Chapter Nine

THE SPY

Who IS this person? How does she know about the Shikeigai?

Katsura might have told her about us, but then she said things about knowing who I was. What part did she play in the Ishinshishi's deceptions?

Kenshin looked absolutely knocked out of his wits. Did he feel betrayed that she did not tell him of her knowledge before? Were they that intimate with each other that he could not fathom that she had kept secrets from him?

"I will tell you first about Fujita-san's visit," she began solemnly. "May I speak freely of the Shikeigai, before everyone? I assume you have told them. They seem to be your family and I could not see you, Kamiya-san, as one who would keep such a secret from them."

Well, isn't that nice? An empress and a conscience squad all in one. Matsuhime, you think too highly of me. I did keep it from them, and have just recently revealed my past. However, it was like her, being a woman of good breeding, to think best of those she deals with. Malicious thoughts would never taint her words. Either that or she's incredibly naïve.

I nodded speechlessly in response to her.

Thus empowered, Matsuhime continued. "He told me that he was conducting an investigation about the deaths of certain members of a rumored organization that might have existed during the Boshin Wars. He said he came to me since I am Father Kogoro's adopted daughter, quite known to have been privy to a lot of matters regarding the Ishinshishi. I was astonished that he found me in the first place. Not many people know that my brother and I have moved from Chugoku all the way to Shiroishi-Tohoku after father died. I commend him for his tracking skills."

I saw Kenshin's fist clenching tightly. "Saitoh was courteous, I hope."

She smiled at him. "Very much so. I can tell you, his manners surprised me. Mibu's Wolf is not known for his gentility."

"Are we talking about the same guy here, Kido-san?" Sano asked.

Matsuhime chuckled. "You know him, I see."

Yahiko scoffed. "Are you kidding? He's constantly in our hair!"

"Well young man, you can imagine my astonishment then," she said, patting Yahiko's head.

Yahiko cringed at the little-boy treatment Matsuhime was imparting to him, but since she was guest, and a very beautiful one at that, he made no vocal complaints.

"He told me that it was in the interest of justice that he came to me, saying that it was very important that I tell the truth. I had my reservations, because information like that, if entrusted to the wrong people, can be used against my father. To soil his clean reputation, but Fujita-san seemed like a man of principle, so I said I would tell him what I knew. Through the course of his questioning, I revealed to him that the Shikeigai did exist, and that Father Kogoro had conspired to support it, albeit reluctantly," she narrated. "You must believe me when I say Father was reluctant."

"We do," I said in all sincerity. I studied Kenshin's face for his reaction. There was none. I could tell that Kenshin still abhors the idea that Katsura played any part in it at all, but I knew that Kenshin's respect for Katsura remains strong in spite of it.

"Yeah. I always liked your old man," Kyosuke remarked casually.

"Th-Thank you," responded Matsuhime, a bit flustered by his somewhat unrefined language. "He was a good man, and if it was in his power to put a stop to it, he would have, but Master Sakamoto Ryoma had made him promise, on his honor, to continue the Shikeigai should Sakamoto-sama die before the war was over. To my mind, Sakamoto-sama had abused his influence on father, but it was not in my place to question the ways of men, least of all the decision of the one who would eventually adopt me. With that said, I shall get back to the subject of Fujita-san."

Some of the tension eased from Kenshin's face.

We listened to what more she had to say.

"Fujita-san said that it was imperative I name the last remaining Shikeigai, because it was his duty to protect their well-being."

Oh no. Matsuhime-san...so trusting. So honorable...so naïve...you didn't!

"So I told him," she said.

"She did," I muttered to myself unconsciously.

The catch of everyone else's breath was apparent. Kyosuke, especially, who seemed about ready to implode, because he couldn't very well explode. In his crude way, he understood that Matsuhime could not really be faulted for her inability to foster malicious thought. She cannot and would not hold back information in the face of a courteous agent of the government. A government she, along with so many others, believed would be good for the country.

None of us said anything untoward in deference to the purity of her intentions. No one was that heartless, not even me. The deed had been done. There was no use telling her that she had committed a grave mistake.

"When I mentioned your name, Kamiya-san, he was greatly amused..."

I'll bet.

"He said...he said that you had taken up a charity house in your dojo, and that Himura-san was helping you in running it."

If her news hadn't been so earth shattering, all of us would have laughed.

Oh Saitoh, Saitoh...you sarcastic son of a bitch.

Stammering, I explained to her that Fujita-san was just joking, and that I did not run a charity house.

"Could've fooled me," I heard Kyosuke say to himself. I shot him a look that could have slain him on the spot.

She laughed, her melodic voice drifting through the room. "Well, I believed him."

Of course she would.

"But his information about Himura-san struck me. I asked him where this Kamiya Dojo was, and he gave me precise instructions. I did not ask him what your relation was to Himura-san, though. I didn't think it would have been polite of me," she explained, reddening a bit. "And that was it, I suppose. It brought me here, and here I am."

We fell silent, and I was mortally afraid that everyone would burst out in reproach. God knows, my thoughts were pretty nasty, considering.

"Matsuhime-san, you mentioned that you should have recognized me when you first saw me...I cannot quite recall..." I began in desperation.

She blushed furiously. "It is rather delicate...perhaps you would wish for the men to leave the room..."

I raised an eyebrow. Eh? What for? "It's alright. There is nothing these boys don't know about me."

Her beautiful brow knotted. "Are you certain, Kamiya-san? Yahiko-chan..."

Yahiko's eyes flashed. "I'm not--!"

