Hello everyone! This is the first time for me writing a Rurouni Kenshin fanfiction. =D
I choose to write about the movie verse, I like it a lot and there aren't many stories about it.
Please keep in mind that English is not my original language, so there will be grammar mistakes, although I tried very hard to find it, I know that I probably left something behind so I apologize in advanced.
Hiko Seijuro woke up a little before the sun rise. He looks up the sky, it was clean, no trace of the storm that hit them last night. As he left his cabin he started to look if there was any damage to be repaired.
So far nothing.. That's good... – he thought looking at his yard.
He decided to pass his katas before cleaning up the mass left behind by the rain.
The sun was already up, but still a little weak, by the time he finished his training.
Back to the cabin now, let's start cleaning.
It was time like this that he misses even more his deshi. Back then, he would ask his deshi to do the cleaning while he keep training or enjoying some sake. Then he would come back to see how his deshi was doing, most of time he would finish any task that was given to him, but sometimes he caught his deshi doing something stupid, like trying to pet a frog just because its color was "too cute".
He smile a little ate the memory. He really misses the kid… that's one of the reasons he hate to think about him. It's been 10 years since he last heard of him, he keep tracking of him during Bakumatsu, but lost after Toba e Fushimi.
Sure in those 10 years a rumor or two have reached him. But he couldn't know if they could be trusted. Some part of him feels guilty for not trying to stop the boy harder or explain to him better about this war and how the world works.
When he took him as his deshi he knew about his strong will to help the others, thinking he could end all the suffering in Japan.
He, just one boy! Baka! – he thought angry at the boy and at himself. It was a matter of time that he would do something foolish. But never, in a million of years I would have imagine him join the war.
He paused for a moment looking at his yard.
Ah enough of the past, I won't gain anything with it. I better start to work.
As he got his potter materials together, he look at the wood. They were soaked!
This won't do! Great! I need to find dry wood.
He decided to look for dry wood next to the local beach. With this good weather and the help of the wind they must be almost dry by now. He didn't bother to get his katana, with the law forbidden the use of the sword the numbers of trouble makers reduced substantially, and he was, after all , a master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryū, no easy fade!
As he walks down the mountain, he passed through the local grocery store, and saw the owner, a friend of his packing up.
"Ohayou Izo!" greeted Hiko.
"Ah! Hiko-sama! Ohayou! It's not usual to see you down the mountain at this hour". Said the merchant happy to see him.
"Ah, the storm last night, ruined all the wood that I stored back there. I'm going down the beach to see if I can find some dry wood."
"Well good luck with that! That storm ruined my roof! I've got my boys to fix it after lunch. They will also be in charge of the store for some days, so if you need something feel free to ask them"
"Arigatou! Where are you going then?"
"Kyoto. I've heard there was a chaos there last night. Police everywhere, ordered people to stay in their houses. It was war scenery after that, guns… katanas… fire! Pretty much like Bakumatsu again."
"Really? Any idea what cause that?"
"No. I'm going there to see my niece, if she needs any help you know…"
"Be careful then".
"You too! I better get going. I see you later then Hiko-sama!"
Hiko bowed at the man, and continue his way, thinking about the news he just heard. It was weird; Kyoto was a peaceful place after the new regime started.
Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I should have brought my katana.
He keep his way been more careful now. If someone made a chaos in Kyoto, and if the police didn't get them, they could be around!
When he arrived at the beach he was pleased to see that he was right. The woods here were pretty much dry! He started to collect them and putting them on the sand making sure they were still getting the sun light. He was almost done when something caught his eyes. Something red…
He got a little more closer, it was a figure of a man, laying down at the sand, part of his legs were still on the water. Looks like the ocean had brought him there. His heart skips a beat for a moment…
Could it be..? How many redheads do you know in Japan?! It must be…
He got closer a little hesitant, feeling his heart even heavy as he thought: Is he dead? Do not jump to conclusions Hiko!
He got close to him. He knows that face pretty well. He studied the man for a second, saw his cheat still moving. A wave of relive came to him and he let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding. Baka deshi! What do you got yourself into this time?!
He saw a katana close to his deshi hand. At least he learned not to lose his sword. He thought as he pick it up to look at it. What the...? What kind of weird katana this is?
He studied the blade for a moment longer. His eyes moved to the blade for it owner still passed out at the sand. He used the blade to get his red hair out of the way to take a better look at the man. He could see some injuries on his face. Kenshin…were you in Kyoto last night?! Baka! Let's take a look at you.
With a fast movement, he put down the sword and pick the man above his shoulders. The wood was temporary forgotten, he need to get him to his cabin and look at his injuries. During his way back, he keep thinking about what Izo told him this morning and now the appearance of his long lost deshi. He couldn't help but thinking that something big was happening.
When he got to his cabin he puts Kenshin in his old futon and got his clothes out. He was full of injuries. He cleans him up like he had done so many times when Kenshin was a boy. He saw some scars that he knew too well. The boy was often hurting himself, by getting sloppy with his training or doing something stupid. Some scars however, were new to him.
Probably caused during the war, or later.
He cleaned his face and look at the cross shape scar.
This is wrong. It shows a side of you that shouldn't exist. What are you doing Kenshin?
He studied his face a little more. He hasn't changed much, he as older, obviously, but still looks like the boy who left.
He picked up some fresh clothes and dress him. Covered him and let him rest for a while. He couldn't help to feel worried about him. He took him in when he was a little boy, took care of him, taught him what he knows; keep track of him when he left…
I can't do nothing anymore and, it won't help to feel so worried... I cleaned his wound; I have to wait until he's up now.
Meanwhile, let's get those woods back. He thought as he left the cabin and stated to walk back to beach.
Please let me know what you think. Any reviews is appreciated. =D
Thank you for reading it!
