Raya’s Deceptive Looks
Chapter Ten: The Reunion
DISCLAIMER: The Kenshin Characters are all property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, and all that. The new made-up characters are mine. This is just a fanfic written by yours truly for fun and enjoyment, no money is involved! I hope you enjoy it!
They both sat in silence. Kenshin’s voice had been shaking as he told the last bit of the story. Sano stared at the ground placidly.
“Well—“ Sano finally said. “Now we know a little bit about Nashida, he doesn’t sound so scary to me… he ran away from you didn’t he?”
Kenshin looked up at Sano. “ He didn’t have a sword, and in the state I was in, I may have killed him if he hadn’t run away-- He vowed his revenge on me though, he believed I killed his sister and father, along with everyone else… it looked that way.”
“Did you—kill those men?”
Kenshin shook his head. “I--- hope not. I didn’t give them fatal wounds, but every man was bleeding… That was the first day since I’d left to go wandering that I reverted back to the Hitokiri.”
“Can’t you just explain to Nashida that it was a misunderstanding? Isn’t there some way to convince him?”
Kenshin shook his head. “When a man devotes his life to one cause, he will never rest until he’s accomplished that cause, if he doesn’t accomplish it, then he feels his life has been for nothing. Nashida has devoted the rest of his life to destroying mine, so I don’t believe there is any way of convincing him that he’s wrong.”
Sano silently nodded his agreement.
“Well—It’ll be ok, when Hotaru wakes up, we’ll get her to take us to the creep, and then rescue Yahiko and Megumi, kick Nashida’s ass—and be home before dinner!”
Sano flashed a fake smile at Kenshin; Kenshin didn’t move his gaze from the ground.
Sano sighed. “Jeez--- I know I’m not the weasel girl who can cheer everyone up, but you’ve got to pull out of this depression or you’ll never defeat Nashida!”
“Sano—“
“Huh?”
“You do cheer me up.” Kenshin smiled at him and then slowly stood up. “Let’s check on Hotaru-dono.”
Hotaru opened her eyes slowly and stared up at the wooden ceiling of her room.
“Was it a dream?” She thought. “No—there’s a soreness in my shoulder blade… It’s from the dart. I wasn’t dreaming—Kaoru-san…”
She sat up; everything that had happened flashed through her memory in vivid detail. “Kaoru-san…” She mumbled, she put her hand to her face, she didn’t want to believe that Kaoru-san was gone. Unbidden tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I’m safe, but Kaoru-san, she never deserved this! Neither does Himura-san… Nashida is wrong. They’re good people.” She looked around her. “ I’m still at the dojo, the others probably found me. I wonder if they’ve found out of my betrayal to them yet. Did Nashida leave a note or something? They’ll all hate me.”
The tears were coming in a steady stream now. She didn’t bother to wipe them away any longer. “I have no one… no one will forgive me!! I won’t ever find Soujirou.” Kyosuke’s harsh words echoed through her mind.
“Ha! You really believed that bullshit story about us helping you find him? I could care less about the guy! We have no idea where he is”
“It’s a lie, it’s got to be. But still—“ She crawled over to where her own clothes lay. They had been washed and carefully mended. “Still—I’m tired of wandering… searching…”
She drew forth from the folds of her Kimono a long knife. “I’m tired, I have no one, and never will—and I can’t even forgive myself.“
She held the knife up to her throat, and closed her eyes.
“HOTARU-DONO!” Kenshin’s shocked voice jolted her as she felt a strong hand on her wrist.
“DAMN IT!” Sano yelled as he stalked over to her. “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING OF DOING?”
She looked up at Sano first, then Kenshin, then down to the knife. He was holding her wrist in a tight grip.
“Sano—“ Kenshin looked at Sano and he instantly quieted down.
“Let me go---“ Hotaru whispered, still looking intently at the knife. “Let me go!”
“Hotaru-dono, you don’t have to kill yourself! I don’t know what you did, but death won’t help it any!”
“I can’t live with myself anymore! I caused you and Kaoru-san so much pain. I was such a fool.”
Kenshin was silent for a moment, then said calmly. “Whatever you think you did, I know you’re heart, and I forgive you for it.”
Hotaru looked up at him shocked. He forgave her? She didn’t deserve it. Did he not know what she’d done then? —He’d had a chance to be happy—but now, because of her he would never be happy. He would be unhappy like she was.
“But, have hope.” Kenshin said, Hotaru’s hand that held the knife was shaking.
“Hope?” She said quietly. “I’ve lost hope.”
