Disclaimer: If I really owned the series, would this be here? Better yet, if I really owned the series, would I be writing fanfiction on it?! *pause* ...Well... It wouldn't be fiction then (er, in face of the already fictional series I mean).
NOTE: 2/21/03, third attempt at getting the URLs to show. If all else fails, I might be posting them on my bio page. Gomen, minna!
Chapter Eighteen
Himura Kenshin had plenty of experience on being in tight spots. Fighting in a war tended to do that for people.
He had been surrounded as he was now. He had been responsible for protecting others as he was now. He had even been the situation's last hope as he was now, seeing as to how Obaga was saying he was open to options. He had even been without his sword or disarmed on the especially rare occasion, as he was now. However, he had never, ever been in drag as he was now. And that was just humiliating.
"Kunhori!"
"Yes Lord?"
Aroji walked over to Murobi, swords in hand. "Take care of those two," he ordered. "And do a better job than you did last time, although I don't suspect they'll give you as hard a time without their weapons." Himura answered his sneer with one of his glares.
"Yes Lord!"
"In the meantime, I'm going to drop in on my family. Murobi-san, lead the way."
"Understood."
Himura watched as the two left, but his attention was quickly forced back onto the mob in front of them as Kunhori began to organize them into attack. He frowned, knowing this would not be easy. Fending off one or two men with swords while weaponless was one thing, but almost a dozen was quite another. Even with Obaga by his side and his own strong advantage in speed, this could come close. His eyes narrowed, becoming steeled and icy in his conclusion.
"We need to get our swords back as soon as possible," he informed his elder companion, not taking his gaze off the mob, who were all ready to begin now. "Until then, we'll just have to—-Oro?" The forbidding hitokiri stare was instantly broken as Kenshin blinked down at the mop suddenly placed in his hands. Looking over, he found Obaga armed with a broom while the others held brushes and buckets that had been supplied by a concealed cleaning closet.
"You didn't think that I was just gonna lie down and let you do all the fun stuff again, did you?" Futashi asked, grinning (or was that a wince?) with his split lip and gripping the bucket in his hand tighter.
Nuhiro gripped his broom as though it were a sword with an extended handle. "Better than nothing de gozaru," he shrugged before he himself regained his grim determination. "Himura-dono, as soon as there's a break in them, you should run and stop Amatomo."
"What about you?"
"Entrust their safety to me, Himura-dono. I won't let anything happen to them, I promise."
Kenshin took a glance back at them, his gaze lingering a little longer on the odd sight of seeing the calm, refined Yuiishi-dono ready to bombard the enemy with a duster. "Sessha doesn't think they'd let anything happen to them let alone you de gozaru." He gave a small smile before returning to the battle. "Alright, I'll trust you."
"And we'll trust you," Futashi replied in what would have been another tender moment if he hadn't added, "to not screw up like you guys just did! Leaving your swords behind! Sheesh, how stupid can you get?!"
Before any retort could be made to that, the bellow of, "ATTACK!" shot through the air. So did the hoard of men. So did two buckets, one floor brush, and an old rag.
With a stoke of luck, or perhaps just a very good arm, a bucket and rag landed on the heads of the first two charging men, abruptly cutting off their vision. Obaga ducked in quickly, holding his broom our horizontally before him and effectively using the long handle to knock the wind out of the two simultaneously. Stopping his step short to let the pair fall back and slow down the men behind him, he repositioned his grip to one end of the broom for a wide swing he aimed low, swiping the feet out from under another. Quickly adjusting his hold to regain control, he moved in again, taking advantage of the soldiers who continued to be caught by surprise at the barrage of bristle brushes and water tubs from behind.
Himura's opponents were not so caught off guard. One man sliced the floor brush coming at him neatly in two, but the used swing left him open just long enough for Himura to shove the string-side of the mop into his face, giving his jaw a good rattle and his sense of smell and unpleasant ride. Side-stepping another man's thrust, he spun to execute a Ryuu Kan Sen upon the man. …And then he kept spinning when his attire once again tripped him up and nearly got him slice in half by a slash that he only managed to avoid by letting himself trip.
Cursing the restricting material under his breath, he scrambled for balance again and his next charging opponent suddenly gave him an idea. Timing the next attack aimed at him, he moved just enough at the right moment. There was a small, quick tearing sound of something cutting through cloth, after which Himura didn't waste a second and lunged forward. The stretch immediately tore along the shallow cut made by his opponent's katana that ran in the front from just above his knees to the hem. With this extra mobility, his offensive and defensive skills were more to his disposal. He proved this as the long reach of the mop struck his adversary before the katana could touch him, following up the move with a shallow-height Ryuu Tsui Sen.
"Time to clean house de gozaru!!!" Nuhiro bellowed from his end of the fight, using his broom of a weapon and quite literally "sweeping" through some of his foes. Himura noticed that Obaga was getting the most aid from their backup, but even still it hardly looked like he really needed the assistance.
