Chapter Two
"Kenshin! Kenshin!" Wide violet eyes looked up from the laundry as a young boy with dark disheveled hair trotted around the corner.
"Goodmorning, Yahiko." Kenshin replied and watched as the young slaves face lit up at the greeting.
"Master Katsura requests your presence in the main hall." He took a deep breath having delivered the formal summons. "A slave caravan just arrived from Tokyo. There is all kinds of excitement around the house this morning. Do you think Katsura is looking for a new slave?"
Violent eyes narrowed and took on a hard quality hearing the worry and excitement in the youth's voice. "I don't know Yahiko. Will you let Tae-san know I have to leave the laundry for a while?" Receiving a nod as conformation Kenshin rose slowly as Yahiko scampered off on a new errand. Reaching down he retrieved his Katana and fastened it securely to his belt before making his way to the main hall.
Kenshin stood at attention at his master's side waiting for instructions. He hadn't been told why he was there, but then he didn't really expect an explanation. Wary eyes scanned the empty room looking for any indication as to why he suddenly felt tense. Nothing out of the ordinary reached his gaze. His Master, Katsura Kanzo, sat directly to his right on a small raised dais. As a Second Circle demon Katsura was the unchallenged power in this section of the country and indeed there were few other beings stupid or suicidal enough to challenge the demon who held Battosai's leash. He sat sure of himself above the milling assortment of Lower circle demons who served him as a sort of makeshift court. They were waiting for something, he was sure of it, and given Yahiko's previous comment they were probably waiting on Moji to bring in his best tidbits for his Master's inspection.
As predicted the large double doors opened to revel Moji who bowed deeply to his superior and began spouting an overly flowery greeting. It was not Moji, however, who held everyone's eye but the petite female who was dragged, hissing and spitting, in his wake. The fire in those sapphire blue eyes startled him. She wasn't only defiant she was furious. His attention was brought back to the dais as Katsura waved Moji into silence.
"What is it you've brought for us this time Moji?"
"An interesting catch for sure, my lord. She's called Kamiya Kaoru, Master in the art of Kamiya Kashin Ryu, she will be a true asset to any fighting unit or breeding barn since she'll no doubt throw strong children."
Kenshin watched with interest as the girl flushed pink and then burned red as Moji continued to talk. He tuned back into the conversation in time to hear Moji say, "..and she's virgin, a rare treat in these times, as I'm sure you'll agree.." and watched as the color drained from the girls face only to be replaced with a deep purple. He chuckled silently to himself; if the girl didn't start breathing soon she'd pass out. "You are welcome to try her skills at arms if you so please." Kenshin reeled in his wandering mind as Katsu called out two of his demon guard. Fifth circle demons, both strong men in their prime, if not the strongest Katsu had in reserve.
One of her escorts reached down to undo her chains while the other tossed her a bokken scrambling quickly out of range. The instant the bokken reached her hand she lashed out at Moji but he easily captured her weapon.
"Tsk, tsk, sweetheart go play with the others." Seeing the burning anger in her eyes she twirled and lashed out at the closest of Katsu's demons. After a few tense seconds of swordplay she had downed the first demon and moved onto the second. The other demon barely had time to realize what hit him as he fell easy prey to her tempered grace. Kenshin was impressed and shifted slightly to be in a better position to defend if she decided to attack Katsu.
She turned on her guards as they tried to replace her chains. Knocking them both out with two swift strokes. And then she ran. Moji moved quickly to block the door and Kenshin watched fascinated as she raised her boken into an attack position. Was she daft? Reaching Moji she crudely threw her boken at his head and while he was preoccupied continued through with the momentum and rolled effortlessly between his legs. Stunned the room froze. Instantly she was on her feet and headed for the open double doors and freedom. Katsu half rose from his seat as she reached the double doors... and slammed full tilt into Sagara Sanosuke who grabbed her instinctively.
Sano stared at the fragile girl in his arms.
