All through dinner, Kenshin and Nuriko took turns making faces and odd gestures when they knew Hotohori wasn't watching. The kitchen staff and servants eyed them strangely but didn't say anything. Hotohori didn't notice a thing, which only made it more difficult to keep from laughing.
Unfortunately for Kenshin, Hotohori had wanted a detailed account of his time in Konan since his unexpected arrival. This entailed keeping a straight face and steady voice as he told of the bandits and the money-grubbing brat. Keeping a serious countenance wouldn't have been so difficult, excepting one small factor. Nuriko.
The purple-haired youth was sitting directly across from Kenshin. This placed him outside of Hotohori's field of vision while he was talking to Kenshin. He took full advantage of his situation. After spending half of dinner making random faces and various perverted gestures, he had settled into mimicking Hotohori precisely. Kind of. He was ludicrously exaggerating the emperor's every facial expression, turning the mildest looks into some of the most severe and obscure he could manage. Kenshin kicked him. That caused Nuriko to double his efforts. Kenshin silently vowed to hurt him later.
Kenshin was growing desperate. He was about to burst out laughing in the emperor's face. Every nervous tick in his cheek spurred Nuriko to further lengths. No matter how he tried to ignore the younger man, he found he couldn't. The purple-haired youth was forever in his peripheral vision. He tried to concentrate on something else.
"Hotohori-sama," he interrupted. The emperor pulled up short on his lengthy explanation of the ceremony to summon Suzaku. "You said earlier that there were seven seishi, de gozaru. How will we be able to find them, de gozaru ka?"
Hotohori beamed, thrilled that Kenshin seemed interested in what he was saying. Nuriko promptly mimicked him, throwing Kenshin a look that bordered between undying love and raging lust. Kenshin was seriously considering throwing something and might have had Hotohori not distracted him by answering his question.
"All of the seishi will be marked with one of the symbols of Suzaku," he said. One hand went to the collar of his silk shirt and he tugged down the neckline. "Like this."
Kenshin's eyebrows rose when he saw the scarlet kanji on the side of his neck. Could the man seriously be suggesting that they roam the country stripping people? He heard Nuriko gasp, drawing attention to himself. The purple-haired man pulled down the edge of his shirt to expose his collarbone, displaying a crimson kanji of his own. Kenshin blinked in shock. Hotohori positively gaped.
"You see?" Hotohori said happily. "It will be a simple matter to gather them."
"Yes, you're absolutely crawling with seishi," Nuriko said dryly.
"You don't suppose…" Hotohori trailed off.
"The money-grubbing brat?" Kenshin asked, picking up on the thought. "I hope not, de gozaru. What kind of warrior abandons someone in need of help? Besides, we'd never find him, de gozaru."
Nuriko and Hotohori exchanged amused looks. Kenshin obviously didn't like the boy he had followed into town and was attempting to convince them that he was useless for the sole purpose of avoiding him.
"Well, I guess it would be difficult to find him," Hotohori conceded. "He could be anywhere by now."
Needing to tease Kenshin further, Nuriko spoke up. Kenshin glared at him.
"I bet I could find him, Hotohori-sama."
Hotohori smiled. Kenshin did not look happy.
* * *
Nuriko stood on top of a tall building in the center of town, a small bag of gold in one hand. He had chosen a loose mesh to hold the coins so that they could be clearly seen. To the bag, he had tied a long, thin rope, woven carefully to be able to hold over a ton of weight.
Nuriko shifted his hold on the rope back a bit and began spinning the small bag in a tight circle over his head. He slowly let out the cord until he had a large circle spinning above him. Kenshin watched, amused, as the bag of gold was spun faster and faster until the purple-haired seishi released his hold on the rope.
Released from its orbit, the small bag of gold coins flew to the far end of the city. Nuriko instantly grabbed the end of the rope at his feet and began pulling it in rapidly. After only a few seconds, he had pulled in the entire length of rope, the bag of gold still firmly tied to the end.
Untangling the rope, Nuriko threw the bag a second time in a different direction. He pulled in the rope rapidly again. Still nothing.
On the fifth throw, halfway through pulling in the bag of gold, something snagged the line. Grinning too widely, Nuriko doubled his efforts and hauled the line in. Slowly but surely, the rope began to pile up near the crossdresser's feet. Deciding he was tired of fighting the rope, Nuriko raised his arms above his head and snapped them down viciously, sending a whip-like wave down the rope. The line went slack.
