Raya's Deceptive Looks
Chapter Three: Testing the Waters
DISCLAIMER: The Kenshin Characters are all property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, and all that. The new made-up characters are mine. This is just a fanfic written by yours truly for fun and enjoyment, no money is involved! I hope you enjoy it!
Kaoru made her way back through town after buying the tofu. She was deep in though about Hotaru and the eerie way she resembled Kenshin's ex-wife. She stopped in front of a restaurant at hearing a sudden commotion.
"NO! We don't serve your kind here! Get out!" An angry female voice emitted from the restaurant. Kaoru was startled to see the same boy in the blue hakama that had saved her the other day walk out of the restaurant swiftly. He stopped, turned, and bowed to the lady.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you." He said with a smile, and then turned to find the next restaurant.
"You should be!" The woman walked outside after him waving a wooden spoon, "It's been thirteen years since swords were outlawed! Come in here again, and I'll have you arrested!"
The boy bowed again and turned his back to Kaoru, not noticing her, and continued walking. Kaoru bit her lip.
"That same boy, he may be young, but he's got the look of a Rurouni about him, and the Sakaba sword… It's weird; He's just like Kenshin… And, he saved me back then-" Before she could think twice, she caught up with him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me- sir!" She asked. The rurouni turned around and recognized her instantly.
&nbps; "Yes?" He stopped and turned to face her with a smile on his face.
"Oh-are you looking for somewhere to eat? I know a place that will serve you even if you're carrying a sword." She smiled at him. "Let me treat you, as a reward for what you did for me yesterday."
"Oh no…" The boy shook his head and took a step back, folding his hands into his gi. "I wouldn't want to impose!"
"It's nothing really!" Kaoru assured. "I go to this place all the time!" She WASN'T going to let this guy get away now-she wanted to ask him a lot of questions, like, why he had a Sakaba sword, and where he came from--- she wasn't sure why, but, she felt she knew him from somewhere."
"Well, if you insist. Then, thank you very much." The boy bowed and followed her to the Sukiyaki restaurant.
"Is there anything else I can get for you?" Asked Tae as she took the boy's order. He shook his head and Tae turned to Kaoru.
"Anything for you Kaoru-san?" She asked.
"Oh no, I have lunch waiting for me when I get home." Kaoru stated. Tae nodded and walked away.
"So, you're a rurouni?" Kaoru decided to start off the conversation rather bluntly. The boy looked up at her and smiled.
"Yes, it must be pretty obvious. My name is Seta Soujirou."
"Soujirou? I'm Kamiya Kaoru." She bit her lip, where had she heard that name before? It sparked something in her mind, but she couldn't lay her finger on it.
"It's nice to meet you, Kaoru-san." Soujirou smiled and took a sip of tea. "And I thank you again for treating me to such a nice meal."
"Are you sure rice and pickles is really all you want?" Kaoru said with a sweat drop.
"I really don't want to impose on you too much, that's all my stomach is craving."
"He's SO much like Kenshin!" Kaoru thought. "Umm-can I ask you a personal question?"
"Go ahead." Soujirou nodded.
"Why, do you carry around a Sakaba sword?"
"My sword?" Soujirou laughed. "You're the first person I've come across who's known what it was called! I had it made about two years ago. For a while, I was a swordless rurouni, but I got one when I decided it was necessary in order to protect people."
Kaoru sat rigid in her seat. "P-Protecting people, is that what you do?"
"Yes protecting the weak is my mission. I'll protect all those who need it."
"Can I ask, why?"
"That goes into some rather personal stuff, I'd prefer to not talk about it."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't want to pry, it's just--" Kaoru trailed off, and looked a little embarrassed. But she was saved when Tae came with the food.
"Here you are, rice and pickles. Are you SURE that's all you want?" asked Tae as she set the food down in front of Soujirou.
"Oh yes, that's fine. Thank you very much." Soujirou thanked Kaoru for the food again and began to eat. Kaoru sat quietly and politely as he ate, deep in thought.
