Way of the Sword

Note: So, as mentioned previously, Hiro uses a weapon called sai. I believe the plural form of this weapon is still sai, even though I\'ve heard people say \"sais.\" But that just looks too weird. So when you see \"sai\" please understand that Hiro is not fighting with just one of them, but two of them at once. Also, sai is referred to as \"short weapons\" versus \"long weapons\" like bo or the staff. Hope that clears any confusion in the story...


CHAPTER 15

The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Hiro returned to the Kammiya dojo. He hopped over the wall, knowing that the main gate would be closed. He almost expected to be greeted by Yuki’s sword again but luckily, no such welcoming was present. After all, he liked where his head was currently placed. Walking rapidly, he made his way towards Sano’s room. This time, when he approached the door, he knocked. Upon hearing Megumi’s voice, he entered.

“Hey Megumi-san. How’s Sano doing?” Hiro asked, sliding the door closed behind him.

“He’s doing much better. The fever has gone down. He has not woken up yet, though. But I think he’s stable.” Megumi yawned. “Oh, excuse me.”

“Why don’t you go get some rest? I’m sure Sano is going to be fine now,” Hiro said with a smile.

“Hmm. I think I may just do that.” Megumi stood up, her long raven hair flowing down her back. “I’ll send Kaoru later to check up on him.” She made her way towards the door.

Before leaving, she turned around. “And Hiro?”

“Hai?”

“Don’t do anything stupid. And make sure Sano stays in bed.”

“Ah..,” Hiro scratched his head nervously. “Whatever you say, Megumi-san.”

“Good. See you later Hiro.” Megumi slid the door behind her as she left.

Hearing Megumi’s footsteps fading away, Hiro leaned in for a quick kiss on Sano’s lips. “I’ve just stopped by to see how you are doing and to see you before we take off.” Hiro gently stroked the side of Sano’s sleeping face. “We are going to try to find Shuichi. I just hope we don’t run into too much problems.”

Hand stilling, Hiro sighed. “Too bad I won’t have you fighting next to me. I better go now and get Kaoru to look in on you before I go see Yuki and Kenshin.”

“And why do you need Kaoru to look in on me?” asked a hoarse voice.

“Sano! You are awake!” exclaimed Hiro. Smiling, he leaned in for another quick kiss. “How do you feel?”

“Hmm. That was nice. Almost makes up for the fact that I feel like if I have taken a beating from Kenshin’s sword or something.” Sano smiled at the pretty picture that greeted him. “So what happened? What’s going on?”

“You were pretty out of it because of your wound. Megumi had to stitch you up again.”

“Ugh. Probably gonna hear something about getting hurt again from her later,” grumbled Sano.

Hiro swatted Sano lightly on the shoulder. “She stayed up all night to watch over you so don’t say anything stupid to her.”

“Hey, when do I say anything stupid?”

“During the short time I’ve known you? All the time. Anyways, now, we are going to go try to find Shuichi.”

“Great. About time. Surprised you guys didn’t take off sooner. Just give me a moment to get dressed.” Sano’s attempt to sit up was put off by Hiro pushing him back down.

“Nope,” said Hiro, shaking his head. “You get to stay here with Kaoru and Yahiko.”

“Why?!” asked Sano, his eyes going wide.

“Uhm... because you were only stabbed a few hours ago and you need to recover? Do you not remember that part or have you lost your memory after that fight?”

“No need to be sarcastic. But seriously, I’m all ok to go,” pleaded Sano.

“No. I promised Megumi. Now be a good boy and stay here while the big kids go play.” Hiro stood up.

“Hey, I’m older than you mister! If anyone is a big kid, that’s me!”

“Not arguing there,” said Hiro under his breath. “We’ll be back before you know it. And if I catch you out of bed, you going to get into trouble. And not just from Megumi, either.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun,” teased Sano. “I’ll make sure to get up just for some punishment.”

“Dork,” replied Hiro. Smiling, he waved at Sano. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay. Be careful.” Sano appreciatively took in the sight of his boyfriend, clad in a dark green gi top that brought out the color his dark red hair, leave the room. The last sight he saw was how Hiro’s hair stopped just where the curve of his bottom started. “Damn, getting injured doesn’t hinder my libido.”

