Reliving the Teens
Welcome everyone! How are y'all? (everyone shouts back various responses) Um, right. Okay! I hope all of you enjoy this chapter... and like it... and think its wonderful! (JK)
Well please continue reading (I'm sorry if I've put you off but please try and bear with me) and REVIEW!
Journey on!
At the sound of his name, Saito sneered down at the teen and sucked on his cigarette. "Why Battousai, what a surprise to see you outside of that dumpy dojo. The tanuki's actually let you off your leash then?" He tsked and dropped a few ashes onto the ground.
Kenshin glared at him, "you are delightful company as always Saito." There was a brief silence as the teen glared narrowly and the wolf completely ignored him. "What do you want? Why were you following me from the market?" He demanded angrily.
"You noticed then, that's well for you." The wolf commented easily, "As for what I want," he smirked at the red head, "surely you can guess."
"Just tell me wolf." The teen answered emotionlessly, leaning forward while his eyes narrowed and became colder.
But Saito just noticed this and continued to ignore his comments. "Don't be so dense," he scolded, still working on his cigarette.
The teen growled in anger, "tell me, otherwise I'm leaving." To prove his point the redhead turned his back on the wolf.
"For a hitokiri you can still be childish at times," the now police officer commented, glancing at the teen and then smiling when the back stiffened. "Very well, if I really do need to tell you then I will." Now the redhead turned partially back towards him.
"I want a fight."
This statement caused Kenshin to turn further until he was facing Saito and staring at him with wide eyes. "What?" He asked disbelievingly.
The wolf sneered, "You heard me Battousai. I want a duel, just between the two of us. No rules."
"Why?" The redhead demanded shortly.
"I want to test your skills, perhaps you've gotten better-not worse-over time," Saito answered intelligently, earning him a cold glare from the hitokiri.
Kenshin shook his head annoyed, then turned sideways and crossed his arms. "This is ridiculous Saito, that's no reason to have a fight." He began to walk slowly back down the alley, leaving Saito in his place.
The wolf threw his cigarette onto the ground, "don't walk away from me Battousai. I know you're interested."
Redhead paused and scoffed loudly, "you misjudge me then Hajime, and I have no interest in such a thing."
"Really," Saito commented skeptically, then in a blur of motion drew his sword and ran at Kenshin's back.
Just before he was speared, Himura turned and dropped to the ground, barely missing the wolf's flying blade.
He silently cursed himself for not bringing a sword, but who had known that he would run into the wolf. The redhead managed to duck and weave his way around the officer's blade, until he found himself near the entrance of the alley.
Saito had gotten the teen, through a few tricks, with his back against the wall. He attacked Himura one last time, and in order for him to dodge Kenshin had to fall on the ground, leaving himself wide open.
Kenshin squatted on the ground, his knees bent and his arms splayed out behind him. As he waited for Saito to finish him off, the redhead groped around with his right hand, and to his surprise closed around a thin stick or pole. He rolled to the left in order to avoid the wolf's word, bring the object front so he could see it. The "stick" was in fact an unused metal stall pole, covered with dirt but still adaptable for his use.
When the would-be officer attacked the teen again, he was ready. As the blade came down, the pole came up and a loud "clang" sounded as the metal objects met.
Saito sneered across the crossed weapons at the redhead, "found a new sudden interest have you Battousai?"
The redhead growled softly at the man, "Don't call me that." He pushed the sword back at its owner, then stepped back to lower his own "weapon" to his side. "And I have not."
"Whatever you say, Himura," the officer replied shortly, raising his sword once again.
A few seconds later, he attacked again, causing Himura to go on the defense.
This time Kenshin blocked the first the attack, then quickly moved behind the wolf to attack on his won.
Just as the pole was about to hit, Saito turned and moved to the side so that it missed him. Smiling sinisterly, the officer attacker the teen, doing so in such a way that the redhead's grip on the pole loosened completely and the teens himself went flying up the alley.
Aoshi Shinomori and Misao Makimachi, newly arrived in Tokyo from their residence in Kyoto, were walking down a barely occupied street in the center of town when a continuous sound caught their attention.
The two paused at the mouth of a shadowed alley and peered inside just in time to see a dark blue and red blur flying at them.
It landed near their feet and dissolved into a familiar redhead.
"Himura!" Misao exclaimed, and then began to rush forward towards him.
But she stopped in her tracks when the redhead slowly stood up, stiffly standing as he glared at the alley. A few seconds later the teen wiped his face with a hand and shouted angrily, "damn you Saito!" Then he rushed back into the alley, fists clenched.
