Opium Dreams

A mysterious woman arrives in Tokyo . She has the face of an innocent, but behind her peaceful amber eyes lie dark secrets she alone knew...

Hey, everyone! Sorry for the late update. I\'m writing two stories now and god, it\'s hard. Anyway, thanks for the reviews. Just the idea that people are still reading this story inspires me to continue writing. So thank you very much. And BTW, I have also uploaded the edited version of this on FF.net, as suggested by one reviewer. Ta!

Kenshin and Kaoru arrived at the restaurant just in time to see Sanosuke fling a fairly large man to the ground. Even under the pale light of the coming dawn, it was obvious that the tall, former fighter-for-hire had had a little too much to drink. But it was also apparent that the flush on his cheeks had more to do with temper than with sake.

Sano leapt up and grabbed the man\'s throat. \"I\'ll ask you again and this better be the last time, who are you and who sent you here?\" A very angry and very drunk Sano shouted at the fallen man.

\"Sanosuke-san!\" Kaoru called but he seemed so intent on his opponent that he didn\'t glance up nor indicate that he heard.

\"Answer me, goddamnit!\" Sano screamed, his frustration growing when the man merely chuckled even as he coughed up blood. Sano\'s fist connected with his lower jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. \"All right!\" Sano said, stalking the man. \"So don\'t talk! I\'ll just keep hitting you then until your face turns to pulp!\" He raised his fist threateningly but just then, Kenshin called out. Sano stilled when the swordsman\'s voice was joined by another.

A stranger\'s.

\"What honor is there in hitting a fallen man?\" The voice inquired, his tone thick with malice. Then a short, thin man suddenly appeared and Sano looked at him in surprised recognition. There was no doubt about it. The pointy, rodent features said it all. This man was a member of the Onimabashu.

\"You!\" He said, letting go of the other man as he fisted his hands.

The man was fast. In an instant, he was able to leap towards his fallen comrade, carry him unto his back, and jump up a tall branch hanging from a nearby tree. Turning, he smirked at the two men, saying, \"Alas, I cannot stay and chat as much as I\'d like to. You are strong indeed to have beaten the Oniwabanshuu\'s strong man Shikijo. But you will not be as lucky the next time.\"

\"You bastard! Come back here!\" Sano shouted.

\"Sanosuke-san,\" Kenshin said to him, placing a restraining hand on the taller man\'s shoulder. He also recognized the man as the same one who spied on them the morning before. For sure, the man was cunning and skilled in the game of stealth. It was best if they didn\'t rush into things.

Sensing his opponents\' hesitation, the stranger snickered. Then making a great fuss to appear casual, he said provokingly, \"If I heard correctly, you, my friend, are the bastard. I doubt that I need to explain myself any further. Just know that your woman-friend is, as of this moment, facing her death at the hands of my master.\" At Sano\'s sharp intake of breath, he laughed. \"Is death not the only just answer to betrayal?\" Then in a more menacing tone, he added, \"There is no forgiveness for betraying the Oniwabanshuu.\" And with that, he leapt away, his figure and that of his unconscious comrade merging with the shadowed foliage.

Meanwhile, Hannya led Megumi up the winding staircase of the house where the Oniwabanshuu Gang was hiding out. They entered a large room and at the end of it stood the tall figure of Shinomori Aoshi. Hannya bowed and left Megumi alone to face the fury of his master.

\"Takani Megumi,\" Aoshi said in a noncommittal voice. Then he lifted his hand and moved his fingers, indicating for Megumi to step closer.

Megumi obeyed though her legs trembled. The death calm that Aoshi displayed frightened her more than the frantic anger of Takada Kanryu. Still, she stood her ground and kept her head raised. She summoned all her courage to lift her eyes and meet his passionless gaze. His eyes bore into hers, making her flinch inwardly.

\"Do you fear me?\" Aoshi asked and the question surprised her. So much so that she couldn\'t think of a single coherent answer. Then without waiting for her reply, Aoshi continued, \"I have made a promise to Takada-san and I never break a promise. He waits for you in the next room.\"

After saying this, he called for the masked ninja again, telling him to lead Megumi to where Takada was. Hannya silently did as he was told as he took Megumi\'s elbow tightly. He led her to a tiny room and left her there, locking the door behind him.

It was dark and Megumi could barely see anything. And then a shuffle from behind her indicated that she wasn\'t alone.

\"Megumi-kun?\" The voice asked unbelievingly. \"Megumi-kun? Is that you? Have you come back to me at last?\"

Megumi turned to find herself face-to-face with the hated image of Takada Kanryu.

** TO BE CONTINUED **