Chapter Summary- A normal day at the Kamiya Dojo. Yeah, right.
IMPORTANT- My RuoKen stories are based on the MANGA version not the anime, so if anything confuses you I'll try to explain it at the end of the chapter. Plus it means no stupid pink Gi *grin*
Disclaimer- Nope, 'fraid not, don't own RuoKen. . .
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"We didn't fight for the power and glory of the government. It was to protect and build a world where people can pursue happiness. If we forget that, we are mere upstarts."
-Himura Kenshin Manga Volume I, Chapter II
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Chapter Four- Normal Days
Kamiya Kaoru awoke early on a weekday's morning. The light in the sky had yet to enter, it almost seemed like it was night but the melody of the birds chirping in the distance told you otherwise. She never usually got up so early but she had a plan and getting up before the sun was necessary.
"Hah! Let's see Kenshin beat me this morning!"
The morning after Kenshin's first night in the dojo Kaoru awoke to find him up and preparing breakfast for the two of them. Since that day it became a routine, Kenshin up and waiting for Kaoru to emerge. It was a little over a week and Kenshin's presence in the dojo became normal and expected. It was nice to have someone there everyday again, even if it was just to talk. He was a little quiet but always pleasant and helpful. The rurouni spent most of the week fixing the dojo where Gohei's thugs destroyed it. Kaoru tried to hire someone to do the work but Kenshin protested saying it was mostly his fault because he was the one who sent Gohei crashing through the wood floor. Besides fixing the planks he also repaired a few more things around the dojo; in about a day he would probably finish. It was nice to have a man around to do the harder jobs.
But today Kaoru was going to beat him to the kitchen and make a special breakfast for her tenant in quiet thanks for the work he has done.
She quickly combed her hair and threw it up in a loose ponytail, straightened her yukata and put on an extra layer on top to keep the morning nip away. Dressing in full Kimono would take to much time, she could get dressed after breakfast was made. Kenshin had already seen her in sleeping wear so it didn't really bother her to let him see it again. It would probably happen once more so he might as well get use to it. Hoping to her feet she picked up her steps towards the kitchen.
'I hope he likes what a make for him, I haven't cooked for anyone in a long time . . .' Kaoru had a smile on her face. Having Kenshin around made her look forward to something during the day even if she had to drag him into conversation most of the time. Being stubborn she soon learned was one of his favorite traits and he did not divulge too much on their topics, but then again she also figured this out the first day they met.
Kaoru did finally learn something about his past although it wasn't directly through him. They were in the market yesterday to pick up supplies when the police stopped Kenshin on terms he was carrying a katana. Kaoru found him surrounded by them and even some of the armed forces, the ones that had special permission to carry a sword. After trying to harm her and innocent bystanders Kenshin went into full action and challenged the guard. Of course in minutes they all were flat on their backs.
Just as she thought the episode was over a tall man called for Kenshin, he turned out to be the Patriot General Aritomo Yamagata. A sad smile crossed Kenshin's lips and Kaoru was surprised by his action and the fact he was familiar with the man, but then again he was Himura Battousai, why would he not. A request was made by the man for Kenshin to return with him and he would be given a place in the government. Of course Kenshin politely refused and tried to make his way as the man called for him again. Yamagata informed him you needed power of the government, one sword could do nothing anymore.
That's when Kaoru found out what Kenshin's life had become since he left the patriots. Putting his hand gently on her shoulder and smiling Kenshin told Yamagata he could protect the people he saw in front of him, with his sword alone, and that was enough for him. They left without a glance back at a promising career in the Meiji government.
Kaoru felt she understood Kenshin a little more and why he became a rurouni, he was the most unselfish man alive. A little ironic considering he was, and probably still is the most feared hitokiri in Japan, and he wanted to protect lives.
Turning the corner Kaoru slowed her pace; she could smell miso coming from the kitchen already. 'Kenshin you beat me again . . .' Disappointed she sluggishly opened the door to the room and entered. Around the cooking area she could see rice, miso soup and other items he made sitting out ready and waiting. Another glance around the kitchen turned up no smiling rurouni though.
