Chapter 5
A/N: Hello again! Kate's having a bad night- it's too long of a story to tell, but she had to get out her anger in a nonviolent manner- otherwise some one would have been hurt… so she decided to type the next chapter to the story!
I'm letting you know now that I probably won't be updating for the rest of the week- toooooo many tests/papers to do- but keep the reviews coming… maybe you can persuade me to procrastinate a little ;)
But anyway- thanks for the reviews and I'm glad you're enjoying this fic :)
-
Standard disclaimers apply
-
Over the course of four years the Kenshin-gumi received sporadic letters from their old friend Sano.
Many things had changed in those few years. Kenshin and Kaoru were finally married and their son Kenji was born. Yahiko was still at the dojo training- but there were more students now. Dr. Gensai had officially retired from medicine and Megumi had taken a few apprentices in the clinic that she now ran.
The clinic itself was much larger now; due in part to mysterious financial contributors- that everyone in the Kenshin-gumi knew was Sanosuke. He had been sending money to Tokyo since the beginning. Even though his tab at both the clinic and Ababeko had been paid in full, he continued to send money. "Interest," he would always write in a small note. Same thing with the Kamiya Dojo- everyone had been uncomfortable at first about accepting the money, but in the end during the changing times the extra income was always helpful.
-
"It looks like nothings changed." A man mumbled as he gazed out of the carriage window. Stretching his long legs and arms, he let out a muffled curse.
'Che… I hate these suits.' he thought to himself as he attempted to straighten out the Western style shirt and pants. It had been a long carriage ride to Tokyo and he had never really been a big fan of those foreign outfits.
'How long has it been?' He asked. "About four years… yeah… Kenshin and Kaoru have been married almost three years… knowing them they've had at least one kid by now. Poor Yahiko- having to put up with a pregnant missy."
He smiled looking to the figure that curled against him.
The tiny child was deeply asleep as the one time gangster and all around tough guy placed a kiss on her forehead.
'Those were the days…' He thought. 'You were so small and now you're going on almost four… your mom would be so proud if she were here, grandpa too. You're all I have left my little Nyoko.'
Suddenly a tug on his jacket sleeve broke him from his thoughts.
"Are we dare yet?" Came a sleepy voice.
Looking down once again he was met with deep brown eyes, an exact copy of his own. Sagara Sanosuke had to with hold a laugh. Never in his wildest dreams would he have envisioned his life would turn out like this. Her brown hair was in a mess, much like his own usually was. The little child clung to his as she yawned and rubbed her tired eyes. Nuzzling into the soft fabric of his suit she began to mumble. He was able to hear her complain about being hungry and tired.
"I know," He smiled as he picked her up into his arms. Soon they came to a stop and they both exited the nice looking horse drawn carriage. "Let's get you into a nice bed." He said as he paid the driver and bagman who unloaded their luggage.
Looking up at the inn where they would be staying Sano informed the baggage man to bring their things up to the room as he got things straightened out with the innkeeper.
"I miss our old home." The little girl said with her arms wrapped around his neck. Her legs were also wrapped around his stomach as he held her to his strong frame and began to climb the stairs to their room.
"I know kitten. But we'll only be here a day at most. And then we'll be on a boat to our new home with your aunt." He told her again.
"In America?"
"Yep. In America. Now you sleep while I go and get our travel papers in order at the government office." He said as he set her down on the futon that was laid out for her in their room. Standing up he walked over to the door.
"You forgot again." Came Nyoko's small voice a little angry.
"You're right- sorry kitten." He replied returning to her side. Kneeling down to her, he kissed her head and smoothed out her brown locks. "Now go to sleep and I'll be back with some food when I'm all done. Ok?"
"K. I luv you daddy." She mumbled as she turned on her side and drifted back to sleep.
"Love you too." Came his reply before he shut the sliding door and walked out of the building.
It was quite ironic really. Him, actually willingly walking into a Meiji government office.
Things sure had changed for him. Not too long ago he would have rather done anything than go there. It was true he was almost a totally different person now- upstanding citizen, well off, he even got himself a decent education sine he left Tokyo. It was almost a total reverse of his old life. Heck, he even had a family now… well Nyoko at least. The family that had saved him and taken him in was now gone.
'I miss them,' he thought as he continued to walk. 'But we have to keep going- for Nyoko. She is totally and solely my responsibility now- and I am not going to fail her.' And if that meant he would be going into a building that was run by the very people that caused the downfall of his beloved captain and comrades, then so be it.
