Chapter Five

Oh, look! Kaoru's voice was joyful. Those are trees, aren't they, Kenshin?

I smiled at her happiness and observed the trees she pointed at. There was a small grove of palm trees. They looked fresh and healthy, so I knew the water was good and told Kaoru so.

You mean it might not have been? she asked.

Water is never certain, I reminded her gently. That is why I believe we should turn back if the next oasis has no water.

Kaoru shook her head decisively. I won't turn back. She paused. Kenshin, you're a bit confused about me. You think I'm a child, or a silly woman. I'm not, Kenshin!

I am sure it is as you say, Miss Kaoru.

Stop humoring me! she snapped, before turning to the oasis. I could see that she was impressed. There was shade and grass, all ringed by stone to protect it from simooms. At the center, there was a pool of clear water, also ringed by stones. The air itself seemed cooler, mostly due to the shade, but partially due to the presense of water. Kaoru dipped her fingers into the water and smiled hugely at the feeling of cool water. This is so different from the other parts of the South, not so hot. And there are plants.

Do you like it here? I inquired politely, as I allowed my horse to drink.

The oasis or the South? was Kaoru's reply. The oasis is lovely . . . and I suppose the South is nice enough. I love the North. It's home. But the South has its good aspects. The colors are beautiful.

I gave her a puzzled look. Very few people notice how beautiful the South can be, especially Norhterners. You can see it?

All things are beautiful, Kenshin, she said simply, because all things have a spirit within them. Even the heat of the South. My father taught me to look at the living spirit within everything, every person. You cannot judge people by the outside. Things often aren't what they seem. She gave me a meaningful look. For instance, you should not treat me like a child, because I'm a woman.

You're very young, I pointed out, trying to be diplomatic about it.

She ignored the statement and began to lead her horse away from the water. I attempted to do the same and got my foot stepped on. Oro! You stop that now, please. No, do not bite me either. I paused. I am not giving you enough attention, am I? I shall buy you an apple in Julah, that I shall. Would you like that, Mister Horse?

Kaoru laughed, amused enough to end the argument.

You are wise to see beauty in everything, I told her, as I dealt with the horse. Most people would not call the Punja a pretty place, that they would not.

She grimaced. It's not pretty. It's beautiful, because it's dangerous. Like a snow-lion. Or a sword.

I watched her thoughtfully. A sword is not beautiful, Miss Kaoru. It's used to kill, to shed blood. There is no beauty in seeing your own blood shed . . . or that of someone you wish to protect.

Is that why you carry a reverse-bladed sword?

Instead of answering the question, I gestured to the pool. Why don't you take a bath, Miss Kaoru? I will go away so you can have some privacy.

Don't change the subject, Kenshin! she snapped. There was fire in her blue eyes, the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It took great effort to force myself to look away.

Miss Kaoru, you have been out in heat and dryness all day. Your skin is not accustomed to it. A swim would do you some good, I think. I turned myself, in spite of my yearning to stare into her eyes. It was not something she or I could afford. Instead, I walked towards my horse to remove the things that would be useful in setting camp.

Over the years, a sword-dancer develops a sort of sixth sense for danger. It set my spine tingling and my fingers itched for the Sakabattou's hilt. I drew it immediately. It was only after I drawn the weapon that I realized the source of my unease. A sandtiger, lurking in the rocks, about to spring at prey. At me.

They are not very attractive creatures. This one was about the size of a large dog, stub-tailed, the same color as the sand, and full of wirey strength. It gaze me a dull stare out of vivid green eyes, and I knew I had only seconds before it would attack. Soon the glare would become piercing, and it would pounce, tearing at me with long fangs and venomous claws. The size was as deceptive as the stare; it had considerable strength. It was not unlike the one that had nearly killed me twenty years before.

Sandtigers are rare. Many people doubt whether they exist at all. The cat before me was real, and a danger to both myself and Kaoru. I held myself still and waited for the attack I knew would come. I would not fail Kaoru as I had failed others in the past. Stay in the water please, Miss Kaoru. Turned the blade, so the deadly razor-edge faced outward.



The cat sprang. I moved. Quickly. There are very few men who can move as quickly as I can. I have met only one, and he was the one who trained me. The cat died, though it's inertia carried it forward, its weight on the blade forced me to the ground. A single claw found my thigh. I ignored the slight wound and slid from beneath the sandtiger, pushing it aside.



Then I heard the cry of another cat. Sandtigers are not cats to travel in a pride. If two were here, this one would be the other's mate. And where there were a male and female sandtiger, there were cubs.

Kaoru repeated. I was surprised to find her close at hand, still dripping, but sword-drawn. Then she saw the cat and faced it with relative calm.

What could I do? She was about to get herself in danger again. I stepped between them.

She tried to push forward again, No, Kenshin! This one's mine!

Now do not be foolish, Miss Kaoru. The female is always more deadly than the male, I warned.

Kaoru said in an amused voice. So, get out of my way, Kenshin!

Kaoru's raised voice drew the sandtiger's attention. The noise was a threat to her cubs, and with her mate dead, she was desperate for their safety. I could see as she prepared to spring at the cause of the sound.

When I choose to, I can move very quickly. I did not want to see Miss Kaoru hurt, so I moved with a speed that was impressive even for me. The sandtiger fell, as dead as its mate. I drew a deep breath and began to wipe the blood from the Sakabattou.

Kaoru howled. That one was mine!

Now, Miss Kaoru, it is silly to argue about the matter, I said calmly. Either one could have killed us both. Now we are both safe.

Her face went red. It's not fair, Kenshin! You pushed me out of the way like a child! I didn't need your help then! Would you have done that if I were a man?

I said simply. You are not a man, Miss Kaoru, and I am. I cannot leave you in danger. I returned to where we had placed the supplies. I would protect a man if he were not able to protect himself.

Kaoru's angry red face slowly went icy as she managed to win control of her anger. I am able. She turned to stalk away, as I tore a strip from my burnous to bind the small wound the sandtiger had given me.

Where are you going? I asked.

She did not answer, so I rose tiredly to follow her. She was making her way into the rocks from which the sandtigers had come.

Miss Kaoru?

Found them! Her voice had returned to its normal cheerfulness. She lifted up two small, furry objects. The sandtigers' cubs.

I don't think that-

Big blue eyes met mine. They made me want to melt. They need our help. You orphaned them.

They weren't the first, I thought grimly. Those are sandtigers, Kaoru. They are not pets.

I know that, she said. But they still deserve a chance to live.

Her eyes had gone fiery again, and I knew it was impossible for me to argue. I liked the fact that she cared about the cubs, because it showed how pure and passionate she was. This will be very difficult, that it will. I returned to where I had been sitting when she had gone to rescue the cubs. Miss Kaoru, I am going to have to rest now. One of the sandtigers cut me, and their claws are poisoned. I will be fine, I reassured her, and we'll find your brother. I leaned backwards against a tree, the Sakabattou across my lap, and fell instantly asleep.