Wind Scar

by Kyen/Blaque Midnyte

 

Summary: (Warning: AU!!!)

Kenshin Himura is a Legendary Swordsman, a swordsman who commands the power of an element within his blade and body. Sanosuke Sagara is his companion, a man with extraordinary fighting skills learned from the outlawed techniques of Shaolin and Zanbatu.

Together, these two men are called upon by the lord of the Tokyo and Kyoto regions to help catch assassins attempting to destroy the lord and his cities. Kenshin and his companion accept the job, throwing them into the web of deceit and lies being played in the cities.

The two assassins, though, may not be what they seem. A darker threat looms behind them, controlling them like puppets through bribery and threat, and a whole other web of trickery and lies is revealed, one that turns the tables.

Kenshin Himura, Sanosuke, the assassins, and even some friends, both willing and forced, are drawn into a web of power that cannot be broken. They must fight it out and all this, while the gods laugh.

 

Draw ~ The Wanders

            It was dark, so very dark, but Saito was used to these conditions, so they did not overly bother him. He heard his men crashing through the underbrush somewhere far behind him. Useless men. They would scare their prey farther into the woods, and it would keep becoming more elusive as the night wore on. By dawn, Saitou was sure they would loose it if his men kept up the noise.

            With a growl, Saitou came to a halt as he entered a large clearing, small lake at the center. He drew his blade, watching, waiting. He knew the prey would either attack or it had moved on, but knowing this, it more then likely was going to run. Someone crashed through the brush and Saitou curse. Their prey had surely left now.

            “Enough! Let us make our way back!” he called.

            The man who had crashed through was panting, hard, “But, Sir Saitou, what about the assassin?”

            “Leave him!” Saitou called. “They’ll have been long gone now, but they will return. They didn’t finish their job.”

            “They’ll be back?” squeaked the officer. Saitou nodded.

            He turned on his heel and sheathed his sword, “Retreat! We shall try again when he returns!” The men began to tromp back to the camp, disappointed for now.

 

*~*~*~*

 

            The day shone bright and beautiful, the clouds lined with silver and the trees turned to emerald and topaz by the sun’s radiant light. A cool breeze washed over the land, turning the stalks of grass to waves of green. One could get lost in those great fields, but luckily, there was a road, and two very different people occupied it.

            One was tall, with dark brown hair, like rich soil, and eyes of rich amber, or sometimes pit black. He was tall, at least six feet in height, with a simple outfit of a white and black shirt, the symbol ‘bad’ painted on back, and pants that were too short for him, exposing his ankles. He had bandages around his waist and showing around his feet and ankles, soft soled black shoes kicking up dust as he walked. A stalk of wheat hung out the side of his mouth and a pack was slung over his shoulder.

            The other was much shorter, probably not topping higher then five feet, six inches. His long red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, many strands left to frame his elfish, angelic face, crowned by gorgeous purple eyes, bright with innocence. He wore a maroon colored top, opened to expose a well-built chest, with white pants, maroon socks and bamboo sandals sliding across the ground gracefully. A thin sword hung at his hip, and a smile graced his features that morning as he walked.

            “So, when do you think we’ll get to the next village?” asked the tall one, looking down on his much shorter companion.

            The red head giggled, “Not much longer, Sanosuke. We will be there soon and you may have your food.”

            Sanosuke, the taller one, sighed, “Yes! I’m starving!”

            “Well,” his companion laughed, “if you hadn’t eaten all your food you wouldn’t hungry.”

            “We got into a fight, Kenshin!” Sanosuke cried. “How could I not get hungry! It takes energy to keep my moves up to speed, you know!”

            Kenshin laughed, “Yes! I know! I will buy you as much as you want in the next town, alright?”

            Sanosuke beamed, “I have no arguments there!”

            The fields of grass began to become sparse and cows and chickens were seen instead. The road became worn and they passed by a large building they took for a trading center in the height of the harvesting year. Soon, these began to be replaced by many farmhouses, and not long after, they meant a rather large gate, staring up, with solider staring down. They smiled weakly. Oh, how conspicuous they must have looked.

            “Who goes there?” called the guard.

            “I am Kenshin Himura, and this is my companion, Sanosuke Sagara! We are wanderers and seek to rest within your city, if you would be so kind as to let us in!” Kenshin called to him, smiling weakly.

