassuringly, his now steely gaze fixed on the red, glowing eyes of the demon. Asiyah didn't know if she felt flattered or dismayed at the foolish display of her lover's macho protective attitude. If her chances to succeed in an encounter against Shishio were narrow, Enishi was doomed before starting any fight… at least until the Beast's awakening. Then, Shishio, as well as any other demon, would think twice before crossing the Tiger's path. However, until that moment, attitudes like Enishi's present one were just… suicidal. She thought that they should share a word about such behavior from him.

"What do you think of this precious piece, Asiyah-san?"-Shishio's calm voice conveyed a distinctly ironic flavor behind it, yet it helped to relieve the tense situation.

"I wouldn't call it 'precious', not at least in the context of beauty."-Answered Asiyah, keeping her face composed- "But if we are talking about efficiency, yes, they truly are. I think you'll find these pieces made in Shanghai much more versatile and effective for your goals than the American or English models. And the price is far more convenient too. How many do you want to add to your order?"

"Oh?" Shishio's brow shot upwards in an inquisitive gesture.

Asiyah knew (like Enishi himself) that the demon was aware by now about her role in Enishi's business. Seta had seen her managing the documentation of his deals, and she had been quite explicit to the boy about her role. Therefore, his fake surprise, along with his sorceress', hid any secret intention that eluded her. Probably, he wanted to embarrass Enishi. After all, it was clear that the sorceress was his servant, while Enishi himself had to be protected by his woman, a situation for which Enishi's previous reaction had displayed his discomfort.

"Asiyah is very competent in the… administrative side… of my business. It's really convenient and a question of practicality. It allows me to take care of other matters that requires my personal, mmm, attention" Enishi's eyes were disturbingly dark, and he pushed his shades up his nose to hide them. He also wore a wide, almost creepy grin on his face.

"I see" Shishio seemed almost amused. "Well, then, I'll sent Houji to her tomorrow morning, so they can close the final deal."

"Excellent, excellent" Enishi agreed "May I suggest we move on to the pavilion? The climate is cold here, and it must be rather uncomfortable for you. There are tea and sweets for us there. Besides, I'd like to show you some blueprints of future products."

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Enishi indicated the path to the elegantly built cabin, its walls made of glass, while he continued his conversation with Shishio. Asiyah placed herself between both men and Yumi mirrored her action, in the same protective stance towards her own master. To the casual onlooker, it looked like a classical move made by two concubines. Maybe it was a little too bold and against the custom, but nothing out of the ordinary, considering Enishi's background as much as his client's.

Enishi looked at his petite mate. Though he was still somewhat resentful towards Asiyah, he had felt her true regret after her confession the other night, and he knew that she cared for him to some extent. What evaded him was the nature of her final intentions, but as for now, he would have to accept her and trust in what he saw. And he had seen her protecting him, and though she had tried to conceal it, he knew she had been scared at that moment.

Enishi had seen the glow when Shishio's hand made contact with hers. He had been quite surprised at her move, but it had been enough to realize that she had protected him against some evil machination of the demon.

He didn't know what to think about it. But one thing was sure: he felt awkward at the situation, and they needed to talk about it later.

Finally, while his mind was absorbed in thought, they arrived at their destination, which was already furnished and disposed to cover all their needs in advance.

"Well, here we are…" he said.

Asiyah hurried to assume her hostess' duties, serving the tea and delicacies that had been prepared for the occasion. She was obviously tense, but she never faltered in the perfection of her courtesy to their guests.

He thought it was a good idea to put an end to that torture for both Asiyah and himself, finishing the meeting as soon as possible.

"Ah, what do you think, gentlemen, if we take a look at to the blueprints we have talked about? They are over there." He suggested, pointing to a place far from their position, but still inside of the pavillion.

"I think it's a good idea." agreed Shishio "Soujirou and Houji will go with you."

"But I thought you might be interested…" Enishi opened his eyes in surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

"Oh, but I'm… I rely in Houji and Soujirou's opinion."

"I see… Well, then… follow me gentlemen, please." Enishi displayed a fake polite smile while he started to walk to the table where the blueprints were in display.

That wasn't exactly what he had in mind.

The blueprints were at the farthest extreme of the pavilion, not too far away from their present position, but if he had understood Shishio's intentions right, he wanted to separate Asiyah from him for the moment, since the redhead would stay stubbornly close to the demon and his sorceress, attempting to prevent any dangerous moves from them. However, he didn't find attractive at all the idea of leaving Asiyah alone with these two.

