Chapter 3: Someone to Love
Note: This is a very loooooong chapter. Please bear with it. Ja ne!
1.1.1 That Night
He was right. She send an informer to tell him meet her late noon at a secluded area at her place. It was much a good idea, Aioshi would be still at the temple mediating and the other oniwabanshus are busy with their chores, for Yukina, he did make a good deal of making him drunk last night. It was going all smoothly.
Only now what is taking Misao so long.
He waited, his things packed for a journey by foot, he planned to take the longer route to Kyoto as he pondered it over eating a snack of squid balls. It is already his third helping and still no sign of her. Females, he thought wryly. He got his reply when he leaped back at the sight of a heavy sack dropped almost to his head. "Misao!" he gasped, looking at the baggage's she spontaneously dropped one by one. "We are going for only a week, not a month."
"I know, but I had to prepare things just in case." She said lifting thumbs- up sign. "Besides, I'm paying you also, so I just packed enough for the two of us!" she tossed the bagful of coins, it was much heavier now. He can feel he is staring at her long enough to feel the rush he felt when they first met. "There is not enough time, we had to go." He said stiffly, carrying their things. It wouldn't be easy taking the long cut, and he hoped the little weasel wouldn't figure it out. They walked a considerable distance, and even crossed a few jagged rocks by the splashing waves near the shore. For fun, she leaped swiftly from rock to rock, thinking Soujiro with all those baggages will fumble through. "You're a little slow, I am waiting." He smiled, and indeed he is standing near the shore with baggages still in carry. She gaped, "No fair! You must have taken a shortcut!"
He shook his head. "No, I think I'm just fast." He didn't see misao steaming as they finally settled to nearby woods. In fact, he is so busy to notice. He is so obsessed about his goal and planning his tactics that he only shot up to reality when she made a haste grab at his sword. "Let's see how fast you can catch me!" and she dashes by the clearing. "That's not funny! Give that back." But he found himself running after her. At first he just wants to get over with it, get his sword and back to business. But a clearer look he can hear his sweetheart laughing, he felt everything is at ease and felt the infectious laugh and the mischievous gaze melting through him. He never knew what fun is like and carefree childhood is and right now at the middle of nowhere he was just doing it along with her. "Ne, Misao- chan. Two can play the game." He whispered, and with one swift step, he starts catching up alongside Misao so fast like his feet is already almost lifting off the ground. With an easy flick of the wrist, he snags his sword back from her.
"By God, YOU are indeed fast!" Misao exclaimed who's panting beside him as they walked back by the woods. "You didn't get tired even!" she noticed, since Soujiro is just calm and poised as usual, only that there is a certain look in his eye that he indeed enjoys the short chase. She sighed heavily and lay down the ground, "You can go without me Soujiro. I'll just follow up!"
"You must have not tired yourself, Misao. We are only few feet away now."
"C'mon now, I'll just follow." She lay down the ground with Soujiro looming from above. She can tell he looked amused and he is going to say something. He looks so damn good from here, she told herself. He's young, he got the making of an expert swordsman at a youthful age and he looks good. Simple looking, but irresistibly looking good. When she stares to his blue eyes they flashed a hint of enigmatic glow every time he'll look at her. Hmmm...mysterious. She closed her eyes, recalling the moments she caught him off-guarded often times looking at her oh so intently. What would it feel like to be caressed with that luminous violet gaze? How it will look if ignited by passion? Misao drifted at the thoughts of what's having a first kiss with this handsome stranger.
"If you got time to sleep now, I had to carry you up." Soujiro exclaimed, and lifted Misao with his two arms even as she started protesting and screaming of vain efforts to put her down. "Baka! Put me down!!" she shrieked. Soujiro chuckled and pretends not to hear her. I wonder what she was thinking awhile ago... He can tell by the way Misao "slept" awhile ago, she looks so dreamy and her expression is quite sensuous that he shuddered at the thought of it.
"Hold it." Misao cut out abruptly. Soujiro followed her gaze, and realize she had seen something that makes her stop talking all of a sudden. A fully clothed black figure moving swiftly like the rustlings of the trees. The figure sure did make a great deal of making its identity hidden. A ninja. Must be old Yukina's tricks, he thought, probably wanting Misao back. The ninja is wearing black. "He is blind." Misao whispered. "Be careful, they had sharp hearing senses on what goes at the ground. I bet someone mean serious business." She stood up, then flashing her tobi kunai. It could be that her dear old Yukina send them, her thought as same as Soujiro's.
"Let me handle it." Soujiro lightly tipped his nihontou. I got an idea. He smiled, he hadn't had a good fight for sometime but he is more interested how he can outwit this one. As long as he wouldn't kill again. "ARE you serious? Your techniques wouldn't work as long as you are on the ground!"
He almost forgot not to giveaway his signature move. If made a mistake of having Misao seeing it, all we are lost. He made a swift move and chases the intruder to the woods. Quick, light steps. Lightning quick steps. With one of the tricks he used that almost eluded Himura; he counter attacked with a quick flashing of crescent from his Nihontou. An aerial attack. No doubt about it, his hunch was right. The ninja can hear ONLY at the ground but he can't feel the moves if performed in mid-air. Misao was quick to follow up, seeing the injured ninja scowled and vanishes away as quick as he came.
"Unbelievable. You did him and got away with it." She gasped. It was then he realized, a piercing pain in left arm and visible spots of blood starts to emerge. "Well, not entirely. He seems pretty darn... good" he remarked, clutching his arm. It seems whatever hits him had poisoned, as he feels peculiar numbness in the inflicted part. He forgot ninjas had alot of tricks in their sleeves. "It's not that bad." Misao assured, removing the small prick of needle off at his arm. "This stuff is for temporarily giving you dizziness." She takes a clean look at him and shook her head and looked at him with admiration. "But a few minutes and you're still standing, I say!"
He didn't reply. He just pondered on her knowing that nothing is much rewarding than to see her happy, those sparkling green orbs looking at him with concern as she tend his wound in his arm. "We must be extra careful, I bet Yukina had sent that ninja to find me." She said, "I'm afraid that won't be the last, so we must be prepared." Misao looked at him, to expect at least a sunny smile or an eager look but instead a serious blue gaze met her own. "Misao, they had to defeat me first before they get you." He whispered, looking over the bonfire and nodded curtly, "Even if it means I shall killing again I will. Misao...ga mamoru. Kimi ga mamoru (I'll protect you.)"
Misao had stopped wrapping his arm. She looks surprised at the statement as he was. A slip of a tongue, either she'll inquire about his painful past or she'll guess he had feelings for her. He preferred the latter. Misao believed she is still awake to hear him speak those words, eventually she recalled how Kenshin said those words to Kaoru at least once or twice if an enemy causes her grave danger, and now this youth is saying those to her. He look pained for some reason and she thought if he got s similar distraught past like her friend. I never hear someone say such devoted words, she thought dreamily. Say it again Soujiro-san.
"Well, I'm paid for my duty and it's my obligation to look after you." He followed it with a change of a lighter expression, and the furious Misao pulled the bandage so tight he winced. "Oh, so really now! I don't need much that looking after!" she snorted, since Soujiro seems to look on her as a younger sister. "Besides I can take care of myself!"
"Then, why did you hire me?" he inquired teasingly. Misao sighed and got no choice but to admit defeat. She relaxed, with a disturbed look at her eye "Well EXCEPT for this situation, suddenly there is this someone asking my hand for marriage and he turns out to be one of the remaining survivors of Juppon-gatana. Only two of them escaped. " His jaw tightens, two of them escaped. "He turned out to be the merciless right hand man to that devil himself, Shi-shi-o." Her voice seems to waver and her tending hands seem to pull rougher, Soujiro noticed. "I don't know what a serial madman wants from me; I don't even think that son of a bitch is even human to think of marrying me either!" He clenched one fist, the irony of hearing how his former reputation spell danger and hate to her, only him to blame. Clenching his fist so tight that he could feel his fingers dig painfully to his palm. He felt so hurt and sorry for her alone, that she is leaving in fear and anger to that same someone who swore to protect her. Strong she may seem, he is afraid to break her if she ever got to tell the painful truth. "They said he is so skilled and fast, he could kill one easily without remorse."
He nodded. She continued, not noticing she was almost tearing the bandages off. "He slaughtered many people, innocent people. People that wants nothing but peace. I swore he even killed women and children too." She took notice that she was almost finished with the dressing and look at him squarely at the eye. Much relaxed now after spewing colorful statements about his ill reputation. "I think he'll be after me right now, that son of the devil."
He gave her a deep serious look and shook his head. "And I suppose he even eats his victims alive and breathes fire too."
She broke to a small chuckle and holds his face up to his surprise. "I think as long as you are with me, nothing would go wrong!" He blinked, even more surprised.
"Soujiro-san, I completely trust you."
He didn't know how to react, fevered by her touch and he never wished she had said those words. "The half of the day is gone." He murmured, standing up "we had to make it back to the camp before the sun sets."
