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Light of the Snow-Red Village
Part III - Flame of Growth: The Dream of Kenjutsu - Chapter 1

Strangely out of place
There is a light filling this room where none would follow before
I can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt away my pride
Do I want shelter from the rain
Or the rain to wash me away?
I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for...

~*~

The wind was often a useful guide to travelers, bringing warning and news, good or bad, with its untroubled breeze. During the Bakumatsu, one with a working sense of smell and a clever enough head could tell the difference of a path that led to freedom or disaster, the scent of blood lying thick and easily recognized when it was being shed in the dark alleys of Kyoto. The wind brought change. Useful, the wind was; it gave the choice of life and death for those who were attentive to its warnings.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was cloudless. Anyone who knew what his thoughts consisted of would laugh and call him mad. He wondered for a moment if Tomoe would have shaken her head, then dismissed the thought.

But he could not brush aside the growing feeling that if they did not seek shelter they would be very wet, and soon.

Hikari was at his side, then trailing behind, then rushing ahead. He found it dizzying to try to keep up with her. Short as he was, at eight, she was already up to his waist. He smiled for a moment, puzzling over that. Maybe she would gain Tomoe's height. Her mother had been unusually tall... or perhaps it was just him, and his equally unusual traits. Sometimes he would laugh over the question if he was even human, or if he was some sort of unnatural being. Or stranger still, a westerner.

She really did have too much energy, he decided, forcing such thoughts to the far corners of his mind, as he watched her run circles around him, spotting every little detail of the country around them. Even for a child, even for his child. He had always had a great deal of endurance — a hitokiri had to, in order to survive — but sometimes simply watching her dart around sapped at his strength.

She turned back to him, eyes alight with wonder, and he felt a little lift in his soul. "Tousan, did you see? Did you see the rabbit jump? I think you scared it."

"Aa," he mused, holding back the chuckle that formed from the thought. His pace was quickened, yes, but she had just trampled through the bushes a moment before, making more noise than a drunken street brawler. "Maybe it too, can see that rain is coming."

"Rain?" she turned her eyes doubtfully to the sky. "The sun's still shining. It can't rain!"

He smiled, shaking his head. "The weather changes quickly, ume-chan. Can't you feel the wind blow? Those clouds will be far from us soon, and there will be darker ones on the horizon by then. We had best reach the next town before the storm hits."

Doubt still hung in the air, but she obediently followed his speedy trail towards their destination. They had not been inside the town five minutes before the aforementioned clouds covered the sky and let fall a torrent of chilling rain. Hikari shrieked, filled with both fear and childish relish, and happily twirled through the streets, letting the rain soak her clothes, before Kenshin grasped her arm and led her towards the closest inn. Which, he discovered quickly, was not its only purpose.

As he spoke to the innkeeper, Hikari was distracted and slowly drifted from his side, edging towards a room from which loud cries and grunts could be heard. Kenshin followed quickly, worried that it was some sort of tavern containing scenes less than appropriate for an eight-year-old, but when the door was opened, he was surprised to find that it was indeed filled with men, but they were not drinking or fighting. Or rather, fighting as sloven brutes in a tavern might do.

He watched the pairs of students, both young and old, though mostly children and teenagers, spar with bokken and shinai, the wood clashing together. He smiled, halfway into a memory, of sparring with his master as he learned the art.

His hand closed around the hilt of the sakaba sword, then released it. Not a katana. Not a killing sword. Never again.

A loud, booming voice echoed through the room, and the cries of practice were silenced. One man, tall and broad at the chest, stepped forward, a long sword-cane leaned against his large shoulders. He was obviously the teacher of the class, by the way his students watched him with rapt attention, hope in their eyes for another lesson. A different sort of hope glittered in Kenshin's eyes; perhaps the future of kenjutsu, and the war-twisted spirit of the samurai, was not lost completely.

He touched Hikari's shoulder gently with one hand, then bowed to the approaching sensei. "I apologize for interrupting your lesson. My daughter was curious as to what you were doing."

The man grinned at the two, kneeling to Hikari's level. "Curious, eh, little lady? And did you see anything interesting?"

Hikari gazed past him, eyes drinking in the sight of the men, still holding their practice weapons and waiting. "They were fighting... sometimes my tousan does that. Only they're not getting hurt, even if they hit." she ran her hand along the wooden sheath of the man's sword-cane. "Umm... it's not sharp."

The instructor chuckled, and pulled the sword out of the sheath a little. "It is sharp, little one, but I keep it put away like your father does, when I do not need it." His eyes flickered to the samurai behind her. "It hasn't been used for a long time."

