chapter | part three: run in
Haruka: Well, looks like we'll be here for some time. Guess our best chance at finding one of the strongest could be found by checking out the city below. So how about it then?
[The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Kamen, no longer needing to be ready for a battle at the moment, detransformed out of their sailor outfits and back into their normal clothing.]
Ami: Wait a second, Haruka. I agree we need to start our search for this person, but we cannot just go walking into the city the way we are. We're in a completely different time and we're not properly clothed.
[Glimpses went on throughout the crowd of the nine girls and one man. Haruka and Mamoru were both dressed in some slacks and a shirt. The other girls were dressed in everything from jeans, shorts, skirts, baby tees, and tank tops. All the other girls that is, except for Rei. Rei was still examining the city below and breaks the silence.]
Rei: I'll go into the city and look for a place for us to stay and some clothing for everyone to walk into the city in. My clothing shouldn't be to much of a shock to the people below. Looks like it should fit in nicely.
[Rei spots a girl walking down the street with a similar hakama and gi (pants and top, respectively, originally made for protection when fighting as opposed to western armor) to her own red and white one that she worn around her shrine back at home.]
Michiru: [slyly adds in] There's only one problem with that idea.
Rei: Huh?
Michiru: How do you plan to pay for all these things? Our money is no doubt worthless in this time.............. Here, take these and see what you can trade them in for or sell them.
[Michiru reaches up and takes off her gold necklace and earrings and hands them over to Rei.]
Rei: I.... I.... I couldn't take this.
Michiru: It's okay. It's for the good of the mission....... Besides Haruka can buy me a new set whenever we return. Isn't that right Haruka?
Haruka: [smirking] I knew you've been wanting a new set of jewelry.
Mamoru: We're counting on you Rei.
[Rei heads on into the city and takes a last small glimpse back at her group of friends..... Meanwhile at a small dojo, a young woman has just come home from teaching a class on the other side of town at another dojo belonging to a friend. A man with red hair, known as Kenshin, greeted her home.]
Kenshin: Welcome home, Kaoru-dono. Sessha has already finished the laundry. Would you like me to draw your bath - de gozaru?
Kaoru: [exhausted] Yes.
[However, before Kenshin could even make his way to the bathroom a policeman had entered into the dojo with a cool look on his face and a cigarette in one hand. Kenshin, sensing the other man's presence, stops in his tracks and turns to face the other man.]
Kenshin: Sai..... toh....
Saitoh: [taking a long drag from his cigarette] Feh... Call me Fugita..... I'm here on police business.
Kenshin: About the strange lights last night?
Saitoh: So I don't need to explain myself........ How come is it everytime this city meets some danger or other, I know I don't need to look further then here for the answer.
[Saitoh takes a long cold stare at Kenshin.]
Kaoru: Hey, wait a second. Kenshin had nothing to do with the lights or whatever last night. If you're so sure of yourself, why didn't you go check out the location of the lights in the first place? Besides, Kenshin was here all night last night.....
[A blush crosses her face as she stops herself shortly not to end that sentence. Saitoh slowly changes his gaze to now focus on her, and then he puts his attention back at Kenshin.]
Saitoh: [taking another drag of his half burnt cigarette] Actually, that is going to be my next destination....... but as I was saying...... I know I don't need to look further then here for the answer. I wouldn't be surprised that I get the answer soon enough if I hung around here.
[Saitoh flicks what remains of his cigarette onto the ground and steps onto it with one foot. Kaoru upset at seeing this on her dojo floor was ready to charge him with her wooden sword that she still had attached to her side, but Kenshin held up one of his arms so as to block her from making that mistake.]
Kenshin: You're getting as bad mannered as some of the other police I've come across. Is there anything else we can help you with?
Saitoh: Feh..... So where is aho? Is he still out on the run across the world? Usually where's there's trouble around here, that moron is not so far behind.
[A muffled sneeze comes from the dojo's inner walls, and Sanosuke's face emerges from within. Saitoh lights another cigarrette.]
Sanosuke: Oy! You guys talking about me?....... Wouldn't have missed last night's celebration for anything [Sanosuke flashes a wink at both Kenshin and Kaoru. Kenshin smiles and Kaoru blushes.]........ [Sanosuke's attention is diverted when he sees Saitoh's face] Come back I see for that rematch we never had the chance to finish?
[Ignoring the comments made by Sanosuke, Saitoh keeps his gaze fixed on Kenshin.]
Saitoh: Well, you know you are harboring a fugitive here right? I'd bring him in, but I got other things that need to be taken care of than to go chasing after some aho. Besides that I seen him wreck a perfectly good cell in Kyoto, and I'd hate to see one of our finest cells destroyed for nothing.
[Kenshin gives a smile at this, but Sanosuke's face got all irritated at these words.]
