Disclaimer: I now own a painting, yay go me, and I have all the samurai X
dvd's Woohoo go me..oh, but I don't own RK, damn it!
Rating: PG 13+ because there is violence and some kissy kissy scenes, but I'll warn you about those beforehand.
Note: there is no Kissy Kissy scene..but one is coming up, very shortly...but it will be friendly..awe
Dedicated to:
Val- ok ok, so now its one for you and one for me, but I will get something in that you didn't think about. So yes she will show him what its like to be tickled, and their friendship does grow a whole lot in this chapter hehehe
Marstanuki- mwhahaha, well I hope that I didn't muddle up your brain, but if I did then oops! Hehehe, enjoy the chapter AND!!!! Update your fic TIMELESS that was what inspired me to write this one!!!
Kyanos- *claps hands too* yay another update, hehehe yeah it will be slightly different from the OVA but you'll see bits and pieces of it, like in this chapter there's a bit of it in there. I know, I also would LOVE Kenshin to train me oh yeah *sighs*
Suteki- is this soon enough for you? Heheheh im glad that you like my fic, so I hope that you like this chapter :D
Sweetaznpnai4eva- hehehe that is how you spell Kawaii, and I hope you like the little K+K moments in here too :D
Chiruken- oh hell, I know what you mean about stupid computers..i mean beautiful creations that make our lives easier (just between you and me I reckon that they are going to take over the world some day like in the matrix) hehehehe oh im so glad you got to update last chapter :D I also love what ifs they are fantastic, so hope you enjoy this chapter :D
Nim- yes it was Akira *gives you a big box of chocolates* you were the only person to point that out, very smart yay! And yes Tomoe will make an appearance and well, maybe more then that! I think she might become a key figure, but remember this is a K+K hehehe, when I was watching betrayal I was all like ah I hate her I cant believe that she is like that and leading poor Kenshin along like that, evil cow! Hahahaha, and then I was all sad when she died. Ok, so yeah, enough of my ramblings, I reckon you are probably waiting to read this chapter ehh, ill shut up now :D
Shiomei- hehehe, hmmm yeah, I didn't know how to do that because I know that Katsura likes Kenshin so I was thinking he wouldn't really mind it too much, but being a father he would want to make sure that his daughter had the best, I'll have to wait and see where this goes.
Shizuka- hahaha, I'm glad that you like it so much, yes I know what you mean, well there's a little Kenshin going skits moment in this chapter, although you don't really get to see much of what he was thinking so I'm thinking in the next chapter of doing a flash back for him...i don't know, what do you think?
Rekka's Angel- heheheh Kami will be pleased that you didn't want to kill her hahahaha, and thankyou for agreeing with me about the whole friendship to love thing, I don't really like how in some fics its love at first sight, I believe that you have to get to know a person before you love them :D
Jem13- hehehe, more romance coming up and well, I think we can add in some more training..maybe some by the moonlight? Oooh don't get too carried away yet, hehehehe, enjoy this chapter :D
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter Four: Water
~()~
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.
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
It was a beautiful day and Kaoru felt absolutely restless, she had wondered all around the inn trying to find something to do, but she would either get these weird looks from people or they would be too scared to even look at her, she even had some of them run away. Looking out the window she decided that today she was going out, into the town, and away from the inn. Dressing in a dark red Hakama and tying on her sheath, she pulled her long black hair up into her usual high pony tail, and then stopped what she was doing 'no, how about something different?' smiling to herself Kaoru quickly braided her hair so that it fell in a thick rope down her back. Nodding in satisfaction she walked out of her and her fathers rooms to go and search for him.
She found him at the ponds where he fed his fish talking to Himura and Iizuka. Smiling she hurried up to them with a grin on her face, Himura had just said something and was about to turn away when Kaoru brushed past him and stopped panting in front of Katsura. All present watched her with mild amusement as she tried to speak while still puffed.
"Yes Kaoru?" Kaoru turned her big blue eyes on her father and her smile widened
"Can I go out today?" Katsura frowned and looked away from Kaoru's pleading eyes for a moment.
"It's not safe for you to-"
"But what if someone came with me? You said it yourself, if I have either you or Himura-san or Iizuka-san with me, then I could go" Katsura laughed at his daughters memory and nodded his head slowly.
