The Faerie Chronicles of Kenshin & Kaoru, a Rurouni Kenshin fanfic series by Raberba girl

Part 2: Reclamation

Summary: Although finally freed from assassin's work, Kenshin can't afford to settle down with his new bride quite yet. Setting out to reclaim his kingdom and unaware that Kaoru and the others aren't simply waiting quietly for his return, Kenshin's real task is not defeating Senkaku, who has taken over in Shishio's absence - it is gaining the trust of his oppressed people. *PERMANENTLY INCOMPLETE.*

Prologue

Night had fallen by the time the two children managed to continue on their way home. The older one, a girl, darted nervous glances around them as she clutched a package tightly with one hand and her little brother's arm even tighter with the other. These streets were not safe at night, and had not been since before the girl was born.

At the sound of heavy footsteps, the girl's breath quickened. "Hurry, Ôta," she whispered urgently.

It was no use. The men on night patrol had seen them, and they now closed in, grinning. "What's this, little girl?" one of them purred. "Out past curfew? How very naughty of you children. Lord Senkaku will surely not be pleased."

"We are, though," one of the others muttered, and all three burst into laughter.

"As if Senkaku would care about two little kids," she spat. "You jerks just want to get your kicks picking on people who never did anything to you."

None of them were laughing now. Eyes glittering, one of them said in a dangerous voice, "You'll want to watch how you talk about Lord Senkaku and his warriors."

'Warriors?' she thought. 'You weakling bullies don't deserve the name,' but this time, she held her tongue.

One of them shoved her so that she fell back against the wall. She recovered quickly and pushed her little brother behind her.

"Say it again, girlie," one of them growled. "The name of Lord Senkaku, with no respect at all. It'll be the last thing you ever say."

She swallowed. Her pride was strong, but there was Ôta to think of. "Lord Senkaku," she whispered, "is a merciful ruler." It was a sickening lie, but perhaps they would respond to the plea in her voice.

No such luck. "Now that's more like it," one of them chuckled as his companions drew their swords. "You're right, though - Lord Senkaku doesn't care what happens to a couple of snot-nosed kids."

She screamed when he seized her, but then a new voice cut through the darkness like steel. "Let her go."

The guards turned, licking their lips at the thought of new prey to sharpen their swords on - but when they actually saw him, their faces grew terrified.

"Red hair..."

"That cross-shaped mark-"

"B-Battousai!"

The assassin stood cloaked in shadows, eyes glowing gold, but was unmistakably recognizable to all who knew his description. "Step away from the children."

"Certainly," one of the guards said through a dry throat. "Has Lord Shishio returned after all, then?" he asked shakily.

"No," the red-haired figure replied in a cold voice. "He is dead, that he is."

The reactions from both the guards and the children were palpable. "Dead?!" one of them burst out. "But that means...!"

He fell to his knees, but one of his companions kicked him. "Get up," he snarled. "Lord Senkaku rules now, nothing's changed."

Kenshin smiled coldly. "Oh, really. So you think a mere henchman like Senkaku is any match for this one?"

The man paused. Battousai had a point, but...what was with the wimpy 'sessha'? Had he lost his touch, all these months in a foreign land? The man smiled. "Guess we'll see, eh?"

There was a pause. "So the three of you cast your lot with this country's tyrant, rather than its true king."

"My sword belongs to whoever pays me," the guard said defiantly. "You gonna make it worth my time?"

"Not if that's your attitude," Kenshin answered, preparing for battoujutsu.

"You fool, he's gonna kill us!" shouted another of the guards, and turned to flee. He was felled before he had even taken a step, his rebellious companion an instant later; the third, still on his knees, had registered only a blur of motion before Battousai was suddenly before him, holding a sword to his throat. He was too terrified to notice that the blade was reversed, that it was the dull edge facing his skin.

"Mercy!" he screamed. "I'll swear allegiance to you this very minute!"

"Such an oath would be worthless, that it would. This one has no use for men who would only serve out of fear, or who would attack helpless children."

"Forgive me, Master!" He crawled over to the girl and tried to kiss her feet.

Disgusted at his cowardly groveling, she kicked him away. "Don't you touch me!" She raised angry eyes to Kenshin. "And you, as if you're much better! Killing anyone who doesn't do what you want! Why did Dad think you'd be any different from Shishio?!"

Kenshin smiled a little and held the sakabatô so she could see its shape. "This sword can kill no one, as you see. It is the only sword this one will ever wield again."

The girl gasped. "Ohhh...!" She raised her eyes to his. "Your...Majesty..." She curtsied. "My name is Higashidani Uki, and this is my brother, Ôta. We have been...waiting."

He nodded. "If the rest of the people think the same, Uki-dono, you will not have to wait much longer, that you will not." As she blushed, he suddenly turned and said, his voice harsh again, "Now, where do you think you're going?"

The soldier, who had been trying to crawl away, froze and whimpered. "N-Nowhere, my lord!"

"Good, since this one is not finished with you yet." Kenshin turned back to Uki, his face melting back into warm sweetness. "What are you doing out on the streets at this hour?"

"We got held up," she admitted. "We were supposed to have been home hours ago. Dad is probably worried sick."

Kenshin glanced over his shoulder and nodded. A second lithe figure emerged from the shadows, smiling cheerfully. "Sôjirô here will escort you home. You can trust him."

"Thank you," Uki said fervently. "We'll spread the news of your return!"

"No," Kenshin said softly. "Please, not yet. I fear that reclamation won't be so easy."

Sobered, the girl nodded, then eyed Sôjirô appraisingly before starting to lead the way home.

Kenshin turned back to the soldier on the ground. "Now, back to business."

To be continued...

Author's Notes: In case you haven't read the manga, Uki & Ôta are Sanosuke's younger siblings.