Acknowledgements: Please see end notes.

Kokoro - Heart, Mind and Soul
Part 3
By Jade One

Time Frame: Everyone is on their way to Kyoto to visit Shishio.

Akihisa strode into the room. He paused briefly, allowing a servant to remove his manto before sitting to eat. His servants were well trained. They knew his requirements and the punishments should they fail. He motioned with his chop sticks for the man who had been waiting on his return to begin his report before turning part of his attention to his fish. From what he had seen of the Battousai a direct physical confrontation was not an option and so he had made other plans, one's which also included his new desire. Now all he had to do was hear the report and give the orders. It would be done.

"Niijima-sama," the man said, bowing low. "As per you orders we have been looking for any practicers of Tamashii Hitokken. We have several definite leads. Most of the rumors were eliminated with the information you gave us, since the supposed Ryuu's were too large. We are also searching for the man named Yasutake Ryuichi but if this is a hidden name, it will be difficult to locate this person, Niijima-sama."

"It will be a small Ryuu. One master, one student each generation. Its secrets are not passed to many. Ignore those leads which are associated with a dojo. Follow those which seem to be small businesses. Continue."

"We have located several groups who will fight the Battousai if you request it. There is another representative from Shishio Makoto here and the gentleman you were expecting from Shanghai arrived yesterday."

"Good. It that all?" Akihisa reached for his rice.

"Hai, Niijima-sama."

"Then here are your new orders. Retain the services of the two best and largest groups who will fight the Battousai. That would be...?"

"The Tokyo based Yakuza faction Tanto Phoenix's and the Kyoto Dayside Dragons."
    "Kyoto?"

"Hai Niijima-sama. They persist despite the Owina Banshu's presence."

"Buy their loyalty and obedience and then give them these orders. Tell the Tokyo Yakuza Tanto Phoenix's to quietly get me all the information they can on the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu Dojo and the people associated with it. Tani merely knew the location of the Battousai. He couldn't tell me much about the people he lives with now. Instruct the Dayside Dragons to watch the Shishio situation. Also I want them to locate a woman and a boy who will be arriving in a few days time. They are to get several artist's impressions of the woman. I will describe them to you later... If either group quibble, remind them that they now work for me but tell them also that they will get their chance at the Battousai, in time."

Hmm, the puppy had an interesting memory. "Is there anyone in Yokohama who will fight the Battousai?"

"Aa, Niijima-sama. But they are such a small..."

"Just 'Hai' will do." Sagara had an interesting fear. "There was a photograph taken in Yokohama, a photograph taken a few weeks ago of a rather distinctive group. I want a copy of it. Retain the Yokohama group and have them obtain it for me. I will give you the full details soon." Akihisa laid aside his plate, allowing the tray to be taken away by another servant and replaced with one of hot tea.

"Hai, Niijima-sama." The man shrank away as Akihisa turned his gaze upon him.

"The Shishio Makoto situation is about to heat up so have someone talk to his representative. Do not tie me into anything but get as much information out of them as possible. If you suspect they are holding back, I will speak to them personally. For now," Akihisa sipped at his tea, "Send in the representative from Shanghai. We have much to discuss..."
 
Time Frame: Four days after Shishio's defeat.

"Be careful with that!" Akihisa snarled at the two men carrying a large wooden chest. He hated moving but with Shishio out of the way he needed to move to a more secure location. Tokyo was nice but there were too many people. The noise in his head was incredible, constant and was slowly beginning to eat away at his nerves. For the next part of his plans, he required somewhere quiet, more remote and Shishio had been kind enough to take over a number of villages which met those requirements. He only wanted one and unlike Shishio when he got there the inhabitants of the village would welcome him. His technique did give him some advantages over others. And people who served willingly, or thought they did, did a far better job than those who were bludgeoned by fear.

"Niijima-sama! A report from Kyoto!" Two men entered the room. Akihisa looked them over. One was his own, and the other...

The other was travel stained and wore a red kimono edged in black flame. He carried a sword and his hair was cut in a short spiky manner, much like the Battousai's friend.

