This story takes place after the Nagaoka Mikio affair, since in the fanfic Sano knew about Tsubame, and Kaoru talked of Kenshin's advice on 'one who wields the Living Sword cannot afford to lose'.
WARNING: Spoilers from manga vol. 12 onwards.
"Hey, fox-lady... coming over to the dojo to annoy *ojouchan again?"
(*ojouchan - Sano's nickname for Kaoru, meaning missy, or should we say 'dai siu je' in Cantonese? ^_^)
Megumi half-turned and sniffed at Sano. "That's the payment I get for treating your wounds for free all those times you were hurt?"
"Hey, I thought it *was* your obligation to heal people for free around the dojo," Sano gave her a lop-sided grin as he fell into step beside her. "It's just as well you came by. You can cook dinner instead of Kaoru -"
He stopped midway as an exceptionally loud crash came from the dojo. Megumi winced slightly at the big noise - not that it was unusual, though - and sighed. "I suppose Kaoru's having a go at Kenshin or Yahiko again."
"Looks like it's Kenshin who's getting it," replied Sano as they approached the dojo. Kaoru, returning to her senses after her outburst, was fussing over Kenshin who had passed out, an ugly bruise on his forehead.
"Kenshin! Are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, honestly I didn't..."
"...oro?" Kenshin sat up and blinked several times in an blurrer-than-usual manner.
"One of these days, you're going to drive him outta here with your bashings, Kaoru," Yahiko snorted, and Megumi gave a delighted squeal. "Oh goodie! Then I would have Ken-chan all to myself!"
"Why you fox - "
"Ah... I'm really sorry, but... could you please tell me where this is?"
Kenshin asked in a timid voice, and was met by a round of surprised stares.
"What're you babbling about, Kenshin? Was Kaoru's bashing so heavy that you've suffered a memory loss?" Sano demanded.
"Kenshin... sumimasen, but is that my name? And who's Kaoru, please?"
Sano, Kaoru, Megumi and Yahiko looked at each other. "Uh-oh."
"And... and why am I carrying a katana? Am I a bandit?" Kenshin was getting more and more flustered now.
Sano knelt down carefully by Kenshin. The others were still too stunned to react in any way. "Hey, man... you know what year this is?"
"Um... it's the 11th year of Meiji, isn't it?"
"Right, and you know who we are?"
"Well... I'm terribly sorry, but I can't seem to remember your name, I've got such a headache, but you *do* seem really familiar... and do please tell me, why am I carrying a *katana*?" Panic was creeping in to those soft, violet eyes.
"OK, OK, calm down... the katana's nothing, you were just fooling around, dressing up like a samurai. There," Sano quickly relieved Kenshin of his sakabatou. Man, he was *afraid* at the sight of the katana, Sano thought. "And as for who we are... Well, Kenshin, you just took a nasty fall and maybe the headache is causing you to be a bit muddled. Now why don't you go take a bath and nurse that bruise, and we'll talk about it over dinner when you're feeling better?"
"Oro? A bath?? Dinner???" Kenshin blinked uncomprehendingly.
"Of course you idiot - this is your HOME!" Sano fairly roared in his impatience and was surprised to see Kenshin actually flinch.
"It is? Oh. I see. Thank you." Kenshin got up wobbly, looked around, and headed off to the bathroom as he suddenly remembered where that was.
His friends stood gaping after him. "Kenshin!" Kaoru recovered from her shock and started after him, only to be stopped in her tracks by a tug on her ponytail from Sano. "Sano, let go of me!"
"What do you intend to do exactly, ojouchan?"
"To help him remember everything, what else?"
"Yeah, Sano, you sure are acting funny today," Yahiko commented.
"You sure that's what you really want?" Sano's retort stunned them all again. "You mean..." Megumi started doubtfully.
"Think about it, you people. From the extra-polite way Kenshin talked just now, the way he panicked at the sight of his own sword, but managed to recall the layout of this dojo, isn't it obvious that all the memories he's lost are those of the..." Sano wavered uncertainly. "...Hitokiri Battousai? And all he is now is the Rurouni Kenshin who settled down here?"
"...So what you're saying is that... since he's forgotten those memories which had made his life miserable all these years... why make him remember?" Megumi said slowly.
