Thank you to all those of you who reviewed. The story should pick up in this chapter. And here's the update!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or Robin Hood.
Well, Shishio took over the entire kingdom of Japan, what with his brother, Kogoro Katsura, out of the way. And there were many changes. For one, the peasants were now so heavily taxed, they lived in poverty. The majority of the nobles could care less about their condition, and so many began to resent the rule. One such peasant was Myojin Yahiko. His father had been arrested when he couldn't pay his taxes, and his mother had died from tuberculosis not long afterwards. Now, he was a pickpocket on the streets, trying to avoid Yakuza connections while trying to make enough money.
Or that's what he wanted it to look like.
Truth was, a while ago, he had gotten a job at Akabeko, a small restaurant run by Tae and Sae. There, he had met Sanjo Tsubame, a quiet, timid girl who had become his first real friend. He trusted her, and she had even introduced Yahiko to Tsukayama Yutaro, the son of one of the businessmen who owned the restaurant. At first, Yahiko and Yutaro fought, never agreeing on anything, but over time, a respect of each other's skills created a friendship between the two boys.
Once a week, Yutaro would take over Yahiko's duties so Yahiko could pick up whatever the latest rumors on the street were. He was very inconspicuous, with dirty clothes, mud in his hair, and looking like he hadn't washed in weeks.
Presently, he was outside a shop where soldiers were trying to drag the owner away. Strange thing was, Yahiko knew the owner, and had a feeling that this raid was unjustified. What he heard from the soldiers and the crowd confirmed his suspicions.
"Why're they taking Tsukoya-san's goods? Didn't he pay his taxes recently?"
"What's going on with the soldiers?"
"Why's Prince Shishio coming here? Why's the sheriff holding a banquet?"
"This has got to be a noble plot!"
"Get everything the man has! He's a peasant."
Yahiko took a few minutes to digest all the information, then ran straight back to Akabeko.
"YUTARO!!"
Yutaro rushed over to his huffing friend. "What, Yahiko? What's going on?"
"The police are raiding the businesses in town! Something about a party up at the castle!" Yahiko huffed.
Yutaro growled. "Stupid nobles. How many raids does this make?"
"Sixteen," came Tsubame's quiet reply. "It's getting very out of hand."
"We have to do something about it!"
"What do you suggest, airhead?"
"What did you just call me, flat-face?"
"Why you-"
They started fighting, while Tsubame hid behind the tray she was carrying.
As it turned out, there were several more stores ransacked that week. All of them were stores that were owned by peasants who were Gaijin, not Teijin. Gaijin were suddenly taxed more heavily than the Teijin, and anyone who complained was punished by public humiliation.
Yahiko, Tsubame, and Yutaro watched Gaijin who were once very successful become poor. The owners of the Akabeko were mixed, so the restaurant didn't suffer much.
A week after the raids had begun, Shishio announced a party. Many nobles came to the town from all over Japan to congratulate Shishio. Although the coronation would not occur for a while, Shishio acted like a king.
With his party came Lady Kamiya Kaoru. The Kamiyas were friends of the royal family, so Kaoru was welcomed to the party.
The feast was held in the main hall. Four tables, besides the main table, which was turned sideways so the people could only sit on one side, but see everything, were set up. In the center of the high table was Shishio Makoto, wrapped in bandages. Next to him was Komagata Yumi, his fiancée and lover. Next to her was the Sheriff of Tokyo, Sadojima Hoji. On the opposite side of Shishio was Kamiya Kaoru. Next to her was Yukishiro Enishi, a friend of the Sheriff's.
Lords continued to toast Shishio throughout the meal, while the bard, Kamatari, sang songs of his greatness.
Someone asked a startling question about midway through the meal. "My lord, why must we tax the Gaijin so lightly? We should tax them out of Japan and send them back across the seas."
"Ah, but if we tax the Gaijin too heavily," Shishio replied smoothly, "there will be no one left to pay the taxes which I impose. I assume you do not want me to tax the Teijin?"
The man shook his head.
"I do." The voice came from the door, where several guards stood apprehensively watching the red-haired man. Across his shoulders was a deer, freshly killed.
Shishio stood and regarded the man. "Who are you?"
"I am Himura Kenshin," came the chilled reply.
"And what business have you to disturb this party when you are clearly not invited?"
"I come to oppose your coronation. I am not the only one." He moved forward, glaring at Shishio with cold eyes. "We will never accept you as king. Not so long as Katsura Kogoro draws breath!"
Shishio, furious, shouted, "Kill him!"
Kind of a pathetic cliffhanger, but I'll try to update within the next two weeks. We're moving out for a while(fumigation…YAY DEAD BUGS DEAD BUGS!) so I won't be able to use this computer. No biggie! I just probably won't update before Sunday, if that.
