The Wandering Years: America
Chapter 4: Betrayal
By J. Liha
g3ozLizh: Did you think I was going to pair Rumiko with Sanosuke? Ah well… I guess it kinda seems that way. -_- Gah, I wasn't trying to do that, I swear!
Sephy: Yes, the poor dear is not very well liked. ^_^x Anyhoo, yep I'm aiming for a sort of supernatural twist. Thanks for your kind words!
CyberSerpent: ^_^x It's ok, I don't mind.
Anyhoo people, here's the next chapter! Sorry it took so long. -_-
"All right, we're done." The Headmistress stacked some papers, smiling.
"Thank you, Madam Hampton." David inclined his head slightly and walked out. Rumiko stood upon seeing him.
"That was short…" Sanosuke muttered, standing.
"It doesn't take long to enroll someone into a school, Sano. Anyway, is it just me, or was she hitting on you?" The girl asked, amusement plain in her voice.
"Don't remind me." The butler groaned comically. They began to walk towards their carriage, when a girl flew out of nowhere and smacked into Rumiko. She rubbed her head, gritting her teeth.
"Watch where you're going you… Jane?" Rumiko asked, staring at the blonde-haired green-eyed girl.
"Rumi?" They embraced and began an animated conversation in English. "Who's that?" Jane nodded in Sano's direction.
"My cousin."
"He's easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift." They exploded into giggles. Rumiko smiled at her friend.
'She's the only girl I know who's not a little priss.' Jane was rather spirited, but didn't object to dressing like a lady. "Did you enroll yet?" Rumiko inquired.
"Yeah. Wanna come over?"
"Okay. David, can I go?"
"Please sir?"
"I suppose so…" The butler replied, sighing.
"Thank you! I'll be home for dinner!" The two scampered away.
"So, what are your plans for the afternoon?" David quirked an eyebrow.
"No idea. Hey, starting tomorrow I'm employed."
"Oh?"
"Gonna be the kid's bodyguard."
"What? When did you two arrange this?"
"Today."
"We'll see about that. How can I trust you with Rumiko? For all I know you could leave her alone to go gambling or whatever hoodlums like you do." The butler narrowed his eyes.
"Lay off, Pops, I'm not that stupid."
'Could've fooled me.' David thought, smirking. "Whatever, let's go get a drink. I need one." He rubbed his temples wearily.
"Whaddya know, the old man has a backbone!" The youth clapped him on the back.
"You have no idea." His companion replied dryly. He led Sanosuke to a well known bar and they began to drink and talk.
"Your room's lovely!" Rumiko cried, taking in the coral-colored room with matching bed sheets and curtains.
"I know, I just had it redone. But it's a bit too girly for your tastes I bet." Jane grinned.
"You're right when you're right."
"Anyway, how long has your cousin been here? You must really like him; I've never seen you so happy."
"Can you keep a secret?" Rumiko asked nervously.
"Of course."
"He's not really my cousin." She admitted, explaining how they met.
"Are you pulling my leg?" Jane asked. Her friend shook her head.
"Well then, I'd say he is quite the skilled one. He's handsome and can throw a good punch!" She remarked, hearts in her eyes.
"Give me a break. Sorry to break it to you but he's taken."
"Well you're a bold one, claiming him before he's yours."
"No, not me! There's someone he left behind."
Jane smiled wistfully. "It's just like one of those lovely romance novels!"
"You read such things?" Rumiko asked, wide-eyed.
"Oops, I wasn't going to tell anyone. Don't tell, Mother won't be very happy. Nor will Daddy." A blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Ugh." Jane's face turned serious.
"Rumi, I need to warn you about-" She stopped.
"What do need to warn me about?"
"Nevermind, excuse me for a minute." The girl fled into an empty storeroom. She gasped when a gloved hand covered her mouth.
"So, what were you planning to warn your friend about?" An oily voice asked. Jane slid out of his grasp.
"Don't you ever touch me!" She exclaimed, slapping him. He grabbed her from behind, laughing and caressing her cheek. Jane winced, it was a horrible sound.
"Remember who's keeping your dear mother hostage." The man whispered, his hot breath tickling her neck. She shuddered. "Farewell, little one." He kissed the girl's hand softly and slipped away. Jane leaned against the wall, tears flowing freely.
"Rumi, I'm so sorry." She pressed her face into her hands and began to sob quietly. Rumiko sat in her friend's room, perplexed.
'What does she mean? Am I in danger? Why did she suddenly stop?' She stood, exiting the room. A maid ran into her and began apologizing profusely but Rumiko cut her off. "It was my fault. Please inform Miss Jane that I must take my leave." The maid nodded.
"Yes Miss Rumi. I'll draw up a carriage for you."
