Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Seisou Hen ❯ Snag inside the terrain ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Act 9: Snag inside the terrain

Enishi yawned, feeling all dozy just staying there listening to Kam's speech. He had been there for almost an hour and until now, he still had no idea what was the real reason why they call out for this meeting.

"Yukishiro. Yukishiro!"

He churned off from his seat just after awakening from his deep trance. He saw almost everybody was staring at him with those scorns on their faces except for Kam who was still smiling conventionally.

"What's wrong with you Yukishiro? Something's bothering you?" Pha-ra asked.

"Nothing." Was all Enishi could say in the embarrassment he just encountered.

"We've been discussing about the trades in west countries. What have you been thinking?" Pha-ra raised his brow, trying to find a reasonable answer to come out from his mouth.

"As one of the `great five' I am absolutely informed about the tactics in this business. All I wanted to know is the reason why I am here for?"

"Our business is going down."

"That's not the reason I was looking for Lin."

"Don't call the boss by his name Yukishiro. It might cause your death." Lei hazarded though the grin in his face was so obvious, Enishi didn't bother listening to him.

Out of disposition. Enishi stood, hitting the wooden table in fury. "You fully knew that my mission in life was being held for a moment because of this stupid meeting you called, and all you can say is the schemes of this monkey business you are having!" he yelled procuring a blatant palavering of each member in the meeting room.

Zhao stood up as she approaches Enishi's ears. "Your words are too much Enishi. It's not a good impression for the others." She whispered on him in spite of the fact that it still hadn't affected him. Zhao knew that if ever Enishi losses his temper, he would never be relaxed after a few hours or so. She shook her head and sighed as she walks to verge upon Pha-ra. "Let's arrange a meeting having only the seniors. I bet you need to talk to him about the real situation."

"I know that. My purpose was to show him and the members how the dealings descend down in a very short moment and then I'll have this talk with him later on." Pha-ra smiled and looked at Enishi who was frowning at his seat. "It seems, I had under estimated his pig-headedness."

"Aa..." Zhao agreed.

"I've never seen Enishi to be so bothered like that. Is it because of his wife?" Kam asked.

"Wife?" Zhao asked in bewilderment.

"Yukishiro brought a wife?" Pha-ra asked having his eyes in surprise.

"Umn. A woman from Japan. Truly to admit, Enishi knows how to pick a good spouse. That woman was a beauty."

`Might be the woman he brought in the ship. I had no idea she was his wife!' Zhao thought, remembering Enishi having this woman with raven hair beside him. "Is she here?" she asked and Kam nodded.

"I didn't know there was a Mrs. Yukishiro in my abode. I want to see her right away." Pha-ra delightedly voiced, knowing to have an another bough in their clan. He stood from his seat and quickly go towards Enishi.

"I'm sorry if I had annoyed you so much Enishi. Maybe the fact that your wife is with you might be really bothering."

Enishi froze in that moment when he heard him say `his wife'. `Is he talking about Kaoru?' he asked himself and was proven just to see Kam and Lei's face grinning while Zhao was on the side, staring coldly on him. He does often wonder what was wrong with her. "A-aa..."

Pha-ra smiled and nodded. "As the one standing to be your father, I would want to meet this woman you had chose to be with you for eternity. Would you mind bringing her to me?"

`I knew he would say that.' Enishi nodded, "Alright." He said, "Though I don't think you would understand her or anything. She's speaking Japanese."

"I had lived in Japan for three years way back when I was a kid. I sure know how to speak their dialect."

`Damn geezer! How could I escape this situation?' he emerges upon his stool, leading his way outside. "Tomorrow. I'll bring her with me."

"As always, you do know how to come up with those good ideas." Pha-ra eulogized.

"Tch! Don't flatter me." By then, he left the room. He would have kept Kaoru in some place knowing that Pha-ra would never waste the chance of meeting her. For them, women were their sheath and were used just to populate their clan. Pha-ra's vision of women were nothing but bitches in state. Especially now knowing that Kaoru was a Japanese girl. No way he would trust her in spite of the good being he was showing. "I shouldn't brought her here. What more knowing that I had already introduced her as my wife. I'll get a huge whack in the head later on for sure..."

