True to his word Kenshin was back on Thursday for classes but Rei barely got a chance to talk with him. The few classes she had with him she was the only person he spoke with unless he was answering a question the teacher asked. Even at lunch he ate by himself despite the invitations of several girls including Rei and Makoto. By the time the weekend rolled around Rei wasn't sure if they were friends or he just felt compelled to talk with her since he had visited the shrine.
It was after school on Tuesday when the girls found out they would have to pick an extracurricular. Rei settled on one of the performing arts groups while Ami immediately chose the math, chess and computer clubs. The worst case, as she explained, would be that she'd give up chess club. Usagi decided to try cross country since it didn't involve academics or coordination and it had the added benefit of building up her stamina.
That left Makoto and Minako with their choices. Makoto passed up Home Economics and decided to check out the Judo Club, determined to be the first girl to join. Minako joined her simply because she had no idea which club to join this year. Makoto passed the test with flying colors and, despite the protests of the upper classmen, accepted the invitation to the team. Despite all her experience as Sailor Venus Minako found that she had no skill in judo, proven when she could barely last a few seconds on the mat.
From there she went to the only activity that was left for boys and girls: kendo. When she arrived a beam of reflected light nearly blinded her. The instructor was a bald man with rolled up sleeves and a wooden sword resting on his shoulder. His eyes were narrowed almost like he was constantly in a bad mood. Of her class members Minako only recognized a few but in particular Kenshin who was seated at the front of the group.
"You're late," Ikkaku Madarame told her as her cheeks flushed. Minako quickly apologized before picking up one of the bamboo practice swords like everyone else had. "Consider yourself lucky that all you missed was the opening speech. Now we're moving onto the actual tryouts. If you want to even have a chance of making it in this year you'll have to either land a hit or dodge one." All the students, except Kenshin, looked at each other nervously. "Not against me of course," Ikkaku assured them but the smile on his face did nothing to relax them. "Yo', Kenshin. You're up." The boy stood up and walked over to the practice mat where he waited for the first opponent. "The one you'll be going up against is Kenshin Suzaku."
One boy stood and Minako recognized him as one of the more popular jocks in the school. He confidently went at Kenshin only to be sidestepped and struck in the back of the head with the practice sword.
"Since when the hell did I say there were any other rules?" Ikkaku said when the boy complained about the illegal hit. "If you can't dodge him or hit him then you don't make the cut."
Two students got up together and charged Kenshin. With one upward strike he knocked one sword into the air and on the downstroke forced the other sword to the ground before quickly thrusting. The rubberized tip slammed into the student's chest, winding him and throwing him back, and Kenshin quickly slashed down and back, catching the other student in the calf and sweeping him off his feet.
"No freaking way. He just took down two people at the same time," one of the seated students muttered and Minako could see that her prospects were essentially zero at this point. A handful more students tried to take Kenshin on only to be knocked down or thrown down without any indication of effort on Kenshin's part. Most of the students chose to walk out rather than take on an impossible opponent and Minako noticed that Ikkaku was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
"I may not stand a chance but that doesn't mean I can't try," she told herself as she stood up. By this point she was the only one left that hadn't left or been beaten. As she stepped onto the mat she kept her distance from Kenshin while going through the various moves he'd used so far in her head. With something that resembled a plan she went at him, starting off with a feint. Unfortunately Kenshin easily saw through it and swung downward, making Minako's duck ineffective. What he didn't expect was for Minako to keep moving forward to try and get inside of his attack range. Kenshin quickly backstepped before planting one foot down and pivoting, dodging Minako's attack. At the end of the pivot he swung, slamming his sword into her back and sending her flying across the room.
"So that's the way it is, huh?" Ikkaku asked as he shook his head. "Can't say that I'm really all that surprised. Anyway, all of you except that first kid come back tomorrow and you'll get your team designations." When the first student, the jock, complained about his being cut Ikkaku just scoffed. "If you can't accept that you lost fair and square then I ain't having you on this team."
