[kenshinfanfics] That Which Lingers - Part 3 (draft)

This is a rough draft of Part 3 my new story.

This story is set in my own ALTERNATE REALITY universe which I've
called "The Nightwitch Tales" -- think of it as Rurouni Kenshin mixed
with various supernatural and paranormal elements.  Other stories in
this alternate reality are:
        "Night Visitor"
        "All in the Family"
        "Romancing the Wolf"

WARNING:  This story is "semi-dark" -- it has dark elements
(violence, profanity, etc) but it's not a darkfic!  Actually, there's
quite a bit of romance in it....     ^_-

This story takes place after the end of the Kyoto story arc.  After
that, it takes a sharp left turn into its own world.  Elements of the
Revenge story arc may or may not show up later on in the story.  The
Kenshin Gumi already know that Saitoh survived the destruction of
Shishio's stronghold.

As always, C&C is greatly appreciated!   ^_^

======================================================================
    THAT WHICH LINGERS:  A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic by MadamHydra
======================================================================
        Part 3: Cat Scratch Fever
======================================================================

---------------
Disclaimer
    All rights and privileges to Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro
Watsuki, Shuiesha, Sony Music Entertainment, and associated parties.
The characters of these series are used WITHOUT permission for the
purpose of entertainment only.  This work of fiction is not meant for
sale or profit.  Original portion of the fiction included here is
considered to be the sole property and copyrighted to the author.

---------------
Text Conventions
    (  ) are character thoughts
    * ----- * ----- *  marks the start and end of flashbacks
    [ ] denote visual or time notes

**********************************************************************

[the present, 11th year of the Meiji period, late summer]

    Makimachi Misao was in the mood for mayhem and murder.  Perched in
a tree overlooking the forest path favored by the Oniwabanshuu, she
waited impatiently for her victim to show up.

    (It's destiny, I suppose.  I didn't even have to travel all the
way back to Kyoto to finish the fool off.  Instead, he's walking right
into my lap.)  She chuckled evilly and admired that lethal black sword
in her hands.

    (Just you wait, Aoshi....)

    She suddenly stiffened as she saw a familiar figure, dressed in a
trenchcoat swiftly making his way toward her.  As she concealed
herself in the thick summer foliage, she could barely keep herself
from quivering with anticipation.

    There was a small dip in the path and Aoshi disappeared from view.
 She waited eagerly for him to reemerge.

    Nothing.
 
    After a few minutes, she snarled impatiently and hopped down from
the tree.
 
    (Isn't just like that bastard to screw up a perfectly good
ambush!)
 
    She carefully searched both sides of the track and soon located
exactly where Aoshi had gone.  Misao clutched the sword tighter and
set off after him.

-----------------------------------

    Shinomori Aoshi had plenty of reasons to go to Tokyo.  They
weren't necessarily pleasant reasons, but that didn't matter.  This
brief side trip was long overdue.  He should have come here much
sooner, but he keep postponing the journey.  Now there were no more
excuses.

    He made his way along a barely noticeable track.  It was hard to
believe to that he travelled this same path just over two months ago.
Two months... two totally different men.  The Shinomori Aoshi of early
May had been nothing more than a hollow shell, utterly consumed by his
quest for the title of the "Strongest" and his pursuit of Himura
Battousai.

    He sighed wearily and glanced up at the blue sky.  (And who is the
Aoshi of today?  What kind of person am I?)
 
    That brief look upward saved his life as a slim figure dropped
from the trees with an angry scream.

    Aoshi flung himself aside.  When he rolled to his feet, he was
holding his two kodachi, ready to meet his attacker.  But the sight
that met his eyes left him totally dumbfounded.

    "MISAO!?"
 
    She glared furiously at him, a katana with an eerie black blade in
her hands.

    "What are you doing!?"
 
    Misao's only response was a lightning swift lunge.  Aoshi barely
managed to fend off the attack, staggering backward a few steps from
the sheer force of the attack.

    (What the....!?  That's impossible!  She's moving nearly as fast
as the Battousai!  And where is she getting that strength!?)

    The next instant, Aoshi was too busy trying to survive the lethal
storm of thrusts and slashes Misao unleashed.

    (This can't be happening!  Misao knows how to use a sword, but
there's no way she could have gotten THIS skilled!)

    "Misao!  What's wrong with you?  What are you doing!?"
 
    She sprang out of range and chuckled viciously.  "What am I doing?
 Isn't that obvious, my dear Aoshi-SAMA!?  I'm trying to rip your
stupid guts out!"

    Aoshi shook his head.  The whole encounter was taking on the
aspect of some horrible nightmare.

    "Why....?"
 
    "Why?  WHY!?  Because I HATE YOU, YOU FILTHY STINKING BASTARD!!!"
 
    He flinched from the sheer rage in her voice.
 
    "Misao, I...."
 
