My eyes flew open in the dimness of dawn. Sweat poured from my brow and body, dampening my pillow and the soft robe I had slept in. My breathing was heavy and I had my sheets crumpled in the desperate grasps of my fists.
Effin' A! Another one of those damn nightmares to greet the oh-so-wonderful day ahead. Just your standard blood and gore, bodies with their guts spilling out of their bowels, can't do anything about it because I'm frozen in place…basic stuff.
I groaned to myself and pulled the blanket over my head wearily. Just somebody please decapitate me and put me out of my effing misery…PLEASE!
'Course, the rurouni wouldn't let it happen. Over his dead body--
Ugh! Wrong choice of words!
Kenshin would go Battousai ten times over before he lets anything bad happen. He gets that way with all of us, me especially, I think. It would be stupid of me to say that Kenshin didn't consider me special. Best friends tend to be like that, and he's more protective of me because, yes, I'm a girl.
Hmph! These men…really! Appointing themselves protectors of their womenfolk to unreasonable and macho degrees.
Well, Kenshin isn't really the I'm-So-Strong-So-Keep-Your-Hands-Off-My-Girlfriend Type, but he sure showed a lot of sword-muscle yesterday when Kyosuke ran off at the mouth about my…ahem, "womanly" body parts.
Goodness! I gotta admit, when he goes all golden-eyed because of something or other, I find him utterly frightening and terribly attractive. The way his gaze darts from the amber slits of his eyes, and the way his speech pattern shifts from his polite rurouni chime to an edged, baritone drawl…oh me. Be still my heart.
I chuckled to myself. Fantasizing about your best friend now, Kaoru baby? Get off it, girl. Kenshin's a nice guy, a sexy one at that, but…you and men…don't bet your kenjutsu on it.
Of course, those flowers he gave me yesterday afternoon totally blew me away. He's never done anything like that before, except maybe for that time he thought he was apologizing for that Ring-In-the-Catfish fiasco.
He said the flowers were for my smile, whatever that meant. I thought of asking him to expound, but then he had that clueless rurouni grin on his face that just fumbled my thought processes, and before I had gathered my senses, he had turned and walked off to do some more cleaning. He's such a strange man…
A sigh escaped me. Get a life, Kamiya.
Pushing back the sheets, I decided to crawl out of bed.
It's so early. Even Kenshin's probably not up yet.
Rubbing the sleepiness from my eyes, I drowsily changed into my training clothes and padded out of my room.
The sky was still rather dark, but a hazy pale glow was already peeping out from the horizon. Dew and morning chill wafted through the air, marking the newness of the day.
Seems like a good day to die.
Mou! Where did that come from? The last time I gave beans about that thought was years ago, when I had just woken up in the bed of the enemy, abused in all possible ways. I think I was eleven…well, it hardly matters anymore…
All these recent killings, secrets revealed, my past catching up on me…I've seen worse, but then, I didn't have to deal with it under these circumstances before, just when a normal life seemed possible.
Ah, Kaoru-baby, don't be such a quitter. It isn’t all that bad.
In spite of everything, my friends, the very same ones I find within myself to call family, have chosen to stick by me. I love them all dearly for it. I cannot let anything happen to them, but in their bullheaded, persistent way, I know they'll stick their noses into this business.
Kenshin, of course, has already put his foot down. No big surprise, I tell you. There's still a teeny-weeny possibility that Yahiko and Sano would be kept out of it, but it's so minute that I can hardly see it.
I'm even willing to bet that Kenshin would have Sano on the case quite extensively. It's just like Kenshin to trust the Zanza more than he trusts me.
Shaking my head, I made my way to the dojo. I have to buffer up on my Kamiya Kasshin. Beat it into my system, so to speak. The Sakibou…it's been crawling out of my skin lately, more than ever. That stupid Kyosuke almost used it on me the other day, which of course provoked me to almost use it on him, but then, we both regained control of our senses. It shouldn't ever be used again, but the Bakumatsu memories are relentlessly buffeting my emotions.
Meditation, focus, that's what I need. If I want to live through this with my sanity intact, I'll need all the mental strength I can manage.
I looked over my shoulder from the steps leading to the dojo and regarded the stillness of the house. Kenshin will most probably be up in a few minutes to do the morning rituals. Funny how he likes being the maid around the house. The concept is so far gone from what he did before that I've long realized why he insists on doing the lady-in-waiting bit. It's so he could shy away from Battousai as far as he possibly could. Take on a totally opposite polar, hoping to completely annihilate the Hitokiri inside him. But we both know that's impossible. Right now, we refuse to live in the past, insisting on joining this new age of peace by burying our past selves alive. I don't know if it does us better or worse.
We are who we are. I, of all people, understand that.
We'll just have to wait and see, ne Kenshin? Live our lives by the day, ne Kenshin?
And maybe, in the future, we can see what's ahead of us unhampered by the spirits that torment us, and dream something more than just the need to survive.
I swung with resolute precision, ignoring the ache in my arms, never minding that stars were beginning to flash in my line of vision. I could barely breathe from the effort, but I didn't give a f&%k if I passed out trying to complete this. I'll get this Kamiya Kasshin down pat even if it kills me! I will make it my first instinct, damn it!
The Sword that Protects. Bump off that terrible Waza satsugai sakibou for goodness sakes! I've been training on my father's kenjutsu for years and years…why wouldn't the sakibou go away? Why?
"Aaaaargh!" I yelled, slamming my bokken against a beam. The pillar was too hard and the swing too haphazard to create any damage on my property. The bokken twisted out of my hands, snapping my wrist painfully when it tried to absorb the impact. My weapon clattered to the floor, and I hissed, the aching tingle rippling from wrist to arm. I sank to my knees, clutching at my injury and gasping for lost air.
Closing my eyes to ward off the white flashes of exhaustion, I stayed my dizziness by leaning my forehead against the beam. I growled a curse to myself then stupidly added to my misery by bumping my head slightly against the wood, over and over, eyes screwed shut and teeth grit in frustration.
Punishment? Probably.
I suddenly felt a firm grip on both my shoulders and heard a gently intoned, "Stop," from behind me.
Opening my eyes and craning my neck, I saw Kenshin giving me an anxious stare. Mou! He was so quiet I didn't even hear him enter the dojo! Either that or I was so absorbed in my wretchedness that nothing else in my surroundings registered.