The two travelers exchanged confused glances. Why were Saito and Himura fighting in an alley? Why didn't Himura have his sakabato? What had Himura, usually such a polite and courteous man, just sworn at the wolf and so angrily as well? Finally, why was Himura, of a definitely shorter stature, seemed so much shorter then usual?
A loud shout and final "clang" of metal drew their attention back to the alley.
They waited curiously until a few minutes later when Saito walked out, with a few tears on his uniform, carrying a sheathed sword. He bobbed his head at the travelers, donned the police cap once again and went off down the street, twirling the sheath between his fingers.
Aoshi and Misao watched the cop travel off through the empty street until quiet footsteps and a soft voice returned their attention to the alley. They turned to see the small redhead walking towards them, tying his hair up in a high ponytail while grumbling under his breath. Instead of the usual bright pink gi and hakama, their friend wore a dark blue outfit. It had been dirtied and slightly torn by the fight between Saito and him, making the teen look very disheveled and weary.
The teen came close enough for them to hear that he was complaining about Saito, before he realized they were there.
"Good morning," the redhead greeted cautiously, lowering this hands to his sides and blinking at the girl and man with wary and masked blue eyes.
"Himura!" Misao exclaimed loudly, running towards him with arms spread in a welcoming gesture. She nearly had her arms wrapped around his slim frame when he dodged away to the side, leaving the girl to try to regain her balance.
While keeping an eye on the female, Himura turned to look at the man. The teen's eyes were a guarded cold blue as he locked gazes with another pair of ice blue eyes.
Behind the two males engaged in a staring contest, Misao stood up straight, dusted herself off and whirled around to glare at the redhead.
"Himura! What the hell was that for?" She burst out angrily, waving her arms about as she spoke.
"Language, Misao." Aoshi scolded her, his first words since their encounter with Himura. The girl turned to frown at him, crossing her arms.
The redhead gazed between the girl and man confused, but didn't let it show on his features. Finally, he asked, "Do I know you two?"
This softly voiced question caused both of them to turn and stare, surprised. Misao slowly walked towards him until they were face to face, a curious thing since Himura was normally, at the most, a head taller then her.
"You're shorter." She stated, poking him lightly in the shoulder, and then the girl leaned forward to closely study his face. "You look different too."
Himura sighed softly and his eyes slid off to the side.
Aoshi didn't move, but also took a few minutes to study the redhead.
When he grew annoyed at the attention, the teen snapped, "I'm not some pretty thing to look at, you know." His eyes grew colder with the rebuke, and he stepped back from Misao.
She stared at him then replied confused, without her usual vigor, "of course not."
The dark haired man made no spoken comment to the redhead's snappish demand, but he was surprised by the harsh tone in Himura's usually polite and soft voice. This was a completely different person than the man they were used to.
"If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be," the teen announced, then bobbed his head and walked down the alley to disappear on the street.
After he was gone, Aoshi and Misao exchanged glances with each other.
"What was that about?" The girl wondered aloud, "Himura was sure acting weird."
Aoshi shook his head, "that wasn't Himura."
A little less then a half hour alter, the redhead walked through the gates of the Kamiya dojo and across the yard.
The few residents outside looked up as he came in, no one commenting but carefully watching him. Kaoru and Yahiko were practicing at the side, exchanging many insults and hits at each other. Sano was relaxing on the porch, a fish bone protruding from his mouth while he lay in such a way that made him look asleep.
To the teen's relief Hiko was nowhere to be seen outside, so he sighed and walked into the house… a dreadful mistake.
As Kenshin passed the kitchen door, as silently as he was able, a loud, booming voice made him halt.
"Baka deshi, what do you think you're doing?"
With a grimace, the redhead turned and slowly walked, step by step, to pause cautiously at the side of the doorway. "What Shishou?" He questioned softly, trying not to sound annoyed.
The tall man turned slightly towards the boy, stirring a pot of something on the stove. "Don't play games with me boy. What were you doing? Where were you/"
Kenshin scowled, "that's none of your business Shishou." He sighed, "It's history, besides."
"Nonsense."
Several minutes after Kenshin had disappeared inside the door, Aoshi and Misao walked in through the gate, announcing their arrival with the girl's loud shout of welcome.
Kaoru straightened up, hung a shirt over the clothesline, then ran over the younger girl and hugged her tightly. "Misao-chan!" She exclaimed happily.
The teen girl responded in the same way, hugging her back and saying, "it's great to see you again Kaoru!"
Yahiko was slower in coming over, and Sano continued to lay on the porch, supposedly oblivious to what was happening.
"Hi weasel," the boy greeted, causing Misao to turn and glare at him, "same to you-spiky haired brat."
