Disclaimer: We can always dream, right?
Definitions:
¤ Kitsune – fox
¤ Tori atama – rooster head
¤ Oibore – old man
¤ Ayaui – hey / watch it
¤ Oyasuminasai – good night
¤¤**¤¤
A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 10: Aoiya
¤¤**¤¤
Kaoru gasped in shock as she felt herself being thrown across the man's shoulders and opened her mouth wide to emit a shrill scream when the man's hand slapped over her mouth.
"Shut up, tanuki!" The man hissed as he dashed down the dirt road that was about to empty into town. "Go ahead and open your mouth if you wish to get caught."
Kaoru bit down on her lip and looked at her captor, or more like her savior. Saitou Hajime had her propped up on his shoulders, running fast into town. His breathing was labored, however, and he had several cuts and scrapes across his chest and arms. The cut was nothing too bad, but just enough damage to weaken him.
"What about Kenshin?" Kaoru asked worriedly, shooting a hopeful glance behind their retreating form.
"What did I say, Kamiya? Keep on talking if you want to be followed!" Saitou snapped. "This isn't about him, it's about you."
Kaoru whimpered as she looked longingly back at the fight that was taking place. It would appear to be just a cloud of dust to any other by passer, but Kaoru could make out the flashes of steel that belonged to swords, and the blur of red that could have either been blood or Kenshin's hair. She was hoping it was the latter. Kaoru wouldn't be able to bear the fact that Kenshin could be hurt or even killed because he was protecting her. Though by the looks of Saitou, he didn't care. Saitou probably just thought of Kenshin as what he used to be: a pawn used for the slaughter of others. But he wasn't like that, not any more!
The slim forest path abruptly opened up into the wide streets of Kaoru's hometown. She looked around in wonder, recalling fond memories of her childhood and moments before she had fled her home. Just down the street at the corner was the famous restaurant, the Akabeko, which Kaoru would often take Yahiko to if he had done an exceptional job at lessons. And towards the center of town, not too far from Kaoru's dojo, was the Aoiya: the home of her dearest friend, Makimachi Misao.
Kaoru looked onward hopefully as Saitou's pace slowed down to a brisk trot. Maybe she would be able to stay with Kenshin at the Aoiya for a while. That way he could rest and overcome his wounds, if he had any.
"Girl," Saitou said suddenly, depriving Kaoru from her thoughts, "I'm not going to carry you through town." With that, he practically dropped Kaoru off his shoulders as she plummeted to the ground. Her eyes widened in surprise as she quickly rearranged herself in mid-air so that she wouldn't land on her bad foot. Instead, she fell on her good foot and plopped down onto the ground.
Saitou looked down at Kaoru in shock. He had to admit that she was something. Kaoru was exceptional in her style, or at least that is what he had heard. Though he always thought of it as something that retained to her dojo, and that she wouldn't apply it to everyday life. Though he just witnessed Kaoru falling in a controlled manner, despite the fact that she had landed on her behind. With more training, that Saitou would be more than willing to give once she became stewardess, she could become more graceful than a geisha, and much more powerful than a typical swordsman as well.
Kaoru watched the many thoughts flicker across Saitou's unsettling eyes and immediately flushed. She was supposed to be a woman with grace and poise, and here she was sitting on the ground in a kimono! Kaoru quickly pushed herself off the ground and brushed off the dirt on her kimono. She looked back at Saitou with a hard glare of her own. "Where are we going now?"
"I told you," Saitou drawled, rolling his eyes, "You are going to see your good friend Makimachi at the Aoiya. Now let's get a move on."
He grabbed Kaoru by the arm rather forcefully and pulled her through the streets.
Kaoru struggled to keep up with Saitou's pace with her injured foot, though she was determined to not let Saitou think she was weak. After a few moments of her hobbling behind him, she called, "Will we meet Kenshin there?"
Saitou paused and looked down at Kaoru's hopeful sapphire eyes. "If he makes it that far, then yes."
Kaoru's eyes saddened and her form drooped. Saitou sighed in frustration and tugged at her arm fairly harshly. "That doesn't give us an excuse to lag behind."
Saitou could hear the faint growl Kaoru emitted from her throat and smirked inwardly. Yes, she is a feisty one.