Camping out with an amateur isn't easy. Misao forgot to bring sticks that would make her tent stood up; she nearly got herself into poison ivy's along the way and even wasted a good amount of water from his wineskin as she keeps shooting to her face instead. She unloaded her baggages like comforts of home as she prepared which seems look like a bed fit for winter season. "It's cold at night," she explains, as Soujiro looked over with amusement at layers of blankets lying down at the ground. He decided to sleep by leaning over a tree nearby. "I'm going to be just fine; you must go to sleep now." He replied with a smile as Misao urged him to had one of her blankets but he politely refused. "I'm serious. I can sleep like this on my own."
"I like it when you LOOK serious." She admitted, and she turned over to face him with her two hands resting at her chin. "It makes you seem more human I suppose."
Human. Soujiro once thought he would not even have the capacity to ACT human. He wants to tell her that he is not that invincible like he seems. No matter skilled he was, he is just a normal troubled human being that has strengths and weaknesses. He can be injured; he can be hurt despite times he denied it all along. And like any human, he can also love. For so long, his weary soul searches for the meaning and it seems this might be the one. "Misao, we aren't we all? Now go to sleep."
"Soujiro-san?"
"Nani?"
"How long had you been wandering?"
"A year and a half almost," he replied, "I've been walking this earth and I seem to get tired of it and I want to look for the meaning of my life." He looked over Misao, but it seems the stubborn little minx won't rest unless he had to answer all her questions. She looked over the stars, "You are more than the earth, though you are a dot, for you can love and think, for the earth cannot." He gave her a quizzical look. "It's a verse!" she chirped, burying herself finally within the comforts of her blankets "Whatever you are searching for Soujiro, it's not something you can get from wandering."
"In fact I think you're right. I think I just did. " he responded, and stroked her head. She is now fast asleep, and even sounds like she is starting to snore. He bended over and lightly kissed her by the forehead. "Maramachi Misao, You don't know what's like before I finally met you."
Morning came as soft prisms of white light awaken the cool dewy ground of the woods. Another day of travel again, and another challenge to convince her to become his betrothed. He made an oath that shall he woo her within those 6 days, he can have her and tells who he really was. But the telling part isn't easy.
"I've bought apples, peaches and fresh fruits..." Misao proceeds to show him the stuff she brought before they resume their travel. "Oh, and some pickled eel..."
"We could have those for FREE at the forest you know." Soujiro pointed out. She should have not bothered, but she growled in protest when she recalled those days she had gone to forest for food but instead ate grass for the whole week of travel. She is indeed a novice when it came to that part. But pretty resourceful, they jumped in a cart with stocks of grass for a free hike rather than walk. Something he had not done yet.
"Nothing could be much better than watch the world go by." She munched at an apple, "So tell me about yourself, you've travelling like this for almost for a year?"
"Hai. After some few problems I decided to do this until I come to terms..."
"Don't you have any friends do you?"
He paused and looked up blankly, "I can't recall if I do have REAL friends, if I do they might be probably dead." Misao nodded mutely. It might be hard to get this one out of his shell, but she is dying of curiosity to know him better. "Parents?" she added, but he flinched and looked away. "They had died long ago too."
Long silence.
"Mine too. My parents died long ago." Misao said, hoping a little story of her life would ease him up a bit. "They were murdered." He looked up, startled. This person was the one he least expected to have worse troubled past than his own. But unlike him, she comes in terms of facing the reality. "It seems not like you to tell something like that casually in broad daylight." He finally spoke. "Nobody could come easily with their terms with the past." But Misao proudly told him that how she was happy to be raised by Aioshi and became a family with the original Oniwabanshus before their untimely deaths, how she was placed to Yukina's safety and was reared to a young woman and all. Soujiro simply marveled that she was indeed lucky to have real friends and someone to look after. "You are indeed lucky you know that? You won't need anything else." It's like Soujiro is formally closing the matter, Misao could tell it would be rather hard for him to tell his part. "Do you believe in real love, Soujiro?"
He nearly slipped from the cart when Misao questioned of all the things she needs to ask. "I think I do. Isn't that what you felt to Aioshi?" He recalled Yukina briefing him about Misao and indeed when she mentions the name, he starts to feel a little jealous. "No. I come to realize that. It is when; you look at that person the first time of your life and even if you never met him before, you just know it's the one." Soujiro felt she is reading his thoughts out loud. "Love at first sight." They both said out loud. " Misao, about last night..." but he never get to finished as Misao breaks to scandalous squeals of excitement as they passed by town were European things and anything western were displayed by adjoining stores. For their own safety, he tried to huddle the little weasel down and quiet her. "For crying out loud! Don't ever do that again!" Soujiro looked as he himself freaked with the stunned look at his own expression. When was the last time he worried for someone else? Misao never saw Soujiro with such look that she starts to break into giggles and he in turn finds himself laughing too.
"So you liked European things," he finally said and wave an admonishing finger to her face, "But don't you EVER ever do it again! You are freaking me out. "
"Ne, Soujiro-san. I just want to feel for even just once to be one of those people, do you? "
"Me? In a suit?" he crinkled his nose, and broke into a wide grin "It's hard to imagine!"
Among the westernized dropping, of stores and European goods, it seems Soujiro caught a sight of a figure in hiding. A figure in blue and as quick as blink of an eye it vanishes into a small crowd. This is the second one. He thought grimly. It was like at last time, someone is stalking among them but this one does not seem blind. Quick but he was able to catch to see the weapon of use, shuriken. "What's wrong Soujiro?" Misao whispered. He assured her with a serious gaze, holding her hand. "Grab anything you could. If I say jump, jump. Understand? "
"It's one of them again isn't it?" she snarled, "I'll do it just once..." and she readied her kunai. But Soujiro's serious gaze darkened, far more than his usual and tightened his grip. "Just do what I say, YOU said you trust me." He whispered. The ninja is not far away, he can sense it. Quick light steps pacing up to the wall, unseen, stopping by the ledge... turns around...
"NOW!" and they both leaped at the exact moment as the lethal shurikens hit its target. The horse driving the cart goes wild and the people become even more confused at a figure of blue starts to bolt up from one place to another and furiously start to search for its targets. "Misao, it could be easier if you ride at my back!" he called over his shoulder but Misao is busy flinging her own weapons to their defense. "You must be crazy! That will slow you down! " she shouted. Soujiro snatched her kunai off her grip and threw them away at her own dismay. "Look what have y..."
"Don't be stubborn! I know what I am doing, just do what I say!" he shots back; the shuriken almost found it's almost deadly aim, but he cuts it off with one quick counter of his sword. Misao was distracted and Soujiro took the chance to render her unconscious. "Gomen... I have to do this." He hauls her at his back and took small preparing steps.
"What's with this kid?" The looming blue figure snarled as he saw apparently the young swordsman stopped all of a sudden, like he something to do with his feet. "You are stupid, kid. Now I'm about to have you."
But the figure was in for a surprise. The young lad literally disperse in thin air with such incredible speed leaving bullet- speed markings as his feet come contact with the ground. It was like seeing the ground going ablaze with astounding feat. The information given to him was right, the kid was indeed fast. Trying at least few reappearing and disappearing techniques from ninjustu would come in handy this time, he thought. Blocking a narrow alley in a split second
It didn't work, the blazing tracks separated into three directions. "Darn it." He snarled. With quick steps, he pivoted and scaled through the wall to give out an aerial attack.
Wrong decision.
His target managed to scale the wall too, nonetheless took the chance for an offensive strike. Unbelievably, doing all this with a still unconscious Misao hitched at his back and some baggage's strapped. A line drew crimson across the wall.
He was defeated by a young swordsman.
Soujiro didn't take another more look to the attacker as he saw it fallen. He had no time for that, all what is important now is to get them into safe place. It's much better to avoid suspicion from bystanders and authorities that may get the chance to recognize him. It's a good thing that countryside is not that far away: another good hiding spot. And it's about time Misao finally got awake. "I can't believe it! You just threw away half of my kunai! " She snarled at him, stomping on the ground with her green eyes ablaze. " If you also let me handled the job, we'll be out of trouble in no time!"
"Misao, we already did." Soujiro admonished gently, "He won't bother us anymore. And I did all just that with you strapped at my back."
The thought of having her arms wrapped about his neck unconsciously twined to him starts to make her flush. In fact, made her disoriented for a minute by the kawaii swordsman's arrestingly warm smile. "The way I did it is a secret, what is important now is as your protector I make sure you are now safe." He waved a finger, his indigo gaze observing her. He swore she was blushing, either because she's upset or out of shame. Whatever it is, she looks even more beautiful if she flush like that. "And of course, that's part of your contract isn't it?" he winked, knowing Misao would be defeated.
"Hmp. You still owe me with those kunai! Next time if you're gonna do just that you tell me!" She swooped furiously, not noticing she looks quite a mess. Her braided hair is tangled and dusty as well as her short getup, looking like she had swept up by some sandstorm. I wonder what kind of technique he uses to get me such a mess....
