Of Secrets and Lies

Chapter Thirty-one

Perilous Confessions

"Deep in my heart I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling - frightened you'll slip away."

Evita - own nothing.

A wrist. Makimachi was not completely sure of what had transpired in the past few seconds but her hand had found it's way around a wrist either out of fear, comfort or panic although she had no idea's who's wrist it was. The room was too dark too see, she could hear blind sounds of pandemonium surrounding her. Doors slammed, furniture was overturned as everyone scrambled for places to seek refuge. Misao bit back a furious stream of curses as her right ankle collided with a table that had appeared from nowhere. Her free hand wrapped its way around what felt like a door handle and pushed.

Shoving the door shut behind her she took in her surroundings automatically and groaned. A kitchen, of all the places she could have chosen she had to get the short straw and get the kitchen. However, on closer inspection this did not appear to be such a bad choice, ahead of her lay a large glass door leading on to a garden of sorts. 'If I go into the garden then I'm trapped and that is one of the most obvious places. If we stay in the house then they'll be more places to hide or at least gain better fighting ground. A kitchen was hardly ideal despite the amount of knives that she could aim.

"M-Misao-chan..."

Misao whirled taking notice suddenly of the other occupant. Tsubame was shaking and nursing a bruised arm that had probably met a similar fate to her own ankle. The young girl look dishevelled and terrified, her eyes were wide and she looked like she was about to be sick. The shinobi instantly regretted consenting to allow her to come. Megumi was right; Tsubame didn't deserve this amount of danger. Misao felt her own legs wobble slightly and found she too was gasping for breath. 'What exactly am I running from? I just saw his face and panicked like a moron and threw darkness powder everywhere! I'm such an idiot, I came here to negotiate and instead I've caused a bloody riot!'

"Hi Tsubame..." Misao slapped herself mentally. What exactly had overcome her? One moment she was wildly ecstatic and Kaoru was standing right in front of her...the next he was standing at the door looking ready to murder. One look at the blazing eyes and the stern expression had sent her instantly going into battle-mode. 'How the hell was I supposed to negotiate with that? He looked like he wanted to dice me to sushi! What the hell was Kaoru playing at not telling him?'

The Oniwabanshu leader sighed, there was as Megumi had said early, no point crying over spilt milk. Right now her primary concern should be getting Tsubame out of there undetected. They were in unfamiliar territory with only seconds to spare to thinking ahead. They had three foreseeable options. Run outside into the garden which would be boxing themselves into a corner, remaining in the kitchen which was going to get them caught eventually, or they could brave the living room again in the hope that the dark vapour would provide them some cover as they navigated another more useful hiding place. Misao's eyes darted anxiously before her mouth set itself into a grim line of determination as she tried to ignore the retching sounds Tsubame was making. Instead she moved over and grabbed on to the younger girls wrist tightly.

"Listen Tsubame...we're gonna have to do a bit of running okay? Try to keep quiet and keep up with me yeah? Don't worry I'll get us out of this mess somehow." Vowed the Okashira. Tsubame nodded vaguely though the glassy expression in her eyes made her look oddly like a glass doll giving the impression that Misao could announce herself the Supreme Dictator of the World and not meet a more dramatic reaction. Steeling herself for the worst, the shinobi pushed the door back open.

The darkness powder had faded slightly, the room now looked like it was bathed in heavy dark grey smoke that made more objects seem drifting and temporary. She willed her eyes to adjust quicker as she tried to move as stealthily as possible threw the overturned furniture and smashed china while nudging Tsubame behind her. The Okashira wasn't picking up any ki...clearly the room had been evacuated. Misao could only wonder who Kenshin had chosen to pursue...probably Kaoru. Anger and guilt bubbled like the churning depths of a volcano. Where had Kaoru gone in the midst of the chaos? Or Yahiko? Misao was more concerned if her little cousin or Sanosuke came across the hitokiri, a fight would most likely occur.

Misao pushed open a door at the opposite side of the room. Moving swiftly into the new room she found it to be a long corridor with wooden floors. The flooring was not to Misao's taste, wood made a lot more noise that the muffled sounds of a carpet. She urged Tsubame in front of her and instinctively drew a handful of kunai with her spare hand. The house was silent, there was no noise. Everybody must have fled somewhere else. Pressing forward into a speedy, light jog she moved down the corridor past various rooms, pausing each time she saw a door listening for noise. It was dark, she felt like the victim from some bizarre horror movie, almost like there should be an eerie piece of music following her actions and the shrill shriek of "It's behind you!"

Such a thought prompted her to look over her shoulder expectantly. Her heart was pounding a fast tattoo against her ribcage; alas no monster lurked behind her. In fact the complete cessation of noise was almost as disturbing. At least if she saw something it would be a release for her frazzled nerves. She almost felt like screaming 'I'm here!' Just to get the experience over with. It felt like she was waiting for the hangman to pull the lever. It didn't help that she could feel Tsubame's hand quivering in her tight grip. Finally she moved towards the door at the end of the corridor. It had to lead somewhere...a room that would hopefully possess a window.

"Just a little further okay Tsubame-chan," Urged Misao trying to encourage and promote some sort of hope into the younger girl. Then it happened, Tsubame nodded and stepped forward. That one step caused a normally quiet noise to echo through the silent house. Magnifying it like a sirens call.

