The Samurai

The Samurai episode 1 Farewell Saya

Kenshin! Kenshin! Wake Up! Hey Kenshin!

My eye’s open.

What is it Touka? I’m up! What do you want! Stop yelling would ya.

It’s time to go we’re almost there. Touka reply’s.

I get up and look around. It’s still snowing.

But I don’t feel cold. In fact I’m sweating, I’m burning up!

But why?

I was dreaming, dreaming about what?

Dreaming! That’s it! I was dreaming!

Dreaming about her again. Dreaming about Saya about the past.

Well to be honest there more like nightmare’s now.

It’s been a little over a year now. But I still dream about you, about that night that changed Everything.

And the story begins.

A year or so earlier.

Kenshin, hey Kenshin!

Saya yell’s out.

Kenshin replies. What is it Saya?

Saya cries, Don’t yell at me! Your so MEAN KENSHIN!! And to think I’m so worried about spending time with you.

How much longer do you plan on training anyways?

I’m ready to go home! What’s the point anyways?

As good as you are you don’t use it, so why do you insist on spending so much time training?

Your wasting time that you could be using to spend with me.

Am I not fun? Aren’t I prettier than your stupid sword?

Your so mean! Well I know I’m beautiful.

The guy’s at the market are always telling me how pretty I am and how they wouldn’t waste a single second on a sword or anything.

I would occupy all there time just like I do when I go to the market.

Kenshin replies, Hey! Hey! I can hear you, you know?

Who’s the mean one now? So that’s why your always looking for an excuse to go there.

Wow Saya! You know that hurts. I thought you were my girl. Only mine. But your out there flirting with..

(BANG)

Ow Ow Kenshin shouts as Saya hits him in the back of the head.

Saya shouts out angrily, What do you think I’m so easy like I’m some..

(THUD)

Kenshin pops Saya on top of her head.

Kenshin tells her, Hey watch your language, or aren’t you a lady?

How the hell did you get over here so fast anyway?

Saya answers back, Well just because I don’t spend my entire life training life you doesn’t mean I don’t ever train at all!

You forget I was a black belt in my Karate school when I was just a teenager.

You butthead you hit me! That hurt! The great Kenshin hits a defenseless lady! Wow!

Kenshin replies, Hey watch it. And anyway defenseless?

Weren’t you just bragging about being a blackbelt?

Ok your right I’m sorrr,

(SMOOCH)

Saya licks her lips after kissing Kenshin.

Its ok. Can we go home now Babes?

Saya ask showing Kenshin her sad face.

Kenshin smiles.

Yes. He replies.

(schhhh KLANK)

While sheating his katana back into its scabbard.

Lets go home Saya.

Does soup sound good?

Saya frowns again.

Saya replies Soup ooohh we always have soup.

Then suddenly she starts smelling into the air.

Wait what’s thaa..

Kenshin laughs.

Haha. I got us some beef! Courtesy of our friend The General.

The General!

Saya shouts!

Yippe! The General! Wait. The General?

The General!! What? Why was The General here?

You promised you were done with fighting and wars.

You promised training would be the closes you would come to battling. You promised me Ke..

Saya calm down, Kenshin tells her.

He just stopped by because he was in the area so he came to say hello.

We are old friends he just came to check on me.

He knows I have no desire to be around anymore battlefields.

Saya answers back with a sassy tone,

So he came all this way and didn’t even try to talk you into joining again?

Yeah Righhh.

Kenshin puts his hand over Saya’s mouth.

No I didn’t say that

(CRUNCH)

OOWW! Kenshin Yells out!

Hey you bit me!!

Saya answers back.

Well serves you right for trying to shut me up!

What aren’t you telling me Kenshin Uchiha?

Kenshin replies, Clever as ever.

He said that the area is under high alert.

Something about this new gang there increasing there numbers quickly.

They are doing all kind of petty crime trying to make a name for themselves.

Its probably nothing to worry about. But we should take extra precautions for the next few days until they can get things settled back down.

Saya shouts!

Wait! What! Lets hurry back home Kenshin!

I’m scared Does that mean that, that war is starting to spread? Are the effects of it being felt all the way out here?

Just what’s going on? The General must not be doing his job.

Kenshin tells Saya calm down. We are way out here.

He was just saying keep a low profile.