"I'll tell him if he's too young for it," I said, interrupting him.

He simmered.

She nodded, but was still quite uncertain. "V-Very well. My birth mother's name," Matsuhime said. "Is Imaedigawa Saeko, of a very old, noble house, who put great stock on a woman's place in the eyes of society. So much so that they had devised ways to ensure that a woman's reputation is left untouched, even if her virtue isn't."

Matsuhime stared at me expectantly for any indication of my desire to order the men out of the room.

I could tell that they were only vaguely understanding what she was saying, especially Sano and Yahiko who knew little of what actually transpired during my days as a spy. I, on the other hand, felt the full force of her words.

My face paled. I opened my mouth to speak, barely realizing that I was saying anything at all.

"Y-Yahiko," I whispered. "Go to your room."

"What! No!" The child cried.

"Go to your room," Kenshin repeated for me, in a firm but gentle tone.

Yahiko made no further protest. When Kenshin spoke, to him it was law. Looking hurt but compliant, he silently got to his feet and shot me a glare. "I don't know what's going on, but you all know I'll ask you about this some other time."

"I wouldn't expect less, Yahiko-chan," I said, giving him a small smile, conveying that his only fault was that he was too young to have his innocence shaken by such terrible truths. "And I'll hold you to your honor not to eavesdrop, Yahiko."

The young boy cursed at my perfectly aimed declaration. Honor is important to him.

When Yahiko had gone, I spoke to Matsuhime. "It was your mother...and you were...the young woman who..."

She stared at me and then at Kenshin and Sano. When I made no motion to ask them to go, she took a deep breath and continued.

"I was her assistant," Mastuhime said, her cheeks flaming at her own revelations. "Kamiya-san, you must understand, even at a young age, I was taught to believe, with conviction, that women must not beget children outside of marriage. It was with great sincerity that I assisted my mother in preparing the tonic which would prevent any untoward 'accidents'. To me, something like that is a horrible disgrace that I could not allow to happen to any woman, especially for women like you and Miyori-san who had to deal with the possibility through no fault of your own."

Her mother...was the Woodwitch. I remember now. Matsuhime was the young woman who would bring in the dosage tray and then disappear thereafter. I suppose she helped in the preparation.

"What is she talking about, Jou-chan?" Sano asked me, fidgeting in his seat.

Kyosuke scoffed disdainfully. "Don't you get it, rooster head? Your precious Jou-chan didn't survive the war unscathed."

Kenshin shot him a deadly glare.

I placed a hand on Kenshin's arm to soothe him and he took it, holding it tightly.

Turning to Sano, I spoke to him. "Sano, things like that happen in a war. It could not be helped."

Sano cursed like never before. "Jou-chan, are you telling me they...those bastards! Did Saitoh do anything like that to you?" He demanded. "I'll tear him to pieces! That son of a bitch ain't gonna see the light of day when I'm through with him!"

"Saitoh did not hurt me in that way," I told him calmly. "He did, in fact, decapitate one of my...aggressors..."

Matsuhime made a sound of distress.

Kyosuke's eye twitched. "The girls had it easy."

Kenshin's grip tightened on my hand abruptly. The rurouni swore. He swore! "You should not have said that, Kyosuke," I told him.

"Hell! I can say anything I want on the matter!" He said angrily. "You weren't the only one abused out there, and yeah, I think the girls had it easy. You were supposed to be delicate little china dolls, but us guys, we were the hardware, ne? Built to last!"

Matsuhime covered her mouth in shock. Didn't have to be a princess to be offended by that one. Even I, Jaded Bitch of the Bakumatsu, thought his words to be a wee bit excessive.

"That's enough, Kyosuke-san," Kenshin told him grimly.

"I'm going to be sick," Kyosuke said, getting up and leaving the room.

I wanted to tell him that he was the one who started talking about hardware, but then considering he was so upset, I let him be without a word.

"I-I'm sorry," Matsuhime whispered. "I did not mean to cause such discord..."

"It's okay, Kido-san," I told her. "I'm the one who made them stay. N-None of it is your fault."

Well, not intentionally.

She lowered her eyes and I saw it rest on mine and Kenshin's joined hands.

"You are good men, Himura-san, Segara-san," Matsuhime said softly. "It is not out of spite when I say this. In our society, not many men would give women like Kamiya-san the respect they deserve just because fate had dealt such women a brutal blow. I am envious that you have a hold on such noble men, Kamiya-san."

The "noble men" fidgeted uncomfortably on their seats. Compliments like that were scarce and perhaps they didn't know how to handle it.

I tilted my head to the side and smiled at her, appreciating her for saying so. "Maybe I'm just lucky, Kido-san."

Matsuhime smiled back and shook her head. "No. Men like these two...you draw them with your strength." She composed herself for a moment before speaking again. "With that said, I must go."

"Already, Matsuhime-dono?" Kenshin asked her, regret in his eyes. "But you've been here barely half an hour!"

I know he had been hoping to talk about the mundane, perhaps about what Matsuhime's been doing these days, about the things he's gone through after the war, maybe even...about the people he's come to consider his family, about us. But it was inappropriate to expect that now. With the emotions that ran high but a few minutes ago, the mundane has no place here anymore.

"Won't you at least stay for dinner?" I added, for Kenshin's sake.

"I am sorry, but I cannot," she replied as she got to her feet. "It is quite horrible enough that I had caused so much trouble...that in itself is reason enough for me to leave."

