Chapter 6: New Beginnings
"Yamagata-san any new information?"
"Hai Katsura-sama. I've actually found some interesting intelligence. The Shogunate has started removing troops from the Toba-Fushimi Region. Squads 8-14 of the Shinsengumi are leaving Kyoto and heading to the mountain range just north. We've also gathered that there seems to be a large mass of unknown troops gathering just north of Edo.
"Yamagata-san that information will have to be dealt with immediately. Could please give this to Himura-san. In addition, I will need you too get the other Ishin leaders together and please give them the report you just gave me. The meeting will be scheduled for tomorrow at the usual time in this inn."
"Katsura-sama what about invading the Toba-Fushimi region while the Shogunate is preoccupied?"
"Iie. Currently we have another situation to deal with. The reason the meeting is necessary is because we might currently need to make a truce with the Shogunate."
"You crazy bastard!"
"Iie. I've been receiving reports from another source of trusted intelligence. That a third party is trying to destroy both current parties of this revolution and take over. While we are both weak and preoccupied. Please follow the directions I'm giving you. Things are going to get very messy. You are dismissed."
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Kaoru was on the shopping spree of a lifetime. Kimonos, yakutas, ribbons, obis and tabi were all hers. You name it she bought it. How much money do I need to spend to get this guy broke anyway?...
Little wench is going to make me broke! Kenshin was almost at the end of his lit fuse. Thank kami-sama I got a raise after that mission...
"Ooh there's just 2 more things I have to buy!"
"Arigato kami for looking out for me..." mumbled an irritated battousai.
"Waddya say?"
"Nothing Ukiko-san."
"Here's the store!" The pair entered the dim lit hovel off the main street. The store seemed to have the smell of fresh laundry. The walls covered by rack after rack of gi and hakama. Kaoru immediately rushed over to the rod containing the brightest gi of them all. It was bright pink. Kami, I thought you were looking out from me?
"Ooh you just have to wear this!" And now the icing on the cake...
"I refuse to waste my money on something as frivolous as a pink gi." This women is going to be the death of me...
"It's not Pink! It's magenta! Plus, I'm sure you'll look dashing in it." He'll probably look like a girl!
"Shows what you know about fashion." Although I kinda liked that yellow kimono ...
"Then it's final. I'll buy this and this!" she announced with finality, while grabbing the smallest white pair of hakama the store had. Kaoru marched up to the counter and paid for the two articles of clothing.
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What the hell is Aoshi thinking! He wants Grapefruit of all things, that too out of season! Misao was so steamed that she failed to notice the people coming out of the store 2 steps in front of her.
"ITAAAAAAIIIIIII!"
Kaoru was sure that she was going to land on dirt and was prepared to hit the ground when she suddenly felt a gentle arm around her waist. She opened her eyes only to be met with soft amber ones gazing steadily back. I could've sworn I saw violet...
"Gomen nasai Ukiko-san. I always seem to run into you like this... I really want to apologize about my behavior at the Aoiya. I also need to apologize for my lack of tact, my rude actions, my..."
"Apology accepted..."
"Oh! I'm really sorry I haven't introduced myself properly. Atashi wa Makamachi, Misao."
"Makamachi-san I accept your apology."
"Ukiko-san I was wondering if you could please keep a look out for grapefruit. If you do, can you please do me a favor and give it to me?"
"Ano, sure Makamachi-san."
"Oh I forgot you can pay for it with this." Misao handed Kaoru a small sack filled with sen. Kaoru was sure that something else was dropped into her sleeve as Misao pulled her hand away.
Kenshin was watching the conversation half heartedly. He was sure that he felt some Shinsengumi. As soon as they're done he needed to get himself and Kaoru to safety. He glanced back to conversation only to notice Makamachi-san dropping a small scroll into Kurasa's sleeve. Kenshin feigned ignorance and pretended to look at the sky and back.
"Ukiko-san if we don't hurry we will surely miss lunch, de gozaru yo."
"Ja ne Makamachi-san." Kaoru replied instantly to Misao. I hope I see you again...
Kenshin immediately grasped Kurasa's hand and headed to a small alley across the street. Only to turn himself and press himself and Kurasa against the wall of the alley.
