Ciao!!!
Well, are you up for the next chapter of SL? I sure hope so- after all, I spent all of Sunday night furiously typing this (Okay, Sunday night after midnight…). Why? Well, this has to have been the most hectic week I've had this year so far… I couldn't even take five minutes a day off for writing, even though my brain was exploding with ideas! Thus, the nightly typing… GAH! I tell you, my life is so evil when it comes to time management. I still have to learn to cope with less and less sleep (on average, three hours a night this week), more and more special assignments, the fact that I'm teaching- yes, that's right- my English teacher (I have English as a foreign language in Germany- strange feeling, I can tell you, since it's German that is the foreign language to me) has made me her assistant, and I have to prepare two lessons a week. She thinks it will keep me from doing anything but listen when in her course… she doesn't know me! HAH! Infamous Chi's-not-listening Attack!
Uh… excuse my rambling, it's the lack of sleep getting to me (it's Monday morning…). Anyways, this chapter is a bit shorter than the last- though not by much! I almost didn't get it out at all! But here you are- enjoy reading!
"…." Denotes talking
….. denotes thinking
*~* means a change of scenery (either temporal or local, I think which one of those will be clear) has taken place
Disclaimer: I do in no way own any rights, moral or others, to Rurouni Kenshin, its characters or plot. Characters other than the characters from Rurouni Kenshin bearing any resemblance to persons living or dead are purely coincidental. I do not intend to make any profits out of this story, it's written for entertainment purposes only and any attempt by persons natural or legal to make money from it in any way is not in accordance with this author's express wishes.
Chapter 16
Reunion
Misao would have slapped herself on the shoulder, compliments for a job well done, but her hands were rather… occupied at the moment, clutching the rungs of a rusty ladder, meant to be used by maintenance teams checking the air vents of Shishio's architectural monstrosity. However, if any maintenance men had set foot in that particular shaft within the last ten years Misao would swallow her kunai whole. She was constantly readjusting her grip on thin iron- or steel- beams that were slippery with oily residue of things she'd rather not think about, holding back sneezes that wanted to escape through a nose irritated by all the dustbunnies rising from wherever she treaded, and her eyes itched and burned because of the assault of small particles, rust and others, her every movement sent showering into them.
Why did I think again it was a good idea to use this way to get down? And why did I think it would not be necessary to put on a face mask? Frustrated and irritated, she made her way down the ladder, accompanied by the shower of nasty-smelling particles sticking to her hair, face and clothes. A job well done, indeed. There couldn't be another ninja as… well, as stupid as she was, could there? She squinted through the semi-darkness, apparently Shishio didn't believe in lighting every square centimeter of his building… wasn't there a grill? And didn't grills usually lead out of airvents? Her heart jumping for joy she climbed faster, almost slipping once or twice when her hands encountered something particularly nasty.
A quick jab with both her feet while her hands supported her weight on the ladder- and the grill cluttered into the pile of dirty laundry conveniently placed underneath it. Great- now she had found Shishio's Laundromat. At least there was nobody in the room- and Misao could snatch one of the dark blue overalls from the washing, complete with service number and cap to make her features unrecognizable. It would be so much easier if everyone mistook her for one of the mansion's staff… The ninja girl slipped into her new camouflage suit- she wouldn't want to call it maintenance woman outfit, although that was probably closer to the truth- and checked the room for any exits leading outside. However, she had no such luck- the only door led into the building.
Time to get going, Misao, this room's too stuffed to see everything, and there might be cameras. Believe me, you don't want to be caught on tape, photogene as you might be… Scowling at her own thoughts she left, but not before flashing any watching eyes a brilliant smile. Should her face appear on a TV somewhere, she wanted to look good!
Pipes and cables lined the walls of the hallway outside the laundry room- just as she had expected. Shishio hasn't ever heard of safety on the job, I think! Her steps were light, fast and unobtrusive. Well, as fast as she dared to go- and yet almost too fast. Only a hair's width separated her from missing the elevator doors hidden behind a large, yellow-colored pipe. Hey! I can get down with this! No more dirty ladders! Shuddering in remembrance of her last escapade she waited for the elevator doors to open, praying to all the Gods of the universe they weren't protected by a password. Her luck held out- screeching and groaning in protest they slid open, revealing a small freight elevator that soon after took her downwards- towards the ground level, as she hoped.
