Ch 9

Challenge

When I opened my eyes in the morning all that registered on my tired mind was that it was very, very, dark. Groaning I rolled over. 'Why on earth am I even awake before dawn?' and then it dawned on me. First of all I was way too comfortable and second of all if I had rolled over in my futon I would have fallen off. Suddenly I wrenched myself into a sitting position scattering blankets and pillows 'so it hadn't been a dream' I was lying on a large bed in the center of a dimly lit room. Disentangling myself from the blankets I quietly slipped out of the bed. As I walked across the room I clutched the pale cream yukata I was wearing tightly around my body. Then I knelt down before the clothing chest and digging around within I searched until I found a simple pale yellow kimono that tied with a solid red obi. It was the least ornate of all the kimonos within the chest. Gently I slipped the thin yukata off and pulled on the yellow kimono. Arranging the kimono to wrap my body snugly I tied the obi securing the cloth in place. Then I softly padded into the washroom wondering what would be expected of me today. 'I can't very well stay in my rooms all day…hmm, maybe I'll go find Megumi, she'll know.' that in mind I hurriedly scrubbed my face. Walking out of the washroom I stepped back into the dimly lit sitting room. Glancing around I frowned thinking 'What's with these heavy tapestries? They block out all the light' carefully I walked the perimeter of the darkened room running my hand along the wall. I soon felt the slight indention indicating a window. Reaching toward the edge of one of the tapestries I shoved it aside exposing a plain set of wooden shutters. Carefully holding aside the wall hanging I pushed open the shutters and looked out into early morning light. My window faced out into the front courtyard. Over the wall I could see the valley that I had ridden through earlier. It was carpeted with tents and I could see the silvery glint of the stream running through the middle of camp. Gazing up toward the opposite side of the valley I could see the sun just beginning to peak over the ridge. Surveying the sky I could see a film of clouds to the north. 'I guess it won't be sunny for long' I thought. Satisfied I turned back to the sitting room. Moving some chairs I managed to prop the thick wall hanging back from the window. Finally I stood back and surveyed my work. The sun had fully cleared the opposite ridge though the encroaching clouds were loaming closer and the camp below was beginning to awaken. Softly I smiled 'well, if my position here allots me to my own set of rooms they must not care too much if I redecorate.' When if finished I hurried back into the still dusky bedroom and poked through the clothing chest. Finally at the very bottom I found a single leather hair tie. Hurriedly I tried to finger brush my hair into a pony tail but at waist length my hair has never cooperated with me. Frustrated I hurried over to the washroom and snatched up a brush then managed to successfully pull my hair into the desired pony tail.

Now that I was presentable I quietly slipped out of my rooms and glancing quickly toward Kenshin's rooms I hurried down the hallway. When I reached Megumi's rooms she was just closing the door behind her. Turning toward me she said,

"Oh, Kaoru I didn't realize you were up. I was just going to look for you."

"Thanks, it was a bit awkward just hanging around in my rooms. I figured I'd come see if you were up." I replied

"Oh that's no problem; and if I'm not awake, feel free to hang out in the infirmary." I nodded,

"Ok" I followed her as we walked across the hall and into the infirmary. I sat down on the edge of one of the cots and Megumi headed over to some jars on the self. As she pulled a couple down onto the counter she said,

"We'll go eat breakfast in a bit. I just need to make a powder. I promised the cook some for her headaches." Pulling out a small mortar and pestle she began to grind the various leaves and roots into a fine powder. As I watched her work I decided to ask her the question that had been bugging me since I left my village.

"Megumi, umm, after we eat do you think it would be possible for me to get a hold of a bokken?" looking up from the mortar she stopped grinding,

"A bokken? You are a swordswoman?" she asked I shifted in my seat and replied,

"Well, yes I have always practiced in the mornings and I was wondering if that would be okay here…" I trailed off Megumi was looking at me incredulously

"You are a swordswoman and you left your sword behind?" cautiously I nodded replying

"The elders thought it best I come unarmed."

"Oh that's nonsense!" she said briskly, "Sano would have been fine as long as you weren't wearing it. In fact he probably would have gotten quite a kick out of it." She eyed me carefully "I have yet to meet a warrior of any kind who would leave their weapons behind lightly… I'll see what I can do." The she returned her attention to her mortar. When she finished she carefully poured the fine powder onto the center of a small slip of paper. Then setting aside the mortar she folded the paper up so it would hold the powder and slipped it into a pocket hidden away in her sleeve. Smiling she turned to me and said,

"We'll talk to Sano and see what we can come up with, okay… oh wait he probably won't be up for an hour or two hmm… oh well let's just go eat and figure out the logistics later."

