Disclaimer: Kaoru, Kenshin, Sano, Yahiko, and all the rest belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki. I am merely borrowing them
A Dance Woven Upon The Soul
Chapter Four: Q and A, or is it A and Q?
Kaoru fingered the leaf in her hand as she leaned comfortably against the tree. She'd just gotten back from visiting Kyoko, and the grounds at the Hiko mansion were a good place to ponder the day's events.
And she certainly had a lot to ponder over. She'd loved the time that she had spent with Kyoko and yet with it came a feeling of guilt. Kyoko had made a comment offhand earlier in the evening. 'Wouldn't it be great if you could come and live with Mum and me?' And she'd made a comment on the phone that one time. 'You must feel awful about leaving home and everything…'
Kaoru frowned as the feeling of guilt increased. The thought of going to live with Kyoko and her mother bothered her for some reason. What was wrong with her? Kyoko had always supported her so why wasn't she jumping at the chance to go and live with her?
Kaoru sighed. She let go of the leaf and watched as it fluttered idly in the wind before coming to its final rest. It was the end of May and it'd been a little over a month since she'd come to live with Hiko and the others. She smiled at the thought of them.
Yahiko was progressing fairly well in the Kamiya Kasshin style. Kaoru felt herself swell with pride every time she saw his determined expression or when he'd successfully complete a new move. She'd also learned that he played on his school's volleyball team. She'd caught him one time staring at a volley ball that was being displayed in the window of a sport's shop. Kaoru hadn't been able to get the look of longing he'd worn when he was staring at it and she'd decided to get it for him. When she'd given it to him as a present after one of his games, he'd stared at her in disbelief at first and then let out a shriek of glee. Kaoru smiled as she remembered it. That child-like happiness was something he deserved. His eyes always looked wary and serious.
Despite these things, it didn't mean that he'd stopped acting like an annoying brat. He'd picked up the habit of calling her 'old hag' or 'ugly.' She laughed to herself as she glanced at the lake. They'd been by the small lake when he'd called her 'ugly' for the first time and she'd promptly pushed him into it. Since then, he'd learned not to call her that when she was in the vicinity to retaliate.
Sano also seemed to have no qualms about annoying her. One of his favorite hobbies seemed to be teasing her. She'd gotten tired of whacking him every time he called her 'Jou-chan' and it had somehow evolved into his own personal nickname for her. Kaoru grinned a bit. Whenever she seemed to be sad or down, he'd make her laugh or he would use his tactic of making her mad so that she'd forget her worries. He seemed to prefer the former though, seeing as how making her angry usually resulted in him receiving a bruise from her shinai.
Kaoru had also learned that Sano liked to play cards. He'd been a little vague on the details but Kaoru guessed that when he went out to play 'cards' it probably involved gambling or something like that. What stuck with Kaoru the most though, was that despite Sano's bragging about his luck and expertise at card games, he couldn't beat her at 'Go Fish.' Kaoru chuckled a bit at the thought of their last game. It had ended with Sano saying that Wednesday wasn't his lucky day. If that was so than Kaoru figured that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weren't either…
A warm wind blew gently against her face and Kaoru tucked some loose hair behind her ear. She looked at the small lake as it seemed to glow red almost. Kenshin's hair was red.
Kaoru smiled at the thought of him. She'd liked him when they'd first met and as the days had gone by, the feeling had only increased. She felt it was easy to talk to him and they'd had many interesting conversations. One of them had been about whether or not the tomato was a fruit or vegetable. She chuckled a little. They talked about the most random things at times.
Kenshin also had this overly worrisome nature. It wasn't just with her. He offered help to whomever and whenever he could. At points, it annoyed Kaoru. She didn't want to act like a burden on Kenshin or anyone. Kenshin always seemed to be worried more for others than for himself. But that was just the way he was. His concern for others often brought a smile to her face. And sometimes when that concern was focused on her, her stomach did these odd flip flops…
Kaoru chose not to think too much on that. Instead, she tried to focus once again on the sunset and the majestic brilliance that was unfolding. And yet again her thoughts drifted back to Kenshin and the others. Although her time at the Hiko household had been filled with much happiness, there was always something beneath the surface. Some secret that the others knew, but Kaoru didn't. She wondered when Hiko, Kenshin, or anybody for that matter, would tell her. She wanted to be trusted and accepted by them.
