Well, well, it has been a dreadfully long time since I updated this
story, but I've been reasonably busy, and now that I've gotten caught up on
all of my other fics I can get back to this one! I hope you all enjoy this
update; it's going to be particularly juicy this time!
Chapter 9,
Forgiveness
Well, last we left off, the doctor was unconscious, Yahiko was too, Sano and the horses were wrestling with the leopards, Kenshin and Kaoru were fighting back to back, and Sora had just finished restringing her bow.
Well, Sora had finally gathered her wits about her and had notched an arrow to her bowstring, aiming for the leopard that Sano was currently dealing with, but just as she pulled back the string.........it snapped!
A/N: Hee hee, I can be so cruel!
Sora: Awwww, screw it!
With that she leapt down the hill and dashed over to where her bag had fallen off of Sanakoo's back. It didn't take her long to find her infamous blade, the one that had once belonged to her parents. She unsheathed the deadly weapon, and held it in the light. The glittering, ferocious twin beasts intertwined the length of the blade. Their burning, ruby eyes twinkled as the sunlight danced across them! Sora looked down at her oldest friend and smiled,
Sora: It's been awhile, hasn't it!?!
With that she leapt off to join the remainder of her comrades in battle! Her first goal was to reach Sanakoo and Kira, they were in the greatest strife as of now and so she felt obligated to rush to their aid. In one swing, she managed to cleave one of the giant leopards entirely in half! The blade bit murderously into the flesh of its opposers, and felled each one with even less mercy than that of its previous victim. Her manslayer instincts had officially taken over though, and so she was unstoppable. But by now the cats had realized that the thinning of their ranks was do to her malison, and so they turned away from their current entrées and slipped after her.
A small circle of snarling, snapping fur now pressed in around Sora, and she smiled maliciously at the delight she would receive after cutting down each one. But that grim glory was soon shattered as the war cries of her still fighting friends shattered the air, and ran to her aid against the overwhelming odds.
Such a display of aggression caught the hungry oppressors off guard and so they scattered in an attempt to once again recover their advantage of strength and speed. Kenshin brought the dull edge of his reverse blade sword crashing down over one of the cat's shoulders, and the animal collapsed instantly. Kaoru was doing well until the cats finally were able to regroup and turn on her week bokken. Despite her experience and knowledge of how to wield her weapon, its frail wooden frame shattered easily under the pressure of the leopard's jaws. Her now useless weapon fell to the ground as she began a hand-to-hand struggle for her life against one of the felines! Sora was at her side in a flash though, and with an unrivaled amount of hatred, brought the flat of her blade straight down on one of the animal's skulls, completely obliterating it. Kaoru looked up at the mess of a human being that stood over her, and a shudder ran the length of her spine as her gaze fell on Sora's eyes. Those eyes, their image was instantly burned into the back of her mind, and even now, when she was fully awake, she feared the nightmares that would come from witnessing such a sight! Sora moved on though, towards her still struggling horses, and with one great sprint, gathered enough speed to spring into the air, and come down on Sanakoo's back, knocking away a bothersome cat as she did so.
Now she was unstoppable, Sanakoo reared high into the air, the realization of having been rejoined with his battle companion now hitting him, and he galloped off into the fray! Sora hung low over his side, her blade extended out towards her upcoming enemies, and, without flinching, met head on with one of the larger cats. I will close a curtain of courtesy on that poor creatures end for all of those with weak constitutions and stomachs.
The gruesome battle was quickly over from that point on, and without wasting a second's time, Sora slipped from Sanakoo's back and ran to Yahiko. The child had been bleeding profusely from the shoulder, but other than that he had few wounds to care for. He began to come around as Sora gently poured water over his bloodied shoulder.
Yahiko: W-what happened?
Sora: I let you get hurt. (she said this with tears in her eyes)
Yahiko: Where is everybody?
Sora: Just stay here, and press this cloth over you wound, you'll be fine, don't worry.
With that she ran off to check on her horses. She passed Sano and the others on her way, Sano currently held Megumi in his arms and was carrying her back over to the cave's mouth where he could lay her in the shade. Kenshin turned after Sora and shouted to her,
Kenshin: Miss Sora, are you all right?
Sora: Never mind me! Just help the others!