"Thank you Megumi" I said gratefully

"nonsense," she replied as we walked down the hall," we can't have you falling out of practice." She said teasingly. Soon we came to the room we had eaten in last night. Walking in, I saw that Yahiko and Misao were already seated. They were sitting side by side on the far edge of the table. Looking up as we entered Misao exclaimed,

"Good morning, Megumi, hi Kaoru, What took you so long? I mean me'n Yahiko couldn't eat without you." I smiled listening to her happy chatter. I glanced over at Yahiko; he seemed to be intent on ignoring Misao. I sat down near Misao with Megumi sitting on my right. Then turning to Misao I asked,

"Where are Aoshi and Sano?"

"Oh, they're asleep. They'll probably sleep for another hour or so. They stayed up real late last night with Kenshin." She grinned and began telling Megumi a strange story involving a snake and one of the maids. Speaking to Yahiko I said,

"So do you know when we eat?" jumping to his feet he said,

"Oh we were just waiting for you two. I'll go tell Tsubame to bring in the food." Walking to the door he left the room, headed to the kitchen I assumed. About three minutes later he came back in. he was holding a pot of tea and cups. Behind him a young girl around his age walked in carrying 4 bowls of eggs and rice. After she set the bowls on the table Megumi pulled the small paper packet out of her sleeve and asked,

"Tsubame would you bring this to the cook, it's some powder for her headaches." She nodded and taking the packet headed toward the door just as she opened it she turned saying,

"Oh, Yahiko thanks for helping me with the drinks."

"Sure, sure it's no problem" he muttered she smiled shyly at him and walked out. As soon as the door closed Misao began teasing Yahiko,

"Awww! Yahiko's got a girlfriend" she said in a sing song voice. Blushing fiercely he exclaimed,

"I do not!" Megumi and I laughed at their banter. Looking down at my bowl I grabbed my chopsticks and began to eat. Internally I sighed, the food was amazing. 'I fail when it comes to food.' Soon I had finished eating and sat back listening to the chatter going on around me. Just after we had all finished eating Sano wandered in carrying a bowl of rice. Yawning hugely he sat down beside Yahiko and sleepily bid us good morning. Then he poured himself a cup of tea and tucked into his meal. He finished his bowl quickly. Glancing up at us he said,

"You know you guys didn't have to wait around for me."

"Its fine," Misao said, "we were still here. We just finished eating. Oh Sano, do you know if Aoshi's up?"

"Yeah, he's coming. I passed him on my way here from the kitchen." And then he made the strangest comment, "Oh, its cloudy today so Battousai will probably be in here soon as well." Just as he said this Aoshi and Kenshin walked in each cradling a bowl in their hands; sitting down on the opposite side of the table, they bid us an absent minded good morning. Both Sano and Aoshi looked unbearably tired but Kenshin seemed as alert as ever. Pondering this peculiar detail I began to speak to Megumi and Misao about getting a few more leather hair ties.


It was overcast this morning which meant I could move around in the daylight without a heavy cowl. I had just gone to the kitchens to grab some breakfast and Tsubame had informed me that everyone was still in the meeting room. On my way over I had run into Aoshi. Last night he, Sano, and I had finalized our plans and orders had been sent out. The only thing left to do was to select the two groups that would move ahead of the main army and attack Remala and Kapta. As we opened the door to the meeting room I could see Megumi, Kaoru, Misao, Yahiko and Sano had finished eating. So sitting down I had tucked into my food with zeal. I was considering who I wanted to include in the small group that would accompany Sano and I in Kapta when I heard Megumi say,

"Sano, did you know that Kaoru is a swordswoman?" Looking up I saw a surprised look flash across Sano's features as he said,

"You practice Kendo? But you didn't bring anything with you…" he trailed of questioningly. Kaoru smiled apologetically,

"Well you see," she began, "the village elders thought it would be best if I left my bokken behind… umm, would it be okay if I continued to practice here…" she trailed off noticing all the stares she was getting before continuing, "I know its odd for a woman to practice kendo, but you see it's a family tradition." She stopped and glanced about the table. It was Sano who recovered first.

"Well, sure I'll see what I can find, huh I wouldn't have pegged you for a fighter but looks can be deceiving," he said grinning, "Anyway it must have been hard to leave behind your bokken." She smiled relieved,

"Yes, but if I can still practice here then it's fine." I studied her closely now I could see that her petite frame was actually quite lean and well muscled. Interested I wondered if she was any good. Then I spoke,

"Kaoru-dono what style do you practice?" looking toward me she met my gaze and replied, "The Kamiya Kasshin style, it was my father's school before… well anyhow now I carry on the style, I had a small group of students for a while, but the elders did not approve of a woman teaching kendo." She explained. I nodded; personally I was amazed she had even attempted to continue the school alone.

