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Recovery: Chapter 9 - Division & Dissemblance

by Haku Baikou ::: 03.Apr.2003

The night was heavy with the promise of rain. It was almost tangible, the pressure one felt, the faint tingling sensation of the skin, the anticipation of violence in the skies. Megumi stood in the doorway of the Shirobeko, the cool and damp evening air a welcome change from the oppressive heat of the lamps inside. The wind was a living thing tonight, deceptively light and capricious as it played about her ankles, lapping at the edges of her kimono. It wouldn't stay that way, of course, this wind. It would soon become a creature to be feared, a wild force to keep folks at home, safe within the confines of sturdy, sensible walls. A storm would rage tonight.

The streets were empty, an unusual thing so early in the evening. There were no brightly lit lanterns lining the roads of the market district tonight. There were none of the usual sounds that suffused the main thoroughfare: no clinking of cookware, no murmured conversations, no thready melodies from street performers.

"It's not safe to be standing out here, Kitsune," said Sagara Sanosuke as he joined her in the doorway, his eyes coolly scanning the shadowed street. "You oughtta come inside. We have to close this door."

His expression would brook no argument. And besides, he was right. It really was foolish of her to be standing there, but she had needed to do so, had needed to get out even if it was only as far as the doorway. For in the past four days, Megumi and the others had all been on the alert, had been tensed, ready for an attack.

And none came. Nothing at all happened. It was enough to drive a person mad.

"I wish they'd do something already," she muttered and made a little noise of frustration as she went back inside. The waiting really was getting to her.

With the exception of Hiko-san who had disappeared earlier in the day, they were now all gathered at the largest table in the corner of the restaurant. The Shirobeko had closed early in the afternoon, and Sae had sent all her workers and family members home. The woman's squinty smile seemed a little strained as she quietly served tea to everyone before taking a seat herself. Despite Sae's efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it was stifling in the room, and tempers were running short. The days of inactivity had begun to wear on them all. Okina-san had prohibited anyone from working at the Aoiya since the day after the news of the police armory break-in. Guns had been reported missing. Not just swords and spears, but guns. Far too easy for them all to be picked off by one lone assailant if they all continued working outside.

It was bad enough to be pent up indoors, not knowing when an attack would come. Worse yet was the frustration of not even knowing who exactly their enemy was, and who the true target would be. The obvious answer would be Kenshin, of course. But Okina and the others were far too savvy a group to focus only on the obvious. The Aoiya, the Shirobeko, the police headquarters, Kyoto itself. They were all at risk. All possible targets. And so they all hovered about the large map of the city Okina had produced, discussing possible plans for defense and possible escape routes, hoping to cover every scenario that could occur.

Kenshin himself remained strangely aloof from the planning despite his potentially central role in the conflict to come. He'd become increasingly withdrawn in the last few days, his characteristic reserve now back in full force. The rurouni politely fended off their questing inquiries with smiles and murmured assurances, but the smiles seemed forced, and his eyes were troubled. And he looked tired, thought Megumi in concern. So very tired, as he sat in the corner, legs folded before him, his sword resting against his shoulder. His face was lowered, eyes closed, expression as subdued as the dark blue gi he wore.

Megumi wasn't sure which would have been more disturbing from Ken-san: intense interest in Okina's plans, or his current apparent indifference. She looked over to Sano and Kaoru who seemed to share her concern. An actively participating Kenshin would have worried them enough, for they knew he was too weak still to join in on the fight. This closed-off, silent Kenshin, however, was even more unsettling.

In the past, his reticence had always presaged danger. He'd kept his troubles to himself lest he worry his friends. But the less Ken-san spoke of a pressing matter, the more worried his friends became. They were left to speculate on what the rurouni was wont to do. Would he keep out of the way like everyone hoped he would? Unlikely. Would he try to fight? Absolutely. Or would he consider something foolhardy (but oh-so Kenshin-like) such as offering himself up to the enemy in the hopes they would be appeased and spare everyone else? Megumi hoped not.

Kaoru took a cup of tea over to Kenshin and knelt before him, her large blue eyes bright as she bent low for a better view of the rurouni's face. "Kenshin?" she said gently, as she offered him the cup.