Kaoru immediately became aware of Kenshin's strong arm around her waist and his body pressed up against hers. She began to tell Kenshin about the rather intimate position when she noticed the Shinsengumi talking to Misao. No wonder he was in such a hurry...
"Itachi, I need you to give this to Shinomori-san." Saitoh handed a rather normal indescript envelope to Misao.
"Why should I?"
"Because that is an important letter from the Shogun." replied a very forlorn looking Okita.
"Okita-kun what's the matter?"
"I was wondering if you found the body of Kaoru-chan?"
"I'm really sorry Okita-kun nothing has been found as of late." I can't believe I said that with a straight face...
"Arigato, Misao-chan. Saitoh-san could you please do me a favor and apologize to Makamachi-san for your rude comment?"
"Gomen Nasai Makamachi-san."
"Arigato, Saitoh-san." Neither wanted to disrespect Okita by insulting each other. All in all the scene was very odd. Misao and Saitoh both looked as though they just swallowed a large piece of fruit whole.
"Sayonara Okita-kun." Misao hurriedly started the trip back to the Aoiya. Not even daring to glance back for fear she would just burst and tell Okita that Kaoru-chan was indeed alive.
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As soon as Kaoru heard what Misao said she was torn. How could she! She knows I'm alive! Kuso I'm alive! She was so confused that she even completely forgot that she was hiding in an alley eavesdropping on the conversation. She started to unconsciously shrug away at Kenshin's grasp only to be pulled closer to him. Instantly she flushed. She was now well aware that she was practically on top of the guy behind her. Geez kami did you really need to do this...
Kenshin was too engrossed in the conversation to notice the rather intimate position he held Kaoru in. Unconsciously he loosened his hold and let out a sigh of relief as soon as the Shinsengumi passed by there hiding place. Suddenly he felt something snap out his hold and a rather alarming ki right in front of him. He looked up only to see Ukiko-san brandishing a bokken in a rather menacing fashion.
"Himura-san you HENTAI!" Kaoru unleashed a wicked headstrike to the poor hitokiri.
"oro...." Kenshin mumbled.
Kaoru was already across the street by the time Kenshin got himself into some semblance of order. He walked across the street and helped he pick up the numerous packages and baskets they left while talking to Makamachi-san.
"Arigato Himura-san." Kaoru was was looking completely flushed.
Kenshin was confused to say the least. Why is she now blushing bright red at the thought of me helping her. Wasn't she the one who hit me... Why do I keep saying such weird things in front of her? de gozaru? oro? I think she's finally driven me over the edge...
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"Okashira, I still can't believe you got Misao to actually listen to you for a second."
"He's the Okashira for a reason Okon."
"Enough you two. If we actually expect something to be done before Misao gets back..."
"Oh shut up Okina!"
"But, girls... Don't you actually..."
"Anyway Okashira did you actually..."
"Actually what Okon."
"You know..."
"No I don't."
"Kiss Misao?" burst out the the two ninja women simultaneously.
"Kuro, Shiro?"
"Hai Okashira?"
"Plan B?"
"Aa, plan b."
Within 10 seconds both women were kneeling across from Aoshi with their hands tied behind their backs and gags across their mouths.
"Okashira was that really necessary?"
"Okina, did they listen to you when you told them to shut up?"
"No... but bound and gagged?"
"You know as well as I do, that those 2 will never shut up once I tell them what has to be done."
"Aa Okashira..."
"Anyway I have to announce that the Oniwabanshuu base of Kyoto is going to temporarily be moved to Tokyo for the duration. Okina your job is to visit Tokyo and announce the arrival of the rest of us. Okon and Kuro your job is to visit the hills just north of Kyoto and get information on just who this third group is. Omasu and Shiro you are to also head toward Tokyo only your job is to find out what the condition is of the third parties troops are. The reason you all are paired up the way you are is that you all, except Okina, are going to be masquerading as married couples. Okon and Kuro your job is to report to the Shinsengumi up there and then return to Tokyo headquarters. Omasu and Shiro you two are to report to Tokyo. Okina you are to temporarily take control of Tokyo headquarters. Is all that clear?"
"Hai, Okashira."
"Kuro could you please unbind Okon and Omasu?"
"Aa"
As soon as the were unbound you could see how mad they really were. Both had steam literally pouring out of their ears.
"Why do we have to married Okashira?" spat Okon.