"Well if Himura and Iizuka go with you then I should see no problem with that" Kaoru hugged her father and smiled happily
"Arigatou, Arigatou," and in her happy moment Kaoru grabbed Himura and Iizuka's hands and pulled them along after her, eager to get away from the inn.
Katsura watched them go and shook his head at his daughter's antics, 'she had such life, and I just hope that Himura doesn't kill that too.'
~()~
Kyoto
Kaoru realising that she was holding the disgusting Iizuka's hand quickly dropped both Himura's and Iizuka's hands and walked a little ahead, one hand hovering just above her Sakabatou, just in case of any trouble. She was so excited and there were so many things to see, she hadn't had a chance since she had arrived to actually go sight seeing. Finding a small flower shop she quickly ducked inside and was immediately assaulted with the smell of fresh flowers. Smiling she trailed a small hand over the velvety petals and gasped at their beautiful colours, and for a small moment she forgot that she was in the middle of a war, and that blood was shed every night, and that she had been orphaned and then taken in to her real fathers house where she lived with murders.
The shop owner walked up to Kaoru with a frown on his face and he slapped her hands away from his merchandise.
"If you are not buying then please refrain from touching" Kaoru pouted and turned her back on the man, upset that he had ruined her good spirits, she was about to leave the shop when an idea came to her. Taking a small glance behind her and making sure that the owner wasn't watching she quickly took a few flowers and stepped out from the shop, a bright smile on her face. Turning to see if she could find Himura and Iizuka she saw them standing next to each other, both looking at the most beautiful woman Kaoru had ever seen. She must have been about seventeen or eighteen by how much of a lady she looked and Kaoru's smile faded knowing that she would forever be known as a tomboy and that she wasn't ever going to be as beautiful as that girl.
Shaking off her self depressed state Kaoru made her way over to Himura and Iizuka and presented them both with a flower.
"Where did you get these from? You have no money" Iizuka asked, a raised eyebrow. Kaoru grinned
"I didn't?" her face was the essence of innocence and both men saw right through it. Kaoru smiled brightly and continued to walk down the street twirling a small white rose between her fingers. Himura shook his head and wondered about why his lips were twitching as if wanting to turn upwards, scowling to himself he followed after the energetic Kaoru who was stopping and looking into the shops and asking people how much this and that was. 'Again I am a babysitter, I am a Hitokiri, and I should be doing my duty.' Looking down at his hand Himura glared at the small cherry blossom that was in his palm, and then up at the fast disappearing back of Kaoru 'that girl is going to get herself killed if she keeps this up.'
Kaoru however had seen that woman that Himura and Iizuka had been staring at, and she had felt a very violet aura from her, and she was going to check it out. She knew however that she was just trying to get her mind off of Himura, because she now felt a little strange around him. She had seen him weak, and she was sure that no one had ever seen the Batousai as she had. But for some strange reason she felt as if he didn't mind as much that she had witnessed it, because he hadn't killed her yet, nor had he stopped being as he was around her, 'even if he acts the same way around everyone else as well as me, but still, its not like he's ignored me yet, so I think that I could probably call us on some level friends.'
Shaking her head at her foolishness Kaoru cursed herself for being distracted, she had now lost the woman and had no idea where she was. Glancing around she realised that she was in a less populated area and there was a large body of water just to her left, and there was no sign whatsoever of Himura or Iizuka. Growling at their slowness she walked over towards the water. She had never learnt to swim as a child since there had been no real need and now that she looked at the beautiful blue of it she wondered what it would feel like to be fully immersed in its coolness.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Kaoru spun around, her hand going straight to the hilt of her Sakabatou. She calculated her odds and cursed colourfully in her mind about her stupidness for not realising that she was no longer alone. There were five in all, and they were definitely street thugs or the like, all held a weapon of some kind and were rather scungy looking. The leader had a big nose and was pretty unattractive. Kaoru figured that she should just leave them be and not humour them, as she probably would have normally if she knew she could win. 'Where the hell is Himura-san? Baka no Iizuka, if he isn't chasing girls he's drinking sake, Himura-san though has no excuse, what does he do anyway?'
