WHOO HOO!!! Today was my last day of school!!! I'm free!!!!! With the end of school comes good news and bad news for all my readers, I'm sorry to say, that I am. First the good news: With the close of school I now have more time to work on my fanfics and will be able to post quicker! Bad news: With the close of school I have lost my Beta reader… (cries) we contacted each other through school and now that connection is gone… so THERE WILL BE MISTAKES AGAIN…. after this chapter. I will try my best to catch all my mistakes but I can never find them all so I am apologizing ahead of time.
Disclaimer: Well I don't normally do these because if it's on obviously I don't own any of these characters except my OCs. But in this next chapter I stole a song from my favorite movie!!! Can you guess which movie?
Time for reviewers!!! Without you this fanfic would have been collecting dust a long time ago….
DrowAngel – It's not that I dislike Kaoru it's just I find her a little annoying sometimes. She seems very indecisive and sometimes air headed. She's not bad she's just not my favorite. Also the relationship between Kenshin and Senko is mostly friendly. Kenshin sees Senko as a good friend he helped out and Senko looks up and respects Kenshin for being her rescuer. I just couldn't help making Senko a reason to make Kaoru jealous!! (evil smirk)
Ms. Zeal – I always look forward to your reviews! Please feel free to ask questions, true some I may say keep reading but you may have caught something I didn't explain well enough or something I just forgot about! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
rain angst – I'm just glad to get a review! It doesn't matter to me if the review came 10 years after the story was completed! I just LOVE reviews! I'm glad you found the story to be good so far!!!!!
kinghtsfairlady – I can't make the Kenshin face show up here but you have NO idea how much I'm going to use that now!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! I'm happy that you thought the small argument Kenshin and Kaoru had came out well. When I was writing it I was afraid it was too short but then I felt it really didn't need to be any longer so you put my fears to rest with that comment! You had chills with the dream? YES!!! I have succeeded as a writer! BUW HA HA!!!! (runs around in victory chant –gets sanity back-) It is a really big complement to me that I can touch reader's emotions though my writing! Again! You made my day! I don't mind that your comments are long!!! It gives me more information about if I'm doing things well, bad, or helpful hints! One more thing I have to say before I go! Your comment –Great that you can get inside a killer's mind and not be one yourself.- (shifty eyes) that's right… I'm not a killer… no reason to suspect me… -jk!-
Chapter 15 – Nakami the Quiet Child
When Sanosuke, Yahiko, Misao, Aoshi, and Megumi returned to Unmei's house they were told that Suiso's ship had already left the dock. No sign of Kenshin, Kaoru, Senko, or Taku could be found. Sanosuke pounded his fists together angrily. "We're too late!"
"Not… not yet." A weak voice called.
Maki fell to Unmei's side. "Unmei! You're awake!" Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.
Unmei kept his eyes shut tight in pain but managed a smile. "I love you." He said softly reaching up his hand so he could feel her face. Silently knowing her husband's wish Maki grabbed his hand and placed it on her face. "I have a ship… you can use it to…" He trailed up.
"Well alright." Sanosuke said with a grin and Yahiko and Misao slapped each other's hands. Unmei gave a groan then told them were to find his vessel he had bought a few years ago. As the pain in his side grew worse Megumi gave him a sedative and Unmei fell back into a more restful sleep.
Everyone but Megumi and Maki, who stayed with Unmei, made there way to the dock and found Unmei's small ship. Aoshi looked the vessel over carefully and then looked over at each member planning on sailing on the ship. "Excuse me," Aoshi motioned to Unmei's father "what did you say you're name was again?"
"It's Tsuki." (A/N: Yeah I finally named him… it was too hard keeping him nameless… and I finally thought up a name.)
"Tsuki, you may know better than me but do you think this ship can sail well with nine people?"
Tsuki looked around. "But there are only five of us going."
"On the way back there will be four more."
Tsuki's face dropped as he looked around. "I didn't think of that." He took another look around. "I don't think we all should go." Aoshi nodded, the same conclusion he had come too.
Misao who had been in earshot of the conversation gave Yahiko a pat on the back. "I guess you'll be staying here Yahiko!" Yahiko was about to yell at the weasel girl when Aoshi spoke.
"Misao you will have to stay here also."
Misao swung her head around so fast that her long braid hit her in the face. "But, Lord Aoshi." She said sadly.
"I'm not going to be left behind!" Yahiko said stubbornly. "I'm going to help Kenshin!"
Sanosuke appeared behind the boy and put his hand on his head. "And you will. You two need to keep your eyes on Megumi, Maki, and Unmei. If this Suiso guy isn't bothered at taking helpless kids from their own home then he wouldn't give a second thought too women and injured."
Misao and Yahiko seemed to think that over a little before nodding their heads in unison. "I'd still rather go and fight Suiso rather then watch over someone." Yahiko thought as he and Misao stood side by side watching as the other three began to leave the dock.
Misao was waving her hand so hard that Yahiko was surprised it wasn't falling off. "Be careful Lord Aoshi!!! Bring Kenshin and Kaoru and everyone else back quickly!" Yahiko wasn't able to watch any longer too upset at the thought of being left behind. He turned his back and watched the other sailors that were walking around the dock.
One man that caught Yahiko's attention was a tall, skinny man with dark, black hair who seemed to be looking for something. His hand was on his tanned forehead scanning the bobbing ships. A discouraged smile crossed the man's face as he lowered his hands and Yahiko saw that the man held a paper ball in his hands. At first he thought nothing of it but for some reason it seemed strange to see a man, obviously a sailor, carrying a ball. Yahiko tried to shake the thought from his mind. "He probably a father and that's for his kid." He told himself and yet he couldn't help but stare at the man as he turned to leave. Yahiko without thinking began to follow him.
