Hello every body! I really like the reviews I got, even though they
were so few. _ O well, I don't care, I loved them. They gave me the
inspiration for this chap. Just to let you know, she won't meet Kenshin
till next chapter. Well, READ ON!
I'm not what you think
On the road we go!
She went through her bag once again. 'One gi, two hakamas, rice cakes and dried meats for the road.' She went back to the living area to get another gi when she saw Hiko sitting, silently sipping sake. He looked up at her, and motioned to a pallet to his side. She took her seat and waited for him to speak. She didn't wait too long.
"That little fight we had was a test, to see if you have anything on him." He took another sip then continued. "When he left, he was able to fight for about twenty minutes until he tired. You lasted about half an hour. You are more advanced in your techniques than he was, but he has had a few years to practice on his own. Know this, he is the Battousai, he will stop at nothing to defeat you, so he can protect all of Japan. He has a big head that way. He thinks he can protect everyone, but he cant. While you are with him, I want you to make him see what he is doing is ridiculous. I will wait for your return, when you come back, we will resume our training. You better not get rusty."
"Shishou, will he believe me or even listen to me when I confront him? What if he does not believe what I say?" Hiko gave a grunt, then finished his cup and poured another. "He is dense that is true, but not to many people would be stupid enough to take the title of apprentice of one of my students. Now, go, you should find him in Kyoto, in an inn, with a group called the Ishin Shishi." Hiko turned back around and took another sip of his sake. Kaoru stood up and gave her uncle a light hug and kiss on his cheek. She turned to the door and stepped out. Hiko gave a small smile and finished another cup.
Kaoru walked out the door and took a look at her surroundings. 'This will be the last time I see this place, for a long, long time. I will miss this place. If I'm lucky, maybe Uncle will not change. I hope not.' She smiled at that, of course her uncle wouldn't change, he's Hiko Sejirou! She started towards the forest. She had to travel through it to get to Kyoto. At most, it was a day's trip, than another to find information of where the inn was located. 'Food, check. Clothes, check. Determination, check.' She was on her way.
Six hours in the forest alone was getting tiring. She was bored out of her mind and was so very tired of the same scenery every where she looked. She came up to a waterfall and decided to rest there. She pulled out some rice cakes and ate three. Laying her bag down, she used it as a pillow and fell to sleep.
She woke up to a sound. Probably a bird, but decided to get up anyways. She stood up and dusted herself off. She walked over to the lake and drank from a stream leading off from it. Again, she heard a sound. She strained her senses but couldn't find anything. Standing up, she picked up her bag and started her travels. Shortly after she started, she heard a noise in the woods, and she went to investigate. Kaoru walked for about ten minutes till she came across two small girls, sitting on a rock. By them, was a small old man and a young boy about ten.
"Hello there, what has brought you here this far into the forest?" This was the old man. He had a smile on his face and looked very tired. Kaoru walked up to him and bowed. "I am just a passer by. May I ask why you and three small kids are out in the forest?" "Kids, who you calling a kid? I am going to be the greatest samurai of all time." Kaoru gave a small smile at that. "OK, kid, may I ask where you four are going?" We are going to Kyoto, we have friends there and we kind of got lost." "Well, I'm going to Kyoto as well; maybe I can escort you there?" Kaoru gave her best smile, hiding her sword at her side. "Yeah, right, like we need an ugly girl like you to help us. Just give us directions, I will protect my family." Her smile fell. "Ugly, why you little, your lucky I don't pick on little kids." "Little, I'm not little you ugly!" The old man stepped up. "I would be pleased if you helped us. Please excuse Yahiko, he is a little tired. Will you help us, I see you have a sword?" Kaoru tried to hide her sword but he had already seen it. She gave another smile and nodded. "Of course! We should be there by night fall." One of the little girls walked over to her and put her arms up to be carried. She did so and lifted her up. "What's your name?" "Suzume, you?" "My name is Kaoru. How about the other girl." She is my sister Ayame." Kaoru just smiled and started in the direction she was headed.
It wasn't long till the little girls were asleep. Dr. Gensia held a sleeping Ayame and Kaoru held Suzume. It was getting close to dark and she wanted to leave the forest before bandits could find them. Mission failed. No sooner did they start to reach the edge of the forest, three large men stepped in front of them. The larger of them smiled at Kaoru.
