Alright folks after a long awaited absence, I have returned! Unfortunantly, without Twilight-kun. Instead I'd like to introduce my new editor… Mino-chan!
(Psst… Wave Mino-chan)
*Mino-chan waves as she continues to work on next chapters* Your Japanese sucks…
*Ruroni-Chan pouts* I did pretty good for not speaking it… Any way sorry for being gone so long. Please Read, Review and ENJOY!
Hiraru led the way to the very back of the temple, where there was a plain dirt path with steps held in place by wood timbers. Yahiko groaned at the sight, "Not more stairs."
Hiraru smiled at him, "Be glad the house isn't past 'Heaven's Gate'. This time we're only going up another mile, instead of the two we just made, and this path is easy. If you don't mind getting whacked by branches you can ride Katsu."
Yahiko folded his arms over his chest and pouted, "I think I'll walk."
Hiraru chuckled, "Suit yourself." She continued up the dirt path, the others mostly behind her. After ten minutes of climbing she stopped and gave a signal for everyone else to do the same.
"Hi-…" Kaoru started, but Kenshin put his hand over her mouth. Both Kenshin and Hiraru stood very still stretching their hearing as best they could. The other's tried to listen too, but heard nothing. "What's wrong?" Kaoru whispered.
The forest erupted with a battle cry, and Hiraru moved with more speed than Megumi thought she could. A small figure in green and brown jumped out of tree near Sano, aiming a hand-made Daito at his head. Then Hiraru was between the two. Her good hand picked the Daito out of the figure's hands and one of her feet pushed him back the way he'd come until there was a painful sounding crash.
Hiraru put her foot back on the ground and put the Daito in her sash. She looked in the general direction that pained grunts were coming from, and shook her head. "Stay here," She called over her shoulder as she reluctantly walked into the bush. After a minute they heard her voice, near the grunts of the smaller being. "So, what exactly was that suppose to accomplish? … I mean besides embarrassing yourself in front of my new friends…"
"I was suppose to take out the trespassers," Came the angry reply, "That's why I didn't go to attack you."
"How well did you actually think this plan out?" She asked the smaller figure, who was still out of view, and making pained noises, "I mean, let's think this one out, shall we? I, your sister, am traveling with five other people. Two of whom are women, and one is your age. Out of the other two, one looks like a weakling and the other didn't even notice you, until you made that foolish attack, at least. Also, I have Katsu, who's about as calm as it gets, about traveling with people you've never met, And finally, I'm leading the way…." She paused giving the invisible figure one of her 'how-dumb-are-you' looks, "Now, to me, that sounds like I'm bringing guests up, what exactly went through your pea sized brain?"
"Your arm is broken, you're walking as though your feet hurt- which they never do even when you're bare foot- you aren't shifting your weight the way you use too, and you've got bruises your trying to hide." Was the reply, "I thought they were making you lead the way up to the house so they could rob us blind and sell you and the other women, and that kid."
Hiraru smacked her hand to her face, "Sozo, No one's sold adult slaves dressed this well, ever. How would they get our stuff through the temple without someone noticing, and you still haven't explained how Katsu would be willing for this. I mean come on, he's always known when I was in danger, you really think he'd let that rooster head, and scar face hurt me?" Kenshin felt his world sink a little, Scar face? Sano was about ready to go over there and give Haru a piece of his mind, Rooster head indeed.
The person that must have been Sozo sigh, and mumbled so they couldn't hear, "You're right, I'm sorry."
"Oh! Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the guy who's head you tried to take out," She crossed her arms and looked down at him, trapped in a thorn bush, sighing "Do you want any help?"
"Oh, only as much as I can get," Sozo said giving her an impression of her look.
Hiraru chuckled, "That does nothing for you. You don't have enough practice at it yet." She bent down grabbing him by his shirt and belt, "Ready? One, Two, Three."