Soujiro gave way to Misao so she could simmer down, a few steps ahead of him so he got the chance to observe her. The way she dresses is so unusual and yet so captivating for him, she had a boyish figure and wears a pink ribbon tied across her tiny waist. He gulped, her sleeveless top and short hakama get up reveals slender arms and legs that gives him the guilty pleasure each time she come in contact to him. Too maiden to be a boy and too boyish to be a maiden, he thought. Feisty yet simply attractive females are a dime a dozen in feudal Japan. It gives him a thrill to go for her, to see how far both of them would go. "Damn it, Soujiro-san. I look like a mess! It's been one busy day I think I'm going to look for a bath."
Soujiro blinked, cut out from his dreaming "We can't turn back, the inns are far away now."
Misao poked a tiny finger to his chest, "No you baka, we are going to look for a stream or lake to take a bath." She gave him an all around look. "Looks like you'll need one too. I don't like smelly people so let's give it a go."
Soujiro nodded speechless, this could go a little tempting. Of course Misao wouldn't allow to any boyish perversity, but he just feels uneasy suggesting they bath together. Misao's braid swished from side to side as she starts to spring about, trying to spot a good bathing spot. He had to follow her skipping from branch to branch like racing grasshoppers. His focus was at her long braid, he wondered how what's it like to feel touching it with his fingers, freeing them and cascading them loose against her. She will look more excitingly beautiful, and the idea makes his mouth feel like it's starting to water. Such untamed emotion starts to ignite from within him, a strong passion he never felt, to hold someone against his arms. To love someone with her will.
He is catching up a little to close that he didn't noticed she brushed up a branch, lancing him by his forehead. He cursed silently and easily regained his balance, but Misao got aptly distracted. "Did I do just that? Clumsy me! " She stopped, and leaped a few steps back and touched his wound, "It looks a little bad, but only a flesh wound." As if in reflex, Soujiro held out his own hand but not to his wound but to her hand. Beneath the hand protector, her fingers are unusually slender and smooth. "I'm just going to be fine," he murmured with a sly smile curve to his lips, she shuddered as she felt his lips brush on her palm as he spoke, "Tis' nothing but a scratch."
She scowled, not liking when Soujiro seems to joke around. He quickly dismisses an injury or an accident with a befitting smile, as if some sort of habit. Sometimes she can tell if he's trying to cover up something or it he's smiling naturally. But why does she have an odd feeling that he was just about to kiss her palm? And rather, he seems quite distracted every time she gives a friendly approach. Probably some former slasher syndrome, she supposed. "This might be a good spot," she pointed out, which looks like a waist deep springs with rocky some boulders that could give some privacy. "I can't believe they got something like this from the woods."
She shot him with a look, "We had to take separate sides of the spring that means no WATCHING!"
He nodded and approached the separate side and soon starts stripping, obviously his clothes are starting to feel a little tacky already and he prepared what to wear. Misao, like a curious little cat wondered why Soujiro dressed in layers and absentmindedly stared at him as he took of his blue kimono first, his arm protectors, his costumed made "shoes". Maybe like kenshin-sama he might be hiding a scar or something, she observes as Soujiro starts to unbutton his second layered top. To her surprise, it reveals a rather smooth and scar free chest, its slender expanse right to the stomach is immaculately scar less or hardly maimed by at least his enemies. Misao was half-concentrating undoing her big pink ribbon from her waist that she does not notice her top is ready to slip off any minute ( it does help she is still covered by some black wrap underneath).
"Ne, Misao I thought you said no watching." He blurted out without looking up and sends Misao sprinted up like a burned cat. "I-I'm not! What make you say that?" she countered defensively, "I am looking by if there would be any stalkers following us, that's all."
"I can see your image here at the spring, Misao-chan. So don't lie." He looked up with a quite sunny disposition that Misao guessed she had been outsmarted again. Soujiro give her a quick going over, "It looks to me, and you come undone." He pointed with an interesting look that Misao didn't notice her clothes are about to fall off any minute hadn't he caught her staring at him. She flared up and her face is flush like crimson, and so furious that she ran out of words to say but, " You're so hentai! " and she stomped off to a much covering as she starts undressing behind the rocks, Soujiro still amused about the situation, and how Misao broke her own rules. Like a young lad looking for mischief, he takes to break the rules a little. A side of the stream is a bit in the open and at a certain angle you can see someone's reflection at the other side. He can see her back as she finally lowered her own kimono down and undone her pink ribbon behind, also unwrapping the tight black support from above and revealed a willowy figure rather than she said, one of a 12 year old boy. She didn't have to unbraid her hair as he was expecting, but when she was to pull down her hakama he turned away and starts to mind his own business. He can't believe he is acting out his late teenage years, and it seems rather immature. He smiled at the thought of a scowling Misao at her bath as he submerges his naked body to the cool refreshing spring.
He slung his own hakama off, intentionally overthrowing it at the other side and hearing Misao shriek. Maybe bathing is starting to sound fun.
"Watch them for me"
"What are they gonna do, dance?" Soujiro held out a pair of tiny shorts with his tinky, stretching it out with false disgust. "Of course not, you baka. It just happen I had to dress up a little longer, so watch them for me!"
Women. Soujiro snorted. He wouldn't mind being paid a hundred yens to kill a whole gang, but holding out a pair of women's shorts is something. At least he is already dressed and set, and Misao noted he had a thing for blue. She snatched the pair of shorts and after a few minutes she came out in the open. She is dressed up, a new kimono with short sleeves with much coverage, but still she wears those short hakama. "I changed from my fighting clothes," she replied to Soujiro's inquiring look.
"I see, but we better hurry." He looked above and indeed the weather is cloudy, that is probably one of the seasonal May showers. But his mood is not set in worrying much about the weather. "You know, at least you'd try to wear something feminine. Pink looks good on you."
Misao lifted an eyebrow, "I don't see that has nothing to do with the weather!"
"I know, I just never see you in a skirt before." He continued trekking, until spotting a lone inn near the hills over looking the town. "Besides, you smell great."
"What?"
Of all he got to say, Soujiro noticed his babbling nonsense and he almost slipped his tongue. It was supposed to be "You look pretty." At least to impress her and psyche her to acting a little much more of a woman. But looking at her quizzical look with her innocent big round eyes robs him of his good senses. He leaned over, and kissed her lightly by the cheek, "I said, you smell great."
Misao paused for a long while, "That's the first time someone said that to me." She said out loud, as Soujiro try to hide his flush about after realizing he'd actually kissed someone. "... and that's also the first time someone kissed me too." She added
He stopped dead on his tracks as he was about just to enter the inn, He looked over his shoulder, and "I also kissed someone the first time."
He formally cut off the conversation as they approach at the nearest stop.
2 Back in Edo
"I won't take any chances of taking that kid around the second time." A black clothed figure whispered by the dimly lit room as Yukina sat across the table, listening.
"He was fast, and I was never beaten before by just some boy who knows some fancy sword fights." The figure wasn't looking straight to Yukina's serious look for he was actually blind. "No, he was smart. Young ones these days." Yukina assessed his statement, rubbing his chin. "That boy is actually something of a prodigy, and according to the information I received he's really good. I think he just outsmarted you." He shuddered at the thought that the former henchman of Juppon-Gatana had gotten better because of his "passionate" quest for Misao. "There might be a reason why this transition." The figure gruffed, "I may be blind but I sense a strong positive aura at this boy."
"That's impossible!" Yukina disagreed, " He is known with the capacity not to register any emotions...."
"Desire." The figure said, "I sensed from his feelings he had fierce passionate desire." The figure got up and prepared to leave. "That makes him somehow invincible," he paused, "that is if there something you hadn't told me about him."
Yukina gave a thoughtful look; he had no choice to keep on hiding something. "I had to be honest. He is after her because he believed she was the one." It seems the understatement of the century, but Soujiro didn't have to wait for another 9 years to wait for someone but somehow his reputation is not at all trusting. In fact it is a big doubt for someone who's trying to discover himself fell so easily, of all people his little angel Misao.
"Well, in that case. You can't just take him down that easily." The figure shook his head. "He will fight to the death for what he believes in, and in the process might even win her heart. No, I won't take any chances like I said."
Yukina stood up, "I don't think I'll entertain the idea of having a cynical hard case for her husband. Not, if I can help it, but he had to be finished." It seems much more like a test. If Soujiro was to beat all of them, actually three and reach to Kyoto in one piece, maybe he'll STILL accept it.
"You don't have eyes to see, to prove the truth that I've seen." The figure finally drifted and swallowed by darkness of the raging weather. Yukina is left looking very disappointed, the second one assigned hasn't been back yet and to make it worse, Aioshi had heard all of the conversation. Not practically all of it, he didn't know that the one escorting Misao to Kyoto and the mercenary after her is only one. If he ever shows concern, he wants everybody to pack up and leave for Kyoto so the chances they would catch up. The problem is, Yukina didn't tell them that Soujiro planned the long route.
And all of this is giving him a terrible headache. He ignored the former Oniwabanshu leader's complains about why would Misao, get herself a protector when she can protect herself. Yukina retired early at his room that afternoon. It was so silly that he alarmed a small group of ninjas to tell them that Misao is held hostage by a madman, and even Aioshi believe in it.
