The traveling trio makes their way to Kyoto, adventure and trouble never far behind…
"So you really beat Uncle Han'nya in a one on one match? I find that hard to believe," Misao remarked, now walking beside Derek as they walked down the mountain, flanked on the other side by Akira.
"It's true, I swear it," He replied, finally happy that after several days of walking the pain in his side had subsided and he had steered the girls away from the topic of where the Oniwaban currently were. "It was an amazing fight and I very nearly lost, but in the end I was victorious by a small margin. It is because of how small that margin was that I desire to train and become stronger."
"So you believe this man's name is Seijuro Hiko?" Akira asked, walking with her arms crossed as if deep in thought. "And he hasn't been seen or heard from by you or anyone you know in over ten years?"
"That's pretty much it; my master trained with him for several years and often described him to me. Very large, black hair with a long ponytail, and apparently a sadistic sense of humor from what I've heard."
"Good description," Misao added. "But it's unlikely we'll be able to figure out who and where he is until we reach the Aoi-ya."
"The Aoi-ya?"
"Our base of operations in Kyoto, we have dozens of safe houses throughout the city, but they all work through the Aoi-ya."
"That will be our first stop, I'm sure Okina will be glad to see us again, do you have another rice ball?"
Reaching into his sleeve Derek retrieved the last of the numerous rice balls he had started out with upon the start of their trek up the mountain, however, after the several days they had been traveling was down to his final.
"Were going to need to ration these," he informed her, breaking off a portion and tossing it to Akira, she caught it with one hand without a single blink.
"We can't be that much farther are we?" Misao groaned, slumping her arms in pain. "We started getting off this mountain like two days ago; we've got to be near the bottom."
"And that doesn't look too appealing," Derek pointed at the sky, in the direction of a huge plume of darkening clouds heading their way.
"Think it might pass us by?"
"That is not likely, a storm like that will most assuredly cover the entire mountainside, we should seek cover."
"It's only going to be a little rain," Misao retorted, crossing her arms. "We could just keep working our way down, what's the harm?"
In response to her question a massive bolt of lightning appeared in the distance, resulting in a tremendous boom of thunder. It took all of Derek's willpower to turn his head upward in the opposite direction of Miss Misao, for he was sure she was most likely giving him an evil glare behind him through the hood of her cape.
"If we are on the Kyoto side of the mountain," Akira joined in, patting Misao on the shoulder as she walked by. "There should be a relatively large cave nearby; we used to play in it as children."
"Lead the way Miss Akira," Derek stepped back, motioning for her to go on ahead, Misao brought up the rear, no doubt assuring Derek didn't make another run for it.
As they passed under the trees Derek couldn't help but notice a tree trunk cut at a rather steep angle, as if the tree had been cut down by a single swing.
Huh, wonder how that happened.
* * * * *
Akira finally found the cave as it had started a torrential downpour; by the time the three travelers had reached the safety of the cave they were collectively soaked.
"That was a close one," Derek remarked, squeezing his sleeves dry. "Another few minutes out there and we would have caught our death."
Turning around, expecting a response he could immediately sense an aura of dread as both Misao and Akira glared at him, their clothes dripping wet.
"Wha…what's the matter?"
"Do you really intend to watch us dry our soaking wet clothes?" Akira replied stoically, Misao reaching for a pair of Kunai from her pouch.
Derek's eyes shot to the size of dinner plates; hastily he spun around, starting to undo the belt around his kimono.
"I…I'm terribly sorry I am indeed," he replied, tying the belt around his eyes like a makeshift blindfold. "There, I can no longer see a thing."
"Good," he heard Akira reply. Hesitantly, to avoid injury, Derek sat down on the cave floor, facing away from the sound of wet clothes hitting the ground.
"How large is this cave?" he asked, hoping to pass the time. "From the sounds of the echoes it sounds quite large."
"The biggest we could find," Misao stated. "Uncle Han'nya brought us up here so many times, but Akira loved it more than me."
"It was the perfect location to hone our skills without interruption, to be strong enough to become members of the Oniwaban Group."
"It sounds nice, my master and I traveled so often we simply trained wherever there was room for…
Spinning around Derek tore the blindfold off his face, chucking one of his sandals directly passed the half-dressed ninjas.
"What are you doing you little…?"
"We are not alone Miss Akira," Derek shouted, pointing in the direction of his sandal.
A lone man lay unconscious; he was dressed completely in black even his face had been covered before the sandal has struck his face, tearing the mask. He had a normal enough face, ruffled brown hair, blood trickling down his nose from the impact.
