Chapter 7

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She had expected him, but she was still surprised when he came. She had been watching the rainfall while sipping on a warm cup of tea under the overhang. The rain fell on the roof in a soothing rhythm, and she looked down at the still liquid in her cup. When she looked up he was there, hair soaking wet, bits and pieces dropping under the weight of water, yet it still seemed to wildly defy natural laws. He looked anything but drenched or pathetic. Even though, he was indeed, drenched.

Kaoru blinked at him as she came to the realization that he would look in his element no matter the circumstances. There was an odd sort of confidence that always followed him, as if he never had to be afraid of anything. A bitter thought briefly ran through her head as she wished she could do the same. She brushed her jealousy aside and stood to approach him. His eyes seemed to shift quickly, as if analyzing her in but an instant. Before she could step forward, he tossed an object towards her, she unconsciously caught it, just realizing he had thrown something by the time it hit her hands. She looked at it. An umbrella, she laughed silently to herself, opening it and stepping out into the pouring rain.

“He’s coming too” Enishi said, more an observation than a question. Kaoru looked behind her to see Yahiko in the rain on the opposite side of the yard. He almost looked lost in all the water. She nodded, seeing the determined look still emblazoned in Yahiko’s eyes.

“His choice not mine” she said. Enishi didn’t even nod in response, simply turning around and walking out the gateway. Kaoru and Yahiko followed. Yahiko clutched a shinai in a solid grip, his knuckles almost turning white. Kaoru paid no notice, without Kenshin, it was as if there was nothing to hold them together.

Kaoru couldn’t help but watch Enishi as he walked forward passively, no sign of any emotion in his movements. It was different than the cold emotionless ness portrayed by Aoshi. It seemed, she paused in thought, it was hard to tell, but there seemed to be a great difference between the two for certain. Aoshi was more likely to be hiding emotions he did not want others to see, Enishi it would be perfectly believable that he didn’t have any… except in concerns to his past. She tilted her head in contemplation as she walked through the puddles on her raised wooden shoes, splashes just falling short of her feet.

It would be easy to say they had died with his sister, but that didn’t seem the case. Enishi wasn’t one to wallow in self pity, as he had displayed by his lust for vengeance. It almost seemed like he had overloaded whatever senses one feels with, and paralyzed the capability to produce feeling for anything new . And Kenshin, being in direct connection to his past, brought back what emotions he had once created back full force. Like a match to a candle.

Kaoru stared at the ground. It wasn’t good to be picking people apart like this when you really had no clue, but in her mind it seemed to reverberate as truth, in one sense or another. She had been sinking into deep thought a lot lately. Something she never had to worry about with Kenshin around. Everything seemed so superficial and happy, or she’d be frantically worrying about his welfare and mentality. She almost halted in the middle of the road but caught herself before she did it. Superficial? Was that really…. Had she really thought that?

Yahiko noticed Kaoru almost stumble, and wondered what she had been thinking about. Everything still seemed like it was falling apart. He wished at the very least Sano was here. Sano always had absolute faith in Kenshin. He grimaced, so had Kaoru, but something had defiantly changed. He almost cursed. If Sano was there he could at least have held the group together despite any differences. Yahiko sighed, that wasn’t possible though, because if Sano were there, Kenshin would be too. He stared at the ground. And no one would know that Kaoru was still alive.

Enishi walked ahead of the group, he looked up into the falling rain, it was always interesting to watch as it fell in strait lines, how it appeared to be closer together the further up he looked. He knew that wasn’t the case but just a trick of distances. Being a fighter, he had learned to judge distances for what they were. He half smiled as he remembered one particular report when Kenshin had fought the oniwabanshu’s Hanya and was tricked by something as simple as lines on his opponent’s arms. Kenshin was a good fighter but he relied too much on his intuition. It was better to judge things with cold brutal facts and act accordingly

Enishi stared forward, quite aware that when it involved Kenshin, his emotions often clouded his judgment. Luckily, he had learned to purposely overestimate his opponents as to allow for discrepancies caused by emotions. Emotions were a waste and a weakness. Although he did love his sister more than anything, he’d be glad when this whole business was over and he could condemn his emotions to only memories. He didn’t like the extent of their power over him, or the fact that at some points he bordered on insanity. He wanted to finish this whole justice as quickly and abruptly as possible, but at the same time somewhere inside him an angry voice screamed and craved for a prolonged endless agony and suffering. Enishi narrowed his eyes, thinking to the voice, “enough”. He would compromise.

His four identically huge bodyguards, as usual surrounded Heishin. He hated Enishi. Enishi didn’t seem like he would be giving up the syndicate anytime soon. Heishin frowned bitterly. That would change soon. All his plots to do things behind Enishi’s back had failed so far; the taller man seemed to stumble upon everything. He was too lucky. But that, as well, would soon change. He waited now for Enishi to arrive at the ship. Now there was nothing he could do, but as soon as they were at sea, things would change.

The bodyguard to the left and behind him eyed Heishin suspiciously. He knew he was up to something. He would need to report to Enishi soon. The other bodyguards were idiots, if the had not yet noticed. But that was just as well, he’d hate to kill them. He owed Enishi his life, and if he completed this particular mission, Enishi had agreed to take him on as a silent partner. He grinned, but it did not show. This huge body was but another masterpiece of the now deceased Gein. No emotions he did not wish to would show.

He had no name now, but Enishi had promised him one once he had proved his worth.

The trio arrived at the huge ship. Kaoru gaped up at it; it was not unlike the one Kenshin had described Shishio having. Not surprising as Enishi was his supplier. Enishi stopped abruptly in front of the ship as they lowered a ramp. Heishin waited at the top. Yahiko’s eyes widened at the sight of the four surrounding him, they were huge. Enishi started up the ramp, an aura about him that prevented anyone from questioning his authority. He led Kaoru to a room aboard the ship, opening the door for her.

Inside there were clothing and other supplies. Kaoru smiled humorously, she needn’t have worried about packing that’s for sure. She was glad she had decided against it. The room was simple with a soft mattress bed. There was a door on the right wall; She looked at Enishi questioningly,

“My room” He said simply. Kaoru nodded, paying no further attention to it. In a usual scenario she would have decked him for the presumption, but she had never met Enishi in a normal situation, and doubted she would. Who knew what kind of depraved killers were on the boat. She knew Enishi wouldn’t harm her, as long as he had a purpose for her when they reached China. That he likely couldn’t wasn’t something she would bring up. If she needed to, she’d use that to her advantage once she reached China.

“You will have to find a place of your own to sleep” Enishi said, his deadpan look boring into Yahiko in a way no intensity would have. Yahiko’s eyes widened and he nodded. He hated to say it, but Enishi frightened him greatly. He would rather brave the huge ship than ask anything of the emotionless warrior.