Okay, here are my chapters.  Tetsu/Officer Jimi and Saya does not belong to me.  They belong to Kurono Nanae.

To Be Free

Part Five

More Meetings

By Maria Cline

(Chapters 1-4 by Ami-dono)

Kenshin's eyes widened as he recognized the voice.  It was the last man he expected. 

"Kenshin!  Who is it?" Kaoru asked again noticing her friend standing there in shock.  She looked up to see a tall man wearing a long white cape and has long black hair.  He had a sake jug in one hand and at his side almost hidden from view was a long katana.  Instantly, she knew who he was.  Bringing out her bokken, she stepped in front of the still stunned former slave.  "I don't know who you are or why you're here but if you're here to reclaim Kenshin forget it!  He's a free man now and belongs to no one!  Not even a cocky samurai like you!"

The samurai blinked at the remark.

Kenshin looked at the two with a confused look in his face.  /This is getting out of hand./ "Errr. Kaoru-dono-"

"Don't worry, Kenshin, I'll protect you no matter what!" Kaoru vowed as she held her bokken high in the air. 

"But he-" Kenshin tried to say.

"Relax, Kenshin, I'm a dojo maser just stay behind me." Kaoru ordered as she stepped up to the much taller man.

"Stay behind- *snicker* 'Protect you'-" The mysterious man chuckled and finally leaned on the door frame laughing.  "You meet the most interesting people, my idiot apprentice."

"Apprentice?" Kaoru repeated as she looked at her friend who was just looking down.  "I thought he was one of your former owners."
"No, I am Hiko Seijiro the Thirteenth!" Hiko announced, "And I am definitely not one of Shinta's owners!"

"Shinta?  I thought your name is Kenshin?" Kaoru asked feeling more confused than before.

"That is one of his names.  I had given him that name personally.  I call him 'Shinta' because it suits him better now." Hiko explained as he looked down at Kenshin who was just trying to avoid his gaze. 

Kaoru looked at the two.  She may not know much about Kenshin or Shinta or whatever his name might be but she could tell that he needed help.  "Now cut that out!" Kaoru ordered as she stepped in front of Kenshin again and held out her arm holding the bokken.  "You have no idea what Kenshin been through!  If you cared for him, you would not let him become a slave in the first place!"

Kenshin was amazed at how she is standing up to this much taller and stronger man.  /Why is she doing this much for Sessha?/ "Kaoru-dono. you do not have to-"

Kaoru glared at him.  "I have to!  Someone has to stand up for you!  Don't you get it?  I will not let anyone hurt you again!"

Hiko looked at the display and smiled slightly.  "Well. you have a strong spirit in you.  Such raw potential.  However, you are being foolish in accusing me of letting my idiot apprentice become a slave again.  He ran away when he was fifteen.  I kept tabs on him until I lost him ten years ago.  I was planning to buy Shinta or kill the owner but since he's free now, there's no need for blood to be shed."

The woman sighed in relief as her guard dropped.  "I'm sorry for being so rude.  I just didn't want Kenshin to get hurt." She paused and then calculated, "He ran away at fifteen and you lost him at ten years ago. how old are you, Kenshin?"

Kenshin blushed as he counted his own fingers.  It had been a long time since he had to say his age.  His past owners didn't care how old he was but how old he looked.  "Twenty-eight."

"I thought as much." Hiko confirmed.

Kaoru fell over.  "TWENTY-EIGHT?!" Kaoru screamed in shock.  "You cannot be twenty-eight?!  You look sixteen!  Twenty tops!" She hung her head.  "You're ten years older than me.  Wait a second.  How old are you?" She pointed toward the older man.

"Forty-three."

"How can you stay looking so young?" Kaoru asked stunned about the two men who looked much younger than they were. 

"It's a gift." Hiko shrugged as he reached into his cape and tossed Kaoru a small sack.  "Here, a little something in appreciation for saving my idiot apprentice from a lifetime of misery."

Kaoru looked down at the bag.  It had plenty of money but should she accept it?  She looked up at Hiko who was staring at her intensely.  It would be rude to not accept his money.  "I-I humbly accept this gift.  I suppose you want to take Kenshin back home right?" She gazed at Kenshin sadly.  It would be selfish of her to keep him away from the closest thing to family that he had. 

"No.  You can keep him." Hiko turned around, "He is not ready to come back with me.  When he feels he is ready, he can finish the training.  Until then, farewell." He walked away.