~**~

"Two of them already arrived." Said by a stout man, hiding beneath the shadows. "A man and a woman."

"A swordsman and a kunoichi eh...?" the speaker stepped out from the darkness, moving closer to the huge windowpane having the moonlight glimmer in his face. He was a gigantic man, mahogany haired with his frightening tan eyes. It was constricted, enough to scare his enemies. "Are they dangerous?"

"They're one of those seniors in the syndicate. They were known to be the mercenaries that killed thousand lives in different countries." An agile person stride next to the man with ravenous cores.

"A huge mess in our plans."

"Don't worry sir. We sent enough men to accomplish everything."

A strange smirk came forming in his horrendous demeanor. "Good. Let's see how Pha-ra would carry upon this notable night. I just wish I could see that grieve in his pathetic face!"

~**~

He entered the hushed, dim room, partly drenched cause of the sudden rainfall outside. The whole place was strewn with darkness with only the stroke of lightning that illuminates the space to some extent. By a single bolt, he heard a shriek from somewhere of the room. Sheet of lightning had came across the room and from there, he saw Kaoru on the side of the bed covering her ears in fright.

"Kaoru." He called and quickly made his way to the lamp and lightened it hastily as possible. When the lights were on, he glanced back and saw her looking at him with intimidated eyes. Another thunder came and Kaoru nearly stumble off bed while covering her ears tightly.

By then, he remembered her traumatism with each blast of lightning outside the cold rain. Enshrining the moment they were inside the oak tree back in the island. He sighed and soon went to sit next to her (side of his bed). He tapped Kaoru's shoulder wearing a roguish grin in his face, much more like jesting in her state.

"What's so funny about this Enishi? I have been all-alone here when I woke up and much to realize that-" a further roar clamored outside. "it was raining with those damn stroke of lightning's!"

"Nothing much. I just remember how exactly you look back then when you shrieked in fright." He spoofed though she appears to be much cloyed.

"Hmp!" she turned to cross her arms, returning him with a cunning stare. "And where have you been anyway? You left me again. Aren't kidnapers not supposed to leave their decoy all alone? Aren't you afraid that I might escape?" she asked.

"As if you can. I commanded those wards to watch you while I'm gone."

"I know that silly!" she played upon her fingers, blushing in humiliation. "To be honest... I did tried to find my way to flee."

Enishi constricted his eyes upon her, "See?"

"Oh! Shut up!" she yelled and pouted to avoid seeing his jesting face. She just couldn't stand a person who keeps on teasing her through and through. Not to mention how weird Enishi was for being the abductor since he just treats her like a friend or an acquaintance. Under the circumstances, they still could talk like this having some time with each other. She knew she should be mad at him. However, something was on Enishi that she couldn't describe why she could not stand being seriously angry with him.

Enishi didn't give up the game and still went on, "You are my bail. You have no right to be mad at me."

Kaoru smoked in solicitous fury. He would never keep silent until she puffs out a huge smoke. "I'm not afraid of YOU!" she says vehemently, opposing to face him. She tucked herself under the covers, irate and fed up. He intimately wanted to laugh in gaiety while seeing her all aggravated.

A boisterous thunderbolt stormed again. This time, it was more appalling than usual. She was so scared, she screamed almost tearing Enishi's ears. "Oh GOD!"

Cause of the strong storm, a conclusive breeze entered the room through the open window producing to blow the fire out of the candle. Once again, the whole place was in dim.

"It's dark again..." she mumbled, blankly staring at the puff out menorah at the table. The loud noise kept on booming while she was hell busy of covering her ears, shrieking in formidable horror. Her body was in shudder. Her knees were shaking until...

Two strong arms wrapped around her body. Despite of the murkiness around, she could be possible about the fact that it was HIM, Yukishiro Enishi, hugging her so close, almost raising her off bed. "E-Eni-?!" she faltered in shock just being there in his flukes while his head buried at the crook of her shoulder.

