Chapter Nine: Lies
*As Kaoru awoke in the hour before dawn, so did the rest of the dojo. She could hear Namida in her make-shift crib cooing happily for a change, and Sanosuke, who had come back late the night before was bumping around in Yahiko's usual room. Kaoru quickly dressed and changed Namida's diaper. Then she gathered what she would need for the day and packed it into her shallow baskets before exiting her room.
"Kaoru, do you know you have no food in this house?" Sano greeted her grumpily.
"I do. Sorry Sano, but I've been incredibly busy lately. I haven't had time to go shopping for any food." Kaoru lied through her teeth. If Sanosuke knew she had been stinting herself, chances were Kenshin would know before noon, and Kaoru did not need him to know anything that had happened this last week. "I hope you didn't drink the milk I have in that ice chest however." She narrowed her eyes. "That is Namida's breakfast."
"No, I didn't touch it. I figured as much. When is that baby's mother going to accept responsibility for her child Kaoru? You're too young to be raising that little one."
"I'm not too young." Kaoru denied. "Her mother should be back any day now. You know, you'll never realize how hard mothers have it." She shook her head.
"I guess not." Sano snorted. "I have to get back, I promised Megumi I'd be there at dawn. Besides, she'll feed me." Sano gave Kaoru one last wild grin and then strolled out the door. Kaoru merely shook her head, and Namida gurgled in agreement.
"Well Namida, it's just you and me now… shall we get going? We'll need to catch at least fifteen fish and sell ten of them." Not really expecting an answer from the baby, she nodded to herself and grabbed her bokken. Shoving it into her obi, she also remembered her haversack and fishing rods. Once everything had been gathered, away she went to the riverbank, where she could catch her fish.
"Sano! Kenshin's up and waiting for you!" Yahiko met Sanosuke as he reached the clinic. "He's practically paced a hole into the floor of the clinic, and Megumi's getting upset."
"Let the Fox worry." He smirked and chuckled to himself. As he entered, he smelled rice and left over stew from the night before. Flavored by hunger, he managed to con a bowl of both from his woman, and then he went to see Kenshin. The worried wanderer had found refuge from Megumi's glaring eyes on the back porch of her clinic, and was just watching the last of the sun rise over the horizon when Sano found him.
"Nothing happen last night?" Kenshin inquired instantly.
"Nothing. I'm surprised I got any sleep though." Kenshin nodded.
"What was it that you wanted to show me? I would like to go visit Kaoru at the dojo today, that I would." Sano smirked, a fishtail pick in-between his teeth.
"That's what I wanted to show you. When you're ready, we're going to pay Kaoru a visit." Kenshin smiled. "I wouldn't smile just yet Kenshin. We're not going to the dojo."
"Huh?" Confused, Kenshin tried to read his friend, yet failed. Nothing in Sano's appearance or words had made the least bit of sense to him. "I'm ready now."
"Fine. Let's go." Kenshin stood, and the two men gave their regards to Megumi as they trampled out the door.
"You're not going without me you know!" Yahiko yelled and raced after them. Sano was quiet for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, I guess you've a right to see this as much as anyone does." The trio of men walked in silence down the now bustling morning streets of Tokyo. There were people selling linen and silk, jewelry and jade, potions and other such 'medicines'. Then there was the newspaper cart at which they made a brief stop so that Sano could nod to his pal Katsu, who was dropping off a new political cartoon. Soon they made their way to the street which the Akebeko sat on, and were immediately enticed to look at apples and dates, rice and flour, and tofu and fish. Quite a few people were crowded around a small stand, and Sano stopped them at this point.
"Wait here until those people clear away from the stand." He advised. They pretended to be interested in buying the oranges that were in the cart behind them, only to let their eyes wander to the stand that Sano had pointed out minutes before. People were clearing out now, and Kenshin could make out the form of a woman who was selling fish. Her thin frame seemed familiar, and the hairstyle with the colors in her kimono rang a bell. His eyes narrowed darkly.
"What is Kaoru selling fish for?" He asked Sano. Before he could make his way to the stand to confront Kaoru, however, Sano laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait. There's more. Let's go back over and speak with Katsu for a moment, and then I'll show you something else." Kenshin, very confused, could do nothing more than let Sanosuke turn him around and head towards the newsstand once again.
"Sano, what was Kaoru doing selling fish? Where did she get them all?" Yahiko asked, wide-eyed. He had been in the markets before, but hadn't noticed Kaoru at all.
"She got up this morning and went fishing. But it gets better, I promise." He spat bitterly. Sanosuke was truly bothered by what Kaoru had been doing the last week, and it was finally beginning to take its toll on him.
