Geez... I can't believe I'm actually going to post this, since I've been killing myself on my other story... I had promised myself that I wouldn't post anything else until I finished with it... but I've got serious writer's block and I need to vent out some other stuff before I can seriously work on it... Anyway, this is by no means anything that I'm going to perfect like My Only Joy, so I'm sorry if there is a lot of inconsistances in the writing style... if there is in the plot that you notice, then by all means tell me... if you really like it... then tell me and I might feel motivated to polish it up... just for you... Ok, keep in mind that I wrote this knowing the whole story behind the jinchu arch, but I'm twisting the story for my own personal reasons and taking liberties with it...so yeah I know that Koaru didn't die...and I know that the scene they created for Kenshin was done without him being there...alright here it is.
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Disclaimer: Not mine... like always and forever...
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Chapter 1
Japan: 11th Year of Meiji
The small dagger pressed gently, almost sweetly into the flesh of the girl, piercing her skin ever so slightly. The sudden appearance of the bright red of her blood was a shock against her perfect white skin, and it followed the path of the blade as it caressed her cheek from top to bottom. An almost imperceptible gasp escaped her lips when the pressure ceased, but her respite wasn't long as the arm that manipulated the dagger lifted again to the soft area under her eye. Instinctively the blue eye closed before the tip pierced her face again, but she didn't jerk away. Trapped now in darkness, her mind followed the stinging path across her cheek until it met, then crossed the previous wound to meld the pain together at that point. A small throb began there at the crossing and beat with the rhythm of her heart, slow and steady.
Though she was being held against her will she felt no fear. There was no terror in her heart or mind, no anguish, no panic to quicken her pulse. There was pain. An old pain now, one that numbed her heart and was slowly working on her mind. Though it had only made itself known to her days before and climaxed distressingly last night she realized now that it had always been there. Since the beginning. When she had looked into those violet eyes and knew… that she loved him.
Those violet eyes were looking at her now, surprise and anguish buried deep within their irises. Willing this torment to stop but unable to move for fear of what damnation that would bring about for her. At last the torture ended and the blade came away from that once perfect face, leaving behind a legacy that would tie them together for all of eternity. Understanding finally plagued him, and he stared as if fascinated by the wound that now echoed the scar on his own face. Following the sad trail of raised skin from chin to ear, from jaw to the now open eye, his sorrow tightened at the look of emptiness they held. The amazing life and energy that had attracted him to her was no longer there. There was no fear or heartbreaking tears to mar her face. Only emptiness. The sparkle was gone, leaving in its wake a dull lifeless color that made her look already gone from this world. Those lackluster eyes stared back into his and the feelings of anguish inside him intensified, almost as if he was experiencing them for her. Finally they blinked, slowly and meaningfully, and he knew that she was saying good-bye.
The paralysis staying his actions abruptly lifted, jolting him into action, but it was already too late. Even as he took his first step toward her, his katana pulled from its sheath, the small dagger had lifted and with a brutal force descended to plunge its length into her breast. Instantly those missing emotions he had longed for poured from bright blue eyes and screamed at him all the feelings that were only exposed to him so very recently. Then she was falling. Sliding down the length of the stoic body behind her and finally tilting backwards as it stepped away. Cracking his katana back into its sheath, he rushed forward to catch her before she fell heavily onto the wooden floor. Desperately she sucked in air through her parted lips and forced her chest to take it in despite the pain. Bright blue eyes searched frantically around the room before locking onto his as he held her desperately against him. In those few seconds of life left to her he realized with a certainty that surpassed everything else in his life that he loved her and no longer cared what life his love would damn her to, but as the words welled up inside him and were about to pour from his mouth his throat constricted in grief and guilt and locked them away.
Sadness filled her eyes at his apparent unwillingness to speak and a single tear escaped out of her left eye to slide down her cheek and mingle with the blood. Then the pupils of her eyes dilated, obscuring the blue irises, and she was gone. Time seemed to stand still in the room as he held her lifeless body and felt her death slowly sink into his mind. The sudden smack of a tear on her face startled him as it seemed to echo in the unearthly silence. Pulling himself out of his comatose state he lovingly reached up to close the lids over her lifeless eyes, to wipe their now mingled tears from her skin, and push the hair away from her still beautiful face. Bending towards her, he hugged her body to him gently but was rewarded only with the sharp jab from the hilt of the dagger still nestled deep within her chest. Still piercing the heart that he so callously denied the tender love and affection that it so desperately wanted and needed.
Carefully he pulled the dagger out of its temporary sheath and meticulously cleaned her blood off of the blade. The man still stood over him, watching everything that he did, taking in every moment of anguish, enjoying his pain. When he turned to him finally the man took a wary step back but froze in surprise when he simply held the dagger, hilt out, to him. Suspiciously the man reached for it and grabbed it quickly out of his hand, but the other made no move to leave the body. Only hugged to him the still form of a girl that this the man had so brutally murdered to pay him back for long dead crimes. Inside, the darkness he had fought so long to suppress raged to life, calling for his life's blood for taking what was most precious away from him, but he numbly ignored it, finding no will to even follow its mindless abyss after her death. There was nothing left for him. He had failed her, and now he would pay once again. When he finally spoke, the soft voice that passed his lips held no trace of anger or vengeance, only regret and sorrow.
"You have made us even now."
Rage and hate built inside the murderer's ki, seeping into every word that poured from his lips and making his voice quiver. "No. We will never be even. I've seen the extent of your love and it could not possibly reach the point that mine has for the one you took from me. You could never have loved this girl that much. If you had you would never have left her to live in such torment about your feelings. Don't deny it, it was plain to see that she loved you but struggled with the knowledge that she would never have your love in return. If at all. I never tormented my sister so. There is no love in your relationship with her. You will never suffer as much as I have suffered."
Hanging his head, he let the words sink in, numb as he watched his red hair slip down over his shoulder to brush gently against her still bloody cheek. He knew that this man was right, and knowing that he had witnessed it in such a short amount of time showed the extent of the pain he had caused. "If you still wish for this one's life then take it. This one will gladly give it to you as payment." In a softer voice he spoke to the body in his arms. "This one will gladly give it for you." Bowing, he gently laid his head on her chest and waited for the knife that would send him to meet her.
x
Japan: Present Day
Tomoe walked silently behind her father to the car she knew waited for them at the entrance. The jet black eyes stared meekly at the floor, not in a submissive gesture, but more contemplative. Her soft white dress flowed gently with the graceful move of her legs and ended at her slender ankles above white sandals. Echoing the swish of her dress, long black hair hung freely down her back, a stark contrast to the pureness clinging to her form. Everything about her whispered beauty and grace, but her thoughts were much different.