That thought jarred Kaoru slightly. It wasn't so much that she didn't know the 'secret.' She realized that what she cared about more was receiving the others trust. When had she come to care so much about them?
"Kaoru-dono?" Kaoru jumped and turned to the owner of the voice, although she already knew who it was without seeing him. She turned and saw Kenshin with his head tipped slightly, a curious expression donning his face.
"Hey Kenshin. I just got back from visiting Kyoko." He looked like he'd just arrived himself. "Were you out?"
"I was visiting someone also." He didn't say anything else and Kaoru didn't press the matter. Kenshin shifted his gaze towards the setting sun and his features softened. "You like it, don't you?"
Kaoru looked at him questioningly. "Like what?"
"The sunset." He smiled at her. "You watch it almost everyday."
Kaoru was surprised he'd noticed something little like that. She brought her knees up to her chin and gazed at the colors displayed in the sky. "I do. When I was younger, my parents would take me up to the beach to see it. I loved it. My Dad took me a few times after my mother's death but…" She bit her lip. "I think it reminded him to much of my mother. We went less and less, but I still remember how it looked."
She did remember how it looked. Especially the last time she'd gone with her parents. That was the last time they had gone somewhere as a whole family. It was emblazoned on her memory, a single moment in time. She blinked when she felt a tear roll down her cheek. What surprised her more was when Kenshin touched his hand to her cheek to wipe it away.
She squeaked in surprise and quickly rubbed her eyes to stop any other tears that might've decided to flow. Kenshin was looking at her frowning. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
Great! Now she was making him feel guilty! "No! Don't be. I-I just got caught up in memories, that's all." Kenshin still looked like he was feeling guilty. "The sunset does bring back memories and they can be painful. But I treasure them. I actually wouldn't mind going to the beach again to see the sunset. I haven't been there in a while."
It was becoming darker now. The sun was casting its final light on the world before night set in. Kenshin turned to her and offered his hand. "We'll have to visit the beach then."
Kaoru smiled at him gratefully as they made their way back to the house. By the time they'd reached it, numerous stars had made their appearance. As they entered the house, Kaoru stretched her arms over her head and turned to Kenshin with a grin on her face. "Well, I suppose I'd better get Yahiko started on his practice swings. An extra forty or so won't be too bad for him calling me an old hag yesterday."
Kenshin chuckled a little and opened his mouth to say something. However, a cry from one of the doorways stopped whatever it was he had been about to say. "Ken-saaan!"
"Oro?"
Kaoru barely registered that the yell had come from a woman with long, dark hair before the said woman literally threw herself on Kenshin. Kenshin seemed to have been dazed for a moment by being bombarded by a woman before he looked uncomfortable and slightly amused. The woman seemed to notice neither and just started talking to Kenshin. "It's been awhile, hasn't it Ken-san? You haven't been down to the clinic in at least a month. But that rooster head keeps coming to complain about his hand. I swear he-"
The woman stopped in mid sentence as she seemed to have finally noticed Kaoru. The woman let go of Kenshin and laughed a bit. "Ken-san, is this little girl a friend of yours?"
Kaoru felt herself frown. Little girl? That DEFINITELY didn't sit too well with her. Before Kaoru could say anything, Kenshin answered the woman, rubbing his neck slightly. "This is Kamiya Kaoru. She's living with us. Kaoru-dono, this is Takani Megumi."
