Disclaimer:
Sujakata: Ok, well hmm, I wonder if I own Rk yet..
Joshima: um, no..
Sujakata: well why not?
Joshima: cause your not Japanese?
Sujakata *scowls* like that has anything to do with it! Grr
Dedicated to:
I would put all your names down, but for some strange reason all of you are xing@fanfiction.net So I would like to thank you all for your reviews, and once I get your names, I'll do the thing, yeah. Hmm. Ok well enjoy this chapter *looks around confused*
Jason M Lee- *anime drops* well I feel like the biggest baka in the entire world :D I laughed my head off, put it back on and laughed it off again when I read your review. Love to know when I make idiotic mistakes, as you can probably tell I know nothing about Japanese culture (well I do a little) and all that stuff :D so, um yeah, cant change the fact that its in my fic now cause then it would change the rest of the course or what is going to happen. *sweat drops* it must be hard knowing all this stuff and then reading peoples fics and going Duh that's not right, baka! Hahahaha, well all I can say is oops! And hopefully you don't get put off by all my blunderings in the dark :D
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter Eight: Shinsen gumi
~()~
"Together" she whispered.
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
It was a few days later that Kaoru got to even get a glimpse at her newly acquired friend, he had been sent on another mission, and although she understood why he had to do it, she still felt that it was unfair to rest the weight of most of the Ishin Shishi's plans on Kenshin's shoulders. He had been stalking from his room in an angry and quite flustered huff, and Kaoru watched him with wide blue eyes 'what's wrong with him?' and that was when she saw the satisfied smirk on Tomoe's face as she sauntered out of Kenshin's room after him, and adjusted her kimono that was falling down her shoulder.
Kaoru's heart stopped at what that scene implied, she didn't know why, but she felt an incomprehensible ache in her chest at the thought of Kenshin and Tomoe together. Kaoru watched as Tomoe walked past, her smirk still in place and she noticed the distinct ruffled appearance of the usually well kept woman. 'this means that he didn't take my advise, and..Iie, I refuse to believe that Kenshin is like every other man in this place, he wouldn't have..would he?' she stood there rooted to the spot contemplating over whether Kenshin would lye with Tomoe or not. 'why don't I just go and ask him?' the thought was brushed immediately away, she didn't think she could stand to concretely now if Kenshin felt that way towards Tomoe.
'Why do I care? Yes he is my friend, but he can do what he likes..there is no reason for me to feel so sick at the thought of him being with another woman. I'm still a child, I..damn it there is no denying it Kaoru, you like him!' Kaoru's eyes narrowed 'I like him, more then just as a friend..Kuso.' Kaoru brushed her bangs from her face viciously 'I shouldn't have these thoughts, he's a Hitokiri, I shouldn't think of feeling this way towards any man..but I cant help it.' Kaoru winced at her whining thoughts and turned to follow Tomoe, intent on finding out what really happened by doing some spying.
~()~
"They suspect something, she's gotten past everything, the slippery little Tanuki." Kaoru held her breath as she heard Tomoe complain to someone, who that someone was she wasn't too sure, but she stayed there, leaning against a support beam.
"It will only be a matter of time, we'll have to start off with the man, then we'll figure it out from there..-" there was some contemplating silence and Kaoru's eyes widened as she realised who it was that was speaking 'Iizuka, that snake, I knew he had something to do with this.' Iizuka was speaking again and Kaoru cursed herself for not listening "-with the boy?" there was a womanly chuckle
"Just fine, although he almost chopped off my head, he didn't completely shun me, I got in nice and close for a while, but not long enough...he's been watching me too, I'll have to be more careful," There was a grunt of agreement, and Kaoru quickly ran away from her hiding place 'this doesn't sound good at all. I have to tell someone.
"Kaoru!" Kaoru turned around to come face to face with Tomoe.
"eh.yes?" she asked, her eyebrow rose, she trued to still her slightly shaking hand, hoping that she hadn't been caught spying.
"hmmm, how are you?" Kaoru's eyes narrowed in confusion
"fine, why?" a soft look came over Tomoe's face
"you got hurt? Again? You poor dear" Kaoru tried to find any malice behind her words but found non, and the woman's aura was soft and placid, nothing vicious about it now.
