Chapter 2. The Healer
"Kenshin!!!!!"
Kaoru's shrill scream pierced through the peaceful morning, startling Kenshin who almost dropped the empty bucket he would use to fetch water from the well. Even Ayame and Suzume, who were seated nearby watching Kenshin move up and about, almost jumped off their seats.
Slowly he put the bucket down, wondering what got Miss Kaoru riled up so early in the morning.
"What is it, Miss Kaoru?" he called out.
Kaoru appeared through the doorway leading to the dojo. "Have you seen Sano and Yahiko anywhere? They promised to help with the cleaning up and I don't see them anywhere!"
Kenshin looked around, remembering he had not seen the two since breakfast this morning. He turned to the two little girls.
"Ayame, Suzume, have you seen Sano and Yahiko?"
Both shook their heads, their eyes wide with innocence.
"But I saw them leave quietly through the gate after they had breakfast," Ayame said in a low whisper to Kenshin.
Understanding, Kenshin nodded and said softly, "Don't let Miss Kaoru hear you say that." He looked at Kaoru and said aloud, "I don't know where they are, Miss Kaoru. Don't worry; after I do the laundry I will help you clean up the dojo. Will that be alright?"
Kaoru thought about this for a moment, her brows knotting together as a hundred other thoughts as to Sanosuke and Yahiko's whereabouts assailed her. Then, seeing no point in needless worrying over those two useless freeloaders, she said, "Alright. But better make it quick, Kenshin!"
"I will," he promised, reaching for the bucket once again. "I will be done in a few minutes."
As she stomped off back inside, Kenshin sighed and picked up the bucket once more.
'I better hurry or Miss Kaoru will truly get mad,' he thought to himself as he reached the well and leaned down to get some water.
Suddenly he froze as he saw his image on the water.
'Strange,' he thought. 'I thought I saw another image in the water other than my reflection.' He blinked and once again looked at the dark water.
Sure enough, he was not imagining things.
As he leaned closer, the shapes slowly began to take form and he sucked in his breath as they seemed to materialize into vivid images and figures.
A little boy with a wide-toothed grin...and yet another...There were two if them, and they were both spitting images of Kenshin.
Suddenly the image of the two little boys faded, and just when Kenshin thought the illusion would end, he saw the figure of a young lady, dressed in an odd assortment of garments that was anything but a kimono. The entire length of her leg was encased in what seemed to him like a thick and stiff fabric, and she was not wearing slippers. Instead she had on a pair of black footwear with quite a lofty heel.
It was for a split second, but she seemed to turn to look in his direction and Kenshin held his breath, reading fear – and anger – in her eyes. But what jarred him the most was what he saw on her left cheek.
An X scar.
"Kenshin?"
Ayame's voice broke through Kenshin, and in the images in the water, for they vanished.
He turned to find Ayame and Suzume standing beside him. Once more he glanced at the water, but the images were gone. It was just...water.
It felt almost as though he had never seen anything.
He turned his attention back to the two little girls. "What is it, Ayame?" he enquired.
Suzume stood on tiptoes and tried to peer down into the well. "What are you looking at in the water, Kenshin?"
He shook his head, pulling Suzume away from the well. "Now, now, Suzume, remember not to go anywhere near the well, or you will fall in the water."
"But we wanted to see!" Ayame insisted as Kenshin picked him up as well and began marching them back to where they were previously perched.
"There is nothing to see," said Kenshin, trying to convince himself as much as the little girls. "Now stay here and be good girls until Dr. Gensai comes along."
"Yes, Kenshin!" the two girls exclaimed in unison and, satisfied that they will heed his words, Kenshin went back to the well and retrieved water with the bucket without as much as a glance in the water.
It unnerved him, to say the least. The images did.
Yet he knew they were somehow connected to the dreams he's been having.
The woman in his dreams. He had never seen her face, but he knew she was the very same he saw in the well.
He grew still at the shuffling sound he heard just as Ayame was pointing at something.
"There's somebody at the gate, Kenshin!" she yelled in excitement.
Kenshin turned towards the gate to find a young man standing there, looking in. Leaving the bucket behind, he strode to where the stranger was standing.
"Good morning, sir," he said pleasantly, yet with wary eyes. Paranoia seemed to have crept up on him lately. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
The new arrival who, Kenshin discovered upon closer inspection was about in his late twenties and around his own age, looked towards the dojo. He was quite tall, perhaps as tall as Sanosuke, but this one is much thinner. His hair was tied back from his face with a blue piece of cloth. He looked thoroughly exhausted. And hungry.