Kaoru smiled at Megumi and extended her hand. Megumi took it, but her eyes narrowed slightly. Kaoru shifted uncomfortably. What was this woman's problem? Whatever it was, Kaoru figured she'd have to find out later. Yahiko still needed to be given his lesson and Kaoru thought that was a better course to take than being glared at by a virtual stranger. "I'm going to go find Yahiko so I'll see you at dinner Kenshin. It was nice meeting you, Megumi-san."
Kaoru headed quickly upstairs towards Yahiko's room. He was probably playing video games. At the top of the stairs she heard Megumi asking if she could come to dinner and Kenshin giving an affirmative answer. Kaoru groaned. She just hoped Megumi was out of her 'glare-at-someone-you-just-met' mood before dinner.
* * *
"Could you pick me up two hours later than usual, Tomu? I wanted to go out with Misao for awhile after school."
It was bright and early outside and the air was filled with the smell of flowers. Kaoru just wished she could go out with Misao for the whole day instead of going to school. She didn't like being cooped up inside when the weather was so nice!
"Of course I'll pick you up later. Just go and have fun." Tomu smiled at her in a fatherly way and Kaoru felt her heart lurch. Dad…
She shook her head and smiled brightly at him. "Thanks, Tomu. I'll see you after school."
Kaoru waved bye and started her walk to school. She felt her thoughts turn to the previous night and Takani Megumi. She just couldn't figure the woman out! She hadn't glared at Kaoru during dinner, for which Kaoru was grateful, but she'd practically hung all over Kenshin. That, for some reason, had annoyed Kaoru to no end. It still set her teeth on edge when she thought of it. What was also strange was what Megumi had said to her before she'd left. "I'm not about to give him up!"
Kaoru supposed Megumi might have been talking to herself. Or maybe she had been half delirious because she'd been working too hard at the 'clinic' she'd spoken of. Kaoru laughed to herself as she turned into the gates of the school. She stopped at a tree and looked at her watch and her lips curved upward slightly. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
"Kaoru!" Kaoru felt her lips form into a very happy smile as Makimachi Misao raced towards her. If she'd thought that being attacked by Misao in the previous month had been luck, she considered it a blessing now.
Over the past month, Misao had proven to be a great friend. Kaoru thought back to the day after she'd first met Misao and laughed inwardly. Misao had LOUDLY declared that 'Kama Koru' was really Kamiya Kaoru. She'd made up the excuse that during Kaoru's transfer, her name had been somehow misconstrued (Shimara-sensei had been sparred the embarrassment, for which Kaoru was intensely grateful to Misao). Misao had also stated that whoever had started the rumor should learn to control their tongue. Mysteriously, that same day, someone had put super glue on Gohei's chair. When he'd stood up it had taken him a few moments to figure out that the back part of his pants were missing. Misao had looked innocent enough until she'd grinned impishly at Kaoru.
However, like with Kenshin and the others, the 'secret' always hung over their heads. But with Misao, she talked openly to Kaoru about whatever she could. That meant a lot to Kaoru. Misao had declared the previous week that if Hiko didn't tell her the truth soon, she'd be forced to take a plunger and stuff his head down a toilet. While she'd laughed about it, Kaoru sensed that Misao was serious about wanting Kaoru to know the truth. Although she wasn't getting too many details, it felt good to know that Misao didn't want to hide things from her.
Kaoru had also been surprised to learn that Misao had not met Hiko or the others personally. Her 'Gramps' was the one that had given her the mission of protecting Kaoru upon Hiko's request. Kaoru had taken Misao to meet them all and Kaoru thought that it had gone well, that is until Yahiko had opened a door right into Misao's face. It wasn't exactly what one would call an auspicious beginning. She and Yahiko had somehow developed a ritual of trying to trip one another or opening doors on each other. Needless to say, whenever Misao came over all hell broke loose.
"Earth to Kaoru!"
Kaoru jumped as she realized that Misao was now standing in front of her with an amused expression. She'd spaced out AGAIN! "Sorry about that. I just started daydreaming."
Misao just grinned at her. "Don't worry about. Anyway, how long were you waiting?"