All that morning she had thought about the meeting. A meeting she was required to be at only because her bodyguards were required to be there. Recently a shortage of guards and personal guards had arisen, and their faction was in a frenzy to replace the fallen or the cowardly. Of course, none of this could be decided by the leaders alone, they also needed the knowledge and eyes of those experienced enough to point it out. Namely those bodyguards skilled enough to still be among them.
Out of the three that were accompanying her and her father, two of them belonged to her. Admittedly she only needed the services of one to protect her. The other, while skilled and experienced enough to hold his own, didn't even come close to the skill and power of the first. There was a reason she had two though. Well, more than just one. Firstly, her father was extremely over-protective of his only daughter and figured that two guards were better than one. Secondly, one of them refused to live at the house with them and so couldn't be with her at all times. Thirdly, both of them had requested specifically to be her personal guard, and though they were with different intentions and at separate times, they both genuinely only wished for her safety. Finally, well…
Tomoe lifted her eyes to the taller of the pair striding protectively out in front of her. A small smile touched her lips at the fierce possession he showed when it came to her safety. His code name had aptly become Tate, or shield, after only a week as her guard. Always in front, solid and unwavering, he shielded her from any attack that came at her outright. Tomoe was the main reason he was allowed to be her guard. His skills, while better than most others, were not the best they had seen, but Tomoe had told her father that she had wanted him. The only explanation she had offered was that she felt she could trust him. Which was entirely true, but not totally why she had wanted him. Nobody but the two of them knew about this reason.
The black eyes shifted silently to the guard walking beside her father, simply named Eihei. This man carried no weapon, like the katana and wakizashi her Tate wore openly, but rather used jujitsu. None-the-less he was extremely dangerous when provoked or his master threatened. Though he was Chinese in origin, and wore the clothing to prove it, he was born and raised in Japan. Tomoe knew, confidentially, that he had studied in China from the age of ten to twenty-two, and now, at almost thirty, had devoted himself to the protection of the man striding beside him. Why, Tomoe was not privileged to.
Though both of these were strong in battle, neither of them were able to stand up to the strength, power, and skill of her other personal guard. This one walked silently behind her, never making a sound and only presenting herself when necessary. Her name was Kage, or shadow. While Tate walked openly out front, Kage stayed quietly at her back. Though Tomoe could not see or hear her, she knew the girl's appearance by heart.
At that moment she was dressed only in black, like always. A long sleeved shirt, loose enough for free movement but fit enough that the figure underneath would be easy to pick out, covered her upper body. The pants would echo the shirt in fit and comfort, and below that black socks and sandals strapped onto her feet. Over all of this she insisted on wearing a floor length trench coat. Tomoe suspected that it was to hide the only show of color about her. This color belonged to the red and black weaving on her katana, her weapon of choice that she wore at the back of her waist. Why she had chosen to show any color, let alone one so demanding as red, on the hilt of her weapon, Tomoe didn't know. One more thing to add to the growing list of secrets about this strange girl.
The fact that she could have been so much more than just the personal bodyguard of a lesser boss' daughter, and then choose not to was a mystery. After the first month it wasn't questioned any longer, as the girl showed fierce protectiveness over her mistress, allowing no one to touch her. Soon after she was dismissed as weak and was forgotten about as an exceptional fighter. Tomoe was surprised to find that this did not bother the girl at all and she only continued to protect her like always. The stupidity of forgetting or dismissing her power was later realized as she took down an entire elite attacking force by herself. Luckily for them, she only maimed a few, never once did she kill, to the relief of her mistress and surprise of her father. Nothing was said, however, as many were too hurt to ever fight again, or they were too frightened. Besides this, she had kept her objective as Tomoe was still alive.
That had been almost two years before, but still Tomoe knew next to nothing about her. The girl's real name, usual appearance, and a few select tendencies were all that she was aware of. She didn't even know the color of her eyes because she always wore dark glasses that were impossible to see through. The long dark hair, now pulled back into a long braid, didn't help her as the bangs feathering her face covered the edges of the glasses and most of her cheeks as well. The only part of her face that was always in view was her nose, mouth and jaw. This was of no help either as it was constantly set in the same expressionless way and she never smiled. Tomoe had seen her scowl, almost growl once, but this was rare.
Outside a small chill was in the air, but Tomoe felt fine with the long sleeves and skirt of her dress. Soon, though, she knew they would all have to dress warmer, when the snow began to fall. Everyone but her Kage, that is, who seemed oblivious to any change in the weather. Tate-san would have to put something warmer on, though, just the comfortable dress pants and shirt would not be enough to warm him. Tomoe knew that he got cold easily and she was a little concerned for his health. She would have to talk to him later, when they were alone. There was another small concern in the back of her mind for her father as well, but his wardrobe never changed, and his suit would keep him warm, though maybe a coat would be in order for tomorrow.
Tomoe shook her head at the turn in her thoughts and climbed obediently into the car. Eihei-san entered the driver's side door as he always drove, he was like her Kage when it came to the weather so she knew not to worry about him, while the other three got in with her in the back. Kage sat next to her in the middle seat of the limo with Tate across from her and her father in front of her Kage. Almost without thought, the two guards removed their weapons from their belts to lean them up against their shoulders for easier access in the car. Tate's wakizashi lay across his lap.
"You have a lot on your mind, aijou. Your eyes look distracted."
Tomoe looked up at her father and smiled, a small smile but it was loving.
"I'm sorry father, you know I am not fond of these gatherings."
Yukishiro sighed, "I know, aijou, but it cannot be helped. The other bosses expect us to be there, even if we do not require any more guards. I'm afraid this may be rather tedious, like the last five. There have been no exceptional fighters since your Kage joined us."
Tomoe smiled again and glanced at the silent girl staring out the window. Who would have thought such a small girl would be so powerful. Kage had gone through many challenges the day she had joined them, and she came away without so much as a scratch on her. In fact, Tomoe had only seen her wounded a few times. Though, admittedly, there weren't many chances for that to happen, as Tomoe wasn't a prime subject for attacks, thankfully.
A sudden movement from the small girl almost made Tomoe jump. The quick leaning forward of her body toward the window as they turned the corner was unlike her Kage and confused her. Tomoe watched curiously as she stared intently out the window for a couple of seconds before sitting smoothly back into her seat. Tomoe placed a questioning hand on Kage's arm.
"Is something wrong, Kage-san?"
