Hi Hi
It's e.e I know I know I haven't been updating and I feel bad. But I have been stressed Hahah I'm always stressed so what's new I guess any way here's the next chapter I hope that you like it.
I don't own RK
Echoe Shayne
Kaoru's eyes widened as she watched the man next to her turn. But to her disappointment he did not look at her but rather his attention was focused on the men that were still arguing amongst themselves in the street. Fallowing suit she observed the three ragged looking men. They where still carrying on, oblivious to the fact that they had almost knocked her over. Turning her attention back to the man that was still supporting her she wished that she could see his face, but more importantly she wished that she could see his eyes. All she could see was his profile his eyes were obscured from her view by wisps of fiery red hair.
"I believe that you owe this woman and apology." His voice was cool and crisp. It was a voice that demanded attention and not even the men on the street could ignore him.
Hearing the cold sound of a mans voice they stopped what they were doing turning in the direction that the voice had come from. There was a rather small man standing there his hand reached out supporting and even smaller woman. It would have been a funny sight. If the man didn't look so dangerous that is. He was not the sort of man to be messed with.
"What is it to you?" one of the men was actually brave enough to say.
His eyes narrowed as he watched the men one of them was actually foolish enough to talk to him. "It means nothing to me but your arguing was annoying me, and then you pushing this woman into me." If it had been anyone else but him they would have been laying in a heap on the ground right now but he had taken a step forward to move out of her way and then caught her.
An uneasy silence filled the air and the people just stood there staring at each other.
His words rang in Kaoru's ears so that was it, the man thought that she was a burden and was using her as a means to pick a fight she wasn't about to let herself be used like that. If there was going to be a fight then she would be the one that caused it. Tensing up she walked she went to pull away from the man next to her but his grip tightened around her arm keeping her in place. Glancing up at him his face was still turned away from her so she turned her attention back to the men standing in front of them. From their expression she knew that they were terrified of the small man that was standing there holding her up.
"Were sorry ok we never meant to."
'I can take care of myself.' Her mind was screaming at her she didn't need to depend on anybody. "I can take care of myself." Her voice came out in a hiss and she focused her full attention on the red head. She couldn't allow herself to become soft.
He could feel her gaze on him. Burning hot. It was amusing really when he thought about it here were grown men cowering in the street and this little slip of a girl actually had the audacity to glare at him. He would just have to set her strait he couldn't afford any more of scene that he was already causing. This woman had pride and that was something that he had to respect.
Kaoru glared at him who the hell did this man think he was any way?
"Do something." He needed to get this over with quick his place was not here but in the shadows. Turning he looked down at the woman the first thought that went through his mind was that she was beautiful. The second was that there was something about her that set him on edge. It was strange he was the battousai. Then again it had been a strange day it wasn't like him to get involved in things like this. He should have just let her fall.
'His eyes' they were a color that she had never seen before a deep brilliant blue with flicks of purple in them. Dangerous eyes. Killers eyes, but not the eyes that she was looking for.
She was looking at him, looking him right in the eye. 'what nerve' his respect for her swelled. Then he saw something pass though her eyes sadness disappointment but it was gone as fast as it came replaced by the anger as she glared up at him.
"I must apologize for underestimating you, but please allow me to take care of this just this once." He said in order to appease the woman there was something about her. But at the moment he couldn't put his finger on it and that disturbed him.
It felt so odd to hear that coming out of his mouth looking at him she had the feeling that he didn't do things like this often. It made her feel honored it also made her feel relived to leave something up to someone else, to not have to worry. Giving a slight nod she turned her attention back to the men.
Having appeased the lady's temper he turned back to face the men. Thankful that he had been able to quell her anger. He wouldn't have hesitated to hurt a woman it was just that if he didn't have too he would rather not. What he wouldn't do to be in a dark ally somewhere, were he could do what ever he wanted. If that was the case then these men would already be dead. He had to fight not to kill them here on the spot but if he did then his true target would become aware of his presence and for the moment he was only there to observe so for the time being he would behave himself.
"Look we never meant to mess with your woman." The man that had spoken before said putting his hands
They were scared no more like they were terrified of the man that was standing next to her. But he made her feel safe in a way, yet at the same time his presence sent her senses over the edge he was a dangerous man. She want him to turn toward her again so she could see his face.
"Not me I said apologize to the lady." Hearing his words her eyes widened and she barley even noticed the men had uttered apologies before they took off almost running in the other direction leaving the figures standing there in the middle of the street to watch them leave. The few people that had been gathered around watching the scene appeared stratified for the they had begun walking again going about whatever it was that they had been doing before. The grip on her arm loosened pivoting, the man with the red hair had already begun to walk away not even bothering to say a word to her. Panic spread though her body, without a though she took a step forward. Her fingers catching the course material of his gi.
He stopped frozen in his tracks this woman had just seen him stare down three grown men and she still had the nerve to touch him. Glaring over at his shoulder he was just about to say something but rather she was looking down at her hand that was clutching the dark material of his gi. There was a slight frown on her face just the curve of her lips slightly turned like she herself couldn't believe what she had done and it was that look that kept him from slapping her hand away. But still he didn't like people to think they had the right to touch him.
