Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters. All are
trademark and property of Nobuhiro Watsuki.
'...' indicates thought
*...* empahsis point (like bold)
********************
Back at the dojo, Kenshin had Yutaro tell Kaoru, Sanouske, and Megumi what he had done.
"I'm very sorry Kaoru-Sensei. You too, Sanosuke-San and Megumi-San. It was an awful thing for me to do. I'll be leaving the dojo now." Yutaro sounded sad, but mostly ashamed. He felt awful for what'd he'd done..... but he did like Tsubame and Yahiko *was not* going to have her...
He turned to go when Kaoru put her hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stop.
"What you did was wrong Yutaro, but you will not be leaving." Her voice was gentle, yet scolding, him of the wrong he had done. She then gave him a warm smile, trying to show him she knew he was a wondeful person deep down and she could overlook this mistake.
He smiled back. "Thank you Kaoru-Sensei. I'll go practice now." The young boy disappeared around the side of the dojo, a shinai in his hand. Unlike Yahiko, he didn't carry his shinai around with him everywhere and always had to run inside to get it from his room.
Over the next few days, Yahiko seemed to be getting better. He was breathing much easier and had stopped having little seizures. He was still getting plenty of rest on Megumi's orders, 15 hours a day!
And to the relief of everyone, he was now able to talk a little more, seeing as his lungs had begun to take in more air. But his 'family' wouldn't let him talk much of the time, wanting him to build up his strength.
So hand signals had been created to help with the everyday needs. The hands cupped together showed he wanted water. One upturned hand showed he was hungry. And the arms folded in an 'x' over his chest showed he was cold.
He was also staring to eat, after Sano got on his case. He'd always been light and still a heavy eater, but that changed when Megumi and Dr. Genzai created a diet plan. Well, not exactly a diet but more of 'eat these foods to help you gain weight yet remain healthy diet.' In fact, Yahiko only weighed about 30 lbs, from not eating for 8 days straight.
On Yahiko's ninth day since the attack, Kaoru left to go run errands. No one was worried about Yahiko being on his deathbed, because he wasn't doing so bad anymore. But he still always had someone watching over him, fearing he would take a turn for the worse.
Kaoru really didn't want to leave him. She worried constantly although everyone was always telling her everything would be all right.
"He's getting better," Megumi had said, a smile on her face after one of Yahiko's check-ups. "All the cuts are healing nicely and he's gaining weight.
Sano had said, "The brat'll be up in a few days and then you'll wish he hadn't gotten better."
Kenshin had just smiled and said Yahiko would be alright.
Even Yutaro had been a big help. He came in to help Yahiko and find out what he needed. He helped out with chores to take over from Yahiko and to give Kenshin some time to spend with Yahiko. But Yutaro always disappeared around Akabeko closing time and would come home about an hour or so later, a big grin on his face.
********************
~*~*~POV assumed by Sanjo Tsubame~*~*~
(A/N- I wrote it in Japanese format [last name first] b/c it seemed more natural. This part is also in here b/c Tsubame has an important decision to make.....)
I was sitting on my navy blue futon, playing with the fringe on the corner. It was very dark outside even though it was only three in the afternoon.
Soon I would be heading over to the Kamiya Dojo to see Yahiko.
Yahiko...... A wistful sigh escaped my lips. I'd been seeing the looks he was giving me, he knew something was up.
And he was right. Everyday after work, Yutaro would come over and we would sit out back in the forest talking. He'd even kissed me a few times.... well..... maybe more then a few... I put my hand to my cheek in rembrance.
Yutaro was so kind, so gentle. He and Yahiko were complete opposites. Where as Yahiko was headstrong and daring, Yutaro was a bit more cautious. Except for the incident with the letters and all that.
Yahiko could be mean or teasing in situations he didn't feel comfortable in while Yutaro would calmly rationalize the situation.
The only thing they had in common was they were both amazingly stubborn. They both tried to get what they wanted and would never back down from a challenge. That was the probelm.
They both liked me. I think... But neither would be willing to give that love up for friendship. And I couldn't keep playing both of them. In a way, Yutaro was playing off Yahiko's battered state and I almost thought of that as cheating. But not really.
What to do! I flopped down and curled up, clutching Kia to my chest. Kia was my doll, the doll that Yahiko got me for Tanbata. The special thing about her was she wasn't a Japanese doll. She was a porcelain doll from England! She wore a little lacy pink dress with lots of ruffles. Her brown hair hung down long, but I had a spare ribbion I loved to tie it up with. She had wide blue eyes and a little red mouth, I loved her and treasured her.