Kage turned her head to her mistress, noticing the looks from Yukishiro and Tate in the process but dismissing them, and a small smile spread across her lips. Tomoe blinked in surprise.
"Do not worry, Tomoe-sama." The girl placed a reassuring hand over hers. "I have a feeling today will be interesting."
Then the smile was gone, along with the hand, and she was staring expressionlessly out the window once more. Thoroughly confused, Tomoe could only stare at the dark girl, with the contradicting neutral voice against the smile and reassurance. Something about her at that moment made her feel nostalgic, but what could that mean?
x
Kenshin walked down the streets of present day Tokyo with thoughts from another time crowding his mind. Hardly ever were there ones about the situations surrounding him. This was mainly because it depressed him too much to think about them.
Whether it was because he didn't like the world that had developed or it was simply because he missed aspects about the old… it didn't matter. They were both the same to him. Although Japan had advanced in many ways it didn't seem to be that much different than before. He knew this was because of the way people thought and acted. There would always be a definite undertone of cruelty and despair in the world and he knew Japan wasn't an exception. As depressing as the thought was it couldn't be avoided or proven wrong. A decision was still being made on whether things had gotten better of worse, in his mind.
Thinking about it, he realized that even though the country was not at war, with itself or otherwise, there was still many factions that did fight against each other inside of Japan. No formal declaration of war was made, but there was many attempts at assassinations and attacks between them. Kenshin found that the only way this differed from the battles he once fought as a hitokiri was that seldom did they involve civilians and the public directly, which was a good thing, and they also didn't have to do with any radical change in the government. That he was aware of anyway. Still there was way too much fighting going on, and this meant that people were getting hurt, and it did involve power. Mostly over money, which was, sadly, the main motivator for Sano and himself at that moment.
Kenshin walked on down the streets, Sano striding methodically beside him. The chill wind pulled bitingly on his loose shirt and pants; grey pants, blue shirt. While Sano wore a white set of loose pants and matching tank top with a jacket over the top of it. They were both pretty much silent and lost in their own thoughts, as they had been most of the way. Kenshin knew that the only reason Sano was silent was because he was trying to prepare himself mentally. Personally, Kenshin didn't approve of the job that Sano was going to "apply" for, but there was no talking him out of it. He just kept saying that it was the only thing he was good for anyway and all the jobs available now-a-days took too much effort. Of course, being a bodyguard didn't, right?
His mind slipped back to the other reason he didn't like the new world. Though he said it was because he missed certain things about the old one and swore that it was only the freedom and at the same time closeness of that simple life in the Meiji era, he knew that this was just a cover up of his real reasons. What he really missed had a lot to do with cherry blossoms and blue eyes, with familiar laughter ringing in his ears and a smile in his heart. The reason he found himself not admitting to this was because he felt guilty. Guilty that he should think about himself before others and wish only for the happiness that those laughing blue eyes could give him. He was ashamed of himself and because of that he tried to hide his real feelings on the matter. A small, sad voice in the back of his mind whispered that this was what had caused his pain in the first place, but without that love near him he couldn't find the energy to fight against himself to hear that voice anymore.
So he walked on, next to Sano who was on his way to join those same organizations that were struggling over power. Kenshin had no wish to join them, of course, but Sano had wanted him to come, just in case. That just in case was the only reason he had decided to grab his sakabato from his bedroom. Though he only practiced with it every once in awhile he still felt safer carrying it with him. What was strange to him about it as they walked down the street, was that nobody really seemed to mind that he wore it openly.
There was still a lingering nostalgic feeling in his chest when he held his sakabato. Only the month before had he reclaimed it from the Kamiya-dojo, when he had stopped by to check up on things. At least that was what he had told Sano. The real reason was his curiosity had gotten the better of him when he found out that it was still called the Kamiya-dojo, especially since there were no surviving Kamiyas of that line left. Still, knowing this, he had gone there looking, hoping that Kaoru would answer the door when he rung the bell. Wishing that it would be her smiling face looking out at him, and if she did nothing else but that then he would be happy.
Instead another familiar face had answered, one he had not expected but knew he should have. Dark, intent eyes had stared out at him and asked if there was anything he could help him with. There was no recognition in them, but then Kenshin had not expected there to be any. Yahiko didn't miss anything in his past life that warranted fulfillment in another. There was nothing left undone or prematurely ended for him, so he was blessedly living a separate life without any memory of a previous. Still, Kenshin couldn't help but give him his name, his real name, just in case it rung a bell. Just in case a certain dark-headed, blue-eyed girl had left a message of any kind. It only took a few seconds before he was showing him in.
Though the boy did not remember him personally, he did say that he knew the name. Apparently Yahiko, Kaoru's Yahiko (this was how Kenshin thought of him, because it made him feel close to her in a small way), had told his children about Kenshin, and his true devotion and protection of others was integrated into the teachings of Kamiya Kasshin-ryu, along with something else that was passed down. Yahiko had left him for a few moments then, while his wife, Tsubame, had served him tea. After only a few sips, the boy came back with a katana wrapped in a ceremonial cloth. This he held carefully and respectfully out for Kenshin to take.
Inside was his sakabato, well kept and completely original, with necessary repairs done in a few places. Kenshin felt a swell of pride for the obvious care and reverence it had been shown, and not because of what it was, but what it represented.
There had been a small argument over the ownership at the time, as Yahiko wanted Kenshin to have it, and he swore that it belonged solely to the dojo. In the end Yahiko told him that he was supposed to have it back, he knew that he was supposed to have it back. No one had truly used the sword in years, and it was meant to be used, to protect people. Kenshin had finally accepted, and even sparred with Yahiko for a few hours that day. He was happy to say that they were both doing well in their separate techniques.
At that moment Kenshin felt a small force of ki being pressed his way. Specifically at him. Stopping suddenly, hand automatically at his sakabato, he searched for the source and found his eyes following a black limo turning the corner in front of them. The windows were completely tinted and there was no way for him to see inside, but he knew that it came from there. Strangely, the feeling wasn't threatening but more amused and interested. Still, it was powerful. With nothing else to do, he waited for the car to turn and disappear from view before he relaxed. Sano stood next to him confused.
"What's up? You tensed all of the sudden."
Kenshin looked up at Sano, slightly troubled.
"That limo just now, there was a strong fighter in there."
Sano laughed. "Come on, Kenshin. Surely there's nobody in this lifetime strong enough to worry you."
Kenshin only stared after the vehicle before whispering back.
"The ki he put off was amazing, though, Sano. Almost too strong for this day and age."
