Well, sorry that it took me so long to get back to you guys on this
fic. I was busy updating my other story, you guys should really read it
too if you haven't, it's quite good and seems to be more popular than this
poor little story (sniffles).
Chapter 7,
As Cold as Ice
They awoke the next day, Sora, despite an awful cold, seemed much better and her wound didn't hurt so bad now that the stitches had set. They surveyed their position and even though Sora insisted that she was well enough to make her way back up the mountain they decided against it. They would have to travel through the ravine! Which turned out not to be so bad, because according to their map there was a secret cave that would get them to their destination all the quicker. The started off briskly, the sun had come back out and they were considerably warmer. They were half way there when all of a sudden the horses froze. Sora couldn't get them to take another step and she wondered why. It was when she walked out ahead of them that she slipped and fell on her back most ungracefully that she realized what the problem was. There was a lake of ice in front of them, and it spanned the entire width of the ravine. A small layer of snow concealed the danger beneath it.
Sora: The cave should be along the wall of the ravine somewhere down here, but we have to be careful. There's no telling how thick this ice is, though I doubt that it will even crack.
Megumi: Then why are the horses so scared?
Sora: They just know that ice isn't normally safe, but it's actually not that hard for them to walk on it. The main reason a lot of horses slip on ice is because they wear those metal horseshoes, and that is something my horses have never done.
The horses still wouldn't walk onto the ice though, and Sora had to blindfold them in order to get them to follow her onto it. Everyone moved cautiously, not wanting to slip and fall. They worked their way over to the sides of the ravine and began searching for an opening to the cave. They were half way out on the lake when they started having problems, there was less snow and they slipped more often. But not even that was as bad as what came next, they were taking a lunch break when all of a sudden a lone cry rang out around them.
OWOWOWOOOOOOOO!
Sano: What was that!?!
The horses no longer needed the blindfolds, but not even those could calm them now. The sound angered and frightened them at the same time and they reared up. Sora had to calm them quickly or else their stomping hooves could crack the ice.
Sora: Oh no! Quick everyone form a tight circle and face outwards!
Kenshin: I don't understand, what's wrong?
Sora: They're wolves! And they aren't the normal kind that you can just shoe away with a stick, these are mountain wolves, and they hunt in large packs. They will not run from us, we are too small of a group. Hold your weapons at the ready!
Slowly, one by one, large grayish shapes began to appear over the side of the ravine and descended towards their pray! Foam dripped from their mouths' and they snarled wickedly at the small group of humans. The leader was larger than all the rest, and he was black! Sora had her bow pulled taught, and as much as she disliked harming the beasts, she had no choice, this was going to be a fight for survival.
Sora: Everyone, make a lot of noise and make yourselves look as tall as possible, maybe we can scare them off if they aren't too hungry.
But apparently they were, and the others looked at Sora as she stood hesitantly with her bow.
Yahiko: If you aren't going to shoot them give the bow to me and I will!
Sora: I doubt you could even draw it, plus I know that you are lying because you're too pure of a person, if I shoot that lead wolf, then he will not live to see tomorrow.
Sano: And if you don't it may be the other way around!
Sora: Yes but look!
She pointed to the ridge, and sure enough there was a large female wolf with five pups eagerly yelping and cheering on their father.
Yahiko: I don't get it, how can a manslayer not be able to shoot a simple animal, you don't even know if those are his pups!?!
Sora: The key word there is MAN, not ANIMAL slayer!
And taking a deep breath she closed her eyes, knowing that the manslayer inside her would take hold, and let the shaft fly just as the lead male began to charge at her. She couldn't miss, and the wolf fell to the ground, sliding on the ice and stopping perfectly at Sora's feet, the dark shaft still quivering in his chest. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting her friends to be able to see her as her killing instincts slowly took over, for she knew that it would only frighten them. Suddenly, all of the other wolves fell silent, and the pups began to wail like there was no tomorrow.
Kaoru: Oh no, what have we done!
