Chapter 6
*************
" Rise and shine Makimachi!"
The dark haired girl stirred, opening one eye before closing it and falling asleep once again. She tried to ignore the constant prodding into her side.
" Stop it! That tickles!"
Eventually, the prodding got a little too annoying for her tastes. Misao pulled out her hidden kunai from beneath the blankets and prepared herself. She threw the blanket off herself, using it to block her attacker's line of vision. She threw the kunai, each slicing through the material of the thick blanket before falling to the floor with a clatter.
" Watch it weasel. I hope you'll fix that by the end of the day because you're not getting any more blankets."
Misao's eyes widened as the haze of sleep disappeared, revealing the scene before her. Hiko's hand was still outstretched, holding the single kunai that had managed to get through the blanket without slowing.
" Chikusho!"
Misao swore under her breath before flexing her arm, while picking up the blanket with her other hand. She smiled with surprise as she found that her wound had pretty much healed.
" You know that special balm you gave me last night sure did its work."
Hiko shrugged, picking up the multiple kunai before depositing them into Misao's lap with disregard to which way the sharp bit was pointing.
" Hey watch it!"
" Eat Weasel. Then we leave."
Misao sniffed the air and found a wonderful aroma tantalizingly filling the air. Her stomach grumbled as she followed her nose, her eyes close as she swayed from side to side in movement. She opened her eyes and found herself sitting before the table with the bowl of rice before her.
" Itadakimasu!"
Hiko watched, a smirk adorning his face as Misao dug into her food, the chopsticks only seen as a mere blur.
" Now why cant' you apply that speed into your technique?"
" mmph...what...mrmph are you talking about?"
Misao swallowed the final bite with fervour, sighing as she was sated.
" Your kunai. Your technique sucks."
" Why you!"
Hiko smirked again as Misao, one foot on the table, grabbed a nearby kunai and lunged at him. Her teeth seemed razor sharp and were chomping towards him.
" What do you mean my technique sucks! It comes from the invincible Oniwabanshuu!"
" No so invincible if you ask me! You can't even catch me!"
" We'll see about that!"
Hiko grabbed his sword, diving out the door and racing for the trees as Misao tore up a path behind him, kunai flying.
" Just what I want."
_________
Worn sandals shuffled along the busy streets of Kyoto. The early morning sunshine beat down on the red haired warrior as he headed for his lodgings.
" Kenshin! Where have you been!"
" Oro?"
Kenshin tripped as his wife came running towards him, brandishing a broom.
" Visiting my shishou de gozaru."
" It shouldn't have taken so long!"
" Gomen Kaoru-dono."
" How many times have I told you not to call me that!"
" ororororororororo"
Kaoru stopped mid hit, a hit which would have surely landed square on the red head's skull. The mother looked down at her child, pulling on her skirt, begging to be picked up. Kenshin was grateful for this as he slunk away from Kaoru's hitting zone.
" Wait. Kenshin."
" Hai Kaoru?"
Kenshin was grateful this time that he had remembered how to address his wife.
" Is something wrong? Did you see Misao somewhere while you were gone?"
" No. Nothings wrong. I'm going to get some sleep."
Kaoru frowned as she watched Kenshin hurry away into the Aoiya. Ignoring Kenji's constant pulling of her hair, she wondered about what Kenshin was thinking. He only got confused when he was worried. He had stopped using all the polite terms when they had had Kenji...she wondered what could be worrying Kenshin so much to have made him begin using them with her again.
__________
" Yoshimura-sama will see you now."
Okina walked lightly along the wooden floor boards of the hallway. He watched the servant girl before him with considerable interest as she slid open the door which led to the garden. The Yoshimura compound was great, far greater than the Oniwabanshuu. But then the Oniwabanshuu were an underground organization, a great compound was unnecessary and called too much attention. He slipped his feet into his shoes laid out by the servant girl as he looked out into the beautiful garden. He could see the large figure in the distance, which was Yoshimura.
" Ahh. The representative of the Oniwabanshuu...the honourable right hand man of the former Okashira...what do they call you there? Okina."
" Yoshimura...what do you want?"
Okina grimaced at Yoshimura's choice of words.
" I merely want what was meant to be mine. My wife."
" IN light of the recent events, I suggest we postpone the wedding until we find her."
