The inn was in an uproar, Okami and her girls were frantically trying to get all the rooms and food prepared, while the men who were already at the inn were waiting anxiously for their leader and the recruits.
'' 14 more people!'' Okami rubbed her head, '' At least he tells us in advance.'' She began drawing out the room preparations. ' Some of the men will have to double up' She thought.
Even though it was risky, and gave her a lot of extra work, Okami liked housing the Ishin soldiers in her Inn. The cause they were fighting for was something she wanted to be a part of, even if the only part was giving them somewhere to stay. She was tired, tired of the way things had been. Tired of the samurai, who had no care if people lived or died. Tired of the corruption, the money hungry government officials who kept her from living comfortably. She was just tired of the old, and wanted the new to come. And she knew, the only way she could help the cause, was to house and feed the soldiers who were fighting on her behalf.
She smiled a little brighter as she finished her preparations. Just in time too, for Katsura and the 13 others walked in. ' Hmm, the usual' She thought as she examined each man. ' 12? I could have sworn he was bringing 13... Oh my!' Her eyes widened when she saw a small, red headed boy, who looked to her to be no older than 13. ' Is he a servent, but he's got swords.... '
Katsura walked towards her with a smile. '' Okami-san, how have you been? My boys aren't giving you too much trouble are they?'' He laughed.
Okami smiled, '' No, no, not any more than the usual burden of keeping this many guests. Unfortunately, with the new additions, I'll have to double a few of the men up.'' Katsura nodded. '' Might I ask, that small boy, is he a servant? I haven't any room in the servants quarters...''
Katsura laughed, '' No no, he's a new soldier. His skill with the sword is incredible, better than anyone else in this inn, including Katagai and myself. He uses the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, I had heard of it before now, but I thought it to just be a myth.'' He laughed. Okami scowled. '' How old is the boy?''
'' He's no boy Okami-san, he's 14, another year and he'll be a legal adult.'' Katsura said. '' He's from a mountain, and hasn't had a lot of experience in cities before. I'm sure he'll learn his way around rather quickly, but if you could show him around the city later today, I would greatly appreciate it. '' Katsura inclined his head, '' I have to go, I need to speak with Katagai about the job we're to give him.''
Katsura walked back over to the young read headed boy. '' Kenshin, I won't have your job ready for you for a few days, I need to set some things straight before I do all that. However, you also need to learn your way around the city, get your uniform, and any other necessities. Don't fight yet, I want you to remain a secret for as long as possible. Okami-san will take you for a tour of the town later today, try to learn it as quickly as possible.''
'' Hai, Katsura-san.'' The read head, now identified as Kenshin, nodded. Okami then took her turn to talk to him.
'' Hello, I'm the Okami of this Inn, just call me Okami-san. What is your name?''
'' Himura Kenshin, Okami-san.'' Kenshin replied.
Okami nodded, '' Now tell me how old you really are. ''
Kenshin scowled, '' I'm 14, I never lied to Katsura-san.'' He said flatly. Okami was slightly taken aback, but decided that it he had every right to be angry. ' Here I am, accusing him of being a liar.' she thought angrily to herself.
'' Gomen, Himura-san, I did not mean to accuse you of lying.'' She bowed as she said this. Kenshin was quite flustered, '' D-don't bow to me, Okami-san, I'm the one taking your food and space.'' he said hurriedly. Okami laughed, ' such a nice young boy, I hope the war doesn't change him...'
Kenshin excused himself to go to his room, which, to his surprise he had all to himself. He had overhead the conversation between Katsura and Okami and figured he'd be sharing a room. ' Although, someone could still be sent up here later' he thought absently. He didn't have many belongings, a mere top and some money was all he had to his name. He frowned at the two yen that came out of his wallet, ' This won't be enough for a uniform.' He thought, slightly embarrassed at his lack of planning. ' Even if I didn't have time to do any odd jobs before Katsura-san took me to Kyoto, I should still have more than this, this isn't even enough for a bowl of plain hot soba.' Before he had time to think about anything else, there was a knock on his shouji.