Watching as they continued to move forwards Kaoru groaned, she hated fighting, oh she loved learning it, but it was always so messy and for some strange reason she always got in trouble. Pulling out her Sakabatou she held it in front of her knowing that she had to confront these idiot goons.
"What do you want?" her voice was strong and she congratulated herself in her mind for the wonderful performance, however the goons didn't take to kindly to her being assertive and started grunting 'great Himura-san is not the only barbarian, cave man who communicates in grunts.'
"What do you think we want tom boy Tanuki?" Kaoru bared her teeth at the men, 'ooh, no one insults me like that and gets away with it, grr.' Sliding into a fighting stance she waited for the first to come at her.
What Kaoru wasn't expecting though was that they all charged, keeping in line with each other so that they reached her at the same time, overwhelmed Kaoru took a hit to her head and stomach, for some reason they weren't using their weapons and he craftily taken Kaoru's Sakabatou from her hands, leaving her weapons less, their assault was absolutely monstrous and they continued to beat down upon her, Kaoru sent out many kicks and punches but there were just too many overpowering her for her to get in one good punch. Not one to give up like that Kaoru mustered up as much energy that was left in her weakening body and she kneed the leader in the balls. There was a sharp intake of breath and then the man had fallen onto the ground almost crying like a child.
"..thr..ow.her..in..in..the..wa.ter" The others laughed and Kaoru turned pale at his words, all the fight rushing out of her body. 'I can't swim, they cant, they cant.' She was beginning to panic and started screaming when they picked her up from the ground and carried her over to where she had been standing admiring the water. It was a long way down and instead of seeing the peaceful blue she had before, she saw a dark blue swirling mass that wanted to swallow her up. Her screams pierced the air and the men snarled slapping her on her face to shut her up.
"IIE! IIE! HELP...HELP!!!" she was crying now and for the first time in her short life Kaoru felt utterly afraid, and helpless, she was going to die and she was alone. "Iie, please..please don't..Iie-" they were all laughing at her as tears streamed down her face and then she was over the edge falling, falling, the wind rushed in her ears and she screamed one last time before she felt the cold grip of the water take her, she was screaming in the water, taking in great gulps of it. She broke the surface still screaming and splashing about, her already weakening body was failing to keep her above and she went under again, she was thrashing now, her eyes wide open and she could see the sun shining just above the surface, her fingers trying to reach it, trying to pry the water apart so she could get some oxygen.
She needed air, she needed to breathe her brain her lungs everything was screaming for her to open her mouth and take in some air, but she knew that if she did she would just swallow more water, she was getting dizzy, little black dots were sprinkling over her vision and she only barely noticed that she was drifting further and further away from the light, and that her mouth was now open but her impulse to breathe was now gone, her hands were still reaching up, and she was dieing.
Her ears distantly heard the sound of the water splashing, but her eyes were locked on the sun, slowly getting clouded by the black dots. Something obscured her vision of the light, something red, Kaoru narrowed her eyes as if she could get rid of the nuisance, but it persisted and she felt an iron grip on her wrist. She was fighting unconsciousness, she would not die with her eyes closed she was vowing when she felt a violent tug on her wrist again and her head broke the surface. Her ears were the first to attune to what was happening, someone was saying something shouting, her eyes were blurry from being open in the water, but for some reason her brain was telling her to breathe 'no...I cant...I-'
"KAORU BREATHE DAMNIT!" she was slapped hard on the face and her eyes cleared showing bright amber eyes glaring down at her, and an angry face with red hair plastered to its forehead. Kaoru tried to breathe but her airway was blocked with something and she started to cough, making her head flop forwards and back into the water. She heard a curse and her head was lifted back up. Now she knew who it was, her brain has now clearing of the fog as her could take in big gulping breaths...
"Ke.shin?" her voice was just barely above a whisper before she collapsed against his chest, shivering like there was no tomorrow and she had no strength left in her. She was slightly aware of a shift in positions and found herself being cradled by Kenshin in one arm while he swam forwards slowly, looking up through wet bangs she saw a rope had been lowered and up at the wall was Iizuka with a strange expression on his face. Kenshin grabbed a hold of the rope and Iizuka started to pull them both up very slowly.
