Simply put, I do not own Kenshin or any of Nobuhiro Watsuki's characters.
Words used in this chapter –
"Shinai" – Bamboo sword used in kendo.
"Boken" – Japanese wooden sword.
"Katana" – Japanese sword.
"Oro" – A Japanese word expressing surprise or curiosity. (a childish expression)
"Keikogi" – Shirt.
"Hakama" – Pants. A keikogi and hakama might be used for casual attire… I think. /
Chapter 1: The Treasure Hunters
Yahiko and Kenshin walked slowly down the street. And Kenshin read off the list. "Rice, more shinai, and bokens, I feel sorry for you Yahiko that I do. And also sandals for Miss Kaoru, we should get started, that we should. Let's start with the tofu and rice." Kenshin sighed. Yahiko nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile back at the dojo
Kaoru sat in front of the shrine at the end of the school. Quietly she meditated, releasing the stress of the morning. Unknown to her, was the fact that an intruder was entering the door. She sensed the intruder before they got close, however upon seeing the ninja running at her she dodged to the side. And grabbing her boken, readied herself for the fight to come, determined to protect the dojo.
The ninja stopped and grabbing his katana strapped to his waist spoke in a young, menacing voice. "Kamiya Kaoru, you will come with me." Kaoru was surprised at how the boy's stance was tight, and leaving no opening for attack. "Listen kid, I'm not going anywhere. Get lost!" The boy gripped the sheath of his sword and his eyes narrowed. "I figured you may feel that way. None the less, you don't have much choice." Kaoru readied herself; bring her boken into a combat stance. The boy laughed. "You cannot beat me, especially with that stick!" "Shut up!" Kaoru yelled, quite miffed at the fact that the kid was right. He had a real Japanese sword. Her boken would break easily of he were to hit it. Kaoru was not about to under estimate him however. Even if he was not much older than Yahiko, she knew the look in the boy's eyes. He was trained to be a merciless fighter.
The boy was getting vary impatient. "If you are going to resist, let's get it over with. I would like to be gone when the Battousai returns." The boy unsheathed his sword and brought it up beside his head, placing his index finger on the tip of the blade, and his thumb on the underside. "This won't take long." The boy boasted. Kaoru was getting tired of the boy's constant gloating. "I'm going to beat that cocky attitude out of you!" The boy blinked then laughed. "My apologies, I don't get to actually fight someone vary often. Honestly, I really am sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." Kaoru rolled her eyes.
The boy saw an opening and charged, driving his sword at Kaoru's leg. Kaoru dodged it easily however and countered with a quick smack at his head with her boken. Suddenly the boy fell to his chest and quickly knocked Kaoru off balance. Spinning to his feet he laughed as Kaoru jumped up. "I'm impressed. You evaded my attack. However the others will be back soon. And I'm not strong enough to fight the Battousai. We must leave. So its time I stop fooling around." Readying himself once more he charged toward Kaoru, then at the last moment stopped. The surprised Kaoru was an open target and he delivered a powerful kick to her ankle, followed closely by a windmill kick to the head. Kaoru was slammed to the floor and quickly disarmed by the young ninja. Slowly he disappeared and all went black.
The young ninja hefted the unconscious Kaoru, onto the back of his horse. "Man, she's heavier than she looks." The boy mumbled to himself. After double checking his knots that secured her, he hopped on the horse and trotted off down the road, leading out of town.
Back in town
Kenshin paid the clerk for the sandals. "Alright, that is all that was on the list. We should get back to the dojo that we should." Yahiko nodded. "Yeah, busu must be wondering if we decided to go fishing too."
Upon arriving at the dojo, Kenshin slid the door open. "Kaoru-dono? We are back, that we are. Where are you?" Yahiko breathed a sigh of relief. Kenshin walked across the room to the shrine. "Oro?" he muttered, looking down at a note on the floor. "Yahiko, she left a note that she did." Yahiko hurried over to read what it said.
Dear Battousai and Myojin Yahiko,
Do not worry about Kamiya Kaoru. She is in no danger, and will be returned safely. I apologize for not telling you this in person. However you would not have let me take her, and we need her desperately.
Yahiko scratched his head. "Who left it?" Kenshin stared at the letter for a few moments before walking to the sliding door. "I don't know Yahiko." Kenshin said in a concerned tone. "But Miss Kaoru is in trouble, and it is up to us to save her that it is." Yahiko, still confused walked over to the door next to Kenshin. "I guess so, Kaoru is my teacher. And I hate to say it, but we need her. If she isn't around we would have to leave, sleep outside, or move in with Sano.
