Kyoto city... After days upon the Toukai Way, finally, Kenshin and Miryu have arrived in Kyoto, along with Misao, Algren and Graham. It looked so peaceful, as if the city herself could not remember that not a night passed when a head was severed ten years ago. The violence that had been felt and created, wholly disappeared, forgotten by time. It was ten years ago that Kenshin turned his back on this city, shunning the memories he had of this place, and ten years onward, he had returned once again.
For Miryu, it was more of a home-coming. While it was true that she and Algren now lived in Tokyo, there was not a time when her thoughts did not return to this magnificent city, where her roots would always be. There was an air of familiarity, and the feel of returning to the embrace of a dearly loved motherly being. This was once the capital of Japan, the shining jewel of the Land of the Rising Sun. It was here that she started to carve her own destiny, and she had come home indeed.
"I will not allow this city to be stained with blood once again," Kenshin muttered, words that only Miryu could hear. In response, she smiled, and told him that no one in the city would ever wish for it to happen. And the deeper into the city they went, the more Kenshin felt as if he had been away from Kyoto for too long. He used to be able to recognize the doctor's clinic near the city gates, or the flower-seller that would always sell the freshest blossoms by the riverbank... All of them were gone, replaced by other things, and new people... This Kyoto was not the one that he remembered, although Miryu seemed so at ease here...
In Algren's eye, this was where the two of them differed the most. Kenshin even hid his scar under a medicated patch, thinking that he would not be recognized if he had done this, a rather foolish attempt, but no one could blame him for it. "Come on, we have to send Misao home first," he told the others, but Misao just grinned and pointed towards an inn.
"I am home!" she exclaimed happily before skipping towards an old man who was sweeping the floor at the entrance of the inn. "Jiya!" she called towards the old man, garnering an immediate response.
And a frail one, that old man was not. With unimagined speed, he dashed towards Misao and hugged her, with the crushing force of a bear, causing the teenager to wail playfully in pain. "This is for being so late in your return without a single word!" he said. Miryu had a scant suspicion that the man was a little wrong in the head, while Kenshin was almost mortified. "Ah, you must be the ones who brought Misao-chan back!" he said to the rest of them. "I'm awfully sorry, she can be quite a handful!"
Miryu, ever the more hospitable and diplomatic one, smiled and bowed, saying, "She was hardly any trouble," gaining three poisonous glares as a result, but glares that she ignored, they remain. And not long after that, four individuals, two men and two women sprang from the doors of the inn and began to fuss over Misao, all of whom were obviously pleased to see her again.
"Well, that was a nice little reunion, wasn't it?" Graham asked Kenshin, Miryu and Algren. "Why don't we stop by at my tea-shop for a cup of tea?"
But just as they turned to leave, the old man said to them, "Wait, we have not thanked you yet," There was a sly tone in his voice, and by instinct, Miryu's hand flew towards the handle of her katana, despite its deplorable condition. Misao, on the other hand, joyfully invited them to a feast in honor of her return. "Yes, please stay, Himura Battousai, Algren Battouryu and Captain Algren." Ah, with all their identities revealed, there was no reason that they could turn down this invitation. "Please do not tell me that by hiding your scar and turning towards Mr Simon Graham's tea-shop, you are able to hide from us?"
If Misao was from the Oniwabanshuu, and she was partially cared for by Aoshi, it was a huge possibility that the inn where Misao had lived, the Aoiya, could have been the Kyoto headquarters of the Oniwabanshuu. Scratch that, it was the Kyoto headquarters, and being former Ishin-Ishishi combatants, Miryu and Kenshin were unsure of their safety, even though they were already past that age of enmity. Some things, just would not change, as their journey so far had taught them.
"Please, do not resort to such cliches," the old man prodded. "We are living in the age of Meiji, are we not?"
The moment all of them were in the Aoiya, Misao proclaimed that she would be taking a bath, and immediately, the old man ushered the others into a more private part of the inn. "There would be no doubt that Misao would have revealed herself as one of the Oniwabanshuu, as foolish as it is," the old man told them. "As you would have already guessed, I, Kashiwazaki Nenji, (you can call me Okina), was one of the Oniwabanshuu as well. I opened this inn because the previous Okashira knew that Kyoto would be the center of violence after the Black Ships came, and I was tasked to gather information... Ironically, this inn survived, while the Bakufu did not. This is now a refuge for those of us who are unable to find work in these times, or who still feels a sense of belonging to our former organization."
"That may be why Aoshi left Misao-dono de gozaru na," Kenshin stated. However, his words gave Okina quite a shock. The old man did not expect any of them to have known Aoshi, their Okashira for any reason at all, for the Oniwabanshuu was almost invisible during the times of the Bakumatsu. There was no choice, but to relate to him the fate of Aoshi and the rest of the Oniwabanshuu in Tokyo. Somehow, Okina seemed to be one that could not be taken lightly, his voice demanded total obedience whenever he spoke.