It was awhile before both Kenshin and Kaoru were on safe ground, Kaoru was almost asleep with exhaustion, looking around her she saw the dead bodied of the five men that had attacked her. However seeing their blood spilled didn't bother her as much, and she clung to Kenshin as if he were her lifeline.
~()~
Kaoru opened her eyes slowly and found herself in her bed and dressed in her sleeping yukata. She hurt all over and felt groggy, wiping the sleepy dust from her eyes she yawned and stretched slightly racking her mind to remember what had happened. She was about to get up when the voice of Iizuka floated into her room.
"You should have seen it, it was like nothing I had ever seen before, he was possessed, I'm sure of it. We had heard her screaming from a few streets away and had hurried but only go there when she was thrown over. Himura then went and killed them all, not even doing his normal 'you will die' speech he gives to everyone. Then throwing his swords away he-"
"Matte-" Kaoru sat up straighter, that was her fathers voice "-he threw his swords away?"
"Hai, strange I know. Now let me continue" there was a pause "he dived off of the side and went in after Kamiya, then he was screaming at her, and he called her by her first name! What do you make of this?"
Again there was a silence
"I am not sure, however I do know that Kaoru wont be leaving the inn for awhile and when and if she does she will have more people with her, it is much too dangerous for her to be out in a time like this"
"I agree with you Kogorou" There was a shuffling and then the sound of a door being closed. Kaoru sat back and began to think this over.. 'He called me Kaoru? Hai I remember that and I called him..' Kaoru blushed 'Kenshin.'
~()~
Sujakata: oh dear me, what is this? Growing feelings? Yes I know that its moving a bit fast but I was thinking with all this action going on two people would be brought together much quicker, and you do grow affection for people who save your lives. Oooh there was a little bit of Tomoe, so she will be making an appearance maybe in the next chapter. However in this fic her character will be much more sinister then what I have read in others, so Tomoe fans I am very sorry.
Read through by Kami, so you know the drill
Kami: shut up. I thought this chapter was better than all the other ones so don't have a fit at me. Oh and I can't be stuffed picking out all the spelling mistakes cause I'm just too tired. (little yawn :o ) keep going Sujakata, your getting better with the whole fighting scenes ! :P
Sleepy dust belongs to the wonderful Justified; my sister Jesmycar's boyfriend.
Rating: PG 13+ because there is violence and some kissy kissy scenes, but I'll warn you about those beforehand.
Note: there is no Kissy Kissy scene..but one is coming up, very shortly...but it will be friendly..awe
Dedicated to:
Val- ok ok, so now its one for you and one for me, but I will get something in that you didn't think about. So yes she will show him what its like to be tickled, and their friendship does grow a whole lot in this chapter hehehe
Marstanuki- mwhahaha, well I hope that I didn't muddle up your brain, but if I did then oops! Hehehe, enjoy the chapter AND!!!! Update your fic TIMELESS that was what inspired me to write this one!!!
Kyanos- *claps hands too* yay another update, hehehe yeah it will be slightly different from the OVA but you'll see bits and pieces of it, like in this chapter there's a bit of it in there. I know, I also would LOVE Kenshin to train me oh yeah *sighs*
Suteki- is this soon enough for you? Heheheh im glad that you like my fic, so I hope that you like this chapter :D
Sweetaznpnai4eva- hehehe that is how you spell Kawaii, and I hope you like the little K+K moments in here too :D
Chiruken- oh hell, I know what you mean about stupid computers..i mean beautiful creations that make our lives easier (just between you and me I reckon that they are going to take over the world some day like in the matrix) hehehehe oh im so glad you got to update last chapter :D I also love what ifs they are fantastic, so hope you enjoy this chapter :D
Nim- yes it was Akira *gives you a big box of chocolates* you were the only person to point that out, very smart yay! And yes Tomoe will make an appearance and well, maybe more then that! I think she might become a key figure, but remember this is a K+K hehehe, when I was watching betrayal I was all like ah I hate her I cant believe that she is like that and leading poor Kenshin along like that, evil cow! Hahahaha, and then I was all sad when she died. Ok, so yeah, enough of my ramblings, I reckon you are probably waiting to read this chapter ehh, ill shut up now :D
Shiomei- hehehe, hmmm yeah, I didn't know how to do that because I know that Katsura likes Kenshin so I was thinking he wouldn't really mind it too much, but being a father he would want to make sure that his daughter had the best, I'll have to wait and see where this goes.
