Sentiments of gip-k: -Hello, all. I finally update, as you can well see. ^_^ I had a bit of writers' block and was working on a different story. Yes, some may count that betrayal. But by now, I have returned, so all is right with the world, eh? ^_^ Oh yes, to ease your nerves I put a little interlude. ^_^
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Disclaimer:
Me: Go ahead, Kenshin. (nudges him)
Kenshin: (gulp) Um, Miss gip-k owns this story, and all characters that are not seen in the Rurouni Kenshin series, such as Wuki and Raekan. (Looks at me uneasily, but I press him on) I- um- I swear that all that I have is Miss g-
Kaoru: (Smacks Kenshin on the head and he says "Oro!") What is wrong with you! Gip-k doesn't own you! You belong to Watsuki- (then Kaoru gets a mischievous look) Actually, you belong to me.
Kenshin: ORO?!?!
Kaoru: (dragging him away) Thanks for getting him where I could find him, gip-k. (Winks)
Me: (Smoke is coming out of ears and is glaring at Kaoru) You're NOT welcome. -_-
Well, you heard Kenshin. Wuki and Raekan belong to me, but everything else belongs to Watsuki Nobuhiro- (Glares at Kaoru's back once more and mutters) -and Kaoru.
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---Worsening trials---
I never dreamt that I'd lose Sano like that, but I did. I lost him- no; actually, I had thrown him away. I had especially never dreamt that I would actually… miss him. There are just some times when I yearn to see him again. I can't sleep, wondering what he is doing. Most likely getting into trouble.
Then I worry over Kenshin sometimes, too. He comforts me, but it seems that he is still distant- far away. He gets that scary look on his face more often now, and he acts kind of strange. I just wish I could figure him out. He's like a book that I just can't read. It makes me want to cry out from sheer frustration.
That was not the worst of my problems. Right when I thought that I could move on- never have to look back again- things just started chipping apart. I almost laughed hysterically- cried in pain… but I was too frustrated to know which to do.
It was a nice, cool evening. The sun was slipping down the trees, sounds of day being replaced by the call of nocturnal creatures. I was too wired to sleep. Kenshin was in his room, resting, but most likely not asleep, either. I didn't even get out of my kimono. I had decided to sit on the steps of the dojo and enjoy the sunset and fresh air. I knew I wasn't going to sleep- not just to be sore and restless- this was much better- much more soothing. On a futon, when all is quiet and you lose alertness, you're mind begins to drift to the past- the events of the day and the days that have already gone by. It was just… frustrating.
When finally all was cloaked in complete darkness, I sighed. It was really time to go to bed, wasn't it? It was time to go back to that… emptiness and yearning.
I walked lazily back to my rooms, hoping that tonight would be better than the nights before. I looked up to the sky. No moon, yet. I sighed once more, then turned back to head on my way.
I undressed for bed, and then lay down. I did not even bother closing my eyes. I just stayed up to think. To think and ponder the events of the past, as I did more often than not.
I just lay there for hours, for each time I tried to close my eyes, images would suddenly appear, haunting me with the remembrance of my faults.
Finally, I let out an exasperated sigh and kicked out of my covers. I got out of bed, not knowing what else to do. My night vision was perfect, and that, added to the light outside…
I opened my doors abruptly, and looked skyward. The full moon was up, a shining silvery sphere that brightened the night. I turned back to my room. By happenstance, the light from outside was shining on my bokken, seemingly illuminating it. Also, the light was shining on a darkish blue kimono that was hanging on my wall. I looked back and forth from outside to in, and idea seemingly forming in the space between.
Before long, I found myself dressed up in that old kimono, hair smartened up a little, and my bokken tied at my hip. I must have been an odd sight to see, but I didn't care. I was stressed out, and was most certainly going for a walk. The moon shone as brightly as possible, almost, and I could definitely use some time alone in tranquility. And perhaps some exercise would help me, too.
So I carefully opened the doors. Kenshin had sharp ears- well, I hadn't thought of that when I had first opened the doors, but I suppose that was because I wasn't really doing anything he wouldn't approve of, just looking outside. He would most certainly be more than a bit curious if he caught me going off in the middle of the night, especially alone. He would probably follow me as my guardian or something, which I wouldn't exactly mind- well, actually I would. I could take care of myself. No need for Kenshin to be getting out of bed to do anything for me. At times, he seemed to think that I was still a small child.
I sighed. Poor Kenshin. If only he could understand what I was going through a bit more- and if only he would rest at ease more often.
