DISCLAIMER:
Cel: Ok, ok. I know I don't own Ruroken or its darker counterpart, Samurai X. But... can't I just pretend for one brief moment of rapturous glory?
Saitou: No.
Cel: ~Runs away crying her eyes out.~
Kenshin: That was kinda harsh, Saitou-san. I think you should apologize.
Saitou: Hmph. Whatever.
by: Celena Schezar
Ch. 3 - Wanderings, Musings, and Debates
When Keth woke up the next morning she opened her eyes to an empty room. She looked around the small space only to find it exactly how it was yesterday when she had fallen asleep. She sighed and dropped her head back down on the pillow. Then Kenshin would leave too, and this time before she even managed to wake up.
It was some time later when she finally decided to get out of bed, finally refreshed for the next day. She found accommodations for washing at the table in Kenshin's room. Walking outside she looked around and found someone to ask where she could find some water. The man politely told her where to go and quickly went back to business, of which Kethry could not figure out what he was doing. For all she knew he was meditating, standing there so rigid and quiet.
As she went along the pathway she found that no one seemed to mind her presence. It was as if she were one of the geishas or other women helping the Ishin-shishi's rebellious cause. Merely shrugging it off she continued in her directed course, trying to memorize the layout of the Ishin-shishi headquarters. Temporary, she thought, its probably only a temporary hideout.
She eventually found what she was looking for, cleaned up as best as it was possible in this time period, and made her way back to Kenshin's room. As she walked up to the sliding door, Keth started to hope to find him returned, but to no avail. He was still missing when she opened the door and the room was just as empty. With nothing else to do she set the bowl and washcloth that she had taken down on the table and walked back outside.
With the Battousai nowhere in sight and a sudden rumble from her stomach, she decided she might as well find food for herself as well. So Kethry headed out in search of something to eat. She continued to try and learn the paths and walkways of the little complex. After a bit of exploring she had quickly learned where the common room, the armaments, and the food storage places were; she already knew where the rooms and well were located.
She snuck a couple of fruits, a block of cheese, and chunk of bread from the stockade and quietly headed back to Kenshin's room, again. Munching on the block of cheese she slid the door open with her foot.
Sitting there ever so patiently sat Kenshin. Keth stopped in the doorway and quietly finished chewing her last piece of the cheese.
"I couldn't find you." She simply stated and walked inside, closing the door behind her. She took a seat on the futon and continued to finish her food.
Kenshin sat in the chair facing her direction in quiet solitude. It didn't take long for the silence to grate Kethry's nerves. She had to say something.
"Well, I woke up and you where still gone. It worried me, you know? I didn't really know what to do. I don't know anyone around here or anything."
He merely sat there as if in contemplation. After what seemed like hours he finally spoke. "I woke early to find out my next duty."
She gave an exasperated sigh at his lack of conversation and finished off the last of her food. "So, what do I do now? You know, I don't have anywhere else to go or anything to do. I don't have a job." She paused before adding, "I'm not too bad with katanas..."
Kethry sat there awhile to let it sink it. Maybe she wouldn't have to be blunt. Maybe he would catch on to what she was saying. Maybe...
"The life of the Ishin-shishi is too hard for women. They stick with mending clothes and preparing food. You should do the same. It's just as helpful."
"Feh... Yea, right. I've never cooked anything in my life and I'm not gonna start burning things down now just because you think we belong in the kitchen. I'm just as good as you when it comes to doing 'manly' things." She thought that sentence through and quickly added, "well, except maybe Battou Jutsu."
"Then sow." Was the blunt reply.
"I don't want to."
"Then find something else to do."
"I want to help you."
It was quiet after that. Keth wasn't sure what to do. How would he interrupt that? The way she meant it or the way she meant for him to see it? Kenshin merely sat there in quiet solitude until she couldn't stand it anymore.
"Kenshin-san, I want to work with you. Whatever it is you do, I want to help with it. The only person I know is you. I'm not a very social person; I don't make friends fast. It'd be hard on me to have to get acquainted with new people. Besides, if I'm with you, you can just protect me, right?"
"..." Kenshin didn't answer, but after a time he slowly nodded and stood up. He walked to the door and slid it open. "Come with me."
Kenshin led Kethry to another room, one toward the back of the entire complex. Though probably not much larger than the rest, there was an air about it that gave off a sense of specialty. When Kenshin led her through the door she found out that it wasn't merely one room, but several separated small ones. The first seemed to be a kind of public room.
Kethry waited there while Kenshin politely knocked on the door to the sectioned off back room. It was probably some important person's private bedroom. When the door slid open, Keth's guess was proven right.
The man gave a small, gentle smile to Kenshin as he stood there. He was not a commanding presence, but rather a charismatic character who seemed to earn one's respect the second one laid eyes on him. Kethry recognized the man from this slightly regal feeling he gave off. He was the leader of the Ishin-shishi: Katsura Kogoro.
Kethry instantly shifted to stand more formally, her normal relaxed stance not feeling correct in his presence. She watched as Kenshin greeted him with a slight bow and Katsura nodded in return.
"Is something the matter, Kenshin-san?" Katsura asked.