"Oi, Jou-chan what's the hurry?" Seeing Katsu half raised from his seat and Kenshin's hand on his sword Sano decided to maintain the hold he had on the girls upper arms.
"Let me go!" the frustrated girl demanded.
"In a minute, Jou-chan." He said distantly as he watched Katsu settle back into his chair.
"Sagara Sanosuke, I summoned you here an hour ago."
Sano scratched the back of his head nervously, "Yeah, about that…"
"Bring the girl here." Katsu continued interrupting the fighters' stammered excuses. Sano started forward and received a sharp kick to the shins from the girl as reward for his efforts.
"Easy there Jou-chan," he said softly as he continued forward despite her kicks and the bite she managed inflict on his arm. A large handsome demon approached carrying a set of leg irons. Sano tightened his hold when he felt her tense. Using his body as a backboard she aimed a vicious kick at the demons balls as soon as he came into range. Sano winced as the blow almost managed to land before the demon grabbed her ankle and secured the chains, boxing her hard across the face.
Katsu's voice filled the room bringing the rooms attention back to him, "Enough. We'll take her. Battosai, escort Kaoru-chan to her new quarters and ensure that she stays there until summoned." Kenshin bowed and took Kaoru from Sano's guard.
Kaoru was pissed. Not only had she just been sold but that was the second damned time she'd been foiled by a pigeon brained idiot of a male who didn't know how to properly announce his presence at a door! And she had a headache from that jackass slave driver! Was she doomed to always suffer from idiot males? Steeling a glance at her redheaded companion she decided that she was. So he was the legendary Battosai, he certainly didn't look very legendary.
He led her firmly but gently out of the hall, away from the stares of the room full of strangers, across a large courtyard, and into a low row house. Upon entering a small room he withdrew a key from his sleeve and unlocked the chains hobbling her. He was just opening his mouth to speak when they heard a boys voice ringing across the courtyard.
"Kenshin! Kenshin!"
"In here Yahiko." Kenshin yelled across the courtyard. Shortly a scruffy boy entered the room and froze when he laid eyes on her.
"Oi, Kenshin, whose the bushi?"
"Now, now Yahiko, Kaoru-dono will be staying with us from now on please try to be kind."
The boy, Yahiko's eyes hardened and deepened.
"Please go fetch Megumi-dono." Yahiko nodded shortly and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
"Now, Kaoru-dono please make yourself comfortable while we wait." Kaoru eyed him appraisingly as he stood blocking the door then slowly chose a corner and sat. Something in his stance warned her against pushing him too far. Maybe he really was the legendary Battosai after all. His tone may have been easy but his stance and his eyes were all business.
The wait was tense, and seemed to Kaoru to last forever before the tall female doctor entered the room. "Sorry I'm late Ken-san! Someone managed to bite that baka of a rooster head." The striking doctor came to a halt when she noticed Kaoru sitting in the corner. Kenshin bowed slightly to Megumi.
"Megumi-dono, please attend to Kaoru-dono's injuries."
Tossing her long black hair over her shoulder, Megumi strode over to where Kaoru was sitting and lifted her chin slightly to get a better view of the bruise forming on her cheek. Kaoru let her. Quickly and efficiently Megumi got down to business, treating her cheek and checking her over for other injuries. She tsked at her ankles as she cleaned out the reopened sores and bandaged them back up. All the while Kenshin remained in the room but at least, Kaoru was glad to note, he turned to face the wall while Megumi ministered to her ankles. As the lady-doctor finished, she handed Kaoru a cup of tea and watched as she slowly drank it. Then, standing briskly, she indicated that Kenshin should follow her out. Kaoru watched sleepily as they left the room. Kaoru was tired. So very, very tired. She had been angry now for so very long all she wanted was to sleep, peacefully, and not be angry at least for a little while.
… must have put something in the tea.
