Meiji Swordsmen Tales

by beamknight87

A collection of stories of swordsmen passing through the Meiji era.

2. The Decision

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin and all of its characters are property of Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Rurouni Kenshin – Meiji Swordsmen Tales

Chapter 2: The Decision

December 20th 1877

It was going to be one of those days.

Yes, Kenshin Himura could feel it in the cold air that kept blowing in the Osaka Bay ever since he left Hyōgo Port two days ago.

Thanks to his training in the way of the sword, his instincts had unconsciously developed in such a way that he felt restless everytime something bad was about to happen.

He frowned everytime he got that feel.

It was like an unpleasant, unreachable itch that kept nagging him at the back of his mind, which was impossible to ignore until the danger passed.

Nevertheless, that involuntary sense of alarm that every first class swordsman developed was what saved him many times through the battles of a decade ago.

And kept doing so ever since he became a wanderer.

Oh sure, 90% of the time were rather dull days in which he kept going from one place to another aimlessly, occasionally staying at the outskirts of a village and helping people from the usual thugs and scum that kept behaving as if they were still living in the four-tier class system Kenshin had fought so hard to abolish.

But the other 10% were days in which someone recognized him as Hitokiri Battousai and tried to kill him, either for glory or for holding some kind of grudge against the Ishin-shishi in general. Nevertheless, most of these cases were half-hearted attempts, with opponents who barely posed a real threat to him and that were quickly dispatched and wrapped up like presents for the local police forces.

Another sudden, violent gust of cold wind chilled his bones, shaking his hair wildly and forcing him to tighten around his neck the long shawl he used as a scarf.

The cloth was worn out by the constant use and its once pure white color was now faded, showing yellow tinges all over it, attesting that the fabric was rather old.

It was a rather curious accessory to be worn by a man, even more so considering the contrast it made with the swordsman's red hair. If examined closely, one could even spot a flowery pattern embedded on it…

The rapidly dropping temperature made Kenshin bring unconsciously his hand to the cross-shaped scar that decorated the left side of his face.

He hated the cold.

Said scar often ached with it, reminding him of that particular snowy day, almost thirteen years ago…

He stopped for a moment in the middle of the road and sighed, trying his best to keep away that particular memory at this moment. He gazed up at the sky that rose above him to try to get himself distracted, marveling at the infinite, bright blue color that extended as far as he could see and was reflected by the tranquil sea, as a giant mirror that was just as big.

The magnitude of both, the sky and the ocean made him realize that it had been almost ten years already.

In one month, his lifestyle as a wanderer would be ten years old.

An entire decade of wandering through Japan.

Almost an entire life had passed ever since he gave his farewells to Katsura and the master swordsmith Shakku Arai after the battle of Toba-Fushimi. Since then, he had been roaming the southwestern zone of Japan, going as far as Kagoshima, always following the coastlines of Honshū and Kyūshū in his journey.

Looking back, he honestly didn't think at that moment when his hands held for the first time the sakabatō that now hung from the sash of his hakama that he would last this long.

But after so much time, Kenshin Himura lately was beginning to think this was rather stupid.

He was only running away.

From himself.

Yes, as a wanderer, he had helped many people through his journey during the past ten years. Often he was noticed and called upon since the sword he carried made him stick out like a flare. Some asked him to lend them his strength, others begged for it in order to undo the injustice that still prevailed in the country, mostly in very remote villages where people still lived in the past era.

However, many more avoided him like a plague precisely because of the object that hung at his sash, to say nothing of his unusual red hair, always whispering at his back, wondering if he did not know about the edict that prohibited carrying such weapons. He had learned the hard way that the help he wanted to provide with his reversed blade was rarely asked for, and even if he performed a good deed with it, it was frowned upon by the people, almost scolding him for doing so.

It couldn't be helped, Kenshin thought. After all, the country was still recovering from the great shock that was the Satsuma Rebellion…

When he learned of it, Kenshin couldn't help but to feel pity for the end that Saigō Takamori and his followers had, not to mention that it revealed a rather ugly and embarrassing facet of the Meiji government he had helped to establish with his sword.

That incident had helped him to realize that, unfortunately, some things simply couldn't change despite how much he desired it. He finally acknowledged the fool he had been back then when his master clearly explained it to him before they parted ways in disagreement.

Corruption, oppression, poverty, hunger…

Those were evils that still plagued the country and part of the reason why Saigō had risen against his former comrades.

He closed his eyes for a moment, the alarm ringing inside his head becoming louder and louder. He didn't need to open his eyes to notice it straight ahead of him.

The bloodlust.

The killing intent.

Around five… no, six people in total heading towards him at full speed. It would take a minute or less for them to be in sight.

He sighed. It definitely was going to be one of those days.

Normally, he would consider this a nuisance, but now he was thankful to whoever was coming to attack him for letting him get distracted from the thoughts with which he questioned not only his actions, but his entire way of life.

Kenshin snapped his thumb against the hilt of his sword, and it gave a resounding click.

