Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin - not mine. End of story.
I had a little trouble getting through this chapter for some reason. I had the end of the chapter actually finished, but it took me a while just to fill in how it got there. Hope you enjoy!
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Only the Beginning
Written by lolo popoki
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Chapter 5: Confrontations
After the two picked up their pace, Hiko prompted Katsura to continue his story. "What happened after Kenshin killed them?"
"Despite his injuries, Himura-san somehow managed to carry Tomoe's body most of the way back to their cottage before collapsing in the snow. Luckily, they were found by some of the villagers, and brought back the rest of the way. Himura's wounds were treated, and he was completely healed after a couple weeks. Physically, at least. I don't believe he ever really recovered from his emotional wounds.
"When I was informed of Tomoe's death, I went to Otsu myself to pay my respects and to speak to Himura about his job situation. I told him that he had been replaced as a hitokiri. I had given that particular job to another man, but I explained to Himura that we still needed him to continue wielding his sword for us. But this time, instead of killing from the shadows, we needed him as a guardian. To protect the Ishin Shishi from our enemies as a mobile attacker. And he accepted. He understood that if he stopped fighting then, all the lives he'd taken already would have been for nothing.
"And so, for the last four years, Hitokiri Battousai had not really been a hitokiri at all. He killed only to protect his fellow men and to defend himself from attack. The title of hitokiri, however, stuck with him for the rest of his career. I know that hurt him deeply, though he never really showed it." Katsura sighed heavily, then closed his eyes for a moment and tilted his head up, feeling the cold breeze on his face.
Hiko studied the Choshu leader's profile, as he considered the man's words thoughtfully.
So, most of what I had heard really was just unfounded rumors. Exaggerations of the truth, and outright lies. I knew Kenshin could never have been the heartless demon they made him out to be
"Why didn't Kenshin object, if the label upset him so much?" he asked, slightly curious.
"I think that maybe he just didn't want anyone to know he was bothered by it," Katsura answered quietly, opening his eyes and staring into the darkening sky. "Himura always seemed so stoic, like nothing affected him, but you could see the pain in his eyes if you really looked." His expression was bleak. "Unfortunately, not many cared to even try. They took his coldness at face value, and kept their distance."
"It sounds like a very lonely existence," Hiko murmured, thinking of his own self-imposed seclusion. It was one thing to be alone by yourself, but to remain isolated while you were surrounded by the people you had sworn to protect... it sounded like pure hell.
"Aa," Katsura agreed sadly. "But he never complained, or let on how lonely he must have been. And despite everything, he remained absolutely loyal to our cause."
Both men fell quiet again as dusk's fading light was finally extinguished, and darkness fell upon them. The rest of their journey was spent in brooding silence, until they had at last reached the city limits.
It had been many years since Hiko had last been in Kyoto, and the swordsman was saddened by how the great city had fallen. Everywhere he looked, he could see the signs of war: burned out and abandoned buildings, mostly deserted streets, and he could feel the tense, uneasy atmosphere that permeated the city. The few people they passed, had a wary look in their eyes, and carefully kept out of the pair's way.
And in the near distance, Hiko could still hear the sounds of battle.
"There's not a whole lot of traffic on this road," Hiko remarked casually. His appearance was relaxed, but all his senses were on alert for danger.
"Most people abandoned the city because of all the constant fighting," Katsura explained. "Kyoto is just too dangerous to remain in right now. Even though the Shogun has abdicated and the Imperialists are in control, there are still conflicts throughout the city between our men and angry samurai." He smiled humorlessly. "Now that the rebels have taken power, we have rebels of our own to deal with." Katsura chuckled, his expression wry. "Ironic, ne? It will probably be a while before the people are all able to come back."
They were walking quickly now, taking a slightly roundabout path through the streets, when Hiko sensed the hostile ki of several men stealthily using the alleyways and side-roads to try and surround their position. He had been aware of their presence for some time, ever since the men had started following them, but he had wanted to see if they would make a move first, before doing anything about them.
"Katsura…"
The Choshu commander glanced over at the swordsman. "I'm aware of them, Hiko-san," he said quietly. "This unfortunately happens quite often. Now you understand why my guards were so upset with my decision for them to leave."
Hiko nodded slightly. "Don't worry; I'll take care of it. There are only eight of them." He made a disgusted noise. "Hardly a challenge for someone of my skills."
Katsura smiled faintly. "Arigatou, Hiko-san."
They continued walking for a few minutes, pretending they didn't notice their unfriendly shadows closing in on them. As the two passed around a corner, they found themselves blocked from going any further by four aggressive looking samurai standing in front of them. Katsura glanced behind him and saw the other four blocking the rear. All eight men had their blades drawn.
"Katsura Kogorou!" their leader yelled in fury. "Imperialist scum! You will die for your crimes against the Shogun!"
