**REVISED** January 18, 2003

~*Multi-Chapter Fic*~

Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic


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Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©N. Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment

All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.


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New Paths, Old Roads and Unlikely Allies

Fanfic By: Chiruken



Chapter 1


~Winter~




Perhaps tomorrow would be a good day to begin anew. Now that I've decided upon the path I must take, I'm almost eager to begin. I look around myself as I walk slowly through the silent forest behind the doujou. There isn't a soul in sight; this is the perfect place to plan my new role in life, that it is. I grimace at the thought. I like me as I am, except for a few minor details.


I sit on a fallen tree and stare at the leaf littered ground, ignoring the season's chill. Where do I start? I hold out my hands and turn them over, studying the sword-calluses. Well, I can't erase my past and that's a fact. A katana has been a part of me since one cold and terror-filled night nineteen years ago. To abandon that way of life, to cast away the sakabatou, would be wrong, I think.


The faded gi, though---I grin to myself. Good-bye and good riddance. I don't think I could repair it even once more. I study the sleeves with a rueful laugh. I think there are more patches and stitches than original material left in the garment. It may be a small thing, but this gi somehow became a physical reminder tome of my status as self-proclaimed rurouni---and possibly a reminder to others as well. Yes, this is definitely a good place to start.


I slide down until I'm sitting on the ground, my back resting against the smooth bark of the fallen tree, and shiver as the chill wind works its way around my makeshift barrier. I look up, through the bare branches of the tall trees, and watch the light clouds drift across the sky. I smile as the sounds of the forest drift to me on the breeze. This might actually be fun. I tilt my head to the side and contemplate the course I'm about to set in motion. Clothes alone won't transform me from rurouni to settled man. The all-important key to this transition will be---attitude.


I'll have to find a good balance between all aspects of my personality. That means I can't suppress my normal reactions to situations, but at the same time I can't allow the hitokiri within free reign. This may be more difficult than I first anticipated. I've spent a good portion of my life holding my peace and not giving voice to my occasional contrary opinions. I frown in annoyance. Hmm---That sounds rather---timorous, doesn't it? I shake my head with a grimace of distaste. I never gave it much thought before, but I think I may have given the people around me the false impression that I'm---timid! I lace my hands behind my head and smile wryly. Well, that's about to change. I am definitely not a tatami covered floor to be walked over. My smile widens into a grin as I remember Kaoru's concern over my allowing everyone to 'take advantage' of me as she put it. "Surprise." I murmur into the hushed quiet of the woods. I can't wait to see Sano's face the first time I implement my attitude adjustment.


I purse my lips thoughtfully. Attitude, huh? Exaggerated politeness has been my way of distancing myself from others for twelve years now. Lesson number one of the proper behaviour and attitude of the rurouni---me---is under all circumstances retain the strict veneer of exaggerated politeness. Do not show anger, do not show an over abundance of affection and above all never allow oneself to become too familiar with anyone met through one's travels. I close my eyes with a heartfelt groan. In other words, reject everyone's friendship. That sounds really bad when I put it that way. It's a wonder Kaoru and the others put up with me for this long.


I have a feeling the task I'm setting before myself will be much more difficult than I first envisioned. I knew choosing a new path wouldn't be easy, but I had no idea I'd let things go this far. When, in the past twelve years, did I turn into such a---jerk? I laugh bitterly. I swore when I left Hiko Seijuurou and my training all those years ago in my impetuous youth that I would never be like him. It's a rather unpleasant and nasty thing to discover that I did just that. I make a rude sound of disgust. This is a very opportune time to rectify the situation, that it is.


This is all well and good, taking stock of my personality flaws, but I think I had better address the real issue. Kaoru. How do I feel about her? I pull my knees up to my chest and rest my chin against them. Well---she's my friend---the first I can actually remember. I close my eyes and slowly shake my head. No, that's not it. She's more than just a friend, much more. Only---only---how much more? I wince at the timid whisper of my thoughts. "That's a pretty obvious question, baka." She's the only person that the hitokiri inside of me fervently desires to protect---the first since---Tomoe.


Eleven years of carefully suppressing my more violent nature fell away in an instant with the wish---I shake my head sharply---no, the need to protect Kaoru. That should tell me something, I think. Who else could evoke such a---savage---reaction? "Only Kaoru." I whisper the words into the silence of the forest. The breeze quickens and I shiver in the sudden reinforced chill. So---the truth of my feelings---the reality behind my single-minded protective instincts---is I---love---her? I snort derisively. "Baka. Even Sanosuke knew before you." I mutter the words in a tone laced with self-disgust. "Who's slow-witted, hmm?" Hiko always said I was a stupid apprentice. Well, I've finally been elevated to the status of very stupid man.


