@__@ AND HERE IT IS FINALLY!

BURDENING VISIONS

Chapter Five: Strands of Destiny, Plans of the Oniwaban and Hiten

    The horse was a coppery mare that watched her silently, head cocked to the side. Kaoru beckoned the shy horse to her gently, only to receive a blink from the female horse's almond eyes.

    Kaoru sighed with frustration, running her fingers through her bangs that appeared dark indigo in the upcoming sunset. The red mare continued to watch her, one hoof scuffing at a small grassless patch of dirt, making a tiny trench and causing dust to swirl.

    "She's always been shy, that one." Came a voice directly from behind her. Kaoru swiveled around and bounded back, heart hammering to see Kenshin standing barely two footsteps away from her. He was still wearing the same clothes, and his fingers were thoughtlessly running over the hilts of his swords.

    Kaoru released a breath she realized she was holding and her shoulders slumped somewhat. "Please, don't scare me like that."

    Her bright blue eyes looked up at him expectantly to see a smile vaguely growing. Turning away from her, Kenshin whistled gently at the reluctant horse whose ears pricked up. Her soft brown eyes turned to him, ears following the direction of his voice. And ever so slowly, she came over.

    Kenshin let out a low chuckle and placed a comforting hand on her nose. The mare nuzzled his hand, much less shy than before.

    "It takes awhile for Iriai* to get comfortable with new acquaintances." Kenshin explained as he indicated the horse that just gave a playful nip to one of his fingers.

    Kaoru stared at him silently...Acquaintance....? He smiled at her then left to mount his own horse, an ebony black stallion.

She glanced at Iriai who stared back in curiosity. It was now or never...Kaoru smiled reassuringly and began to inch her way towards the cautious Iriai.      

    The Oniwaban Clan was in a loud state, especially since the news of Kaoru's disappearance. The Dream Weaver's presence had always been comforting....and Misao, though only a young girl had been an important being to them all as well.

    The realization had dawned that Misao had left as well. Knowing Misao, who had always been a loyal friend to Kaoru ever since they were young, it was obvious she had gone to find her alone.

    Aoshi rubbed at his temples as the chattering continued. He knew his Clan was worried and he knew there was only one thing to do...

    The Leader of the Oniwaban stood, and his people that had assembled before him fell silent, watching him to await his orders.

    "You all know that Kaoru and Misao have left us." He paused for a moment as whispers grew, waiting for them to stop. After a few hushes, the attention was back on him. "We will move out. Be on guard. The Hiten Clan could be anywhere."

    The members of the Oniwaban ran off to prepare themselves, to undo their tents and be ready for anything unexpected. 

    Kaoru, still not used to riding a horse and unsure of where they were going rode alongside Kenshin who did not seem to mind, or was too preoccupied in his own thoughts. From a sidelong gaze she observed him.

    He was definitely a mystery to her. He stood out amongst everyone, much shorter than most and with fiery red hair, but the eyes were the most astonishing. How was it one moment they could be a kind purple and a dangerous amber the next?

    She shook her head. Why should she care....? Kaoru's mind drifted back to a vision she had had upon the night she was captured. It wasn't a horribly frightening one, but it was probably the strangest by far....

    Kaoru stood alone in a dark world illuminated by a thin glow from the cloud covered moon high above. Outlines of trees darker than shadows stood outlined by the eerie milky light. Something silvery flashed in the corner of her vision and Kaoru turned to go towards it.

      But she found she could not.

    Something was holding her back. Kaoru finally noticed her arms and ankles were bound as well as her torso.

    She looked down and saw many silky strings wound around, preventing her from moving forward. Was it....thread?

    Kaoru gave an experimental tug with her left arm and some of the intertwined material fell onto her wrist and as if one cue some of the pearly light fell upon it.

    There was an array of colors, from the lightest brown to almost black, and the darkest shades of ebony there ever was. So twisted were these strands, she could not see very shade...but what were most evident were those crimson strands.

