Disclaimer: :: swoons at the thought of some of the RK men :: Bishie… oh, gomen, well to get it out of the way, I do not own the RK series, the manga or… :: cries at the sad thought :: the… the… the characters. DEMO! I do own the characters Kiana, Hinode and Yokoshiro-san, so do not take them what so ever. Okay, I do admit, I don't own the names, but the characters… THE CHARACTERS! The personalities, the way they look and act, the characteristics of the characters, I do own. The combination of everything that makes them up belongs only to me, no one else. Okay? Alright! Now let's get on with the fic.
AN: Here's chapter three. Enjoy and let me know what you think. Ja.
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~Mecchen no Neko~
Chapter 3: Yokoshiro Estate
The black buggie turned onto a stone paved road. After about five minutes, it stopped in front of a manor.
"We have arrived, ladies." The coach driver said as he opened the door.
"Already? It sure isn't that far from the Akabeko. About a half an hours walk, probably." Kiana stepped out, her bag slung over her head. She took in everything around her. "Wow, this is amazing." She turned around to face the building. "H-Hinode-san…"
"Hmm?"
"You said absolutely nothing about your uncle living in a mansion." Her eyes grew as her head tilted up to view the balconies on the top floor. Her mouth dropped open.
Hinode walked past her younger friend. "Well, I guess I never told you about the Yokoshiro estates, now did I?"
"E-estates? You just made that plural." Kiana received a nod. "That explains about all those experiences that you've had here in Japan. Going out into the fields, swimming in the creeks…"
Hinode giggled. "And all those horse rides… that reminds me, be ready for an afternoon trail ride tomorrow. My uncle has been saying that that is one thing he wants to take you on."
"Ano… I've never really ridden."
Hinode stepped up to the few amount of stairs that headed towards the front door. "You'll learn how to."
A butler came towards the two females. "If you would, please follow me." Hinode and Kiana followed the tailored man into the massive home. "Yokoshiro-sama, they have arrived."
"Ah, Hinode-chan, how is my favorite niece?" A man of about fifty-five entered the lobby. He was barely shorter than Kiana and had grey hair and a grey mustache. He also had some little extra 'meat' around his mid-section.
Hinode embraced the older man. "Uncle, how has if been since I left this morning?"
They released each other. "Oh, whenever you left, things became dull, but now that you are back, everything is fine again. I take it that that is Kiana-chan?" He stared at the brunette as she looked around the room.
She came upon a figure and poked it. "Is this thing a statue?" It suddenly moved, startling Kiana. She jumped back a fair distance, surprising Professor Yokoshiro.
"That, my dear, is the head butler, Tegoushi-san."
Hinode's giggles turned into laughter.
Kiana threw a hand to her face, it then slide, showing her eyes. "I feel like such a fool."
"Do not worry, Enderson-sama, things like this tend to happen." Tegoushi said.
She sighed. "You have my permission to address me as Kiana, or better yet, Neko. I've never been for the whole formal, name calling… thing?"
He nodded, "I can do that, Neko-sama." He bowed to Kiana and rose with a smile. He then bowed before Hinode and Professor Yokoshiro before leaving the room.
Kiana stood in her place, watching the retreating back. She then shrugged and turned to her friend. "What?"
Hinode laughed. "Oh, it's nothing." The copper-haired female straightened up before the professor. "Uncle, I'm going to show Neko-san to her room. I'll be back in an hour or so."
Professor Yokoshiro nodded. "Very well, but won't Kiana-chan return with you?"
The woman shook her head. "Iie, her curiosity about this place will get the best of her, causing her to wander around." She looked over at her friend who was busily examining a tapestry at the other side of the lobby. "As I said…"
The older man chuckled. "I completely understand. I'm sure there's more than one reason why people call her Neko. I hope she enjoys herself. I'll allow her to settle in, but be sure you show her the dining room. I want both of you down here at six for dinner."
Hinode nodded. "Trust me, Neko-san will find the dining room and kitchen without being told where it is."
"Alright. Show her around and let her explore, just tell her to stay indoors. If she likes to wander around, it will be difficult to find her outside. I'll see you later, my dear." With what needed to be said, the professor left the room to attend some papers.
Hinode sighed. "Come on Neko-san."
