Note: This fic is AU and begins from the end of the Seissou Hen, and involves elements of established fantasy genres.
Gathering the LightWith Yahiko's unexpected arrival, sans Kenji who had disappeared somewhere in Tokyo walking around with what Yahiko called "Kenji's Lady", Kenshin and Junzo had thought again about Junzo's struggle, and his quest to bring together the finest fighters he could. After cleaning up the mess and burning the beasts, Junzo's explanation astounded the young man, on which Kaoru laughed at him on more than one instance, chortling at the youthful fighter's wide-open eyes. Junzo finished with an, "and that's the story so far."
Yahiko frowned at the man disbelieving. But the all-apparent evidence of Kaoru and Kenshin's full recovery from their illness was solid proof of his story. And indeed, they did look a lot younger than the last time Yahiko saw them, which was in Kaoru's case, not too long ago. He shook his head with a nervous smile. "So, there really is such magic in this world eh? I'm glad you helped Kenshin and Kaoru get better from their sickness. And I suppose it's for the better that you made Kenshin younger again." A grin threatened to break his face. "I'd like to thank you most importantly for making Kaoru here Busu again."
Kaoru was nodding amiably at Yahiko's words, and even smiling as he began the sentence in which he was speaking about her. "I'm glad you've learned—" She paused before finishing her sentence. The former shihondai blinked her eyes, and turned to look at her former student smiling unabashedly at her. Kenshin just ever so slowly creept away, making meaningful motions with his eyes at Junzo for them to leave.
Yahikooo…why did you have to say that now? Kenshin kept the pleasant, rurouni look on his face all the while as he slowly made his exit. By now Junzo had noticed the flash in Kaoru's eyes, and the barely contained laughter of Myojin Yahiko. Recalling the episode earlier in the day, when he had to untangle an unconscious husband from a futon, he made his may out of the room as well. "I, ah, need some air." Junzo mumbled, not used to the more inconspicuous methods that the rurouni had used to leave.
As he slid the shoji shut behind him, leaving Yahiko with his former instructor in Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, he could just make out Yahiko's voice. "What, you too old to process what I said, busu? Maybe Junzo's de-aging trick didn't work on your head like it did your physical appearance, eh, busu?"
Junzo quickly left the immediate area, to find Kenshin near the primary dojo's entrance, where the students of Kamiya Kasshin trained during the day. He sat down beside the former rurouni, noticing Kenshin's contemplative look. "Why did we leave Kaoru and Yahiko-kun back there?"
Kenshin smiled and shook his head. "Yahiko used to call my wife Busu, back when he was younger, as an adolescent. It was his name for her, you could say."
Junzo nodded. "A pet name then, so to speak? But that still doesn't explain why we left."
Kenshin chuckled. "It has been so long since Yahiko has called her that, that it is probably hitting her right about now…"
At that point, Junzo could hear the laughter of a young man, and the screams of a woman. Suddenly, Yahiko skid to a stop in front of the two men, a grin on his face. Kenshin sighed, shaking his head. "It finally hit her."
From around the corner, Kaoru slid to a stop as well, though she was dressed in her old training hakama and gi, rather than the kimono she had worn just a few moments ago. Yahiko saw he and thumbed his nose at her, chanting "Busu! Old busu!", and laughing. From her back she produced her old bokken.
"Busu eh?" She muttered, an evil grin on her face. She raised the wooden sword and proceeded to chase a laughing former student, who was now shihondai of the Kamiya Kasshin dojo. The thwack of a bokken on something that seemed to be significantly more sensitive soon reached Kenshin and Junzo's ears, causing the latter, more unused to this, to wince in pain.
"My bokken, you hurt it!" Kaoru sniffed, hugging the wooden sword to her. A practically comatose Yahiko lay on the floor, a stupid grin on his face. The twenty something year old "Tokyo Samurai" managed to keep smiling, and even managed a soft chuckle despite his condition. The other two people within the vicinity cautiously peeked around the corner. Then again, only Kenshin peeked around the corner, to see Yahiko struggling to rise from the wooden floor. Kaoru's eye flashed, and her former student was smashed back into the hardwood by her fist. After the momentary violence, she returned to cradling her old weapon. Kenshin sighed in relief and walked up to her.
"Kaoru, let's get back to the discussion we were having with Junzo-san before Yahiko so rudely addressed you." After a moment, Kaoru nodded, still cradling in her arms her bokken.
Junzo raised an eyebrow as the couple passed by him. As the disappeared behind the corner, he turned his gaze from them to Yahiko. To his surprise, the current master of Kamiya Kasshin was up on his feet already, rubbing his head. "Didn't she hit you?"
Yahiko nodded, the smile still on his face. "I'm used to it. Besides, I'm not as frail as I used to be." He tapped his head. "Thanks to Kaoru." Junzo turned his back on the other man, shaking his head. He muttered under his breath about crazy people in which the fate of so many rested on.
