Mecchen no Neko

by Alec Ikiiki

Kiana is visiting Japan for the first time. What happens when members of the local yakuza are harassing her. Chapter 3 UP It looks as if some new characters are up to something, and it doesn't seem good.

1. First Night Out

Genre:  General (I think)

Rating:  PG-13, for occasional language and probably for future scenes.

Disclaimer:  I don not own any RK characters.  It's as simple as that, although I wish Sanosuke and a few others were mine.  :: sighs ::  How sad, yare yare.  Well, of the characters in the story, Kiana, Hinode and Yokoshiro-san are my very own creations, so please do not take them.  Arigato gozaimasu.

AN:  I wanted to keep the same age of all the RK characters so, when you read this, do no try to figure out how it would fit into Watsuki-sama's main series.  If you do, there is a chance that a concussion can occur due to the over working of the brain.  I would know…  One more thing, I am still learning Japanese, so, if you notice any errors in the story, please inform me.

If I have it right, Mecchen no neko should roughly translate to Cat Girl, after reading, you may get the idea why the story is named this.

Gomen, if it's a bit long, remember, this is the first chapter.  Later chapters may be more of a suitable length.  Enjoy and R&R.  Arigato.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~Mecchen no Neko~

Chapter 1:  First Night Out

*~*     Pacific Ocean, Early Spring 1879     *~*

A girl of about seventeen slept peacefully as the ship rocked back and forth during that small storm.  A knocking occurred at her door.  She did not wake.

A small figure stepped into the room and tiptoed over to the sleeping occupant.  "Neko-san?  Neko-san…" the person whispered.  The one sleeping did not stir.  "Kiana-san…" the figure sat down on the bed and shook the resting resident.  "Wake up already."

"Eh?  Nani?  What is it Hinode-san?"  The girl who once was at peace in a world of dreams was suddenly up and made an effort to find her clothes in the dark.  "What happened?  Is something wrong?"  She asked with a bit of worry in her voice as she changed out of her nightclothes and struggled to button a light-blue short-sleeved shirt with sleep still clinging to her eyes.

Hinode turned on the light.  Her black hair shined a unique copper while her eyes were of violet.  She stood, covered in a blanket.  "It's nothing to get all worked up over, Neko-san."

Kiana winced at the sudden burst of light.  She stood in her newly buttoned shirt and her pajama bottoms.  "Then why did you wake me?  You know I hate to be disturbed when I sleep, especially at night."  She glared at the twenty year old before her.

The blanket dropped, showing that Hinode was already dressed in a nice kimono.  "It's six forty-five in the morning.  And there's something that I know you'll want to see.  Hurry and get your pants on.  I'll be outside your room waiting."  Hinode departed.

'What is this about?' Kiana wondered as she fastened her pants and tied her shoes.  She secured her hair in a high ponytail, allowing her chin length bangs to fall, framing her face.  She left the room to follow Hinode.  "So, what's so important that you've to wake me this early in the morning?"  Kiana yawned, signaling that she was still somewhat asleep.

Both females took a flight of steps and walked through a few doors until they came to the top level of the ship.  Water puddles were spaced all over the deck due to the storm that finally desisted.  They stood by the railing, listening as the water crashed up against the metal sides, sending sprays of salty liquid high in the air.  Hinode pointed.  "Look."

Dead ahead, Kiana could make out the outline of a coast.  "I-it can't be.  We're already there?"  Her eyes grew with disbelief.  "I wouldn't have expected to arrive in Japan until another week or so."

Hinode placed a hand on Kiana's shoulder.  "Neko-san, technology's been advancing.  Of course we'd reach Japan a week earlier than expected."  She faced the people behind her.  "This will be quite an experience for you Neko-san.  I know you'll like Japan.  Are you excited?"  She turned around to face Kiana, but a man stood in her place.  "Eh?"

The man was about sixty to sixty-five years old.  He smiled, showing he had lost some teeth.  "Yes, I am quite excited to visit Japan.  Thank-you for asking."