Dropping the line, the purple-haired man jumped off of the roof and ran into the city, following the rope. Bemused, Kenshin followed him.
A few blocks into the city, a small crowd had gathered around something in the middle of the street. Nuriko casually pushed everyone out of the way, his strength reminding Kenshin once again of Sano.
In the middle of the crowd, curled protectively around the bag of gold on the end of the rope, was Tamahome. Unconscious. A large red welt ran vertically the length of his face from the force of the whipped rope, running directly across the kanji on his forehead. Nuriko smirked. Kenshin snickered.
"What did I tell you?" Nuriko asked, still grinning. "Trolling for brats."
Still smiling widely at his successful fishing outing, Nuriko snagged Tamahome by the back of his shirt and tossed him over his shoulder. Kenshin was amused to see that the blue-haired teen was still jealously clutching the small bag of gold coins. Nuriko tugged at the sack curiously before deciding to let him keep it. He'd have an easier time getting a steak from a pack of starving wolves.
Kenshin trailed slightly behind the two on the way back to the castle, casually coiling the rope as he walked. Tamahome's capture gave them three seishi, but they had yet to find the other four. Something told Kenshin that the others wouldn't be as easy to locate.
* * *
Despite the fact that Tamahome was in their possession and was undeniably the third seishi, they discovered another problem. He didn't want to be a seishi. Nuriko had had to sit on him to keep him from running off. After helping tie him up, Kenshin had asked to speak with him alone.
Sitting down near where Tamahome was squirming on the floor, Kenshin waited for the younger man to acknowledge him. After a few minutes, Tamahome stopped struggling and glared at him.
"I've agreed to help gather the seishi and summon Suzaku, de gozaru," Kenshin said. Tamahome glowered at him.
"You've agreed to become a priestess?" he asked sarcastically.
"Priest," Kenshin corrected, shrugging slightly.
"Why?" Tamahome asked suspiciously.
"Hotohori-sama convinced me that it would keep Konan from having to go to war, de gozaru. I have already lived through one war and I have no intention of letting another begin if I can prevent it peacefully, de gozaru."
Finally, Tamahome's countenance softened. "How old were you?" he asked softly.
"I was thirteen when it started, de gozaru. By the time I was fourteen, I was fighting as an assassin. After the war, I became a wanderer, helping people I encountered. I agreed to help Hotohori-sama for the sake of Konan, de gozaru."
Tamahome sighed. "Very well, you win. I'll help provided that you let me check on something before we leave to search for the others."
"Fair enough," Kenshin conceded, untying the teen. "It's understandable that you would want to check on your family before a long journey."
"How did you…"
"Know?" Kenshin finished for him. Tamahome nodded. "I didn't, de gozaru. But I suspected it was something important for you to be so insistent."
"I see. I'll be back in two days."
Kenshin nodded. "We'll be ready to leave when you get back, de gozaru. For now, I'll have someone bring you a horse."
Tamahome nodded and started towards the front courtyard. Kenshin disappeared into the castle grounds, telling a passing servant to get a horse for the newest seishi. The thin man bowed and left to do as asked. Kenshin wandered into a small room where Hotohori was pouring over various books and scrolls. He grinned widely when the redhead entered.
"Well?"
"He agreed, de gozaru. He'll help us look for the other seishi." He chose to ignore Hotohori's ecstatic grin. "Could I request some gold?" That caught Hotohori complete off guard.
"Of course," he said, stunned. Pulling open a desk drawer, he tossed a large bag of gold coins to Kenshin, who caught it easily.
"Thank you, de gozaru."
"What is it for?" Hotohori asked when Kenshin turned to leave immediately.
"To help a friend, de gozaru," Kenshin answered, disappearing before the emperor could ask more questions.
Kenshin's god-like speed allowed him to get across the castle grounds in a matter of minutes. He reached the front gates just as Tamahome was mounting his horse. Kenshin lobbed the small sack of gold at him. More from reflex than anything, Tamahome caught it.
"What's this?"
"A present for your family, de gozaru."
Tamahome opened the small bag and nearly fell off of his horse. His eyes bulged.
"Where did you get this?"
"I asked Hotohori-sama for it, de gozaru."
"Thank you," Tamahome said softly, clutching the small bag tightly in his fist. "I'll be back in two days to help you search."
Kenshin nodded, sensing the deep gratitude in the teen's softly quavering voice. Waving, he turned back towards where he had seen Nuriko a moment ago while running. The teen had looked absolutely stunned at the speed Kenshin was moving. A palace servant intercepted him before he could find the younger man.
