Special thanks to:
Lil-Warrior-Gal: I'm glad that you are enjoying this fic.
Starian Princess: This chapter is up, so you will find out who will win.
K-e-l-s: thank you
Katsuhito Sage: Sorry, this is a K/K fic. I can write a S/K fic later if you want. I'm actually working on a fic where Kaoru hates Kenshin, and the chance of them getting together is in the negatives.
Aikenka: Probable another chapter.
I do not own Rurouni Kenshin
SANO'S PAST
Last time…
"Watch it Jou-chan. I'm injured remember."
And Now…
She woke up to darkness.
Sweat fell from her brow as her breath came out heavy. She swallowed deeply in hopes to calm herself down. It was funny how, through the pressures of the day made her forget something important. However, with her mind relaxed her eyes closed for only a moment, and her body rested upon her futon, Kaoru remembered.
She sat up with the sudden adrinaline rush, as panic and worry flowed through her veins. Everyone was asleep, except for her. A night breeze tossed a few strains of hair, as she let out a groan. Saito was going to kill her. Akane's words that were spoken that day when Sano was beaten and she remained tied to the tree echoed through her head.
"This is not over child. Soon, your father will have to face a similar judgment."
She was not sure what that meant. Was Yara, or even Akane, attracted to Saito? A chill went down her spine, which had nothing to do with the cool breeze. That thought was just…just, Kaoru could think of no word to describe that thought. Besides, Saito was already married. Unfortunately for her, he was also resting calmly, as well as one like him could, as were the others and she was left awake. She fell back to the futon, as sleep continued to evade her. She lifted her right arm over her head. Her eyes, now adjusted to the night, glanced out the window. She tried several times to relax, and to get into a comfortable position, but that only offered temporary relief. No, Akane's words continued to echo in her mind, depriving her of peace.
She would tell him the first thing tomorrow. With that decided she continued to stare outside her window. Briefly noting the sound of morning birds and the sky turning brighter. Without her knowledge, Kaoru's eyes finally closed as sleep took over her. Little did she know though, what the afternoon would bring.
_-_-_-_-_-_-
She was going to kill him, the others be damned.
Kaoru felt like screaming into her blanket, and then chase and murder Yahiko. The little brat failed to realize that Kaoru only fell asleep less than four hours ago, and a four-hour sleep did not make her in a good mood. Oh no, not in a good mood at all. Apparently, Yahiko noticed this and left before she could get her revenge for wakening her up. With her face on the futon, she moaned her distress. Her head felt heavy from the lack of sleep, and she found it hard to concentrate, or for her body to move the way she wanted it to. For some reason the gravity seemed to have gotten heavier for she found herself stumbling and even walking into walls. Grumbling, and hating the smell of Kenshin's cooking, she finally changed into a light green kimono and pale yellow obi. After she finds Yahiko she would hunt down and kill the creator of such an annoying outfit. No matter how much her body craved more sleep, she knew that her mind was now too much awake to get any.
She violently opened the shoji door, and just as violently shut it, mildly wincing at the sound. She glared at anything that remotely looked happy and at peace. It wasn't fair that she hardly got any sleep while the others got a night full. Walking into the dinning room, she noticed that Yahiko tried to avoid her, which made her somewhat happier. Sitting at her usual place, she grumbled under her breath about breakfast being served too early. Kenshin exited the kitchen with a smile, causing Kaoru's anger to rise. Sano came in, still bandaged and under strict orders not to fight or do any heavy work. Aoshi just seemed to appear, probably had to do with his ninja training. Her heated glare caught them by surprise, but chose wisely not to ask her about it. Needless to say, breakfast was rather quiet considering anytime someone started to speak, even if it was for seconds, Kaoru would break the chopsticks in her hand. So far, she went through four pairs. This however, didn't seem to bother Aoshi, who hardly talked anyway.
Not standing the silence anymore, Sano decided to strike up a conversation with Kenshin.
"Oi, Kenshin, any word form Saito?" Kaoru was about to break another pair, when she caught what Sano said. The result was quite fascinating for the others to watch.