I made a motion to protest but she waved it off and continued. "But I was really only planning on staying a while, and I have to meet Master Itagaki Taisuke tomorrow morning. I am telling you that it will be no easy task. He's still sore about Father vetoing his and Master Saigo Takamori's, may his soul rest in peace, proposal to invade Korea."

"Oro!"

That was surreal. Uncle wanted to invade Korea, but dad said no. Not tomorrow. Tomorrow there'll be a sumo match he can't possibly miss. Uncle got angry. He said HE wasn't going to spring for sushi.

"Himura-san, it was wonderful to see you again," she said, giving him a bow. "And it was nice to finally talk to you, Kamiya-san. Segara-san, it was a pleasure."

We all got up to return the courtesy.

"I was hoping to talk to you about certain matters..." Matsuhime said to Kenshin. "But I suppose...it would not do in view of certain circumstances."

I raised an eyebrow and Kenshin gave her a puzzled stare.

"I wish to request that Kamiya-san be the only one to escort me to her gate, if it's alright with you, Kamiya-san," she said.

"Certainly," I replied.

She said her final good byes to the boys and we walked through the footpath.

"Kamiya-san," she began quietly. "I meant what I said about you and the gentlemen back there. I do admire you your strength. 'Tis not a common thing for women of this age."

I felt a little unnerved receiving praise from such a distinguished lady. Strong? And here I thought I was just being bossy. "Th-Thank you."

"Let me tell you...I came here, hoping that I had a chance to earn Kenshin's...regard. I wanted it so much then. I still do, but now I see that I could have no hope of gaining more than his brotherly affection. He has found someone to love."

I stared at her, unable to say anything. This woman who speaks so softly has so far shocked me more times in one night than anyone I have ever met. Life is just one big heck of an irony.

She chuckled. "Do not seem so surprised. We both know that Kenshin is no great ladies man, but for those who cross fates with him, woman or man...he cannot help but make an impression. Perhaps I do love him, but it is nothing to what he feels for you. Please Kamiya-san, do not disappoint him. I understand why he loves you, men like him need extraordinary women like you, but you must see...it is true vise versa as well."

So taken was I about what she was saying that I almost walked right smack into the gate.

She chuckled. "I dare say I am fated to marry a hoity-toity statesman who will be proud of his elegant wife and the offspring she produces. I am resigned to that fate, and maybe it will not be as bad as I make it out to be, but you will definitely lead a more interesting life, Kamiya-san. Your power over these boys...surely you realize you have a responsibility to make them respectable men in this society. It could be done by no one else but you."

I smiled at her as I opened the gate. "I will remember that, Kido-san. You underestimate your own powers to decide your own fate. Kenshin is not the only one who has made an impression."

"It was an honor to meet you, Kamiya-san."

"The honor was all mine, Kido-san," I replied politely. In a way it was true. Even if she did let the proverbial cat out of the bag, she has perhaps realized what a lot of Japanese still refuse to see: The need for transparency, less of the intrigue, faith in a system a lot of us are coming to be skeptical about.

Most assuredly, she was right about assessing Saitoh to be principled. He is, but the clincher was that he was fanatically so, and his principles cannot be measured to ordinary men's. She had no way of knowing that, unless she dealt with Saitoh himself as extensively as we have. She had read him correctly, if not completely.

She left, going straight to her carriage and riding off when she and her entourage were secured.

I watched her for a moment before I shut the door and looked back at the house.

Kenshin halted his discussion with Sano to peer at me curiously.

Though time may eventually have told me certain things, Fate, it seems, is both mischievous and impatient. To introduce me to a woman who knew more about my blessings than I did is no common thing. And to think I was so jealous of her...

I walked up to Kenshin, a sudden shyness overcoming me. I had been horrible to him, belittling his faithful love by my petty jealousies.

"I'm going to talk to Yahiko now. Would you fix the dinner table for me, Kenshin?" I asked.

"Of course, Kaoru."

"Thank you," I said softly.

Taking his hand, I quickly administered my apology to him by placing a tender kiss on his cheek. I felt his surprise, but he turned his face a bit. An intimate gesture, perhaps hoping for something more, but I merely smiled and scampered off.

Some other time, Kenshin. Sano's watching, and he's astonished enough as it is.

Belongs to no man

The golden gaze of a beast

Piercing the shadow

Crouching in my disgrace and covering the bruised flesh, I could not move. I could not speak. It was as if his eyes froze mine, the way his sword had made the terror in my decapitated ravisher's eyes permanent.

Sharpened ears listen

Hears a whimper through the wind

Wolf begins to prowl

He left abruptly, following the sound of what he must perceive as fresh prey. So drawn, so fascinated was I that I followed. This was his den, and he had consumed me with his power.

He catches his prey

The scent of fear thickening

Though I only see

Kyosuke? He is terrified. Mouth agape with his eyes transfixed on the predator. On the other side of the wolf...Miyori? I did not even know...she was here. She is crying, and here I thought we had no more tears to shed.

He unsheathes his claw

Poised to kill...to maim...to harm...?

Only the beast knows

No! Please don't! The wolf has frightened him. Isn't that enough? You have shown your power wolf, do not inflict it upon him! I beg of you to stop.

Belongs to no man

The golden gaze of a beast

Piercing through my soul

Look away, he tells me. Let justice be done.

Filth has its own place

But not in his dominion.

He shall be the judge

Look away, he tells me again, lest his sword find its mark on me. He told Miyori to leave as well. "You have no place here," he said.

