Hey everyone! I know I should be working on my Fruits basket short but this one wouldn't leave me alone! I am planning on doing more with this story, but I haven't written it yet. ^_^; I write for my own enjoyment, but if you would be kind enough to give me your opinion so that I can try to do better, I would really appreciate it! Arigato and Enjoy!
(Just FYI, I have Misao married to Aoshi already, sorry! And there are definate romance plans for Kenshin and Karou as well as Sano and Megumi. I am hoping Yahiko and Tsubume will show up, but like I said, I haven't figured everything out yet. This also shouldn't end up being longer than five to ten chapters, it may not even get that far, but we will see.)
Chapter 2
"Come on, Kenshin, you can not possibly be serious!" A loud voice cut through the fog that filled my mind, pulling me reluctantly from the comforting blanket of darkness that had held me captive.
"Sano, you of all people should know that This one would never make this kind of story up." Groggily, I tried to figure out why the second, much quieter, voice was somehow familiar, especially when I didn't recognize the names they were using.
"That little Missy destroyed an entire block of abandoned buildings with one spell and no one but that Leech got hurt? And the Leech survived?" That incredulous statement drove the last of the darkness from my brain and I jerked awake, a massive headache slamming between my temples the moment I opened my eyes. A weak groan tore from my lips as I feebly slapped my hands over my abused eyes, trying unsuccessfully to block out the bright sunlight that had nearly blinded me.
"She's awake!" I groaned louder at the unfamiliar cheerful earsplitting yell that seemed to come from right next to my ear, nearly doubling the agony pounding into my skull.
"Misao-kun, there was no need to yell." My eyes snapped open at another much more familiar voice and I quickly looked over my shoulder to see Megumi, one of my only remaining friends and a very skilled Healer, bending over me. She met my eyes and smiled reassuringly for a moment before resting her blissfully cool hand on my forehead. I collapsed back onto the pillow, only then realizing that I was on a bed in Megumi's clinic.
"How long was I out?" I croaked, closing my eyes again as pain continued to jab into them.
"Almost two days. That was extremely reckless, even for you, Kamiya. What were you thinking?!" Megumi demanded, thankfully keeping her voice low after I winced. I was silent for a long moment as that horrible image flashed before my eyes.
"He went after Ayume-chan, Megumi." I whispered, a touch of remembered horror creeping into my voice. She stiffened instantly, and I carefully cracked one eye open to see her staring at me with that same horror reflected on her face. Slowly, I let my lips curve in a small triumphant smile. She shook her head quickly, clearly trying to banish that horrible thought and scowled at me.
"Regardless, only awakened for a few hours and combined with a very nasty Leech spell, you were lucky you didn't kill yourself. You must learn control! If you would stop being so stubborn about this, you wouldn't have been forced to deal with a Leech like Gohei Hiruma alone!" She snarled, and I stiffened defensively.
"I never asked for this, Megumi, I don't care if it is my Mother's heritage or not. Its not fair to wake up one morning, begin a morning Kata and explode with inexplicable power and crazy abilities I don't even understand!" I sat up, fury adding to the horrible pounding in my skull as I glared at her. She growled back, her eyes flashing dangerously. Another wave of pain slammed between my eyes and I fell back with a muffled moan, one fist clenched against my aching head. The room was quiet for a moment before I felt Megumi's cool touch on my forehead again. I relaxed a little when I felt a trickle of power wash soothingly through my head as she gently stroked her fingers across my forehead.
"Very few of us truly ask for this, Karou. And I know this is just one more thing on top of a very difficult year for you. But we cannot change the past. You were the one who first said that to me, remember? Everyone has things in their past that they don't want to talk about. Running away from that will cause you nothing but more pain." She murmured softly. I bit my lip, hating the tears that filled my eyes at her words.
"That doesn't mean I have to like it." I mumbled, desperately trying to hold the tears back. I had vowed not to cry in front of anyone a year ago, I would not break that vow now. No matter how much I want to. The sound of someone clearing their throat uncomfortably cut through the silence and I went very still, cursing myself for forgetting that there were others in the room. Megumi tsked grumpily.
