I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS EXCEPT AKINA.
Chapter 3
Sitting at the table, Akina and the group sipped on hot tea. "So, Akina, where have you been living?" "No where really. I've become a wonderer, I guess you could say," Akina added thoughtfully. "But, all that matters now is that I've found Yahiko."
Kenshin was taken aback at what he had just heard. A wonderer, huh? Just like I once was. Well, at least she wasn't a Manslayer.
Yahiko yawned and stretched. "Sleepy, Yahiko?" Kaoru asked. "Naw, just a little worn out from all that practicing." "Practicing?" Akina asked confused. "I teach swordmanship. I am Assistant Head Master at the Kamiya School." Kaoru replied, proudly. "How fascinating! It's kinda a coincidence. I don't mean to sound boastful, but I think I am pretty good with a sword." Akina smiled. "Maybe you can teach me a thing or two while we're here." "You know how to handle a sword? But you're a girl!" "Hey!" Kaoru screamed bonking Yahiko on the head. "Just because I'm a girl, Lil bro., doesn't mean I don't know how to handle a sword."
There's a plus. She's cute AND knows how to handle a sword. Maybe tomorrow I can see what she's got. Kenshin thought sipping on his tea. He shook his head. "We're?" Kenshin asked, referring back to the comment about leaving. "Yahiko and I. I have full intention of taking Yahiko with me when I leave."
"So, Akina, tell us about your journey." "Come on, woman, details!" Yahiko encouraged, while settling down on the mat.
"OK. Well, when I was about 13, my mother told me she was pregnant. Of course, I was trilled to know I was going to be a big sister. I told everybody I saw on the streets. Why, I remember this one woman whoasked me why I was telling everybody and I told her because I was going to be a big sister and EVERYONE had a right to know. Anyway a few months after you were born, Mom died. I was a 13-year-old orphan trying to raise a 4-month-old baby. Plus, I had school. But I vowed I would raise you, for yours and mom's sake. Well, a few days after I tuned 14, a man and woman came by and offered to take you and raise you. I politely turned them down." Akina took a sip of her tea. "For almost 2 months they came back asking me to change my mind, bribing me, telling me I was too young to raise a child alone. Then, on the day they came and took you, they pointed out how much better off you'd be if you had a mom and dad. At the time I was always broke, and they offered a warm home and food for you. So, against my will, I gave you to them. That was the worst mistake I had ever made. I found out later that the woman was a known prostitute and the man was a thief. I didn't want that life for you, so I set off to find you, and…well…here I am." Akina tousled Yahiko's hair
"Excuse me for asking, but where did you learn swordmanship?" Kenshin asked curiously. "Well, when you're a wonderer like I was, you have to know how to protect yourself. Using a sword was the only way I knew how."
Akina looked over at a now asleep Yahiko. "If you would kindly show me Yahiko's room, I'll put him in his bed." Akina looked at Kenshin. "Sure, right this way." Akina scooped up Yahiko and carried him off to his room, for the first time in almost eleven years.
