Sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time… it's just that with starting my final year of school, then changing from the monstrosity that is the IB Diploma to sweet, sweet SACE. Also, my friend made me watch 139 episodes of Tennis no Oujisama, and then read many fanfics of it – including the 70-something chapter long 'Learning to Fall'… (god, that author must have a VERY good imagination to think up all those 'scenes'… I didn't know you could describe the same basic scene in so many different ways…)
ahem… So. Yes. I've had a slight writer's block over the next chapter. I know whats going to happen, but actually writing down… also, I'm still asking everyone their opinion on whether Kenko will know that she killed Kiyosato when going after Tomo. If you don't want to post your thoughts in a review, my email is okama-no-kama-tsukai(at)hotmail(dot)com
Yuken– Stray Dog
She had spent all night thinking about it, and had finally made up her mind. Despite whatever her feelings on the matter, an order was an order. No witnesses were to exist, and she had allowed one to. Sighing, she used her sheathed katana to stand up, brushing her loose hair behind her ears. She now had to get rid of the evidence.
Silently, she stepped towards the sleeping figure. He was on his side, his face hidden from her view. She was thankful for this – it was going to be hard enough killing someone in their sleep without seeing the instant their mind reacts through their expression.
Her left hand rested on her katana sheath, near the hilt. She pressed her thumb against it, and the usually quiet click seemed to resonate throughout the whole room. Stiffening, she watched for any reaction to the noise. The witness slept on.
Slowly, her right hand reached down to the hilt, grasping it with slender fingers, and gently slid it out of its sheath. Going to his right side, she watched the man's side move slightly with each breath he took. She stood by the man's head, holding the sword up high, tip pointing at his throat. Closing her eyes, she breathed, "Though I hold you no grudge, for the sake of the new era, I must have your death." And she slowly brought the blade down.
A sudden noise caused her eyes to snap open. The man had rolled over, and was staring wide-eyed at the blade plunging towards his throat. But it wasn't the man she had brought home – it was Souma. Her eyes widened further as she tried to pull back, but the sword was suddenly so heavy, and the force of gravity was winning…
Kenko's eyes flew open, and she unconsciously drew a sharp breath. Early-morning sunlight was lighting up the garden outside – it had only been a dream. Aware that this was the earliest she had woken up after a kill, her eyes darted over to where the man was lying down. But he wasn't there, neither was his sword, and the shoji had been slid open.
'I must have fallen asleep… kuso!' Jumping her feet, she grabbed her wakazashi from its stand and ran out the open doorway. Bounding down the stairs, she was about to call out for Okami when a figure past the bottom of the stairs, wearing a purple uwagi.
Pulling up, she slowly finished her descent, and watched the young man go down the hall, holding a box of tools. Curious of what he was doing, she took a step forward, clearing her throat. "Oi," she called out hesitantly, her grip on her swords tightening, "What are… uh, are you… well?" Blinking, she watched the young man turn to face her, dazed at her incapability of speaking.
The young man looked warily at the red haired girl standing before him. Though right now she seemed nothing like the deadly assassin the rumours portrayed, blurred images from the night before resurfaced in his mind, sending a chill down his spine. Keeping his expressionless facade on, he answered her question, "Yes, I am quite well, thank you." Before she could respond, he gave a slight bow, adding, "I know that you brought me here last night – for that I thank you again. I was quite drunk last night, so I apologise if I did anything dishonorable. " Shifting the lone sword in his belt, he was about to turn away when she spoke again.
"Uh…you, um…"
Watching her carefully, he saw her face colour slightly as she wasn't able to say anything coherent. His eyes glinting with his amusement, a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. The Hitokiri Battousai was awkward around boys, it seemed. "My name? My name is Tomo, and I thank you again, Himura-san." Nodding again, the man called Tomo continued down the hall, leaving the girl to wonder how he knew her name.