I knew I had to make a decision. Would it be Yahiko, the boy who had saved me, helped me, and been the first person to see me as a friend? Or would it be Yutaro, the rich boy from Germany, who wrote me poetry, and always knew just what to say?
I laid in bed for what seemed like 5 minutes, but when I glanced at the clock, I realized it was five thirty. I was supposed to be ay the dojo half an hour ago! With a shocked yelp, I jumped off the futon, smoothed down my kimono that Tae had given me, purple with pink roses on the cuffs, and dashed out the door, pulling my sandals on along the way.
~*~*~End Tsubame POV~*~*~
***************************
Kaoru and Yutaro were practicing in the training hall. Sano was sitting on the dojo steps, chewing on his fishbone, wondrering if he should go look for the young waitress.
'I do hope the girl's alright. Maybe I should go head out and look around for her.'
He was just about to rise from his seat when he heard the clipping noises of sandals hitting the hard packed earth at a furious pace. A moment later, Tsubame was leaning wearily on the dojo gates, trying desperately to regain her breath.
"Tsubame, you alright?" Sano called. "Where have ya been?"
"I...um....I was sleeping and lost track of the time..."
Sano chuckled. "It's okay. Come sit down a sec and catch your breath."
Tsubame complied and collapsed next to Sano. "Do they need me for anything?"
"Yeah... When you get a chance. Kenshin's with him right now and said he'd like a cup of tea. I would've made it, cept I can't make tea. Heck, Jou-Chan can make tea better than me!
Tsubame giggled and then stopped, thinking she might be hurting Sano's feelings. Sano might not be able to make tea, but he could give advice.
"Sanosuke, I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Ummm.... let's say there's this girl and she knows two guys like her but she doesn't want to say no to one in case she hurts their feelings. What should she do?"
"Easy. Go with her gut."
Tsubame gave him a puzzled look.
"It means to go with the one your heart tells you to choose."
"Oh........... Thank you Sanosuke." Tsubame rose from the steps and got ready to go inside when Sano called out.
"Hey, Tsubame? By any chance, were you referring to Yahiko and Yutaro?"
She blushed and bowed her head. "No," she said softly, retreating to the kitchen.
"Sure," muttered Sano to himself, "Sure...."
Kenshin was kneeling next toYahiko, as he watched the kid sleep. Sighing, Kenshin put his head in his hands. He hadn't been feeling well. His ki seemed to be out of whack. 'It will probably be better in the morning...... I do hope Tsubame-Chan hurries with that tea....'
************************
Anohorea stood on the shingled roof of the Kamiya Dojo. He had been asking around town all day where a kid named Yahiko lived. He'd learned that a kid named by the name of Yahiko lived and trained at the dojo on the hill. Now he just had to see if this was the place.
Using his oversized sword, he cut a hole in the roof, hoping to find the room where the Myojin brat was. The first room proved to be an empty bedroom with a spare futon tucked in the corner.
The next room was full of kettles and pots and pans. It appeared he'd found the kitchen. Two more useless rooms later, Anohorea was growing frustrated. He hadn't even seen anyone in the dojo except for a guy on the front porch.
But the next room was what he had been looking for. Sleeping on a futon was Yahiko, and sitting next to him, also apparently sleeping, was the redhead who had beaten him earlier.
'Damn! How do I get the samurai out of the way so I can get the kid?...... I got it.'
With a careful leap, he jumped through the hole landing on top of Kenshin.
"OORRR-" Kenshin yelled as the huge form muffled his sound and soundly knocked him out. Using his foot, Anohorea kicked Kenshin's limp form against the far wall.
Yahiko had bolted awake when he heard Kenshin yell.
"Ano-," he yelped, before Anohorea used his muscled arm to succesfully cut off Yahiko's words, but leave just enough air for the kid to breathe.
"Now you die, Myojin Yahiko!" A wicked gleam, full of greed and power filled his face as he raised his sword towards the struggling boy.
"Not so fast, Anohorea!" Sano ran into the room. "Let the kid go!"
'It's the guy from the porch. Now I recoginize who he is. That's the famous Zanza!'
"I will, after he dies!"
Sano could see the fear in Yahiko's eyes. He was at this man's mercy, the sword just below his throat. The probelm, this man didn't seem to have mercy.