'He must be in the dojo finishing up . . .I guess I'll take a bath, it is a little early . . .'
Turning on her heals Kaoru headed back to her room. She mused to herself that Kenshin must have never slept because he was always awake before her and never went to sleep before she did either. Once in her room she collected her things needed for a bath and left the room again. Walking down the halls she noticed no sign of Kenshin and heard no noise from the dojo. A constant pounding had consumed most of the days while he was in there hammering away at the floorboards. Shrugging it off she stepped up onto the entrance of the bathhouse pulling the door open.
A little stupefied Kaoru just stood there with the door open gaping at her observation.
Kenshin was leaned over picking up articles of soap and collecting them into his wash bucket. He was clad in a damp yukata that clung to him in such a way his gi and hakama never did. The hakama was designed to hide ones movements and the gi hung loose, most of the time he looked like he was floating in the cloth. The pale moistened yukata gave a little more light to his hidden figure underneath.
It was not the clothing that made her gasp when she entered; it was the way his hair hung. It was wet and clinging to his back with a few strands hanging in front as he bent down. The red hair looked like a dark crimson when wet and was down and unbound. It was the first time she ever saw him in such a way. The Kenkaku-san persona was wiped away with a change of clothes and hairstyle.
Kenshin straightened himself and turned to give her a smile acknowledging her presence. "Good Morning Kaoru-dono, you are up early this morning."
Kaoru blinked from the haze of her newfound vision. "H-hai, I was, ano . . . your hair . . .is down . . ."
Confused a little Kenshin blinked a couple of times before he registered, "Uh, oh! The tie broke and sessha will need to make a new one for his hair."
"Oh, I have one you can use for the time being, if that's okay."
"That would be nice, would you like sessha to get another bath ready for you?" He said while pointing at the bundle in her arms that appeared to be bathing articles. She was also not dressed so he assumed that's why she had come into the bathhouse, not for an early morning chat.
"Don't worry about it Kenshin, let me get you a tie first and then we can eat the breakfast you made. Wouldn't want it to get cold would we?"
"Alright sessha will just go back to his room first and-"
"I'll bring it to you, just wait for me there okay," quickly Kaoru turned around and headed back for her room the second time that morning. Kenshin shrugged it off thinking that Kaoru-dono was an odd girl sometimes.
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Never in her life did she think a man could look like that. Kenshin was a rare sight to behold and she never noticed it before. The eye and hair colour did get everyone's full attention but they were to transfix on those features to notice the rest of the man.
The vision of him giving her a gentle smile with rosy skin from the steam of the bath was something entirely different for her. She never really looked at Kenshin in the way she just had mere moments ago. Never did she realize she was living with a striking person, and why didn't she realize it before?
'Kami-sama I never knew a man could be beautiful . . .'
She wanted to leave the bathhouse as quickly as possible to get away from Kenshin and calm her nerves. It was embarrassing to act like a bumbling teenager around such . . . a man. Now calm and restored she grasped the hair tie in her hand tightly and stepped in front of Kenshin's door. A quick knock was her next gesture.
"Come in."
Kenshin sat on floor legs crossed running a comb through his hair, a little dry but still damp. The sodden yukata was replaced with his light hakama and navy blue gi. When he heard the door slide open, looking up he gave Kaoru a smile. The flush on her face did not go unnoticed.
" . . . Ano, I brought you a tie, I hope you like blue it was the only colour I could find," she handed it to Kenshin as he stopped his combing to take it from her hand.
"Arigato, Kaoru-dono."
"I guess I'll let you finish getting ready," feeling she was interrupting him she turned around and gingerly headed for the open door again.
"Kaoru-dono."
Turning on her feet mid step she looked at Kenshin again a little taken off, "Hai?"
"You don't have to leave, sessha actually has a question for you," he nodded his head to the direction of the floor beside him for her to have a seat.