Sora: (quickly wiping away a tear before anyone could see, and cruelly kicking the carcass away from her) No, look at what I have done, and without this male, those pups won't last out the winter. Whoever takes over the pack now will kill those pups and have new ones of their own.
Having said that, she slung the bow and arrows over her shoulder and walked over to the horses, a deadly silence came over her. The thrill of taking the life of another had gotten her adrenaline going, and she was struggling to keep herself from reverting to a manslayer. It didn't matter if she did, because she could always get back to her normal self, but she new her friends would not like what they saw if she did loose control, especially Kenshin, since he knew what it was like. The other wolves were still watching them, but didn't seem to have the guts to try and pull anything now that their leader lay dead on the ground. Sora's friends watched her turn the horses away from the bloody scene, now they knew she truly had to be a manslayer, for even though they talked tough, they all knew they could've never shot that animal. Sano looked back at the dead wolf, and suddenly thought of his own dog, and it frightened him to think about it. Sora could've always just shot it in the leg or something, but she had killed it, and she didn't even flinch when it fell at her feet!
But they had all turned too quickly, for one of the wolves stepped forward and snarled at Sora and her friends. The others now looked to him, and they began to close in again. Yahiko had been to closest one to him, and so the wolf leapt upon his back, knocking him to the ground! Before the others could even draw their weapons, Sora had whirled around with her bow drawn again. The wolf was about to close its jaws around Yahiko's throat, when another shaft struck the wolf in the head, pinning its mouth shut! Sora fired the bow with her eyes closed, and even then she didn't miss, she could smell their fear! Something inside her had snapped the moment she knew Yahiko was in danger, and the warm scent of blood spilling over the snow drove her into a frenzy. Twang, twang, twang was all the others could hear, as shaft after shaft flew from her bow, her eyes remained closed. Only her ears and nose told her where to shoot now, and the smirk on her face grew for every thud she heard, marking the death of another. Even the wolves that hadn't advanced on them met the same fate, as the staves of coughing death pierced them. Her friends watched in horror as every last animal fell, until only one was left, and it was smart enough to try and sneak off, as the others were being mercilessly slaughtered. But Sora had heard him too, and his ragged panting echoed off of the mountain walls. He had even reached the top of the ravine wall, but his paw slipped at the last minute, causing him to scrabble in order to keep from falling. Sora lined her bow up, the cord drew taught in her fingers, and the arrow quivered with excitement! The wolf had gotten his front half over the edge, and he was hanging there, kicking his hind legs in an attempt to find a solid footing so he could complete his escape. But the others had recovered, and just as Sora let the arrow soar, Kenshin leapt at her, trying to stop her senseless destruction, and he managed to tip the bow. The arrow flew at an angle, but Kenshin's efforts had been in vain, for he hadn't been able to knock the bow enough to keep it from completely hitting its mark. The arrow bite cruelly into the wolf's right flank, and it yelped in pain. But even that small hit was all that it took, and everyone watched in dismay as the poor animal slid backwards in pain and rolled and tumbled down the entire side to the ravine. It landed headfirst back on the icy lake. The others were about to run to its aid but the sickening crack that rent the air as it landed told them all they needed to know. There lay the beast, its head lolled at a crazy angle do to its broken neck, and its eyes clouded over with pain, never again to look upon the sun filled valleys of his mountain home.
Sora: (her voice was strange, cold, and hollow, but returned to normal as she recovered from her manslayer mood) You made me miss.
Kenshin: Have you no heart! You killed them all, even the young pups!
Sora: (beginning to shake her head as she tried to rid herself of the horrible aching she felt) Ugh, did I kill them all?
Kenshin: (his voice softened as he realized that she was once again herself) Yes, yes you did.
Sora: (tears began to well up in her eyes) I'm so sorry, please forgive me!
She fell to her knees and wept for a moment before walking over to the lead wolf.
Sora: (drawing a small blade and pricking her finger) This is my blood, and I must pour it out for you, in repentance for my sins here today.
She closed the animal's eyes and stained both his eyelids with her blood.
