AN- first- is the second repost of this story. I really happen to like it and am a sucker for reviews. Even flames are welcome, as long as they are constructive.
second- the Japanese in this is not perfect, but based, rather on my limited understanding of it. please be forgiving if I used some words and phrases incorrectly.
third- this is an edited edition where in I tried to be more consistent in my use of tenses when writing.
fourth- assume any conversation between the narrator and someone Japanese is in Japanese cause fanfiction won't allow those little side things like asterisks and the carrots and stuff. again, thanks for the understanding
fifth- there's a little section where I had to play with the international time zones and everything. Hopefully it works, if not I'm sorry but I really tried to get it correct there.
A Family in All But Blood Ch. 2
As I sit at the computer in front of me I think back on the night a week ago, the one on the rooftop when Setsuna and I kissed. Slowly a blush creeps up to my cheeks.
"What are you thinking about?"
"...!" I turn around to find myself staring at Setsuna-chan. "Oh, it's nothing."
"Yes it is, you're blushing."
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are," she says it so mater-of-factly I can't really disagree. "So?"
"So, what?" I ask.
"What are you blushing about?"
"As if you didn't know," I smirk slightly. This time she's the one to blush. "That's what I thought."
For a moment we just sit there laughing at each other, being friends.
Then something passes over her face, so quickly I almost miss it, but I don't. "Okay, spill it, what do you want?"
"I was thinking about your friends from America."
"Naze ka"
"They only know the you from when you were in the U.S. and I was just wondering if they know anything about the real you, the one that those of us from Japan know."
I look at her for a moment before sighing, "They do know the real me, it's just another me. The one that exists in their minds is the only one they know or that I let them see so to them he is as real as the me from four years ago in Japan is to you."
"And yet when I see you there is something different, no," she pauses to reconsider, "perhaps it is not in you but there is something different."
"What's different?"
She gives a defiant, yet almost sad look, "We are...both of us." She exits my room in silence leaving me alone with here words echoing hollowly in my ears.
"What the...?" I speak in English without thought. "We're different?"
Shaking my head I return my attention to the computer screen, back to what I had been doing before. With any luck my mission will be done by late morning, at the latest.
Setsuna's POV:
I leave Ken-chan's room feeling frustrated by our conversation. We talked for a minute and I was able to express my feelings about him, about us. However, it still feels like he's holding out on me for some reason.
I sigh, when did things get this complicated? Ken-chan and I used to agree on pretty much everything. Now it seems as if we disagree, however minutely on a lot of things. Each one of us thinking that we are the one that is right.
He's right about one thing though; the only Kenshin his friends know is the one that is real to them. They don't know anything about him from when he lived here. Never seen him ordered around before, except maybe by his parents.
I smile slightly at the thought of Kenshin listening to his parent's orders. It seems amusing for some reason, since he's never had a family before, not a real one with parents and such.
But his friends, they have no clue that all I've ever had to do was ask and he would do it what I wanted.
But I too am right, we've changed both of us, and I want to know what he won't tell me. I won't order him around, I never have and don't want to do that, ever, but there is something that he won't tell me. In a more ways than I care to admit he's become more and more like the Kenshin I knew when I was four, remote and isolated. Not completely but he's regressing.
I just want to know the reason.
It's as if there is something missing from him that he had before and then lost. Perhaps he himself does not even realize it and so he cannot express what he doesn't know.
Kenshin's POV:
Several hours have passed since Setsuna-chan visited my room, on the computer screen is a record of child named Toriad, Ken. His height, weight, age, medical records...everything. Everything the U.S. government could find out about him. All compiled into a single file in the FBI/CIA data banks. As far as they're concerned he's a real person, or was...
Sorry, but Ken isn't usable anymore, no longer needed so discarded. For a moment I pause to think about it, everything I had built as him, it brings a feeling of nostalgia. Quickly I push the feeling aside and with a few swift keystrokes suddenly my former sister, Toriad, Maria, is an only child.
Now, even if the US government goes after my nee-chan and tomodachi, they won't be able to hold anything against them because I won't have existed so they'll be chasing a ghost. No legal precedent for a ghost hunt.
Sighing I check the clock, it's almost eleven in the morning here which would make it about seven at night where my friends are, there's a ten hour difference between Japan and the east coast of the United States of America. My friends should be home from whatever activities they have after school.
Maybe one of them is online.
"Hmm?"
I guess I was right; Maria is online, now why doesn't that surprise me?
As I stare at her screen name I remember my hime's comment about my friends in America. As if on a cue an idea for her to get to know them pops into my head, and also, a closing, to find that which I miss. A peace of heart for my contentment, to live and move forward with no regrets this time.
I send my sister an IM and sit back to await a response.
This is going to get interesting, fast.
Ariel's POV:
Life has been only slightly weird since Ken...actually I suppose I should call him Kenshin, left a week ago.
Slightly weird meaning everyone that is anyone in the US government heard about the little fight he had in school last week and wants to know what we, we being his friends, know about him. Apparently they are not so very thrilled that an assassin of his caliber slipped past them so undetected.
They also are not too pleased with the fact that none of us, as his friends knew, anything about his other self. At first they thought we were lying, I think. But they cannot prove it since, according to Shaun, lie detectors are not permitted in court.
He said something about them not being reliable or some whatever. Something to do with belief, for example, if someone who does and some one who does not believe in god were both asked if God existed and they answered true to their beliefs then they would both be telling the truth and besides, all the tests came up that we were telling the truth anyway.
I think they were pretty disappointed about that.
I let my mind wander as I stare at the sheets of music on my bed that I had been studying for Chorale.
I sighed discontentedly, my life, along with the lives of my friends had been turned upside down since Ken left. The government bureaucracy, every single part of it, the FBI, the CIA, to the smallest local police wanted to know what we knew about Ken.
Here I was sitting across the room from the real world equivalent of Mr. Bubble's from Lilo and Stitch, a man in a black suit with glasses on with absolutely no personality.
Exactly how I had planned for my afternoon to go.
"Look, Ms. Riggun. We need your help, within the past four or five years there have been more than a few reports of murders, people mysteriously disappearing, occurrences have been both national and international. Finally we, that is to say the US government, came to the conclusion that it was the same killer."
"What does this have to do with me or my friends?"
"The attack on the police officers the other day, it was the same M.O. We need to know what you know in order to do our jobs. So I repeat, who is Ken Toriad?"
I looked pleasantly across the room, "I already told you 'I do not know.' What more do you want from me?"
"The truth."
I took a breath to calm myself and when I answered my voice was calm and collected, "I told you the truth, I do not know anything.
"Simply because you cannot accept the fact that you do not know anything will not persuade me to comply," I smiled, a sincere effort on my part to avoid conflict but I am just as happy knowing that it will irk him. "So, how much longer, do you suppose, until we can stop having these tedious conversations of ours?"
"Until you tell us the truth."
"We have been having these conversations for almost a week, actually, a week today, and I have not given any answer that you want because what you want is the truth. If you want an answer that makes you and your president happy, go follow the rabbit down the rabbit hole like in Alice and Wonderland, or take a sleeping pill and wish for happy dreams because you will not get any in the real world. Now may I leave?"
The man nodded his head in confirmation.
I picked up my bag and walk determinedly out of the room. They do not know anything about Ken. He may have killed before, but that was before. If they knew the Ken that I know, that all of his friends know then they would not be so worried. He will not kill; I do not think he can bring himself to steal away such precious life anymore.
When I got home I turned on the T.V. with the intention of watching Lilo and Stitch, I needed a movie to take my mind off my own troubles, but a newscast stopped my fingers in their tracks.
The reporter was talking about the Crown Princess of Japan and how she had finally been engaged. This was big news since the current emperor of Japan has only two heirs and his second son's wife had shown no signs of bearing child, some people even think she may be barren.
If the daughter had not gotten engaged then Japan may have been on the verge of civil war to decide the next emperor and nobody, even the US's idiot of a president, wants war in such a time of peace.
Actually, Ken told me about that once, any female that marries someone not of noble blood is no longer a member of the family. So then the fiancé has to be a noble.
