Chapter 3: Flight and Rescue
by Lola
A.N. This is dedicated to Akai Ku. ^^ Thanks for pushing me to write. And as always, this story is for Kouji. ~.^
Skidding down the mountain. Dirt shifting beneath his boots, he ran. A rose tinted sash fluttering from his belt. She was close. He could sense it.
There!
Between the trees. Six figures and a horse and...
Kouji's eyes widened as Himeko crumpled on the ground. Bastards! Hardly registering his actions, his fist flew forward, felling the first man he encountered. His knuckles were chaffed from the impact with the straps from the man's helmet yet still he fought.
A quick spin and his sword was drawn. Flashing silver then a wet red. Possessed of a fury he couldn't place. How could he win? Outnumbered as he was....
He glanced back at Himeko, still lying motionless in the dirt.
"Just grab her and let's go!"
Kouji moved to intercept the guards that ran to Himeko's side but was met with the darting blades of another.
"Damn!"
Helplessly, he watched as two men lifted her and carried her to their horses. Her comb left forgotten in the grass and mud. Nearly being crushed beneath a man's booted heel as he parried Kouji's attacks.
A slash across the belly. His opponent lay lifeless at his feet.
Two more took his place.
If he didn't hurry Himeko would be....
Something whistled past his head. One two three. He heard a garbled curse and spun to see another guard fall dead. Three daggers embedded in his body, spilling blood and ending life.
Rasconza.
Bless the woman's timing.
His current opponents tried to flee but were soon engulfed in a bright blaze. Kouji's heart pounded as he heard his friend chant the words of their former leader and mentor.
"LEKKA SHIN'EN!!"
Not waiting to see if the men were still standing, he turned on his heel and ran towards Himeko. One guard placed her on a horse and just as Kouji neared, smacked the horse's flank and set it running. Himeko's unconscious form bouncing limply on its back.
"Shit!"
"Kouji! Get the girl! Genrou an me ken handle these thugs!"
Sure enough, before she'd even finished speaking, she had a dagger pressed to one of the guard's throats.
Sheathing his sword and nodding his thanks to his friends, Kouji set off. Grabbing the reins of Himeko's horse, he swung into the saddle. Heels digging into her horse's side, body leaning forward, his hair tossed back by the wind. In the distance he could see her. Lurching to the side, nearly sliding off the saddle.
Spurring his horse to go faster he raced to catch up. If she fell....
She was only a foot away. He reached out one hand. The other wrapped around the reins tightly to anchor himself as he leaned to the side. His teeth cut into his lip as the leather straps ripped through the skin of his right hand. His left hand closed around the silken fabric of her robes. A sharp intake of breath.
He hauled her body onto his horse. Letting the other animal continue to careen. Noting that his own horse's breathing was laboured, he stopped. Slowly. He slid from the saddle, taking Himeko with him. His sore hand enjoying the cool feel of silk as it slid past his palm.
He had a few minutes before the others would catch up....
Kneeling in the fallen leaves and moss, he held her in his arms. Supporting her neck in the crook of his arm. Her hair spilling unbound across his sleeve and onto the earth. Unable to resist, his thumb brushed across her pale cheek, his soft touch lingering over slightly parted lips.
"Kirei...".
He leaned down to check her breathing. Even. Her breath warm against his face as he hovered over her. His eyes closed.
His fingers slid down the smooth skin of her neck. His lips wanting to follow.
He sat up and shook his head.
"What am I thinking?" he muttered.
He tilted his head back. The morning breeze ruffling his hair as he watched the sunlight spray through the shifting leaves of the canopy overhead. He blinked and looked down as a moan escaped Himeko's lips.
Dark lashes fluttered. Jade eyes darting, trying to focus.
Kouji helped her to sit up as she reached a hand up to rub her head. The silk of her sleeve sliding down her elbow. Kouji's eyes paralysed by the movement, his breath becoming short.
"Kouji!!"
Both jumped, startled.
The crunching of fallen leaves and twigs was heard as Genrou and Rasconza rushed to join them.
"Is she dead?"
Rasconza smacked the flame haired seishi with a smirk on her lips.
Kouji found his cheeks flushing in embarrassment and quickly withdrew his hand from the back of Himeko's head and slid her off his lap.
"She's alright."
Himeko sat on the ground staring up at the three bandits in confusion.
"Ya did a good job then Kouji;" Rasconza smiled as she knelt beside a bewildered Himeko.
