Rurouni Kenshin

The Silent Sword

by Moguera

 

Author’s note: This is going to be a shorter chapter than what I usually write, but bear with me.  Next chapter will have more action, I promise.

Disclaimer: Same old, same old.

 

Chapter 7: Training Abroad: Departure From Kyoto

 

            Okon burst into Soujiro’s room.  Misao and Takezo were there as well.  Takezo was leaning quietly against the wall while Misao had been carefully feeding Soujiro.  They all looked up, Soujiro much more slowly than the others, at Okon.

            “We have to get you out of here, Soujiro!” said Okon frantically, “Someone from the police just showed up and is meeting with Okina right now!”

            “He can’t walk, let alone run,” protested Misao, “How is he going to get out of here.

            “We’ll carry him if we have to,” replied Okon, “But we have to get him back to Sir Hiko before the police start searching this place in earnest.”

            Takezo nodded in agreement and stood.  He rushed out of the room.  A moment later he was back, carrying a stretcher.  While the Aoiya was no hospital, they did have a few such devices lying around in the event that one of the Oniwaban was injured under questionable circumstances.

            After he had been carefully moved to the stretcher, Soujiro gave Okon a most grateful look.  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” he said softly.

            Okon smiled down at him.  “You’re welcome.  If you want to repay me, you can put in the good word for me with Sir Hiko.”

            “I will certainly do so,” replied Soujiro, smiling in amusement.  Misao and Takezo quickly carried him out the back door.  They planned to follow the mostly deserted back alleys to get to the trail that led to Hiko’s home.

            Meanwhile, Okon made her way to the guest room where Okina was undoubtedly entertaining their unpleasant visitor.

 

            Okina sat facing the young woman.  Shiro, having recently been released from her grip now took up a position behind the old man.  Okon came in a second later to report that Kuro and Omasu had taken their places in the restaurant.  She too then took up a position behind Okina.

            Despite having been in the room for a good ten minutes, neither Okina nor the young woman had exchanged any words.  Generally Okina, the womanizer that he was, would have been overjoyed out of his mind to have a beautiful young lady visiting his humble abode.  But this was no ordinary woman.  He could see that the moment he laid eyes on her.

            The woman calmly looked Okina in the eye.  “Well?” she said coldly.

            Okina cleared his throat.  “It is extremely discourteous to start a conversation while you are still hiding a weapon up your sleeve,” he replied evenly.

            The girl smirked and withdrew the Wakizashi from her sleeve and set it down to her left.  “Is that more to your liking?”

            “I would prefer that you set it down to your right?” answered Okina.

            “If you say so,” conceded Akemi.  Though her tone was resigned, her smirk was even more pronounced than before, “You are truly as skilled as my sources say.”

            “And who might you be?” inquired Okina.

            “I suppose that it would be just as rude to hold a conversation without first introducing myself,” said the young lady, “I am Akemi Ebisu, special agent of the government under Hajime Saitou.”

            “You work under Saitou,” said Okina, raising an eyebrow, “That explains a great deal.”  You two share personalities.  “May I ask why you have chosen to grace us with your presence?”

            “To put things plainly, I am looking for one Soujiro Seta, also known as the Tenken,” replied Akemi.

            “Whatever gave you the idea that he can be found here?” asked Okina without batting an eyelid.

            “When Sir Saitou encountered the Tenken in the mansion of one Matahachi Seta, the Tenken was accompanied by one Aoshi Shinomori of the Oniwaban Group and they were engaged in an operation to rescue one Misao Makimachi, also of the Oniwaban,” stated Akemi.

            “Misao had been captured by Matahachi’s men,” explained Okina, “And because Matahachi is Soujiro’s cousin, we decided to enlist his help as well.  However, there is no evidence supporting the notion that he is staying at the Aoiya.”

            Akemi’s smirk faded.  “During his duel with the Tenken, Sir Saitou severely injured him.  After Shinomori and Makimachi and another unknown swordsman aided in Soujiro’s escape and disappeared, a skilled and well known surgeon arrived at the Aoiya on a house call, even though none of the Oniwaban’s members were actually injured in the fight.  Now, who could he have possibly been here to visit?”

            “The affairs of the Aoiya are not your concern,” replied Okina.

            “By law, I have the right to order a search of the premises,” said Akemi coldly.

            “And yet you know that you could never do that,” retorted Okina.

            Akemi smiled slyly, “I don’t have to publicly search this place, you know.”

            “You are free to,” interjected Okon, drawing a disagreeable look from Okina and Shiro.

            Akemi raised an eyebrow.  “And if I happen to discover that the Tenken is on the premises?”

            “I assure you that he is not,” replied Okon.

            Akemi’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.  “I shall then.”

 

            Seijuro Hiko was seated comfortably in front of his kiln when he heard the sound of trotting feet behind him.  Just barely glancing over his shoulder, Hiko saw the source of the noise.  Takezo and that Makimachi woman were carrying a stretcher laden with Hiko’s latest apprentice on board.  Soujiro looked to be just short of unconsciousness.