He had been right. Six samurai he guessed due to their clothes and swords raised above their heads, were quickly approaching, their intentions clearly unfriendly. Judging by their wild hairs, beards and overall, unkempt appearance, they were probably unemployed samurai who had not been able to adapt to the changes of this new era.

Kenshin briefly considered the order in which he would take them out but noticed at the last second that their anger was not directed at him.

"Out of the way, shrimp!" shouted a tall man that was obviously the leader. He was at the front of the group and quickly ran past him, shoving him aside with his shoulder.

"Move it, shortie!" snickered a short, plump man carrying a naginata who was in the rear. His bald head was sweating profusely due to the exercise. A mere glance at his body made obvious that he was not used to this kind of activity.

"Oro?" Kenshin was genuinely surprised. It was the first time that a bunch of disgruntled thugs didn't want a piece of him. He stupidly stood there, frozen in the middle of the road while the cloud of brown dust raised by the group of quickly advancing samurai covered him, making him cough.

Turning around, Kenshin noticed that the samurai stood around ten meters behind him, forming a semicircle and obstructing the road for a carriage that was approaching and began to slow down once the driver noticed the attacking group. Kenshin decided it was a smart move from the driver because the vehicle was being pulled by a single horse and it wouldn't be able to trample the angry men that were obstructing the road.

The words that the leader of the group shouted once the vehicle stopped completely startled Kenshin.

"Katsu Kaishū! We know you are there! For your betrayal against your own samurai brethren, prepare to die! We will finish what Saigō Takamori started and bring Japan to a new era, first executing all the traitors like you!"

A roar of approval came from his five companions, all of them adopting battle gestures and showing quite the eagerness to dispatch said man with their weapons.

The face of the driver had gone ashen, as not surprisingly, he would surely suffer the same fate at the hands of these lunatics. He seemed to be seriously considering the option of forcing the men out of the way with the horse but what followed next left him frozen in the spot.

The door of the carriage opened and a short man calmly got down the vehicle. Kenshin instantly recognized him from the few times in which he accompanied Katsura as a bodyguard to various meetings with this man who would play an important role that made possible the Meiji Restoration. That ample forehead, small and intelligent black eyes and a rather handsome face made the man look much younger despite being already in his mid-fifties. He was dressed in Western clothes, wearing a dark brown three-piece suit although his black hair was oiled and tied in a small topknot just like a samurai would do. The result couldn't be less than contradictory, as the samurai were slowly withering away, perhaps even faster after the Satsuma Rebellion.

The short man gave a hard, long look to his attackers, who began to grow a little nervous by the behavior of their victim. It was obvious they were not expecting to be scrutinized in such way and thought the man in front of them would beg for his life, but it was definitely not the case. Perhaps they even thought there would be some excitement while chasing the carriage like a wild animal.

"Well now, this is a surprise. And an honor", he said, with a loud booming voice that startled the samurai in front of him. "It seems that there are still some who think so highly of me that they want my neck", he said with a short laugh, but his expression hardened again. "A mere look to you is enough to tell me you participated in Saigō's rebellion or at least, share the same point of view of his followers, am I wrong?" he asked, curiosity dripping from his words.

The group fell silent. Only the sound of the constant cold wind could be heard for a minute before Katsu continued.

"Such a great shame for him. I hope you understand that it was precisely, passionate but blind men due to their loyalty like you who forced him to have such a pitiful end and accomplish nothing with his death", he muttered in a sad tone. "I'm sure you understand that Saigō died to make a point to his followers that clung desperately to him and wouldn't listen: he never intended to lead that stupid rebellion in the first place and while I too agree with the fact that the current government is not without faults, it didn't need such tragedy just because some petulant blockheads like you want to still live in the past age", he angrily concluded.

The six men felt as is they had been slapped by the angry and confident words that their target just said, and their shock just grew further as Katsu kept talking.

"If you still believe yourselves to be samurai, I'm afraid to say that you are nothing more but a thing of the past who also need to adapt to survive", he declared.

The men looked dumbfounded to each other, none of them able to articulate a single word. Their declaration to execute Katsu of just minutes ago now seemed stupid and actually, rather childish.

Since no answer came from the men in front of him, Katsu sighed. "I see you have nothing to say. Then I have nothing to hear from you, so please allow me to continue and stop hindering the way", he said solemnly, however, when he was about to return to the vehicle, the man at the front of the armed group snapped, perhaps because Katsu's words carried a frustrating truth and a logic he couldn't deny and he had no way cope with that.

Howling like an animal, the leader of the samurai group that rejected this new Meiji era charged with his sword. The other five men soon followed their leader in the same fashion. Nevertheless, Katsu, instead of panicking, merely stood there, awaiting his destiny with all the calm and dignity of the world. What was amazing was that his calm aura had somehow enveloped the driver of the carriage, who was still pale but held his ground without moving a muscle.

