Chapter 5
It was becoming evening when Sanosuke and Aneko finally reached the Kamiya dojo. When they entered, they saw Kenshin and Kaoru sitting by each other reading the newspaper. They look up and walk over to Sanosuke and Aneko.
"Welcome," Kaoru says, "You must be Aneko. Please stay with us for a little bit. I'm Kaoru Kamiya, owner of this dojo and assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin style."
"Uh… thank you, you're very kind," Aneko says. She looks over to Kenshin staring at her closely.
"Um Kenshin, going to introduce yourself?" Kaoru asks.
"Oh right sorry," Kenshin says, "I'm Kenshin Himura. We welcome you here."
"Thank you…" Aneko says, "But it would have been better if I didn't come here, now everyone here is at risk."
"No problem!" Yahiko shouts as he approaches everyone, "No one can beat the Kenshin group!"
Aneko smiles to everyone. "Thank you," she says one last time.
"You look tired," Sanosuke says.
"Oh why don't you take a bath? It'll relax you. C'mon I'll help you get ready for it," Kaoru says, taking Aneko along into the dojo.
"Sanosuke, let's go inside," Kenshin says. Sanosuke and Yahiko follow Kenshin into a room. They sit down. "Sanosuke, rumors say that the woman assassin was spotted with a dagger and has brown eyes and hair."
"What are you saying?" Sanosuke asks, "That you think she's the murderer?"
"Well no, not exactly," Kenshin says, "It's…just by looking at her she fits the description so far. What type of fighting style does she know?"
"I don't know… some sort of ninja-style," Sanosuke says. "But that isn't enough evidence to assume she's the assassin. Why would the Sanada Ninja's be after her then?"
"That's what doesn't make sense," Kenshin says. "But Sano, remember the girl at the festival what ran into you?"
"Wait," Yahiko interrupts, "The little girl… with the pink kimono? Is that who you are talking about Kenshin?"
"Yes Yahiko. Sano, do you remember I got a strange feeling from her? I had the same strange feeling standing next to Aneko. So if my senses are correct, there's something wrong with her. She's hiding something."
"…I don't want to believe that," Sanosuke says. "But I don't know what to believe. I have a feeling myself. I don't think she's the culprit."
"Well we'll have to find out ourselves!" Yahiko says, "We got her to stay here, so we can watch her if she does anything suspicious!"
"Yes I'm afraid so," Kenshin says, "We are going to have to keep a close eye on her. And watch out, trouble might break out here. The Sanada Ninja's will be after her."
Sanosuke stands up and steps outside. He then sits back down outside and gazes at the stars. "Kenshin," Yahiko says, "Why is Sanosuke acting like this?"
"He's worried," Kenshin says, "About Aneko. Leave him alone for now."
-
Meanwhile at the same time, Aneko gazes at the stars while relaxing in the bath tub. "They are kind people…" she tells herself. She smiles to herself, sighs, and closes her eyes. She sits for a couple more minutes, then gets up, dries herself and puts on the her clothes Kaoru cleaned for her. She steps outside, and spots Sanosuke sitting on the porch alone. She hesitates and walks the other way. She runs into Kenshin.
"Aneko, what are you doing?" Kenshin asks.
"Nothing," Aneko says, "I'm looking around. Where is Kaoru? I want to talk to her."
"Inside," Kenshin replies. "Aneko, I've been meaning to ask you…Where are you from?"
"I was born in a little village north of Japan. It probably doesn't exist anymore…" Aneko mutters.
"Your not full Japanese are you? I can tell by your face," Kenshin says.
"Well no, only my mother was Japanese. I don't remember my father too well," Aneko answers. "Kenshin, if you don't mind, I'm going to go to bed soon."
"Oh well good night then, Aneko," Kenshin replies.
"Good night," Aneko says. She walks inside. She finds Kaoru fixing a bed.
"Oh Aneko," Kaoru says, "I've prepared a bed for you. You can sleep in my room with me."
"Thank you Kaoru," Aneko says, "I've been meaning to talk to you."
"Oh?" Kaoru says, "About…?"
"Well first of all, I wanted to thank you for letting me stay here at your dojo," Aneko says, "No one has ever been this kind."
"No problem," Kaoru responds as she sits down. "Is there something else on your mind? Here, sit. Let's have a woman to woman talk."
Aneko sits down besides Kaoru. "I wanted to know, if Sanosuke and Kenshin trust me, or feel as though I am a threat."
"I really don't know…" Kaoru says. "Neither of them has said anything. Since you arrived, they've been sitting around in silence. They're just worried."
"But they don't even know me," Aneko says, "And they feel the need to protect me?"
"That's how they are," Kaoru says, "They worry about everyone. That's how Kenshin is. I know he will always be there for me…"
"Are you and Kenshin… together?" Aneko asks.
"…I know we care for each other deeply. Kenshin's not that open… I know one day he will confess his feelings…" Kaoru says.
"He will… I can tell. It must be nice knowing you have someone who truly cares," Aneko says.
"Yes… Kenshin has never let me down. But why do you ask Aneko?" Kaoru asks.
Aneko responds, "I just never had that, my heart still remains empty. Most of my life I fended for myself and no one to be there with me."
"I know that feeling…" Kaoru says, "My mother died when I was very young… then one day my father left me… for years I was alone. Then I found all these friends. I'm grateful."
"My father left when I was very young and I was never accepted by my mother. I had a younger sister, she was the only person I lived for," Aneko says, "But I had to leave. I never saw her again."
"That's terrible…" Kaoru says, "Why did you have to lea-."
They were interrupted by the sound of two swords colliding. "They're here..." Aneko says." Aneko and Kaoru both pick up their weapons and slide open the door. It was a dark, foggy night; they couldn't see fifteen feet away. Kaoru lights a lantern and they run towards the sound.