Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Unexpected ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

What's good? I have returned from the abyss of writer's block to give you another installment of `The Unexpected'. I would like to thank Weirdkittyw/wings. Without her, I don't think I could have gotten this chapter out (Thank you so much for you help with the Wolf of Mibu. If some of Saito's lines sound familiar…..) If you haven't checked out her fic, An Okashira's Honor you ought to. Tell her Deadly Diva sent you. She'll think you're cool.

::plot bunnies hop happily in the background::

I don't ask much. Just keep an open mind as you read. If there's something you really like, review. If there's something that bothers you to no end, review. If you think that I should stick to my day job and leave RK alone, review. Have you taken the hint yet?

On with the show…..

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Kaoru stood in her kitchen. Ever since Misao and Aoshi moved in there was more food to be had, but that didn't mean that she liked the food they bought. Aoshi commandeered an entire drawer for his precious green tea. She shook her head. No one in Japan drank as much tea as Aoshi. Man could not live on tea alone. One day Aoshi would have to realize that. Kaoru walked out of her kitchen, disgusted. She had managed to walk out of a fully stocked kitchen just as hungry as she was she entered. Kaoru blew an errant strand of hair from her face as she surveyed her living space. It amazed Kaoru how empty and clean her apartment was even thought she had two roommates. She sat down on the couch, which still doubled as Aoshi's bed, readying herself for another evening home alone. Kaoru found herself drawn to a documentary about the influence of those known as hitokiri, when her evening was interrupted.

The apartment door flew open. In a move more befitting Misao, Aoshi came barreling into the apartment.

“Where's Misao?” His voice did not match his recent actions. He spoke as if he were asking the time and not about the well-being of a young woman who recently disentangled herself from an abusive boyfriend.

Kaoru shot Aoshi a puzzled look. Ever since Misao moved in, Aoshi has been her escort home from work. His diligence to the task often made Kaoru wonder about her brother's true motivations.

Aoshi noticed Kaoru's vacant look. He swore under his breath and began pacing. For a moment, Kaoru was certain that she saw panic in her elder sibling's eyes.

“Aoshi, what's going on?” Kaoru rose slowly placing herself in front of her brother.

“Misao is missing.”

“What do you mean missing? She's supposed to be at work - with you! What the hell are you talking about?!?” Each question was accentuated with a rough push to Aoshi's chest.

Moving past Kaoru, Aoshi sat on the couch and placed his head in his hands. “She went into the dressing room, but never came out. Her habitual tardiness often means she's alone in the dressing room, as the other girls on her shift are already on the floor. No one ever thought to check the dressing room since all the girls need a card key to get in.

“This is my fault. After what Enishi pulled last week, I should have insisted that Kamatari install more cameras, even in the dressing room.”

“Aoshi, you know Kamatari could not do that. It violates the girls' privacy.”

“I don't give a damn about their privacy. I care about Misao,” Aoshi thundered. He paused, realizing what he just said. His voice softened considerably as he began to speak again. “Listen, I'm just worried about her. That's all.”

Kaoru sat next to her big brother, placing her hand atop his. She never heard Aoshi sound so broken, so distraught. “We'll find her.”

* * * * *

Kamatari sat in his office silently praying that the gods would protect Misao, wherever she was. He knew that Enishi was behind this. He just couldn't figure out how he had gotten into the club. Kamatari growled in frustration. Whoever let Enishi in would soon be looking for a new job. Having sent Aoshi home, Kamatari found himself screening surveillance footage for any sign of Enishi. When Aoshi suggested the numerous security cameras, Kamatari obliged. Now he was regretting his decision. Aoshi had over 20 cameras installed on the premises. Kamatari would be viewing tapes for the rest of his natural life.

“Kamatari-san.”

Kamatari looked up from his desk to see who entered his office. “Yahiko, what is it?” Kamatari could see that his words came out harsher than intended as his best dee-jay took a step back. “Gomen, I'm just a bit out of sorts. What did you need?”

Yahiko tentatively entered the plush office, taking care to sidestep the shards of glass that were strewn about the floor. “Komagata-san and her brother are here to see you. Something about Misao.”

Kamatari quickly made himself more presentable, touching up his lipstick and running a nervous hand through his hair. Kamatari inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled, willing the feeling of dread to leave his body along with the expelled air. “Send them in.”

Yahiko nodded and walked out of the office. Kamatari could hear muffled voices, but paid it no mind. Yahiko was probably warning them that he was not in the best of moods. The door slowly opened and Yumi stuck her head inside. A semi-disgusted snort escaped her lips as she surveyed the state of the office. Thoroughly aggravated, Yumi threw Kamatari's office door open.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you going to sit here and sulk or are you going to help find Misao?” Yumi's usually refined demeanor took a backseat to her rage. Tears began to fall as she contemplated Misao's dire situation. Her brother, noticing her emotional display, ushered her to a cream leather chaise lounge.

“Kamatari-san, how did this happen? I thought you and Shinomori-san were protecting Misao. If I had known that the two of you were so incompetent, so impotent, I would have taken matters into my own hands.”