What had she just done? This was a man that she didn't even know and here she was physically restraining him, no that wasn't true he could get away anytime that he wanted.
"I. I just wanted to thank you. Do you have anywhere to stay for the night?"
At her words his eyes narrowed more. He wasn't usually so wrong at reading people. He had thought that she was a nice girl that had pride. And he could respect that but he would not respect a tramp that offered herself out as thanks. He knew many men who had let their guard down for one night and meet the edge of a place or drank a cup of poison and he wasn't about to be as stupid even for a face as pretty as her. He reached out his hand covering hers in a not to polite manner women like her didn't disserve manners.
A rough hand covered hers and she tired not to gasp she tired to reach for the cool exterior that she usually had but it wouldn't come not when this man was standing there looking at her like this. Like she was the scum of the earth. That should have only made it easier that should have only let her slip into her mask of indifference but she couldn't. Looking down at his hand that covered hers the words that she had spoken before played over in her mind. Oh what he must think.
"It's not like that I was just wondering if you had a place to stay." She could feel his eyes on her and despite how embarrassed she was she looked up at his face. He was glaring at her and she couldn't blame him. "It's just that I thought you might just be traveling you know and um." Kaoru stop babbling she scolded herself.
He watched her emotions change as she spoke. Her cheeks flushing when she realized what she had said then she went into rambling about how she just thought he had nowhere to stay because she didn't think that he was from around here. She was very perceptive with that usually he blended in and nobody ever thought he was out of place.
He never answered her. So she just kept rambling. Just when she was about to stop and say that she was sorry to forget the whole thing because she just kept putting her foot in her mouth she felt his rough grip on her hand lessen. Her head snapping up she caught his eyes that where no longer glaring at her but there was no emotion in them either.
"You shouldn't invite strangers to your house dono."
"Kaoru." She said leaving off her last name on purpose over the years she had become possessive of the name and not just anyone she thought should be able to speak it. But she found her self surprised to realize in this case she just wanted to hear this man say her name. "Be that as it may, You do need a place to stay don't you?"
If she knew who she was talking to she wouldn't speak to me in such away. But he found himself thinking that it felt good to be treated like a normal person. He also noticed that she hadn't given a last name and that spoke volumes about her, Then again he knew that many people didn't have the honor of having a last name. It's a shame that someone with so much pride should go without one. He thought to himself
"You don't know who I am or what I've done." He said in a cool tone waiting to see if that would scare her.
"Your past doesn't matter to me." She said in a cheery voice. Though a dark part of her mind told her the only reason she could say that was because he wasn't the man she was looking for. She could forgive anyone else but not him not the battousai.
She said it with such a cherry voice that he had no reason to doubt what she was saying. But she didn't smile. In fact she hardly showed any emotions except for the blush that had tinged her cheeks and the anger she held in her eyes when she had glared at him. To anyone else she would appear emotionless. but not to his trained eye that had picked up the shadow of a frown on her face when she had been looking down at her hand. That was odd. What reason did a woman like her have for closing off her emotions? She was a mystery to him and he hated mysteries.
"I must decline."
"I would still like to repay you. Should you ever need me go to a restaurant called the akabeko they will know how to find me no matter where I am. If they give you any griefs speak with Tae." With that said Kaoru turned on her heel and began to walk away she didn't need to make a bigger fool of herself then she had already made.
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Kaoru stood outside the old worn down building looking at a area that was lighter then the rest. A sign that had said Kamiya dojo had been there but now it was just a vacant spot the sign it's self was wrapped up and stowed under the floor boards. She was not fit to teach the style of her father. The style that had been ripped away from him, the day that the soldiers had come to take him away saying that he had to serve in their army. bowing her head she opened one of the large double doors and entered. The place was empty like always but today it felt different. Someone had been here.
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It was a little after dusk and Dr. Genzi was waiting for his charge he know that she would be coming soon. And like he had promised yesterday he would have a mission for her to go on tonight. As he was thinking about he heard the sound of the door closing and knew that Kaoru wanted him to know that she was there.
"This will be no easy task."
"If I thought that everything would be easy then I would have died along time ago."
He was worried about her this time this time it wasn't like one of her normal missions he always knew that there was danger and he hated to send her out there but he knew that she wouldn't have it any other way.
"This one is a serial murder."
She knew that her heart shouldn't pick up at those words that she should be frightened. But she couldn't help herself it was like her heart sung. Maybe tonight would be the night.
"The man announces his intended targets before murdering them. No one had ever seen him he leaves a path of carnage where ever it is that he goes killing the guards and the people around his target. He shows no mercy."
"If he is the man that I am looking for then he will receive none in return." Her voice had become cold as she turned to leave the room.
"four days." He said slipping a piece of paper out of his pocket and handing it to her.
