Readers--Okay, here is where we start getting into the exciting stuff. I think that if I make the next two chapters kinda long, I can end the fic at chapter 10. *nods* So, I'm thinking one more chapter. Enjoy this one!
Disclaimer: *kicks a rock* No, Soujiro isn't mine...*sigh* But Akio is! And she's cool!
Chapter 9: Falling Into Darkness
Mori Ryu sat on the front step of his father's house. It was just dawning now. Ryu had watched the stars slowly blink out, one by one, as he sat alone in the darkness, Gama's words ringing in his mind. 'So what if the Tenken's here?' he thought to himself viciously. 'He can not stop the inevitable. Even if he could, why would he? There is nothing in Renko Village that he would value.'
Yes, that had to be reasoning enough. He had been shot, twice no less. Not many men could survive that, and Mori Ryu didn't care if you were a famous swordsman or not. Getting shot was no picnic, and without help, there was nothing to do but die.
Ryu sighed, getting to his feet and stretching. He decided to go see Akio this morning and see how she was doing. No matter how tough she acted, he knew how much the villagers could hurt her with their stares and words. He had been the same way once, before he had fallen in love with her. Yes, he's go pay his future bride a visit. By sunset tomorrow, the town would be destroyed and his family would rise in power. Life was good.
Akio shifted in her sleep, not wanting to wake, but knowing that she was. She shivered a little and instinctively moved closer to the warmth of the body laying next to her. She snuggled her body against him, resting her head on his shoulder and placed a hand on his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall. Somewhere inside her silently rejoiced that all of it hadn't been just a dream. No guilt, no regrets, just a small fear of what was to come, but no one can live without those fears.
Her pillow shifted when she moved closer, and he began running his fingers through her hair softly. "You awake?" he whispered into her ear.
"No," Akio replied, opening one eye. Soujiro smiled at her and Akio leaned forward to kiss him. Just a quick good morning kiss. "I should get up, but I don't want to," she complained, leaning back down.
"Then don't," Soujiro said, more then happy to have her remain next to him. They just cuddled for a few hours, neither bothered by mild hunger or thirst. It was already deep into the morning when Akio and Soujiro finally got up.
Akio made breakfast, even though by that time it was already lunch, and Soujiro was happily able to walk around better now. The pain in his side was dull to the point that even touching it caused no new pain. His shoulder was almost normal again, only hurting when he tried to move it too fast or lift something heavy. Akio had pulled the stitches out when she changed the bandages once she had made him eat.
"You're going to have a good scar on both spots," she commented with a smile. "But I think you'll be good as new in only a few more days."
"That's good," he seconded. Neither would continue with the statement of what would happen when he was better. It would be dangerous for Soujiro to stay, and Akio didn't have the heart to leave. Where would it leave them? What would become of them?
However, their conversation was interrupted with a rapping at Akio's door. "Akio, are you in there?" a voice called. Akio visibly paled.
"Stay in hear and be quiet," Akio whispered to Soujiro before turning to the entrance room. "Coming!" she called, throwing a worried glance at Soujiro before turning back and rushing to the door. She opened it just enough to slip out, then closed it behind her. "Ryu, what a surprise." There was a distinctively dry tone in her voice and Soujiro smiled to himself.
"How are you? Are you okay...from yesterday, you know. I didn't mean to upset you, but I know that I did and I wanted to apologize." There was genuine remorse in his voice and Soujiro perked up. He got to his feet and silently crept closer to the door, wanting to hear more.
"Ryu, I'm fine, as you can see. Kymo can go to hell where he belongs, but I'll thank you again for your compassion. You've been my only friend in this town for a long time Ryu, you know that. You don't have to apologize for what they think and do." Soujiro detected sadness and a hint of warmth in her once-sharp voice. It began to make this place in him burn with an unknown emotion. Was he...jealous? Because Akio was talking this way with another man? One of the villagers.
Akio truly did appreciate Ryu's kindness. He had been, in a round-about way, the only friend she ever really had. At least on two legs. If you can call his infatuation a friendship. Yes, he hounded her, ordered her around, and annoyed her quite frequently. But when things like what happened with Kymo, happened...Ryu was the only one who'd stand up for her. The only one to offer compassion and apology. She looked at him with a fond smile, hoping that maybe once, they'd part on good terms today.
