Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Chapter 14. Marriage is not the Reason.
Shura and Kenshin reached the outskirts of Ashiya a little after sunrise. Ashiya was a small city that was quite dirty, with very few samurai families. The few samurai families that were there ran the town violently.
"Miss Shura, you know this city better than I do, where do you propose we go first?" Kenshin asked.
"Well I guess we can first see whether or not Kaoru and the others have made it yet," Shura said. She led them towards a part of the city that was cleaner than the rest. This part of the town had large houses the people who owned them were probably rich families. Shura stopped at one of the smaller houses, although it was quite large considering the size of all the other houses in the city.
"Are we going in?" Kenshin asked as Shura had stopped in front of the house.
"No, we go in with Kaoru, Sanosuke, and Yahiko after dropping of Ayame and Suzume," Shura said.
"I don't think they're here yet," Kenshin said.
Shura nodded. "Me either, come on, let's go to the main gates where the checkpoint is," she said.
"There's a checkpoint here?" Kenshin asked in surprise. He hadn't seen a checkpoint when they first walked into the city.
"Yes, but because we didn't use the checkpoint because we came through the forest, you see, the people here are scared of the forest, they warn others of the wolf pack that lives in the forest. They fear that the wolves there are demons that will eat anyone who enters, so no one has ever braved the forest for fear of the wolves, that's why there's no one guarding the way we came," Shura explained.
"I see," Kenshin said.
"Kikyu, Shura's going to be here today, I'd be willing to bet that she's already here," said a woman's voice. The woman had a few bags of groceries in her hands and didn't notice Shura and Kenshin while trying to maintain her balance. She was walking with a girl who couldn't have been much older than Yahiko.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," said the younger girl. She must have been Kikyu.
Shura stopped. She would know that voice anywhere. It was the voice of her favorite cousin on her father's side, Kanami. "Kenshin, do you have something to write on?" she asked.
"I think so," Kenshin said. He checked in all of his hidden pockets in his kimono and finally found a piece of wrinkled paper.
"Thank you," Shura said taking the paper. She quickly took a chalk pencil (A/N: I honestly don't know where that came from) out of her sleeve. Using Kenshin's back as a hard surface, Shura began writing.
"Kenshin, can you wait here a minute?" Shura asked.
Kenshin nodded knowing that Shura had to deliver her message.
Shura ran off to catch up with her cousin.
14
Kanami and Kikyu were walking back from the market after buying the groceries they would need for the night's dinner.
Suddenly, someone came running past them almost knocking down Kanami and the groceries she was carrying with her.
"Hey! Watch it!" Kikyu yelled waving her fists at the rudeness of the person.
"Sorry!" yelled the person while they kept running.
"How rude," Kikyu said folding her arms in aggravation.
"Come now Kikyu, let's get back before father gets angry at us again for being out so early without an escort," Kanami said.
"You're going to let that creep who almost knocked you down go?" Kikyu asked incredulously.
"Nothing happened right?" Kanami asked.
Kikyu nodded glumly knowing that her older sister was right.
14
Shura reappeared next to Kenshin, and they were on their way toward the checkpoint as if Shura had never gone anywhere.
14
"Are we there yet uncle Toru?" Ayame asked.
"When we get over this hill, we'll be there, little one," Toru answered.
"Finally, I was getting so bored," Yahiko said.
"I hope Kenshin and Shura made it alright," Kaoru said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they're already there," Sanosuke said.
14
As Kanami emptied the groceries, she noticed a piece of wrinkled paper drifting slowly to the floor next to her feet.
"What's this?" Kanami asked bending down to pick up the paper. It was a note.
"Kanami,
I know it's been so long since we've last seen each other, but meet me at the checkpoint to greet us as soon as you can, leave the rest of the preparations to Sashimi. She'll understand once she knows you're coming to see me. And please forgive me for bumping into you, it was the only way I could get your attention without Kikyu noticing me, you know how observant that wonderful girl is.
Shura"
Kanami took a few moments to read and reread the note before calling to Sashimi, her half-sister and told her about the note Shura had given her.
"Say hello to her for me, and tell her she owes me one," Sashimi said.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Kanami said happily. She gave Sashimi a quick hug and then ran out the back door of the kitchen.