Kaoru took the invitation and watched him resume back to his undertaking. It was funny that she never thought Kenshin would have to brush his hair, but there he was tentatively pulling the comb through his hair with years of practice. Moments later he set the comb down and turned to her as he was picking up the tie in his other hand.
"Sessha wanted to ask if you could finish showing him around town, sessha has picked up the market spots but not the rest."
"I can do that kenshin," after she said the words she made a face realizing something she forgot. "Later you can accompany me to the dojo I left my stuff at the other day. It was raining and I didn't want to get my gear soaked and I need it tonight to train at another dojo since . . . you won't practice with me." Giving him a quick pout she watched for his reaction.
Kenshin chuckled and shook his head. It was an on-going tease she had for him because he refused to practice with her, and she always seemed to slip it into there conversations. "Sessha is not good with wooden swords . . ." He reached up and gathered his hair in his fingers, slipping the tie around the bundle, effortlessly tied it in place and returned his hands to his lap. "All done now."
Kaoru wanted to pout again from having her newfound fascination gone when he tied his hair in place, but she hid it not wanting Kenshin to catch on to her new fun. "Alright lets go eat."
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Breakfast was relaxed and austere as it had come to be for the past week. Kaoru glanced up a few times at Kenshin as he ate quietly. The new image of him remained in her mind's eye; she definitely would never look at him the same way again. The shrewd women in town would be talking behind her back once she brought him there today. Maybe at least now they would leave her alone about running a dojo, but how could she convince them he was not a live in lover and only as house guest with captivating looks like his. Then again he was pretty slight when it came to height compared to most women, maybe that would put them off, but that would not stop some of the other women she new.
A crowd formed after breakfast to Kaoru's delight, it seemed she had some new students wanting to sign up. In the end her hopes were stamped out when they only turned up because word had gotten around about Kenshin fighting style. Him beating up the Federal Armed Force Division the day before lead people to the dojo once they found out he was living there. He told them to leave if they were there to learn his technique; he was not a member of the dojo and would not be teaching. That's when the place cleared out leaving Kaoru again with no potential students. A little angry she took out her frustrations on Kenshin using a shinai, he apologized profusely for the rest of the morning as they made there way around town.
Kenshin learned Kaoru taught at other dojos for money to earn on the side. Taking up more classes would come since her own school was not back on track yet. Practicing at the schools was a windfall for her to get a work out in too, he felt bad, but he would not practice with her. In the back of his mind he knew she would just get agitated with him knowing she could not win in a simple match. Letting her win would just make it worse when she figured out what he was doing. In the end it was laced with fact, he had not picked up a practice sword in over a decade and with that never spared with anyone but his Shishou really.
They made there way through town while Kaoru showed him the parts he would need to learn. He agreed to do most of the shopping while she was off teaching, knowing his way around would be necessary. Figuring it out for himself could have been accomplished in a day but both of them had been stuck in the dojo for most of the week. She was clearing out rooms for his stay and he was consumed with dojo repairs. A little walk in town would do both of them good. Kaoru was enjoyable company, she was always happy and never falsely lit up her emotions. Telling what mood she was in was easily predictable with her.
He noticed when her eyes lit up when she showed him the way to her second favorite dojo, her first, she agreed to show him another day. The dojo was bigger than her own, but probably just as old, passed through generations. Gear and relics spread through the open training area. It was nice and he could understand why she enjoyed being there. No classes were being held when they arrived so he was only introduced to one of the instructors. After a cup of tea and mild conversation they left for her appointment to teach at another dojo.
Just as they were leaving the grounds passing through the gate Kaoru stopped abruptly and turned to face him, "Oh! Kenshin I almost forgot my training gear, that is the reason why we came here in the first place." A sheepish smile came across her face realizing her mistake.
"Aa, Sessha will go get it for you Kaoru-dono, just wait for me here." Before Kaoru could protest Kenshin turned and quickly entered through the gates again. Arguing with him about treating her like a helpless girl was impossible most of the time. He always insisted on doing as much as he could for her, and to say the least, it felt nice.
