I'm back at this. I guess Ruroken is too good of something to pass up. Considering how I have to work with the Jinpuu arc, then work on perhaps another MegumiXTakahiro Chapter, with more focus on Megumi, and perhaps then figure out how to do the Raijuta chapter. Or perhaps yet another arc, with the train and the crimson pirates. Ooh, Season 1 is too good to pass up. And then I have to do the chapters with Katsu. Man, I have my work cut out for me. Well, let's get on with the show…

Chapter 9: Interference Meiji

That night, in the outskirts of Tokyo, there was yet another bloodied problem that the Meiji government was dealing with. It turned out, that the Jinpuu Squad had something to deal with.

Tokyo Row

A place in Tokyo known for shadows, it turned out, that much of what one would think of as a slum, was a place that saw a lot of richer Meiji officials. At least in the bars. Inside of the Rows, one could find many a business that offered shady dealings on the quiet. As one Meiji official was walking down in his cheap yet fixed up home, not all was as it seemed.

Nakamura

As he walked the distance from his garden, where he spent most of his evening hours, to his bedroom, he felt that it was incredibly quiet. Not even a frog would chirp during this night. There was no wind either, and the gambling establishment across the street didn't utter a peep. Something wasn't right.

He walked into his house, and the first thing he saw, was that he was not alone. Someone in a green and blue uniform, wearing what he thought was a western soldier's cap, and carrying a katana. This wasn't police.

"Why Konbanwa Nakamura-san" the house invader replied. "From the looks of things, you've been living a rather posh lifestyle."

"What is it you want?" Nakamura replied, harshness intentionally added to his voice. He didn't care if the intruder had a katana, he did not want houseguests.

"Why, I thought guests were to be treated with respect in our country?" the intruder replied. "Of course, why don't I introduce myself. My name is Toma, and I've come on behalf of the Jinpū squad. And I've come to kill you"

Nakamura gasped, and that was the last thing he did, before he saw the glint of a steel blade, and crumpled.

Toma

He smiled at his accomplishment, and casually stepped out of the house, before jumping to the roof, and running back to the rest of the squad at the forest.

The other two were waiting, and they stood at attention, saluting their leader.

"The hit was a success" Toma announced "I find that our numbers are growing a bit too thin."

"Let's report back to the boss" the one on the right replied. "Perhaps we can find our next man afterwards"

With yet another bloody mess to be made, would anyone stop the Jinpuu squad. Or would the Meiji government fall apart from within?

Kamiya Dojo

With the night still young at the Dojo, it would seem that things weren't all that they seemed. Especially with the two 'guests' at the dojo having received their first piece of mail at their new address

Takahiro

He opened up the envelope, and saw that in a typical move of Himura Kotone, there were at least three sheets with writing on both sides, in the flowery and artful handwriting that was found from his mother.

"It is very strange, that it is" Kenshin replied, breaking the silence.

"Well?" Kaoru asked, "What does it say?"

"It says:" Takahiro replied.

Dear Ken-chan and Ta-chan

I'm so glad to hear that you're both together. I'm still mourning the loss of Hiko-san, yet obviously, the fact you're both together is great. Frankly, I don't know what to say, realizing this letter is addressed to both of you. So I'll have two different messages for the two of you. I'll start with you Ken-chan, since you're my firstborn.

Ken-Chan, you'd better take care of your brother, and finish training him, or all of those lessons Hiko-san gave you might as well go down the benjo. I can't imagine the many days you spent at his cottage, and to think I made my Secret-Spicy-Ramen for him.

Anyhow, I frankly am wondering if you'll be willing to come and visit me with the new girlfriend you've got with Kamiya Kaoru-san. I would love to know that my son is finally going to get around to giving me grandchildren. Especially considering how he's in his late twenties.

Ta-Chan. You'd better pay attention to Ken-chan, and listen to what he says. And I know the type of woman that Takani Megumi-bakayarou is, and she's dangerous. She may be a doctor, but they are all trouble. Remember Uncle Hiro. So you'd better.

Frankly, if I find out you're getting into trouble, then I'm taking the train over, and coming all of the way from Osaka to Tokyo and putting you in line. And to consider the good example you'd better set for Tomiko.

Sayonara

Himura Kotone

Takahiro finished talking, after the signature, and realized that Kaoru had been laughing the entire time.

"What is so funny?" Kenshin asked, unable to contain the fact that he'd caught laughter from her.

"Ken-chan!" she giggled, snorting a little. "Is that really what your mother calls you?"

"That it is" Kenshin sighed "And frankly, this one realizes that it is rather embarrassing"

The Next Day

With the letter having been displayed to the entire population of the dojo, and more than plenty of laughs for all, the next day eventually came, after the non-Himura party laughed themselves to sleep.