"Recognize him?"
"No, but unfortunately I know that outfit," Misao replied, leaning over the man's unconscious form. "These guys have been cropping up all over the place, usually causing trouble, small theft, harassing people, that sort of thing… guess we can upgrade their status to perverts now." Growling angrily she delivered a swift kick to the man's torso.
"I had no idea they would be this far outside Kyoto," Akira added, starting to tie the man to a small stalagmite. "We'll need to report this to old man Okina."
"We can't just leave him here," Derek interjected. "What if he starves before we reach Kyoto and send back the proper authorities?"
"We're not carrying him," Misao kicked the man once more before checking the cave entrance again. "You're in no condition to and I don't want that guy slung over one of our shoulders when he wakes up."
Sighing heavily Derek reached into his pack, removing what remained of his last rice ball; carefully he placed it on a ledge within reaching distance of the man's mouth.
"That's the last of our food!"
"We'll easily be in Kyoto before food becomes necessary…he needs it more."
The threat over, Derek turned back to the cave, unfortunately finally noticing that neither Akira nor Misao were wearing very much clothing.
"Damn you kid," Akira and Misao muttered together, both pulling out a handful of kunai, their faces contorted in rage.
"Pl…please ma'ams…" Derek muttered nervously, putting his arms up in a futile defense. "I didn't mean to look I swear!"
One dramatic escape later Derek found himself sitting outside the cave, his sack used as a makeshift umbrella his only partial protection against the storm, several large welts pulsating on the back of his head.
* * * * *
The next morning the three started out again, their captive still out cold in the cave, a single arm freed in order to eat, though not enough to undo the expert knots of Akira Makimachi.
"I thought that cave was closer to the city," Misao complained, exhausted like the rest of them from the long walk coupled with a sleepless night. "It never seemed this far when we were younger."
"A little closer than you think," Derek shouted cheerfully, looking out over the small cliff they walked upon. Turning to his companions he pointed out at the rising sun.
Over the cliff, now within sight distance was a series of buildings, the evening sun illuminating them even as far as they still were, the three sighed in happiness almost simultaneously.
"That can't be more than another half day at the most!" Misao cheered.
"We can finally get a change of clothes," Akira muttered.
"And I can finally start looking for Seijuro Hiko," Derek added, instantly beginning his slide down the mountain.
"This your first time in Kyoto?" Akira asked as she slid down the mountain beside him, Misao not far behind.
"My first time yes, however, my master told me many stories of this city…though it was on the outskirts where I first met him…
Five Years Earlier…
Derek's sword came down on the last of the assailants, sending him flying to the ground, obviously unconscious.
Kenshin had dealt with all the other masked bandits whose unconscious forms littered the field around the farm, the owners hesitantly poking their heads from the safety of their barn.
"Wa…was that all of them good sirs?" the farmer asked, keeping his family safely behind him.
"I believe it was that I do," Kenshin replied calmly, turning to the farmers with a cheerful grin on his face. "The police will be here soon so I don't believe you'll have anymore troubles with these people anymore."
The farmer almost instantly, as if unable to control himself embraced Kenshin in a massive bear hug, which based on the difference between the farmers burly arms and Kenshin's lacking form it wasn't so difficult.
Derek could only chuckle at the sight, seeing Kenshin's eyes widen like great white saucers. Glancing absentmindedly he saw the daughter of the farmers poke her head out, giving him a quick yet sly wink. Quickly he turned his head, hiding the forming blush on his cheeks.
"Please," he said, freeing Kenshin and placing a small bag in his hands. "Accept these as a token of our thanks, it's not much, but you and your pupil should be able to live off this for a few days."
"The food is not necessary, but is greatly appreciated," Kenshin replied, bowing low in thanks, setting out from the farm as the hoof beats of police officers could be heard steadily approaching.
"They seemed extra nice," Derek remarked to his master as they walked through the woods surrounding the farm. "Most farmers are sort of rude even after we deal with those who try to steal from them."
"True young one, however, we cannot judge them for how they act around us. Remember we are strangers and since the Meiji Revolution they have fallen on hard times that they have."
"You mention the revolution so many times, you were a part of it weren't you?"
Kenshin paused for several seconds, bowing his head as remembering past events as he continued.
"Yes, I was young then, barely older than you when I joined the fighting. It was a bloody conflict… a lot of people died."
"But it helped the country right?"
"For some…but not for everyone, it is because of my involvement that I will do all I can to help those that were affected by the change."
Derek thought on his teacher's words for a moment before replying.
"Why don't we go to where most of the fighting took place? Surely most of the people who need helping are there!"