            Hiko snorted and stood up.  “Just where have you been the past few days?” he demanded as he turned around.

            “I’m sorry,” coughed Soujiro from his position on the stretcher, “There was something that I had to do.”

            “And so you vanish for three days and come back like this?” demanded Hiko crossly, “When my apprentice goes out on an errand, I expect him to come back with all his parts attached.”

            “Hey!” shouted Misao from the back of the procession, “He was hurt because he was trying to help me!  And the fact that that evil cousin of his was after his life didn’t really help.”

            “And of course there is the matter that he are still wanted by the government for his previous crimes,” Hiko added, “It was stupid of him to simply rush out on his own without thinking the situation over; or even asking for help in that matter.”

            “But he did think it over and he did get help,” protested Misao, “And that’s why he’s still alive.”

            Hiko snorted.  “Very well then.  I should like to hear the full story.”  He gestured towards the door to his house.  “Go ahead and take the boy in.  Then, I expect to hear exactly what it is my idiot apprentice has been doing for the past three days.”

 

            Akemi turned to look back at the Aoiya.  They act quickly, she thought.  Judging from the reactions of the people she had been conversing with, Soujiro had been in the place when she arrived, but apparently they had been able to move him before she got a chance to thoroughly search the establishment.

            Of course, concealing a person is a simple feat for the Oniwaban, thought Akemi, At one time, they specialized in making people disappear.

            That didn’t change the fact that she still didn’t have anything to show for her troubles.  She had just revealed herself to the Oniwaban Group and Soujiro Seta was still at large.  If anything, her actions might have made the situation worse.

            Akemi entered a restaurant and promptly ordered her favorite dish.  As she dug in, she gave her mission her full attention.

            Now that they know the government is very close on Soujiro’s tail, their next action will probably be to get the Tenken out of Kyoto as soon as possible.  That considered, it didn’t make her job any simpler.  There was a myriad of ways that a person could leave the city without being noticed.  If Soujiro wanted to leave without being caught by the police, it would be easy to do so, despite their best efforts.

            That means, realized Akemi, That instead of trying to keep up with Soujiro, I should be getting ahead of him.  That entails figuring out his destination when he leaves Kyoto.  Saitou had told her about how Soujiro had been planning to wander for a while before the whole incident with his cousin took place.  But with his injuries, Soujiro wouldn’t be going back to wandering any time soon.  Thus, his next move would be to find a safe hideaway where he could finish healing.

            Where outside of Kyoto would the Oniwaban trust Soujiro Seta for a sufficient period of time to allow him to recover from his injuries? Akemi wondered.  The answer came to her easily.  The Kamiya dojo in Tokyo!  No doubt, Kenshin Himura would be sympathetic towards the Tenken’s plight, meaning that he would be more than willing to open his doors to the young wanderer.

            If I leave for Osaka tomorrow, I can take the next boat to Tokyo and be there within a few weeks, she thought.  However, a sudden departure would alert the Oniwaban to the fact that she was on to their plan.  Thus, she would have to delay her departure, till after Soujiro left at the very earliest.  Time was on her side though.  Even though he would have little trouble getting out of Kyoto, getting to Tokyo would be a different matter entirely.  Both the Kyoto train station and the ports in Osaka were far too well guarded and monitored for the Tenken to pass through there unnoticed.  Thus, that restricted his only means of travel to the old Tokkaido trail that wound its way between the two cities.  According to Saitou, it was the same path that Himura took to get to Kyoto from Tokyo because he wanted to keep attention focused away from his movements.

            That gave Akemi plenty of time to act.  Once Soujiro left, there would be very little chance of the Oniwaban alerting him to her movements.  All Akemi had to do then, was settle down and wait.

 

            Hiko listened to the story over a jug of good sake.  Misao explained about her capture and how it was used to lure Soujiro to Matahachi’s mansion.  She also gave him the details Aoshi had told her about Soujiro’s stay at the Aoiya.  And finally, she went on to explain about Soujiro’s fight with Saitou and how he got his severe injuries.

            Hiko chuckled.  “So the boy got injured when he went to save you from his cousin.  Is that correct?”

            Misao nodded eagerly.

            “Then that would mean that…”  Hiko’s voice trailed off.

            “Yes!” Misao goaded him on, hoping to hear that he understood what Soujiro was trying to do.

            “…that this is all your fault.”  Misao fell flat on her back, something that is very difficult to do when one is in a sitting position.

            When she sat back up, her eyes were bulging from their sockets and she was giving Seijuro a look of pure hatred.  “WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S MY FAULT?!  IT’S ALL THE WORK SOUJIRO’S CRAZY COUSIN!”

            “Still,” said Hiko when Misao paused for air, “You allowed yourself to be captured.  A true ninja shouldn’t be so easily caught off guard.  Then, when you knew perfectly well that you could escape yourself, you decided to wait for Soujiro and your beloved Aoshi to come rescue you.”

