Disclaimer: I don't own RK, I own this fic though and am only borrowing
their characters.
Dedicated to:
Ewunia- oh ho ho ho, you get to see how Kenshin reacts to the news in this chapter, and im glad that you find this interesting, I'm trying to get away from what most people do, you know how they follow the story line and just insert Kaoru in, so I hope I don't confuse too many people
Princezz Kaoru- This one took me forever, it's not long but well its longer then the others, ENJOY :D
Kriska- I know, I love Batt/Kaoru fics, that's why I decided to write one, plus I have the Samurai x dvd's and I love them :D I'm so glad that you like my fic, hehehe, and I hope that you like this chapter
MON- hehehe, I agree with you there, hehehe I think you're the first person to say that my fic is cool :D
Val- definitely in the right place hehehe, although Iizuka isn't the right kinda guy to be around ehh, the snake! Hmm we'll see more of his evil ways during my fic so hang out for that and there will definitely be some sweet moments between father and daughter because I think that people don't really explore that and the connection between them will need to strengthen for this fic. :D I'm heaps happy that you didn't guess that Katsura was Kaoru's father so yay, one point for me non for you :D
Aya Komiyama- hehehe, Kaoru's life will get better, so hang in there
Rekka's Angel- I'm delighted that you like how Katsura is Kaoru's father, I will have more on that later I think, so enjoy this chapter :D
Shiomei- well there is some about how Katsura will accept Kenshin and Kaoru, and I just want to ask you a question is it Battousai or Batousai? Because I've read where it's the way I write it and read in other places with the two t's so, yeah just wondering if I'm getting it right :D
Nim- hehehe, here's some for your empty belly, and I hope it will sustain your need until I get a new chapter out, hehehe, I'm so happy that you like it so much, hehehehe, enjoy this chapter chicki bicki :D
Sweetaznpnai4eva- wow, so you've read my ccs ones too? Yeah! I just updated my Xiaolang little wolf if you haven't read that yet, hehehe, took me long enough ehh? Well I hope that you enjoy my RK once just as much as my CCS hehehe, :D
Marstanuki- definitely more K+K action in this chapter, I hope that your pleasantly surprised hahaha, not saying anymore
Whatever- well I'm glad that you find this interesting and that you want to keep reading it, I hope that I don't bore you with this chapter :D
If I have missed any one then I am sorry and hopefully I get you in the next chapter :D flippin heck I love those smiley faces hahahah
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter three: Communication
~()~
"I would not ask that of you, my daughter, you will be given a Sakabatou." Kaoru grinned and hugged her father, 'this is all knew, but I think everything will be alright.'
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
Kaoru spent a few days hidden away in her fathers room, she was still trying to sort out her life, everything she had ever known had been false, and now that she knew this she could see the hints of this all throughout her life. Some of the more obvious instances were when Katsura came over and visited, and she had always loved it when he had, the man would always bring her gifts, and lollies and spend the entire day with her. He would often take her on picnics or horse rides. She realised now that normal families would not let a single man take their young daughter out by herself, there would always have to have been someone of the opposite sex with them.
She could also see it when her 'father' has trained her, and how when she sometimes got tired he would keep pushing her and saying "don't you want to get strong like your father" when in reality her 'father' though a great swordsman, was rather frail in the strength department, and so her 'father' then and there had told her in a hidden way that he wasn't her true sire. Another thing that plagued her mind was that she now knew the reason her 'parents' had been killed, they had wanted to get to her, because she was the daughter of Katsura the leader of the Ishin Shishi, and with that knowledge she also knew that there must be a spy among the ranks.
Her father had told her not to leave unless necessary, she knew he was worried about her safety now and he was waiting for her hand crafted Sakabatou to be made before he would allow her to walk freely around the inn. Kaoru thought that maybe this kind of protectiveness would have made her felt claustrophobic, but it held the opposite effect, it made her feel loved, and for some reason, this gave her the comfort she needed as she was feeling very confused and emotional at the moment.
