Part 6: Inquiring Minds
"Hiroe. ." Yahiko stared at the girl across the room. His
heart was pounding when she entered the room. Flashes from his childhood
came across his mind and eyes.
Kaoru looked at Yahiko, then at Hiroe. The two seemed to be deadlocked.
"Yahiko. . . .?" Kaoru passed a hand in front of him to alert
him. "Anybody home?" she knocked mockingly on his head.
Yahiko growled, jumping up into Kaoru's face.
"Hey! Did you have to knock me on the head? I'm all here. . ."
he crossed his arms, but his mind's eye was still on Hiroe. He would
wait to see just what she would do. After all, he did know what skill
she had.
"Hiroe," Kaoru started to say, "I would like to see
what you remember of your training. It would help some to see where
we can start you off. Did you use a wooden sword, or was it more physical?"
"No, I used a wooden sword. Bamboo, actually. Like Yahiko,"
Hiroe threw a subtle hint Yahiko's way. "I don't have too much
physical training like jujitsu. . ."
Kaoru walked to the far wall with swords. Choosing one suited to Hiroe's
petite size and delicacy, she handed it to her, letting her get familiar
with it.
"Now, Yahiko, go easy on her. It's been a long time since she's
done any training," Kaoru instructed. Yahiko's quick nod satisfied
her.
"Ready?" she stood back from the two as they faced each other,
giving just enough room for their swords to be outstretched. "Begin!"
As Yahiko attacked, Hiroe tested her defensive abilities. Kaoru was
thoroughly impressed at the way she handled Yahiko's strong blows. Her
defensive skill was very good for someone that hadn't done any training
in almost four years. Pausing a moment, allowing Hiroe to return her
attack, Yahiko looked deep into Hiroe's eyes. Her eyes narrowed as she
began her counterattack. It was similar to the Katsushin Ryu, but she
did a reversal move on Yahiko that he hadn't expected, dropping him
to the floor.
"Are you all right, Yahiko-chan?" Hiroe asked, offering a
hand to the fallen young man.
"CHAN. . ." he muttered in disgust. Yahiko refused her hand,
raising himself to his feet. Kaoru beckoned the two to the center of
the room to sit down. Hiroe strolled behind Yahiko as they walked toward
the center.
"You should remember that move, Yahiko-CHAN. . ." Hiroe chuckled.
For a change, she got to have some fun memories.
"And YOU should remember not to call me CHAN, Hiroe Takano!"
Yahiko stopped and turned to glare at Hiroe.
Kaoru stared at the two. She suddenly remembered the way Yahiko looked
at Hiroe when they had dinner. They seemed to know each other, from
the way the two acted. Her suspicions were confirmed in their reactions.
"Come you two! Right now. ." Kaoru pointed to the spot in
front of her. They slowly made their way over, kneeling before the sensei.
"So you two know each other. . .from where?"
Yahiko grunted, crossing his arms. He refused to look at Hiroe for
the answer he knew. In the end, Hiroe spoke.
"I know Yahiko. . .kun, from when we were young children. Our
mothers knew each other. We knew each other for only a short time though
--"
"Yeah, REALLY short. . ." Yahiko interjected.
"Is that so?" Kaoru asked, tapping her finger against her
cheek. "Why so rude, Yahiko? You don't meet your childhood friends
every day. ."
"Hiroe was my rival. The first time I ever picked up a sword of
any kind was against her. . . "
"And he could never beat me. . ." Hiroe couldn't help but
adding.
"Do you HAVE to mention that, Hiroe?" Yahiko shook his head,
trying to forget the comment.
Kaoru chuckled. So Yahiko was suffering from a nick in his overwhelming
pride?, she thought.
"It doesn't matter now. . .I'm much stronger than before,"
Yahiko boasted.
"Oh, really? Prove it," Hiroe arched an eyebrow at Yahiko.
"You couldn't even block my reversal. Are you REALLY that strong?
I . . .don't. . . .know. . .."
"Enough, you two!" Kaoru held up her hands, stopping them
both from continuing a duel that would most likely get them both hurt.
