Hey all! It's been a long time since I've written anything, that is has . I got SO bored in class one day I just had to write this story. As always, I don't own any of the Rurouni Kenshin gain, oh how I wish! Hope you like this new fic.
Little Master
A man walked swiftly and silently through the streets of Tokyo, his eyes never leaving the ground as he traveled. It would be dark soon and he needed to find shelter before the night fell upon him. He had enough money; maybe he would stay at an inn tonight. It had been quite a while since he'd had a nice warm room to sleep in. As of late he had become accustomed to the cold hard ground of the forest, content with the bit of shelter the trees provided him. However, he did quite dislike having to fight the woodland creatures over his food and sleeping spot. He smiled, imagine, a man like him fighting a squirrel over the tree he was sleeping under.
He glanced upwards towards the sky, which had turned from cerulean blue to a deep red color as the sun began to slip behind the horizon. His large hat protected his eyes from the harsh light as he looked on, sighing, "the sky looks like blood tonight." he muttered to the air, not anticipating an answer. A small scream caught his attention and he looked in front of him to see four children, probably no older than eight or nine years old. Three boys had a little girl cornered, laughing at her as they pushed her around.
"Stop it! Leave me alone!" the little girl cried, holding her hands to her chest.
"Come on, just hand it over!" one boy snapped at her with a smirk.
"No way! It's my father's you can't have it!"
"Just give it here brat!" the boy reached out and took the object from the girl's hands, his friends pushing her to the ground as they laughed at their victory.
"Hey look Botan! Isn't it cool?"
"Yeah, let me see it, Kotaro!"
The boys were so intrigued with their new founded toy that they did not hear the man approach them. His soft but chilling voice reaching their ears, "you shouldn't pick on people smaller than you, boys."
The boys looked up at the man. Kotaro, undaunted by the man's presence stood up and shook his fist at the stranger, "this isn't your business old man! Just leave us alone!"
"Yeah," the third boy shouted, finally speaking up, "we can do whatever we want! We're samurai!"
The boys nodded and pulled out little toy swords and pointed them at the man. The stranger laughed in his throat, rather darkly, as his hand began to slip out of the sleeve of his gi, "so you're samurai are you?"
"Yeah!" they all shouted.
"Well, in that case, why not fight a fellow swordsman for that prize, winner take all. What do you say?"
The man placed his hand on the hilt of his sword that was cinched tightly about his waist, pushing it out of the holster easily with his thumb. The clicking of the sword startled the boys and they began to back away, "We… we're not afraid of you, old man!" Botan shouted.
The stranger smirked, "good, that's just like a samurai to not show his fear to his opponent. It's been a while since I've had a good fight, I look forward to facing a samurai."
He unsheathed his sword and the boys screamed, turning and running quickly down the street. Kotaro tossed down the object he'd taken from the girl, shouting, "run he's crazy!"
The stranger laughed softly, "stupid kids."
He sheathed his sword and looked to the girl who was starting to get up from the ground, rubbing her injured arm. He knelt down and picked up her object, gasping slightly when he realized it was a dagger. He went up to the girl and looked down at her, "you ok?"
The girl looked at him and shrieked, jumping away from him, "get away!"
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The girl seemed unconvinced and glared at him. He took a step towards her and she gasped before reaching down and picking up a stick. The man smiled under his hat as she pointed the stick at him like a sword, "leave me alone! Or else!"
"Or else what?"
"Or else I'll fight you! I'm not like those dumb boys, I'm not afraid of you!"
"So you intend to fight me then?" he laughed, unable to hold back his amusement at this girl's bravery. In deed, she was more courageous than the boys he had startled off and the fire that burned in her blue eyes only fueled his admiration towards this girl. Not even grown men would face him unless they had no other option, yet here was this little girl, her black hair shining in the sunset, her eyes burning with determination and resolve. He had fought many men in the past but this girl had a fighting spirit about her that was much like his own, unwavering and fierce.
"Yes! You're a stranger so leave me alone and go away!"
"Well how about we introduce ourselves, then we won't be strangers anymore," he offered softly.
"I am Kamiya Kaoru of the Kamiya Kasshin Style!"
"Ah, so you are a swordsman, then?"
"Yes! I am the assistant master at the dojo so you'd better back off!"
The man laughed, "Is that so? Well then, little master, let me escort you home and then all will be well."
