Part 4: Reunions
"Cho Sawagejo?!" they all said in unison.
Kenshin stepped forward, looking curiously at Cho. What brought him
here to Tokyo? This was certainly the first time in a long time he had
seen any of the Ju Pon Gatana. Cho was working for the police now, but
that being the case, he would have no need to come here.
"Cho, what brings you here?" Kenshin asked curiously.
Cho covered his eyes from the late-day sunlight, then refocused on
Kenshin Himura. He looked exactly the same since the last time he'd
seen him in Kyoto. There was something slightly different about him,
though. Cho couldn't quite put his hand on it, but when he found out,
Saitou would certainly want to know.
"Mind if we go inside?" he asked quietly, walking toward
Kenshin so they stood parallel to each other. "We're being watched."
Kenshin's eyes did a quick survey of everything within his peripheral
vision and found nothing. However, he led the way inside the house.
Kaoru and Yahiko stood outside for a moment more, then followed them
inside. Ayame and Suzume followed everyone inside, but Yahiko took them
into another room to let them take their afternoon nap.
"Battousai, I'll make this meeting quick. I was sent here to inform
you of the shit you've gotten yourself into. By saving that girl, you
may have started something huge. You have no idea. . ." Cho began
enigmatically.
"What does Hiroe-dono have to do with this? And who's watching
us?" Kenshin asked. "I guess I should explain this better.
I don't normally make house calls like this," he said jokingly,
chuckling. "This is the deal, Battousai. The people that destroyed
that village were after Hiroe's father, Kenichi Takano. He was working
with the Japanese government on a secret project involving the foreign
countries in the west," Cho paused when he saw Kaoru silently enter
the room, sitting next to Kenshin.
"It's all right, Cho. Please continue," Kenshin said, realizing
his hesitation.
"Well, they were developing a new and more advanced kind of gun
in that village in secret. But there was one man that wanted that technology
before anyone else could get their hands on it. His name is Ryutaro
Matsumoto," Cho stopped to see if the name had any meaning to Kenshin.
"Ryutaro. . .Matsumoto. . . why does that name sound familiar
to me?" Kenshin asked himself.
"Matsumoto doesn't exactly use guns in the first place, but his
militia likes them very much. He depends on that katana of his more
than anything else. I've heard he's strong enough and fast enough to
compete with even you, Battousai. But I won't believe it until I see
it for myself."
"Kenshin," Kaoru turned to him. "Do you know this man,
Matsumoto?" Kenshin's eyes narrowed slowly with the realization
of who the man Ryutaro Matsumoto was. Faded images of the transition
period between the Keiou Era and the Meiji Era flashed before Kenshin's
eyes. Ryutaro was about Kenshin's age, slightly older. He was a twisted
individual, and Kenshin was glad he only had to face him once. At the
time, he didn't even know who he was, but his skill spoke for itself.
And that one technique. . . .
<FLASHBACK START>
The pre-dawn fog lowered the visibility of the road Kenshin was
traveling on. He had been following word of more Shinsen Gumi members
flocking to Kyoto. Something would happen in the near future. The year
was almost at an end, and he had a feeling that everything was about
to clash. The Ishin Shi Shi had been trying to gather all the members
to prepare for some secret attack. No one knew about the details, but
Kenshin knew. The Hitokiri Battousai knew.
The sooner he got to the nearest town, the better for him. The cold
air was taking a slow toll on Kenshin, but he had to continue. There
was no time for rest. An hour later, he neared a small town consisting
of no more than ten houses, a central well and a stable. Thinking of
making a short stop for something to eat, Kenshin walked into the sole
establishment on the right side of the road. Amazingly, it was open.
Inside, several men were bending over a table, apparently looking
at some kind of blueprint or map.
"Yuichiro, take two good men with you and head into Kyoto.
I want to know what's going on there before we proceed any further.
Maintain a low profile. You know what you have to do," a deep voiced
man said quietly to the young man in front of him. "The rest of
you, continue your training. We'll need all the skill and stamina we
can to best both the Ishin Shi Shi and the Shinsen Gumi."
