Agh, I'm such a loser! I'm sorry again, classes have been killing me. In fact, they're still killing me but I needed a break so here's the next chapter, to the detriment of my courses. If I still have any readers left by the time I finish this . . . I love y'all! (Once again the section dividers are not working, so I'm sorry for the unaligned zeros that I have put in their place)
Chapter 8
As soon as he was inside, Hiko Seijurou immediately poured himself a tumbler of sake from the casks that he had amassed from the villagers. "Ah, this is a fine vintage here," Hiko said, breathing deeply to take in the smell of the rice wine. "Smells like fall. Matsuhira is a fine man, his talent comes out in his drink." Hiko went to rummage around on his pottery-stocked shelves, while Kenshin waited patiently. He shouldn't rush things, it could turn out bad. "Here we go." Hiko dug a finely lacquered bento from somewhere in the back of his shelves and sat it on the ground lightly. "Matsuhira is also a fine cook."
Kenshin tried not to stare too hard as the box lunch was opened. An assortment of sushi was there, as well as ohagi, chilled noodles and even sukiyaki, still warm. Kenshin's mouth watered as a number of tantalizing aromas wafted from the box and drifted into his nose.
Hiko smirked when saw his deshi trying not to be too obvious as he stared at the food. No doubt the idiot hadn't brought any lunch with him and was completely broke. "Yes, without a doubt, this is some of the finest food in Japan," Hiko continued, taking a bite of the sukiyaki and savoring it. He watched Kenshin from the corner of his eyes with a sadistic gleam.
"It looks delicious," Kenshin agreed politely, looking away from the food before the urge to snatch the box lunch from Hiko's grasp overpowered him.
"You're probably pretty hungry about right now too," Hiko was enjoying tormenting his deshi. He knew Kenshin wouldn't ask to eat some of the food; he was too polite for that.
"Well, I haven't eaten all day," Kenshin hinted none-too-subtly.
"Bad for the body," Hiko admonished as he slurped some of the chilled noodles. "So, tell me what it is that brings you back to my mountain."
Resigned that he wasn't receiving anything to eat, Kenshin started his story, telling Hiko of the visit he'd received from Kawaji and the occurrences that had followed in Tokyo. He ended with the attack on the Kamiya dojo, purposely omitting the ambush he had run into on the way back from Katsura's.
"Heaven's Judges, hm?" Hiko mused. "I've heard the name of late. Nothing's happened in Kyoto though that seems to be affiliated with them."
"That's surprising, considering that Kyoto was the base of the Ishin," Kenshin said.
"Once again you haven't thought things through enough," Hiko said. "Of course everything would start in Tokyo because that's were all the Imperialists ran when the Meiji began. Kyoto was just a hell-hole for fighting."
"You could be right," Kenshin said grudgingly. He hated it when his shishou showed him up. Unfortunately, that happened quite often.
"So let me get this straight. You want me to come and help fight against these reformists?" Hiko asked, pouring himself another tumbler of sake. "That's the third time you've requested my help in the past year, baka deshi."
Things weren't looking good but there was nothing to do but press forward. "I know. I'll make it up to you though."
"Before I die?" Hiko asked dryly.
"Shishou, I wouldn't-"
Bento still in hand, Hiko rose to his feet, cape sweeping behind him. "Well, I really have nothing better to do up here. Life has become boring since your fight with Shishio ended. I suppose I could lend you a hand, providing that you can house and feed me while I'm in Tokyo. After all," Hiko tossed his hair and gave a dashing grin. "Who is Hiko Seijurou the 13th to refuse help to the pitiable masses?"
"Shishou–" Kenshin muttered. He was still as conceited as ever.
"I'm guessing you're still living with that Kamiya girl?" Hiko asked. He gazed at his ceiling fondly. "I liked her."
Kenshin gave him a look. "Yes, I'm still there," He said stiffly. "Kaoru-dono would be glad to have you stay, just don't expect much for meals. And you're really not Kaoru-dono's type," He added, just to make sure his shishou didn't get any ideas.
"And you are I suppose?" Hiko smirked as Kenshin's face changed from its normal light complexion to a red as bright as his hair in less than a second. Hiko could always find the right buttons to push to get a rise out of Kenshin.
