Author's Note:

I do hope sincerely that I'm not boring you. This is a pretty new genre for me. I know my writing style's kind of obvious, but then I'm hoping I'm putting enough of a distinction with my other stories and this one. Though this chapter may seem dull, it's quite important to the story.

Standard disclaimers apply. "Rurouni Kenshin" (c) Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shuiesha, Shounen Jump, and Sony. I do not own RK, pray as I might, every night, it just wouldn't happen that way. No matter how many candles I light, no matter how many chickens I decapitate…

More disclaimers. I would just like to say that although I will be mentioning (and have mentioned) a lot of people who actually existed in Meiji Japan, my account of their lives and personalities are all fictional, except for what I say is true and actual in my closing Author's Notes. Please, no one sue me for libel.

Chapter Four

THE HITOKIRI

We arrived in Yokohama around half past three, and as always, the town was milling with people, Japanese and Foreigners alike. Yokohama is a wonderful city to tour, and much of the Westerners were a result of the ports along Yokohama's shore line.

The trip was uneventful, owing to the fact that Kaoru ignored most of Kyosuke's jibes to provoke her temper. That man could be such a child, and after that almost-explosive scuffle in her house, I could tell Kaoru was bent on keeping the childishness to a minimum from then on.

On my part, I refrained from paying too much attention to Kyosuke simply because I knew I scared the guy. I suppose I had been too harsh on him when I threatened him with my sword, but I could not help myself when Battousai makes his appearance. I just hope Kyosuke does not call him to action again.

Kaoru and I did not talk much either, and when we did, it was about inconsequential things. About how nice the countryside looked as we passed it, about how cooperative the weather was…I think it was mostly because Kyosuke was with us. She did not care to include him into the intimacies of our lives, which was completely fine by me. Kyosuke already had his chance back in the Bakumatsu. In this supposedly peaceful age, it is my turn, and I intend to make full use of it.

Besides, I did not need to talk to Kaoru to enjoy her company. Looking at her has always been one of my favorite pastimes, and with my new resolutions, I did not bother to hide the fact that when we weren't speaking, I took pleasure in watching her. She had, in fact, asked me twice, in an amused tone, what I was looking at. I had merely replied, "Nothing," but I kept my gaze on her, to which she responded with her signature, "Mou!"

I could not have anticipated finding myself in Yokohama from the events in the dojo this morning, but perhaps it had been an omen of some sorts that today would be full of surprises.

First of all, I had been astonished to discover Kaoru's room empty when I rose to start my chores for the day. I was usually the first to get up, not because I was the most industrious, but because waking up meant no more nightmares. Realizing she had gotten out of bed earlier than I did made me wonder if her nightmares were getting worse.

How utterly quaint…that we could probably ask each other, "So, how bad was your nightmare? Mine had so much blood. How about yours?"

Secondly, when I had made the morning preparations and found her in the dojo, she was banging her head against a beam, apparently injured from training by herself. My heart had wrenched, knowing full well about the frustration of just wanting to let the past die quietly, only to find out that it had deceptively been hibernating all this time. I wanted to put my arms around her, tell her it would be alright, but it might…scare her.

She still flinches when I give her fond caresses. It saddens me that she is so unwilling to accept the mere possibility of having something more with me than friendship. I could see it in her eyes. Like she is telling me to stay away from the part of her heart that can love a man. Yet, I can tell that the only reason she shied away from anything remotely resembling romance was because no one had ventured to show her how true and wonderful it is. She refused to believe that she deserves to be adored, and she thinks that love, the kind that drives deep passions, had forsaken her.

Mou, Kaoru-koishii! You had never been so wrong in your life!

The train's whistle blew, snapping me out of my musings. Smoke puffed out of its stack, steam hissing out from beneath it as we disembarked from our car.

After gathering our things, we headed to the town proper to get to our hotel. It wasn't far from the station itself, and therefore it looked far more decent than Kyosuke's previous accommodations, even from the outside.

Kaoru looked at the structure dubiously. "This doesn't look half as rinky-dink as Hoteru Kurei, Kyo-chan. It might be a little too heavy on our pockets…"

"Give it a rest, Kaoru," Kyosuke muttered. "This place is as per your boyfriend's specifications. I'm not exactly rich and famous myself."

Kaoru gave a start. "Boyfrie…?" Then she looked at me in disbelief. I merely smiled brilliantly in response.

What Kyosuke said was true. I did tell him that our living-quarters should house decent clientele. I have never been a snob, but I'd prefer a place where the men in the establishment would treat my Kaoru with respect, even if it did diminish a large chunk of my already dwindling savings.

"Let us hurry, shall we?" I prompted them pleasantly. "It is already half past four."

As we made our way inside, I could feel Kaoru's perplexed gaze on my back.

Oh well, if she asks, I am prepared to tell her the truth. She may interpret the reasons anyway she likes, just as long as she understands that I do this all for her.

It didn't take long for us to settle into our hotel rooms. None of us had brought much luggage that needed unpacking, and as Kaoru said, she wanted to get this Yokohama "stint" over with and not be bothered by the usual moving-in rituals.

A quick observation of our room showed the Western influence on Yokohama clearly. In spite of the fact that the owners had named the inn Ichishikingen Ryokan, New Age Japanese Hotel, there was nothing much "Japanese" about it. For one thing, the furniture, though not lavish, was of European influence. A futon with legs, a desk with a chair, those strange triangular "hangers" inside a single-poled storage receptacle (Kaoru called it a "closet"), and paned windows with glass covers. The only thing remotely Japanese about the whole set up were the walls and flooring, which was made of smooth, bleached wood and shoji doors. I had wondered briefly where I would sleep, seeing as there was only one bed, but I quickly decided that the corner of the room would do just fine. It wouldn't be the first time for me to bunk on a floor.

Kyosuke, Kaoru and I were soon walking out of the hotel, making our way to Banshio's part of town. It was a rather long walk, but the route was scenic, distracting me from the important matters at hand in more ways than one.

