Now and Again (sequel to Yogotte ittemo Utsukushii)
By Ori Oscuro
*******************************************
This idea happened to pop out my mind, when I realized just how crap short the prequel is ^_^; I get lazy in sequels usually (with that horrendous bitch called mental block on my face). But hopefully, this one won't share the doomed fate of my other sequels. And since I'm using the original cast, it would be much exciting.and oh, yes.this is a by suggestion by Mei-chan, one of my avid reviewers.guaranteed this fic will not be a dark shocker, unlike my ongoing suspense-thriller "Akuma no Bisho, Tenshi no Namida".I'm yet back again to the light side, resuming light romance, re-emerging with the force. Hooray.
In Pacem,
Ori Oscuro
*******************************************
NOTE: first time readers who haven't reviewed "Yogotte ittemo Utsukushii", please read it first ^_^; for the better understanding of the story. Uh, thanks.
Part 1: Avid Recollections
It's been almost a year,
And he is so bored to death. Hojoun Kamatari is starting to feel the longing of adventure, even though he retired at his once complicated past, looking like a man like he should be and getting over with flirting with danger by doing tedious normal work by managing the small bar by the Pier at one of the docks, in Osaka. He does a great deal, to have changed his life to this, having slowly slipped away to the eyes and the people who notoriously knew of him, so he can enjoy life and watch the world go by, something he never has when he swore his loyalty to Shi-shi-o. Then as he was getting used to this idyllic life, a long time comrade, Soujiro, showed up to his doorstep by the turn of events, and told him the most shocking tale he ever heard.
Soujiro have grown to look different, it has been a year after that encounter. Having grew his short black hair and then tying it to a high ponytail. He even had a firmer build, a much leaner and muscular one, starting to look like a man of his age. Just like any wanderer. Kamatari wondered if he still looks like that right now, and grinned in memory that Soujiro's change of appearance is a little astonishing compared to his. The lad barely recognized him, or more or less, NO one can recognize him without his green kimono and his trademark girly flipped hair. Maybe even if he gets to meet the Kenshin-gumi, that he confronted not so long ago, they would not even make a second glance.
Then he nearly fell from the stool he is sitting when he quickly recalled one of Himura's friends, that Soujiro have told he had fallen head over heels for
Soujiro and Misao? An item? Oh puh-lease! every time he looked at the kunais Soujiro gave him as a memoir, it gave him an instant migraine. Even as old foes, or even the fact he has changed to the manlier with a different perspective, Kamatari felt an urge to laugh out loud to Misao as it was in the old days. A girl ninja with a body of a twelve year boy with also a quick temperament.and a great dire lacking of feminity. She is even rough, loud, with this tomboyish air around her, that he even wondered that how Soujiro fell for such a woman, well.if she is indeed a WOMAN. When his comrade relay the tale, on how he was smitten with the young granddaughter of the former enemy, he could picture that there is barely any change on Misao at all. Maybe even a year after that tale is told, he wondered if there is a possible change now.
"Please do me a favor sir," one of the waitresses said to him sweetly, that Kamatari is brought back to reality. He was day dreaming again, amid the hollering and voices of costumers eating and ordering that late afternoon. "Yes, Harumi. What is it?"
"Its Hiromi sir," the waitress shook her head. "Can't believe you still mixed up our names during all these years!"
"Well, both of you are twins." Kamatari remarked, Harumi is one of the first helps he have when he started the business, her younger twin, Hiromi, came a year later. Although they both have strong physical resemblance, it all ends there. Harumi is the much conservative one, and Hiromi is the much flamboyant type. Both have infatuations with their employer, but Hiromi herself is the one making advances to Kamatari. She gave him her sweetest smiles, or the occasional teasing remarks.to which he finds rather amusing. It reminds him the old days, and how his behavior is similar to this lady.
"But you never ever made a mistake on telling us apart," she replied. "Not unless there is something wrong," she gave again one of those warm smiles. Leaning over with her tiptoe to get a closer much personal look to her employer, she grinned broadly.making sure her face is just inches away from his own. "Maybe I can be of service, if there is anything I can."
Kamatari patted her by the shoulder, and instantly distanced himself away. "Nothing is wrong, Hiromi. Now go back to work, your sister won't be much happy to see you around looking pretty doing nothing, you know."
