This chapter contains inappropriate scenes
and is rated R. Please do not read if you are offended by violence.
Deep
Within
By Jen
I'm all out
of faith
this is how i feel
I'm cold and i am shamed
lying naked on the floor
illusion never changed
into something real
I'm wide awake
and i can see
the perfect sky is torn
you're a little late
I'm already torn
-Torn Natalie
Imbruglia
Chapter
11- Bereavement: 'This is the Price of revenge.'
"Misao-chan!
Time to wake up! Misao-chan?!" Kaoru and Megumi's voices drifted into her
sleep as Misao begin to stir from her deep slumber. She opened her eyes to find
Megumi, Kaoru, and Mei looking down at her. She sighed before she began to
complain. "Nani?! I'm trying to sleep here."
"Too bad. It's time to
wake up." Mei opened the window to her room to let the sunlight stream
through.
Grumbling Misao obliged.
Kaoru led Misao to the bathhouse. "Misao-chan, today's your birthday,
remember? You have to be all nice and clean."
"Nani?! Why?!"
"Because Aoshi-san and the
others are coming."
Misao became quiet, suddenly
remembering her turmoil from the night before. It had kept her up most of the
night. Misao was left alone with her thoughts as she bathed. Am
I really ready to face them? It's been so long since I've seen them. We
haven't seen each other since my attempted suicide. No use opening up old
wounds. Even if it still hurts. Misao's eyes wandered to her wrist. She
could still see the faint traces of scars and she looked away. "Come on Misao.
Get a grip. Today's your birthday. You should be celebrating not brooding over
bakas."
Leaving the bathing area,
Misao returned to her room to find a beautiful kimono resting on her dresser.
She found a note lying on top of it.
Misao-chan,
Today
is special day for you and you should have something special to wear. The three
of us made this kimono for you. We hope you like it. Happy Birthday Misao.
Love,
Kaoru,
Mei, and Megumi
Misao smiled, a warm feeling
crept over her heart ridding it of the dark ones from before. She smiled as she
put on the beautiful kimono. It was a ruby colored kimono with golden leaves
imprinted in the satin material. The hems were a beautiful pattern of golden
roses. The obi was even darker cherry-colored. Misao sat down to brush her black
hair back thinking of how to style her hair. Misao's face lit up when she
remembered her mother's hair combs. Finding the one she wanted Misao pulled
her hair to the top of her head into a simple bun and secured it with the golden
comb. Misao looked at herself in the mirror, suddenly feeling somewhat
special… pretty even.
She walked to the dining
area, noting that her kimono was fashioned to allow her to run freely if needed
to. Misao smiled. She entered the dining area where everyone was seated for
breakfast. Everyone stopped what he or she was doing to stare at her. Misao
could feel the blush on her face as she saw their reactions.
The others
blinked in surprised at the beauty in the doorway. Misao, clad in the ruby
kimono looked radiant. Her hair was no longer pulled back, just merely in a bun
with loose curls framing her face.
"Misao-chan! You look
wonderful!" Megumi helped Misao sit down.
"Arigatou minna. I love
it."
"Your welcome Misao-chan.
You deserve it."
Misao did not argue with
Kaoru. She felt unworthy of such a present, but seeing that they wanted her to
have it, she just smiled. After breakfast, Misao watched as Yu executed some
combos, instructing him on his form. She watched as Sano taught Yu some more
moves. It was good for him to learn more than one fighting technique.
"Sanosuke!"
"Nande jou-chan?"
"We're out of sake for
tonight's party. I need you to get some for us and some other things too."
"Ehh? I have to help
Mei-chan though."
"I'll go, Kaoru-san."
Misao interrupted their conversation.
"Demo… the Oniwabanshuu
are arriving soon."
"Daijoubu. It won't take
long. I'm sure that I will be back in time for the party. You just need some
things, ne? Nothing much?"
"Hai…demo…"
"It'll be fine."
"Misao-neesan! Misao-neesan!
Can Su-chan come with Misao-neesan?!" Asuko raced outside into Misao's
awaiting arms. "Hai, if you get permission from you okaasan first."
Asuko tuned to Kaoru her eyes
pleading. "Can I 'kaasan? Can I?"
Kaoru laughed. "Hai, but
you have to be a good girl and listen to Misao-neesan, ne?"
"HAI!!" Asuko begin to
bounce in Misao's arm. Misao
began to leave, but turned back, "Ne, Yu-kun? Do you want to come with me?"
Yu nodded. "Hai."
Sano and Kaoru watched as the
three of them walked down the road into town.
