Chapter 10: Caught Unaware
A/N: Hello everyone! Darn it, I always end up creating more problems for my poor brain to figure out how to solve! This last one was a humdinger! Don't even ask where I got it, cause the truth is, I don't really know. It just kinda...fwoooooooo...and there it was. And I didn't realize where I was taking it until I had already took it. LOL. (Sorry bout the grammar in that one, I couldn't help it.) OH and dude, Friday our Football team BRUTALLY butchered our local rivals. OH yeah. And the band kicked some serious other band bootie. GO US! And our Baritonist was soooo awesome, he really did well on his solo. And, as always, the horn section was the bestest! ^-^ We can't help being good.
Disclaimer: I don't own RK. Dude, I own my fingernails though. They're really cool right now, Black and silver. The silver are the little dots from dice. It's awesome. DUDE.
~^~^~
Megumi watched Kenshin shiver furiously. They'd packed him in ice, after tying his arms and legs to the table. They couldn't afford for him to get up and attack them again. The poor rurouni hadn't regained consciousness after Sano had knocked him out. If this went the best possible way, Kenshin's fever would break in about three days.
But Megumi had an odd feeling this wasn't going to be going the best way.
~^~^~
Fjork paced his room impatiently. There was a way for him to do this, he knew there was! He just needed to think, hard and long. He stopped pacing long enough to sit on his bed. And then it came to him. If Battousai was in love with this 'Kaoru', and Hitomi was controlling Kaoru, then the easiest way for him to fix everything would be to control the Battousai.
It really wouldn't be that hard. He knew how, and if he could do it right, he'd definitely convince Hitomi it WAS he. All he had to do was find Battousai's wavelength and then...it was easy. But how hard would it be to find Battousai's wavelength?
Fjork paused. What exactly did he know about the manslayer? Let's see, he knew that Battousai had red hair, that he loved Kaoru, and that...and...well...he was Battousai? 'GAH, I've got some research to do if I want to find him.' he thought. "Let's go talk to Hitomi, Fjork." he said aloud. When had he started speaking in third person? He didn't know.
Fjork left his ornate room to walk to Hitomi's office. The long hallways were mostly bland and devoid of any beauty, with the obvious exception of the Dream Hall. He wandered slowly, taking time as always to ponder the exceptional paintings of nymphs and faeries, elves and dragons, unicorns and jewel-eyed sea creatures. 'A dreamer is a dreamer 'til the day he dies.' Fjork thought.
Back in her office, Hitomi watched the screen. She was delighted with the response she'd prompted from the Battousai, not to mention very intrigued with this red-eyed, red-haired, hot tempered individual. He'd sufficiently amused her for the time being. Perhaps she would allow Kaoru to recover. Hitomi snickered. What complex feelings this man had.
To tell the truth, she hadn't been expecting to find him this concerned for Kaoru. She'd thought that he would let her die, and just continue on his way. He'd proved her wrong. TWICE even. "Himura Kenshin, what kind of man are you?" she questioned aloud.
"A very amusing one perhaps." a deep voice spoke from the corner. Hitomi sat up from her couch. "Fjork?" she called. "Incorrect. Guess again?" the voice definitely belonged to a male. Hitomi sought the man with her mind, only to find a dark void. He simply...wasn't there.
"Correct, my dear Hitomi, I am not there. I'm standing beside you now." Hitomi jumped as she felt the swirl of icy air beside her. 'Don't over- react.' she steeled herself. Casually she turned her head to inspect the one who dared invade her sanctuary. "Voyridal-sama..." she stuttered. The man had long, black hair pulled into a low ponytail, and wore a white trench coat with a high red collar. "Correct again Hitomi. What is my baka deshi up to now? And why are you torturing my taihen baka deshi?"
"You know this man?" Hitomi stared in astonishment. She hadn't known the Voyridal visited earth...
"Hai. I trained him using a style called Hiten Mitsirugi long ago. Being the baka deshi he is, he left before his training was completed, and when I found out he was coming back, I was hard pressed to get my story in line! I'd barely teleported to my potter's bench before he appeared, begging me to teach him the final technique. Bah. I had to stall him while I arranged the order of my cabin, so naturally the thing I did was refuse. The ahou-- of course--argued with me, giving me time to get everything in order. A few days later he succeeded in learning the final technique, Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki, and to my very own surprise, he actually DID almost kill me! He refused to take his role as the fourteenth Hiten Mitsirugi master, leaving me in his place." the Voyridal explained.
