Broken
Chapter 12: Pummeled
The three of them stood in front of the clinic, taking care of the final preparations for the trip.
"And remember…" Said Guy's doctor. "Always use your crutches and rest every ten minutes; otherwise your condition may worsen."
"But at that rate it'll take weeks to reach Tokyo." He complained even though he knew the doctor was right.
"It's either that or spending more quality time with me."
He grunted, but it seemed like he had no other choice.
"Everything's settled then; now get the hell out of my sight before I kick you out myself!"
Minutes later, Guy and Kenshin were sitting beneath the shadow of a tree, having a light meal while Guy rested his legs.
"Quite a character that doctor, isn't he?"
Kenshin nodded while chewing a small piece of bread.
Guy reached for a bag and dug his hand in it. After a few seconds he produced a piece of paper and began to write on it.
"What are you doing?" Asked Kenshin overcome by curiosity.
"Writing a letter, my wife must be worried sick about me. Probably one of the branch members of the Okiba Gang Shinobi reported me missing by now."
"Branch members?"
"There are a few who, for their own reasons, can't be shinobi full time. Those work under secret identities, dealing information in and out of the clan without being an actual part of it. That way they aid the clan AND get to keep their normal lives. Kind of honorary members."
"So they are in charge of reporting to friends and family the condition of the active gang members?"
"You catch on quick, you ever been on a clan of sorts?"
"Sort of."
They stayed silent for a moment. The environment was very relaxing. The sun shone brightly, a warm breeze blew from the west and the temperature was exquisite. Bird could be heard singing n the distance and all kinds of animals ran around scavenging for food.
"I wish you would've told me earlier though."
Guy stared awkwardly at Kenshin, trying to make sense of that last comment.
"About that letter."
"Why?"
"Just yesterday I sent one."
Guy's eyes lit up.
"To whom?"
"It's kind of a long story."
"Well." Guy replied with sort of a sarcastic attitude. "This IS kind of a long trip."
Kenshin thought of it for a few seconds.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Guy shifted in his spot to face Kenshin completely.
"It's not too different from your case; I just wanted to tell a friend of mine not to worry about me."
"Tell me about her."
"Well, there's not much to say…"
"So it IS a she!"
With a sigh, Kenshin realized there was no going around this guy so he might as well tell him everything and get it over with.
"Tell me about her…please?"
"Alright, her name is Kaoru, she's the current owner of the Kamiya Dojo at…"
"I know that, she teaches Kamiya Kashin-Ryu, nice girl, kind of pretty."
A strange look took over Kenshin, a worried look. Guy laughed before he kept on talking.
"Don't worry, there were some incidents there involving the Hitokiri Battosai some time ago. Pretty much every shinobi in Japan took an interest in that particular place, which is why I recognized you the first time we saw each other."
The look on his face changed, but there was still something about it that bothered Guy.
"Pretty?"
"Wouldn't you agree?" Guy wore a strange grin as he replied.
"Anyway…" Said Kenshin obviously dodging the question. "She's a bit of a hothead, but we really care for each other. However, I told her that I would be back days ago and she must be worried sick about me. Last time that happened she went to Kyoto just to make sure I was okay even though I told her to stay because it was going to be very dangerous."
"Was that when that arsonist appeared? Shishio Makoto?"
"You now about that too?"
"Not really, but both your names popped out in one or two conversations. It seems like she keeps our hands full, this Kaoru girl."
"I don't mind."
That creepy grin returned to Guy's face, sending a chill up Kenshin's spine.
"So how are things with her?"
Kenshin made a funny looking confused face.
"You know, are you friends, maybe more?"
His eyebrows furrowed.
"Sorry, it just sound like you're quite taken with this girl. Pretty much the same way I was with my wife a few years ago."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm actually surprised you don't talk about her more often."
He shrugged.
Guy put away his things and strapped the bag over his shoulder. Then he got up on his crutches. Kenshin followed, strapping another;much larger; bag over his shoulder and grabbing the Masamune 100, neatly covered in bandages. They began to walk again.
"By the way Mr. Himura."
"What is it?"
"Don't worry about Masamune. He may be a cold blooded assassin, but he's only after us. Even if he does get to Kamiya Dojo he will not harm Miss Kamiya."
"Why is that?"
"He only kills when necessary. He'll probably wait for you while hiding somewhere in Tokyo."
"But what about your clan? Didn't he…"
"Yes, but he also thought that he could learn the whereabouts of Masamune 100 through us. It's amazing he didn't find it."
Kenshin took a glance at the massive sword.
"She'll be fine, start worrying once we reach Tokyo."
He felt slightly better, but he still couldn't shake that nagging feeling that something was missing, something important.