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Light of the Snow-Red Village
Part VI - Flickering Shadows: Pine of Winter - Chapter 3

I was dreaming...

~*~

It didn't take Sanosuke very long to find Kenshin's information. Many of his friends had wondered where he had disappeared to - rumours of his new association with the Hitokiri Battousai had, despite his defeat, sent his reputation skyrocketing, and they assumed he would have capitalized upon that already - but they were ready and willing to share what they knew. The underground was overflowing with news on the opium market, and after a few short hours, he had discovered all he needed to know.

Unfortunately, he also learned one fact which changed his opinion on the oncoming battle entirely.

At midday he made his way back to the dojo, body tense and eyes aflame with anger. Kenshin, already dutifully hanging up the day's laundry, sensed it immediately.

"Sano?" he question softly, studying his friend with a careful eye. "What is it?"

Sanosuke stepped over, standing before Kenshin and glancing around. "Where's the kitsune?"

Kenshin blinked at him for a moment, puzzled, then his eyes widened. "You mean Megumi-dono?" At Sano's nod, he frowned tightly. "She's making lunch in the kitchen - but, Sano, what are you so angry a-"

"Gotta go talk to her," Sano interrupted, shifting away towards the kitchen. Kenshin grimaced, shaking the loose water from his fingers, and quickly followed.

~*~

"Megumi-san, you don't have to be cooking," Kaoru repeated, her voice growing tight in frustration. The food bubbling over the stove seemed to spark in response to her rising temper. "Today is my day to cook, and-"

Megumi smiled back impishly, gazing sidelong at the younger girl. "Really, Kaoru-chan... I don't mind providing decent food to my hosts. I'm sure it will be a pleasant surprise."

The lady doctor merely laughed quietly at her. "Oh, you're a smart girl, if a little naive. I'm sure you can figure it out!"

"Kitsune!" Sano called, sliding open the shoji to glare at his target. Megumi turned to him, surprised, when she realized he was speaking to her.

"Kitsune," he repeated, "I don't care about your damn secrets anymore. I want to know why you've been making opium for Kanryuu!"

Megumi stared back at him, her eyes shocked. He could see a glimmer of fear in her eyes, and he knew he was correct.

Kaoru couldn't conceal her surprise at the admission. "Me-Megumi-san? What is he talking about?"

Kenshin, entering behind Sanosuke, shook his head in disapproval. "Sano, I thought we had agreed-"

"Screw that, Kenshin!" Sano growled, shooting Kenshin a silencing look. "I don't want to hear it. She's been making opium, and that damn businessman has been selling it like crazy!" He turned his smoldering gaze back to Megumi. "Your drugs killed my friend!"

Megumi flinched as if she had been struck, her eyes dark and glittering with tears. She lowered her head, unable to meet his accusing stare.

Sano's lips tightened, and he straightened up, fists clenched at his side. "There's a new kind of opium in the market; it's had a limited produce since it first appeared, little over three years ago. Kanryuu's the source of all the sellers - the only one who knows how it's produced. My friend Yoita got involved, and he died because of Kanryuu's new drug!" He pointed a long finger at Megumi. "And she's the secret to his sales. She makes it for him."

All eyes turned to Megumi, some knowing, some seeking an answer. She slowly raised her head to face them, a single tear falling down her cheek.

Kenshin's eyes were sympathetic as he pulled a single packet of opium from his gi. She nodded at the sight, resigned.

"Yes," she whispered finally, "Yes, it's true. What do you want from me? I told you I would leave, but you refused to let me. I'll leave now, while there's still time-"

"Megumi-dono," Kenshin interrupted, "The reason I did not want you to leave was because there's more to this story than anyone is telling, most importantly you."

"There's nothing more to tell," she choked, her eyes shut to block away his warm expression. She didn't want his pity, if that was what he offered her.

"I think there is," he pressed gently, "And if there was not a problem with your duties in Kanryuu's affairs, you would not have fought so hard to escape him."

Megumi slowly pried her eyes from the floor to meet his face. There was no accusation or anger to be found in his expression.

"We ended your story last night before its conclusion," Kenshin continued. "Don't you think it's time to end this silence?"

Glancing briefly at Kaoru, then at the expectant glower of the street fighter, she forced a nod, yielding to their questioning watch.

"All right... I'll give you the full story."

~*~

"Megumi-chan! Megumi-chan, you stay here, okay?"

"Kaasan will be back soon. You just wait for us, ne? The war will be over, and we'll all go home."

"It will all be fine, little one. Our friends in Aizu will take good care of you while we're gone."

"I can go home... I can go home, and I'll find them..."

~*~

"For three years," Megumi murmured, pulling a small packet of opium from her sleeve, "I made this specialized 'Spider's Web' for Kanryuu. I could have sought my own death many times, but... if there was even the slightest chance of meeting my family again, I'd do anything..."

The room fell into silence, as the tears brimming at her eyes finally spilled down her cheeks. She made no move to stop them, no effort to brush them away.