14
Kenshin and Shura waited for their friends to arrive in front of the checkpoint.
"SHURA!" someone yelled.
"Kanami?" Shura said looking around. Her eyes lit up as she caught sight of her cousin.
"Shura!" Kanami said running to Shura.
Kenshin stood back to give the two women time to catch up on lost time.
"It's been so long, I couldn't believe it when you left, I was so worried about you, and then when father found out that you were still alive after going in the forest, I was just hoping you'd get away so you wouldn't have to marry Saitou," Kanami said.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on marrying him anyway, and I'm not planning on getting married for a while anyway." Shura said.
Kenshin gave a small cough to get Shura's attention.
"Oh, Kenshin, I'm sorry," Shura said.
"Who's this?" Kanami asked making an unwanted assumption that they were involved with each other.
"This is my friend Kenshin Himura. Kenshin, this is Kanami, my cousin," Shura said.
"Miss Kanami, it's a pleasure," Kenshin said giving Kanami a small bow.
"Mr. Himura," Kanami said returning the bow.
"Please Miss Kanami, call me Kenshin," Kenshin said.
14
"Ahh, finally, we're here!" Kaoru said happily jumping down from the carriage.
"Yay!" Ayame and Suzume said. They had been getting bored in the carriage for almost three days doing nothing but sleeping and eating for the most part.
Yahiko who was standing on top of the carriage looking around for Shura and Kenshin when he caught sight of them, he called out to them.
14
Kenshin heard a familiar voice calling their names. It was Yahiko.
"Kanami, Kenshin, let's go!" Shura said as she led her them to Toru's carriage.
"Hello dear cousin," Toru said.
"Stop with the formalities Toru," Shura said.
14
"Sano, are you awake yet?" Kaoru asked. Sanosuke had decided to take a nap and he still hadn't woken up.
Sanosuke swatted Kaoru's hand away from him. "I'm up, I'm up," he mumbled stifling a yawn.
"'Morning sunshine," Shura said poking Sanosuke in the shoulder.
Sanosuke opened one eye to look at whoever had poked him. When he saw that it was Shura, he opened both his eyes and sat up straight.
Kenshin looked at Toru and said, "I hope your trip was a peaceful one, and no one gave you any trouble did they?"
"No, nothing like that happened," Toru assured Kenshin, he then added, "however, I must talk to Shura about your return trip."
14
Kanami saw that Shura was truly happy with this group of people that she lived with. However, she was wondering where the two little girls came from.
"Auntie Shura, can we go to Auntie Yuri now?" asked Ayame.
"Yeah, I wanna see Auntie Yuri!" said Suzume. (A/N: I always forget which one is older, but I guess a good way to remember who's older is by the first letter of their names LOL.)
"Don't worry, you'll see your aunt in a little bit," Shura said patting Ayame and Suzume's heads.
"Who are these cute little ones?" Kanami asked bending down to Ayame and Suzume's eye level.
"These are the local doctor's granddaughters, Ayame and Suzume," Kaoru answered before Shura could, "I'm Kaoru Kamiya, you are?"
"I am Kanami Sagara, Shura's cousin." Kanami answered.
"Kanami, let's get to your father's house, he'll probably get mad at you for being out so early without a-," Kanami interrupted Shura.
"'Without a proper escort,' I know, that's what Sashimi told me," she said.
"Don't worry, I'll take the blame for it, I'll say that I took you out here to meet my friends," Shura said.
14
"So are we ever going to get to meet your suitor?" Kaoru asked as they walked after having had lunch with Ayame and Suzume's aunt and her family.
Shura groaned. She was so happy to see her cousin that she almost forgot the reason why she was back in Ashiya, key word being 'almost.'
"He'll be here later tonight for dinner," Kanami said. She locked arms with Shura and led pulled her down the crowded street they were on away from the checkpoint.
"Hey wait up!" Kaoru yelled chasing after them Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sanosuke tailing them.
14
"What are you doing out here Kanami?" asked a man's voice. He was leaning against the wall of a teashop.
"Is it a crime for me to be out here dear brother?" Kanami asked scowling at the man she had called 'brother'. Her brother had brown hair that was tied back into a bun on the back of his head. He had a long face and a pointed nose that made it seem like he was a selfish and arrogant person.
