Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Ruruni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Author's notes:
Yeah, this one is an old fic of mine and I just would like to post it in here. I'm not that good in writing stuff but still trying my best to make a good one. Well, enjoy reading.

Oh blood.....I like blood in the fanfics of misao, especially Aoshi.....the more he suffers, the better.
but that shouldn't be always the case, right?

Chapter 1

Raining….dark clouds dominates the locale. A natural occurrence yet
something should be bothered – so odd. No silhouette of light was
shimmering upon. It was just a gloomy and frightening aura that
surrounds, which seems to foretell an upcoming misfortune. Question
is, to whom?

"Yameru!" a hoarse voice prompted as the rain continues to
bewilder its targeted paths. ", I will take it from here."

Sounds of beating knuckles, pounding of bodies and painful
groans were seemed to be heard but no individual came to checked on
it, reign of terror instilled from the closed citizens of Aoiya. Men
laughing…They chuckled like hell, hunger for more blood – blood
coming from the tormented bodies nearing to give up.

All the men laughing and pounding were dressed in black. Why
black? Well, it seems to be the reflection of the ruthlessness and
paid-imbecile slaughterers. And one of them seemed to really enjoy
the beating he’s generously handling to the unfortunate beings. His
grins were cast from the deepest insanity sections of his
personality. Then, another man, wearing a grey Americana yet beneath
its sleeves where new white bandages wrapped around his withered
body, stepped out of the long white limousine with one of the black
men holding a wide red-inscripted umbrella over him. From loo looks
of it, he is the okashira of the group.

They went to the bloody area and stop instantly.

"I said enough, you fool! Your hearing seems been badly
affected by your present disability, Yusui. Perhaps, you need a
thorough check-up before it gets into your blasted brain. If you do
have one." The man in Americana suit grinned and raised an eyebrow
underneath those untainted bandages.

"Feh. You haven't changed a bit, my friend. You still take
sanction for others by making them feel more miserable." Yusui
rotated his deadly weapon in his left hand and pointed it to the
man's vital neck.

The man wasn't frightened. He seemed to be unaffected to the
fact of being mocked and threatened by one of his special legions.
He didn't care to look at him and spoke, "Tell me. Does truth hurts?"

Long silence was installed upon the scene of almost mutiny.
Yusui held back his weapon to his shoulder and walked away. Perhaps
this is not the day to revolt, to revenge – not the right time, rain
still pouring heavily. For everyone's opinion, it was Yusui's wisest
decision to back-off and let him handle things on his ways. Maybe,
Yusui wouldn't want to have any grievous enemy at these vulnerable
times yet.

Another man in black went close to him and reported.

"Lord Shishio, the man in masked refused to talk the
whereabouts of their Okashira. Others do the same. What should we do
now, my lord?" as he fiercely pointing at one of ther der dearly
wounded special members of an exceptional spy group called
Oniwabanshuu. (Some sub members were away for a mission and some were
killed by them.)

He reacted numbly. The man in a demon mask was forced to
stand even his legs wouldn't be able to support himself well.
Dragging him, he was forced to face much disgraceful being than his
mask could comply. Grave pain swept over his entire body as the other
men wearing black held him into his forearms, where blood mostly seen
and spilt.

"Hannya, I presume." Shishio grinned.

The man was very soaked in rain and so as his own gashing
blood.

"You're fortunate enough to be here, in this wretched society
of ours, still alive to continue your worthless existence. Perhaps, I
could abide you more chance of living – a bit longer – if you could
just tell me; tell me where your Okashira Makimachi is. Don't you
think it is a great deal?" Shishio waved his hand and one of his
bodyguards hand him a cigar and lightened it. He continued.

"Smoke….my body still trembles when I see and feel its
presence." He smirked.

Hannya raised his head to view the devil at his front and
gradually pierced him with fuming eyes. He vowed to serve no one but
the Oniwabanshuu, for their greater glory – not on lunatics like
Makoto Shishio. If only Aoshi was here, perhaps…the tables would
turn. But he didn't blame him of his absence…. He spitted him, full
of grave intentions. The man beside Shishio automatically pulled out
a clean red handkerchief to wipe the spit on his necktie.