"But then... he wouldn't *be* Kenshin anymore!" Kaoru blurted out, almost in tears. "Did you noticed the way he shied from his katana? I'd swear he'd forgotten all his sword skills!"
"So isn't that all for the better? Come on ojouchan, you should know by now that he's gone through things crueller and darker than even we can imagine. It's a miracle that he hasn't gone nuts years before. You should be the one who understands best that he yearns to forgot those memories, but can't. So shouldn't you be happy that he finally gets his wish?"
"But..." Kaoru started again stubbornly.
"Or is it that you want Kenshin to be able to fight, to be able to bail you out of trouble just like he did time after time?" Megumi said exasperatedly, and immediately bit her lower lip in self-reproach and regret, as she saw Kaoru stiffened as if struck by lightning, a teardrop sliding down her cheek. Yahiko and Sano shifted their legs uncomfortably.
"You're both right, Sano... Megumi. I'm just being selfish. I'm sorry. Kenshin deserves a peaceful life now... after what he's been through." Kaoru wiped away the tear. "Come on, let's get dinner ready."
*********
Kenshin languished in the steaming hot water bath, brooding. Why was his mind so blurred? He had remembered the layout of the dojo once his headache got a bit better, every single nook and corner of it. But he still couldn't remember who those people were. No, he *did* know them, he suddenly realised as a part of his mind suddenly cleared, but he still could not recall his first meeting with them. He just vaguely felt that they were very important to him... especially the girl wearing the blue ribbon in her hair. What did that spike-headed guy - Sanosuke, yeah, that was his name - said? That this was his home? Were they then orphans living there? For although he noticed the bliss in their eyes when he woke up from his concussion, he recognised a hint of loneliness in them as well. As if they each had some painful memories, but were content and happy that they were together.
And somehow, though he couldn't be sure of it, he felt as if he understood such thoughts perfectly-
His headache suddenly returned forcefully. With a moan of pain, Kenshin continued his bath, suddenly remembering that he had better hurry up to help prepare dinner and other chores, which was his responsibilities around the dojo.
*********
The second morning, everyone was out at the front of the dojo. Kenshin was doing the laundries, humming a tune to himself as usual.
As usual. Everything seemed as usual, except that Kenshin seemed extra-carefree.
Kaoru nearly jumped out of her skin when Sano popped up beside her. "You've been ogling at your man for the past fifteen minutes, ojouchan."
"*Don't do that!*" Kaoru continued more calmly as she simmered down. "You know, Sano, you were right yesterday. I mean, before his fall, no matter how relaxed he seemed to be, you always feel that he's not happy totally - like he's imprisoning some of his feelings inside him. That's why his eyes are so deep, I guess." Kaoru sighed.
"Yeah, I know. Look at him now - the picture of innocence and bliss, isn't he?" Sano said. During dinner yesterday, everyone was reintroduced to Kenshin, and they quickly agreed to Kenshin's assumption that Kaoru, Yahiko and Kenshin were orphans who lived together, while Megumi and Sano were their friends who had their own abodes. It was the truth, anyway - minus all the complicating parts. Sano had playfully elbowed Kenshin in the ribs, and everyone was surprised that he didn't dodge out of the way, and doubled over with the pain instead. *That* confirmed Kenshin's total loss of memory of his fighting skills and instincts. In fact, everything that was related to his darker personality.
And Kaoru just couldn't help feeling like singing out loud when she thought of that last point. Finally, Kenshin was able to rid himself of his evil twin.
"Oi, Kaoru! Stop day-dreaming! It's time for my lessons! You know I want to grow strong fast, so whaddaya waiting for!" Kaoru was cruelly awakened from her musing by a whack on the head by Yahiko.
"Why you little brat! Wait till I change and get my bokken, then you'll learn the true prowess of *Kenjutsu Komachi!"
(*Kenjutsu Komachi - Kaoru's nickname in Shimatachi, Tokyo, meaning the Beautiful Lass of Kenjutsu)
"Oro?" Kenshin blinked, and Megumi gave a titter. "Have you forgotten, Kenshin? Yahiko's having kendo training from Kaoru."
"And what do you mean by sucking up to Kenshin once I turn my back, Megumi?" Kaoru loomed above Megumi, attired in dojo clothes.
"Well, brush up your cooking skills if you want to challenge me, darling."
