Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic: These Changing Times
This fanfic series takes place two years after the Revenge Arc ends, in an alternate RuroKen universe. (Only because I started it well before the manga ended ^_^;;) Eighteen-year-old Makimachi Misao comes to Tokyo to visit Kenshin and Kaoru... and to put her own troubles behind her. A newly attentive Sagara Sanosuke is more than willing to distract her. Then a certain Oniwabanshuu onmitsu turns up in Tokyo to help investigate a wave of vicious armed robberies sweeping the city...
Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated. But be warned: this fic meddles with what seem to be considered the tried-and-true romantic pairings in RuroKen (in case I didn't already make that clear). So if you read further, please be kind and keep an open mind! ^^;;
SPOILER WARNING: This first chapter contains a couple of minor Kyoto Arc spoilers; if you've at least watched up through episode 52 of the anime (or read through Vol. 15 of the manga), you should be fine. If not, proceed at your own risk. More spoilers may follow as this series progresses; I'll be sure to warn you accordingly.
Note: for those who are new to the language, go to http://home.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
Chapter 1 - A Surprising Visitor
"Well, that's it for me," Sanosuke said, rising from his table at the Akabeko. "Thanks for treating me to lunch, Tae."
The brown-haired woman smiled brightly. "It's the least I can do, after you broke up that robbery last night." Her smile wavered, becoming uncertain. "But... I'm afraid after this... you'll have to start paying for your meals... like any other customer..."
Her last sentence was spoken to Sanosuke's retreating back as he sauntered toward the door.
"Hai, hai," he said with a casual wave. "Ja."
Tae sighed in exasperation as he ducked through the low doorway. "That man is going to eat me right out of business," she said to Tsubame, who was cleaning off Sanosuke's table.
Tsubame glanced up nervously at Tae. "But... he does look out for the Akabeko... like last night. You would have lost a lot of money if he hadn't stopped those men. And they might have hurt you, too."
"True," Tae said, looking a little less annoyed. "I guess it's worth it to feed him for free every now and then. I just don't like it when he takes it for granted."
"When who takes what for granted?" Yahiko appeared suddenly behind them, holding a bucket of soapy water.
"Oh, Yahiko-kun, you're here already," Tae said, unfazed, while Tsubame began picking up the dishes she'd dropped on the floor. "Good. You can get started scrubbing the back tables."
"Hai. Oi, Tsubame-chan, you okay?"
"O-of course, Yahiko-kun," Tsubame stammered, blushing. "You just startled me a little."
.........
A fine day, Sanosuke thought, whistling as he walked through the crowded streets. Warm sunshine, a full belly... even a little money in his pocket from his winnings last night. And he'd gotten to use the Futae no Kiwami on those jerks who'd tried robbing Tae after closing time. He chuckled, remembering their terrified faces as their weapons crumbled in their hands. It'd been a while since he had used that technique in a fight, though he hadn't stopped training with it these past two years.
Could it really be two years already? Unbelievable. Time moved so fast in this Meiji Era, as Japan continued to strive to find its place within the larger world. Every day the papers were filled with news about the latest trade agreements signed with other nations, and the advances in medicine and machinery that Japan was receiving from these new alliances. Changes were taking place every day, it seemed.
It was exciting. Sometimes it even made him think about leaving Tokyo. He could travel to Yokohama or Osaka, hop a ship and see what else the world had to offer.
But the urge usually faded as soon as he made his neighborhood rounds. He spent the better part of most days at Kamiya Doujou, where he was regarded as family. In the two years they'd been married, Kenshin and Jou-chan had created a warm and cheerful home, and Sanosuke was grateful they considered him part of it. He would tease Yahiko and Yutarou while they practiced... play games in the yard with Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan... needle Jou-chan about her cooking (while eating every bite)... bounce little Kintou on his knee while Kenshin did the laundry or worked in the garden.