Hinode smiled and backed away.  'There goes that girl again, disappearing without me knowing.'  She walked away and searched the ship's deck.  Kiana was nowhere to be found.  "She probably went back to bed."  Hinode sighed, retreating to her room as well.  "Might as well wake her and then pack my stuff up."

She came upon her friend's room and peered inside.  It was dark.  Hinode decided to turn on the light.  "NANI!"  The room was empty.  The bed was made, there were no clothes on the vanity, and nothing of Kiana's was anywhere to be seen.  It was completely cleaned out.  "Neko-san…Neko-san?"  Hinode began to fret.  "Oh, I hope nothing happened to her.  Of all times to rob someone, why now?"

"Who was robbed?"  Kiana questioned from behind, startling the woman.

Hinode was glad to see that Kiana was all right.  "I think you were."

Kiana shook her head.  "I already packed my stuff, it's all in your room."

Both walked to Hinode's room.  There were both of Kiana's suitcases stacked on the floor and one of Hinode's as well.  "I figured that once I was done, I could help you pack, considering that we'll now have less than half an hour until we reach shore."

"Make that less than fifteen minutes.  This ship cuts through water quicker than you'd believe."  Hinode turned to face Kiana.  "Now, Neko-san, remember, I still have to go to my uncle's place first and get things settled.  He's expecting us, but I want things to be ready before you arrive at his house."

Kiana nodded.  "I understand, I'm to find a hotel to stay in while you go to Yokoshiro-san's home and get things settled.  You're to then pick me up tomorrow around noon in front of that restaurant, the, umm… uh…" She snapped her fingers a few times trying to remember.

"Akabeko.  I'm to meet you at the Akabeko.  There should be a few hotels around there so you don't have to worry about going all over the city to find a place to stay and eat.  One more thing…" Hinode sat down on the floor with Kiana.

"Hai…"

Hinode grabbed one of her smaller suitcases and pulled out something black and dark blue.  "Since you are new to Japan, keep this on you at all times.  You never know what may happen."

The brunet took the eleven-inch object in both of her hands.  Dark blue ribbons streamed from both sides of it.  "Eh?"  She placed her hand on one end, feeling the grooves engraved on the object, it consisted of a tiger and a dragon.  She pulled on it.  A shiny metal could be seen.  It slid out further.  "Hinode, can Tokyo be so bad that I'll need to carry a dagger around with me for protection?"

"Ainiku, hai…" Hinode turned her face away.  "You never know what to expect in an unfamiliar country, so it's best to always have something handy."

Kiana's head fell and her thumb began to rub up and down on the hilt of the dagger.  "Arigato, for helping me like you are."  Her head rose with a large smile.  The dagger and scabbard came up before her face and she sheathed the dangerous object.  "I'll keep this on me at all times."  Kiana stuck it in her belt, hiding it under the shirt.  If need be, all she would have to do was reach her right hand behind her back and grab the hilt.

"I know that your speed, flexibility and senses are extremely useful when it comes to protecting yourself, but this is to assure that you are better off."

"Ariga…"

A loud whistle sounded.  Hinode stood and worked to pack the rest of her belongings.  "We're near the shore, get your things and take them outside, it'll be a lot easier for both of us if we're one of the first off the ship."

"Arigato."  Kiana grabbed her suitcases and left the room ready to walk to the upper deck.

"Neko-san…"

"Hai."

Hinode ran to the brunet with a small object clenched in her hand.  "You forgot this."

"NANI!  I can't believe I almost forgot my mo…"

Hinode threw her hand onto Kiana's mouth.  She began to whisper, "Yes, you forgot your money, but you don't want to make a scene, if you do, someone will try to take it.  Never trust a stranger on any ship.  Got that?"

Kiana nodded, taking what was hers and left.

Hinode sighed and returned to her room.

~*~*~*~*~

"Ah, Yahiko, hurry up and get over."  Kaoru screamed.