Kenshin said nothing, but looked at her with compassion.
“I’ve lost my family, they wish never to lay eyes on me again all because of my own selfish, childish heart. I fell in love with a wanderer, and he left me. I cried, I pleaded, and begged him to stay.” She began to shake violently, choking words out between her sobs. “But he still left me, thinking that it was what was best for me. So, I ran away to look for him, my father cursed my name and told me never to come home.”
“Hotaru-dono—“
“–No! I want to tell you… “ She looked at Kenshin, her tears clouded her vision. “I wandered all over Japan searching for him. I had hope then. I hoped that someplace, somewhere I would find him, or at least someone who knew him and could point me in the right direction. It’s been two years since the day he left me, and just a little while ago, I began to lose my confidence. The money I brought with me ran out, I was starving and kept on thinking, "why hasn’t he saved me yet?! I believe in him so why hasn’t he come!”
Kenshin relaxed his grip on her wrist and she dropped the knife. It fell harmlessly to the floor.
“Nashida found me half dead in the forest after I’d been picked clean by some bandits…I would have died if he hadn’t been there. He said that it was remarkable how much I looked like a certain lady, the ex-wife of one of his enemies. Nashida asked me if I would do him the favor of helping him destroy this enemy, and in return he’d find the man I’d been searching for. All I needed to do was put on a little show. I cut my hair to resemble hers, wore her fragrance… and her melancholy, depressing personality wasn’t hard for me to imitate. All to throw his enemy off track and get him to put his trust in me.”
Kenshin looked pained. Hotaru couldn’t meet his gaze; she hugged herself and slowly rocked back and forth. “I didn’t like the sound of it at all, I didn’t like Nashida’s warriors either. But, Nashida was very persuasive, and I finally gave in. He told me that you were evil, a devil and a psychotic killer with amber eyes. And that he’d be doing the ones you loved a favor by taking them from you, because you’d just kill them anyways.”
“DAMMIT!” Sano couldn’t control himself anymore. “What Nashida may have seen was Kenshin a long time ago! He’s not the Hitokiri Battousai anymore! He’s just a Rurouni that defends the weak with his sword! He couldn’t kill them even if he wanted to with that sword!”
“Sano—“ Kenshin’s voice was calm and Sano sat back, once again silenced with the one look that Kenshin gave him. Kenshin turned back to Hotaru.
“Hotaru-dono. It is true that I’ve caused pain for many people, you’d think that no one as heartless as I was could ever be forgiven. And I thought that I would never again find happiness. But instead of dying, I try to atone for my crimes by protecting those same people that I used to kill. Dying doesn’t solve anything.”
Hotaru stared at him open-mouthed, her tears had ceased. “You talk just like him… I was able to compare you two from the beginning, even down to your swords…”
Kenshin fingered his Sakaba. “Live, Hotaru-dono, and believe that someday you will find happiness. Like I have with Kaoru.”
“But—“ Hotaru’s lip quivered again, “She’s been taken, hasn’t she?”
Kenshin shook his head. “No—she was saved by an old acquaintance of mine…”
“If you’d call him an acquaintance.” Sano mumbled.
“Heh... well, I would call him a friend now—“
“Thank god!” Hotaru couldn’t believe her ears; Kaoru-san had not been taken! She was safe! “Is she still asleep? I drugged her, I’m so sorry...”
Kenshin nodded. “Yes, but she’s ok. She should wake up in a little while.” He smiled reassuringly at the girl. She looked different to him now. She was not the person that she acted like when she first came to stay at the dojo. Her eyes were once again deep and full of hope. She even smiled a little bit.
“Hotaru-dono… before I forget.” Kenshin asked. “Who is this man you’re searching for?”
“Yeah—maybe we can help you find him.” Sano said.
“His name is---“
“--- Good Morning Himura-san. This is the last place I thought to look for you!!” Soujirou walked into the room holding a tray of food. “I was just off getting---“ He trailed off at the sight of Hotaru sitting on the futon, looking equally shocked.
“Seta—Soujirou…” Hotaru breathed. She blinked a few times, was she dreaming? Was this real?! It couldn’t be real!”
Soujirou looked at her dumbfounded, “H-Hotaru—san?”
“SOUJIROU!”
The tray of food he had been holding crashed to the ground as Hotaru sprung from the mattress and flew at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and embracing him tightly, new tears of happiness flowed from her eyes.
Kenshin and Sano watched the reunion in utter exasperation.
“Small World…” Sano muttered.
“Oro—“ Was all Kenshin managed to say.
