Kyaa Kyaff here!
Disclaimer: RK isn't mine.
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
------- indicates flashback
An Illusion of a Peaceful Time
Chapter 4: Myojin vs. Kaoru
Yahiko walked along with his friend Keiichi. He half-listened to his friend talk about the fine women they would find at the next place they stopped at. Yahiko didn't want anyone else. He only wanted Tsubame. He had been in another state of mind thinking of Tsubame the whole time. It was mid-afternoon now, and at first he didn't notice the commotion so deep in thought was he.
"I said where is he? I have taken up his offer of a challenge."
Yahiko's head snapped up at the voice. It just couldn't be. Kaoru was standing off to the side with Kenshin beside her. She was holding one of the men in a tight grip, a sword to his throat.
"Kaoru…?"
"You know that person?" Keiichi asked.
Yahiko was already pushing ahead. Opposite of him his father was doing the same thing. Both made it to the front at the same time. Yahiko saw a pleased look cross his father's face and frowned. He didn't know what was going on, but he was sure Tsubame had something to do with it. He met Kaoru's eyes. They held a fierce determined expression.
"What are you doing here?" Yahiko asked.
Myojin stepped forward, "So good to see you again, Kaoru. You want to fight me then. Fine by me."
Yahiko looked over at Kenshin, who was beside her. Although he masked it well, Kenshin didn't look all too happy. Kaoru obviously changed the plans on him last minute. She had always been reckless like that. The men around them set up a cheer and began laughing making lewd comments.
"I challenge you, but I want something if I win," Kaoru declared.
Myojin leered at her, "And what would that be?"
"If I win I get control of your men, and you have to willingly be arrested."
Another bout of laughing followed this statement.
"And if I win you will become my woman," Myojin stated.
The men began hooting at this. Yahiko quickly looked at the silent Kenshin, who was trying his best not to say a word.
"Do I have your word?" Kaoru asked.
"You have my word," Myojin clapped a hand to Yahiko's shoulder, "Upon my son. If I don't comply he will make me and my men."
Kaoru's eyes fell on Yahiko's once again. Yahiko nodded to let her know he would if necessary.
"First, if you would release my man we can find an appropriate place and start this," Myojin said.
"Fine," Kaoru replied letting the man go.
Yahiko watched her worriedly as Kenshin frowned and Myojin smiled. Yahiko was beyond worried. Things didn't look too good. He could only have faith in Kaoru's abilities, because the same thing applied if Kaoru lost. Yahiko had no intention of letting her become his father's woman.
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After checking on Sayo again, Megumi had gone outside to sit on the porch. She didn't want to see those two together. It hurt too much. She could see how much Sano cared as he looked at Sayo. She hated to admit it, but she had been waiting for him to find her. When Kanryu had kidnapped her and forced her to work for him among other things, she prayed Sano would come save her. The hope of seeing him again had kept her going. She gave a little snort.
He had obviously been occupied with other matters, while she waited in vain for him. She really was a fool. It made Megumi want to hit him. She touched a hand to her lips. Hadn't he hugged and kissed her saying how much he missed her? Didn't he want to be with her, or was she like a second prize? Something must have prompted him to leave the woman in the house. She was beautiful and very kind.
Megumi heard footsteps approach her. She knew it was Sano. He settled down beside her.
"Hey Megitsune."
"What do you want, tori-atama?" Megumi asked proud that her voice didn't falter.
"There really is no cure?"
Megumi took a deep breath, "None that I know of."
"Oh."
He sounded so sullen with that one utterance. Megumi turned to him with a smile hitting his arm.
"Don't give up. I'm a doctor. It's my job to make her healthy. I'll find something to help her, Sano," Megumi said trying to remain cheerful.
Sano turned to her with hope in his eyes, "Thanks Megitsune."
Megumi turned back to look at the entrance gate, "No problem…"
"Is everything okay with you?" Sano asked hesitantly.
"Baka," Megumi said standing up, "What could possibly be wrong with me?"
