~*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 2
~Winter~
I swing the ax with more force than absolutely necessary. It has been two days since Matsumoto's arrival and my demotion to barely tolerated servant. My patience has become nonexistent and if I have to put up with one more condescending remark from that sanctimonious, arrogant, puffed up blowhard I'll wring his neck. I pull the ax violently from the chopping block where it stuck after my last swing.
I don't mind sleeping in the storehouse. I line up another piece of wood in preparation. I don't mind doing all the chores around the doujou. I raise the ax. I don't even mind Kaoru's stony silence. I bring the ax down with enough force the impact makes my teeth vibrate. What infuriates me is the way Matsumoto has made himself at home. I jerk the ax out of the block again and begin the process once more. He's acting as if he's lord and master of all he sees and seems to take great delight in pestering me. "Boy---fetch my haori. Boy, bring my tea. Boy, prepare my furo." I mutter the most common demands he throws at me in time with the swing of the ax. "Jackass." I stand and brush wood chips from my gi and hakama.
I hear a low whistle behind me and I turn, fists clenched in an effort to not reach for the ax. "Someone's even more pissed than Jou-chan."
I smile tightly and glare at the same time. Sanosuke takes a hasty step back and eyes me warily. "Good morning, Sanosuke. Lovely day, is it not? Have you met Kaoru's new guest?" I bite the greeting out through clenched teeth. His eyes widen further as he stares at me in obvious apprehension.
He clears his throat. "Um---are you all right?"
"Never better." I snap the words out furiously, enunciating each syllable with painstaking care.
"I guess this is a bad time to ask what's for breakfast, huh?"
"I don't know. Why don't you ask Matsumoto-SAN?" I put exaggerated emphasis on the customary honorific, stating clearly my feelings towards that particular individual. "HE seems to have the authority to dictate who gets what and when. His imperial pain in the ass should be sipping his tea in the garden right now."
I head for the laundry, my steps silent and stalking. Sanosuke follows, clearly bewildered by my uncharacteristic churlishness. "Just who is this Matsumoto guy anyway?"
I attack the laundry with violent intensity, taking my frustrations out on the inanimate objects in much the same way I did with the firewood. "Who is he? Who is he?" My voice rises as I repeat the question. "The most infuriatingly insufferable, arrogant, autocratic, deceptive, cunning, despotic, self-important, overbearing, presumptuous snob I've ever had the misfortune of acting as a slave for. That's who." I toss the garment I just scrubbed into the waiting basket with enough force it slide a few inches away.
"I see. Why does Jou-chan put up with him? It's pretty obvious you're unhappy with him here."
My anger drains away and I bow my dead in dejection. "Kaoru-dono is very angry with me, that she is."
"So? Just 'cause she's mad doesn't mean you should be miserable. Get rid of the guy."
I look at him crossly. "It isn't as simple as that, Sano. I may have inadvertently caused this situation myself." He looks at me questioningly and I launch into an abbreviated explanation of my actions two days ago.
When I'm finished, he crouches down in front of me and scratches his head with a frown. "In other words you went and turned hitokiri again for a while and scared the crap out of this Matsumoto guy."
I nod slowly and shrug. "I was worried, that I was. How was I supposed to know he was a harmless windbag?"
He snorts and rolls his eyes. "Against you maybe. The way I see it, anyone who carries a concealed katana is anythin' BUT harmless. Jou-chan'll come 'round, trust me. She can't stay mad forever, so sooner or later she'll see the truth, right?" He pats my shoulder reassuringly. "In the meantime, keep an eye on him. From the sounds of it he's up to somethin' and it's probably no good either."
I nod in full agreement. "Somehow I just can't trust someone who carries a concealed weapon like his does."
"So---what are you gonna do 'bout it?"
I grimace and resume scrubbing. "Nothing at the moment." He frowns at me, clearly unimpressed with my answer. I look towards the doujou with narrowed eyes, feeling the anger rising again. "However, I will watch and I will wait." I turn back to him with a grim smile. "That's something I learned to do very well during the revolution. Watch and wait for the perfect moment of shown weakness, then---" I pause, my eyes narrowing further as a dangerous hunger fills me that I haven't felt for a very many years.
