Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Tale Of Two Gumis ❯ Getting to know you ( Chapter 3 )

 

Back in the Eleventh year of the Meiji…

 

“Wow!! That was the best food I've had in weeks!” Yahiko exclaimed as he fell back onto the floor of the Dojo (the only space large enough for their group to eat together.)

 

“Heh, we told you that Makoto is the best at cooking,” Haruka said as she leaned against the wall of the Dojo with Michiru beside her. “If she can't cook it, it doesn't deserve the name food.”

 

Casually reaching towards the plates still left Haruka spears a small tasty vegetable with her chopsticks and places it in Michiru's bowl. Michiru smiled warmly up at her.

 

Kenshin eyed the exchange. //There's definitely something more behind that then a friend helping a friend,// he thought as he watched them. But he turned back to the rest of the Sailor-Gumi as they chatted happily with the rest of the Kenshin-Gumi, putting that thought in the back of his mind to return to it later.

 

Looking around he saw Mamorou and Usagi cuddled together with Chibiusa curled on their laps. She was sleeping peacefully while the couple gazed fondly at her and each other. Hotaru, the other young girl with them, was curled up asleep on Setsuna's lap while the others were still chatting and laughing.

 

“So!!” said Megumi suddenly, and loudly enough to cut through the noisy babble. “We never learned what you all are doing here in Tokyo. We don't even know what you do.” She smiled around at the group and her gaze fell casually on Haruka. “Why don't you start, Tenoh-san?”

 

Haruka gazed at Megumi with one eyebrow raised and a slight twist to her mouth. “I'm Michiru's bodyguard and hired muscle,” she replied and gave Megumi an ironic half-bow.

 

“Oh, sou ka! What do you do that requires a bodyguard, Michiru-san?” Megumi asked politely, yet less formally than she had with Haruka.

 

Haruka smiled a little at that. It was obvious that Megumi was still being careful around her.

 

Nevertheless, Michiru was just as polite in her answer to Megumi's question and with a small laugh, she said; “Oh! I'm just a musician traveling with my apprentice, Mina-chan. The reason I hired Haruka is because we were attacked and all our belongings were stolen.” She sighed. “Including our instruments.”

 

“That's awful!” Kaoru exclaimed in horrified sympathy. “You must have been so scared! Did you get hurt?”

 

Michiru shook her head. “Iie, Haruka found and saved us before any real damage could be inflicted. Demo, it'll take time to make new instruments again. It's a major set back considering that our music is what earns our keep.”

 

“Hmm,” said Kaoru softly, and she glanced over at Kenshin. She was surprised to note how seriously his eyes appeared. His gentle rurouni smile still sparkled as brilliantly as the sun as he listened to the answers given by these girls to Megumi's questions. But he was still measuring these young ladies the way he sized up anyone who could be thought of as suspicious or an enemy.

 

//But these girls are not the enemy,// Kaoru thought wearily. //Are they?//

 

“Still, we'll get by for now, I suppose,” said Michiru as she put down her glass. “However, I noticed you had a great deal of wood outside. May I ask what you use it for?”

 

“Oh, that's for the bath house and for when we do our cooking,” Kaoru told her.

 

“Hmm,” said Michiru with a humble bow. “Would it be too much trouble if I imposed myself on you to take a look at that wood of yours? I need to find more wood that is appropriate for rebuilding the type of instruments we use.”

 

“Oh!” said Kaoru, all too happy to help. “Of course! Use as much as you need. We have plenty to spare. Right, Kenshin?”

 

Kenshin grinned at them. “Sou de gozaru na!” he said cheerfully.

 

Megumi, finally regaining her tongue, asked “What sort of instrument do you play?” Looking at Haruka she thinks //Why on earth do I get the feeling there's more to this then you're telling us.//

 

“I play a Western instrument called the Violin; it truly is a most wondrous instrument. All the varying tones are called forth by a bow carried across strings instead of a mallet or one's hands,” Michiru replied, glowing with obvious pleasure at the subject.