Kenko continued to stand in the hallway after Tomo had turned around the corner, thinking over what had just happened. The man called Tomo seemed to have no recollection of what had happened last night, otherwise he wouldn't have acted so… 'politely' was the only way she could think to express it. The fact that he was still at the inn meant that either no one had found out about him – which was impossible by this time of morning – or that he was being kept here by Katsura, who would then be waiting to question her as to why she had brought him home. Shaking her head, she slid her wakazashi into her hakama ties and walked gingerly to the doors that opened up to the common room.
Entering the room, she glanced over the men who had already started breakfast, their gentle murmuring filling the space. Miyuki and Aya looked up and smiled at her, though with wider grins than normal. Also, some of the men themselves seemed to be looking at her, which was an uncommon occurrence. Being the Ishin Shishi's hitokiri, most of the men tried to avoid her because of her supposed erratic nature that could get them killed if they said the wrong thing. This situation suited her just fine – she would rather be left alone to her own devices, and used this notion to her advantage, but while Okami would bring up food after an assignment, she would insist that she ate with her comrades at all other times.
Her eyes still scanning the room, she assessed each man's expression. Whenever she made eye contact with one with a blank expression, he would blink as if to rid himself of bewilderment and would then turn back to his food. Finishing on Iizuka, it was clear that he was greatly amused by something. Frowning in puzzlement, she then realised what was so humorous to the man.
In concealed horror, she slowly raised her right hand to her head, and touched the ribbon that was still entangled in her loose hair. Scowling as Iizuka covered his mouth while 'coughing', she jerked on the end of the material until it came out, then curtly made her way to the only spare place, which was next to weasely man. Ignoring the look he was giving her, she placed her katana next to her, picked up her bowl, and passed it to Aya to fill it with rice.
Delighted by her annoyance, Iizuka decided to make the most of it. "You're up early today, Himura – I'd swear this is the first time you've eaten with us after a hard night's work." Patting her on the head, he added, "Y'know, your hair looks pretty down like that. You should do it more often." The man on the other side of Kenko gave a small chuckle, but quickly muffled it when he saw her glaring at him out the corner of her eye.
Not seeing the reaction from her, Iiuzka continued, "Jaa, I heard that last night you got into a bit of trouble after going out with Ikumatsu…" Kenko paused slightly in taking the bowl back from the servant girl. "Must've been hard fighting in a kimono," Picking up her hashi, she jabbed them into her rice with more force than was needed.
Hearing the quiet noise of footsteps, both Kenko and Iizuka looked up in time to see a figure wearing indigo go past the open shoji. An evil smile spread across the weasel's face. "I also hear that there was a witness… that guy who Okami has adopted to do the hard chores around the inn. Mou, he's a frail boy, ain't he? And he carries around that pretty sword as if he's some great warrior…"
Pausing to take a bite of his rice, he glanced at Kenko's face. Her expression was blank, but her eyes telling a different story. Pleased that his jeering was working, he decided to continue it. Placing his bowl down, he pretended to study his hashi. "He wouldn't have put up much fight, Himura – why didn't you get rid of him? You know the protocol for witnesses… unless…" His grin widened, "Wasn't he in your room all night?"
Kenko stopped trying to eat, her intense gaze boring a hole through her bowl. As she carefully placed it down on the tray, Iizuka continued, "Heh, I bet that was interesting for you. Still, there's only so much a man of his sort could show you – you should invite me into your room one night…" Picking up a cherry, he chewed on it, adding, "It's only fair if a newcomer gets to, y'know?"
In an instant, Kenko's katana had been clicked out of its sheath, her eyes sparking furiously. The entire common room became silent while Iizuka choked. Standing up, she glared down at him, and then around the room at the faces that stared at her. Walking out of the room, Iizuka's voice followed in her wake, "Oi, don't scare me like that, Battousai – you made me swallow the pip! You're too goddamn serious… Growling in her throat, she slid the door opening out into the garden with force, and strode out to where Katsura and Katakai stood. Unknown to her, two black eyes followed her path from the verandah as she approached the group.