      Kaoru's eyes widened. Wait...these were human hair!!

    Then, some of the hair began to split, torn and falling away from the coils looped around her body. The dark liquid of blood stained the tresses that had fallen....

      The rest of the dream had faded away, for she had been awakened by Seijuro Hiko.

    Again, his voice interrupted her thoughts. Kaoru looked up to see that the tall man had joined the opposite side of Kenshin, the red and white cloak still hanging from his shoulders.

    Lost in thought, Kaoru had not noticed his presence and realized that while she was reminiscing he had come up to Kenshin and was talking to him.

      Then she remembered...Kenshin was the strongest fighter from the Hiten Mitsurugi Clan...

      "...So where are we headed?" Kenshin asked.

    "The obvious, away from the Oniwaban Clan. They should have noticed by now the absence of the Dream Weaver girl and will of course try to get her back. We're returning to Shingetsu Village..."

    "So..." Kaoru looked up at Kenshin who had directed his attention to her. "What is your name? After all, we can't just keep calling you 'Dream Weaver' or 'girl'."

    Kaoru stared at him silently and her eyes flickered to Hiko who was looking at her. She couldn't read the look on his face...so she glanced back at Kenshin and frowned.

    Why should I tell them my name? After all, they did take me away from the Oniwaban, she thought to herself.

      "Hmph!" was all Kaoru gave them as she turned her face away, mouth upturned unhappily.

    Misao and Soujiro had stopped upon noting that the day was wrapping up. Misao had insisted and created a small fire despite the heat, one that would be warm and supple enough to provide light for the soon to come nightfall, but would not reveal their location. Soujiro had been a bit reluctant; protesting about her hurting foot, but when Makimachi Misao made up her mind....it was rare that one could change it.

    She sat speechless next to Soujiro, bright wide staring at him. I...can't believe how much he went through......

    Soujiro kept his stare anywhere but Misao. Though there was still a smile on his visage, it did not reach his emotionless stony blue eyes. It was the first time he had told his story to someone, and it felt as if a great weight was lifted off of him, for finally, he had found someone he trusted to confide in--

    Even though we've barely known each other for a day...Misao sunk into her mind. It had been a very long day...and she had no clue as to what was going on with Kaoru or the whereabouts of the Hiten. The corners of her eyes began to dampen. No! I—I must be strong...for Kaoru's sake...  "Sou..." she began.

      The small boy looked at her and his eyes appeared to brighten. "Where are we going?"

    Soujiro's smile grew. "Well, I must insist you visit a doctor. I believe the closest town would be..." he thought on this for a moment, "Ah yes! Shingetsu Village!"

Notes/Reviews:

WHEW! Finally!

Sorry for not updating sooner! ^^; But I had so much school work and these little projects to do and stuff to memorize and upcoming tests! And also I was working on my Inuyasha fanfics and my original story...GOMEN!

I decided not to write about Soujiro's past because everyone probably knows it and you'd then get bored, right?

*Iriai-I believe it can mean 'sunset', correct me if I'm wrong!!

lightning-storm Thank you! And I love your story! Did I ever mention I like your name?

Aharah Musici Hope you feel better soon! Huh?! I can't kill her! (She'd threaten me with her bokken and the whole story would change! ^^;)

Brittanie Love Ack! *hurries to check out chapter 5*

Dragowolf Eh...it's a bit late. But because of school...and my Inuyasha fic and new original story I'm doing at the same time! ^^;

Waterflash I think it's a pretty cool saying. (Not because of Shishio, but Soujiro) 

Nicky9 ^^ Well, here it is finally. It's been a long wait!

CurlsofSerenity Lol!

JML Thank you for the correction! ^^;

Next Chapter: Hehe! Another character is introduced at Shingetsu Village! ^^ Any guesses...? (No, not that little kid, sorry!)

Love you guys! Hope you keep the reviews coming!