Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ KOTETSU TO KOSUI (Steel and Perfume) ❯ Oibore Yukishiro ( Chapter 2 )

KOTETSU TO KOSUI (STEEL AND PERFUME)
Chapter Two


Kobe, Japan
Spring 1876






A shot then a scream. Branches hitting, scratching, wounding. Must run, run fast. This time a familiar voice screams. Mother!


"Kaoru, you must go, here's some money it's not much. Go to Himura, to the mountain I've been telling you about please my daughter…"


Faster, must hide somewhere and see. The grass makes the skin itch so much, must endure, mother, father. Sweat runs across the spine. Panting. So many men, father cannot take all of them, should help but mother... a promise. Have to get out silently. Please, don't let the wooden gates creek just this once. A horse, a carriage clattering against the rocks and the smell of white plum… it is very relaxing. Maybe when…


"You're awake."


Pain was the first sensation Kaoru felt upon waking. By the sound of the animal and the constant jerks her body welcomed, she knew she was riding a carriage. Sweat tricked from her brow; the pain was still there. Forcefully, she lifted her lying form to see the source of the voice. The humid air made her hair stick to her sweaty forehead restraining clear vision.


"You've been asleep the whole morning young lady, are you hungry?"


Ignoring the severe pain, Kaoru moved to a corner of the carriage - no it was just a buggy and by the looks of it, an age old one. The driver and the only companion she had was an elderly man, his gray Gi had traces of sweat and smudges of dirt. Spring was finally coming to an end.


It was another dream, a dream I just have to live with. I should not think of this now not when I have more important things to do, Kaoru thought. She looked around the wooden box.


"If you're looking for your things, they're under the red blanket on your left."


She stared at the older man's back. Did he see her? But he wasn't even looking. She buried those thoughts away and lifted the thick heavy blanket just to see her now dry backpack and bokken.


"Where did you find me?" Her voice was so coarse she barely recognized it.


"I found you sprawled on the road last night, for a moment I thought you were dead or drunk but you did not smell of alcohol and you still had a pulse so I decided to take you since bandits are abounding in that area."


"I see, thank you very much," she said bowing her head slightly.


This time, the man turned his head and looked directly to her face as he spoke. "You're welcome; besides, an old man could use some company to talk to," he turned his head back to the road again, "I'm sorry I was rude, my name is Yukishiro Oibore."


"Laidler Kaoru."


Kaoru noticed the change in the elder's voice when he spoke again. The tone had somehow changed - it was more easy, not so formal anymore - paternal even. "A gaikoku-jin, but you do not look foreign at all. You look so Japanese, well, except for those blue eyes you have."


She crept closer to the place Oibore sat. Her hands enclosed to her bent legs, her things by her side. "My father was German; it was my mother who was Japanese sir." Oibore's head nodded in comprehension. She suddenly remembered her main agenda and asked.


"Yukishiro-san, you said I have been asleep the whole morning, can I ask what road we are travelling right now?" She smiled, noticing that her voice wasn't so strained anymore and delighted to be talking to someone after a long time.


"Ah, yes. Well we are now nearing Rokko Mountain, I forgot the name of this road, forgive me I'm an old man, but we're behind the coastal site of Kobe. Can I ask where you are headed so I know where to drop you off?"


Rokko Mountain, perfect. She just saved herself a day of walking. "I'm headed to Mt. Rokko Yukishiro-san."


Oibore wiped the sweat from his forehead. This Kaoru; his daughter was about her age when she died. He touched the bottle of white plums that he kept inside his gi; that was her favourite scent - it suited her so for she was a very calm woman, the same effect that the fragrance infected on people. He corrected his perfectly round shaped glasses and adjusted his wide straw hat to fit his head firmly.


"Good, we're about ten minutes away from the foot of the mountain; can I drop you off there Laidler?"


"If it won't cause any trouble Yukishiro-san, it would be perfect." Kaoru noticed that Yukishiro did not have a hard time pronouncing her last name unlike most Japanese she knew.