Sano just laughed again and smacked him on the back.
"Then let's hope he's headed where we're going. Then you can teach him a thing or two about real ki, huh?"
Kenshin smiled back, though his mind was still troubled, and they walked on.
Upon arriving at the place appointed for the applicants, Kenshin couldn't help but think about how unoriginal the setting was. The place was an old abandoned warehouse with no activity apparent from the outside. At the entrance they were questioned and searched by two professional bouncers before being allowed into the main area. What they searched for exactly, Kenshin couldn't guess, because they did allow him to keep his sakabato. Then again, it was a trial for new security and bodyguards.
Inside the warehouse was parked many cars and limos, all black and indiscreet, around the outside of the open area, close to the exits. In the interior, open floor, was where all the people were standing. Some of them were cheering on the match at the center while some watched silently and observed the fighters critically. Kenshin knew that these were the current guards who were there only to pick out the few exceptional for employ. Looking up, Kenshin could make out the many small groups of leaders that made up the entire faction. Some mingled and talked among the other bosses, while many stood by on their own and watched the fight below. The bodyguards surrounding all of them had eyes for the match and their masters or mistresses only and did not take part in any of the conversations.
Immediately upon entering, Sano wanted to push his way to the center and hopefully pick a fight on the way. All cocky and arrogant once again, his quiet shell broken at last, the tall fighter shoved his way through the crowd easily, leaving Kenshin to excuse his way after him. The fight at the center instantly bored him and he let everyone within ten feet of him know it by loudly complaining about their amateur styles. For once, Kenshin was in total agreement with him, as the match was rather childish in nature, compared to them anyway.
"Oh man! Who are these losers anyway and how did they get past the guards at the door?"
This statement captured the attention of one of the men standing next to them. Obviously either a friend or colleague of one of the fighters participating at that moment.
"What did you say half-wit? Do you even know who your talking about?"
"Obviously I don't or I would have said his name when I insulted him." Sano blew the guy off and turned to Kenshin as the fight ended and the winner left the other man bleeding helplessly in the dirt.
"You shouldn't be so hard on them, Sano. There isn't much chance of finding somebody who has fought in battles like we have." Kenshin tried to reason with him, smiling up at his disgruntled face cheerfully.
"Yeah, I know, but you'd think they would at least have some improvement since all they do is fight. They all look like amateurs to me."
"What did you say, rooster-head?"
Turning around Sano repeated his statement slowly and loudly for the large man standing behind him. Kenshin recognized him as the winner of the recent match they had been watching.
"You've got a big mouth, boy. Let's see if you have anything to back it up with."
"I don't know, I have a policy about beating up weaklings. It's against my style."
Without warning the large man punched him square in the jaw. Sano didn't budge one muscle and merely turned his head toward the guy once more.
"With you, though, I'll make an exception."
Pulling back, Sano laid the guy flat with one punch to the face. Forced backwards, the man landed unconscious on top of the three guys standing behind him.
"I don't know Kenshin, this may not even be worth my time. You wanna leave?"
A man suddenly appeared behind Sano and placed a dagger at his back.
"You're not allowed to leave until we've seen you fight. Those are the rules and no one is exempt from them."
Sano snorted, ignoring the dagger. "Yeah? Well, I've fought already, with that guy," Sano pointed at the man on the floor. "and it was quite boring. So we'll just leave then, without breaking your silly rules. Or would you rather I break your silly neck?"
"Sano." Kenshin spoke disapprovingly to him before turning to the bouncer. "He has fought before many of the surrounding witnesses, what more would you ask for him to do?"
"You are the one we are concerned with girly-man."
Kenshin merely smiled through the insult. "This one did not come here to fight."
The big man's eyes narrowed. "Then you are a spy!"
The room went deathly quiet for several seconds before the sound of weapons being drawn rang out, echoing in the vacant interior. Kenshin heard Sano curse.
"In that case, girly-man, you won't be leaving at all."
Kenshin placed a warning hand on the hilt of his sakabato. "Please, this one does not wish to harm anyone."
The man simply laughed, along with many of the neighboring people. "You would take on us all then instead of just one simple fight? You're stupider than I thought. Very well."
The man made a move to lunge when a cry rang out across the room from the upper story.
"Wait!"
Everyone froze, including Kenshin, who's sensitive ears recognized the voice immediately. Soon after there was the sound of footsteps hurrying down the metal stairs, no there were two, and then they were rushing across the floor in their direction. The next thing Kenshin saw was a flash of white and Tomoe was standing beside him, breathing heavily.
"Tomoe-dono?" Kenshin's voice was soft but it was heard through the deathly silence. Tomoe only spared him a small glance.
"Don't. This man isn't a spy."
The big man, still holding the dagger threateningly, looked back at her skeptically.
"Oh? How would you know, Tomoe-san?"
Her head came up slightly and the look she gave him was cold. "Why would I have to explain myself to you?"
This angered the man and he stepped toward her, but was stopped by the man standing beside her.
"Don't even think it." The man had his hand on his katana and moved protectively in front of Tomoe. Kenshin had to look at the man twice before it dawned on him who he was. He smiled slightly.
"What is going on here?" The voice was angry and full of authority, and came from the upper story. "Naito-san!" The man staring at Tomoe's guard tore his eyes away reluctantly to look up at the source of the words.
"Yes, shukun?"
"Calm yourself! Yukishiro-chan." The voice now held a little more respect and had softened considerably. "What is the problem?"
Tomoe's voice was barely civil when she answered. "Your man was about to attack a friend of mine."
"A friend? What did your friend do exactly that would warrant my guard attacking him?"
"Nothing!" Tomoe bristled with anger and surprised Kenshin. He didn't think he'd ever seen her get truly angry. "Your man accused him of being a spy on no grounds."
This outburst didn't even make the man blink and his tone was as level as before when he spoke.
"Why did you act in such a manner, Naito-san?"
"He refuses to fight, shukun. Even after I have told him the rules."
"That does not mean he is a spy!" Tomoe spoke up directly.
"Calm down, aijou." Tomoe's father finally caught up to her and now stood beside her with Eihei at his side. Tomoe instantly lowered her eyes, folding her hands obediently in front of her. Kenshin noticed the faint flush of her cheeks but looked away when her guard turned measuring eyes on him.
"Jubei-sama," her father spoke now, "surely my daughter would know what she speaks of. Do you not remember the company she keeps and the dangers she herself has risked and endured for our faction?" Yukishiro spoke evenly and business like with a rationality to his words that were missing in the other speakers.