He swallows audibly and looks decidedly nervous. "Then what?" He asks it almost as if he's unwilling to do so, but is curious despite himself.
"Then---" My smile widens in growing anticipation. "I go hunting."
The look he gives me is more than a little uneasy. "You know, Kenshin, for a supposedly harmless little rurouni you can be really intimidatin' sometimes." He forces a rather wan smile. "Remind me to NEVER get you pissed at me." He stands and stretches. "Well, it doesn't look like I'll be getting' breakfast here today. I'll check out the clinic. Maybe kitsune'll take pity on a poor, starvin' ex-fighter-for-hire." He turns and strides towards the front gate, raising his hand to wave over his shoulder. "Keep me posted on how thing are goin'. Later."
I hear soft footsteps approaching me from behind. Without turning, I address the new arrival in as mild a tone I can manage considering my current level of irritation. "Good morning, Yahiko. You're up early today, that you are."
"Mornin', Kenshin." He sits in front of me and stares gloomily into the washtub.
I study him in silence for a moment, noting the frown and unhappy tilt of his lips. "Is something bothering you, Yahiko?"
He reaches down and his fingers pluck a stray leaf. "Yeah---I guess so."
I wait for him to continue and when he remains silent, I sigh inwardly. "Whatever is on your mind, you can always come to me, you know. I'll always help if I can." He glances at me, but looks away quickly, his frown deepening. Today I'm not in the most patient of moods, but I try to exercise some tolerance towards the obviously troubled boy. "Yahiko, I can't do anything if you don't tell me what's wrong."
"It's that Matsumoto guy, Kenshin." Somehow, I'm not surprised. "Since he got here everythin's been screwy. Kaoru's not talkin' to you, you're sleepin' in the storehouse, and Matsumoto's actin' like he owns the place. I don't get it. Why's Kaoru so mad anyway?"
"Well---" I hedge, buying time to think of a plausible explanation. "I think Kaoru-dono is angry with me for something I may have done."
"You mean sneakin' up on Matsumoto and embarrassin' him like you did." He grins at me. "That was pretty cool how you did that." His smile fades and the scowl returns. "It wasn't cool how he'd been hidin' that katana in his umbrella, though. If busu's gonna be mad at someone, it should be him." I shrug. It isn't my place to try to influence this impressionable boy with disparaging comments. He's at the age where he should be learning to judge a person's worth on his own. He doesn't need me to tell him what to think. "So, what're you gonna do 'bout it, huh?"
"There isn't much I CAN do, Yahiko. Given time, I'm certain Kaoru-dono will forgive me, that I do. After all, no one can stay angry forever, that they cannot."
"That isn't what I meant. I was talkin' 'bout Matsumoto."
"Oh. I see." That's what I thought. I can't very well tell Yahiko what I told Sanosuke. It just wouldn't be right to say such things to a boy.
"I don't like the way he's always pushin' you around, Kenshin. I don't get it. Why do you put up with him? I mean, Kaoru can't get any madder than she already is, right? So why don't you tell Matsumoto to piss off?"
"Please, Yahiko, try to be a little more circumspect with the language you're using." I gently chide his poor choice of words. Someday Yahiko must learn to curb that foul mouth of his, hopefully before it gets him into trouble with Kaoru.
"Sorry." He grins at me sheepishly. "I keep forgettin'. So---what ARE you gonna do?"
"There isn't much I CAN do, that there is not. At least, not without offending Kaoru-dono, that is."
"Yeah, right. I don't think you get it, Kenshin. That guy's treatin' you bad and you're lettin' him. I understand why you put up with it from Kaoru---" Did EVERYONE figure out my feelings before I did?! "But why Matsumoto?" He leans forward and looks at me solemnly. "Kenshin, this is your home, too, so why are you lettin' him push you out?"
