Part One of Madam Hydra's That Which Lingers has been read
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WARNING: This story is "semi-dark" -- it has dark elements (violence, etc) but it's not a darkfic! Actually, there's quite a bit of romance in it.... ^_-
This story takes place after the end of the Kyoto story arc. After that, it takes a sharp left turn into its own world. Elements of the Revenge story arc may or may not show up later on in the story. The Kenshingumi already know that Saitoh survived the destruction of Shishio's stronghold.
As always, C&C is greatly appreciated! ^_^
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Disclaimer: All rights and privileges to Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shuiesha, Sony Music Entertainment, and associated parties. The characters of these series are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. Original portion of the fiction included here is considered to be the sole property and copyrighted to the author.
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Text Conventions
( ) are character thoughts
* ----- * ----- * marks the start and end of flashbacks
[ ] denote visual or time notes
Strolling down the street, Kamiya Kaoru glanced at the girl beside her and said, "Misao, I'm glad you came to Tokyo for a visit."
The girl laughed and said, "Well, actually it wasn't entirely my idea. Jiya suggested it. I think he wanted me out of his beard for a while."
"Why?"
Misao sniffled. "Aoshi-sama."
"Oh.... I'm beginning to see. Uh, how is Aoshi?"
Flicking her braid over her shoulder, Misao said morosely, "He's... he's so quiet! No matter what I do,... no matter what I say,.... All he does is drink tea, meditate, and read books on Zen! I've tried and tried and tried to get him to smile, but nothing ever works! I've told him jokes, read him funny stories, dressed up in silly costumes,..."
Kaoru thought uneasily, (I'm beginning to understand why Okina suggested she take a little trip away from Kyoto!)
"But I refuse to give up! I'll going to make him smile... somehow!" There was a gleam of ferocious determination in Misao's eyes. "Aoshi-sama is like an injured bird, one that's forgotten how to fly. And I'm going to teach him, one way or another... even if it kills me!"
Kaoru laughed nervously, "That's... that's nice."
Catching the uneasy look on her friend's face, Misao relaxed and chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to do anything stupid. Patience and persistence. That's my motto! And Jiya was right. I did need to get away from Kyoto for a while."
"I'm glad you're enjoying your trip."
Misao said, "Well, I have to confess that it's not entirely all fun and games. I'm sort of playing errand girl."
"Oh? If you don't mind me asking...."
Misao's expression become somber. "One of Jiya's old friends was recently killed under very suspicious circumstances."
"Oh no!"
"Yes! Mr. Uboshita and his entire family were killed just about a week ago. And on the very same day of their deaths, his son's fiancee threw herself off a bridge and drowned, in full view of everyone on the street!" Misao frowned. "That was bad enough, but when I got here, I found out that they weren't the only suspicious deaths that have occurred recently."
Kaoru bowed her head. "Yes, I know. Everyone in Tokyo has been talking about it. In the last week, nearly thirty people have died. Five entire families!"
Misao nodded grimly. "And most killed by a sword."
"Yes. Chief Inspector Uramura has been by the dojo to talk to Kenshin...." Kaoru's voice trailed off.
The ninja girl blinked, then shouted, "The police don't think HIMURA had anything to do with this!?"
Kaoru shook her head emphatically. "No. They know that Kenshin couldn't possibly be responsible. One of the families were murdered at the exact same time Chief Uramura had his meeting with Kenshin."
"And was Himura able to tell them anything?"
"He went to take a look at the bodies, but...."
"But what!?"
"He said that there appeared to be only one, extremely skilled attacker. Kenshin also said that he had never seen that exact style before, but that some of the injuries reminded him of the work of the Shinsengumi."
"You don't mean to say that it's Saitoh...!"
Kaoru shook her head again. "No. It can't be him either. He has an even better alibi than Kenshin. He was apparently in Osaka meeting with government officials for the last several days. And... Saitoh may be a ruthless killer, but he doesn't kill without reason."
Misao muttered, "I suppose that's true. But there can't be that many master swordsmen or assassins around capable of doing this sort of work."
"I know. But what's even worse is the total lack of rhyme or reason to the deaths. I could see a rich and influential person like Mr. Uboshita having enemies, but two of the families were just ordinary shopkeepers. There doesn't seem to be any connection, so there's no way to predict who's the killer's next target. Then there's still the matter of the suicides."
Misao frowned. "All were members of the massacred families or close friends?"
"That's right. A mad killer is bad enough, but those suicides...." Kaoru shivered. "The police have been trying to hide the true extent of the problem to keep the public from panicking, but there are already rumors. People are trying to act like nothing's wrong, but you can feel the fear and tension in the air."
