Chapter 2: Sworn Pact
1 One week Later
" There is something wrong with Master Yukina lately ", one of the women at the household, a member of the oniwabanshu said to the others. " He would stay in one corner like he is in some ghost like state all morning."
" I agree, he even stops going off after young women."
" That is a good refreshing change." One of the women tartly remarked, " he kept repeating something awhile ago, it's very odd I say."
" What does he keep on saying?"
" He keep repeating: "Oh merciful buddha, have mercy on my angel misao!" all over and over."
" Did Misao knows about this?"
" I'm not sure. She's been at the temple all morning.. she's been like that the whole week."
" She's been staying longer there than Master Aioshi."
There is a small hush since Aioshi is already back from the temple, no one dared to asked him whats keeping on Misao at the temple for so long. It's one thing that it does not involve him either. If it does, Misao would respect his privacy or the other oniwabanshu members would notice her ridiculous antics in vain for looking all over the place for him. " How strange," one of them murmured. " Poor Misao, hadn't been herself lately.
" It seems more that she's pining away for love." Aioshi finally spoke, much to everyone elses surprise. It might been intended sarcasm, since everyone knows how infatuated Misao is with her adoptive father figure. " She does not know. But I heard she keeps praying to buddha about this young man she met a week ago.." he continued, ".. and she wants to see him again, and hope he will reciprocate his feelings.." The whole group listened at astonishment, of which Misao falling for a man besides Aioshi is an understatement of the century. " Unbelivable... but how can you be so sure?"
" She keep it saying out loud for anyone in the temple to hear."
They nodded in agreement. " and..." Aioshi added, " she kept saying.. how she'll die to see that glorious smile at the young man's face. She keeps mentioning how wonderful he smiles..." he seems a rather little digusted. It reminded him of the young slasher that used to be the powerful henchman of Juppon-gattana but it's a far fetched thought. At least Aioshi had to guess, what seems so funny as this people he was talking to starts snickering.
Now it's turn to ask Yukina.
" That's not the only reason Misao is acting strangely today, I'm afraid." Yukina sighs. " I trusted you all, not even Misao or Aioshi knew of this secret."
" A secret?"
" That could have explain why you are acting strangely lately."
Yukina nodded. " The truth is, last night someone went to meet with me today. He is offering Misao a marriage, that I can't refuse." They are all gaping now. First, Misao is into the pangs of unrequited love and now someone wants to marry her. " The one who is offering her marriage is not any ordinary young man, he used to be a slasher, a merciless one indeed... A former member of Juppon-gattana I'm afraid."
" Only two of them escaped.. that means..." one of them cursed silently. " Shimatta! That would be Seta Soujro.. the right hand man of Shi- Shi-o! Are you out of your wits?"
" I'm surprised too, believe me. He looks totally different now, strange, and it was he who keeps begging for Misao's hand for marriage! He even leaves me a hefty sum, but even without the money he seems eager and pleading.."
"P-Pleading?"
" Would you allow it?"
" We would wait and see." Yukina dismissed the serious talk. As if he had a plan in mind, But they don't see that when Yukina broke to crying out loud again to buddha for his little angel's safety against one of the fearsome and skilled swordsman in Japan.
That is if Misao hadn't been listening to the conversation all time long.
"This night, I'm going off " she whispered, over hearing half on the conversation as she was about to enter the room. She only heard the part Yukina had been bribed by this scoundrel of a slasher who was known for his coldblooded reputation, the chances is he had the same name of the young man he met a week before. Misao never thought it is the same man she knew used to be that sinister slasher for he is carrying a typical Japanese sword. A high- ranking one carries two kinds of swords, A long one and short one. He only carries one.
She had plans, but the chances of a poor one. She had to find that wanderer. Maybe he can help her that is if he had not left town yet. Some sources say he had to be at the nearest inn and been staying there for a week. Garbing herself with her large cloak, she went in to be greeted by mass of meaty, over sized, smelling manhood all over the place. Oh great now the chances are even slimmer than she thought. Then someone grabbed her by the cloak. Thinking it is one of those rowdy group of drunks, she flashed her kunai (daggers).
