Chapter Eight: A Slave Again?
Planet Areth
Ugh, why does my head hurt so much? I feel like I just got run over by a horse and wagon... Sano thought as he rubbed tenderly at his neck. He sat up slowly, feeling pain with every movement.
"Sano! You're okay!!!" Megumi shouted, as she threw her arms around him, throwing them both back down onto the mattress.
"Ahh...Megumi, gentle...gentle," Sano pleaded, his voice constricted with pain.
"Sorry Sano...I forgot," Megumi said sheepishly. She quickly got off of him and stood back a few paces where she wouldn't cause him more pain than he was already in.
Sano smiled at her and reached out for her hand. Megumi came to him cautiously. "Megumi, it's okay, you're not going to hurt me. Just be a little more gentle. It makes me happy though, to know you're so pleased to see me," Sano grinned and winked flirtatiously at her.
Megumi blushed under his gaze. "Sano, are you okay?" Megumi asked, concern evident in her voice. She had been studying his features, which had suddenly turned very serious.
"Yeah, I'm okay hun. I'm just a little confused. What exactly happened?" Sano asked. "The last thing I remember, is giving Jou-chan a hug, and telling her to be careful, and look out for that baby of hers...or something along those lines," Sano said, rubbing his head in confusion. "Then next thing I know, I wake up in your bed..." Sano paused and looked up into Megumi's eyes, "Let me say though, how much would I love waking up in your bed every morning," he added with a sly grin.
"Sano! You're terrible! Here you are, supposedly in such pain and confusion, and yet you're just trying to seduce me again!" Megumi said in shock.
"Are you saying that I would have to seduce you? Hmm, and here I was thinking you'd just throw yourself into my arms, begging me to take you again and again," Sano replied with a smirk. His eyes danced in amusement as he watched Megumi blush a deep crimson.
"Sano, that is beside the point! I thought that you-"
"So you would beg me to ravish you...wouldn't you!" Sano grinned. He watched her gaze turn an even deeper shade of red. He cleared his throat as he saw frustration in her eyes as well. "Sorry love...you were saying?" Sano said quietly, all joking put aside.
"I said...I thought that you wanted to know what happened. Do you...or don't you?" Megumi said, waiting impatiently for his reply.
Sano gazed at her in all seriousness. "Yes, I want to know. What exactly happened after I hugged Kaoru?"
Planet Earth
Kaoru gazed at the workers in satisfaction. There were about 10 men in front of her. They looked impatient to begin their work so they could collect their paycheck and be done. Kaoru had asked them all to meet her at the edge of the forest line, so she could direct them all exactly where to go.
Kenshin seemed very supportive of her plan. He loved the thought of owning a dojo. He even said he'd love to go train there when classes weren't in session. Kaoru was very excited that her plan seemed to be going well. She was thrilled that Kenshin was interested in her dojo, and he had even helped to draw up the plans and help to build it. She glanced beside her at her husband and smiled in contentment. She was brought out of her quiet ponderings by one of the workers who was anxious to begin.
"Well lady, are you just going to have us stand here all day, or are you going to tell us what's going on?" he asked impatiently. He was a big burly man. His beard was scruffy and his face leathery from his work in the sun. His caloused hands were folded tightly across his chest and agitation was clearly in his eyes. His muscled twitched as he glared at her, almost signaling that they too, were anxious to begin their hard labor.
Kenshin looked as if he were ready to step in and say something about how he was talking to his wife, but Kaoru put a gentle hand on his arm restraining him. He looked into her eyes and clearly read that she wished the matter to just drop. He reluctantly nodded his consent...he would allow the man leniency, for now.
Kaoru dusted off her skirt and stepped forward a few paces towards the men. "Thank you all for coming. If you are ready to begin, please follow me and I will show you exactly what I wish to be done," with that said, she turned and entered the woods with Kenshin, headed towards the small clearing where the dormant stone portal lay. The men all glanced at eachother and followed the burly worker who had already took off into the woods, following Kaoru and her husband.
Kaoru was the first person to get through the clearing, Kenshin wasn't far behind. Kaoru glanced at his face to see whether there was any recognition of the place or not. Kenshin's face looked awestruck, yet slightly troubled. The first thing he did was walk up to the stones. He studied the markings intensely. Kaoru looked worried that he chose them to go to first. The look on his face just made her gulp in unwanted fear. Kaoru tried to calm herself and walked up behind her husband.
"What is it dear? You seem so distraught," she spoke with fake concern.
"Oh, Kaoru...um, it's nothing sweetie," Kenshin paused and looked very thoughtful. "It's just that, I almost feel as if I should remember this place, that I do. It seems so familiar. And these stones...I'm just so drawn to them. Do we have to knock them down? Can't we build your dojo elsewhere?" Kenshin turned to look at her, and pleaded his case.
