A/N: Heh… forgot to mention at the end of the last chapter, but plenty of you noticed the return of my OC Reizo from my fic Amber Eyed Angels. For you Reizo lovers, sorry to say he won't be making a big appearance in this story. It was just me up at 4am writing this, with the giggles, thinking it would be cute to base this story before the events that happened in Amber Eyed Angel. For those of you who haven't read Amber Eyed Angel, you don't need to, there's won't be any inside jokes or anything like that. This will probably be the very last chapter with Reizo in it.
Thanks goes out to Nekotsuki for behind my beta again! YAY!
REVIEWERS! WOW! I'VE NEVER HAD SO MANY FOR A FIRST CHAPTER!
Wistful-Eyes - I don't care for the way people treat Kenshin and the Battòsai as two separate people either, I mean it's not bad, I just prefer it this way. There are some GREAT stories out there that have Kenshin and Battòsai as two different people, but… eh, like this way better!
kawaiimeeh - Forgive me for the delay in updating!
gaby (hyatt - Thanks!
Kenshin'sorrow - I'm very glad you liked the dream! And that you're are already enjoying my newest story!
omasuoniwabanshi - Actually, this will probably be the last chapter with Reizo. Like stated above. I was just being cute/annoying. He's actually an OC from my story Amber Eyed Angels.
Elliot Damion - Thanks for the complement!
Shadow Wolves - No, this is before Amber Eyed Angel, so nothing bad has happened… yet… -grins evilly-
tsumesgirl05 - Sorry to keep you waiting for this chapter!
animeinsomniac - No, Reizo will be the only one. Unless I go crazy again and throw someone else in there for giggles again, not likely.
Hitokiri-san - LOVE irony. It's so fun to write. Also SO glad you enjoyed my summary, I actually tried really had to think of a good one.
Streetwise Girl - Yes, I know the fever is a bit overused… but mines a little different! I haven't seen many for when he was a hitokiri.
Nekotsuki - Of course YOU would have NO idea what is going to HAPPEN next! Even though you have the next couple chapters in your hands already… -grins-
WolfDaughter - Glad you liked the first chapter!
lolo popoki - There's nothing wrong with liking to see the hero get beat up! I know I like it! I LOVE it!
Chapter 2 - Antibiotics
Kenshin woke up stiff, cold, tired, upset and annoyed. Worst of all, he hadn't got any more sleep, and the first thing that greeted him when he opened his door was a smiling, well rested Reizo.
"Morning Himura-san!" he greeted cheerfully, as he passed Kenshin's room heading towards the dining area. He stopped to chat with the sleepy redhead. Upon further inspection, Reizo saw the clearly visible dark circles under Kenshin's eyes and the downright miserable expression on his face. "You look terrible! Did you have trouble sleeping last night? Do you normally have trouble sleeping the night before confrontation? Or is this some kind of special strategy? Or perhaps it's…"
Kenshin let out a soft noise which, had Reizo heard it, was a mix between a tired moan and a low growl. Reizo seemed to be a man of never ending questions. Normally Kenshin never answered them; only on rare occasions he did, and that was mostly out of pity. Kenshin would give Reizo one thing - he sure was persistent. After asking the same question enough times, sometimes Kenshin would answer. He wasn't sure why he answered. Was it because Reizo was the first one to be friendly with him since… since, well, a long time ago? Could he really be nervous that not answering Reizo's nagging question would push the man away from him?
Whatever his reasoning for answering the question now and then, now was not the time he wanted to be asked so many. 'Well, at least now my headache is back,' he thought bitterly. "Reizo," he started, trying to keep the snarl out of his voice. "Please stop talking."
He really hadn't intended to sound so upset, but Reizo visibly winced and back away from Kenshin slightly. He tried to keep the surprise from his face. Reizo had never acted like that before. 'Is he really afraid of me?' Kenshin was surprised to feel his chest tighten up slightly.
Kenshin couldn't help himself from thinking that perhaps Reizo's attempt at friendship was just to stay on the good side of the mighty hitokiri Battousai. Could Reizo's friendship really just be an act?
He cleared his head of those thoughts. If Reizo was really afraid of him, he should just stay his distance. Ignoring Reizo, he headed towards the dining area. He was growing angrier with every step. If Reizo didn't like him, he shouldn't pretend to be his friend. After what happened with Iizuka, Kenshin didn't think he could handle another betrayal.
Keeping his anger in check was the last thing on Kenshin's mind as he entered the dining area. His infuriated ki washed off him in waves; even the least trained swordsman in the room could easily feel Kenshin's rage. The room fell even more silent than when Kenshin normally entered. Most men even stopped breathing.
This did not go unnoticed by Kenshin. It made him angrier. 'What! Do they think I'm going to kill them!' He snarled slightly; he could pick out at least three men he had saved one way or another. 'Ungrateful little…' He didn't finish the thought. He sat down at a spot that didn't have many people near it. Those close to where Kenshin sat scooted away from him.
Kenshin quickly took the food offered to him by one of the maids working at the inn. He started to shove it into his mouth at such a pace he hardly even tasted it. He hardly even noticed Reizo sit down next to him.
"You don't have to sit next to me," Kenshin said stiffly, as Reizo thanked the women for his food.
"I know," was the soft reply.
"There are plenty of other seats."
"I know."
"Why don't you go sit with someone else?" Kenshin snorted angrily.