"Hey, where are you going?" Misao asked when she turned around and saw him walking away.
"I'm going to follow that guy. You can go back to the house if you want."
Misao sprinted a little and caught up to Yahiko. "Why do you want to follow him?"
He shrugged. "I just got a feeling."
Misao smiled. "I'll go with you. You got a feeling huh?" The two fell silent as they neared the man.
Suiso leaned against the bars of Kenshin's cell. The Rurouni had greeted the Captain quietly when he had entered the room and to Suiso's delight had even called him Captain Suiso. Kenshin sat cross legged in the middle of the floor. His head was down so that his bangs fell in front of his eyes hiding them from Suiso. "So Battòsai are you tired of your friends suffering?" Kenshin nodded. "Are you going to behave?" He added playfully, answered with another nod. "Alright then." Suiso unlocked the door and opened it. "You ready to take your first order?" Suiso said with a grin as Kenshin picked himself up keeping his eyes hidden behind his hair.
"Yes Captain Suiso."
"Then go up to the deck and helped the boy up there wash it." Kenshin made a light bow and headed up the stairs leaving the smiling Suiso behind him.
Nakami was on his hands and knees moving a wet cloth back in fourth. The sun beat warmly on his back making his neck sweat slightly his hair sticking too it from the moisture. He had a smile on his face and was singing a little song he had heard from one of the sailors on another ship he had been on. "Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed. I had me a little drink about an hour ago and it got right too my head. Wherever I may roam, over land or sea or foam. You can always hear me singing this song…"
"…show me the way to go home." A new voice added.
Nakami's smile widened. He was fairly new on Suiso's ship and a new voice didn't surprise him. "Well I didn't think anyone else on here knew that song." He said as he continued his work. "It's one of my favorites."
The man behind him laughed. "Yes, this one has heard many different songs over the years. It's a neat little song; that it is." The man was silent a moment. "Suiso has asked this one to help you; that he has."
"Oh." Nakami said a little surprised that Suiso would want one of his older crew to do such a lowly job of scrubbing the decks. "Well here you go." Nakami took a rag from the bucket of sudsy water and turned to hand it to the man. When Nakami got a good look at that fiery red hair and the cross shape scar his heart and mouth dropped. "You're… you're… you're the… the…"
"Battòsai." Kenshin finished for him, with a bit of disgust in his voice, taking the rag from the stunned boy's hand and started to wash the deck.
"What are you doing?!" Nakami yelled.
Kenshin looked over at the boy who still hadn't moved. "I'm washing the deck; that I am." He said with a goofy grin trying his hardest to make the boy less uneasy around him.
"Why?!" Nakami still seemed to be in a panic.
"Because Suiso told this one too."
"Why do you listen to Captain Suiso?"
Kenshin looked sternly at the boy. "Because Suiso will hurt the ones this one cares about if I don't; that he will."
Nakami eyes widened slightly understandingly. "Oh." Kenshin could see the boy's nervousness as he turned back to his work and began to scrub again.
"Show me the way to go home." Kenshin sang softly. "I'm tired and I want to go to bed." He took a careful glance toward Nakami who smiled. He had probably looked up to the man that had taught him the song.
"I had me a little drink about an hour ago." Nakami added quietly.
"Shizuka!" A booming voice called making the Nakami flinch. Kodo soon loomed over the two scrubbing and began to laugh. "Well isn't this a site to see! The Battòsai! Washing the deck." Kenshin continued to scrub ignoring the boisterous man. Kodo was a little surprised when Kenshin didn't even recognize that he had heard him. "So are you humble enough to shin my shoe Battòsai?" Still the peaceful Rurouni ignored the man. "You deft Battòsai?" Seeing he was getting nowhere trying to injure the man's pride he moved on to the boy. "So Shizuka are you two cleaning up the mess you made after you saw him?" Nakami froze, his face was completely red.
"Please." He begged silently. "Please don't…"
His quiet prays went unanswered. "Shizuka here probably didn't tell you, did he mister Battòsai? Won't surprise me! I thought the little bugger was a mute till I smacked him hard enough one day." The man laughed at the memory of the day he had struck Nakami making the boy yell out in pain. That was the day he earned his nickname Shizuka; quiet one. "Shizuka here is very special. He still can't control his bladder." Kodo started to laugh uncontrollably.
Nakami clutched the rag in his hand tightly. That had been one time. One time! The night before Kodo had told Nakami some of the most horrible stories about the man next to him that he had, had terrible nightmares all night long. One seemed so real that he had lost control of himself and… he blushed even redder and clutched the rag even tighter.
"Well I got more important things to do." The man said after he had gotten control over himself. "If you need me to help you find some clean pants after you're done with the Battòsai you come and see me okay?" Kodo said and gave Nakami a small slap to the back of the head before walking away.
Even after Kodo was gone Nakami still did not move. Kenshin didn't say anything making sure to keep his eyes on the deck. He knew Nakami was crying and was trying desperately and in vain to stop them.