¤¤
Kenshin clutched his side desperately as he limped out of the battle. He was victorious, though paid a price. A gash was placed on his left side and his left leg was pierced. It hurt to walk, but he trudged on, determined to arrive at the Aoiya so that he could protect Kaoru. How he could protect her in a state like that was a mystery to him, but at least he would be there for her.
Kenshin managed to get past the multiple unconscious bodies that were strewn across the path and made it into the wide streets of town. Several people were outside socializing or attempting to sell their goods to other passers-by, but when they noticed Kenshin, they all retreated back indoors or behind the flaps of their tents. Kenshin wasn't discouraged though, and continued forward.
Though the pain was almost unbearable, and fatigue was overcoming him, Kenshin only allowed his thoughts to dwell on Kaoru and her smiling face. He imagined how Kaoru would greet him with open arms once he arrived at the Aoiya. How happy he would be to see her smiling. A small smile found its way to Kenshin's lips as he limped on. His determination never lagging until he found that he could not ignore his body's protests any longer. His legs crumpled beneath his body as he toppled down to the ground, becoming unconscious.
The storm clouds piled on top of each other over the barren streets where the unconscious ex-hitokiri laid. The bitter drops of rain fell about the town, becoming heavier and louder with every passing minute.
¤¤
Kaoru looked fretfully up at the sky as Saitou continued down the streets until they arrived at the Aoiya. It would be raining soon. No, it would be pouring. Kaoru wondered frantically what would happen to Kenshin if he were stranded out in the rain, hurt and alone. Tears started to cloud her eyes as she stepped up behind Saitou as he rapped his knuckles against the door.
A soft pattering of feet could be heard as they neared the door, and soon Kaoru could hear a latch becoming undone as they slid open the door. A pair of bright emerald eyes and a long black braid could be seen from the slit she made in the doorway.
"Oh! Saitou-san! Please, come on in!" Misao said eagerly as she opened the door wider for Saitou to enter. She was afraid that more of Shishio's men had returned to town to interrogate the citizens of their knowledge of Kaoru.
"Makimachi." Saitou greeted hastily as he stepped inside, tugging Kaoru along with him. Kaoru stumbled forward, not watching where she was going. Her thoughts had been dwelling too much on Kenshin.
"Kaoru-chan!" Misao crowed happily from the hallway as she practically jumped on Kaoru, embracing her tightly. "Oh, I'm so glad you're safe!"
Kaoru couldn't help but give a small smile at her friend's enthusiasm. "Misao-chan," she said softly, "So good to see you again."
Misao bobbed her head in agreement. "I stayed with Yahiko-chan all week until I heard that the men had left town. Yahiko's probably sleeping upstairs right now." Misao said the latter in a softer voice.
"After your loud outburst I doubt that he still is sleeping." Saitou said from behind Kaoru.
Misao shot Saitou a glare and took Kaoru's arm. "C'mon Kaoru, we have a room ready for you upstairs. You should best be getting some rest. The bathhouse will be open soon. Aoshi-sama is cleaning up now after his training."
Kaoru nodded gratefully and followed Misao up the steps that were past the kitchen and to the left. Her room was amongst many other rooms, most of which already belonged to other members of the Oniwabanshu. Misao's room was in fact just across the hall.
"I'll let you rest for now, and call you when Aoshi-sama is finished." Misao said softly, sensing Kaoru's fatigue. Kaoru nodded and slipped inside her room, crawling towards her futon.
She was still worried about Kenshin, but thought that he would return by the time she would wake to wash up. So until then, she figured, she could rest.
¤¤
The back door of the Aoiya opened softly as the okashira stepped inside. He carried a white trench coat that was hanging loosely in one hand as he held the discarded bath towel in the other. He was currently wearing a pair of his training hakamas and had pulled on a loose yukata over his chest, which would be discarded once he retired to his room.
Misao skirted out of the kitchen as she welcomed the tall, silent ice man. Though he had managed to reach her first.
"I'm back." He stated simply, walking past Misao and heading towards the mat by the fireplace where he usually sat to meditate indoors.
Misao frowned. How was it that he never openly displayed any emotion towards her? She cared for him so much, and he didn't even seem to consider her love for him. Misao hesitantly approached Aoshi and stood behind his back.
