11th year Meiji Era at the Kamiya Kashinn Dojo
It was morning again. Night had passed in blissful silence, leaving those who slept to dream uninterrupted in the peaceful stillness that surrounded them. But something had changed. The men had slept in Kenshin's room this time and all the young girls, save Kaoru, slept in the dojo. Kaoru had gone to her own room this time and now that the hole in the side of the dojo wall had been repaired, sleeping inside was actually quite comfortable for all of her guests.
Yawning and stretching, Kenshin turned in his futon and looked around the room. It was already starting to get lighter with the approach of dawn and he smiled. He could hear the birds chirping outside and savored their beautiful song. He loved waking to mornings such as these, especially now that he had the friends that he did. Seeing them each day, waking to Kaoru's beautiful smile, always made his heart feel lighter.
Sighing, Kenshin sat up and looked around him again, his hair dangling over his shoulders. As he searched for his leather hair tie, he noticed with some surprise that he was the only one in the room. Mamorou was nowhere to be seen.
Curious, Kenshin folded up his blanket and futon, gathered his clothes and stood to leave the room. He noticed as he reached the door that Mamorou's own blanket and futon was already folded and neatly stored against the opposite wall, which didn't really surprise Kenshin actually. But what did surprise him was the smell of food that permeated the air. But it was an unusual scent, like the small cakes he and the others had once tried in a western style shop when they took that trip to Yokohama.
Curious, the former Hitokiri slip open his soji door – and froze, eyes bulging in their sockets.
I must REALLY be losing my touch! he thought as he hastily closed the door and turned to change in his room. I didn't think they'd be up! But everyone one of those girls is practically sitting right outside my door! Yare, yare! What is a poor rurouni to do, surrounded by so many pretty faces?
Sighing, his momentary shock subsiding, Kenshin quickly dressed into the only other gi he had, a navy blue one with a grey hakama, and stepped outside. It was clean anyway, so it seemed fitting. Besides, he liked the dark color just a little bit better, but tugged despairingly at the frayed edges even as he pushed his sakabatou through the obi at his left waist.
Yare, yare, he mused as he folded up his yukata and neatly stored it away. There's more important things to deal with right now than my frail clothing.
Taking a breath and putting on his brightest, most charming smile, he slid the soji door open at last and stepped out into a glorious morning full of chattering girls and giggling children.
"Ohayo minna!" he called as he approached the group, noticing rather bemusedly that they were holding some sort of little meeting. All the young girls, minus Kaoru so far he noted, were huddled in a group and talking happily.
"Ohayo Himura-san!" Usagi greeted cheerfully as she and the others turned to greet him. "Mamorou decided to cook his hot-cakes this morning so we all woke up early to help."
"Chiba-san cooks as well?" Kenshin asked curiously.
"When we can pull Mako-chan away from the kitchen, Mamorou and some of the others are pretty good at cooking," Usagi said with a wink, and then giggled in embarrassment. "Not me though. I'm as bad at cooking as I am at repairing things."
Kenshin chuckled at her, realizing that her statement reminded him of a certain raven haired kendo princess that had so innocently captured his heart.
"Sugoi, Himura san! I haven't seen you wear that color before!" Makoto noted happily as she walked over to him, eyeing the dark color that somehow went so well with his eyes and made his hair seem so much more brilliant.
"Oro?" said Kenshin quizzically as he turned to her.
"That new gi," Makoto explained, lightly tapping his shoulder. "The color suits you."
"Oh! Arigoto, Makoto dono," Kenshin said lightly, flushing slightly as he took a ginger step away from the young woman and bowed his head appreciatively. "But, its color has faded. It's quite old, you see."
Makoto studied the gi a little more closely and winced slightly. "You're right, it is," she said lightly, and then smiled brightly at the short, red haired rurouni. "Ah well. It still looks good on you. You should wear that more often."
Haruka rolled her eyes, as the other girls giggled, sympathetically at Kenshin's humble discomfort. "A-Arigoto, Makoto dono," he said as he backed away again, frantically looking for something that would properly excuse himself from this all-too-happy-to-flirt young lady. His answer came with a 'CRASH!'
"Oro?" he cried, turning with everyone else to watch as a very awake Kaoru rushed out of the dojo after a teasing Yahiko with her bokken raised and ready to whack the young student over his head. At least once he was in range.