After Nakami had found the will to move he and Kenshin finished cleaning and he then quickly disappeared. Nakami hid in the sleeping quarters trying to clam his nerves. He had been sitting right next to the Battòsai. His body shook, and he had cried in front of the Battòsai. "They say he looks into your sole through your eyes! He finds your greatest weakness and he kills you slowly until you've got the perfect look of horror and pain in your face. Then he kills you." One of Kodo's bedtime stories. "His hair use to be black but he took hundreds of babies and slid his blade across their throats. He then dripped all the blood out of the body into his hair!!! He wanted to show the world his favorite color! Blood!" Nakami shivered. But the man that had washed the deck with him didn't seem like that. "He messes with your mind, making it even easier to kill you!" Nakami slapped his hands over his ears. He would have to try to avoid the man named Battòsai.
Nakami knew that trying to avoid someone on a ship was hard but trying to avoid a man that shared the same chores with you was damn near impossible. Now when the two scrubbed the decks Nakami made sure to wash at another part of the ship while Kenshin washed another. Kenshin could tell that Nakami was avoiding him but he wasn't too concerned. The boy did have a darn good reason to be afraid. He was the Battòsai after all.
Kenshin was to do just about everything any other member of the ship was. He slept when and where they slept. He ate when and where they ate. He did his share of work and he had to treat Suiso with the same amount of respect that they did.
Nakami would watch Kenshin at night with his ice blue eyes. Nakami hadn't been sleeping well lately too afraid to sleep in the same room of the ex-hitokiri and Kodo had caught on and the jokes had already begun. It was one night like any other. Kenshin was leaning against the wall staring but not seeing with his lavender eyes. Nakami's blue eyes watching the lavender eyes over the edge of his hammock; while everyone else slept. Blue eyes started to fall but then snapped back open to afraid to shut fully before the lavender ones.
"You should get some sleep; that you should." The lavender eyes said softly. Ice blue jumped as they realized that the lavender ones had focused on them. They didn't answer. "You don't have to be afraid this one won't harm you." The lavender eyes closed for a moment then opened again. "What kind of stories have they told you?" Curiosity was visibly shown to the blue eyes. Still the blue remained silent. "Well this one will go to sleep if it will make you feel any better." As the lavender eyes promised they closed and went to sleep. Slowly the blue eyes fell shut and they too slept.
Nakami struggled as he tried to pull a bucket of water up the side of the ship the next day. The wind was strong and he was having trouble performing the simple task. "Hey Shizuka don't fall in now!" Kodo teased and slapped the young boy on the back. Nakami struggled to keep his balance from Kodo's slap when the ship gave a violent pitch sending the young boy over the rail. Nakami felt himself fall and he flung his arms violently trying to grab on to something knowing full well that to fall overboard under Suiso meant to be left behind to drown. He felt his fingers latch onto something hard, part of a wooden beam on the rail.
"Kodo! Kodo help me please!" Nakami yelled. He felt a cold shiver run down his back when he was answered with laughs.
"You speak! I have to go tell the others!"
More laughter then footsteps going away from Nakami. "Kodo! Please Kodo help me! KODO!!" The boy yelled shutting his eyes. Suddenly he heard rushed footsteps heading toward him. "Kodo." Nakami thought with a little relief, Kodo wouldn't let him die like this after all. Nakami felt a hand grab his writs, but it wasn't the strong bulky hands of Kodo. Nakami opened his eyes to look up at his savoir. "Battòsai!" Nakami all but choked out.
"Hang on!" The redhead yelled to the blue eyed boy. Kenshin grabbed the boy's wrist tighter and tried to pull Nakami up.
"Hey, don't you go worrying yourself over him." Kodo's voice came from behind Kenshin. "That kid is a lost cause." Kodo was beginning to get mad at the Rurouni's continued silence. "Of course you're just as loony as the kid."
Kenshin ignored Kodo although he threw silent curses at the man for not helping the boy. After all it had been mostly Kodo's fault that Nakami found himself hanging over the edge of the ship. Kenshin put all his focus into getting the boy up on deck. "Come on Nakami!" Trying to shake the boy out of the shock like state he had suddenly come under at seeing Kenshin.
"So you do talk." Kodo continued as he watched. "Hey," Kenshin paid the man no mind. "Hey," still ignored. "HEY I'M TALKING TO YOU!" Kodo pushed Kenshin from behind.
The sudden force that had come from behind startled Kenshin as his stomach was rammed into the side of the rail knocking the breath from him. It the briefest of moments Kenshin felt his grip on Nakami's wrist slip.
It seemed so unreal. Kodo's brown hair suddenly coming up behind Kenshin's red hair and pushing Kenshin hard into the railing. As the wind was knocked from him Kenshin had lost control over his body for the smallest fraction of time, but it had been enough. Nakami's wrist left Kenshin's strong grip and the boy felt himself fall once more. He watched amazed by how slow he seemed to fall as the figures of Kenshin and Kodo grew smaller. Then he felt his head ring as he slammed head first into the water. The impact so rough the boy lost conciseness.
Kenshin panicked as he watched the boy fall into the cold, unforgiving sea. "Nakami!" He cried helplessly and he started over the rail himself. A sudden grab on his shoulder stop him for a brief moment. Kenshin turned his head and looked into Kodo who was white with fear.
"Captain Suiso would kill me if I let you jump!" He said shaking as he yanked Kenshin who was already half way over the rail back onto the deck.
"If you can get Nakami back here safely then this one won't jump." Kodo made no sign of movement. "Alright then." Kenshin said bouncing to his feet. "You'd better have either a good plan to get us both out of the water or a good excuse to tell Suiso." He said as he ran and leaped over the edge before Kodo even had time to react. Kodo listened for the splash before running off. The wind roared louder when the news that the Battòsai had jumped reached Suiso's ears.