"You are not helping us Hannya-san. You are wasting my
patience. My generosity won't be here forever. You might regret on
defying me, my need."

A dark large shadow sprung behind and it ceased their
momentous conversation. "Teme! Whatever you say or do to us, you
won't take any information out of us! We rather die defending our
honor, our Okashira. Curse you!" Shikijou furiously yelled.

With just one horrible eye contact frhishhishio to his men,
they instantly triggered their gun at his deformed head and so with
the others almost laying half dead.

"What now, Hannya-san? Could we have now your valuable
information?" Shishio took his sightm Ham Hannya and placed it to his
near dying comrades.

"If you still value your life, TALK!" a man wearing a red
suit with yellow polo shirt underneath shouted. He seems to be one of
the special allies of Shishio – one of Juppon Gatana where Yusui
belongs too. His name is Chou. A raving enthusiast of swords - a
dealer and hard core collector. Many too died in his sinful
hands….countless and counting.

"DAMARE!" Shishio yelled back.

Yusui chuckled, giving way to make Chou a bit irritated. Chou
walked away with his several swords attached into his body especially
the one wrapped at his waist – the most valuable one, the most used
killer device to his pitiable victims.

"Back to our discussion. I'm waiting for a good answer Hannya-
san."

Low voice was generated from his soaring throat due to
abundant scars and wounds he received from the attack of blood-thirst
Yusui. He was still fighting for his endangering life. Hoping for a
miracle would happen from this instance. "N-n-never…Akh…." Blood
spurted out on his mouth and tainted Shishio's bandages from his
right hand.

The confrontation was still at rise of heat unlike the
present surging of rainwater upon the town when a crackling sound was
heard at the dojo. All men was bothered by it and automatically
alerted. They showed their guns, ready for anything that would
surprise them. Shishio was staring at the dojo blankly.

"Perhaps this will change your mind!" He was not pertaining
to Hannya or neither one of the persecuted members. It was for someone
else.

At the back of the dojo of Aoiya, behind those protective
walls, the Okashira hid with his wife and lovely 6 year old
daughter, Misao, who was still sleeping soundly at the chest of her
mother – unaware of what was happening outside. His wife was very
terrified seeing those horrendous views so plainly. The Okashira has
to surrender himseeforefore things get worse.

"Don't you go out there….Don't you leus hus here…"

"This nonsense killing should be stop. Don't you understand?
They have nothing to do with this. It is I they were after, not them.
Their lives so as yours and Misao would be spared if I surrender
myself." The Okashira hugged tightly his wife and daughter as if it
was the last of the many momentous moments with them. "Sayonara." He
muttered.

As he was about to walked-out behind the walls, Misao's hand had
greatly grasped at the upper clothing of his father. His wife cried
yet trying to held her tears away from the view of the child. The
okashira slowly took her hands and placed it on her mothers' heart.

"Take care, my love. Take good care of our daughter." He stood and
walked away.

"Demo…." She still cried, silently knowing that it will be her last vision of her husband being alive.

A shadowy figure was about to unfold to everyone's eyes
outside the dojo as Shishio signaled the others not to fire or
attack. They waited him to show up.

"N-nani!" Hannya gasped.

"Leave them, Makoto. It is, I, who you after." The okashira
faced them fearlessly.

"Well it's about time you show up. You kept me waiting and I
didn't like it. You should pay intensely for wasting my time." With
Shishio's one hint, Yusui and Chou assailed Hannya and the rest,
creating more ache and misery upon their weakening bodies. They
howled like feasting beast, such a horrible view. More blood flowed
on the paving and the Okashira was shocked and very angered.

"No!"

"Yes!" Shishio mocked him, grinning like a murderous psycho.

The okashira's wife embraced Misao more as she continued to
weep. Out of fear and out of less security upon the frightening
occurrence outside the dojo. Misao woke up and saw her mother
crying. She asked her mother why, yet her mother remained silent.
Her mother put her sweet palm on her daughter's eyes, covering her
from the insanity she might witness.

"You are insane, Shishio!" The okashira's hands fisted
waiting for the opportunity to attack.

