Izou Hen: The Legacy Arc
Rurouni Kenshin © 1997 by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
V - The day is settled
She readied herself, placing her right foot ahead. With her right arm low, she held the long golden bow while her left hand sook an arrow on the arrow bag on her back. The chosen weapon was carefully laid over her right thumb. Raising her arms and pulling the bow string with great force, she held her breath in concentration. Her eyes squirmed to put her aim on focus, and a second later the sharp arc of the bow loosened. The long, sharp arrow went flying and, in the blink of an eye, the forehead of the Classical marble statue was gone. The masculine face cracked in dozens of splinters, covering the floor with a white mosaic. - Wonderful throw, Iporita-sama! - a 20-year-old woman clapped her hands in joy. - Your skills with the arrows are amazing. - Thank you, Molpadia - the archer responded. - But you have learned everything I know. As your teacher, I've seen how good you are with these weapons I'm wielding. And you have the advantage of being young and fresh. - But you are still young, sensei. And a lot wiser than me. - I hope you are right. Now, why don't you prove me you are a good student? Try a hit. - she encouraged her pupil, handing her the bow and a thin arrow. The lady rolled her long black hair in an unruly bun and shook the few shorter strands that fell over her eyes, then imitated all her teacher's movements with perfection. Nevertheless, this time the arrow was aimed right at the chest of the statue, making a small cratere where would be the human heart. - Decisive, I like that - the older said. - But we are not cupids. - Iporita-sama! - a young girl, looking no more than thirteen, entered the room in a rush. - The messengers are back. They'd like to see you as soon as possible. - Let's go to the main room. - she said. - Molpadia? - Yes? - Send Penthesilea to check on them.
- So, what does it say? - The next time you ask me that, Sagara, I'll kill you. - Aoshi responded matter-of-factedly. The message in Greek was intricate enough without Sano's interference; the profusion of questions was getting on the spy's nerves. - If I translated it correctly, we are going to confront their group tomorrow morning. - Tomorrow morning already?! - Tsubame exclamed. - But it's too soon! - The sooner the better - Sano said, grinning. - You are really a rooster. - Megumi snapped. - You can't live without a fight, can you? - Actually, no - he answered, then whispered in her ear, making her blush, - Especially with you as my 'opponent'. - And where will the fight be? - Yahiko chimed in. - By its description, in the Kyoukokudou passage. It's a narrow way through the mountains, far away from the Toukaidou. Just like Thermopylae. - That's not good - breathed Kenji. - Is it? - Not exactly, at least not if we follow the historical events - said the okashira, picking a brush, ink and a piece of rice paper. - But maybe, if we change our way of attacking, we'll have a chance. Look, - he made a few, quick drawings over the paper - let's say this is the passage. If we followed Leonides' plan, the Amazons would be expecting us to come from north-east with an army of 300 warriors. If we do this, we'll certainly be trapped. - Then let's come from the other side, or else bring more men with us. - suggested Yahiko. - Maybe, if we called the police-- - That would be the obvious thing to do. Of course, it's so obvious that good strategists like them must have already thought about that. Besides, it would be too difficult to manage a large group of soldiers on a narrow passage like this one. We would be trapped all the same. - You're right. So what's your plan, Shinomori? - I'm trying to come up with something. We won't be able to equal their troops, much less outnumber it. The best solution would be to surprise them, the question is how. - What if we were able to surround them by the flank... - Forget it. They'll be ready to attack any man they see. To do so successfully we'd need a man with god-like speed. - Aoshi stated, seeming oblivious to the reactions his words caused in the others. - Yes, maybe if Kenshin was alive and able to fight, he'd-- - Wait. What about me? - Kenji asked, awkwardly. - I mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu just like my fath-- him. - You might have mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi, kid, but you don't have the experience your father had on battling. In fact, I doubt a brat like you will ever get that experience. - Sano snapped angrily. - What are you talking about? You don't know me! You've never seen me sparring! How can you say I wouldn't be able to do it? You, you stupid s-- - Kenji, come here a minute. - Yahiko interrupted before the swearing began, pulling the boy to a corner. - You know Sano's right. You have the potential, but you are too young-- - Am not! - Are too. See? You are acting like a stubborn child. - at that, the boy gave a childish pout. - Look... Kenji. I understand you want to prove your strenght irresponsibly, but I won't allow you to risk your life for such silly stubborness. It's too dangerous for you to go into that mission, at least in the position Aoshi mentioned. - Some things you said are right, some are wrong. - Kenji remarked. - I don't want to just prove I'm strong. I want to prove I'm stronger than my father. Or, at the very least, that I'm as strong as he was. And I know, I'm sure I'll be able to prove it in this battle. That's why I want to go, Yahiko-san. - Yahiko, Kenji-kun - Misao called them. - Aoshi had an idea. We think we've found the solution, come here. - You'll be able to help in some way, Kenji-kun, of that you can be sure - Yahiko said, reassuring the younger one. - Don't try to rush into something you might not be ready to face yet. Let's hear what they have to say, o.k.? Come on.
