Shouldn't we do something?" Sanosuke watched unmoving as Ukyo ans Yahiko sized eachother up. His gaze moved to see Karou unconscience from the blow given. "Kenshin, we need to--"
"Let them be. This is there fight as Kamiyashin acessors." Though he managed to calm his friend, he himself felt the urge to stop Kusanagi and save Karou. As he stared hard at the black-haired woman, images of his peacful dream came to mind - the rising sun, the blue-glass lake, the sweet voice and warm hug. He was lost in the past as he saw those scenes and the painful remnents of bloody snow.
"Ken-chan..."
The red-head shot up with a gasp. He could've sworn it was right beside him. Looking up at Sano, he saw he hadn't noticed the sudden movements. Feeling a great weight fill his mind, he couldn't take the distractions any longer and calmly turned away, know that now Sanosuke's worried eyes were turned to him; yet he said nothing.
"What the hell is bothering him so damn much...?!" The young fighter clenched fists and gave Ukyo a cold glare and curse. "This started when you came here!"
The words shot through the woman's heart. Startled by the accusation, she let down her gaurd and looked at her accuser with apologetic eyes; a gesture that left both guys in confusion. Letting out a soft, worried moan, she ignored her new opponent and tried running out; having her arm grabbed by Sanosuke and pulled back with a painfull jerk. He stared her straight into her deep, abyssmal eyes and growled a curse as she stared back in innocents. Finally turning away with disgust, his grip losened, allowing her to run free. His eyes closed. Gathering his thoughts, Sano punched the floor and ran to the fallen girl; a red blotch staining her white juban.
"Ken-chan!"
The red-headed wanderer ignoredthe call as he stood inderneath a bare maple, still trying to clear his mind of the uneast thoughts. Now he could remember segments from the dream, yet he still couldn't remember if it was as all true. Where was it? He clinched his fist and gave a slight growl, letting his anger go after he sensed another.
"Ken-chan..."
Again he ignored, thinking it only as a voice in is mind.
"She deserved what she got."
His heart jumped in shock at the words. Slightly, he tiltled his head, feeling soft hands holding his cold cheeks to keep him forward. The warm hold comforted his mind and calmed his thoughts, the world around him fading away as his problems were forgotten in one touch. Caressing him gently, the hands traced his crossed mark, slid slowly around his neeck, and held him against the tree.
"You did not reongnize me. I'm hurt..." Both were silent to take in the moment. "You... don't care for me anymore?"
Kenshin's soft eyes widened withy surprise. Turning around dispite the hold, Ukyo's deep-brown eyes met with the purple from behind the trunk with a warm smile.
"I told you I'd be back for you."
The red-head, still quiet, gave the stranger before him a areful scan from head to toe. "I... had no idea it was you," he whispered.
Ukyo jumped out from behind and gave a modeling twirle, removing his right arm from inside the sleeve and letting the top to fall partially, revealing the delicate, white skin of his flat chest. "I look so feminine now, right? That's why you didn't know?"
Kenshin nodded blankly.
Giving him a warm smile, the young man step closer and rested on the tree. "Don't worry about anything now. I'm still the same guy you knew from before, and now I'll be able to take care of you as you did me." With a weaker smile, Kusanagi slid his arms around the ronin's neck and hugged him as gently as the warm shade had before. "I'm not going to let anyone cause you anymore suffering..." He rubbed his cheek against the cross.
"What suffering..." the other asked in a confused whisper.
The black-haired friend rubbed his cheeck against the scar once more. "The ones who have betrayed you and punish you for for her own selfish ways! I'll punish them for it..."
Kenshin held his breath as his friend spoke, his heart pounding with every word.
"If that boy hadn't stopped me, I could've finished her off and then no one would harm you again."
"You-you're talking about Miss Karou?" he whispered hoarsly.
With a slight giggle, the ebony-haired youth sighed. "Unlike them," Ukyo continued, tightening his hug, "I would never betray or lie to you..." He closed his eyes. "I sear, I'll never let you be alone again; never let you suffer..."
Realizing his words, yet fighting against them, Kenshin rested his forehead on the other's shoulder. Feeling his troubles lift off his mind, the red-headed wanderer savoured the warm, tender hug that he hadn't felt in more than a decade; his only thoughts on the young man that was holding him as in the dream.
"It's not at all like that, Ukyo," he finally spoke, remembering the hatefilled words. "There's a reason for everything that's happened." Pulling back, he caught Ukyo's confused eyes. "It doesn't bother me the way Miss Kaoru acts, and I do need to earn my keep since I'm staying with--"
"Then you'd rather swallow you're pride and go back to her!"
"She's not a bad person," he paused, "and neather was Tomoe."
Ukyo growled with confusion and anger, not sure what his friend was talking about. "You're throwing everything away..." he whispered sullenly, "for them..." Bitting his lip, he back-handed the weak maple, filling the sky with a black cloud of cackles and ebony feathers. A tense silence lingured for what seemed like hours as Kenshin tried to figure out the enigma of his friend's mind. Finally breaking the silence, the throaty cries of a lone raven rang out from the creeping hands of the large tree; Ukyo's narrowed eyes and tense face softened as the harsh repeatition continued.
"Ken-chan," he smiled calmly with sympathy, "you can see me anytime. I'll still be here with you..."
Taking in his words, the sweet smell of white plumes flooded the other's senses.
"I would've killed her if it were to make you happier. All of them would be gone."
"I'm happy you didn't." Smiling, Kenshin placed his hand on Ukyo's head, as if he were a child. "Will you stay for a while longer; to get to know Kaoru?"
Not saying a word, he lifted his hand and gave him a simplesmile. "Not until she's dead." Moving closer to the stunned red-heads face, he gave his scar soft kiss then pushed himself away. "Once more ken-chan." Giving a quick wave, he walked past him with a childish giggle.
"Wait!" Kenshin turned to him with a jerk, but he was already gone, leaving the him standing alone, overwhelmed; the echoing cries of the ebony birds fading into the moring sun behind him