Kenshin smiled slightly and nodded. "Swords are not much use to people these days. Peaceful times are coming at last."

The other man met his eyes, asking in silence, but Kenshin's response, equally wordless, gave him an obvious answer. There will be no battle between us. Finally the man straightened, bending his head in greeting. "I welcome you to this inn. My wife runs the inn, rather; I have a dojo here, as you can see. My name is Akuro Gatsu. My wife, Shi, you'll have met already at the front desk. I'm glad to have a samurai in the place for once! Even such a little fellow, with a lady with him to match."

A few of the students laughed. Kenshin barely contained his body's need to go bright red. Hikari just giggled, cheered greatly by the man's friendliness.

Hikari laughed again, shaking her head. "Iie! Tousan won't even let me hold his." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I promised I wouldn't drop it or break it."

The smile widened. "Well, a promise like that shouldn't be given lightly. But neither should a father's wish. You're welcome to give the shinai a try, if your father allows it."

Kenshin shook his head, unable to see the light glint in Hikari's eyes. "I'm afraid I have no money for lessons, that I do not."

It was Gatsu's turn to laugh, as the big man slapped a hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "Ha, you're a serious one, Mister Samurai! What did you say your name was?"

Kenshin winced, rubbing his shoulder. "I didn't, actually. Kenshin; Himura Kenshin. My daughter's name is Hikari."

"Kenshin... fitting name for a swordsman." the big man nodded, as if his approval was needed. "Don't worry about money for her. It may give my students a challenge, teaching someone so much smaller than they." he winked, grinning widely. "I bet you could teach them a thing or two, Kenshin."

Kenshin raised an eyebrow at the emphasis on his name, but took Hikari's hand in his own without a word about it. "I'm afraid that this will have to wait until another day. We've been traveling all day, and I'm beginning to feel it. We will see you tomorrow, then?"

Gatsu looked as if the matter was most definitely not settled, but he agreed. "Of course. I'll be here, as usual."

Kenshin led Hikari out, feeling the eyes of the kenjutsu instructor on his back all the way, and wondered why it made him feel less than comfortable.

When they entered their room, Kenshin felt as if he would fall onto the futon and not get up for days. Weariness did not often set in so easily, but the conversation with Gatsu had made him feel strangely tired. As he prepared the beds for the two of them, Hikari changed quickly and sat beside him, as if waiting for something. He recognized the look in her eyes; he had seen it far too many times to miss it.

Hikari grimaced, knowing how hard it would be to argue her point now. "Teach me kenjutsu. I want to learn how to defend myself. It's always you, and I want to know... I want to be able to fight for myself!"

"Hikari, kenjutsu is dangerous. You've seen how hard it is, even for me. I don't want you to get hurt!" his eyes narrowed, deadly serious. "I don't want you to ever be hurt."

She clenched her hands into fists. "And you think I'll be safe if I don't know how to protect myself?"

"I can protect you, Hikari." he replied instantly. "I'd protect you from anything."

Her eyes were angry, now. "Even at the cost of your own life? I... I was little, but I remember the bandits, years ago. They almost... they could have killed you! Just because I didn't know... I couldn't fight for myself, and you had to protect me."

His gaze dropped, voice soft. "I... I know, but... I don't care what happens to me. So long as you're safe..."

"But how will I be safe if something happens?" there was a slight catch in her voice, and it surprised him, though not entirely. "What if that happens again, and you can't be there because you're hurt, or... or... I have to know, tousan! I have to protect myself — so I can help you, fight by your side! I want to help you..."

"I'm nothing... nothing but a burden to you, and I..." her voice choked. "I want to help you..."

He grasped her shoulders and pulled her close before she could resist again. "You're not a burden, do you hear me? You're not. If you... if you weren't with me, ume-chan, I don't know what I'd do... you can help me, as you always have. Just by being here, just by living... your very existence is what keeps me alive." His breath was warm in her ear, eyes cinched together. "Can you see, Hikari? Can you understand why I can't stand the thought of losing you? You're... you're everything to me."

"But it's not fair," she said softly, lower lip trembling. "It's not fair that you have to do everything."

"I've never been bothered with that. Do you think taking care of you is troublesome for me?" He squeezed her tightly, then pulled back to look her in the eye. "I love you, Hikari, and I will always love being your father. Trust me... kenjutsu is not a skill you need. It's fading away, ume-chan, and there are so many other things that you should be learning. Swords are becoming a thing of the past; we're not needed anymore."

Kenshin merely smiled, eyes glowing with warmth. "Iie, that wasn't my intention. I meant... no one knows what the future will hold. But I have a feeling the country has had enough of swords and what they mean." 'A sword is a weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. I do not want her learning that art.' "Instead... you should learn a skill that will be useful in your life. Something that can really make a difference."