Progress was going well, but still not as fast as Himura would've liked it. Almost three minutes had passed, and that was too long considering they needed to protect Nikko. He needed that break and he needed it now.
Catching the communicating glimpse from Kenshin, Obaga nodded once and signaled that he was about to force it. The Ishin Shishi prepared to follow his lead and take the gap. Leaping back to give himself some room, the wise, elder samurai held the broom steadily at his side and with a cold stare raised two fingers to his lips…
And whistled.
"Nice legs, Himura!" he hooted.
All activity ceased as everyone involuntarily turned towards the former assassin, a subconscious instinct telling them that they should see if they agreed with this or not. Kenshin meanwhile, was paralyzed in mortification as everyone observed his exposed caves before a subconscious instinct told him that he should see how well they could all ogle with their eyeballs removed from their sockets.
A moment later, when one of the radicals went flying past him, he realized that in his effort to fight off four years of bad hitokiri habits, Obaga had taken advantage of everyone's stunned state. What more, he had taken the katana of one of the fallen men, flipped it, and was fighting as good as before.
"Himura-dono!" Obaga called, snapping him out of his brief stupor. All at once he caught the gap and began to make for it when his companion called to him again. "Perhaps you should take a weapon as well?"
Kenshin knew what he meant, and a sudden lump of dread sank in his stomach as he looked down at the nearby unconscious form of one of the soldiers, the man's katana in easy reach. Taking it would've been the wisest thing to do. A mop was probably not going to last long against their leader and a ninja, and then how much use would he be? He had to protect Nikko with something didn't he? He had to protect her and yet even still…
His sword hand trembled slightly for a moment. Then in the next, it was steady and firm, as was his resolve.
"No, Obaga-dono," he replied, stepping again back towards the gap. "I have not lifted a real sword since my days in the Revolution, and I do not plan to ever again."
There was not enough time to pause for a tender moment of respect and understanding, but Kenshin though he saw the graying swordsman smile all the same.
"We'll catch up to you as soon as we can then," he called back. "Good luck!"
Himura grinned back. "Thanks. You too, and be careful!" he added, before turning around and promptly taking his own advice as he swiftly ducked under Koeji's blade. Rolling to safety, he uprighted himself and found that not only had the top of the handle on his mop been slice clean off, but the break had been closed by this man.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, holding a stance that Himura couldn't find any vulnerability in. "Look what we have here." He sneered devilishly. "It's the girl who thinks she's the legendary Battousai!"
Kenshin figured this might've been more insulting had it been said with more sarcasim, but this guy was being completely serious. …Then again, he remembered this guy.
"Stand aside," Himura warned him, brandishing what was left of his cleaning tool as threateningly as such a thing could be brandished. When his opponent began to laugh however, Himura figured it was just his luck this guy wouldn't be stupid enough to be scared of a broken mop.
"What're you gonna do?" Koeji asked. "Clean me to death? Now tell me where Battousai is, Woman, or I'll let you mop up your own blood."
"Wow, that actually sounded like a decent threat!" Blinking, both men turned to find Futashi standing nearby. "Go help my sister, Fem-Lackey! We'll take care of this guy!"
"You've gotta be kidding," Himura did not say, although he was sorely tempted. The boy had a wet rag and scrub brush tucked into his belt and was gripping Yuiishi's duster like a small sword. Frankly he looked more ready to tackle a dirty floor than an opponent, and with his bruises, he was more fit for an infirmary than a battle. And yet…
Himura didn't know if it was the sheer determination in the boy's eyes or the kid's stance that testified that he was the son of a samurai, but he nodded and stepped aside, ready to bolt past.
…Actually, Kenshin had a strong feeling that is was because Obaga stepped up behind the boy for back up that gave him enough confidence to leave them to their own dealings. Knowing he couldn't waste more time, Himura charged the swordsman.
Koeji took a swipe at the figure rushing at him, surprised when he missed. He was only slightly more surpised by the force behind the mop strings flung into his face. Quickly recovering from the fact that his quarry had managed to not only doge but counter-attack, he ripped the mop head off and turned to deliver a follow-up… Only to find the person disappearing out the door in a record-dash.
"...Wow, she's fast," he absently commented. A snap from behind brought his attention around. Actually, a snap to his behind brought his attention around. Had anyone known where that five-yen birthmark was exactly, it could've been said that hit had been "right on the money." Yelping and rubbing his sore posterier, Koeji whirled around to find his child challenger winding up his towel for another locker room assult.
"Hey, look to where your real opponents are!" Futashi hollered. Behind him, Obaga was standing over his latest fallen foe while Asuka, Yuki, and Yuiishi were standing over the last of them, beating the already wounded man down with water buckets and name calling.
