So sorry for the delay – I didn't know about the website upgrade!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or Highlander. In particular, I don't own the scene of Rurouni Kenshin that is (purposefully) similar to a scene below.
My apologies to previous readers: the first scene doesn't coordinate with the final scene of the second chapter. I'm not used to installment-writing and being unable to go back and change/rearrange as needed at my leisure. I'm attempting to have more foresight and will hopefully avoid such oddities in the future. The ending of chapter two has been changed to agree with this, a simple alteration of the timeline so that Methos is thinking those things immediately after Kaoru and Sano leave, not that night.
---
Kenshin looked up from the laundry he was hanging. "Hello, Miss Kaoru, Sano. Did you get your hand taken care of?"
Sano scowled. Kaoru jumped in. "We met Dr. Genzai's new assistant. He's going to help out until Megumi returns. He's from the West and he's studying medicine so he can write a book. He also studies swordfighting and he wants to come by the dojo sometime!"
Kenshin smiled at Kaoru's excitement. Though she had matured since he'd met her, she could still get as giddy as a little girl. "That's wonderful, Miss Kaoru."
The giddy excitement changed to a look of fierce determination. "We have to be ready for when he comes over. Yahiko! Time to practice!"
Kenshin watched her race to her room to change into her practice clothes, while Yahiko could be heard cheering as he dropped his scrub brush. Kenshin returned to the laundry. "I see you are not so pleased with the new doctor, that you are not."
"Something about him, Kenshin. Just not sure I trust him. The calluses on his hands, the way he moves, swordfighting isn't just a hobby for this guy. It's just not right for a doctor." Sano leaned up against the wall, his arms crossed, his eyes staring at the ground.
"He's from the West, Sano. Perhaps it's not unusual out there." Kenshin made his voice as soothing as possible, but the curiosity in his mind was rampant. Could this possibly be the same Westerner he'd seen at the Akabeko? It seemed an incredible coincidence, but there weren't that many Westerners roaming around Japan. Although he had no reason to think ill of the man, something had made him uneasy too. Could Sano have picked up on that?
"Hn, guess you could be right. I don't know though, I'll be glad when Megumi's back and this guy's gone."
Kenshin smiled. Of course. "And the new doctor is the only reason you'll be happy to see Miss Megumi, that it is."
Sano thumped Kenshin. "Stop talking like that! You're gonna give someone the wrong idea! There's nothing between Megumi and me! Now, isn't it time for supper or somethin'?!"
Kenshin went swirly-eyed for a moment, then meekly headed for the kitchen. "I'll get started on dinner right away."
As Kenshin was taking Ayame and Suzume home that night, he found himself thinking about this new person. He had dismissed Sano's objections to the doctor, but in the quiet of the night he found himself wondering what this man was like. He knew that some Westerners studied swordfighting, "fencing" as they called it, but he'd never met one with a swordsman's calluses. That didn't mean it was impossible. He simply didn't know enough to make any judgements, but he would soon meet this man.
"Grandpa!" The two little girls bolted for their grandfather as soon as they saw him.
"Perfect timing, Kenshin. We were just finishing up with the last patient." A man exited the room behind him and Kenshin immediately recognized him from the Akabeko. The stranger recognized him too, but he didn't say anything as Dr. Genzai made the introductions. "Dr. Carter, these are my granddaughters Ayame and Suzume, and this is Kenshin Himura. He's a boarder at Kaoru's dojo. Kenshin, this is Dr. Brian Carter. Ayame, Suzume, Dr. Carter is going to be staying with us for a little while and helping out until Megumi gets back."
Suzume rushed forward to greet him, and the doctor knelt to be eye level with her. "Are you going to do the laundry like Kenshin does?"
Kenshin scratched the back of his head with a self-effacing rurouni smile. Dr. Carter smiled. "Maybe. Why, do you get your clothes very dirty?"
Suzume shook her head firmly. "No, but Ayame does sometimes!"