His face lifted. "Arigatou, Kaoru-dono," came the quiet reply as he took the drink from her. His smile for her seemed genuine, a rare but welcome site these last few days.

A flash of lightening through the window slats followed by a low rumble of thunder brought Megumi out of her musings. The soft patter of raindrops began, hesitantly at first, then gradually increasing in volume until they blurred into a constant murmur. The wind picked up slightly, it's soft whispering transforming into a higher pitched moan. The storm was brewing, building in strength.

A sudden, frantic knock at the door made everyone jump as all eyes snapped towards the source of the sound. The enemy wouldn't do something as ridiculous as announce themselves by knocking. But still, they were not expecting anyone to arrive, and anything out of the ordinary tonight was to be treated with the highest suspicion. As Sanosuke went to see who it was, Megumi had to remind herself to breathe. She fingered the small knife hidden in her obi, trying to keep a volatile fear at bay.

It was the police.

Two young officers, bedraggled, wet from the rain, and very out of breath. Megumi recognized one of them as the dark haired young man who'd driven her carriage to the Aoiya.

"Sagara-san," said the dark haired young officer. "Is everyone here all right?"

Sanosuke frowned. "Yeah, we're all fine, Yoshi. Why? What's happened?" He let the two officers in. They looked nervous as they joined them at the table.

"We were sent to get you out of here. We have to leave. The Shirobeko isn't safe."

"What's happened?" repeated Sanosuke.

"There have been multiple attacks throughout the city. They're fighting at the police station right now, and we've received reports of activity around the Aoiya and Arai-san's place-"

"The sword smith?" asked Misao alarmed. "What's he got to do with all of this?"

"Well, I don't know." The young officer shrugged apologetically. "I'm sorry, but that's what I've heard. The attackers might be coming here as well. There aren't enough officers to man all the positions. We're outnumbered. I'm afraid Goro and I are the only ones that could be spared."

"Odd," said Okina frowning. "My people have reported no activity so far."

"Tell that to the enemy," said the young officer. "They're shooting at the station with our own guns!"

"This is just what we were afraid of," said Okina unhappily. "Multiple attacks at multiple sites. We can't split up. That's probably just what they would want us to do."

"But we can't stay here either! We can't just do nothing," said Yahiko.

"That's right. Someone's gotta go help the Arais at least!" cried Misao.

"Shishou is with Arai-dono," said Kenshin from the corner. Everyone turned to look at the rurouni.

"Kenshin," said Kaoru in mild surprise. Kaoru and Sano looked at each other. What else hadn't Ken-san told them all?

"Sessha asked him to go. He agreed it was best."

Okina blinked. "That's one place we don't have to worry about then," he said thoughtfully. "But the police need our help, and I'd hate to leave the Aoiya unwatched. We've worked too hard on the repairs for it to be threatened now. I had hoped we wouldn't have to split up, but we may not have a choice."

"I will see to the Aoiya," Shinomori quietly volunteered.

"Aoshi-sama," breathed Misao, a complex flurry of emotions flitting across the girl's face.

Okina hesitated, as if unsure if Shinomori was up to the task. The former okashira had recovered from his wounds since the battle with Shishio. But they all knew Aoshi had been meditating all this time and hadn't taken up his sword for any practice in weeks. And then there was the matter of his betrayal. Forgiveness was one thing. Easy enough to do. But renewed trust. That was more difficult by far.

"Take Misao, Kurojou, and Masukami with you," said Okina finally with a brief look at each of them. "And for pity's sake, take care of yourselves. Should you find yourselves overwhelmed, don't hesitate to retreat. The Aoiya is our home, yes, but in the end...." The old man shook his head. "It's just a building."

Shinomori nodded slightly and turned to leave. Misao followed him with a hurried glance back at everyone, her eyes wide and her demeanor unusually subdued. The other two Oniwabanshu members quickly followed, and in short order, the four of them were out of the door and gone.

Just like that, thought Megumi. It was all happening too fast. One moment they were all together. The next, they were scattering to the winds. She wondered at how they could leave so quickly like that, without a proper goodbye. The situation called for speed, she knew, but the suddenness of everything was dizzying.