"Saitou-san and Kaoru-chan arrived a little while ago. Saitou is currently sleeping, and I told Kaoru that I would wake her once you came out of the bathhouse." Misao said softly, taking in Aoshi's stoic posture as he sat there.
Aoshi merely inclined his head.
Misao looked down at her feet. "Well, I guess I should go wake Kaoru now."
"Wait."
Misao froze. Did Aoshi just address her? Her heart started to beat faster in anticipation. Maybe he would confess his undying love to her. Maybe he just wanted Misao to stay by his side while he meditated. "Yes?" She responded weakly.
"Himura did not arrive?" Aoshi answered emotionlessly.
Misao's heart cascaded down to the floor where she could see it shatter to pieces. "No." She said somberly. She turned to go wake Kaoru.
Once he heard the steady footsteps of Misao heading upstairs, Aoshi inched his head to the side so he could catch her retreating form. She was a beauty to him, though he tried to cover up his feelings by saying that she was just a girl and therefore too young for him. But even in the flickering firelight he could see her curves, and her maturity as she watched after her dear friend. Aoshi bowed his head and sighed. Through all his meditating he could determine only one thing: he was hopelessly in love with her. But he saw that he could do nothing.
"She is too young." He told himself for the umpteenth time.
¤¤
Kaoru felt something nudging her, forcing her to consciousness. She moaned loudly and sat up. "What is it?" She asked groggily after finding Misao sitting upright beside her.
"Aoshi-sama's finished with the bathhouse. You're free to go in." Misao said quietly. "There are some spare yukata's by the towels."
"Thank you Misao." Kaoru nodded, pushing the covers away from her. Though as she attempted to stand up, she caught sight of Misao's downcast face. "What's wrong, Misao?" She asked sympathetically, gripping Misao's chin so that she could look at her.
Misao sighed. "I love him, and he doesn't see me."
Kaoru embraced the younger girl tightly. "Oh Misao, don't worry. You're too young to think about such things. Of course Aoshi sees you, maybe he just doesn't think you're old enough to accept him yet."
"Why should age matter?" Misao pouted. "Love doesn't happen at a certain age. Love is timeless."
"Maybe you need to show Aoshi that." Kaoru suggested, backing away from Misao.
Misao looked down at the ground. "Maybe..."
Kaoru sighed. "I'm going to go to the bathhouse now. Good night." Misao nodded and Kaoru left.
As Kaoru headed out the back door, her thoughts drifted back to Misao. She was deeply in love with Aoshi. She would do anything for him. If anything happened to Aoshi, Misao would be by his side in an instant.
Kaoru entered the bathhouse and stripped herself of her kimono and stepped into the tub of hot water.
'If anything happened to Kenshin, I would be by his side in an instant.' Kaoru thought aimlessly, letting it run through her mind several times.
"Wait!" Kaoru shot up in the bathtub. "What if something DID happen to Kenshin? And I'm just sitting around doing nothing!"
Kaoru leapt out of the bathtub and pulled on the first yukata she could find. It was one of Misao's judging by the legnth, and since Misao was shorter than her, the yukata hung just above her knees. Kaoru was in too much of a hurry to think about the yukata, however, and was currently bolting out of the yard and into the streets where the rain had started to plummet from the sky.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru wailed as she wandered through the abandoned streets. "Where are you?"
She was drenched and the yukata was clinging to her every curve. Her ebony hair was plastered to her face and neck as she continued down the street. The biting wind that whipped at her hair and chilled her body caused her to shiver, but she wasn't giving up.
Kaoru came upon the town's central park, and towards the edge of the park near the shrubbery something interesting caught her eye. There was something in the street just behind the shrubbery. And that something had red hair.
'Kenshin!' Kaoru's mind screamed.
Kaoru, ignoring her injured foot, ran flat out towards Kenshin and scooped his shivering body into her arms. He was deathly pale, and his skin cold to the touch. He was still out cold, and Kaoru was frantic with what to do.
