The Forgotten Era
Disclaimer: Well…um…hi?
MC (MysticChaos): THE DISCLAIMER YOU IDIOT!
Disclaimer: OH! MysticChaos doesn't own anything!
DH (DarkHand): Since the Disclaimer was away for such a long time, I think it forgot what a disclaimer was…
MCC (MysticChaos's Conscious): nods
MC: Hey, where's ShinHwa4Real?
DH: She wouldn't come because of her. points to MCC
MCC: I'm so insulted! If you don't want me, I'll leave!
MC and DH: Okay.
MCC: FINE! BE THAT WAY! runs off
MC: Oi! Bring us some donuts while you're at it!
DH: -- Um…on with the story?
Chapter 7: The Uninvited Newcomer
Saeko sat patiently in her cell, meditating. Then a curious thought went into her head. 'What would happen if Hiko found out that I won't be the one making lunch today?…' Suddenly Saeko burst out in laughter. 'Oh he would be fuming for awhile. How is wish I could be there!' she smiled. Then a shadow appeared in front of her cell. A young man was opening the door to the cell (which Saeko could've easily broken apart since the bars were wood) and asked her to come and follow him. Saeko didn't answer, but did get up and followed the man.
The officer led her to a room and left her there, closing the door behind her. Saeko was alone…sort of. Suddenly a flash of metal came toward her, making her move to the side and to the corner of the room.
Saeko snapped at the shadows, "Do you randomly attack people like that every time they come to your office?!"
Surprisingly, the gold eyed man came out of the darkness was smoking calmly, sheathing his sword.
"So you are that manslayer from 10 years ago." the man said, his voice curious.
"Feh. We meet again, Miburo, the former leader of the Shinsengumi." Saeko scoffed, coming out of her fighting stance (which was quite difficult since she was in a kimono).
The man sat on a chair and made a motion to her to do the same. Saeko cautiously obeyed. They stared at each other for awhile. Then Saeko whispered, "Why do you want?"
(S4R: I bet you already know that this Miburo is Saitou and Saitou is Saeko's lost brother. Yes, the Saitou that fought with Kenshin when he was versing Shishio. And if you don't know this, THEN YOU'RE STUPID!!!)
The Miburo casually asked, "Why did you come to Kyoto, you being a manslayer of course."
"Ashamed, humiliated, take your pick."
"Why?"
"Well, I accused a specific battousai wrongly for taking my brother away."
"And that's supposed to be bad?"
"Shut up, you."
For some reason, this comment made both of the fighters smile.
"And you became an officer." Saeko said.
"And you became a wanderer." the Miburo commented.
"Still with the 'Kill evil instantly' ideal?"
"Yes. Are you still with the imperialist man hunting hobby?"
"Gah. It's NOT a hobby and no, I'm not killing only them."
"So you are still killing."
"…Taking a break to be more like it."
"For life?"
"…I…I don't know."
There was awkward silence.
"Do you fear me?"
"What? Fear you, Miburo? Unlikely.
"Why?"
"Well, I always think of wolves when they were young. Which they are only puppies. So, therefore, I always think of you, Miburo (wolf) as a puppy."
The former Shinsengumi leader smiled grimly at this.
"So, I'm a puppy?"
"Yes doggy. Smart doggy."
The Miburo glared at the girl, who seemed to be very amused. He could kill her easily…if he wasn't an officer in a public place. Also since she resembled so much like a close one that he once had…
"Well, it is obvious that this conversation is over." the man said, getting up from his chair and opening the door for Saeko.
Saeko stood from her chair and asked, "You aren't going to put me back into that cell?"
The Miburo smiled slightly with amusement and said, "You are just going to escape during the night. What is the point in that? …Or do you want me to put you back into a tighter security surrounded cell?"
Saeko raised her hands in defeat and quickly went out the door.
Saitou watched the woman come out his door and hurriedly go out of the police station, watching from his window. It's ironic what the new era does to you. It makes enemies into friends…and hopefully it won't make friends into enemies.
By the time Saeko had reached Hiko's hut, night had already fallen. Feeling tired, Saeko looked up at the hut and…her mouth opened in surprise. The little thief boy was outside of the cabin, as if waiting patiently for someone and that someone was her.
The boy stood up and nearly fell down because of his numb legs. When Saeko walked up to him, she muttered, "What are you doing here…and outside of Master's home?"
The boy massaged his legs and said with a bit of attitude, "That big jerk won't let me in the house until he knows that you know me."
Saeko hid a grin and asked in her same cold voice, "You still didn't answer my first question."
"I wanted to…um…thank you for helping me back there and I…er… returned your food back to here."
Obviously this boy wasn't used to thank yous and favors.
"How did you know I lived here?"
