The Legend Continues

By Sukunami Taka

Chap Two- New Family

"NANI!?!" an extremely horrified Kyoshi nearly toppled backwards. She glowered at the youth, who was calmly pulling his newly laid bandages tight, still not believing that…..that….., "HE is going to LIVE HERE? HERE?!" Yahiko scratched his head, leaning against the wall, "It looks that way…." "NANDA!?!" At Kyoshi's super-loud super-annoying screeching, the young man looked up, a fawn eyebrow raised, "Oi! Don't think that I wanted this any more than you do……che…..oyagi is so thick-headed…..Shota, get over there right now or you'll get it from me," he mimicked his father. "Che…." He huffed. Yahiko laughed inwardly, the two youngsters scowling at each other reminding him how Kaoru, Sanosuke and him used to tease one another……I suppose I'll have to play the adult now…..Shota and Kyoshi….sousta Suzumi and Yumi….arre, arre, we're going to be family now…..demo, I still wish Kenshin didn't have to go….still…. "Arre, arre….Kyo, the first class will be starting soon….iko…." he got up, tugging the defiant girl along with him. Sagara Shota paused, glancing at the empty spaces, the he pulled his dark shirt together, slipping out of the dojo…….

"HAH!" a roomful of Kamiya Kasshin's dojo students stabbed and thrusted their kendo sticks in rhytmn with their sensei Yahiko and assistant Kyoshi. Her flowing raven hair tied back with a ribbon and brows knitted in determination, Kyoshi followed her ojisan's perfectly executed steps with forceful strength, trying to work off her anger. All of a sudden, a body crashed through the shutters, sending splintering wood and ragged thin cardboard showering over everyone. A badly cut Shota laid agonizing on the floor, viscous blood staining the pine parquet as it oozed darkly from a deep wound in his side. Yahiko immediately leapt to the injured man, cradling his head close to him, "KYO! Get Megumi sensei! Now!" Kyoshi was already out the door, skidding sideways on her zori, as the sable haired man lugged Shota with some effort and rested him upon a mattress…..

The maiden sank to the floor, exhausted. She wiped her damp forehead with the back of her sleeve as one hand smoothed back silvery hair. "Dai….dai jou bu des ka?" whispered Yumi. "Ha….he'll need to stay still for a few days…." "Sou…arigato sensei….."

Shota stirred, oak brown eyes fluttering. As he became conscious to reality, he struggled up, only to be held back by Yahiko. Baring his teeth, he lashed out unsteadily, "Let me go! Ai…ite…ite….oi!" Annoyed, Kyoshi bashed the flailing Shota on the head, nearly rendering him unconscious again. Yahiko grimaced, "Kyo!" "Nani yo? Sensei said that he should not move around….humph, I'm doing him a favor…." In response, Sano's boisterous son kicked her, thudding her on the ground, "Thanks but no thanks…."

"Where are you going?!" bellowed Yahiko. "Move…I need to….ite…there's….itee…" "Whatever you need to do, it can wait….."

"You don't understand! There's a gang of swordsmen uptown who are running a syndicate! Oyagi and I have been following them for ages! I need to…..ite…"

Kyoshi rosed, brushing her hakama, lips slightly parted. Hooking a free strand of hair behind her ear, she placed a hand on the raging man's shoulder, her eyes dark, "You should wait until your wounds heal….any good swordsman knows that one should fight at one's best abilities and strength….you're in no condition to go after armed men by yourself…." Shota clenched, frustrated…..and abruptly curled around, covering himself with the blankets. The others shuffled out quietly, deciding to leave him in peace, and as Kyoshi blew out the candle flame, she smiled……

~

flashback~ eyes narrowed, he glanced quickly from one leering man to another, twenty in all. Bracing himself, his raised hands were poised in front of him, prepared to lash out punches. In one instance, all twenty advanced on him, dealing out blows with kicks and clubs. He snapped around, trying to hit as many as he could, then a sharp pain stabbed him in the side. He fell, wincing hard….as laughter rang from the men who walked away……~

Shota's eyes blinked, a tear running down one side of his face. His body tense, he curled up even more, hating that he could do nothing. Slowly his hand released the clutched sheets of the mattress, as sleep cloaked him in little comfort.

A/N Taka: anon…another chapter done….what do you think?