 

Kenshin and the others stared at her in wonderment. Her entire being seemed to sparkle with joy as she spoke and somehow, although no hint of what a violin sounded like had been given, they could hear beautiful music playing in the back of their minds and were mesmerized.

 

However, before she could continue Minako stepped in and said; “Please don't get her started! I have to hear about it all day during lessons. I would like to go one night without hearing about that thing.”

 

Kenshin and the others stared at her, startled. Minako immediately blushed.

 

“Gomen! Don't misunderstand me, onegai! I do love the instrument and it does produce wonderfully different sounds and tones. . . . Demo, it's all I hear or talk about during lessons and I like to let my mind rest from learning about it.”

 

At this Yahiko nods his understanding, “As a fellow apprentice I can appreciate the need for down time.”

 

“Down Time!? Down Time! All you ever get is down time!” Kaoru shrieks at her lazy apprentice “You almost never practice and you skip lessons constantly!” At this last statement, Kaoru whipped out her bokken and smacks him over the head with it.

 

“Itai!” Yahiko cried as he rubbed his head. “That hurt, busu!!”

 

“Nanni!!?” Kaoru shrieked and moved to strike him again. But before she could move, Kenshin had taken her by the arms and gently held her back.

 

“Maa, maa!” he said gently. “Let's get along, shall we?”

 

“Sure, but the kid shouldn't have called Kaoru san ugly,” said Minako, and the other girls all nodded their head.

 

“Mou!” Yahiko growled, and pouted while Kaoru triumphantly spit her tongue out at him.

 

Kenshin sighed. //Are we adults or children?// he thought bemusedly as he glanced at Kaoru.

 

“Well, as long as we're on the subject of what we're going to be doing here,” Setsuna said as some of the giggling around them ceased before it could awaken the sleeping girls. “I'm going to be offering my services as a tutor to some of the schools here in Tokyo. I thought that perhaps I could give children extra lessons, for a small fee of course.”

 

“Honto ni?” said Kaoru with a smile. “That's great!”

 

“Aa,” Kenshin agreed with a smile. “There are not that many good teachers here in Tokyo at the moment. And I'm certain the children would love you.”

 

Setsuna smiled appreciatively.

 

“As for me I'm going to open a restaurant here in Tokyo,” Makoto stated as she winked at Kenshin. “It's something I've always dreamed of and now I'm gonna make it happen!”

 

Despite what he knew of her obvious attentions towards him, Kenshin couldn't help but smile at Makoto. Her smile was so bright and full of anxious excitement and her eyes simply sparkled as she thought of the possibilities. Dreams should never be shunned, and he wouldn't do anything to discourage her. Nevertheless, he did need to think of something before her obvious attractions went too far.

 

However, as the discussion continued, Haruka continued her observation of Kenshin. Something about him interested her. It was the way he held himself and studied those around him. Of course, it could just mean that he was simply seasoned samurai. Except that most samurai did not possess the aura that he did. And his eyes glowed the way a samurai's eyes couldn't. He had power.

 

//Indeed, he's small but, if I'm not mistaken, incredibly athletic. And that grace of his movements that I've noticed . . . Most samurai don't move that way. They are quick and elegant, but not sleek and silent. They don't use that same tendency in every day life. But this man . . . This man is one born not only with innate talent, but he has also experience long, arduous training.//

 

Haruka sighed a moment as she studied the red head's face a moment longer. It held a wealth of knowledge and experience, but also many secrets. Yet she couldn't get over the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were as deep as her own, and yet he had not lived half so long.

 

Haruka frowned. //That smile of his . . . And his eyes. It hides a wealth of pain and regret. He fears for something and is reluctant. It's almost like `her', although I haven't seen `her' in years.//

 

Haruka shook her head. //Enough wool gathering. How do I learn the truth about him without challenging him?//

 

Haruka glanced at him again and received a shock when she noticed Kenshin watching her. His measuring gaze was as intense as those Haruka gave her worst enemies. Somehow, Haruka knew that Kenshin could stand up to her despite her obvious powers and the fact that he was not aware of them. But how could he do that?