Hiraru pulled, and the small figure was seen flying through the air until he landed on his feet on the other side of her. She smiled at the shorter head of dark hair, bushing thorns out of his hair, "It's good to see you, Sozo. I'd give you a hug, but I think you should try to get rid of those thorns first." She chuckled at him, and he started bushing the rest of the thorns out of his clothes, "Come on, I want to introduce you to some people."
As she headed back to the group she had her arm around the shoulders of a dark haired eleven years old. He was an inch or two taller than Yahiko, his thick hair left long and pulled back onto the top of his head in a fuzzy, short ponytail, and his clothes where obviously old, worn out, but well cared for. His eyes were the same color as Hiraru's, but his face didn't have her same innocent smile or curious look. He looked at the Kenshingumi will slight curiosity but mostly mistrust, and his smile was polite but paper thin, and brightened only when looking at Hiraru. "Everyone, this is my baby brother Sozo, Sozo this is Takani Megumi, a doctor, Himura Kenshin, a rurouni, Kamiya Kaoru, she's a sword instructor. That's her student Myojin Yahiko, and the tall one is Sagara Sanosuke, he's basically a bum." Sano glared at her
The boy's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Hiraru, "Sagara?" His polite smile was gone and the mistrust was visible through his entire body.
Hiraru nodded, "He knows, they all do."
Sozo's eyes narrowed again, but this time he nodded, "I see. Do you want me to take Katsu up to the stables ahead of you?"
Hiraru gave him her own polite smile, "No, If Shiro insults my Friends, my stay won't be long. I want to be able to leave quickly if that's the case."
Sozo brought his eyebrows together and tilted his head to one side, "Shiro's not going to let you leave, again."
"Then he better be nice, hadn't he?" She gave him one of Kenshin's fool smiles. Then she turned to the others, "Well if Sozo's attacked us that means we're half way to the main house. Shall we get going again?" She turned and began walking up the dirt path again. Despite Hiraru's easy smile the rest of the walk was made in uncomfortable silence. Even Kaoru didn't dare ask wither of the siblings, what was wrong. The uncomfortable feeling became crushing when they all topped the final rise and found themselves on a stone pathway that led straight to a two story house. A tall man was standing in front of house, sweeping the stones free of dirt. He was easily as tall as Sano, with his hair cut in a long western style, and the beginnings of a goatee on his chin. His dark eyes were fixed on the lot of them, a cold glare keeping his face unwelcoming. Even his plain white and green hakima in its perfect placement seemed to glare at the group.
Sozo cringed under the man's gaze and stepped a little away from them. The man walked over, the broom in one of his hands like he was holding a staff instead of a broom, his eyes never leaving them. "Sozo, go get the stables ready, Katsu will need a clean, warm place to stay," He ordered the young boy without looking at him. Then bowed to the rest of them, "I'm sorry, folks, this is private land. If you're looking for a place to stay there is a path right behind you that will lead you to the temple. The monks are sure to house you for the night."
Sano felt something tick in his cheek. Hiraru reacted before any of them could, "These are my guests, Shiro." Her head was held up, her shoulders back, and her smile gone. It seemed as though she were trying to match him glare for glare "They will be staying with us, here."
"No, Only the family of the Hirarus many stay here. They may stay in the temple if they wish," The taller dark man glared down at the shorter woman.
Hiraru shrugged, "Alright, We'll go stay in the temple grounds tonight and tomorrow we'll head back to the Dojo. It was nice visiting you, Onii-san." She turned on the ball of her foot back towards the path.
The taller man had her arm clamped in his hand before she'd taken a full step forward. His face was pale with anger, "We had a deal, Hiraru. You would dare to break an oath made on Mother's grave?"
Hiraru turned back to look at him stubbornly, "I promised you that if I found Father's swords I would return by my twenty-first birthday. I'm not twenty for another three months, I can leave if I wish to and spend the next fifteen months away from this place. Now release me, Onii-san dearest." The way she said 'dearest' sent chills down the other's spines. It was coolly angry, with a touch of venom in the way she pronounced the last syllable.
Shiro's lips thinned, "You would leave without visiting our grandfather, even though you know he's dying?"