"Voyridal-sama, you mean this man, he is a god?" Hitomi said, her eyes wide with astonishment. The Voyridal laughed. "Hardly my dear Goddess, he simply has the ability TO BE one if he so desired. But the ahou will never realize that." Hitomi sighed. "Does that mean I have to stop my game?" she snapped bitterly. "No, no, by all means continue. I know what he did to you. Exact your revenge, Hitomi."
~^~^~
Kenshin grasped the light, pulling the edge of consciousness closer. It was cold, very cold, and he could feel his body shivering against the biting frost. He wasn't sure how this was possible, for the fire inside him still raged blindly. The heat, oh the horrible heat, was eating him alive, boiling his insides. He had to quench this fire, ease this horrible torment. And THEY were trying to keep him from doing just that. It was all THEIR fault. THEY wanted him to suffer, he was positive they reveled in his misery.
He would soon get them. He would kill them all, but not before torturing them slowly and painfully. Kenshin broke into a grin at the very thought. 'Ah, it seems I'm conscious once again.' he thought. Observing his surroundings, he discovered the reason for his incessant shivering. They'd tied him to this table and then packed his body with ice. They thought to torture him until he broke. Well, he would show them.
Himura Kenshin didn't break. He bent, he swayed, he sometimes cracked, but he NEVER broke. To do so was unforgivable. He pulled slightly against the restraint on his right arm, the one closest to the wall. Damn them, they hadn't underestimated his strength. It was as if they knew him, but he knew this wasn't possible.
If they knew him, then he would know them, correct?
His sword. Where was his sword? Had they taken that from him also? Damn them, they were good. There was no such thing as an easy escape around this place. What did a guy have to do to break out of some restraints nowadays? He could feel the anger growing inside him, and knew that eventually it would be all he needed to break free. He fed it eagerly with the little injustices he thought had been done.
Where was the woman that was watching him last time? Could it be that the impertinent wench had left him to himself? Perhaps it wouldn't be as hard as he thought. He pulled more violently against the restraints holding him to the table (and in the ice). He still couldn't move. Growling he struggled with all his might. 'INSOLENT WEAK BODY!' he thought bitterly. Since when did his own body not listen to him?
"Kenshin?" a voice called from behind him. This voice was new. And female. Kenshin grinned mischievously. Perhaps this could be used to his advantage. All he had to do was get her to believe he was benevolent, and surely she would release him. Unless she too had been informed of his situation.
She hadn't. Kaoru watched Kenshin struggle weakly. He was barely a shell of the Kenshin she'd once knew. Why had he done something so awful? Something must be horribly wrong. Kenshin would never have done something like this otherwise. He was so pitiful! Kaoru almost sobbed at the husk of the once lively man she adored.
Kenshin smirked. It was working. He could sense the pity in her ki. Only a few more minutes would he have to pretend to be weak. Did this female have a name? And was she just going to continue hovering behind him? 'I'll have to prompt her.' he decided. He turned his head to the side weakly, moaning in mock agony.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed, rushing forward. She HAD been right! Kenshin DID need her, and he was in pain! How could Megumi tell her not to stay by his side? Stupid Fox Lady, besides, Kaoru knew not to over-do it. It wasn't like she was dying for Pete's sake. 'You faint nowadays and people everywhere have a hernia.' she thought. Well, no matter what Megumi said, Kaoru was staying RIGHT here with her Kenshin.
'Ah yes, now that's the kind of reaction I'm looking for.' Kenshin thought smugly. Oddly enough, his heart rebelled against the thought of killing this woman. 'Why should she be any different? It's not like I haven't killed before...' Though Kenshin knew this wasn't true. He'd killed before, but not as he was now, this part of him had never broken free. Like he'd said before, Himura Kenshin didn't break. He bent, he--you get the picture.