Sanakoo had made his way back over to Kira and had managed to splash enough water on her face to arouse her from unconsciousness. Sora quickly got on one side of her, shoving as hard as she could to get the animal back on her feet. Sanakoo took her reins in his mouth and pulled her up from the front. With Sora and Sanakoo holding her on both sides, they managed to push her back up the hill and into the cave. The others were already there and waiting for her. Megumi refused to open her eyes, and so it was up to the rest of them to fix one another up with what little they knew about medicine. Sora ran to her bloodstained bag and dug out several herbs and other medicines. She loaded some penicillin into a shot and hurriedly stuck it into Kira's neck, injecting every last bit of the medicine into her. She performed this same procedure on all of her friends and herself, changing the needle each time. After receiving the medicine she instructed the all to help fix each other up, Megumi was to be worked on first. With that said she turned away from them.
Sano: Where are you going!?!
Sora: To help what's left of family!
She spoke with more of a snarl in her voice, rather than an angry tone. Then she turned to work on her horses, Sanakoo had finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion, and so she ran to his aid. She spent six hours working over their weak and torn bodies, attempting to save as much of them as possible. Eventually Kenshin took a break from keeping watch over Megumi and came to see how Sora was doing.
Kenshin: Can I help you fix that bandage?
Sora refused to answer him.
Kenshin: You might want to take a break to tend to your own wounds, I can finish up here that I can.
Again, no answer.
Kenshin: Listen,
Sora: No you listen!! If it hadn't been for you stopping me from going after Yahiko, we wouldn't be in this mess right now!
Kenshin: But,
Sora: No! I'm finished speaking with you! It'll be a miracle if both of these two last out the night, and if they do, what little of them is saved from the grave will most likely be lame!
Kenshin: I, I'm sorry,
Sora: Do not speak to me about being sorry!! You will get no forgiveness from me, besides, I'm not the one who is paying the price for your folly.
As you can all imagine, this really hurt Kenshin, I mean, we all know how he is about these personal matters. But nonetheless, he took it like a man and, despite his better judgment, rather than leaving her to her brooding, he stepped forward and sat beside her. Sora turned her face from him and pretended to be busy doing something else. But Kenshin could see the tears that stained her cheeks, and so he gently took both her hands, despite her efforts to wrench them free, and looked her straight in the eyes,
Kenshin: Don't be afraid.
Sora: What, what are you talking about, I'm not afraid,
Kenshin: Don't be afraid to show your emotions, you've done all you can to help them, and if you don't take care of yourself then who will watch over them?
Sora: (looking away) I'm fine, really, besides, look at the pot calling the kettle black, that doesn't look like a very pretty cut you've got there.
She pointed to the long gash above his brow, she then turned back the sleeve on his gi to reveal another bloody laceration.
Sora: Hold on, I'll go get some bandages to fix these up.
She returned quickly and brushed back Kenshin's hair so that she could better see the wound. Although she seemed to know what she was doing, Kenshin couldn't help but flinch as she cleaned and dressed his forehead. She then turned to his arm and gently wrapped it as well.
A/N: Did I mention that for this wound to be fully dressed Kenshin was required to remove his shirt?
By the time she was finished though she had started to grow fain from a loss of blood due to her own injuries. Kenshin was thoroughly worried now and so he stopped her from going back to her horses and bid her sit down while he assessed her own wounds. Her eyes felt heavy and the world began to fade away. Kenshin had to keep her awake for her own good, and so, he had already begun to wrap her arm up, with the other end of the bandage wrapped around his own wrist to hold it tight. Even though he did not like the idea, he was going to have to snap her back to reality if he was to finish this job, and so, with a guilty conscience, he poured a small quantity of the cleaning solution straight into her cut. The burning sensation would have "awakened the dead" as Sora would later describe it, and so she awoke with a cry of pain and jerked away as hard as she could. Sora had been sitting on the ground though, so she only succeeded in throwing herself down onto the cave floor, accidentally dragging Kenshin down on top of her as he was currently tied to her. So, to recap, Sora is lying on the ground, gasping in pain for air, Kenshin is shirtless and lying on top of her, and it had now started to grow cloudy so it grew dim in the caves.
Kenshin: ORO! Well, this is awkward, that it is indeed!
Sora: Ow, ow owowowowowowowow!!
