**I deeply apologise for my lateness in submitting this chapter!!(_ _)
gomen ne!!Thank you for you all reviews so far, so encouraging! *sobz* This
part may be boring, I admit I didn't had a plot when I was writing the
previous few. Now I do!! I do!!*jumps excitedly* Thank you all for reading
and showing your support, how you enjoy this one ne!!**
Disclaimer (applicable since chapter 1... I forgot to put!!opps..) : I do
not in anyway own Rurouni Kenshin nor the original chatacters inside. But
one day...one day...*cries in dispair*
*Oh, and thank you Kyouhi for identifuing the paragraph thing, I was 'omg'
when I saw it =P*
Chapter 13 : The Dreaded Past
The burning sun gleamed strongly with a overwhelming desire to scorch the earth that day. A day like this could only spell lethargy, well, to all except on run-down slum where unlike elsewhere, was bustling with activity.
"Mou! I need more milk!! Yahiko-san, would you please pass the next bottle to me please?" Tsubame asked in a tone a little louder than usual. This work was more strenuous than the one at the Aakabeko, causing her timidness to slowly peel off revealing a capable girl who sure knows what she is doing.
Yahiko, oblivious to the world, even Kaoru's screaming, could still, miraculously be all ears out for little Tsubame-chan, no matter how small her voice be to the commotion in the back. "Milk bottle? Oh...ok, just give me a moment." He carefully put down his knife on the chopping board, making sure it's out of reach to children running about. Apparently he was preparing lunch, his second but confident attempt, the first being a success even Sano would admit. "Here you go." he passed Tsubame a filled bottle prepared earlier, and dwelled there, putting his culinary skills to a rest to be with...someone that could make his break worthwhile. She didn't even have to try.
The children at Rakuninmura were joyous, prancing about with new found energy they thought they had lost long ago. Just in a matter of short time, their new friends from the Kamiya Dojo brought smiles to their faces, they excitedly embraced the coming of what Yahiko termed, the Kenshin-gumi. Elders at a corner played chess with Kenshin and Sano, Sano of course being the one to cheer them up for he never did won a match. Yahiko and Tsubame would take care of the 'housework', cooking and washing, with Yahiko occasionally helping Kaoru out with teaching the young Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Everyone got Kaoru so engrossed with her teaching she'd never had time to attempt cooking - to the relief of everyone.
"Keep your back straight!!" Kenshin could hear Kaoru though she was quite far away. Rakuninmura didn't have a proper dojo, so training was done in the open air. "Jine, don't slouch!"
"But Okachan, the bokken is heavy!!" a little voice winced, bring about laughters from the rest of the group.
"Ha! You call this heavy? Wait till you hold a REAL sword!! This is like a feather!"
"Sure! that's because you're big and heavy like a pig!" he retorted, more laughters echoed around.
*whack* *whack* Kaoru was keen to dismiss the noise.
"Stop quarrelling! Continue on with your moves, with more force now and keep your back straight!"
"HAI!" the students chorused in unison, and moved with grace what their sensei had taught them for the past week. Only 4 year-old Jine was a little clumsy when it came to lifting the bokken above the head for a shinai stroke. He was the youngest among all the students ranging from 4 to 12, but still insisted to learn and become stronger. "I want to be like my dad!" he would always say to her, calling Kaoru his Okachan. The young boy with messy hair and ruffled clothes would always be seen running about and playing pranks on the elders. He was a late addition to the group, and came soon after Kenshin left there. The police had found him wandering about the streets searching for his mother. When Kaoru arrived, little Jine ran to her and cried his heart out, claiming he found his Okasan. It seemed she bared much resemblence to his missing mother. Chutsu had advised her to 'play-along' lest break his hopeful heart.
"Ne, Okachan, will you bring me out today? Will you??" he tugged on her skirt, a sign he wanted to be carried. Training was already over and they were enjoying lunch. Kaoru bent down and lifted him up like a motherly figure.
"I'm not sure Jine-chan, but I think Kenshin-san is free today. Would you want to go ask him?" he looked at her blankly and confused, then smiled.
"I see! So when he goes, you will go to! Okay, I'll go ask your 'koishii' then!!" he winked, jumped down and scurried off, before she could get him.
"Mou!!"
However, no one could understand why he didn't associate his father with Kenshin, nor mind his 'Okachan' being with him. It was not clear what he really see Kaoru as. But it was obvious he dearly loved Kaoru in a special way, with no one ever able to replace her.
**
"Mmm...smells good!" Makimachi Misao leaned over the doorframe, peering ernestly at dinner, or more, the one cooking dinner. "I didn't know Juppongatanas are trained in cooking too!"
