Hiker…
(Day 5 - Morning - 6am)
"What do you mean he just left?" Misao jolted awake hearing Megumi yell that at the top of her lungs not caring if anyone was still sleeping.
"Now Meg-chan, you know Aoshi." Kenshin tried to explain but was cut off from saying anything further as Megumi began to ramble on at the top of her lungs, not even realising Misao was now up and listening to her every word.
"What an inconsiderate baka he is. He didn't even say goodbye, didn't even tell me he was leaving. Why I outta give him a piece of my mind when we get back to Tokyo. Just you wait he'll pay for what he's done to Mi-" Megumi stopped when she felt a hand clasp her shoulder. Her head turned to look down at her shorter friend, her dark eyes widening when she noticed it was Misao.
"You really shouldn't be so mean to him when you see him next Megumi-chan. Aoshi had to go off and do research or else he might fail his studies and I don't think you'd want that to happen would you?" Misao placed on a small smile trying to silently tell Megumi that she was okay.
"Shall we have breakfast?" Kenshin spoke as he began stirring the powdered milk for the cereal trying to change the subject.
Numerous students agreed and raced to grab their bowls. The other group had left earlier in the morning about one or two hours earlier as Hajime woke them up and made them march on so they could get to the rock climbing and abseiling course quicker. Tokio had spoken to him earlier that night, telling him to take it a little easier on the students. She had to remind him that they were just teenagers and hadn't had the experience like them.
"Did you sleep well Misao?" Tokio spoke as she sat down next to the petite girl who was eating her cereal quietly. She watched Misao nod her head and then she spoke after swallowing a mouthful of cereal.
"I did actually, thank you for being concerned but it isn't necessary, I'm truly fine." Misao stared around at students who began laughing and talking with Kenshin as he spoke about his small mishaps at going adventuring when he was younger.
"Tokio-san I'm okay, he said goodbye and apologised as well…I heard him…" Misao spoke softly looking into dark surprised eyes. Tokio nodded her head and Misao half listened as she spoke to the group about what they would be doing today. Most of the day was walking, as they needed to reach the river to cross it.
"Now I was informed by Saitou-san that the river is calm at the moment but rapids will come later in the day. The faster we get there, the easier it will be to get across. So can everyone be ready in half an hour to leave?" Tokio questioned and heard affirmative answers as students began to busy themselves with cleaning up and packing up the camping area making sure it looked like no one had been there.
* * * *
"Oh my…" Everyone heard Kaoru mutter as she looked at the river. The current looked pretty strong and there was no time for students to make the raft using teamwork. Kenshin and Tokio spoke together and began making the rafts the packs to float on so they wouldn't get too wet.
Students began to busy themselves with making sure their packs were waterproof with the garbage bags inside and began grabbing out their woollen clothing, which needed to be worn when swimming across the river. The water would be cold and this material would insulate the teenagers body warmth…sort of…
Most of the stronger male students had opted to swim across making sure to hold onto the rafts and place some of the girls on the tubes, as they became too scared.
Misao was having no such thing and was part of the last group to go across consisting of Souzou, Sano, Megumi and Kurohato. She swam behind, making sure the left over packs; one being Kaoru's which happened to be the heaviest didn't fall off.
Souzou and Sano swam up the front pulling the raft along with Megumi and Kurohato sitting in the tubes, they not wanting to risk being in such freezing water. The raft had been tied to a rope from the other side, helping to steer it to the safety.
A large rapid made its way down stream, it crashing into the raft and making Megumi loose her balance as she screamed in fright and her foot connected accidentally with the side of Misao's head knocking her away from the raft. Misao's cries for help became useless as she began to swallow the water, her lungs filling up as she began to loose consciousness.
Misao began to lash out as her arms wailed around trying to grab hold of anything! She felt brunches from a nearby over hanging tree and clung to them with dear life. The effort went unsuccessful as the branch snapped away Misao screaming as she went floating downstream once more. Her eyes grew wide in horror as she headed straight for sharp rocks. Her eyes closed as she knew what was going to happened and then SMACK... Misao knew no more...
* * * *
(Back where the students where upstream)
"That was so cool!" Souzou spoke as he helped Kurohato and Megumi out of the tubes, they not thinking so.
"Hey Misao don't you agree with Souzou?" Sano questioned turning to look into the water only to find the raft and the packs…no Misao…
"Oh no…KENSHIN!" Sano yelled frantically and watched the red haired man race towards them with Tokio not too far behind.
"What is wrong?" Kenshin spoke looking around, his violet eyes already noticing one person was missing.