"Eh?" Kiana had been disrupted from her studying but made her way up the stairs, following her older friend.
"Oh wow! This is beautiful. Who is she?" Kiana asked, starring at the large painted picture over the fireplace mantle.
"My mother. Uncle Yokoshiro loved her dearly. She was the only sibling he had."
"Oh…" Kiana looked away from Hinode and at the picture. "She was truly beautiful. I remember you told me she died from cancer about seven years ago."
Hinode nodded. "I was the only offspring out of the whole family."
"I thought you had cousins."
"One, but he lives in Europe. For some reason he hates the family."
Kiana sat down on the bed. "He's from your dad's side of the family, isn't he?" She received a yes. "So, Yokoshiro-san doesn't have any children of his own and he never married."
"How did you know? I never told you." Hinode joined her friend.
"Easy. I could tell by how he acted. He was glad that you had returned, and if he did have a wife, she would've greeted us at the door. As for the children, there was nothing to prove that there had been any. If there had, the house would have some signs of being child proof."
"Uh huh…"
Kiana giggled. "Oh, and if he was married or did have kids, I'm sure there would've been a load of pictures above the fireplace in the lobby."
"Right, I knew you were being full of yourself."
"Nani? What are you talking about, I would never…" Kiana pushed her friend over to watch her roll on the bed.
Hinode picked herself up and walked to the door. "You're welcome to roam around the house, but don't go outside."
"Doushite?"
"It'd take too long to find you for dinner."
Kiana gave a nervous laugh.
"I'll see you in the dining room at six. Have fun and don't get into trouble, ne?" Hinode watched as Kiana's mischievous grin appeared on her face. "Yeah, just as I thought." The woman closed the door and left to go about on an errand.
Kiana looked around the room. She noticed the dark colored curtains that hung over part of the open window. The breeze slowly wafted in. The bed she would be sleeping in was huge, with four posts and a blue awning. The mattress was about two and a half feet off the ground, but it was incredibly soft. "Hope I don't roll out of it, " she murmured. She lay down and gazed at the over hanging fabric.
Kiana shot up. She heard a distant cry. "What the hell was that?" She got off the bed and made her way out of the door and down the hall. Her socks patted against the carpeted floor as she followed the faint sound, but after a few minutes, the cries disappeared. Kiana continued, deciding to explore the house. "They said I could, as long as I didn't go outside."
The seventeen year old began her journey of curiosity.
~*~*~*~*~
"CHE!" Enshoru yelped, gripping his arm in attempt to stop the bleeding from the katana wound. "Why the hell did you do that?" The lengthy man dropped to one knee. The pain shot throughout his body. His chin length black hair fell in front of his eyes, hiding the anger that would have shown.
A somewhat shorter but muscular man of forty-two held the katana, resting the blade on his shoulder. "You should know better than to attack me like you usually do. You always leave yourself open, and it's about time you actually learn this. The fencing swords are not enough." The man flung his head to the right, soon allowing his dark hair to settle. He took note that a thin figure stood in the shadows with a sly smirk. "Ah, Yatsune-san, I did not know that you had returned." He bowed before the figure."
"Tsunare-san, I see that your fighting skills have improved since my absence."
"Arigato, sir." The short man stood. "Enshoru!"
The lengthy man lowered his head to Yatsune.
Yatsune stepped from the shadows. He had a tall lean figure with broad shoulders. His brown hair was kept in a short ponytail at his nape. His eyes were narrow to match his face, which had a thin mustache upon his upper lip. Yatsune was attired in a blue kimono and grey hakama as a bokken rest in his left hand. The thirty-one year old man crossed the room, facing Tsunare.
"Since I have just arrived, I want to see how well you have improved." Yatsune rested a hand on Tsunare's arm. "Fight with the katana."
"Sir, are you sure, all you have is that bokken. I could easily hurt you."
"Keep it!" The younger man barked.
"Hai."
Yatsune turned to Enshoru. "Get your wound cleaned and get Neran-kun over here."
Enshoru did as commanded.
In no time, a stout young man of twenty-five waltzed into the practice room. "Yatsune-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you once again. How was your trip?"
"Good. Now enough chitter-chatter. I want to witness and experience, for myself, your improvement. Both you and Yatsune will attack me at once, using your katana."
