Disclaimers: I post this on my birthday, so ya scary men with fluffy white wigs for just one moment stop suing me and let me imagine that RK is mine. This is my birthday wish
A/N: Gomen for the long delay! The summer holidays are busy (as if!) no, I'm just stuck somewhere, and again with the format. Authoress dodges flying tomatoes and carrots Anyway, the chapter's up, so stop cursing me under your breath. On with the story!
Ch5 Of Old friendships and new threats
Argh! He had come out of where he had entered.
Cursing himself, Kenshin hesitated. He was surely not going back into the fire - but he was surely not going out to meet the bloodthirsty wolves either.
What's better, one of the Shisengumi decided to turn towards Kenshin's direction at the moment.
" There's someone over there!" the whole patrol group was notified, and at once a dozen people turned simultaneously to Kenshin.
Just what I need, more people to come to my rescue, the hitokiri thought mockingly. Not replying, he walked straight past the group, holding his katana loosely. Each of the Shisengumi unsheathed their swords, assuming sloppy (in Kenshin's opinion) Gatotsu stances.
"Stop or we'll attack this instance!" someone at his left called out. They were forming a tight circle around him, but none seemed too alert about this ash-laden boy who was actually the feared Hitokiri Battousai.
Even in such dangerous circumstances Kenshin felt insulted. No matter, they would all pay for that one.
It was just a matter of time.
"You want to know who I am?" Kenshin said, smiling sweetly. "I am Hi-to-ki- ri-Bat-tou-SAI!" he yelled, the movement of his katana accompanying each syllable. Thrusting his blade into a Shisengumi's chest, the boy pulled the blade out swiftly before the samurai behind him could ever have a chance to touch him. He dodged behind the falling Shisengumi soldier; the result was that the someone behind him ran his sword through his comrade's corpse.
Meanwhile, Kenshin was dealing with two other Shisengumi. They were but mere pawns, he realized. If only the boy wasn't such a heavy weight, if only his left hand was free.he glanced at the wakizashi at his side, waiting to sing through the air. It was no use. Crouching down, he slashed one enemy across the stomach. The other, seeing an opening, was aiming for his left shoulder.
He couldn't dodge the blow in time. Shifting a little, the boy let the blade graze over his arm instead of Tasuka's little body. Blood spurted from the gash but Kenshin didn't care; at least the child was not hurt. Gripping the kid tighter he spun the katana around and beheaded the man in question. Three down and nine left.
Only if he could defeat this group there would be an opening and they would be outta there, the hitokiri knew. He felt Tasuka shivering; glimpsing at the child briefly he saw his little face splattered with blood, both Kenshin's and the Shisengumi's. His charcoal-like eyes were open - he looked positively terrified at the bloodshed. Kenshin was reminded of himself on that fateful day when his three "sisters" died and Hiko took him in.
"Don't look," Himura instructed, gritting his teeth as the enemy in front sent a spray of blood over the two boys.
"Please put me down." A timid voice said quietly.
"Huh?" Kenshin did a rotating kind of swing that cut yet another person into half. His thoughts was becoming confused with the prolonged fight. He wondered how long he could endure this until his body would give way. Five down, seven remaining.
"Please release me. I am slowing you down." Tasuka looked up at him, black eyes filled with a queer serenity. "You don't have to protect me. You have done enough."
"Silence." Kenshin replied in a strangely calm voice that mirrored the boy's, although he was panting with the effort of running around his enemies while carrying a boy in his hands, "duty abides me to protect you and I have to." Swords danced and clashed. He couldn't use the Ryu-Tsui-Sen properly.
He staggered forward as a blow struck above his kneecap. There were still five of them, and they were knitted into a tighter format to avoid being isolated.
And he was so tired.
Without a warning Tasuka wrenched out of his grasp. Once on the ground he backed away fast as possible, away from any possibility of getting into Kenshin's way. "Stupid kid.what is he thinking?" Kenshin had no time to grab him or even stop his movements.