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The market would be closing for the night soon she knew. So she hurried to get some stuff so that she would be able to make dinner. It was then that she was walking back to her house that she heard the sound of someone and they were following her.,
The battousai stood in the shadows watching the people as they walked about. It was a little after dark and people were clearing the street. It was then that he saw her it was the woman from yesterday unlike the rest of people she didn't appear to be that agsous to get home. The he heard it someone else was coming toward them. Keeping his eyes on the woman he saw that she had noticed it too she had paused for a second looking around here then she shrugged.
"You stop right there."
She knew that voice it was the voice of the man that she had heard before he had fallowed her here? That must mean that the man from before had tried to do something stupid. She was guessing that he had tried to kill this man rather then turning him over to the police like she had thought. She would have to remember on her next assignment to wear a mask. Pausing she did he best to look like a normal person. Glancing around she saw that the people had emptied the street leaving them alone. Shuttering she turned to see the massive man from before towering over her.
"I have come to take your life for what you have done to me."
For what she had done to him? It was then that he noticed that the mans right hand was wrapped and he was holding it closely to his body. Something with his thumb he guessed, continuing to watch the scene. The man was large dwarfing the woman in his shadow.
"My life?"
"Don't pretend that you don't remember me. Because I remember you."
"I don't know what your talking about." She said trying to sound fearful but she didn't have it in her to sound afraid of some man that she had been in two moves. She couldn't afford to do anything here though not in her town where people knew her.
"Sure you do." This had to be her a dressed up version of her but he would never forget the face of the woman that had done harm to him.
Taking a step back she brought the basket to her chest as a small barrier between her and this man. Searching her surrounding she franticly looked for something that she could use as a weapon. This man wasn't going to fall for the act that she didn't know anything. It wasn't that he was smart, he was just to stubborn for his own good.
The battousai considered helping, but not yet he was looking for someone and he wanted to see how the man moved before he did anything.
"you think that I don't know it's you wench?" he snarled at the woman in front of him. Taking a step forward he drew his sword now held in his left hand. "I will kill you this time."
The look in his eyes and the fact that she didn't have a weapon didn't boad well of her looking out of the corner of her eye she saw a long wooden bamboo shoot it was a few steps behind her but she could make it if it was the only thing that she had it was better then nothing turning she took of toward it hearing the man laugh behind her before he began pursuit.
"so the little girl is running away is she? Not so tough now are you?"
leaning forward her hand closed around the course wood. There was only once chance this was all she had she could not afford to let him attack her. Pivoting on her foot she lifted the wooden shaft in the air and charged at him. Feeling the impact as steal cut through wood. Skidding to a stop she remained crouched on the ground. trying not to wince as she felt blood poor trickle down her arm.
"See I knew it was you. "
Kaoru said nothing rather she examined the new points that had been added to otherwise dull weapon. Twisting her wrists she held the shat of the sticks along her arms ready for the next attack. All she needed was for him to start toward her. He didn't make her wait long soon he was coming at her again his sword raised. His chet open to her attack. Cocking her wrist back she let the sharpened object go using his momentum against him to impale object in his chest. But it was to late she realized her was heading toward her his sword still rose in the air. And she had used all her spare time to get the throw in. he didn't have enough time to change his poisision of attack so she rose the other hald of the bamboo in front of her face closing her eyes hopping that his body would loose momentum, but she knew dead weight only had one way to go and that was down. 'Father help me' her mind screamed.
Then the weirdest thing happened she was flying her body was moving away from the horrible fate had she wanted something so bad that it had happened? Opening her eyes she saw the same red hair from before. He turned with her in his arms and hey both watched as the man feel to the ground. The sharpened edge of the bamboo shoot could be seen protruding from his body.
Looking up she saw cold eyes looking down at her.
"You?" What was he doing here but her mind was swimming there was something wrong she had only gotten a small cut but pain was spreading through her body. The mans face went in and out of focus as she fought to keep her eyes open. Poison the thought ran through her mind of course someone that wasn't good enough to relay on their skills had to depend on petty tricks. She cursed herself for letting the man touch her with his blade she had been careless.
Her eyes were unfocused as she looked up at him. Blood was coating one of his hands but he knew that it wasn't enough to cause this reaction, his mind reached the same conclusion that hers had poison. 'You' so even in this state she remembered him. Watching her fight had confirmed one thing that this was the person that he had been sent here for. "To watch and observe he was told and nothing more." Who would have thought that his target would have been a woman? This tiny one no less though from her skill and resourcefulness he knew that she was a force to be reckoned with though not to someone like him. He could kill her without batting an eye. He would just have to go back and tell them that she had died. Shrugging he was about to lay her down when he felt her grip on him tighten. Seeing what she meant he gently set her feet on the ground and watched as she tried to take a few steps. She had determination he would give her that but it was useless in less they knew what kind of poison that had been used she would be dead by the time that the sun rose.
Her world was swaying in and out of darkness as she headed toward the body she had to get that sword they would be able to tell what kind of poison had been used if she could only get it to them. She thought briefly of the man that saved her who was he? Why was he here in the first place?