"We cannot allow you to go any further," Nuhiro's voice, which now sounded low and dangerous, warned. "You should surrender now de gozaru. Or else…"
"Or else?"
"Tell him Futashi."
"Or else we're gonna beat you so bad your kids are gonna be wondering what hit them! …And your kaasan!" he added, just because it always sounded more insulting when you brought someone's mother into the picture.
Obaga nodded sagely. "True dat de gozaru."
Koeji sneered. "Very well. Slaughtering an old man, a brat, and a few women weren't on my agenda today… And neither was dish duty this morning, but you know how some of those things can just pop up on you." The others stared blankly at this until the man's forbidding countenance returned. "In any case, I hope you're all ready to die." His sword came up and glinted dangerously. "Because I'm gonna kill you to death!!!"
Before anyone could offer him a better line, Koeji attacked.
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Weaponless, slightly lost (again) and in drag, Kenshin raced through the halls of the teahouse, more concerned about the former part than the later. However, he did have to break a few noses when the lingering customers tried to stop him and flirt.
Luck seemed to be with him however (finally!) when he found the corridor he was following seemed to lead straight outside. …Of course, it ended up being the wrong side of outside, but at least it was easier to decifer the front and back from without the building's maze-like interior. (A part of him mused that a portion of their business must be from people who can't find the exit to leave.) Not only that, but as he stood by the door trying to find his bearings, his eye caught something by the door's frame. It was an umbrella.
Kenshin stared at the bumpershoot for only a seond before grabbing it. It wasn't much but it would have to do. Yeesh, improvising seemed to be on the list of Things to Do today.
Tearing his way around to the backside, he halted and hid himself behind the laundry room when Murobi and Aroji suddenly came into view. Peeking out, he saw that neither one had noticed him yet, and were still heading towards the back gate. Kenshin gritted his teeth as he saw that his sakabatou and Nuhiro's sword remained in the grasp of Amatomo.
Pulling back, he mulled to himself on how having a plan would be nice right now. But looking back, he could tell he wouldn't have time to plot one. The two men were nearly upon the gate and soon they would enter, find Nikko and the children and then do kami knows what to…
Himura blinked. During this pause, he debated with himself that what he had in mind was a dangerous and dumb idea before countering that it was his only idea. Then he gave up all together under the pressure and took off.
A good plan would be nice right now.
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They both sensed his approach at the same time but Murobi was the first ready to retaliate. Whirling around to see the red haired hitokiri come barreling at him full speed, he let a handful of deadly shuriken fly from his right palm, each hitting their mark on the target.
…Or at least they would have had the target still been there.
For a split-second Murobi wanted to shout out that the Battousai had vanished, however his instincts knew better. And right then, his self-preservation instincts were telling him that he probably didn't wanna look up right now.
Gathering more throwing knives, he turned his head up anyway to see how he might counter… the foot in his face. Murobi's vision briefly consisted of the bottom of Himura's sandal before the kimono-clad swordsman leapt off his head and cleared the gate with ease. The ninja was left behind to rub his sore nose and curse, which he did so with much vigor.
Aroji had to admit that if he wasn't on guard, he might've found the scene quite comical. As it was however, he could've help but wonder why the young man hadn't stayed behind to fight. He would've imagined that with his displayed protectiveness earlier, the assassin might've tried keeping them from breeching the wall at all costs.
A broad grin curled at his lips. This was interesting indeed. Clearly Battousai had another plan in mind but as to what that was, there seemed to be only one way to find out…
"Murobi, you go first! Er, I mean… After him! Don't let him get to my wife so he can hide her!"
"He's not getting away," his henchman promised, bounding after their adversary and making Aroji happy that he had members that understood orders and little else. Landing on the other side, Murobi found he was quickly addressed.
"How did you find this place?" was his welcome.
Looking down the bamboo surrounded path, the darkly clad martial artists grinned cockily under his mask as he spotted Himura waiting for him at the end of it.
"I made sure to get rid of you last night," Kenshin continued when he received no answer. His eyes narrowed and his umbrella… er, well the umbrella didn't really do much of anything. Undeterred by its lack of intimidation however, the redhead continued, "That was you following me, correct?"
"Guilty as charged," Murobi sneered, mocking a deep bow as he did so. "I confess that I was most disappointed that you even discovered me. You truly are a legendary man to be able to detect the stealth of Murobi Genro."
Himura has to consciously will himself not to role his eyes. Third person reference. He hated it when they started talking in third person. As if by pretending you weren't there would make you sound more impressive. Sheesh.
"I'll ask again, how did you find this place?"
Resigning himself to a small conversation, Murobi replied, "After being discovered by you last night, I had to abandon my pursuit. Understand Battousai, had I been at liberty to confront you openly at the time I would have. As it was however, I was only instructed to follow you."
"Lucky me. Now answer my question."