A warning bell struck in Kenshin's head. Why are they trying to
get rid of everyone? The Shinsen Gumi, he could understand, but the
Ishin Shi Shi? What was their purpose, their motive? There were so many
different factions trying to gain control of the Japanese government,
but the closest to the "throne" was the Ishin Party. Kenshin
didn't particularly agree with any of their tactics, but in order for
peace to reign once again, those wishing to cause chaos and turn aside
the laws of justice would have to be stopped.
They didn't suspect anyone come into the building until a touch
of cold air kissed the feet of the talking leader. He turned around
quickly, sword drawn within seconds. However, no one was there to greet
that sword. No sign that anyone had been there.
"Hmm. . . . .it must have been a draft. . . let's continue
with the plan. . ."
Kenshin had to follow that group of three men. The group, whoever
they were, wouldn't venture into Kyoto if then didn't have the go-ahead
from their scouts. About an hour later, the group of three men left
the building. They were toting the typical samurai attire and weaponry.
The man named Yuichiro was average height, with long black hair tied
tightly to the top of his head in a ponytail. He carried a short sword
and a katana, as was customary, but it was unknown if he knew how to
use them well. Leading the group out of the small town, they headed
north. Kenshin kept a safe distance away from them. They wouldn't evoke
any suspicion until they actually got into Kyoto, after all.
Three days into the trek, Kenshin had the disturbing feeling that
someone was following him. Someone was watching, carefully too. It was
dark outside that night, the light of the moon refusing to show its
face too completely. Suddenly, a huge blast of cold air swept over Kenshin.
A man with crystal green eyes came down from the trees in an unspoken
attack. It was almost like Kenshin's "Ryu Tsui Sen", but there
was something different behind it. Drawing his sword at near godspeed,
he managed to block the attack without getting bruised.
The mysterious swordsman held his sword out in front of him, preparing
for a second attack. "You are as good as they say, Battousai. Most
people would have died in seconds with that attack," his deep voice
grumbled in a strange accent.
"Why did you attack me?" Kenshin asked, his eyes narrowed
to slits and eyes slowly turning to yellow.
Not a man for talk, the swordsman seemingly floated over to Kenshin
to attack him head on. The clash of swords went on for at least ten
minutes before Kenshin pulled out his "Ryu Kan Sen" on the
mysterious man. Amazingly, he managed to counter it. Who was this man?,
Kenshin thought. He's countering everything Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu has.
How can this be?!
Without warning, the man jumped back under a tree just as the moon
started revealing its light. Hiding in the shadows, his eyes glowed
brightly as he spoke to Kenshin one last time.
"Do not disturb the group you follow. You may be stealthy but
I am better than you. Remember that, Battousai. There is someone out
there that is better than you," he said quietly. It was so quiet
Kenshin almost had to strain to hear it.
As Kenshin began to speak, the man stopped him.
"I know what you want to know. My name. . ." he chuckled
softly to himself. "Matsumoto. . .Ryutaro Matsumoto. Remember it
well, Battousai. It will be the last thing you utter before you die."
The abruptness of the blowing wind alerted his exit. In a rush of
air, the man named Matsumoto disappeared. As quickly he came, he was
gone. Kenshin looked down at his person to see if he had been bruised,
because in the heat of battle, one doesn't really think of anything
but winning. He realized he had cut him across the midsection, as well
as on his wrists. What shocked him was he didn't even realize it. That
he left an unsettling feeling over Kenshin's sword. Someone that could
counter Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. . . was it possible? Another budo that
could even possibly defeat Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu? Kenshin's mind was heavy
with confusion, but that could not distract him now. Kyoto was not far.
. .
<FLASHBACK OVER>
"Kenshin?" Kaoru repeated, her voice floating over the haze
of Kenshin's memories.
"Yes, Kaoru-dono. . . . I remember him. I only had to face him
once, but he never truly told me why he wished to fight me. He did have
a strange technique, something I only saw once in my life, and I certainly
don't want to see it ever again," he frowned deeply.
Kaoru looked at Cho briefly. What could have possibly happened? Kenshin
was undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters in existence, but this
one man had Kenshin worried.
"What kind of technique, Kenshin?" asked a hesitant Kaoru.
Kenshin paused before he spoke. "His technique countered my Hiten
Mitsurugi Ryu. . ."
"WHAT?!" Cho put his hands on the floor in shock, staring
at Kenshin. "How is that possible?"