Though Kaoru would often delight me with comments like, "Look, Kenshin! That wasn't there when we were last here, ne?" or "Ooh! Chocolate cake! Wanna share a slice with me later, Ken-kun?" Kyosuke got as much attention with her calling him "Kyo-chan" incessantly. No matter how many times I tell myself that we were in the middle of a serious investigation and that I should put off my feelings of jealousy, "Kyo-chan" just kept ringing in my ears to near-unbearable degrees even when Kaoru wasn't saying it. Wouldn't have been so bad if Kyo-chan wasn't so responsive. Apparently, when it came down to it, the two of them actually got along.

"There's this steam engine apparatus I'm working on at home…" Kyosuke began animatedly. "It works, but I need more power. I can't seem to manage it."

"How many pistons?" Kaoru asked.

"Well…one…"

"No wonder," Kaoru had said with a roll of her eyes. " With one cylinder, the steam exhausted from the cylinder can probably give off significant pressure, but if you dump the excess of it into the atmosphere, you're wasting the energy that's actually still there, and in the process, you waste fuel efficiency. So that you don't waste it and therefore consequently add to the power at the same time, you have to give it a confined space to expand and push against. So you…"

"Add another piston! Of course!" Kyosuke exclaimed, slapping his forehead.

I haven't the slightest idea what they were talking about. I know that it's not because I'm stupid, it's just that they're geniuses, and as much as I find fascination in the way a train is made to move on its tracks, I don't know the first thing about naming one thingamajig from another. It's not so much that I couldn't jump in on their conversation. It has more to do with the fact that I couldn't jump into a conversation Kaoru was having with Kyo-chan.

Of course, my jealousy won over, so gathering my composure, I flashed my most brilliant smile. "Kyosuke-san," I called pleasantly. "Are we headed in the right direction?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah. Sure Himura. Just keep walking."

And he went back to discussing "multiple cylinders" (????) with Kaoru.

Keeping the smile on my face, I refused to be ignored. "Kaoru, are you not tired? Perhaps you would like to rest a while and have some tea in the next tea house that we come upon."

Kaoru was much more affable in addressing me. She gave me one of her pretty smiles and linked her hand on my arm. "I'm fine Kenshin. Maybe we can try one of the tea houses later, ne?"

Though she kept the link, she returned her attention to Kyosuke.

I held back a sigh and resigned myself to steering Kaoru from any stray puddles on the road.

It felt like an eternity getting to Banshio's home, and when I noticed that our surroundings were becoming less and less affluent, I decided to ask Kyosuke again if we were in the right place.

"Yep," Kyosuke replied. "The Shikeigai sekkou didn't exactly make a mint during and after the war, if you know what I mean."

My smile widened. "Neither did the Hitokiri, Kyosuke-san."

He and Kaoru looked at me uncertainly, and when I didn't say anything he continued. "Right…as I was saying, we don't all have large estates in Tango or fancy dojos in Edo…

Kaoru groaned. "Spare me, alright? Just tell us, Kyo-chan. Has Banshio been living in this…er, that is to say…"

"Dump?" Kyosuke finished for her, gesturing to what could virtually be called holes in the wall.

It was a row of shoji doors, distinguishing what seems to be individual cramped living quarters. The doors were grimy and patched. Each space was allotted two stories, but I doubt that fact made it any more comfortable. The combined height of the first and second floor left much to be desired, and if someone perhaps as tall as Sano or Hiko were to live in one of these rat holes, they'd have to be bent over all the time. Hoteru Kurei was luxurious compared to this type of housing.

Kaoru glared at him. "Poverty," she corrected him pointedly. "Now which one of these is his?"

"This one right here," Kyosuke said, stepping up to the door right in front of us and rapping on its wooden frame.

"I don't have money, so scram!" Barked a slurred voice from inside.

"Good grief, he sounds like he's drunk," Kaoru muttered.

Or high, with opium.

Kyosuke leaned closer to the door. "Banshio, Tenshio Kyosuke. I'm with Kamiya Kaoru. Remember us?"

Kyosuke was wise not to include Hitokiri Battousai into his list of Bakumatsu buddies.

There was a silence, and for a moment, I thought he had either passed out or refused to answer.

Just when Kyosuke was going to knock again, the door slid open slightly, and wary, bloodshot eyes peered out.

We stared at him, not saying anything while his eyes darted between Kyosuke, Kaoru and finally me.

He spoke. "I didn't know the Hitokiri Battousai's still in business."

I flinched but wondered why he considered my presence as "being in business". "Umm…they call me Himura Kenshin nowadays…"

Kyosuke sighed, waving off my introduction. "Long story. Let us in."

"Why should I?" Banshio asked in a mildly irritated tone. "My life has been just peachy without any of you coming back to haunt me."

My eyebrows knotted. It seems that none of the Shikeigai sekkou are ever happy to see each other. Indicative of experiences best left forgotten.

"Banshio, if this is peachy, I'd have killed myself a long time ago."

"Kyosuke!" Kaoru scolded, stepping on his foot with her wooden sandals.

"Ouch!"

"Welllll, Kaoru-san," Banshio drawled, looking at Kaoru from head to foot. "You sure cleaned up good. Prettier than I remembered."

"Banshio, we were ten years old and we saw each other for a total of thirteen hours," she said, deflecting the compliment. "I should hope I'd changed since then."

We could see his face tilting to the side behind the crack in agreement. "Yeah, but I didn't think you'd ever fill out. In the right places too. You were such a scrawny kid. Now you look like a lady."

"Thanks," Kaoru replied flatly.

"I might as well invite you in. It's not every day that I get to be with such important people," he said, obviously sarcastic. He disappeared for a moment then the door finally opened to let us in. Apparently, the presence of Kaoru softened him up a bit.

A cloud of smoke hindered our line of vision for a few seconds before we could get a good look at Banshio.

He was about as tall as Kyosuke. A bit round in the middle, but quite skinny all over. He was bald, with a tattoo of a frightening phoenix crawling from his nape to his crown and several more tattoos painted on his arm exposed by the sleeves of his red, hand-me-down-like garish kimono.