After a few minutes, Kaoru regained her senses and screamed, "That jerk!  How can you stand that guy?"

Kenshin coughed as he cleared his throat.  "Sessha doesn't know."

"Well, why did you run away in the first place?" Kaoru inquired softly. 

Kenshin just looked down and seemed to shrink at that question.  /This is the part in which you have to tell her what happened and when she does, she will take you back to the slave traders./ The skeptical part of his brain chanted.  /No!  That can't be true!  Kaoru-dono would never do that!  Would she?/

Kaoru watched Kenshin fidget in her gaze.  'Baka, he could barely trust me as it is.'  "You don't have to tell us.  The past doesn't matter only the future." She put her hand on his shoulder.  "Right now, let's Megumi check you out.  Okay?"

"Okay." Kenshin smiled back.

"Ken-san!" Megumi gushed as she and Sanosuke came in.  "Are you ready for your checkup?"

Kenshin paled as he backed away.  She was laughing and smiling like a fox cornering a helpless bird.  /No!  I can't!  She'll take me while Kaoru-dono's not looking!/

Megumi frowned slightly at the response.  From what Sanosuke said, Kenshin must have serious trust issues.  She will need to be gentle with this poor man.  "Kenshin, it's okay.  I am a professional doctor.  I will not hurt you or make you uncomfortable in any way if I can avoid it." She carefully came up in a soft soothing tone, the type of tone she reserves for her most nervous patients. 

"Megumi is a professional.  She may act a little flirty at times but when it comes to helping people out she is one hundred percent serious." Kaoru supported as she gently put her hand on Kenshin's shoulder.  "I will be waiting outside if you need me.  Just let her do her job."

"S-sessha will try, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin just nodded.  Megumi took a deep breath as she guided Kenshin into his room.  She closed the door and watched Kenshin fidgeting in his spot. 

"Okay, now that we are alone.  I am going to check on that little cold you have." Megumi said as she sat the man down.  "Now, like I said before, we will take it slowly and I will try not to touch you.  If you are feeling uncomfortable, just tell me.  Okay?"

There was something soothing about her voice.  It was the type of motherly voice that innkeeper used to use on him back in the old days.  Maybe he can trust her like Kaoru does.  "Okay *cough*."

"Good, now first I need to check your chest.  Take off your gi and I will check your lungs with this stethoscope." Megumi said as she reached into her bag and got out the instrument.

Slowly, with practiced moves, he took off the shirt and took a deep breath ready for anything.  Megumi knelt down and examined his chest.  She nearly fell back in shock.  The chest was marred with sword scars and bullet wounds.  It pained her to see someone's scars, especially those with a tragic past.  Still, she took her stethoscope and carefully listened to his breathing.  "Take a deep breath and hold it." She ordered. 

He complied.

"Now release."

He released his breath.

"Okay, good.  Your lungs are clear now for the back." She went behind him to see more sword scars and a strange Chinese symbol among them.  "Have you ever been to China, Kenshin?" Megumi inquired.

"Once.  Sessha's first master lived there." Kenshin answered softly.  "He put that mark on Sessha's back as a message."

"Do you know what is that message?" Megumi asked, "I don't recognize the symbol."

Kenshin just turned his head.  "I don't want to talk about it." He said bitterly.

Megumi was stunned at the sudden sharp tone in his voice.  For a moment, he sounded deadly.  "Oh, okay.  I just want to make sure.  Let's continue on our examination."

*****

Kaoru paced up and down the hallway.  She was nervous.  While Megumi is a professional doctor, Kenshin was pretty frail mentally and physically.  If he ended up hurt in any way, she could never forgive herself.

Megumi and Kenshin got out.  He was putting on his shirt while walking away.  "How is he?" Kaoru asked.

"Well, for one thing, he has a mild cold due to that cold bath he had in the middle of the night.  Honestly, Takuni, didn't you think that he would get sick from sleeping in wet clothes all night long?" She raised an eyebrow and Kaoru looked down.

/Idiot!  I should've known.  Why didn't he tell me?  Because he's afraid you might beat him up or something./ "Gomen, Megumi, Kenshin.  Will you be all right?" She asked Kenshin.

"If Sessha rest, Kaoru-dono."

"And drink plenty of herbal tea and plenty of nice food." Megumi finished, "Other than that and some malnutrition, he's fine."

"Good." Kaoru relaxed, "We can go shopping for some new clothes after you take some medicine."

