From: "Naga" See part a for Disclaimer ^_^ *** Kenshin walked the familiar path to the dining room. He had been to this place a few times, accompanying Katsura-san or some of the other Ishin leaders. The room was half full with a dozen or so men, bodyguards and followers of the visiting leaders. He recognized less than half of them. The faces changed often, a roster of men replaced by numerous others. After the first few times, he no longer searched for the missing people. Most of them would be dead. He knew that the next time he visited, the faces would change again. It was one reason he never made any deep relationship with any of them. One among many. As he and Kyosuke walked in, faces turned around to scrutinize them with the narrowed, clinical eyes of men who were trained to miss little. Most recognized Kyosuke and brightened, calling out to him with warm familiarity. His friend replied back in kind and was soon engaged in a conversation with a group of men. The few who recognized Kenshin nodded and murmured subdued greetings. He nodded back, returning their greetings. None asked him to join them. Once he had settled himself in a table near a corner, the whisperings began. He ignored them as he always did, pretending not to see the covert glances thrown his way. They would be mortified if they knew he could still hear them, but he did not need to tell them that. “Is that...?” “Battousai?” “Cross scar and reddish hair, what do you think?” “THE hitokiri Battousai?” “Aa. Stop gawking like an idiot.” “But... he’s younger than me!” “He’s younger than most, don’t speak so loudly. You think he’s deaf?” “...thought he’d be bigger.” “Heh, morons.” “You know him?” “Of course. He comes here often, ‘course I know him.” “You and your big-mouth. He’s bluffing, didn’t even talk two sentences with him.” “Is he as good as they say?” “...” “Better.” “You’re kidding me.” “If you’re lucky enough, or unlucky enough, you’ll see for yourself.” Kyosuke took his place beside Kenshin and nudged him with an elbow, whispering softly, “They’re talking about you again.” Kenshin scowled at his rice bowl, “Ignore them. I do.” Kyosuke merely grinned. “By the way, my friends there told me some of the guys that came over. I think you may want to know that...” The entrance was suddenly pushed open hurriedly. The whispered conversations died as heads once again turned towards the door. A young man in his mid-teens, still with gangly limbs barely maturing into adulthood, stood panting outside. His wide expressive eyes, set on a face too young to have even a shadow of stubbles yet, searched the room until they found Kyosuke and Kenshin. His face brightened with delight. “Himura-san! You’re here!” Kyosuke finished in a rather dry tone, “...that Eiji is here.” Kenshin swallowed an overwhelming urge to groan and thump his head on the table. Kawasaki Eiji was one of Kanzaki’s men, one of the newest and youngest. They had met a few times, went on one mission together. He was a good person, and it wasn’t that he was not glad the young man was still alive. It was just that... Eiji rushed to their table and firmly seated himself beside Kenshin. “Himura-san, I’m so glad you’re alright. I heard about your duel with Captain Okita Souji of Shinsengumi. Sugoi! Did you beat him? Ne? Of course you did, Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is unbeatable. Ne, will you teach me this time? Just one stroke, just Ryu-tsui-sen is enough. Hontou... Aa, are you alright, Himura-san?” Kenshin had closed his eyes in despair. That urge to thump his head was becoming really strong now. Beside him, Kyosuke was trying his best to hide his amusement and failing miserably. He seriously doubted that he would get any peace on this trip. *** Back in the inner room, as soon as the sound of footsteps faded to nothing, Aizawa Shigenobu turned towards Katsura. “Yahari,” Aizawa sighed, “it’s coming to this.” Katsura nodded, “I’ve long since warned those back in our han of the dangers. Shinsaku saw this coming before I did. Him and Sakamoto Ryoma.” “Who do you think sold them to the government?” The younger man was silent for a moment before replying with a sigh, “Most probably France. All those news we’ve received - increased weapons imports, relaxed trade restrictions, preferential treatments… I think we can safely confirm that France will be strongly supporting Bakufu. All the way.” He continued without looking at Aizawa, “Everybody’s taking sides now.” Aizawa gazed at the younger man thoughtfully. “Kogoro...what are you trying to say?” Silence. Then – “Have you decided about what we discussed last week, Aizawa-sensei?” Aizawa’s face was a tranquil mask as he lifted his cup of tea and sipped slowly from it. “You mean...your proposal for alliance with Satsuma-han.” He shook his head with a dry smile. “You and Shinsaku dropped that particular news on top of my head after you’ve already discussed it with Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimitchi. Have I told you how much I did not appreciate that?” Katsura actually looked slightly uncomfortable, a rare occurrence that would have left his men in a state of disbelief. “Yes, sensei, and I am sorry about that. But truth be told, that was a very delicate matter, and the less people involved the better. At the time, we did not even know if anything would come out of it. And the timing…” he