Control

“dialogue”

‘thoughts’

Control
Chapter 13


Kenshin stared out the window and watched the scenery flash by. The train had left Tokyo early in the morning and it wouldn’t be long before he would finally arrive in Kyoto. Staring out at the trees whipping by, Kenshin thought over his situation.

‘Sessha has ruined things. Kaoru-dono deserves better. I have not even been able to tell her about Miyori. Kaoru-dono loves me and wants to be with me. What can I offer her in return but heartache and sorrow? I must put things right, Kaoru-dono deserves better. I am not free. My actions in the past will dictate my future.’ Closing his eyes, Kenshin leaned against the glass. ‘My responsibility now is to my child. I must provide him or her with a home. I must take care of my duty to Miyori. To do this, I must let go of Kaoru-dono. Kaoru.’

The slowing of the train pulled Kenshin from his thoughts. Looking out the window he saw the station coming into view. Kyoto. The home of the most dreaded times of Kenshin’s life. This trip would sadly, be no different.

Stepping off the train onto the platform, Kenshin weaved his way through the travelers and family come to greet them. Stepping out onto the dusty street, he slowly made his way toward the Aoiya. Patting his sleeve, he felt the letter Aoshi had sent him. That letter was the only hope for Kenshin’s future.

Approaching the restaurant, he bowed to Okon standing outside, greeting customers.

“Greetings, Himura-san,” Okon called out.

“Please, just Kenshin. Is Aoshi in?” Kenshin asked.

“No. But he should return later this evening. Please come in,” Okon ushered him into the restaurant.

Leading him into the private rooms, she stopped outside a shoji and knocked softly. Hearing an acknowledgement, she slid open the door to reveal Okina and Misao sitting on opposite sides of a desk.

Kenshin bowed. Misao sprung up and ran over, crushing Kenshin in a hug.

“Himura! You didn’t tell us you were coming! Where’s Kaoru and the brat?” Misao said, looking around behind Kenshin.

“They are not with me Misao-dono,” Kenshin said.

“What? You didn’t run off did you? Cause if you did…,” Miaso said, shaking her fist in Kenshin’s face.

“Now, now Misao. That’s not a proper way to greet a guest. Welcome Himura, please sit. Okon, please bring us some tea,” Okina said, indicating a cushion to Kenshin.

Kenshin nodded and sat. Miaso dropped back on her cushion and Okina returned to his seat behind the desk.

“I’m guessing this has something to do with the project Aoshi is working on?” Okina asked, looking over his nose at Kenshin.

Kenshin’s eyes widened.

“A-Aoshi told you?” he stuttered. Misao furrowed her eyebrows.

“Not in so many words, but I was aware of a telegraph arriving for him from you. I figured you had requested his assistance with something,” Okina said, watching Kenshin intently.

“Why wasn’t I told of this?” Misao burst out. “I’m the Okashira! I should be kept in the loop.”

“Misao, this business is between Himura and Aoshi. I’m assuming from your reaction Himura, that this is something you want kept quiet,” Okina said wisely.

“Hai,” Kenshin said softly. “Misao, forgive me, but I needed Aoshi’s help and due to the delicacy of the situation, it seemed wiser for fewer people to know.”

Misao narrowed her eyes.

“Have you told Kaoru about this?” she asked.

Kenshin dropped his eyes to the floor. He shook his head.

Misao threw up her hands.

“Men! When will they learn? Himura, she’ll be coming after you. What will you tell her when she gets here? Why such secrecy?” Misao’s voice was becoming more suspicious.

“Forgive me Misao, but I cannot talk of it. When Kaoru-dono arrives, I will speak with her. Please, can we discuss something else?” Kenshin pleaded.

Okina nodded. Whatever it was, it was big, that much the old ninja could sense. Changing the topic of conversation, he blathered on about the weather and upcoming festivals in Kyoto. Kenshin smiled and joined the conversation. Misao watched the two, certain that something was very wrong and Kaoru was going to walk into the middle of it.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Back in Tokyo, Kaoru had awoken to a sunny room. When she sat up, she realized she hadn’t intended to go to bed. No, she’d been waiting for Kenshin. Tossing the covers off her bed, she flew out of her room, not even noticing that she’d slept in her kimono. Throwing open the shoji to Kenshin’s room, she stared at the empty room, noting that his belongings were gone. Sinking to her knees, she stared wide-eyed into nothing.

Behind her, Yahiko opened the shoji to his room. Staring at the sight before him, he shook his head.

“Oi busu!” he called out. “Go get dressed and ready to go. I know where Kenshin went. We’re going after him.”

Kaoru turned around and looked at Yahiko with blank eyes.

“He’s gone…,” she said softly.

Yahiko huffed and walked up to Kaoru. Grabbing her hands he yanked her to her feet. Dragging her down the hall he led her to her room. Pulling her inside, he released her hands and put his hands on his hips.

“Don’t you do this to me now busu! Didn’t you hear me? I know where he went. Get yourself ready to go. We’re going after him!!” Yahiko shouted.

Kaoru blinked, Yahiko’s words finally sinking in.