"I-its alright" Tomoe smiled and gently caressed the confused girls cheek.
"you know, I think the reason your being hurt so much is because everyone thinks your Batousai's woman. He really should look after you more, don't you think?" Kaoru frowned
"I can take care of myself." She insisted, her hands clenched at the thought that people thought she couldn't take care of herself.
"you can?"
"hai"
"oh, that's wonderful, you see, I have to go to the market but I have so much work to do, and well I don't want to ask those blundering idiots to go for me, so..i was wondering, could you go for me?" Kaoru was suspicious now, firstly she had heard Tomoe talking with Iizuka, and now the girl was being nice to her, it didn't make sense, but she could feel no veiled emotions coming from her. Kaoru nodded her head, eager to get away from the confusion. Tomoe smiled disarmingly at the younger girl "oh thankyou so much dear."
Tomoe pulled a list and a bag of Yen from the folds of her Kimono and handed it over to Kaoru 'what am I doing? Well, I'll show Otou-san and Kenshin that I can take care of myself.' She smiled and headed out of the inn without a backwards glance.
Tomoe smiled slightly 'now all I have to do is send Batousai after her, and then tell Iizuka that phase one has been completed of this little incursion.'
~()~
"Himura-sama, I-I asked Kamiya-san to go on an errand for me, but, I t- thought that she'd take someone with her, she..she left by herself, just now.." Tomoe hid the smile as she watched the young Hitokiri, his eyes always held that amber hue, but when she mentioned the fact that the Tanuki has left by herself, and could possibly be in danger the slight amber went full throttle and his eyes blazed.
"Arigatou" he replied in his cold and slightly detached voice. Tomoe bowed to him, her bangs hiding the mirth that was shining in her dark eyes.
Kenshin cursed the stupid girl in his head 'what is she thinking? That baka, and what will Katsura-sama say about this?' shaking his head he rushed out the doors of the inn and quickly dodged the person coming through the door.
"where are you going in such a hurry?" Kenshin skidded to a stop to see Iizuka standing there, watching him in amusement. Batousai glared and continued on his way, not bothering to reply to the man, he didn't trust him now, not after what had happened to Kaoru. 'she is like me now, stained with blood because of the actions of others, however, her heart is still pure, whereas mine is not, and I will protect her from becoming what I am.' Batousai groaned 'why am I being like this? Why is she so important to me, yes she is a friend, my only friend, but I don't see others feeling this way about their friends.'
Sighing in frustration Batousai searched the crowds of people for the familiar head of Kaoru, he found her, standing near the fruit and picking each one up and giving them a firm squeeze while the shop handler was yelling at her to stop touching his wears.
"well how am I supposed to know if its fresh unless I touch it?" her angry voice reached his ears and Batousai calmed down slightly, she always seemed to do that to him.
"I can assure you my wares are always fresh."
"Well I don't know that for su-"
"-Kaoru, get over here now!" Batousai called, his eyes narrowed as he watched her roll her eyes and walk over to him.
"yes? What do I owe the pleasure of having you follow me?"
Kenshin's frown deepened "you-"
"-really, with all that frowning your going to get wrinkles, plus I reckon you'd look better if you smiled" Kaoru interrupted with a small smile of her own. Kenshin growled.
"do you have a death wish? Walking around by yourself when your injured?" Kaoru glared
"I can take care of myself, I-"
"oh really? Then why is it that you have to use your left arm now? Why is it that I had to save you from drowning, why is it-"
"-I never asked you to do that" she yelled, tears threatening to fall 'I know I'm useless, does he have to throw it in my face, make it so known?' Kenshin's eyes narrowed
"stop that!" his face was a mixture between annoyance and worry, something Kaoru found rather interesting 'he never shows any emotion around anyone but myself..heh'
"I-"
"HEY!! SOMETHINGS BURNING" the shout stopped Kaoru and she glared at the man -what's with the interruptions when I speak?' she turned her face to where the man and most of the crowd were looking and she felt her heart stop..the smoke was coming from the direction of the inn..
"Otou-san" she whispered and she ran, pushing people out of her way, 'no, not again, I wont lose another one..I WONT!'
Kenshin stood there, eyes transfixed on the smoke for a few moments 'is it just s coincidence that Kaoru and myself are out of the inn when this happens just moments after we leave?' then he realised that Kaoru was no longer next to him and he cursed himself again, and took after her, his swords clanging at his side.