"A wolf!" Misao pointed out from her room window.
"Where?!" Soujiro leaped to his feet and looked outside with great caution, but all he sees was a peaceful meadow from their cabin window. He got an earnest bonk to his head. "The cloud, dummy. I'm referring to the patterns of clouds." Misao exclaimed, which also explains it, how can wolf just appear by the meadows from nowhere. The clouds look nothing much for Soujiro except annoying gray patches that can ruin their travel. With a curt nod, he looked out and it seems the inn looks cozy and no suspicious people around. "Soujiro-san, you're being such a worrier, nothing is going to happen if we stay here for the night." She said out loud, not liking the idea of being looked over so much often. When they met the first intruder, he faced it on his own and got injured at the process. On the second, she managed to call on defense, but he threatened her to leave the fighting to him, on which he rendered her unconscious only to be awakened in state of mess. Then when she tried to look for a bathing spot, he followed so closely that she brushed a branch to his head. It was like having more of an overprotective brother, since he will always cut her down to size so calmly every time she throws a tantrum, whether she likes it or not.
Soujiro slinked back his sword to its resting place, he sighed and if he ever show a sign of worry, it didn't show much but his words does. "We had been attacked by two unknown ninjas, by now we can only spectaculate that whoever sends them wants you back, and they are not going to stop." He didn't bother to approach Misao at the ledge but sat down by the farthest corner of the room, casually shining his sword for he had not done for a long time. His face shows little, as if he is talking of something else normal. "And that means, deploying more spies almost everywhere, tracking our move. So I had a reason to really worry."
Misao lift a brow. "I see that. But can we just stay at a decent place at least once?"
Soujiro shook his head, his cool indigo gaze looking at the inquiring green look, "If we stay at one formal place longer, the easier they'll track us down." He smiled, she hinted this is at least to ease their worry, "You are a ninja, after all, you should know that."
Misao pouted, he was after all right. She knew how the system works of being a ninja. She don't need to tell him, since after all, he stubbornly puts it that he should do the fighting since he is paid to do so. He was so dedicated in protecting her; she wondered that he is doing it out of concern and not of pity or obligation. She stood up and approaches the humming figure, "So what's your plan?"
"I told the innkeeper that we are siblings looking forward for a trip to Kyoto. But the stay is going to cost us, so I gave the money you paid me for."
"SIBLINGS? And you paid all of what's left for four days? " Misao was to protest, but contained herself when Soujiro lift his hand, "The only way for us to be treated nicely is pay them good, and besides... We can pass as siblings...."
Yeah right, they both look young for their age. When they first came in, the people hinted they are a pair of 13 year olds lost, good thing no one thought of them as pair of lovers that eloped. She shook the thought from her mind.
She sneezes, twice. The change of weather and the chill of sleeping outdoors are giving her a toll on her. How odd, for she never got sick, but maybe the pace of action and excitement going on maybe she caught a little flu. Or maybe when they bathe by the spring... endless thoughts of go figure where it came from, she didn't realize Soujiro was already staring at her. She sneezes again, this time her throat feels dry and she feels a little warm. "You are sick." He said his voice alight with concern that he ignores his chore of polishing his weapon. He took out her cloak from the baggage sitting beside him, "No more talking, you are going to rest and leave the rest of fighting to me." He busily makes sure she gets at least securely wrapped, and Misao got to chance to inspect him a little more closely. The heat is rushing to her head already, but she can make out the strange spark at Soujiro's eyes, the same look he had every time she'll nudge to him a little closer or when they are talking idly as they rest at their travel stopovers. It's like a tacit emotion that cannot be spoken.
Soujiro wants to do more than that, like holding her in comforting strokes or wipe her fevered brow. Since even how strong she appear she was, he noticed she was ignoring the signs. She apparently looks flushed and sweating and her voice sounds a little hoarse already before they've gone to the springs. If the weather hadn't gone any better, he's afraid she's coming with a chill. Tending her seems to make him feel a bit confused, since he hadn't tended anyone that he did really cared about. He inhaled deeply, and got a small wooden basin and some wet towels, "Maybe you wouldn't mind if you let me,"
Misao jumps up from where she was sitting. "Oh no, I can do that to myself! I can manage!" she wants to stay within the comforts of her dear cloak. But he seems to rather ignore her claims, and proceeded to strip her off the cloak and sponge her instead. He removes his hand protectors, and rolled up his sleeves to reveal slender arms and palms so smooth, one would not know he is a skilled fighter. Misao somehow muted herself when Soujiro paced on gently sponging her arms and legs, with the somehow tacit expression somehow dwindling. She didn't know what to do, when he was to sponge her neck to face up "No matter how strong you are, you still get sick like everyone else does." He murmured, looking up as she sponged her warm forehead. "Denying it will make it worse, believe me." Adding, as he stroking her cheeks with the wet sponge. Somehow she understood, and she was looking at him but not with wide-eyed curiosity but an agreeing meaningful look that is quite unusual. "It's like you're speaking from experience." She said out loud.
He shrugged. "I guessed I do and he rolled his sleeves back and stood up.
"Now get some rest, I'll see what I can do." A warm reassuring smile curved to his lips, making Misao melt "Just don't be stubborn, ok?"
"Arigatou for everything, Soujiro-san. I mean it."
"Don't you hear the rumors? They said that there is the erstwhile lethal slasher who is after the hand of the Oniwabanshu's young leader. It sounds ridiculous, but they said a former member is after the slasher's head for a price." Some men are chatting by the inn's public waiting room, most staying temporarily for shelter from the rain. Idling with the look of it, but these strangers look like they have some upbringing and were definitely serious. "Maybe we could offer our services if the news is confirmed" A man of slight bulk weight and in his early 40's, suggested. He seem to look diplomatic than the rest. "Besides, the law prohibits ronins these days."
"Bah, they should have not chosen a girl as their leader at the first place!" one seemingly more unkind, added. Soujiro was listening, the figures seem harmless but they are giving him a benefit of doubt. He was right, the news is spreading like wildfire, but IT is still a RUMOR yet. "Someone told me, that they are in this town already."
"That could be easily noticed. Ronins had this hard look in their faces and display their swords in public. Those allowed, either work for the government."
"Not this one." The middle age man inquired
"I got information from my desk this morning. The slasher does not have the category you're thinking. The informant said, he appears to be a young boy no more than his early 20's or younger. He cleverly hides his sword, and he has this deceiving sunny disposition that makes him appear harmless. He is holding the leader of the oniwabanshu hostage, but well, we know how she looks like."
Hostage. A nice excuse. But who could have...
"You got to be kidding! The lethal mercenary is a young boy? But who could have told you? How do you know he was right?"
"The informant claims to be a member of the Oniwabanshu, he is a ninja wearing a dark hue of blue."
Soujiro quickly realized that they got to pack quickly before it's too late. He hurried to the stairs.
"There's even a sketch how he would look like." The man opened up a roughly folded paper, and shows it among his men. The innkeeper happens to be in the conversation and turns ghastly white when he saw the image. "Merciful Buddha! That's the young boy who just went to stairs a few minutes ago! He is with a young girl that dresses similar to the oniwabanshu... they make me believe they are siblings staying for the night!"
"My hunch was right! We had to leave!" He hissed silently, and made a grab of their things. He can't believe the blue ninja didn't stand a chance of tracing them sooner, but eventually did. Misao lend a help in quickly obstructing objects along the door, it seems the only way out was by the window and the weather isn't helping. "It's too damn tight!" she struggled, but Soujiro quickly cuts through it like paper and welcoming the strong blast of cold rain in. By instinct, he heftily threw Misao over his shoulder easily and leaps out of the window before they would catch after them. Some things are left behind, but he had no choice. "He escaped! That darn one is just to fast!" one of them cursed silently, but the room isn't totally empty with some of their things remaining inside, some scuttled in a mess due to hurrying. "Maybe this would leave some clues, call the police."
The wild abysmal cries howls at the air at that strong rainy night, whipping strong rain currents blearing Soujiro's view as he struggled to run fast not knowing what will happen. He can feel his limbs numbing out of pain but he had to spirit Misao to safety and the weather would start to make it worse for her condition. The lancing sensation searing to his arms and feet means nothing, and deep inside its not the physical pain that worries him. His eyes were lighting up fiercely with determination to escape against all odds: The roads are slippery with the wind beating to the opposite direction is a total risk than anything else. He had to get to the woods, or some small caves fit for a temporary shelter. He had to keep his promise to Misao. "Just hang on Misao!" he kept repeating, in a bold assuring manner to keep her up. Misao couldn't complain since the weather is taking more toll than she expect. Thunder reverberated with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very earth, and she looked up at his handsome face. His jaw clenched, his features set with an intensity she had never seen, and she wondered if the warring elements were but a pale echo of what raged between the two of them. She slowly slipped into darkness... she can't recall remembering anything else, except for the maddening weather soaking them to the bone and Soujiro's reassuring voice calling her, hang on Misao..Hang on.... then there's this wild battle cry.... and she knows no more.