"He reminds me of Kenshin. I wonder how long he's been wandering. It couldn't have been 10 years like Kenshin, that boy is way too young to have fought during the civil war." Kaoru giggled to herself. "But, Kenshin looks like he's no older than 20… and he's really 30 years old!" Even with that truth in her mind, she still couldn't imagine this boy being any older than seventeen or eighteen.
Kenshin sat by the river dozing off slightly. He hadn't had one bite all morning since he'd finished the laundry. But it was nice just being away from it all. He reflected on the last night with Kaoru and smiled to himself.
"Hotaru-dono may look exactly like Tomoe, but she's not. I shouldn't be worried. I can't shake the feeling that there's something not right about her though… I need to talk to her."
He heard light footsteps approaching him from behind and his eyes narrowed as he fingered his sword.
"Who is it." He demanded.
"It's me…" It was the soft voice of Hotaru. Kenshin relaxed and turned his head to look at her. She walked up to him silently. The way the wind played with her hair reminded him so much of Tomoe. The scent of white plums drifted past his nose. Kenshin wished that it would go away. That smell made him so nostalgic for Tomoe. He had loved her so much, and this girl coming back-it was like he was reliving the past. Hotaru looked down at him solemnly. "May I sit down Himura-san?"
"Yes, please do…" Kenshin said as he tore his gaze away and looked out at the river.
Hotaru sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Have you caught anything yet?"
"Not yet." Kenshin looked at her. "Is there a reason you've come to visit me here Hotaru-dono?"
"I was just wondering… how long you've been rurouni.." She muttered. Kenshin blinked back stunned. How did she know?
"I was a Rurouni for ten years after the Meiji started, but I've finally settled at the Kamiya Dojo after meeting Kaoru."
"Kaoru-san means a lot to you doesn't she?" Hotaru said softly. Kenshin nodded and smiled.
"I've devoted my life to protecting Kaoru."
"I envy her…" Hotaru said quietly. Kenshin looked over at her questionably.
"Kaoru-san is a lucky girl to have someone care so deeply for her." They both sat in silence for a long time. Kenshin felt a sudden tug on his fishing line and pulled in a large fish. He grinned big and put it in the basket then looked back to Hotaru.
"Shall we go back to the Dojo and cook this fish for lunch? Kaoru should be returning soon."
"Hai," Hotaru stood up and began walking back. Kenshin followed her silently.
"I wonder what kind of experience she underwent to become so melancholy…" thought Kenshin. Her last words echoed in his mind.
"Kaoru-san is a lucky girl to have someone care so deeply for her."
Soujirou finished his meal and Kaoru paid the bill. As they walked out of the restaurant, Soujirou turned to her and bowed low.
"Thank you again Kaoru-san for your generosity. I'll never forget it."
"I'm the one to be thanking you," said Kaoru with a slight bow. "I own the Kamiya dojo at the other end of town, if you find you need a place to sleep tonight, please don't hesitate to drop by! I'll be happy to let you stay a night."
"You're really too generous. Thank you, but I should be on my way."
"Is there any place that you're going?" Kaoru asked inquisitively.
"Not really," Soujirou shook his head. "I'm just a wanderer, the only goal I have found for myself right now, is to help those that need saving. Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps we'll see each other again someday." He turned to walk away.
"One last question!" Kaoru called out to him. Soujirou stopped and turned around, waiting politely.
"Why, do you have it?"
"Have what?"
"A Sakaba, instead of a normal Katana?" Kaoru bit her lip, she knew she was prying, but something about this young Rurouni was eating at her. She wanted to know what it was.
Soujirou fingered his Sakaba at his side and shrugged. "I've killed enough people to last me my life time and an eternity of servitude in hell, I'm trying to atone for all those deaths. And I carry a Sakaba to keep me from killing."
Kaoru stood dumbfounded as Soujirou bowed once more, said a final goodbye, and then walked away. She waited until he was far out of sight until she actually turned and started back home.
Soujirou's words echoed in her mind. "I'm trying to atone for all those deaths. And I carry a Sakaba to keep me from killing."
