A/N: Rurouni Kenshin was one of the first manga I read as a kid so I have fond memories of it. Hopefully 2018 will be a year that my muse will cooperate with me for once. *fingers crossed* If anyone wants one of these one shots to become a story, just let me know in a review or PM!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Rurouni Kenshin.
The Diplomat's Daughter: A Journalist's Enthusiasm
When Annabel heard her father mentioning a trip to Japan she jumped at the chance to see the foreign land. They didn't know much about the chain of islands and it had always been somewhere she wanted to visit, especially after she had gone to China. She was an odd woman, one that was more likely to be seen cheering men on at a boxing or wrestling match than gossiping over a cup of tea. Her articles and stories were always intriguing, once she had even gone to China and learned Chinese martial arts from a world famous master named Seiryuu. The article she was writing? Basic self-defense moves that women her age could use to disable attackers. She could be very stubborn and refused to be intimidated, even when she was in mortal danger.
From the moment Hiei set eyes on her, he knew that Annabel Faust was going to be nothing but trouble. A big red flag was that she was a journalist and they stopped at nothing to get to what they wanted to know. Another was her body language, it spoke of an individual that had some training in martial arts. And the last clue? She walked right up to Hiei after he was introduced as her bodyguard and pulled him into a hug that nearly crushed his ribs. The message was clear: she knew how to take care of herself. All Hiei was to be in this situation was a guide and baby sitter for the woman during her stay.
XoXoXoXoXoXo
When Kenshin was walking the streets he wasn't expecting to see his former colleague Hiei escorting a foreign woman. The brunette looked like she wanted to go to every vendor and store, eyes glinting in excitement. It was safe to assume that she was some type of foreign representative to require Hiei of all people as a bodyguard. She looked up at him and, for a brief moment, a mischievous glint entered them. This one thinks that Hiei has his hands full with that one. Kenshin thought as Annabel dragged Hiei behind her, ignoring the subtle killing intent coming from the former samurai.
"Hi! Are you related to Kurama by any chance?" Annabel asks curiously. "Oro?" The rurouni looked at the woman in confusion. "Just because they share the same hair color does not mean the two are related." Hiei growls, Annabel smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that then. I'm Anna Faust, you're a rurouni right?" Annabel asks, Kenshin nodded sheepishly. "That this one is." This girl is very straight forward, that she is. Kenshin thought with a sweat drop. "This one is Kenshin Himura. It is nice to meet you Faust-san and good to see you Hiei-san." Kenshin says politely, Hiei scoffed. "You were lucky to get out of government involvement Battousai, right now I'm stuck babysitting this baka-onna." "Um, Hiei-san? Your charge seems to have disappeared." Kenshin says with a sweat drop, a stream of expletives came out of Hiei before he started looking for the foreigner.
XoXoXoXoXoXo
I wonder what type of title Battousai is, I'll need to find this Kenshin person later. I can't believe he actually knew my body guard and distracted him long enough for me to escape. Lucky! Annabel thought happily. She was well aware of the fact that gaijin got a mixed reaction from the Japanese, the Western visitors were either looked upon with disgust or with awe. Annabel decided to go into one of the gambling houses, over the years she learned that underground places were the best places to get information. It was dangerous but there wasn't much to worry about, she had been training under a master in China after all.
The moment she walked into the building, all eyes seemed to be focused on her. It wasn't surprising, she was foreign and was wearing weird clothes even for American standards. Instead of wearing a dress she wore hand me down pants and a shirt from one of her uncles, feeling more comfortable in men's clothing. She was used to seeing craps tables and roulette wheels, not what looked like a dice game and another game with some sort of tiles. "Oi, this isn't a place for women." One of the men said gruffly, Annabel only smiled. "I'm only here to observe, I'm a journalist from America." She explains, unknowingly getting the attention of a long-haired painter.
Katsu watched when the woman sat down at one of the tables, ordering some sake. She took delicate sips and seemed interested in the different gambling games. She was a paying customer in the establishment, even if it was for the crappy food and sake. A few of the more drunken men tried picking her up but she deflected them with practiced ease. "So, what is it you're investigating?" Katsu asks, making the brunette jolt. She gave an awkward laugh. "At the moment it's an article about some of the cultural differences in Japan compared to America. It's easy for me to get wrapped up in the different places I travel to so I usually start in some of the seedier places." Annabel says, rubbing the back of her head.
The two hit things off as they continued drinking, laughing as if they were old buddies. Annabel especially seemed interested in the conflicts that lead to the creation of the current Meiji government. She hadn't been aware of the unsung heroes that had been used as scape goats by a government that couldn't deliver on their promises. "We have something similar in the states. My grandfather was the founder of my town's local militia, basically civilians that get together to protect the people when the government can't interfere. He went to join the main army as a young man and was dishonorably discharged for ignoring a superior's orders to save his men." Annabel explains, feeling more comfortable than she had the entire time Hiei was tailing her.
The light hearted conversation stopped when a short male with crimson eyes walked into the gambling house, glaring at Annabel. The American groaned. "My babysitter found me. I'll talk to you later the next time I give him the slip!" Annabel says with a grin, being dragged out of the establishment.
"What were you thinking?!" Hiei demands, Annabel pouted. "That in order to learn about your culture I need to observe everything, with you around I'm just stuck with the government's bias. And I could tell from the looks people usually give you that nothing would be natural and would only act in a manner considered appropriate." Annabel says stubbornly. "You could have been abducted, you are the daughter of a diplomat. If anything happens to you the relationship between our countries could be strained." "I'm a journalist first and a politician's daughter last. You have your job and I have mine." Annabel retorts. Why did Hiei have to get stuck with this troublesome woman?