 

She shook her head again, but gave Kenshin a reassuring nod of her head. He nodded back and seemed somewhat relieved, but he still watched her. He seemed curious of her too, but Haruka decided to ignore that for now. Watching Kenshin too much obvious attracted his attention way too easily. So for now, she'd just focus on the conversation.

 

“So, Ami san,” said Megumi. “What's your reasons for coming to Tokyo?”

 

“I came to Tokyo to find a Doctor,” Ami replied somewhat uneasily, and traced her memory to a controversial doctor of this period who had trained a woman to be a nurse, assistant and eventually even a doctor. “His name is Gansei, although I'm not sure where to find him. He's supposed to be very gifted.”

 

“Honto?” said Yahiko in surprise as he and the rest of the Kenshin gumi stared at her. And then, he and Kaoru suddenly burst out in wild laughter while Kenshin chuckled. Megumi, however, just smiled and shook her head.

 

Ami stared at them in confused surprise. “Nanni?” she asked in a somewhat aggrieved tone. “Doshte?” She turned to Megumi, somewhat desperate. “Megumi san, why is everyone laughing? And why are you shaking your head? Do you know Gansei sensei?”

 

At this Megumi nodded and actually giggled. But now she even seemed somewhat ruffled.

 

“Ah gomen, gomen! It's just that Dr. Gensai is our good friend of ours,” Kenshin told her apologetically. “Megumi dono actually studies with him and is learning to become a fine doctor herself. It's fate that we have run in to you, that's all. Honestly, it has nothing to do with your wish to study with him.”

 

“Don't forget to mention, Ken san, that our good `doctor' is somewhat lazy,” Megumi said with a sly glare. “Leaving me alone to do so much of his own work while he wanders off doing heaven knows what!”

 

“Just like someone else we know,” teased Makoto as she winked at Usagi.

 

“Nandesde!” Usagi grumbled, but the girls giggled.

 

“Demo, you really study with Dr. Gansei?” Ami asked excitedly as she turned to Megumi once the giggles had died down. “What is he like?”

 

//I don't believe it, it's really her!// Ami thought at the same time as she regarded the long haired beauty before her. //I can't believe I've been given this sort of opportunity! I've read that she started out having to refine the opium drug for some big time dealer lest she lose her life. But then she became one of the very first women doctors in Japan, and was one of the best! This is terrific!//

 

All of those thoughts were burning through Ami's mind as Megumi went into a lengthy explanation of Doctor Gansei and his good and bad habits. She even discussed the medical procedures she had learned and wasn't too shy to mention how some of her previous training made it so easy for her to be able to do what she did. Kenshin and the others just sat back and listened with exasperated, but patient expressions. They knew how much being a doctor meant to her and it wasn't often that she met other young women with the same desire and interest. This was good for her and they would not interrupt.

 

Still, a lot of what she had to say could take hours to explain. And most of it always went way over their heads. They needed some form of an interruption.

 

“Sooo . . .” said Haruka, politely interrupting Ami and Megumi before they could go on for too long and everyone turned to look at her. Megumi and Ami, however, quickly snuck over to a separate corner, eager to compare notes and learn each others interests and current understandings.

 

“We've mostly told you what we're doing here in Tokyo,” Haruka stated as she glanced around at the Kenshin gumi, her gaze falling last and holding on Kenshin. “Demo, with the acceptation of Megumi san, we don't know much about the rest of you, except that you have been gracious enough to let us stay here.” She looked intently at Kenshin. “Himura san, what is it that you do?”

 

//Maybe this is way I can gain some answers to my questions without a confrontation,// she thought hopefully. //There's just something about him and I have to know what it is!//

 

“Oro?” said Kenshin in surprise to her abrupt question, but then just smiled his sunny smile and waved most of it off. “This One is merely a rurouni. Demo, I help Kaoru around the dojo in exchange for her kindness in allowing This Unworthy One to live here.”

 

“Mou, Kenshin!” said Kaoru as she took his hand. “You're not just `allowed' to stay here! I want you he-!”