"Except thunderstorms..." he vexed while Kaoru was totally caught off hook. She was puzzled and at the same time, delighted in how warm this man was. His arms that sheathed around her doddering frame, almost unbelievable to consider as true.

BBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!< /div>

She jerked having her arms grip upon Enishi's neck. She holds up to him not completely realizing that she was grasping him back. Even if it was unanticipated, she didn't care. More like wished to be there forever. She shut her eyes having the finest moment of her life by that moment she was held by a strong, softhearted man ahead of her. Kaoru cursed herself a thousand times in the reality that she was completely acting so peculiar whenever he was around. So much she hated it, her heart just always betray her orders. She wanted to stay away from him just to avoid this strange feeling inside her although her mind and body defy her. How she wanted to ask herself, WHY?

On the other hand, Enishi closed his eyes, cherishing each passing moment while he was there in that position of caressing her. He didn't care whether she went all overwhelmed or irked. He wanted this, even just for a night they would stay together like that. The only woman who lured his attention. He was starting to fall in love with the obnoxious woman he had been with for two months.

"Enishi."

"Nanda?"

"You won't leave me do you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"...... waka ra nai....."

He felt him chuckle just seeing his back wobble a bit. "What do you want me to answer?"

".........."

"I don't want you to. It's not because that I have no one in this place or what so ever. I just... I just..."

Enishi smirked secretly behind and shut his eyes once again. "You'll be stuck with me for many weeks or even months. I took you here and I'm not that kind of man that would abandon you or somethin'."

"I hope you're not."

"I assure you... I'll stay with you until that certain day that you have to leave m-<erhm> return in Tokyo."

Kaoru smiled in the certitude she just felt with him. "Arigatou... hontoni... arigatou..." she closed her lids and drifted through slumber. `Dammit! What's with the thing saying thank you?! He kidnapped you and took you away from Kenshin. What's happening to you?!' Kaoru's inner voice voiced at the back of her mind. `I dunno... maybe because...' she rejected the thought and just continued to her deep relaxation. `I rely on him... no reason to say but I truly trust him... just like a... friend...'

"Nemasho..." Enishi whispered to her ear having his breath touch her lobes so gentle.

"Hai. Oyasumi masu..." she smiled in the fixture they were having in spite of the consequences that happens recently in their lives. Problems and misjudges has nothing to do with this. This night, would be the moment they could revere the immediate actions they were showing. Sharing this twilight was way more than bonding.

~**~

Deep the obscurity, a shadow came upon and in a one swift movement, the wards was quickly mutilated into pieces. Surge of blood spread among the cold ground seeing only the flashes of blades throughout the dusk.

A frame fell elegantly on top of each body, swaying the blood off from their scalpels. "They're all dead. All left is those stupid documents and that mortal." Said one of the ninja's while laying her tongue to taste the warm blood in his Kotewa Shuriken.

"Try also to find those eminent dyad from Japan. I'm sure they're just around."

"Hai!" from that word, all the ninja's disappeared to find each of their courses.

~**~

Zhao took one last glance at Kenshin who has his hand on his Sakabatou, propped against his side with one knee up, leaning against the wall. She did offered him to sleep beside her though he refused the offer. He would rather sleep against that wall that completely mystifies her. Everything about Kenshin was still a puzzle to complete. She had no idea who he really was and why he had turned out to be like this.

Being all messed up, chaining his sword with a reverse edge, which entirely made her wonder why he had that instead of a normal blade. Being so cold. Calling out a woman's name. Going all crazed when she attempts to chastise the unknown dame.

Having her hands clenched, gritting her teeth in the thought that he was still trapped in the dead woman's memories. She cursed each moment he says her name and realizing the fact that he would never learn to love her. `Damn it... if she weren't dead by now, I could have been the one to eliminate her in this world.'

He was the last person she could turn to having no one in her side. Her family was killed brutally by an unknown killer in Japan while Enishi completely erased their anamnesis. As if their partnership were just a reverie coming out from their past. She was nobody to him even though she had already confessed how much she truly loved him. Being rejected so easily truly tormented her heart and by that, she promised herself to take avenge in every single thing he caused her. Kenshin was included in that scheme though he was starting to dirge in her heart.

