Author's Note: Okey dokey…well…here I am with the next installment of my ficcy!!! And I really do think this one is better than the last one!!! I really tried hard on this one!!! I swear I did!!! (so what if this ISN'T better than the other one, huh? What are you going to do about it? XP)
Oh, and thanks to my best friend Anubis-Shinigami and SachiAmi for giving me ideas for this chappie!!!
Disclaimer: Normally people like to say stupid and useless things here in their disclaimer. Some people like to disclaim things in their disclaimers. Imagine that? Oh well…I had better disclaim Rurouni Kenshin now, eh? OKAY!! I don't own it!
Pools of Emptiness
Misao's eyes widened, her mind screaming in pain at watching Aoshi's blood stain the glinting sword.
She wanted to scream his name—she wanted to yell it continuously…she believed that in some way, this would make his wound disappear. She was not sure if Nakago's attack had been fatal or serious, but that was what made it worse.
Sometimes uncertainty was worse than knowing something for sure. Misao wanted to know…yet…somehow, she DIDN'T want to know.
She shut her eyes tightly. I don't want to see this…
"AOSHI-SAMA!!" Misao screamed again. But the words did not give her the comfort she wanted. Instead, it made her feel worse. At the moment, the words felt dry and foreign to her mouth.
Please…
Chapter 11
Trapped in the confines of horror
As the destruction continues
Having no way to stop it.
Misao hated the terror that was spreading through her veins. It felt like some unknown presence was inside her body…watching, waiting…waiting to hunt out its unaware prey as it walked unknowingly into the shadows of danger. There it stood, ready to rip and tear anything that came upon it.
Aoshi-sama…please…
Misao didn't want to know what was going on, yet she couldn't look away. Reopening her eyes (which she had shut tightly before), she stared at the two forms in the darkness.
Aoshi staggered and seemed to stay balanced for a moment, before he fell lightly onto is left knee, clutching his side. The clothing around the wound quickly soaked up his blood. Aoshi attempted to stand, as Misao covered her mouth.
Feeling the tears well up into her eyes, Misao shook her head. I can't cry now…
But I can't help but think that this is all my fault…
A loud voice cut into the silence of the forest.
It was Keiichi, and he had pulled a pistol out.
There was a sharp intake of breath.
Aoshi quickly looked up, having heard a familiar voice. Keiichi's face was coming in and out of focus. What? But that looks like…Keiichi…I thought he was dead…Aoshi shook his head. It's got to be because of the loss of blood…it's blurring my vision…
"Shinomori is no longer a threat to you now, is he Nakago-sama? To save you some effort, why don't I just kill him now?" Keiichi said, laughing.
Nakago was silent. Keiichi…just what the hell are you doing?
Misao stared in horror at the gun. That…COWARD!!! THAT FCKING BASTARD!!
Aoshi continued to look at Keiichi with a look that was almost of disbelief. He wasn't afraid of death, but, instead, pieces were beginning to come together.
"Shinomori doesn't deserve to fight someone like you," Keiichi said, still laughing. Soon…the power is MINE!!!
With that, he aimed the pistol at Aoshi's head.
Okina looked up into the moonlit sky. Where are you now, Misao? And where are you Aoshi?
He didn't have to look at his pink bow to know that they were both in danger. Those stupid kids…how did this happen? What happens if Aoshi fails?
Shaking these sad thoughts out of his head, Okina slowly walked into the kitchen. I just have to trust them. After all, that has never failed me before, has it? Whenever I trust in them, things always seem to turn out okay…
I just wish that…
Okina didn't know WHAT he wanted to wish for.
It was almost as if something always good just had to turn out from something bad. If you asked people who knew Okina well, they would say that he was sickeningly optimistic. Something good WILL come out of this…
Perhaps this will bring the love of Aoshi and Misao from the darkness and into the light.
Okina smiled, and then quickly frowned at another thought.
That is, of course, depending on whether they get killed or not…
Okina looked around the deserted kitchen. Now what did I come down here for?
He spotted the tea kettle.
Ah yes…
Tea…
Time to take a leaf out of Aoshi's book. Perhaps tea will calm my nerves. And sure enough, the kitchen was filled with the smells and warm noises of the making of tea.
Smiling in satisfaction, Okina sank into a comfortable chair with a steaming cup of tea. Aoshi sure is right! Tea IS good…
And he felt a lot better.
Misao watched as Keiichi's finger moved in slow motion, getting ready to pull the trigger. Before he pulled it, a scream erupted in the night. Keiichi looked up in surprise as a figure hurtled toward him in the moonlight.
Misao had lunged at Keiichi, landing heavily on his back. She looped her legs around his neck, just as his hands moved up to HER neck. Misao choked, and then looked at his hand, looking so plump and…delicious…kind of like a jelly donut – without the jelly. Not stopping to think, Misao sunk her teeth into his fingers.