"S-shishou, there's nothing like that–!" Kenshin stammered, caught completely off guard.
"So are you lovers yet?" Hiko continued, then answered his own question. "No, I guess not or she would be here with you. Silly of me to assume that."
"S-SHISHOU!" Kenshin was on his feet, hands clenched. "This isn't the time to be talking about matters like that!"
"You're right, I think it's past time. What are you now," Hiko pointed an accusing finger. "28? You should be getting married soon. In fact, you should already be married."
"Shut up!" Kenshin shouted. "I don't–I'm not–Kaoru-dono shouldn't have to–" He glared at his shishou in frustration, at a loss for words.
"You don't deserve to be that happy?" Hiko supplied off-handedly. Kenshin looked at him as if he'd just been shocked. That was exactly what he had been thinking for the past ten years.
"I–I–"
"Did it ever occur to you that even though you may not deserve such happiness (and I completely agree on that note) other people, innocent people who had no part in the Bakumatsu, do deserve it?"
". . ."
"That girl is waiting for you to do something. Don't tell me you haven't noticed. I saw it immediately when she arrived here from Tokyo (just another one of my many skills), when you came to learn the succession technique. And I for one would not deny her happiness."
Kenshin's mouth opened and closed several times. "But . . . but how can I . . . she doesn't deserve me!"
"I would say that's for her to decide," Hiko said. "But if you're that convinced, don't let me interfere with your plans." He started to pour another tumbler-full, changed his mind and just wrapped the sake jar around his hand and took a large drink. "Ah," Hiko wiped his mouth and set the jar down. "I suppose you'll want to leave today?" He asked, changing the topic abruptly. Kenshin was glad for that.
"Actually I was going to stop by the Aoiya to see Misao-dono and Aoshi. It would be great if the Oniwabanshuu could aid us as well," He said.
Hiko's mouth turned down. "Shinomori Aoshi, that depressed idiot who goes around wearing black?"
"That's him." Kenshin confirmed.
"Misao, Misao . . ." Hiko rubbed his chin. "That's right, Makimachi Misao, she's the little girl who's in love with Aoshi. Seemed rather hyper."
"She's trustworthy though," Kenshin said. Hiko shrugged.
"I'm not arguing with you, it's your project, ask who you want. I'm not going with you to the Aoiya though. I'll meet you at the train station tomorrow." He started to the door, pausing and turning just inside the threshold. "By the way, you can have this." He tossed the still half-full bento at Kenshin, who caught it with surprise. "Put some meat on that skinny body of yours, you don't need to be any smaller than you already are."
"Shishou–" Hiko scowled as Kenshin just stared at him.
"Are you going to eat it or what? I thought you were hungry." Kenshin didn't need any further urging. Giving his shishou a thankful look he dug into the food with relish.
"Don't think I'm just being nice," Hiko said, lest Kenshin should think he was getting too soft. He couldn't have his deshi thinking he really cared about him. "I'm full and I wouldn't want good food like that to go to waste."
Kenshin smiled through a mouthful of ohagi. "Of course not."
"I'm going to check my pottery," And with that, Hike Seijurou, 13th master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, swept out of the door with a flourish of his cape.
000
Kenshin licked the last crumbs from the bottom of the bento. Hiko had it made, what with the villagers bringing him everything he needed. The food had been as delicious as it was unexpected. Every time Kenshin was convinced that his shishou really did think him worthless and cared nothing for him, he would do something like that which made Kenshin wonder just how much his shishou really did care. Hiko had been something of a surrogate father for Kenshin after all. It had entered the rurouni's mind that his shishou just didn't want him to know how he felt about his "baka deshi." Kenshin didn't see what the big deal was though, he'd never had any problem showing his master that he liked and respected him. When he had first started training, he'd been only too happy to do whatever his shishou requested, be it drawing water from the well, fixing both of their meals, getting his sake–
Kenshin scowled. "Wait a minute . . ." His chores were suddenly starting to seem strongly reminiscent of slave labor. Well, no matter, Hiko had taught him Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, and that was worth more than any amount of chores.
