Disclaimer - I own NOTHING!! *cries and curls up into a ball*
There was a short, gurgled cry, that echoed down and along the streets of Kyoto. Several people could be seen darting across streets, hiding in their homes, trying to hide from the multiple assassins, from the multiple sword fights, and the multiple murders.
One of these darters hid in an alleyway, holding her breath, and holding a hand over her heart, sure that someone would be able to hear her beating, rushing heart. There was a sound of sandals hitting the dirt streets, and she tried to crouch down, but it was too late.
Blue eyes met with amber. Fear seized the woman, and for a moment, he only stared at her, and then glanced at his sword.
She bolted. She tripped. Right into a puddle, too. Cursing her luck, she pushed herself out of the water. Damn kimono. She took the chance to look behind her. The man with the amber eyes seemed to bite his lip, before looking at his sword again, as though trying to make a hard decision.
The fact he may not want to kill her never came into her mind, and she got back on her feet and ran forward again. Pulling up the silken fabric of her robes, she ran forward again, finding the nearest inn and running in.
The innkeeper was an old lady, who'd been carrying a bucket and a mop, both of which fell down at the sight of the soaked young lady running into her inn. A curse fell out of the elderly woman's lips, as she saw the dirty water spill all over her floor.
"Oh, oh my goodness! I'm sorry! I swear, I swear I'll help clean everything.. I just.. I just need a room, there's fighting outside, and I.. I.." Kaoru ran out of word, and wiped under her eyes, the frustration and horror of her situation simply too much for the fourteen year old girl.
The elderly woman sighed in exasperation, putting her hand on the teenager's shoulder, "No, no.. That's quite alright. Come on sweetie, let's get you a room." And with that, the old innkeeper led the crying young girl down a hallway.
The old woman stopped in her tracks as realization dawned on her. She had no room! Her last room had been taken up by the…
Her thoughts were halted as the girl made a rather loud sniffle, and her emotions turned sour as she thought of the last option available.
The rooms were full of Ishin Shishi, and the only one she could think of as honorable, was the one the young woman would find the most frightening. She led the teenager up to the room, figuring it was a now-or-never type of moment.
"Here is your room," the innkeeper murmured softly, reluctantly. Kaoru nodded and sniffled, running her hand underneath her nose, already getting over her small bout of frustration, "Thank you."
She bowed down to the innkeeper, not seeing the regretful smile the elder gave to her, and slid open the door, making a small gasp.
"Who is that?"
A menacing voice came from behind the two women, almost in a growl. The innkeeper turned around a second before the teenager, "Now now, Himura.."
Kaoru turned around, and once again, blue met amber. Time seemed to slow, and she heard every, single, heartbeat in her chest.
A teenager with bright red hair looked back at her, his expression angry, and then surprised. It seemed he remembered her as well…
A/N - I don't remember where this story was going.. Ideas anyone?