Banshio was smoking a cigarette, and judging by the mess of ashes on the floor coupled with the countless stubs swept to the corners of the room, it was a habit.

I could see Kaoru's eyes darting from one pile of clutter to another, and if it were only appropriate, she'd be cleaning the entire place by now, or else ordering us all about to scrub this or pick up that.

"Please excuse the mess," he said sardonically. "If I had known guests were coming, I would have straightened up a bit and brought out the fine tea-cups."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow but said nothing in response.

Tucking the cigarette sliver between his lips, Banshio tossed a few things to the side to clear a space for the four of us. "You're lucky I did a bit of fumigating yesterday," he said, the cigarette bobbing in his mouth and flicking some embers on himself in the process. "Or the lice would have already gotten you."

I heard Kaoru's slight intake of breath. "Lice? You're joking, right?"

"Do you think I like being bald sweet cakes? I did it to keep the lice away, that's what," he said in a billow of smoke while a few more of his lighted cigarette settled down on the front of his robe. As evidenced by the burn-marks dotting his kimono, I'd say he was past caring.

Kyosuke coughed, waving a hand in front of his nose. "Damn! I'd say you're fumigating right about now, Banshio. This place is smoked to the ceiling!"

Banshio coughed throatily, not bothering to remove the cigarette from his mouth, which was perhaps the very reason why he was coughing in the first place. More smoke clouded the room. "Look. I didn't invite you here, so I'd appreciate it if you don't dis my humble abode, alright?"

"We apologize for the intrusion, Banshio-dono," I said solemnly. "But it is very important that you understand what we are about to tell you, de gozaru yo."

Banshio raised an eyebrow in my direction, then he turned to Kaoru. "Who'd a thunk Hitokiri Battousai could be so polite, eh sugar?" He said with a chuckle.

Kaoru was about to retort something biting, perhaps in protest of the pet names he's been calling her, but he forestalled her protests by swiping out a pink scarf and wiping a portion of the floor.

"Sit here, sweety. I got it cleaned for ya," he said, flashing Kaoru a pleasant smile, as far as pleasant smiles with a cigarette goes. "It'll break my heart if you ruin that kimono of yours."

Frankly, the gentlemanly gesture, veiled behind his gruffness, surprised me as much as it did Kaoru, but in her stupor, she congenially took the space without a word.

We sat down on our places and I stared curiously at Banshio. What an odd character, this man.

"Now, what earth shattering news do you have for me?" He asked with an amused grin, crossing his arms over his chest.

Kyosuke looked quite irritated. "I find it hard to believe that you haven't pieced it already. Kaoru and I are here, with Battousai, on top of what's been in the papers…"

Banshio chuckled. "Look around, Kyosuke. Do I look like I can afford to buy the daily paper? I can barely afford to eat three square meals a day…"

"So that explains why you're so fat," Kyosuke interjected sarcastically.

Kyosuke could be such a jerk, really. I could see Kaoru's jaw clenching at his rudeness.

Much to our surprise, Banshio let out a good natured laugh. "Fat?" He asked, patting the potbelly so ill-placed on his thin frame. "This ain't fat, my friend. This is sake. Something people partake of to forget life's troubles. You know, fermented rice extract, composed of ethanol, arginine, lots of other stuff that can diminish one's brain cells…"

"Look, I know what sake is made of, alright?"

"Well, good. So now could you explain to me what you're doing here?" Banshio said patiently, taking a deep draught from his cigarette and blowing out the smoke as he spoke. "I haven't got all day, you know."

"Banshio-san," Kaoru began, taking over for Kyosuke who was not helping at all. "Just so you know, the Shikeigai's being killed off one at a time."

One simply could not get any more forthwith than that.

"And that means what, to me?" Banshio responded.

Kaoru blinked. "Pardon me, Banshio-san, but last time I checked, you were a Shikeigai spy too."

"Ah," Bansio said with a sage nod. "I knew I forgot something."

Odd indeed.

Kyosuke frowned. "Are you KIDDING?" He cried indignantly.

Kaoru did not look too pleased either.

"Maa…" I interjected calmly. "It is obvious Banshio-dono would like no further part in this. That is quite understandable, considering sessha would have preferred Kaoru to stay out of this business as well, but Banshio-dono, our main purpose was to warn you. Sessha would advice you to be careful since it seems someone has made it their mission to eradicate the former Shikeigai."

Banshio chuckled and stared at me thoughtfully. "Back in the Bakumatsu, I would have considered words like that from Battousai a threat, but apparently, your 'sessha-ing' has blunted that effect. Thank you for the warning, Battousai. It will be noted, but tell me, where do you fit in all of this?"

I smiled. "Sessha is just making sure Kaoru is safe."

He raised an eyebrow. "You her husband or something?"

Or something.

Kaoru turned red in the face and was about to blurt out a vehement denial when I answered.

"Sessha does not need to be her husband to protect her."

A wide grin crossed Banshio's face. "Indeed. It's what you did during the Bakumatsu after all, protecting others who wasn't your wife."

I cringed, and so did Kaoru. There was no way Banshio could have known about what really happened with Tomoe, but his words had struck too close to home. I noticed that Banshio was more insinuative than either Kaoru or Kyosuke. It was his distinct Shikeigai spying weapon. Kaoru had used innocence to gain the enemy's trust, Kyosuke had used bratty-ness to earn the enemy's disregard for his presence, but for Banshio, it was sheer intrigue, and the potency of his words. It's like he could sense what words could strike a certain individual, and use it to his advantage. It's rather hard to imagine that he survived his former job at all.

"Could I like, cut to the chase here? Thanks," Kyosuke said impatiently. "Banshio, we want your help."

Banshio leaned back calmly with a grin. "Everybody wants Banshio's help…"

"Well, this time, it might be for your own good," Kaoru put in. "We have to stop these guys before they get to us."

"Were you not listening to Battousai?" Asked Banshio. "It's quite clear to him that I want no part in this, whether or not my hide is on the line. Apparently, he's smarter than you two."