Usually he stayed for dinner, and sometimes he even helped clean up afterwards. Then it was off to enjoy the Tokyo nightlife... which most nights consisted of drinking, gambling and the occasional meaningless brawl. Sometimes the fights did have meaning, though... like last night at the Akabeko. He grinned again, savoring the memory. Good thing for Tae he'd won at dice... he'd been on his way to spend his winnings at the local brothel when he spotted the would-be thieves breaking into the restaurant.
Even with good deeds like that, he supposed most decent people would think him one broken law away from becoming a criminal himself... if they didn't think him one already. Not that he cared. He enjoyed himself... helped his friends when he could... and didn't hurt anyone who didn't ask for it. All in all, not a bad way to live.
As he approached the doujou, he noticed someone standing at the gate, which was... closed? That's not right, he thought. Usually Kenshin would be home this time of day... Jou-chan, too, considering how pregnant she was and how easily she tired as a result. Wonder where everybody is?
He was close enough now to see the figure at the gate--a slim, dark-haired girl in a light green kimono. She had her back to Sanosuke and was knocking on the gate. She stopped periodically, waiting for a response, getting none. He stopped a short distance away and watched her, intrigued and amused by her persistence. After about three minutes she gave up, sighing and picking up what looked like a Western-style suitcase. As she turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of her in profile.
Hmmm... nice shape... cute nose... pretty mouth. Wonder who she is?
She put the suitcase down again and began fussing with her obi, which appeared to be loose. As she tightened it, his jaw dropped.
Hmmm... very nice shape. Think it's time I met this mystery lady.
He walked briskly toward her. "Can I help you, ojou-san?" he asked, in what he hoped was a well-mannered tone.
She turned to face him, her hair ornament twinkling in the sun. Strange... he didn't appear to have startled her, though he had approached her from behind. She opened her pert mouth as if to answer him, then closed it again. Her eyes--an enchanting mix of blue and green--narrowed as she studied his face. Then they widened in surprise and... recognition?
"Sagara Sanosuke... I thought it was you!" She beamed at him. "Don't you remember me?"
He was speechless. He knew this young beauty? Frantically, he searched his memory.
She's definitely no whore... not one of Jou-chan's students, either... doesn't work at the Akabeko... think, baka-yarou!
She quirked an eyebrow, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I can't believe you've forgotten me already," she said, her voice light and teasing. "You're living up to your nickname... chickenhead."
That playful voice... those blue-green eyes... masaka!
"You're... Makimachi Misao?" Little Misao... the weasel girl... impossible!
She grinned at him, and he caught a glimpse of the skinny little spitfire he'd met in Kyoto... the scrappy Oniwabanshuu ninja who had helped Jou-chan defeat one of the Juppon Gatana... the starry-eyed girl who worshipped her former okashira, Shinomori Aoshi.
He grinned back at her.
"Well, well... you've grown up a bit, Misao-chan. Nice disguise," he teased, eyeing her kimono.
"I could say the same to you," she replied tartly. "No wonder I didn't recognize you at first... you're wearing decent clothes. You might almost pass for a gentleman, if I didn't know better."
What luck that he'd worn the new clothes Yutarou had brought him from Europe today, of all days. He glanced down at his navy jacket, which he wore unbuttoned over a crisp white shirt and gray trousers, which he wore tucked into stiff black boots. The outfit wasn't his style at all, but he'd wanted to surprise Yutarou, who was convinced Sanosuke had either sold the clothes or lost them in a wager.
He winked at her. "A lot can change in two years," he said, bowing deeply. "Shall I take your bag, Misao-dono?"
She giggled. "You sound like Himura," she said. "Take my bag where? The gate's locked, and no one answered when I knocked."
"They can't have gone far. These days, Jou-chan can barely make it to the clinic and back without a nap." He smacked his fist in his open palm. "Now I remember! Jou-chan had to see the doctor today, and Kenshin said he was going with her to make sure everything was all right. They're probably on their way back now."