She shook her head. "Ooohhh! It's WAY too similar to be coincidence! Maybe he's fought against Kenshin before or something. I feel like I know him, but I've never seen him before in my life." She suddenly realized how hungry she was getting as her stomach rumbled. "But first… food!" She walked faster and made it to the dojo just in time for lunch.
Yahiko had shown back up just when it was convenient.
"Did you catch anything?" He asked Kenshin hopefully.
"Yeah! I caught a great big one." Kenshin nodded. Yahiko grinned widely. "ALL RIGHT! Feast! I'm starved lets eat!"
"We have to wait for Kaoru to return." Said Kenshin as he laid chopsticks at each place at the table. Yahiko pouted.
"Ahh-let's forget about ugly!"
"Ha-" Kenshin shook his head with a slight laugh. "You don't truly believe those words do you?"
Yahiko's response caught in his throat and he lowered his eyes and smiled. "Naw, I like to tease her… I guess she's almost become like a sister to me. Heh-I owe my life to you and Kaoru."
Hotaru hung back in the doorway listening to their conversation. Kenshin noticed and looked up.
"Is there something I can get for you Hotaru-dono?"
&nbps;Hotaru gave a small jump of surprise, and shook her head. "No-I was just wondering when Kaoru-san was going to get back." She paused, Kenshin noticed that she was wringing her hands. "Umm-so, did you take him in?"
"Huh?" Kenshin blinked at her confused.
"Yahiko-kun…Was he an orphan, and you took him into the dojo?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded. "Hai, Kaoru did. She's truly a very kind hearted woman. She's someone that always cares about other people and their needs. But she is also a very strong person."
"You sound like you admire her very much for those qualities." Hotaru eyed him wearily.
"Aaa," Kenshin agreed.
"Kaoru may appear as a raging madwoman sometimes, a bully that enjoys making you do hard chores and stuff." Yahiko said. "But, and don't tell her I told you this--- but, she's really very sensitive, and does it all just to strengthen you. She knows what's good for you! I'm so much stronger thanks to Kaoru!"
Hotaru, at hearing this news seemed to grow a few shades paler. Kenshin watched her wearily as she nodded, her expression never changing.
"What is she hiding?" He thought, then shook his head and smiled at her reassuringly. "Kaoru should be home very soon." And almost as if on cue the familiar voice of Kaoru drifted throughout the grounds of the dojo as she shut the front gate behind her.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome home Kaoru!" Kenshin said happily as he went to meet her. She removed her shoes and stepped up onto the wooden walkway.
"Here is the tofu." She said as she handed him the circular tub. Kenshin took it and retreated into the kitchen.
"What took you so long ugly?" Yahiko sauntered up to her. "You want me to starve?"
"Grrr-" Kaoru looked at him menacingly, then noticed Hotaru watching her with her usual mysterious eyes. "Aaa! Hotaru-san! I'm sorry I'm late. How are you doing?"
Hotaru gave her a faint smile. " I'm very well. And you, Kaoru-san?"
"Couldn't be better!"
It was true. Kaoru was absolutely glowing. She looked at Kenshin and they locked eyes. Then blushed. She wondered when the next time she'd get to be alone with him would be, with Hotaru here, it was more difficult to be alone with him. Oh well-she'd just have to cope.
"What's for lunch?" She asked.
"The fish that I've caught." Said Kenshin.
"Hey guys!" Sano's voice carried over and everyone turned to see Sano and Megumi with the bouncing baby in her arms. They were standing at the front gate.
"SANOSUKE! MEGUMI!" Kaoru laughed and ran over to them, soon followed by Kenshin. " Ah! It's nice for you to drop by! And you brought little Hayama-chan! How's he doing?"
"Oh, very well as usual." Winked Megumi.
"Of course, Megumi is the most careful and smartest mother I've ever seen." Sano grinned as he put his arm around her waist and drew her to him. Megumi grew red in the face. Sano was one of the people who didn't mind showing his affection in broad daylight with tons of people around.
