Chapter 10
By Crystal
*We all know who this belongs to ^^;;*
Without missing a beat, I opened the door, showing myself to Kenshin. Utter shock was painted on his face as he uttered my name out, "Tomoe... what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean, what is she doing here?" Hiko-san asked.
"She was suppose to stay in Tokyo, safe!" Kenshin replied.
I frowned, "Kenshin, I am aware that I am not safe in Kyoto. But do you possibly think that all of us are going to stay in Tokyo, awaiting your return? Sanosuke-san left first, then Kaoru and Yahiko-kun did. Megumi-san and Toshiko stayed. Kenji and Soujiro-kun are inside, sleeping peacefully."
"Kenji? Soujiro-kun? How do you know of this place?"
Hiko-san cleared his throat, "She has known of this place for a very long time... Did she not tell you that?"
"No, I did not tell Kenshin a lot of things, for we didn't have much time together. Our time together were always limited."
"So what has Tomoe been doing in Shisho's place for a very long time?"
"Rather, Kenji... I always visited Hiko-san, if that's what you're asking. Although it's Kenji's first time to Tokyo and he met you. Kenji's been living with Hiko-san for the passed ten years." I replied.
Kenshin frowned, "Why would you do that? And where did you meet?"
"We met where you and I met for the second time. At your three 'sister''s grave. Then I found out Kenji was your son, and I raised him like I raised you. Teaching him the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu." Hiko-san cleared his throat, "Moving on more important matters, you can figure this out with your wife later on. What is it you want of me?"
"I'm sure Tomoe has told you everything."
"Absolutely not. Tomoe has not told me a single thing, since she reached here, exhausted and I had to haul her into the house... And after that, she cleaned my house up for me. So what is it?"
While Kenshin explained everything to Hiko-san, I was pouring Hiko-san sake and tea for all four of us. Kenshin, Kenji, Soujiro-kun and myself. The moment Kenshin came in, they awoke.
"Hmm... So to put it simply, this man called Shishio Makoto is plotting to take over Japan. You, on the other hand, are slowly reverting to the Hitokiri Battousai. You want to defeat Shishio without becoming the Hitokiri. In other words, you need to be stronger than you are now. Well, you know what they say, he who runs after two hares won't catch either one."
"Shisho!"
"I'm sure I taught you this. A sword is a weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. Whatever pretty words you use, this is its true nature. Your own foolish ideals, or today's harsh realities. Whatever you're trying to protect, it's complete selfishness."
There was a great pause afterwards, as Kenshin looked at Hiko-san. "What? Fifteen years ago you devoted yourself to the chaos of the Bakumatsu. That was your big mistake."
"After that we argued, and parted on bad terms. You see before you the result. You may have gotten better with the sword, but your spirit hasn't grown at all ever since you were fourteen, my foolish pupil. Carrying words that cannot be erased, on your left cheek and your heart, you're unstable, teetering between the Hitokiri and one who has sworn never to kill again. This Shishio Makoto is the ghost of the Bakumatsu. You Ishin Shishi believed in justice and supported it. You certainly built the Meiji government out of the violence. But at the same time, to hide your wrongdoings you buried in darkness whatever wasn't convenient.
Shishio Makoto will come back even stronger as the ghost of the Bakumatsu. Violence begets violence in a vicious circle. You played a role indirectly in raising the ghost with the Hiten Mitsurugi school. You were right; the original purpose of school was to protect others from the sufferings of the ages. But as a free sword, not under anyone's control! If such strength-"
"That's enough, Hiko-san." I said, "You're going too harsh on him. Fifteen years ago, he was no more than a boy."
He looked at me, "You're right, he was no more than a boy, but you still married him."
"Ojiisan... I think Okaasan is right."
"Kenji... I am not talking to you... But I think it was a mistake to teach you the Hiten Mitsurugi, Kenshin."
I slapped my hand on the floor, "I know a lot of things Kenshin did was wrong. But he was a boy at the time, alone. But if you hadn't taught Kenshin the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu that day, then you would've have taught Kenji either. Then you wouldn't have even meet me. Japan would probably be in ruins now!" I put my hand on Kenshin's reassuringly.
As he was about to argue again, the door snapped open. "Who are you?" Hiko-san asked.
"Misao-dono... Yahiko... Kaoru-dono..."
"These friends of yours?"
"Hai." Kenshin replied.
Hiko-san frowned, "it's like Grand Central Station in here today. People should know when they're not wanted. Kenshin, run outside and get some water." I smiled brightly at Hiko-san when he said that. Even Kenji grinned, "There's only enough for one here. You can't expect your wife and the kids to go all night without anything to eat or drink.
"Why would I-"
"Kenshin, go get some water." I said calmly, smiling at him.
"Tomoe... Shisho, I don't think-"
"That's your old spirit. Don't stand here talking about it, just go!"
"You were always such a slave driver..." I smiled again as I saw Kenji nod his head in agreement and then Hiko-san glaring at him.
