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A Partnership Unfolds This is a story about how my girl Himako and Kenshin when they first met and became battle partners, and partners for life. ~*~ I turned just in time to block a sword aimed at my neck. I whipped up my blade, and the clash the two swords made was lost in the screams of the dead. My opponent pulled back his sword, and I got a brief glimpse of his face. He looked as tired and hungry as I did. Suddenly, as I was noting facial features, he abruptly brought down his sword. I moved back enough to only get the front of my Gi cut. At first I didn’t notice it, but seeing the look of shock on my opponents face forced me to look down. “You’re a woman!” he exclaimed. I grabbed the cut clothes with my left hand, and with my right, I swing my sword at him and he collapsed at my feet. I looked around to make sure no one else had seen. If anyone found out a woman was in this war, lets say I’d rather die than face the consequences. Lucky for me, the forest was near, so I could escape there to sew my clothes together. As I made my way across the battlefield, many more men came at me. It was difficult to fight gripping my clothes, but I finally made it to the forest. As I stood at the tree line, I looked at the battlefield. The war was being fought on a hill, to the north of Edo, my hometown. I desperately wished it wouldn’t move south towards it as I watched more men lose their lives. I heard a scream about 100 yards to the right of me. I turned and saw him. Red hair, cross-shaped scar on left cheek. I couldn’t believe my luck! Of all men to fight, this had to be Battosai the Manslayer!! I escaped into the forest as fast as I could, only to hear him follow. I came into a small clearing where no man stood. No blood was visible, so I guessed no one had fought here. Suddenly, I heard a twig brake behind me. I slowly turned, praying to Buddha it was only an animal. Thankfully, it was a rabbit. Buddha had heard my prayers. “Draw your weapon.” It took a few seconds to dawn on me that I had just been given an order. “Draw it now, or I will feel bad about killing an unarmed woman.” I smiled at the thought of Battosai feeling guilty. Not possible. Obeying his commands, I turned, drew my sword, and let go of my Gi. Surely he won’t care since he already knew. I looked at him, wondering what he was thinking. His cold eyes seemed to burn through me as we continued to gaze upon one another. The wind blew around us, as if urging the fight to begin. It seemed to go quiet as we stood there, like only we existed now. Suddenly he jumped at me and brought sown his word. I lifted mine in response to block. He continued coming at me, giving me no chance to switch to offensive. After about 37 swings, he jumped back. He started panting, as well as me. It was amazing how strong he was! I used up almost all my strength blocking. I prayed to myself he wouldn’t attack again. “You’re a worthy adversary,” he proclaimed, as he sheathed his sword. A look of puzzlement crossed my face. Why did he do that? Did he give up? Does he not find it suitable to kill a woman? That thought burned in my mind. If that were the case, then he has more coming. I may be a girl, but I fight as a well as any damn man, and a lot better than some. “Why did you sheath your sword Battosai?” I asked. Once again his eyes burned through me. “Do not call me that!” he spat,” I am Kenshin Himora, not Battosai. I left that name in Konon many years ago.” His words hit me with great curiosity. Why did he tell me this? Does he plan to let me live? Just as sudden as our fight, he turned and started to leave. I watched for about 5 minutes before I ran to catch up to him. AS I walked beside him, he watched me out of the corner of his eye. By then, my sword too, had been sheathed. “My name is Himako Izumi Naosoki.” I said, not wanting to look in his dark eyes. We continued walking in the woods till nightfall. By then we decided to stop and make camp. Kenshin got a fire going as I got food out. I was hoping he know how to cook because my cooking sucks. As I brought food over to him he watched me. “What? Hey, I can’t cook all right?” I said. He continued watching me as I got dishes out to. “I was wondering why you’re following me?” he said, not once removing his gaze. “Um, well, you see…” I stammered for what to say. As we sat in silence, an owl flew overhead. I looked up at the stars for comfort. It was nice out tonight. It was an early spring day with no clouds and a calm breeze. “Well what?” Kenshin asked, as he handed me a shirt. I looked at the shirt, not sure what it meant then remembered my Gi. I had been walking this whole time without closing it! I blushed as I grabbed the shirt. He turned as I changed. “Well, was hoping we could be battle partners.” I sat there for a few minutes thinking ‘what are you kidding? Like he’ll agree!’ I watched him for several minutes, wondering what he would say to me. Hours seemed to go by as we watched each other. “If you can’t cook, give me the food. You can do dishes,” for the first time after an hour, he spoke. I reluctantly gave him the food and wondered if he was good at cooking. As he cooked, I stitched up my Gi. The night grew quieter and darker. Around us, nothing seemed to move. I watched him. He didn’t seem to notice. I noted the way he looked. His face was stern and his eyes were cold and empty. His red hair blew gently in the wind. He stirred the stew as I watched. He moved gracefully, without a care in the world My eyes darted down when I pricked myself. Kenshin’s eyes lifted when I made a slight groan. I sucked on my thumb a bit, and got a drop of blood. Furieted, I threw my Gi in to my pack. I didn’t even get it half way stitched. “The stew is done.” He said. He grabbed a bowl and filled it up. I thought he was getting his so I grabbed one too. “Here,” Kenshin put the bowl in front of me. I looked at it, half expecting it to bite. Finally, after a minute, I put down the bowl I had grabbed and picked up the one he gave me. I noticed he watched like a crouching tiger hunting its prey; which I knew I was. I slowly ate some soup. My eyes opened wide with shock and I sat where I was not moving. “You do not like it?” Kenshin asked. I looked at him and continued eating. “No, its fine!” I smiled.” I just don’t like it when other people cook better than me.” I laughed as I thought ‘that was stupid!’ I looked at him again and noticed he looked more like a man than a manslayer. His expression softened somewhat and his eyes were warmer. We ate in silence, refusing to speak again. One of us would open our mouths, and then shut them again. Soon, after we ate and I washed what dishes were dirty, we went to sleep. I lied down on the opposite side of the fire he was on. I gripped my sword tightly, trying to sleep lightly. I didn’t realize how tired I was. Almost as soon as I lay down, I dozed to sleep. ~*~ I heard a rustling and a crackling sound. Slowly I opened my eyes and everything came in a blur. It was bright out, so I had to shield my eyes. Everything came into focus after a minute. I was sweaty, and my clothes stuck to my skin. I noticed a fire was going. No wonder I was so hot, I was right next to it. I heard a rustling where Kenshin was, so I sat up. He was sleeping against a tree. I noticed he was holding my Gi. My eyes darted from my Gi to his face. Slowly, I crawled over to him. I sat in front of him and took my Gi. I found it was completely sewn. I was confused why he had sewn it. As if looking for an answer, I looked at his face. He looked peaceful that way. He let out a sigh and his mouth parted a little. “You look cute like that.” I shut my mouth and blushed as if he heard me. “What are you thinking? Get a hold of yourself Izumi, he’s Battosai! No, he’s not Battosai. He’s Kenshin. My Kenshin.” My eyes darted open, ‘what am I thinking?!’ Kenshin stirred. He blinked a few times before noticing Himako sat in front of him. They starred at each other for a moment before Kenshin said ‘your welcome.’ Himako starred, mind blank before it sunk in. “Oh! Thank you!” She smiled shyishly, “ um, did you plan on cooking something? If so, it’s burnt.” “What?!” He shoved Himako out of the way. “Damn it,” he muttered. He turned to Himako and looked at her. “Why didn’t you take it off?” “Um, I can’t cook.” She smiled stupidly. Kenshin sighed and shook his head. “Well I hope you weren’t hungry,” he said as he got rid of the burnt food. “Can you get water to put out the fire?” Himako nodded and ran to the river and back. “Forgot the bucket,” As she filled the bucket with water she wondered if Kenshin made up his mind about them being battle partners. “I hope he says yes,” she mumbled. Back at the camp, Himako put out the fire. She watched Kenshin, trying to get her nerves up. ‘Ok, come on Izumi. Just ask!’ She thought as she closed her eyes. Kenshin saw her and pondered what she was thinking. He shook his head and thought to himself, ‘ I’ll never understand women.’ He stood up and grabbed his belongings. Himako watched him, as he got ready. ‘Oh no! He’s leaving!’ “Uh, Kenshin? I was wondering if you made up your mind about us being battle partners?” He said nothing as he tied on his sword belt. “You better get your stuff together and dress if we hope not to fight anyone, that you should.” He kept his back toward Himako as he spoke. “I’m as good as a man, and better than some, and I can learn to cook! I’ll do anything you say! I won’t be a pain! I sw…” she paused as she thought about what Kenshin had said to her. “Did you just…did you just say we?” she looked at him, expecting him to laugh at her stupidity. “That I did.” He turned and smiled after tying his sword belt on. Himako looked at him, then smiled to. “Yay! I’m a battle partners with Kenshin! I’m a battle partners with Kenshin!” She sang as she got her stuff. She turned towards Kenshin, “No looking Kenshin.” He turned after one last glance at her. ‘Damn, she looks cute in my shirt.’ He thought as she dressed onto her Gi. After she was ready, they packed their stuff and left towards Edo, not knowing their partnership would soon grow into love. ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~ In the next story, Kenshin and Himako will arrive in Edo and will look for a place to stay. They’ll express their love for each other in the hardships of the revolution. They’ll try to live the normal life, like husband and wife, but some strange girl is following Himako, and preventing her and Kenshin from falling in love, as if Kenshin will hurt her! Who is this strange girl? What does she want? Has Himako met her before? And will Kenshin try to hurt Himako or will he leave her, thinking that the girl is her doing to keep them apart? Find out in the next story… Love is the faith of the heart See you soon! |
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