    "I don't want to hear it!  You don't care about me!  You never
cared about me!  You're a selfish, traitorous coward and you deserve
to DIE!"

    Misao lifted her sword and held it horizontal, then charged.
 
    Aoshi, stunned both by her verbal attack and what he was seeing,
barely managed to parry Misao's thrust, but couldn't move quickly
enough to fully block the sweeping side slash that opened a deep cut
down his right leg.

    (That's... that was a version of Saitoh's Gatotsu!)

    "You're wrong, Misao!  I... I...."  (I do care about you....)
 
    Misao hissed furiously, "Don't you DARE say care about me!  You
deserted me without so much as a second look, just so you could run
around and feed your damn ego with all that 'glorious Oniwabanshuu'
crap!  It's all your fault Hanya and the others died!"

    "No...."

    She came in low and stabbed upward.  Aoshi lashed out with a kick
and nearly lost his leg to her incredibly fast counterattack.

    Misao shouted, "You knew that they'd follow you wherever you went!
 You were the one who hired yourself out like some damn whore to that
drug dealer Kanryu!  Don't try to tell me that you didn't know EXACTLY
what sort of cowardly scum he was!  You knew, but you just didn't
care!  All you were concerned about was the chance to play around with
the Battousai!"

    In a blur, she slipped behind him.  He spun away, but not before
she managed to inflict another deep cut on his shoulder.

    "And then you betrayed us by getting all cozy with Shishio just
because you were too stupid and too lazy to find the Battousai by
yourself!  You abandoned us without a second thought!  You probably
would've led the the attack on the Aoiya yourself if you thought it
would get you closer to Himura!  Don't lie to me!  I know it's true!
You would have!"

    Aoshi dazedly shook his head.  (Would I have actually done that?
Instead of just turning my back on them, would I have attacked them...
killed them....  I might have....  I was ready to do anything, no
matter how ruthless....  I... I don't know!)

    Misao stood across the small clearing, panting slightly, but she
was clearly in much better shape than Aoshi who was bleeding from
several wounds.

    "Last, but not least, you're a damn coward!  After Himura managed
to pound some sense into that thick skull of yours, what do you do?
Crawl away and hide!  That's all you did... all you've ever done.  You
act so cold and controlled, but all you are is a snivelling coward!  I
can't believe that Hanya, Beshimi, Shikijyou, and Hyottoko all died to
save your miserable, worthless hide!  Well, I'm tired of all your
shit!  If you're too scared to live, then I'll be happy to bury you
myself!!!"

    (Is... is she right?  Is that all I am?    Did Hanya and the
others sacrifice their lives to protect a selfish coward?)  He felt
his guard slipping, then suddenly shook his head.  (No.  I've got to
get myself together.  This... this isn't right.  This isn't Misao.  I
have to stop her... but can I?  I don't know where all this skill,
speed, and strength is coming from...  I can't afford to hold back if
I want to survive... but Misao could die....)

    Aoshi had no more time to think as Misao pounced toward him,
launching a furious series of strikes.  He managed to parry or evade
most of her attacks, but his reluctance to take the offensive proved
his undoing as a last, vicious blow broke several ribs and sent him
crashing through the undergrowth.  His head slammed into something
hard and everything went black.

-----------------------------------

    / Okashira, wake up! /
 
    (Wha...?)  A misty form with a familiar demon face seemed to
materialize before Aoshi's eyes.  (HANYA!?  No, it can't be!)

    / Yes, it is I. /
 
    (I'm sorry.  It seems as if all of you wasted your lives saving a
selfish fool of a coward.)

    / No!  You merely lost your way for a while, but you are finding
your way back.  These things take time. /
 
    (I think I'll be joining you quite soon....)
 
    / Okashira, listen to me!  You can't die, especially by Misao's
hand.  It would destroy her utterly.  If you want to save her, you
have to stop her, no matter what it takes. /

    (I don't want... to hurt her anymore.)

    / Sometimes that can't be helped. /
 
    (If I make a mistake, I could kill her....)
 
    / It could come to that. /
 
    (NO!  I can't!)
 
    / If you fail, our Misao will be dead... as dead as if you stabbed
her through the heart,... perhaps more so. /

    (....)

    / Do you care about her enough to run the risk of killing her in
order to save her from a much worse fate? /

    (Like what?)
 
    / Madness.  Damnation. /
 
    (....yes....  What do I have to do?)
 
    / Get that sword away from her. /
 
    (I see.  Hanya?)
 
    / Yes? /
 
    (The others... are they... here?)
 
    Three more shadowy shapes appeared in his vision... blurry but
instantly recognizable.  Aoshi heard no words from them, but he could
sense both their support and their urgency.

    (All right.  Himura made a promise to bring me back, no matter
what the cost.  Hanya... Beshimi... Shikijyou... Hyottoko.... I make
you THIS promise.  I'll bring our Misao back, no matter what it
takes....  )
 
-----------------------------------

    Misao jumped into the clearing and sneered at Aoshi as he lay on
the ground.  "That's pathetic!  I was hoping to play with you some
more, but I can see that it's just a waste of time."  She lifted her
sword, then stopped as Aoshi slowly rose to his feet.

