Chapter 3: Coming to Conclusion

When Hiko awoke, Kenshin was already up and busying about, struggling into his outfit. He frowned. "Kenshin, where are you going?"

"Out." He retrieved his sword from the wall, and was about to slip out until Hiko snatched his collar. "Hey—"

"You went out yesterday," the older man muttered, growing suspicious. "Came in late, too. We’re supposed to be training together today, remember? I give you one every four days to yourself."

"So I’ll skip it after this," Kenshin replied, trying to wriggle free. I have to meet Shou. God, he’s not gonna like this…. "I need some more practice before then next move."

Hiko was unconvinced. "Is there something you’re not telling me?" he asked firmly.

He stopped struggling to face his teacher. "Of course not, Master." The lie came so easily that he surprised himself with it. "I just need more time. A samurai has to know his own limits, right?" He waited for a response.

If there was one thing Hiko Seijuurou could not combat with, it was his own reasoning, and Kenshin knew it. Sure enough, the boy was released. "Just remember," his master said, "you owe me an extra practice day. And if I ever find out you’ve lied to me…." His trailing off implied the obvious repercussions.

Kenshin shook his head. "Don’t worry, Master," he assured. "You won’t."

When Kenshin reached the barn, however, no one was there. It didn’t look as if anyone had been there, either. For almost twenty minutes he waited alone, wondering what might have happened to his friends. "I’m sure Masa said to meet me here," he pondered aloud. "Where can they be? Shou’s gonna be pissed when I tell him, but I can’t not…."

"Himura-kun! Himura-kun!" A figure burst into the barn, breathing hard from a long run. It was Tomoko. "Himura-kun," she huffed, "you have to come quickly."

"Tomoko-chan?" Kenshin blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here? What’s going on?"

"It’s a fight." She grabbed his arm. "Come on—we have to hurry."

Bewildered, Kenshin allowed himself to be led out of the barn and back into town. Tomoko’s pace forced him to quicken his own, which surprised him. They rounded several corners. After having studied the city he could tell where they were headed: the Ueda estate.

"What’s going on?" Kenshin called to his leader. "Who’s fighting?"

"Aono-kun," she replied breathlessly. "He talked to someone in the tavern, and got real angry and ran off. Now he’s fighting with some rich guy’s son and—"

"Rich guy? Shit." He suddenly found the strength he needed to catch up, overtaking Tomoko. "Damnit Shou, you idiot."

Ahead of them a crowd had formed, and Kenshin broke away from Tomoko so he could sneak through the tightly packed audience. At the center were two figures, shouting and cursing as they grappled in the dirt. Their hair and clothes were so covered with filth, blood, and sweat that at first he couldn’t recognize them. Finally he could see that it was indeed Shou and Shinjirou, as he had expected. They wrestled for each other’s throats like wild beasts, completely oblivious to the crowd gathered about them.

"Masa!" Kenshin worked his way to the other side, snagging his older friend by the sleeve. "Masa, what happened?"

"Did Kimiko-san tell you?" he asked. His face was very pale. "About the engagement?"

Instantly Kenshin realized what had happened. He nodded rapidly. "Yeah, I know. We’ve got to stop them."

Suddenly the pair split apart, gasping for breath as they wiped the blood from their mouths. Kenshin stopped to watch. Shinjirou was clutching at his right shoulder, and he cursed at the pain it brought. "You little bastard," he hissed, forcing himself to stand. "Who do you think you are?"

Shou stood as well. He had come out of the scrimmage better than his opponent; other than several bruises and an already swollen left eye, his only injury seemed to be a split in his lip. He spat away the blood. "I won’t let you touch Kimiko," he growled back. "This Aono Shou won’t forgive you if you even go near her."

"Little brad. What do you think you can do to me?" He laughed scornfully. "My father practically owns this entire village."

"I don’t see anyone standing up for you now," Aono retorted.

"You little—"

In a quick movement Shou had drawn his sword, holding it in a readied position. "I will never forgive you," he rasped.

"Shou!" Kenshin pushed his way into the center of the ring, running to his friend’s side. "Shou, stop it. This is stupid."

"Shut up!" he shouted back, shoving him away. "You don’t understand. I’m going to kill this bastard!"

His last statement made Shinjirou laugh even more. "Kill me?" His voice was full of mocking humor. "You’re going to kill me?" He drew a knife form his belt, one previously hidden. "Come on, brat. No one will care if I kill you."

"Shou, don’t listen to him—" Kenshin began.

But Shou’s blood was already boiling. "What did you say?" he demanded.

"I said you’re worthless!" the rich boy announced, laughing. "You’re a shrimp, a spore, an ass, a pathetic poor son of a bitch with a drunken father. Your own parents are disgraced by the way you run around this city like you own it, causing trouble. An idiot, a fool!" He put his hands on his hips. "Hell, killing you would be doing everyone a favor."