Here the announcer was speaking on this subject, The announcement was made earlier this day, that the daughter of the current heir to the thrown, Crown Prince Naruhito, has been engaged to someone that is not of Noble Blood.
This stunning announcement was made just before the announcement of a possible, and apparently very probable, amendment to Japanese law to once again allow female emperors which would let them marry outside noble blood and retain their imperial family status... (note: they are actually considering allowing women to be Emperors in Japan again so this is not entirely a fictional idea, although I'm not sure about the retaining their imperial status part although it does seem logical)
What the heck!?! Now I am not even paying attention to the reporter. They just showed a picture of the Crown Princess and her fiancé, it is Ken! But they're calling him Kenshin. So that is why he left so quickly and without any goodbyes!
I guess it makes some sense but how would he even know the Crown Princess? Unless, his dream from last year, great... my eyes widened in surprised shock. I cannot believe it but it does make a weird kind of sense, and its sweet at the same time.
Besides, they are going to amend the Imperial Household Law to allow female emperors? Not a novel idea but apparently the emperor wants to keep his daughter his own as she is his only child.
"Ariel!"
My moms' voice shakes me out of my reverie, "Yes mother?"
"There's someone on the phone for you!"
"Thanks!" I walk down the stairs to the kitchen where the phone is. I pick it up, "Hello?"
-Hey! Ariel?
"Yes?"
-It's Selena. Can you get online right now?
"Um, I think so. Why?"
-Kenshin's online, in our private chat room; you know the one we all created a while back?
"How could I forget?" I laugh at the memory.
-Yeah- I can hear her laugh as well. -At any rate he has something he wants to ask us. You know: me, you, Cristin, Shaun, and Maria.
"Okay."
-Every else is here already so come on.
"Gotcha, I'm coming."
Maria's POV:
Let's see, there's Sports11 a.k.a. Shaun, Darkrose Pluto a.k.a. Selena, Piccolo01 a.k.a. Cristin, and Kenshin as Kageno Hitokiri. With me being Journal04 the only one we're missing is Ariel.
What could be keeping her? Selena said she'd call. Oh wait!
Jasmine85 pops up on my buddy list. Ah, Ariel's just signed on. I begin to type in a greeting to her.
Journal04- Hey! What's up?
Jasmine85- Not much, I'm hereed to hear what Kenshin has to say or ask rather ;
Jasmine85- here. sorry about the spelling
Darkrose Pluto- Don't worry. Actually, that's a good point. What do u want to ask us Kenshin. I called Ariel so now we are all assembled
Sports11- Avenger's Assemble!
Piccolo01- huh?
Sports11- nevermind
Kageno Hitokiri- Actually, to be perfectly honest. Ths isn't my idea. It was my Hime's
Jasmine85- Where's Hei Hua?
Piccolo01- still with her family in China. Her dad was okay so they decided to visit family while they were in the area
Kageno Hitokiri- Ah, so I can't include her in my idea
Sports11- Hm? Idea?
Piccolo01- So, what's this idea?
Kageno Hitokiri- actually it is my idea based on a comment my hime made
Kageno Hitokiri- Setsuna-chan would like to know if any or all of you are interested in coming to Japan tomorrow
Journal04- tommorrow? Why so soon?
Kageno Hitokiri- To attend our wedding
For a moment all I can do is stare at the screen in shock, the six of us, visit Japan. For his wedding?! My brother's wedding!!!
When did he get engaged?! He's only been gone for a week and he got engaged! I can't believe it! He's never done anything so...well, rash I suppose. Not that I know. Everything he does is kind of calculated.
Even his friendships, it always seemed like he was judging people, not like most do, on their personality, but rather on whom he thought they really were. As if he saw beneath their exterior façade that they put on for others and could see who they really were, and what quality of a person they were.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I stare at the screen Hei Hua sends a message.
Piccolo01- YOU WANT US TO WHAT!?!
Sports11- Japan? Wedding? What the hell!
Kageno Hitokiri- Come to Japan for our wedding. Onegai!! :)
He's serious, I can't believe it.
I bet he already knows how we'll respond, he knows people like that. Maybe it's the way he looks at people. Even me, his eyes always, even when he was happy and seemingly carefree, seemed to stare right through me. It gave me, still does actually, the willies.
Why am I back on this train of thought?
I glance back at the message he just sent everyone. Muttering to myself about the stupidity of brothers I begin to type in a response.
Cristin's POV:
I look at the clock on the computer, it's been almost an hour since Maria phoned me to tell me that Kenshin had first IM'ed her at around seven at night.
Wait a minute, wouldn't that be close to eleven a.m. in Tokyo?
I shake my head at his stupidity, he should be sleeping, I would be. I wonder how Maria's going to respond to this, after all, adopted or not she thinks of him as her little brother.
Wait... here comes a response from Maria.
Journal04- Are you serious little brother?
Kageno Hitokiri- Little brother?
Piccolo01- Let it pass Kenshin. I'm interested
Sports11- Me too
Darkrose Pluto- Japan huh? I'll go, you couldn't stop me
Jasmine85- if you guys go I'm going
Journal04- So then, I guess we're all going to take a little trip to Japan tomorrow
Kageno Hitokiri- Cool!
Kageno Hitokiri- What have I gotten myself into? ;
Darkrose Pluto- ::evil smirk::
I smile as I read Kenshin's response, because to tell you the truth, I have absolutely no clue, but this is going to be fun no matter what.
About him too, I never could figure him out. As a friend he's always been infallible but he always seemed to be keeping something. That something apparently was his history in Japan and now as the fiancé to the Crown Princess of Japan I'm not so sure how he'll play his cards.
Like now, I'll bet everything I own, he's sending these messages so we'll see the old him...not the one on the news. And he probably means what he's typing, but only in an abstract sense of the word, maybe he's slipping backing to who he was here. He's trying hard to regain our trust, and perhaps he does need to. As a friend I still believe in him, but now that he's in Japan, how long will his loyalty to the memories he's created in America last?
Kenshin's POV:
I sigh as I stare at the chat room screen, I already know what I'm getting myself into, and it will be fun, if not hectic, but there are one or two more people I have to invite, and they live in upper new England area, apart from where I live, quite a few hours away actually.
I went to camp with them.
They're not online since it's around 8:00 pm for them their probably at OWL's. But I could e-mail them, or send one of the Japanese ambassadors to find them. Let's see now...
Jessica's POV:
What the...is going on?
All I know is that Dave and I were at OWL's when we got a visit from the Japanese ambassador. He was very nervous and seemed to think we were friends of someone very important.
He spoke briefly with Scott and then spoke with us, wanted to know if we were interested in a trip to Japan.
Neither Dave or I was sure what he meant or who he thought we knew until he showed us the news clip from the earlier this evening when the announcement about the betrothal of the Crown Princess of Japan had been made.
When it was broadcast at six pm, we had been on our way to OWL's. Now, as we sat there and watched the tape of it and we could only stare at the screen in confusion. It was Ken...or as the newscaster was calling him, Kenshin.
At first it was like, are you sure that's him, and does he really know us. Its not that easy to recognize him all dressed up, especially when you don't think of someone as the person that they portray to you. Like when you watch a movie, you know that the bad guys aren't really bad in actuality but they portray themselves to you in a way that makes you think that they really are. It's like that, Kenshin's either putting an act on for us or them and I think it's probably been us he's been performing for.
So neither of us noticed it was actually him but then Dave noticed the small scar above his left eye that he got from rock climbing last year at camp. You wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for it.
We have until tomorrow morning at seven to pack; then we leave for Philadelphia so we get to miss school. We're supposed to meet up with some other people who are coming to Japan as well, friends of his from where Ken, no...Kenshin lived...or lives...lived...whatever.
The plane leaves at three from the Philadelphia Airport. We're going to spend two weeks in Japan. This is going to be, interesting might be a good word for it, maybe freaky even.
Selena's POV:
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
I bolt awake. Great, my alarm. Rubbing sleep out of my eyes I look blearily at the clock by my bed. Which button in the off switch?
BEEP! BEE...!
Never mind, I pull the alarm clock's plug out of the socket instead.
