The wandering years: America
Chapter one: The journey ends
By
J. Liha
"Land ahoy!" The lookout of the ship shouted. The man groaned, wishing he would shut up. Reluctantly, he awoke. It had been a long trip. He was glad they had finally arrived; the small storeroom he had stayed in had given him severe cramps. Sagara Sanosuke stood and stretched. His eyes darkened as memories of his friends filled his head. 'Kenshin, Jou-chan, Yahiko… fox.' Sano shook his head to get rid of the thoughts that followed. The first mate, who had given him the room, stepped in.
"This is yer stop. I hate to lost ya Sagara; I've never had someone work as hard as you." Sanosuke smiled, knowing that that the first mate rarely gave out compliments.
"Like I had any choice." He replied, and they both laughed. Sanosuke had tried to stowaway on the ship, but discovered on the first day. He told the crew he was penniless and would earn his keep as payment. It was then he befriended the first mate, an overall good man. The crew had reminded Sano of his gambling pals back in Japan. "Well, I better get moving. Thanks for the ride." He saluted.
"Well if ya ever need to travel again, ya know where to find us." Sanosuke nodded and strode off the ship. He breathed in the fresh air.
'America... this is it Sagara, no turning back. Now where's one of them gambling places?'
On the other side of the city, a cloaked figure hurried home, ignoring the curious stares. "Mommy, who's that?" A little boy pointed.
"Andrew Louis Smith, how many times must I tell you, don't point!" His mother huffed. The figure's lips twitched at the scene, hinting a smile. How she envied that child, so carefree and pure. The last childhood memory she had ended in the death of her parents. Yes, she envied the child, for not going through the torture she had. A single tear trailed down her cheek, hastily wiped away. She entered her mansion, fatigue taking over.
"David, please tell anyone who comes here that I don't wish to see visitors." The butler nodded. He had known this girl all thirteen years of her life, a loyal servant and friend of her parents.
"Shall I let you know when dinner is ready, miss?"
"David, stop the butler act. You're like a father to me, formalities aren't needed."
"Very well, Rumiko." She was very dear to him and he would gladly give his life for her. She was a unique child, a mixture of her parents that came from two very different worlds. She had an untamed spirit, a wild tomboy no one could control. Society would not hold her down with its chain of expectations.
The cloak served to conceal her attire, which was hardly appropriate for a woman. Rumiko wore blue pants, which were extremely comfortable, and a black blouse. She would wear dresses outside occasionally, preferring to wear them at home. Her inky black hair fell to her shoulders, layered. And her eyes were a sigh to behold. They were a mix of blue and violet, entrancing anyone who looked into them. Her nose was pert, her lips full. Rumiko would be quite a sight when she matured, and her boyish figure would hopefully give way to curves, no longer giving her the appearance of a twig.
David smiled lovingly. Yes, she was very special. And he'd be damned if he let anyone hurt her. A few hours later, Rumiko woke up from her nap, wondering how she'd pull off her plan. She didn't care that it was dangerous for a girl her age to walk at night by herself; she would go out, and survive. 'David will be mad, but I have to prove to him that I can survive out there without a guide!' Rumiko giggled, imaging his face when she came back. 'Hmm, the old bedsheet tactic might work.'
She gathered all the sheets she could find and tied them together. A few minutes passed, and she surveyed her work with satisfaction. "Perfect..." Rumiko dressed in an outfit she herself had sewn. Black shorts and a blue shirt with a silver sash securing the shorts. (AN: No, I was not thinking of Misao's outfit. So there!) 'So scandalizing, it'd probably make the locals faint.'
She secured her makeshift rope to her bedpost, slipped on her cloak, and started climbing down. She leapt off and slipped through the gate. Rumiko looked down at the ankle-high boots she wore concealing her knife. She tried to smile, but was unsuccessful. As fearless as she was, Rumiko couldn't help feeling a little uneasy with each step leading her farther from her home.
Though tough, Rumiko hadn't the slightest idea about actual fighting. Her skills only extended to beating up a boy her age. She shook her head vigorously. 'No, I can survive like this! I do have the knife…' She stopped to see where she was and her eyes widened. Rumiko had unconsciously walked into the worst part of the city, home to prostitutes, gamblers, gangsters and the like. She was about to walk away when a slimy voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Lost?" Rumiko whirled around, meeting the lustful gaze of an obviously drunk man and his pals.
"No, I know exactly where I'm going. Now out of my way-"
"What's your rush?" He reached for her. "Now why don't you take off that cape so we can see your pretty little face?" She evaded him and started running, slipping into an alley. She paused to take a breath.
"Going my way?" A slurred voice asked. A knot appeared in her stomach. What was she, a young girl of thirteen doing here? She might've seen more than most girls her age had but it didn't make her any different from them. Inside, Rumiko was still a vulnerable girl and a grown man could easily take advantage of her. She pulled out the knife, brandishing it menacingly.