The door to her rooms opened up slowly, giving her enough time to tell the person entering if she was not ready to see them. Her father walked in, carrying a sheath and her sword, he knelt in front of his daughter and presented them to her, feeling as if this moment was very sacred. The sword in itself was very beautifully carved, with the insignia of the Ishin Shishi printed on it just above her families crest, a few dragons chased one another and there were beautiful sapphire stones imbedded in the silver of the hilt. The sword in itself was heavier then the practice swords she used, but the weight wouldn't put off her balance, all in all she thought that the sword was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
Katsura smiled at his daughter and pointed to the reversed blade, there were carvings all along the side, very shallow so as not to break the swords balance but she could make out a few words.
"The sword that protects" she whispered, she smiled sadly and then placed the sword and sheath down carefully before hugging her father. "Arigatou Otou-san"
"Now, I will feel much better knowing that my daughter will be able to defend her honour amongst my men" Katsura smiled at Kaoru, showing that he thought no one would harm her, and feeling like an idiot she realised why, her family crest was that of Katsura Kogorou, her father, and she was now Kaoru Kogorou, his daughter, smacking her head mentally, for being so dense she stood up and tied the sheath to her black hakama, and then tied up her long black hair so that it was out of her eyes.
"Can I go and train?" she asked as Katsura stood up slowly, he ruffled Kaoru's hair and nodded her head, ignoring her scowl for messing up her hair.
"Its on the ground floor, to the left, you will hear the others training" Kaoru grinned and giving her father a quick kiss on the cheek she rushed out of their rooms.
She didn't see many people as she hurried to where her father told her the training rooms were, but that didn't surprise her, as it was early in the afternoon. Hearing the sounds of people shouting and the sound of wood, or metal crashing together, smiling in delight she walked over and stood in the large doorway to see who was practising. 'Great, its all men!' rolling her eyes and again smacking herself mentally she walked in slowly, searching for a place where there was room for her to practise on her own. 'Of course its only men, duh! My 'mother' and I are probably the only trained females in Japan.'
A lot of the people training stopped and watched her as she walked along the edge of the room, not wanting to interrupt anyone, however that was inevitable as most of the men had not seen her before and were rather suspicious. Some had heard about her arriving with Himura and Iizuka and were interested in who she was. Kaoru however didn't care about these men, she was here to train. Unsheathing her new Sakabatou she held it out straight in front of her ready to start her kata, her concentration was broken when an annoyingly high voice cut through the room.
"Woman, what are you doing in here, and with a reverse blade sword?" Kaoru's fist tightened around her Sakabatou and she turned to the offending man. He was tall, and rather well built which surprised her, as his voice was very high 'mustn't of reached puberty yet' she mussed with an amused grin spreading across her face.
"I'm training, what does it look like baka?" The man glared at her and started to move forwards, he didn't like it when he was left out of the gossip ring, and he would find out who this woman was.
"Who are you?" Kaoru groaned and turned away from the man,
"I don't have time for this, if you will not train then get out and let the rest of us do what we came to do" Being a man, the high voiced fighter took great offence being told by a woman what to do. The sound of a sword being drawn caught everyone's attention, Kaoru rolled her eyes and continued to keep her back faced to the girly man, her Sakabatou securely held in her hand.
The man charged and Kaoru spun around and held up her Sakabatou, ready to catch the mans rather slow arc in a block, however another sword came into contact with the girly mans higher up. Kaoru surprised as she hadn't sensed anyone so close to her followed the long silver blade to its owner and cursed.
"Damn it Himura-san, get your own fight, this is mine" The girly man as Kaoru had dubbed him quickly withdrew his blade, and Kaoru was amused to see him start to sweat.
"Oh, I am sorry Himura-sama, I did not know she was your woman" Kaoru snorted.
"His woman? Ha! I'd like to see that" Kaoru sheathed her sword and turned to Himura who still had his sword outstretched, Kaoru placed her hand on the flat side and pushed it down. "You don't need to keep your sword there, his is gone now, and the girly man is practically wetting his pants"
"Do not touch my swords, ever," Batousai whispered harshly at Kaoru. Blue eyes clashed with amber and they both glared at one another.