'' Himura-san, I'm ready to go into town dear.'' The voice of Okami floated into the room. Kenshin sighed and stuffed his wallet back into his gi.
As hard as he tried, he couldn't hide the wonder in his eyes as he saw the size of the city. The inn was located closer to the outskirts of town, so walking down the main street was like a new world to him. Okami couldn't help but laugh. '' I'd heard that you've never been in a city, is that right Himura-san?''
Kenshin rubbed the back of his neck, '' uh, hai, Shishou was never a people person.'' He replied sheepishly.
' Shishou.' Okami thought.
As if reading her mind, Kenshin elaborated. '' I've lived with my Shishou since I was 5. My parents died, he rescued me from bandits.'' He said, leaving much of the story out. ' Akane, Kasumi, Sakura.' He thought sadly, ' I wasn't strong enough to protect you then, but now, I am. I will change this era.' He silently promised the women who had protected him that night.
Okami sighed. ' To lose ones parents at such a young age. ' She shook her head. When she looked up she smiled slightly. '' We've arrived at the seamstress. You are in need of a uniform, are you not, Himura-san.''
Kenshin stopped, '' I don't have enough money right now.'' He said. Okami laughed, '' Don't worry, the first uniform in free, Katsura-san pays for that.''
Kenshin nodded and the two walked in.
'' Hello, Tachi-san.'' She said to the old woman behind the counter, ''We're in need of a new uniform.''
Tachi nodded and looked up. '' Oh my, you're the youngest I've seen. How old are you?'' she asked skeptically.
'' 14'' he answered flatly. Tachi's eyes widened, but she said nothing more. She walked over and began her measurements. ' he may look scrawny, ' she thought to herself, ' But he's nothing but lean, strong, muscle.'
'' All done, I'll be finished in a few hours, come back around 6 or so this evening and I'll have everything you need. Standard blue and gray , correct?''
Okami nodded and the two walked out. Okami went back to the inn after their visit to Tachi's store, but Kenshin decided to explore more of the town, namely the back allies. He nearly got himself lost, what with all the dead ends, but eventually was able to figure out a pattern and was able to predict which streets lead to dead ends and which didn't. ' Very clever.' he thought as he moved around the shadows. ' To a normal person this would look like it was randomly laid out, but this is intentional.'
He noticed that the buildings weren't very tall, ' I can probably jump this' he thought. Sure enough he was able to, ' well, at least I can't get cornered in here.' he smiled to himself. the smile was not long lived, however. He had a clear veiw of the next street over, and a clear view of the corrupt samurai who were harassing the people on the street.
'' Bow down you dogs!!'' one of them yelled. Every person on the street stood in defiance, until they dismounted their horses. The townspeople started to scatter and the ones who weren't lucky enough to get away were beaten and forced to ' bow to their superiors'. Kenshin grit his teeth. ' Don't fight, I want you to stay a secret for as long as possible.' Katsura's words echoed in his head. Annoyed that he couldn't fight them, he looked around for any kind of projectile. He smirked, picked up a tile, took aim, and threw it.
'Right on target!' He said happily as he saw the samurai fall unconscious. Not able to determine who had thrown in, since everyone was either on the ground or inside a store, the Samurai took their friend and left. Kenshin jumped back down to the ground and decided to head back to the inn, stopping by the seamstress on the way. he picked up his uniform and arrived back just before dinner. He headed up to his room and sat against the wall, looking out the window. He pulled his top out of his gi and just stared at it for a while. It reminded him of the days before he knew of the corruption of the Bakufu, the days in which he had been and innocent young boy, nothing more, nothing less, the days where he had a family that loved him. He had just wound the top up and spun it when there was a knock on his shouji. '' Come in.'' He called out. To his surprised, it was Katsura.
