Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Of Legendary Creatures and Mystical Beasts ❯ Guess who's coming to dinner ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Well, we all know the routine… I DO NOT OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN (not even my dear Eni-chan! GRRRRRR).

As always, my thanks to those who have left their reviews, and yes, I had a nice birthday with my husband and my daughter. I got mails and some cards and an exquisite chocolate bar!!! (mñamñam).

I want to remind to my readers that this is the English translation of the fic De Seres Mágicos y Bestias Legendarias which I had just completed few days ago. The Spanish version is 31 chapters long, so we still have a long way to go with the translation... hehehehe Be patient and bear it with me... I'm already working on chapter 11.

To Fujifunmum and Mir, who share with Mara the challenging task of making my ramblings readable, a deep bow, and my eternal gratefulness.

Don't forget to look at the latest updates of their fics ('When she Smiles' chapt 17 & 18 and 'Ikedaya' chapt 4.)

Mir's lair (Tales from the Meiji Era, with a new version and impressive features) is at http://ellone-loire.net/tfme/

And don't forget Fujifunmum's (Shades of Revolution), which can be visited by clicking here: http://geocities.com/shades_of_revolution

To Wombat who made the last revision/edition of the whole chapter, all I can tell her is that as a show of my gratitude I'll be let her borrow Enishi-sama for the weekend. (Hey! Coming from me that's my ultimate sample of gratitude! Note: A gigantic jar of homemade dulce de leche will be included.). Do you really want to know what dulce de leche is and learn about its multiple, and versatile uses? Then read the last chapter of her fic 'In the Forest of the Night' (Spin-off from Edodale). Very enlightening indeed…

As always, a bear hug to Mara for her support, and help, suggestions, comments and corrections and for her warm companionship and friendship. Do not forget to read and review her fics, and remember that Asiyah is a 'guest star' in The Right Side... hehehehe (Visit her site and have REAL FUN with her scans and her extraordinary comments on them...) Mara's Fan Taverne is at

http://www.geocities.com/mara_amber1/

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Chapter 10: Guess who's coming to dinner…

The day had been busy and tiresome.

Asiyah was glad to belong to a race created from fiery energy, because despite all the frantic activity and her lack of sleep during the past two days, she still could be attentive enough to take care of everything in anticipation of their much waited customer. She smiled, pleased. After all, no human would have endured such a drain of energy as she had experienced recently… She smiled, thinking about her Tiger's endurance… Though he was still fully human, his hidden nature and strength were visible in those small details. He should have collapsed as well, if he had to rely solely on his human capacities…

She took a bath to refresh herself before getting ready for their guests' reception. Afterwards and while she was sitting in front of her boudoir (now in Enishi's quarters) brushing her still wet hair, she paid attention to a small bundle of keys.

They had been given to her by the old Chinese housekeeper with piercing obsidian eyes.

She had done it silently that morning, while Asiyah and Enishi were having breakfast privately. The old woman had behaved in such a solemn way then that Asiyah felt as if she had just succeeded in some hidden rite of passage.

As soon as they were left alone again, Enishi explained to her with a little amused grin that the old woman and the rest of the maids in the estate acknowledged now her as the actual new 'lady' governing the house's affairs. Asiyah was tempted to ask whether the 'ceremony' had been already performed previously, since he seemed acquainted with its significance, but she had the distinctive feeling of being the only one who had reached that stage. Maybe it was some Shanghainese custom… or the mere fact of possessing the keys to every room and place in the estate made the symbolism too obvious.

The fact was, however, that she would be treated no longer like a strange guest in the house by those people, but as the actual consort of master Yukishiro, and they made remember the dialogue with Enishi regarding the whole event:

- Well, well, well… That was easier than I thought it would be, after all. But, don't trust your good luck, little one… Mei Lin might seem an inoffensive old woman, but remember that looks are quite deceiving… Just look at you, for example… You'll have a tough time with her, believe me. I bet she has something up in her sleeve just for you. However, keep in mind you are living among humans, don't bring trouble upon us…

- How did you 'acquire' her services?