The new arrival regarded Kenshin carefully with guarded eyes.
"Is this the Kamiya dojo?" he asked in a weary voice, and Kenshin noted the small pack on his back and the short stick he seemed to use as a cane.
"Yes, it certainly is," Kenshin said, his paranoia fading as he assumed this was just another traveler who happened to pass by, looking for the dojo. "Were you looking for something? Or someone?"
The stranger nodded. "I am from Kyoto, and I have been traveling for days. Every inn in town is filled up, and somebody told me I could find some accommodation in the Kamiya dojo, if only for tonight."
His brows meeting in confusion, Kenshin said, "I don't know. We do not normally take in boarders. Besides, I do not own the place." Seeing the crestfallen look that came over the newcomer, Kenshin suddenly felt bad. "But we could talk to the Master and ask her. She is inside."
Hope seemed to fill the other man's eyes, and Kenshin smiled in a friendly manner. "You must be weary. Why don't you come in for a while and have a drink while I call Miss Kaoru?"
Gratefully the new arrival bowed his head low. "Thank you for your kindness. Pardon me, but I have not introduced myself. I am Nobunada Taro."
Kenshin bowed his head low. "My name is Kenshin, Kenshin Himura."
For a moment something flickered in the other man's eyes but it was gone before Kenshin could probe it further.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taro sat there, clearly uncomfortable for being out under such scrutiny by Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko, and the two cute little girls who seemed to take an interest in him. The food that was previously served by Kaoru minutes ago still sat on top of the table, untouched.
However, looking at the served food, which is basically burnt rice, Kenshin admitted he would not dare touch it if he were in Taro's position.
Deciding to end their guest's misery, Kenshin said, "So, Mister Taro. You came a long way to get here."
Taro nodded immediately, relieved that somebody finally broke the awkward silence. "I just arrived this morning. And please, Mr. Himura, call me Taro."
"I will, if you would call me Kenshin."
Taro nodded politely.
The ever-paranoid Sanosuke could not help himself. "And what business would bring a man all the way from Kyoto?"
"I am a healer."
"A what?" Yahiko asked, looking at Taro as though he had two heads with what he just stated.
Patiently Taro repeated what he said. "I am a healer. I travel from place to place, but I am originally from Kyoto. That is where I was born."
"So what you're saying is," Sanosuke said thoughtfully, "you're a doctor."
A contemplative look overcame Taro's weather-beaten face as he spoke slowly. "Yes, but not quite."
"What does that mean? You said you are a healer. Like Megumi - "
Kenshin cut off Sanosuke, suddenly intrigued with Taro. "I don't think that is the type of healing Taro is referring to, Sano. Am I right, Taro?"
Taro nodded solemnly. "I heal illnesses, but I would like to think I am a healer of the soul, more than the body."
"I'm confused," Yahiko said.
"That makes two of us," Sanosuke muttered, still looking at their guest with suspicion.
Kaoru finally noticed Taro had not touched the food. "Aren't you hungry, Taro? You haven't eaten your food!"
Yahiko gave Kaoru a dirty look. "Hey, Kaoru! Are you blind or something? Who would eat something like - " The words died on his lips as he saw Sano lunging for the food and shoving it down his mouth.
This instantly elicited a loud slap on the head from Kaoru.
"Sanosuke! Where are your manners?" Kaoru scolded Sano, much to the amusement of the others. By this time Ayame and Suzume were now seated on both sides of Taro, looking up at him curiously.
Kaoru turned to Taro. "You can stay in the shed, Taro. It just needs a little cleaning, that's all. I am sure Yahiko and Sanosuke would be willing to give a hand in cleaning it up, won't you?" she asked, smiling sweetly at the two.
Both Sanosuke and Yahiko nodded dumbly, knowing their refusal would make Kaoru raise hell.
Taro raised his hand. "Oh, no, Miss Kaoru. That really is not necessary. I will be staying here only for tonight. Tomorrow I will go back to town. Maybe there will be available rooms at the local inns by then."
"How long will you be in town?" Kenshin inquired.
"For a week or so."
"Then you should stay here at the dojo," Kaoru insisted. "Free room and board."
Taro shrugged. "Well, if you insist..." He reached into his small pack and retrieved a few gold coins. "Then at least let me pay for it."
Kaoru shook her head. "That's not necessary, Taro. We'll be glad to put you up for as long as you are in town."
