Standard Disclaimers Apply.
The West's Blade Runner
Kenshin noticed a change in the air. He glanced at the sky, where dark clouds were forming. Sighing, he clutched the katana at his side and jumped to another rooftop. The town of Cold Creek neither had cold nor a creek. It was a small mining town built on the spur of a moment during a gold rush several years back. Nothing more than a few dozen buildings lining a main road. Sounds of drunken laughter, clinking forks and knives, and the steadfast pounding of keys on an out of tune piano came from the Refuge Saloon. Kenshin rubbed his temples. At least he didn't have to go in there tonight.
Jumping lightly, he landed on the roof of the next building. Making sure he was on the correct place, he plunged his sword through the tar and wood of the roof and slit himself an opening into the dark structure. Falling through the hole, he stood up inside an old attic. Swatting at cobwebs, he made his way around dried herbs and extra furniture. Opening a door on the far side of the room, he slipped through and down a short flight of stairs. Flattening himself against the wall, he listened for a few short moments before making his way to a door, where he could hear the murmur of voices. Grinning, he pushed the door open, surprising two large men, who were diligently counting large stacks of money.
"The Dale brothers. It is so good to see you." Kenshin slowly pulled out his sword. "I see your counting the money you stole from the bank in Claysville. I'll be taking it now."
The two big men began laughing loudly. "An' how do you intend to take it from us? Poke us with yer butter knife there?" They both pulled out revolvers and trained them on the short, red-haired man. "We'll kill you here and now, China-man. I don't like yer gumption." The older Dale pulled the trigger
Spack!
The bullet hit the opposite wall harmlessly. The Dales blinked and looked around. Cursing, the older Dale turned to his brother. "Where's he?"
Unfortunately, the younger Dale couldn't speak. It's rather hard to when you have a sword growing from your throat. The remaining Dale's face drained of color as Kenshin let the limp corpse fall off of his blade. "Now, I'm afraid it's your turn."
The Dale turned to run, but was met with a crippling blow to the spine. He gasped and fell face first. Grunting against the dirty floor, he looked at the small man, who was methodically flicking the blood off of his sword. Crouching on his haunches, Kenshin pulled the man's head back by his hair.
"You and your brother's fate have been sealed by the Blade Runner. Enjoy the rest of your life in your wheelchair." With that, he let the paralyzed man's head fall forward. He walked to the table holding the money. "I believe the bounty on your head was five hundred." He sighed. "They don't put up as much money as they used to." Counting the money, he left the room without a backward glance.
---
Kaoru watched the horses stampede quickly into the corral, throwing up a thick cloud of dust. Kit and his father quickly closed the corral's doors before latching them securely and slapping at their dust encrusted clothing. Smiling brightly, Kaoru jumped off the corral fence and went to join the two men.
Kit noticed her and smiled. "And how is our little China-girl tonight?" he drawled. Kaoru punched him lightly in the arm. "I've told you a thousand times all ready. I'm Japanese."
Kit grinned. "Well, let's go get something to eat. Pa, you comin'? I can smell Ma's steak from here." Kit's father grinned and waved them off. "I just gonna make sure the mustangs are all settled in for the night." He tipped his hat to look at the setting sun, which was slowly slipping behind distant mountains. Its fiery red beams touched the lush grasslands, painting them a deep orange. He sighed happily and began to make his way around the large horse pen.
Kaoru also noticed the sun. "It sure is beautiful, isn't it, Kit?" She breathed deeply, taking in the sharp, clean air, riddled with dust and the scent of coming rain. Kit slipped his arms over her shoulders and began to play with her ponytail. "Almost as beautiful as you," he murmured. Kaoru chuckled.
"You two love struck ninnies better get in here before the food gets stone-cold." Kit's mother stood in the doorway, framed by the light coming from inside. She waved a ladle in a mock threatening way. "I can feel the rain comin' too, so you best get inside before I take my ladle to you."
As if to confirm her words, a single rain drop fell on Kaoru's nose and slipped off. Lifting an eyebrow at Kit, she took off in a dead sprint. Kit laughed and easily caught up to her. He winked just before reaching the porch and slipping around his plump mother. Kaoru managed to get to the house just before a sudden downpour began. Looking out the window, Kaoru sat down at the table. "Hoo, it's really comin' down out there. Where do you suppose your father is?" Kit's father suddenly burst through the door, his clothes hanging off of him wetly. He grinned, looking pleased with himself.
"I got the horses in the stables. No need for them to be out in the corral tonight. I want them plenty healthy for the country fair next week." He sat down at the table and began to eat. Pointing a fork at Kaoru, he waggled it as he finished chewing. "Will you be riding in the fair, Kaoru? I heard the prize for the best rider is three hundred dollars. I reckon you could win hands down and buy yerself something nice."
