Disclaimer: I hold no ownership on the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. I do own the villains in this story, the plot, as well as Nori, Akira and the cute Kyoko.
Pairings: Sano/Nori?, K/K
A/N: Gomen (sorry) for the lack of update. I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter. These are the names of some of Nori techniques.
Tora Ishi Sen- Tiger Will Sword, Tora Jihi Sen- Tiger Mercy Sword,
Shinsei Tora Kaminari Sen- Sacred Tiger Thunder Sword, Tora Reimel Nami- Tiger Twilight Wave.
Last time on Hasty Journey:
Kenshin looked up from his and Sanosuke work on Nori's wounds as he heard Hiko approach them. That was when he noticed that his master was carrying something in his arms, as Hiko got closer Kenshin saw that Hiko had found Kyoko.
"Why Little Miss Kyoko, it is good to see that you are alright. That it is indeed."
Kyoko smiled and nodded to Kenshin, right before she noticed Nori lying on the ground. Her small cute smile soon turned into a little pout.
"Aunt Nori got hurt because, she was trying to save me from the bad men."
All three men's eyes widened at the sound of bad men. Their eyes then fell on Seiichi who still lay unconscious beneath a tree. So there were, more then just this man that were involved. Who were these other men? Where were they now, and just what did they want with Nori.
All of these were questions that would have to wait until Nori had awakened. For it seemed wrong to question Kyoko after everything she had just been through.
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Chapter 10: Will Cherry Blossoms, Awaken a Sadness
By TaintedDarkInuShemeeko
Kenshin glance over Nori's injuries one more time before speaking.
"Miss Nori's wounds are very serious that they are indeed. We should get her back to Miss Megumi as soon as possible that we should."
Hiko had to agree with Kenshin for once. However he knew that jarring her body by lifting it into his arms would possibly cause even more damage then what had already been done to her body.
"It will take longer to carry her, but it will be safe if we build a travois to lay her on. If we were to jar her body in a rough matter it could injure her even farther."
Sanosuke glance from Hiko to Kenshin, before asking, "Then what the hell are we still standing here for?"
Within minutes they had erected a travois using sturdy branches. All three men had also combine their gi's to make the bed of the travois.
Kyoko then yawned as she looked up at Kenshin.
"I'm sleepy Uncle Kenshin, can I have a ride."
Kenshin couldn't help but smile as Kyoko tried to fight it as another yawn snuck up on her.
"You most certainly are, aren't you little miss Kyoko."
Sanosuke looked over at the five year old as she laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder.
"Go ahead Kenshin, I think Hiko and I can carry Nori all right. The little kid's had a tough day."
Kenshin just smiled as he lifted Kyoko into his arms.
"Sweet dreams little one."
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Tears stung Akira's eyes as he watched as a large man slapped Kaoru on the side of the face. Knocking her to the ground, the blow to the side of her face, plus the force that she hit the ground knocked the wind out of Kaoru's lungs.
He tired to scream, to bite and fight back, but the other man holding him was too strong. His screams were stopped by the bulky man's large hand.
"Arou…Arou!"
"Kong, tie the woman up and gag her. We don't need her to scream for help when she comes to. If someone tries to stop you kill them."
"Yes of course Sen, Lord Kin will be happy with your gift I know he will."
"I'm taking our little friend here to Gigorou, he is the only one who knows were Lord Kin is hiding out at the moment."
The tears that had been threatening to slip from Akira's eyes flowed free as his captor placed a gag in his mouth and bound his hands. Akira was then thrown over his shoulder, He blinked the tears away as he watched as Kaoru was tied and a gag placed over her mouth. Akira then watched as the large man dropped Kaoru to the floor, as if she was nothing more then a small toy.
It was the last thing he saw as his captor carried him away from the Kamiya dojo. However, Kaoru was not the last thing on his mind but his little sister Kyoko.
'You'll be all right Kyoko, I just know it. Nori will save you I know she will.'
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Kenshin yawned as he looked down at Kyoko and brushed the top of the little girl's soft head of hair. His amethyst eyes then drifted to Master Hiko who was enjoying a glass or two of saki. Though Kenshin wasn't sure if his Master was truly enjoying it, his niece's life lay in the balance. Dr. Gensai and Miss Megumi were doing everything they could for Nori's wounds.
The new wounds themselves weren't that serious, however if you added in the old wounds that had not completely healed. Then you would see the seriousness of the matter. Turning to look at Sanosuke, Kenshin was startled when one of Sanosuke's eyes popped open.