Shou’s hands tightened around his sword’s leather grip, and before he could be stopped he was charging. But Kenshin didn’t give up. He tackled his friend from behind, sending them both careening headlong into Shinjirou’s poised form. Kenshin could see him as all three began to fall. He saw an arm raise, a glint of light, a quick movement, and then—

Warmth. It spilled over him. His sensed filled with an unmistakable odor. Several moments passed, however, before Kenshin realized that the blood was his own. It was slowly embedding itself into the fabric of his gi, spreading its stain over his flesh as well. No cry of pain left his lips, though, as he was too shocked to move.

"Kenshin!"

"Himura!"

Immediately the crowd began to buzz, and the original two combatants began a debate with someone else—someone Kenshin couldn’t see with his face in the dirt. As his mind slowly collected itself again, he could feel someone helping him sit up. A soft hand touched his face. "Himura, are you all right?"

He blinked. With the shock gone he could feel the pain spreading through his left shoulder, and he grimaced in pain. "Kimiko-san?"

"Just hold on, Himura." Kimiko pulled a handkerchief out of her kimono, pressing it tot the wound. It was shallow, but it stung. Tomoko joined them as well, trying to stop the flow of blood.

"Kimiko-san," Shinjirou said evenly, "what are you doing here?"

"I heard from Ikeda," she replied in a stiff tone. "He said you two were fighting. Why?"

Shou stepped forward. A look of guilt, anger, and betrayal was painted clearly on his face. "Why didn’t’ you tell me?" He swallowed hard. "About the marriage? You didn’t say anything."

"How could I?" Kimiko retorted. "You boys don’t understand anything. You would have laughed at me."

"But Kimiko—"

"It doesn’t matter, though." She turned away from them, and smiled warmly at Kenshin. "I’m getting married to Himura."

"What!?" Shou and Shinjirou exclaimed at once. Kenshin grimaced, not entirely from his injury.

"That’s right. I’ll marry Himura. Then I won’t have to deal with either of you."

"Kimiko-san, but your father—"

"You can’t—"

"Come on, Himura." Kimiko helped Kenshin to his feet, leaving a shocked Tomoko behind. "Let’s get out of here."

She snatched her arm, his eyes ablaze. But there was something else in that intense gaze; a raw sincerity like that in his voice when they had been at the pond. "Kimiko, you’re making a mistake," he told her quietly. "You’re father will never agree—Kenshin doesn’t live around here, and has no parents. He lives with the hermit. Is that the husband you want?"

Kimiko’s face tightened in anger. "My choice is none of your business, Aono." She ripped her arm away from him. "And don’t talk like you know me so well. You don’t understand me as well as you think."

During their argument Shinjirou stepped back, fading into the crowd. No one had noticed the arrival of several large men at the edge of the gathering, and he spoke to them quietly. They nodded, and turned to watch the verbal battle taking place.

"Maybe you’re right." Shou held his face tight, hiding any emotion save anger. "But I thought I at least knew you, Kenshin. I thought you said you were trying to help." His fists were tightening, obviously preparing for another fight. "I thought you were my friend."

Kenshin gazed around the ring they’d created. Tomoko was on her knees behind him. Across from his were Masa, Tetsuo, and Tetsuya, looking distraught and far less than hopeful. He couldn’t see Shinjirou anymore. Everyone was staring at him, waiting for some kind of response or retort. He didn’t know what to do. He was friends with Shou, and he didn’t want to lose that. But he was also didn’t want to lose Kimiko, either….

"I am your friend, Shou," he answered slowly, trying to choose his words carefully. "I’m just doing this to help Kimiko-san. You really like her, right? You have to do what’s best."

Shou’s face flushed, and Kenshin realized that he shouldn’t have said that just now. Not with everyone watching. And not to Shou. It only made his anger worse. "Are you saying I’m not good enough, Kenshin?" he demanded, stepping forward malevolently. "That some drunk hermit’s boy is better than one of the Aonos, who have been samurai for centuries?"

"Don’t talk about my master like that," he snapped before he realize what he was saying, "or I’ll make you regret it."

"Is that so?"

Kimiko interposed herself between the two. "Stop it," he told them firmly. "No more fighting. I’m going to marry Himura, and that’s all there is to it."

But Shou had other plans. He side stepped around Kimiko and grabbed Kenshin’s injured shoulder, throwing him into the dirt. Kenshin yelped as he landed, gripping the injury as it throbbed. Shou was coming at him, clearly intending another fight. He raised his fist in readiness. "This is stupid!" Kenshin shouted at him, hoping to jar him from this ridiculous feud. "Shou, I don’t want to fight you!"

"Tough," the boy snarled back. He was about to attack when the men previously hidden near the back of the crowd came forward. They grabbed Shou and pulled him back, forcing him onto his back. He kicked and swore but the men bore down, beating him with their fists and feet. They laughed at his efforts to defend himself.

"Hey, hey!" Marshaling his courage, Tetsuya pushed into the fray. "Get away from him!"

"What’s the matter, kid?" one of the three men laughed, pausing. "Want some of the fun?"

