Chapter Eleven

THE SPY

Pleasant mornings for me were scarce, not that I seldom enjoyed mornings at all. It's just that usually, I wake up cranky, my mood ruined by a nightmare, but as much as possible, I try to avoid dwelling on things, and I let other people cheer me up as the morning progresses.

However, right now, as I opened my eyes, I decided that the day would be beautiful, because last night was the first time I made love.

Oh, not first time in that sense. Heaven's no! I lost whatever virginity I possessed long ago, quite reluctantly, if I may add. What I mean is, no one had ventured to love me the way Kenshin did, and I've never ventured to pleasure in return, until last night.

Kenshin has inspired new feelings in me, has taught me to yearn for things I never thought would matter. Making love is one of those things, among many, and I adore him all the more for it.

"Good morning," I heard him say to me softly while he nuzzled my nape.

It's all good.

I purred and nestled against him, rubbing my foot on his leg. "Good morning, Kenshin. Did you sleep well, love?" I asked, craning my neck to look at him.

A glow lit his face and he started to nibble at the soft skin on my ear. "Absolutely..." he murmured.

I realized then that I haven't actually told him how much I love him. I had been so consumed last that I merely showed him. Some say that would be enough, but in my humble opinion, there was nothing wrong with being articulate when it came to matters of the heart.

"Kensin," I whispered. "I love you."

He looked up, smiled at me and proceeded to kiss my jaw line, breathing the same words.

Heat crept through my body, more so when his hands started to run up the curves of my hips and waist.

This day is getting better by the second.

Kenshin began whispering seductive words, telling me what he wanted to do with me because, he said, I am currently vulnerable in his arms.

He could just be so unbelievably sexy that I would be a nitwit to refuse.

I was quickly disposed to let him do with me as he willed when sharp knocks sounded from the door, and then a hollered, "Wake up you two! Your train's due to leave in an hour!"

Perfect timing as usual.

Damn you, Kyosuke.

Kenshin stopped and groaned against my throat.

"T-Tell him we're busy," I whispered to Kenshin desperately. "He'd listen to you. He's afraid of you, ne?"

Kenshin raised his head and looked at my impassioned face, then he smiled apologetically.

I flashed him a seductive pout. "Oh don't...you're the one who started this..." I whined, sliding my hands up his chest.

He chuckled quietly. "I did...didn't I?"

"Yoohoo!" Called Kyosuke from outside. "Whatever it is you're doing, just give it a rest! You'll have all the time in the world when you get back to Edo!"

Kenshin muttered an "oro" the way I've never heard him utter it before, with great annoyance. "We'll be ready in a few minutes, Kyosuke-san," he said loudly over his shoulder.

"Okay. I'll be in the reception hall!" Kyosuke replied, and then silence settled in.

"All right," I said to Kenshin, throwing my arms around his neck. "Let's make this quick!"

Kenshin chuckled and kissed my forehead. "We will have to continue this another time."

I sighed in resignation. Must be the Hiten Mitsurugi will power, either that or there's something wrong with me. He had just managed to refuse a woman who is currently naked underneath him, and in my opinion, the average man would find it difficult to resist, but when was Kenshin ever average, anyway?

"Ouch," I said.

He smiled and slipped out of the sheets. "We mustn't keep Master Kyosuke waiting."

Rolling my eyes around, I gave myself a few seconds to be lazy so I could watch Kenshin sitting up on the futon to contemplate.

Naturally he was naked, and good for me, because I was enjoying the view. He had his elbows leaning on his knees while he stared into space. His body was bereft of fat, perfectly line, scarred in several places...but his scars added character to him.

Not just another pretty boy, my rurouni.

And that red hair cascading down him back...mou!

I placed a hand on his shoulder as a loving caress. "Something troubling you, Kenshin?" I asked.

Kenshin snapped out of his musings and looked at me. "Kaoru, after all that's said and done, it is rather disturbing that I am the one who will put away Saitoh without actually drawing my sword."

Ah yes. I could understand that. After all the fuss about Saitoh's virtual invincibility, it took a pen, not a sword, to beat him. It's uncanny, and for someone who has been the wolf's archenemy for so long, Kenshin is still in shock.

I sat up in bed and let my hands glide around his body from behind him. Leaning my head on his nape, I embraced him. "Maybe it was the only way."

"Maybe," he replied.

He kissed my lips and then stood up, picking his robe up from the floor where he had discarded it the night before. Reluctantly, I got out of bed and pulled on my own sleeping robe.

A quick bath in the communal furo, throwing on some clothes...we'd have to hurry if we wanted to catch our train.

The train gave a steamy hiss while we stood on the platform, giving Kyosuke our good byes. He will not be going back to Edo with us.

"It's been real, my friends," Kyosuke said with his usual detachment. "Thanks."

"Sure thing, Kyo-chan," I said, nudging the bound journals by my feet to keep it from toppling on my toes.

I saw Kenshin's cheek twitch at the nickname. I noticed he did that every time I called Kyosuke Kyo-chan. Goodness, is it because it made him jealous? Mou! I would have to talk to Kenshin about it.

"Come by Edo again some time," I told Kyosuke. "And hopefully because you actually want to see us, not use us."

Kyosuke shrugged. "Touché. But heck, you never know, right?"

"Yeah," I said pointedly. What a dickhead.

"No hard feelings, ey Himura?" Kyosuke said, sticking his hand out at Kenshin for a shake.

Kenshin looked at the hand. It was a Western gesture, this shaking of hands, but I knew Kenshin was familiar with the custom. Only, he decided to play dumb, probably because he still despised Kyosuke for a lot of reasons.

So then came that clueless smile on his face. "It has been most interesting, Kyosuke-san," he said, bowing instead.

