Tutto A Te Mi Guida
Chapter 6- Searching
Disclaimers: I do not own RK and its characters. Sole credits would have to be given to Nobuhiro Watsuki for creating these wonderful characters. Except for my own characters, I am merely borrowing them for a few pages. Please don't sue, I'm a good kid.
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"What's wrong Aoshi? Aoshi?" asked Soledad worriedly as she tugged on Aoshi's sleeve. Still lost in space, Aoshi merely looked off in the distance, staring hard at... well, absolutely nothing!
With a jerk, he turned to face Soledad. "Gomen," he said tersely and stood up from the tiny cafe table. He tightened his hands on his trench coat, feeling the need to hold onto something. There was a tingling cold that prickled the back of his neck and oddly enough, he felt out of breath.
Soledad suddenly reached for his hand, her clear brown eyes looking worriedly into his blank gaze. The moment her hand touched his, a small spark of warmth ignited, making Soledad gaze at their linked hands in surprise.
The huge signet ring that she always wore on her right thumb glowed and felt warm. The sapphire in the middle suddenly glowed, as if answering or directing a signal.
"Nani?" asked Aoshi in a wondering voice before he slowly pulled his hand away from Soledad's hand, the cold tingling at the back of his neck gone.
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A tall, well-built man was walking along the coastline when a sudden numbness in his arm immobilized him. "What the--?" he asked aloud as he massaged his tingling arm. It was as if a dozen cold sharp needles pierced his skin.
A blue light caught the corner of his eye. He turned back to the shore and stared harder at the odd shape that he didn't notice when he walked earlier. His heart suddenly pounded and with a muffled curse, he sprinted to the shore, the pain in his arm all but gone.
As he came closer, the figure became more distinct in the early morning light. It was a female! A child most probably, from the slightness of her height and breadth. He dropped to his knees beside her ravaged form and carefully turned her over.
What he saw reminded him painfully of a girl from his past. She was wearing a tattered blue kimono, her obi barely hanging around her waist. He shifted to carry her over his arms when he noticed she held onto two flat objects very tightly.
" A sword... no wait, two swords!" he muttered as he tried to pry the weapons out of her hold. It was gripped so tightly that when he tried to take it away that the girl he rescued inadvertently woke up.
"Doko wa desu?" she asked weakly before coughing out a mouthful of sea water. Gasping and shaking, the man who held her waited patiently until she had gotten all the water out of her system. He was rubbing her back in a reassuring manner, massaging it until all the salt water was expelled. She took a deep shuddering breath of relief.
"I assume you're Japanese miss. You're in England right now. In Cornwall actually, in the Northern coast. You're lucky to be alive," he said simply as he turned her to sit up more properly.
Through blurry eyes, Misao saw a handsome visage. She got a faint impression of dark brown hair and golden brown eyes. His hair fell across his forehead in a way similar to Aoshi's. She felt a sharp lancing pain go through her chest, it was almost as if it was Aoshi who saved her. For a moment his ki was almost like Aoshi's.
"All right Miss, I'll carry back you back to my place. You don't have to worry, I'm a rather harmless sort," he said dryly as he easily swung her into his arms.
Misao closed her eyes, fighting back nausea and a splitting headache. Her whole body felt sensitive and sore. 'Must be the lightning,' she thought wryly before she let her thoughts scatter like the wind.
"What's your name by the way Miss?" he asked before he stepped out of the shoreline and went straight towards the gate of a large opulent villa.
She took one long at all the opulence, felt dizzy and said in English before she fainted, "My name is Misao Makimachi, the okashira of Oniwabanshuu."
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The ragged ship, SS Meiji came into port at England much to the relief of all it's passengers. Sano stood grimly above the deck while Kenshin was holding Kaoru who had silent tears streaming down her face.
Yahiko wiped his fist against his eyes roughly. "I can't believe we lost Misao," he said haltingly as he gazed at the huge foreign port. Megumi laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she blinked away her own tears. " It's painful to lose people we care about Yahiko... but sometimes, it really happens..." whispered Megumi as she squeezed his shoulder.
With a fierce expression, Sano interjected, "Iie! Weasel girl can't be gone! She's too darn genki to be fish-bait! She'll be around..." he said.
Kaoru looked up to agree with Sano fervently. "Hai! Misao's a fighter! She'll never give up! Let's just go luck for her all right minna?" asked Kaoru an old glimmer lighting up her cerulean eyes. Pumping her fist and energizing both Yahiko and Sano, she exclaimed, "Minna-san, let's go find our missing friend!"
