Author's note: Hi guys, thanks for reading! I'm really happy that even after so many years, people are still reading RK fanfiction - especially new ones like mine! I know this is supposed to be an adaptation of sorts of North and South but I didn't think it was going to be so difficult to transform the RK world into the N+S one. So it's going to be a little slow until I sort out how the plot works out, but please let me know how it's going so far! Anyways, on with the story ~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Ruroken universe, unfortunately.
Kenshin stared at the spot where Kaoru had disappeared into the crowds of Kyoto's busy streets. He had come running to the scene when he had heard that three of Kanryu's men had ganged up on a woman passing by, but found out that the woman was none other than Kamiya Kaoru herself. It had surprised him to see her there, near Kanryu's area once again – even more surprised that she had been accompanied by Sagara. By the time Kenshin had arrived at the fighting scene, the men were already on the ground, with one of them sporting a broken nose and a bloodied face. Thankful that for once Sagara's penchant for fighting had saved the girl, he followed them until they broke off at the end of Kanryu's area and the main road leading to the markets. What he hadn't expected was for them to grow closer by the end of their little promenade enough for her to show Sagara one of those rare smiles he had seen on her. Not that he particularly cared whom she became friends with. But being friends with someone like Sagara wouldn't be the best idea either, considering his current predicament as Kanryu's "prisoner of war". Kenshin sighed – he just wished he found a way to end it all.
"You've been staring at that woman for quite a while now, Himura-san. Anyone of interest?"
Kenshin turned to see one of Kanryu's henchmen raising his eyebrows suggestively at him. I think his name was Hiro-san…
"Hiro-san, Kanryu wanted you to see you at his office half an hour ago, did he not? He wouldn't like it if you were still lingering around, you know how angry he gets and it is quite rude to keep him waiting, so it is."
Kenshin had the satisfaction of seeing the poor man's face turn white in panic as he rushed back to Kanryu's main estate, effectively forgetting about Kaoru and Kenshin's apparent interest in her. While Kenshin normally didn't like to trick people, he didn't need Kaoru pulling more attention to herself than she already had these past few days. As she had finally gone out of his sight, he turned back and left to have a little 'chat' with those three idiots who had been foolish enough to start a fight, knowing that if left to Kanryu, their punishment would be much more severe.
"Well Kaoru-chan, I suppose I wouldn't mind an extra hand around here. I've been thinking for a while of getting a new assistant to train my students and I hope you will be up for it – although I'm not sure what my students will make of having a female instructor. I'm sure they will not make too much of a fuss."
Kaoru hid her annoyance behind her smiling mask. She knew he meant well, but she was getting frustrated with the lack of confidence people had in her as a kenjutsu instructor just because she was a woman. "Thank you so much, Maekawa-sensei. I will be here tomorrow at this time to start my practice."
"Yes, yes. I suppose you could come a little earlier and introduce yourself to the students if you want. I'm grateful for your help. I shall see you tomorrow then."
"Yes, Maekawa-sensei, I will do so. Good bye for now." Kaoru bowed low in gratefulness. Thank God she had managed to get this job. While her father was trying to establish his own dojo using the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu as a formal practice, she had to try earning as much money as she could to fund the opening of their dojo. She had gone far and wide across Kyoto, until she had finally come across the Maekawa dojo that was in need of some extra help. The pay wasn't too high, but it would have to do for now – and she was more excited for the chance of teaching students again. She straightened up and was about to leave when a knock from the door signalled the entrance of none other than Himura Kenshin.
"Maekawa-san." Kenshin bowed low to the old master but stopped halfway when he noticed Kaoru as well. His violet eyes widened just a fraction as his surprise. "Kamiya-dono?" he asked in confusion.
"We meet again, Himura-san. I was just leaving." Kaoru gave a small bow to him, and was about to exit when Maekawa stopped her.
"Oh, what's this – you two have met already? That's great! What brings you here, Himura-kun?"
"I just wanted to deliver a message from Okina-dono. He told me to give you this." Kenshin handed him a folded note and looked back at Kaoru. "And what brings you here, Kamiya-dono?"
"Oh she is going to be teaching my students as an assistant instructor from tomorrow." Maekawa answered for her.
"Teach them kenjutsu?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes – is that so hard to believe, Himura-san?" Kaoru replied in annoyance.