I sighed and said nothing, but I did hold still, taking the time to compose myself.
His hand slid slowly down my arm and for a moment, I was spellbound with wonder at what he might do next. It stopped at my wrist and he gently pried it from the confines of my other hand.
"Let me see," he simply said, assisting me to turn around on my seat.
I managed to chuckle as I scooted to face him. What did I think he was going to do? "It's nothing, Kenshin. It's just a little strained. Nothing that won't go away in a few minutes."
His thumb pressed gentle circles on my pulse spot, easing to the bump of my bone then the back of my wrist. "Kaoru, I do not recall Kamiya Kasshin to be so wild," he said quietly, a small smile turning up the corners of his lips.
The massage was strangely…intimate, though only our hands touched, and I blushed at my thoughts. This is definitely a result of my dawn musings.
Oh, get a grip, Kaoru-baby!
Watching our hands, I grinned. "Kamiya Kasshin secret technique. It's used only when ones opponent happens to be a support beam. Very obscure," I joked, hoping it would lighten the odd atmosphere.
Kenshin chuckled a bit and looked up at me, continuing his light caress. "Indeed. Support beams are very vicious. It was just standing there and already it gave you a sore wrist and a bruised forehead. Imagine what it can do if it actually moved."
"Probably bring the whole damn dojo down on me," I muttered, half meaning it.
"Probably," he agreed, meeting my eyes with an expression of fondness. "Are you alright now?"
Not by a long shot. "Peachy," I replied with flawless ease.
I could tell he saw right through my lie, but he said nothing more. He merely raised an eyebrow, almost in amusement, and then nodded tolerantly, like an adult would do with a child.
He let go of my wrists to get to his feet. "Come downstairs for something to drink. You look like you could use a break," he said, flashing his rurouni smile. "Sessha has some cold lemon tea ready."
No matter how many times he does that I-Know-You're-Lying-But-I'll-Just-Smile-About-It bit, I can never get used to it. It always makes me feel like coming undone at the seams. I remember reading about Reverse Psychology as prescribed text for our Shikeigai training. Kenshin knows his mental mumbo-jumbo, but I think his use of Reverse Psychology is by far one of his best tricks. Gets me almost all the time. Though I'm not certain if it was really the Psychology or just plain brevity on his part that makes it so easy for him to make me buckle down and blabber.
"Kenshin," I called out, getting up but not following.
He looked over his shoulder at me innocently.
The sneak.
"Yes?" He chimed.
"Is it always this hard for you? I mean…" I desperately needed words. "To keep it from clawing its way out of you?"
He didn't say anything for a few seconds, then he nodded. "Always."
"How do you deal with it then?" I asked, my hands unconsciously clutching at the sleeves of my gi.
I could see him cocking a smile from where I stood, then he turned to look at me. "I remember that I am no longer alone."
A tiny smile crept up my lips. There you have it, plain and simple.
I rushed up to Kenshin and took his hand, my grin spreading.
He returned the grin with one of his own and we headed back to the house.
I had just finished my morning bath when I saw Yahiko padding out of his room to start the day. It was quite late by this house's standards, but it was the weekend, and I allowed Yahiko to lounge around on weekend mornings. Sano had just arrived himself, ready to do his usual mooching.
We were about to enjoy Kenshin's breakfast spread when an unwelcome guest walked through the gate.
"Isn't it a bit too early for wolves?" Yahiko muttered, watching Saitoh's uniformed figure approaching us from the path.
Sano's lip curled in distaste. "I'm almost losing my appetite."
I chuckled. "Almost," I said to him, then I turned to Saitoh since it was obvious that even Kenshin would not honor the police officer with a greeting. "Good morning, Saitoh-san. How may we be of service to you?" Your most gracious Royal Pain In the Ass…
Saitoh pulled a cigarette from his breast pocket and placed the tip of the sliver between his lips before replying. "Just some questions," he said, pulling out a packet of matches to light his cigarette with. "Something I'm doing for a friend of mine in Aizu. Cop to cop favor, you know."
My heart skipped a beat. Aizu. That's where Kyosuke came from. Oh, don't tell me…don't tell me he knows we are…yet I had been expecting something like this after all. Does he…recognize me? He never did before. He never showed any signs that he knew I was the little Naoko whom he took pleasure in beating up back then.
I kept my cool perfectly, showing none of my inward panic, but I could say nothing.
Relief spread over me when Kenshin took over the discussion. I'm sure he had sensed my unease, and he was quick to react.
"Saitoh," Kenshin began, raising his cup of tea for a sip. "We are in the middle of breakfast. Can't this wait?"
Ah, the rurouni never did venture to make an effort to like him. Battousai hating Saitoh was a given, but it was still odd to see the rurouni so annoyed by anyone, even if it was Mibu's Wolf.
"No," Saitoh said without batting an eyelash. He took a puff, smoke blossoming from his mouth and nostrils. "There isn't any real urgency, but I have better things to do than meander on favors. You understand."
Sano and Yahiko raised their eyebrows in my direction. Damn! Those two are terribly obvious!
Kenshin kept impeccable composure. "Then please do keep this short."
Saitoh gave a nonchalant gesture. "Somebody owes my friend money. That fool friend of mine lost the idiot who borrowed from him before he could demand payment. Said the guy was a gambler."
"Hey, Sano! Somebody from Aizu's after you," I joked in an attempt to mask the turmoil building up inside me. I was thankful that Yahiko had the nerve to laugh with me. Stupid Kyosuke! Gambling now? Oh, I'll giving him an earful when I seen him again!
Sano frowned. "Jeez, Jou-chan! It ain't funny!"
Saitoh gave me a glare. "I do not appreciate your silliness, Tanuki-chan."
"Touché," I said, letting a bit of Western lingo slip out. Predictably, Sano's and Yahiko's brows knotted in befuddlement. My ease with foreign languages goes with my genius. No big thing, considering the application of my genius has given me more trouble than what it's worth.
"This is Kaoru-dono's home," Kenshin said to Saitoh loftily. "She may conduct herself in any way she wants."
Saitoh responded to the reproach with another cloud of smoke, then he went on. "My friend's looking for a man named Tenshio Kyosuke. My people told me he came by here the other day."
My heart was beating like anything, and I could already feel the effort of my smile. "Kyo-chan? Gambler, you say?" I said with ease. "He's an old friend of mine. Goodness, who'd have thought?"