"I presume you are a member of the Dayside Dragons?" Akihisa smiled at his guest. "You made good time."

"Hai, Niijima-san. We ran a relay. I have a report on Shishio's defeat and the Battousai's current situation." His eyes narrowed. We have given our loyalties to this man, Niijima Akihisa, but how will he fight the Battousai? Not even the Okashira could defeat him...

"How will I defeat him?" Akihisa's eyes narrowed, darkening, his voice soft, almost hissing the question.

"Niijima-san! I do not doubt you. I am here only to report."

"You do not doubt me now, but it is best to deal with such questions as the one you harbor quickly." Akihisa's servant shrank back into the wall. He knew what was coming as his Master strode forward, catching the Dayside Dragon's face in his hands, his thumbs pressed against his cheek bones beneath his eyes. "Listen to me..."

Akihisa held the man firm. No one had broken this grip. He looked into the mans brown eyes, his own changing from their normal emerald to an onyx, deeper than the moonless night. "Listen to me," he whispered, his voice like velvet in the silence. "Show me your report as I show you how I will defeat the Battousai..."

The man moved his mouth, but only a series of gasps emerged. He couldn't move his arms to defend himself, couldn't close his eyes in an attempt to prevent this assault. He could only stare into the darkness before him but he understood. He knew now how the man who owned his loyalty could, would fight against the Battousai and win. It was only a matter of time.

Akihisa smiled, feeling the man become his. Yes, this technique is far more powerful that Jin'eh's clumsy grip. Now for the report. He pushed deeper, through natural defenses, ripping away all thought except those concerning the Battousai as his servant left the room, slidding the door shut.

Three bloody, broken figures, moved through the streets of Kyoto in the half light of dawn. One was the Okashira, clothes in tatters, ice blue eyes both sad and determined. His kodachi sheathed and carried with an angle of weariness. Another man, as tall as Shinomori Aoshi but just as battered and not visably armed. His once white clothes were torn and dirty. His body was battered. His eyes were concerned but they contained a quite pride, a sense of achievement. They were supporting, carrying another man. The third man was short. His kimono was ripped apart, his hakama stained by his blood. He was covered in bandages but these too were soaked through with blood. His head hung down, his long red hair loose, obsuring his face. He wore a katana, although he was in no condition to use it. A gentle breeze blew his hair away revealing his scarred cheek and eyes that were closed. But his expression was one of peace.

So the Battousai was injuried in his fight with Shishio. It was to be expected. Shishio's technique was not the ultimate technique but it probably came fairly close. Akihisa remembered the defeat. He had been watching the sun set...

The sky was been transformed into a glorious palette of red, pink, orange and yellow. He was enjoying both the scenary and the rare moment of quiet from the city surrounding him. The search for the users of Tamashii Hitokken was going well and his agents reported that the Battousai's battle with Shishio should be over soon. It was then that he had felt it, a scream through the spirit plane. The spirit plane was one he could not use but he could feel, especially when that much power was put through it.

He knew then that the Battousai had won. Shishio's scream had confirmed it. The anguish as his soul departed was formidable. Akihisa had smiled then. Hiten Mitsurugi was an incredible technique, to drive it's enemies to that depth of feeling. How much more powerful will I be when I learn its secrets? When I am a Master of Hiten Mitsurugi?

Akihisa shook his head slightly. He could indulge his memories later, for now the Dayside Dragon had more to report.

The Okashira and the taller man were recovering from their injuries. The shorter man, the Battousai was still bed ridden, unconscious from his wounds. The woman they had been told to find stayed at his side. So she is accepting the darkness. Akihisa's grip tightened on the man's head and if any one had been close enough to see and hear they would have seen his lips move and heard the single anguished word, "No," uttered. He remembered her light, her song.

The Battousai remained unconscious and the Dragons had considered renouncing their loyalties but in the end had decided to maintain them. Unconscious and defenseless the Battousai may be of himself but the Owina Banshu stood guard for him. The Dayside Dragons could not approach. The thought was colored in red. The color of hate.