            “Matahachi and his men had found out that Soujiro was hiding here,” said Misao, now that she had calmed herself down, “If we didn’t settle that battle then and there, then Matahachi would have come here with all his men.  When Saitou began his fight with Soujiro, he made it clear that he had been watching Matahachi for quite some time, which means that after you dealt with Matahachi’s thugs the police would have been on your doorstep.”

            Hiko snorted.  “Well, you’ve made your position clear.  Now go home and leave Soujiro to me.  He is my apprentice after all.”

            Misao sighed.  She knew that there was nothing more she could say on the matter.

 

            The trip back to the Aoiya was uneventful.  However, Misao’s reception at home was rather unusual.  Aoshi seemed to appear out of nowhere the instant Misao entered the place.  “Okina and I need to talk with you.”

            Misao nodded and they proceeded to Okina’s room.  Okina was quietly eating a small dinner that had been prepared for him by Omasu.  The look on his face was grim.

            “There’s no doubt about it,” said Okina as they entered, “It is no longer safe in Kyoto for Soujiro.”

            “That government agent nearly found him in the Aoiya,” added Aoshi, “If it had not been for Okon’s quick thinking, Soujiro might be in the custody of the authorities right now.”

            Misao blinked in surprise.  She had no idea Okon’s warning had been so urgent.  “But Soujiro is still training under Hiko.  He won’t like it if his apprentice has to leave again so suddenly.”

            “According to the doctor, Soujiro isn’t going to be able to go anywhere for a while yet anyway,” said Okina, “Fortunately, Sir Hiko’s reputation as a recluse and the further fact that he is living under a pseudonym will keep Saitou’s agents from finding him for a while yet.”

            “We have to get Soujiro out of Kyoto as soon as he is ready to travel,” added Aoshi, “Even if he is well hidden with Sir Hiko, it will not be long before they manage to track him down.”

            “Where will he go then?” asked Misao, “Even though he’d be able to travel, he’d still need to find somewhere to rest and let his wounds heal completely.”

            “Why not take Soujiro to the Kamiya dojo in Tokyo?” suggested Okina, “I’m more than certain that Mr. Himura would be glad to take the boy in.”

            “But still,” argued Aoshi, “The authorities and Saitou especially know that that would be the first place Soujiro would run to.”

            “However,” retorted Okina, “Due to the fact that Kenshin Himura has done so many favors for the government, I don’t doubt that they would balk at the thought of searching his home for a fugitive.  I’ve heard that the police chief in Tokyo respects Mr. Himura’s word greatly.”

            “But how do we get Soujiro to Tokyo from Kyoto?” Misao wanted to know, “Almost all the major means of travel are under police supervision.  That rules out train, boat and carriage.”

            “Meaning that all things considered, Soujiro will have to walk to Tokyo,” replied Aoshi, “Despite the government’s best efforts, the footpaths between the two cities aren’t as well monitored as the other means of transportation.

            “So it’s settled then,” announced Okina, “Soujiro will be traveling by foot to the Kamiya dojo in Tokyo.”

            “Not by himself he isn’t,” said Misao, “Being well enough to travel doesn’t mean his wounds will be completely healed, especially not to the point where he can fend for himself.  I’m going with him to help the guy along in any way that I can.”

            “But Misao…” protested Okina.  However, Aoshi cut him off.

            “Misao is right in saying that Soujiro is not in a state where he can travel alone.  I believe that she is the one best qualified to go with him,” he stated firmly.

            “If that is your wish Aoshi,” Okina conceded.

            “Misao may serve another purpose for the Oniwaban while she is there,” continued Aoshi.

            Misao’s eyes lit up.  Aoshi had been teaching her how to move and fight like a true ninja, but he hadn’t actually given her any tasks that were suited for the skills he had given her.  Perhaps now she would be able to put those skills to use.

            “The events of the previous year and current circumstances have led me to an important conclusion,” said Aoshi, “The Meiji government is still too young to be fully stable to help protect itself from another major threat.  Thus, it falls on the shoulders of the Oniwaban Group to protect Japan from further threats.  Your mission Misao, besides escorting Soujiro to Tokyo, will be to reestablish the Tokyo branch of the Oniwaban Group.”

            Misao could barely contain her joy.  She was going to take part in a real Oniwaban Group mission.  Not only that, but she was going to be contributing to the reconstruction of their organization.

            “Let us hope that it doesn’t take Soujiro too long to recover,” remarked Okina.

 

            “Well,” said Saitou wearily as Akemi came into his office.

            Akemi looked her superior and her mentor over as she weighed her response with his current mood.  Saitou looked rather haggard, but that was understandable, considering that he had just been to Osaka and back.  But there was something more in his eyes, something she was certain that she had never seen before.  Is that anxiety? she wondered.