"Look at this guy, huh?" Kyosuke said affectionately, clapping a hand on Kenshin's back forcefully and squeezing him by the shoulders. "Isn't he just lovable? Isn't he, Kao-chan?"

"Oro!"

I gently pushed Kyosuke away and took Kenshin by the arm. "Oh, leave him alone, Kyosuke. You could be such an asshole."

"And you could be such a bitch," he replied.

"I'll get you for that some day," I muttered.

"Bring it on, baby," he shot back.

To my absolute shock, he slapped me on my behind and I gave a loud yelp, jerking at the force of it.

"Kyosuke!" I scolded him, Kenshin growling in the background.

Kyosuke laughed, though he stepped away for some distance. "Hey, cheap thrills, ne? I always wanted to do that, so live with it."

Ooh! I cursed then told Kenshin. "It's alright, love. He isn't worth it."

"Tell me that when he isn't copping a feel, de gozaru yo," said Kenshin through his teeth.

"Kyosuke, run," I said plainly.

"Right," he responded, already backing away. "Nice knowing you, Himura. We'll have some sake next time. Talk things out."

Kenshin stepped towards him, not looking the least bit amenable.

"Bye!" Kyosuke cried, taking off. "Have a safe trip!" He yelled over his shoulder as he retreated.

"One day..." Kenshin grumbled, grabbing the journals from the floor as I dragged him to our train car.

"Yes dear," I told him calmly, pushing back imaginary strands of hair from his forehead. "But until that time, we can forget about him, ne? It's more pleasant that way."

Shooting a final glare in the direction Kyosuke had taken, Kenshin nodded and boarded the train with me.

Come to think of it, maybe it's best if we didn't see Kyosuke any time soon.

The trip back proved to be pleasant. Having time alone, Kenshin and I talked about a lot of things. Our concerns for the future, being together, mild confessions of one thing or another...we even talked about marriage, and kids. Oh Kenshin liked talking about those two things, though he made no formal proposals. Knowing Kenshin, he probably wanted to make that a special affair, which is totally fine with me. Kenshin was more animated with talk of children, though. He rattled off names, for both boys and girls, like he wanted to have twenty kids or something. I joked lightly that with all the kids he was planning to have, I'd be pregnant the rest of our married life. He merely raised an eyebrow, saying, "And that's bad because...?"

I got him for that. No matter how special Kenshin was, he could still be a man-guy.

Of course, several hours in a train, alone in our carriage, nobody should expect that all we would do was talk. There were wordless moments, comfortable ones, and sometimes, intimate ones.

Oh please...surely making out was totally natural with the privacy we had and all. And if I were just a bit bolder, I'd have given him something he would always remember whenever he ventured to ride a train. There are a lot of things a woman can do to a man when given the chance, and I would have done it too, if only the door had a lock.

In spite of those inhibitions, I am proud to say that Kenshin was not, and perhaps never will be, immune to my "womanly" enticements. Most assuredly, he whispered to me that he could not wait to get home and show me what he had been envisioning of me in the train.

Conclusion: We had to get home fast.

It was nearly nine o' clock in the evening when we arrived in Edo, and grabbing our bags, Kenshin very well dragged me back to the dojo in record time.

Poor Yahiko, all the while I was praying that he'd be asleep by the time we got home.

I suppose...that had been asking too much from the gods, because as we stepped through the gates of the Kamiya Dojo, Yahiko and Sano were there, wide-awake.

"Ha! Cough it up, loser!" Yahiko told Sano upon seeing us.

Sano uttered an oath and handed Yahiko some money.

It made me frown. "Sano, what the hell is going on? Are you teaching Yahiko to gamble?"

"Hey!" Sano protested. "I didn't make the bet. Yahiko did. I just called it!"

"Oro! What did you bet on?" Kenshin asked, dropping our bags on the porch.

"That you two would be back today," Yahiko said triumphantly while counting out his coins. "Without the shrimp."

Shrimp...? And then it occurred to me. "The shrimp decided to be left behind."

"Good riddance," Yahiko muttered before going back to counting. "...ju-kyuu...ni-juu...ni-juu ichi...ni-juu ni...ni-juu san..."

"Hey Kenshin," Sano said. "Saitoh was arrested this morning on charges of murder. D'you have anything to do with that?"

Kenshin paused. "Somewhat. I was not the one who had him arrested. The police captain in Aizu saw it fit to recommend that he be brought in for questioning. I suppose they saw it fit to arrest him after that."

"Cool!" Sano exclaimed. "You got him good, buddy. Kawaji himself was there for the arrest. Saitoh didn't put up a fight, though."

"I'd imagine he wouldn't," Kenshin said ponderously.

Is there something wrong?

"I didn't get much. Just that Saitoh practically admitted to masterminding a bunch of murders. Doesn't take a genius to figure out whose murder he was talking about." Sano continued. "I asked around for more info but that was it. Maybe you'd be able to find out more, Kenshin."

Kenshin just nodded.

I asked the boys if they've had their dinner. When they said that Tae and Megumi had provided, I made a mental note to give my thanks to the women for babysitting them.

Sano was made to report on what he had gathered from the Oniwabanshu. He said that there was no news so far, but he'd be checking again tomorrow.

Soon, the activity in the house settled, and Sano went his way to his nightly gambling sprees, not at all deterred by his losses to Yahiko.

When I had finished unpacking, I thought of going to Kenshin's room.

Oh, it's nothing like that yet, but the rurouni looked like he had something on his mind when Sano was telling us about the events of that morning.

Quietly, I knocked on his door before gingerly sliding it open.

I saw him seated on his tatami mat, staring at the wall.

"Kenshin?" I called softly.

He looked up at me, as if startled, and then he smiled, holding his hand out in a gesture that said I was to join him.

Entering his room, I slid the door shut before taking his offered hand and seating myself beside him on the tatami. "What's on your mind, Kenshin?"

"You," he replied lamely.