"I want to be more then just your friend Akio," Ryu said, stepping forward and taking her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and Akio sighed inwardly. Maybe not. She tugged her hands from his and took a step back, pressing her back against the door.
"You know I'm fond of you Ryu--" she began, but he moved closer, pinning her with his arms on either side of her frame.
"Then why do you always refuse me?" he asked, eyes sparkling with the thrill of the chase.
"Because you're an over-bearing, bossy, spoiled, annoying brat!" Akio snapped at him, pushing both hands on his chest to get him away from her. Ryu was pushed back a few feet, but remained standing--and smirking.
"Trust me, soon you'll be seeing things my way." Akio didn't like that smirk on his face at all, not one bit. She could feel something different about him. It was no longer that innocent puppy-like vibe on him like there used to be. Now there was a more sinister darkness encompassing his body. There was a foreboding feeling on him, one that she didn't like at all. Mori Ryu was up to something, and Akio bet her grandfather's sword that whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Still smiling darkly, Ryu turned away and began his trek back to the town. Akio let out a small sigh of relief as she against the door. That was a little more intense then she would have liked. It made her shiver in memory that for a second, just a split second, Ryu had frightened her.
Her hand found the door and she slid it open, only to back right into Soujiro who had been pressed against the door. Akio yelped as she tripped over him and fell over backwards. Soujiro did the same as he fell flat on his face, then scrambled up and over to Akio.
"Are you alright?" he asked her quickly. Akio lay on her back, staring up at him, and she started to laugh. Soujiro blinked down at her as she laughed so hard tears came out of the corners of her emerald eyes.
"You were listening huh?" she asked when she had regain breath, still giggling helplessly.
Soujiro shrugged, knowing he'd been caught, and helped her to her feet. Akio slung an arm around him, and smiled. "I was curious. You said no one came out to your house."
"Just Ryu," Akio said, her smile fading. "He comes out a lot." Soujiro desperately wanted to make her smile again. He wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes.
"Bet you never tripped over him," Soujiro said, a small smile on his face. Akio looked up at him, smiling herself.
"Never have. That is an exclusive first that I bequeath to you, to add among the other list of firsts." Soujiro cocked his head as he looked down at her. She only smiled, closing the door with her foot as she pulled her arms around him to bring his mouth down to hers. Neither noticed they were being watched.
Ryu had been heading back to the town when he had reconsidered his approach. Somehow he had to convince Akio to come to the village with him tomorrow night so that they could escape with his father before the town was demolished. It wouldn't be easy. Akio was just as stubborn as hell, but he would do it even if he had to toss her over his shoulder and carry her there.
He had turned around on his path and went back to her house, just in time to see some one helping her to her feet from where she had apparently fallen. Akio was laughing and then started talking to this person--a male person who was missing a shirt for some reason--but he wasn't close enough to hear the words. They spoke shortly, then Akio closed the door as she kissed this man.
Ryu's blood began to boil as he watched this exchange. The girl he had loved for years, the girl he had been trying to marry for years, was kissing another man? His fists clenched so hard they drew blood, but no pain came to his rage-fogged mind. He wanted to march right up to that house and kill that bastard who was touching Akio. Then he wanted to kill Akio for not touching him! It was unlike anything Ryu had ever felt before, this intense hatred that welled in his already darkened heart.
He would get revenge for this, that was for sure. To hell with warning Akio now, she could burn with the rest of the village. But no, that wasn't good enough. He'd make her suffer for this betrayal, for this abomination made against him. Oh yes, she'd pay. His mind had already began to form an evil plan to hurt this treacherous whore. For years he had defended her from the village, and all along they had been right.
Akio and Soujiro spent the rest of the day in the house. Sometimes they would be in the kitchen, eating something or just talking about nothing in general. Sometimes they'd be in her bedroom, doing 'other' things, but they just laid around together for the most part. Soujiro tried his best to make her smile and keep her that way. Akio did her best to keep Soujiro's eyes clear and dark, un-shadowed and not gray. But neither really had to worry. They were both happy just to be with the other.
Never did they even think about what was coming. Still living by the rules of right now, it felt like they had forever to be together, bathing in the presence of their lover. Neither wanted to think about the future and the mist that hung over it. The disaster looming in front of them was unseen.
It came at near sunset--in the form of Mori Ryu himself. Ryu had returned, knocking on Akio's door and calling for her. "Coming!" Akio called, getting to her feet and struggling back into her clothes. Pulling her shirt on, she leaned over and kissed Soujiro. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Then she left the room, and hurried to the door. Akio smoothed out her ruffled hair and straightened her clothes before opening the door and slipping out. "Ryu, back so soon?"
