Part 7: The road to Osaka,
"Augh! But I'm short in cash!"
"Then you have to work here till it's worth enough on what you ate!" the head owner of the eatery, replied roughly over Kenji's breath. The strange boy with the familiar dark longish reddish hair has a voracious appetite, and ate a lot before knowing he didn't have enough money to pay for it. He looks a little small, for his towering beefy build. Teenagers, he cursed. They are growing more and more tactless these days.
"Either work here for two weeks, or it's to the police!"
"Two weeks! No!" Kenji cried out, pounding his fists to the table. "You don't understand!! I don't have enough time, I need to go and find someone immediately! I can pay later!" It has been days, Kenji just realized how stupid he was running off by impulse. When he overheard the conversation from Soujiro-san that his sister is being held somewhere.he momentarily was at lost and start searching anywhere and everywhere. His search was fruitless, and he is running out money for food and water. He tried eating grass, but it's no good and he finally resorted to the eatery. Right now, he must have been in Okinawa.
"Then it's off the authorities you go! They'll teach brats like you a lesson!"
"No! I'm not letting you!" he shouted, "I need to go now!" He tried to pass and evade the owner by the side, but he picked him from the back like a dangling hapless insect. Now, Kenji's arms and legs are swinging and kicking to empty air. "Don't mess with me kid, if you don't have money you shouldn't have gone here at the first place."
Kenji retaliated by biting him by the arm, the owner howled in pain and instantly flung him to the corner, crashing him among the tables. It will take more than one person to subdue this stubborn youth. "That's it! You are wearin' off my patience.you..you.." he even don't know the boy's name, so the owner turned to the waitress that served Kenji. "You there! Did you get the kid's name?"
"Why yes sir," the waitress scrimped and took a long roll of paper, supposedly Kenji's orders. "It says here, Kenji Himura."
Hmm, sounds like the name is familiar. The owner wondered, Himura was a respected name for some reason and he heard tales of this man being a ronin some 10 or so years back, before he vanished into oblivion. If he recalled it right, it's Kenshin Himura.Kenshin, Kenji.
"Kenji Himura! That's your name, sounds like a rhyme to."
Kenji managed to stand beneath the mess he was thrown on, dazed and slightly scratched. A small thin wound slashed a thin crimson line across his left cheek, and he mumbled cursing that he had fallen head first. The waitress, who is observing for sometime suddenly turned white, coming into the realization of who the lad might be. Same red hair only a shade darker, same eyes.
".Sir! He is the son of Kenshin Himura!"
"What?! What are you talking about?" startled, the owner took a closer look himself. Why, there is a similarity, especially if you add another slash to his wounded face to have the cross sign...battosai's scar. But he refused to believe it, for a lot of young men have been parading as the slasher's son to get them some attention. Even if he is the real thing, he won't just let him get away scot-free.
"She is right," Kenji finally spoke, with a little pride upon his words. How he remembered that his otousan telling him not to USE the family name in means of power.and that he and Hotaru must learn to be humble, but he is so desperate to get out of the jam. He can't think of anything else, "I am the true son of Kenshin Himura, and of my mother Kaoru Kamiya."
"I think the lad does not look like he is lying, sir."
The owner looks very piqued right now not knowing what to believe, "Then prove it that you are,"
Kenji unsheathes his sword, although he wasn't allowed by ANY circumstances to have a real one after "borrowing" his otousan's Sakabatou, he brought one for himself. He look at it proudly, seeing the worth of not spending his allowance money for three months. He showed a demonstration, and swings the sword to an elliptical arc, cleanly cutting it through three tables like paper. As the tables fell apart, and as everyone gaped--- Kenji holstered his sword with a broad grin. "Now, do you guys believed me? I am the real thing!" he said proudly, "I have something really important to do right now, so can I---"
The owner still looks displeased, and upon a snap--- two big burly men surrounded him.
****
Tenshi hears some shouts as he neared by a small eatery, the next thing he knows--- he is seeing a red-head flying outside and clumsily landing down the ground with a group of eating chickens. Two big men have thrown him outside, and as just was about to sit-up, threw a sheathed sword smack to his face. "AND stay out! Before I change my mind and let you pay for the tables you destroyed!!" A third man shouted, who is probably the owner of the place.
"Whatever!!" the red-head shouted back, and said to himself with a small grin, ".at least I'm out now."
Tenshi realized that it was Kenji. "Kenji-sa---, Oi, Kenji!" he called out, trying to sound quite casual like his brother. He should avoid using the word san from now on. Shiro refuses to address Kenji that way in just plain arrogance, he once pointed out plainly that there only difference is the year. Then hearing the greeting, Kenji turned around, and noticed the familiar figure, carrying a duffel bag.
"Shiro? Hey it's you! Darn, it's about time you show up!" he quickly dusted himself off, and mock punch Tenshi at the back. Intentionally, Shiro would easily dodge it and mock punch him in return, but instead Tenshi nearly fell down the ground. "Geez, Shiro. are you alright?"
"I've gone looking for you in DAYS, how am I supposed to be alright? Do you know how absolutely far Kyoto is here to Okinawa?" Tenshi retaliated, forcing a little much arrogance in his tone. "My otousan said that Hotaru is being held in the trading pier in Osaka, and reached you've this far and you even don't have the slightest WHERE she was or WHAT you are doing!! Now we are miles away from there!"
Kenji gave him an odd glare, and cross his arms. "Are you taking crazy pills?" he said, "Shiro, you and I still get lost even if we go from my place to your place by foot. What is this all of a sudden that you know which place is which?"
Tenshi wanted to kick himself mentally in the butt. He remembered that in all times, he always accompany Shiro in going home, since the older twin had a bad case of misdirection. Shiro is so used in riding trains-the easier, yet expensive mode of transportation.
"I have a road map," he lied. "I don't have time to explain how I find you here."
"Yeah, how did you find me here?"
Tenshi sighed, "I got my sources, and I asked a bunch of people. Now let's go to Osaka!"