Kenshin thinks to himself. It is unusual for The General to come in person alone way out here at this time of day.

But maybe he did just come to say hello.

It has been quite a while since we have spoken.

But to come alone, just what is going on?

IT MEANS ITS TIME FOR US TO KILL AGAIN KENSHIN! ITS TIME FOR THE BLOOD TO RAIN FROM THE SKIES! ITS TIME FOR WARRRR…

Saya shouts, Hey Kenshin!

Kenshin shakes his head then replies, Huh?

Saya shouts again Come on! Lets go, this isn’t the time to zone out on me!

Kenshin answers, I’m sorry. I have a headache sorry.

(THUD)

Ouch! Hey didn’t I just say I have a headache. So why did you hit me in the head Saya?

Saya just grins then answers back, That’s exactly why I hit you in the head!

That headache sure didn’t stop you from keeping us out here until dark playing with your sword!

So don’t think it will give you an excuse to get out of cooking or spending time with me.

I’m hungry!

Kenshin replies, Yes Dear!

I think you knocked the headache out anyway so lets get back.

Later that evening.

Kenshin and Saya make it back home.

Kenshin is preparing there meal, the gift from The General.

(SIZZLE SIZZLE)

Saya sniffs the air and let's out a big MMM! It sure smells good!

Kenshin just when is it gonna be ready anyways? Pouting.

Come on babe what’s taking so long!?

Kenshin answers, It’s not my fault you like your beef so well done.

Saya snaps back, That’s right and I’m warning you right now Kenny!

There better not be any pink in it or!

Kenshin replies, Or what Saya?

And don’t call me Kenny you know I hate it when you call me that!

Saya answers, Orrr NO DESERT! Hmph!

Kenshin shouts poutingly!

WHHHATT! Wait! Then don’t complain about how long its taking.

Saya goes into there room then comes back out in her evening gown.

Saya yells out, You better hurry it up before your desert gets cold!

Kenshin runs after her while yelling, Hey no fair your gonna make me burn the house down..

The two start kissing.

(THUD)

OWW Hey, Kenshin yells!

Better not burn my meat Saya replies after hitting him on the head while grinning.

The two have a nice romantic meal. After words they spend the evening talking by the fire before then going to bed for the night.

WAR IS COMING! IT WILL BE LIKE IN THE PAST! MORE FUN MORE KILLING MORE BLOOD!!!

Kenshin opens his eyes.

What was that? Was I just Dre..

Then he hears it again.

Its footsteps. He’s wide awake now.

He reaches over and awakes Saya.

Saya Saya wake up. Wake up quickly but quietly.

Saya opens her eyes.

Saya goes to ask, Wha..

Kenshin puts his hand over her mouth.

SSSHHH. Saya were not alone.

Saya begins to breathe heavily.

Kenshin tells Saya you have to calm down. Saya I have to get to my sword.

Saya freaks out and whispers out loud, What!? No! No you can’t leave me!

Kenshin replies, I have to Saya besides you’re the one that made me stop keeping it in the bedroom.

Saya pouts, Why can’t I go with you? I want to go..

Kenshin tells her, Listen to me Saya, there are four of them.

Two of them are in the front room with my sword. There’s one on the roof and another outside.

So remain still don’t make a sound ok? Can you do that for me?

Saya answers nervously, Umm Yeah Ok Ok Kenshin.

Kenshin smiles and replies, Good. I will take all there attention on me as soon as I get to my sword.

You have to be completely silent until then understand?

Saya tells him, Yeah But Please hurry I’m scared.

Kenshin answers back, Don’t worry babe it will all be over soon.

Saya whispers, You Better be careful. I swear Kenshin I’ll kill you if you get hurt or killed!

He prepares to go get his sword.

He shakes his head ok and thinks to himself, she probably could kill me even if I was dead.

Whoever it is better be glad there not dealing with her!

Kenshin slowly starts making his way to his sword.

As he tiptoes into the hall he can see the ceremonial stand on which his Katana lays resting.

Bandit 1- I don’t think anyone is home.

Bandit 2- Shhh, good then this will be easy.

Kenshin thinks to himself there just bandits common criminals.

Nothing to do with the war. That means there not.

( CRUNCH BOOM)

Kenshin hits the first bandit and in a single blow renders him unconscious.