In the quiet garden of the inn, Katsura was watching the koi in the pond when Iizuka's voice broke through the tranquillity. Watching the shoji that lead into the inn, he was slightly surprised to see an irate Kenko with loose hair slip through and shove her tabi onto her feet. Turning to face her, he asked when she was within hearing distance, "What's wrong, Himura? Did Iizuka do something crude?"
"You could say that…" she muttered, turning her glare towards the koi pond.
Katakai, who was leaning against a nearby tree, stood up and approached the girl. "Himura, we want to talk to you about what happened last night. You killed a man, correct?"
Face blank, Kenko answered carefully, "Just as we planned, yes."
"You know what I'm referring to," The large man watch the girl's expression pale. "We know what happened up to when you left Ikumatsu at the bar, so could you please inform us of exactly what happened."
Kenko told of how the fight between the man from the shadows started and ended, and briefly mentioned that she brought back a witness who had collapsed at the scene. Avoiding the gazes of the older men, she ignored the question directed by Katakai, "Why did you not follow protocol? You know how important it is that we keep your identity secret – you had already risked that when you confront those men at the bar."
"Well, at least she had enough sense not to leave the witness at the site," Katsura cut in, crossing his arms, "I would guess that anyone's judgement would be affected after a particularly difficult battle. Himura," he turned back to the girl, "Who do you think this attacker was, part of the Satsuma clan? Your opinion, please."
"An assassin sent by the Shogunate," she answered curtly, glancing back over to the koi pond. While she watched the fish move around freely, a blank expression on her face, Katakai asked whether it was possible for the man to be from the Shinsen Gumi.
"No, I have never seen a swordsman as brutal as he was. I would guess that…"
"He belonged to the Oniwaban Shuu." Katsura finished for her, nodding when she agreed.
Katakai also crossed his arms and looked Kenko right in the eye. "We have done our utmost to keep your identity secret. I can't see how anyone would know to send an assassin after you – especially when you were dressed in women's clothing.
Her expression darkened. "There may be a traitor among us…"
"I think you're right," Katsura said, shifting the swords at his waist, "This is a critical matter that requires my personal attention. Though, I must say it could have not come at a worse time. Furudaka, who was meant to be at the meeting being held tonight was captured by the Shinsen Gumi the other day."
"So, you will take a bodyguard this time?" Kenko asked, hand unconsciously wavering near her swords.
"No, there'll be no need for that. Just concentrate on the Shinsen Gumi to see if they try to do anything, and be more careful when on your own." He started down the path to the inn when he turned back and added, "I will also get Iizuka to check up on our new resident, as I'm sure Okami would not appreciate us getting rid of her new set of hands without reasonable cause." Smiling at the thought of her reaction, he continued down towards the open door where Iizuka was waiting for him.
A few minutes later, after the Choushuu men had finished eating breakfast, Kenko made her way into the kitchen where Okami and the girls were cleaning up. Glancing in, she tried to keep a passive face when Okami first made a comment on her hair.
"You should really brush it, Himura-chan," she advised, picking up another dirty bowl, "You look as if you've been living under the west bridge."
"Uh… hai…" was Kenko's weak reply, stepping down so she was just inside the doorframe. "Um, Okami-san, I came here to ask you something… It's about the young man…"
"Ah, you mean Tomo-kun," The older woman interjected, not looking up from her work, "This morning when I ran into him, he was ever so polite, apologising for being a burden."
"Oh, so… then why is he still here?" Kenko asked, becoming worried that what Iizuka had said earlier was true.
"After I told him that he was of no burden to me, he gladly accepted my offer for him to work for me, as he has no real place to stay right now."
Kenko blinked, not believing what she had heard. "Y-you…. Hired him! But, Okami-san…"
"He's a hard worker, Himura-chan – and willing," Okami told her, looking up into her dull eyes. She could almost swear that they had flashed with something besides amber. "Besides, you were the one who begged me to let him in, remember?"