"Well, failing in my job wasn't exactly the best way to end my night, so I decided to stop off for a drink before reporting."
"You went to a bar?"
"Only for the intention of a small cup of sake. But guess my luck when not five minutes later, who should pop their head in?" Kenshin had a sinking feeling in the bottom of his stomach as Genro chuckled his amusement. "That's right. My adversary, Hitokiri Battousai himself! And not only did I have my sights back on him without him knowing, he asked for directions back to his lodgings; the very place I was to assigned to discover!"
This time Himura had to consciously will himself not to slap his forehead. Of all the dumb luck! It would figure that something like that would happen. Himura hadn't intended to invest in maps due to the fact that he was going to be wandering Japan with no specific destination in order, but after this, it might not hurt to become more aquainted with his locations.
"I thank you, Battousai, for making my job a little easier," Murobi cackled. "If you'd care to continue such services, just be a good man and keep still for me." He produced another handful of shuriken. "In return, I'll try to make this as painless as possible."
Eyes narrowing, Himura waited patiently as his adversary came to meet him.
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Obaga Nuhiro was not stupid. Absent-minded and simple, oh yes. Even senile perhaps, but who could really tell? However, he was definitely not stupid. By his definition, he was actually quite clever, seeing as to how it took a genius to be a proficient idiot. That's why when Koeji suggested the old man stay still as he repeatedly brought his katana down, Obaga politely ignored the advice and defended for all he was worth.
Koeji was good. Very good in fact. Of course, having seen the swordsman display his talents before with Himura had established this fact so it wasn't really a surprise so much as it was a problem with Nuhiro. As good as the experienced samurai was, he lacked Himura's incredible speed and was having a hard time finding an opening he could access. So far the plan consisted of blocking and dodging, hoping Koeji might eventually tire himself out. However, it seemed the rebel was aware of this plan and had lessened his attacks but by no means weakened his defense. It seemed he was not a complete fool either.
...As hard as that was to believe.
It had come down to a one-on-one battle. Asuka, Yuiishi, and Yuki weren't paying much attention to the fight yet because they were too busy tying up the other unconscious men. And if they came across any that weren't unconscious, well, a bucket, dustpan and washboard coming from three separate directions simultaneously was enough to fix that technicality. Futashi was really the only one concentrating on the combatants, ready to come in and aid with his duster anytime he might be able. In the boy's current condition however, Obaga was doing his best to make sure it didn't come to that.
Control, Nuhiro recited to himself as they leapt apart to decide their next moves. Control of the opponent is the key.
Koeji made the first move but unfortunately it was with his mouth. "I won't ask again, Old Man. Where is Battousai?"
"Would you believe me if I said Hokkaido?" he joked.
There was a pause.
"Really? But I just saw him yesterday."
…Followed by a massive face-fault.
"For such a nimble young man you're not very fast are you?" the elder asked, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.
"So how'd he get there so quickly?" the rebel continued, not yet catching on.
"Er..."
"…He flew!" Futashi blurted, deciding that playing along might be a good thing, whether it gave them more time to think or just a memory to later look back and laugh on (assuming they lived that long).
"People can't fly," he pointed out.
"Er, well, he didn't fly himself," the boy fibbed, looking around for support. "He, uh…"
"Was carried!" Everyone paused to lok over at Asuka. Apparently all of the other radicls had been dealt with and restrained by now. "…What?" she indignantly replied to their stares. "You got something better?"
"Carried?" Koeji echoed cautiously. Even though he couldn't be certain, the rebel was beginning to think this might be a bluff.
"Yes, carried!" Futashi quickly agreed. "By…"
"Chickens!", "Ducks!" were the replies. Obaga and Yuiishi exchanged glances. "Chickens and ducks," he confirmed. "Er… mating season," he then offered in means of explaining their unusual combination. Nanari never slapped her forehead because it was not a ladylike thing to do; however she found it very tempting right now.
"He tied them to his waist and they headed south for the winter," Futashi concluded.
"It's June," Koeji noted.
"Er… I mean, summer vacation."
"Hokkaido's north."
"…They took the long way around?" Yuki offered, figuring she had to contribute something (that feeling happens in outlandish conversations).
"Enough!" Koeji barked suddenly. "While your bluff was clever--" Everyone raised an eyebrow at this. "—and you had many logical explanations for the small loopholes--" Obaga coughed. "—I'm afraid you left one fatal flaw in your lie!" Pointing triumphantly at Futashi he declared, "Chickens can't fly! HA!"
The following silence was broken by the sound of Nanari's dustpan connecting with Obaga's skull. "Chickens?" she glared.
"Give me a break de gozaru!"
Judging from the following events, it would seem that line was always to be taken literally.