"Kenshin? Are you ok, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, silently pleading for an answer, for anything. Kenshin groaned and his face contorted with pain. This was so unfair! He shouldn't have to be in such pain while she was perfectly fine! It was her fault he was like this anyhow! If he hadn't thought something was wrong with her, then he wouldn't have done this. 'That's not true Kaoru, you can't prove that that's why he...did that.' her mind chided. Kenshin blinked open his eyes, shining a pale purplish-pink. "Who...are you?" he questioned weakly.
Kenshin inwardly awarded himself a Grammy. Best Acting to Fool a Wench Before You Kill Her Brutally. He could barely suppress a grin and instead steeled himself and forced a little bit of violet into his eyes. When he blinked them open, he was surprised to see such a familiar face. 'Kaoru...' his mind said. He knew her somehow, but she would die just the same. "Who...are you?"
A tear ran down Kaoru's cheek. Kenshin mentally scowled. Crying just wouldn't do. "Kenshin...It's Kaoru...don't you remember me?" she sobbed. Seeing he was causing her much more pain by not remembering her he decided to keep this facade up a bit longer. Silently, mournfully, he shook his head 'no.' Kaoru collapsed over him, sobbing into his bloody gi.
'KUSOOOOO!' his mind screamed. OH the pain! Kaoru jumped back. He was burning with a fever! 'Duh, Kaoru, you should have figured that much out by the ice bags.' she said to herself. She just hadn't expected it to be so...well, hot. Kenshin's skin ached from the Kaoru's touch, as if she possessed the flame of evil that smote him. He struggled to keep his eyes peaceful, to keep his weak outer appearance in effect.
"Kenshin...are you ok?" Kaoru said quietly, watching his eyes. They kept swirling different colors, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. He closed them before swallowing and nodding. "C-can you...untie these?" Kenshin pleaded. Kaoru chewed her lip anxiously. He couldn't possibly be strong enough to go anywhere even if she did...plus he looked positively miserable.
"Ok." she bent to untie his right hand first.
~^~^~
A/N: OOOOooooh BAD THINGS TO COME. ARGH I just keep making more problems for myself! Oh well, I want to personally thank all my reviewers, lemme see what I can do here.
Lil-Warrior-Gal: Heh, I'm glad I've hooked you on my fic, now all I have to do is make sure I don't disappoint you! I really hope I don't, and btw, I TOTALLY agree. Megumi is (in my opinion remember people, don't sue me please) so very annoying in the show, she really does need to get a grip. But I do think her character is like that on purpose. -_-;;;; Oh well! Until next time!
Sofa-chan: I wanna give big thanks to you! You've so faithfully read all my fics so far, and it makes someone feel special when they have a loyal reader. Believe me, this IS going somewhere, and somewhere BIG. You know, actually when I first wrote that chapter I WAS thinking about it being Kaoru that grabbed Kenshin's waist, but well, if it really had been her, then...bad things would have happened. c.C You'll see! Thanks again! ^-^
Koishii-glory: No, this Kenshin doesn't have a name, well other than Himura Kenshin. It's just the part of him that has never been allowed to surface, as I'm sure you can tell WHY. I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you continue to read. *.*
Brownie-luving Icee-chan: I'm glad you like this new part of Kenshin, and probably the main reason you've never heard of it is that...here I'll tell you...*whispers* I made it up! *no more whispers* I'm always doin' crazy stuff like that, my biggest fault being that I constantly make up new words. . *sigh* Oh well!
Falling_From_the_Sky: I don't know what I can promise about no one dying, I'll sure try my best! Hehe, aren't I evil evil? Yes, yes I know. (U.U) Don't have a heart attack just because of something I wrote. Go eat very salty french fries for a year or two, THEN have a heart attack of clogged arteries. Now THAT is dying happy.