Kenshin paled at the thought of living with Sano. He gripped his sword and walked outside. "Let's begin by asking the neighbors if they have seen anything." Kenshin said, looking at Yahiko. "You go left I'll go right." Yahiko nodded, walking off.
--- Four hours later ---
The ninja stopped at a house, in the middle of a forest. Hopping off, he pulled a vary miffed Kaoru off the horse, and dragging the cursing girl up to the front door by her feet, opened it. Another ninja stood inside and assisted the boy get Kaoru onto a pad set out on the floor.
A tall man dressed like a police officer walked into the room holding a cigarette in his hand. "Tojai, I see you got her." The boy walked over to the officer and removed his mask. He had long white hair falling to his shoulders tied back into a ponytail. His eyes were narrow and cobalt blue, however not near as narrow as Saito's. And he looked like he was about 15 years old. "Yeah, she was better than I expected. She managed to evade my Gotatsu." The officer walked up to Kaoru. "Did anyone see you Tojai?" The boy smiled. "No Master Saito, the Battousai and the boy Yahiko were gone, thank kami." Saito smiled. "Vary good, although I did not expect her to be good enough to warrant the Gotatsu." Tojai winced. "Well… that was the first attack I used." Saito's eyes remained on Kaoru. "And why did you use it again?" Tojai scratched the back of his head. "Well, it seemed like the right skill to use against a master of swordsmanship. I did not want to take any chances." Saito smiled at the boy's reply. "You have finally proven to me you are embracing my teaching." The boy beamed happily at his master and walked up next to him. "I have always greatly enjoyed my training. I would like to fight a stronger opponent in battle. She was weaker than I had hoped."
Kaoru was glaring at the young boy with hatred burning in her heart. "I would like to fight you again, this time without you cheating. Saito glanced at Tojai, but the boy didn't notice. "You're just angry because you didn't see through my tactics before it was too late." Tojai said with an amused smirk spreading across his face.
A tall figure emerged from the other room, even tall standing next to Saito. The man pushed his hat up and grinned manically at Kaoru. "So! You're here! I knew you would be so kind Miss Kamiya." Kaoru's eyes widened in horror at the sight of the man. "Hiruma, Hiruma Gohei! I thought you had given up, trying to kill me!" Kaoru said looking the man in the eyes. Gohei grinned evilly. I had, until I heard about the treasure. And my target was not you after the Battousai defeated me! It was him, and after that brat Yahiko beat me. Ohhhhh, he's my target now. He won't know what hit him. And the Battousai will not be a problem. He will surrender if you are in danger. And right now he thinks you are safe. I ordered Hajime to make sure a note was left." He boasted. And with an inpatient glare, he looked at Tojai. "And for your sake I hope you left one Tojai. Or you will pay dearly." Tojai gripped his katana, gritting his teeth in anger. Saito glared at the boy. Tojai sighed. "Yes, Lord Hiruma. I left the note as Master Saito requested." Tojai hated addressing Gohei with such respect; however that was one of the conditions if they wanted their pay. Tojai walked up to Saito. "Master Saito, could I talk to you, alone?" Saito looked at Gohei. "Please excuse us." Then he walked to the door, opened it and left with Tojai.
Saito looked down at Tojai, who led him to some trees a good distance from the door. "I can't go along with this any longer master! That baka will never pay us, he just wants our help to find the treasure then he will leave. Or have someone try to kill us. Even if we do get our money, I can't stand calling him Lord. It's absurd! Why don't we just kill him and take what money he has. If not now, then after we get the treasure! Please, just let me at him!" Saito glanced back at the house. "That's a lot of money to throw away Tojai."
Tojai gripped his katana. "We should go tell the Battousai where Miss Kamiya is, what if she is hurt by Hiruma?" Saito's eyes narrowed more than usual. "He won't. That was one thing we agreed on. Kamiya-san would not be harmed in any way." Tojai arched an eyebrow. "You know what kind of man Hiruma is. He can't be trusted." Saitoh sighed in agreement. "Yes, however all we need to do is keep Kamiya in our care, and he can't do anything. Besides, if we kill him the others will attack us. He has lots of hired help. The two of us would be killed if we tried anything. Hiruma-san is taking no chances. He always has his most trusted fighters, Naijiro and Saigon with him. I can't defeat them alone. And you couldn't defeat either of them."