And as Kenshin recounted how Beshimi, Hann'ya, Hyotokko and Shikijou were shot dead by the Gatling gun owned by an opium producer, there was not a single change of expression that could be seen in Okina, revealing his experience and wisdom. Even as he had said how bravely the old man's former comrades fought to defend their Okashira, even as Aoshi was recalled remaining in a daze after the villain had been brought down by Kenshin, not a word escpaded from him... "Please, Okina-dono, sessha would appreciate it if you could keep this a secret from Misao-dono."
Okina nodded. "There would be no reason to cause her extra suffering," he said, "That may be the best for her now..." Then, focusing on the current issue, he added, "Battou- no, Himura-dono, you have disappeared from Kyoto ten years ago... Now you return in the company of this lovely lady (may I call you Miryu, my dear?)... Tell me, is it because of the rumors that your successor, Shishio Makoto has resurfaced?"
"There would be no doubt about it, Okina," Miryu said, "Kenshin and I will not rest until we have stopped him from destroying the peace that we have now." Heaving a sigh, Okina told them that he and the Oniwabanshuu would be on their side, not only because they had brought Misao home safely, but they shared the same views. The old man also said that he loved Kyoto for what she was today, peaceful, serene and pristine, unlike what it had been for the past decade, and the centuries before that. He loved her so much, that he would once again take the field, even if he had previously been retired.
Kenshin, on the other hand, did not wish to put unnecessary parties into the line of fire. If he could have his way, he would not have Okina risk the lives of the Oniwabanshuu again, and also that of Misao's. But, at Okina's insistence, he finally agreed. "We would need the information that they can get," Algren added, giving a pat to Okina's shoulder. "And, perhaps you could provide us with lodging?"
"No, no, Captain Algren," Okina replied, in fluent English. "It is our honor to have you here, your food and board will be on the house!"
"Okina-dono, you are indeed full of surprises de gozaran," Kenshin said while Miryu started to give Algren a lesson on how big an organization the Oniwabanshuu actually was. "Actually, Sessha needs your help degozaru yo... Would you use your information network to locate these two people: Arai Shakku and Hiko Seijurou?"
Looking at the white crescent moon from the window of their room, Miryu looked at Algren and said, "Soon, Kenshin and I shall meet with Shishou... It would be a reunion to remember indeeed..." There was a smile on her face, one that carried the memories of long, forgotten times, one that appeared with sweet memories. "It would be fifteen years since all three of us were together."
"I'm sure you'll be dying for that moment to come," Algren replied, giving her a kiss on her temple. "But, knowing Hiko, it would not be a pleasant one for Kenshin, wouldn't it?" Whenever Miryu visited her master, the two of them would always end up sparring, and as always, Hiko would always be the victor, even if she was technically the fourteenth Master of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryuu. And if what Miryu had told him about their childhood was true, that Hiko was a punishing task master bordering on cruelty, then Kenshin would have even a harder time while trying to learn the ougi after so many years.
Miryu could only giggle at his words. "You're right, Nathan," she told him, resting her head on his chest as he cuddled her closer. "Hiko Seijurou XIII is one who bears grudges as easily as he drinks Sake. Kenshin would be a very lucky man indeed if he can walk out of his final training alive... Shishou may have a hard mouth, but his heart is genuinely soft. He will not admit it, but he cares for Kenshin, as much as he cares for me."
That much, Algren knew, was true. Even if he had only seen Hiko interact with Miryu, he could see that whenever Hiko berated her, whenever he nitpicked at her already flawless technique, he could see how much the master wanted her to know that she must never be complacent of her prowess, that she still had much to learn. Hiko Seijurou might have been a hard man, but he does as his moments, after all.
"Well, its a good thing that he is not interested in improving my technique," Algren said, suddenly remembering the numerous beatings Ujio had dealt him during his time of "captivity" in Nobutada's village in the mountains. "I certainly will not be left alive."
Smiling, Miryu put her hand on his cheek and said, "He would not dare to kill my husband just because he wishes to train you." Pressing her lips against his between chuckles, Algren crept above her, his hands supporting his weight at either side of her head. "Do you know why?" she whispered into his ear, her breath hot on his neck.
Raising an eyebrow, Algren asked, "What?"
"Because, you are mine to torture for the night..." Miryu replied, covering the blanket over his head.
There could not be a worse arrangement of lodgings, Kenshin cursed inwardly. It was disturbing enough to witness the newlyweds' public displays of affection, but to be housed in the room next to theirs at night... Kenshin swore that there was no worse torture. And just when he thought that he finally had the chance to sleep undisturbed, he could have sworn that he heard Miryu scream Algren's name so loudly that all of Kyoto could be awakened.
He would have to change rooms with Graham tomorrow night...