*~*
"Why don't you come?" Sano asked brashly, casually stepping forward, measuring his stride to his anger, exposing his body to the middle of the hallway that had been the scene of the fight between Kenshin and Soujirou mere seconds before. Opposite of him, Saito smirked- as much as one could smirk with a single twitch of the upper lip.
"You are even more of an idiot than I had remembered." The Regime man's stance deepened, the glint from the needle-sharp tip of his katana twinkling along the walls and ground until it reached Sano's eyes, causing him to blink and squint against the sudden brightness. Face drawn into a scowl, Sano growled, falling into a basic fist-fighting stance himself, hiding his face behind his fists.
"If you're so confident, then why d'ya need a sword to fight me? You're just a coward- just like the rest of you Regimers… pick on those weaker than you, but never without backup, right? That's why you can't let go of your toothpick and fight me one on one!" His taunts might have sounded weak were it not for his flashing eyes that lent his words an inner strength and conviction that would make any man want to break it- and even Saito was no exception. As controlled as the Wolf might be, a target like that idiot was too tempting. For once, he was glad that his support of the Agency was not common knowledge.
"Moron, so sure of yourself, are you?" Chuckling so that it was only audible to himself, Saito carefully slid his sword back into its sheath, setting it out of reach against the wall. "Someone has to teach you not to open your mouth that far…" Without further ado, the Regime officer attacked. Sano's surprised "Whoa!" disappeared behind a curtain of whirlwind attacks of the left-handed fighter. He didn't have any chance to speak afterwards- Saito's primary talent might lie in armed fighting, but he also was no novice to fistfights, as was shown by the multitude of punches connecting with his opponent's face and torso.
"Idiot!" he spat, taking a step backwards to observe his handiwork. Sano was breathing hard, one eye slowly swelling shut, the opposite cheek somewhat blown up and discolored. Slightly swaying on his feet Sano steadied himself against the wall before rising to full height again. Saito's eyes narrowed slightly, whether in surprise or because he was annoyed Sano didn't know- and frankly didn't care, either. He had enough problems to keep his breathing steady, and the nasty taste of fresh blood from a cut on the inside of his swollen cheek out of his mouth.
"That all you got?" This time, he literally spat the words, accompanied by the blood that had collected on his tongue and whose bitter taste the young fighter couldn't stand anymore. "Guess I'll have to show you a real fight!" With that, he pressed the attack, returning every single punch the Regime officer had rained down on him, just aiming to wipe that sneer from the other's eyes and lips. Frustration set in as every strong punch from his right hand was blocked by a lightning quick defensive move, every kick that should have taken the older man out was met by a counter Sano couldn't break.
"You don't know a thing about defense or tactics," Saito stated, his bored face indicating he wasn't even trying, a fact that angered and annoyed Sano even more than that he had yet to land a good hit on the yellow-eyed man.
"I'll show you tactics!" Yelling as loud as he could he charged, noticing from the corner of his eye the astonished look on Kenshin's face as the agent helped Shinomori get to his feet. His right fist drawn back he aimed for Saito's chin, the most vulnerable part of his face. He just barely registered the widening of the yellow eyes before his fist connected, a satisfying crunch taking away some of the frustration that had built up during the fight. Involuntarily, a yelp escaped his lips when he drew his fist back, pain lancing up his arm and through his spine until it exploded in bright colors before his eyes.
"Shit!" The curse flew from his mouth without thought as he cradled the strangely twisted fingers of his right hand in his left, still glaring at Saito who, as was expected, was now the one who had difficulty standing, if only for a moment.
"Idiot. You broke the bones in your hand just to hit me? I told you, you should think about tactics and defense!" Biting back the pain Sano stared the other man down defiantly. Was that a flicker of recognition and approving he saw in the yellow eyes? Or was it disappointment? Cursing softly under his breath, Sano released his right hand from the tight grip he had held it in, automatically biting his tongue as the pain freshened. It's still been weak… Megumi warned me… but I won't let him have the kid, no way!