'Twas tears that came first

Then I tore my gaze away

The wolf behind me

The scream reverberated through the forest, frightening the birds. They rustled overhead, tearing leaves from their clusters and raining upon me. The horrible bellow continued and I wanted to flee. I had to get away from the sound. I had to get away...but I couldn't. I couldn't move, and when I turned, resolved to...rescue? How can I, when I am so weak? But I had too! Kyosuke needs me! Kyosuke!

But Saitoh was done. Whipping his sword to his side to flick off the blood, he sheathed it right after.

My eyes flung open in the darkness, and then I froze.

There were two men in my room, wrapped from head to foot with midnight hued clothing. They had weapons, knives, and they were going to use it. But then my icy gaze shimmered in the blackness, and they saw that I was roused.

They gasped. They had not expected me to wake up.

"Shit!"

I do not know which one of them spoke, but it hardly matters.

I scrambled to get out of bed, tossing off sheets and instantly finding purchase. They will not succeed.

My senses leapt to attention, my muscles going tense in a familiar rush that bubbled through my very veins. I had no weapon, only my hands.

Crouching to a long unused stance. I waited for their move.

They made a lunge for me but I was prepared. I jumped and landed right on the back of one of my assailants. My weight shoved him to the ground, knocking his forehead against the wooden floor.

He swore vehemently.

First rule of Cat's Paw...avoid a confrontation.

"And where do you think you're going?" Asked the other.

I felt his gloved hand clasp my ankle and I tripped facedown with a crash.

They will not succeed.

Second rule of Cat's Paw...ignore the pain.

Teeth baring from the discomfort of my fall, I let out an angry hiss.

Third rule of Cat's Paw...when given no choice, commence defense.

Twisting my body, I flipped over, swung my leg and made my other foot come in contact with his head. I caught him on the temple, where I had aimed, but my position had been too awkward to render him unconscious. His grip on my ankle loosened and he toppled to his side in a daze.

The other one was recovering. Reaching for my portable writing table in the corner, I picked it up by its leg and flung it right at him, catching him right smack on his nose.

More cursing ensued and I pushed myself to my feet.

I ran out the door, my heart pounding through my chest. I crashed right into somebody who enfolded me in his arms.

Bereft of all feeling except to survive, I made no sound, made no struggle. Stoically, I pulled my hand back, fingers poised to deal a killing blow.

"Kaoru!"

The familiarity of the voice penetrated my ears, and it processed itself in a torrent of thought.

I gasped, the rush of rabid self-preservation seeping out of my body, almost weakening me.

"Are you alright?" Kenshin asked, clutching me by my shoulders. "I heard something--"

I was about to reply, to tell him that there were strangers in my room when a loud crash startled me into a yelp.

Kyosuke came flying out of his room, tearing through the paper and wood shoji. The impact of his body ripped the door from its sliding hinges.

He crashed to the ground, groaning and curling into an agonized ball as he coughed, rasping for breath.

"Kyosuke!" I cried, stepping in his direction, but Kenshin held me back wordlessly.

Clutching the hilt of his sword, he moved forward himself.

Kyosuke's assailant came lumbering through the debris. We couldn't see his face, because like the other two I had to deal with in my room, he was covered all over as well. He was broad of breadth, but even through the clothing, we could tell that he was all muscle.

He cursed. "God dammit, you little fuck!" He cried at Kyosuke. He was about ready to pick Kyosuke to his feet when he froze upon seeing Kenshin's approaching figure.

"Damn! He's awake!" Someone said.

It was one of my two aggressors, and they had just emerged from my room.

Kenshin's eyes glowed upon realizing that two men had attacked me. Though they could not hope to be as large as their cohort even with their combined size, they're still bigger than I am, individually. One thing's for sure. It made Kenshin angry.

At this moment, Battousai was no welcome site, at least to them.

With his red hair cascading down his shoulders and his sleeping robe somewhat tousled from bed, I personally thought he was down right yummy. Add that to his intense amber gaze, I found myself staring at him slack jawed and positively hypnotized.

With Battousai gazing at all three men from where he stood, none of them moved. None of them dared. The silent reprieve, though filled was tension, coaxed the rurouni back little by little. Kenshin was indeed, the master of control.

The large man whistled. Figures, all dressed in black, rose out from all around us. The roof, the perimeter walls, the foliage...they were everywhere.

This is not good. In a situation like this, Kenshin would be able to defend himself, even with the overwhelming number of opponents, but I always felt that Kenshin worked better without having to worry about the rest of us.

I'm just going to have to find a way to help him without getting in his way.

Kyosuke moaned. "W-What do you mean--?"

Thus feeling confident that Battousai wasn't going to attack, the large man grabbed a fist full of Kyosuke's robe and pulled him up. "Boss said your debts ain't worth the aggravation, so he'd rather have you killed instead, and then collect from the one who paid him to do it."

Kyosuke whimpered. "I-I'll pay you guys f-for the journals, I swear..."

What the hell is this all about?

"Orders are orders, Kyosuke," said the main, feigning regret.

To my horror, he pulled out a short sword. Remnants of a dream crowded into my head and I came out with a loud cry. "No!"

The man swung and I thought Kyosuke was finished, but there was a flash, and time stood still.

Kyosuke had a shocked expression on his face as he stared at two crisscrossing blades inches from his person. One aimed at his neck and the other poised to preserve it.

Kenshin stood behind him, his sword matching the stranger's steel.

My instinct to apply my weaponless technique was beginning to take root, and I looked desperately around me for anything I can use like a bokken, just so I can keep the instinct from resurfacing.

A loud shout from Kyosuke's attacker set everyone upon us, and chaos reigned. Kenshin flew into action, sending the large man crashing back into Kyosuke's room.