" Take it easy with those things, you are gonna kill someone with that" The hand caught the daggers with an easy flick of the wrist, to her astonishment. The figure turned her around. " Soujiro! You are here! I'm looking all over for you!" She exclaimed. Looking all over for me? Why would she look for him? Yukina could not possibly sent her to him, the old man might had a plan over their deal. Misao seemed she saw her savior, as it seems in slow motion she leaped a step forward and gave him a hug around the neck. Soujiro froze, besides no one had yet kissed him, no one had embraced him that dearly in his whole life. He can see tears of joy in her eyes that confuses him even more.
Jeers and rowdy laughs filled the air. He tried to avoid to show too much that they start to get on with the conversation. Misao stood up as Soujiro relaxed himself sitting by table. She hadn't explain her whole situation yet but soujiro easily turned down the offer. She seems pretty much well can take care of herself and does not need anymore protection. And it might at least delay his tactic after having gone the trouble to be discreet at a supposed former member of the oniwabanshu. Misao raged, she can't take no for an answer. The only thing she can make out is to blackmail him. Yes his sword. Kenshin treasured his when her one attempt to get it, maybe that tactic would work with him. "I'm going to purchase your sword!" she said proudly, and tossed a bagful of coins to the table. Just the way she exactly planned. Misao watched in dismay as the bag of coins continued to dash at the bar table, straight down it landed between the young swordsman's legs. He looked up yet with the sweetest amiable smile one would expect for a hired assasin. " I'm sorry, but I refuse your offer..."
"Hold on there! What DO you mean it's not enough! Why...." before she could finish her statement. Alot of rough looking men in other tables roared in laughter. "I see now, the little weasel wants to purchase his POWERFUL sword!" some of them shouted. Eventually she lost it, and clenched her tuboi kanai ready to draw. " Well, then hear me roar!! " she snarled and prepared to take offensive.
" That's no way to treat a woman." He interjected softly, there is something superficial about his smile that bothered one of the ruffians. "Eh? So is this little weasel your girlfriend?" one of them mockingly implied, " Well, we oughta teach her a lesson then!" they all fell into boisterous laughter that would be bringing Misao into an amuck, but Soujiro stayed very calm and smiling but his eyes opened to a much strange tone and he halted Misao from moving further. " You stay here, I can take care of this in just a minute." He motioned to the other men " If you leave us in peace, I'll make sure no one would be hurt. But if you do, you would be thought a lesson you would never forget. Do I get myself clear, gentlemen? " he casually replied, much to the annoyance of their leader. They cursed silently, " Eh? What do you think you could beat us kid? You are just some puny boy trying to protect a little girl!" As if to intimidate, the man swung a bottle broking it in half with his wide knife
Silence.
"That ought to teach the little bastard..."
He didn't want to even hear that word. But Misao is getting furious about the insult that she would break away from Soujiro's grasp to give them a piece of kicking ass. " Let me at him!" she snarled and struggle like a demon. The leader was not pleased to hear Soujiro's mocking laugh, " I think you are really looking a fight then." His blue eyes had a spark of excitement. It even froze Misao for the moment. In his eyes is not the blood lust and the urge to kill again, but he wants to impress his soon to be betrothed. He seems rather inspired. Quickly, he shoved her to the side as the men charged with any available weapon they already grasped. Standing from his spot, he swings his nihontou in one fatal arc, cutting across to their hands. But it's not the hands that were cut off but rather their weapons. Each one is precisely cut into a seperate piece so neat that one would swore it had not been hit at the first place. Even the knives and short swords are not spared. It shook the hell out of the offending group, that they swore Soujiro is using some sort of magic. But first, he forced them first to apologize with the sword tip at their throats, before they scampered away like scared rabbits. Misao gaped in surprise. He never saw a swordsman that fast rather than kenshin-san, if she's not mistaken he seems rather much faster. " I told you I can take care of it in a minute." He chuckled, then sitting back to his place.
"Oh, yes that was so quick!" she said in astonishment. " But", she added. Sitting solemnly in front of him ".. would you already accept my offer? You seem to be very good candidate."
" For what?"
" For my protector. I swore to myself that I wouldn't Master Yukina get away with his plans to have me bethrothed to some devil of cold blooded former slasher in hiding!"
