~*Multi-Chapter Fic*~

Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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 4



~Winter~




"Whoa---cool." Yahiko's awed tone does nothing to improve the situation.


"Kenshin---How COULD you?" Her accusing look doesn't have the desired effect obviously because it instantly changes to anger.


"Easily. It's a matter of attitude. He'll recover. It isn't as if I actually killed him, you know."


"I don't CARE! You were threatening to kill him, that's bad enough."


"Saying and doing are not the same thing, if you haven't noticed." It suddenly occurs to me that she's being over-solicitous about Matsumoto's health. She's kneeling beside him and gently patting his hand in an effort to revive him. My eyes narrow furiously. "It isn't too late to change that, though." It comes out in a growl.


"Don't you dare do anything to him. I can't believe you'd say such a thing. What's gotten into you, Kenshin?"


I take a half step back and tilt my head to the side in careful consideration. "What is he to you?" I ask it softly.


"That's none of your business." I flinch, not just at the words, but the tone she used.


"Kaoru!" Yahiko sounds appalled.


"No, I suppose it isn't after all." I give the slowly awakening Matsumoto a venomous look and turn on my heel without another word. Well, this certainly is a fine mess. How do I get myself into these situations?


I pause in the middle of the yard and pivot in a slow circle. Home? Family? Belong? What a gloriously futile dream. I turn my steps in the direction of the back gate. I'm obviously not wanted here; even I can take a not-so-subtle hint. However, it's my belief that I may still be needed---or at lest my skills with a katana will be needed. It's a bitter thought, that it is. I thought I escaped that hateful legacy, but apparently I was only deluding myself.


This is going to be one very chilly night for me I think. I forgot to bring a blanket. The current analysis of my situation is rather grim. Perched in a tree, in the middle of winter, at night without a blanket with a stiff wind growing. Did I suffer a recent head injury? It's either that or I'm just as stupid as Hiko always said---not a pleasant thought.


Where did I go wrong? Was it my decision to assert myself? Was it that little stunt I pulled two days ago? What did I do to make Kaoru so angry she'd say such a hurtful thing to me?


IS Matsumoto courting Kaoru as Saito suggested? Is she interested in that snake in the grass? Does she---love him? I shake my head sharply. She just met him for kami-sama's sake---she CAN'T love him---can she? What a thoroughly depressing thought.


Will Kaoru ever forgive me for whatever it is I did? I frown into the darkness. For that matter, can I forgive HER for what she said? I know impulsive words can be said in times of anger and be regretted later, but will that be the case here? Does Kaoru regret what she said? Do I regret what I did? I shake my head slowly. No, I can't. I wasn't wrong to use caution like I did, and I know I was right in finally standing up for myself. I admit I may have been a little extreme in doing so, but I had to do it.


In two days my entire life has been turned upside down with the arrival of one insufferable jackass. In two days I'll find out if I was right about him. My instincts have never been wrong before, but if Kaoru does love the jerk I hope I'm mistaken this one time, for her sake. I shift from one uncomfortable position to another, never taking my eyes off the doujou. Truthfully, I hope the information Saito digs up on Matsumoto is enough to bury him so deep in excrement he'll need an army to dig him out.


I feel bad for Yahiko. The boy's been unwittingly caught in the middle of this whole catastrophe. Kaoru is like sister to him. I've been his only father figure since his own father died when he was very young. The yakuza scum who kept him as a pet slave don't count. This situation must be very hard on him. I hope he'll be all right. He's a strong boy---he should be fine.


I frown thoughtfully, remembering Matsumoto's reaction. It seemed a little excessive considering the circumstances. I KNOW I wasn't nearly as terrifying as his sudden faint implied. I mean, how could I be? I'm not exactly a man of intimidating stature or looks, so what happened to Matsumoto? Was it the mention of an assassin? That IS when he fainted, but why would that be so terrifying? There's no mistaking his fear, that's for certain. Beginning with his reaction two days ago to my sudden appearance and his panic today, I'd say he has a definite phobia towards assassins.


Now that I think about it, Matsumoto's manner is reminiscent of certain government officials I had the misfortune of coming into contact with. They all left me with the same bitter taste in my mouth and feeling of being unclean. Matsumoto has the same effect on me. Added to his arrogant belief that it's his divine right to be waited on hand and foot, I'm beginning to suspect that our nasty houseguest just might have something to do with the government. I shake my head, thoroughly bewildered by these thoughts. If Matsumoto is a government official, what is he doing here at the Kamiya Doujou pestering me? I hope Saito hurries up and gets that information. My head's starting to ache trying to puzzle this out.


Sitting in this tree watching over the doujou reminds me of the time I spent in Kyoto during the revolution. Only this time, at the end of my vigilance, there won't be an assassination for me to complete---at least I fervently hope not. However, if I discover that Matsumoto intends to cause harm in any way to Kaoru---well, I hope he took a good long look at the sun---it'll be the last look he'll ever have a chance to take. When it comes to protecting Kaoru I WILL kill again, consequences be damned.


I look down as I sense someone approaching from the direction of the doujou. I relax when I recognize Yahiko. "Psst, Kenshin?" His loud whisper reaches me clearly on the chill breeze. "Hey, Kenshin!"


I drop to the ground silently. "Yahiko, it's late, that it is. Shouldn't you be in bed?"


He jumps and stares at me in wide-eyed fright. "Hey! Don't DO that! You scared the crap outta me, Kenshin."


I shrug by way of apology. "What are you doing out so late?"


"I brought you some things you might need. When you left this afternoon I figured you wouldn't go far otherwise I would've followed right away." He hands me a rather large bundle. "Kaoru's really upset, Kenshin."