Today is going to be very interesting...to say the least. Now it's time to get ready for school.
Like I'm going to be there very long. As I think this I roll my eyes and take another look at the clock, which is now on the floor, without the time on it.
Slightly irritated I look at my watch...oh no! I'm gonna miss the bus! I have to hurry!
Twenty minutes later I'm getting off the bus, which I just barely made, at the school lobby. I look around for a minute and spot my friends in their normal spot.
"Hey!" I raise my hand in greeting.
"Hello," Cristin's greeting is soft, but still laced with a slight amount of excited tension.
I look around at my friends. Maria and Shaun stand off to the side taking quietly to each other. The same excitement that was in Cristin's voice can be seen in the way they're standing.
Come to think of it, they can probably see the same in me. I wouldn't be surprised at all. I can't recall the last time I was this nervous.
I let out a sigh to try and release it. No good, I'm too excited about going to Japan. Who wouldn't be? Especially if one of your friends was paying for it.
I look at Maria questioningly, "So we leave when?"
"We leave at 3 pm."
"Three?" Ah, Ariel has arrived, her hair falling lazily around her shoulders and dark circles under eyes.
Maria nods, taking a close look at her friend. "Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
Ariel shakes her head, "You know much sleep I got last night? About ten minutes, right before my alarm woke me up. I didn't even have that much to pack."
"Has it occurred to any of you that the government may not want us to leave?"
"Shaun? Do you have to be a cynic?"
"No, and I'm not. I'm being realistic. All of you know how badly the US Government was embarrassed when they found out that a Japanese assassin had slipped passed them with out them even hearing a whisper.
"They also know that we are his friends. I pretty sure my house and phone line have been tapped, so have yours most likely. They may not want us to leave in case they think they can get anything about him out of us. Our government isn't exactly known for acting on its founding principles." He gives each of us a pointed look. We all know it to be true.
Cristin's POV:
I stare at Shaun for a moment; he seems so flaky sometimes, so it's easy to forget that he actually has some intelligence, a lot of intelligence actually. His IQ is easily 140, approximately 40 points above normal, and that's only from what I've seen. He probably doesn't show more intelligence than he has to.
He's smart like that...as well as being a lazy bum...
As far as I know he was the first person Kenshin made friends with aside from me, more likely though Shaun made Kenshin his friend, not that other way around. Shaun can be subtle, as infrequent as that is, but he is also very persistent.
Like Kenshin, but then, Shaun has never really known where to draw the line, I'm pretty sure that Kenshin does, or at least I was. He's, as a friend he is infallible but as this new person? I don't know him anymore, if he really wants something he'll go for it and in the past he always considers the alternate possibilities of what might happen. But I don't know this new person that I see on the news.
Perhaps this is the reason for my going to Japan, to understand my friend again. To have my faith in whom he is restored on a deeper level, even as I forgive him for his deception.
Shaun's POV:
I can see my friend's slightly shocked expressions. They keep forgetting how intelligent I actually am. That's good. They have no need to know how smart I really am, or at least, how smart I think I am. There might be a "small" difference.
Okay, so the difference might be a bit larger, but hey, god needs a few limitations doesn't he?
Not many people know what I can do, Kenshin knows, and so does the government, well...they think they do. They have no idea...not really.
Like the fact that yesterday afternoon someone was busy hacking into the FBI/CIA database and deleting information on a certain Ken Toriad. As far as the government database is concerned now he's only a figment of their imagination.
Real in their minds but when they go to check their database they'll find that he doesn't exist officially, and never did. I'll bet anything it was Kenshin. Probably to cover for us, and himself, so the government can't hold us legally, and for personal reasons no doubt. He's good but he left a trail that you can trace, if you really want to.
It's not that I'm really all that good with computers, I'm not, my area is more long the lines of astrophysics and Chaos Theory, as well as occasionally dabbling in political repercussions of various abstract scenarios based on the current situations in the world, but I do know what to look for. Or rather I wanted to know what was going on and a friend at school, who's really good with computers, knows what to look for so I got a program from him.
It allows me to access certain restricted documents in a fashion. Actually what it does is analyze what the computer system is looking for to allow access and then tells me. From there it's up to me to figure out the exact code or whatever it wants.
Not that hard but only if, as I said before, you know what to look for.
I grin, "Don't worry, even if they really don't like the situation all that much they probably won't stop us, it's just a possibility. If they did try to stop us then they'd have to deal with Japan and I don't think our president really wants to."
"Oh," Maria shakes her head in mock disgust. "Politics suck don't they?"
I nod my head in agreement then smile brightly, "Don't worry, since I'm God you have nothing to fear!"
"Shaun!" Cristin groans in mock agony.
At least I think its mock agony. I hope its mock agony.
"By the way, why are we in school if we're leaving early anyway, at ten?"
"Because our parents made us so we wouldn't be counted as cutting school or something like that," Selena smirks.
"Oh...right..."
Dave's POV:
Finally, we're here.
I can't believe Kenshin and Maria drive eight hours each year to come to camp. If I had to it would drive me nuts, but then as long as camp is worth it and it would be for me, then I think I would do it.
"Hey! Dave! Stop day dreaming!" it's Jess.
"Huh?"
"We're here, at the airport," she says.
"Oh," I look around. "Philadelphia's a large city, not like Springfield at all."
Jess looks at me, "Tell me about it."
I glance in her direction, "I just did."
Jess shakes her head in disgust as she picks up her bags, "Hey, Dave? Don't you ever smile?"
I stare at her with a completely straight face, "I am smiling."
Jess looks around, "So where are we supposed to be headed again?"
I look at our tickets, "Gate 11 B. It's that way, I think."
"You think?" she stares at me.
"Hey, I've never been here before and that's what the sign says."
"Are we done arguing, boys?" Jessica's tone is slightly mocking.
I simply stare at her in confusion, "Boys...?"
She laughs, "Never mind, slip of the tongue, plus I always wanted to say that since I saw it in a movie. Anyway, this place is crazy; Springfield has nothing on this place. I mean the tallest building we have is maybe thirteen stories."
I nods my head in agreement, "Yeah, but it smells nicer where we're from. A lot nicer."
"That's true," Jessica laughs again.
"Can we go inside now?" I look at my watch. "We still have to get our luggage checked in and stuff."
"Sure, sure."
As we walk toward our gate I notice a few other people standing there. Five to be precise, one is a short blonde haired girl. Next to her are two other girls, one with curly brown hair and the other with straight brown hair. There is also a skinny boy talking to someone who looks familiar.
She should as she's been going to the same camp with us for about five years. I only met her brother last year but she's been in the same group as I quite a few times.
"Hey! MARIA!"
Maria's POV:
I hear my name called and turn around from the conversation I am having with Shaun.
"Hey!" it's Jessica and Dave from camp. "What are you guys doing here?"
They run over to where we're standing by the gate before responding.
Jess is the one that responds, "Believe it or not, we were at OWL's last night when this guy showed up,"
"Don't tell me, a Japanese man, formal attire?" Shaun looks critically at them. He's probably assessing the political situation; again, aside from science it seems to amuse him a fair amount.
"Yeah, apparently he's some sort of ambassador from Japan. He showed us the six o'clock news which we missed since we were at OWL's."
"OWL's?" Ariel's expression is confused one.
"Outdoor Wilderness Leaders," I explain. "It's kind of like a winter version of the camp Kenshin and I go to in the summer. Only a few are invited to go."
"Ah."
"We would have been invited but since it's from six to eight at night, every Wednesday, you get the idea."
"Yes I do."
I think the camp director once mentioned to his wife that he thought Kenshin would have made a great leader. Now we'll never know, at least not if he's any good as a councilor. But then, we'll see what he knows when he becomes emperor of Japan in the future.
I think he'll do really well. His ability to analyze every aspect of every situation will stand in him in good stead in such an occupation.
"Hey, does any one know what time it is?" Shaun asks.
"Nope."
"Uh uh."
Selena's POV:
"Wait, I have a watch," I glance down at my pikachu watch, "its quarter after two."