She made no noise other than her heavy breathing and every now and then hissing a lengthy string of curses under her breath, but after blinking a few times she realized where she was and her eyes widened as she realized what sort of position she was in!
Sora: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Kenshin: (jumping back in an attempt to get away, but only hauling Sora up with him and throwing her into his chest, which caused both of them to fall over the other way, heehee!) Please, shush, shush now!
Sora: OWWWW! What did you do to me!
She suddenly realized she was now on top of Kenshin, and though she felt terribly awkward and undignified, all she could manage was a small grimace, and collapsed on top of him. Her eyes were shut tight, her head resting gently on his chest, as she muttered half consciously.
Sora: (still breathing hard, and now entirely tangled in an array of bandages that seemed to allow no movement whatsoever, she just clung to her companion) Just make my arm stop hurting, oh God, what happened, let go of me, just leave me alone, I don't need any help, stay away.........
Kenshin figured she was asleep now and he relaxed a moment, thanking Kami-sama that she had quieted. He gently placed his one arm around her waist and held her close, while using his other arm to lever them up off of the cave floor. He could feel her stubborn heart beating rapidly against his bare chest, and so, he slowly began to unwind the tattered bandages from their bodies. Only then could he obtain some fresh ones and dress her wounds. It didn't take long for the color to come back into her face, and she began to come around.
Sora: Where am I, what happened? Oh my God! Let me go, what are you doing!
She struggled fiercely against him, but he subdued her quickly for fear she would reopen some of her other wounds.
Kenshin: Please Miss Sora, you're all right, just calm down, I was only dressing your wounds.
Sora: (finally wrenching free from his grasp) Just leave me alone!
And with that she stood, very shakily I might add, and quickly braced herself against the cave wall. Kenshin stood and made a move to try and get her to sit back down and rest, but she turned and ran, staggering out of the cave.
She reached the previous battle field and ran out into the swaying, blood stained grasses and looked into the sky,
Sora: What is the meaning of this! Come storms, come rain, do your worst; I will not be subdued to heed your will! How can there be peace here when my friends lay dying!?!
As she spoke; it was as if Mother Nature actually responded to her, and she sent her storms and rain, her furry now provoked! The thunder bellowed, and lightning cackled, and the driving rain fell in waves over the weeping killer's form.
Sora: (turning and scrambling to the tip of the overhang of the cave) That's it rain, pour down and wash me clean, I will not bear these memories, or this torture! Leave me in peace, or else strike me dead here as I stand weakened, and leave my carcass to burn and rot for the buzzards!
This time, there was no response, and the wind gently whispered in the girl's ears and filled her gi, the rain now lessening to a constant drizzle, as it washed the last traces of blood from her form. The thunder rolled away, and the lightning recoiled its glowing fangs. Finally, drained of all strength, Sora's exhausted form crumbled and buckled into a heap on her rock pinnacle.
Sora: (whispering as her eyes closed) Why must I kill, and yet be unable to stop, for it is tearing me apart inside. How much longer, must I go on? I refuse to give in though my girls are out there, and they need me. I must reach them, oh spirits, hear me pleas. (raising her head to the sky) Mother, Father, forgive my weakness; I have disgraced you. But why do you not show me the right way to go, I thought you would always be with me, and yet, you send me nothing, not even a gentle stranger to comfort me. All I ask is that my friends are returned to health, and that you will forgive me. But wait, why do I deserve forgiveness when I won't even give it to my own companions? Oh I am wretched! If I sleep, it will all go away, tomorrow I may start anew, just wait till tomorrow, just.........wait-
And so she knelt her head and cried, cried until the rain forced her to quiet, and the wind brought to her the comforting last words of her mother...For born out of the flames of terror, with many enemies to fell, all shall fear this beautiful Angel come from the Fiery Depths of Hell-------
And she could feel the presence of her long lost family, and they told her to look no further, and to waste no time, for her friends were near, and comfort was close, if only she would embrace it.
A/N: And who else should appear on the scene but-----Kenshin of course!
And so, worried for her health he scooped up her silent form and ran, shirtless and soaked back down to the caves. There he removed the outer layer of her gi and wrapped his own about her. Despite the cold, he held her close, her wet hair cascading down over his arms, and he prayed that she would be ok, for all of their sakes.