Sighing, Sano stared up at the ceiling. He had to find away to join the others without getting caught by his keepers.

***

Kenshin was already in Yuki’s room when Hiro entered.

“Did you get the things you needed?” asked Kenshin.

Hiro nodded in reply and drew out the things in question. “Got my sai. Let’s go.”

The three men looked as if they were prepared to fight. Both Kenshin and Yuki wore their katanas. Hiro’s sai was tucked at his waist, the silver metal barely visible from its place.

The three made their way towards the gate, where Kaoru was waiting with an unhappy look on her face.

“Be careful guys,” said Kaoru.

“Don’t worry. We will,” replied Kenshin. The three walked through the gate and Kaoru closed it behind them.

“How did you convince Kaoru to stay home, Kenshin?” asked Yuki, as the three headed towards town.

“I told her that she needed to watch over Sano, that I did,” replied Kenshin.

“That explains why she looked more grumpier than usual. Guess she’s going to give you an earful later, Kenshin,” said Yuki, mildly.

“Oro?”

***

Grumbling, Kaoru made her way towards Sano’s room with a bowl of rice and miso soup. She had sent Megumi home so that she could get some rest. Now, it was just Kaoru and Yahiko who could look in on Sano.

“Here’s your food, Sano,” said Kaoru, entering the room.

“Jo-chan, I just recovered. I don’t think I can handle your food right now,” said Sano, waving his hands to decline the offered meal.

“Baka,” growled Kaoru. She placed the meal next the sitting Sano. “I had to stay home because of you. So you better behave.”

“Hey, I never said I wanted you to look in after me. I wanted to go to, you know. Stupid Hiro wouldn’t let me, though.” Sighing, Sano started to eat his breakfast. His chopsticks stopped midway towards his mouth as a brilliant idea came to him. “Hey Jo-chan?”

“What?” grumbled Kaoru some more. She really did not see the point of staying behind to take care of Sano. Yahiko could have done the job by himself. And in her opinion, Sano looked well enough to be by himself.

“I want to go. You want to go. I say we just go. Screw what they said.”

“Are you stupid? They will get mad at us,” said Kaoru. However, in her mind, Sano’s idea did not seem half bad.

“No, seriously. Kenshin only said that you had to look after me. And if I went somewhere, shouldn’t you go with me to continue to look after me? After all, you should always stay with your patient,” argued Sano. He was glad that it was Kaoru and not Megumi that was taking care of him. With Kaoru, he knew that he might stand a chance to get out.

“No..” said Kaoru, but not with much conviction.

“Come on Kaoru. What about if they need help? Sure, only two men attacked us last time, but what if there are more enemies that we don’t know about? Then they would be at a disadvantage,” reasoned Sano, trying to convince Kaoru.

“Hmm...” Kaoru sat there thinking, her eyebrows crinkled in concentration. She could always say that this was all Sano’s fault. She was sure Hiro would not get mad her and Yuki would not care. Kenshin might get upset but probably not really mad. Or she hoped so, anywayn “Fine. Let’s go. But later.”

“Why not now?”

“Because, I know they where they are heading so we don’t need to follow them. Plus, if we leave now, we would still be close to home so that they could send us back.”

“Hmm. Good thinking Jo-chan.” Sano resumed eating. “So, where are they going?”

“To Shuichi’s house.”

***

Around nine thirty in the morning, Haruki decided to pay Shuichi another visit. Upon entering the small shed where Shuichi was being held, he saw blood trickling from the corner of Shuichi’s mouth. The blue kimono that the boy was wearing was wrinkled and torn in certain areas.

“Good morning Shuichi. I was wondering if you changed your mind about signing the document.” Closing the shed’s door behind him, Haruki entered the small room.

“Haven’t changed my mind,” replied Shuichi, clenching his jaw. The blows he had received in his ribs and stomach seriously hurt and it was all Shuichi could do to not cry in front of these men.

“Shuichi, stop being stubborn. Once you sign, I’ll let you go.”

“Do you think I’m that stupid? You are just going to kill me after I sign the document. Plus, I’ll never give into a slimy, traitorous, evil -” Shuichi was interrupted by a slap across his face. The wound inside his mouth reopened, causing more blood to seep from the corner of his mouth.