He immediately laughed. Their antics never ceased to bring a smile to his face, whether strained or not.
"Na-na, busu! You're way to slow to catch me! I'm not doing anymore stupid breathing this morning," Yahiko called over his shoulder.
"Yahiko!" Kaoru snarled, her feet pounding the earth as fast as they could to catch the dark haired storm that was her insubordinate student. But Yahiko was not watching where he was going. He was too busy taunting Kaoru and making faces at her to notice that he was heading straight for the huddled group of young women and didn't see Haruka step away from them with an ease that practically mirrored Kenshin's grace. But Kenshin did notice and was rather surprised when the young woman suddenly reached out and gently, but firmly, snatched Yahiko by the collar of his practice yukata and pulled him to a stop. Yahiko blinked in surprise and looked up to stare at her, slightly indignant but also curious.
"Now then," Haruka began as she easily hauled Yahiko into the air, "am I wrong in assuming the fact that you are a student of this Dojo?"
"Iie," Yahiko replied sullenly, obviously irked that something unexpected had happened.
"Now since I have that piece of information correct would I also be correct in assuming that Kaoru is you're Sensei?"
"Yeah she's my teacher, but so what? I just want to get stronger and have some fun," Yahiko told her.
"Hmmm…I see." Haruka said thoughtfully, "Tell me, can you beat Kaoru-san in a sparring match yet?"
Yahiko stared at her in surprise. "I don't know," he replied truthfully as Kaoru came up behind them, panting and fuming angrily as she stopped to listen. As she did, her anger suddenly disappeared and a devious, appreciative grin crossed her beautiful features.
"Oro?" said Kenshin bemusedly, a small sweat drop forming at his left temple as he watched, not really noticing that Makoto was standing a little too close and giggling at Yahiko's predicament, in a somewhat sympathetic manner.
"Well, why don't you challenge her?" Haruka suggested, much to the surprise of every one else.
"Ano . . ." Kenshin began, then he stopped, suddenly realizing what Haruka was up to. He smiled. Good idea. A little humility never hurts. Humility and pride must work side by side. One cannot cancel out the other. Very wise observation, Haruka dono. You are wiser than I first thought.
Yahiko, however, just blinked stupidly at her.
"Challenge your sensei, Yahiko, and if you can beat her in two out of three matches, then you can tell her that you don't want to do anymore of the exercises she's set up for you."
Kenshin's smile broadened as Haruka held Yahiko's gaze evenly. He could see the wheels turning in the boy's head and nodded appraisingly. Haruka's suggestion was very reasonable, after all.
Suddenly, Yahiko was all fire again and turned to Kaoru with an excited glint in his eye as he pulled himself from Haruka's grasp – and fell onto his buttocks with a yelp of surprise to everyone's amusement – before turning to Kaoru and pointing the tip of his shinnai into her face. "Fine! I'll challenge busu to a three point match! Right now!"
Haruka smiled in exasperation and shook her head. This was to be expected, but she knew it would work.
"Maa-maa, I think that's going to have to wait until after breakfast," Kenshin stated, flashing his usual disarming gesture – hands raised with palms facing outwards – to quell Yahiko's anxious challenge. As Yahiko turned to him, Kenshin gestured to where Mamorou stood on the porch, a large tray of unique looking food sitting in his hands.
"Whoa, what's all that stuff?" Yahiko wondered, his eagerness to beat Kaoru stilled somewhat by the smell and promise of food, different as it may be.
Usagi turned to beam at him. "Hot cakes!" she said, but he just blinked at her.
Kenshin smiled at them but then turned to look at Haruka again. Half of a smile had appeared on her face and he realized that she was obviously amused by Yahiko's boyish antics, as well as his attempt to defuse the situation.
Hmmm…I wonder why she seems so relaxed here? Perhaps that run was just to clear her head.
Kenshin continued to regard her for a moment longer then turned with a smile as everyone was called to partake of the wonderful smelling breakfast.
11th year Meiji on a path outside of Tokyo
Leader looked around as she materialized into a time most could only read about, recognizing the spot she and Helios had deemed suitable for her entrance into the Meiji Era. The path was heavily wooded and little used.
She had decided that it would be best if she studied the situation a bit before approaching the Princess and her Guardians. She had a feeling that the group they were with would be significant in the upcoming battle. But first she needed to establish herself in Tokyo and then she could begin her observation of the others.