"You're a woman, and your place is not to mingle with other people, but in the kitchen or shopping for groceries. You of course do not look like you're shopping, are you?" he asked.
"Excuse me sir, but Miss Kanami was only helping us find our way through town, we only just got here," Kenshin said stepping in front of Kanami and Shura.
"Who are you to tell me what she was doing, I am her brother, and I know her better than any of you."
"You know Kenshin, I feel sorry for Kanami because she has a sexist idiot for a brother, don't you?" Sanosuke asked.
"Yes, I do, seeing as Kanami is one of the kindest women I have ever met," Kenshin said.
"Kenshin and Sano, can't we go anywhere without having you two getting into some kind of fight?" Kaoru asked. She had been looking forward to a peaceful trip away from the dojo, but with Kenshin and Sanosuke around, they were magnets for trouble.
"Kaoru, can we get these two to ignore my brother so we can be on our way?" Kanami whispered.
"I'll see what I can do."
14
Their run-in with Kanami's brother left Kanami a bit shaken since she had to watch her brother be punched hard in the face and ribs a few times by Kaoru. Kanami knew she would get in trouble for the bruises her brother got, but she didn't worry about that now since she was with Shura.
"Kanami, are you ok?" Shura asked as they reached the gates of Kanami's house.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Kanami said giving Shura a wide smile.
"Finally, we're here!" Yahiko said happily.
The six walked into the main door of the house. They were met by Kanami's father, Tsukiora (I couldn't remember his name so I had to go back to Chapter 10 or something like that, and I'm watching Pirates of the Caribbean right now with the audio commentaries so I'm kind of distracted.)
"Kanami," he said, "Shura," he added darkly.
"Father." Kanami said.
"Uncle." Shura said.
"Kanami, I see you've been showing our guests around our great Ashiya," Tsukiora said.
"Yes father, I have," Kanami said.
"Have our guests eaten lunch yet?" Tsukiora asked.
"Yes we have," answered Kenshin.
"I see," Tsukiora said glaring at Kenshin.
14
The sun had just set and Shura and Kaoru were changing for dinner.
"So, you ready to meet Saitou?" Kaoru asked.
"I guess, but it's not like I'm going to give him a yes for his proposal," Shura answered as she finished putting her hair up.
"Well, the least you could do is give him a chance."
"I might. Should we bring our swords just in case?" Shura asked.
"I don't know," Kaoru said looking over at her wooden sword unsurely. "Well, since it is in fact a samurai that we are meeting, I think we should, just in case. Especially since Kenshin is with us, and knowing Sanosuke and Yahiko, they won't pass up the opportunity to cause trouble," Kaoru laughed.
Shura nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
The two women strapped their swords on their waist under their kimonos for easy access if needed.
14
As Shura and Kaoru sat down with their friends, Kanami, and her family, one of the servants came in to introduce Saitou's arrival.
As Saitou walked into the room, everyone stood up as a sign of respect for their guest, he nodded to everyone, and sat down between Kenshin and Tsukiora.
"Saitou, how have you been?" Tsukiora asked.
"I have been fine thank you," Saitou answered.
"Shura, why don't you come and sit by your soon-to-be husband," Tsukiora said.
"No thank you uncle, especially since-," Shura was about to say that she was going to say no to Saitou's proposal, but she was pinched by Kaoru on the arm.
"Go!" Kaoru whispered.
"Fine!" Shura whispered back.
"Shura?" Tsukiora said in a warning voice.
"Very well uncle," Shura said in a monotone voice.
Kenshin moved over as Shura took a seat next to him. However, just before Shura sat down, Kenshin noticed that she was holding something on her leg. Her sword. Kenshin knew he would have to keep an eye on Shura especially since she was sitting by Saitou.
The group ate their dinner silently, and then moved themselves to the sitting room to drink tea and "talk."
14
"Shura, Saitou has come to ask for your hand in marriage. I must say it will be an honorable thing to marry into a samurai family, and I am sure you will enjoy your life with him. So, what do you say?" Tsukiora asked.
"Uncle, the Revolution is over, and as to the proposal I am acquiesced to decline this offer," Shura said. (A/N: I got that from Pirates of the Caribbean! LOL P)
"Very well, I will gladly take my business somewhere else. Besides, I did get what I wanted out of this. My target. The Battousii." Saitou said standing up.