Would they try to bribe her to give him into the demon's hands? If so, would she accept? After all, he was a precious, coveted treasure for many people, or so it seemed…

However, he rejected the idea almost at once. No, all her attitude and the way she had faced the demon marked her determination to 'protect' him. If he got things right, the demon was even more powerful than Asiyah herself, so she had very little chance to face him and get out of it unscathed. She had nothing to gain from a clash with Shishio, except perhaps very painful scars… or even worse. Yet, she had shown her determination to stay her ground and face all Shishio's attempts against him. He wasn't stupid, and he had been studying her actions closely to discover a hint of treason in her, yet, he had found her surprisingly protective, even at her own risk.

So, maybe she was really interested in him, truly for his sake and not for the supposed magic inside of him, to the point of putting herself at risk to keep him safe. Yes, Tomoe's caring hand was clearly visible there.

Therefore, his new concern was Asiyah's safety. Would she be all right on her own with these two? On the other hand, what could he do against such a powerful creatures if they decided to hurt his lover… or him, for that matter?

Asiyah had understood his concerns and sent him a reassuring glance before he walked away from the trio, but it was not enough.

His mind was barely with his guests while he showed them the blueprints, now taking his turn to feel protective and on guard, without losing sight of Shishio, Komagata and Asiyah.

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All pretenses fell when Seta, Sadoshima and Enishi were out of hearing range. The demon, the sorceress, and the Jinniyeh were alone for first time. It was time to end games.

"I must admit that you have guts. I like it. However, you are aware that I'm stronger. Any fight will be useless." Shishio broke the ice.

"I don't know how much time I would endure in battle, but rest assured, I won't go down without giving a Hell of a fight"

"Girl, Shishio-sama can reduce you to shreds, and you know it. Why don't you leave behind that silly attitude? Be our ally, give us the Beast, and be among the victorious! You could gain great benefit from an alliance" This was the very first time that Yumi talked during the whole meeting

Asiyah knew that behind her detached, almost placid attitude, Yumi was as much concerned by her lover's safety as she was for Enishi's.

"Oh, yeah, as much benefit as the stupid human who originally owned that body… No, thanks. I'm young and maybe foolish, but not enough to be tricked by a demon. I'm not a simpleminded human." she chuckled lightly, amused, while Yumi and Shishio exchanged knowing looks. Now, they were aware that she knew. "Besides, I abhor the mere thought of an association with such a lousy scum as a demon, no matter how powerful he could be. Now, stupid little human whore," Asiyah turned her attention to Yumi "I don't allow the likes of you to talk to me without my express consent, so next time you address me in such an insolent way, I will erase you from the surface of Earth. Am I clear?

Asiyah's eyes were fully golden, glowing with fierce power during her whole speech to the witch. The sorceress' stare meeting hers was full of hate… and fear.

"Maybe I would not make it alive from a battle with your master, whore," Asiyah added, for a good measure, stressing the sorceress' fate if their paths ever crossed in battle. "but rest assured of this: you'll be the first one to be turned to ashes."

"Well, well, well, look we have here! A feisty little dragon…" Shishio chuckled evilly. "Maybe destroying you might even be interesting, after all…"

"Are you sure you want to try? After all, it's not as if you'd go for a festive ride… I know I would not survive, but I'm sure I can make it through ten or fifteen minutes to weaken you enough to seriously damage your human host…"

Shishio's smile turned ferocious, and his eyes glowed in a very dangerous looking hue of red, obviously enraged at her boldness and the open challenge she had set. Yumi turned visibly pale, and Asiyah knew that only her training as sorceress and oiran kept her from a more open display of distress. She had hit it right in the nail, and now Asiyah knew for sure that her assumptions had been accurate from the beginning. She allowed herself a little triumphant smirk.

"My, my… Now I can see how you got the Beast's trust… I must admit that you are cannier than I had thought in the beginning. However, you are not even near the truth…"

"I must admit that I was puzzled at first, yet when I started to tie the loose ends, everything started to make sense."

"I see… However, as you said yourself, you would never survive a battle with me. Besides, I know you are wise enough to notice that I'd finish you within the first five minutes. Not that time is of any help to your cause. But I like bold, sly allies, and you definitely are included in the definition. I think that it would be wise if you contemplate an alliance. It would be a real pity to waste potential like yours…"Asiyah noticed Yumi's uncomfortable shifting in her place from the corner of her eye.

"I hate to repeat myself" Asiyah rolled her eyes, faking exasperation to hide her nervousness. Maybe she had misjudged the situation. " I'm not fool enough to end like the poor idiot that you tricked to get your present human form. I told you before, I might look young and naive, and I probably am, but I'm not naive enough to be deceived by a demon…"

Shishio chuckled again, and Yumi seemed to relax a bit. Asiyah jumped to full attention again. She had missed a part of the puzzle, or made a misjudgment. At least their attitudes said it so.