And to all of you: I'm so glad you all love me enough to review. *huff* To all you that didn't, I suppose it's everyone to his or her own. Whatever floats your boat. Anyhow, I'm not here to knock all you guys that didn't review, I'm here to say thank you to all the ones that did. SO *LMAH!* (sticking tongue out). If any of you guys have suggestions PLEASE let me know, I wanna see what you guys want to happen. Remember, I couldn't do this without you. Well, I could...but I don't want to. ^-^
A/N: Hello everyone! Darn it, I always end up creating more problems for my poor brain to figure out how to solve! This last one was a humdinger! Don't even ask where I got it, cause the truth is, I don't really know. It just kinda...fwoooooooo...and there it was. And I didn't realize where I was taking it until I had already took it. LOL. (Sorry bout the grammar in that one, I couldn't help it.) OH and dude, Friday our Football team BRUTALLY butchered our local rivals. OH yeah. And the band kicked some serious other band bootie. GO US! And our Baritonist was soooo awesome, he really did well on his solo. And, as always, the horn section was the bestest! ^-^ We can't help being good.
Disclaimer: I don't own RK. Dude, I own my fingernails though. They're really cool right now, Black and silver. The silver are the little dots from dice. It's awesome. DUDE.
~^~^~
Megumi watched Kenshin shiver furiously. They'd packed him in ice, after tying his arms and legs to the table. They couldn't afford for him to get up and attack them again. The poor rurouni hadn't regained consciousness after Sano had knocked him out. If this went the best possible way, Kenshin's fever would break in about three days.
But Megumi had an odd feeling this wasn't going to be going the best way.
~^~^~
Fjork paced his room impatiently. There was a way for him to do this, he knew there was! He just needed to think, hard and long. He stopped pacing long enough to sit on his bed. And then it came to him. If Battousai was in love with this 'Kaoru', and Hitomi was controlling Kaoru, then the easiest way for him to fix everything would be to control the Battousai.
It really wouldn't be that hard. He knew how, and if he could do it right, he'd definitely convince Hitomi it WAS he. All he had to do was find Battousai's wavelength and then...it was easy. But how hard would it be to find Battousai's wavelength?
Fjork paused. What exactly did he know about the manslayer? Let's see, he knew that Battousai had red hair, that he loved Kaoru, and that...and...well...he was Battousai? 'GAH, I've got some research to do if I want to find him.' he thought. "Let's go talk to Hitomi, Fjork." he said aloud. When had he started speaking in third person? He didn't know.
Fjork left his ornate room to walk to Hitomi's office. The long hallways were mostly bland and devoid of any beauty, with the obvious exception of the Dream Hall. He wandered slowly, taking time as always to ponder the exceptional paintings of nymphs and faeries, elves and dragons, unicorns and jewel-eyed sea creatures. 'A dreamer is a dreamer 'til the day he dies.' Fjork thought.
Back in her office, Hitomi watched the screen. She was delighted with the response she'd prompted from the Battousai, not to mention very intrigued with this red-eyed, red-haired, hot tempered individual. He'd sufficiently amused her for the time being. Perhaps she would allow Kaoru to recover. Hitomi snickered. What complex feelings this man had.
To tell the truth, she hadn't been expecting to find him this concerned for Kaoru. She'd thought that he would let her die, and just continue on his way. He'd proved her wrong. TWICE even. "Himura Kenshin, what kind of man are you?" she questioned aloud.
"A very amusing one perhaps." a deep voice spoke from the corner. Hitomi sat up from her couch. "Fjork?" she called. "Incorrect. Guess again?" the voice definitely belonged to a male. Hitomi sought the man with her mind, only to find a dark void. He simply...wasn't there.
"Correct, my dear Hitomi, I am not there. I'm standing beside you now." Hitomi jumped as she felt the swirl of icy air beside her. 'Don't over- react.' she steeled herself. Casually she turned her head to inspect the one who dared invade her sanctuary. "Voyridal-sama..." she stuttered. The man had long, black hair pulled into a low ponytail, and wore a white trench coat with a high red collar. "Correct again Hitomi. What is my baka deshi up to now? And why are you torturing my taihen baka deshi?"
"You know this man?" Hitomi stared in astonishment. She hadn't known the Voyridal visited earth...
"Hai. I trained him using a style called Hiten Mitsirugi long ago. Being the baka deshi he is, he left before his training was completed, and when I found out he was coming back, I was hard pressed to get my story in line! I'd barely teleported to my potter's bench before he appeared, begging me to teach him the final technique. Bah. I had to stall him while I arranged the order of my cabin, so naturally the thing I did was refuse. The ahou-- of course--argued with me, giving me time to get everything in order. A few days later he succeeded in learning the final technique, Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki, and to my very own surprise, he actually DID almost kill me! He refused to take his role as the fourteenth Hiten Mitsirugi master, leaving me in his place." the Voyridal explained.