Her face turned white as all anger left her, and she broke down into tears. Not small tears, but big ones as her whole body got into the action of crying. The three men and a boy, looked at each other, dumbfounded in what was wrong with Kaoru.
"Kaoru, is everything all right?" Kenshin asked quietly, fearing another mood swing and receiving her wrath. She looked up at him, as her shoulders were slouched and heaved with every breath that she took. The sight was rather pitiful looking.
"Oh Kenshin, he's going to kill me. I forgot to tell him sooner and…and…" Kaoru stopped to try to calm down a bit in order to talk. "And he's going to kill me!" Another wave of tears left her eyes as she flung herself into Kenshin's startled arms.
Kenshin immediately placed his arms around her, trying to soothe her distraught. It was obvious Kaoru had more to say, so he remained quiet.
"Or what if he gets hurt like Sano did, and it will be all my fault!"
"Who will? Saito?" Kaoru answered by nodding her head into his chest, letting out a small sound that confirmed his question.
"Kaoru, koishii. Look at me," Kenshin pulled her away and held her face in his hands. He studied her, and noticed the blood shot eyes, which were too red, and the drowsy look on her face. "Tell me, when did you get to sleep last night?"
"Well, I was fine until I remembered, and then I couldn't sleep anymore. Maybe a few hours ago?" Kenshin smiled and hugged her once more.
"After breakfast I am sending you back to bed. Okay?" Once again Kaoru nodded her answer. "Good, now lets eat up."
"But…but I have to tell Saito…"
"Shhhh. It will be okay. You can tell him after you are rested all right? In fact, we will invite him over this afternoon, so do not worry or fear. You will be able to tell him then."
Kenshin understood better than anyone, what lack of sleep could do. In fact, his Battousai mode was closer to the surface with out a proper rest. So smiling once more at Kaoru, he settled her back to her place and watched her eat.
It was much easier for Kaoru to relax and fall asleep do to Kenshin's assurance. Kenshin promised her a few more hours of rest, and to send Yahiko to get Saito. She felt that everything would be all right.
Yeah right.
A few hours later, Kaoru moaned as she slowly started to awake. Kenshin was there, watching her with a smile plastered on his face. He could never get over the fact, at how much he loved seeing her wake up.
Kaoru rubbed her eyes with her hands and let out a yawn. She wished that she could of gotten more rest, but knew that if she slept too much, there would be no way that she could get any sleep at night.
"Yahiko will soon be back with Saito." Kaoru nodded, and Kenshin left so that she could get herself presentable before her guest arrived.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Saito was doing his usual patrol, when a messenger came to him with a letter, with his name on it. Shooting the man a glare, he opened it as the man ran away as fast as he could.
The message was simple:
This afternoon, Kamiya dojo.
~Akane
"Ah yes, the duel." It took awhile for Saito to remember who Akane was, and what the message was about. He had to smirk at the message though. Did she mean noon, or a later time in the afternoon? Oh-well, it didn't really matter. As long as the Battousai was there, Saito knew that he would at least get some type of battle. Lacing his hands behind his back, Saito continued on his stroll to his 'daughter's' home.
_-_-_-_-_-_-
Saito was not at the office, so Yahiko searched the streets for him. Ignoring the strange looks that he got from others, Yahiko continued to yell out the older man's name. Kenshin asked him for a favor, and he would do it.
Megumi just finished and left a patient's home when she heard the boy call out a name. Curious, she walked up behind him unnoticed and gave him a gentle nudge. Not expecting this, Yahiko fell forward to the ground face first, and getting a mouth full of dirt. Megumi let out her famous laugh.
He hated the tasted of dirt. He hated that no matter how much he tried he could never seem to get it all out. He hated how it would get stuck between his teeth and not to mention what could have been in it. Who ever pushed him, would pay. That was when he heard her laugh. Yahiko turned towards the lady doctor and gave her an angry stare. Unfortunately for him, with the mud around his mouth, dirt plus spit, it did not give him the effect he was looking for. Megumi smiled.