"Oro, Sano I thought you were asleep, I hope I didn't wake you. If I did I'm sorry that I am."
"Nah, I wasn't a sleep, but why don't you leave Kyoko here with me. I'll watch out for her. It's really not a problem. You should go home and check in on the Little Missy. Yahiko has an early work shift at the Akabeko, Tae stopped by while you where getting Kyoko something to eat."
The thought of leaving bothered, Kenshin a little but he knew there was very little that he could do for Miss Nori at the moment. For right now she had Master Hiko and Sanosuke there for her.
"If you are sure Sano, then I will take my leave. Please let me know how Miss Nori is doing come morning. I'm sure Kaoru will wish to know as well. Well then good night to you Sano, Master."
The slight scuffing of Kenshin's sandals was the only sound heard in the still night air.
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The right side of her face burned and the metallic taste of blood was in her mouth. She wanted to wipe it away, but her hands were bounds tightly behind her. Kaoru winced as she felt the rope bite into her skin, as she tested the looseness of the rope. There was a nasty taste in her mouth besides the taste of blood. She could only figure that it belonged to the cloth that had been tied not to gently around her mouth.
Her sapphire pools darted around the room for someone, anyone but there was no one. Kaoru's lungs ached as she pulled in a quick deep breath.
'Those men they took Akira, and there was nothing I could do about it. Yahiko is staying at the Akabeko tonight. There is no telling when Kenshin and Sanosuke will be returning. I have to try and free myself.'
With her legs bounded as well, as she tried to moving something poked and stung her side. Kaoru however only wondered about the stinging pain for a second; before she busied herself with trying to get free.
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Kenshin narrowed his eyes as he came to the dojo; there was something off about it tonight. However, at the moment he couldn't put his finger on it. Knowing how worried that Kaoru would be over him being gone. Kenshin did his best to hurry inside.
"I'm home Miss Kaoru."
A warning shot through Kenshin when there was no answer. However, he thought that perhaps she had decided to retire for the night. So he called out to her one more time.
"Miss Kaoru?"
Kaoru's heart thudded in her chest at the sound of Kenshin's voice. He was home and he was safe. She almost cried out but remembered the gag on her mouth, made her cries become muffled.
"Enhin, Enhin"
Placing a hand on the hilt of his sword, Kenshin walked further into the house as he slowly made his way toward the training room. He wasn't sure why, but something was pulling him in the direction of the training room. Kenshin's eyes narrowed for a moment, they widened suddenly as the slight scent of something washed over him. He knew this smell well, at this moment fear to jump into his heart there was the smell of blood inside the training room.
Without waiting for another minute to pass, Kenshin opened the door in one quick movement he did his best to prepare himself. However, he didn't like the thought of anything that rushed through his mind.
"Miss Kaoru!"
His voice was strong and at the same time gave a hint of worry. As his eyes looked into the moonlit room; Kenshin was angered by what he saw. Kaoru lay on the floor bound and gagged. Realizing that no one else was in the room, the wanderer removed his hand from his sword and made quick strides in order to free Kaoru from her bondage.
"Are you all right, Miss Kaoru who did this to you."
A glint of gold sparked in Kenshin's amethyst eyes, as he pulled the gag from Kaoru's mouth. The moon light had allowed him to have a view of the damage that had been inflicted to the right side of her face. A dark bruise was covering her cheek and it was starting to swell. Blood had dried on the side of her cheek, from where her lip had been cracked open.
"Some strange men barraged into the dojo; they were looking for Nori. I know I shouldn't have but they were going to take Akira, I had to do something. I'm not even sure what happened; it all happened so fast."
Kaoru grabbed on to Kenshin's gi as she tried to sit up.
"We have to find him Kenshin; Akira is just a little boy."
"We will find him that we will. That is my promise to you Miss Kaoru. For right now we need to get something cold on that bruise on your face that we do."
Then out of the corner of his eye Kenshin caught the sight of the splintered pieces of Kaoru's Bokken. He quickly turned back to Kaoru as he pressed her with another question.
"Miss Kaoru, were you hit with anything else at all?"
"No I don't think so."
Kaoru then became aware of something warm on the front of her yutata. Casting her sapphire orbs down toward her stomach, Kaoru saw that some how a splintered piece of her wood bokken had some how pierced her there.
"Ken…shin."
"Yes, Miss Kaoru what is it?"
Just at that moment the moonlight filtered into the room and shone down on Kenshin and Kaoru. Kenshin's eyes widened at the sight on the splintered piece of wood that seemingly protruded from Kaoru.
"You'll be all right Miss Kaoru that you will."