Well, Akihisa smiled. They maintain enough intelligence to keep their loyalty to the one who owns it. But I may need to condition them. However their consideration has shown that it is not the time to attempt to take the technique. My original plan remains intact. And their hatred of the Owina Banshu may yet prove to be an asset.

He probed further, seeking information of the other being who had fought Shishio Makoto, Saitou Hajime.

A basement from memory, dark, lit only by three smoky candles. Boxes were being moved by workman who stacked them carefully. A loud crash and uniformed men, rushed in, swords drawn, most also brandishing burning brands. It appeared that particular drug route was now closed. At least, that was how the scene was imagined A laughing comment from one of the officers as the workmen were herded together in the street, "Captain Fujita plans well..." The watcher withdrew. Those dragons were lost.

So Saitou survived Shishio. He is a tough Wolf.

A further report. A memory of a message to be delivered. "Tell Niijima-san, tell him that the investigation into those Jin'eh like attacks has been cancelled. The feeling is that with Shishio dead, there will be no further repercussions." The message came from a minor government official in the Dragons employ.

Akihisa laughed, releasing the man, who collapsed gasping to the ground. He curled up, seeking protection from the assault which was over. Akihisa looked down at the man, still laughing. "Well, you bring me a good report. The Battousai lives and the Wolf is alive, yet no longer hunting me. A very good report, but that is secondary..."

His eyes narrowed, returning to their emerald glow, "Do you understand now? Do you understand how I will fight and defeat the Battousai?"

The Dayside Dragon struggled to rise, "Hai Niijima-sama. I understand. I will not question you again."

"Good," the word was purred. He owned this dragon, now and forever. "Do you have the impressions I requested?"

"Hai." The man pulled out several papers, offering them to Akihisa who accepted them and leafed through them. He glanced at each one. They were satisfactory for what he required of them but he knew, could feel that they failed to capture her essence, failed to capture her light.

"Katsunan!" he called.

"Niijima-sama!" The man responded, slidding the door open.

"I am finished here for now," Akihisa said, his eyes flickering to the dragon. "Bring me the representatives from Yokohama and Tokyo. I have new orders for you all."

A short time later.

Akihisa sat. The four men he had gathered, knelt before him. "Niijima-sama," they intoned. They had all been given a bundle of papers containing paintings, a photograph and a map.

"First of all, I wish to thank you all for your devotion to my service." Akihisa smiled. None of these people had a choice any longer. They were bound to him. "Secondly, my base of operations is moving. The map provided will show you my new location Destroy it once you have memorised the location. In regards to the other papers..." He fell silent. She will be mine. She will sing for me. "There is a large reward to the people who fulfil these orders. You are to distribute the images amongst your people, keep it quiet, especially from the Owina Banshu but make sure everyone has seen the womans impression then I want you to..."
 
End Part 3.

Next time: On to Enishi and some very interesting responses from Akihisa!

Notes

1. Sorry people. I can't tell you what all of Akihisa's plans are yet, can I? ^_^

2. The Kyoto Dayside Dragons know quite a bit about the Owina Banshu since they are natural enemies. Law abidding ninja versus lowlife scum. Also they know about Aoshi's defeat in Tokyo from their contacts in Kanryu's body guards.

3. A HUGE thank you to Sylvia for loaning me her copies of the manga! Even if I can't read Thai any better than I read Japanese, I can look at the pictures to see the order of events.

4. Thank you to Tatsuko for helping to create the names of some fighting schools. I guess I will have to spill the beans on the name of Akihisa's technique soon!

5. Thank you to Serizawa Kamo, Tatsuko and Sarah Williams for giving me the translations of those words I asked for. Thank you also to Elizabeth, Larraine Lage, Serizawa Kamo (again) and Sarah Williams for answering the other question on Kaoru.

6. Thank you to P. Rico for asking about Japanese names just as I was about to and to Tatsuko (again), Reform School Girl (Julie Anna) and Madam Hydra for responding with such wonderful suggestions.

7. I know I am glossing over some very important parts in the RK timeline but while I need to go over them for the purposes of illustrating my characters I don't want to spend forever on them although it feels like I am. I did want to put Enishi in this part but that would have made it too long.

C&C is always appreciated.