“Stupid boy,” hissed Haruki. He raised his hand once more, but was interrupted by the knock on the door.

“Shindou-sama. There is a guest for you.”

“Show him to my library. I’ll be right there,” replied Haruki. He lowered his hand and grabbed the front of Shuichi’s kimono, bringing their faces close. “I suggest you sign the paper before I lose my temper with you.” Releasing his grip with a shove, Haruki left the room, almost stomping out the door.

While walking towards the his room, Haruki calmed himself down. Instead of thinking about how annoying Shuichi was, Haruki instead try to prepare himself for the planned meeting he had with the White Devil. So it was accurate to say that he was more than surprised to see that it was not the White Devil that was waiting for him in his room, but another blond haired man that he had never seen before.

“Hello, I’m Shidou Haruki,” said Haruki, bowing. “Can I help you?”

“Hello,” said Yuki. “My name is Yuki Eiri. I’ve come to talk to you about your nephew.”

“Oh? Shuichi? Please, have a seat,” Haruki forced a smile as he sat down behind his desk. With careful eyes, he examined the stranger before him. “How do you know my nephew?”

“He has been staying with friends of mine in the past couple of weeks.”

“Oh! I thank you for your hospitality. I hope he was not too much trouble.”

“Not at all.” Yuki narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to gauge what kind of a man was sitting in front of him. “I’ve come become your nephew has not returned to my friends’ place last night and I was wondering if he was here.”

Haruki though quickly. If he said Shuichi was not home, then, as the uncle, he would be expected to call the police. In fact, he should be putting on a face of panic right now. He decided it would be easier to state that Shuichi was home. “Yes, he is here. I’m sorry, I was under the impression that he had told his new friends that he would be coming back home. I told him yesterday, when he came to visit me, that if he was healed, there was no reason for him not to return home.” Done telling his little fantastic story, he rested his hands on his desk.

“Oh I see. Is it possible to see him? I have not properly said my farewell.” Bingo, thought Yuki. This Haruki just took a wrong step. This man did not yet realize that Yuki knew that Shuichi was taken. Which would only mean that Haruki himself knew what was really going on.

“I’m afraid that would be impossible at the moment. Shuichi is currently away at errand I sent him on and I’m afraid I have no idea when he will return,” Haruki lied easily. If he had learned anything these past few years, he had learned how to lie convincingly. After all, it was all thanks to his ability to lie that he had gotten as far as he had so far.

“I see.” Yuki rose to get up. Although his face betrayed none of his emotions, Yuki wished that he had not left his katana with Kenshin. Earlier, it had seemed like a good idea, for he did not want to alarm Haruki. Now, Yuki felt bare and exposed without his weapon. However, Yuki’s movements were sure and smooth, giving him the air of an easy going person. “Perhaps next time. I thank you for your time.”

“Not at all,” Haruki replied, also standing. He smiled easily and bowed. “Fee free to come visit Shuichi anytime.”

“Thank you,” replied. Yuki. Upon seeing Haruki following him, Yuki said, “Oh, I can show myself out.”

“Alright. Have a safe trip back home,” said Haruki, eager to see this man leave.

“Good bye,” said Yuki solemnly. However, Yuki knew that he would be seeing the man very soon again.

***

A few yards away from the house, Hiro and Kenshin were sitting in the shade of the tree, both sitting with their backs against the tree trunk, preventing them from facing each other.

“You really think our plan will work?” asked Hiro, keeping an eye out for Yuki.

“Yes I do,” replied Kenshin, staring up into the sky, only see the tree’s leaves. The dark foliage prevented the sunlight from directly entering into the violet orbs.

“I see.” Kenshin’s reply was enough for Hiro to believe in their plan himself.

Their plan was relatively simple. First, one of them would talk to Shuichi’s uncle and see exactly what the man knew. All three of them suspected the uncle to play some part in this mess, although none knew exactly how. After talking to the uncle, the three would formulate a new plan and then attack that night. What worried Hiro was that Yuki was the one to go talk to the uncle. Among them, they decided that Kenshin was not a good choice just in case he was recognized, thanks to his infamous scar. Hiro wanted to go, but Yuki was more determined to go, almost to point of being stubborn. So at the end, Hiro stayed behind with Kenshin. Silently, Hiro prayed that Yuki would keep his emotions in control.