OK!! How was that!?! Sorry for the long wait, but no worries! I'm back!
Chapter 9,
Forgiveness
Well, last we left off, the doctor was unconscious, Yahiko was too, Sano and the horses were wrestling with the leopards, Kenshin and Kaoru were fighting back to back, and Sora had just finished restringing her bow.
Well, Sora had finally gathered her wits about her and had notched an arrow to her bowstring, aiming for the leopard that Sano was currently dealing with, but just as she pulled back the string.........it snapped!
A/N: Hee hee, I can be so cruel!
Sora: Awwww, screw it!
With that she leapt down the hill and dashed over to where her bag had fallen off of Sanakoo's back. It didn't take her long to find her infamous blade, the one that had once belonged to her parents. She unsheathed the deadly weapon, and held it in the light. The glittering, ferocious twin beasts intertwined the length of the blade. Their burning, ruby eyes twinkled as the sunlight danced across them! Sora looked down at her oldest friend and smiled,
Sora: It's been awhile, hasn't it!?!
With that she leapt off to join the remainder of her comrades in battle! Her first goal was to reach Sanakoo and Kira, they were in the greatest strife as of now and so she felt obligated to rush to their aid. In one swing, she managed to cleave one of the giant leopards entirely in half! The blade bit murderously into the flesh of its opposers, and felled each one with even less mercy than that of its previous victim. Her manslayer instincts had officially taken over though, and so she was unstoppable. But by now the cats had realized that the thinning of their ranks was do to her malison, and so they turned away from their current entrées and slipped after her.
A small circle of snarling, snapping fur now pressed in around Sora, and she smiled maliciously at the delight she would receive after cutting down each one. But that grim glory was soon shattered as the war cries of her still fighting friends shattered the air, and ran to her aid against the overwhelming odds.
Such a display of aggression caught the hungry oppressors off guard and so they scattered in an attempt to once again recover their advantage of strength and speed. Kenshin brought the dull edge of his reverse blade sword crashing down over one of the cat's shoulders, and the animal collapsed instantly. Kaoru was doing well until the cats finally were able to regroup and turn on her week bokken. Despite her experience and knowledge of how to wield her weapon, its frail wooden frame shattered easily under the pressure of the leopard's jaws. Her now useless weapon fell to the ground as she began a hand-to-hand struggle for her life against one of the felines! Sora was at her side in a flash though, and with an unrivaled amount of hatred, brought the flat of her blade straight down on one of the animal's skulls, completely obliterating it. Kaoru looked up at the mess of a human being that stood over her, and a shudder ran the length of her spine as her gaze fell on Sora's eyes. Those eyes, their image was instantly burned into the back of her mind, and even now, when she was fully awake, she feared the nightmares that would come from witnessing such a sight! Sora moved on though, towards her still struggling horses, and with one great sprint, gathered enough speed to spring into the air, and come down on Sanakoo's back, knocking away a bothersome cat as she did so.
Now she was unstoppable, Sanakoo reared high into the air, the realization of having been rejoined with his battle companion now hitting him, and he galloped off into the fray! Sora hung low over his side, her blade extended out towards her upcoming enemies, and, without flinching, met head on with one of the larger cats. I will close a curtain of courtesy on that poor creatures end for all of those with weak constitutions and stomachs.
The gruesome battle was quickly over from that point on, and without wasting a second's time, Sora slipped from Sanakoo's back and ran to Yahiko. The child had been bleeding profusely from the shoulder, but other than that he had few wounds to care for. He began to come around as Sora gently poured water over his bloodied shoulder.
Yahiko: W-what happened?
Sora: I let you get hurt. (she said this with tears in her eyes)
Yahiko: Where is everybody?
Sora: Just stay here, and press this cloth over you wound, you'll be fine, don't worry.
With that she ran off to check on her horses. She passed Sano and the others on her way, Sano currently held Megumi in his arms and was carrying her back over to the cave's mouth where he could lay her in the shade. Kenshin turned after Sora and shouted to her,
Kenshin: Miss Sora, are you all right?
Sora: Never mind me! Just help the others!