- It's a long story… Briefly, her husband worked for me and let's say he suffered an 'accident', so she became a widow. They only had a son, whom I compensated for their loss. However, the idiot used it for gambling and soon he was sunk in deep shit. To pay his debts he had no better idea than to swindle a couple of Xian's minor opium dealers. Obviously, they got him and killed him… and his family. He had a son and a pregnant wife. They castrated his child before killing him, while his pregnant wife was raped and ripped apart, all in front of the idiot before they murdered him too. Afterwards they bragged about their deed just to scare any possible enemies. Those things shouldn't be done…- his eyes darkened- Mei Lin came to me asking for retaliation, not for her foolish son, but for her daughter in law and her two grandchildren. I paid Xian for the idiot's theft, but I asked for him to give me the two men. Xian consented, because he disliked what they did and I disposed of them. However, Mei Lin's son was her only support. Besides, the families of the two dealers would have killed her, to repay for her husband's past services, I took her into my house as my housekeeper.

- I thought that you got her as an 'antique'… She seems so old

<You brought her here not to let her die in the same streets where you wandered once>, Asiyah thought

Asiyah pondered about how complicated and contradictory he was. He could torture a rival or traitor to death, with a smile crossing his features killing mercilessly even those who had saved him from the streets without the least shadow of hesitation or regret in his eyes. However, at the next minute, he could be caring for an old woman who had lost everything, protecting her from the cruelest fate reserved for the weak ones in Shanghai's streets. It was clear enough that he was at a juncture in his life: the paths of the Guardian Beast or the Destructor serving the Dark Powers both lay before him. The slightest push toward the wrong direction, and he would be utterly lost. Forever.

- I hope for your own good that she hadn't heard you- he laughed quietly-However; you must know that she took care of five of the attackers during Heishin's incident. I would not take her lightly…

- Anyway, she feels she is indebted to you, so you have her complete and undivided loyalty.

- You could say so- he writhed uncomfortably on his seat- However, you know that I didn't do what I did just to get that from her.

Yes, Asiyah knew it. It had been a personal issue for the old woman, as much as it had been for Enishi. A slight shudder ran through her spine. She wondered in how many complex ways he had been touched by his sister's death, both subtle and unsubtle.

She sighed, returning her attention to the present surroundings.

Suddenly, a chilling breeze played unexpectedly with the room's curtains, giving her goosebumps. It was odd, since by now, shortly before sunset, the windows were usually closed. She left her place to fix the maid's omission and found herself almost running into the Lady in White, Yukishiro Tomoe. Or putting it more accurately, into her ghost… Unexpectedly, Asiyah could keep the calm demeanor, instead of jumping in surprised annoyance.

- Tomoe!

- Well, at least I see that my brother is behaving more appropriately, as should be expected from the heir to our family name. - she inspected the room with a satisfied glance, noticing Asiyah's possessions settled in it. Tomoe gave an approving nod before talking to the Jinniyeh again- He now has a permanent woman by his side… I hated to see him with those prostitutes… Obviously; I would have preferred to see him honorably married, but I'm not the most adequate judge of his actions in such matters…

Tomoe's comment made Asiyah blush deep crimson.

- I suspect you are not here to have an in-law type of chat.

- You are right- for once Asiyah really saw her smiling a real smile, but it was so brief that she wondered if it had been real- I only came to warn you.

- Yes, I know what you are talking about …

- It's even worse than you expect…

- I had my share of suspicions on the issue…

- I won't be able to come here as long as they are close. They might notice my presence and use me to hurt Enishi.

Asiyah closed her eyes, drowning in thoughts and worries. When she opened them again, The Lady in White had already vanished...

< These unexpected in-law visits will damage my nerves beyond repair…> she thought acidly

So she had been correct about her intuitions since everything began. There was danger after all, and not one related to Enishi's business. Well, at least not involving them directly.

She suspected that behind Tomoe's warning, the risk of a meeting with a very powerful wizard was almost a reality. Asiyah rejected even considering the other possibility. Because if a demon was involved, even she and her fabulous powers meant nothing against such an adversary…

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While Asiyah stayed in the house, getting every detail into place before the arrival of their much-awaited guests, Enishi had gone to the port to receive them in the company of Seta and Sadoshima.