She walked away trying to keep the tears from her eyes. Her voice had shook at the last statement. She didn't understand why she was getting so emotional. It was Sano after all. It didn't matter. It didn't matter!
"Megitsune!" Sano stood up and caught her wrist pulling her around.
She jerked out of his grip, but not before he saw her tears, "Leave me alone!"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing! Damn you!" Megumi said over her shoulder.
"Hey! Megumi! What the hell?" Sano said grabbing her by her shoulders and spinning her around to face him.
Megumi wouldn't look at him as she tried to move away, but Sano had a firm grip and wouldn't let her go.
"Look at me, would you?"
Megumi refused to do so. She didn't want him to see her tears. She didn't want him to know she cared.
"Why? Why didn't you come?" Megumi asked quietly.
The words slipped out of her mouth on their own accord. Megumi needing to hear his answer.
"What?"
"The only thought that kept me alive in that horrible place was the hope that I would get to see you again if I lasted a little longer. Surely you would find me. I hoped, I really did. Then you came here, after I finally went on with my life. You made me want to be with you again!" Megumi said pulling away.
Sano watched her his mouth wide open at her words. He reached a hand out to touch her, but she stepped back.
"Just leave me alone, Sano," Megumi said sullenly composing herself.
"Megitsune, what made you think that I…"
"Megumi-san!" Shouzo said coming inside interrupting what Sano was about to say.
Megumi wiped the last vestiges of tears from her eyes, whispering softly, "Forget about what I said."
Megumi walked over to Shouzo with a smile.
"How is she?" Shouzo asked anxiously.
"She's fine. She should rest a little when she gets back. No strenuous labor, and she needs to take the medication I gave her once in the morning and in the evening," Megumi explained.
Sano stood where she had left him, staring at her with a penetrating gaze that made her feel uncomfortable. She continued to talk to Shouzo thankful for the interruption. She hadn't meant to say the things she had. Megumi wasn't looking forward to their next conversation.
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"Kaoru, this is foolish. We didn't agree to this," Kenshin said quietly as Kaoru took her sakabatou.
"This is the only way. Please have faith in me," Kaoru replied.
"I do koishii, but it is dangerous. Let me fight him."
"He wants to fight me, not you. I will be fine," Kaoru said.
"You drive me crazy you know that," Kenshin stated with a tremulous smile.
"I try," Kaoru answered leaning over to kiss him.
Some hooting was heard from the crowd of men. Kaoru stepped away from Kenshin to face Myojin, who was swinging his massive weapon around. Yahiko stood between them looking apprehensive. Kaoru nodded toward Yahiko. Myojin propped his sledgehammer on his shoulder.
"Whoever knocks the other unconscious wins," Yahiko declared loudly.
A loud roar went up among the men who created a large circle around the three people. Yahiko backed slowly out of the way before walking over to Kenshin to make sure no one tried to mess with him. A tense silence fell as everyone waited for the first attack. Kaoru calmed herself feeling the familiar weight of the sakabatou. This time she wouldn't lose. Watching him she realized he was waiting for her. She had to be careful not to underestimate him again. He could swing that thing as fast as she could her sword. Kaoru would have to make the first move. With a cry she rushed forward before dashing to his side. He deftly swung around, and she had to duck low to avoid being hit. She kept moving knowing he would follow through with the swing.
She had to be careful; otherwise, he would end up killing her. All she had to do was knock him unconscious. All of his men were in an uproar at the sight of the two fighting. Kenshin had to resist the urge to help as Yahiko stood beside him.
Kaoru tried her best to get past his defense, but he knew all his weak points and covered them well. She couldn't meet him directly, and he seemed to be reading her moves all to easily. She had to do something drastic. Dashing recklessly forward she jumped high as he swung horizontally at her. Seeing her intention he swung up. Anticipating such a move she landed on the edge of it and pushed off using the momentum from the swing to give her some extra force. His eyes widened as she slammed him on the side of the neck. She fell to his side as he started coughing violently holding his neck. Kaoru jumped back up. She needed to knock him out. She hadn't hit him too hard on the neck; she didn't want to break it.