I chuckled and pinched his arm lightly. "That's sweet, but really now..."

He sighed, letting me push his hair back from his face as he spoke. "Those diaries..."

"They are in my room," I said, thinking that he was worried about them.

"Daisuke-san must not get his hands on them."

Well, that was unexpected. "Whoa, hey...back up a bit. Daisuke? What the hell--?"

In a low, confidential tone, Kenshin told me what Daisuke's role was in all of this. I was thoroughly astonished, barely believing but knowing it to be true because it was Kenshin telling the story. Probes...re-evaluation...the DIA...it was an altogether bamboozling affair, and as I heard the whole thing, I drew my own conclusions.

"So if Daisuke were to get hold of these diaries, not only will Saitoh be convicted for his own crimes, he'd have a dishonorable dismissal to boot, courtesy of the Department of Internal Affairs," I said.

"Is it so wrong for me to at least leave him some of his honor?" Kenshin asked me, deeply distressed. "I know he deserves everything that comes to him, and we could even say that most of us finds no honor in murder, but he thinks he has done an honorable thing trying to get rid of all the Shikeigai. Having him kicked out by the DIA would seem..."

"Unnecessarily brutal?" I suggested when I saw that he was at a loss for words.

"Yes. Exactly." He sighed. "I hate him, but I would like to think I am not so cruel. It would be ignominy, and even with the many lives I've taken, I was never like that."

I squeezed his hand. "Kenshin, we will get rid of those journals, ne? We will let no one use it for such gains," I told him soothingly.

Kenshin squeezed back, and then he cupped my face to kiss me, a show of appreciation that I understood.

Moments later, he was whispering about how clever I was, tugging at my obi as he did so. I smiled.

I have to disagree with Matsuhime about Kenshin not being some great romancer, because right now, he was seductively amorous, and me being at the receiving end of it, my view of the matter was somewhat one-sided.

Daisuke...the journals...it was forgotten amidst our bliss, but who the heck was I to complain?

THE HITOKIRI

Sleep left me, and I opened my eyes drowsily against the darkness of the room. I had no idea whether it was midnight or morning, but it didn't matter. I had Kaoru in my arms, breathing peacefully in restful sleep.

I watched her face silently, still marveling at how she had accepted my love. I would have to ask her to marry me soon, because one, there was no point in waiting; two, I do not need rumormongers to start chattering about how Battousai and the Kenjutsu instructor are sleeping together before marriage (even if they were probably saying that long before I admitted my feelings to Kaoru, except this time it's true); and three, the thought that she would be my wife, Himura Kaoru, gave me a sense of pride and security. Admittedly, marriage was my way of claiming her as my own, but I knew deep down that there really was no claiming her. It was a trait among persons of her strength, but then, a semblance of such a claim was enough for me, and it would deter anyone who might have any fool ideas of trying to take her away. Kaoru is a very comely woman, and surely there are idiots out there who might try to pursue her.

I would have to lighten up on my petty jealousies, I know, but I could not help it. I have been protecting her and caring for her these past two and a half years, loving her all the while. Surely, I could be allowed a margin of possessiveness.

I remembered vaguely the conversation we had that night we first made love. She had asked me if I was angry with her. I could hardly explain to her how I felt, because my own emotions were confusing me, but I managed it anyway, and she showed her understanding in the most sublime way possible.

My anger that night was not so much towards her, but towards myself, because try as I might, I could not be the one to protect her all the time. When I told her I would trust her when the situation called for it, she had declared it a good enough compromise.

Compromise. Such a boxed, technical, and sanitized word for such intense emotions.

She is important to me, and because of that, I could hardly be rational when it comes to matters about her. I act on instinct, convincing myself that I was thinking of the consequences, until I realize that I am not in absolute control. That after all that's said and done, she is the only one who can control me, without need of a sword, even without words. All it takes is a look, the depth of her eyes, and I am completely at her mercy. How does she do this to me?

Smiling to myself, I realized that though I may never know the answer for sure, I could stand a lifetime of guesses.

I pulled the covers more snuggly over her naked shoulders after I felt a sudden chill from the Autumn-tainted wind. Even with the intense way we made love, the warmth from it could only keep us for so long.

My God, she is an incredible lover.

She knows where to touch, how to touch, how to tease to make the experience more gratifying. Since Kaoru's revelations, I had accepted the fact that she was no longer innocent to a woman's power to affect a man, but I found out, not without astonishment, how her new personality had exchanged that innocent image with the provocative, and how it excited me. It almost made me feel ashamed that I could have such impure thoughts about her, but I love her, and that makes all the difference in the world.

Though it pains me to think that she had learned all of it the hard way, I thanked the divinities that she had the amazing grace to make something beautiful out of it all. Only Kaoru could do such a thing. A mark of her courage. I will always cherish that.

It suddenly occurred to me that my room had no windows, and I wondered where that cold nip was coming from.

I looked at the door and found that it was slightly ajar.

Odd. I remembered that Kaoru had made sure to close it before she entered my room.

Careful not to wake her, I slipped out of bed to slide the door shut.

Just when I was about to go back to bed, I froze.

I've felt that ki...

Quickly throwing on a robe and grabbing my sakabatou, I rushed out of my room, my defenses going on alert.

I passed Kaoru's room. Her door was open, but it wasn't so much that fact which bothered me. She could have left her door open by accident, but I saw evidence of someone having gone through her things, like someone had sloppily rummaged through her trunk of clothes. One of Kaoru's most disciplined obsessions is neatness and cleanliness. Not a speck of dust was unaccounted for as long as she was around, not a thing would be misplaced, and she would never make a mess of her room.

I rushed to the front lawn, my eyes darting through the light of the fading moon.

Nothing, just the nightly sounds of nocturnal creatures, not quite through with their prowls.