"Busu!" Came Yahiko's sudden cry from the porch. I did not know when exactly he had emerged from his room, but the site of him with a bokken was welcome. He tossed it into the air and my eye was quick to follow it.

Jumping to avoid the onslaught of our enemies, I caught the bokken in my hand and rolled to a crouch, immediately going into stance. Yahiko rushed to my side and then positioned himself behind me to guard my back.

They attacked, and including the first two men who tried to get me in my room, there were twenty five in all, ten of which had surrounded me and Yahiko.

The other ten dared to take on Kenshin, and I saw him slash his way through his opponents with lightning fast quickness. Five others kept their distance, waiting for an opportunity to contribute to the onslaught.

Kyosuke struggled to his feet, and even through the pandemonium I could see that his survival instincts have already consumed him. He had no Kamiya Kasshin Ryu to fall back on. All he had was the Shikeigai technique, and that could mean he was very deadly.

Hacking my way through, I told Yahiko to follow me. I noticed that Kenshin was not leaving Kyosuke's side, defending them both with his sword. He knew what Kyosuke could do in his state, and he would not permit anything like that to happen.

My only consolation was that Kyosuke would not act unless he was really threatened, the Cat's Paw technique ensured that, and at this moment, with Kenshin acting as an effective shield, Kyosuke merely bided his time.

We reached Kenshin and Kyosuke's side, and by that time, most of our opponents had been incapacitated, one way or another. Some were already crawling away in retreat, finding aid amongst each other. The five other men who had hung back still hovered, one or two of them jumping down to recover their injured brethren one at a time.

"Kyosuke," Kenshin said through grit teeth. "Your debts have endangered my family."

"You heard him, Himura," Kyosuke replied, looking uncharacteristically serious. "He didn't come here to collect from me."

I nodded to confirm his words. "They were here for me too."

Kenshin said nothing in response.

A loud groan ensued from Kyosuke's room, and a quick glance told me that Kyosuke's attacker was just now recovering from Kenshin's blow.

The attacks have stopped, but our assailants have not left the premises. They were perhaps waiting for their leader to tell them what to do.

The leader emerged, shaking his head, perhaps to clear his vision.

When he saw the state of things, his cowering comrades and the Kenshin's steady gaze with a sword, he whistled again as he jumped into the air. Almost as quickly, the rest of them made a hasty exit.

Indignant that they were just going to get away with what they did, I grabbed a portion of Kyosuke's totaled door and flung it at the back of a fleeing figure.

My perfect aim made the projectile connect with his shoulder and he dropped to the ground in mid flight, just before he was able to scale my wall.

"Good shot, busu!" Yahiko cried excitedly as we rushed to get to him.

Kenshin reached him first, and grabbing fists full of the man's clothing, Kenshin flipped him over to face us. The usually gentle rurouni slammed him carelessly to the ground and ripped off the cloth covering his face. The man moaned, befuddled, but for once, Kenshin did not care.

Holy crap. Kenshin must really be angry to be so rough.

The man looked like he was in his mid-twenties, but his face had long lost its boyish glow. With his skin browned and his lip crooked unnaturally, he looked like he had not been in gentle company.

"Yeesh," Kyosuke muttered. "He ain't pretty."

"Who sent you?" Kenshin demanded from him.

With his eyes a bit unfocused, the man randomly scanned our faces, slowly realizing that he had been caught, and that he had no hope of escaping us.

"Hey! Battousai asked you a question!" Kyosuke yelled.

The mention of Battousai made the man tremble and he stammered a reply. "G-Gen-ichi..."

Yahiko crammed his head under my arm. "Who's that?"

"Did you come here to collect Kyosuke's debt?" Kenshin asked.

The man stayed silent.

"Perhaps Battousai has not made himself clear..." Kyosuke said with a raised eyebrow.

Our captive gave a start. "I--I was just following orders...I wasn't suppose to participate in the killing..."

Yahiko's mouth dropped open. "You were going to kill someone?"

"N-No! I mean...not me. I wasn't going to kill anyone!" The man cried hastily. "We were just...we were just back up...those three who went ahead of us...they were the ones in charge of that."

Kenshin glared at him. "What did you hope to accomplish tonight?"

"They were..." Began the guy, insisting on shifting the conspiracy from him. "They were suppose to get rid of Tenshio Kyosuke and Kamiya Kaoru..."

My stomach twisted. So they were trying to kill me, and Kyosuke too.

Kyosuke eyebrows knotted. "Because I couldn't come up with the payments?" He asked, incredulous.

The man shook his head. "No. Gen-ichi-sama decided to forego your debts. Said the payoff for killing you made up for it..."

"Who's paying him off?" I asked, grabbing him by his collar. "Who ordered Gen-ichi to kill us?"

"I don't know!" He cried in a panic. "Gen-ichi-sama just gets these letters...one at a time. He gets paid half to set it up and then the other half when the deed's been done. He gets the money at drop-off points."

"Kenshin..." I began worriedly. "What are we going to do with this guy? If we turn him over to the cops and Saitoh..."

"Let him deal with Saitoh," Kenshin said with unusual ruthlessness. "Besides, I do not think Saitoh will try do anything to him in the police station."

The man whimpered.

Kenshin suddenly froze and his eyes swerved to the direction of the roof.

We all looked and saw something move, a figure clothed in black with a hood pulled over his face. Something zipped past us and our captive gave a start of surprise, then he went limp.

I stared in horror at the tiny dart that had pierced the man's shoulder. "Oh god! Is he dead?" I demanded.