"I followed the big jerk…since you were following him at the market and all."
Saeko liked this boy. He actually called Hiko, "The big jerk," but, at the same time, she did not want the boy here…for some reason…
"Why are you here? You could have left as soon as you left the groceries." Saeko questioned.
The boy looked down at the interesting grass and Saeko barely heard him say, "Could you…uh…take me as your student?" Now, Saeko knew why she didn't want him here.
"Sorry. My swordsmanship isn't for teaching." she muttered, entering the hut.
The boy simply stared after the woman. Then he angrily followed after her.
"Why not?!" he yelled.
Saeko began to chop the carrots while Hiko was drinking tea in front of the fire. Both were unfazed from the boy's burst out.
"Well?!" the lad demanded.
Saeko walked over to the fire and set a pot full of water over the flames so it could boil. Then she went back to the vegetables, chopping as usual.
"Because my skill has killed many. I will not tolerate having anyone else learn it so they can kill more people." Saeko whispered.
Hiko continued to sip his tea, but even he seemed to be listening to Saeko's every word.
"I won't kill anyone with your skills! I promise!" the boy objected.
"Promises mean nothing to me. Promises can always be broken."
"Well, not mine!"
"AND HOW CAN I BE SURE OF THAT?!"
Now Hiko was giving Saeko a warning glance and she had struck her knife into the wooden board, angrily looking at her onions. The boy was startled at Saeko's anger.
Saeko continued, but in a calmer tone. "Once you have learned my skills, how can I be sure you will not abuse my name and swordsmanship? How can I be sure that you will keep your promise? How can I trust you when you have be stealing for a living? How will I be sure you will not run away during your training? How? Tell me how."
The boy crossed his arms stubbornly, but his eyes were shining with fear. "You'll…You'll just have to trust me."
Saeko turned her head at the boy, eyes mingled with frustration and anger. Also a hint of anxiety. After a long silence, Saeko wrenched the kitchen knife out of the wooden board and bent down to some dark corner. When she came out, Saeko revealed a long stick with a pointed end.
Saeko said in her icy voice, "Until you catch a fish from the waterfall a some paces from here, I will teach you my sword style. You will use this staff, only this staff to catch the fish. If you cheat in any way, I will definitely not teach you. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded eagerly and reached out to get the staff. Saeko pulled it back.
"First lesson. Never reach out, until it is given to you." Saeko snapped.
He nodded and let Saeko give him the pointed stick.
"This'll be easy!" the child said, face shining with confidence.
Saeko narrowed her eyes and hissed, "With that attitude of yours, you'll never even survive the first day of my training."
The confidence immediately faded from the boy's face as he went out of the hut, muttering nothings.
Saeko sighed, and turned to Hiko. "Do you think it was a good idea? She asked.
Hiko shrugged and said carelessly, "It was your decision, but you do know that the fishes at the waterfall are extremely quick."
Saeko narrowed her eyes and threw a radish at his head. "Jerk." she murmured. Hiko just glared back at her, holding the bump that was forming at his head. (DH: EVIL RADISH! I SHALL KILL YOU!!! stabs radish)
Later, after dinner was eaten, the boy came back, soak and wet, the staff hanging limply from his hands. He looked really annoyed. Saeko took the staff and handed the boy some dry clothes, a futon, a blanket, and a pillow. Then she pointed at the shed outside of the hut.
"Master Hiko has agreed to let you sleep in there. For awhile anyway and put your wet clothes outside the door." Saeko said, her voice soft.
The boy nodded tiredly and walked off. Saeko watched the youngling with pity. Then shook her head and went back inside.
As the boy opened the door to the shed, he saw a tray of food on the clean floor, still steaming from the rice and the stew. Smiling and looking back at the woman, he thought cheerfully as he began to change, 'I guess she's not such a cold-hearted demon after all…'
MC: TT I didn't get any reviews…or donuts….
DH: Uh…yay?
Kenshin: Hello!
Shishio: PITIFUL FOOLS!
DH: That's his way of saying hello-
MC: I know!
DH: So, did you settle the issue with pink obi?
Kenshin: Yes! We did!
MC: Well…?
Shishio: IT IS CALLED MAGENTA PINK!
MC and DH: Okay…
Shishio: IT IS A FINE-
Everyone: SHUT UP!
Shishio: mumble, mumble
MC: irritated
DH: Don't mind her. She just hates it when she gets no reviews. You get used to it.
Kenshin: Ah…
DH: Well, see ya later and review!
Shishio: That was short…
DH: I know. Since MysticChaos doesn't want to type right now, she's having no ideas whatsoever.
Kenshin: Ah.
MC: STOP SAYING THAT!
Kenshin: A-Alright…
MC: --
DH: Uh…bye.