He was avoiding as many people as possible and almost ran straight into Kaoru's back, she had run from the crowded main street into one of the side alleys and stopped dead in her tracks. Kenshin skipped around her to stand in front. There, in all their fighting glory stood a troupe of Shinsen gumi.
Kaoru glared "move aside" her voice wavered, she would not be deterred from her course, she would not be slowed down. Her eyes narrowed and went from their usual bright blue to a raging grey. "NOW" her voice echoed off the strangely silent street, the men, dressed in blue, watched the young girl and boy, their hands on their swords.
Saitou Hajime stalked forwards, he couldn't believe his luck, the Batousai, right there in the flesh, ready to be killed. The girl was of no consequence, she would either be frightened off or killed.
Kaoru's left hand went to the hilt of her sword. "I will not be swayed" her voice was a deadly whisper and Kenshin started, Kaoru's whole entire form was tense and ready, her eyes eerily glowed and her aura was deathly still.
"leave child" the grating voice of Saitou rang out, Kaoru however was not listening, she continued to walk forwards, making all Shinsen gumi take a battle stance. Kaoru's eyes were trained on Saitou.
"clear my path" she said, and Kenshin's eyes slowly changed back to amber, he would not allow anyone to harm his friend. Saitou calmly unsheathed his sword, 'she dies' he moved forwards and before Batousai could react was upon Kaoru. She deflected the blow to her midsection and continued to counteract against the blows Saitou dealt. Batousai raged, 'do not touch what is mine.' He charged forwards and slashed though the other Shinsen gumi who thought that they could stop the legendary Batousai from reaching his target, others moved tactfully aside.
Saitou's blade sliced through the air and went for Kaoru's unprotected left shoulder, ready to pierce through her skin, but another blade blocked his. The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the side alley. Batousai bared his teeth at Saitou and the two sprung away from each other, Batousai gripped Kaoru and pulled her behind him, Kaoru's eyes still stayed grey and she stood at Batousai's side.
"go ahead, I will not be long" Batousai commanded, Kaoru nodded her head and sprinted away from the fight that was about to take place between Hitokiri and Keikan.
~()~
Kaoru's eyes dimmed back to their original colour and her ears picked up the sound of her feet against the ground pounding closer to her destination. Her breath came in short sharp gasps, her Sakabatou slapping against her thigh. The sound of someone following brought her attention away from the street. She glanced behind and saw the familiar tuft of red, a feeling of warmth flowed through her body, which she ignored. The hitokiri caught easily up to Kaoru and matched his pace with hers, eyes still glowing amber.
"your cut" Kaoru panted, and wiped a hand across her forehead.
"..." they turned the corner and came to a complete halt. There where the Ishin Shishi inn once stood was now a pile of wood blazing, the heat weaved its way through the air and blasted Kaoru and Kenshin, all around people stood, some with buckets of water to try and put the fire out, others just watching. Kenshin noticed many Ishin Shishi members standing about with wide eyes.
Kaoru looked around, trying to find a familiar face...Iizuka.
"where is Katsura?" she asked when she made it over to him, she saw the spike in his aura before it became neutral.
"he's still inside" he said, voice monotone. Kaoru shook her head
"I don't believe you" she ground out, eyes narrowed. Iizuka's aura swirled in anger and something else which Kaoru couldn't define.
"everyone else got out except for him, we haven't seen him.."
"NO!" Kaoru's scream quietened everyone and she rushed forwards, tears falling down her face and leaving a sparkling trail. 'no..not again.' She rushed forwards, intent on searching for him herself. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her small frame and held her back.
"NO, LEAVE ME, let me GO! LET.ME.GO!" she struggled, kicked out and scratched at the person but their hold didn't lesson. Kaoru turned her head to the side and saw who held her..Kenshin. "onegai, let me go" he shook his head and pulled her closer, Kaoru pushed away from him, trying to wriggled out of his hold. "OTOU-SAN! OTOU-SAN DON'T LEAVE ME! ONEGAI...don't leave me" she collapsed then, and Kenshin had no choice but to kneel down. He turned the sobbing Kaoru in his arms and pulled her tighter against him. She pounded against his chest still crying out for her father and Kenshin's heart broke with hers.