"Humph, well I'm going to start my training again and hopefully this time it isn't interrupted" Kaoru turned on her heal and went a little bit away from Himura to take out her Sakabatou again and start her kata. Kenshin however went and sat down in the corner, his sword at her feet, ready to be used, and he watched as Kaoru practised the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu.
'Why does she had the crest of Kogorou on her sword, is she related that closely to Katsura? What is she to him.. ~()~FB~()~
"She is like a daughter to me"
~()~EFB~()~
...a daughter? Is she his daughter?' Himura looked over at where Kaoru was finishing off her kata movements and looked her over more carefully, she had a slightly turned up nose, that looked very similar to Katsura's, she had fine boned hands, that were long and slender, just as Katsura, and now that he thought about it, she did look like she was an offspring to the mighty leader of the Ishin Shishi. Shaking his head in wonder the young Hitokiri continued to follow the young girls movements and saw some weaknesses in her skill, how if she changed her balance just slightly this way or that she would have more power behind some of her attacks. He also didn't recognise the style she was using and it was very beautiful, even if it was much slower then his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu.
After a few moments of debating whether to help this girl Himura stood and walked over to her 'she is the daughter of our leader and should know the best ways to defend herself, for she is just as important as our leader.'
Kaoru continued with her kata, eyes still closed as she felt the approach of Himura
"What is it?" she asked, non-too civilly.
"I will help you with your technique" Kaoru snorted and continued on with her kata
"I don't need your help"
"I didn't say you had a choice" and before Kaoru knew what was happening Himura had his hands on her hips and moved her footing slightly and guided her hands a little lower, Kaoru shocked at how close the Hitokiri was to her dropped her Sakabatou. Himura growled at her. "If you are this sloppy when you train then I would hate to see what you are like in battle."
Kaoru elbowed Himura in the stomach, which he blocked easily. Shaking his head he bent down and picked up Kaoru's weapon.
"Why do you carry a reverse blade sword?" Kaoru snatched her sword from Himura's grasp
"I refuse to kill" Himura nodded his head in understanding, and repositioned Kaoru's hold on her sword.
"A pretty idea" he said in a whisper, and before Kaoru could question what he had said he was again making her stance wider and more balanced, giving her a better chance at being able to move in different directions as she might have an attacker who starts from the front and goes to the side, or in any combination. Kaoru was about to start her kata again when she realised just how quiet the training room was once again. Turning her head so she was looking up and over Himura's shoulder as he was directly behind her, she was the shocked looks on the other fighter's faces. Himura turned as well and glared at them for interrupting his little teaching exercise to keep one of the most valuable people of the Ishin Shishi from getting killed the first time she came upon someone in battle.
At that moment Katsura came in a found Himura with his hands on his daughters hips, his first impression was that the young hitokiri was taking advantage of his daughter, but on closer inspection he realised that his anger was not needed, Himura was actually helping in his daughters training and he smiled at them both, 'this is definitely something different, Himura showing care for another member of the Ishin Shishi, hmm, maybe we haven't sold his soul to blood forever, and if he can keep my daughter safe as well, then..I do believe that it is a good thing..however, I will have to watch him and make sure that he doesn't compromise my daughters honour by spending too much time alone with her, rumours will start and if not killed quickly will escalate..I can not have that happen to my Chibi-Kaoru.'
The members of the Ishin Shishi all bowed to their leader and quickly went back to training, but strangely enough they were all facing where Kaoru and Himura were, Katsura shook his head at their antics and went to the side of the room to watch the two youngest members of his clan continue with their training.
Kaoru concentrated on what Himura was saying, but she was having trouble thinking, she had never been this close to a person her age before, of the opposite sex, and he was very handsome, she didn't understand why her body was liking the way that he held her and how he continued touching her and righting her if she tripped slightly, 'I'm going crazy, that's it, its official.' She was about to do the next part of the kata when Himura's fingers gently flittered down her sides to follow with her movements, and the action made her giggle. Himura stopped almost immediately when he heard her laugh. Glaring down at her he scowled
"This is no laughing matter, you do realise that fighting is-"
"You made me ticklish"
".?"