Koeji, finding that his superiors were right and that talking really was a nasty habit that got in the way of killing things, soon leapt forward into action, raising his blade against the nearest person who happened to be Futashi. Alarmed at the sudden switch of targets, Obaga quickly sprang forward, managing to throw the boy out of the way and turn to block Koeji's attack before it reached. His footing however was off-balance and the force of the swing sent him hurtling backward into a nearby wall which savagely knocked the wind out of him before uncerimoniously depositing him to the floor.
As the elder lie there, desperately catching his breath, the tip of the sword he'd been using landed a few mere inches from his nose. He stared at it for a moment, wondering what it was doing there when he could clearly feel the hilt still in his…
Oh. His sword was broken, along with what felt like some of his ribs. Seems he'd gotten his break after all.
"Old man!" Futashi shouted in concern, not liking how the rurouni was lying prone on the floor a little too long. But that last hit had looked really bad…
The last standing radical stepped up to stand over his fallen adversary, watching the samurai struggle just lift himself off the floor. Judging by his heavy breathing and how he kept his head down however, it would seem to old codger was finally down for the count.
"You fought pretty good, Grandpa," he confessed, raising his own sword again.
The room froze, everyone suddenly realizing that with a broken sword and injury, Obaga would fall to the next strike. …And no one could move to do anything; fear and morbid fascination keeping them in place.
"When I retire like you," Koeji continued, "I hope I'm half as good still." Strange how he didn't sound nearly as idiotic when he was complimenting someone.
The blade was poised above Koeji's head, ready to deliver a swift execution. Obaga had finally managed to prop himself on one knee, but it was too late.
"No!" Futashi cried, finally coming out of his frozen stupor and reaching for his only weapon, preparing to give this guy the dusting off his life. But he would be too late.
"Futashi! Don't!" Asuka cried, reaching out to hold him back… too late.
Yuiishi realized she should have done something to help, but it was now too late.
"Die!" Koeji roared, bringing his sword down just as Obaga's head snapped up and with a shout the man sprang forward making Koeji realized he'd better counter quick or—
Too late.
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"I'm getting too old for this de gozaru."
Futashi blinked. When once didn't seem enough, he blinked several more times. Then when this didn't seem to help him in comprehending what had happened, he decided to ask.
"What the heck did you just do?!" he cried.
Obaga looked at him and grinned haplessly. It was a bit strange seeing him smile so listlessly considering he had to lean on Yuiishi for some support, but Futashi was used to such strange behavior. Still, seeing the swordsman breath so hard and stand so weakly made him truly look his age.
"Just a little technique I learned a long time ago. Haven't used it in ages. I'm really out of practice!" he laughed.
"If anyone just went flying it was him," Asuka said, looking at the prone form of Koeji that laid on the ground a few feet away from where he'd been attacked. "Exactly what kind of technique was that?"
"Don't you know a swordsman never reveals his secrets?"
"Those are magicians."
"Er, well, magicians stole that phrase from swordsmen."
"Yeah right."
Futashi looked at Nuhiro again, trying to recall in his mind what he'd just seen and piece it together with what he knew about swordsmanship himself. As far as he could remember however, was that one minute he'd been running over to help the old man and the next he saw the codger spring to his feet and… what would you call that… a counter-attack? A parry? Koeji's attack had been stopped and then Obaga had taken him out with what was left of his own sword. Pretty impressive considering it was only the hilt!
Shaking his head, Futashi supposed he wouldn't understand it on his own, or at least not right away. Besides, they all had more important things to attend to.
"We need to help my sister!" he shouted, reminding everyone else of the same.
"That's right!" Yuki declared. "She's having her baby now! We need a doctor!"
"We can't just leave these guys here," Asuka remarked, motioning to their collection of unconscious rebels.
"Aroji and his ninja must have reached Nikko-dono by now. We must go and assist Himura-dono."
"Well then let's go!" Futashi exclaimed.
"But we need a doctor!"
"And police!"
"We really should make a plan de gozaru."
"There's no time!"
"You can't just rush in there yourself, Futashi-kun!"
"We need to get help!"
"They won't come in time. We need--"
"ENOUGH!" Everyone froze and turned to the head mistress in surprise. Snapping into her business mannerism, Yuiishi gave the orders. "Yuki-chan, rush to police station and get them down here right away. I will be assisting Nikko-chan in the meantime," she said before the woman could protest. "It's not the first time I've helped bring a child into the world. Stop by the clinic on the way back and pick up the doctor if you must but get the police first.
"Asuka-chan, go get me some hot water and towels. Giving birth gets messy and we'll need something to clean and wrap the child in after it's born. Get me some clothespins or string too.
"Obaga-san, are you well enough to help Himura-san?"
"I'm afraid I may have broken some important things, but I will offer what help I can."
"Very well. Futashi-kun, I want you to go--"
"I'm staying with oneechan and I'm going to help Himura!"
"Futashi-kun--"
"No, I'm staying! Gramps here is too banged up to help much so if Himura's really gonna need help, I'm gonna be the best chance he's got! So I'm staying and that's final!"