"Well---" When put in those words, the situation has obviously become intolerable. I never actually looked at it in this light before Yahiko brought it up. I was focusing instead on Kaoru's safety. I look up at the sky with a frown and choose my next words with care. "You see, Yahiko, in truth, I, too, am Kaoru-dono's guest and as such it would be rude to behave discourteously to another guest no matter what the reasons, that it would."
He jumps to his feet. "That's not right! That's not right at all, Kenshin. You're lookin' at it all wrong. You're not just a guest at the doujou, you're FAMILY---you BELONG here, not Matsumoto. This is your home and it just isn't right that you're bein' treat like sh-" I raise an eyebrow. "I mean, like a flunky. Where's your pride? I mean who does he think he is anyway?"
I look into the rapidly cooling water with a scowl. "It isn't that easy, Yahiko, that it is not." I look up at him and smile with renewed determination. "However, you are correct about something. "I stand and unfasten my tasuki, rolling it up and tucking it inside my gi. I bend and grasp my sakabatou before striding to the gate, Yahiko hurrying after me.
"Where're you goin'?" He looks worried.
I place my hand on his head and ruffle his hair fondly. "There is something I must do, Yahiko, that there is. I may be a while, so please lock up for me, all right?"
"Huh? You ARE comin' back, right? You're not gonna go wanderin' again, are you?"
"Don't worry, Yahiko. Please take care of thing here while I'm gone, all right?" I edge closer to the gate.
"If that's s'posed to be reassurin', I gotta tell you, Kenshin, it isn't workin'."
I laugh softly. "You're growing into a fine man, that you are." I turn and walk out the gate. Yahiko has nothing to worry about. I do not intend to leave my---'family'---unguarded and unprotected with that buffoon firmly ensconced in the doujou.
There are questions that need answering, foremost of which is who exactly is Matsumoto? What is he doing here? Moreover, perhaps most importantly, why does he feel it necessary to carry a very illegal concealed katana in his umbrella? I can't answer these questions on my own and I don't think the individual in doubt will be very forthcoming with an explanation. Which means I'll have to ask someone else.
I suppress a shudder of revulsion. I hate asking him for anything, but if anyone can find the underlying cause of this, HE can. After all, that seems to be what he does best---digging up dirt on anyone and anything that has remained hidden and buried for years. I might not like him personally, but I can respect his abilities. It's a shame, though, that it is. I had hoped I'd never have to speak to him again in this life. Oh well, can't be helped, now, can it? I only hope he doesn't try to resume our interrupted duel. The last thing I need or want right now is a fight with Saito Hajime.
**To Be Continued---**
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Definitions:
Haori: short jacket worn over kimono
Furo: furo; Japanese bath or bathtub
Hakama: traditional men's trousers resembling culottes
Jou-chan: Little Missy
Kitsune: fox
Busu: ugly woman, hag
Tasuki: sash used to tie sleeves back (think of Kenshin doing laundry and the white string-like thing pulling his sleeves back out of the way)
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Response to Reviewers:
C-Chan: Who is he indeed? I think Kenshin is most anxious to answer that question, don't you? Whoever he is, Matsumoto certainly has a way with people, huh?
Jason M. Lee: Why IS he there? Kenshin really needs some answers and soon---especially since Kaoru is STILL pissed off.
Lizzie: I wanted to combine both humor and drama---I'm glad you liked it! I hadn't realized how horrible Kaoru was being until I reread the chapter! I checked the chapter over and fixed the typos that you mentioned. Thanks---don't know how I could've missed such blatant errors!
Firuze Khanume: I'm so glad someone else agrees with me! I honestly can't believe someone who survived the political intrigues and the life of an assassin could be as simple as our lovable rurouni leads us to believe. After all, there are times in the series where he gives himself away---quite often, actually now that I think about it! I haven't read that story, is it posted here at FFn? I'm glad you're enjoying this story!
