Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of someone other than me. This fanfiction provides me no monetary profit whatsoever. I hope it does net some worth, however, as entertainment, and garner positive responses :)

Note: I have been informed that "Kadsure" cannot be written in Japanese. I remain reluctant to use popular names from other fics and anime, so I apologize for any other misses, though I'll be more careful. I'm trying for accuracy, but am certain I will slip up again elsewhere. I will be pleased to fix errors if notified, (well, maybe not pleased, I don't want errors to begin with) but I'm quite attached to Kadsure, so he remains.

Meeting a Legend:
Of Days and Nights

Kenshin followed Hasagawa-san into the building, wondering what news might hold interest for the village. Was this part of the prefecture to the north, under Tottori, or to the one a near-equal distance south, part of Okayama district? What had he heard those days earlier from the merchants? Urayaji-san seemed to expect his opinion of Tsuyama, but Kenshin had not been directly through there, in truth, avoiding it as too great a risk. There was no place left where there was no risk, it seemed, yet it was not so great that Kenshin could justify finding a cave in the mountains and giving up all hope of leaving the past behind him. After all, many people thought he'd never existed, and was the legend only, nothing else.

Kenshin had, in fact, very nearly entered Tsuyama, as it was not a large city, really, but the markets busy enough in the day for him to discreetly make purchases. Unfortunately, it was not midday when he arrived, and a man too far gone in sake to be taken seriously nevertheless became a fearful hazard, so he'd turned around and left.

orororororororororororororororororo

A belligerent drunk exited the street Kenshin had intended to enter, and he sighed to himself. Had the man nothing better to do than wander the outskirts alone muttering to himself?

"…baka onna… stupid woman can't tell me what to do…show her…wouldn't… "

Aa, seemed so. If Kenshin were any judge, the man had no money left to draw assailants, but that wouldn't necessarily keep him safe. Opportunist criminals would attack on the off-chance he retained some yen, and some were truly idiots who wouldn't realize that one as determinedly drunk as he would have spent all he carried.

He could leave this alone, but Kenshin had nothing better to do. The markets were closed, and he wouldn't disturb a resident for shelter­­­–tonight was clear after this afternoon's brief rain–so he'd just settle somewhere not too damp and watch over the fool.

–Except said fool changed his mind about pacing aimlessly and his ki designated violence to a person in particular instead of anger in general.

Kenshin intercepted the stranger's return path to the city.

"You do not mean to do what you are intending, that you do not."

"Che, outta my way. Ya dunno what'cha talkin' 'bout." He moved to go around Kenshin, who blocked him again.

"You will regret this in the morning, that you will."

"Who d'ya think you are? I said to get outta my way!" Kenshin easily sidestepped his annoyed assault, and impassively watched the resulting stumble. The embarrassment completely diverted the man's aggression to this new irritation.

Kenshin interposed himself further between the man and his goal, just to be sure.

Only, now, as the man raised his fists, he noticed the sword at Kenshin's waist. "Draw that then, if you know how to use it!" He stood stolidly under Kenshin's measuring "I think not" and patient position, feeling his aggravation rise. "Your mistake, then!"

What followed was an entertaining sight of an unsuccessful alley game of "swat the little pest," if they had been watched.

Out of breath, but only slightly less infuriated, the man felt much more sober for his activity, and watched the youth settle lightly back into a ready stance. He suppressed his unreasoning desire to attack the interfering nuisance, and for the first time, paid attention to the one he had been trying to hit.

Kenshin's gaze never strayed from his opponent, even as the man's anxiety grew. It mounted higher, as Kenshin regretfully tilted his head and waited for the man to confirm that, yes, the dim lighting didn't fully conceal his red hair, and no, he had not imagined the bold scar on his face, and…

"Battousai!" said disbelievingly, and, thankfully, quietly. The man undoubtedly felt much too sober right about now.

"Hitokiri Battousai!" he repeated, with a bit more volume, and Kenshin masked a wince. He opened his mouth to say something, perhaps his usual confused act would work once again, or, he could…

Kenshin touched the hilt of his blade, the sakabatou always reassuring; he could explain that he meant no harm to anyone, but…that instinctive movement terrified the man, who gulped and fled.

Kenshin let him go.

Ano, at least he will not be causing more trouble this night.

It would be a good idea not to stay in the area if he and friends or authorities were to come here, though. His plans to stay tomorrow were no longer wise.

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Unfortunate nighttime paranoia! Hardly anyone met him in the dark and didn't recall disturbing possibilities he matched a bit too well. It was so much simpler to arrive when they were confident, in daylight. The legendary Battousai never walked around under the revealing sun, after all, as assassins belonged to the concealing shadows…

which was a large misconception to begin with. As a hitokiri, Kenshin had been most active at night, but in the latter years of the Revolution, he had forsaken the secrecy that had been necessity along with the assassinations, likely the true reason he was so notorious now. Also, other manslayers didn't rely so heavily on cover of darkness when not…on duty…because they lacked such obvious distinguishing marks.

In short, it was foolish to trust just because of daylight, and foolish to mistrust because of moonlight…but that wasn't what he'd meant to draw as a conclusion, was it? Trust was such an entirely difficult concept.

Here his mind had gone wandering again, as if it didn't do enough of that while he walked. He had not been lost in reverie long, yet beside Hasagawa-san, he faced the other visitor, slightly older than himself, who, curses! reacted instantly with a rapid blend of

wonderexcitementdoubtfearcuriositycaution that all but shouted "I know who you are!"

Urayaji-san could not miss such a blatant response, and did not know what to make of it.

Hopefully.

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Aa- informal yes
Ano- um, uh
Baka- idiot, stupid, foolish
Battousai- Kenshin's nickname; master of battoujutsu (rapid sword-drawing technique)
Che!- mild curse
Hitokiri- manslayer, assassin
Ki- aura
Onna- woman, female
Sakabatou- reverse-blade sword, sharp and dull edges switched

I didn't finish all I'd intended for this chapter. Next time should actually have a bit more of the present? Expect at least one Battousai-tale, I hope!

lolo popoki, A lilmatchgirl, moeru himura, WolfDaughter, kuramagurl, WhiteRabbit5, JOJO, BakaBokken, Kasifya, Katie: Thank you for your kind reviews! Your comments are highly appreciated!