"Why you!"
"Hey! My lessons!"
Kenshin stared at the general chaos. Sano snorted. "Women and kids."
"And you! You who never pay for your food and medicines!"
Kenshin smiled in spite of himself. It sure was good having these people around. Though he still couldn't get his mind cleared on certain points, he was sure of one thing now.
These people were his family, and he never wanted to lose them...
Then he caught sight of his reflection in the water, and gingerly touched his cross-shaped scars.
*Wonder how I got them...*
And suddenly he had a vague, fleeting impression of the scent of plum blossoms, of katanas gleaming in moonlight, of a blue ribbon clutched in his hand, and of a voice shrieking his name...
He shook his head savagely, feeling a small voice in his head: no. don't remember any of those. you don't have to. just remember *this*...
And he opened his eyes again, to see his friends having a good-natured brawl with each other, and smiled again, the visions banished over the horizons of his mind.
*********
Later that day, Sano plopped down in front of Kaoru, who was checking up something in her late father's notebook on kendo trainings. Kenshin was out getting the groceries, for once without his sakabatou. There was no mistake about it, he felt distinctly uncomfortable with any kinds of weapons around him.
"Sorry to disturb you, ojouchan, but there's something we have to be ready for."
"What is it, Sano? I've never seen you so serious before," Kaoru chided.
"Hell, this is no time for joking," Sano coughed. "I remember you telling me that the piece of land your dojo sits on is very valuable nowadays?"
Kaoru nodded, recalling the Hiruma brothers affair.
"Well, I was thinking. Many people know that - I've heard bad hats downtown remarking about it. And what do you think keeps them from robbing the land from you?"
"Oh come on, Sano, you know that as well as I do- " Kaoru stopped suddenly.
"Exactly my point. They're afraid of Kenshin. But it's bound to be out sooner or later that Kenshin's abandoned his sword, and there'll be no stopping those ruffians. I mean, I'll be around, of course, and I doubt if anyone could get past me, but the brighter ones will think of coming in great numbers. And they may think of taking you, Yahiko or Megumi as hostages."
Yahiko, Kaoru and Megumi felt a tinge of coldness creeping up their spines at the thought.
"Yeah... and the people who want Kenshin dead would come for him as well. No matter who he is now, those loons just can't get it out of their heads that he *is* Hitokiri Battousai to the end," Yahiko decided that he could definitely do without encountering the likes of Jine and the Oniwabanshuu.
"By the way, Sano, you're actually intelligent these days." Yahiko commented.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sano snarled. "The truth," muttered Megumi.
Everyone went quiet after that. At length, Kaoru broke the silence.
"So what?"
"Huh?" Sano's and Yahiko's jaws dropped in unison, while Megumi's eyes widened.
"I said, so what? Let them come then. They'll have me to deal with first. Megumi was right when she said that I'm dependant on Kenshin before. Well, now it's not like I'm the run-of-the-mill type damsel in distress - I *am* the heir and temporary master of Kamiya Katsushin Ryuu, damn it! I'm totally capable of defending myself and my friends! Even if I'm not as strong as Kenshin and Sano, you can be sure that I'll do my best to beat any challengers."
"Hear, hear," Yahiko muttered.
"I know what you're thinking, Yahiko - this coming from a girl who constantly needs rescuing? Well, make no mistake about it, Myoujin Yahiko, as much as everyone has every right to be protected, one has every right to *protect* others as well! It was Kenshin who taught me that, and you bet that I'm putting that to practice - it's a way of repaying him. His mission in life is to protect other people with his katana, and if he can't do that now, *I will do it for him.* "
Everyone in the room gaped at her as she finished her speech. At length, Sano let out a long breath. "Has anyone ever tell you that you get over-excited easily, ojouchan?" He continued before Kaoru could retort. "Well, impulsive as you are, I'm with you. If Kenshin can't fight, I will." I'm not letting his efforts of dragging me out of self-pity go to waste. I'm not just letting him down if I can't face this like Kaoru, I'm letting Sagara Taichou down as well.
"Count me in, too." Yahiko said determinedly. "Much as I'm reluctant to say it, Kaoru, you have more spunk in you than I thought. Not bad at all - you pass as my sensei." He ignored Kaoru's glare. It was Kenshin who helped me regain my dignity as a Shizoku. The least way I can repay him is to continue his mission.