"Okay. So we have forty-five minutes to do what?" Shaun looks around irritably. He's not one to sit idly around for more than a few minutes at a time if he doesn't have to.
"Wait around or something, I guess," replied Cristin.
"Is that all?" Shaun is still restless.
I roll my eyes, "It's not exactly like we can play football in the airport you know."
"We can't?" Shaun feigns innocence.
"No." I reply flatly.
The two new kids are standing around idly, looking slightly unsure of what to do. It seems they are unsure of how to approach our little group.
"Actually, we know Maria but we don't know who you guys are, so why don't we spend the next three quarters of an hour swapping stores?"
...Or not...
"Heh, practical as ever Dave," Maria grins at her friend.
I glance around, "Can we get something to eat first, though?"
Ariel smiles, "You're always hungry, Selena."
"Can I help it there's no food in my house?"
"No, I guess not."
I look around some more, "Um, there's Pizza Hut over there, if you guys want."
The girl looks at her friend, "We came all the way from Massachusetts to have Pizza Hut?"
"Never mind, I'll go find something for myself, something cheap hopefully."
Ten minutes later I'm back with a slice of pizza, they're still just standing around feeling awkward.
I give a groan, "Okay, so who wants to start?"
Ariel sighs, "I'll start. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Ariel. Like from the Little Mermaid. Don't laugh. I've already heard all the jokes."
"I've known Kenshin for about two and a half years, since his freshman year in High School. Mostly I saw him in the morning before homeroom, when all of us got together to hang out.
"But the time I actually got to know him the best was last year, during his sophomore year and my junior year in high school. We had class in the same hallway so we walked from one class to another. There was one time I actually remember the best.
"He was telling me about a dream he had. It was about him being the best friend of the crown princess of China. She was being forced to marry someone she didn't love. She wanted to marry him because she at least liked him.
"There wasn't any love, only extreme affection for one another and I wondered about that but then he said, 'For now it's enough to care for each other, love can come later, if ever.'
"So in the dream he asked for time to consider what was being asked of him and in that time he and his best friend behaved as best friends, for possibly the last time. When he finally reentered the courtroom he had decided to marry her.
"So then he told me, as we were almost to our next classes, 'When I woke up I had this feeling absolute peace, and I have no clue why...' Now that I think about it his eyes had a rather distant look in them, as if he were recalling something, almost a nostalgic look."
"Weird!" This? Coming from Shaun of all people.
"Maybe but I think he knew where the dream came from but didn't want to dwell on it."
Sadly I stare at my empty pizza plate, then shrugging I toss it into the trash and settle down to listen to every ones stories and possibly share some of my own.
Personally, I think Kenshin would make a really good leader, at sometimes, at other's I think he'd be a scary leader. Too erratic to really be effective, but then we're all teens so... maybe he'll grow out of it?
Cristin's POV:
All to quickly the forty-five minutes are up and we're boarding a plane that will take us away from a world we have known all our lives into something entirely different. This is so cool!
"Hey," I look quickly around. "Shouldn't someone else be here?"
"What do you mean?" Shaun looks confused.
"Elizabeth, she was one of us wasn't she?"
"If by one of us you mean part of Kenshin's little circle of true friends?" Maria responds, "Then, yes."
"You mean the girl that moved to Florida?" surprisingly the question is from the boy from their summer camp, Dave.
"How do you know about her?" I want to know.
"Kenshin and Maria talked about her at camp. She was a strong willed person I take it?"
Selena smiles, "A very strong willed person. Emotionally fragile though, small things tend to set her off. I think because she had such a rough home life with a step-dad who seemingly didn't care about any of the children except his own."
"Yeah," Shaun looks inquiringly towards Kenshin's sister. "Why wouldn't Kenshin invite her?"
"That depends," Maria looks calm. "They have a tendency to take cruises around the US at random times so she may be on a cruise somewhere where it was more convenient to simply fly here to Japan from there."
"Well," I try and smile brightly, "We'll find out when we get there now won't we?"
"Yes," Maria has a distant look on her face, "we most certainly will."
I look at Maria's face and not for the first time I wonder what exactly she knows about her brother that she never chose to share with the rest of us. Not that it matters really, but I'm still having a hard time imagining him as anything other than the kid I knew in America, as my friend.
I have to; otherwise I can't be sure how to react to him, as a friend, or as a political figurehead. As a friend I can handle, but the other is a complete unknown. A person, who I don't trust, can't trust because they hid things that mattered from their friends.
Kenshin' POV:
Wow, what a time, my friends will be here in another day and then the real fun will begin. I wonder what they'll think of each other at the airport. That's why I set it up like that so they would have some time to get to know each other first. Speaking of friends there's one more friend I need to call.
I should try her cell first I guess since she's probably on a cruise or something. Smiling I call her cell and am only slightly surprised when I see where the call is headed.
She'll be asleep right now if I guess correctly, since I'm the only idiot who would be up at this hour anyway. The Philippines are only an hour ahead of us after all.
Elizabeth's POV:
From mah bed Ah hear mah cell phone ringing from inside mah bag. What the hell? It's almost four in the morning although mah friends don't know where exactly ah am so they could call me, literally at any time of the day.
Ah reach over ta turn the phone off, but then Ah happen ta glance at the caller i.d. It's from Japan, now who do Ah know that's from Japan? Oh yeah...Ken.
Ah smile sardonically before picking up, Ah don't really care what his name is, Ah'll call him what Ah want. Just 'cause he's the crown princess of Japan's fiancé doesn't mean anythin' to me.
"Hello?"
- Hi! Elizabeth? It's Kenshin
"Ken, what the hell are ya doin' callin' me at this hour, don't ya have a life?"
- No, but I'm working on it, besides my name isn't...
Ah cut him off, "Ah know, Ah know! Ah know what your real name is but Ah'm goin' ta call ya Ken if Ah want ta, okay?" Then Ah grin, "Ya should know that well enough."
Ah can hear the smile in his voice when he replies.
– That's true enough I suppose. You're still acting like a chibi yaro.
"What! Ya little, Ah'd get ya for that if ya weren't all the way in Japan."
-What would you say if I could take you up on your offer?
"Yer in Japan thou...oh!"
He laughs.
- Very smooth Elizabeth! I like it.
"Are ya serious?"
-Yes, the others are coming; they left at three p.m. yesterday and with their nineteen hour flight, since they have two layovers, one in LA and the other in Honolulu, each about an hour and a half, they should be getting here around ten their time, midnight mine, according to the ten hour time loss because of time zones. Wanna come too?
"Hell yeah!"
- Fine, since you're in the Philippines you should get here around eleven a.m. or something, if you leave as soon as the plane get there, assuming you cruise ship has a Helicopter landing platform.
I pause for a moment in thought, "...It does...actually... So when is this plane gettin' here?"
- It's actually a small jet and it should get there in, its three a.m. here so, about eight your time, the hour difference and all.
"Cool, Ah'll go tell mah mom, she shouldn't have any problems, since Ah'm already away from school right now and Ah do all my work anyway, even if Ah am failin' a few classes."
- Elizabeth!
Ah smirk at his mock groan. Whatever, school isn't that important and it's not like Ah'm failin' any essential classes. Besides, Ah try so what's the big deal?
"Bah now, Ah have to wake up my mom so Ah can get permission, send the plane anyway since Ah have a feeling she won't really believe me unless she sees it."
- Fine, that's cool.
Ah wait for the click of his phone before Ah hang up mine. This is goin' tah be so cool!
Dave's POV:
This is the end of my first day in Japan. Not that that alone says much, we went straight to the palace to get some sleep before we get see Kenshin, as he wasn't allowed to come and greet us, something to do with his status as the fiancé of the crown princess. Well, it is one o'clock here.
It is definitely going to take a day or so to get used to the futon here, not at all like our mattresses back in the US. They are comfortable though, not like sleeping on rocks under a tent at camp either.
As I lay in bed I realize that I'm not going to be sleeping any time soon for while its some time in the early morning here the east coast of America is nine hours behind so instead I think of a time that I really remember with Kenshin, my most memorable event at camp with him.