As she thought about this she started on the path down into Tokyo. She had to make sure she had her purse and that her outfit was suitable for the role she was to play. It had been decided that her exotic looks and stiff poise would make her perfect for running the newly established inn, which was to cater to those who wished to have taste of Western culture without leaving Japan. It had so happened that there was an opening at the new Tokyo branch. It was called the Jade Rose and seemed to be a fairly decent place from what she had heard. She had the papers certifying that she was the proper replacement for the current keeper, the one they had asked for. Granted, her papers had been forged and the real letter requesting a replacement for the Jade Rose and never reached its destination; Kyoto. The sister Inn Sapphire Rose would only receive a letter telling them of the change in leadership in the Jade Rose and no one would suspect a thing.
Nevertheless, Leader was just a little frustrated. She now stood at the outskirts of Tokyo, but didn't recognize anything. The streets were long and busy and it had been millennia since she had walked on any paths other then those of the mind. She knew that if she was to find the Jade Rose she'd need directions.
But who to ask? she wondered fitfully and looked around. Her gaze fell on a tall gentlemen with a lean face a few paces ahead of her. He seemed to be patrolling the area and it was only when he turned around and she was able to study him more intently that she realized he was a police officer. One who carried a katana.
Strange, oh well.
"Excuse me, sir?" she called as she hurried over to him.
The officer turned to look at her and Leader found herself staring at him in surprise. His hair was black and slicked back, except for a few long strands that served as a very strange set of bangs. His face was narrow and devoid of emotion. But his eyes . . . They were hungry and staring, like the wolf. He was a man of deep secrets and many dangers.
"Gomen nasai if I trouble you," Leader said respectfully as she bowed to him, her feigned disdain barely perceptible in her movements. "Demo, I require assistance."
The officer raised an eyebrow at her in an almost disinterested manner, but he continued to hold her gaze and nodded his head, prompting her to continue.
A man of few words indeed, Leader mused in irritation.
"I am looking for an Inn called the Jade Rose. Might you be able to direct me in the right direction?"
The officer's eyebrows rose even higher this time, but he seemed to grant her an appraising stare as he looked her up and down.
Sizing me up, are you? Are the others of that place so different?
"Of course, miss . . .?"
Now it was Leader's turn to quirk an eyebrow at the sound of his voice. "Forgive my rudeness, I am the new keeper Murasakiiro," she said with a small dip of her head. "And you are…?"
"Inspector Fujita Goro at your service," the officer introduced himself. "If you would follow me I'll lead you there," he continued as he turned slightly, presumably in the direction they were to take.
"I thank you for your kind offer, but please merely point me in the correct direction?" Leader said once again not quite trusting this man.
"Please allow me, for you have no proper escort, and Tokyo can be confusing. I would not like for the new Keeper of the Jade Rose to get lost." He said and smiled at her.
Doesn't he realize that smile of his is somewhat creepy? And why is he taking such interest in me? I know I'm going to be in charge of the Jade Rose but why should a mere police officer be interested in an Inn? Leader thought and followed after Saito. It came as no surprise to her that the people on the streets stood aside with bows of respect to let him pass. She made a mental note of this, but kept her face expressionless as was proper. Hmm it seems almost as though people fear him having a sword more then they do the man himself, why would that be? He would be just as dangerous unarmed as armed. Wait! The sword prohibition! He must be one of those granted the right to carry a sword and if I remember correctly some of those took advantage of their positions and were very abusive.
Author's Notes
I know I changed it deal with it. I still stole Leader's false name from Seraphimgrace's Assassin and a White Geisha fic series which I adore!
Thanks to all those who review. It lets me know you enjoy my writing. Heh anyone recognize our Inspector with the sword? And now a note from beta readers and editors extraordinaire Shauntell (helps with the Kenshin gumi and corrects all my tenses) and Solana (Japanese editor).
Greetings Minna san! This is Shauntell speaking! Many thanks go out to those who have read and sent comments – even mild flames. It's kind of fun doing this! Kenshin's my fave! Keep reading, Onegai!
Konnichiwa Minna! Domo Arigato for reading the fanfic. I hope you are all enjoying it thus far, and will continue to read and review. Reviews are a good thing. Really! No, I'm serious. REVIEW NOW! J/K. Anyhoo, nicely put flames are a good thing too…maybe. The Kenshin-Gumi rules. Ja Ne.
-Solana