He watched her. She must have thought she was moving but in reality she had only made it about a step and now she was just standing there her body swaying a little. He did nothing just watched her as she struggled a few inches away from him and then she was falling backward into him. Without thinking he reached out his hands to steady her letting her back rest against his chest. Her hair was falling down around him and he looked at the stain of blood in her light purple kimono. She tried to pull away from him to stand again but couldn't quite manage it and sunk against him again. He had watched many people die. He had watched people die in worse ways than this, but for someone reason this one got to him he felt a twinge in his stomach as he looked down at her as she tried to move yet again.
Why couldn't she stand? Tears were slipping down her cheeks and she thought again of her father of the work that she had left undone. And she pushed away from him making it a few steps before exhaustion over came her and she had to stop to rest her own labored breathing sounding in her ears.
He watched her struggle to take another step and was amazed that she had made it so far then she stopped again her ragged breathing filling the silence that hung around him. Reaching down he put his hand on the hilt of his sword it was cruel to let her suffer like this. He would just have to make it as fast and painless as possible. Though this was one death he would always remember. An act of mercy from a man who thought he had none to give, but if he could relive her suffering with the edge of his blade then he would. How ironic really that even his act of mercy would end with his blade bathed in blood.
She couldn't go any more against her will her legs gave out and she sunk to her knees . but she refused to hit the ground putting her hands out she kept her body up. The tears were coming faster now coursing down her cheeks.
Cautiously he took a step toward her assuming the Battou Jutsu stance. With that it would all be over soon.
"I refuse to die like this. I refuse." the words came out of her ragged and harsh as she spoke urging her self to her feet, but her body wouldn't listen.
He froze listening the sound of her voice. Standing up strait he put he looked down at her crouched on the ground his hand still on the hilt of his katana he watched as she struggled to move again. Then it came again the sound of her voice.
"I refuse." The words trailed off and she knew that no mater what she said she wouldn't be able to stand.
The words shocked him running through his body like a bolt of lightening. Taking his hand away from his side he closed the short distance between them gathering the small girl in his arms. Pausing to take the sword from the mans hand he began walking.
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Nearing the building he looked up at the sign that said the Akabeko. It was the only clue that he had as to somewhere to go for help she had told him to come here if he ever needed her help. Walking into the back door he was met by stares. To the other people in the room he must not have made a pretty sight. One of the women had covered her mouth and backed out of the room.
"Get me Tae." he said
a few seconds later the door burst open and a woman walked into the room. Looking around she saw that a man was standing there his back to her. What could he want? it was then that she realized that he was carrying someone. 'Kaoru'. Not looking away she reached her hand out touching the man that was standing next to her in shock.
"Go and fetch Dr Genzi right now. If he says that it's after hours tell him that it's Kaoru."
He watched as the man left the room at a run to do the woman's bidding. Standing in one spot he watched as the woman rushed forward.
"Kaoru. What happened?"
she was looking at him now. It was different to have someone look at him like this. Not in fear not in anger. But it was like she didn't care who he was the only thing that she cared about was the woman that he held in his arms.
"I'm not sure if I'm at liberty to tell you."
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It had happened his worse fear a man that he didn't know had come bursting into the room yelling. Asking if I was Dr. Genzi, telling me that I had to leave. That I had to get to the Akabeko as fast as I could then, but it was what the man had said next that had made the blood in his veins freeze. "Kaoru needs you." He could still hear the sound of the mans voice as they ran through the streets to the restaurant that one of Kaoru's friends owned. He wondered what had happened to her. What could have happened to her. The fact that he didn't now only made him move faster through the dark streets.
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The battousai felt out of place here some people were bustling about while others where standing there watching him. The woman named Tae had a worried expression on her face but said nothing. This was not the place for a killer. His mission had only been to watch and observe but look what he had done. With those thoughts he looked down at the woman he needed to get the bleeding stopped. But it wasn't the bleeding that was doing the damage it was the poison that was circulating in her system. Looking down at her he took in her pained features and her ragged breathing. Then all the sudden silence. No that wasn't true there was still the noise of the people milling about in the room but the sound that he had been focused on had stopped. She had stopped breathing, her body going lax in his arms.
If you want more please review ^.^
Koniko-chan- Yep yep she finally met him. Nope she didn't remember him I liked it better that way. I made for more of a story I thought. ^.^
Jazzy- Kinda false pretenses. I guess she doesn't know who he is. She doesn't even know his name yet but hey what matters is the fact that they meet. ^.^ thanks for the review
Conscience Fairy- I updated ^.^
Crystal Kitty- I did and I left another one I'm sorry I you don't like them
Luna Angel- I'm glade that you did and I hope to never disappoint you just slap me if I do.
Nicky9- thanks Nope she didn't know it was him. Mainly because she was a little kid and all that she remembered was his eyes and this mans eyes are the wrong color. Nope he didn't meet tome. As for the other stuff some of it should be cleared up in the next couple chapters. Feel free to keep asking questions I like it.