The remaining Shisengumi was taken aback for a fraction of a second before charging him again. A fraction of a second was definitely enough for the notorious Hitokiri Battousai. Performing a left-handed battoujutsu Kenshin finally had the wakizashi out in an arc of silver.
It was payback time.
He was injured and irritable and drenched in blood. His head throbbed and his torso was shaking.
Kenshin doubted if he was still alive, or at least considered living at his present state.
"Daijoubu?" he knelt on one knee and scrutinized the Yashiro boy.
He nodded.
"Well, in this case we're going back." Kenshin declared. There were a few more minutes before the next patrol group would arrive. Enough time for them to slip away quietly into the night.
The boy climbed onto his back. Kenshin wanted nothing but to just fall dead at the exact spot he was standing. But no, he still had Tasuka to attend to. Alive or dead he would have to bring Tasuka Yashiro back to his parents.
How Himura managed to get back to the safehouse was a mystery to all. They had all seen the house toppling all of a sudden.
And Himura wasn't coming out.
Everyone had assumed that he was dead, and Katsura was terrified. Absolutely terrified. Kenshin had been his trump card against the Shogunate, and now he'd gone and sacrificed himself for a petty son of his arms provider.
It was until Himura appeared at the Iris safehouse at around midnight, completely soaked with blood and a young boy in his hands. According to the keeper of the Iris safehouse, the hitokiri boy had just knocked on her door, greeted her with a cool and composed "please take care of the child", and had passed out on the spot.
He was down for five more days and the Ishinshishi leaders were in a frantic. Obviously Katsura didn't know that Himura was sent to the Yashiro rescuing mission; his men had overheard him yelling at Katagai and Iizuka, shouting something about his best swordsman sent for some ridiculous child- saving mission.
After that, Katsura spent half the day staying at the safehouse, and no one - no even Katagai or Iizuka - would dare go on the receiving end of his wrath.
Kenshin felt extremely dizzy.
The first thing he saw was the blurring rectangular pattern of the ceiling. He closed his eyes again. The light was too strong. He wondered what had happened to him.
His left hand went to his side, meeting the cool comforting hilt of his katana. He let out a breath. As long as his weapon was there he was going to be okay.
"Himura?" someone was calling for him. Kenshin opened his eyes tiredly.
"Kami-sama.you are finally awake." Katsura's face appeared distinctly perplexed.
"Katsura-san?" the hitokiri felt pain all over his body as he tried to pull his body up in respect. He winced slightly.
"It's alright. Don't move." Katsura said in a fatherly fashion, surveying the boy with concern and guilt mixed together. "How do you feel?"
Kenshin smiled weakly. " Arigatou. I'm alright."
He looked around the room with glazed eyes. At his right Kaitori Yashiro and Hiramei Yashiro were kneeling side by side on their cushions, eyes brimming with grateful tears. Kenshin suspected that they would be throwing themselves upon him if not for the presence of the Choshu Lord. The hitokiri boy smiled reassuringly, not without a trace of amusement.
"Kaitori-san, Hiramei-san.''
" Himura-san." both replied with suppressed emotions, bound to their seats by manners. "We're so glad you're alive." Kaitori Yoshida bowed low to him.
"It's okay, Tasuka-chan is alright." Himura began.
"Iie, it's not about Tasuka. It's about you." Kaitori intercepted, tears sliding uncontrollably down his face. "You risked yourself for Tasuka.all the while there is so much waiting for you back home.your family and friends would be so sad if they lost you. And you're so young."
Kenshin shook his head a bit sadly. Then quite abruptly his tone changed and became piercingly cold. " I have no family nor any attachments. I saved your son simply because duty abides me to do so. You are to forget that I ever existed or risk uncovering the Ishin top secret." He said, balancing himself on his arms. The Yoshidas looked sorrowfully at him. As the Ishinshishi's greatest arm provider they knew of the hitokiri boy that bore the most important burden in the whole clan.
They nodded slowly, aching to help the boy in any way possible. But with Kenshin closed off to himself the Yashiros knew all words would be in vain. Katsura, however, stayed infuriatingly silent at the left of Kenshin's futon. Apparently he was used to the boy's coolness though he too was constantly pained by the conflicting emotions Kenshin had to go through.