Ayame blushed. She was just starting to get old enough to be a little more aware of propriety and the opinions of others, and although she was likely to end up more of a tomboy like Kaoru, these days she was a bit shy. She smiled at Dr. Carter, then formally bowed to him. He returned the gesture. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ayame."
Ayame's blush deepened. "And you, Dr. Carter." Then she giggled, her moment of shyness giving way to her natural confidence – and curiosity. "Kaoru said you're from the West. Our friend Yutaro lives in Germany. Is that where you're from?"
"I've been to Germany, but I'm from England."
"Why did you come to Japan?"
"To study Japanese medicine."
"Don't they have medicine in England?"
"Yes, but it's a different kind of medicine."
"What-" Before Ayame could finish her last question, Dr. Genzai cut in with a chuckle, "That's enough for now, Ayame. Dr. Carter has had a very long day, and it's time for the two of you to head for bed."
Dr. Carter said, "We must do as your grandfather says, but I promise that tomorrow you may ask me off of your questions."
Ayame grinned at him, then followed Suzume to get ready for bed. Dr. Genzai paused before heading after them. "You just passed your last test, Dr. Carter. You are welcome to stay and work with me for as long as you like."
Dr. Carter grinned and bowed. "Thank you, Dr. Genzai."
With the others gone, Dr. Carter turned to Kenshin. "I haven't had a chance to formally greet you yet. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Himura."
"Please, Dr. Carter, you should call me Kenshin, that you should," he said. Though still puzzled by the man's ki, he could find no reason for particular concern. Dr. Genzai was apparently pleased with his work, and his friendliness toward Ayame and Suzume were definite marks in his favor.
"Then you should call me Brian."
"Thank you, Brian." Kenshin was tempted for a moment to ask a few questions of his own, but he stopped himself. Perhaps this man would rather not talk about his past, a sentiment Kenshin understood. So long as he did nothing that might harm anyone, what business was it of Kenshin's what his past was like? A voice in the back of Kenshin's head also pointed out that quiet observation would probably reveal more than direct questioning; this man was no fool. Either way, Kenshin knew it was time to leave. "It is late, that it is, and I should be going home now. Please say good night to Dr. Genzai for me."
"I will. I look forward to seeing you and all of your friends again," Brian said.
Kenshin left and in the quiet of the night he mulled over what he knew about Dr. Carter now. He was English, but Kenshin had the feeling he had traveled to many different places. He spoke Japanese quite well and seemed at home in a different culture. He was not so young as Miss Kaoru had seemed to think; Kenshin judged that he was in his mid-thirties, maybe early thirties. Although he obviously had knowledge of swordfighting, Kenshin couldn't detect any malice or signs of immediate danger. Nor could he say for sure that the man was lying about anything, but at the same time, there was just something very strange about him. Kenshin could find no reason to object to Dr. Brian Carter or his joining their circle of friends, but still, he would be on guard.
Kenshin snorted ruefully at himself. When am I not on guard?
---
Methos flopped down onto his futon. Shit. This was a mistake, a mistake, a big fat mistake. He should be leaving, right now. There was trouble coming, he could smell it. An overly observant roosterhead. A pretty, spirited girl. And a redhead who piqued his curiosity. He knew better than to ask how it could get any worse – that only led to it actually getting worse.
Damnit, if he knew so much, then why wasn't he on the road right now? He knew he should be. He knew that any other time, he would be. What was stopping him now? After all this time, hadn't he learned better than this?
Abruptly Methos realized that he was practically panicking, in his own quiet way. This happened every once in a while, as his own quest for self-preservation made him cross the line from careful and cautious to outright paranoia. As much as he wanted to protect his life, he wanted to enjoy it too, and paranoia rather got in the way of that.
He would stay. If there was trouble, he would leave. It was that simple.