"Voyridal-sama, you mean this man, he is a god?" Hitomi said, her eyes wide with astonishment. The Voyridal laughed. "Hardly my dear Goddess, he simply has the ability TO BE one if he so desired. But the ahou will never realize that." Hitomi sighed. "Does that mean I have to stop my game?" she snapped bitterly. "No, no, by all means continue. I know what he did to you. Exact your revenge, Hitomi."
~^~^~
Kenshin grasped the light, pulling the edge of consciousness closer. It was cold, very cold, and he could feel his body shivering against the biting frost. He wasn't sure how this was possible, for the fire inside him still raged blindly. The heat, oh the horrible heat, was eating him alive, boiling his insides. He had to quench this fire, ease this horrible torment. And THEY were trying to keep him from doing just that. It was all THEIR fault. THEY wanted him to suffer, he was positive they reveled in his misery.
He would soon get them. He would kill them all, but not before torturing them slowly and painfully. Kenshin broke into a grin at the very thought. 'Ah, it seems I'm conscious once again.' he thought. Observing his surroundings, he discovered the reason for his incessant shivering. They'd tied him to this table and then packed his body with ice. They thought to torture him until he broke. Well, he would show them.
Himura Kenshin didn't break. He bent, he swayed, he sometimes cracked, but he NEVER broke. To do so was unforgivable. He pulled slightly against the restraint on his right arm, the one closest to the wall. Damn them, they hadn't underestimated his strength. It was as if they knew him, but he knew this wasn't possible.
If they knew him, then he would know them, correct?
His sword. Where was his sword? Had they taken that from him also? Damn them, they were good. There was no such thing as an easy escape around this place. What did a guy have to do to break out of some restraints nowadays? He could feel the anger growing inside him, and knew that eventually it would be all he needed to break free. He fed it eagerly with the little injustices he thought had been done.
Where was the woman that was watching him last time? Could it be that the impertinent wench had left him to himself? Perhaps it wouldn't be as hard as he thought. He pulled more violently against the restraints holding him to the table (and in the ice). He still couldn't move. Growling he struggled with all his might. 'INSOLENT WEAK BODY!' he thought bitterly. Since when did his own body not listen to him?
"Kenshin?" a voice called from behind him. This voice was new. And female. Kenshin grinned mischievously. Perhaps this could be used to his advantage. All he had to do was get her to believe he was benevolent, and surely she would release him. Unless she too had been informed of his situation.
She hadn't. Kaoru watched Kenshin struggle weakly. He was barely a shell of the Kenshin she'd once knew. Why had he done something so awful? Something must be horribly wrong. Kenshin would never have done something like this otherwise. He was so pitiful! Kaoru almost sobbed at the husk of the once lively man she adored.
Kenshin smirked. It was working. He could sense the pity in her ki. Only a few more minutes would he have to pretend to be weak. Did this female have a name? And was she just going to continue hovering behind him? 'I'll have to prompt her.' he decided. He turned his head to the side weakly, moaning in mock agony.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed, rushing forward. She HAD been right! Kenshin DID need her, and he was in pain! How could Megumi tell her not to stay by his side? Stupid Fox Lady, besides, Kaoru knew not to over-do it. It wasn't like she was dying for Pete's sake. 'You faint nowadays and people everywhere have a hernia.' she thought. Well, no matter what Megumi said, Kaoru was staying RIGHT here with her Kenshin.
'Ah yes, now that's the kind of reaction I'm looking for.' Kenshin thought smugly. Oddly enough, his heart rebelled against the thought of killing this woman. 'Why should she be any different? It's not like I haven't killed before...' Though Kenshin knew this wasn't true. He'd killed before, but not as he was now, this part of him had never broken free. Like he'd said before, Himura Kenshin didn't break. He bent, he--you get the picture.
