Hi everyone~! I'm back~! I am really sorry for putting this story on hold with not much chapters, I was so busy!!!T_T so many things to do before applying to college... anyway enjoy!!


Chapter IV

"Mom!!" Kaoru stopped crying and screaming and finally realized that nothing was going to bring her mother back to her. She couldn't even bring herself to thank the man behind her who rescued her from being crushed by flaming debris.

"Come with me." His voice was cold and commanding. I turned to the red headed man, and he started walking away.

"Wait, where are we going?" I stayed in my place.

"You are going to be in danger from now on…" He said, still walking forward.

"What do you mean?" I asked, still sniffing between words. I was now following him. We both walked in silence until we stopped at an old, worn out inn. There was a man who seemed to be expecting us.

"Battousai san, come in, Katsura san wants to see you." He said silently. Battousai nodded and went in, and I followed suit.

"Good evening, the both of you." The man named Katsura san greeted us.

"Kaoru san, are you feeling…."

"How do you know my name?" I cut him off. Katsura san merely chucked.

"My, my, we have an impatient guest. Of course we know you. You are the daughter of Kamiya Koshijirō"

"You know my father?"

"Yes, he would've been a strong fighter if he joined us."

"How do you know my father?" My voice was cracking already.

"I know him…. Because," there was a really long pause, "he is my brother."

"What….."

"Do you know of the special ability he had?" I just stayed quiet and stared at the floor.

"He was able to heal. It was amazing, but there came a time when it went out of control and did the reverse." He paused for a moment then continued.

"He was abandoned and avoided until he met your mother. And for the first time in many years, his ability was controlled and was at rest. After some time, you were born."

He stopped abruptly and stared at me.

"Do you know who killed your father?" Tears welled up in my eyes.

"No….." I was able to see Katsura san but I couldn't hear a word he was saying. And just then, my surroundings became pitch black.

"Did you hear? Kaoru's father was a murderer"

"Don't befriend her okay Akira?"

"I understand mom."

"Remember the murder case a few weeks ago?"

"I bet he is behind the killings."

"How come it was said that the culprit was not found?"

"He bribed the police?"

Children, men, women, elders…. Laughing voices? Yes, they were laughing. And the next thing I know is that they are dying, all of them.

"Kaoru!" It's my father calling. His voice. I see myself glaring at him. And…..

"NO!!!!!!!" I panted and gasped for air and after a few minutes I realize that I was lying on a futon.

"Drink this." It was the same cold voice. I slowly turned to the source of the voice, tears threatening to surface. "I.. I…I k.. killed him…."

He stayed silent and left the cup on the floor beside me.

"Come out when you are feeling better." I was a command.

I covered my face with the blanket and once more drifted off to sleep.

OOOOOOooooooOOOOOO

Sunlight forced my eyes to open, and I groaned not liking the heat and cheerfulness of the sun.

I sighed and stood up, folded the futon and flattened out my kimono which smelled of smoke.

I cautiously went out to the living room and allowed my eyes to roam the place. I realized that this place was a fine small dojo, and also realized that I was not in the inn anymore.

"Good morning." I was startled by the voice. It seemed awkward but I managed to greet back.

"Good morning." I avoided his eyes and lowered my head. He moved away to another room and was back with a small table of food.

"You should eat." It was not a suggestion.

"Uhmm, Excuse me, but your tone of voice is really disturbing." I quickly shut my lips and cursed myself…. 'Great Kaoru, you shouldn't be surprised if he stabs you in the heart.'

I repeated the word 'baka' in my head over and over again until,

"I am sorry." His tone was softer this time. I raised my head, surprised he actually apologized.

"Your mother, I think she is safe because her body was not discovered…. Yet." He said.

I smiled. My mother may not be dead.

"Battousai san, Katsura san wants to see you and Kaoru san." It was a voice of a woman.

"Come." His voice went back to its original coldness, and I quickly followed him to where Katsura san was.

OOOOOOoooooOOOOOOO

"Good morning." Katsura san greeted.

"Good morning, Katsura san."

I merely stayed quiet.

"Kaoru san, I am not sure if this is good news or bad news, but we have found the whereabouts of your mother."