Kaoru fought down the urge to laugh. At some point, Misao had decided that SHE wanted to be the one waiting under the tree for Kaoru and not the other way around. Misao had a hard time waking up in the morning (as she'd grudgingly confessed to Kaoru) and she'd already been tardy too many times to count. Misao had declared that Kaoru had saved her from getting a detention by giving her motivation to get to school earlier. Kaoru didn't have the heart to tell her that she was arriving ten minutes later than she normally would have. Kaoru blinked and mentally hit herself. She was starting to daydream AGAIN! "You've made it to six seconds."
Misao whooped in triumph. "Yes! Yesterday I was at fifteen!"
Kaoru smiled at her energetic friend. "Maybe I should come five minutes earlier."
Kaoru burst out loud with laughter at the horror stricken look on Misao's face. It took Misao a few seconds to realize that Kaoru had only been joking before she promptly started chasing her. Their laughter echoed on the grounds as they headed towards school.
* * *
Kaoru stretched her arms as she left the building. School was finally done! She and Misao didn't have any club meetings after school and they'd decided the previous week that they were going to use the afternoon to its full advantage. Kaoru turned as Misao walked up beside her. "So, where do you think we should go?"
Misao thought for a moment before she replied. "There's a café a little way down the rode. They serve the best ice cream."
Kaoru felt her stomach grumble and laughed a little. It seemed like her stomach had made the decision for her. "I think I have an urge for chocolate chip ice cream coming on."
With that being said, Misao led the way towards the café. As they were walking, Kaoru told Misao of her experience with Megumi the previous night. They were at the café by the time she'd finished telling her. Kaoru opened the door and peeked inside. It seemed relatively busy but a few tables were still vacant. Good. The thought of ice cream sounded even better now. They got a table fairly quickly and after they'd ordered their ice cream Kaoru turned to Misao. "Maybe I'm just imagining things about Megumi. Kenshin and the others seem to trust her and I don't see why she would have a grudge against me."
Misao nodded and played with the edge of a napkin that was placed in front of her. "But it is weird that she called you 'little girl' like you said. I'd consider that an insult right away…but then again that's just me…"
Misao was grinning a bit and Kaoru chuckled. Misao HATED it when someone called her 'little' or mistook her for a child. She was a bit…smaller than most girls their age. Kaoru knew that if someone intentionally made fun of her for it they'd probably soon regret it. "I think it WAS meant as some sort of jab. But it was kind of stupid of her. I mean, I do turn seventeen in a week."
Misao let out an odd strangled sound. "Your birthday's in a week?"
Kaoru just tilted her head to the side and wondered why that bothered Misao so much. "Yeah. It's in a little over a week. June seventh."
Misao sighed and looked guilty. "I'm so sorry!! I didn't know! I haven't even gotten you a present or planned a big party or-"
Kaoru cut her off before she could continue and couldn't suppress the feelings of affection that she felt. Misao worried about the silliest things sometimes. "No! Don't be sorry. I don't really like big party's that much actually. I'm just happy that I'm able to be with my friends and-" Kaoru stopped as she was about to say family and an odd lump formed in her throat. The only family she'd ever known was gone. She was going to be spending her first birthday without her father. It had always been hard to deal with it after the loss of her mother, but now her father was gone as well. She was alone…
Misao saw the agonized look on Kaoru face and she quickly tried to say something to cheer her up. "We should do something or go somewhere special for your birthday. There's always a bunch of concerts that go on in June and I'm sure that we could manage to get into one of them that you like. Although it might not be exactly on your birthday but-" Kaoru realized what Misao was trying to do and felt a faint smile forming. "-I'm sure it'll all work out."
Kaoru smiled as Misao finished, surprised to find that she felt somewhat better. "That sounds great."
Their ice cream arrived just then, something to which Kaoru had forgotten about. She savored the taste of the chocolate as she swallowed her first bite. "So," Kaoru looked at Misao, who had just delved into her own treat. "Do you think Megumi has some sort of grudge against me?"