“Soujiro-kun, that is unnecessary. You know that they did the best that they could.”

Soujiro shot his older sister an incredulous look. Yumi knew better than anyone what Misao was facing. She once was Misao. She knew what could happen, what would happen if they did not find her. There was no excuse for Kamatari and Aoshi letting Enishi get to Misao.

“You know Soujiro-kun, you sound a lot like Shishio-sama.”

Yumi's head shot up at the mention of her husband. She was not exactly sure what Kamatari's relationship with Shishio was. All Yumi knew was that Kamatari damn near worshipped him, and it made her quite uncomfortable.

“Yes, Shishio-san has taught me much. I used to balk when he would say `if you're strong you live; if you're weak you die.' Now I understand it completely. Because of your weakness, Misao may die.” Soujiro's voice held an even tone. It was as if he had reverted to that insecure, damaged boy he was years ago. He turned away from Kamatari. The mere sight of Kamatari served only as a reminder of the precarious situation. For the first time in years, no smile resided on Soujiro's face.

* * * * *

`Where the hell am I?'

Misao slowly turned her head from the left to the right. Her eyes had not yet opened. Never had she thought that the simple task of opening one's eyes could be so laborious. She took deliberate calculated breaths as she fought against an unnatural grogginess. Attempts to sit upright were thwarted as Misao soon discovered that she was bound by the wrists. A hesitant kick let her know that she was bound by the ankles as well. Misao swore profusely as her leg returned to its original position.

Slowly the fog began to lift. Misao could see vague outlines of shapes and some colors. She realized that the brown swirling mass above her head was merely a ceiling fan. A glance to the right let Misao know that she was confined to a large, white bed.

Panic took residence as Misao realized that this was not just any white bed. Her eyes darted to the left and to the right looking for any sign of him. She knew he was watching her, waiting to see what effect this situation would have. Determined not to let him know that she was terrified, Misao consciously slowed her breathing and heart rate. Closing her eyes, Misao imagined that she was home watching television, listening to Kaoru try to coax a multi-syllabic word from Aoshi's mouth - Aoshi's mouth, now that was a image Misao did not mind meditating on. Misao could see him standing in the kitchen after his morning run, holding a cup of tea in one hand while the other would leaf through the newspaper. Against her brain's wishes, Misao felt her heart rate increase as she thought of the way Aoshi licked his lips right before blowing his tea. An unintentional moan escaped her lips as she watched Aoshi in her mind's eye.

“Who knew you'd like being tied up?”

The malice in those few words flowed through Misao's veins like ice water. Her eyes flew open and she tried to sit up, only to have her attempts thwarted by her bindings. Silently, she cursed herself knowing that he would misinterpret her knee jerk reaction. Hesitantly, she turned toward the voice, silently praying that anyone other than him was standing next to her. As her eyes confirmed what her ears already knew, Misao cringed. She closed her eyes and slowly reopened them, hoping that this was nothing but a really bad dream. Misao found that she was still as tied up as she was the moment before.

“Enishi,” Misao bit out, “What a pleasant surprise.”

“You have no idea.”

Enishi sat at the end of the bed and ran a finger along the bottom of Misao's foot, taking pleasure in the way that it instinctively curled. She tried to draw her foot away from him, but once again her bindings interfered. A smirk graced Enishi's face as he watched her struggle.

“You wouldn't be trying to get away from me, would you?”

“Oh no, never that. It's every girl's dream to be kidnapped and tied to a bed,” Misao replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. Misao's chest constricted as Enishi took off his sunglasses. Placing them on the nightstand, he slowly brought his face down to Misao.

“You may want to watch what you say.” His voice was barely audible, but the promise of harm came through loud and clear.

“Enishi,” Misao's voice took on the compliant tones that at one time soothed the irate young man, “You can't keep me here like this. People will come looking for me.”

Misao gasped as Enishi's eyes flashed a violent shade of green. Her mind rebuked her for agitating him as he hovered above her.

“What people are talking about? Soujiro? That fag Kamatari? Or maybe your new bed buddy Aoshi?”

“I'm not sleeping with him,” Misao whispered.

“Liar,” Enishi uttered as a slap resounded through the room. “I've seen the two of you together.”

He stood up and started pacing the room. His gait demonstrated none of Enishi's natural grace. Frustration and anger made his steps irregular and awkward. He reached the bedroom door and paused. Slowly turning around, Enishi stared at Misao's bound form. He took a deep breath and walked back to Misao's side. Enishi took her chin in his hand and turned her face from side to side.

Enishi reached in his back pocket to retrieve his wallet. He pulled out the picture of Tomoe and stared at it inquisitively. He then directed his gaze toward Misao and back to the photograph.

“I don't understand it. She's just as pretty as you. I know that she's smarter than you. I don't understand how you inspire such loyalty while my sister was left to die.” Enishi's voice was distant, as if he were talking more to himself than Misao.

“May I see the picture?” Misao asked gently.

In all the time she knew Enishi, she had yet to see a picture of the iconic Tomoe. Enishi's grip on the photo tensed as he considered Misao's request. After a moment's contemplation, he turned photo around so that she could see.