"Thank you, Elizabeth." The maid scurried away. A few minutes later Rumiko arrived home. She walked into the living room to find a drunk David and Sanosuke.
"Eyyyy Rumiko! We jish had a couple o' drinksh, so we'z a lil drunksh." Sano grinned. David pushed him out of the way and crushed the girl in a giant bear hug.
"My lil girl ish back! How'z your friendsh?"
"David… need… air." Rumiko gasped.
"Whoopsie daisy. Sorry. He released her.
"I am ashamed of you two! Do you know how bad of an influence you are right now?"
"Stopsh yellin'." Sanosuke winced, holding his head.
"Fine. However, I want both of you to go to your rooms! Sleep the alcohol off, and if you wake up in pain I won't pity you."
"Okay. Forward!" David pointed upstairs and up they walked, going into their respective rooms.
"Morons." Rumiko rolled her eyes. She sat down in the tea room wearily. A maid approached her.
"Mistress, would you like some milk and cookies?"
"Yes, thank you." The maid returned with the tray. "Are you new?" Rumiko asked, not recognizing her.
"Yes, mistress."
"What's your name?"
"Renee."
"Have one." The girl gestured to the cookies.
"I couldn't possibly-"
"No, it's perfectly all right." Renee timidly picked one up and began nibbling on it. "Did Martha make these?" Her mistress questioned, chewing thoughtfully.
"Yes, she a very good cook."
"Definitely. So where do you come from? And how old are you?"
"I came from France, and I'm eighteen."
"You don't seem to have a trace of an accent." Rumiko remarked, sipping her milk. "Would you like some?"
"Please." The girl poured Renee a cup. "Well, I have been living here for a while."
The girls talked for the rest of the afternoon, but Renee left to finish her chores. Rumiko sighed and walked up to her room. She flopped on the bed and reached under the mattress, pulling out a small blue book. Rumiko would put her rantings, poems, and hopes in there. She grabbed a pen and began to write.
"Lone wolf, running in the night. Grieving for his loved one he left behind. Not much of a poem." The girl mused, putting the book away. She looked at the calendar on her wall. "School begins tomorrow? Wonderful...." Rumiko said dryly. She changed into a nightgown and fell asleep.
Morning came, the sun's rays waking the girl up. She rose and dressed silently, walking down the hall to check on Sanosuke. He was lying in his bead, holding his head in pain.
"I hope you know you deserve that." One eye opened slowly.
"Go 'way, kid." He groaned sitting up.
"No, I feel like tormenting you some more." Sano blinked. His hangover wasn't as bad as usual.
'Must've been cuz of the sleep I got.' He glared at her. "You remind me of the weasel girl." She smiled sweetly. Sano sighed. "If you're going to bother me, at lest get me something for my hangover." He put all the pain he had into his voice.
"What'd you think I was going to do? Besides, how good of a bodyguard would you be with a headache?" Rumiko left, calling the maids to bring tea to the men. An hour later they stumbled down. The trio ate breakfast quietly and soon Rumiko had to leave for school.
"My bodyguard is coming with me, right?" She nudged Sanosuke.
"Yeah, whatever. But how am I supposed to follow you all day?"
"Madame Hampton will allow it, I'm sure. Here's your satchel and lunchbox, Rumiko." David answered.
"What about me?" Sanosuke asked indignantly. The older man rolled his eyes.
"There's enough for both of you in there." He helped Rumiko into the carriage, Sano following.
"Bye, David!" She waved cheerfully.
The carriage stopped at the school and she climbed out. "C'mon Sano, I'm going to be late!" He followed, grumbling, and they entered the massive building.
"Hey, what's with all these paintings?"
"You didn't see them yesterday? They're pictures of the old Headmistresses."
"Looks like they tuck away the groceries." The ex-gangster winked.
"Idiot!" She whacked him on the head.
"What was that for?"
"Make sure you don't say such things before the Headmistress." Rumiko said, looking for the main hall, exasperation clear in her voice.
"Whaddya mean? It's not like she could understand me."
"…True." Finally, they reached the main hall, where the Headmistress greeted them.
"Oh Rumi, you've arrived!" She gave an obviously fake smile, but it became genuine when she saw Sanosuke. "Hello, I'm afraid I didn't catch your name last time."
'What's the old bag jabbering about?' He gave her a blank look.
"He's currently dealing with a bad case of laryngitis. His name is Sano-Samuel Small." Rumiko cut in.
"I'm terribly sorry! I do hope you get better."
'Might as well tell her now.' "Uh, Headmistress, I have something to confess. Samuel is my bodyguard, not my cousin."
"A… bodyguard?"
And so ends this chapter. YAY! Anyway, things get a little more interesting. ^_^x Please R&R, constructive criticism appreciated.
