By: Princess Mei
Standard Disclaimer: No, I do not own Ruroruni Kenshin, but I sure wish I did! But I want to own Gundam Wing just a little more.
Chapter One
Meiji Government vs. Tankenshogu Era:
Arrival of the Battle Grounds
The wind blew silently upon the empty streets of Tokyo. It was shortly after Kenshin defeated Shishio and the Jupongatana, so he was still quite tired from all of it. He was back at the Kamiya Dojo with Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Ayame, Sazume, and Dr. Gensai. He was happy to be back with all his friends. They were all asleep silently in their beds as the chilly wind swept through. Kenshin sat against a wall thinking of his past and all the good times with hi master. Though he was told not to call him master anymore, Kenshin persisted and always will know him as master.
"This would have to be the first time I could be at ease with my surroundings knowing that Shishio isn't here to hurt anyone. I am glad at that, that I am." Kenshin said calmly to himself. He looked at the stars and began to wonder why he chose being a manslayer when he had made graves for all those people, even the ones who killed the girls who protected him until they breathed their last. His train of thought was soon led astray when he heard soft footsteps coming from the darkened hallway adjacent to him. He moved his head in that direction and focused his eyes. The person came close enough so that the moonlight hit just right, enough so Kenshin saw exactly who was there.
"Why, Miss Kaoru, what are you doing up this late? You should be asleep, that you should," he said kindly as Kaoru came and sat next to him.
"I try," she paused.
"And?"
"And," she took a deep breath, "and I can't help but dream about when you said goodbye to me after fighting Saitou." She replied weakly as if she were a defenseless child with nowhere to run. Kenshin caught that tone and got a look of concern.
"Miss Kaoru, what's wrong?" He asked with curious concern.
"Nothing," said Kaoru with her head gazing at the ground.
"There is something wrong, that there is," said Kenshin nicely. He turned to see her better and noticed a tear falling onto the wooden floor. At that moment, she threw herself into him and wrapped her arms around his waist and cried into his gi. He slowly put his arms around her and held her close.
"I never want you to do that again! Do you hear me Kenshin Himura! I never want you to leave me ever again! When you left me that day," she paused and looked into his gentle, purple eyes. "When you left me, I felt like a thousand hot daggers were thrown into my heart! You hurt me permanently, Kenshin! And I thought that I would never forgive you for as long as I lived! But when I saw you again, I couldn't help but feel overjoyed when I saw that you were all right…" Kaoru sobbed. She buried her head into his chest and cried some more. Kenshin held her close to him as if he never wanted to let go. Nothing could separate him from the girl he loved with all his heart.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kaoru, it won't happen again. I promise." He said and set his chin on her head. After a few moments of silence, Kaoru finally lifted her head and wiped away her tears with her forearm.
"Kenshin, while I was in Kyoto, I met this girl, she said her name was Satsubaeko Chihaku. She said that she knew you. How would she know you?" Kaoru asked.
"I am not sure. My memory is kind of blurred, that it is." Kenshin said and smiled gently at her. He finally took his arms away and held her shoulders gently while pulling her back. He stared into her eyes and they both began to smile.
"Kenshin, are you going to become a wanderer again?" Kaoru asked.
"I do not know, that I do not," said Kenshin kindly.
"Well," Kaoru said tearing her eyes away, "I don't ever want you to leave. Please don't ever leave me again, Kenshin. Please…" Kenshin lightly grabbed her chin and made her look at him again.
"I'll try not. You can guarantee that, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said as their faces slowly moved towards each other. Just when their lips were about to touch, Sanosuke burst open the door with a shocking look on.
"Kenshin! Saitou's here and he requests to see you, he says it's very urgent." Sanosuke said ignoring the fact that Kenshin and Kaoru were centimeters from kissing. Kenshin had set his forehead on Kaoru's forehead and smiled at his surprise.
"Tell him I'll be there in a minuet." Kenshin said sitting back.
"No need, I've come to tell you about government news that will be earth shattering in the near future. So near, that it might shock you." Saitou said coming out of the dark.
~
"You say that a rebel group called the Shitogoru Hayamashiho is causing a rebellion against the Meiji Government?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes, they plan on recreating the Revolution and creating a government of their own. And by the annual statistics that my force have given me, they seem to be more powerful than the Jupongatana. Cho, the sword hunter, says that he once had an encounter with one of the members. He said, that it was one of the most unpleasant encounters he wished he had never experienced. He told me the gruesome details but I'll spare you that." Saitou commented as Sanosuke and Kaoru sat in wonder at their information.
"Shitogoru Hayamashiho? Are they new? I have never heard of them before." Kenshin responded.