The wind blew against the walls of the house. Maki took a quick breath of air making a strange sucking sound as she closed the door behind her. Megumi looked up from the bandage changing she was doing to give the other women an understanding look. Suiso was mad.
The little ship that held Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Tsuki rocked dangerously. Sanosuke gripped tighter to the rail determined not to throw up as the wind blew the little vessel from side to side. Aoshi and Sano who had never seen Suiso's power didn't think much about the sudden ferocity of the wind but Tsuki looked straight ahead the dread clearly written on his face as he prayed that his friends were safe.
Kenshin swam to the surface and gasped for air. He quickly looked around him but couldn't see Nakami anywhere. "Nakami!" He called as a wave brought him higher he looked around again. There off to the left he spotted the boy slipping under the water. Kenshin swam as hard as he could toward Nakami and when he finally reached him he found the boy had yet woken up. Kenshin tried to tread the water and hold Nakami's and his head up out of the water at the same time but the waves kept crashing over the two bodies. Kenshin spat the salty water that had gotten in his mouth after they had been drenched by yet another monster sized wave when he heard a spitting sound coming from the weight in his arm. Nakami was waking up.
Nakami spit the water out of his mouth. He felt someone holding him and his stomach leaped threatening to make him throw up. He opened his eyes and stared into lavender ones. "Battos…" He started before more water poured into his mouth.
"Hang on!" Nakami caught the sudden fear in Kenshin's face as he turned and saw an impossibly large wave heading toward them. Nakami dug his fingers into Kenshin's gi and held on for dear life as the wave crashed over the two. Everything seemed so much quieter and calmer under the water. Nakami had his eyes closed shut as he clung for dear life to the Rurouni. He could feel Kenshin kicking and using his other hand to get them to the surface.
Kenshin forced his eyes opened trying to see how much further it was to the surface. His muscles ached as he continued to swim but he had to keep going. He had to reach the surface. Then something seemed to loom over the two from above the surface.
Suiso stood in the small life boat with a few of his men. He tried to calm himself to calm the waves that crashed around them. As the waves began to settle one of the men leaned over and looked down into the darkness of the sea unable to see the two figures just below him.
"Is that a ship?" Kenshin thought hardly able to believe his luck. His side had begun to cramp up but he pushed the pain to the back of his mind and kicked harder to the surface. Both Kenshin and Nakami felt the water break away from them and at the same time took in a gulping gasp of air. "Over here!" Kenshin yelled out before half sinking back into the water. He pushed himself up again still clutching Nakami. "We're over here!"
"Get going men!" Kenshin heard Suiso's angry shout. Kenshin clenched his teeth as the pain in his side grew.
The waves had died thanks to Suiso and Nakami let his grip on Kenshin slacken so that he could support himself. He looked to the ex-hitokiri and saw that he was having trouble. "Are you alright?"
Kenshin pushed himself a little higher out of the water. "Yes. Are you alright?"
Nakami nodded. "Y…yeah." He answered, his lips shaking.
"You idiot!" Suiso's voice broke through. "You shouldn't have jumped!" Suiso reached out his hand toward Kenshin, ignoring Nakami.
Kenshin grabbed Nakami's hand and dragged him in front of him. "Here take Nakami-san." Suiso scowled trying to grab Kenshin. "Take him or I'll go under." Kenshin threatened, he was having trouble with his left leg and knew he wouldn't be able to keep himself and Nakami up much longer. Suiso grabbed Nakami's shirt and dragged him to the side of the raft. Kenshin waited patiently as they started to haul Nakami over. Nakami was halfway in the boat when the knot in Kenshin's side could no longer be ignored. Kenshin gave a yell before slipping back under the water.
"Battosai!" Nakami yelled worried as Kenshin slipped under the water. He was thrown to the floor and smacked his head against the side of the boat.
"That idiot!" Suiso yelled then jumped into the water. The ship rocked as the Captain dove under. Nakami picked himself up and peered at the spot he had last seen Kenshin. It was eerily quiet as he and the others watched the water breathlessly.
"Over there!" One called out pointing. Not to far from the other side of the boat Kenshin's red hair and Suiso's black hair could be seen bobbing along. The boat paddled up to the two and first brought Kenshin aboard and set him on the floor then they helped their captain into the ship and into a seat.
"You idiot! I didn't go through all that trouble of bandaging your head for you to drown yourself!" Suiso yelled furiously at Kenshin who was too busy trying to push away the searing pain rushing from his side. He clutched his side and tried to take deep breaths. Now that he wasn't moving the pain wasn't so bad. Two towels were handed to Suiso. Suiso took one and wrapped it around himself the other he handed to Kenshin. "Here."
Kenshin took the cloth from Suiso but instead of draping it over his own shoulders he put it around Nakami who was shivering. The water had been very cold. "You'll be okay now; that you will." Nakami nodded and Kenshin gave the boy a smile before going back and concentrating on his breathing.
That night Kenshin was leaning against his normal spot on the wall and he was watched by timid blue eyes. Kenshin, against his better judgment, was experimentally poking his side. It had gotten better pretty quick but it still felt stiff and each time he poked it a small sensation of pain rushed up his side. "Battòsai?" A questioning voice said in a whisper.
"Yes Nakami?" Kenshin answered as he stopped poking.
"Thank-you for saving my life but…" The boy trailed off.
"Why did I save you?" The boy nodded. "This one doesn't like death. This one made a vow to never kill again and to protect those that are in my sight."
"But you are the Battòsai!"
"This one threw that name away a long time ago. This one is called Kenshin now. Himura Kenshin."