"YOUR sources? You mean OUR sources." Kenji corrected, "There is no way they're gonna tell unless I do so, unless you threaten Kohji and Narukano again." He said, referring to their other buddies.
"Just stop being persistent, let's go. Do you want to save your sister or not?"
"Wait! Who told you first?"
"The one who is tall and have black hair!"
Kenji stopped, "They are all tall and have black hair, baka! So who told you I'm here in Okinawa?"
Tenshi just shrugged, "Sore wa himitsu, I won't tell a soul. What is important is that at least you know NOW where your sister is really is."
"Hm, now you refer Hotaru just as my sister." Kenji said, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Are you forgetting something else?"
"I'm tired of playing games now Kenji, we got to go. My parents send me to look for you AND Hotaru, so don't make it hard for me." Tenshi sighed, he absolutely have NO idea what the older boy is talking about. True, he joins his older twin in some of their ventures, but even so he didn't know much about all that goes in his personal life. He tried to divert the topic to something else, Kenji-san could be sometimes a goofball but he has a keen sharp of observation just like his father. He might suspect that he is not with Shiro after all and he is being taken along by nonetheless the other but the impostor twin brother.
"You sound like you don't give much about Hotaru," Kenji said, "So what happened all those time you had to tag along with me every time we have to go to her school so you can see her? Or all those love letters.haikus,"
"Nani? L-love letters?" Tenshi's eye's widened, trying to restrain his voice from shouting out loud in surprise.
"Yeah, you even have to press Tenshi to write it, and all of them. Telling him it's your assignment for literature. To be honest, you really keep losing it in front of Hotaru. She does appreciate all of those, now if you could only speak in front of her more that three syllables!" and with a hilarious laugh, he gave Tenshi a friendly thump in the back.
Unbeknownst to him, Tenshi is slowly marveling at his brother's personal life. He never thinks that his older twin would go jelly over Kenji's sister. In fact, some few weeks ago he argued with Kenji over with a girl. Shiro is a little too much care free, that a serious relationship is least to his priorities. So he was secretly meeting up with Kenji's sister all this time! With Kenji's latest revelation, it explains why Shiro would now and then coerce him to write haiku and letters. The younger twin dismissed it as merely one of Shiro's ploy to flirt with young ladies in their class. Since Tenshi is blessed with much sensitivity and artistic eye that Shiro direly lacks of, he decide no harm done in helping his brother out.
"Ah, your last letter to her is the best!" Kenji grinned in memory, "She told me about it, and it goes.every time I see you."
".my soul cringes at your encompassing existence." Tenshi recalled, "As even though how fragile we are in our limited presence of this earth, we knew no boundaries on what our mind and heart have set in. Let not the four walls hold us back, or anyone tell us we are not meant to, not even mountains could hinder our paths."
"For love conquers all, and together you and I." Kenji finished, "Nice piece of work Tenshi, and I mean with the new look too."
Tenshi slipped off and fell down, with his behind hitting the ground hard. He could see Kenji smile- an arrogant smile. Something he and Shiro would have in their faces if they are up into a ploy or something. "How do YOU know?! W-wh."
Kenji stretched out his hand, and helped Tenshi up. "Because, I have been with you guys for years! I can actually tell two of you apart by just your presence."
"How did you.figure it out?"
"Lots," Kenji spoke, and proceeds to walk as Tenshi stumbled by besides him. "Honestly, you suck in impersonating Shiro."
Tenshi shot him a glare, "Hey, I do know we are egos apart, but there is a reason why I have to do this."
"Something personal?"
"Very much," and Tenshi does not want to elaborate anything else, he continued. "So tell me, how-did-you know?"
"First, Shiro never greets me first. If he sees me getting embarrassed or something, he usually either laughs it out or joins me for a fight. Second, he never flinches when we greet by--- he usually dodges my mock punch, well to you-you just nearly fell."
"I told you I'm traveling for days,"
"Even so, Shiro has a natural reflex with that. We got used in greeting each other that way; it's like kicking a ball or riding a bike. AND for the fact you act surprised or almost nothing at all when I mentioned Hotaru."
"I even don't know Aniki would dare to have a relationship! A serious one to that!"
"That's because he don't want anyone to know," Kenji continued, "It just make him feel so vulnerable, knowing he has set eyes seriously on someone. To him, it is a weakness to let people know, they will use it against you."
And I bet he got the mantra from Aoshi-san, Tenshi said silently to himself. Although their guardian have no plans for a love interest, their mother would explain that Aoshi's tacit and occasional hostility was caused when he was elected as an Oniwabanshu leader at a very young age, 16. To him, revealing your emotions in front of every one else show your vulnerability and others will see it as a weakness. He had to restrain it, since he holds the great responsibility in his hands, as a leader he should NEVER show any sign of weakness. It was passed on later to Misao, and soon enough to Tenshi. Then Tenshi realized he was just about the same age he is now when Aoshi claimed his title. Making him the second youngest leader in Oniwabanshu history. But in any case, he does not want to end up cold and aloof like his guardian.
"What's wrong Tenshi? Devil got your tongue?"
"Um, oh no. I just remembered Aoshi-san. If Aniki sticks to his belief he might end up being as cold and stiff as he was."
"Nah," Kenji shook his head. "Far out, Shiro knew better than to act like that he is only like that if he is in LOVE. If he has something to say, he uses his sword to do the talking---well sometimes. He is stubborn as an ox to prove his point, but verbal reasoning is not his turf. That's where you fall in."
"Well, you're right--- he is seldom silent when something bothers him. He will be hell of a persistent to get what he wants." and that reminds him the fight they have at the porch a week ago when Shiro demanded how he came to learn the "heaven sword" and the "reduced earth" technique. The two priceless techniques their Otousan possessed that once nearly beaten the former Battousai the slasher in one infamous duel. If it hasn't for Tenshi's verbal reasoning with his Otousan, it could have gone to worse. "No wonder he blackmailed me to no end, to write all those--- romantic haikus and letters!"
"Yeah, and that's one grievous error you got. Shiro DOES not read any of the letters that you made. He is afraid he will spoil it to Hotaru."
