Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Baptism of Blood ❯ Playing Samurai ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The next morning, without even stopping for breakfast, Katsura and Kenshin departed for Kyoto by ship. The journey there would take a week. Once they were en eroute over the Sea of Japan, Katsura brought Kenshin some rice balls.

"So Kenshin, what's your family name?" asked Katsura.

"I don't have one. I'm not a samurai," said Kenshin.

"How did you learn swordsmanship then, much less a style like the Hiten sword?" asked Katsura.

"My shishou took me in when I was ten and trained me," said Kenshin, hoping that explanation would suffice. The death of his village and his time as a slave were still too raw.

Sensing the young man's apprehension to talk any more about his past, Katsura let it rest.

"Alright, but if you're going to fight among samurai, you must be able to pass for one. How does the name 'Himura' sound?" said Katsura.

"Scarlett Village?" asked Kenshin.

"It matches your hair," said Katsura with a smile.

Kenshin glowered. People always seemed to enjoy making cracks about the hair! Nonetheless, the prospect of having a family name intrigued him.

"The fact that you're not truly a samurai is best kept between us, Himura," said Katsura, turning serious. "You will never be accepted or respected among the men no matter how great your skills are otherwise. From now on, you will think of yourself as a samurai. When we arrive in Kyoto, you will be given a daisho to wear and you must watch how the other men carry themselves and do as they do."

Kenshin swallowed and nodded. He had a feeling that being with the Isshin Shishi would be very different from being with the Kiheitai where class and rank hadn't been important. He hadn't even been among the revolutionaries for a full week and already he had a family name.

'Himura Kenshin,' he thought as his violet eyes looked out the window at the rolling blue sea.

---
After a week, the ship docked on the shore of Wakasa, through which they would have pass to stay off the main roads on the way to Kyoto. For three days, Kenshin followed Katsura on a clandestine route to the capital city. When they came to the end of the road near the capital, they waited until nightfall to enter the city.

Since the revolutionaries were enemies in Kyoto, they had to be careful not to be seen. Katsura led Kenshin into the city through the back alleys to avoid confrontation on the main roads. Even as they wound their way through the narrow alleys, Kenshin's eyes took in everything. The tall buildings rose up on both sides of them like a canyon of concrete. To a country boy like Kenshin, this place was positively overwhelming! How would he ever learn his way around?

Katsura led Kenshin to a nondescript looking house and wrapped on the door frame. The fusuma slid open, revealing a suspicious looking man. Katsura uttered a cryptic phrase so he and Kenshin could gain access to the house.

"This is one of many Choshuu Clan safe houses," explained Katsura in a hushed voice as he led Kenshin back to the quarters where they would spend the night before heading to their permanent quarters tomorrow.

"Each one requires a different password to gain access. You'll be taught the locations and passwords once you're settled in," Katsura continued.

Kenshin only nodded. Their trek to the city had made him quite sleepy and he wanted nothing more than to curl up in a warm futon. The man led Kenshin and Katsura back into the sleeping area of the house and put them up in a room with two futons. After Katsura made certain Kenshin was settled in, he left the room to talk with the people who were putting them up.

Despite his exhaustion, Kenshin tossed and turned in the futon and really couldn't get to sleep. He was in Kyoto, the epicenter of the fighting! This was where he would be asked to shed blood for the first time. His heart was in turmoil and his mind mulled a thousand questions. However, he didn't dare ask Katsura because he didn't want to appear weak or indecisive.

It wasn't until about an hour later that Kenshin's eyelids finally grew too heavy to stay open and sleep overcame the exhausted boy. When Katsura stepped in later on, he looked down at the boy lying on the futon, looking to be no more than nine or ten years old. In his heart, he doubted. Was it right for him to ask this innocent, idealistic boy with the bright eyes and burning conviction to kill in the manner he intended? Was Takasugi right?

"The boy's spirit will be ruined by this work."

Katsura shook his head to clear the thoughts as he lay down silently, being careful not to awaken the boy. They were here now and there was no turning back. To fell the Shogunate and bring about the new era, no sacrifice was too great, even if the sacrifice was a boy's innocence.

---
After a quick breakfast of miso and fish, Katsura led Kenshin out of the safe house and they continued through the winding alleys and back roads. Kenshin did his best to commit the geography of the alleys to his memory. As they were coming up through an alley that joined to a main road, Katsura froze and pushed Kenshin up against the wall. As they stood stock still, a man in ridiculous finery went prancing by, surrounded by servants and guards.

The people in the street around that man all bowed down before him as he went by. Kenshin looked from the scene to Katsura and was surprised to see a scowl on Katsura's face.

"A daimyo," said Katsura in a hushed tone. "Whenever one walks by, the people around them have to bow low to the ground, or they could be killed on the spot."

Kenshin's eyes widened. This was the enemy! The people out on the street were only just now getting back to their feet and warily moving on with their activities. Katsura shook his head and finally led Kenshin out of the cramped, narrow alleys.