Kaoru and Aoshi stood by as the greetings turned into a full-scale insult war.
"Weasel!"
"Brat!"
"Tomboy!"
"Short freak!"
"Well you couldn't keep your mouth shut for a minute!"
"Yeah? Well you couldn't even defend yourself from a pack of dogs!"
"Could too!"
"Can not!"
"Could too!"
"Can no-"
"I don't want to hear your excuses bake!" Thundered a voice from inside the house, and they all turned that way, recognizing Hiko's voice.
"well too bad, you'll have to hear them anyway!" replied a second voice, one that seemed to be Kenshins, almost as loudly. "It wasn't my fault; it was that stupid wolf-cop!"
Hiko scoffed, "oh right, and what did he do?"
Now Kenshin's voice took on a more annoyed then explanatory tone, "he challenged me to a fight, even though I had no sword."
"Why didn't you refuse then? It would have been as easy as just walking away," questioned the older man skeptically.
"Because he didn't give me a chance to! He attacked me before I had a chance to reply" Kenshins shouted back, raising his voice again.
Out in the yard Kaoru sighed, "They've been fighting ever since Hiko-san got here. I don't understand it."
Her comment caused them to miss Hiko's response to Kenshin's last outburst, so they were all surprised when a red and dark blue blur came hurtling at them from the open doorway of the house.
They stepped back as the blur hit the ground, slowing it down, and then rolled across the yard to finally stop a few feet away from the group and resolve it to be Kenshin lying on his back.
Kaoru hurried over to see if he was all right, while the others hung back curiously.
She found Kenshin sting up by himself and rubbing his face with a dirt-covered sleeve. The woman wordlessly handed him a handkerchief, which he took. A few seconds later, his face was clean and the red hair was retied in a ponytail; soon he looked presentable again, except for his gi being ripped and dirty.
"Thank you Kaoru-san," the teen said gratefully, handing the dirt covered handkerchief back to her. He stood up again, with help from Kaoru, and then gently dusted off his clothes. "Stupid, baka, idiot, man," he commented under his breath.
When the redhead glanced cautiously at the house, Sano was nowhere to be seen and to his relief Hiko wasn't hiding in the shadows near the doorway.
Kaoru gently took Kenshin by the arm, turning him around and leading the teen over to where Misao and Yahiko had resumed their argument, and Aoshi was standing indifferently nearby.
"Kenshin," the black-haired woman informed him quietly, keeping a firm grip on the sleeve of his gi, "Misao and Aoshi have come to visit-"
"You're the two from the alley!" The redhead blurted, narrowing cold blue eyes narrowed first at Aoshi, then at Misao. Kaoru felt him stiffen under her arm, threatening, or cautionary.
Misao stopped in mid-insult to turn and stare at him while Aoshi merely blinked and lowered his head. "Are you alright Himura? You're sure acting weird today," the girl questioned curiously, in her usual blunt fashion.
Himura bit his lip in order to stop himself from responding snappishly or sarcastically. How could this girl, who he hadn't even been introduced to yet, speak to him in such a blunt way?
Yahiko restlessly shifted his weight to the other foot, then rushed announced, "I'm gonna go inside." He left the group to run quickly across the yard and disappear inside.
The woman squeezed the teens arm reassuringly before saying, "Kenshin please relax, they're friends," in a confiding whisper.
He didn't reply except to withdraw slightly at he word "friend," mumble something under his breath and turn away.
"Ken-shin," she breathed softly, almost pleading with him.
"Don't call me that." The redhead snapped angrily, jerking his arm way from her hand. He crossed his arms, stiff as a statue.
Kaoru sighed and lowered her arm fully to her side, watching Kenshin's stiff profile hopefully.
A few feet away Misao had been observing their exchange with confusion. Finally she voiced, "what's wrong with you today Himura? You never snap at Kaoru."
The redhead was audibly grinding his teeth and after a few minutes of silence, he replied, "Because I'm not him." The four words were said tensely and shortly, in obvious dislike.
Misao made a face at him, opening but then closing her mouth several times in continuing confusion.
"You aren't who, Himura." Aoshi questioned in a deadpan, his first words since his and Misao's arrival.
Kenshin turned partially towards the older male, eyes still cold and masked, locked eyes with him for a few seconds then turned back again. "I'm not one you know." He replied cryptically.
Behind him Kaoru sighed, why was he always so worried about not being their Kenshin? Why couldn't he understand that they liked him the way he was?
The female ninja let out a yelp of surprise, "hang on a second!" She slowly stalked forward to stop beside the redhead and peer at him closely. "You look different." Misao said after a slight pause.