"Yes, but it was only for the night." Kenko countered, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. "We could not possibly let him stay here – he knows who I am, and could put the whole inn in jeopardy."
"But I need another worker around here. While I do appreciate when you help out now and then with the more strenuous jobs, I really need someone around who can do it all the time. And Tomo-kun is perfect for it. Besides," she added, a frown crossing her face, "He might be able to distract the girls from the Choushuu men for once."
Kenko scowled when Miyuki and Aya giggled. She supposed they thought he was 'cute', or whatever Ikumatsu had called him a few days before.
"Katsura has already talked to him about what happened last night," Okami's voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned to face the older woman, "And he has promised to keep your identity secret. If you're that bothered about him being here, Himura-chan, then how about asking him to leave yourself?"
"Ore?" Kenko said in surprise, ignoring Okami's grumble about her using such language, "But… well…" Realising she had no excuse not to, she sighed and went through the door, saying as she left, "Fine… I'll do that then…"
Okami watched her leave the room and turn back towards the staircase, an angry air following her. Turning back to the bowls in front of her, she picked up another bowl and stared at the pattern of hakubai. "Perhaps having a new face around might bring some life back into her eyes…" Sighing, she picked up her cloth and continued cleaning.
Leaning against the windowsill a few hours later, with her hair brushed and back up in a high ponytail, Kenko was watching the road outside the inn. Not many passed during the middle of the day, but on this occasion, a group of Choushuu men were standing outside, ready to go out after eating lunch. A few minutes after they had left, she heard footsteps approaching her shoji. When it was slid open, it revealed Tomo, holding a tray of food. Seeing her in the room, he apologised and began to back out.
Realising that this was the best opportunity to talk to him, she said, "No, wait, it's ok – I need to speak to you about something, anyway," Giving a small nod in thanks, he sat down, removed his sword and began to eat.
As she watched him, Kenko suddenly found herself tongue-tied. She had planned to start her discussion straight away, getting straight to the point, but now that the time had come, she couldn't think of what to say. Opening her mouth, she tried to say something, but nothing came out. Frowning, she looked out the window again, fiddling with the katana resting by her leg, when Tomo set down his hashi and said, "Has your wound healed?"
"Eh?" Kenko turned back to him, confusion in her dull eyes.
"Your cheek, has it stopped bleeding?" Watching her feel it with her fingers, his expression softened with the tiniest of smiles, "I hope so."
"Uh… well, it's not as wet as it usually is…" Kenko mumbled, looking at her fingers, surprised that the young man remembered it.
Shifting his position on the floor, Tomo continued with, "You said you wished to talk about something with me?"
Feeling slight annoyance that he had to initiate the topic, she cleared her throat, "Yes, well…" Taking one last look outside the window, she started with, "About last night…"
"Yes, thank you again for bringing me back to this inn," Tomo interjected, the slight smile still on his face, "I have no doubt that a drunken man like I was last night would be looked on with delight from bandits."
"Uh…" Kenko blinked, not sure how to respond to his comment. Mentally shaking her head, she continued, "Yes, well… Tomo-san… about what happened last night… no one's meant to know who I am, so I… I want you to forget everything you saw and leave this place." Sighing silently, she wondered why it had seemed so hard to get that sentence out.
"Am I really such a burden to you? Okami-san seems to want me to stay, that's all," Tomo answered, much to Kenko's disappointment. "She said that sometimes you do the harder jobs when you should be resting, so if I'm here, you can do so."
Kenko stared at him for a moment before looking away, feeling a slight blush cross her face. "But… surely you have family… who would be wondering where you are if you don't return…"
The smile left the young man's face as he looked across the room. "If I had a family to return to, I wouldn't be getting drunk every night. Everyone close to me has either died or disowned me. I'm like a stray dog with nowhere to go."