The only thing she could think of doing was to bring him back to the Aoiya and hope that someone there would be able to treat him since he would surely have a horrible fever once he woke up. So Kaoru gathered Kenshin as best she could into her arms and trudged back down the street towards the Aoiya. It took Kaoru a good thirty to forty-five minutes before she arrived back at the Aoiya, flinging the front door open causing the two occupants in the front room to jump and stare.
"Kaoru." Misao groaned as she saw Kaoru limp into the room, soaking wet. And then her attention turned to the body that had just slumped to the ground from Kaoru's arms.
"Himura." Aoshi said immediately, his voice containing a hint of shock.
"He needs help." Kaoru gasped. She was on the verge of collapsing, thinking that her ankle would not be capable of carrying her weight much longer.
"Go wake Okina." Aoshi ordered Misao who obediently dashed up the steps. As Misao could be heard waking up the disgruntled man, Aoshi walked over towards Kenshin and scooped him up into his arms. "I'll be putting him in your room, Kaoru." Aoshi stated as he briskly carried Kenshin up to Kaoru's room.
Kaoru slumped up against the nearest wall and slid down to the ground, curling up into a fetal position. She looked up as she heard three pairs of footsteps walking down the steps. Two of which belonged to Aoshi and Misao, the third belonging to an elderly man who was Okina.
"What do you need, Aoshi?" Okina asked faithfully.
"Go fetch Takani-san. She should be staying just a few blocks away at the Inn." Aoshi said. Okina nodded and walked briskly out the door.
"You know I could have done that." Misao said, turning on Aoshi.
"I don't want you going out in that weather." Aoshi said as he looked down at Misao, staring her straight in the eyes. "Okina is also going to an Inn where people are supposedly sleeping at this time at night. We don't want you walking in and creating a great deal of commotion."
Misao glared at Aoshi before walking over to Kaoru to help her up. "Come on Kaoru, let's get you out of these clothes."
Kaoru nodded weakly and allowed Misao to help her up the stairs and back up to her room. A candle was lit near the corner and it cast wide shadows across the walls. On her bed Kaoru found Kenshin sleeping, his wet clothes laying out on one of the spare mats to dry. Kaoru's yukata soon joined Kenshin's clothes as she found herself in another one of Misao's too-small yukatas.
Misao gave Kaoru a small smile just before she exited the room. "I'm sure Takani-san will make everything better. So don't be alarmed if you see another woman in the room treating Himura-san."
Kaoru nodded her understanding and slipped beneath a thick layer of covers, snuggling into their warmth. She soon let sleep overcome her. She was too asleep to even notice a slender woman with long black hair enter the room, tending to Kenshin's fever and Kaoru's swollen foot.
¤¤
"Aw, gee, c'mon fox. Why d'ya hafta be so darn stubborn?" A tall man with gravity-defying hair complained with a fishbone dangling at the corner of his mouth. "I was jest askin you out on a date, that's all."
Megumi Takani sighed at her door, still dressed in her lavendar kimono that she had been wearing all day. Her long black hair wasn't as neat as usual since she didn't have the time to care for it as she usually did. The lord had been persistent for the past week that she'd stay at Hitokiri Kamiya's side, making sure that his health didn't waver. But Megumi knew that the lord shouldn't keep his hopes up. Kamiya-san was a dying man, and Megumi could do no more except give him the proper amount of medication each day and see that he was comfortable. She hated it when there was nothing more to do, but she had to accept it long ago when she first entered her profession. Though sometimes it did catch up to her, and one could find her weeping in a corner of some room.
But now wasn't the time to be moping about. Right now there was a certain rooster-head that wouldn't leave her alone. He had followed her home from the palace to ensure her safety. Though his non-stop rambling irritated her, she couldn't help but feel grateful that he had done such a thing. Those men that had stormed through the town had driven all of the travelers away and had taken advantage of several innocent young woman along the way. This was why there were no complaints to the man's non-stop chatter because there was no one in the Inn.
"...We don't hafta go anywhere fancy. Maybe just have lunch at the Akabeko or somethin'." Sanosuke Sagara drawled on.
Megumi held up a hand, silencing the tall man that stood before her. "Now is not the time. Can't you see I'm tired and want to go to sleep?"
Sanosuke paused and looked the woman over. It was true, her hair was unkempt and she had bags beneath her eyes. "Alright, kitsune, but just this once. I'll be back in the morning to pick you up and maybe we could catch some breakfast. Your treat, of course."