"Yeah," he looked around and leaned closer to her. "I need to talk to you about something Akio, would you walk with me?" His face looked desperate and almost fearful. Against her better judgment--and thoughts of the man still occupying her bed--Akio reached out and took his offered hand.
"Whatever it is, I'll do what I can." She meant it too and Ryu squeezed her hand with a little smile before leading her from the house and down one of the many garden paths.
When they were far enough away from the house where they couldn't be seen, Ryu dropped her hand. Akio looked at him questioningly and when she met his eyes, she froze. Like before, the look on his face sent nothing but pure terror to her heart. Ryu grabbed her shoulders and rammed her back against the nearest tree. It knocked the breath out of her so that she couldn't even scream. Not that she would have anyway. She coughed.
"What are you doing?" she asked fearfully.
"Who is he?" Ryu asked. His dark face mere centimeters from her, his breath hitting her in the face. All of her nerves were screaming in self-preservation. He knew. It was the only explanation. He must have seen them, or at least seen Soujiro. Suddenly her thoughts flew to one ultimate goal. Protect Soujiro. She didn't even think to lie to Ryu.
"He's just a man I found wounded by the river. I took him in," Akio whispered. Ryu's fingers dug into her shoulders painfully and Akio winced. "Please," she whimpered.
"Please?" he echoed. "Please!" Ryu dropped his hands from her shoulders and backed up a pace. Before Akio could do anything, like bolting for home, Ryu's fist shot up and he backhanded her across the face. Akio was caught off guard, and off balance. She fell to all fours, where Ryu proceeded to kick her in the ribs. Akio yelped, and whimpered, curling up around her injured side. "You disgusting whore," he yelled at her. "The village was right, you're just like your mother. I would have given you anything! I offered you the world and you turn around with this...this outsider."
"It wouldn't have mattered," Akio rasped, attempting to get up again. "You could never have given me what I wanted."
"And what's that Akio? Do you even know?" He paced next to her crumpled form, looking down at her like she was a beaten dog.
"I don't love you." Her voice cut into him like a blade. Ryu stopped his movement to look down at her. He met her emerald eyes and saw contempt reflecting his image. "All the money in the world would never make me love you."
"And you love him?" he challenged. Akio looked at him levelly, but didn't answer. The silence was all the answer he needed. Ryu bit back the colorful language he would have lashed at her with. Instead, he spit on her face and turned away, unable to bring himself to look at her any longer. "It doesn't matter. This time tomorrow, nothing will matter. But I guarantee you Akio, you're outsider will be found and killed." Then he stormed off and Akio watched him go.
She sat, frozen and shivering in that spot for a long time after he left. The pain in her ribs was nothing. Even the faint trickle of blood leaking from her nose and the fast-appearing bruise on her face didn't register. All she cared about was the fact that Ryu was going to tell the guardians that Soujiro was in her house.
Akio pulled herself to her feet, formulating a plan in her mind of what to do. She knew that if she just out and told Soujiro, that he'd never leave. He wouldn't abandon her because she was a person in need, in potential danger. In her mind, there was only one way to make sure that Soujiro left, and truly never did return. And it broke her heart to know that if she didn't do it, they would both be killed.
She cried all the way home, but she dried her tears and pulled herself together before re-entering her home. To pull off her plan, she'd have to be strong. She'd have to hold back the pain and the sadness. It was for his life, and she knew that she'd do anything for Soujiro. Anything in her power to do.
"Everything go alright?" he asked when he saw her come back in. He noticed the way she favored her side and he began to worry something might have happened. When she looked up at him, he saw a bruise forming on her face, and a faint stain of blood on her skin. "What happened?" Soujiro questioned, on his feet and at her side in an instant.
She backed away from him, then made her decision that it had to be done, no matter how much it hurt. "I want you to leave," Akio said slowly, her voice low and dangerous.
"What?" Soujiro asked, uncertain he heard her right.
"I said, I want you to leave my house." She looked up at him under a hood of hair. "You're healed enough to travel again. There is no reason to remain. I'll give you what you need. But I want you to leave, tonight."
Soujiro froze when he looked at her. There was such anger in her eyes, but he didn't know if it was really directed at him. He wanted to grab her, ask her what happened, make her tell him, but he was too scared to move. "Why?" he rasped, mouth drier then a desert.
