Kaoru-san,
We were very pleased to hear that everyone has arrived safely back in Tokyo. Things here in Kyoto are slowly reverting back to normal. Aoshi-sama, however, never leaves the temple except to sleep. I am worried about him, but Jiya tells me that he needs to rest and that I should leave him alone. Hiko-sama has returned to his hole on the mountain to hide from Kyoto once more. Everyone else at the Aoiya send their wishes of happiness, and hope that you'll come back to see us again soon.
I do have some strange news for you. A few days after you left, a girl appeared at the Aoiya. She had a katana on her belt; she stayed and ate, then she asked if we knew where to find Himura Kenshin. Jiya told her that Kenshin had left for Tokyo already. She thanked us and left. I thought that it might be important news. She didn't leave a name, but she seemed very familiar. I must take Aoshi-sama his tea now, I hope to hear from you soon!
-Misao
Kenshin looked up from the letter at Kaoru's expectant face. He wasn't sure what to say. A girl, carrying a katana, was looking for him?
"Well…?" Kaoru finally said, glaring at him.
"Oro?"
"Who is she?" Kaoru asked, her eyes narrowing. Kenshin suddenly felt a bit trapped.
"I have no idea…" he answered nervously. He quickly checked for escape routes in case Kaoru's jealousy got the better of her.
"Kenshin…" she warned. The swordsman raised his hands and slowly started to back away from the advancing woman.
"I really have no idea, Kaoru-dono." He was almost to the door when someone came up behind him, blocking his escape.
"Hey Jo-chan," Sano said, smiling at Kaoru. He glanced down at the samurai that had just backed into him. "Kenshin, I have a letter for you from this guy in town," he said, pulling a note out of his jacket, and handing it to Kenshin. Kaoru's face started to turn red, and twitch, a sure sign that she was going to blow. Kenshin took the letter from Sano and read it carefully. His eyes widened a bit and he turned to Sano.
"What did he look like?"
"Oh, um… He was tall, almost as tall as me, actually… He had long black hair that was pulled back, and dark brown eyes. You know, now that I think about it, he looked kinda familiar…" Sano's voice trailed off as he noticed that Kenshin had disappeared. Kaoru was staring at the door outside, twitching. Sano raised and eyebrow and backed away from the angry woman.
***
Kenshin walked toward central Tokyo as quickly as he could, running the letter over in his mind.
Himura Battousai-
I have come to Tokyo to find you and to issue a challenge for the honour of my family. My grandfather was a master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu and you disgrace him by using his budo as an assassin's weapon. It is to be used to help people, not to hurt them.
Also, you have wronged my family in another way. You have used my grandfather's budo to kill my own father in Kyoto, 10 years ago. I have studied Hiten Misurugi Ryu extensively for this moment. The moment in which I shall kill you to revenge my father, and to become the one and only, rightful master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu. Meet me near the river today, whenever you're ready to die.
-Hashimoto Myoushi
Kenshin didn't know what to do. He didn't want to fight this man because he wished revenge for his family, but his grandfather was a master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu? The only other master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu that Kenshin knew of was his own master. Is it possible that the man's grandfather was Hiko's sensei? No, it couldn't be. Hiko had told Kenshin that masters of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu don't take wives because of the succession technique. Who was this Hashimoto Myoushi? He would have to talk to Shishou.
The river was closer now. Kenshin stopped on the bridge overlooking it, and tried to spot the man. He couldn't really see anyone, but a ways down the river he saw someone, they looked like they were fishing though. He frowned slightly and made his way down to the bank of the river.