Walking down the streets towards the government center, he was amazed at the amount of respect he was given as he passed. People would nod or move aside for him.
'If they only knew what I had been only four years before. They definitely would be acting differently.' he mused to himself. They would have given him a totally different type of respect.
As Sano continued he was glad that no one seemed to recognize him- he wanted the old Sanosuke to stay where he had left him… on the roadside where he should have died…
Just thinking about that night four years ago and the one who had finally woken him up caused his chest to ache.
Pushing the unhappy memories away- Sano entered the building to get the papers Nyoko and he would need to leave Japan and enter the United States.
-
While Sano was out, the small child he had left sleeping rolled off the futon and on the floor.
'Daddy said to stay here- but I wanna see all the cool stuff from his stories… and he's taking so long… I wanna go now!' She thought as she looked out the window of the room out on the town.
And with that the short girl, of nearly four years walked out of the inn.
"Daddy said there was a dojo around here with a raccoon and all sorts of animals… we never had those back at our old house…" She smiled as she went through the city.
Recalling all the storied she heard it was easy to navigate the town. "Everything is just as daddy said… I can't wait."
After a short time the brown haired girl came to a building that proudly had the name Kamiya written on it. Pushing back the sleeves of her new blue kimono she pushed open the doors after deciding that this was the right place. She quietly slipped into the dojo and went in search of the wild animals from her father's stories.
Raccoons, monkeys, a weasel, wolf and a fox! Oh how she was excited.
But the dojo didn't look all too exciting. In fact no one was there. It was quiet and empty- all except for a young boy playing with a ball in the open backyard.
He looked to be about her age- probably younger by a year or so. His hair was a bright red- she had never seen a color like that before and it was already growing long.
The boy dropped his ball suddenly and it came rolling over to where she crouched down by a bush. Nyoko did nothing as it stopped by her feet. The boy came running after it, but stopped when he saw her.
Smiling at him she picked up the small ball and handed it to him.
"Here." She said in a kind voice.
"Th..thanks." he replied shyly as he slowly reached out for the ball.
"Do you live here?" She asked the stranger, not even the least bit shy.
The boy took the ball and nodded.
"My daddy said there were lots of animals around here. But I haven't seen any… where are they hiding?"
"Animals?"
"Yeah…"
"No animals here- my mommy an daddy an uncle Yahiko-san live here with me…"
"My daddy doesn't lie. He said there was a raccoon girl that owned the dojo."
"My mommy would know… we should ask her. I wanna see animals too!" The little boy smiled. "Let's go." He said gathering enough courage to grab her hand and they both ran off into the house.
-
"That's good. Enough for today. But remember to practice your forms for next week, oh and do 100 arm swings a day to keep your strength up." the dark haired dojo sensei said as her class bowed and left the large practice room.
Kaoru had just finished wiping her face when she suddenly felt a tug on her practice cloths.
"Kenji what are you doing in here- you know I don't want you in the dojo while I teach class…"
"I know mommy- but she says we have animals here! A raccoon and lots more! How come I haven't seen any?" The little boy asked excitedly.
'Raccoon? I haven't been called that in a long time… Yahiko's the only one since…' Kaoru's thought process was interrupted as the looked down at her son and noticed there was another figure staring at her.
The dark hair and eyes looked so familiar to her….
"Kenji, who is this?"
"She's my friend. She told me about the animals." he smiled simply.
"My daddy said there were lots of wild animals that use to run around here…" she stopped suddenly and bowed. "I'm sorry- I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Nyoko."
"Nyoko, where are your parents?" Kaoru asked after introducing herself to the small child.
'This child looks so familiar and the animals? This can't be a coincidence. She looks exactly like him… but she's so… so… well mannered- could this little girl be related to Sano? He's the only one to call me raccoon girl on occasion, beside Yahiko and that jerk Saito…'
"My daddy and I just got here in Tokyo- he went to get some papers and told me to wait at the inn… but I wanted to see the animals. He would tell me storied of two monkeys and mean grouchy old wolf… I don't like him much, neither does daddy…" She added as she chattered away.
"Mommy. I'm hungry." Kenji whined after a while and pulling Kaoru from her thoughts once again.
"Your father should be back soon from the market." She said. "Why don't you ask your friend to go out and play for a while and then you both can come in for lunch?"