"Aa!" agreed the rest of the Kenshin-gumi. As she turned to follow Sano and Yahiko who were strutting down the plank, she felt Kenshin suddenly grab hold of her hand. A blush rose in her cheeks as she felt the strength and gentle security Kenshin's sword-callused hands made her feel. "Doushite no Kenshin?" she asked watching his troubled violet eyes.
"Kaoru-dono when we first found Misao, the reason she never gave up was because she had a reason to go on living de gozaru yo..." began Kenshin as he tightened his grip around Kaoru's hand. "But now... now that Aoshi-dono has left her for good, what reason does she have to go on living?" asked Kenshin his keen eyes troubled.
"Masaka! I forgot--" whispered Kaoru as she covered her mouth with her hands. Nonetheless, she straightened her spine as she looked out the bustling city. "Demo... Misao still is alive. Because she has yet to succeed making Shinomori-san admit that he loves her. She'll never die without doing that one last thing," said Kaoru resolutely as she tightened her own hand over Kenshin's.
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Misao slowly opened her eyes. Her head was clearer although the softness of the bed she lay on very uncomfortable. Gingerly, she sat up, her braid sliding forward and she surveyed her surroundings.
"Good morning!" chirped a voice to her right startling her so badly she got the spiral eyes.
"Kyahhhh!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry my lady. My lord Gavin has sent me to be your maid," said the maid distressed at having startled Misao. Misao squinted at the tiny yet matronly woman who wore mostly black clothes with a white apron. The woman curtsied and fetched a tray near Misao's bedside table. "Here you go my lady, breakfast in bed," she said cheerfully.
Misao scratched her head as she looked at the lavish breakfast spread before her. There was no miso soup and rice, the food served was similar to the food served in the consulate brunch meeting. The accent was definitely English, decided Misao as she remembered the proper course of eating the foreign meal.
She spread her napkin on her lap, took the knife and fork with delicate precision and began cutting in with gusto. Her first bite made her close her eyes in bliss. The scrambled eggs were absolutely delicious! It was seasoned with spices and had a salty taste that stimulated her asian taste buds.
"Good morning," greeted a deep male voice as she opened her eyes in surprise. She turned a little to her right and found a tall, broad-shouldered man, English no doubt-- judging from the appearance of his clothes. But unlike most Englishmen, the shape of his eyes is dark and exotic and his skin swarthy.
She nodded in acknowledgement of his presence, every bit as arrogant as he appeared to be. Even though she was foreign and a female at that, she holds a very powerful post, the okashira of a ninja clan. "Those swords are yours I believe," he said nodding towards the direction of the sword. The maid gasped in surpise as Misao's eyes met his eyes again.
"Arigato-- I mean, thank you very much," said Misao as she reached for the twin blades at the table by her bedside. With a sigh of relief, she drew one of her kodachis and the familiar weight and sharpness of her weapon brought tears of relief to her eyes. She no longer felt vulnerable and weak-- two states she has learned to despise.
The man watched her silently, taking note of her ease and apparent comfort in the weapon. She handled the sword like it was a part of her arm. His eyes flickered in surprise as he watched Misao swing the blade in a rapid motion and quickly sheath it in the same second. He was surprised when Misao spoke to him again.
"Ano-- you might have found a pouch in my obi sir," she said as she looked up, a confidence that radiated from her eyes illuminating her pale, wan face. He said nothing more as he tossed the heavy pouch into her hand which she deftly caught.
"Thank you--"she said before she quirked her eyebrow inquiringly at him. He smiled a little before he answered, "My name is Gavin Carrington-- the earl of Gavinstock. I am pleased to meet you my lady Misao Makimachi of the Oniwabanshuu."
"Gavin," repeated Misao testing the strange foreign name. She gave him a slight smile that bespoke much weariness and a hint of lost hope. Her blue eyes lighted ever so briefly as she added, "My lord..."
Gavin blinked as Misao's face resembled someone's much longed for face. Her dainty face was a perfect picture of classical beauty, pure and angelic. Yet Misao's face had a battle-honed edge. As if she has won a hundred battles against demons and human enemies. Her hands had well-formed calluses, indicating her use of swords and weapons at an early age.
He shook himself out of his reverie. Being an okashira-- which literally translates to clan leader in Scotland, Misao is bound to be much tested in battle. His encounter with Japanese always bespoke of extraordinary skills in swords and martial arts. She must be very strong indeed to have become her clan's okashira.
"Well, Misao, I'll be off then. Try to get better soon and I'll try to help you when you're well enough to be on your feet and continue your journey," he said before he stepped back. Misao nodded gratefully. "I appreciate that," she said, her English clear enough, with only a slight hint of accent.
"Good day, my lady," he said before walking out.
"Ja..." whispered Misao as she gazed silently at her weapons.
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