Control

Well all it’s time for another installment of my story. I seriously need to finish this thing so I can get it off my brain. I haven’t been able to work on my other RK story because of this one. Anywho…this chappie advances the plot some more. I debated on how to proceed as I had two visions of how this could go. Since this vision kept reoccurring in my mind, it’s the one I went with. I hope you enjoy!

Remember, I no own…I borrow.

‘thoughts’
“dialogue”

Control
Chapter 8


Kenshin stared into the iridescent bubbles as his mind wandered. His friends had brought him home three weeks ago. They had come for him, but while he was rescued, Miyori was still out there somewhere. Kenshin remembered the unspoken fear in Kaoru’s eyes when he’d asked where Miyori was. At his friends confused looks, Kenshin had explained that she was another prisoner and that was all he’d said about her. Even now he could feel the guilt roiling around in his stomach. He hadn’t lied, but he hadn’t told the others what had happened in any detail. He couldn’t stand the look in Kaoru’s eyes as he had said Miyori’s name. He didn’t want to break the heart he loved so dearly.

‘There hasn’t been any word from Aoshi yet,’ Kenshin thought as he mechanically began to wash a gi.

‘I pray that Miyori is alright. If they’ve hurt her…,’ as Kenshin’s thought drifted off a memory flashed back of Miyori rising late at night and becoming sick. Kenshin’s brow creased as his thoughts went in a new direction.

‘Could Miss Miyori have been ill? Is she still sick? If she was sick, would her captors have taken care of her?’ Kenshin felt himself beginning to get sick to his stomach.

‘I have to calm down. Until Aoshi and Misao find her location, there is nothing I can do. But still…unless…I could ask…’ Kenshin rinsed the gi and hung it to dry. Walking into the house, he quickly retrieved his sword. Slipping it onto his belt, Kenshin locked up the dojo and walked to a familiar destination.

*******

Miyori sat in a Western-style chair, gazing out the window before her. The past three weeks had been some of the loneliest and worst of her short life. From the swift carriage ride that took her away from Kenshin to the two-week long sea voyage, she had felt a multitude of emotions. Fear, anxiety, worry and uncertainty all clashed within her. She didn’t know if Kenshin was alive or dead. She tried desperately to cling to the hope that he was alright and would rescue her, but here in this lush new prison, it was hard to hold onto that hope.

From the window Miyori could see the house she was held in sat on a high hill. There was a wall below her and Miyori could see a harbor far off in the distance. Thinking to herself she questioned why they hadn’t landed there. Instead they’d rode for three days in a carriage to reach the house. Although Miyori did have to admit she was glad to get off of the ship. She had never been so sock as she was on the ship. Even now she still felt waves of nausea. Taking a deep breath, she waiting for the feeling to pass. Returning her attention to the far off ships, she wished she could leave this house and flee far away. She would do almost anything to get out of this new prison. While the room she was held in was large and appointed with Western furniture, it was still a prison. The window had a bar that prevented it from opening too far and her door was locked from the outside. Miyori closed her eyes and let the scent of roses from a nearby garden wash over her.

Miyori’s senses went on alert as she hear the lock in the door click. Rising from the chair, she turned to face the door as three men entered the room. The first had a scar over his left eye and an evil smile on his face. The second looked young and seemed bored. Miyori’s eyes widened as she took in the face of the third man.

“You!” she gasped.

The first man grabbed Miyori by the waist as she tried to run past him to get away. Lifting her off her feet, he carried her to the bed. Tossing her down he straddled her and held her arms up while the second man tied her wrists to the iron headboard. The third man exited the Western-style bathroom, drying his hands on a towel.

“Be careful,” he called out. “We don’t want to harm her.”

“Yes doctor,” the second man replied.

The doctor turned his attention to Miyori. The girl laid on the bed, hands bound and each of her legs held by the two other men. Smiling, the doctor approached her.

“It’s been awhile my dear. You look well, however, I understand you’ve been ill. What do you say I check you over, hmmm?” he said as he slipped a hand under her back and untied her obi.

Miyori tried to struggle, but with each of her legs held, there was little she could do. The doctor reached up and opened Miyori’s kimono. Miyori closed her eyes as she felt his cold hands running over her breasts. She shivered as she felt him run his hands down her torso. He began pressing and feeling around her abdomen. Miyori’s eyes opened in confusion. Looking around until she saw the doctor’s face, she shuddered at the sick smile he was wearing. She saw him nod his head and the two men pulled her legs apart. Crying out, she once again tried to struggle. Feeling the doctor’s hands beginning to probe her nether region, Miyori clenched her eyes shut and lay still, praying this would over with quickly.

