Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ That Voodoo That You Do ❯ It Doesn't Take A Genius ( Chapter 13 )

"It seems to me, the situation is becoming more and more hazardous." Pondered Kenshin. "If, as you say, these strange occurrences were cropping up in Kyoto also, with near fatal effects, then it must be stopped. But there can't be a way without risking someone's life."

"Uhh, strictly speaking, that ain't true." Corrected Aoshi as he retrieved the translation papers. "I'm sure this is the answer, but its sooo cryptic it's beyond me."

Kenshin peered at the script from over his teacup before Kaoru picked the papers up. "Oh Megumi, what have you set upon us?" She murmured.

Aoshi blinked. "The… Fox is responsible for this? Why didn't I see it before?" He got up abruptly, "Right, I'm gonna go see her about this right now!"

"Aoshi, calm down. It's the middle of the night, that it is."

"No way!" Yelled the man who was glaring at him with ice blue eyes, "She's gonna pay for this right now! She almost killed my beloved Misao, and she ain't gonna get away with it!"

As his eyes narrowed on the source of the commotion, Kenshin's voice became dangerously low "Sit down, Shinomori. And be quiet, I have a headache." Growling and muttering, Aoshi sat down with great reluctance, muttering something about being badly treated, and lack of respect.

From behind the door, Misao was listening to the conversation with a prickly sensation covering her skin. `My… Beloved… Misao?' She shuddered at the thought it was Aoshi's voice that said those words. Yet his vocalisations were unmistakable to her. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she continued to avidly eavesdrop on what was turning out to be the most riveting thing she had ever heard.

"There's no mistaking it by now." Continued Kenshin, slowly and with consideration to each word, "These dolls really do have the ability to affect our actions accordingly. And although we won't be able to complete this picture, we can begin to look at the reasons for our own behaviour by looking deeper into who has which doll."

"I have a Yahiko doll." Stated Kaoru, "And I know he has the one of Misao." She decided to keep to herself the information about the washing session at the river. She blamed Megumi as much as Aoshi did and wanted to see her get her just deserts. True enough, there was a snarl forming at the corner of Aoshi's mouth, his hands balled into fists that threatened to smash the table easily to shards.

"I myself have a Sanosuke doll." Confessed Kenshin, "And even though I can't say for certain if Sano has a doll, I would hazard that if he does, it's an effigy of yourself, Shinomori."

"What makes you say that?"

"Isn't it obvious? Or do I have to spell it out to you?"

Selecting a rice ball, taking a bite out of it and proceeding with his mouth full as he spoke, Aoshi shrugged, "Whatever."

"Look at yourself." Pointed out Kenshin dryly, "You're doing everything that Sano does. Your very mannerisms are one and the same. From calling Kaoru `Missy' to freeloading food and accommodation."

"I resent that." Objected Aoshi, taking another bite, "I hadn't asked for accommodation yet."

"But you were about to."

"So?"

"I rest my case," sighed Kenshin, looking at Kaoru as he began to tidy away.

She could see it too. That rogue of a grin - the most anyone got out of Aoshi was a smirk, and the inner stillness was replaced by an attitude of an over confident teenager - as far away from the emotionally distant, mature Aoshi Shinomori of common acquaintance.

Kaoru looked sadly across at Kenshin, who was silently packing away. He had redeemed a new secret air about him. So much like Aoshi used to be. Going up to the temple daily, becoming locked increasingly inside his own thoughts, withdrawn from their little dysfunctional, but happy family.

"If there was a Kenshin doll, I reckon you'd posess it, Aoshi." She added out of the blue.

"Bingo." Replied Aoshi, throwing his doll on the table. From the sink there came a `bump' as Kenshin was forced to the floor.

"Oro…" he groaned, getting up and rubbing his sore rear. It hurt when you sat on the bottom of your spine.

"Hey Kenshin, come take a look at this!" Kaoru pointed out, picking up the grinning manniquin. "Cute or what?"

"Let me see." He said, holding out his hand.

Kaoru blinked. "Your hands are wet, so no."

Kenshin rolled his eyes, dried his hands on his gi, and took the doll from her. The doll began to glow. The three of them watched. The doll began to flash. It got very hot very quickly, to the point Kenshin couldn't hold it anymore and had to drop it.

In the time it took for the doll to leave his hands but before it hit the floor, the Kenshin doll spontaneously combusted, and in doing so, released Kenshin from its spell.