Kaoru blushed. "You really think I could win? I don't think I'm all that good."
Kit's mother grinned. "Deary, you know that yer the best rider in town." Her face became stern. "Now don't you be getting a big head now. The Good Book says 'Pride cometh before the fall'."
Kaoru nodded. "I'll try it. I've been aiming to buy something I've had my eye on for a long time." Kit put a hand on hers. "You deserve to buy it, too." He let her go and picked up his plate. "Now, as soon as I get me some money, I'm going to school back in the East."
Kit's father sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Son, is that what you really want? We could still use your help around the ranch."
"Pa," started Kit as he sat down at the table. "We've talked about this. I want to be an accountant. I've had enough of the ranch. I want to go see what else there is. Besides, I'm real good with numbers." He grinned. "An' when me and Kaoru get married, the children would get a proper education in the finest schools of New York."
Kaoru blushed again and smiled, her head down. Kit noticed and grinned wider. "We'll have eight kids and the finest house in the entire county. We'll have three automobiles and servants."
"W-wow," was all Kaoru could stutter. Kit's father and mother smiled knowingly to each other. They had made similar promises also.
Suddenly, Kit's father sat up straight. "Pa? Pa, what is it?" He shushed him and stood up. "Listen, can you hear that?"
Kit and Kaoru strained their hearing, trying to pick out whatever Kit's father was hearing over the rain. Then they heard it. Panicked neighing, frantic hooves, and the occasional shout of men. "Horse thieves," Kit growled. Grabbing a rifle from the wall, he walked out the door, followed closely by his father, also sporting a powerful rifle. Just before leaving, Kit's father turned to his wife. "Get Kaoru down in the cellar and lock yourselves in there. This could get ugly."
"Kit," Kaoru screamed as Kit's mother grabbed her shoulder, forcing her towards the cold basement. "They'll be all right. They can handle themselves. Now come on." Pushing Kaoru into the dark cellar, she gave her a lantern. Kaoru stepped back, expecting the heavy woman to follow her. Instead, she slammed the heavy doors and put a large wooden beam over the slots.
"No," Kaoru screamed, throwing herself against the doors. "You're supposed to stay with me."
Kaoru heard the woman chuckle kindly. "I'm afraid not." A sigh. "I'm old. I'm gonna beat back them rustlers if it kills me. You, well, you have your entire life. Use it well." A pause. "An' I don't intend on dyin' so soon neither."
Kaoru listened to her walk away before trying the doors again. No good. They had been secured well. Sitting down on some hay, she curled up fearfully and fell asleep fitfully.
---
Kenshin had left the note on the sheriff's desk after he dispatched the Dale brothers. It stated simply where to find the mutilated men. The paralyzed Dale would eventually babble out the strange red-head's alias. Once again, the police would find no trace of the bounty hunter. He smiled. Lawmen were so stupid.
He was tired though. Dawn was just peeking over the horizon as he spotted what he was looking for. A small house near a corral and a barn. He had been riding all night and the kinder people would usually let him sleep in their barn. Nudging his horse, whom he had ridden hard all night since his little venture, Kenshin changed direction.
The first thing he noticed was the quiet atmosphere of the ranch. Usually, at least the ranch hands would be up and about caring for the horses and tending to other tasks. Not even the sound of a horse could be heard. Riding over to the barn he glanced around.
Blood. It was everywhere. An old man sat slumped against a wall, full of holes, a rifle held limply in his arm. A plump woman, probably his wife, stood sprawled in the mud, her body crushed and trampled by hooves. Another bloody trail led toward the house, where a young man, not even twenty, sat staring up at the sky sightlessly near the porch.
Kenshin hissed angrily. "Horse thieves," he said, noting the crisscrossing hoof marks in the damp mud. Sighing, he headed toward the house. He'd rest up and bury the bodies later. No one should have to die like that.
Opening the cupboards, he glanced around for food. Nothing but some salt and butter. He glanced around before noticing the cellar door, a large wooden beam holding it tightly. Throwing it to one side, he slowly climbed down into the dark. Letting his eyes adjust to the dark, he looked around and found a bin of turnips and carrots in the corner. Dried and salted meat hung from the ceiling. Grabbing a large slab of ham and a turnip, he began to head out of the cellar when he heard something stir in a pile of hay he hadn't noticed before. Dropping the food, he drew his katana and fell into a stance.
"Kit, is that you?"
Another story. Yep, just trying my hand at a diffrent genre. I have no idea if Kenshin and the West have been mixed, but it sounded like a good idea at the time. As for "The Tolling Bell", I'll keep writing it, no worries.
If I messed up something, tell me. I probably won't change it, but at least I'll know in the future. And REVIEW.