Crreeeakkk

"Kuso!" Misao swore in alarm, cursing the wooden flooring. She moved like a cheetah dragging Tsubame with her, she hissed at the younger girl to keep up as she felt something lingering behind them. It was the horror movie scenario all over again and this time they were the hapless victims being pursued by the demon with a chainsaw. Tsubame was whimpering, struggling to keep pace and breath with Misao. There was no time for sympathies though. Misao felt adrenaline and months of training come into light as she kicked the door at the end of the corridor open and pushed Tsubame roughly inside before slamming it behind her.

"W-What do we do? M-Misao-c-chan...I'm scared..." Tsubame cried fearfully. Misao almost snapped at the younger girl but stopped. Snapping at Tsubame would be like kicking a wounded puppy but the shinobi found she could offer no words of comfort. Guns. Check. Kunai's. Check. Darts. Check. A quick mental examination of her weapons. Her emerald eyes raced around the interior of their new room which appeared to be a Dojo of sorts before they landed on the door almost concealed in the corner. Wasting no time she bolted for it just as the door behind them was opened forcefully.

Scrambling into the room, Misao shut the door and lodged it shut with the nearest thing that came to hand, which strangely happened to be a metal tent pole. The room around them was pitch black but it smelled strongly of dust. It was cold; the flooring was almost the same texture as the walls. Her eyes adjusted after a few seconds, they were in a store room. In a heap by the door there was a small pile of tent poles. Further inside lay a few battered shinai's while large boxes were piled up in the corner along with discarded desks and filing cabinets. Misao felt something bash against the door causing Tsubame to shriek.

'Hide Tsubame...too late to hide yourself...if he's unarmed I can take him out. If he is armed then I will still take him out!' Misao pushed Tsubame into a corner behind some boxes of junk that concealed the smaller girl from sight. Putting a finger to her lips, Tsubame caught the gesture and nodded shakily while Misao ducked behind the filing cabinets hiding customarily like most shinobi's in the shadows. She raised her arms feeling everything in her pound almost feverishly. Her first real fight, her blood was pounding in her veins and she struggled to keep her breath even and calm. Every sense she had was on red alert, every noise was magnified, every feeling emphasised.

'Unarmed - use Kunai's to restrain him. Armed, guns or darts...keep to shadows. I can almost match him in speed but If I box him into a corner speed isn't gonna get him anywhere...' Flashbacks of all the training she'd ever received flashed through her mind like a slide show on speed. In the back of her mind an eight year old Misao tumbled trying to flip a cartwheel. A ten year old tried desperately to aim for the targets with her kunai. Twelve years old, hand to hand combat with Okon. Fourteen, joined the gymnastic squad at school. Sixteen, her aim had grown. Seventeen missed the target, crying on floor thinking of her dead cousin.

It seemed everything had been leading up to this moment.

The door opened quietly. Misao could see Tsubame quivering shoving a hand in her mouth to mask her whimpers of fear. Misao reached for her kunai trying to assess her enemy. Himura stood at the entrance surveying the room. Had he already heard Tsubame? Her frightened and panicked ki was like a flare. No, he seemed to be gazing deeper into the room at he filing cabinet. Misao felt her heart constrict painfully. He knew. He was unarmed...or appeared to be.

'No time like the present I suppose...'

Misao froze. Something inside her rooted to the ground not wanting her to move. She clenched her teeth trying to muster up her willpower. She had to move. She had to fight. It was what she had spent months, years of life training for. She was a shinobi. Just like her little pipe dream as a child. Okashira even - the title said it all. 'But why the hell am I sitting here like some sort of statue!'

She closed her eyes and inhaled and sprung before any more doubts could paralyse her. She landed agily on the top of the filing cabinet. Himura didn't seem surprised. He eyes her apprehensively and she glared at him coolly. 'Traitor. Liar. Murderer.' All of those were true. He had betrayed them...who knows he had probably told the Ishin all about the Oniwabanshu. He gave of the pretence of being a harmless idiot making a mockery of her trust. He killed; Misao had even comforted some of his victims. Keiko, Setsuna...there could be no hesitation.

Her wrist snapped. Ten kunais flew through the air sailing towards their target. Kenshin stared...and then he had gone? The kunai's hit the wall but Himura was not there. Misao swore; he was a fast bugger she'd give him that. Still it didn't take her long to find him again. He hadn't moved very far. She jumped down and brought out two guns...her hands shook as they fumbled along the trigger. His eyes widened slightly but then resumed their cool stare...almost as if he was daring her to shoot.

'Can I shoot him?'

Could she take a life? He was unarmed...perhaps in a fight but in cold blood like this?

'I'm not lowering myself to his standards!'

The guns dropped to the floor with a faint clanging noise and she leaped forward furiously lashing out. Kick. Punch. Flip. Dodge. All the motions she had been taught went into play but he could match her too easily. Even when a blow connected it had little impact upon him. He made no move to fight back until she brought out more kunai's aiming to stab him if she got close enough. He grabbed her wrist trying to restrain her but she kicked him in the gut. The mask on his face flinched for a moment in pain but he still attempted to seize her other wrist.

"You bastard Himura!" Growled Misao as she swung out her leg again aiming for the more vulnerable area. Kenshin somehow managed to dodge but keeping the grip on her wrist. The edge of her kunai sliced him across the shoulder and blood spurted from the wound. Even then he didn't seem to notice much. Too preoccupied trying to fight off Misao's furious assault of swearwords and brutal attacks. However unnoticed to both of them Tsubame moved forward, her hands shaking.

"K-Kenshin...s-san..."

Misao whirled around and her eyes widened.

BANG!

Kaoru flung open the door leading into the house frantically.

