Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin in any way
By: Weasels
Chapter Two
"Why did you leave? Why did you go back?" a soft silky voice cut through the night. It was easily recognized as the voice of a woman, a very beautiful one at that. Indeed her raven black hair fluttered across the night sky, completely concealing her companion.
There was no reply, not that she had been expecting one. She knew him better. He was not one of many words, as it was easily seen by his posture. His head was covered by the shadows allowing no one to see his expression, if he even had one.
"Why did you listen to him this time?" the raven haired women continued ignoring his discomfort, "It's not like you ever do."
He winced slightly, sinking even deeper into the embrace of the shadows. It was true; he never did listen to him. Well, he did in small matters, like who was supposed to wash the dishes, or who should be the one to do the laundry that week, but for the most part he never did follow his orders; otherwise how could he have ended in this predicament.
"He was right... I have no choice..." came the soft reply after a few minutes.
"What do you mean you have to choice?" the woman's voice was sharp, as if she was scolding a toddler, "Everyone has a choice!" But when she looked up again he was already gone.
I'm sorry Asuka...I have to end what I began
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"Uh! I don't see why he called this meeting!"
It was the day after they had first met Himura. After the incident with the soldier no one was tempted to disobey their commander; although this did not prevent the complaints from pouring into Katsura. Of course this has not yet changed anything, so the day goes on.
"Why can't we just take our old positions?" Many of the complaints were centered on this topic for the moment, as their leader had just demanded a meeting to test their skills and also to reassign their positions.
To say they weren't happy with the arrangement would be a major understatement. After all would you be happy if you superior just derived you from extra hours of booze, women and sleep just to come to a pointless meeting?
They were about to reword the compliant once again when the down was slammed open. And in entered Katsura in all shinning glory. Wait what am I talking about? Actually he entered in a normal way without the shinning light part, followed by none other than Himura. His mouth was pulled in a thin line that showed he was probably not here to congratulate them.
"I am very disappointed!' was the first words that left his mouth. The soldiers were by now silent and you probably could hear a pin drop if someone were to drop a pin anyway.
"I assign a new commander and I get twenty complaints to remove him on the first day! Are doubting my judgment?" he voice was sharp cutting through the silence, "I will not have it! The next one to complain about Himura-san is fired!"
"Oh and I believe he deserved it. One who disobeys their commander deserves to die..." he added almost as an after thought before swiftly exiting the auditorium, leaving Himura behind.
The red head commander waited for a moment, letting the words sink in before calling for everyone's attention.
"For the next few days I will be testing your skills and rearranging you as I see fit. Of course you are still in applicable for guard duty," Himura announced. He voice was quiet but there was a certain air of confidence to it. "Now all the gunmen go to the right side and the swordsman to the left."
They did as they were told still in a daze after their boss' scolding. Who knew this petite youth had so much control over Katsura-san. Soon the soldiers were split into halves.
He inspected them for a minute before continuing, "The gunmen will practice on the targets in the room to the right. There should be someone there to evaluate you," he said as he waved his hand toward a wooden door in the back of the room.
" And for the swordsmen (there were about 15)" he paused a smirk gracing his rather feminine features. He eyes swept across the room watching as the soldiers tensed. "Will be fighting me," he finished, enjoying the look of pure terror on their face.
"But Himura-san..." A burly soldier with a long beard started; he was silenced by an elbow in his gut. His companion seemed to have some sense after all, stopping him before he said something stupid.
Himura however ignored the interaction completely as he continued, "I will be using a bokken to prevent... accidents"
Everyone in the room visibly let out a breath of relief at the last sentence. After all there was no way that a bokken can beat a Katana right?
They quickly got ready and stretched, wanting to leave as soon as possible. The first volunteer happened to be a man of average size. Many of them recognized him as the comrade of yesterday's accident topic. It was quickly realized that he had one phase in mind at the moment 'my goal is to hurt you severely. Come here' the anger in his eyes gave it straight away.
However Himura did not seem apprehensive, instead his face was graced with a sickly amused look, sending shivers down the spine of many of the rooms occupants.
The challenger rushed forward katana in hand a look of bloodlust in his brown eyes. Himura however stayed in his place seemly oblivious of the danger on his life. There was a clash of steel and a moment later the challenger was fond on the ground hugging his stomach. Apparently when they had clashed their commander had slid his sword under that of his opponent hitting him in the gut. Hard.
Everyone stared in shock. How could anyone be so skilled? The rest were less than enthusiastic about volunteering after the first demonstration but unfortunately they didn't have much of a choice, so several short duals and many painful injuries later everyone had at least gone once and were all by now rolling on the ground in pain.
"My Shishio always said that the best way to teach something was through pain," he smirked. He still hadn't moved at all, choosing to remain at his starting spot. "You are all dismissed; I will give you your positions after diner, so rest up." He quickly exited the room without another word.
End Chapter two
To answer your question Kaoru will probably appear but much later in the story. I'm not sure about the pairing though, right know I prefer to worry about the plot.
Next chapter: the assassination finally!