She shivered. "You're all so quiet... it's understandable. You've let me into your home, and here I am, keeping such secrets... now I've put you all in danger. I'm sorry... I never should have remained here, and I'll continue on my way to keep them from harming any of you."

"Megumi-dono," Kenshin said quietly, seeking to meet her mournful gaze. "I'm afraid I can't fully understand what you've gone through since Kanryuu first sought you out, but... despite what you've done, don't you think you've suffered enough?"

"It's never enough," she replied desperately, shaking her head. "For all the people who have died because of what I've done-" She waved a hand at Sanosuke, unable to meet his knowing stare, "-Your friend - what I've experienced can never be enough." She glared balefully at Kenshin. "What would a rurouni know?"

He merely smiled, gently as usual, and surprised her yet again. "Perhaps not as much as some," he answered mildly, "But I do know one thing: you do not belong in a drug corporation. You are a doctor - you should be using those skills to help people."

"And," he interrupted, holding up a hand, "I am going to make sure this becomes a reality. Megumi-dono... shall we go to Kanryuu and give him your resignation?"

Megumi stared back at him, incredulous. "Y-you're joking. You must be joking." Kenshin smiled again. "You're serious?!"

"I'm always serious." He nodded and glanced at Sanosuke. "Well, Sano? Is it still just a fight for you?"

Sano's fists clenched tightly at his side, and he scowled. "Che... you're asking a lot, Kenshin."

"You idiot," Sanosuke grumbled, brushing his hand across his forehead in exasperation, "Of course you'd say that. I'm going with you... but not for her," he sent a wary glance to Megumi. "I'll make sure I don't lose any more friends to this damn drug business."

"But - the Oniwabanshuu-!" Megumi objected, rising to her feet. "There's no way you could possibly-"

"Megumi-dono," Kenshin spoke up again, stifling a sigh, "I can't explain it, but... I ask you to trust us. Sano and I can handle ourselves. You don't have to worry."

"It'll be all right, Megumi-san," Kaoru gave the doctor a placid smile, even as silent fears flickered in her eyes. "Kenshin is much stronger than you think. He and Sanosuke will definitely win this battle."

Megumi gazed back at her, doubtful and unsure, but she gave a reluctant nod of agreement.

"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin stood, absently dusting his pants and reaching for his sword, "Please look after Hikari and Yahiko while we're gone."

At that moment, Hikari jogged into the room, shinai in hand. "Kaoru-san, I'm finished my exercises, and-" She stopped short, watching in silence as Kenshin slid the sakabatou through the ties of his hakama, his eyes resolute and firm. Sanosuke, Megumi, and Kaoru glanced at her, cautious.

She gazed up at him for a long time, her eyes dark and searching. There was an impenetrable, almost painful silence filling the room.

Kenshin's lip quirked slightly, and he placed a hand gently on her hair, brushing his fingers against her bangs briefly before continuing forward. "Aa," he repeated, his voice very quiet. With Megumi at his side, Sanosuke flanking her right, they left the dojo and disappeared into the streets.

The two girls stood in the doorway of the house for a long moment, listening to the hushed wind of the night.

Kaoru wrapped an arm around the child's shoulders, comforting. "Hai, Hikari-chan?"

Her teacher grimaced. "Oh... you're right. I suppose we should go check on him..."

They turned to the gate, and were surprised to find Tsubame standing by the door, shyly peering in.

Hikari brightened and jogged over, grabbing the girl's arm and pulling her into the yard. "Hi, Tsubame-san! What are you doing here?"

Tsubame glanced back and forth between Hikari and Kaoru. "Um... Gensai-sensei stopped by the Akabeko yesterday, saying Yahiko-kun was hurt... I came to see how, um... everyone was..."

Kaoru smiled wryly. "Oh... to visit Yahiko, ne? And it looks like you brought something, too..."

Tsubame blushed, embarrassed. "H-hai... I brought desserts from the Akabeko, in case anyone was hungry..."

"Ooh!" Hikari grinned, glad to get her mind off the sudden emptiness of the dojo. "He'll love that, I just know it!"

'This is much better,' Kaoru thought with a gentle smile, watching her companions disappear into the house, laughing like - well, like little girls.

'It'll be all right...'

~*~

"Rooster head, Kanryuu's mansion is this way!"

'This woman is really getting on my nerves,' Sano thought wearily, his hands stuffed in his pockets, as he led the way through the streets of Tokyo.

'I don't know how Kenshin talks me into these things without even trying. Dammit...' "We're not goin' to the mansion yet, kitsune," Sanosuke called back, his eyes narrowed. "I have to pick something up first."

Megumi raised an eyebrow, flicking her hair. "Oh really? It wouldn't be a few dozen of your ruffian friends, would it?"

Sanosuke scowled and turned away. She sighed mournfully. "I should have guessed..."

She spun around to face him, seething. "Worried about that barbarian? I'm only wondering if his stupidity is going to get him killed!"

"Kenshin, what the hell does that mean?!" Sano demanded, a defensive tone entering his voice.

