Battle Of The Bands!
Chapter 10- The New Rhythm Player!
You'll never guess who's going to show up!
The next morning Kenshin woke up and looked beside him at Kaoru to find her sleeping soundly. He smiled and moved some hair out of her eyes, he loved her so much, no matter how many times they made love it always felt like the first time to him. He gently moved her off of him and got dressed before he went back to the bed and covered her up, placing a kiss to her cheek, "I love you."
Kenshin silently left the room and went down the hall, peaking in on the boys. Katsu was sprawled out on the bottom bunk and Souzou had curled up into the corner of the top. Shinta was at the foot of the top bunk curled up into a ball and Kenjy was sleeping against the wall (like Kenshin does in the show only without the sword). Kenshin smiled, knowing they'd watched every horror movie Kenjy had and they were all finally sound asleep. Kenshin looked at one of the movie boxes and smiled at the title, 'Assassin of Kyoto.' He laughed to himself, "If only they knew how closely I'm related to this movie."
All of the sudden an idea came to him and an evil smile came to his lips, "Watch scary movies all night will ya?"
He crept back to his room and changed into his old gi and hakama, finding one of Kenjy's practice swords from martial arts class and slipping it into his belt. He looked in the mirror and sighed, "It's been so long since I've dressed like this, but it's not for killing it's just to play a joke."
He snuck back to the boys' room and peaked in to make sure they were still asleep before he silently drew his sword like the professional assassin he used to be. He quietly entered the room and went into Kenjy's closet, leaving the door cracked so he could see out before he tapped on the door, causing the boys to stir, "Is it time to get up, man?"
"Don't know, Katsu, what time is it, Shinta?" Souzou asked sleepily
Shinta looked at the clock and stretched, "It's nine, time to get up, you awake Kenjy?"
"Yeah, we shouldn't have stayed up so late."
"But you have to admit that last movie was awesome."
"Yeah, but it kind of creeped me out, though, did you notice how much the assassin acted like Uncle Ken?" Souzou asked as he stretched
"I know, he did kind of remind me of my dad but... I don't think he'd ever actually kill someone."
"You never know, Uncle Ken might be the Battousai."
"Battousai? You're kidding, right? Battousai is just a legend Uncle Sano told us to scare us, Shinta."
"But what if it's true? What if Uncle Ken is really a former manslayer hiding out here pretending to be a sweet old guy during the day and at night he dresses up in a gi and hakama and goes out and kills people and leaves them in a dark ally."
"You're crazy! That's the last time you're watching an assassin movie with me, Shinta."
"Kenjy's right, do you really think Uncle Ken would go around killing people? The man probably doesn't even know how to use a sword."
Kenshin laughed under his breath, if only the boys knew how close they were getting to the truth, "You don't know that. Uncle Ken is a pretty mysterious guy, maybe he sings in the clubs to find his targets, that might be how he met Aunt Kaoru."
"Dad did meet Mom at a gig but I doubt he was killing that night."
"How do you know, he might've kidnaped her and forced her to marry him."
"Shut up Shinta!"
All the boys threw pillows at him and Kenjy moved towards his closet, Kenshin tensed up and calmed his breathing, reverting back to his old instincts as he watched his son come up to the door, "Honestly Shinta, do you really think my dad would be an assassin? What does he do? Hide in closets and wait for his victims to come and get their outfits."
At that moment Kenjy opened the closet door and Kenshin jumped out and held his sword in front of him yelling, "DIE!"
All the boys started screaming and scrambled up to the top bunk, unconsciously cuddling up to one another as Kenshin started rolling with laughter. Kenjy was the first to get over the shock and glared daggers at his father, "DAD? What the hell are you doing, you psycho?"
Kenshin tried to calm himself and managed to speak between laughs, "I... I'm sorry boys... I... I couldn't help myself... I saw that movie you watched and I thought I'd break you of staying up and watching scary movies all night..."
The boys realized they were holding each other and quickly parted, Shinta went up to Kenshin and hit him, "I felt my heart stop! That wasn't funny, man!"
"I thought it was."
"How long were you in there, Uncle Ken?" Souzou asked
"For about ten minutes."
"So... you heard everything we said about you?" Shinta asked, turning pale
"I sure did, and don't worry, I don't kill anymore, I did that when I was your age, I'm out of that phase now."
Shinta flushed and scratched his head, "Sorry, but you do fit the Battousai profile."
"Well like you said, you boys don't know that much about me, I might just be Battousai and I just haven't told you yet."
The boys looked at each other with dread and Kenshin suddenly smiled and ducked back into the closet, "What're you doing, Uncle Ken?" Katsu asked
"Kaoru's coming, shh!"
Sure enough Kaoru came running in and looked around frantically, "What's wrong?"
"Dad jumped out of the closet and scared the crap out of us!"
"Where is he now?"
Without warning Kenshin jumped out and poked Kaoru in the ribs, getting her to scream before she realized who it was and punched him, "Kenshin! What are you doing dressed like that?"
"I've turned back into Battousai and I decided to come practice killing on the boys."
"Oh! Get out of those clothes and start breakfast you jerk!"
Kenshin laughed as Kaoru hit him again, leaving the room before Kaoru hugged Kenjy, "I'm sorry sweety, I didn't know he was even up."
"It's ok, a little scare never hurt anyone right?"
"Hey Aunt Kaoru, is Uncle Ken really Battousai?" Souzou asked
Kaoru frowned for a second before she smiled, "Of course not, do you really believe that Kenshin would hurt you?"