Hiko rolled his eyes. Couldn't opponents ever think of anything interesting to say? He handed the wrapped urn to Katsura for safekeeping, and then stepped forward, his hand resting on his sword.
"I don't suppose you would just step aside and let us pass?" he questioned dryly, one eyebrow raised slightly.
The other man scowled fiercely. "You suppose correctly. And because you are sided with that dishonorable trash, you will die as well!"
"Oi!" Hiko snapped irritably. "I am not on either side, I'll have you know. I have no interest in becoming involved in your damned power struggles. However, if you attack, I will be forced to kill you. Take my suggestion, and leave now if you value your pathetic lives."
"Never! Death before dishonor!" The four samurai in the front suddenly lunged forward towards Hiko, just as the second group charged at Katsura.
Damned samurai…never know when to quit!
Hiko sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you…" He swept forward with his god-like speed, drawing his katana in a stunning battoujutsu attack. He had already turned and leapt protectively in front of Katsura before the first four bodies hit the ground.
"I'll say it again: leave now or die," Hiko said coldly to the last four as they stood frozen in shock.
The samurai exchanged nervous glances and then faced Hiko once more.
"So be it!" cried one of the men bravely. "We will die in the service of our lord Shogun!" They rushed forward.
Seconds later, the two companions had resumed their passage down the street, leaving eight corpses behind them.
Unspeaking, Hiko took back the urn from a wide-eyed Katsura, after wiping down and sheathing his blade. The Choshu leader stared in awe at the formidable swords-master.
"What you did back there…" Katsura said softly.
Hiko looked more subdued than usual; he hated senseless death. "What about it?"
"You're just like him," the other man stated wonderingly.
"I beg your pardon?" was the insulted reply.
"Not the samurai!" Katsura hastily clarified, "I meant that you're just like Himura-san. Those men that attacked us…he would have done the same thing, in giving them a chance to change their minds. He really didn't care for unnecessary slaughter if it could be avoided."
Well, that's a relief... It's nice to see that his moral sense hadn't been completely destroyed by the war. Too often, a swordsman might simply forget himself and just keep killing… simply because he can
Hiko hid his pleased expression, and shrugged indifferently. "Well, I was his teacher after all." He forced an annoyed scowl onto his face. "I'm glad something actually penetrated that little brain of his," he said, sounding somewhat aggrieved. "The little brat never listened to anything I told him before he left."
Katsura merely shook his head mildly and changed the subject. "We're almost there, Hiko-san. Just a few more streets to go."
Ten minutes later, they were approaching the patriot's inn. Tsuji was anxiously standing in the doorway watching for their arrival, when they finally came into sight.
"Katsura-san!" he cried in relief. "We were beginning to worry; you took so long to get here!"
The Choshu commander clapped the younger man on the shoulder. "Well Tsuji-san, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine!" he grinned encouragingly. "No need to worry."
"Hai, Katsura-san!" Tsuji turned to Hiko and bowed humbly. "Hiko-san, we are in your debt for bringing him back safely! I would also like to apologize for my rude behavior earlier."
Hiko slapped the man roughly on the back, causing Tsuji to stumble and almost fall. "No problem, kid," he said with a wicked smirk. "Shouldn't you be asleep though? I'm sure it's past your bedtime by now!"
Tsuji bristled. "Kisama…!"
Katsura buried his face in his hands to hide his smile, and groaned in mock exasperation. "You two!"
The light-hearted mood was interrupted by the appearance of a matronly woman at the door of the inn. Her voice was somber as she addressed Katsura, her eyes slightly red as if she had been crying recently.
"Katsura-san, welcome back."
"Okami-san…" Katsura murmured, the smile slipping from his face as he remembered why exactly they were there. "Are the preparations complete?" he asked gently.
"Hai…" she whispered, turning away to hide the grief-stricken expression on her face. "He's ready. We had him laid out in his room." Regaining her composure, she turned to Hiko and bowed. "Hiko-san, we are truly honored by your presence. Himura-san used to speak of you occasionally." Okami hesitated uncertainly, and then asked, "Would you like to see him now?"
Hiko felt an odd fluttering sensation in his stomach, as he and Katsura followed Okami through the inn and up the stairs.
Do I? Am I really ready to face this?
During the trip, he had been able to almost convince himself that it was all right…that he was all right. He hadn't seen the body yet; it wasn't real. Now, everything would be different. He would no longer be able to fool himself into believing that things hadn't changed. With each step he took, his apprehension grew, until they were finally standing outside his deshi's room.
Okami bowed once more and walked back the way she had come, respectfully leaving them alone. Katsura placed his hand on the shoji and paused, glancing back at Hiko in concern. He couldn't tell what was going on in the sword-master's head; the large man's face was completely unreadable, and his emotions were too carefully masked.