Kenshin had seen and heard enough. Katsu's words carried a truth he suspected ever since he heard of Saigō's revolt, reason why he decided not to get involved at all in the affair. The words of the older man confirmed his assumptions and he decided that the least he could do was to save him. Besides, it was not like he could simply stand by and allow him to die before his very own eyes in the first place! Using his lightning speed, he quickly closed the distance and in split seconds, he was in front of the attackers, who came to a halt at his sudden apparition.

"I'm sorry, but this one can't stand the sight of six men simultaneously attacking a single, unarmed man, that I am. If you are looking for an opponent, then this one will gladly fight you", Kenshin said, his right hand already holding the handle of his sword.

"We'll kill you too then!" roared one of the samurai.

"Die, shrimp!" shouted another one.

That was more like it, Kenshin thought a little amused and drew his blade with a silver flash in a single Battōjutsu move.

Three samurai fell instantly to the ground, unconscious before even touching it, leaving the other three and the driver of the carriage gaping in amazement. Much to his credit, the bald, fat man he saw earlier carrying the naginata quickly reacted and tried to stab him with his long range weapon, but Kenshin expertly blocked the attack, closed the distance and countered executing a Ryu Kan Sen.

The bald man and another one of the warriors fell to the ground. Only the leader of the group was left. All he had seen so far had been a red and white whirlwind moving so fast it had been impossible to believe that this was the little man of a while ago. When he saw him at first he even thought he was a woman due to his hair color and little frame!

"W-What?" He managed to say looking upwards when the speed demon suddenly jumped in front of him.

The sudden shine of the Sun blinded him, leaving him completely open to Kenshin's Ryu Tsui Sen in his collarbone, making him crash to the ground.

Kenshin really didn't give them a chance. The fight lasted no more than twenty seconds. Once he was sure all six men were unconscious, he calmly returned the sword to his iron sheath.

Turning around, Kenshin faced Katsu Kaishū once again after ten long years.

"It's been a while, Katsu-san", Kenshin said, giving the older man a slight bow. He was happy to see the recognition shine in the eyes of the Minister of the Navy in front of him.

Katsu had been surprised when he first spotted Kenshin once he got down from the carriage. He recognized that red hair instantly but didn't even blink when he wiped the floor with his attackers. He had had the privilege to see him fight a decade ago, so he wasn't surprised by how fast the former Ishin-shishi was. He silently gave his thanks to Heaven for letting their paths cross; otherwise, he would be the one lying on the ground in a pool of blood…

He then heard one of the men groan in pain, but couldn't spot a single drop of blood. "So it is true", he said, giving a nod of approval, "Himura Battousai became a wanderer that doesn't kill" he stated.

Kenshin smiled unapologetically.

"Well then, we haven't seen each other in a good while. Don't just stand there like a moron. Come on, get in, I guess I can give you a ride to Osaka", Katsu said, gesturing him to approach and getting inside the vehicle.

"Oro?" Kenshin did as he was told, feeling a little uncomfortable in the seat he was not accustomed to.

Once he heard to door of the carriage close behind him, the driver quickly recovered after witnessing what he thought was impossible and shook the reins of the horse, more than eager to get away as fast as possible from there before those maniacs woke up, although judging by what he saw, that was not going to be anytime soon…

Despite his nervousness, he drove at regular speed. Heavens, one of his passengers was the legendary Hitokiri Battousai himself! His wife would not believe it!

OOO

Their first stop at Osaka had been the police department, where Katsu informed of his failed assassination attempt and explained in detail to the officers the place where he said, they would find the perpetrators ready to be taken into custody. The officer in charge there sweated profusely under the gaze of the Minister and informed him that he would take care of everything, going as far as assigning a few policemen to watch over his house indefinitely until they could assure his wellbeing. With that, Katsu returned to the carriage and decided to serve as a tour guide so Kenshin could see for himself some of the city.

As the carriage drove them through Osaka, Kenshin had been really surprised by the way Westernization had advanced so quickly in the city that was opened to foreign trade just ten years ago. The place was bursting with energy as Japanese and foreigners came and went. Osaka was quickly becoming an industrial and commercial center without precedent in the country.

He was especially amazed by the dozens of clippers and steamships that were anchored in the harbor, most of them belonging to foreign trade houses that came from different countries of Europe, the United States and China. He noticed with pride that some of the big merchant ships had the Japanese flag on their masts.

They arrived to their destination just before the dark. Kenshin deducted that this was Katsu's house. Much to his surprise, it was a very simple two story house that paled in comparison to the buildings in which some of the wealthiest merchants of the city lived.

"Cozy, isn't it?" Katsu said, perhaps noticing his surprise as he jumped out of the carriage. "By the expression of your face I bet you expected something more… luxurious, isn't it? Sorry to disappoint you, but I've always been a simple man and this is enough for me".

Kenshin's eyebrows rose slightly, as he watched Katsu give his farewell and instructions to the driver to pick him up tomorrow at midday. He felt somewhat uncomfortable under the gaze of the driver that kept staring at him so intensely he was sure he didn't heard Katsu at all.

