Chapter 3: Tokyo, We're Here!
After days of trekking through the forest, Maki and Soujiro had finally made it to Tokyo. Walking through the town, both stopped to look at what the merchants were selling. As neither of them had much money, they continued on to the Kamiya dojo.
Outside the dojo was deserted, with only the leaves drifting by in the gentle wind. Soujiro and Maki walked towards the doors, and the faintest sound of swords clashing could be heard above the whistle of the wind. Maki reached forward to open the door just as a sweaty kid and an equally sweaty young woman pushed the door open from the other side. Soujiro caught Maki before she fell off the porch onto the ground. A gasp could be heard from in front of him.
"You're The Tenken that Kenshin fought aren't you? He gave us an apt description of you when he returned from saving Kyoto. That silvery-blue hair, slight body, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that never quits. It has to be you." Miss Kaoru looked at the Tenken, eyes wide. She was about to say more, but Yahiko stepped in with his wooden sword in hand.
"What the hell are you here for? If you're here to battle Kenshin, I'll take you down first!" Without another thought, Yahiko lunged forward sword pointed outward. Soujiro smiled and with his amazing beyond godlike speed, he stepped quickly to the side. He did this for every one of Yahiko's attacks.
"Grrr! You're beginning to piss me off as much as Ugly over there. I'll get you with my next attack. This is something I've mimicked from Kenshin." Leaping into the air, Yahiko pounced. With a speed that impressed everyone, including the dojo assistant master, Yahiko flew at Soujiro with amazing speed. Yet once again the Tenken merely dodged the attack.
Maki, getting angry with the boy who was around her age, decided to step in. "Aren't you even wondering why Soujiro is here? Maybe if you doused your head in water, it might cool down your temper. We don't want to fight; all we want is to ask for some assistance. So how about you put your sword down so we can all talk without having to worry about you springing into action once again." With that said, Maki walked toward the boy and held out a hand.
Yahiko slapped the girl's hand away. "I'm not a boy, I'm Yahiko, an apprentice of the Kamiya dojo. I don't need friendship with a puny runt such as you. As for not fighting, that's impossible. He's an assassin; killing is his profession. There's no place for him or you here. Tell them Kaoru."
Ignoring Yahiko's words, Miss Kaoru stepped forward and took Maki's hand, leading her into the dojo. "Don't pay any attention to Yahiko. He just doesn't trust people easily." Hearing that, Yahiko walked off with an angry gait. "Soujiro, you and- I'm sorry what's your name?"
"It's Aya."
"Yes, Soujiro and Aya, come inside and I'll see if I can help. Kenshin won't be back for a while. He walked to town to buy vegetables from the market. I hope I'll do in his place."
The Tenken, with his acute senses, heard the sound of footsteps approaching the Kamiya dojo. "If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Himura has returned."
Everyone turned to look at Kenshin appeared at the entrance to the dojo. Looking around, Kenshin's eyes widened with surprise and his mouth curved into a gentle smile. "Soujiro, I didn't expect to see you again. May I ask you what brought you to the dojo and who's your guest?"
"Mr. Himura, likewise. You look contented. I have been wandering for years, saving others and repenting for my sins. Days ago, I saved this young boy, Aya, from a group of thieves. I'm asking for a favor from your Miss Kaoru." Looking to Miss Kaoru, he asked, "Would you be willing to teach Aya how to defend himself. I should hate if anything bad happened to the boy if I wasn't around. Even though there's the difference in age, he reminds me of myself when I was just a boy. Not wanting him to suffer my fate, or worse, I want him to learn to protect himself and the others dear to him. I hope you will answer my plea in the affirmative."
"Of course I would. The dojo is always looking for kids eager to learn, so we'll let Kenshin prepare dinner while I give Aya some details on how it'll be like living here." Grabbing Aya by her shirtsleeve, Kaoru dragged her into the training room and asked her to sit.
Meanwhile, outside Kenshin was still speaking to Soujiro. "Will you at least stay awhile, until Aya becomes comfortable with the dojo?"
"I'll only be staying for a few weeks, but promise me this, don't let any harm come to that boy."
"I promise Soujiro."