"True, my friend." The man seemed to ponder his words before speaking again. "I believe you are right, Yukishiro-chan, and I apologize." He inclined his head slightly toward Tomoe. Everyone relaxed visibly and the sound of weapons being put away filled the air. "But," Tomoe froze again. "That still doesn't change the fact that he cannot leave until he has participated."
Kenshin, aware up to this point that his voice was not needed, spoke up now. "This one does not wish to fight. Only as a request from a friend did this one come."
"Perhaps, but you have caused quite a headache for me because of this stupid insistence of yours, and as payment, you now have to entertain me."
Kenshin thought quickly of his position and realized that there wasn't much he could do. Though he was confidant both Sano and himself could get out, what would be the point as they would probably just have to fight everybody. Besides it would cause trouble for Tomoe and her father as she obviously claimed them as friends. Kenshin sighed in defeat.
"Nothing serious, this one does not wish to hurt anyone."
The man laughed at him, "That I cannot guarantee, but you really have no choice in the matter." Kenshin's face hardened. "Yukishiro-chan! Your payment in this escapade will be your Kage-san."
Tomoe's eyes snapped up and Kenshin saw fear and desperation in them. "No! I will not allow that!"
"Naito-san!"
At his master's bidding, he rushed forward and was almost upon Tomoe when somebody Kenshin hadn't noticed before jumped in between them. The small girl had her coat whipped aside, a hand on the hilt of her katana, and was ducked into an attack stance before the man could fully stop. The ki that came off of her was menacing and powerful, and horribly familiar. This was the fighter he had felt earlier on the street. Without saying a word she stared the man down until he backed up slowly, which was quickly enough, away from the girl's imposing figure. Suddenly, the girl's face tilted in Kenshin's direction, he couldn't see her eyes because of the dark glasses she wore, but she seemed to study him for several seconds.
Tomoe then stepped closer to the girl and laid a hand on her shoulder. At her mistress' bidding she stood straight, releasing her hold of the katana, and turning so that she was almost cheek to cheek with her. Kenshin watched Tomoe's lips move a few times but he couldn't hear any of the conversation. Soon she reluctantly nodded her head and stepped away. As the girl removed her long trench coat, Tomoe spoke to the man on the second story.
"I will allow Kage-san to fight, but regardless of the outcome, you will let this man leave freely, without any attachments."
"Fine." He waved his hand carelessly. "Just make it good, hmm, Kage-san."
The girl began to walk toward him then, stalking silently on small feet, but not halfway to him Tomoe called out hurriedly from behind.
"Please don't hurt him, Kage-san."
Kenshin turned shocked eyes to her for a moment before snapping back to the small guard, no other choice left to him as she predatorily stalked a circle around his body. The feeling in her ki suggested that she was not the type of enemy one would be able to ignore for even a moment. Her hand was ever present on the hilt of her katana behind her waist, but she didn't draw it out. The people around them backed quickly out of the way of her progress, making a large ring around them.
"Kage-dono, if this one could make a request before we begin." She kept circling, not even registering that he was talking. "If you would please remove your glasses, this one does not wish to damage your eyes."
At his last word she charged him, silently. Full force their blades met, but Kenshin felt his feet slide back ever so slightly. They broke apart and she circled him again. Feeling a little thrown off by her method of attack and study, he had no choice but to watch and wait.
Another quarter turn and she was charging him again, this time he met her half-way, feeling her feet slide this time with something akin to relief. Almost in response, she attacked him immediately without waiting, laying into him almost relentlessly.
The fight became brutally intense, his first impression thrown out the window at her ruthless manner. What was more, she constantly seemed to exploit the fact that his katana was a reversed blade, using this fact against him time after time. Because of this he was forced to focus more on not injuring himself than her and she would almost break through his defenses. Almost. What was surprising him the most, however, was the anger he felt at her ploy. No matter how well he pulled a move off she would see straight through it and then turn it against him. Never before had his Hiten-Mitsirugi failed him so utterly.
When his anger finally peeked, though he realized that it was no where near the intensity of the hitokiri, he found himself jumping into his ryut-sui-sen almost without thought. Trying to rationalize his motives in mid-air, he told himself that the strength she showed was well beyond the limit needed to take the complete brunt of the attack. Besides he had no intention of truly using it to its fullest potential. Jumping out of the way of a lunge, he watched her turn sharply towards him but strangely didn't move to dodge, causing her to take the entire weight of the strike inclusively on the top-right side of her head.
Kenshin landed only feet from her, still at the ready, his battle senses soaring in excitement at finally being used once again. Slightly in horror, he watched the small woman go down heavily on one knee causing a sharp stab of shame to hit him. A small trickle of blood ran down from underneath her bangs and dripped off of her chin. Kage's breathing deepened and he realized that she was fighting desperately to keep conscious. In the back of his mind he heard a gasp run through the few spectators and the worried sob of Tomoe.
"Kage-san."
A glance over to her showed Tomoe being held back by the other body guard. Lowering his sakabato he turned back to the small yet fierce woman and was about to suggest they call it when she lifted her head and stood steadily to her feet. Kenshin blinked in surprise. Holding her katana with her left hand, she reached up and wiped the blood off her face with her fingers. Keeping her gaze seemingly on him, she silently licked it off before raising her katana once again.
Then she was gone.
The ki from her disappeared completely, leaving Kenshin feeling disoriented. A gasp escaped his lips as he felt it reappear next to him and he only just raised his katana in time to block the swing of hers at his throat. The blade caught snuggly in his hilt and then she was swinging her body behind and against his. The sound of a second blade caught him off guard again, and he suddenly found himself trapped up against her small body. Her right hand gripping firmly the hilt of her katana while her left arm hooked around the dull side of her blade on the other side of his head, and a small dagger was now pressed up against the back of his neck. Once again she was using his own sword against him. If he pushed out she would dig the dagger into his neck, if he didn't she would bring his own blade arching into his face. Before his desperate mind could grasp a coherent thought, he felt her lips at his ear.
"You are the first to make me bleed in a long time."
Though the voice was nearly lifeless and dark, he caught a hint of amusement in it. Before he could respond she was pulling away from him, leaving behind a familiar scent to linger in his nostrils and torment him later at his inability to place it. Distracted he pulled back out of his stupor when she suddenly attacked again. Now though, she no longer seemed to use his weapon against him, and the fight soon turned into something closer to a sparring match. Kenshin soon began to wonder if he had seriously injured her earlier and she was only putting on a show of strength. There were no more moves being pulled off and even when given the chance freely she would not take any openings for an attack.