“H-Hotaru-san! What are you doing here? W-What happened to your hair?” Soujirou stuttered, his face had turned the shade of a ripe cherry and he glanced at Kenshin and Sano nervously.
”BAKA! I’ve been looking all over Japan for you, you IDIOT!”
“Aaa—You have?” He had a huge sweatdrop.
Sano and Kenshin quickly jumped up and sidestepped towards the door.
“Well… I’ve got to go pick up my son from Dr. Genzai—“ Sano said nervously.
“Err—I have to check up on Kaoru…” Kenshin laughed and they both bolted from the room.
When they were at a safe distance from the reunion. Kenshin sighed heavily and leaned against the railing of the wooden walkway. Sano sat on the porch chewing on his fishbone in deep thought.
“I’m glad that Hotaru-dono found the man she’s been searching for.” Kenshin smiled. “Maybe now, she’ll finally have some peace.”
“Don’t forget about Nashida though—We’ve got to get Megumi and Yahiko back.” Sano said seriously. “That girl is the key to this. So don’t let her prance off on her little honeymoon with smiley until she tells you where to find the bastard.”
“Soujirou probably knows where to find him too, he was taken there as well.”
“Well—what are we waiting for!” Sano stood up irritated. “I’m not going to wait around here while they do their little make-up session, I want Megumi back!”
“I know Sano—But--- Kaoru…”
&nbps; “She’ll be find here! Don’t worry about her…”
“They’re not going to give up! Nashida is determined to make me suffer—I can’t leave Kaoru here alone.”
“Well, then we’ll take her someplace safe! How about Dr. Genzai?”
Kenshin shook his head. “They’ll track her down, that would put even your son in danger if they found out where Dr. Genzai is!”
Sano gawked at him. “Then, what do we do?”
“Wait until she wakes up.”
He punched the wall angrily. “Dammit! I don’t want to wait! I’ll go by myself if I have to!”
“Sano—“
“– You won’t have to Sanosuke-san.” Soujirou approached them, Hotaru followed behind, they both looked very serious now.
“Himura-san—“ Hotaru stepped forth. “I will take you to where Nashida is staying. It’s the least I can do, for all that you’ve done for me.” She glanced up at Soujirou who blushed slightly.
“But—Kaoru—“
“–I’ll stay here and protect her.” Soujirou said.
“No—“ He thought quickly, pushing down the jealous thoughts. “He’s making it possible to get Yahiko and Megumi back! I have to get them back! And I’m the only one who can fight Nashida.”
“Thank you Soujirou.” Kenshin finally said. Then he looked to Hotaru and Sano. “Let’s go—“
“No—not now.” Hotaru said.
“WHY NOT?!” Sano bursted.
“Because I only know how to get there at night!” Hotaru said irritably. Kenshin couldn’t help but smirk, When she had her spirit back; the girl could put up quite a fight, even against Sanosuke.
“I DON’T CARE ABOUT THAT! FIND THE WAY IN DAYLIGHT!” He yelled at her.
“WOULD YOU RATHER GET HOPELESSLY LOST AND NEVER FIND IT?” Hotaru shot back.
“Why you---” Sano cracked his knuckles and took a step forward but Soujirou stepped between them looking serious.
“Please don’t make me hurt you Sanosuke-san…” He said coldly as he fingered his Sakaba.
“Heh—“ Sano saw certain death in Soujirou’s eyes for anyone who would threaten Hotaru and nervously jumped back. “Just kidding! It was a joke! Heh—“ He turned around with hands in pockets, dragging his feet. “Wait till’ night my ass---“ he mumbled under his breath.
They watched him leave the dojo, kicking up dirt as he went. Kenshin turned back to the pair, his eyes sparkled.
“Hotaru-dono, Soujirou, thank you.”
Hotaru sat on the wooden bench near the pond. She looked down at the colorful carp swimming around in it.
“Is Himura-san with Kaoru-san now?” She asked Soujirou as he walked up behind her.
“Hai, he’s watching her.” Soujirou sat on the other side of the bench; a long silence progressed before either one spoke.
“Hotaru-san, tell me what happened.”
“Huh?”
“Why did you follow after me all those years ago?”
“Baka— you should figure it out…” Hotaru looked at him annoyed, then sighed and shook her head. “I wasn’t about to marry that politician that my father chose for me. Not after I met you.”
Soujirou looked at her amazed. “After you met me?”
“Hai, I couldn’t forget the light that you brought to my boring, melancholy life. The minute you walked into it, I was actually happy.”