After everything was said and done Minako started limping her way home. Her pride was more injured than her body was but she couldn't help but be amazed at Kenshin's speed and strength. She didn't doubt for a minute that he was a kendo prodigy but that wouldn't explain why he was joining a school kendo club and not something more professional.
"Hang on a sec. Is that...?" she thought as she came to a street crossing where Kenshin was standing. "Kenshin!"
The boy turned to see her waving at him, responding with nothing but a cocked eyebrow. "You wouldn't be following me home now, would you?" he asked carefully.
Minako shook her head, both as an answer and in mild disbelief. "No, this is the quickest way for me to get home as well," she explained. "I usually take a longer route with my girlfriends but they wrapped up before we did."
"Ah, sorry about that," Kenshin finally apologized, rubbing the back of his head as his cheeks lightly flushed. "That move of yours caught me off-guard a bit and I reacted instinctively. Still, it was a pretty good move..." He hesitated as he tried to recall her name.
"Minako," she answered, choosing to cut him some slack, "and it's okay...I guess. You're really good though. Were you captain of your last school's team?"
"Nah, only fourth seat," he admitted as they crossed together. "Not for lack of trying, mind you. Our team captain was something of a beast. And the lieutenant isn't someone that I'd mess with either. The third seat..." He chuckled as he recalled him. "He was just nuts. Tough as all get out but not a bad guy." He turned to Minako. "So what made you decide you wanted to do kendo?"
"Well, I'm not what you would call good at Home Ec.," she admitted bashfully. "And I got my butt kicked in judo. Definitely not smart enough for the math or computer clubs and chess just makes my head hurt."
"What about one of the sports clubs or choir? Anything had to be easier than kendo."
"Eh, no interest really," she said with a shrug. "Although trying out for those probably would have hurt a lot less than kendo." Kenshin apologized again and Minako just laughed it off. "I'm just picking on you. Besides, it was pretty clear from the get-go that everyone there was out of their league."
They made idle chatter until they came to a small candy shop nestled between two houses. As Kenshin was saying goodbye an explosion sounded from the inside of the store. Kenshin rushed over and threw the door open only to be hit with a wall of smoke. He covered his mouth and nose as the overwhelming smell of something foul caused his eyes to start tearing up. "Oh for the love of all things holy," he coughed as he stepped out of the smoke. "Urahara! What the hell did you do?"
"Oh, welcome back, Kenshin," a nasal voice answered from within the smoke. A man in a green jacket with traditional wooden sandals and a green-and-white striped hat on top of his straw-colored hair walked out, waving a fan in front of his nose which was shut with a clothespin. "There was a bit of a mishap with dinner. Really, Tessai is much better with this than I ever was."
Kenshin responded with a punch to the top of the man's head, causing a large lump to form through the hat. "Idiot! My stuff is in there!" the teenager yelled. "Now it's going to smell like this...this..."
"Not to worry," Urahara said as he displayed the fan and grinned. "I should be able to get the smell out of everything by tonight. No need to worry, my boy." A loud rumbling interrupted any further conversation and caused Kenshin to blush. "Hmm, well that makes things a little more difficult," Urahara mused. "I suppose I could give you some money to go out to eat and just take it out of your pay."
Another blow to the head formed a second lump next to the first and put Urahara in the dirt face first. "Why the hell is it coming out of my pay?! You're the one that did this." Urahara ceded the point and handed Kenshin a handful of bills. Kenshin thanked his caretaker as he and Minako continued to walk away.
"No offense but..." Minako started to say but Kenshin just glared at her. "Oh nevermind. I'll just walk over here."
Kenshin's glare faded as he gave a tired sigh, accompanied by another loud stomach growl. "This is going to be fun," he muttered. "I really want to get something to eat but there's no way any restaurant will let me in the door smelling like this. If this keeps up I'm gonna end up eating my shoes."