'' Dinner starts in a few minuets, I want you to walk out with me so I can introduce you to the men.'' He said. '' Put on your uniform and meet me in my office in five minuets.''
'' Hai, Katsura-san.'' He said as he started to get dressed. he looked at the cloths on him and smiled. ' I'm really going to make a difference.' he thought happily, ' I'm really going to help the weak.' He had always blamed himself for the deaths of Akane, Kasume, and Sakura, always thinking why he hadn't been a little bit stronger, why he hadn't been able to protect them. He felt that bringing a new era, where the weak weren't oppressed and everyone was equal was the way to atone for letting them die. He shook his head of the depressing thoughts and made his way down to Katsura's office.
'' Enter.'' His leaders voice floated through the rice paper. Kenshin opened the shouji, took his swords from his obi, and sat down on the cushion in front of the desk. Katsura looked up and smiled.
'' That uniform looks very good on you Kenshin.'' Katsura said. Kenshin flushed. '' Thank you sir.''
'' How was your look around town? '' He asked.
Kenshin smiled, '' I now know my way around mains street, and the back ally ways that surround it. I figured out the pattern after getting caught in a few dead ends. I intend to check out the imperial court and the outskirts to the east tomorrow. '' Kenshin answered. Katsura's eyes widened.
'' You figured out those patters so quickly?''
Kenshin nodded.
'' Katagai and myself have been talking about the job you are going to have, you should be able to start your missions the day after tomorrow, I'll call you in tomorrow to brief you on what your missions will entail, so be sure to be back by roughly 4.''
'' Will I be able to go back out after? I've been thinking that I should try to find my way around town at night too, as things will look different.''
Katsura thought about it, '' It is dangerous at night, the risk of you needing to fight to protect yourself is much higher. As long as you can avoid trouble, and avoid killing anyone, I don't see any problem, just be sure to be here at 4.''
Kenshin nodded and the two left for dinner.
Which was an aggravating affair for Kenshin. If it wasn't his height, it was his hair, or his age. ' It's one thing for Shishou to make fun of me.' he thought angrily, ' but I don't even know these men.' Katsura had introduced him as soon as he walked in.
'' This is Hiimura Kenshin, he's our newest recruit and one of the finest swordsmen I have ever seen. I expect you to show him the same respect you would show anyone else in this Inn.'' Was what Katsura had told the men. ' Obviously, they aren't very nice to each other.' Kenshin thought as yet another person called him shrimpy.
He ate quickly and silently, and as soon as he was finished, he looked over at Katsura. '' Where can I practice,?'' he asked. Katsura pointed to the back door, '' In the courtyard, it's where most of the men practice.'' He answered. '' Arigato, Katsura-san.'' Kenshin said. he excused himself and left to perform his kata.
He started out slow, with the beginning Kata of the Hiten style, and gradually got faster as he moved up to the harder Kata. He lost himself in the peace of the movement, his mind wiped clean as every thought left his mind. He was completely centered, relaxed yet tense, as he performed the lethal slashes and near impossible flips. As he got to the advanced set, he was moving lightning fast, one moment you'd see him in front of the wall, the next he was by the shrubs on the other side of the courtyard. He finished with a particularly difficult looking Ryu Sou Sen. Then he started the cool down, a light depression working it's way into his brain as his mind once again filled with thoughts, and the knowledge that the peace of his kata was coming to an end. When he finished, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He was a little shocked when he turned around. It seemed as if all the soldiers had come out to watch him practice, jaws agape. ' Whats so special about a kata?' he thought to himself. Katsura was smirking. He leaned over and whispered into Katagai's ear, and Katagai started nodding quickly. Kenshin shrugged and decided to bathe, so he went to his room, grabbed a clean yukata, and headed to the baths.
About an hour later, he decided to turn in. ' I've got a long day tomorrow' he thought as he propped himself against the wall, katana resting against his shoulder. He was soon asleep, dreaming of the peaceful times of his early life with his parents.
