A Lifetime Forgiven
Chapter Five: After the Storm
The storm lasted until the next morning. Kenshin awoke feeling refreshed and ready for a battle if one was needed. Arami awoke feeling more groggy, but refreshed nonetheless.
As soon as Kenshin began to stir Arami opened her eyes and stood to stretch and work out a few kinks formed from sleeping on such an uncomfortable wooden floor. Once Kenshin had fully awoken he too stood to stretch. He looked around eagerly, looking for breakfast, and was sadly disappointed to find none. Arami smirked at the crestfallen expression displayed, and called something to him, which perked him up instantly.
"What would you like for breakfast?" She asked more cheerily then when they'd first met.
"Eggs, meat, rice," And the list continued even when Arami had rolled her eyes and slid the door open. The list seemed to be never ending and it was obvious the half-breed was growing annoyed. Before she could say a word of objection he had finished and looked at her with hopeful eyes.
"Will that be all?" Instantly she was sorry she'd asked as he rushed into another order anew, this list of possible desserts. With another roll of her eyes she strolled out the door and down a corridor. Halfway along she passed a door, which the voices of interested her.
"Yes, Gahnite was found on Shishio's steps out-cold. His shoulder was bandaged up nicely." Arami's chest noticeably puffed up a touch.
"Who could have injured him though? I was told the wound looked inflicted by an animal. Could such a man really be defeated by an animal? He was huge! I heard he had to wear specially made yukatas just to get around decently dressed!" A rustle of fabric told Arami someone had either just nodded or shrugged.
"Since arriving here I've heard rumors of a demon with fox ears. I don't remember if the rumors said it was a male or female, but the ears stood atop it's head, and it looks human!" Someone in the room gasped.
"You don't say? Do you think…?"
"Exactly. Gahnite was too powerful a man for any ordinary animal to have defeated him! It would take one as barbaric as Himura the Battousai to do such a thing!" At this comment Arami had to stifle a growl. She might be a little rough around the edges, but she wasn't barbaric! How dare these pathetic cowardly humans admit to such an accusation!
"Excuse me miss." One of the innkeepers arrives holding three bowls of white rice. Arami nods and moves aside, and with grace only a demon could have swiftly takes one of the bowls of rice and disappears.
Wearing a scowl she enters the room she and Kenshin occupy. He stands near a window when she enters and casts a cautious eye in her direction. Soon his caution turns to surprise and then falls when he sees she only holds a bowl of white rice. Nonetheless it is food and when she offers it to him he takes it gratefully.
"You have returned already?" He asks still a touch surprised at her swift ability.
"I didn't go far." She shrugged the enquiries off and cast her sapphire-silver gaze to the open window. "Did you open the window?" The Battousai's only answer is a nod as he's too engrossed in eating the rice to answer. "Oh."
After a moment of silence, or as silent as it can be with a hungry swordsman gobbling rice dramatically loud, the swordsman paused long enough to gather more information from the disgruntled half-breed. She only cast him a wary eye before looking back out the window at the blue sky where cheery birds chirped.
"Is something the matter?" He asked as Arami sighed in a depressed matter.
"Do you consider me barbaric?" He shook his head no as soon as the word left her mouth. "Humph." She intensified her gaze out the window.
"Why do you ask?" With a more cautious air, Kenshin continued to question his new friend.
"I overheard a conversation just down the hall. Rumors are convinced I'm barbaric." Kenshin could only nod with understanding at this. Not very long ago, just at the turn of the revolution, too many had considered him the same. But he had changed his stripes, so to speak.
"Are you positive they were talking about you?" Asked the swordsmen sympathetically.
"How many demons can there be around Kyoto without my discovering them? I've lived here far too long, having searched this country more then twice, and haven't found hide nor hair of another demon, at least not demons that resemble humans." Again Kenshin could only nod.
"It will pass."
"Just like the storm." She murmured before standing and walking to the door and sliding it open.
"Where are you going?"
"You wanted meat, and I haven't eaten since yesterday morning." She stated calmly. Again Kenshin's mouth began to water and drool dripped to the floor from off his chin.
"Thank you!" He exclaimed with delight shone in his violet glaze. Arami rolled her eyes and exited.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: So how are people liking it so far? Or do you readers hate it? Any-who, thanks so much for reading! And special thanks to those that reviewed!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin™. Although I do own any of my original characters.