            Saitou patiently bore the weight of Akemi’s observation while he waited for her report.  Finally, Akemi decided that it was alright to tell it to him straight.  As if I had a choice even if I didn’t think it was okay, she thought ruefully.  “We’ve lost the Tenken again.”

            Saitou sighed, looking more fatigued than before.  “I was afraid of that,” he muttered.

            “However,” interjected Akemi, “I do believe I have a plan that will allow us to catch him for certain.”  She went on to explain her theory about Soujiro going to Tokyo and hiding out at the Kamiya dojo.  Saitou took this information and seemed to draw a little reassurance from it.

            “Very good,” he replied after a moment’s thought, “I was fairly certain that if Soujiro ever left Kyoto that would be his first destination.  And Himura most certainly wouldn’t balk at the thought of letting that young man stay at his home, once he knows that Soujiro’s intentions are benign.”

            “Perhaps we could leak information to Himura through the police in Tokyo that Soujiro is headed his way and is looking for revenge,” suggested Akemi.

            “That will most likely not work,” replied Saitou.  “Kenshin Himura is a thorough man and not one to believe what is told to him outright, even if it does come from an officer of the law.  He is likely to go and try to confront Soujiro himself, and when he sees the Tenken in his current state, he will know for certain that it is a ruse.”

            “Then that leaves me with only one option,” said Akemi, her voice suddenly growing very cold, “I will have to go to that dojo and confront the Tenken myself.”

            “If you’re going to confront him in battle, wait until his injuries have mended first, then fight him,” instructed Saitou, “That way, if he changes his mind, he will not be as battered as he would be otherwise.”

            “Very well,” replied Akemi.  She bowed respectfully, “I will be on my way then.  I trust you will be discreet about the matter of my departure.”

            “My dear lady,” said Saitou mockingly, “Whatever gave you the impression that you were ever here?”

            Akemi laughed before heading out the door.  Once she was gone, Saitou’s face fell as he once again turned his mind to the fateful events that had occurred at the prison in Osaka.

 

            Once Misao had gone, Okina turned to face Aoshi.  “What news from Osaka?” he asked.

            Aoshi looked more than a little disconcerted by the memory of what he had seen there.  “I now have reason to believe, that the worst has happened.”

            “The worst?”  Okina raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

            “It is possible that Makoto Shishio may somehow still be alive,” said Aoshi bluntly.

            Okina balked and nearly fainted.  “But!” he exclaimed, “You said yourself that you had seen him burned alive!”

            Aoshi nodded in agreement.  But his eyes told Okina that Aoshi was no longer convinced about what he had seen.  Something in Okina’s mind clicked.  “It’s not the first time that someone watched Shishio as he was burned alive,” he said voicing Aoshi’s exact thoughts aloud.

            “I fear that what happened eleven years ago may once again be the case now,” said Aoshi.

            “Should we have told Misao?” wondered Okina.

            “She would not take the news very well,” replied Aoshi.

            “And through her, Soujiro would learn of it,” added Okina.

            Aoshi nodded, though he didn’t think that it would be the cause of much harm if Soujiro knew that Shishio was thought to be alive.  After all, according to Himura, Soujiro had taken his leave while Shishio had been alive and still in good health, meaning that the fact that Shishio might still be alive wouldn’t in any way affect Soujiro’s decision to wander and keep himself from Shishio’s service.

            Okina looked very troubled.  “This is dark news indeed,” he said.

 

            Weeks passed.  Neither Saitou nor Aoshi got any new leads on the matter of Makoto Shishio’s possible survival.  And during that time, Soujiro’s health improved considerably.  By the end of the month, it looked as if he was fit enough to make the journey to Tokyo.

            Soujiro was packing as best he could with one free hand when Hiko came to his room.  “Why are you leaving?” demanded Seijuro Hiko, “Your training isn’t finished yet.  Are you going to pull the same stunt that Kenshin did when he was my apprentice and abandon me on some self-appointed quest?”

            “Not at all, Hiko Sensei,” replied Soujiro, “But I don’t believe that I can complete my training here and now.”

            That got Hiko’s attention, “And so you’re leaving because you don’t feel up to learning the rest of the Hiten Mitsurugi style?” he inquired.

            “That’s not it either,” answered Soujiro, “It’s just that, I think that my schooling has progressed as far as it can under you.  In order for me to learn what it takes to master the final secrets of the Hiten Mitsurugi, I must begin learning from a new teacher, life.”

            “Elaborate,” ordered Hiko.

            “Right now, my body won’t be up to training for another month or two at the very least,” explained Soujiro, “And while my physical development may continue, it won’t get me anywhere near to being ready to learn the Final Attack.

            “As you know, I have seen the Amakakeru-Ryu-No-Hirameki for myself and I know what it takes to execute that technique.  That also means that I know that I do not have what is required for me to use as I am right now.  The Final Attack requires a strong will to live in order to be used properly.  Towards that end, I must go out and find my reason for living, what I’m exactly supposed to be doing with the skills passed unto me in the Hiten Mitsurugi style.”