The second bandit throws down his bag and quickly pulls out his knife then yells out SOMEONE IS HERE!!

Kenshin grabs his sword and yells out.

Listen to me I am an Uchiha.

Leave this place now and I won’t pursue you. But hurry and don’t forget to grab your friend.

Go now and this will all be over UNDERSTOOD?

The second bandit lunges from the shadows thrusting his knife forward at Kenshin and yells out Nice try but your out of luck pal. We can’t do that!

(SMACK THUD)

Kenshin evades the attack from the second bandit and at the same time hits him with sword still in sheath knocking him out instantly.

Saya yells out, AAAHHHH!

Kenshin runs into the room and sees the third bandit making his way towards Saya.

Kenshin screams out and the bandit turns around.

Suddenly Kenshin freezes.

ENOUGH PLAYING AROUND WITH THEM! UNSHEATH THAT SWORD AND COVER IT IN THERE BLOOD!

Saya yells again, AAAAHHHHH!

Kenshin snaps out of it and quickly unsheath’s his sword and hurls the sheath at the bandit hitting him in the back of the head knocking him out.

Kenshin with his eyes still hazy shakes his head and ask Saya, Are you alright?

Saya answers back shouting!

You Jerk!

You almost let them kidnap me!

That has to be what they were after.

A beautiful lady such as myself is a prize better than any treasure.

And you, you jerk you almost let them claim me as there prize!

What were you thinking?

Kenshin tells her, Saya quite!

There is still another one.

Maybe we scared him off.

But keep your voice down until I can be certain.

And I wasn’t gonna let them steal you.

You know I love you more than anything.

Besides you know how much I hate being alone.

Saya reponds, OOOHH so that’s why?

That’s the only reason you keep me around is because you hate being alone.

Well tomorrow I’m dressing up Super Sexy to go to the mar..

(ssscchhh)

Kenshin yells out, NOOOO!

He once again unsheathes his sword but this time he runs it through the last bandit that emerged from out of the shadows.

THAT’S RIGHT BLOOOD ISNT IT BEA…

Saya quietly speaks, We we diidn't see cough ha we didn’t see him did we Ken.

Kenshin grabs her and says, OH NO! Saya don’t say anything..

Oh No. I’m gonna get you help. But you have to remain still.

Saya answers back in almost a whisper, Kenny are you hurt at all?

Kenshin replies, No but don’t worry about me ok. Please don’t move Saya you have to remain still.

Saya responds, Its ok it doesn’t even hurt all that much she coughs a few times and Kenshin notices the blood she wipes away from her mouth.

Kenshin lays her down. Then goes to get a blanket.

When he returns to put it over her he realizes he’s walking through a puddle of blood, of her blood.

He’s standing in the growing sea of Saya’s blood pouring out onto the ground.

Tears fill he eyes and he begins to cry.

Kenshin- Hang on Saya I have to go get help. Just Lay still. I’ll be back quickly. So hang on.

Saya cries out, No please don’t don’t leave.

Come here please let me look upon your beautiful face while you embrace me for a little longer.

Cough, Cough.

Ken its a lot of blood.

As she’s talking blood comes dripping out of her mouth.

We both know I’m dying.

Kenshin Cries out, NO DON’T SAY THAT.

Saya coughs.

Kenshin wipes the blood away from Saya’s mouth.

Your gonna be ok.

His eyes are flowing like waterfall’s and he’s now crying out loud.

Your goona be ok I just have to go get you help.

Saya tells Kenshin, I know how much you hate being alone. So your gonna have to learn to trust people other than me again.

Cough, Cough.

Kenny, your gonna have to learn how to like people, don’t shut yourself off to the world.

Don’t spend your life mourning me. Don’t spend your life alone..

Cough, cough

PROMISE ME KENNY.

Kenshin tells her, Shh please don’t talk anymore. Save your strength.

Besides you know I hate it when you call me that.

Saya answers back, NO listen to me Kenshin.

You can’t stay here AND you can’t die.

Kenshin cries out, No I want to follow you. I need you.

Still crying.

You are everything to me Saya.

I love you so much I love you more than life.

My life was empty until I met you.

You’re the only person that ever showed me love or compassion.

You showed me what love is.

Saya tells him, That’s right Kenny so don’t ever forget it.

Don’t forget what it feels like what it feels like to love.