Kaoru sighed in quick resignation.

Kyosuke's eyebrows knotted. "So you're saying you don't wanna help us."

Banshio looked at Kaoru and me. "Has this guy turned into a moron, or what?" He then addressed Kyosuke. "What do you think? Because Lord knows I'd ever be able to figure that out. I wasn't able to piece it while working with you for two months during the Bakumatsu, much less a few minutes in the Meiji."

"Well, pardon me if I want to put off dying for a while," Kyosuke said sourly.

The problem with Kyosuke, it seems, is that he could never let anything go. He would not, in any way, let anyone else have the last word, which could result in an uproar if it's Kaoru, or most probably, something infinitely worse if it's sessha. I wonder how Banshio will react to it.

Banshio lost the good humor on his face and gave his own frown. "I'm not particularly suicidal myself, but these deaths you're telling me about…how'd they die? I mean, why did you come to the conclusion that the Shikeigai are being hunted? Did they all die at the same time? One after the other? Violent deaths?"

"Are you seriously asking these questions?" Kyosuke demanded. "I admit, the first two deaths didn't jolt my noggin all that much, but the third one came so soon after the second! It was at the third death I realized we were being exterminated…like pests! They're closing in!"

He was already beginning to sound a bit hysterical, and Kaoru gave me a nudge.

"For goodness sake, Kenshin," she muttered. "Say something to calm the guy before I start hitting him!"

I undertook her request. "Maa…Kyosuke-san, calm down," I said. "He is just trying to be rational. Banshio-dono, the fact of the matter is, one death is bad enough, and three is just outrageous. Even if all three had merely died of a strange malady, it needs considering. The Meiji is supposed to be a time of peace, and when three people who came from the same faction during the Bakumatsu die mysterious deaths, it's quite logical to conclude that something is up."

Banshio chuckled quietly and looked at all of us with composed curiosity. "How did they die anyway?"

"Miyori died about a year ago," Kaoru began. "A disease got her. Taka got gang-hit about three and half months back, and Yashushige bought it right in his home, with his wife to boot."

Banshio whistled and shook his head. "That sucks."

Well, that's putting it mildly.

"So," Banshio said. "Should we draw straws on who goes next?"

"That's not funny, Banshio," Kaoru intoned with a frown.

"When did you lose your sense of humor, sugar?" Asked Banshio with an amused smile.

Kaoru's frown deepened. "How do you know I even had one? We barely spoke to one another, you know."

"Sweet cakes, there's gotta be a sense of humor in there somewhere, or you wouldn't have been able to stand being with Kyosuke."

"Who said I could stand him?" Kaoru grumbled.

"Oi!" Kyosuke cried.

I sniggered.

"There, you see? Sense of humor," Banshio pointed out.

It seems that Kaoru always put Banshio in better spirits. I tried again where Kaoru and Kyosuke failed. "Will you help us?"

Banshio gave it some serious thought this time. "Look, I have to admit that I'd rather take a coward's retreat on this one, but heck, with Hitokiri Battousai on our side, I imagine anyone would have to be crazy to try anything, ne?"

"Oro…"

"I'll think about it," Banshio said. "We can meet tomorrow morning and I'll tell you my decision."

Kyosuke's eyes lit up. "Where?"

"Well, where are you guys staying? It's bound to be better than this dump," Banshio replied. "And with better food."

We got the hint.

"Ichishikingen Ryokan," Kaoru told him. "There's a small European-style coffee shop beside it, but I'm sure they serve meals."

"I don't care if it's a pet store. If they serve food, I'm totally fine with it," responded Banshio with a grin. "I'll meet you there at six thirty in the morning."

I couldn't tell what was going on in Banshio's mind. He's certainly full of little surprises. I find it hard to believe that he's as clueless about the deaths as he lets on. Only the rurouni could be clueless, no one else. Or maybe he is clueless, but only because he refuses to know. If he ever decides to join us, I can see how he could be of help, but should we trust him? Between him, Kaoru and Kyosuke, his cleverness is the most dangerous. I'd like to think I'm cautious, not paranoid, but something strikes me as different with this character's ki. The kind of ki which tells me that paranoia is a prudent emotion at this point.

"Very well. We shall be expecting you at the coffee shop, Banshio-dono," I said to confirm it.

His only reply was a cloud of smoke.

"Shees, now we really have to stay here overnight," Kaoru said as we headed back to our hotel. Then she looked at Kyosuke squarely. "You know what, it just occurred to me…you made us check in the moment we got here. We could have just decided to check in after we've talked to Banshio, that way, we would be sure that we'd have to stay in Yokohama."

Kyosuke sighed wearily. "Banshio had always been a take-your-time guy. It was true during the Bakumatsu, and I was willing to bet our accommodations that it still is. You see, I'm right."

"Banshio-dono is a prudent man," I said. "Rational." Too rational, I think.

"Now what are we going to do?" Kaoru asked, her eyes roving to the teashops.

I smiled. If my Kaoru wants tea, then she'll have some.

I would say that killing time in Yokohama could be a wonderful experience. Killing time in Yokohama withwhile Kyosuke is constantly looking over his shoulder and bothering us with it is down right unnerving. The man skulked around, crouching as low as he could go without seeming very suspicious, eyes darting from left to right, particularly when a man, or men, fitting the description of big and burly happened to pass us by. Kaoru had to tell him several times that's he's "being ridiculous!" but of course, he'd have to snap right back with something more annoying than his cloak and dagger manner. I didn't expect our visit to Yokohama to be all that enjoyable, but I had hoped Kyosuke doesn't make it any more unpleasant. Apparently, he has.

So by the time we get back to our quarters to retire, Kaoru and I were exhausted from putting up with him.

"Mou!" Kaoru exclaimed when I closed us into our hotel room. "I'd almost forgotten how it could be torture being with Kyosuke for long periods of time!"

I kept my smirk to myself. Childish as it was for me to be satisfied about Kyosuke's demise when it comes to how Kaoru regards him, I indulged myself. "Maa…it was not all that bad," I said, hoping to bait her into another tirade.