Sanosuke: OY!!!! Why must you insist on calling me aho all the time!!! Let's go now Saitoh!!
[Saitoh never lost his cool the whole time, and just takes another drag of his cigarrette.]
Saitoh: Feh..... You're a waste of my time chickenhead.......
[While in an attempt to attack Saitoh, he crashes right into Kenshin. Kenshin's eyes just roll around in his eye sockets and Sanosuke has a dazed look in his eyes. Saitoh still keeps his cool.]
Kenshin: Ororororo......
Saitoh: Aho.
Kaoru: Ummm...... Not to get in the way of police business or anything, but Saitoh...... errr Fugita-san would you like some tea or something?
[At the mention of these words, both Kenshin's and Sanosuke's face became full of shock. Never had they heard or would believe they would hear the day when Kaoru would be so kind to Saitoh!]
Kaoru: What I say?!..... After all he did help you Kenshin in that whole ordeal with Enishi, and let's not forget the time you had to team up with him during the other ordeal with Shishio. I owe him that much to making sure that we both came home to Tokyo both times, together.
[Kenshin turns to face Sanosuke.]
Kenshin: She's got a point Sanosuke; de gozaru.
[A faint smile comes across Saitoh's face. Saitoh puts his policeman's cap on, turns, and head towards the door.]
Saitoh: I'll have to take a raincheck on that tea, Kamiya Kaoru....... I think it's time I go check on those hills where the lights were coming from......... Oh yeah and before I forget........ [Saitoh puts one hand in the air for a short wave and puts it back down at his side.] Congradulations on your wedding last night. I have been wondering if that would have ever happened, or if you would just remain a freeloading rurouni,....... Himura.
[Saitoh walks out of the dojo, takes the butt of his second cigarrette and flicks it out onto the street outside. He then heads on towards the direction of where the lights had appeared from last night.]
Kenshin: [with a narrowed look in his eyes] He had to add that freeloading bit in didn't he?
Kaoru: I don't blame him actually....... [Kenshin eyes popped out when he heard that part.]...... I was starting to wonder myself actually........ Anyways, Kenshin, do you really think that we are facing another battle,.... that it has anything to do with you?
Kenshin: [replies in deep thought] I really don't know...... I killed so many people..... It wouldn't surprise me one bit that there are still others out there wanting revenge on me....... If this is another plot against me, don't worry. I will always protect you Kaoru-dono.
[Kaoru flashes a slight blush and Kenshin just smiles at her. However Sanosuke, having the need to break this perfect mood like old times.....]
Sanosuke: Yeah there's nothing that Kenshin and I can't take care of.
[Just then at that moment Yahiko walks into the dojo, where he teaches lessons now.]
Yahiko: Oy, you mean third best after me!
Sanosuke: Eh? Whatever.
[Meanwhile, in the inner part of the city Saitoh is heading in the direction of where the mysterious lights were coming from last night, Rei is heading into town, and both crossed each other's paths. Saitoh who spots Rei walking into the city glares at her, but Rei had other thoughts on her mind.]
Rei: I really wish someone was here to help me figure this city out. I can hardly tell the difference between the houses here, it looks all the same. It may look small from where we were before, but once inside it's a totally different scenario........ [spotting Saitoh watching her from a distance] Lucky!! That obviously is a policeman, I can at least ask him for directions or guidance!
[Saitoh realizes that Rei is heading his way, but to him she was just a new girl in town heading in from the direction that he was going to.]
Rei: Umm...... Excuse me [Rei makes a bow to the policeman.] I am..... visiting here, and planning to stay here for quite some time. I was wondering where could I find some shops or even an inn to stay at? I sense an amazingly strong presence in him...... could he be the one that we're looking for..... one of the strongest?
Saitoh: [looking annoyed at this question] I'm not a guide.
Rei: Oh...... Sorry....... I just thought you could help out someone new.
Saitoh: [taking a deep breath] If you continue on the street you are heading on, it will take you directly to where there are several shops and inns.
[Saitoh then quickly, without saying anything further, heads off back to his destination. Rei realizes the direction where he's heading.]
Rei: Oh no. If he keeps heading in that direction, he's sure to run into the others. I can't let him see them in their present state. Hey!!!! Would you like to guide me there? Please?! I am new and don't want to get lost. It would be greatly appreciated!
[Saitoh ignores this from Rei and continues on his journey. Rei, not knowing what to do without revealing about the others in hiding, slowly continues on her journey in towards the city, but constantly looking back at the policeman heading off towards the other direction.]
Rei: I can't stop him. He's obviously ignoring me, but if I do continue pressing him, he'll definitely become curious as to why I'm stopping him. Hopefully the others are on guard and are out of view........ They are able to take care of themselves. Take care everyone. I will return as soon as I can.