But most of all My Love never, never forget about me or the life we shared.

You can’t stay here but you can’t follow me either.

PROMISE ME KENSHIN.

Its your dying wife’s wish.

Promise you won’t kill yourself or allow yourself to die.

Promise ME HONOR MY LAST WISH.

Kenshin tells her Ok... I promise.

Just please don’t talk anymore. Save your strength.

Saya whispers out, ok I’m tired so tired would you tell me one of your poems like you used to do when we first met.

Kenshin tells her ok and he holds Saya tight and starts to tell her one of his poems.

Before he can finish it she has already taken her last breath.

He looks down at his beautiful dead wife crying, his tears mix in with the blood around her mouth.

Kenshin cries out No no no no no no please no please don’t leave me all alone again please Saya please don’t.

One of the bandits comes back to and starts to get up while trying to shake off the daze from being knocked out.

He’s a young man maybe even just a teen.

As he looks around he notices his now dead companion his eyes grow wide and filled with fear.

He then looks and sees Kenshin there holding his dead wife still bleeding onto him and the ground.

THE second bandit also awakens and quickly comes too.

You i***t we have to get out of her screw the mission.

Now lets go before he realizes were up! He shouts out to the younger bandit.

Bandit 1- It wasn’t it wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Bandit 2- Who cares now lets scram you fool!

Kenshin looks up and sees the two bandits trying to escape.

You aren’t going anywhere. And right in front of the bandits Kenshin’s eyes changed from his normal blue to this glowing eerie white eyes.

His whole appearance seems to change.

He reaches down and grabs his katana while gently placing his dead wife down.

He now holds his razor sharp katana, its handle is red shark skin wrapped with white clothe with pink cherry blossom pegs a black hilt and a hand guard that looks like a cherry blossom flower.

It’s a beautiful weapon.

It’s a deadly weapon designed to KILL.

The two bandits scramble to there feet.

COME ON KID TIME TO MOVE!

SWOOSH, SPLAT!

Blood splatters all over the face of the young bandit.

He touches his then looks at his hands realizing he’s covered in blood.

He notices an arm in front of him on the ground and he looks up towards the other bandit he sees his face slide off from the back of his head.

It hits the ground.

(THUD)

Then blood rains.

Bandit 1-AAHHH, You killed him! YOOO!

SWOOSH!

Another swing of his sword and with one clean cut he slices the boy from the back of his neck down to the front bottom part of his stomach.

Cutting him nearly in half.

AHH!

He gurgles choking on blood before his top half slides away from the bottom raining blood all over Kenshin.

AAHHH! THE SWEET SCENT OF BLOOD! THE WARM RAIN! ITS LIKE A CELEBRATION! ITS BEEN SO SOO..

Kenshin starts coming to again..

No No what have I done?

His eyes still glowing begin to flicker until completely fading back to normal.

YOU FOOL HAVE YOU ALREADY FORGOTTEN YOUR POOR WIFE SAYA? THEY MURDERED HER IN COLD BLOOD RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES .

Kenshin yells out, SHUT SHUT UP.

I know but I slayed them butchered them like animals.

The boy he he didn’t deserve to die.

DIDN’T DESERVE TO DIE? DID OUR POOR WIFE DESERVE DEATH? YOUR ALONE WERE ALONE AGAIN. TIME FOR PLAYING FAMILY ENEDED WHEN SAYAS LIFE DID! YOU’RE A MONSTER WE ARE A MONSTER. IT’S A MIRACLE SHE LOVED YOU. SHES GONE ITS TIME AGAIN TO PICK UP YOUR SWORD.OUR UCHIHA BLOOD IS BOILING! ITS TIME WE UNITE AGAIN NOW DRY THOSE DAMN TEARS…

I'm, I'm all alone now.

He walks over to where his black with cherry blossom petals scabbard lie.

He reaches down and picks it up then swings the blood from his sword while placing the scabbard in his belt.

He realizes the bandit still breathing laying knocked out.

He puts his sword into its sheath you can hear the blade sharpening itself an on foghorn in the throat of the scabbard.

He thinks to himself, I’m not a monster, One lives. Maybe there is hope yet for my soul.

The bandit begins moving as he comes to.

Kenshin still talking to himself.

I, I spared one. Even EVEN THOUGH.