"I hope so," she said. "I'm dying to see them... and to meet their little boy. To think they're parents now... with another baby coming... it's so amazing!" She smiled again, pumping her arms in excitement... a familiar gesture. He must have seen her do that a hundred times during those weeks they had spent at the Aoiya... most often when her beloved Aoshi-sama was around.
In fact, he was surprised that big stiff wasn't here with Misao. Last time Sanosuke had seen them together, Shinomori had seemed a little more attentive to his exuberant young disciple. Misao's antics had even managed to make Aoshi crack a smile at Kenshin's and Jou-chan's wedding. At the time, Sanosuke had commented to Okina that if Misao-chan could get that statue to smile, then maybe... eventually... she would get him to fully return her affections.
But Sanosuke had no idea what had happened between them since then. Most likely nothing... otherwise, she certainly wouldn't go traveling anywhere without him. And he doubted a careful man like Shinomori would let Misao come to Tokyo alone if she were truly his woman.
After all this time... he still refuses her... Shinomori Aoshi must be blind as well as stupid.
"... at the doujou?"
Sanosuke shook his head slightly, embarrassed that he'd let his mind wander. "Sumanu, Misao-chan... what was that?" he asked sheepishly.
Misao snorted. "Mou! Your hearing is worse than Jiya's." Her eyes twinkled, belieing her scolding tone. "I was asking why you were here. Are you living at the doujou now?"
"Nah. I just visit every day," he said offhandedly. "What brings you here? I'd say from this suitcase," he picked it up, grunting at its weight, "you plan on staying awhile. Follow me..." He began walking around the corner toward the back gate, which he could easily hop over and unlock from the inside. He'd done it so many times the Himuras hadn't bothered to give him a front gate key.
"Actually... I'm here to stay with Kaoru-san until she has the baby," Misao answered as she walked beside him. "Kaoru-san invited me to visit a couple of weeks ago... and Himura wrote me separately to ask if I would stay to help her out until the baby is born. I think he's worried about her... you know how he is... he says she's so tired all the time and could use some cheering up."
She paused as Sanosuke set down her case, vaulted over the gate, released the bolt and opened it for her with a flourish. She giggled again, blushing a little as he watched her walk through.
Even her walk is different... a bit slower... more graceful... She's truly grown up.
As Sanosuke hurried to retrieve the suitcase, she continued, "Jiya thought it was a good idea for me to come... the rest of the Oniwabanshuu, too... they said not to worry about the Aoiya... they'd take care of it... so here I am!" She sat on the edge of the nearest porch, swinging her legs, looking more like the mischievous Misao he'd known in Kyoto. As if she'd read his thoughts, she immediately stopped the motion and sat up straight, a prim expression on her face.
"Thank you very much for letting me in, Sagara-san," she said in a ladylike voice. And for carrying my bag."
His face reddened. Hmph... now she's acting like I'm a stranger. Did I offend her somehow? He waved his hand dismissively. "No big deal. And you can drop the formalities--'Sagara-san' really doesn't suit me."
She looked flustered. "Well... it's just... you know... more proper. Us not being related or anything..."
Suddenly, he began to understand her unusually demure behavior. Oh-ho, so Misao-chan the tomboy has been getting lessons in how to be a lady. This should be entertaining.
He put on his most serious, earnest expression. "Oh, you're right, of course. I apologize for being so forward. Should I call you Makimachi-san from now on? Or will Misao-dono do?"
She fell for it, looking relieved, then confused. "Uh... well, I guess Misao-dono... or is that too formal? Himura calls me that... but he's excessively polite..." her voice trailed off as she pondered, lips pursed, brow furrowed in concentration.
Though it took an effort, Sanosuke managed to keep a straight face. "If I might be so bold... may I make a suggestion?"
She looked up hopefully.
He went on in the same polite, helpful tone, "I always thought the title... itachi musume... suited you best."
"Oh, that would be fi--" She stopped mid-sentence, her face darkening. "Hey! What did you just call me?"