"Hotohori-sama has requested your presence," the man said, bowing deeply. Kenshin raised his eyebrows and the man elaborated. "He wishes to hold a conference with the priest of the Suzaku and the other seishi."
Kenshin nodded and thanked the man, starting towards the emperor instead of the purple-haired teen. He had only been walking for a few moments when Nuriko appeared beside him. The younger man stared at him for a moment before speaking.
"I've never seen anyone move that fast in my entire life. What was the rush?"
Kenshin grinned. "I had to see Tamahome before he left, de gozaru."
"He escaped?" Nuriko cried. Kenshin quickly shook his head.
"I untied him so he could leave, de gozaru."
Without warning, Kenshin found himself hauled into the air by the furious teen beside him. Nuriko shook him roughly.
"Are you insane? We need him to summon Suzaku!"
"He's coming back in two days, de gozaru," Kenshin assured him calmly. "He just has something that he needs to take care of."
Still glaring, Nuriko dropped him. Kenshin landed silently and straightened his clothes, not bothered by the nasty looks directed at him. Kaoru glared more fiercely than that.
The thought of Kaoru glaring brought his mind back to Tokyo. He had been gone several days now and he knew that his friends would be worried. Kaoru would also be mad that he hadn't finished the laundry. He had to get back to the dojo. With that in mind, he started towards where he knew Hotohori would be, not noticing the strange looks Nuriko kept throwing at him in the silence.
Hotohori greeted them both when they entered the small conference room. His eyes flickered between the two and he frowned slightly.
"Where's Tamahome? Isn't he with either of you?"
"He'll be back in two days, de gozaru," Kenshin answered readily. "He had something to attend to before taking a long journey."
Hotohori frowned slightly. "And you believe he'll come back?"
"Hai, de gozaru."
"Very well. I will trust your judgment on this," Hotohori conceded. Without preamble, he proceeded to the point. "I called you here to discuss how to locate the other four seishi."
"Understandable," Nuriko said. "We can hardly wander the country stripping everyone we meet."
Hotohori glanced at him strangely, making Nuriko realize what he had just said. He blushed. Kenshin could only grin, remembering having had the same thoughts when he first learned of the symbols. Fortunately for the purple-haired teen, Kenshin intervened.
"Isn't there anyone who would know, de gozaru ka? Surely someone must have knowledge we are not privy to, de gozaru," Kenshin said quickly.
"There is one," Hotohori admitted. Kenshin peered at him inquisitively. "Taiitsu-kun would know."
"How would we contact her?" Nuriko asked, not noticing the blank look that had settled on Kenshin's face.
"We'll have to go to her," Hotohori responded. "We may have been able to contact her another way, but we don't have a monk to assist us."
"How would a monk be of use?" Kenshin asked, looking utterly baffled.
"With magic," Hotohori said patiently.
"Oro?"
"How else would a monk be of use?" Nuriko asked.
Kenshin just shook his head absently, realizing once again that he had no idea what was going on. Sighing, he accepted to the inevitable.
"Will we be waiting on Tamahome to return, de gozaru ka?"
"Of course," Hotohori said immediately. "You assured us that he will return in two days. I will trust your judgment and have preparations made to leave at that time."
Kenshin nodded. "Is there anything else we need to do, de gozaru ka?" When Hotohori shook his head, Kenshin turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Nuriko asked.
"To look for Saito, de gozaru."
Nuriko and Hotohori exchanged guarded looks before turning back to the once again confused redhead.
"Your friend Saito will not be in Konan," Hotohori said slowly.
"Oro?"
Having grown accustomed to the odd sound Kenshin made when he was confused, which was very often, Hotohori quickly elaborated.
"He's probably in Kutou. You said yourself that he was surrounded by blue light when you were touched by the red. Since blue is associated with Seiryu, I can only assume that he ended up in the dragon god's country."
"What is Saito like anyways?" Nuriko asked suddenly. Hotohori froze, understanding the significance of the question. If Saito was willing to become a priest and fight them, a war could start.
"He's a very good swordsman, de gozaru," Kenshin said, looking between the two worried men. "He fought in the same war I did, but on the other side."
"What?!?" Nuriko cried. "I thought he was your friend!"
"We fought each other in the past, de gozaru. Even though we were on opposite sides, I hold no grudges. We were alike though in what we were fighting for what we believed with our swords and our lives."