"Did he say where he was headed?" Saitoh asked me evenly with his poker face.
I shook my head. "Nope, not really. He did say he was touring Japan, for whatever that's worth."
"How big are his debts that you would do this service for your friend?" Kenshin asked.
I picked up what Kenshin was getting at. Since when had Saitoh taken to debt collection? And for a friend too. There's more to it than that. Sounded more like a manhunt for something else, something Saitoh-esque.
Saitoh cocked a smile and looked away nonchalantly. "Considerable."
He did not care to expound.
The officer took one last long drought of his cigarette then disposed of it on my clean front lawn. Oh, what a pig! I ought to tell him to pick it up and dispose of it properly! "If that's all you can tell me, then I suppose I have to go. Thanks for nothing."
"Anytime, Saitoh," Kenshin returned calmly.
Saitoh turned to leave but then he seemed to have an afterthought. "If you decide to remember anything important…"
Hmph! Sarcastic son of a bitch.
"…you'll have to tell my assistant in the police station. I'll be gone for a couple of days," he finished.
"Where to, Saitoh-san?" I asked him, unable to keep the genuine curiosity from the tone of my voice.
"None of your business," he replied gruffly, striding off without a backward glance.
Mou! I always knew Saitoh to be exceptionally rude, but every single time he acts like an asshole, it feels like meeting him for the first time!
"What the hell was that all about?" Sano asked as soon as Saitoh's slim form disappeared beyond the gate.
I picked up my breakfast bowl and looked at them calmly. "Saitoh being a nuisance, that's what," I told him.
Yahiko crossed his arms over his chest and sulked. "And he just had to leave a mess," he said, eyeing the stray cigarette with distaste.
Well, if there's one thing Yahiko learned from me, it's cleanliness.
Kenshin raised an eyebrow in my direction for a split second but said nothing. He understood perfectly well that I didn't want either of the boys getting into this mess. A futile attempt, I'm sure, but I want to make it clear to all of them that I am absolutely adamant against putting them in danger.
Sano gave me a suspicious squint. "You mean you don't care about what happens to that Kyosuke guy?"
I scoffed believably. "Mou! Why should I? You heard what Saitoh said. He's nothing but trouble."
"Come on, Jou-chan. I know you and Kenshin went to see him yesterday," Sano insisted. "Are you trying to figure out who's killing off the Shikeigai?"
Doesn't take a genius to figure that out in this household, but I can still try to fend him off. "Don't make that your problem, Sanosuke. It's being taken cared of."
"I'll talk to Kenshin some other time about it then," Sano said, picking up his chopsticks to begin gobbling down breakfast.
I scowled and turned to Kenshin for help. The rurouni merely smiled and partook of the onigiri.
Mou!!!!!! Stubborn! The lot of them!
Yahiko was about to contribute something to the discussion but I cleanly cut him off by saying, in my Shikeigai slur, "Eat your breakfast, kid. I ain't in the mood."
That shut him up real fast.
"Kaoru, Sano will check up on us in the clinic for sure. There is no use lying to him," Kenshin told me as I dragged him clear across town right towards Kyosuke's inn.
I sighed to myself. He's been saying things like that for the past fifteen minutes, about how Sano's old enough to know what he's doing, about how Sano is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, about how Sano can be dependable when it really matters…it's apparent the rurouni wants to enlist the Zanza's help. Now Kenshin's telling me how useless my lie about going to the clinic is because the rooster head would find out for himself whether or not we were indeed there.
Quickening my pace, I tried to ignore him. I'm beginning to wish I hadn't brought him with me. "It's almost eleven, Kenshin," I said. "If we want to catch Kyosuke in his quarters, we better hurry up."
He said nothing in response as he kept pace with me. When I peeked at his face, I saw an amused grin playing on his lips.
Really! The lot of these men think they can get away with anything!
When we got to the inn, I didn't even bother to stop at the front desk. I went straight to the staircase, climbed it and pushed through the throng of perverts littering the hallway.
Kyosuke's door was partway open and I thought maybe he had already gone, but peering through the crack of the door, I saw Kyosuke putting on the finishing touches to his minimal luggage: One travelling bag and some books with Western print that said "Romans" on its spine.
I sighed in relief. "Kyo-chan…"
"Hey, Kaoru-baby," he said mildly, stuffing some things into his bag. "I was just about to head to your dojo. Came to see me off? How sweet."
I ignored his sarcastic tone and stepped squarely into the room. "What the hell have you been doing in Aizu? Saitoh came this morning asking about your whereabouts! Sez you're indebted to someone." I yelled.
Kenshin stepped up behind me and placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. I guess I should calm down. No real use fighting with Kyosuke again.
Kyosuke paled and his eyes widened. "He did? Debts? What the hell is Saitoh's…damn those mobsters!"
This is just perfect. "And why, may I ask, is Saitoh looking for you?" I wasn't about to buy Saitoh's story just like that. I wanted to hear it from Kyosuke. "And mobsters? What in the world…?"
Kyosuke sighed and gathered his stuff, indicating that he was ready to head out of his room. "I don't know what Saitoh's business is on this, but the only one I'm indebted to in Aizu is this loan shark…"
I frowned, my gaze following Kyosuke as he pushed passed me and Kenshin to get to the hallway. "A loan shark? You're cavorting with criminals now? Kyosuke, you idiot!"
Kyosuke rolled his eyes around. "Look, I don't consider them criminals, just…those who help gamblers in need, but with rather stiff interest rates and…collection methods."
Collection methods. Yeah, like busting your caps if you can't pay. I groaned. "You are a gambler. Kyosuke, you're such a moron…on top of everything else…"
He frowned himself, looking at me as if he were annoyed. Annoyed! The nerve of him! "Anyway, I don’t see how that's any of your concern," he said.
"It is when Saitoh thinks we're harboring you, Kyosuke-san," Kenshin told him as we both fell in step with Kyosuke.
Kenshin didn't sound pleased. I could just imagine him getting annoyed with Kyosuke because he had managed to drag us all into more than one predicament.
Struggling through the throng with his cargo, Kyosuke grunted in effort while he spoke. "It's not my fault, you know. What does he want from me, exactly?"
"He came up with this yarn that he was doing his friend a favor by looking for you," I said, following Kyosuke down the flight of stairs. "He said you were indebted to his friend."
Kyosuke scoffed. "Yeah, right. Saitoh's friends with the mob now? How totally believable."
