Sorry for the delay, this chapter gave me all sorts of hell. (Also, I confess, I'm on spring break this week, so I got a little lazy with writing) I'm not incredibly pleased with it but if I rewrite it one more time I might shoot myself. It's serviceable at least, so here we go.
Kenshin was woken by his shishou in a variety of ways each morning. Rolled off his mat, water poured over his head, futon pulled from under him−the list was unending. The rough shaking accompanied by a cutting pain in his arms was a new one though, and Kenshin had to admit it was effective, if cruel. He opened his mouth to protest and found it was stuffed with course cloth. Memory returned in a rush and Kenshin's eyes flew open, his senses firing. He couldn't see anything, but from the frequent jolts and the sound of creaking wood and hooves he knew he must be in some type of wagon. The rope around his arms was causing the pain.
The whole world turned topsy turvy then, and a burning sensation raked up his body. Morning light streamed into his eyes and he squeezed them shut at the abrupt brightness.
"Oi!" Kenshin opened his eyes in increments and found he was kneeling on the ground, facing the man he had knocked out with his bamboo sword. Kenshin was aware of the hand around his neck, light but firm. His eyes took in an empty brown sack on the floor next to him and surmised it had caused the burning sensation when it was pulled off. Forgetting he was gagged, he tried to speak again, and a comical burst of grunts issued from his throat. The man laughed and Kenshin felt his face flush.
"Sorry boy, we didn't want you to wake up screaming." Kenshin glared and looked the man in the eyes. "You're a feisty thing, aren't you?" The man appeared less than intimidated by Kenshin's gaze. "I suppose you want to know what's going on? I should make you wait it out. My head's killing me, you know." He reached towards Kenshin. "But you're just a kid." Kenshin tried to jerk away but the hand on his neck prevented him. The man gave a wry smile and grabbed the cloth from Kenshin's mouth. "Calm down." He dropped his eyes, surveying Kenshin's rope-burned arms. "Here, I'll loosen those for you before they leave too much of a mark."
The man's fingers worked agilely, and the biting pressure in Kenshin's arms disappeared. "No need for you to be hog-tied anymore." In one swift motion the man lifted Kenshin and turned him on his side. Pins and needles shot up Kenshin's legs as they slowly uncurled from being pressed into his back.
Surprised by this unexpected kindness, Kenshin maneuvered himself to face the man. His benefactor was studying him with mild curiosity. Kenshin eyed the katana sheathed at the man's waist, so tantalizingly close. If he could distract him while some blood flowed back into his limbs . . .
"I wouldn't, if I were you." Kenshin started. The man patted his sword knowingly. "You really think I'd allow you so much movement if I couldn't handle it? You've got some fine training, but I have the advantage. I'd have this sword at your neck before you could lay a finger on it."
Kenshin wondered if he was bluffing; decided testing that theory wasn't worth the risk. He was in no position to make a bid for escape anyway. "So," The man leaned backwards with a loud exhale. "You should be a little more comfortable now."
Kenshin's mouth was dry as his master's humor, so he just nodded. "Good. We're not trying to hurt you, so if you do as you're told, nothing's gonna happen." Kenshin wasn't sure he believed that but there was little he could do about it. "I suppose you're wondering what we want with you, huh? I think you already know what Yoshinobu wants from Seijurou."
"Yes." Kenshin's mouth was still regaining moisture and the word was hoarse.
"You, my friend, are a security deposit, so to speak." When Kenshin looked blank, the man explained, "Until Seijurou agrees to help, you stay with us."
"Where are we going then?" Kenshin asked, glad that he was able to formulate words again.
"Edo. That's where we're based."
"Edo?" Edo was hundreds of miles away. Kenshin knew there was a great castle there but he had never been. A thought occurred to him. "Shishou doesn't know I'll be there though." He didn't voice his silent concern, that since he'd abandoned his training, his shishou might not even care enough to come after him.
"Don't worry about it, Yoshinobu-san has thought everything through. I'm not sure exactly what his plans are, but he's quite confident that Seijurou will come, and he'll know exactly where to find you."
Kenshin couldn't help but worry. There were too many what-ifs in the situation. What if his shishou couldn't find him? What if he didn't care enough to try? What if the death sentence Yoshinobu had mentioned meant he was going to be killed? What if his master came to save him and he was killed? Kenshin was almost sick thinking about it. He knew now he should have kept his promise and heeded his shishou's request to stay away from these men.
"Hey, boy, you listening?" Kenshin realized a hand was being waved in front of his face. "Pay attention, because we have a lot of stops to make before we get to Edo. Yoshinobu doesn't have enough faith in you to leave you in the wagon overnight so you'll be posing as my son. You're to speak to no one, even if they talk to you. Keep a hold of my hand at all times. When I move, you move. Disobey any of these and suffer the consequences. Understand?" Kenshin nodded. He didn't ask what the consequences were; he was certain they wouldn't be pleasant. "Good. We'll be coming into Ishibe in a few more moments to rest until dark. I'm going to take the rest of these off." The man set to work removing the ropes still around Kenshin.
Kenshin sat miserably, the seriousness of his situation just beginning to creep up on him. "This'll be over in a week or so. Just pray your master's stubbornness is short-lived." That was exactly what Kenshin was worried about. His master was never one to back down.
The wagon began slowing and soon it rolled to an uneven stop. Voices, varied and numerous, floated through the cloth sides. "Kaga, get ready back there!" Someone from the front of the wagon called.
"We're set!" The man guarding Kenshin replied. He leveled a finger. "Remember, follow my lead." He stepped out of the wagon and turned, holding out a hand. "Come on, son, we don't want to be late."
