Disclaimer: I don't own or claim Rurouni Kenshin or Ranma1/2. I don't make any money from this or have intentions of copyright infringements, so please don't sue me.

Bushido

The night was balmy and clear, the skies were a velvet blanket dotted with stars. Ranma was once again amazed how much clearer the skies were here in the nineteenth century than they were in the twentieth. He smirked at the irony. For such a clear night, how could things be so complicated and unclear?

The whole afternoon had been filled with tension between the visitors and the regular occupants of the Kamiya household. There were many times that afternoon that came close to erupting into a full scale war, especially since Saitoh kept throwing out veiled threats and jibes, and like a certain Tendo whom Ranma knew, Eiji had taken the bait and replied in kind.

It had taken the calming effects of Kenshin and Kaoru's strong will to keep the two from going at each other's throats. Ranma and the three Tendo girls all sat back, amazed at the display of violence that emanated from Eiji and Saitoh. As for Emi Tendo, she merely sat quietly wearing a worried expression on her face; once in a while she glanced fearfully at Saitoh.

Sano and Yahiko were a different matter. Knowing their aggressive personalities, Ranma had thought that they would have been in the thick of the fight between Saitoh and Eiji. Instead, they sat quietly amidst the arguing, deep in thought, and peeking at Kenshin occasionally with a concerned look in their eyes.

The whole afternoon ended when Eiji left in a huff after one of Saitoh's insults was aimed at his honor. He had turned around once to eye Ranma and to say, "This isn't over yet, Saotome. I'll come for your blood yet."

Emi had stood up as well, bowed once then followed her brother demurely.

What a mess! Ranma thought. Of all the times to land in, I had to land in a place where the Tendos and the Saotomes were in a bloody feud. Why didn't pop ever mention this? Or does he even know about this feud?

A whiff of smoke floated across his nose and made Ranma cough lightly. He knew without turning that it was Saitoh.

"What do you want?" Ranma asked petulantly. Saitoh hadn't spared Ranma that afternoon.

Saitoh was silent a moment. Then said, "For my wife's honor, I must help you."

"I don't need or want your help."

"I'm not offering it," Saitoh said harshly. "Whether you like it or not, you and I are going to be in this fight."

"There ain't gonna be a fight if I can help it."

"Ahou. Then you're stupider than I thought."

Ranma whirled around to glare at Saitoh. "I've had enough of your insults! Why don't you pick on some other guy?!"

Saitoh smirked, satisfied that he got Ranma's full attention. "There's more Tendos out there, you know. Eiji is one of the youngest. Once they all find out that you're here and not in Hokkaido with the rest of the Saotome clan, they're going to hunt you down and who knows what's going to happen. You'll have no choice but to defend yourself."

"What do I care, hopefully I'll be gone by then."

"Hmph." Saitoh blew another cloud of smoke from his cigarette. His eyes lost the mocking glint that they usually reflected, and instead, a cold flint of ice replaced it and looked straight into Ranma's innocent glare. "That's another thing, Saotome Ranma. Just who the hell are you really, and where in hell did you sprout from?"

Ranma felt himself grow cold from Saitoh's emotionless stare. However, because of his pride, he refused to turn away. "Why do you care?"

"Baka, I already told you that---"

"--That you are married to a Saotome and that it's your fight as well and blah blah blah! Well, you know what I think? I think that there's something else going on here. Something that you ain't telling the rest of us," Ranma shouted.

"Perhaps," Saitoh replied. His eyes turned back to the normal mocking glint that he often wore. He smirked down at Ranma. "At the moment it doesn't concern you."

"The hell it doesn't! If Akane, Nabiki or Kasumi gets hurt just cause you ain't telling me something, you're gonna hear from me."

"That's another thing-- can you trust those Tendo girls?"

"Why you---! I consider them my family and they're under my protection. And I don't want you giving them the bad treatment just because they're Tendos."

"Is that a threat, then?"

Ranma pushed himself against the wall that he had been leaning on. "Take it however you will, I'm outta here."

Saitoh's parting words stopped him in midstride. "Training will start tomorrow morning."

"The hell it will," Ranma muttered.

Saitoh grinned, and blew another smoke into the air. For once, he looked forward to waking up to another day.

******************************************

"Ranma-kun?"