It's e.e I know I know I haven't been updating and I feel bad. But I have been stressed Hahah I'm always stressed so what's new I guess any way here's the next chapter I hope that you like it.
I don't own RK
Echoe Shayne
Kaoru's eyes widened as she watched the man next to her turn. But to her disappointment he did not look at her but rather his attention was focused on the men that were still arguing amongst themselves in the street. Fallowing suit she observed the three ragged looking men. They where still carrying on, oblivious to the fact that they had almost knocked her over. Turning her attention back to the man that was still supporting her she wished that she could see his face, but more importantly she wished that she could see his eyes. All she could see was his profile his eyes were obscured from her view by wisps of fiery red hair.
"I believe that you owe this woman and apology." His voice was cool and crisp. It was a voice that demanded attention and not even the men on the street could ignore him.
Hearing the cold sound of a mans voice they stopped what they were doing turning in the direction that the voice had come from. There was a rather small man standing there his hand reached out supporting and even smaller woman. It would have been a funny sight. If the man didn't look so dangerous that is. He was not the sort of man to be messed with.
"What is it to you?" one of the men was actually brave enough to say.
His eyes narrowed as he watched the men one of them was actually foolish enough to talk to him. "It means nothing to me but your arguing was annoying me, and then you pushing this woman into me." If it had been anyone else but him they would have been laying in a heap on the ground right now but he had taken a step forward to move out of her way and then caught her.
An uneasy silence filled the air and the people just stood there staring at each other.
His words rang in Kaoru's ears so that was it, the man thought that she was a burden and was using her as a means to pick a fight she wasn't about to let herself be used like that. If there was going to be a fight then she would be the one that caused it. Tensing up she walked she went to pull away from the man next to her but his grip tightened around her arm keeping her in place. Glancing up at him his face was still turned away from her so she turned her attention back to the men standing in front of them. From their expression she knew that they were terrified of the small man that was standing there holding her up.
"Were sorry ok we never meant to."
'I can take care of myself.' Her mind was screaming at her she didn't need to depend on anybody. "I can take care of myself." Her voice came out in a hiss and she focused her full attention on the red head. She couldn't allow herself to become soft.
He could feel her gaze on him. Burning hot. It was amusing really when he thought about it here were grown men cowering in the street and this little slip of a girl actually had the audacity to glare at him. He would just have to set her strait he couldn't afford any more of scene that he was already causing. This woman had pride and that was something that he had to respect.
Kaoru glared at him who the hell did this man think he was any way?
"Do something." He needed to get this over with quick his place was not here but in the shadows. Turning he looked down at the woman the first thought that went through his mind was that she was beautiful. The second was that there was something about her that set him on edge. It was strange he was the battousai. Then again it had been a strange day it wasn't like him to get involved in things like this. He should have just let her fall.
'His eyes' they were a color that she had never seen before a deep brilliant blue with flicks of purple in them. Dangerous eyes. Killers eyes, but not the eyes that she was looking for.
She was looking at him, looking him right in the eye. 'what nerve' his respect for her swelled. Then he saw something pass though her eyes sadness disappointment but it was gone as fast as it came replaced by the anger as she glared up at him.
"I must apologize for underestimating you, but please allow me to take care of this just this once." He said in order to appease the woman there was something about her. But at the moment he couldn't put his finger on it and that disturbed him.
It felt so odd to hear that coming out of his mouth looking at him she had the feeling that he didn't do things like this often. It made her feel honored it also made her feel relived to leave something up to someone else, to not have to worry. Giving a slight nod she turned her attention back to the men.
Having appeased the lady's temper he turned back to face the men. Thankful that he had been able to quell her anger. He wouldn't have hesitated to hurt a woman it was just that if he didn't have too he would rather not. What he wouldn't do to be in a dark ally somewhere, were he could do what ever he wanted. If that was the case then these men would already be dead. He had to fight not to kill them here on the spot but if he did then his true target would become aware of his presence and for the moment he was only there to observe so for the time being he would behave himself.
"Look we never meant to mess with your woman." The man that had spoken before said putting his hands
They were scared no more like they were terrified of the man that was standing next to her. But he made her feel safe in a way, yet at the same time his presence sent her senses over the edge he was a dangerous man. She want him to turn toward her again so she could see his face.
"Not me I said apologize to the lady." Hearing his words her eyes widened and she barley even noticed the men had uttered apologies before they took off almost running in the other direction leaving the figures standing there in the middle of the street to watch them leave. The few people that had been gathered around watching the scene appeared stratified for the they had begun walking again going about whatever it was that they had been doing before. The grip on her arm loosened pivoting, the man with the red hair had already begun to walk away not even bothering to say a word to her. Panic spread though her body, without a though she took a step forward. Her fingers catching the course material of his gi.
He stopped frozen in his tracks this woman had just seen him stare down three grown men and she still had the nerve to touch him. Glaring over at his shoulder he was just about to say something but rather she was looking down at her hand that was clutching the dark material of his gi. There was a slight frown on her face just the curve of her lips slightly turned like she herself couldn't believe what she had done and it was that look that kept him from slapping her hand away. But still he didn't like people to think they had the right to touch him.
