Chap:7 The Calm before The Storm
"Katsura-sama are you sure this little peace treaty will work out?"
"Iizuka if it doesn't then we're all dead anyway."
"Since when have you become a pessimist?"
"I'm not being a pessimistic. I just happen to be thinking realistically. Unlike you."
"What's the use in being all realistic when we all are destined for death anyway! We might as well enjoy life while we can instead of grumbling about the problems it throws are way!"
"Spoken like someone who doesn't have anything to lose..."
"I don't! Which is exactly my point!"
"Iizuka, the rest of us actually have something to lose. We need to hope that what little we have will still be here..."
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"Okita! How can you agree with this!"
"Saitoh-san we are essentially doing the same thing..."
Saitoh had had up to here with this temporary truce. He smashed the sake bottle lying on the table with his saya. Pieces of pottery now lay strewn across the dark wood of the table and floor. "We are not supposed to be working with the Ishin! They are the evil! Aku, Soku,Zan."
"Sin, Swiftly, Slay. I know the motto Saitoh-san. We are going to be doing the same thing. They only want us to change our uniforms. Is that so hard?"
"They also want us to work WITH the Ishin bastards!"
"Would you rather work towards a general peace, Saitoh-san? or would you work toward another civil war quite like what we just fought in?"
The shoji slid open revealing Tokio in a pale lavender kimono. In her hands she held a broom and a dustpan. "Is something broken here Okita-kun?" she said upon entering.
"Hai, Takagi-san," replied Okita, "Saitoh-san kinda lost his temper and took it out on the poor sake bottle."
"Hajime, how many times have I told not to take out your temper on poor inanimate objects?"
Saitoh actually was embarrassed enough to turn away and give a muffled reply. "nana (seven)..."
"What did you say?" Her temper was a kettle just put on the stove.
"Nana! Do you need to rub it in!" Saitoh's cool facade seemed to have a crack. A hole easily accessible by one Takagi, Tokio.
"Hai! You have broken 7 sake battles in the past week Hajime!" The water in the kettle had finally come to a boil. Steam pouring out of her spout. In a moment hot water would be flying everywhere. Ready to scare the wolf back into hiding
Okita was standing in the sidelines apparently interested at the current situation. You could see the wide grin on his face. Blackmail... Who would've thought... The wolf of mibu whipped by a women...
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The voices floating out were so loud that even 2 floors down you could hear them clearly. Outside the closed shoji a figure lay listening...
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The carriage arrived at the inn promptly at 9:00 for the journey. Outside of the inn Kaoru and Kenshin stood waiting. Kenshin in his navy blue gi, auburn hair in a topknot. Looking ready to face the world.
Kaoru was another story all together. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, wisps of hair catching the wind. He kimono a light peach color adding to her flushed appearance. She tried to stifle a yawn but was losing the battle. She looked just about ready face a warm futon and fall asleep.
The coachmen hopped off the bench and started loading their few belongings up to the top for their trip.
"Himura-san we're heading to Tokyo, right?"
At the the word Tokyo Kaoru's head snapped up. Tokyo... I really don't want to go back... I was just beginning to let go too... Her dismal thoughts seemed to always lead downward. As was the same with her gaze. Kaoru was looking at a dirt clod she was prodding with her foot.
"Hai." was Kenshin's curt reply. He wasn't paying attention to the coachmen though. "Kurasa-dono, daijoubu ka?"
"Hai daijoubu Kenshin."Kaoru nodded back.
Kenshin held her elbow and led her up the steps into the coach. Even before the coach was moving Kaoru was already snuggled up in the corner and was fast asleep.
Kenshin took a seat on the same bench as Kaoru but was on the opposite side of cab. He was watching Kaoru with apparent interest. What about Tokyo is she so uncomfortable with... It's not as if she has a history in Tokyo... I don't even know that... A puzzle... Kenshin had finally found something that couldn't be solved with a simple flick of his sword.
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"Aoshi-sama I was wondering what everybody is doing packing up? It's not like we're moving out of the Aoiya or anything like that." Misao was confused to say the least. Everything in the Aoiya was either packed into boxes or put into storage. The restaurant front was closed and locked.
"Misao we are all going to be visiting a few friends in Tokyo. You're going to be coming with me for a while." Aoshi said. It was a statement not a question but, as with everything having to do with Misao...
"Demo, Aoshi-sama I don't wanna go!" Misao mumbled. Misao didn't want to go for the obvious reason of leaving home. But she had other reasons as well. I can't get a message from Kao if I'm all the way in Tokyo... "Aoshi-sama at least can you please tell me what's so important about this?"
"Fine, I'll give you one hint : Tenken."