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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.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
New Paths, Old Roads and Unlikely Allies
Fanfic By: Chiruken
Chapter 2
~Winter~
I swing the ax with more force than absolutely necessary. It has been two days since Matsumoto's arrival and my demotion to barely tolerated servant. My patience has become nonexistent and if I have to put up with one more condescending remark from that sanctimonious, arrogant, puffed up blowhard I'll wring his neck. I pull the ax violently from the chopping block where it stuck after my last swing.
I don't mind sleeping in the storehouse. I line up another piece of wood in preparation. I don't mind doing all the chores around the doujou. I raise the ax. I don't even mind Kaoru's stony silence. I bring the ax down with enough force the impact makes my teeth vibrate. What infuriates me is the way Matsumoto has made himself at home. I jerk the ax out of the block again and begin the process once more. He's acting as if he's lord and master of all he sees and seems to take great delight in pestering me. "Boy---fetch my haori. Boy, bring my tea. Boy, prepare my furo." I mutter the most common demands he throws at me in time with the swing of the ax. "Jackass." I stand and brush wood chips from my gi and hakama.
I hear a low whistle behind me and I turn, fists clenched in an effort to not reach for the ax. "Someone's even more pissed than Jou-chan."
I smile tightly and glare at the same time. Sanosuke takes a hasty step back and eyes me warily. "Good morning, Sanosuke. Lovely day, is it not? Have you met Kaoru's new guest?" I bite the greeting out through clenched teeth. His eyes widen further as he stares at me in obvious apprehension.
He clears his throat. "Um---are you all right?"
"Never better." I snap the words out furiously, enunciating each syllable with painstaking care.
"I guess this is a bad time to ask what's for breakfast, huh?"
"I don't know. Why don't you ask Matsumoto-SAN?" I put exaggerated emphasis on the customary honorific, stating clearly my feelings towards that particular individual. "HE seems to have the authority to dictate who gets what and when. His imperial pain in the ass should be sipping his tea in the garden right now."
I head for the laundry, my steps silent and stalking. Sanosuke follows, clearly bewildered by my uncharacteristic churlishness. "Just who is this Matsumoto guy anyway?"
I attack the laundry with violent intensity, taking my frustrations out on the inanimate objects in much the same way I did with the firewood. "Who is he? Who is he?" My voice rises as I repeat the question. "The most infuriatingly insufferable, arrogant, autocratic, deceptive, cunning, despotic, self-important, overbearing, presumptuous snob I've ever had the misfortune of acting as a slave for. That's who." I toss the garment I just scrubbed into the waiting basket with enough force it slide a few inches away.
"I see. Why does Jou-chan put up with him? It's pretty obvious you're unhappy with him here."
My anger drains away and I bow my dead in dejection. "Kaoru-dono is very angry with me, that she is."
"So? Just 'cause she's mad doesn't mean you should be miserable. Get rid of the guy."
I look at him crossly. "It isn't as simple as that, Sano. I may have inadvertently caused this situation myself." He looks at me questioningly and I launch into an abbreviated explanation of my actions two days ago.
When I'm finished, he crouches down in front of me and scratches his head with a frown. "In other words you went and turned hitokiri again for a while and scared the crap out of this Matsumoto guy."
I nod slowly and shrug. "I was worried, that I was. How was I supposed to know he was a harmless windbag?"
He snorts and rolls his eyes. "Against you maybe. The way I see it, anyone who carries a concealed katana is anythin' BUT harmless. Jou-chan'll come 'round, trust me. She can't stay mad forever, so sooner or later she'll see the truth, right?" He pats my shoulder reassuringly. "In the meantime, keep an eye on him. From the sounds of it he's up to somethin' and it's probably no good either."
I nod in full agreement. "Somehow I just can't trust someone who carries a concealed weapon like his does."
"So---what are you gonna do 'bout it?"