What had she just done? This was a man that she didn't even know and here she was physically restraining him, no that wasn't true he could get away anytime that he wanted.
"I. I just wanted to thank you. Do you have anywhere to stay for the night?"
At her words his eyes narrowed more. He wasn't usually so wrong at reading people. He had thought that she was a nice girl that had pride. And he could respect that but he would not respect a tramp that offered herself out as thanks. He knew many men who had let their guard down for one night and meet the edge of a place or drank a cup of poison and he wasn't about to be as stupid even for a face as pretty as her. He reached out his hand covering hers in a not to polite manner women like her didn't disserve manners.
A rough hand covered hers and she tired not to gasp she tired to reach for the cool exterior that she usually had but it wouldn't come not when this man was standing there looking at her like this. Like she was the scum of the earth. That should have only made it easier that should have only let her slip into her mask of indifference but she couldn't. Looking down at his hand that covered hers the words that she had spoken before played over in her mind. Oh what he must think.
"It's not like that I was just wondering if you had a place to stay." She could feel his eyes on her and despite how embarrassed she was she looked up at his face. He was glaring at her and she couldn't blame him. "It's just that I thought you might just be traveling you know and um." Kaoru stop babbling she scolded herself.
He watched her emotions change as she spoke. Her cheeks flushing when she realized what she had said then she went into rambling about how she just thought he had nowhere to stay because she didn't think that he was from around here. She was very perceptive with that usually he blended in and nobody ever thought he was out of place.
He never answered her. So she just kept rambling. Just when she was about to stop and say that she was sorry to forget the whole thing because she just kept putting her foot in her mouth she felt his rough grip on her hand lessen. Her head snapping up she caught his eyes that where no longer glaring at her but there was no emotion in them either.
"You shouldn't invite strangers to your house dono."
"Kaoru." She said leaving off her last name on purpose over the years she had become possessive of the name and not just anyone she thought should be able to speak it. But she found her self surprised to realize in this case she just wanted to hear this man say her name. "Be that as it may, You do need a place to stay don't you?"
If she knew who she was talking to she wouldn't speak to me in such away. But he found himself thinking that it felt good to be treated like a normal person. He also noticed that she hadn't given a last name and that spoke volumes about her, Then again he knew that many people didn't have the honor of having a last name. It's a shame that someone with so much pride should go without one. He thought to himself
"You don't know who I am or what I've done." He said in a cool tone waiting to see if that would scare her.
"Your past doesn't matter to me." She said in a cheery voice. Though a dark part of her mind told her the only reason she could say that was because he wasn't the man she was looking for. She could forgive anyone else but not him not the battousai.
She said it with such a cherry voice that he had no reason to doubt what she was saying. But she didn't smile. In fact she hardly showed any emotions except for the blush that had tinged her cheeks and the anger she held in her eyes when she had glared at him. To anyone else she would appear emotionless. but not to his trained eye that had picked up the shadow of a frown on her face when she had been looking down at her hand. That was odd. What reason did a woman like her have for closing off her emotions? She was a mystery to him and he hated mysteries.
"I must decline."
"I would still like to repay you. Should you ever need me go to a restaurant called the akabeko they will know how to find me no matter where I am. If they give you any griefs speak with Tae." With that said Kaoru turned on her heel and began to walk away she didn't need to make a bigger fool of herself then she had already made.
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Kaoru stood outside the old worn down building looking at a area that was lighter then the rest. A sign that had said Kamiya dojo had been there but now it was just a vacant spot the sign it's self was wrapped up and stowed under the floor boards. She was not fit to teach the style of her father. The style that had been ripped away from him, the day that the soldiers had come to take him away saying that he had to serve in their army. bowing her head she opened one of the large double doors and entered. The place was empty like always but today it felt different. Someone had been here.
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It was a little after dusk and Dr. Genzi was waiting for his charge he know that she would be coming soon. And like he had promised yesterday he would have a mission for her to go on tonight. As he was thinking about he heard the sound of the door closing and knew that Kaoru wanted him to know that she was there.
"This will be no easy task."
"If I thought that everything would be easy then I would have died along time ago."
He was worried about her this time this time it wasn't like one of her normal missions he always knew that there was danger and he hated to send her out there but he knew that she wouldn't have it any other way.
"This one is a serial murder."
She knew that her heart shouldn't pick up at those words that she should be frightened. But she couldn't help herself it was like her heart sung. Maybe tonight would be the night.
"The man announces his intended targets before murdering them. No one had ever seen him he leaves a path of carnage where ever it is that he goes killing the guards and the people around his target. He shows no mercy."
"If he is the man that I am looking for then he will receive none in return." Her voice had become cold as she turned to leave the room.
"four days." He said slipping a piece of paper out of his pocket and handing it to her.