"Yeah. Everyone's twitchy."
There was a long silence, then Kaoru abruptly shook her head. "Listen to all this doom and gloom! You're here and we're going to have a celebration dinner."
Misao grinned and said, "Is this the reason for the long walk?"
"Yes, Tae told me about this little shop that has the best fish and shellfish in the city. Their merchandise is a bit expensive, but it's going to be worth it! Here we are." She stopped outside a prosperous looking store.
The ninja girl said, "Then I hope you're going to let Himura do the cooking.... Eep!" She clapped both hands over her mouth and nervously watched Kaoru.
She glared at Misao and muttered, "Hmph! Just because I'm not the best cook in the world...."
Inside the store, the shopkeeper was busy chatting with a female customer. The woman was not young, perhaps in her early thirties, but she had a serene, ageless sort of beauty that invited people to take a second look. Beside her stood a young boy with spiky black hair. He was carrying a shinai slung over his shoulder.
For a startled moment, Kaoru thought it was Yahiko, then quickly realized that the boy was too tall and too scrawny to be her irritating pupil. When the boy turned and glanced at her, she was struck by the bleak stare and the harsh lines of the still young face.
(Such old eyes. Yahiko's had a hard childhood, but his eyes are nothing like this. This boy's seen truly terrible things....)
The boy suddenly blinked in surprise, then said, "Hey, it's the Weasel Girl!"
Misao turned bright red and yelled, "What do you mean 'weasel'... Eiji!?" Her jaw dropped open as she gave the boy a stupefied stare.
Kaoru said, "Uh, Misao? Do you know him?"
The ninja girl ignored Kaoru for the moment and blurted out, "What the hell are you doing here in Tokyo!?"
He scowled at her and muttered, "You're SO stupid! I live here now."
"Live here? In Tokyo?"
"Didn't I just say that? You're sounding like a brainless parrot!"
"But... but... I thought you were going to live with... with...," Misao babbled.
The boy said irritably, "I AM living with her!"
As the shopkeeper bustled away into his storeroom, the woman turned around and put her hand lightly on Eiji's shoulder. In a soft, gentle voice, she said, "Are these friends of yours?"
Eiji glanced up at the woman. Kaoru was astonished to see his scowl turn into a relaxed grin.
"Oh yeah. She's the Weasel Girl that I told you about."
The woman gave Kaoru and the still speechless Misao a warm smile. Her dark brown eyes were calm and patient, but there was also a faint twinkle in them which hinted at a playful sense of humor.
"So you're the girl who saved Eiji's life on more than one occasion. I would like to thank you very much."
Eiji snorted loudly as the woman gave Kaoru and Misao a deep bow and said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fujita Tokio."
"T-T-Tokio!?" stuttered Misao, who looked like someone had hit her over the head with a brick.
Kaoru couldn't quite figure out why Misao was behaving so strangely. (Fujita? Fujita... why does that name seem so familiar?)
Misao continued to babble incoherently, her eyes bulging. "You're... you're... S-S-Saitoh's... Saitoh's...."
(Saitoh? What does Saitoh have to do with Fujita....)
"....w-w-wife....!?"
Kaoru's packages toppled to the ground. She turned to stare at Misao, who was still gaping like a beached fish.
"She's... she's...." It was Kaoru's turn to start babbling.
Misao slowly nodded.
In a strangled voice, Kaoru whispered, "You're Saitoh Hajime's...wife!?"
Tokio said mildly, "Yes, I am."
"Here you are, Fujita-san! I was saving those fish just for you!" The shopkeeper reappeared in the store. With a flourish and a deep bow, he handed Tokio a carefully wrapped package.
She gave him a happy smile and said, "Oh, thank you! They're one of my husband's favorites."
The shopkeeper turned to Kaoru and Misao. "Now, ladies, can I help you?"
"...."
"Uh, ladies? Would you like some fish? Clams? Shrimp? Squid?"
"...."
Eiji gave Misao a sharp nudge with his elbow. "Hey, stupid! The guy's talking to you!"
"Wha...?" the ninja girl mumbled.
Tokio walked up to Kaoru and said, "Excuse me, I didn't catch your name?"
"....Kamiya Kaoru...," she answered in a dazed voice.
In a gentle, coaxing voice, Tokio said, "What were you planning to buy?"
"Uh.... octopus... eels....."
Without appearing the least bit pushy, Tokio managed to get a hold of Kaoru's shopping list. A few minutes later, with Kaoru's purchases completed, Tokio deftly ushered the two young women out of the shop, leaving behind a very confused shopkeeper.