"I have some tea that should help you with that cough.  The weather is warm enough so you can handle being outside for a while." Megumi got out a tea kettle with a hot cup of tea.  "Here, this should help you with that cough of yours."

Kenshin nodded as he slowly sipped the tea.  /Hey!  It's a trap!  For all we know, it could be poison!/ The skeptical voice in his head yelled.  He didn't listen.  Instead he finished the tea.  His throat had cleared and his headache had faded.  "That felt better."

"Good, I need go back to the clinic." Megumi packed up her gear and bowed.  "Take good care of yourself, Ken-san.  Please don't scare him too much, Takuni."

*****

Kenshin's head cleared as he, Kaoru, and Sanosuke walked down the street to the marketplace.  Kaoru and Sanosuke had to keep on making Kenshin walk with them rather than several steps behind. 

"Here it is." Kaoru said as they stopped at a clothes booth.  "Hi, Saya!"

A lovely woman in a purple kimono came up and bowed.  "How do you do, Kaoru-san?  Would you like your usual outfits?" She had shoulder length black hair with dark eyes.  Her voice was so soft that barely anyone could hear her. 

"No thank you.  This young man right here needs some new clothes." Kaoru showed Kenshin forward.  "Come on, Kenshin, pick out what you want."

Kenshin looked at the vast varieties of clothes in awe.  /Could Sessha really have any clothes he wants?/ /Don't fall for it!/  "Really?"

Kaoru nearly cried at the look he gave.  'He must never had a choice in clothes either.' "Yes." Kaoru reached into her sleeve and handed him the money Hiko gave her.  "Here's the money.  Pick out any clothes you want.  I'll go and get some rice."

"I'll stay here, Jo-chan." Sanosuke offered.  /I can't let the guy alone.  There might be some nutcase who wants to get him for a slave again./

"Is that all right with you, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

Kenshin looked up at Sanosuke nervously.  /He's big, he could take you and sell you in an instant./ A voice warned.  /But, Kaoru-dono trusts him.  He has to be good./ "I don't mind." He whispered.

"Don't worry, Kenshin, Sano's a little rough but he's a good guy." Kaoru smiled slightly as she gave Sanosuke a warning look and then walked away.

Kenshin gulped as he looked up at Sanosuke and then turned away and looked at the clothes.  /Oh man, I'm making the kid nervous.  I don't blame him, he's probably afraid that I'll do something to him.  I swear, if I meet one of those bastards.../ "I'll just stand over there.  If you need anything, just call me." Sanosuke said as he bent down. 

Kenshin just nodded and the taller man went to the corner and leaned against the wall.  He started to flip through the various gis and hakamas.  Nothing felt right to him but he never really had a choice on how he dressed before.  Then, he saw a lavender gi that just caught his attention.  It was to the side and mostly undisturbed.  Yet, it felt right.  He held up the gi toward his chest to see how it would look against his skin. 

"I think it looks good on you.  It matches your eyes." Saya said as she smiled sweetly.  The young woman rarely suggests any clothes for anyone but she could tell the poor man had no idea what to do.  "Do you like bright colors?"

Kenshin nodded at her.  He hated dark colors, despite the fact that they often look good on him.  Brighter colors felt better but he rarely got the chance to wear such colors.  He started to get out other gis and hakamas.  Sanosuke watched the young man carefully.  The young man looked relax and for once almost happy.  /The poor kid.  He probably never had much of a chance to have choices./ Sanosuke could not help but feel sorry for him.  Kenshin was so young and yet had to bear such horrible scars. 

Suddenly, the small man moaned as he leaned on the cart.  A throbbing headache struck him.  He could barely keep standing.  Suddenly, a pair of strong arms circled him.  "No!" Kenshin cried out as he tried to shove him away.  It was not Kaoru but someone much taller and stronger. 

"Kenshin!  It's me!" Sanosuke snapped as he gently shook him.  "I won't hurt you."

"Sano-san?" Kenshin opened his eyes.  "I'm sorry, I got dizzy."

"Hey, don't apologize, Kid." Sanosuke felt his forehead.  "Damn!  You're burning up!  That's it, you're coming with me back to the dojo."

"What about Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin whispered as he pulled himself away.  /He's taking you.  He's taking you far away like the others./

"I'll have my husband get her.  He should be coming by.  I'll pack up the clothes and he can drop them off when you're done." Saya offered. 

"Thanks, Saya." Sanosuke saluted as he picked up Kenshin and carried him back to the dojo.