"Get back, or else." Her tone of steel hid the conflicting emotions inside her.
"Or else what? Gonna try to stab me with that little knife of yours?" The man leaned in and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. It repulsed the girl, a wave of nausea coming over her. He pinned her arms down and pulled off the cloak violently. When he saw her face, he smirked. "This is gonna be fun. Oriental women are quite the delicacy, I hear." He began to slip off her shirt. Rumiko was terrified. What was he going to do to her? She screamed, causing the man to jump back. He growled in irritation and covered her mouth.
Then he smiled at her, an evil glint of desire passing through his eyes. "Hmm… I have a feisty little kitten on my hands. Be good and you might enjoy this." He caressed her face with his thumb, slowly and deliberately. Then the man removed her sash. He enjoyed the horrified look on her face. She screamed again, praying silently that someone would hear her.
"It's guys like you that give men a bad name." Sanosuke punched the man in the jaw, knocking him of Rumiko. He continued beating the daylights out of him until the man was half-dead. "Bastard, I should've finished you off." Sano spat. Rumiko heard his words with shock; this man was Japanese? It had been so long since she'd heard the language.
"Hey… kid you ok?" He held out her cloak, cursing when he remember she might not be Japanese. 'Poor kid, she doesn't look older than fourteen. I really should've finished that guy off for doing such a thing.'
"A-arigatou." Rumiko surprised herself; the words still flowed out of her mouth smoothly, despite how long it had been since she spoke the language. He looked at her, surprised.
'So she is Japanese.' He yelped when she threw herself into his arms, sobbing for what could have been. It didn't matter that they had just met, Rumiko felt like she could trust him with her life. Sanosuke patted her head awkwardly. "Hey let's get you home." She sniffed and nodded, but refused to let go. He sighed and gestured for her to get on his back.
Rumiko gave him directions and they were almost at the house. "Who are you?" She whispered.
"Sagara Sanosuke. And you, kid?"
"Inoe Rumiko." They reached their destination and Sanosuke let her down, gaping at the structure.
"This… is your house?" He stared at her. She got a good look at his features and blushed. He was very handsome, and his deep brown eyes were gorgeous. Rumiko nodded meekly, hoping he didn't hear her heart beating rapidly.
She regained her composure and said, "Yes, please come in, I'm sure David would like to meet the man who saved me." He nodded and they walked in.
'Who's David?'
Like it? Hate it? Whatever your comments, please review! And if you want to discuss my fic more, e-mail me at obsessed_with_kenshin@hotmail.com
Chapter one: The journey ends
By
J. Liha
"Land ahoy!" The lookout of the ship shouted. The man groaned, wishing he would shut up. Reluctantly, he awoke. It had been a long trip. He was glad they had finally arrived; the small storeroom he had stayed in had given him severe cramps. Sagara Sanosuke stood and stretched. His eyes darkened as memories of his friends filled his head. 'Kenshin, Jou-chan, Yahiko… fox.' Sano shook his head to get rid of the thoughts that followed. The first mate, who had given him the room, stepped in.
"This is yer stop. I hate to lost ya Sagara; I've never had someone work as hard as you." Sanosuke smiled, knowing that that the first mate rarely gave out compliments.
"Like I had any choice." He replied, and they both laughed. Sanosuke had tried to stowaway on the ship, but discovered on the first day. He told the crew he was penniless and would earn his keep as payment. It was then he befriended the first mate, an overall good man. The crew had reminded Sano of his gambling pals back in Japan. "Well, I better get moving. Thanks for the ride." He saluted.
"Well if ya ever need to travel again, ya know where to find us." Sanosuke nodded and strode off the ship. He breathed in the fresh air.
'America... this is it Sagara, no turning back. Now where's one of them gambling places?'
On the other side of the city, a cloaked figure hurried home, ignoring the curious stares. "Mommy, who's that?" A little boy pointed.
"Andrew Louis Smith, how many times must I tell you, don't point!" His mother huffed. The figure's lips twitched at the scene, hinting a smile. How she envied that child, so carefree and pure. The last childhood memory she had ended in the death of her parents. Yes, she envied the child, for not going through the torture she had. A single tear trailed down her cheek, hastily wiped away. She entered her mansion, fatigue taking over.
"David, please tell anyone who comes here that I don't wish to see visitors." The butler nodded. He had known this girl all thirteen years of her life, a loyal servant and friend of her parents.
"Shall I let you know when dinner is ready, miss?"
"David, stop the butler act. You're like a father to me, formalities aren't needed."
"Very well, Rumiko." She was very dear to him and he would gladly give his life for her. She was a unique child, a mixture of her parents that came from two very different worlds. She had an untamed spirit, a wild tomboy no one could control. Society would not hold her down with its chain of expectations.