I take the bundle, more than a little surprised at how heavy it is. "I'm sorry to hear that, Yahiko, that I am. However, truthfully, so am I."


"Yeah, I thought so. I don't think I've ever seen you get mad at Kaoru before. It was kinda surprisin', you know. I didn't think you COULD get mad at her."


Everyone has a breaking point, Yahiko, that they do. I just never reached mine before today."


"Yeah, I guess you're right." He sits with his back to a tree. "Do you think you'll come home soon?" He sounds so lost it tears at my conscience.


"No, I'm afraid not." I say it softly, feeling the sorrow the words bring grow in the silence between us.


"Will---will you EVER come home, Kenshin?" He sounds like the boy his actually is, reminding me poignantly just who is suffering in this whole sordid affair.


"I don't know." He deserves a straight, honest answer. "I'm not sure where home is anymore, Yahiko, that I do not. I believed that place was here, but now---" I let the words trail off into nothingness.


"It's cause of what Kaoru said, isn't it? That's why you don't know if you're gonna come back or not. Damn. Damn. Dammit! It's all Matsumoto's fault! If he never came here in the first place, none of this would've ever happened."


"A part of me agrees with you, but to be fair, sometimes things just happen and it's no one's fault at all." I lean back against the tree and stare up through the branches at the stars dotting the sky. "Sometimes---no matter how hard we try, we can't alter destiny."


"Huh? What do you mean? Are you sayin' this is the way things are supposed to turn out? I don't believe that for one minute. Everythin' was goin' just fine 'til Matsumoto showed up."


"Well---I have to agree with you about that, that I do. I wonder---" I close my eyes, my thoughts muddled and rather dark as I contemplate Kaoru's arrogant houseguest.


"What? What do you wonder, Kenshin?"


"Why is he here anyway?" I straighten and look at him closely. "Yahiko, you were here when he first arrived, right?"


"Yeah, why? What're you thinkin'?"


"Well, what did he say to Kaoru that caused her to take him in as a guest?"


"You know busu, Kenshin. She's always doin' that---takin' in strays."


"Thanks, Yahiko. I always did enjoy being referred to as a stray."


"Sorry 'bout that. Actually, 'til you got home and he drew that katana outta his umbrella, I didn't think there was anythin' wrong with the guy."


I sit up straighter. "Yahiko, no matter what happens, please promise me one thing."


"Sure, Kenshin, anythin'."


"Protect Kaoru for me. I can't watch everything inside the doujou from out here and I still don't' know how things will turn out---I can't very well sit in this tree forever watching over Kaoru, now can I?"


"No, I guess not. But, Kenshin, I want you to come back and I know deep down Kaoru does, too. So---I promise to protect Kaoru until you come home. Is that all right?"


"Yes---that's just fine, Yahiko. It sets my mind at ease, that it does."


"Well, I guess I gotta go back then before busu misses me and worries. I'll try to come back tomorrow with more food."


"Thank you. You truly are growing into a good man, Yahiko."


"Ah, stop it. You're embarrassin' me. Oh yeah. I didn't get a chance to ask earlier. Where'd you go today so suddenly?"


"I went to see Saito to ask him about Matsumoto. He said he'll have the information for me no later than day after tomorrow."


"Really? Cool. I don't like the guy, but Saito sure does have a lot of connection---almost as many as Misao and Aoshi with their Oniwabanshu."


I grimace as I watch Yahiko's retreating back disappear into the darkness. This is a fine state I'm in, isn't it? I think it with bitter sarcasm. To have to rely on an eleven-year-old boy to protect the woman I love---I make a sound of disgust. Uh huh. I know the situation is rapidly deteriorating when something like this happens.


Well, my decision to end my days as a rurouni and make the doujou my permanent home was a little precipitous, now wasn't it? I don't think I like this new path I've chosen for myself, that I do not. Somehow, I get the feeling things are only going to go from bad to worse before this is over. I laugh softly, a bitter sound in the darkness. Now there's a cheerful thought.



**To Be Continued---**



***


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Response to Reviewers:


Thanks bunchies to everyone who reviewed! It always makes me happy (and keeps me inspired!) when I see that someone out there enjoys what I've written.

Shun'u: Is this soon enough? Hehehe! There are some definite advantages to having written a story a year in advance ('k, it isn't complete, but I DO have the first few chapters written, even if they are still handwritten on loose-leaf). I'm glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the review.

C-Chan: I was hoping that Kenshin's new attitude would go over well---Though I hope that elements of the rurouni will still leak through at times (after all, he's spent apprx. 12 years, according to my timeline, as a rurouni, so that side of him won't just disappear overnight…though I do admit I like his bad-ass attitude a lot!).

Jason M. Lee: I'll have to go and fix that "Kaoru-chan" error. After you mentioned it, I realized that it DID sounds rather weird---It's one thing to have him calling her that in a comedy where everyone's OOC, and quite another in something like this! Thanks for pointing that out. I'll get to it ASAP.

Melfina-Pan: I'll for sure post what I already have written and then hope that I can get back into the swing of things and finish writing it (it's been a year, though, so I'm not sure I remember where I intended to go---Of course, I can always just invent a new ending, right?).
Ewunia: I kinda chuckled as I was writing it myself.

Lizzie: Thanks, Lizzie! Don't you hate it when technology fouls up? I really liked writing this chapter 'cause Kenshin finally got a chance to let it all out and stop biting his tongue when Matsumoto treated him so insultingly. (Matsumoto is a character that I love to hate!)

Firuze Khanume: Some of your questions were answered in this chapter, but more will come soon, I promise! (I could tell you, but that would take the fun out of it!)



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*