"Hey there fellow travelers, we have been on the road for days and we don't have enough money for food and shelter at one of the city's inns. Do you think you could lend us all your positions and women?" They all smiled at the last. Kaoru frowned and put on her best puppy dog face. "If we give you every thing, then what will we have?" Again, smiles. Suzume had already woken up at the men's entrance and was clinging to Kaoru desperately. She gently pried her form from her gi and gave her to Dr. Gensia who looked really worried. "Well, the old man will have his three children and you will have three men to look after you and love you." "I think not. Why don't you three leave with your pride or face your actions." Kaoru pulled her sword out of its sheath slowly to make her point. They just smiled more.
"The little chicky thinks she can take us on. Well, let's teach them a lesson. Kill them all, and then take everything." The three men charged, but were soon on the ground, crying in pain. The four onlookers looked around for the attacker. They found Kaoru, on the other side of the path, opposite of where she was a second ago. Yahiko looked at her in admiration. She had used the blunt side of her katana to strike the men.
"Man, ugly sure can fight. I didn't even see her move!" "Watch it Yahiko-chan." "Don't call me chan!" Kaoru smiled and walked over to Dr. Gensia and took Suzume back. He smiled and motioned for her to lead the way. She did so.
They reached the town in no time. People stayed a distance away because of Kaoru's sword. Yahiko was now leading the way and talking at the same time. It was dark now so Kaoru decided to stay with Dr. Gensia's friends he mentioned before. They ran an inn. Yahiko was going on and on about a genki girl and an ice man. He said to watch out for them, and to not get on there nerves, they could fight just as well as ninjas. That intrigued her. She was wondering if maybe they were involved in the war.
They reached a large building called the Aoyia and entered. Immediately they were welcomed by a small girl with a long black braid and two other women. She was introduced and was told dinner was served in ten. One of the women led her to her room where she would be sleeping. Then the smaller girl bounded in.
"Hey, my name is Misao; would you like me to show you around until dinner?" She nodded and followed the bouncing girl out. They headed to the back of the building were a small clearing was set up with targets and fake dummies.
"I guess Yahiko was right when he said you were all ninjas. Have you trained for long?"
"Yeah, we are called the Oniwaban-shu; my Aoshi-sama is the strong and honorable leader."
"Aoshi, when will I see him?"
"We can go see him right now, come on!"
Misao grabbed Kaoru's arm and pulled her back into the Aoyia, up to the third floor, and the furthest room at the back. She knocked twice. "Aoshi-sama, the traveler that arrived with Dr. Gensia would like to see you." Kaoru didn't hear anything, but Misao slid the door open and motioned Kaoru inside. It was dimly lit by a few candles and some incense was lit. In the middle of the smoke and candle sticks was a large man sitting cross legged, meditating. He looked up and motioned to a seat in front of him.
Kaoru sat down on the offered pad and looked at him expectantly. She saw his ice blue eyes and involuntarily shivered. She was about to speak when he spoke first.
"Yes?" Short and to the point, first thing she noticed of him. "My name is Kamiya Kaoru. *(Kaoru kept her father's last name, but not her mother.)* I came here with your friends and they mentioned that you were the Oniwaban-shu; I have heard rumors of your tracking skills. May I ask of your assistance in finding something?" Aoshi closed his eyes and started meditating again. He stood up and walked to a small shelf and pulled out a box. He traveled back to his seat and sat back down. He opened his eyes and focused on her.
"A sword, are you any good at it?" She nodded. "I am not yet master but I can't be beaten easily." Aoshi stood and motioned for her to follow. He headed to his back porch and slid open the shoji to a show a large dojo. Walking to the middle of the floor, he opened the box and pulled out two kudachis.*I can't spell that, help*
"I will see your strength, then I will see about the information you want." With that said, he charged, disappearing before he reached her. Kaoru calmly reached for her hilt. "I will fight, but I will not touch you with my blade." She unsheathed her katana and got into a defensive stance. She quickly swung her blade to the right, blocking a surprise attack from Aoshi, who disappeared again. She jumped to the side, then up to move from a double dive. She turned around to face him, when he shot back at her, swinging his blades, over and again, trying to break her defense. But she blocked everyone easily. Jumping back, she grabbed a firmer grip on the hilt and ran up to Aoshi. Taken by surprise by her speed, he failed to block a strike to his chest.
Aoshi rose from the ground clutching his chest. His blades were thrown to the opposite end of the dojo. He looked up to see Kaoru smiling and holding a hand out for him to take. He took the offered hand and stood, checking his chest for a wound but found only a bruise.