"So all this time, he is seeing her." he still wondered, still full of awe. " I thought we lost contact with her ever since she moved in the all girl's dormitory---"
Kenji raised his head idly, he never either imagined that Shiro would do either. If there is a chance one of them is going to like Hotaru, it would be Tenshi. But the consistent companionship of Shiro and probably--- just probably, made opposites just attract. Hotaru, his younger sister is much reserved, shy and hardly the one who would get inherently stubborn. She is also physically weak, a sickly one.which explains why she hardly didn't undergo any martial arts training at all. She made up for all that weakness by having a strong mind: a consistent honor student she skipped a grade, she is also versed in several dialects and also speaks a scholarly tongue. She mastered how to speak in English, German, Italian and French with a smooth flowing accent. She is a remarkable resourceful cook and has tried a couple of foreign dishes, not to mention she could sing and also play a violin and a piano. All add to that, she had grown beautiful in her own way that she also has her share of suitors; she is the daughter of Kenshin Himura. With a remarkable pedigree and connections, she is what all women could envy with. Brains, Beauty and Power.
But knowing his sister well, Kenji knows that she does not like all the attention that is overwhelming her. All she wants is to be treated like a normal young lady, and not to be always known within her father's shadow and probably that similarity that she could relate with, she found it in her childhood friend, Shiro.
"Shiro hangs out with me frequently, and every now and then I have to drop by to see Hotaru to see how's she is doing. Naturally, Shiro will tag along.and next thing you know, they are an item." Kenji finally said, "Honestly, it's okay with me. He is also doing me a favor."
"Favor?"
"Yeah, in at least driving most of her pesky suitors away. just mentioning his name will send them cowering to their holes, besides if you are a son of an ex-mercenary and you're trained since birth to." Kenji noticed the sudden silence of Tenshi, "Oops, sorry I don't mean to offend you in that part."
"No, it's not that."
"You are missing your hair?" Kenji quipped; his unintentional jest sends Tenshi into a small laugh. Scratching his head, he nodded a yes. He is so used in tying his long hair or letting it draped at night after bath that without it, he feels that his neck is bare and cold. "You will get used to it, I know my Otousan did." he said, putting an arm over Tenshi's shoulder and felt he is suffocating at Kenji's grip; he managed to squeak, "So Kenshin-san does have long hair too? I don't remember."
"Oh, he has it cut when I was around a year old or so. Have it maintained like that ever since." He said, "But I think it look quite funny, so I have my hair keep up and grown long. When others see me, they said that I look very like my father when he was much younger."
"It's just tiring sometimes when you have to live within your parent's shadow isn't it?" Tenshi spoke, "I mean Shiro and I am sick of it sometimes. Maybe that explain why we act quite like rebels."
"Well, if you retained your hair."
"I still look like someone else with my old hair! They said it's a Soshi Okita this time. Some young prodigy who is a rising vice-captain of whatchamacallit group during the Tokugawa era who's life is shortened by tuberculosis." He finally whined, "I can't believe that I'm getting related to everybody!"
"Well, welcome to the club!" Kenji sighed, "Anyway, I got a question. Why the impersonation of Shiro? I believe he would go supernova if he finds out."
"Otousan decided it's the best chance for Aniki to use what he learned in his training as a swordsman. But I know it's against Okaasan's wishes to let anyone of us go."
"So why'd you go?"
"I'm not finish yet!" he sighs, there goes Kenji's simple mindedness. "So Otousan thought, if he couldn't persuade mother he would do it himself. I saw that he tried to practice his skills, but he hasn't fought for sometime.and he would be in bad condition if he continues. Shiro insisted and have it his way finally, but I told him not to go. We ended having a bitter quarrel. "
"Shiro cares for Hotaru deeply; he would do anything to save her." Kenji replied, "Of course, you don't know yet at that time. Probably he brought up instead the old sibling rivalry crap thing again."
"Yes he did," he said, "But I'm worried for Okaasan. Shiro was not able to look after her before, and she and Otousan is not in better terms. So I have to impersonate him to go."
"And.? I know there is a catch." The red head glanced at him seriously, "You said it also has something to do personally"
"Well, I just have a hunch." Tenshi said, "I might know who kidnapped your sister."
****
Back to the Kyoto, few days before.
"Master Aoshi! Master Aoshi!"
Couple of the onis has rushed to Aoshi's headquarters, indicating some sort of emergency. He normally would sit up quickly, grab some of his weapons and prepare for the news, which by the sound of it, is bad. But something else is wrong, his body felt heavy like lead, as if it is too tired to move. As he focused his eyes to the ceiling and tried to sit upwards, he felt his head sting and everything seem to swirl in a temporary vertigo. There is a sudden rush of nausea that runs to his head.
The oni's became deeply worried as they heard some stumbling steps accompanied by a sound of something that crashed the floor. They rushed quickly to Aoshi's room to find him coughing and holding himself up to restrain the urge to throw up. Aside from that, he persisted he is fine.
"Something must have happened," he mumbled hoarsely, "Or all of you won't barge in this time in the morning."
One of the oni's look at him with wide eyed surprise, "It is already noon, sir. Everyone else woke up late. It's rather unusual," The onis are the ones who manage to avoid the ether-laced air that Tenshi has placed at the sleeping quarters, because they spend the late nights in doing other chores. They know something suspicious have happened, when they came back the air smell kind of funny and everyone does not wake up at the usual 6 am in the morning. Aoshi usually wakes up ahead of the rest.
Aoshi did notice it soon enough what the Onis are trying to tell, "The smell of the room is kind of heavy, I presumed someone tried to lace the sleeping quarters with ether."
"Ether, sir?"
"Yes," he said, half-worriedly. "Ether is a potent liquid if sprayed and turned to vapor, could act as a strong sleeping agent like chloroform." He then quickly went outside the room to see if the others are okay. Good, He saw Misao and Soujiro quite dazed but alright. Okina is sitting outside the porch taking a breath of fresh air.but where are the twins? It couldn't be possible they are up into some ruckus again, but who else would have the idea to spray ether in the rooms? More or less, knowing WHICH rooms to laced with?
