Mt Everest No escape! Chapter 1, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

Mt. Everest-No escape

By: Kelli St. Pierre……………and sadly I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

I heyy, back again with a new story RK story. I really wanted to do something with Christmas since it's coming up and I thought it would be fun. It was really difficult for me to pick an actual setting where I wanted the story to be, but once that was said and done, everything else was pretty good. This is probably the longest chapter I have ever written, and that had been something I have been trying to improve on, since people love long chapters (cough) (cough) me (cough) (cough). At first I always was mad when stories I liked didn't get updated soon cause they were so long. But now that I've actually tried it, wow, I actually give those writers tons of credit since I know how it feels like, lol. So hopefully review and tell me your thoughts or your opinions, even if they are flames since I know in the long run I know they'll help me. If you even have ideas, I'll be happy to listen. Until next time, c ya…..:)….

Prologue

Wisps of snowy air soared through the chilled, mountainous, and breath-taking sight of Mt. Everest. Light sheets of snow fell down slowly and lightly, as the blankets of snow lay over the landscape. The air crisp and stark as peace and beauty resided. Not a soul or sound disturbed the silence that lay over the iron-cloud sky, as the snow now began to fall in drifts, now gaining momentum.

Not a soul disturbed the vast beauty except for the lone figure of Takashi Takahiro, whom could be seen climbing up rocky, snowy side of Everest itself. The middle-aged man of thirty five was known for his adventurous, wild travels world-wide. He's been a traveler for almost twenty-two years, he's been place to place seeking for adventure, but they were nothing compared to this.

Clank

Takashi drills his hammer threw the snowy, icy wall of Mt. Everest, as the drifts of snow attack Takashi's neck and ears, which are both red. Puffs of hot air rush out his mouth as he huddles in his big, heavy coat that Eskimos would wear. His face could partially be seen as big black goggles shields his eyes from the cold. He then turns over, looking down below him.

"Feel'n all right down there!", Takashi yells down.

Another lone figure lays just about five feet below Takashi, Natsuki Shizuka, a long friend of Takashi's. Natsuki also a middle-age man, but instead only thirty-two and was not an adventurous character, as he was raised and lived as a farm boy. Just like Takashi, Natsuki also wore the same heavy habiliments, but instead didn't have a pair of goggles on as his squinted hazel eyes could be seen.

"N-never b-better!," Natsuki yelled back as he hammered his way up, as he used all his might to not look down. Natsuki was always afraid of heights.

Takashi all but chuckled as he too, hammered his way on. It was only a matter of minutes until Takashi met a firm edge of flat land. Using both arms, he pushed himself up onto the ledge successfully without a problem. Once on the ledge, he used the time to stretch his tiring muscles, as they've been climbing for about an hour. But an hour climbing takes a lot out of a person, and it's more than wise to take a brake once and a while.

As Takashi stretches, his pair of eyes is met with something not expected in his reading of Everest. Just about ten or so feet away was a black cave, with icicles as a chandelier. Takashi lifted his pair of goggles to reveal a pair of curious brown eyes, with a tinge of excitement in them. Takashi went over the ledge to see Natsuki about a couple of feet down, still climbing.

"Hey Natsuki!," Takashi yelled down, " There's a surprise waiting for us up here!"

"Oh great, what now!," Natsuki yelled back," More stupid ice walls for us to climb!"

"Oh come now!," Takashi yelled down, his smile widening," I didn't bring you up here to be so negative!"

"I know, I know, you brought me here for me to be 'free' with myself, and to 'get out' more."

Takashi's smile went further as the snow was coming down harder, as he faced up towards the sky, loving every minute of it. Takashi took a deep breath in and out, soaking in all the nature around him. It was only a matter of minutes as Natsuki's arms could be seen on the ledge, as he pushed himself up with the help of Takashi. Takashi had a hand over Natsuki's back, as he gave it a pat.

"Wa-lah!," Takashi said with his hands directing towards the cave," Take a look at this marvelous sight before us! I hadn't expected for Everest to actually be hollow, b-!"

"Oh my god!," Natsuki all but blurted out, "Th-the rumor's are true!

"Eh? What rumor's?," Takashi asked.

"Y-you haven't heard? Legends says that Mt. Everest hides the all mighty Yeti! Anyone who has ever gone up, never returned as there's no escape from it!"

"Oh that's right, I've heard of that stupid rumor!" Takashi replied back to him, his smile fading, "The people around this area have been bugging me about this. Saying that every since the railroad industry suddenly disappeared from sight, since they were trying to put up a railroad on this mountain, that a yeti was responsible. So that's why they came up with this stupid idea for the company's faults."

"You're seriously not going in there are you?," Natsuki questioned.