"Hahaa..." he laughed, as he skilfully diced the radish neatly and threw them in the grilling hot plate, watching them sizzle and excrete sweet- smelling juices. The vegetables blended well with the sliced beef, which were turning from a translucent dark crimson to a lighter shade of red.
"Shishio-san doesn't cook, nor can Yumi-san (they'd rather not risk it). I learnt this from my childhood, when dinner wasn't given to me and I had to make my own."
Misao felt bad for reminding him of his sad past, but Soujiro didn't seem to mind. He just smiled on. "Of course there weren't nice ingredients such as these," he turned the radish over, the cooked side a golden brown. "I grilled whatever I could find from the farm, or stole from the kitchen!! Hahaa..."
She laughed along with him, barely able to imagine a nice and innocent looking boy sneaking into the kitchen late at night. He wouldn't stand near as thief, much less an assassin. It amazed her each time she wondered upon his self, his true self and what he'd become. They had been living as 'brother and sister' for a week now, together in a quiet peaceful town overflowing with a green-tea scent.
Okashira? Aoshi? Jiya? Oniwabanshu? Those issues have been bugging her badly, she know they would catch up fast with her.
Father, Mother...Miko. One past discarded after another. The journey had barely started, yet he know they were far from ending.
Both had troubled minds, currently ignoring them for the rest they had settled for now, a temporary but satisfying rest. They know they have to leave Shizuoka soon.
Misao cleared the dishes, finding it more diificult to move around in the kimono Soujiro had bought her. "It's part of the disguise!" he grinned then, doing a direct contrast to her scowl "What's wrong with me current outfit?" but she knew the answers, Soujiro was definately not the first one who told her about it. He just shrugged and smiled. "Let down your hair too," he added, talking outside the room she was changing in. "You'll look...well...prettier." Misao was tying her obi when she paused at that. 'Prettier?' No one had ever used that term to phrase her. It was always 'tom-boy', 'bold', 'strong', 'skilled'. Not pretty, not anywhere near that. It seemed that was a phrase reserved only for people like Kaoru. She sighed. Kaoru was the model of 'ladyness', a classic example of how a sweet young dame of 17 would look, or what others hope she would look. Misao checked herself in the mirror. 'I'm only a year younger but nothing like her, or Megumi-san, or even Tsubame-san.' The kimono fitted nicely, she was surprised how he knew of her exact size. But it didn't matter, for she felt a feeling as she gazed at the reflection of herself. 'So this is what it's like to be Omasu and Okon.' With a swift tug, smooth ebony black hair came cascading down again, naturally unbinding the intricate locks and falling on the silky fabric. She gave a sigh and opened the door.
**
'Thank goodness they are beginners.' Enishi heaved a relieved sigh. Kaoru had forgotten about one thing important when she assigned her students to him. He knew nothing about the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu she usually taught. The dojo owner had been surprised to see someone else than Kaoru, the students plainly disappointed. But just as fast as they felt they were let down, they all backed off in awe at the little demonstration of his skills. (remember he forgot most of it) Seniors sought to ask for tips whilst juniors and beginners seek him fervently, requesting to learn the replica of his demo. The dojo master was startled. Enishi's fighting techniques are obviously the opposite of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu's. Totally offensive, brutal, used mainly for a quick kill.
"Enishi-san," he called out politely, interrupting him from teaching a young one how to hold his bokken properly. "Could I have a word with you please?"
"Certainly." he excused himself, and walked towards the old man. Even his walking style carries much - confidence, zest, and if taken wrongly, could seem to pose a threat. "Yes?" direct and demanding too.
"I hear Kaoru-san is busy at the moment, doing some...erm.."
"Voluntary work. Yes, I have been told to take over her for a while." Enishi spoke with fluency, never missing a word, but also trying not to be rude to the elder.
"Yes, yes, and you're doing a fine job. The students have already taken a liking to you." he encouraged. At a corner of the dojo were a bunch arguing who could be the first to master the skill Enishi taught. Young juniors. The seniors were impartial, they have seen Kenshin fought before. "Who is the better one?" they debated.
"Ah, thank you for your flatter. There is a slight problem though..." Enishi started to explain.
"Yes, I'm afraid there is." The elder spoke gravely. The skill of Enishi a very powerful one, just could not be used in the dojo. He had assured the students' parents his reason for letting them learn the fine art of kenjutsu. Not to be another gangster polling the streets with an unruly bunch, but to provide security, defence amidst dangerous or needy times. He admits kenjutsu a killing technique, as Himura-san mentioned before, but plans to use it in another purpose. Having lived through the hard times of the Bakumutsu, he knows what's it's like when a skill is abused.