Misao swallowed her strawberry ice cream as she regarded Kaoru. She seemed to be debating something before she answered Kaoru. "Maybe she thinks you're moving in on her territory." Kaoru looked at her a little confused and Misao elaborated for her. "She thinks you're trying to take Kenshin from her."
"What!" Kaoru felt her face flame up and Misao grinned teasingly which didn't help her at all. She and Kenshin were only friends! She didn't feel anything for him romantically. She had a sudden flash of his smile and the feel of his arms around her and her face got even redder if that was possible. Only a friend…right? Kaoru shook her head and fought to regain her composure. "T-That can't be it. It must be something else. Does the Oniwa Banshu know anything about her that might point to anything else?"
Misao looked as though she was fighting the urge to laugh at Kaoru's reaction but her self control won out in the end. "OK, OK. But first you've got to tell me her last name. You never told me."
Kaoru took another bite of ice cream as she tried to recall what Kenshin had told her as he'd introduced her. Taki…Taku…Takani! "It was Takani. Takani Megumi."
Kaoru never expected to see the expression that appeared on Misao face. At the sound of Megumi's full name, Misao's face contorted into shock and then an odd sort of sadness. "Misao? What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Misao stared at her ice cream in a sort of numb silence and Kaoru cursed her self for ever bringing up the subject of Megumi. Kaoru nearly jumped when Misao suddenly snapped her head up with a resolute expression on her face. "Kaoru, I said that when I first met you that I thought that I could trust you. Since I've gotten to know you…those feelings haven't changed. So I'm going to trust you with what I'm about to tell you. My Gramps told me all of it and he won't be happy if it got out into the public."
Kaoru nodded, feeling somewhat flattered by Misao's words. Misao took a deep breath at Kaoru's nod and continued on. "Takani Megumi, until about a year and a half ago, was working for an underground drug dealership -- making opium I believe."
Kaoru felt her mouth open slightly. "But she definitely didn't seem like someone who could be part of something like that!"
Misao answered her calmly. "That's because she was forced into it. It was Kenshin who got her out and stopped the whole operation." Kaoru felt shocked. Kenshin had done something like that? How? "Kenshin turned it all over to the police in the end but in their eyes, Megumi was also guilty. That's when he went to Hiko for help."
Misao was speaking more cautiously now. She seemed to be on the verge of revealing something she wasn't supposed to – whatever it was that Hiko was supposed to tell her. "Hiko agreed to help 'smooth things over' for Megumi as long as Kenshin came back and took care of business for him. Kenshin agreed and Megumi's been working at a local clinic ever since."
Kaoru took it all in, but numerous questions were popping up in her head. '-as long as Kenshin came back.' What did that mean? Where had Kenshin been? And how the heck could he stop an illegal drug ring? Kaoru kept these questions to herself however. She had a feeling that Misao wouldn't be able to answer them. But at least she'd learned some more about Kenshin's past. At the moment though, she was more concerned about Misao. What she'd said still didn't explain the expression that she'd had on her face at the mention of Megumi's full name. Misao seemed to realize what she was thinking about. She stirred her ice cream idly and when she spoke it was in an odd choked voice.
"S-Some people I knew…and cared for deeply…were also involved in it. But they were not exactly on the 'good' side." Misao bit her lip. "But they were trustworthy. And loyal. And strong. I don't know how they ended up where they did or why. But in the end, the 'boss' of the ring k-killed them. All of them."
A tear came out of Misao's eye and Kaoru reached out and squeezed her hand. Misao smiled shakily. "Do you…Do you think you could really love someone, even if you're a child?"
Kaori blinked at the unexpected question. Where had that come from? But looking at Misao, who was biting her lip nervously, Kaoru considered the question. She figured that Misao wasn't talking about the kind of love a child had for parent, but one between a boyfriend and girlfriend, a husband and wife. Kaoru looked directly into Misao's eyes and felt her breath catch. She didn't know how she could tell, but somehow she could. Misao was in love with someone. And judging form her previous question, Misao had loved that someone since she was a child. Had that 'someone' been involved with the opium ring? Was he still alive or had he been killed?