His heart lurched, and he shook his head desperately. "Iie! Iie, ume-chan. Saving people is very important, but swords are more hindrance than help. Even a reverse-blade can... hurt people... because all it takes is one flip of the wrist, and it becomes a danger. There are better things you can do with your life."

She hesitated, then half-glared at him for a moment. "Is it because I'm a girl?"

He winced, recognizing a lie when he heard one. However, instead of arguing further, he headed towards the hall, sliding the shoji closed behind him. "Goodnight, ume-chan."

There was no reply, and he was disappointed, even though he had not expected one. He lifted his head towards the window across the hall, eyes drawn to the sky. The roof wasn't far off, and he suddenly felt the need to look at the stars. Drawn by impulse more than want, he climbed out the small opening and pulled himself up, not bothering to find the stairs or attic ladder.

As he settled himself against the roof, feeling the cool wind against his skin, a section of support pushed open, and Gatsu climbed up. "Oi, Mister Samurai, we meet again. I thought you said you were tired."

Kenshin rubbed his forehead. "More mental than physical, to be honest. I'm unused to hearing several debates all at once." 'Not since the Bakumatsu have I heard such strong-willed arguments. And I have an equally strong feeling this one is not over...'

Gatsu chuckled. "I thought she might ask you! I could see the look in her eyes when I offered to teach. So, when can I start?"

"Because," Kenshin answered, turning away, "I don't want her to. You should not need more than that."

His voice turned to ice. "Pardon my way of saying this, but who are you to tell me what is best for my daughter?"

Gatsu merely shrugged. "No one you should listen to, I suppose. But consider this; you are a swordsman, and if what I have seen is any indication of the truth, then you are all she has. That means you're the most important person in the world to her." Kenshin was silent. "Learning kenjutsu is perhaps her way of showing that importance. By saying no, you've just refused her way of caring about you."

"Yes, less subtle. A hug, a mushy 'I love you daddy' now and then. Those blatantly obvious forms of affection... you can indulge in that whenever you like." there was a soft underlying form of disgust in Gatsu's voice. "But kenjutsu would be something you both could share. She wants to learn from you, Himura Kenshin, and you refuse to give her the chance. She trusts you, but she also resents your distance."

"Know?" Gatsu laughed, loud and full of good humour. "I can't know, you fool!" Kenshin grunted, feeling a hard slap on his back. "I'm guessing, pulling at straws. But your expression — and your reaction — tells me that I'm right on the mark. And that means something."

"That you are both presumptuous and painfully accurate?" Kenshin murmured weakly. "Either that, or I'm becoming far too transparent."

The big man laughed again. "By Kami, you're good at avoiding subjects. It means that you're going to have to give her what she wants... or change your way of living to suit her own. Because if you continue as you are now, you're a hypocrite and a disgrace to swordsmen everywhere."

"Because, Mr. Samurai, you're lying to her and yourself. What are you wandering for?"

Kenshin bit his lip uneasily. "I... couldn't leave her behind. I wanted her safe with me."

"So you wish to protect her from everything?" Gatsu pressed on. "Even the art which you have studied for years?"

Gatsu suddenly looked grim. "If you want her protected from the life of a swordsman, then why are you still carrying a sword?"

"Why haven't you thrown it away and become a farmer, or made some safe life for her? Why are you wandering through a recently war-torn country with a sword at your side?"

"I won't try to convince you of anything, Himura." Gatsu finished quietly, standing up. "But think about what I said. Which would you rather have, your sword, or a safety which would make her unhappy?"

There was a soft creak, as he shut the attic entrance door, and Kenshin was left alone in the night, chilled by the wind and the other man's words.

'My sword...'
'Or her unhappy safety...'
'I do not wish for her unhappiness...'
'But... can't I also keep her safe?'
'I need my sword to protect her, don't I? Does that make me irresponsible, a hypocrite?'
'If not... then what am I? Can I really risk her safety — or her unhappiness — on the words of a man who knows nothing of us?'

The next morning, Kenshin awoke to find Hikari missing. Whether because of instinct or remembrance of the previous night's argument, he immediately searched for her in the dojo, where men were already practicing against each other. Their teacher's attention was elsewhere.

Kenshin's eyes were dark, and full of fierce, barely contained anger, as they met those of the instructor.

"Good morning, Himura." he greeted, a wide grin on his face. "I was just starting her lessons, if you'd like to watch, or add some of your own knowledge."