As the moments passed by, Miyori felt the violation of the doctor probing her. After what seemed to be hours, she felt the doctor’s hands leave her and her legs were let go of. Slapping her legs together Miyori curled onto her side as soon as her hands were unbound. Laying in the fetal position, she listened for the men to leave. Hearing the door open and close, she slowly opened her eyes. Miyori was not alone. The doctor stood at the foot of the bed, watching Miyori’s reaction. Miyori began to shake with fear.

The doctor smiled as he watched the girl before him tremble.

“Now, now my dear, there’s no need to fear me,” he cooed. “I am, after all, a doctor. I only do things that are in your best interest. Do you know that the man with the scar wanted to touch you? I prevented that. I am someone who can help you.” Walking around to the side of the bed, the doctor sat on the edge as he continued.

“I knew from the first moment I saw you that you’d be successful for our plan. You will make the boss very happy. That man you were held with is gone. You’re all alone. I can protect you. All I ask for is a little bit of cooperation. That’s not so hard is it?” Pausing, the doctor reached out and tried to touch Miyori’s hair. She shrunk from his touch.

“Have it your way, my dear. If I were you I’d think about what I’ve said. We’ll be seeing more of each other. Take care of yourself.” Rising, he crossed to the door and knocked. After the door closed and the lock turned, Miyori began to sob.


*******

Kenshin walked up the steps to the clinic. He hadn’t seen Megumi since his friends had brought him back to Tokyo. She’d looked him over, declared him fit and urged him to tell them the details of what had happened while he was a captive. Kenshin had thanked her, but had remained tight-lipped about what had occurred. Entering the waiting area, Kenshin was surprised to find it empty. Calling out, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Megumi entered the room, her smock pristine. Kenshin noted a tiredness to her eyes. Smiling, Megumi greeted him.

“Sir Ken! What brings you here?”

“Miss Megumi,” Kenshin said, bowing. “Do you have a few moments?”

“For you, Sir Ken, always. Besides I need a break from the research I’ve been doing. Please come this way, we can talk in my office,” Megumi said, leading Kenshin through the clinic.

Entering her office, Kenshin took a seat on a stool across from Megumi’s desk. Fidgeting, Kenshin tried to think of how to ask his question.

Megumi sat and watched the rurouni. She noted his unease. It was the first time she’d seen the former samurai so uncomfortable.

“Sir Ken, how can I help you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice as gentle as possible.

Kenshin stilled. Staring at the floor, he tried once again to form the question in his mind. Megumi sat across from him, patiently waiting for the rurouni’s words.

“Miss Megumi,” Kenshin began. “If a patient was vomiting but did not seem to have a fever, what might that be a symptom of?”

Megumi’s brow crinkled. “Well Sir Ken, I can think of several things. Is this patient male or female?”

“Oro! Would that make a difference?” Kenshin asked, looking anywhere but at Megumi’s eyes.

“Yes…,” Megumi began. “Sir Ken is the patient someone I know?” The fox ears popped out.

“No!” Kenshin said, looking directly into Megumi’s eyes. “The patient is female,” he said quietly.

Megumi’s brow crinkled again. “There are several things it could be, but with a female patient my first inclination would be morning sickness.”

Kenshin’s face took on a confused look. “Morning sickness?” he asked.

“Yes, it comes with the early and sometimes later stages of pregnancy,” Megumi explained.

The color drained out of Kenshin’s face. Megumi noted his reaction.

“Why are you asking about this Sir Ken?” Megumi asked, trying to decipher the rurouni’s odd behavior.

Kenshin tried to resume a normal look. “No reason, I just overheard someone and really…it’s nothing. Forget I asked,” Kenshin said as he brought his hand up to massage the back of his neck.

Megumi felt that his answer didn’t add up. Deciding against pushing him, she went on to something else.

“Ah, I see. Well, I’m glad you stopped by today. I was actually going to come see you. I need your help with some research I’m doing,” Megumi said.

“My help?” Kenshin said, bewildered.

“Yes,” Megumi said, turning around. “Aoshi asked me to analyze this and I’m stumped. Without knowing its affects, it’s difficult to proceed,” Megumi said, turning back toward Kenshin holding a dart in her hand.

Kenshin’s eyes widened. “Please Miss Megumi be very careful handling that!” he cried out.

Megumi jolted at the vehemence of his words. “Why Sir Ken?”

Kenshin’s gaze dropped to the floor. Megumi waited a few moments for Kenshin to respond. After continuing to wait, Megumi decided to give him a little push.

“Sir Ken, what is so dangerous about this dart? Please, I need to know!” Megumi pleaded.

