Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Getaway ❯ Arcia's return; Shishio's pact ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter eight: Arcia's return; Shishio's pact

[Tokyo, Japan]

Almost day and a half had passed when both left France after being seized by a couple of SCO agents from her sister's abode. This shocked them even though came into conclusions that SCO may find them sooner or later. But this was something completely unforeseen. Arcia was planning to send some back-ups from the CIA to claim Aoshi although she planned too late since they were already surrounded by SCO emissaries.

As much as Arcia could see, Aoshi was vigil through out the flight. Completely disturbed from the thoughts of what possible reasons Shishio invited them ever so courteously. They could have at least taken him somewhere else and tortured him, although that did never happen. Both were sitting inside a BMW car seat as these men in black suit took them right into the SCO agency.

What amazes him more was, they had entered the building just like two normal people visiting a popular location around the town. They had never pointed any guns at them, only assisted them some passageway leading to a complete line-up of administrative centres. Stepping inside a two-way vestibule, that's the time when both parted their ways as the other was lead to the other side.

Both Arcia and Aoshi caught glances before disappearing from each other's sight. This was completely puzzling and fear-provoking that all Arcia could do was to curse under breath, swearing for Shishio's death after this little seminar with him.

-=0=-

Arcia was lead to some auditorium filled with metal walls with five different chambers where the major SCO superiors sat. Including Shishio who sat at the centre with both hands clasped forth his chin. "I thought you'd never make it." He started, fairly expecting to see the irk appearance from the ex-SCO agent. She never took the trouble from opposing nor making a counteract with his words. Her eyes only gave a menacing glare just as if she was a lunatic on the loose.

"Stop being so crude, Rinslet. You'd better thank the council. We even managed to capture your CIA partner without even hurting him." Shishio ranted once more, which Arcia quite loathed at all times. That's when she started to let her eyes meander around the area, seeing Enishi standing right beside Shishio, feeling his penetrating gaze upon her.

"You've finally captured your crook… what else do want from me?"

A sneer came to form upon the scorched man as when he had heard her boorish query. "It's more like a transaction, to be exact."

"Transaction?" Arcia was not anticipating this. A terrible torture to the bones would be much preferred through Shishio's way of thinking.

"Yes. Something that may bail you out of this little turmoil you've caused."

Arcia made an ominous stare, completely not trusting the way Shishio stated it. "What exactly are you trying to elucidate here?"

"It's simple. It's a matter of saving someone out of a casual death." Shishio narrowed his eyes, only to see Arcia's doubtful façade. "You're cooperation… in exchange for this agent's life-" he pressed one of the buttons from his table and revealed a huge VDT screening some sort of video shots from a persecute chamber where Aoshi was taken. This immediately distressed the dame.

"I know you may have the right to harass him but do leave him out of this!" whatever Shishio was thinking, Arcia never been partial to it... not one bit. She knew this was going to happen. So much for trying to shove him away from danger.

Shishio's grin became wider if that would be possible enough to imagine, "Oh no, I cannot do that. He is part of this deal no matter what happens."

`So much for being so protective of me. Now I have to save your ass!' Arcia seethed out in rage, "Then, what's the deal?" she had no choice then but to cooperate with his stupid games. Not until she forms a plan on how to escape this.

"I'm glad you've asked," Shishio leaned back to his sit not even moving his eyes away from her, "I want your loyalty back to this agency. Quit the CIA, we do promise your protection away from their interfering strategies."

"You… are definitely crazy. I am no longer one of your workers, Shishio." Arcia sarcastically countered. "I betrayed you, remember?"

"That's the main purpose of this transaction, Miss Rinslet. The ruling body made a decision from disregarding your felonies from this agency in return for your loyalty to us."

"Is this the castigation I must bear to be absolved?" as what she could see, it's a pure authentic blackmail for her to return to her uncle Shishio's arms. There was no doubt that he desperately needs her back. Not to mention that she was almost lethal weapon of the group when it comes from spying adversaries. She was one of the elite agents around the organization, no doubts to the reason why she was partnered with the finest pugilist of this group, her best friend Yukishiro Enishi.

"Indeed. I'll be giving you thirty minutes to come to a decision. Until then, Yukishiro will escort you to my office." By then, Shishio and the rest of the council made an elegant away from her sight. Arcia stood there, thinking through the creased temples as Enishi came to advance on her.