"Of course! I didn't come all the way up here for nothing!"

"b-"

"No, buts, if you wanna stay here and rot that's fine with me, but as for me I'm going on ahead. And maybe I can finally show those fools that no yeti exists."

Takashi marched on, leaving Natsuki there to decide for himself. Natsuki bit his lip, a habit he always had went times like these happened, as thoughts raced his mind.

"Wait up!," Natsuki yelled back as he marched on, not as fast as Takashi had, but he reached the entrance, he walked in slowly as a glowing lamp could be seen. Takashi was standing there, with one lamp in his hand as he was somewhat a couple of feet into the cave, as a smirk was written on his face.

"How'd I know you'd come back?," Takashi replied sarcastically, "You never were a fighter, don't start trying n-"

Suddenly Takashi is pushed right on the ground from behind, as the lamp falls to the ground with a defying crash. Darkness takes over and before Takashi can retaliate what is happening to him, he is dragged right into the pit of the darkness, never to be seen. Natsuki all the while is stepping quickly away backwards, fear written over his long, bony face. Takashi's screams could be heard echoing throughout the cave, but just as quickly as the intrusion came, the screams stopped.

Natsuki, now out of the cave, is still walking away backwards in desperation, as he trips over his own self. He frantically gets up as he continues to walk away, whiling shaking his head negatively, not believing that this was happening. But Natsuki was so lost in fear that he didn't notice when the ledge was right behind, as he stepped right off. Gravity seized him as he came tossing, and somersaulting down the mountain. He screamed only until his head first smashed into mountain with a defying crack. Natsuki was dead already, as his limp body continued to fall lifelessly, with no mercy.

Chapter 1: Three huddled Individuals...

Tokyo, Japan, two weeks later

A deluxe mansion was in view, with many windows, and that there is to mansions. The mansion itself was a beauty of its own, compared to all the darkness of the woods around it, it was luminous. For some windows, porches were built in front of them, as a figure was seen on one of them. A dark figure was seen at a table, eating steak and other vegetables. Snow fell slightly, but so much as to disturbed him from eating, it was rather peaceful.

Kanryuu Takeda shoved a piece of steak in his mouth, as a light breeze gently began to caress his face, along with some snow. He had always favored the winter, for it was cold, yet nice at the same time. But of course, a rich, wealthy man like him would never have the time to play or have fun. No, he was a man of business, an opium dealer. Is outfit would have shown anyone his wealth, as it was a light blue with yellow, if not gold, buttons down his shirt. His shoes were just a regular brown, but had a shiny edge to them since they were polished.

The door opened suddenly to reveal another character walking in, as the light breeze caressed him as well. The character had a powerful aroma around him, as he slowly walked towards Kanryuu. The figure wore a large white trench coat, as it flowed briefly due to his movements and the breeze. Underneath he wore a purple shirt, along with purple pants, and a black shirt underneath. For the man's face, his hair was jet black, but with a tinge of blue in it. The man's face was white and yet bronze, his cheeks and nose were much defined. But as for the man's eyes, they were as cold and blue as ice.

"Ah, Aoshi, how are things?," Kanryuu addressed the man known as Aoshi. But instead of letting him answering the question, Kanryuu went on, "Oh, why should I ask, the leader of the Oniwabann group knows all."

Aoshi didn't reply to his comment as he went to the side of him, making his own remark, "All is well. Megumi is continuing to make the opium with no fuss."

"Just lovely to hear," Kanryuu said lightly, as he took out a cigar from his pocket and lit it, "Don't you just love the winter Shinomori, snow is just so lovely."

Aoshi, now who's Aoshi Shinomori, didn't reply.

"But," Kanryuu added," It is rather getting cold, I think I'll retire for the evening."

Kanryuu got up as he walked out passed Aoshi without a word, plate in hand. Aoshi stood there motionless until the click of the door was heard. Was heard, Aoshi walked over the railing, looking over the sky as his bangs flew out of his face as the breeze kicked up. But the cold didn't bother Aoshi, rather, he welcomed it. He saw it as a means of peace, a way for him to connect with his inner thoughts. His inner thoughts of the past; thoughts of one very special person.

Misao

He sighed, as he lifted a hand threw his bangs, threw his temple. Even eight years of separation, he still can't get her out of his mind. He even wondered what she looked like now. She clearly wouldn't be a child, or is so, for a very short while. He silently wondered if she remembered him. After all, she was quite young when he raised her, and taught her just about everything she knows. A part of him wanted for her to forget about him, so maybe, just maybe she could live on a normal life. A life without taint and blood of a ninja, a painful life.