"Yes, I haven't forgotten the three of you, calm down. Give me a moment, then you can talk to her. And you will not push her too hard, or you will undo all of my hard work." She stated firmly and I swallowed hard. Despite everything, I couldn't bring myself to look around until Megumi stepped back with a reluctant sigh. "That should do for now, Karou, I'll be back in a little while with some broth. I had a hard time getting anything solid into you, so you are going to need the nutrients." I nodded carefully, relieved to see that most of the pain was suppressed. It wouldn't last long, but the temporary relief was welcome. I slowly sat up, watching her glare warningly at the other people in the room before she slid open the door, closing it softly behind her. My eyes meet a vaguely familiar pair of violet ones and my breath caught in my throat.
"You!" I gasped out and nearly jumped out of my skin when someone burst out laughing next to me.
"See? I told you she would remember you, Himura!" A young girl was perched on the chair next to my bed, only a year or so younger than I was. Her hair was pulled back in an unusually long braid, and her dark blue eyes gleamed with mischief. Her mouth was stretched in a wide grin and she winked playfully at me. I recognized her voice as the one who yelled that I was awake. She wore an odd outfit, with loose shorts cut off above her rather shapely thighs, an odd short sleeved gi, and tabi that were wrapped and tied up to her knees. A ninja, or at least one in training.
"Ano..." I murmured, feeling very off balance. The red haired stranger who had helped me let out a long suffering sigh as he shook his head slowly. I glanced at him and my eyes paused on the man standing beside him. One of the tallest men I had ever seen, he stood almost a full head and shoulders above the red haired man. He wore the street clothes of a fighter for hire, with a red band tied around his head and brown hair that stuck straight up like a roosters. Oddly enough, I actually recognized him from the rumors that had been going around.
"What do a master swordsman, a ninja, and the infamous Zanza want with someone as unimportant as me?" I stated smoothly, not quite managing to hide the nerves in my voice. The girl ninja laughed again, clapping with delight.
"Oh, I like her, Himura-san! You have a good head on your shoulders. You will probably need it in the future." She crowed, her grin somehow growing even wider. The red head groaned and rubbed his eyes, clearly tired of this whole mess.
"Forgive this one, we did not have time for names when we met, and it has been chaos ever since. This one is called Himura Kenshin, a Rorouni. As you apparently know, this is Sagara Sanosuke, more commonly known as Zanza. And this is Shinamori Misao, second in command of the Oniwaban ninjas. This one and these two were in Tokyo as a...favor for a certain policeman when this one stumbled into your...problem." I swallowed nervously and glanced at the carefree girl next to me. Second in command of the most well known organization of ninjas in Japan. Appearances can truly be deceiving.
"I am Kamiya Karou, assistant Master and acting instructor of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu Dojo." The startled looks they all wore were rather gratifying, but this still didn't explain why they were here.
"This one is here make you an offer, Karou-dono. While this one is ignorant of the details of your life, the power you wield is impressive. This one does not wish to see that power stolen or lost. This one is familiar with several who could help and protect you from others like the Leech who attacked you. Also, accepting this one's help would shield Karou-dono from those within the government who would use your power for acts that this one believes you would find...horrible." My first reaction was anger. How dare he assume I can not take care of myself! Then I reluctantly remembered how we had met. With a Bokken, I was in my element and in control. With my newly awakened abilities...I was helpless. And this time it wouldn't have been myself alone who would have died because of my pride. Megumi will be thrilled.
"I...am not comfortable with my new...abilities, Himura-san. I do understand that I need to learn more about them, but...my life as I have known it has changed forever." I explained slowly, absently picking at a rip in my hakama. His amused chuckle surprised me and I looked at him curiously, our eyes locking. His eyes were warm with sympathy and something else I couldn't quite name. But it made my stomach clench with warmth.
"This one understands, that he does, more than you think, Karou-dono. Perhaps it would help to think of it this way. If you could command this power at will, control it and master it, just like that Bokken you wield, think of how many you could protect. How many you could save. There are many more creatures like the Leech you captured. And they do not care who they hurt." I blinked at him in surprise. The purpose behind these abilities had never crossed my mind before. And clearly this man knew just what to say to make this whole situation actually bareable. I sighed, feeling my headache returning with a vengeance.
"I understand, Himura-san. I need some time to think about the rest, but for now, I would like a Sensei. Who would I be learning from?" I asked softly, feeling like I was being yanked into a whole new world I knew nothing about. The Rurouni stood, a strangely triumphant little smile curving his lips.
"This one will be your Sensei, Karou-dono."