"Master Aoshi, only Okina's room is free with that smell. Isn't it suspicious?"
"Possibly," to whoever placed it, knows that Okina sleeps heavily with his age. Aoshi is now become increasingly suspicious, "Check out the room of the twins, quick."
It didn't take a few minutes, when soon enough Shiro came barging angrily to the main room. One can see that his face is almost red, "WHERE IS HE? Where is that good for nothing other half of mine?"
"I thought he is with you, in your room." Soujiro spoke, equally surprised like everyone else. If this is Tenshi's doing, it is not funny--- but nor is it a prank either. Then he recalled the conversation last night,
Oh, it could not be, he thought.
"My things in my room are all gone! My sword." he starts blurting out, but Soujiro rushed passed by him in haste, "O-Otousan? Where are you going?"
"To the guest room," he said tersely, the only room that is at the farthest corner of the house. It sometimes serves as a basic family function room, some part of the furniture could be simply moved and turned to reveal a secret shrine and some weaponry. It is the place Tenshi would seek solitude time to time, sometimes in doing his practices.
"W-why would Tenshi go?" Misao asked worriedly rushing to catch up with him, "You didn't tell him anything.did you?"
"No, but he saw me last night. I was practicing," He replied, glancing by his shoulder. "He is trying to say something to me.but I never got to ask why." Misao noticed that Soujiro is somehow limping in one foot, and he noticed the expression on her face." It's okay, I just tripped during practice." he said with a smile.
Misao does not like it when he is trying to hide something with a smile, " YOU never fail a step while practicing, and its no smiling matter-- - and why are you."
"I also wanted my sons to be okay,"
Soujiro finally reached the room, along side with some of the family members. He quickly opened the door and his suspicions fell in place,
His Nihontou lies neatly by the table, along side it is the ponytail of a hair that once Tenshi had. Some of the cases in the room are opened, and weapons are missing. The oni's counted that he took a couple of daggers and short swords, along some shuriken some needles and more.
"He took almost everything," one of the Oni sighed. "What could be that boy thinking? He is the least person to do such a thing like this."
But Soujiro wasn't listening, he took the cutted ponytailed hair on the table. and glanced by Shiro, who is going ballistic and raving about. Tenshi also has took Shiro's sword, and the older twin is deeply disappointed about his missing things.
"He just took Shiro's place in doing the task," Soujiro said, "I don't see why he did it.but he is going out there to pretend as him."
"WHAT?!" Shiro gaped,
"Look, why should he cut his hair off? Why did he took all your things, your sword?"
"I don't know," Shiro mumbled, "But I'll make sure he'll not get away from this!"
"Your brother must have a logic reason in doing so," he concluded, and he looked at Misao. She looked as equally distraught as he was at the revelation of their son's departure.
"Soujiro, didn't you recall him saying anything--- just anything, to indicate he have to do this?"
"I don't know Misao. He is trying to tell me something last night, but he won't let me know."
"How wouldn't you know? You are after all his father!" and she hastily go out of the room,
"Misao! Wait." Women, Soujiro thought. Even for more than 10 years of domesticity, he never gets to understand Misao behavior time to time. Yes, she is upset at Tenshi's leave.but it's not only her that is worried. Everyone is.
Aoshi stood there but didn't do anything to console the couple who just briefly exited the room. Nor did he do anything at the still deeply disappointed Shiro, or the baffled onis. He just stood there, thinking. until Okina came inside.
"Feeling better now?" Aoshi said, as the old man managed to enter the room, carefully with his cane. Even with worn age, Okina could tell something is amiss.
"I just saw those two quarreling again, I have to go inside now so I can't hear their voices." He said wistfully, rubbing his bearded chin. "Is there something going on, Aoshi? I think everyone wouldn't be here for without a reason."
"No, Okina-sensei nothing is wrong."
"Bah, nothing is wrong!" the old man spat, "Why can't you be a decent adult and tell me what happened at least? I know I may be too old for a nice fight, but I could be still of help." He said, pointing towards his head.
"Really, it is nothing. I can look after the matter." He glanced, half- irritated, wondering where the man did gather all his strength to badger him with lectures.
"Still stubborn as usual. You keep on saying the same thing when Misao ran away from here a couple of times!"
"That's during the uneasy years. everyone adjusts time to time."
"I think it's the son who's following his mother's steps. I bet this lad has a reason." Okina said, with knowing look in his eye. Aoshi was amazed at his pinpoint accuracy that even with his cold calm façade the old man can't help the surprised look at his blue sharp eyes. "I supposed I'm right then."
"But Master Okina! How did you know?" one of the oni's asked,
"He usually goer outside for his morning warm-ups. He didn't show up, not to mention--- he is persisting that he wants to take Shiro's place ever since last night. Of course, I know what that would lead to."
"Then what should we do now?" Aoshi asked, "I know that boy is up to something, or else, he wont just go out there and impersonate his brother and head to Osaka."
"Well Aoshi, what did you do when Misao ran away before? You do know where she is going then, right?"
".You mean, you want me to go and do the same thing now?" he said, "Tenshi knows the consequences when he did this, he is no longer a child. It's also about time he learns how to use his skills."
"Then try to see it for yourself Aoshi, if you can't do it for me. do it for Misao. She cares for Tenshi deeply, she had a reason as a mother to protect him for that we do not know."
Okina leaves the room, leaving a baffled Aoshi and a confused audience. If Okina is giving him some words of wisdom, he have to figure it out and fast.
=== end of chapter 7.===
Hooray! After some long time.an update! A couple of corrections minna-san, first the terrible error in the location (Edo-Kyoto), I corrected here at this chapter. Kenshin-gumi supposedly with Okina's company is relocated somewhere (which would be like explained, in sooner chapters) and finally I got the name of Soujiro's combos: the tenken and the shukuichi (take note in re-uploaded chapter 6, THAT is only the correction there). Sembreak is in, and that means I can upload much frequently now.hooray!