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The market would be closing for the night soon she knew. So she hurried to get some stuff so that she would be able to make dinner. It was then that she was walking back to her house that she heard the sound of someone and they were following her.,
The battousai stood in the shadows watching the people as they walked about. It was a little after dark and people were clearing the street. It was then that he saw her it was the woman from yesterday unlike the rest of people she didn't appear to be that agsous to get home. The he heard it someone else was coming toward them. Keeping his eyes on the woman he saw that she had noticed it too she had paused for a second looking around here then she shrugged.
"You stop right there."
She knew that voice it was the voice of the man that she had heard before he had fallowed her here? That must mean that the man from before had tried to do something stupid. She was guessing that he had tried to kill this man rather then turning him over to the police like she had thought. She would have to remember on her next assignment to wear a mask. Pausing she did he best to look like a normal person. Glancing around she saw that the people had emptied the street leaving them alone. Shuttering she turned to see the massive man from before towering over her.
"I have come to take your life for what you have done to me."
For what she had done to him? It was then that he noticed that the mans right hand was wrapped and he was holding it closely to his body. Something with his thumb he guessed, continuing to watch the scene. The man was large dwarfing the woman in his shadow.
"My life?"
"Don't pretend that you don't remember me. Because I remember you."
"I don't know what your talking about." She said trying to sound fearful but she didn't have it in her to sound afraid of some man that she had been in two moves. She couldn't afford to do anything here though not in her town where people knew her.
"Sure you do." This had to be her a dressed up version of her but he would never forget the face of the woman that had done harm to him.
Taking a step back she brought the basket to her chest as a small barrier between her and this man. Searching her surrounding she franticly looked for something that she could use as a weapon. This man wasn't going to fall for the act that she didn't know anything. It wasn't that he was smart, he was just to stubborn for his own good.
The battousai considered helping, but not yet he was looking for someone and he wanted to see how the man moved before he did anything.
"you think that I don't know it's you wench?" he snarled at the woman in front of him. Taking a step forward he drew his sword now held in his left hand. "I will kill you this time."
The look in his eyes and the fact that she didn't have a weapon didn't boad well of her looking out of the corner of her eye she saw a long wooden bamboo shoot it was a few steps behind her but she could make it if it was the only thing that she had it was better then nothing turning she took of toward it hearing the man laugh behind her before he began pursuit.
"so the little girl is running away is she? Not so tough now are you?"
leaning forward her hand closed around the course wood. There was only once chance this was all she had she could not afford to let him attack her. Pivoting on her foot she lifted the wooden shaft in the air and charged at him. Feeling the impact as steal cut through wood. Skidding to a stop she remained crouched on the ground. trying not to wince as she felt blood poor trickle down her arm.
"See I knew it was you. "
Kaoru said nothing rather she examined the new points that had been added to otherwise dull weapon. Twisting her wrists she held the shat of the sticks along her arms ready for the next attack. All she needed was for him to start toward her. He didn't make her wait long soon he was coming at her again his sword raised. His chet open to her attack. Cocking her wrist back she let the sharpened object go using his momentum against him to impale object in his chest. But it was to late she realized her was heading toward her his sword still rose in the air. And she had used all her spare time to get the throw in. he didn't have enough time to change his poisision of attack so she rose the other hald of the bamboo in front of her face closing her eyes hopping that his body would loose momentum, but she knew dead weight only had one way to go and that was down. 'Father help me' her mind screamed.
Then the weirdest thing happened she was flying her body was moving away from the horrible fate had she wanted something so bad that it had happened? Opening her eyes she saw the same red hair from before. He turned with her in his arms and hey both watched as the man feel to the ground. The sharpened edge of the bamboo shoot could be seen protruding from his body.
Looking up she saw cold eyes looking down at her.
"You?" What was he doing here but her mind was swimming there was something wrong she had only gotten a small cut but pain was spreading through her body. The mans face went in and out of focus as she fought to keep her eyes open. Poison the thought ran through her mind of course someone that wasn't good enough to relay on their skills had to depend on petty tricks. She cursed herself for letting the man touch her with his blade she had been careless.
Her eyes were unfocused as she looked up at him. Blood was coating one of his hands but he knew that it wasn't enough to cause this reaction, his mind reached the same conclusion that hers had poison. 'You' so even in this state she remembered him. Watching her fight had confirmed one thing that this was the person that he had been sent here for. "To watch and observe he was told and nothing more." Who would have thought that his target would have been a woman? This tiny one no less though from her skill and resourcefulness he knew that she was a force to be reckoned with though not to someone like him. He could kill her without batting an eye. He would just have to go back and tell them that she had died. Shrugging he was about to lay her down when he felt her grip on him tighten. Seeing what she meant he gently set her feet on the ground and watched as she tried to take a few steps. She had determination he would give her that but it was useless in less they knew what kind of poison that had been used she would be dead by the time that the sun rose.
Her world was swaying in and out of darkness as she headed toward the body she had to get that sword they would be able to tell what kind of poison had been used if she could only get it to them. She thought briefly of the man that saved her who was he? Why was he here in the first place?