"Yeah!" Kenji smiled as she grabbed Nyoko's hand and ran back into the yard to play.
"Tadaima!" Came the voice of the red headed Rurouni after a few minutes. Finding the house basically empty, Kenshin set the food he'd brought down and walked to the porch where he found his wife starring at two children.
"Kaoru-donno is there something wrong?" He asked putting his had on her shoulder.
"Hm?" She asked not paying attention to him, but to the playing youngsters.
"Kenji made a friend, that he did." Kenshin smiled seeing the two play with a ball, squealing with laughter.
"Kenshin- who does that little girl remind you of?" Kaoru asked wanting to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"I haven't' seen her before… but there is something familiar about her, that there is."
"Daddy's home!" Kenji cried seeing his father standing besides his mom. The boy left the ball drop and ran over with arms wide open.
"Did you bring lunch? Did you?"
"Of course I did." Kenshin smiled as he picked up his son for a hug.
"Daddy this is my friend Nyoko. Oh! Guess what?"
"What?" Kenshin asked as he put the boy down and ushered them all into the dinning room.
Nyoko says there's a raccoon and monkeys running around here!" He said in-between mouthfuls of rice and fish.
"There are, are there?" Kenshin smiled at his son.
As the children ate Kaoru turned to Kenshin and silently re-asked her question from earlier.
"So Nyoko-chan you aren't from around here are you?" Kaoru asked handing the girl another bowl of rice.
"No ma'am. Daddy and I just got here today." She repeated herself politely. "We still have a house over in Kitakyushu. That's where daddy helped grandpa run the family business."
"What brings you to Tokyo?" Kenshin asked with his usual smile.
"I'm not sure… daddy didn't sound too happy about something. But we're going to America soon!" She smiled happily.
"Speaking of your father- what is his name?" Kaoru asked. She couldn't stand it- she had to know. This polite and seemingly well-educated girl just couldn't be Sanosuke's… could she?
-
Is Nyoko Sano's kid? What's with the Western suit on the bishie? America? Who would want to live there? (jk) Will Megumi and Sano meet up later? To find the answers to these and more important questions, like will Kate survive a week of papers and tests… tune in next time to another exciting chapter of plot-less banter from the sugar induced hallucinations of Kate…
A/N: Hello again! Kate's having a bad night- it's too long of a story to tell, but she had to get out her anger in a nonviolent manner- otherwise some one would have been hurt… so she decided to type the next chapter to the story!
I'm letting you know now that I probably won't be updating for the rest of the week- toooooo many tests/papers to do- but keep the reviews coming… maybe you can persuade me to procrastinate a little ;)
But anyway- thanks for the reviews and I'm glad you're enjoying this fic :)
-
Standard disclaimers apply
-
Over the course of four years the Kenshin-gumi received sporadic letters from their old friend Sano.
Many things had changed in those few years. Kenshin and Kaoru were finally married and their son Kenji was born. Yahiko was still at the dojo training- but there were more students now. Dr. Gensai had officially retired from medicine and Megumi had taken a few apprentices in the clinic that she now ran.
The clinic itself was much larger now; due in part to mysterious financial contributors- that everyone in the Kenshin-gumi knew was Sanosuke. He had been sending money to Tokyo since the beginning. Even though his tab at both the clinic and Ababeko had been paid in full, he continued to send money. "Interest," he would always write in a small note. Same thing with the Kamiya Dojo- everyone had been uncomfortable at first about accepting the money, but in the end during the changing times the extra income was always helpful.
-
"It looks like nothings changed." A man mumbled as he gazed out of the carriage window. Stretching his long legs and arms, he let out a muffled curse.
'Che… I hate these suits.' he thought to himself as he attempted to straighten out the Western style shirt and pants. It had been a long carriage ride to Tokyo and he had never really been a big fan of those foreign outfits.
'How long has it been?' He asked. "About four years… yeah… Kenshin and Kaoru have been married almost three years… knowing them they've had at least one kid by now. Poor Yahiko- having to put up with a pregnant missy."
He smiled looking to the figure that curled against him.
The tiny child was deeply asleep as the one time gangster and all around tough guy placed a kiss on her forehead.
'Those were the days…' He thought. 'You were so small and now you're going on almost four… your mom would be so proud if she were here, grandpa too. You're all I have left my little Nyoko.'
Suddenly a tug on his jacket sleeve broke him from his thoughts.
"Are we dare yet?" Came a sleepy voice.