-ori oscuro
"Augh! But I'm short in cash!"
"Then you have to work here till it's worth enough on what you ate!" the head owner of the eatery, replied roughly over Kenji's breath. The strange boy with the familiar dark longish reddish hair has a voracious appetite, and ate a lot before knowing he didn't have enough money to pay for it. He looks a little small, for his towering beefy build. Teenagers, he cursed. They are growing more and more tactless these days.
"Either work here for two weeks, or it's to the police!"
"Two weeks! No!" Kenji cried out, pounding his fists to the table. "You don't understand!! I don't have enough time, I need to go and find someone immediately! I can pay later!" It has been days, Kenji just realized how stupid he was running off by impulse. When he overheard the conversation from Soujiro-san that his sister is being held somewhere.he momentarily was at lost and start searching anywhere and everywhere. His search was fruitless, and he is running out money for food and water. He tried eating grass, but it's no good and he finally resorted to the eatery. Right now, he must have been in Okinawa.
"Then it's off the authorities you go! They'll teach brats like you a lesson!"
"No! I'm not letting you!" he shouted, "I need to go now!" He tried to pass and evade the owner by the side, but he picked him from the back like a dangling hapless insect. Now, Kenji's arms and legs are swinging and kicking to empty air. "Don't mess with me kid, if you don't have money you shouldn't have gone here at the first place."
Kenji retaliated by biting him by the arm, the owner howled in pain and instantly flung him to the corner, crashing him among the tables. It will take more than one person to subdue this stubborn youth. "That's it! You are wearin' off my patience.you..you.." he even don't know the boy's name, so the owner turned to the waitress that served Kenji. "You there! Did you get the kid's name?"
"Why yes sir," the waitress scrimped and took a long roll of paper, supposedly Kenji's orders. "It says here, Kenji Himura."
Hmm, sounds like the name is familiar. The owner wondered, Himura was a respected name for some reason and he heard tales of this man being a ronin some 10 or so years back, before he vanished into oblivion. If he recalled it right, it's Kenshin Himura.Kenshin, Kenji.
"Kenji Himura! That's your name, sounds like a rhyme to."
Kenji managed to stand beneath the mess he was thrown on, dazed and slightly scratched. A small thin wound slashed a thin crimson line across his left cheek, and he mumbled cursing that he had fallen head first. The waitress, who is observing for sometime suddenly turned white, coming into the realization of who the lad might be. Same red hair only a shade darker, same eyes.
".Sir! He is the son of Kenshin Himura!"
"What?! What are you talking about?" startled, the owner took a closer look himself. Why, there is a similarity, especially if you add another slash to his wounded face to have the cross sign...battosai's scar. But he refused to believe it, for a lot of young men have been parading as the slasher's son to get them some attention. Even if he is the real thing, he won't just let him get away scot-free.
"She is right," Kenji finally spoke, with a little pride upon his words. How he remembered that his otousan telling him not to USE the family name in means of power.and that he and Hotaru must learn to be humble, but he is so desperate to get out of the jam. He can't think of anything else, "I am the true son of Kenshin Himura, and of my mother Kaoru Kamiya."
"I think the lad does not look like he is lying, sir."
The owner looks very piqued right now not knowing what to believe, "Then prove it that you are,"
Kenji unsheathes his sword, although he wasn't allowed by ANY circumstances to have a real one after "borrowing" his otousan's Sakabatou, he brought one for himself. He look at it proudly, seeing the worth of not spending his allowance money for three months. He showed a demonstration, and swings the sword to an elliptical arc, cleanly cutting it through three tables like paper. As the tables fell apart, and as everyone gaped--- Kenji holstered his sword with a broad grin. "Now, do you guys believed me? I am the real thing!" he said proudly, "I have something really important to do right now, so can I---"
The owner still looks displeased, and upon a snap--- two big burly men surrounded him.
****
Tenshi hears some shouts as he neared by a small eatery, the next thing he knows--- he is seeing a red-head flying outside and clumsily landing down the ground with a group of eating chickens. Two big men have thrown him outside, and as just was about to sit-up, threw a sheathed sword smack to his face. "AND stay out! Before I change my mind and let you pay for the tables you destroyed!!" A third man shouted, who is probably the owner of the place.
"Whatever!!" the red-head shouted back, and said to himself with a small grin, ".at least I'm out now."
Tenshi realized that it was Kenji. "Kenji-sa---, Oi, Kenji!" he called out, trying to sound quite casual like his brother. He should avoid using the word san from now on. Shiro refuses to address Kenji that way in just plain arrogance, he once pointed out plainly that there only difference is the year. Then hearing the greeting, Kenji turned around, and noticed the familiar figure, carrying a duffel bag.
"Shiro? Hey it's you! Darn, it's about time you show up!" he quickly dusted himself off, and mock punch Tenshi at the back. Intentionally, Shiro would easily dodge it and mock punch him in return, but instead Tenshi nearly fell down the ground. "Geez, Shiro. are you alright?"
"I've gone looking for you in DAYS, how am I supposed to be alright? Do you know how absolutely far Kyoto is here to Okinawa?" Tenshi retaliated, forcing a little much arrogance in his tone. "My otousan said that Hotaru is being held in the trading pier in Osaka, and reached you've this far and you even don't have the slightest WHERE she was or WHAT you are doing!! Now we are miles away from there!"
Kenji gave him an odd glare, and cross his arms. "Are you taking crazy pills?" he said, "Shiro, you and I still get lost even if we go from my place to your place by foot. What is this all of a sudden that you know which place is which?"
Tenshi wanted to kick himself mentally in the butt. He remembered that in all times, he always accompany Shiro in going home, since the older twin had a bad case of misdirection. Shiro is so used in riding trains-the easier, yet expensive mode of transportation.
"I have a road map," he lied. "I don't have time to explain how I find you here."
"Yeah, how did you find me here?"
Tenshi sighed, "I got my sources, and I asked a bunch of people. Now let's go to Osaka!"