Even though they didn’t spare my beloved..

Kenshin starts weeping then kneels down putting one knee down onto the awakening bandit.

The bandit cries out I’m, I’m sorry please..

Kenshin takes his knee off the bandit and pats him on the back.

Its ok you had no choice.

But I do and and I’m not a monster.

The bandit crying says thank you thank you for sparring.

And in the blink of an eye Kenshin rams his knee into the back of the bandits skull and neck killing him in a brutal manner.

Eyes popping out of his eye sockets parts of his brain coming out his nose and mouth.

A brutal horrible but instant death.

Kenshins eyes glowing that eerie white like the light of the moon again while standing in front of a mirror he slices his face on the left cheek from his ear to his lips.

As the blood begins to pour his eyes become there normal blue again.

He begins to weep and swears to himself he will never forget this night.

I will never forget you Saya he says while crying.

I have lost everything dear to me.

He walks over to her and says I will honor your last words. But in doing so the love your love that brought me so much joy and happiness will now become my pain my curse.

He swings the blood off his sword and re-sheathes it.

He removes the hair tie from Saya’s hair. The red silk hair tie he bought for her last year for her birthday.

He puts it in his hair then grabs the chain from her neck.

He then takes off her ring along with his and places them both onto the chain then puts the chain around his neck.

He hold’s her a little while longer and kisses her again still crying.

He places her laying in the bed and brushes her long beautiful hair just like he always did.

He brushes it and places the blankets and everything just right, like she was sleeping, like he always used to do.

Only this was the last time so he made sure everything was perfect.

He takes his time stalling not wanting to leave her for he knew once he did he would never see her face again.

Not like this anyways.

He cries and kisses her I I love you Saya. I love you so so much.

I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you that I wasn’t strong enough.

It should have been me why couldn’t it have been me.

I cant live without you. I won’t live without you.

He quickly unsheathes his sword and places it to his neck.

I hate being alone I won’t I can’t live without you.

He starts to push his blade into his neck blood runs onto his sword.

I’m sorry Saya I can’t keep my promise. I’m going to you. Just waait….

THUD

Kenshin falls with his sword still at his neck. He collapses from blood loss.

Saya yells out, Kenshin, Hey Kenshin!

Come on we have been out here for two hours. You liar you said a quick training session.

Kenshin replies, Saya I’m coming. Sorry, you know how I get around this time of year.

Saya replies, Yeah Yeah you trian but you never enter the competition.

Kenshin answers back, Hey you don't have to be so mean. You know I don’t hurt people anymore.

Saya-All that strength and you still couldn’t save me.

Kenshin-Save you? What do you mean Saya! Save you from what?

Kenshin looks at Saya. She’s bleeding.

Saya-Are you just gonna let them kill me? Your just gonna watch me die!

AAHH Kenshin wakes up.

Its cold and the sun is starting to rise.

He quickly comes to.

He removes the sword from his neck and gets too his feet.

He looks at his wife touches her cold skin.

He begins to weep The cold The cold and that silence it’s the signs of death.

Or in his case it’s the signs of his life the life he knew before he met Saya.

The life he will once again me forced into now that Saya is gone.

Doing whatever it takes to survive.

A life of killing a life without emotion without kindness.

A life that once again grabs ahold of Kenshin.

Kenshin grabs a few things then he goes to Saya one last time.

This time he holds back his tears as he kisses her one last time.

Then he starts to walk out closing the door behind him.

He looks up to the sky a tear rolls down his left cheek into the open wound.

He takes a deep breath then he lights a cloth sticking into a wine bottle on fire then throws it at the house bursting into flames.

He begins to walk down the trail. He pulls out the picture of them he saved from the house.

He looks at it and tells Saya goodbye kissing it and then throwing it into the flames.

He won’t need that picture because she has burned her image in his mind forever.

She will always been in his thoughts stalking him down in his dreams like he is prey.

He will relive these moments as she hunts him down everytime he closes his eyes.

But not yet not right now.

Right now he mourns his beloved Saya.

He continues walking down the trail.

It’s a wooded area there are only two trails to take in this area.

It’s a wooded part with hills close to the mountain side.

Kenshin looks down to the trail into the woods he’s about to be entering.

This trail heads towards the more heavily wooded region, the other trail brings you back to the near by town.