As I stepped out, I said a silent good-bye to Kenshin and the dojo, and stealthily sneaked out.
I began my walk, sure to breathe in lots of fresh, cool air. I walked at a steady pace- after all, I was trying to get some exercise. I watched the trees carefully. Someone might try and jump me, but if he did… I smirked. Well, if he did, he'd get a nice little piece of my mind.
I continued walking, enjoying myself quite a bit. I hadn't known walking could be so relaxing. And speaking of exercise, I needed to practice a little with my bokken so that I could stay in shape. I'd been too distracted all of the time.
The word "distracted" made a wave of slight sorrow pass over me. Yahiko's death and Sano's departure had been quite difficult, to say the least. But… I thought firmly. I will get through them.
I suddenly realized I'd been walking for a very long time- I could already see the town square. I decided to stroll around there a little bit.
The prospect of being alone seemed to frighten me a little bit, which was strange. I was not frightened of anything. I squashed the silly thought. I'd walked to town alone hundreds of times before Kenshin and the others arrived. Why should I be afraid to do the same again?
Right about this time, the square was just about empty. There was an occasional passer-by or a person on a night job. And there were a few police officers, how much comfort I should get from them being there I did not know.
Also, there were beggars, and people selling mid-night snacks or something of the sort to the workers, but very little overall noise.
But then I heard something that caught my ears. Children laughing and cheering, possibly? I did not know, but I was curious. Young people weren't supposed to be out in the streets this late at night.
I followed my ears, which I considered to be quite good, and took a right turn. My night vision was very good now, especially so from being in the dark for so long, and the moonlight illuminated everything. So I could see extremely clearly.
And what I did see, shocked me to the bone.
I would recognize those two people on the ground in pitch darkness miles away.
Tsubame was on the ground, and Wuki was on top of her, kissing her face very roughly. Wuki's friends were cheering him on, and laughing and yelling. From what I could see… Tsubame liked it.
At first my shock overcame my protective instinct- but when the realization kicked in. Well, they were wearing all their clothes, so Wuki wasn't-
Then I blinked, snapping myself out of it.
"What in the hell are you doing?" I demanded angrily.
Wuki's friends all gave simultaneous starts, and Wuki jumped off Tsubame like she was on fire. Tsubame also tried to jump up, but she fell back down.
"K- Kaoru?" she stammered, now flat on her stomach and peering up at me with wide eyes.
I ignored Tsubame almost totally, and looked up at Wuki. He was glaring at me.
"Why can't you just keep your nose in your own business?" he growled.
Tsubame was slowly getting up from the ground, now, but I barely noticed that.
"This is my business," I retorted.
Wuki gave me an insolent grin.
"So, what're you going to do to me?" he asked.
I pulled out my bokken smoothly.
"I am going to give you a beating you'll never forget, that's what!" I retorted hotly.
Wuki's friends let out startled murmurs when they saw the bokken, and Wuki for a moment just stood there, staring. Then he and his friends burst out into laughter. My cheeks heated up, but not from embarrassment at all.
"Oh, so you're going to beat us all up with a stupid little stick?" Wuki asked, still laughing. "You're a- girl!"
Wuki's friends burst out in another round of laughter. I just glared at them.
Then Wuki had the audacity to ask his petty little friends to "take care of me". I was too angry to laugh or mock them.
When the first clumsy boy came at me, I let out a yell, and I used my bokken to slash across his chest. He let out a cry of pain, and as the other boy came at me, kicked him in the knee. I groaned. Stupid kimono! I had meant to kick him between the legs!
The other boy was recovering quickly, so I gave him another whack with my bokken, smacking him square in the chest. He fell backwards, writhing in pain. Then I flipped around, and ran backwards a bit. One of the boys charged at me, but I tripped him easily and smacked him in the side with the bokken.
"Take that!" I yelled as he moaned in pain.
"You stupid little-" he muttered as he grabbed at my feet. He somehow managed to pull me down and I let out a small cry. Not nearly enough to defeat Kaoru Kamiya, so when I fell down, I sat up immediately, and smacked him across the arms with the bokken. This time he let out a real yell. That was going to hurt for quite some time.
I scrambled back up, and when the third boy came in front of me, I hit him real hard on the face with the bokken, and I felt his bones smashing in as his nose was broken. He stepped, back, holding unto it, sobbing out.
Somehow I hadn't managed to see the last boy. He came up behind, me grabbing my waist. He was the biggest and the strongest, and he held me tightly as I tried to wriggle out of his grasp.