Kenshin stopped completely; it took Derek a moment to notice, turning towards his master he looked up into his eyes.
"I…can't go back there at this time," Kenshin replied, his voice seemingly emotionless. "I have no place in Kyoto, that city holds too many memories."
"I...I'm sorry sensei," Derek muttered, feeling bad he had stirred such memories in his master when they should be happy at their recent accomplishment.
"Do not be Derek," he smiled, looking down at his apprentice once more. "We shouldn't dwell on things like the past at this time, come, let's find some place for us to rest."
"Their daughter Yurika asked me before they attacked if we wanted to stay at the farm for the night master, and I wouldn't mind it either."
"Kenshin let loose a small chuckle as they continued through the woods. "Pupil, I believe you are yet too young to have such thoughts that I do."
The two of them laughed together as the night dwelled on.
Present Day
"He had told me of Kyoto before then, but that was the first time I ever knew the place had such an impact on him," Derek concluded, the three of them entering the outskirts of the city.
"I don't know what your master went through here," Akira commented. "However you can find a lot in this city…if you only know where to look for it."
Derek was surprised at the normal setting of Kyoto, based on his teachers stories he had expected sadness and lethargy amongst the populace, however as he looked from person to person in the crowded streets he saw very little of that. They lived their lives as he had seen everyone live their lives wherever he and his master had traveled, doing what they could with what they had, his heart felt lighter somehow at the thought.
Derek noted as they walked how large the city was, it was more traditional than Tokyo had been back at the Kamiya Dojo, yet it had little impact on the majesty of the city, he could tell many great things both good and terrible had happened there.
The two girls finally led him to a relatively large building resembling a type of inn, sitting on the porch there were two figures as if awaiting their arrival. One was a man; the other a woman, both appeared to be in terrific shape, though it was expertly concealed beneath the kimonos they both wore.
"Shiro, Okon," Akira greeted them, embracing both of them gently in turn. "It is wonderful to see you both again." She stood back to allow Misao a similar greeting.
"You both two," the woman known as Okon replied, her voice never changing a beat. "We haven't heard from you in so long we were afraid of what became of you." Glancing over them she finally caught sight of the new face, smirking slightly. "I see you've made a friend."
Stepping forward Derek bowed low in respect, "My name is Derek, and it is an honor to meet you."
"This is the guy we ran into while…coming up with a means of getting home," Misao spoke up, the three of them glanced left and right, hoping they wouldn't inquire further on how they originally had planned to get home. "He had enough food for an army, without him we wouldn't have survived the trip over the mountain."
"Then a thanks are in order," Okon replied, taking Derek's hand and bowing slightly. "If you desire to stay here for a time you are more than welcome."
"I-it was no problem at all," Derek stuttered, pulling his hand back as he nonchalantly coughed, regaining his composure. "We were going the same way and I saw no harm in traveling companions."
"Has Lord Aoishi and the others returned yet?" Misao asked, stepping forward. "This kid knows something but hasn't revealed a thing the whole trip!"
Okon's gaze locked on Derek, turning from a sisterly look to one of sheer seriousness, it wasn't an angry one, but as close as one could get without crossing the line. After not even a noticeable moment passed it returned to its previous state.
"Is that so? Then I'm sure Okina will want to have a word with him…perhaps over a warm meal?"
Raising her hands Okon motioned for Derek to follow her, Akira and Misao close behind the whole way.
"You may stay in this room for the time being, I hope it is acceptable for the night."
Derek had not intended to stay the night, however the sun had already started to sink as they entered the city, and the darkness was growing outside by the minute.
The room was rather spacious, no doubt as many of their vacant rooms were like and was completely void of any furniture or objects save a small bed and pillow on the floor. It was exactly what he had become used to over the last ten years.
"It is wonderful, thank you very much," Derek bowed, sitting on the bed as he desired to think before finally falling asleep.
Okon shoved Akira and Misao out of the room as she slid the door shut behind them, despite this their voices carried as they walked away.
"I thought you were going to take him to Okina," he heard Akira whisper loudly. "To find out what he knows about Lord Aoishi and the others."
"In time," Okon replied. "There is no point questioning an exhausted man at this point, let him rest and we can ask him in the morning."
"O ya one last thing…we kind of left a guy stranded on the mountain."
Derek has arrived in Kyoto, the pebbles of the avalanche have begun to shake. As he searches for the Last Master of Hiten-Mitsurugi the events that will require that strength begin to form. Next time on Battousai's Apprentice the Search Begins, you won't want to miss it.