"Oh no, Kamiya-dono. I was simply surprised, that's all. I suppose congratulations are in order, so they are." Kenshin bowed again.
"Oh, I see. Thanks, I guess." Kaoru answered uncomfortably. She hadn't expected him to be so…cordial.
"Kaoru-san was just leaving – Himura, why don't you walk her home?" Maekawa nodded at both of them. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kaoru-san. Don't be late."
"See you tomorrow, Maekawa-sensei." Kaoru bowed and left the dojo, trying to put as much distance between her and Kenshin as possible. But that failed when he kept up his pace with hers and followed her out on to the streets.
"Himura-san, you don't have to walk me back home. I can walk there by myself."
"Oh I mean no disrespect, Kamiya-dono, but I was heading in that general direction so I might as well accompany you – that is if you do not mind."
Kaoru couldn't exactly say no without sounding too rude, so she chose to say nothing and continued walking ahead.
"How long have you been training in kenjutsu, Kamiya-dono? It is unusual to see young women trained in swordmanship, so it is."
Kaoru sighed at his questions. She wondered why he was suddenly so interested in her life, and why he was being so nice to her – especially after the way she had treated him. Oh well, I suppose answering him can't do much harm. "I've been training ever since I was a small child. My father has trained me all these years – though I haven't been able to reach even close to his level yet."
"Do you enjoy it?"
"Oh yes, I love it. I want to teach our style far and wide to educate the new class of people in the Meiji. It's my dream for our style to established in this new age."
"Your style?" Kenshin asked curiously.
"Yes –the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu. It's a style that places the utmost importance in the value of human life. I like to think of it as the sword that protects." Kaoru was beaming by this point, her earlier hesitations erased by her passion for her family sword style. "There's no way to take a human life, but it's enough to defeat your opponents."
Kenshin let out a disbelieving chuckle. "The sword that protects, huh…"
"Yes, the sword that protects. Why is it so hard believe, Himura-san? Just because you know nothing but to kill - " Kaoru stopped herself from completing the rest of the sentence. Something about his expression told her it was not wise to anger him any further. "…I just…want to understand, Himura-san. Why you don't think that to protect life is more important than to take it. Every time I think back to our first meeting I keep wondering what would have happened if I hadn't been there to stop you. You would have probably killed him. I've thought about it too many times and I still don't understand why you would resort to such extremes..."
Kenshin kept silent for a few moments after her outburst, looking deep into her deep blue gaze.
"Kamiya-dono, you have never fought in war, have you?
"No, I haven't. But... I haved lived through it. There's always a choice in taking another's life. It's not the only option."
Kenshin chuckled again and looked away into the distance. "Oh I know there is, Kamiya-dono. But unfortunately, the world is not nearly as idealistic as you make it out to be in your naïve sword style. While you think there is a choice, most of the times you end up without that luxury. So as much as I respect your beliefs, Kamiya-dono, I don't think that it has a place in war. Maybe during these peaceful Meiji times it could be an ideal to follow. I would hope for that kind of future – one without violence – but I know it's nearly impossible." Kenshin looked so resigned at that point that whatever retort Kaoru had come up with died in her throat. As much as it hurt to have her beliefs looked down upon, she sensed a much deeper pain from Kenshin that he kept hidden behind his unusual violet eyes. He had experienced something - something so terrible that it had left him jaded. She continued looking at his pained expression, not knowing how to answer.
"It seems that we've reached your house, Kamiya-dono."
Kaoru suddenly registered her surroundings and was surprised to her house in front of her.
"Good day, Kamiya-dono." With a low bow, Kenshin turned around and left Kaoru alone.
"Goodbye…" But he was already gone. Kaoru didn't know how to feel after that conversation, but she knew that Kenshin must have suffered a great deal to have such a cynical view about human nature. Suddenly wanting to know more about the redhead, she made a mental note of visiting Sano in the next few days and went inside her house, determined.
"Yo, Missy."
"Sanosuke, you're late. You were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago!"
"Sorry, sorry Missy. I had a bit of trouble getting out." Sano looked sheepish enough for Kaoru to let it go. "Did you get the food?" Kaoru rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm. Maybe I should hit him once or twice. He's such a baby.