A gunshot. Kami-sama what was going on? Images flashed through her mind like fireworks. Kenshin laying wounded in a pool of blood while one of her kin watched with cold emotionless eyes. Kenshin with a bloodied shoulder gasping for breath, his eyes wide in pain and betrayal. Kenshin's cold body laying motionless while his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. A million and one possibilities flew through her eyes hybrid with her nightmares. What if Misao had got the bullet? Or Yahiko?

"Hey Sano!"

Kaoru halted and whirled around hopefully. Panting for breath at the doorway was Yahiko - Kaoru tried to avoid eye contact with the katana - and Megumi who looked breathless but relieved. Kaoru did a quick mental calculation and froze. Misao. Tsubame. Kenshin. She didn't know which was worse. At least her siblings were okay, that had to count for something.

"Did you guys hear the gunshot too?" Sanosuke asked. Megumi nodded still trying to catch her breath properly.

"H-Hai...it has to be Misao. S-She had t-two guns on her..."

"Well, lets keep going. Hopefully she nailed the bastard." Sanosuke said. Kaoru swallowed feeling her stomach was heaving and she felt like she was going to throw up. The way Sanosuke spoke...hopeful. Almost taking pleasure at the idea of Kenshin dying in a bloody puddle of crimson liquid. There was something disturbing in that...and the way Yahiko was nodding firmly in agreement. All of them wouldn't care if Kenshin dropped dead. In fact they seemed to be revelling in the idea. It was frightening...much more frightening than anything she could have dreamed up. The looks of malice. Contempt and hatred...almost animalistic. Judge, jury and executioner all in one.

"Kaoru...are you okay?" Megumi asked looking concerned and slightly alarmed too.

Kaoru managed a shaky nod before running down the corridor. She could hear everyone following, she was leading. The gunshot had came from the Dojo or nearby. The sight of the Dojo door laying wide open confirmed her theory. Kaoru hardly dared to look encase she could see the dreaded telltale signs of blood staining the immaculate wooden floor. However she felt a flood of relief, her body dared to breath again when she noticed there was none. Her gaze averted and she felt what little hope she had die. The store room door was laying open.

"Look! In there!" Exclaimed Yahiko pointing. Sanosuke cracked his knuckles but Megumi looked just as pale and worn as Kaoru felt. Clearly her sister was not approving of the situation they had landed themselves in. 'All my fault. What have I done? I'm such a coward.' Kaoru moved forward shakily, her legs were not trusting the direction of her brain. Somehow she managed to reach the door following her sister. She closed her eyes and inhaled, picking up a bokken on her way past the rack. The feeling of the familiar wood against her fingers calmed her. Whatever lay ahead she could handle it. She would handle it. Nobody would die.

However Kaoru was met with a scene none of them had anticipated.

There was no signs of blood washing the cold stone floors. Not traces or marks of any apparent injury. Instead Misao was frozen limply. Six kunai's were held weakly in her hand while the other four had fallen to the floor. Her emerald green eyes were wide in evident shock. Kenshin had his arms wrapped around her, almost like he was trying to push her away from something. On the opposite wall there was a small circular burn mark. In the corner, sobbing like a child was Tsubame curled up.

"Tsubame-chan!" Cried Yahiko running towards his friend. Tsubame trembled giving no sign of reaction.

Yahiko's movements and voice seemed to shatter the silence. The door behind them slammed shut and everything was once more shunned in darkness. Kaoru could hear Sanosuke's loud voice uttering a stream of swearwords before he lunged for Kenshin. Kaoru couldn't make anything out anymore. Around her sounds of chaos echoed as though from a distance. She could hear shouts and cries of fury and dislike, even the sounds as fists connected with flesh and kunai's connected with skin. She found herself in the middle of a storm with no rock to cling to. The lines were blurred, she could feel bodies moving rapidly around her and she began to lash out furiously with her bokken fighting invisible enemies.

A side. It was like a twisted game of hockey. The teams were formed but Kaoru had no team. No side to fight for, she just fought for herself against the madness. Months of stress and anger built up inside her as she slammed her bokken into whatever came into contact not caring. Too much. She felt like she was standing in a crowded room screaming her lungs out while everyone walked past unaware. Tears streamed down her cheeks. 'All your fault. All your fault. All your fault.'

The turmoil and bedlam lasted for a few minutes. Then she found herself temporarily blinded as a light flicked on and off above her head. Apparitions flashed before her eyes until finally a voice rang through the air like an alarm bell. Everyone paused at their current actions. Kaoru blinked as the room slammed into vision again as the light remained on. Megumi stood at the doorway with an arm around Tsubame shaking not in fear but in rage. Her cinnamon coloured eyes were cold and narrowed into slits while her face was a mask of fury and disgust.

"Enough!" Spat Megumi vehemently. "Enough! This has carried on for far too long! I suggest you all take a good long hard look at yourselves! Not once did you actually think of behaving like human beings but instead you chose to fight like...like animals! Look at Tsubame and what you've all done to her!"

It was only now Kaoru could clearly see what was going on. Yahiko was pinned to the wall by five kunai's. Sanosuke was bearing a large bruise around his eyes and his cheeks was cut. Kenshin's shoulder was bleeding and his lip was cut while Misao was supporting several large bumps on her legs and a swollen nose. They did look oddly like animals...each of them was panting like dogs. There eyes were almost manic...wild. Kaoru looked at her own frame as a sharp pain in her ribs began to wash over her shock. She hadn't even noticed she'd been injured or who had done it. 'What...is wrong with me?'

