Ooohh…I posted a fic that I haven't finished writing….horrors…
None of the characters (but for Taki and some other minor one shot type people) belong to me and my only possessions are not worth any real amount, just sentimental stuff (how valuable are a six year old's paintings?…mou…) so please don't sue…I just like the characters…and messing with said characters…I will try to finish this….Japanese terms are at the end…this is about how Kenshin got to be so polite, to the point people around him feel like pulling out their hair.
Day after day it was always the same. No matter how many ways you looked at it, the way bone would shear and separate under either the katana or the wakizashi was always the same. He snorted in disgust. Even sake was beginning to have a bitter aftertaste to it. The man got up and continued his journey.
I miss my wife…he thought to himself, it had been so long, and such a lonely path for him to walk. Mitsurugi ryu did nothing to alleviate loneliness, but he had very little else to speak of. His hut, his land, his sword and his jug. That was all. He didn't even have a child to remember her by or raise to inherit what he knew, not that the world could handle another with such perfection as himself. He sighed, and continued home from the town towards the almost empty shack that was far to large for him alone.
Nearly halfway back he froze in his tracks at the scent of blood that filled his nostrils and overwhelmed his senses. It was fresh. His katana slipped from it's sheath even as he moved forward, catching sight of the dead and dying on the roadside. More women then men. He moved quickly, it appeared that a traveling party had been attacked by a group of bandits. If he was swift, he may be able to save a few. There. His sword cut through human flesh once again. Movement ahead. A voice called out.
"Who are you?" He snorted to himself.
"No point in introducing myself to the dead." The man attacked, and, unskilled as he was, took three quick slashes before falling to the ground. The swordsman looked to where the other had come from and saw amidst the dead bodies of three young women a small boy with the most unusually coloured hair. No wonder the bandits were after him, he would make a fine show piece in some brothel. He looks shocked…
"Fate brought us here. I've avenged their deaths." The swordsman cleaned his katana, the boy still hadn't moved. He spoke to the child again.
"No grief or damnation can ever bring back the dead. Be thankful you survived. This type of thing is common." Still nothing. He'll snap out of it eventually. The man turned to go, his thoughts continuing to plague him.
The smell of blood is in the air. It's an insult to be killed like dogs or sold as a concubine. That unfortunate child, but it is regrettably common for now and forever. Perhaps, this is how it will remain. He lay down on the futon that needed airing a month ago and, without bothering to take of his cloak or pull up the covers, he fell asleep.
The next day, early in the morning, he began to walk back into town, he needed to get something to eat. His train of thought was on the same path much as he was.
It's no consolation that I was taught Hiten Mitsurugi ryu to serve my sword. I'm barely able to save anyone at times, like last night, only one boy out of maybe fifty people. At least, I can be assured of the burial of the victims. He walked to the sight of the massacre last night and felt his eyes widen even as his breath caught. The boy had buried them. All of them. He had also marked them, and was now sitting near three stones. He approached the child, noting his bloodied hands. He must have dug the graves with his bare hands…and for all, even those responsible for his family's deaths.
"You dug graves for the bandits as well as your parents?" He stopped by the child, who was remarkably calm.
"These are slave traders." He felt his eyes widen even more. He hadn't saved the boy from being a slave, he already was one. The child continued. "My parents died a year ago of disease. Once they cease living, they're nothing but corpses, regardless of being traders when alive." He blinked, such aged words from one so young. He tried to focus.
"What are these for?" He gestured at the three rocks. The child spoke again with that unnatural calm.
"Kasumi-san, Akane-san, and Sakura-san. I knew them briefly." The three girls, the swordsman's mind supplied the image of the boy the night before ringed by the corpses of three girls. The child continued even as his mind brought up the memory of the blood. "I had to protect them even if it cost me my life, but they protected me. They asked that I be spared since I am a child. That's why…they deserve decent stones, but these were all I could find. I can't even offer them flowers." The man took in the words and saw the spirit of the child before him and made a decision. He uncorked the stopper on the sake he had bought the day before, expensive stuff, and poured it over the three stones.
"It's a shame they couldn't enjoy the taste of good sake. I'm offering them what I can." He glanced at the boy, who had turned to look up at him.
"Thank you." He had light coloured eyes.
"I'm Hiko Seijuro, a swordsman." The boy blinked.
"Swords…"
"Even though you couldn't protect the ones you loved you were given to these three. Your hands have been entrusted to the dead, but not their lives. You are forced with their responsibility. Find the strength in yourself in order to hold your own and protect others." Hopefully the boy would grow strong. He had a kind heart. Hiko did not want this one to end up like so many others.
"Protect…" Hiko made a decision.
"Boy, what is your name?" The boy looked at the ground.
"Shinta." That wouldn't do, this child would live to be a great man.
"Not quite appropriate for a warrior. You shall be known as 'Kenshin' from now on." That is a good name, Hiko thought, for one with such a strong heart.
"Kenshin." The boy said it, accepted it. Hiko smiled.
"You'll have the finest weapon." The boy nodded and was still. Eventually he moved again, and Hiko began to walk, pleased that the child followed him. They journeyed in silence until the market came into view.