The wheels in Misao's brain were turning. Tenken but, isn't that Soujiro... SOU-CHAN! Misao broke out in a grin. Kao is smart she'll figure a way to tell me what's up... She then latched on to Aoshi's arm much to his dismay and yelled "Hyaku! Aoshi-sama come on we're going to see Sou-chan!"
Maybe I should have told her that in the first place...
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Kenshin was listlessly staring out of the window. When suddenly the carriage hit a bump, jolting him out of his stupor. His gaze fell upon his reflection. The scar... His index finger went over the last mark given. Tomoe... I promised I wouldn't forget you... But here I have gone and done just that... This girl makes me forget everything. Somehow she becomes my everything... A light snore was heard snapping Kenshin back to reality. His eyes fell upon the sleeping form of Kaoru. Her deep breathing, her peaceful face... Kenshin started drifting off before he even knew what hit him...
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"Baka Tori-atama! Wake up! It's noon for goodness sake!" Megumi was ticked. This was the third time somebody was sent to wake up the aforementioned rooster.
"Gimme 10 more minutes..." Sano turned and pulled the covers of his oversize futon farther up.
"You might have gotten away with that if I was Yahiko. But, I'm not!" Megumi was already at the end of her patience. She went to the end of the futon and pulled at the comforter on top.
"Oi Kitsune! You really didn't need to do that y'know!"
"Baka! Remember what Tae-san said! And I quote ' At the end of this week I'm going to be visiting my twin sister in Tokyo...'" Megumi looked down and noted Sano's current state of undress. She she also saw the sleepy halo around his head. She turned on her heel and walked out saying, "Just get changed quickly he carriage is going to be here in a few minutes. If you don't I'll tell Tae-san to leave without you and then you'll have to sit and look after the Akabeko all by yourself!"
"Megitsune wait up!" Sano stumbled out.
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"Could you please do me a favor and wait a few more minutes Tae-san? The rooster has yet to get down here."
"Hai, Hai it's not a problem Megumi..."
"Kitsune I told you to wait up!"
"Just shut up Tori-atama! I was actually looking forward to my vacation without your infernal racket!"
"Well, foxy I wanted a vacation without you just as much!"
"Megumi-san didn't you just ask..." Tae's mouth was suddenly covered by a fox paw.
"Tae-san what did she ask?" Inquired the rooster.
"Tori-atama..." Megumi started, "I told you to get into the carriage!"
"But, kitsune! I just wanted to..."
"She asked if you were dressed this morning! And unless you get your ass into the carriage, I swear I'll tell her about how...."
"Okaaaaaay, Geez!"
"Ohohohohohoh!" Megumi's sadistic laughter rang out.
Evil fox women.....
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Kaoru snuggled up closer to the warmth next to her. Wait warmth what! Her eyes snapped open and she started to blush. Her face was buried in the crook of his neck. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders. Kaoru attempted to move her leg only to find that it too was under something. Kuso! ... screwed... if I move away he wakes up... Kaoru glanced at his face and was shocked by what she found. He's adorable! I'm sure that if he wanted to he could pass as 14! Kawaii! ... Can't move... I'm stuck! Hmm how about I pretend that I haven't seen him like this and use it as blackmail later on? Perfect! Kaoru snuggled closer and drifted back off to sleep...
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"Oneesan! Sae I haven't seen you in years! How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine Tae. It's about time that you came back to Tokyo! How's business?"
"It's doing quite well actually. I have a favor to ask of you. Do you mind setting up an extra room for some friends of mine who came along?"
"Hai, it's not a problem. Where are they now?"
"You remember Kaoru-chan right?"
"Hai... It's really sad what happened to her. Her dojo actually sold. I think a general of some sort bought it. I have a feeling that he's with the rebels. I heard a rumor that he wants to turn it into some sort base. It's such a shame that such a wonderful place is being used in such a way. The dojo of the sword that protects is being turned into the dojo for the sword that kills."
"True. Anyway those guys went to visit to see who the new residents are. I just hope that the rumors aren't true. Poor girl has been hurt enough already."
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"Saitoh-san it isn't that bad." Okita wheedled.
"Okita I just found out that my superior, namely you, is to pretend to be my son and I'm to pose as married with the evil wench from hell. What could possibly make this any worse?" Saitoh takes a long drag of his cigarette.
"Saitoh-san you know that you are not supposed to say that! Bad luck always follows almost immediately after. Plus it's not my fault I'm young. It's not like you have to work with the Battousai or anything. Just pose as a cop."
"Aku, Soku, San. That I can handle. This whole acting thing is giving me a headache."
"Maybe it's just your cigarette Saitoh-san?"
"Ahou, this is my cure for the headache!"
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Kenshin was startled awake when he felt something snuggle into his side. Kuso... She's sleeping on me... His arm was still wrapped around her slim shoulders. Legs entangled. I actually accepted her? When Tomoe came near me I nearly....
Kenshin was snapped out his reverie.
