Chapter 4: "If you bring in a rat from the street, you bring their disease
in as well..."
I awoke covered in sweat and my body aching as I sat upright. It screamed of pain in my right shoulder and waist. I gripped my torso, trying to subdue the pain. I was surprise to feel something soft wrapped around me. That was when I realized someone had cared for me....me...the Battousai.... My wounds were wrapped tightly in white bandages. They even had placed a bandage over my cross shaped scar across my cheek. I touched the bandage for a moment, regretting what I had done to receive such awards. After a moment or two the physical pain subsided. I was slowly able to regain my senses. I was laying in a plain futon, in what seemed to be a small room in a farm house. The room was simply furnished, only my futon and that of a window that allowed the sun's warmth to enter the room, as long with its light.
I turned, looking outside, seeing only clouds pass by. So this truly was my karma...my debt I had to pay....I was to live out my life in torture of my past...
I flinched as pain shot though my stomach, once more. That was when I heard a noise. I turned. There, peering around the sliding door seemed to be a girl only nine years of age, curiously watching me. I slowly smiled it, it felt as though I was opening a door with rusty hinges. When was the last time I smiled? She suddenly gasped and padded swiftly away. I let out a deep sigh as I heard voices only a few rooms down.
"You shall do no such thing!"
"But-"
"No! Do I make myself clear?"
"...."
"Anki what's wrong? You look as if you've seen someone rise from the dead." it sounded like an older woman, laughed.
"H-he's awake!" the young girl stuttered.
"Calm down child, alright, alright," she spoke calmly.
I listened as footsteps neared my room. I scanned each as they entered. One was an old woman who's hair was streaked with grey and white. Her skin showed her age, but it seemed wisdom had come with it. Behind her was the same little girl with black hair tied back. The little girl clung to the woman's kimono peering over it shyly.
They seemed to be pleasant and a quiet kind of family. I looked down at my wounds now bandaged tightly, "Did you do this?" I asked my voice always holding it's emotionless tone.
The old woman smiled warmly as she nodded, "I did, you had some mighty nasty wounds young man."
I was right, she was kind and trusting...that was her fault. "I'm afraid I can not pay you back for hospitality for I have little money..." I trailed off.
Another set of footsteps were drawing near but these were more of stomps those caused by anger.
A strong built man slammed open the sliding door. He glared down at me. I returned his gaze with my own. He had short cropped black hair and his smooth face told that he was older than I. He wore a hakama and kimono and a sword at his side.
This man did not trust me and it was not that he had any reason to either.
"Grandmother...if you bring in a rat from the street, you bring their disease in as well." he spat his eyes burning with resentment.
I longed for my sword but it was no where in sight.
"Enough! Suko! You will not speak ill to our guest!" she snapped angrily, controlling her voice so it was as if she was giving a command.
He glared at the women but didn't say anything. With one last glare directed at me he turned leaving the room. It seemed I would have trouble with that one. It was no big deal however, I would leave soon enough. The quicker I felt the more gratitude I would show, for this kind of family did not want to be wrapped up in my affairs.
"Please, excuse my grandson, he's just trying to protect us." the old woman knelt down talking with a smile, the young girl kneeling meekly behind her.
How long has it been since I met a friendly face? One I don't have to question for motives? I flinched....or maybe one I should have questioned....
"No offense taken. I understand with the war ending soldiers of the Tokugawa government have scattered, causing what mischief they can. You are wise to be wary..." this was a problem I too, knew well of.
"Yes..." she paused studying me for a moment, "I just hope this war was worth it....I hope Japan will finally be united." the woman sighed.
I nodded, so do I....so do I....though war was too high a price to pay for unity.
"Oh, silly me I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Natsru and this is my other grand child Anki." the woman indicated the little girl.
The little girl nodded meekly.
"May I have a name soldier?" the woman smiled.
I hesitated for a moment. Should I give her a false name? No, if I was to have to live with what I had done I would have to first face with it, besides few even in Kyoto knew my true name.
"Kenshin, Himura Kenshin." I replied.
"Well, Mr. Himura you should be glad Anki found you when she did, or else you may have not made it."
I looked over at Anki who lowered her head. She was very shy, but I sensed a deep sadness underneath.
"You see she was out searching for food in the forest her older brother, of course, watching over her when she said she heard yells. She quietly crept close to the indecent. That was when she said she saw you laying on the ground with those raged soldiers ready to kill. If you have to understand one thing about Anki she does not like death, even since the death of my dear son and his wife she's been that way. Though as foolish as it was she broke a branch and let it crash hoping this would scare off the soldiers. She was hoping they would think someone was coming to your rescue. Well by this time my grandson had arrived just in time to see the soldiers running off leaving you behind."
I stared for a moment. That little girl had taken to big a risk. If the soldiers had not been so jumpy and full of emotion they would have realized I was completely alone and....I didn't even want to think of the outcome.
"Well, enough of story time, rest now." the old woman smiled as she gently pushed Anki out and shut the sliding door behind them.