My first impulse upon the discovery of the actual depth of my staggering lack of perception is to find a very deep hold to fall into---and preferably never come out of. "Well, it's a good thing I'm stubborn as well as blind." Now that I comprehend what was so obvious to everyone else, I'm not about to give in to my humiliation. "Wait a minute---did I say---stubborn?!" I stand abruptly. "Now I sound even more like Shishou!" I begin pacing. "He always said I was stubborn. I prefer the term determined. Yes, definitely determined." I halt and groan inwardly. I think it's well past time to return to the doujou. I'm beginning to talk to myself. I can think of better conversationalists than myself, that I can. Added to putting a stop to this annoying tendency to talk to myself when I'm agitated is the niggling worry that Kaoru might take it upon herself to prepare dinner. I shudder in anticipation of the awful meal that might be waiting for me, and hurry towards the doujou. I hope I'm in time.


As I approach the back gate, I slow my steps and halt, my hand on the latch. I frown at the silent doujou. Something's a little off. I tilt my head to the side and listen. The sound of muted laughter reaches me and my frown deepens. I can sense Yahiko and Kaoru---and someone else---someone I don't recognize. My senses are instantly on full alert. I'm afraid I don't very much like surprises. Call me paranoid, but memories of how Saito wormed his way into the confidence of my friends with lies and false pretenses while I was out dealing with Akamatsu Arundo are still strong in my mind. I take a deep, calming breath. There's no use in jumping to conclusions before knowing all the details.


I think it would be best to assume the worst for the moment and approach the doujou with extreme caution. Putting thought into action I vault the gate rather than chancing the squeaking of the hinges alerting the unknown individual to my presence. Then---I smile tightly---then I'll simply do what I do best.


I grip my sakabatou loosely and cross the yard silently. I pause before stepping up onto the engawa, choosing the spot with care. Tell tale squeaks giving away my location just won't do. I really should get around to these repairs. Loose boards, sticky hinges---it's all very irritating when speed and stealth are needed.


A moment later, I hesitate at the closed shouji. I listen and hear Kaoru's cheerful chatter. An instant later, I slide the shouji open soundlessly and step inside, closing it with equal care. I survey the situation grimly. It appears the skills I honed during the revolution haven't dulled even a little in the intervening years. I would have thought at least Kaoru would've noticed my entrance. Oddly enough, I'm disappointed in her lack of awareness. I'll have to teach her better alertness in the future.


I clear my throat softly and watch, with amusement laced with annoyance, the various reactions. Yahiko is on his feet, wide-eyed and gripping his shinai, tight enough his knuckles are turning white; Kaoru is staring at me in surprise, the beginnings of anger flickering in her eyes; and the stranger is---


I blink in feigned surprise. "Oro?" I step aside as the---katana?!---slashes down toward me.


"Kenshin you jerk! What are you trying to do? Scare the life out of all of us?" Right on cue.


"I am sorry, Kaoru-dono, that I am. I didn't mean to frighten you, that I did not." See, stranger? Nothing but a silly rurouni that's a little on the slow side. Now, don't you feel silly drawing that concealed katana? That very illegal concealed katana? Tsk, tsk. What a shame, isn't it? I smile by best innocent rurouni smile and blink at him in mock bewilderment. "Forgive my intrusion, but---" I bow respectfully to him to hide my amusement. That's right. Try to puzzle this out. I can almost see the wheels turning in your mind as you gape at the oddly formal new comer. Now how DID I get in here without you knowing? "Would you like me to prepare dinner now, Kaoru-dono?"


"Yes, Kenshin---for three. Yahiko, Matsumoto-san and myself. When you're finished serving dinner you can finish your chores." She turns her back on me, shoulders stiff with anger. I wince inwardly. Ouch.


"But, Kaoru---" Yahiko looks uncertain about Kaoru's odd behaviour. I suppress a sigh. He'll learn soon enough about the quirks of very angry females.


"But what, Yahiko-CHAN?" I quickly back away and depart before he rises to the familiar insult.


