Control

As promised, here’s the next chapter. I wouldn’t expect any more updates till the weekend at this point. I need to spend some time on my other story on Fanfiction.net.

Blah…blah…blah…I don’t own, I borrow.

Control
Chapter 7

Kaoru stood in the dojo, holding her bokken in a ready stance. Across from her Yahiko stood, soaked in sweat and breathing hard.

“C’mon Yahiko, you’ve got to do better than that,” Kaoru shouted.

Growling, Yahiko launched himself at Kaoru. Blocking his thrust, she pushed him back and thrust forward, hitting him in the upper thigh. Collapsing to the dojo floor, Yahiko gripped his leg.

“Busu, what’d you do that for?” he yelled, his face contorting in pain.

“I told you that you needed to work on that move. If you’d practiced like you should’ve been you could’ve blocked that!” Kaoru exclaimed.

Standing and placing most of his weight on his uninjured leg, Yahiko resumed his stance.

“Again,” he ground out.

Kaoru’s eyes widened. While Yahiko was known in the dojo for his persistence, she knew his leg was hurting very badly. “Yahiko…” she began.

“No, again!” he shouted.

“Yahiko, why are you doing this? If you injure yourself, you aren’t going to be any good to anyone,” Kaoru said, looking at the boy with concern.

Lowering his shinai, Yahiko trembled. “I need to be stronger. I wasn’t there to help when you and Kenshin needed it. I want to make sure I can help defeat those who have Kenshin. I want to help,” Yahiko said, his voice quavering.

Kaoru lowered her gaze. Closing her eyes, she fought off the sorrow inside. It had been two weeks already and none of the leads the Oniwaban group had, had panned out. Steeling herself, Kaoru raised her eyes to meet Yahiko’s. Raising her bokken, Kaoru resumed a ready stance. Nodding to Yahiko, she prepared to show him the move again. Yahiko smiled and resumed his stance. With a cry, they met in the middle of the dojo and began the spar again.

Misao sat on the porch outside, listening to Kaoru and Yahiko train. She and Aoshi had been investigating all possible leads in Tokyo and she was beginning to lose faith. They’d been shown where the abduction took place, but the trail had been erased due to rain. So far, none of their operatives had any information that had panned out. Feeling tears burn her eyes, Misao clenched her fist. Misao forced herself to retain hope. ‘I won’t get down. Himura’s strong. He’s still out there somewhere and we will find him. We’ve got to, for Kaoru’s sake.’

Looking back to the dojo, Misao smiled. ‘She’s put on such a brave face, but I can hear her at night, crying. She loves Kenshin and needs him and she’s depending on us to help find him. We’ve got to succeed, we just have to!’

The sound of someone knocking on the gate roused Misao from her thoughts. Rising, she crossed to the gate and opened it. Smiling at the messenger boy, she took the letter from him and threw him some money from her pocket. Looking at the letter, her eyes widened as she saw it was addressed to Aoshi. ‘Maybe it’s a lead. Please let it be a lead!’ she silently prayed as she rushed into the house, to the room Aoshi was meditating in.

“Aoshi-sama, forgive me for disturbing you,” Misao began as she entered the room.

Opening his eyes, Aoshi looked at the young girl. He could see the sorrow under her expression and knew she was fighting to retain her bright outlook. Nodding he indicated for her to sit as he took the letter.

Scanning it, Aoshi turned his attention outside. Contemplating its contents, Aoshi sat silently. Across from him Misao, felt like she was going to jump out of her skin.

“Is it a lead Aoshi-sama?” she asked quietly.

Aoshi turned his attention to Misao. “Apparently one of our operatives has come across a farmer in the Kokura area who saw a suspicious group of horsemen travel along a little used road. He believes he saw a man with red hair tied over a horse,” Aoshi said.

Misao’s eyes widened. “Kokura?” she asked. “That’s really far way from here! Do you think it’s worth checking out?”

Aoshi sat and thought a moment. “It’s the best lead we have at this time. It’ll take two weeks to reach Kokura from here. We can take a ship to Hiroshima and cross overland from there. I want to see if anyone else noticed anything. If they were on a little used road, then most likely they’ve stuck to back roads.”

Nodding, Misao rose. “I’ll go down to the harbor and arrange passage,” she said.

Aoshi nodded his assent. “Misao, arrange for passage for the day after tomorrow. I believe we should take Kaoru, Sano and Yahiko with us. I have a feeling about this.”

Misao smiled. “As you wish, Aoshi-sama!” Running out of the room, she silently prayed that this lead would pan out.

At dinner that evening, Aoshi revealed the letter’s contents to Kaoru, Sano and Yahiko. Yahiko smiled.