Hiromi let out a big sigh of disappointment; it is the umpteenth time she was turned down! The other co-workers pointed out to her before that Hojoun (as he was known) had no interest for possible romance, and she is starting to wonder if the rumors are true that he used to be queer. But he easily can come to the defense of her older and much shy twin, like the incident last year at the bar. Maybe he liked women like my sister, she thought to herself.
"Hold on a minute, what is that you are asking to me awhile ago?"
"Um, doing me a favor." "What is it?" Surely not one of her little games, Kamatari wished.
"Get some rest sir, and possibly some sleep. It's like you have been ravaged by war this whole week." She winked, then casually walked away to go back to her own business. The girl do has a point, Kamatari looked at his reflection at one of the mirrors near one of the comfort room, and his face must have look like death. He has barely having a single shut eye from last week, and is been staying up all night.like he was eager to go out and brandish his weapon, which is now rusting hidden by a small warehouse stack of supplies near the bar. Surely, it's not one of those post-partum psychosis, for he is still sticking to his therapy.
Or maybe it was during last week session,
"You are perfectly normal Hojoun," the doctor said in an assuring yet proud voice. "It seems that you're willingness to change your own life for the better have greatly helped through our sessions."
"I think it's not at the strictest sense," he mumbled. "How can I be sure that I'm really."
"Straight." The doctor curtly connected his statement, "Well.I can't be sure to gurantee that, have you found yourself getting in love? With a woman, a young lady?"
"No." he said, "But they seem to fawn all over me,"
"But you have gotten over with.eherm.with this former master of yours, am I correct?"
"Much indeed, it wasn't easy, but I was proud to over come it."
"That's my man!" the staunchy looking, bearded therapist, a gajin, gave Kamatari a friendly slap at the shoulder, and when mentioning the phrase, he sounded like a proud father to have mold him for a man he had become. "You must try to get out much more often, Hojoun. Who knows, you might just find the right woman out there."
"I can't just leave the business,"
"You said yourself you have fine and trusting employees, it can't hurt to have a month's off. Working non-stop for four years, I think they are all thinking of the same thing."
Kamatari looked at him, and he can't guess what the man is trying to say, " They might all want you to take a well-deserved vacation, Hojoun."
"In that case, I can't think of any place to go either."
"How about Kyoto**, or Tokyo?"
Kamatari's expression instantly flinched, and he defiantly shook his head. Who knows who are there, such as the people from his old past. He don't want to deal anymore with them. It is also the heart of the small group of the Kenshin-gumi, and they would be less than pleasant when he shows up. Considering that Kenshin can be forgiving, his other friends maybe can be less considerate. Then he remembered Misao, he wondered if she'll go ballistic once he elicit that small witchy laugh he once use to tease her in the battle field.
But then he also remembered Soujiro, of his funny tale and how Okina nearly chopped down the tree at the sight of him. Then after that, Soujiro have grew to make friends with the Oniwabanshus! That night at the bar when he left, he swore it was the oni's that have picked him up and told him to go home with them.
"To get over with the devils of the past, you must go where it all have began. And confront that past." The therapist offered, ".it's the best way to redeem ones self. Take it as a challenge, a little soul searching to begin with. After all, I think no one would recognize you, not after five years!"
The therapist got a point, no one can recognize him. Lest it's Soujiro he will be meeting with.
"Let's say, you go there and meet an old friend. The one who like you, have found some light. I think Soujiro might be just around there, either Kyoto or Tokyo."
Kamatari's eyes widened. "You KNEW him? Is he also one of your patients?!"
"Oh dear no," the man shook his head. "He passed by here, a couple of days ago. Told me that if there's anything he wants, he'll contact you thru me."
" Oh, I see.I nearly forgot." He never gave Soujiro his real address after their brief meeting. Obviously not trusting with anyone, especially a former Juppon- Gatana member.Kamatari gave instead his therapist's office address, "Is there anything he wanted?"
"Why yes, he told me to deliver this letter as soon as possible." And he handed it to Kamatari, "Try visiting him.after all, a person coming all the way far out to go here to Osaka means he is willing to see you." Kamatari took his coat, and the letter and say his good byes. " I'll try that maybe, next time." And he shook his hands, a common gesture used by western gajins. The man smiled, seeing that he is adapting with the times.
"Make it soon enough, there would a month-free off from therapy!"
Is this man serious?