Silence continued for a moment until Kenshin, blinking in curiosity, looked down on the little figure curling at the side of his futon. He bent down a little, recognizing the familiar brown hair.
"Tasuka?"
Tasuka's eyes fluttered open at the mention of his name. Inclining his head slightly, he looked into the hitokiri's lavender eyes and rubbed his own.
"Samurai-nii?" A nod from Kenshin, staring at the child inquiringly.
"Tasuka, what are you doing...ouch!" His question was cut short as Tasuka jumped unexpectedly at him, knocking the boy backwards.
Kenshin bit down a colourful curse as he landed on his wounded arm, remembering Katsura's presence. He knew he looked silly, with the wind knocked out of him and Tasuka laughing cheerily, all the while sitting on him.
"Get down this instant, Tasuka," Hiramei was barely able to conceal her enjoyment as the boy hitokiri struggled to remove Tasuka off him, but failing miserable because of his reduced strength and numerous cuts and burns. Katsura actually snickered at his best fighter's clumsiness.
Tasuka was acting exactly the opposite from the mature child he was when he was facing the Shisengumi. "I won't! I won't unless you tell me your name." He pointed a chubby finger at Kenshin's nose, grinning naughtily. The redhead glanced helplessly at his superior, who merely continued sipping his tea amid amused smirks.
"You knew it already! I am Himura." Kenshin said crossly, trying vainly to wrench the boy off him. His lungs were still aching from over-inhalation of the smoke, and the brat was currently sitting on his chest, crushing his lungs. The Ishin warrior thought he was going to suffocate.
The Yashiro boy wiggled a finger in his face. "That's not your name! That's your last name, right? I was asking for your first name.
You didn't ask for it, Kenshin thought exasperatedly. "But everyone calls me Himura!" he argued. Or Himura Battousai. It's just the same isn't it?
"I don't care," Tasuka declared, crossing his arms over his chest in an adult-like yet childish way. "Giving me your last name is so unfriendly! Everyone in your family shares your last name. It's improper and impersonal to give just your last name to a friend."
Kenshin would have throttled him if his arms were not pinned under the child. "Okay, okay! I'm Kenshin. Himura Kenshin. Can you get off me now?"
Tasuka scratched his curly head. "Kenshin, heart of the sword? It's a nice name."
"Yeah, it is. Can you get off me now?"
The child nodded thoughtfully. "Who gave it to you anyway?"
Kenshin wanted to scream in exasperation. "My shishou did. Just-get-off- me!" He gave the boy a harder push. Unfortunately, the boy chose to steady himself by gripping his long ponytail.
Things were bad enough for Kenshin without Katagai choosing to come in at the moment.
"Katsura-san. Hi-Himura?" Katagai stared shocked at the disheveled hitokiri with his ponytail in a certain child's hands, and a smirk identical to Katsura's sneaked onto his face.
"Katagai-san? Would you be so kind to remove the kid currently sitting on my stomach?" Kenshin asked, fuming even more. Before Katagai could even react, the child got off Kenshin with an almighty bounce, leaving the assassin gasping for breath, the slash on his arm reopened. .
"Kids these days." Kenshin grimaced as the sleeve of his gi was stained with blood. All gaped in alarm as he pushed the sleeve backwards, revealing a bloodied bandage technically dripping with the sudden amount of blood gushing out of the wound. Waving a casual hand to calm a worried Katsura and a likewise gaping Katagai, Kenshin tore the bandage out, coolly unafraid. The Yashiros were looking at him with concern, shocked by the severe outcome of their child's innocent prank.
"It's okay kid nothing serious, the wound just reopened. Don't do that next time." The hitokiri said not unkindly, reaching into his gi for a roll of bandages. When the child gave no response, the teenage boy looked up, mildly surprised.
The next thing he knew the boy was hugging him around the waist, sobbing against his gi softly. He was stressed, the hitokiri realized. First there's the enormous fire swallowing his home up whole, then a furious scene of manslaughter; after that seeing his brother-like saviour lying motionless, deprived of any signs of living. His tolerance had met its breakdown point. Though Kenshin didn't know, the boy had refused to leave his side for a single moment, accompanying the sleeping hitokiri for five whole days.