"Kenshin." Nakami repeated. "Thank-you Mr. Himura."
"Kenshin."
"Thank-you Kenshin." They smiled at each other and after awhile Nakami fell asleep never to have nightmares about the Battòsai ever again.
Disclaimer: Well I don't normally do these because if it's on obviously I don't own any of these characters except my OCs. But in this next chapter I stole a song from my favorite movie!!! Can you guess which movie?
Time for reviewers!!! Without you this fanfic would have been collecting dust a long time ago….
DrowAngel – It's not that I dislike Kaoru it's just I find her a little annoying sometimes. She seems very indecisive and sometimes air headed. She's not bad she's just not my favorite. Also the relationship between Kenshin and Senko is mostly friendly. Kenshin sees Senko as a good friend he helped out and Senko looks up and respects Kenshin for being her rescuer. I just couldn't help making Senko a reason to make Kaoru jealous!! (evil smirk)
Ms. Zeal – I always look forward to your reviews! Please feel free to ask questions, true some I may say keep reading but you may have caught something I didn't explain well enough or something I just forgot about! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
rain angst – I'm just glad to get a review! It doesn't matter to me if the review came 10 years after the story was completed! I just LOVE reviews! I'm glad you found the story to be good so far!!!!!
kinghtsfairlady – I can't make the Kenshin face show up here but you have NO idea how much I'm going to use that now!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! I'm happy that you thought the small argument Kenshin and Kaoru had came out well. When I was writing it I was afraid it was too short but then I felt it really didn't need to be any longer so you put my fears to rest with that comment! You had chills with the dream? YES!!! I have succeeded as a writer! BUW HA HA!!!! (runs around in victory chant –gets sanity back-) It is a really big complement to me that I can touch reader's emotions though my writing! Again! You made my day! I don't mind that your comments are long!!! It gives me more information about if I'm doing things well, bad, or helpful hints! One more thing I have to say before I go! Your comment –Great that you can get inside a killer's mind and not be one yourself.- (shifty eyes) that's right… I'm not a killer… no reason to suspect me… -jk!-
Chapter 15 – Nakami the Quiet Child
When Sanosuke, Yahiko, Misao, Aoshi, and Megumi returned to Unmei's house they were told that Suiso's ship had already left the dock. No sign of Kenshin, Kaoru, Senko, or Taku could be found. Sanosuke pounded his fists together angrily. "We're too late!"
"Not… not yet." A weak voice called.
Maki fell to Unmei's side. "Unmei! You're awake!" Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.
Unmei kept his eyes shut tight in pain but managed a smile. "I love you." He said softly reaching up his hand so he could feel her face. Silently knowing her husband's wish Maki grabbed his hand and placed it on her face. "I have a ship… you can use it to…" He trailed up.
"Well alright." Sanosuke said with a grin and Yahiko and Misao slapped each other's hands. Unmei gave a groan then told them were to find his vessel he had bought a few years ago. As the pain in his side grew worse Megumi gave him a sedative and Unmei fell back into a more restful sleep.
Everyone but Megumi and Maki, who stayed with Unmei, made there way to the dock and found Unmei's small ship. Aoshi looked the vessel over carefully and then looked over at each member planning on sailing on the ship. "Excuse me," Aoshi motioned to Unmei's father "what did you say you're name was again?"
"It's Tsuki." (A/N: Yeah I finally named him… it was too hard keeping him nameless… and I finally thought up a name.)
"Tsuki, you may know better than me but do you think this ship can sail well with nine people?"
Tsuki looked around. "But there are only five of us going."
"On the way back there will be four more."
Tsuki's face dropped as he looked around. "I didn't think of that." He took another look around. "I don't think we all should go." Aoshi nodded, the same conclusion he had come too.
Misao who had been in earshot of the conversation gave Yahiko a pat on the back. "I guess you'll be staying here Yahiko!" Yahiko was about to yell at the weasel girl when Aoshi spoke.
"Misao you will have to stay here also."
Misao swung her head around so fast that her long braid hit her in the face. "But, Lord Aoshi." She said sadly.
"I'm not going to be left behind!" Yahiko said stubbornly. "I'm going to help Kenshin!"
Sanosuke appeared behind the boy and put his hand on his head. "And you will. You two need to keep your eyes on Megumi, Maki, and Unmei. If this Suiso guy isn't bothered at taking helpless kids from their own home then he wouldn't give a second thought too women and injured."
Misao and Yahiko seemed to think that over a little before nodding their heads in unison. "I'd still rather go and fight Suiso rather then watch over someone." Yahiko thought as he and Misao stood side by side watching as the other three began to leave the dock.
Misao was waving her hand so hard that Yahiko was surprised it wasn't falling off. "Be careful Lord Aoshi!!! Bring Kenshin and Kaoru and everyone else back quickly!" Yahiko wasn't able to watch any longer too upset at the thought of being left behind. He turned his back and watched the other sailors that were walking around the dock.
One man that caught Yahiko's attention was a tall, skinny man with dark, black hair who seemed to be looking for something. His hand was on his tanned forehead scanning the bobbing ships. A discouraged smile crossed the man's face as he lowered his hands and Yahiko saw that the man held a paper ball in his hands. At first he thought nothing of it but for some reason it seemed strange to see a man, obviously a sailor, carrying a ball. Yahiko tried to shake the thought from his mind. "He probably a father and that's for his kid." He told himself and yet he couldn't help but stare at the man as he turned to leave. Yahiko without thinking began to follow him.
"Hey, where are you going?" Misao asked when she turned around and saw him walking away.
