Thank you so much to all you who reviewed. I appreciate it so much. I really enjoyed the insight and advice that you gave me. Now, on to the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin. As much as I want to, it will never happen.
Chapter Three: Separation
Light streamed in the window, illuminating the tiny hotel room. The beam slowly rose from the dusty floor to the two futons that lay on the ground. Kenshin sat up slowly. He turned over to look at Sano, and found that he wasn't there.
Where could he be? Kenshin thought. We just got here yesterday, and it was late as well. I'd expect him to be sound asleep right now. After seven years together, you'd think he would of at least had the decency to leave me a note.
The two had just arrived in Tokyo. Kenshin was awed by the scope of the new capitol city of Japan. The last big city he had been in was Kyoto, back during the revolution. Sano seemed reluctant to go. He mumbled something about not liking big cities when Kenshin had suggested traveling to Tokyo.
"Maybe he just needed a little walk." Kenshin muttered to himself as he folded and stored his own futon. Then he took the initiative to fold Sano's as well. Then he left the room, grabbing his new sword before he left. This one he had gotten about 6 years ago, but he still called it new, because he hadn't had to use it thankfully. Though his days of killing were over forever, Kenshin was still determined to protect the weak. That's why he insisted on carrying his Sakabatou everywhere he went.
Meanwhile - Out in the Streets
Sano took in his surroundings. The buildings, the shops, even the people were exactly as he remembered. And now he was back, back home. And he still had nothing to show to his family.
Maybe, at the very least, I can send Kaoru that ribbon she wanted so much. Though, it'd been ten years since I last saw her. She probably hates my guts for not returning by now. Sano thought as he passed a clothing store. I still owe it to her though.
A few minutes later, Sano exited the shop, clutching a wrapped package to his chest. Now, how can I give this to her without actually going to the Dojo?
A young, ragged boy passed by just at that moment. Sano got the idea to not only do a good deed, but get the package delivered without having to face his father again.
"Hey you, boy! Would you like to earn a few yen?" Sano tempted the young boy.
"Really? Sure! What do you want sir?" He stared up at Sano's spiky head.
"Would you deliver this package to the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo? It's for Miss Kaoru. Do you know where the Dojo is?" Sano asked as he gave the boy his sister's ribbon.
"Yes sir! I will give this right to her!" The boy then held his hand out expectantly.
Sano smiled as the boldness of the youth. "Here you go, 10 Yen for your trouble." Sano handed the boy the coin, and watched his eyes widen in happiness.
"Thank you sir!"
"Now, to go find Kenshin." Sano sauntered off in the direction of the hotel.
"Where could Sano-kun have gone?" Kenshin mumbled to himself. He wandered the streets of Tokyo aimlessly, hoping to run into his friend at any time.
"Stop! Stop right there, Hitokiri Battousai!" Kenshin heard the shout come up from behind him.
"Oro..." Kenshin turned around slowly. He was afraid to acknowledge the name, for what if this person was not sure? Why give away his horrible past if he didn't have to?
"You're the Battousai, aren't you!" A young woman with raven hair and sapphire eyes shoved a bokken in his face.
"Oro!" Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise at the accusation of this girl who was probably too young to even remember the revolution. "Ah, iie. Why do you think I'm the Battousai?" Kenshin tried to deny his past transgressions.
"The Battousai has been going around here recently, killing in the name of the Kamiya Kasshinryu. As the the Assisstant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo, it is my duty to uphold the honor of the Kasshinryu!" The young woman spoke with confidence. "And you walk around with a sword around your waist! You must be the Battousai!"
Kenshin chuckled with relief. "That may be. But I would have a hard time killing with this sword. See for yourself." Kenshin offered the hilt to the girl.
She pulled the sword from the sheath, slowly at first. "What's this? The blade is on the wrong side." She stared at Kenshin confused.
"Hai, that it is. It is a Sakabatou, a reverse blade sword. Like I said, I couldn't kill anyone." Kenshin tried to allay the girl's fears that he was smearing the name of her sword style. The Kasshinryu rang a bell of rememberance in his head, but he couldn't tell from where.