"Good. It seems you are ready for a feisty fight. You're
beginning to amuse me, Makimachi-san. I doubt if I ever still want
you to be DEAD quickly. Yes, dead caused by these very hungry hands for
blood – your blood." He laughed vociferously and then smoked.

Makimachi-san swung his sword to his right side then held it
up, positioning himself for the great entrance on his assault. Out
of nowhere, another shadowy figure popped-out and went beside
Okashira Makamachi.

"I came here as fast as I could, Okashira. I'll protect you
and your family as I had done to your father." Okina spoke as he
caught his breath.

"Arigato, Okina-san but I'll do this alone. Watch my family
and that's an order." He was very serious. It was a desperate command
coming from a well-respected Okashira of Oniwabanshuu and a man that
was about to face his detaining death.

"Where is Aoshi?" Okina asked as he backwardly moving towards the
dojo.

Okashira Makamachi didn't hear Okina as the thunder reined its
devastating strength. He tried to concentrate and find ways for
better strategies to attack them all in a single and galloping wallop
with his sentimental sword. Yes. He remembered Aoshi Shinomori at
ver very crucial moment, his trusted personal ally. Where is he
away? He needs his excellence in combat yet he is no where to be
found.

"I have to do this alone." Okashira Makamachi sighed, ready to face the outcome.

Hannya tries to stand up to help defend his master yet his
wounds wouldn't let him abide to his willing. Shishio saw the
daring move and and strike his sword to Hannya's abdomen. Blood rushes
over, mixing with the flowing water on the soil. Little by little,
Hannya's life was about to yield upon defeat. Okashira saw everything
right in his every own shocked eyes. Shishio was a raving lunatic! He
had to be stop by all means even if he causes him his own life – just to stop the carnage.

Men in black were laughing, rejoicing for what madness
Shishio bestowed upon their scenery. He held the edge side of his
sword close to his lips to his nose then instantly smelled the
dripping blood. It was very soothing for him to know the joy of
killing another worthless being to his damned life. His insanity
reaches to the pit of his dark soul. He, then, laughed softly while
looking directly to the eyes of the Okashira.

"Death comes to us all, my Okashira Makimachi. It was his
time to depart." He chortled.

The wide unstable eyes of the Okashira couldn't take it
anymore. He had to do something to save their lives, the ones left in
painful disgrace. It is because of him why they went here, in the
dojo of Aoiya, to see and kill him. For what reasons? Reasons
that he and Shishio could only sustain - the revenge that Shishio
would dearly want for several years of being damned in his own skin.
He had to fight for the honour of his group, his family. He knew
that very deeply.

"Save yourself, Boss. Save your family….and Misao…." Beshimi
crawled dreadfully towards their Okashira but Yusui slashed him at
the back leaving him lifeless. To his face, he no longer lingers in
pain.

"Misao? Hmmm…" Yusui repeated the dead man’s words which made Shishio heard something valuable to make the game more enticing to play.

Misao woke up from her half sleepiness. She searched for his
father to her mother and saw Okina running towards their secret hide
out. The woman was very much relieved to see Okina yet she had
something in mind to dare and she won't let him knows it. The young
child was passed to Okina's old arms for better security.

"Take my child, Okina-san." The woman apprehended.

"Come with me now, I have to take you both far away from this
butchery. I promised him yours and Misao's safety." Okina gasped for
much air.

She nodded. Misao was clueless to the things been happening
around her. She suddenly remembered Aoshi. She automatically asked
for Aoshi, to her mother and Okina. They didn't speak, busy minding
on how they would escape from this place.

"Jiya…!" Misao grabbed Okina's clothing in his shoulder and
shook it. Still, he didn't respond.

As they were about to run off, Misao and her mother saw the
scene outside. The Okashira moved swiftly to aim a devious attack on
Shishio. Misao was about to shout, to call her father when Okina
covered her mouth. They have to get away without them knowing. The
okashira successfully wounded a person but he was not Shishio. It was
one of his men, his bodyguards. He died for his master, such
patriotism yet very wasted. Another attack was being imposed by
Makimachi, a sign of a true spirited warrior – a ninja – who wouldn't
give up easily on the untamed battle. He used his "waterflow
technique" to them. He successfully eliminated some of Shishio's men and wounded Yusui and Chou badly yet the man his aiming didn't show any fear but instead, Shishio was very much pleased to see more of bloodshed at his sight. He laughed, coming from the deepest core of hell.