Jumping from tree to tree, the slender form of a 15-year-old girl hardly could be seen. She went fast through the forest, knowing every brunch she stepped, until she finally got where she wanted. On a clearing in the middle of the forest, erected a majestic, white building with an unbeliavably carved façade showing female figures armed with bows and javelins. The front was held by a line of high columns. - Already back, Pentesilea-san? - one of the women, guarding the entrance of the building, asked as the girl approached - Yes, as you can see, Harmothoe. Send word to Queen Hippolyta. - she answered, her olive-green eyes glimmering defiantly by the sunlight. Then, she turned to another guard. - What is that fuss near the Artemis sanctuary? There was quite a crowd there when I passed. - Oh, haven't you heard? It seems that one of the new recruits tried to flee from the quarters. Her colleagues said she wanted to go back to her husband. I don't understand those women, they come to us saying they hate men but a week after they are already missing them... oh well. - Where is that woman? She should be inquired. - Don't worry, Pen-san. She has been already executed. - the guard said matter-of-factedly. - What?! Who gave you orders to do so? - Molpadia-sama. And we have orders to do the same to any Amazon who tries to leave without permission. - Pen-san? - it was Harmothoe, coming back from inside. - Come in, please. The Queen is in her chambers. She is eager to talk to you.
- Aoshi, it's too dangerous! - I know, and that's why I won't let you come with us. - He answered in a flat voice, and Misao moaned in anger. The couple was alone in the main room of the dojo. Having decided how to confront the enemy, the group had debanded. While the others prepared themselves for the upcoming battle, Aoshi and Misao had one of the most serious argument of their married life. - For God's saken, Aoshi... - The woman sighed deeply. - You haven't been on a fight for quite a long time... are you sure your skills are the same? - Don't worry about my skills. - How can I not worry?! We don't know their strenght, we don't even know how many they are! What if you get hurt? What if they kill you?! Aoshi, I'd never forgive myself if I stayed here and something happened to you!! - And I would never forgive myself if you came with us and something happened to you! - Aoshi exclamed, surprising his wife. He'd never been one to show any emotion through his voice; actually, he'd never been one to show any emotion at all. And there he was, raising his voice, eyebrows knitted, fingers against his temples. - It would be worse if you came to this fight. I would get worried with you and would end up getting distracted. You must stay. - he said, dropping his shoulders and voice. - I can't stay!! If you don't let me go, then I'll have to-- - Misao, Kiyoko-chan needs her mother - Aoshi stated, not letting Misao finish her sentence. His pleading ice-blue eyes made her words vanish from her mouth. Quietly, she turned her face to the floor. - There is no need to worry. Everything will go according to the plan. We will be back soon. - He said, never hearing what his wife whispered after he left the room. - Kiyoko-chan needs her father as well... anata...
The training hall was almost completely silent. Almost, because Kenji was spending the afternoon there, practising. Even so, the only sound which could be heard was that of the sword cutting the air and his feet nearly not touching the tatami mats, the perfectly executed Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu techniques destroying all the invisible enemies surrounding him. He felt Sanosuke's presence at the door, following his every moves, and so he increased even more the level of the strokes. Finally, with a swift movement, he pierced the air with the sakabatou, arms parallel to the floor, body slanted forward, left leg extended backwards, right leg flexed sustaining his body weight. - What do you want - the boy mumbled, glancing at the other man by the right corner of his eyes. His body still, motionless. - Nothing, just watching. - Sano answered. - Guess you really took after your father's skills. - Why do you guys are always comparing me to him? - Kenji raised his body in a very annoyed way, the sword in his right hand hanging by his side. - Why do you hate him so much? - this time it was Sano who felt annoyance, folding his arms. The boy didn't answer, going back to his training. - I'm waiting. - The older one said. - I have my reasons - Kenji murmured. The room was once again silent. - I can't see why you could hate your father, y'know. - Sano said, leaning on the doorframe. - I've never seen you two together, but I'm sure he loved you. - If he really loved me, - the boy went back to his kata - he would have stayed here with my mother and I. Sano grew extremely serious. - So, this is the reason. Isn't it? - No answer. - Stupid child. Kenji turned to him almost furiously, his grip on the sword hilt tightening. - What did you say?! The boy earned back one of Sanosuke's most aggressive expression; one that made the pacific free-loader resemble the feared fighter-for-hire Zanza. - I said you are a stupid child - he repeated stressing each word. - There are some things I have to explain to you, but I'm afraid it won't get into that thick head of yours. Will you listen to what I have to say? Kenji glared at him for a few seconds, thinking wether he had time to lose with that guy's scolding on not. He finally decided, mumbling a very ill-bred "go on". - Fine - Sano gathered all his patience to handle the teenager. - First of all, do you know what your father was doing out there? - Fighting. - Not just fighting, can't you give me a more complete answer? Kenji sighed. - Fighting in the war to help the government. - Wrong. Kenshin gave a damn for the government. He wasn't doing it because a bunch of sick bastards asked him to. He was doing it because there was something disturbing people's peace, and he couldn't just sit down and see things like the Bakumatsu come back. He'd never accept that. He'd never stay here knowing people were suffering again out there-- - So, he preferred to see strangers happy than to see his family happy?! - But can't you see he was doing it for you guys as well?!? - Sano yelled. The boy kept quiet after his outburst. - You haven't gone through the Bakumatsu, so you wouldn't know what it was like. But I was there when I was a kid, and I tell you, I'd never want it to come back. Even if I hate those guys at the Meiji government, at least now we can live our lives without seeing blood splattered on the streets every day. Your father, as the Hitokiri Battousai, has gone through even worse things than I did during the war. And that's why he took back the sword, because he was afraid that all that would come back. What if there was another war and you were called to fight? What if you had to become a hitokiri just like him, huh? Do you think he'd be happy with that? Of course not. Kenji's mind was confused. Nobody had ever told him that much about his father. His head hurted. He looked to the floor, frowning. - Think about what I've said, boy. - Sano told him, leaving the training hall. - If you really are ready to come with us to that battle... you know what to do.
Author's Notes: Kyoukokudou, according to Jeffrey's J/E Dictionary :
Chapter VI: Time for their first battle, and a surprise for Kenji.
| Chapter VI >> |