Unable to keep his hands still, Hiro started picking on the blades of grass surrounding him, tearing off the tips, one after another. Now and then, Hiro would take a peek at Kenshin, who continued to sit silently still, his arms crossed over a propped up knee. Just when Hiro could wait no longer and made up his mind to go check on Yuki, Hiro saw the blond walking towards them. Quickly, Hiro stood up, almost stumbling in the process and jabbing himself with the sai that were still tucked in his waist band. Quite contrary to Hiro, Kenshin rose up gracefully, not tripping over his own weapon, which hung at his side, along with Yuki. Kenshin tossed Yuki his sword, which was caught deftly.

“So, what did you find out?” asked Hiro loudly.

Yuki arched an eyebrow as he took in the sight of Hiro’s pants. “Why do you have pieces of grass all over your pants?”

Snorting impatiently, Hiro waved his hand as if it served to answer Yuki’s question. “What did you find out?”

“I think Haruki is behind all this.”

***

Haruki sat behind his desk, the gray silk of kimono falling around him, as if he was sitting on a a silvery cloud. His right hand twirled the dagger. The tip of the dagger slowly led a wobbly circular path, almost as if mirroring the thoughts that invaded Haruki’s mind. He would like to think that the stranger’s visit was just coincidence. After all, it was quite normal for a friend of Shuichi’s to ask about his whereabouts if that friend has not seen Shuichi. But did the blond suspect anything? Haruki now wondered wether there was a flaw in his plan. The dagger continued on its wobbly path. The first mistake that Haruki made was thinking that the person coming to see him was the White Devil. Haruki’s presumption had led him to drop his guard. If only he had avoided seeing Shuichi’s friend. Haruki could not help but feel as though as he had just made a grave mistake.

Suddenly, the dagger went off course, nicking the soft flesh between the thumb and the forefinger. The sharp pain brought Haruki from his isolated thoughts. Upon seeing the sudden colorful trail upon his skin, Haruki dropped the dagger. He merely continued to stare at the wet trail, as it continued to go downwards. The wetness continued to spread, the blood so dark that it looked black against his pale skin.

***

“Ahhh!” screamed Shuichi in pain, his voice joining in the noise of the cracking of the whip, as the first strike found its target. All this time, Shuichi felt that he had been brave, trying not to cry, trying not to scream, trying not to whimper against the blows he had received from the man. Yet, much to Shuichi’s dismay, he had finally shown a sign of weakness. As the whip struck his back once more, Shuichi cried out again, his voice much too loud in the small room. However, the noise that reached his ear was not only of his own pained filled voice, but of the whip, the way it sounded as it cut through the air and struck him.

Despite daylight, the room was still dark, as the only light came from one tiny window. The poor light did not fail to hide the poor boy, tied by the wrists, in the middle of the room. Shuichi was barely able to stand anymore, most of his weight held upright by the rope holding his wrists together. The dried trail of blood that was originally there now seemed to have its own companions, along with bruises that looked like dirt smudges. His clothing hid most of the bruises along his chest and abdomen. The bruises looked similar to ink drops when they landed in water, the color diffusing out of the original perfect circular drop and into warped shape. Now, adding to these injuries were the flashes of pain across his back.

“You think this hurts, boy?” sneered the man holding the whip. Shuichi said nothing reply, but managed to stare straight into this man’s eyes, almost defiantly.

“You are lucky that I can’t kill you,” said the man, fingering the handle of the whip. “Shindou-sama needs you alive for your stupid signature. But you can surprised to find out what you can live through.”

Still remaining silent, Shuichi continued to stare straight into the man’s eyes. The contact was broken as another flick of the whip landed on his back, causing Shuichi throw his head back as a loud noise of pain escaped from his body. He prayed that his new friends would care enough about him to try to look for him. Most of all, he prayed that Yuki would come, that he would save Shuichi. As the whip landed once more, Shuichi sobbed, his voice alternating between screaming and crying uncontrollably.