Ranma turned around to face the speaker. "Kenshin-san."

The red haired swordsman stepped out of the shadows and paused in front of Ranma.

"Let us take a short walk, shall we?" Kenshin said after a short silence. Without waiting for a reply from Ranma, he walked away, heading for the door.

Ranma sighed and followed.

The short walk to the river shore was short and silent, neither men feeling the need to open up conversation just yet. When they got the secluded spot by the river where an old tree grew by the reeds, Kenshin stopped, gazing only at the direction of the river.

Ranma watched his companion's back and wondered at his oddness. He saw Kenshin's glance move upwards watching the multitude of fireflies flying around.

"Are fireflies the only reason why we're here?" Ranma asked sarcastically.

Kenshin turned around and surprised Ranma with a smile. A smile that hid a lot of sadness behind it. "No. I heard you speak to Saitoh just now."

Ranma felt as though a dam burst inside him and the torrent of pent up emotions spewed forth. "Then you know that he was probably right."

"About the inevitable fight? Yes, I think that he was speaking the truth."

Ranma scowled. "I wanted there to be no fight and I will try my best still to make sure that no one is going to get hurt, but I think I would be lying to myself. Just like I did a few minutes ago when I talked to Saitoh."

"You were not foolish to have hoped for such a thing to happen, Ranma-kun. I know."

Ranma put his hands in his pocket and scuffed the ground with the toe of his shoe. He noticed just now that he still wore his usual outfit -- the red Chinese shirt and the black kung fu pants and shoes. It seemed like the only things he had that reminded him of his real life, not this insane version of the past. The past, the future; where had it gone wrong? Why was he always in the middle of something nearly out of his control?

He kept seeing the hate in Eiji's eyes, the fear in Emi's. He kept hearing Akane's unspoken question and felt her silent concern for him. He was afraid, too, and he felt the hate and anger inside him build up as he went over the story of the feud over and over again in his head. He felt so helpless against all the emotions swirling around him, and it was that helplessness that fueled his hate and anger.

"Remember the afternoon when we talked about Kaoru's technique?" Kenshin asked Ranma.

Ranma squinted at him. "Yeah, so?"

"You called it idealistic."

"Yeah."

"Her father was the founding master. I believe that he was a man who had been through a lot during the civil war. Those ideals helped bring the peaceful time you live in."

"So what are you saying… that I do what I want to do and leave Saitoh and Eiji to go at each other's throats 'til they kill each other?"

Kenshin looked at him full in the face. "What do you really want, Ranma-kun?"

"Like I said before--."

"You want to fight no fights and keep everyone safe."

"Right."

"So they will be safe if you do nothing?"

"You know that ain't true," Ranma said, angry again. "I know what you're getting at. You think I'm wrong to want my cake and eat it, too. You think that Saitoh is right and that I'll have to take his training crap in order to protect everyone. Well, I'll tell you right now that I don’t need anybody to train me, I can handle things on my own."

"Cake?" Kenshin was momentarily sidetracked by that comment. But his eyes re-focused and they stared hard at Ranma. "There's nothing wrong with what you want." He broke off their eye contact and said softly. "I've been there."

Ranma felt the anger drain out of him. "I think you understand. But it doesn't change the fact that people here are trying to kill Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi and me. Pops and Mr. Tendo left me the responsibility to take care of them." Ranma scuffed the ground again, his voice gravelly with emotion. "How can I when the only way that I could is to… kill?"

Kenshin turned in time to watch Ranma's retreating back. He didn't go after him and demand explanations. He knew he didn't need to, Ranma's last words were more than enough for Kenshin to see clearly how Ranma felt about the whole thing.

He sighed. At this moment, he couldn't think of anything that would help Ranma out. The fact of the matter was that Saitoh was involved. And when the cop was involved, Kenshin could be assured that there was more to the situation than what Eiji and Saitoh had explained. How deep is Saitoh involved in this and why? That, Kenshin thought grimly, was what he had to find out-- and soon, before anyone could get hurt.

***************************************

Kaoru woke up to the sound of chirping birds and bright sunlight. She sat up and stretched, tasting the sour flavor in her mouth. With drowsy eyes she turned her head to the side to see whether her temporary roommate was awake yet. She was startled to find the dark brown eyes of her roommate wide awake and watching her anxiously.