"Bitch!" Myojin yelled whirling his weapon at her blindly.
Kaoru easily dodged the wide swing and went for the back of his skull. He just managed to move out of the way. She didn't even see the next blow until it was too late. She jerked back in time to avoid having her whole arm hit. Instead she was giving a glancing blow and was thrown into the human wall of people, who pushed her back to the center. Her right arm was numb from the blow. Her sword was lying on the ground five feet away. The people were sneering at her thinking she would lose. Kaoru grit her teeth. She could still fight with her left hand. Holding his neck with one hand he gave her a vicious smile. She quickly thought of what to do next. She had to change tactics. He didn't wait for her this time though. She was sent running, pivoting to the right she took two quick steps before rolling under his attack and grabbing her sword with her left hand before twisting around and slamming him in the knee. He fell to the ground. She whirled around his back now to her and hit the back of his neck. He collapsed to the ground.
Everyone became silent once again. Kaoru was breathing heavily still kneeling her sword extended waiting to see if he was still conscious. After a few seconds her weapon lowered and she stood. All eyes went to Yahiko. He came forward passing Kaoru and knelt by his father's side to determine the fact that Kaoru had won.
"She has won."
No one moved as they digested this information. Their strong invincible leader had been beaten, and what was worse by a woman using only her left arm to finish him off. The men looked to Yahiko for guidance.
"She is your leader, not I," Yahiko said to the questioning gazes.
A couple of them started muttering angrily. Others stayed silent. Keiichi walked though the crowd and up to Yahiko.
"Yahiko, are you kidding me?"
"My father made a deal, and he will honor it," Yahiko said sternly.
Kenshin went over to Kaoru and pulled her into a fierce hug, "You better make this up to me. I swear I'm going to die early from stress."
Kaoru held the sakabatou out to him. He took it, putting it back in the scabbard at his side. Kaoru looked at the assortment of men that were all watching her now with different degrees of hostility. She had to think of something fast, or the fight would be far from over.
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After some more instruction from Megumi, Shouzo with the help of Sano took Sayo home. She complained they were coddling her and that she was fine. They would hear nothing of it.
Ever since the incident earlier Megumi had been avoiding being alone with Sano quite successfully. She had made a fool out of herself. She didn't want to face the problem she created. What a wimp she was.
Getting up from the warm bath she had been taking she sighed. She dried herself before ringing her hair out as best she could, she grabbed her yukata and put it on. It was a short trip to her room, and she was going straight to sleep. She was beyond stressed, and she just wanted to lose herself in dreams. Things were never that simple. As she made her way to her room she saw Sano walking up. She frowned and quickened her pace.
"Megumi, we need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about," Megumi replied not looking at him.
He came up behind her as she placed a hand on her door.
"Don't run away from me, Megumi," Sano said softly.
"I don't know what you are talking about. I'm very tired, and I just want to go to sleep."
She started to open her door. Sano closed it shut.
"Why won't you talk to me?" Sano asked.
Megumi shivered, "Because I have nothing to say."
"Nothing to say! What about earlier? Would you care to explain that?"
"It was nothing. Nothing at all," Megumi said resignedly.
Megumi went to open her door again. This time Sano allowed her to, and she gave a small sigh of relief. That was until he followed her right into her room and shut the door behind him. Megumi whirled around to face him.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"I'm going to talk with you whether you like it or not!" Sano said.
Megumi put a hand to her face, "How many times do I have to say there is nothing to talk about?"
"As much as you want. I still won't leave until you tell me what happened earlier."
"Nothing! Nothing happened tori-atama!" Megumi yelled clenching her fists.
Sano grabbed her by the arms and made her look at him, "Megumi, talk to me."
"You want to know my problem! It's you! You make me actually think you were looking for me all this time. I thought you cared for me, but I was wrong!"