"I can still beat you!" he growled, his voice rawer than he had meant for it to be, but sufficiently convincing in its threat- or so he thought. All his challenge earned him was a sarcastic chuckle before Saito tuned his back to him.
"Another day maybe, idiot. I don't fight invalids" The words bit into Sano's pride, taking a good chunk out of it and chewing on it before spitting it out in front of the ex-Sekihoutai's feet. Never, not once in his life had Sano felt this humiliated. Even when they had beaten him into submission in the Camp he had kept his pride and dignity. He had been respected.
Seeing red, he charged at the turned back just as Saito bent to retrieve his weapon. Too late did he realize his mistake- by then, the silver streak of light had already flashed out of its protective case and lodged deep within his right shoulder. Weakness turned his knees into jelly as he crashed to the floor, cursing the man in front of him in as many languages and words as he could think of.
"Creative," was Saito's only comment while returning the katana to its sheath after having cleaned it with a flick of his left wrist. Sano just glared at him, efficiently shut up by the indifference in the yellow eyes. "At least you managed to detain me long enough for the boy to get away- be happy about that."
And indeed- Soujirou was nowhere to be seen. Only Kenshin and Aoshi were still standing a few feet off, Kenshin's eyes promising a painful death to those who dared cross him, Aoshi's glare still colder than ice. Nodding at the agent's unspoken question Aoshi used the wall for support, leaving the agent free to confront Saito. Steps as slow as he could manage he made his way over to where Sano was kneeling, helping his fallen friend to get up, first on one knee, then, stumbling only slightly, to his feet.
"Saito!" The Regime officer acknowledged him with a glance from narrow eyes. "I didn't think you were cowardly enough to attack like this. I thought you had more honor than that!" Sano had never before heard Kenshin's voice like this, as dangerous as liquid ice and the flash of lightning across the sky. His right hand was clutching the hilt of the sword Saito had thrown him so tightly that all the blood had flowed from it, leaving it a ghastly white image of itself.
"Quit complaining, Battousai! The idiot brought it upon himself- or did you forget he was the first to attack my back?" So calm… Sano wanted nothing but to wipe that self-satisfied look from Saito's face.
"Still- he was unarmed, Saito. There is no honor in striking down an unarmed man!" By now, Kenshin's left hand was curled into a fist at his side, and he was nearly shouting. Shaking slightly, Sano uprighted himself, finally able to stand on his own two feet without leaning on Kenshin for support. His face was glowing with anger, his eyes two deep, burning holes giving away the rage in his heart.
"You are just a coward," he said, his voice as shaky and scratchy as his body was weak, his left hand clutching his shoulder turning redder with every passing second, "but then it's just as well- I know what to expect next time, and I won't be so stupid ever again. When we meet again, Saito, you are going down." And as unlikely as that promise might sound that moment, somehow Saito felt the young man meant his words.
"Don't get too excited- if you can leave here and still be alive I might fight you again, but then, maybe not. Goodbye, I have someone to find." A match was struck, and moments later the smoke from a cigarette rose to meet the ceiling as Saito's footsteps slowly vanished into the distance, his voice echoing in the circular hallway that made up Shishio's prison. Suddenly, it seemed much too narrow and stifling, and Sano almost bolted for the nearest exit when his wound had been wrapped into an improvised bandage made from Aoshi's torn shirt. Slipping on his own, beige shirt without so much as a wince Sano waited anxiously for Kenshin to decide their next move. The agent seemed to be quite out of it since his fight against Soujirou, his expression even more guarded than regularly, his eyes shadowed with emotions the young man couldn't quite place.
"Let's go- we should find Shishio, that we should." His words carried no hint of any confusing feelings- maybe Sano imagined things. But then why was Kenshin's stride so… held back? And why hadn't he challenged Saito, or followed him? The Regime officer could very well bring the whole army of the Pharaoh against them!