After they had stood and spoken with Katsu for nearly an hour, Kenshin began to get frustrated with the waiting. Having been a soldier, he had learned to wait patiently for the right time to move, to strike… but this was very different. This was tied to him so closely that waiting seemed like the last thing he should be doing.
"Alright, let's go." Sano finally announced. It was nearly eleven, and he had timed it just so that they would catch the end of Kaoru gutting fish and the beginning of her working at the Akebeko.
As they slowly rounded the corner of the street once more, Kenshin's eyes searched for Kaoru involuntarily. It was a natural reflex for his eyes to be drawn to her whenever she wasn't in his sight to begin with. Finally he caught her standing behind another booth. This time, however, she looked worn and tired. Holding a long, thin knife in one hand, and a large fish in the other, she skillfully gutted it, scrapped the scales from the dead fish, and then handed it to the owner of the stand, which in turn gave it to his customer. She was gutting fish?
"She works there after she sells her own fish." Sano clarified for Kenshin and Yahiko before they could ask. "She only stays there for about an hour, and then she goes to the next job." They watched silently from a distance as Kaoru gathered her things, including a bundle, which Kenshin wasn't quite sure of, and then proceed into the back lot of the Akebeko.
"She's a server at Akebeko? With Tae and Tsubame?" Yahiko asked curiously.
"Not even. She washes dishes and cleans the floors and kitchens." Sano grunted. Kenshin remained silent.
"Why is she doing all of this?" Yahiko asked unceremoniously. "She just wants the extra money, or what?"
"More like she needs it." Kenshin stated. Sano looked over at the red headed rurouni only to find his eyes gleamed with anger. "Because we did not bring in enough money, she needed to take up these jobs to pay the taxes on the dojo." His thoughts soared back to the beginning of the week when Kaoru had claimed Jensai was after the taxes. He hadn't given thought to it then, but now… This was why she had asked Megumi to take him and Yahiko for the week; she didn't want them seeing her working.
"That's what I thought." Sano nodded. "But Kenshin, didn't you say last night that the government doesn't charge taxes on land that holds sacred shrines?"
"I did." Kenshin nodded, his eyes never leaving the spot where he had seen Kaoru disappear through the gates.
"Then what I don't understand is why there is a tax to begin with." Kenshin nodded.
"True, there's something not quite right about this situation. Saitou might have a few answers…"
"You're not going to talk to the Wolf, are you!" Sano yelled loudly. As much as he didn't like this situation, wasn't there anyone better to deal with?
"I am. Saitou is only down the street from us, and he knows the laws better than anyone."
"I can't go over there with you Kenshin." Sano told him fiercely.
"Fine." Kenshin nodded. He then turned and began walking towards Saitou, who had already spotted Kenshin and his friends. Sano thought for a second more, then sighed and jogged to catch up with Kenshin.
"Why do you always do everything the hard way?" Yahiko grinned at Sano.
"Because he's Kenshin, that's why!"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Battousai's group. Of course, you are missing a few, aren't you? No woman doctor? Or that other little girl who thinks she can fight with swords? But I see you're still in company with the riffraff and children."
"Saitou you sneering Wolf!"
"Hey! Who're you calling a kid?" Both Sano and Yahiko protested. Kenshin remained silent, his lips drawn into a thin, straight line.
"Bad day is it Battousai? I heard from a few reliable sources that you were sick… you must still be under the weather then. But not everyone can always be as hardened and skilled as I constantly."
"Saitou." The Wolf's eyebrows shot up hearing the darkness in his rival's voice. "I have come to ask a question of you. Land with sacred shrines on it is not taxed, am I correct?"
"That is right. The government tried to instate taxes, but after only a month they knew the people wouldn't have it, so they revoked the tax." The Wolf answered glaringly.
"And do you know of a soldier by the name of Jensai Tomogei?"
"That boy who thinks he is worthy of manslayer status? Unfortunately, I have met him. The young people these days have no appreciation for what we were Battousai. He claims the title, but he does not have the eyes. Perhaps the heart, but it is tainted with madness. A true manslayer does not allow insanity to cloud his vision." Saitou scoffed with a low, unholy tone.
"You know of the Kamiya dojo outside of town?" Kenshin pressed.
"Where you and your woman live; I know it well." Saitou grinned.
"Then you should be able to tell me whether or not it should be taxed."
"We've been through this, you're getting slow in your age Battousai. No, your woman's dojo should not be taxed, there is a sacred shrine on that land." A silence swept over the group. Finally Saitou growled. "Why do you care for such information at any rate?"
"Jensai thinks he can tax the dojo." Sanosuke informed him.
"Well then, Rooster, I think that Jensai is in for a reprimand." Saitou sneered away from them, but Sano glared at him for the name. "I shall deal with his punishment as soon as possible."