Kenshin looked over to see Iizuka smiling grimly, and he also noticed that Tomoe wasn't that far away, both watching the flames. The girl in his arms was shaking still , her tears leaving a wet trail down his chest, and her small delicate hands were clenched in his blood soaked gi. Kenshin felt his protectiveness coming over him, seeping in his blood as he watched the broken girl he held tightly in his arms. She looked up at him then, capturing his gaze with her shimmering blue eyes. Her lips quivering and their movement seizing his gaze as she whispered "your all I have left" before she slumped against him.
Kenshin clenched his eyes shut, 'your all I've ever had' he thought as he lifted her prone form in his arms.
"hey where are you going?" Iizuka asked, Kenshin turned to look at him.
"the safe house"
"oh" Iizuka watched the Batousai carry off the Tanuki and smirked, 'phase two of killing Batousai has been completed, even if the person killed wasn't the one we originally hoped for, it will do nicely.' Iizuka looked over at Tomoe and smiled at her, she nodded her head in acknowledgment and turned with Iizuka to follow Batousai and his woman to their new location.
'phase three is set in motion,'
~()~
Sujakata: ok IM confused hehehe, well not really, I know exactly why they killed off Katsura, should I tell them Kami?
Read through by Kami, beat her up if there are any mistakes, flame throwers are banned and so are matches.
Kami: hmmm... I'm not so sure if you should tell them just yet. Unless they are all dying to know then by all means go ahead. Ooooo Tomoe and Iizuka.. the evil duo. Oh how I wonder what there next phase is???????? Oh and why do you keep telling them to beat me up if YOU'RE the one making all the mistakes????? Seriously ::sigh:: you should be thanking me! At least I try and fix up your story so it makes sense. Oooooo and thankyou for the birthday wishes! I had a great day :P
Sujakata: *pouts* I just write the thing, YOU do all the checking :D hehehe, ok, well if a lot of you want to know, then I'll tell you next chapter, because it might not be explained in detail in this fic!
Sujakata: Ok, well hmm, I wonder if I own Rk yet..
Joshima: um, no..
Sujakata: well why not?
Joshima: cause your not Japanese?
Sujakata *scowls* like that has anything to do with it! Grr
Dedicated to:
I would put all your names down, but for some strange reason all of you are xing@fanfiction.net So I would like to thank you all for your reviews, and once I get your names, I'll do the thing, yeah. Hmm. Ok well enjoy this chapter *looks around confused*
Jason M Lee- *anime drops* well I feel like the biggest baka in the entire world :D I laughed my head off, put it back on and laughed it off again when I read your review. Love to know when I make idiotic mistakes, as you can probably tell I know nothing about Japanese culture (well I do a little) and all that stuff :D so, um yeah, cant change the fact that its in my fic now cause then it would change the rest of the course or what is going to happen. *sweat drops* it must be hard knowing all this stuff and then reading peoples fics and going Duh that's not right, baka! Hahahaha, well all I can say is oops! And hopefully you don't get put off by all my blunderings in the dark :D
By Sujakata
Sacred Sword
Chapter Eight: Shinsen gumi
~()~
"Together" she whispered.
~()~
Bakumatsu 1864 Japan, Kyoto
Ishin Shishi inn
It was a few days later that Kaoru got to even get a glimpse at her newly acquired friend, he had been sent on another mission, and although she understood why he had to do it, she still felt that it was unfair to rest the weight of most of the Ishin Shishi's plans on Kenshin's shoulders. He had been stalking from his room in an angry and quite flustered huff, and Kaoru watched him with wide blue eyes 'what's wrong with him?' and that was when she saw the satisfied smirk on Tomoe's face as she sauntered out of Kenshin's room after him, and adjusted her kimono that was falling down her shoulder.
Kaoru's heart stopped at what that scene implied, she didn't know why, but she felt an incomprehensible ache in her chest at the thought of Kenshin and Tomoe together. Kaoru watched as Tomoe walked past, her smirk still in place and she noticed the distinct ruffled appearance of the usually well kept woman. 'this means that he didn't take my advise, and..Iie, I refuse to believe that Kenshin is like every other man in this place, he wouldn't have..would he?' she stood there rooted to the spot contemplating over whether Kenshin would lye with Tomoe or not. 'why don't I just go and ask him?' the thought was brushed immediately away, she didn't think she could stand to concretely now if Kenshin felt that way towards Tomoe.