Opening her mouth to protest, Nanari found herself stopped short when Obaga gently squeezed her and looked at the boy with a solomn gaze.
"Futashi-kun, it'll be very important that you help your sister and Himura-dono. If you come with us, you may end up helping and you may not. It will be important for Himura-dono to fight this battle and that may require that no interference be made. If you come, you must promise to help only when I say it is right to. Understand?"
Catching the sincerity and seriousness of his voice, the boy nodded. "I understand."
"Alright then. I suggest we all move quickly then. Time is of the essence."
"Hai!" the group responded. Yuki dashed out to the front door, Asuka into the kitchens, and Futashi led the way to the back. Following after the boy but finding themselves mostly alone, Yuiishi turned to Nuhiro.
"Exactly where did you think you were squeezing back there?" she deadpanned.
Coughing a bit, the rurouni turned to her innocently. "Oro?"
"Are you really that injured?"
"Er, well, I probably could have stood on my own for a while now, Yuiishi-dono, but your kidness and assistance was just too kind and warm to pass—Oro!" he cried as Nanari promotply dropped him. "Hey, I'm injured de gozaru!"
"Please hurry, Obaga-san," the woman said with a gentle and pleasing chide that belied her actions. "I'm afraid that this is no time for a nap." And with that she quickly hurried on her way.
"But I… you… er…" Obaga gave up and soon followed but couldn't quite shake the feeling that he'd just been bested at his own game.
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Murobi Genro had run into a little problem. This was unusual because looking back, he found he hadn't had too many before this.
Clearing the gate had not been a problem, seeing as to how he was a talented enough ninja who was quite good at leaping. Finding Battousai had not been a problem, seeing as to how the swordsman with the cross-shaped scar was waiting for him at the end of the trail through the bamboo trees, his stance on guard. And gathering the courage to confront the legendary hitokiri was certainly not a problem, for Murobi had been preparing for this moment for a long time now. …An entire 6 days to be exact, for that's how long they'd known the Battousai was in town.
No, the problem came with the attacking head-on part, but not because Murobi was scared or ill-prepared. On the contrary, he was still well-equipped and it had already been stated how he had braved himself for this occasion. Rather than such expected difficulties, the problem came in the charging when he found he hit a small snag.
Literally.
His right leg caught on something that firmly kept it from moving and further. Since his body couldn't very well go on without the foot, it swapped its forward momentum for gravity and waited for the limb to catch up while it rested on the ground. The mouth did not appreciate the mud pie however, and spat it out in distaste along with a startled, "What the?!"
Turning around, he looked back to see what it was that had tripped him up. Upon recognizing it he named it. "Trip wire?"
A shout from the opposite direction got his attention and he turned to see what it was that was shouting what sounded like an improvised attack. Upon seeing it he went to naming that too. "An umbrella coming at my skull at an unsafe speed that's sure to—Cripes!" Realizing that naming this particular object was not as harmless a thing as the first, Murobi quickly rolled to the side, avoiding the umbrella drop by a mere 3.8 inches. Springing to his feet, he let fly the shuriken that he'd managed to hold onto despite his undignified fall.
Himura saw the sparks flying toward him, each with a deadly accuracy. He pause for a fraction of a second, wondering how he would escape them. If he'd had his sword, a simple twirl of it could've been enough, but the umbrella was a heavier and clumsier item and probably wouldn't shield him from…
Shield. Oh, that makes sense.
With a flick of the wrist and eased movement as if he'd meant to do it all the long, Kenshin opened the umbrella and gave it a quick spin. The moving top did its work and stopped the leatal missiles, deflecting them to the side. Not having expected this counter at all, Murobi was still in a bit of a stupor when Himura retracted the umbrella and rushed forward and delivered a powerful thrust to the ninja's solar plexus that blew the air out of his lungs quite effectively. Stumbling back with a ragged gasp, Genro reached for his alternative weapon since all his shuriken were gone.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Himura warned.
"What, do this?" the man in black laughed hoarsely, whipping out a long, gleaming dagger. …Which he promptly lost his grip on when he fell backwards over the second line of trip wire.
Kenshin paused to scratch the back of his head. "No, actually I was talking about stepping back any further de gozaru. They have a back-up wire. My second time here I found it very much like the way you just did."
Murobi did not respond at first. He was trying to calculate in his mind exactly how close his own fallen knife had come to giving him the nickname Lefty.
Himura returned to his seriousness and addressed his foe once more. However, he returned the politeness to his words that had been missing before. "It's time to end this de gozaru," he stated. "Sessha suggests you surrender yourself to the authorities peacefully before sessha unleashes a true form of terror upon you."
Having been brought back around to the real matter at hand, Murobi's eyes narrowed as he readied himself for quick action. "I'm ready for anything you've got to give me, Battousai," he sneered. Sighing in resign, Himura nodded.