"Kenshin, why did you let Saito escape?" He couldn't quite suppress his curiosity. The agent's lips twitched slightly, as though he tried to smile.
"Saito will not be a problem anymore, that he won't. His pride has been damaged by attacking you out of reflex, and he knows that, that he does. He will leave us to our own devices, that he will. Shishio is the one we should worry about, that he is." Sano could only shake his head. The agent's reasoning didn't sound quite right to his ears, but then Kenshin had known that wolfish man longer than any of them, longer than even Shinomori… a sideward glance revealed the silent presence of the tall, black-haired man accompanying them. Another strange mystery… what kind of promise had he given? Something about Misao, the little girl from the farm, and something about revenge for dead comrades… it was all very, very confusing, and Sano made a mental notice to squeeze the whole story out of the agent once they were safe. At the moment, however, he had to concentrate on walking- his shoulder was throbbing, and he somehow had the feeling his head was getting lighter and lighter. Soon, his thoughts evaporated into thin air, and he caught himself staring at the ceiling above him and wondering why the hell the sky wasn't blue anymore- and how had his arm ended up around Kenshin's shoulders again? Their forward movement stopped, and Sano made sure that, albeit shakily, he stood on his own feet again as Kenshin analyzed the situation.
"We seem to have found an exit, that we do." A large steel door was barring their way. Somewhat indecisive, Kenshin eyed it until Aoshi stepped forward.
"Let me handle this, Battousai." He had just started to put in a sequence on a keypad next to the doors when they creaked, slowly opening. Shell-shocked, the three men could do nothing but stare, hoping against hope that they might escape from the inevitable…
*~*
"What do you say?" Misao grinned brightly, pulling on the collar of the uniform she had taken from a security guard who was currently lying unconscious in a closet next to the door she had just opened for her companions. She had ridden the freight elevator down to the ground floor, and once she had arrived there it had been rather simple to find an exit- really, why did the Pharaoh make it that easy for infiltrators? Bright green arrows showing the way, now, she had really expected more of a challenge. And only two guards at the door… three well-aimed kunai had taken care of the two men who had been too wrapped up in their game of Go to even notice the young ninja girl. She had hidden them in the closet, but not before taking their uniforms, discarding her blue overall in favor of the gray pants and jacket reading 'Security'. Then she had opened the door, making sure it would remain open, and had gone out to find her friends and lead them inside. She hadn't counted on giving them that much of a shock…
Shaking off the freezing spell that had befallen him at the sight of the security jacket Yahiko couldn't hold back the grin that spread across his features. "Look, Busu, it's the weasel!"
Kaoru glared at him in unison with Misao, however, their fight was cut short as Tsunan and Katsu nodded at each other and started towards the direction Misao had come from, Megumi tailing them closely.
"Oi! Wait!" Kaoru and Misao had luckily clamped their hands over Yahiko's mouth, thus muffling his cry. "Sorry," he whispered once they had taken their hands off, hurrying to keep up with the running adults.
Aoshi-sama, I'm coming! And I'm bringing reinforcements, Misao thought proudly as the entered Shishio's mansion. "Where do you think they are?" she asked out loud.
"I guess they have been put into prison, and as far as I know prisons are most likely in the underground," Katsu answered quickly, eyes warily scanning their surroundings for cameras or persons that could discover them.
"The I know just what to do!" Grinning triumphantly, Misao bounded ahead of them, into a rather large room whose walls were striped in emerald green on the white walls, and towards a rather impressive-looking elevator whose silver doors were marked with the symbol of an eye glowing red. Quickly sliding the card the security guard whose uniform she wore had carried clipped to his breast pocket she punched in a rapid succession of four numbers that were written on the card in rather sloppy handwriting. A chime sounded, and the elevator doors opened for her and her companions. However, Katsu held up a hand, holding them all back.
"I think we should separate. Divide and conquer, right? Well, I think it would be best if Yahiko, Tsunan and I search the upper level, you three girls go down. Alright?" Nods from all members of the rescue team, even though she didn't like the idea of separation Megumi thought it was the most logical choice to make. Yahiko bristled with pride that the two men had chosen him to accompany them, and almost couldn't wait for them to get going.