Sora: Tell the heavens that you and your family were also victims of my wrath, this is your proof, and they may punish me as they see fit.
She hugged the animal close to her as the others watched in fascination and fear.
Sora: (whispering into the animal's ear) I will save one life for each one I have spent today, that is my promise to you, as it has been to all of my victims.
Sano: (whispering to Kenshin) At least she's on our side.
Kenshin: I am just glad to know that she has the heart to try and repent for the deeds she has committed.
Yahiko: She saved me though, why is she sad?
Kaoru: Even after you were safe, she kept killing, and such unnecessary death is and should be frowned upon by all.
Yahiko: But it wasn't her fault, she just got out of control!
Sora: That's the whole point, weapons are meant to be used by those who have proven that they have enough self-control to know when to quit, and today, I have failed miserably at that.
Yahiko: Thank- you, I'm still glad that you saved me.
Sora: My dear boy that is why I am here. I am a mother with no children, and therefore I must satisfy myself with the fact that I have saved them, even though I will probably never have the chance to raise them.
Megumi: Is that why you dote so much on the girls?
Sora: If their grandfather weren't here today I would be the first to step forward and adopt them. There is just something about them that I love, and they are just so precious. That is why we are here, to save them.
Kaoru: Then let's get going, it's cold out here!
Just as they all turned to go back to looking for the cave, a small rock fell onto the ice. It had been knocked loose as the wolf was attempting to escape, and apparently it was the final straw that broke the camel's back, or in this case the final tremor that cracked the ice! Everyone froze at the sound.
CRACK!
They all swallowed hard as they watched the ice splinter and crack beneath them!
Kenshin: I suggest that we find that cave a little faster, that I do!
Uh oh! Looks like the gang has gone and gotten themselves into another mess! But what about that thing with Sora, was that wild or what!?!?! Please leave some tasty reviews for me! There will be more cool stuff later, but I had the hardest time writing this because all of the widdle doggies died!! (Waaaaaahaaaaahaaaaa, sniffle, author dries tears) But I'm ok cause I'm solid as a rock and I really do feel as cold as ice right now, where has all of my heat gone?
Chapter 7,
As Cold as Ice
They awoke the next day, Sora, despite an awful cold, seemed much better and her wound didn't hurt so bad now that the stitches had set. They surveyed their position and even though Sora insisted that she was well enough to make her way back up the mountain they decided against it. They would have to travel through the ravine! Which turned out not to be so bad, because according to their map there was a secret cave that would get them to their destination all the quicker. The started off briskly, the sun had come back out and they were considerably warmer. They were half way there when all of a sudden the horses froze. Sora couldn't get them to take another step and she wondered why. It was when she walked out ahead of them that she slipped and fell on her back most ungracefully that she realized what the problem was. There was a lake of ice in front of them, and it spanned the entire width of the ravine. A small layer of snow concealed the danger beneath it.
Sora: The cave should be along the wall of the ravine somewhere down here, but we have to be careful. There's no telling how thick this ice is, though I doubt that it will even crack.
Megumi: Then why are the horses so scared?
Sora: They just know that ice isn't normally safe, but it's actually not that hard for them to walk on it. The main reason a lot of horses slip on ice is because they wear those metal horseshoes, and that is something my horses have never done.
The horses still wouldn't walk onto the ice though, and Sora had to blindfold them in order to get them to follow her onto it. Everyone moved cautiously, not wanting to slip and fall. They worked their way over to the sides of the ravine and began searching for an opening to the cave. They were half way out on the lake when they started having problems, there was less snow and they slipped more often. But not even that was as bad as what came next, they were taking a lunch break when all of a sudden a lone cry rang out around them.
OWOWOWOOOOOOOO!
Sano: What was that!?!
The horses no longer needed the blindfolds, but not even those could calm them now. The sound angered and frightened them at the same time and they reared up. Sora had to calm them quickly or else their stomping hooves could crack the ice.
Sora: Oh no! Quick everyone form a tight circle and face outwards!
Kenshin: I don't understand, what's wrong?