 

Kaoru immediately stopped and went very red in the face, and then she started laughing at herself in embarrassment. Kenshin stared at her in surprise, realizing what she had been saying even though she hadn't finished. He smiled warmly at her and squeezed her hand even though Yahiko and a few of the others started teasing her. But his gaze went back to Haruka even as Kaoru started arguing back.

 

//Strange,// he thought somewhat wearily. //She's as abrupt as Shishou. She doesn't waste time on small talk - not unlike Saito either. Demo, why do I suddenly compare her to Shishou? I've only just met her and her friends within the past few hours. Most curious.//

 

Kenshin held her gaze a moment, puzzled, as the rest of the group continued chatting about various things.

 

“Oh? If it's not too much of a presumption, might I ask, what a rurouni is doing living here? It's obvious that you've been here quite some time,” Michiru asked, and again Kenshin was surprise. Her probing was much gentler than Haruka's, but it was to the point.

 

//Yet another unusual question from these young ladies,// Kenshin realized as he shook his head. //I wonder if they're truly what they seem?//

 

“Ano, This One is staying here because he was asked to stay, and frankly, This One has wished to end his journeying for a time de gozaru na,” Kenshin replied calmly, yet with strange overtones.

 

//Hmm…that question fazed him somehow, I wonder about that tone in his voice. . .// Haruka thought as she took another sip of the warm sake. //He seems cheerful and carefree, but there are unpleasant memories inside his heart if I am not mistaken. He would not so briskly move about our questions otherwise. And yet, what he says is not completely untrue. Hmmm . . .//

 

She smiled her usual half smile at Kenshin when she noticed him looking at her again.

 

Next to Haruka, Usagi yawned hugely and curled closer to Mamorou. She tucked her knees up to her chest, nearly displacing Chibiusa - who grumbled - but was then scooped up by Mamorou so she could rest against his chest. Her head, however, tucked itself against Usagi's shoulder and one of her small hands tightly held to Usagi's pigtails.

 

Noticing this, Haruka chuckled softly and said, “I think its bed time. Where are we to sleep?”

 

Megumi looked up at Haruka in alarm, her conversation with Ami disrupted. “Oh my! I didn't realize how late it was!” she said as she looked towards Ayami and Suzumi who were curled close to Setsuna. They were asleep and curled next to them was Hotaru, whose head was in Setsuna's lap.

 

“Oh dear, I don't want to wake them,” Megumi sighed. “Demo, I need to get them home.”

 

“Neh Megumi, why don't you stay here tonight? We have plenty of room and the girls are already fast asleep,” Kaoru offered, her voice quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping children. “I'd hate to wake them up now and have to deal with half-charged children.”

 

“Well I don't want to impose . . . Demo, since you offered I guess we could stay. I did tell Dr. Gensai that we might be very late and not to wait up for us,” Megumi said thoughtfully. Then, much to Kaoru's displeasure, she gave Kaoru that vixen-like wink that she hated so much.

 

“Arigatou, Kaoru san, for letting me stay nearer to Dear Ken a little longer,” Megumi added, bowing exaggeratedly as she gave Kaoru her trademark laugh.

 

Kenshin's eyes bulged from his head in surprise as a huge sweat drop formed at his temple while Kaoru sneered at Megumi warningly, scowling blackly in anger.

 

Before any serious arguments could break out the two women were interrupted, though not by Kenshin as was usual but, by Michiru. “Mou, it's to late to fight over a boy,” she said, and winked at Kenshin. “So, shall we save this for morning when we're all awake? After all, you wouldn't want to wake the children up, would you?”

 

Kenshin sighed appreciatively and glanced at Ayami and Suzumi who stirred ever so slightly against Setsuna's lap. The others nodded in agreement as well.

 

At this, Haruka found it hard not to burst out laughing. //Poor Himura san! He didn't look like he knew what to do for a moment there! But, good o' Michiru certainly shut those two up fast.// A devious thought suddenly crept into her head as she glanced at Kenshin and Kaoru. //I wonder what would have happened if Michiru hadn't said anything?//

 

She chuckled to herself and then turned to the others. “So, where should we sleep tonight?” she asked as she looked at Kaoru.