            Hiko smiled and nodded sagely.  “You’ve grown far more than you realize,” he said, “Few people can do what you just did.  A sign of true potential in the martial arts in general, swordsmanship in particular is the ability to realize and acknowledge your own limits.  You understand that you do not have the ability to learn the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi and that you can not find the solution to your dilemma here.

            “Go then and find the answer for yourself.  But I’m giving you a limit.  You have one year to find what it is that you need to learn the Amakakeru-Ryu-No-Hirameki.  You will have one year from the day your injuries are fully healed.  Once that year has passed, return to me, whether you have found your answer or not.  At that time, you will face the trials of the Final Attack.”  Hiko turned around to leave.  But he stopped and looked over his shoulder.  “One way or another Soujiro, you will be my last apprentice.  So do your best to make sure that you are ready.  Oh, and by the way, take Takezo with you.  Since you’re going, go to Tokyo first while your wounds are healing.  I think that it is time that Takezo finally settled this issue between him and Kenshin.”

            “Well, that was where I was planning on going in any case,” replied Soujiro, “I’ll be glad to have Takezo come with me.”

            Hiko nodded and left.

 

            Soujiro was still packing when he heard footsteps approaching from outside the house.  They were much too heavy to belong to Takezo or Misao, and Hiko was probably out by his kiln.  Curious as to whom it could be, Soujiro went out to see who their unexpected visitor could be.

            He got quite the surprise when he opened the door to the house.  “Mr. Chou,” he said, quite thoroughly surprised.

            “Well well,” said the blonde swordsman, “If it aint our faverit liddle Tenken.”  Chou was smiling widely, squinting one eye as he always did.  As usual his Kansai accent made his words tricky to understand.

            “Are you here to…?”

            “Heh!”  Chou snorted in amusement.  “I’ve been given time off fer good behavior, seein as I’ve gone done so much for those guys in the government.  Saitou decided ta’ let me off’a the leash fer the time bein.  I’ve got a couple ‘o weeks down time before I’ve got’ta go back to my job.  While I’m off duty, I’d thought I’d drop by and see how our liddle swordsman’s been getten on these days.”

            “So you’re not here in official capacity?” inquired Soujiro curiously.

            “Ya think I’d be so quick to turn in my old partners, partner,” said Chou, “We done spent a good eight years worken together under Lord Shishio.  It’s my day off from the police, so I don’t owe them nothin.”

            “I take it things have been going well for you then,” said Soujiro, his mood much better now that he knew that he wasn’t in danger of being apprehended.

            “Well, ya win some, ya lose some.”  Chou chuckled good-naturedly.  “At least I ken say that I didn’t get the short end ‘o the stick.”

            “I suppose that is something,” said Soujiro cordially, “So if you aren’t here to arrest me, then what are you here for?”

            Chou seemed to change his personality quite suddenly.  “Well actually…” he said rather sheepishly, “I’m here ta’ ask ya’all a favor.”

            “A favor?” asked Soujiro rather curiously.

            “Yeah,” replied Chou, “Ya see, right before I was caught by the Battousai, I did something that, now when I look back on it and all, I aint too proud of.”

            Soujiro nodded, encouraging Chou to continue.

            Chou sighed and sat down on the landing by where Soujiro was standing.  Soujiro sat down next to him.  “I had just arrived at Lord Shishio’s hideout from Osaka.  It was around that time that the Battousai was lookin’ for a new sword to suit his fancy after ya’all broke his old one.  I came just in time to learn that the Battousai had visited the son of the late Shakku Arai.  I also learned at that time the Shakku’s son had been holdin out on the Battousai and was keeping a special sword that his daddy made, the last work of Shakku.  And…well…well, you know me.”

            Soujiro smiled knowingly and nodded.  “You and your swords Mr. Chou.”

            Chou laughed amusedly again.  “Ya’all’ve got me there.  Yeah, I couldn’t let a perfectly good piece ‘o work like that go to waste.  So I decided to pay the swordsmith’s son a liddle visit.  Well, who else should I run into down there but the swordsmith’s grandson.

            “After a liddle chat with Sir Seikku, I learned that he didn’t have Shakku’s last work.  I got a liddle peeved and decided to use his kid to see if he was lyin’ or not.  Turned out the guy wasn’t lyin’.  He didn’t have Shakku’s sword, but he did know where it was.  His wife cracked when I decided to use the liddle kid for some ‘o my sword practice.  I decided to take the kid with me so I could test out my new sword.”  There, Chou’s face fell.

            “I see,” said Soujiro knowingly, “Now that you’ve had time to look back on that incident, you’re ashamed that you ever did it.”

            Chou nodded.  “I’ve been wantin’ to apologize for some time now.  But, I don’t think I can show my face to them.  If Himura hadn’t kicked my can halfway ta’ Hell and back, I know what I would’ve done, and I really would’ve done wrong.  How can I just go up to them and ask for forgiveness just like that?”