"The only reason I let you two fight at all was to see if Hiroe
still had the skill. . ." Glaring slightly at Hiroe with a smile,
Kaoru nodded in approval. "You did very well, Hiroe. I would like
to know more about your style. I know you don't remember much, but what
you do, please, do tell."
Hiroe thought back to her older brother, the one who first taught her
how to hold a sword. She learned very little, but what she did learn,
she used against her only opponent at the time, Yahiko Myojin. His father
was passing through the village where she used to live. Their mothers
had befriended one another, beginning a strange relationship between
the two. Hiroe and Yahiko only knew each other for a few months.
"If you don't mind, Kaoru-san, I'd rather not talk about it,"
Hiroe lowered her head. Yahiko turned his head to look at Hiroe. She
must be thinking about her brother Choji, he realized. Despite their
semi-hostile feelings toward each other, he couldn't help but feel overwhelming
sadness at what she had been through. He was amazed that she could joke
around with him the way she did.
"Listen, Hiroe. ." Yahiko began. "We don't have to do
this tonight. There's plenty of time for you to beat me. . ."
Hiroe looked at Yahiko with innocent and vulnerable eyes. He was forced
to take a sudden breath at the intensity of the look. Kaoru bowed her
head slightly toward Hiroe.
"Let's just stay here and meditate for a while. It will help you
focus, Hiroe," she said softly.
The three of them stayed there for what seemed over an hour, hoping
the silence of the night would help them focus. In truth, Kaoru was
thinking about Kenshin. What happened in that room? He left in such
a somber mood, she began to worry. Perhaps after they were done, she
would go out and look for him.
Yahiko was thinking about Hiroe. It was strange how he seemed to remember
her from so long ago in his past. He was only about four or five at
the time. Hiroe had to have left a serious impact on his life for Yahiko
to be so affected by her. He sighed audibly, then stood stretching his
legs and arms.
"Kaoru, it's been a long day. Maybe we should get some sleep,"
Yahiko suggested solemnly, his mind obviously occupied. "Tomorrow's
going to be an even longer day."
For some strange reason, Kaoru felt tears brimming at her eyelids.
Mentioning tomorrow made her realize how close the deadline really was.
She had to find Kenshin before the night was out.
"Yes, you two should get some sleep," Kaoru stood, holding
out her hand to Hiroe for the sword she lent her. Hiroe promptly handed
it to her.
"Kaoru-san, you should get some sleep as well. You look tired,"
Hiroe ventured to mention.
"Thanks for your concern, Hiroe. I appreciate it. But don't worry
about me. I'll be fine when this whole thing is over," she said,
lowering her head.
Yahiko crooked his head toward the door, silently telling Hiroe to
follow him out. "G'night, Kaoru," Yahiko said softly, walking
out of the room.
Hiroe followed Yahiko to the door, then turned to face Kaoru once more.
Her eyes were brimming with tears also, trying desperately to say something.
"Kaoru-san," she started, her voice hoarse ,"go and
find Himura-san. At least tell him how you feel before he leaves for
good. I never got a chance to tell my parents and my brothers and sisters
that I loved them. I never did. Please go and find him. . ."
The two females wiped tears from their eyes. Hiroe walked out of the
room, closing the door behind her. Kaoru couldn't believe the overwhelming
emotions this one girl could evoke in her. In a span of hours, she managed
to realize the extent of her true feelings for Kenshin.
"Hiroe-san. . ." Kaoru whispered to herself. "Thank
you. . . "
Heading quickly through the sliding doors to outside, Kaoru went in
search of Kenshin. Yahiko led Hiroe to the room where she'd be sleeping
in after she came outside of the training room.
"Here you go, Hiroe," Yahiko opened the door for her. She
stepped through, facing Yahiko. "Good ni--"
"Wait, Yahiko," Hiroe held the door open, just as he was
beginning to close it, sending her to bed. "Want to come inside
for a little while?"
He arched an eyebrow in wonder. Considering their history, they did
have a lot to talk about. It wouldn't hurt to talk with her for a little
while, Yahiko reasoned.
"Okay. ." he stepped through the door, closing it behind
him. They sat facing each other on the wooden floor near a chest. They
were quiet for a little while until Yahiko began speaking.
"What have you been doing all this time?" he asked.