Once the small vehicle parted, Kenshin and the older man looked at it for a minute, before it got lost in the sea of people of the bustling streets.

"Bah! That fool didn't even hear a word I said. Nowdays it is hard to find someone able to handle a little excitement, don't you think?" Katsu asked as he slid the door open and allowed Kenshin to enter first.

The red-headed swordsman refrained from answering because he didn't want to be rude. He was sure that nowdays the average people definitely didn't find exciting the prospect of being killed by some discontent samurai.

As he entered the house, Kenshin found Katsu wasn't lying about being a man of simple tastes. The Minister of the Navy quickly lit the lamps placed in the corners of the room with a match stick, revealing his humble home.

What Kenshin saw was a medium-sized room with six tatami tiles. At the back, there was massive bookcase as large as the wall against it was placed, its shelves so full of books in Japanese, but mostly of others in foreign languages, that it seemed ready to burst. In a corner there was some Western furniture, consisting of two richly decorated chairs and a large desk full of documents, papers and ink bottles. Kenshin deducted this was Katsu's office. To the left there was a small kitchen and the right led to the bathroom. He guessed that the stairs at the opposite corner of the desk led to a bedroom that was probably even simpler than this.

"Come on, make yourself at home. I'll prepare some tea", Katsu said while he headed to the kitchen.

Kenshin removed the sword from his sash, placed it on the floor next to him and sat on his knees, waiting patiently. He wasn't exactly sure what kind of discussion he would have with the older man, and he felt a little uncomfortable about the prospect of having to tell him what he had been doing during the last ten years and being ridiculized for it.

Fortunately, that was not the case. At least not yet since Katsu began the conversation on a completely different subject.

"Himura, I will assume that you are not that… versed regarding political affairs, but I'll ask you anyways. What do you think of Japan now?" Katsu said, bringing with him two cups of hot tea and sitting in front of the swordsman with his legs crossed.

Kenshin remained silent, pondering on the question for a while, elaborating his answer before he was finally satisfied with it. "This one thinks that the new Meiji era has clearly brought good to the people. Not only the class system is disappearing, meaning that any person can be recognized for having the same value as anyone else, but the people undoubtedly now can afford better lifestyles, not to mention the quick modernization and technology that the country is adapting, that it is. However, this one thinks that Japan should not throw away its identity and adopt without second thought all the culture and practices of the Westerners, that it is", he said, finally taking one of the cups Katsu offered and taking a sip.

Katsu nodded, sipping his own tea. "I agree with you, please continue".

"Nevertheless… this one can't help but to notice that many of the reasons why the Ishin-shishi fought in the first place ten years ago still persist. Corruption and oppression… this one thinks that in general, we only removed the oppressors only to replace them with our own, that it is", Kenshin said the last words with a frown.

"And that makes you feel disappointed, doesn't it?" Katsu questioned, as if already expecting that reaction.

"Yes, the rebellion led by Saigo-san perhaps clearly expressed what this one is trying to say, that it is", Kenshin said, closing his eyes and taking another swig at the cup.

Katsu nodded in agreement. "I see, well I can't blame you for it, you are right. As I see it, the main problem is that this government is full of hotblooded retards that only want to demonstrate a force we don't have. As the Minister of the Navy I know that better than anyone else. There are very few capable men left in the government, Katsura's death a few months ago made me realize that, and I'm afraid that when they are gone, Japan maybe will lose its way", the concerned tone made Kenshin shudder a little but he said nothing and the two men sat silent for a moment.

"You know…" Katsu started once again after another sip of tea. "I met Katsura one more time before he passed away. We didn't really talk that much, because he couldn't afford it, but he had your same points of view regarding the Westerners and the evil that persists in the Meiji government. He was definitely one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, and someone who always saw the big picture. I'm going to ask you another question", Katsu suddenly looked straight into Kenshin's eyes. "What do you think about the idea of the survival of the fittest?"

The red-headed swordsman narrowed his eyes. He had heard that phrase before and couldn't help but to reject it with every fiber of his being due to the meaning behind it. "A world where only the strong survive and the weak cannot afford to do so is nothing but a complete heresy, that it is", he answered with a sharp tone, remembering that night when the man that would become his master found him and saved him from certain death.

"… I wouldn't be so sure about that", Katsu said, earning from Kenshin a rather hard look from his violet eyes. "You know, Katsura and I shared the same opinion as yours at first, but we quickly changed our minds when we went overseas and saw by ourselves how big the world really is. I may have spent only a very short time in the United States, but Katsura could afford to travel for a longer time and to many countries and he told me that when he returned to Japan, he realized it too", Kenshin noticed that the eyes of the Minister of the Navy seemed to be gazing something far away in his memories. "That was the exact reason why he was able to stop that foolish expedition to Korea the government was planning. Japan's international stand was, and still is, pretty weak. If it persists, the stronger foreign powers will not doubt to crush us as soon as they have the opportunity to do so", he concluded, his words disgusted by the bitter truth.