"You all right, Kitsune?" a murmured question from behind. Sano was looking at her strangely.

"It's all so fast," she said.

"It often is during a fight," was all he said as his eyes looked over to Okina and the others again.

The young officer and Okina were talking again, Okina insisting that Yoshi take Sae-san to a safe place away from the potential fighting. The young officer was equally insistent that his job was to stay here, to help defend the Shirobeko.

"I'll be all right," said Sae diffidently.

"If the fighting gets too rough, we may not be able to keep an eye on you at all times, Sae-san," said Kaoru gently. "We have to get you out of here."

"And Megumi-dono as well," added Ken-san softly from the corner.

Megumi stared at the rurouni in shocked betrayal, and Ken-san met her gaze unflinching. The thought that she might be separated from her friends had never occurred to Megumi. "Iya!" she cried. "I stay here with all of you!"

Sano frowned. "Kenshin's right, Kitsune. It's too dangerous for you here."

"I'm a physician. I could be useful!"

"You'd be a burden," said Sano, his eyes suddenly hard. "You can't fight, Megumi. You were almost killed that day in the street--"

"You may need me. I have to stay here!"

A part of herself couldn't believe what she was staying. She had been terrified of the on-coming fighting all night, had wished over and over again that she were somewhere else. If someone had asked her fifteen minutes ago if she wanted to stay or not, she honestly wouldn't have known the answer. But now, under pressure, her answer was all too clear. She didn't want to be separated from everyone. Couldn't even imagine waiting out the rest of this night alone.

"She has a point," said Kaoru. "Megumi-san's skills wouldn't be much use unless she were with us."

Megumi looked at the girl gratefully, surprised that Kaoru was the one who took her side. Ken-san's face was unreadable. Sano remained as he was, looking at Megumi sternly. He wasn't backing down. Neither would Megumi.

"Surojou, Oumime," Okina broke in finally. Megumi waited, breath held, for the old man's decision. "Take Sae-san to the usual place. Stay there until you hear from us. It may be a while."

"Hai," said the two Oniwabanshu members as they ushered Sae to safety.

Relief washed over Megumi as she realized she wouldn't be separated. If the situation hadn't been so serious, she would have embraced Okina-san and smirked at the Rooster Head.

"What now?" asked Yoshi quietly, his face grave. "Goro and I can wait outside. Keep watch on the roof," the young policeman volunteered.

Megumi looked around the room. Their numbers had dwindled down to eight now, including the two policemen and herself. Megumi was normally confident in her friends' ability to fight, but that was under ideal circumstances. Right now, they weren't in top condition, any of them. Kaoru and Yahiko would be all right, but Okina was still recovering from his brush with death after fighting Shinomori, Sano still couldn't fight with his right hand, and Ken-san.... Megumi swallowed. Ken-san still needed help walking up a flight of stairs. His side was still leaking blood. And the rest of his wounds, though freshly healed, still consisted of delicate scar tissue that would take months to reach full strength. Of anyone, they should have sent Ken-san off with Sae. But the rurouni would never allow that, they all knew. He would never allow his friends to fight for him while he was taken alone to safety.

Okina, who had been firing off orders with unquestioned authority all evening, suddenly turned to the rurouni sitting quietly in the corner. "The police need our help. Perhaps we should join them there. Hopefully if we leave this place, the Shirobeko would be spared any damage. What do you think, Himura-kun? Let's all of us go from here."

"Okina-san," said the young officer Yoshi, eyes wide and voice hushed. "We would be honored to accompany you all to the station. Your assistance there would be greatly appreciated."

Kenshin didn't respond. He merely stared at the floor, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Kenshin," said Kaoru. "Do you think we should go?"

He shook his head and blinked. "Iya."

They all knew Kenshin too well not to trust his instincts. Something wasn't right.

"What is it?" asked Sano.

The rurouni's violet eyes settled on the young police officer.

"What." The young man looked at his fellow officer and then back at Kenshin in confusion.

"What, Yoshi?" said Sano, frowning. His voice conveyed confusion and disbelief, but the street fighter's stance tensed as he turned to regard the young officer.

