Chapter One: Back to Kyoto
Everything had been pretty quiet for a while with Kenshin and the others since their return from Kyoto. It was a beautiful, warm summer day and everyone was going about their normal routines. Kenshin was doing laundry while entertaining Ayame and Suzume, Kaoru was instructing Yahiko, Sanosuke was lazing around the dojo, and Megumi and Dr. Genzai were tending to patients at the clinic.
"Maaaan, there's gotta be something to friggin do around here…" Sanosuke said looking up at the sky with fish bones sticking out of the side of his mouth.
"Yea, you can go pick up something for dinner instead of being a lousy freeloader," Kaoru growled. "If you would help out around here a little you wouldn't be so bored all the time."
"Whatever," Sanosuke grunted and sweat dropped, "So whaddu want me to go get?" he said giving in, partially so he wouldn't have to hear her rant and partially because he had nothing better to do.
"How about fish and rice? It's been a while since we have had that, that it has," Kenshin said.
"YAY! FISH! HAHA!" Ayume and Suzume sang together happily while clapping their hands. Kenshin laughed and sang along with them.
"Alright then, that's what will have. Sanosuke, make sure you get enough so that we can take Megumi and Dr. Genzai some when we take Ayame and Suzume home," Kaoru chided.
"Yea, yea, I'll be back in a little bit," Sanosuke said as he started for the gate of the dojo. He was almost to the gate when someone knocked. He opened the door and saw the police chief standing there. "I guess you're lookin' for Kenshin, huh?" Sanosuke stated the obvious, as he often did.
"Yes, he is here, correct?" the police chief asked.
"Yea he's right around back doing some laundry. So what's happened that you need Kenshin's help with?" Sanosuke wasn't about to get left behind again. He still couldn't believe that Kenshin had taken off to fight Makato Shishio without him. Just thinking about it got him angry.
"I'm afraid there's a group of men that have been murdering high-ranking officials in the government as well as guards and innocent bystanders in Kyoto and we haven't been able to stop them, much less apprehend them. I believe the only one capable of finding and stopping them is Himura," the police chief said warily. Just then Kenshin stepped around to the front of the dojo and walked towards the two men.
"Well, if it isn't the police chief. It's been a while since I last saw you, that it has," Kenshin said calmly with a small smile, like he hadn't already heard what he wanted him for.
"Yes, it has been quite some time. Maybe we could find somewhere to talk more privately?" the police chief said noticing Kaoru, Yahiko and the girls coming around to see who was there.
"Of course, come on inside and we can have some tea while we talk," Kenshin said in his usual polite tone. "Miss Kaoru, would you please take Ayame and Suzume out back while I talk to the police chief?" Kaoru looked at him with worry and suspicion. She had a feeling he was going to need to fight again. "It's alright, I'll join you as soon as we are finished talking, that I will," Kenshin said with a light smile trying to ease her fears.
"Alright," she said hesitantly, "we will wait out back for you."
Kenshin, Sano, and the police chief started to head inside when Sano noticed Yahiko following them. "Oi, Yahiko, go 'round back with the missy and the girls," he said around the bones still sticking out of his mouth.
"Oh no, you're gonna try and leave me out again. Have you already forgotten the guy from the Juppongatana that I defeated BY MYSELF back in Kyoto? I can handle myself." Yahiko had similar feelings of being left out of the action when they were in Kyoto.
"Yahiko, we all know how strong you have gotten and that's why Sano suggested you go back, to watch over Kaoru, Ayame and little Suzume. We wouldn't want anything to happen to them while we are inside, would we?" Kenshin deliberately used Yahiko's weakness for wanting to prove himself a good protector to get him to go back around the house. Kenshin had the feeling that what he was wanted for would be too dangerous to bring Yahiko along. Yahiko was definitely stronger and wiser than he used to be, but Kenshin knew that there were some things he just was not ready for yet. They finally made it inside and the police chief told them what was happening again, going into further detail.
"So, as you can probably gather from what I have told you, it will take a great amount of skill to stop this band of murderers. I fear if they are not stopped they could start a whole new revolution, which is what we believe their goal to be," the police chief said after finishing his debriefing.
Kenshin sat thoughtfully quiet for a few minutes. "Yes, from what you have said just now, I agree. However," he said getting more serious, "I fear that this task will require more skill and manpower than just me and Sanosuke alone."
"A whole new revolution!" Sano stared open mouthed at the police chief. He turned back to Kenshin. "Is it really bad enough that you and me wouldn't be enough to take these guys down? Could they really start another revolution!" Sano said not fully grasping the situation yet.
"Yes, the technique the police chief described that they used is a very unique and powerful one, and with their numbers, we are at a serious disadvantage," Kenshin said further assessing the situation. "That being said, they do have a specific goal which will help in predicting their movements."