****
It must be the content of the letter that made Kamatari sleepless for the whole week. Soujiro wrote it, he said that he is currently taking residence with Aoshi and the rest at their home base in Kyoto** and how his relationship with Misao grew to the better. His sugary descriptions of how they are like these shy lovers, irking the over protectiveness of Okina and occasional sharp glances to Aoshi, making enough for Kamatari to cringe. Soujiro told also, that he was allowed to go for the yearly trip to drop by the Kenshin-gumi's place in Tokyo and is trying to connect with his former adversaries, and making friends with them. He finds the tedious life amusing, and seeing Kenshin benefited it with such rewards. The hitokiri have retired with the sword to take up a role of a young father, he have a son, around already 5 to 6 years of age. The boy got his father's inherent looks, but also same time his mother's temperament. Every now and then, Kaoru would tell him not to spoil the young boy if he did them any trouble. Soujiro said in the letter in such amusing tone, that at least each and every day he would see the young Kenji, Kenshin's child's name, at the roof top of the house and wailing for his Okaasan that he'll never be bad again.
Soujiro's second to the last paragraph however bring chill to his spine, it is like he does not know him anymore. "I relish the thought, of the longing of serenity and bliss. That someone to love and be loved, is the greatest creation made for man to last. When I came to know Misao, I knew a void has filled within me. Kenshin-san, deserves such bliss, and I look at him as a man who affected greatly my point of view in life. How I dreamed to follow his footsteps, there is a pride and never ending satisfaction, when you find that someone who will be with you forever, and bore you a child that will bring you nothing but joy."
Kamatari closed the letter. He quickly starts to hate him, deluded by the belief he could never be that happy. Kenshin has gone through such a long way, and luck followed him. The man is impenetrable, like divine guide is helping him.beating impossible foes to live another day. And he does not kill them, instead he gave him words of wisdom.his words piercing to the heart, that a man wronged could easily see the light and be grateful of a second chance. Rarely is one given the sense of diplomacy and soul, combined with cleverness, luck and par optimum legendary skills. And all that, he exchange for a life of bore with a woman who can't even cook with inferior fighting skills and be still smiling about it.
"He could live a glorious life, titles.a position.and yet." Kamatari turned back to the letter, better yet skipping THAT paragraph and reading the last note.
"You can see what I meant, and you'll never regret it. Please try to stop by, I know it might be a difficult request, but I came to them also in uneasy terms. If I can do it, so can you. Think of it as a surprise to them, and oh, we would be staying at Tokyo for a whole month. I do know you still recall the address.see you there!"
After that, Kamatari felt the urge to go out, and go there. He felt envied by the situation Soujiro is in, and wants to share it. There is this strange panging to have such life, and even he denies it, it shows strongly. He thought that managing the bar business is the answer, but like his former comrade says, there would be always be a void within him that anything could not just easily fill. But yet, there is this retraction that he will get his cover blown, probably having ran away from his post before of being a spy, and what he have build for four years might just amount to nothing. If it does, he is ready to take and use his scythe once again.
The idea has plaqued him for days, and it was until Hiromi's advances did she candidly pointed out that he need some rest and that he look troubled. So later that night, he assembled all his crew and talked to them.
"Hai, Hojoun-sensei. It's okay with us." His cook said, and everyone nodded in agreement. ".you take care for us for five years. It's about time we repay you."
"You deserve some vacation, sir." One of them voiced out, "It worries us if you are not feeling that well,"
"Harumi and I will take care of your accounts and the management, seeing everything would go as always!" Hiromi added, to Kamatari's surprise. The girl was indeed serious, and he felt proud of her. "Nagano and Tomokou, they will be renting hands just in case there are going to be trouble makers, while they can do the bartending."
"Really, Nagano? You and Tomokou can do it for me?" Nagano and Tomokou are best-friends, both 17 year old boys, and when they entered Kamatari's work place, they can't even open properly a wine bottle. But time seems to pass swiftly, and they are picking up pace, learning by heart what their employer have patiently taught them. At least it keeps them off the streets, and Kamatari himself taught them a thing or two in self- defense. Sooner or later, some of the street bullies that use to pester the duo are willing to work extra to the bar, willing to earn money in a rightful way.
Nagano is tall, blonde and has gajin blood in him. The boy looked at his employer proudly. "Hai! Tomokou and I will never fail you. The helps going with us used to be with a gang, but they are willing to stay here at the joint and earn well.and put their fists for the better good of course!"