Neran stood in disbelief. "S-sir, are you sure?"
"Enough questions, chikuso! Attack already!" Yatsune prepared himself by stepping into a defense stance, readying his bokken.
Tsunare and Neran stared at each other before they yelled and darted forward, stabbing with their katana's.
~*~*~*~*~
Professor Yokoshiro busily looked through some papers. He released a heavy sigh. "Why must those bumbling fools want me to return to Kyoto? What business do they have now that needs my help?" He grabbed a pen and signed his name. "Tegoushi-san… Please come here."
The professor did not lift his head as the butler made his way into the office. "Sir?"
Professor Yokoshiro then met the older man's eyes. "I have a wish to ask of you. You are a dear friend to me and have helped me through the years. You have always traveled with me on important business meetings. What I request of you now is to please stay here as I leave to Kyoto in another four days."
Tegoushi nodded. "I understand, Sir. You've mentioned this before, that if your niece is here, you would wish to have her attend your next meeting involving some of the government officials. I take it, that this is the time which you have spoken of?" He received a nod. "What of Neko-sama?"
"She came here to Japan to visit and I'm sure she would rather stay here in Tokyo, rather than travel more than she needs to. Will you please send word to Hinode-chan that she is to ready herself for five days?"
"Yes sir. I shall tell her." Tegoushi left the room.
The professor leaned back in his chair, relaxing, before returning to the paper work before him.
~*~*~*~*~
"Oh?" Kiana questioned. "So this is Professor Yokoshiro-san's personal library? I'm going to have to ask him later on if I can have permission to look at what he has."
"That would be wise, Neko-sama. Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to continue with." The older woman walked past the brunette.
"Gomen, " Kiana lowered her head in apology. She walked down a hall and the cries returned, startling the teen.
Kiana had walked and explored a small portion of the mansion, every so often running into the maids or butlers. They were kind and showed her around before going back to what they were doing. Kiana understood; they were busy so they could not help her for long. But no one was around at the moment the cries sounded again.
Being as curious and determined as she was, Kiana once again begun to seek out the source of the cries.
She trotted her way down the passages, but would come upon a dead end or a set of stairs. She never went up, knowing the sounds came from ahead or down below in the next floor. At times the cries would desist, losing Kiana, but they would start up in no time again. "What is going on?" She muttered to herself, running down a set of steps. Her pace quickened as she made her way down a few more halls. She turned a corner and came to a pair of sliding rice-paper doors set in a long wall. "Hmm?"
"KYAAAA!" A scream penetrated the thin doors, causing Kiana to take a sudden step back.
The female shook her head and moved toward the doors, slowly sliding them open. She viewed the interior of a practice room. There were open doors to the outside on the other end of the room. There were three quickly moving figures, all holding swords.
"Chotto…" Kiana muttered, "One of them is holding a bokken."
Two of the three figures attacked the one with the wooden sword. A snap echoed through the room as blood drenched the floor.
Kiana gasped. Once realizing that she had made a noise, she threw her hand on her mouth.
"What was that?" One man asked, as he lay on the floor, struggling to stand.
"Someone's here, " the thin man with the bokken said, walking to the doors.
Kiana took a step back. She was in astonishment, believing that the man that came to the door was the one that had been harmed, when he was actually the one that inflicted the damage to the other men.
The man forcefully slid the door completely open and stared at the female before him. He was covered in blood, yet none of it came from him. "Who are you and whose permission do you have to be down here?" He growled.
Kiana felt the man's anger flare. She stepped back one more time. "Yokoshiro-san said I could explore the mansion…" She answered timidly, trying to in some sort of way act innocent, although she knew she was.
The man stared at Kiana with an untrustworthy glint in his eyes. "You have no right to be down here. Leave."
"Yatsune-sama, give her a break. She's but a child, how would she know the rules?"
Kiana's eyes widened. "Nothing but a child?" she choked. "I am insulted. And no, I didn't know I wasn't supposed to be down here. Yokoshiro-san just said that I was welcome to roam around. He said nothing about…"
Yatsune raised a hand to slap Kiana but she moved past him into the large room, seeing as to her only exit was blocked by two other men. His anger rose as he turned towards her. "Get the hell out of here." He barked, motioning for Tsunare and Neran to restrain her.