The room was silent, suddenly, and Kenshin realized how tightly his fists were clenched. His gaze fell on Hikari, and she returned it, her eyes full of uncertainty and concern.

But lurking behind the fear of what he would say, was a determined hope and desperation.

'She is so intensely dedicated to learning... yet still afraid that I will refuse...'
'But... I did refuse. I said so yesterday. She should not be here... no matter how happy she looks...'
'She shouldn't... she really...'

"Ume-chan, what did we discuss last night?" he said, quietly, voice hiding his earlier fury. Never at her.
She frowned, lips pursed uneasily. "He told me you said it was okay."

He followed her finger, as it pointed, predictably, to Gatsu. Kenshin looked at him again, eyes questioning.

Gatsu gave a characteristic shrug and kept smiling. "You did, really. I could see it in your eyes; you would have agreed."

"But I didn't." Kenshin struggled to hold onto his anger, even though, internally, a voice murmured comfortingly that he spoke the truth, painfully hard to accept as it was.

'I would have... agreed... if it made her happy. I want her to be happy.'
'But... only when I can watch her learn. Only when I approve of what she will know.'
'Only if I can be sure I can protect her...'

"From now on," he said after a moment, after he had watched the light in his daughter's eyes dimming, "I wish to be present when her lessons begin. She will be taught nothing unless I am here.

And suddenly the light was back; there was a giant smile on her face, and he felt reassured. She hurried over, throwing her arms around him, as he knelt down to meet her. "Tousan, arigato! I'll be strong — I'll make you proud of me!"

He smiled, brushing a hand through her hair. "Nothing you do will ever change the pride I feel for you. Now... show me what you've learned."

Hikari learned quickly, Kenshin was just as quick to see. 'Much faster than a certain baka deshi,' he thought to himself with a wistful smile. Gatsu also proved himself to be a stern but patient teacher, and he was skilled in the art of both kenjutsu and care for children, though it seemed he had none of his own. Kenshin found him constantly cheerful and easygoing, leading a simple life and able to keep it that way. He discovered it was hard to keep himself closed off, mostly due to Gatsu's persistence, and soon they were able to converse about Hikari's lessons without careful arguments breaking out. When they did, Kenshin noticed that he lost far too often. Though, he also noticed, the result made Hikari happier in the end.

Two weeks passed fairly quickly, and Hikari's studies progressed beyond simple strikes and responses, changing to easy, organized spars. Following his request, Gatsu had not taught Hikari anything without Kenshin's permission and supervision; when Kenshin left to do odd jobs around the inn or the town, as payment for his stay, she would only practice what she had previously learned. Spars, he had clearly explained, would not go on without him. Gatsu seemed to understand his fears, and though he didn't quite approve, he was obedient to his wishes. Paid for or not, he took his lessons and pupils seriously.

Unfortunately, the paying students didn't always agree with him. While the younger group enjoyed Hikari's company, the older students grew impatient with their master's lack of concentration in their growing knowledge. One day, Kenshin returned from an errand for Shi to find an argument ensuing, Hikari standing at Gatsu's side and looking strangely fearful for her life.

"-and you're spoiling her!" a young man, several years younger than Kenshin, stood in front of the instructor, face red and bokken held in a tight fist. "She's not even yours, she's not even paying, and you're risking our money by spending all your time with her! Where are the lessons we're paying for, teacher?" There was a mocking tone in his voice. Some of the students around him murmured agreement, while others shook their heads.

No one noticed Kenshin's entrance, except perhaps, Gatsu, who sternly kept his eyes on the young man, eyes disapproving every word. "I don't spend less time on anyone. You are taught as a class because you are all at the same level. I'm teaching Hikari independently so she can reach that level, and you can all learn together. If you recall, Shinzo, I did the same with you when you joined a month ago, and were behind two weeks."

Shinzo just grit his teeth and retorted, "But we're paying! She gets it for free! How is that fair?"

Gatsu eyed him, looking as if he too was shaking his head in disgust. "Shinzo, when you know something, and you decide to share your knowledge with others, you are a teacher. A teacher holds the right to give and deny their knowledge to anyone they choose."

"They also have the right to ask for something in return, or give it freely." Gatsu answered calmly. "I choose to charge those who can afford it. When you have something of your own, you may choose to do the same."

"So, when I learn the final secrets of your school, I can teach it to others?" the student sneered. "For free, even?"

Gatsu shook his head this time. "The school belongs to me; it began with my family, and unless you are taken as an assistant master, you cannot teach it to others. Even if you know the technique, that does not qualify you as a teacher."

"I'm saying that unless you show respect and listen closer to my words, you can't learn anything from me." Gatsu's words were final, and he almost turned away.