Sanakoo had made his way back over to Kira and had managed to splash enough water on her face to arouse her from unconsciousness. Sora quickly got on one side of her, shoving as hard as she could to get the animal back on her feet. Sanakoo took her reins in his mouth and pulled her up from the front. With Sora and Sanakoo holding her on both sides, they managed to push her back up the hill and into the cave. The others were already there and waiting for her. Megumi refused to open her eyes, and so it was up to the rest of them to fix one another up with what little they knew about medicine. Sora ran to her bloodstained bag and dug out several herbs and other medicines. She loaded some penicillin into a shot and hurriedly stuck it into Kira's neck, injecting every last bit of the medicine into her. She performed this same procedure on all of her friends and herself, changing the needle each time. After receiving the medicine she instructed the all to help fix each other up, Megumi was to be worked on first. With that said she turned away from them.
Sano: Where are you going!?!
Sora: To help what's left of family!
She spoke with more of a snarl in her voice, rather than an angry tone. Then she turned to work on her horses, Sanakoo had finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion, and so she ran to his aid. She spent six hours working over their weak and torn bodies, attempting to save as much of them as possible. Eventually Kenshin took a break from keeping watch over Megumi and came to see how Sora was doing.
Kenshin: Can I help you fix that bandage?
Sora refused to answer him.
Kenshin: You might want to take a break to tend to your own wounds, I can finish up here that I can.
Again, no answer.
Kenshin: Listen,
Sora: No you listen!! If it hadn't been for you stopping me from going after Yahiko, we wouldn't be in this mess right now!
Kenshin: But,
Sora: No! I'm finished speaking with you! It'll be a miracle if both of these two last out the night, and if they do, what little of them is saved from the grave will most likely be lame!
Kenshin: I, I'm sorry,
Sora: Do not speak to me about being sorry!! You will get no forgiveness from me, besides, I'm not the one who is paying the price for your folly.
As you can all imagine, this really hurt Kenshin, I mean, we all know how he is about these personal matters. But nonetheless, he took it like a man and, despite his better judgment, rather than leaving her to her brooding, he stepped forward and sat beside her. Sora turned her face from him and pretended to be busy doing something else. But Kenshin could see the tears that stained her cheeks, and so he gently took both her hands, despite her efforts to wrench them free, and looked her straight in the eyes,
Kenshin: Don't be afraid.
Sora: What, what are you talking about, I'm not afraid,
Kenshin: Don't be afraid to show your emotions, you've done all you can to help them, and if you don't take care of yourself then who will watch over them?
Sora: (looking away) I'm fine, really, besides, look at the pot calling the kettle black, that doesn't look like a very pretty cut you've got there.
She pointed to the long gash above his brow, she then turned back the sleeve on his gi to reveal another bloody laceration.
Sora: Hold on, I'll go get some bandages to fix these up.
She returned quickly and brushed back Kenshin's hair so that she could better see the wound. Although she seemed to know what she was doing, Kenshin couldn't help but flinch as she cleaned and dressed his forehead. She then turned to his arm and gently wrapped it as well.
A/N: Did I mention that for this wound to be fully dressed Kenshin was required to remove his shirt?
By the time she was finished though she had started to grow fain from a loss of blood due to her own injuries. Kenshin was thoroughly worried now and so he stopped her from going back to her horses and bid her sit down while he assessed her own wounds. Her eyes felt heavy and the world began to fade away. Kenshin had to keep her awake for her own good, and so, he had already begun to wrap her arm up, with the other end of the bandage wrapped around his own wrist to hold it tight. Even though he did not like the idea, he was going to have to snap her back to reality if he was to finish this job, and so, with a guilty conscience, he poured a small quantity of the cleaning solution straight into her cut. The burning sensation would have "awakened the dead" as Sora would later describe it, and so she awoke with a cry of pain and jerked away as hard as she could. Sora had been sitting on the ground though, so she only succeeded in throwing herself down onto the cave floor, accidentally dragging Kenshin down on top of her as he was currently tied to her. So, to recap, Sora is lying on the ground, gasping in pain for air, Kenshin is shirtless and lying on top of her, and it had now started to grow cloudy so it grew dim in the caves.
Kenshin: ORO! Well, this is awkward, that it is indeed!
Sora: Ow, ow owowowowowowowow!!
She made no noise other than her heavy breathing and every now and then hissing a lengthy string of curses under her breath, but after blinking a few times she realized where she was and her eyes widened as she realized what sort of position she was in!
