First Meetings — A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic

Part Two: Himura Kenshin

Chapter Two: Katsura Kogorou

He heard the clang of swords against each other, and even the sounds they make as they cut through the air, before he saw the camp. A group of men, mostly armed, awaited their turns to show off their skill not only to the leader of the Choushuu Ishin Shishi, but also to their peers. He walked steadily down the hill, aware of the lowered voices as he passed by. Once in awhile, he would glance at several groups as each individual in the group approached their training posts—no more than a thick wooden post wrapped in rope—and gave their best effort.

He winced at some of the attempts. Clearly, not many of these men were fighters. He would be surprised if they've held more than a pitchfork prior to this day. But still, they had a good heart. He hoped. With their help, and others like them, perhaps they'll usher in a new era.

Maybe.

"Well," his friend nudged him. "What do you think of this?"

He glanced at Shinsaku, the person responsible for his being here. "You said you had something to show me," he replied.

Shinsaku gestured towards the men. "Look at them," he said, his voice containing a thread of excitement. "The Kiheitai! They are a symbol of the new era! Anyone can join regardless of your status or your birth. All you need is the ambition, the determination to make it."

Listening to Shinsaku with half an ear, Kogorou made a slight grimace at another clumsy attempt at the training post. "It's a good sentiment," he said slowly, "but do you think it would be enough?" He gestured towards the men. "A significant number of these men are untrained. I'm not so sure that sending them off to certain death is something we can afford."

"They just need some training, some experience," Shinsaku assured him. "And they're willing to go through with that." Shinsaku took a deep breath. "They're hungry for change, too, like us. That alone would sustain them."

Kogorou nodded and continued to watch the displays, judging each man he saw. Old and young, all were eager to demonstrate their skills.

"Look," Shinsaku interrupted his train of thought, "even boys are allowed to join."

He stared at the spot pointed out to him. Many men had gathered and he heard a few jeers. He walked slowly towards the commotion.

"Awww, look," he heard, "he even brought his own sword!"

Curious, Kogorou stared at the man in question and his eyes widened. The subject of much heckling was nothing but a lad yet to reach his manhood. He had long, red hair—a great contrast to many of the people present; that, however, was obviously not what set him apart. He looked at Shinsaku skeptically. Surely this man did not expect them to win a revolution with children?

"Hey," he heard one of the hecklers, "if you cut the post in half, I'll—"

"As I said," Shinsaku replied, "anyone can join. That kid came with his own sword—a rarity, I know—yesterday and said he wanted to help." Shinsaku shrugged. "If anything, maybe we can get the sword from him once he decides that war is for grown-ups."

Kogorou continued to watch the group as the boy paused ever so slightly before attacking the post.

WHOOSH!

Or at least, he was pretty sure he attacked the post. What he can't be certain of was how he did it. One moment the training post was in one piece and the next it was lying in pieces.

He felt his heart stop, just for a moment, before racing a mad dash against his chest.

Fast, he thought. His eyes couldn't even determine the form it took.

The silence that permeated the air after the display was palpable.

He watched the boy put back his sword expertly in its sheath and whisper something to one of the hecklers. "Shinsaku," he said quietly to his companion. "I believe I'm taking this boy to Kyoto with me."

To his side, Shinsaku could only nod.

Much later in the evening, he thought back on his impressions of the boy, Himura Kenshin, and wondered at the path they would take.

"Have you killed with your Hiten Mitsurugi school, yet?" he had asked bluntly.

"No," came the reply. A slight pause, "but...but if my tainted sword and the blood I shed could bring about an era to end the suffering that I see—"

Kogorou had nodded. This, he understood. "We leave for Kyoto tomorrow," he had informed him. "Be ready."

And that morning, a little bit before dawn's early rays made itself known, he saw the boy waiting for him outside.

"I am ready," he told him quietly, surely.

And for one moment, one small moment when his compassion overtook his passion for change, he wondered if he could give the ugliest of all burdens to this boy. He wondered if the boy knew, if he really knew, what he was ready for.

After that moment, a decision was made, and he would stick by it.

End