"Are you ready, Hiko-san?"
Hiko forced himself to nod, but he wasn't ready…not really. He didn't know if he'd ever be ready for this. He didn't want to see…didn't want to confront the truth. His heart pounded madly in his chest as he watched Katsura finally slide the shoji open and enter the room. The swordsman reluctantly followed and then froze at the entrance, as he caught sight of the room's occupant. His heart lurched painfully and he swallowed hard.
"They certainly did a wonderful job," Katsura said softly, staring down sadly at the lifeless figure laid out on the futon.
Kenshin…
Suddenly confronted with concrete proof of his baka deshi's death, Hiko's buried grief tried to break through his mental door. Badly shaken, he tried to hide his pain with his usual indifferent expression, but Katsura apparently saw through it this time.
"I know he must have meant a great deal to you." Katsura offered Hiko a sympathetic gaze. "I'll leave you two alone for now," he murmured gently. He left the room, quietly sliding the shoji closed behind him.
Alone at last, Hiko sank to his knees beside the futon and placed the wrapped urn on the floor next to him. Staring miserably at Kenshin's motionless form, he had to admit that they really had done a wonderful job in preparing the body. Dressed in a simple white yukata, with his long red hair carefully brushed out and left loose, Kenshin looked like some sort of lovely angel. The serene expression on the young man's pale face, gave the impression that he was merely sleeping peacefully.
Hiko clenched his fists tightly in his lap, and prayed for his student to open his eyes, desperately wishing it was all just a joke…that Kenshin hadn't really killed himself. He would be horribly angry if it was some kind of hoax, but at least Kenshin would be alive…
"Baka…" he whispered brokenly. "Wake up…please…wake up…" Hiko reached out and caressed the scarred side of his student's face in a surprisingly tender gesture, his fingers lightly tracing the crossed lines that marred his otherwise smooth skin. He shut his eyes tightly, overcome by emotion.
He's so cold…so still
The swordsman opened his eyes to gaze upon his student's ashen face. If anyone had walked in at that moment, they would have seen the rarest sight in the world: Hiko's face, completely free from any concealing mask. The cocky, self-sure, everything-is- going-to-be-fine-because-I-said-so facade he usually wore was shattered by a haunted expression as the reality of the situation finally came crashing down. Kenshin was dead. There was no use in avoiding the truth any longer. His little baka deshi would never wake up again.
He felt as though he was drowning in an ocean of despair. Gathering the lifeless body to his chest, the normally reserved swords-master buried his face in Kenshin's crimson mane, an unpleasantly tight feeling in his chest threatening to choke him. Inhaling sharply, the silken strands tickled his nose with the faintly pleasant scent of recently washed hair. It was all just too much. The door slammed open…and Hiko wept.
He was completely unaware that someone was watching him.
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Whoa, my longest chapter by far. I hope it meets everyone's approval. Bit of a warning for next chapter: Hiko is going to get very angry, so there will be some rather nasty language on his part. I will apologize in advance to anyone who is offended by swearing, but I feel that it's necessary to show how strongly Hiko is feeling.
And now for the reviewer responses!
Nekotsuki: Thank you again for reviewing! I'm glad you liked the last chapter!
SiriusFan13: Thank you! I'm so glad you like my story so far! (In my Kenshin's defense about the overly emotional letter: He was a bit drunk when he was writing it ;) I know what you mean about the 'Kenshin died' fics; they usually get me kind of depressed also. I really enjoyed yours too though. Very moving. I hope you add more to it.
Sailor-Earth13: Thanks again! Yeah, poor Hiko needed a bit of comic relief, so I decided to give him a break for a little while. Didn't last long though…
Rabid Turtle: I'm so happy that you're enjoying this story! Thanks for letting me know about the typo, I guess that's what I get for trying to mess with the chapter in 'Quick Edit' because I know it was okay when I first uploaded it. I'll fix it…eventually. I'm feeling too lazy right now.
xZig-zagx: Oh, thank you! I'm really glad that you like this fic and I hope you'll continue to enjoy it!
Melissa: Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, I understand what you were trying to say about the plausibility of the situation. However…things are going to be going in a slightly different direction starting next chapter, so I hope you don't mind if the story becomes a little less realistic.
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Glossary of terms:
Aa – casual form of "yes" used by men
ne? – put at the end of a sentence, means "isn't that right?" or "don't you agree?"
Oi! – hey!
Battoujutsu – sword techniques that use the unsheathing of the blade to increase the speed of an attack
Kisama – a rude form of "you" used as a curse
shoji – the sliding doors in Japanese buildings
futon – thin mattress that lies flat on the floor, instead of on a bed
yukata – a summer kimono, can be used to sleep in