All eyes were on Tsubame who was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably, rocking back and forth. Kaoru was pretty certain that Megumi was the only one keeping her upright. Sympathy and self loathing filled Kaoru. Why hadn't she rushed to see if Tsubame was alright? Why had she ran in the first place? Maybe if they had stayed instead of dashing off in fear? Why had she acted so stupidly? Around her she could see similar looks on everyone's faces. Sanosuke straightened up not quite meeting Megumi's eyes while Misao stared at the floor. Kenshin looked ashamed. The sight would almost have been comical; they looked like naughty school children caught raiding the teacher's classroom. All airs of danger and confidence was gone.

"Tsubame..." Murmured Kaoru taking a few steps forward towards the little girl.

"Gomen nasai...Tsubame. I should never have let you come..." Apologised Misao.

"Yeah...no hard feelings kid." Mumbled Sanosuke trying some sort of bravado which caused Megumi to scowl.

"Will somebody get me the heck off this wall?"

Everyone stared to look at Yahiko who was struggling against the grip of the kunai's looking absolutely ridiculous ruining the seen of sincerity. Misao tried and failed to mask a snicker as she walked over and unpinned her little cousin. Yahiko collapsed to the floor; his clothes ripped in several places as he collected himself and frowned at Misao before stalking over to Tsubame. Megumi nodded coolly as she surveyed each one of them critically. Her gaze was cold and calculating. Kaoru knew her sister was thinking hard, trying to find the appropriate words to use in the situation.

"Tsubame-chan...Are you okay?" Kaoru said gently moving forward towards the smaller girl.

"F-F-Feel...sick...sick..." Tsubame whispered. A response, Kaoru felt some amount of relief as she looked up to address her sister. She had to apologise. Find some way to appease Megumi's anger which she knew was mostly directed at her. Kaoru felt like a little girl again about to receive a demeaning row from her older sister. Instead words simply failed Megumi and instead a sharp smack across the check did the rest of the speaking.

"You stupid tanuki."

The words cut like ice. The smack hadn't hurt that much but it stung viciously and she stood rooted in shock. Of course this wasn't the first time Megumi had smacked her little sister. The two had argued a lot when they were little but it was never that sort of smack. Kaoru felt contaminated and in complete disgrace and strangely on the verge of tears again. Kaoru nodded numbly...a part of her wanted to start shouting but she was too upset to bother.

"Whoa! Megumi, that's a little-"

"Don't even get me started on you Sanosuke! Or any of you for that matter!" Shrieked Megumi. Kaoru felt relieved to be out of the spotlight as she shuffled towards Tsubame enveloping the girl into a hug. She was still trembling and she did look like she was genuinely about to throw up. Kaoru glanced at Kenshin who looked oddly uncomfortable...in fact he was looking plain murderously at Megumi.

"Megumi. This one would appreciate it if you could refrain from hitting Kaoru-dono again."

They were the first words he had actually spoken. Kaoru held her breath feeling slightly thrilled that he had stepped into defend her but at the same time slightly afraid he was throwing himself to the lions drawing attention to him like that. For a moment the expression on Megumi's face flickered but she glared again.

"Do not tell me how to treat my own sister Himura-san. You are hardly a great role model."

"Yeah but at least he never slapped her. Megumi that was-" Misao cut in.

"Um...Megumi? I think...I think Tsubame needs to go to the bathroom..." Kaoru said slowly. The air was growing tense again. Sanosuke seemed to have just realised Kenshin was still present and Yahiko was stirring. Megumi looked at Kaoru for a moment and her expression softened as it lingered at Tsubame. She nodded curtly and Kaoru felt complete and utter relief as she directed Tsubame's small frame from the room. Glad to be free of the tension and confrontation Kaoru lead the younger girl into the bathroom.

Tsubame immediately crouched over the toilet seat and began to heave. Kaoru had the grace to look away as the girl began to retch. The foul smell of vomit filled the air and Kaoru walked over to the sink filling a stray glass with some cold water. Tsubame sat up wiping her lower lip. Her forehead was covered with sweat. Kaoru noticed how her clothes seemed big. 'She's lost a lot of weight since I last saw her. Probably stress...' Tsubame's cheeks were sunken into her face slightly and her wrists were bony. She accepted the water; she was no longer shaking as badly.

"You should probably just sip it for a little while..." Suggested Kaoru quietly as she sat down on the tiled floor trying absorb what had just happened in the past hour. Her cheek was still stinging along with her ribs which protested when she moved too quickly. What would happen now? The violence has escalated but it felt like it had past it's peak. There was no way in hell Megumi was going to let things get that out of control again. Kaoru now felt extremely drained both mentally, emotionally and physically. She ran a hand through her ebony hair trying to puzzle out what would happen now.

"A-Arigatou...Kaoru-san..." Tsubame murmured taking a slight sip of the liquid. Kaoru smiled for her friend's sake. She couldn't imagine how Tsubame was handling things. Finding out Kaoru was alive and then witnessing an all out brawl with who she considered to be a mass murderer. No wonder she was scared to death. 'She's just a kid...why did Yahiko have to involve her in this mess?'

"Tsubame, gomen nasai. Truly, I didn't mean for you to get caught up in all of this." Kaoru apologised. Tsubame nodded but hiccupped as more tears slid down her cheeks. The Assistant Master crossed the room and wrapped Tsubame into a hug trying to ignore the pungent smell of bile coming from the girl.

"I-I-I almost s-shot Misao....and Kenshin-san...I-I...they'll never forgive me...K-Kenshin-san will..."