Shinzo's furious voice stopped him, eyes ablaze. "Don't turn away now, sensei! Doesn't a teacher have a duty to listen to his students when they have questions?"

Gatsu glanced back, his own expression tight with growing anger. "Yes... but only if the student is able to understand when an answer is given."

"Why do you play favourites, sensei? Why can't we get what we learn for nothing?" Shinzo asked regardless, sarcasm dripping from the honourific at each turn.

Gatsu turned again, eyes closed. "Shinzo... you are a fool if you believe that money is the only form of payment. Her father pays for both their stay at the inn and her lessons by helping my wife and working at the inn. That is how I am repaid."

"Her father!" Shinzo laughed mockingly. "Your friend, the samurai! How did I know he'd come into this? I think you're giving her free lessons because of him; because of who he is, not what he gives." he smirked, arms crossed, the bokken stretched out beside him. "He probably isn't a samurai at all! I bet I could defeat him!"

Gatsu chuckled, no mockery in his voice at all. "Don't speak of things you nothing about, deshi. You make yourself sound so clever, but you are acting like a stubborn child, arguing uselessly with your sensei. Remember who you are, and who is listening. If your father were here you would have shut your mouth long ago."

"Don't laugh at me when I am pointing out your faults, Akuro! You're nothing compared to my father!"

Gatsu straightened up to his full height, patience worn thin, and anger behind his eyes to match the boy before him. "I know who your father is, and I now see what you are. You, Shinzo, are a spoiled child, and you refuse to acknowledge the fact and so will remain that way. You also get your lessons for free, because your father pays the bill, in a different manner. All you do is learn, as Hikari was trying to do when you rudely interrupted her lesson. Does that make you the same, student?"

Kenshin nodded his head in approval. Gatsu was steadfast in his defense, and Shinzo would not be able to answer.

The berated student, however, shook with anger as he gazed at the floor in humiliation. His arms uncrossed, and his head snapped up in a blaze of fury. "If we're the same, then I'll test her! Want to fight, Hikari-chan?"

Hikari's eyes widened in fear, as the larger boy rushed towards her, bokken raised. Gatsu moved to meet him, empty-handed, standing in front of her.

Shinzo froze with it, feeling the icy touch of cold metal against his throat. A thin sheen of sweat formed across his brow, and he glanced back without moving his head.

Kenshin's voice was as cold as the blade he held. "I thought I made it clear that no spars would go on without my presence. Were you not informed?"

"Then," the blade shifted up towards his chin, almost mocking in response to the boy's words, "What were you doing?"

Kenshin paused, eyes dark and calm even in his anger. "Have you ever sparred with my daughter?"

The former hitokiri flipped the sword around, curving the sharpened edge against Shinzo's flesh. "Not even to fight me?"

Kenshin almost smiled at the panic in his voice. "But I do recall you challenging my ability. Do you still think that?"

"Good." there was a mutual sigh of relief between the class of students as the blade was removed from Shinzo's neck and sheathed. Shinzo himself stumbled to his knees, bokken dropping from his shaking fingers. Kenshin stepped past him, standing beside Hikari.

"You spoke with bold words, and you have skill," Kenshin said honestly, looking down on the defeated student with cool, collected judgement. "But you lack both courage and the wisdom to hold your tongue. If you ever threaten her again, there will be consequences. Take this as a warning and do not trouble her again." he glanced down at Hikari, eyes softening. "And see, she would have met your challenge willingly. She has far more courage than you."

Hikari stood in a defensive stance, shinai held before her in shaky fingers. Her eyes were filled with both fear and determination as she watched Shinzo carefully. The young man didn't look up.

Gatsu stepped forward, gazing at his student with stern discipline in his eyes. "I had hoped you would be wiser than this, Shinzo, considering both your father and your reputation. I see now, though, that you have taken advantage of those and used it to become lazy and spoiled. Such a man — more child than man — isn't suited to a dangerous skill like kenjutsu. I'm asking you to leave, Shinzo — and don't come back as a student again."

At this Shinzo's head shot up, face flushed with anger and humiliation. "Sensei-"

Gatsu's hand went up, and the boy fell silent. "You brought this upon yourself. If you had opened your eyes and looked with more than your own interests, you might have seen this coming."

"My father will hear of this," he spat back, growing more defensive as he felt the eyes of his fellow students on him.

"Good," Gatsu smiled grimly. "Perhaps then he'll keep you on a tighter leash. Go tell him, boy; I won't ask you again."

The younger man stood slowly, shooting a fierce glare to Kenshin and Hikari. Both stared back in challenge, unyielding and without fear, though Hikari hovered between her father and her teacher, the shinai pointed at him. Finally, Shinzo gave up and stalked out. There was a long, enduring silence, as the entire group watched the door, half-expecting a tornado to blow through.