The eleven-year-old boy stayed put.  "Why should I, busu?"  He picked up the comic he was reading earlier.  "You don't even know how to teach." he murmured to himself.

A shinai slammed down on his head, causing two extremely large lumps to form.  "ITAI!"  Yahiko whined.  "There was no need for that."

A fuming Kaoru stood high above him.  "How many times have I told you to quit calling me busu!" she screamed in his ear.

Yahiko stood and ran.  He suddenly stopped and bent over patting his butt.  "Busu, busu.  HAH!"  He darted off again.

"Warugaki!"  She ran after the young boy.

"Oro…" Kenshin sighed.

Sano walked through the gate of the dojo.  "Ah, the tanuki and little turd are at it again."

"Aa..." Kenshin answered.  He turned to face the dojo but an angry girl blocked his view.  "Kaoru-dono?"

She began to tightly grip the shinai she had in her hand.  "I have an incompetent runt on my hands, a hungry fool at the door and a slacking laundry washer…"

"Oi, Jou-chan," Sano began,  "I was wondering if I could borrow a few bits of extra money.  I need to pay off my tabs."

Kaoru found a bucket that no longer had laundry in it and strategically threw it to collide with Sano's face.  "OUT!"

"Hai."

Sano walked out.  'She seems to be more aggravated than usual.  I wonder why.  Yare yare…' He walked away from the home, hearing Yahiko and Kaoru fighting again with an occasional crash of something and an 'oro'.  "Where am I off to now?"  He thought.  "Ah, Tsunan."  The ex-gangster made his way to his good friends house.

~*~*~*~*~

Once Hinode and Kiana had got off the ship, they packed their belongings into a carriage and rode to the train station.  From there, they traveled to Tokyo.

"I'll be off now, take care, Neko-san, and remember what I said.  Hinode stepped into the carriage.  She looked out one of the windows.  "Tomorrow at noon…"

Kiana sighed.  "I know, tomorrow at noon at the Akabeko.  I'll be there."

"Do you still have it?"

Kiana reached behind her and felt the cold material of the dagger's sheath.  "Hai."

"Be careful and stay out of trouble.  And one more thing…" Hinode said, grabbing the attention of an impatient teen, "If something happens, don't hurt anyone too badly, okay?"

"Hai…hurry and go already, Yokoshiro-san is waiting for his niece to show up.  Besides, my brain is becoming a bit strained because of your constant chatter.  You're incessantly warning me about this, telling me about that, watch out for strangers and so on.  It becomes a bit vexing being stuck on a train and then a carriage having to hear all of that for hours on end.  Now, all I want to do is check Tokyo out."

Hinode was the one to sigh.  "Fine, I'll leave to my uncle's now.  Tomorrow at noon, ja ne."

"There you go again, ja…" Kiana watched as the carriage pulled away.  "About time…" She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her head.  Her walk to the center of the city commenced.

Not even ten minutes passed by when a rumbling sound came from Kiana's stomach.  "Gah, I'm famished.  I haven't eaten lunch because of sleep on the train or Hinode-san's constant warnings."  She picked up her pace and ran.

"Are you lost?"  A woman asked.

An extremely perplexed teen stood in the middle of the street, looking at all the signs around her.  "H-hai."  She made eye contact.  "I'm looking for the Akabeko.  Do you know where it is?"

The elderly female nodded.  "You keep going the way you were, turn at the second right street and you will find the Akabeko on your left."

Kiana bowed.  "Arigato."  She ran off in the direction she was headed in.  Once reaching her destination, she entered the small restaurant to find that it was not as small as she had first thought.  She took a seat in an empty booth, taking off her shoes and placing her bag on the inside of the seating area so nobody could steal it.

"Konbanha, I am Tae, may I get you something?"

Kiana thought for a few moments.  "I'll have some Teriyaki and some green tea to drink."

Tae nodded and turned to a small girl.  "Tsubame-chan, please get some tea for our guest."