"I don't understand," stammered Yoshi. "What's going on?"

"Sessha should have sensed it the other day during the carriage ride," said Kenshin, his eyes wide. "But sessha wasn't feeling well...." (Of course not. Not after being rushed headlong down the stairs by the Rooster Head, thought Megumi.)

"Himura-kun, what are you saying?" asked Okina sharply.

"Okina-dono, this man is not who he claims to be," said Kenshin as he tightened his grip on his sword and slowly stood up.

The look Okina turned on the young officer chilled Megumi's blood. In the last few weeks she'd seen many faces of the old Oniwabanshu spy. A cheerful inebriate, an enthusiastic planner of wild parties, a devious cheater at Go, and lately, a brilliant mastermind. But she had, until now, never seen Okina the warrior, the deadly soldier who had earned the respect and admiration of a multitude of men including one brilliantly cold Shinomori Aoshi.

"Who are you then?" the old spy asked the young officer. Megumi would have never though such an icy tone could come of the old man's normally warm voice.

The bewildered look melted from young Yoshi's face as he straightened and threw them all a defiant glare. A secretive little smile formed about his lips.

"Sano!" cried Kenshin suddenly.

Too late.

Without warning, the young policeman had suddenly pulled Officer Goro towards himself in a flurry of furious motion. And before Sano could reach them, Yoshi had a pistol to his friend's neck.

"Kuso!" hissed Sanosuke, freezing in mid-step.

"Yoshi!" cried Goro, eyes wide, nostrils flaring as he stared in disbelief at the gun under his chin. "Yoshi, what in hell are you doing?"

There was nothing left of the eager young carriage driver in Yoshi's face now. His countenance was grim as he dragged his friend steadily back towards the door. "My apologies, Goro-san." Genuine regret suffused his voice. "You were never meant to get involved in this, but you had to come with me tonight, didn't you. So you're stuck in the middle of this now, and I'm afraid I will not hesitate to kill you if need be."

"Why are you doing this?" asked Kenshin softly. "Sessha would have never figured you for one of Shishio's men."

"What would you know of it?..." Yoshi voice hardened as his eyes met Kenshin's, "...Battousai!" He nearly spat the word. "You understand nothing of what Lord Shishio stood for! And you understand nothing of me."

Ken-san's brow furrowed in confusion. "But who are you?"

The young man had the door opened now, the howling wind rushing through, leaves and rain littering the floorboards. He paused, regarding Kenshin, expression glacial. His eyes glinted in the semi-darkness and the corner of his mouth twitched in the hint of a sneer.

"Komagata Yoshi," he said simply. And with that, he pushed his friend Goro roughly to the floor before disappearing through the doorway to the storm outside.

Sano and Yahiko made to give chase, but were reigned back by an abrupt "Matte!" from Kenshin.

The rurouni was staring at the empty doorway, face drained white as a sheet. Megumi looked to Kaoru who shook her head slightly, as in the dark as Megumi regarding the young man's identity. Sano, however, frowned knowingly, and for lack of a nearby target, struck the nearest wall in frustration with his left fist.

"Who is he, Himura-kun?" Okina asked in the stillness. "I've seen him at the station myself. I was sure he was with the police."

"He is with the police," confirmed Goro from the floor, rubbing at a sore spot on his shoulder. He looked at them all apologetically. "But I guess he has other loyalties as well. Sumimasen. I had no idea...."

Okina was still staring at Ken-san. "Why did you stop them from chasing after him?"

"Yeah," said Yahiko as he helped young Officer Goro to his feet. "Why are we letting the guy go?"

"We are not letting him go, Yahiko," said Kenshin mildly as he laid a hand upon the boy's shoulder. He'd regained his composure quickly, but his voice sounded more strained than ever. "But Officer Yoshi isn't alone. There are several armed guards waiting outside."

"What?" Sano swore under his breath. "Why didn't you say something before, Kenshin?"

"Sessha didn't know before."

"But the others! Misao, Sae..." Kaoru broke off, looking at Okina, her eyes wide. The old man's brows were knotted, his lips thinned into a tight line as he looked out the windows, unseeing, worrying about the fate of his people.