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Kenshin made his way back inside, recovered Kaoru articles and exchanged a few words with the instructor as he walked him to the gate. A quick bow and he stepped over the threshold to return to Kaoru, but with a quick glance he realized she was not standing there waiting for him. Before he could carrying on his search men's voices carried in his ears.
"Come on Jou-chan its just a little drink."
"She's a feisty one, in training gear huh?
"Maybe you could teach us a lesson over the sake we offered you."
A little down the street two men were towering over Kaoru looking for a date. Kenshin knew very well she could handle herself but the only problem was her boken was in his hands at the moment. It was among the items he just retrieved for her. With a hard line set to his mouth he calmly but quietly made his way to her and the unruly men. He was just civilly going to brush the men off and lead Kaoru away from the men but they ended up making a mistake.
"I'd rather not if you plea-"
"Were not going to take no for an answer girly," with that said one of the two men grabbed Kaoru by the arm, she tried to struggle free almost successfully before his friend caught her other arm. "Hey, calm down!"
Kenshin shifted forward, did they not hear, were they deaf? She said she did not want to go with them and now they're lying there grubby drunkard hands on her. Before they realized what happened to them their hands were separated from the girl and a short man stood before them not looking very pleased.
"K-kenshin," she witnessed first hand before that Kenshin was fast but she didn't even know he was there this time. In the back of her mind she was grateful because the men did have a tight hold on her.
"Kaoru-dono has kindly refused your offer so if you please we will be on are way." Kenshin gripped the boken tighter in his hands that the gear was tied to the end of, them touching Kaoru had managed to get under his skin. He stood ground waiting for them to leave.
"I don't think so, Jou-chan is coming with us!"
The idiotic men in front of him were obviously a little intoxicated because they tried to reach for Kaoru again. Realizing words were not going to get through to them Kenshin swiftly nudged Kaoru behind him more an untied Kaoru's boken that was wrapped in his hands.
The one who made a second grab for Kaoru received a horizontal blow to his stomach. Seeing his friend go down the second made his way to Kenshin. He received a shoulder blow with a quick snap. Both lay on the ground unable to make another move, probably regretting there actions.
Kaoru blinked a couple of times and watched Kenshin secure her boken in its cloth cover again, wondering why he didn't use his own weapon; unconsciously she let out a giggle. He turned her way to see what the fuss was all about.
"Are you okay Kaoru-dono?"
"Hai, hai." She glanced at the men on the ground and turned to Kenshin again, "Your good to have around Kenshin, in more ways than one."
Kenshin gave her a knowing grin, "Aa." He hosted the boken over his shoulder, eyeing the men on the ground deciding that they probably deserved to be left where they were, so he was going to do just that. Besides he didn't hit them that hard and it was with a boken too. "Shall we go?"
Kaoru started to walk before realization set over her. She was letting Kenshin play hero again while she played a damsel in distress. The thought made her angry, she was not going to let him think she was helpless. Before a confused Kenshin she snatched up her training gear from his arms and stalked off. She was not that weak that she could carry her own belongings.
"Ugh, first this morning with the students, and now this!"
Blinking a couple of times Kenshin hesitantly started walking after her wondering what the quick change in emotions were all about. "Are you still upset about this morning?"
Few steps ahead on the bridge she was steaming, "Yes! There were fifteen people there!"
" . . . But a student who is mildly intrigued will only stay a few months. Worries do not help this type of situation." Peeking through his bangs he noticed she calmed down a little but was a still a little bothered. "We can do nothing for now. But cheer and patients are needed now."
"And since I don't have any students to practice against I have to walk all the way to another dojo to work out! Since you won't practice with me!"
Kenshin winced; she did have to bring that up again didn't she? "I'm sorry, but I have no skill with the shinai at all . . ."
Just as Kaoru turned to counter she saw Kenshin lunge towards her. "Oro!?"
A little kid had pushed Kenshin and was trying to make a get away but Kaoru noticed something before he could. In a split second she jumped on him and sent them both crashing to the ground. Kenshin was a little baffled at what she had just done, but he did notice what the kid did too.