Kiana saw a hand reach towards her so she moved out of the way, causing Neran to fall. He had blood gushing out of a wound. Her eyes widened and she ran to the sliding paper doors to the outside. But, instead of going through them, she was stopped as two men stood in her way. "I don't give a damn as to what you're doing, but just leave me out of it and let me go."
Yatsune snorted. "You should have done as I said from the start."
Kiana rushed towards the two men but did not expect to see a set of katanas blocking her. She did a back flip to get away from them.
"As I said, you should have listened. I don't want some snot nosed, big mouth teen snooping around. I don't have any idea as to how much you've heard…"
Kiana looked back at the man, standing up. "I just got here. Wile roaming the halls, all I've heard for the past thirty minutes is screaming and yelling with a few occasional moments of silence. That's it."
Tsunare chuckled. "Ever hear of curiosity killed the cat?"
"Don't joke…" Kiana spat.
"How can I trust the word of a…"
"Neko-san!" Hinode cried out from the hall.
Yatsune did an about face. "Hinode-sama, when did you return? Forget that. It's a pleasure to see you again." He bent down and kissed her hand.
Hinode blinked a few times. "I came back yesterday. But answer me this, why are you covered in blood and what is Neko-san doing in the practice room?"
"Neran-kun, Tsunare-san and I were practicing. As for her, " Yatsune smiled as he looked over to Kiana, "she just happened to come around while we were practicing. We told her to leave, but she refused to."
"Neko-san?" Hinode questioned.
Kiana dashed towards her friend. "Hinode-san, onegai, let's leave."
"Nani?"
"Onegai?"
Hinode nodded. "Alright, demo…" she turned to Yatsune. "Enough nonsense, get the blood cleaned up and meet with my uncle. I'm sure he hasn't heard of your arrival yet."
"Hai, Hinode-sama."
Kiana and Hinode left, turning down a hall.
Being sure that the two females were out of hearing distance Yatsune began, "We need to get rid of her someway. She knows too much."
"How can we be sure of that sir?" Neran asked as he opened a cabinet to get some bandages.
Yatsune turned to the younger man. "I don't wish to take any chances. We need to be rid of all loose ends."
Neran nodded, although he did not like the idea that he figured ran through the older man's head.
~*~*~*~*~
"Hinode-san, " Kiana muttered, breaking the silence between her and the older woman. "How well do you trust, uh, Yatsune-san?"
Hinode looked to the younger female before her. She breathed heavily. Kiana could tell that she was angry. "I trust Yatsune-san with my life. He has been loyal to my uncle for years. What I can't understand is why you didn't listen to him. Why were you causing trouble?"
"Me… causing trouble? Give me a break, Hinode-san. Yokoshiro-san said that I was welcome to roam about, just as long as I stayed inside. No one told me that there are areas here that are restricted. There were no warnings. No signs saying 'Personnel Only'. How am I to know? Besides, that Yatsune was not friendly what so ever. All I did was follow my ears because I heard a lot of yelling and screaming and I wanted to know what was going on. When he found me at the door, he started to yell and was ready to slap me, so I did what came natural. I darted into the room. I don't know what he and those men are up to, but there's nothing good that will come out of it. I can tell you that."
"I'm sorry, but I've know Yatsune-san for too long."
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Hinode was caught by the sudden question. "Neko-san?"
"Tell me, have I ever lied to you? Because that's sure what it sounds like your convicting me of. I admit, I'll get into trouble, I'll get into fights, I'll sometimes do things that I'm not supposed to, but, I will not do something without reason and I do not lie."
"Iie, you've never lied to me, demo…" Hinode turned away, "I've trusted Yatsune-san for so long. He's an advisor to my uncle and one of the most trusted out of anyone who works here. At the moment, I don't know what to believe. Please understand."
Kiana turned away as silence filled the hall. She shook her head. "I do." She stated. "Let's forget this whole ordeal and grab something to eat. I'm getting a bit hungry after all that searching."
Hinode chuckled. "You never fail to amaze me."
Kiana shrugged. "Yare yare. Now, where's that kitchen?"
~*~*~*~*~
"What do you think?" Professor Yokoshiro questioned before taking a bite from his food.