As soon as Kenshin relaxed and decided to play along with the girl's show, she deceived him again. Catching his reversed blade with her left hand when he carelessly swung at her from the side, she lunged forward with her katana, pulling back only as the tip touched his sternum. A shout went up from a few of the crowd members, but many only clapped politely (some already having seen Kage's performances first hand, others knowing that she hadn't even truly tried). Kage, however, didn't move from her stance and refused to let go of his blade. Slowly lifting the tip of her own, she placed the flat side on his shoulder and gently slid her blade over the soft tissue of his neck. The tinniest sliver of blood bloomed under her blade and only then did she pull away. Kenshin could only blink at her and watch as she placed her thumb and forefinger around the stain of red to rub off the small amount of blood. The blade now clean, she held up her fingers for him to see.
"Now we are even."
Then she was walking back toward Tomoe, sheathing her katana along the way, and Sano was beside him, pounding him on the back.
"That girl's something else, Kenshin! I can't believe she's still standing after that hit."
Kenshin listened only halfheartedly as his eyes were still following Kage. Because of this he caught her lick the blood, his blood, off her thumb before Tomoe was upon her with a cloth in hand. Kage silently let her lift the bangs on the right side of her face and wipe the blood away, but when her hand strayed to the glasses, however, and was about to remove them she curiously grabbed Tomoe's hand and backed out of her reach. Kenshin was then distracted by Sano grabbing his arm.
"Well, come on, I'm sure you would like a few words with this friend of yours. I'm curious, though. Is she the Tomoe that you told us about?"
"Hai."
Sano's voice became distant and cool. "Does that mean Jou-chan is out of the picture? That you'll stop looking for her?"
Kenshin stopped and looked up at him in surprise, before his face softened. He should have known he couldn't keep anything from Sano. Especially when it came to his "sister." "Of course not, Sano. This one will always look for her. Always," he whispered more to himself.
Sano smiled again and slapped him on the back. "Good, now introduce me. Maybe I have a shot." Sano strode off, leaving Kenshin choking and trying to keep up. They came upon the group trying to convince Kage to let a doctor look at her wound.
"Kage-san, please. I only fear for your health." Tomoe was almost begging her, but Kage stood emotionlessly by her side, seemingly staring at nothing.
"If this one may suggest, Kage-dono, not many can stand up after that attack. That you did shows you are strong, but you should still see a doctor. Even Sano had to afterwards." Kage merely ignored him, but Tomoe turned a tearful gaze on him.
"Why would you pull such a dangerous move on her? You could have seriously hurt her! Why?"
At this her Kage did react, reaching out and grabbing her mistress before she could attack the small man.
"I am glad he did, nigousan. It showed he valued me as a true opponent."
"But…"
"Do not worry. I will take care of it when I get home."
Kage's words were lifeless and breathy with a somewhat dark feel to them. Dark like a shadow, Kenshin thought, as he could feel no evil from her ki. She truly fit her name. Letting go of her mistress she stepped around her and bowed respectfully to Kenshin, but without uttering a word. Kenshin bowed back just as silently, the tiny slice on his neck already closed up and the only sign that it had been there being the left-over trickle of blood.
Tomoe took in a shaky breath before she spoke again. Kenshin was glad she was calmer now.
"Still, Kenshin, I would not have believed you would pull something so serious in this match when you yourself said not to. That you didn't kill her is a miracle."
"He wouldn't have been able to, Tomoe-sama." Tate stepped forward so he was standing next to her, and pointed at Kenshin's katana. "While they were fighting I noticed that the bladed edge of his sword is on the wrong side."
Tomoe looked slightly surprised and confused. "What would be the use of such a sword?"
Kenshin smiled a rurouni smile for her. "To prevent this one from killing, Tomoe-dono."
Tomoe looked at him for several long seconds before a smile crept across her face. Bowing to him respectfully she spoke again. "I am sorry, Kenshin, I did not realize."
Kenshin only smiled, but it turned into something closer to a grimace when Sano elbowed him in the ribs.
"Who is your friend, Kenshin?" Tomoe asked curiously.
"The name's Sano." Sano stepped forward before Kenshin could catch his breath. "I'm the one who got him into this mess I suppose." He looked rather unashamed of himself when he spoke, making Tomoe giggle. "Sorry if we got you guys into any trouble."
"Not at all, not at all." Yukishiro stepped forward this time and grabbed Sano by the arm. "That was a interestingly short fight earlier. If I may talk to you a little." Yukishiro led him off through the crowd, Eihei trailing along behind them.
"Your friend is amusing, Kenshin." Kenshin looked after the three barely visible through the press of bodies surrounding them and smiled before agreeing. "I am glad that you have such a friend. Does he help keep you in line?" She asked teasingly.
Kenshin's smile was smaller when he replied. "He has helped this one many times."
"Is he the only friend that's helped you?" Tomoe looped an arm through his before walking in a random direction. "Come on, Kenshin, I want to know what kind of person you have grown into."
"This one is proud to say there are many people he considers his friends. Sadly, only Sano has been found, along with a few that this one will not bother. Many have not been seen in years." Kenshin sighed, thinking of blue eyes and laughter.
"I'm sorry." Tomoe hesitated before continuing tentatively. "Was there anyone of special importance?" Tomoe grinned at the small secretive smile that tugged at his lips, but before he could respond there was a loud crashing sound behind them.
Turning sharply they found Kage leaning heavily against a crate, a small rusted bucket dumped over behind her. The edges were jagged and corroded away, and a trail of rusted wire, nails, and other debris was all over the floor. Tate was the first to move, bending over to help her up and onto the crate before the other two even reacted. For Tomoe, she had rarely seen her Kage so disoriented, and even when she was she never made such noise or tripped on anything. When she watched a small hand lift to cover the wound on her head both Tomoe and Kenshin understood.
Kenshin walked over to the small girl and helped to sit her on the crate fully. "This one is sorry, Kage-dono. Maybe the hit was harder than this one thought."
The girl still did not speak, but lifted a shaky hand as if to say it was all right. Her breathing was heavy again, and she looked to be battling to stay awake as she swayed slightly in her seat. Tate examined the wound, but the bleeding had already stopped and only a small lump was left.
"I think she might have a concussion, but there's really no way of telling for sure, unless we get a look at her pupils."
Kage jerked away from his hand when he reached, but this made her feel light-headed from the sudden movement. Overbalanced, she fell against Kenshin who was on her other side and instinctively moved to steady her before she completely fell over. Letting herself lean against him for several seconds, she forced her body to stay alert and awake. Kenshin watched her take in several more deep breaths before pulling away and standing slowly to her feet. Tomoe protested quickly but was mostly ignored.