Tomokou looks contrast to Nagano, he is darker and has bluish black hair, and has a scar that marred his youthful looks from the left cheek crossing to his face. He is much silent, tacit than his outspoken friend, and he let out a shy smile and a curt nod in reply. He may look like an unpredictable, intimidating man, but Kamatari knows that there is softness in him. Soon enough, he became a dutiful employee and gradually opened to everyone.
Sheepishly, he handed out a small heavy pouch to Kamatari, and quickly coiled away. Curious, he opened it. "Money, this all too much." he looked to everyone, and all of them have a warm expression glowing from them. The money wasn't stolen from the bar of course, he made sure that it is changed to fine good bills before keeping them and then later sending it to a nearby bank. All the money inside, are coins, some of them look like they are scrimped from hard earned savings.
"We always are thinking how to repay your kindness, Hojoun-sensei." Tomokou finally spoke. "Everyone donates a little of what they had, hoping that we could come up of something special to give you. But now you mentioned, how you like to travel for a while to your home place, we thought it's just about time."
"It's nothing much though, but you can use it to buy some nice things to your friends.or a fine inn to rent for a night perhaps," Nagano added wistfully,
"Please, take it. It's from all of us." Harumi said,
The people he have helped, the people he have seen a little bit of side of him, all of them are grateful that he have come and wants to repay his deed. He could never felt so proud, and now he understood why Kenshin have decided to settle down, when he can have the tempting positions with the connections he got, and do more. Simple affection of the people you come to know, there is always something in kind in return.
"Arigato Gozaimasu everyone, I will not forget this." Then he smiled, "For that, everyone will get a raise. And additional incentives, especially if I came back and see things are in working order."
****
NOTE: the ** in the word Kyoto serve as a reminder on my erratum ^_^ on the fics Nihontou and Yogotte. Kyoto is the residential place of the oniwabanshus, Aoshi and Okina and Misao. Tokyo (formerly Edo, before Meiji Era) is the Kenshin-gumi's place. I want to thanks again Chaos-chan for the corrections. When I created the titles above mentioned, I was using the lame detailed and dubbed series for my research. They got almost all the locations wrong -.-; Although for one of my ongoing sequels (Broken Nihontou: Legacy of the Sword), I still retain the uncorrected format.it's just to tedious to correct them all as of NOW with loaded 6 chapters and still ongoing...
See ya to the next chapter!
****
By Ori Oscuro
*******************************************
This idea happened to pop out my mind, when I realized just how crap short the prequel is ^_^; I get lazy in sequels usually (with that horrendous bitch called mental block on my face). But hopefully, this one won't share the doomed fate of my other sequels. And since I'm using the original cast, it would be much exciting.and oh, yes.this is a by suggestion by Mei-chan, one of my avid reviewers.guaranteed this fic will not be a dark shocker, unlike my ongoing suspense-thriller "Akuma no Bisho, Tenshi no Namida".I'm yet back again to the light side, resuming light romance, re-emerging with the force. Hooray.
In Pacem,
Ori Oscuro
*******************************************
NOTE: first time readers who haven't reviewed "Yogotte ittemo Utsukushii", please read it first ^_^; for the better understanding of the story. Uh, thanks.
Part 1: Avid Recollections
It's been almost a year,
And he is so bored to death. Hojoun Kamatari is starting to feel the longing of adventure, even though he retired at his once complicated past, looking like a man like he should be and getting over with flirting with danger by doing tedious normal work by managing the small bar by the Pier at one of the docks, in Osaka. He does a great deal, to have changed his life to this, having slowly slipped away to the eyes and the people who notoriously knew of him, so he can enjoy life and watch the world go by, something he never has when he swore his loyalty to Shi-shi-o. Then as he was getting used to this idyllic life, a long time comrade, Soujiro, showed up to his doorstep by the turn of events, and told him the most shocking tale he ever heard.
Soujiro have grown to look different, it has been a year after that encounter. Having grew his short black hair and then tying it to a high ponytail. He even had a firmer build, a much leaner and muscular one, starting to look like a man of his age. Just like any wanderer. Kamatari wondered if he still looks like that right now, and grinned in memory that Soujiro's change of appearance is a little astonishing compared to his. The lad barely recognized him, or more or less, NO one can recognize him without his green kimono and his trademark girly flipped hair. Maybe even if he gets to meet the Kenshin-gumi, that he confronted not so long ago, they would not even make a second glance.