Anohorea raised the sword and prepared to stab Yahiko in the chest, as the kid vainly tried to free himself. The blade came crashing down with a lightning fast speed. Yahiko close dhis eyes tightly, knowing it would all be over in a second.
But he never felt the blow. Cracking one eye opened, he saw that Sano had grabbed the blade and wasn't letting go. Anohorea took the weight off the sword causing Sano to stumble. Then he used a swift kick, and knocked Sano against the wall, sending the man threw the thin ricepaper.
"Now you die!" But at that moment Tsubame came in carrying a tea tray.
"Kenshin, I brought you your-ahhhhh!" She had just noticed Kenshin and Sanosuke against the wall, with Anohorea standing in the middle of the room, raising his blade once again, preparing to kill Yahiko, who was still struggling in his grasp to get free.
But when Tsubame screamed, she threw the tea tray upward. It now came crashing down on top of Anohorea's head. The tea splashed over him and Anohorea yelled in pain as the hot tea hit his unprotected face.
The diversion was all Sano needed.
He came charging threw the ruined wall and punched Anohorea's face, following with a side kick to Anohorea's midsection. Then he punched the flat part of the sword and it went clattering harmlessly to the floor, away from
Anohorea groaned as he dropped the now unconcious Yahiko to the floor, and then fell on top of him!
**********************
Author's Notes:
In a way, I kind of feel bad for Anohorea. He tries so hard to accomplish a goal and is beaten by a cup of tea. So sad......
Thanks to all my reviewers. You guys have been great!
And for the first time in this story, I am going to do reviewer's comments! Yeah!
~*~*~
~*~Tocole~*~ Thank you very much! Would you believe it that bringing Yutaro and Tsubame together (maybe?) wasn't in my original outline? It kinda came to me in a dream... weird....
~*~Lisha-Chan~*~ You're right, *very* bad Yutaro. But what happens if Tsubame chooses she loves him? Hmmmmmm...... I know you wouldn't like that!
~*~whateveryasay~*~ Thanks a bunch! I love geeting great feedback and it often helps me to decide what I wan to do with the story. So you guys help too! ^^
~*~Tomoe2Kenshin~*~ Yeah, poor Yahiko. I wonder what he'll do when he figures out Yutaro loves his Tsubame. And when he finds Tsubmae kinda likes him back.... ^^
*********************
Please review again! Thanks!
'...' indicates thought
*...* empahsis point (like bold)
********************
Back at the dojo, Kenshin had Yutaro tell Kaoru, Sanouske, and Megumi what he had done.
"I'm very sorry Kaoru-Sensei. You too, Sanosuke-San and Megumi-San. It was an awful thing for me to do. I'll be leaving the dojo now." Yutaro sounded sad, but mostly ashamed. He felt awful for what'd he'd done..... but he did like Tsubame and Yahiko *was not* going to have her...
He turned to go when Kaoru put her hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stop.
"What you did was wrong Yutaro, but you will not be leaving." Her voice was gentle, yet scolding, him of the wrong he had done. She then gave him a warm smile, trying to show him she knew he was a wondeful person deep down and she could overlook this mistake.
He smiled back. "Thank you Kaoru-Sensei. I'll go practice now." The young boy disappeared around the side of the dojo, a shinai in his hand. Unlike Yahiko, he didn't carry his shinai around with him everywhere and always had to run inside to get it from his room.
Over the next few days, Yahiko seemed to be getting better. He was breathing much easier and had stopped having little seizures. He was still getting plenty of rest on Megumi's orders, 15 hours a day!
And to the relief of everyone, he was now able to talk a little more, seeing as his lungs had begun to take in more air. But his 'family' wouldn't let him talk much of the time, wanting him to build up his strength.
So hand signals had been created to help with the everyday needs. The hands cupped together showed he wanted water. One upturned hand showed he was hungry. And the arms folded in an 'x' over his chest showed he was cold.
He was also staring to eat, after Sano got on his case. He'd always been light and still a heavy eater, but that changed when Megumi and Dr. Genzai created a diet plan. Well, not exactly a diet but more of 'eat these foods to help you gain weight yet remain healthy diet.' In fact, Yahiko only weighed about 30 lbs, from not eating for 8 days straight.
On Yahiko's ninth day since the attack, Kaoru left to go run errands. No one was worried about Yahiko being on his deathbed, because he wasn't doing so bad anymore. But he still always had someone watching over him, fearing he would take a turn for the worse.
Kaoru really didn't want to leave him. She worried constantly although everyone was always telling her everything would be all right.