Reizo looked hurt. "I will. If you want me to." He said it slowly, and with a hit of sadness.
Kenshin waited; he had given Reizo the chance to leave. He expected him to look relieved at not feeling that he had to sit beside him, but Reizo hadn't moved yet. Kenshin didn't know what to say; he simply stared back at the man still sitting next to him.
"I want to sit next to you, Himura-san," Reizo stated, after catching Kenshin's eye. "However, if you don't want me here, then I'll leave."
"I…iie," he answered, surprised slightly. Reizo wanted to sit with him? He managed to keep the shock out of his face; he had misjudged Reizo. "I don't care if you sit next to me."
Reizo smiled. "Good!" He picked up his chopsticks. "Let's eat!"
Kenshin smirked, not feeling so tried anymore. "Hai."
Kenshin looked around at the men he was walking beside. Shortly after breakfast, the men who were supposed to head out and deal with the Shogun forces gathered together. Katsura had wanted to make sure they were successful and had sent Kenshin, so this was where Kenshin found himself. Walking side by side with Reizo, who was still asking questions, heading to the area they expected to find the Shogun supporters.
"You still looked tired, aren't you excited about upcoming battle?" Reizo asked Kenshin with a smile on his face. "You'll finally get to use some of your moves I heard so much about."
"I'd rather no one would see my techniques ever again," Kenshin mumbled quietly. Sometimes he wished he had never learned the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. All it ever seemed good for was ending lives. So many lives.
"What was that?" Reizo asked.
"Nothing," Kenshin replied swiftly, picking up his pace.
Reizo let out an annoyed grunt. "Aw, come on Himura-san. Tell me." Kenshin again quickened his pace. "Himura-san?" Reizo tried to pick up the pace Kenshin was setting, but once more Kenshin increased his speed. "Himura-san! Tell me! Don't do this! Come on! Tell me! HIMURA-SAN!" Some of the men looked over to see what the commotion was all about, but looked away again once they saw the annoyed look on Kenshin's normally blank face.
Kenshin allowed Reizo to catch up to him when the man had finally stopped pestering him over what he had said. For a while the two of them walked with the group in silence, but it wasn't much longer before Reizo opened his mouth again. "Do you often have trouble sleeping at night?" He waited, hoping Kenshin would answer him. When it was clear Kenshin had no intention to comment, he asked another question. "So, how is the Battousai's love life?" he said with a sly smile.
For a split second Kenshin's face went red, and then he was assaulted with memories of Tomoe. His head tilted down slightly as he allowed the memories to wash over him.
Reizo was startled by the expression he had gotten from the normally expressionless man. He had been expecting Kenshin's face to go red, which it had for a moment, or his normal reaction: keep walking and ignore the annoying man asking him annoying questions. This expression of loss and sorrow was not what he had expected.
He had only meant to lighten the mood. He hadn't wanted to upset him. He had to do something to change the mood. The smile had never left his face, so he just continued on from there. "I mean, if you had trouble sleeping, you must have been up all night. Up and busy."
That pulled Kenshin from his thoughts. "Wh-"
Reizo's grin only widened. "Being such a good looking, young, strong and powerful man such as you, you must get a lot of ladies."
Kenshin's eyes snapped up to glare at Reizo, but the man either missed the glare or didn't care.
"I'm sure you've seen plenty of women. When you get bored with them, you should send some over to my room."
"Reizo…" Kenshin was doing his best not to growl.
"I'm sure that's what kept you up all night last night," Reizo continued, ignoring the growing anger in Kenshin's voice. "You were just tasting sweet victory before the fight even started."
"Reizo!"
Reizo finally looked over at the fuming redhead. "Did I say something that upset you?" he said with a grin. He didn't care if Himura looked like he was about to draw his sword. He had finally been able to crack that mask of his. "You don't look tired anymore!"
Kenshin took a deep breath to calm himself down. "It's not like that," he said, slipping his mask back on once more. He didn't like the mischievous look Reizo was giving him.
"Sure it's not, Himura-san."
"It's not."
"Sure. There's another reason you had trouble sleeping last night."
"Of course there is!"
"Sure there is, Himura-san."
"Reizo!"
"You sure are getting upset over something that didn't happen."
A slight flush appeared across Kenshin's cheeks. "Nothing. Happened."
Reizo didn't respond right away, but kept that goofy smile on his face. "I got it, nothing happened in your room last night."
Kenshin didn't say anything to that. He let it drop, knowing he wasn't going to win if he continued. He gave a soft sigh. He had to admit; he didn't feel so tired anymore. Just very, very angry and very embarrassed. He wasn't sure which was a worse feeling; sick, or wondering if everyone within hearing distance believed what Reizo had said.
His eye caught two men whispering to each other. One looked over towards him, smirked slightly, then hurriedly whispered something to his companion, who then looked over at him and also smirked. Oh yes, he'd rather be feeling sick right now.
His mind stopped worrying about his reputation as the group came to a halt. They had arrived. Everyone fell silent; even Reizo lost his teasing look, growing serious. Orders were given and men started to melt into the surrounding trees. All they had to do now was wait and ambush the approaching troops.
A/N: Yes I know, short boring chapter. I promise, action in the VERY NEXT CHAPTER! And it should be out soon. Have it all written, just need to change things here, add here, edited there. So, be on the lookout for it!