Kenshin heart softened at once. The boy had such an intriguing character. One moment he was a thoroughly matured boy, the next second he was acting like a totally out-of-control brat. He hugged him awkwardly against himself.
"Daijoubu, Tasuka,'' he told the boy almost tenderly, " don't cry. A warrior doesn't cry, ne?" It was then he remembered the boy was no samurai like himself. He felt the little body relaxing, and smiled the shadow of a smile. Katsura and the others watched the warm scene in rapt silence. The little kid was surely extraordinary. No mere boy could achieve the feat of melting the hitokiri's cold-as-hell exterior.
Enormous charcoal eyes looked up at him, naïve and yet so beautiful. "Kenshin-nii, when I grow up I'll be a great soldier like you. I will save the world from evil people like those men who attacked us."
Kenshin chuckled almost inaudibly, releasing the boy. "I'm a hitokiri, not a soldier," he said with a tone that made Katsura look down on the tatami mat before him. His voice turned ferocious and sure. "And by the time you grow up, we will have the new era in its right place. Even if I have to pave it out of blood, I will. I entrust you to protect a world where no one will suffer." He ruffled the boy's hair, seeing the light in the boy's eyes identical to that Hiko saw in him six years ago. The light that ensures he would do justice.
"You will make a fine samurai."
As soon as the Yashiros and Tasuka had bowed themselves out, Katsura and Katagai began nagging Kenshin on risking his life on relatively minor issues.
"You know, Himura, we can't afford losing you.
"Hai, Katsura-san."
"You won't be doing that next time.
"Hai hai, Katsura-san."
"And you promised me to bring about a new era. You can't go down at this stage."
"Hai hai hai." A monotonic, flat answer.
Seeing that the boy wasn't really interested in listening to him, Katsura clucked his tongue reproachfully. Then he smiled.
"Know what, Himura, Katasugi has sent me a three thousand words long letter on 'Why major assets and child prodigies are NOT to be used for life-saving missions'. " He produced a folded paper from his gi, with words so small and dense that they were in danger of sticking to each other.
Himura blinked, trying not to look too amused. Katasugi-san is never afraid of Katsura-san, he thought, nor is he in anyway respectful to him. He shook his head. He just couldn't understand that man, anyway.
Since then, Tasuka had been tagging Kenshin all around the safehouse until he was well enough to get back to the inn. Katsura had deliberately ordered the boy to be left longer at the Iris safehouse - as there were Tasuka and the kind-but-innocent safehouse keeper there, it might be doing the hardened hitokiri lots of good. Kenshin gratefully accepted that; to him it was like going on vacation after a half-year of torturous working.
But sometimes he wished the Tasuka boy would leave him alone.
Sometimes he would wake up in the morning, slide open the shouji, and...
"KENSHIN-NII! How about teaching me how to fight? You know, can you teach me that move? The one with the three hundred sixty degrees turn and stabbing some person in the neck?"
"That's called Ryu-Son-Sen, and I don't think I'll teach Hiten..."
"So that's Ryu-Son-Sen huh? It's cool! I'll get my sword, please wait for me in the yard Kenshin-nii, and after you've shown me that move, I'm sure I won't disappoint you and I'll master it someday."
"Wait! I don't..." but Tasuka had already disappeared with heightened spirits.
Kenshin spent half his time in the Iris safehouse trying to hide from an over-enthusiastic Tasuka and thinking up excuses for not teaching him the Hiten Mitsurugi. The Yashiro kid had a way of pretending to look so hurt that Kenshin was inclined to actually teach him the Hiten techniques. Anyway, he made up by sparring with the boy, and discovered that he was exceptionally talented.
When Kenshin had to eventually return to his base at the inn, Tasuka was extremely upset (this time, genuinely). He promised to visit Kenshin at the inn, which he did; that was when his father Kaitori Yoshida something important to discuss with Katsura or Katagai. After the Battle of Toba- Fushimi, however, Kenshin had never seen Tasuka again. With all that chaos and sadness going on, Kenshin had even forgotten that such a person existed on this world.