"Well, do you want to stop by my place and grab a shower? Some of my dad's old clothes might actually fit you too," Minako suggested and elicited a curious glance from Kenshin. "What? Just offering to help a classmate in need."
Kenshin just sighed but thanked her all the same. Her house wasn't that far from Urahara's store and he could still see the plume of smoke rising into the air. Doing his best to ignore his caregiver for the time being he looked over Minako's house and was impressed overall. It was far from the largest house he'd seen in Tokyo but it was a fair bit bigger than many of the houses in this neighborhood.
"Mom? Dad? I'm home!" Minako shouted as they took their shoes off. The house was completely dark. "Hey, anybody here?"
As she explored the house Kenshin made his way into the dining room where he found a note. "Dear Minako. Your father and I left for our anniversary early. There's plenty of food in the fridge and pantry and money just in case. Don't spend it all on sweets. Love, Mom," he read as Minako entered the room. She sighed and muttered something along the lines of 'Just my luck' when Kenshin quickly told her, "This is easier than having to explain why you're bringing home a boy you just met, right?" After a moment she agreed to the point and directed him to the downstairs shower only because the washer and dryer were in there as well. He was happy not to have her doing his laundry considering how much he was putting her out already.
After a bit he exited the bathroom in the clothes that Minako had set aside for him. Her father had been a little bigger than him but he was happy for fresh-smelling clothes. "Umm, Minako?" he asked as he adjusted the undershirt which was surprisingly tight. "I don't think this is one of your dad's. I'm starting to lose feeling in my arms." He peeled the shirt off just as she rounded the corner and her face turned bright red. "Oh. Uh..."
"It's...it's fine," Minako said quickly as she desperately tried to tear her eyes away. She knew he was in good shape but seeing and knowing are two very different things. His muscles were well-defined but he lacked a six-pack and there wasn't a strand of body hair to be found on him. Trying to find something to say she looked him over until seeing something interesting on the front of his right shoulder. "Is that a tattoo?"
"Hmm? Oh, you mean this," he said, looking down at the image. "Yeah, it's supposed to represent a yarrow." When she stared blankly at him he added, "It's a flower that represents strength. You could call it a...relic from my old kendo squad."
"They had you guys get tattoos?" Minako asked and Kenshin shook his head. He held up the tight shirt and Minako took the hint that he wanted to drop it. When she returned she gave him a white undershirt and a button up casual shirt. He left the casual shirt unbuttoned as he adjusted everything. "Wow, this is really weird. You look way too much like my dad right now," she said before clamping her hands over her mouth.
"It's fine," Kenshin said before she could apologize. "I will say that at least your old man has decent taste. Way better than mine does." He smiled as she tried recovering. "So, shall we head out?"
Heading towards downtown was a quick trip and the two teens made small talk as they walked along the streets. Minako wanted to show him around so he could get a feel for the place but the complaining from his stomach dictated their course. They walked into a diner and they eyed the menu while waiting to be seated.
"So what exactly is a 'Gargantuan Burger'?" Kenshin asked and Minako, along with several staffers, turned to him. "What?"
"It's kinda the local challenge," Minako explained quickly. "If you finish a Gargantuan you and your guest eat free for a week. If you don't...well..."
"It's that much, huh?" he finished for her and she nodded. "Sounds interesting. I'll take two." Minako, the staff, and nearby patrons stopped what they were doing and stared at the young man.
"We take this challenge very seriously, kid," one of the cooks said from the kitchen window. "I don't need some smart-aleck mocking us-"
"I wasn't mocking you. I'll take two of the Gargantuan burgers," Kenshin interrupted him, staring him in the eye as he did. "How about you, Minako? Think you can handle one of them?" She quickly shook her head and ordered a salad. Kenshin had to reiterate his point several times in order to get across to them what he wanted and they were finally seated.
