Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Watsuki-sensei, and no one else!

Okay, I found a short story to put up, but it's not a one-shot!

Enjoy!


Apothecary's Touch

A young woman walked down the main road to Tokyo, her short kimono, deep blue with a white yukata peeking out from under the collar, was tied closed with cherry blossom pink obi around her middle. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail with a pure white ribbon in a knot, the tresses a sleek raven color. Her geta clopped against the hard ground, as she carried a heavy wood box with many drawers on her back. Her eyes, which were a mystical sea-green, were bright as she called out her sales pitch.

"Medicine! Cures for anything from colds to rashes! Pain-relievers, salves, antidotes, whatever you need!"

An old woman came up to the young woman. "Please, my poor back has been aching for days…can you help me, young lady?"

"Of course, granny. Just show me where it hurts and I'll mix up something that will make the pain go away," the medicine woman assured, putting her box down and placing her hands on the elderly woman's back.

"Just there."

"I see. All right, I'll have it done in just a moment."

The delicate pale hands worked quickly and their owner hummed a tune that was very soft and soothing, like a brook running through a quiet forest. The old woman smiled as she listened.

"That's very nice, my dear. It makes me feel relaxed and calms me down."

"Thank you for the praise, granny." The packet was folded neatly and handed over. "Here. Take this with some water and you'll feel better."

"What can I pay you for this, young lady?"

"Nothing but a smile and a promise that you'll get better, granny."

"Not even a cup of rice?"

"I couldn't take anything from you."

The wrinkled face broke into a smile. "I promise I'll get better, dear. Thank you."

With that said, the young woman picked up her load and started walking again.

"How very kind of her, giving me medicine for the cost of thanks. I just hope no one takes advantage of her kindness or she might never get a meal for her hard work."


When the young woman reached Tokyo, she called out again, only to have everyone ignore her. She blinked and then asked herself, "Is there a good doctor around here that no one needs the help of an apothecary?"

"Help! Get a doctor!"

She turned to see a woman kneeling next to a man on the ground. Running over, she asked, "Can I help, ma'am?"

"My husband just collapsed after complaining about numbness in his left arm! Please, help him, miss!" the older woman cried.

"He must be having a heart attack… Leave it to me."

Within seconds, she poured a cup of water and mixed it with a powder, blowing on it. She then pinched his nose and poured it down his throat. She then gave the man's chest a firm pat. Almost instantly, the man opened his eyes and sat up. He flexed his arm and exclaimed, "The pain is gone!" He saw the younger woman and bowed his head. "Thank you for healing me!"

His wife cried and bowed low. "Thank you, thank you! You have no idea what your swiftness has done for him! He might've died had you not been here!"

"You're welcome, ma'am. I'm glad I could help."

People around them started murmuring about the apothecary woman being a miracle worker. A boy with spiky black hair narrowed his dark eyes and ran off. He headed for the Kamiya dojo and burst in.

"Hey Kenshin!"

A man with a mess of red hair and blue eyes looked up from doing the laundry. "What is it, Yahiko?"

"I just saw a medicine woman cure a man on the street instantly! This could be bad for Dr. Genzai and Megumi if people start referring to this lady!" Yahiko said, looking concerned.

"A medicine woman? She could be merely wandering through Tokyo, like most apothecaries do. They never settle unless there is a particularly bad bout of sickness in the area they happen upon. There should be nothing to worry about, Yahiko."

"But she gave him the medicine and he was better right away! She could be a fake! No medicine cures something right away!"

Kenshin cradled his chin. "We might have to warn Miss Megumi about this, then. We'll help her if this new competition turns out to be a fake."

They headed over to the clinic and told Megumi.

"What? A young woman curing someone on the street?" the doctor asked.

"Yeah, and it wasn't the way you do it, Megumi! She just mixed some medicine and gave it to the guy and he was instantly better! You said no medicine works that fast! People were saying that she's a miracle worker!"

"Hmmm, we'll just have to see how many people stop coming to the clinic for the next few days, then it will be serious," Megumi stated, waving them away. "Unless you're here to help, you're underfoot. It was nice of you to warn me."


This style is more like the anime instead of the manga. I hope someone reviews this one, I'd be really sad if I was ignored again...

Please review!