Megumi sighed. "You should start saving money, tori-atama, instead of gambling it all off."
Sanosuke shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"
Megumi rolled her eyes. "Goodnight." She said, waving Sanosuke off. Sanosuke gave her one of his smirks before turning around to head back down the steps. However once he took one step down the stair, a man had briskly swept past him. "Hey, watch it oibore!" Sanosuke hollered, raising a fist. But as the form stop, Sanosuke recoiled. "Whoa? You are an oibore. Gomen! He quickly bounded down the steps before the 'oibore' could reply.
Megumi sighed and placed her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry about that. Why can't he just be normal for once?"
The old man smiled. "Are you Takani-san? My name is Okina."
Megumi nodded. "Yes, that's me Okina-san. How can I help you?"
"I'm sorry to bother you this late at night, but I'm afraid two of our residents are in need of your care. Himura-san and Kamiya-san." The man said apologetically, bowing slightly.
Megumi placed her hand over her mouth to cover her astonished gasp. Wasn't Himura-san the lord's hitokiri and that tori-atama's friend? And how many other Kamiya-san's could there be besides the Hitokiri Kamiya in the palace and his daughter that was somewhere out in the wild last time she heard?
"Of course I'll be able to help you. If you would just show the way." Megumi replied.
Okina nodded and led Megumi through the streets and back into the Aoiya.
¤¤
"Oh good, Okina, you're back." Misao said immediately once Okina had entered the Aoiya with Megumi at his side.
Okina bowed at Aoshi, who was standing stoically by Misao's side. "This is Takani-san, as you requested."
"Arigato, Okina." Aoshi said. He then twisted on his heel, beckoning for Megumi to continue. "Both Himura-san and Kamiya-san are upstairs waiting to be treated."
"Could you tell me what's wrong with them?" Megumi asked as she fished through her medical bag, looking for any instruments that she thought would be necessary.
Misao tailed after the two as they climbed the steps. "Kamiya Kaoru has what looks to be a broken ankle, and Himura Kenshin I think has a fever. They're both sleeping right now."
Megumi's brow furrowed. Kenshin with a fever wasn't a good thing, especially if it was too serious for the members of the Aoiya to treat.
Once she was shown the door to Kenshin and Kaoru's room, she ordered Misao and Aoshi to fetch spare bandages and a warm cloth before setting to work.
This was going to be a long night.
¤¤
Misao sat downstairs by the hearth. Megumi had shooed her and Aoshi out of the room as she treated both Kenshin and Kaoru. It turns out that Kaoru had a slight fever as well, though nothing too serious once treated properly. Kenshin, however, seemed on the verge of death. His skin was pale and his breathing shallow. Misao hoped that he would pull through: Kaoru needed him.
Misao sighed and rested her head against the wall with her eyes closed.
"You should go get some sleep." Advised the monotone voice of Aoshi.
"I want to wait until Megumi-san finishes." Misao said, not opening her eyes.
She heard the Aoshi's quiet footsteps as they approached her, pausing only a foot away. Misao cautiously opened one eye, jumping slightly as she met Aoshi's hardened gaze.
"Why are you being so stubborn tonight?" Aoshi asked quietly. His azure gaze had softened as he took in the soft contours of Misao's face. He had realized that there was no point in holding back his love for her in fear that he would be too late. Aoshi saw how easy it was for two people to separate by just looking at Kenshin and Kaoru. They could have been deprived from each other at a young age and they haven't admitted their feelings to each other. Aoshi would not let that happen between him and Misao.
Misao was taken aback by Aoshi's question as he showed his concern. "Since when did you care?" She asked, not trying to sound offending, but only shocked.
Aoshi's stooping form lowered to the floor as he sat himself alongside Misao. "I have cared for a long time." He said, taking Misao's hands in his.
Misao was at a loss of words. What was with his change in attitude? "Why are you being so forward tonight?"
A small smile graced Aoshi's lips. "I have come to realize something." He paused to look at Misao's confused face. "I don't want what's happening between Kenshin and Kaoru to happen between us."