The cloak served to conceal her attire, which was hardly appropriate for a woman. Rumiko wore blue pants, which were extremely comfortable, and a black blouse. She would wear dresses outside occasionally, preferring to wear them at home. Her inky black hair fell to her shoulders, layered. And her eyes were a sigh to behold. They were a mix of blue and violet, entrancing anyone who looked into them. Her nose was pert, her lips full. Rumiko would be quite a sight when she matured, and her boyish figure would hopefully give way to curves, no longer giving her the appearance of a twig.
David smiled lovingly. Yes, she was very special. And he'd be damned if he let anyone hurt her. A few hours later, Rumiko woke up from her nap, wondering how she'd pull off her plan. She didn't care that it was dangerous for a girl her age to walk at night by herself; she would go out, and survive. 'David will be mad, but I have to prove to him that I can survive out there without a guide!' Rumiko giggled, imaging his face when she came back. 'Hmm, the old bedsheet tactic might work.'
She gathered all the sheets she could find and tied them together. A few minutes passed, and she surveyed her work with satisfaction. "Perfect..." Rumiko dressed in an outfit she herself had sewn. Black shorts and a blue shirt with a silver sash securing the shorts. (AN: No, I was not thinking of Misao's outfit. So there!) 'So scandalizing, it'd probably make the locals faint.'
She secured her makeshift rope to her bedpost, slipped on her cloak, and started climbing down. She leapt off and slipped through the gate. Rumiko looked down at the ankle-high boots she wore concealing her knife. She tried to smile, but was unsuccessful. As fearless as she was, Rumiko couldn't help feeling a little uneasy with each step leading her farther from her home.
Though tough, Rumiko hadn't the slightest idea about actual fighting. Her skills only extended to beating up a boy her age. She shook her head vigorously. 'No, I can survive like this! I do have the knife…' She stopped to see where she was and her eyes widened. Rumiko had unconsciously walked into the worst part of the city, home to prostitutes, gamblers, gangsters and the like. She was about to walk away when a slimy voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Lost?" Rumiko whirled around, meeting the lustful gaze of an obviously drunk man and his pals.
"No, I know exactly where I'm going. Now out of my way-"
"What's your rush?" He reached for her. "Now why don't you take off that cape so we can see your pretty little face?" She evaded him and started running, slipping into an alley. She paused to take a breath.
"Going my way?" A slurred voice asked. A knot appeared in her stomach. What was she, a young girl of thirteen doing here? She might've seen more than most girls her age had but it didn't make her any different from them. Inside, Rumiko was still a vulnerable girl and a grown man could easily take advantage of her. She pulled out the knife, brandishing it menacingly.
"Get back, or else." Her tone of steel hid the conflicting emotions inside her.
"Or else what? Gonna try to stab me with that little knife of yours?" The man leaned in and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. It repulsed the girl, a wave of nausea coming over her. He pinned her arms down and pulled off the cloak violently. When he saw her face, he smirked. "This is gonna be fun. Oriental women are quite the delicacy, I hear." He began to slip off her shirt. Rumiko was terrified. What was he going to do to her? She screamed, causing the man to jump back. He growled in irritation and covered her mouth.
Then he smiled at her, an evil glint of desire passing through his eyes. "Hmm… I have a feisty little kitten on my hands. Be good and you might enjoy this." He caressed her face with his thumb, slowly and deliberately. Then the man removed her sash. He enjoyed the horrified look on her face. She screamed again, praying silently that someone would hear her.
"It's guys like you that give men a bad name." Sanosuke punched the man in the jaw, knocking him of Rumiko. He continued beating the daylights out of him until the man was half-dead. "Bastard, I should've finished you off." Sano spat. Rumiko heard his words with shock; this man was Japanese? It had been so long since she'd heard the language.
"Hey… kid you ok?" He held out her cloak, cursing when he remember she might not be Japanese. 'Poor kid, she doesn't look older than fourteen. I really should've finished that guy off for doing such a thing.'
"A-arigatou." Rumiko surprised herself; the words still flowed out of her mouth smoothly, despite how long it had been since she spoke the language. He looked at her, surprised.
'So she is Japanese.' He yelped when she threw herself into his arms, sobbing for what could have been. It didn't matter that they had just met, Rumiko felt like she could trust him with her life. Sanosuke patted her head awkwardly. "Hey let's get you home." She sniffed and nodded, but refused to let go. He sighed and gestured for her to get on his back.
Rumiko gave him directions and they were almost at the house. "Who are you?" She whispered.
"Sagara Sanosuke. And you, kid?"
"Inoe Rumiko." They reached their destination and Sanosuke let her down, gaping at the structure.
"This… is your house?" He stared at her. She got a good look at his features and blushed. He was very handsome, and his deep brown eyes were gorgeous. Rumiko nodded meekly, hoping he didn't hear her heart beating rapidly.
She regained her composure and said, "Yes, please come in, I'm sure David would like to meet the man who saved me." He nodded and they walked in.
'Who's David?'
Like it? Hate it? Whatever your comments, please review! And if you want to discuss my fic more, e-mail me at obsessed_with_kenshin@hotmail.com