"This sword doesn't even look like it's been used. I'm sorry for accusing you wrongly, Mr..." She paused.
"Himura. I am Kenshin Himura." Kenshin replied.
"Doozoyuroshiku Himura-san. My name's Kaoru Kamiya. Hajimemashite." Kaoru returned, bowing.
"Hajimemashite."
"Why do you carry a sword like that Himura-san? You could get into a lot of trouble if the police caught, even if it is reversed." Kaoru advised the older man.
Kenshin smiled. "I have sworn to protect the lives of others. Because of that pledge, I will be ready to defend the innocent at any time."
Kaoru looked at him in amazement. "You would protect anyone? All the innocents?"
"Hai, that I would Kaoru-dono." Kenshin used her name for the first time.
Kaoru blushed slightly at the honor he gave her in his address. This man certainly cannot be the Battousai. She reasoned.
"Ano... Himura-san, do you have a place to go? You seemed slightly lost when I first approached you."
He smiled at her intution. "Yes, I'm afraid that I have lost track of my companion. Have you happened to see a man, quite tall, with very spiky hair?" He inquired.
"No, I have not seen anyone that would fit that description. Where are you staying?" She asked.
"At Shisuma's Inn. Across from the Akabeko resturant."
"I know exactly where that is. I am good friends with Tsubame, the owner of the Akebeko." Kaoru replied.
"Ahh, arigato. It will be such a relief to find my companion." Kenshin smiled as he fell into step behind the beautiful young woman.
"Stop right there! You!" Sano whipped around to look at the person hailing him.
"Sanosuke Kamiya? Is it really you?" Sano blinked in amazement.
"Yuu Yamagachi? What are you doing here?" Sano questioned his old friend.
"I just got here, passing through. What about you?"
"Just passing through as well. What have you been up to?"
The two old friend talked for nearly three hours. Sano's mood lifted immensely, spending time with his old friend from the revolution. They talked mainly about their adventures since the fateful battle in which Captian Souzou Sagara was killed. Then Yuu presented Sano with a very tempting offer.
"A bunch of the guys from the revolution are starting up this 'gang' of sorts. It's a great way to get money, and we can continue the ideals that we set out to show the world in the revolution. How about joining us?" Sano seriously thought the idea over. Not only would he gain some money, but he could return home, knowing that he would be remembered for living the ideals he so desperately wanted to.
But what about Kenshin? He would be leaving his friend all alone.
Just then, some movement caught Sano's eye. There was Kenshin, fighting a large man with his sakabatou. The other guy was good, but not nearly good enough. Sano could tell Kenshin wasn't using nearly as much power as he could. For him, this was just a little game.
As Sano watched Kenshin mop the floor with this guy, he saw the young woman that he had been protecting. Why did she look so familiar? Then she spoke. Sano could just barely here it over the crowded streets and excited voice, still trying to calm themselves after the decisive battle.
"Doomo arigato gozaimasu, Kenshin-san. Thank you for helping me to protect and honor the Kamiya Kasshinryu." The girl said. Sano gasped. The Kamiya Kasshinryu? A familiar young woman? This was little Kaoru-chan. No longer was she the darling eight year old girl who worshipped and honored her older brother. She was now a young woman. A woman who didn't have room in her life for a has-been, no-account, good-for-nothing older brother.
"Wow. What a battle that was." Yuu stared at Kenshin and Kaoru as the crowds around them despersed. "So, what's it gonna be? Are you in?"
"Yeah Yuu, I'm in. I'm in for the whole run."
Thank you for reading! I also love to get reviews! For those who are wondering, I made up the name of the inn as well as Sano's friend. They are mine! All mine I tell you! As for the rest, see the disclaimer.
Futon - a thin mattress that goes directly on the floor, folded up and stored in closets when not in use
Sakabatou - a sword in which the blade is reversed
Yen - Japanese currency
Dojo - the school for combat arts, can be for sword skills as well as physical combat, such as karate
Doozoyuroshiku- please be friendly to me (at least that's what my Japanese teacher told me)
Hajimemashite - pleased to meet you
Ano - used like um
Doomo arigato gozaimasu - thank you very much