"He's getting better," Megumi had said, a smile on her face after one of Yahiko's check-ups. "All the cuts are healing nicely and he's gaining weight.
Sano had said, "The brat'll be up in a few days and then you'll wish he hadn't gotten better."
Kenshin had just smiled and said Yahiko would be alright.
Even Yutaro had been a big help. He came in to help Yahiko and find out what he needed. He helped out with chores to take over from Yahiko and to give Kenshin some time to spend with Yahiko. But Yutaro always disappeared around Akabeko closing time and would come home about an hour or so later, a big grin on his face.
********************
~*~*~POV assumed by Sanjo Tsubame~*~*~
(A/N- I wrote it in Japanese format [last name first] b/c it seemed more natural. This part is also in here b/c Tsubame has an important decision to make.....)
I was sitting on my navy blue futon, playing with the fringe on the corner. It was very dark outside even though it was only three in the afternoon.
Soon I would be heading over to the Kamiya Dojo to see Yahiko.
Yahiko...... A wistful sigh escaped my lips. I'd been seeing the looks he was giving me, he knew something was up.
And he was right. Everyday after work, Yutaro would come over and we would sit out back in the forest talking. He'd even kissed me a few times.... well..... maybe more then a few... I put my hand to my cheek in rembrance.
Yutaro was so kind, so gentle. He and Yahiko were complete opposites. Where as Yahiko was headstrong and daring, Yutaro was a bit more cautious. Except for the incident with the letters and all that.
Yahiko could be mean or teasing in situations he didn't feel comfortable in while Yutaro would calmly rationalize the situation.
The only thing they had in common was they were both amazingly stubborn. They both tried to get what they wanted and would never back down from a challenge. That was the probelm.
They both liked me. I think... But neither would be willing to give that love up for friendship. And I couldn't keep playing both of them. In a way, Yutaro was playing off Yahiko's battered state and I almost thought of that as cheating. But not really.
What to do! I flopped down and curled up, clutching Kia to my chest. Kia was my doll, the doll that Yahiko got me for Tanbata. The special thing about her was she wasn't a Japanese doll. She was a porcelain doll from England! She wore a little lacy pink dress with lots of ruffles. Her brown hair hung down long, but I had a spare ribbion I loved to tie it up with. She had wide blue eyes and a little red mouth, I loved her and treasured her.
I knew I had to make a decision. Would it be Yahiko, the boy who had saved me, helped me, and been the first person to see me as a friend? Or would it be Yutaro, the rich boy from Germany, who wrote me poetry, and always knew just what to say?
I laid in bed for what seemed like 5 minutes, but when I glanced at the clock, I realized it was five thirty. I was supposed to be ay the dojo half an hour ago! With a shocked yelp, I jumped off the futon, smoothed down my kimono that Tae had given me, purple with pink roses on the cuffs, and dashed out the door, pulling my sandals on along the way.
~*~*~End Tsubame POV~*~*~
***************************
Kaoru and Yutaro were practicing in the training hall. Sano was sitting on the dojo steps, chewing on his fishbone, wondrering if he should go look for the young waitress.
'I do hope the girl's alright. Maybe I should go head out and look around for her.'
He was just about to rise from his seat when he heard the clipping noises of sandals hitting the hard packed earth at a furious pace. A moment later, Tsubame was leaning wearily on the dojo gates, trying desperately to regain her breath.
"Tsubame, you alright?" Sano called. "Where have ya been?"
"I...um....I was sleeping and lost track of the time..."
Sano chuckled. "It's okay. Come sit down a sec and catch your breath."
Tsubame complied and collapsed next to Sano. "Do they need me for anything?"
"Yeah... When you get a chance. Kenshin's with him right now and said he'd like a cup of tea. I would've made it, cept I can't make tea. Heck, Jou-Chan can make tea better than me!
Tsubame giggled and then stopped, thinking she might be hurting Sano's feelings. Sano might not be able to make tea, but he could give advice.
"Sanosuke, I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Ummm.... let's say there's this girl and she knows two guys like her but she doesn't want to say no to one in case she hurts their feelings. What should she do?"
"Easy. Go with her gut."
Tsubame gave him a puzzled look.
"It means to go with the one your heart tells you to choose."
"Oh........... Thank you Sanosuke." Tsubame rose from the steps and got ready to go inside when Sano called out.
"Hey, Tsubame? By any chance, were you referring to Yahiko and Yutaro?"
She blushed and bowed her head. "No," she said softly, retreating to the kitchen.