"Oh, don't tell me you don't know what its like to be tickled do you?" Kaoru turned to face Himura and looked up into his now confused violet amber flecked eyes.
"Nani?" Kaoru grinned at him
"Do you want me to show you?" Himura was now put on the defensive, he didn't like not knowing what things were, and he glared at her, wondering if she was threatening him with some new technique he didn't know about.
"Iie, I'll be fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Hn" Kaoru rolled her eyes at him reverting to a caveman, but just nodded her head and turned back around
"I'll show you what it is later," she twisted her sword in her grasp and went back to the position she was in before to follow on with her 'lesson.'
~()~
She couldn't sleep, and she didn't want to wake her father up, so tying her sleeping yukata around her tightly and tying her sheath around her slim waist and crept passed her fathers sleeping room and out into their multipurpose room, sliding open the door she went down stairs and decided to go outside for some fresh air. The moon was high in the sky and bathed the earth in a soft glow; Kaoru smiled to herself and breathed in the fresh air. Stretching her muscles she stepped further out, and at that moment she heard the splash of water, knowing someone was probably bathing Kaoru was about to go back inside to not disturb them, but for some unknown reason she wanted to see who it was.
'Pervert, Kaoru you are a hentai,' repeating this sentence over and over in her head didn't stop her from peeking around the corner, and she gasped, there by the well stood the red haired young man Himura, water dripped from his entire body, which was still clothed. Blood was running down his cheek as he stared into his reflection on the water. Then he picked up a ruff scrubbing brush and brought it to his hands and started scrubbing as them harshly. Kaoru watched and felt a stab of compassion for the young Hitokiri, she knew exactly what he was doing, he was trying to scrub the blood away when she knew very well that there wasn't any visible sign of blood. Sighing she threw all caution to the wind and walked up to him, making sure that she didn't creep around like a thief so when she reached him he killed her. She made enough noise to alert him of her presence if he hadn't already sensed her.
She was right up to his side and he still went away at his hand, rubbing it red raw, Kaoru took the scrubbing brush from his hand and he started, his eyes going wide, and for the first time since she had met him, his eyes were completely violet, and she saw all the emotion raging in them, the most prominent emotion was pain, he was hurting deep inside for what he had to do for the clan. Kaoru continued to stare at him, both of their eyes locked and she gently took his hand and led him back inside the inn, there was a small entry way where some small cushions littered the floor and Kaoru sat Himura down on one of them before going off to the kitchens to fetch some warm water and cloth.
When she returned, Himura hadn't moved from his spot and Kaoru knelt in front of him, taking both of his red hands she placed them into the bowl of warm scented water and began to gently wipe at them, trying to soothe the skin he had massacred. Himura watched Kaoru's slow ministrations, but nothing was going through his numb brain but the killing, this was the first time he had been wounded in an assassination, and that fact made him realise that he was not all invincible as everyone was led to believe.
Kaoru had finished with his hands and left them in the water while she tended to his still bleeding cheek, after cleansing it and placing some herb salve over it to help heal she wiped dry Himura's hands and pulled him to his feet.
"Now go and change into some dry clothes and get some sleep," she said, giving him a little push in the direction of the sleeping areas.
"I don't need your help" Himura said, trying to get his bearings again and become the sharp eyed Hitokiri that he was, Kaoru offered him a small grin and turned to go and put everything back
"I didn't say you had a choice" she whispered and was already walking in the direction of the kitchen to put away the bowl and cloth she had used.
Himura scowled at her for using his words against him and he walked down the corridor heading for his rooms, but he couldn't help but feel cleaner then he had in a long, long time.
~()~
Sujakata: awe, little K&K moments there, nothing big and spectacular, but we need to build a strong friendship before we get to the hot stuff :D
Read through by Kami, so kill her if it doesn't make sense :"D
Kami: hey! How are they supposed to kill me if they don't know where I live? Sujakata you are such a baka!