In a sudden moment, she heard a strange sound and quickly spins her head to peek at her door. "Are we expecting any guest tonight?" she churned from her stare and saw Kenshin all stir, watching the door ahead. She was surprised by his sudden voice having her eyes jerked wide open.

"I don't think so." Zhao mumbled while her hand slowly mounted to her Katana beside her. Narrowing her eyes to observe the situation. "I didn't invite anyone to disturb my sleep." Her eyes widened in alarm, sensing a distinct aura around Kenshin. "Shin-" before she could possibly alert him about the distant danger, Kenshin already finished the certain person who was about to kill him.

He took his blade to slash the man's torso having the dead ninja succumb to the wooden floor. Kenshin blinked more like the same old rurouni came forming on his façade all of a sudden. "Oops." He said while turning his head to the surprised Zhao. "Sorry to stain your floor."

She was all-speechless in how good this man killed that ninja. It took moments before she could cope up with Kenshin's sentiments. She giggled just seeing him act so innocent. "I don't mind," she said having her Katana stab the heart of the person who was about to attack her from above. Blood had stained the covers of her bed having a smirk on her face. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. The servants might have a hard time in cleaning this sheaths."

"Don't mind that! Better to finish this first." Kenshin voiced while killing each man who tries to assault his way. Completely impressed in Kenshin's fighting skills, Zhao was still in bewilderment. She sighed and went to join him for battle itself.

~**~

Sounds of battle was heard from the outside, inducing Enishi to stir from his slumber. He flew open his eyes in flurry in what was happening around. `Assault at night?' he thought as his head turned to his side and saw Kaoru peacefully sleeping. He perceive that there was something dangerous about to happen in any moment and he feared having Kaoru all asleep without even a single knowledge of what was the commotion all about might lead her to danger.

"Enishi?"

He propelled himself when she saw her open her eyes, slowly moving out from his arms. "What's happening? I hear some voices of-"

"Shhh..." he said placing a single finger in her lips. Kaoru blinked in nonplus seeing him all alerted, discerning each place he could see. "They're not here yet." He said and by that, he started to move out from his lay and at once braced and carry her in his hale arms.

"W-Wait! What are you doing? Where are you taking me?!" she yelled.

"Be quiet!" he whispered almost a holler in her ears that made to shut her blabbering mouth. Enishi opened the huge door of his closet and placed her inside. "Stay here. It's way to dangerous outside." He ordered though it totally procures bewilderment in her mind. "You won't leave me here, do you?" she ask however, Enishi already shut the door, turning his heel to walk off.

"Hey!!! Enishi!!!!"

Grabbing his `Nerves of insanity', he stride off outside while locking the door for security. Something was bothering him and by that he knew this assault would last long.

He run through corridors seeing each warden on the ground, awfully dead with those slaves that was almost bathing in their own blood. He saw a pile of children on the side having kunai's stabbed in their chest and head. He frowned deeply in ire, "Ninjas..." reaching a certain point, five unknown ninjas appeared who was about to start a ruthless battle against him. This unequivocal move delights him to kill them all at once. Since he was here, better to help and save the place he had lived for long years.

"The `tiger' am I right?" one of the ninjas asked.

Enishi smirked having this sly stare upon them, "Yeah. What is it to you?" he asked back.

"We came here to end your life!"

"Only my life? Isn't that too unfair?"

"Every single member of mob must vanish. Especially those `headmen' in the group."

"Am I supposed to be flattered in that privilege?"

"Shut up and fight!" four of them came to attack at the same time, which was a complete mistake in Enishi's opinion. The strife wouldn't be fun if they will all die at the corresponding rate. As what was expected, the ninjas were easily killed in one swift flash of Enishi's Watou having each bloodstain in his blade. None of them stand a chance having the three bodies on the ground, dead.