They went along a bit farther until they came to a medium-sized, neat-looking inn at the river front.

"Here we are. This is the Kohagiya where you'll be staying," explained Katsura as he led Kenshin through the sliding gate.

They proceeded to the entrance where Katsura slid the fusuma open and led Kenshin inside where they were promptly greeted by a man with black hair pulled back in a sloppy ponytail, an ugly mustache and shifty eyes.

"Welcome back, Katsura-san," he said.

"Thank you, Iizuka-kun," said Katsura. "This is our new hitokiri, Himura Kenshin."

"This runt?" scoffed Iizuka, eyeing Kenshin critically.

Kenshin's eyes narrowed, but his face betrayed no emotion.

"This runt... is 14 years old and has more ability with the blade in his little finger than all the warriors in this inn combined," said Katsura, looking Iizuka straight in the eye, daring the man to question his authority again.

Iizuka gulped and nodded, not wanting to irritate the man who could easily order him done in.

Seeing that that was settled, Katsura turned to Kenshin with a gentle smile to reassure the nervous teenager.

"Himura, this is Iizuka who will act as your immediate superior. You will be getting your assignments from him and shall report to him," explained the Choshuu leader.

"Yes, Katsura-san," said Kenshin, who wasn't certain if he liked Iizuka or not. The guy just seemed slimy. However, Katsura-san trusted him, so Kenshin dismissed the feeling.

"Now, I have to get to my office and get caught up on the paperwork. Iizuka will show you your quarters," said Katsura.

"Thank you, Katsura-san," said Kenshin with a bow.

After Katsura left, Iizuka looked Kenshin over sharply. Even if the boy was 14, he didn't look cut out to be a hitokiri. Hell, with those violet eyes and cute little boy face, he'd make a better onnagatta than hitokiri. But, it was Katsura-san's call.

"Alright... Follow me," said Iizuka, turning and leading Kenshin upstairs to the warriors' quarters.

Iizuka led Kenshin to the last room on the left side of the second story hallway and slid the shouji open, revealing a surprisingly large room. It was certainly larger than his old room in Hiko's cabin.

"You're lucky. Usually everyone has to double up, but our numbers are kinda low right now, so you get the room to yourself for the time being. Of course that will probably change when we get new people," explained Iizuka. "The furo's out back and dinner's in half an hour."

"Thank you, Iizuka-san," said Kenshin with a slight bow.

"No -san. We're colleagues," said Iizuka.

Kenshin nodded and watched after Iizuka as he walked away before sliding the shouji shut. Not knowing what else to do, Kenshin went over to the far end of the room and unpacked his few belongings and put them away. Kenshin walked up to the large window, slid the screen aside and looked through it. Below, he saw a narrow street on which throngs of people walked up and down, some shoving others out of the way. Violet eyes looked upward and saw a building right across the street and the rooftops that seemed to stretch on into infinity.

Suddenly, Kenshin was engulfed by homesickness. All his life, he had lived in the countryside. He had never set foot in a large city before and now seeing just how starkly different it was with its dirt roads, tall buildings and throngs of people that just came and went, caring nothing for one another, from the beautiful countryside with its mountains, green meadows, babbling brooks, raging rapids, trees, bushes and little animals; it made him want to cry.

Swallowing down the tears, Kenshin sharply reprimanded himself for such unmanly behavior.

'What would Shishou say if he could see you?' he thought.

'You know what he would say: So Baka Deshi thinks he's man enough to join the war and ends up crying like a little girl because he misses home? That's rich!'

Kenshin shook his head vigorously. Thinking of his master's taunts wasn't helping his glum mood any.

---
After scrubbing himself from head to toe, Kenshin lowered himself into the furo, which was occupied by ten others. Thankfully, no one harassed him. Regretfully, no one greeted him. Shutting out the conversations around him, Kenshin closed his eyes and let his mind wander.

Hitokiri...

Academically, Kenshin knew what it meant. Katsura wanted him to kill Bakufu supporters. Still, Kenshin felt his stomach flipping and knotting up on itself. What was it like to kill? Kenshin had seen Hiko kill the bandits at age ten. Hiko hadn't seemed too bothered by doing it. Perhaps it wouldn't be too difficult. If it meant a better Japan for everyone, it had to be the right thing to do.

After leaving the furo, Kenshin dressed in a yukata and headed to the dining hall to see about some food. He wasn't really hungry, but knew that if he didn't eat, he wouldn't be at his best. Kenshin sat down at an empty hakuzen in the dining hall and softly thanked one of the inn girls as she silently served him a bowl of rice. Just as he was about to start eating, Iizuka came and sat next to him.

"Hey Himura. How you holding up?" he asked conversationally.

"I'm fine," said Kenshin softly.

"I hope you're not scared. If you're scared, you're better off going back to where you came from," said Iizuka.