"No." All eyes focused on Kenshin. "Leave him for me." Sano and Yahiko were stunned. Saitou looked pleased.
"Kenshin?" Yahiko asked.
"Yes Battousai, explain." Saitou smirked.
"He insulted Miss Kaoru, he lied to her, and he threatened her, that he did. This is not his first time, and he will obviously not learn from a mere punishment, that he won't. He is mine."
"As you like Battousai. I will still be punishing him for misusing his abilities, and for thinking he could possibly ever deserve the manslayer title, but I will let you have your way with him first. It might be fun to break him a second time." Saitou smiled darkly, then turned and walked away.
"Sano, Yahiko, go back to the dojo and stand guard. I will be there in an hour." Kenshin requested of his friends.
"Don't go doing anything stupid Kenshin." Sanosuke grinned at his friend. "I don't want to have to go and beat you up for losing your head." Kenshin smiled lightly at him.
"I will not 'lose my head', that I will not."
"Alright Kenshin, we'll see you soon then." Yahiko agreed. He and Sano turned and went walking quickly in the direction of the dojo. Kenshin nodded, then began walking purposefully towards the Akebeko. He strolled into the door, and was greeted by Tae.
"Why, hello there Mr. Himura! I take it you'd like a table for one?" She smiled cheerfully.
"Actually, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I would like to speak to your dishwasher, that I would." Kenshin smiled, and Tae blinked blankly. Then she seemed to understand, and winked.
"I'd nearly forgotten that Miss Kaoru was working for me! Of course you can speak with her, you just go right on back into the kitchen. Please don't touch anything back there though!"
"I won't." Kenshin nodded and stepped through the sliding door that led to the backroom. There was a great deal of bustle in the room as the chef stood pacing around, preparing food for his hungry customers. Kenshin stepped past him, and past Tsubame, who was gathering plates from the chef. Finally he spotted a frail figure sitting on the floor in a back corner, two buckets in front of her and a pile of rags to the side. He watched her sigh, gather a pile of rags very carefully in one arm, and then reach down for one of the buckets with her free hand. His eyes followed her form as she walked outside through the back door, and then his feet began to move in accordance.
Outside was much quieter than the kitchen. The day had quickly become gray and overcast, and the bustle of people that were in the streets behind the gate was thinning out as people anticipated rain and moved inside. Kenshin let his eyes wander to Kaoru, who had set the rags down and was trying to draw water from the well. Smiling lightly at her presence, he made his way up behind her silently. As she began to hoist the bucket, he grabbed onto the rope and helped her pull it up; not minding that she wasn't really pulling out of shock.
"You should not be drawing water alone Miss Kaoru, that you should not." He told her gently.
"Ken-shin?" She breathed slowly, as if she thought she might be in a dream. How he loved her surprised and happy look. The gleam in her eyes was only matched by the gleam in his own. "What are you doing here Kenshin?" She asked in wonderment.
"Miss Megumi has given me a clean bill of health, that she has. I thought I might visit you, seeing as I didn't get to yesterday."
"I came by." Kaoru whispered. "You were sleeping. Sano was supposed to tell you I said hello."
"Sanosuke told me a good many things about you, but he did not mention that." He watched Kaoru's eyes narrow.
"Just what did he tell you?" Now Kenshin narrowed his eyes to match her own hard gaze.
"That you have been working very hard this last week, fishing, gutting, washing dishes, training, and such. And of course I heard that you were visited by Jensai last night once again."
"He left without incident. Really Kenshin, Sano shouldn't have told you…"
"Yes he should have." Thunder rumbled deeply, echoing throughout the courtyard they stood in.
"We should get back inside, before it rains. I don't want you sick again, and Namida will cry if it starts to rain."
"Who?" Kenshin asked blankly. Kaoru blinked. Didn't Kenshin know? She bent down and picked up what Kenshin had thought was a bundle of rags.
"This is Namida Kenshin. I've been taking care of her this last week. Her mother had some pressing business to attend to, and I promised I would care for her."
"Kaoru…" Kenshin breathed. Standing there, holding the baby in her arms so gently, Kenshin had his breath taken away. She looked so perfect there, holding the little child. He could imagine it was his baby, their baby, and that they were a family so easily. She would make a wonderful mother. "Kaoru, you're so beautiful." He whispered, momentarily forgetting what he had been thinking before.
"Kenshin." Kaoru blushed deeply. She didn't think Kenshin even realized what he had just said to her. Still, it made her heart beat faster. Just Kenshin's simple words had that tremendous effect upon her. Looking at him standing there in awe of her, his burnt orange hair tied into a low ponytail, his light purple eyes gazing at her, Kaoru felt immensely lucky that she had met such a wonderful man.