"I know he wouldn't hurt us, but he might hurt other people."
"Only if he has no choice and only if they're threatening his family. Now, stop talking nonsense and get dressed."
"Yes ma'am."
Kaoru left the room and went to the kitchen to see Kenshin at the stove in a black T-shirt and jeans. She went up and hugged him around the waist, half laughing, "You really scared them, Kenshin."
"I know, I'm going to apologize, but I couldn't help it. I'm not completely out of Battousai moments just yet."
"Well, they asked me if you really were Battousai."
"And?"
"I told them you weren't."
"Kaoru," Kenshin turned around and hugged her, "They're going to find out eventually."
"I know but I know that talking about your past hurts you and that you..."
Kenshin stopped her by placing a finger to her lips, a soft smile on his face, "I know what you're going to say. I don't feel as guilty as I used to, I realize that I was doing what I thought was right at the time. I made a mistake, everyone does, I'm not ashamed of who I am. You've taught me that even though I was a murderer and have done a lot of horrible things I'm still a human being and I can be forgiven, if not by those I've hurt then I can forgive myself. I can't hate myself forever, right? You won't let me."
Kaoru smiled and kissed his cheek, "No I won't, I love you."
"I love you."
Kenshin lifted her gaze to meet his and kissed her softly when (of course), "Uncle Ken! Get a room!"
Kenshin smiled at Katsu, "Why? It's more fun to do it on the table."
The boys ewwed and Kaoru flushed brightly, "KENSHIN! I can't believe you just said that!"
"What? It is."
"And since when have you done it on the table?"
"Um... I don't know, but it sounded good."
Kaoru smacked him and went and sat down next to the boys. After breakfast Kenjy took the others home and drove to the bar just outside of town, about a block from Seijro. He went in and saw only a few people there, not many people came during the day but that was alright with him, just as long as he could find a decent guitarist he was happy. He went up to the bartender and smiled, "Hey Taka, do you know any good guitar players?"
"Not off the top of my head but I'll keep an eye out for ya, Kenjy."
"Thanks."
Taka walked off and Kenjy ran a hand through his hair. A couple minutes later he sensed someone sit beside him but he paid no attention to them until they spoke, "So you're looking for a guitar player huh?"
Kenjy looked up at the person next to him and saw a young man around his age with short spiky black hair and deep brown eyes, "Yeah, you know anyone?"
"I might, what kind of guitarist are you looking for? Lead, bass, what?"
"I have a lead and bass, I'm looking for a rhythm player."
"You're in luck then, that's what I happen to play, what's the name of your band?"
"We haven't decided yet, we just got the idea to start a band a few days ago."
"Well if you want I can play a few songs for ya and you can see if I'm good enough for ya."
"That would be cool, you got your guitar with you?"
"Always, come on."
Kenjy followed the young man into the back and watched as he plugged in his guitar, "What song do you want to hear?"
"Anything you want to play is fine with me."
"How about 'Somewhere I Belong' by Linkin Park, is that alright?"
"That's fine."
The young man began to play and Kenjy smiled once he realized that he was a very experienced guitarist. After the song ended Kenjy clapped and couldn't help but smile at him, "You're great, have you ever played in a band before?"
"Once, we did a gig for a concert in Kyoto, it was some band from America that was just starting out. It turned out that our band was better than they were."
Kenjy laughed, "Been there, I'm Kenjy Himura."
"Kenjy Himura, huh? Are you the same Kenjy Himura who drums for the Blood Warriors?"
"No, he's my uncle, I'm just named after him."
"So you know the rest of the Blood Warriors?"
"Oh yeah, I've grown up with them, Aoshi, Sanosuke and Kenji are my uncles and Kenshin's my dad."
"That's cool, so you think I'll do?"
"I think you'll do just fine, come on, I'll take you to meet the others."
"Fine by me."
The young man followed Kenjy out to his car and got in before Kenjy drove off. Kenjy drove to the warehouse where he knew all the gang was, it was the guys' get together and play day and he knew the others would be happy with the young man he'd found to play for them. They got out and Kenjy opened the door, smiling at Sanosuke as he greeted him, "Hey Kenjy, you're late, buddy."
"Sorry, I was busy."
"Picking up girls?"
"No, Uncle Aoshi, I found a rhythm player."
"Oh really? Where is he?" Kenshin asked smiling
"He's right here."
The young man stepped out from behind Kenjy and smiled, "What's up?"
"Hey man, I'm Katsu Shinamori."
"I'm Shinta Himura."
"Nice to meet you." the young man said, shaking their hands.
Kenshin set down his guitar and went up to the young man, shaking his hand, "Nice to have you here, young man, I'm Kenshin Himura."
"Mr. Himura, it's an honor to meet you, I've watched you guys play for years, you're great performers."
"Thank you, then you probably know the rest of my band, right?"
"Yes, but it's still cool to meet you all."
"Same to you, kid, I'm Sanosuke Sagara."
"Kenji Himura."
"Aoshi Shinamori."
They all shook his hand and he bowed politely and smiled at each of them before Kenshin chuckled, "How come our boys aren't this polite?"
"Because you raised us." Shinta said, getting laughs out of the others.
Kenshin smiled and shook his head before turning back to the young man, "So what's you name?"
"I'm Myojin, Yahiko Myojin."
Chapter 10 done! I know, I'm evil about cliffies, but I love to write them, hehe :). Any ways, I hope you like where I'm going with this, let me know what you think and tell me if I should keep going or not. Thanks guys, I'm out for now.