And so time passed.
"Has it been fourteen long years?" Tasuka said, turning his head skywards.
"Yes." Kenshin smiled at him, remembering the boy that sent him into a series of major headaches, " and so our Tasuka-chan has grown up in these long years."
Charcoal eyes snapped down from the heavens. "Yes, grown up I have; I also did what I promised you to do when you left me."
"Oro?"
Tasuka chuckled at his wide-eyed naivete. "Nah, Kenshin-nii. Have you forgotten? To be the protector of the new world. To do justice to those who bring about misery. Such was my ambition and still is. Kenshin-nii had fought hard to build the new era, but he can't help it if corruption starts to gnaw the inside of this government. I, in turn - will assist him to renew the government till people can live without being suppressed."
Kenshin's eyes turned a deep violet, looking unpleased. "You are not doing justice. You're killing recklessly, like what I did as a hitokiri. It's senseless murder but not justice."
Violet gaze met unflinching night-black ones, and Tasuka shook his disapproval. "You don't understand, Kenshin-nii. Being a rurouni for so many years, you can't possibly understand how corrupt Meiji officials are nowadays. As Saitou-san here might have noted, we don't kill those who are doing their duties well. They will make fine members for my new government. Take a look at this." He handed a stack of something to Kenshin with both hands, giving him a confident wink. The former hitokiri took it seriously, flipping briefly through the pages. Tasuka used this short moment to greet Saitou properly.
"Saitou-san, sure you have noted that as well? Our 'Heavenly Justice' is nothing different than your Aku Soku Zan motto." Tasuka gave the former Shisengumi an all-too-innocent smile that suggested he had checked up on Saitou's 'Aku Soku Zan' actions thoroughly, " You should understand that we are not evil. Call us desperadoes if you want, they as well as I truly love this country. Our only concern is the welfare of this country and not our own benefits. Kenshin-nii had taught me that." He nodded to the five people behind him, expression earnest but nonetheless righteous.
The wolf found himself struck speechless. "Well, I didn't try to overthrow the government, thus landing this country into chaos." Lame reply, Saitou kicked himself mentally.
"Who told you we're going to overthrow the government?" Tasuka frowned slightly, "no no, nothing like that. We are trying to.er. rearrange certain posts. Those we found evil will be eliminated. Just like breaking rotten branches from a sakura tree. At first it may seem you're destroying the tree, but soon a stronger branch will grow in its place and soft sakura petals will grow in its place."
Saitou, again, found himself unable to reply. He was saved answering by Kenshin's interruption.
"Tasuka.h-how did you get this?"
"We have quite a connection network throughout Kyoto," Tasuka said, smiling brightly. "I just want to prove that we do not pick our victims at random. We follow them for a month, collect enough information, and take our actions."
The former hitokiri stared down at the paper on top in genuine astonishment.
Yamagata Aritomo -Born in 1838 -Samurai of Choshu region, statesman and chief founder of the modern Japanese army, studied military science in Europe and returned in 1870 to head the war ministry
-Meiji 11, Nov1 07:32am Yamagata attended a meeting at the government base, Central Kyoto. He and three other military officials - Kawaji, Hagiro, and Renjida discussed the potential uproar at Osaka. 10:54am our men searched Yamagata's room for proof of corruption. Currently no discovery
12:09pm Yamagata left the government base for a meeting with a
representative from China
Meiji 11, Nov2 .........
The list went on and on, describing Yamagata's boring daily meetings and the group's further fruitless investigation on the man. Kenshin quickly skipped half the three-page long report until his eyes met the word Meiji 11, Nov 30. Underneath it was a short line of conclusion with Yoshida Tasuka's signature at the end.
" We conclude that Yamagata Aritomo is a healthy member of the Meiji government and need not be eliminated."
Seeing Kenshin's open-mouthed surprise, Saitou seized the report from his numb hand.