It was almost two years ago and we were setting up rock climb at an intermediate rock face for the campers, who were supposed to get there in an hour or so.
"Hey, guys! What about over here?" It was Jess. She was standing on top of the cliff ledge.
The councilor, Brian, walked over and looked at the ledge, "Looks good. Who wants to climb up and give Jess the ropes?"
"I'll do it," Kenshin volunteered.
"Okay, but be careful," Brian cautioned. "We haven't climbed this for a few years and the rock might be loose."
"Hai!" Kenshin winked and began his climb. Once he had started Brian went to go around the long way to get to the top and scope out some more faces from the top with Jess, so I was the only one that really saw what happened.
When Kenshin was about half way up the face he lost his footing, it must have just slipped or something because he wasn't wearing real climbing shoes but it was incredible, what he did.
In the split second from when he lost his footing to when he started to fall he pushed off the cliff with his other foot and preformed a seamless extended back flip, landing himself on the branch of a nearby tree. Then without so much as a change of expression he leapt from the tree branch to the top of the face, almost thirty feet!
The entire thing took less than five seconds and when he was done he looked over the edge and waved at me, almost as if he didn't care that I had seen him do something so completely out of the ordinary.
"Hey! Are you okay?" I called up to him.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, you're bleeding, and it doesn't look pretty."
"Huh?" he moved hand to wipe his forehead and pulled it back to reveal blood on his hand. "Oh," He appeared mildly surprised.
"Ken, you have problems," I told him.
"Probably. I'll deal with it later."
Except that in terms of the cut there wasn't a later, not really. The cut got infected with dirt while we were climbing and didn't heal properly so he was stuck with a rather unique scar above his left eye. That's how I spotted it so easily in the news at six, it's how I knew it was him instantly; I was there when he got it.
He's been kind of weird as long as I've known him but then it didn't matter. He always acted as if something wasn't quite right with his life. He hid it but it flashed across his eyes at circle fire at camp sometimes.
I suppose that what was wrong was his history here in Japan. Actually, I suppose that 'wrong' isn't even the correct term, maybe 'off' would be a better statement of the situation. He was always at war, his personalities, so I know what he's like in camp, but what's he like in Japan?
Kenshin's POV:
"Chikushoo!"
My curse echoes across the halls of the palace.
I know they're not adjusted to the time zone but my friends could at least try to get up in time to actually do something. It's already nine in the morning! Elizabeth will be here in another hour or so!
Maybe Maria's up, she always gets up early. Well, when she isn't up to late at least.
As I turn the corner to her room I hear a curse, in Filipino no less. I guess nee-chan awake. "Hey, Maria! What the hell is your problem?"
The door slides open and she sticks her head, "Kenshin? Hey!" She jumps onto me. Tackling me to the ground.
"Um? Can you...uh...get off me?"
"Oh, no problem," she gives me a penetrating look as she gets off me. "I guess you and your hime made up huh?"
"Um, kind of."
"Kind of?"
"Don't worry about it."
Maria frowns slightly at my lack of expression, "Kenshin, do you wanna go for a walk? I want to ask you something."
"Sure," I lead her down the path of a garden to a secluded spot that I favor. "So what did you want to ask?"
She takes a deep breath, "Will you train me to fight like you do?"
"You want to be trained in my ryu?!" I give her an incredulous look.
"That's what I said isn't it?"
"You know that I can't train you properly in only two weeks?" I respond in kind giving her a penetrating look of my own. It usually scares most people, but Maria knows me too well to be truly intimidated by it.
Maria nods her head, "Yes."
"So then you have to be willing to stay long enough to train. That would mean staying more than just a few years you know?" Considering the potential I think she has I think it probably won't take that long but I want to make sure.
"Okay."
"What would mom and dad say?"
"I'm not sure but I don't think they'd mind. You know how many times they complained that the house was better when we weren't there. That life was better before they had kids."
"Yeah, but then they also said that having you and adopting me were the best things they ever did. I think they think it was worth it but they might enjoy living without kids again."
I put on an innocent face and glance at my sister.
Maria returns the look, her head slightly tilted, an eyebrow raised and a smile playing across her face. "We were going to leave in another year anyway."
She seems committed enough. She'll be fine. "Fine, if you get their permission then fine. I'll train you."
"Thanks," she gives me a dry look, almost as if she knew what my answer would be before she asked me.
But my reason is not entirely that one she has understood, nor is she capable of truly understanding, simply because she has not had this experience of mine. I, who took many lives, was able to live as a teen, and lead a normal life, because of her. She worked past my defenses, to make me a more human person. Perhaps, in this I might yet settle one more thing of my somewhat disjointed past, and repay my debt to her.
Maria's POV:
"Umph!" I hit the mats hard and roll back to my feet breathing heavily.
We've only been at it for an hour, less even, but already my body hurts more than it's ever hurt before. A groan of pain escapes my lips.
"You asked to be trained." Kenshin is relentless.
"I know but I didn't think,"
"Didn't think what, that it would be this tough? Look, nee-chan, I haven't agreed to train anyone, ever. Anyone of the people that is trained to be hitokiri would kill for this opportunity. I kid you not. There is only one successor to this school."
"So why bother to teach me?"
"Because I think you have what it takes..."
"What else?" I can see he has something else on his mind.
"Because I don't think you'll pass it on to others. It's to dangerous, few people have what it takes to master it, and even if they do, fewer still can be trusted not to abuse it."
"Um..." what am I supposed to say to that? Not many people tell you that they're teaching you something so that you won't pass on what you learn. "Why are you teaching me then if you don't want me to pass on the school's techniques?"
"You live outside Japan and thus our government's jurisdiction which means they can't force you to do anything. Plus, I have to by law, it's an unwritten law of the schools but why do you think so many strong ryu have disappeared? Because the times have no need for them.
"Many of the ryu from the past could have crushed any opposition that the west brought to our way of life but to do so would have meant the westerners would have sought out those schools to try and learn.
"We couldn't permit that, no matter what the cost. My technique is one of the only ones of its kind left. That is why; things of the past should stay in the past."
I nod my head; it all makes sense, but why me. Why not someone else?
"Because I trust you to let it die out with dignity."
I shoot him a startled look. I hadn't realized that I had spoken out loud. He just smiles.
"And besides, I owe you."
"Huh?"
"Its nothing, I simply know you will use it when it is needed. Now let's try it again, and don't complain."
I smile slightly, he saw right through me. Calculating, as always, it appears even his acceptance of my request to be taught has a reason to it.
"Besides, this is how the school has always been taught, even when swords were our main vehicle for dispensing the Mitsurugi Ryu's justice. The point of teaching you in this manner is the same as total immersion when teaching a language. I can't show you the separate moves; it wouldn't work as well. Only by seeing and experiencing it all together and first hand can you truly understand. When you understand you can start to retaliate in kind, with in the principles of the schools teachings."
I grin through a split lip; I understand the idea. I watch and take his attacks till I learn and then fight back. I don't even think he's going at even a fraction of his full speed and he's hitting me with ease. I have to work on my evasion skills. A lot.
"Actually," he looks slightly abashed. "We should shower and get dressed in normal clothes. I need to tell everyone something, as soon as Elizabeth gets here, which'll be in, like," my younger brother glances at his watch, "oh, say, fifteen to twenty minutes give or take."
He says it so casually I almost miss it because of the throbbing of my wounds. Then it registers; Elizabeth is coming? YES!
Elizabeth's POV:
This is so weird, everyone acts like Ah'm someone ta be afraid of. Ah'm not, but Ah do know Ken, and Ah got an e-mail from mah friends up north last week. They told me what happened.
Ah had no idea that Ken could do that kinda stuff, and apparently neither did they.
Slowly Ah step off of the plane, where the hell am Ah? I didn't see our approach to Japan; too busy drawin' I guess. It seems like Ah'm in a castle of sorts, so where is everyone? Ah walk around a bit never strayin' far from the plane.
"Hello. Been a while hasn't it?"
Ah spin around in an instant, "Ken?!"
"I'm hurt, you only say hi to Kenshin?"