"How dare you!" Shura said angrily. Not only had she been forced to go to a place she would never return to in a million years, her life was being toyed with just so this man could get what he wanted, her friend Kenshin. To top it all off, she was wearing a kimono that she would never wear unless she actually wanted to.
Shura stood up and said angrily, "You won't get him without going through me first."
"And me," Sanosuke said.
"And me," Kaoru said.
"Don't forget about me!" Yahiko said balling his hand into a fist.
"Ha, do you honestly think I won't be able to get through you four?" Saitou laughed.
"Miss Kaoru, Miss Shura, Yahiko, and Sanosuke, would you please sit down, this is not your fight," Kenshin said.
"But Kenshin-," Kaoru began, but Kenshin interrupted her.
"Please Miss Kaoru, I don't want you all to be hurt on account of my past," Kenshin said with a smile at how loyal his friends were.
"Kenshin, this is not a laughing matter," Kaoru said.
"I know that Miss Kaoru, and I apologize," Kenshin said.
"Battousii, you should be laughing with joy, since an opponent who can actually fight you is here," Saitou said.
"You see, that is where you are wrong, I would rather be drinking tea than quenching someone's thirst for a fight. That I would."
"Don't lie, you are a warrior, you always have been, you should be fighting those who oppose you," Saitou said.
"I do that if it is to defend the innocent and my life, other than that I would rather not fight."
"Battousii, if you will not fight me, I will have to force you to," Saitou said.
"Would you please stop calling me 'Battousii'? It is such an ugly name for a man who does not kill," Kenshin said.
"Never, as you may have heard before, a manslayer is a manslayer, that is all you will ever be. Just like me." Saitou said.
"I know that as I have heard it before many times, but I must disagree with you on one point, and that is that I am not like you, because if I was like you, you would be dead right now, and I wouldn't be here with Miss Kaoru, Miss Shura, Sanosuke, and Yahiko." Kenshin said.
"Yet you still carry around your sword? Who are you to say you are not like me when you carry a sword with you?" Saitou asked.
"This is no ordinary blade," Kenshin said drawing his reverse-blade sword.
"It is a reverse-blade sword, with that you couldn't kill anyone."
"Hence the reason for this sword. To defend those in need."
"You live with these ideals daily, yet you never stop and think that maybe those around you would suffer less were you not who you are today."
"Kenshin, let's leave," Shura suggested.
"Yes Miss Shura, I think you are right," Kenshin said. He slid the door to the room open and he and his friends filed out.
PLEASE READ THIS A/N!
"Don't worry Battousii, I will find you no matter where you are," Saitou said allowing them to leave.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Now go hit that review button. Be a good reader, and give me some pointers and comments. Here's the thing if you don't like this chapter since I know there was no big fight scene, you can let me down easy with some constructive criticism don't just say "OMG! This was one of the worst chapters I've ever read!" don't say that, that'll just say that you don't think I can do better. Give me some ideas that you've got so I can improve my writing. I'm always open to ideas that I think will help me improve.
Anyway, moving back to the story, I was going to finish up this story after a few more chapters and just leave it with Kenshin and friends fighting Saitou and winning, but I figured that that's kind of become clichéd so I'll add another adventure so to speak and possibly head towards Shishio's alley. I don't know. Tell me what you think, because I think that this chapter could change the whole course of the story. So I'm gonna classify it as one of the most important because I changed the way I was going with the story (I changed it where Saitou says he didn't come to get married but to get to Kenshin. At first, I was going to have him say that Shura wasn't that pretty and Sanosuke get really mad, if you know what I mean)
P.S. If anyone has any ideas for the title of this fic, please give them to me, I need something. If not, I'll think of it when I write the last chapter.
Next Update: I'm not exactly sure, but it will most likely be after or during Thanksgiving Break since I've got to finish research for two big projects: the Holocaust, for English, which I don't know when, is due; and a project on the Atomic Theory/Periodic Table, for Honors Chemistry, that's due on Friday.
Anyway, I'd better get to sleep since I have school tomorrow and it's almost three in the morning and tomorrow's a Saturday in case you're wondering why I stayed up so late and I'm not in trouble, it's just Arabic school. This A/N is longer than the story itself. SORRY!