"I'm going to follow that guy. You can go back to the house if you want."
Misao sprinted a little and caught up to Yahiko. "Why do you want to follow him?"
He shrugged. "I just got a feeling."
Misao smiled. "I'll go with you. You got a feeling huh?" The two fell silent as they neared the man.
Suiso leaned against the bars of Kenshin's cell. The Rurouni had greeted the Captain quietly when he had entered the room and to Suiso's delight had even called him Captain Suiso. Kenshin sat cross legged in the middle of the floor. His head was down so that his bangs fell in front of his eyes hiding them from Suiso. "So Battòsai are you tired of your friends suffering?" Kenshin nodded. "Are you going to behave?" He added playfully, answered with another nod. "Alright then." Suiso unlocked the door and opened it. "You ready to take your first order?" Suiso said with a grin as Kenshin picked himself up keeping his eyes hidden behind his hair.
"Yes Captain Suiso."
"Then go up to the deck and helped the boy up there wash it." Kenshin made a light bow and headed up the stairs leaving the smiling Suiso behind him.
Nakami was on his hands and knees moving a wet cloth back in fourth. The sun beat warmly on his back making his neck sweat slightly his hair sticking too it from the moisture. He had a smile on his face and was singing a little song he had heard from one of the sailors on another ship he had been on. "Show me the way to go home. I'm tired and I want to go to bed. I had me a little drink about an hour ago and it got right too my head. Wherever I may roam, over land or sea or foam. You can always hear me singing this song…"
"…show me the way to go home." A new voice added.
Nakami's smile widened. He was fairly new on Suiso's ship and a new voice didn't surprise him. "Well I didn't think anyone else on here knew that song." He said as he continued his work. "It's one of my favorites."
The man behind him laughed. "Yes, this one has heard many different songs over the years. It's a neat little song; that it is." The man was silent a moment. "Suiso has asked this one to help you; that he has."
"Oh." Nakami said a little surprised that Suiso would want one of his older crew to do such a lowly job of scrubbing the decks. "Well here you go." Nakami took a rag from the bucket of sudsy water and turned to hand it to the man. When Nakami got a good look at that fiery red hair and the cross shape scar his heart and mouth dropped. "You're… you're… you're the… the…"
"Battòsai." Kenshin finished for him, with a bit of disgust in his voice, taking the rag from the stunned boy's hand and started to wash the deck.
"What are you doing?!" Nakami yelled.
Kenshin looked over at the boy who still hadn't moved. "I'm washing the deck; that I am." He said with a goofy grin trying his hardest to make the boy less uneasy around him.
"Why?!" Nakami still seemed to be in a panic.
"Because Suiso told this one too."
"Why do you listen to Captain Suiso?"
Kenshin looked sternly at the boy. "Because Suiso will hurt the ones this one cares about if I don't; that he will."
Nakami eyes widened slightly understandingly. "Oh." Kenshin could see the boy's nervousness as he turned back to his work and began to scrub again.
"Show me the way to go home." Kenshin sang softly. "I'm tired and I want to go to bed." He took a careful glance toward Nakami who smiled. He had probably looked up to the man that had taught him the song.
"I had me a little drink about an hour ago." Nakami added quietly.
"Shizuka!" A booming voice called making the Nakami flinch. Kodo soon loomed over the two scrubbing and began to laugh. "Well isn't this a site to see! The Battòsai! Washing the deck." Kenshin continued to scrub ignoring the boisterous man. Kodo was a little surprised when Kenshin didn't even recognize that he had heard him. "So are you humble enough to shin my shoe Battòsai?" Still the peaceful Rurouni ignored the man. "You deft Battòsai?" Seeing he was getting nowhere trying to injure the man's pride he moved on to the boy. "So Shizuka are you two cleaning up the mess you made after you saw him?" Nakami froze, his face was completely red.
"Please." He begged silently. "Please don't…"
His quiet prays went unanswered. "Shizuka here probably didn't tell you, did he mister Battòsai? Won't surprise me! I thought the little bugger was a mute till I smacked him hard enough one day." The man laughed at the memory of the day he had struck Nakami making the boy yell out in pain. That was the day he earned his nickname Shizuka; quiet one. "Shizuka here is very special. He still can't control his bladder." Kodo started to laugh uncontrollably.
Nakami clutched the rag in his hand tightly. That had been one time. One time! The night before Kodo had told Nakami some of the most horrible stories about the man next to him that he had, had terrible nightmares all night long. One seemed so real that he had lost control of himself and… he blushed even redder and clutched the rag even tighter.
"Well I got more important things to do." The man said after he had gotten control over himself. "If you need me to help you find some clean pants after you're done with the Battòsai you come and see me okay?" Kodo said and gave Nakami a small slap to the back of the head before walking away.
Even after Kodo was gone Nakami still did not move. Kenshin didn't say anything making sure to keep his eyes on the deck. He knew Nakami was crying and was trying desperately and in vain to stop them.
After Nakami had found the will to move he and Kenshin finished cleaning and he then quickly disappeared. Nakami hid in the sleeping quarters trying to clam his nerves. He had been sitting right next to the Battòsai. His body shook, and he had cried in front of the Battòsai. "They say he looks into your sole through your eyes! He finds your greatest weakness and he kills you slowly until you've got the perfect look of horror and pain in your face. Then he kills you." One of Kodo's bedtime stories. "His hair use to be black but he took hundreds of babies and slid his blade across their throats. He then dripped all the blood out of the body into his hair!!! He wanted to show the world his favorite color! Blood!" Nakami shivered. But the man that had washed the deck with him didn't seem like that. "He messes with your mind, making it even easier to kill you!" Nakami slapped his hands over his ears. He would have to try to avoid the man named Battòsai.