Having gotten every crumb possible, Kenshin sat the lacquered box back on Hiko's shelf and walked into the sunlight. Hiko was plunging one of his works into a tub of water.
"I'm going to visit the Aoiya now," Kenshin said. "Thank you for the food." He waited for a response. "See you tomorrow at the train station." Hiko finally grunted a reply, and with a final wave, Kenshin headed back down the mountain.
000
"Jiya, I'm boooored!" Makimachi Misao was hanging upside down by her legs from the roof of the Aoiya, braid almost touching the floor. "There's nothing to do here!"
Okina, the man who had watched Misao since she was a little girl, curbed his anger as he heard the annoying voice that had been saying the same thing for the past half hour. "Go practice your kenpo," He said distractedly. "I'm trying to work here."
Misao scowled. "Spying on women passing by isn't what I call work," She stated. Okina turned to her with a serious look in his eyes.
"I'm not spying, I'm on a mission. I'm looking to see who should be the new waitress at the Aoiya," Misao face-faulted onto the floor.
"See what you made me do! And who the hell asked you to do a mission like that?"
"I took it upon myself," Okina said, doing a wonderful impression of a completely selfless person. "As former captain of the Oniwabanshuu I feel it's my duty to look out for the place that we use as our residence."
"Huh, ok you old pervert, tell anyone else that, but NOT ME! KECHO GIRI!" Misao kicked him out the window and onto the street. "Geez, isn't there anything to do around here? Okon's gone, Omasu's gone, and most importantly, Aoshi-sama's gone," A distraught sigh followed that statement, "Isn't there anyone around here to do something with!" Grunts from Okina being trampled in the street were the only sounds that answered her.
"Hmmmm, wonder what Kaoru-san and Himura are doing now?" Misao thought languorously, returning absently to the roof where she returned to hanging by her legs. Her pigtail almost touched the floor. "Maybe they're–" Misao put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Nope, shouldn't think about that."
"Think about what?" Misao nearly had a heart attack. She fell to the floor again, landing with a painful thud on her back. "Itai!" Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into a pair of familiar violet-blue eyes. Of course. Only Himura Kenshin could sneak up on her like that. "Himura! I was just thinking about you and Kaoru-san!" Misao exclaimed. "By the way," She kicked his face angrily. "That's for making me fall."
"I'm sorry," Kenshin said apologetically. "Misao-dono, I have a favor to ask."
"Really?" Misao clasped her hands together. "I love favors! And it's sooooo boring in Kyoto right now, I'll do anything!"
"Great. Have you heard anything of the Bright Revolution movement or the Heaven's Judges?" Misao put a hand to her chin and frowned as she squinted at the ceiling, racking her memory.
"Mmm, yeah, I think I heard Aoshi-sama saying something about it a couple of days ago. Matter of fact, maybe that's what he went to do."
"Aoshi is gone?" Kenshin asked curiously. "He's not meditating?"
"It's not like that's all he does." Misao scowled. "Just what he does most of the time," She said straight-faced.
"You don't know where he went?"
Misao shook her head. "Nope, he left this morning by himself. He didn't even tell Jiya where he was going. But spill it," She continued eagerly, "you don't have to wait for him to tell me what's going on."
"There's trouble in Tokyo. A group of reformists, part of the Ishin from the Bakumatsu, have regrouped to form a group called Heaven's Judges. They want to overthrow the Meiji government with what they're calling a Bright Revolution because it's become corrupt. There have already been several murders, officials in the government. There's a raid planned tonight but there's something even bigger coming up. I need to know if you can come to Tokyo next week and help defend buildings of the government."
"Hah! You need but to ask!" Misao said with mock-formality. "The Oniwabanshuu will be happy to answer! When it comes to knockin' out government over-throwers, there's no one better in the business!"
"That makes me feel better," Kenshin said sincerely.
"Say, how long are you here for Himura?" Misao asked. "We could tour! We never got to take Jiya's grand tour last time you were here! Come on, let's go!" Kenshin stood firmly rooted as Misao pulled at his sleeve.
"Misao-dono, do you remember Saitou Hajime?" He asked on a whim.
"Sure, tall scary-looking guy with his hair in his eyes? The Wolf of Mibu?"