"I insist," Taro said firmly. For a moment, Kenshin thought Kaoru would stand her ground but one look at Taro's face and she finally relented.
"Oh, alright!" Kaoru said. Turning to Yahiko, she said, "Yahiko, would you give our guest a hand and clean the shed?"
Sanosuke was looking at Kaoru in confusion. "How come you weren't that gracious to us before?"
There were daggers in her eyes when she turned to Sanosuke. "That's because you freeloaders are no help around here! You only eat and do nothing!"
"Uh-oh," Yahiko said, tugging at Sanosuke's sleeve. "Come on, Sano. Let's go clean the shed before she kills us!"
As Sanosuke and Yahiko rushed off, followed by a spitting mad Kaoru, Kenshin was left alone with Taro, who was staring back at the two little girls.
Suddenly Ayame giggled. "You have nice eyes," she said in her small voice.
"Why, thank you," Taro replied graciously. He reached out and stroked the girl's hair. "You have nice hair."
Suzume spoke from his other side. "What about me? Don't I have nice hair, too?"
Taro hastened to reassure the other girl. "But of course, you have!"
"They instantly adore you," said Kenshin, and Taro looked at him with a warm expression on his face.
"They are cute. Where is their grandfather?" he asked.
This made Kenshin pause, the smile vanishing from his face as he looked closer at Taro.
Carefully, Kenshin replied, "He went to the next town to see a patient."
"And Takani Megumi went with him?"
"Yes." Kenshin began to smell something mysterious about this man.
"What brought you here, exactly?" he asked in a quiet voice. "And don't give me that excuse of being a healer, because I do not believe that is your real reason. How do you know about Dr. Genzai, and Megumi?"
As though realizing his blunders, Taro stared at Kenshin for a moment. Then, he smiled a little.
"I have no bad intentions for coming here, Kenshin Himura," he said. "I told you, I am a healer. And I was sent here to heal someone." He got to his feet and grabbed his pack. "For now that is all you need to know."
He moved to the doorway, Ayame and Suzume following closely behind.
"Taro," Kenshin called out and felt the other man stop. "I just want to ask you one question, and after that, I will have no more."
Taro sighed. "What is it?"
"Who is it that you came here to heal?"
It took a moment for Taro to reply, but when he did, there was such conviction in his voice.
"You."
"Kenshin!!!!!"
Kaoru's shrill scream pierced through the peaceful morning, startling Kenshin who almost dropped the empty bucket he would use to fetch water from the well. Even Ayame and Suzume, who were seated nearby watching Kenshin move up and about, almost jumped off their seats.
Slowly he put the bucket down, wondering what got Miss Kaoru riled up so early in the morning.
"What is it, Miss Kaoru?" he called out.
Kaoru appeared through the doorway leading to the dojo. "Have you seen Sano and Yahiko anywhere? They promised to help with the cleaning up and I don't see them anywhere!"
Kenshin looked around, remembering he had not seen the two since breakfast this morning. He turned to the two little girls.
"Ayame, Suzume, have you seen Sano and Yahiko?"
Both shook their heads, their eyes wide with innocence.
"But I saw them leave quietly through the gate after they had breakfast," Ayame said in a low whisper to Kenshin.
Understanding, Kenshin nodded and said softly, "Don't let Miss Kaoru hear you say that." He looked at Kaoru and said aloud, "I don't know where they are, Miss Kaoru. Don't worry; after I do the laundry I will help you clean up the dojo. Will that be alright?"
Kaoru thought about this for a moment, her brows knotting together as a hundred other thoughts as to Sanosuke and Yahiko's whereabouts assailed her. Then, seeing no point in needless worrying over those two useless freeloaders, she said, "Alright. But better make it quick, Kenshin!"
"I will," he promised, reaching for the bucket once again. "I will be done in a few minutes."
As she stomped off back inside, Kenshin sighed and picked up the bucket once more.
'I better hurry or Miss Kaoru will truly get mad,' he thought to himself as he reached the well and leaned down to get some water.
Suddenly he froze as he saw his image on the water.
'Strange,' he thought. 'I thought I saw another image in the water other than my reflection.' He blinked and once again looked at the dark water.
Sure enough, he was not imagining things.
As he leaned closer, the shapes slowly began to take form and he sucked in his breath as they seemed to materialize into vivid images and figures.
A little boy with a wide-toothed grin...and yet another...There were two if them, and they were both spitting images of Kenshin.