Misao looked at the picture he held in front of her curiously. It was nothing more than one of the photo inserts that came in every wallet. In fact, Misao had seen this particular photo many times. The young red headed European woman was sitting on a swing, smiling at someone in the distance. Misao decided against informing Enishi of his error, lest she set him off again.

* * * * *

“Thank you officer. We'll be there shortly.” Kaoru hung up the phone. She took a deep breath. Her eyes fell upon her distraught brother. She sat down next to him, placing her head on his shoulder.

“Kenshin has a contact down at the police department. He told me if ever I needed help to call him.” Kaoru waited for any sort of response from her brother. Receiving none, she continued, “We are to meet him at the station now.”

Aoshi silently stood up and walked over to his sword rack. Part of him wanted to disembowel Enishi, to slowly remove the flesh from his worthless bones. Yet, somehow Aoshi knew that would not please Misao. He glided his hand along the length of the sheath, once again vowing that he would do whatever it took to make sure that this never happened again, knowing that he would not be able to live with himself if Misao died due to his repeated negligence.

Kaoru walked up to Aoshi, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Come on. We have to go.”

* * * * *

Soujiro sat at Kamatari's desk reviewing the security tapes as Kamatari and Yumi sat on the other side of the office discussing the gravity of Misao's situation. As Soujiro scanned through the images from a camera positioned just outside the dressing room, he realized that Kamatari may have missed a very important angle. They had spent so much time trying to figure out how Enishi got into the club that they ignored the very feasible.

“Kamatari-san!” The urgency in Soujiro's voice was enough to startle both Kamatari and Yumi. “Have you hired any new girls?”

* * * * *

“So are you the new boyfriend?” The officer had not even bothered to look up from the newspaper he was reading.

Aoshi nearly choked on the very air he was breathing. Rapidly he shook his head. Aoshi could feel his sister's eyes on him, but he chose to ignore Kaoru. “I advised her that it would be best if she did not rush into another relationship so soon after Enishi.”

Lowering the corner of the paper to see who was sitting across from him, Saito took a drag of his cigarette. “Let me make sure I got this - You live with her. You escort her to and from work. You spend much of your free time worrying about her. But you're not her boyfriend?” Saito expelled a large cloud of smoke in Aoshi's direction. “Next you'll tell me that you sit around and do her laundry.”

“Saito, is that any way to treat Shinomori-san?”

Saito spun around in his chair to see Kenshin standing in the corner smiling. “Damn it Himura! I told you about doing that!”

Kenshin pouted his lips mockingly. “Now what would my dear sweet cousin say?”

Saito rolled his eyes and sighed. Damn Himura. If it weren't for the fact that he was his wife's favorite cousin, Saito would have run him through years ago. Amber eyes cut to Kenshin and knew he had no choice but to tolerate the redhead.

“Sit down and shut the hell up Himura…if you want to be a part of this conversation.”

Kenshin walked from the corner and stood behind a seated Kaoru. He tenderly placed his hands on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. She, in turn, looked up at him appreciatively as she placed one of her hands over his. Never had Kaoru thought that she would be sitting in a police precinct trying to figure out how to find her best friend.

Saito Hajime's office was what one could consider standard police issue. He sat behind a wooden desk surrounded by commendations and various awards for his dedication to his job and his fellow officers. Kaoru's eyes homed in on a large black frame containing many clippings. The headline of one such clipping read, “Illegal firearm shipment seized. Yukishiro denies involvement.” Another headline read “Yukishiro Mistrial - What the Police Did Wrong.” Kenshin felt the tension in Kaoru's shoulders and followed her line of sight to the wall.

`Damn it,' Kenshin thought. `This is going to get messy.'

“Saito-san,” Kaoru whispered as she stood and walked to the clippings hanging on the adjacent wall. As she looked at the pictures accompanying the clippings, Kaoru felt a wave of nausea hit her. “Are all these articles about Enishi?”

Saito looked over his shoulder and cursed. He went to take another drag of his cigarette when he realized he already smoked it down to the filter. Saito reached in his pocket to retrieve another before answering Kaoru. He leaned back into his chair, rolling his eyes as Aoshi was now examining the articles as well.

Saitou snorted as he began to read the newspaper anew, amber eyes alight with amusement.

"She sure picked herself a real winner. Since you're not sleeping with her, you must be jealous bodyguard boy" He scoffed, taking another drag of his cigarette as he added to the ash overflowing onto the edge of his desk.

Aoshi glared icy daggers at Saito before reoccupying his abandoned chair. He looked to the floor and ran his fingers through his obsidian hair. With his eyes obscured by his overgrown bangs, no one saw the tears threatening to come forth. Aoshi did not even bother to look up as he began speaking.

“You will tell me everything you know about Yukishiro Enishi.”

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I know you probably want to hit me for ending it like this, but I had no choice. I ran out of ideas. Well, not really ran out of ideas, more like was anxious to post. Give me your thoughts and opinions. They are always welcome.

Until next time,

Deadly Diva