Still wary, I checked the rest of the property. First the house, and then the dojo. Except for Kaoru's room, nothing was amiss. I was rather reluctant to check the dojo, because that meant I would have to relatively leave the house. I'd rather guard it, in case whatever or whoever came through here returned and ventured to harm my loved ones.

Not bothering to change out of my sleeping robe until Kaoru woke up, I hurried my search through the dojo and went back to the porch, my fighting senses in ready stance in case I had to act fast.

I had been there for quite some time when Kaoru suddenly appeared, her face still rosy from sleep.

"Kenshin? What are you doing out here?" She asked me sleepily, sinking to her knees to lean against me and close her eyes drowsily. She yawned.

"Check your room, Kaoru. See if you're missing something. We've had a break in and I will not be leaving this post until daybreak," I said to her.

This piece of news woke her up considerably. She jerked to alertness and blinked several times. "Are you serious?!"

"Love, check your room," I repeated gently.

My words finally registered and she scrambled to her feet, hurrying to follow my instructions.

Moments later, she gave a muffled wail. I stood up to go to her but she met me on the porch, flustered.

"Kenshin, the journals are gone," she told me hastily.

The journals...

I rubbed my eyes wearily and shook my head, uttering a mild oath.

"Who in hell would take a cop's journals, anyway?" She asked, mirroring my distress.

I raised my gaze to her face. "We did, remember?"

"Oh. Right. I forgot."

Yahiko came padding out, scratching his head in sleepy irritation. "What is it this time?"

"We've been robbed, Yahiko-kun." I told him.

"EH?" This woke him up in an instant. "Did the robber take anything valuable? Money, heirlooms, food?"

"N-No...nothing like that," Kaoru said. "But it was something important."

Yahiko frowned. "Well then, we have to tell the cops!"

I nodded but gave them a weary stare. "Of course we have to. But...why do I get the feeling that reporting it would do no good?"

"It probably wouldn't," she said, making her way into the house. "God, this is just what we need...a damn robbery...after everything that's happened...what time is it anyway? Looks like it'll be daybreak soon."

Indeed, it seemed that dawn was approaching. Might as well get things going in the right direction. Fix Kaoru's bath...perhaps prepare breakfast while she was in the furo...and then I could go straight to the police station.

I sighed. This whole thing was supposed to end with Saitoh's arrest, wasn't it?

Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Before I left for the police station after breakfast, I asked Kaoru if she wanted to go with me.

"Oh, Kenshin sweetheart, I would but I've got tons of errands to run," she said, brushing her knuckle affectionately on my cheek. "You know, things I've put off here in Edo since you had me detained in my own home...?"

I chuckled and shot her a tolerant look. "Maa...I did not detain you..."

She arched an eyebrow.

"Well perhaps I did..." I admitted. "A little bit, but I only did it for your safety."

"You're doing it again, albeit unconsciously. You're hoping I'd go with you so I wouldn't be gallivanting by myself," she said.

I frowned. "That is not true, de gozaru yo!"

"Yes dear, now eat your tofu."

Yahiko laughed. "You're so busted, Kenshin!"

"Oro..." I muttered. "But Kaoru, dearest...you will be careful, ne?"

"Yes, Kenshin. You know I will," she said with a grin and a roll of her eyes.

Yahiko looked from me to Kaoru suspiciously. "What's with all these 'sweethearts', and 'dears' and 'dearests'? Are you two like...in love or something?"

"Well, I thought you'd be happy, Yahiko-kun," Kaoru said, getting to her feet and picking up her purse and parasol.

Yahiko gasp. "Oh my God! You both finally admitted it! Eew!"

Oro!

Kaoru thought it best to ignore what he said and proceeded to tell him that he would be coming with her because she refused to leave him in the house alone. He protested, but Kaoru merely took him by his ear, yanked him to his feet as he loudly complained, and told him to get ready to leave.

Yahiko had no choice but to comply.

Well, this is lucky. At least I did not have to worry about Kaoru walking the streets alone.

We walked out of the house together, and before we parted at the gate, I asked her if she could pass by the clinic and get the healing salve from Megumi, because I had forgotten to get it myself the other day.

"Sure Kenshin," she said, opening her parasol.

She gave me a coquettish smile and it actually crossed my mind to scandalize all of Japan by kissing her right there in the street, but Yahiko spoke up before either of us could do anything as stupid as that.

"You're not going to embarrass me and start kissing in public, are you?" Yahiko demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.

Kaoru arched an eyebrow and turned away from me to start walking in the opposite direction. "We will do no such thing as kiss in public," she muttered, though I could almost make out her irritation at how propriety was getting in the way. "I'll see you later, love." She told me over her shoulder.

I smiled at her as I watched her walk off with Yahiko, the child telling her in a disgusted voice, "Jeez. I'm beginning to wish that you and Kenshin haven't gone all icky. Just make sure that when you and Kenshin do the gross stuff like kissing and what not, I'm not around to see it...delicate eyes, you know."

Chuckling, I turned in the opposite direction, heading for the police station.

The police station was milling with an ingress and egress of people. Policemen, civilians, and a few other familiar faces.

I should not have been surprised to see Sano's friend, ex-gangster turned expose-journalist, Tsukioka Katsuhiro. No doubt, he was here to cover Saitoh's story.

"Good morning, Himura-san," said the withdrawn young man as I met him at the steps of the police station. "I've been hoping to see you since yesterday, but Sano told me you were out of town."

I nodded. "Good morning, Katsuhiro-san. Yes, I had been out of town and I only got back last night. Here to cover Fujita-san's story?"

He smiled. "Of course, and I have it in good authority that you had a lot to do with his arrest."

Ah. His authority would be Sano, naturally. "I'd rather not take any credit, Katsuhiro-san," I told him.

The journalist shrugged. "You usually don't. May I see you for an interview later, Himura-san?"

