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 Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:43 pm
Yahiko still felt slightly uneasy about Tsubame walking back, but he knew that it wasn't too far at all now. "Alright... just becareful walking back," he returned with a slight wave of his own as the waitress left into the night. His red-brown eyes then turned back to look at the two tombstones again filled with a very calm type of look. Silently, he put his hands together and tilted his head downward slightly, closing his eyes. He wasn't much for formalities, but he still felt it important to pay proper respects to the deceased, even if he used to be so casual with them.
He eyes cracked open, still on his long since gone 'family'. He sighed. "Well, Kenshin, Kaoru... there are a few other things I want to tell you both. I know it's hard for you guys to do or say anything about it, but I figure you guys can at least listen. Well... I've decided that after this... issue that seems to be unfolding will be my last bit for Japan. After this, I think I'm just gonna well... marry Tsubame and just train any passerbys that happen to come along. Gotta say Kenshin, I'm pretty impressed with everything that you've done, and I don't regret anything that I've done in these past years as the Sakabatou wielder, but well, since the sword has been passed on to Kenji, I'm think I'll just take care of the life around me. On the plus side, Kaoru, you'll probably get more students this way now that I'll be staying permenantly again. Heh, well... we'll see how everything turns out," He frowned slightly as he bowed formally and then turned around to catch up to Kenji.
"So..." He began casually. "We need
It didn't take him to long to catch up to the youth; Kenji obviously had a lot of things on his mind, and Yahiko was sprinting. Once he caught up, he crossed his arms casually, walking beside the red-head. "You sure you want to go train with Hiko again, eh?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:21 pm
The teen didn't say much, only vaguely nodding somewhat to whatever Yahiko was saying before it really got down to what he'd slightly been walking around on. Leaving, again? It sounded selfish of him, like the only reason he wanted to go back was simply to learn the rest of the Hiten, but it wasn't just that. Kenji wanted to be able to protect those he loved, and with something like Hiten Mitsurugi at his fingertips, that would be assured Chizuru could remain safe and unharmed from those creeps they ran into just barely an hour before. Faded indigo eyes looked up to the bright crimson ones that were the Shihan's- even at his older age, Yahiko was still lively and jovial as ever, just by the expression in his eyes. It gave him some hope that maybe he could find that happiness one day and settle down, have a family, something like his mother had always wanted for their own very broken family at the moment. Snapping out of his thoughts, the swordsman dutifully nodded, attempting to keep a serious expression plastered before going on. "Yeah, I really don't feel right not knowing the rest of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, and to protect everyone around me, I feel like these new people tracking us are gonna be stronger than those simple Yakuza junkies earlier today. On the way from walking Chizuru home, we ran into some thugs that were looking for some information on me, so I guess I'm just jumping the gun as always, right?" Kenji laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head before sweatdropping and lowering his head. I'm hopeless..
The Dojo had come into clear view just moments after walking from the trees where his parents' graves were, and he approached it with relief clinging to his chest. The day seemed a lot longer than it was suddenly, and now it was time to end it. Yawning while clumsily walking inside, the teen slipped off his shoes before approaching the kitchen and sitting in the chair by the chime that hung right outside, the one Kaoru used to change all the time- the sound was nostalgic, what could he say? It usually soothed his mood if he was ill-tempered or something of the sort. Not that it mattered anymore, since they were both gone nobody had bothered to touch it- perhaps it was just a symbol that would stay there for years to come. "So, what are you planning on doing? Don't you think it's about time you stop trying to protect all of Japan and settle down with somebody like.. oh I dunno.. that pretty brown-haired girl you walked home tonight." He sneered, but all in good nature, propping his hand on his chin and slightly grinning before adjusting his position in the chair. "Don't make the same mistake my dad did, Yahiko, or else your kids will resent you too!" It wasn't meant to be a serious tone, as Kenji was more in a playful mood while the moon was hung with a luminescent hue, the eerie light among the mass of plants outside, reflecting on the lake almost mockingly at the two of them. (annnd that was a really stupid long sentence)
So what now for the two men that were destined to protect Japan, but for how long? Kenji shook his head before continuing. "Anyway, I think Hiko-sensei might be expecting me anyhow, I just have this weird feeling. I don't want Hiten Mitsurugi to die like he said he wanted it to with him- I want to carry on the legacy.. my own.." Youth was always a slightly conceited thing, and you never realize it until it's too late to look back on it again. [Really lame post, I know xD I'm sorry.]
