Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version (c) N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
Honeybee
By Chiruken
Chapter 5
Clearing his throat, the young man gingerly rubbed the back of his head. "My name…" He stopped, his eyes sliding past the imposing figure to rest briefly on the smaller man leaning against he wall with his arms folded across his chest, posture appearing almost casual. Of course, he'd looked the same way earlier, too. He cleared his throat and tore his gaze away from the unblinking amber stare directed at him. The red head was, simply put, terrifying. "My name is Sagara Sanosuke. I-I was only tryin' to get some shots of…of Mitsubachi for…for…" He stopped, words falling into a terrified stutter as he felt himself grabbed by the front of his jacket and lifted again. "I only wanted a few pictures!"
Sighing, he crossed the room and removed Aoshi's hand from the sweating photographer's jacket where it was nearly strangling him. "No need to kill him, Shinomori." A photographer he could deal with. No harm intended, therefore no harm to be received. "Why didn't you just make an appointment?"
Sanosuke rethought his earlier assessment of the danger level. Granted, he'd just been dragged through a window and thrown across the room by some guy who looked like he couldn't be more than twelve, thirteen tops, but somehow he had a feeling he was in more danger at the moment from the older man who was currently glowering at him. "They never accept appointments." He explained, turning his gaze back to the red head. **Okay, he's got the most terrifyin' eyes I've ever seen…but he seems more reasonable than the other guy…**
"And this didn't hint at something?" He raised an eyebrow eloquently. "Do you realize how close you just came to dying, Sagara Sanosuke? Was it worth the promise of one measly photo?"
Kaoru pressed a shaking hand over her heart, eyes wide with wonder. How could he go from terrifying to comforting so easily? It made no sense to her. Of course, his manner of comforting left something to be desired, yet it was obvious that he didn't intend to cause more harm to the young man. Aoshi, on the other hand, looked ready to tear him apart. Pushing aside her distrust, she moved forward, stepping gracefully across the room until she stood over the hapless photographer. "Hello." She smiled and held her hand out. "I'm Kamiya Kaoru." Her smile widened when he hesitated a moment, dark eyes moving from one tense bodyguard to the next before he accepted her proffered hand. "Next time, I suggest using the door. Less painful, I'd imagine." Her blue eyes twinkled with barely contained mirth. She liked the young man instantly.
It took a moment for it to register just who it was that was speaking to him. When understanding dawned he flushed bright red and scrambled to his feet. "M-miss Kamiya!" He grinned, oblivious to the way Kenshin tensed immediately at his movement, shifting to a ready stance. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person. I've been a fan since you started touring and I never dreamed I'd actually get to meet you."
"Well, here I am." She smiled and tugged on his sleeve. Why don't you sit down and I'll get you some painkillers. You must be feeling…" Her words trailed off when he shook his head enthusiastically.
"I got a tough head. I'm fine."
"Then it's a good thing you landed on your head." Misao stepped forward, her knives having disappeared from view. She looked him up and down and tilted her head to the side in careful consideration. "Which 'Zine do you work for?"
"Uh…" He placed a hand behind his head, obviously embarrassed. "I'm kinda, you know, freelance right now."
Several eyebrows shot up at the statement. Kenshin moved closer to the window and peered out into the darkness. He detected movement in the shadows and scowled. Someone was still lurking outside, just beyond his range of detection. He didn't like it. He wanted to investigate, yet was uncertain if he should leave his post…again. He glanced towards Shinomori before looking out the window again. He didn't doubt the other man was more than capable of handling the situation within the room, but he was reluctant to leave him alone with Sagara. For some reason the bodyguard had taken an intense disliking to the young man and appeared to want to do severe damage to him, despite the fact that the two young women were chatting amicably with him. The photographer posed no real threat, yet Shinomori didn't seem to think so.
"Whatever possessed you to hang off the window to take a picture?" Kaoru glanced towards Kenshin and frowned. **What is he doing?** He seemed completely engrossed with the alley beyond the broken window.
"It seemed a good idea at the time." He shrugged, following her gaze. He frowned, wondering what could possibly be so interesting outside. "Hey, what's out there?" Not one to beat around the bush, he advanced on the smaller man and stood beside him to stare into the darkness too. "It's too dark to see anythin'…" He muttered, glancing at the other man from the corner of his eye. He really didn't look like much, barely coming up to his shoulder and built so slightly that if not for the cut of his hair and clothes he could almost be mistaken for a woman. He shivered involuntarily at the thought. He wondered how many guys had made the mistake of saying so to this very dangerous man.
"Do you mind, Sagara?" Kenshin didn't bother looking at him. He was concentrating his senses on the area where he seen movement before. There was definitely someone there. Friend or foe, it was impossible to decide. He detected the movement almost too late. Swiftly pushing the younger man aside, he gritted his teeth when the projectile entered his chest. Being shot twice in one night did nothing for his temper.
Kaoru stifled a scream and resisted the urge to go to him, knowing immediately that he'd been shot. His next movement sent her into a mass of swirling confusion. "Kenshin!" She barely registered that she'd called his name when he leaped through the window to land lightly on the ground at a dead run. She gasped when she felt herself being jerked down to the floor.
"Get down, missy!" Sanosuke instinctively covered her body with his own, staring grimly at the shattered window. He didn't know what the smaller man was, but he **knew** he'd just taken a bullet that had been intended for him. He swore eloquently, brown eyes narrowed. **Inhuman strength, impossible speed…now this…** "He ain't human." He muttered under his breath and brutally tamped down on the rising panic threatening to engulf him.