Suddenly the image of the two little boys faded, and just when Kenshin thought the illusion would end, he saw the figure of a young lady, dressed in an odd assortment of garments that was anything but a kimono. The entire length of her leg was encased in what seemed to him like a thick and stiff fabric, and she was not wearing slippers. Instead she had on a pair of black footwear with quite a lofty heel.
It was for a split second, but she seemed to turn to look in his direction and Kenshin held his breath, reading fear – and anger – in her eyes. But what jarred him the most was what he saw on her left cheek.
An X scar.
"Kenshin?"
Ayame's voice broke through Kenshin, and in the images in the water, for they vanished.
He turned to find Ayame and Suzume standing beside him. Once more he glanced at the water, but the images were gone. It was just...water.
It felt almost as though he had never seen anything.
He turned his attention back to the two little girls. "What is it, Ayame?" he enquired.
Suzume stood on tiptoes and tried to peer down into the well. "What are you looking at in the water, Kenshin?"
He shook his head, pulling Suzume away from the well. "Now, now, Suzume, remember not to go anywhere near the well, or you will fall in the water."
"But we wanted to see!" Ayame insisted as Kenshin picked him up as well and began marching them back to where they were previously perched.
"There is nothing to see," said Kenshin, trying to convince himself as much as the little girls. "Now stay here and be good girls until Dr. Gensai comes along."
"Yes, Kenshin!" the two girls exclaimed in unison and, satisfied that they will heed his words, Kenshin went back to the well and retrieved water with the bucket without as much as a glance in the water.
It unnerved him, to say the least. The images did.
Yet he knew they were somehow connected to the dreams he's been having.
The woman in his dreams. He had never seen her face, but he knew she was the very same he saw in the well.
He grew still at the shuffling sound he heard just as Ayame was pointing at something.
"There's somebody at the gate, Kenshin!" she yelled in excitement.
Kenshin turned towards the gate to find a young man standing there, looking in. Leaving the bucket behind, he strode to where the stranger was standing.
"Good morning, sir," he said pleasantly, yet with wary eyes. Paranoia seemed to have crept up on him lately. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
The new arrival who, Kenshin discovered upon closer inspection was about in his late twenties and around his own age, looked towards the dojo. He was quite tall, perhaps as tall as Sanosuke, but this one is much thinner. His hair was tied back from his face with a blue piece of cloth. He looked thoroughly exhausted. And hungry.
The new arrival regarded Kenshin carefully with guarded eyes.
"Is this the Kamiya dojo?" he asked in a weary voice, and Kenshin noted the small pack on his back and the short stick he seemed to use as a cane.
"Yes, it certainly is," Kenshin said, his paranoia fading as he assumed this was just another traveler who happened to pass by, looking for the dojo. "Were you looking for something? Or someone?"
The stranger nodded. "I am from Kyoto, and I have been traveling for days. Every inn in town is filled up, and somebody told me I could find some accommodation in the Kamiya dojo, if only for tonight."
His brows meeting in confusion, Kenshin said, "I don't know. We do not normally take in boarders. Besides, I do not own the place." Seeing the crestfallen look that came over the newcomer, Kenshin suddenly felt bad. "But we could talk to the Master and ask her. She is inside."
Hope seemed to fill the other man's eyes, and Kenshin smiled in a friendly manner. "You must be weary. Why don't you come in for a while and have a drink while I call Miss Kaoru?"
Gratefully the new arrival bowed his head low. "Thank you for your kindness. Pardon me, but I have not introduced myself. I am Nobunada Taro."
Kenshin bowed his head low. "My name is Kenshin, Kenshin Himura."
For a moment something flickered in the other man's eyes but it was gone before Kenshin could probe it further.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taro sat there, clearly uncomfortable for being out under such scrutiny by Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko, and the two cute little girls who seemed to take an interest in him. The food that was previously served by Kaoru minutes ago still sat on top of the table, untouched.
However, looking at the served food, which is basically burnt rice, Kenshin admitted he would not dare touch it if he were in Taro's position.
Deciding to end their guest's misery, Kenshin said, "So, Mister Taro. You came a long way to get here."
Taro nodded immediately, relieved that somebody finally broke the awkward silence. "I just arrived this morning. And please, Mr. Himura, call me Taro."
"I will, if you would call me Kenshin."
Taro nodded politely.
The ever-paranoid Sanosuke could not help himself. "And what business would bring a man all the way from Kyoto?"
"I am a healer."
"A what?" Yahiko asked, looking at Taro as though he had two heads with what he just stated.