"YOUR sources? You mean OUR sources." Kenji corrected, "There is no way they're gonna tell unless I do so, unless you threaten Kohji and Narukano again." He said, referring to their other buddies.
"Just stop being persistent, let's go. Do you want to save your sister or not?"
"Wait! Who told you first?"
"The one who is tall and have black hair!"
Kenji stopped, "They are all tall and have black hair, baka! So who told you I'm here in Okinawa?"
Tenshi just shrugged, "Sore wa himitsu, I won't tell a soul. What is important is that at least you know NOW where your sister is really is."
"Hm, now you refer Hotaru just as my sister." Kenji said, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Are you forgetting something else?"
"I'm tired of playing games now Kenji, we got to go. My parents send me to look for you AND Hotaru, so don't make it hard for me." Tenshi sighed, he absolutely have NO idea what the older boy is talking about. True, he joins his older twin in some of their ventures, but even so he didn't know much about all that goes in his personal life. He tried to divert the topic to something else, Kenji-san could be sometimes a goofball but he has a keen sharp of observation just like his father. He might suspect that he is not with Shiro after all and he is being taken along by nonetheless the other but the impostor twin brother.
"You sound like you don't give much about Hotaru," Kenji said, "So what happened all those time you had to tag along with me every time we have to go to her school so you can see her? Or all those love letters.haikus,"
"Nani? L-love letters?" Tenshi's eye's widened, trying to restrain his voice from shouting out loud in surprise.
"Yeah, you even have to press Tenshi to write it, and all of them. Telling him it's your assignment for literature. To be honest, you really keep losing it in front of Hotaru. She does appreciate all of those, now if you could only speak in front of her more that three syllables!" and with a hilarious laugh, he gave Tenshi a friendly thump in the back.
Unbeknownst to him, Tenshi is slowly marveling at his brother's personal life. He never thinks that his older twin would go jelly over Kenji's sister. In fact, some few weeks ago he argued with Kenji over with a girl. Shiro is a little too much care free, that a serious relationship is least to his priorities. So he was secretly meeting up with Kenji's sister all this time! With Kenji's latest revelation, it explains why Shiro would now and then coerce him to write haiku and letters. The younger twin dismissed it as merely one of Shiro's ploy to flirt with young ladies in their class. Since Tenshi is blessed with much sensitivity and artistic eye that Shiro direly lacks of, he decide no harm done in helping his brother out.
"Ah, your last letter to her is the best!" Kenji grinned in memory, "She told me about it, and it goes.every time I see you."
".my soul cringes at your encompassing existence." Tenshi recalled, "As even though how fragile we are in our limited presence of this earth, we knew no boundaries on what our mind and heart have set in. Let not the four walls hold us back, or anyone tell us we are not meant to, not even mountains could hinder our paths."
"For love conquers all, and together you and I." Kenji finished, "Nice piece of work Tenshi, and I mean with the new look too."
Tenshi slipped off and fell down, with his behind hitting the ground hard. He could see Kenji smile- an arrogant smile. Something he and Shiro would have in their faces if they are up into a ploy or something. "How do YOU know?! W-wh."
Kenji stretched out his hand, and helped Tenshi up. "Because, I have been with you guys for years! I can actually tell two of you apart by just your presence."
"How did you.figure it out?"
"Lots," Kenji spoke, and proceeds to walk as Tenshi stumbled by besides him. "Honestly, you suck in impersonating Shiro."
Tenshi shot him a glare, "Hey, I do know we are egos apart, but there is a reason why I have to do this."
"Something personal?"
"Very much," and Tenshi does not want to elaborate anything else, he continued. "So tell me, how-did-you know?"
"First, Shiro never greets me first. If he sees me getting embarrassed or something, he usually either laughs it out or joins me for a fight. Second, he never flinches when we greet by--- he usually dodges my mock punch, well to you-you just nearly fell."
"I told you I'm traveling for days,"
"Even so, Shiro has a natural reflex with that. We got used in greeting each other that way; it's like kicking a ball or riding a bike. AND for the fact you act surprised or almost nothing at all when I mentioned Hotaru."
"I even don't know Aniki would dare to have a relationship! A serious one to that!"
"That's because he don't want anyone to know," Kenji continued, "It just make him feel so vulnerable, knowing he has set eyes seriously on someone. To him, it is a weakness to let people know, they will use it against you."
And I bet he got the mantra from Aoshi-san, Tenshi said silently to himself. Although their guardian have no plans for a love interest, their mother would explain that Aoshi's tacit and occasional hostility was caused when he was elected as an Oniwabanshu leader at a very young age, 16. To him, revealing your emotions in front of every one else show your vulnerability and others will see it as a weakness. He had to restrain it, since he holds the great responsibility in his hands, as a leader he should NEVER show any sign of weakness. It was passed on later to Misao, and soon enough to Tenshi. Then Tenshi realized he was just about the same age he is now when Aoshi claimed his title. Making him the second youngest leader in Oniwabanshu history. But in any case, he does not want to end up cold and aloof like his guardian.
"What's wrong Tenshi? Devil got your tongue?"
"Um, oh no. I just remembered Aoshi-san. If Aniki sticks to his belief he might end up being as cold and stiff as he was."
"Nah," Kenji shook his head. "Far out, Shiro knew better than to act like that he is only like that if he is in LOVE. If he has something to say, he uses his sword to do the talking---well sometimes. He is stubborn as an ox to prove his point, but verbal reasoning is not his turf. That's where you fall in."
"Well, you're right--- he is seldom silent when something bothers him. He will be hell of a persistent to get what he wants." and that reminds him the fight they have at the porch a week ago when Shiro demanded how he came to learn the "heaven sword" and the "reduced earth" technique. The two priceless techniques their Otousan possessed that once nearly beaten the former Battousai the slasher in one infamous duel. If it hasn't for Tenshi's verbal reasoning with his Otousan, it could have gone to worse. "No wonder he blackmailed me to no end, to write all those--- romantic haikus and letters!"
"Yeah, and that's one grievous error you got. Shiro DOES not read any of the letters that you made. He is afraid he will spoil it to Hotaru."