Sujakata: HEY! Kami no busu! Mwhahahaha, ok, well let me know what you all think :D
Dedicated to:
Ewunia- oh ho ho ho, you get to see how Kenshin reacts to the news in this chapter, and im glad that you find this interesting, I'm trying to get away from what most people do, you know how they follow the story line and just insert Kaoru in, so I hope I don't confuse too many people
Princezz Kaoru- This one took me forever, it's not long but well its longer then the others, ENJOY :D
Kriska- I know, I love Batt/Kaoru fics, that's why I decided to write one, plus I have the Samurai x dvd's and I love them :D I'm so glad that you like my fic, hehehe, and I hope that you like this chapter
MON- hehehe, I agree with you there, hehehe I think you're the first person to say that my fic is cool :D
Val- definitely in the right place hehehe, although Iizuka isn't the right kinda guy to be around ehh, the snake! Hmm we'll see more of his evil ways during my fic so hang out for that and there will definitely be some sweet moments between father and daughter because I think that people don't really explore that and the connection between them will need to strengthen for this fic. :D I'm heaps happy that you didn't guess that Katsura was Kaoru's father so yay, one point for me non for you :D
Aya Komiyama- hehehe, Kaoru's life will get better, so hang in there
Rekka's Angel- I'm delighted that you like how Katsura is Kaoru's father, I will have more on that later I think, so enjoy this chapter :D
Shiomei- well there is some about how Katsura will accept Kenshin and Kaoru, and I just want to ask you a question is it Battousai or Batousai? Because I've read where it's the way I write it and read in other places with the two t's so, yeah just wondering if I'm getting it right :D
Nim- hehehe, here's some for your empty belly, and I hope it will sustain your need until I get a new chapter out, hehehe, I'm so happy that you like it so much, hehehehe, enjoy this chapter chicki bicki :D
Sweetaznpnai4eva- wow, so you've read my ccs ones too? Yeah! I just updated my Xiaolang little wolf if you haven't read that yet, hehehe, took me long enough ehh? Well I hope that you enjoy my RK once just as much as my CCS hehehe, :D
Marstanuki- definitely more K+K action in this chapter, I hope that your pleasantly surprised hahaha, not saying anymore
Whatever- well I'm glad that you find this interesting and that you want to keep reading it, I hope that I don't bore you with this chapter :D
If I have missed any one then I am sorry and hopefully I get you in the next chapter :D flippin heck I love those smiley faces hahahah
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter three: Communication
~()~
"I would not ask that of you, my daughter, you will be given a Sakabatou." Kaoru grinned and hugged her father, 'this is all knew, but I think everything will be alright.'
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
Kaoru spent a few days hidden away in her fathers room, she was still trying to sort out her life, everything she had ever known had been false, and now that she knew this she could see the hints of this all throughout her life. Some of the more obvious instances were when Katsura came over and visited, and she had always loved it when he had, the man would always bring her gifts, and lollies and spend the entire day with her. He would often take her on picnics or horse rides. She realised now that normal families would not let a single man take their young daughter out by herself, there would always have to have been someone of the opposite sex with them.
She could also see it when her 'father' has trained her, and how when she sometimes got tired he would keep pushing her and saying "don't you want to get strong like your father" when in reality her 'father' though a great swordsman, was rather frail in the strength department, and so her 'father' then and there had told her in a hidden way that he wasn't her true sire. Another thing that plagued her mind was that she now knew the reason her 'parents' had been killed, they had wanted to get to her, because she was the daughter of Katsura the leader of the Ishin Shishi, and with that knowledge she also knew that there must be a spy among the ranks.
Her father had told her not to leave unless necessary, she knew he was worried about her safety now and he was waiting for her hand crafted Sakabatou to be made before he would allow her to walk freely around the inn. Kaoru thought that maybe this kind of protectiveness would have made her felt claustrophobic, but it held the opposite effect, it made her feel loved, and for some reason, this gave her the comfort she needed as she was feeling very confused and emotional at the moment.