"Akane!" Kaoru exclaimed.

Akane nodded. "Good morning, Kaoru."

"Is there something going on or are you just an early riser?"

"Well, -uh- actually, there was something that I was thinking about all night and -uh-"

Kaoru was getting up and was pulling her clothes on when Akane paused. "And?"

"Well, I was -uh- thinking… that is, if you wouldn't mind to -um-… I was wondering if you could…"

"Don't worry, Akane, you can ask me anything. We're friends, right?"

"I was wondering if you could help me to train with the sword!" Akane blurted out suddenly.

Silence greeted her request and she raised her eyes to see whether or not Kaoru heard her. Akane met the other's blue eyes and saw sympathy and understanding in them. Both waited in silence for the other to continue.

After a while, Kaoru spoke up. "The family feud is behind this decision, isn't it?"

Akane bowed her head and nodded silently.

"Are you going to be using whatever I teach you to fight in the feud against the Saotomes?" Kaoru asked, sitting herself down beside Akane.

Akane's head snapped up. "No! I wouldn't ever use my abilities as a martial artist to hurt anyone in that way, especially Ranma's family!"

Kaoru smiled in relief. "I guess I knew that already. You're not the type to be like that."

"I just want to help Ranma and protect my sisters, now that Dad is not here."

"Ranma seems to be quite capable of protecting all three of you."

Akane's eyes darkened momentarily. "But I'm a martial artist, too. Besides, it's not just his family involved, mine is, as well." She turned pleading eyes to Kaoru, "I want to prove to Ranma that I could take care of myself. I know that I can't always expect that he'll always be there to protect me."

Kaoru saw Akane's determination and felt the other girl's feelings for her fiancé through her words.

Akane's next words, though whispered, affirmed Kaoru's thoughts. "I don't want him to worry about me."

Just like how Kenshin and I try not to make the each other worry…we love each other too much. Kaoru nodded. "You're right. You can join me and Yahiko in the dojo then."

Akane's visage brightened and she leaned over to hug the other girl. "Thank you so much, Kaoru! And I promise that I would never use it in the wrong way."

"I know. Now, hurry up or Yahiko would take the opportunity to sleep in and be lazy."

"Can I borrow--?"

"Yup, there's an extra gi and hakama in the clothes in the wardrobe."

"Thank you."

Kaoru smiled and left Akane to get dress in private.

************************************

Saitoh sat in a corner of the storage room, his form looked deceptively relaxed, and he was looking at Ranma's sleeping form. A cigarette butt was dangling from fingers and he took a last inhalation before throwing the worn out butt on the floor and putting it out with one foot. He exhaled the smoke through his nose and stood up, having had enough of waiting for his pupil to get up on his own. He glanced briefly at Sano, who was asleep on the other side of the room.

He strolled casually towards the sleeping Ranma and looked down at him, sneering. With one leg, he lightly kicked Ranma in the ribs. "Wake up."

"Five more minutes, Akane," Ranma mumbled, turning over.

Saitoh scowled and glared at the sleeping Ranma. He had no time for this. He kicked the younger man once more, this time a bit harder. "Get up."

Ranma groaned. "Geez, Pop, get lost."

Saitoh's grinded his teeth. His frustration at not having his orders obeyed immediately made him reach down to take Ranma by the collar of his tank top. Saitoh carried the boy, who was still sleeping, outside the storage room and dumped him on the ground.

To the older man's disgust, Ranma curled into himself against the frigid morning air and continued to snore. With an anger that only Ranma could inspire, Saitoh swing his leg back and brought it forth to kick Ranma into the stratosphere where he disappeared in a twinkle of light.

"Ahou, " Saitoh spat. He dusted his hands and took a fresh cigarette from his pocket. He was about to light with a flint when he realized just what he had done.

Kenshin found him kicking the dust and muttering swears and profanity aimed at Ranma. And high in the air, with his mind still groggy from a fitful night, Ranma woke up and sneezed.

*****************************************

"You are so full of yourself," Ranma muttered at Saitoh.

Saitoh merely smiled and whacked his pupil on the head for lack of respect to the master.

After being notified by the Akabeko Restaurant in downtown Tokyo that Ranma had landed through their roof, Saitoh was forced to go after him, making him annoyed as hell at the delay. In addition, Kaoru coerced him into buying that evening's dinner of tofu, based on the threat that she would otherwise cook dinner. And although Saitoh was willing to give his life for just causes, he had no desire to die that night.

