Chapter 4: Unexpected coincidence “Kenshin,” she looked worriedly at him. “what’s going on?” Kaoru held onto his sleeve in trembling hands. “Stay back.” he didn’t even flinch. “All of you.” The two confused elderly stood up, obviously displeased with what’s going on though they had no idea of it. “It’s okay Otosan.” he turned around to meet Kenshin straight in the eye. “They are my friends.” The man was Soujiro. Seta Souiro, the strongest member of the Juppongatana, Shishio’s followers, Kenshin’s past enemies. But it was too confusing to be relieved that he didn’t had a weapon with him. Soujiro had lost his parents at a young age, so who was he calling ‘Otosan’? Could he be... “Soujiro-chan!” Miko called out worriedly. She knew something was not right when Kenshin took the stance. The rest upon their sight and name of him readied for battle, Yahiko taking out his boken and Sano cracking his knuckles fiercely. If everything changed , at least his name didn’t. He smiled at his fiancé and walked ahead to her. “Gomen nasai, Otosan, Okasan. There have been some misunderstandings I must explain before things take a wrong turn.” The truth to his questions were found, in a short while compared to what Shishio and Kenshin went through though. But the truth was found so warmly and lovingly in the elderly couple, who took him in and adopted him to the family. He was the sole heir to vast fortunes he could not care less about, but loved his ‘parents’ dearly. Unlike Enishi who was filled with jealously and hatred for others’ happiness , Soujiro was utterly grateful, and would do anything that would please them. His journey to the north had been fruitful, and his philosophy which he would strongly believe in would be one similar to Kenshin’s: to take care of those he loves. There was something unseen and untold of, a deeper enforcement of doing anything to please his new-found parents. No one had been so nice to him, not even Shishio whom he followed so loyally for years. If a marriage to a beautiful women would be their desire for him, then so shall it be. he tried to be joyful about it, but was actually unsure of his feelings. He was not even ready to be sure. “Soka...” the parents understood and was glad the misunderstanding was cleared. Once more focusing their attention on the young girl, they scanned eyes from top to toes. “You look lovely,” the Father commented, totally forgetting the little incident just now. “It seems we made a good choice.” She was now sitting on a chair with Soujiro behind her, but he did not touch her. “I know of your background.” the mother said, now in a lower tone. “it may not match those of us...” “So what?” Sano shouted in, annoyed. “Is he marrying her or her money? Besides, you’re...” Kaoru frantically slammed a hand across his mouth, grinning back at them in a regretful manner. “Yeah! Who are you to make the decisions? Remember it’s your son who’s...” Kenshin covered Yahiko’s mouth in time. ::sweatdrops:: The parents were silent, but clearly not offended, after all, they did make sense and the decision was confirmed long ago. Glancing back at Soujiro, indicating him to speak his mind. he hesitated, it was a big decision. But he had gone this far, and...and... “I...I love Miko.” he spoke out bravely, and flashed a wide smile at her, holding her hand to stand her up, then entwining her’s in his. “It is my pleasure that she...she be my...” *CLANK! PRINK!* “Stop him!” *CLASH!!* “Damn,” he cursed under his breath. A silver fork barely flew past him. “when was the last time I did this?” Yet another silver object kissed his head, a spoon this time. Enishi dashed out the door. Sano didn’t bother with the stairs, he leaped down from the balcony to the astonished crowd and immediately gave chase. Yahiko wanted to try and climbed over the ledge, when Kaoru grabbed his shirt, leaving him dangling in mid-air. “I can do it!!” he screamed waving his arms and legs frantically about. “I know,” she smiled wryly. “I just want you to do more than that.” Gathering all the strength she has, she lifted him behind her and threw the poor boy ahead. “WHY...YOU...ARRGGHHH!!!” “Opps.” she winced. Okay, she had to admit that she didn’t have that much strength as Sano, and pretty bad aiming too. Yahiko landed on the dining table, and almost got his head stuck in a giant turkey. She turned her head to Kenshin, only to find that he was gone. “I should have known.” The duo approached the figure now clumsily climbing over the high gates of the mansion, in a difficult manner since he was weighed down with two heavy bags. A kidnapping seems unlikely considering how unprofessional it was done. Yahiko came running seconds later, his boken out, ready to attack. “You’re not going anywhere.” Sano said rather more as a statement. He climbed up and pulled the man down, but catching him before he hit his back on the ground. The stranger however, had amazing strength enough to pull himself out of Sano’s tight grasp and shove him to the wall. “That’s it, I’m not being easy on you now.” Sano walked towards him and was about to deliver a punch when Yahiko stepped in the way, arms outstretched. He was about to choke, barely breathing. “No, Sano! Don’t, he’s...he’s...” Kenshin loosened from attack position and stood there in a daze. It was too much of a coincidence, especially when it all happed at the same night. Is he dreaming? “Enishi! Enishi Yukishiro!” Enishi gave a sigh, no one would believe he had failed on such a simple mission. Others were waiting for him and he couldn’t wait to leave. “Yeah, yeah, you got me.” he lifted his head to Kenshin, then faced Sano, not surprised nor interested. “Can I go now?” Indeed he was beyond recognition, the classy appearance he had once were not gone and replaced with one too extreme in the opposite. “No way,” Sano pushed Yahiko aside, and grabbed Enishi by the his shirt. “You can’t be that psycho.” Kenshin held Sano’s fist, shaking his head. “It’s him.” “Okay, so it’s him, but let me at a shot, please? My hand just recovered, so just one? Or I’ll have to try it on Yahiko.” He immediately got a whack on the head by a boken. While the two were fighting in clouds of dust, Kenshin walked towards him with a smile. From the past, he hoped the disputes were over and there could be peace between them both. But Enishi’s shabby appearance were appalling, he wished he could be of help. Enishi looked at him coolly, without any of the shades he had last time. “So...” he tries to strike a conversation, not acknowledging the fact the other was in a rush. “what brings you?” Enishi smirked. “You’re as dumb as you were always. You don’t see criminals stopping for a chat while on duty, do you?” Kenshin got the hint, and sensed heavy footsteps approaching. “You’d better go now, I’ll take care of this.” he pointed backwards, not knowing what triggered him to do that. Enishi gave a nod and fled as fast as he could. He no longer bore any hatred for the Battousai, or Kenshin as he knows now. But it was also too early to be in good terms, even though his sister may have loved him. He shruged the matter away and brought the load of scrumptious treat back to Rakuninmura. “Drop by for tea when you’re free!” he could hear the faint shouting from behind.