"Are you saying that you will be unable to help, Himura?" the police chief said concerned.
"I didn't say that. I think I might know just who to get to help us with this problem. Question is how to convince him to come," Kenshin said already plotting how to get his master off that god forsaken mountain to help his "stupid pupil" again.
"Kenshin, you're not seriously thinkin'…" Sano started with a look of pure disbelief.
Kenshin sighed, "Yes, I'm afraid." He turned back to the police chief. "Let me contact someone that may be able to help us."
The police chief looked visibly relieved to hear that they could help. "Thank you so much, Himura. Here is the file with all the information gathered on the gang. They call themselves 'The Revolutionaries'."
"The Revolutionaries? Are these guys seriously trying to start another war?" Sanosuke began to understand the gravity of the situation.
"That is how it appears. If you should need anything else, Mr. Himura, all you need do is ask," the police chief stated as he got up to leave.
"I will contact you as soon as we are ready," Kenshin informed the police chief as he walked him to the gate.
"Thank you very much, Himura. I hope to hear from you soon." With that being said he got into his carriage and rode away. They stood in silence for a few moments watching as the carriage slowly disappeared from sight. Of course Sanosuke was the first to break the silence.
"Soooo… I guess this means we're headed back to Kyoto, huh?" Sano said stating the obvious again.
"Yes, but first we need to talk to Kaoru and Yahiko, that we do," Kenshin told Sano as he walked to the back yard.
"Uncle Kenny!" Ayume and Suzume squealed as they ran and grabbed Kenshin around the legs. "What took you so long Uncle Kenny?" Ayume asked and Suzume said, "Yea, you weren't here to watch us push Yahiko into the pond, HAHA!" Kenshin looked over at a soaking wet, pouting Yahiko and laughed with the girls.
"It's not FUNNY!" Yahiko was so tired of everyone always laughing at him.
Sanosuke chuckled and said, "Oi, you were supposed to be protecting them, Yahiko. How on earth do you expect to do that if you can't keep a couple of little girls from pushing you into the pond?"
"SHUT UP SANOSUKE! I just lost my balance is all," Yahiko sulked.
"Well, I guess it's too late to run to get stuff for dinner so it looks like its leftovers again," Kaoru said noticing how late it had gotten.
"Awww maaaan, leftovers again?" Yahiko whined.
"Hey, I don't see you paying to feed everyone," Kaoru said glaring at Yahiko and muttered, "Ungrateful brat."
After getting everyone fed, Sano went to go get a few things from his house before he and Kenshin left. He also didn't want to be around when Kenshin told the missy and Yahiko what was going on. Kaoru had told Sano to drop Ayume and Suzume off on his way home, seeing as he passed right by the clinic to get there. He walked up to the clinic with one hand holding Ayume's and the other holding Suzume on his shoulders. "Hey, Fox Lady! Dr. Genzai!" A few moments later one of the doors opened to reveal an irritated Megumi and a smiling Dr. Genzai. The girls ran straight to Dr. Genzai as soon as they saw their grandpa.
"Thank you for bringing my granddaughters home safely," Dr. Genzai smiled and he the girls retreated inside, leaving Megumi and Sano alone. Megumi noticed Sanosuke looking at her.
"Just what are you staring at?" She said irritably.
"Just thought you outta know Kenshin and I are gonna be out of town for a bit to help the police in Kyoto with a problem they got," Sano stated nonchalantly.
"Ugh! Sir Ken has just now fully recovered from his injuries from the last time he helped the police in Kyoto! One of these days he's going to…" Megumi ranted before Sano cut her off.
"Hey, I didn't have to tell you, Fox, so don't shoot the messenger. Besides, I'm going with him and he's gonna get his master to help out, if it makes you feel better," he said trying calm Megumi. She rubbed her forehead trying to prevent the headache she felt coming on.
"Men always have to be so difficult and stubborn… Just try to come back in one piece for starters. I really don't want a repeat after the battle with Shishio. I get so sick of patching you two back up," Megumi calmed down somewhat. "Well, walk with me back to the dojo so I can at least say good-bye this time." They walked to the dojo but not before making a quick stop at Sano's place so he could get a few things. As they walked through the gate at the dojo they could hear Yahiko and Kaoru yelling from inside.
"What do you mean you're going back to Kyoto?!" They yelled in unison.
"Well, I guess Kenshin told them that we're leaving," Sano sweat dropped and took his time walking up to the door he knew Kenshin and the others were behind. He opened the door and he might as well not have been standing there at all. Kaoru and Yahiko were both raving about Kenshin going back to Kyoto.
"Can we at least come with you Kenshin?" Yahiko begged.