They walked along the path, earning glances from the passerby's. Saitoh kept his mouth grim and expression forbidding but on a closer inspection, one could actually see the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"How was I suppose to know that you'd fly that far," Saitoh replied. "And what were you thinking of landing through the roof of the restaurant and disturbing the public like that. You could have started a riot back there, fool."
"I didn't--" Ranma sputtered indignantly.

"Rule number one: don't interrupt your master while he's trying to teach you something. And rule number two: Don't ever draw attention to yourself in any way. Tendos could be catching you off guard and taking advantage of the situation."

"This is stupid," Ranma said. He earned another whack on the back of the head. "Hey!"

"There's still a lot that you have to learn, boy! And one of them is respect!"

"You're not my father! And even if you were, I still wouldn't listen to ya!"

Saitoh stopped in the middle of the road and turned to Ranma. He stood there, staring down at the younger man, saying nothing and making no move. Ranma began to sweat at the coldness that was reflected in the eyes of his self-appointed master.

"Fine," Saitoh said quietly, coldly. "I will challenge you to a hand to hand combat. The fight will only last a few seconds. If I win, you follow me, no questions asked. If you win, which I very much doubt that you will, I will not punish you for your impudence."

"That ain't fair!" Ranma yelled. He didn't finish what he was saying because instinct took over the moment that he felt Saitoh spring at him with an attack.

Saitoh's speed was incredible and if it weren't for Ranma's training, Ranma knew that he would've have been seriously wounded. Instead, Ranma countered Saitoh's speedy punches in the only way he knew how.

"Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken!"

Saitoh nearly got bowled over, his concentration severely disrupted. It wasn't only because of the speed of Ranma's defense against his own attacks, but also at the name of the counterattack. Who ever heard of someone yelling out about Roasting Chestnuts right before he punched? Then it clicked in his head. Saitoh smiled, the kid was not as obtuse as he first thought. But Saitoh was smarter; he saw through Ranma's ploy of trying to distract his opponent by yelling out about food when there was none.

But two can play at that game. With a smirk, Saitoh readied himself and waited for an opening. After a few milliseconds, his trained eyes saw it: the flicker of an eye that allowed Saitoh to break his attack without leaving himself open to Ranma's punches.

Gotcha! Saitoh smirked as he stepped back from Ranma and quickly pointed to the ground in preparation of his attack… "Look it there! A thousand yen coin!"

Ranma's surprise was a fatal mistake as Saitoh snapped an arm out and punched him in the face and knocking him out.

"Hmph,…Ahou," Saitoh scoffed before picking up Ranma's unconscious body and pulled him up over his shoulders.

*************************************

Kenshin was doing the laundry in the yard when Saitoh walked through the gates with an unconscious Ranma over his shoulder. Then he watched, his head turning with his eyes, as Saitoh unceremoniously dropped Ranma onto the porch and went inside.

"What's for lunch?" Saitoh's voice drifted from the inside of the house.

"Where's the tofu?!' Kenshin heard Kaoru's voice reply.

"Kuso…I forgot it," Saitoh said. Kenshin watched as the older man stepped out again and passed him. Without a word to the red haired man kneeling in front of a tub filled with bubbles and dirty water, Saitoh walked out the gates as casually as he had walked in.

Kenshin cocked his head to one side, contemplating the strange scene when a moan suddenly distracted him.

"Ranma kun, what happened?" Kenshin asked Ranma who was just waking up.

"That--that lousy cheat! He used one of pop's lame attacks to pull one over on me!" Ranma yelled.

"Pull one over on you?"

"Never mind. Geez, who would've have imagined that he was just as cheap as pop! Maybe that's where pop gets his brains and stupid attacks," Ranma said. "Anyway, I'm gonna get something to put on this eye."

Kenshin watched him with sympathy. "Did you learn anything with Saitoh this morning?"

All he got was a snort before Ranma disappeared inside the house.

Kenshin sighed and was about to get back to his laundry when suddenly a loud hiss came from somewhere to his left. A short moment later a head appeared and Kenshin recognized it to be Nabiki Tendo.

"Himura-san," Nabiki called out.