Kaoru rolled his eyes around. "Kenshin, sometimes you could be overly polite. Admit it. He was a pain the entire day. He was so annoying that if one of those goons had actually showed up, I would have given the thug a kiss on the cheek and said, 'Thank God you're here!'"

Chuckling, I relished her raving at Kyosuke's expense.

"I don't know about you, Kenshin, but I'm going to bed to sleep off this aggravation," she said, pulling her hair free from its ribbon.

For some reason, the sight of her hair cascading down her shoulders got my heartbeat going. Earlier, I wouldn't have thought staying in the same room with her could be so daunting, but now, realizing what a simple pull of her ribbon could do to me, it suddenly felt like I'd opened the proverbial abyss and poised myself to jump into it.

While she knelt on the floor to rummage through her bag, I took a deep breath and trudged to the corner of the room to take my place.

She looked at me, the veil of her hair framing her delicate face in glossy waves. It was exquisite, and I could have sworn the gods had a hand in it, most likely to drive me insane. "Kenshin, you're not seriously thinking of sleeping in that corner, are you?"

The gods are cruel, I see. "Sessha is thinking just that."

She frowned, the pout of her lips amazingly luscious. "I think sacrificing comfort and health to propriety at this point in time is ridiculous, Kenshin."

"The bed is too small," I said rather desperately.

Kaoru chuckled. "In case you haven't noticed, we're not exactly the two most robust people in Japan."

"Sessha would not want to crowd you…"

She sighed. "You won't. Kenshin, if you're worried about my so-called virtue, may I remind you that I'm not the pure person you used to think I was."

I frowned. Oh, but no matter what they did to you…purity of heart cannot be taken away. Besides, it is not just her virtue I am worried about. I am more worried about myself. "Kaoru-dono…"

"Don't start," she told me firmly. "We're sharing the bed."

Groping for a foothold, I blurted out, "Sessha prefers the floor…"

Kaoru flashed a mischievous smile. "What's the matter? Afraid I'll bite? I'll be good, I promise," she told me with a wink.

The way she said good could have given me a heart attack. "Oro…"

She laughed, but I could have sworn a blush spread over her cheeks for a second. "Oh, for goodness sake, we're both mature adults so stop being silly and get over here."

This is such an awkward situation. Taking it from her nonchalance, I really should just sleep beside her. Creating a fuss would only make it more uncomfortable for both of us. On the other hand, if I do take the other side of the bed, which is confusingly the last thing I want to do, yet there being nothing I want more in this lifetime, it might make parts of my body too obviously pleased by the arrangement. The spirit is willing, but something is certainly weak.

She rolled her eyes around at my hesitance. "Much Ado About Nothing…ever read that play, Kenshin? Shakespeare wrote it."

"Eh?"

"Of course you hadn't. It's in English, but that pretty much sums up what you're doing now."

I have no idea who this Shi-ekus-pe-ru is, writer of Ma-chu A-dou A-ba-o-tsu No-tsu-in-go, but I have a feeling she is mildly making fun of me. "Very well. Sessha will sleep beside you…" I forestalled a sigh when I said it. I certainly did not want her to think that it is so much of an unpleasant experience for me, because it isn't.

Effecting a satisfied nod, she then ordered me to turn around while she changed into her sleeping robe, suggesting that I change into sleeping garments as well. As I stared at the wall while slipping into my own robe, I wondered briefly if I wouldn't be reduced to a puddle on the floor knowing Kaoru is changing clothes right behind me. Goodness, I always desired this woman, but if I'm ever blessed with being intimate with her, I think I'll die.

When she said she was finished dressing, she settled on the bed and I had to make some sort of a survey where I would place myself.

"Oh, for heavens sake, Kenshin," she muttered, easing herself beneath the sheets while she said it. "Just get in the damn bed."

Since she was being very casual about it at this point, I settled gingerly beside her. She turned her back to me and got herself comfortable.

Red faced, I tried to lie down, but I was so conscious about not touching her that I promptly rolled off the bed with a thud and pulled all the blankets down with me. "Oro!"

"K-Kenshin!" Kaoru cried, sitting up and looking over the edge. "Are you alright?"

"Ouch…" I hissed quietly to myself. I had hit my knee on the floor, but amidst the tangle of sheets, I looked at her and mustered a smile. "Sessha is alright…"

She rolled her eyes around. "Get up here," she ordered me gently. "You are obviously too tense. Honestly! Lie down and relax! I won't bite!"

Oro! I wish she had not said that.

My blush getting fiercer by the minute, I climbed back on the bed and let her try making both of us comfy. She plopped her head down on her pillow and pulled the blankets over the both of us, then she turned her back to me again, snuggling on to the mattress and my side. Goodness… I could barely move, not because she was crowding me, but because I was too aware of her being there.

"Jeez…" she mumbled a few minutes later without moving. "Relax, rurouni. I feel like I'm sleeping beside a petrified log."

I sighed. "Sessha is sorry…"

"Don't apologize. Just ease up, will you? If you just relax, you'll find that sleeping on the bed with me is more comfortable than sleeping on floor. I should hope I'm softer than the floor."

I blinked. I'm certain she's softer than the floor.

"Forget I said that," she suddenly mumbled drowsily. "Just--just go to sleep."

Might as well…

Turning to the window of the room, my back towards her, I tried to doze off. I actually felt myself relaxing a few minutes later, the silence lulling my rattled nerves.

Must be the fatigue. I'm not getting any younger.

I felt her shift, rolling around, likely so she would be facing my back. After a few more minutes of silence, she called to me. "Kenshin?"

My heart raced, and I prayed that she could not hear it from our close proximity.

"Yes?" "I know you said you feel you know me better because of my recent revelations," she said in a sleepy voice, "but that was from the first hour I told you the truth. What do you think of me now having 'known me better' these past few days?"

What…? It sounds as if she's worried that I like her less. Love her less…

I turned around to look at her.