His expression tightened and he bowed his head, trying to hide the pained look at his eyes. "I see then, did he allowed it?" he breathes deeply, Yukina was right the deal can't be an easily kept secret, not with Misao. That cunning little minx, he sighed.
" What can he do? I think that scoundrel blackmailed him! If I knew better I should get away soon and warn the others about it! "
" Maybe his intention is good." Soujiro said. If Misao knew it was him all along, he had escaped sooner. He lifted his gaze with seriousness. " What is this slasher called?"
"Good?" Misao scowled. " How can the demon itself be GOOD? That demon is named Seta Soujiro! He used to be Shi-shi-o's righthand man! So how can the hell he be good if the master is no better than he was?!" Misao drew a deep breath and glanced at him. Oh no, hope she didn't guess... I should had given a false name. " Say, you got even the same name! The irony of life isn't it? " Soujiro sighed in relief. Maybe the little minx is not that cunniing after all. His face brightens into a small smile and his eyes wide open full with hope. " Oh yes, the irony of life."
" Are you sure you'll be thinking about it? "
" Of course, this night perhaps." He gazed out by the door and handed Misao her cloak. He seems to look on something far away. " But if you had plans you had to inform me."
" Oh yes, I will. A leader of the Oniwabanshu is always on guard to keep her plans." She grinned. "Say, what would be your last name? You're not telling your WHOLE name yet, ne?"
Think fast. Soujiro. Of course, one of those fancy restaurant names he came along at his travels. " It's Kamameshi..."
" Ahh.. sounds like a fancy restaurant or something... well then, arigatou for your support! Sayonara, Soujiro-san" and she took off as fast as the wind.
Soujiro wait until she had gone to a considerable distance, before he nodded to a shadow a little behind the entrance. " I know you will be watching, Yukina."
Yukina was unflattered. The young man is still sharp with his senses. He had been observing the whole commotion lately and he can tell that Soujiro did gradually change after he vanished in obscurity for a year. He seems to find back to register normal emotions, and his eyes rekindled some kind of fire if he talked with Misao. Something really strange indeed. " I knew Misao would be listening, so I had the informers trace from where she's going." He stroked his long beard. " But it seems there is a small problem in YOUR plan. Misao does not know you are the real thing and yet she seems to run for you for protection. That would mean trouble."
" If it would be anything for my angel, I would take it." Soujiro replied, his features seem to soften as he mentions the word "my angel". Yukina grunted, that is suppose to be his line. No doubt this former bloodthirsty mercenary is smitten by a stubborn 19 year old girl, actually a quite marriageble age. Soujiro is only 23. " She might be planning to go to Kyoto, if you must see.. you must eventually stop her."
" By how?"
" Tell her who you really are."
He paused. That would be far even worse, she might even still go to Kyoto. If she could prove himself worthy that he had changed, to defend someone with the sword and not to kill.. it is once the oath of Himura, now it's also his. Then he got an idea.
" I know it's hard, but you can't purchase her. If you really loved her you must let her go.. even if you must break her heart, Soujiro." Yukina added.
" I don't agree old man." He placidly replied. " You see it seems she had fallen for me too."
" Young man, I swore an oath to her dead ancsetors that she would be protected to all cost. We are not playing games, if you're doing planning something.. then I'm warning you."
" I see to it that we go to Kyoto." He said seriously, his face caught for a moment unsmiling. But there is the same kindle in his eyes at the mention of "we". He is determined, Yukina noticed and for sure this boy isn't faking his feelings. " It will take at least 6 days to Kyoto by foot. If you able to prove yourself worthy for those 6 days and woo her. Then you will eventually tell the truth." Yukina nodded, he seems to read his plan. " That day would be the day of Tamabata " he added. Noting the unusual brightness Soujiro is showing seems to strike him odd. " And if you're damned lucky, you will get to marry her too."
" It seems a wonderful idea, Yukina. I cannot agree further." He replied formally, then flashed his smile. A warm one. " Judging by it, it seems you know Misao would go easily with this as you thought." He added. Before Yukina could agree, Soujiro made a low bow and said his greetings and went back to the inn. " By the way Yukina, would you mind having Sake? It's on me"
1 One week Later
" There is something wrong with Master Yukina lately ", one of the women at the household, a member of the oniwabanshu said to the others. " He would stay in one corner like he is in some ghost like state all morning."