He stepped toward her and she backed away, getting a sigh from him, "I already told you I'm not going to hurt you."
"Why should I believe you? You were going to attack Kotaro and the others with your sword! Why shouldn't I think you're going to use it on me!"
The man laughed softly, almost sympathetically, "do you really think I'm going to fight you?"
Kaoru didn't answer so he took another step towards her and she suddenly let out a battle yell and charged at him, swinging with surprising precision at his side. He easily dodged the attack and she came at him again but he simply stepped out of the way and gave a light push to her head. Kaoru stumbled but didn't fall as she turned to face the stranger once more. She could see him smile underneath his hat "you have to do better than that little master, if you hope to beat me."
"Fine! This time I won't hold back!"
"You were holding back, huh? Well then, try again and this time don't go easy on me."
"Fine here I come! HA!"
Kaoru swung with all her might at his side but he caught the stick in his hand with ease. She tried to pull it away but he was far too strong for her to overpower. She heard his soft chuckle and stepped in, stomping his foot. He gave a small startled sound and as he took a step back she let go of her weapon and pushed him to the ground. She stepped back and panted, watching as the stranger sat up to look at her. His hat had moved slightly during his fall and she could see his eyes shining underneath, like a demon's eyes.
Suddenly afraid, she backed away, knowing this man was angry with her and was probably going to kill her for what she'd done. But instead of snarling at her he laughed, a deep hearty laugh that rang through the street.
"Not bad little master, not bad at all! You're the first person to ever best me!"
He stood up and dusted himself off, removing his sword from his waist and setting it on the fence before backing away from it, his hands raised, "There, no more sword, you've beaten me so I have no use for it now. I'm sorry for underestimating you, little master."
Kaoru suddenly felt less tense and let her guard down, wincing as her arm began to hurt again but she ignored it. The stranger came up and knelt in front of her, holding her dagger before him, "isn't this yours?"
"Yes, it's my father's."
"It's wise to carry some type of protection, but a child like you shouldn't be carrying a weapon such as this."
"I am not a child!" she snapped.
He smiled and gave a polite tilt of his head to her, "I'm sorry, I keep underestimating you, don't I, little master? Forgive me for addressing you wrongly."
Kaoru took the dagger and put it in her kimono, glancing at the man. She couldn't see his face because of his large hat but she could tell that he had dark hair. The exact color she wasn't sure of because of the setting sun behind him set him almost completely in shadow but she noticed a small scar at the bottom of his cheek, "how did you get that scar?"
"This?" he asked raising his hand to the mark, "I got this from fighting with swords. After getting such a wound you would think I would learn to pick fights I can win, huh? Instead I pick on people who beat me up, like you. Isn't that right, little master?"
Kaoru giggled, earning a smile from the stranger, "that's a pretty laugh you have, Kaoru. But it's getting late and you shouldn't be out at night by yourself, master or no. Where do you live?"
"The Kamiya dojo just a bit up the road."
"Come on then, I'll take you home."
He stood up and held his hand out to her. Kaoru gave him a questioning look and he smiled reassuringly at her, "it's alright, take my hand and you'll be ok."
Kaoru nodded and placed her tiny hand in his large one, noticing how rough it was against her skin of her palm. Sure, her father had rough hands as well from sword practice but they weren't as rough as this man's. He must use the sword a lot for his hands to be so weapon worn. The stranger retrieved his sword and replaced it in his sash before nodding towards her, "lead the way, little master."
Kaoru nodded and started off, the man following closely behind. As they went along she began to skip, losing her shoe along the way. She went back to get her shoe and smiled when she saw the man stop and wait for her. She couldn't help but stare at him as they walked. He was tall but not as tall as her father, maybe a bit over five feet or so. He looked strong too, his gi stuck to him in certain places on his waist and arms, outlining the solid muscle that lay underneath the thin material. Kaoru figured that he probably wasn't very old because of his voice and the way his jaw was curved. But if she had to make a guess, he must have been in his twenties or thirties but she couldn't be positive because she had yet to see his entire face. Even though they weren't in direct sunlight anymore his long bangs kept his face hidden from her.
He must have noticed her eyes on him, for he addressed her, "something wrong, Kaoru?"
"Oh! No! Nothing!"
"Good" was all he said as they continued down the street.