I gave Kenshin a ponderous stare and the slight tilt of his head was the only response he made to indicate that we were probably thinking the same thing. We both had to admit that Kyosuke had a point. What is Saitoh up to?
"Umm…" Kyosuke began while he settled his tab with the inn. "Are you sure you guys don't want to go with me to Yokohama?"
Kenshin spoke before I did. "You've been wanting us to go since the other day. Why should we go?"
Kyosuke tried for a nonchalant shrug. "Oh well…since I intend to warn Banshio of this thing, I thought maybe we'd ask for his help too. 'Cause you know, we could use an extra head, and he wasn't chosen to be a Shikeigai sekkou for being stupid, right? The guy's just as brainy as the rest of us…"
I raised an eyebrow. "And?" I prompted him.
He continued being off-handedly casual. "I figured if I'm going to convince him, it would be wise to employ Kaoru to do the job because he kinda had a crush on her when we were little."
Kenshin was a little taken aback, but I groaned and slapped a hand to my forehead.
"That was such a lame ass lie I ought to kill you myself," I said in disgust. "Try again."
Kyosuke gave a sigh. "Fine. You want the truth? I'll give you the truth. I have word from my sources that Gen-ichi, you know, the loan shark I was telling you about…he's kinda trailing me, so…"
Now that sounded more like Kyosuke. A rat and a user.
I heard Kenshin sigh. "You need bodyguards…" he concluded wearily.
That brightened Kyosuke's mood considerably because Kenshin had said it for him. "Not just any bodyguard! Himura Battousai! Man, the moment they realize who you are, they wouldn't come near me with a ten foot pole!"
Taking Kenshin by the arm, I hastened to leave Kyosuke behind. "Forget it! Kyosuke, you haven't changed a goddamn bit!" I cried, heading for the exit.
I could hear Kyosuke scrambling to get his business done to follow us, but I didn't even stop to look back.
"The nerve of that idiot!" I hissed as Kenshin and I stepped out of the hotel. "It wasn't even me he was hoping to use, it was you!"
Kenshin chuckled and secured my grip on his arm with the gentle clasp of his hand. "Maa…the man fears for his life after all…"
"Like I care!"
"I think you do, actually," he said ponderously.
I gave a start of surprise at his words, and when I looked at him, I could have sworn that for a split second, his eyes took on an amber hue, and then the gold was gone. It was so quick that now I'm not even sure if it was there at all. "What?" I demanded. What did he mean by that?
"Kaoru," he began in a slightly amused tone. "No matter how much you deny it, you consider him your friend. Especially because he had been there during one of the most trying times of your life. And you always care about friends, one way or another, ne?"
I stayed speechless, his words striking me. Was that how he perceived me? Or more importantly, is that how I am? It almost sounded as if I'm…a nice person.
Snapping myself out of my reverie, I shook my head. He only thinks I'm a nice person. I'm not! I'm a bitch, with a disgusting past! "Whatever Kenshin!" I said emphatically. "I won't let him use you!"
"Perhaps sessha is just concerned that if something happens to him, it would mean that the danger is closer to my Kaoru," he said quietly, smiling at me slightly while I felt his hand caress mine.
His words just astonished me even more. His Kaoru?
I felt a tingle…argh! No! Men and their devices!
"Are you saying we should go with him?" I asked, looking away with a grim expression on my face.
"Sessha is saying it might be wise to protect those on your side in this affair," he replied sagely. "We will need all the help we could get."
It was unnerving to realize the wisdom of his words. I tried the last shot in my footlocker. "I thought you said you didn't like it that Saitoh thinks we're harboring him…"
"We cannot change what Saitoh thinks. He already believes we are harboring Kyosuke. It could not get any worse than that unless we let it get worse," he said.
Well, that's moot.
Kenshin is right. I am somewhat of a softie. And that ought to be a good thing.
Kyosuke came bounding up to us, struggling to preserve the virtue of his books and bag from the muck on the ground. "So you're just going to let me do this alone? Just let me get killed by a bunch of thugs?" He cried rather desperately. "Frankly, I'd rather be killed by the Shikeigai hunters. It would be more honorable that way."
Gritting my teeth, I glared at him. "Quit the drama, Tenshio. We're going with you, but you're going to have to reschedule your ride. Kenshin and I have to pack, you know."
Kyosuke's face broke out in a smile. "Great! I feel safer already! I'll leave my stuff at your house then I'll hightail to the train station and fix everything. I'll get your tickets too."
"Fabulous," I said flatly. "Then let's get to it."
Not only do we have to pack, but I have to figure out a way to convince the rooster head and the pickpocket to stay put. Kenshin would probably help me with Yahiko, but the rurouni would be little help trying to persuade Sano.
I could see Kenshin trying to hold down a smirk as we made our way back to the dojo.
Funny. Before my revelations, I thought I had been hiding my true self from everyone and that no one really knew me for who I really am. When in fact, Kenshin knew me more than I did myself.
It just makes me realize…I really couldn't get one over the rurouni.
Yahiko watched Kyosuke slip out the dojo gate with open-mouthed astonishment. "What's that guy doing leaving his things here?" He demanded from us. "Isn't he suppose to be in Yokohama or something? What's the big idea, busu?"
Mou! What a brat!
I looked at him with martyr-like tolerance and replied. "Kyosuke will be leaving for Yokohama today. Kenshin and I are going with him."
"WHAT?!?!" Yahiko cried indignantly. "You're going with him? What kind of a stupid idea is that? I thought you were supposed to be some kind of genius, ya old hag!"
Struggling with my instinct to yell back, I sucked my breath through my teeth and rubbed a hand to my neck. I can usually keep my patience with him, but the events of the day are making me rather volatile by the minute.
I gazed at Kenshin imploringly.
The rurouni got the hint. "Yahiko-kun, it has come to our attention that traveling with Kyosuke-san is necessary. We simply could not let him go alone, which is why we need your help."
"Eh?" Yahiko and I responded in unison.
Sometimes, Kenshin is full of surprises.
He nodded solemnly. "While Kaoru and sessha are gone, Sano will try to discover where one Nakagura Daisuke lives. You shall be assisting him. He will be your commanding officer and he will be staying with you here in the dojo so you must do exactly as he says. You must be inconspicuous about snooping as much as possible. We do not want people finding out that we are looking into them. Once you have the information we need, you will keep this information for us until we return. Do you understand?"