"About the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu..." he'll need to tell Kaoru he can't take this job. Anything, but pass on such dreaded skills to another innocent being.
"Yes, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu..." a line has to be drawn, for the good of everyone. Only such type of fighting would be taught in the walls of his dojo, where pupils look upon him with respect and reverence.
"I..." he broke off halfway when the door suddenly slammed open, a looming shadow outside.
Chapter 13 : The Dreaded Past
The burning sun gleamed strongly with a overwhelming desire to scorch the earth that day. A day like this could only spell lethargy, well, to all except on run-down slum where unlike elsewhere, was bustling with activity.
"Mou! I need more milk!! Yahiko-san, would you please pass the next bottle to me please?" Tsubame asked in a tone a little louder than usual. This work was more strenuous than the one at the Aakabeko, causing her timidness to slowly peel off revealing a capable girl who sure knows what she is doing.
Yahiko, oblivious to the world, even Kaoru's screaming, could still, miraculously be all ears out for little Tsubame-chan, no matter how small her voice be to the commotion in the back. "Milk bottle? Oh...ok, just give me a moment." He carefully put down his knife on the chopping board, making sure it's out of reach to children running about. Apparently he was preparing lunch, his second but confident attempt, the first being a success even Sano would admit. "Here you go." he passed Tsubame a filled bottle prepared earlier, and dwelled there, putting his culinary skills to a rest to be with...someone that could make his break worthwhile. She didn't even have to try.
The children at Rakuninmura were joyous, prancing about with new found energy they thought they had lost long ago. Just in a matter of short time, their new friends from the Kamiya Dojo brought smiles to their faces, they excitedly embraced the coming of what Yahiko termed, the Kenshin-gumi. Elders at a corner played chess with Kenshin and Sano, Sano of course being the one to cheer them up for he never did won a match. Yahiko and Tsubame would take care of the 'housework', cooking and washing, with Yahiko occasionally helping Kaoru out with teaching the young Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Everyone got Kaoru so engrossed with her teaching she'd never had time to attempt cooking - to the relief of everyone.
"Keep your back straight!!" Kenshin could hear Kaoru though she was quite far away. Rakuninmura didn't have a proper dojo, so training was done in the open air. "Jine, don't slouch!"
"But Okachan, the bokken is heavy!!" a little voice winced, bring about laughters from the rest of the group.
"Ha! You call this heavy? Wait till you hold a REAL sword!! This is like a feather!"
"Sure! that's because you're big and heavy like a pig!" he retorted, more laughters echoed around.
*whack* *whack* Kaoru was keen to dismiss the noise.
"Stop quarrelling! Continue on with your moves, with more force now and keep your back straight!"
"HAI!" the students chorused in unison, and moved with grace what their sensei had taught them for the past week. Only 4 year-old Jine was a little clumsy when it came to lifting the bokken above the head for a shinai stroke. He was the youngest among all the students ranging from 4 to 12, but still insisted to learn and become stronger. "I want to be like my dad!" he would always say to her, calling Kaoru his Okachan. The young boy with messy hair and ruffled clothes would always be seen running about and playing pranks on the elders. He was a late addition to the group, and came soon after Kenshin left there. The police had found him wandering about the streets searching for his mother. When Kaoru arrived, little Jine ran to her and cried his heart out, claiming he found his Okasan. It seemed she bared much resemblence to his missing mother. Chutsu had advised her to 'play-along' lest break his hopeful heart.
"Ne, Okachan, will you bring me out today? Will you??" he tugged on her skirt, a sign he wanted to be carried. Training was already over and they were enjoying lunch. Kaoru bent down and lifted him up like a motherly figure.
"I'm not sure Jine-chan, but I think Kenshin-san is free today. Would you want to go ask him?" he looked at her blankly and confused, then smiled.
"I see! So when he goes, you will go to! Okay, I'll go ask your 'koishii' then!!" he winked, jumped down and scurried off, before she could get him.
"Mou!!"
However, no one could understand why he didn't associate his father with Kenshin, nor mind his 'Okachan' being with him. It was not clear what he really see Kaoru as. But it was obvious he dearly loved Kaoru in a special way, with no one ever able to replace her.
**
"Mmm...smells good!" Makimachi Misao leaned over the doorframe, peering ernestly at dinner, or more, the one cooking dinner. "I didn't know Juppongatanas are trained in cooking too!"
"Hahaa..." he laughed, as he skilfully diced the radish neatly and threw them in the grilling hot plate, watching them sizzle and excrete sweet- smelling juices. The vegetables blended well with the sliced beef, which were turning from a translucent dark crimson to a lighter shade of red.
"Shishio-san doesn't cook, nor can Yumi-san (they'd rather not risk it). I learnt this from my childhood, when dinner wasn't given to me and I had to make my own."