" I agree, he even stops going off after young women."
" That is a good refreshing change." One of the women tartly remarked, " he kept repeating something awhile ago, it's very odd I say."
" What does he keep on saying?"
" He keep repeating: "Oh merciful buddha, have mercy on my angel misao!" all over and over."
" Did Misao knows about this?"
" I'm not sure. She's been at the temple all morning.. she's been like that the whole week."
" She's been staying longer there than Master Aioshi."
There is a small hush since Aioshi is already back from the temple, no one dared to asked him whats keeping on Misao at the temple for so long. It's one thing that it does not involve him either. If it does, Misao would respect his privacy or the other oniwabanshu members would notice her ridiculous antics in vain for looking all over the place for him. " How strange," one of them murmured. " Poor Misao, hadn't been herself lately.
" It seems more that she's pining away for love." Aioshi finally spoke, much to everyone elses surprise. It might been intended sarcasm, since everyone knows how infatuated Misao is with her adoptive father figure. " She does not know. But I heard she keeps praying to buddha about this young man she met a week ago.." he continued, ".. and she wants to see him again, and hope he will reciprocate his feelings.." The whole group listened at astonishment, of which Misao falling for a man besides Aioshi is an understatement of the century. " Unbelivable... but how can you be so sure?"
" She keep it saying out loud for anyone in the temple to hear."
They nodded in agreement. " and..." Aioshi added, " she kept saying.. how she'll die to see that glorious smile at the young man's face. She keeps mentioning how wonderful he smiles..." he seems a rather little digusted. It reminded him of the young slasher that used to be the powerful henchman of Juppon-gattana but it's a far fetched thought. At least Aioshi had to guess, what seems so funny as this people he was talking to starts snickering.
Now it's turn to ask Yukina.
" That's not the only reason Misao is acting strangely today, I'm afraid." Yukina sighs. " I trusted you all, not even Misao or Aioshi knew of this secret."
" A secret?"
" That could have explain why you are acting strangely lately."
Yukina nodded. " The truth is, last night someone went to meet with me today. He is offering Misao a marriage, that I can't refuse." They are all gaping now. First, Misao is into the pangs of unrequited love and now someone wants to marry her. " The one who is offering her marriage is not any ordinary young man, he used to be a slasher, a merciless one indeed... A former member of Juppon-gattana I'm afraid."
" Only two of them escaped.. that means..." one of them cursed silently. " Shimatta! That would be Seta Soujro.. the right hand man of Shi- Shi-o! Are you out of your wits?"
" I'm surprised too, believe me. He looks totally different now, strange, and it was he who keeps begging for Misao's hand for marriage! He even leaves me a hefty sum, but even without the money he seems eager and pleading.."
"P-Pleading?"
" Would you allow it?"
" We would wait and see." Yukina dismissed the serious talk. As if he had a plan in mind, But they don't see that when Yukina broke to crying out loud again to buddha for his little angel's safety against one of the fearsome and skilled swordsman in Japan.
That is if Misao hadn't been listening to the conversation all time long.
"This night, I'm going off " she whispered, over hearing half on the conversation as she was about to enter the room. She only heard the part Yukina had been bribed by this scoundrel of a slasher who was known for his coldblooded reputation, the chances is he had the same name of the young man he met a week before. Misao never thought it is the same man she knew used to be that sinister slasher for he is carrying a typical Japanese sword. A high- ranking one carries two kinds of swords, A long one and short one. He only carries one.
She had plans, but the chances of a poor one. She had to find that wanderer. Maybe he can help her that is if he had not left town yet. Some sources say he had to be at the nearest inn and been staying there for a week. Garbing herself with her large cloak, she went in to be greeted by mass of meaty, over sized, smelling manhood all over the place. Oh great now the chances are even slimmer than she thought. Then someone grabbed her by the cloak. Thinking it is one of those rowdy group of drunks, she flashed her kunai (daggers).