It was a fuzzy thought. She looked lazily at the door where the figures of the doctor and red-head stood conversing quietly. Red hair. So odd. She wondered hazily if he had demon blood in him but she also remotely remembered stories that foreigners from across the ocean had hair like that, and eyes like those. Children of demons typically inherited the demon eye color, yellow-gold or red. Part-foreigner then, maybe? Either way he had a nice butt. She slowly drifted off into sleep feeling warm and fuzzy for the first time in ages.
"She had a rough trip, not as rough as many but she's deeply exhausted."
Kenshin nodded sagely at the doctors words.
"I gave her a sleeping drought since it is unlikely that Katsu will summon her before morning."
Again, Kenshin nodded.
"I heard she caused quite the commotion in the main hall! What do you think he's thinking buying a girl like her?"
Kenshin shook his head slowly. "Katsu-sama is not likely to explain his reasons to the likes of us, that he's not."
With a sigh Megumi turned to leave, "Well, try to keep her calm so her legs have a chance to heal. I'll be by tomorrow to rebandage them. Goodnight, Ken-san."
"Goodnight, Megumi-dono." Bowing slightly Kenshin headed back into the row house.
Kaoru woke as the first of the predawn light came though the shoji screen. Stretching slowly, she savored the peaceful state between consciousness and dreams. She had almost forgotten what it was like to wake up without a swift kick to the ribs.
Grumbling at ruining her own mood she sat up and glanced around the room, spotting the darker shape leaning asleep against the wall. Fully awake, she took stock of her condition. She must have fallen asleep fully dressed and as she shifted slightly she realized that they hadn't remembered to re-chain her. Looking harder she finally spotted her hobble lying by the door where it had been discarded earlier. She briefly considered trying to hobble her captor but quickly decided against taking the risk of waking him, as satisfying as it would be to see him in chains.
Moving with care she crept towards the exit, every lesson she'd ever learned about moving silently running through her head. She moved cautiously across the room to the thin paper door that separated her from freedom. Her hand reached out and brushed the wood of the door frame just as his soft voice filled the room.
"I wouldn't do that."
Nearly jumping out of her skin, Kaoru looked over towards the unmoved form of her damnation.
"Why?"
He didn't even bother to acknowledge her as he remained, katana against his shoulder, apparently asleep. Kaoru weighed her options, her hand tightened imperceptibly on the door, and instantly she felt the cold bite of steel against her neck. When had he moved? He stood now only inches from her with his sword drawn and ready.
"Please let go of the door Kaoru-dono." He was deadly and he was deadly serious. Numbly, she released the door and brought her hand down to her side. He stepped back and re-sheathed his katana, once again assuming his position against the wall. Shell-shocked, Kaoru wondered away from the door and resumed her spot in the corner.
Kaoru dozed fitfully for another hour before natures call woke her once again. Suddenly shy, for what reason she didn't know, there certainly hadn't been any privacy during the march here, Kaoru cleared her throat.
"Ano….?"
Violet eyes opened and blinked slowly at her.
"Ano…..?"
"Kenshin." He supplied helpfully.
"Kenshin, I…I need…um….do you know where the….um…." She let the sentence die with that eloquent verbiage not sure yet of how to make herself clear.
Luckily for her Kenshin seem to snap out of his daze and caught her meaning.
Was that a blush on his cheeks? The man just tried to kill me and now he is blushing cause I have to pee? Will the wonders ever cease?
Kenshin rose and started for the door, glancing at the chains still on the ground and then considerately at her bandaged legs. His eyes darkened visibly and Kaoru shifted uncomfortably, she had enjoyed the freedom of walking unchained if even for a short period. Had it really only been a little over a week since her father died? It felt like an eternity. Deliberately, Kenshin stepped over the chains and opened the door.
"Come."
"You're not going to use the shackles??" She asked stunned then mentally whacked herself for questioning her new freedom.
"Would you prefer them?"
"No." She shuttered.
"Then behave." And with that said he turned and went through the door.