"Of course they will. You were just confused...you didn't want to hurt anyone. Kenshin won't lay a finger on you honest. He doesn't want to harm us; he's not going to hurt you." Kaoru reassured firmly. The news that Tsubame had fired the shot was surprising but the way she was terrified of Kenshin hurting her was more disturbing. Of course she would still view him as a psychopathic killer. Kaoru cradled the younger girl burying her head in Tsubame's hair just trying to arrange her thoughts sensibly.

"Kaoru? Tsubame? Megumi says she wants you both in the living room. You'd better hurry up cause she's still kinda pissed." Yahiko's voice penetrated the bathroom. Kaoru chuckled wiping tears from her eyes and stood up; the sound of Yahiko's voice was savoured in itself. She never thought she'd miss his whining so much. She could regret the decision to lie to Kenshin but not the decision to see her family again. She managed to help Tsubame to her feet before the two of them shuffled out of the bathroom, Tsubame hiding in Kaoru's shadow.

The living room was fully occupied. Yahiko, Misao, Megumi and Kenshin were all sitting down on the couches whereas Sanosuke remained standing bristling in often discomfort and anger. Kaoru eyed him warily before taking a seat with Tsubame on the opposite couch. Megumi stood up and gestured to the vacant seat now available. Sanosuke shook his head.

"No way in hell am I sitting next to that lowlife." He snarled.

"Sanosuke. Just take a seat for Kami's sake." Snapped Megumi.

"But-"

"Now!"

Sanosuke reluctantly took a seat on Kaoru's couch opposite Kenshin who he glared at furiously. Kenshin looked coldly in returned but said nothing. Megumi remained standing; it looked oddly like a village commune holding a meeting with Megumi at the helm. Misao sighed and Yahiko rolled his eyes.

"Here we go..."

"...another therapy session."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow inquiringly. "Therapy session?"

"Kitsune's been dishing them out for the past two months. Seems to be opting for a course of psychology rather than medicine." Sanosuke said bluntly with some trace of humour in his voice. Kaoru stared in bewilderment but then remembered how she'd insisted on comforting Kaoru the night of her disappearance. Megumi had always been good at negotiating; it seemed she would be acting as mediator in this cautious meeting. Megumi made no move to correct Sanosuke but frowned and sighed turning to Kaoru.

"Right, thank you Sanosuke for your share of intellect but I'll get straight to the point. Since it seems I'm the only one who can still grasp sanity in this insane asylum I'll be the one conducting this little meeting. We'll start by clearing the air. Kaoru, since you didn't have the grace to at least warn Kenshin or drug him properly I'll let you do the explaining." Megumi said staring pointedly at her sister. Kaoru glowered at Megumi.

"You said I had a choice!" Protested Kaoru.

"Hai, but I expected you to at least be sensible enough to confess or smart enough to drug him properly, or clever enough perhaps not to freeze like an idiot when he entered the room and then take off." Megumi said hotly. Kaoru glared and felt even more angry at her sister for knowing she was right. Megumi was always right in the end, always perfect. If it was Megumi then everyone would be skipping about under a rainbow by now. Kaoru glanced at Kenshin who looked calmly back at her portraying neither warmth nor hostility.

"Um...well...the other week when went shopping...you know at the college?"

"I can guess Kaoru-dono." Said Kenshin quickly. Kaoru shook her head desperately - he was jumping to conclusions.

"Iie! I honestly did go to the bathroom...but then Megumi came in and started crying and stuff! I couldn't just leave without a word! And then she turned up and said a bunch of stuff about rocks and hard places and then she announced that everyone was coming over! I...I panicked...I didn't know what do to do!" Kaoru wailed pleadingly. Anything to wipe some sort of expression into Kenshin's lifeless face that looked as though it had been carved out of stone.

"But you still drugged this one. Kaoru-dono, I'm not angry at you de-gozaru. I understand completely but surely you realise that running away with them isn't the -"

"Running away!" Kaoru snapped quickly.

"If only..." muttered Sanosuke.

"I'm not running away! They just came over...you don't honestly think I'm that stupid right? I mean, that would get us all killed! Kenshin you didn't really think that I would runaway without thinking it through first did you? Give me some credit!" Kaoru exclaimed. Kenshin blinked, for a few moments she could have swore his expression brightened up a little bit and he smiled slightly.

"It seems sessha has jumped to conclusions de-gozaru. Gomen nasai Kaoru-dono."

"Oh for Christ sake drop all the 'Sessha' and 'Dono' would you! We all know it's just an act Battousai!" Shouted Sanosuke unable to control himself. Kaoru tensed and then mentally sighed falling back into the couch waiting for the scene to unravel. Her head was beginning to ache but she found herself watching as Megumi smacked Sanosuke over the back of his head. Kenshin for his part assumed his neutral expression and looked up to match Sanosuke intense looked of loathing.

"I can speak how I please thank you very much Sano. Would you rather I spoke differently? Or perhaps you still think that I intend to harm Kaoru-dono and everyone else? If this were true I could have done so months ago. If this were true then nobody would be standing in this room right now. Of course given the nature of your brother's death I understand completely that-"

"Don't mention his name you Ishin bastard!"

Kaoru flinched and then sucked in a breath. Sanosuke had actually risen out of his seat, beside her Tsubame quivered slightly but Misao and Yahiko leaped into action as they helped Megumi restrain the former fighter for higher from launching himself at Kenshin. Finally he relented as Megumi growled at him. "Sit. Down. Now. Sanosuke." The combined effort worked and Misao panted as she flung herself back into her original seat along with Yahiko.