"Kenshin, we just got back from Kyoto not too long ago." Kaoru whined.
"Now, now, the police there really do need my help. They have a serious problem that I need to assist them with, that they do." Kenshin was frantically trying to calm the two. "Sano is coming with me, that he is, and I am going to get master to help as well. We will come straight back after we help catch them men behind the murders in Kyoto."
Kaoru had calmed down enough to think a little. "Kenshin, can Yahiko and I at least go with you until you get to Kyoto so we will at least be nearby? We can stay with Misao and the others. I don't like it when you're so far away."
Kenshin considered what she said for a few minutes before responding. He knew that she was worried and it wouldn't necessarily be bad for her to spend some time with Misao. The only thing that bothered him was her being so close to the fighting. But then again, Misao and the others were all fighters of the Oniwaban so he really shouldn't be too worried about it. After weighing all the options he finally said, "Alright, but I want the both of you to stay at Misao's while we're there. You don't need to be amongst the fighting, that you most certainly do not." It was then that Sanosuke and Megumi were finally noticed.
"Oh, Miss Megumi, will you be coming to Kyoto with us as well?" Kaoru asked Megumi politely as she finally calmed down.
"I wish I could but I do have patients that I must care for. You all will send me letters to let me know how things are going and if you need me to come, won't you, Sir Ken?" Megumi really wanted to go but felt an obligation not to leave her patients.
"Of course we will, Miss Megumi," Kenshin said with a polite smile. He knew of Megumi's feelings for him and so he tried not to encourage her affections. He then turned his attention to Kaoru and Yahiko to avoid giving her too much attention and giving her the wrong idea.
"Miss Kaoru, Yahiko, why don't you go ahead and get a few things together, we will need to leave soon to catch the earliest boat to Kyoto, that we will." Kenshin stood up and moved to start locking up everything at the dojo.
"Well I am going to head home; I'll watch over the dojo while you're away, and both of you better come back in one piece or I'll have both your hides," Megumi threatened.
"Alright Fox, we hear you. I'll walk you home while they finish up everything here. Who knows what kind of trouble you could get yourself into walking all alone at this time of night," Sano scoffed (*gasp* Sano being helpful).
"Thank you, Miss Megumi, we will return as soon as we can," Kenshin said as he bowed his head in polite gratitude. With that Sano left with Megumi to take her back to the clinic.
By the time Sanosuke got back everyone was ready to go and they locked up the dojo before heading out to the docks. They got on the earliest ship to Kyoto and were on their way. Not long after the ship left the port in Tokyo, Kaoru and Yahiko lost their dinner over the side of the railing. Soon, they were all settled in to get a little sleep before the ship made it to land.
Around noon they got off the ship and headed toward the train station. As they started to board the train, Kaoru noticed Sanosuke hesitating. "Sanosuke! How many times do I have to tell you? There is nothing to be scared about getting on a train."
"It's not right; I still don't see how this huge thing moves by itself…" Sano was still hesitant to get on a train again despite Kaoru explaining to him how the train moved with the power of steam.
With Kenshin's help they finally got Sanosuke on the train and they were on the last part of their journey to Kyoto.
They finally arrived in Kyoto around dinner time and headed straight for Misao's. "Oh, I just now remembered that we didn't even have time to send a letter and they won't be expecting us," Kaoru observed.
"It's alright, Miss Kaoru. I'm sure they won't mind and will understand our circumstances. Besides, when we left they said we were welcome back any time so it shouldn't be a problem," Kenshin reasoned.
"I guess you're right, Kenshin," Kaoru said. They finally arrived at their destination and knocked on the door. Misao opened it and was shocked to say the least to see all of them there.
"HEY! OH MY GOSH! I didn't know you were coming! Come on in!" Misao said as she started bouncing in excitement. "GRAMPS! LOOK WHO ALL'S HERE!" The old man walked into the room and his eyes looked like they would bulge out of his head.
"Haha! I knew you all couldn't stay away for long! Let's throw a party! We can…"
Kenshin smiled at their enthusiasm but knew he had to calm them and tell them why they were there. He cut the elderly man off by saying, "Well actually, I was called here to help the police with Sanosuke and Miss Kaoru and Yahiko didn't want to be left behind so they were wondering if they could stay here while we do what we need to do to help the police, that they were."
Okina sobered almost immediately after hearing that Kenshin was there to help the police. He knew exactly why the police needed Kenshin's help. "I see, so that is why you all have shown up so suddenly. Of course any of you can stay here whenever you like. Will you and Sanosuke not be staying here with them?" Okina inquired. At hearing all the commotion, the rest of the remainder of the Oniwaban Group wandered in, followed by none other than Aoshi Shinamori.