"See to him," Kenshin said, taking off to follow the figure that had swiftly fled as soon as he had issued the dart.

"I think he's alive, busu," Yahiko said, placing his cheek near the man's parted lips. "But I don't know if he'll stay that way."

I hate to say it, but I almost don't care. Kenshin had been so quick to disappear...I didn't even have time to protest his intentions to track the figure down. He's alone out there, and even if I know he can take care of himself, I can't help but worry about him.

Resisting the urge to follow mainly because I had no idea where they had ran off to, I crouched down to check the unconscious man. He was breathing, and the pattern of it was steady enough. He in fact, looked very much relaxed, like he was in a deep slumber.

Kyosuke sighed, flopping down on the grass and shaking his head. "I can't believe...that my life is so cheap..." he said in a daze. "I'm not even worth more than a couple o' hundred Sen..."

I chuckled softly. "Is that how much you owe him?"

Kyosuke nodded.

"Tough break," Yahiko said, sitting on the grass beside him.

Something clicked in my brain and I looked up ponderously. "Kyosuke...you said something about journals..."

This hustled him back to his senses. "Oh that...well, I've been meaning to tell you about those. It...might be our shot at evidence..."

I blinked. "Evidence? For Saitoh?"

He nodded wordlessly. "It's...actually the reason I went to you for help in the first place..."

I was still a little shaken, and I could honestly say that my mind wasn't functioning properly, what with the fuss and the lateness of the hour. I wasn't quite getting what he was trying to say, but the words "being used" began to process itself in my head.

Getting to my feet, I picked up my bokken. "I'm going to Megumi. We'll be needing a doctor for this guy. You two stay here and watch over him. If he wakes up, don't let him get away. We'll call the cops later. If Kenshin returns before I do, tell him where I've gone and that he shouldn't worry or follow or do anything like that."

Yahiko scoffed. "Try telling him that," he said.

"Whatever," I responded. "Just make sure he stays calm."

Kyosuke gave a halfhearted salute. "We'll do our best."

I ran my hands trough my tousled hair. I'm not even dressed to go walking in the streets.

Going to my room, I grabbed a shawl that would give me some measure of decency and then I went on my way to fetch Megumi.

THE HITOKIRI

That ki. I've felt it before. Familiar, yet vaguely so that it was hard to place. Almost like...its existence was improbable.

I could not see him. I lost sight of him since he fled the dojo, but I followed, though the trail may be a useless one.

An unusual sound here and there, a strange fluttering of the leaves...those are the only clues I had of his whereabouts. There wasn't even a residual trace of ki, but if I can find him, it might lead us to certainties.

They tried to kill my Kaoru tonight.

Now that I thought about it, I wish I had hit those bastards just a bit harder, broke more bones, made sure that they were all left unconscious for the cops to haul them off to prison where Saitoh could have his way with them all...

I don't care what happens to them, so long as they're punished for that fool attempt of theirs.

What if Kaoru had not been schooled to defend herself? What if they had thought of doing other things to her before they killed her? Like kidnap her and...

That would have been unforgivable. I would have killed them all.

I blinked and tried to shake off Battousai. I was getting distracted, and I must focus on the chase.

Half an hour passed, and still I could not find him. My surroundings have gone silent. There was no longer anything to follow.

I sighed.

I must get back to the dojo. It just occurred to me that I had left them there all alone. What if those thugs came back with more of their kind with them? The number would overwhelm them and the consequences of my not being there could be disastrous.

Rushing on silent feet, I did not stop until I got to the dojo gate. It was unlocked. I wonder why.

When I left the dojo, I did not use the door. Why is the gate open?

I walked into the front yard and saw Yahiko looking over Megumi's shoulder as she attended to the stranger we had caught.

"Where are Kyosuke and Kaoru?" I asked them. "And Megumi-dono, I do not mean to be rude, but how did you know to come here?"

"Tanuki-chan came to my house and called me over, said someone was hurt," she replied calmly as she checked the man's pulse. I saw the dart laid out in her medicine box, somewhat wrapped in paper.

It would be like Kaoru to go fetch Megumi alone, unmindful of the possibility that the enemy might still be lurking nearby, but then she got back fine, as evidenced by Megumi's presence. No use fussing about that now. "And where is she now? Is Kyosuke with her?"

"Kyosuke accompanied her to the police station," Yahiko replied.

"Oro!!! Saitoh could be there!" I cried, forgetting about Megumi knowing nothing about it.

Megumi arched an eyebrow. "Yes, Ken-san. That's the point. Cops, Saitoh-san. It's a common occurrence nowadays."

"I have to follow them," I said resolutely, preparing to go on another chase.

"Busu told me to tell you not to worry," Yahiko piped. "Said that with the cops around, Saitoh wouldn't try anything. Besides, it's one o'clock in the morning. Even wolves sleep."

It was not a very convincing point.

"Calm down Ken-san," Megumi said. "I have long since decided not to muddle over what you have against Saitoh, but he isn't going to hurt Tanuki-chan. She isn't worth his supreme goal to cleanse the world of sin."

Wrong choice of words, Megumi. Kaoru and Kyosuke are exactly what Saitoh wants to rid the world of.

"I am going," I said, rushing off before any of them could say anything more.

I spotted Kaoru and Kyosuke ahead of me on the road to the station. It didn't take very long. They did not choose an alternative route.

As I approached them, I could see that they were, yet again, arguing about something. This time though, the discussion seemed serious, and heated. Kaoru was shaking with anger and Kyosuke was earnestly trying to appease her. I wonder what he had done this time.