Hiko-san cleared his throat, "so..." A pause, "I stopped getting news about my stupid pupil at the beginning of the Meiji era. What has he been doing with the Hiten Mitsurugi I taught him? That's what I want to know. Not from him, but from those I don't know who came to see him... Tomoe, don't answer this."
"Hai..." I replied. I sat down comfortably while listening to the tales Kaoru told Hiko-san and I saw Soujiro-kun nod in agreement most of the times, and argue when the story was not right, then there was Kenji who look like he was starting to admire his father...
In no time, the door opened up again, his hands carrying two buckets of water. I saw Hiko-san smirk at him and I cast a glance at him. "Master, where shall I put-"
"You spent the last ten years wandering the country righting wrongs as a vagabond. Did it take you fifteen years to figure out the reason for the Hiten Mitsurugi school? Or were you atoning for the lives you took as the Hitokiri?"
When Kenshin was about to answer, his eyes were on mine, "It was... Both. And because of what I said to you fifteen years ago. Before my eyes, people were suffering, people are in misery. Whatever the reason, I don't want to leave them as they are..."
"That's why Himura-san saved me..."
Kenshin smiled at Soujiro-kun, "Aa... That's why I saved Soujiro."
"Even though you're a baka deshi, when it comes time to act, you talk like a grown-up. Follow me. I will pass down to you the final mysteries of the Hiten Mitsurugi school." I was not surprised. I know Hiko-san well enough that he will teach Kenshin... "What? As a great-hearted swordsman, I can't let Shisho take over the country. Although... I would rather teach Kenji, he lacks the stamina you have as the Hitokiri..."
Kenji grinned, "There's always Soujiro..."
"Hmm... Indeed... There's always that boy... He has pretty good stamina."
"Shisho... If you are planning to teach him the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu to get him to fight Shishio, then I will have to say no to it. I am not going to put Soujiro's life in danger, no matter what happens."
I sighed, "Kenshin, you're too dense. Hiko-san and Kenji are just joking."
"Oh..."
"You have a responsibility. Stop Shishio Makoto." They stood up and prepared themselves to go out while Soujiro-kun and Kenji followed. Hiko-san turned around, "Tomoe, are you staying or are you going down the mountain?"
"I don't know... I'll leave you a message if I leave." He nodded his head.
I smiled, "Sayonara... Kenshin." I turned around, but I remembered something, "Kenshin." He turned around. "Someone named Shinomori Aoshi was after you in Tokyo."
His eyes widened, "Did he do anything?!"
I shook my head, "Other than threaten my life, no. Saitoh-san came on time."
"Sou ka... Sayonara."
I hugged Kenji one last time, "Take care of everyone for me."
"Hai, Okaasan."
I turned around and saw Kaoru smile sadly at me, "Tomoe-san..."
"There's no need for talking, Kaoru... I... I don't know what's happening to me either... But we will know in the end. I embrace her tightly. Let's go see Yahiko-kun and Misao-san who's inside Hiko-san's house."
She nodded her head and turned around, walking towards the house, leaving me stare at the back and smile sadly.
* * * * *
Rook – Yeah, I know what you mean, lol. Tomoe's a mother to everyone from Toku, Toshiko, Enishi, Kenji, Soujiro, and Kaoru... Possibly even Yahiko =\ I don't know if he'll learn Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, although I don't think he will, since I can't make him unbeatable... And the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is only suppose to have one inheritor. A Sou/Misao fan? I'll see then ^^ Of course Tomoe deserves Kenshin!
Leason – Hmm... Okay, I'll see ^^
CardMistress Sakura – Yeah, this definitely should be the way it turns out. I'll see... A lot of people like Sou/Misao, and I'm also one of them, but I'll see how the story goes ^^ Hope you have fun on your trip!
Blueraingurl – Yep! I updated! Yeah, I decided since I twisted the whole story, why not twist it even more? Well, XenoMark told me that, and I'm grateful for it ^^ Anyways, Tomoe/Kenshin moments? Well... I don't think it'll be until the Shishio thing ends, but it'll be only a few chapters long. Kenji is about... Fourteen years old right now ^^ Hmm... Never thought of a Kenji/Misao... ^^
XenoMark – LoL... *winks* Yeah, well... It wasn't really that hard to guess, though you seem to be the only one that tried *grins* Anyways, thanks a lot and I'm almost done the chapter... I was so busy during the weekend... Oh, did I tell you I started taking Kendo a month ago? Probably not... I don't see you online anymore, and not to mention I'm rarely online =\
rika – Megumi's not that bad... But Kaoru *sighs* I feel bad for her, but K/T deserves to be together! How many chapters am I planning to write? Lots! Well... Yeah, I have to get a lot more stuff in to finish the story...
Sabbie – Thanks! K/K fans are always welcomed to join K/T fans, lol... We're such a small bunch.
ReAcH – Thanks! As for why I cut it off there... I love cliff-hangers and making my readers suffer from it cause I always end up reading cliff-hangers for some reaaaally odd reason =\ Anyways, I do support the Aoshi/Megumi pairing... And of course Sou/Misao (That pairing's just plain adorable). Anyways, that's all... Thanks!
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed that chapter!