"It is possible. I've faced him once and only once." Kenshin
told them the story of his trek to Kyoto and what had happened. Silence
quickly filled the room.
Meanwhile, Yahiko sat outside the on the Dojo steps. All of these unexpected
visitors have been making him worried about Kenshin leaving them once
again. He wouldn't leave now, especially now, that he had proposed to
Kaoru. His life as a true rurouni, the wanderer, was over. Right? He
turned his back toward the training hall doors. He almost didn't want
to know what was going on. It would reveal itself soon enough.
Something moving caught Yahiko's eye in the trees just outside the
Dojo walls. Just then, a dagger with a piece of paper stuck in the middle
flew to the right of Yahiko onto the wooden platform.
"What the --" he bit back a curse, turning to the direction
of the now disappeared person. He grabbed the dagger, pulling off the
hastily written message. After quickly reading the message, Yahiko ran
back inside the Dojo to show Kenshin. The doors of the training hall
flew open, destroying the silence.
"KENSHIN!"
"Yahiko, what is it?" Kenshin looked up at the young samurai,
noticing the letter in his hand. "Where did you get that letter
from?"
"It just appeared out of nowhere. I thought I saw someone, but.
. .. look! You've got to see what this says. . ." Yahiko sat down
in front of the three people, flattening the crumpled paper on the floor,
reading aloud.
"'Our fight is about to be concluded, Battousai. Sunset tomorrow,
outside Tensho village at the river's edge'," Yahiko read aloud.
"It's signed by Ryutaro Matsumoto. Who's that?"
Cho stood, preparing to leave. His face was semi-solemn, faced with
the possibility of having to face a man as strong as the Battousai if
he couldn't take care of him. Shit, he thought. It's always something.
. . .
"I've gotta get going and find out if there's any new news with
the local police. If I get anything important, I'll get it to you,"
he said quietly as he started for the door.
"Cho, why are you here?" Kaoru asked curiously. "How
did you know about this from Kyoto? This only happened this morning.
Who sent you?" He looked from Kaoru to Yahiko, then to Kenshin.
"We've known about him for a long time. He's only started to mobilize
in the last couple of months. Matsumoto has been after Kenshin a long
time," he said enigmatically.
"But who sent you, Cho?" Kaoru insisted.
"Yes, Cho," a voice said from behind Cho. He turned around
to find the jackass he met in jail a long time ago. "Who sent you?"
"I didn't know the chicken lived here too. . . ." Cho smirked.
Sanosuke fumed from the ears at the name. "You bastard! Just answer
the question. . . .!" Sanosuke held up his fist in warning.
"Oh, whatcha going to do to ME?" Cho arched an eyebrow in
question. "Besides, I don't have time for this. I've got WORK to
do."
Kenshin stood, turning to face the eager-to-leave Cho. "Cho, thank
you for coming to tell us about this. We know you didn't have to."
"Actually I did have to. He wanted me to come here and see just
how the Battousai was doing," Cho chuckled, walking assuredly toward
the entrance. "Keep an eye on that girl Hiroe. She's the only thing
you've got to fight against Matsumoto. It's what he wants from you as
a businessman."
And as a man, Kenshin thought, Matsumoto wants me dead. But why? When
Cho disappeared around the bend, Sanosuke walked up to Kenshin.
"I found out some interesting stuff, Kenshin. Looks like this
Matsumoto guy has a LOT of connections and hands in high places. Some
of the guys say he's been recruiting in Yokohama and just recently in
Tokyo. For what, no one knows but Matsumoto. He hasn't told anyone anything
yet."
When a strong wind blew through the halls, Kenshin plucked the letter
that was previously on the floor out of the air. This was the only key
to finding out who and what kind of man Matsumoto was, and what his
plans were.
"Kenshin, you're not going to fight him, are you? You know what
you have to face! How--"
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin's lips turned up into a small smile.
"I promised you I would not leave, and I won't. But to prevent
him from harming any of you, I have to face him. I don't know what his
motives are as yet, but this is the only way I can find out. Have faith
in me, as you always have. . ."
Kaoru nodded in response. The patter of footsteps from the other room
turned everyone's attention.
"Everyone!" Megumi shouted, weary from a long day of personal
care. "Everyone, Hiroe's awake!"
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