"Back here in a half an hour?" Tsunan asked, his slim eyebrows arching up questioningly.
"A half an hour, confirmed," Megumi stated, returning his look with a steady gaze. Misao just nodded, pulling Kaoru into the elevator with her. "See you later, guys!" she quipped as the doors closed behind her with a solid clank.
"Down we go!" She pressed the button. Endless seconds passed by, all three of the women hanging onto their own thoughts as the rush of air signaled their descent into the bowels of Shishio's fortress. Kaoru smiled, as dangerous as their situation was at the moment she couldn't shake the feeling that, very soon, everything would change for the better. Next to her, Misao was tapping her fingers against her chin, the light in her eyes making it very clear what the subject of her thoughts was at the moment. Megumi was calmer, more collected, but even her guarded eyes showed signs of hope, a hope that was connected to a certain person she vehemently denied being attracted to. Finally, the chime that announced their arrival rang, surprisingly melodious in the ears of the girls who had expected a sound atrocious enough to match the Pharaoh's taste in architecture. The heavy, steel doors took their sweet time but finally they slid open, revealing whitewashed, curving walls, interspersed with doors painted a mottled olive green- and three rather rugged figures standing tense and ready to attack in front of them.
It took the girls a moment to recognize them- too surprising was their sudden appearance, too great the changes from when they had seen them the last time. Unsurprisingly, it was Misao who was the first to break the strained silence.
"Aoshi-sama!" The cry shattered the tension, breaking it into glittering splitters of happiness. "Aoshi-sama!" Tears fell from turquoise eyes, tinkling like diamonds on the rosy cheeks under the security cap, that was discarded as she flung her body forward, towards the pale, slightly worse-for-wear man who was still too stunned to react.
"Misao?" Even though his expression seemed unchanged, a slight widening of the eyes and twitch of the eyebrows the only movement breaking his frozen features the questioning tone in his voice showed his surprise more clearly than anything else. Reflexively, his arms opened wide, welcoming the small, light form of the girl, cradling her to his bare chest, her heart fluttering under hands that tightened around her back.
"Aoshi-sama, I thought you didn't want to see me ever again!" she cried, torn between happiness and fear of rejection, even as she relished the feeling of his strong arms around her, such a fitting frame for her, so… comfortable, so right. Little did she know that he almost let her go that instant, the urge to protect his untouchableness so strong he could taste it on his tongue, a harsh, bitter taste, like foul-smelling mud. It was only the thread-thin remembrance of his promise to Himura, his promise to return to the one person that had survived the tragedy that had cost him his sanity that made him keep the shaking form of the youngest Oniwabanshu member in his arms. That, and the stirrings of a past he had thought he had overcome.
"That was… not true." The words were whispered so lightly she almost didn't catch them, surely nobody else could, but when she heard them the tears fell with renewed vigor. His hold on her tightened, so much it was almost painful, but for the first time in six months Aoshi felt at peace, felt as though he had found the place he had belonged, and for a second time stood still. Even the conflicting thoughts that tormented his mind were frozen in eternity as her tears trickled onto the warm skin over his heart.
"Foxy?" Sano blinked twice, trying to disperse the fata morgana dancing before his eyes with smiling chestnut eyes and scowling, red lips. Where did she find red lipstick in the middle of nowhere? he mused as the apparition took one step towards him, hands outstretched, wanting to welcome him- or maybe not. Since when did dreams hurt? Her slap had certainly stung, a lot so even!
"What did you think, running into a trap just like that?" her sharp voice asked. He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind that started obscuring everything and anything he saw and thought.
"Couldn't let him go alone," he answered truthfully, idly wondering why his voice sounded so slurred to his own ears. And since when did Megumi sway back and forth like that, her hands outstretched as if she wanted to catch something?