That settled, he nestled into the cushiony comfort of his futon and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning Methos took Ayame and Suzume to the Kamiya dojo. They had insisted, wanting to continue their questioning, and Dr. Genzai had laughingly agreed. Methos didn't spend a lot of time around children, which he encouraged because usually he found them to be annoying brats, but he was in a good mood today and the girls' good-natured vivacity made him smile. He had answered question after question for Ayame, and grinned as the two insisted on pointing out their favorite spots along the way: the Akabeko, the river, the ribbon stand, the old temple, the tofu stand where the girl always got excited when Yahiko came by (although, as he was informed privately by Ayame, it just made Yahiko embarrassed because he was in love with Tsubame).
With a good night's sleep, his misgivings settled (for now at least), a job he liked, and pleasant company, Methos was in full good humor by the time they reached the Kamiya dojo. It had been a long time since he'd been in such a good mood.
"Hello!" greeted Kaoru. "You're just in time for breakfast!"
Ayame paused and looked at Kaoru with big eyes, then up at Methos, then back at Kaoru. Kaoru sighed, "Don't worry, Ayame. Kenshin cooked."
Ayame sighed in relief. Kaoru glowered a bit, "You don't have to be that happy to hear I didn't cook!"
"Even Sano's happy to hear when you didn't cook, and he'll eat anything." A boy had appeared on the porch just ahead of them. Kaoru was walking by primly by smacked the back of his head as she did so.
Suzume broke in, "Look, Yahiko, look who we brought! This is Brian, and he's from England!"
"Hey, Kaoru told me about you! She's been making me practice nonstop 'cause she says you're gonna come watch us and then write about it." The boy, Yahiko, said this as though it was a definite.
Methos threw some modest uncertainty into his voice. "Well, I'd certainly like to see it of course, but my university has some say about what actually gets published."
"The important thing is that you see it, Dr. Carter," stated Kaoru as she sat down.
"Please, call me Brian." The lies rolled off his tongue as easily as they ever had. So easy, after all these years.
"Hey, what's for breakfast?" called a voice.
"It's safe - Kenshin cooked," replied Yahiko. Sano plopped himself down at the table, though his open manner withdrew a bit as he noticed the doctor.
"So I guess Dr. Genzai agreed to let you stay," he mumbled as he made a grab for some food.
Methos nearly sighed. What he really wanted to do was be unpleasant right back at Sano, but so far he liked this warm and welcoming group of people. No reason to ostracize himself from the group merely because of one petulant person. "Yes, he has, much to my delight. Miss Kamiya invited me for breakfast."
"Ah, if I'm supposed to call you Brian you have to call me Kaoru," Kaoru said. Methos noticed that Sano glanced at Kenshin, though if he was looking for a reaction to himself in general or to Kaoru's informality he wasn't sure. Kenshin appeared to give no reaction but a pleasant, slightly vacant smile, yet this seemed to ease Sano somewhat.
Methos played Dr. Carter with ease – charming, pleasant, gentle, amusing. Harmless. All the while though he watched the group dynamic. Kaoru was the center, but Kenshin held an important place too. It seemed that Kenshin was frequently teased for doing the laundry and other "womanly" chores, but there was an undercurrent of true respect. Methos had glimpsed it himself, the deeper side of Kenshin.
In the quieter moments, of which there weren't many, it was also obvious that Kaoru was in love with Kenshin. Kenshin's mask was too thoroughly in place for Methos to detect much beyond a general affection for the entire group, even through his ki. Idly he wondered if Kenshin wasn't interested in women (it would certainly explain the absurd pink gi), and there was a certain effeminacy about him, but ultimately he dismissed the idea. The idea didn't suit, and there were always other reasons for such things.
Methos watched him as he walked into the kitchen, and noted the sword leaning against the wall well within his reach. Obviously a very skilled swordsman, and one who felt compelled to keep his weapon close by, despite his peaceful life and innocent façade. Red hair, cross-shaped scar… of course. He should have seen it a long time ago. This was the legendary Hitokiri Battousai.
Though Brian Carter kept chatting with the others, Methos was chuckling. Legendary manslayer turned scruffy housemaid. He'd seen stranger things, but it was still an amusing idea. Though his curiosity was now dimmed, he now had the allure of a thoroughly pleasant life to hold him in place. And the mystery wasn't all gone – it might still be fun to observe this group, and Kenshin himself.