"Misao's gone! She's not anywhere! That rapid must have taken her downstream!" Sano replied worriedly and turned to stare over at his friends and the other students who had heard him as well.
"We must get to higher ground. I shall call emergency services once we find a clearing. They'll evacuate us out of here, it is not wise to continue anymore and they shall begin the search for Misao." Tokio spoke and ushered the students to move quickly up hill. The students did so, but not without glancing worriedly at Sano and a now crying Megumi.
"M-Megumi?" Sano stuttered in utter surprise at the dark haired girl.
"Its all my fault Sanosuke!" She blurted out and then hid her face in his chest crying softly. His eyes were wide in slight fear, not knowing what the hell to do. His chocolate eyes glanced over at Souzou whom mouthed 'hug her you idiot' and then walked off with a sniffling Kurohato, his arm wrapped comfortingly around her shoulders.
Kenshin had grabbed Sano and Megumi's packs and began walking off, as well, but not too far that they would be left lone and wouldn't know where to go.
"It was my fault Sano. I hit Misao on accident…when that rapid came. I thought I felt my feet connect with something but…I didn't know…didn't know it was Misao…oh god what if she's dead!" Sano had been hugging her for awhile, but as Megumi babbled on Sano felt his anger rise and pushed Megumi away while shouting in her face.
"STOP ACTING STUPID KITSUNE! It's no one's fault. No one can be blamed for what nature dishes out to us. God you of all people should know that! As for Misao being dead, don't say such things. Misao's one of my best friend's and she's strong and stubborn and won't let herself be killed so easily! HAVE YOU GOT THAT?" Megumi stared wide-eyed up at Sano, his brown eyes blazing with certainty that Misao was going to be perfectly fine. Sano watched a couple of tears fall down Megumi's pale cheeks once more and he felt guilt begin to rise up inside of him for shouting at her.
"M-Megumi…" He stopped when he felt her lips brush his cheek softly. She had pulled way, her cheeks pink, just like his own at the small connection that had occurred between them.
"You may not be the sweetest guy Sano, but thank you for saying that to me." Sano could do nothing but nod his head and ran beside Megumi when she grabbed a hold of his hand telling him they should catch up to the rest of the group.
* * * *
(Somewhere else in the forest…)
A lone figure walked along the river trying to find the most stable place to get some fresh water. He'd been walking along the bank of the river for hours that night and earlier in the morning knowing it wasn't safe to cross. He'd come to a cave in a lower part of the mountains and had camped there for the night. Rain had fallen hard during the early hours of the morning, but he thanked the gods he had listened to himself and had travelled that night. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed something…or better yet…SOMEONE floating in the river, their clothing ripped, blood seeping from a head wound and scratches over their exposed body.
"Are you okay?" The man spoke as he began moving down the rocks to get a better look at the person. His eyes grew wide in horror at noticing the long plait swaying across the water.
"MISAO HOLD ON! " He dumped his water containers and reefed her out of the water and turned her over to face him. Her skin was turning blue, her breathing…she wasn't breathing!
"GOD DAMMIT!" He cursed and began mouth to mouth on the dying girl. He didn't know how long she'd been there but obviously it was too long. Seconds passed by and yet nothing happened.
"Come on Misao…open your eyes dammit! It's me AOSHI! You gotta open your eyes!" He spoke frantically as he placed his lips to hers once more desperately trying to fill her lungs with air.
Coughing broke into his thoughts and Aoshi quickly turned Misao's head to watch water spill out of her mouth. Her eyes had not opened, nor did she register that someone was holding her but Aoshi didn't care. She was breathing again. Aoshi cradled her petite form to his chest and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Thank god…" He mumbled and stood up heading quickly for the cave. She was definitely in need of medical treatment and warmth. Aoshi unfortunately had no communication with anyone, but he was not stupid. He knew exactly what needed to be done.
"You'll be alright Misao…I'll take care of you…" Aoshi muttered as a promise to the unconscious girl and picked her up moving towards the cave he had taken up 'residence' in. Once he arrived Aoshi placed Misao on the ground and began grabbing necessary things for her. The first thing, which needed to be done, was to get her out of her wet clothes so she wouldn't catch hypothermia…
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *
Author's Notes: I'm on a roll minna-san! I thought I'd just leave it there…so what do you think? Will Misao ever wake up? Is Misao going to get really sick? Will Aoshi be able to keep her alive?
Hmm it seemed a bit rushed but…oh well…I needed them to get back together and this was the best way…poor Misao-chan!
Ja ne…until next time…keep reading and reviewing…