"After you and your parents left, a few months later, we decided
to move to Tensho," Hiroe said. "My father went to Europe
for a few years, while my mother and my uncle raised me. You remember
Uncle Junichi, right?" She looked at him, realizing the blank look
on his face. "I guess not. ."
Yahiko shook his head. "Hiroe, I won't really remember a lot from
back then. It's a stretch that I even remember you and your brother
Choji."
"You remember Choji?"
"He trained us, didn't he? How COULD I forget. . .He was so cool,"
Yahiko said wistfully, remembering Choji Takano.
"I miss them, Yahiko. I may have been smiling some today, but.
. . ." Hiroe paused a moment, "I miss them all. I wish I could
have done something for them. I felt so helpless."
"What could you do, Hiroe? Against all those men and especially
that guy. . " He refrained from saying the man's name, knowing
what kind of reaction Hiroe would have. "You're lucky you're here
today. How DID you make it out, anyway? I was wondering that for a little
while."
Hiroe stretched out her legs, putting her arms on her thighs, her hands
covering her face. She was recalling her getaway. . .
"I was in my room when I heard a lot of screaming from outside
the house. I peeped out my doors and saw some men down the hall, but
their backs were turned, so I ran outside quietly. No one saw me,"
she vividly recounted her ordeal.
Yahiko stared at her as she told what happened. He noted that her entire
body became more active as she told it. She was definitely reliving
it all.
"I wanted to find out where my family was, but I didn't have to
look too far. They were in the side building where my father was making
that gun of his. All of his men were around, so I came in through a
secret door on the side to see. That man," Hiroe skirted around
saying Matsumoto's name, "had my brothers hanging from ropes, and
on the side, my sisters were. . ."
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of those harsh and cataclysmic
thoughts of her family's torture and death. She had to continue, she
realized. She had to. . .
"Some men saw me from the side and started chasing me," she
continued. "I ran through town, past all the bodies lying in the
streets. ."
Yahiko held out his hand to her, then stopped himself. She WANTED to
tell him, he realized. But why? Why torture herself like this?
". . .when I tripped one of the guys chasing me, I ran through
the back door of the police building. They didn't know I was there.
. .and I hid there till I heard nothing more. . ."
"So that's how you got away. . ." he said, sitting up on
his knees. "You were really lucky, Hiroe."
"But I RAN, Yahiko! I RAN, like a coward I ran! I didn't even
try to help my family! What kind of daughter am I?" Hiroe broke
into tears once again, this time Yahiko overwhelmed. He didn't know
what to do.
"Running away doesn't make you a bad daughter. You went in there
with the intention of helping out your family, right?" Yahiko pointed
out.
After she nodded, he continued speaking. "See? It's not your fault
you were chased. I don't think your family would have wanted you to
get caught like they did. They could at least say the youngest one lived."
"Yahiko, I don't have anyone now. . ." she moaned, shaking
her head. "I feel like my living is a curse."
She dropped her head into his lap in absolute despair. Yahiko did the
only thing he could think of: he comforted her. He stroked her hair
while she cried her heart out.
"C'mon, Hiroe! You have to be strong now! Remember what we're
all fighting for! If you give up now. . ." he left his statement
unfinished.
Hiroe looked up at him from his lap. Tears glistened at the lids of
her eyes as she glared. Yahiko was breathless as he realized how pretty
Hiroe looked at hat moment. She was still extremely vulnerable, though.
"Hiroe. . you should get some sleep. . you've had a hard day.
. " he raised her to her feet, guiding her over to the bed area.
Before he could urge her to lay down, she wrapped her arms around his
neck and hugged him tightly.
"Yahiko. . . ." she whispered softly at his ear. Something
about this was definitely bugging him, but he knew she needed the reassurance
at that particular moment. He returned the heartfelt embrace. Hiroe
leaned her head against Yahiko's chest until she fell asleep against
him in sheer exhaustion. He gently laid her down on the bed, removing
her slippers, then covered her with a white sheet.
Yahiko knelt beside her sleeping figure for a few minutes, staring
at her visage. This one girl had managed to ruffle his composure so
easily, it made Yahiko wonder what kind of power she had over him. Not
even Tsubame had come as close to him as Hiroe did.
