Chapter 2: Himeko

A.N. Rasconza is owned by *pauses and watches as Tasuki grabs Rasconza possesively* ^^; Tasuki....*winks* well for all romantic purposes anyway but by Akai Ku creatively speaking, Himeko is owned by me, and the other characters are owned by Watase -san. ^^ Thanks to Red for letting me borrow Rassy and for helping me with the fic. Domo arigatou.

He barely had time to react. Something soft hit his face. His hands reached up automatically to snatch it away. Silk slid through his fingers like water. The girl was no longer in front of him. Before the could wheel around, he felt legs wrap around his back as the fiesty young woman flung herself at him from behind. Dagger once more in hand, he got a good view of the diamond lined edge as it came sailing for his throat.

"Shit!"

One hand gripped the girl's wrist tightly, no longer in the mood to be gentle. If this girl wanted to play rough then Kouji was more than ready to fight back. Bending in half quickly he sent the girl flying over his shoulders.

She bashed into his night table but recovered quickly, dagger at the ready, eyes glinting off that slender silver blade. Her long bangs now fell into her eyes. Shadowing those wildly intense pools of jade.

Kouji crouched defensively, waiting. Every muscle taunt and ready to spring. Slowly he backed away, arms raised in a sign of peace.

"Look, I see that ye're upset but really it's just a comb so-".

She glared at him incredulously, "Just a comb?! Just a comb?! Do you know what that meant to me?"

"No...I...,"he paused and though he knew he shouldn't, every brain cell told him not too, he laughed. Loud and hard.

Swiping away at her long bangs in irritation she growled, "What's so blasted funny?"

"Yer hair for one".

Indeed it was comical to see her constantly trying to push the long strands out of her face.

"How can ya attack me if ya can't even see?"

Shock flashed in the girl's eyes. Then she blinked. Was that recognition? Kouji swallowed. Just a few more tests to be sure. But how could it be? The girl he met was nothing more than a street waif. This was a beautiful young woman abound in jewels and wearing all the finery of a court noble. Something didn't fit here.

"Just shut up and give me my comb!"

Kouji rolled his eyes, another bad move as the girl's grip tightened on her dagger and she lunged.

"I told ya I sold it!!"

Three slashes later. Kouji's hair was trimmed, his chin was nicked and his shirt was shredded a little too close to his heart.

"Oi, ya really are tryin' to kill me!"

A thin black brow arched, "So good of you to notice. Now can we get on with this?"

Kouji sighed as he sidestepped another slash. "This hardly seems fair. Do you always fight unarmed men and attack them during their sleep?"

She stopped, considering. "No...and I did wake you up first remember?"

He nodded. "True".

She stood back, neutral for a moment. "Well...arm yourself then, I'm not about to kill an unarmed man. You're right, it wouldn't be fair."

He smiled a little, "Cocky little thing aren't ya?".

Green eyes tore into his back as he walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed his sword. Slowly, reverently, he drew the long blade from its scabbard.

"So what if I win?" he queried, holding the blade up at the ready, the light from the rising sun glinting off it.

Her eyes darted about nervously, "Then you'd have to kill me because I swore I'd kill you". Her chin rose defiantly.

Kouji let a slow smile spread across his lips, "Let's go!"

A moment's hesitation before she lunged forward, quick. Fear shone in her eyes and yet still she fought. For a comb? Or for her pride? Kouji waited till the last possible second then raised his sword to parry. Angling their blades up above the girl's head just so, to catch the light as it flashed through the window.

The resulting blinding glare off the blades made the girl wince and close her eyes.

A deft flick of Kouji's wrist send the dagger flying, spinning end over end to embed itself in the wall. His sword fell to the floor with a clatter as he reached out quickly to snatch the girl into his arms.

Her fists pounded his chest in frustration.

"Hanase yo!!"

"Not if ya plan on killing me".

Her fists dropped to her sides, her head bowed.

Kouji released her, fingers sliding away from her waist, the softness of her trailing sleeves eluding his fingertips as stepped back.

"Just forget about the comb. Ya seem wealthy, ya can get another one. Listen I don't know how ya got in here...but ya should go home."

She remained silent, her long hair fell in her eyes. Her lips barely seen through the strands of liquid night.

Kouji retrieved his sword and sheathed it. "Listen Little Princess, just run home to yer daddy and ask him to have the best craftsman make ya another comb with even more jewels this time and-"

The resounding slap sent Kouji reeling. He could feel the woman's hand print burned into his cheek and jaw. The dull ache across his cheekbone.

She stood, hand still raised, tears rolling down her ghostly pale cheeks. "Urusai! He died...a long time ago...".