Sora: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Kenshin: (jumping back in an attempt to get away, but only hauling Sora up with him and throwing her into his chest, which caused both of them to fall over the other way, heehee!) Please, shush, shush now!
Sora: OWWWW! What did you do to me!
She suddenly realized she was now on top of Kenshin, and though she felt terribly awkward and undignified, all she could manage was a small grimace, and collapsed on top of him. Her eyes were shut tight, her head resting gently on his chest, as she muttered half consciously.
Sora: (still breathing hard, and now entirely tangled in an array of bandages that seemed to allow no movement whatsoever, she just clung to her companion) Just make my arm stop hurting, oh God, what happened, let go of me, just leave me alone, I don't need any help, stay away.........
Kenshin figured she was asleep now and he relaxed a moment, thanking Kami-sama that she had quieted. He gently placed his one arm around her waist and held her close, while using his other arm to lever them up off of the cave floor. He could feel her stubborn heart beating rapidly against his bare chest, and so, he slowly began to unwind the tattered bandages from their bodies. Only then could he obtain some fresh ones and dress her wounds. It didn't take long for the color to come back into her face, and she began to come around.
Sora: Where am I, what happened? Oh my God! Let me go, what are you doing!
She struggled fiercely against him, but he subdued her quickly for fear she would reopen some of her other wounds.
Kenshin: Please Miss Sora, you're all right, just calm down, I was only dressing your wounds.
Sora: (finally wrenching free from his grasp) Just leave me alone!
And with that she stood, very shakily I might add, and quickly braced herself against the cave wall. Kenshin stood and made a move to try and get her to sit back down and rest, but she turned and ran, staggering out of the cave.
She reached the previous battle field and ran out into the swaying, blood stained grasses and looked into the sky,
Sora: What is the meaning of this! Come storms, come rain, do your worst; I will not be subdued to heed your will! How can there be peace here when my friends lay dying!?!
As she spoke; it was as if Mother Nature actually responded to her, and she sent her storms and rain, her furry now provoked! The thunder bellowed, and lightning cackled, and the driving rain fell in waves over the weeping killer's form.
Sora: (turning and scrambling to the tip of the overhang of the cave) That's it rain, pour down and wash me clean, I will not bear these memories, or this torture! Leave me in peace, or else strike me dead here as I stand weakened, and leave my carcass to burn and rot for the buzzards!
This time, there was no response, and the wind gently whispered in the girl's ears and filled her gi, the rain now lessening to a constant drizzle, as it washed the last traces of blood from her form. The thunder rolled away, and the lightning recoiled its glowing fangs. Finally, drained of all strength, Sora's exhausted form crumbled and buckled into a heap on her rock pinnacle.
Sora: (whispering as her eyes closed) Why must I kill, and yet be unable to stop, for it is tearing me apart inside. How much longer, must I go on? I refuse to give in though my girls are out there, and they need me. I must reach them, oh spirits, hear me pleas. (raising her head to the sky) Mother, Father, forgive my weakness; I have disgraced you. But why do you not show me the right way to go, I thought you would always be with me, and yet, you send me nothing, not even a gentle stranger to comfort me. All I ask is that my friends are returned to health, and that you will forgive me. But wait, why do I deserve forgiveness when I won't even give it to my own companions? Oh I am wretched! If I sleep, it will all go away, tomorrow I may start anew, just wait till tomorrow, just.........wait-
And so she knelt her head and cried, cried until the rain forced her to quiet, and the wind brought to her the comforting last words of her mother...For born out of the flames of terror, with many enemies to fell, all shall fear this beautiful Angel come from the Fiery Depths of Hell-------
And she could feel the presence of her long lost family, and they told her to look no further, and to waste no time, for her friends were near, and comfort was close, if only she would embrace it.
A/N: And who else should appear on the scene but-----Kenshin of course!
And so, worried for her health he scooped up her silent form and ran, shirtless and soaked back down to the caves. There he removed the outer layer of her gi and wrapped his own about her. Despite the cold, he held her close, her wet hair cascading down over his arms, and he prayed that she would be ok, for all of their sakes.
OK!! How was that!?! Sorry for the long wait, but no worries! I'm back!