He reached out to take her by the wrist, his face begging for forgiveness, and she shook him off violently, as if he disgusted her to no end.

I caught up with them shortly, hearing Kaoru's scornful, "Worthless piece of horse you-know-what!" and Kyosuke's response of, "Hey! We're all going to benefit from it anyway!"

"What is going on?" I asked, coming up from behind them.

Kaoru didn't seem the least bit surprised that I was there, and she quickly grabbed my arm, hustling both of us to walk ahead and leave Kyosuke behind.

I heard Kyosuke sigh in resignation.

There would be time enough for explanations later. Right now, it was best to calm her down.

"Are you alright, Kaoru?" I asked, placing my own hand on the one she had on my arm. "Never better," she muttered, not slowing her pace.

"Maa...settle down, love. This unworthy one would just like to make sure those bad guys in the dojo didn't hurt you."

The endearment set her to blush and my words got its desired effect. She took a more placid pace and looked over her shoulder at Kyosuke, dealing him a scornful glance, as if to tell him to back off for the meantime.

"I'm fine, Kenshin," she replied. "Not even a scratch. So I take it you didn't catch our ninja intruder?"

I shook my head.

"It's just as well. I was worried you'd get hurt if you found him," she said rather pertly, blushing even deeper. "Not that I don't believe you could defend yourself. It's just...you know. I worry, that's all."

It amused me that she was embarrassed to admit being concerned about me. "I'm sorry I worried you."

She waved off my apology wordlessly.

"So," Kyosuke suddenly said, his face peeping from her other shoulder. "Are you still angry at me, Kao-chan?"

"Argh! Rot in hell, Kyosuke!" She hissed, dragging both of us away from him.

Kyosuke followed us like a monkey in pursuit. "I was gonna tell you!"

"Ooh! Stay away from me," she warned.

"Oro! What has he done?" I asked, curiosity suddenly suffusing me.

Kaoru imparted Kyosuke a disdainful look. "Do you want to tell him or should I?"

Kyosuke swallowed nervously. "Can I get a head start?"

"No, you can't have a head start," she growled, taking a fist full of his collar and pulling Kyosuke to face me. He whimpered, and he feebly tried to get free of Kaoru's gasp, but Kaoru's presence if not her physical strength was enough to get him to stay still and, to quote Kaoru who had so pointedly told him at that moment, "Take it like a man."

"Do you see this jerk, Kenshin?" She began in an infuriated tone. "A month back, you know, after the news of Yasushige's death? This jerk hired the Aizu mobster Gen-ichi to break into Saitoh's home and steal Saitoh's Bakumatsu journals. And you know how Gen-ichi's gang works: Half down and half when the task is completed. Well, they got the journals, lock stock and barrel, but the problem with this bug right here is that he didn't have enough money to pay them the rest. Haha! What a moron Kyosuke can be, ne? Are you following this so far, Kenshin?"

I blinked several times before saying, "O-Oro! There's more?"

She smiled acidly at Kyosuke, exaggerating her felicity over the whole affair. "Why, of course there's more! These mobsters...they're professionals! They have to be paid for doing something, and they were willing to bust his knee caps just to get him to produce the money, so what does this fool do? He comes to us. Hoping...one, to be protected, and two, to get those journals from the gang. Now as we've found out, the gang has so magnanimously foregone Kyosuke's debts to them, preferring instead to kill him, because the price of his head, if unattached to his body, is more than the price of his pathetic, sexually frustrated, degenerate, manipulative, good for nothin'..."

"Alright already! He gets it!" Kyosuke cried in protest.

"...cheap-ass life," she finished mercilessly. "Two hundred Sen, Kyosuke. I'm beginning to understand why the mob would rather have you dead."

"Th-That's cold," Kyosuke stammered.

Kaoru bared her teeth in a grimace. "I'm withering in remorse," she said flatly.

I could certainly see it from Kaoru's viewpoint. We were, after all, standing in the same boat. Kyosuke had used us, twice. But then, I am less angry than Kaoru is, simply because I had not put much stock in Kyosuke's honor in the first place, unlike Kaoru who perhaps constantly hopes that he would change his errant ways, bless her optimistic heart. So when it comes down to it, I had expected something like this from him.

"Kyosuke-san," I began grimly. "Right now, you disgust me."

He sighed. "Yeah, yeah..."

"Did you have anything to do with the police station break-in?" I asked him.

The question astonished him. "What? No! D'you think I'm stupid?"

It was answered by a meaningful silence.

"Alright, wrong question," Kyosuke admitted. "I didn't have anything to do with that. J-Just Saitoh's home..."

Kaoru let his collar go roughly. "Tell him about the journals, Kyosuke," she ordered him.

Kyosuke straightened himself and ran his hands through his hair. "Those journals...when I was stationed with his platoon back in the Boshin Wars, I saw him writing stuff down in a notebook. I went through it one time and I found out that it contained details of his daily encounters. Orders issued by his superiors...about the men in his squad...and when he killed certain people, he'd write about how he did it and he delved into why. Sort of like the ruling of a judge. By the end of the war, he had a few volumes of it..."

"And how did you think it will benefit this case?" I asked him.

Kyosuke sighed again and shrugged wearily. "I don't know...it was the only thing I could think of. I didn't even know for sure back then that Saitoh was doing all this killing, that's why I didn't tell you about it in the beginning. But then...things have changed now. It might help, it might not. Now that it's caught up on me, I'm beginning to see how stupid it all is. I mean, I can't even be certain that it would be relevant these days. It was a war back then. If men could be thrown in jail for the abuses they did during the war, half the men of Japan would be rotting in incarceration. Heck, you'd be in jail, Himura. Same thing with Kaoru and me."