Minako had time to finish her salad and even start into dessert by the time the two massive burgers arrived. Each was a pound of cooked beef on a bakery roll with the usual burger trimmings. The fries, which weren't part of the challenge, were on a plate that Minako snuck a few bites of while Kenshin prepped himself. The entire restaurant, patrons included, was gathered around the two teens as Kenshin dug in. It didn't take long for him to devour both burgers as if they were nothing and even eat half of the fries. After getting over the shock the owner took a photo with Kenshin and went over the conditions of winning the challenge after which Kenshin and Minako left but not before leaving behind a generous tip.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Minako asked for what was likely the fifth time since leaving the diner. Kenshin nodded once more and Minako couldn't help but sigh. "No one should be able to eat that much in one sitting. It's like your stomach is a bottomless pit."
"I've been told that before," the teenage boy mused as they walked past the arcade where Usagi could be seen trying to beat a high score on one of her favorite games. "But today was kinda different. I missed breakfast and gave my lunch to some guy named Umino after some bullies stole his, after which I took care of said bullies. I also had a bunch of stuff to do yesterday and missed dinner..." He trailed off there, sure that by now Minako had an idea of how hungry he had been.
Minako was going to respond until she saw a poster up by the theater. She let out a squeal and rushed to the poster, doing her best not to drool as she stared at it. Kenshin looked it over before asking what was so special about it. "This is based on a light novel I read a while back but I never thought it would get released," she explained. "I've been trying to get the other girls to see it but they always have other plans." When Kenshin didn't reply she looked back to where he'd been standing only to see empty space. "Did I bore him so much that he just up and ditched me?" she thought to herself, wondering how pathetic she looked by herself now.
The sound of Kenshin clearing his throat from her left caught her attention as she turned to see him holding two tickets to the movie. "If you want to see it that bad I don't see the harm in seeing it with you," he said as her mouth hung open. "Consider this as repayment for helping me out today." Minako felt her face flush as she stuttered out a thanks before walking with him into the theater.
By the time the movie ended the sun was starting to set outside and many of the shops around the arcade were closing up shop, to be expected on a school-night. Minako's eyes were still puffy from crying at the movie's end which she said was fairly close to the light novel. All Kenshin could do was nod and agree since he had never read it. Truth be told he'd slept through most of the movie and had managed not to get caught by Minako.
As they walked down the street leading to Minako's house Kenshin stopped and glanced backwards, his eyes narrowing. "What's wrong?" Minako asked as she looked around.
"You guys can come out now," he said loudly. "I know you've been shadowing us since we left the movies so there's no point hiding now." Minako was about to comment that it was most likely Usagi and the other girls until several guys came out of the shadows.
"Hang on a sec, is that...?" she started and Kenshin nodded. "Why the heck is Kiba here?"
"So that's what this loser's name is. Heh, probably wants payback for not making the cut to the kendo team. It must be humiliating for last year's captain to get beaten so easily by the new guy," Kenshin explained with a smirk, earning a growl from Kiba. "Aww, did I hit a nerve?"
"No way am I just gonna take getting cut lying down," Kiba said as he tapped a metal pipe on the blacktop. "After this there's no way you'll be able to be on the team either." Kiba bared his teeth as he stared at Minako. "And how is that bald bastard gonna let some weak girl on the team instead of me? We'll beat the both of you within an inch of your life to make sure you understand why I'm the best."
"Let's get one thing straight," Kenshin said, the mirth gone from his voice as he glared at Kiba's gang. "If even one of you tries to lay a hand on Minako I will make you regret the day you were born. If you're pissed off at me, fine; leave her out of this." Minako stared at Kenshin, unsure whether to be flattered or worried about the quick change in his attitude.
Kiba let out a battle cry and charged Kenshin on his own. With a single step Kenshin extended his right leg with incredible speed and strength, planting it directly in Kiba's gut. The winded jock tried to regain his composure until Kenshin pivoted, balancing Kiba on his foot as he brought him around in a full arc before slamming him onto the blacktop. Four more of the gang came at him but Kenshin easily deflected their punches, knocking the one at the back of the group off-balance before sending him flying over one of the divides with a throw. He spun around, whipping his arms around to strike two more in their necks. The remaining boy swung his bat but Kenshin flipped over him almost with no effort before slamming his open palm into his chest.