"So all this time, he is seeing her." he still wondered, still full of awe. " I thought we lost contact with her ever since she moved in the all girl's dormitory---"
Kenji raised his head idly, he never either imagined that Shiro would do either. If there is a chance one of them is going to like Hotaru, it would be Tenshi. But the consistent companionship of Shiro and probably--- just probably, made opposites just attract. Hotaru, his younger sister is much reserved, shy and hardly the one who would get inherently stubborn. She is also physically weak, a sickly one.which explains why she hardly didn't undergo any martial arts training at all. She made up for all that weakness by having a strong mind: a consistent honor student she skipped a grade, she is also versed in several dialects and also speaks a scholarly tongue. She mastered how to speak in English, German, Italian and French with a smooth flowing accent. She is a remarkable resourceful cook and has tried a couple of foreign dishes, not to mention she could sing and also play a violin and a piano. All add to that, she had grown beautiful in her own way that she also has her share of suitors; she is the daughter of Kenshin Himura. With a remarkable pedigree and connections, she is what all women could envy with. Brains, Beauty and Power.
But knowing his sister well, Kenji knows that she does not like all the attention that is overwhelming her. All she wants is to be treated like a normal young lady, and not to be always known within her father's shadow and probably that similarity that she could relate with, she found it in her childhood friend, Shiro.
"Shiro hangs out with me frequently, and every now and then I have to drop by to see Hotaru to see how's she is doing. Naturally, Shiro will tag along.and next thing you know, they are an item." Kenji finally said, "Honestly, it's okay with me. He is also doing me a favor."
"Favor?"
"Yeah, in at least driving most of her pesky suitors away. just mentioning his name will send them cowering to their holes, besides if you are a son of an ex-mercenary and you're trained since birth to." Kenji noticed the sudden silence of Tenshi, "Oops, sorry I don't mean to offend you in that part."
"No, it's not that."
"You are missing your hair?" Kenji quipped; his unintentional jest sends Tenshi into a small laugh. Scratching his head, he nodded a yes. He is so used in tying his long hair or letting it draped at night after bath that without it, he feels that his neck is bare and cold. "You will get used to it, I know my Otousan did." he said, putting an arm over Tenshi's shoulder and felt he is suffocating at Kenji's grip; he managed to squeak, "So Kenshin-san does have long hair too? I don't remember."
"Oh, he has it cut when I was around a year old or so. Have it maintained like that ever since." He said, "But I think it look quite funny, so I have my hair keep up and grown long. When others see me, they said that I look very like my father when he was much younger."
"It's just tiring sometimes when you have to live within your parent's shadow isn't it?" Tenshi spoke, "I mean Shiro and I am sick of it sometimes. Maybe that explain why we act quite like rebels."
"Well, if you retained your hair."
"I still look like someone else with my old hair! They said it's a Soshi Okita this time. Some young prodigy who is a rising vice-captain of whatchamacallit group during the Tokugawa era who's life is shortened by tuberculosis." He finally whined, "I can't believe that I'm getting related to everybody!"
"Well, welcome to the club!" Kenji sighed, "Anyway, I got a question. Why the impersonation of Shiro? I believe he would go supernova if he finds out."
"Otousan decided it's the best chance for Aniki to use what he learned in his training as a swordsman. But I know it's against Okaasan's wishes to let anyone of us go."
"So why'd you go?"
"I'm not finish yet!" he sighs, there goes Kenji's simple mindedness. "So Otousan thought, if he couldn't persuade mother he would do it himself. I saw that he tried to practice his skills, but he hasn't fought for sometime.and he would be in bad condition if he continues. Shiro insisted and have it his way finally, but I told him not to go. We ended having a bitter quarrel. "
"Shiro cares for Hotaru deeply; he would do anything to save her." Kenji replied, "Of course, you don't know yet at that time. Probably he brought up instead the old sibling rivalry crap thing again."
"Yes he did," he said, "But I'm worried for Okaasan. Shiro was not able to look after her before, and she and Otousan is not in better terms. So I have to impersonate him to go."
"And.? I know there is a catch." The red head glanced at him seriously, "You said it also has something to do personally"
"Well, I just have a hunch." Tenshi said, "I might know who kidnapped your sister."
****
Back to the Kyoto, few days before.
"Master Aoshi! Master Aoshi!"
Couple of the onis has rushed to Aoshi's headquarters, indicating some sort of emergency. He normally would sit up quickly, grab some of his weapons and prepare for the news, which by the sound of it, is bad. But something else is wrong, his body felt heavy like lead, as if it is too tired to move. As he focused his eyes to the ceiling and tried to sit upwards, he felt his head sting and everything seem to swirl in a temporary vertigo. There is a sudden rush of nausea that runs to his head.
The oni's became deeply worried as they heard some stumbling steps accompanied by a sound of something that crashed the floor. They rushed quickly to Aoshi's room to find him coughing and holding himself up to restrain the urge to throw up. Aside from that, he persisted he is fine.
"Something must have happened," he mumbled hoarsely, "Or all of you won't barge in this time in the morning."
One of the oni's look at him with wide eyed surprise, "It is already noon, sir. Everyone else woke up late. It's rather unusual," The onis are the ones who manage to avoid the ether-laced air that Tenshi has placed at the sleeping quarters, because they spend the late nights in doing other chores. They know something suspicious have happened, when they came back the air smell kind of funny and everyone does not wake up at the usual 6 am in the morning. Aoshi usually wakes up ahead of the rest.
Aoshi did notice it soon enough what the Onis are trying to tell, "The smell of the room is kind of heavy, I presumed someone tried to lace the sleeping quarters with ether."
"Ether, sir?"
"Yes," he said, half-worriedly. "Ether is a potent liquid if sprayed and turned to vapor, could act as a strong sleeping agent like chloroform." He then quickly went outside the room to see if the others are okay. Good, He saw Misao and Soujiro quite dazed but alright. Okina is sitting outside the porch taking a breath of fresh air.but where are the twins? It couldn't be possible they are up into some ruckus again, but who else would have the idea to spray ether in the rooms? More or less, knowing WHICH rooms to laced with?
