Broken

Chapter 9: Diminished

That evening, Misao, Yahiko and Sanosuke, who at some point encountered and joined the other two on their way to Kamiya Dojo, waited outside the building. Apparently Genma had taken over and wouldn't let anyone; except Kaoru of course; inside until everything was ready. Or so he said.

"It's amazing I didn't see this coming. You and he knowing each other."

He kept staring into the distance, but Yahiko's question seemed clearly directed toward Misao.

"Why?" She asked naively.

"Well, if you must know. He's pushy, annoying, doesn't know when to shut up, can't take no for an answer, conceited, arrogant, selfish, self centered, greedy and WAY too loud…just like you!."

"What did you say?!"

The rest was indistinct talking, moans, screams and grunts as they tried to tear each other apart…as usual.

All of a sudden the front door opened and Kaoru's head, decorated with probably the largest smile you'd ever see her with, popped into the scene.

"You can come in now!"

And then she disappeared just as fast as she came in, which sent a chill up Yahiko's spine. She was definitely spending WAY too much time with Genma.

They all went into the lunch room and there was a huge, really long table with tons of food on it. There were all kinds of beef, pork and fish and a LOT of rice. There were a few soups and all kids of onigiri. There were also dumplings, both sweet and meat flavored and even a few foreign dishes. At one end of the table Genma stood blindfolded. He had a handful of senbon needles (really sharp throwing needles used by high ranked shinobi only) and he was throwing one in front of each plate with surprising precision. Each needle had a small paper pinwheel on top of a different color, which was an odd, but somehow kind of cute decoration on the table.

All of a sudden, Misao's hand darted in front of Yahiko's face like a snake. After blinking twice, he noticed that she had caught a needle that was headed straight toward him. An angry flare stirred inside him and made his way up to the top of his head.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" He growled at Genma.

Genma seemed like he didn't care, showing no emotion whatsoever.

"You have to stay alert, kid. You might get killed someday."

And along with that, he threw one last needle at the table.

He took the blindfold off of his face and greeted everybody with a large, welcoming smile.

"Welcome everybody!"

His eyes shifted toward Sanosuke.

"Who are you?"

"Sagara Sanosuke"

He offered Genma his hand, but the guy just ignored him and turned to Misao, who had rolled her braid into a bun and put the little pink pinwheel on it like a hair pin.

"You're looking as cheerful as usual."

Strangely though, she replied with nothing but a big smile.

Some time later, they all sat around laughing and gobbling down. Misao had just finished telling Genma how she Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko. Sano, on the other hand, was too busy going Godzilla on the feast right in front of him.

"What about you?" Kaoru asked. "How did YOU two meet?"

Genma grabbed a napkin and wiped his face.

"Well, I used to be a good friend of Shinomori-sensei's, well, as good a friend of that guy as anyone could be. But anyway…"

Then Yahiko interrupted.

"Sensei?!"

At that moment Genma smacked Yahiko on the back of his head for interrupting.

"Anyway, after a long series of events I ended up an Oniwabanshu, that's when I met the Old Man."

"Okina?" Kaoru asked.

Genma nodded.

"It was later that I met Misao though. She was such a cute little thing I wanted to adopt her, but neither Shinomori-sensei nor the Old Man let me. I'm good old uncle Genma ever since."

"How come we've never met before then?"

"Oh I quit the Oniwabanshu after a while. Had to actually. Years ago, I got married, had a son, began a sword collection and here I am."

"And that other ninja gang?"

"Oh, right" He gave a shy laugh. "And I joined the Okiba Gang Shinobi."

It took them a few minutes to suck it all in (except for Sanosuke who hadn't even spoken).

Suddenly, Kaoru's expression changed into worry.

"Damn! I forgot!"

"What's wrong?"

She stood up very abruptly, even had to lean against the wall for balance, and headed outside.

"I forgot the laundry, be back in a minute."

And she took off.

There were a few seconds of silence, which were broken by Genma.

"I can't believe you're the new Okashira. Congratulations!" He told Misao.

"What? Too little for the job?" She replied, her expression changing slowly into anger.

"Not at all." He took a sip from his tea. "As a matter of fact you've grown a lot."

Her eyes lit up and she couldn't contain the excitement. Someone finally told her that she had grown into…

"Of course you're no Kaoru, but still a fine young lady."

"WHAT?!"

Surprised and wide eyed, Genma turned to her. Her face had changed again, only this time it was a very, VERY frightening expression. He didn't see it for long though. Next thing he new she landed a flying kick right above the bridge of his nose.

"Did I say something funny?" He said rubbing his face.

"What was that thing about Kaoru?"

"I didn't say anything."

"YES YOU DID!"

"No I didn't."

"Yes, you did." Yahiko said.

"No I didn't."

Outside, Kaoru minded her own business. Nothing out of the ordinary, she just forgot to pick up the laundry. After all, she was used to Kenshin doing all that stuff and he's wasn't anywhere near. She went outside holding a basket.

A ruffling sound came from among the bushes. She looked for a few seconds, but there was nothing to see, so she returned to the clothes.

It was strange though, she never would've guessed that doing chores would remind her of anything good, yet all of a sudden images of Kenshin came flooding her mind.

She kept remembering how much he has done for her, most of it unappreciated, and never asked anything in return. Even as she picked up that laundry, if he was around he would've asked her to go inside because it was getting cold and that he would finish for her. Unlike that bunch of knuckleheads, they wouldn't help their own mother even if she needed them to. Except Genma. He was a nice guy, but he's so polite he hadn't probably come to help her already because he'd regard them as guests, even though two of them are just a pair of freeloaders.

She caught herself thinking about him and let out a little chuckle.

"What am I thinking?" She said out loud mocking herself ever so slightly.

Then, as she resumed her chore, her mind went back to dreamland.

Silence had enveloped the environment briefly. The awkwardness had ceased a little. However the first was broken by Misao's high pitched voice.

"Why'd you leave the Oniwabanshu anyway? Everyone said you were dead, even Hanya."

Yahiko giggled a little.

"That guy was such a freak."

Then another smack on the back of his head followed, this one throwing him face first on some rice.

"Don't you speak of him like that! The guy was probably THE most valuable friend one could ever have, not to mention…"

But Yahiko interrupted.

"Hey calm down! I just said it because he was ugly."

Genma's anger seemed to just flush away.

"Okay you're right then, he IS a freak."

"Was." Said Misao."

He turned to her. He had a strange look, like a brother of his had just died. So it happens, they really were like brothers.

"What?" Tears filled his eyes.

Misao told him what had happened to Hanya.

He looked calmer after she told him though.

"You know, he always used to say that when he died, he'd like to die a hero. Strange how he got the death he always wanted."

There was a moment of silence.

Genma wiped off his tears with the back of his hand and tried his best to compose himself, or at least try.

"You asked me why did I leave, right?"

Misao nodded.

"Well…"

Author's Note: Ello people! Sorry if you wanted to know really bad, but I just wanted to make the little flashback another chapter. Don't worry it'll be the next one. Although I'd really like it if you reviewed it. I'll give you a cookie. Anyway, ciao!

Peace and love people!!! Peace and love…