"Kenshin? Are you ok, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, silently pleading for an answer, for anything. Kenshin groaned and his face contorted with pain. This was so unfair! He shouldn't have to be in such pain while she was perfectly fine! It was her fault he was like this anyhow! If he hadn't thought something was wrong with her, then he wouldn't have done this. 'That's not true Kaoru, you can't prove that that's why he...did that.' her mind chided. Kenshin blinked open his eyes, shining a pale purplish-pink. "Who...are you?" he questioned weakly.
Kenshin inwardly awarded himself a Grammy. Best Acting to Fool a Wench Before You Kill Her Brutally. He could barely suppress a grin and instead steeled himself and forced a little bit of violet into his eyes. When he blinked them open, he was surprised to see such a familiar face. 'Kaoru...' his mind said. He knew her somehow, but she would die just the same. "Who...are you?"
A tear ran down Kaoru's cheek. Kenshin mentally scowled. Crying just wouldn't do. "Kenshin...It's Kaoru...don't you remember me?" she sobbed. Seeing he was causing her much more pain by not remembering her he decided to keep this facade up a bit longer. Silently, mournfully, he shook his head 'no.' Kaoru collapsed over him, sobbing into his bloody gi.
'KUSOOOOO!' his mind screamed. OH the pain! Kaoru jumped back. He was burning with a fever! 'Duh, Kaoru, you should have figured that much out by the ice bags.' she said to herself. She just hadn't expected it to be so...well, hot. Kenshin's skin ached from the Kaoru's touch, as if she possessed the flame of evil that smote him. He struggled to keep his eyes peaceful, to keep his weak outer appearance in effect.
"Kenshin...are you ok?" Kaoru said quietly, watching his eyes. They kept swirling different colors, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. He closed them before swallowing and nodding. "C-can you...untie these?" Kenshin pleaded. Kaoru chewed her lip anxiously. He couldn't possibly be strong enough to go anywhere even if she did...plus he looked positively miserable.
"Ok." she bent to untie his right hand first.
~^~^~
A/N: OOOOooooh BAD THINGS TO COME. ARGH I just keep making more problems for myself! Oh well, I want to personally thank all my reviewers, lemme see what I can do here.
Lil-Warrior-Gal: Heh, I'm glad I've hooked you on my fic, now all I have to do is make sure I don't disappoint you! I really hope I don't, and btw, I TOTALLY agree. Megumi is (in my opinion remember people, don't sue me please) so very annoying in the show, she really does need to get a grip. But I do think her character is like that on purpose. -_-;;;; Oh well! Until next time!
Sofa-chan: I wanna give big thanks to you! You've so faithfully read all my fics so far, and it makes someone feel special when they have a loyal reader. Believe me, this IS going somewhere, and somewhere BIG. You know, actually when I first wrote that chapter I WAS thinking about it being Kaoru that grabbed Kenshin's waist, but well, if it really had been her, then...bad things would have happened. c.C You'll see! Thanks again! ^-^
Koishii-glory: No, this Kenshin doesn't have a name, well other than Himura Kenshin. It's just the part of him that has never been allowed to surface, as I'm sure you can tell WHY. I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you continue to read. *.*
Brownie-luving Icee-chan: I'm glad you like this new part of Kenshin, and probably the main reason you've never heard of it is that...here I'll tell you...*whispers* I made it up! *no more whispers* I'm always doin' crazy stuff like that, my biggest fault being that I constantly make up new words. . *sigh* Oh well!
Falling_From_the_Sky: I don't know what I can promise about no one dying, I'll sure try my best! Hehe, aren't I evil evil? Yes, yes I know. (U.U) Don't have a heart attack just because of something I wrote. Go eat very salty french fries for a year or two, THEN have a heart attack of clogged arteries. Now THAT is dying happy.
And to all of you: I'm so glad you all love me enough to review. *huff* To all you that didn't, I suppose it's everyone to his or her own. Whatever floats your boat. Anyhow, I'm not here to knock all you guys that didn't review, I'm here to say thank you to all the ones that did. SO *LMAH!* (sticking tongue out). If any of you guys have suggestions PLEASE let me know, I wanna see what you guys want to happen. Remember, I couldn't do this without you. Well, I could...but I don't want to. ^-^