***

Karou walked next to Sano, her pace slower than usual to accommodate Sano’s. It was odd that she had to walker slower for Sano now, when usually, she would have to hurry in order to keep up with Sano’s long strides. Her long raven hair, tied back away from her face, shone in the bright morning light. Her dark red gi pants rustled softly, acting as a metronome to her steady steps. Her forehead was slightly creased as she kept looking sideways to steal a glance at Sano.

“Jo-chan, you can stop sneaking to take a look at my handsome face. Kenshin will get jealous, you know,” Sano said, slightly out of breath.

“Baka!” said Kaoru, a little loudly. A blush swiftly across her cheeks. “I’m just worried about you.”

“I know,” said Sano, chuckling at Kaoru’s reaction. He winced slightly and his hand automatically went to where his wound was located. “I’m fine. I’ve never felt better in my life.” To get his point across, Sano lifted one arm and flexed.

“If you were a good liar, you would not lose so much money gambling at cards,” murmured Kaoru, shaking her head. “Maybe this was not a good idea.”

“Jo-chan, don’t tell me you could just sit at home, not wondering how Kenshin was doing? You know you would worry out of your mind. Plus, you know I’ve been in worse situation than this,” pointed out Sano, his left eyebrow slightly raised. “And, I’ve managed to pull out of every single one.”

“That’s true...but...,” Kaoru sighed. “At least Yahiko isn’t here with us. I’m glad Megumi needed his help today. I can’t keep an eye out for that boy and you.”

“Hey, I don’t need you to look out for me!”

“Than why don’t you stop using my home as a source of free shelter and food?”

“Jo-chan, all this negative energy will hurt my ability to fight. Plus, I know you don’t want me to ever go away.” Sano winked, with a grin pasted on his face.

“What Hiro sees in you, I don’t know.” Kaoru shook her head, causing her ponytail to sway back and forth down her back.

“Must be my charms.”

“Keep up and your so called charms are going to make me hit you with my sword.” Kaoru’s hand dangerously fingered the wooden sword resting on her hip.

“What Kenshin sees in you is what I don’t know.”

“Baka!”

The two voices continued as they slowly made their way towards their destination. They joked easily with each other, as they pushed back the thoughts of apprehension of what was waiting to greet them.

***

K followed the servant towards Haruki’s study; although, by now, K knew the path to the small room so well that he could make out his way even in the dark. He entered the familiar room and his nose was greeted with a very faint smell of blood. The weak scent might have gone unnoticed to the average person, but the slight odor put K on his guard. He wearily slid the door behind him and one of his hand slid closer to where the handle of his katana laid. Gliding noiselessly across the wooden floor, K carefully sat across from Haruki. Focusing his eyes on the man in front of him, K waited.

Haruki folded his hands together on the table in front of him, one his hands bandaged tightly. Keeping his eyes on the bandage, Haruki addressed the assassin in front of him. “I know your job is over and you have done well. I was wondering if you would like to do another job for me.”

“I must decline,” replied K politely.

“I must ask you to reconsider.”

“My mind will not change.”

“Perhaps if you knew what the job was going to entail, you will change your position.”

“I doubt it.”

“I have a feeling that Shuichi’s new friends are suspicious of his absence. I will need your help in making sure they will not be meddling anymore.”

K’s eyes took on a dangerous gleam. Here was a chance to face his arch rival once more. Without hesitation, K replied, “This will be the last job.”

“Understood.” Under hooded eyes, Haruki watched the blond take his leave. Now, Haruki’s mind was more at ease. With the help of White Devil, Haruki was confident that his plan would succeed. If luck was on his side, he would be the only owner of the business by the end of the today.

***

Underneath the tree, where once two men had rested in its shade, now there were three. If there was an award given out to the most patient person in the country, surly the award would go to these three men. For more than an hour after Yuki’s return, the men had just sat and waited. They were hesitant to wait somewhere else, just in case they missed any activities within the Shindou house. All three knew that the best time to strike would be night so in the bright daylight, the three highly found themselves just seeking relief from the hot rays in the coolness that the tree’s shade provided. It was not necessary for all three to keep watch, but it was wise always to keep watch in pairs, and even wiser not to remain alone even when not on watch, for danger always seemed to strike at the most unexpected time. Since it was impossible to break off into nice even pairs since there was only three of them, all three kept watch.