That went well, I think. I now know who the stranger is and the level of his skills. Not bad with a katana, but lacking keen perception. Matsumoto-san is skilled enough to kill someone---as long as they don't sneak up on him and evade his swing. I snort derisively then shrug. Well, maybe I'm being a little unfair in my assessment. I think if he hadn't been so terrified, he would've shown more proficiency. I snicker as I deftly chop the vegetable for the soup. What a dolt. I shake my head and clear my throat in an attempt to still my rising laughter. To think he went to so much trouble to conceal that katana---and in such a clever way, too---only to give himself away in such a clumsy manner. That is one VERY nervous individual in the other room. I dump the vegetables into the pot to simmer and turn to the rice. I wonder why he's so jumpy. Could it be he's worried about an assassin's attack? I chuckle at the thought. Lucky for him I'm retired. I pause in the process of squeezing the rice into a firm ball, tilt my head to the side in consideration of my witticism, and snicker again.


I think it's going to take a while before Kaoru speaks to me again. I line the rice balls up neatly on a plate and slowly transform them into miniature rabbits. I know it'll take more than a few usagi onigiri for Kaoru to forgive me, but it's a start. It suddenly occurs to me that this is the first time she's seen me use the skills I developed as Hitokiri Battousai to this extent. I wince and shake my head in regret. I never thought about the consequences my actions might cause. I stare at the wall sightlessly, rice balls momentarily forgotten. She may never forgive me for frightening her like that. I wonder if she'll lock me in the storehouse again for my transgression.


I gather the completed meal and silently approach the room again, feeling more than a little defected. Yahiko gives me a sympathetic look, Masumoto glares at me and Kaoru ignores me until I've set their dinner down. Then, without looking at me, she clears her throat. "Prepare the guest room for Matsumoto-san, Kenshin."


Yahiko chokes and I pat his back automatically. "B-but Kaoru, that's---"


"Yes, Kaoru-dono. Will there be anything else you need?" Very ouch. To quote Sanosuke, Kaoru is severely pissed. She has to be to give my usual room to Matsumoto.


"No, you may go." She waves her hand in dismissal. I narrow my eyes at her insulting manner but bite back a retort. In a way, this treatment is exactly what I deserve for alarming her the way I did. However, that doesn't mean I like it. Tomorrow morning I think I'll have a word with her about anger management and an attitude adjustment. For now, I'll bow respectfully and retreat to the storehouse to lick my wounds and treat my bashed pride. That is, of course, AFTER I prepare my room for that unexpected guest over there. I can't quite suppress a growl of pure frustrated fury in his direction as I turn to leave. I ignore Yahiko's shocked expression and Kaoru's flinch. In the morning everyone will be calmer and more rational---myself included.



**To Be Continued---**


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Definitions:

Katana: Japanese sword

Sakabatou: reverse-blade sword

Tatami: Japanese straw floor-mat

Baka: stupid, idiot

Engawa: veranda

Shinai: bamboo sword

Usagi onigiri: rabbit rice balls


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Response to Reviewers:


C-Chan: Have you ever wanted to take a sledgehammer to your PC? The properly working computer was extremely short-lived. Sometimes I really hate technology. Think they can lock me up for "technocide"? Thanks for being so kind. I'm glad you liked it. More to come!

Martina: **blush** Gosh, such a nice compliment! Thanks! Well, about Megumi---I can only say---probably. My original intension had been to include many the familiar characters from RK (Megumi high on that list, of course!), but I can't guarantee exactly when.

Jason M. Lee: I guess I kinda goofed about the AU thing. Um---It's been a long week. My stupid computer hates me and I'm telling you, the feeling is swiftly becoming mutual! So, to answer your question---This isn't going to be AU. My mistake in the previous chapter. I'll have to fix that when I can be sure my computer won't die on me in the middle of it! (Stupid computer.)

Kupo-chan: That's the thing---it's kind of suspicious, isn't it? Bwahhahahah! All I can say is that a lot of odd things are about to occur at the Kamiya Doujou before this fic is through---and this is one thing that'll be cleared up in one of the future chapters. Sorry, that's all I can say without giving it away.

Lizzie: Thanks! I feel particularly fulfilled when I hear that my stories entertain someone out there. Hope you enjoy this chapter as much!


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Author's Notes:

1.Oh my---Kaoru sure turned into a real termagant, didn't she? Oops---I honestly didn't intend for that to happen, but I can't change it now, either. It just seems to fit with the story.

2.I don't hate Kaoru. Far from it. She's acting this way for a reason---and before I give anything away, I'll shut up now!


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**REVISED** January 18, 2003

Fixed the typos and obvious mistakes.
Thanks Lizzie! I don't know how I missed those blatant errors!