Shizuka- hahaha, I'm glad that you like it so much, yes I know what you mean, well there's a little Kenshin going skits moment in this chapter, although you don't really get to see much of what he was thinking so I'm thinking in the next chapter of doing a flash back for him...i don't know, what do you think?
Rekka's Angel- heheheh Kami will be pleased that you didn't want to kill her hahahaha, and thankyou for agreeing with me about the whole friendship to love thing, I don't really like how in some fics its love at first sight, I believe that you have to get to know a person before you love them :D
Jem13- hehehe, more romance coming up and well, I think we can add in some more training..maybe some by the moonlight? Oooh don't get too carried away yet, hehehehe, enjoy this chapter :D
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter Four: Water
~()~
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.
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
It was a beautiful day and Kaoru felt absolutely restless, she had wondered all around the inn trying to find something to do, but she would either get these weird looks from people or they would be too scared to even look at her, she even had some of them run away. Looking out the window she decided that today she was going out, into the town, and away from the inn. Dressing in a dark red Hakama and tying on her sheath, she pulled her long black hair up into her usual high pony tail, and then stopped what she was doing 'no, how about something different?' smiling to herself Kaoru quickly braided her hair so that it fell in a thick rope down her back. Nodding in satisfaction she walked out of her and her fathers rooms to go and search for him.
She found him at the ponds where he fed his fish talking to Himura and Iizuka. Smiling she hurried up to them with a grin on her face, Himura had just said something and was about to turn away when Kaoru brushed past him and stopped panting in front of Katsura. All present watched her with mild amusement as she tried to speak while still puffed.
"Yes Kaoru?" Kaoru turned her big blue eyes on her father and her smile widened
"Can I go out today?" Katsura frowned and looked away from Kaoru's pleading eyes for a moment.
"It's not safe for you to-"
"But what if someone came with me? You said it yourself, if I have either you or Himura-san or Iizuka-san with me, then I could go" Katsura laughed at his daughters memory and nodded his head slowly.
"Well if Himura and Iizuka go with you then I should see no problem with that" Kaoru hugged her father and smiled happily
"Arigatou, Arigatou," and in her happy moment Kaoru grabbed Himura and Iizuka's hands and pulled them along after her, eager to get away from the inn.
Katsura watched them go and shook his head at his daughter's antics, 'she had such life, and I just hope that Himura doesn't kill that too.'
~()~
Kyoto
Kaoru realising that she was holding the disgusting Iizuka's hand quickly dropped both Himura's and Iizuka's hands and walked a little ahead, one hand hovering just above her Sakabatou, just in case of any trouble. She was so excited and there were so many things to see, she hadn't had a chance since she had arrived to actually go sight seeing. Finding a small flower shop she quickly ducked inside and was immediately assaulted with the smell of fresh flowers. Smiling she trailed a small hand over the velvety petals and gasped at their beautiful colours, and for a small moment she forgot that she was in the middle of a war, and that blood was shed every night, and that she had been orphaned and then taken in to her real fathers house where she lived with murders.
The shop owner walked up to Kaoru with a frown on his face and he slapped her hands away from his merchandise.
"If you are not buying then please refrain from touching" Kaoru pouted and turned her back on the man, upset that he had ruined her good spirits, she was about to leave the shop when an idea came to her. Taking a small glance behind her and making sure that the owner wasn't watching she quickly took a few flowers and stepped out from the shop, a bright smile on her face. Turning to see if she could find Himura and Iizuka she saw them standing next to each other, both looking at the most beautiful woman Kaoru had ever seen. She must have been about seventeen or eighteen by how much of a lady she looked and Kaoru's smile faded knowing that she would forever be known as a tomboy and that she wasn't ever going to be as beautiful as that girl.
Shaking off her self depressed state Kaoru made her way over to Himura and Iizuka and presented them both with a flower.
