Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin (Nobuhiro Watsuki) or koi (I dream, though)
Two down, one to go. I turned to confront the remaining man and found myself face to face with Aoshi. My third attacker was lying very much unconcious against a wall.
'Damn him. I had that under control! Why do I always find myself under some sort of supervision? I'm 17 for crying out loud! I don't need a babysitter. I am perfectly capable of defending myself' glances down at bleeding upper-arm 'ok, maybe not as well as I'd like to think, but even so!'
I looked to meet his eyes defiantly but was caught off guard by what I saw. Concern. He was concerned about me. I had expected disappointment or disapproval, but concern? For a moment, I could have sworn I even saw-- nah. Just my wishful thinking getting the best of me once again. 'No! Why can't I just be angry with him?'
I moved to shove him aside angrily. After multiple attempts to do so, I subsided, obstinate pout ever-present upon my face. We walked home in total silence. Not silence of the awkward sort, but more like a silent truce of sorts.
Upon our arrival at the Aoiya, it was unanimously insisted that I have my arm seen to, as it was a rather deep cut I had received. Following my medical tending-to, I retreated out back into the gardens. I sat beside a quiet pool and watched a solitary koi hover near me for several minutes before swimming steadily on its way.
After an hour or so, it came to my attention that Aoshi was behind me. 'How long has he been sitting there? Why is he caring so much, anyway!' He just sat there, watching amused as looks of bewilderment, anger, and curiosity passed over my face, his own displaying no emotion. We sat there in silence once again. This time, it was more awkward, waiting for words to come forth. I waited on him.
Finally he spoke.
Koi-- a kind of fish, a type of Japanese carp. Well bred koi can sell for thousands of dollars. They can be quite large, certainly over a foot.
AN:P Bear with me, please. My preferred fish book has been missing for some time. I think I'm doing pretty well. Input would really be appreciated, as is support (who doesn't like support?), your thoughts, etc. Please review.