Himura shifted restlessly under the penetrating stare of the girl, "that's what you said back at the alley," he commented dryly.
"Well you do!" Misao whined loudly, straightening as her braid waved with the motion.
Aoshi, who had also been studying the teen, questioned quietly, "How old are you Himura?"
The redhead stiffened and his cold gaze flickered over to the man, then away.
Misao turned back towards him, asking incredulously, "what do you mean Aoshi-sama? He's-"
"I'm fourteen."
Both of the Oniwaban turned to stare at Himura after his soft-voiced announcement, disbelievingly, while Kaoru lightly gripped his sleeve once more.
Misao blinked at him with surprise and confusion, stepping back slightly. Aoshi, who had suspected something of the like, continued to gaze studiously at the redhead, comparing the 29 and 14-year-old versions in his head.
The teenage ninja finally exclaimed, "I can't believe this! It's so cool!" She clasped her hands together, still shouting loudly, "you're younger then me!"
Aoshi added quietly, "this is certainly a surprise."
Kaoru squeezed Himura's arm gently, "see, this isn't so bad. Right Kenshin?"
The redhead answered with an unsure noise, almost a snicker, but didn't jerk or turn away.
Misao slowly leaned forwards to stare at Himura once more, "you do look younger," she commented softly, "your scar-it only has one line!" Kenshin followed her as she moved, his eyes fixed on her face. "Your hair is shorter too, and your eyes-they're blue instead of violet." Misao paused barely a foot away from him, then looked like a lightbulb had gone off in her head, "and you're not using that silly "this one" or "that" stuff anymore!" She exclaimed, pointing a finger at him.
Himura rolled his eyes as if what the girl was saying was complete nonsense. "Do you know anyone how talks like that? And who has violet eyes? That's not natural. What does it matter how long my hair is? And yes, I know I'm short. Shishou used to tell me that a few thousand times a day." His tone started as sarcastic, but ended cold and harsh as he blocked off his emotions and withdrew again, hiding from memories.
The change was visible to Kaoru and Aoshi, but Misao chattered on obliviously.
"And your face, it's so thin-yet childlike." The girl smiled, "it's no wonder people always mistake you for being half your age." She teased friendly.
"When the baka used to go into town with me, some of the folk would mistake him for being a girl." Hiko announced from the doorway, wearing a superior smirk as he gazed at the redhead. "The girls and woman always fawned over him, calling the kid a "sweet child," "adorable" and a "polite sweetheart."" The man said all the compliments scornfully, glancing one in awhile at the others.
Misao snickered quietly at this, hiding the amused smile behind her thin hand.
Kaoru glanced worriedly at Kenshin, trying to gauge his reaction to the baiting sarcasm.
Aoshi merely stood by, watching the redhead while considering how to repair the, what some may call, friendship that he had recently with the older Himura. This younger version was not as trusting, settled, or polite as the man was used to.
"The woman," Kenshin said the term scornfully, "that you're talking about Shishou, would be the ones who ran the sake shop and grocery stalls." He quipped coldly, his voice harsh.
Hiko didn't respond to the teen's correction, instead he tried to read the boy's ki-but it was hidden again.
"Is lunch ready Hiko-san?" Kaoru questioned earnestly, turning to look at the large man.
He nodded, "yes." Hiko went on with a mischievous smirk, "I hope everyone likes it, but I'm sure that since it's not your cooking Kamiya, they will."
Kaoru frowned and muttered something under her breath, then stomped angrily across the yard and into the house. Aoshi and Misao followed her inside, and Hiko turned that too, but first he looked back at the yard; the redhead was nowhere to be seen.
Awwwwww, poor Ken-chan! (hugs her Kenshin plushie tightly) Never mind, I don't even HAVE a Kenshin plushie.. wish I did.
Well, I hope everyone liked/enjoyed it. I'm sorry to say this, but the story will end in a few chapters. But don't worry, it won't be a random ending, I actually have a very good idea in mind and I'm SURE no one will be dissapointed. XD
Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I very very very really really really appreciate it. Thank you for all of your support and comments about everything!
For anyone who is interested, I posted the first few pages of my NaNoWriMo Novel (National November Novel Writing Month) on fictionpressDOTcom. My account is elfenchild. If you have time and are interested, please read and send me a comment!
I have to warn you that there might be another update from now to Jan 8, but after that there will be no updates until two weeks after that. (I don't know the date). That's finals so I will have to spend my time elsewhere. I'm sorry
Well, to end on an upnote... please review!
Happy New Years! Happy 2007!
ja ne,
mijichan