"I told you that nothing lasts forever. It was fun while it lasted, but it has to end. I can see in your eyes that you want to stay, but you can't. I don't want to leave. It's best that you leave now, before we get too attached. It'll only be worse the longer you're here." Her eyes quivered a bit in their resolve and he saw them well, but she blinked it back.
"Akio," he breathed, reaching out a hand to her. She jerked back and his hand dropped.
"Just go, alright? I don't want to look at you anymore!" She turned away and made to leave the room, but she paused at the door to her room, looking back a fraction, ready to deal the final blow. "We've both done a lot of stupid things in our lives, and because of that we don't deserve to be together. You've done just too many things. It's best you just leave now." Then she turned away. "Good bye Soujiro," she whispered, voice nearly inaudible. Then the door shut behind her.
At first, Soujiro couldn't believe it. He was just stunned, frozen where he stood in shock and horror. He wanted to chase her, wanted to yell at her, wanted to beg her. Then he winced at the truth in her words. She no longer wanted him, and he didn't want to hurt her by being there any more. It wasn't worth it. Akio deserved better than him anyway. Heart breaking, Soujiro walked out the door and left the house. He looked back every now and then, hoping to see her coming after him. He listened hard, hoping to hear her call him back. But she didn't come or call. Akio didn't want him, not that he could blame her. The last time he looked up at her house, he stopped.
"Good bye Akio," he whispered, then turned and left into the darkening day. He'd leave the mountain then. He walked at first, than Soujiro walked faster, until he broke into a run down the path, trying to escape the face of the girl in the house. The girl who said that she forgave him, but then said she didn't love him. The girl that stolen from him more than anyone ever had, and anyone ever could. That was the moment, Soujiro decided, when he died.
Akio heard him leave. She snuck out of her room and watched through a crack in the door as he slowly walked away. It felt like someone ripped open her chest and the tears slid down her face. She didn't care about them anymore. She didn't care about anything anymore. Soujiro was gone, but at least he was safe. It was a small comfort.
Akio walked away from the door, the pain in her heart outweighing the pain in her side as she went into her grandmother's room. There was a small wooden desk at the foot of the futon, she sat on it and looked at her hands as they lay in her lap. She was shaking from head to toe.
"Grandmother," she whispered into the quiet. "I did a bad thing." Tears cracked her voice and her vision blurred with tears. "I hope you can forgive me," she continued in her broken whisper, balling her fists. "I did the same thing that Mother did." She began to sob, hugging herself against the horrible pain inside of her. "I fell in love with an outsider. And then I made him leave."
Okay, only one more chapter to go! Then Renegade will be complete, get ready everyone! Please remember to review, yay! Alrighty, shout-out time!
pruningshears: Sure, you can use that it you want. It's patented and copywrited to me though. I use a lot of my own little phrases in my writing, Inuyasha's talk of destiny, Akio's talk of future, and Kagome talks later on about love in Tainted Blood. Anything that sounds corny, but original is mine. Yes, yes, Soujiro needs some lovin' too! And I love Aoshi, he has to appear! Thanks for the review!
Your #1Fan: Catchy name! LOL, I'm actually really perverted (what teenager isn't, right?) but I don't want this fic to be all sexual like some of them are. It's romance, yes, but I don't want it to take away from the rest of the actual story. Thanks for reviewing, feel free to do so again! Thanks for reading too! Arigato! *bows*
Kenshin44: I love how you review a lot! It really makes me happy that you like my story so much, hehe. And I'm glad you like Akio, I put a lot of thought into her character. I post more for you, yay. One more chapter, then a break, then the sequel!
caljay123: Unbelievable, really? I'm happy you like that chapter. Hope you like this one too! Thanks for reviewing and reading! *bows*
Angel: LOL, I'm glad you like it. I tried to make it romantic, so happy you agree! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Love ya like Ramen *nods* yuppers!
Ken: Yup, put 'em together, then tore them apart. Like I said, the course of true love never runs smooth, but take heart for there will be a sequel! LOL, yes Ryu is a bastard. But I can't kill him just yet because he still serves a great purpose. I was so scared everyone would like Ryu too much, I had to make sure everyone knew he was the bad guy! Thanks for the shout-out!