“You hear that busu! We’ve got something to go on, so you better stop crying at night,” he said.

Kaoru nodded, ignoring the busu comment. “Aoshi, do you really think this lead could be it?” she asked.

Aoshi turned his gaze to the young kenjutsu instructor. “I have a feeling about this. The area around Kokura is sparsely settled. It would be a good place to hide someone,” he said.

“Sounds good to me, as long as we’re doing something to actively find Kenshin, I’m happy,” Sano said, cracking his knuckles.

Kaoru smiled at her friend. “Alright,” she said quietly, “let’s go to Kokura and see where this lead takes us.”

*******

The sun was shining brightly as Kaoru, Sano, Yahiko, Misao and Aoshi boarded the ship. On the dock below, Dr. Genzai, Ayame, Suzume and Megumi waved them off with good wishes for returning with Kenshin. As the boat headed out into Tokyo Bay, Kaoru breathed a silent prayer that they were successful in returning with Kenshin.

The boat trip was uneventful and they arrived in Hiroshima with no incidents. Picking up the Yamaguchi trail, they inquired at every inn along the way if anyone had seen a large group of horsemen with a red-headed man almost a month ago. No one could remember such a thing.

Kaoru felt herself losing hope as they passed through Yamaguchi on their way to Kokura. Misao gave her friend a weak smile. She had watched as Kaoru slowly lost her resolve as each person they spoke to couldn’t remember anything. Misao wished there was something she could do.

As they crested a hill, they saw a farmer driving a cart up the hill. As they reached the man, Aoshi stepped forward and spoke with him. Coming back to the group, Misao saw a sparkle in his eyes.

“The gentleman farmer remembers seeing a group of about 8 horsemen on a side road not too far from here about a month ago. He remembers seeing a ninth horse with something on it, but he dismissed it as a packhorse. However he remembers one of the men shouting something to the others when the farmer spotted them and then increasing their pace. It’s suspicious and makes me believe we may be on the right track,” Aoshi said.

Kaoru felt something welling up inside. Smiling, she bowed as the farmer passed. Turning her gaze back to Aoshi, she nodded to the ninja. Returning the nod, Aoshi turned and led the group toward the road the farmer had mentioned.

As the group retired for the night in their campsite, Kaoru stared up at the moon. She felt buoyed by the events of the day. In addition to the farmer they’d met on the main road, two more farmers on the side road had seen the group of horsemen. One even recalled seeing a flash of red hair.

Misao sat next to her friend. Smiling, she noticed the far-off look in Kaoru’s eyes. Softly speaking Misao asked Kaoru what she was thinking about.

“I was just thinking what Kenshin is doing at this moment. If he’s safe or injured. Whether he’s been tortured. It’s been so long Misao, I’m worried we won’t reach him in time to prevent something bad from happening,” Kaoru said, feeling tears burn her eyes.

Wrapping her arms around her friend, Misao gave Kaoru a hug. “Himura’s the strongest man I know next to Aoshi-sama. If anyone is going to be alright it’s him. Don’t worry Kaoru, we’re getting closer. We’re going to find him and bring him back to Tokyo,” Misao said.

Kaoru smiled at her friend. Returning her gaze to the moon, Kaoru silently prayed that Misao would be correct.

*********

Far to the south, Kenshin sat awake in the prison. Staring out the window at the large moon, he found himself thinking of his friends in Tokyo. ‘It’s been over a month already since this one has seen his friends. I wonder if they’re alright. Was Miss Kaoru truly unharmed as she was supposed to be? Are they looking for me? Perhaps they’ve asked Miss Misao and Aoshi for help by now. I hope so, they are my only hope.’

A small whimpering broke Kenshin from his thoughts. Turning his gaze to the futon he saw Miyori in the throws of a nightmare. Rising from his perch by the window he crossed to the futon. Kneeling beside the fitful girl, he softly whispered that it would be alright, while readjusting the covers over the sleeping girl. Slowly the nightmare passed and she resumed a peaceful sleep.

Kenshin continued to kneel and watch the girl sleep. There had been puzzling changes over the last week that concerned him. They had stopped firing the darts into the prison. Kenshin had noticed a presence up at the top of the room, but only one and no darts were fired. It appeared they were being watched now. For what purpose, Kenshin could not guess. Miyori had not said anything, but her relief was palpable. Kenshin had continued to work on teaching her to read and even write. She was improving slowly. Giving the girl a final smile, Kenshin rose and returned to his perch by the window. He didn’t know what would happen when his friends arrived. There were issues to resolve with Miyori and Kenshin’s feelings for Kaoru had not abated. He constantly found himself comparing Miyori to Kaoru and admiring traits the two shared. But Miyori was not Kaoru and Kenshin’s heart, while warm to the girl, was not hers.