"Hai."  The young girl ran off and soon returned to Kiana with the tea and a smile.  "Here you go."

"Arigato."  She took the tea with both hands and sipped it.  "Excuse me, may I have your name?"

"Tsubame." The adolescent bowed and left at the sudden demand for more water.

Kiana received her Teriyaki and delightfully ate it, enjoying every morsel.  "Oh, this is so good.  I haven't had a meal like this for awhile."

Tae smiled.  "I'm glad that you like it."

Kiana stood up.

"Are you leaving?"  Tsubame asked.  She received a nod and a handful of money.

"Keep the extra change.  The meal was splendid."

"Ah, hai!"  Tsubame scampered to Tae.

Kiana donned her shoes and picked up her bag, ready to leave.  "Um, Tae-san?"

"Hai."

"I was wondering if you could tell me where a decent hotel is around here."

Tae looked at Tsubame who then nodded.

The young girl stepped up to Kiana.  "I'll take you to one."

Tsubame led the older female out of the restaurant and down the street.  "If you don't mind me asking…"

Kiana looked upon the shy face next to her.  "Go ahead."

Tsubame shook her head.  "Never mind."

Kiana had a feeling what the girl was going to ask.  "Most people call me Neko and I'm from Oregon.  It's located in the United States."

"Oh?"

"The U.S. is part of America."

There was silence for a few minutes, until Tsubame decided to take a risk and break it.  "What are you doing here?"

"I came with a friend.  She visits her uncle a few times every year and decided to bring me along this time."

"Ah, I see, " Tsubame nodded.  "We're here."

"Eh?"

"The hotel."

Kiana looked at the building.  It seemed to be a quaint and comfortable place.  "Oh yeah, arigato.  It was kind of you to bring me here."  She was surprised to be at a hotel so soon; she turned around and found that the Akabeko was not far.

"It was nothing."

"Yes it was.  I was pure kindness on your behalf and for that I truly thank you."

Tsubame blushed.  "Really, it was nothing, demo… arigato."

A grin spread across Kiana's face.  "Since I'll be staying here tonight, I can guarantee that you'll see me later on.  Ja."  She began to walk into the building.

"Ja ne, Neko-san."  Tsubame waved and ran back to the restaurant.

~*~*~*~*~

The day began to wane.  The stars slowly emerged from the sun set sky.  "Ah, Tokyo is so beautiful."  Kiana said to no one in particular.  She stood on a bridge over a river, leaning on the railing.  She took in a deep breath of fresh air.  "How wonderful."  A sound came from her abdomen.  "Dag nabbit.  Why can't you ever shut up?" She cursed the appetite that she had.  "Why am I always hungry?  Well, I might as well satisfy you, Teriyaki sounds good again with inari and…" she licked her lips, "inarizushi."  She jogged down the road to the restaurant she was sure to become extremely familiar with.

"Ah, arigato once again, Tae-san."

Tae smiled.  "No, arigato."  She turned away as another customer chimed for something to drink.

"Oyasumi nasai, Neko-san." Tsubame called.

Kiana stopped and looked at the girl.  "Oyasumi, Tsubame-chan.  I'm sure to be back tomorrow morning."  She left the restaurant, noting that it was nearly black outside.

She reached the hotel.  'It's still too early in the night, I'm gonna go for a walk over that bridge.'  Kiana placed her hands in her pockets, turned around and eventually strolled out of the square.  Before realizing where she was, Kiana stood on the wooden bridge over the river. 

She looked up to the stars above.  "Beautiful, I don't see these constellations like I do back home, none the less have a chance to look up at the night sky."  She leaned up against the railing, her back to the water, gazing at everything above her.

A group of men came upon the overpass.  They appeared to be drunk.  Kiana noticed this and decided to walk away from them, in case there would be any trouble.  Before she was able to get off the bridge, five men stepped away from the trees and in front of her.