Myoushi sat, watching the people on the bridge carefully. He was pretending to be a fisherman at the moment. He didn't want to look too suspicious, especially since he was carrying an illegal weapon. He wasn't sure if the gangster would actually deliver his message; he didn't look very reliable. After what seemed like hours, he saw a short, red-haired man standing on the bridge. Myoushi couldn't see him too well, but he could tell it was Himura Battousai; the red hair and the sword on his belt proved it. Myoushi smiled to himself and stood up slowly, stretching. He picked up his katana from the ground casually, concealing it from plain sight so that he wouldn't get into trouble. Himura was walking slowly down the riverbank, coming closer. Myoushi's heart was beating quickly, he'd been dreaming of this moment for years, and now that it had finally arrived, he found that he suddenly couldn't breathe. Himura stopped a few feet away from him and stood, staring out at the river. Myoushi could tell that he was deep in thought. Myoushi took this opportunity to study the Battousai. He leaned quietly against a tree and watched the swordsman carefully. He was a bit surprised with the famed Battousai's appearance. He was a small man, not even six feet tall. His flaming hair was tied loosely into a long ponytail, and his arms were stuffed inside the battered clothing. However, Myoushi found himself fascinated with the Battousai's eyes. His violet-blue eyes were large and round, with such kindness radiating from them that Myoushi almost didn't want to fight him.
"Hashimoto Myoushi, I assume…" Kenshin finally said. Myoushi startled and blushed a bit, he had thought that Himura hadn't noticed him.
"H-hai," Myoushi answered, somewhat awkwardly. Kenshin turned to the boy and smiled slightly. Is he laughing at me? Myoushi thought. His back stiffened and he stood up straight, Myoushi Hashimoto would not be laughed at by anyone.
"Himura Battousai, I have come all the way from Kyoto to challenge you. You have disgraced my grandfather's legacy and murdered my father. For this you must die," Myoushi said confidently as he walked out of the shadow of the trees. Kenshin sighed and stared at the ground for a second, thinking.
"I am very sorry for your father, Hashimoto Myoushi. I killed many people during that time, if your father was one, I regret it…" Kenshin said finally, looking into Myoushi's eyes. Myoushi blinked in surprise. Himura's eyes were full of true regret for his father's death. "You say your grandfather was a master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu?" Myoushi shook his head, breaking away from Himura's gaze.
"Hai, Twelfth Master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu, Nagoyaka Takaburu."
"Nagoyaka Takaburu?" Kenshin nodded, that had been the name of Hiko's sensei. It was strange that this boy was his grandchild. Hiko was very firm in his teachings when it came to women, but Kenshin understood why. In order for the master of Hiten Misurugi Ryu to pass on the succession technique, he must die at the hands of his student. Kenshin had avoided killing his master because of his Sakaba-tou sword, but Hiko had killed his master, this boy's grandfather.
"You don't remember my father at all do you?" Kenshin blinked.
"…What was his name?"
"Hashimoto Ieyasu."
"…No, I don't remember anyone by that name, I'm sorry."
"You must remember him though, he was a pupil of my grandfather's. You would have killed someone who could fight like you," Myoushi insisted. Kenshin startled, A pupil of Nagoyaka Takaburu's?
"I could not have killed him," Kenshin replied slowly. "I've never fought anyone, other than my own master, who could use Hiten Misurugi Ryu." Myoushi frowned.
"Come on, let's get on with this fight."
"Hashimoto Myoushi, I do not wish to fight you."
"Then that will make killing you easier." Kenshin sighed; there was no way he was going to get out of this.
"I didn't disgrace your grandfather's legacy by becoming a hitokiri. I was protecting those that could not protect themselves, just as Hiten Misurugi Ryu teaches."
"You lie! Draw your sword!" Myoushi shouted, positioning himself for an attack. Kenshin pulled his arms out of his coat and stood ready, there was no way to avoid this fight, he just hoped that he wouldn't hurt the boy too badly.
***
A/N: Hey, this is my first anime fanfic, so go easy on me. The story will be focusing a lot on Hiko-sama's past, even though he doesn't show up until the third chapter. ^_^ Thanks!
-Rhyein
Takaburu Nagoyaka is a name I made up, when translated it means: "To be Proud and Gentle."