"What's going on between Kenshin and Kaoru?" Misao asked a little more urgently, her form leaning forward slightly. Was there anything going on that she didn't know about?
"You know as well as I do, Misao, that they are becoming more intimate with each other." Aoshi started solemnly, "But they are so close in losing each other every day. Kaoru is constantly running away from Lord Shishio as Kenshin is constantly fighting for her. They could easily be separated from each other, and they would both be devastated."
Misao was in a daze. Never had Aoshi mentioned so much in an attempt to portray how he was feeling. In response, her grip on his hands tightened, encouraging Aoshi to continue.
"I don't want that separation between us. I don't want to be devastated." Aoshi finished. His eyes were pleading, his expression slightly strained. "I love you, Misao."
Misao's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Oh Aoshi-sama! I love you too!" She flew forward with her arms outstretched, flinging them around his neck. She was laughing happily into his shoulder as Aoshi's arms encircled her small waist. A broad grin was across his face, reaching to his once cold eyes that were now warm.
The couple stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's warmth. Misao didn't expect any future physical contact that happened in the open again for a while, but she wasn't complaining as she reveled in the feeling at the moment. She respected Aoshi for his austere appearance, and she wasn't going to ask him to change just for her selfish inner desires.
After a few more moments they both pulled away.
"I think it's time for me to go to bed now." Misao yawned loudly.
Aoshi looked down at her lovingly. "Didn't you want to wait until Megumi was finished?"
Misao shrugged, slipping down onto her back and placing her hands behind her head. "I think that might take a while, now that I think about it. There's enough time for a short nap, right?"
Aoshi chuckled and Misao beamed at him. "Would you like me to get you some blankets then? Or would you prefer your bed?"
"A couple blankets please!" Misao said enthusiastically. Aoshi in response stood up and walked down the hall past the steps and to a small closet. He pulled out three blankets and walked back to where Misao was, toppling the blankets onto her resting form.
"Ayaui!" Misao complained loudly.
Aoshi slipped a finger onto her lips to hush her. "Some people are sleeping." He reminded her. Misao sheepishly took the blankets from Aoshi and stretched one out across the floor. She then laid down on that one and pulled a second blanket over her, drawing it up to her chin.
"Oyasuminasai." She yawned, her eyes drifting shut.
Aoshi took the second blanket and wrapped it around himself as he propped himself up against the wall, watching over Misao as she drifted asleep. "Oyasuminasai."
...tbc...
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A/N: Another chapter up! You all hafta tell me what you think! I decided to not include Tomoe in this story; I think she would just disrupt the story line. My original ending for this story has changed somewhat since these stories have a habit for writing themselves. I'm open to any suggestions!
Arigato!
Amy- heh, yeah, she was taken, but not exactly kidnapped
The-Lone-Lemon- every story needs much K&K waff!
ChibiBattousai- Oh I love writing K&K waff scenes, and I love reading about them too. I'm hoping to put more in. I don't think it was enough
Kik-ting- haha, it's great to know you're hooked on it.
Innocence8- wow, gee, thanks. I'm glad my stories are original and not repetitive with the common plots there are out there.
KoishiiSweet- lol! Who could live without K&K fluff?
Silver Eyes Bright- Yeah, Kaoru does seem to get all the attention now, doesn't she?
Vicotoria- thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed it and please keep reading!
Please review!
Definitions:
¤ Kitsune – fox
¤ Tori atama – rooster head
¤ Oibore – old man
¤ Ayaui – hey / watch it
¤ Oyasuminasai – good night
¤¤**¤¤
A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 10: Aoiya
¤¤**¤¤
Kaoru gasped in shock as she felt herself being thrown across the man's shoulders and opened her mouth wide to emit a shrill scream when the man's hand slapped over her mouth.
"Shut up, tanuki!" The man hissed as he dashed down the dirt road that was about to empty into town. "Go ahead and open your mouth if you wish to get caught."
Kaoru bit down on her lip and looked at her captor, or more like her savior. Saitou Hajime had her propped up on his shoulders, running fast into town. His breathing was labored, however, and he had several cuts and scrapes across his chest and arms. The cut was nothing too bad, but just enough damage to weaken him.
"What about Kenshin?" Kaoru asked worriedly, shooting a hopeful glance behind their retreating form.