Looking down once again he was met with deep brown eyes, an exact copy of his own. Sagara Sanosuke had to with hold a laugh. Never in his wildest dreams would he have envisioned his life would turn out like this. Her brown hair was in a mess, much like his own usually was. The little child clung to his as she yawned and rubbed her tired eyes. Nuzzling into the soft fabric of his suit she began to mumble. He was able to hear her complain about being hungry and tired.
"I know," He smiled as he picked her up into his arms. Soon they came to a stop and they both exited the nice looking horse drawn carriage. "Let's get you into a nice bed." He said as he paid the driver and bagman who unloaded their luggage.
Looking up at the inn where they would be staying Sano informed the baggage man to bring their things up to the room as he got things straightened out with the innkeeper.
"I miss our old home." The little girl said with her arms wrapped around his neck. Her legs were also wrapped around his stomach as he held her to his strong frame and began to climb the stairs to their room.
"I know kitten. But we'll only be here a day at most. And then we'll be on a boat to our new home with your aunt." He told her again.
"In America?"
"Yep. In America. Now you sleep while I go and get our travel papers in order at the government office." He said as he set her down on the futon that was laid out for her in their room. Standing up he walked over to the door.
"You forgot again." Came Nyoko's small voice a little angry.
"You're right- sorry kitten." He replied returning to her side. Kneeling down to her, he kissed her head and smoothed out her brown locks. "Now go to sleep and I'll be back with some food when I'm all done. Ok?"
"K. I luv you daddy." She mumbled as she turned on her side and drifted back to sleep.
"Love you too." Came his reply before he shut the sliding door and walked out of the building.
It was quite ironic really. Him, actually willingly walking into a Meiji government office.
Things sure had changed for him. Not too long ago he would have rather done anything than go there. It was true he was almost a totally different person now- upstanding citizen, well off, he even got himself a decent education sine he left Tokyo. It was almost a total reverse of his old life. Heck, he even had a family now… well Nyoko at least. The family that had saved him and taken him in was now gone.
'I miss them,' he thought as he continued to walk. 'But we have to keep going- for Nyoko. She is totally and solely my responsibility now- and I am not going to fail her.' And if that meant he would be going into a building that was run by the very people that caused the downfall of his beloved captain and comrades, then so be it.
Walking down the streets towards the government center, he was amazed at the amount of respect he was given as he passed. People would nod or move aside for him.
'If they only knew what I had been only four years before. They definitely would be acting differently.' he mused to himself. They would have given him a totally different type of respect.
As Sano continued he was glad that no one seemed to recognize him- he wanted the old Sanosuke to stay where he had left him… on the roadside where he should have died…
Just thinking about that night four years ago and the one who had finally woken him up caused his chest to ache.
Pushing the unhappy memories away- Sano entered the building to get the papers Nyoko and he would need to leave Japan and enter the United States.
-
While Sano was out, the small child he had left sleeping rolled off the futon and on the floor.
'Daddy said to stay here- but I wanna see all the cool stuff from his stories… and he's taking so long… I wanna go now!' She thought as she looked out the window of the room out on the town.
And with that the short girl, of nearly four years walked out of the inn.
"Daddy said there was a dojo around here with a raccoon and all sorts of animals… we never had those back at our old house…" She smiled as she went through the city.
Recalling all the storied she heard it was easy to navigate the town. "Everything is just as daddy said… I can't wait."
After a short time the brown haired girl came to a building that proudly had the name Kamiya written on it. Pushing back the sleeves of her new blue kimono she pushed open the doors after deciding that this was the right place. She quietly slipped into the dojo and went in search of the wild animals from her father's stories.
Raccoons, monkeys, a weasel, wolf and a fox! Oh how she was excited.
But the dojo didn't look all too exciting. In fact no one was there. It was quiet and empty- all except for a young boy playing with a ball in the open backyard.
He looked to be about her age- probably younger by a year or so. His hair was a bright red- she had never seen a color like that before and it was already growing long.
The boy dropped his ball suddenly and it came rolling over to where she crouched down by a bush. Nyoko did nothing as it stopped by her feet. The boy came running after it, but stopped when he saw her.
Smiling at him she picked up the small ball and handed it to him.
"Here." She said in a kind voice.
"Th..thanks." he replied shyly as he slowly reached out for the ball.
"Do you live here?" She asked the stranger, not even the least bit shy.
The boy took the ball and nodded.