Patiently Taro repeated what he said. "I am a healer. I travel from place to place, but I am originally from Kyoto. That is where I was born."
"So what you're saying is," Sanosuke said thoughtfully, "you're a doctor."
A contemplative look overcame Taro's weather-beaten face as he spoke slowly. "Yes, but not quite."
"What does that mean? You said you are a healer. Like Megumi - "
Kenshin cut off Sanosuke, suddenly intrigued with Taro. "I don't think that is the type of healing Taro is referring to, Sano. Am I right, Taro?"
Taro nodded solemnly. "I heal illnesses, but I would like to think I am a healer of the soul, more than the body."
"I'm confused," Yahiko said.
"That makes two of us," Sanosuke muttered, still looking at their guest with suspicion.
Kaoru finally noticed Taro had not touched the food. "Aren't you hungry, Taro? You haven't eaten your food!"
Yahiko gave Kaoru a dirty look. "Hey, Kaoru! Are you blind or something? Who would eat something like - " The words died on his lips as he saw Sano lunging for the food and shoving it down his mouth.
This instantly elicited a loud slap on the head from Kaoru.
"Sanosuke! Where are your manners?" Kaoru scolded Sano, much to the amusement of the others. By this time Ayame and Suzume were now seated on both sides of Taro, looking up at him curiously.
Kaoru turned to Taro. "You can stay in the shed, Taro. It just needs a little cleaning, that's all. I am sure Yahiko and Sanosuke would be willing to give a hand in cleaning it up, won't you?" she asked, smiling sweetly at the two.
Both Sanosuke and Yahiko nodded dumbly, knowing their refusal would make Kaoru raise hell.
Taro raised his hand. "Oh, no, Miss Kaoru. That really is not necessary. I will be staying here only for tonight. Tomorrow I will go back to town. Maybe there will be available rooms at the local inns by then."
"How long will you be in town?" Kenshin inquired.
"For a week or so."
"Then you should stay here at the dojo," Kaoru insisted. "Free room and board."
Taro shrugged. "Well, if you insist..." He reached into his small pack and retrieved a few gold coins. "Then at least let me pay for it."
Kaoru shook her head. "That's not necessary, Taro. We'll be glad to put you up for as long as you are in town."
"I insist," Taro said firmly. For a moment, Kenshin thought Kaoru would stand her ground but one look at Taro's face and she finally relented.
"Oh, alright!" Kaoru said. Turning to Yahiko, she said, "Yahiko, would you give our guest a hand and clean the shed?"
Sanosuke was looking at Kaoru in confusion. "How come you weren't that gracious to us before?"
There were daggers in her eyes when she turned to Sanosuke. "That's because you freeloaders are no help around here! You only eat and do nothing!"
"Uh-oh," Yahiko said, tugging at Sanosuke's sleeve. "Come on, Sano. Let's go clean the shed before she kills us!"
As Sanosuke and Yahiko rushed off, followed by a spitting mad Kaoru, Kenshin was left alone with Taro, who was staring back at the two little girls.
Suddenly Ayame giggled. "You have nice eyes," she said in her small voice.
"Why, thank you," Taro replied graciously. He reached out and stroked the girl's hair. "You have nice hair."
Suzume spoke from his other side. "What about me? Don't I have nice hair, too?"
Taro hastened to reassure the other girl. "But of course, you have!"
"They instantly adore you," said Kenshin, and Taro looked at him with a warm expression on his face.
"They are cute. Where is their grandfather?" he asked.
This made Kenshin pause, the smile vanishing from his face as he looked closer at Taro.
Carefully, Kenshin replied, "He went to the next town to see a patient."
"And Takani Megumi went with him?"
"Yes." Kenshin began to smell something mysterious about this man.
"What brought you here, exactly?" he asked in a quiet voice. "And don't give me that excuse of being a healer, because I do not believe that is your real reason. How do you know about Dr. Genzai, and Megumi?"
As though realizing his blunders, Taro stared at Kenshin for a moment. Then, he smiled a little.
"I have no bad intentions for coming here, Kenshin Himura," he said. "I told you, I am a healer. And I was sent here to heal someone." He got to his feet and grabbed his pack. "For now that is all you need to know."
He moved to the doorway, Ayame and Suzume following closely behind.
"Taro," Kenshin called out and felt the other man stop. "I just want to ask you one question, and after that, I will have no more."
Taro sighed. "What is it?"
"Who is it that you came here to heal?"
It took a moment for Taro to reply, but when he did, there was such conviction in his voice.
"You."