Nakami knew that trying to avoid someone on a ship was hard but trying to avoid a man that shared the same chores with you was damn near impossible. Now when the two scrubbed the decks Nakami made sure to wash at another part of the ship while Kenshin washed another. Kenshin could tell that Nakami was avoiding him but he wasn't too concerned. The boy did have a darn good reason to be afraid. He was the Battòsai after all.
Kenshin was to do just about everything any other member of the ship was. He slept when and where they slept. He ate when and where they ate. He did his share of work and he had to treat Suiso with the same amount of respect that they did.
Nakami would watch Kenshin at night with his ice blue eyes. Nakami hadn't been sleeping well lately too afraid to sleep in the same room of the ex-hitokiri and Kodo had caught on and the jokes had already begun. It was one night like any other. Kenshin was leaning against the wall staring but not seeing with his lavender eyes. Nakami's blue eyes watching the lavender eyes over the edge of his hammock; while everyone else slept. Blue eyes started to fall but then snapped back open to afraid to shut fully before the lavender ones.
"You should get some sleep; that you should." The lavender eyes said softly. Ice blue jumped as they realized that the lavender ones had focused on them. They didn't answer. "You don't have to be afraid this one won't harm you." The lavender eyes closed for a moment then opened again. "What kind of stories have they told you?" Curiosity was visibly shown to the blue eyes. Still the blue remained silent. "Well this one will go to sleep if it will make you feel any better." As the lavender eyes promised they closed and went to sleep. Slowly the blue eyes fell shut and they too slept.
Nakami struggled as he tried to pull a bucket of water up the side of the ship the next day. The wind was strong and he was having trouble performing the simple task. "Hey Shizuka don't fall in now!" Kodo teased and slapped the young boy on the back. Nakami struggled to keep his balance from Kodo's slap when the ship gave a violent pitch sending the young boy over the rail. Nakami felt himself fall and he flung his arms violently trying to grab on to something knowing full well that to fall overboard under Suiso meant to be left behind to drown. He felt his fingers latch onto something hard, part of a wooden beam on the rail.
"Kodo! Kodo help me please!" Nakami yelled. He felt a cold shiver run down his back when he was answered with laughs.
"You speak! I have to go tell the others!"
More laughter then footsteps going away from Nakami. "Kodo! Please Kodo help me! KODO!!" The boy yelled shutting his eyes. Suddenly he heard rushed footsteps heading toward him. "Kodo." Nakami thought with a little relief, Kodo wouldn't let him die like this after all. Nakami felt a hand grab his writs, but it wasn't the strong bulky hands of Kodo. Nakami opened his eyes to look up at his savoir. "Battòsai!" Nakami all but choked out.
"Hang on!" The redhead yelled to the blue eyed boy. Kenshin grabbed the boy's wrist tighter and tried to pull Nakami up.
"Hey, don't you go worrying yourself over him." Kodo's voice came from behind Kenshin. "That kid is a lost cause." Kodo was beginning to get mad at the Rurouni's continued silence. "Of course you're just as loony as the kid."
Kenshin ignored Kodo although he threw silent curses at the man for not helping the boy. After all it had been mostly Kodo's fault that Nakami found himself hanging over the edge of the ship. Kenshin put all his focus into getting the boy up on deck. "Come on Nakami!" Trying to shake the boy out of the shock like state he had suddenly come under at seeing Kenshin.
"So you do talk." Kodo continued as he watched. "Hey," Kenshin paid the man no mind. "Hey," still ignored. "HEY I'M TALKING TO YOU!" Kodo pushed Kenshin from behind.
The sudden force that had come from behind startled Kenshin as his stomach was rammed into the side of the rail knocking the breath from him. It the briefest of moments Kenshin felt his grip on Nakami's wrist slip.
It seemed so unreal. Kodo's brown hair suddenly coming up behind Kenshin's red hair and pushing Kenshin hard into the railing. As the wind was knocked from him Kenshin had lost control over his body for the smallest fraction of time, but it had been enough. Nakami's wrist left Kenshin's strong grip and the boy felt himself fall once more. He watched amazed by how slow he seemed to fall as the figures of Kenshin and Kodo grew smaller. Then he felt his head ring as he slammed head first into the water. The impact so rough the boy lost conciseness.
Kenshin panicked as he watched the boy fall into the cold, unforgiving sea. "Nakami!" He cried helplessly and he started over the rail himself. A sudden grab on his shoulder stop him for a brief moment. Kenshin turned his head and looked into Kodo who was white with fear.
"Captain Suiso would kill me if I let you jump!" He said shaking as he yanked Kenshin who was already half way over the rail back onto the deck.
"If you can get Nakami back here safely then this one won't jump." Kodo made no sign of movement. "Alright then." Kenshin said bouncing to his feet. "You'd better have either a good plan to get us both out of the water or a good excuse to tell Suiso." He said as he ran and leaped over the edge before Kodo even had time to react. Kodo listened for the splash before running off. The wind roared louder when the news that the Battòsai had jumped reached Suiso's ears.
The wind blew against the walls of the house. Maki took a quick breath of air making a strange sucking sound as she closed the door behind her. Megumi looked up from the bandage changing she was doing to give the other women an understanding look. Suiso was mad.