"Not all of us keep journals, Kyosuke-san," I remarked ponderously. The word "probe" began to process itself in my brain. The government is out to get Saitoh, and maybe, just maybe, that journal is enough to give the DIA a reason to get rid of him and go so far as to imprison him for past deeds. Surely with what the government intends to do, they could not ignore written evidence of his so-called un-fitness. It doesn't matter if he's put away for reasons other than the Shikeigai killings. What's important is that he's put away, period.

"Do you think Gen-ichi still has these journals?" I asked.

"Maybe...heck, I don't know," replied Kyosuke. "I don't know anything anymore. Would be like him to keep it, though. He likes dirt of that kind. Rumor in Aizu has it that the reason why the cops couldn't get their hands on him is because he's got something on everyone, and that arresting him would risk exposure."

I nodded, coming to a decision that very moment. "That will pose little problem. Tomorrow, we head to Aizu Wakamatsu by train."

Kaoru raised her eyebrow at me but she said nothing. I know she is wondering where I would get the money to pay for all of it. For the train and accommodations, because I doubt if Kyosuke would be ready to let us live with him. Kaoru always had that look on her face when I take it upon myself to spend my own Sen, mainly because she wondered where I got it, but to her great credit, she never asked.

"Er...I'm a little low in cash..." Kyosuke said.

I figured as much. Saitoh's right, Kaoru is running a charity house, and I'm helping her. "I will pay for your trip Kyosuke, and back again if it is necessary that you come back with us from Aizu."

"We ought to make him walk," Kaoru muttered, still brooding over Kyosuke's deceptiveness.

I smiled at her. "Maa...Katsura-sama was generous enough to remember me on his deathbed, Kaoru," I explained. "I'm just following your kind example in sharing." For indeed, she gives when she barely has enough for herself.

Kaoru deferred from giving a dissenting opinion.

We soon found ourselves in front of the police station where the lights of the midnight shift shone through the windows. Minutes later, we were heading back to the dojo with officers who would make the arrest.

Last night, the unconscious body of one the police had dubbed as Warumono for lack of an actual name was brought to the temporary detainment facility until he regains consciousness. He would be attended to by a government physician while in his semi-coma state.

Megumi said that the man was in no danger of dying unless they starved him to death, which was unlikely with the doctor looking after him. She had examined the poison dart, concluding that the poison itself only induced deep sleep and would be flushed out of his system in a few days, unless the effect of the poison develops into a degenerative type. For that reason alone, she would do some research on the poison, hoping she would find an antidote before he showed signs of failing health.

I did not share with the police what the Warumono told us the night of his capture. I had no intention of forewarning Saitoh of our plans. Instead, I told the edited truth, about a group of men coming to the dojo and trying to kill Kaoru and Kyosuke. We had caught the Warumono but somebody later on administered a dart on him that resulted in his unconsciousness. I tried to catch the perpetrator of that act, but I failed in my pursuits.

Today we leave for Aizu. The trip will take at least 12 hours by train. Before leaving, I paid Kawaji another visit for a most important matter. It was seven in the morning, but I have known Kawaji to be in his office even earlier than that.

The moment I walked into his room, Kawaji already knew that his powers would be called forth. Maybe it was the grave look on my face, or perhaps because he had heard about the scuffle in the dojo the previous night. The point is he was ready, so long as he would be acting under duress.

I told him of our mission, about having to go to Aizu to gather evidence against the Shikeigai killer. However, as a civilian, there was not much I could do in terms of arresting certain people who might be implicated in the conspiracy. Therefore, I requested that he wire the Aizu Police Department. The wire would contain express orders that should a red-haired and scar-faced man claiming to be Himura Kenshin show-up in the station bearing evidence concerning the murder and attempted murder of certain individuals (of whom I will eventually reveal), appropriate action must be undertaken. I am, in essence demanding that the Aizu police department trust my claims. The resulting events must immediately be reported to the Chief of Police in Edo.

Kawaji listened to my words with stoic silence. He would not refuse me, this I know. The government owes me far too much to deny me a request that would not compromise his integrity or the interest of justice. Kawaji trusts me enough to act in accordance with such principles. This would be an easy request to grant, just as long as I do not bungle anything unnecessarily.

He said he would have the telegraph sent. In addition to that, he issued me a document that would give me credibility when I made my appearance in the police station.

After that, I was set to go. It would only be a matter of time.

Kyosuke said that our trip to Aizu was rather auspicious.

"We would be in time for the Aki Matsuri," he informed us. "Everyone will be celebrating, which means that everyone would be lax, including criminals. In fact, Gen-ichi's known for taking part in the revelry with wild abandon. Wouldn't be a bad idea to mix business with pleasure either, ne?" He said with a wink.

I hardly thought it the appropriate time to be distracting ourselves with the autumn festival, but we would do well to take advantage of Aizu citizens' attitude towards the upcoming celebrations, especially in Gen-ichi's case.

While Kaoru left express instructions to Yahiko and later to Tae to take care of the boy, I conferred with Sano. He would be in charge of keeping an eye on Yahiko as well, and he would be responsible for checking with the Oniwabanshu branch here in Edo to see if our Kyoto connection had come up with anything concerning the case.

With everything in proper order, we left for Aizu.

On the train, I earnestly prayed that this would be the last stretch of our investigation.

 

 

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