"That's him. You haven't seen him around lately by any chance, have you?"
"Umm . . . not that I can think of. Maybe Aoshi-sama has though." Misao's features brightened even more as she continued in a bubbly voice. "He's coming back today I think. Boy, he'll be happy to see you! You haven't been here in such a long time!"
"Actually, it hasn't even been two months," Kenshin reminded her.
"Whatever." Misao gave an unconcerned shrug. "Feels like longer." She took a precautious step back, seeing in her peripheral vision that Okina had regained his footing and was racing over to greet Kenshin.
"Himura-kun!" Kenshin sucked his breath in painfully as Okina crushed him from behind in a hug. "It's been a while! What brings you to Kyoto? Wanted to see the sites this time? I know a good place in the pleasure district." He gave a conspiratory wink.
"Jiya!" Misao exclaimed in horror.
"What? I go there every week!" Okina clapped a hand over his mouth. "Oops."
"Himura's not the perverted type!" Misao admonished. "He's already got a girlfriend anyways so who needs the pleasure district?"
"Ano, actually," Kenshin said with a strained smile, tapping Misao's arm.
"What, you still trying to deny that you and Kaoru-san have nothing between you?" Misao turned her nose up. "Tell it to someone who'll believe you Himura." Kenshin let out a sigh. Staying at the Aoiya could be as stressful as visiting his shishou. "Let's not get gloomy though!" Misao resumed her hold on Kenshin's gi. "Come on, me and Jiya'll take you on a tour!"
Well, Kenshin thought with resignation, what could it hurt. He didn't have to leave until the next day anyway, and maybe while they were touring he would find some information on the whereabouts of Saitou. "Alright, Kyoto tour it is," He said agreeably.
Misao leapt into the air with a shout. "Yatttta! Let's go Himura, I'll show you where Hannya taught me kenpo!" So Kenshin was lead down one street of Kyoto after another as Misao and Okina both talked non-stop about completely different subjects.
A cloud of cigarette smoke curled from behind a nondescript building in central Kyoto. Although this part of the city had its disreputable sections, the person that was blowing the smoke wasn't truly corrupt, as most of the people who inhabited that part of town were. Saitou Hajime was in Kyoto under the name he had taken since he started working for the Meiji government, Fujita Goro. His orders were to discover if there was any truth in the rumors that the Heaven's Judges were setting up a base in Kyoto, and if so find out where the base was and who was heading it up.
Saitou was casually watching a restaurant across the street from him that looked well-to-do. Strange thing about it was that although numerous people went in, most of them came out within half an hour. Saitou knew good dining, and unless you were eating soba, something he did frequently, twenty minutes was not enough time to enjoy a good meal. This restaurant definitely didn't serve soba.
Saitou had a feeling of déjà vu when a small man with red hair walked into the eatery. It wasn't Kenshin, the hair was short and there was no ponytail, and there was no sword at his waist, but the resemblance was uncanny.
Saitou was expecting to run into Kenshin any time now. He knew something on a scale as large as a "bright revolution" would grab at the rurouni's sense of justice. Saitou was of the opinion that people who had decided never to kill again wouldn't be much of a help in this case though, only a hindrance, and he harbored the minute but sincere hope that Kenshin would keep his reverse-blade sword out of it this time. One needed to be ruthless to disband revolutionaries. Otherwise they would just keep coming.
Saitou blew out another stream of smoke, slipping from behind the building as a tall dark man, sword at his side, moved towards the restaurant purposefully. Saitou came up behind him before he entered. "Shinomori Aoshi," He took the time to take another drag on his cigarette. "What are you doing in Kyoto?"
The Oniwabanshuu okashira turned, unfazed. "Saitou Hajime." The voice was neutral and the quiet statement of Saitou's name suggested Aoshi was as unsurprised as usual. "Maybe you've forgotten, I live here. What business do you have sneaking around like a ninja?"
"Probably the same business as you," Saitou replied. "Move to the side, this isn't the place to be carrying on a conversation."
Aoshi nodded in agreement and they walked several meters away. "The Heaven's Judges?" He asked.