"We will continue to play along Tojai." Saito stated, walking back to the house. "Come, we must not leave Kamiya with Hiruma for too long." Tojai bowed respectively, and then proceeded to follow Saito.
Upon entering the house again, Gohei was gone and two ninjas stood guard over Kaoru. "Where did Hiruma go?" Saito asked one of the ninjas. "Back to his room, Lord Hajime." The ninja replied bowing. "And he left a message for you. You are to interrogate the girl immediately. Get the info by any means necessary." Saito nodded. "Vary well. You are dismissed." The two ninjas bowed and left the room. "I'm going to go change now Master, if that's alright." Tojai declared. "You may go." Saito nodded. "However as soon as you get done, come back." Tojai bowed and walked into the other room.
Saito took the gag out of Kaoru's mouth, and helped her to a chair at the table in the corner. "You will forgive the rough treatment Miss Kamiya." Saito stated taking a seat across from her. "Hajime Saito! What is the meaning of this?" Kaoru inquired crossly. Saito sighed leaning his elbows on the table. "We just want to know the location of the treasure." Kaoru tilted her head inquiringly. Saitoh sighed again. "The treasure of Haikejo, your great, great, great grandfather's hidden treasure." "My grandfather's treasure, what treasure?" Saito glared at Kaoru. "You know what I mean. The location of his treasure was passed from generation, to generation, known only by those of his lineage." Saito stated pointing at Kaoru. "I don't know where it is! I was never told! Just let me go!" Jumping from his seat Saito slammed his fist on the table. "We know you have the location! Tell me now! And I give you my word I will let you go!" "I… don't… know!" Kaoru declared loudly.
Tojai walked into the room wearing a black hakama and a dark green keikogi. "Is she being difficult Master Saito?" Saito glared at Tojai. "You could say that. I asked nicely Miss Kamiya" Saito said looking back at Kaoru. "You will even be given a cut. Just tell us where it is." Tojai walked up to Kaoru. "Please Kamiya-san. Tell us where it is." Kaoru looked up at Saito. "If I tell you everything I know do you swear on your honor, that you will let me go?" Saito nodded, firmly. "I will let you go; just tell us all that you know about the treasure."
Kaoru nodded. "Alright, I know you are true to your word. I will tell you." "Thank you Miss Kamiya." Saito said bowing. Kaoru took a deep breath. "It is hidden in the forest. The forest is a great distance away. Probably fourteen days north of Tokyo. The path is only traversable on foot. I don't know the exact location. I have never been there, but I'm sure it's about fourteen days north, in the forest. It's said to be hidden in a cave, behind a waterfall, in a deep trench. And that's all I know of the location. The treasure is said to be greater than all others. And the one who discovers it is said to become rich beyond what the mind can conceive." Saito sat back down in his chair, silently consuming the information. Tojai scratched his head "That's a lot." He said grinning from ear to ear.
Saito blinked a few times nodding. "Are you sure that's all you know?" He asked in a vary serious tone. Kaoru nodded sincerely. "Yes Mr. Hajime. That is all I know." Saito nodded. "Alright, you are free to go." Tojai drew his katana, and helped Kaoru to her feet, then using his katana, cut the ropes from her. Kaoru gripped her wrists, walking toward the door.
At that moment Gohei walked into the doorway. "I'm sorry Kamiya Kaoru; I can not permit you to leave." Kaoru gasped looking back at Gohei. "Mr. Hajime said I was free to go! Tell him Mr. Hajime!" Saito looked at Gohei. "I did free her. We got the location of the treasure." Gohei laughed like a maniac. "Yes, however I have a score to settle with her." Saito turned to Gohei. "We agreed that she would not be harmed Hiruma!" Gohei looked angrily at Saito. "I changed my mind! You don't have a problem with that, do you Hajime?" Saito waited for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I do have a problem with it. But I want a cut of that treasure. You better not change your mind about that too." Gohei smiled madly. "That is not personal. This is. You will get your money."
Kaoru looked at Saito. "Hajime-san, don't let him do this!" Kaoru pleaded. Saitoh left the room, motioning for Tojai to follow. "I want no more part of this revenge of yours Hiruma."
And there's chapter 1! Hehehe, you like? I'll get chapter 2 up asap.