"My daddy said there were lots of animals around here. But I haven't seen any… where are they hiding?"
"Animals?"
"Yeah…"
"No animals here- my mommy an daddy an uncle Yahiko-san live here with me…"
"My daddy doesn't lie. He said there was a raccoon girl that owned the dojo."
"My mommy would know… we should ask her. I wanna see animals too!" The little boy smiled. "Let's go." He said gathering enough courage to grab her hand and they both ran off into the house.
-
"That's good. Enough for today. But remember to practice your forms for next week, oh and do 100 arm swings a day to keep your strength up." the dark haired dojo sensei said as her class bowed and left the large practice room.
Kaoru had just finished wiping her face when she suddenly felt a tug on her practice cloths.
"Kenji what are you doing in here- you know I don't want you in the dojo while I teach class…"
"I know mommy- but she says we have animals here! A raccoon and lots more! How come I haven't seen any?" The little boy asked excitedly.
'Raccoon? I haven't been called that in a long time… Yahiko's the only one since…' Kaoru's thought process was interrupted as the looked down at her son and noticed there was another figure staring at her.
The dark hair and eyes looked so familiar to her….
"Kenji, who is this?"
"She's my friend. She told me about the animals." he smiled simply.
"My daddy said there were lots of wild animals that use to run around here…" she stopped suddenly and bowed. "I'm sorry- I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Nyoko."
"Nyoko, where are your parents?" Kaoru asked after introducing herself to the small child.
'This child looks so familiar and the animals? This can't be a coincidence. She looks exactly like him… but she's so… so… well mannered- could this little girl be related to Sano? He's the only one to call me raccoon girl on occasion, beside Yahiko and that jerk Saito…'
"My daddy and I just got here in Tokyo- he went to get some papers and told me to wait at the inn… but I wanted to see the animals. He would tell me storied of two monkeys and mean grouchy old wolf… I don't like him much, neither does daddy…" She added as she chattered away.
"Mommy. I'm hungry." Kenji whined after a while and pulling Kaoru from her thoughts once again.
"Your father should be back soon from the market." She said. "Why don't you ask your friend to go out and play for a while and then you both can come in for lunch?"
"Yeah!" Kenji smiled as she grabbed Nyoko's hand and ran back into the yard to play.
"Tadaima!" Came the voice of the red headed Rurouni after a few minutes. Finding the house basically empty, Kenshin set the food he'd brought down and walked to the porch where he found his wife starring at two children.
"Kaoru-donno is there something wrong?" He asked putting his had on her shoulder.
"Hm?" She asked not paying attention to him, but to the playing youngsters.
"Kenji made a friend, that he did." Kenshin smiled seeing the two play with a ball, squealing with laughter.
"Kenshin- who does that little girl remind you of?" Kaoru asked wanting to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"I haven't' seen her before… but there is something familiar about her, that there is."
"Daddy's home!" Kenji cried seeing his father standing besides his mom. The boy left the ball drop and ran over with arms wide open.
"Did you bring lunch? Did you?"
"Of course I did." Kenshin smiled as he picked up his son for a hug.
"Daddy this is my friend Nyoko. Oh! Guess what?"
"What?" Kenshin asked as he put the boy down and ushered them all into the dinning room.
Nyoko says there's a raccoon and monkeys running around here!" He said in-between mouthfuls of rice and fish.
"There are, are there?" Kenshin smiled at his son.
As the children ate Kaoru turned to Kenshin and silently re-asked her question from earlier.
"So Nyoko-chan you aren't from around here are you?" Kaoru asked handing the girl another bowl of rice.
"No ma'am. Daddy and I just got here today." She repeated herself politely. "We still have a house over in Kitakyushu. That's where daddy helped grandpa run the family business."
"What brings you to Tokyo?" Kenshin asked with his usual smile.
"I'm not sure… daddy didn't sound too happy about something. But we're going to America soon!" She smiled happily.
"Speaking of your father- what is his name?" Kaoru asked. She couldn't stand it- she had to know. This polite and seemingly well-educated girl just couldn't be Sanosuke's… could she?
-
Is Nyoko Sano's kid? What's with the Western suit on the bishie? America? Who would want to live there? (jk) Will Megumi and Sano meet up later? To find the answers to these and more important questions, like will Kate survive a week of papers and tests… tune in next time to another exciting chapter of plot-less banter from the sugar induced hallucinations of Kate…