Hiro blinked, noticing that the number of seconds that his eyes remained closed for each blink grew longer and longer. The lack of sleep and the weariness of travel from the day and night before continue to sap his energy. His body angrily told him that he needed sleep and if he was not willing to, his body would take the much needed rest by force. As the minutes ticked by, Hiro found it harder and harder to stay awake, let alone keep an accurate watch around his surroundings. With tired eyes, Hiro glanced up to the bright blue sky. He could not help but continuously check the position of the sun in the sky. However, each time he checked, it seemed as if the sun was still in the same position as the last time. To see the great orb of light touch the far horizon seemed as a task that would take an eternity to complete.

Closing his eyes to block the glaring light of midday, Hiro let his mind wander away from the current predicament he was in. He wondered how Sano was holding up, whether Sano was still in bed, or if the injured man had managed to get out bed. Hiro wandered whether Sano was behaving for Kaoru, or if the high spirited man spent all of Kaoru’s patience. Thinking about Sano, Hiro could still see the injured flesh, the paleness of skin. At the same time, Hiro could also see in his mind Sano working out, muscles flexing and sweat glistening over the defined torso. In fact, Hiro almost swore that he could here Sano’s calling Hiro’s name. Shaking himself out from his world of daydreams, Hiro opened his eyes to stare into a pair of familiar dark brown eyes.

“Sano!” exclaimed Hiro, loud enough to wake up his ancestors. His mouth was quickly closed off by a familiar hand.

“Shh!” replied Sano. He removed his customary bandaged hand away from bewildered Hiro’s mouth.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Kaoru?” With each syllable, the gray eyes grew wider and wider. Hiro stood up and Sano straightened himself up.

“I was feeling better and - “

“Well, you are wrong! You should be in bed!” said Hiro, forcefully.

“Eto...” Sano, despite his strong desire to be here, could not help but feel slightly guilty at the worried tone of Hiro. “But I feel better now and I promise not to get in the way...”

Hiro shook his head strongly as Sano’s voice trailed off. Clenching his fist, Hiro stared straight into Sano’s eyes with a ferocity of a tiger. “I don’t care about in getting in the way! I care about you putting yourself in danger, of pushing yourself when you are injured!”

“I know -\"

“And what will Kaoru say when she finds you gone?’ interrupted Hiro.

“Actually, I’m right here,” quipped up a feminine voice from the other side of the tree.

Turning around to look Hiro was further surprised to find Kaoru with Yuki and Kenshin. While Yuki had his customary bored look, Kenshin’s face showed a strange mixture of worry and apprehension.

“Kaoru-dono, you really should not be here,” Kenshin said, pleadingly.

“Do you think I can’t handle myself?” replied Kaoru furiously.

“No, no,” said Kenshin, quickly, waving his hands. “I just meant-”

“Look, I know what I am doing. And Sano’s fought before in worse conditions. I hope you don’t think that both us are shallow enough to not help out when our friends are involved in trouble.” Kaoru placed her hands on her hips, almost daring Kenshin to disagree with her.

Hiro stood gaping, forgetting about Sano. Yuki had a slightly bemused look on his face. Kenshin’s face now looked panicky as the poor rounin tried to find words to calm Kaoru down.

“Kaoru-dono, I never doubted your abilities-” began Kenshin.

“Good. Than we are all settled here,” said Kaoru, with a smile on the lips that only moments ago drew out heated words.

“Oro?” Kenshin looked puzzled. He did not remember settling anything, let alone agreeing to Kaoru and Sano’s presence here. “But-”

“After all,” said Kaoru, interrupting Kenshin once more, “if you trust in my abilities, you must also trust in my judgement.”

Then turning to Hiro, Kaoru continued. “Don’t be so mad at Sano, Hiro. You know that if you were in the same situation as he was in, you would have done the same thing.”

Hiro refrained from saying anything, knowing that Kaoru’s words had truth in them. The only thing that he could do was sigh.

“Well,” said Yuki, finally taking part in the scene unfold in front of him, “I guess this means that only two of us needs to watch while the other three can rest.”