"Why were you calling out Saito's name?"
Yahiko dusted off his gi to gain back some dignity. His macho side showing through, as he decided to spit a luggie. Yet, this was not his day, and instead of projecting it far from him, it dripped down his bottom lip mixing in with the mud. Megumi had to suppress a gag, as she watched it slowly ooze down his chin like a thick yellowish-white with dark-brown, blob. She quickly handed him a handkerchief, averting her eyes as he wiped his mouth and chin clean. He was smart enough to keep the handkerchief.
"Thanks."
"So are you going to tell me?"
"Huh? Oh, Kenshin told me to get Saito. Kaoru had something important to tell him."
"Sou ka." She was about to ask another question, when the both of them spotted a tall lean figure headed their way, Saito. As he walked near them Yahiko spoke up.
"Stop I need to tell you something." Saito just ignored him and continued to walk. Yahiko went red in the face in anger, and started to yell at the policeman. Megumi just shrugged her shoulders and followed the two.
_-_-_-_-_-_-
Kaoru nervously paced, as Aoshi and Kenshin drank tea on the porch. Sano snored away, sleeping against a post. She didn't know what was taking Yahiko so long, and she wasn't sure how or what to tell Saito so that he would not kill her. After all, he was in the mess because of her. Before she could voice her anger at Kenshin for not caring about her well fare, she heard arguing outside the gates. Actually, it was Yahiko yelling at Saito who was ignoring him.
Saito finally momentarily stopped by a gate to light his cigarette. Yahiko took that as he was finally going to listen to him.
"Look Kaoru has something to tell you!" But as soon as he spoke, Saito began to walk through the gates. Yahiko once again protested, as Megumi moaned and lifted her hand to cover her face, she was just too embarrassed.
"I need you to stop. Kenshin wants you to go to the…dojo." Yahiko stopped as he finally realized his surroundings and the people there. He was already inside the Kamiya dojo.
"Yahiko?" asked Kaoru.
"Just leave me alone!" Yahiko then stormed angrily to his room. Saito walked up to Kaoru who looked like she wanted to run.
"The brat said you had something to tell me."
"Yes, see um…remember the day Sano was attacked? Well the attacker said…"
"Saito Hajime, I see you are here on time. It's time to duel! (sorry couldn't help myself)" Saito turned slightly and glance behind him. There standing proud was Takawa Akane, dressed in a white gi and hakama. In her right hand was a sheathed katana, yet something was different about her weapon. Her long hair was held back in a braid as a white headband kept her bangs from falling into her eyes. Behind her wearing black kimonos, stood her grandchildren, Yoru and Yara.
Kaoru stood on the tips of her toes to look over Saito's shoulder.
Sano continued to snore in his sleep, not once waking up.
Megumi walked over to him giving him a disproving look, however her eyes held warmth.
Aoshi sipped his tea, answering a question that Kenshin had asked him.
Saito turned once more to Kaoru. "So, tell me onna. What did you want to say to me?"
The Takawa's sweat-dropped. Apparently, challenges were nothing new to this group. In fact, they acted like it was a normal, daily occurrence.
"Well, it actually had to do with her." Kaoru pointed at Akane. Saito took in a deep breath, and slowly let it out. He gave her a glance that made Kaoru glad that she really wasn't his daughter. Because if she was, that look alone told her she would have major punishment coming.
Finally he turned his attention to Akane, taking the cigarette from his mouth, and tossed it to the ground. He vaguely heard Kaoru's protest and lecture about a fire starting.
"So why are we fighting?" Saito asked lazily.
"To determine who will marry Sanosuke." Saito snorted at this.
"Take him. He's yours."
Protest died on Kaoru's lips when Saito flashed her a warning gaze, telling her that she was still in trouble with him. Wisely, Kaoru kept her mouth shut.