 

“Ah! How silly of me!” Kaoru cried as she turned to Haruka, but with a blush on her cheek. “Well, of course, Mamorou san will need to share Kenshin's room.” She paused and looked at Kenshin. “That is alright, isn't it?”

 

Kenshin nodded. “Hai, daijoubu,” he said pleasantly.

 

“Arigatou!” said Kaoru happily as she turned back to the girls. “You girls can sleep here in the dojo. It's large enough and fortunately it's not too cold yet, so the hole shouldn't be a problem.”

 

The Sailor gumi nodded.

 

“So, I'll get the blankets and futons out of storage and we'll start setting up, ne?” Kaoru said.

 

“Hai,” said Haruka as she and the others started to stand and stretch.

 

“Arigatou for letting us stay, Kaoru san,” said Makoto as Kaoru stood and headed towards the door.

 

“Daijoubu,” said Kaoru cheerfully as Kenshin also stood and watched them leave. “It's actually nice to have so many visitors for a change.”

 

“Will you need help?” asked Minako as she hurried to catch up.

 

“Sure!” said Kaoru. “Arigatou! Come this way!”

 

Mamorou grinned as he watched them leave and then turned to Kenshin. “It is alright if we stay here for the night, isn't it? None of us want to impose. Demo, it has been a long day and I don't want to wake either Usagi or Chibiusa.”

 

He glanced down at the two girls pointedly and Kenshin chuckled sympathetically. “Aa, daijoubu, Mamorou dono,” Kenshin replied quietly as he watched Usagi and Chibiusa sleep. “We'll find a place for you without disturbing them.” He turned to look at the doors where Kaoru and the other two, Minako and Makoto, had gone. “Still, this will be good for Kaoru, having so many visitors, I mean. Especially young ladies. Kaoru dono doesn't usually have enough time to make friends her own age. She's been deprived of a lot and This One feels bad for her.” He smiled warmly as he thought of how happy Kaoru was having so many visitors. “This One is just glad that she's had this opportunity. Seeing her happy makes This One happy.”

 

Mamorou smiled. “I can understand somewhat how she feels,” he noted softly as he looked at Usagi affectionately. “If it wasn't for Usako, I wouldn't have the friends that I do today. I don't always show it, but I do appreciate each and every one of them.”

 

Kenshin smiled. “Aa,” he said. “Friends are very important de gozaru an.”

 

Mamorou nodded as he continued to fondly look down on Usagi and Chibiusa. Kenshin's smile brightened as he watched them, and yet . . .

 

//They would make such a beautiful family together,// he thought. //Demo, their ages are too young for such a thing. And yet, the sense This One receives from them . . .//

 

He shook his head. “Wait here, Mamorou dono,” he said politely. “We'll just place blankets over those that are already asleep.”

 

“Arigatou goziaomasu,” Mamorou replied, inclining his head.

 

A short while later, Kaoru and the other girls returned baring armloads of blankets and futons. Makoto was carrying the most, but neither of the girls waited on ceremony to distribute them. They simply dumped them all in a pile in the center of the group.

 

“So,” said Kaoru softly as she gingerly approached Mamorou. “Would you like Kenshin to show you to his room?”

 

“Iie, Kaoru dono,” said Kenshin as he put a hand on her shoulder. “Mamorou decided he'd stay here for the night.”

 

“Demo!” said Kaoru, shocked at the thought of it. It wasn't exactly proper, after all.

 

But Kenshin shook his head. “Daijoubu,” he said calmly as he glanced down at Usagi and Chibiusa. “Mamorou dono doesn't wish to wake them and I agree. Let's just let them sleep for now.”

 

Kaoru looked at Mamorou and the two girls hesitantly, and then sighed resignedly and smiled. “Aa, he can stay here,” she said, and then scowled. “But no peeking!!!”

 

Mamorou chuckled at her as Kenshin sighed. But then, he quietly excused himself - and Yahiko - from the dojo so the young ladies and their single male companion could sleep. Kaoru stayed with them, but even as he left, Kenshin felt both Haruka and Makoto's eyes on his back.

 

//I've got to do something about this,// he thought and was gone.