" That is necessary right? Can't have a wedding without a bride. Though I have to say...I always thought the Oniwabanshuu always got their job done...the Yoshimura clan has always respected that."
Okina tensed, sensing the underlying threat in Yoshimura's words.
" Is that a threat Yoshimura?"
" Take it how you like. But I will say this. I am afraid that if this is not taken care of quickly, the Yoshimura clan may seek elsewhere for an alliance. You do know that a public ninja clan such as the Yoshimura can't stay in the public spotlight for long without a proper front."
" You're saying that the marriage is just to divert attention then?"
" No. I'm saying that it would be ideal to form an alliance between the two strongest ninja clans in Japan. However, if this is not possible, then...I'm afraid there can be no peace."
" Even in the Meiji era ...where we shouldn't even exist?"
The two men stood tensely, staring at each other in a battle of wills.
" Yes. Despite whatever era we are in, our ninja blood still flows within our veins. Our clan is like our family and we will protect it no matter what. Is it not the same with the Oniwabanshuu? I know that you still maintain your connections."
" Don't you worry. When we find the heir to the Oniwabanshuu family line, we'll have our alliance. This is the most suitable situation."
The built man nodded and snapped his fingers. A figure emerged from one of the over handing trees with scroll in hand.
" Yoshimura sama. Your report."
Yoshimura smiled graciously at the bearded old man as he took the scroll from the figure. As the figure melted back into the surrounding gardens, Yoshimura unrolled the scroll.
" You must excuse me for asking...What of the former Okashira?"
" Who?"
" Shinomori Aoshi. I understand that he has-"
" No. Those are mere rumours. He was the one who cared for Misao when she was a child. That is all. There is no one left within the Oniwabanshuu suitable to marry Misao anymore. Now if you don't mind Yoshimura, I will take my leave."
Okina watched as the younger, bigger man nodded. Taking a step back towards the large building of which surrounded the whole garden, he began to think about the things he had said that day.
" It's true that there is no one left to marry within to Oniwabanshuu. That is why we looked elsewhere."
Okina stared at the large calligraphy kanji painted on the wooden board hung at the entrance to the building. Yoshimura.
" Get back here! No one insults the Oniwabanshuu and gets away with it!"
Hiko jumped from tree to tree, watching out of the corner of his eye to make sure Misao was keeping up with him, all the while dodging multiple kunai.
" Catch me first."
Misao pulled out a whole new set of kunai and threw them at Hiko while picking up all the kunai which had missed their target before.
" Just stop running and I'll catch you!"
" Whats the fun in that?"
Once in awhile, Hiko stopped in his tracks, using his sword to stop the flying kunai before moving on. This was becoming more and more regular, as Misao became faster at running and throwing her kunai.
" Argh! That's it! Why are we running for anyway? I've been running around this damned mountain for AGES! That's it. I'm going home."
" ...Your hair is too long for its own good."
Misao snorted and bent to pick up the last few stray kunai.
" No you're going to have to do better than that this time to get me to chase you. I've had it."
" You're short."
Misao tucked the kunai back into their hiding places and into their pouch before starting back towards the hut.
" You're ugly...no guy would ever go for you!"
This got to her. Hiko smiled as he saw the muscles in Misao's arm tense right up. Her knuckles turned white while gripping the kunai pouch.
" Baka!"
Misao turns sharply, hoping to catch Hiko off guard but to her dismay, Hiko had once again moved position and had begun to jump off into the distance. Sighing, she brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes before chasing after the stubborn man again.
" I'll get him if it's the last thing I do!!"
Hiko jumped over Misao and landed on the floor, kneeling to pick up one of her kunai. With a whirl of his manto, he waited until it cleared the path of his aim before throwing his kunai. He smiled inwardly as Misao threw a kunai of his own to counter his one. Though this was growing rather monotonous for him, he continued to attack her and allow her to attack him. He knew that Misao was getting more accuracy with her throwing. The kunai were definitely coming faster. It seemed Misao had a good capacity to learn quickly, even though she didn't realize she was being trained.
" Come on you ugly tom boy and show me what your made of!"
Actually, Hiko had to admit he was rather enjoying this. It would have been better than being cooped up at his hut with the girl, this way he could get some entertainment.
" hey come on...I think your teachers were a bit easy on you when they taught you how to fight."