Aoshi, never having been one for foreplay, bluntly said, "So Battousai, you have been called here to help the police with the murders."
"Yes, I will do all I can to assist the police, that I will," Kenshin said to Aoshi. Turning back to Okina he said, "And no, Sano and I will be busy and will not be staying here and we do need to attend to something of importance right now so I apologize for not being able to spend more time with you all."
"Very well, I'm sure Kaoru and Misao would like to spend some time together. I will make sure they are looked after while you are busy," Okina reassured Kenshin.
"You're leaving already Himura? But you just got here!" Misao whined.
"Now Misao, Mr. Himura has important things he needs to take care of. I'm sure that when he's finished he will come and spend some time here before heading back to Tokyo," Okina said to quiet Misao's whining.
"Yea Kenshin, we just got here, don't you want to eat and rest a little before you go off?" Kaoru said cautiously with sadness and worry plain on her face.
"I'll be alright, don't worry, Miss Kaoru. I need to get to the police station as soon as possible but before that I need to go talk to master. I will come back as soon as we are finished," Kenshin said to Kaoru trying to ease her worry.
"It's funny how no one asks if I'm alright…" Sano said with a twitch of his eyebrow.
"Haha! That's because no one cares about you that's why," Yahiko teased.
"Damn it, I'll get you for that…" Sano fumed.
"Hey Kenshin, are you sure I can't come? I can help too you know…" Yahiko begged while completely ignoring Sano.
"Oi! Shrimp! Don't ignore me!" Sano continued despite the fact no one was listening…
"I'm sorry Yahiko, but this is something you don't need to be involved in, that you don't. Just stay here and look after everyone for me while I'm away," Kenshin said trying to get Yahiko to understand.
"Awww alright…" Yahiko moped. Kenshin and Sanosuke left after saying their good-byes and headed towards the mountain on which Kenshin's master lived.
After getting themselves turned around a few times in the woods, Kenshin and Sanosuke finally came upon the little hut that Kenshin's master, Seijuro Hiko the 13th, resided in. Kenshin was about to knock on the door when he heard his masters voice say, "Come in, Kenshin." They both walked inside to find Seijuro Hiko sitting with a cup of sake. "So, what does my stupid apprentice need from me this time?"
Kenshin got down on his knees in front of his master and bowed low to the floor. With his forehead still on the floor of the hut he spoke to his master, "Please master, I need your assistance with a police matter in Kyoto. It is of great importance."
Hiko looked down at Kenshin for a moment before saying, "What could be so important that you would come ask for my help?" Kenshin sat up and told him the events taking place in Kyoto. "I see…" Hiko thought about what his apprentice had just told him. "I will help you, Kenshin, and I will also bring someone else to help as well. I normally don't like getting involved in these kinds of things but this is a serious matter and it needs to be handled. The war that just ended was as unneeded as another will be. Things are finally somewhat peaceful."
This made Kenshin smile and then frown in confusion as he thought about his master's words. "Ummm, thank you master, but who is it that you will bring and how will he be able to help us?"
Hiko chuckled, "Let's go find HER. As for her skills, she is the only other person left besides you and I that knows the Hiten Mitsurugi Style," he finished saying with a smile.
"ORO? Her? Hiten Mitsurugi? I wasn't aware that anyone else knew the Hiten Mitsurugi Style… You said yourself to me that I was to be your one and only pupil…" Kenshin said trying to process what his master had said.
Sanosuke decided he had been quiet for long enough. He turned to Seijuro Hiko and said, "What are you talking about? You and Kenshin have always said that you were the only ones left that knew the Hiten Mitsurugi Style and what's up with her being a girl?"
Hiko was amused as he watched their reactions. He chuckled and said, "When I told you that you would be my one and only pupil I hadn't known I was going to have a child. I wasn't about to not teach my child how to defend herself."
Kenshin eyes couldn't possibly get any bigger. "OOROO… YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"
"Hehe, let's see, she was born when you were about 10; she's 18 now. Her mother died when she was 4 from disease, in fact that was right after you left, so you never saw her after I brought her here to live with me. I thought I had at least mentioned her to you… hmmm…" Hiko said thoughtfully.
"Is that where you disappeared to all those times?" Kenshin said putting the pieces together.
Sano decided to put his two cents in again. "WOW, Okaaaay… So where is she now?" He asked still shocked himself.
"Follow me. We'll go get her now," Hiko said getting up and walking out the door followed by Sano. "Kenshin, get your ass up and come on, I'm not going to wait on you all night."
"Wait master! I'm coming but you have to give me a little time to adjust after telling me something like that…" Kenshin muttered as he ran out to catch up to the other two men.
"She lives just a little way down here…" Hiko said as he led them back down the mountain and toward the western outskirts of Kyoto.