They all were inside the carriage while the ship made its final anchorage maneuvers in the harbor. As always, he and his guests had maintained the polite façade with some harmless small talk. Not a single word was spoken about the tree fiasco, but Seta had been quite uneasy over the past few days when Asiyah was around them. Enishi smirked imagining how uncomfortable she had surely made the boy feel after discovering him in such a compromising situation. She was mean, with a twisted sense of humor that he loved… when it was not directed against him.

Well, if the lady who was traveling with Shishio was all he had heard, Asiyah would be very busy exercising it with her, much to his amusement… Nothing like a good catfight to relax oneself with during a business deal… He had seen female rivalry in action before, and he had found it very amusing. Asiyah knew how important this deal was, so he was sure she would not ruin it by burning the other woman to ashes. Yet, he was sure the Jinniyeh could make some very nasty things happen to the other female without even being blamed at all… He wondered what kind of surprises she would have up her sleeve.

<Never mind…>, he thought, smirking lightly. Soon he would find out.

He settled his glasses into place on his nose, and composed himself into the neutral, unreadable expression he used in his 'profession'. He had been too relaxed lately, the affair with Asiyah still spinning in his head… However, the time for real work was coming, which meant no distractions or slips allowed.

He analyzed his surroundings once more. His men were discreetly scattered around the harbor here and there, to avoid unwanted surprises from Japanese agents or, less likely, any competitors.

Then his gaze settled on his guests again. Sadoshima seemed Wu Heishin's look-alike, except for the real, undisguised, almost fanatical devotion for his boss. He really believed in Shishio's campaign as something beyond the usual quest for power behind a coup d' etât. He saw the whole matter as some mystical quest to redeem Japan and make its people stronger.

While Enishi himself thought that Japan was pathetically subjugated by Western powers, and the intolerable situation should be corrected by erasing the guilty party (the Meiji government) from the surface of Earth, he had lost his innocence in the days of the war. No ideals, no ethics, nothing of the old political tactics could touch him anymore. Maybe Shishio would straighten things out in Japan, but certainly, the ex-Hitokiri would have his share of enjoyment from it. Therefore, the semi-religious preaching of Shishio's greatest admirer could only elicit a smile from him.

Well, he thought, revolutions were carried out by those kind of naïve fools. He knew it firsthand. He had participated[1] in one…

Anyway, that blind loyalty made Sadoshima a dangerous plotter. He was ready to do anything for his boss. He was so different from Wu…

Then, there was the boy, Seta.

Asiyah was right. The lad was indeed a very special case.

Enishi felt the boy's dangerous resemblance to himself. His odd smiling face was the trace of frozen emotions and some dark event on his childhood years. Enishi recognized the trait painfully at first glance. He also knew firsthand that such marks signaled the darkest creatures… Almost by reflex, his hand went to his wild white mane, his own scar.

Pondering on the events of a few days ago, and putting aside the fact Seta had done nothing he wouldn't have done himself in his place, he was aware that Shishio's people would never risk the deal again, not at that point. Thus everything was under control. They would behave after their slip, all external dangers had been checked and cleared, and there was nothing to fear from any Shanghainese competitor.

He couldn't help a smile that crept across his lips as he remembered the very resourceful detail of their portable telegraph. If they truly believed that such detail would go unnoticed by him, they were fools indeed.

Mei Lin and her people had been doing their work well… Enishi was sure that neither Sadoshima nor Seta had noticed how all their documents and communications had been carefully copied, traced, and decrypted by his housekeeper's team. Now he possessed enough information concerning Shishio's plans to infiltrate his organization and become acquainted with his progress and plans in Japan. After all, Enishi had made a move in the Japanese Islands to expand his business there, establishing a base for future deals with the Japanese underground.

Such relationships would be useful for him in the next step of his plans. Even if Shishio failed in his revolutionary attempt, Enishi would be there to make sure the Meiji government paid for what they had done to him and his family. He would help every rebellious group, providing any uprising with his finest products… while earning good profits to finance his 'other' revenge in the process.

Finally, the maneuvering was done, and they were standing on the harbor. Almost immediately, a plank was installed and Seta climbed it eagerly in search of his master, while Sadoshima remained at Enishi's side.