Tetsuo, following his brother’s example, interrupted as well. "He said lay off. Shou’s had enough, okay? Just let him calm down."

"This little sack of shit attack my master’s son," the leader snarled, straightening his outfit. "I ain’t gonna lay off."

Kenshin climbed wearily to his feet. He scowled at the audience to the scene—they didn’t seem to realize how serious this was, only enjoying the entertainment. Kimiko was near the side, her hands clasped to her chest, anxious and torn. Nearby, Shinjirou was gloating. Kenshin’s scowl twisted into a look of deep anger. He was tired of this. He didn’t want to listen to the fighting anymore, or the accusations, or the excuses. He only wanted to go home and forget all that had happened. But the smug look on the rich boy’s face convinced him otherwise.

The sound of a sword being drawn caused everyone to stop their bickering. "Leave those four alone," Kenshin hissed, his eyes narrowed as he faced Shinjirou’s three servants. "Just go away. It’s over now."

"Oh yeah?" The leader knocked Shou’s badly beaten body with his toe. "Ha. What’re you gonna do?"

Kenshin adjusted his grip, and when he spoke, his voice was so low and deep that even the older men were startled. "If you touch him again," he threatened evenly, "I’ll kill you."

Kimiko inhaled sharply and covered her mouth. "Himura…"

"I’ve had just about enough of this."

Kenshin blinked as if awakening from a trance, and was shocked to see a familiar white-cloaked figure emerging from the porch of a nearby house. His expression betrayed no emotion—anger or satisfaction—as he moved hindered behind his student. "I think that’s enough, gentlemen," he said loudly, crossing his arms. "I’m sure this boy was an excellent test for your strength, but you’re finished, I should think."

"Who the hell are you?" one of them reminded.

"A devil," Hiko replied coolly. The faintest trace of a smirk touched his lips. "You’ve had enough. If you want to really see some blood, come fight me."

Before they could retort, Kenshin spoke up. "Master, don’t."

Hiko cocked an eye. "Oh?" Then he ignored the boy. "Well, gentlemen? Your master’s untouched. Take him home."

"You don’t have to do this," Kenshin persisted, tightening his hands around his sword. "I can take care of this myself."

"Gentlemen?"

The leader frowned. "Look pal, we’re just doing our job."

"Master—"

"I’m waiting."

"Do you hear me?" Kenshin shouted, turning to face his master. "I said I can handle this!"

But Hiko still was ignoring him. He stood with solid calm, gazing sternly into the eyes of the three men. Everyone held their breath. Then his focus landed on Shinjirou.

"It’s all right," the youth said almost immediately. "Leave the kids alone."

"Yes, Ueda-sama." They stepped out of the circle, all giving Hiko one last, long look. Kenshin was shifting his weight back and forth stubbornly as they left, and the master put a hand on his shoulder in restraint; it was quickly shoved off. Shinjirou’s last gaze was meant for Kimiko, but she turned her head away.

The crowd began to break up, mumbling and whispering to themselves until only the active members of the street drama remained. Shou was tended to by his friends, and Tomoko brought her grandfather, the town doctor, to lend assistance. Hiko and Kenshin stood back. Kimiko was alone, on her knees in the street. As Kenshin watched, tears began to slide down her cheeks. His throat constricted painfully but he stayed still.

Kimiko’s father appeared from the same house Hiko had been in, and crossed hesitantly to his daughter’s side. She accepted his warm embrace, and he held her close as she began to cry. His eyes sought the sword master’s for a moment, but after that he only saw his precious child.

"I spoke with Idaira," Hiko said quietly, so that only the boy at his side could hear. "He told me everything. "You’ve been lying to me for a long time, Kenshin."

All at once Kenshin’s body relaxed, and his sword clattered to the bloodstained street. "You didn’t have to," he rejoined in a hoarse whisper. "I could have handled it alone, for once."

"Not this time. You’re injured."

"Don’t you care that I’m not a kid anymore?" Kenshin shouted at him in a sudden flash of rage, the pain in his body forgotten. "I don’t always need your help; I can take care of myself. Don’t you get it? Just leave me alone!" Snatching his sword he turned and ran away, not pausing to see any of their reactions. He didn’t want to see Kimiko crying, or his friend in pain, or the mocking look on his master’s face. He just ran.

A day passed. Kenshin did his best to avoid Hiko, but he didn’t go back to the village, either. He stayed in the forest mostly, not feeling much of anything. He couldn’t think straight. Everything had happened so quickly that he didn’t know what to think of it all. So he just sat, staring into the water, or at the sky or the shadows, thinking. Just remembering.

After three days Kenshin began to return to normal. He still ventured out alone, and it was during once such outing that he was met by one of his friends. It was Tetsuo. The two of them hadn’t been as close as the others, but still, Kenshin was glad to see him. He asked what had happened.

"Kimiko-san asked me to give you this letter," Tetsuo told him, handing over a small envelope. "You should read it first."

He nodded and, though slightly hesitant, he opened the letter.

The End

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