Kouji could do nothing but watch, horrified as tears sparkled in the girl's green eyes. They just never seemed to stop, one after another. Down pale cheeks, curling around her chin. Her eyes closed. Lashes heavy with tears. Her knees buckled and she knelt on the floor. Her arms hugging herself in desperation, henna tipped nails digging into the soft fabric of her sleeves as they swept the floor.

No longer the arrogant lady.

A lost child oncemore.

********

Genrou ran down the stone corridors of the bandit's fortress. Copper hair in disarray from a head recently in intimate acquaintance with his pillow. He awoke to the alarming sound of banging and what sounded like a brawl. His eyes scanned the halls. From where?

A sharp turn to the right.

Kouji's door lay open. Silence reigned heavy like fog.

Heart racing. Hoping.

"Am I too late?"

Right behind the leader of the Mt. Leikaku bandits, more thundering footsteps. He held his hand back.

A warning.

"What is it?" a female voice hissed.

"I don't know Rassy, just...be careful".

Approaching with cautious steps, Genrou, Rasconza and three other bandits inched towards the open door.

His tessen held at the ready, amber eyes wide and alert, he whirled into the chamber. Rasconza close on his heels, a dagger gleaming in each hand.

Slowly. Arms feeling like lead. Genrou lowered his tessen.

"Shit...".

The five bandits stared, each held immobile by the scene before them.

On the floor, a weeping maiden. Curled into a ball. Her sash, in a heap on the floor. The cold silk lying limp across the floor. Blankets torn from the bed as if by some tempest. Beside the door frame, a dagger embedded to the hilt. The night table, overturned. The oil lamp, shattered. Its contents spilling onto the stone, painting it another shade of grey.

Facing the crumpled woman. Kouji. Shirt torn, blood drying on his chin. His sword dormant by his feet. His posture, that of a lost boy.

Genrou was the first to brake the silence which clung to everyone like the plague.

"What the fuck did ya do to er?!"

And so the spell was broken.

Kouji blinked. Then glared at his leader, "Nothing! She attacked me!"

From behind Genrou a soft chuckle was heard. A petite woman eyed the dagger with admiration, "Nice throw...but ya shouldn't do that to yer blade. Dulls the edge".

Genrou eyed the balled form of layered silk and raven hair then waved his arms about triumphantly.

"Yer that comb girl ain't cha!!"

Jade eyes glared through streams of melted onyx.

"My name is Himeko".

Genrou rolled his eyes, "Himeko. Comb girl. Whatever!"

Behind the fiery haired seishi, Rasconza was busily wrenching the dagger free from the wall. Kouji watched as Himeko rose slowly, her silken layers whispering as she moved across the floor. Grabbing her sash and pointedly ignoring the many eyes on her, she tied it back around her waist loosely, the knot hanging low on her right hip.

Ignoring both Genrou's and Kouji's flurry of questions she went straight to the female bandit holding her dagger. Rasconza's hazel eyes tore into the blade with hardly concealed awe.

Running a slender finger over it's edge she exclaimed, "It's diamond! And the hilt what is this jade? And onyx?"

Himeko nodded, "You have a passion for daggers?"

"Or for anythin' pointy that inflicts pain..." Genrou muttered.

Neither woman paid him any heed.

"The blade itself is adamantite. Strong and quite durable".

Rasconza turned the blade over in her hands a few more times, with as much fascination as Kouji had displayed with the comb.

"Beautiful," she whispered.

"Shit, first Kouji steals her comb, now yer eyein' her dagger, what's next? I'm gonna steal her necklace?"

A sigh escaped Rasconza's lips as she handed the blade back, hilt first. "So what brings ya to Mt.Leikaku?" Her hand strayed to her mouth, shielding a yawn, "And so early in th'mornin' too?"

"Aside from wantin' Kouji's company?" Genrou added with a wolfish grin.

Kouji's mouth opened to protest as his cheeks involuntarily reddened. His words died on his lips as Himeko twirled her dagger and aimed a glare at him.

"My comb."

Rasconza, Genrou and the other bandits blinked simultaneously before demanding, "Your comb?"

Brushing back some stray hairs with a sigh of exasperation, Himeko nodded, "Yes, my comb." Her dagger pointed towards Kouji as she addressed Genrou, "Your friend here took something very precious to me. It can never be replaced..." her voice lowered and the haunted look in her eyes bespoke of a unfathomable pain.

Amber eyes widened as they met Kouji's dark green, "Kouji you-?"

Both Rasconza and Kouji voiced their protest, "Her comb!!"

"Yes...and this,"Himeko prodded Kouji's shoulder with a painted nail, "This idiot man sold it!"

Genrou raised a slender brow at this but remained silent.

"Why are ya so hot to get this comb o'yers back anyway?" Rasconza queried.