Misao felt bad for reminding him of his sad past, but Soujiro didn't seem to mind. He just smiled on. "Of course there weren't nice ingredients such as these," he turned the radish over, the cooked side a golden brown. "I grilled whatever I could find from the farm, or stole from the kitchen!! Hahaa..."
She laughed along with him, barely able to imagine a nice and innocent looking boy sneaking into the kitchen late at night. He wouldn't stand near as thief, much less an assassin. It amazed her each time she wondered upon his self, his true self and what he'd become. They had been living as 'brother and sister' for a week now, together in a quiet peaceful town overflowing with a green-tea scent.
Okashira? Aoshi? Jiya? Oniwabanshu? Those issues have been bugging her badly, she know they would catch up fast with her.
Father, Mother...Miko. One past discarded after another. The journey had barely started, yet he know they were far from ending.
Both had troubled minds, currently ignoring them for the rest they had settled for now, a temporary but satisfying rest. They know they have to leave Shizuoka soon.
Misao cleared the dishes, finding it more diificult to move around in the kimono Soujiro had bought her. "It's part of the disguise!" he grinned then, doing a direct contrast to her scowl "What's wrong with me current outfit?" but she knew the answers, Soujiro was definately not the first one who told her about it. He just shrugged and smiled. "Let down your hair too," he added, talking outside the room she was changing in. "You'll look...well...prettier." Misao was tying her obi when she paused at that. 'Prettier?' No one had ever used that term to phrase her. It was always 'tom-boy', 'bold', 'strong', 'skilled'. Not pretty, not anywhere near that. It seemed that was a phrase reserved only for people like Kaoru. She sighed. Kaoru was the model of 'ladyness', a classic example of how a sweet young dame of 17 would look, or what others hope she would look. Misao checked herself in the mirror. 'I'm only a year younger but nothing like her, or Megumi-san, or even Tsubame-san.' The kimono fitted nicely, she was surprised how he knew of her exact size. But it didn't matter, for she felt a feeling as she gazed at the reflection of herself. 'So this is what it's like to be Omasu and Okon.' With a swift tug, smooth ebony black hair came cascading down again, naturally unbinding the intricate locks and falling on the silky fabric. She gave a sigh and opened the door.
**
'Thank goodness they are beginners.' Enishi heaved a relieved sigh. Kaoru had forgotten about one thing important when she assigned her students to him. He knew nothing about the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu she usually taught. The dojo owner had been surprised to see someone else than Kaoru, the students plainly disappointed. But just as fast as they felt they were let down, they all backed off in awe at the little demonstration of his skills. (remember he forgot most of it) Seniors sought to ask for tips whilst juniors and beginners seek him fervently, requesting to learn the replica of his demo. The dojo master was startled. Enishi's fighting techniques are obviously the opposite of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu's. Totally offensive, brutal, used mainly for a quick kill.
"Enishi-san," he called out politely, interrupting him from teaching a young one how to hold his bokken properly. "Could I have a word with you please?"
"Certainly." he excused himself, and walked towards the old man. Even his walking style carries much - confidence, zest, and if taken wrongly, could seem to pose a threat. "Yes?" direct and demanding too.
"I hear Kaoru-san is busy at the moment, doing some...erm.."
"Voluntary work. Yes, I have been told to take over her for a while." Enishi spoke with fluency, never missing a word, but also trying not to be rude to the elder.
"Yes, yes, and you're doing a fine job. The students have already taken a liking to you." he encouraged. At a corner of the dojo were a bunch arguing who could be the first to master the skill Enishi taught. Young juniors. The seniors were impartial, they have seen Kenshin fought before. "Who is the better one?" they debated.
"Ah, thank you for your flatter. There is a slight problem though..." Enishi started to explain.
"Yes, I'm afraid there is." The elder spoke gravely. The skill of Enishi a very powerful one, just could not be used in the dojo. He had assured the students' parents his reason for letting them learn the fine art of kenjutsu. Not to be another gangster polling the streets with an unruly bunch, but to provide security, defence amidst dangerous or needy times. He admits kenjutsu a killing technique, as Himura-san mentioned before, but plans to use it in another purpose. Having lived through the hard times of the Bakumutsu, he knows what's it's like when a skill is abused.
"About the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu..." he'll need to tell Kaoru he can't take this job. Anything, but pass on such dreaded skills to another innocent being.
"Yes, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu..." a line has to be drawn, for the good of everyone. Only such type of fighting would be taught in the walls of his dojo, where pupils look upon him with respect and reverence.
"I..." he broke off halfway when the door suddenly slammed open, a looming shadow outside.