"Huh?" Kiana looked up from her meal. "Oh, this place is really interesting… and big."
The professor laughed. "Yes is it."
Kiana picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks. "I've been meaning to ask… would it be possible that I could go into your library? If you don't want me to, that's alright, I'm just…"
"It's fine. After dinner I'll open the library up to you."
Kiana smiled. "Arigatou." She ate her meat.
Tegoushi picked up Hinode's bowl. "Neko-sama, what kind of books do you like to read?"
"Fiction. Anything to get me out of this realm, as long as it has nothing to do with war."
"What do you mean by this realm?" The professor asked.
Kiana smirked. "There are things in this world that I desperately want to get away from. Reading into fantasy worlds helps me do just that."
"Uncle?" Hinode looked to the older man. "Does Neko-san know what we're going to be doing in a few days?"
Professor Yokoshiro ate part of his salad. "Well, Kiana-chan, Hinode and I will be leaving to Kyoto in four days. There's some business that needs to be taken care of. We'll be away for a matter of five days. I've figured that you would rather stay in Tokyo. The staff would do a great taking care of you, and I know that Tegoushi-san will see to that. This will also give you a chance to explore part of the city. Would you prefer to stay put for awhile instead of traveling more than you need to?" He leaned back, allowing Tegoushi to pick up the dishes.
Kiana pondered on what was said. "The purpose for your trip to Kyoto is for business. If I came along, I would probably be in the way and my presence may distract you from what needs to be done. So, it would be best if I stayed. Besides, I'm sure that it's something pretty important."
Hinode smiled. "I'm glad that you understand. Enough of this, we have completed dinner and my uncle said that he would take you to his library. I will be outside with Sakara-san tending to the garden. Neko-san, you are welcome to join me anytime you find a book you want to read."
All three stood up from their seats and left the dining room. Hinode went her separate way as Professor Yokoshiro and Kiana went to the library.
~*~*~*~*~
Tsunare walked past the practice room. "Neran-kun, what is taking so long?"
"I just had to put something up." Neran followed the older man. "What happened to Enshoru-san?"
"He's with Yatsune-sama. They're talking about the plans."
Neran turned away. His arm lay in a sling. "I'm still uncomfortable about this situation. I'm not sure if I'm up to the task ahead."
Tsunare stopped and turned to the younger man. "Are you going to turn your back on Yatsune-sama and become a traitor? There is too much staked on this event."
"No, demo, I just don't feel right about…"
A hand collided with Neran's already slightly bruised face. Tsunare moved close enough for no one else to hear. "Have you forgotten? There are other people here. If anyone overhears, that's the end of Yatsune-sama and us. Do you want that?" Neran shook his head. "Good, now make sure that you can wield a katana within three days. Be prepared before the incident occurs, got that?" The older man stood straight and walked off.
Neran bowed. "Hai."
~*~*~*~*~
"How is your arm?" Yatsune questioned.
Enshoru sat down. "Better. The pain has subsided."
"Will you be able to swing a katana in a few days?"
"Hai."
Yatsune pulled a few documents out from the desk he sat at. "Take a look at these." He handed the papers over to Enshoru.
The thirty-four year old leaned back as he received the documents. He carefully read though the text and looked over the charts. After reading the last sentence, Enshoru shot up, sending pain through his arm. "Sir, you must be mad. How can you possible bring yourself to do such a deed? I will not be able…"
"You will do as you are commanded." Yatsune's eyes narrowed. Enshoru sat down. "I will do whatever it takes. The plans will be followed and they will be executed at midnight April seventeenth."
"How will you be able to do this? They believe you are loyal to them."
"Exactly, they'll never know what hit them." Yatsune smirked and chuckled.
~To Be Continued~
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~Japanese~
Chotto – Just a minute…
Demo – But…
Doushite – Why?
Ne – Right
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AN: Ah, chapter three is complete. I wonder what Yatsune, Enshoru, Tsunare and Neran are up to. Oh wait; I'm the one writing this, so I do know. Lol. Hope you enjoyed it. Please leave your comments in a review. Arigatou. Oh, don't worry, the Kenshin-gumi will be present in the next chapter.
If anyone has any questions, the four men mentioned above are my original characters, they are not from the anime or manga. Chow. =^.^=