This was one of those odd moments Enishi never wanted to experience. It is the fact that he felt quite anxious to see or even to start a nice conversation with her ex-partner. He tried to remain nonchalant when he loomed over her. Her eyes fixated on nonentity. Being with her for two years quite made this little appearance of her to be familiar to his senses. She was undeniably trying to analyze the situation she was currently in, her rutted brows illustrates her way of thoughts. "We'd better go-" though before he could finish his sentence, Arcia quickly paced away as she treads her way towards the door. Both wards were vigil enough to follow her yet were halted by Enishi's order. He then sighed and pursued the rampant girl.

-=0=-

On the other hand, Aoshi was exhorted to sit and be tied in a chair inside a small like prison chamber with a couple of wards surrounding the whole area. In other words, he felt just like a prisoner. Now this worries him especially to the fact that Arcia was separated away from him. There's no such way he'll be able to see whether she's alright or not.

That's when he found him self staring in a pair of brown eyes gawping directly into his own. `When did he enter this room?' he was mortified for the ideas that he had never sensed anyone moving near him. Was he that worried about her safety that he couldn't even intuit neither a single thing? He was getting weirder and weirder from these past few days.

"Shinomori-san. Such a pleasure to meet you." Shishio went to signal the wards to leave the room and sat at a chair in front of him. "You might be aware of who's this person greeting you."

Aoshi intently glared at the burned SCO boss, "What do you want from me?" he coldly questioned, not completely that stupid smirk appearing on Shishio's face.

"Such valour! You seem to be quite strong for a young man… just like your father… I swear I could see his guts upon you."

"Stop talking about my father like that, bastard…" Aoshi seethed under his breath. He was so damn fuming in how Shishio even ought to come up with his father's issue. Hell how much he had waited for this day to come. Facing Shishio Makoto, the same man who brought nuisance to the country, the same man who slaughtered Arcia's parents, and the same man who killed his father. No one knows how much he wanted to attack him and rip his head off from his body, burn him and let him die until he burn into ashes. However, he could never do any of those things, not until he's inside his territory.

Shishio wanted to pester him more nonetheless; he didn't come here to do that. It was his turn for him to explicate the deal he had with Arcia. It would be much preferable for him to know the things he should expect, "You've done so well from protecting Arcia away from me. The CIA should award you for that."

"Go straight to the point." Aoshi demanded. He hated such long transgressions.

"We made a transaction that may save both of your lives." Shishio's face became relentless, the usual face he most usually wears. Aoshi raise one of his brows, completely provoked from the words he said. Shishio noticed this and went on, "She'll turn down her job from the CIA in exchange for your life."

"What?"

"You heard me. Arcia will come back to her uncle, just as what I expected. She can never leave SCO. She's a splinter cell and will die as an agent of it."

"She betrayed you already. What else would you want from her?" he knew Shishio was mad. And yet this scared him. He never wanted to be used as bait for Arcia's decision whether to join the SCO and betray the CIA.

"She's important to me, as any in this world could be. Arcia and Gabrielle had grown to be my daughters since the day I killed their parents. I won't let her get away from my grasps no matter what happens." Shishio stated fatally yet earnestly.

Aoshi loathed his words; he has no right to claim the two as his own spawns especially knowing that he was the bad guy. The man who destroyed his and Arcia's life for the matter. "Arcia never treated you as a father. He despised you…" he seethed crossly.

"Oh, do you really think so?" he stood up from his chair and sauntered closer to Aoshi, both of his flaming hazel eyes glaring down at him heatedly. "You'd better shut your mouth before I even attempt to make it bleed for you!" he threw a punch at him, Aoshi throwing his head on the side from the sudden strike on his face. "Arcia will serve me as long as she lives. I don't care whether she had given enough information's about this agency or not. She's enough to counter any of your plans from bringing me down." He then spared the raven haired spy for another blow, in stead he made his way to exit the room as he calls the wards attention to watch over the captive.

Before taking the last step through the exit, he took a sole glance back and gave Aoshi a twisted sneer, "Heed my words, boy. Arcia Rinslet will work for me and she'll be the one to turn you all down. I may even go through and instruct her to take your life." With that, he left the room leaving a furious agent cursing right under his breath, spitting the blood off of his bleeding mouth.