Instead, Gatsu broke the pause by clapping his hands for attention, and turned to the class with a wide smile. "Well, out of popular demand, I'm going to lead a full-class lesson today. You'll all be learning a new technique."

He looked down at Hikari and winked. "Even you, Hikari-chan, as a reward for being so bold. You need to be able to stand up for yourself."

Hikari's eyes shone with pride, and she nodded vigorously. Kenshin shared their smile, brushing his hand through her hair. She had earned all their respect today; Shinzo was easily twice her size, and with those odds fear was a dangerous enemy.

"Ume-chan," he murmured in her ear, "I'm very proud of you. But... be careful when you accept challenges like that. Not unless I'm with you, and not until you are confident with your skill."

She smiled and nodded. "Hai, tousan. But you're always with me, ne? I'm not worried. That's why I wasn't scared. You were with me."

That said, she hurried off to join the rest of the class, taking a spot beside Nobuo, a boy close to her age. He watched her, eyes bright and untroubled by the days events. He would think on them later, perhaps; instead, he leaned against the wall to see his daughter learn what she loved.

That night, after Hikari had gone to bed, Kenshin met Gatsu in the hallway, and the larger man motioned towards the roof. They made their way up and settled beneath the stars, stretched out across the thin roof.

"You wanted to talk, Himura?" Gatsu glanced at the samurai, eyes curious and knowing at the same time.

"Not as much as you think," the kenjutsu instructor chuckled. "I'm getting pretty good at reading you, it seems."

A small smile on his face, Kenshin wasn't sure if he liked or appreciated the idea. "I'm sorry for what happened today."

"You've lost a student... one with obvious skill and would bring certain advantages if he remained with you."

Gatsu laughed quietly. "Nothing to be sorry for. You didn't cause it; Shinzo was far too headstrong. To be honest, I've been waiting for a chance to set him loose. He was a troublemaker from the start, but I needed a decent excuse to expel him."

"What happened to a teacher being able to choose his students as he pleased?" Kenshin asked wryly.

Gatsu rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "My wife, actually." Kenshin sweatdropped. "She's so proud that we've caught the attention of such an important member of this town, but she doesn't understand that I can't accept such a disruptive student. It ruins the whole lesson to have one selfish member with too much empty ambition."

Gatsu rolled his eyes. "Some official of the government... the name's Kuroi. He's a decent enough fellow, but he has no time for his son. The wife raised him, mostly, and she spoiled him rotten. I'm beginning to think the only way to salvage him is to set him to work somewhere until he smartens up... but if it weren't for fear of his father, no one would take him."

"And risk going up against the twisted Meiji politics?" Gatsu grinned. "Look, I don't know if you fought in the war, or what side you were on, but you must know that the vast majority of the current government are a bunch of greedy officials focused on their own goals, rather than those of the country. Nobody wants to mess with them because they risk everything by doing so. My wife is the same; she's worried about the inn's reputation, so she won't listen to me. I know the man enough to know that he doesn't care for his son's foolish ideas, and he won't get angry with me. He's more likely to send him off to another dojo."

Gatsu shrugged. "I sent a message to one of my friends after Shinzo left. He's Kuroi's personal servant. I got a response not long after; apparently Shinzo made a few angry demands — including shutting down the dojo and the inn — and he just laughed."

Kenshin managed a smile. "That's reassuring. You've been so kind to teach Hikari, and I would hate to cause trouble in your home."

The instructor merely waved him off. "Hikari's an excellent student, much easier to teach than boys like Shinzo. It's a refreshing change. Besides, you're helping out my wife, as much as she grudges the free service."

"She hates giving anything out for free," Gatsu said plainly. "Though you're making up for the room and the food by giving her a hand, and it's just as easy to teach a class of twenty than twenty-one... that's just the way she is."

"Not unless you're able to change her personality." Gatsu stretched, eyes mischievous. "And if that was the case, I'd be the one to throw you out. Less gently than Shinzo's dismissal, unfortunately."

Kenshin grimaced, even though he knew it was a joke. Before he had a chance to reply, a shadow of movement caught his eye. Glancing down to the yard, he noticed a figure sneaking past, towards the inn's back entrance.

Gatsu followed his gaze. "Speak of the devil," he murmured. "That idiot Shinzo's off to cause more mischief than he's ready for. Kami, is that a wakizashi? Where'd he get that little toy?"

"Possibly his father." Kenshin's eyes were narrowed as he watched the boy's futile attempts to hide himself in the dark. "Or worse. This could be beneath his knowledge."