Enishi turned his morbid gaze to the sole man standing ahead of him. He was trembling through his toes and he love just seeing a person shiver like that in fright. Proving that he was scared on him. "Can you repeat what you have just said?" he taunted, flinging the blood out from his katana. The ninja stuttered, floundering through his feet while walking backwards as Enishi approaches him gradually. "With that thing about ending my life."

The man was trapped between the thick walls and the raging swordsman before him. "P-please! Fo-forgive me! I- I-gyahh!!!" his words were cut in no time just as when Enishi placed his blade in his throat, pinning him against the bulwark.

"Tell me. Who sent you?" Enishi asked while bracing the poor man with his sharp Watou. It causes appalling chills in the ninjas body inducing him too be so dumbfounded. "Rigid are we?" he drew closer with the blade almost slit the skin of his throat. He was dead serious about killing even is it cause any information to vanish. "SPEAK!"

"TATHOS! It's those TATHOS who sent us!" screamed by the scared man.

`TATHOS? I knew it!'

"But we are not associated with them. We were just hired to steal something from you!"

`Steal something? Masaka!' his eyes widened in total shock. An idea was starting to come up from his mind. He immediately strikes the man's guts laying him to a deep blear. He left the man all unconscious on the ground and quickly hasten himself for a very important reason. `Dammit! I hope it's not what I think it is....!'

~**~

Almost everyone stirred off from bed dashing themselves to reach the battle outside. Pha-ra was immediately taken to their safe room having his two wives and Kam beside him. Lei went out to help the others as well as his two followers, Tai and Chi.

"What's going on here? Can someone tell me?" Pha-ra asked having his head to spin in each associate.

"A bunch of rats came to attack and steal the cheese, sir." Kam replied.

"Tell me, how many are they?"

"Full group of ninjas. Much to say that they were sent by that inflexible syndicate in Macao."

"TATHOS?"

"Hai."

Pha-ra sighed in frustration. Being all-loose through the night was a complete mistake. A sole enemy came to attack and all of them were not that much prepared, though in spite of being taken off guard, their victory were assured to come until dawn arrives. "I know why they're here."

"Don't worry. I sent ten of our best men to shield the vault." Kam said.

"And how about Chiang Ch'ing? Is she alright?" By that question, two of Pha-ra's concubines came to blabber in annoyance. "She's alright sir. Nothing to worry." Kam responded.

"What's the use of protecting that woman, my love?" asked the first wife who was flirting behind him.

"I agree with that. She's sick and useless... why won't you just let her die and end her-uh!!!!!" the woman were taken off from her words as when Pha-ra, acrimoniously took her neck by his hand and nearly choke her to death. "L-Let... go... of me!!! I-I'll... suffocate... if... you... don't-!" screamed by the throttled matron.

His eyes turned to it unusual hues having it's common tan pools turn into red, rabid ones. "Chiang Ch'ing is my FIRST wife! She's rather more important to me that you two, obsolete fools!" he yelled in wrath therewith he fling the woman away from his sight while the other one stepped back in fright. Pha-ra was so angry, he could easily kill them.

He was in complete wrath, his chest puffing out air furiously. He turned his head to Kam who was now much more threatened in his boss's acts. He never expected to see him like this again. "Kam! Take these two whores outside this room!"

"No! Please! Don't do this to us!" the woman pleaded having the other unconscious one in her hands. "We are lawfully wedded to you. You can't just toss us away like that!"

"NOW!"

"Alright, sir." Kam motioned his hands as a signal for the wards to take the two off from the room. Both women screamed for forgiveness though, insulting his wife was more than a life to pay for. After a few minutes of soothing his pressure, Pha-ra slowly controlled his breathing having his servant's aid him to breathe.

"Are you alright, chief?" Kam asked in fret. Seeing him all sheet-white, finding himself to pant would cause dread through all the members.

"Don't mind me." He heaved then turned his head to see Kam. "Where's Enishi and Zhao? Are they aware in this assault?"

Kam shook his head. "I have no idea sir. But I'm positive that their senses are not too weak to notice the adversaries."

"And how about Enishi's wife? Is she safe?"

"I don't know sir."