            The officer conversed with his fellows and nodded, “You may enter, but if you cause trouble we shall throw you out in an instant! We want not trouble here in Tokyo!” The two nodded and bowed as the gates were opened, revealing the city.

            As they passed over the threshold, it was like they were being attacked by a swarm of smells and sights. Kenshin had to hand Sanosuke a towel to wipe the drool from his mouth as the scents of food hit him. Rice, chicken, beef, pork, and all other sorts of various foods sent their tantalizing smells out to torture Sanosuke’s nostrils. Stall keepers howled to the people walking about their wares.

            They made their way to a little food shop and had what seemed to be a banquet, the owner toppling over when they paid the full price in gold. With smiles and slight laughs as they left the owner stuttering, the two moved on, the warehouses and shops becoming sparse, replaced by inns and homes.

            “Uh, Kenshin, do we have enough money for an inn?” Sanosuke asked.

            Kenshin flipped their purse open in his hand and three gold coins spilled out, thirteen silver, and six bronze. He sighed, “For as many days as we might need to find a job, no.” He slipped the purse back  in his shirt and drew it around him as the sun began to set, the temperature dropping, no warm fires pouring heat into the street as people cooked and blacksmiths created.

            “Do you hear that?” Sanosuke asked, drawing up. Kenshin stopped and craned his neck, straining to hear what Sanosuke had. “There it is again,” Sanosuke said and turned down an alley.

            “Sanosuke!” Kenshin cried and jogged after him. Why did he friend do this? Here they were, off again, to save another woman. Why did he choose a traveling companion whose mind was almost all the time locked on one of three things – women, food, and fighting. Kenshin just ran after him, forgetting the question and assuming the gods had good intentions in mind for him and the man.

            Kenshin jogged faster when he heard a loud grunt. Sanosuke was a faster runner then Kenshin when he wanted to be and Kenshin skidded around the corner, ducking as a man’s body went flying past, blood sprinkling on the ground as his jaw dripped the sticky red goo.

            Sanosuke spun in a tight circle and knocked the remaining men out or they became dazed, either way, he won. In the center, hiding behind Sanosuke, was an astonished, frightened little girl, her eyes wide as she clung to Sanosuke’s leg.

            “Are you okay?” Sanosuke asked, bending down so he was closer to the girl. She nodded and loosed herself from his leg, only to clamp onto his hand, eyes wide with fear. “Where’s your mommy?” Sanosuke asked.

            “Grandpa got hurt by them,” she said and pointed to one of the men.

            “Oh,” Sanosuke said and picked the girl up, cradling her in the crook of his arm as she clung to his neck. He heard a man groan and kicked him quickly, making sure he didn’t get up for another good hour or so.

            “What do you say Kenshin? Shall we find her Grandpa?” Sanosuke asked.

            “Oh course,” Kenshin said and the two set out from the alley. They walked down the streets, looking around for an old man, or someone the girl cried out to or pointed to. No one.

            They began to loose hope when, “What are you doing with my Sazume?” They turned to see an old man, blood dribbling from a cut on his forehead, tottering towards them, bruised and battered. “Sazume! What are you doing with my Sazume?”

            “Grandpa!” the girl cried and Sanosuke put her down so she could run to the old man. “Grandpa, they saved me!”

            The old man looked at them, “You saved her?” They nodded eagerly. “Oh, well then, what can I do to repay you?”

            The two looked at each other and smiled. Oh, the joys of helping the innocent!

 

*~*~*~*~*

 

            Kenshin and Sanosuke took in the scene with mild interest: Dr. Gensai was being harassed by the young woman, who owned the dojo they now stood before. The dojo was of good size, with a training area, a pond, and living quarters for the master and students who chose to board.  They saw a clothes line with sheets and shirts upon it and from one door both men noted a young boy watching them, spiky black hair the equivalent of a rat’s nest, as if just awoken from sleep, or from having a tough work out.

            The woman sighed as Gensai continued to plead with her, “Fine, they can stay. But remember this, if they mess up it’s to your place they go!”

            “Yes!” Gensai agreed cheerfully. Sadly, Kenshin and Sanosuke did not share in the feeling with that rather angry glare the girl was aiming their way, nor was this feeling improved by the smirk on the spike haired lad’s face.

            Gensai bowed and left with his granddaughter, leaving the two men to fend for themselves against the vengeful gleam in the girl’s eyes.

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