Chapter 4: Betrayal
By J. Liha
g3ozLizh: Did you think I was going to pair Rumiko with Sanosuke? Ah well… I guess it kinda seems that way. -_- Gah, I wasn't trying to do that, I swear!
Sephy: Yes, the poor dear is not very well liked. ^_^x Anyhoo, yep I'm aiming for a sort of supernatural twist. Thanks for your kind words!
CyberSerpent: ^_^x It's ok, I don't mind.
Anyhoo people, here's the next chapter! Sorry it took so long. -_-
"All right, we're done." The Headmistress stacked some papers, smiling.
"Thank you, Madam Hampton." David inclined his head slightly and walked out. Rumiko stood upon seeing him.
"That was short…" Sanosuke muttered, standing.
"It doesn't take long to enroll someone into a school, Sano. Anyway, is it just me, or was she hitting on you?" The girl asked, amusement plain in her voice.
"Don't remind me." The butler groaned comically. They began to walk towards their carriage, when a girl flew out of nowhere and smacked into Rumiko. She rubbed her head, gritting her teeth.
"Watch where you're going you… Jane?" Rumiko asked, staring at the blonde-haired green-eyed girl.
"Rumi?" They embraced and began an animated conversation in English. "Who's that?" Jane nodded in Sano's direction.
"My cousin."
"He's easy on the eyes, if you catch my drift." They exploded into giggles. Rumiko smiled at her friend.
'She's the only girl I know who's not a little priss.' Jane was rather spirited, but didn't object to dressing like a lady. "Did you enroll yet?" Rumiko inquired.
"Yeah. Wanna come over?"
"Okay. David, can I go?"
"Please sir?"
"I suppose so…" The butler replied, sighing.
"Thank you! I'll be home for dinner!" The two scampered away.
"So, what are your plans for the afternoon?" David quirked an eyebrow.
"No idea. Hey, starting tomorrow I'm employed."
"Oh?"
"Gonna be the kid's bodyguard."
"What? When did you two arrange this?"
"Today."
"We'll see about that. How can I trust you with Rumiko? For all I know you could leave her alone to go gambling or whatever hoodlums like you do." The butler narrowed his eyes.
"Lay off, Pops, I'm not that stupid."
'Could've fooled me.' David thought, smirking. "Whatever, let's go get a drink. I need one." He rubbed his temples wearily.
"Whaddya know, the old man has a backbone!" The youth clapped him on the back.
"You have no idea." His companion replied dryly. He led Sanosuke to a well known bar and they began to drink and talk.
"Your room's lovely!" Rumiko cried, taking in the coral-colored room with matching bed sheets and curtains.
"I know, I just had it redone. But it's a bit too girly for your tastes I bet." Jane grinned.
"You're right when you're right."
"Anyway, how long has your cousin been here? You must really like him; I've never seen you so happy."
"Can you keep a secret?" Rumiko asked nervously.
"Of course."
"He's not really my cousin." She admitted, explaining how they met.
"Are you pulling my leg?" Jane asked. Her friend shook her head.
"Well then, I'd say he is quite the skilled one. He's handsome and can throw a good punch!" She remarked, hearts in her eyes.
"Give me a break. Sorry to break it to you but he's taken."
"Well you're a bold one, claiming him before he's yours."
"No, not me! There's someone he left behind."
Jane smiled wistfully. "It's just like one of those lovely romance novels!"
"You read such things?" Rumiko asked, wide-eyed.
"Oops, I wasn't going to tell anyone. Don't tell, Mother won't be very happy. Nor will Daddy." A blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Ugh." Jane's face turned serious.
"Rumi, I need to warn you about-" She stopped.
"What do need to warn me about?"
"Nevermind, excuse me for a minute." The girl fled into an empty storeroom. She gasped when a gloved hand covered her mouth.
"So, what were you planning to warn your friend about?" An oily voice asked. Jane slid out of his grasp.
"Don't you ever touch me!" She exclaimed, slapping him. He grabbed her from behind, laughing and caressing her cheek. Jane winced, it was a horrible sound.
"Remember who's keeping your dear mother hostage." The man whispered, his hot breath tickling her neck. She shuddered. "Farewell, little one." He kissed the girl's hand softly and slipped away. Jane leaned against the wall, tears flowing freely.
"Rumi, I'm so sorry." She pressed her face into her hands and began to sob quietly. Rumiko sat in her friend's room, perplexed.
'What does she mean? Am I in danger? Why did she suddenly stop?' She stood, exiting the room. A maid ran into her and began apologizing profusely but Rumiko cut her off. "It was my fault. Please inform Miss Jane that I must take my leave." The maid nodded.
"Yes Miss Rumi. I'll draw up a carriage for you."