"However," he continued "no matter what I feel about the ahou for getting himself in all of this trouble, honor demands I pay you back for what you did to my daughter. Besides a challenge is a challenge. Lets get this over with." Saito walked away for Kaoru and stood at an angle, watching Akane move to stand across from him. Her grandchildren approached the others on the porch to watch the up coming duel. Akane stood in a solid form, her katana unsheathed and in front of her. Saito lazily got into his gatotsu stance, briefly moving his neck to loosing up the muscles. Akane smirked at his stance.
Saito took off towards her without warning. The spectators watched in amazement as Akane blocked his attack at countered with one of her own, aiming at his legs. Saito jumped into the air, missing a blow that would have caused major damage. With a smirk still on her face, Akane stood from her attacking pose, and went into a different stance.
"I know all about you and your gatotsu stances. There is no way that you can defeat me."
"Humph." Ignoring her speech once again, Saito prepared for another attack, and attack he did.
This time he came from above, driving his weight into the attack. Akane grunted, and side stepped, angling her weapon, causing his to strike the ground. Using the momentum from her step, she quickly turned, delivering her blade towards Saito's neck. He ducked with his years of reflexes, bringing his katana up, to slash backwards. Akane jumped out of the way, breathing heavily. Saito turned to look at her.
"You are using a style that has not been used since the war. But, I have lived through that war, and wars before that. Do not think that I would be fooled…" Akane was cut off as once again Saito attacked. This time he aimed for her side, as Akane barley blocked it in time. Akane then struck out with her foot, hoping to dislocate his knee. But instead of getting resistance, Saito dropped his knee with the kick, keeping it safe, and rolled forward at an angle before she could slash him with her sword. As she turned, his back was still facing her, and drew her Katana over her head, ready to do a downward slash.
Saito could feel the wind as the weapon made it's decent. He diverted it, with his sword, and swept out his legs catching Akane, and forcing her to fall onto her back. Saito gracefully stood to his feet, and looked down at her.
Growling, which Saito raised an eyebrow to, Akane planted one hand on the ground, the other still holding the katana, and forced her feet under her, as she quickly stood. Not once leaving eye contact with the wolf. Saito had to admit, she was very agile for an old woman. She brought her katana in front of her and grasped it with both hands. With a simple twist of her wrist, what was once one was now two. Akane faced Saito in a twin sword stance, daring him to come closer.
Aoshi's made a small sound, the only thing indicating his intrest in the fight.
Sano was still asleep.
Moving the swords in perfect harmony, Akane walked towards Saito, delivering one deadly strike following by another. Saito dodged and blocked the attacks as best as he could, slowly being driven backwards. He knew that he was headed closer to the dojo's gate, and if she caught him there, there would be no way to escape. Knowing the best defense against such an attack was close up, Saito stepped forward, sacrificing his uniform as it was slashed by the duel blades. The sound of metal hitting metal at an alarming rate was almost deafening.
Saito ducked low, real low, to his knees to avoid getting sliced into three pieces. He used the hilt of his sword to strike Akane's hands and throwing off her rhythm. Akane turned 180 degrees with great speed to regain her control, which caused her hair to fly around and the ends slap her in the face near her eyes like a whip. She staggered back a few feet, using her forearm to rub her stinging eyes. Now that her eyes watered form the attack, she found it hard to place Saito because of the blur.
Saito seemed to move constantly, which made it harder for her to focus on him, and slashed the empty air. Her vision slowly started to return to her when she cried out in surprise as one of her katanas was thrown from her grip and landed a few feet away. Pressed against her neck, was Saito's sword. With expertise, Saito took out a cigarette and lit it with one hand. He inhaled deeply.
"First mistake, you talk too much during the duel, wasting too much energy and giving me time to attack. Second mistake, you underestimated me. Third mistake, your hair was too long, and held in such a way that it would only hinder you. Forth, although this is a simple duel, do not think that I would wait for you to recuperate."
Akane dropped her remaining sword.
"You win."
T.B.C.
Sorry that this took awhile to get out. It is about done. One more chapter to go.
A request, when you write a review, please tell me what country or state/providence you are from. It's a small survey I am doing, but you don't have to. Thanks.
Hoped you liked the fight scene ^_^