~*~Her Flute~*~

Kaoru has dropped her moneybag, when Sano bumped into her earlier. It is late in the afternoon and she is feeling very tired and hungry. She had begged the hotel owner to let her stay for free, but he objected without sympathy. She was walking on the street, until she came upon a store that sold accessories. A half mask caught her eye; she didn't want to walk around with a veil hat. This will also solve people's awkward attention at her. She looked at the mask and sighed, she had no money.

Kaoru was walking with her head down before she came near a crowd. A lot of people gathered to see a dancer. The dancer was a plain looking girl, but her dancing movements were captivating and brilliant. At the end of her dance, everyone applauded and threw money at her.

Kaoru stared at the money, if only she had talent too… She wondered if anyone would listen to her play the flute. When the crowd was about to disperse, soothing mellow music floated into their ears. They began to crowd around Kaoru to listen. She decided to play a really sad tune that always made her cry. The crowd felt the sadness as Kaoru saw some heads tilt down. She decided to change the mood by playing a happy tune. When she finished, everyone applauded and likewise threw money at her. She kneeled down to pick up the money and was unaware of a curious man approaching. He flipped Kaoru's hat off to see how she looked and gasped. Her left face was revealed to all.

"Monster"

"Disgusting"

"Horrible"

"Repulsive"

Kaoru with her head down continued to pick up the money. Tears filled her eyes as the crowd continued to humiliate her. Just one moment they had enjoyed her flute playing, how can they despise her appearance the next minute?

After Kaoru finished gathering all the coins she could find. She was about to leave when she picked up her flute, luggage and placed her hat. However, to her horror the crowd began chucking things at her. Suddenly, tomatoes, parts of cabbages began flying her way. Unfortunately a big tomato knocked her hat off. She continued running for an hour to escape the crowd from chucking more tomatoes at her. The squashed tomatoes, juice and all stuck onto her and made her very uncomfortable.

Kaoru had blindly run into a forest and realised only in a matter of moments the sun will set. To make matters worst she felt droplets of water. The next few minutes the sky went from sprinkling to pouring. In the distance she found hope as she spotted a speck of light. She ran towards the light and reached a wooden house.

~*~

N.B Wooden tub over a piece of metal on top of smooth flat stones, so that wood can be burnt under the tub to heat water =P

Sanosuke was bathing in a hot tub of water after a day of hard work, pushing his cart 3 times to the furniture warehouse. He was singing until he heard a noise, so he hopped out of the tub to put on his pants. Kaoru had knocked on the door but no one answered. She was desperate to get out of the rain so she sneaked in from the window. She was about to enter her left leg in when Sanosuke greeted her with a stick.

"Who are you? You're the Miss I bumped into this morning. Here let me help you," said Sano

Kaoru turned her face at him to say no. Too late, Sano has seen her ugly scar. He backed away a few steps and couldn't stop staring at Kaoru. She decided to step back out into the rain than have this man looking at her. Sano pulled grabbed her hand.

"Please stay, it's raining outside let me make up for knocking you down earlier. How come you came all the way here?" asked Sano

Kaoru didn't reply.

"Are you hungry? I'm going to make dinner now," said Sano

"I need some dry clothing…" whispered Kaoru

"Oh, I'll get some for you and," said Sano, he noticed that her clothing was very dirty. He added, "Would you like to take a bath?"

"I'd love too, thank you," replied Kaoru, "can you also start a fire to dry my other clothing?"

~*~

Sano heated some water for the girl and told her he'll be at the kitchen if she wanted anything. Sano made a fire in his stone oven and hanged the clothing on top of the stove. He was too engaged in cooking potato and some fish to realise the clothing was near dry. Suddenly the clothing caught on fire, Sano grabbed for it but it burnt his hand. He flung it to the ground and poured some water over it. He sighed, there was not much of the piece of cloth left. Then he smelt something burning again, the Fish…

Kaoru came out of the bath to put Sano's clothes on. She tied the gi around her ribcage, to prevent the hakama from exposing her chest. Kaoru entered the kitchen to ask for her own clothing. Sano stared at Kaoru's figure, he had never came so close to a female body. She saw the burnt cloth on the ground and said, "Don't tell me…" Before she could finish, Sano nodded.

"I'll dry my other clothing, what's for dinner, I'm starving," said Kaoru

Sano bought out the dish of potatoes and burnt fish. Kaoru stared at the two measly dishes and wished she were at home eating hot rice served with some fresh meat. Why had she come this far and what is the point of continuing now that she has no money. The two ate in silence, Kaoru decided to be polite and not complain about the food. When they finished the two had a conversation.

"What is your name, Miss?" asked Sano

"Kamiya Kaoru, and yours?" asked Kaoru

"Sagara Sanosuke, and why did you come all the way here?"

"I… My money fell out so I had nowhere to stay. I tried busking for money, but they saw my face and began chucking things at me."

"Don't you have a family, Miss Kaoru?"

"Yes and no. My family have been killed but I live with a wonderful sweet family now. How about you?"

"I have no memories of my parents, I was raised by Sagara san, but he too has been killed…" sighed Sano and he added, "Why do you come all this way?"

Kaoru touched her scar; "I heard there's a healer somewhere nearby."

"I shall accompany you, I won't let anyone hurt you," said Sano

"I have no money, it dropped when your cart pushed me," said Kaoru.

"I have some money saved up…" said Sano

Kaoru went to sleep in her own clothing after they were cleaned and dried. Sano offered his bed kindly to Kaoru, as she was a guest to his house. He slept on the hard floor of the dining area that night.

 ~*~

When Kaoru awakes the next morning she realised Sano was nowhere in the house. However, a manly voice soon greets her.

"Miss Kaoru, look what I bought you!" exclaimed Sano and he lifts up a half mask.

"Arigatoo (thank you)…"

Durian: the story will be more positive in the future? ^.^

Please review if you wish me to continue…