Author's Note: Alright! Since I've got some reviews I must hold up my end of the bargain and post more! I also have a lot more time now so I'll post MUCH more frequently. I am open to any comments or questions you have! I promise there is more to come! ^_^
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I awoke covered in sweat and my body aching as I sat upright. It screamed of pain in my right shoulder and waist. I gripped my torso, trying to subdue the pain. I was surprise to feel something soft wrapped around me. That was when I realized someone had cared for me....me...the Battousai.... My wounds were wrapped tightly in white bandages. They even had placed a bandage over my cross shaped scar across my cheek. I touched the bandage for a moment, regretting what I had done to receive such awards. After a moment or two the physical pain subsided. I was slowly able to regain my senses. I was laying in a plain futon, in what seemed to be a small room in a farm house. The room was simply furnished, only my futon and that of a window that allowed the sun's warmth to enter the room, as long with its light.
I turned, looking outside, seeing only clouds pass by. So this truly was my karma...my debt I had to pay....I was to live out my life in torture of my past...
I flinched as pain shot though my stomach, once more. That was when I heard a noise. I turned. There, peering around the sliding door seemed to be a girl only nine years of age, curiously watching me. I slowly smiled it, it felt as though I was opening a door with rusty hinges. When was the last time I smiled? She suddenly gasped and padded swiftly away. I let out a deep sigh as I heard voices only a few rooms down.
"You shall do no such thing!"
"But-"
"No! Do I make myself clear?"
"...."
"Anki what's wrong? You look as if you've seen someone rise from the dead." it sounded like an older woman, laughed.
"H-he's awake!" the young girl stuttered.
"Calm down child, alright, alright," she spoke calmly.
I listened as footsteps neared my room. I scanned each as they entered. One was an old woman who's hair was streaked with grey and white. Her skin showed her age, but it seemed wisdom had come with it. Behind her was the same little girl with black hair tied back. The little girl clung to the woman's kimono peering over it shyly.
They seemed to be pleasant and a quiet kind of family. I looked down at my wounds now bandaged tightly, "Did you do this?" I asked my voice always holding it's emotionless tone.
The old woman smiled warmly as she nodded, "I did, you had some mighty nasty wounds young man."
I was right, she was kind and trusting...that was her fault. "I'm afraid I can not pay you back for hospitality for I have little money..." I trailed off.
Another set of footsteps were drawing near but these were more of stomps those caused by anger.
A strong built man slammed open the sliding door. He glared down at me. I returned his gaze with my own. He had short cropped black hair and his smooth face told that he was older than I. He wore a hakama and kimono and a sword at his side.
This man did not trust me and it was not that he had any reason to either.
"Grandmother...if you bring in a rat from the street, you bring their disease in as well." he spat his eyes burning with resentment.
I longed for my sword but it was no where in sight.
"Enough! Suko! You will not speak ill to our guest!" she snapped angrily, controlling her voice so it was as if she was giving a command.
He glared at the women but didn't say anything. With one last glare directed at me he turned leaving the room. It seemed I would have trouble with that one. It was no big deal however, I would leave soon enough. The quicker I felt the more gratitude I would show, for this kind of family did not want to be wrapped up in my affairs.
"Please, excuse my grandson, he's just trying to protect us." the old woman knelt down talking with a smile, the young girl kneeling meekly behind her.
How long has it been since I met a friendly face? One I don't have to question for motives? I flinched....or maybe one I should have questioned....
"No offense taken. I understand with the war ending soldiers of the Tokugawa government have scattered, causing what mischief they can. You are wise to be wary..." this was a problem I too, knew well of.
"Yes..." she paused studying me for a moment, "I just hope this war was worth it....I hope Japan will finally be united." the woman sighed.
I nodded, so do I....so do I....though war was too high a price to pay for unity.
"Oh, silly me I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Natsru and this is my other grand child Anki." the woman indicated the little girl.
The little girl nodded meekly.
"May I have a name soldier?" the woman smiled.
I hesitated for a moment. Should I give her a false name? No, if I was to have to live with what I had done I would have to first face with it, besides few even in Kyoto knew my true name.
"Kenshin, Himura Kenshin." I replied.
"Well, Mr. Himura you should be glad Anki found you when she did, or else you may have not made it."
I looked over at Anki who lowered her head. She was very shy, but I sensed a deep sadness underneath.
"You see she was out searching for food in the forest her older brother, of course, watching over her when she said she heard yells. She quietly crept close to the indecent. That was when she said she saw you laying on the ground with those raged soldiers ready to kill. If you have to understand one thing about Anki she does not like death, even since the death of my dear son and his wife she's been that way. Though as foolish as it was she broke a branch and let it crash hoping this would scare off the soldiers. She was hoping they would think someone was coming to your rescue. Well by this time my grandson had arrived just in time to see the soldiers running off leaving you behind."
I stared for a moment. That little girl had taken to big a risk. If the soldiers had not been so jumpy and full of emotion they would have realized I was completely alone and....I didn't even want to think of the outcome.
"Well, enough of story time, rest now." the old woman smiled as she gently pushed Anki out and shut the sliding door behind them.
Author's Note: Alright! Since I've got some reviews I must hold up my end of the bargain and post more! I also have a lot more time now so I'll post MUCH more frequently. I am open to any comments or questions you have! I promise there is more to come! ^_^
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