"What did I say, Kamiya? Keep on talking if you want to be followed!" Saitou snapped. "This isn't about him, it's about you."
Kaoru whimpered as she looked longingly back at the fight that was taking place. It would appear to be just a cloud of dust to any other by passer, but Kaoru could make out the flashes of steel that belonged to swords, and the blur of red that could have either been blood or Kenshin's hair. She was hoping it was the latter. Kaoru wouldn't be able to bear the fact that Kenshin could be hurt or even killed because he was protecting her. Though by the looks of Saitou, he didn't care. Saitou probably just thought of Kenshin as what he used to be: a pawn used for the slaughter of others. But he wasn't like that, not any more!
The slim forest path abruptly opened up into the wide streets of Kaoru's hometown. She looked around in wonder, recalling fond memories of her childhood and moments before she had fled her home. Just down the street at the corner was the famous restaurant, the Akabeko, which Kaoru would often take Yahiko to if he had done an exceptional job at lessons. And towards the center of town, not too far from Kaoru's dojo, was the Aoiya: the home of her dearest friend, Makimachi Misao.
Kaoru looked onward hopefully as Saitou's pace slowed down to a brisk trot. Maybe she would be able to stay with Kenshin at the Aoiya for a while. That way he could rest and overcome his wounds, if he had any.
"Girl," Saitou said suddenly, depriving Kaoru from her thoughts, "I'm not going to carry you through town." With that, he practically dropped Kaoru off his shoulders as she plummeted to the ground. Her eyes widened in surprise as she quickly rearranged herself in mid-air so that she wouldn't land on her bad foot. Instead, she fell on her good foot and plopped down onto the ground.
Saitou looked down at Kaoru in shock. He had to admit that she was something. Kaoru was exceptional in her style, or at least that is what he had heard. Though he always thought of it as something that retained to her dojo, and that she wouldn't apply it to everyday life. Though he just witnessed Kaoru falling in a controlled manner, despite the fact that she had landed on her behind. With more training, that Saitou would be more than willing to give once she became stewardess, she could become more graceful than a geisha, and much more powerful than a typical swordsman as well.
Kaoru watched the many thoughts flicker across Saitou's unsettling eyes and immediately flushed. She was supposed to be a woman with grace and poise, and here she was sitting on the ground in a kimono! Kaoru quickly pushed herself off the ground and brushed off the dirt on her kimono. She looked back at Saitou with a hard glare of her own. "Where are we going now?"
"I told you," Saitou drawled, rolling his eyes, "You are going to see your good friend Makimachi at the Aoiya. Now let's get a move on."
He grabbed Kaoru by the arm rather forcefully and pulled her through the streets.
Kaoru struggled to keep up with Saitou's pace with her injured foot, though she was determined to not let Saitou think she was weak. After a few moments of her hobbling behind him, she called, "Will we meet Kenshin there?"
Saitou paused and looked down at Kaoru's hopeful sapphire eyes. "If he makes it that far, then yes."
Kaoru's eyes saddened and her form drooped. Saitou sighed in frustration and tugged at her arm fairly harshly. "That doesn't give us an excuse to lag behind."
Saitou could hear the faint growl Kaoru emitted from her throat and smirked inwardly. Yes, she is a feisty one.
¤¤
Kenshin clutched his side desperately as he limped out of the battle. He was victorious, though paid a price. A gash was placed on his left side and his left leg was pierced. It hurt to walk, but he trudged on, determined to arrive at the Aoiya so that he could protect Kaoru. How he could protect her in a state like that was a mystery to him, but at least he would be there for her.
Kenshin managed to get past the multiple unconscious bodies that were strewn across the path and made it into the wide streets of town. Several people were outside socializing or attempting to sell their goods to other passers-by, but when they noticed Kenshin, they all retreated back indoors or behind the flaps of their tents. Kenshin wasn't discouraged though, and continued forward.
Though the pain was almost unbearable, and fatigue was overcoming him, Kenshin only allowed his thoughts to dwell on Kaoru and her smiling face. He imagined how Kaoru would greet him with open arms once he arrived at the Aoiya. How happy he would be to see her smiling. A small smile found its way to Kenshin's lips as he limped on. His determination never lagging until he found that he could not ignore his body's protests any longer. His legs crumpled beneath his body as he toppled down to the ground, becoming unconscious.