"Sanosuke. Get a grip." Reprimanded Megumi, "We didn't come here to fight. Surely you must realise Kenshin had nothing to do with Sozo's death. He would only be about sixteen at the time and I doubt Hitokiri's commute much to the decision of their entire organisation." Kaoru shivered. The way Megumi casually entered the word 'Hitokiri' along with Kenshin was annoying her. She knew it was true but it still bothered her that she had to be reminded of it constantly.

"Anyway we should probably get down to the real reason we're here. I should probably leave the rest up to Misao since it's her job as Okashira to represent the Oniwabanshu." Megumi sat down and Kaoru watched as her little cousin nervously took centre stage. It was almost amusing watching her emerald eyes dart around taking in her audience, like a child getting ready for their first school recital. Finally she cleared her voice trying to imitate a business like manner. Kaoru listened, the real reason was something she suspected but wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"Right...well you all heard that stuff Kaoru was blubbering about earlier. You know rocks and hard places? Well here's the fact, cards laid out on the table sort of thing." Misao said firmly if slightly informally, "Shishio suspects we're up to something but as of yet he hasn't got a clue what. We've managed to evade him; I mean the first thing he did after Kaoru left was plant cameras and electronic equipment all over the house. The Oniwabanshu's been managing to block his communications but we're not sure how long it can continue. We're in a stalemate...I think he's trying to assess which team we're batting for."

Misao paused for breath trying to examine the reactions. Megumi nodded encouragingly while Kenshin watched her thoughtfully. Kaoru listened intently, it was more or less what Megumi had told her a few days ago but it still helped her to progress the information. When Misao continued she sounded more serious and solemn.

"This isn't going to last forever. Logically assessing the situation we can look at it like this. We've got about twenty people in all, twenty well trained elite members but he's got hundreds at his disposal. His spies are everywhere and he's waiting to pounce at the slightest indication. The well published deaths of the rest of the Kamiya Family would really build up hype in the media. No offence Kaoru, but everyone's getting a bit bored of your story now. Contacting Kaoru was a big risk and one we took out of sentimentality...what I'm trying to say is that one way or another we're all gonna end up dead soon if we don't do something pretty quickly and pretty soon."

Kaoru's insides clenched. Any traces of conflict and dark humour taken from the situation had vanished. Even Sanosuke seemed oddly sincere and quiet in the wake of Misao's blunt confession. The way it was state with such finality, as though an invisible life timer was running out. Misao was right; cards were being laid on the table now. Suddenly everything seemed real, Kaoru had been cut off from the outside world for so long and now she was suddenly slammed back into it.

"Anyway," Misao continued, "Things are bad and there's only one option if we want to survive. After all the enemy of an enemy is a friend. The Oniwabanshu serve to protect the people and the only way we can do that is to bump Shishio out of power. That's what the Ishin want too...which is why we need your help or to put it another way; Himura we need your help and I reckon you owe us one."

"Iie! No way! You can't just join the Ishin Shishi Misao! It's too dangerous...I'm not having any more of my friends turning into murderers! Kenshin tell her!" Kaoru turned on Kenshin imploringly. She'd seen this coming and she didn't like it at all. It was one thing imagining Kenshin as a hitokiri, another entirely imagining carefree Misao as one. She looked at him, silently begging him to find a way out of this. Another solution, an alternative. Anything.

Kenshin averted his gaze from Kaoru almost guiltily before he looked calmly at Misao.

"Misao-dono, are you sure of what you're asking me?"

"Wait! No, Kenshin this is insane!" Cried Kaoru.

"Kaoru, there's no other option! It's either that or death!" Stated Yahiko.

"Besides we're not volunteering to become hitokiri's. Give us some credit," Misao said, "We're offering our services as spies and information gatherers. We're probably the best in Kyoto and I'm sure we could be useful at something. The Oniwabashu has years of experience, all we ask in exchange is protection and we offer our services as fighters. Not hitokiri's." Kaoru tried to digest the words but found she was getting indigestion. Either way Misao was making a huge commitment, and she was giving up all hope at a normal life. They would have to leave their homes...their jobs...their lives.

"What about everything else! I mean Shishio is going to notice if you all just hop off! What about Otousan? He can't cope with another supposed death in the family!" Protested Kaoru.

"We've already thought of all the details Kaoru, Otousan will obviously be informed, I doubt he's going to like it but he'll live with it. This is the only way to survive. Believe me, I'm not thrilled at the prospect of leaving everything behind for what could be years for all we know. However I've seen and witnessed the horrors Shishio has planned..." Megumi said tiredly.

"And trust us. There's worse to come." Misao said darkly.

"What exactly do you mean Misao-dono?" Kenshin asked sharply.

"We're keeping our information to ourselves until there's some sort of formal agreement thing. You can run back and tell your employers all about us if you haven't already and let them decide." Misao said evenly. Kaoru felt curious and slightly afraid. Worse to come? That had a horrible sinister edge to it. What could be worse than civil war?

"I will carry your proposal back to Katsura-sama," Murmured Kenshin avoiding Kaoru's gaze, "And I will see to it that no harm comes to you or your family personally."

"We don't need your sort of protection." Sanosuke inserted heatedly.

"But we appreciate the offer all the same," Counteracted Megumi.

"W-What about me? My family..." Tsubame said. Everyone looked at her in surprise...she was no longer shaking but she still seemed a bit unsure. It was the first time she had spoken for the duration of the meeting. Kaoru looked questioningly at Misao who immediately jumped in to reassure Tsubame.