"Can ya walk?"
Himeko rose, her body wavering slightly. Kouji's eyes narrowed as she tried to mask the fact that she was favouring one leg.
"Ya twisted yer ankle." he stated sternly. Shocked by the anger hinting to break through his words.
Her eyes remained cold and distant, "Then I shall ride home on my horse".
"Yer welcome," Genrou muttered dryly.
She sighed as she hobbled towards her steed. "I thank you for your assistance, now if you'll excuse me...".
"What's yer rush? Yer injured!"
Genrou rolled his eyes, "Bah stubborn onna, leave her be Rassy". That said, Genrou spun, his trench coat twirling behind him as he walked away.
The female bandit looked from Himeko's uncertain steps to Genrou's retreating form and then back to Kouji. Fishing something out of her pocket she tossed it to her lover's best friend.
Gold and jade glittered. Himeko's eyes followed the sparkling object as it caught the light and was snatched in midair by Kouji's fist.
"See ya later Kouji?" she asked over her shoulder as she pursued the leader of the bandits.
He nodded absently. His eyes on Himeko. Her eyes were narrowed to slits, focusing on the precious object in his hand.
He stood one hand on his hip, ten paces from those burning eyes. His fingers uncurled slowly, revealing the comb. His hand extended in an offertory gesture.
A thin black brow flicked upwards.
"Ya want it don't ya?" He waited for her to voice her assent then let a slow smile cross his lips, "Then come n'get it."
It was too easy. And yet far too cruel. He wasn't terribly far and yet with her twisted ankle, which was likely to break if she put any more pressure on it, it might as well have been across the world.
Raising her chin smugly, she moved forward then cursed at the pain that shot through her ankle and crumpled back against her horse.
"Do you delight in torturing me? First you lie; saying you sold it only to have it. Then you save me only to torment me!"
Kouji sighed and took another step forward. "I wasn't intending on deceivin' ya...it just happened that way". His eyes met hers and he held up the comb for her to see, "You also have some questions to answer Little Princess".
She groaned, "Don't call me that!"
"Annoying?"
"Like hell!" she spat, "Now enough of your prattle give me my-"
"Comb? Yes yes, hold yer horse. I'll make a deal with ya. An exchange...".
She eyed him warily, "What? Now you want my necklace? My earrings? What?"
"An explanation. And...yer company," he voiced the last part quietly.
She blinked. Long bangs falling into her eyes. She swiped at them then cocked her head to the side. Had she heard right?
"My...company?"
Kouji's cheeks flushed briefly, "Just until you get to where ya hafta go. Then I'm gone. But...that should give ya time to explain all this an at least that way I can protect ya from bein' attacked."
"I do not need your protection!" she retorted hotly.
Kouji shrugged and pocketed the comb, "Yer choice. See ya then Little Princess!"
She watched as he started to walk away. Indecision. She bit her lip. Bowing her head for a moment she whispered, "Wait."
She could hear his footsteps approaching and next thing she knew, his boots were in front of her.
"Was that so hard?"
She kept her head lowered. She held out her hand expectantly. "Just give me my comb...please".
"First, look me in the eye".
Her head shot up, "Why?"
Her hair was dishevelled from a night's ride and her escapade with the guards, hanging in rumpled waves about her shoulders. Her bangs curtaining the jade of her eyes.
Kouji smiled. Watching in amusement as her eyes grew large as he took out the comb and scooping away the bangs from her face, tucked it into her hair. His fingers lingering behind her ear. Sliding through silken strands of ebony to cup the back of her neck. Her mouth parted in a silent gasp. His face was closer now; she could feel his breath against her forehead. Her eyes closed. And involuntary shiver running down her spine as the cold metal from the bracer clasped around his wrist touched the hot skin at the base of her neck.
Kouji swallowed hard.
His other hand had snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. He rested his forehead against hers. The fabric of his braided head band rough against her skin.
Her eyes opened again, misty and confused.
"Don't...please".
His fingers slid away, deliberately slow, savouring. He held his hands up as way of an apology.
She shook her head, comforted by the familiar weight of the comb nestled in her hair. Smiling slightly, she reached up to touch it as she had done countless times. Kouji watched her movements. Her reaction when he had put the comb in her hair was priceless. The look in her eyes. Surprise at such a familiar gesture and yet accepting it as she once had many years ago. Alas her gaze still held no recognition as she stared at him. But he still had time. And he intended on refreshing her memory.