Then he nearly fell from the stool he is sitting when he quickly recalled one of Himura's friends, that Soujiro have told he had fallen head over heels for
Soujiro and Misao? An item? Oh puh-lease! every time he looked at the kunais Soujiro gave him as a memoir, it gave him an instant migraine. Even as old foes, or even the fact he has changed to the manlier with a different perspective, Kamatari felt an urge to laugh out loud to Misao as it was in the old days. A girl ninja with a body of a twelve year boy with also a quick temperament.and a great dire lacking of feminity. She is even rough, loud, with this tomboyish air around her, that he even wondered that how Soujiro fell for such a woman, well.if she is indeed a WOMAN. When his comrade relay the tale, on how he was smitten with the young granddaughter of the former enemy, he could picture that there is barely any change on Misao at all. Maybe even a year after that tale is told, he wondered if there is a possible change now.
"Please do me a favor sir," one of the waitresses said to him sweetly, that Kamatari is brought back to reality. He was day dreaming again, amid the hollering and voices of costumers eating and ordering that late afternoon. "Yes, Harumi. What is it?"
"Its Hiromi sir," the waitress shook her head. "Can't believe you still mixed up our names during all these years!"
"Well, both of you are twins." Kamatari remarked, Harumi is one of the first helps he have when he started the business, her younger twin, Hiromi, came a year later. Although they both have strong physical resemblance, it all ends there. Harumi is the much conservative one, and Hiromi is the much flamboyant type. Both have infatuations with their employer, but Hiromi herself is the one making advances to Kamatari. She gave him her sweetest smiles, or the occasional teasing remarks.to which he finds rather amusing. It reminds him the old days, and how his behavior is similar to this lady.
"But you never ever made a mistake on telling us apart," she replied. "Not unless there is something wrong," she gave again one of those warm smiles. Leaning over with her tiptoe to get a closer much personal look to her employer, she grinned broadly.making sure her face is just inches away from his own. "Maybe I can be of service, if there is anything I can."
Kamatari patted her by the shoulder, and instantly distanced himself away. "Nothing is wrong, Hiromi. Now go back to work, your sister won't be much happy to see you around looking pretty doing nothing, you know."
Hiromi let out a big sigh of disappointment; it is the umpteenth time she was turned down! The other co-workers pointed out to her before that Hojoun (as he was known) had no interest for possible romance, and she is starting to wonder if the rumors are true that he used to be queer. But he easily can come to the defense of her older and much shy twin, like the incident last year at the bar. Maybe he liked women like my sister, she thought to herself.
"Hold on a minute, what is that you are asking to me awhile ago?"
"Um, doing me a favor." "What is it?" Surely not one of her little games, Kamatari wished.
"Get some rest sir, and possibly some sleep. It's like you have been ravaged by war this whole week." She winked, then casually walked away to go back to her own business. The girl do has a point, Kamatari looked at his reflection at one of the mirrors near one of the comfort room, and his face must have look like death. He has barely having a single shut eye from last week, and is been staying up all night.like he was eager to go out and brandish his weapon, which is now rusting hidden by a small warehouse stack of supplies near the bar. Surely, it's not one of those post-partum psychosis, for he is still sticking to his therapy.
Or maybe it was during last week session,
"You are perfectly normal Hojoun," the doctor said in an assuring yet proud voice. "It seems that you're willingness to change your own life for the better have greatly helped through our sessions."
"I think it's not at the strictest sense," he mumbled. "How can I be sure that I'm really."
"Straight." The doctor curtly connected his statement, "Well.I can't be sure to gurantee that, have you found yourself getting in love? With a woman, a young lady?"
"No." he said, "But they seem to fawn all over me,"
"But you have gotten over with.eherm.with this former master of yours, am I correct?"
"Much indeed, it wasn't easy, but I was proud to over come it."
"That's my man!" the staunchy looking, bearded therapist, a gajin, gave Kamatari a friendly slap at the shoulder, and when mentioning the phrase, he sounded like a proud father to have mold him for a man he had become. "You must try to get out much more often, Hojoun. Who knows, you might just find the right woman out there."
"I can't just leave the business,"
"You said yourself you have fine and trusting employees, it can't hurt to have a month's off. Working non-stop for four years, I think they are all thinking of the same thing."
Kamatari looked at him, and he can't guess what the man is trying to say, " They might all want you to take a well-deserved vacation, Hojoun."
"In that case, I can't think of any place to go either."
"How about Kyoto**, or Tokyo?"