I gave him an apologetic smile. "I am sorry, but I prefer not to comment. Too many things shouldn't be said. You'd do better to interview Kawaji-dono, or those who attended Fujita-san's arrest."

Katsuhiro shrugged. "Maybe. I'll ask you again, ne?"

"Be my guest," I replied, turning to head into the station.

When I entered, I was greeted by the usually friendly staff, though I noticed that their moods were weighted, like something had gone very wrong but there was nothing they could do about it. I suppose it was disconcerting to have ones boss arrested for murder.

As I walked through the station, deciding on whom I should report the robbery to, I saw Nakagura Daisuke talking to someone in Saitoh's office. They were deep in conversation, and as I looked a bit more, I saw that Kawaji Toshiyoshi was actually seated in Saitoh's chair.

I suppose I should not have been surprised to see either of them here.

It got me to think about how Saitoh was doing. Was he still being detained in the station?

Referring to one of the staff, I found out that Saitoh was still in the jail cells below, and that he would remain there for the duration of his trial. I asked the man I was speaking to if I could see Saitoh.

The man was congenial, and he attended to my request.

I was required to make an entry in a logbook listing callers for the prisoners, and I noted with a quick glance that Nakagura Daisuke and someone named Hideaki Ashikaga had paid Saitoh a visit earlier that morning.

After making me sign some more papers, I was escorted to the detainment facility.

Saitoh had been assigned to the farthest cell of the dim hallway, making it even more difficult for any light to get through.

"Fujita-sama," said the man, whom I noticed still stood at attention when speaking to his boss through the peephole. "Someone is here to see you."

"Is it my lawyer? I have no use for a Harper right now," Saitoh said in his usual abrupt fashion.

"No Fujita-sama...it is--" "Ah, Battousai. Should have recognized your ki. Come in, make yourself at home."

As sardonic as ever, I see. Not even charges of murder can take that away from Saitoh.

The policeman unlocked the bolt and let me in. "Five minutes," he told me.

I nodded and stepped into the cell, the sound of lock and key ringing out through the room.

Through the dimness, I could make out Saitoh's form, sitting calmly on the wooden bunk leaning against the wall. This time, he held no cigarette. One would think that his men would sneak him at least a pack, but I suppose they were too afraid to be caught breaking the rules. v "Came here to gloat, Battousai?" Saitoh asked me.

"No, I did not," I replied. "It seems silly...because I somewhat know the answer, but I want to hear it from you...why? Why did you do it?"

He paused for what seemed like an eternity, then he began to speak. "Because I hate them. Because they're traitors. That woman of yours, especially. Pretending to be so innocent...she lied to you as well, didn't she?"

I took a calming breath. "She did it for the safety of the others, but then I did not come here to justify her actions. Why would you go so far as to sacrifice so much for this? Did you really think you were not going to get caught? Those letters were bound to be discovered, Saitoh. A man like Gen-ichi will keep things like that so he would have something to drag everyone down with him."

Saitoh chuckled. "Doesn't seem like me to be so careless, ey Battousai? Not like me at all, but that's how things are. I'd rather go down for the murders of Shikeigai brats than solely by the hand of an agent of the DIA. It's more fitting for me to be a murderer than a cop 'unfit' for his duties, don't you think?"

"Saitoh, you bastard," I hissed. "Is this what this is all about? Going out with a bang?"

His feral eyes glowed. "Better than going out with a kick in the butt."

"I am inclined to think that he will make certain you get dismissed anyway," I told him. "Officially."

Saitoh gave a nonchalant shrug. "Still looks glossier on my record to be convicted for the killing of those dishonest rats. I can stomach the official dismissal, so long as everybody knows I had a hand in getting rid of the Shikeigai. Depend upon it, though. Daisuke will try to drag me lower, and he will get me officially expelled, he has evidence to support that, but it would hardly matter in view of the murders. I'll go down in history for the Shikeigai, not because of a pencil pushing dickhead."

"You are a sick man, Saitoh," I said.

"That is true," Saitoh intoned. "But hear this. There is someone out there sicker than I am. If you think this case is over, then you're fucked, Battousai. And so is that woman of yours. If my calculations are correct, she ain't long for living."

I froze. What is he saying?

"Figure it out, Battousai. You cracked this case, didn't you?" Saitoh said with a sneer. "Do me a favor though, when you catch that guy, wait until my arraignment, after I plead guilty."

I stared at his unmoving shadow. "Saitoh, is there still someone out there who will try to harm Kaoru?"

He chuckled. "Oh he's out there, alright. I'm certain he'll get the job done. He's not in here, is he? If he's gotten this far, he's a brilliant son of a bitch. I admire him for the way he's handled all this."

"Who is he, Saitoh?" I demanded.

Saitoh rubbed his chin with his hand. "Actually, I'm not sure. I'm not even certain if it's a man. Could be a woman. Heck, who the hell knows, eh? All I know is, he or she has done me a great service."

"Saitoh!" I hissed, bounding towards him and grabbing him by the collar of his uniform. "Tell me!"

Saitoh did not even try to get free of my grasp. His eyes became tight slits, more feral than ever. "That's all I can tell you."

"Time!" Came a loud cry from outside the cell.

I let go of Saitoh roughly. "You will burn in hell, wolf," I growled, walking to the door.

"Looking forward to it, Battousai," he said as I stepped out of his cell.

I spotted Nagakura Daisuke just about ready to leave the station, looking terribly official with a western brief case and a notebook clutched in his hand.

I was still rattled from my conversation with Saitoh, and I wondered if I should even approach Daisuke, but Saitoh had mentioned something about being certain of his official expulsion from office, and I had this feeling that there was something important in it.

"Nakagura-dono," I finally said to him as I approached.

Daisuke looked quite astonished. "Himura-san. Good morning."