Thanks again everyone! Please remember to review again, and keep reading lol! Don't forget my Inuyasha fics, if you like Inuyasha that is. Anywho, thanks a lot! *waves*
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Disclaimer: *kicks a rock* No, Soujiro isn't mine...*sigh* But Akio is! And she's cool!
Chapter 9: Falling Into Darkness
Mori Ryu sat on the front step of his father's house. It was just dawning now. Ryu had watched the stars slowly blink out, one by one, as he sat alone in the darkness, Gama's words ringing in his mind. 'So what if the Tenken's here?' he thought to himself viciously. 'He can not stop the inevitable. Even if he could, why would he? There is nothing in Renko Village that he would value.'
Yes, that had to be reasoning enough. He had been shot, twice no less. Not many men could survive that, and Mori Ryu didn't care if you were a famous swordsman or not. Getting shot was no picnic, and without help, there was nothing to do but die.
Ryu sighed, getting to his feet and stretching. He decided to go see Akio this morning and see how she was doing. No matter how tough she acted, he knew how much the villagers could hurt her with their stares and words. He had been the same way once, before he had fallen in love with her. Yes, he's go pay his future bride a visit. By sunset tomorrow, the town would be destroyed and his family would rise in power. Life was good.
Akio shifted in her sleep, not wanting to wake, but knowing that she was. She shivered a little and instinctively moved closer to the warmth of the body laying next to her. She snuggled her body against him, resting her head on his shoulder and placed a hand on his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall. Somewhere inside her silently rejoiced that all of it hadn't been just a dream. No guilt, no regrets, just a small fear of what was to come, but no one can live without those fears.
Her pillow shifted when she moved closer, and he began running his fingers through her hair softly. "You awake?" he whispered into her ear.
"No," Akio replied, opening one eye. Soujiro smiled at her and Akio leaned forward to kiss him. Just a quick good morning kiss. "I should get up, but I don't want to," she complained, leaning back down.
"Then don't," Soujiro said, more then happy to have her remain next to him. They just cuddled for a few hours, neither bothered by mild hunger or thirst. It was already deep into the morning when Akio and Soujiro finally got up.
Akio made breakfast, even though by that time it was already lunch, and Soujiro was happily able to walk around better now. The pain in his side was dull to the point that even touching it caused no new pain. His shoulder was almost normal again, only hurting when he tried to move it too fast or lift something heavy. Akio had pulled the stitches out when she changed the bandages once she had made him eat.
"You're going to have a good scar on both spots," she commented with a smile. "But I think you'll be good as new in only a few more days."
"That's good," he seconded. Neither would continue with the statement of what would happen when he was better. It would be dangerous for Soujiro to stay, and Akio didn't have the heart to leave. Where would it leave them? What would become of them?
However, their conversation was interrupted with a rapping at Akio's door. "Akio, are you in there?" a voice called. Akio visibly paled.
"Stay in hear and be quiet," Akio whispered to Soujiro before turning to the entrance room. "Coming!" she called, throwing a worried glance at Soujiro before turning back and rushing to the door. She opened it just enough to slip out, then closed it behind her. "Ryu, what a surprise." There was a distinctively dry tone in her voice and Soujiro smiled to himself.
"How are you? Are you okay...from yesterday, you know. I didn't mean to upset you, but I know that I did and I wanted to apologize." There was genuine remorse in his voice and Soujiro perked up. He got to his feet and silently crept closer to the door, wanting to hear more.
"Ryu, I'm fine, as you can see. Kymo can go to hell where he belongs, but I'll thank you again for your compassion. You've been my only friend in this town for a long time Ryu, you know that. You don't have to apologize for what they think and do." Soujiro detected sadness and a hint of warmth in her once-sharp voice. It began to make this place in him burn with an unknown emotion. Was he...jealous? Because Akio was talking this way with another man? One of the villagers.
Akio truly did appreciate Ryu's kindness. He had been, in a round-about way, the only friend she ever really had. At least on two legs. If you can call his infatuation a friendship. Yes, he hounded her, ordered her around, and annoyed her quite frequently. But when things like what happened with Kymo, happened...Ryu was the only one who'd stand up for her. The only one to offer compassion and apology. She looked at him with a fond smile, hoping that maybe once, they'd part on good terms today.
"I want to be more then just your friend Akio," Ryu said, stepping forward and taking her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and Akio sighed inwardly. Maybe not. She tugged her hands from his and took a step back, pressing her back against the door.