"Kenshin!" I cried while Yahiko's face brightened in excitement. "A-Are you nuts?!?!" I demanded.
Oh I know what Kenshin's doing. I know that what he had ordered Yahiko to do was far less dangerous than having the kid getting ideas about following us to Yokohama, and with Sano taking charge of him, the Zanza will pretty much make sure Yahiko is kept from harm's way, but still!
Even if there is no other way to make Yahiko stay put, I have to express my disapproval.
Grabbing Kenshin's arm, I locked my eyes with his purposefully. "He's just a child…like I was a child…please…" I whispered only loud enough for him to hear.
Kenshin smiled serenely. "Trust me, Kaoru," he whispered back, reaching up to caress my cheek.
His touch astonished me, and I stepped away from him, confused but willing to give him the trust he asked for.
Something rippled on his face for a split heartbeat. Was that…sadness?
No. I'm imagining things. Kaoru, you moron!
I'm not quite sure why I think so, though.
Kenshin turned his attention back to Yahiko. "Do you understand?" He repeated.
"You bet I do!" Yahiko chimed ecstatically, jumping a bit on his toes.
"Good," Kenshin said. "And there's one other thing, Yahiko-kun."
"Order away, Kenshin!"
"We must all be prepared for potential threats in every possible way," Kenshin continued. "Therefore, I want you to practice your kenjutsu very well…"
Yahiko grinned. "That goes without saying…"
Kenshin did not let the boy interrupt him. "…and when sessha returns with Kaoru, she will test you. If she deems you ready, you will spar with me."
Yahiko's eyes widened, so did mine.
Kenshin has never ventured to spar with either Yahiko or me. Too dangerous, he says. And for him to offer such an honor to the boy…it's a stroke of brilliance. Yahiko would be so engrossed with his training that he just might put off snooping.
Regaining my composure, I cleared my throat and said, "I'm not planning on making it easy for you, Yahiko. Right now, I'm set to deny you the honor…"
"Shut-up busu! I'll show you that I'm worthy of sparring with Kenshin! You'll see!" Yahiko exclaimed resolutely.
Summoning all my willpower not to smile, I turned my nose up. "Hmph! Then you better do good, boy."
"Oh, you're SO going to be eating your words, busu!" He cried, stalking off to the direction of the training hall. "I'll be in the dojo if anyone needs me!"
I watched him go and only until I was sure he was gone did I permit myself a grin. "Kenshin, that was pure genius!"
"Sessha would never put any of you at risk if sessha could help it, de gozaru yo," he intoned placidly, then he looked me straight in the eyes, strength blanketing his features. "And if it couldn't be helped, then sessha will do everything to protect you. In that, I would rather die than fail."
When he gets that intense…be still my heart.
Gathering my senses, I pulled my gaze from his. "I assume you're going to talk to Sano about his assignment. It's redundant, though. I already know where Nakagura Daisuke lives."
He nodded. "Yes, I figured as much, but I'll tell Sano what his role is in keeping Yahiko safe. We will deal with Nakagura Daisuke when we get back. In the meantime, Sano will correspond with the Oniwabanshu…"
"Kenshin, I'm not too enthusiastic about telling them…"
"You seem to have trust issues with me…"
Again, I looked at him. He was grinning, and after my momentary surprise, I chuckled. "Fine. I trust you won't tell them about my secret past, but what will you have the Oniwabanshu do, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I will have Sano tell them to dig up whatever they can about Anenokoji Yasushige's death," Kenshin said. "The Oniwabanshu will not ask why we need to know unless it's absolutely necessary, which is why I will not ask them to investigate Ooka Taka's death, because then we'd have to tell them about you, ne? You do understand why they have to be the one to look into Yasushige, don't you?"
I sighed and nodded. "He's one of the elite. There's no way in hell we could find something if we're the ones who do the investigation because we're a bunch of riff raffs who'd sooner get snubbed than find out anything useful. The Oniwabanshu has more resources for it."
"Correct," he responded, pleased that I understood. "To keep the Oniwabanshu from knowing too much, though, we'll have to be the ones to investigate Taka's murder."
"You realize that their investigation of Yasushige might tell them enough," I pointed out wearily.
He smiled in understanding. "It's a risk we'll have to take, Kaoru. There is no other way, but if it is too much for you…"
I shook my head. "You're right. There's no other way. I'll risk it. I wonder if the Oniwabanshu will recruit me if they find out about me…"
Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "Sessha hopes you don't take their invitation. Sessha prefers you take a safer career, like teaching kenjutsu."
Mou! Quite the control freak, isn't he? When it comes to protecting me, he sure doesn’t have a sense of humor.
"Don't worry. I'm not exactly thrilled to play spy again," I said, heading for my room. "I'm going to pack now, Kenshin. If you need anything, just give me a holler."
"Does sessha have to need something to give you a holler?" He asked.
"Er…" Grrr…he's teasing! "O…ro?" I responded lamely.
Kenshin chuckled and made his way to his bedroom.
"Kawaii…" I heard him say as he disappeared through the door.
It will never be easy to understand that man.
Kenshin didn't take longer than ten minutes to get his packing done. He didn't have many things, and even if he did, he'd probably take with him only as much. He was perhaps one of the most utilitarian men I've ever met. Doing away with the fuss and frills and keeping it to the barest essentials. Oh, I'm not complaining. He knows well enough not to impose his habits on others, making him pleasant in spite of it, but sometimes, I could not help but think that he deserves a little bit of luxury, like a new gi, or a new set of pants. The moment I get some money handy, I'll buy him something nice.
I was only halfway done when Kenshin showed up at the frame of my door, telling me that he had to go find Sano and leave his instructions with the Zanza.
"Alright Kenshin," I replied. "Don't take long."
"I'll be back as soon as I could," he said, flashing me a smile before he walked off.
I watched him leave before going back to my packing.
Yahiko's still practicing in the dojo. I do hope Kenshin's little ploy lasts. It most likely will, but I've long learned to expect the unexpected in this household.
I really should be talking to Tae and asking her to look after the brat while we're gone. Sano may be in charge of the little guy, but the kid might need some TLC after all, something Sano has been known to be short of providing.
When I was done packing, I went straight to the dojo to invite Yahiko to go with me to the Akebeko.
Arriving in the training hall, I saw the boy hard at work. I watched him for a while, marveling at how much he had improved, not only in kenjutsu, but also in the way he carried himself every day.