"Sleep well, Hiroe," he muttered, turning to walk through
the door. A good night's sleep was not in Yahiko's future. The pieces
were all there, all that was left was for Kenshin to put the puzzle
together. . .
Kaoru walked for what seemed forever. She checked all the typical places
she would find Kenshin, but there was no trace of him. It was the middle
of the night, and next to no one was outside. He probably went somewhere
where he could think, or perhaps practice. About two hours passed since
Kaoru began looking, and she was about to give up and return to the
Dojo when she saw the faint figure of someone on the bridge leading
outside Tokyo.
"Kenshin. . ." she whispered to herself, hurrying to the
overpass. When she arrived, the figure was turning to leave.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru called out to him. He turned around, smiling.
His eyes were muted, solemn almost. "Kenshin, what are you doing
out here?"
"I just needed some time to myself, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin
turned back to the edge of the bridge, looking down at the moon-lit
water. "It's been a long day."
"You're right about that, Kenshin. Why don't we go home? You need
to get some rest," she urged softly. He wasn't moving, though.
What was going through his head?
"Kaoru-dono, I've been thinking," Kenshin moved closer to
Kaoru, his face serious.
A shiver crawled up her spine. Kaoru's eyes widened as he came closer.
Was it possible that Kenshin changed his mind, and didn't want to marry
her after all? No, no, that couldn't be it, Kaoru thought. Those are
just selfish thoughts. There were more important things on stake here,
like Kenshin's life.
"I have a bad feeling about Matsumoto, Kaoru-dono. I want everyone
to go to stay with Megumi-dono or Tae-dono until things are settled,"
he strongly suggested.
"Why do you feel this way?" she couldn't help but ask.
"The way Matsumoto handled the situation in Tensho has elimination
written all over it. Even if it were only me involved, he would eliminate
everything that ever had meaning to me. I'm not about to let that happen."
Kaoru understood now. Returning to the life of a Hitokiri for Matsumoto
must have been an all or nothing deal. Elimination was his quota.
"All right. We'll all leave after breakfast tomorrow, ok?"
"Good," he grabbed Kaoru's hand, squeezing it slightly. "I'm
happy that I have you here with me now, Kaoru-dono."
She crooked her head at him in curiosity. What could possibly be going
through his mind? His comment made her smile though. It was wonderful
to have Kenshin finally open his feelings to her, no matter how little.
Kaoru was more happy that she could show hers even more clearly than
before.
"I'm glad I'm here with you too, Kenshin," she said softly,
leaning into his chest unabashedly. They stayed like that for a little
while, each providing the other with some measure of comfort. "Kenshin?"
"
What?" he asked.
"Where'd you go all this time?"
"I visited the police station to have a chat with Cho, see what
they came up with," he informed her.
"Did they find anything?"
"Nothing that we don't already know." Kenshin was debating
whether or not to tell her of the other person he saw. "Saitou
was there. . ."
"Hajime Saitou? You're kidding. . " Kaoru looked up into
Kenshin's eyes. "What is he doing in Tokyo? It's strange enough
that Cho was here, but Saitou too?"
"Mmm. We spoke very briefly about Matsumoto. . ." Kenshin
bowed his head from the wind behind him, remembering their encounter.
<FLASHBACK START>
Darkness filled the main room of the police house. A single candle
on the side was the only light in the room. Cho sat with his feet on
the table, tapping his fingers on the arms of the chair. In the shadows,
silent eyes watched Kenshin carefully.
"What did you find out, Cho?" Kenshin asked.
The broom-haired, sword lover abruptly stood, facing Kenshin directly.
"Nothing that you don't already know. We just know about your
duel with Matsumoto tomorrow at sunset. His hand reaches all around
Japan it seems, because some of his men are mobilizing in Kyoto and
Yokohama. He's giving the police a hard time," he said, turning
his head out to the nearly full moon.
The scent of cigarette smoke drifted past Kenshin and Cho's noses.
It was obvious who sat quietly in the shadows.
"What brings you here, Saitou?" Kenshin asked without
turning around to face him.
