Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Romantic Tales of the Meiji ❯ Give Me Peaceful Days ( Chapter 2 )

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

Rurouni Kenshin
Tear Stained Smile

Episode 2
Give Me Peaceful Days


The train pulled to a stop in the Tokyo train station. Saitoh stood, suitcase
in hand. He made his way through the small crowded walkways and out the door.
The sun was setting and the air was getting chilly, the signs of autume
evident in the gold of the leaves and fridged wind that blew across the
station.

"Kenji! Kenji get back here!"

Saitoh was immediatly struck in the shin by a running child. A child with
red hair. The little boy fell on his rear and looked up at Saitoh in
surprise. It was when the boy started crying that's when Saitoh felt a twinge
of uncertainty. He had absolutly NO idea what to do.

"There you are Kenji," A young black haired woman swepped the boy up and
he quieted immediatly. "I'm sorry--Hajime-san!" Himura Kaoru, wife of
the Battousai, stood before Saitoh dressed in a plain blue kimono with a
light blue Obi and a matching ribbon in her high ponytail.

"You lose your son again, Ugly?!" Yahiko ran up behind Karou.

"WHO YA CALLIN UGLY!?" SMACK!

'They haven't changed', Saitoh thought.

"Good Evening Saitoh-san," Himura Kenshin, or rather a very CHANGED Himura
came out through the crowd. His hair was short and the scar was fading, it
was still noticable but fading. And he wore the same old outfit and a sword
at him hip. It wasn't just his appearence, it was the look in his eyes. The
guilt was still there, but so was the acceptence of himself and his past.
So much that you could see a little bit of the Battousai peeking out at
you.

"Battousai," He greeted coldly. "Where's Moron?" He looked for the spikey
headed idiot. The lanky man was no where to be found.

"He went off to see the world, quote, unquote," Twelve year old Yahiko
explained rubbing his black eye, given to him by his only motherly
figure Kaoru. He was taller by an inch or so but hadn't changed much
at all except that his voice was squeaky.

Saitoh nodded. The good for nothing Roosterhead was gone, this was going to
make his job much easier.

"Do you have any more bags?" Karou asked eyeing his one, beat up leather
suitcase.

"No."

"Talk about traveling lightly," Yahikoe whispered to Kenshin.

Kenshin shrugged. "Then we should be getting home, or would you like to stop
at the Akebeko and we can get something to eat while we talk?"

"It doesn't matter to me, as long as my business here is cleared up as soon
as possible."

"Alright, the Akebeko it is then," Kenshin led the way, Yahiko strutting
beside him arrogantly. Karou and the one called Kenji had fallen into
step with himself.

"You look really nice Saitoh, you don't see many people dressed in western
style clothes in Tokyo." She complimented. Kaoru was used to seeing the
Wolf of Mibu dressed sharply and perfectly clean, but she'd never seen him
in a western style suit before.

"Thank you," Still cold and aloft.

"How's Misao? Did she send anything with you?"

"Yes," He extracted a letter from his blazer pocket and handed it to Kaoru.

She tucked it into her obi, "Thank you. But how is she?"

"She's with child."

"Oh that's wonderful! How far along is she?" Kaoru asked excitidly.

"Four months next week."

"Aoshi must be so happy! He deserves some happiness and peace after all
that's happened." Kaoru commented.

"He's estatic," Saitoh said sarcastically.

"I bet, although it doesn't sound like Aoshi to jump up and down and scream
at the top of his lungs in joy, that it does not." Kenshin laughed.

"No, that's you!" Yahiko smirked.

Kenshin laughed nervously and sweatdropped, "Well . . . I can't say anything,
that I can't."

Kaoru laughed, "True, but it makes for cute memories. Especially when
Sanosuke was forced to bring you home from the Akebeko dead drunk."

Kenshin blushed, "Oh lookie, we're here, that we are!"

They stepped inside the quiet resturant and were greeted by Tsubame. She
smiled kindly and showed them to their usual table in the back. Monday
nights were normally quiet at the Akebeko.

"What can I get you to drink?"

"Four cups of tea and one milk please. You do like tea, right Hajime-san?"
Kaoru asked.

"Yes."

"Okay, be right back."

"Tsubame-nee-chan! Tsubame-nee-chan!!" Kenji sqeauled as he reached for
Tsubame, his babysitter when Kenshin and Kaoru went away or wanted some
time to themselves.

"Hello there Kenji-chan!" She ruffled his hair playfully. "He's gotten
so big."

"Yes, and isn't it amazing just how much he looks like Kenshin?" Kaoru
fawned.

Saitoh twitched, what was with women and babies!? He didn't get it, he
had a son of his own and stil didn't understand. He felt pride for
his son but not this kind of 'affection'. And he DEFINATLY didn't jump
up and down and scream at the top of his lungs, he did let his regimon
take him out to celebrate with sake but this kind of. . . reaction.