"I will be fine." Her voice was more breathless than anything now, losing the dark feel and becoming weak and lacking any substance. "But I may have to leave early today."
"Ok, Kage-san, we'll go search for my father and leave right away." Kage made a move to protest. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that the excuse is about our new friends, not your wound." Tomoe looked her Kage over, noticing the small sway in her stance. "How about you meet us at the car." Kage protested again, though weakly. Kenshin put an arm around her companionably.
"This one will walk with you, so it won't seem so strange."
Tomoe didn't point out that it would look strange no matter what, as the girl hardly ever left her mistress' side. She was more worried about her Kage's health than appearances, though, so she readily agreed with Kenshin and was relieved when the girl didn't argue.
The distance to the car seemed to stretch on for miles as Kenshin discreetly helped Kage there without letting her fall or stumble. Making small talk along the way, he walked beside her not touching her for appearance sake, but keeping a sharp eye on her the whole way. Kage made it to the car without any sign of weakness or tiredness and Kenshin breathed a sigh of relief for that. He really had no clue what to do with the girl if she had suddenly just passed out. She seemed the type that would be offended if he helped her or mad at the idea of needing help in the first place. She never spoke back to him once, only leaning slightly against the car in the one sign of her condition. Kenshin simply smiled through it all, chatting with her about her technique and wording everything in such a way that she wouldn't have to answer.
It seemed to take a long time for the others to show back up, even to Kenshin. When Kage finally did notice the amount of time she shoved roughly away from the side of the car with the intention of searching for Tomoe plain in her thoughts. In which case Kenshin had to stop her, because of the ruckus it would create and the toll it would take on her energy. Just when she was about to draw her katana and make him move, they finally showed up. Hurriedly pulling her hand away from the hilt, she stepped back to the car, leaving Kenshin to breath a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, Kage-san, but we got held up."
Kage merely bowed her head in acknowledgment, while Kenshin shook his head at Tomoe's glance. No other word was spoken as they all entered the car. Eihei, of course, drove with Sano seated next to him, after stating that he wouldn't feel comfortable sitting in the back of one of those things. Kenshin was sit in the middle seat next to Tate, who by this time had introduced himself as such, and Tomoe sat in between her father and Kage.
In the front, Sano chatted amiably with Eihei, who seemed easy going enough to deal with it. Yukishiro made a few comments to Kenshin and Tate about some of the fighters and their skill. Kenshin only rarely made a comment back as he watched Kage closely for any signs of serious concern. While she didn't show any, he did notice something else in his scrutiny. Tomoe was distracted almost to tears over her bodyguard's condition, making Kenshin believe that they had a bond that went deeper than just a guard and her mistress. Surprisingly he didn't think they were even aware of it most of the time as it did seem to be between two very unlikely people.
They were as different as night and day, in appearance as well as personality. While the girl was all dark and secretive, and flowing in movement; Tomoe was more open (in this life anyway) and showed her emotions more readily than the girl. Although she seemed to be still rather secretive (Kenshin cast a furtive glance a her Tate) she seemed to be extremely less so than the girl was.
Forgetting himself, lost in his thoughts, he found his gaze drawn again to the small guard and let it linger too long. Long enough for her to turn her head in his direction and cock it to the side curiously. Without any way of making it look coincidental, he merely smiled at her, his silly rurouni smile, and turned his head away once again. In that split second when he averted his eyes, she lunged forward with her sheathed katana held out before her. Shocked, Kenshin found himself staring at his own reflection in her sunglasses, a slight ringing in his right ear. The small mouth underneath was partially open and sucking furtive gasps of air through the dry lips. Kenshin, eyes wide in shock and confusion, detected a note of…fear? Turning his head slowly he found her katana level with his ear and a kunai still quivering in the sheath.
Then she was pulling away as suddenly as she had lunged. Tate had already grabbed Yukishiro and shoved him down flat on the floor while Kage flattened Tomoe across the seat. Another window broke (Kenshin couldn't believe that he didn't hear the first one) and Kage threw her still sheathed katana over Tomoe, only to have another kunai lodge in it. Almost immediately the window behind her broke, but her movements had already disoriented her drained body and she wasn't coordinated enough to block another one so quickly. Knowing this, she covered Tomoe's body with her own and prayed nothing vital would be hit.
The sound of metal clashing against metal rang in her ears and then something clattered off the door and back outside. Looking over her shoulder she found Kenshin's sheath over her back. Nodding her thanks briefly in his direction, Kage sat up, still holding Tomoe down. A quick look around showed everyone to be ok. Sano was trying to help Eihei get out of the more populated areas, Tate had one hand on Yukishiro and the other on his wakizashi, and Kenshin was now looking sharply out the windows.
"Kage-san?" Tomoe's whisper was muffled by the seat.
"Shh!" Kage hissed back upon hearing the squeal of tires from behind them only seconds before Eihei yelled from the front.
"We've got company!"
Kenshin watched Kage turn sharply to look out the back window at the black car tailing them. Sliding his gaze from her face to the car himself, he found the passenger climbing out of the window with a gun in hand. Grabbing the girl he threw her down over Tomoe and ducked himself on the floor next to Yukishiro. Seeing his intentions, Tate lays across the seat, yelling for the two up front to watch out. A spray of gunfire hit the car, breaking out the back window and putting several holes in the trunk.
When the bullets finally stopped, Kenshin dared to look up. Taking advantage of the small space of safety, Kage leaned over and hit the button above Kenshin's head. Then he was suddenly being grabbed by the small girl and pulled up onto the seat next to her.
"Watch her."
Stepping quickly across her master on the floor, she pulled the two kunai out of her sheath before laying it on the seat next to Tate.
"What are you doing?"
Kage barely spared him a glance as she stood straight up in the car, her upper body now poking out of the open sunroof. Turning quickly in his seat, Kenshin looked out the back window again, making himself ready to pull the fool girl back inside if they started shooting again. They turned a sharp corner, the care behind them following too fast, their tires squealing on the pavement. Then suddenly the two tires on the passenger side blew out on the black car, flipping them over halfway around the turn, the scrapping of metal on metal almost deafening in the hollow of the buildings. Kenshin just barely caught the two kunai thrown from above simultaneously.