"Ah, you got some pieces right, Asiyah-san, but you don't have the whole picture in perspective… You see, the human hitokiri was far from being an ordinary man. On all accounts, he was a superb specimen, so as soon as I noticed his potential, I followed him. I knew that it was just a question of opportunity to get him and he was too good to be wasted, and so I offered him the same chance to him than I'm offering to you now. I fused myself to him, his wickedness and strength, the power of his ambition and hatred all feeding me so well… I can tell you that he is very happy being a part of me. Now, by my hand, he knows a power he had never dreamt of possessing. And he is truly enthralled with my goals."

"Which are…?"

"You are too funny, little one… Is this what he calls you? Such a pity to be reduced to the condition of pet, a powerful being like you…. And mind you, by just a mere human, at least for now…" Shishio mocked her. At first glance, Asiyah felt like she was amusing the damned dark creature. And she definitely hated the feeling "Back on track, I assume that you don't seriously expect me to answer such questions, do you?"

"Well, demons are too damn proud. They believe that they will get the final victory, but I know better. So, I assume that such foolish arrogance might compel you to speak… You can't blame me for trying…"

"No, certainly I don't. But as fair is fair, now you will answer one question for me: how much does he know?"

"I assume that you don't seriously expect me to answer such questions, do you?" she repeated his words, in mockery "Anyway, you are aware that he knows enough, or at least more than you expected him to"

"Speaking of the devil, or I should said, future devil, here he comes…" Shishio's eyes narrowed, and he smirked cruelly, his eyes fixed on the advancing figures. Asiyah didn't fail to notice Enishi's furrowed brow, as well as his right handhalf hidden inside the opposite sleeve, where she knew he concealed a small custom-made gun. "Isn't he amusing? He is worried for you… As if he could protect you from me… I have my answer about his knowledge through his naïve gesture… Protect him while you can, because I will come back to claim him as mine. And I'll be coming for you too. And then you'll regret your choice."

"And I will be waiting for you too. But I'm not so sure if I'll be the one regretting it then." Asiyah said, with gleaming golden eyes fixed in the demon, her chin raised in challenge

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Enishi tried to walk as fast as he could towards the three figures without looking too impolite to his guests. He could see and feel the threat in the air, and he wanted them out of his house as soon as possible. In fact, he wanted them out of his city.

His eyes were fixed on his small lover. She seemed all right, except for the obvious distress floating around her.

She had been brave, facing that shadowy creature wrapped in bandages, whose fiery gaze had conveyed future painful retributions to her.

However, as flattered as he had felt for her concern and protection, he had also felt frustrated. He had learnt to defend himself from a very young age, and he wasn't used to depending on someone else to provide him with safety.

The mere notion of depending on others made him physically sick. He had taken care of himself since his early childhood, since Tomoe's departure from the paternal household, to be precise. So, he wasn't used to being vulnerable. The last time he had felt like that was when he had been rescued from Shanghai's streets, barely alive, and after he disposed of his saviors, he had never again relied on anybody else's strength to survive.

Asiyah should find a way soon to awaken that supposed magical essence laying dormant inside of him. And she'd better do it soon, because the uncomfortable, weird situation they were facing now, might repeat pretty often from now on. In addition, he was uneasy at using her as a shield against danger. It just wasn't right.

After all, even if she was a powerful magical being, she still was a woman. And it wasn't appropriate that she undertake a role that belonged to him.

Of course, he wanted a strong woman by his side. He would not take it any other way. He needed a mate that was ready to go to the very limits of Hell by his side, and not just a delicate flower to adorn his ballroom.

Asiyah was indeed a flower, and a very beautiful one at that. But she was far from delicate.

Delicate flowers from a protected environment were beautiful, but useless. They decayed at the slightest change in the weather.

On the other hand, the rare flowers that blossomed alone in the arid lands of despair, could endure the harshest conditions, setting their roots even through hard stone but still keeping their wild beauty. Just as he liked it. And Asiyah belonged clearly to the second category.

However, things were supposed to remain within certain limits, imposed by nature. Flowers were always flowers, and they belonged to their masters whose duty was to provide and protect them, not the other way around.

He had to find a way out of his present dilemma as soon as possible.

He needed this concern out of his mind.

Especially after the news that had arrived from Japan that morning…

He couldn't afford to waste time and efforts on anything besides his main goal.

Because the time for retribution was gloriously near.

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Answers, answers…

Mica-chan: Asiyah's name has indeed a meaning, it is an Arabic/Persian name, and the meaning will be uncovered soon. The meaning is related to her 'mission' in some way or another…

Chri, (and all) DON'T kill me for the delay… This year RL hasn't been kind…

See you all soon, guys!