"I only want you to realize that you and your comrades fought to establish a new government that was supposed to bring changes in favor of the common people. It has certainly done so, but only to an extent and it has a long way ahead of it. Most probably I won't be alive to see that dream fulfilled, and probably neither you, but more importantly, if Japan can't find the strength it needs to contain the advance of the foreign powers through Asia, your sacrifice may have been for nothing", he concluded dramatically.

The words of the older man shocked Kenshin. A million of thoughts raced in his mind. Sure, he wasn't that aware of political affairs, much less of international scale, but was the situation really that bad? To the extent that everything he went through could end up being meaningless?

He couldn't accept it. Locking his gaze with Katsu's, he answered firmly. "This one believes that you don't need to trample the lives of others for acquiring that strength. This one is sure that Japan somehow, will prevail without resorting to such means, that it is".

The Minister of the Navy contemplated him for a long moment. "You are really different from him", he stated.

Kenshin looked at him confused, not understanding what he meant.

"Sorry, I'm just blabbering, but all this talk made me remember the one that Katsura referred to as your 'successor' during the war". Kenshin's heart skipped a beat at the mention of that man, but allowed Katsu to continue. "I only met him once when I held a secret meeting with Katsura before the Toba-Fushimi battle, but he agreed completely with the notion of the survival of the fittest. That fact surprised me and made me realize that Shishio Makoto was a dangerous man, and I'm not talking only about his skills with the sword, but rather, his ideals. He was your complete opposite and I'm sure that he would have led Japan through a path that would have make the people you fought for suffer even more than under the bakufu. Fortunately for everyone, he died ten years ago, right at the end of the Boshin War, when he tried to take on Kondō Isami's entire Shinsengumi unit by himself. I don't want you to misunderstand me, I'm not celebrating the fact that the man is dead, but I can tell you that Japan, and probably the entire world is a better place without him", Katsu said, his words sounding rather convincing.

Kenshin stared at his cup. So that had been the fate of Hitokiri Battousai's successor…

He couldn't think further about it when Katsu made him another question.

"That's why I think that unfortunately, the government desperately needs men like you, who are not lusting for power or personal benefit to act as the leaders we need, but since that is not your case due to your lack of interest… How long do you plan to keep running away? Mmm?" Katsu asked.

"Oro?" Kenshin choked on his tea, surprised by the question. He certainly was not expecting that forceful approach on such a touchy subject for him. He felt tempted to avoid the inquiry or force the topic to go to another subject using his best 'what are you talking about?' clueless smile but desisted the same moment he thought about using it.

Had he been that easy to read? Lately, that was exactly the thought that kept plaguing his mind over and over during the last year and was starting to fear the fact that he had no answer to it, making his efforts as a vagabond pretty much worthless.

Katsu continued after finishing his remaining tea in one big gulp. "Don't take me wrong. It is not that I'm criticizing you, Himura, but… you don't seem to think much about the future. In fact, I would dare to say that you are a man who lives stuck in the present, negating your past, but at the same time without even considering about what life will have prepared for you tomorrow, am I wrong?"

Kenshin hung his head, his throat dry, carefully thinking of an answer that could be satisfactory. Not only to Katsu, but also to him.

Lately, a growing part inside of him was getting tired of this. He had often thought about trying to grow roots somewhere, but while the thought was attractive, he knew that he would end up just like the samurai he fought against just this afternoon: as a man who only knew how to fight and couldn't do anything else. A pariah. Besides… he didn't even have the right to do it.

"This one…" Kenshin sighed and for once, decided to drop his silly speech. "Katsu-san, I know what you mean. I really do. In fact I've been thinking about it so much lately that I can't help but to feel confused. The guilt I carry is part of the reason why I've been wandering the country during the last decade, to atone for my sins as Hitokiri, doing what I can to help those in need with my sword. However, I begin to feel that my resolve is weakening, to the point of finding my attitude pointless. Besides, a man with my past can't easily just settle down, can he?" he said with a said smile. "Besides, I have no doubts that my past will finally catch me up and I don't know if I could handle seeing people getting hurt because of it". Surprisingly, Kenshin felt relieved after revealing his inner turmoil to the man that almost doubled his age. It was like extracting a poison that had been embedded deeply in his heart and part of him was hoping that the great Katsu Kaishū could give him some advice.

Katsu merely snickered. "Hearing from the man that was Hitokiri Battousai that he is afraid of something, is priceless". The older man gave a healthy laugh that slightly annoyed and confused Kenshin. "Listen to me Himura. You don't have to feel bad for doubting yourself. Many men do it all the time and you can be sure that the ten years you have spent directly helping the people with your sword is a feat very few in the country, and I would dare to say the entire world, could have achieved. You should be proud of that". Kenshin could see the honesty behind Katsu's eyes as he said those words, helping him to finally think the same, that he had indeed atoned plenty of his crimes as an assassin during the last ten years. He let the older man continue.