But, a part of him feared of her forgetting about him. He felt like it was a need for her to know him, to care for him. It was his only light, his way for atoning for all the wrongs he did, the taint on his hands. And that's why in the long run he left her. Despite how hard it was, he knew he had to, for her sake. He left her when she was asleep, in her peaceful world. God no would he say it to her when she was awake, to see those tears, tears because of him, he wouldn't be able to take it. He was in fact a coward. She was the only one who could make him feel so weak, even when she's not here, just thinking about does.

Aoshi shook his head slightly. Thinking such thoughts will not due for him, especially at a place like this, where his men look up to him. He pushed himself of the railing as he walked out, heading for the door, or maybe not the door. He was heading for something, but wasn't sure what. With these troubled thoughts in mind, he silently left the cold night.

"Yea, we win again!"

Two guys excitingly grabbed the pile of change in the center, relishing it as a pair of dice were seen on the floor. One read four, and the other read six, as a not so amused character laid back against the wall. The character's face could be seen by the lighting of a candle in the room, as his hair was a dark brown that stood up. The man's outfit was all white, though his shirt was more of a jacket than a shirt, as it showed his mid chest and its muscles.

"Do you guys have to be so loud?," the brown haired man replied, "It is late, and people do try to sleep you know."

"Oh come now Sano," one of the men replied back, "Now just because you lost, doesn't mean you gotta be a grinch about it."

"Actually, your pretty much winless tonight aren't you Sano," the other guy said, "Anything on your mind?"

"Not much," replied the man known as Sano," Just tired, I think I'm good for the night."

"Why leave so early?"

Sano didn't reply, he just got up and walked out waving a hand towards them. Once out, his face was attacked by snow and the chills. But they didn't seem to have any effect on him as he continued walking out, towards the woods. Sano is one that you could say a loner, one that doesn't have a home. Instead, he just walks from town to town, gambling as usual.

Sano continued to walk on through the forest, not sure where he was going, not that he cared. He continued to walk on through the snow, hoping he'd see somewhere he could shelter in, since he didn't have enough money for an inn. But he could vaguely see that far off ahead of him, since the snow now was coming down fast.

He continued to trudge on, as he huddled up in his jacket, for some little warmth. But his mind was on different matters at hand, matters that always got anger. And the snow didn't help, since he wasn't one for snow since it to cold and all. Matter of fact, he didn't like winter all that much, he preferred the spring and summer. He liked nice warm weather, and so did his family long ago.

The Sekihoutai………..

'Captain Sagara', Sanosuke thought to himself, as he looked up at the sky, snow falling in his face. Captain Sagara had been not only the leader of the Sekihoutai, but the most admired man by Sano. It was all until the Meiji government accused them for all their wrong doings, and executed them. It was only Sano who survived, and since then, nothing but rage and hatred took over his mind.

Luck though, seemed to side with him today, as a cave could be spotted just ahead. Sano ran on ahead, using whatever power he had in his body left. He collapsed on the ground once in, as he took off is soaked jacket and put it off towards the side. Later he would make a fire, as he used it for warmth for his him and his jacket. The cave itself wasn't long, as it was only about fifteen feet deep. Sano huddled closer to the fire, memorized by the dancing flames. He wouldn't get any sleep tonight, he thought.

But then again, he never really got any sleep…….

Crack.

Stomping was heard throughout another part of the woods, as the snow had lightly died out an hour or so ago. The figure marching angrily was in fact very short, with a long braid behind. The clothing was not your everyday pick, as it looked more like a costume, as it was purple shorts and a top as well with a ribbon tied between.

"Arg, where the hell am I now!," Misao Makimachi yelled out to herself, as she kicked a rock from her fury. "I swear, this place looks so familiar", she mumbled to herself as she continued walking on, until she saw a familiar object injected into a tree. She ran forward and snatched it; there was no doubt about it.

It was her kunai.

"AH! I have been here before!," Misao roared out, as she fisted her hands and stomped on the ground like a six year old who didn't get their way. "Now I'm even more lost as it is," Misao wailed as she slid towards the cold snowy ground in defeat. But Misao instantly shot up when her bottom hit the ground.

"Yikes! I forgot there was snow! Oh great, now my butt's all wet!"

Misao sighed as she continued to mope, as she dug her kunai back into the tree where it originally had. A gusty wind blew that froze Misao right to the bone, as she shivered and chattered her teeth. She knew she had to find somewhere to rest soon, since her legs were starting to wear out; if she didn't find a place to rest soon, she'd freeze to death.

"Hmm, this totally must be Aoshi-sama's weather", Misao mumbled to herself in a grumpy voice as she trudged on. Thinking of the weather always reminded her of Aoshi, him being all cold and all. But somewhere, Misao knew, somewhere there's a warm spot caged beneath the thickness of his ice walls, a warm spot that she was determined to find. But it was moments like this, helpless and confused, that reality struck into her brain, yelling over and over again that he has no heart. That he is only a man of war and blood.