Soujirou smiled and looked down at the ground. “You made me happy too. I really loved the short time I spent with you. I think about it a lot.”
“Then WHY did you leave?” She looked up at him angrily, her fists clenched. She’d cried so much that day that she thought she had no more tears left, her body trembled from mental exhaustion.
“I told you—“ Soujirou shifted his gaze up to the blue sky and the shifting clouds. “You remember that night…”
“Very clearly…”
“Soujirou, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Hotaru walked up to him with a warm smile, Soujirou had asked to meet her just outside of her fathers estate, Soujirou hung back under a large tree, the moon light cast his face in shadows, making his expression impossible to see.
“I’m going to be leaving here.” He finally said.
Hotaru stopped in mid step and stared at him shocked. “Nani?”
“I told you when we met that I was a Rurouni. I’m going to return to my journey.”
“B-But, why can’t you stay? Why must you leave now?! I thought—“ Hotaru trailed off as Soujirou shook his head.
“Hotaru-san, I know that your father dislikes me. And, I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for me. For giving me food and a place to stay, friendship.” He walked into the moonlight; a smile was on his face as he looked down into her eyes. “I didn’t know friendship until I met you. I’ve found another truth to fight for. Thank you.”
“B-But…” Hotaru looked at him pain-stricken. Why didn’t he understand her feelings? “I want you to stay with me. I won’t be happy if you don’t!”
Soujirou’s smile faded away and he slowly lifted his hand and put it on her shoulder. Hotaru had tears running down her cheeks now.
“Hotaru-san, I think it’s best for the both of us that I leave. I heard the threats that your father has made to you. I think you should marry Ishiki-san soon. I don’t wish to be the one tearing your family apart.”
“Screw my father! I don’t love Ishiki-san, I never will.” She couldn’t hold back, she grasped the front of his gi and stepped towards him, leaning against him with her head buried in his chest. She sobbed quietly. Soujirou looked shocked, and put his arms around her comfortingly.
“I want to be with you.” She said softly. “Please, if you must leave, take me with you—“
Soujirou looked pained and gave a long sigh. “Very well…”
Hotaru looked up at him amazed. “Really?”
He smiled and nodded hesitantly. “I’ll stay here, you go and get a few belongings.”
“Oh ok! I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” She quickly disappeared into the house. Soujirou stood rooted to the spot, his entire body trembled.
“Forgive me—Hotaru-san.” Then he turned and disappeared into the night.
“When I came back, you were gone. You had left me.” Hotaru tugged at the sleeve of her kimono absently, she stared down at the ground. “I searched and I searched, I asked everyone in town. But you were gone…”
Soujirou said nothing; he bit his lip, his own hands trembling. “Forgive me for leaving you, Hotaru-san. I never meant to cause you pain. But, I felt leaving was better for you—“
“WHAT was better for me?” She burst out; Soujirou looked at her wide-eyed. “WHAT? SO I WOULD MARRY THE CORRUPT POLITICIAN AND INHERIT MY FATHER’S FORTUNE!? THE ONLY REASON HE WANTED ME TO MARRY HIM WAS SO THAT HE COULD GET A HIGHER OFFICE IN THE GOVERNMENT!”
“You would have had a secure future!!” Soujirou said defensively.
“SCREW THE SECURE FUTURE!” She said hotly. “I wouldn’t have been happy if I’d married him. All my life while living in that house, I’ve never been happy. I was the only child to a father who just counts his money all day long… my mother gone—no friends, no other relatives to visit me… But when you saved me from trying to kill myself all those years ago—I felt that I’d finally found happiness. Your carefree smile and cheerful attitude made me forget that I had ever been unhappy. And when you left I didn’t feel complete without you. I searched for you. I left my father in a rage. He disowned me and I never inherited a cent of his fortune. I gave up my ‘secure future’ for what I believed would be a happy one!”
Their eyes locked and Soujirou finally gave a long sigh. “How, can I ever make it up to you? I’ve caused you immeasurable pain.”
Hotaru scooted closer to him and took his hands in hers. “Don’t leave me again.”
He put his arms around her and drew her close to him in a tight embrace. “I won’t…”
Hotaru smiled and returned the embrace. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Nashida-sama!!! Nashida-sama!!” Kyosuke ran through the door of the main building and turned a corner to Nashida sitting on the couch, Hera was at his side draped over him lovingly. Kyosuke quickly lowered his eyes as Hera covered up her exposed body and walked from the room.