Blood seeped out of the wound. NOW there was jelly…or so Misao thought. Then again, she hadn't gotten a chance to eat anything filling. Her mind was playing tricks on her . . .as usual.
"OWWWWWWW!!!" Keiichi howled. If the situation had been different, Misao would have laughed. Keiichi's scream had sounded like one of Kaoru's.
Not wasting another second, Misao aimed for the pistol, and kicked it out of Keiichi's grasp. It spun into a grove of trees, where it landed, rustling the leaves as it flew past.
Keiichi cursed.
He swung at Misao blindly and roughly, causing the urge for her to laugh to, if possible, grow. Again, Keiichi cursed loudly, seeming to be unaware of the others around him. He was too caught up with trying to get Misao off of his back.
Finally, he caught her by the ankles and swung her over his head, causing her to fall gently onto the grass with a dull thud.
Nakago turned his back to the whole scene, and instead, looked back at Aoshi, his eyes glinting maliciously.
Aoshi struggled to stand back up. Pain shot through his wounded side, and the only thing he could do was clutch it with his arm. Damn…
Nakago seemed aware of Aoshi's pain, and decided that gloating over it would be the best thing to do. "Ready to try again? Or did that little boo-boo actually hurt the great Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu?" Nakago asked, his tone dripping in maliciousness.
Aoshi was silent. The only implication of his anger and emotions were his fists, which were tense and shaking.
"I'll take that as a YES!!" Nakago yelled as he sprung at Aoshi, his katana suspended in midair.
Aoshi crossed his kodachis in front of him and blocked the attack. Nakago flipped backwards and landed in front of Keiichi.
Turning to face Nakago, Aoshi saw the haunting face of Keiichi for the second time. This time, he knew he had seen correctly.
Keiichi? But…that's not…Aoshi narrowed his eyes. What…? What the hell is he doing here?
I thought he was—
Before he could finish is thought, Nakago had sprung at him again. Not even stopping to blink, Aoshi blocked gracefully.
Wasn't he the one who—
And yet again, Nakago's katana came slashing toward his right thigh, interrupting Aoshi's train of thought. Keeping his face blank and unflinching, Aoshi jumped gracefully to left, narrowly escaping the attack. He held his kodachis tightly, ready to strike at any moment.
Keiichi was the one that told me of Nakago's—
"DIE SHINOMORI!!!!"
Nakago had somehow gotten in front of Aoshi, and his katana was heading directly toward his heart.
Unfazed, Aoshi parried the blow, and then quickly rammed one of his kodachis into Nakago's side.
Nakago groaned, but still stood. Blood was seeping through his clothing.
Damn it… Choosing to ignore the pain that had erupted in his side, Nakago sprung at Aoshi, the clashing and clanging of the swords ringing out into the otherwise silent forest.
Jumping into the air, Nakago aimed for Aoshi's back, but before he could hit it, Aoshi made an unanticipated move. Nakago blinked, not believing what he had seen. It seemed as if Aoshi was there moment, but then in the next moment, he wasn't.
Then he felt a sharp pain explode throughout his back.
Nakago's eyes widened in pain, as he fell forward.
Aoshi turned his gaze back to Keiichi for a moment, before once again, looking warily at Nakago.
Keiichi was the one that told me of Nakago's…death…
But…what does this mean?
Could it be that…Nakago isn't the traitor…
But…it's Keiichi?! Why?
Keiichi wasn't paying any attention to Aoshi at the moment. Instead, he was in horror at Nakago's slumped form. What?! But…that's not supposed to happen!! If Nakago dies, then all is lost. All the things I have done would have been for nothing!!! But wait…if he loses, then I die!
Aoshi turned to look at Keiichi. Why?
Then, the answer hit him. For power.
He was always a power-hungry idiot…
Keiichi couldn't think of anything else to do. He was no warrior, so if Aoshi won, there would be no escaping death.
I can't stick around here!!!
Keiichi looked fearfully back at Nakago, who hadn't moved. He decided that he had no choice but to run for it.
Little did he know, Aoshi was piecing everything together. The more he figured out, the angrier he became. There was no escaping it: Aoshi was not happy. He finally knew everything; why Nakago was alive, why Nakago thought him a traitor, why this was all happening, and why Misao was kidnapped.
Keiichi…you TRAITOR!!!
Nakago attempted to stand back up, using his katana to help him. Planting it into the ground, Nakago stood unsteadily, his legs trembling. Then, he pulled his katana roughly out of the ground, and turned to glare at Aoshi.
Ignoring the throbbing pain in his side, Nakago attacked.
Keiichi glanced for a second at the fighting figures, before starting off into the shadows of the forest.
Aoshi had seen everything, though Nakago had not. Ignoring Nakago, Aoshi turned, instead, toward the disappearing figure.
"Keiichi, you COWARD!" Aoshi yelled, forgetting to keep his mask of indifference glued to his face.
Before he understood what he was doing, Aoshi took aim, and threw one of his kodachis at Keiichi.