I saw that she wasn't actually completely facing me. She had the front of her body flat on the mattress, and it was her head that was turned to the side to stare at me. Though her eyes conveyed drowsiness, I could tell that she was really waiting for my reply.

The soporific atmosphere was catching, and I snuggled against my pillow. My eyes fluttered slowly as I answered her question with a small smile. "Sessha still thinks the world of you. Never worry that your past will make me think badly about you, Kaoru-chan…"

I called her chan…well, it might be inappropriate, but when one's mind is hazy, things like that slip out. I bet she'll let it pass because I think she's even sleepier than I am. Caught in this haze, I reached out and rubbed the pads of my fingers on her cheeks. I always liked her porcelain-smooth complexion…

Her face brightened to a calming sheen, allowing my touch. "Really? You still want me as your best friend, Kenshin?"

"Of course…" Even more than a best friend…

"I'm so glad," she whispered. "I have a filthy mouth, ne? And I'm not so innocent…and I can be so horribly childish when I get pis…angry."

I could detect some moisture in her eyes. For someone who's so tough, I didn't think it would affect her so much.

"Maa…" I said soothingly, taking the edge of the blanket to wipe a tear beading at the corner of her eye. "You think too lowly of yourself, Kaoru-chan. Sessha cares for you too much to take anything against you. And sessha already told you that I like this new-you as much as the old one."

A smile spread on her face. "Thank you for saying that, Ken-kun," she whispered, her eyelids fluttering like a butterfly's wings lounging on an exquisite flower.

If only she understood the extent of my words. How deeply it runs inside me. Right now, with her face only a few inches from mine, I want nothing more than to kiss those bud-plump lips. I would run my fingers through her hair while I willed her to melt into my arms. Perhaps she would let me explore that exquisite tongue of hers…

My fantasy was abruptly cut short when Kaoru turned around again, her back to me. It was to my utter surprise when she shifted to nestle herself against me, pulling my arm around her waist to secure her. I was too astonished to do anything, and though this "position" dashed any hopes I had of kissing her, this intimacy was near overwhelming. Maybe that could be called a blessing in disguise, because if I had not been so shocked, the awareness of her would have made my body respond embarrassingly. She would know…she would have felt it through the layers of silk.

I had thought she was so repulsed by my touch, but I suppose her drowsiness had made her forget to distance herself this one time.

With her in my embrace, she gave a contented sigh before settling completely.

How strange that someone who claims to lack innocence should find nothing wrong with spooning with her best friend. I, on the other hand, would be stupid to make any complaints.

It was wonderful to have her in my arms like this, and oddly, this felt even more relaxing. Maybe it was the thought that now I could protect her with her being so close to me, or maybe it was just the scent of her hair…

Closing my eyes, I drifted off into sleep.

When I woke up the following morning, Kaoru was no longer beside me. I didn't know if I found more relief in that or disappointment. I always thought the rosy-ness of her morning face endearing, but then, we'd have to go through the awkwardness of having to get through morning-rituals usually accomplished in private.

Getting myself ready for the new day, I noticed that she was already packed to go. All set to leave Yokohama at a moment's notice.

I left our room to check on Kyosuke's, but my unanswered knock on his door meant that he was either still asleep, or he isn't in the room.

I made my way out of the hotel to see if they were in the coffee shop we had arranged to meet Banshio in. They were indeed there, bickering so early in the morning.

"I'm just saying that we get something nice to eat for Banshio!" Kaoru was saying loftily. "The guy doesn't seem to get to eat good food, so I don't think he'd appreciate the cheapest order on the menu!"

"I'm not dishing out more Sen than is necessary, Kao-chan! Shees! We're not rich, you know!"

"I didn't mean we should get him lobster, you moron. I was just saying that he'd appreciate more than just a cheap-ass garlic stick and tea!" She huffed. "At least get him some bread and cheese to go with some coffee…"

Kyosuke frowned, "But that's more expensive than a garlic stick and tea!"

"Stop being such a tightwad!" Kaoru growled. "The poor fella's looking forward to this meal!"

I considered watching them for a few moments, just to entertain myself, but when Kyosuke spitefully stepped on Kaoru's foot (it looked rather painful because he sort of ground his heel on her toes) and got her to cry a restrained "Owww! K-Kyosuke you idiot!" I showed myself, glaring at Kyosuke.

"H-Himura-san!" Kyosuke exclaimed. "H-How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," I said sternly, taking a western chair and sitting beside Kaoru as she soothed her mistreated foot. "Apologize to her," I ordered him.

"S-Sorry…" he muttered.

"Mou!" Kaoru exclaimed, kicking his shin with her wooden sandal.

Kyosuke crumpled in pain.

I smiled brightly and turned to Kaoru. "Good morning! Did you sleep well, Kaoru?"

She smiled back, forgetting her foot. "Yes. I was very comfortable!"

A tiny chuckle, more like a giggle, escaped her then she called over a waiter to take our orders.

Somehow, it disappointed me that she thought so casually about last night, but I suppose that's the way things really are between us…presently.

It was only a bit past six when Banshio arrived. He was glad we were there, and he got right down to business too. "So! What's for breakfast?" He asked.

Kaoru told him, and it wasn't garlic-sticks. Kyosuke grumbled but had nothing more to say about it since I was there, backing Kaoru up.

After breakfast, Banshio simply told us that he was going to help. We were glad that he had decided positively to our entreaty, and we told him that he would have to come with us after we left Yokohama.

Since this was all Kyosuke's idea, it was resolved that he would be in charge of Banshio's train tickets. Banshio would be assigned to Aizu, where he would investigate Taka's death.

We were in the midst of detailing the plans when someone grabbed Kyosuke by the collar and pulled him roughly to his feet. "There you are!" Said the stranger in a lopsidedly pleasant manner. "Nice to see you're having a fine meal in this fancy place while you've got unpaid debts, Tenshio!"

Staring at the scene in shock, we were only able to gather our senses when the hulking man tossed Kyosuke to the street fiercely. Kyosuke's head hit the ground and he groaned dazedly.