The door to her rooms opened up slowly, giving her enough time to tell the person entering if she was not ready to see them. Her father walked in, carrying a sheath and her sword, he knelt in front of his daughter and presented them to her, feeling as if this moment was very sacred. The sword in itself was very beautifully carved, with the insignia of the Ishin Shishi printed on it just above her families crest, a few dragons chased one another and there were beautiful sapphire stones imbedded in the silver of the hilt. The sword in itself was heavier then the practice swords she used, but the weight wouldn't put off her balance, all in all she thought that the sword was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
Katsura smiled at his daughter and pointed to the reversed blade, there were carvings all along the side, very shallow so as not to break the swords balance but she could make out a few words.
"The sword that protects" she whispered, she smiled sadly and then placed the sword and sheath down carefully before hugging her father. "Arigatou Otou-san"
"Now, I will feel much better knowing that my daughter will be able to defend her honour amongst my men" Katsura smiled at Kaoru, showing that he thought no one would harm her, and feeling like an idiot she realised why, her family crest was that of Katsura Kogorou, her father, and she was now Kaoru Kogorou, his daughter, smacking her head mentally, for being so dense she stood up and tied the sheath to her black hakama, and then tied up her long black hair so that it was out of her eyes.
"Can I go and train?" she asked as Katsura stood up slowly, he ruffled Kaoru's hair and nodded her head, ignoring her scowl for messing up her hair.
"Its on the ground floor, to the left, you will hear the others training" Kaoru grinned and giving her father a quick kiss on the cheek she rushed out of their rooms.
She didn't see many people as she hurried to where her father told her the training rooms were, but that didn't surprise her, as it was early in the afternoon. Hearing the sounds of people shouting and the sound of wood, or metal crashing together, smiling in delight she walked over and stood in the large doorway to see who was practising. 'Great, its all men!' rolling her eyes and again smacking herself mentally she walked in slowly, searching for a place where there was room for her to practise on her own. 'Of course its only men, duh! My 'mother' and I are probably the only trained females in Japan.'
A lot of the people training stopped and watched her as she walked along the edge of the room, not wanting to interrupt anyone, however that was inevitable as most of the men had not seen her before and were rather suspicious. Some had heard about her arriving with Himura and Iizuka and were interested in who she was. Kaoru however didn't care about these men, she was here to train. Unsheathing her new Sakabatou she held it out straight in front of her ready to start her kata, her concentration was broken when an annoyingly high voice cut through the room.
"Woman, what are you doing in here, and with a reverse blade sword?" Kaoru's fist tightened around her Sakabatou and she turned to the offending man. He was tall, and rather well built which surprised her, as his voice was very high 'mustn't of reached puberty yet' she mussed with an amused grin spreading across her face.
"I'm training, what does it look like baka?" The man glared at her and started to move forwards, he didn't like it when he was left out of the gossip ring, and he would find out who this woman was.
"Who are you?" Kaoru groaned and turned away from the man,
"I don't have time for this, if you will not train then get out and let the rest of us do what we came to do" Being a man, the high voiced fighter took great offence being told by a woman what to do. The sound of a sword being drawn caught everyone's attention, Kaoru rolled her eyes and continued to keep her back faced to the girly man, her Sakabatou securely held in her hand.
The man charged and Kaoru spun around and held up her Sakabatou, ready to catch the mans rather slow arc in a block, however another sword came into contact with the girly mans higher up. Kaoru surprised as she hadn't sensed anyone so close to her followed the long silver blade to its owner and cursed.
"Damn it Himura-san, get your own fight, this is mine" The girly man as Kaoru had dubbed him quickly withdrew his blade, and Kaoru was amused to see him start to sweat.
"Oh, I am sorry Himura-sama, I did not know she was your woman" Kaoru snorted.
"His woman? Ha! I'd like to see that" Kaoru sheathed her sword and turned to Himura who still had his sword outstretched, Kaoru placed her hand on the flat side and pushed it down. "You don't need to keep your sword there, his is gone now, and the girly man is practically wetting his pants"
"Do not touch my swords, ever," Batousai whispered harshly at Kaoru. Blue eyes clashed with amber and they both glared at one another.