Hotohori did not look happy. "But what is he like?"
"Personality-wise," Nuriko added.
"Personality?" Kenshin asked. He quickly added under his breath, "I don't think he has one." Once again, he forgot about Nuriko's excellent hearing.
"Kenshin," he said threateningly.
Kenshin raised his hands in surrender. The last thing he needed was a concussion from the crossdressing warrior. He didn't believe that Hotohori could stop him either, and from the dark look on the emperor's face, Kenshin doubted he would even try. He had obviously heard the comment as well.
"He's obsessed with justice," Kenshin offered. "And he has a bit of a temper, but I don't think you have to worry about him fighting us."
"I see," Hotohori mumbled. He studied Kenshin for a moment longer before waving his hand dismissively. "I'll send out orders to the servants. We'll be ready to go as soon as Tamahome returns. Until then, you may wander the castle grounds freely. Please stay out of the city, as parts of it may be dangerous."
Kenshin nodded and immediately turned to leave, Nuriko following him silently. Hotohori glanced at Kenshin as he walked towards the door, a slight frown forming on his face.
"Wait a moment," he called. Kenshin looked at him curiously from the doorway. "It's been awhile since I've had a chance to spar. I noticed that you're still carrying your sword around and was wondering if you'd be interested?"
"Well…" Kenshin trailed off, uncertain. It had been a long time since he had sparred for exercise or training, but at the same time, he didn't want to fight with the emperor. How did one tell the leader of a country that he probably stunk with a sword and would lose in the matter of a few seconds?
"Don't worry," Hotohori said quickly. "I'll go easy on you."
Kenshin's head snapped up and he stared incredulously at the emperor, mouth hanging slack in shock. The emperor thought he could win? Kenshin had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing aloud. Finally, he could no longer resist and he grinned.
"Okay. Let's spar, de gozaru," he chuckled. He couldn't resist taunting him at least once. "And don't hold back."
Nuriko watched the exchange with a straight face. The moment Kenshin agreed, he sprinted around the nearest corner and started laughing hysterically. Though it was well known that Hotohori was the best swordsman in the country, Nuriko had seen Kenshin running only a few minutes earlier. He knew who would be the victor.
"I gotta see this," he mumbled, following the two as they headed towards an open section of garden, each with a sword hanging from his waist.
Kenshin watched Hotohori carefully as he immediately took up a defensive stance and placed one hand on his sword, keeping it sheathed. When the emperor made no move to begin the fight, Kenshin drew his sword and glanced at Nuriko, smiling wider when he saw the purple-haired teen going into convulsive fits of laughter.
Feeling like showing off, Kenshin walked calmly towards the younger man, maintaining a nice slow pace. Hotohori finally drew his sword, holding it out defensively. He looked very confused by the leisurely style his opponent had adopted. Knowing that Nuriko would get a kick out of it, Kenshin, remembering his fight with Soujiro, suddenly changed his speed to something he knew the emperor couldn't match.
Hotohori gaped when Kenshin suddenly vanished from in front of him, staring at the empty garden grounds with wide eyes. Something pressed firmly against his back. Not wanting to believe what he already knew to be true, he glanced over his shoulder to see Kenshin prodding him with the tip of his sword, grinning widely.
"Would you like a rematch, Hotohori-sama?" he asked innocently, nearly turning purple in his efforts not to laugh himself sick.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something on the ground in a large heap, choked noises coming from it. Turning his head, Kenshin saw that it was Nuriko, who had laughed so hard he had lost the ability to breathe or remain upright. Hotohori noticed this as well and frowned.
"No, thank you," Hotohori muttered, glaring at the gasping crossdresser. Suddenly, he grinned. "I've changed my mind, though. Feel free to wander the city. I almost feel sorry for anyone who picks a fight with you."
Grinning, Kenshin sheathed his sword and left the chagrinned emperor standing alone in the middle of one of his gardens. Nuriko, probably hoping for another sword display, ran after him. Hotohori simply shook his head and made a mental note to never get into a real fight with the diminutive redhead.
To Be Continued…
Okay, now I'm just stalling here. I know I am. Weirdness will come up shortly. Just you wait until I bring in Chichiri and Tasuki. Now that will be fun. I'll let you wonder what I'm up to. *smirk* R&R! Oh, and be warned, updates will be monstrously slow since I'm being worked to the bone and all, having just started medical school. I know I've said it once, but R&R!!!