"No, they have just kept secret for the last ten years. They were around during the Revolution but they disguised themselves as the Fujitosho Yoshikogu." Saitou said with his narrow yellow eyes becoming angry.
"I have heard of the Fujitosho Yoshikogu, I have also heard that they are very powerful. But why do you come to me and tell me this, Saitou?" Kenshin asked. Saitou took sighed and looked over at Sanosuke and Kaoru. "Sano, Miss Kaoru, can Saitou and I have a moment alone please?" Kaoru and Sanosuke stood for a moment then left. But as soon as they left, they listened closely to the rest of the conversation.
"The Shitogoru Hayamashiho are planning war against the Meiji Government. They are heading towards the Tokyo Tower now to start. They are planting small groups all over Tokyo. And if we don't act soon, they'll get what they want here and then leave for Kyoto! Kenshin, we have to do something soon or Japan will be caught up in another Revolution!" Saitou said while banging his fist into the wooden floor. Kenshin's eyes slimmed and he looked serious.
"Saitou, do you know when they will be forgoing their plan?" Kenshin spoke in a voice different from the kind and loving wanderer.
"Yes, it will be at midnight. They begin with fires all over the city like Shishio's men. And there's nothing we can do. We must focus on the main group leader," said Saitou.
"The group's leader? But that will cost us many innocent lives lost in vain due to the fires! I can't allow that to happen, that I can't!" Kenshin spoke urgently.
"There's nothing we can do. Either we focus highly upon the main cause or we merely set our selves behind in time. We have to get rid of the main source before any wrong can be committed. I know you don't want many people to die in vain, but that's just the sacrifice we're going to have to take! We can't run around Tokyo and fight whoever is starting a fire, because the leader will go ahead to Kyoto and start taking over Kyoto! So is it we fight the fire starters or the leader?" Saitou suppressed shouting. Kenshin had his slim eyes but a calm and retained voice.
"Sano; Miss Kaoru, I would you and Yahiko to get rid of as many fire starters as you can. Get as many allies to help. I'm going with Saitou to settle something…" Kenshin said. Sanosuke and Kaoru fell and stood up instantly.
"Kenshin! You promised that you'd never leave!" Kaoru shouted and burst in. She ran over to Kenshin and grabbed onto his arm. Tears began to swell up in her eyes but she pushed them back.
"Miss Kaoru, I never promised. I simply told you that I would try not to leave you. But this is extremely urgent. Please just do as I tell you, Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said removing his arm from Kaoru's grip. He stood with a shadow over his eyes and waited for his cue to leave. Saitou stood and the two left leaving Yahiko wondering what was going on.
~
Saitou and Kenshin left and ran off. They spotted many fire starters and paused only for a short moment to take care of them. Time was going by fast and they had to reach the Tokyo Tower before midnight. They hurried as fast as they could possibly go with their many side trips. The night seemed endless as they began to slowly reach their destination.
"Kenshin, we won't make it if we keep our side trips," Saitou shouted as they ran.
"It looks like that, Saitou. We must run as fast as we can, let's not stop anymore." Kenshin responded.
"As much as I regret your decision, I will be forced to agree." Saitou said and they continued running. As they ran, they discovered the security of the fire starters began to thicken and they had no choice but to fight them.
"Kenshin, over there," Saitou said as they broke through the security. Kenshin looked in the direction that Saitou had mentioned and noticed a big, Japanese structured building.
"Tokyo Tower…" Kenshin whispered. He noticed at the very top of the Tower, a shadowy man. Or what it looked like. They couldn't tell whether it was a man or woman.
"Well, looks like we arrived just in time…" Saitou said.
"We better hurry up and get there before anything serious happens. I'm sure we can trust Miss Kaoru, Sano and Yahiko with the fire starters," said Kenshin.
"I'm surprised you can trust that moron." Saitou snorted. Kenshin looked at him and smiled.
"Let's hurry up and go there." Kenshin said and they ran there.
~
They finally got there and they were minuets away from getting through the gates when someone came down and nearly split Kenshin in two. Luckily, he had drawn his sword in time and blocked. The attacker and jumped back and stood in a fighting stance in the darkness.
"So, Kenshin, we meet again, do we?" The person asked. The voice sounded like a female were speaking. He then realized that the attack was the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Suisen. The only other person who knew that attack was a girl that had trained with him in his past.
"Satsubaeko Chihaku…" Kenshin whispered. The attacker sheathed her sword and grinned. The moon moved and the light shone directly on the attacker. Long black hair pulled back into a low ponytail with bangs hanging in her eyes, about as tall as Kenshin and deathly silver eyes.
"Hello, Kenshin," the girl replied. Saitou began to wonder if Kenshin's master had more than one student.
AN: Chapter Two is coming soon! Be patient!