Misao held Asuko's hand
with one hand and the other held the sake. Yu held the rest of the items in his
arms and walked beside to the two. As they walked along, Misao heard comments
about such a lovely mother she was. They probably thought that Asuko was hers.
Sensing the familiar longing, a need to be fulfilled in her heart, Misao
suppressed it beneath all the other painful memories, which she soon forgot was
there. Misao led them into the road that would bring them back to the dojo, the
road that led into the forest.
"Okashira! Okashira!"
"Nande, Gen?"
"Only that street rat and
Battosai's daughter."
"Perfect. Get the men
ready, and trail her. Do not let her out of the forest. I will be there in a
moment. I have a few preparations."
"Hai, Okashira."
Just
wait. I will have my revenge. You will pay for your family's sins.
Silver eyes gleamed dangerously as he followed his men on his own horse.
We're
being followed. Misao could feel it
within every bone of her body. They were being followed, but by whom? She
glanced cautiously around as she held Asuko closer.
"Misao-senpai? Daijoubu
ka?" Misao looked at Yu who had tensed when he felt her tension.
"Ehh? Daijobou, Yu-kun."
Misao smiled, but inside she could feel a sense of foreboding.
"Are you sure? Is something
wrong?"
"Iie, noth-" Misao cut
her sentence short as she saw several arrows flying towards them. Misao dropped
her packages and grabbed Yu, before she dodged the arrows. Several more came at
them and again Misao dodged. She placed Asuko down behind her and threw her
kunai in the direction their attackers were coming from. Each kunai missed their
target as the figures in the trees dodged them. Misao took a hold of Asuko and
Yu's hand and began to run blindly through the forest. She ran deeper and
deeper finally entering a small clearing with four stone monuments in the
middle. Coming closer, she felt four familiar spirits. She gasped letting go of
Yu's hand as her own flew to her mouth. This
is… these are…. Hannya-kun and the other's…this is where they're
buried…
The thoughts
saddened and comforted her. She couldn't think of any other place that she
would feel safer. She grabbed Yu's hand again and they hid behind the stones.
She heard the silent footsteps as they neared their hidden spot.
"Makimachi. I know you're
there." The leaders voice came out to fill her ears. "I suggest you
surrender without any trouble." She peered out to see a man with mahogany hair
and silver eyes staring straight at her hiding place. Behind him, hidden in the
trees were at least twenty highly trained and agile ninjas.
"I'll give you to the
count of twenty…. 1…2…3…"
Misao
knew that she would not be able to stand a chance against all of them,
especially since she had a limited number of kunai, for she wasn't able to fit
many between the folds of her kimono. She glanced sharply at Yu and Asuko before
making her decision. Misao placed Asuko in Yu's arms, earning a questioning
look from the young teen. Misao took off her shawl and quickly wrapped it around
the two of them. She saw Shin flying high in the sky and was relieved. She knew
what she would have to do. In a hushed voice she instructed Yu.
"Yu-kun, I want you to take
Su-chan and run far away from here. Do not turn back no matter what. Follow Shin
to find the way out. Do you understand? Don't stop running until you're back
at the dojo."
"Senpai? What about you?"
"I'm going to try to hold
them off for as long as I can. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just get
yourself and Asuko out of here."
"Demo.. I want to help
Senpai. Let me stay. I can help you fight."
"With what? You are not
ready for a real battle. Just go back to the dojo. Don't look back. Promise me
that you will get Asuko to safety. Promise."
"Hai. Senpai, I promise."
"Good. Goodbye Su-chan.
Yu-kun is going to take you back to otousan and okaasan."
"I want to stay with Misao-neesan.
Let me stay!"
"Shh… be a good little
girl and follow Yu-kun. If you promise, I will tell you a story later, ne?"
"Demo…"
"Promise me."
"Hai."
"Good. When I tell you
to… run."
Misao suddenly flipped into
the air onto the top branch of one of the trees, arching her hand to send a
dozen kunai flying at the ninjas. One of the ninjas caught her and pushed her
out of the tree. Misao landed hard on the ground coughing up blood.
Yu watched and tried to go
help, but the look in Misao's eyes told him to run even before she even
shouted the order.
"NOW! YU GET OUT OF
HERE!!"
Yu ran with Asuko in his arms, running faster than he had ever run. He could hear Misao's screams of agony ringing in his ears as he ran away, but he promised not to look back. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to.
Misao threw kunai at the
ninjas who tried to follow the children. They hit their targets, causing the
ninjas to call out in pain. She watched their retreating back, a memory
resurfacing.
