Black Vow
Summary: Running isn't fun, especially when you've been doing it for Five or six years. Kaoru, Misao and Megumi are tired of running, so they decide to stop but just makes matters worse. What can Kenshin, or more commonly known as the Battousai, do to help them?
Chapter 1: Running, Running
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, I am a poor poor girl who simply fantasizes about her favorite anime and manga characters! Besides this is my first Rurouni Kenshin story so be nice. (cowers in a small corner.)
Kaoru cursed as she cleaned the dishes. Misao knew how much Kaoru hated to clean dishes, the whole reason she made them eat on her cheap plates. Finishing the last plate Kaoru replayed her evening with Megumi and Misao. Megumi had learned about a group of demons who were getting ready to attack their small town. It wasn't fun always running but they needed to, better to run than become the personal whore of a demon. No one knew about the attack except for the healers, which was lucky since Megumi was one. It was information that would never be released to the citizens and if you didn't know a healer you would be as good as dead. A week, tops, until the demons attacked. Megumi was already packed, Misao was finishing her packing, Kaoru never unpacked. Something her father taught her when she started this life of running, never settle, always be ready to run. Kaoru walked into her bedroom and stared at her backpack, it had everything she needed, from clothes to money and her only weapon: her bokken. They were to leave early the next morning, a friend of Misao had given them his car, believing that the girls were going on vacation for the week. It broke Kaoru's heart to know that they were just escaping death while everyone else was thinking they would live to see the sun of the next day. 'It's for our own good.' she chanted in her head, 'It's for the best.'
Morning came slowly, 4:30 A.M and still no sun. "The sun doesn't start to rise until five, Misao." Megumi said as they packed their things into the car. Most of their stuff went with Megumi in the back seat, only a few bags went in the trunk. Misao sat in the passenger's seat while Kaoru was their driver. "Still, some sun wouldn't hurt." Misao was not a morning person, had they not reminded her of the attack she probably would have never gotten up. "Calm down Misao. When we reach another town I'll buy you a doughnut and some coffee." Misao lighten up a bit but she was still grumpy. Predictable. "You know, I miss our old life." Misao said, staring out her window, "Down by the beach and all." "We all do Misao." Megumi said softly, also remembering the old times, "We all do." Kaoru kept her mouth closed but also remembering her old life. Oh how Kaoru missed the sea, it's playful waves and fresh air. It use to be so peaceful, no demon attacks, no tax collectors, just happy lively people and the crisp ocean. Kaoru snapped out of her day dream, if she didn't focus on driving they would crash and then Kaoru would never hear the end of it. The highway was mainly empty except with the occasional car but other than that it was empty. Still anything could happen.
"You seem kinda spaced out." Megumi said over the light snores of Misao. "Yeah, just a little." You could never get away with lying to Megumi, she could see through any lie. "What's bothering you Kaoru?" Megumi asked softly, "Spacing out at all is bad for you. For someone who knows sword play you should know that." Kaoru smiled, "Yeah I know, it's just hard you know." her voice matched Megumi's, the pain was evident. "I don't know how much longer we can keep running from them." Megumi was quiet for a moment, "True, maybe instead of a small town," she paused, the idea itself was bad but it was perhaps their only option, "how about we go for a city?" "A city?" Cities were safe from attacks but only cause demons shared the cities with humans, if a demon were to molest a young woman no one would care, that was a problem for them but Kaoru considered what they could use to their advantage. The three were not weak, each held their own strength, Kaoru being the strongest, surely they could fend for themselves. "Sounds like a bad idea that will work." Kaoru said, "But would they find us there?" Megumi made a small noise, like a short chuckle, "I'm sure they checked the cities first, thinking that we would head there instead of fleeing to a small town." Kaoru rolled the idea around some more before finally agreeing. "How much money do we have?" Megumi began to search through their bags. "Let's see..." she counted their money carefully, including their loose change. "All together, we have...over eighteen grand." "I'm surprised you counted all of that." Kaoru chuckled, "Better safe than sorry." Kaoru nodded, "Well with eighteen grand we can get a two bedroom apartment and a couch." Kaoru said, "I want a room." Megumi giggled, "So do I." "Looks like Misao gets the couch." The two giggled as the sun finally started rising.