Soon, Seta emerged again into broad daylight trailing behind a tall bandaged figure and a stunningly beautiful woman. The man resembled one of those antiquities from Egypt which Englishmen were so eager to collect and exhibit at their gatherings lately, but instead of concealing a corpse from the past, those bandages clothed the powerful living force that would reshape the destiny of a whole country. The woman was surely his lover, Komagata Yumi.

After the usual introductions, the carriages he had prepared for the trip were ready to proceed to his estate. The woman and Sadoshima went in the second carriage, while Shishio, Seta and himself settled in the first one. The disapproving face of Asiyah floated briefly through his mind. She would have said that it was too risky to be alone in such company, but he tossed the thought aside, shrugging mentally. Nothing could go wrong. He had already made all his calculations and taken all the appropriate steps to ensure it.

Enishi thought that if they were lucky, they would reach their destination by dusk.

Shishio sat in front of him, and while Seta asked cheerfully about the pleasantries of the trip, both men studied each other under a calculated layer of indifference but with the deadly accuracy of the true warriors they were.

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An unrestrained smile crept to Shishio's lips. The younger man was almost as good as Soujirou at concealing his emotions from the outer world. His smoky dark glasses added to the effect by hiding his intense metallic eyes, the features that revealed his feelings most clearly. It was evident that he used them for situations where self-restrain was difficult.

According to the reports he had been handed, the man was a superb swordsman peerless on the continent. He had used his cunning intelligence and the art of the sword to climb to the top of the Shanghai Triads. He was a true Hitokiri in his own way. His youth, added to his brilliant intellect, his strength, his boldness, and the fear he inspired among his rivals made him the most probable next leader in the whole Chinese underworld.

All those qualities had converted him into a major inconvenience for Shishio's future plans for the mainland. That was the reason why he had decided to take all the appropriate steps to get rid of him cleanly and quickly. Shishio and his underlings had inspired and supported Wu's failed attempts against the young Triads lord, and even now he had his men working on the field to find his weak point and use it against him as soon as he was back in Japan.

However, an unexpected twist of fate had changed everything.

He felt the power striking him like a thunderbolt long before the ship entered the harbor. He knew exactly what it was and what needed to be done.

Yumi felt it as well, only slightly after him. She wisely suggested that they could use Yukishiro's help to trace the unexpected prey, so they decided to keep company with him as an ally while they looked for the major prize.

Their surprise was beyond words when they discovered that the one they were so eager to hunt was none other than the young white-haired lad who happened to be their host.

Yumi had grinned evilly when she saw him while disembarking from the ship. She was delighted to think how easily a young male like that superb specimen standing on the gangplank could be tricked by a female's beauty … He would be accompanying them on their trip back to Japan with a simple snap of her fingers… and some help from her hidden abilities[2]…

Shishio smiled, remembering her expression from only minutes ago. He knew exactly what she meant by her grin. She loved to play such games, tempting only to deny everything later, enslaving the poor victims with promises never spoken but taken for granted by her prey. On such occasions, she had the upper hand in bending them until they agreed to whatever she wished for… only to be sent away empty-handed, after she had taken from them what he needed. The secret pleasure she derived from exercising such power was her real prize. That, and the place she shared by his side.

Shishio looked outside their transportation for the first time. He smirked in satisfaction thinking that the place was all he had been told it was.

- A very interesting sight indeed…

The muddy narrow streets and dark alleys around the port were the vilest part this vilest of cities. Here and there, beggars were clutching desperately at any seaman's sleeve for a few coins. Coolies in ragged clothes, the marks of opium in their sunken orbs, were leaving their lives in the tow-path[3]. The rickshaws surrounding their carriage were pulled by skinny men who would barely reach their thirties, consumed by poverty, illness and drugs. Equally skinny girls, barely past puberty were selling themselves, while scattered corpses of those unlucky enough not to have a share even on the crowded boathouses in the river, lay frozen in the chill of the previous winter night.

This was the other face of the opulent city, the city of the European opium barons, the city of the ruthless adventurers and swindlers. This was the face of local inhabitants' poverty, this was the face of the children chained in the factories and women being bought and sold, this was the face of those who escaped their pain through the temporary relief of their opiated fantasies.

Enishi knew that face firsthand. He had suffered and survived it. He had fought rats over the possession of everything that could be possibly chewed and swallowed, never wanting to know what those things were.