"You know I'm fond of you Ryu--" she began, but he moved closer, pinning her with his arms on either side of her frame.
"Then why do you always refuse me?" he asked, eyes sparkling with the thrill of the chase.
"Because you're an over-bearing, bossy, spoiled, annoying brat!" Akio snapped at him, pushing both hands on his chest to get him away from her. Ryu was pushed back a few feet, but remained standing--and smirking.
"Trust me, soon you'll be seeing things my way." Akio didn't like that smirk on his face at all, not one bit. She could feel something different about him. It was no longer that innocent puppy-like vibe on him like there used to be. Now there was a more sinister darkness encompassing his body. There was a foreboding feeling on him, one that she didn't like at all. Mori Ryu was up to something, and Akio bet her grandfather's sword that whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Still smiling darkly, Ryu turned away and began his trek back to the town. Akio let out a small sigh of relief as she against the door. That was a little more intense then she would have liked. It made her shiver in memory that for a second, just a split second, Ryu had frightened her.
Her hand found the door and she slid it open, only to back right into Soujiro who had been pressed against the door. Akio yelped as she tripped over him and fell over backwards. Soujiro did the same as he fell flat on his face, then scrambled up and over to Akio.
"Are you alright?" he asked her quickly. Akio lay on her back, staring up at him, and she started to laugh. Soujiro blinked down at her as she laughed so hard tears came out of the corners of her emerald eyes.
"You were listening huh?" she asked when she had regain breath, still giggling helplessly.
Soujiro shrugged, knowing he'd been caught, and helped her to her feet. Akio slung an arm around him, and smiled. "I was curious. You said no one came out to your house."
"Just Ryu," Akio said, her smile fading. "He comes out a lot." Soujiro desperately wanted to make her smile again. He wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes.
"Bet you never tripped over him," Soujiro said, a small smile on his face. Akio looked up at him, smiling herself.
"Never have. That is an exclusive first that I bequeath to you, to add among the other list of firsts." Soujiro cocked his head as he looked down at her. She only smiled, closing the door with her foot as she pulled her arms around him to bring his mouth down to hers. Neither noticed they were being watched.
Ryu had been heading back to the town when he had reconsidered his approach. Somehow he had to convince Akio to come to the village with him tomorrow night so that they could escape with his father before the town was demolished. It wouldn't be easy. Akio was just as stubborn as hell, but he would do it even if he had to toss her over his shoulder and carry her there.
He had turned around on his path and went back to her house, just in time to see some one helping her to her feet from where she had apparently fallen. Akio was laughing and then started talking to this person--a male person who was missing a shirt for some reason--but he wasn't close enough to hear the words. They spoke shortly, then Akio closed the door as she kissed this man.
Ryu's blood began to boil as he watched this exchange. The girl he had loved for years, the girl he had been trying to marry for years, was kissing another man? His fists clenched so hard they drew blood, but no pain came to his rage-fogged mind. He wanted to march right up to that house and kill that bastard who was touching Akio. Then he wanted to kill Akio for not touching him! It was unlike anything Ryu had ever felt before, this intense hatred that welled in his already darkened heart.
He would get revenge for this, that was for sure. To hell with warning Akio now, she could burn with the rest of the village. But no, that wasn't good enough. He'd make her suffer for this betrayal, for this abomination made against him. Oh yes, she'd pay. His mind had already began to form an evil plan to hurt this treacherous whore. For years he had defended her from the village, and all along they had been right.
Akio and Soujiro spent the rest of the day in the house. Sometimes they would be in the kitchen, eating something or just talking about nothing in general. Sometimes they'd be in her bedroom, doing 'other' things, but they just laid around together for the most part. Soujiro tried his best to make her smile and keep her that way. Akio did her best to keep Soujiro's eyes clear and dark, un-shadowed and not gray. But neither really had to worry. They were both happy just to be with the other.
Never did they even think about what was coming. Still living by the rules of right now, it felt like they had forever to be together, bathing in the presence of their lover. Neither wanted to think about the future and the mist that hung over it. The disaster looming in front of them was unseen.
It came at near sunset--in the form of Mori Ryu himself. Ryu had returned, knocking on Akio's door and calling for her. "Coming!" Akio called, getting to her feet and struggling back into her clothes. Pulling her shirt on, she leaned over and kissed Soujiro. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Then she left the room, and hurried to the door. Akio smoothed out her ruffled hair and straightened her clothes before opening the door and slipping out. "Ryu, back so soon?"