Kenshin glowered. As if he could! Hiko would never let him come back after the way they had parted.

"I'm not scared. I can do this," said Kenshin softly.

"That's good. After you're finished eating, you're to see the okami. She's going to fit you for your new clothes," said Iizuka.

"New clothes?" asked Kenshin.

"Yeah. No offense, but you can't go around Kyoto dressed in those rags. They make you look like a peasant," said Iizuka.

Kenshin frowned. Katsura had explained to him that he had to "play samurai". This meant taking a family name, carrying a daisho and wearing his hair up. Still though, he disliked the idea that being a peasant somehow made him inferior.

Kenshin nodded his assent to Iizuka.

"Alright..." he said softly.

"No need to hurry. Take your time and eat. After the okami gets your measurements, I'm to show you around Kyoto," said Iizuka.

"Thank you," said Kenshin softly.

Iizuka nodded before tucking into his rice bowl. 'I give this kid a month before he cracks.'

---
After the midday meal, Iizuka took Kenshin to the okami of the inn. After being bid enter, they were greeted by a middle-aged matron with her hair tied back in a bun. She looked Kenshin over sharply and gave Iizuka a questioning look to which he only shrugged.

"You must be Himura-san?" the okami said, trying to set the nervous youth at ease.

"Yes, ma'am," said Kenshin softly.

"Alright, come back with me and I'll measure you for your new clothes," said the okami.

"Thank you," said Kenshin softly.

"See ya later," said Iizuka.

The okami led Kenshin into the back room and gestured for him to stand on a small pedestal and hold his arms out to his side. Okami took the measuring stick and held it horizontally against Kenshin's arms, taking his measurements. She then measured him up and down.

"So Himura-san, what brings you to Kyoto?" asked Okami.

"I want to use my skills to protect people," said Kenshin softly, but with strong conviction in his voice.

"Did your parents let you leave?" asked Okami.

"I have no parents, just my Shishou," said Kenshin softly.

"And he let you come?" persisted Okami.

"No... we had an argument and I left," said Kenshin, voice barely a whisper.

"I see," said Okami, proceeding with her work in silence.

---
After Okami took the measurements and got to work on Kenshin's new clothes, Iizuka came to fetch him again. In his hand were two brand new swords, a katana and wakizashi. Kenshin took them and slid each blade from its sheath, appraising it.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"Sure thing," said Iizuka, not really seeing the big deal. After all, all samurai carried daisho.

Kenshin started to slide the daisho into his belt, but Iizuka stopped him. Kenshin looked at him in confusion.

"You'll be better off leaving those in your room for the time being. If you're caught with a daisho while wearing those country bumpkin clothes, you could get in a shit load of trouble," the older man warned.

Kenshin gulped and nodded, retreating to his room to deposit his new swords.

When he returned, Kenshin fell in behind Iizuka and set out. Iizuka led Kenshin out through the front yard and through the gate. They hit the crowded roads and made their way carefully through the sea of humanity. Iizuka had no problem with elbowing his way through the crowd. Kenshin of course, moved with his inimitable grace and really seemed to float through the crowd.

Iizuka took Kenshin all around Kyoto to the different safe houses. There were ten in all, liberally sprinkled throughout the city. That way, if he were to get hurt or needed a place to hide in an emergency, help was never far away. After being introduced to each house owner, Kenshin was taught the password for each house and memorized it on the spot. Most of the house owners privately shook their heads and wondered what such a young boy was doing in the forces of the Ishin Shishi.

They also went through the heavily shogunate area of Kyoto where Iizuka showed Kenshin the Emperor's palace and the Shogun's.

"Which one looks nicer to you?" he asked.

"The Shogun's is much bigger," said Kenshin.

"Exactly. When we're finished, he'll be living in a hut if we don't kill him outright," said Iizuka.

Kenshin nodded.

"Let's get back," said Iizuka, turning to leave.

---
Once back at the Kohagiya, Kenshin retrieved his daisho, went out into the courtyard and started going through his kata. Several of the men gathered at the edge to watch. To them, Kenshin was just a blur of red, brown and silver. They were amazed and even a bit frightened. Iizuka came out and joined the men. When he saw what Kenshin was doing, his jaw almost dropped.

'What is he?' thought Iizuka.

---
That day and the next passed peacefully. Kenshin began helping Okami and the girls in the kitchens early in the morning and during the day would wander the streets of Kyoto to continue learning the layout of the city. He was good with directions and had it completely memorized by the end of the second day.

During the second day, Kenshin also received his new clothes from Okami, who had stayed up through the night to work on them. Kenshin tried on the gray hakama, navy blue gi and matching tabi. As he surveyed himself in the full-length mirror wearing his new clothes, with his red hair pulled back in a tight top knot, and his daisho at his left hip, he felt as if he were gazing at another person.

'Hitokiri...'