I grimace and resume scrubbing. "Nothing at the moment." He frowns at me, clearly unimpressed with my answer. I look towards the doujou with narrowed eyes, feeling the anger rising again. "However, I will watch and I will wait." I turn back to him with a grim smile. "That's something I learned to do very well during the revolution. Watch and wait for the perfect moment of shown weakness, then---" I pause, my eyes narrowing further as a dangerous hunger fills me that I haven't felt for a very many years.
He swallows audibly and looks decidedly nervous. "Then what?" He asks it almost as if he's unwilling to do so, but is curious despite himself.
"Then---" My smile widens in growing anticipation. "I go hunting."
The look he gives me is more than a little uneasy. "You know, Kenshin, for a supposedly harmless little rurouni you can be really intimidatin' sometimes." He forces a rather wan smile. "Remind me to NEVER get you pissed at me." He stands and stretches. "Well, it doesn't look like I'll be getting' breakfast here today. I'll check out the clinic. Maybe kitsune'll take pity on a poor, starvin' ex-fighter-for-hire." He turns and strides towards the front gate, raising his hand to wave over his shoulder. "Keep me posted on how thing are goin'. Later."
I hear soft footsteps approaching me from behind. Without turning, I address the new arrival in as mild a tone I can manage considering my current level of irritation. "Good morning, Yahiko. You're up early today, that you are."
"Mornin', Kenshin." He sits in front of me and stares gloomily into the washtub.
I study him in silence for a moment, noting the frown and unhappy tilt of his lips. "Is something bothering you, Yahiko?"
He reaches down and his fingers pluck a stray leaf. "Yeah---I guess so."
I wait for him to continue and when he remains silent, I sigh inwardly. "Whatever is on your mind, you can always come to me, you know. I'll always help if I can." He glances at me, but looks away quickly, his frown deepening. Today I'm not in the most patient of moods, but I try to exercise some tolerance towards the obviously troubled boy. "Yahiko, I can't do anything if you don't tell me what's wrong."
"It's that Matsumoto guy, Kenshin." Somehow, I'm not surprised. "Since he got here everythin's been screwy. Kaoru's not talkin' to you, you're sleepin' in the storehouse, and Matsumoto's actin' like he owns the place. I don't get it. Why's Kaoru so mad anyway?"
"Well---" I hedge, buying time to think of a plausible explanation. "I think Kaoru-dono is angry with me for something I may have done."
"You mean sneakin' up on Matsumoto and embarrassin' him like you did." He grins at me. "That was pretty cool how you did that." His smile fades and the scowl returns. "It wasn't cool how he'd been hidin' that katana in his umbrella, though. If busu's gonna be mad at someone, it should be him." I shrug. It isn't my place to try to influence this impressionable boy with disparaging comments. He's at the age where he should be learning to judge a person's worth on his own. He doesn't need me to tell him what to think. "So, what're you gonna do 'bout it, huh?"
"There isn't much I CAN do, Yahiko. Given time, I'm certain Kaoru-dono will forgive me, that I do. After all, no one can stay angry forever, that they cannot."
"That isn't what I meant. I was talkin' 'bout Matsumoto."
"Oh. I see." That's what I thought. I can't very well tell Yahiko what I told Sanosuke. It just wouldn't be right to say such things to a boy.
"I don't like the way he's always pushin' you around, Kenshin. I don't get it. Why do you put up with him? I mean, Kaoru can't get any madder than she already is, right? So why don't you tell Matsumoto to piss off?"
"Please, Yahiko, try to be a little more circumspect with the language you're using." I gently chide his poor choice of words. Someday Yahiko must learn to curb that foul mouth of his, hopefully before it gets him into trouble with Kaoru.
"Sorry." He grins at me sheepishly. "I keep forgettin'. So---what ARE you gonna do?"
"There isn't much I CAN do, that there is not. At least, not without offending Kaoru-dono, that is."
"Yeah, right. I don't think you get it, Kenshin. That guy's treatin' you bad and you're lettin' him. I understand why you put up with it from Kaoru---" Did EVERYONE figure out my feelings before I did?! "But why Matsumoto?" He leans forward and looks at me solemnly. "Kenshin, this is your home, too, so why are you lettin' him push you out?"