" You bastard! I'll get you! Get back here RIGHT NOW!"
***************
At nightfall, Misao collapsed onto the forest floor with exhastion.
" I...can't...go...on." She said between taking huge breaths.
Hiko leaped off the branch of the tree he had been standing on and began to pick up all of Misao's kunai. He tied the knot of Misao's kunai pouch after replacing them and tucked it back into Misao's hiding place. He picked up the semi conscious girl and placed her over his shoulder.
" Come on...we're going home now."
" ...Kill you...Shinne Seijuro."
" Hey you'll get your chance tomorrow...when we do this again."
Hiko began to whistle as he headed towards his hut, jumping from tree to tree.
" Again...not again...can't take it."
Hiko opened his mouth to answer but stopped when he noticed Misao's even breathing.
" She's asleep."
" Stupid Hiko...can't believe he cooks...never chasing him again..."
Hiko gritted his teeth as he listened to Misao talk in her sleep.
" Jeez that girl can't even stop damning me in her sleep. Oh well. It'll just make it worse for her tomorrow. Whoever taught her this technique was obviously just humoring her...they didn't bother with speed or accuracy. And it seems she hasn't practiced in a long time."
" Misao doesn't want to go home...Aoshi-sama...you...I don't want to...marry...Stupid Hiko making me run around...."
Hiko sighed deeply, thinking about the girl's problems.
" You'll thank me later. When the time comes, you'll need all the help you can get. You can't run forever...but this can help you run a little longer."
******************
Author's note: Again a lovely filler chapter. The next two chapters get interesting as Kenshin can't keep secrets for long.
Hiko: Stupid baka deshi! I thought I taught you better than that!!
Kenshin: ororororo
Anyway, as I was saying! Now to explain Hiko's lovely plan. Secret training? By a Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu master for a girl in Meiji Japan? Does it seem far fetched to you? It does to me...a little. But then I understand whats going to happen in future chapters and you don't! heh! *laughs evilly* Hiko will explain his motives in the next 2 chapters because they are very pivotal to the plot...the next two chapters I mean! Anyway until then..................!
-Tomoe ^^
*************
" Rise and shine Makimachi!"
The dark haired girl stirred, opening one eye before closing it and falling asleep once again. She tried to ignore the constant prodding into her side.
" Stop it! That tickles!"
Eventually, the prodding got a little too annoying for her tastes. Misao pulled out her hidden kunai from beneath the blankets and prepared herself. She threw the blanket off herself, using it to block her attacker's line of vision. She threw the kunai, each slicing through the material of the thick blanket before falling to the floor with a clatter.
" Watch it weasel. I hope you'll fix that by the end of the day because you're not getting any more blankets."
Misao's eyes widened as the haze of sleep disappeared, revealing the scene before her. Hiko's hand was still outstretched, holding the single kunai that had managed to get through the blanket without slowing.
" Chikusho!"
Misao swore under her breath before flexing her arm, while picking up the blanket with her other hand. She smiled with surprise as she found that her wound had pretty much healed.
" You know that special balm you gave me last night sure did its work."
Hiko shrugged, picking up the multiple kunai before depositing them into Misao's lap with disregard to which way the sharp bit was pointing.
" Hey watch it!"
" Eat Weasel. Then we leave."
Misao sniffed the air and found a wonderful aroma tantalizingly filling the air. Her stomach grumbled as she followed her nose, her eyes close as she swayed from side to side in movement. She opened her eyes and found herself sitting before the table with the bowl of rice before her.
" Itadakimasu!"
Hiko watched, a smirk adorning his face as Misao dug into her food, the chopsticks only seen as a mere blur.
" Now why cant' you apply that speed into your technique?"
" mmph...what...mrmph are you talking about?"
Misao swallowed the final bite with fervour, sighing as she was sated.
" Your kunai. Your technique sucks."
" Why you!"
Hiko smirked again as Misao, one foot on the table, grabbed a nearby kunai and lunged at him. Her teeth seemed razor sharp and were chomping towards him.
" What do you mean my technique sucks! It comes from the invincible Oniwabanshuu!"
" No so invincible if you ask me! You can't even catch me!"
" We'll see about that!"
Hiko grabbed his sword, diving out the door and racing for the trees as Misao tore up a path behind him, kunai flying.