I nodded and forced a smile. "Good morning. Funny I should see you here."

"Yes well, I came here for work. I was just leaving." he replied neutrally.

"Oro! What happened to your other job?" I responded, taking up my clueless demeanor.

He raised an eyebrow, probably thinking I was the biggest idiot to grace Japan. "I am not applying for a new job, Himura-san. I have come here to assess matters regarding the arrest of Fujita Goro. You have heard about it?"

"Yes. Quite an affair, isn't it?" I said.

His face was bereft of expression. "Indeed. This will certainly make my work easier."

He is no longer as secretive. "Oh? And why is that?" I asked, taking the opportunity.

Daisuke smiled slightly. "Astonishing you do not know, since you seem to have figured in a lot of Fujita-san's exploits, as my investigation has told me."

I continued to play dumb. "Nakagura-dono, are you telling this unworthy one that you have been assigned to reevaluate Fujita-san's career as a Police Captain?"

He nodded with an air of superiority. "That is what I do as an agent of the DIA."

I decided to show him a bit of what I know, just to see where it would take me. "Oro! Then I suppose you can close your case, seeing as he will most probably be convicted considering the evidence against him is so strong."

A flicker of confusion crossed his face, then all manner of expression disappeared. "He may be convicted Himura-san, but I have a duty to recommend his express dismissal from his post."

"That would seem a bit excessive," I remarked.

"Not at all. He deserves all that's coming to him," Daisuke told me. "He has done a lot of terrible things, and he must pay. Frankly, I find that this task will be my finest accomplishment to date."

It suddenly dawned on me that there was a lot more to Daisuke's resolve than he let on. What a coincidence that he had been given this assignment, ne? Or more probably not a coincidence, more likely that he had requested for the assignment himself, because he wanted to be the one to put Saitoh away. This was revenge, for the murder of his wife, Miyori. He learned it from Ikue, in the same manner we did. And to have Saitoh so discredited...Daisuke was taking pride in this. No wonder he isn't as secretive as he used to be. He was ready to let the world know that he will play a big part in Saitoh's demise.

If that was the case, then there was no stopping Daisuke. God knows if Saitoh had succeeded in having Kaoru killed, I would probably feel the same.

"I must attend to my business, Nakagura-dono," I said, bowing to him. "There was a--"

I froze, my eyes piercing the notebook he had in his grasp. In his arm was a very familiar logbook, something with a fading gray cover and an embossed golden strip going down its length. It could be anything, really. There was probably quite a few of the same kind sold around Japan, but...

"Where did you get that notebook?" I demanded of Daisuke, unable to help myself.

Daisuke blinked in shock, and then realizing what I had asked of him, he frowned. "I believe that is none of your business--"

I stepped towards him and he retreated slightly, clutching the book to himself. "It is my business, Nakagura-san. This morning there was a robbery in my home, and that notebook is one of the items that were taken. I shall ask you again. Where did you get that notebook?"

The surrounding crowd in the department was already noticing our little scuffle, and Daisuke looked around us, apparently flustered.

Swallowing, he gestured for the door. "Let us take this outside, Himura-san."

I'd prefer not to, but I was less likely to get to the bottom of this if I had him questioned by the police for the possession of stolen goods.

Turning, I strode out of the door, Daisuke following behind me.

Finding a relatively private spot outside the station, I faced him. "Explain."

My commanding tone did not please him, but he replied. "First of all, whatever it is that happened in your home this morning, I had nothing to do with it. I make no habit of cavorting with criminals. Secondly, whether or not these journals belong to you, I am afraid that as an agent of the DIA, I have every right to use it for my work, at least until I have closed this case. This is the property of the state now, if only temporary. Thirdly, I am not one to employ underhanded tactics. I have already told Fujita-san that I will use this against him."

So that is what Saitoh meant. About Daisuke succeeding in his task. Still...there is something nagging me.

"There are four journals, Nakagura-dono," I told him pointedly. "Where are the others?"

"They are in my home. I am currently going through them one by one," he said calmly.

"You have still not answered my question. How did you get them?" I insisted.

He glared at me. "They were delivered to my door this morning by an anonymous person."

"Anonymous? You do not know who he is?"

He hesitated, that was his mistake.

"You do," I growled.

"I can only assume. I did not actually see him leave the journals, but let it be said that I did not tell him to steal it!" Daisuke said. "You must believe me when I say that."

With all that has been happening, I will not be so quick in my judgments. "Forgive me but I will be prudent. That fact is yet to be deciphered, Nakagura-san. Who is this person you are talking about? You must tell me." For some reason, my heart began to beat fast in my chest.

Daisuke sighed. "What are you going to do to him?"

"It depends," I replied. "What is his involvement in this case?"

"Ah. Well then if you must know, he has been helping me gather information about Fujita-san, also known as Saitoh Hajime. My informant was quite determined to see Saitoh's demise as well, you see, this informant of mine...there is a history with him and the wolf."

A knot turned in my stomach. I was getting a distinct feeling of unease, like this case is exactly what Saitoh said it was, unfinished.

"What is the man's name?" I asked.

Daisuke cocked a smile. "I believe he is one of the Shikeigai. A friend of my wife...his name is Fukushima Banshio."

I think I'm going to be sick.

THE SPY

It took us a while to get to the clinic. I decided to pass by Tae's first to thank her for taking care of Yahiko, and Yahiko of course had to flirt around with Tsubame, whether or not he knew he was doing it.

I didn't realize that going back to my Sunshiny Kaoru personality would be so hard to play after I've been my true self for the past week. It's either my abilities to act have been dulled by the sheer comfort of being myself, or that I was tired. I had been going from one place to another, chasing and fighting off criminals, lacking sleep...I need a vacation.