Note: This is a very loooooong chapter. Please bear with it. Ja ne!
1.1.1 That Night
He was right. She send an informer to tell him meet her late noon at a secluded area at her place. It was much a good idea, Aioshi would be still at the temple mediating and the other oniwabanshus are busy with their chores, for Yukina, he did make a good deal of making him drunk last night. It was going all smoothly.
Only now what is taking Misao so long.
He waited, his things packed for a journey by foot, he planned to take the longer route to Kyoto as he pondered it over eating a snack of squid balls. It is already his third helping and still no sign of her. Females, he thought wryly. He got his reply when he leaped back at the sight of a heavy sack dropped almost to his head. "Misao!" he gasped, looking at the baggage's she spontaneously dropped one by one. "We are going for only a week, not a month."
"I know, but I had to prepare things just in case." She said lifting thumbs- up sign. "Besides, I'm paying you also, so I just packed enough for the two of us!" she tossed the bagful of coins, it was much heavier now. He can feel he is staring at her long enough to feel the rush he felt when they first met. "There is not enough time, we had to go." He said stiffly, carrying their things. It wouldn't be easy taking the long cut, and he hoped the little weasel wouldn't figure it out. They walked a considerable distance, and even crossed a few jagged rocks by the splashing waves near the shore. For fun, she leaped swiftly from rock to rock, thinking Soujiro with all those baggages will fumble through. "You're a little slow, I am waiting." He smiled, and indeed he is standing near the shore with baggages still in carry. She gaped, "No fair! You must have taken a shortcut!"
He shook his head. "No, I think I'm just fast." He didn't see misao steaming as they finally settled to nearby woods. In fact, he is so busy to notice. He is so obsessed about his goal and planning his tactics that he only shot up to reality when she made a haste grab at his sword. "Let's see how fast you can catch me!" and she dashes by the clearing. "That's not funny! Give that back." But he found himself running after her. At first he just wants to get over with it, get his sword and back to business. But a clearer look he can hear his sweetheart laughing, he felt everything is at ease and felt the infectious laugh and the mischievous gaze melting through him. He never knew what fun is like and carefree childhood is and right now at the middle of nowhere he was just doing it along with her. "Ne, Misao- chan. Two can play the game." He whispered, and with one swift step, he starts catching up alongside Misao so fast like his feet is already almost lifting off the ground. With an easy flick of the wrist, he snags his sword back from her.
"By God, YOU are indeed fast!" Misao exclaimed who's panting beside him as they walked back by the woods. "You didn't get tired even!" she noticed, since Soujiro is just calm and poised as usual, only that there is a certain look in his eye that he indeed enjoys the short chase. She sighed heavily and lay down the ground, "You can go without me Soujiro. I'll just follow up!"
"You must have not tired yourself, Misao. We are only few feet away now."
"C'mon now, I'll just follow." She lay down the ground with Soujiro looming from above. She can tell he looked amused and he is going to say something. He looks so damn good from here, she told herself. He's young, he got the making of an expert swordsman at a youthful age and he looks good. Simple looking, but irresistibly looking good. When she stares to his blue eyes they flashed a hint of enigmatic glow every time he'll look at her. Hmmm...mysterious. She closed her eyes, recalling the moments she caught him off-guarded often times looking at her oh so intently. What would it feel like to be caressed with that luminous violet gaze? How it will look if ignited by passion? Misao drifted at the thoughts of what's having a first kiss with this handsome stranger.
"If you got time to sleep now, I had to carry you up." Soujiro exclaimed, and lifted Misao with his two arms even as she started protesting and screaming of vain efforts to put her down. "Baka! Put me down!!" she shrieked. Soujiro chuckled and pretends not to hear her. I wonder what she was thinking awhile ago... He can tell by the way Misao "slept" awhile ago, she looks so dreamy and her expression is quite sensuous that he shuddered at the thought of it.
"Hold it." Misao cut out abruptly. Soujiro followed her gaze, and realize she had seen something that makes her stop talking all of a sudden. A fully clothed black figure moving swiftly like the rustlings of the trees. The figure sure did make a great deal of making its identity hidden. A ninja. Must be old Yukina's tricks, he thought, probably wanting Misao back. The ninja is wearing black. "He is blind." Misao whispered. "Be careful, they had sharp hearing senses on what goes at the ground. I bet someone mean serious business." She stood up, then flashing her tobi kunai. It could be that her dear old Yukina send them, her thought as same as Soujiro's.
"Let me handle it." Soujiro lightly tipped his nihontou. I got an idea. He smiled, he hadn't had a good fight for sometime but he is more interested how he can outwit this one. As long as he wouldn't kill again. "ARE you serious? Your techniques wouldn't work as long as you are on the ground!"
He almost forgot not to giveaway his signature move. If made a mistake of having Misao seeing it, all we are lost. He made a swift move and chases the intruder to the woods. Quick, light steps. Lightning quick steps. With one of the tricks he used that almost eluded Himura; he counter attacked with a quick flashing of crescent from his Nihontou. An aerial attack. No doubt about it, his hunch was right. The ninja can hear ONLY at the ground but he can't feel the moves if performed in mid-air. Misao was quick to follow up, seeing the injured ninja scowled and vanishes away as quick as he came.
"Unbelievable. You did him and got away with it." She gasped. It was then he realized, a piercing pain in left arm and visible spots of blood starts to emerge. "Well, not entirely. He seems pretty darn... good" he remarked, clutching his arm. It seems whatever hits him had poisoned, as he feels peculiar numbness in the inflicted part. He forgot ninjas had alot of tricks in their sleeves. "It's not that bad." Misao assured, removing the small prick of needle off at his arm. "This stuff is for temporarily giving you dizziness." She takes a clean look at him and shook her head and looked at him with admiration. "But a few minutes and you're still standing, I say!"
He didn't reply. He just pondered on her knowing that nothing is much rewarding than to see her happy, those sparkling green orbs looking at him with concern as she tend his wound in his arm. "We must be extra careful, I bet Yukina had sent that ninja to find me." She said, "I'm afraid that won't be the last, so we must be prepared." Misao looked at him, to expect at least a sunny smile or an eager look but instead a serious blue gaze met her own. "Misao, they had to defeat me first before they get you." He whispered, looking over the bonfire and nodded curtly, "Even if it means I shall killing again I will. Misao...ga mamoru. Kimi ga mamoru (I'll protect you.)"
Misao had stopped wrapping his arm. She looks surprised at the statement as he was. A slip of a tongue, either she'll inquire about his painful past or she'll guess he had feelings for her. He preferred the latter. Misao believed she is still awake to hear him speak those words, eventually she recalled how Kenshin said those words to Kaoru at least once or twice if an enemy causes her grave danger, and now this youth is saying those to her. He look pained for some reason and she thought if he got s similar distraught past like her friend. I never hear someone say such devoted words, she thought dreamily. Say it again Soujiro-san.
"Well, I'm paid for my duty and it's my obligation to look after you." He followed it with a change of a lighter expression, and the furious Misao pulled the bandage so tight he winced. "Oh, so really now! I don't need much that looking after!" she snorted, since Soujiro seems to look on her as a younger sister. "Besides I can take care of myself!"
"Then, why did you hire me?" he inquired teasingly. Misao sighed and got no choice but to admit defeat. She relaxed, with a disturbed look at her eye "Well EXCEPT for this situation, suddenly there is this someone asking my hand for marriage and he turns out to be one of the remaining survivors of Juppon-gatana. Only two of them escaped. " His jaw tightens, two of them escaped. "He turned out to be the merciless right hand man to that devil himself, Shi-shi-o." Her voice seems to waver and her tending hands seem to pull rougher, Soujiro noticed. "I don't know what a serial madman wants from me; I don't even think that son of a bitch is even human to think of marrying me either!" He clenched one fist, the irony of hearing how his former reputation spell danger and hate to her, only him to blame. Clenching his fist so tight that he could feel his fingers dig painfully to his palm. He felt so hurt and sorry for her alone, that she is leaving in fear and anger to that same someone who swore to protect her. Strong she may seem, he is afraid to break her if she ever got to tell the painful truth. "They said he is so skilled and fast, he could kill one easily without remorse."
He nodded. She continued, not noticing she was almost tearing the bandages off. "He slaughtered many people, innocent people. People that wants nothing but peace. I swore he even killed women and children too." She took notice that she was almost finished with the dressing and look at him squarely at the eye. Much relaxed now after spewing colorful statements about his ill reputation. "I think he'll be after me right now, that son of the devil."
He gave her a deep serious look and shook his head. "And I suppose he even eats his victims alive and breathes fire too."
She broke to a small chuckle and holds his face up to his surprise. "I think as long as you are with me, nothing would go wrong!" He blinked, even more surprised.
"Soujiro-san, I completely trust you."
He didn't know how to react, fevered by her touch and he never wished she had said those words. "The half of the day is gone." He murmured, standing up "we had to make it back to the camp before the sun sets."