But these bandits didn’t come from the town.

Once into the trees Kenshin kneels down.

He has found part of a track that someone tried to erase.

He examines the nearby area.

He sticks his hand into his pocket and pulls it back out.

He continues into the woods.

Nighttime comes.

Kenshin finds a good tree to lean against then he closes his eyes to get a little rest.

AAAHHH YESS! YOUR, WERE TRACKING! TRACKING DOWN THOSE BANDITS! AND SURELY WHEN WE FIND OUT WHERE THE BREADCRUMBS COME FROM, SURELY WERE GONNA KILL THEM! YES YOU CAN’T HIDE YOUR THOUGHTS FROM ME. WE ARE THE SAME. YOUR OUT FOR BLOOD FOR VENGEANCE! BLOOD WILL RAIN FROM THE SKIES AGAIN!

Saya-Kenshin I’m bleeding! Please help me! Don’t just stand there! Help!

Kenshin jumps up with his hand on his sword..

Traveler-Whoa whoa! Easy there fella! I’m just passing through. I saw ya sleeping.

Samurai huh? We don’t see many of your kind out here in these parts.

I didn’t mean to startle ya.

What cha doin way out here anyways?

Kenshin-Go on about your way! My business is my own.

Traveler-Simmer down there fella I mean ya no harm.

I’m just trying to be polite ya know honor amongst travelers and all.

Are ya hungry? I got some rice and taters I can whoop us up some stew.

Kenshin-I said GO AWAY!

Then his stomach growls.

AAARRRGGGHHH!

Traveler-Whoa now that’s the loudest tummy growlin I have ever heard!

How abouts me and you share the same area for the night.

I could use a little rest before I set back out. Make us a fire and get to cookin.

Kenshin-Do whatever you want. I don’t care.

AARRGGHH!

Traveler-Right then that tummy needs food I best get to WHOA!

What the hell happened to your face? I’m amazed your alive much less traveling out here alone with that nasty gash.

Don’t ya know it can get infected.

Let my wife take a look at ya whiles I get too cooking.

Hey hunny its ok you can come out. He’s no bandit naw he’s a real life samurai!

But ya better bring that med kit!

He got himself a real nice samurai sword cut. He’s bleeding pretty good.

Wife-I I don’t know darling he looks scary!

Kenshin-Ya’ll do what you want. But leave me the HELL ALONE!

Wife-Oh my god your face.

She instantly loses any feelings of fear and goes into help mode.

Husband-Alright I got the fire going nicely so ya can see what your doing.

Wife-Oh my hunny! This is bad she begins to wipe the blood off of the wound.

Kenshin grabs her hand.

Ouch! I said to LEAVE ME ALONE! DON’T TOUCH ME AGAIN!

Wife-Throws alcohol onto the face of Kenshin hitting his wound.

Kenshin-AAHH ARE YOU INSANE!

Wife-Well that’s what ya get now hold still so I can patch you up.

And stop being so darn stubborn! Wow! I can’t believe your not dead!

But it sure ruined your pretty face..

Oooh! Ooopss! Not ruined your still very pretty just.

Husband-Hey! Your supposed to be patching him up not sweet talking him.

Wife-Shut up! Its working ain’t it!

Husband-Yeah Yeah fine. Hmph she never calls me pretty.

Wife-OH stop whining I heard that. Your handsome.

Husband-Well what’s the.

Kenshin-SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU AND I AM NOT PRETTY LADY!

Your looking at a real live MONSTER.

Thanks for your help but save it for someone else.

I don’t deserve pity or your kindness.

Wife-What but your hurt.

Kenshin-Didn’t you hear me lady?

I’m a REAL MONSTER!

I had a wife beautiful smart and stubborn just like you.

And AND I JUST WATCHED HER DIE.

Might as well say I killed her myself.

So see I don’t deserve your kindness.I’m just a monster.

The wife finishes tapping the gauze to his wound.

Wife-You are scary, I’ll give you that. But your no monster.

I would be able to tell if you were and I don’t feel any ill intent from you.

But ok I’ll leave you alone now. I’m finished patching you up.

At least now your not at risk to infection and you won’t bleed as much.

Husband-Just in time too.

He hands Kenshin a large bowl of stew. And before the traveler can hand him the chopsticks, Kenshin swallows the entire bowl.