-=0=-

"Arcia!" Enishi called from behind as Arcia tried her best from ignoring the man she once known as her best friend. "Arcia, will you stop for a moment and face me?" his little plea never reached her ears, even forced her self to walk a little bit faster.

Enishi sighed and finally decided to trot and promptly took her shoulders to turn her body so she could cope with him. "Arcy, please don't give the silent treatment on me…"

"Don't touch me!" she shrugged his hands off but ended up failing since Enishi started to tighten his grasp upon her.

"I know you hate me by now but do please give me the chance to explain."

"I don't need any explanations Enishi…" she growled as she raises her head, revealing her flaming-livid eyes. They possess the fusion of resentment and ignominy within them. Not the same cheerful, lively blue eyes he used to admire. "Now, get your hands off of me and let me-"

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I said I'm sorry." He turned his head away, feeling the shame of getting him self too subdued just to ask for her pity. "I… I never meant to hurt you… I was just doing my job." He raised his verdant eyes and met her sapphire pools, "A job to protect my country, Arcia."

"Oh, quit the bull shit Enishi!" she shoved his hands, complete fury engulfing her. "Are you saying that I'm actually one of the adversaries of this realm? Damn you!" she walked past him and both went on with the chasing scene.

"Stop being so foolish! Have you gone mad?? Shishio almost killed you because of this shit you did!" Enishi practically yelled as if hoping that Arcia would even bother lending her ear. "Better agree with his deal and leave the CIA."

"Sorry, can't do that." Arcia sarcastically replied, halting her steps as she faces the infuriating man, "I have my reputation at risk. I need vengeance and I have to do it sooner the better!"

Enishi then appeared confused with her statement. His arched one of his brows and stare down at the smaller lady, completely showing total confusion upon his words.

Arcia snorted, realizing how much Enishi may appear maddening when he becomes nosy about some certain things. "The man who killed my parents is the same man who's ordering you around. Shishio Makoto slaughtered my parents. He's the man I'm after with."

"Arcia…" shock overwhelmed him, completely in the verge of having a decision whether to believe her or not. He could practically see the sincerity within her sapphire hues which slowly turns gold from anger.

"Is that all you could say?" she looked away, trying to avoid Enishi's eyes staring at her in sympathy. She definitely hated that. The idea of having someone feeling sorry at you totally infuriates her. "I know I should be loathing you now, Enishi…" then she raised her head only to meet the taller man's gaze, "… but I can't- I am not capable of hating someone I love so much." She had spoken so sweet, Enishi could almost feel his heart shatter into pieces.

This urged him to take a few steps closer to her, reaching to give her a tight hug. Arcia never hesitated and welcomed his warmth. She closed her eyes, practically bursting into tears that she tried so hard to control. "I love you too, Arcy. We're best friends and all I ever wanted was for you to return here safely." He squeezed the life out of her, running his fingers through her long silky hair, "I'm so sorry for the damages I've done. I was so blind not to believe you… I'm so sorry…"

Arcia buried her face at the junction of his jaw and neck, returning the embrace as a sigh of forgiveness. "You scare the shit out of me, mister."

Enishi slightly pulled back and grinned, "I was ordered to kill you with a gun. I declined and took a tranquilizer in stead."

This quite made things a little clearer, "So, Shishio did order a `shoot to kill' process…" there was definitely no doubt about it. Quite usual for the likes of him. "But still, you did shot me from the second time we met inside that warehouse." Her brows knitted in frustration.

"To be honest… I did try to save you, Arcy… I never meant to shot you with that gun."

Arcia stared at him in disbelief; "You… did?" that little scene back then doesn't appear so heroic. She shot her only having Aoshi to save her ass off.

The tall, white haired executioner nodded and came to hug her once more. "I was about to retrieve you when that bastard came. I was in between of thinking whether you did betray us or not. Now I do know all the answers… since that night I saw him." It was weird yet he felt jealous seeing his best friend with that CIA agent. Especially now when he saw the look on Arcia's face when she had learned about Aoshi's situation. Being her partner and her best friend for two years rather made a thick substantial thought that Arcia will always remain his. Not in terms of how he claims Kaoru, much like a brother and sister relationship that they had been developing since like almost forever.

