AN: Hello my readers, bet you haven't seen this one coming. Now you may be asking yourselves, why is he making such a story. Well, it's quite simple. I saw a video on YouTube made by Geeks For Fun called 'What if ZORRO met RUROUNI KENSHIN?' and found the idea absolutely brilliant so I thought to take a shot at it myself. This fic actually serves as a sequel of sorts to that video, though told in a lot more detail, and implore you to watch that video. It's great.

But enough rambling. Enjoy this chapter of my newest story, A Fox in Japan.

A Fox in Japan

1 The Stage is Set

It was the year 1878 during a cold evening in California, a welcome addition to the usual heat that accompanied the land. The sky was clear of all clouds, letting the starry dark blue sky be displayed in its full divine glory while the soft blowing of the wind could be heard as it rustled through the trees in the woods along with an occasional cricket.

In all that calm surrounding stood a large mansion seated on a small hilltop that overlooked the lands. Several of its windows held light in a small part of the mansion. This particular house belonged to one of the wealthiest families in all of California, the de la Vegas.

The mansion was very well furnished, with many decorations ranging from paintings to small tables. Within the single lit room, all the furniture was put to the side to make some space where two men fenced with their rapiers, filling the room with sounds of clashing steel.

One of these two was a man in his sixties, with short grey hair and mustache and blue eyes. He was dressed in a simple white button shirt, black trousers, and shoes. The other similarly dressed man was younger, in his thirties, with wavy brown hair which reached his shoulders and brown eyes.

The men swung their swords at impressive speeds as they clashed. The younger man went for a few thrusts which the older man blocked as he backed away with the younger man following him. Another thrust was followed by quick slash which was blocked and countered, causing the older man to go on the offensive with some of his own thrusts and slashes but all were blocked and perfectly countered by the younger man.

"Good to see you keep your skills as sharp as your blade, Alejandro," the older man commented with a smile.

"Not too bad yourself considering your age, father," Alejandro commented with a smile of his own before once again going on the offensive.

Diego de la Vega could only continue to smile as he continued sparring. He was proud to see that his son inherited his own talent with the blade. Why, the young man was as good as Diego ever was.

"Go, papa, go!" exclaimed another occupant of the room who was sitting on one of the chairs. It was a boy around ten years of age who looked similar to Alejandro but with black hair.

"I don't think you should encourage me, Joaquin," said Alejandro with a little laugh as he blocked his father's attacks. "If anything you should cheer for your grandfather. He actually needs it."

"Oho, getting a bit full of yourself, aren't you?" asked Diego jokingly.

"Sorry, father, but age is indeed catching up to you."

They continued for several more seconds before the tip of Alejandro's rapier found itself at Diego's neck.

Diego let out a laugh. "Very good, my son," he said before sheathing his sword, Alejandro doing the same.

"Well, it's to be expected. After all," Alejandro said as he spread his arms. "The son of Zorro himself has a lot to live up to."

Diego just shook his head in amusement. "You now hold the title of Zorro, my son. My time as Zorro passed years ago."

"I know, father. But it still feels like the identity belongs to you."

Diego put a hand on Alejandro's shoulder. "Don't worry about that. Give some more time and the Zorro persona will feel like yours."

The young Joaquin then excitedly approached his father. "Can I train next, papa? As the son of the new Zorro, I should also be an excellent swordsman."

Alejandro chuckled softly before kneeling to be at his son's height. "Your lessons for today are over. It's getting late and it's time for you to be in bed."

Joaquin groaned in annoyance. "But as the future Zorro shouldn't I also practice being awake at night?"

Diego gave a laugh at that. "The boy has a point, Alejandro. Zorro does work at night after all."

Alejandro sent his father an annoyed look. That isn't something he should be encouraging the young boy to do. He then turned back to his son with a smile. "There will be time for your training. You are still young and you need to grow properly. For that, sleep is necessary." Alejandro then kissed his son on the forehead. "Now go and rest, mi hijo. We'll practice tomorrow after your studies. Those are also very important."

Joaquin sighed, but he knew that his father was right. Studying is also an important part of his growth and not just swinging swords, as his mother explained to him. "Alright, papa," the boy said in a soft voice before going upstairs to his room as his father and grandfather watched him leave.

The two men then put their swords to the side as Diego went for a bottle of red wine and two glass cups. After pouring the wine he offered one to his son who accepted it and the two of them took a drink.

"You know, father," Alejandro began. "I honestly think that all this practice isn't as much to keep my skills sharp as they are for yours."

Diego took a sip before giving a shrug. "It serves us both ways. You keep improving while I stay in as good of a shape as I can." He then wiped some wine from his lip. "I don't plan on being defenseless."

"Whatever you say, father," said Alejandro.

"You know, I've been thinking," Diego began. "Do you remember that vacation I took to Japan ten years ago?"

"Yes, I remember. You told me you quite liked it. And that you also met a special swordsman there." Alejandro stopped as he tried to recollect what his father said the swordsman was named. "What was he called again?"

"Kenshin Himura."

"Right, now I remember. Why are you bringing this up now? Are you planning to go again?"

"Oh, I would very much like to go that place again," Diego said as he took another sip. "But here's what I was thinking. I would like you and Joaquin to come with me."

Alejandro stopped himself from taking another drink as he looked at his father. "Are you sure about that? All three of us?"

"Why of course!" Diego said cheerfully. "I would very much like the two of you to experience the land. And Joaquin can experience the world early."

Alejandro pondered about it for a few moments. "Well, I would very much like to see it. I've never been outside the States before. But, who would look over our hacienda in our absence?"

"Don Garcia, of course," Diego suggested with utmost confidence. Demetrio Lopez Garcia was a sergeant in the military during Diego's time as Zorro, and one of the few people very determined to catch him. But Garcia was also a friend to Diego's civilian identity, which was a situation Diego found funny. Garcia wasn't a very lucky man but later became very successful, marrying and fathering two children. However, he passed away years ago when Alejandro was still a boy and his elder son Fernando became a don and now holds the Garcia estate. Fernando was a trustworthy man to both Diego and Alejandro.

"Well, he would certainly do a good job, that's true," Alejandro said before taking the last sip from his wine. "Very well, you've convinced me. We'll prepare ourselves for a trip to Japan." Normally he would also worry if his absence as Zorro would hurt the land but it has been relatively peaceful for a while. They could survive without him for a little while.

"Excellent, I'm glad you agreed," Diego said as he finished his drink. "Now come, let the two of us retreat for the night. Adults need rest as well." Alejandro agreed and the two of them went to their rooms.

Right now, Don Diego de la Vega was honestly feeling excited. His trip to Japan was really eye-opening, especially showing that his age was catching up to him and that he couldn't continue as Zorro. But the friendship he forged with Kenshin was one he wouldn't forget.

Diego actually hoped that he would once again meet the young man in Japan, and so he could meet the new Zorro.

AN: And that's all for now. The stage is set for the rest of the story. Also to inform you, this chapter will serve a hold for the story which I will pick up later so don't expect it to be updated any time soon. I will still prioritize my two other stories over this one. This is more or less a trailer chapter for the future.

Still, I would appreciate the feedback to this story. Is the idea interesting enough? Would you like to see more? Leave a review. Keeps me motivated.

See you later!