"Is that all you could do, Makimachi-san! Better to show you
mine."

Okashira Makimachi was about to trigger him with his last
deadly blow from head, the bodyguard holding the umbrella took the
misfortune. Shishio had already jumped to the air, striking his very
own lethal killing technique upon him. Slowly, the okashira raised
his head up and saw hio'hio's aiming attack. He turned the edge side
of his sword to Shishio. He seized his fatal assault, now on the
verge of how he’ll survive or not. Each clenched their teeth, securing
the intensity to each others bones. The sword of the Okashira was
about the break….

"Survival of the fittest….It will be me!" Shishio stroke his
sword with intense power. Burning…..burning like hell!

The sword broke off; making it way to the Okashira's left
shoulder to his arm. It was cut-off. And it left him plunged to the
drench floor. This horrible sight made Misao's mother stunned.
Against the rain, she finally made up her mind and immediately run
towards her dying husband. She took a small dagger hidden from her
waist of her dress and held up into her hands.

"No!!!!!!!!!!!" Okina shouted insanely.

As she ran towards them, Okina heard the plea of Misao's
mother…..

"Take care of my child, Okina-san……Misao-chan…..Gomen. I love
you…..Live for us…." The thunder and lightning stroke again. In a split
moment, she was also been slashed by Shishio, to her heart.

Misao saw everything. Her innocence was shattered. She saw
her mother died, bathing to her very own blood.

"No!!!!!!! You monster! I'll kill you!" As the Okashira
stroke his sword towards the madman, Shishio immediately pierced him to his chest.

"Such a beautiful view….." Shishio grinned and licked his
sword. " , the blood of the Oniwabanshuu's Okashira, so delicious." His eyes were very much cold and yet almost feeling fulfilled.

At the back of the dojo, Misao yelled. Her heart was about
burst from the scene she had seen a while ago and Shishio heard it.

"What? A child?" Shishio scanned the surroundings then saw
Okina, carrying Misao. "This would be fun. So it was true."

The Okashira gathered his last strength on saving Misao by
stabbing with his special kodachi on Shishio at his right leg. Shishio's reaction went really mad
for he was not happy about what he did.

"Don't you lay your dirty hands on my daughter….akh!"
Makimachi spilled blood on his mouth to the ground.

Shishio grabbed the Okashira and held him up tightly.

"Don't you worry….” He whispered to his ears and continued. “My minions will! Hahahaha!" Shishio laughed and with his bare s, hs, he took the okashira's heart hideously and threw him beside his wife's lifeless body. The light fades away….The two remaining survivors, Hyottoko and Shikijou, tried to get up to revenge yet they were also been slashed by Shishio's madness.

Okina ran as far as his legs and feet would go, to save Misao
from the bidding death. While running, Misao looked back to the
bodies, dead bodies of her family especially her father and mother.
In her mind, memories of her family recalls. All those sweet memories
were starting to vanish. Her father and mother bid her farewell and
walking towards the light, so as the others. Why do these things
happen? Her mind was extremely unstable. She cried bluntly and
laughed a little. Insanity readies to knock on the mind of this
poor child. Perhaps but Okina won't allow that.

Shishio ordered Chou and Yusui to chase and kill them. Both
went on to their feet and started hunting…..looking for the lost
prey.

He also went back to his mobile and commanded other men of
his, to clean the excess mess. He threw the used cigar near the
Okashira's dead body and leaved.


*******

"Pull your sword, Himura!" Aoshi yelled. At the far end,
unaware of the other situation, Aoshi was battling with Kenshin
Himura for one reason – to claim the honor of being the strongest
swordsman in Japan and perhaps, to the entire world.

"This is insane, Shinomori! Why do we have to fight? I am no
longer the person you want to slay. This is non-sense!" Himura
replied.