Kamatari's expression instantly flinched, and he defiantly shook his head. Who knows who are there, such as the people from his old past. He don't want to deal anymore with them. It is also the heart of the small group of the Kenshin-gumi, and they would be less than pleasant when he shows up. Considering that Kenshin can be forgiving, his other friends maybe can be less considerate. Then he remembered Misao, he wondered if she'll go ballistic once he elicit that small witchy laugh he once use to tease her in the battle field.
But then he also remembered Soujiro, of his funny tale and how Okina nearly chopped down the tree at the sight of him. Then after that, Soujiro have grew to make friends with the Oniwabanshus! That night at the bar when he left, he swore it was the oni's that have picked him up and told him to go home with them.
"To get over with the devils of the past, you must go where it all have began. And confront that past." The therapist offered, ".it's the best way to redeem ones self. Take it as a challenge, a little soul searching to begin with. After all, I think no one would recognize you, not after five years!"
The therapist got a point, no one can recognize him. Lest it's Soujiro he will be meeting with.
"Let's say, you go there and meet an old friend. The one who like you, have found some light. I think Soujiro might be just around there, either Kyoto or Tokyo."
Kamatari's eyes widened. "You KNEW him? Is he also one of your patients?!"
"Oh dear no," the man shook his head. "He passed by here, a couple of days ago. Told me that if there's anything he wants, he'll contact you thru me."
" Oh, I see.I nearly forgot." He never gave Soujiro his real address after their brief meeting. Obviously not trusting with anyone, especially a former Juppon- Gatana member.Kamatari gave instead his therapist's office address, "Is there anything he wanted?"
"Why yes, he told me to deliver this letter as soon as possible." And he handed it to Kamatari, "Try visiting him.after all, a person coming all the way far out to go here to Osaka means he is willing to see you." Kamatari took his coat, and the letter and say his good byes. " I'll try that maybe, next time." And he shook his hands, a common gesture used by western gajins. The man smiled, seeing that he is adapting with the times.
"Make it soon enough, there would a month-free off from therapy!"
Is this man serious?
****
It must be the content of the letter that made Kamatari sleepless for the whole week. Soujiro wrote it, he said that he is currently taking residence with Aoshi and the rest at their home base in Kyoto** and how his relationship with Misao grew to the better. His sugary descriptions of how they are like these shy lovers, irking the over protectiveness of Okina and occasional sharp glances to Aoshi, making enough for Kamatari to cringe. Soujiro told also, that he was allowed to go for the yearly trip to drop by the Kenshin-gumi's place in Tokyo and is trying to connect with his former adversaries, and making friends with them. He finds the tedious life amusing, and seeing Kenshin benefited it with such rewards. The hitokiri have retired with the sword to take up a role of a young father, he have a son, around already 5 to 6 years of age. The boy got his father's inherent looks, but also same time his mother's temperament. Every now and then, Kaoru would tell him not to spoil the young boy if he did them any trouble. Soujiro said in the letter in such amusing tone, that at least each and every day he would see the young Kenji, Kenshin's child's name, at the roof top of the house and wailing for his Okaasan that he'll never be bad again.
Soujiro's second to the last paragraph however bring chill to his spine, it is like he does not know him anymore. "I relish the thought, of the longing of serenity and bliss. That someone to love and be loved, is the greatest creation made for man to last. When I came to know Misao, I knew a void has filled within me. Kenshin-san, deserves such bliss, and I look at him as a man who affected greatly my point of view in life. How I dreamed to follow his footsteps, there is a pride and never ending satisfaction, when you find that someone who will be with you forever, and bore you a child that will bring you nothing but joy."
Kamatari closed the letter. He quickly starts to hate him, deluded by the belief he could never be that happy. Kenshin has gone through such a long way, and luck followed him. The man is impenetrable, like divine guide is helping him.beating impossible foes to live another day. And he does not kill them, instead he gave him words of wisdom.his words piercing to the heart, that a man wronged could easily see the light and be grateful of a second chance. Rarely is one given the sense of diplomacy and soul, combined with cleverness, luck and par optimum legendary skills. And all that, he exchange for a life of bore with a woman who can't even cook with inferior fighting skills and be still smiling about it.
"He could live a glorious life, titles.a position.and yet." Kamatari turned back to the letter, better yet skipping THAT paragraph and reading the last note.
"You can see what I meant, and you'll never regret it. Please try to stop by, I know it might be a difficult request, but I came to them also in uneasy terms. If I can do it, so can you. Think of it as a surprise to them, and oh, we would be staying at Tokyo for a whole month. I do know you still recall the address.see you there!"