She followed along obediently not having any other choice. It was obvious that should it come to blows he would win and Kaoru wasn't the type to kill a man in his sleep, if he even did sleep. Which she secretly doubted.
They reached the bathhouse without incident and to her great relief Kenshin didn't try to follow her inside though the look he gave her as she entered promised that he would if he had too. She didn't want him to have to. She did her business and emerged to find Kenshin standing exactly where she left him. He looked almost shy as he escorted her back to her room and the waiting began anew.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before the kid, Yahiko, came skittering into view.
"Oi! Kenshin! Katsu wants to see the bushi now."
Yahiko had no time to dodge as the bedroll came hurling towards his head. Kenshin and Yahiko both froze, momentarily stunned, Kenshin in surprise and Yahiko from a mild concussion.
"Don't call me that, Yahiko-chan!"
"Hey! Don't call me chan, bushi!"
"A little age sensitive are we Yahiko-CHAN!"
"Now, now…" Kenshin interjected mostly without effect. The battle raged on until a knock at the shoji caused a short pause into which strolled Sagara Sanosuke.
"Hey, Kenshin, can I borrow a few yen?"
"YOU!" Kaoru practically screamed at the entrance of the tall fighter.
Shocked Sano instantly put up his hands in a placating gesture, "Easy Jou-chan, I didn't mean it!"
All Kaoru could respond with was a dark, "YOU…." Kenshin lunged for her arms to keep her from mauling Sanosuke.
"Sano, please leave, I will find you later to give you the money." Taking this chance of escape for what it was Sano gracelessly and rapidly retreated from the room. Having gained some semblance of control Kenshin turned to Yahiko.
"Yahiko-kun, please tell Katsu-sama that we will be there presently." Accepting his dismissal he darted off to deliver the message. Now with just Kenshin and Kaoru in the room again Kenshin felt he could release the still simmering female.
"Kaoru-dono, we should also be going, that we should."
Glancing hopefully down at the discarded manacles, which were now near Kenshins feet, she wilted visibly when he reached down to retrieve them. Suppressing a wince she fought the urge to whimper and cower as the cold metal settle once again around her sore ankles. She would not show weakness. She would escape here. She would not show weakness. She swallowed down the tears. Kenshin glanced at her sympathetically as he led the way out of the room.
This time the path they took did not lead to the main hall but instead around the side of the main house and into a less grand version of the main hall. Katsu sat at one end of the hall with a pair of attendants at his side apparently discussing some matter or another. As they entered he waved off the servants and turned his attention towards their small group. Kaoru glanced uncertainly over at Kenshin only to notice him shift away from her and bow deeply to Katsu. Kaoru would be damned before she bowed before that bastard and she dearly hoped that wasn't to literal an analogy. Luckily, Katsu seemed to find her insolence more amusing then offensive.
"Not very well trained, is she?" he commented to no one in particular. "Still, quite a pretty little filly isn't she?"
Kaoru's temper was quickly rising to the breaking point, however, a warning glance from Kenshin was enough to keep her temper in check…for the moment.
"Let us try her paces." And with that said Katsu clamped twice and two servants appeared carrying pillows bearing bokuto and sat one before Kenshin and the other before Kaoru. Kenshin's eyes widened slightly in surprise by this development but he reached down and retrieved his bokuto just the same. Kaoru stood frozen as the servant before her removed a key and unbound her ankles. She didn't stand a chance against Battosai, she knew it and he knew it and she was fairly certain Katsu had to know it. She stood stiff refusing to pick up the bokuto and give in to what he wanted.
"Hrm, stubborn." Katsu leaned forward slightly in his seat, "Fine then, we'll make a deal, if you can defeat Himura I will give you back your freedom."
Kaoru considered it for a moment but there really wasn't much to decide. She reached down, picked up the wooden sword, and prepared to attack.