********

As the group from Tokyo reached Kokura they had picked up several leads. Aoshi left them at the inn in Kokura while he and Misao investigated them. Returning to the inn late at night, three days after leaving, Aoshi and Misao brought good news to the group. A couple of the leads included horsemen and they had investigated each one. Sitting before the group, Misao couldn’t hold back her grin.

“I think we’ve found him!” she blurted out.

Kaoru’s eyes widened. Yahiko let out a whoop. Sano smiled.

“Where?” Kaoru asked. Her simple question hung in the air.

Aoshi turned his attention to the group. Motioning for Misao to be silent he informed them about the lead and their investigation. “It would appear that the horsemen split up after passing through Kokura. We received leads indicating they were headed to Oita, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. After investigating each lead, it appears the group that had Kenshin headed to Kagoshima. I did a little digging around and after checking with our operatives I learned of a merchant who has a compound halfway between Kagoshima and Ibusuki. Some of the operatives remember it because a large shipment of iron bars came through there a few months ago. That’s not a common building material for the area. I believe this compound is where we might find Kenshin,” Aoshi said, reaching for his tea.

Kaoru looked to Sano. Sano appeared to be mulling over the information. Meeting her eyes, he smiled. “It sounds like a solid lead. If Kenshin doesn’t have his sword, then iron bars would hold him. How long will it take to get there?” Sano asked.

“I estimate three days of hard traveling,” Aoshi said calmly.

“Then what are we all doing up so late?” cried out Yahiko. “We’ve got to get on the road early to rescue Kenshin!”

Smiling, Kaoru looked up at her apprentice. “Yahiko’s right. Let’s get some sleep,” she said, rising to return to the room she shared with Misao. Stopping at the door, she looked back to Aoshi.

“Aoshi, thank you for all you’ve done,” she said as she bowed from the waist. Aoshi acknowledged her bow and watched as she walked away. Lying down, his mind was already processing the information he possessed to make sure they rescued Kenshin quickly.

********

Two days later, Kenshin was sleeping when a sound roused him. Cracking his eyes, he became aware of Miyori rushing from the futon. Listening he heard her retching in the bathing area. Feeling her ki, he could sense her deep embarrassment. Pretending to sleep, he listened as she returned to bed. He felt concern for the girl. Up until now, neither had shown any signs of illness and Kenshin was worried for her.

As the sun rose, Kenshin got up. Preparing a light soup, he heard Miyori beginning to come to. Turning, he watched as she sat up and stretched. His keen eyesight picked up the slight wince in her eyes as she moved her arms. Filling a bowl, he padded over to the bed and offered it to her. Smiling weakly, she accepted it. He noticed she ate very little of it.

“Are you feeling alright Miss Miyori?” he asked.

“Just a little unsettled stomach Kenshin. It’s nothing to worry about I’m sure,” she said, smiling.

Kenshin nodded, but his thoughts revolved around concern that Miyori was becoming ill.

********

The next day Aoshi and the group from Tokyo followed directions given to them by an Oniwaban operative. They had learned that the merchant went by the name of Suzuki Fujita. As they turned on the road, Aoshi motioned the group to stop. Reaching for his double kodachi, he moved them quickly, deflecting several arrows that were aimed at the group. Misao reacted immediately, drawing her kunai out and throwing them in the direction of the arrows. She hit two of the archers hidden in the trees.

Shouting for everyone to grab cover, Kaoru grabbed Yahiko and ducked behind a tree to her left. Sano dove behind a tree to his right. Drawing her bokken, Kaoru stood ready to defend herself. Yahiko held his shinai in a ready stance. Nodding at her apprentice, Kaoru rounded the tree to the left, while Yahiko went to the right. Scanning the trees both looked for hidden archers. Sensing movement from the side, Kaoru brought her bokken up to block an attack aimed for her head from a swordsman. Catching his sword at the hilt, she knocked it out of his hands. A hit to the head and he was unconscious. Turning, she watched as Yahiko dispatched another swordsman. Looking to the side, she saw Aoshi and Misao finishing off two other men while Sano stood over the fallen body of another.

“I guess that was the welcoming committee,” Sano said chuckling.

Aoshi looked up the road. “One escaped. They will know we are coming,” he said as he started up the road. “Be prepared.”

********

Kitaro sat outside his bosses’ office. Looking up as a man rushed in, he smiled. Taking the man’s report, he knocked at the door. Hearing an acceptance to enter, he opened the door and entered.

“Sir, it is as you thought. One of our sentries just reported a group headed by a tall imposing swordsman using double kodachi and including a fist fighter has begun traveling up the road here,” Kitaro said.