Sora: They're wolves! And they aren't the normal kind that you can just shoe away with a stick, these are mountain wolves, and they hunt in large packs. They will not run from us, we are too small of a group. Hold your weapons at the ready!
Slowly, one by one, large grayish shapes began to appear over the side of the ravine and descended towards their pray! Foam dripped from their mouths' and they snarled wickedly at the small group of humans. The leader was larger than all the rest, and he was black! Sora had her bow pulled taught, and as much as she disliked harming the beasts, she had no choice, this was going to be a fight for survival.
Sora: Everyone, make a lot of noise and make yourselves look as tall as possible, maybe we can scare them off if they aren't too hungry.
But apparently they were, and the others looked at Sora as she stood hesitantly with her bow.
Yahiko: If you aren't going to shoot them give the bow to me and I will!
Sora: I doubt you could even draw it, plus I know that you are lying because you're too pure of a person, if I shoot that lead wolf, then he will not live to see tomorrow.
Sano: And if you don't it may be the other way around!
Sora: Yes but look!
She pointed to the ridge, and sure enough there was a large female wolf with five pups eagerly yelping and cheering on their father.
Yahiko: I don't get it, how can a manslayer not be able to shoot a simple animal, you don't even know if those are his pups!?!
Sora: The key word there is MAN, not ANIMAL slayer!
And taking a deep breath she closed her eyes, knowing that the manslayer inside her would take hold, and let the shaft fly just as the lead male began to charge at her. She couldn't miss, and the wolf fell to the ground, sliding on the ice and stopping perfectly at Sora's feet, the dark shaft still quivering in his chest. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting her friends to be able to see her as her killing instincts slowly took over, for she knew that it would only frighten them. Suddenly, all of the other wolves fell silent, and the pups began to wail like there was no tomorrow.
Kaoru: Oh no, what have we done!
Sora: (quickly wiping away a tear before anyone could see, and cruelly kicking the carcass away from her) No, look at what I have done, and without this male, those pups won't last out the winter. Whoever takes over the pack now will kill those pups and have new ones of their own.
Having said that, she slung the bow and arrows over her shoulder and walked over to the horses, a deadly silence came over her. The thrill of taking the life of another had gotten her adrenaline going, and she was struggling to keep herself from reverting to a manslayer. It didn't matter if she did, because she could always get back to her normal self, but she new her friends would not like what they saw if she did loose control, especially Kenshin, since he knew what it was like. The other wolves were still watching them, but didn't seem to have the guts to try and pull anything now that their leader lay dead on the ground. Sora's friends watched her turn the horses away from the bloody scene, now they knew she truly had to be a manslayer, for even though they talked tough, they all knew they could've never shot that animal. Sano looked back at the dead wolf, and suddenly thought of his own dog, and it frightened him to think about it. Sora could've always just shot it in the leg or something, but she had killed it, and she didn't even flinch when it fell at her feet!
