Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Where Do We Go From Here ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Rurouni Kenshin

Where Do We Go From Here

Chapter Two

The morning after his talk with Miss Kaoru, Kenshin decided it was time he went in search of a job. He left the Dojo at a brisk pace in the direction of Main Street. He knew the perfect place to go, for he had had offers form them many times in the past. He was absolutely certain they would employ him. As he approached the building of his destination he stopped at the entrance and took a deep breath to steel himself. With the utmost confidence he enters the Imperial State Police headquarters in the 8th district of Tokyo. Kenshin walks up to the desk officer at the reception counter who is busy sorting papers. "Hello," Kenshin looks at the officer's collar rank insignia; a pale blue rectangle, bordered in dark blue with three small, black enamel star pins in the center; "Staff Sergeant, I am Kenshin Himura; I'm here to see Chief Ichimori please."

"Do you have an appointment Mr. Himura?" asks the Staff Sergeant.

"No I do not, but if you tell him who I am and that I wish to see him, I am positive he will allow me to meet with him." Kenshin states with certainty; the Staff Sergeant looks at him curiously for a moment as if sizing him up, then finally replies.

"Very well Mr. Himura. Wait right here please and I shall go send someone to check with the Chief."

"Thank you Staff Sergeant." Kenshin turns to his side and leans against the desk as the Staff Sergeant walks to the door at the end of the reception counter, opens it and calls out to a passing corporal and orders him to go ask the Chief if he would accept an audience with a Mr. Kenshin Himura. A minute later Kenshin and the Staff Sergeant hear angry shouting and startled mumbling. After few seconds the Corporal bursts thought the door looking rather shaken.

"You may see the Chief now." The Corporal mutters unsteadily. "Follow me please."

"Thank you again Staff Sergeant, Corporal." Kenshin says nodding to each in turn then following the Corporal through the door beside the Staff Sergeant's desk and down a long hallway, the Staff Sergeant nods in reply to Kenshin's thanks and goes back to sorting papers.

The Corporal says nothing as he leads Kenshin down the hall to the Chief's office. When they reach the Chief's office door Kenshin pauses a moment in hesitation. He isn't sure if he should really go though with this. What if a government official found out he, the former Hitokiri Battosai, had become a police officer. They might try to order him to assassinate someone in opposition to them. Or some other such nonsense. Well, he resolved, he'd just have to deal with that problem when and if it arose. The Corporal opened the Chief's office door and announced Kenshin's presence.

Kenshin steps into the office and sees Chief Ichimori shuffling though a handful reports. When Kenshin fully enters the office and the Corporal leaves shutting the door behind him; the Chief looks up from his reports and gives Kenshin a look that says 'Finally, what took you so long?.' Instead of saying what is obviously on his mind the Chief says, "Himura, welcome. Please have a seat." motioning to one of the wooden chairs in front of his desk.

Kenshin nods in acknowledgement and says "Thank you Chief Ichimori, I appreciate your seeing me on such sort notice."

"Not at all, Himura, not at all. So, what can I do for you? I must admit, I'm quit surprised that you're here so soon after the last time we were in need of your services." Chief Ichimori told him with a casual tone to his voice.

"Believe me Chief I'm just as surprised that I'm here as you are." Kenshin states seriously.

"Anyway tell me what I can do for you Himura?" the Chief asks smiling innocently.

At this question Kenshin lowers his head to look at the floor. He's beginning to feel ashamed, though he's unable to comprehend why. "Well Chief, this is rather difficult for me to ask--that it is, but you see, well….I need a job….and I was wondering….would you be willing to hire me. Please?" When he finishes talking Kenshin looks up from the floor to see the Chief staring at him in astonishment.

"But, why--I mean, it's just that every other time you have been ask to work for the government in some way you have been extremely hesitant to accept, and now your asking for a job. I just don't understand why you would do this," said the Chief in utter disbelief. Kenshin merely nods in agreement.

"This is very true Chief--that it is, but distressing circumstances have changed all that. Now I am in need of work and this is the only place I could think of to turn to." Kenshin states with his head bowed in shame.

The Chief looks at him in confusion and asks; "What circumstances are those?"

Kenshin sighs then says in a subdued tone "The dojo were I am lodging has come into some financial difficulty. Miss Kaoru, the women who owns the dojo, has been the only one bringing in any income. She has been supporting four people including herself and whoever happens by, for the past year. Now I am afraid it has become far too much for her.

