Chapter 1 - Another Swordsman
"Yawwnnnn...."
Yahiko was really bored. Walking alone on a mountainside, no one to talk to, and worst of all, without Tsubame in sight. The sword on his side is making an irritating sound for him. Thoughts of food are running across his mind.
"Damn it, I'm so bored.."
He stopped to sit down and rest a bit. Out of nowhere, he suddenly got hold of his sword. He pulled it off his sheath and the sunlight glimmered across it's old but shining blade.
"When am I going to have the chance to use this?
The night fell and everything was peaceful. Yahiko had earlier arrived on a town and settled himself in an inn. He had trouble with sleeping because of homesickness. He thought that he still can't go back until he trains himself harder. Finding that he couldn't sleep, he grabbed a book and sat by the window. It wasn't long till he heard a noise outside.
"Darn it old man! Aren't you going to give us the usual supplies?"
A group of armed thugs were making trouble at a shop just in front of the inn. There was 12 of them each having a very nasty look. The leader of the group were demanding something from the shopkeeper, threatening him to break down the shop if he doesn't give what they want.
"If you just give it to us, we won't do anything. Otherwise, we'll have to resort to more drastic measures." said the leader as he swung his sword to a barrel of rice cutting it open.
"But I'll go out of business if I keep giving you my supplies." replied the trembling shopkeeper.
"So what is it with us? We're not the ones who's going out of business. Are you going to give it or not?"
"Please spare us this day, I'm really short on supplies."
"JUST GIVE US WHAT WE WANT OLD MAN!"
People were afraid to do anything since they know this group is merciless and won't hesitate to kill. The thugs were busy confronting the shopkeeper until a voice shouted out of nowhere.
"Leave him alone big bully!"
The startled men turned around and saw Yahiko. One of thugs shouted back.
"Stay out of this kid, unless you want to get hurt!"
"Who are you calling a kid jerk!? Try me if you dare!?" Yahiko shouted back.
"You're an idiot for calling me that kid! Prepare to taste my blade!"
The thug drew his sword and started to run towards Yahiko, Yahiko pulled out his sword and changed to a fighting stance.
"Who are you going to hurt with that kind of sword boy?" the thug said as he started to attack Yahiko. Yahiko thought to himself that this is the chance he's been waiting for. He perfectly evades the attacks by the thug. The thug got pissed off at this.
"Stand still kid! How can I cut your head if your avoiding my attacks?"
"Heh, you can die trying! Eat this knucklehead!" shouted Yahiko.
Yahiko jumped up just enough for him to execute Ryu-tsui-sen, a move he learned from Kenshin. In an instant, he delivered a knocking blow to his opponent. The thug laid cold on the ground having saliva coming out of his mouth. The leader of the thugs was angered by this.
"DAMN YOU KID! You're going to pay for messing with us. Let's see how you handle all of us."
The thugs started to run towards Yahiko. Yahiko thought to himself,
"Darn, there's too many of them! How can I handle them all. What would Kenshin do in a time like this. Think Yahiko, think!"
The thugs chased Yahiko across the dark streets of the town, Yahiko noticed that some of them are being left behind.
"Now I know! Heh, this is going to be my day."
Yahiko stopped and waited for a thug to reach him. One eventually reached Yahiko but was knocked out by his sword. When he was finished, he ran off again.
"If I can use this strategy, I'll be able to beat them all."
As he used this strategy, he was able to knock down 5 of the thugs. The thugs were furious and frustrated. Yahiko knew this and used it to his advantage. He must never let those thugs catch him or he will be a goner for sure.
"COME BACK HERE YOU DIRTY LITTLE BRAT!" shouted the leader of the thug who was running behind.
"Catch me if you can!" Yahiko stuck his tongue out.
Everything was going fine until he turned left to a corner and reached a dead end, luck was running out.
"Darn it! Why must it always be a dead end?" mumbled Yahiko.
The thugs caught up to him and surrounded him. They all looked so tired and they're anger was really burning up. They all drew their swords and started to walk towards Yahiko. The leader was in front of him.
"We seldom kill someone but when we do, we enjoy it. I'm going to pay for what you did to us. Your death would be painful and slow.."
"Darn, this is not good! I must do something quick!" Yahiko thought to himself.
Sweat were dropping from the side of Yahiko's head. He didn't have a situation like this before. But he didn't wish Kenshin would be there. He thought what would Kenshin do in a situation like this. He's ready to defend himself. The leader was about to attack Yahiko when another voice came out of nowhere.
"You won't be able to beat them like that."
A man camed out of the shadows. He had a brown-clored hair, was wearing a light blue kimono and white gloves. The thugs and Yahiko were surprised to see someone else. The mysterious man smiled.
"I thought you won't be needing my help but I guess I have no choice."
"Stay out of this! This is my fight!" Yahiko shouted.
"Well then, suit yourself. I'll be going now." replie the mysterious man.
"Wait a second there mister, you won't be leaving here since you interrupted us. You're going down with this boy." said the leader.
"Really? My my, what a loud person you are. Hey kid, are you sure you won't be needing my help?" replied the mysterious man.
"Shut up! I'm not a kid. Even if I said no they'll attack you anyway." replied Yahiko.
"Well then, let's get on to business. I'm giving you guys the chance to leave quietly now or I might get nasty with you." said the mysterious man smiling.
"Who are you kidding! Die you idiot!" the thug shouted as he began to attack the mysterious man.
"Hmph, too slow." the mysterious man got the sword on his side never unsheathed it. He used the hilt to parry the thug's attack. He then kicked the thug's face so hard that the thug instantly fell down unconscious. Without delay, he moved towards the remaining thugs ina very quick motion. Soon, he was out of sight from the normal eye. His footsteps are so loud that it breaks a spot in the ground. In a matter of seconds, all the thugs fell down simultaneously. They never knew what hit them. Yahiko was frozen in amzaement.
"So fast..."
When everything was finished, the mysterious swordsman came to Yahiko.
"Are you alright?"
Yahiko snapped out of his dazed state and instantly blurted out.
"Hmph, I could have beaten them even if you didn't come."
"Suit yourself. I was just passing by and then saw you guys having trouble. What's your name?" asked the swordsman.
"I'm Myojin Yahiko of Kamiya-Kasshin-Ryu. I'm training to be a good swordsman." replied Yahiko.
"Interesting. Can I see the sword you're using?"
The swordsman looked into Yahiko's sword. He looked at it with amazement.
"This is a sakabattou. Where did you get this from?" asked the swordsman.
"Oh, it is a gift from one of my teachers. His name is Himura Kenshin. He's the best swordsman I ever knew." replied Yahiko.
"Himura Kenshin? The great Hitokiri Battousai. I see..."
"What's the matter? Do you know him?"
"Yes, in fact, I fought him twice. The first one ended in a draw and the second one, he defeated me. He was really good."
"Is that true? What your name mister?"
"I'm Seta Soujiro..."
To be continued...