"Oi, Foxy, what's wrong?" Crashing into the hard floor Sano realized that it wasn't Megumi who had done the swaying. Strangely enough, the impact didn't even hurt- since all he could see was the angelic scowl of the physician-agent leaning over his prone form, light fingers cooling the fire raging in his shoulder, spreading like liquid through his system. "Hot…"
"Sano, how many fingers am I holding up? How many fingers, Sano?" What a stupid question… although her hands were beautiful, especially since there were so many of them… three, no, four!
"Many fingers, Foxy… Megumi… too many fingers." She frowned. Had he angered the beautiful fox? Didn't she like her many fingers? He had to make that up again! If only his head didn't hurt that much… he must've hit it when falling… Now Megumi was pulling something out of her bag- ah, she wanted to extinguish that fire in his right shoulder!
"You know what, Megumi? You're beautiful!" Was that really the best he could manage? How pitiful! No wonder was she crying… or was that rain falling down onto his left cheek that was burning where Saito had struck him… "Beautiful…" he murmured, the strength to move the muscles in his tongue slowly evaporating as he slurred the syllables together. Even he had trouble understanding himself! His left hand, at least, was still under his control, and with all the strength he could muster he reached up towards the pale cheeks and red mouth, the shining eyes that showed only concern at the moment and those long, glistening, blue-black strands that felt so soft… he thought he touched her velvety skin, caressing it with the pad of his thumb, before letting it fall back to his side with a contented sigh, not even realizing anymore that it had hit the floor as he finally blacked out from blood loss.
Megumi just stared at him, her skilled hands halted in their movements by his touch, the bandages and salves she had pulled out of the bag she had brought with her floating uselessly in the air, held up by pale, slender fingers that had forgotten what they had wanted to do. His touch was just like him- rough at first, but infinitely gentle once he had reached her, soft and sweet like she imagined his heart to be… and what was she doing there, just sitting there when he needed his help? A frown creasing her brow she set to work, stripping the shirt from his shoulders and torso, disinfecting, salving, wrapping, until there was no more to do. Only then did she allow a sigh to escape her painted lips, and, still kneeling besides him, she slowly lowered her head, until it rested on his chest, listening to the strong heartbeat pulsing against her cheek.
Exhausted and worn though as he might be, the sight of his angel was enough to make Kenshin's heart beat faster. The determined gleam in her eyes, the slightly pouting frown on her face, those few smudges of dirt she had acquired while crawling through the bushes around Shishio's mansion- she was impossibly sweet, fresh, beautiful… refreshment for senses that had been on edge for too long, senses that were rubbed raw in far too many fights.
"Kenshin!" She called his name. His voice didn't want to obey his commands, and thus it was only after a very pregnant pause that he found his answer.
"Yes, Miss Kaoru." Whether this was an answer or a question of his own whether she was real or not remained to be determined. She, however, didn't even wait for him to get accustomed to her being there. Without further ado she flung herself at him, almost choking him with her arms around his neck, not caring that he had to fight for balance because of the force her sudden movement carried with it, it was only touching him, feeling that he was alive, the fluttering of his muscles underneath his lightly tanned skin marred by the scars life had given him. A large one on his left shoulder met her fingertips as she loosened her grip, giving him space and air to breathe while allowing her to reassure herself by staying in as close contact as she could without choking him to death. He smiled, somehow pulling his arms from the space between them and lightly closing them around her waist, holding her while not really holding her. Her body pressed against his reawakened memories, something he normally shunned but gladly accepted this time since they were of the bittersweet kind… it hadn't even been a year since then, and yet it all seemed so far away when Kaoru was near, like an old scar almost forgotten, one that couldn't hurt anymore.
Eyes in the color of the deepest lake situated in a face colored like the snow-covered peak overshadowing that lake slowly spilled the liquid collecting at their corners, little creeks running over the smooth alabaster surface of her cheeks even though neither her eyes nor her lips ever lost their smile. "It's like a second birthday, finding you," she said, almost choking on her joy. He tried to give back the smile the best he could, while from the sidelines, from a corner of his mind, from his memories, another smiling face watched their happy, peaceful little moment.