As the remaining members of the gang stared at their leader along with five others on the ground they decided it was in their best interests to run rather than take on Kenshin. As Kenshin turned to tell Minako they should be going Kiba jumped to his feet with the pipe drawn back and made for Minako. Before he could reach her, though, his right shoulder twisted back and there was a loud pop along with an almost audible tearing. Kiba dropped to the ground as tears of pain streamed down his cheeks. "I told you that you'd regret it if you tried to drag her into this," Kenshin said coldly, walking past the jock. "The arm's not totally worthless now but good luck participating in sports with it." He turned to Minako, the cold expression gone from his face. "We should probably get going." The blonde teen nodded as they walked away, quickly glancing back at Kiba.
"Should we do something at least?" she asked as they turned the corner. "He's still sitting there. And did you really have to go that far?"
"His friends should come back for him before too long. And yes, I did," he answered, closing his eyes. "His beef had nothing to do with you so he had no right going after you like that. Besides, so long as he gets it taken care of his shoulder will be good as new in a couple months. I wasn't planning on crippling the guy."
"Well, that's better. I guess," Minako conceded as she nibbled on her thumb. "And thank you for protecting me. But it's not like I couldn't have held my own against him."
"I'm not doubting that but it's like I said: this was between me and him," Kenshin explained. "If his grudge had really been with both of us I would have gladly let you take him down." He looked over at her with a slight smirk. "Tell you what, next time something like this happens you can take a few of them down too. Sound fair?" Minako just laughed and shook her head.
When they reached her house they stopped to say their goodbyes. "Thank you again, Kenshin," Minako told him. "Except for that last bit I had a lot of fun tonight."
"Thank you for showing me around town," he replied. "Although I feel like I'm forgetting something." He scratched the back of his head for a second before shrugging. "Oh well. If it's important I'll remember it later. Good night, Minako."
Minako said good night as well and brought him into a hug, much to his chagrin. After a moment Kenshin finally relented and returned the sentiment. After a moment she eased the embrace and went to give him a peck on the cheek. Unfortunately Kenshin turned his head to say something and their lips met if only for a brief moment. They both quickly took a step back, both teens bright red as they tried to say something. Kenshin gave her a quick wave and made his way back to Urahara's shop while Minako went inside her house. With the door closed behind her she leaned against the door. "Why is my chest pounding so hard? It was just a little slip up, wasn't it?" she thought to herself.
It was uneventful on the way back to Urahara's store and the straw-haired man was sitting at a table drinking tea when Kenshin opened the door. "Ah, I see that you had a good time tonight," the shopkeeper said as Kenshin walked past him. "So did you make a friend?"
"You know damn well that's not what I was sent here to do," Kenshin responded harshly as he picked up one of the candy dispensers. "Is that why you used an escape bomb? So that I'd try to play nice with these humans?"
"It can't hurt," Urahara said as Kenshin popped a small green candy in his mouth and swallowed. With a short pulse of energy his body fell to the ground and a man clad in a black shihakusho stood where Kenshin had. On his right hip was a katana with a crescent moon tsuba and a tsuka made with interwoven red and black fibers. A scarlet scarf was wrapped loosely over his shoulders and Kenshin's cold green eyes zeroed in on Urahara. "Seems the 11th Division finally rubbed off on you. You know, it wouldn't hurt for you to be a bit more like Ikkaku."
"What 3rd Seat Madarame does is his own business," the 4th seat of the 11th Division said as he adjusted his zanpakutÅ. "In the meantime have you heard from Captain Kurotsuchi?"
"Here's the details," the former head of Squad 12 replied as he handed a small stack of paper to the Shinigami. "Good hunting out there, Kenshin."