'This is not going well,' Kenko thought as she gazed at the now blank face. Looking back out the window, she told him, "I'm not exactly sure of your situation, but whatever it is, we are in no state to look after you."
"So then," The change in his tone of voice caused Kenko to snap her head back to face him, "Will you take care me?" The blank expression was still on his face, but his black eyes were narrowed slightly, "Like you did last night with that dark samurai?"
It took Kenko a moment to respond, his eyes glinting with quiet anger distracting her, "You can think what you want about me," she finally replied, "However, I only kill so that the new era will come and bring peace to everyone. I don't kill randomly, only armed members of the Bakufu. While civilians can become our enemies, I would never strike an unarmed man"
"Ah, sou ka," Tomo's quiet voice interrupted, and Kenko could feel his ki flare with anger, "So you judge a man on whether he holds a weapon or not?"
"T-that's… not what I said," Kenko stammered, becoming nervous.
"I was holding a sword last night," Tomo continued, "So why did you not carry out your judgement on me?"
"I… I…" Kenko struggled to think of something to say, "I didn't see your sword… until afterwards…"
"But if you had," the young man pressed, his eyes narrowing further, "Would you have…"
"K-kora!" Kenko spluttered, her eyes flashing angrily, "That's… that's not…"
"Jaa," Picking up his tray of food and katana, Tomo stood up and turned to the door, "If you ever have an answer for me, please let me know." And with that, he walked out the room.
Blinking, Kenko suddenly called after him, "Wa… wait! So you're just going to stay here!" His answer was sliding the shoji shut with more force than necessary. After staring at the door for a few moments, she leaned back against the windowsill, and brought a hand to her head. "Well, that went well," she muttered, closing her eyes in frustration.
Thinking over the conversation, she concentrated on when his mood changed. It was when they started talking about her killings. Tomo had made it sound as if she only judged a man on whether they held a sword or not. Well, that was just preposterous – there were good men who had swords, like Katsura. True, he didn't use them anymore, but… and there were men who didn't have swords and were evil. But they usually had bodyguards who had their own swords. Then, what about herself? She had her swords, and she killed many people, so then was she a bad person for killing people?
Yes…But she did it for the new era, so that no one would be under the power of the Shogunate again. How could that be bad?
"Ugh, my head hurts…" she mumbled to herself, rubbing her temples. Glancing back at the closed shoji, she felt like she was going mad… Shaking her head, she got up, picked up her sword, and went towards the shoji, in search of Okami again.
Notes:
Now, before anyone goes and flames me for Tomo(e) being OOC (if only because he actually SMILES once or twice), I just want to point out that Tomo is a different character to Tomoe. Well, he plays the same part in Himura's life, but since he is a guy, straight away he's going to have a different character to a woman, just from the way he is brought up. So, while he does have traits of Tomoe, he also has similarities to Kenshin in 'rurouni' mode. You will probably see more similarities as the story progresses, but the main things is like Kenshin as 'rurouni', he always has his small smile and nothing seems to bother him (well, not yet, but in a few chapters, he will… maybe…) But with both of them (Tomo and rurouni), you can never really tell what they're thinking, and being a rurouni, Kenshin can slip out of it and become serious, angry etc. So… yeah, you've been warned. (Actually, as it's turned out after editing parts of chapters, he's not too different from Tomoe, but he will be, especially when they go to Otsu. If I publish that bit, anyway.)
Translations:
Kuso – shit
Jaa – well, then
Koi – carp
Tabi – straw sandals
Ore – I, me (it's quite a masculine word – women would normally never use it)
Hakubai – white plum blossoms
Sou ka – is that so?
Ki – spirit (usually that of a warrior… well, being from a samurai family, Tomo has been trained in kenjutsu… wait, I shouldn't have said that… that was gonna be a surprise… bah, who cares)
Kora – Hey! (it's quite rough – another example of Kenko's masculine language)