Unbeknownst to him, his manners have changed for the better. God knows I'd never mention it, lest he revert back to his über-Neanderthal ways (which these days is just semi-Neanderthal). He also walked with confidence now. Dignity. Something he had acquired once he had gotten it into his head that his days with the Yakuza were over. The kid had grown taller, healthier, and he will be good looking, especially with the expert way he applied his kenjutsu. I am terribly proud of him.
Smiling at what I like calling my "handiwork", I waited until he decided to notice me himself. He'd be using colorful words, I bet. That filthy mouth of his ought to be washed with enormous quantities of soap, for lack of something more potent.
Just as I had hoped, Yahiko stopped swinging and looked at me while he panted for breath. "Waddaya want, busu?"
If I had a Sen every time he called me that…I'd be a gagillionaire by now, and I've only known Yahiko for two years. "Yahiko, I have to go to the Akebeko and buy your dinner. Do you want to come with me?" Mou! The cash I have to dish out just so I could get someone to look after the boy properly and not leave him alone in the dojo!
"You know what, busu," he began, gasping for air. "I know you want me to go with you so you wouldn’t have to leave me here all by myself. I'm not a baby."
I grinned. The kid really is smart. I crossed the distance between us to pinch his cheek. "Aww…you'll always be my baby, Yahiko-chan!"
He tried to sweep off my hand. "Quit it, ya old hag! Didn't you understand what I just said? And I'm willing to bet my hand that Sano's staying here will be a babysitting stint. What's the big idea?"
What a smart-ass. I realized that I haven't really talked to the kid about my revelations. I don't know how it has affected him. I had been so worried about how Kenshin would take it that I forgot to worry about Yahiko, who is one of the most important persons in my life right now.
Feeling a sudden rush of sisterly whatevers, I put an arm around his shoulders and shook him affectionately. "I forget you're growing up, kid. Can't help it, but you can't blame me if I don't think you're quite grown-up just yet to be left by yourself, ne? Kids your age shouldn't ever be made to fend for themselves." I told him with heartfelt emotion.
Yahiko gave me a startled glance, staring up at me with curious eyes. I'm quite surprised at myself too. I had said a bit too much than what I was ready for.
Did he understand the underlying meaning of my words? How my protectiveness of him is a reflection of how I wish I hadn't let them use me so much when I was younger?
"Kaoru, weren't you scared?"
Ah. He called me by my first name. The talk begins. He really has been bothered by it. "Lots of times," I replied gently. "But I was still a child after all to worry about it like a grown up would. You can say that I didn't know enough to be so very afraid."
"Did any of 'em hurt you?" He asked with innocent eyes.
I'm not quite prepared to give him the whole truth of that, and I'm certain neither is he, for that matter, but I will answer part of it. "Let's walk to the Akebeko, shall we?"
He nodded and he followed me out of the dojo. While we walked, I started talking again.
"Did they hurt me…" I began thoughtfully. "Well, they did. Sometimes, they would beat me so sore that I couldn't move, and I'd just wake up the next day on the same spot they left me the day before."
Yahiko's brows knotted, keeping his gaze ahead of him as we completely descended the steps and headed for the gate. "So you really knew how I felt when I was with the Yakuza…"
"Oh yeah," I replied. "I knew it all too well."
"That's why you wouldn't let them keep me no matter what happened," he whispered. "You were willing to sacrifice yourself."
I shrugged. I had little to do with saving him that time. It was mostly Kenshin's doing, but I'm mighty glad I did what I did. "Better me than you. You're so young still, and you have a lot of things you can look forward to. I'm…" What to say… "Not so young anymore." I responded, waiting for him to step out in the street before I secured the gate to my property.
"Oi, even if I call you a hag, doesn't mean you're a doddering old fogy," he said with a scowl while we walked down the path towards the Akebeko. "You're only 19, you know. Don't tell me you're going to be doing the Kenshin bit about being old and all that!"
I was unable to contain the smirk on my face, but I refrained from telling him that when Kenshin got like that, he didn't mean that he was growing white hairs. It had to do with having gone through so much, feeling aged in spite of physical youth. I have long understood Kenshin in that, but Yahiko need not be made to comprehend it.
"No, I won't," I said. "The point is, I felt responsible for you, even then. I didn't want you to have to go through what I went through, whether or not my experiences were worse than yours. But frankly, I had been of the opinion that nothing could have been worse than what I had to endure, so I figured being stuck with the Yakuza wouldn't be so bad."
"That was a stupid risk, busu," he muttered.
I actually reached out and ruffled his hair. "In a sad, twisted way, that's very sweet of you to say, Yahiko-chan."
"Don't call me 'chan'!" He exclaimed.
"Mou!" The boy can have an annoyingly single tracked mind. "Fine. Do you have any more questions about my past, Yahiko-kun?"
An unexplainable blush came over his face and I wondered briefly if he had any questions about the more unwholesome aspects of my former career.
"Did ya have to kill anyone?" He asked quietly.
I'd say that's pretty unwholesome, but I could tell that it wasn't the question nagging at him. "Yes, I had to kill a few…" I replied placidly. "Do you hate me for it?"
"What?" He responded, startled by my question. "No! Why would I? Jeez! Sometimes you could be such a nut, busu."
I stifled a chuckle. "And you could be such a brat! Don't you find it repulsive that I'm teaching you the Sword that Protects when I've actually killed people?"
He tilted his face up at me, his eyes squinting against the sun as we trudged down the road. "Kaoru, just how much of a brat do ya think I am, anyway? You're like Kenshin, making up for things he didn't like doing in the past by doing lots of good in the present. Sorter like…trying to get rid of the guilt, ne?"
My eyebrow arched in surprise. "When did you get so wise, kid-o?"
"Since I had to raise a bunch of crazy adults…" I heard him mutter.
I laughed and draped an arm around him again, this time keeping it there. I was mildly astonished that he didn't mind the physical contact.
There was still something he hadn't asked me, something more important for him.
"Still got something in your mind, Yahiko-kun?" I prompted him.
He went all red in the face again. "Umm…do you…what I mean to say is…you really do like us, don't you? You're not like…pretending, are you?"
I stared at him, almost in horror. Horror that he had even given the thought any consideration at all but knowing I should have expected it. Pretending to love someone romantically is one thing, but pretending to have brotherly affection for others is another! I would never make sport of anyone like that! Even Kenshin, whom I had pretended to be in love with, has my sincerest regard, respect and affection.