Camping out with an amateur isn't easy. Misao forgot to bring sticks that would make her tent stood up; she nearly got herself into poison ivy's along the way and even wasted a good amount of water from his wineskin as she keeps shooting to her face instead. She unloaded her baggages like comforts of home as she prepared which seems look like a bed fit for winter season. "It's cold at night," she explains, as Soujiro looked over with amusement at layers of blankets lying down at the ground. He decided to sleep by leaning over a tree nearby. "I'm going to be just fine; you must go to sleep now." He replied with a smile as Misao urged him to had one of her blankets but he politely refused. "I'm serious. I can sleep like this on my own."
"I like it when you LOOK serious." She admitted, and she turned over to face him with her two hands resting at her chin. "It makes you seem more human I suppose."
Human. Soujiro once thought he would not even have the capacity to ACT human. He wants to tell her that he is not that invincible like he seems. No matter skilled he was, he is just a normal troubled human being that has strengths and weaknesses. He can be injured; he can be hurt despite times he denied it all along. And like any human, he can also love. For so long, his weary soul searches for the meaning and it seems this might be the one. "Misao, we aren't we all? Now go to sleep."
"Soujiro-san?"
"Nani?"
"How long had you been wandering?"
"A year and a half almost," he replied, "I've been walking this earth and I seem to get tired of it and I want to look for the meaning of my life." He looked over Misao, but it seems the stubborn little minx won't rest unless he had to answer all her questions. She looked over the stars, "You are more than the earth, though you are a dot, for you can love and think, for the earth cannot." He gave her a quizzical look. "It's a verse!" she chirped, burying herself finally within the comforts of her blankets "Whatever you are searching for Soujiro, it's not something you can get from wandering."
"In fact I think you're right. I think I just did. " he responded, and stroked her head. She is now fast asleep, and even sounds like she is starting to snore. He bended over and lightly kissed her by the forehead. "Maramachi Misao, You don't know what's like before I finally met you."
Morning came as soft prisms of white light awaken the cool dewy ground of the woods. Another day of travel again, and another challenge to convince her to become his betrothed. He made an oath that shall he woo her within those 6 days, he can have her and tells who he really was. But the telling part isn't easy.
"I've bought apples, peaches and fresh fruits..." Misao proceeds to show him the stuff she brought before they resume their travel. "Oh, and some pickled eel..."
"We could have those for FREE at the forest you know." Soujiro pointed out. She should have not bothered, but she growled in protest when she recalled those days she had gone to forest for food but instead ate grass for the whole week of travel. She is indeed a novice when it came to that part. But pretty resourceful, they jumped in a cart with stocks of grass for a free hike rather than walk. Something he had not done yet.
"Nothing could be much better than watch the world go by." She munched at an apple, "So tell me about yourself, you've travelling like this for almost for a year?"
"Hai. After some few problems I decided to do this until I come to terms..."
"Don't you have any friends do you?"
He paused and looked up blankly, "I can't recall if I do have REAL friends, if I do they might be probably dead." Misao nodded mutely. It might be hard to get this one out of his shell, but she is dying of curiosity to know him better. "Parents?" she added, but he flinched and looked away. "They had died long ago too."
Long silence.
"Mine too. My parents died long ago." Misao said, hoping a little story of her life would ease him up a bit. "They were murdered." He looked up, startled. This person was the one he least expected to have worse troubled past than his own. But unlike him, she comes in terms of facing the reality. "It seems not like you to tell something like that casually in broad daylight." He finally spoke. "Nobody could come easily with their terms with the past." But Misao proudly told him that how she was happy to be raised by Aioshi and became a family with the original Oniwabanshus before their untimely deaths, how she was placed to Yukina's safety and was reared to a young woman and all. Soujiro simply marveled that she was indeed lucky to have real friends and someone to look after. "You are indeed lucky you know that? You won't need anything else." It's like Soujiro is formally closing the matter, Misao could tell it would be rather hard for him to tell his part. "Do you believe in real love, Soujiro?"
He nearly slipped from the cart when Misao questioned of all the things she needs to ask. "I think I do. Isn't that what you felt to Aioshi?" He recalled Yukina briefing him about Misao and indeed when she mentions the name, he starts to feel a little jealous. "No. I come to realize that. It is when; you look at that person the first time of your life and even if you never met him before, you just know it's the one." Soujiro felt she is reading his thoughts out loud. "Love at first sight." They both said out loud. " Misao, about last night..." but he never get to finished as Misao breaks to scandalous squeals of excitement as they passed by town were European things and anything western were displayed by adjoining stores. For their own safety, he tried to huddle the little weasel down and quiet her. "For crying out loud! Don't ever do that again!" Soujiro looked as he himself freaked with the stunned look at his own expression. When was the last time he worried for someone else? Misao never saw Soujiro with such look that she starts to break into giggles and he in turn finds himself laughing too.
"So you liked European things," he finally said and wave an admonishing finger to her face, "But don't you EVER ever do it again! You are freaking me out. "
"Ne, Soujiro-san. I just want to feel for even just once to be one of those people, do you? "
"Me? In a suit?" he crinkled his nose, and broke into a wide grin "It's hard to imagine!"
Among the westernized dropping, of stores and European goods, it seems Soujiro caught a sight of a figure in hiding. A figure in blue and as quick as blink of an eye it vanishes into a small crowd. This is the second one. He thought grimly. It was like at last time, someone is stalking among them but this one does not seem blind. Quick but he was able to catch to see the weapon of use, shuriken. "What's wrong Soujiro?" Misao whispered. He assured her with a serious gaze, holding her hand. "Grab anything you could. If I say jump, jump. Understand? "
"It's one of them again isn't it?" she snarled, "I'll do it just once..." and she readied her kunai. But Soujiro's serious gaze darkened, far more than his usual and tightened his grip. "Just do what I say, YOU said you trust me." He whispered. The ninja is not far away, he can sense it. Quick light steps pacing up to the wall, unseen, stopping by the ledge... turns around...
"NOW!" and they both leaped at the exact moment as the lethal shurikens hit its target. The horse driving the cart goes wild and the people become even more confused at a figure of blue starts to bolt up from one place to another and furiously start to search for its targets. "Misao, it could be easier if you ride at my back!" he called over his shoulder but Misao is busy flinging her own weapons to their defense. "You must be crazy! That will slow you down! " she shouted. Soujiro snatched her kunai off her grip and threw them away at her own dismay. "Look what have y..."
"Don't be stubborn! I know what I am doing, just do what I say!" he shots back; the shuriken almost found it's almost deadly aim, but he cuts it off with one quick counter of his sword. Misao was distracted and Soujiro took the chance to render her unconscious. "Gomen... I have to do this." He hauls her at his back and took small preparing steps.
"What's with this kid?" The looming blue figure snarled as he saw apparently the young swordsman stopped all of a sudden, like he something to do with his feet. "You are stupid, kid. Now I'm about to have you."
But the figure was in for a surprise. The young lad literally disperse in thin air with such incredible speed leaving bullet- speed markings as his feet come contact with the ground. It was like seeing the ground going ablaze with astounding feat. The information given to him was right, the kid was indeed fast. Trying at least few reappearing and disappearing techniques from ninjustu would come in handy this time, he thought. Blocking a narrow alley in a split second
It didn't work, the blazing tracks separated into three directions. "Darn it." He snarled. With quick steps, he pivoted and scaled through the wall to give out an aerial attack.
Wrong decision.
His target managed to scale the wall too, nonetheless took the chance for an offensive strike. Unbelievably, doing all this with a still unconscious Misao hitched at his back and some baggage's strapped. A line drew crimson across the wall.
He was defeated by a young swordsman.
Soujiro didn't take another more look to the attacker as he saw it fallen. He had no time for that, all what is important now is to get them into safe place. It's much better to avoid suspicion from bystanders and authorities that may get the chance to recognize him. It's a good thing that countryside is not that far away: another good hiding spot. And it's about time Misao finally got awake. "I can't believe it! You just threw away half of my kunai! " She snarled at him, stomping on the ground with her green eyes ablaze. " If you also let me handled the job, we'll be out of trouble in no time!"
"Misao, we already did." Soujiro admonished gently, "He won't bother us anymore. And I did all just that with you strapped at my back."
The thought of having her arms wrapped about his neck unconsciously twined to him starts to make her flush. In fact, made her disoriented for a minute by the kawaii swordsman's arrestingly warm smile. "The way I did it is a secret, what is important now is as your protector I make sure you are now safe." He waved a finger, his indigo gaze observing her. He swore she was blushing, either because she's upset or out of shame. Whatever it is, she looks even more beautiful if she flush like that. "And of course, that's part of your contract isn't it?" he winked, knowing Misao would be defeated.
"Hmp. You still owe me with those kunai! Next time if you're gonna do just that you tell me!" She swooped furiously, not noticing she looks quite a mess. Her braided hair is tangled and dusty as well as her short getup, looking like she had swept up by some sandstorm. I wonder what kind of technique he uses to get me such a mess....