"You hit me with the blunt side, why did you hide your strength?"
Kaoru slid her katana back into the sheath. She smiled and turned around. "How will I get my information if you are dead? Any ways, you would not have killed me, why would I kill you? I just wanted to see your strength, as you wanted to see mine. Now, let's negotiate."
~~~~
Kaoru was in the back training field playing with Suzume and Ayame. Misao was sharpening her Kunai. Aoshi had left to gather info on the Battousai and the whereabouts of the in he stayed in. Misao had made a fuss over the bruise visible beneath his shirt but the man brushed it off as nothing.
She was wondering if maybe she should take an effort to think of an acceptable approach to the Ishin Shishi. Once she found the position, she would join. As what, she hadn't decided. She was not the smartest when it came to plan making. She would ask Aoshi when he returned.
He returned late that night. Kaoru waited till he called her to his library. When he did, she waited till he spoke. And, he did.
"We have found the inn of the Ishin Shishi, not much on the Battousai except that he is the top nightly assassin. Why do you want this information?"
Kaoru thought about telling him about the truth, but decided against it. After careful thought, she decided to tell him half truth. "The Battousai is my brother. I was born after him and he's never met me. Our father is dying, he would like to see him before he passes."
Aoshi nodded. He pulled some papers out of his coat and got up to leave. He turned around to say one more thing. "You should find the inn by those directions there. It would be best if you join them as an assassin, it would get you a lot closer to your, brother. Do not mention the Oniwaban to them. They would think you a spy. And go as a man. They might not let you join as a woman. Leave whenever you please." With that he turned again and exited. Kaoru tucked the papers in her arm sleeve and left to her room as well.
'Soon, I will see you, my brother.'
So, how do you like it? I've been in a killing mood and I have had the worst of writers block. Also, I've had like three parties over the last month or I've not been home so I couldn't update.
Just so you all know, I do have a life, this story stuff is something to ease the mind. Something to do when I have nothing to do. Which is not often. I always have homework or chores to do. I have been running on only a few hours of sleep as well so I'm dead tired, so I will go to sleep. I will chat to you all later. Oh, and I don't feel like doing the reviews today since it took me so long just to get this chap finished. But I will next time, I promise.
Love, Ymir-chan...bye
I'm not what you think
On the road we go!
She went through her bag once again. 'One gi, two hakamas, rice cakes and dried meats for the road.' She went back to the living area to get another gi when she saw Hiko sitting, silently sipping sake. He looked up at her, and motioned to a pallet to his side. She took her seat and waited for him to speak. She didn't wait too long.
"That little fight we had was a test, to see if you have anything on him." He took another sip then continued. "When he left, he was able to fight for about twenty minutes until he tired. You lasted about half an hour. You are more advanced in your techniques than he was, but he has had a few years to practice on his own. Know this, he is the Battousai, he will stop at nothing to defeat you, so he can protect all of Japan. He has a big head that way. He thinks he can protect everyone, but he cant. While you are with him, I want you to make him see what he is doing is ridiculous. I will wait for your return, when you come back, we will resume our training. You better not get rusty."
"Shishou, will he believe me or even listen to me when I confront him? What if he does not believe what I say?" Hiko gave a grunt, then finished his cup and poured another. "He is dense that is true, but not to many people would be stupid enough to take the title of apprentice of one of my students. Now, go, you should find him in Kyoto, in an inn, with a group called the Ishin Shishi." Hiko turned back around and took another sip of his sake. Kaoru stood up and gave her uncle a light hug and kiss on his cheek. She turned to the door and stepped out. Hiko gave a small smile and finished another cup.
Kaoru walked out the door and took a look at her surroundings. 'This will be the last time I see this place, for a long, long time. I will miss this place. If I'm lucky, maybe Uncle will not change. I hope not.' She smiled at that, of course her uncle wouldn't change, he's Hiko Sejirou! She started towards the forest. She had to travel through it to get to Kyoto. At most, it was a day's trip, than another to find information of where the inn was located. 'Food, check. Clothes, check. Determination, check.' She was on her way.
Six hours in the forest alone was getting tiring. She was bored out of her mind and was so very tired of the same scenery every where she looked. She came up to a waterfall and decided to rest there. She pulled out some rice cakes and ate three. Laying her bag down, she used it as a pillow and fell to sleep.