    "Not... so fast."  He could feel the blood trickling through his
hair and down his neck.  He was steadily losing blood from his other
wounds, also.  He would have only this one chance.

    "Oh, now you're getting serious?" Misao snarled.
 
    "Yes."
 
    "Then come on... if you dare, coward!"
 
    Aoshi silently flipped his grip on his two kodachi, then turned
them over, presenting the back edge of the blades.

    She narrowed her eyes, but didn't move.  They stared unblinkingly
each other.
 
    (Misao knows she can outwait me.  I'm losing too much blood.  If
this goes on, I'll be too weak....)
 
    Suddenly there was a snapping noise in the undergrowth.  Misao's
attention was shifted ever so slightly and Aoshi made his move.  With
every bit of speed he could muster, he pounced.  His kodachi attack
broke Misao's two handed grip on her sword.  He twisted and brutally
yanked the hand that was still holding the sword off to the side.
Aoshi was all too aware that Misao's other hand was free, but he
concentrated all his attention on breaking her grip on the black
sword.  Even with all his effort, he was losing to Misao's unnatural
strength.

    Steeling himself, he slammed her arm across his knee and felt her
bones crack.  The blade dropped from her hand as Misao screamed in
pain.  That scream was echoed by Aoshi as he felt the enraged girl
plunge one of her kunai deep into his side with her free hand.
Somehow he managed to both punch the struggling girl unconscious and
kick the sword across the clearing before finally passing out, still
tightly clutching Misao's broken arm.

    The clearing was silent, except for a faint, dripping noise.
 
-----------------------------------

    Misao slowly awoke to an agonizing pain in her left arm and a
slightly lesser pain in her jaw.
 
    (What... what's going... on?  Oh, I hurt....)
 
    She gradually became aware of a warm body lying on top of her... a
man's body.  Misao squinted until the face came into focus.

    "Aoshi-....sama?  AOSHI-SAMA!?"
 
    And then, to her utter astonishment, the moment she had been
waiting for so long arrived.... he opened his eyes and smiled at
her... REALLY smiled at her.

    In a faint, breathless voice, he whispered, "Misao... you're...
back...."
 
    "You're smiling... you're smiling at me!"
 
    "Yes... I guess... I am."  He closed his eyes as his grip on her
injured arm slackened.
 
    Misao watched in horror as Aoshi's quiet sigh turned into a moist
cough.  Blood seeped from his mouth and splashed her cheek.  Only
then, she realized that there was warm liquid dripping all over her
stomach.  With a growing sense of dread, she touched the wet spot and
looked at her hand.

    It was covered in dark red blood.
 
    "Aoshi-sama!  Aoshi!"  Getting no response, she struggled to
wiggle out from under his limp body.  Once free, she carefully turned
Aoshi over.  The amount of blood he was losing appalled her.

    And sticking out of his side was one of her own throwing knives.
 

    The memory of the last few hours hit Misao with a vengeance.
 
    "NO!!!  Aoshi, I'm sorry!  I'm so sorry!!!"  Tears mixing with the
blood on her face, she clutched at Aoshi's body and started to sob
hysterically.

    "Mi... sao...."
 
    She choked back her tears and leaned close to him.  "Yes,
Aoshi-sama?"
 
    "Is... that... any... way... the Okashira... of... the Oniwa...
banshuu... should... act?"

    Misao took a few gulping breaths and said, "R-right.... I... I
need to get some help!  But... but it's too dangerous to leave you
alone in the forest!"

    Aoshi smiled again... another small but genuine smile.
 
    "I think... this spot... is probably... the safest place... in
Japan... for me.  And... yes, I... care... about... you.  A lot....
Get going.... Misao."  He quietly passed out again.

    Misao staggered to her feet and looked around in confusion.
 
    (He... cares...?)  Since her mind wasn't up to dealing with that
particular topic at the moment, Misao concentrated on the first part
of his statement.  (What on earth is Aoshi-sama talking about?  What's
so special about this place?)
 
    Then she noticed the short standing stones in the clearing.
 
    Four of them.
 
    In a neat row.
 
    With a low mound of earth next to each stone.
 
    Misao collapsed to her knees next to Aoshi's wounded body.  As her
eyes drifted from the smallest mound which was the size of a child to
the largest which was large enough to contain ten men, her voice was
the softest of whispers.

    "It... it can't be!  Beshimi... Hanya... Shikijyou...
Hyottoko...."
 
    The rustling leaves in the summer breeze sounded like a murmur of
reassurance.

-----------------------------------
(end of part 3)

**********************************************************************

Next part:   Call 911!  Call 911!  ^_^

--------------------------------------------
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