" Take it easy with those things, you are gonna kill someone with that" The hand caught the daggers with an easy flick of the wrist, to her astonishment. The figure turned her around. " Soujiro! You are here! I'm looking all over for you!" She exclaimed. Looking all over for me? Why would she look for him? Yukina could not possibly sent her to him, the old man might had a plan over their deal. Misao seemed she saw her savior, as it seems in slow motion she leaped a step forward and gave him a hug around the neck. Soujiro froze, besides no one had yet kissed him, no one had embraced him that dearly in his whole life. He can see tears of joy in her eyes that confuses him even more.
Jeers and rowdy laughs filled the air. He tried to avoid to show too much that they start to get on with the conversation. Misao stood up as Soujiro relaxed himself sitting by table. She hadn't explain her whole situation yet but soujiro easily turned down the offer. She seems pretty much well can take care of herself and does not need anymore protection. And it might at least delay his tactic after having gone the trouble to be discreet at a supposed former member of the oniwabanshu. Misao raged, she can't take no for an answer. The only thing she can make out is to blackmail him. Yes his sword. Kenshin treasured his when her one attempt to get it, maybe that tactic would work with him. "I'm going to purchase your sword!" she said proudly, and tossed a bagful of coins to the table. Just the way she exactly planned. Misao watched in dismay as the bag of coins continued to dash at the bar table, straight down it landed between the young swordsman's legs. He looked up yet with the sweetest amiable smile one would expect for a hired assasin. " I'm sorry, but I refuse your offer..."
"Hold on there! What DO you mean it's not enough! Why...." before she could finish her statement. Alot of rough looking men in other tables roared in laughter. "I see now, the little weasel wants to purchase his POWERFUL sword!" some of them shouted. Eventually she lost it, and clenched her tuboi kanai ready to draw. " Well, then hear me roar!! " she snarled and prepared to take offensive.
" That's no way to treat a woman." He interjected softly, there is something superficial about his smile that bothered one of the ruffians. "Eh? So is this little weasel your girlfriend?" one of them mockingly implied, " Well, we oughta teach her a lesson then!" they all fell into boisterous laughter that would be bringing Misao into an amuck, but Soujiro stayed very calm and smiling but his eyes opened to a much strange tone and he halted Misao from moving further. " You stay here, I can take care of this in just a minute." He motioned to the other men " If you leave us in peace, I'll make sure no one would be hurt. But if you do, you would be thought a lesson you would never forget. Do I get myself clear, gentlemen? " he casually replied, much to the annoyance of their leader. They cursed silently, " Eh? What do you think you could beat us kid? You are just some puny boy trying to protect a little girl!" As if to intimidate, the man swung a bottle broking it in half with his wide knife
Silence.
"That ought to teach the little bastard..."
He didn't want to even hear that word. But Misao is getting furious about the insult that she would break away from Soujiro's grasp to give them a piece of kicking ass. " Let me at him!" she snarled and struggle like a demon. The leader was not pleased to hear Soujiro's mocking laugh, " I think you are really looking a fight then." His blue eyes had a spark of excitement. It even froze Misao for the moment. In his eyes is not the blood lust and the urge to kill again, but he wants to impress his soon to be betrothed. He seems rather inspired. Quickly, he shoved her to the side as the men charged with any available weapon they already grasped. Standing from his spot, he swings his nihontou in one fatal arc, cutting across to their hands. But it's not the hands that were cut off but rather their weapons. Each one is precisely cut into a seperate piece so neat that one would swore it had not been hit at the first place. Even the knives and short swords are not spared. It shook the hell out of the offending group, that they swore Soujiro is using some sort of magic. But first, he forced them first to apologize with the sword tip at their throats, before they scampered away like scared rabbits. Misao gaped in surprise. He never saw a swordsman that fast rather than kenshin-san, if she's not mistaken he seems rather much faster. " I told you I can take care of it in a minute." He chuckled, then sitting back to his place.
"Oh, yes that was so quick!" she said in astonishment. " But", she added. Sitting solemnly in front of him ".. would you already accept my offer? You seem to be very good candidate."
" For what?"
" For my protector. I swore to myself that I wouldn't Master Yukina get away with his plans to have me bethrothed to some devil of cold blooded former slasher in hiding!"
