Author's Note: I'm kinda scared to continue, considering the amount of people who reviewed almost immediately. *still in shock* But here it is anyway!
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Not even a brain! This applies to about owning Kenshin.
Anger and Fear:
A sake jug dropped on the wooden floor of a hut situated in a forest.
"Hiko-sensei, I'm back," she called in. Seijuro Hiko looked up to see the girl he took in as a second student after his baka deishi left to join the war.
Her full body-length cloak flowed behind her as majestically as Hiko's own white cape. It was joined at a silver star at the base of her neck, and the cloak parted to show her clothes. The skirt was an illusion created by flowing wide pants, in a way similar to a hakama without pleats. Her slightly hidden blue shirt easily showed off the curves of her womanhood.
"Do you always have to scrutinize me and my body?" she asked, her eyebrow was raised as she placed the sake next to him. "I can perfectly take good care of myself!"
"It certainly wasn't that way when I, the great Seijuro Hiko the 13th master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, took you in that day," Hiko said grumpily as he began drinking the sake.
"I'm stronger now," she glared, unconsciously tapping the two katana(s) in their dark blue sheaths.
Hiko slammed the jar down, and glared back, "And if you have to face the real manslayers? They're still in a whole different league than you. Just because the public calls you the Hitokiri Tenshi does not mean that you are any skills! And most importantly, what if someone decides to rape you again?"
Her eyes turned into an icy gray-blue. Hiko looked back at her with an air of superiority. She hated the past and strove to avoid it. She stalked out of the house, her ki crackling with anger and resentment.
Hiko inwardly sighed. He couldn't understand her resistance to kenjutsu. It was the very thing that kept her safe and gave her the chance to do what she wanted to do, to protect the weak. Hiko frowned as he realized yet again how much she is turning into Kenshin. Resenting the connection, he went back to the clay pottery he was making. Seeing the mess, he allowed himself to indulge in the sake brought to him. He watched over her angry ki, knowing it would be quite a while before she gets control of it.
"Baka shoshou," she grumbled to herself as she stood out in the cool night air. Taking a deep breath, she fought to calm her emotions, the one major weakness of a swordsman. Failing to do so, she angrily tossed one of the swords aside, and unsheathed the other. She crouched slightly, taking her stance. In a blur of darkness, she was past the tree she was facing. Sheathing the doubly dull blade, she heard the tree then cracked and crashed to the ground. She frowned at the damage. The base of the fallen tree was jagged and proved her cut to be unclean. She threw the sword to join its brother, and she stalked away. "Power. I'm not physically strong enough," she groaned to herself. Hiko was exceptionally vague when she had asked how she could improve hers. "Men!" she fumed. "They're oh-so-mighty all the time," she thought sarcastically.
She leapt up and grabbed a high branch of a different tree. She pulled herself up so that her chin hovered above the branch. Holding it for a moment, she began listing why she hated men. For each time she pulled herself up she added more. When her reasons became silly nonsense, she let go and let herself drop onto the ground.
But the ground never received her. She looked up to see a smile greet her.
"It isn't everyday I have the honor of catching an angel," he said, his eyes twinkling slightly mischievously.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" she stammered in surprise.
"I just came to drop by," he answered as he gently placed her on the ground. She fidgeted slightly when he didn't remove his arm from her waist.
"What were you doing?" he asked, drawing closer.
"Ano…" she blushed in embarrassment. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her face. "I wanted to be stronger, physically." She answered in a whisper.
"Whatever for?" he brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll be there for you, Tenshi," he smiled as he drew closer. Her bright blue eyes began to show twinge of fear.
"There are some things that I will eternally fear," she whispered back, shivering. She tried to pull away, but his hold was firm.
"May I please be excu-" Her request was cut short by the soft lips that pressed on hers. His hand cradled her cheek as the other pulled her closer. He lingered there, enjoying on the bodily warmth of her body and the sensation of a kiss. But the warmth of affection only seemed to be in a one-way flow.
Okita Souji broke the kiss, curious as to why his love wasn't returned. He was received by fearful eyes, alarm evident in them. Puzzled, he watched her smile emptily. To anyone else, the smile would have passed as genuine joy, but Okita knew it was only a means to control her ki, which had hidden itself.
"I-I have to go," he said at last, hurt by the rejection. "I promised to meet Saito-san tonight."
She looked away and nodded. Okita looked at her longingly before he left. Tokio-san had promised him that it wouldn't hurt. Then why did he ache so much on the inside? It was like she responded as if she was in a battle, not as if they were the close friends they were...
Tenshi waited until she was sure that he was well away before she allowed herself to face her thoughts. She barely managed to keep herself together. Fear had surged through her body, completely numbing her reflexes. She was so easily caught by someone and the kiss was so easily taken. If it had been someone else, more would have been taken from her. She bit her lips, fighting her tears. The truth came to her in that one gentle kiss. She was weak.
Author's Notes: The details of the future of Tenshi are still a little fuzzy. ^-^ Thank you for the reviews! I'm actually extremely surprised by the reviews. *faints from shock* Anyway enjoy! I updated sooner than I planned thanks to all of you very kind reviewers!!!!
Personal thanks:
Chri- Thanks, I was hoping I got the mood thingy right. Don't worry about the Sailor Moon part, it's not really a big part. And to your q', I think it's because ff.net hasn't been able to display it yet. Unfortunately, some things take time.
Madphilie- Thanks for reviewing, I'm actually going to keep Tenshi's identity a bit of a secret so I can pull to sequels out of this. *grins evilly*
Animeluverthatiam- See! *points at chapter* Update! Just for you and all the other reviewers!
Naomi- Thanks for the tidbit! It's going to help a lot!
Kamimura Kaoru- Like I said, o/~ I'm not telling o/~ *evil grin* I'm really thrilled you like my chapter. [No sarcasm intended!] I just hope it doesn't go downhill. You should update soon too!