            “I understand,” said Soujiro, “You want me to accompany you to help you to find the strength to ask their forgiveness.”

            “Yeah,” answered Chou after a moment.

            “Well,” said Soujiro, cheerfully, “There’s certainly no sense in delaying then, so why don’t we go now.”

            “Say what!” yelped Chou.

            “I’m about to leave Kyoto, so why don’t we stop by this smith’s home before I go on my way.”  Soujiro laughed.  “I’d better finish packing.”

            He jumped up and rushed inside the house.  Chou looked down at his feet and smiled slightly.  “He’s a good kid.  Shishio did right in takin’ him in.  That he could find fault in a guy like that…Matahachi must’ve been one hell of an idiot.”

 

            Half an hour later, Soujiro finished packing and greeted Chou on the porch.  Takezo was still nowhere nearby.  But Soujiro figured it wouldn’t be too hard to find the mute if he had to look for him.  Together, Soujiro and Chou set off to earn the Sword Hunter’s absolution.

            As they passed through town, Soujiro noticed that he and Chou received many odd glances.  But they were all directed to the blond sword collector.  Chou’s attention gaining affect combined with Soujiro’s knowledge of how to hide in broad daylight were sufficient to keep anyone from noticing the young man traveling at Chou’s side.  If there was anything Soujiro had learned about being a manslayer, it was that distractions were the best kind of cover.

            They eventually came to a small shop.  Lined out on the front table were some of the wares the place had for sale.  They were knives for kitchens.  But Soujiro noticed that for such mundane tools, their craftsmanship greatly resembled that of a true Japanese sword.  Despite that, their prices were absurdly low.  The next thing he noticed was the young toddler playing out front with a little top.  The next instant, Chou ground to a halt, his eyes fixed on the young child.  Soujiro noted that those eyes were filled with remorse.

            Seeing that his former comrade in arms wasn’t about to make the first move, Soujiro decided to do so on Chou’s behalf.  Walking up, Soujiro bent down to look at the child, putting on his best greeting smile as he addressed they little boy.  “Excuse me,” he said tentatively, “But do you know where I might find your father?”

            The boy, having finally noticed Soujiro looked up at him and returned the young man’s smile.  He the turned to look back at the shop.  “Daddy!” he shouted gleefully.

            A very average looking man with a towel draped around his shoulders came out.  Soujiro didn’t think he had seen anyone who looked so inoffensive in his entire life.  From his position the man couldn’t see Chou, who was still standing, rooted in place down the road a ways.

            “Begging your pardon,” said Soujiro politely, “But do I have the honor of addressing Sir Seikku Arai?”

            “I am him,” replied the man pleasantly, “How may I help you?”

            “Well,” said Soujiro rather sheepishly, “It isn’t really for me, but a friend of mine.  And I do believe that you have met him before.”  He gestured to Chou who came closer and finally stepped in the Seikku’s view.

            Seikku let out a startled yelp of recognition.  In an instant he had swooped down to pick up his child and was about to rush back inside when Chou shouted out.  “Wait!”  The tone was that of a plea for assistance, not the command of a mad killer.  Seikku stopped when he realized this and slowly turned around to face the man who had at one time, nearly killed his beloved son.

            The look on Chou’s face was utterly miserable.  “I didn’t come here ta’ hurt anyone,” he said, “Ta’ be honest, I’ve done a lot’ve soul searchin’ in the past year.  And I’ve come ta’ realize that I need to set things straight with ya’all or I’ll never be able to live with myself.”

            Seikku gave Chou a curious look.  “You mean you just came here to apologize.”

            Chou nodded.  Seikku gave him a nervous look before stepping back to the door.  “Come on in,” he said, quite softly.

            Inside, Seikku’s wife was preparing dinner.  “It sound’s like we have guests, dear,” she said without so much as a look.

            “Um…” said Seikku, not wanting to startle his wife, “You might want to delay dinner for a while.”

            “And why’s that?” asked his wife, turning around for the first time.  She spotted Chou and immediately her eyes widened and her hands came up to cover her mouth and stifle the scream that would have undoubtedly emerged.

            Soujiro, who had been silent for a while, threw up his hands in a placating gesture.  “Please miss,” he said cheerfully, “Mr. Chou isn’t here to threaten you or anything.  Actually, he’s here to apologize for behaving so badly the last time you met him.”

            Azusa gave Soujiro an incredulous glance before turning to look back at Chou.  She then glanced back at he husband.  “I think you’re right about dinner.”

            They seated themselves on thin floor pads.  Chou and Soujiro sat in one side of the room while Seikku and his wife, who was cradling their young son in her arms, sat on the other side.  Chou had set down all of his swords on his left side, stacking them like a small pile of firewood.  The child wasn’t in the least bit intimidated by Chou’s presence and in fact seemed completely oblivious to the room’s tension, squealing and squirming in his mother’s arms like this was all some sort of game.