Soujiro gave way to Misao so she could simmer down, a few steps ahead of him so he got the chance to observe her. The way she dresses is so unusual and yet so captivating for him, she had a boyish figure and wears a pink ribbon tied across her tiny waist. He gulped, her sleeveless top and short hakama get up reveals slender arms and legs that gives him the guilty pleasure each time she come in contact to him. Too maiden to be a boy and too boyish to be a maiden, he thought. Feisty yet simply attractive females are a dime a dozen in feudal Japan. It gives him a thrill to go for her, to see how far both of them would go. "Damn it, Soujiro-san. I look like a mess! It's been one busy day I think I'm going to look for a bath."
Soujiro blinked, cut out from his dreaming "We can't turn back, the inns are far away now."
Misao poked a tiny finger to his chest, "No you baka, we are going to look for a stream or lake to take a bath." She gave him an all around look. "Looks like you'll need one too. I don't like smelly people so let's give it a go."
Soujiro nodded speechless, this could go a little tempting. Of course Misao wouldn't allow to any boyish perversity, but he just feels uneasy suggesting they bath together. Misao's braid swished from side to side as she starts to spring about, trying to spot a good bathing spot. He had to follow her skipping from branch to branch like racing grasshoppers. His focus was at her long braid, he wondered how what's it like to feel touching it with his fingers, freeing them and cascading them loose against her. She will look more excitingly beautiful, and the idea makes his mouth feel like it's starting to water. Such untamed emotion starts to ignite from within him, a strong passion he never felt, to hold someone against his arms. To love someone with her will.
He is catching up a little to close that he didn't noticed she brushed up a branch, lancing him by his forehead. He cursed silently and easily regained his balance, but Misao got aptly distracted. "Did I do just that? Clumsy me! " She stopped, and leaped a few steps back and touched his wound, "It looks a little bad, but only a flesh wound." As if in reflex, Soujiro held out his own hand but not to his wound but to her hand. Beneath the hand protector, her fingers are unusually slender and smooth. "I'm just going to be fine," he murmured with a sly smile curve to his lips, she shuddered as she felt his lips brush on her palm as he spoke, "Tis' nothing but a scratch."
She scowled, not liking when Soujiro seems to joke around. He quickly dismisses an injury or an accident with a befitting smile, as if some sort of habit. Sometimes she can tell if he's trying to cover up something or it he's smiling naturally. But why does she have an odd feeling that he was just about to kiss her palm? And rather, he seems quite distracted every time she gives a friendly approach. Probably some former slasher syndrome, she supposed. "This might be a good spot," she pointed out, which looks like a waist deep springs with rocky some boulders that could give some privacy. "I can't believe they got something like this from the woods."
She shot him with a look, "We had to take separate sides of the spring that means no WATCHING!"
He nodded and approached the separate side and soon starts stripping, obviously his clothes are starting to feel a little tacky already and he prepared what to wear. Misao, like a curious little cat wondered why Soujiro dressed in layers and absentmindedly stared at him as he took of his blue kimono first, his arm protectors, his costumed made "shoes". Maybe like kenshin-sama he might be hiding a scar or something, she observes as Soujiro starts to unbutton his second layered top. To her surprise, it reveals a rather smooth and scar free chest, its slender expanse right to the stomach is immaculately scar less or hardly maimed by at least his enemies. Misao was half-concentrating undoing her big pink ribbon from her waist that she does not notice her top is ready to slip off any minute ( it does help she is still covered by some black wrap underneath).
"Ne, Misao I thought you said no watching." He blurted out without looking up and sends Misao sprinted up like a burned cat. "I-I'm not! What make you say that?" she countered defensively, "I am looking by if there would be any stalkers following us, that's all."
"I can see your image here at the spring, Misao-chan. So don't lie." He looked up with a quite sunny disposition that Misao guessed she had been outsmarted again. Soujiro give her a quick going over, "It looks to me, and you come undone." He pointed with an interesting look that Misao didn't notice her clothes are about to fall off any minute hadn't he caught her staring at him. She flared up and her face is flush like crimson, and so furious that she ran out of words to say but, " You're so hentai! " and she stomped off to a much covering as she starts undressing behind the rocks, Soujiro still amused about the situation, and how Misao broke her own rules. Like a young lad looking for mischief, he takes to break the rules a little. A side of the stream is a bit in the open and at a certain angle you can see someone's reflection at the other side. He can see her back as she finally lowered her own kimono down and undone her pink ribbon behind, also unwrapping the tight black support from above and revealed a willowy figure rather than she said, one of a 12 year old boy. She didn't have to unbraid her hair as he was expecting, but when she was to pull down her hakama he turned away and starts to mind his own business. He can't believe he is acting out his late teenage years, and it seems rather immature. He smiled at the thought of a scowling Misao at her bath as he submerges his naked body to the cool refreshing spring.
He slung his own hakama off, intentionally overthrowing it at the other side and hearing Misao shriek. Maybe bathing is starting to sound fun.
"Watch them for me"
"What are they gonna do, dance?" Soujiro held out a pair of tiny shorts with his tinky, stretching it out with false disgust. "Of course not, you baka. It just happen I had to dress up a little longer, so watch them for me!"
Women. Soujiro snorted. He wouldn't mind being paid a hundred yens to kill a whole gang, but holding out a pair of women's shorts is something. At least he is already dressed and set, and Misao noted he had a thing for blue. She snatched the pair of shorts and after a few minutes she came out in the open. She is dressed up, a new kimono with short sleeves with much coverage, but still she wears those short hakama. "I changed from my fighting clothes," she replied to Soujiro's inquiring look.
"I see, but we better hurry." He looked above and indeed the weather is cloudy, that is probably one of the seasonal May showers. But his mood is not set in worrying much about the weather. "You know, at least you'd try to wear something feminine. Pink looks good on you."
Misao lifted an eyebrow, "I don't see that has nothing to do with the weather!"
"I know, I just never see you in a skirt before." He continued trekking, until spotting a lone inn near the hills over looking the town. "Besides, you smell great."
"What?"
Of all he got to say, Soujiro noticed his babbling nonsense and he almost slipped his tongue. It was supposed to be "You look pretty." At least to impress her and psyche her to acting a little much more of a woman. But looking at her quizzical look with her innocent big round eyes robs him of his good senses. He leaned over, and kissed her lightly by the cheek, "I said, you smell great."
Misao paused for a long while, "That's the first time someone said that to me." She said out loud, as Soujiro try to hide his flush about after realizing he'd actually kissed someone. "... and that's also the first time someone kissed me too." She added
He stopped dead on his tracks as he was about just to enter the inn, He looked over his shoulder, and "I also kissed someone the first time."
He formally cut off the conversation as they approach at the nearest stop.
2 Back in Edo
"I won't take any chances of taking that kid around the second time." A black clothed figure whispered by the dimly lit room as Yukina sat across the table, listening.
"He was fast, and I was never beaten before by just some boy who knows some fancy sword fights." The figure wasn't looking straight to Yukina's serious look for he was actually blind. "No, he was smart. Young ones these days." Yukina assessed his statement, rubbing his chin. "That boy is actually something of a prodigy, and according to the information I received he's really good. I think he just outsmarted you." He shuddered at the thought that the former henchman of Juppon-Gatana had gotten better because of his "passionate" quest for Misao. "There might be a reason why this transition." The figure gruffed, "I may be blind but I sense a strong positive aura at this boy."
"That's impossible!" Yukina disagreed, " He is known with the capacity not to register any emotions...."
"Desire." The figure said, "I sensed from his feelings he had fierce passionate desire." The figure got up and prepared to leave. "That makes him somehow invincible," he paused, "that is if there something you hadn't told me about him."
Yukina gave a thoughtful look; he had no choice to keep on hiding something. "I had to be honest. He is after her because he believed she was the one." It seems the understatement of the century, but Soujiro didn't have to wait for another 9 years to wait for someone but somehow his reputation is not at all trusting. In fact it is a big doubt for someone who's trying to discover himself fell so easily, of all people his little angel Misao.
"Well, in that case. You can't just take him down that easily." The figure shook his head. "He will fight to the death for what he believes in, and in the process might even win her heart. No, I won't take any chances like I said."
Yukina stood up, "I don't think I'll entertain the idea of having a cynical hard case for her husband. Not, if I can help it, but he had to be finished." It seems much more like a test. If Soujiro was to beat all of them, actually three and reach to Kyoto in one piece, maybe he'll STILL accept it.
"You don't have eyes to see, to prove the truth that I've seen." The figure finally drifted and swallowed by darkness of the raging weather. Yukina is left looking very disappointed, the second one assigned hasn't been back yet and to make it worse, Aioshi had heard all of the conversation. Not practically all of it, he didn't know that the one escorting Misao to Kyoto and the mercenary after her is only one. If he ever shows concern, he wants everybody to pack up and leave for Kyoto so the chances they would catch up. The problem is, Yukina didn't tell them that Soujiro planned the long route.
And all of this is giving him a terrible headache. He ignored the former Oniwabanshu leader's complains about why would Misao, get herself a protector when she can protect herself. Yukina retired early at his room that afternoon. It was so silly that he alarmed a small group of ninjas to tell them that Misao is held hostage by a madman, and even Aioshi believe in it.