Yahiko, who was the chief instructor of the dojo, to Kaoru's surprise, postponed the day's classes for kenjutsu. Asked why, he replied with a smile about Kenshin's return, as well as their getting better. Kaoru patted her former student's back amiably, commenting on how he's grown so much since they found him. While she and Yahiko spent the rest of the morning reminiscing of older days, Kenshin sat across Junzo discussing the purpose of the man's return. "I would like to continue to speak about your aims here. You are seeking the best fighters of our world, right?" Junzo nodded. Kenshin smiled, "Aside from me, who else are you planning to bring to this other world?" At this Junzo blinked, his eyes glazing over as he went deep in thought.
Kenshin patiently waited for the man to reply, smoothening out the creases in his gi. After a while, he noticed that the man had not yet said anything. Kenshin frowned and looked back up at Junzo, who had a peculiar expression on his face. "Junzo-san?" The man shook his head lightly, when Kenshin called his name, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Yes?"
"I asked you, who else do you intend to bring along to the other world."
Junzo glared at Kenshin with an annoyed light in his eyes. "I heard you, Himura."
Kenshin ignored the 'Himura' and continued with his question. "Who then?"
After another moment of silence, Junzo shrugged. "I don't know."
"Oro…?" The redhead gaped at Junzo with disbelieving eyes before toppling over.
Fortunately, the palpable situation was then broken by Yahiko's entry. A sheepish grin graced his face. "I'm sorry, I overheard the last part." Junzo didn't seem to react, merely answering with a grunt. Yahiko went of to the somewhat crestfallen Kenshin, and proceeded to kick the former rurouni. "Oi, Kenshin, get up. It's going to be lunch soon, and I'd rather have you cook than my former teacher." Kenshin slowly got up under the constant nudging of Yahiko.
He looked up at him and smiled. "Aa, Yahiko-kun, Kaoru has improved much since before you know. She's a pretty decent cook now, why don't you try her food?"
The shihondai shook his head. "Iie, Kenshin. I'll stick to something sure this time around."
A growling sound suddenly emanated from behind Yahiko. The pair looked behind him to see Junzo rubbing his stomach, an awkward look on his face. "Ah, sorry about that."
"Eh…"
A while later, Yahiko sat on the floor, fidgeting uneasily. Kenshin had strongly insisted on letting Kaoru make lunch, wanting to show Yahiko how much she had improved. Junzo had disappeared at around that time, leaving a then grumbling Yahiko alone with Kenshin. On the other hand, Yahiko was still grumbling, albeit a bit more softly and subdued now. He perked up when Kenshin asked him about coming along with Junzo. The other world seemed like a nice place to learn new things he mused. Mere moments after mentioning it, he had decided to go with them. After all, what use was his skill if he didn't use it he reasoned. The smile on his face grew with confidence and determination until Kenshin asked about a special someone.
"So, Tsubame won't mind this then, Yahiko-kun?"
The confident smile froze in his face at the mention of her name. Aah! I forgot about Tsubame, what will she say about this? Kenshin chuckled at the frozen expression on Yahiko's face, shaking his head. It was apparent that he was so surprised at all that was happening that he'd forgotten about his girlfriend and what she would think about all this. He managed an uneasy laugh, mumbling softly that Tsubame would understand. I hope.
"Shujin koishii, it's time for lunch." Kaoru's head popped into the room, a smile on her face. "Yahiko-kun, you too, let's go have our lunch."
"Kaoru, koi, where's Junzo-san?" Kenshin asked his wife, a soft hand on her shoulder as they walked.
She winked at Kenshin. "Ah, Junzo-san? He was most helpful with me in the kitchen while you and Yahiko were talking. He's probably waiting for us right now." Kenshin nodded, satisfied with his wife's answer and not getting the subtle jibe she had shot at him. Junzo was indeed seated in the dining room, waiting for the three to come. Yahiko's eyes feasted on the food on the table, quite surprised.
"Kaoru, you made all this?" He asked, almost incredulously.
She blushed, shaking her head. "Iie, not everything. I made the rice balls and the miso soup though. It is Junzo-san here who made the rest."
Kenshin smiled appreciatively at the man. "Well, you never told me you could cook so well, Junzo-san."
The man merely shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "My okasan and her parents were great cooks. I loved their food, so how could I not learn? At any rate, please, let's eat up before making comments about how well-made the food is, hmm?"
"Hai!" Yahiko dropped himself onto the floor, eager to begin. He pointed his chopsticks at the chicken. "What is this?" He looked at Junzo.
The man looked at what he was pointing at and smiled. "That is a Chinese dish, called Hainanese chicken. You eat it with this sauce." Junzo pointed at a small bowl of greenish substance. "This sauce is made of various vegetables and spices in oil. Try it, its is one of my favorite dishes."