"I hate to say this, Himura, but he could be thinking something really stupid..." Gatsu pointed a thumb towards Shinzo, eyes grim. "You'd better get down there."

By the time he looked towards the samurai, Kenshin had vanished off the rooftop.

Shinzo was very self-assured, confident in his ability to hide from watchers in the dark, if there were any. The figures on the roof couldn't possibly have seen him in the far corners of the yard. Master samurai or not, he could be better. He was better.

And his confidence would be that much greater if his knees would just stop shaking...

Steeling himself, he carried on, the black-sheathed wakizashi curved close to his body. It had been on display in his father's shrine — a token to his grandfather, who had died in the recent uprising — and had been easy to take. He wasn't quite sure what he was about to do with it, but his anger demanded he be armed... and he had forgotten his bokken when he left the dojo.

When he was thrown out, shamed. The anger kindled and burned, the embers still red-hot from his humiliation hours ago.

And a samurai, who doubtlessly possessed little more skill than the ability to hide his presence...

Which was what his confidence told him, regardless of shaky knees, until that same voice of his memories spoke at his back, an anger of lesser degree emanating from his words.

Shinzo whirled, the smile — and some of the anger — fading away in his surprise. "Y-you!"

Kenshin stood behind him, body silhouetted in the wan moonlight, one hand on the hilt of his sword. "You sound surprised. You must have seen us on the roof; we certainly saw you, for all your attempts to hide yourself."

The boy grit his teeth, pulling his hands behind his back to hide the wakizashi. "Why I'm here is none of your business, samurai. Just leave me alone."

"Your display this afternoon has made it my business." Kenshin remained stolid, eyes cool. "You've been deemed as a threat to both myself and my daughter; therefore you must explain yourself. Why are you here?" he took a step forward, voice forceful.

"My father gave it to me, and it's very important that I get it back." Shinzo tried the same forcefulness Kenshin held in his voice, and failed miserably.

Kenshin admired his attempt, but didn't let that fact hold him back. "And this errand had to be done so late at night, long after the dojo is closed for the day?"

Shinzo glared venomously at him. "I told you, it's important! My father sent me to get it!"

"I see. Forgive me." Kenshin restrained himself from scoffing at the boy's blatant lies. "The bokken is now held in the inn?"

"I need permission to access it, don't I?" Shinzo's voice grew fiercely defensive, fending off all of Kenshin's questions.

'He's good at evasion.' Kenshin thought with an inward sigh. 'Though his father is a government official, after all.' "But you must have seen Gatsu-dono on the roof. Were you avoiding him so as not to get into trouble?"

Kenshin smiled grimly. "And if she refused, would you have threatened her with the wakizashi in your hands?" The former student's eyes were drawn to the ground, stubborn and ashamed. "I'm not blind, any more than you or your sensei. Nor is it so dark or so long since I have fought that I cannot see a killing blade. Especially one so badly hidden."

"Which brings me back to my first question," Kenshin countered, "Why are you here?"

'Obstinate little-' Kenshin grit his teeth in frustration. "Are you going to continue in this foolish charade, like the child Gatsu called you, or show some maturity by answering honestly?"

"Because I don't know!" Shinzo's eyes widened at his own admittance, and he stepped back, sulking.

Kenshin watched him for a moment in silence. "Well," he said softly, his voice calm, "That is better. You came here by instinct? Not knowing why; simply guided by... anger?"

Shinzo didn't answer, and his silence was answer enough. "Interesting. I wonder what you would have done if I hadn't caught you. I wonder how much harm you would have caused before it would be enough." He hesitated. "Actually, I think I'd rather not know."

"I would." Gatsu appeared behind Shinzo, taking the wakizashi from his fingers and grasping by the collar of his gi. The boy struggled futilely, muttering curses among protests. "I thought I told you not to come back. Your father wasn't part of this — he's a reasonable man. Where's your dignity, child?"

Gatsu chuckled humourlessly. "You whine like one. You depend on your father like one. And now you sulk! Tell me, in what way are you an adult?"

This time Gatsu laughed, long and loud. "Fight when you can stand on your own two feet, boy!" he let the gi fall from his fingers, and Shinzo fell with it, stumbling to the ground.

Shinzo glanced up, wiping a streak of dirt from his face. "I... I guess so. You've humiliated me — made me look like a fool twice now!"

Shinzo ignored him, eyes on Kenshin. "I wanted to fight you. I know that now. My father didn't have a katana... the wakizashi was all I could find. But I thought... it would be enough."