"Nothing will happen. Nobody suspects you Tsubame but the moment they do you'll be under our protection. There's no need for you to worry...I only wish Yahiko hadn't gotten you involved. Gomen nasai Tsubame," Misao said gravely. Yahiko frowned and moved over to sit next to Tsubame.

"I...I should be apologising...I almost shot you...and I almost killed Himura-san. Gomen nasai..." Whispered Tsubame bowing formally. Kenshin looked alarmed for a moment before smiling slightly.

"There is no need for apologies Tsubame-dono. Sessha regrets making you feel afraid, he should have considered how it would look from your perspective." Kenshin said nodded turning pale slightly.

"Hey Tsubame, how about we stay at your house tonight. I mean your parents won't mind if Megumi and I stay will they? We could bring over some chocolate and some old DVDs...Would you feel safer if we were with you?" Misao asked sympathetically.

"Hai..."

"Then sleepover it is. The Sekihara family is under Okashira protection!" Proclaimed Misao brightly.

"In that case we're all screwed." Muttered Yahiko.

"Speaking of which, It's coming up to half eleven...if we don't press on now then we'll be arriving at Sekihara-san's house at three in the morning." Megumi said pointedly. Kaoru stared in evident surprise...half eleven? The fiasco seemed to last merely half an hour. She watched as everyone stood up and she felt suddenly reluctant to watch them all go for several different reasons. The first being that they were a distraction; once they were gone it would be more awkward between her and Kenshin. The second was that she had hardly any time to speak to any of them...there hadn't been any time to ask about her father or anyone else. Not even half the things she'd wanted to discuss.

Kaoru stood up in unison with everyone else. There was a general adjusting of clothes and in Misao's case weapons as she struggled to find one of her misplaced kunai's. Yahiko clutched the katana and Kaoru felt a stab of discord...her brother with such a dangerous weapon was scary. She moved over towards him and stared at him.

"Yahiko...why do have a katana? What happened to your shinai?"

"Uh..."

"Don't tell me you were thinking of using it! You little baka, I never thought you would give up on Kamiya Kasshien Ryú that easily. All my mornings of training are completely wasted now aren't they?" Kaoru said crossly. The upper lip of Megumi smiled slightly as Yahiko had the decency to look mildly ashamed as he muttered a quick apology. Kaoru hugged him...a gesture which never often happened between them. However her little brother he remained always, and she had a slight feeling related to the slightly damp patch on her top that he didn't mind on this one occasion. Once they had split up Kaoru was assaulted my Misao and her enthusiasm.

"We never gave up on you Kaoru-chan! I swear we were really just days away from finding you at that hotel complex..." Misao said earnestly.

"It's alright Misao...at the time I felt like crap but I'm okay now. At least I'm not trying to set the building on fire to escape..." Kaoru chuckled. Suddenly her relatives froze and stared at her like she'd grown a third head. Kaoru chuckled more nervously under four withering stares, "I...did mention that didn't I?"

"That has to rank with the out the window idea. I swear Jou-chan, couldn't you just find a normal way of escaping that doesn't revolve in constant death risks." Sanosuke said ruffling her hair.

"What did you do? Set the oven on fire?" Snorted Yahiko.

"Well...."

"Don't even answer. I'm not sure I want to know." Megumi said quickly as she hugged Kaoru swiftly, "Gomen nasai about the slap...I just lost control. It doesn't hurt does it?"

"Not too much. It's okay; I probably deserved it after the way I've acted..." Amended Kaoru.

"Well, try to keep some sense. We'll be back next week on Tuesday at about six o'clock-ish." Megumi said firmly. Kaoru nodded, two days wasn't such a long time. She walked them to the door where more hugs were exchanged, and then she continued to watch as their retreating figures disappeared into the forest. It was dark outside, very warm with only a few stars out in the sky. The night had been...chaotic to say the least but also informative. Her family...and the Ishin shishi. Kaoru could help but repress as shudder...more danger, more death. Why were they going through all this? For her sake only or did they genuinely care about Japan? Probably a bit of both...but still, negotiating with people who assassinated other people without a second thought? Misao could say what she pleased, it still sounded like she'd be working for them.

'And working for them results in death. You don't have to be a hitokiri to kill...what if it destroys them? I can't see any of them remaining unchanged...even tonight everyone had changed. I can cope with that...but not if they turn insane by the end of it. What if their humanity is the price for defeating Shishio? Is it a price worth paying?' Kaoru sighed knowing she holding of the inevitable by standing at the doorway. It didn't change the fact that she was going to have to go back indoors and confess herself to Kenshin. He would never trust her completely...did she still even trust him completely? After all this time tonight had only proved that some part of her still feared him, still feared that he might end up hurting her.

'As if my nightmares aren't bad enough. Kenshin has a reason to see Katsura-san now...and doubtless he's going to find out. I could tell him but what would be the point? The result would still be the same...maybe I can hold him off until after my birthday. I'd like to celebrate that in some sort of peace...' Thought Kaoru wistfully as she closed the door shutting out the final view of the forest and the night sky.

Kenshin watched Kaoru as she continued to stare out the door prolonging the inevitable.

Tonight had been highly stressful and surprising. He'd felt both intense guilt, concern, anger and relief. Guilt over his careless actions which had shaken Tsubame so deeply. He had noticed she was in the room but Misao's assault had been pretty vicious, he had to admit that she was a worthy opponent who had caught him unarmed. Had he had any sort of weapon things would have ended quicker but he didn't want to hurt Misao. His shoulder still ached...that combined with the furious struggle in the dark where Sanosuke had punched him in the jaw and the gut had made him sore.