She started forward with a cry and he instinctively blocked her strike pushing her back. It quickly became apparent to Kaoru that he was holding back, and that pissed her off. He matched her blow for blow for a time neither giving nor taking until their bokuto clashed and locked. Throwing all her anger into her push, she disengaged and swung low to continue through with a disabling blow to the knee. For a moment she thought she had him, that he wouldn't get his sword down in time. But a sharp reprimanding, "Himura." Split the air and suddenly his sword was down and hers was flying through the air. She stood glaring daggers at the swordsman as Katsu slowly started to clap.
"Very good. Now, bring out the live steel and lets see how she does with that." Kenshins eyes had disappeared behind his bangs while Kaoru's burned indigently. One of the servants returned carrying a sheathed katana and bowed as he held it towards Kaoru. She sharply turned her back to the offending weapon. Kamiya Kashin Ryu did not use killing weapons, her style was a sword that protects; she would not degrade herself by touching the katana she was presented with. She spoke with authority as she declared, "Kamiya Kashin Ryu does not condone the use of live steel."
Katsu looked thoughtful for a second and then amused.
"Innocence is such a rare and refreshing treat in this day and age." He turned slightly to face Kenshin. "Himura, I want you to work her two hours in the morning and in the evening. I want her using live steel by the end of the week." Kenshin bowed deeply in acknowledgment as Katsu continued, "and for hell's sake keep her contained. I'll see you back here at the end of the week. Dismissed."
Again Kenshin bowed deeply and motioned for Kaoru to precede him out of the hall. Shooting dark glances at Katsu and muttering dangerously under her breath she stomped out of the room, a reserved Kenshin following closely in her wake. When they emerged into sunlight Kenshin strode forward and took the lead as she momentarily paused when she realized what had been bothering her as she left. They had forgot the leg hobble again. She pranced forward a little in delight to catch up with Kenshin who was still moving purposefully away from the hall.
Kenshin broodingly led her around the outside of the hall to a small freestanding building behind the main house. As soon as they ducked into the building Kaoru was swamped by the bustle of a busy kitchen and almost swooned at the smell of the hearty breakfast that was being prepared. Real food! Suddenly too many days of too little food came back and punched her in the gut, which emitted a loud and highly audible protest. Blushing fiercely when Kenshin turned around and gave her a funny look, she quickly dropped her eyes. Following Kenshin into the heart of the storm she was forced to look up suddenly when she heard a voice proclaim, "Ahh so this must be the Kamiya Kaoru we've all heard so much about! She certainly doesn't look very feisty and shes so scrawny! Haven't you been feeding her!"
This exclamation caused Kaoru to glare at the new women standing by the stove. Oblivious to her danger the woman continued on to reprimand a guilty looking Kenshin regarding his inconsiderate nature. Despite her initial comment Kaoru had to give this new woman points for the hell she was giving the famous hikitori. Stopping suddenly in the middle of her rant the woman once again turned to Kaoru, "Oh, how inconsiderate of me! My names Tae, I'm in charge of the domestic section of the household, would you like some breakfast?"
Nodding enthusiastically, Kaoru was quickly handed into the care of a young Tsumbe who led her to a table and provided her with what seemed to the half starved Kaoru a feast of rice and pickled vegetables. Kenshin sat quietly next to her stealing glances while calmly consuming his own breakfast of rice and pickled vegetables. As soon as they had finished eating Tae reappeared with a package for Kaoru containing several outfits and a variety of other necessaries. Kaoru bowed low and thanked Tae as she once again followed Kenshin out into the courtyard.
To her mild disappointment he led her back to the long row house that she had stayed in the previous evening.
"Please change into one of the practice gi. I will wait outside for you to finish." And with that said he exited the small room. Taking advantage of the almost privacy Kaoru quickly changed into the training hakama and gi she found in the bundle provided by Tae.