"Damn it! Go to their berth and see how she's doing!"

Kam quickly stood his poise in the sudden alarm, "I- I understand!" he made his way outside the hidden underground passage. It's been a while since he saw Pha-ra all care-worn except for his wife. It's still understandable why he was completely concerned about Enishi's wife. Through his perturb, he couldn't help but to wonder what has gotten into Pha-ra to be so interested. And that information is something he had no right to know.

~**~

Almost killing everything in her sight, amount of slashes were received in each ninja's who endeavors to strike her. Bundle of callused body were heaped in each corner she passes through. By the help of her beloved behind, the battle wasn't a problem at all.

"Shinta! You okay there?" Zhao yelled at the darkness engulfing behind her seeing the flaunting flickers thoroughgoing the murkiness of the room.

"I'm fine here. `Bout you?"

"I'm okay-" swishing her blade to the ninja's torso. "Lots of persistent moronic still attacks me, that's all."

Subsequently, as all the clusters of imbeciles drop dead on the ground, Zhao caught sounds of footsteps near by. In certitude, she fully knows who owns those strides of foot. It was... it was...

Kenshin was about to step out of the room to see how Zhao was doing when she suddenly gotten all-quiet. "You alright? Dôshita-Ump!" unfortunately, she shuts the wooden door having Kenshin threw inside the room again. In a painful way though.

`Gomen Shinta...' her eyes narrowed as the figure came to show it's form in her vision, `I can't let you two meet at a time like this...'

"How's everything here?"

Zhao looked up to Enishi who was more staid having those nerves unfurl on his head. Though he had no bloodstain in his hands, hell sure he just killed a cavalry of opponents. "I'm known to be the greatest swordswoman in China. Do you expect me to be killed by those fools?"

Enishi compressed his stare having his gaze scrutinize upon her. "I felt someone's ki around this location. Do you have a company here?"

"I'm alone. You're just imagining things." She might not look nervous at all yet her voice was shaky and her heart was thumping too much. She just wished to disappear from that place taking Kenshin with her.

"You sure?"

Zhao stomped her feet and frowned, "Oh! Stop bugging me Enishi! I'm completely clueless in what was going on and... Hey... wait a minute..." she twitched her head to Enishi's side more like looking for something. "Where's your wife?"

Enishi became grim in her question; he didn't expect her to ask a query. "She's safe." To avoid more of her blabbering, he directly walked pass her just to evade her questioning glare. "Did you see Pha-ra or any associates around here?"

"No. But I'm quite sure their in the-"

"Enough." He looked around just to assure if anyone was around.

"Do you have any idea who those ninjas are? I'm not abreast to their demeanors."

"Ninjas sent by TATHOS. I'm sure you know what they are after for..." he stared at her in the corner of his eyes. Zhao nodded by receiving Enishi's missive. "You want to go with me?"

Zhao shook her head; "I'll just try to wander around. I'd rather kill those nincompoops than defense that fem."

"Fine with me." By then, Enishi walked off and by the time he left, Zhao opened the door immediately and saw Kenshin on the ground with spinning eyes having that huge lump in his forehead.

"Damn... I shut the door too hard..."

~**~

"Enishi! Anyone! Can somebody help me out there!?"

Kaoru was clamoring and at the same time clouting the plank in annoyance. She had been locked inside the freaking cabinet for about half an hour now. Enishi haven't come back yet and no one is answering her calls and screams. Something was surely happening outside and she couldn't possibly pinpoint what it was. "Hey! Anyone?!" her throat was almost twitching in pain just releasing those wild bellows.

She tapped the plank once more having her last exclaim, "Mou! Enishi, you're getting too far!" still no answer, Kaoru sighed in defeat having herself keel against the huge lath. She was so drained and not to mention that her doze was ruffled by such incident outside. She wanted to take a rest in spite of the fact that she was inside a cabinet. This totally abrades her.

"By the time I get out of here..." she yawned having her lids close down to sleep. "I'll whack your head totally until your puny brain pops out... I swear I would…" she mumbled until she finally went to her slumber.

~**~