"Yes, yes – here you go." She handed him two onigiri and took one for herself. Sano immediately started wolfing them down and Kaoru sighed again at his actions. "How are you supposed to answer any of my questions if you're stuffing your face with so much food?" Sano made some indecipherable noises that Kaoru ignored. She almost thought of asking about Kenshin first, but decided against it. Perhaps it would be better for him to start talking about himself first. "Why has this 'Kanryu' kept you prisoner, Sano?"
Sano finished chewing and looked up at Kaoru, knowing he had to fulfil his end of their deal. He sighed. He didn't like this, but he did owe her his life and Sano wasn't anything but honourable. "Do you know who Takeda Kanryu is, Missy?"
"I heard he was a businessman of sorts. Is he involved in some sort of trading?"
"He's known as an industrialist – but really he's an arms dealer. He supplies the Japanese military with their supply of some of those Western guns that were all the rage during the end of the war. Of course, to normal civilians, he just dabbles in importing clothes and similar things. He has connections in high places."
"But why has he kept you prisoner?"
"During the war I was part of a rebel group called the Sekihoutai. They were originally used as a support to the Ishin-Shishi, but we were betrayed by the very same. They used us and then framed us for killing some of the Ishin-Sishi members in order to get rid of us. Tch." Sano looked away in disgust at his memories. He still hated them from the bottom of his heart. "When the new Meiji government formed, some of us rebels who were considered a threat to the new government were rounded up and kept as prisoners. I was held prisoner because I was a threat to the Ishin-Shishi members who had taken up positions in the new government."
"But it wasn't your fault, Sano. Surely they must - "
"There's nothing I can do about it anymore, Missy. They made their choice when they decided to frame us." He took another bite of his rice ball before continuing. "Two months ago, Kanryu offered the government to give up the prisoners to him so that he could put us to 'good use'. He convinced the government that he would make us do menial labour and any work he required for his business, promising to keep us in check, just in case we tried to rebel against the new government."
"Why would he do such a thing?"
"I have a theory, but I've yet to confirm it."
"What theory?"
Sano looked uncomfortable then. He wasn't sure if telling her about all of this was the best idea in the first place. But speculating Kanryu's next move in the underworld with her? Not a chance. He would not let Kaoru get involved any further in Kanryu's world.
"How about I tell you after I confirm it, eh Missy?"
Although Kaoru looked like she wanted to know more, she didn't pry further. Instead she asked what she had really wanted to know for the last few days.
"Sano…where does Himura-san fit in to all of this?"
Sano looked at her again, noting the way she was trying to bury her curiosity and her confusion behind her eyes.
"He's…Kanryu's personal guard, of sorts."
"Guard?"
"Kanryu is a coward – he loves being the strongest person in the room. When he decided to take us prisoners on, he was too scared with the prospect of us trying to attack him. And so he hired the best fighters out there as personal guards against us."
"Himura-san is a good swordsman, then?"
"Good? He's the best! The idea that there could be a person better than the Battousai is too terrifying. Tch, as good as he is, I still hate that bastard."
"Ba-Battousai?" Kaoru visibly paled. The legendary Himura Battousai? The one who had killed thousands during the war? The devil of the Bakumatsu? Himura Kenshin is…the Battousai?
"Missy, are you okay?"
"Are you sure he's…?"
"Yes, Missy. It's him all right. He went missing after the war ended, but Kanryu tracked him down two months ago and hired him to be part of his guard. Of course this was very hushed up – apart from the government I don't anyone else outside Kanryu's organisation knows that the Battousai is back."
Sano was met with silence on Kaoru's part as she digested this information.
"Are you sure you're okay, Missy? You look kinda pale."
"I'm fine Sano. It's just…a lot to take in, that's all. I think I'm just tired. I should get going anyway, my father is expecting me back soon." She stood and dusted a fallen piece of rice off her kimono. "I'll be back sometime this week to see you again."
"Alright Missy, if you say so."
"See you later, Sano."
"Oi, Missy get me some meat next time too. Not just onigiri. A growing man needs more sustenance than that."
"Sano!" Kaoru admonished.
"I'll see you later then!" And with that Sano gave a big grin and walked away.
Kaoru laughed and waved back, starting on her way home, all along the way lost in the thoughts of a certain Himura Battousai.