He watched her. She must have thought she was moving but in reality she had only made it about a step and now she was just standing there her body swaying a little. He did nothing just watched her as she struggled a few inches away from him and then she was falling backward into him. Without thinking he reached out his hands to steady her letting her back rest against his chest. Her hair was falling down around him and he looked at the stain of blood in her light purple kimono. She tried to pull away from him to stand again but couldn't quite manage it and sunk against him again. He had watched many people die. He had watched people die in worse ways than this, but for someone reason this one got to him he felt a twinge in his stomach as he looked down at her as she tried to move yet again.
Why couldn't she stand? Tears were slipping down her cheeks and she thought again of her father of the work that she had left undone. And she pushed away from him making it a few steps before exhaustion over came her and she had to stop to rest her own labored breathing sounding in her ears.
He watched her struggle to take another step and was amazed that she had made it so far then she stopped again her ragged breathing filling the silence that hung around him. Reaching down he put his hand on the hilt of his sword it was cruel to let her suffer like this. He would just have to make it as fast and painless as possible. Though this was one death he would always remember. An act of mercy from a man who thought he had none to give, but if he could relive her suffering with the edge of his blade then he would. How ironic really that even his act of mercy would end with his blade bathed in blood.
She couldn't go any more against her will her legs gave out and she sunk to her knees . but she refused to hit the ground putting her hands out she kept her body up. The tears were coming faster now coursing down her cheeks.
Cautiously he took a step toward her assuming the Battou Jutsu stance. With that it would all be over soon.
"I refuse to die like this. I refuse." the words came out of her ragged and harsh as she spoke urging her self to her feet, but her body wouldn't listen.
He froze listening the sound of her voice. Standing up strait he put he looked down at her crouched on the ground his hand still on the hilt of his katana he watched as she struggled to move again. Then it came again the sound of her voice.
"I refuse." The words trailed off and she knew that no mater what she said she wouldn't be able to stand.
The words shocked him running through his body like a bolt of lightening. Taking his hand away from his side he closed the short distance between them gathering the small girl in his arms. Pausing to take the sword from the mans hand he began walking.
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Nearing the building he looked up at the sign that said the Akabeko. It was the only clue that he had as to somewhere to go for help she had told him to come here if he ever needed her help. Walking into the back door he was met by stares. To the other people in the room he must not have made a pretty sight. One of the women had covered her mouth and backed out of the room.
"Get me Tae." he said
a few seconds later the door burst open and a woman walked into the room. Looking around she saw that a man was standing there his back to her. What could he want? it was then that she realized that he was carrying someone. 'Kaoru'. Not looking away she reached her hand out touching the man that was standing next to her in shock.
"Go and fetch Dr Genzi right now. If he says that it's after hours tell him that it's Kaoru."
He watched as the man left the room at a run to do the woman's bidding. Standing in one spot he watched as the woman rushed forward.
"Kaoru. What happened?"
she was looking at him now. It was different to have someone look at him like this. Not in fear not in anger. But it was like she didn't care who he was the only thing that she cared about was the woman that he held in his arms.
"I'm not sure if I'm at liberty to tell you."
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It had happened his worse fear a man that he didn't know had come bursting into the room yelling. Asking if I was Dr. Genzi, telling me that I had to leave. That I had to get to the Akabeko as fast as I could then, but it was what the man had said next that had made the blood in his veins freeze. "Kaoru needs you." He could still hear the sound of the mans voice as they ran through the streets to the restaurant that one of Kaoru's friends owned. He wondered what had happened to her. What could have happened to her. The fact that he didn't now only made him move faster through the dark streets.
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The battousai felt out of place here some people were bustling about while others where standing there watching him. The woman named Tae had a worried expression on her face but said nothing. This was not the place for a killer. His mission had only been to watch and observe but look what he had done. With those thoughts he looked down at the woman he needed to get the bleeding stopped. But it wasn't the bleeding that was doing the damage it was the poison that was circulating in her system. Looking down at her he took in her pained features and her ragged breathing. Then all the sudden silence. No that wasn't true there was still the noise of the people milling about in the room but the sound that he had been focused on had stopped. She had stopped breathing, her body going lax in his arms.
If you want more please review ^.^
Koniko-chan- Yep yep she finally met him. Nope she didn't remember him I liked it better that way. I made for more of a story I thought. ^.^
Jazzy- Kinda false pretenses. I guess she doesn't know who he is. She doesn't even know his name yet but hey what matters is the fact that they meet. ^.^ thanks for the review
Conscience Fairy- I updated ^.^
Crystal Kitty- I did and I left another one I'm sorry I you don't like them
Luna Angel- I'm glade that you did and I hope to never disappoint you just slap me if I do.
Nicky9- thanks Nope she didn't know it was him. Mainly because she was a little kid and all that she remembered was his eyes and this mans eyes are the wrong color. Nope he didn't meet tome. As for the other stuff some of it should be cleared up in the next couple chapters. Feel free to keep asking questions I like it.