Kaoru, Banshio and I sprung to our feet in shock.

"Mou!" Kaoru cried. "Who are you and why are you hurting him?" She demanded.

The man growled and stepped closer in our direction. I moved in front of Kaoru and I noticed that Banshio did the same thing.

"Kyosuke a friend of yours?" The stranger asked me.

"Hardly," I replied, staring at him calmly. "But he is our companion. I prefer that you do not disturb us in such a manner."

He grunted and picked up Kyosuke by the front of his shirt. A crowd had already gathered to watch the scene unfold.

"Stay out of this," said the man gruffly. "Gen-ichi's business."

He slung an incapacitated Kyosuke over his shoulder and made a motion to walk off.

"Kenshin, we have to do something!" Kaoru hissed. "He's one of those bookie hit men! Kyosuke's going to get it bad!"

I nodded and called out. "Pardon me, sir, but I cannot let you take him."

"Jeez…he really is a polite son-of-a-gun," I heard Banshio tell Kaoru.

The so-called hit man chuckled, shook his head and went on with his business.

"Sock 'em, Himura!" Banshio said to me.

I sighed. The things I have to do…I moved forward, not even bothering to unsheathe my sakabatou, and I whipped it behind the thug's knees. He folded to the ground, spilling Kyosuke and himself on the road.

He growled, struggling to get up. "I'll get you for that, you midget!"

"Oro!" I exclaimed. I know I'm not what one would call big, but midget? That's a bit of an exaggeration, I think. "I am requesting that you stay down," I said while Kyosuke tried to crawl away.

The man roughly rolled Kyosuke off him and stood up to full height. "Just who the hell do you think you are?"

Do I have to announce myself every single time? How many people in Japan had red hair, purple/yellow eyes and a cross scar on their cheeks, anyway? It's not that I'm vain enough to suppose that I'm that notorious, but I'd rather not re-introduce myself out-right. "It does not matter," I said a tad wearily. "Sessha cannot allow you to take my companion."

The man grabbed a fist full of Kyosuke's hair and lifted him a bit. "Oh, you mean this piece of shit? You're defending a guy who couldn't settle his accounts honorably? I'll tell you midget, you're working for the wrong side."

"Yes. Er…I mean…" Oro! "I'd rather not fight you."

He chortled and looked at the growing crowd. "Can you believe this guy?"

No one can really blame these tough guys for never taking a puny man like me seriously. I mean, I never really looked threatening, even with the golden eyes, I think. When I get that way, my opponents are usually frightened because they knew me as Hitokiri Battousai, but without that knowledge, I think I just look like I'm ill.

"Of course you'd rather not fight me!" Responded the goon, letting go of Kyosuke's hair and striding towards me.

I gave another sigh. "Please stay back, sir," I attempted to warn him.

"You better listen to what he says, buster," Kaoru said to the man, her frown endearingly calm amidst the less-than-calming situation.

He scowled in her direction. "From where I came from, bitches aren't allowed to talk." Then he spat on the ground in front of her.

Kaoru looked at the wet blob that just missed her toes by inches before rolling her eyes around and saying, "Ho boy…you are SO asking for it…"

And how true her words are! He can't get away with disrespecting her!

I growled and glared. Another person trying to piss me off this week. What the hell is the deal? "You will apologize to her, you worthless piece of--"

"Oh so now you're angry. Neat trick with the eyes, midget," he said, chuckling.

He reached out to grab the front of my gi. What…is he attempting to collar me or something? What an idiot. Spare me the drama. I'd rather get this the hell over with.

It's a three-step process.

Step one, avoid the opponent's weapon. Step two, pull out my sword. Step three, break his arm with it.

And there he was, writhing in pain with three simple steps.

Banshio grinned. "That's what you get for dissing Hitokiri Battousai's woman."

"Banshio!" Kaoru hissed at him.

My eyes swerved to Kaoru, and I realized at that instant that I had lost control, in defense of Kaoru's honor, of course.

I groaned, seeing the look of terror on the man's face upon finding out who I was…am. "Sessha has done it again…"

Eyes wild with fright, the man took off as fast as he could. I was so bothered by it that, I almost wanted to call out and apologize to him.

Kaoru stepped up beside me and gave my back a sympathetic pat. I could see her stifling a grin. "It's alright."

Kyosuke moaned, his eyes closed tightly in pain. "Did you see the carriage that ran me over mother…?"

"I swear!" Kaoru growled in frustration. "Among the six of us, you're the lousiest actor!"

Kyosuke opened his eyes quite lucidly. "Is he gone?"

Banshio shook his head in disgust. "I'm outta here. I'll see you in your hotel rooms in an hour with my things, then we can head out. Kaoru-san, I could not understand how you could bear being with that fool," he remarked, nodding towards Kyosuke.

"Neither could I," Kaoru muttered. "Kenshin, I'm really sorry you had to go through all that…"

I was about to tell her that what mattered to me was that she was okay when Kyosuke interjected with an irritating: "What are you worried about him for? Ryobe barely touched him!"

It should not even surprise me that Kyosuke knew that goon's name.

Banshio scoffed and waved to us lazily while separating from our party. The rest of the crowd disbursed, but their confidential whispers to each other and their dagger-looks in my direction told me that my introduction had not gone unnoticed. The coffee shop attendant hovered in our midst, wondering how he was going to bill us for the food.

Noticing him, Kaoru gathered her composure and settled accounts.

I turned to Kyosuke and gave him a disapproving look. "You are making this trip as difficult as possible."

Of course, Kyosuke continued to play the victim. "You weren't the one body-slammed, Himura. So quit complaining."

He really does not get it. "Sessha could have been in Edo right now. Sessha would have been more productive there and…"

"And?"

And I would have had Kaoru all to myself. "And sessha would not have to deal with thugs and such, Kyo-chan!"

Kyosuke glared at me but said nothing in response.

We waited for Kaoru to finish paying up then headed back into the hotel.

It's been two hours. Banshio has not yet arrived.

"What the hell's keeping him?" Kyosuke muttered impatiently.