"How do you know what I know?" She tilted her head to one side.
Shiro stared at her in shock, his voice gone.
"I told Sozo not to tell you about his letters, or how to get in touch with me," Her voice was cold with anger.
"I… I… I…"
"You had a detective follow me, didn't you?" She asked calmly.
The confidence came back into Shiro's eyes, "Yes, I did, several in fact."
"And how much of Grandfather's money did it cost you?" Her eyes were as cold as her voice.
"If you knew it was Grandfather's money why didn't you let the first one keep up with you? Then it wouldn't have cost us as much." The man replied
Hiraru's hand turned into a fist, "Because my life is my own business and not yours."
"It is my business when you're taking over the shrine. You have responsibilities. You should have been here taking care of them, instead of gallivanting around with a bunch of sword freaks and a muscle bound idiot!" The oldest of the Siblings yelled. Up until then the Kenshingumi had been forgotten.
Hiraru's hand reeled back before his came across her brother's face, "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF MY FRIENDS THAT WAY!" Her voice had nothing but anger in it, and the side of Shiro's face had turned red. "Kenshin and Sano saved my life, Kaoru is the nicest person I've ever met except Mom and Grandmother, Yahiko may be young and stupid but he reminds me of Sozo more than anything else. You have no right to talk about them in such a way, just like grandfather had no right to force Mother to marry Saito-san!"
"HIRARU! SHIRO!" The booming voice stopped both siblings before they could do anything else. Both turned and looked to the door of the house. An old man with white hair was standing there, a cane in hand. It was obvious who Shiro took after, both men had the look of someone who didn't smile often, and both had facial hair, and the same squared shoulders. The man spoke again, this time the frown on his face turning into an understanding smile, "That is enough. Shiro you should not have spoken about our guest as though they were not present. Hiraru, while he did deserve it, a Hiraru finds ways to do things without using violence." He bowed to the Kenshingumi, "Please guests, come in. Any friends of my dear granddaughter are welcomed in my home."
The group exchanged looks and then slowly headed for the door. Hiraru left Shiro's side and made her way over to the older man, "Grandfather, what are you doing out of bed? Sozo said you were very ill…"
The older man laughed and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead, "Hiraru-chan, you should not believe everything your brother forges in his brother's name."
Hiraru's jaw dropped, and she turned to look at Shiro, "You sent those letters? You forged Sozo's handwriting?"
The old man cupped both sides of Hiraru's face and forced her to look at him, "That's enough. Go take your friends to the main room, I'll deal with your brother and then I'll bring the tea. You can leave Katsu to me, I'll make sure he's tucked in for the night." He smiled at the group again, "Your feet must be killing you, please, come in, sit down, get comfortable." He gestured into the house, and the group smiled back heading inside.
Hiraru closed the front door behind her as she entered last. Kenshin looked at her and saw the confusion and worry. Kaoru smiled and spoke, "Well, your grandfather and younger brother seem nice enough…"
Hiraru gave her best smile, "Well, Sozo is a little shy, but Grandfather can be very kind sometimes. Come on I'll take you to the main room."
The main room was large and comfortable. With a large pile of cushions, in one corner, as though a person would often lay in them without caring how they looked. A table set in the middle of the room, and several odds and ends placed on low tables around the room. Hiraru quickly pulled out six cushions and offered five to the others and was about to sit on the last when Megumi stopped her. "Do you have any medicine in the house?" She asked, "I'd like to take a look at your feet…"
Hiraru nodded, "Sure, I'll go find the medicine box." She stood straight again, opening the screens on one of the walls to a large garden that hadn't been properly tended in a while, but in the far distance, between the trees another Mountain could be seen. "You guys get comfy, If you go to the edge of the trees over there," She was pointing at the trees in front of the mountain, "You can see the village that's in the valley. We didn't pass it because we didn't take the road, but that's the town where most of the villagers from the temple live." A smile pulsed over her face, before she turned and shuffled out of the room.
