WARNING: This story is "semi-dark" -- it has dark elements (violence, profanity, 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 Kenshin Gumi 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
/ / and // // represent various sorts of mental dialogue
* ----- * ----- * marks the start/end of dreams or flashbacks
[ ] denote visual or time notes
The pouring rain came down in torrents and the howling wind seemed to scrape the skin raw. As Saitoh stared outside, Kenshin walked up beside him and said, "It doesn't look like you're going anywhere tonight... not in that storm."
Saitoh flicked a quick glance at his wife before he slammed the front door shut. The black sword still in hand, he walked over to Aoshi's bed and stared down on the injured man.
"So Shinomori, it seems that you know some important things about this sword. Why don't you tell me how you happened to get that information?"
Tokio has successfully managed to get the former Okashira's bleeding under control, but the extra blood loss left him hovering on the edge of consciousness. Aoshi dazedly replied, "Han...," before he realized what he was about to blurt out in front of everyone. He abruptly fell silent.
Misao stared at him. (Was... was he about to say... Hanya!?) Her mind flashed back to that moment in Kyoto, when she had been lying nearly unconscious on the roof of the Aoiya. (Hanya told me that Kenshin had succeeded... that Aoshi-sama was coming back to me....)
Saitoh raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes? You were saying?"
Aoshi sighed and said in a weary voice, "I don't really know anything about that sword."
"Then why all the warnings to not touch it, hm?"
"When Misao attacked me, her behavior was so... extreme...."
She turned white at the memory. The horrible things she had said... the pain and bewilderment on his face....
Aoshi continued, "There had to be something wrong. I made a wild guess that the strange sword she had was somehow responsible... so I gambled and took it away from her."
Sano muttered, "Pretty serious gamble if you were willing to break her arm over it."
Aoshi quietly said, "I didn't have time for gentler methods. But it seemed to work. She started to act normally almost immediately after she dropped the sword. I think one could reasonably assume that the weapon was the cause of her... unusual behavior."
&nbps;It was clear that there was a lot more going on, but it was equally clear that Aoshi wasn't about to discuss the subject any further. Saitoh debated pressuring Aoshi for answers, but Kenshin and others were bound to object strenuously. He wasn't in the mood for a pitched battle... at the moment.
They all tensely waited for Saitoh's reaction to Aoshi's blatantly vague reply. To their surprise, Saitoh shrugged, but they all knew that he would never give up so easily. Saitoh Hajime would be back for more answers.
In the meantime, Saitoh glanced at his wife and said, "You're the collector of old stories and legends."
His wife bowed her head respectfully. "There are many legends about cursed weapons. In some stories, the curses are subtle and take generations to manifest. But in other tales, evil spirits are said to take up residence in certain weapons and drive men to instant murder. It is improbable, but the sheer number of stories would indicate that such things could happen."
"Hmph."
Sano yelled, "Is that all you can say? So what are we going to do about it?"
"Nothing at the moment."
"What do you mean 'nothing!?' Shouldn't we get rid of it?"
"And how do you propose to do that, you idiot? Leave it out in the street for some fool like yourself to pick it up?"
"Whaddya mean by that!?" shouted an outraged Sano.
Saitoh smirked evilly. "There was certainly enough evidence to suggest that there's something abnormal with this sword, but that didn't stop you or the brat from fighting over it, hm?"
From her bed, Kaoru said quietly, "He's right. There's just something about that sword that makes you want to pick it up."
Yahiko muttered, "Maybe we could... bury it?"
"Once there was a man who threw a cursed sword into the sea. A few minutes later, a great shark surged out of the waves and landed on the deck of his ship at his feet. Piercing the shark's body was the very same sword which had been so recently cast away," Tokio recited in a gentle voice as she started to pick up the remains of their long neglected dinner.
Saitoh apparently ignored his wife's comments and said, "This sword is an important piece of evidence in several murders...," he glanced at Misao and the still unconscious Megumi, "and attempted murders. I'm not about to drop it into a hole and leave it for any stray dog to dig up and steal."
Kenshin thought, (Saitoh's not scoffing at the idea of a cursed sword. Tokio says that it's quite possible that there really is something 'wrong' about that weapon. He definitely respects her opinion, even on such a strange matter. That's understandable. So would I.)
Aloud, Kenshin said, "Since we can't get rid of it at the moment, what do you suggest we do with it?"
Saitoh casually tossed it in Kenshin's direction. "Try not to misplace it THIS time."
"Oh, so you're dumping that thing on Kenshin, now? What, are you scared of it?" taunted Sano.
"I'm not the one frightened of it."
"Are you saying that I'm chicken!?"
"Roosterhead."
"ARGHHHH...!"
Kenshin hastily grabbed a hold of Sano's jacket and said, "Sano, please calm down! At the moment, there's only two people who seem to be able to handle this sword without being overcome by murderous impulses. It's either me or Saitoh. Take your pick."
"Sheesh... since you put it that way...."
Tokio approached Kenshin with a blanket in her hands. "Since the scabbard is missing, you can use this to wrap the sword."
"Thank you, Tokio-dono."
She smiled at him and said, "Everyone really needs some rest, especially Misao, Shinomori-san, and Kaoru."
Yahiko yawned conspicuously, "Gee, I feel exhausted!"
Sano muttered, "How can you feel exhausted!? You didn't DO anything!"
"Whaddya mean I didn't do anything? I was helping Megumi all afternoon!"
Tokio murmured, "He was a great help. The child that was in here earlier wasn't as badly injured as Megumi first thought. We were actually able to send him home."
Yahiko yawned again. "Yeah, otherwise we would've had the entire family hovering around here like a swarm of angry bees!"