Kenshin gazed at the student, long and enigmatic. Only a few months into his studies, a spoiled, angry child despite his age. Requesting — demanding, a weapon in hand — to battle, unknowingly, with Hitokiri Battousai.

The kenjutsu instructor sighed and pressed the weapon into his former student's hands, eyes dark and reluctant. "You're a fool," he muttered to neither in particular. Thinking for a moment, he added, "You're both fools."

Kenshin nodded absently in musing agreement, and took a defensive stance as Shinzo prepared to charge. The transparency of the boy's intentions made him want to laugh and cry at the same time. Shinzo was focused — carrying the same intensity as Hikari had shown — but beneath that focus, there seemed to be a darker, more fearsome purpose. He wanted to prove himself; to what, to whom, he couldn't tell. He wasn't even sure the boy knew himself. He had, after all, admitted so, and that confession was a weakness given with a price.

The boy was so clearly, obviously weak... there was no chance he would be able to defeat the war-hardened hitokiri. It was folly to even consider it.

Yet he was still going to make an attempt. He was charging, unsheathing the small blade that was totally unfamiliar to him. He was shouting a sharp challenge without words, his clumsy, useless attacks not even coming close to contact. There was a fire in his eyes, burning with anger and frustration. And... tears.

'I cannot do this. Not to him... not to anyone. It is folly... but it is cruelty, as well.'

Kenshin spun on his heel, twisting his body around the young student's weapon, and wound up behind him. The sakabatou came up, then fell against Shinzo's neck. The younger man blinked, surprised, and the knowing misery of his defeat crept into his gaze.

The former hitokiri paused a moment, then stepped away, sword lowering. "I told you this once before... you are talented, and you have some courage, but why you choose to throw all that away so recklessly is beyond my ability to understand. You carry too much anger; there's no way you would be able to defeat me without better control of your emotions." He looked away, meeting Gatsu's eyes for a moment. "You are too easy to read, Shinzo-dono. When will you learn this?"

"And if you say anything about my teaching, boy," Gatsu added sternly, "You'll be wishing for another one of Himura's simple defeats."

Shinzo scowled, turning back to look at the victor, as Kenshin flicked his wrist — an assassin's gesture, Shinzo realized with widening eyes — and sheathed his sword, the empty hand falling to his side.

Upon sudden impulse, the wakizashi raised in his hand, he whirled around and charged again, a final attempt at lost honour and wounded pride. Kenshin looked up at him — too late, it had to be too late — and reached back towards his own weapon.

Shinzo blinked again. He shivered, then grit his teeth, trying to shake off the sensation. However, it wouldn't stop. His arm felt numb. The wakizashi-

Beside him? He couldn't even remember falling. Steeling his will, he struggled to get up. His body refused to respond. Instead, he turned his eyes upwards, and was suddenly aware of laughter. Gatsu still leaned against the wall of the inn, and he was shaking his head in unhidden amusement.

Kenshin stood nearby, the sword outstretched, his body crouched low as if he had struck out against him. He must have, Shinzo thought belatedly, slowly regaining some of the feeling in his body. As the boy struggled, Kenshin relaxed his position and, once again, not even thinking twice, replaced the sword in its saya. Moving closer, he reached down and picked up the wakizashi. Taking a long, cool look at it, he turned again and walked up to Gatsu, wordlessly handing over the weapon.

"M-matte..." Shinzo groaned, pushing himself to his knees. "I can't... go home without that. I need it back. Please..."

Kenshin glared at him, suddenly hostile. "And have you jumping at my back every time I knock it away from you? I think not. If your father needs it back, he can come here himself and explain why he allows you to attack and possibly wound people who have no reason to be attacked."

"I... I had reason," Shinzo muttered, somewhat weakly. "And I would never attack someone unless I knew they could defend themselves."

"Yet you're still willing to fight an unprepared opponent who has already won the battle," Kenshin finished darkly. "Even a fool would not believe that story, and only the most foolish would readily give you back your weapon. I suggest you go now... return when you have a reasonable excuse for your actions. Preferably not alone." His eyebrow raised, eyeing the boy's empty hands. "And unarmed."

He whirled away once more, moving past Gatsu towards the inn. Shinzo fought back a wave of fury at his easy dismissal, but he caught his sensei's eye, and knew that there would be no more battles that night. If you could call it that, he recalled bitterly. Dragging himself to his feet, knees still shaken and weak, he jogged out of the yard as quickly as they would carry him, anxious to distance himself from the inn and all it contained. Gatsu watched him leave, eyes glinting, anger and regret hidden deep within their dark gaze.

Thanks for reading; there's more coming soon... (Review! Onegaiiii!)
~ Akai Kitsune