Chuckling, his boss rose and donned the mask he kept sitting on the edge of his desk. “It seems the Battousai’s friends are good after all. However, they are too late. I have what I need. You know what to do,” the man said as he strode out of the office.

Kitaro followed his boss out the door. Barking an order to his men, he led them through the hallways and up several sets of stairs.

**********

Kenshin sat at the table, listening to Miyori read. He smiled as he noticed her handle a particularly difficult word. Kenshin tensed as he felt several presences approaching. They were surrounding the room and there were men outside the door.

Grabbing Miyori’s shoulders he pulled her up against the wall. Scanning the room, he looked for open screens. Miyori’s eyes were wide as she shook slightly. It had been over a week since the last time they’d fired a dart. She’d hoped it was over.

All at once all the screens slammed open. Kenshin’s eyes narrowed as he saw men standing outside the bars with cylinders aimed at him and Miyori. Pushing Miyori away from him, Kenshin dove for the book she’d been reading from. Grabbing it, he dodged the dart aimed at his head. He reached the opposite wall in time to see one of the men aim a cylinder at Miyori’s neck. Cursing silently, Kenshin used his god-like speed to reach her just before the dart could pierce her neck. Using his arm to block it. Kenshin felt the prick as the dart entered his arm.

Miyori’s eyes softened as she stared at Kenshin with the dart in his arm. Before she could reach it, she saw him fall to the ground. Screaming, she dove down to his side. At that moment the steel door was opened and men rushed to the pair. Kenshin tried to move but none of his limbs would respond. He could only watch as two of the men grabbed Miyori and dragged her away. As Kenshin felt blackness coming on, he saw the masked man above him, laughing.

*********

As Aoshi and the group entered the compound they heard a carriage. Rushing around the side of the building the group caught a glimpse of a carriage rushing out a back entrance. Aoshi silently swore as he watched the carriage roll away. A group of armed men were fast approaching and the group was soon engaged in battle. Fighting their way through, Aoshi led them inside the compound.

Inside they were engaged by a few stragglers. As they dispatched the men, they continued to delve deeper into the compound. Following a path that led from what appeared to be the main house; Aoshi led them to another building, this one made of stone. Entering, they were surprised to not encounter a single soul.

Walking through the building, Aoshi saw a dimly lit hallway off the main foyer. Walking down that hallway, Aoshi stopped in an open doorway. The site that greeted his eyes, made him burn with anger inside. The doorway led to a room with an iron cage before a steel door. Both doorways were wide open. Aoshi could see bars near the ceiling with screens on the other side. Entering the room, Aoshi’s brows rose as he saw a form on the floor in the cell inside. Walking into the cell, Aoshi looked down at Kenshin Himura, lying on the floor.

A shout caught his attention and he watched as Kaoru Kamiya ran into the room. Dropping to Kenshin’s side, she felt intense relief when she saw his chest rise and fall. He was alive. Sano and Yahiko burst through the doorway behind her. Looking around the room, Sano felt intense anger at the cell Kenshin had been held in. Aoshi looked down at the dart in Kenshin’s arm. Removing it, he looked it over. Walking out of the room, he went back to the foyer. Misao was coming down some stairs to his right.

“Misao, Battousai is through that hallway. He is alive,” Aoshi said.

“He is!” she exclaimed. “Thank Kami!” Misao was about to run by when she noticed an object in Aoshi’s hand.

“What’s in your hand?” Misao asked.

“He was hit with this dart,” Aoshi said. “It seems to be some sort of sedative.”

“Can I see?” Misao said.

Aoshi handed her the dart and watched as she looked it over carefully. “Is everything alright Misao?”

“There’s a bunch of darts in a case up those stairs, in the first room,” she explained. “But they don’t look like this one.”

Aoshi remembered the setup of the room. The high bars with screens on the other side. “Show me,” he said.

**********

As Kenshin began to return to consciousness, he was aware of several voices. One however, sounded like music to his ears. Cracking his eyes, he felt the burn of bright light. Soon the light was replaced by beautiful sapphire eyes.

“M-Miss Kaoru?” Kenshin called out weakly.

“Yes Kenshin, I’m here,” Kaoru said, with tears in her eyes.

Kenshin smiled. Slowly raising himself up, with some help from Sano, he looked into his friends faces. Suddenly, his eyes swept the room.

“Where’s Miss Miyori?” he cried out.

***********

And we leave it there for a bit. I hope you enjoyed this piece. From here on out, things get complicated for our dear Kenshin. Hehehehehe…I looove torturing him. For those who’ve asked, I am a K&K fan. If I told you how this fic ended up though and who Kenshin ends up with….well, what would be the point of reading it? We’ll just have to see how things resolve themselves. Any feedback would be wonderful! Till next time.