Sighing again, Hiro found himself on the first shift to rest while Yuki and Kenshin continued the watch. The red head found himself following Kaoru and Sano to a near by inn to rent a room. While walking, Hiro felt Sano’s hand covering his own. Hiro did not let go and allowed his hand to rest in Sano’s warm grasp.

***

Sputtering, Shuichi opened his eyes. The sensation of cold water still remained on his face, as the cold liquid continued to stream down his face. Droplets of water took hold in Shuichi’s hair and the top of half of his kimono clung to his skin in wetness.

Shaking his head to clear both the water in his eyes and his memory, Shuichi felt a dull ache emanating from his whole entire body. He vaguely remembered getting tortured, of passing out. How long, he did not know, but the tiny window of his prison no longer allowed sunlight to pour in, but darkness.

“Shuichi,” said a familiar voice in the dark.

The boy tried to lift his head towards the voice but could not. His head remained hung downwards, as if his neck could no longer support it.

“I’m giving you one last chance to sign the document,” said Haruki softly.

Not able to shake his head, all Shuichi could do was to reply. “No.”

“Very well. Then you are no longer any use to me. It is pointless for this to continue.” Haruki turned towards Shuichi’s guard. “Take Shuichi to the next nearby town, I don’t care which one. Finish him off there, I don’t want any evidence of foul play in my home.”

“Bastard,” whispered Shuichi. “This isn’t your home, it was my father’s, now mine.”

“It cannot be yours if you are no longer living,” replied Haruki, coolly.

A sudden shout from the outside startled Haruki and the guard. Glancing quickly towards the guard, Haruki commanded, “Hurry. Seems trouble is getting started.” Haruki left the room, leaving the guard to his own devices. Behind him, Haruki closed the door as he went to investigate the odd sound.

Nodding, the guard attempted to cut the rope which drew Shuichi’s arms upwards. As soon as the rope cut, Shuichi fell down in a heap on the ground. The wetness on his skin attracted the dirt on the ground, adding more dark smudges to his already bruised face. The resistance that he had shown earlier showed no trace. Lying there as a heap on the ground, Shuichi barely had the energy to keep breathing let alone try to escape now, despite no longer being bound. He just laid there, taking in shallow breaths that sent a pain through his side with each intake of breath. Lying on the cool ground, he could faintly hear a pair of feet walking towards him. He wondered faintly how he was going to be killed, whether if it was going to be more painful that what he was experiencing right now. How ironic that like his parents, he would be murdered as well.

The dull ache in his heart of being betrayed by his uncle, the man that Shuichi had looked up to and loved, hurt just as much as the bruised and wounds on his body. With his last remaining family gone, Shuichi had no reason to live. Yuki could have a been a reason for Shuichi to live for, but even the blond ex-assassin did not come to rescue Shuichi. Everyone left him at one point another, so Shuichi should not have been surprised.

His world darkened slightly and he wondered whether he was not close to dying right now. There was nothing but silence around him, the noiseless darkness pressing against him, almost engulfing him. He vaguely felt someone pick him up and turn him over. This is it, Shuichi thought. He was going to be taken away to be killed. Yet, looking up to see the man carrying him, Shuichi could not help but break into sobs of relief.

***

Finally, darkness arrived, providing ample opportunity for Kenshin and his group to strike. Kenshin had to admit that thanks to Sano and Kaoru’s arrival, everyone had gotten a much deserved rest. Now, with renewed energy, all were ready to rescue to their precious friend.

Running lightly along the high wall, Kenshin led the way, closely followed by Yuki and Hiro. Kaoru and Sano waited near the gate, ready to make their own entrance. Almost defying gravity, Kenshin neatly jumped over the wall and landed softly on the other side. Two softer thuds followed as Yuki and Hiro also landed. From their crouched positions, the three straightened. Immediately, all three pulled out their weapons.

“We’ve been expecting you,” greeted an accented voice. K walked out towards them, his dark red gi looking almost black, as if to blend himself into the night. The moon’s light reflected off what could only have been his drawn sword. “You are all going to regret ever meeting Shindou Shuichi.”

“Not you again,” growled Yuki. He did not have precious minutes to waste on some crazed killer. Already, in his heart, he felt that it was too late to save Shuichi. “Where’s Shuichi?”