"Y-Yahiko!" I gasped. "You, Sano and Kenshin are the three most important people in my life! Don't even think for one minute that you figure any less in my priorities. And I love you bozos no matter how moronic any of you get!"
"Oi! Who you callin' a bozo?" He demanded.
A smirk escaped my lips, relieved that he believed me. Oh, I know he heard me. He's just deflecting my sentimental words with his bratty whining. "Shut-up, kid," I retorted right back at him.
He grinned and poked his elbow on my hip. "So…you're really hopin' to hook the rurouni?"
I glared at him. Even if I wasn't really in love with Kenshin, Yahiko ought to be taught more manners than that. It's impolite to ask anybody such things! Or perhaps it was just the way he said it. "That's none of your business, Yahiko-chan," I said sternly, pinching his shoulder.
He yelped in complaint and grimaced at me. "You know what, ya really are an ugly hag! I was just asking! It's not like I don't have a right to know!" He yelled, stamping his foot like the true child he is.
Mou! Throw a tantrum, why don't you? "Right to know," I muttered. "What are you talking about, Yahiko?" Right to know…the idea…
"Look," He began, pointing a finger at me. "I've been living in that house with you and Kenshin for near two years, and I have to stand the…wazzit called?"
I stared at him, waiting for him to go on. I could see he was groping for a specific word, but damned if I knew what it was.
I sighed and rolled my eyes around in exasperation. "Spit it out, will you?" I cried.
"I'm trying!" He cried back. "I heard Tae use it when she and Megumi were talking a few days ago. Se…Sex…"
I felt my face warming. I thought I didn't have to explain anything about the birds and the bees for at least 10 more years, to my kids! And that's assuming I have kids in the next three years. It never crossed my mind that I'd have to explain it to Yahiko!
"Sexual tense up!" Yahiko shouted out triumphantly, stopping in the street and getting the attention of the people passing us by.
I cringed and shushed him. "DO YOU MIND?" I hissed, hustling him to keep walking. I lowered my voice and spoke close to his ear while darting glares at people to signify that they should keep their noses (and ears) to themselves. "And it's sexual tension, you primate!" Tense up is a completely different story!
"Yeah! That!" Yahiko said, allowing me to push him along. "I'm not sure what it is, but you know that feeling you get when you're in a room with some people and you feel like you shouldn't be there for some reason, or other? Sometimes, with you and Kenshin, I feel like I gotta excuse myself, you know? Because I feel like I'm getting in your way or something like that. Sano one time said it was the humidity rising in the room. Couldn't quite understand what he meant by that, but I think it's the same thing."
"What?!?!" I demanded, a bit scandalized. Is he serious? Kenshin and I do not…aren't…what is he talking…MOU! "Yahiko, I've never heard of such rubbish in my entire…you heard it from Tae, Megumi and Sano?" Sexual tension? Oh for cryin' out loud! How can they think there's any sexual tension at all when I wasn't trying to project that even if I was pretending with the little Kenshin and Kaoru romance? Or was it because I was projecting it anyway…argh!
"Oh, they said you two were like a match and a stick of dynamite, and that one of these days, when the sexual tension gets really bad, one of you will strike the match, light the fuse and just go kaboom!" Yahiko narrated.
I groaned. It wasn't so much the gossip. I mean, I've heard worse in my life to get bothered with something as idle and harmless as that, but the hitch was…is there really? Sexual tension? Was I unwittingly projecting it? And if so, did Kenshin notice it?
I don't need that sort of complication in my already complicated life. Sure, I find him attractive sometimes, but…
Why the hell am I getting so worked up about this anyway? So what if that tension does exist? I mean, I can't blame the rurouni for his part in it. He has, after all, been missing in action for perhaps more than a decade. And then there's me…I'm mature enough to admit to myself that Kenshin can…and Battousai can…
I didn't even realize I was giving a wistful sigh until Yahiko gave me another nudge, a smug smirk on his face. "Thinkin' about Kenshin, again?"
I frowned. Not funny. "Get a move on, Yahiko. Damn! You guys have way too much time on your hands talking about my so-called…" Non-existent, "…love life."
Yahiko laughed and ran ahead of me towards the Akebeko.
Shaking my head, I followed him.
By the time Yahiko and I got back to the dojo, Kyosuke and Kenshin had returned.
The supposition that those two never liked each other very much was apparent from the way they sat face to face, having tea in the receiving room.
Kenshin sat straight-backed and cross-legged, the hilt of his sakabatou leaning on his shoulder. Kyosuke was more laid-back, but his forward slump and bored stare showed a wariness of the samurai. The rurouni's posture said, "See this sword? You know you're not my favorite acquaintance, ne?" while Kyosuke's wordless presence screamed, "I hear ya, Battousai…loud and clear."
Neither was saying anything. Though I have no doubts that Kenshin had engaged him in polite conversation, I'm sure it got them nowhere, discussion wise.
"Jeez…" Yahiko said with a whistle. "Fros-tee..."
Stifling a sigh, I approached them with a smile. "Hey, you two. How did your errands go?"
Both started talking at the same time, stopped, then looked at each other.
Oh for heaven's sake…"Kenshin, you first," I said, sitting between them.
"I've spoken with Sano," Kenshin began, then his face broke out in a smile. "He was at the clinic."
He might as well have said: "I told you so, de gozaru yo!"
"And?" I prompted him to go on, a tolerant expression on my face.
"Everything has been arranged," Kenshin continued. "Sano will see to it that Yahiko-kun complies with his orders."
"Great," Yahiko said flatly. Conveying to me that he had been right in his earlier assumptions about babysitting.
I turned to the child and raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be training now, Yahiko-kun?"
Yahiko rolled his eyes around, beginning his trek to the dojo. "Right."
When Yahiko was gone, I gave my attention to Kyosuke. "And you. What are our arrangements?"
"We'll be leaving for Yokohama in about an hour," Kyosuke replied. "I got us cheap seats, round trip and with a flexible schedule, so we can leave Yokohama anytime we like, but you gotta pay up…"
"Of course," I interjected with an eyebrow raised. "I'll have my butler go to the treasury vault…"
"Bitching…" He said in a sing-song voice.
"If it bothers you, then my mission in life is done," I retorted.