"By the way, where did you come from young lady? If you don't mind me asking."


"I'm from Edo and I came here for a very important deal."


"I see. You've come a very long way. You should be careful next time not to exhaust yourself that much."


It was mid-afternoon and Kaoru felt the buggy slow down. She looked up and saw a check point swarming with policemen ten meters away. No! Not when I'm so near… No.





Deshima, Kyushu Japan
Fall 1853





Five years passed since Von Allen's birth. Genereux and her son stood in the middle of the garden of their European inspired mansion. The wind carried the scent of the flowers to and fro. A picnic basket and a white mat lay a foot behind them, untouched. The mother and son had no similar features except the brilliant red hair that adorned their heads.


All was well, her business was flourishing and she need not do anything for Octave did all transactions since their marriage. He was, in fact, in Edo at the moment proposing some business deals with one of Japan's most successful man, Takeda Kanryuu.


Young Von Allen stood stiffly beside his mother. The winds were cold; an indication that winter was drawing near. His little face was tinted pink. It was near dark. Everyday after all the five tutors had gone home and the servants retreated to their evening chores, mother and son would go out into the gardens for their everyday training. This day though they started early; the servants brought them their supper when both refused to go inside and eat. They had not laid a finger on the food since.


Gene's form towered over her son. Between her fore and middle finger a flimsy paper fluttered with every draft that passed. Gene nodded, eyes gazed on her son who was holding a similar piece of paper. The surroundings were beginning to darken even more; the sun had fully set but the moon had failed to appear.


Von Allen raised his hand and threw the paper towards one of the Sakura trees around the garden. As expected, the paper hit the trunk and produced a scratch upon impact. Von Allen questioningly looked at his mother.


Gene watched as Von Allen threw the paper towards the target. Young as he was, the boy was exhibiting skills that surpassed others older than he. Still this wasn't enough, as a Livienspiel he was blood bound to be the inheritor of the Naked Weapon technique, Gene would not settle for mediocrity even if her son was anything but. She could see the untapped potential within her son and by all means she would unleash them.


She silently headed towards the injured trunk and bent to see the scratch eye level. The paper flew away with a passing draft. At first glance the wound on the trunk did seem like a scratch but at closer inspection it was at least half an inch thick. Gene smiled inwardly. This was very good, her son was learning well.


"You'd have to train harder Allen," her back was facing her son "that was a shallow shoot. We'll resume tomorrow. I hope I see better progress then."


Von Allen bowed in respect, eyes following his mother's retreating form. He stood straight when the door shut behind Gene and closed his eyes feeling the wind move about his scarlet hair. Five years passed since Von Allen's birth and he stood in the middle of the garden of their European inspired mansion, cheeks tainted pink with the cold.

"That's nonsense Gene, Kenshin's a strong boy you know it. What I don't understand is why you need him to endure so much this early."


Genereaux put the western tea cup down and stoically faced her companion and long time business friend.


"Hiko, I've been informed that the school of Hiten trains children even younger than Von Allen. He is a child yes but the tide has gone from bad to worse. The Ishinishi are multiplying and the people are starting to believe in their ideals. It won't be long before the Shogunate falls and that would not end peacefully I suspect. He has to be trained."


Seijirou Hiko, recent successor of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu and potter extraordinaire, shrugged.


"I understand. But he has to know more about the world around him if you want him to be prepared for it."


"He has tutors to for that reason Hiko."


"No, no. What I mean is he has to get out of this house. He has to see with his own eyes the scenarios which you are preparing him for."


Gene looked outside the window. The sunlight caused her eyes to glow a brilliant gold. Her chest moved up and down with her steady breathing.


"No. What I want for him is to be immune to those kinds of feelings he may gather from outside. Emotion would only bring him more trouble."





Edo Police Head Quarters
Spring 1876





"Yoshida, are you okay?" The young officer looked at the direction of the voice. The door was half open. A woman carrying a tray full of papers was worriedly looking at him.


"Iyama? Yes, I'm fine. May I help you with those?"


The woman looked at her load and grinned at him.