But they had all turned too quickly, for one of the wolves stepped forward and snarled at Sora and her friends. The others now looked to him, and they began to close in again. Yahiko had been to closest one to him, and so the wolf leapt upon his back, knocking him to the ground! Before the others could even draw their weapons, Sora had whirled around with her bow drawn again. The wolf was about to close its jaws around Yahiko's throat, when another shaft struck the wolf in the head, pinning its mouth shut! Sora fired the bow with her eyes closed, and even then she didn't miss, she could smell their fear! Something inside her had snapped the moment she knew Yahiko was in danger, and the warm scent of blood spilling over the snow drove her into a frenzy. Twang, twang, twang was all the others could hear, as shaft after shaft flew from her bow, her eyes remained closed. Only her ears and nose told her where to shoot now, and the smirk on her face grew for every thud she heard, marking the death of another. Even the wolves that hadn't advanced on them met the same fate, as the staves of coughing death pierced them. Her friends watched in horror as every last animal fell, until only one was left, and it was smart enough to try and sneak off, as the others were being mercilessly slaughtered. But Sora had heard him too, and his ragged panting echoed off of the mountain walls. He had even reached the top of the ravine wall, but his paw slipped at the last minute, causing him to scrabble in order to keep from falling. Sora lined her bow up, the cord drew taught in her fingers, and the arrow quivered with excitement! The wolf had gotten his front half over the edge, and he was hanging there, kicking his hind legs in an attempt to find a solid footing so he could complete his escape. But the others had recovered, and just as Sora let the arrow soar, Kenshin leapt at her, trying to stop her senseless destruction, and he managed to tip the bow. The arrow flew at an angle, but Kenshin's efforts had been in vain, for he hadn't been able to knock the bow enough to keep it from completely hitting its mark. The arrow bite cruelly into the wolf's right flank, and it yelped in pain. But even that small hit was all that it took, and everyone watched in dismay as the poor animal slid backwards in pain and rolled and tumbled down the entire side to the ravine. It landed headfirst back on the icy lake. The others were about to run to its aid but the sickening crack that rent the air as it landed told them all they needed to know. There lay the beast, its head lolled at a crazy angle do to its broken neck, and its eyes clouded over with pain, never again to look upon the sun filled valleys of his mountain home.
Sora: (her voice was strange, cold, and hollow, but returned to normal as she recovered from her manslayer mood) You made me miss.
Kenshin: Have you no heart! You killed them all, even the young pups!
Sora: (beginning to shake her head as she tried to rid herself of the horrible aching she felt) Ugh, did I kill them all?
Kenshin: (his voice softened as he realized that she was once again herself) Yes, yes you did.
Sora: (tears began to well up in her eyes) I'm so sorry, please forgive me!
She fell to her knees and wept for a moment before walking over to the lead wolf.
Sora: (drawing a small blade and pricking her finger) This is my blood, and I must pour it out for you, in repentance for my sins here today.
She closed the animal's eyes and stained both his eyelids with her blood.
Sora: Tell the heavens that you and your family were also victims of my wrath, this is your proof, and they may punish me as they see fit.
She hugged the animal close to her as the others watched in fascination and fear.
Sora: (whispering into the animal's ear) I will save one life for each one I have spent today, that is my promise to you, as it has been to all of my victims.
Sano: (whispering to Kenshin) At least she's on our side.
Kenshin: I am just glad to know that she has the heart to try and repent for the deeds she has committed.
Yahiko: She saved me though, why is she sad?
Kaoru: Even after you were safe, she kept killing, and such unnecessary death is and should be frowned upon by all.
Yahiko: But it wasn't her fault, she just got out of control!
Sora: That's the whole point, weapons are meant to be used by those who have proven that they have enough self-control to know when to quit, and today, I have failed miserably at that.
Yahiko: Thank- you, I'm still glad that you saved me.
Sora: My dear boy that is why I am here. I am a mother with no children, and therefore I must satisfy myself with the fact that I have saved them, even though I will probably never have the chance to raise them.
Megumi: Is that why you dote so much on the girls?
Sora: If their grandfather weren't here today I would be the first to step forward and adopt them. There is just something about them that I love, and they are just so precious. That is why we are here, to save them.
Kaoru: Then let's get going, it's cold out here!
Just as they all turned to go back to looking for the cave, a small rock fell onto the ice. It had been knocked loose as the wolf was attempting to escape, and apparently it was the final straw that broke the camel's back, or in this case the final tremor that cracked the ice! Everyone froze at the sound.
CRACK!
They all swallowed hard as they watched the ice splinter and crack beneath them!
Kenshin: I suggest that we find that cave a little faster, that I do!
Uh oh! Looks like the gang has gone and gotten themselves into another mess! But what about that thing with Sora, was that wild or what!?!?! Please leave some tasty reviews for me! There will be more cool stuff later, but I had the hardest time writing this because all of the widdle doggies died!! (Waaaaaahaaaaahaaaaa, sniffle, author dries tears) But I'm ok cause I'm solid as a rock and I really do feel as cold as ice right now, where has all of my heat gone?