Chapter 6
"Ryu Tsui Sen!" Kenshin shouts as he misses hitting Matsu.
"Where is she?" Matsu shouts to Kenshin. "I came alone as you can see. I have a simple request; give me the woman. Otherwise I will be back with reinforcements."
"You can forget it!" Sanosuke shouts. "Leave before I pound you with my fists!"
Matsu is about to attack when suddenly he's tripped over and falls to the ground. Matsu can barely see through the fog but realizes it's Aneko.
"You are here for me; your opponent will be me," Aneko shouts. "Stand up and fight me, or leave."
"I see you won't give up so easily. Very well, you just put everyone here in danger. I will be back," Matsu says as he runs off. He disappears out of site.
Kenshin walks up to Aneko, "Don't worry; we'll be ready for them. You did the right thing."
"They're very persistent," Sanosuke says. "I doubt they'll be coming back tonight. The fog is growing thicker."
"Let's get some rest," Kaoru says, "good night everyone."
-
"Breakfast!" Megumi says, "Here I made some for everyone." She brings out a plate full of maki.
"All right!" Yahiko shouts. He starts munching on the food. Everyone begins to eat.
"So did everyone sleep well?" Kaoru asks. "I feel rested."
"The usual for me, no different than any other night," Kenshin says.
"Kenshin, maybe it's time you slept in an actual bed and not against the wall," Kaoru says. Everyone starts to laugh, except Sanosuke, who is quietly eating.
"What's with you Sano? I've eaten more than you," Yahiko says.
"For all we know, the Sanada Ninja's can be planning something right now and we are defenseless. They could be watching us right now," Sano says until he's interrupted by Kaoru.
"Calm down Sanosuke," Kaoru says, "I doubt they'd attack in broad daylight. You're panicking like a little kid. Why I'd say you like Aneko the way you keep thinking of her safety."
Sanosuke blushes right red, "No, that isn't right at all! Shut up!" He starts eating quickly.
"Ha-ha, look at Sanosuke, he's turning redder than an apple," Yahiko says. Sanosuke sucker-punches Yahiko. "Ow I was kidding." Everyone begins to laugh.
-
Aneko opens her eyes. She leans forward yawning and stretches her arms. She adjusts her clothing and fixes her hair. Opening the door, she spots everyone enjoying breakfast. She walks over to the group.
"Good morning everyone," Aneko says. "Can I sit down?"
"Of course!" Kaoru says, "Here have some food."
"It's my specialty," Megumi says. "I'm Megumi Takani; I'm the doctor down at the clinic."
"I've heard of you, everyone speaks of how good of a doctor you are. It's inspiring," she says, "My name is Aneko." She takes a bite of the food. "Wow this is good."
"Thank you," Megumi says.
"Yeah Megumi, you got to tell me the recipe," Kaoru says.
"Even if she did, it would be no use Kaoru," Yahiko says, "It would still taste like rotten radishes."
"Very funny Yahiko," Kaoru says, "Keep up with the jokes and see if you ever get lessons from me again."
"Yeah! That still wouldn't make you a better cook," Yahiko says sarcastically.
"Well excuse me," Megumi says, "I better get back to the clinic. Bye everyone!"
"Wait Megumi, I'll come with you," Kaoru says, "I need to get some supplies in town." Megumi and Kaoru begin to walk. "Aneko, would you like to join me?"
"No I'll stay here," Aneko says as she nudges Kenshin, "Kenshin, why don't you join? Don't you think two young women would need a bodyguard? And Kaoru might need some help on the way back." Aneko smiles at Kaoru and gives her the 'thumbs-up.'
"Well I suppose," Kenshin says, "Will you be all right here?"
"Yes I'd like to just sit and relax," Aneko says, "Now go."
"Ok then," Kenshin says, "Sanosuke and Yahiko, watch over this place."
"Sure thing Kenshin!" Yahiko shouts.
Sanosuke just nods his head. Kenshin, Kaoru and Megumi leave the dojo. Aneko stands up and picks up the dishes.
"What are you doing?" Sanosuke asks.
"It would be rude if I didn't clean up, I can tell you don't do much around here," Aneko says humorously. She walks into the dojo with the dishes. Sanosuke just sits around while Yahiko practices with his kendo stick. She soon returns and watches Yahiko train.
"So is Kaoru teaching you the Kamiya Kasshin style?" She asks.
"Yes, I don't want to admit it but she's a good teacher," Yahiko says. "The Kamiya Kasshin style is all about helping people, and defending them without using a real sword."
"That's an interesting sword style," Aneko says, "I like it. A sword that protects…"
"Yup! And one day, I'll be as good as Kenshin! I'll help people with this!" Yahiko shouts and accidentally hits Sanosuke's leg.
"Watch there you point that," Sanosuke says.
"What about you Aneko? What type of sword style do you use?" Yahiko asks.
"Ha-ha, it's just traditional Ninjitsu. My mother taught it to me when I was very young. I mastered it at ten years old. I haven't practiced it in a while though; I'm probably a little rusty."
"Wow Ninjitsu," Yahiko says, "The only people I've heard to know Ninjitsu are the Sanada Ninjas, and it's rare to see it in this era."
"That's true," Aneko says, "Would you like a few lessons on it? I don't have anything else to do."
"Sure!" Yahiko shouts, "That'd be great!"
Sanosuke watches Aneko kindly instruct Yahiko, thinking to himself, "She can't be the assassin…but the only Ninjitsu survivors are the Sanada Ninjas…" He watches Aneko. "She can't be…"
-
Meanwhile Kaoru and Kenshin begin walking towards home after shopping for supplies. "I think I got two week's worth of food, I think that's good enough," Kaoru tells Kenshin.
"You aren't carrying this Ms. Kaoru, it feels like a month's worth," Kenshin says with a chuckle.
"Oh don't complain you freeloader," Kaoru says, "Ahh, what a beautiful day it is…"
They continue to walk together enjoying the warm weather until they run into a familiar face.
"Kenshin and Kaoru," a man says.
"Juro," Kaoru says, "How are you? Have your wounds healed?"
"Yes they have. I feel great," Juro says. "How are you two?"
"Fine," Kenshin says, "Glad to see you are all right."
"Yes thank you," Juro says. He picks up one of Kaoru's bags. "Here let me help you, it looks like you could use another hand."
"Oh why thank you Juro," Kaoru says. "Let's go, we aren't that far from the dojo."
-
"Very good Yahiko," Aneko says, "You're a natural."
"Of course, I get it from my father. He was an awesome Samurai during the revolution," Yahiko replies.
"I'm sure he was," Aneko says, "Ready to learn another technique?"
"Yeah!" Yahiko shouts.
-
"So lately there haven't been any murders," Juro says. "No one knows why, or even why these murders occurred. I'm just glad I survived."
"That might be so, but I don't think it's all over with," Kenshin says.
"I doubt it, the assassin is still loose," Juro says. Kenshin, Kaoru and Juro finally reach the dojo. Juro sees Aneko and Yahiko in a fighting stance, thinking Aneko is about to fight Yahiko. He points at Aneko and shouts, "There she is! That's the assassin!"