Kaoru realized that Misao was still biting her lip. She decided it was best to answer her friend's
inquiry before she bit her lip off. She
spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words.
"I think…that age doesn't really matter when it comes to something like
love. It's not exactly something you can
plan for. Love can happen anytime
even…even if you're just a child."
Misao's eyes widened and then she smiled somewhat wistfully. "I believe that too."
They finished their ice cream after that in a comfortable silence. They talked a little afterwards, but about less dire things, such as school. But all the while, Kaoru couldn't help but think over all the things she'd learned that afternoon. And one question seemed to take prominence in her mind. Who was it that Misao loved?
* * *
Kaoru waved at Misao as the two departed to go to their homes. Well, in Kaoru's case, to head to the park. She swung her bag a bit as she proceeded on her way, all the while her mind on the conversation she'd had that afternoon. She felt the all too familiar sense of curiosity surfacing. Every time she was able to get some information about Kenshin and the others, she seemed to be gaining MORE unanswered questions. God, it was so frustrating!
She shook her head. Getting frustrated wouldn't solve anything -- all it would serve would be to give her a headache. She paused for a moment and looked across the street at the Akabeko as the smell of enticing foods wafted out of the door. It really smelled good. Maybe she and Misao could go there next time. Sano had mentioned that he wanted to take her there at some point. Of course then she'd found that it was only because he thought she might be able to pay his tab…
She grinned a bit and moved to continue but something caught her eye. There was a very intimidating man with a large mustache across the street that everyone seemed to be avoiding. And he seemed to be leading someone, practically pulling the 'someone'…a very short someone…Yahiko!?
Kaoru felt her eyes widen. Yahiko looked like he was trying to remain cool and calm. But after a month of training him she was able to read his expression better than any passerby would. He looked angry, annoyed, and…scared? Kaoru clenched her fist and her gaze narrowed at Mustache-san. She wouldn't let him or anyone else hurt Yahiko. She'd have to follow them. But…
Kaoru bit the edge of her thumb. She didn't know the circumstances and she was weaponless -- both severe disadvantages towards her. If she was seen following them what would happen? Would he hurt Yahiko? Perhaps with some luck she'd be able to follow them unnoticed. Surprise would be to her favor. The key was not to get caught.
She was debating the most opportune time to cross the street when Mustache-san and Yahiko suddenly took a sharp turn down an alley beside the Akabeko. Kaoru cursed inwardly and rushed to get to the other side. She weaved through the surrounding people easily enough and approached the edge of the restaurant cautiously. Peering around the 'entranceway' to the alley, she could make out their two forms, large and small, in the distance. Kaoru frowned. Not good. The alley way was straight and she'd have no way of following them without being noticed.
"So what the hell do you want, geezer?" Yahiko's voice suddenly filtered into her ears and she strained to listen. Damn it! Why did the street have to be so noisy?
"Just shut up. We'll talk inside. He's become…very interested in where you've been for the past year." Mustache-san's voice sounded just as intimidating as his looks.
"I'm not going any-" Yahiko was cut off from what he was about to say because he cried out. In pain. Kaoru's fists clenched and she had to restrain herself from rushing out to attack the man.
She peeked around the edge just in time to see Yahiko being lifted by the scruff of the neck and pulled into a building -- what looked like an old warehouse. Kaoru waited a few moments before entering the alley and trotted to the warehouse moving cautiously. She needed to find another way in. She'd just get caught if she used the entrance the other two had. What could she use…walls…a window…trash cans…a fire escape…
Kaoru's face set and she approached the stairs. She glanced at her backpack and shrugged it off. It would only get in the way. She went to set it down but stopped when she saw the cell phone pouch. Tomu had given a phone to her a few weeks back to use in case of emergencies. Yahiko was in trouble…what if she couldn't handle it alone? Kaoru frowned. She was strong enough. She didn't want to be some damsel in distress.