He woke up at dawn the next day and started planning out how he was going to do what he needed to do in that day. ' The Imperial Court shouldn't be too large.' he thought, ' It'll take me a few hours at the most to find my way around. I should also check out the Gion ( red light district), that leaves just the outskirts, which shouldn't take to long either.' He frowned, ' I'll have to ask Okami for an early dinner, I probably won't make it to the outskirts until after my meeting, and I'd rather leave as soon as possible, so I can do the whole city after dark.. I don't want to be out for too long, it'll look suspicious...' He got ready to go left to the kitchens. It had been about an hour since he woke up and he was surprised to see so many people awake already. He frowned, not really wanting to hear about his height and hair this morning, however, he noticed nobody said anything.
'' Hey Himura!'' A rather tall man waved, '' you were amazing yesterday, I've never seen anyone move like that.'' he said. Kenshin flushed, '' Arigato er..''
'' Oh yeah.'' he said cheekily, '' I'm Sousuke, Hoshigake Sousuke. This is my buddy, Orahara Tatsuki. Why don't you join us for breakfast?'' Kenshin nodded and sat down with them. Sousuke introduced him to a few more of his friends and soon they were all laughing and talking.
'' Did you hear Sousuke,'' Tatsuki whispered, '' I hear their hiring a Hitokiri, and he's gonna be stationed here, in this inn.''
Sousuke frowned, '' Whats wrong with that, we're on the same side. Besides, someone has to do the dirty work.''
Kenshin was a little more than confused. '' A Hitokiri?''
'' An assassin of the night.'' Tatsuki said. '' A cold blooded killer.''
Kenshin looked down. '' I don't think they like to kill, I can't imagine anyone would.'' he said.
Sousuke nodded, '' Like I said, someone has to do the dirty work. Assassins also have the best skills. After a while, he'll be able to sneak into any place without being detected. ''
''Yeah.'' tatsuki said, '' Becuase he won't last if he doesn't develope those skills fast.''
The rest of breakfast went off without a hitch, but Kenshin couldn't get their conversation out of his head. ' Hitokiri' he thought, ' sounds, lonely.' he decided right then and there that if he could find out who this new assassin was, he'd try his hardest to befriend him. ' No one deserves to be alone with something like that on their conscious.'
After he was finished, he said goodbye to his new friends and made his way to the kitchen to see Okami.
'' Oh Himura-san, what brings you here?'' She asked when he entered the kitchen.
'' I need to finish learning the layout of the city today, Katsura-san is briefing me on the aspects of my job tonight and I start tomorrow. I won't have time to eat with the rest of the soldiers tonight, could I come around four or five to pick up something small, I'll be out most of the night.''
Okami smiled warmly. '' Of coarse dear, I'll make you up a bento.'' Kenshin nodded and thanked her before leaving. He spent the better half of the morning and a few hours into the afternoon making his mental map of the Imperial court. It wasn't any larger than he expected it to be, however, the back allies were much harder to figure out. For a while, he almost thought they were just random, but berated himself, knowing that it would be foolish to no have plans, especially this close to the palaces of both the emperor and the shogun. After a while he finally figured it out, it was a pattern of different patterns, which was why it took him so long to figure it out. There were three different patterns as to how the allies twisted and turned, then each pattern was set up in different places between two others. By the time he had figured it out, it was almost 3 o clock, so he made his way to the Gion, which wasn't hard to figure out. There was really no pattern, but there weren't any dead ends either. It was just a bunch of buildings sitting close to one another, although he was able to find some fairly interesting places to hide, if he ever needed to.
He left the gion around 3:30 and was back at the Ohagi inn by 3:50, and decided to make his way to Katsura's office. He knocked on the shouji and heared a '' Come in'' float through the door. He opened the door and Katsura looked at him.