After all, Kenshin had noticed his moment of realization, and not every mortal could do that. Yes, this might continue to be interesting after all.
---
Behind the rurouni face Kenshin was making his own observations. He watched Dr. Carter talk and laugh with the others, showing no signs of the cynicism Kenshin had sensed in him upon that very first meeting at the Akabeko. Dr. Carter, well, Brian, seemed to be nothing more than a kind and pleasant doctor. But then, didn't even his own friends occasionally find it hard to believe that he was once the feared Battousai? He would not dismiss his belief that there was more to this man.
And for a moment, as he returned from the kitchen, he glimpsed it once again. A flash of… recognition!? Had Brian figured out that he was the Battousai? With his unusual red hair and the cross-shaped scar so obvious on his cheek he was often surprised it didn't happen more often, but then, as he'd just thought, people rarely looked beyond the sweet, simple rurouni. Yet even when he was recognized it was never with amusement, a thing he had clearly sensed coming from Brian.
He questioned himself. Perhaps he was wrong in his guess of what Brian had figured out. Perhaps it was just the usual laughing at the man who did the woman's chores. But he didn't think so. Kenshin still didn't sense any danger, but his curiosity was rising ever further. Still, he knew that Sano's attitude towards Brian, for good or ill, depended greatly on his own actions, and so he carefully made sure he was nothing but pleasant and smiling. Sano was occasionally more observant than anyone gave him credit for, and Kenshin wanted to know more about Brian before he risked creating discord.
Eventually breakfast was over and Brian had left, saying that he didn't wish to completely abandon Dr. Genzai so early in his apprenticeship but assuring Kaoru that he would see the Kamiya-Kasshin style as soon as possible. Kaoru was helping Kenshin clean up while Sano lounged on the porch and Yahiko began his warm-up swings.
"Isn't this great, Kenshin? I think he'll be a big help to Dr. Genzai, and he fits right in with the whole group!" said Kaoru.
"Yes, Miss Kaoru, that is wonderful, that it is," he agreed. She was so trusting. It was one of the things he loved about her – and one of the things that made him so protective of her.
Love. There was that word again. I love her as a friend, a wonderful friend, a sister even. But no more.
There was the pleasant tightening of his heart when he saw her smile, or the ache when she was sad. These things could be natural to a friend as special as she, couldn't they? But there was also the glistening of her hair in the sunshine, or the softer shine in the moonlight, and the grace of her walk, and the tingle he felt when their hands brushed, and the passion of her person that in the dark of the night brought out thoughts that were definitely not of a brotherly nature.
And then there was the twinge of jealousy he felt at her constant chatter about Brian. It was natural, of course, that she should be so excited about the possibilities this might present for the style of her father. The Kamiya-Kasshin style was very important to her, and he treasured it for her sake and for the ideals it represented. On the other hand, did she really have to point out how nice he was, and so funny, and so smart?
A friend would not object to such excitement, whispered a taunting voice in his head. He told it to shut up, that he didn't object at all. He was just uneasy about this man who had secrets. That was all. It was just a protective instinct.
Liar. That's not the only thing you want to protect.
What are you talking about? he yelled internally.
You are in love with Kaoru. You want her for yourself. You want to make sure no one else gets to her first.
Brian hasn't shown any signs of being interested in Miss Kaoru, he shot back. And if he is, and if he is worthy of her, why should I stand in the way? I don't deserve her. I can't make her happy, I can't take care of her. I've proven that often enough. If he can give her everything she deserves, why should I object?
I already told you – you're in love with her.
STOP SAYING THAT!
"Kenshin!"
He slowly realized that he had been staring at the same spot on the wall long enough for Kaoru to notice. She asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Oro? Why, yes, of course Miss Kaoru." He let out a high-pitched chuckle. "I was, uh, just thinking about a particularly tough stain on one of Yahiko's yukatas. I'm wondering how I'm going to get it out."