Dressed, Kaoru examined the room for any weaknesses or exits other then the one her captor was guarding. Disappointed by her inability to find an escape route, or anything else really since the only thing in the room besides her self and her bundle was a futon mattress rolled against the far wall, she sighed in defeat. Well if worse came to worse she could always try clobbering Japans most feared assassin with her bed roll. At least it held the element of surprise; he would certainly never be expecting the attack of the killer bedroll! Shuffling back over to the door she announced that she had finished dressing. The door slid open to revel the waiting red head, "Did you find anything interesting Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru promptly turned the most amazing shade of red. "I….you….it…"
Luckily she was saved from her own traitorous verbiage by an amused "Ohohohoho!" coming from beyond Kenshin.
"I do believe Megumi-dono is here to treat you wounds Kaoru-dono." And with that Kenshin moved away from the doorway allowing the highly amused doctor to enter with her medical kit.
Evil Bastard.
"Is the tanuki-girl causing trouble for you Ken-san?"
The low growl from Kaoru went completely ignored by the elegant doctor who just emitted another stylish laugh. Kaoru was beginning to think she'd get a chance to try out the killer bedroll theory after all. Luckily for the unsuspecting doctor she quickly regained control and began her examination.
"Her cheek seems to be healing fine but I'm a bit concerned about the ankles…" the hands examining her ankles probed deeper and Kaoru drew a sharp breath in pain.
"There looks to be the beginnings of an infection in her right ankle. Try and keep her from disturbing it too much and make sure she applies this salve twice daily."
Being referred to in third person was more than a bit disconcerting for Kaoru who felt the need to protest.
"Oi! I'm right here you know."
Handing Kenshin a small jar the doctor ignored the irritated patient as she made her good-byes to "Ken-san" and left the building.
Kaoru found herself muttering about "stupid kitsunes" as the doctors back disappeared across the courtyard. Kenshin stifled a smile at her antics as he also turned to leave the small room.
"Come."
Sullenly, Kaoru followed Kenshin without paying much attention where they were headed until they arrived at the large dojo. She was suddenly snapped out of her mood when Kenshin tossed a bokuto at her head. Catching the projectile instinctively she took up a defensive stance just in time to block the first blow from her opponent. Kenshin disengaged and stepped back. Slowly he began to circle and Kaoru followed his lead occasionally exchanging short series of blows. Despite the fact that the encounter seemed no more extensive than many practice sessions with her father, Kaoru was panting and her ankles burned like fire by the time Kenshin called the match. Kenshin, the bastard, hadn't even broken a sweat.
Finished replacing the bokuto on their rack Kenshin returned to Kaoru's side.
"We can go get lunch now if you would like and possibly a bath after lunch."
At the mention of food and a bath Kaoru suddenly realized how both hungry and filthy she was feeling and quickly nodded in response to Kenshin's non question.
Exiting the dojo Kenshin led her to a small area where she could clean up and proceeded to wash his own face and hands before redirecting them towards the bustling kitchen. Grabbing two bowls of fish soup and a plate of rise balls Kenshin headed towards a section of tables where other members of the household were eating their own noon meals. Kaoru sat down to eat lunch with as much enthusiasm as she had previously consumed breakfast. Intent on her meal she didn't immediately notice when their table space was invaded.
"Hey, Kenshin, Missy! Mind if I join you?"
At the sound of the annoyingly familiar name Kaoru was jolted out of her previously euphoric enjoyment of her lunch only to find one Sagara Sanosuke looming above their table and holding his own precariously balanced lunch.
Despite the rice ball which somehow managed to find its way into his hair Sano plopped down across the table from Kaoru.
"Oi, Jou-chan sorry bout earlier."
Unable to retaliate or escape due to Kenshins' continued presence beside her at the table Kaoru settled for ignoring the spikey-haired man.
Unaffected by her childish antics Sano continued, "Listen Little Missy it wasn't anything personal or anything! I got a job to do too you know! Truce?"
Kaoru slowly looked up from her bowl to glare down the intruder weighing her options. Still a bit peeved but unwilling to seek enmity where non was offered she finally huffed, "Truce." and shook the proffered hand.