She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"We should get going then...Kouji".
He smiled. Liking the sound of his name voiced by Himeko.
Flashing a grin that would make any barmaid blush and a wink to boot, he helped her mount then swung up behind her.
Shaking her head, she flipped a stray lock of hair over her shoulder, intentionally letting it hit Kouji in the face. He sputtered and swore. Suppressing a childish giggle, Himeko spurred her horse forward. The sudden movement nearly sent Kouji tumbling but he quickly seized the woman's waist, his chest pressed against her back. Eyes closed tightly so as to avoid being whipped by her wild hair.
"What am I doing?" he muttered.
Himeko's answering laughter echoed throughout the mountain.
*********
Amber eyes peered down the mountain, scanning the sprawling valleys below. A fanged grin spreading across his lips as he spotted two figures riding through the narrow pass below.
His grin grew wider as arms circled his waist from behind and a body was pressed against his back in a hug.
"He went with 'er right?"
Turning into the woman's embrace, he hooked his arms loosely around her neck.
" 'Course, he loves the girl".
Rasconza laughed, a rich sound, and Genrou's grin instantly became that of a love struck idiot.
"Yer sure Hibana-chan?" she asked eyeing the man in amusement as he struggled to catch her lips with his own.
He nodded, "Yeah, though he'll never admit it".
She punched him playfully, "Yer not one to talk!"
He chuckled softly. Tilting his head to the side he examined his love for a moment.
"What?" she blinked.
His fingers tangled in the beaded necklace she wore around her neck, toying with the red gems and the golden medallion, which dangled at its centre.
"Jes thinkin' how much better this looks on ya".
That said, he tugged on the necklace and kissed her soundly. She grinned into his lips, "Yer gettin' soft Genrou...".
********
Opium scented smoke curled from thin lips, clinging to the wisps of a flimsy moustache. A pale bejewelled hand clutched a gold goblet inlaid with tiny blood red stones. Beady eyes, black, narrowed and blinked at the smoke lingering around his face.
"Where is Himeko?"
Two men shifted uncomfortably under their lord's scrutiny.
Another puff of smoke. Adding to the haze of the room.
"We...we failed...to recover our noble lord's intended, Lady Himeko".
Brittle fingers set the opium pipe down slowly on a servant's ever-present tray. Shuffling forward, layers of expensive silk rustling at his feet, a poorly plucked eyebrow arched.
"Is that so?"
Swallowing the lump in his throat the guard continued to prattle. Relaying the events in detail to his lord. From their belief that she had been abducted by the bandits of Mt. Leikaku to her escape, and finally to how the guards sent to find her had been found dead. Not even a single trace of Himeko remaining.
"We can only presume that she is being held by the bandits. Perhaps they intend on ransoming her? Knowing her to be a lady of importance and of her link to your nobleness' family as your bride to be...they no doubt seek your wealth".
Adjusting one of his many rings, the lord sighed as though bored, "Perhaps. Has her family been noted of her absence?"
The two men stared blankly.
"Are you saying you haven't searched her home yet you fools!?"
Falling to their knees and kowtowing like any good servant, they offered profuse apologies regarding their incompetence. Stifling a yawn, the noble aristocrat stepped over them, eyes still clouded from the drug in his system. Gesturing impatiently for his attendant, he sat at his writing table. Spreading his crimson and purple robes about him, the effect somewhat like a blossoming peony around his stool.
"Send a note to her family informing them of the..." a pause as he toyed with the tip of his moustache, "postponement of our nuptials. Let them know of our deep fear for the lady's safety regarding her disappearance at Mt. Leikaku. Assure them that we shall find her by any means necessary. Our union shall not be stalled for long."
His servant nodded and bowing as he exited went to convey the message.
Alone once more, the lord drew out a mirror from the pouch hanging from his sash. Holding it at arms length he stoked his facial hair thoughtfully, frowning at the slight wrinkles forming at he corner of his slanted eyes despite the layered cream and powder applied. Letting a tiny smile stretch his already thin lips he slipped the mirror back into the folds of his robe.
"Your powers shall be mine Himeko...no matter how hard you try to run".
********
To be continued....
Wahahahahahahahahhaaha!!! Ahem. Thanks to those who reviewed. You guys are the best!! ^^ Big thanks to Red ^^, Megami-sama, Lily-chan, and Black Dragoon 4433 for the encouragement.
Hope you liked. ^^;