"Humph, well I'm going to start my training again and hopefully this time it isn't interrupted" Kaoru turned on her heal and went a little bit away from Himura to take out her Sakabatou again and start her kata. Kenshin however went and sat down in the corner, his sword at her feet, ready to be used, and he watched as Kaoru practised the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu.
'Why does she had the crest of Kogorou on her sword, is she related that closely to Katsura? What is she to him.. ~()~FB~()~
"She is like a daughter to me"
~()~EFB~()~
...a daughter? Is she his daughter?' Himura looked over at where Kaoru was finishing off her kata movements and looked her over more carefully, she had a slightly turned up nose, that looked very similar to Katsura's, she had fine boned hands, that were long and slender, just as Katsura, and now that he thought about it, she did look like she was an offspring to the mighty leader of the Ishin Shishi. Shaking his head in wonder the young Hitokiri continued to follow the young girls movements and saw some weaknesses in her skill, how if she changed her balance just slightly this way or that she would have more power behind some of her attacks. He also didn't recognise the style she was using and it was very beautiful, even if it was much slower then his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu.
After a few moments of debating whether to help this girl Himura stood and walked over to her 'she is the daughter of our leader and should know the best ways to defend herself, for she is just as important as our leader.'
Kaoru continued with her kata, eyes still closed as she felt the approach of Himura
"What is it?" she asked, non-too civilly.
"I will help you with your technique" Kaoru snorted and continued on with her kata
"I don't need your help"
"I didn't say you had a choice" and before Kaoru knew what was happening Himura had his hands on her hips and moved her footing slightly and guided her hands a little lower, Kaoru shocked at how close the Hitokiri was to her dropped her Sakabatou. Himura growled at her. "If you are this sloppy when you train then I would hate to see what you are like in battle."
Kaoru elbowed Himura in the stomach, which he blocked easily. Shaking his head he bent down and picked up Kaoru's weapon.
"Why do you carry a reverse blade sword?" Kaoru snatched her sword from Himura's grasp
"I refuse to kill" Himura nodded his head in understanding, and repositioned Kaoru's hold on her sword.
"A pretty idea" he said in a whisper, and before Kaoru could question what he had said he was again making her stance wider and more balanced, giving her a better chance at being able to move in different directions as she might have an attacker who starts from the front and goes to the side, or in any combination. Kaoru was about to start her kata again when she realised just how quiet the training room was once again. Turning her head so she was looking up and over Himura's shoulder as he was directly behind her, she was the shocked looks on the other fighter's faces. Himura turned as well and glared at them for interrupting his little teaching exercise to keep one of the most valuable people of the Ishin Shishi from getting killed the first time she came upon someone in battle.
At that moment Katsura came in a found Himura with his hands on his daughters hips, his first impression was that the young hitokiri was taking advantage of his daughter, but on closer inspection he realised that his anger was not needed, Himura was actually helping in his daughters training and he smiled at them both, 'this is definitely something different, Himura showing care for another member of the Ishin Shishi, hmm, maybe we haven't sold his soul to blood forever, and if he can keep my daughter safe as well, then..I do believe that it is a good thing..however, I will have to watch him and make sure that he doesn't compromise my daughters honour by spending too much time alone with her, rumours will start and if not killed quickly will escalate..I can not have that happen to my Chibi-Kaoru.'
The members of the Ishin Shishi all bowed to their leader and quickly went back to training, but strangely enough they were all facing where Kaoru and Himura were, Katsura shook his head at their antics and went to the side of the room to watch the two youngest members of his clan continue with their training.
Kaoru concentrated on what Himura was saying, but she was having trouble thinking, she had never been this close to a person her age before, of the opposite sex, and he was very handsome, she didn't understand why her body was liking the way that he held her and how he continued touching her and righting her if she tripped slightly, 'I'm going crazy, that's it, its official.' She was about to do the next part of the kata when Himura's fingers gently flittered down her sides to follow with her movements, and the action made her giggle. Himura stopped almost immediately when he heard her laugh. Glaring down at her he scowled
"This is no laughing matter, you do realise that fighting is-"
"You made me ticklish"
".?"