"Ah, what little bird do we have here, all by her lonesome self?"  One man commented as Kiana stepped back.

"Why don't you come with us?"  One attempted to grab her but she easily moved out of his reach.

"Iie."

"What the hell did you just say!"  Another yelled at her.  He had a scar that ran over his left eye.

Kiana narrowed her eyes.  "What makes you think I'll voluntarily go where ever you drunk buffoons want me to go?  I wish to have nothing to do with you."  She took another step back.

From behind, a hand grabbed Kiana's left arm.  "Where do you think you're going after saying such lies?"  The man turned her around to face him, moving his face just inches from hers.  She could smell the sake on his breath.  "Heh, you're not going anywhere, my little swan."

Eleven men had surrounded Kiana.  "Let go of me!" she screamed.  They did not release her.  She glared at her captor.  He turned her around, forcing her back towards his front.  "I said let…"

A hand made contact with Kiana's face, leaving a red mark.  "You have no right to tell us what to do."

Once taking a look at the clothing the men wore Kiana instantly knew that they were members of the local yakuza.  'So these were the kind of people Hinode-san was warning me about?'  Without hesitation, she reached behind her back with her free right hand and with a flick and twist of her wrist, her dagger flew upwards, slicing her captors face.  The man released her, bringing both hands to a bleeding cheek

"Subeta!"  He yelled.

Kiana sheathed the dagger and turned to run, forgetting that there were six men behind her.  She was grabbed by the collar by a husky looking guy.  He had grey hair and a patch over his right eye.  He lifted her off the ground.

"Tasun, don't hurt her yet."  The bleeding man walked to her, apparently, he was the leader of this small group.  "You'll pay for what you did."

"What do you wish for me to do, sir?"  The husky man asked, turning to face the leader.

Kiana gave a small snarl and stared angrily at her captor as he made eye contact with her.  She spit into his good eye.  At that moment, he threw her towards the bridge's edge.

Instinctively, Kiana twisted her body around to land on her hands and feet, only breaking two pieces of wood that held the rail.  She peered at the water far below and then back at the eleven advancing men.  They had just pulled out what appeared to be bokken, but were actually hidden swords.

~*~*~*~*~

"Ah, that was great."  Sano sighed.  He walked around a corner with a jug in hand.  "My tabs are paid, I had a great meal, I had a splendid time winning some money gambling and now I have a full jug of sake.  Nothing could ruin this."  He raised the jug to his mouth to take his first sip from it.

A crash sounded ahead of him.  "Eh?"  He removed the sake from his mouth and corked it.  Sano ran towards the sound.  Ahead, on a bridge, appeared to be a group of men surrounding someone that seemed to not be having the luckiest night of their life.  He decided to help the unknown person.

Sano set the sake near a tree so it would not get broken and made his way to the troublemakers.  "Great, all I need is a fight with the yakuza.  This should promise to be interesting."

All of the men pulled out some hidden swords.  Sano slowly ran to the group.  "Oi, you know it's not nice to play with sharp objects, you could hurt someone."  He looked at them all with a small smirk.

A few of the men turned to him.  "Mind your own business, she's ours."

'She?'  Sano thought.  "Well, you do know I'll have to stop you considering that it's a woman that you're about to hurt."

"Ursai!"  A bald man screamed.  He and a few others sprinted towards the young fighter.  They slightly wobbled as they ran.

Like water, Sano smoothly moved between the men, dodging the blades.  He then attacked, knocking all four unconscious.  He turned to the remaining members.  'They must be drunk to be so pathetically weak.'

The man that appeared to be the leader held up his sword and swung down.

Sano was too late to do anything.  He watched in horror of what he thought had happened.

The blade made contact with something, but not human flesh.  Wood chipped away as the blade raised.

Everyone stood wide-eyed.  On top of the railing crouched the girl.

The blade swung around again but did not hit anything.