Nashida beckoned Kyosuke in with a slight hint of annoyance in his voice “What is it? Have you come back with Ka-- “ He trailed off at noticing a dark red stain on Kyosuke’s shoulder.
Kyosuke looked at him nervously. “I was pursued by that traitorous Seta Soujirou! He insisted I give Kaoru back to him, to take back to Himura Battousai.”
Nashida didn’t even bat an eyelash. He tilted his head with interest.
“Go on…”
“Ummm..” Kyosuke took a deep breath. “I didn’t know what you wanted me to do… we never planned a strategy if I ever encountered any resistance. I allowed him to take Kaoru-san back.”
Nashida shrugged. “Seta Soujirou is better than I anticipated. He was fast enough to make it back to the dojo in time. I didn’t believe that he would make it. This is very interesting indeed…”
Kyosuke’s eyes flashed angrily. “Shall we dispose of that insolent kid? I’d like to repay him for the little scratch I received from him.”
“You may do what you wish with him after we are through with Battousai.” Nashida said coldly. “What do you think Kai?”
Kai entered from the adjacent room and stood near Nashida.
“The operation was merely delayed because of this unexpected turn of events. But that can be easily fixed.” He looked at Nashida with a sinister smile. “Himura-Battousai and his friend, Sagara Sanosuke have decided to come here tonight to get their friends back, and defeat you Nashida-sama.”
Nashida smirked. “And?”
“Our own Hotaru-san has turned against us, she will lead them here. Seta Soujirou has agreed to stay at the dojo to watch over the helpless, sleeping Kamiya Kaoru.”
“This will be fun.” Nashida said with a grin, “I want Neko in here.”
Kyosuke disappeared for a moment and then reappeared with a groggy looking Neko following after him, she stretched sleepily.
“What is it my Nashida-sama requests?” She said as she ran a hand through her short hair. “I was in the middle of a nap.”
They quickly explained the scenario to her.
“You and Kyosuke will both go and pay our friend’s at the Kamiya Dojo a little visit tonight before they set off on their rescue mission.” Nashida had a strange gleam of momentary insanity in his eye, which died quickly. “I want Himura Battousai to be there to witness his woman being taken from him.”
“Hai, Nashida-sama.” Neko’s eyes shinned brightly.
&nbps; “What of Soujirou?” Kyosuke asked darkly. He was growing a rather large grudge against the smiling, carefree Rurouni.
“Neko will take care of him.” Nashida said smoothly.
“Nani?” Kyosuke eyed his sister worried. “I don’t think that’s wise Nashida-sama! Neko can’t do Shuku-chi—she is no match for—“
“—Don’t you DARE question me! EVER!” Nashida stood up in a rage. Everyone shrank back a step. Kyosuke nervously bowed.
“I’m sorry, forgive me Nashida-sama.”
Nashida sat back down, his cool instantly regained. “Very well, Kai will go to supervise, nothing else. He will be sure that the operation is a success.”
“Hai.” Kai said with a wicked smile.
“Use whatever means necessary, only do not harm the Battousai, I want him perfectly fit and fresh when it comes time to fight.” He laughed. “Maybe one of Hera’s short term numbing poisons will put him out of the game long enough for you to take Kaoru.”
&nbps; “I can take care of Soujirou, no problem Nashida-sama.” Neko smiled brightly and then walked from the room, soon followed by Kyosuke.
“Neko will lose to Seta Soujirou.” Kai said.
“I know she will, Kyosuke is so damn protective of her, he will surely be in a vengeful rage.”
“Ahh—I see what you’re saying.” Kai grinned at him. “And Kyosuke will vent his anger and revenge on the one Soujirou loves…”
“Hai, he is my student after all, and follows my ideals. He will surely threaten if not kill Hotaru… this is her reward for her insolence to me.“
“What of Soujirou?”
&nbps; “I don’t care one way or the other. Kyosuke will either kill him there, or wait and kill him later. It makes no difference to me.”
“And the Battousai?”
“As I said before, he is not to be harmed. Put him out of commission long enough so that he must watch helplessly as his beloved is taken from him.” He smiled as he stood up and walked across the room. He took a katana from the wall and drew the blade. It shined brilliantly as he lifted it up to examine. “Battousai or Rurouni, I don’t care who comes… just as long as his name is Himura Kenshin, and he has two scars on his cheek.” He looked at Kai with a psychotic smile. “An eye for an eye… he will see his loved ones destroyed just as mine were.” He slashed the air, making a loud whistling sound. “He will not die by my sword, but live in agony with the memory that he could not protect them--- The ones that he cared for most…”
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