Kaoru looked unnerved for a moment before she thought of a reply. "Of course you should remember it darling! You used to train here every day. This is where you took me on our first date...and also," Kaoru tried to look as embarassed and coy as possible, "this is one of the places we made love at during our honeymoon."
She watched carefully for Kenshin's response. He didn't seem too convinced. "Remember dear, we went on a camping trip here, you just wanted so badly to come camp out in the wilderness. And those awful stones scared me all night with their forboding shadows and strange markings," Kaoru said, portraying herself as a victim on the stones.
Kenshin gazed at her eyes. I do love camping, and I always have. This place does seem very familiar to me...maybe that is why. If I train here often...and if it's where I've made love to Kaoru...of course it would be a special place to me, that it would. Kenshin turned back and studied the stones. But why do these stones hold such meaning to me? I just feel as if I were to have them torn down...I would be committing such a grave mistake. Kenshin glanced back at his wife and then took in his surroundings.
"Koishii, this place is remarkable. It is the perfect place for a dojo, that it is. There is such serenity and peace here," Kenshin spoke softly. He turned and glanced back at the stones and then to his wife, "but dear, these stones tell such a story. It would be a shame to tear them down. They are so beautiful, and would be such a welcome to all of the students who were to come learn at this dojo. We could even gate the dojo and have these stones be the entrance. Wouldn't that just suit it beautifully? I really think that we should leave them here," Kenshin argued his piece. He really did not want such an amazing structure to be torn down. Kaoru did not look happy about him saying so, but the workers all seemed to agree with him, so perhaps she would consent.
Planet Areth
Sano looked at Megumi in annoyance. "How dare that guy! A warning? Heh! I could take that guy on, no problem...if only he didn't attack me when I wasn't looking. I can tell that guy just doesn't fight fair, so I just need to keep my guard up, that's all," Sano said in a frustrated ramble.
"Sano, no! You MUST NOT cross him! You have no idea how strong he is. Please Sano! He doesn't care for anyone but himself...he has no regrets about killing...anyone. Please, promise me you won't be an idiot about this! I don't want to lose you, not when I've just won you," Megumi sobbed into his chest.
Sano looked down on his love. He pulled her into a tight embrace and stroked her hair lovingly. "Don't worry Megumi...I won't cross him. I will try my hardest to stay out of it. But if he lays another finger on Kaoru, I don't think I could possibly stand by and do nothing," Sano said matter-of-factly.
Megumi seemed pleased with his response. At least he promised to try to stay out it. She didn't think it would be too hard a challenge. Battousai really seemed to be changing. Kaoru seemed to have an effect on him, that neither herself of the other Kaoru had been able to have. Maybe it was the simple fact that she was the first to ever bear him a child. She wasn't sure...she just knew that little by little, the ice was melting around Battousai's heart.
Sano smiled at Megumi. He loved her with all of his heart. He always had...he just never acted on it. He wasn't stupid though...he knew that eventually he would get involved, and end up facing off against the Battousai. He just didn't trust the guy. The other night, when he'd made love to Megumi, he noticed small scars scattered over her body. He didn't want to embarass her and ask her about them...but after meeting Battousai, and seeing how he treated Kaoru...and knowing that Megumi knew him on a personal level...he no longer had the need to ask. Sano's face hardened slightly, deep in thought. What will happen though if I face off against him? Can I possibly win? I felt his aura the other night. He has a massively powerful warrior spirit...I best do as Megumi says, I will try my hardest to stay out of this as long as I can. Sano once again looked at his love. I promise you Megumi, I will try to stand back...but I will not stand by and just let him hurt Kaoru and that baby....and I definitely won't let him hurt you. But if I have to fight, and I lose...I want you to know my love for you. I have to show you my love for you...and I know how. Sano smiled lovingly at Megumi.
Megumi had been studying Sano during his inner ramblings. She knew that he was thinking about the situation with the Battousai. And now, he was just looking at her like he was about to go to war and never come back...and like he wanted so badly to take her memory with him. It worried her....a lot. "Sano, honey, why are you staring at me? Why are you looking at me so strangly?" she asked cautiously.
Sano took both of her hands in his and squeezed them gently. Now Megumi was really worried. Sano gazed at her with such love. "Megumi, what I'm about to propisition may seem insane to you...and it may seem sudden," Sano said slowly so it could all sink in. Megumi just looked at him cautiously. She watched as Sano rearranged himself so that he was seated a head beneath her, with her looking down at him.
"Megumi, I have loved you...for a long time. I've always just been so frightened that you would not return my deep love for you. I've watched out for you and protected you, without your knowing. But now, I want you to know, I want you to know so much. I want you to know that I will always love you, and protect you. I want you to know that I want to shower my love on you everyday. I want you to know how badly I want to spend my life showing you how much you mean to me....and I want it to start today. Megumi...marry me. Please don't think about it...don't reason it over in your mind, just say yes. I know you love me, and you know I love you. Don't hesitate, don't hold back, just let me love you the way you deserve to be loved. Let me love you...the way that only I can. So will you Megumi? Will you be my wife...not tomorrow...not in the future...but today?" Sano asked, pouring all his love and feelings into each sincere word.