" Just what I want."
_________
Worn sandals shuffled along the busy streets of Kyoto. The early morning sunshine beat down on the red haired warrior as he headed for his lodgings.
" Kenshin! Where have you been!"
" Oro?"
Kenshin tripped as his wife came running towards him, brandishing a broom.
" Visiting my shishou de gozaru."
" It shouldn't have taken so long!"
" Gomen Kaoru-dono."
" How many times have I told you not to call me that!"
" ororororororororo"
Kaoru stopped mid hit, a hit which would have surely landed square on the red head's skull. The mother looked down at her child, pulling on her skirt, begging to be picked up. Kenshin was grateful for this as he slunk away from Kaoru's hitting zone.
" Wait. Kenshin."
" Hai Kaoru?"
Kenshin was grateful this time that he had remembered how to address his wife.
" Is something wrong? Did you see Misao somewhere while you were gone?"
" No. Nothings wrong. I'm going to get some sleep."
Kaoru frowned as she watched Kenshin hurry away into the Aoiya. Ignoring Kenji's constant pulling of her hair, she wondered about what Kenshin was thinking. He only got confused when he was worried. He had stopped using all the polite terms when they had had Kenji...she wondered what could be worrying Kenshin so much to have made him begin using them with her again.
__________
" Yoshimura-sama will see you now."
Okina walked lightly along the wooden floor boards of the hallway. He watched the servant girl before him with considerable interest as she slid open the door which led to the garden. The Yoshimura compound was great, far greater than the Oniwabanshuu. But then the Oniwabanshuu were an underground organization, a great compound was unnecessary and called too much attention. He slipped his feet into his shoes laid out by the servant girl as he looked out into the beautiful garden. He could see the large figure in the distance, which was Yoshimura.
" Ahh. The representative of the Oniwabanshuu...the honourable right hand man of the former Okashira...what do they call you there? Okina."
" Yoshimura...what do you want?"
Okina grimaced at Yoshimura's choice of words.
" I merely want what was meant to be mine. My wife."
" IN light of the recent events, I suggest we postpone the wedding until we find her."
" That is necessary right? Can't have a wedding without a bride. Though I have to say...I always thought the Oniwabanshuu always got their job done...the Yoshimura clan has always respected that."
Okina tensed, sensing the underlying threat in Yoshimura's words.
" Is that a threat Yoshimura?"
" Take it how you like. But I will say this. I am afraid that if this is not taken care of quickly, the Yoshimura clan may seek elsewhere for an alliance. You do know that a public ninja clan such as the Yoshimura can't stay in the public spotlight for long without a proper front."
" You're saying that the marriage is just to divert attention then?"
" No. I'm saying that it would be ideal to form an alliance between the two strongest ninja clans in Japan. However, if this is not possible, then...I'm afraid there can be no peace."
" Even in the Meiji era ...where we shouldn't even exist?"
The two men stood tensely, staring at each other in a battle of wills.
" Yes. Despite whatever era we are in, our ninja blood still flows within our veins. Our clan is like our family and we will protect it no matter what. Is it not the same with the Oniwabanshuu? I know that you still maintain your connections."
" Don't you worry. When we find the heir to the Oniwabanshuu family line, we'll have our alliance. This is the most suitable situation."
The built man nodded and snapped his fingers. A figure emerged from one of the over handing trees with scroll in hand.
" Yoshimura sama. Your report."
Yoshimura smiled graciously at the bearded old man as he took the scroll from the figure. As the figure melted back into the surrounding gardens, Yoshimura unrolled the scroll.
" You must excuse me for asking...What of the former Okashira?"
" Who?"
" Shinomori Aoshi. I understand that he has-"
" No. Those are mere rumours. He was the one who cared for Misao when she was a child. That is all. There is no one left within the Oniwabanshuu suitable to marry Misao anymore. Now if you don't mind Yoshimura, I will take my leave."
Okina watched as the younger, bigger man nodded. Taking a step back towards the large building of which surrounded the whole garden, he began to think about the things he had said that day.
" It's true that there is no one left to marry within to Oniwabanshuu. That is why we looked elsewhere."
Okina stared at the large calligraphy kanji painted on the wooden board hung at the entrance to the building. Yoshimura.