Kenshin felt heat wash over his face. Keeping his gaze locked on Megumi’s feet, he tried to explain.

“That dart has very powerful effects,” Kenshin began, breathing deeply. “The first time I was hit with the dart I tried to fight it. I couldn’t.”

“What kind of effects Sir Ken?” Megumi asked, concern etched on her face.

“It caused a…powerful urge…of a sexual nature,” Kenshin said, closing his eyes.

“A powerful urge of a sexual nature?” Megumi parroted.

Kenshin nodded.

“You said you tried to fight it, but couldn’t. What did you do instead?” Megumi asked.

Kenshin clenched his eyes as memories of Miyori the morning after the first time came flooding back.
“Sir Ken?” Megumi asked, worry evident in her voice.

“There was another prisoner,” Kenshin began. “Miyori…,” he said, letting his voice trail off.

“Miyori?” Megumi asked.

Kenshin nodded. “I…I tried to hold back, but then I blacked out. W-When I came to…I…I had…” Kenshin trailed off, unable to voice the words.

Megumi’s eyes widened as she thought about the implications of Kenshin’s words. Kenshin clenched his fist and forced himself to continue. “I took Miyori by force,” he said quietly.

Megumi watched as the rurouni’s shoulders slumped in dejection. Sorrow radiated from him. Thinking back to his original reason for coming to see her, Megumi put two and two together.

“Oh my Sir Ken! The patient you were speaking of? Was it Miyori?” She asked.

Kenshin merely nodded his head. Megumi stared at the dart in her hand. Closing her eyes, she prayed that the soul who’d created it spent eternity in hell for the pain he or she was causing. Opening her eyes, she looked over at Kenshin. Her heart went out to him.

“Kenshin, she may not be pregnant,” Megumi said. “Without a physical examination, there’s no way to know for sure. As for your actions, you’re not the kind of person who would EVER do something like that on purpose. Whatever is contained in this dart is dangerous and very potent. It would have to be to have this kind of effect on you. You’re the strongest person I know, Sir Ken. I know you would never do something like this of your own free will.”

Kenshin offered Megumi a wan smile at her kind words. Megumi felt her heart break at the pain her friend was in. Looking up at Megumi with unshed tears in his eyes, Kenshin asked her a final question.

“Miss Megumi, can this one ask a favor of you? Would you please not say anything to the others just yet? I am not ready to discuss it with them…and this will break Miss Kaoru’s heart.”

Megumi felt herself bristle at the mention of Kaoru’s name, but she could not deny that her friend’s request was heartfelt.

“Sir Ken, I will keep your confidence. But you’ll need to tell them sometime. If Miyori is…,” Megumi trailed off.

Kenshin rose from the stood. Nodding, he turned to leave. Stopping at the doorway he looked over his shoulder.

“Thank you Miss Megumi. I will tell them…when the time is right. Good day.”

Megumi watched as her friend walked out of her office. Looking again to the dart in her hand she felt righteous anger welling up inside of her.

‘Sir Ken has done more to atone for his sins than anyone I know. He doesn’t deserve this. Kami, please, let this turn out good for Sir Ken’s sake.’


*******

The doctor stood before another door within the house where Miyori was kept. Knocking, he waited for a response. Hearing the acknowledgement, he opened the door and entered the office. Taking a seat across from his employer, he smiled at the man who was paying so much for his services.

“Well?” the man asked.

The doctor smiled. “The plan has succeeded.”

His employer broke out into a toothy grin.

“Excellent,” he said. “Soon Battousai will be mine to command. I commend you on your work doctor. It was worth every penny.”

The doctor bowed his head in response.

“I’m grateful for your praise. There are a few items I’ll leave recommendations for. Nutritional needs, exercise, that sort of thing,” the doctor said.

“Of course, of course,” the man said, waving his hand. “Your orders will be followed. I want nothing to happen to my goose with the golden egg.”

A look of confusion crossed the doctor’s face. Shrugging, he ignored the comment and chalked it up to his employer’s love of all things western.

The doctor smiled again. “I’ve also begun working on the girl’s trust issues with me.”

“Good,” his employer said, returning the smile. “I want her compliant. She’ll be much easier to work with in that case.”

“Of course,” the doctor replied. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll write up those recommendations and be on my way.”

“No, you’re free to go,” the man said. “I understand doctors are busy men aren’t they?”

“Yes,” the doctor replied, rising. “Until next time.” Giving a short bow, the doctor turned and left the office.

The man turned his chair toward the window and grinned. “Soon Battousai, very soon you’ll be all mine,” he whispered, before delving into a fit of chuckles.