Disclaimer: No, I'm not going to be creative about it today. It's now 6:40am and I don't feel like it. So, no, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Warning: *scratches her head* I feel like I'm forgetting something... not that that's unusual...
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Souken no Shibun
Forgotten Melodies
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Kenshin yawned lightly, listening to the pitter patter of the rain as it fell. It was a soothing sound, tempting him to simply close his eyes and return to sleep. He knew that if he didn't get up, Kaoru would cook again and this time she might not have Kyouki to watch over her. That, and considering it wasn't his riverwalk day, it'd be best it he just got up and cooked breakfast himself. Rising from his place against the wall, he stretched and tightened the tie in his hair.
Yahiko was still asleep, muttering some rather new curses he had likely picked up from Sanosuke before the man's disappearance. Strange though that Kaoru was allowing the boy to sleep in when she had that little training regime planned for him. She wasn't in her room though, which didn't bode well for his kitchen. Still, Kenshin couldn't smell anything toxic yet, so there was still hope.
A different sight greeted him though as he entered the kitchen. Kaoru wasn't anywhere near the food, but rather, was standing over an unconscious Kyouki. And beside her... "Sano?"
The spiky haired fighter smiled warmly at him and waved. "Hey," he said simply, acting as if he hadn't been missing for weeks. Kenshin was sorely tempted to knock the man over the head with his sakaba, but his attention was caught by the fact that there appeared to be something wrong with the Shibun member. Kaoru shook her head as she place a cool washcloth on the girl's forehead.
"Just what did you do to her, Sanosuke?!"
"Wha? I didn't touch her. I told you, she attacked and then started going on about pink bunnies." He shrugged. "After that, she just passed out."
"Well, something must have happened. The stuff I put in the tea wouldn't have done this by itself."
The creak of the floorboards as Kenshin stepped further into the room caught Kaoru's attention. She looked up in surprise, a guilty look crossing her face as she realized that it was Kenshin and that he must have heard her. Apparently, she hadn't been paying attention to anything other than Kyouki when Sano greeted him. If anything had happened, Kaoru would have been left to battle the intruders by herself and that made Kenshin frown in obvious disappointment. "Kaoru-dono..."
Kaoru's guilty look immediately transformed into an angry one upon seeing Kenshin's expression. "Do you think I wouldn't have been able to handle the dojo for one night by myself, Kenshin? Contrary to popular belief, I do not need saving all the time. Or is it just that you don't trust me to handle things without your supervision?"
Kenshin blinked, his mouth agape. His mind worked furiously for a response that wouldn't get him killed and wouldn't leave Kaoru angry with him for days. He couldn't tell her that supervision was the problem. She would most likely misunderstand the reasoning behind it in her upset state. It wasn't because he didn't think she couldn't handle herself, it was just that he wanted to be there just in case he was needed. Since she had drugged him, that wouldn't have been possible.
Kyouki groaned from her position against the wall, but both pointedly ignored her in favor of glaring at the other in a contest of wills. Kenshin wanted to protect Kaoru from harm and Kaoru wanted to prove that she could protect herself. Neither was going to give in to the other.
"Nothing happened," Sano cut in, strangely becoming the voice of reason. "How about we leave it at that for now, you two, and tend to the injured girl on the floor. Alright?" The two slowly nodded agreement to this.
Kenshin kneeled beside Kaoru, inspecting Kyouki. "Since she got the same dosage we did, there shouldn't be any reason for her to have passed out like that unless she was more susceptible to it... Where and when was it that you found her, Sano?"
The fighter shrugged. "Not too long after midnight on the road running between here and Chiba. Met her up on the hill coming from Chiba where you're first able to see the lights from Tokyo. It's about an hour's walk from the edge of the city."
Kenshin frowned. "Sessha was talking to her not too long before then. In order to have gotten there when you say, she'd have had to run the entire way, de gozaru yo." Kenshin settled himself more comfortably on the floor, sighing. "Add that to being drugged and that she's still recovering from her concussion, and it's no wonder that she passed out, de gozaru."