            Chou looked at the couple across from him with both eyes, something he didn’t usually do.  “I guess I’ve got some explainin’ ta’ do,” said Chou after a moment.  He sighed.  “But I’m not sure where in the heck I’m supposed ta’ start.”

            “You could try starting with the apology,” Soujiro cheerfully suggested.  He wasn’t really feeling all that happy.  The solemn setting had settled itself over his shoulders like a blanket that was too heavy for this time of year.  It was smothering him under the weight of the seriousness of the situation.  In an effort to relieve that weight, Soujiro did what he did best and smiled cheerfully to try and loosen up the emotions of others.  Just that thought brought back memories of his time with Shishio.

 

             “Soujiro,” Shishio said to him once, “Do you know what your most useful quality is?”

            “What is it Mr. Shishio?” Soujiro replied, smiling from ear to ear.  A lot had happened in the last few days.  First Chou had been defeated and apprehended by Mr. Himura.  Then, Soujiro had arrived in Kyoto with the three Juppongatana from the eastern half of Japan.  On their way to Mr. Shishio’s lair, they had stopped to convince Aoshi Shinomori to come with them.  They had succeeded.  Then came the failed attack on the Aoiya, Aoshi’s battle with Okina, and finally, Mr. Houji’s baptism of fire under Mr. Shishio.

            “Your most useful tool is your smile,” said Shishio.

            “My smile?”  For a moment, Soujiro was a little bit confused.  He had always thought that it was his swordsmanship that made him so useful to Mr. Shishio.

            “It’s true,” replied Shishio, who chuckled at Soujiro’s baffled look.  “Yes, your swordsmanship is without a doubt among the best, second only to me in strength and skill.  But your greatest tool is without a doubt your smile.”

            “And why is that Mr. Shishio?” asked Soujiro.

            “A smile can do things that are impossible for even the sharpest sword.  It serves many purposes.  It can lighten the mood in even the most serious situation, unnerve the most unshakable of foes, and convince the most stubborn of fools.  And don’t forget; your smile is what saved you that night we first met.”

            Soujiro’s already broad smile widened even further.  “I guess I have to agree with you Mr. Shishio.”

 

            Chou looked Seikku in the eye.  “I’m sorry,” he said simply, “I wish there was some way I could think of ta’ show how sincere-like I really am about this, but this’s the best thing I can think of.

            “What I did ta’ yer kid back then was absolutely despicable.  And every time I think about et I just want ta’ crawl under a rock and hide from the world.  I’m ashamed that I ever had the nerve to call myself a swordsman when the bravest thing I could do was kidnap a liddle baby just so I could lay my hands on some glorified hunk of sharpened steel.”  Chou practically prostrated himself on the floor.  “I hope ya’all can find it in yer hearts ta’ fergive me.  But if ya’all can’t then I’ll understand.”

            Azusa let out a little yelp as her child finally managed to squirm out of her arms.  Standing up, the child toddled over to Chou’s still prostrated form.  The boy set himself down in front of Chou’s head with a small thump.  Soujiro noticed that the child was still laughing and smiling.  “Broom!” shouted the boy excitedly.

            Chou lifted his head off the floor to look at the child in front of him.  The child smiled and laughed again.  “Broom!” he shouted again.  He then extended a tiny hand towards Chou’s face.  “Shake hands!” he squealed.  Eyes rather wide, Chou sat up.

            “Shake hands!” the child demanded.

            More than a little surprised, Chou actually extended his right hand tentatively towards the boy.  Still smiling and laughing, the boy wrapped his small hand around one of Chou’s extended fingers.

            Beside Chou, Soujiro laughed, feeling genuinely happy for the first time since they had entered the house.  “It appears that the little one has forgiven you,” he said between chuckles.

            When they recovered their wits, both Seikku and Azusa smiled slightly.  Then they too began to laugh.  Chou however never did start laughing.  He simply smiled slightly at the little boy who gripped one of his fingers.

 

            After they accepted Chou’s apology, Seikku and his wife graciously invited the two former Juppongatanas to stay for dinner.  Chou accepted.  However, Soujiro had other ideas.  “I’m afraid I’ll have to decline,” he said, “I’m going on a trip and I have to be on my way before nightfall.”  He began walking towards the Tokkaido trail.

            “Hold up there partner!” shouted Chou.  Soujiro stopped and turned to look at him.

            Chou smiled.  “Before ya’all get on yer way, I’ve got a liddle present here fore ya’.  He pulled out one of the swords he had tucked under his arm.  It was in a shira-saya, which was rather unusual for Chou since he never had concealed his swords even when he was carrying them illegally.  He tossed the sword to Soujiro.  Soujiro carefully withdrew the blade from its sheath to examine it.

            The blade was beautifully made.  Soujiro could tell right away that it was extremely strong and very sharp.  It was one of the finest swords he had ever seen.  In fact, it looked very familiar.