Turning to face the interior he found the girl already ducking back inside and picking up her katana. Without any preamble she looked over at Kenshin and said one word, "Move." Confused for a second he stayed where he was, hands on Tomoe's shoulders, half covering her with his own body. This hesitation only seemed to anger her though, because she reached out immediately and pulled him across the car and away from her mistress. So they switched places again, and Kenshin wryly got the feeling that he was only being thrown around and not truly helping at all.
"I think we're clear of the danger," Eihei stated calmly from the driver's seat. "We should be at the house soon."
"Thank you, Eihei-san." Yukishiro said a little shakily from the floor.
Tomoe peaked her face out from behind her hands before gingerly sitting up. Kenshin found himself watching the pair again as Kage placed her arm around the suddenly frail looking woman and held her steady. Tomoe's gaze roved over the interior, checking the other occupants (lingering on Tate-san, Kenshin noticed) before helping her father off the floor.
"Are you alright, Father?"
"Fine, fine." Yukishiro stated good-naturedly as he dusted himself off. "What about you, aijou? Are you hurt?"
Tomoe smiled fondly at him.
"No, I'm just fine. Thanks to my Kage."
"Of course, what would we do without all three of them?"
Kenshin looked away from the conversation to find Kage looking at him. When his gaze locked onto the lenses of her glasses she made a small movement as if she would look away, but thought better of it. A slight pink tinge bloomed on the lower reaches of her face, confusing Kenshin thoroughly. Then she spoke, quietly.
"Thank you. You saved me from having to deal with more pain."
Kenshin's confusion deepened slightly, before realizing what she meant.
Smiling brightly again he replied that it was nothing and it was probably his fault her reactions were slow anyway. Upon hearing her Kage was saved by him, Tomoe proceeded to thank him profusely making the poor rurouni wriggle in embarrassment. Of course, Sano had to hear this and turn around to comment.
"Buttering up the ladies are we Kenshin? I didn't realize you were so quick at picking up chicks. Maybe you should give me some pointers."
He was only joking of course, as he already knew how incredibly slow Kenshin was at showing his true feelings. Hell, he never even got around to it with Jou-chan. This statement only succeeded in mortifying the rurouni more, however, and had him sputtering.
"Oro! This one didn't…really there wasn't…oro."
Tomoe giggled helplessly at the strange sound he made and the cute look on his face. The other three men in the car didn't help either as they all started laughing as well. Looking to Kage as the only sane person there, his sputtering stopped at the small, sad smile on her face. She was no longer looking at him but back out the window, and the white knuckled grip she had on her katana showed she was battling with some inner emotion. Eihei pulled him away from her though at the announcement of their arrival at the house.
From what he could see, the house was huge, but he had expected as much. Eihei pulled the car up to the font steps, getting out to let the waiting valet take the car around to the garage. The rest of the group piled out of the car as well and walked up to the front door, only to be let in by another servant.
"Wow, this is quite the pad you got here." Sano piped up as soon as they were inside and shown to the receiving room.
"Thank you, Sano-san. Only the best for my daughter." Yukishiro replied, placing a loving hand on Tomoe's shoulder.
"What's a father for, huh?" Sano commented wryly, walking over to a corner and checking out a few expensive looking objects on display.
Yukishiro just laughed before turning to Kenshin. "Now, young man, your full name if you please, and though I trust my daughter, I would like to be informed of how you know each other. I don't remember anyone with your demanding," he looked pointedly at his hair, "presence."
"This one is Himura Kenshin, and…" Kenshin was at a loss on how to explain his relationship with Tomoe. If he told the truth no doubt the man would think he was insane and have him thrown out, or in the nut house. Helplessly he looked to Tomoe.
"And we met in high school."
Yukishiro lifted an eyebrow at his daughter. Seeing his skepticism, Tomoe opened her mouth to speak again, but everyone's attention was distracted by another small crash. Directly behind Tomoe, Kage had swayed into a small table, knocking it over and breaking the lamp on top. Slamming into the wall, she slid down the wood until she was sitting on the floor, her head in her hands.
"Kage-san!" Tomoe knelt down next to her, her hands cradling the girl's shoulders. "I'm sorry, we forgot you wanted to go home early." The distress in her mistress' voice had her trying to sit up and making dismissive comments, but Tomoe held her down stubbornly. "No, you will go home now. I'll have the valet drive you anywhere you specify, alright? Call your guardian and have him meet you somewhere."
Kage nodded her head obediently, but refused her help in getting up. Tate stepped momentarily out of the room while Tomoe spoke to the girl, and came back in saying the car would be waiting at the entrance for her. Standing steadily on her own she bowed politely to Tomoe and Yukishiro.
"I am sorry, Tomoe-sama, Yukishiro-sama, I am being troublesome."
"Oh no, Kage-san, please I only wish for you to get better."
Kage nodded her head and walked slowly to the door, her long braid swinging gracefully behind her. Upon passing Tate she nodded her head in thanks, but then paused uncertainly in the doorway. Turning suddenly she bowed again.
"I enjoyed our match, and I thank you for the experience. Good-bye Himura-sama." She turned to leave again, not even waiting for a reply.
"Oro! Good-bye, Kage-dono."
"Hey! What about me?" Sano spoke up haughtily, a slight sting in his voice. The girl stopped, and Kenshin thought he felt a small amount of amusement in her ki. Turning her head she bowed it minimally.
"Good-bye, Sano-san."
The she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her decisively.
"Hmph. Why do you get a 'sama' while I only got a 'san'?"
Everyone laughed at him.
"Because Kenshin-san was the first to truly put up a fight against her in a while, Sano-san. Naturally she would think of him on a level that deserves such respect." Tate bowed to Kenshin as well.
Kenshin could only smile his silly rurouni smile and scratch his head. "Oro?"
In the back of his mind he wondered what Kage-dono could gain from faking the seriousness of her injury.
x
A/N: Ummm... ok, Kage means shadow... Tate means shield... Eihei means guard... aijou means beloved daughter(or something like that)... nigousan and shukun mean basically mistress and master...if there are any others then tell me...it's been awhile since I wrote this and it's hard to remember what other words I used...Umm... this is present, reincarnation kind of thing...sorry.. I know it has been abused a lot but I think we all have our stupid moments and we just need to get it out of the way... Anyway, anything you see that you don't understand... tell me and I'll explain in the next chapter... it's ready, but I have to go through it once to see how messed up it really is and try to fix it so it's half-way decent... if you haven't guessed I wrote this about a year ago and my writing skills have developed considerably (I think anyway) since then and it's kind of choppy...plot's ok though... I guess...review and tell me if you hate it, like it, if I should delete...or continue...thanx XP...