"And me, too." Megumi voiced. "Though I'm no fighter, you can be sure that I'll do my very best to help you all." Deserting Kenshin, the man who pointed out a reason and path for me to live? Never!
It was at that moment when Kenshin appeared in the doorway. "I'm home," he said cheerfully.
"Hi, Kenshin. How do you feel today?" Megumi asked.
"Oh, the bruise is already going down. Thank you for your medicine, Megumi-dono. Though I still have funny visions sometimes..." everyone tensed at that. "...but I can never quite grasp it, sumimasen. Maybe my concussion was worse than I thought."
"Right. You are not to exert yourself anymore today. Go get some rest," Megumi instructed.
"But honestly, Megumi-dono..."
"NOW," Megumi intoned firmly in a distinct "this-is-an-order" accent.
"Er... hai." Kenshin submitted meekly. "I'll just put these in the kitchen and- "
The wall crashed open suddenly, and a band of ruffians armed with staffs, bokkens and katanas showed themselves. Kenshin blinked. "Oro?" Megumi paled. Sano groaned. "Speak of the devil." Yahiko sighed. "Looks like Kaoru's having another bill for repairs." Kaoru gritted her teeth and squared her shoulders as she faced the ruffians, her bokken in her hand. "What are you doing here? You are tresspassing on private grounds."
"No we aren't... not after we get the land from you, that is!" The leader taunted. "At them, boys!"
"News does travel fast in Shitamachi (downtown Tokyo)! They must have noticed the missing sakabatou, and jumped to the right conclusion when Kenshin wasn't even aware he was followed!" Sano shoved Megumi and a very confused Kenshin into the dojo, tossing the sakabatou to the practising doctor. "Megumi, stay with Kenshin and don't come out! Defend yourself with the sakabatou if anyone tries to get in!"
"And don't you dare lay a finger on Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted as she dodged a blow and parried another, before kicking into a third opponent's stomach.
"Like this is a time for worrying about your man being stolen, O wise sensei!" Yahiko muttered as he slams his shinai into his oppoent's face. Sanosuke was actually looking *pleased* as he easily knocked down several ruffians with some casual blows. "Yee-hah! Haven't had a decent workout like this in ages!"
"Hey boss! I thought you said that we would only have to worry about *Kenkaya! Why's the girl and the kid so damned strong?" One bad hat demanded.
(*Kenkaya - Sano's nickname among ruffians)
"They were... supposed... to be our hostages!" The leader spitted out in gasps.
"You want to bet on that? And let me give you some sound advice - never underestimate a female." Kaoru said grimly before taking him on.
*********
Inside the dojo, a flustered Kenshin asked, "What's happening, Megumi-dono? Why are they fighting? Why did Sanosuke shove us inside and fight them themselves? Won't they get hurt?"
"Calm down, Kenshin. Those ruffians will be taken care of in no time. Kaoru and Yahiko are stronger than they look, and Sano's a skilled and experienced fighter." A yell outside captured their attention, and Kenshin was horrified to see Kaoru pinned against the wall by the band's leader, her bokken braced against her opponent's thick staff. Although her spirit showed clearly in her eyes, she was clearly losing the fight in terms of strength.
"Kaoru-dono! No!" Kenshin screamed in horror. Sano cursed under his breath. He was too far way from Kaoru to lend a hand. Kaoru's opponent suddenly let go of his staff and drove his elbow hard into Kaoru's stomach, causing her to collapse to the ground, clutching her abdomen and gasping in pain.
"So the legendary Hitokiri Battousai's reduced to a weakling, eh?" The ruffian sneered, picked up his staff and proceeded towards the interior of the dojo.
"Hitokiri... Battousai? Why do you call me that?" Kenshin felt his head swimming again, nightmarish visions of terror invading his mind.
"Stop uttering that name, you bastard!" Sano cursed in anguish. "He's just a man wishing for some peace and quiet! Leave him alone!"
"Seems like he's forgotten the taste of blood, eh, boss?" Yahiko's current opponent was eyeing the young swordsman steadfastly, realising that he couldn't afford to underestimate this particular ten-year-old. "Let's help him remember!" He brought down his short knife in a sudden motion, so unexpected and vicious that Yahiko was caught by surprise. It cut into Yahiko's right shoulder, leaving a deep gash in its wake. Thick, warm blood spurted out, and Yahiko screamed in pain.