"Yeah," he looked around and leaned closer to her. "I need to talk to you about something Akio, would you walk with me?" His face looked desperate and almost fearful. Against her better judgment--and thoughts of the man still occupying her bed--Akio reached out and took his offered hand.
"Whatever it is, I'll do what I can." She meant it too and Ryu squeezed her hand with a little smile before leading her from the house and down one of the many garden paths.
When they were far enough away from the house where they couldn't be seen, Ryu dropped her hand. Akio looked at him questioningly and when she met his eyes, she froze. Like before, the look on his face sent nothing but pure terror to her heart. Ryu grabbed her shoulders and rammed her back against the nearest tree. It knocked the breath out of her so that she couldn't even scream. Not that she would have anyway. She coughed.
"What are you doing?" she asked fearfully.
"Who is he?" Ryu asked. His dark face mere centimeters from her, his breath hitting her in the face. All of her nerves were screaming in self-preservation. He knew. It was the only explanation. He must have seen them, or at least seen Soujiro. Suddenly her thoughts flew to one ultimate goal. Protect Soujiro. She didn't even think to lie to Ryu.
"He's just a man I found wounded by the river. I took him in," Akio whispered. Ryu's fingers dug into her shoulders painfully and Akio winced. "Please," she whimpered.
"Please?" he echoed. "Please!" Ryu dropped his hands from her shoulders and backed up a pace. Before Akio could do anything, like bolting for home, Ryu's fist shot up and he backhanded her across the face. Akio was caught off guard, and off balance. She fell to all fours, where Ryu proceeded to kick her in the ribs. Akio yelped, and whimpered, curling up around her injured side. "You disgusting whore," he yelled at her. "The village was right, you're just like your mother. I would have given you anything! I offered you the world and you turn around with this...this outsider."
"It wouldn't have mattered," Akio rasped, attempting to get up again. "You could never have given me what I wanted."
"And what's that Akio? Do you even know?" He paced next to her crumpled form, looking down at her like she was a beaten dog.
"I don't love you." Her voice cut into him like a blade. Ryu stopped his movement to look down at her. He met her emerald eyes and saw contempt reflecting his image. "All the money in the world would never make me love you."
"And you love him?" he challenged. Akio looked at him levelly, but didn't answer. The silence was all the answer he needed. Ryu bit back the colorful language he would have lashed at her with. Instead, he spit on her face and turned away, unable to bring himself to look at her any longer. "It doesn't matter. This time tomorrow, nothing will matter. But I guarantee you Akio, you're outsider will be found and killed." Then he stormed off and Akio watched him go.
She sat, frozen and shivering in that spot for a long time after he left. The pain in her ribs was nothing. Even the faint trickle of blood leaking from her nose and the fast-appearing bruise on her face didn't register. All she cared about was the fact that Ryu was going to tell the guardians that Soujiro was in her house.
Akio pulled herself to her feet, formulating a plan in her mind of what to do. She knew that if she just out and told Soujiro, that he'd never leave. He wouldn't abandon her because she was a person in need, in potential danger. In her mind, there was only one way to make sure that Soujiro left, and truly never did return. And it broke her heart to know that if she didn't do it, they would both be killed.
She cried all the way home, but she dried her tears and pulled herself together before re-entering her home. To pull off her plan, she'd have to be strong. She'd have to hold back the pain and the sadness. It was for his life, and she knew that she'd do anything for Soujiro. Anything in her power to do.
"Everything go alright?" he asked when he saw her come back in. He noticed the way she favored her side and he began to worry something might have happened. When she looked up at him, he saw a bruise forming on her face, and a faint stain of blood on her skin. "What happened?" Soujiro questioned, on his feet and at her side in an instant.
She backed away from him, then made her decision that it had to be done, no matter how much it hurt. "I want you to leave," Akio said slowly, her voice low and dangerous.
"What?" Soujiro asked, uncertain he heard her right.
"I said, I want you to leave my house." She looked up at him under a hood of hair. "You're healed enough to travel again. There is no reason to remain. I'll give you what you need. But I want you to leave, tonight."
Soujiro froze when he looked at her. There was such anger in her eyes, but he didn't know if it was really directed at him. He wanted to grab her, ask her what happened, make her tell him, but he was too scared to move. "Why?" he rasped, mouth drier then a desert.