He doubled over with laughter as she leapt up, fists clenched, face flushed with anger. "Ko~no--! Who's a weasel? I'll kick your ass, chicken-man!"
"Just trying to make you feel at home, Misao-chan!" he called over his shoulder as she began chasing him around the yard. "It's working, too... you're acting more like your normal, violent self now!"
As he ran from her, Sanosuke noted with some admiration that even in a kimono, she moved surprisingly fast. In about a minute or two, she'd caught up with him. But just as she managed to grab hold of his jacket, she lost one of her clogs and tripped, pulling him down with her.
"Still as graceful as ever, eh, weasel girl?" he said, chuckling as he got to his feet, admiring the view from above.
Misao had lost her hair ornament during the chase, causing her familiar braid to come loose. Her face was flushed and sweating, her breathing heavy, her eyes bright with anger and exertion. Her carefully arranged clothing was now askew and dusty. She looked down at herself and wailed:
"My new kimono! And my hair ornament... kuso, where is it?" She glanced around, looking for its telltale twinkle. "Dammit! Sanosuke, you're such a jerk!" She scrambled around a bit on her hands and knees, muttering more curses under her breath.
Sanosuke couldn't help grinning; mussed up and pissed off, she was even more appealing. Misao glanced up at him and growled, "What the hell are you smiling about, baka-yarou? And what are you staring at?" She quickly put one hand up to her neckline, checking to make sure it was still modestly closed.
He bit off a suggestive reply, deciding to spare her further embarrassment. She was acting like her usual tough, angry self, but he hadn't missed the tears glistening in her eyes. It made him feel a little guilty. She'd obviously gone to a lot of trouble to impress everyone, and he'd intentionally messed things up for her. Something about her ladylike decorum had irritated Sanosuke, triggering his usual reaction to people who acted superior to him... like Yutarou or the fox-lady. He would goad and bait them until they tossed their manners and breeding aside and tussled with him on equal ground.
But for some reason, it didn't feel right this time. Probably because he knew Misao wasn't conceited or haughty by nature.
"Gomen nasai, Misao-chan," he said, his face serious. "I was afraid you'd become a little... snobbish. So I made fun of you for it. It wasn't very nice of me."
He held out a hand to her. She looked at him suspiciously, but allowed him to help her to her feet. He walked behind her, bent down, and picked up her hair ornament. He brushed some dirt off it and studied it for a moment, its colored beads gleaming in the sun.
"It's pretty," he said, placing it her hand.
She blushed, looking down at the ground. "Thank you for the apology," she said softly. "But you're right... I guess I was showing off a little. I deserved to be teased for it." She carefully wound the braid back into a bun and tucked the hairpin back in. She then brushed the worst of the dust off her kimono and straightened it. Sanosuke watched her silently, looking away discreetly as she tightened her obi once again.
When he looked back at her, he was amazed to see she was smiling again. "You know," she said impishly, "if I'd been in battle dress, I would've caught you in seconds, not minutes."
He returned the smile, relieved that she'd broken the tension between them. "Heh. I don't doubt it. You've gotten faster since you last chased me in Kyoto. Been training hard?"
"Yup!" She looked proud, even a little cocky. Now that was the Misao-chan he remembered. "I've been practicing every day... Jiya showed me some new moves... Okon's been helping me with my kunai technique... and Aoshi-sama even started me on the..." She abruptly stopped, a shadow crossing her cheerful face for a second. "Well, it's been a busy couple of years," she finished brightly.
Sanosuke's eyes narrowed as he considered the brief, pained expression that had accompanied her remark about Aoshi. So... she's still pining for that cold bastard. Guess I shouldn't be surprised...
He was at a loss for what else to say to her when he heard the front gate open. "Hey, there's the happy couple now," he said, raising his voice. "Oi, Kenshin, Jou-chan, check out who's come to visit!"
-- End Chapter 1 --