"NOOOOO!"
The flashes of blood and screams pounced at Kenshin like hidden beasts of the night, eager to devour him, and he felt the insane, mad sensations-
- of the feel of a katana cutting into living flesh-
- of the scent of warm blood on his face and hands-
- of the screams before the final moment of death-
- of a beautiful, melancholy face twisted with pain as his katana sliced into the body-
- of the gauging of the knife into his left cheek-
- DIE, HITOKIRI BATTOUSAI-
"NOOOOO!" Kenshin screamed in agony as he clutched his head, his body spasming, thrashing in hysteria. Megumi tried to hold him down, their difference in height giving her a better position of doing so. She caught sight of a gleam of gold in those suffering eyes -
"Kenshin, no! Stay here! Don't leave!"
The ruffian with the staff was stepping nearer, an evil smile on his face. As Megumi watched helplessly, a struggling Kenshin in her clutches, the staff was lifted and about to be brought down
when suddenly he was hit viciously from behind by a bokken across the base of his skull.
"I've said it before and I'll repeat it again - never underestimate a female!" Kaoru shouted.
"Or a kid!" Yahiko piped up. He was fighting with Sano beside him, both of them trying to clear off the few remaining ruffians on their feet.
"Why you..." Kaoru and her opponent slid into guarding positions, eyeing each other warily before engaging in battle again.
"Hey guys, hurry up and finish the fight! I think the Battosai in Kenshin is coming out!" Megumi screamed as she felt her strength slipping away, her arms exhausted and sore from the exertion.
"Girl, is it worthwhile to risk your life for a piece of land?" Kaoru's opponent growled. Kaoru's unflagging determination and fierceness was starting to scare him. What she lacked in strength, she certainly made it up in skill, nimbleness and spirit.
"You would never understand it. It was Kenshin who taught us that whoever wields the Living Sword cannot afford to lose, in order to protect the people we want to protect."
Kenshin started at the words. Despite that hell filled with *Ashuras in his mind, despite the fact that for the past moments, all that he could hear was the blood-curdling screams and battle cries in his mind, Kaoru's words rang out clearly.
(*Ashuras - a type of demon in Buddhism and Hinduism beliefs)
It was Kenshin who taught us to protect the people we want to protect
It was Kenshin who taught us
It was Kenshin
KENSHIN
And he remembered other things-
- of the smiles of the people he loved so tenderly-
- of the songs he once sang with the children in the countryside-
- of the scent of plum blossoms and white snow-
- of a blue ribbon clutched in his hand-
- of a man with a white mantle trimmed with red, standing beside him in a sea of wooden crosses-
- of the smiles of two young girls who loved him so tenderly-
- FROM THIS DAY ONWARDS YOU WILL BE CALLED KENSHIN-
The ruffian finally knocked the bokken out of Kaoru's grip. As she fell to the ground, the staff was raised-
"KAORU!"
Kenshin struggled free of Megumi, snatched up the sakabatou lying beside Megumi and lunged out of the dojo, a blur of scarlet flashing through space.
"*Shou Ryuu Sen!!*"
He leapt into the air, katana crashing into the ruffian's neck. The sparkling sunlight filtering through the fiery mane, creating a halo around him and the ruffian as the others looked up at them -
- and landed on his feet nimbly without uttering a word,the sakabatou in a firm grip at his side while the ruffian crashed into the ground behind him. His eyes were veiled from the others by the hair streaming over his forehead. Everyone held their breaths, including the couple of ruffians still on their feet, fearing that any sudden movement may upset the delicate balance of the tensed air, triggering the surfacing of the Hitokiri or the Rurouni -
Kaoru picked up her bokken, summoned up all her courage and walked up to the slight man. They were now two swordsmen facing each other.
"Swordsman with the sakabatou in your hand." Kaoru uttered, surprised at her own calmness. "Who are you?"
Kenshin was silent at first, his mind a sea of contradictions. The light and the darkness twisted and twirled within each other.
"I..."
"I am..."
His mind cleared.
"Kenshin." He paused. "Sessha wa Himura Kenshin."
And the two swordsman collapsed in each other's arms.