Kyosuke had joined us in our hotel room, and we were all somewhat fidgety from waiting so long. Frankly, I'm a bit worried. What, indeed, could be keeping Banshio?

"Maybe he's changed his mind," Kaoru suggested, her face leaning on her palm as she lay on her stomach across the bed.

"Fukushima Banshio may be a lot of things, but he ain't wishy-washy," Kyosuke said.

Something about Banshio has been nagging me from the very beginning. "What kind of man is Banshio-dono?" I asked somewhat ponderously.

"Cunning," Kyosuke replied immediately. "Really smart. He's the smartest one among us, I believe."

"Very useful to our cause," I commented. "His name suggests Bushi ancestry…"

"Yeah," Kyosuke responded with a nod. "Banshio came from a pretty wealthy bushi family, but they lost everything before the upheavals, and Banshio grew up poor. His parents raised him pretty well though. In spite of the poverty, he could pretty much keep up with Yasushige's breeding if he wants to. And from Banshio's stories…whew, the father sounds like a wacko…don't tell him I said that."

"What do you mean his father's wacko?" Kaoru asked.

"Bushido family…" Kyosuke said.

Well, that may explain a lot about the "wacko" part. Of course, it's a matter of perception.

The really old Bushi have a tendency to be passionate about their ideals. Jin = develop a sympathetic understanding of people, Gi = to preserve the correct ethics, Chu = to show loyalty to ones master, Ko = to respect and to care for ones parents, Rei = to show respect for others, Chi = to enhance wisdom by broadening ones knowledge, Shin = to be truthful at all times, Tei = to care for the aged and those of a humble station…honorable ideals, I must admit. But some of these doctrines are taken to the extreme. Particularly with Gi, Chu and Chi.

"But Jin, Gi, Chu…these are good things," Kaoru said.

"It depends on how they are ingrained into the psyche," I told her.

Her look may as well have asked: "What are you trying to say about Banshio?"

"But it is inconsequential," I added rather hastily, hoping that she does not detect my feelings of unease. "It only means that Banshio-dono will not go back on his word, and it explains how he is somewhat of a gentleman." I smiled at her, hoping that the manners he displayed to Kaoru the day before would sidetrack her from my musings.

"Then why isn't he here yet?" Kaoru asked pointedly.

I nodded, ready to address the issue head-on. "We will go to him right now. Something must have kept him and frankly, I am worried."

Kaoru's eyes perked. "Worried? You think something might have happened to him?"

"Maa…" I said. "Sessha is sure it's nothing. It just gets boring waiting here and doing nothing."

I should have stopped with "nothing". I have never felt bored in near twenty years. Patience is indeed one of my virtues. And though Kaoru has only known me for two, she can tell that my last statement was a lie. I am not as good an actor as Kaoru is. Which stands to reason why I was made Hitokiri, and not sekkou.

"Let's go then," Kaoru said sullenly, pushing herself to her feet.

Kyosuke blinked. "Did I miss something?"

"No," Kaoru answered him pertly as she went around the bed to gather her things. "Let's just go."

Something about her tone made Kyosuke shut up, and silently, we made our way out of the room, leaving the hotel to head towards Banshio's part of town.

We saw the fuss from afar, and when I realized it was centered on Banshio's flat, my heart sank to my feet. Lengthening my strides, I made my way hastily through the throng of onlookers. Kaoru and Kyosuke followed close behind me.

"No, no, no…" Kaoru moaned silently to herself.

When we came upon the core of the crowd, my fears instantly turned into despair. There was a body laid out lifelessly on the street, somewhat smoldering. It was covered with a sheet, but it was a body, no doubt, and with no other sign of Banshio…

"Oh God," Kaoru breathed, grasping my gi from behind. "It couldn't be…"

Kyosuke cursed vehemently and looked away, almost in anger.

I turned purposefully to a stranger. "Who is that under the sheet?"

The stranger shook his head and bowed. "Banshio-san…he was a good man…"

Kaoru whimpered at the stranger's words and Kyosuke resorted to more violent cursing.

"How did it happen, good sir?" I continued to inquire.

I saw the man's eyes rove for a second, then he lowered his voice to a near whisper. "We all just heard him screaming from inside, then a few seconds later, the screaming stopped and he fell out of his door, in flames…he was already dead."

Horrible…I began to feel sick to my stomach. "Did no one try to help him when the first screams came…?"

The stranger chuckled. "Around here, we keep to each other's business. Besides, the scary man in blue might still have been abroad."

"Scary man in blue?" Kaoru asked, tearing her eyes away from the Banshio's body, which was being loaded on a stretcher by whom we assumed to be the local authorities. A crisp hand had dangled out, churning my insides a bit more.

"Yeah," confirmed the stranger. "The scary guy in blue had visited him before. This was the second time, and a few minutes after the guy left, that's when Banshio started…"

"Can you describe this scary guy?" Kyosuke asked.

"Tall. Brings around a sword, like he was a sword-cop or something. I only saw him two times but he always had a cigarette lit…"

Saitoh? No…it could be anybody…

"Keshin," Kaoru whispered. "Saitoh said he was going out of town. Do you think…?"

I couldn't quite say yes, but it was too compelling to deny! "It could still be somebody else…" Though I did not sound too convinced of it myself. What does Saitoh have to do with all this? Yesterday, he was looking for Kyosuke, then a witness tells me that Saitho may quite possibly have been meeting with Banshio. Did Saitoh…kill Banshio? Is he hoping to corner Kyosuke? If any of my musings have any merit, does he know of Kaoru…

"We have to get back to Edo," I said resolutely. "Immediately."

Kaoru nodded. "Kyosuke, are you coming with us?"

"Hell yeah!" Kyosuke said emphatically. "There's no way I'm going anywhere alone after this!"

Fear knotted in my stomach anew. My Kaoru…she is in so much danger. I cannot let anything happen to her. And the sooner this mystery is solved, the better.

We've tarried enough.

It is now the investigation really begins.

 

 

NEXT à