'Iie! Otousan! Let me go
back Eiji-niichan! We have to help him! Onegai…one..gai."
Misao arched her hand again, this time using her poisoned tip
kunai. They hit a few more, making them drop dead as the poison flowed into
their bt>
Misao's eyes widened as she
kicked harder trying desperately to break her bindings. The leader laughed and
took out a knife. He ripped her kimono down the center leaving a trail of blood
where the knife had cut. He ripped the rest of her kimono as he gazed down at
her hungrily. "Such a beauty…
heir attacks.
There was about ten of them left, and she ran out of kunai. Kuso…what do I do
now? Suddenly she felt the ground shaking and she jumped away from the graves
just as they burst into pieces. She saw the destruction of her friends' graves
and angrily shouted. "Bastards!"
She launched herself into the
strongest combo she knew and attacked the leader. Before she could hit him, he
was behind her, holding her hands together behind her back. "Such spirit. Too
bad you're going to die."
Misao struggled to get
herself free from his hold, elbowing him in the face. He dropped her to the
ground as he yelled out angrily. She tried to run away again, but one of the men
grabbed her. The okashira recovered and walked towards her purposefully, and
evil sneer on his face. "You'll pay for that one Makimachi."
The venom in his voice caused
her to shiver slightly. He grabbed her struggling form and hit her hard with the
hilt of his katana. A bruise began to form on her face as he pulled her close
for a rough kiss. Her eyes widened as she tried to push him away, but he was
just too strong. He moved away leaving her in breathless anger. "You
BASTARD!!" Her hand lashed out to slap him. He caught her arms and threw her
against the debris of rocks. Her head hit the stones and she could taste the
blood. He slapped her before he motioned one of his men to tie her down.
"What are you going to do with her okashira?"
"Kill her of course, but
not before I have a little fun with her."
Misao's eyes widened as she
kicked harder trying desperately to break her bindings. The leader laughed and
took out a knife. He ripped her kimono down the center leaving a trail of blood
where the knife had cut. He ripped the rest of her kimono as he gazed down at
her hungrily. "Such a beauty…
pity you'll die after this."
He kissed her brutally again,
enjoying her agony. She cried out in the kiss biting his bottom lip. He drew
back and tasted his own blood. "Bitch!" Striking her face again, he forced
himself on top of her body. His hands coursed her body roughly, bruising her.
Misao cried out in pain and in helplessness.
"Somebody help me! Onegai!!
STOP!! Onegai!!"
Her cries did nothing but
encourage him. "This is the price of revenge."
"ONEGAI!!! STOP!!!
AOSHI-SAMA HELP!!! ONEGAI!!"
She felt a needle dig into her arm and she looked to her right startled opening her eyes for one quick moment. One of his men had stuck a needle into her, probably some sort of poison. She could feel the darkness overcoming her senses as her body writhed in pain. She cried out in anguish as he roughly entered her. She could feel him thrusting into her over and painfully over again as her muddled mind began to slip into the welcoming darkness, her cries were thrown into the background.
"Okashira, what do we do
with her?" Gen pointed to Misao's prone body. She was bleeding all over and
her blood stained the graves she lay upon. She was bleeding mostly from between
her legs. The kimono was barely covering her body.
The okashira looked at him
for a moment before answering. "Throw her body into the stream."
Gen nodded and picked up her body as he headed for the stream, a trail of blood flowing through the air behind them, landing gently on the ground leaving a trail of crimson. He reached the stream and glanced down at the body in his arms, her blood already stained his hands. Without another thought he threw Misao's body into the cold, pure waters of the stream. Almost immediately her blood blemished the untainted water.
Author's notes:
Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!! I know I'm torturing her, but this was planned
since the beginning. Gomen nasai again. Eh heh... you might be mad at me now
because I'm going to leave you hanging for now and work on all my other
neglected fics. ^_^;; Send comments, ne?
Preview of next chapter
(yes, there's more):
"We were on our way back
when these ninjas jumped out from nowhere and attacked us. There were at least
twenty of them. Misao-senpai made me take Asuko and run. She wouldn't let me
say… she wouldn't let me say. Onegai… Kenshin… Sano please you have to
save Senpai! She's in a lot of danger. She didn't bring many kunai with her,
only a little. Onegai they're going to kill her!" Yu's frantic voice made
them react quickly.
"Where?" Yu stared
intently at the stranger wearing the trenchcoat. "Where?" His icy tone
repeated.
"Where is she Yu?"
Sano's voice cut in.