Kenshin finally shook his clouded thoughts away and lightening lit the sky up. "We should get back to the dojo Miss Kaoru, that we should." He flushed.
"I need to finish working Kenshin." She told him softly, unable to meet his gaze.
"If Jensai thinks he's going to get tax money from your dojo, he is seriously mistaken. Your dojo lies on sacred land, and there is a shrine that sits there. The government does not tax on such properties. Jensai has been taking advantage of you Miss Kaoru, and I refuse to stand by and let him continue. I will not see you work this way, not now, and not ever again." Kenshin stepped forward to encircle Kaoru with his arms. Pulling her closer to him, he lightly breathed in her clean jasmine scent. "You should never have to work unless you are doing the one thing you love, which is teaching swords. I will not let you break your soul over something that you have no need for."
"Kenshin…" She protested.
"No." He hushed her. "Come now, Sano and Yahiko are already at the dojo, that they are." Pulling away from their embrace, Kenshin instantly missed the warmth and comfort of holding Kaoru in his arms. Still, he kept his hand entwined with her free one, and pulled her back into the Akebeko kitchen.
"Miss Kaoru, were you outside that whole time? I was getting worried!" Tae fussed as they stepped back inside.
"Yes, I'm fine Tae. Kenshin and I were just talking, that's all."
"I'm sorry Miss Tae, but I'm going to have to take Miss Kaoru home now, that I will."
"Oh? Whatever for?" Tae asked suspiciously, winking at Kaoru.
"Yahiko is waiting for a sword lesson, that he is, and Miss Kaoru never breaks a promise." Kenshin told her cheerfully. Kaoru simply smiled lightly as she placed her haversack on her back. Kenshin took her shallow baskets and the fishing gear, and Kaoru made sure that Namida was bundled up warmly for their walk in case it should begin to rain.
"Well then, I suppose I should give you your pay for the week then Kaoru!" Tae smiled cheerfully. She reached into her pocket and pulled out Kaoru's wages. Kaoru gasped.
"Tae, this is too much! I only worked in the afternoons, and I only scrubbed dishes!"
"You take it Kaoru, you earned it." Tae winked "Come back and visit me sometime soon, it will be so empty here without you." Kaoru nodded as Kenshin led her out the door.
Their walk back to the dojo was quiet yet comfortable. They made small talk briefly about Kenshin's health, and afterwards they fell into a companionable silence. So much so did the two wish they could be together that neither could say anything for fear of what might happen when the truth was revealed. It was nearly painful, and still they kept on as if nothing bothered them.
"Kaoru!" Yahiko called when they reached the gates. Kaoru smiled.
"Hello Yahiko!" She hadn't seen him in two days—both times she had come to visit he had been out.
"Ugly, you've been shirking your duties as my teacher!" He whined, grinning all the while.
"Just get ready Yahiko, because come tomorrow I'm going to make you regret ever saying that!" She warned him playfully. It was so nice to have her family back!
"So Kaoru, it's nearly five o'clock, what's for dinner?" Sanosuke asked, his voice more worried and concerned than hungry. Kaoru understood what his words had meant.
"I caught some fish earlier this morning. If you'll wait, I'll cook them for you." She muttered, trying to forget.
"Or maybe Kenshin should cook them?" Yahiko sneered. Kaoru glared.
"Are you saying something about my cooking, Little Yahiko?"
"No, never… Ugly!" he laughed, and Kaoru became red with anger.
"Just you let me put Namida down, and then I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget!" She growled.
"I do believe I heard those words yesterday. What a pity she can't really follow through with any of them." All heads turned to see five figures gathered outside the gates. They slowly opened the gate and walked through, never pausing for a moment until their leader held up his hand. "Ah, I see you've once again got the man who thinks he's a master swordsman staying here. I do hope he's not as sick as last time…"
"Jensai." Kaoru whispered angrily. Kenshin glared, and Sano stepped forward, legs ready in a fighting stance.
"Didn't Kaoru tell you to get out last night? I believe she also said don't come back. What a pity that you didn't listen to her." Sano sneered.
"All I want are the taxes, or Kaoru, and then I'll be gone." He smirked. "My Kaoru."
"She won't be giving you a cent! You don't deserve any, not to mention she doesn't have to pay taxes!" Yahiko growled, his bokken drawn. He had no knowledge of the situation, but if Kenshin and Sano were ready to fight, so was he.
"And I'm to listen to a little know it all street rat boy? I think not!" Laughed Jensai.
"No." Kenshin spoke up darkly. Sano could see flecks of gold glimmering in them. "But you are supposed to listen to Miss Kaoru. And seeing as you've decided not to, you'll answer to me." *