"Thank you, Elizabeth." The maid scurried away. A few minutes later Rumiko arrived home. She walked into the living room to find a drunk David and Sanosuke.
"Eyyyy Rumiko! We jish had a couple o' drinksh, so we'z a lil drunksh." Sano grinned. David pushed him out of the way and crushed the girl in a giant bear hug.
"My lil girl ish back! How'z your friendsh?"
"David… need… air." Rumiko gasped.
"Whoopsie daisy. Sorry. He released her.
"I am ashamed of you two! Do you know how bad of an influence you are right now?"
"Stopsh yellin'." Sanosuke winced, holding his head.
"Fine. However, I want both of you to go to your rooms! Sleep the alcohol off, and if you wake up in pain I won't pity you."
"Okay. Forward!" David pointed upstairs and up they walked, going into their respective rooms.
"Morons." Rumiko rolled her eyes. She sat down in the tea room wearily. A maid approached her.
"Mistress, would you like some milk and cookies?"
"Yes, thank you." The maid returned with the tray. "Are you new?" Rumiko asked, not recognizing her.
"Yes, mistress."
"What's your name?"
"Renee."
"Have one." The girl gestured to the cookies.
"I couldn't possibly-"
"No, it's perfectly all right." Renee timidly picked one up and began nibbling on it. "Did Martha make these?" Her mistress questioned, chewing thoughtfully.
"Yes, she a very good cook."
"Definitely. So where do you come from? And how old are you?"
"I came from France, and I'm eighteen."
"You don't seem to have a trace of an accent." Rumiko remarked, sipping her milk. "Would you like some?"
"Please." The girl poured Renee a cup. "Well, I have been living here for a while."
The girls talked for the rest of the afternoon, but Renee left to finish her chores. Rumiko sighed and walked up to her room. She flopped on the bed and reached under the mattress, pulling out a small blue book. Rumiko would put her rantings, poems, and hopes in there. She grabbed a pen and began to write.
"Lone wolf, running in the night. Grieving for his loved one he left behind. Not much of a poem." The girl mused, putting the book away. She looked at the calendar on her wall. "School begins tomorrow? Wonderful...." Rumiko said dryly. She changed into a nightgown and fell asleep.
Morning came, the sun's rays waking the girl up. She rose and dressed silently, walking down the hall to check on Sanosuke. He was lying in his bead, holding his head in pain.
"I hope you know you deserve that." One eye opened slowly.
"Go 'way, kid." He groaned sitting up.
"No, I feel like tormenting you some more." Sano blinked. His hangover wasn't as bad as usual.
'Must've been cuz of the sleep I got.' He glared at her. "You remind me of the weasel girl." She smiled sweetly. Sano sighed. "If you're going to bother me, at lest get me something for my hangover." He put all the pain he had into his voice.
"What'd you think I was going to do? Besides, how good of a bodyguard would you be with a headache?" Rumiko left, calling the maids to bring tea to the men. An hour later they stumbled down. The trio ate breakfast quietly and soon Rumiko had to leave for school.
"My bodyguard is coming with me, right?" She nudged Sanosuke.
"Yeah, whatever. But how am I supposed to follow you all day?"
"Madame Hampton will allow it, I'm sure. Here's your satchel and lunchbox, Rumiko." David answered.
"What about me?" Sanosuke asked indignantly. The older man rolled his eyes.
"There's enough for both of you in there." He helped Rumiko into the carriage, Sano following.
"Bye, David!" She waved cheerfully.
The carriage stopped at the school and she climbed out. "C'mon Sano, I'm going to be late!" He followed, grumbling, and they entered the massive building.
"Hey, what's with all these paintings?"
"You didn't see them yesterday? They're pictures of the old Headmistresses."
"Looks like they tuck away the groceries." The ex-gangster winked.
"Idiot!" She whacked him on the head.
"What was that for?"
"Make sure you don't say such things before the Headmistress." Rumiko said, looking for the main hall, exasperation clear in her voice.
"Whaddya mean? It's not like she could understand me."
"…True." Finally, they reached the main hall, where the Headmistress greeted them.
"Oh Rumi, you've arrived!" She gave an obviously fake smile, but it became genuine when she saw Sanosuke. "Hello, I'm afraid I didn't catch your name last time."
'What's the old bag jabbering about?' He gave her a blank look.
"He's currently dealing with a bad case of laryngitis. His name is Sano-Samuel Small." Rumiko cut in.
"I'm terribly sorry! I do hope you get better."
'Might as well tell her now.' "Uh, Headmistress, I have something to confess. Samuel is my bodyguard, not my cousin."
"A… bodyguard?"
And so ends this chapter. YAY! Anyway, things get a little more interesting. ^_^x Please R&R, constructive criticism appreciated.