"Well---" When put in those words, the situation has obviously become intolerable. I never actually looked at it in this light before Yahiko brought it up. I was focusing instead on Kaoru's safety. I look up at the sky with a frown and choose my next words with care. "You see, Yahiko, in truth, I, too, am Kaoru-dono's guest and as such it would be rude to behave discourteously to another guest no matter what the reasons, that it would."
He jumps to his feet. "That's not right! That's not right at all, Kenshin. You're lookin' at it all wrong. You're not just a guest at the doujou, you're FAMILY---you BELONG here, not Matsumoto. This is your home and it just isn't right that you're bein' treat like sh-" I raise an eyebrow. "I mean, like a flunky. Where's your pride? I mean who does he think he is anyway?"
I look into the rapidly cooling water with a scowl. "It isn't that easy, Yahiko, that it is not." I look up at him and smile with renewed determination. "However, you are correct about something. "I stand and unfasten my tasuki, rolling it up and tucking it inside my gi. I bend and grasp my sakabatou before striding to the gate, Yahiko hurrying after me.
"Where're you goin'?" He looks worried.
I place my hand on his head and ruffle his hair fondly. "There is something I must do, Yahiko, that there is. I may be a while, so please lock up for me, all right?"
"Huh? You ARE comin' back, right? You're not gonna go wanderin' again, are you?"
"Don't worry, Yahiko. Please take care of thing here while I'm gone, all right?" I edge closer to the gate.
"If that's s'posed to be reassurin', I gotta tell you, Kenshin, it isn't workin'."
I laugh softly. "You're growing into a fine man, that you are." I turn and walk out the gate. Yahiko has nothing to worry about. I do not intend to leave my---'family'---unguarded and unprotected with that buffoon firmly ensconced in the doujou.
There are questions that need answering, foremost of which is who exactly is Matsumoto? What is he doing here? Moreover, perhaps most importantly, why does he feel it necessary to carry a very illegal concealed katana in his umbrella? I can't answer these questions on my own and I don't think the individual in doubt will be very forthcoming with an explanation. Which means I'll have to ask someone else.
I suppress a shudder of revulsion. I hate asking him for anything, but if anyone can find the underlying cause of this, HE can. After all, that seems to be what he does best---digging up dirt on anyone and anything that has remained hidden and buried for years. I might not like him personally, but I can respect his abilities. It's a shame, though, that it is. I had hoped I'd never have to speak to him again in this life. Oh well, can't be helped, now, can it? I only hope he doesn't try to resume our interrupted duel. The last thing I need or want right now is a fight with Saito Hajime.
**To Be Continued---**
***
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Definitions:
Haori: short jacket worn over kimono
Furo: furo; Japanese bath or bathtub
Hakama: traditional men's trousers resembling culottes
Jou-chan: Little Missy
Kitsune: fox
Busu: ugly woman, hag
Tasuki: sash used to tie sleeves back (think of Kenshin doing laundry and the white string-like thing pulling his sleeves back out of the way)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Response to Reviewers:
C-Chan: Who is he indeed? I think Kenshin is most anxious to answer that question, don't you? Whoever he is, Matsumoto certainly has a way with people, huh?
Jason M. Lee: Why IS he there? Kenshin really needs some answers and soon---especially since Kaoru is STILL pissed off.
Lizzie: I wanted to combine both humor and drama---I'm glad you liked it! I hadn't realized how horrible Kaoru was being until I reread the chapter! I checked the chapter over and fixed the typos that you mentioned. Thanks---don't know how I could've missed such blatant errors!
Firuze Khanume: I'm so glad someone else agrees with me! I honestly can't believe someone who survived the political intrigues and the life of an assassin could be as simple as our lovable rurouni leads us to believe. After all, there are times in the series where he gives himself away---quite often, actually now that I think about it! I haven't read that story, is it posted here at FFn? I'm glad you're enjoying this story!
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