"Hold it right there!"
"Ack!" was all the kid managed will being plummeted to the floor.
"Kenshin, this kid's a pickpocket! Look, see? He got your *purse!"
The hostage below Kaoru shifted up, "Dammit! Lemme go busu!
Kenshin could see her turn red, wondering how she was going to decide on pounding the kid for that remark. He just quickly grabbed Kaoru's training gear she had thrown to the side and waited for the reaction.
"B-busu! I'll have you know that I'm known as the Kenjutsu Queen!"
"Aw, shaddap you busu!"
Kaoru now had the kid's shirt in a death grip holding him close and Kenshin felt maybe it was time to step in before he really did get killed. "Maa, maa. But if it's stolen, then so it is." He picked up his money holder from Kaoru and placed it in the pick pocket's hands, "Here, child. Next time try your hardest not to be caught. We must be going . . ."
"Ho-hold up Kenshin!"
Kaoru followed Kenshin down the bridge confused at his actions but before she could mouth an opinion something smacked Kenshin in the back of the head making him stumble of balance.
"Oro!?"
"I ain't a kid dammit! I'm Myojin Yahiko of a long line of Tokyo samurai! And I ain't so bad off that I need help from guys like you!"
They turned a little perplexed to see the child staring at them with fire in his eyes and clenched fist at his sides.
"I only did that 'cause you've got that damn sword on! Whadja think I was gonna do, huh!?"
From that day forward it was no longer Himura and Kamiya at the dojo, Myojin Yahiko just entered there lives indefinitely.
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To be continued . . .
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Next Chapter-.Enter Myojin Yahiko into the mix.
Author's Notes- *sigh* yes, I know the love, romance, mushy, waffy stuff is coming along slowly. But let's face it folks that's how it was in RuoKen. Damn Kenshin and being so polite. *grumble grumble*
All right notes. You may have noticed some big differences from the manga to anime in this chapter. So first off, Kenshin meets Yamagata before Yahiko, it was in the second chapter of the manga he did. So only Kaoru was there, so all that stuff about them coming to the dojo to get them was, well, crap. Kenshin got stopped in the market for carrying his sword and the guys threatened to kill all the people who resisted so he finally drew his sword after protesting. Word go to Yamagata (he was visiting the police about the fake Battousai crime) that a man fitting Battousai's appearance's were beating the guards no problem. So he ran down there and saw him, and then you know the rest of the story. But there was no Yahiko there yet.
The next day a crowd drew at Kaoru's dojo wanting to be taught by Kenshin but were disappointed when he told them he was not a teacher. Kaoru got mad and clobbered the heck out of him. Then I added the bit about them visiting the other dojo and Kenshin beating the drunk guys up. But the next scene in the manga is when they're walking on the bridge arguing about that morning (when Yahiko comes). So the script is more or less taken directly from the manga, and the rest is history, well not really, I'll explain it in the next chapter.
Phew, long notes this time . . .
Glossary-
Hai- 'Yes', also said when agreeing with something.
Ano- equivalent to 'umm'.
Kaoru-dono- 'Miss Kaoru', more polite and outdated version of 'Kaoru-san/sama', only Kenshin uses this.
Sessha- Kenshin's archaic way of saying 'I', instead of using 'Watashi', 'Ore' and so on.
Aa- It's kind of like 'yes', men usually say it when they are agreeing with something. Kenshin says it a lot.
Kami-sama- Japanese version of 'Oh my god' or 'for Christ's sake', get the drift?
Shishou- Sword master/teacher.
Jou-chan- Little Missy.
*Purse- No, not the purse your thinking of, that's what they called money holders men and women carried, not exactly a wallet but close.
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Thanks- bonessasan, Moonwind, Angelin, monkey_see_monkey_do, Lucrecia LeVrai, Thank you guys for the lovely reviews, I'm glad you enjoy my little fic, thanks so much!
Thanx!