"Very well." The former assassin drew in a concentrating breath and Genro poised his hand so he'd be ready to snatch up his dagger at a moment's notice and parry anything the red haired crossdresser threw at— "STRANGER!!"
Murobi blinked, observing Himura point at him accusingly. "What the--"
(*Splash*)
Murobi blinked again. This time he observed his current state of wetness. "What the--"
"No strange men allowed in the back!"
"Mffmm?" which translated into, "What the--" in the language of Gagged.
A ninja was trained to be prepared for many things, and ambushes were among them. However, Murobi had to admit that his idea of an ambush consisted of large grown men and not small energetic children. This would not stop him from accomplishing his tasks however. Nothing in the world could deter a ninja from completing their mission once set on doing it. Not Hitokiri Battousai, not hyper-active children, not the incredibly cute little girl standing before him, and certainly not that jar of spiders she carried in her—
Wait, spiders? Why did that seem important? There was something very important Murobi had to remember about spiders. Now what was it again…? Oh yes, that's right!
He had arachnophobia.
"DEAR KAMI SAVE ME!!!" the man screamed. …Well, actually it sounded more like, "MM MFFFM MMFFM MM!!!" but you get the idea. The slight pause in struggle he spent a moment ago pondering this ended up costing him his freedom, and Himura knew by experience that these kids were excellent knot-tying experts. Even so, the former assassin had to admit he was a little surprised to find that the children had subdued a ninja without his help.
Looking at the scene again, Kenshin decided that "subdued" was not the term so much as was, "broken down into a quivering, squealing mess." Perhaps this method had been too cruel and unusual after all…
"Well, I knew you had had a plan, but even I wouldn't have expected that."
Quickly turning around to the owner of this new voice, Himura soon found himself once again face-to-face with the leader of the rebel faction. "Amatomo Aroji," he greeted unpleasantly."Himura Battousai," was the return. A tense pause passed between them before being broken by a sharp cry.
"WAAAAAAHHHH!!! Get 'em away, get 'em away!!!" Muborbi tearfully pleaded, his gag having fallen off, and squirming and crawling away as fast as a hog-tied ninja could (which was actually pretty fast much to their surprise). A small hoard of children followed him throwing dirt clods, chanting "Torture, torture, torture!" and one trying to give him an up-close and personal exclusive with her jarred pets. The chase continued across the yard and beads of sweat appeared on the heads of remaining men.
"Not a very disciplined ninja, is he?" Kenshin deadpanned. Aroji shrugged.
"He was the best I could find for such a cheap price. Government rebellion doesn't exactly swim with budget benefits, you know."
"Obviously not."
Returning to the plot, Aroji stated, "You must know who I am by now, Battousai, and thus you should also know that I'm only here to rightfully reclaim what is mine."
"As far as I'm concerned you gave up your right to claim Nikko-dono the instant you betrayed her trust in you," Kenshin answered. "No matter what the relation or tie sessha believes that every person has a right to their own happiness de gozaru. And you Amatomo-san, are not Nikko-dono's happiness."
"And I suppose you can help her find her happiness?" the broad man sneered. "You who took it away from her in the first place?"
"…Sessha is unsure he can ever personally provide someone their happiness." A memory of a cold night and one blanket. "However, sessha has vowed to do everything in my power to protect the right to happiness and whatever peace people now possess." Fresh snow and blood. "But now I will accomplish this without killing," he murmured. Then louder, with an undertone of grave determination he proclaimed, "And will keep this promise with my reversed-blade sword!"
Aroji blinked. "You mean this reversed-blade sword?" he asked, holding up Kenshin's sakabatou.
"Yes! And… er… oh yeah." He looked down at the umbrella in his hands. "Er... Is it too late to rephrase that de gozaru ka?"
"Baka!"
"Oro!" Looking past Aroji, the redhead could see Yuiishi, Obaga and Futashi standing in on the bamboo path just behind him. "Obaga-san, is everything--?"
"Don't worry, Himura-dono. The other men have been taken care of and Yuki-dono is on her way to the police station for help."
Aroji frowned slightly. "The police? Now really, was it so necessary to involve others? It now seems that we'll have to make this quick. He tucked the two extra swords he had on hand into his belt and drew his own. "Now, which one of you should go first?" Yuiishi stepped forward, much to everyone's surprise. "Oh? Is it you old woman?"
Himura thought he saw a vein pop out at that one but he couldn't quite tell with the head mistresses' cool and womanly demeanor.
"I am here to assist your wife in her labor," she stated without fear. "If you wish for your child to have a healthy start in the world, I suggest you move aside and let me through."
"My, my, aren't we touchy." Despite his displeasure Aroji allowed her to step through. "No tricks now," he offered as a warning.