Sano whistled appreciatively. "Wow. I know it was dark, but it didn't even look like she was breathing hard. In fact, I think she was singing."
Kenshin rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "And you say she attacked you..."
"More like she was going to. She starting rambling about pink bunnies before she could, then decided to take a nap."
Kaoru chewed on her lip. "Another episode... and so soon, too."
Kenshin nodded. "Sessha thinks we need to have another talk with Michika-dono."
Sano blinked at their mention of the woman's name, but before he could ask them anything, Kyouki issued another groan, finally waking up. Shielding her eyes, she took a look around at the people surrounding her. "You know, I'm getting tired of passing out. The scenery keeps changing on me." She forced herself to lean forward, away from the support the wall offered. She glanced at Sano, looking him over disinterestedly, before turning her attention to the ache in her head, ignoring Sano's insulted look. "So what did I do this time?"
Kaoru jerked a thumb at the still indignant fighter. "You sang Sano a lullaby, then tried to kill him."
"I never said it was a lullaby..." Sano grumbled.
Kyouki blinked. "Sano...? As in Sagara, the guy that was working with Michika?" She glanced back at Sanosuke, a slightly disbelieving look painted on her features. "You bummed off Michika and lived?"
Sano pointedly ignored the question. "So you don't remember anything about last night? The singing, the bunnies, the attempt on my life?" he asked ever so tactfully.
"No," Kyouki growled, scowling at him.
Kenshin grinned. Ah, the beginnings of another beautiful friendship. "Maa, maa. Perhaps if Kyouki told us what songs she knew of, we might find the one she sang last night. Then we would have some clue to what's going on." He turned expectantly to the girl, who looked at him blankly.
"Two years may seem like a long time, but I can't think of any songs offhand, I'm afraid."
Kenshin thought about that a moment, then turned to the other two. "Perhaps we know of it, de gozaru. What did it sound like, Sano?"
Sano's face dropped. "You actually expect me to be able to tell you?" When he didn't get a response, he grumbled, but thought back, his eyes unfocusing. "Well, it was a little slow. Sounded a little sad, too. At the time, I thought it was in some other language, but I was too far away to really tell."
He grew quiet after that, prompting a look from Kaoru. "Is that all you can tell us?" When he nodded, her eye twitched irritably. "Well, you weren't helpful at all."
"What do you expect?! I have been to sleep yet and I haven't eaten since yesterday."
"I truly hope you're not hinting at the lack of breakfast, Sanosuke," Kaoru growled, "or you may not live to see it." Sano cringed away from the evil glint in Kaoru's eye, knowing the bokken would follow if he so much as opened his mouth.
Kyouki shook her head as Kenshin chuckled, both watching the little scene. Kenshin turned to look at his charge, patting her on the head. "Well, sessha thinks Sano forgives you, Kyouki." She frowned, making him chuckle again. "Really, though... how are you feeling, de gozaru ka?"
"Like I should be chained down or tied up."
Sano's eyes brightened. "Kinky."
"Pervert."
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A/N: It's 6:43... I'd rather giggle insanely than ramble. You are spared. *chuckles* *blinks* Oh wait... ok, anyone who's bothering to read this - if you like Kenshin, Alternate Universe settings, and Sci-fi, go read MaraJadeblu's fic and leave a review! *tears up* She's threatening to discontinue over the lack of reviews... *whines* I don't want her to! *cries*
To Cymberleah: I'm not evil... the chibi's evil! It's Milgazia and Sanosuke's lovechild!! *cackles* *blinks* Nevermind.
To MaraJadeblue: *blinks* Read the rest of 27 on the bus, huh? Hmm... what was that again... *checks her list* Oh yeah, the one I worked so hard on... the one I had so many problems typing cause I kept going into giggling fits over Aoshi being the narrator and the truth session at the end. But I finally did get it typed after two days of torment. *pats your shoulder* I hope you had a better go of reading it than I had of writing it. *smiles*
*yawns and clicks mouse button* There... it'll send to Author Lady when she gets on. Then she can wave her magic wand over and send it back. Then I'll be a happy camper. *frowns* Ok, an agreeable camper.