The little ship that held Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Tsuki rocked dangerously. Sanosuke gripped tighter to the rail determined not to throw up as the wind blew the little vessel from side to side. Aoshi and Sano who had never seen Suiso's power didn't think much about the sudden ferocity of the wind but Tsuki looked straight ahead the dread clearly written on his face as he prayed that his friends were safe.
Kenshin swam to the surface and gasped for air. He quickly looked around him but couldn't see Nakami anywhere. "Nakami!" He called as a wave brought him higher he looked around again. There off to the left he spotted the boy slipping under the water. Kenshin swam as hard as he could toward Nakami and when he finally reached him he found the boy had yet woken up. Kenshin tried to tread the water and hold Nakami's and his head up out of the water at the same time but the waves kept crashing over the two bodies. Kenshin spat the salty water that had gotten in his mouth after they had been drenched by yet another monster sized wave when he heard a spitting sound coming from the weight in his arm. Nakami was waking up.
Nakami spit the water out of his mouth. He felt someone holding him and his stomach leaped threatening to make him throw up. He opened his eyes and stared into lavender ones. "Battos…" He started before more water poured into his mouth.
"Hang on!" Nakami caught the sudden fear in Kenshin's face as he turned and saw an impossibly large wave heading toward them. Nakami dug his fingers into Kenshin's gi and held on for dear life as the wave crashed over the two. Everything seemed so much quieter and calmer under the water. Nakami had his eyes closed shut as he clung for dear life to the Rurouni. He could feel Kenshin kicking and using his other hand to get them to the surface.
Kenshin forced his eyes opened trying to see how much further it was to the surface. His muscles ached as he continued to swim but he had to keep going. He had to reach the surface. Then something seemed to loom over the two from above the surface.
Suiso stood in the small life boat with a few of his men. He tried to calm himself to calm the waves that crashed around them. As the waves began to settle one of the men leaned over and looked down into the darkness of the sea unable to see the two figures just below him.
"Is that a ship?" Kenshin thought hardly able to believe his luck. His side had begun to cramp up but he pushed the pain to the back of his mind and kicked harder to the surface. Both Kenshin and Nakami felt the water break away from them and at the same time took in a gulping gasp of air. "Over here!" Kenshin yelled out before half sinking back into the water. He pushed himself up again still clutching Nakami. "We're over here!"
"Get going men!" Kenshin heard Suiso's angry shout. Kenshin clenched his teeth as the pain in his side grew.
The waves had died thanks to Suiso and Nakami let his grip on Kenshin slacken so that he could support himself. He looked to the ex-hitokiri and saw that he was having trouble. "Are you alright?"
Kenshin pushed himself a little higher out of the water. "Yes. Are you alright?"
Nakami nodded. "Y…yeah." He answered, his lips shaking.
"You idiot!" Suiso's voice broke through. "You shouldn't have jumped!" Suiso reached out his hand toward Kenshin, ignoring Nakami.
Kenshin grabbed Nakami's hand and dragged him in front of him. "Here take Nakami-san." Suiso scowled trying to grab Kenshin. "Take him or I'll go under." Kenshin threatened, he was having trouble with his left leg and knew he wouldn't be able to keep himself and Nakami up much longer. Suiso grabbed Nakami's shirt and dragged him to the side of the raft. Kenshin waited patiently as they started to haul Nakami over. Nakami was halfway in the boat when the knot in Kenshin's side could no longer be ignored. Kenshin gave a yell before slipping back under the water.
"Battosai!" Nakami yelled worried as Kenshin slipped under the water. He was thrown to the floor and smacked his head against the side of the boat.
"That idiot!" Suiso yelled then jumped into the water. The ship rocked as the Captain dove under. Nakami picked himself up and peered at the spot he had last seen Kenshin. It was eerily quiet as he and the others watched the water breathlessly.
"Over there!" One called out pointing. Not to far from the other side of the boat Kenshin's red hair and Suiso's black hair could be seen bobbing along. The boat paddled up to the two and first brought Kenshin aboard and set him on the floor then they helped their captain into the ship and into a seat.
"You idiot! I didn't go through all that trouble of bandaging your head for you to drown yourself!" Suiso yelled furiously at Kenshin who was too busy trying to push away the searing pain rushing from his side. He clutched his side and tried to take deep breaths. Now that he wasn't moving the pain wasn't so bad. Two towels were handed to Suiso. Suiso took one and wrapped it around himself the other he handed to Kenshin. "Here."
Kenshin took the cloth from Suiso but instead of draping it over his own shoulders he put it around Nakami who was shivering. The water had been very cold. "You'll be okay now; that you will." Nakami nodded and Kenshin gave the boy a smile before going back and concentrating on his breathing.
That night Kenshin was leaning against his normal spot on the wall and he was watched by timid blue eyes. Kenshin, against his better judgment, was experimentally poking his side. It had gotten better pretty quick but it still felt stiff and each time he poked it a small sensation of pain rushed up his side. "Battòsai?" A questioning voice said in a whisper.
"Yes Nakami?" Kenshin answered as he stopped poking.
"Thank-you for saving my life but…" The boy trailed off.
"Why did I save you?" The boy nodded. "This one doesn't like death. This one made a vow to never kill again and to protect those that are in my sight."
"But you are the Battòsai!"
"This one threw that name away a long time ago. This one is called Kenshin now. Himura Kenshin."
"Kenshin." Nakami repeated. "Thank-you Mr. Himura."
"Kenshin."
"Thank-you Kenshin." They smiled at each other and after awhile Nakami fell asleep never to have nightmares about the Battòsai ever again.