Kenshin-san knelt on a small rise of land shrouded by dusk. He watched the field of wheat that surrounded him wave in the wind. It helped him think.
Kyushu had been his home for all of Uesugi's life. The Kenshin family was comprised of respectful farmers faithfully serving the State. But all that was over. His father had been arrested the night before on charges of treason against the Kusari State and dishonor now shaded his family. No public announcements were made, but their lands and property were now being held by the government; everyone knew. The burden of redeeming himself and his family was now a weight that fell to Uesugi. With no resources to support himself, he would need to find work as well.
Whether or not the charges leveled against his Father were fact had not been revealed. He trusted his father, Kenshin-san's devotion to the Kusari State was something taught to him by his parents from an early age. He had never witnessed any actions of his Father's that could be construed as traitorous, but he respected the Government and considered the charges that they had brought upon the family worthy of investigation.
The grass smelled earthy around him and Kenshin-san began to meditate.
Even a life-long prosperity is but one cup of sake;
The warmth of sunrise woke Uesugi from his deep sleep. Eyelids slid back and his gaze fell upon a moderately cloudy but beautiful sky. Today would change things, he would find a clue to his predicament.
Uesugi slowly made his way through the shield to his family's hotel in the city. The cries of salesmen hawking their wares filled the warm air of the city, occasionally drowned out by the egress of a transport.
The peace of the place was shattered by shouts in the direction that Kenshin-san was heading and he quickened his pace to see the reason for the commotion. As the shouts drew nearer, the crowd was split asunder by uniformed police officers trailing an obvious criminal, one headed directly towards Uesugi. The distance between himself and the running man grew short and he noticed a pistol in the criminal's grip. A pistol that he now found pointed at his head.
"Stay away from me, you hear? This man is my hosta-"
The criminal's attempts to explain himself were cut short and punctuated by a quick scream. Uesugi had sidestepped and simultaneously gripped the man's wrist. A quick blow to the elbow and Uesugi felt the bones shatter and the man went limp. The police were on him in seconds.
"Citizen, I thank you for your aid in this matter, what is you name?"
With a quiet but confident voice, Uesugi told the man.
"Kenshin-san, it is an honor to meet you. Where were you instructed in martial arts? That was a perfectly executed attack."
"My Father taught me Sir, I have practiced all of my life."
"Have you ever flown a ship?"
"I have Sir, a Ki owned by my Uncle, but I must admit that I am not a skilled pilot"
"Kenshin-san, I want you to return with me to the precinct, the Kusari State Police have need of Men like you, how would you like to be a Samurai?"