"I told you that nothing lasts forever. It was fun while it lasted, but it has to end. I can see in your eyes that you want to stay, but you can't. I don't want to leave. It's best that you leave now, before we get too attached. It'll only be worse the longer you're here." Her eyes quivered a bit in their resolve and he saw them well, but she blinked it back.
"Akio," he breathed, reaching out a hand to her. She jerked back and his hand dropped.
"Just go, alright? I don't want to look at you anymore!" She turned away and made to leave the room, but she paused at the door to her room, looking back a fraction, ready to deal the final blow. "We've both done a lot of stupid things in our lives, and because of that we don't deserve to be together. You've done just too many things. It's best you just leave now." Then she turned away. "Good bye Soujiro," she whispered, voice nearly inaudible. Then the door shut behind her.
At first, Soujiro couldn't believe it. He was just stunned, frozen where he stood in shock and horror. He wanted to chase her, wanted to yell at her, wanted to beg her. Then he winced at the truth in her words. She no longer wanted him, and he didn't want to hurt her by being there any more. It wasn't worth it. Akio deserved better than him anyway. Heart breaking, Soujiro walked out the door and left the house. He looked back every now and then, hoping to see her coming after him. He listened hard, hoping to hear her call him back. But she didn't come or call. Akio didn't want him, not that he could blame her. The last time he looked up at her house, he stopped.
"Good bye Akio," he whispered, then turned and left into the darkening day. He'd leave the mountain then. He walked at first, than Soujiro walked faster, until he broke into a run down the path, trying to escape the face of the girl in the house. The girl who said that she forgave him, but then said she didn't love him. The girl that stolen from him more than anyone ever had, and anyone ever could. That was the moment, Soujiro decided, when he died.
Akio heard him leave. She snuck out of her room and watched through a crack in the door as he slowly walked away. It felt like someone ripped open her chest and the tears slid down her face. She didn't care about them anymore. She didn't care about anything anymore. Soujiro was gone, but at least he was safe. It was a small comfort.
Akio walked away from the door, the pain in her heart outweighing the pain in her side as she went into her grandmother's room. There was a small wooden desk at the foot of the futon, she sat on it and looked at her hands as they lay in her lap. She was shaking from head to toe.
"Grandmother," she whispered into the quiet. "I did a bad thing." Tears cracked her voice and her vision blurred with tears. "I hope you can forgive me," she continued in her broken whisper, balling her fists. "I did the same thing that Mother did." She began to sob, hugging herself against the horrible pain inside of her. "I fell in love with an outsider. And then I made him leave."
Okay, only one more chapter to go! Then Renegade will be complete, get ready everyone! Please remember to review, yay! Alrighty, shout-out time!
pruningshears: Sure, you can use that it you want. It's patented and copywrited to me though. I use a lot of my own little phrases in my writing, Inuyasha's talk of destiny, Akio's talk of future, and Kagome talks later on about love in Tainted Blood. Anything that sounds corny, but original is mine. Yes, yes, Soujiro needs some lovin' too! And I love Aoshi, he has to appear! Thanks for the review!
Your #1Fan: Catchy name! LOL, I'm actually really perverted (what teenager isn't, right?) but I don't want this fic to be all sexual like some of them are. It's romance, yes, but I don't want it to take away from the rest of the actual story. Thanks for reviewing, feel free to do so again! Thanks for reading too! Arigato! *bows*
Kenshin44: I love how you review a lot! It really makes me happy that you like my story so much, hehe. And I'm glad you like Akio, I put a lot of thought into her character. I post more for you, yay. One more chapter, then a break, then the sequel!
caljay123: Unbelievable, really? I'm happy you like that chapter. Hope you like this one too! Thanks for reviewing and reading! *bows*
Angel: LOL, I'm glad you like it. I tried to make it romantic, so happy you agree! Thanks for reading and reviewing. Love ya like Ramen *nods* yuppers!
Ken: Yup, put 'em together, then tore them apart. Like I said, the course of true love never runs smooth, but take heart for there will be a sequel! LOL, yes Ryu is a bastard. But I can't kill him just yet because he still serves a great purpose. I was so scared everyone would like Ryu too much, I had to make sure everyone knew he was the bad guy! Thanks for the shout-out!
Thanks again everyone! Please remember to review again, and keep reading lol! Don't forget my Inuyasha fics, if you like Inuyasha that is. Anywho, thanks a lot! *waves*
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~