"He's not a bastard, Enishi. He's my frie-cohort..." Arcia wasn't sure whether how to describe her relationship with the raven haired man. He, in some terms turned out to be a good friend, a loyal protector, a stubborn agent, stupid, boorish, attractive, handsome, fine-looking… `Oh bother… stop thinking about those things about him!' she'd better stop now before her face starts on fire from embarrassment.

It was too late when she attempted to turn her head away from him when the tinge of blush came forming around her cheeks. To be honest, she looked cute with her gesture yet appeared so shifty at the same moment. "Enough of that… you'd better make your decision and soon I'll be taking you to Shishio's office."

Arcia despised the thought of it. She sighed and shook her head, "Fine… but, can you do me a favour?"

"What is it?"

Her eyes narrowed, earnestly looking through his green eyes. "Lead me to where Aoshi was taken. I need to speak to him."

He become reluctant at first and then complied with her request. "Alright, I will…" he released her from his hold and kissed her forehead. "Follow me…" He nod his head, a sign for her to follow his path.

-=0=-

"What happened to you?" Arcia asked sceptically as she sat right forth of the tied CIA agent. Her sapphire eyes narrowed, observing the lesion at the edge of his mouth.

Aoshi shook his head, completely not in the mood of talking. "Never mind me. Tell me… what's happening outside?" he lowered his voice as his eyes came to notice the four wards that never left their post since Shishio's visit.

She had sensed the uneasiness within his voice. A soft sigh was released as her head lowers down in shame, "He wants me to quit CIA so he could absolve every trouble I've done with this agency." She raises her eyes, focusing it to look straight through the taller man's gaze, "And so as to spare your life." She had seen him scowl with the information she had given. She partly expected him to react like this anyway.

"Don't do it. He just wants you back to work for them against justice. Don't be fooled by his words!"

"I'm not being fooled, Aoshi. I'm just doing this to save you!" Arcia spat back, completely noticing the anger and annoyance in his tone.

Aoshi's glare gotten worst when he returned her gaze, "You can't choose between me and justice. You're the main key here. Without you, there would be a less than fifty percent chance of destroying Splinter Cell."

"I can't do that! You should not suffer with the consequences. It's my fault why you're involved with this mess. It's my responsibility to-"

"You have no responsibility on me. I'm the only one who can make decisions for my self." He spoke gravely.

"Listen to me Aoshi…"

"No, you listen to me." Arcia was held back from speaking once she had seen him put forth effort of releasing his infuriation. She could see the exasperation spreading all-over his un-readable face. "Shishio told me his plans for you. Do you actually believe that he wouldn't kill me if you ever choose to quit the CIA? I can see the anger in his eyes and definitely assure that he would execute me as what he did to my father…"

`Shishio killed his father??' shock overtook her when she heard about this. Now, that would be a great reason why he's so desperate in destroying Makoto Shishio. Vengeance, just as what she had been yearning to do. But what was she doing? She's quitting CIA just to help the bastard once again. "Aoshi…" she never meant to be so foolish. All she could feel was pity towards him. Might be the same thing he had felt when she cried into his arms.

Aoshi was not really planning of bringing this issue about his father. But if he wouldn't bring any other reasonable things to say, he may not be able to convince her. "My father was also a CIA agent who tried so hard to kill him. He died by assassination when I was fifteen. I admired his courage and audacity of tracking down everything against the law. That's why I decided to follow his footsteps. I became a professional executioner for the CIA. Just like you, I was also seeking for revenge for my father's death." He turned his head away, not wanting to see the sympathy forming on her eyes.

"I-I'm… I never knew… I'm… sorry…" her voice was so soft in pity. That may be the reason why he felt so un-eased when she asked about his life back from the manor. Now was quite uneasy than before. It's as if their undertone conversation was left ignored. This angered him more.

"We have to do something about this. I won't let you surrender to them because of me. Think of some alternatives." He had seen the four wards lay their eyes upon them. It appears they had heard the last few words he had said.

This alarmed the wards and asked Arcia to leave the room. Arcia then started to fluster as Aoshi's words started to surround her mind. How will she be able to think some of Alternatives when she her self was starting to black out from this predicament? Thirty minutes have almost passed and now she was being forced to head her way to Shishio's office, `God… do please help me with this… I desperately need it!'

TBC