"Oh, don't tell me you don't know what its like to be tickled do you?" Kaoru turned to face Himura and looked up into his now confused violet amber flecked eyes.
"Nani?" Kaoru grinned at him
"Do you want me to show you?" Himura was now put on the defensive, he didn't like not knowing what things were, and he glared at her, wondering if she was threatening him with some new technique he didn't know about.
"Iie, I'll be fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Hn" Kaoru rolled her eyes at him reverting to a caveman, but just nodded her head and turned back around
"I'll show you what it is later," she twisted her sword in her grasp and went back to the position she was in before to follow on with her 'lesson.'
~()~
She couldn't sleep, and she didn't want to wake her father up, so tying her sleeping yukata around her tightly and tying her sheath around her slim waist and crept passed her fathers sleeping room and out into their multipurpose room, sliding open the door she went down stairs and decided to go outside for some fresh air. The moon was high in the sky and bathed the earth in a soft glow; Kaoru smiled to herself and breathed in the fresh air. Stretching her muscles she stepped further out, and at that moment she heard the splash of water, knowing someone was probably bathing Kaoru was about to go back inside to not disturb them, but for some unknown reason she wanted to see who it was.
'Pervert, Kaoru you are a hentai,' repeating this sentence over and over in her head didn't stop her from peeking around the corner, and she gasped, there by the well stood the red haired young man Himura, water dripped from his entire body, which was still clothed. Blood was running down his cheek as he stared into his reflection on the water. Then he picked up a ruff scrubbing brush and brought it to his hands and started scrubbing as them harshly. Kaoru watched and felt a stab of compassion for the young Hitokiri, she knew exactly what he was doing, he was trying to scrub the blood away when she knew very well that there wasn't any visible sign of blood. Sighing she threw all caution to the wind and walked up to him, making sure that she didn't creep around like a thief so when she reached him he killed her. She made enough noise to alert him of her presence if he hadn't already sensed her.
She was right up to his side and he still went away at his hand, rubbing it red raw, Kaoru took the scrubbing brush from his hand and he started, his eyes going wide, and for the first time since she had met him, his eyes were completely violet, and she saw all the emotion raging in them, the most prominent emotion was pain, he was hurting deep inside for what he had to do for the clan. Kaoru continued to stare at him, both of their eyes locked and she gently took his hand and led him back inside the inn, there was a small entry way where some small cushions littered the floor and Kaoru sat Himura down on one of them before going off to the kitchens to fetch some warm water and cloth.
When she returned, Himura hadn't moved from his spot and Kaoru knelt in front of him, taking both of his red hands she placed them into the bowl of warm scented water and began to gently wipe at them, trying to soothe the skin he had massacred. Himura watched Kaoru's slow ministrations, but nothing was going through his numb brain but the killing, this was the first time he had been wounded in an assassination, and that fact made him realise that he was not all invincible as everyone was led to believe.
Kaoru had finished with his hands and left them in the water while she tended to his still bleeding cheek, after cleansing it and placing some herb salve over it to help heal she wiped dry Himura's hands and pulled him to his feet.
"Now go and change into some dry clothes and get some sleep," she said, giving him a little push in the direction of the sleeping areas.
"I don't need your help" Himura said, trying to get his bearings again and become the sharp eyed Hitokiri that he was, Kaoru offered him a small grin and turned to go and put everything back
"I didn't say you had a choice" she whispered and was already walking in the direction of the kitchen to put away the bowl and cloth she had used.
Himura scowled at her for using his words against him and he walked down the corridor heading for his rooms, but he couldn't help but feel cleaner then he had in a long, long time.
~()~
Sujakata: awe, little K&K moments there, nothing big and spectacular, but we need to build a strong friendship before we get to the hot stuff :D
Read through by Kami, so kill her if it doesn't make sense :"D
Kami: hey! How are they supposed to kill me if they don't know where I live? Sujakata you are such a baka!
Sujakata: HEY! Kami no busu! Mwhahahaha, ok, well let me know what you all think :D