"Yahiko-kun," Tsubame said when she was finished playing with Kenji, "Ms.
Tae want's to know if you'll work tomorrow? I was going to drop by after
my shift and ask you."

Yahiko blushed and mumbled, "Okay. . ."

"Great, I'll tell her." She smiled and left to go get their drinks.

"So, Saitoh-san what is it you wanted to speak with us about. Your message
was incredibaly vague, that it was." Kenshin questioned.

Saitoh cleared his throat and wished his cigarette's weren't in his
suitcase. He might as well just come out and say it bluntly, "Someone,
is after your life, Battousai."

"You certainly get to the point don't ya?" Yahiko asked not surprised in the
least bit.

Kenshin sighed, "I'm guessing you don't know who it is."

"Tousai! Tousai!!" Kenji yelled happily.

"Now look at what you have him calling his father," Kaoru scolded, "Do you
know when they'll come?"

"No," Saitoh said, "We don't know anything. But we do have witness."

"To what?"

"A murder in Kyoto, it happened just three days ago. Most disgusting thing
I've ever seen in my life, and I won't go into details with the kids
around." He said this with a sneer at yahiko, wanting to get a rise out of
the hot blooded 'Samurai Brat'.

"Who ya callin a kid?!" Yahiko nearly stood up but he got smacked by Kaoru.

Damn, almost worked.

"You ARE a kid Yahiko, get over it."

"And you're ugly!"

SMASH!

A plate collided with Yahiko's face. "OWWW!"

Maybe it worked better then he thought, these were very humorous people.

Kenshin's face was serious, "Who was murdered?"

"A Chinese man, his name was Sho Li, does that name ring any bells?" Saitoh
asked going into detective mode.

"No, I don't know anyone from China." Kenshin shrugged, 'Well except
maybe Enishi but, he wasn't originally from China and he's in prison,'
Kenshin though.

"I see, then can you think of anyone who might want revenge on you?"

Kenshin gave him a look that said, 'What do you think?'

"Sorry, stupid question." Saitoh smirked, "I'm having some of my informates
look into this. Don't worry yourself too much."

"Easy for you to say," Kenshin muttered under his breath.

"When are you returning to Kyoto?" Kaoru interrupted, cracking the building
tension between the two men.

"Tomorrow evening," He answered.

"You are welcome to stay with us until then," Kaoru offered with voice that
left no room for disagreement.

"Thank you," He murmered.

After that the group fell into nothing more then innocent small talk about
recent political events, memories of the past(especially the hilerious
moments between Saitoh and Sano) and Saitoh told them about Ayama thanks
to Yahiko's curiosity. For that night, they escaped the impending sensation
of doom that settled within their souls.

* * * *

"Where's Ayama-san?" Aoshi asked as he came into the kitchen so quietly
that Misao jumped in surprise.

Misao stood at the stove stirring a pot of boiling rice and vegetables. She
wore a yellow kimono gi with small umbrellas eteched deliactly into the
fabric.

"She's outside playing the children at the orphenage," Misao smiled at him,
she in one of her hyper moods.

He sighed, "Is anyone with her?"

"Gramps is out there as well," She gave him a warning look, "Don't scold her,
she can't stay cooped up in the house all the time."

"She should know how dangerous it is to go out by herself. And to play with
children isn't a good enough reason to put one's self in danger." He
crossed his arms stubbornly.

"She isn't just playing with them, she's teaching them. Have you ever just
watched her? The catholic nuns love her and the children love her even
more! Ever since she's been here, the only things that really make her happy
is when she's playing with children, helping me or even watching you
teach classes." She sighed.

"I know, I've had to explain to my students that she's a cousin of yours
because she's around so often. I doubt they believe me, you two don't look
that much alike, except for height." He sat on the floor, his legs outside
the open back door.

"She's taller then me." Misao put a few seasonings into the pot.

"You know what I mean."

"Dinner's almost ready, could you go get Aya-chan and Gramps?" She said
trying to give her husband something to do so she could consentrate on
supper.

"Hai," He stood and left getting the point.

She laughed and continued to stir the rice. Aoshi had opened up a lot since
he came back from working with Shishio. He was still reserved and quiet,
but he said what he thought and even expressed his opinion once and a while.
It was good to be able to talk to him, but she also liked just sitting with
him while he read or meditated. Shaking the thoughts of her husband from
her mind, she got out the dishes and went to go set the table.


Aoshi glanced around outside. Okina was sitting in a rocking chair imported
from Europe on the porch. His mouth was hanging open like a cod-fish and
a snot bubble inflated with his snoreing. Aoshi really hated waking the
old man up, he was pain to awaken.

"Hey old man," Aoshi shook the old man's shoulder.

Okina snorted and mumbled someting about sushi.

"Wake up."

"No mommma, let me sleep a little more. . ." He turned over in the chair.

Aoshi's frown deepened. "Get up."

SMACK!

Aoshi was sent backwards and onto the ground with a giant hand print on
his face. For an old guy, he certainly had some strength left in him. He
stood, more determined then ever to wake this old man up.