Megumi just stared at him in shock. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks...she was so numb and awestruck by his speech to even care or bother with wiping them aside. Sano reached up and wiped away her tears, bringing her out of her catatonic state of mind. "Sano, I...I love you so much...but-" Sano silenced her with a gentle passionate kiss.
"No buts, my love. Don't think. We can go right now to the village priest. He can marry us tonight. Please Megumi...let me be the only one for you. Let me be the one who will wipe away every tear that falls. Let me be the one to father your children and hold you when you're broken...let me be-"
Megumi wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly. "You are the one Sano...you always have been...the only one," Megumi cried. She pulled back from the embrace and stared into his eyes. "Come on Sagara Sanosuke...let's go bother the priest...for tonight I will become Sagara Megumi...and I promise, I will love you for the rest of my life...and yours," Megumi said, smiling through her tears of joy.
Kaoru stepped back into the shadows. Tears flowed freely down her face in two steady streams. She had heard Sano moving about and heard his frustration over Battousai's warning, and had decided to stop in Megumi's room to say hello. She stopped in her tracks though, when she heard Sano pouring his heart out to Megumi. She knew that it was wrong of her to eavesdrop, but she could not help it. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard...the most heart touching proposal....and Megumi almost said no! She thought for sure, that Megumi was out of her mind for even considering rejecting a proposal like that. How I wish I had someone who loved me as much as Sano loves Megumi...Megumi is one lucky lady...Sano is a real catch. He will treat her well...he will protect her, he won't abuse her and belittle her. I only wish that I wouldn't have been so selfish...I wish that I would have stayed in my home, and married Kenshin. At least he would have treated me well. Kaoru stared off in thought. She suddenly felt very sad. She took a look around Megumi's home. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful friend. But I can't impose myself on her any longer. I have to leave. I refuse to stay here...with newlyweds who deserve their privacy. It's time to say goodbye... Kaoru walked back to her own room and began to gather the few possessions she had. She looked at her beautiful child. Kaylynn was sleeping soundly, sucking her little thumb.
A few stray tears trickled down Kaoru's cheek, and she hastily wiped them away. She folded the few clothes she had for Kaylynn and then moved to gather her own things. She lingered as her eyes fell upon one of her blue dresses that she had sewn from the Battousai's curtain. He told me that I was still his...that I've just been given a reprieve...what am I to do. I can't go back there...I refuse to bring my daughter into that house...and I most certainly can't stay here...so what do I do? Kaoru broke down and began sobbing quietly. Kaylynn, almost as if she too shared Kaoru's grief, began to cry. Kaoru wiped away her tears and gathered Kaylynn in her arms. She rocked her gently back and forth, hushing her. "Don't worry little one...we'll be okay. Mommy promises...we'll be okay," Kaoru whispered to her child, who was being lulled to sleep by the gentle swaying motion. A lone tear slid off of Kaoru's face and landed on the tiny hand that was wrapped around her mother's finger. Kaoru pulled Kaylynn tight and snuggled her sleeping body close. What are we going to do....
Kaoru sighed and placed Kaylynn back into her cradle. She looked at her few belongings and shook her head. Her eyes rested on her bible. We'll make it somehow...God will help us through it. Kaoru sat herself down at a desk and took out a piece of paper, quill, and an inkwell, and began to write a goodbye and thank you letter to Megumi and Sanosuke.
Kaoru folded up her letter and propped it up on her desk for Megumi to find. She sighed once more before deciding it was time to go. She was about to get up and gather her things when a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Sano, please don't try to stop me...I don't want to intrude on you and Megumi any longer. I explained it all in my letter. Congratulations by the way, I heard that-"
"Glad to see you're all packed and ready to go...your reprieve is over," a dark, cold voice spoke.
Shivers ran down Kaoru's spine as she slowly turned and came face to face with a pair of golden amber eyes...
Once again, I am so sorry ya'll had to wait so long...and I'm sorry I did not update as soon as I said I would. This time I'm not going to tell you when I'm going to update...because I don't want to be unfair to ya'll again...I won't make a promise I can't keep.
I do hope though, that this chapter made up for it. I know I didn't do a lot with the Areth Kaoru in this chapter, but you'll see her more in the next one. Do you think that Kenshin will get his way with the earth Kaoru, or will she put her foot down about those stones. What do you think Megumi and Sano will do when they find Kaoru gone? And what exactly is in that letter? And what of the Battousai? Can't wait to hear ya'lls opinions. Take care and until next time...
Videl621