"I wouldn't dream of it," was her sharp reply. Reaching the small house, she opened the sliding door and peered in. "Nikko-chan, are you al--"
"WHERE IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Nikko screeched, the sheer force of the soundwaves nearly making Yuiishi stumble back into an undignified fall on her rear-end. "IT FEELS LIKE I SWALLOWED A BOBCAT! GET IT OUT NOW!!!"
Smoothing out her hair as calmly as you please, Nanari simply chided, "Don't forget to breath, Dear."
The statements that followed are not suitable for print.
"Sounds like she'll do just fine," Obaga smiled warmly. Everyone stared at him.
Being the first to remember exactly the danger that Nikko was in, Futashi cleanched a fist at Aroji. "You'd better stay away from my sister, Beef Head!"
"Oh?" his brother-in-law smirked. "And what will you choose to do if I don't?"
Checking with Obaga and knowing that now was not the time to help, Futashi glared back. "I choose… I choose…"
"Well?"
Pointing a finger at their last chance of hope, Futashi declared, "I choose you, Fem-Lackey!"
"Oro?!" Kenshin responded, an unexplained shimmer running down his spine. Why did the phrase "copyright infringement" keep popping into his head? He didn't even know what that was!
"Heh, a suiting name indeed," Amatomo chuckled, now turning his full attention to Himura, his final decision made. "Well then Battousai, it seems that you shall be the first."
Seeing that it was time to get serious, Himura gripped his umbrella tighter and took a stance. "The first and last de gozaru. I will not let you hurt anyone here."
Another sneer. "Then let's begin."
And so they did.
End of chapter eighteen.
Author's Notes:
And behold, Gochan did take a season of rest of two weeks. And lo, her Muse did taketh eight. Verily, Gochan did attempt many deeds to recover lost Muse, but the Muse returneth not. And it came to pass that after the course of two months, Gochan sent word to her Muse and that verily did sayeth, "Screw you. I'm gonna write anyway. And I'm naming you Roy." And behold, thus Screwed Muse did answer and say, "Wait, I'm ready to help again! Just don't call me Roy like you threatened!" And lo, the Muse returned and there was much beating, maiming, terrorizing, oh yeah and a bit of writing. And behold, Gochan saw that it was "eh, good enough" and was semi-pleased. ...Roy was not, but he'll learn to deal with it.
And that's pretty much the story of my Writer's Block. -_-;;
Sorry minna! Two months is much too long for an update, ne? But Writer's Block hit me big time and I didn't feel like writing until I was over it. ...Then too much time began passing and I decided to get over my self-critisizing and write anyway. I'm not totally satisfied with the chapter, but I figure I'll be doing a big revision on this one day eventually anyhow, so... *shrugs*
Hope you still liked this chapter. I'm not sure how good I am at action scenes since I've never written one that received feedback. Still, hope I made it a little interesting. (Hey, the kids had to have their fair share of the action!) Quite frankly, Kenshin probably could take some of these guys bare-handed but the sword is his specialty. For a real professional slug-fest, Sano's the one to go to. Unfortunately he's not yet introduced into at this point in the series. Nuts. In any case, the hardest battle to write yet is coming up next chapter! Aroji vs. Kenshin! (It's hard because final battles are always supposed to have something neat about them.) Hope I can pull off a nice enough climax for ya. ^^; I'm kinda worried but we'll see.
Wow, thanks to all the people who informed me on how kimonos are really made. Of course, I hadn't meant for Nikko to be making kimonos; rather, she was hemming, re-fitting, etc. ...Er, but that doesn't work either, does it? ^^; I feel kinda silly now, but I can't say that's something new or that it's bad enough that I'll change that story portion for it. Still, I now know for future reference and I'll keep it in mind. I thank all of you for the information however, and thank you even more for deciding to overlook my mistakes for the sake of fanfiction. You're great!
Lots of guest pics to put up now! Shiari, this fics Official Rabid Fangirl and her friend Ten-chan (both being creators of a real-live Gi of Optical Illusion!) have given me links to more fanart that they have made! Sugoi! You guys are great! Copy and Paste these into your URL minna to see them!
For those of you who said you'd like to see fanart of Kenshin in that kimono from last chapter, here are some pics to satisfy your curiosity!
es... Here's one more! Some of you asked about Anime Expo, so here's their webpage. www.anime-expo.org
I will be attending this convention which will take place at Anaheim, California on July 3rd-6th, 2003! A group of my friends and I will be raiding the center and if my pals get their way (which undoubtedly they will), we'll be cosplaying it up as various characters from various series! I'll try to have some schedule to the costumes in case anyone who'll be there cares to look for me.
And this rant is WAY TOO LONG! I'm making the chapter look insignificant. ^^; Until next time minna! (Btw, next chapter might take a while too since I'll be mulling over the climax. Apologies in advance!) Whoo! Only two more chapters to go!