He stomped over to the well and pulled up a pale of ice-cold water. He
couldn't help the sadistic smirk that spread across his lips. With predetor
like stealth he crossed the yard back over to the old man on the porch. Just
as he he stepped up in front of the old man's rocking chair. . .

"GRAMPS! DINNNER!"

The old man jumped up. . .

Aoshi fell backwards. . .

The pale went into the air. . .

SPLASH! THUD!!

"DAMN YOU OLD MAN!!!!" Aoshi thought. He was soaking wet with the pale
on top of his head. He could hear the muffled giggles of his wife.

"This isn't funny," He muttered.

"Yes it is," She pulled the pale off, "It's hilerious."

"No it isn't."

She kissed his wet forehead, "Go get Aya-chan then you can clean yourself
up. I'll keep dinner warm for you."

He got up. Squeezing and twisting his Gi as he walked to the small missonary
church not to far away. He saw Ayama sitting on the porch steps surronded
by children of all ages. Most sat in a semi-circle around the stairs, some
on the bottom step, a little boy was in Ayama's lap and the priest leaning
against the railing with a warm smile on his old face. Two nuns worked in
a small flower garden and another washed the stained-glass windows. Their
head occasionally turning to listen to Aya. From the movements of her
hands and the way her voice spoke she was telling them a story. The group
began laughing just as he appraoched.

"And so the warrior samurai said, 'But how am I supposed to catch a fish
larger then myself?' The old fishermen laughed and told him, ' you'll have
to figure that out for yourself.' " She mimicked the voices of the warrior
and old man. "Now the warrior sat there at the bay for the longest time,
thinking and meditating on how to catch this fish. Suddenly he heard foot
steps approaching him. . ." She paused dramaticaly.

"Come on Aya-chan! Tell us!" The little boy in her lap pressed.

She gave him a wink, "He turned to find an ugly old hag behind him. 'Who
are you woman?', he asked arrogantly. She cackled and answered, 'I will
tell you how to catch this fish.' This got the Warrior's attention, 'Tell
me then and stop wasteing my time!!' He was being impatient and rude to
the old woman, but she ignored it and said, ' If you kiss me I will tell
you.' "

"Did he kiss the old hag?" A little girl asked.

"I'm getting to that," Ayama laughed, " The man looked disgusted, but this
was a very UGLY old hag. He glared and said, 'I will not kiss a creature
such as yourself, now leave me.' She cackled again, 'Do not judged people
by their appearances. I will give you another chance, kiss me and I will
tell you how to catch that fish.' Once again he declined ever so rudly. And
the old hag's ugliness melted away and she transformed into an enchanted
sorceress fish with lovely scales that shined like diamonds and rubies under
the sun. He gasped and tried to catch the large fish, but it avoided him
and jumped into the water. "

"What happened to the warrior??" An older boy squealed.

"I'll tell you another time," She promised, her eyes sparkling. "Good evening
Aoshi-san."

He nodded, "Ayama-san, dinner is ready."

"Awwww! Can't you stay?!"

"Please Aya-chan?!"

"Don't go!"

The children's protests rang out until the priest silenced them calmly, "Now
children, Ayama-dono has to eat as well. She'll come back."

"Of course I will, I'll come back tomorrow." Ayama smiled and kissed each
child on the head. She gave Shinji, the small boy who had been on her lap
an extra tight hug.

"Ready?"

"Yes," She looked at him and stiffled a giggled, "Aoshi-san, why are you all
wet?"

"The old man decided I needed a bath."

She laughed, "Couldn't wake him up agian?"

"No," He changed to subject, "What happened to the Warrior?"

She winked at him, "That's a secret Aoshi-san."

He shrugged, you could never get a secret out of Ayama. You could ask her
over and over again and all she would say is, "That's a secret." and
wink at you. It was cute, but sometimes annoying.

She stopped suddenly and Aoshi looked back at her. She bent over a small
patch of white-purple irises.

"You know, the Iris is very conspicous in the rain otherwise you don't really
notice them."

"It's not raining," He said surprised by her comment.

"I know," She put the flower in her tied back hair and smiled.

* * * *
A/N

Well here's CHapter 2. It's just a fill-in chapter. THe plot begins to thicken in the
next chapter. And Soujiro makes his first and definatly not his last appearence. He is
a main character after all. If you're wondering why the text is more bunched together
it's because I as working on an older computer, the screen was tiny.(It's my personal
computer, I use the family computer to write because it's newer and bigger and it
has all my Mp3's. Hope you enjoyed this boring and rather uneventful chapter. Poor
Aoshi-chan!!!

ANother note: I've only seen the dubbed version(minus my wonderful Subbed OVA) and my
japanese is seriously rusty so this mostly in english. THis is why Kenshin doesn't say
'De Gozaru' and 'Seesha.' I'm not sure on how to use them, if I figure it out I'll probably
change it. But until then, ja!