With running the dojo, training students, supporting borders and instructing at other dojo's whenever she can; Miss Kaoru has become increasingly irritable, tired and….well….thin. I'm very afraid She's making herself ill trying to take care of everything and it is not right; she should not have to exhaust herself just to take care of a few boarders.

This is why I need a job. Miss Kaoru should not have to be doing this to herself and I mean to help her; if only by bring in some extra money." Kenshin ends his speech and looks up at Chief Ichimori. The Chief looks at him strangely for a moment then shrugs.

"Very well Himura. I am more than willing to have you join the force. In fact, I just happen to have an opening. It's good you came in when you did; I was having difficulty deciding whom I was going to re-assign to take over this now empty position anyway. You see Himura one of my lieutenants just retired; he was commander of the 11th Swordsman Platoon, I believe this would be the perfect position for you." The Chief looks at Kenshin expectantly. Kenshin looks at the Chief as if he has two heads.

"This is a more than gracious offer Chief--that it is. But, isn't this a bit….much to be offering someone with no experience in command? I was expecting something more along the lines of a position as a patrol officer. As you know during the war I was an assassin. I worked alone. I never had to command a force of any size, and know your offering me a fifty man platoon? Are you certain this is wise?" Kenshin says in uncertainty.

The Chief shakes his head in amusement. "No Himura, it's not. You should be a general in the military, a battalion commander at least, so no Himura I could not in good conscience offer you anything less than what I am." The Chief explains. "So do you except this position or not?" He asks. Kenshin thought this over for a moment. It was a very good offer. In fact, it was the ideal position. Not only was it a position that was perfect for his degree of skill, but also it should hopefully pay well. But first, he needed to find out a few things.

"Before I except Chief, I have a few questions."

"By all means Himura, ask."

"Well, first I'd like to know what this position pays."

"You would be paid no less than 6400 yen a month." Kenshin's eyes grow unbelievably wide at this pronouncement and he becomes momentarily speechless.

"6400 yen?! Chief, that is….I mean….would you really pay me that much?! And per month?! By the gods Chief….why? Miss Kaoru only receives 900 yen a month from all her students combined and only 50 yen a day for teaching at other dojos. That would be enough to pay Miss Kaoru's monthly expenses and then some."

"Himura we are a government organization so we are paid duly and often. Besides, incase you haven't noticed, Kaoru Kamiya is a women, she should not even be working much less teaching swordsmanship. She does not deserve to be paid anything at all. Women belong in the home not in the work force." At this declaration Kenshin glares at the Chief with the utmost disdain.

"Chief, never, ever, disrespect Miss Kaoru in my presence again! Do you understand?!" Kenshin exclames with deadly seriousness. The Chief pales visibly when he notices Kenshin's eye are specked with amber. Chief Ichimori's eyes widen shock and fear. "First of all, Miss Kaoru has no other choice but to work. There is no one else living with her who is and/or capable of bring in an income. Secondly even if there were it would not matter, there is no reason why Miss Kaoru should not do the very thing that she loves; which just happens to be instructing kendo, further more it is not your place or anyone else's to say whether or not Miss Kaoru should be working. It is entirely her choice. Do I make myself perfectly clear?!"

"Yes, absolutely, my mistake. It'll never happen again." The Chief assures him in an unsteadily voice, laughing nervously. "Now, um, what other questions did you have for me?" Chief Ichimori asks cautiously, still scared shitless. Kenshin glares at him a moment more; then relaxes his features into a less threatening expression.

"My second question deals with the function of this position." Kenshin states boldly. The Chief get a confused look on his face.

"What do you mean, I thought it was self-explanatory?"

"It is not. I realize I would be in authority of a platoon of swordsman-- that I do. I also know that I will be required to dispatch squads to dispel of minor affairs and to patrol the streets in my section of the city. But what else would I be obligated to do?"

"I see, well Himura, you would be in command of a platoon, of course. As you know platoons are divisions of 150 man companies; so you would be under the direct command of Captain Jotaro Oshima. He is the commander of D Company. In addition to the 11th Platoon there are the 10th and 12th Platoons of D Company. So you would have to meet and sometimes work along side of Captain Oshima and Lieutenants Kamatari Asano commander of the 10th Platoon and Izumo Nakahara commander of the 12th Platoon."

