Disclaimer: This is what I get for net surfing, listening to a Kenshin CD and doing laundry at the same time. All characters belong to their respective owners, not me.

Kenshin and the Metal Box

By Icka! M. Chif

Kenshin looked between the scroll and the large metal box in front of him. This couldn't be right.

"Step one." He read out loud. "Open the little metal door."

He shrugged. Sounded easy enough. He tried to slide the door to the side. It wouldn't move. He tried wiggling it up and down. Still no luck. He tugged on it and it opened with a loud 'pop!', making him land on his butt in the grass.

Easy, right.

Kenshin read the next line. "Step two: put clothes in box."

This was written for morons, wasn't it? And what was he reading the instructions for anyway? He could do this on his own. He set the scroll down, picked up the days washing and stuck it in the metal box. That done, he shut the door.

Nothing happened.

Kenshin scratched his head. He pulled out the instructions. "Step three: add one cup of soap. Step four: shut the door." Kenshin sweatdropped. Someone was a poet.

How much was a cup anyway? He looked at the open box of white flakes that had come with the metal box and scroll. Close enough. He tossed the whole box in and shut the door.

Nothing happened.

With a sigh, Kenshin picked up the scroll again. "Step five: Press the red button." Red button? He looked on top of the washer. It was right in the middle of the top panel.

Figures.

He pressed the red button. Instantly, the box began to make a loud 'whiirrr' sound and began to rattle. His hand was on his sword instantly, ready to defend himself and the Dojo if necessary.

When it did nothing except rattle and make the strange nose, he relaxed his guard a bit and glanced at the scroll again. 'Step seven: wait for bell to go off before opening door again.'

Wait? For how long? Kenshin sighed and waited.

A bird chirped.

Someone was whistling.

Karou-dono yelled at Yahiko from the Dojo.

Kenshin sighed and sat down on top of the box. It was an odd seat, like sitting on top of a fast moving horse that was going no where, but it gave him a good view of the Dojo in case of trouble.

People talked on the street.

The wind blew by.

Karou-dono chased Yahiko around the Dojo.

Insects chirped.

Someone shouted curses at a 'Rooster Head'.

Sano came into the Dojo, whistling.

Kenshin sighed.

A loud, obnoxious sound like an irate goose made him jump into the air.

He landed, looking around. It was quiet.

Including the box.

Warily, he glanced at the scroll. "Step eight: open door and remove clothes."

What kind of idiot wrote these instructions?!

Kenshin tossed it over his shoulder and opened the box's door, only to be instantly covered with a mountain of white soapy bubbles. "Oro?"

Fighting through the mess of suds, he pulled out one if his gi.

Or at least what used one of his gi.

It was now about the right size to fit Dr. Genzai grandchildren.

"Oro?!" He pulled out the rest of the clothing. Yes, it was clean. Yes, it was sudsy. And yes, it was too small to fit Yahiko.

Kenshin's eyes flashed amber.

Kenshin walked past the Dojo, little pieces of paper following him like lost puppies.

"Kenshin?" Karou called from inside.

He paused in mid step and looked at her. "Hai, Karou-dono?"

She watched the papers dance around him in puzzlement. "What have you been up to?"

"Practice" He said, in such a way it made her wonder. "Do you know anywhere that we can sell scrap metal to?"