Sano gave her a little shake as she tried to pull away, "How could you say something like that?"
"Don't tell me you don't care for her?"
"Who?" Sano asked.
Megumi glared at him, "Sayo!"
"Sayo!" Sano released her arms, "I do care for her. Is that the problem? Yes, I care. She saved my live. She is the most generous person I have ever met. All she has every done in her life is good and now she's dying!"
Megumi was backing up at the fury in his tone.
"I didn't give up looking for you! How could you think that?"
Megumi was shaking her head trying to form words, but she couldn't. This was the first time Sano had ever made her feel terrified. His eyes were blazing and his hands were clenching. Sano stopped putting his hand on his hip.
"You think I went with Magdaria and forgot all about you. You're jealous," Sano said as if coming to a revelation.
He began to chuckle. Megumi felt a pressure on her chest as her face flushed red. He was laughing at her. He thought it was funny she cared for him. Megumi wanted to throw something at him.
"Shut up! Stop laughing at me!" Megumi yelled.
Sano did stop laughing and approached he with a serious look. She backed up against the wall as Sano came even closer. He took her hands in his. She tried to jerk them back, but he wouldn't let go.
"I'm not laughing at you. Megumi," Sano released her hand to brush the tears from her eyes.
"Leave me alone."
"I do care for Magdaria…" Sano started.
"Stop throwing it in my face!" Megumi cried out.
"You are so infuriating! Would you listen? I care for her yes, but I love you! I have since we were younger. I did look for you. I kept looking for you. I met up with Kenshin eventually. He told me where you were and that he had saved you. I was so angry with myself. I wanted to be the one to save you, to protect you. I had failed you."
Megumi's was trembling now. Sano pulled her into his arms.
"Megitsune. You are a baka, you know that."
Megumi went to speak, but Sano stopped her.
"Shh. Just let me hold you like this. I've wanted to for so long."
Megumi rested her head against his chest her hands hesitantly going around his waist. She felt him tighten his grip as she pulled him close to her. Her heart beat wildly as she felt his lips pressed to her temple in a soft reassuring kiss.
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Tsubame sat on the porch watching the front gate. It was almost midnight, and still they had not returned. She was truly worried. Tsubame was startled out of her thoughts when a hand touched her shoulder. Uki with an apologetic smile sat beside her. The two had instantly become friends.
"You look tired. Why don't you rest? I can watch for them and wake you up when they come," Uki said.
Tsubame shook her head, "I wouldn't be able to sleep at all anyway."
"Then I'll sit and wait with you," Uki declared.
They sat in silence for several minutes with Tsubame watching the entrance anxiously and Uki looking at the sky.
"They'll be fine. Kaoru is amazingly strong. She'll be back with that man of yours," Uki gave a little laugh, "Men are bakas. They think they know what is best."
Tsubame smiled, "I agree with you on that one. He really is a baka."
Uki went to speak again but stopped upon hearing the noise coming from the entrance. Tsubame jumped to her feet holding her breath. The door slowly opened and a very tired looking Yahiko stepped through followed by Kenshin and Kaoru. Tsubame felt a little lighter as she saw his worn looking eyes find hers. Before she knew it she was running toward him and was in his arms. She buried her face against his chest as she tried to hold back her tears. He pulled her closer resting his cheek on the top of her head.
"Gomen."
"Baka."
Kaoru was grinning as she watched the two. They looked perfect together. It had been a stressful night. The men had been opposed to the very idea of what had happened. Yahiko had to use his power on a massive scale and was completely worn. Kaoru had asked him why he hadn't done something similar before. It seems his strange ability did not work on his father, and his father could even cancel the effects. They had taken Myojin back to town and had him put in jail. Kaoru was surprised to meet the last person she expected to see there.
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"He is so heavy!" Kaoru exclaimed holding Myojin up on one side.
Kenshin on the other side nodded in agreement. Yahiko offered to take him on Kaoru's side, but she saw the fatigue in his eyes. She had made sure it was fine with him to take his father in. He was fine with it saying he didn't owe anything to his father. Kaoru was glad he felt that way.