"With this? No! Akira, you should be getting ready for your big debut presentation which would be about," she managed to hold the tray with a single hand and looked at her watch, "ten minutes from now."


"What? Ten minutes? But I've been here since quarter to eight this morning; you mean I've been working for two hours already?"


"Yes, so there's nothing to worry about. Everything's going to be alright you'll see. Stop being so tense. Well, I better get going see you later Yoshida! Good luck."


"Thanks Keiko."


The heavy double doors shut and Yoshida Akira started to make finishing touches on his presentation. He would have been okay if it was just any normal presentation; unfortunately Kajiuchi Toshiro's presence crushed any hopes for that. Akira buttoned his shirt. A stern man that Kajiuchi was.

"…but Laidler started to retaliate. He ordered his men to arms and attacked our men."


"And the women? Your report states that women were also killed that night. What happened Yoshida?"


Akira wiped the sweat from his forehead. The heat and the closed windows did not do any good for his nervousness.


"In page thirteen sirs, Kajiuchi-san orders the women to leave the fight scene but they were also armed and began attacking our men shortly."


The man with red rimmed glasses looked at Kajiuchi and spoke with his patented croaky voice that disturbed Akira so. "Is that true Kajiuchi? I find it rather hard to believe that a lady like Kamiya Naoko could bear arms and resist an officer. How can you prove that they did resist?"


"My men were there Mizoguchi-san. Their testimonies will prove as much but if you're looking for concrete evidences of their rebellion there are none sir, except for some circumstantial evidence."


"Then please tell Kajiuchi."


Toshiro Kajiuchi stood and signalled for Yoshida to sit.


"We are all aware that it was the Kamiya family who created the kendo sword style Kamiya Kasshin Ryu or more specifically, Naoko's father. Naoko's brother, Koshijourou and herself were trained and became masters at the age of sixteen. She was as proficient as her brother who had won kendo matches all over Japan. Her daughter, Kaoru was trained as well and became master before the death of Koshijourou making them both potential killers."


"But isn't Kamiya Kasshin Ryu also known as the Sword that Protects? It would go against the school's principles to kill isn't that right Kajiuchi?"


Toshiro inwardly smiled. Oh how he had prepared for this; every tiny little detail of it. The only secret was making both dreadfully wrong ends meet and making the audience believe but somehow Mizoguchi Konoe was making it difficult for him.


"Yes that is correct sir but as you've said the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu's principle is to protect. The mother and daughter did what they were taught. They protected Laidler Vincent as a wife and daughter like the teachings of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu taught: to protect the ones you love."


Kajiuchi sat and Yoshida continued his report. Mizoguchi Konoe and the rest of the six-man committee remained silent all through out the presentation since then. How easily manipulated, those fools.





Kobe, Japan
Spring 1876





Oibore looked at Kaoru's stunned expression and discerned something was wrong. Her mood changed instantly upon sight of the checkpoint. "Quick, hide your things behind that stack of hay and sit beside me child."


At first Kaoru did not understand the orders Oibore barked at her. Her mind was busy devising ways to escape into the forest unnoticed by the police. When Oibore repeated himself, she did as she was told, composed herself and sat beside him.


Seven meters.


Six.


Five.


Four.


Three.


Two.


One.


And they were stopped in front of the checkpoint. The police started rummaging the contents of the buggy but the hay stack remained untouched.


Oibore held Kaoru's hand in his and smiled, assuring her that everything would work out. Kaoru seemed to get the message and relaxed beside him.


"What is you name?" A stout blue clad fellow suddenly appeared. He stood beside Kaoru, a clipboard in hand.


"Yukishiro Oibore," the old man answered calmly. The man scribbled something on the clipboard.


"And you?" He said, eyes looking uninterested, referring to Kaoru. Oibore spoke before Kaoru could answer.


"She is my daughter officer. Yukishiro Tomoe." More scribbling.