Kaoru saw the sun finally disappear behind the horizon and the night quickly fell upon them, an urgent fear suddenly taking over her. She hated the dark, she always had. She heard people talk about demons and monsters that came out at night and was fearful they would come after her. Boys she could handle but demons and monsters, no way!
A sudden noise behind them startled her and she yelped, clutching to the man's hand and forearm as if her were a lifeline. To her amazement she felt his large hand close gently around hers, pulling her a little closer, "it's alright, no harm will come to you, Kaoru, I promise."
"But… what about the monsters and demons?"
She heard him laugh softly, "if anything wants to attack you they'll have to go through me. Of course, I doubt that the master of Kamiya Kasshin style would need much protecting from a traveler such as myself. But I'm sure you won't let anything get me, right?"
Kaoru smiled, "right! I'll protect you!"
"Thank you."
Finally they reached the dojo and Kaoru ran inside, "Father! I'm home!"
Her father rounded the corner and sighed in relief, "There you are, Kaoru. I was worried. Where have you been?"
"I was coming home from Dr. Gensai's when Kotaro and his brothers attacked me."
Her father's eyes widened, "are you alright?"
"Yes, this swordsman helped me!"
"Swordsman?"
Kaoru laughed lightly and headed to the gate to get the stranger, taking his hand and leading him inside to her father, "this is him, Father."
Kaoru's father nodded to the man, "thank you for bringing her home, stranger."
"You're welcome. Not that she needed much help from me. She's quite a skilled little swordsman."
"Indeed. How can I repay you, stranger?"
The man held up his hand, "oh that is not necessary. Knowing that she is home safe and sound is more than enough of a reward for me."
"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Kaoru suddenly asked.
"Kaoru." Her father warned.
She looked up at him questioningly, why didn't he want the swordsman to stay? Before she could ask the stranger spoke up, "oh no, I couldn't impose on you like that. Besides, it is late and I must be off, I have to be elsewhere by early in the morning so I don't have enough time to stay this time, Kaoru."
Kaoru sighed sadly and looked to the ground. Her father nodded and looked down at her, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the dagger in her kimono, "what are you doing with that, Kaoru?"
She raised a hand to touch the weapon in the folds of her obi, "Huh? Oh this, I was just…I mean… You said I could have one of my own and…"
"When you were of age! Not before and not mine! You know you are not supposed to be playing with the weapons, Kaoru! How many times do I have to tell you?"
The stranger watched with narrowed eyes when he saw Kaoru wince as if waiting for a strike from her angry father. But instead of delivering the expected blow he took the dagger and tapped her in the head with it, "You are not to bother this ever again, Kaoru, do you understand me?"
"Yes sir." She answered softly, still drawn into herself.
"Good. You and I will discuss your punishment later for taking this. But for now I need to see our guest out."
The stranger declined, "That won't be necessary, sir, I can escort myself out."
"As you wish. Well, thank you again, stranger. Next time you're in town you are welcome to stop by for dinner."
"I would enjoy that, sir. Goodnight to you both."
The stranger bowed and headed to the gate. Kaoru took off after him and caught his hand, "Wait! Do you really have to go?"
"Yes."
"But… I want you stay…"
The stranger smiled and knelt down, resting a hand on her tiny shoulder, "I'm sorry, Kaoru but I can't. But I was wondering if you would do a favor for me?"
"What is it?"
He reached into his gi and pulled out a small dagger in a solid black sheath with a red tie on it, handing it to her, "would you keep hold of this for me until I return? It keeps falling out of my gi because of the hole in my pocket and I would hate to lose it. Would you keep it safe for me?"
Kaoru smiled and took the dagger, "yes, I'll keep it safe for you."
"Thank you."
He stood to leave but Kaoru once again caught his hand, "wait, you never told me your name."
"Don't worry about my name, I'm just a lonely traveler. You won't remember it even if I do tell you."
"But…" He placed a calloused finger to her lips to shush her, a smile appearing on his face, "I will see you again one day. Until then, farewell little master."
The man left without another word, shutting the gate behind him. Kaoru opened it to go after him but by the time she moved the heavy door he was gone, vanished into the shadows of the night as if he himself were made from the same inky blackness. Kaoru sighed and clutched the dagger to her, "yes, until then…"
Well, that's chapter 1, hope if was ok. I haven't written in awhile so I may be a bit off (more than usual) so let me know how to fix it and chapter two will be up soon enough.