"I only want you to realize that Japan is still a young nation, and needs men like you. Not necessarily in the political arena if you are not interested on it, but maybe you could try to spread your ideals and help others to realize them and understand them, so they can implement them not only for their benefit, but also for the good of the country. Wouldn't that be satisfactory to you and your intentions with that sword?" Katsu inquired, gesturing at the reversed blade on the floor.

Kenshin kept silent, staring intently at the remaining tea in the cup that reflected his troubled face.

Since his guest was not answering, Katsu sighed, approached his desk and threw the redhead a newspaper from the pile of documents there, which the swordsman expertly caught with one hand automatically. A rather disturbing note was circled and highlighted with blank ink in a corner of the first page. Quickly reading it, Kenshin frowned deeply, noticing that it was from three days ago.

Katsu smiled a little, happy to see finally some reaction from Himura. "Perhaps you should go to Tokyo and check what this is about. Apparently, none other than Hitokiri Battousai suddenly appeared there and has been causing quite a ruckus lately. If I were you, I would take this as something personal", he said, trying to insinuate something he was sure the swordsman already had in mind.

"This old man will give you one last piece of advice you may want or not to hear, but I'll say it anyways. Don't be afraid of your past. If you truly want to stop running away from yourself then face it, conquer your inner demons and defend and spread your ideals. This country is still in turmoil and it will need all the help it can get from good men like you. Even if you don't plan to stay there for long, Tokyo is big city and I'm sure it will help you to realize what you need to do in order to protect those who need it the most", Katsu finished his speech taking both of the empty tea cups and heading towards the kitchen to wash them and store them away. Kenshin merely stared at him although his gaze now seemed so far away, his left hand tracing the scar on his cheek.

Katsu then went upstairs and came back a few moments later carrying a futon. "Perhaps it is not much, but I will feel really honored if you sleep here tonight. It is already late and I bet even you are tired from this conversation, besides, I'm sure a good night of sleep will help you think things straight", the Minister said, extending the futon over one tatami in the floor. He then headed to his own bedroom, not before hearing the soft words of his guest.

"Thank you, Katsu-san", the swordsman said, bowing deeply to him.

OOO

December 21st 1877

The next morning, Katsu Kaishū came downstairs to prepare a quick breakfast before getting ready for a new day of work.

He was not surprised to see the futon he offered to Kenshin neatly folded in a corner and resting above it, the newspaper he showed him last night. There was not a trace or at least a sign that last night he had had a guest.

Hearing him footsteps inside the house, the door slid open and a young police officer entered with a deep bow.

"He left before sunrise", said the policeman that was assigned to keep watch on Katsu's headquarters after yesterday's attack.

"I see. Did he say anything?" the Minister asked, not really expecting an answer.

"Only that he would head up North to take the Nakasendō route to Tokyo. I tried to stop him due to the snowfalls that will surely cover part of the road but he said that it would not be a problem for him and left", explained the officer.

Katsu smiled.

The young officer felt a little excluded, reason why he dared to inquiry further. "Excuse me, sir. I know when to keep my mouth shut, but that man was…" he was interrupted before he could finish.

"That was only Kenshin Himura, a man searching for his truth", said the Minister of the Navy.

The policeman frowned a little. He wasn't convinced. After all, not everyday you crossed paths with a living legend such as Hitokiri Battousai. "Shouldn't we report this to the Home Minister? Maybe at least send a message to the police department in Tokyo?" he asked, sounded genuinely worried. In his opinion, the red-headed swordsman looked almost harmless to him, but if the stories about him were true…

Katsu considered it for a moment, and then nodded in approval. "Perhaps you are right. Send a telegram to Chief Inspector Gorō Fujita in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department", he instructed, before going to the kitchen to prepare some tea.

The young officer winced. He knew Inspector Fujita. And he didn't like him. He was a shady one. He worked during the last year for him in several cases, but his methods were rather unorthodox despite getting results and a very high percentage of cases solved. At the end, it had been the attitude of the Inspector what prompted him to ask for his transfer to Osaka.

"… What should the message say?" he asked softly, refraining himself from expressing his opinion about the man with golden eyes that smoked a little too much for his own good.

The response from the Minister was quite amusing. "Only tell him to keep his eyes open. Next year promises to be a rather exciting one", he said, reappearing with a cup of tea in his hands.

With that, the officer simply shrugged and went back to the station to prepare and send said message. He knew that Katsu-san was a weird one, but he respected him deeply and was aware that he never made an affirmation without having a good basis to support it.

OOO

At the outskirts of Osaka, Kenshin looked back one last time to contemplate the city and its bay, which shined with the golden aura of the rising Sun. He had spent a good part of last night's digesting Katsu's words, pondering them. No matter how he looked at it, the words of the older man made sense to him. Finally, he smiled a little, nodding silently in thankfulness to his host, who had slapped back some common sense to his head and continued his way.

The cold wind and the dark clouds that loomed above the mountains in the horizon made him tighten once again his white scarf around his neck as he began his journey. For the first time in ten years, he had a destination. Nevertheless, despite his hurry, the blocked roads due to the snow would surely delay him a little, so he calculated that he would arrive to Edo by the tenth day of January.