You gotta get a grip on yourself, Battousai. Don't show him any of our emotions.Saitou shot his companion a meaningful stare. Kenshin, understanding it, cleared that surprised look from his face. Tasuka only smiled brighter.
This is not going good, Kenshin thought as Saitou scanned the report while others watched in satisfied silence. He's actually doing nothing seriously wrong and we have nothing to fault him with. Extreme it might be, but nonetheless effective to clear the Meiji government of parasites. Isn't that right?
He shook himself mentally, trying to find a reason for that Tasuka-is- doing-something-wrong feeling from his mind. He doesn't have the right to take lives, innocent or no. The ex-hitokiri concluded. Taking the decision of life and death in your own hands is a twisted sense of justice. Just like the child that made himself hitokiri.
"You have no right to kill, Tasuka. Evil these men might be, they do have families and friends. By killing them without further consideration, you hurt their families and all that they hold dear. It shouldn't be you who decide whether a person is fit to live or no." Kenshin said, explaining in a brotherly fashion.
Tasuka blinked, looking faintly surprised. "Kenshin-nii, I thought you love the people in this country."
"I do."
"Then why would you let them suffer by the hands of unfair laws and bullying government officials?"
".. It's not in a rurouni's place to interfere with governments and policies. I protect them by my free sword." Kenshin replied firmly, privately feeling a little uneasy.
Tasuka looked downhearted. "So you won't join me after all? I am disappointed."
"I won't, Tasuka. Thanks for asking," heart filled with complicated emotions - disappointment for the boy's unwillingness to drop his plan, worry for him that the Meiji government will try their best to eliminate the group, confusion about right and wrong, and uneasiness caused by not knowing what to do right now. The group had been nothing more than friendly to them; they couldn't just go berserk and began chopping people all of a sudden. Plus, they would be crazy to pick a two on a hundred fight.
Saitou raised his eyes from the report, his surprise mirrored the former hitokiri's. He looked questioningly at the rurouni. Making up his mind, Kenshin bowed to Tasuka. "We will take our leave now, thank you for your kind hospitality - I say the above as the representative of the government." Giving a little warmth into his voice he added, "Tasuka - be careful. I don't want a massacre between Meiji soldiers and your men here. Any casualties would be against my wish. I just hope that you can drop the idea, but obviously." he sighed, shrugging his slender shoulders.
Turning around, the ex-Ishishishi hitokiri and the ex-Shisengumi wolf began walking down the way they came. However, Tasuka seemingly wasn't ready for them to go.
"Kenshin-nii, Saitou-san. Please wait. I'm afraid you'll have to stay after all." Tasuka called out to them, smile transfixed on his face.
Kenshin spun to face him dangerously. "You're not keeping us here, are you?"
The Yashiro boy looked slightly apologetic. "Sorry but I do think so. Because shortly before you arrived, we had a bet with our dear Yamagata- san."
"And what will it be?" demanded Kenshin, placing one hand casually on the saya of his sword.
" I bet him Kenshin-nii will join us for no doubt," Tasuka said, " he - and of course agreed by various other officials - told us that if that is the case, they will let us carry out our Heavenly Justice freely." Kenshin's eyebrows jumped. That was too big a promise. He wondered if all the officials had such great confidence in him or simply Yamagata forced them to agree to it.
Saitou fancied he saw the rurouni glaring at him for one fleeting moment. He blinked. Then he remembered what he told the ex-Ishin warrior - "now those government officials are thinking you came back for revenge with a horde of those guys." But listening to what Tasuka was saying, the government officials were nothing but confident in Kenshin. He gave the redhead a well-that-is-what-I-was-told-it's-not-my-fault look, surveying the scene with his wolfish amber eyes. They were planning to make us stay all along, he mused, eyes fixing at the Juppongatana-like five warriors behind Tasuka. They were young. One of them was even woman, with a chain tied elegantly to her slim waist, acting as an obi. His eyes turned, secretly searching for a certain person in the crowd. If everything goes well it'll be alright.
Kenshin eyed Tasuka with a rather dangerous expression. "And if you lose?"
"Then we surrender without a fight. But of course, I can't afford to have that happening."