Yahiko and I had a snack before I headed off for the clinic by myself (the boy had decided to stay with Tsubame. How cute.), and frankly, I considered skipping my visit to the good doctors, but then I might as well go and get the healing salve. Kenshin seldom made requests.

Passing an old geezer who had a Go board in front of him, I wondered briefly whom he was playing with, seeing as there was no one who sat across from him.

"Care for a round, young lady?" He asked me with a toothless smile.

I grinned. Why not? It'll be a good and easy way to relieve some of the stress. "Sure thing Grandpa. I'll get back to you just as soon as I finish my errands in the clinic, okay?"

He nodded. "I'll be waiting for you, missy."

"Alright," I replied. "I'll just be a few minutes."

I turned and left him, resolving to make good on my promise.

Entering the clinic, I was met by Dr. Genzai's warm greetings.

"Good morning Kaoru-chan!" Dr. Genzai chimed as he ushered out an old woman. "I haven't been seeing you around lately. Where have you been off to, godchild?"

I smiled at him and bowed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Genzai-sensei. It's just that I've been so busy," I said. "How are you? How are the girls? I miss them."

"They're fine. We're all fine," he replied. "Give me a moment to assist Etsuko-san, here."

I bowed to the aging woman. "How do you do, madam?"

The woman's smile crinkled her face, but pleasantly so. She merely nodded in reply.

Dr. Genzai mouthed the words, "She's deaf," over her head.

Oh. Very well then. I flashed Etsuko-san my thousand-fireworks grin and watched her and Dr. Genzai hobble out of the clinic.

"Tanuki-chan!" Came Megumi's voice. "What brings you here? Is Ken-san with you?"

"No fox-lady, he isn't with me," I replied, pretending to be as pissed about it as ever. After all, it was expected of a tanuki like me. "Kenshin is busy in town. He asked me to get something here."

"Ah yes, the salve," she said, beckoning for me to follow him. "I'm surprised he didn't get it himself. We didn't quite finish our last conversation."

I stifled a smirk because it wouldn't do with the frown I was flashing. "And what would that conversation be? Kenshin didn't tell me about it."

"Ohoho! Of course he wouldn't! It was confidential!" She said, leading me into the back room.

Honestly, this woman lives to tease me! Good thing I'm not as stupid as I let on, or else the fox would have really gotten to me for real long ago. Anyway, she's really quite admirable. Being a doctor in this day and age...not quite falling for the rooster head...I place emphasis on the words not quite.

I deepened my frown for effect. "But...Kenshin tells me everything..." I said pitifully.

Megumi laughed and shook her head in disbelief. "Really Tanuki-chan, I was just teasing you. You take everything I say seriously. Besides, you very well know that Kenshin is crazy about you," she said, looking carefully through the shelves of medicine.

Boy, do I know it. The way he does that thing...and that other thing too! Mou! I can stand for that every single...

"And what are you grinning about?" Megumi suddenly asked me with an arch of her eyebrow.

I blushed, for real, reverting back to my Tanuki look lest my impure thoughts register in my eyes. "Nothing. But do you really think Kenshin's crazy about me?" I asked, laying on my "tanuki-ness" thickly.

"I'm sure of it."

I wondered momentarily if this woman was not putting on an act herself, about her feelings. I know she was in love with the rurouni before. It actually made me feel kind of guilty...Why didn't I tell Megumi that I only considered Kenshin as a best friend before, and that she could have him for herself when she told me she had given up in pursuing him?

I chuckled softly. Maybe I really am an idiot. Everybody saw it, why didn't I? Not at once, at least. I had convinced myself that what everyone was seeing was what I was showing them consciously, when what they were really gleaning was something deeper than what I was trying to project. I should have already known it when Yahiko told me about the sexual "tense-up".

I think...I loved him then. Not pretend, but for real. I think I was just too afraid to admit it, or too stupid. Whichever came first.

Oh Kaoru...Kaoru...you're nothing but a silly tanuki girl.

I'm tired of pretending. Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko...they're only the beginning. I should put a stop to all the lies. It's at its end, and I can't let any of it go on anymore. I could at least let Megumi and Dr. Genzai know of my secret identity, and then just let the rest of Edo figure out what exactly had changed in me. The Oniwabanshu has probably found me out already.

"What?" Megumi asked me, feeling that my silence was a bit weighted.

I looked at her thoughtfully. "Kenshin and I...we've worked things out. We've told each other how we feel," I said to her.

She frowned and turned back to the medicine shelves. "Congratulations, Tanuki-chan. Has he asked you to marry him?"

"Not formally, no," I replied, watching for her reaction.

She understood the implications of the word "formally" and she gave a slight sniff. She pulled a jar from the shelf then looked at me with moistened eyes. "I'm...I'm happy for you, I really am. And I knew, always did...that he loves you. Every time I tease him and he flashes me that amused smile of his...he never entertained my half-meant jokes...and his face glowed at every mention of your name..."

Compassion welled up in me. Now I really feel like a jerk. "I'm sorry, Megumi..."

She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes, chuckling. "It's alright. It's no one's fault but mine. I shouldn't have even given myself the slightest bit of hope."

My eyes widened in genuine surprise. "You were hoping all this time? But I thought--!"

Megumi began to laugh again. "Really now, Tanuki-chan. Normally, a silly girl like you wouldn't stand a chance in hell compared to a sophisticated woman like me! Of course I hoped! I'm absolutely alluring!"

Why the narcissistic...scheming bitch! "Hey!" I exclaimed.

Megumi grinned. "But in the end, it was you all along, ne? I'm the one who didn't stand a chance in hell. And that, girlfriend, is life."

Jeez, Kenshin is so popular with the girls. I know why I'm attracted to him, but I always thought myself kind of weird. But then in retrospect, the list goes on and on, doesn't it? Megumi...Matsuhime...Shura the pirate girl...Tomoe...and God knows how many geisha hussies during the Bakumatsu...I suppose he's got that boyish charm, and I certainly know how sexy he could be. Maybe it's the scar, and the thought that he has more of them...mou!