Suddenly, Kenshin felt Kaoru go limp in his arms; which made him look up at her face quickly.
"Miss Kaoru, Miss Kaoru!"
Kenshin eyes darted quickly around the room until he looked at where Kaoru had been laying. A crimson black pool seemed to laughing back at him in the moonlight. Without another word, Kenshin took off to Mr. Gensai and Miss Megumi's.
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"Miss Megumi, you must hurry that you must."
At the sound of Kenshin's hurried foot step, Sano sat up and Hiko glanced in Kenshin's direction. It was then that the two realized that Kenshin was carrying someone in his arms.
"Kenshin, what happened to Kaoru?"
"She has been badly injured that she has."
Without giving it any thought Sanosuke slid the door open to the doctor's office.
"Megumi, quick it's Kaoru. She's been hurt really bad. Kenshin says she has lost a lot of blood."
Megumi's eyes widened at hearing Sanosuke's words. Dr. Gensai only nodded to her.
"Go and see to Kaoru, I'll finish up the work that needs to be done here."
Megumi nodded to Dr. Gensai as she hurried out of the operating room to see to Kaoru's injures. Upon taking a look at Kaoru, Megumi noticed the tight hold that Kenshin had on her.
"Bring her over here; I'll see what I can do to stop the bleeding; though you are going to have to let go of her Sir Ken."
Kenshin gasped and his eyes widened when he realized that he was still holding Kaoru protectively in his arms.
"Yes, of course Miss Megumi."
Dr. Gensai entered the room next.
"What is the existent of the damage that was done?"
When Megumi didn't answer him, Dr. Gensai only nodded as a grim looked spread cross his face.
"I see, well let us get to work shall we."
"Oh course doctor."
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Kenshin's eyes were set as he continue to think things through his mind. To have had kidnapped not only Kyoko, but now Akira as well. Kenshin now knew that these people that were after Nori would stop at nothing. He also knew that it was more likely an accident that Kaoru was stabbed by the splintered piece of her bokken. Yet the abuse that her face had gone through was not.
"Kenshin, hey Kenshin the men that injured Kaoru they were after Nori weren't they?"
At the sound of Sanosuke's voice, Kenshin was startled out of his thoughts.
"Yes, it would seem that they were for they even went as far as kidnapping Akira as well; which was done most likely when who ever this Kin person is realized that Seiichi had failed. It is very important that we rescue Akira that it is. However, right now I wish to make sure Kaoru and Miss Nori will be, alright that I do."
Sanosuke clenched his fist at hearing this, but he also knew that Kenshin was right. It was important that Nori and the little Missy were going to be all right, but that didn't stop him from being pissed off.
"Are you sure you want to wait, you idiot?"
Kenshin's face went flat at hearing his master's choice of words.
"It would upset Miss Kaoru a lot if she were to wake up and found that I had left that it would. Perhaps you could go after them and we could catch up to you. Akira is after all part of your family now as well."
Hiko however, was having a different battle inside of himself. Akira and Kyoko weren't just family to him they were now his grandchildren as much as he hated to say it. It was a secret that only his brother Kana and his wife had known and they were both dead now.
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Upon waking up Nori learned that she was no longer blind. She then lay still in her bed as she listened to Kenshin speak from what she had gathered thus far was that Kaoru had a serious injury and Akira had been kidnapped. Nori didn't need to know more then that. Sitting up, Nori then quietly started to pull herself up on her feet; using her sakabato as a crutch to do so.
Picking up a quill, Nori quickly wrote Sanosuke a note. Right before she slowly and silently slipped out into the darkness. After retrieving her Katana from the dojo, Nori made her way to the last stable in Tokyo.
"I would like to purchase one of your fastest horses. I'm not sure if I will ever be back this way again. So there should be enough money here for you to purchase a new horse and then some."
The older gentleman opened the money pouch, and poured the gold coins out into his hands.
"Young lady, this is much too generous, please I can't take all of this just for one horse."
Nori winced as she climbed on the back of a dark strawberry roan.
"Think of it as a gift. Your grandfather was kind to me once and for that I thank him and you. Besides I was old friends with the mother of this gelding."
Then without looking back at the town once know as Edo. Nori Hiromasa, headed in the direction of Nagasaki.
"Hang in there a little longer Akira, Kin Makoto I'm coming for you."
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After stopping the bleeding and telling the others that Kaoru was going to be all right. Megumi made her way to go and check on Nori; however what she found was so startling that she cried out. Megumi then turned and ran to find Kenshin and Sanosuke.
"Sano, Sir Ken come quick, its Nori she's gone."