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:25 pm
The spikey-haired Shihan shook his head with a smile, taking off his zori. "Well, not much gets past you, now does it? Then again, I've been around you since you were born. I remember when you were a little spoiled brat. Still are," Of course, he was joking around. He sat down as well, and had a more serious look on his face. "But yeah... I've been doing a lot of thinking... a lot about things. About me, this dojo, and Tsubame. I guess it's selfish of me, but I just am getting to the point where going around Japan just drives me crazy. I'd rather just stay here... deal with the problem here and let the next person deal with it. I know that it's not something that your father would've thought but well... hell, I've realized that I'm just not him and right now I'd rather worry about the things around me, than some damn country that keeps screwing itself up right after I clean it up. I'll leave it for the next kid to deal with," He slumped back. Kenji would obviously get that point easily enough. "Don't worry, you'll have help if ya need it. I mean, if it's really important, then I'll help, and when you need a break, there's still Sanosuke's brother, Outa, as well as Yutaro and the Oniwanbanshuu. And believe it or not... even Hiko has his moments where he may get off his high horse and actually offer a hand," He laughed at the thought. He still remembered when he came to help out in Kyoto. Oh... he was quite the star amongst the ladies.
"Oh, I'm sure he's expecting you... just like he always does," Yahiko replied. "You sure you want to carry on the Hiten Mitsuryugi style though? It's quite the big task," Of course, the more he thought of it, the more he kind of thought of himself when he first saw Kenshin fight. As a youth, Yahiko's one goal was to be strong. Strong enough so that he wouldn't have to rely on others. Yet at times, he still sees himself wishing that he had guidance from the rest of the Kenshingumi.
"Too get onto the main topic I wanted to talk about though..." he continued. "Before you leave for Kyoto, we still have a bit of business to deal with here. You said that more men followed you to Raikoji's asking for information- you do know what that means, right?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "It means that these guys aren't here for just a little party with the legendary son of Battousai. Them, those Yakuza, and that boy from this morning... Kenji, looks to me we may have large enemy on our hands. Though it may just seem like some small guys... they really want to see us suffering or dead. I'll let you leave Kyoto once I know that Raikoji and Tsubame will be safe if you're gone, but right now... I think it's better if you stay here for now,"
It had been a very long time since Yahiko actually felt threatened by anyone. Too long. In a way, he forgot how it felt, but now that he experienced it again, he knew that they had to tread carefully. Hell, he still felt a little uneasy at the fact that Tsubame was alone at home. There were still a lot of things that Yahiko had to plan out before really executing anything. One thing that bugged him though was who the hell was this guy? He hadn't pissed off anyone like this since he was still just a boy. It made him uneasy thinking about it.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:16 pm
There was a lot that needed to be listened to, so for the time being before he replied Kenji remained quiet, only answering with the glimmer of emotion in his eyes and the expression laid upon his face. He chuckled slightly at Yahiko's retort, yeah, maybe he was still a brat, but it was all out of good poking fun. It was strange, what the Shihan went on to say next. So that feeling to finally settle down and leave Japan to go on its own path decided to arrive in Yahiko's head, and it would be weird, him not being the center lines of attack any longer, if that was indeed what he was planning on doing. He seemed serious enough about it. The swordsman nodded before laying his hand on the sakabatou before continuing. "It's so strange, how time changes people.. I've seen it all- life, death, and all of it inbetween in people, yet I'd almost never expect to hear that out of you. You've been protecting Japan for years, longer than I've been born.. it's just weird to think about it. But it's also nice to know you'll finally receive the peace you deserve, considering you can leave Japan to me and all the others that have been protecting it even before my time!" The teen offered a smile of reassurance before looking bad to the ground in front of him, offering a 'mm' as reply and shifting his position in the chair. "More than anything, I want to carry on my father's legacy, only in my own way.. I want to understand more about my parents, and I feel the only way to do that is to get the best of both worlds, if you know what I mean."
But afterwards, it appeared all that talking was simply the exposition leading up to the actual conversation Yahiko wished to have with the Sempai. He frowned at the explanation, slowly nodding as if to accept that his priorities were going to have to come before someone else's. "Yeah, I understand that. All of these enemies coming out of nowhere.. it's jolting my nerves. For so long there's been peace in Tokyo, why do you think they'd simply come after me? Wouldn't they want information on my father from you? I still don't even know exactly what they want.. I'll stay here as long as I can and help out, so no worries, I'm not going to just walk out on those I care for. I may be my father's son, but I'm -not- him." A lot of things were still uncertain about this enemy and how exactly strong they were- that's what made it all the more uneasy. "But I don't want to hide myself from anyone, if it's me they want, I'm not going to hide behind someone to protect me, I'm not a little kid anymore." And it was simply left at that.
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:00 pm
"Blood is thicker than water," Yahiko grunted, shifting his body. "Sure, you're not him, but like any child, you still do have a few personality traits, which is what I'm assuming they want to get to. Besides, if they wanted more information on your father, why not ask his living enemies? I'm sure in the underworld, they'd find them easily enough," If there was anything he knew, was that if you wanted to find out a fighting secret, you either went straight to who you wanted to kill, or to the last person he or she fought. An ally would praise about this person, where as an enemy would see a few more flaws in the movement, even if was just from a simple scratch.
"No... they want something more than just Kenshin," Yahiko looked irritated while thinking. "Stupid people... why couldn't they just be more straightforward about things? It'd make them so much quicker to defeat and then I can just go and be some other retired old man teaching a bunch of youngin's how to hold a shinai right. Maybe I'll even own a farm," His irratated look changed to a joke-like smile. The ex-thief was barely over his thirties, and he considered himself an old man. He didn't even really seem like a mature adult; he was more like a mouthy, smartass teenager. Well, I suppose you can't take the kid out of everyone.