They invited the guests for lunch and Kenshin put some more rice to cook.
"This is Yoshimitsu Hotaru." Kaoru introduced their new dark haired stranger that was staying with them.
"Sagara Sanosuke." Sano grinned at her. "This is my wife, Megumi."
"And our son, Hayama." Megumi was rocking the baby gently.
"It's nice to meet you." Hotaru said and bowed to both of them. Sano noticed how melancholy she seemed. Her eyes were so black that he couldn't even see his reflection in them. They were dead eyes…
"Megumi-san." Kaoru handed her a wrapped package. " I believe you lent me this shawl… I'm returning it now." She winked and Megumi instantly got the message. Her eyes lit up and she accepted the package gratefully.
"Lunch is served de gozaru!" Kenshin entered into the room carrying the large bowl of rice in one hand and his fish on the other.
"Sorry, we'll all have to cut down on the fish. But we have extra rice." Said Kaoru apologetically.
"Oh don't apologize." Megumi laughed and thumbed at Sano. "He's the one who insisted we drop by for a visit…It was really too kind of you to invite us for lunch."
Hotaru sat and watched the group of friends eat. She looked from one person's smiling face to the other. They were all so happy and carefree… and then deep in her soul she felt an ache, something that she'd been ignoring for a long time was trying to surface. She held up her rice and began eating, all the while watching Kaoru with a weary eye. She'd been deeply engrossed in telling a story…
"Then Kenshin had to redo the laundry ALL over again!" Kaoru laughed.
"Ahh-only because Kaoru hadn't secured the clothes line well…" Kenshin took a sip of tea and set it down. Sano and Megumi looked at him stunned.
"Oro?" Kenshin blinked, wondering what made them suddenly so surprised. " Something wrong de gozaru?"
"Wait a sec-repeat what you said…" Sano mumbled, resting his cheek on his hand.
"Err-Only because Kaoru hadn't secured the clothes line well"
&nbps;"He did it again!" exclaimed Megumi. She looked at Kaoru, her eyes twinkling.
"You called Jo-chan Kaoru…" Sano raised one eyebrow and the shook his head. "I must have been dreaming…"
"No dream." Yahiko said.
"Heh-" Kenshin sat back, slightly embarrassed. Kaoru was also beginning to turn a bright shade of red.
"So it's true?" Sano asked Kenshin.
"Errr---" Kenshin turned the shade of a ripe berry, he looked at Kaoru who seemed to be trying to slink underneath the table. "H-hai…" he finally stammered.
"YATTA!" Sano laughed, he jumped over to Kenshin's side of the table and grabbed him in a headlock, giving him the noogie of his life.
"ORO?!"
"ALL RIGHT KENSHIN! I was wondering when you'd finally see the light!"
"Oroooo…"
"Sanosuke!" Megumi scolded. "All your jumping around is disturbing the baby!" Hayama had indeed begun to squirm.
"Oh!" Kaoru quickly recovered from her embarrassing stupor and extended her arms out. "Can I hold the baby?"
"Sure." Megumi laid Hayama-chan in her arms and Kaoru brought the tiny baby close to her. Hayama looked up into her gentle eyes, for a moment unsure, then realized he felt safe in her arms and quieted down.
"He likes you already." Megumi smiled.
Kaoru held the tiny bundle to her. "It must be wonderful to have a baby…" she thought. " A symbol of the love between husband and wife… the deepest, most precious connection between the two…" Her eyes couldn't help but drift to Kenshin, who was trying to recover from the brow beating he'd received from Sano. She smiled to herself. "Kenshin--- I wonder if I'll have his baby ever… To have a part of Kenshin, growing inside of me… it would make me so happy." She closed her eyes and imagined their tiny son, a miniature form of Kenshin… yes-she wanted him to be just like Kenshin. And, if they had a daughter… she'd have red hair, undoubtedly… Kaoru giggled to herself… her and Kenshin marry? She was together with him after all-it was only a matter of time… and, after marriage--- her thoughts went wild at the prospect of making love with him…She couldn't help but blush a deep color, and even giggled a little.