Takahiro woke up with the fact that he'd need to get in uniform, for being ready to drive a rickshaw. As he walked out, sash, hat, and pouch ready, he saw someone who kind of surprised him. It was Hama.

"What are you doing here Hama-kun?" Takahiro asked, walking up to the gate.

"Didn't you hear?" Hama replied "Tanaka-sama is looking for some new backers, and is taking a hiatus on the business. I came to deliver you your last check for a while; since we both live in the same area."

Hama then proceeded to reach into his kimono, and pull out an envelope. "I'll let you know when we can go back to work, but let's just say that you should probably take it easy for a while rookie. Especially since Tanaka-sama's last backer ended up getting killed. Yet another victim of the Jinpuu squad. See you around rookie"

With that, Hama tossed Takahiro the envelope, which was promptly caught, before walking off.

"This one sees no work for a while" Kenshin replied, setting his hand on Takahiro's shoulder, and then tousling his hair, which now stood on end.

"I think I just got fired" Takahiro replied.

"Times are getting rather tough" Kenshin replied "the Economy seems to be in rather tough shape. Industry is on the rise, while service requires backing to take off. He'll let you know when you can work again."

"Yeah" Takahiro replied "And to think this is my first paycheck."

"Things will be alright" Kenshin reassured. "Let us go inside and begin breakfast, since training will begin shortly"

Later

Across Tokyo, much could be said of the roofs. It was one of those places with the sloping ceilings that just seemed to make things crazy. If you wanted to try Parkour that is.

One hundred and forty years before the dawn of the Free-Running movement, one of the most startling scenes took place on the low skyline of Tokyo

Takahiro

He'd been chasing Kenshin for a good hour already, and after crossing seven blocks of the rough end rows, around where Sagara Sanosuke technically lived. Looking down across a street as he jumped, he saw a box labeled Sagara, and hundreds of pieces of mail sitting in the box.

However, what he was after wasn't a letter, or anything similar. It was his green neck scarf that their mother had given him, and with Megumi's lipstick stain on it, it was a prize to be rewon. And with Kenshin at least three footsteps and a jump ahead, it was almost impossible to keep up at the rate they were going at.

Kenshin doubled around, and jumped back over Sanosuke's house, and back around the way they came.

Takahiro followed, chasing that hint of green among the red-tones, and running, jumping, and landing for his life.

Kenshin doubled back around, heading over to Fujiyama Boulevard, and across Tokyo's widest street. Kenshin jumped, hoping to land at the Akabeko's roof, and perhaps catch onto the sign, when he realized that he'd missed his jumping point on the running start, and landed right on top of a police officer with glasses

Takahiro was already in the air, and somehow, actually managed to catch onto the Akabeko's sign.

"Why Himura-san" the police officer replied, getting up, and dusting himself and Kenshin off. Kenshin looked dazed from Takahiro's point of view above everything. "What brings you from the sky?"

"This one is training his apprentice, that he is" Kenshin replied "Takahiro-kun may come down now"

Takahiro let go of the bottom of the sign, and landed on his feet.

"Why Himura-san" the police officer replied, removing his glasses and cleaning them. "I wish you'd have told me your apprentice wears a katana as well."

"Is there a problem Chief?" Kenshin asked.

"No, though a word of warning would help" the police officer, who Takahiro guessed was the chief of police. "It is nice to meet you…"

"Himura Takahiro" Takahiro replied, bowing "Anii no Kenshin"

"You never told me you had a brother Himura-san" The chief of police replied to Kenshin.

"This one you never asked" Kenshin replied.

"So what brings you to the Akabeko?" Takahiro asked.

"Lunch of course" the chief of police replied "I would love to treat you two to lunch if you want."

"Sure" Takahiro replied.

Before Kenshin could answer, his stomach did for him, growling like an angry Russian Bear. It sounded like it would eat itself.

"This one would love to have lunch." Kenshin replied.

"Then let's go inside" the Chief of Police replied.

They walked into Akabeko's, and took a seat.

Later

As they were finishing up the last of the beef-pot, things seemed okay. According to Kenshin, this was the happiest he'd seen the Chief of Police in a long time.

"Himura-san" the chief replied, breaking the silence that had fallen for the last five minutes.

"Oro?" Both of the Brothers Himura replied.

"Himura Kenshin" the chief corrected "I once again am in your debt for bringing down Kurogasa. However, I ask for your help once more."

"And what do you need of this one?" Kenshin asked, taking a sip of tea.

"I could use your help in dealing with the Jinpuu squad" Chief Uramura replied "They've become a problem with their murder of several high-ranking officials in the government."