Aoshi stroke his sword towards Kenshin and had him wounded to
his right thigh. One of Aoshi's dreams is to became the greatest
swordsman of this country yet it won't be true if Himura-san still
lurking, living in this society. Kenshin counter-attacked Aoshi's
second move when suddenly something bothered on the attacker's mind –
Misao.

He ceased the assault and looked at the sky, still raining
heavily. He felt that something might have happen to his comrades,
his leaders, to Misao. He walked back, away from Himura, leaving him
clueless.

"I'll be back for you. Some other time." Aoshi said then he
move rapidly, as an omitsu goes. He went back to Aoiya.

Upon his arrival, he found dead bodies, showering to their
own blood. He was very stunned. All his comrades were dead including
his respected Okashira and his wife. His head is rupturing. He
couldn't take the scenario. His loved-ones were all dead for what
cause, what reason. He kneeled on the damp paving and suddenly
remembered Misao.

"Misao-chan." He hissed and immediately stood, searched for
her insanely.

He looked everywhere – to the dojo, to the house, to the
backyard….nothing, still nothing. He kept blaming himself for not
being their, to save them from demise. He wouldn't be able to take
the pressure of knowing Misao's death. No. She is not dead. She has
to.

After all the searching, hope slowly faded.

"What have I done?! Gomen…..Gomen!" Aoshi kneeled again to
the ground and fisted. He raised his head to the skies. Rain water
continues to pour, to the land and to his miserable beautiful face.

He stood up and walked towards his Okashira. He looked down and saw
the hole in his chest. His heart is gone. Damn it!

Upon seeing it, he slowly glanced at his dead comrades, their
faces seems to project some sort of grievous persecution and
yielding, yielding for help – help from him. He could already hear
their voices, shrieking and tormented. Why? Why!

He just stood there, waiting. He let himself drenched more by
the rain, hoping to cleanse away his guilt. Sadly, the pain doesn't just easily go away. Maybe in due time….

He noticed a damped cigar near the Okashira's body. The torns
from the tree braches and the broken stone lanterns, there must have
been a dreadful battle in here. Who did it? Who did it to them? He
assumed that many people involve in the case. Misao. He had to find
her, one more time. Okina? She would probably be with him.

He quickly moved out to Aoiya and search for them.

Meanwhile, Okina congregated his left strength to overrun the
maniacs. He knew that he’s too old for this yet he promised to
protect the Makimachi's. Only Misao survived and he has to do
everything in his aged power to maintain that realm.

"Misao, be strong. Remember what your mother told you before
she…Live for us, live for them." Okina continued to gasp for air,
still running.

She was too impassive to the world around her. She heard
nothing from all what Okina had just said. The memory of the slashing
always flashed back to her visions, to her mind.

At the end of the ally, there was a huge wooden blockage. As
Okina was about to jumped over, two dark figures popped-out of
nowhere.

"Where are you going? The fun isn't over yet." Chou grinned.

Yusui licked his right hands, dripping of blood from his
wound he got from the attack of the Okashira. "Blood, more blood….."
He trembled.

"Kisama! Spare this child from your insanity. Take mine!"
Okina held her away from his sight.

They didn't react. Yusui was unable to wait. He immediately
attacked Okina on his neck and fisted him at his head. Okina and
Misao plunged to the ground. Everyone in the neighborhood heard the
noises, and each of them lightened their houses. Chou stand alerted
that someone might see them killing these two. So he told Yusui to
finish the work quickly. As he was about to strike him his sword,
people's opening their windows and running footsteps from Aoshi
Shinomori was heard – nearing to this spot.

"Kuso!" Chou rapidly ceased Yusui from attacking and hid
themselves away to the darkest corner to make sure no one knows it
was their doings. Yusui was unpleased of the interrupted excitement.
They finally fled away from the eyes of the said neighborhood.

People from the neighborhood saw Okina lying on the ground,
wounded and very shaken. Everyone went to him and checked if he is
still alive. Aoshi saw them and went beside him. To his dismay, he saw
Okina, lying half dead. He quickly scooped him up and asked for help
to tender his wounds.

"Misa….Misa….o…" Okina hissed. Those were the last words he
had said to that very fateful night.