"The same reason you're here right now, Battousai. Matsumoto
is nothing but a nuisance. His power isn't real; it just seems like
that. I'm prepared to put an end to him," his monotone voice announced
softly. His words floated in the night air.
"Have you ever faced him, Saitou?" Kenshin daringly asked.
"I've never had the misfortune of laying eyes on the man. But
if I had, I would have put him out of his misery in Bakumatsu,"
the icily voice emerged from Saitou.
Kenshin’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was still one thing missing
about this whole encounter with Matsumoto. What reason did he have for
this urge to kill Kenshin? When, and more importantly, what did he do?
The only thing Kenshin knew is that Matsumoto posed a serious threat
to, not only the people that he loved, but to the entire country with
the theft of that precious armament.
He turned to the door, preparing to exit, when Saitou stepped from
the cloak of shadows. Cho turned to see what Saitou would do. Kenshin
may have forgotten Saitou's position in this. Saitou would never let
anyone but himself have the pleasure of destroying the legendary Battousai.
He has every reason to see just what this Matsumoto character plans
on doing.
"Saitou," Kenshin said softly. "I know what you are
thinking. . ." His head turned, slightly smiling. "I will
see you there. . . "
Saitou dropped his cigarette on the ground, quickly snuffing the
remaining fiery ash of the addictive substance. Once Kenshin was gone,
Saitou turned to Cho, his eyes resolute.
"We will watch. . ."
<FLASHBACK OVER>
"I won't see him, but I know he will be there. . ." Kenshin
declared.
Some part of Kaoru didn't want Kenshin to do this, but he was decided
on the matter. The sooner the next day came, the sooner they would all
be to resolution. Still, what would they do about Hiroe after it was
all over?
"I was wondering about Hiroe, Kenshin. . ." Kaoru stood back
to look into Kenshin's eyes closely. "What are we going to do about
her?"
In a successful attempt to move a step closer toward the Dojo, Kenshin
led Kaoru off the bridge before he answered.
"For the time being, she's safer with us," he answered. "Besides,
she's the key to the gun her father created. At this point, she's the
only one alive that knows how that thing works. If we have to face it,
she can tell us what we can expect."
"You're right. ."
The remainder of the trip home was spent in silence. Unrepressed emotions
overcame Kaoru. Having had some time to reconsider how her day had gone,
she realized just how much had happened. Kenshin was in love with her.
He may not have said it just yet, but his proposal said it all. Then
all of a sudden, Hiroe Takano came into their lives, and with her, all
the multitudes of problems regarding Ryutaro Matsumoto. Perhaps it was
destiny that brought Hiroe to them. Perhaps it was fate that Kenshin
and Kaoru were meant to marry and have children. . . Ahh, she thought.
Children. . . It was a prospect she had never thought of before until
now. Of course they would have children!
"Ahh. . " she sighed audibly.
They were getting closer to the Dojo, when Kenshin stopped her from
walking. Before them was a small pond with fireflies hovering about.
They looked at each other, remembering the many things they had experienced
at this place. The return to Kenshin's life as a rurouni, returning
to the Dojo after Kyoto. . .
It was so full of meaning, something she had never ever thought she
would experience in her life. But she had. She had Kenshin to thank
for it all.
"Thank you, Kenshin. . ." The look he gave her asked the
silent question. "For making me whole again. . ."
"Kaoru-dono. . ." he whispered breathlessly, his hands caressing
her face softly. She looked so beautiful, he thought. Mesmerizing. .
.
The light of the full moon shone on them both, framing them in an infinite
moment of radiance. Of their own volition, they embraced each other
tightly, their lips coming together in desperate need for each other.
Emotions tangled so tautly, threatening to overwhelm them both. Kaoru's
eyes closed indulging in the deep sensations. He lifted his head from
her lips, pulling her deep into his embrace.
"I love you, Kenshin. . . always. . . ." Kaoru whispered
against his chest.
Kenshin closed his eyes to the light of the moon, a tear creeping from
his left eye. Please, whatever gods there may be, he prayed to
whatever divine beings that may be listening. Don't take Kaoru away
from me. . .
His head lifted toward the heavens. Suddenly, a whisper erupted from
Kenshin's mouth.
"I love you too, Kaoru-dono. . ."
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