trailed off, looking rather discomfited. Aizawa nodded. “You know that a great lot of people are going to jump all over you if they catch a whiff of this?” “I know.” “They will not be thinking of the benefits the alliance will bring. They will be thinking of the massacre of three thousand of our men by Bakufu and Satsuma soldiers in Kinmon no hen. They will be thinking of Satsuma soldiers leading the Bakufu attack on our han last year.” “They will be thinking of lives lost, pride trampled, and revenge to be taken.” Katsura met Aizawa’s eyes. “And if we give in to that, we will be driven and defeated - our lands and power taken away, restrictions shackled around us to keep us cowed and manageable.” Aizawa smiled at that. “True.” “The same old argument, Aizawa-sensei. United we are stronger and a match for Bakufu. Alone and warring against each other, we have no chance whatsoever. It took me years to accept that.” Katsura’s tone held a hidden bitterness. “And it was not a lesson that I accept easily. Or willingly. But fact is fact, and you were the one who taught me that the way of the world did not change to accommodate a person’s personal feelings.” “No matter how much it galled, that we are not strong enough to do this by ourselves, that we have to be allied with Satsuma...it is still the only way that gives us a possibility of victory.” “You have given this a lot of thought.” Aizawa sighed heavily before turning towards Katsura with a weary smile. “I suppose I need to know if you have thought out the whole chain of consequences this will bring. And if you are prepared to face it.” Katsura held the older leader’s eyes evenly. “I am willing to put my life on the line for this.” “And so you shall, Kogoro. So you shall.” Aizawa shook his head. “My advice to you... keep that young hitokiri beside you at all times. You never know when the hidden arrows will start flying. At least you know that that boy will not turn on your back.” “Arigatou, sensei. Then...?” Aizawa chuckled softly. “All right... What is done is done. I trust your judgment and Shinsaku’s – after all, I did watch you two grow to fill your current positions. And who knows, this alliance is probably the best for all concerned.” Katsura smiled slightly. “I am glad. No... I am very relieved, sensei. Your support will be invaluable to us.” “Ah yes, you need me to offset Ieda’s influence, hmm?” Aizawa remarked wryly, sipping his tea again. “He will not be pleased when he hears this. You can’t keep this quiet forever, Kogoro.” Katsura nodded. “I know. I don’t intend to. I will come out with this in the upcoming meeting.” “How far along is it?” “It is just a financial arrangement at the moment, but if it works, then more things can be done based on this solid foundation.” “This arrangement...,” Aizawa peered up at Katsura from half-lidded eyes, “it will not by any means involve...the British gaijin. Will it?” Katsura had been half expecting the question, which was why he was able to keep a bland expression on his face. “Why do you say that, sensei?” “Why... oh, a little bit of hearsay, here and there... maybe just an old man’s overactive imagination from sleepless nights...” Aizawa’s sharp eyes belied his relaxed tone. “Or maybe, they’re simply groundless rumors...no?” Katsura chose his reply carefully. “I will never do anything that will harm our country. I believe that my desire to see our people prosper is as strong as anyone, and if it takes my whole life, I will see that we will be as strong and powerful as any gaijin country. I will see that we will never have to bow down to foreign pressures again.” Aizawa observed him with shrewd eyes. Katsura had not truly answered the question he had asked, but it was obvious the younger man was not going to elaborate. “Maa... I’ll take your answer. For now.” Aizawa carefully rose to his feet. “I have another meeting in the inner city, so let’s stop here. We’ll talk again soon, naa? I trust you will keep me informed of the latest developments from hereon?” “Of course.” Just before leaving, Aizawa turned and said, “Remember my warning about being careful, Katsura. I’d hate to see one of my most talented kohai falling down before he accomplishes what he promises.” Aizawa pushed open the sliding door, and one of the samurai standing guard stood up and left with him. Leaving Katsura alone in the room with his thoughts. *** “Eiji, I’ve told you before I don’t teach Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, not ever. Stop asking me, the answer won’t change.” Eiji’s youthful face was so downcast that Kenshin could not help feeling guilty. Even if he was doing the right thing. Kyosuke patted Eiji on the back, grinning in commiseration. “Don’ t look so down, Eiji-kun. It’s not the end of the world. I thought you already had a few others teaching you?” “Well...yes, but it’s not the same. Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is the best, even Katsura-san said so. And Himura-san is the strongest kenkaku among us.” The eyes that Eiji turned towards Kenshin was positively glowing with hero-worship. Kenshin almost flinched. He could not understand the boy’s fixation on him at all. All he did was kill people and saved the boy half by accident. But since then Eiji had been following him around with those big trusting eyes. “Maa, maa...even if he won’t teach the skills, I’m sure Himura wouldn’t mind giving a few pointers. Ne, Himura?” Kenshin glared at Kyosuke who was grinning at him unashamedly. He was sure free with someone else’s time. He wondered if sparring with Kyosuke had been such a good idea after all. Ever since he started giving a few advices to Kyosuke, the older man had been a little too quick to offer other people his help. Eiji’s expression had turned ecstatic as he waited for Kenshin’s reply. As the silence stretched on, he began to wilt. {Why do I feel like I’ve kicked a puppy?} With a sigh, Kenshin gave up. “All right, show me your moves and I’ll tell you a few things.” He hurriedly held up his hand before Eiji could misunderstand. “But I am NOT your teacher, and I’m NOT teaching you Hiiten Mitsurugi.” “HAI, Himura-san!” Eiji crowed, “Wait for me please, I’ll get my sword right away.” “Wait, wait, wait!” To Kenshin’s surprise, Kyosuke held on to Eiji before the young man could run off inside. “Not today, Eiji-kun. Tomorrow. Himura just got here today, he needs to rest for a while.” “Oh.” Eiji blinked. “Right.” He turned back towards Kenshin. “Himura-san, why don’t you have a soak in the hot-spring pool? Do you know they have their own private spring pool here? Hontou ni sugoi-yo! Aa, I forgot, you’ve been here before right? You must know. They said it’s got healing properties, I’m sure it’ll help you relax.” “Eiji!” A shout drifted from the back courtyard. A man holding a yari wandered around a corner and waved to Eiji. “Come on, we’re starting to practice at the hall! Are you coming?” “Coming! I’m fetching my sword!” Eiji shouted back, then grinned at Kenshin and Kyosuke. “I’ll see you tomorrow then, Himura-san, Kyosuke-san. It’s a promise.” He pelted back into the house, running full-speed down one corridor. Kenshin stared at the direction Eiji had disappeared to. “Where does he get his energy? I feel tired just watching him.” “Is the Master of Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu so easily tired?” Kyosuke teased him, grinning. “Maybe the master is not as recovered from his injuries as he said.” Kenshin muttered, “The Master of Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu is currently off drinking sake somewhere in the mountains. And this practitioner of Hiiten Mitsurugi Ryuu was never trained to ward off over-eager student candidates.” Eiji re-appeared from the corridor, holding his katana both-handed. He disappeared around the corner to the house, then popped back around to wave at them, grinning and shouting like a boy, “Ashita, ne? Himura-san!” Then he was off. Kenshin turned a despairing glance at Kyosuke, “Dear gods... please tell me I was never like that.” Kyosuke’s eyes were dancing with amusement, “Like what?” Kenshin struggled for words, “Like... like...” “You mean bubbly? Talkative? Happy? Puppy-dog eager?” Kenshin shook his head helplessly. “Forget I said anything,” he muttered. “He’s not that much younger than you, you know. He’s fifteen.” Kenshin stared at the direction Eiji had disappeared to. “Fifteen,” he repeated wonderingly. It did not feel like a one-year difference. More like ten or twenty years, perhaps. At fifteen, he had married, loved, lost. At fifteen, his hands were already stained with more blood than he could ever wash away. Beside Eiji, he felt old. With a sigh, he turned towards the hot spring bathhouse. While he was here, he might as well took advantage of the fine facilities provided. “I’m going for a bath.” “Eh? Oh, I’ll take one later, some of the guys invited me to after-dinner sake. Come with me?” Kenshin waved a hand at him as he walked away. “No, have fun.” *** Notes: 1. Ryuusui no Ugoki = Kenbu = Aoshi's water-flow steps/movements. After reading the answers to my question, I have a better idea of what it is, but no recommendation on an appropriate training technique for it ^_^;. So I put this one in, but if any of you feel it's inappropriate or there's a better one, by all means write to me, I'll be extremely grateful (always on the hunt for more authenticity ^^). And since I'm no expert in baby-talk... help with the Misao-chan part? ^_^; 2. Kinmon no hen - I put this in end of chapter 5, but. July 1864, it was in the manga and the OVA, when Kyoto burned for 3 days. 3,000 Choshu soldiers attacked Kyoto for revenge against the slaughter in Ikedaya Inn. Bakufu army, including Satsuma forces, numbered 80,000 - you can guess the result ^^;;; 3. Age: For clarity, I’m including their ages in August 1865 – Misao was born on Nov 1863 = almost 2 years old ^-^ Aoshi was born on Jan 1853 = 12 yrs old But the Japanese and Chinese traditionally add 1 year to their age, so you can do that. 4. And just to avoid confusions - Aizawa Shigenobu is a fictional character ^_^;. Anybody whom I'm not mentioning in the Notes are going to be fictional unless said otherwise. 5. Japanese words: - daisuki = like (someone) very much - ‘to' = and/also - shoji = the rice-paper panels in Japanese houses that act as walls and doors - kenkaku = swordsman - honto ni sugoi-yo = really very incredible - ashita = tomorrow 6. Kanji for names: - Hayato - 'haya' = eagle, 'to' = person/man (thanks to Serizawa Kamo-san for allowing me to use the same name for Misao's grandpa ^_^) --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- Shop for your Valentine at eGroups. Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------