"Where did you get these from? You have no money" Iizuka asked, a raised eyebrow. Kaoru grinned
"I didn't?" her face was the essence of innocence and both men saw right through it. Kaoru smiled brightly and continued to walk down the street twirling a small white rose between her fingers. Himura shook his head and wondered about why his lips were twitching as if wanting to turn upwards, scowling to himself he followed after the energetic Kaoru who was stopping and looking into the shops and asking people how much this and that was. 'Again I am a babysitter, I am a Hitokiri, and I should be doing my duty.' Looking down at his hand Himura glared at the small cherry blossom that was in his palm, and then up at the fast disappearing back of Kaoru 'that girl is going to get herself killed if she keeps this up.'
Kaoru however had seen that woman that Himura and Iizuka had been staring at, and she had felt a very violet aura from her, and she was going to check it out. She knew however that she was just trying to get her mind off of Himura, because she now felt a little strange around him. She had seen him weak, and she was sure that no one had ever seen the Batousai as she had. But for some strange reason she felt as if he didn't mind as much that she had witnessed it, because he hadn't killed her yet, nor had he stopped being as he was around her, 'even if he acts the same way around everyone else as well as me, but still, its not like he's ignored me yet, so I think that I could probably call us on some level friends.'
Shaking her head at her foolishness Kaoru cursed herself for being distracted, she had now lost the woman and had no idea where she was. Glancing around she realised that she was in a less populated area and there was a large body of water just to her left, and there was no sign whatsoever of Himura or Iizuka. Growling at their slowness she walked over towards the water. She had never learnt to swim as a child since there had been no real need and now that she looked at the beautiful blue of it she wondered what it would feel like to be fully immersed in its coolness.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Kaoru spun around, her hand going straight to the hilt of her Sakabatou. She calculated her odds and cursed colourfully in her mind about her stupidness for not realising that she was no longer alone. There were five in all, and they were definitely street thugs or the like, all held a weapon of some kind and were rather scungy looking. The leader had a big nose and was pretty unattractive. Kaoru figured that she should just leave them be and not humour them, as she probably would have normally if she knew she could win. 'Where the hell is Himura-san? Baka no Iizuka, if he isn't chasing girls he's drinking sake, Himura-san though has no excuse, what does he do anyway?'
Watching as they continued to move forwards Kaoru groaned, she hated fighting, oh she loved learning it, but it was always so messy and for some strange reason she always got in trouble. Pulling out her Sakabatou she held it in front of her knowing that she had to confront these idiot goons.
"What do you want?" her voice was strong and she congratulated herself in her mind for the wonderful performance, however the goons didn't take to kindly to her being assertive and started grunting 'great Himura-san is not the only barbarian, cave man who communicates in grunts.'
"What do you think we want tom boy Tanuki?" Kaoru bared her teeth at the men, 'ooh, no one insults me like that and gets away with it, grr.' Sliding into a fighting stance she waited for the first to come at her.
What Kaoru wasn't expecting though was that they all charged, keeping in line with each other so that they reached her at the same time, overwhelmed Kaoru took a hit to her head and stomach, for some reason they weren't using their weapons and he craftily taken Kaoru's Sakabatou from her hands, leaving her weapons less, their assault was absolutely monstrous and they continued to beat down upon her, Kaoru sent out many kicks and punches but there were just too many overpowering her for her to get in one good punch. Not one to give up like that Kaoru mustered up as much energy that was left in her weakening body and she kneed the leader in the balls. There was a sharp intake of breath and then the man had fallen onto the ground almost crying like a child.
"..thr..ow.her..in..in..the..wa.ter" The others laughed and Kaoru turned pale at his words, all the fight rushing out of her body. 'I can't swim, they cant, they cant.' She was beginning to panic and started screaming when they picked her up from the ground and carried her over to where she had been standing admiring the water. It was a long way down and instead of seeing the peaceful blue she had before, she saw a dark blue swirling mass that wanted to swallow her up. Her screams pierced the air and the men snarled slapping her on her face to shut her up.
"IIE! IIE! HELP...HELP!!!" she was crying now and for the first time in her short life Kaoru felt utterly afraid, and helpless, she was going to die and she was alone. "Iie, please..please don't..Iie-" they were all laughing at her as tears streamed down her face and then she was over the edge falling, falling, the wind rushed in her ears and she screamed one last time before she felt the cold grip of the water take her, she was screaming in the water, taking in great gulps of it. She broke the surface still screaming and splashing about, her already weakening body was failing to keep her above and she went under again, she was thrashing now, her eyes wide open and she could see the sun shining just above the surface, her fingers trying to reach it, trying to pry the water apart so she could get some oxygen.