&nbps;"Err--- Jo-chan?"
Kaoru was suddenly jolted out of her daydream by Sano.
"You-ok?" He asked her, eyeing her wearily. Kaoru laughed nervously and handed the baby back to Megumi.
"OH! Hahaha!! Never better! Just fine-really…" Kaoru put one hand behind her head with a giant sweatdrop. Then looked at Kenshin out of the corner of her eye. He was clearing off the table. Hotaru was helping him.
"Himura Kenshin?" Another unsuspecting voice drifted to them from the front gate. Kaoru turned to see the police chief.
"Ohh! Has something happened?" She got up and walked over to him.
"I'm sorry to bother you Kamiya-san." The man said. "I must speak to Himura-san. This is very important."
Kenshin heard the commotion and walked over to them. "What is it?"
"Himura-san… perhaps there is someplace private where we can talk?" He turned to Kaoru. "You may come as well Kamiya-san."
Kaoru nodded nervously and led the police chief into their open dinning room.
"Well-we'd better be taking off then." Sano said as he stood up. Megumi following suit.
"Thank you again for the delicious meal." Megumi smiled at Kaoru, then Kenshin. "You'll have to come and visit us. I'll make some spongecake."
"Yatta!" Yahiko cheered.
"Thank you Megumi-san! We'll see you again really soon." Kaoru said, then she turned to Yahiko. "Yahiko! There are chores that you've been skipping out on… the training hall floor needs to be polished."
"Hai Hai-" Yahiko muttered a few choice curses before stomping off. Kaoru noticed Hotaru taking the dry laundry off of the hangers and folding them neatly. Then, satisfied that everything was in order, she turned back to the Police Chief.
"Can I get you something to drink? Some tea maybe?" She asked.
"No, thank you… I'm afraid what I have to tell you cannot wait."
Kaoru realized just how serious this matter was and nodded understanding. She shut the door of the dinning room and they sat around the table. The police chief facing Kenshin.
"Himura-san… I've been informed of a theft."
"A theft?" Kenshin looked at him dubiously. "What was stolen?"
"Something, that I think may come as quite a shock to you-it happened a few nights ago in the top secret documents department. This place stores all of the Meiji governments most top secrets… those things that could mean the very destruction of the government if they're ever exposed in public."
"What was stolen?" Kaoru said, shocked. This sounded very bad.
"It took us several days to sort through everything and determine what was missing… only one file…"
"Only one?"
"Yes… that file, was yours, Himura-san."
Kenshin blinked. "Mine? What about me?"
The police chief took a deep breath. " The Meiji government, you may not have known, kept very close track of you when you acted as the Hitokiri Battousai… every single man you murdered, every politician you were sent to assassinate… every crime you've ever committed--- they are all in that very important file."
"Why would someone want such a thing?" Asked Kaoru, her mouth suddenly felt dry and it was hard to breathe. "Kenshin-who would want to bring up his past again?"
"I have many enemies-" Kenshin said. Kaoru turned to him alarmed. He sat with his sword hilt resting on his shoulder, deep in thought. "During that time, I killed many people and caused a lot of suffering, I'd suspect a great number of people want me dead… and so would steal such documents, hoping to hold those deeds I committed against me."
"But, you know what you did! Why would that file help any?" Kaoru asked.
"I-I don't know… but, this whole ordeal is obviously aimed directly at me." Kenshin said.
"That's what we believe too… so I came to tell you as soon as I found out that that was the file stolen." The police chief said.
"If it was someone bent on destroying the government, they would have stolen other documents as well, you yourself said that this library housed many self incriminating files."
"Hai-this person obviously has little interest in the government… they're out after you, Himura-san."
"Kenshin---" Kaoru bit her lip, watching him worried. Kenshin didn't look up at her, he continued staring at the floor in deep thought.
"Kenshin-" she thought, clenching her fists. "No-I don't want this to be happening… This is a nightmare… it's not real!"
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