"Kenshin." The child stopped, good, he was becoming adjusted to his new identity.
"Hai?"
"I need to pick up some things in the market. We will then go to my home. You are welcome to either stay in town or join me as you see fit. If you stay, there is a woman who will take you in. If you come with me, I will teach you to use a sword. I will teach you the ultimate kenjitsu technique. Hiten Mitsurugi ryu." The boy didn't even hesitate.
"I would learn to use a sword."
"Call me Shishou, then."
"Hai. Shishou." They went into the market. Hiko watched the boy, it wouldn't do for him to collapse now, and it was bound to happen soon. He moved swiftly though the crowd to the stand of Kameko Midori.
"Ah, Seijuro-san. What did you need today?"
"One yen of rice, a daikon and a few potatoes." She blinked.
"Much more than usual. Are you expecting guests?" He shook his head and moved his clock to reveal the small child standing next to him. Kameko's eyes widened and she glanced at Hiko.
"His travel group was attacked last night. He is my student as of this morning." Kameko stared.
"He has unusual colouring."
"He was traveling with slavers." Kameko looked sick, then smiled at the boy when he turned to look at her.
"It's a good thing you found him then, Seijuro-san. Would you like something to eat?" The boy shook his head.
"At least introduce yourself child." Hiko said gently.
"Kenshin tomoushimasu. Ome ni kakarete, kouei desu(1)." Kameko smiled a more genuine smile.
"He's so polite. I'll be right back with your order." She disappeared into the shop an emerged moments later with three bags, one filled with rice, one with two potatoes and a radish, and a third that was filled with satsumaimo and a chilled bottle of milk. Hiko pulled out his wallet.
"Two yen." He blinked.
"That's not nearly enough." Kameko smiled.
"It's a gift for Kenshin, for being so polite. Don't let your honour get in the way, Hiko-san, I want to. Two yen for the rice and vegetables please." Hiko shook his head and handed over the money.
"Arigato." Kameko smiled again.
"Just don't expect it every time." Hiko smiled and nudged the boy with his hand as they turned to go.
"I won't." The pair walked on once more in silence, all the way back to the sight of the massacre. Only then did the boy start sniffing, but did not stop moving. He was silent. Hiko turned after they had past the point where he could no longer smell the blood or death and without warning, picked Kenshin up and cradled him in his arm. He could feel the hot tears soaking through his tunic, but said nothing, letting the boy release his pain as silently as he had accepted it. He opened the door to his hut with a gentle shove of his back and put the bags down, choosing to hold the still boy with both arms for a bit. Kenshin had cried himself out earlier, but obviously found this comforting as he did not protest or move in any way. He was still awake, and as Hiko looked down, was holding a small toy, a top. He tightened his hold on the child a bit, and they stayed like that until Kenshin fell asleep. Only then did Hiko lay him down on the futon, still folded up, and begin to prepare supper. He put the milk in the cool box so it wouldn't spoil and peeled the potatoes and daikon after putting the rice in one of the three pots he owned to boil.
When the smell of cooked food reached Kenshin's nose his stomach woke him up. Wordlessly Hiko set a portion before him and gave him a freshly carved set of hashi made from the cherry tree close by. He then placed the milk down in front of him and pulled out a jug of water for himself.
"Itadakimasu." He said before beginning his meal. Moments later the soft voice of the boy sounded.
"Itadakimasu." The child ate sparingly, but finished the milk. The rest could be saved for breakfast. Hiko unfolded the futon and pulled out an old uwagi.
"There's a stream not three minutes walk from here, and we both need a bath, come with me." Kenshin nodded and stood up, taking the uwagi from the larger man. They walked to the stream, where a waterfall spilled into a pond not far away. Hiko broke off a chunk of soap and handed it to the boy, then went about his business. Soon, the sun began to set and it got chilly. Kenshin struggled to put on the much larger man's old shirt and was once again picked up.
"Don't expect this too often, but you've had a hard day. I'll comb your hair when we get back, alright?" Too sleepy to do anything else, Kenshin nodded. It looked like the kami had smiled on him for once, giving him to Hiko to care for. His master was kind.
1 ) it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance
Japanese terms
Akane - red
Daikon - Japanese radish, looks like a large white carrot
Daisho - set of two swords worn by samurai
Futon - mattress that rests on a thick pad on the floor
Hai - formal yes
Hakama - baggy pants originally worn by the samurai class
Hashi - chopsticks
Hiko - flight
Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - flying sword to heaven philosophy
Itadakimasu - lit. 'I am about to partake' - said before eating
Kameko - tortoise child
Kami - spirit
Kasumi - unclear, misty
Katana - long sword of the daisho
Kenjitsu - art of swordsmanship
Kenshin - heart of sword
Midori - green
Sake - rice wine, alcoholic beverage
Sakura - cherry blossom
Samurai - warrior
- san - form of respect like Mr. or Ms.
Satsumaimo - sweet potato
Shinta - rice heart
Shishou - martial master
Tomoushimasu - is what I am called
Uwagi - type of top like a kimono that is tucked into hakama, a jacket
Wakizashi - short sword of the daisho