" Get back here! No one insults the Oniwabanshuu and gets away with it!"
Hiko jumped from tree to tree, watching out of the corner of his eye to make sure Misao was keeping up with him, all the while dodging multiple kunai.
" Catch me first."
Misao pulled out a whole new set of kunai and threw them at Hiko while picking up all the kunai which had missed their target before.
" Just stop running and I'll catch you!"
" Whats the fun in that?"
Once in awhile, Hiko stopped in his tracks, using his sword to stop the flying kunai before moving on. This was becoming more and more regular, as Misao became faster at running and throwing her kunai.
" Argh! That's it! Why are we running for anyway? I've been running around this damned mountain for AGES! That's it. I'm going home."
" ...Your hair is too long for its own good."
Misao snorted and bent to pick up the last few stray kunai.
" No you're going to have to do better than that this time to get me to chase you. I've had it."
" You're short."
Misao tucked the kunai back into their hiding places and into their pouch before starting back towards the hut.
" You're ugly...no guy would ever go for you!"
This got to her. Hiko smiled as he saw the muscles in Misao's arm tense right up. Her knuckles turned white while gripping the kunai pouch.
" Baka!"
Misao turns sharply, hoping to catch Hiko off guard but to her dismay, Hiko had once again moved position and had begun to jump off into the distance. Sighing, she brushed a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes before chasing after the stubborn man again.
" I'll get him if it's the last thing I do!!"
Hiko jumped over Misao and landed on the floor, kneeling to pick up one of her kunai. With a whirl of his manto, he waited until it cleared the path of his aim before throwing his kunai. He smiled inwardly as Misao threw a kunai of his own to counter his one. Though this was growing rather monotonous for him, he continued to attack her and allow her to attack him. He knew that Misao was getting more accuracy with her throwing. The kunai were definitely coming faster. It seemed Misao had a good capacity to learn quickly, even though she didn't realize she was being trained.
" Come on you ugly tom boy and show me what your made of!"
Actually, Hiko had to admit he was rather enjoying this. It would have been better than being cooped up at his hut with the girl, this way he could get some entertainment.
" hey come on...I think your teachers were a bit easy on you when they taught you how to fight."
" You bastard! I'll get you! Get back here RIGHT NOW!"
***************
At nightfall, Misao collapsed onto the forest floor with exhastion.
" I...can't...go...on." She said between taking huge breaths.
Hiko leaped off the branch of the tree he had been standing on and began to pick up all of Misao's kunai. He tied the knot of Misao's kunai pouch after replacing them and tucked it back into Misao's hiding place. He picked up the semi conscious girl and placed her over his shoulder.
" Come on...we're going home now."
" ...Kill you...Shinne Seijuro."
" Hey you'll get your chance tomorrow...when we do this again."
Hiko began to whistle as he headed towards his hut, jumping from tree to tree.
" Again...not again...can't take it."
Hiko opened his mouth to answer but stopped when he noticed Misao's even breathing.
" She's asleep."
" Stupid Hiko...can't believe he cooks...never chasing him again..."
Hiko gritted his teeth as he listened to Misao talk in her sleep.
" Jeez that girl can't even stop damning me in her sleep. Oh well. It'll just make it worse for her tomorrow. Whoever taught her this technique was obviously just humoring her...they didn't bother with speed or accuracy. And it seems she hasn't practiced in a long time."
" Misao doesn't want to go home...Aoshi-sama...you...I don't want to...marry...Stupid Hiko making me run around...."
Hiko sighed deeply, thinking about the girl's problems.
" You'll thank me later. When the time comes, you'll need all the help you can get. You can't run forever...but this can help you run a little longer."
******************
Author's note: Again a lovely filler chapter. The next two chapters get interesting as Kenshin can't keep secrets for long.
Hiko: Stupid baka deshi! I thought I taught you better than that!!
Kenshin: ororororo
Anyway, as I was saying! Now to explain Hiko's lovely plan. Secret training? By a Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu master for a girl in Meiji Japan? Does it seem far fetched to you? It does to me...a little. But then I understand whats going to happen in future chapters and you don't! heh! *laughs evilly* Hiko will explain his motives in the next 2 chapters because they are very pivotal to the plot...the next two chapters I mean! Anyway until then..................!
-Tomoe ^^