"So you'll make me stay?"
" Please understand that I have no wish to do that," Tasuka added hastily, knowing that he had offended the ex-manslayer. " I would never want to fight with Kenshin-nii in any circumstances."
"But you'll have to if I refuse to stay?"
"...hai."
" Come on then, Tasuka. Let's see how fourteen years can change a person."
Tasuka loosened his majestic black cloak and handed it to the woman with the chain. "Thanks, Nueru." The woman bobbed a little bow, blushing. Kenshin slowly unsheathed his sakabatou and faced his opponent.
"If you lose I shall invite youto stay a few days as our guest." Tasuka told the rurouni, grasping the hilt of his own katana.
"And if you lose?"
"Then I won't bother you again." Tasuka said steadily.
"Fine then. It will be our last battle." Kenshin stated, staring across at his young friend.
"After this our ways will part." Tasuka nodded, sounding rather sad.
"Let's begin."
A/N : A relatively shorter chapter, but still it's a chapter, so don't glare at me like that. Anyway, I've got something to say to my reviewer- sama! Someone gave me a Kenshin action figure on my birthday! And some other person gave me the manga book 18-21! I am sooooooooo happy
Koe-760-sama: Somehow I managed to threaten you to be my beta reader cackles madly, Koe-760-sama glared at chapter: is that supposed to be English?! if there's anything wrong with the story I'll tell minna-sama to flame you instead of me (After all you're a pyro and I'm terrified of fire) There's some confusion over here about Tasuka.I'm making him seem KIND! Oh no! It isn't supposed to be that way.um.right, let him be! I don't really care. I've seen the movie once again, just to take a better look at Gentatsu before I actually put him down anywhere. I think Aizu is a province sorta thing (like Choshu) and that province supported the old government. He's a master of a certain blah blah blah style but I forgot what it is. Your CG pic is AWSOME! I'm thinking if I should have.um.making up excuse well yeah, my scanner got stuck, so it'll be a while before I can show you that pic Authoress' thought: and that while is gonna take a whole life Ken-cat! It's cute! I've got it stored up and is currently trying to stick it onto my wallpaper. (And is that your dog? It seems like a koala hanging in mid-air.) I'll talk to you about it later, let me finish up all the re- reviews first
Sapphire Eyes-sama: About that grammar mistakes thing.I've suddenly found out, after re-reading it all over again (I'm too lazy to do so) that there IS a very big bunch of grammar mistakes. Gomen nasai! Next time I'll try to have them corrected before posting. Anyway thanks for your support! And the spacing thing.well originally it isn't supposed to look like that, but somehow it got into that strange format when I got it posted. I'm trying to sort that out too. Anyway, arigatou for being patient with my kindergarten sort of grammar, and for reading this story!
Boomerang-chan-sama: Hey there B-chan-sama aka I-am-for-K&K-forever-sort-of- person-sama! Thanks for ya latest review I'm sorry for the delay. There's something ruddy wrong with the format thing and I just can't fix it veins popping on head Seems like Battousai has sailed out of the picture hasn't he? snickers I can't wait to have him back. This time I'll squeeze triple reviewers until their eyes pop to the size of an UFO! O
Liemtenshi-sama: blinks blinks which fighter of Shishio? No.Zenei Makimoto is an OC, there's no such person in RK. dodges flying eggs with Hiten speed and those guys are.those guys are.crazy music.GUYS! Haha, I'm not telling you. (Sealing my sleeve) no peeking into a lady's sleeve. No manners! bonks liemtenshi-sama on the head. Liemtenshi-sama: oroooooo. I've never watched RK on Cartoon network. Is it suspended or what? That'll be stupid, argh! I was trying to look for it but can't find it.
Akima Miota-sama: Welcome to my latest chapter! I hope this is not too boring because there's some Tasuka-Kenshin WAFF here. And know what, I actually blushed when I write that! Weird, huh? Katsura's acting like a total I-don't-know-what, so. I don't know what to do with him. Strange, huh?
Dork-in-training-sama: Hello there! A new chapter here. I'm getting slow on the updates, Gomen!