“You know where he is?” she asked.

Yahiko threw his hands up and then stomped on the ground.

“YESSSSSS….don’t you listen? Get ready! He had to leave in a hurry and it’s up to me to bring you after him.”

Kaoru narrowed her eyes.

“You don’t have to be so childish about it Yahiko-CHAN! Now get out so I can get ready. Did you hear me? I said…OUT!!!” she shouted back.

Yahiko connected with the wall in the hallway as Kaoru’s shoji slammed shut. Grabbing his head, he cursed women. Standing up, he made his way to his room. Picking up his travel bag, he made his way outside to wait for Kaoru.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Kenshin sat in his room. The stars were already well lit and the moon was slowly crossing the sky, but there was still no sign of Aoshi. The Oniwaban group had expected him back this evening and he had not returned.

Clutching the letter in his hand, Kenshin squeezed. He didn’t have time for this. He needed the information Aoshi was bringing. Staring out his window, Kenshin scanned the yard for any sign of Aoshi’s return. There was none.

Sighing, Kenshin stood and prepared himself for bed. If he rested now he could get a few hours of sleep. Tomorrow would hopefully bring Aoshi, but sadly, it would also bring Kaoru.

Leaning against the wall, with his sword propped up against his shoulder, Kenshin fell into a fitful sleep.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Making their way through the semi-familiar streets, Kaoru and Yahiko walked silently. Kaoru had thought about Kenshin’s actions on the train most of the way from Tokyo. It just didn’t add up. Kenshin had told her that he loved her, but he kept pulling away.

‘Maybe Megumi’s right, a smelly little Tanuki girl like me can’t hold a man like Kenshin’s attention. He probably just wants to let me down easy. He probably doesn’t want me…’

“Of course he does, busu. He’s just got a lot on his mind at the moment,” Yahiko’s voice broke Kaoru’s thoughts.

“Eeep! I said that out loud?” Kaoru asked, her face reddening.

“Yup. I don’t think anyone else heard though,” Yahiko said grinning. “Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.”

Kaoru nodded, but she still felt unsure.

Turning a corner the duo stared at their destination. The new building the Aoiya occupied shone in the bright sun. Omasu stood outside, wetting down the dust in the front entrance area. She smiled when she saw the pair.

“Welcome!” she said, bowing. “We’ve been expecting you. Please follow me,” she said.

Kaoru and Yahiko bowed. They followed Omasu back to a private room. Gently knocking on the shoji, she slid the door open.

Kaoru took a deep breath, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to see Kenshin yet. Looking into the room, she felt confusion when she only saw Misao.

“Where’s Kenshin?” she asked, confusion registering in her voice. Beside her, Yahiko snorted.

“Well hello to you to!” Misao cried, crossing her arms over her chest.

Kaoru bowed.

“I’m sorry Misao, it’s just….I’m worried about him,” Kaoru said.

“It’s okay, if it were Aoshi, I’d feel the same way. Okina sent Himura with Okon to help with the shopping. He’s been way too antsy, waiting for Aoshi to return. That’s why I asked that you be brought to me before seeing Kenshin. Something’s up with those two, but I haven’t been able to puzzle it out,” Misao said, holding her chin and furrowing her brow.

Yahiko shook his head.

Kaoru approached her friend. Giving Misao a hug, she stepped back.

“Thank you Misao. I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” Kaoru said.

“You two couldn’t figure out anything,” Yahiko said snidely. “Girls!” he exclaimed as he turned and walked off.

Kaoru spun around and prepared to give him a tongue lashing, only to watch him walk away. Beside her, she felt the air move and saw three kunai embed themselves in the wall in front of where Yahiko had been just a moment ago.

“Thanks Misao,” Kaoru said, smiling at her friend.

Misao retrieved her kunai.

“No problem Kaoru, we’ll figure this out. We just have to work at it,” Misao said confidently.

The two girls sat down and began to try to analyze the situation. They’d spent a half hour working on it when a knock at the shoji interrupted them. Turning they watched as Kenshin slid open the door and entered with a tray of tea.

“We thought you might like some tea while you catch up,” he said, giving his best rurouni grin.

Kaoru stood up.

“Kenshin!” she cried, rushing to his side. Kenshin knelt and put the tray down. He stared at the floor.

“I’m very sorry Kaoru-dono. I did not mean to leave in such a way. It…was necessary,” Kenshin said softly.

“But Kenshin, I don’t….,” Kaoru was cut off by Kenshin’s fingers laying lightly on her lips.

“Please Kaoru-dono, you must trust me,” Kenshin said, staring into her sapphire depths.

Kaoru stared wide eyed into Kenshin’s imploring violet depths. Nodding, she grasped his hand.

“But Kenshin, what is going on?” she asked.

“Perhaps I may be of some assistance,” a voice said from behind them.

Turning Kenshin and Kaoru stared into the ice blue eyes of none other than Aoshi Shinomori.

&&&&&&&&&&

Okay, that’ll do it for now. I’m still estimating 5 or 6 more chapters. We’ll see. These things have a way of drawing themselves out.