*~*
Her eyes were shining, the joy his little present had brought her immeasurable as she cuddled the silken shawl folded around her neck in perfect, graceful waves. "Thank you!" she said, her voice as hushed and quiet as always, but with an undertone of cheerfulness that belied the nickname she had been given by the men in the Agency. Tomoe wasn't an Ice Queen, she had just had her share of bad experiences with people and preferred to keep herself company, not unlike he himself did. It was no wonder the two of them had hit it off so early on…even though it had been barely a month since they had first seen each other… and Tomoe still hadn't quite gotten over the fact that Kenshin was her new partner…
"I have been wondering… when is your birthday, Kenshin?" She looked at him with those heavy-lidded, sparkling brown eyes like a mixture of champagne and brandy, expecting him to answer. Even the joy her happiness brought him couldn't overcome the darkness descending upon his soul at her words.
"It's not important," he said, avoiding eye contact and sounding colder than he had wanted to. Tomoe retracted her hand, shyly clutching the shawl over her heart before stepping towards him.
"Kenshin, I want to know." She reached for him, forced him to look up into her eyes- she had about an inch of height on the young man- by holding him by the shoulders. His amber eyes showed nothing of what went on within himself, a shadowed mirror where she wanted to see his inner self.
He shrugged, dislodging her hand and retreating further into himself. "Kenshin?" So hurt, so sad… he couldn't stand to stay distant from this woman. Turning around so he at least wouldn't have to face her he fought to keep his emotions as far from his voice as possible.
"I can't tell you- I don't know when it is. Shishou never cared about these things, and I forgot about it… and now I just don't know anymore."
She hadn't been able to answer, instead, she had just stepped up behind him, slung her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder, tense and coiled as each muscle was. Her soothing hands relaxed him, and they just stood there for a while, savoring each other's company, feeling comfortable in their silence.
*~*
"Yes, that it is," he agreed, the smile gracing his lips and lighting up his eyes reaching far into the past and deep into the future, "that it is."
"Where am I?" Sano just had a way of ruining the most perfect moments. Megumi jerked away from him as he tried to sit up, falling back with a groan as she exerted just a little pressure on his right shoulder, her face a brightly burning red.
"Idiot rooster-head, you're still in Shishio's mansion. You just fell unconscious. What did you think, walking around with an injury like that! You're lucky Misao, Kaoru and I came to rescue you!" Her fury didn't even have an iota of a true ring to it, rather pathetic as it sounded.
"Foxy? So it wasn't a dream, you're really here… and you're just as beautiful as I dreamed!" Megumi was inclined to write his words of to the state of semi-delirium the tall fighter still had to be in due to the fact he had lost o much blood, but the heat rushing into her cheeks and tinting them rosier than normal belied her intention.
"You need to rest," she scolded, sounding much gentler than her usual biting sarcasm allowed. Sano squinted through tired eyes at her flushed face.
"Will you stay with me again?" She shook her head.
"I need to look after the other two first," she said, allowing him to grasp her hand and to clutch it as tightly as he could in his weakened state. He pouted, the chocolate eyes underneath the slightly ruffled red bandanna pleading.
"But you'll come back then?" There was no way she could resist the Sagara pout, Sano was sure of that. And, soon enough…
"I will," she promised, pulling back her hand and getting up, vanishing from sight to look after the other two who were in need of medical attention.
Once every cut had been bandaged, every broken bone given an improvised splint and cast they helped each other to stand, Misao supporting Aoshi's larger frame with an ease that betrayed the strength lying in her petite form, Kenshin leaning only slightly on Kaoru, not wanting to be a burden for the spirited blue-eyed woman, and Sano quite content to almost bury Megumi in his arms. Her supporting him looked more like an embrace than anything else, but she seemed more than happy to go along with it, so he didn't change his position in the slightest.
"Now, everyone ready to kick some ass?" Even though his injuries were the gravest of the whole group Sano was the most eager one to meet up with Katsu and Tsunan and then go find Shishio to finally have him out of the way for good. All of them had agreed they couldn't take the risk of the Pharaoh pursuing them once again on their flight- thus the Pharaoh had to be incapacitated. Waiting for the elevator to take them up to the ground floor again, having once more made good use of Misao's stolen code card the six fighters exchanged determined glances, assuring themselves and each other that everything would be alright- soon.