"Tomorrow though, we have some people to meet. I know that your mom wouldn't be crazy about me bringing you around to the underground where Sano used to hang out, but they probably know a lot more of what's going on right now than we do. For all we know, we've been being watched for months; Maybe even years,"
For those few years as a young boy, Sano had actually given Yahiko his old room to stay as the rooster head ran off to Mongolia. According to him, it was to give Kaoru and Kenshin time to make a bunch of nieces and nephews for him. At the same time though, it gave Yahiko a lot of independence, and he actually got to know a few of the ropes again, without having to having to work in the dark world again. He met some good aquaintances there, and got a lot more information than he could ever need. However, it's not a place he'd venture into too much just because it wasn't a fantastic place for a do-gooder to be. Still, they came in handy when times were serious.
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Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:07 pm
Kenji tilted his head, listening to Yahiko's talk about some underground. The teen chuckled slightly, realizing the Shihan had more in plan than he realized at first for himself. But wait.. what? The underground, Sano's underground? Months.. years!? This was crazy! "Wh-what!? I surely would have noticed if someone was watching us for -that- long Yahiko-chan, you too. Don't overreact." But perhaps it was just a tactic to bring his own nerves down to level again. The idea of a spy watching his every move and task, it was completely unnerving. How could his parents go through the risk of having someone like that all the time? This 'being the son of Kenshin thing' was turning out to be quite the trouble. The swordsman frowned, looking down at the sakabatou he'd set on the table before indigo eyes stared at the Shihan once more. "And who will we find in this.. underground?" It made the Sempai somewhat uneasy to go somewhere he wasn't accustomed to, and where people would know more about his family than he himself was aware of, but if it was the only way, he had no choice. Blood is thicker than water.. he'd never given that one much thought before. Their whole lives were shrouded with the irony of battle and rememberance, this was just another obstacle in their path.
"I told Chizuru-san that I would meet her tomorrow morning to accompany her to class, I hope this won't get in the way of that, because I never go back on my word." Well, that was a distant statement, but at the same time it all revolved back to it evermore. Kenji was smarter than that to allow the enemies an open opportunity to Chizuru straight-hand like that, the Sempai wasn't about to make it that easy for them. You have to fight for everything you want in life, even if it's not here anymore. Still, he made sure to nod to Yahiko, looking outside and rising from his seat. "Whatever it is, we're in it together, right?" A playful grin was upon the swordsman's expression, picking up the sakabatou before getting ready to retreat to his room. Another day gone, but who knew what was in store for them next?
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:04 pm
"Alright, alright, maybe a bit of overreating on my part," Yahiko replied, but he was sure that it had been more than just a few days that someone decided to take some interest in the two swordsmen. He sighed. This really was a pain. Why was it them? Couldn't these guys finally move on with their lives and find some other people to bug about their heritage or what they did in Japan? Honestly. Maybe it was just Yahiko getting old. He remembered at a time where he was almost tempted to look for these kinds of fights. That's what young pride does to you do. It's a bit on on the foolish side, but it's a part of everyone's life, whether they believe it to be or not.
The spikey-haired Shihan then laughed at the mention of Chizuru. Since the little talk with Tsubame tonight, his mindset was somewhat different. "Yeah, yeah. I'm sure that's your main reason for picking up the girl. Because you just always keep your word. Especially when it comes to getting some chores done, eh?" Of course, he should talk. He was the number one weasel when it came to trying to get out of doing chores. Then again, he never said that he would do them either. He'd find some very odd loophole that only he and perhaps Sanosuke could think up. It was a gift. It was probably only Kenshin who did what he was supposed to do around the dojo. No wonder Kaoru fell for him.
Yahiko then gave a very sly grin and leaned in and gave a thumbs up. "Of course whe're in this together. Wouldn't be any other way, right?"
Once all was said and done though, the two men retreated to their quarters. It had been a long day. Longer than usual with those fights, and Yahiko's confession to Tsubame. He flopped onto his futon. Now it was time to wind down and take it all in. He couldn't believe it. He actually told Tsubame how he felt. For awhile, he thought he'd never get around to it. It was about time. He was sure that if everyone else had still been around, they'd still be pesturing him about it. In a way though, he did wish that Kenshin was still around. Now that he told the waitress how he felt, what was next? Marriage? Now THAT was a huge step... and a scary one at that. How the heck did the red-head do it? He seemed so calm and at ease in his well-made hakama. The man was truly insane in a bizarre way. Yahiko was shaking at the thought. How'd he pop that question properly?
And then there was the next step... kids! Gah... he wouldn't even get into that one. Yahiko could see himself as an uncle, no problem. That was practically what he was to Kenji... but an actual father? Well... he'd just have to see. For now, it was best that he'd just get some sleep.
If he could that is. Damnit... why couldn't he have blank thoughts like he usually did?
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