'Sometimes we all need help.' Kenshin's words popped into her head and Kaoru reached for the phone. Yahiko was in trouble and here she was just about to let pride get in the way. Was she that petty? Mentally reprimanding herself she dialed Tomu's number.
When a recording came on to leave a message, Kaoru sighed in frustration, and quickly told the situation and location that would be recorded and stuck the cell phone in the bag. With that being done, she went up the fire escape and swung herself onto the roof. The roof was…well, a roof. Nothing out of the ordinary but…Kaoru grinned.
There was a rather large sky light at the far end. Perhaps she would be able to find out what was happening. She moved over to it and lay flat on her stomach. She peered over it and gazed inside. It was, for the most part, one large room. It was filled with many boxes of numerous sizes and there was a door leading into a small room off to her right. There was also a second floor that was more akin to a large deck.
Within this space there were about fifteen –no, sixteen men. Kaoru felt her stomach turn. She was weaponless and these were all muscular and intimidating looking thugs. How would she handle so many? It was a good thing she'd called Tomu.
But what if he didn't get the message? Kaoru resisted the urge to bite her thumb. She'd have to do SOMETHING. She wouldn't just sit tight and let someone hurt Yahiko. Even if it meant…
"So, how have you been Yahiko-chan?" The sound of a voice, dripping with sarcasm, snapped Kaoru out of her reverie. She looked down and was able to see Yahiko staring defiantly up at an overweight man. Ah, yes. The boss of this whole little gang. He was the one with the money and the connections.
He continued on and Kaoru pressed closer to the window. "You've been living high and mighty, haven't you? Well, I'm afraid once you're one of us there's no turning back. You're with us for life....or for as long as you're useful."
A few of the men snorted and Yahiko answered back, his voice shaking. "I-I'm not a part of you anymore…you're all just worthless scum."
The boss laughed and the ugly sound echoed. "Scum, eh? Have you forgotten what you used to do? You're the scum that stole a good portion for my profit. That red haired bastard isn't here right now. You're nothing but a kid who's been puffed up too much."
Kaoru felt her eyes widen. Yahiko had been a part of them? Worked for them? Looking at the boss below, Kaoru felt a surge of hatred bubbling up. How could someone do that to a child? Yahiko's eyes, so often shadowed, was all because of some man's ambition to have more 'profit?'
"That mansion you're living in has many…opportunities for me. You'll start by-"
"I won't do your shit anymore." Yahiko declared that statement loudly and Kaoru felt her hatred replaced by pride. He was shaking, probably due to anger and fear. Yet he wasn't giving in. He was still a child, yet mature in so many ways.
Kaoru's brief moment of happiness was interrupted when the boss snapped his fingers and one of the men came forward. No…
The swift kick aimed at Yahiko's ribs caused Kaoru to flinch. The boss and several others merely laughed. "What do you say to that boy?"
Yahiko stood hunched over for a few moments and then he looked up…and spit in the older man's face. Kaoru felt her lips curve upward. It was incredibly brave…but stupid. He'd probably get beaten again.
Kaoru narrowed her eyes. Not if she could help it though. There was another door at the back of the building, surrounded by a few boxes. It was a slim chance of getting by unnoticed, but whatever it took to get Yahiko to safety was all that mattered.
She got to her knees and moved to rise but the sound of footsteps behind her caused her to freeze. Then she heard a click.
The sound of a gunshot reverberated throughout the area.
Author's Notes: Please forgive this horrible writer for taking so long to update. Real life just seemed to catch up to me. ^_^
Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chappie. I'll get the next one out as soon as I can…more Kenshin will be present. ^_^
As usual, thanks to all you marvelous reviewers: chris37, Luna Angel, CurlsofsErenity, laura, Rekka's Angel, Tama-Shin, flyinangel777, Fuyi no Yuki, and yuna-chan.
C and C is welcome and most appreciated.
^_^
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