Kenshin shook his head and looked over at Kethry behind him. "No. I just have a question. Or rather, she does."
Kethry smiled weakly when Katsura looked over at her. Now that she had been brought to attention, a sudden anxiousness brought her seemingly aware of all her actions. She chided herself for her nervous habit of fidgeting her fingers and mentally told herself to stop. She attempted a faint wave before she caught herself, realizing that she should bow more like Kenshin had.
She did so, a deeper bow however to show her complete respect since she did not formally know him. Then she glanced at Kenshin, a nervous look in her green eyes. As if reading her thoughts, Kenshin spoke again much to Keth's relief.
"Katsura-sama, this is Kethry. She wishes to join the Ishin-shishi. Since I was unsure of what answer to give her, I decided it would be best if you spoke with her."
Katsura Kogoro gave Kethry a thorough inspection. She was a bright, young girl about the age of seventeen he guessed. Her aqua eyes were full of life and her light blonde hair gave away her foreign bloodline. He smiled gently at her, well aware of her awkwardness in his presence.
"Why would you wish to get caught up in foreign politics? It is not your concern." He did not comment on the fact that she was female or that it would have been easier for Kenshin to bring her to one of the other women helpers.
Kethry pursed her lips at the question. She had not thought of that. "Anou... I like this country. I have been living here for quite some time now. I suppose... I just think it is the right cause to get myself caught up in." There. That sounded decent enough, she thought.
Katsura thought for a moment. "What reason are you here in this country in the first place?" "Anou... My family is here. We, ah... Well, that is, my brother is sort of a diplomat. He's my guardian. Our parents died a long time ago."
"I see. My condolences. What sort of diplomat?"
"What does it matter?" She huffed while crossing her arms and giving in to a pout.
Katsura studied her reaction with amusement. She was a child at heart despite her want to join such a bloody campaign. He merely gave her a moment to contemplate what she had done. His patience was quickly rewarded for soon she realized her mistake.
Kethry inwardly cursed herself. Baka. What's wrong with you? She looked up at him with an apology written all over her face. "Gomen nasai, Katsura-sama! I didn't mean anything by it. Its just, thinking about by brother..." She turned her head down at the thought that began to form in her head. It had been awhile since she had seen her brother. The teen quickly blinked back her tears.
The leader of the Ishin-shishi noted all of her reaction silently. A silent confession of escape, a sadness of the leaving, and a sincere apology for snapping at him. "I see. You miss him? Of course you do, you haven't seen him in quite some time now, ne? And what's this? You seem to be informed of our honorifics, but why do you refer to me as such? Hmm...?" He tried to sound as sincere and trustworthy as possible. She seemed to need this kind, caring approach from him at the moment.
"Anou... you remind me of him. My brother, that is. He is a leader of sorts back home. He once did great things. For that I call you a lord alone." She smiled weakly. "Before I came here I wished to meet you. I had heard of you and instantly you reminded me of Treize. Great people, they deserve respect. Would you refuse me this honor?"
Katsura smiled and shook his head slowly. He sat there awhile letting the silence hang a few more moments in the air. When he could sense a slight unease coming from her went back to his original train of questions. "Why do you wish to join the Ishin-shishi and what help would you give us?"
"Anou... I wish to accompany Kenshin and do whatever he does." She answered bluntly. "You wish to what?" Katsura was taken aback. Accompany Kenshin? Do what he does? Oh, Kami-sama no. What is she thinking? Unless...
"Be with Kenshin. Do what he does. He's what? A bodyguard or something like that?" Katsura nodded absently. His thoughts were elsewhere, in the past. Could he dare try something like that again so soon?
""Anou... I want to do that." Kethry crossed her arms at her statement and looked him defiantly in the eye. She challenged him to say anything about her being female. Just he try it.
Katsura smiled woefully. "Oh? You do? And why should I allow you to do that? Kenshin is a valuable asset. He only guards those of utmost importance. Usually me or another high leader of the resistance."
"I'm good enough with a katana and wakizachi. I can do anything Kenshin can. At least, if you give me the time and a chance." Her green orbs pleaded desperately with the Ishin-shishi leader. "Anou... I suppose. I can give if a chance. But if something, anything..."
Kethry jumped up excitedly. "Oh, you won't regret it. I promise. I'll do everything as perfect as can be. I'll only do want I know I'm capable of... and..."
"If anything goes wrong..." Katsura continued, raising his voice slightly to gain back the floor. "Then you will have to find a new home. But for now, you may stay with Kenshin if that is what you truly wish."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jap. to English Dictionary:
Anou - Well... or Ahh...
Kami-sama - God
Wakizachi - short sword (its the second sword the samurai are seen carrying in Samurai X)
A Brief in Honorifics:
-san - Like Miss, Mrs., or Mr. Basically anyone can use it for just about anyone for a basic kind of respect.
-sama - Equivalent to Lord or Lady. More respect.
(Doubt this one will ever show in this, but what the hey...)
-chan - Used for someone younger than yourself. A big insult if they are older. (sometimes literally translated as "little." ei.: Yahiko-chan = Little Yahiko.)
And of course, others that'll probably not show up here either.