Keiichi turned, just in time to see a kodachi speeding toward his heart. He didn't have time to dodge it, and stood shocked, as a numbing pain begin to spread throughout his entire body. Keiichi groaned, eyes wide and fearful as the realization that he was dying hit him.
No…I can't…
This can't be…the end…
Keiichi lurched forward, managing only to whisper a small and quiet, "No…" before he fell. He lay twitching on the ground for a moment, before stopping for the last time. Then, all was quiet as Misao, Nakago, and Aoshi stared at the body, which was slowly and steadily spreading blood onto the forest floor.
A blood-stained leaf flew toward Nakago. He caught it. Keiichi…no…he can't…die…
Nakago turned toward Aoshi, his eyes blazing in anger and pain.
"Y-You…y-you…" Nakago sputtered.
Aoshi merely looked at Nakago's grief-stricken face, the look of hatred somehow etched into it.
"Shinomori…y-you…you're a TRAITOR!!! How could you…he…"
"Nakago…listen to me…" Aoshi started to say. I have to tell Nakago…he has to know the truth…Keiichi is the traitor!
Glaring, Nakago attacked. Nakago wasn't even thinking about his attacks any longer. He was just attacking blindly and stupidly.
"NO! How could you do it AGAIN? Is this what you do? Betray people? Why? How—" Nakago slashed at Aoshi.
Aoshi blocked with a loud clang. "Nakago, listen—"
But Nakago refused to listen. "So you just betrayed Keiichi now? What kind of…person are you? How could you stand to live with your treacherous self? What have I ever done to you? What has Keiichi ever done to you?"
Aoshi did not like the way Nakago looked at the moment. His eyes looked wild, as if he were fighting to keep his sanity.
Nakago longed for a way to gain revenge. Killing Aoshi did not seem a sufficient enough of a punishment. What can I do to punish Shinomori before I kill him?
His eyes strayed to Misao. Her…
But…I promised that I wouldn't hurt her after I killed Shinomori…
But he killed Keiichi…
Acting quickly, Nakago sped toward Misao, and locked her neck securely in his left arm. With his right arm, he held his katana to Misao's neck.
Despite herself, Misao screamed.
"Shinomori…you killed everything that I cared about, and now, I will do the same to you," Nakago said almost mockingly. He slid the blade closer to Misao's neck.
Aoshi stopped trying to persuade Nakago. He forgot everything he was about to say…about how they were both just innocent friends caught amidst an evil plot for power, and about how Keiichi was the traitor. Instead, he acted on instinct.
He had only acted quickly, not stopping to think about what he was going to do. Misao was in danger, and the threat had to be killed.
Nakago was watching Aoshi intently, trying to anticipate his opponent's next move. His eyes widened slightly as Aoshi disappeared, and then reappeared right in front of him.
Before Nakago knew what was going on, Aoshi was already thrusting his kodachi forward into his chest. Nakago groaned, as the blood gushed out of the wound. He made a wild slash for Aoshi with his katana, before it clattered to the ground.
Misao screamed again, as even more of his blood poured onto the floor of the forest.
Shutting her eyes tightly, she tried not to whimper. Too much blood…
A small choking noise issued from Nakago's mouth, as he fell to the dirt ground, still clutching the leaf that was covered in Keiichi's blood. Shinomori betrayed me…
And that was the last thought that Nakago held in his head before he closed his eyes for one final time. The leaf that held Keiichi's blood fluttered to the ground, no longer able to cause ripples and distortions of the truth.
Nakago was dead.
Falling to his knees, Aoshi stared blankly at the body of his once-close friend, as Misao stood a meter away, gasping for breath through the tears that were streaming down her face. Misao had seen death before—but not like this.
The death she had seen had been cause between enemies—but never death between friends.
Misao hated the silence that was slowly engulfing them. She had to say something…something to fill up this empty silence.
All that issued from her mouth was a small whimper.
She tried again.
"Oh…Aoshi-sama…"
Aoshi looked up at her, making Misao give an involuntary shudder. She blinked back tears as she stared into the same chilling eyes of Aoshi Shinomori.
His eyes were so empty…
Author's Note: Yeah…um…here's all I can say: I TRIED!!! So…what did you think? Did you like it? Was it good? Was it okay? Yeah…so this fic is almost done…probably one or two more chapters left…and then maybe an epilogue!!! Anyways, review and tell me what you think!!!
Oh, oh…and what did y'all notice? Hmmm? Come on…you can tell me! What did you notice about this chapter? (waits impatiently) Okay, I'll TELL you what's different!!! It's longer than usual!!! SEE? DIDN'T YOU NOTICE? HUH? Be proud of me!!!
Thanks to all who reviewed!!!
Okay everybody!!!
This fic is nearly done!!!
And this chapter was really long!!! (to me anyways…)
So…what are you all reading this crap for?
Do something useful and REVIEW!!!!
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!