Sanosuke's eyes widened in surprise, "What, how I thought Doctor Gensai and you said she was going to be all right after some rest."
"No you misunderstand, she's not dead Sanosuke. Nori-san is missing she is no longer in her room."
"What!"
Sanosuke, Kenshin and Hiko hurried off toward the room that Nori had been resting in.
Nori's futon had the looks of being slept in, but there was indeed no Nori in the room.
"How could she even move Kenshin? Her whole body is almost completely riddled with wounds."
"Do you really need Sir Ken to answer that? He himself has been almost at the edge of death the will to live and be with the ones you love is sometimes stronger then the pain of the wound."
"Yeah but why would Nori, just get up and leave without saying any?"
It was then that Kenshin notice a note with Sanosuke's name on it written in Nori's beautiful handwriting.
"Sano, there is a letter here that there is and it is addressed to you Sano."
Sanosuke let out a breath as he looked down at the letter in Kenshin's hand; before he reached out and took it from his friend.
Dear Sanosuke,
There are many things that I wished to say to you, yet I never could find a way to say them that I indeed could not. I find myself having feeling for you. They are the kind of feelings I was sure I would never have again.
I was a hitokiri during the Bakumatsu. I can not change who I was in the past. All I really can do is try to move forward and hope that things will one day be peaceful for everyone here.
Sano if I do not return long side Akira-chan. Then there is a chance that I may have saved him. But I have done so at the cost of my own life. I wish for you not to worry about me so much that I don't. I wish for you, Kenshin and Miss Kaoru look out and care for Kyoko and Akira. There is money hidden away for all of their needs Kyoko knows of the spot. As a gift to you Sanosuke-sama, I have paid your tab at the Akabeko and have given Tae money that should cover any tabs you may have in the near future.
I am sorry that I have chosen to leave in such a poor matter that I truly am. It is my wish to return to my new family before the last sakura petals have fallen from the trees. Please do not come after me, I wish no harm to come to you or your friends.
Please tell Kenshin that there is a special tea in my room at the dojo. It will help Kaoru to heal a little faster; by helping to build up her bodies strength to fight infections. He should stay by her side it would mean a lot to Kaoru. Though I'm sure he has already made his decision. It is for that reason that I have decided to go.
To everyone I wish you the best.
Nori Hiromasa
End of letter
Without saying a word to Kenshin, Hiko or even Megumi; Sanosuke gripped the letter in his fist before letting it fall to the floor as he ran out of the room, down the hall and then out of the door.
"Sanosuke wait. Where are you going?"
Kenshin bent down to retrieve the crumpled letter. Smoothing it out Kenshin began to read it. He then looked over at Hiko.
"Are you going to go after them Master Hiko, this one would go that I would if it wasn't for Miss Kaoru's injuries."
"Hn, why should I care about that bird head friend of yours? As for Nori she has decided to do this on her own why should I stop her?"
Kenshin smiled softly at Hiko.
"This one was not talking about Sanosuke that I wasn't. I will worry about him that I will. However, it was to Miss Nori that I was speaking. She is very special to you, this one will not try to figure it out past her being apart of your family that I will not, but wouldn't that be enough to make you want to go and be there by her side."
"Kenshin, what would an idiot apprentice like you know about how I feel about my family? After all you are just an idiot."
Kenshin's face fell slightly.
'Why does he always have to be so mean? All, this one was trying to do was to get him to go after her, and to watch out from Sano. Maybe that was asking too much. Oh well this one tried that I did.'
Kenshin gave a laugh as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I don't know anything about how you feel about family that I do not. However, I know that if it was my niece or even if she was my daughter I would want to be there for her."
Kenshin missed Hiko's in take of breath at hearing the word daughter.
"After all these years of not knowing your niece, this one wouldn't think that you would want to lose her so soon. I truly don't believe that."
Kenshin's amethyst orbs widened as he watched Hiko start to walk off in the direction that Sanosuke had run off in. Kenshin could only smile at his Master fading back.
"Kenshin, hurry it's Kaoru she waking up."
Kenshin turned his head quickly at the sound of Yahiko's voice. He himself took off at a run to go and be at Kaoru's side.
TBC….
(I apologize for the very late Chapter. I had planned on finishing and posting this sooner. However life really swept me away. I'm not sure how many of you still read this, But I am Engaged and have been so blissfully happy and busy planning a wedding in two summers since last year, believe in planning ahead. I hope everyone enjoy this chapter. There is more action, suspense and romance to come.
Ciao,
TaintedDarkInuShemeeko)