'' Ah, Kenshin, sit down. '' he looked to the young boy, younger than Kenshin at least, who was sitting next to him.
'' Yosho, will you go get Iizuka and Katagai for me.'' Katsura said. The young boy, Yosho, nodded. '' Yes sir, Katsura-san.''
Kenshin watched him as he left. '' Is he a soldier too? He looks younger than I do.'' Kenshin said.
Katsura shook his head, '' No no, he's my assistant. He lives with his aunt and uncle down the road a ways, and he's very helpful.''
Yosho returned a minuet later with Iizuka, '' Katsura-san, Katagai has not yet returned to the inn from the mission he and the men left on a few hours ago.'' Katsura nodded, '' alright Yosho. Will you wait for him to return, and send him here as soon as he does?''
Yosho nodded and left.
'' Alright, Kenshin, I don't like asking you to do this, but you're the only person I can think of who is right for the job. I know why you joined the Ishin Shishi, and therefore know that you won't betray us. I want you to be the sword of Heavens justice. There are men in this world today that will stop us from attaining the new era. I want you to, eliminate these men. The men who are the foundation of the Shogonate. You will eat away at that foundation until we can crumble it and win this war. You have to know that some of them missions you carry out will have to remain a secret, no one can know who it was and where they hail from. It could easily start a bloody battle, which wouldn't settle anything. Your role is extremely important. I want you to be our shadow assassin, our Hitokiri, to carry out the justice of the Ishin, and help bring about the end of this war.''
Kenshin was speechless as he recalled the conversation he had earlier over breakfast. '' Assassins of the night.... Someone has to do the dirty work....'' He steeled his resolve, however.
'' If with my dirty hands I can bring about an era where all will live in peace and equality faster, then I give you my sword, Katsura-san.'' he said, '' I accept the role as the Assassin of shadows.''
Katsura breathed a sigh of relief. '' You don't know how long I've waited to find someone who I could trust with this job, Kenshin. Arigato Gozaimasu.'' He said. Kenshin nodded back.
'' Now, this is Iizuka, he's the had of our intelligence and recon. After an assignment, you will report to either him, Me, or Katagai. He will always be on sight after an assassination to clean up, he will also be the one handing you your assignments. Katagai or myself will choose the targets, but he will give you your envelope, like this one. '' He said as he handed a black envelope to him. Kenshin opened it and found a name, a description, and address, and a time. Also, a piece of paper with the words '' Heavens Justice'' written on it as inside. '' That is your target, and that is the calling card you leave behind.'' He said. '' Also, I know I told you that you'd start tomorrow, but this man is leaving town in the early morning, we need him eliminated tonight.''
Kenshin nodded. After a little more talk, mostly about how much of the city he'd learned, he bowed and left to get his dinner. ' I need to find this address and do a little scouting.' He thought to himself. Kenshin tucked the black envelope into his sleep pocket and went to the kitchen to grab his dinner. Before he left, he decided to practice his kata, to center himself and think about his future. He was half way through when he sensed someone was watching him. He ignored it, until the person spoke.
'' Gonna show off again huh.'' Said a cocky voice. Kenshin stopped midway and looked at the man, probably in his early twenties.
'' I'm practicing. I didn't know you were busy.'' Kenshin inclined his head, '' I'll leave you to your privacy.'' He turned to walk away when he heard him snort.
'' You think your so high and mighty don't you? Just because Katsura-san brought you here personally. Well, I'm the best swordsmen in this inn and I challenge you.'' He said. Kenshin sighed.
'' I decline.'' he turned to walk away when he sensed the mans ki flare.
'' No one turns their back on Shigure Tanaka, master of the Tai Ji ryu. '' Kenshin turned around and blocked his first strike.