But the little voice in her head that belonged to her heart, yelling back over reality that he does have a heart. That behind that cold exterior, there's the warm Aoshi that had raised her, the one that cherished her everyday together, the one that she fell in love with…..So many buts….but very few answers, which made Misao's heart hurt even more.

She sometimes wondered, hell, she always wondered where he was. If he was training somewhere along with the others, if he was eating whatever he ate the same time she eats, if he to looks up at the stars at night as she does, if he's lying in a ditch somewhere….

'Um, okay, maybe the lying in the ditch is a little to far', Misao thought, as she continued walking, not even aware that she was totally lost in her thoughts. A bandit could have been marching towards her whiling playing a trumpet and she'd still wouldn't have heard him. It sometimes even frightened her that she could drown in her thoughts so much like that, that he could plague her thoughts so much.

Misao was soon out of her daze as she spotted a broken down cabin, as pieces of wood could be seen missing or sticking out. It wasn't the best place, but it'd do for the night. At this point, it didn't matter if it was a gigantic shoe box, or a brothel, she was freezing to the point of collapsing.

'Right….um, I know that I'm freezing, but I don't think I'd be as desperate as to go to a brothel', Misao thought sheepishly, as she walked in, since there was no door, and settled herself in a corner all curled up. It was only until then that Misao actually thought about the situation she was in. She barely had any money left, and relying on stealing was out of the question since not too many bandits or thugs travel in the weather, especially as days as cold as this. Misao was stuck in a difficult situation, as she not only was in deserted woods, but she didn't even know where she was. She knew that she would now have to go back to Kyoto to home, but she had no clue where she was. For all she knew, she was probably cities away from Kyoto.

'Aoshi-sama would know what to do…', Misao thought sadly, as she huddled for as much warmth as she could get, which was very little….

"Hah!"

Heavy panting was heard a figure zoomed through the forest as fast as it could. The figure tripped a couple of times, but quickly regained his steps and ran off. Other figures were chasing the zooming figure a shouts and yells were heard.

"Come back!"

"It's not safe out there!"

"Yutaro!"

Yutaro Tsukayama continued to run on, not allowing himself a half a second to recover. He could hear that the footsteps weren't as loud anymore, that the shouts could be heard far off in the distance. He took this as a sign of victory, but still pressed on, you can never be to sure. He ran on for as long as his body could, which was about only five more minutes as his body collapsed face first in the snow. His lungs gasping for much needed air as he twisted over so he faced the sky, inhaling as much as he could while he coughed uncontrollably. He knew he couldn't stay here, they'd see him clearly as he was in the open. But his legs gave him no support what so ever, as they felt like jelly. His head throbbed in pain, and if didn't help that his head was in snow.

Using whatever power he had in him, he crawled on, unable to lift himself. All he needed to do was to hide an a place dark enough for him not to be, and he saw it. He saw a pretty good size tree with a hole in it. He crawled on, his strength wearing out with every move he made, every time he thought the pain would increase. Once at the trunk of the tree, he looked in the hole, to be sure there were no animals, to see nothing. He collapsed in it, barely able to fit in, as he huddled up for what little warmth he had left.

While in there, he finally had time to think on the events that happened. The day was the same as always, him in his deluxe machine as he ate his supper, as he had overheard mumbling. But then the mumbling had turn into loud whispers, as Yutaro had long deserted his meal and went over near the door, since that's where the voices where coming from, as he could hear more fully. Clearly, it was two house maids talking about him, and his swordsmanship. They were saying how it was nothing but a waste of his time, and that he should become a normal wealthy boy that became rich men.

Yutaro was token over by rage as he had barged in and yelled at the two of them, saying that they were no position to judge him. Soon, it turned out that everybody was against as his feet took over and led him through the front doors and out in the woods. Hence to where it is now, as his teeth chattered not only of the cold, but of anger as well. This wasn't the first time this discussion was fought about. It was brought up repeat to him, and it was today that he had enough of everyone there. He was tired of everyone bugging him about swordsmanship, saying that it's a time of piece and that swordsman aren't needed anymore. Why should he stay in a house that he was obviously not loved?

Yutaro couldn't huddle any more, as gusts of snowy wind brushed his face. Maybe death was the only way he could be happy, that way, he'd finally be able to be with his family. The only ones who ever loved him.

In the woods off of Tokyo, three individuals huddle for warmth as they battle their thoughts, each one of them far off of sleep.

Unknown to each of them the adventures that wait for them………