Yahiko nodded, a smile on his face. "I bet you can cook just as good as Tae at the Akabeko, Junzo-san. You seem good at this." Others laughed as Yahiko began to dig into the food. The Kenshin and Kaoru began to eat as well, though at a slower pace than Yahiko. After a few moments, the shihondai paused, a thoughtful smile on his lips. "You know, this chicken reminds me of rooster-head."
Kenshin smiled. "That it does. Sanosuke helped be back to Japan from Shanghai."
Yahiko chewed contemplatively on the chicken in his mouth. He swallowed it, relishing the taste. "Too bad for him, the old tori-atama can't enjoy Junzo's chicken and roast duck, eh, Kenshin?" Kenshin smiled, and was about to reply to Yahiko's comment when a loud banging on the door outside distracted him.
"Who would be calling at this time of day?" Kaoru frowned. Kenshin began to stand up to get to the door outside when Kaoru held his forearm and shook her head. "It can wait Kenshin. Whoever it is can come back after we eat." The former rurouni fidgeted, sensing someone familiar. With Kaoru pulling him back down though, he shrugged it off and sat, getting back to eating. The loud knocking soon died down, much to Kaoru's delight. "See, Kenshin, I told you they'd leave." He smiled at her, popping a rice ball into his mouth. He shrugged, telling himself that perhaps he was bit too reactive.
Hmm?
He glanced at Junzo, who seemed to be looking towards the direction of the outer doors of the dojo. The man turned to look at Kenshin. "You have a new visitor, Kenshin." Kenshin raised his eyebrow at this. After a moment of mental debate, he decided to go and see who it was.
"I'll be right back, Kaoru. It won't take more then a few minutes." He smiled pleasantly at his wife, and rose to slide back the door to see who was outside.
"Oi, having a nice lunch?"
Kenshin had opened the shoji to reveal a tall, scruffy-looking man smiling at the former rurouni. Sanosuke idly reached up to scratch his chin, which was covered in stubble. Kaoru didn't appear to recognize him, as did Yahiko, who immediately drew his bokken. Before Kenshin could do anything more than stare in surprise, the two users of Kamiya Kasshin immediately launched themselves at the "intruding stranger". Sano barely managed to look up and flash a smile at them before he realized they were attacking him. The smile turned in surprise, as he realized that they didn't recognize him. It could also be the fact that they were beating the living daylights out of him and pounding him into the ground. Kenshin rushed out to pull them off the hapless Sano, who was knocked out by the surprise attack the pair had given him, while Junzo merely frowned at this.
He shook his head in resignation. Living in such an environment would surely toughen up someone, whether training here or not. Kenshin quickly explained to them who the beaten up man was and recognition flashed in their eyes. Junzo sighed and sipped his teacup again. Whether they like it or not either. Kenshin scurried off to get a wet towel for Sano's head, while Yahiko and Kaoru busied themselves with poking Sano awake with their wooden swords. Junzo set down his cup and went outside to help. This place is too full of surprises for my own health.
"Yare, yare."
"How did you get here so quickly Sano? I only got here myself, after you put me on the boat from Shanghai." Kenshin asked his friend.
Gobbling up the food before him like a ravenous beast, Sano barely managed to squeeze a reply from his busily eating mouth. "Abther I thent youb along the boath, I kinduf gut wurrid abouf youb, thow I thold whath ig hadth thoo phay for th' fare." Kenshin blinked in incomprehension, while Kaoru looked at him in partial disgust.
"Sano, swallow your food first, we can't understand a thing you're saying." Kaoru told him.
He blinked at this and shrugged, pausing in stuffing food in his mouth to swallow it all down. A decidedly satiated look appeared on his face. "Wonderful food, haven't eaten things like this since…" He stopped and grinned. "Heh, never mind." He took a swig from the sake bottle he brought and licked his lips. "I said that after I sent Kenshin along the boat, I kind of got worried about him. So I sold what I had to pay for the extra fare on a faster boat to catch up with him." He grinned and looked down at the empty plates. "Looks like the extra cash I spent to get here was worth it, eh?"
"Hey, what do you know, the last piece of the duck." Yahiko's eyes caught sight of it and reached over with his chopsticks to get it, when another pair intercepted him. His eyes flashed and looked over at Sano, who was looking at him with an equally deadly gaze. They began to maneuver to get the last piece, then pushed the other's arms aside, then began shoving the other. The pair exploded in another of the fights over the last piece that Kenshin and Kaoru was so familiar off in the older days. Junzo shook his head, and picked up his own chopsticks to end the "discussion", and placed the duck into his mouth, much to the dismay of the two squabbling men.
Glossary
"Shujin koishii" : Husband dearest
Thanks/ End Notes
I'd like to thank Sherry again for reviewing, as well as Shikee, who I will say, made the visual renditions of Junzo, that if you care to find out, looks like. The pictures are up at my site :
http://ayce_shade.tripod.com
Thanks to Akin Sijin as well.
It may be a bit to ask, but if you read this fic, please review, even if its just a few words. Thanks!