"Is that so? Can I see both your papers?" Kaoru loosened her hands from Oibore, ready to jump and run when needed. Her gaze was fixed on him as he silently opened his bag and handed tattered pieces of paper to the man. If they found out who she was they would surely arrest her. Her hands began to sweat. There were so many of them, armed policemen, that it would be risky to try to escape.


"This one's clean sir." A voice coming from the back of the buggy declared. The stout man looked sternly at Kaoru and then at the papers. He seemed to have debated over something before handing the papers back to Oibore.


"Thank you for your cooperation Yukishiro-san. There have been multiple reports of robbery in these parts and we intend to catch the culprits. Sorry for the inconvenience."


Kaoru hadn't noticed she held her breath until the man spoke those words. So, they were not looking for her after all. She was safe thanks to Oibore. It made her think though, where was Yukishiro-san's daughter, Tomoe? Well, she can ask him later. She was just so relieved at the moment. Oibore pulled the reins and the buggy came back to life.

"Thank you so much Yukishiro-san, for everything. Though I feel I must tell you why I'm in hiding somehow."


"No need for that. Believe it or not I feel that I should trust you young lady. Just be careful. I wish you well on your journey."


Oibore lifted his tattered straw hat, nodded and secured it back on his head. For the last time, Kaoru sincerely bowed to Oibore. The dust from the buggy formed clouds on the road. Yukishiro-san had just dropped her off at the foot of Mt. Rokko.


This is it, Kaoru thought. She adjusted her backpack and tightened her hand guards. It had shrunk a bit but it still fit her nevertheless. She followed the narrow foot path Oibore pointed out to her before he left. She received occasional scratches from the protruding branches and bites on her exposed flesh courtesy of the many mosquitoes and insects she came upon on the way.


Kaoru observed the slight change in angle of the road she travelled on. Hours later, when the sun started retreating, the elevation had risen tremendously and the temperature began to grow colder. Kaoru decided to rest or she would surely faint from fatigue. Her water bottle was now empty and her stomach was contracting from hunger.


She found a big rock outside the path. She walked towards it and slumped on the ground, her back supported by the rock. She was going hungrier by the minute that even the insects looked palatable to her. During this moment of weakness all she could think of was keeping herself alive to reach Himura in less time.


Her concentration was so tremendous that her defence instinct kicked in when a human figure bent and examined her. She immediately got hold of her bokken and started to attack the person as relentlessly as her body could conjure. The only sight she could catch from her blurred vision was the colour red swiftly avoiding her advances.


When all her strength was drained, Kaoru's body fell on the ground. She shakily stood back up to only find herself crushed to a man's body. She stared into his eyes. Gold, she thought, his eyes are golden just like…


"Himura?"


As the hilt of the man's sword made impact on her nape, the events of that dreaded night replayed on her mind before darkness claimed her.


"But mother, I can't just leave you here!"


"Kaoru, you must go, here's some money it's not much. Go to Himura, to the mountain I've been telling you about please my daughter you have to live!"


Heavy boots sounded against the wood flooring of the Laidler household. Kaoru Kamiya Laidler felt her mother slip something into her hands.


Kaoru wiped the tears from her face. "Mother, why are they doing this? I still can't understand why!"


Naoko hugged her daughter and whispered to her ear, "Shh… You'll understand in due time. Now, go out the same way you sneaked in, they haven't discovered the basement exit yet. Be careful my Kaoru, I love you."


"Please tell father I will be back, wait for me mother I will be back." She scurried for the exit and silently closed the back gate. It was so dark then, no ornaments grazed the skies. From her crouching position hidden behind the bushes, she could still hear murmurs from the men surrounding her house and the death scream that would haunt her sleep forever.





Author's Notes:
Wow, thanks for those really inspiring reviews! I never even expected more than five. Thanks a lot! Really! Here's the next chappie, hope you like it. I kind of forgot to put a disclaimer on the first chap so here it is. And this applies for the whole fic okay?


Standard Disclaimers Apply
(For the whole fic) The Rurouni Kenshin, Shibumi and Naked Weapon don't belong to me. They are owned by a bunch of more fortunate *and richer* people.