"Maria, Selena, Shaun, Ariel, Ah recognize you guys but who are these other people? An what the hell happened tah yer face?" Ah finally notice mah friend has quite a few bandages on her face.
Maria laughs as she gently touches her bandages, "This? I'll explain latter, promise. As for your question, this is Cristin, she was a friend from before you but she really only joined 'the group' after you left, and certainly she has heard about you, and they," she waves to two people standing off to the side, "are friends of Kenshin and mine from camp. The ones we told you about up in upper New England?"
"Yah, Ah know. Ya'll only talked about them, like, every other day. Which ones did ya'll invite?"
"Let's see, actually, I think it would be better is...hey! You guys want to introduce yourselves?"
"Sure," a kid with a buzz cut and blue eyes steps forward, "I'm Dave. The short girl with blonde/brown hair is Jessica,"
"Call me Jess, everyone else does."
"Okay, let's see." Ah look at the two for moment to familiarize mah self with their faces, "Jess," has light green/blue eyes, "and you're Dave. Ah think Ah have it."
"Well that's good," Shaun interjects, "they are the only boy and girl here you don't know yet."
Ah give him a dark look.
"So what should we do?" Kenshin asks, ignoring Shaun's idiocy as usual.
"Ah don't know about ya'll but Ah want to see Japan," Ah grin at mah friends and they grin back.
"That sounds great!"
"So," Selena turns to Ken, a familiar gleam in her eyes, "Where should we go to find the nearest anime store?"
"What? No historical sights?"
"Maybe later," Selena grins, "but right now we want to hang out with a friend we haven't seen in a while and thought we'd never see again."
"How?"
"The same way we always do!"
Laughing Kenshin points the way ta the exit of the palace, we are definitely going ta have a lot of fun. Japan won't know what hit it!
Selena's POV:
So this is Tokyo...impressive. Three days ago I didn't see very much of it because we went straight to the palace without stopping. And then the next day we went to some of the historical sights so I didn't get to see much of it then. I never thought it would be this crazy, it's like visiting New York. I still can't understand anyone, but at least here I have an excuse.
Let's see, I've spent most of the money I brought with me, even if it is 125 yen to an American dollar. I've spent over three hundred dollars on anime, and related topics.
What I really want to know is how Kenshin and Setsuna are able to be hanging out with us and not be recognized, even though he was on practically every T.V. in the world a week ago.
I make a face. This is entirely too complicated.
"Confused?" Kenshin gives me an intrigued look.
"Yeah, and a bit hurt you didn't ell me about this. I always thought we could talk about anything to each other."
"And we did, anything that involved our lives as people in the US. I was trying to escape my life here, and so that involved not talking about it. Otherwise you would have brought it up again and again and I wouldn't have been able to forget then."
I wince in spite of myself, "Good point, hey...! You said something intelligent!" I smirk at him. "Actually, I was wondering how you could be with us when everyone knows what you look like."
Setsuna winks at me, "They don't. They know what the Crown Princess and her kon'yakusha look like, not Setsuna and Kenshin."
"But," I protest, "You're the same people." This doesn't make any sense. People are who they are, you can't change that. Even as the him here in Japan, Kenshin is still Kenshin. I can sense that he's essentially still the same person I knew.
"Ah," Setsuna raises a finger in contradiction, "you know that and I know that but they don't."
"Ah don't get it," Elizabeth looks perplexed. "Ya'll look the same ta me."
"But that's because you know us too well. To them the princess and her kon'yakusha are people who wear ornate, expensive clothing, go to political functions, and never leave the palace without a company of bodyguards. Not a couple of kids hanging out with their friends."
"Ha!" Shaun smiles in appreciation, "Interesting, most definitely interesting. I'll bet that was your intent."
"Well, it was Ken-chan's idea but he insisted I do it, especially when we were younger so we would have this opportunity when we were older, like now."
Hah, that's a side of Kenshin I haven't seen before but it does fit in his personality. He always has had that side of him, whether he's aware of it or not, and I think not, that was prepared for almost anything. He always had a back up plan. Maybe that's why...there's something off? I can't be sure but every time we speak, it seems he is pleading for something. From us, his friends? Closure... I can't be sure, but I know him well. There is something about him.
At any rate I'll make a point of talking with him.
Now, where's the next anime stop?
Kenshin's POV:
Wow! I can't believe how much energy these friends of mine have. After that first night it's like they don't even sleep anymore. Well, they do but only for maybe four or five hours a night tops. They just want to hang out and travel around Japan.
In less than two weeks we've been through Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. All places they had interest in as well as a few local shrines around the areas.
In the past few days my best friend, Selena, and I have been more open to each other than ever before, possibly because she sensed I was hiding something before. I don't know, but it's still a relief to talk to openly with somebody.
At the same time she has given me a better perspective on my friends, particularly in some things I would not have noticed, or ignored.
"Hey, Kenshin?"I turned my head and noticed Selena standing in the doorway, "Hm?"
"We need to talk," her eyes speak nothing of foolish games or idle chitchat. She's serious so I suppose this will be yet another no hold barred, best friends talk. We seem to be having quite a few of those lately.
Idly I wondered what the topic would be.
"So what shall we discuss today?" I sat down on a cushion by my bed.
"Friends."
"Friends?"
"And friendships."
"What about them?"
"To be honest, not everyone here is still comfortable around you," she gave me a look. I knew of whom she spoke.
"I know," I lowered my head slightly.
"Look, as a friend, no one doubts you or your intent. However there are those like Cristin and Jess who," she paused, searching for the right words, "They're not sure how to approach you as Setsuna's fiancé.
"They believe in you as a friend, but as this new person they can't be sure that they can trust you."
"I know," I can see it in their eyes. Their faith in me as a friend is unwavering but...
Selena smiled slightly, "They still believe in the Ken they knew in America, they simply aren't sure whose side you'll choose if push comes to shove, and they'd like to know."
"I can't, tell them I mean, because I'm not sure whose side I'll be on either. I need more time. If they need me as a friend I will always be there but..."
Selena smiled once again, "I understand, as a friend is all you can be right now. If things stay on their current course we probably won't ever speak to you again after we leave."
I nodded, "Not that I won't want to,"
"but it just won't be possible with the politics of the situation." She got up to leave, "I already told you, I understand, don't feel a need to defend your actions and don't make me say it again.
"Is this acceptable?"
"Yes," it feels good to have my best friend from the US understand. If she does, than no one else needs to, and my answer may be closer.
"Your answer, the one you seek when you look in the eyes of your friends, in their faces. Have you found it?"
"What?"
"I told you, I pay attention, I can see you searching for something every time you speak to us. Have you found what you seek?"
"Not yet...almost though."
"If you seek forgiveness, it's foolish, there's no need."
"Not forgiveness, closure."
"Yeah," she nods, "Soon, it will all be over. But remember this, I will always be you friend, even if I never see you again. That's why I'm your best friend, I understand you even if the rest don't. Plus they're your true friends too. They won't abandon you. Understand?"
I smiled in return, as I too got up to leave, "Yeah."
I'm glad Selena and I are back on good terms again; not being able to talk with my best friend was painful. She is my willing pair of eyes and ears in my group of friends. So I can understand how they feel about the situation now.
My friend's feelings, I believe them to be an important part of my closure that I must find so that I regret nothing.
The uncertainty and resentment is expected but it is good to know they still feel I am a friend. As long as that doesn't change then things are fine. Nobody knows or understands everything about his or her friends, and nobody really wants to most likely. That's not where the friendship comes from now is it?
Where is everyone at the moment anyway?
They went to bed around five this morning so Maria should be getting here any time now since it's almost ten thirty. It's nice to know that my generation has such dedication in it.
Maria's POV:
I glance at the practice hall, I've been coming here in the mornings for slightly more than a week, almost ten days, Kenshin's wedding is two days from now so we've spent the day hanging out, visiting the sights and of course, going to local anime shops.
Now, as I have every morning I wait for Kenshin to make the first move to begin our training session.
Watch the chest; that is where all moves originate from, not the eyes or the feet, those can miss-lead the viewer, but the chest.
There!Side strike with the left hand! Don't move; it's not a serious strike.