"It's a disguise."
"Maybe it would have been better if we simply knocked them out out Okashira?"
"SHUT UP OKINA!"
"Geez Women..."
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Kaoru walked up to her room and put away her new clothing. She grabbed a set of gi and hakama and started to change when she noticed the small scroll rolling on the floor. Quickly she picked it up and began to to read. It said:
Dear Kaoru-chan,
I know it's you! I'm so happy that I found out that you're okay! Himura-san is treating okay right? If not, I'll kick his scrawny little ass all the way to Tokyo! Guess what? Aoshi-sama actually kissed me! I'm soooooooo happy.
Hoping you're well,
Misao
p.s.
If you want to write back simply find a grapefruit and deliver the money bag with the note inside and the grapefruit to the Aoiya. I expect a response soon!
p.s.s.
We've already told Sano, Megumi and the brat that you're doing okay.
Kaoru grinned at the contents of the note. She could imagine Misao pinning Kenshin to the wall with her kunai and scaring him out of Kyoto. Feeling much better, she decided perhaps she'll go down and help Okami-san clean up after the lunch rush. Kaoru changed back into her kimono and was about to walk into the hall way when the shoji slid open revealing Kenshin. He seems tense...
"Ukiko-san we have to meet with Katsura-san right away."
"Hai, Himura-san. I'll be there in a second." She slid on a pair of zori and followed Kenshin out the door to the meeting room just a few rooms away.
Upon entering, they were greeted by Katsura and asked to sit down.
"Ukiko-san, Himura-san, I have some bad news. Currently, there seems to be a spy among us and on top of that there seems to be a third party hellbent on collapsing both the Shogunate and the Ishin. So temporarily we are going to fragment the Ishin and regroup once we can get rid of this threat. Understand?"
"Hai."
"Aa"
"That's why you guys are going to pose as yet another married..."
"Katsura-san your crazy!"
"I've been hearing that alot lately... Proceed Ukiko-san."
"Why do we need to get married?"
"I only said pose Ukiko-san."
"Oh..." You could see the blood rushing up into Kaoru's cheeks.
"Himura-san here is the deed to the property you two will be staying in. I hope you like it. You two are to pack and leave tomorrow morning by carriage. You are dismissed."
Kenshin and Kaoru stood up one after the other, and began walking out of the room. Once in the hall, Kaoru slipped her hand into Kenshin's. What the hell?!...
As if reading his thoughts she responds "If we have to act married, then we should begin as soon as possible right?" My new beginning with you...
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Author's Notes: I'm really sorry it took me soo long to update! We had a power outage and it shorted out my damn computer with the chapters and outlines! So the plot is definitely gonna be slightly different from the way I planned it.
I'm probably going to be using Ukiko, Kurasa and Kamiya, Kaoru interchangeably for names of Kaoru. Don't be alarmed. They're the same person!
If anybody can tell me the name of the Tower that Kenshin fights Shishio in that would be great! I kinda forgot what it was called....
Thank you so much those who reviewed! Scroll down for review responses! I'll try to respond to my reviewers every 2 to 3 chapters! Arigato minna-san
Anyway MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Disclaimer: The day I own Kenshin is the day Mount Everest collapses into the Indian Ocean! (Man I can't even write a decent disclaimer what chance do I have of writing something as great as RK anyway?)
Japanese to English Glossary:
gi- japanese samurai shirt
hakama- samurai pants with the folds in them
arigato- thank you
sayonara-good bye
ja ne- see you
-san- mr. ms. mrs.
-sama- lord
Okashira- leader
Atashi wa - I am....
shoji-rice paper door
zori- flat wooden slippers worn by Kaoru in the Anime
kami-sama - Lord God
Obi - sash that ties the Kimono closed usually highly decorative
tabi - split toe socks
bokken -wooden sword
de gozaru - that it is ( something that makes the sentence said polite)
oro - can't explain it so I'm not even going to try
itai - ouch
gomen nasai - I'm sorry
hai - yes
Aa - yes (informal)
Iie - no
ano - a kind of stammering...
sen - cents are to dollars what sen is to yen
itachi -weasel
kurasa-raven
kunai - throwing knives
kuso - something like damn
baka -stupid
hentai - pervert
ki - aura of a person or thing
Review Responses:
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