Kenshin shivered at the touch and tried to get out but he was held tight.  /I'm trapped.  I am going to get it now.  I thought it will be different this time but perhaps. it is not meant to be./ /I told you so./ He sighed as he closed his eyes.  It was futile to fight.  He was sick and Sanosuke was strong.  Finally, they reached the dojo and Kenshin was laid out on a futon in his room.  Kenshin quickly closed his eyes and lay still like his previous masters had liked.

Sanosuke stood there watching him.  /What is he doing?  Don't tell me that he's getting so sick he was unconscious.  No, he's not in a coma but he's lying like he's offering himself./ "Whoa!  Kenshin!  I'm not like that.  I don't swing that way.  Get up!" The man waved his hands and then knelt down next to him. 

"Then, you just want to beat Sessha up for what this unworthy one did?" Kenshin asked as he kept his eyes closed.

"No!  No way!  I'm not like that!" Sanosuke boomed and Kenshin quickly curled up in a fetal position.  He slapped himself on the head. /Baka... what are you doing?  You're scaring him./ "Look, Kenshin, I know that I may be big and strong, and wear the symbol of 'bad' on my back but I'm not the type to beat up others just because I can.  I promise, I won't hurt you or do anything like that."

Kenshin straightened up and looked up at the taller man.  Sanosuke could still see fear in his dark eyes and for some strange reason the faintest shades of amber.  "That is what the others said before they beat me up or if they were merciful use me." He said quietly, "How do I know that you are different?  Kaoru-dono trusts you but she is not here.  You can do anything you want and make me not say a word like others had before."

It took all of his will power to force himself not to pick him up and give him a huge bear hug.  Sanosuke had seen other slaves act the same as he.  They were so submissive, reluctant to trust and broken in soul.  "I'll stay my distance for now.  Okay?  I won't even touch you unless you let me.  I promise." He held up both of his hands up in a surrendering gesture. 

Kenshin studied him carefully.  /He seems just as sincere as Kaoru-dono./ /He's lying./

Sanosuke took a deep breath as he sat down on a pillow.  "I got it, why don't I talk about myself and Jo-chan and the others?  So, you can know us better.  Where to start. I got it!  You see, my full name is Sagara Sanosuke but everyone calls me Sano.  I'm nineteen years old and I used to be a street fighter who used to get paid to fight others.  I bet that you're wondering how a sweet girl like Jo-chan, Kaoru, meets someone like me."

Kenshin nodded slowly as he pulled the blanket over his body.  He was confused at the relationship between the two.  They seemed friendly but didn't act like a romantic couple.

"Oh, well... you see, Kaoru is Kamiya Kaoru, a dojo master of the Kamiya Kashin Ryuu Style.  Her father had died a year ago in a battle.  She didn't tell me which one though.  Anyway, she managed to teach like fifteen students until this bastard started going around killing people under her school name staining her reputation.  He called himself the Battousai."

Kenshin's face paled as his jaw dropped.  "Ba-battousai?"

"Yeah, he called himself the Battousai.  I heard about the murders so I started hunting for him myself.  I've heard about how powerful the Battousai was and I want to fight him." Sanosuke grinned as he pounded his fists.  Kenshin curled up under the blanket unsure of what to think.  "Anyway, I finally found him just as he was about to kill Jo-chan.  She was hunting him down too so she can restore honor to her dojo.  I saved her, beaten up the Battousai, who turned out to be a fake, and then beat up his good for nothing brother who arranged it!"

"So, it was a fake." Kenshin said in relief. /Thank goodness.  I was afraid./

"Yeah, but." Sanosuke looked down.  "The students haven't come back.  I wasn't really that surprised.  If they had shown more loyalty, they would've stayed no matter what the rumors are.  Jo-chan have been going around teaching other schools and even gained a reputation for being an excellent fighter but I don't know how to help her.  It's been like that for a month."

Kenshin's fists tightened as thoughts swirled in his head.  /She spent all that money to free me but why?  I thought she had plenty of money./ /She knows.  She and Sano knows and that is why they are keeping you here.  They want revenge like everyone else./ /No!  I can't believe that!/  "Umm. Sano-san?  Do you know what the Battousai looks like?"

Sanosuke frowned.  "No.  He wasn't seen in ten years and no body that I know of ever got a good look.  Sometimes, I heard that he was eight feet tall, other times just five feet. the Government denies that the Battousai even existed and that he was just a myth created to scare the Shinsengumi.  I don't believe that.  I don't trust the Government."