No. Not Edo.

Tokyo.

Truth to be told, he felt a little excited. It had been a while ever since he had visited a big city, and the new capital could not be compared to anything else where he had previously been. He decided to put Katsu's words into practice: to make a stand and face his past, starting with the fake Battousai that was using his nickname so lightly, without considering the consequences.

He wasn't sure of what would follow the incident once he solved it, but part of him was actually looking forward to, what he suspected, was going to be a whole new chapter is his life.

Who knew, perhaps things would more interesting than he expected.

OOO

Author notes:

Whoa, this ended up being much a larger than what I originally expected. The origin of this entire chapter was from a simple question I made myself: What made Kenshin decide to go to Tokyo in the first place?

I always had the impression that as a wanderer, Kenshin avoided big cities if possible, so I thought I could explore that little fact that is never explained in the original story. In other things, I think this will be the only chapter in which I will use a historical figure so extensively. The next ones will revolve mostly on Watsuki's characters. I wonder if anyone can guess who will be the next swordsman to appear in the third chapter of this story…

There is also the issue of the dates. In RK, the only concrete date we get is May 14th 1878 , so I like to think that the RK story began almost at the start of that year, meaning that Kenshin spent at least 5 months with Kaoru before being forced to leave to Kyoto. That's the reason why I decided to set this chapter around late December of 1877, since walking the entire Nakasendō route could take a person around 20 or 30 days, without counting snowfalls.

Anyways, I also had to do some research in order to write this, so here are the notes I used.

*** Historical facts:

Hyōgo Port: Former name of Kobe until April 1st, 1889. It is approximately 30 km west of Osaka.

Four-tier class system: Society in feudal Japan was divided in 4 classes: samurai, farmers/peasants, artisans and merchants. It was extremely rare for one person to move from one class to another. This system was abolished when the Meiji Restoration took place in 1868.

Haitōrei Edict: Also known as the Sword Abolishment Edict. It was an edict issued by the Meiji government on March 28th 1876 which prohibited people, with the exception of former lords (daimyo), the military and law enforcement officials, from carrying weapons in public. Violators of this rule would have their swords confiscated. It was one of a series of steps taken by the government to abolish the traditional privileges of the samurai class, and one of the major causes of discontent in early Meiji period Japan, which led to various samurai-led insurrections.

Satsuma Rebellion: It was a revolt of disaffected samurai against the new imperial government, nine years into the Meiji Era. Its name comes from the Satsuma domain, which had been very influential in the Restoration and become home to many unemployed samurai after military reforms rendered their status obsolete. The Rebellion lasted from January 29th 1877 until September 24th of that year, when it was decisively crushed and its leader, Saigō Takamori, died.

In case you are wondering, yes, this is the same Saigō that formed an alliance with Kogorō Katsura thanks to the mediation of Sakamoto Ryōma to topple the bakufu during the Bakumatsu. Saigō's rebellion was the last and most serious of a series of armed uprisings against the new government. Ōkubo Toshimichi, as Home Minister of Japan was the man responsible for crushing the rebellion, reason why he was considered a traitor by many of the Satsuma samurai and was assassinated on May 14th, 1878.

For reference, this is the Rebellion in which Kaoru's father, Kamiya Koshijirō, was killed since he was drafted as a member of the police swordmen unit and gave his life while protecting a comrade. Saitō later refers to this rebellion in chapter 67 of the manga and episode 35 of the anime as the reason why Japan can't send the army to retake the territories Makoto Shishio has seized, as if it did so, it would only show its unrest to the foreign powers. Keep in mind that Japan's position in the international arena at that time was still very weak and at risk of ending up as another China.

Iwakura Mission: It was a Japanese diplomatic journey around the world, initiated in 1871 by the oligarchs of the Meiji period. Although it was not the only such "mission", it is the most well-known and possibly most important for the modernization of Japan after a long period of isolation from the West. Katsura in particular accompanied the mission that sailed on December 23rd 1871 from Yokohama on the SS America, bound for San Francisco. From there it continued to Washington, D.C., then to Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden, Bavaria, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. On the return journey, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong, and Shanghai were also visited, although much more briefly. The mission returned home on September 13th 1873, almost two years after setting out.

Seikanron: literally "Advocacy of a punitive expedition to Korea". It was a major political conflagration which occurred in Japan in 1873. Saigō Takamori and his supporters insisted that Japan confronted Korea due to the latter's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the Meiji Emperor as head of state of the Empire of Japan, and because of the insulting treatment to Japanese envoys attempting to establish trade and diplomatic relations with that country. Saigō also saw the issue in Korea to be the perfect opportunity to find meaningful employment for the thousands of out-of-work samurai, who had lost most of their income and social standing in the new Meiji social and economic order.

Kogoro Katsura, thanks to the Iwakura Mission in which he participated, realized that Japan was not in any position to challenge the Western powers in its present state and returned to Japan just in time to prevent what surely would have been a disastrous invasion of Korea. As it was decided that no action was to be taken against Korea, many, including Saigō, resigned from their government positions in protest. Some suggest that this political split paved the way for the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion.