All in all, Matsuhime is right. Kenshin leaves an impression on everyone. He's that kind of person.

"Listen, Megumi. Are you and Dr. Genzai doing anything later?" I asked.

"Well, I have to ask Dr. Genzai, but I'm free," she replied, handing me the jar of healing salve.

Staring at the raccoon marked jar in my hand, I spoke. "Good. I want to invite you for dinner. I have something to tell the both of you."

"Er...should I bring something to add to the entrée?"

Oh right. She doesn't know I can cook. I almost laughed when I said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Megumi replied hastily. "Nothing. Forget I said that. Dinner time? Seven o'clock?"

"Yes, and I have this new recipe I'm dying for you to try, too. I'm sure you'll like it. I'll be getting it ready this early. Needs to be marinated, you know. So I have to go home straight away." I said evilly. Make her suffer for a while, mulling over what she should do to preserve her stomach, with a marinated dish even. Hehe. She did, after all, hope to snake her way into my Kenshin's feelings. She'll just have to be pleasantly surprised that I could whip up something actually palatable.

"Um...yeah. Looking forward to it," she muttered.

I bit my lip to keep from grinning.

I began to make my way out of the room when something caught my eye. A jar of mushrooms, labeled Naematoloma fasciculare in English characters. Then below it, in Katakana text: Naematoloma fuasikikurare. At the top of the label was a drawing of a skull and crossed bones beneath it.

Halting in my steps, something hit me that very second.

Ikue...she had said the exact same thing. Naematoloma fuasikikurare. She had also mentioned Ribidumo, a crooked umbrella. Lividum! Entoloma lividum! She was talking about mushrooms! Poison mushrooms!

I know these things from the Shikeigai. Why didn't I think about this before? Oh well...not that it really matters. We've caught the killer, ne? Saitoh...

He must have had a pretty extensive knowledge of it as well...

"Megumi...did you do research on that poison on the dart from the other night?" I asked her.

"Well yes," Megumi replied. "The government physician assigned me to do the job for him."

"What kind of poison was it?"

Megumi's brows knotted thoughtfully. "I couldn't be sure. All I can say is it isn't deadly. It just induces a sleep state, but it's mushroom and herb based. Tricky stuff. The guy who made it must have been pretty smart."

"Right," I grumbled. "Thanks. I have to go. I'll see you later?"

"Sure thing, Tanuki-chan. Why don't you talk to Dr. Genzai before you go? Ask him if he could come later."

"Yes, I will. And thanks too," I said, holding up the jar.

She smiled and turned to go to another room.

I made my way out of the clinic, my thoughts troubled.

It's entirely possible that Saitoh would know about poison mushrooms, after all, the son of a bitch had a lot of intellect. He could have very well taught Ikue how to poison her sister in law. But still...

Could it be...that we had made a mistake?

But the letters! The letters...are so obvious...too obvious.

It isn't like Saitoh to be so careless. And yet, those visits he made around Japan, the way he asked Matsuhime about us, about him being in Yokohama when Banshio was killed, Ikue's words...it all points to him, doesn't it? Doesn't it?

Dr. Genzai met me at the door, and even if I was a bit distracted, I asked him if he could come to the house later, because I had something to tell him and Megumi. He agreed to come, and after a few more pleasantries, I stepped out of the clinic.

I was so deep in thought that I almost forgot my Go match with the elderly man who sat just across the street from the clinic. Making a quick turn, I ran right into some guy's chest, shocking me into dropping the jar. I watched it bounce off the man's foot and then consequently roll to the ground. I cursed before mumbling an apology to the person I had bumped into while I bent down to retrieve the abused container.

"Why hello, Kaoru. Remember me?"

I stopped in mid-crouch. I know that voice from somewhere...

Slowly, I looked up.

The blood...drained from my face, my mouth dropping open in shock.

He smiled. A creepy, surreal baring of teeth.

"B-But y-you're..." I stammered. "You're dead!"

He jerked an eyebrow. "Neat huh. And you...you're coming with me."

I gasped as he grabbed my arm.

"Banshio!" I cried, trying to wrench my arm away. His grip was strong. "What--? Let me--!"

"Shut-up," he hissed, grabbing me by my body and clamping a hand over my mouth.

I tried to scream, but it was impossible.

I bit him and tried to kick myself free, but he wouldn't budge. It didn't even matter to him that I was sinking my teeth into his fingers. People were already watching us in our struggle, but I didn't care. I didn't even give a damn if we both spilled awkwardly to the ground. I was being kidnapped by a dead guy, and pardon me, but it gave me a bad feeling, a very bad feeling.

I thought this was over. I thought we had figured everything out. What the fuck is going on?

He's strong. I couldn't get away.

Is he...?

No, he couldn't be...

Oh but he could...

Why? Why would he do such a thing?

He removed his hand from my mouth and I was ready to let out a blood-curdling shriek when I felt the fingers of his other hand press lightly on the base of my spine. I froze in silence. Pressure point. Is he going to kill me right now? Right in the middle of the street?

"You know what I can do to you, ne?" He asked me, whispering in my ear.

I did not respond. My eyes darted around me. No one dared to help, and I noticed that people were scurrying away and looking everywhere but at us. I saw the old man with the Go board. He was staring at Banshio and me curiously, and all I could do was stare back at him, hoping that he would do the screaming for me, but he stayed silent, a confused expression on his face.

"Good," Banshio continued. "Now let's take this to a more private place, shall we?"

I could do nothing. Held the way I was. He isn't even releasing me, knowing that my hands were just as deadly as his.

All he had to give me was an opportunity. And I can wait. As long as I'm alive, I have a chance.

Banshio...I will not let you kill me.

 

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