Sure enough Kenshin's hand stops millimeters from my neck. He nods, "Not bad, last week you would have tried to dodge, even if you had known it was a fake attack. Your self control has gotten better." He resumes his stance, "The next one will be for real."
I nod my understanding. Here it comes!
High kick! Duck under it!
Left-handed fist strike! Lean back to dodge, catch with right hand, pull in and kick!
Kick blocked by leg! Hook around back of leg and pull in!
Strike with left elbow! Miss!
Where? Whoa! I start falling; I didn't even see Kenshin try anything.
Oh no... It wasn't him; I anticipated and over rotated. I'm falling backwards.
"Hyah!" I take control of my backward momentum and place my hand on the floor kicking Kenshin in the jaw as I bring my feet over my head.
I glance at him, he has blood dribbling down the side of his mouth but he doesn't seem to notice it.
"Nice move, you've improve a lot in the past week and a half. Don't get cocky though, you'd still get yourself killed in a no holds barred fight with most people. I saw it coming but you've gotten faster. I didn't think I needed to speed up. Maybe I should have you work with Setsuna to become faster. I'm fast, faster than I used to be but still not the same as Setsuna-chan."
"Setsuna is faster than you?" I'm surprised.
"Yep," Kenshin sits down on the floor. "...Well, sorta. I'm more skilled and stronger but she's faster, relatively, despite my shukuchi, over longer periods of time, this makes a fight between us almost even. Let's call it endurance?"
"Almost?"
He smiles, one of his rare smiles now a-days, "Actually, not even almost, most fights normally don't last long enough for it to be a factor in them. I'm still much better in overall skill and technique. Anyways, since her speed comes from her training techniques and not natural skill she should be of some help to you."
I stick my tongue out at him, "Let's go find the other and watch a movie, or something."
"Fine, but you need a shower."
Touché.
Shaun's POV:
Tomorrow is the wedding!
I can't possibly concentrate on what I'm doing. Sighing in resignation, I look up from my book, The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking. I remember when Kenshin gave me the book; well actually he showed it to me because he needed someone to help him understand it.
When we were done he still didn't understand it very well but he did enough so that he could follow what I was saying in a general sort of way. That's all he really wanted in the first place, an ability to understand what I'm so passionate about.
I've noticed that about him, he never seems to put any effort into his schoolwork so he gets a couple A's mostly B's and a few C's. But when something is important to one of his friends then, then he'll really make an effort to understand.
Come to think of it, where is Kenshin? and everyone else for that matter? I hear noise in another room so I move to investigate.
I walk into the lounge room that Setsuna prepared for us. It's dark and there's a movie on, "What are you guys watching?"
"Endless Waltz," Selena's reply is short.
I watch the screen for a while. All I can see are a bunch of giant mecha flying around in space shooting at each other. As I continue to watch the fighting moves to earth. I shake my head in disgust.
I never could understand my friends interest in anime, "That's not possible."
Selena looks at me, "What's not?"
"The beam weapons and propulsion powerful enough to be that maneuverable in space. It's just not physically possible for things that size. Especially if they have that much weaponry, and in the pull of the earth gravity."
"So? It's like saying that it isn't possible to generate flame with your right hand like in Recca no Hono. It's fiction so it can't happen but its fun to watch."
Kenshin gives his best friend a strange look, "You mean you can't generate flame with your right arm? Dude, you got gypped in the super power department."
Uh oh, here it comes. Selena reaches for the wooden sword next to her couch she's on. "Excuse me?"
"Never mind."
Setsuna laughs. Apparently she finds this all amusing. I guess it is amusing, if you like this sort of thing. I don't really, but it is fun to hang out with my friends. I mean how often are you invited to Japan to hang out with royalty? Not often and I may never get the chance to do so again for a long time so I'll make the best of it, not that god needs to but still...
Setsuna's POV:
So, this is what was missing, Kenshin's friends. When Kenshin first came back he seemed much the same Kenshin as when he first left. But then as the days passed something about him seemed different.
It seemed to me as though Kenshin had something missing, the same way he was when I first met him when I was five.
Kenshin was crying because he was hurt and he thought no one seemed to care. I had seen him around with seemingly no one to talk to, so I opted to be his friend, or at least try.
Kenshin isn't like other people, not really. Other people make friends and then forget about them when they aren't in their lives any longer but since he had no friends at an early so he learned to judge people based on who they really are and thus the friendships he forms will last indefinitely longer than other people's friendships.
He's still not the same as the kid I knew when he left but both of us have changed. Still it's not like before, it's as if something has been added to him, not subtracted or taken away. Something that wasn't there before.
He may have become what my oji-san saw in him when we took him in. He may truly be the best emperor that Japan can possibly have for the times ahead, but is it that what he is actually looking for? I don't believe this to be the case. He is still searching for something, something he can find in his friends.
I believe he needs something from them, to assuage his fragile psyche where he can betray those he cares about with the same cold heartedness as he killed with. I know how gentle he truly is. And I also realize how easily he hurts himself and for him, betrayal of friends is the highest crime and he will punish himself eternally for it. Hold doubts within his heart, and hold himself back.
So from his friends, what does he wish to find in them?
"Hey, Setsuna?" I look for the voice, its Dave-kun.
"Hai?" I respond.
Dave's POV:
Suddenly unsure I wet my lips nervously, and I know that it shows, "Can I ask you something in private? It's important, to me at least."
"Okay," she gets out of her seat and motions for me to follow her.
I follow her as we make our way through the maze known as the imperial palace of Japan. Eventually our little walk takes us to a secluded garden where Setsuna sits beneath a tree and waits fro me to begin.
I lick my lips that suddenly seem dry and unable to speak. This has been on my mind ever since I asked that question of Maria at the airport, and the story of my experience with Kenshin that I told.
How good is Kenshin? This is the question on my mind along with who he is. At camp he was never very extraordinary, not openly at least.
I looked at Maria, my question burning inside of me, or so it feels. I need to know and she may be able to answer this question of mine, "How good is Kenshin?"
She managed an amused look as she pondered my question, "In terms of physical abilities, his ninja and swords skills, or his loyalty to his friends?"
"Any one of them will do," I looked at her intently.
"You're in luck, the answers the same for all of them, Sei'ei."
I guess I looked as confused as I felt because she smiled slightly.
"Sei'ei? What's that?"
"You'll figure it out eventually."
"What?"
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm not worried about it but I've seen Kenshin do pretty amazing things at camp when he thought other weren't looking, or rather didn't care that they were."
The rest of the group looked intrigued.
"Like what?" Cristin wanted to know.
I glanced around, "Look, only staff at camp knows what happened at staff training last year, you know, the one you decided not to go to since you had other plans?"
"Yeah."
"There was this huge tree in the parking lot; you know the one I'm talking about right?"
"The one that's like 90 ft tall and almost a yard across at its base?"
"Yeah, that's the one. At any rate, it was gone by the time you go to camp right?"
Maria nodded, "You guys told me that you cut it done with no problems."
I gave her a wry smile, "Almost. When Scott was cutting it down with the chainsaw it didn't fall the way it was expected to and because of all the branches Scott almost got trapped under the tree and seriously hurt."
"Almost?" Shaun questions.
"Yeah, almost. When it fell in the wrong direction everyone backed up, except Scott could get away in time, he had to run up hill to get away but it was falling to fast.
"Then, like it's nothing Kenshin jumps from where he's standing behind he rest of the staff and does this weird kind of twist kick in mid air. He hit twice that I could see, one in quick succession after the other.
"Guys, he knocked away more than a ton of wood like it was nothing! That's no easy feat. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would have told you it was impossible!"
Maria nodded her head in understanding. "I know what you mean, I once saw him get to school faster than the bus when our stop is the last one, and I know mom and dad didn't drive him."
I look over at where Setsuna is sitting. At the airport I came to the conclusion that Kenshin was elite but that doesn't answer the question of who he is. This is what I need to know from one who knows him best.
"Who is Kenshin?" I blurt out my question, so as not to agonize over it too much longer. "I know him as someone from camp, a bit mysterious but still good and I count him as a friend but I don't know him from Japan, who is he? What makes him so special that as a commoner he can marry you, Japan's crown princess? And don't tell me its love because politics doesn't involve love."