Survival of the fittest: It is a phrase originating in evolutionary theory, as an alternative description of natural selection. The phrase is today commonly used in contexts that are incompatible with the original meaning as intended by its first two proponents: British polymath philosopher Herbert Spencer (who coined the term) and Charles Darwin.

Herbert Spencer first used the phrase – after reading Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species – in his Principles of Biology, in which he drew parallels between his own economic theories and Darwin's biological ones, writing, "This survival of the fittest, which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called 'natural selection', or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life".

Darwin used Spencer's new phrase "survival of the fittest" as a synonym for natural selection as a metaphor for "better adapted for immediate, local environment", not the common inference of "in the best physical shape" which Makoto Shishio adopted.

Nakasendō route: It was one of the five routes of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto. Its total distance was approximately of 534 km. This is the route Sanosuke used to reach Kyoto after getting lost and meeting Anji.

*** Character notes:

Kenshin Himura: I took some liberties and decided to depict Kenshin as he appears in the latest work of Watsuki, the Kinema-ban reboot, in which our hero wears a rather long, white scarf. Its origin seems to date back to the character redesign sketches Watsuki included in the kanzenban edition of the manga, in which he drew Battousai wearing Tomoe's shawl as a scarf. Perhaps he is still keeping said item as a memento of her?

As for his attitude during this chapter, I think it was rather a big coincidence for Kenshin to appear in Tokyo at the same time the fake Hitokiri Battousai was causing a ruckus. I like to think that after 10 years of wandering and even more so, after witnessing the Satsuma Rebellion, even he was beginning to feel a little lost and in need of a right push. That's where Katsu Kaishū comes in, as an advisor by nature that allowed the rurouni to search and find a purpose once again.

His manner of speech is a little weird, and I decided against using the whole "sessha" and "de gozaru" thing for English translations of those terms save for his trademark "Oro" expression.

Katsu Kaishū: Perhaps one of the most interesting figures in the history of Japan. As a youth Katsu studied Dutch and European military science, and was eventually appointed translator by the government when European powers attempted to establish contact with Japan. Katsu developed the reputation as an expert in Western military technology. Under the advisement of the Dutch, he served as director of training for the Nagasaki Naval Center between 1855 until 1859. In 1860, Katsu was assigned to command the Kanrin-maru, (built by the Dutch, it was Japan's first steam-powered warship) to escort the first Japanese delegation to San Francisco, California en route to Washington, DC for the formal ratification of the Harris Treaty.

Katsu's voyage across the Pacific Ocean was meant to signal that Japan had mastered modern sailing and shipbuilding technology, although that was far from true, as the country would still take years to develop its own steamships. He remained in San Francisco for nearly two months, observing American society, culture and technology. Following his return to Japan, Katsu held a series of high ranking posts in the Tokugawa navy, arguing before government councils in favor of a unified Japanese naval force led by professionally trained officers in disregard of promotion and assignment due to hereditary status, this gained him the mistrust of the bakufu. During his command as director of the Kobe Naval School he founded, the institute would become a major source of activity for progressive thinking and reformists between 1863 and 1864. Among his students were plenty of Ishin-shishi, including none other than Sakamoto Ryōma.

Although sympathetic to the Ishin-shishi cause, Katsu remained loyal to the Tokugawa. After the collapse of the shogunate forces in late 1867, Katsu negotiated the surrender of the Edo castle to Saigō Takamori on April 11th 1868, ensuring a relatively peaceful and orderly transition of power to the Meiji Restoration.

Katsu returned to government service as Vice Minister of the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1872, followed by first Minister of the Navy from 1873 until 1878. He was the most prominent of the former Tokugawa retainers who found employment within the new Meiji government, although his influence within the navy was minimal, as the Navy was largely dominated by a core of Satsuma officers. Katsu served mostly as a senior advisor on national policy.

If there is a man Aoshi Shinomori despises in the RK story, it must be Katsu, since his mediation to surrender the Edo castle stole the glory Aoshi wanted for the Oniwabanshū. Katsu was a very prominent figure that played an important role for the transition to the Meiji era, so the chances that Kenshin met him during the war and once again during his wandering years are not that farfetched to me Furthermore, his wisdom served as a beacon for many Ishin-shishi, to make them realize that suppressing the Tokugawa domain by force through a large civil war would only leave Japan completely defenseless to the foreign powers and would be seized like China.

Just like in the previous chapter, I decided to use him as a historical figure in order to serve as a link for the start of the manga, this time, as the man behind Kenshin's decision to go to Tokyo, which would lead to all the following events of the story.

*** Glossary notes:

Naginata: A weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a curved blade on the end.

Battōjutsu: Kenshin's trademark style. It is the art of sword drawing. The emphasis of training in this style is on cutting with the sword.

Tatami: It is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core with a covering of woven soft rush straw.