After that, Kamatari felt the urge to go out, and go there. He felt envied by the situation Soujiro is in, and wants to share it. There is this strange panging to have such life, and even he denies it, it shows strongly. He thought that managing the bar business is the answer, but like his former comrade says, there would be always be a void within him that anything could not just easily fill. But yet, there is this retraction that he will get his cover blown, probably having ran away from his post before of being a spy, and what he have build for four years might just amount to nothing. If it does, he is ready to take and use his scythe once again.
The idea has plaqued him for days, and it was until Hiromi's advances did she candidly pointed out that he need some rest and that he look troubled. So later that night, he assembled all his crew and talked to them.
"Hai, Hojoun-sensei. It's okay with us." His cook said, and everyone nodded in agreement. ".you take care for us for five years. It's about time we repay you."
"You deserve some vacation, sir." One of them voiced out, "It worries us if you are not feeling that well,"
"Harumi and I will take care of your accounts and the management, seeing everything would go as always!" Hiromi added, to Kamatari's surprise. The girl was indeed serious, and he felt proud of her. "Nagano and Tomokou, they will be renting hands just in case there are going to be trouble makers, while they can do the bartending."
"Really, Nagano? You and Tomokou can do it for me?" Nagano and Tomokou are best-friends, both 17 year old boys, and when they entered Kamatari's work place, they can't even open properly a wine bottle. But time seems to pass swiftly, and they are picking up pace, learning by heart what their employer have patiently taught them. At least it keeps them off the streets, and Kamatari himself taught them a thing or two in self- defense. Sooner or later, some of the street bullies that use to pester the duo are willing to work extra to the bar, willing to earn money in a rightful way.
Nagano is tall, blonde and has gajin blood in him. The boy looked at his employer proudly. "Hai! Tomokou and I will never fail you. The helps going with us used to be with a gang, but they are willing to stay here at the joint and earn well.and put their fists for the better good of course!"
Tomokou looks contrast to Nagano, he is darker and has bluish black hair, and has a scar that marred his youthful looks from the left cheek crossing to his face. He is much silent, tacit than his outspoken friend, and he let out a shy smile and a curt nod in reply. He may look like an unpredictable, intimidating man, but Kamatari knows that there is softness in him. Soon enough, he became a dutiful employee and gradually opened to everyone.
Sheepishly, he handed out a small heavy pouch to Kamatari, and quickly coiled away. Curious, he opened it. "Money, this all too much." he looked to everyone, and all of them have a warm expression glowing from them. The money wasn't stolen from the bar of course, he made sure that it is changed to fine good bills before keeping them and then later sending it to a nearby bank. All the money inside, are coins, some of them look like they are scrimped from hard earned savings.
"We always are thinking how to repay your kindness, Hojoun-sensei." Tomokou finally spoke. "Everyone donates a little of what they had, hoping that we could come up of something special to give you. But now you mentioned, how you like to travel for a while to your home place, we thought it's just about time."
"It's nothing much though, but you can use it to buy some nice things to your friends.or a fine inn to rent for a night perhaps," Nagano added wistfully,
"Please, take it. It's from all of us." Harumi said,
The people he have helped, the people he have seen a little bit of side of him, all of them are grateful that he have come and wants to repay his deed. He could never felt so proud, and now he understood why Kenshin have decided to settle down, when he can have the tempting positions with the connections he got, and do more. Simple affection of the people you come to know, there is always something in kind in return.
"Arigato Gozaimasu everyone, I will not forget this." Then he smiled, "For that, everyone will get a raise. And additional incentives, especially if I came back and see things are in working order."
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NOTE: the ** in the word Kyoto serve as a reminder on my erratum ^_^ on the fics Nihontou and Yogotte. Kyoto is the residential place of the oniwabanshus, Aoshi and Okina and Misao. Tokyo (formerly Edo, before Meiji Era) is the Kenshin-gumi's place. I want to thanks again Chaos-chan for the corrections. When I created the titles above mentioned, I was using the lame detailed and dubbed series for my research. They got almost all the locations wrong -.-; Although for one of my ongoing sequels (Broken Nihontou: Legacy of the Sword), I still retain the uncorrected format.it's just to tedious to correct them all as of NOW with loaded 6 chapters and still ongoing...
See ya to the next chapter!
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