With the chime and the squeaking of the doors opening they stepped into the suddenly much brighter light of the small hall with the emerald stripes on the walls.
… to be continued …
Uh… really not much shorter than the last one, was it? And rather full of pointless fluff- at least as much pointless fluff as I could manage…
Yasai: *twitching with spasms on the ground* I'm honestly considering a visit to a therapist because of a severe case of fluff overdosing. What the hell possessed you, Chi? Sure wasn't me…
Argh, grumpy action-loving muse! There was a fight there for you as well!
Yasai: It was too short, and a little… well, you know, Chi!
Not my fault I know more about fighting with weapons than about fistfights! I never even saw a boxing match, how should I know the moves?
Yasai: Okay, okay… I rest my case.
Well, before I can start doing the reviewer's corner I have a question… I have two plots for stories I want to write once I finish SL or RtK. Sure, that's still a few week's time away, but then… I'd like to start planning now, so…
Yasai: Spit it out, Chi!
I wanted to ask if anybody were interested in reading them and telling me if they are any good… I know, I should just write what I like, but since it's two I thought I'd ask my readers about which of them is better… one is a Kenji-centered one, the other a Kaoru-centered one…
Yasai: Well, you heard her! Please answer. And now about the reviewer's corner- how about doing it now, Chi?
As you wish! Here it is ^.^
Reviewer's corner
Asuka-chan: Thank you! Hope you're not too disppointed with Sano-action... I'm a fencer, thus I have some problems writing fistfights... but I promise to be better next time, I really do! Hope there was enough WAFF!
CurlsofSerenity: A cat? I envy you! Wish I could have pets of my own... but it's not to be, my parents say that with us moving around so much we should not have pets... *snief* I want my own Sano! My twin... let's just say he's REALLY evil if he wants to be *gets dragged off computerr by angered Ry*. I know, I know, I shouldn't say these things!
ixchen: Thank you! It's just a week since my last update this time... wait, even less! Six days! *grins*
Leina: *grins* The origin of Megumi's lipstick... I almost wrote in how she found it in a drawer of her room, but then, I'd ratherr have it remain a mystery... I think she has some secret woman's power- no, seriously, I envy women like her, always looking so... womanly! Soujirou has managed to escape for now... but I don't think that's the last we'll see of him *grins*.
lebleuphenix: Kenshin's cheerleader? I was cracking up over this, you know. My family thought I had spasms because I was laughing so hard... I almost couldn't write that fight, I kept seeing Sano dressed in a short, green skirt and white T-shirt waving pompons and crying "Go! Go! Kenshin!" You're sooo evil! *sniggers* Anyways, thanks again for reviewing! Hope to see ya!
Queen of Shadows: Aoshi-Misao viewing scene completed *looks on her list* Oh, it says there will be more WAFF between those two in the next chapter! *grins* Until then...
EEevee:Sano for me is the person to 'open mouth, insert foot'... OK, I might be mistaken, but... I like him that way, reminds me a little of myself when I'm annoyed and/or angry... Northern Italy? I haven't seen too much of it, our stay in Italy was rather busy and short (and I lived there... *oops*) but it's beautiful! I would like to go back there again some time...
ESP: Whoa! Thank you for al the compliments! Hope you're not too swaped if this Fic is updated again ^.^ Thank you!!!
Brenna and Darkening: Thanks for your support, guys- and you're excluded from the read-the-plot-offer! You already gave me your opinion! *bleh* *runs and hides because Brenna attacks her with cough medicine* Go away, evil stuff! *Darkening finds her* WAAAAHHH! *gags on cough medicine*
Special thanks to: Regan6 for putting me on your 'favorite authors' list!!!
Yasai: Bye. Review. Me hungry. Need reviews for food.
What my muse really wants to say: Thank you, all readers, for having visited that little story of mine! Hope to see you around some time in a review, I need them to survive, and until we meet next time I'll just say Cya!!!
Chibi-chan and Yasai