"Let me go!" I yelled. I fought him and fought him. But then I got an idea…
"YOOOWIEEEE!" the boy cried as I sunk my teeth into his arm. He immediately let me go from the shock, and I kicked him between the legs and whacked him hard on the head with the bokken, rendering him near unconscious.
By this time I was panting, and I turned back to Wuki, who was staring at me in amazement and perhaps fear.
"This time-" I said. "It's your turn."
"NOOO!" I heard a small cry, and immediately Tsubame was standing in front of Wuki, arms outstretched in protection of him.
"Tsubame what are you doing?" I asked, blinking as I stopped my bokken in mid-air.
"Don't hurt him!" she cried frantically. The moonlight caught the plea in her eyes, and it seemed so… touching.
I heard the boys I'd just beaten up moaning around me, but I ignored them, my eyes fixed firmly on Tsubame. I was still in deep shock at her words, and more so, her action.
"It's okay Little Tsu," Wuki said soothingly. He put his hands on Tsubame's shoulders. "I am alright." Wuki glared at me, but I thought I saw triumph in his face.
Tsubame lowered her arms, but she continued looking up at me, this time not with pleading, but with strength.
"Leave us alone, Kaoru," she said. "We don't want you here. I am not your friend. I don't- I don't want to ever see your face again. Not ever. I hate you. Wuki loves me, and there's nothing that you can do- nothing you can do to stop it. So just leave us alone."
Tsubame's fierce words froze me stiff. They cut at my heart like a knife.
"Alright," I said barely audibly.
I looked at them once more with ever-blinking eyes. Was it true? Did Wuki really love Tsubame? I looked once more, and then squashed the idea. No, he didn't. He was just a trophy that he wanted to show to his friends. The friends that she had just beaten.
Yet Tsubame's words seemed to have an effect on me- it seemed that she desired obedience- expected obedience. And she was not about to step away from her beloved Wuki, no matter the costs.
So, I turned around slowly and walked away, not taking much care to step over or avoid the boys lying on the ground. I just kind of dragged myself over them, my mind too stressed out to even understand anything. My eyes blurred with sudden tears. Why? Why did she love Wuki so much? Couldn't she understand that he was just using her? That he was a fake? Why was she being so hard to reach?
I gave a start, and actually even screamed when two hands settled themselves on my shoulders. My heart pounded in my chest, and I flipped around, ready to violently attack whoever was sneaking up on me. My eyes widened at the sight of the person.
"Shush, shush, Miss Kaoru, it is just this unworthy one."
"Kenshin?" I said, my mind just becoming more confused. I blinked. "What are you -?"
Then it just occurred to me. I should have known that I could not actually leave the dojo without Kenshin noticing, and my assumption that he would follow me would be right in any circumstance.
I embraced him tightly, my heart flooded with sudden relief. He was exactly what I needed.
Kenshin made an embarrassed kind of choking sound, so I let him go.
"Are you all right, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked.
I nodded vigorously, but then I thought about everything that happened, and tears involuntarily began rolling down my cheeks. Kenshin, ever so gently and carefully, brushed them away.
"Shhh, hush now, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said gently. "Tsubame will be all right, that she will."
That only made me sob harder.
Kenshin and I walked home together. I realized suddenly from his statement about Tsubame being all right, that he knew everything that was going on. I also knew that he'd seen everything, and had followed me as soon as I'd left the dojo. Were I not so broken, I would've snorted. Why couldn't I have Hiten Mitsirugi stealth, too?
Kenshin gently tucked me into bed, and I once more resisted the urge to ask him to stay with me, or to pull him inside with me. I let out a sigh as soon as I was sure he was out of earshot. Another night alone.
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gip-k's Post chapter Statements: -Hello. -_- I guess that was… well… sadder than before, perhaps. You are all probably wondering where this is going to go or how it will end. -_- You'll just have to endure.
Now here are my special thanks.
Crazed Fanatic Anime Fan
She's always here- she's always there- she's always everywhere! ^_^ Thank you, CFAF, for reviewing. It seems you always read and review just as soon as I've updated, which is very nice. ^_^ I will finish reading your story soon- I get so many author alerts I sometimes forget to read the stories! -_- Sadness. :D Well, thanks again for reading!
I have nine very happy readers who have put me on their favorites list. That makes me happy, too! Since I didn't get to check my mail, don't know who else reviewed this time around or who to think! And even if I did, I might now remember! So…
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! ^_^
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