She needed air, she needed to breathe her brain her lungs everything was screaming for her to open her mouth and take in some air, but she knew that if she did she would just swallow more water, she was getting dizzy, little black dots were sprinkling over her vision and she only barely noticed that she was drifting further and further away from the light, and that her mouth was now open but her impulse to breathe was now gone, her hands were still reaching up, and she was dieing.
Her ears distantly heard the sound of the water splashing, but her eyes were locked on the sun, slowly getting clouded by the black dots. Something obscured her vision of the light, something red, Kaoru narrowed her eyes as if she could get rid of the nuisance, but it persisted and she felt an iron grip on her wrist. She was fighting unconsciousness, she would not die with her eyes closed she was vowing when she felt a violent tug on her wrist again and her head broke the surface. Her ears were the first to attune to what was happening, someone was saying something shouting, her eyes were blurry from being open in the water, but for some reason her brain was telling her to breathe 'no...I cant...I-'
"KAORU BREATHE DAMNIT!" she was slapped hard on the face and her eyes cleared showing bright amber eyes glaring down at her, and an angry face with red hair plastered to its forehead. Kaoru tried to breathe but her airway was blocked with something and she started to cough, making her head flop forwards and back into the water. She heard a curse and her head was lifted back up. Now she knew who it was, her brain has now clearing of the fog as her could take in big gulping breaths...
"Ke.shin?" her voice was just barely above a whisper before she collapsed against his chest, shivering like there was no tomorrow and she had no strength left in her. She was slightly aware of a shift in positions and found herself being cradled by Kenshin in one arm while he swam forwards slowly, looking up through wet bangs she saw a rope had been lowered and up at the wall was Iizuka with a strange expression on his face. Kenshin grabbed a hold of the rope and Iizuka started to pull them both up very slowly.
It was awhile before both Kenshin and Kaoru were on safe ground, Kaoru was almost asleep with exhaustion, looking around her she saw the dead bodied of the five men that had attacked her. However seeing their blood spilled didn't bother her as much, and she clung to Kenshin as if he were her lifeline.
~()~
Kaoru opened her eyes slowly and found herself in her bed and dressed in her sleeping yukata. She hurt all over and felt groggy, wiping the sleepy dust from her eyes she yawned and stretched slightly racking her mind to remember what had happened. She was about to get up when the voice of Iizuka floated into her room.
"You should have seen it, it was like nothing I had ever seen before, he was possessed, I'm sure of it. We had heard her screaming from a few streets away and had hurried but only go there when she was thrown over. Himura then went and killed them all, not even doing his normal 'you will die' speech he gives to everyone. Then throwing his swords away he-"
"Matte-" Kaoru sat up straighter, that was her fathers voice "-he threw his swords away?"
"Hai, strange I know. Now let me continue" there was a pause "he dived off of the side and went in after Kamiya, then he was screaming at her, and he called her by her first name! What do you make of this?"
Again there was a silence
"I am not sure, however I do know that Kaoru wont be leaving the inn for awhile and when and if she does she will have more people with her, it is much too dangerous for her to be out in a time like this"
"I agree with you Kogorou" There was a shuffling and then the sound of a door being closed. Kaoru sat back and began to think this over.. 'He called me Kaoru? Hai I remember that and I called him..' Kaoru blushed 'Kenshin.'
~()~
Sujakata: oh dear me, what is this? Growing feelings? Yes I know that its moving a bit fast but I was thinking with all this action going on two people would be brought together much quicker, and you do grow affection for people who save your lives. Oooh there was a little bit of Tomoe, so she will be making an appearance maybe in the next chapter. However in this fic her character will be much more sinister then what I have read in others, so Tomoe fans I am very sorry.
Read through by Kami, so you know the drill
Kami: shut up. I thought this chapter was better than all the other ones so don't have a fit at me. Oh and I can't be stuffed picking out all the spelling mistakes cause I'm just too tired. (little yawn :o ) keep going Sujakata, your getting better with the whole fighting scenes ! :P
Sleepy dust belongs to the wonderful Justified; my sister Jesmycar's boyfriend.