'Why do I care? Yes he is my friend, but he can do what he likes..there is no reason for me to feel so sick at the thought of him being with another woman. I'm still a child, I..damn it there is no denying it Kaoru, you like him!' Kaoru's eyes narrowed 'I like him, more then just as a friend..Kuso.' Kaoru brushed her bangs from her face viciously 'I shouldn't have these thoughts, he's a Hitokiri, I shouldn't think of feeling this way towards any man..but I cant help it.' Kaoru winced at her whining thoughts and turned to follow Tomoe, intent on finding out what really happened by doing some spying.
~()~
"They suspect something, she's gotten past everything, the slippery little Tanuki." Kaoru held her breath as she heard Tomoe complain to someone, who that someone was she wasn't too sure, but she stayed there, leaning against a support beam.
"It will only be a matter of time, we'll have to start off with the man, then we'll figure it out from there..-" there was some contemplating silence and Kaoru's eyes widened as she realised who it was that was speaking 'Iizuka, that snake, I knew he had something to do with this.' Iizuka was speaking again and Kaoru cursed herself for not listening "-with the boy?" there was a womanly chuckle
"Just fine, although he almost chopped off my head, he didn't completely shun me, I got in nice and close for a while, but not long enough...he's been watching me too, I'll have to be more careful," There was a grunt of agreement, and Kaoru quickly ran away from her hiding place 'this doesn't sound good at all. I have to tell someone.
"Kaoru!" Kaoru turned around to come face to face with Tomoe.
"eh.yes?" she asked, her eyebrow rose, she trued to still her slightly shaking hand, hoping that she hadn't been caught spying.
"hmmm, how are you?" Kaoru's eyes narrowed in confusion
"fine, why?" a soft look came over Tomoe's face
"you got hurt? Again? You poor dear" Kaoru tried to find any malice behind her words but found non, and the woman's aura was soft and placid, nothing vicious about it now.
"I-its alright" Tomoe smiled and gently caressed the confused girls cheek.
"you know, I think the reason your being hurt so much is because everyone thinks your Batousai's woman. He really should look after you more, don't you think?" Kaoru frowned
"I can take care of myself." She insisted, her hands clenched at the thought that people thought she couldn't take care of herself.
"you can?"
"hai"
"oh, that's wonderful, you see, I have to go to the market but I have so much work to do, and well I don't want to ask those blundering idiots to go for me, so..i was wondering, could you go for me?" Kaoru was suspicious now, firstly she had heard Tomoe talking with Iizuka, and now the girl was being nice to her, it didn't make sense, but she could feel no veiled emotions coming from her. Kaoru nodded her head, eager to get away from the confusion. Tomoe smiled disarmingly at the younger girl "oh thankyou so much dear."
Tomoe pulled a list and a bag of Yen from the folds of her Kimono and handed it over to Kaoru 'what am I doing? Well, I'll show Otou-san and Kenshin that I can take care of myself.' She smiled and headed out of the inn without a backwards glance.
Tomoe smiled slightly 'now all I have to do is send Batousai after her, and then tell Iizuka that phase one has been completed of this little incursion.'
~()~
"Himura-sama, I-I asked Kamiya-san to go on an errand for me, but, I t- thought that she'd take someone with her, she..she left by herself, just now.." Tomoe hid the smile as she watched the young Hitokiri, his eyes always held that amber hue, but when she mentioned the fact that the Tanuki has left by herself, and could possibly be in danger the slight amber went full throttle and his eyes blazed.
"Arigatou" he replied in his cold and slightly detached voice. Tomoe bowed to him, her bangs hiding the mirth that was shining in her dark eyes.
Kenshin cursed the stupid girl in his head 'what is she thinking? That baka, and what will Katsura-sama say about this?' shaking his head he rushed out the doors of the inn and quickly dodged the person coming through the door.