Kenshin blinked. "Ah... that is..." He hesitated, considering his words, then groaned. "... oro..."

Sanosuke rolled his eyes and continued walking. "Here's my place. I'll be right back."

"I wouldn't dare go in that dump. How is it possible to live in these conditions? ... What on earth is that smell?"

Whatever Megumi had to say about his home when he exited the old longhouse, it fell from her lips when she saw the massive, wrapped weapon he carried with him. Sanosuke smirked, grateful that he finally managed to get her tongue tied - that satisfaction, along with the feeling of the zanbatou on his shoulders once again, was enough to lighten his mood.

Just as Kaoru and Hikari had predicted, Yahiko was not happy to awaken and find Kenshin and Sanosuke long gone. He attempted to follow, but was hampered somewhat by an injured leg - and three vehemently overprotective girls.

"Like I said," Hikari answered impatiently, "They left a couple hours ago, with Megumi-san. They'll be back before dawn, and you," she narrowed her eyes, leaning closer for effect, "Are not going anywhere."

Yahiko grit his teeth, stubbornness and reluctant agreement warring for mastery over his expression. He knew he was in no condition to chase after them, even if he did know the location of Kanryuu's mansion, but he also knew that there was going to be one hell of a battle, and he didn't want to miss it. By the look in Hikari's eyes, he judged that she didn't want to, either.

"Are those mochi cakes?" he asked suddenly, pointing to the tray Tsubame held in her lap.

She blinked, glancing down, and nodded. "Ha-hai... did you want some, Yahiko-kun?"

The older boy waved a hand in negation, stuffing a mochi into his mouth. "Naa," he mumbled, "If I can't go, then I won't. No point in wasting time, right? They'll be back, and I can get Kenshin then, for leaving me behind."

Hikari snorted softly, but ignored it and helped herself to a treat. Tsubame smiled gently as they ate, shyly asking for their opinions.

Meanwhile, Yahiko's head was forming plans. 'I can probably sneak out late tonight... maybe just barely make it in time...'

"Arigato, Yahiko-chan!" she beamed in response. He nearly choked on the rice, in order to restrain his temper. Such actions could quite possibly be blamed on sedatives.

'Gotta keep it cool, tonight... they'll probably get tired of me and go to bed early...'

So, too, could such delusions.

~*~

Kanryuu's mansion was, by far, the largest building Kenshin had seen in a long time. It rivaled the homes of most government officials, spanning several stories high and surrounded by a vast fence, taller even than Sano's zanbatou.

'It's all so unnecessary,' he thought with a tight frown, approaching the boundaries of the drug dealer's home, one hand touching the hilt of his sword. 'So much work and waste to glorify one man.'

'The things I could have done for Hikari all her life with this sort of money...'

"Are you ready, Megumi-dono?" Kenshin glanced back at the woman who followed him, her face stricken at the sight of her former prison.

"As ready as one might expect," she answered tightly, fists clenched at her side. "Do we really have to do this? I could be long gone, and they'd never-"

"Woman, I know the information network of Tokyo," Sano drawled, one hand in his pocket, the other balancing the zanbatou against his shoulder. "Spies like the Oniwabanshuu are probably even better. They'd find you."

This statement bothered Kenshin, more than he would admit. He wondered briefly if they'd gone to any lengths to discover just who Megumi had been protected by in her initial escape. It wouldn't take long to find out; of that, he was certain.

"Don't worry, Megumi-dono," he assured her quietly, gazing towards the large doors which served as the entrance to the property, "This is for the best. You've run away long enough - it's time to face Kanryuu and refuse him without fear. It'll be all right," he added with a smile, seeing the doubt reappear in her expression.

"So, now that we're here," Sanosuke followed Kenshin's gaze as he turned back to the doors, "How are we gonna do this?"

"It shouldn't be very complicated," Kenshin replied calmly, his eyes rising beyond the fence, "Since they know we're here."

Sano's eyes widened, and he noticed the small figure crouched on one of the lower posts. "Shit..." he hissed, tightening his grip on the massive sword on his back and quickly shifting in front of Megumi.

"You're skilled," the short ninja from the previous day sneered down at them, his catlike eyes wide and gleeful. "That's a nice surprise. Our okashira will be pleased to meet you... but Kanryuu will be happier to see Megumi again."

Kenshin straightened fully and returned the gaze without hesitation, his voice calm and stern as he addressed the little man. "You tell Kanryuu," he said clearly, the sakabatou making a soft click as he pushed the tsuba away from the sheath, "We have come to speak with him."

The ninja smiled slowly, an entirely unpleasant expression on his face. "Of course," he said simply, and disappeared. After a stifling silence, the doors creaking loudly and began to open.

Megumi shivered, and had barely taken a single step in retreat when a hand rested on her shoulder.

"There's no looking back," Sano murmured into her ear, his voice unreadable. "Do this now or you'll be running forever... and if you run, you'll never forgive yourself."

Falling silent once again, he stepped past her, striding into the estate without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, with a single prayer uttered quietly to the wind, she stepped forward and followed her companions inside.