            “That there’s the principle forge of the Kikuichimonji Norimune,” said Chou, “It isn’t a well known fact, but the swordsmith who made the original also made an improved copy after he gave the old one to Okita of the Shinsengumi.  I figured it would make a nice partin’ gift since it’s supposed ta’ be better than the one you used to use and I figured that it would be fittin’.  Now you and the Battousai have something more in common.”

            Soujiro looked up at Chou.  “I can’t thank you enough for this Mr. Chou.  I’ll take the best care I can of it.”

            Chou laughed.  “You do that,” he said, “And never ferget what I told ya’ about swords partner.  Take care now ya’ hear.”

            Soujiro started walking again.  He looked over his shoulder and waved as he went.  “I will Mr. Chou,” he shouted back over his shoulder, “You make sure that you take care of yourself.”  And he was gone.

 

            Seikku looked over at Chou after Soujiro had left.  “Who was that young man?” he asked.

            “I don’t know if the Battousai told ya’all about this or not, but that guy was the one who busted up his old sword so badly,” replied Chou.

            “You mean that young man was the reason Mr. Himura had to seek me out to find a new sword?” said a stunned Seikku.

            “That’s right,” answered Chou, “I’ll tell ya’ the whole story.  But first, how about we go on in and have a liddle bit of dinner that this lovely liddle lady’s prepared fer us.”

 

            Soujiro had slung his traveling sack over his good shoulder.  He was a fair ways down the road when he met his companions.  Misao and Takezo waited side by side, both with their own traveling gear.

            “Ms. Misao,” said Soujiro, rather surprised, “You’re coming with us.”

            “Of course I am,” declared Misao, “You didn’t think I’d let you guys leave me out of the fun traveling to Himura’s place now did’ya.”

            “Oh,” said Soujiro rather awkwardly.

            “Besides, I have a job to do,” announced Misao, “Lord Aoshi has entrusted me with the task of rebuilding the Tokyo Oniwaban.”

            “That’s wonderful Ms. Misao,” said Soujiro gleefully.  Beside her, Takezo nodded his head in agreement.

            “Well then,” said Soujiro, “Shall we be on our way?”

            “You bet!” exclaimed Misao.  Takezo also nodded his assent.

            “Well then,” said Soujiro, “I guess we’re all going to go visit Mr. Himura.”

 

            Akemi calmly looked out the window at the landscape as it flashed by.  She had gotten a first class ticket, which gave her a small compartment all to herself.  Even though it was large enough to hold up to six people, Akemi had paid extra money to make sure that she had the whole place to herself.  On the seat across the seat from her was a long, rectangular box.  That box contained Akemi’s most precious possessions.

            Rest well Tenken, she thought calmly, I want you to be at your best when I destroy you.  She smiled grimly as the train continued onward, heading for Tokyo.

 

Author’s Note: Yeah, I know this chapter is way shorter than most.  But it was a transitional piece meant to get us to the next big event in the plot, which will involve Soujiro meeting Kenshin for the first time since their fight.  I can’t tell you any details about what’s going to happen.  Akemi and Soujiro have yet to come face to face and I’m not sure if they do or they don’t in the first chapter.  Just as a sort of guide, Akemi’s meeting with Soujiro is going to be slightly reminiscent of Saitou’s meeting with Kenshin at the beginning of the Kyoto Arc.

And while we’re on that subject, it might be prudent for me to elaborate on the canon of this story, which takes place approximately one year after the end of the Kyoto arc.  The plot pretty much ignores everything which comes after which includes the Shimabara and Jinchu arcs.  I can’t say for certain, but I might have those take place in this story as a portion of the mains storyline with little bits and pieces tying them together.  That said, it may be just as likely that I will not do that and save that idea for another fiction.  Either way I haven’t decided.  And now, on to the character notes.

 

Chou: No, those are not misspellings.  That is my rather feeble attempt at emulating Chou’s dialect as it was portrayed in the dubbed version of the series.  Chou is from Kansai, a region which has a reputation for its unique dialect.  In dubbed versions of Anime with characters from Kansai, that dialect is usually portrayed as something resembling a southern country accent (making him sound something like a homicidal, psychopathic cowboy).  In any case, I chose to do it that way because, well it sounded sort of right for a guy like Chou.

About his little adventure with Soujiro:  For a character who makes appearances in multiple arcs, I think Chou should have a more well developed character than he did.  I thought it would be cool to portray Chou as somebody who’s mellowed out since his days in the Juppongatana.  There will be a few remarks on his character in later chapters as well as a few more appearances.

 

Shishio:  Yes, I know I’m opening a gaping plot hole by using this idea (this discounts the whole scene with Shishio and co. in Hell), but as far as my story’s concerned, this is essential to Soujiro’s development as a character.  One of the crucial parts will be his confrontation with his former mentor, basically bringing Soujiro’s past into confrontation with his future.  The details on this will become more apparent as the story progresses.

 

Well I hope that everyone enjoys this chapter.