The girl had jumped up over the men's heads, landing on her feet and one hand.  Her head did not move as she stood.  The remaining members of the yakuza attempted to attack her but she bent over and kicked at one man, sending him spiraling to the ground.  Another advanced upon her; she jumped up, twisting her body in mid-air and kicked out.  That sent the katana flying out of his hand.  She dodged a punch and kneed him.

Sano moved in.  Two of the remaining five noticed him and tried to strike him down but did not succeed.  They ended up unconscious on the floor of the bridge.

The last three surrounded the girl; her back was again to the railing.  She jumped up on it and ran past Sano.

"Nani?" He was surprised at this.  'Perfect balance.'  Sano watched as she ran the full length of the bridge rail.

"Stop her!" the leader cried out.  Blood was caked on his face and clothes.

"Heh, not while I'm here."  Sano whispered to himself, running straight at the men.  They swung their blades but missed.  "You guys are drunk if you can't swing a katana properly."  With a few hits the men lay face first on the wood paneling the bridge.  The huskier one took a little more work, but Sano had no problem.  "Now, I need to catch that girl to see if she's hurt."  Sano ran in the direction the female took off in.  He saw her retreating back and ran to catch up.

She slowed down and stood still, seeming to be out of energy.  Sano took his running to a walk.  He placed a hand on her shoulder when he reached her. 

Immediately thinking that a member of the yakuza was going to try and restrain her again, the girl swung her dagger in a swift motion, but the hand that held the weapon was suddenly clutched in the man's grasp.  Still unaware as to whom it was, she swung her body around, swiping at the male with her left hand and head butted him.  Her arm was released and she darted off, returning the dagger to its scabbard.

Sano stood in shock at what occurred.  He raised a hand to his right cheek and felt a thick oozy substance escape from two gashes.

"Matte!"  Once again he attempted to chase down the unknown person.  But this time, she did not slow down, instead, her speed increased.  Then, the girl abruptly leaped to the side.  Sano followed her to the grove of trees but had to immediately stop.  "Nani?  She disappeared."  There was not a single sign as to where the female had gone.

Sano pondered about what had happened but shook his head, deciding not to strain his brain too much.  He returned to the tree his sake lay under.  "Well, they won't be waking for awhile."  He looked at the yakuza and walked off, lifting his hand to his cheek every so often to wipe away the blood that trickled down the side of his face.  "I wonder who she was…"

~*~*~*~*~

Kiana crouched in a branch of an oak tree, intently watching the retreating back.  She cautiously waited; making sure that nobody from the yakuza went searching for her. 'Hopefully, they won't remember any of this tomorrow.' 

When there was no sign of a living being coming her way, Kiana hopped out of the tree, landing, without a sound, on her hands and feet.  "Now, to get back to safety."   She sprinted the last few blocks back to the hotel that she was currently residing in.   From time to time, she would look down at her left hand, noticing the dried blood that streaked her index and middle finger.

~ To Be Continued ~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~ Japanese ~

Ainiku – Unfortunately, Sorry but…

Arigato gozaimasu – Thank you very much

Bokken – Wooden sword

Busu – Ugly woman

Hai – Yes

Iie – No

Inari – flavored boiled rice

Inarizushi – sushi in fried tofu

Itai – Ouch

Ja ne – Later, See you later

Jou-chan – Little Missy (What Sano calls Kaoru)

Konbanha – Good evening

Matte – Wait!  Stop!

Mecchen no Neko – Cat girl

Nani – What?

Oi – Hey (male)

Oro – What Kenshin says when something happens.  Eh?  Huh?  What?

Oyasumi nasai – Good night

Shinai – Bamboo sword

Subeta – Bitch

Tanuki – Raccoon dog

Ursai – Shut up

Warugaki – Brat

Yakuza – Japanese Mafia

Yare yare – Oh well…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN:  Now is that time to click 'go' for that 'Submit Review' in the drop down box below.  Please tell me what you think.  If you liked it, great, if not, tell me why and I will try to make it better.  Aside from that, Arigato.