"Probably was a gift from some pompous suitor or-" Kouji closed his mouth as those smouldering eyes shot daggers in his direction.

"I think ya should shut up now Kouji," Genrou laughed, watching as his friend shifted uncomfortably under the woman's glare.

Rasconza watched the two for a second or so more then shrugged, "Well ya seem safe enough now Kouji. Nice ta meet 'cha Himeko." Grabbing Genrou's elbow, she steered him out of the room, "Let's go Hibana-chan, Kouji ken handle this."

Kouji watched in seeming horror as his friends and fellow bandits filed out of the room. "Yer leavin' me alone with her?!"

Himeko moved to follow them, "Don't worry, I'm not staying. I've wasted enough time here."

"So yer just forgettin' about the comb?"

The woman turned around slowly, inky strands hissing against her satin clad back as she levelled her dagger at Kouji. "No. You, are going to bring me to where you sold it. Understand?"

"But-"

Himeko swiped at her bangs in irritation, "You don't seem to get it. I want what's mine. And I'm not leaving till you give it back to me."

Kouji waved his hand dismissively, "Fine fine. Have it yer way. Anything to shut ya up but what's the rush, it's still early". He started to head back towards his bed longingly, "Gimme a few hours to become a human being and I'll take ya wherever ya want".

"No!"

Tiny fingernails dug into Kouji's arms as she wheeled him around, "We have to leave NOW!"

Kouji's brow furrowed as he looked down into her wild eyes. She was nervous. The desperation in her eyes was obvious, she was running from something. Something that she was afraid of bringing to Mt. Leikaku. Gently, Kouji seized each of her wrists in his hands and pried them off this arms.

Her lips parted slightly as she watched, entranced as he moved her hands away. His own gaze fixed on the long bangs hiding her eyes.

"Princess...".

Her jaw tightened for a moment. She could feel his sigh rustle her bangs as he let go and stepped away.

"We can leave now, but ya gotta lemme gather some things first ok?"

Himeko nodded slowly, fidgeting with her sleeves as she went to look out the window. Kouji watched out of the corner of his eye as the light from the window splashed across her hair and lit her eyes, making them glow a brighter green. Her arms crossed over her chest, brow slightly arching downward.

"You're not moving," she stated coldly.

Kouji blinked. "R-right."

She heard his movements from behind her. The shifting of blankets, the sliding of wood against wood as a drawer was roughly pulled open. She glanced over her shoulder quickly then froze.

Bending to retrieve his discarded sword, his shirt hung open. Revealing a muscled expanse of tanned flesh as well as a thin silver chain. Himeko's eyes narrowed as he straightened and light flashed across what looked like a piece of jade, as the chain swung forward.

Their eyes caught.

She pointed at his chest in disbelief. "You, you lied. Why? I don't...you..." her voice trailed off as she clutched at her chest, balling the silk in her hand.

She stared blankly. Then slowly, her body seemed to crumple and she sank to her knees. Her back sliding down the stone wall.

Watching him with dead eyes. Forlorn and confused.

Kouji slid forward on his knees, "Himeko...? Are y-".

He fell back as a silver blade appeared in the girl's pale hand and she darted forward. One of her hands slapped over his eyes, blinding him. Next, he felt a jerk at his neck. His chain shattered, silver links tinkling about the stone floor like tiny bells. He tried to grab at her legs as she fled but simply ended up yanking off her sash.

His eyes widened. "Are ya nuts woman!?"

Perched on the windowsill, the comb held triumphantly in one hand, hair blowing in the breeze which wafted through the room, she was poised to jump.

"Ja ne! Bandit boy!"

Kouji scrambled forward but his fingers slid through the air in vain. He leaned out the window, watching amazed as the girl ran down the mountain, from her gait, she'd probably sprained her right ankle yet still she ran.

"What kinda woman jumps out from a third story window?" Kouji muttered before he tucked her sash into his belt and ran in pursuit. Choosing the more sane way of the departing, through the front door.

********

Limping, her breath coming in ragged gasps she finally found her way to the clearing where she'd left her horse. Leaning heavily on its flank she ran her hands over the saddle and prepared to mount.

Her horse pawed the ground anxiously, its ears flicking back, teeth bared, anxious. Himeko, still clutching the comb in one hand, turned around quickly at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Half a dozen men, her former guards surrounded her with blades gleaming.

Her breath quickened.

"Don't fight Himeko-sama and you won't get hurt."

Her eyes narrowed to slits as she kicked the man in the shin as he seized her arm. Spinning around she tried to leap onto her horse. A startled curse and then pain burned across the back of her neck. She staggered forward and fell. Unconscious. The comb slipping from her fingertips as she collapsed into the dirt.

********

To be continued....Review please ^^