"Your platoon would of course consist of five squads. Four regular sergeants will be in command of four of the squads. You will have ten corporals; there are two per squad. Their purpose is to lead five-man detachments and help the sergeants direct the squads. A detachment is what you would send to investigate any routine situation you feel could have the makings of, or is a possible crime. You will also have thirty-three privates, regular police officers." The Chief pause for a moment to make sure that Kenshin understands. Satisfied that he is making sense he continues.

"Platoon Sergeant Yoshi Mitsubishi would be your second in command. He is also in command of First Squad. He has been with the police force for over ten years so he should be of great assistance to you."

"In addition you would have Staff Sergeant Benjiro Daishi as your personal aid, he is also able to command a squad if you so desire it. But his main purpose is platoon management, in other words he takes care of all the paperwork so that you have more time to deal with the men. You, yourself would also be obligated to patrol with one squad in addition to commanding the entire platoon and dispatching the other squads and/or detachments as needed for each situation," Chief Ichimori explains. Kenshin nods his understanding.

"Furthermore, since the Imperial State Police is a nationwide law enforcement organization, a lieutenant is also considered an assistant inspector, so on occasion you may be called upon to investigate certain incidences that happen to arise whenever and wherever they may occur. For that matter you should know that when, not if, but when you are promoted to the rank of captain; which suspect will be sooner that you would like to believe…" the Chief smiles mischievously. "You would be considered a full inspector so you would have in my investigative responsibility."

"Well that's all there is to it Himura; anymore questions?"

"Yes, one last question," Kenshin pauses for a moment thinking of how to word his question right. "Well this isn't really a question more of a request-- that it is." Kenshin pauses again waiting for an acknowledgement from the Chief.

"As long as your request is within my boundaries to grant, it will be arranged." The Chief replies. Kenshin just nods.

"I assure you Chief that it is. I request that I have someone, preferably another lieutenant, accompany me in this position, for at least a month's time so that I may have an experienced veteran at my side to help me when and if I need it. Also to train and guide me in the conduct of leading a police swordsman platoon." Kenshin explains plainly. The Chief looks at Kenshin for a moment in indecision, and then shrugs.

"Very well Himura, in fact I know the perfect person for the job. He is one of our existing Swordsman Platoon lieutenants. He commands the 5th Platoon of B Company. He is on leave at the moment but I believe he would be more that willing to accept this assignment."

"I do not wish to be an inconvenience for this lieutenant-- that I do not. I'm sure he would rather finish out his leave rather than attempt to train an inexperienced platoon commander." Kenshin states sincerely.

"Oh, not at all Himura, it's not what you would call a voluntary leave."

"I see, well, I don't want to be trained by a troublemaker either. That could reflect badly on my troops and myself-- that it could." The Chief looks at him in confusion for a moment.

"Oh! No Himura, it's nothing like that. The lieutenant was simply working to hard and I thought he could benefit form a little downtime with his wife, if you get my meaning." The Chief smirks.

"Oh, yes, all right Chief what is this lieutenant's name?"

"His name is Lieutenant Goro Fujita." Kenshin's eyes grow wide at this statement.

"Goro Fujita!? Your, your not serious, are you?" Kenshin asks in a wavering tone of voice. The Chief looks at him strangely.

"Of course I'm serious. Why, do you know him?" Kenshin nods an affirmative. "Well, is this a problem Himura?"

"Oh! No Chief, it's not a problem, I was just surprised is all. Um, one more question Chief."

"What's that Himura?"

"When do I start?"

"Is tomorrow fine with you?"

"Yes tomorrow with be perfect Chief. The gives me just enough time to tell Miss Kaoru."

"Excellent, report to my office at six o'clock tomorrow morning and we'll get everything in order. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes I shall see you tomorrow morning. Now if you will excuse me, I must be going, it is nearly lunch time and Miss Kaoru will be hungry after her second class." Kenshin explains getting up form his chair. The Chief gets up as well and the two bow to one another, "Good Day Chief Ichimori."

"Good Day to you to Himura." Kenshin smiles and walks out the door.

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I had to revise this chapter because there were a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. Thanks for reading. Please review; let me know if it's better.