Kyosuke's face soured to unimaginable degrees. "Are you telling me you ain't payin' for your tickets?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said in a sweet voice and an overly pleasant demeanor. "Do we have to go with you? Are we the ones who need bodyguards? Did we forget to mention that we have better things to do?" I dropped my honeyed tone and frowned. "No, no and no! You're the one who wanted us to go with you in the first place, you world class nitwit! The least you could do is spring for our goddamn tickets!"
"Oro!"
"Everytime…" Kyosuke growled. "Every single time…I gotta put up with that razor-sharp tongue of yours!"
I glared. "And I gotta put up with your utter lack of cerebral activity! Wanna bet who has it worse?"
"Alright, that does it Kamiya, let's take this outside!" He cried, already getting to his feet.
"Fine!" I shot back, gathering my kimono. Darn…stupid…
Kenshin took about a second to be flustered, trying to figure out if we were serious. When he realized that we were, he raised his palms and cried. "Stop! Desist!"
I looked at him in surprise. Well, that was certainly different from his usual, "Maa…"
Even Kyosuke was startled into a stupor.
"You are no longer children!" He practically scolded. "Differences can no longer be resolved by…by brawls!"
Kyosuke gave Kenshin a glare. "May I remind you that you shoved a sword up my throat…"
"Sessha advises you not to push your luck," Kenshin told him with a pointed look.
"I'll shut up now," Kyosuke responded at once, taking his seat.
Kenshin turned to me with pleading eyes. "Kaoru…"
I sighed and sat down. "Right." I'm actually blushing. I didn't mean to be so infantile. Kyosuke seems to bring out my most puerile instincts. It has to do with our time together during the Bakumatsu. Disagreeing was definitely one of our more common exploits back then, simply because there were "too many cooks in the kitchen" so to speak, and both of us being so smart with minds of our own, nothing short of a primitive fist fight could settle the matter. For what it's worth, I think Kyosuke and I are just reminiscing. Gak! As if they were fond memories! "Hey Kyo-chan! What do you say we engage in a street brawl, for old time's sake?" What is wrong with me?
"Kyosuke-san," Kenshin began a bit loftily. "Kaoru and I have a very minimal income, I've made that clear in our earlier discussions…"
Earlier discussions? So they did talk. I wonder what about, exactly.
Kyosuke gave a resigned wave of his hand. "Jeez…fine. I'll pay for the trip. Damn…" He said with a sigh. "But our room and board stands the way we agreed on it."
I raised an eyebrow. "What room and board? You want us to stay in Yokohama now?"
"The last train from Yokohama leaves at 6 p.m." Kyosuke responded. "I doubt if we'll get anything done by then. Unless you want to walk home…"
I turned to Kenshin. "Can we afford it?"
"Sessha has some Sen," he replied. "It will be enough as long as we stay just one night."
I won't even ask where he got it. Kenshin has this strange habit of just suddenly showing up with groceries I didn't ask him to buy and what not. I suppose the government gave him something for his efforts against Shishio, but I don't think it appropriate to ask him outright, especially since it's made Yahiko's life and mine easier in terms of everyday essentials. Still, I didn't want him spending so much for the sake of Kyosuke's attempts to preserve his own behind.
"Oi, Kyosuke," I began. "You don't expect Kenshin to pay for the hotel accommodations, do you? You have to pay for your share."
He smirked. "Well, yeah, I'll pay for my accommodations. His and your accommodations however…"
A frown crossed my face. "What do you mean our accommodations?"
"Kyosuke-san has refused to share a room…" Kenshin answered for him while calmly sipping his tea.
"What?!" I exclaimed incredulously, looking at Kyosuke. "Where's the sense in that?"
Kyosuke looked at me smugly. "Apart from the fact that I don't want to have you bitching at me the entire night? I'll need my privacy, especially if I get lonely…as in, horny lonely."
Pervert! "Oi! Jack off some other time!" I cried.
"Oro!"
I could see Kyosuke turning an indignant red. "I didn't mean I wanted to get off by myself, you idiot! I mean to get some help with affable company."
He is seriously pissing me off. How can he think of more whoring at a time like this? "You got money for a whore but you can't pay off your debts? Real swell, sexual frustrate!"
"Oro!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Kyosuke yelled, pointing a finger at me. "You got your sex life, I got mine!"
"Sex life? What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded, turning red myself. What is it with everyone and my sex life?
Kyosuke laughed. "Non-existent, eh? No wonder you're such a bitch! Talk about sexual frustrate!"
"Argh! Kyosuke--!"
"That is none of your business," Kenshin suddenly said in a solemn tone.
I did a double take before I finally decided to fall speechless in astonishment, Kyosuke laughing in the background.
Kenshin went on. "Kyosuke-san, I think Kaoru would appreciate it if you do not make references to such things. It isn't polite."
Say what?
"Am I clear?" Kenshin continued, glaring at Kyosuke with eyes that flashed ever so briefly in gold.
Kyosuke stopped laughing and took on a sulking air. "Whatever."
"Good," said Kenshin. "The arrangements are final. Kaoru and I will share a room, and I entreat you to place no malice in it. Whatever your habits, Kyosuke-san, sessha will respect it, as long as it doesn’t affect any of us in an untoward manner."
And he sipped his tea.
How does the rurouni do it? Must be the Hiten Mitsurugi training.
Share a room with him, huh? Well, I wonder what Sano, Megumi and Tae will say about it, come to that. I mean, I know enough not to even contemplate any funny business. It was never even an issue.
Sexual tension…bah! They're imagining things. Something they made up to get a thrill out of the whole played out romance.
Kenshin and I will be fine sharing a room. Just…just as long as he doesn't turn on the charm, we’ll be fine…
To be continued…
Author's Note: Pointless? Well, it depends. That's all you need to know. No history lesson this time, because we all need a break from that. Just that I'd like to let you know, travelling between Edo to Yokohama by train takes about 2 hours these days (this being a documented fact), so I'm guessing it will take them three to four hours during the Meiji. I dunno…if someone there has any reliable reference on Meiji travel-time, let me know, because I'm frankly stumped.
Next chapter, Kaoru, Kenshin and Kyosuke (All K…unintentional on my part, believe me) arrive in Yokohama. Kaoru and Kenshin sharing a room? Aiya! Should I turn up the air-conditioner? Maybe, maybe not. I already know the answer, but you'll have to wait for the next chappie. Hehehe…