The sudden change in tone and behavior was so convincing that Kenshin didn't find it difficult at all to take Kaga's hand, saying, "Hai, otou-san." Some small part of him enjoyed calling someone "father" again, even if only as a morbid farce.
Kenshin's senses were assailed the moment he stepped from the wagon. He had never been out of Kyoto before and he found Ishibe intriguing. He stared at the people hurrying about, some wearing traditional dress, a few in starched Western suits; there were even two porcelain-faced geisha shuffling along, elegant kimono seeming to float above the dusty ground. The smell of fresh bread and foreign spices drifted in the breeze, mingling to create a delicious aroma. The smell was intoxicating, and Kenshin searched for the source, wishing he could try some. Kaga was pulling at his hand though, so he dragged his eyes from the fascinating scene.
They stopped in front of a sprawling two-story building with a balcony on the second level. A sign hung out front, swinging in the light breeze. Kenshin mouthed the characters slowly. "Shi-jo-ya. We're staying at an inn, Kaga-san?"
"Otou-san, otou-san." Kaga muttered from the side of his mouth. "And no talking in public, boy!" As he spoke a man came out from the inn, un-faded hakama and richly embroidered haori attesting to his wealth. A welcoming smile lit his features.
"Good day to you, visitors! Will you be staying the night at the Shijoya?"
Kaga answered. "Just the day. We've been traveling through the night already. I have five men with me and my son, we'll just need two rooms until evening falls. A quiet room would be appreciated."
"Mm, I think that can be arranged." Kenshin liked the innkeeper's jovial attitude. "We're not so busy this time of year. Heiji!" A rotund boy appeared as if from nowhere, wide smile a carbon copy of the innkeeper's.
"Hai!"
"Two rooms, as close to the back as possible." With a curt nod, the boy scurried off as quickly as he'd appeared.
The innkeeper continued talking. "My son, he helps with the family business. He's quite good at it, but unfortunately," he spread his hands with a melodramatic sigh, "he has a mind to be a swordsman." Kenshin's face must have shown something, because the innkeeper gestured at him. "Oh, I don't suppose you want to be a swordsman too?"
"I am one!" Kenshin blurted before he forgot he wasn't supposed to speak. Kaga's hand crushed his in warning.
"All boys have visions of being a great samurai." Kaga laughed.
"So true. But regretfully I told mine if he worked hard, I would do all I could to help further his training." The innkeeper gestured at Kenshin. "I bet Heiji would like to have a sparring match with you. What do you think, sir?" He asked Kaga. "Let two boys play out their dreams with each other."
"Oh, this one would let his fantasies run away with him if I allowed that." Kaga said. "He needs to spend more time concentrating on work. I don't want to encourage him in idleness such as swordplay."
"Nonsense!" The innkeeper was beckoning at Kenshin even as he spoke. "It might do him good, in fact. I find that letting boys indulge in play every once in a while helps them focus on work. Come, it won't hurt. I'd like to see how Heiji fares against another boy his age! I need to gauge if he has the ability to live this dream of his." Kenshin saw the look of frustration on Kaga's face and felt a shimmer of hope. Kaga didn't know how to respond to this unexpected situation. "It would mean a lot to me." The innkeeper pressed. "I would even go so far as to offer you a deal on your rooms."
Money must have been the right incentive because Kaga nodded. "I'd like to watch. I'm proud of my son's skills, even if he isn't meant to be a swordsman."
The innkeeper beamed, missing the warning look that Kaga gave Kenshin. "Wonderful! Heiji-kun," He greeted the boy as he returned, "this youngster fancies being a swordsman. I thought you two could have a match. Someone to measure your skills by."
Heiji's eyes went wide with delight. "That's great! Follow me, we can duel in the courtyard."
Kenshin trotted after him before Kaga could change his mind, studying Heiji as he moved. The innkeeper's son hardly looked like a worthy opponent. Even without a sword in his hand, his balance was off-center, and Kenshin felt only a flicker of ki. There was no way Heiji could hope to beat him, Kenshin was certain. He hoped Heiji could provide another shinai, or it would be a very short match.
The courtyard he followed Heiji to was large, with a small koi pond gracing the center and a zen garden running the length of the tall back fence. Heiji met Kenshin with a well-used shinai in hand, saying apologetically, "Otou-san doesn't let me use a real sword." Kaga spoke before Kenshin could reply.
"My boy only has a katana."
Heiji wasn't put off by this. "That's okay, I have an extra shinai!" He disappeared into a shed next to the porch and emerged with another wooden sword, its smoothness contrasting with Heiji's own scuff-marked one. "Here." Kenshin took it, surprised at its lightness. He'd always trained with a katana and had never held a shinai. He let the weight settle into his hand, feeling the handle rough against his palms. From the corner of his eye, he saw the innkeeper lead Kaga to the porch, the former talking animatedly. He knew that in a moment, the rest of Yoshinobu's men would be filing into the courtyard, all with swords at their waist. It was now or never.
Kenshin hefted the shinai, wondered fleetingly if the seemingly fragile weapon could hold up against the moves of Hiten Mitsurugi, then locked eyes with Heiji and muttered, "Sorry." Heiji looked at him, confusion crinkling his already dimpled face.
Kenshin swung the shinai.
Then all hell broke loose.
Whew, done! Critiques are always welcome. Fighting and drama are upcoming! I'm psyched about the next chapter, it should be considerably easier to write than this one was.
Ayesha: I thought the bamboo part was cool too, glad you liked it!
Ridicully L: Thanks! Hope I can keep up the good work.
literaryrxn: Haha, oh, this is so just the beginning. Kenshin has no idea what he's got himself into!
I think I replied to everyone, but if I didn't, thanks for the review!!