"where are you going in such a hurry?" Kenshin skidded to a stop to see Iizuka standing there, watching him in amusement. Batousai glared and continued on his way, not bothering to reply to the man, he didn't trust him now, not after what had happened to Kaoru. 'she is like me now, stained with blood because of the actions of others, however, her heart is still pure, whereas mine is not, and I will protect her from becoming what I am.' Batousai groaned 'why am I being like this? Why is she so important to me, yes she is a friend, my only friend, but I don't see others feeling this way about their friends.'
Sighing in frustration Batousai searched the crowds of people for the familiar head of Kaoru, he found her, standing near the fruit and picking each one up and giving them a firm squeeze while the shop handler was yelling at her to stop touching his wears.
"well how am I supposed to know if its fresh unless I touch it?" her angry voice reached his ears and Batousai calmed down slightly, she always seemed to do that to him.
"I can assure you my wares are always fresh."
"Well I don't know that for su-"
"-Kaoru, get over here now!" Batousai called, his eyes narrowed as he watched her roll her eyes and walk over to him.
"yes? What do I owe the pleasure of having you follow me?"
Kenshin's frown deepened "you-"
"-really, with all that frowning your going to get wrinkles, plus I reckon you'd look better if you smiled" Kaoru interrupted with a small smile of her own. Kenshin growled.
"do you have a death wish? Walking around by yourself when your injured?" Kaoru glared
"I can take care of myself, I-"
"oh really? Then why is it that you have to use your left arm now? Why is it that I had to save you from drowning, why is it-"
"-I never asked you to do that" she yelled, tears threatening to fall 'I know I'm useless, does he have to throw it in my face, make it so known?' Kenshin's eyes narrowed
"stop that!" his face was a mixture between annoyance and worry, something Kaoru found rather interesting 'he never shows any emotion around anyone but myself..heh'
"I-"
"HEY!! SOMETHINGS BURNING" the shout stopped Kaoru and she glared at the man -what's with the interruptions when I speak?' she turned her face to where the man and most of the crowd were looking and she felt her heart stop..the smoke was coming from the direction of the inn..
"Otou-san" she whispered and she ran, pushing people out of her way, 'no, not again, I wont lose another one..I WONT!'
Kenshin stood there, eyes transfixed on the smoke for a few moments 'is it just s coincidence that Kaoru and myself are out of the inn when this happens just moments after we leave?' then he realised that Kaoru was no longer next to him and he cursed himself again, and took after her, his swords clanging at his side.
He was avoiding as many people as possible and almost ran straight into Kaoru's back, she had run from the crowded main street into one of the side alleys and stopped dead in her tracks. Kenshin skipped around her to stand in front. There, in all their fighting glory stood a troupe of Shinsen gumi.
Kaoru glared "move aside" her voice wavered, she would not be deterred from her course, she would not be slowed down. Her eyes narrowed and went from their usual bright blue to a raging grey. "NOW" her voice echoed off the strangely silent street, the men, dressed in blue, watched the young girl and boy, their hands on their swords.
Saitou Hajime stalked forwards, he couldn't believe his luck, the Batousai, right there in the flesh, ready to be killed. The girl was of no consequence, she would either be frightened off or killed.
Kaoru's left hand went to the hilt of her sword. "I will not be swayed" her voice was a deadly whisper and Kenshin started, Kaoru's whole entire form was tense and ready, her eyes eerily glowed and her aura was deathly still.
"leave child" the grating voice of Saitou rang out, Kaoru however was not listening, she continued to walk forwards, making all Shinsen gumi take a battle stance. Kaoru's eyes were trained on Saitou.
"clear my path" she said, and Kenshin's eyes slowly changed back to amber, he would not allow anyone to harm his friend. Saitou calmly unsheathed his sword, 'she dies' he moved forwards and before Batousai could react was upon Kaoru. She deflected the blow to her midsection and continued to counteract against the blows Saitou dealt. Batousai raged, 'do not touch what is mine.' He charged forwards and slashed though the other Shinsen gumi who thought that they could stop the legendary Batousai from reaching his target, others moved tactfully aside.
Saitou's blade sliced through the air and went for Kaoru's unprotected left shoulder, ready to pierce through her skin, but another blade blocked his. The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the side alley. Batousai bared his teeth at Saitou and the two sprung away from each other, Batousai gripped Kaoru and pulled her behind him, Kaoru's eyes still stayed grey and she stood at Batousai's side.