"Oh. Well, I'm sure you'll think of something." She looked dubious, but his history of laundry-obsession worked in his favor. "I'm going to go warm-up now."
"All right, Miss Kaoru. Have a good lesson!" He finished up in the kitchen and headed out to start the laundry, berating himself for getting so lost in thought. Such a stupid, meaningless argument to get distracted by.
Sano plopped down beside him. "So. Now you've met him. Whaddya think?"
"I met him last night, Sano, when I took Ayame and Suzume home. Dr. Genzai is pleased with his work and he doesn't seem likely to cause any trouble. Why are you so worried about him?"
"I dunno. He did say that 'fencing' was a very common hobby back where he's from. Guess it didn't used to be all that uncommon around here," he admitted grudgingly.
"Plus, Dr. Genzai trusted him to walk over here with Ayame and Suzume this morning. Dr. Genzai has always been an excellent judge of character. Remember the first time he met you?" Kenshin pointed out.
"Hey, I was just a little drunk, okay? And I didn't mess up his place that badly!" he proclaimed. Even before he fought Kenshin, "Zanza" had had a little disagreement that involved too much sake and a couple of broken ribs (though Sano was quick to remind everyone that he'd bested six guys at once, all more sober than he). He'd stumbled to the doctor's door, knocked a few things over, and awakened Ayame and Suzume, but the next morning he'd found his ribs neatly bandaged – and himself locked in a room with one hand tied to a post. There was food, water, and a note, telling him that unless he wanted the police informed, he'd best stay there until he could come out and behave in a proper manner. Sano had never objected to free food, and his headache made doing anything but lying very, very still sound like a horrible idea. Dr. Genzai had let him out later that day, after a stern lecture about not scaring his granddaughters and a promise that Sano would return in a few days so that the doctor could check on his ribs.
Kenshin held up his hands in a pacifying gesture, and after a moment Sano said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. He's okay… for now at least. Hey, I'm gonna go catch an early game. You wanna come?"
Kenshin muttered under his breath, "Rooster head." Aloud he said, "But, Sano, do you really have the money to be gambling?"
"Sure I do, won some last night. Couple more days of good luck and I'll may even give Tae some money! You comin' or not?"
Kenshin shook his head. He must be doing well if he was talking about paying off his tab at the Akabeko, but Sano's luck never lasted that long. "No thank you, Sano, I need to finish the laundry, that I do."
It was Sano's turn to shake his head. "Whatever, Kenshin. I'll see you later."
Kenshin gritted his teeth. He found laundry soothing, a sense of accomplishment that didn't have anything to do with violence. Well, most of the time – right now the thought of plunging Sano's head into the laundry tub was rather amusing.
---
What… what's going on?
I died… didn't I?
His eyes objected to the sunshine overhead, but slowly he could make out tree leaves.
"Finally awake, I see."
He tensed as he saw a man standing over him with a pistol. "Welcome to the world of the Immortals."
--
Yes, that's the end for today! Hehehe. Thought I'd throw some danger and action into the story :)
I'd like to warn you that with the holidays and the end of the semester, I'm not sure how fast I'll be able to update. I'll try not to take too long between installments, but I can't make any promises.
Reviewer's notes:
Melissa: Thank you!!! I understand the frustrations of reviewing, but particularly when you have as few reviews as I do it is enough just to get some encouragement. This update is a day late, but I wanted to avoid the mistake I made last time so I let it sit for a day. I hope it was worth the wait!
MG-1: Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I have every intention of finishing it, I promise. I hate unfinished stories! I didn't know there was another Highlander crossover, I'll have to check that out.
legolasestelstar: Peter Wingfield was in fact in his mid-30s when he played Methos on Highlander; as for him not being attractive, well… sweatdrop to each his (or her) own, I guess. If you saw a movie with Methos in it, it was probably Highlander: Endgame, and I definitely think that movie was geared to people who were already fans, plus it had the typical problem of film series meets TV series crossover stuff. As for angst and fighting abilities, well, I can't give it all away, now can I? You'll see :) And thank you so much for reviewing – I hope you liked this chapter too!