"Master Aoshi, only Okina's room is free with that smell. Isn't it suspicious?"
"Possibly," to whoever placed it, knows that Okina sleeps heavily with his age. Aoshi is now become increasingly suspicious, "Check out the room of the twins, quick."
It didn't take a few minutes, when soon enough Shiro came barging angrily to the main room. One can see that his face is almost red, "WHERE IS HE? Where is that good for nothing other half of mine?"
"I thought he is with you, in your room." Soujiro spoke, equally surprised like everyone else. If this is Tenshi's doing, it is not funny--- but nor is it a prank either. Then he recalled the conversation last night,
Oh, it could not be, he thought.
"My things in my room are all gone! My sword." he starts blurting out, but Soujiro rushed passed by him in haste, "O-Otousan? Where are you going?"
"To the guest room," he said tersely, the only room that is at the farthest corner of the house. It sometimes serves as a basic family function room, some part of the furniture could be simply moved and turned to reveal a secret shrine and some weaponry. It is the place Tenshi would seek solitude time to time, sometimes in doing his practices.
"W-why would Tenshi go?" Misao asked worriedly rushing to catch up with him, "You didn't tell him anything.did you?"
"No, but he saw me last night. I was practicing," He replied, glancing by his shoulder. "He is trying to say something to me.but I never got to ask why." Misao noticed that Soujiro is somehow limping in one foot, and he noticed the expression on her face." It's okay, I just tripped during practice." he said with a smile.
Misao does not like it when he is trying to hide something with a smile, " YOU never fail a step while practicing, and its no smiling matter-- - and why are you."
"I also wanted my sons to be okay,"
Soujiro finally reached the room, along side with some of the family members. He quickly opened the door and his suspicions fell in place,
His Nihontou lies neatly by the table, along side it is the ponytail of a hair that once Tenshi had. Some of the cases in the room are opened, and weapons are missing. The oni's counted that he took a couple of daggers and short swords, along some shuriken some needles and more.
"He took almost everything," one of the Oni sighed. "What could be that boy thinking? He is the least person to do such a thing like this."
But Soujiro wasn't listening, he took the cutted ponytailed hair on the table. and glanced by Shiro, who is going ballistic and raving about. Tenshi also has took Shiro's sword, and the older twin is deeply disappointed about his missing things.
"He just took Shiro's place in doing the task," Soujiro said, "I don't see why he did it.but he is going out there to pretend as him."
"WHAT?!" Shiro gaped,
"Look, why should he cut his hair off? Why did he took all your things, your sword?"
"I don't know," Shiro mumbled, "But I'll make sure he'll not get away from this!"
"Your brother must have a logic reason in doing so," he concluded, and he looked at Misao. She looked as equally distraught as he was at the revelation of their son's departure.
"Soujiro, didn't you recall him saying anything--- just anything, to indicate he have to do this?"
"I don't know Misao. He is trying to tell me something last night, but he won't let me know."
"How wouldn't you know? You are after all his father!" and she hastily go out of the room,
"Misao! Wait." Women, Soujiro thought. Even for more than 10 years of domesticity, he never gets to understand Misao behavior time to time. Yes, she is upset at Tenshi's leave.but it's not only her that is worried. Everyone is.
Aoshi stood there but didn't do anything to console the couple who just briefly exited the room. Nor did he do anything at the still deeply disappointed Shiro, or the baffled onis. He just stood there, thinking. until Okina came inside.
"Feeling better now?" Aoshi said, as the old man managed to enter the room, carefully with his cane. Even with worn age, Okina could tell something is amiss.
"I just saw those two quarreling again, I have to go inside now so I can't hear their voices." He said wistfully, rubbing his bearded chin. "Is there something going on, Aoshi? I think everyone wouldn't be here for without a reason."
"No, Okina-sensei nothing is wrong."
"Bah, nothing is wrong!" the old man spat, "Why can't you be a decent adult and tell me what happened at least? I know I may be too old for a nice fight, but I could be still of help." He said, pointing towards his head.
"Really, it is nothing. I can look after the matter." He glanced, half- irritated, wondering where the man did gather all his strength to badger him with lectures.
"Still stubborn as usual. You keep on saying the same thing when Misao ran away from here a couple of times!"
"That's during the uneasy years. everyone adjusts time to time."
"I think it's the son who's following his mother's steps. I bet this lad has a reason." Okina said, with knowing look in his eye. Aoshi was amazed at his pinpoint accuracy that even with his cold calm façade the old man can't help the surprised look at his blue sharp eyes. "I supposed I'm right then."
"But Master Okina! How did you know?" one of the oni's asked,
"He usually goer outside for his morning warm-ups. He didn't show up, not to mention--- he is persisting that he wants to take Shiro's place ever since last night. Of course, I know what that would lead to."
"Then what should we do now?" Aoshi asked, "I know that boy is up to something, or else, he wont just go out there and impersonate his brother and head to Osaka."
"Well Aoshi, what did you do when Misao ran away before? You do know where she is going then, right?"
".You mean, you want me to go and do the same thing now?" he said, "Tenshi knows the consequences when he did this, he is no longer a child. It's also about time he learns how to use his skills."
"Then try to see it for yourself Aoshi, if you can't do it for me. do it for Misao. She cares for Tenshi deeply, she had a reason as a mother to protect him for that we do not know."
Okina leaves the room, leaving a baffled Aoshi and a confused audience. If Okina is giving him some words of wisdom, he have to figure it out and fast.
=== end of chapter 7.===
Hooray! After some long time.an update! A couple of corrections minna-san, first the terrible error in the location (Edo-Kyoto), I corrected here at this chapter. Kenshin-gumi supposedly with Okina's company is relocated somewhere (which would be like explained, in sooner chapters) and finally I got the name of Soujiro's combos: the tenken and the shukuichi (take note in re-uploaded chapter 6, THAT is only the correction there). Sembreak is in, and that means I can upload much frequently now.hooray!
-ori oscuro