Edited 8th January 2006
AN: This is an extremely short chapter and I apologize beforehand.
Disclaimer: MR CACTUS DIED! Err… I mean...I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. (Is mourning over the loss of her cactus, Mr. Cactus)
To Make a Difference
Chapter 4: Exposure
Misao tried to get a hold of herself, but failed, crying even harder. Soujiro tried to cheer her up. He really didn't know how to go about doing that, but he tried. "One day things will get better, ne?"
Misao held back her sobs, resulting in short, uneven breaths as she gave a jerky nod. "Yes…" She muttered, before hiccupping. "G-good night, Sou-chan..." She whispered, pulling the coat more over Soujiro's body.
Soujiro smiled and squeezed Misao's shoulder lightly. "Good night...Misao-chan."
In the early hours of the morning before light had begun to break across the sky, two small forms cuddled close to each other in the darkness of the barn trying to push back the bitter cold from outside. Misao snuggled close to Soujiro, subconsciously determined to keep both of them warm. Her arms wrapped tightly around him, and her breath came out slowly and evenly.
In reply, Soujiro subconsciously buried his face into her ebony hair, murmuring in his sleep. It was evident the poor boy was still sore; stains of blood on his tattered clothes and cuts and bruises on his limbs and face. However, it didn't stop him from struggling in his sleep, running from someone or something in his dreams.
"No! Please… don't hurt me…"
Misao's eyes fluttered open before widening slightly, listening to his soft protests. "Sou-chan..?"
Upon hearing her voice, Soujiro stilled, but continued his mumbles. "Misao-chan… please help me…"
Misao, frightened and not knowing what to do, whispered to him, "Sou-chan, it's OK. I'm here."
A ghost of a smile crossed the boy's lips before he curled closer to Misao, wrapping his arms tighter around her.
Misao nearly squeaked at being held closely, but one look at his face and her surprise transformed into a soft expression. "Sleep well, Sou-chan."
The sun barely peaked over the horizon, glints of light shining down on the dew-covered forest. Soujiro was not yet awake, his injuries from the previous night causing him fatigue. He stirred, burying his face into Misao's shoulder, unaware of the cut reopening as it rubbed against the fabric of her clothing.
Misao groggily opened her eyes and saw Soujiro's wounds being rubbed raw. Worried, she pulled away, tucking the coat around her new friend. "Sou-chan… I'll be right back."
Soujiro snuggled deep into the warmth of the coat as Misao snuck out of the barn. Glancing around, she darted towards the well for a bucket. She had just wrapped her fingers around the pail when a firm hand landed on her shoulder, whirling her around. Staring down at her was the father of the family Soujiro stayed with and behind him, his two sons. "Looks like we caught ourselves a little thief, right boys?"
In reply, both siblings nodded.
Misao's eyes widened in terror. She was so shocked she couldn't speak. She stared at the older brother as he kneeled down to her level. "Do you know what they do to people who steal, girlie?"
Misao gulped, fear rising up from deep within as her small form trembled. She yelped when the elder of the two brothers slapped her face. "Answer me when I talk to you, bitch!"
Stumbling back, Misao touched her smarted cheek. It was then Soujiro came running out of the barn, eyes wide at the scene before him. "Stop! Stop! Leave her alone!" He dashed in front of Misao, arms spread out in an attempt to protect her from any more blows. From behind, Misao stared up at him with wide eyes.
The father narrowed his eyes. "What is this? Do you know this brat? Were you hiding her from us, Soujiro?"
Soujiro, scared as he was, let his smile creep across his face. "Would it matter if I was? You're still going to hit me."
The younger brother scowled. "How dare you insult our father like that!"
To everyone's surprise, the father raised his hand. "Let it be." Then, things took a turn for the worse in the children's favor. "There will just be two worthless brats in the fields today. Come, boys. Your mother's ready with breakfast. Sou! You and the girl start in the fields. I want the entire rice field cut."
As soon as the men had exited, Soujiro turned to Misao, who was pale in the face. His eyes were wide with anger, sadness and guilt. "I'm so sorry, Misao-chan! I am sorry they hurt you! This is all my fault!" Soujiro reached out to touch the whelp on Misao's face but couldn't bring himself to do so, tears streaming down his cheeks, yet the smile was still plastered to his face.
Misao's eyes, rounded from fright and shock, soften as she cupped Soujiro's face with her hands. "Why are you crying?"
Soujiro choked back his sobs, managing to get his words out. "Because… because they hurt my only friend!"
Misao frowned, but replied back evenly, "They hurt my only friend, too."
Soujiro closed his eyes in half comfort from her words and half in pain from wounds. Stifling his sobs once more, he muttered, "If we don't get to work, they'll just hurt us again."
Misao blinked. "Work?"
Soujiro nodded in reply. "I can do the work, you just stay beside me or they'll hit you."
Misao shook her head furiously. "I'm working, too!"
"Misao-chan…"
"Teach me how to work, Sou-chan!"
"But…"
Misao grabbed his hands. "Please, Sou-chan! I won't take 'no' for an answer!"
After a moment of hesitation, the boy gave in, sighing softly in resignation. Still lightly grasping her hand, he pulled her out into the fields and began to point out what she would need to know.
The family watched from within the house before returning to their breakfast. "At least the girl seems to obey."
And as the sun started to rise into the sky, Soujiro began to share his heavy, daily burden with his only friend.
To be continued.
AN: Terribly short, yes...BUT IT'S AN UPDATE! GIMME KUDOS FOR THAT! XD I am terribly sorry for not updating my fictions.
Phoe-chan