"Ah so this is what you needed to ask me, I suspected something of this like but I couldn't be sure," Setsuna smiles. "I can't really answer that question for you. You see, for me he is someone different."
Setsuna's POV:
"He is someone who has been a servant of my family since I was only four and therefore almost every memory I have has him in it to a certain extent. He is someone who I cherish as I friend but even more so as a confidant and a loved one."
Dave gives a wry smile when I mentioned Kenshin as a loved one.
"Allow me to explain something, when I first met Kenshin, I mean really truly met him, it had been almost a year since he had come to live in the palace. I was five and he was six.
"He was crying because he thought no one cared about him. He was wrong of course, my family, or my uncle at least, cared about him as one of our own otherwise we wouldn't have bothered to take so much effort with him, but that's the way it seemed to him because that was the period of his training when he was being taught to deal with pain.
"I thought in the beginning that I made friends with him simply because he needed a friend and because I would need to know him as he was to be my personal guard. However, as I got older I realized that I had become friends with him for an entirely different reason, he had needed a friend and so had I."
Dave nods, as if he understands the concept.
"Besides, something in him has changed, for the better, Ojii-san knows this, and so do my Otoo-san and Oji-san. When he left, around anyone other than myself, he was as heartless in his tasks as anyone you will ever meet. Nothing mattered to him except his own values and the orders of the imperial family. Nothing stopped him from completing his assignments, and I mean nothing."
"Except for you," Dave interrupts me. "I'm sorry Setsuna...-san, but I've seen the way he looks at you. I now how he feels even if he doesn't, that's what being a good friend is, and I know for certain that he would have listened to you had you told him to stop something but you never did so it doesn't matter."
I smile, Dave is most likely correct but I never had reason to try and stop my best friend. I nod my acceptance of his words before I continue, "Then, when he was twelve, he left for America. He ran away because of a promise he felt he couldn't keep for personal reasons and he couldn't live with that. It very nearly drove him mad because other than his duty he had, or so he felt, nothing else to live for.
"So he ran but while he was running he found something, something that made him change. And back here he seems to feel the need to, atone for something. Not his original flight from duty, he has come to terms with that simply by being here and committing himself to my wish to marry. No, what he needs is not atonement, perhaps forgiveness, but truly what it is that he seeks, I cannot tell you. I do not know, but I believe he has yet to find his answer in this. I do know that it is you who can help him find it, as you did before. Your being his friends tipped the balance for him and for that I thank you all."
Kenshin's POV:
Great, the wedding is the day after tomorrow. And here I am sitting in my room like a little kid sulking, wait, not sulking, reviewing my situation. There we go, reviewing the situation it is.
Considering my attitude towards it sulking may be the correct word but it sounds so...so childish.
But I think, I think I have my answer to the question of closure. For one such as myself, who killed without hesitation, I felt I had no right to have such close friends and relationships with people. Even my hime, I kept a distance from her, but my friends, I have found my reasoning in my friends.
Their emotions, and friendship towards me, are pure and unblemished. They're faith in me, the reason they ignore my defenses years ago, and became my friends. They believe in me, and with that strength of their conviction in me as a person and friend, my answer lay. They showed me the answer. As long as even one of them can smile at me and truly call me their friend, I can stand up and find the strength to do what needs to be done.
Even become emperor of an entire nation...
This is the closure I seek, to know that I need not ask forgiveness from them. That they are still my friends no matter what, no matter time, no matter distance, is the needed variable in my equation. Even if we never meet again, their faith in me will remain. I have my answer, my closure, and I am glad for it.
"Nani?" the door to my room opens without even a knock. It's Setsuna-chan. "Oh, konbanwa."
"Hi Kenshin."
Not good, she's using my full first name, she wants to talk, and seriously too.
"What's up?"
"I just wanted to hang out with you for a while tonight, without your friends around."
"Oh."
For a few minutes we sit silently across from each other, then when I can't stand it any longer I ask her something that's been on my mind for a while.
"Why am I marrying you?"
"Besides the fact that I...love...you and that my ojii-chan agreed?"
"Yes, you know what I mean," I give her a direct look.
"Yes, I do."
"Then why? I was supposed to be your bodyguard but when you chose me to marry my entire reason for living was completely reworked in a matter of moments. What I don't get is why your father and grandfather are letting me; they let you choose me, why?"
"Because they know what I and your friends at least sense about you even if we don't know what it is exactly."
"Which is what?"
"You changed when you went to America; I already discussed this with the others. Before you were brutal in your efficiency, cold and seemingly uncaring. The only time I ever saw you display anything remotely resembling emotion, besides when we hung out as friends every now and then, is when you smiled, and that wasn't even how you really felt half the time.
"You cared about no one and nothing,"
"Except for you," I interrupt smiling gently, "I always cared about you, even when I left."
"Be that as it may," she returns my smile, "you listened only to yourself unless a member of my family told you to do something. It unnerved all of us, even I as your best friend found it strange."
"But you wanted to know what makes you special?"
"Oji-san!"
"Akishino-san!"
"You guys must be slipping; you didn't even hear me enter the room."
"It's her," I glance at Setsuna, "For some reason she lowers my defenses without even trying or telling me to, that makes me feel weird but it's a good weird."
"It's called love."
"Huh?"
Akishino ignores my question, and gets straight to his, "What you sought, have you found it?"
"Yeah, my need for closure and redeeming myself in my friends eyes...it seems it was unnecessary this entire time, in my friends." I sigh, "So, this is true friendship, where closure is made irrelevant, it's nice, isn't it? Ooji-sama?"
Akishino gazes solemnly at me, eyes unblinking, "Yes. I am glad for you. You'll make a good emperor."
"Yeah, me become emperor, who'd have thought?"
"Me. At any rate, the reason you were allowed to marry my mei? It's simple, sort of. You posses a power very few people do, and you use it with a gentle strength you have inherent within you."
"...!" I don't understand what he's saying.
"It's rather simple, so listen, as I know you have informed your sister, Maria, there were once many different fighting styles. Each, in and of itself, much more powerful than any that exist today. There was the style of the Oniwabanshu Okashira: the Kaiten Kenbu and the stabbing Hirazuki of the Shinsen Gumi; there was the Watou-jutsu which was destroyed by your predecessor and that of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, also extinct. These all existed along with your school, the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, in a kind of balance. Today, with so many schools wiped out the balance is lost.
"The current government controls the last of the great arts, the three strongest sword styles with the three of you, Aoshi, Saito and yourself Kenshin, but it also know this. Among the three there is one which has not faded to a mere shadow of its former strength and has even adapted and grown stronger through the incorporation of other ideals. That is your Mitsurugi Ryu. You are perhaps the only person who posses such a technique who might still be able to survive if placed in the Bakumatsu today.
"Simply put, they wish to control that strength, just as they did years ago in the dawn of the Meiji era with the legendary Hitokiri Battousai."
"Uh huh," I give him a meaningful stare. That can't all there is too it, politics are like that, but Setsuna-chan's father isn't. Not completely anyways.
"Well...that and the fact that my esteemed elder brother, he absolutely dots on his only child."
"Anything to keep her happy, huh?" I shoot an amused glance at Setsuna-chan.
My Ooji-sama laughed, "Exactly, so at this point, because we can, we're creating a phantom profile for you. Congratulations, as of five minutes ago, you're now a member of a high ranking family of lords."
Setsuna smirked slightly, "Welcome to the family."
Terms used:
Chibi yaro- little bastard
Chikushoo- damn it!
Hai- yes/okay
Hitokiri- assassin
Konbanwa- good evening
Kon'yakusha- fiancé (guy)/fiancée (girl)
Mei- niece
Nani- what
Naze ka- why?
Nee-chan- sister (affectionate form)
Oji-chan- uncle (affectionate)
Ojii-chan- grandfather (affectionate)
Onegai- please
Otoo-chan- father (affectionate)
Ryu- technique
Sei'ei- Elite
Tomodachi- friends