- Only the stronger ones made it alive from there.- Memories flooded Enishi's mind as a wild waterfall of horrid moments he had experienced. However no trace of emotion could be found in his voice or features.

- Ah, yes.- Shishio smiled widely, a chilling light coloring his irises.- That is the very secret of life itself… In this world, the flesh of the weak is the food of the strong. The strong live, the weak die.[4]

<True indeed…> thought the white haired young man

Enishi remembered himself eating dead bodies' flesh, drinking water for weeks from the muddy pools, while his skin was so tightly wrapped around his bones that he seemed more a spawn from Hell than a human being. Another gift courtesy of the Meiji… and his brother in law, a gift that served him well, and made him stronger after all.

- I understand from your words that we share the same point of view.- Shishio's voice took Enishi out his ramblings- That is an auspicious sign of a prosperous and long association. The reports I had been given about our deal are quite satisfactory. I will conduct an inspection myself in the very near future. I'm interested in all kinds of new weapons you can show me.

- We could start to discuss it tonight during dinner- Enishi smiled broadly, and Shishio found a certain resemblance between the young man in front of him and Soujirou- I had in mind to mount a little exhibition of the newest pieces I've manufactured. I know you'll love them.

<He seems to hide a dark painful past, like Soujirou…> Shishio could almost feel the void in Yukishiro's soul. Probably a consequence of his colleagues' attempts on the younger man's life. It was a very interesting development to be recorded in case Shishio couldn't hold him in the 'traditional' way.

- I would be greatly pleased.- said the bandaged man. The recent thoughts reminded him of the other passenger's presence, and he decided to give the boy a chance to participate - What do you think about it, Soujirou?

- I'm convinced it will be to our complete satisfaction, and I think besides that, even then Yukishiro-san will surprise us with his first-class equipment.

They said nothing of importance for the rest of the trip, merely measuring each other carefully over minor chitchat.

As Enishi expected, they arrived to his estate just at dusk. Mei Lin received them, and soon she went quickly running upstairs, looking for Asiyah.

- You have a wonderful place here, Yukishiro-san.

Yumi's sensual voice elicited only an indifferent look and a raised eyebrow from Enishi. His indifference was not a fake this time, it was the real thing. He had met too many women like her not to know her game. A game that could be played by both parties, by the way… He barely repressed a grin thinking of Asiyah. The next few weeks would be very interesting indeed… He centered his attention again in his guests

- I was informed you have moved to this place only recently…- Shishio said while they were being conducted to the main hall.

- Ah, yes. That's the problem with this city: its big rats. Finally, I got rid of them, but I decided to move anyway… I needed a change of scenery…- Enishi's smile shone brightly on his face

- Oh, yes, pests… They have to be taken care of as soon as they're discovered in order to avoid unpleasant consequences…

- True, true… In your words, 'The strong live, the weak die'

The message had hit its target. Sparkles could be almost perceived floating around the room.

Shishio smirked. The man would be hard to get, but once Shishio marked him as one of his followers Yukishiro would make a formidable ally.

Enishi caught a glimpse of Mei Lin descending the ample marble staircase. That was a sign that told him that Asiyah was arriving.

And she was…

She was stunningly marvelous… A worthy rival for Shishio's consort.

<Excellent> he thought, looking at the other woman from the corner of his eye.

Enishi expected a little bit of action to enliven the coming days, but the following instants caught him off guard. Yumi barely suppressed a scream when she looked at Asiyah, holding tightly to Shishio's arm and almost hiding behind him. On the other hand, the man held tightly to the hilt of his sword, which sent the scale of tension in the hall to the ceiling. While Asiyah had paled to a sickening marble-like tone, all blood drained from her face, Seta and Sadoshima exchanged confused looks. So it was apparent that only three of them knew what was happening: Shishio, Yumi and Asiyah.

- May I assume you know each other?- Enishi asked finally, breaking the awkward silence.

- You could say so…- mumbled Shishio in a voice as dark as his gaze.

Asiyah could tell Enishi wished he could come up the stairs and shake an explanation out of her, and she couldn't help think
about Tomoe's warning.

It was worse than expected, indeed…