"Kenshin no Hentai! I actually thought you weren't a pervert! You know that!" Hee Hee I love screwing around with this guy... Soo adorable. Kaoru pushed herself to the other side of the bench and stood glaring at Kenshin.
"Kurasa-dono Gomen nasai! Sessha didn't mean to intrude! It's just that you kinda..." It's just that you look so peaceful asleep....
"Are you implying that I actually put your arm around me?"
"Ah the carriage is slowing down..." Kenshin was relieved for the change topic. The cart then stopped entirely. The coachmen knocked on the door and then opened it. "Himura-san do you have any farther directions?"
"Hai, I do. I'll just come to the front..."
"YOU DO THAT KENSHIN HIMURA! I swear that when we get there, You are going to pay!"
Gulp "Bye Koishii." Women... I'll never understand....
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Koishii... That baka is going to pay dearly for that. I'm nobody's "koishii". Although I really wouldn't mind being his... Get your thoughts out of the gutter! Misao and her "Aoshi-sama" Ogling... Okina... Being with those perverts must have really rubbed off... I wonder how they're doing? I dunno How I'm gonna tell Misao what's up now that I'm all the way in Tokyo... Tokyo I really tried to forget this place....
(flashback)
"Kaoru-hime could you get the my bokken?"
"Hai!" Kaoru dashed out of the room. When she returned she could hear her father speaking.
"Saitoh-san please come out from the shadows. You know we don't like to have our guests being treated so." Kaoru chose to stay behind the closed shoji and listen.
"Kamiya-san it's time."
"Time for what Saitoh-san! Listen, I have absolutely no intention of joining the shogun. Okita can do whatever he pleases. He apparently refuses to listen to those who have lived through this war so far. He'll need to learn on his own that happiness and peace don't have to come through death!"
(end flashback)
Who would have thought that, that one line sealed his fate.... Suddenly the door of the carriage was opened and in stepped a sheepish looking Kenshin.
"Kurasa-dono we have arrived."
"I'm coming." Kaoru took a moment to tighten her obi and took Kenshin's offered hand. The simple act sent a shock down her spine.
"Kurasa-dono daijoubu?"
"I'm okay..." Kaoru glanced at the sign above the front gate and paled visibly. no... can't be... It read: KAMIYA KASSHIN RYU....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Author's Notes: I really couldn't resist. I don't update in three weeks then I go and leave a cliff hanger. (Midterms seriously stink!) Gomen! Anyway there are a few things I changed from the manga/anime in comparison to this story.
1) The Akabeko is in Kyoto and the Shirobeko is in Tokyo- I wanted a sort of motherly figure for Kaoru in the beginning so Tae had to be moved with the Akabeko.
2) The Oniwabanshuu have a base in Tokyo - If they didn't have a base in Tokyo during the Bakufu then something must have been seriously wrong. Plus I needed it in the story.
Read This!
I'm going to start a new story when this one is over! I want people to vote on which one so I'm going to put up. Please vote by either sending me an e-mail or putting your vote in a review. Here are the 4 choices:
Kei: Thrown into the future, Kenshin finds himself in the country he worked so hard to build. Kaoru an agent of Chronos has a job to do: Send Himura the Battousai back to the past. But, what she finds is a man fighting for his life between 2 rival gangs on the streets of Tokyo. KK traditional pairings.Alt-Universe
Fragile: Thought to be Immortal. Known to be a Monster. Said to be the Devil. The Battousai is all but fragile. One girl proves to him otherwise. Songfic BK traditional pairings
It's not me, It's you: Kenshin Himura is the most wanted guy in school. The only problem is he can't seem to hold onto any girl longer than 2 weeks. They always throw themselves at him, then they break it with him. Leaving him the most confused boy in the universe. Their favorite break up line: It's not me, It's you. Songfic KK traditional pairings Alt-Universe
The Hackley School: The Hackley School is known all around the country for its excellence in both academics and athletics. Kenshin is a shy new senior. Kaoru a hotheaded junior. Together they discover the mystery behind the schools haunted history.KK traditional pairings Alt-Universe
Voting Ends when this Fic ends! Please Vote!
Disclaimer: The day I own Rurouni Kenshin is the day snow is pink and the sky is green! Don't sue! All characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki!
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.
-chan-little...
-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
ahou- idiot
daijoubu- Are u okay?/ I am okay.
-hime- princess
nana-seven
-dono- old fashioned ending even more honorific than -san
tori-atama- birdhead
kitsune- fox
megitsune-twist between mugumi and kitsune used by Sano
kei-firefly
koishii-term of endearment male to female
kawaii-cute
sessha-literally "this unworthy one"
oneesan-sister
Aku,soku,zan -sin swiftly slay
tenken-heaven's sword
demo-but
saya-sheath
sake-rice wine
Hyaku-hurry up
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