"A wolf!" Misao pointed out from her room window.
"Where?!" Soujiro leaped to his feet and looked outside with great caution, but all he sees was a peaceful meadow from their cabin window. He got an earnest bonk to his head. "The cloud, dummy. I'm referring to the patterns of clouds." Misao exclaimed, which also explains it, how can wolf just appear by the meadows from nowhere. The clouds look nothing much for Soujiro except annoying gray patches that can ruin their travel. With a curt nod, he looked out and it seems the inn looks cozy and no suspicious people around. "Soujiro-san, you're being such a worrier, nothing is going to happen if we stay here for the night." She said out loud, not liking the idea of being looked over so much often. When they met the first intruder, he faced it on his own and got injured at the process. On the second, she managed to call on defense, but he threatened her to leave the fighting to him, on which he rendered her unconscious only to be awakened in state of mess. Then when she tried to look for a bathing spot, he followed so closely that she brushed a branch to his head. It was like having more of an overprotective brother, since he will always cut her down to size so calmly every time she throws a tantrum, whether she likes it or not.
Soujiro slinked back his sword to its resting place, he sighed and if he ever show a sign of worry, it didn't show much but his words does. "We had been attacked by two unknown ninjas, by now we can only spectaculate that whoever sends them wants you back, and they are not going to stop." He didn't bother to approach Misao at the ledge but sat down by the farthest corner of the room, casually shining his sword for he had not done for a long time. His face shows little, as if he is talking of something else normal. "And that means, deploying more spies almost everywhere, tracking our move. So I had a reason to really worry."
Misao lift a brow. "I see that. But can we just stay at a decent place at least once?"
Soujiro shook his head, his cool indigo gaze looking at the inquiring green look, "If we stay at one formal place longer, the easier they'll track us down." He smiled, she hinted this is at least to ease their worry, "You are a ninja, after all, you should know that."
Misao pouted, he was after all right. She knew how the system works of being a ninja. She don't need to tell him, since after all, he stubbornly puts it that he should do the fighting since he is paid to do so. He was so dedicated in protecting her; she wondered that he is doing it out of concern and not of pity or obligation. She stood up and approaches the humming figure, "So what's your plan?"
"I told the innkeeper that we are siblings looking forward for a trip to Kyoto. But the stay is going to cost us, so I gave the money you paid me for."
"SIBLINGS? And you paid all of what's left for four days? " Misao was to protest, but contained herself when Soujiro lift his hand, "The only way for us to be treated nicely is pay them good, and besides... We can pass as siblings...."
Yeah right, they both look young for their age. When they first came in, the people hinted they are a pair of 13 year olds lost, good thing no one thought of them as pair of lovers that eloped. She shook the thought from her mind.
She sneezes, twice. The change of weather and the chill of sleeping outdoors are giving her a toll on her. How odd, for she never got sick, but maybe the pace of action and excitement going on maybe she caught a little flu. Or maybe when they bathe by the spring... endless thoughts of go figure where it came from, she didn't realize Soujiro was already staring at her. She sneezes again, this time her throat feels dry and she feels a little warm. "You are sick." He said his voice alight with concern that he ignores his chore of polishing his weapon. He took out her cloak from the baggage sitting beside him, "No more talking, you are going to rest and leave the rest of fighting to me." He busily makes sure she gets at least securely wrapped, and Misao got to chance to inspect him a little more closely. The heat is rushing to her head already, but she can make out the strange spark at Soujiro's eyes, the same look he had every time she'll nudge to him a little closer or when they are talking idly as they rest at their travel stopovers. It's like a tacit emotion that cannot be spoken.
Soujiro wants to do more than that, like holding her in comforting strokes or wipe her fevered brow. Since even how strong she appear she was, he noticed she was ignoring the signs. She apparently looks flushed and sweating and her voice sounds a little hoarse already before they've gone to the springs. If the weather hadn't gone any better, he's afraid she's coming with a chill. Tending her seems to make him feel a bit confused, since he hadn't tended anyone that he did really cared about. He inhaled deeply, and got a small wooden basin and some wet towels, "Maybe you wouldn't mind if you let me,"
Misao jumps up from where she was sitting. "Oh no, I can do that to myself! I can manage!" she wants to stay within the comforts of her dear cloak. But he seems to rather ignore her claims, and proceeded to strip her off the cloak and sponge her instead. He removes his hand protectors, and rolled up his sleeves to reveal slender arms and palms so smooth, one would not know he is a skilled fighter. Misao somehow muted herself when Soujiro paced on gently sponging her arms and legs, with the somehow tacit expression somehow dwindling. She didn't know what to do, when he was to sponge her neck to face up "No matter how strong you are, you still get sick like everyone else does." He murmured, looking up as she sponged her warm forehead. "Denying it will make it worse, believe me." Adding, as he stroking her cheeks with the wet sponge. Somehow she understood, and she was looking at him but not with wide-eyed curiosity but an agreeing meaningful look that is quite unusual. "It's like you're speaking from experience." She said out loud.
He shrugged. "I guessed I do and he rolled his sleeves back and stood up.
"Now get some rest, I'll see what I can do." A warm reassuring smile curved to his lips, making Misao melt "Just don't be stubborn, ok?"
"Arigatou for everything, Soujiro-san. I mean it."
"Don't you hear the rumors? They said that there is the erstwhile lethal slasher who is after the hand of the Oniwabanshu's young leader. It sounds ridiculous, but they said a former member is after the slasher's head for a price." Some men are chatting by the inn's public waiting room, most staying temporarily for shelter from the rain. Idling with the look of it, but these strangers look like they have some upbringing and were definitely serious. "Maybe we could offer our services if the news is confirmed" A man of slight bulk weight and in his early 40's, suggested. He seem to look diplomatic than the rest. "Besides, the law prohibits ronins these days."
"Bah, they should have not chosen a girl as their leader at the first place!" one seemingly more unkind, added. Soujiro was listening, the figures seem harmless but they are giving him a benefit of doubt. He was right, the news is spreading like wildfire, but IT is still a RUMOR yet. "Someone told me, that they are in this town already."
"That could be easily noticed. Ronins had this hard look in their faces and display their swords in public. Those allowed, either work for the government."
"Not this one." The middle age man inquired
"I got information from my desk this morning. The slasher does not have the category you're thinking. The informant said, he appears to be a young boy no more than his early 20's or younger. He cleverly hides his sword, and he has this deceiving sunny disposition that makes him appear harmless. He is holding the leader of the oniwabanshu hostage, but well, we know how she looks like."
Hostage. A nice excuse. But who could have...
"You got to be kidding! The lethal mercenary is a young boy? But who could have told you? How do you know he was right?"
"The informant claims to be a member of the Oniwabanshu, he is a ninja wearing a dark hue of blue."
Soujiro quickly realized that they got to pack quickly before it's too late. He hurried to the stairs.
"There's even a sketch how he would look like." The man opened up a roughly folded paper, and shows it among his men. The innkeeper happens to be in the conversation and turns ghastly white when he saw the image. "Merciful Buddha! That's the young boy who just went to stairs a few minutes ago! He is with a young girl that dresses similar to the oniwabanshu... they make me believe they are siblings staying for the night!"
"My hunch was right! We had to leave!" He hissed silently, and made a grab of their things. He can't believe the blue ninja didn't stand a chance of tracing them sooner, but eventually did. Misao lend a help in quickly obstructing objects along the door, it seems the only way out was by the window and the weather isn't helping. "It's too damn tight!" she struggled, but Soujiro quickly cuts through it like paper and welcoming the strong blast of cold rain in. By instinct, he heftily threw Misao over his shoulder easily and leaps out of the window before they would catch after them. Some things are left behind, but he had no choice. "He escaped! That darn one is just to fast!" one of them cursed silently, but the room isn't totally empty with some of their things remaining inside, some scuttled in a mess due to hurrying. "Maybe this would leave some clues, call the police."
The wild abysmal cries howls at the air at that strong rainy night, whipping strong rain currents blearing Soujiro's view as he struggled to run fast not knowing what will happen. He can feel his limbs numbing out of pain but he had to spirit Misao to safety and the weather would start to make it worse for her condition. The lancing sensation searing to his arms and feet means nothing, and deep inside its not the physical pain that worries him. His eyes were lighting up fiercely with determination to escape against all odds: The roads are slippery with the wind beating to the opposite direction is a total risk than anything else. He had to get to the woods, or some small caves fit for a temporary shelter. He had to keep his promise to Misao. "Just hang on Misao!" he kept repeating, in a bold assuring manner to keep her up. Misao couldn't complain since the weather is taking more toll than she expect. Thunder reverberated with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very earth, and she looked up at his handsome face. His jaw clenched, his features set with an intensity she had never seen, and she wondered if the warring elements were but a pale echo of what raged between the two of them. She slowly slipped into darkness... she can't recall remembering anything else, except for the maddening weather soaking them to the bone and Soujiro's reassuring voice calling her, hang on Misao..Hang on.... then there's this wild battle cry.... and she knows no more.