He stayed on the defensive for a while, blocking side slashes and stabs, but soon decided to end it. ' I don't have time for this.' He thought angrily. In a second, he got behind Takana and hit him in the back with the flat end of his sword, then pinned him with the blade to his neck. '' We're supposed to be on the same side, and I have a job tonight, swordsmen shouldn't have an ego. I don't care how good you are, do not challenge me again.'' he said in a cold voice barely above a whisper. He removed his sword from Tanaka's throat and stood up.
'' This isn't over Himura!'' Tanaka yelled. Kenshin ignored him and left to scout out the location where he would find his target that night.
Tanaka was angry, angrier than he'd been in while. Not only had the new kid defeated him, without even trying it seemed, but his stupid little friend Sousuke had seen it. ' He said something about having a job tonight, maybe I can get Katsura to send me with him, I could get him to slip up and be killed and no one would bat an eye lash, since we were fighting the enemy.''
Unfortunately, word travels faster than he would have liked, and by the time he was able to see Katsura, even he'd already heard about it.
'' Before you say anything, Shigure-san, I heard about your fight with Kenshin, don't do it again. From what I heard he beat you fairly so there should be no hard feelings. If I hear your giving him a hard time I'll send you to the countryside to work with the shipping agents. Is that understood? I won't tolerate insubordination.'' Katsura said harshly. Tanaka nodded.
'' Hai, understood Katsura-san. There are no hard feelings. I also understand that Himura-san has a mission tonight, I was wondering if I could be a part of his team.'' Tanaka said, trying his best to hide his anger. ' Why is Katsura standing up for this boy so much? Whats he got that I don't?'
'' He's not working with a team. It's a solo assignment.'' Katsura answered.
' Solo? Assassination?! Is he the new Hitokiri?.' Tanaka looked at him, '' What is his assignment?''
'' I think you know what a solo assignment entails. '' Katsura said. '' You'll be on assignment tonight as well, I'm sending you with Sousuke and Iizuka, Iizuka working as commander for this mission. You're on clean up duty. I've already informed the other two, good luck.''
Tanaka nodded and left. He was even more angry than he was before. ' That brat is the new Hitokiri? Damn, I wanted that job.' he thought sourly. ' and I get stuck with cleaning up the bodies.'
Meanwhile, Kenshin had already started scouting out the area where his target was supposed to be. After finding sufficient escape routs and a good place to hide before the target arrived, he took his position, with only 20 minuets to spare. It was 6:00, and his nerves started acting up on him. ' I... I have to do this, for the bringing of a new era.' He told himself over and over. ' No distractions.' He took a deep breath and hardened his resolve. His target walked onto the street in front of him, a fat man in business a tire with 4 guards flanking him.
'' Then the dirty peasant tried to sell me a daikon radish for 4 yen, talk about over priced.'' he laughed. '' I told him that I'd put him out of business if he ever tried that again, then I took the radish for free.'' This time his bodyguards joined him in laughing.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes and jumped down behind them. '' Tatawaki Shinji, for the crimes you have committed, I sentence you to death.'' he said. The four body guards moved to stand in front of him. '' If you value your lives, you'll step aside.'' The guards drew their swords. Kenshin jumped forward and the fight started. he drew his katana with lightning speed and took out two of the body guards, he beheaded them. He then focused on the next two. They ran at him and tried impale him, but he was faster. He ducked down and spun, disemboweling the man closest to him, then thrust his sword into the neck of he last guard. He then turned to face his target, eyes glowing amber, and before Tatawaki Shinji knew what was happening, his world went black and his head fell off his shoulders. kenshin cleaned his sword and dropped the note.
Sousuke whispered to Iizuka as he watched the fight, but Tanaka just frowned. ' Getting rid of this kid will be harder than I thought.' He growled. It was all over in less than a minuet and the three walked out to join him.
'' Kenshin, that was excellent. They didn't even get one scratch on him.'' Iizuka said. Kenshin ignored him. ''I'm leaving.''He said as he headed back to the inn. he noticed all the blood on him, none of it his, and stuck to the shadows.
The Hitokiri was born.
To Be Continued