She woke up to a sound. Probably a bird, but decided to get up anyways. She stood up and dusted herself off. She walked over to the lake and drank from a stream leading off from it. Again, she heard a sound. She strained her senses but couldn't find anything. Standing up, she picked up her bag and started her travels. Shortly after she started, she heard a noise in the woods, and she went to investigate. Kaoru walked for about ten minutes till she came across two small girls, sitting on a rock. By them, was a small old man and a young boy about ten.
"Hello there, what has brought you here this far into the forest?" This was the old man. He had a smile on his face and looked very tired. Kaoru walked up to him and bowed. "I am just a passer by. May I ask why you and three small kids are out in the forest?" "Kids, who you calling a kid? I am going to be the greatest samurai of all time." Kaoru gave a small smile at that. "OK, kid, may I ask where you four are going?" We are going to Kyoto, we have friends there and we kind of got lost." "Well, I'm going to Kyoto as well; maybe I can escort you there?" Kaoru gave her best smile, hiding her sword at her side. "Yeah, right, like we need an ugly girl like you to help us. Just give us directions, I will protect my family." Her smile fell. "Ugly, why you little, your lucky I don't pick on little kids." "Little, I'm not little you ugly!" The old man stepped up. "I would be pleased if you helped us. Please excuse Yahiko, he is a little tired. Will you help us, I see you have a sword?" Kaoru tried to hide her sword but he had already seen it. She gave another smile and nodded. "Of course! We should be there by night fall." One of the little girls walked over to her and put her arms up to be carried. She did so and lifted her up. "What's your name?" "Suzume, you?" "My name is Kaoru. How about the other girl." She is my sister Ayame." Kaoru just smiled and started in the direction she was headed.
It wasn't long till the little girls were asleep. Dr. Gensia held a sleeping Ayame and Kaoru held Suzume. It was getting close to dark and she wanted to leave the forest before bandits could find them. Mission failed. No sooner did they start to reach the edge of the forest, three large men stepped in front of them. The larger of them smiled at Kaoru.
"Hey there fellow travelers, we have been on the road for days and we don't have enough money for food and shelter at one of the city's inns. Do you think you could lend us all your positions and women?" They all smiled at the last. Kaoru frowned and put on her best puppy dog face. "If we give you every thing, then what will we have?" Again, smiles. Suzume had already woken up at the men's entrance and was clinging to Kaoru desperately. She gently pried her form from her gi and gave her to Dr. Gensia who looked really worried. "Well, the old man will have his three children and you will have three men to look after you and love you." "I think not. Why don't you three leave with your pride or face your actions." Kaoru pulled her sword out of its sheath slowly to make her point. They just smiled more.
"The little chicky thinks she can take us on. Well, let's teach them a lesson. Kill them all, and then take everything." The three men charged, but were soon on the ground, crying in pain. The four onlookers looked around for the attacker. They found Kaoru, on the other side of the path, opposite of where she was a second ago. Yahiko looked at her in admiration. She had used the blunt side of her katana to strike the men.
"Man, ugly sure can fight. I didn't even see her move!" "Watch it Yahiko-chan." "Don't call me chan!" Kaoru smiled and walked over to Dr. Gensia and took Suzume back. He smiled and motioned for her to lead the way. She did so.
They reached the town in no time. People stayed a distance away because of Kaoru's sword. Yahiko was now leading the way and talking at the same time. It was dark now so Kaoru decided to stay with Dr. Gensia's friends he mentioned before. They ran an inn. Yahiko was going on and on about a genki girl and an ice man. He said to watch out for them, and to not get on there nerves, they could fight just as well as ninjas. That intrigued her. She was wondering if maybe they were involved in the war.
They reached a large building called the Aoyia and entered. Immediately they were welcomed by a small girl with a long black braid and two other women. She was introduced and was told dinner was served in ten. One of the women led her to her room where she would be sleeping. Then the smaller girl bounded in.
"Hey, my name is Misao; would you like me to show you around until dinner?" She nodded and followed the bouncing girl out. They headed to the back of the building were a small clearing was set up with targets and fake dummies.
"I guess Yahiko was right when he said you were all ninjas. Have you trained for long?"
"Yeah, we are called the Oniwaban-shu; my Aoshi-sama is the strong and honorable leader."
"Aoshi, when will I see him?"
"We can go see him right now, come on!"