"I got it. Just felt like complaining."
It took them an hour to get back to town and another ten minutes to get to the police station. As they dragged him in the man in the front stood up.
"This is the leader of the men that attacked. Here," Kaoru announced placing Myojin on the floor.
"Heh. So that was the man."
Kaoru looked around as the familiar voice spoke stumbling on what to call him now, "Unc…Haj…Saitoh?"
Saitoh came from the back with a cigarette in hand. He watched Kaoru as she tried to compose herself. Kenshin noted the relief just barely apparent on his face.
"How long have you been here?" Kaoru asked.
"A week," Saitoh replied.
"But you didn't…I mean…" Kaoru didn't continue.
Kenshin took her hand in his seeing Kaoru begin to look upset.
"Well, what about…your wife?" Kaoru asked.
"She's not here."
"Oh," Kaoru said sounding disappointed, "We have to get going. It is late, and there are those who are worried about us."
"Get him in a cell," Saitoh said indicating the unconscious man.
The man at the desk immediately went to do as he said. Kaoru sighed turning away and walking toward the door disappointment clearly evident in her face.
"I'll come visit tomorrow," Saitoh said as if it was just an afterthought.
A barely detectable smile crossed Kaoru's face.
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Kenshin's hand on the small of her back brought her back to the present. Uki had come up to them without Kaoru noticing.
"Are all the children asleep?" Kaoru asked.
"Yes. Gensai-sensei came earlier to get Suzume-chan and Ayame-chan. Everyone else is still here."
"Thanks Uki-chan," Kaoru said.
"Why don't we all go inside? I still have to take care of your arm, koishii," Kenshin stated.
Yahiko was still holding Tsubame in his arms tightly.
"Come on you too. You have plenty of time for that tonight," Kaoru teased.
Yahiko turned red and glared at her, "Busu!"
Kaoru began to laugh as she went inside, "I've missed that!"
Yahiko started mumbling something about busu tanuki's, but Kaoru didn't really hear the rest. Once inside Kenshin fussed over her arm, which was bruised badly with a huge scrap across it. Kenshin went to go get something to clean it with as Yahiko, Tsubame, and Uki sat down.
"Myojin is in jail now. His men will no longer be a problem," Kaoru informed Tsubame and Uki.
"Itai!"
"Hold still. I have to clean this," Kenshin said holding her arm and cleaning the scrap.
"Gensai-sensei is a lot gentler," Kaoru declared with a pout.
Uki laughed at Kaoru's expression. The infectious laughter caught on and pretty soon all five were laughing, dispelling the tension and worry that had been present all day and night.
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A man went flying from the restaurant and landed with a thud. The person that had thrown him followed him out dusting her hands.
"Don't underestimate me!"
The man on the ground looked up to the fury-eyed girl.
He held his hands up backing up, "Gomen! Gomen!"
With a laugh the girl watched as the man scrambled up and took off as she took a threatening step forward.
"No one messes with a member of the Oniwabanshu!" the girl declared striking a pose.
A smiling man came out of the bar and approached the girl, "Misao-chan, was that necessary?"
"Sou! He hit on me, then took my drink, then called me a little girl not worth his time! He got what he deserved!"
Soujiro shook his head not really in the mood to argue with her, "We should go back to the inn. It's really late. We want to set out early to that dojo that we heard about."
"You're right," Misao said heading toward the inn not waiting for him.
Soujiro shook his head and followed her skipping form.
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And there's chapter 4! Hope you enjoyed! Sorry for the late update! Soujiro, Misao, and Saitoh are back! Hiko will be coming soon! Got to love him!
Thanks goes out to Jason M. Lee, Chiki, Naomi, marstanuki, me me me and only me, Kriska, hosi-ni-onegai, sTrAwBeRrY, Ro-chan, bek, tesuka-chan, Battousai, Chu, and NightRain!
Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!