"This one is unsure of being able to help" Kenshin replied "Yet I will try, that I will."

"I ask that you not speak about this." Uramura replied "I hope you would be able to help" Uramura paused "Let me pick up the check, and you two can be on your way."

As it turned out, things wouldn't be as easy as thought in dealing with the Jinpū squad, and with the problems soon becoming their's

Kamiya Dojo

As night began to fall, it would seem that the dojo would begin to rest. However, things would definitely pick up the next day, as the residents would find out.

Takahiro

He woke up, and made his way to the main room after getting dressed, when he saw Kenshin chopping wood.

"Ohayo" Kenshin quipped.

"Ohayo" Takahiro plainly replied "So what's the plan for today?"

"This one is thinking of taking some time to write back Mother. It would be nice to write her, that it would" Kenshin replied "It'll be an easy day today, that it will."

"Alright" Takahiro replied "I like that."

"Yet finding you another job would be a good idea too, that it would" Kenshin replied.

"Oro?!" Takahiro commented "You're kidding"

"This one is thinking of you working construction" Kenshin explained "That way you gather much strength, and be paid whatever wage you can earn. Those dates with Megumi-dono aren't cheap"

"That they aren't" Takahiro sighed "I guess we'll go down to the construction area"

"That we will" Kenshin replied.

Meiji Hall Construction Ground

The plot of land that had once been the Myōjin farm in a former life, had been confiscated by the government to pay back taxes, and ultimately, had a new destiny. The three acres would become host to a museum of the Revolution, Meiji Era, and Bakufu. It would become a great museum that generations would go to.

However, right now, it was neither farm nor museum, but a construction site. With the muscled tones of workers, there would be not much to intimidate the former hitokiri and his apprentice as they walked down.

Takahiro

Takahiro spotted Sasaki, and before he could even wave, the two were greeted by the foreman.

The foreman was a tall man who would make Sanosuke look short. He had short, spiky hair, and held whatever was there back with a headband. He had the most intimidating air about him also.

"Welcome" The foreman replied, breaking a toothy grin, showing off the missing teeth, and laughing, breaking the intimidation factor he had going. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Hai" Kenshin replied "This one has an apprentice, who is in need of cultivating physical strength. If there is a way he could have a part-time job, it would be most helpful to his training."

"Is that so" the foreman replied, laughing "I guess I can help you there. My name is Kainosuke, and I'm going to be your new boss" He turned to Takahiro "what is your name?"

"My name is Takahiro" the Anii of the Battōsai replied "I'm looking forward to working"

"Well" Kainosuke replied "If you pick up a spade, we could use a trench to lay down the concrete for the foundation. It just needs to be along those twine survey lines."

"sure thing" Takahiro replied, taking a spade that was lying on a stone, and walking over to the line.

"New guy" a worker shouted.

Takahiro looked up, and saw that it was Sasaki "If you'll be able to help out with digging the foundation, we'd really be glad. Just let me know if there are any rocks that need breaking."

"Sure thing" Takahiro replied, taking the shovel, and removing spade-fulls of earth. He then noticed that someone with a wheelbarrow was following him, and motioned for him to place the earth in the wheelbarrow. Takahiro happily obliged, and before long, he'd already dug out about three cubic feet of dirt. He'd had yet to encounter his first stone, and before long, had gone up to six cubic feet.

"This is fun" Takahiro replied, taking the earth spade-full by spade-full at a time. However, by the time noon had come around, he'd had a different idea.

It was hot, and he wanted water so badly.

"Alright" Kainosuke announced "Break time"

Takahiro noticed that there were pallets of onigiri for all of the workers, consisting of four packages each. He was glad, since it was hungry work doing all of that digging.

He picked up the package, and tore into it, eating the rice-balls hungrily.

He then noticed that Sasaki was talking to some strangely uniformed man in the woods nearby, and if he listened past his coworkers, he caught wind of a strange conversation.

"Sasaki-sama" the uniformed man replied "I remember our days at the dojo in Kyoto. I wanted to join you so bad. Now that I have my own team, I'm asking if you'll join me"

"Toma" Sasaki replied "I repeat, I decline. I've moved past holding a sword now. I've started a new life."

"But Sasaki-sensei" Toma replied "Certainly you can…."

"I repeat, I decline. Now I have work to do"

"Of course" (Pause) "Yet be warned, when the Jinpuu squad wants something to happen, it will."

"I repeat once again, I decline"

At that, the conversation was ended, and Takahiro went back to his food. He couldn't believe that the Jinpū squad was actually after someone he knew. He had so much to tell Onii-sensei when he got back. So much to tell everyone. He only wished it didn't come down on Sasaki-san.