"Nabiki-dono," Kenshin replied, getting up from his squat position and going up to her. "Did you need anything?"

"You could say that," Nabiki waited a moment to phrase the favor that she was about to ask. "I heard that you were a really important factor in getting the government where it is today and that you have some influence with some of the members."

Kenshin stiffened but otherwise showed no other sign of his wariness. He nodded at her statement. Then he sighed, not wanting to think about how she got to her conclusions about him and what he called his previous life.

Nabiki took a deep breath and asked, "I was wondering if you know anybody on the government that I could talk to. Someone with proper connections and the legitimate power to order people around."

Kenshin looked deep into Nabiki's eyes, trying to discern her motives. He looked pass the distant barrier that she tries to use a shield and saw the worry and the anxiousness hidden behind. Ever since she had come to the Kamiya dojo, he had the impression that she was a person who always wants to be in control of things. He saw how she had numerously blackmailed Ranma to do certain things for her over the past week. And even though she tried to be covert in her activities, he knew that she had been contacting and bribing certain local authorities to do as she asked. He had not seen any foul play nor anyone getting hurt. In fact, some of the skeletons that she had dug up on the targeted persons were always something small, like humiliating moments that those same targets did not want to make public. Also, anything she did always somehow benefited the Kamiya household, paid by her victims ofcourse. In that way, Kenshin could not say that it was a form of corruption in the government levels.

He concluded that although Nabiki Tendo had twisted ways to her own advantage, she had always shared whatever she could with the people she cared about.

Kenshin smiled at her warmly. "I know several people that you could talk to, Nabiki san. However, I must warn you that some of them are not as friendly or as helpful that you might want them to be."

"I know what you mean," Nabiki muttered, thinking about all the times that she came close to being thrown in jail for some of the things she used to bribe the authorities. If it weren't for her negotiating skills and her previous experiences with that sort of under the table dealings, she would've have had her picture figuratively on the sides of the milk cartons.

"Hmm," she continued, "Then I would have to---"

Nabiki paused, looking at Kenshin warily. She almost spilled the beans on how she was going to go about getting the government's attention.

Kenshin just smiled again, already ahead of her. "I know some ninjas that you might want to know, Nabiki-dono."

Nabiki's mouth opened and closed like a fish. How did he know?

Kenshin looked anxiously at her. "Is there anything that you might need to ask the government people to stop the feud?"

Nabiki just about burst. She grabbed Kenshin around the neck, although he was taller and stringer than she was, and clamped a hand over his mouth. "Do you want the whole world to know what I'm about to do?!"

Kenshin shook his head. Nabiki loosen her hold then released him, dropping him on the ground.

Kenshin rubbed his behind and looked up at the younger girl from his position on the ground. "Sorry about that, Nabiki-dono. I didn't mean to blurt it out like that."

Nabiki managed to compose herself into the cool, professional business woman that she liked to think she was. "I apologize, too, for grabbing you like that. So, just give me the name and address of those persons that might want to work for me temporarily and I'll contact them on my own."

"Don't worry, I'll get someone to send a carrier pigeon. They have a person here in Tokyo that contacts them and such."

"Alright then, we'll do that." Nabiki crossed her arms. A moment later, she took a deep sigh and her shoulders slumped. "I didn't mean to bring the feud at your door. I never meant for it to be like that. I just--- didn't know."

Kenshin stood up and put a hand on her shoulders and commiserated with her. "I know. You couldn't have found out something that people in this time era has accepted to be as onews. Don't worry about it."
Nabiki looked up at the red haired swordsman and gave a watery smile. It was the first ray of hope that she had found since finding out that she had brought danger to her own family.

"Now," Kenshin said, walking towards the house. "I can make you a list of government officials to contact…"

"Thank you," Nabiki said, so softly that Kenshin almost didn't hear. But he did hear and he smiled to himself, feeling that Nabiki-dono did not say those words often.

Sano had just gotten up and was on his way to see if he could get some breakfast when he bumped in Nabiki and Kenshin.

"Oi, Kenshin, Nabiki," Sanosuke greeted them.

"Sano! So glad that you're here," Kenshin replied happily. "I was wondering if you could send a message to Aoshi for me."

"Sure, as soon as I got my breakfast down."

"That would be good."