As soon as she was gone Megumi turned to Kaoru, "I've never seen such ugly relations in such a beautiful place. Did you see how Shiro and Sozo looked at us?"
"Sorry about that," Sozo's voice said surprising everyone but Kenshin. He was walking from one path in the garden to another until he came to the deck, which was just taller than his thighs. "We're not use to visitors all the way up here," He turned around and sat on the edge of the deck, and pulled himself up to take of his sandals. He put them in his coat as he walked over to the cushion Hiraru had pulled out and sat down with his legs crossed. His actions seemed uncomfortable, he even started jiggling his foot. He looked around the room until his eyes fell on Megumi, "So you're a doctor?"
She nodded, "I am."
He looked down at his feet fiddling with the hem of his hakima, "What's wrong with my Onee-san?"
The group blinked at him, "What do you mean?"
"She's hurt… How badly is she hurt?" He pouted, "Where was she hurt?"
Megumi gave him a gentle smile, "She's healed a lot since she was hurt. Right now the worst injuries are her broken arm, her cracked ribs, and a few cuts that haven't finished healing."
Sozo shifted uncomfortably the center of attention, "Who hurt her?"
Kenshin responded to this, "Some very bad people, who are already in jail or are dead."
"I wish could have killed them all," He said, glaring a spot on the floor away from the rest of the group.
Kenshin sighed, "Sozo-san, tell me, what do you want to do with your life?"
The boy blinked at him, confused by the change in subject. He did think about it carefully, "Well… I think I want to become a Lawyer or someone in the government."
Sano looked at him, "Why?"
The boy looked back at him, "Because, so many things are wrong with the current one. I mean I've seen what they've done to the villagers. It's not right. They take away farms that have been in families for years and years, if I was a government official I'd have them work closer with the people. You know, make taxes easier on everyone, make more stable income, that sort of stuff."
Sano, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Megumi's jaws had dropped. Kaoru turned to Yahiko, "Why can't you think like that?"
Kenshin just chuckled, "Then why do you want to kill someone? Killing is not what's going to fix this government, action, like what you wish to do, will."
Sozo thought about that for a moment then nodded. Hiraru came back into the room, "I found the Medicine box." She held up a wooden box that looked like Megumi's only older.
"And I brought in someone else's" The old man called pushing her further in, so he could come in behind her. He held up Megumi's medicine box, "And Shiro is right behind me with everyone else's stuff."
The young man walked in after Hiraru and her grandfather had moved. A silent part of Sano rejoiced in the forming black eye. He put the bags in a careful pile in one corner of the room and then bowed to Hiraru's grandfather, "I'll finish taking care of Katsu, Grandfather." He turned to the seated people with some plain displeasure, he bowed, "Welcome Guests to the home of the Hiraru. I apologize for my rudeness, earlier. I hope you make yourselves at home while you are here." He stood again, his jaw stiff, turned on his heel, and left the room.
"Tin soldier isn't he?" Yahiko whispered to Sano.
Hiraru's grandfather chuckled, "He's quite upset about this whole affair, but I think he's learned his lesson." He told Hiraru, "I'll go make the tea." He kissed his granddaughter's cheek and disappeared around the corner.
Hiraru scratched the back of her head, her eyes squinted closed, "Ignore Shiro, he's typically this difficult to deal with." She walked around next to Megumi with both medicine boxes and put them in front of her.
Megumi stood before Hiraru could, "Why don't we take care of this elsewhere?"
Hiraru shrugged, "Sure, Sozo, When was the last time my room was cleaned?"
The younger boy looked up at her an eyebrow raised, "When was the last time you were home?"
"Okay, Ehew, You're going to help me fix that later. For now, When was the last time you cleaned your room,"
Sozo raised the other eyebrow, "When was the last time you made me?"
"Nasty, little brother. Tell grandfather we're using his room." She rolled her eyes, and walked with Megumi out of the room.
I hope you all liked that. And for those of you who are also Angel Alchemist Fans, I might have found an editor for it. So check back when you can and make sure you REVIEW THIS CHAPTER!