"So you two want to move to the city huh?" they stopped at a roadside diner for a small brunch. Megumi informed Misao of their idea, almost reluctantly. Misao was like a bratty little kid, if she didn't want to do something, she wouldn't and neither would anyone else. "We're tired of running, let's just settle in a city, at least in a city there would be more room and less gossip." "True." Misao put down her coffee and began to inhale her promised doughnut. "Plus it'd be much easier to make money in a city, Kaoru could run a dojo with you while I work at a hospital." Megumi said as she smeared her favorite jelly on her English muffin. "That would be nice actually." Kaoru said, some tension relived for some odd reason. "I haven't been in a dojo since I was forced to sell my dad's to Gohei. Having a dojo might get us back in shape again too." Kaoru ate her fried eggs with mild manners, considering this was their first healthy meal since they left, Kaoru felt like she needed to savor it. Misao smiled, "I guess it's not that bad of an idea but are you sure it will safe?" "Odd are a million in one. They must have checked the cities when we ran away. It would only be stupid to go where demons constantly attack than it would be to go when it's less hectic." Megumi stated, "If we went there long ago we'd get caught for sure but now," "Okay I get the picture." Misao interrupted, leaning back in her seat.
"Well, it would be nice to have a dojo again but I doubt we got that kind of money." "No worries." Kaoru said, "I have some old valuables that are just knick knacks now. We can sell them for a lot of money." Misao and Megumi glanced at each other, concerned. "Is that a good idea?" Misao asked, "Wasn't the reason you kept them cause.." "I kept them cause I knew one day we'd need the money. They don't have any sentimental value to me." Still concerned they agreed, those valuables were worth a lot and finding buyers for 'em wouldn't be hard at all. "Well, we do need the money. Maybe we should also try to sell our old clothes." Megumi said thoughtfully, "Misao was complaining that her shirts were too tight." Kaoru nodded, she grabbed a piece of toast and said, "I'm sure there are some of those donation like stores on the way." "Well, it's settled. But what city are we moving to?" Kaoru pulled out a small map from her purse. "The closest to us right now is... Seria." Kaoru looked at the two across from her, small bits of fear was clear in their eyes but it was only a suggestion. "But the Battousai lives there." Misao whispered, "Don't you remember the rumors?" "Of course but," Kaoru pulled out an article she had gotten from the gas station a few hours ago. "According to this article, it's one of the most safest cities on this planet. Battousai owns the city and he takes great care of his people. The only danger there is if you upset someone who works for Battousai." Megumi read the article, "She's right, it would be the perfect place to live." Misao muttered something but said, "Fine. We better pay and get going." Kaoru smiled and summoned their waitress. She happily gave them their bill and soon they were back in the car, with Misao and her box of doughnuts. "Did we really have to get two dozen doughnuts?" Megumi complained as Kaoru started the car. "I don't wanna hear about how bad these are for me!" Misao growled as Megumi glared at her. "Well then, you can share." Kaoru reached into the box and pulled out a sugar covered doughnut. "Hey!" Misao tried to swat the thieving hand but the Megumi's hand stole two chocolate glazed doughnuts. "You thieves!" They chuckled while Misao clutched her box, "No touchy my doughnuts!" They laughed, "Okay, we get it. They're your donuts."
Me: Looky I got a new story coming out! My very first Rurouni Kenshin story!
Kaoru: Is Kenshin going to be in the next chapter?
Me: Good question, I honestly don't know. I didn't really plan this story like I did with My Secret Fantasy.
Kaoru: huh. How many chapters is this story then? MSF was 17 chapters...
Me: I don't know. Let's aim for...um...12 chapters if it looks like I need to make more then I will.