Relief because Kaoru was staying. Was it selfish of him to be relieved? Had she really wanted to go would he have let her? No, her safety would have been in jeopardy...but if it was safe? It reminded him that she was only with him out of necessity...tonight was a painful reminder that someday she would leave and not come back. He tried not to dwell on such thoughts but instead concentrated upon the fact that the Oniwabanshu had offered it's services to the Ishin Shishi. He had to admit that whatever information they held would be useful...but could he really let them join? Not join but even working with the Ishin was risky and dangerous...

And finally he'd felt an odd desire to slap Megumi after he'd watched her smack Kaoru. It had happened without him having a chance to intervene and he could see it had shaken Kaoru quite deeply. The cold way in which it was done...almost to promote humiliation struck a chord inside him. He didn't like people hitting each other, he cared for both of them but Megumi was a intelligent woman who could have thought of a different method. What also struck him like a bullet was the way Kaoru had runaway from him...she still feared him. It made him realise that no matter what he did or said some part of her would still fear he would hurt her. Wasn't there anything he could do to convince her otherwise? Would she always see him as a bloodstained monster?

Finally Kaoru turned around and sighed but blinked in surprise when she saw him watching her. Her kii was slightly nervous but her eyes went to his bleeding shoulder and lip which he hadn't had the time to clean. His went to her reddened cheeks and he wondered if she was injured anywhere else.

"Kenshin...I'm...hopeless. I know you probably hate me now but..."

"Sessha could never hate you Kaoru-dono. Never you. This one was only worried for you..." Kenshin said walking forwards speaking with sincerity. Kaoru smiled slightly and nodded. Kenshin decided he'd do anything to restore some sort of communication between them. He couldn't stand the awkwardness and tension spiralling through the air. He smiled, the effect made Kaoru look hopeful. He instinctively touched her wrist leading her away from the hall into the smoky sitting room. The last of the Darkness powder still hung like grey fog in the air.

"You're lip...and shoulder. You must be in a lot of pain..." Kaoru whispered softly.

"This one has been in worse although he must admit Misao-dono's aim has improved de-gozaru." Kenshin said lightly as he sat her down and squeezed her hand, "Sessha is more concerned about you Kaoru-dono. Are you injured?"

"Uh...my ribs hurt...somebody must have elbowed me or something...it's okay. It's not too bad..." Kaoru said honestly. Kenshin thought about checking to see if she had punctured or severely hurt on of them but then reconsidered that touching her in such a personal place would be shameful. Instead he gave her hand a final squeeze before he turned to retreat into the kitchen. The house was going to take a while to tidy...he should probably start right away but instead he decided that they would watch a film. Some sort of comedy to shake off the unpleasant events of the night.

He brought some painkillers out from the cupboard and swallowed two himself. He used some damp kitchen roll to wipe his lip and winced as he moved his shoulder. He was going to need to clean the wound and put some sort of plaster or band aid over it. He took out the first aid kit and poured both him and Kaoru some lemonade. No drugs added, and pulled out a large bar of chocolate from the fridge. Once he was back in the living room he placed the glasses of liquid down and then smiled at Kaoru.

"Perhaps Sessha should get the juice from now on Kaoru-dono..."

Kaoru laughed slightly and punched him in the shoulder gently, "Don't joke, it's not funny. I had to pour whipped cream over it so you wouldn't notice...and anyway you've drugged me before. Consider it payback mister and be glad I didn't overdose you."

"This one is grateful de-gozaru." Kenshin said as he pulled off his top in order to dress his wound properly. Kaoru's cheeks turned red...why did that make him feel pleased? Or excited? He tried to ignore such feelings as he added a damp cloth to his wound trying to wipe away the blood. Kaoru's flustered expression rapidly left her face and turned to concern as she moved forward grabbing a band aid from the box along with another damp cloth.

"Is it...really bad?"

"Iie Kaoru-dono. This one is just grateful that Tsubame-chan's aim with a gun was not at it's best...this is fine honestly." He still felt oddly happy when she applied a clean wet cloth to it with a look of tenderness on her face. Perhaps he had used the gun reference a bit too liberally. He mentally shook himself but made no actual attempt to stop her from dressing his wounds.

"Kaoru-dono, how about we put on a DVD? I know it's late but given the circumstances I don't expect either of us will sleep properly tonight." Kenshin offered as Kaoru stuck on the band aid. She nodded and smiled in relief.

"I'll got get a duvet...in case we get cold." She said standing up and moving towards her bedroom. A few moments later she re-entered the room with a heavy purple duvet in tow. Kenshin had already chosen a DVD, an old Disney one which they both sort of liked. Beauty and the Beast, the title was probably oddly appropriate for them. He sat back down and put his legs up. Kaoru was already curled up...her head resting on his bare shoulder. Kenshin held her hand amazed he had the nerve to do so three times.

That's how he woke up several hours later. Kaoru was asleep, his shoulder ached but he ignored it and didn't dare to move to switch off the DVD for fear of waking her up. Instead he smiled and tugged the duvet around his side and rested his head on a cushion. It wasn't often this sort of thing happened but he still wanted to treasure it while he could. Tomorrow would bring all sorts of problems that he would have to address.

Still there was always tonight.

I apologise if there are any grammar errors but I'm not the best with grammar so please excuse me! Also I solemnly promise not to hold chapters hostage...I'll let them run free instead. Anyway as for Katsura keeping quiet - find out later. In fact he's been keeping quiet about a lot of things. Loose ends will be revealed. I apologise once again for spelling and such like...I'm truly hopeless.

Please R&R.

Bluemoon Out!x