Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Separate Lives ❯ chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Separate Lives

Chapter 15

by

Barbara Sheridan

(based on characters created by Nobuhiro Watsuki)

"It's none of our business, of course," Kano Tama said when he and Hideaki reported their findings to Aoshi. "But I take it that this isn't just any opium processor we're dealing with?"

"She's a doctor," Aoshi answered curtly. "She was forced into the business when Kanryuu used her and she's obviously being forced into it now. They're probably threatening Kae. The bastards."

"Kae?"

"Her son." Aoshi said, cursing himself for letting his concern show. It wasn't like him and it was obvious how surprised his men were. Emotionality meant clouded thinking and clouded thinking meant death in dangerous situations. He hadn't let that happen during the Bakumatsu and her wasn't about to let it happen now. Megumi and Kaemon were innocents who shouldn't be caught in the crossfire of Kurogane's downfall. And that's all they were.

Aoshi paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "The woman and boy should be safe for the short term. We'll ease off just enough to let Kurogane think he's regaining the upper hand in Yokohama then we'll end this once and for all, but first I want to find out who his police informant is. I don't plan to leave here then have it all start up again with someone else."

Aoshi stopped then looked at his men. "We need to get someone into Kurogane's house. A woman I think, someone who looks as innocent as the new fallen snow."

* * * * *

Aoshi watched as Misao was shown into the back of the Kurogane mansion by the housekeeper who'd hired her after the unexpected injuries and departures of a number of staff within a two week period. He'd given Misao orders to stay as far away from Megumi as possible lest the kitsune accidentally give her away yet he knew it was risky. Still, Misao was a resourceful girl. She'd find a way out of it and if she couldn't she had orders to do what was necessary to get herself, Megumi and Kaemon out of there alive.

The hours dragged into days that each seemed a week long as Aoshi waited for the signal from Misao that she'd discovered the police informant's identity and he bided his time by compiling the necessary information on Kurogane's customers, and suppliers and forwarding them to Commissioner Kawaji so that he could procure the necessary warrants and paperwork to arrest and hold the better part of Yokohama's underworld.

* * * * *

Hideaki Sanada shrugged out of the beggar's cloak and tattered hat then handed Aoshi the note Misao had slipped him.

"This is it," Aoshi said. "We go in tonight. Take prisoners if at all possible but do what you have to save your neck. Misao and I will get the woman and boy."

Hideaki and Kano nodded.

* * * * * *

Megumi couldn't contain the shiver than ran up her spine as Kurogane circled around her as she sat at the table packaging the latest batch of opium. She didn't want to do this again. The thought of the innocent lives being destroyed by this poison ate at her like a rabid animal and yet she was powerless to get herself out of the situation because of her son.

Reflexively she ran her fingertips across her bruised cheek. Kurogane had hit her a week ago when she tried sending through a batch of weak opium. Despite the pain she'd gotten some small measure of satisfaction that her eye had swelled shut the first two days and she couldn't' see well enough to make the drug.

Her gaze shifted momentarily to the collection of chemicals on the shelf nearby. There was a chance she could throw that small vial of acid at Kurogane and make a run for Kae, but sh knew that Kurogane's bodyguard was outside the door. She could try to splash him as well but soon gave in to the sobering reality that to attempt and escape would mean injury or worse to her son.

"You appear in a pensive mood this evening, my dear doctor," Kurogane said coming closer, circling Megumi like a predator circling his prey. He stopped circling and came to lean against he table next to her.

Megumi's skin crawled when the man reached out and titled her face up so that she was looking into his narrow snake like eyes.

"Except for that unfortunate incident you've been working quite hard for me," he said, sliding his hand over her bruised cheek. "Perhaps a little relaxation is in order, ne?"

"You'll let me take my son out for some fresh air, perhaps a walk near the river?"

Kurogane laughed and grabbed a handful of hair at the nape of her neck. "Oh I'm not that stupid. Not even when it comes to a pretty piece like you..."

He jerked her head back forced his mouth down on hers, pawed at the front of her smock. Megumi struggled which only seemed to please him. He lifted her from her chair, tossed her back onto the table.

She tried pushing him off her with one hand, her other hand groping trying to find something anything to strike him with. Her fingers skimmed a dish and she whacked him in the head with it. She pulled herself away but was kicked to the floor before she could even get three steps from table.

Kurogane tossed her over, slapped her repeatedly, shouting obscenities at her. His bodyguard burst in the door and Kurogane laughed.

"Don't worry. I have it under control and once I'm done she's all yours," he sneered, ripping her smock open.

Megumi clawed at his face and the body guard grabbed her hands, held them over her head while Kurogane raised his hand to slap her again.

She closed her eyes but the hit never came. Instead she heard a grunt, felt the weight of Kurogane fall away, felt a hot wetness splash on her forehead and torso.

"Okashira! In here!" A man's voice called.

Megumi opened her eyes and screamed.

Kurogane's lifeless, headless body was beside her a large shuriken on the floor near him. She scrambled to her feet saw his bodyguard lying there his own head partially severed and flopping forward from the five kunai embedded in his neck.

She was shaking uncontrollably when Aoshi appeared like a black clad angel and swooped her up in his arms.

"K-K-Kaemon..."

"Kae's fine. Perfectly fine," Aoshi said softly, wiping the blood from her face with the palm of his glove, smoothing her hair out of her face. "He hurt you."

"I'm alright. My baby-"

"He's alright. Misao has him, Kae is safe."

"Safe? Y-you're sure?"

Megumi barely heard his reply as the world went black.

+++++++++++++

(I apologize if this wasn't edge-of-your-seat- suspenseful enough. I'm not so hot at the whole action adventure thing-but hey, I actually finished a darn chapter. I was worried there for awhile....My muse wants to go AWOL....)