"Sessha doesn't believe they were attacked," said the rurouni slowly. "Sessha would have sensed something so obvious. And we heard no sounds of struggle."

Ken-san seemed as puzzled as the rest of them as to what was going on. But Megumi was somewhat reassured by his words. She didn't sense any deception in Ken-san's voice. He wasn't speaking just to be kind, to spare them worry. He seemed to genuinely believe the others were all right, that they had got out safe without ambush. Why the enemy had allowed them to go was a mystery, but Megumi had a feeling none of them would know the answer to that until this night was all over.

"What do we do now, Ken-san?" she asked, her voice sounding small to her own ears. "We can't stay here forever."

"Go out the back way?" Sanosuke asked.

"They'll be expecting that as well," said Okina.

"But maybe not so soon," said Sanosuke. He shrugged. "Is there any other choice?"

The room was silent save for the creaking of the walls from the wind.

"Let's go then," said Okina.

And that was that.

"Stay close," Sanosuke murmured to her as they moved through to the back door by the kitchens. Megumi nodded. There was no need for the street fighter to caution her. She was terrified, was surprised her legs could still support her as she hurried with her friends into the darkness outside.

The wind was a frenzied creature, tearing at them as if it too bore a personal grudge against them. Megumi tucked her hair inside the collar of her kimono and held a hand to her face, trying to shield her eyes from water and debris. The rain bore down mercilessly, soaking them all within seconds after they'd made it outside. It was difficult to see anything, but as far as they could tell, the small street was apparently deserted. At least, no attack had come as yet. Okina led them, instinctively sticking to the shadows, avoiding the scant light that spilled from the windows of nearby buildings.

Megumi kept her head down, and with one hand clutched tightly on Sanosuke's sleeve, stumbled after the street fighter, trying her best not to slow him down. She could see the faint outlines of her friends ahead, a blur of Yahiko's yellow gi, Kaoru's indigo ribbon. They were moving quickly, but it still felt agonizingly slow to her. Too slow. Too exposed.

She wondered how Ken-san was holding up. He wouldn't last long in this torrent, she feared. She squinted, trying to find the rurouni's slight form in the distance. Sure enough, she saw that Ken-san had paused, half collapsing against a wall, his head bowed as he tried to catch his breath. Kaoru and Yahiko hesitated, but the rurouni pushed firmly at the girl's shoulder. "Iya, don't stop, Kaoru-dono. Please keep moving. Sessha will catch up." And when she didn't move. "Yahiko, make her move!" he gasped.

"Aa," the boy said, eyes wide. He tugged at Kaoru's arm. "Come on!"

"Go, Jou-chan," said Sanosuke as he and Megumi caught up with them. "I'll carry the idiot if I have to, so don't worry. Keep going!"

Kaoru finally nodded and hurried after Okina and Goro with Yahiko in tow. No bickering or arguing now as Yahiko and Kaoru walked hand in hand, supporting each other as they staggered onward. Megumi wasn't the only one having a difficult time moving in the storm.

"Kitsune..."

"I'll be all right on my own," she replied to the street fighter's unasked question. He nodded at her, but still frowned, not entirely reassured.

Megumi blinked the rain out of her eyes and hurried after the retreating forms of Kaoru and Yahiko. She kept one hand on the wall next to her, trying not to lose her way in the darkness, while at the same time avoiding the light. The wind was a constant torment, relentless as it whipped at her kimono and chilled her to her bones. Her hands and feet were becoming numb. The ground was slick, the footing treacherous, and it was all she could do to remain upright, to keep walking.

She thought she heard a sound through the storm. She looked up in time to see a glint of metal off in the distance, and suddenly there were muffled cries of warning from her friends. Megumi couldn't make out the words, but she instinctively huddled against the wall just as a white and blue blur struck her from the side, forcing her down to the ground. She would have screamed had a hand not covered her mouth, and she turned to see that the mass that had hit her was Sano with Kenshin.

"Keep your head down!" hissed the street fighter beside her, his hand on her back. Megumi barely had a moment to nod.

And then the gunfire began.