"Why not?"

Sanosuke growled as he pounded his fist.  Kenshin tensed up waiting for a beating.  "I just don't." He glanced at Kenshin who was shaking and then down at his fists.  /Aw, crap, he thought that I was going to hit him.  Stupid habits!/ "Hey, I'm not mad at you.  I just do that out of habit."  Kenshin bowed his head down and tensed in anger.  His long red bangs covered his eyes.  /But, you heard that from other people after they beat you up./ 

"I don't trust the Government either." Kenshin whispered in a harsh voice, "They were founded with honorable intentions but they do things to cover nasty truths and make themselves look better."

"Then, we have something in common." Sanosuke grinned, "Hey, look, I do hope we become good friends.  It's nice to have another guy to talk to even though Jo-chan can be a little manly herself."

All of a sudden, Kaoru came out of nowhere looking mad.  "I heard that." She hissed as she slammed her bokken into Sano's head.  "ARE YOU SAYING THAT I'M NOT LADYLIKE?!"

Kenshin quickly got out of the way as he watched Kaoru bashing Sanosuke into the ground.  /How can he handle that many hits?/ He wondered.

"*Ahem* Police officer in the room." A short man, who was only slightly taller than Kenshin said as he came in carrying rice.

Kaoru gulped as she grinned and hid the bokken behind her back.  "Heh heh, I don't normally do that."

"You are lucky I am off duty." The policeman said as he put away the rice.  He turned toward Kenshin and his eyes widened.  Kenshin stiffened and finally the man bowed his head, "My wife, Saya told me about you, Kenshin.  I am Officer Kurogane Jimi, it is an honor to meet you."

Kenshin just nodded back at him.  "Thank you for the help, Jimi-san.  I'm sorry you had to take the rice all this way." Kaoru said sweetly as she bowed.

"It is my pleasure to help, I must go.  Goodbye." Officer Jimi smiled slightly as he bowed back and then walked out of the dojo.  His smile transformed into a frown and he marched back to the street.

Kaoru sighed in relief as she closed the door and went to Kenshin.  "Are you okay, Kenshin?  Saya told me that you nearly fainted."

"I'm just a tired, Kaoru-dono.  I'm sorry to disturb your routine." Kenshin bowed as he tried to get up.

"No, you were sick.  You have to learn to stop apologizing for everything.  You were sick and I forced you to go shopping when you should rest.  You must learn to speak up for yourself.  If you don't, people will take advantage of you for the rest of your life." Kaoru said softly as she sat next to him. 

"I'm sorry."

Kaoru hung her head. /All he does is apologize and wait to get beat up.  He needs to be more aggressive if he can survive in the outside world.  I thought that it will be easy but I guess I was wrong.  I have to free him from that slave mentality.  He needs to learn to fight for what is right./  Her face lit up.  "Of course!  Kenshin!  I got it!  I'll go ahead and cook up some lunch while you rest.  We are going to be very busy soon!" She laughed as she ran off leaving Kenshin and Sanosuke behind.

Sanosuke moaned as he rubbed his head.  "Here's a bit of advice, kid, never try to understand women.  They will confuse you ever more."

"Hai."

*****

Officer Jimi sat at the table waiting patiently for his friend to show up.  He reached into his pocket and got out an old watch.  /Where is he?/ He wondered when he looked up to see a dark figure looming over him.  He jumped in his seat and sighed, "No matter how long I knew you, you always seem to be able to scare the shit out of me."

The man smiled slightly as he sat in front of him.  "You know you should always be prepared.  This new era had dulled your blade, Tetsu."

"Tetsu... only you and Saya called me that nowadays." Tetsu sighed as he took off his hat and bowed his head down.  "I have something important to tell you.  Something very important." He leaned over and whispered in the other man's ear.

The other man gasped as he clenched his katana's hilt.  "Are you positive it is him?"

Tetsu nodded. "Red hair and scar on left cheek.  His eyes are violet but other than that, it's how you described him.  However, he was very timid, almost afraid of everyone around him."

"That cannot be him then.  He would have just killed all of them.  Still, ten years can change a man.  Take me to him.  I want to see it for myself."

Tetsu smiled slightly. "I knew you would want to.  Just promise me you won't kill him if it is who I think it is, Saitou-san."

"That depends on him, Tetsu." Saitou said as he took a cigarette and lit it. 

To Be Continued...