"go ahead, I will not be long" Batousai commanded, Kaoru nodded her head and sprinted away from the fight that was about to take place between Hitokiri and Keikan.
~()~
Kaoru's eyes dimmed back to their original colour and her ears picked up the sound of her feet against the ground pounding closer to her destination. Her breath came in short sharp gasps, her Sakabatou slapping against her thigh. The sound of someone following brought her attention away from the street. She glanced behind and saw the familiar tuft of red, a feeling of warmth flowed through her body, which she ignored. The hitokiri caught easily up to Kaoru and matched his pace with hers, eyes still glowing amber.
"your cut" Kaoru panted, and wiped a hand across her forehead.
"..." they turned the corner and came to a complete halt. There where the Ishin Shishi inn once stood was now a pile of wood blazing, the heat weaved its way through the air and blasted Kaoru and Kenshin, all around people stood, some with buckets of water to try and put the fire out, others just watching. Kenshin noticed many Ishin Shishi members standing about with wide eyes.
Kaoru looked around, trying to find a familiar face...Iizuka.
"where is Katsura?" she asked when she made it over to him, she saw the spike in his aura before it became neutral.
"he's still inside" he said, voice monotone. Kaoru shook her head
"I don't believe you" she ground out, eyes narrowed. Iizuka's aura swirled in anger and something else which Kaoru couldn't define.
"everyone else got out except for him, we haven't seen him.."
"NO!" Kaoru's scream quietened everyone and she rushed forwards, tears falling down her face and leaving a sparkling trail. 'no..not again.' She rushed forwards, intent on searching for him herself. Strong arms wrapped themselves around her small frame and held her back.
"NO, LEAVE ME, let me GO! LET.ME.GO!" she struggled, kicked out and scratched at the person but their hold didn't lesson. Kaoru turned her head to the side and saw who held her..Kenshin. "onegai, let me go" he shook his head and pulled her closer, Kaoru pushed away from him, trying to wriggled out of his hold. "OTOU-SAN! OTOU-SAN DON'T LEAVE ME! ONEGAI...don't leave me" she collapsed then, and Kenshin had no choice but to kneel down. He turned the sobbing Kaoru in his arms and pulled her tighter against him. She pounded against his chest still crying out for her father and Kenshin's heart broke with hers.
Kenshin looked over to see Iizuka smiling grimly, and he also noticed that Tomoe wasn't that far away, both watching the flames. The girl in his arms was shaking still , her tears leaving a wet trail down his chest, and her small delicate hands were clenched in his blood soaked gi. Kenshin felt his protectiveness coming over him, seeping in his blood as he watched the broken girl he held tightly in his arms. She looked up at him then, capturing his gaze with her shimmering blue eyes. Her lips quivering and their movement seizing his gaze as she whispered "your all I have left" before she slumped against him.
Kenshin clenched his eyes shut, 'your all I've ever had' he thought as he lifted her prone form in his arms.
"hey where are you going?" Iizuka asked, Kenshin turned to look at him.
"the safe house"
"oh" Iizuka watched the Batousai carry off the Tanuki and smirked, 'phase two of killing Batousai has been completed, even if the person killed wasn't the one we originally hoped for, it will do nicely.' Iizuka looked over at Tomoe and smiled at her, she nodded her head in acknowledgment and turned with Iizuka to follow Batousai and his woman to their new location.
'phase three is set in motion,'
~()~
Sujakata: ok IM confused hehehe, well not really, I know exactly why they killed off Katsura, should I tell them Kami?
Read through by Kami, beat her up if there are any mistakes, flame throwers are banned and so are matches.
Kami: hmmm... I'm not so sure if you should tell them just yet. Unless they are all dying to know then by all means go ahead. Ooooo Tomoe and Iizuka.. the evil duo. Oh how I wonder what there next phase is???????? Oh and why do you keep telling them to beat me up if YOU'RE the one making all the mistakes????? Seriously ::sigh:: you should be thanking me! At least I try and fix up your story so it makes sense. Oooooo and thankyou for the birthday wishes! I had a great day :P
Sujakata: *pouts* I just write the thing, YOU do all the checking :D hehehe, ok, well if a lot of you want to know, then I'll tell you next chapter, because it might not be explained in detail in this fic!