His expression tightened and he bowed his head, trying to hide the pained look at his eyes. "I see then, did he allowed it?" he breathes deeply, Yukina was right the deal can't be an easily kept secret, not with Misao. That cunning little minx, he sighed.
" What can he do? I think that scoundrel blackmailed him! If I knew better I should get away soon and warn the others about it! "
" Maybe his intention is good." Soujiro said. If Misao knew it was him all along, he had escaped sooner. He lifted his gaze with seriousness. " What is this slasher called?"
"Good?" Misao scowled. " How can the demon itself be GOOD? That demon is named Seta Soujiro! He used to be Shi-shi-o's righthand man! So how can the hell he be good if the master is no better than he was?!" Misao drew a deep breath and glanced at him. Oh no, hope she didn't guess... I should had given a false name. " Say, you got even the same name! The irony of life isn't it? " Soujiro sighed in relief. Maybe the little minx is not that cunniing after all. His face brightens into a small smile and his eyes wide open full with hope. " Oh yes, the irony of life."
" Are you sure you'll be thinking about it? "
" Of course, this night perhaps." He gazed out by the door and handed Misao her cloak. He seems to look on something far away. " But if you had plans you had to inform me."
" Oh yes, I will. A leader of the Oniwabanshu is always on guard to keep her plans." She grinned. "Say, what would be your last name? You're not telling your WHOLE name yet, ne?"
Think fast. Soujiro. Of course, one of those fancy restaurant names he came along at his travels. " It's Kamameshi..."
" Ahh.. sounds like a fancy restaurant or something... well then, arigatou for your support! Sayonara, Soujiro-san" and she took off as fast as the wind.
Soujiro wait until she had gone to a considerable distance, before he nodded to a shadow a little behind the entrance. " I know you will be watching, Yukina."
Yukina was unflattered. The young man is still sharp with his senses. He had been observing the whole commotion lately and he can tell that Soujiro did gradually change after he vanished in obscurity for a year. He seems to find back to register normal emotions, and his eyes rekindled some kind of fire if he talked with Misao. Something really strange indeed. " I knew Misao would be listening, so I had the informers trace from where she's going." He stroked his long beard. " But it seems there is a small problem in YOUR plan. Misao does not know you are the real thing and yet she seems to run for you for protection. That would mean trouble."
" If it would be anything for my angel, I would take it." Soujiro replied, his features seem to soften as he mentions the word "my angel". Yukina grunted, that is suppose to be his line. No doubt this former bloodthirsty mercenary is smitten by a stubborn 19 year old girl, actually a quite marriageble age. Soujiro is only 23. " She might be planning to go to Kyoto, if you must see.. you must eventually stop her."
" By how?"
" Tell her who you really are."
He paused. That would be far even worse, she might even still go to Kyoto. If she could prove himself worthy that he had changed, to defend someone with the sword and not to kill.. it is once the oath of Himura, now it's also his. Then he got an idea.
" I know it's hard, but you can't purchase her. If you really loved her you must let her go.. even if you must break her heart, Soujiro." Yukina added.
" I don't agree old man." He placidly replied. " You see it seems she had fallen for me too."
" Young man, I swore an oath to her dead ancsetors that she would be protected to all cost. We are not playing games, if you're doing planning something.. then I'm warning you."
" I see to it that we go to Kyoto." He said seriously, his face caught for a moment unsmiling. But there is the same kindle in his eyes at the mention of "we". He is determined, Yukina noticed and for sure this boy isn't faking his feelings. " It will take at least 6 days to Kyoto by foot. If you able to prove yourself worthy for those 6 days and woo her. Then you will eventually tell the truth." Yukina nodded, he seems to read his plan. " That day would be the day of Tamabata " he added. Noting the unusual brightness Soujiro is showing seems to strike him odd. " And if you're damned lucky, you will get to marry her too."
" It seems a wonderful idea, Yukina. I cannot agree further." He replied formally, then flashed his smile. A warm one. " Judging by it, it seems you know Misao would go easily with this as you thought." He added. Before Yukina could agree, Soujiro made a low bow and said his greetings and went back to the inn. " By the way Yukina, would you mind having Sake? It's on me"