"Sure," muttered Sano to himself, "Sure...."
Kenshin was kneeling next toYahiko, as he watched the kid sleep. Sighing, Kenshin put his head in his hands. He hadn't been feeling well. His ki seemed to be out of whack. 'It will probably be better in the morning...... I do hope Tsubame-Chan hurries with that tea....'
************************
Anohorea stood on the shingled roof of the Kamiya Dojo. He had been asking around town all day where a kid named Yahiko lived. He'd learned that a kid named by the name of Yahiko lived and trained at the dojo on the hill. Now he just had to see if this was the place.
Using his oversized sword, he cut a hole in the roof, hoping to find the room where the Myojin brat was. The first room proved to be an empty bedroom with a spare futon tucked in the corner.
The next room was full of kettles and pots and pans. It appeared he'd found the kitchen. Two more useless rooms later, Anohorea was growing frustrated. He hadn't even seen anyone in the dojo except for a guy on the front porch.
But the next room was what he had been looking for. Sleeping on a futon was Yahiko, and sitting next to him, also apparently sleeping, was the redhead who had beaten him earlier.
'Damn! How do I get the samurai out of the way so I can get the kid?...... I got it.'
With a careful leap, he jumped through the hole landing on top of Kenshin.
"OORRR-" Kenshin yelled as the huge form muffled his sound and soundly knocked him out. Using his foot, Anohorea kicked Kenshin's limp form against the far wall.
Yahiko had bolted awake when he heard Kenshin yell.
"Ano-," he yelped, before Anohorea used his muscled arm to succesfully cut off Yahiko's words, but leave just enough air for the kid to breathe.
"Now you die, Myojin Yahiko!" A wicked gleam, full of greed and power filled his face as he raised his sword towards the struggling boy.
"Not so fast, Anohorea!" Sano ran into the room. "Let the kid go!"
'It's the guy from the porch. Now I recoginize who he is. That's the famous Zanza!'
"I will, after he dies!"
Sano could see the fear in Yahiko's eyes. He was at this man's mercy, the sword just below his throat. The probelm, this man didn't seem to have mercy.
Anohorea raised the sword and prepared to stab Yahiko in the chest, as the kid vainly tried to free himself. The blade came crashing down with a lightning fast speed. Yahiko close dhis eyes tightly, knowing it would all be over in a second.
But he never felt the blow. Cracking one eye opened, he saw that Sano had grabbed the blade and wasn't letting go. Anohorea took the weight off the sword causing Sano to stumble. Then he used a swift kick, and knocked Sano against the wall, sending the man threw the thin ricepaper.
"Now you die!" But at that moment Tsubame came in carrying a tea tray.
"Kenshin, I brought you your-ahhhhh!" She had just noticed Kenshin and Sanosuke against the wall, with Anohorea standing in the middle of the room, raising his blade once again, preparing to kill Yahiko, who was still struggling in his grasp to get free.
But when Tsubame screamed, she threw the tea tray upward. It now came crashing down on top of Anohorea's head. The tea splashed over him and Anohorea yelled in pain as the hot tea hit his unprotected face.
The diversion was all Sano needed.
He came charging threw the ruined wall and punched Anohorea's face, following with a side kick to Anohorea's midsection. Then he punched the flat part of the sword and it went clattering harmlessly to the floor, away from
Anohorea groaned as he dropped the now unconcious Yahiko to the floor, and then fell on top of him!
**********************
Author's Notes:
In a way, I kind of feel bad for Anohorea. He tries so hard to accomplish a goal and is beaten by a cup of tea. So sad......
Thanks to all my reviewers. You guys have been great!
And for the first time in this story, I am going to do reviewer's comments! Yeah!
~*~*~
~*~Tocole~*~ Thank you very much! Would you believe it that bringing Yutaro and Tsubame together (maybe?) wasn't in my original outline? It kinda came to me in a dream... weird....
~*~Lisha-Chan~*~ You're right, *very* bad Yutaro. But what happens if Tsubame chooses she loves him? Hmmmmmm...... I know you wouldn't like that!
~*~whateveryasay~*~ Thanks a bunch! I love geeting great feedback and it often helps me to decide what I wan to do with the story. So you guys help too! ^^
~*~Tomoe2Kenshin~*~ Yeah, poor Yahiko. I wonder what he'll do when he figures out Yutaro loves his Tsubame. And when he finds Tsubmae kinda likes him back.... ^^
*********************
Please review again! Thanks!