“Defeat me and maybe I’ll tell you,” answered K with an evil smile. He ran his free hand along the blade of his sword. “But then again, you can’t beat me.”

“Go, Yuki,” commanded Kenshin. “Me and Hiro can take care of him.”

“Don’t forget about me!” said a gleeful voice from behind Kenshin.

Kenshin whirled around, surprised that someone was able to sneak up on him. He found himself staring into large brown eyes.

“Kumagorou had been waiting for you, na no da,” said Ryuichi in a sing song voice. His brown eyes immediately narrowed. “Kumagorou has been waiting a very long time.”

“Great! So have we!” yelled out Sano, who had just punched his way through the gate. Kaoru ran right behind him, her wooden sword out in front of her.

“So many annoying pests,” murmured K. Putting two fingers to his mouth, he blew hard. Immediately, men with swords quickly surrounded Kenshin and his group.

“Dammit!” Yuki launched himself to the nearest man. The poor man did not even have a chance as Yuki’s sword did a fake and the blunt side of the weapon struck the man neatly behind the neck. With a thud, the man fell, unconscious but at least still alive.

Without glancing behind him, Yuki yelled, “I’m leaving it up to you, Kenshin!”

“Hai!” yelled Kenshin, as he struck his own opponent with the handle of his katana. Likewise, Hiro, Sano, and Kaoru also joined in to fight. With his short weapons, Hiro nimbly dodged the sword attacks. Despite his injury, Sano still fought well, his only weapons being his bandaged hands. Kaoru made her opponents regret for underestimating her because she was a woman.

The yard became chaotic, as the noise level ran increasingly high. In the midst of the confusion, Kenshin made out K, who was attempting to run after Yuki. Kenshin ran to stop in front of K, effectively blocking the American\'s way.

“I do not think you will be able to go after him, I do not,” said Kenshin, his sword posed in front of him.

“But you are my opponent,” said Ryuichi, as he ran straight towards Kenshin. Ryuichi raised his katana and swiftly brought his blade down, only to be blocked. Brown eyes narrowed further as they registered the person that blocked the attack.

“Don’t flatter yourself to think that you can take on Kenshin,” said Hiro with a grin. His sai crisscrossed in the air, the wings of the weapons locking to hold the sword from crashing down.

“If you want to play, Kumagorou will play with you too,” replied Ryuichi. Withdrawing the sword, he attacked once more, aiming straight for Hiro’s heart.

***

Yuki left the noisiness of metal striking metal, and the surprised yells and loud shouts. Running quickly, he barely managed to hide himself in the shadow of the house as a figure hurried by. Eyes gleamed furiously as he recognized the figure as Shindou Haruki. Once he felt that the man was gone, Yuki resumed running, this time, towards the direction of where Haruki was coming from. He saw a small shed like structure. Swiftly, he approached the shed. He heard a voice inside and somehow knew instinctively that Shuichi was in there.

Quietly, Yuki opened the door. His trained eyes quickly assessed the situation. A figure laid on the ground, barely moving. A big man with a knife stood standing near the middle of the room. Silently, Yuki approached the man from behind and lifted his sword. With a sickening thud, as the handle stuck the base of the man’s head, the man dropped to the ground, knife skidding across the floor. After making sure the man was passed out, Yuki put his sword in his sheath and turned to the figure on the ground.

The bright pink hair was proof that the unmoving figure was indeed Shuichi. Yuki’s insides clenched as he saw the tattered remains of Shuichi’s clothes and hearing the shallow breathing from the boy. Carefully, Yuki turned picked up his lover and turned the boy to see his face.

Violet eyes stared back at him and Yuki felt his gut clench as Shuichi began to sob.

“I thought I was going to die,” whispered Shuichi through the sobs. The tears that streamed down his face made tiny trails of white. “I thought you weren’t coming for me.”

“Baka,” whipsered Yuki back. He softly placed a kiss on Shuichi’s disheveled head. “Let’s go.”

Picking Shuichi up, Yuki carried the boy out of the shed. However, once outside, Yuki halted in his steps.

“And just where do you think you are going with my nephew?” asked Haruki, cocking his head to one side. In his hand was a gleaming katana, it sharp clean blade thirsty for blood.