Chapter #2

Chapter #2

Kyoto, mid 1800's-

Kenshin Himura sat on his knees letting the serene nature engulf him. The twitter of sparrows and bustling tree leaves could be heard through the sylvan forest. He took in a deep breath of the fine morning air. It was days like these that made him retire from being Battousai.

He opened his blue eyes and looked around him. Sanosuke raged war with Megumi while she laughed at having upset him. Yahiko put on his best manly traits as Tae giggled with glee that only adolescence can bring about. And Kaoru...Sweet Kaoru sat complacent adoring the nature around her. Kenshin smiled as he watched the twinkle in her kind eyes as she listened to a songbird.

The feeling of presence tweaked Kaoru as she turned to a gazing Kenshin. He was smiling at her; that sweet, benevolent smile that always made her feel so...warm inside. It was hard to believe that he was a fierce killer once, but she never dwelt on such thoughts, even when he wasn't looking at her with such grace.

Taking the teapot, Kaoru poured a fresh cup of green tea for Kenshin and she. Kenshin in turn knocked out of his trance and came back to the realization that he was at a friendly pick nick in the forest, not alone. Kaoru took the new saucer of tea and brought it up to Kenshin with refined grace.

In a ladylike manner, she offered, "Tea? It's not your favorite brand, but it'll still do!"

"Of coarse, Kaoru." Kenshin raised a hand to take the cup when all of a sudden, *ping!* a sharp whistle blew as a bullet shattered the cup spilling its hot contents on Kaoru.

Kenshin got to her immediately. Kaoru screamed as the burning fluid made its way to her skin. "Kaoru!!"

The gumi had hastened at the sound of the shot to see the Kamiya daughter flailing to get her kimono off.

Sanosuke jumped over in alarm nearly yelling, "Jo-chan! Jo-chan! Are you all right? Megumi! Help her get these clothes off! Yahiko, Tea, go get some help!" He knew not to prompt Kenshin. The red-haired man was already on his way to the source of the shot. Sano started running to help thwart the aggressor. He flicked his head to get the few strands of hair out of his face and smirked, "Don't leave me out of all the fun, Kenshin! Whoever did this to Kaoru deserves a whole lot of fun from me."

The trees were a mere blur past Kenshin's sight as he headed towards the noise of clamored voices. He could hear Sanosuke trailing quickly behind. His keen eyes narrowed as his mind switched to battle mode. *Whoever attacked us is going to pay for hurting Kaoru-dono.*

The light at the end of the tunnel, a group of thirty men appeared in the distance. Some appeared to be drunk, some carried guns or swords, but one thing was very obvious, these were police abusing their authority again. Most of them weren't even paying attention, not until it was too late.

The sound of a snapping twig caused on young officer to look up. His eyes grew wide as he saw a man of blazing hair on the attack. Shouting he was quick to warn his fellow officers, "Attack, attack! Someone is coming towards us! Take up arms!"

Indeed, it wasn't Kenshin's normal personality to be so violent. But this had been a recent thing. Something in the earth had been upsetting his nerves lately. He didn't know what it was, but it was causing his anger to build.

By the time he came to the police encampment, they all had either their guns or swords drawn. A cocky chief officer stepped up to Kenshin's approach. He sneered at the seemingly frail man who opposed them, "What right do you have to disturb the law, civilian?"

Kenshin tried to calm his racing blood to think straight. "I believe one of your men has fired his gun into my friends' presence. It has in turn hurt someone." His aching fingers glided over the hilt of his sakubattou.

The officer cocked his head coyly. Waving his hand he said contemptuously, "Away with you. We had merely placed a bet on how good our new deputy is with a gun. We figured a teacup at a good distance was a fine test. So don't interfere with government affairs!" He snapped his finger and five of the police made a slow advance towards Kenshin.

Himura didn't have to look around. He knew already where each of them were, what each of them carried, and how each of them could be disposed of. The five men simultaneously lunged at him with weapons in hand. Kenshin swiped past them in a straight line plowing through them. When he stopped, all five of the police fell totally unconscious.

The chief quivered and backed away. He wasn't expecting so much trouble from this small man! But with new resolution, he clenched his fist and directed five more to attack. Then, before the new recruits could make their move, a crash sounded above as a blurred image jumped into view.

Sanosuke landed with a thump, posed for a fight. He looked over to where his comrade stood. He softly chuckled to himself. "Leave it up to you to take the initiative. But let me have my fun now, too!" He cracked his knuckles as he gave a menacing look to his five opponents. *None of them are armed.* "Well I guess that makes us even, but the heck if you're my equal!" He was the first to charge in and in less then ten seconds, all five of them were down bleeding, moaning, or writhing in pain. Sano shook out his wrist and said with disappointment, "And I thought you'd all would want to play a little longer...Hmp. Oh well, your turn chief!"

The chief did not seem even slightly taken aback. He instead lifted his jacket tail to reveal a shinning new gun. An impressive model! Sanosuke's eyes widened only for a second before he was as confident as ever. The chief then took the gun out of its carrier and placed it on a table. "I won't be needing this to rid the world of riffraffs like yourselves."

Kenshin took a step forward and all the officers around him took three steps back. He narrowed his eyes and said dryly, "Even with your guns, we shall beat you." He paused to look about him. "For the sake of your men, dismiss them. This is between you and me."

Sanosuke looked hurt. "What about me? I still haven't even warmed up yet and you're sending me to the bench! It's not like you to challenge people in such a straightforward manner."

The breeze suddenly picked up stirring not the leaves but the soul of Kenshin and Sanosuke. Both having felt it they looked up but couldn't sense anything but emptiness around them.

The chief realized his opponents were suddenly distracted; for what reason he didn't know but he was going to make the most of the swordsman's folly! The chief quickly drew his sword and plowed a line straight for the perturbed Kenshin.