"Sure, whatever," Sano said. He didn't care as long as he got his breakfast soon.

"Nabiki dono will accompany you," Kenshin continued.

"Fine," Sano made to move away. His stomach was giving him painful signals on how hungry it was and the smell of fish and fragrant rice was wafting in the air.

"Do you think that I should address the message to Aoshi or Misao dono?"

"It doesn't matter," Sano said tightly, his red eyes glaring at Kenshin. He needed breakfast now! Fish and rice… is that too much to ask for?

"Alright then, I'll write the message now. Thank you, Sano," Kenshin said, leaving.

Sano sighed in relief. He was about to continue on his way when he heard Nabiki's laughing voice. "Gotta have those pops, eh?"

He scowled at her and ran for the dining area.

*****************************************

Saitoh's first order of business in regards to Ranma's training was to make him learn discipline and control. He led Ranma into the forest and into a clearing where space was provided for chopping firewood.

"Why do I have to chop the wood? You were the one that Kaoru asked," Ranma complained.

"It's part of your training," Saitoh said simply.

"Training my ass. You're just trying to get out of chopping wood, ain't ya?"

"And you are an impudent little pup that just wouldn't learn. Do we have to repeat the lesson from this morning?"

"You got me off guard with that stupid attack," Ranma muttered.

Saitoh ignored the insult to his skills of distraction and pointed to a pile of unchopped wood. "Raccoon girl wants the wood chopped small. I want you to cut each block of wood into six even pieces. And oh, keep it neat."

Ranma grumbled his way to the chopping block and proceeded to attempt to cut the wood into the pieces that Saitoh wanted. He managed to cut the blocks into six strips but they were all uneven. He made a mess too.

"This is hopeless. Each wood is cut different and you can't expect all of them to be even, the bark will separate wherever there's a weakness in the grain."

Saitoh leaned back against the tree behind him, his hands supporting his head and his eyes closed. Without looking at Ranma, he said, "Keep working, boy."
"Slave driver," Ranma breathed under his breath. At least one thing that he could be thankful for is that Saitoh doesn't come up with really idiotic ways of training, like say, Pop with his cat fist technique. He shuddered at the memory of it then got back to work.

An hour later, Ranma was sore but kept working. Saitoh was covertly watching him from beneath his eyelids when Kenshin came thrashing through the forest path.

"Himura," Saitoh greeted indifferently. It was silently agreed between Kenshin and him that they would leave their personal differences aside while Saitoh was staying in Tokyo and training Ranma.

"Saitoh," Kenshin replied. "How's the training coming along?"

Saitoh sat up from his reclining position and took out a cigarette. "Frankly, the boy amazes me."

Kenshin grinned. "I'm not surprised. You should have seen him training with his father that first morning after they came."

"His speed and control was quite impressive for someone his age."

"I can see that," Saitoh looked across the distance between the chopping block where Ranma was swearing profusely. "However, he still needs a good hit on the head sometimes. His ego is beyond me. Kinda reminds me of myself when I was younger and being recruited for the Shinsen Gumi."

"Same as me, when I was under Master Hiko," Kenshin said reminiscing. He looked to where Ranma was working hard. "I have a feeling, though, that there may be more to Ranma's abilities than he's shown. I have felt the strength of his presence when he is near."

"Yes, I think so too. I will have to test his abilities in the coming days," Saitoh blew a smoke out of his mouth. "In the meantime, the boy needs to learn how to have a more focused mind. His concentration is short and his overconfidence will no doubt lead him to trouble if he doesn't control his emotions properly."

Kenshin pursed his lips at this. He knew that Saitoh was correct in his assessment but hopefully, Ranma would retain his abilities to use his emotions and confidence that helped him to fight and win against any inevitable attacks from the Tendos. If Ranma were to lose control over those same emotions, it might hinder his martial arts skills.

Kenshin's thoughts were interrupted by a loud muttering voice that was getting nearer. A figure came out of the undergrowth and paused at the edge of the clearing.

Saitoh sat up, Kenshin's eyes narrowed warily, and Ranma looked up with a smirk.

"Hey!" Ranma greeted in a sarcastic voice. "You get lost again?"

The figure glared back, "Shut up, Ranma, and prepare to die!!!"

************ End for now ^_^ **************

email: kenshin_oro@hotmail.com