Saitou's eyebrows rose slightly as he nodded. He didn't know why he was surprised. "Where did you hear about it? The government has kept the news of their arrival in Kyoto closely guarded."
"As I said, I live here." Aoshi repeated, then added, "I have my sources."
Saitou smirked. He'd expected an answer like that. "Well then, maybe you can help me out. Who's in charge of this group?"
"A former hitokiri, Takaguchi Tadashi. He entered just a moment ago."
"Wouldn't be wise to go stop them now," Saitou said thoughtfully. "No doubt they've posted sentinels who would alert the group in Tokyo. Then we really would have a riot on our hands,"
Aoshi nodded in agreement. "I know. We need to worry about the group in Tokyo first."
"If you know that, why are you still here?" Saitou asked, biting back irritation.
"I wanted to be completely sure I was on the right track. I came here today to check," Aoshi dead-panned. He had hardly blinked through his entire conversation with Saitou. "I assume that Himura has the Tokyo end of things covered? The police would surely ask for his aid."
"Oro?" Saitou and Aoshi turned, neither very much surprised.
"Aoshi-sama!" Misao, Okina and an oro-fied Kenshin stood behind them. "We were giving Himura Jiya's grand tour! The Golden Pagoda's the next stop! Come on, you can join us!" Kenshin could have sworn he saw Aoshi cringe.
"I'm busy. I don't think Himura has time either to go joy-walking around Kyoto."
"I'm not leaving until tomorrow," Kenshin said in an effort to placate Misao, who was giving Kenshin the evil eye. "Saitou, I've been looking for you."
"You found me," Saitou said. "Before you start telling me your troubles, if you plan to ask me to for help, I'm already in this with the government. I'm not going to put my allegiance with some half-witted swordsmen who doesn't intend to kill."
"Then there's not a problem," Kenshin said. "I just want to know if you can come to Tokyo for a few days. There's going to be an attack at the end of the week and several government buildings are being targeted. If you could come protect one, it could mean a great deal. It's for the government, not me."
"Good wording Battousai, mentioning my job," Saitou said with his signature sarcastic look. "Yes, I am working for the government. However, if I don't agree with their ideas I'm not going to just follow along like some starved dog."
"This would mean the collapse of the Meiji as we know it," Kenshin said.
"I realize that. Did I say I didn't agree with them this time? Let me know where it is and I'll be there. Don't try to get anything else out of me though."
"Okay," Kenshin said agreeably. It had been easier than he'd thought but he had presumed all along that Saitou would agree to help, if only because he was working for the Meiji. Now to work on Aoshi . . . Kenshin faced the perpetually austere man. "Aoshi,"
"Misao has already told me what you want." Aoshi interrupted. "The Oniwabanshuu have a duty to Kyoto, they can't leave for Tokyo and allow something to happen here," Kenshin was getting ready to launch into a speech but Aoshi continued. "So I'll leave Okina in charge here,"
"You can count on me," Okina broke in.
"And will take Misao with me to Tokyo." Aoshi finished.
Misao's eyes glowed. "I'm going to see Kaoru-san with Aoshi-sama!" Her boring life was growing exponentially more exciting by the second.
"The train leaves tomorrow at six," Kenshin said. "Okina-dono, would it be too much trouble if I stayed at the Aoiya tonight?"
"Oh, so now you're mooching off of us?" Misao asked with narrowed eyes. "You're so cheap Himura."
"Misao, that's no way to speak to Himura-kun! He's our friend! The least we can do is offer him accommodations." Okina turned to Kenshin and held out his hand. "At a discounted rate." Kenshin face-faulted.
bento - box lunch, contains an assortment of food
deshi - apprentice, student
jiya - an informal address for "granddad"
kecho giri - monster bird kick
ohagi - rice balls covered in sweet bean paste
okashira - boss
shishou - master
sukiyaki - rice, beef and vegetables
Once again, sorry for the delay. Let me warn everyone know, it will probably be awhile until the next update. Finals are in two weeks, and after that, I will be busy with the Cliburn competition, and then I'll be going to Europe for several weeks (more piano stuff). I won't have my computer with my for most of the summer so . . . I'll try and update at least once more before then.