"Perhaps we could see you practice after this." I said she smiled and nodded happily saying,

"That would be great. Thank you Kenshin." Then Misao grabbed her full attention,

"Kaoru, why didn't you say before you could do kendo? That's so cool. I throw kunai they're much better than swords, no offense." Then she began pointing out various people around the table and explaining their weapons of choice. "Aoshi, he fights with twin kadochi's, they're awesome, and he's also a kempoist. Yahiko is learning the sword; he works mostly with a bokken. Sano used to have a large Zanbatou but now he just relies on his fists, he's got a really wicked technique called the Futae no Kiwami. Then there's Kenshin he fights with a katana in the Hiten Mitsurugi style." With that she finished her narrative and began speaking to Aoshi. Kaoru was looking about herself with a calculating eye; soon her gaze came to rest upon me. Staring back into her dark blue eyes I could see she was trying to asses my skill just as I had attempted earlier. I had just finished eating. Finally I spoke,

"So Kaoru-dono who will you spar with? Yahiko isn't prepared for one on one sparing yet so you can spar with either Aoshi or myself." I grinned wondering who she would choose.

"Hmm," she said a sly look entering her gaze "I've never spared with someone wielding double blades so I guess I will spar with you Kenshin." she smiled and watched my face closely for a reaction. I nodded 'this will be interesting' I thought. Then I said,

"Well if you all are finished then we can go to the dojo now" then to Megumi I said,

"Why don't you help Kaoru-dono find some clothing she can spar in, and then you both can meet us in the dojo?" Quickly they both got up. Kaoru was smiling widely in anticipation, leaving the room they closed the door behind them. Then rest of us headed toward the dojo. 'It will be interesting to see how good she is first hand.' I thought as I walked into the dojo and selected a bokken.


As we walked down the hall way Megumi grinned over at me saying,

"You know I don't think anyone has had the guts to spar with Himura one on one since he trounced Aoshi. This will be interesting. Oh and don't worry he'll use a bokken so you won't be at a disadvantage." Smiling back at her I said,

"Thanks Megumi. I hope I won't get beat too fast, but either way this will be fun." With that we both walked into the infirmary. Quickly she headed over to the drawers and pulled out a needle and black thread. Then she grabbed my hand and said,

"Here let's go steal one of Himura's old wide leg trousers. He'll never notice they're gone." Reluctantly I allowed myself to be pulled down the hall into his rooms. As we entered his rooms Megumi released my hand and left me standing beside the open door, then she walked farther into his quarters. I could hear her rummaging around. Looking about I was intrigued. His rooms were even more heavily darkened than mine. The tapestries were dark and gloomy scenes of forests at night. Just then Megumi emerged from the room she had entered triumphantly holding up what looked like a large pair of navy blue wide leg pants.

"Hah, I knew he had some," she exclaimed, "here let's head to your rooms and try these on." Then she bustled past me into the hall and closing the door behind me, grabbed my hand and she proceeded to pull me laughing down the hall toward my rooms. As we entered the sitting room she released my hand and glanced around at my redecorating.

"These rooms were a bit stuffy weren't they" she guessed

"Yeah, I figured I'd brighten the place up a bit." She nodded smiling before shooing me ahead of her into my bed room.

"Here try these on while I go get a shirt of mine you can wear." Still grinning she hurried out of my rooms. Removing my obi I pulled on the pants. They were a dark navy blue with heavy pleats and split legs. Around my waist they were very loose and the legs dragged on the floor but the difference in height was slight, only about four or five inches.' strange I always assumed Kenshin was much larger than me'. Soon Megumi hurried back in with a plain white gi. Handing it to me she closed the door leaving me in the room alone. Sliding out of the kimono I slid my arms into the gi and tried unsuccessfully to roll the pants up enough for me to walk. Then Megumi knocked on the door,

"Can I come in?" I heard her say.

"Sure! I'm decent." I cried. Coming in she laughed softly at the sight of me standing in a white gi, trying to hold up a pair of oversized pants, hurrying over she rolled the waist a few times and pulling out her needle and thread put a few stitches into the waistband to hold the roll, then she pulled in the sides and stitched them in place so the pants were more snug on my waist. Standing back she surveyed her work,

"Perfect you look just fine" then she handed me a sash, "here tie this around your waist to help keep those up. Now let's not keep them waiting." With that we both hurried out of the room. 'Wow!' I thought 'I never would have imagined sparring with Battousai.' Before amending the thought 'and not dieing.'


Hi everyone! I hope you've enjoyed the story so far. Now I know that most of you have nothing to do right now so...please click that lovley review button and respond. Please^_^ you know you want to can't you hear it? It's calling you. Your mouse is being drawn toward the button. You want to review

Disclaimer: sadly in the time that has passed since my last update I have not bought and therefore still do not own Rurouni Kenshin. (tears)