Misao grabbed Kaoru's arm and pulled her back into the Aoyia, up to the third floor, and the furthest room at the back. She knocked twice. "Aoshi-sama, the traveler that arrived with Dr. Gensia would like to see you." Kaoru didn't hear anything, but Misao slid the door open and motioned Kaoru inside. It was dimly lit by a few candles and some incense was lit. In the middle of the smoke and candle sticks was a large man sitting cross legged, meditating. He looked up and motioned to a seat in front of him.
Kaoru sat down on the offered pad and looked at him expectantly. She saw his ice blue eyes and involuntarily shivered. She was about to speak when he spoke first.
"Yes?" Short and to the point, first thing she noticed of him. "My name is Kamiya Kaoru. *(Kaoru kept her father's last name, but not her mother.)* I came here with your friends and they mentioned that you were the Oniwaban-shu; I have heard rumors of your tracking skills. May I ask of your assistance in finding something?" Aoshi closed his eyes and started meditating again. He stood up and walked to a small shelf and pulled out a box. He traveled back to his seat and sat back down. He opened his eyes and focused on her.
"A sword, are you any good at it?" She nodded. "I am not yet master but I can't be beaten easily." Aoshi stood and motioned for her to follow. He headed to his back porch and slid open the shoji to a show a large dojo. Walking to the middle of the floor, he opened the box and pulled out two kudachis.*I can't spell that, help*
"I will see your strength, then I will see about the information you want." With that said, he charged, disappearing before he reached her. Kaoru calmly reached for her hilt. "I will fight, but I will not touch you with my blade." She unsheathed her katana and got into a defensive stance. She quickly swung her blade to the right, blocking a surprise attack from Aoshi, who disappeared again. She jumped to the side, then up to move from a double dive. She turned around to face him, when he shot back at her, swinging his blades, over and again, trying to break her defense. But she blocked everyone easily. Jumping back, she grabbed a firmer grip on the hilt and ran up to Aoshi. Taken by surprise by her speed, he failed to block a strike to his chest.
Aoshi rose from the ground clutching his chest. His blades were thrown to the opposite end of the dojo. He looked up to see Kaoru smiling and holding a hand out for him to take. He took the offered hand and stood, checking his chest for a wound but found only a bruise.
"You hit me with the blunt side, why did you hide your strength?"
Kaoru slid her katana back into the sheath. She smiled and turned around. "How will I get my information if you are dead? Any ways, you would not have killed me, why would I kill you? I just wanted to see your strength, as you wanted to see mine. Now, let's negotiate."
~~~~
Kaoru was in the back training field playing with Suzume and Ayame. Misao was sharpening her Kunai. Aoshi had left to gather info on the Battousai and the whereabouts of the in he stayed in. Misao had made a fuss over the bruise visible beneath his shirt but the man brushed it off as nothing.
She was wondering if maybe she should take an effort to think of an acceptable approach to the Ishin Shishi. Once she found the position, she would join. As what, she hadn't decided. She was not the smartest when it came to plan making. She would ask Aoshi when he returned.
He returned late that night. Kaoru waited till he called her to his library. When he did, she waited till he spoke. And, he did.
"We have found the inn of the Ishin Shishi, not much on the Battousai except that he is the top nightly assassin. Why do you want this information?"
Kaoru thought about telling him about the truth, but decided against it. After careful thought, she decided to tell him half truth. "The Battousai is my brother. I was born after him and he's never met me. Our father is dying, he would like to see him before he passes."
Aoshi nodded. He pulled some papers out of his coat and got up to leave. He turned around to say one more thing. "You should find the inn by those directions there. It would be best if you join them as an assassin, it would get you a lot closer to your, brother. Do not mention the Oniwaban to them. They would think you a spy. And go as a man. They might not let you join as a woman. Leave whenever you please." With that he turned again and exited. Kaoru tucked the papers in her arm sleeve and left to her room as well.
'Soon, I will see you, my brother.'
So, how do you like it? I've been in a killing mood and I have had the worst of writers block. Also, I've had like three parties over the last month or I've not been home so I couldn't update.
Just so you all know, I do have a life, this story stuff is something to ease the mind. Something to do when I have nothing to do. Which is not often. I always have homework or chores to do. I have been running on only a few hours of sleep as well so I'm dead tired, so I will go to sleep. I will chat to you all later. Oh, and I don't feel like doing the reviews today since it took me so long just to get this chap finished. But I will next time, I promise.
Love, Ymir-chan...bye