The storm clouds piled on top of each other over the barren streets where the unconscious ex-hitokiri laid. The bitter drops of rain fell about the town, becoming heavier and louder with every passing minute.
¤¤
Kaoru looked fretfully up at the sky as Saitou continued down the streets until they arrived at the Aoiya. It would be raining soon. No, it would be pouring. Kaoru wondered frantically what would happen to Kenshin if he were stranded out in the rain, hurt and alone. Tears started to cloud her eyes as she stepped up behind Saitou as he rapped his knuckles against the door.
A soft pattering of feet could be heard as they neared the door, and soon Kaoru could hear a latch becoming undone as they slid open the door. A pair of bright emerald eyes and a long black braid could be seen from the slit she made in the doorway.
"Oh! Saitou-san! Please, come on in!" Misao said eagerly as she opened the door wider for Saitou to enter. She was afraid that more of Shishio's men had returned to town to interrogate the citizens of their knowledge of Kaoru.
"Makimachi." Saitou greeted hastily as he stepped inside, tugging Kaoru along with him. Kaoru stumbled forward, not watching where she was going. Her thoughts had been dwelling too much on Kenshin.
"Kaoru-chan!" Misao crowed happily from the hallway as she practically jumped on Kaoru, embracing her tightly. "Oh, I'm so glad you're safe!"
Kaoru couldn't help but give a small smile at her friend's enthusiasm. "Misao-chan," she said softly, "So good to see you again."
Misao bobbed her head in agreement. "I stayed with Yahiko-chan all week until I heard that the men had left town. Yahiko's probably sleeping upstairs right now." Misao said the latter in a softer voice.
"After your loud outburst I doubt that he still is sleeping." Saitou said from behind Kaoru.
Misao shot Saitou a glare and took Kaoru's arm. "C'mon Kaoru, we have a room ready for you upstairs. You should best be getting some rest. The bathhouse will be open soon. Aoshi-sama is cleaning up now after his training."
Kaoru nodded gratefully and followed Misao up the steps that were past the kitchen and to the left. Her room was amongst many other rooms, most of which already belonged to other members of the Oniwabanshu. Misao's room was in fact just across the hall.
"I'll let you rest for now, and call you when Aoshi-sama is finished." Misao said softly, sensing Kaoru's fatigue. Kaoru nodded and slipped inside her room, crawling towards her futon.
She was still worried about Kenshin, but thought that he would return by the time she would wake to wash up. So until then, she figured, she could rest.
¤¤
The back door of the Aoiya opened softly as the okashira stepped inside. He carried a white trench coat that was hanging loosely in one hand as he held the discarded bath towel in the other. He was currently wearing a pair of his training hakamas and had pulled on a loose yukata over his chest, which would be discarded once he retired to his room.
Misao skirted out of the kitchen as she welcomed the tall, silent ice man. Though he had managed to reach her first.
"I'm back." He stated simply, walking past Misao and heading towards the mat by the fireplace where he usually sat to meditate indoors.
Misao frowned. How was it that he never openly displayed any emotion towards her? She cared for him so much, and he didn't even seem to consider her love for him. Misao hesitantly approached Aoshi and stood behind his back.
"Saitou-san and Kaoru-chan arrived a little while ago. Saitou is currently sleeping, and I told Kaoru that I would wake her once you came out of the bathhouse." Misao said softly, taking in Aoshi's stoic posture as he sat there.
Aoshi merely inclined his head.
Misao looked down at her feet. "Well, I guess I should go wake Kaoru now."
"Wait."
Misao froze. Did Aoshi just address her? Her heart started to beat faster in anticipation. Maybe he would confess his undying love to her. Maybe he just wanted Misao to stay by his side while he meditated. "Yes?" She responded weakly.
"Himura did not arrive?" Aoshi answered emotionlessly.
Misao's heart cascaded down to the floor where she could see it shatter to pieces. "No." She said somberly. She turned to go wake Kaoru.
Once he heard the steady footsteps of Misao heading upstairs, Aoshi inched his head to the side so he could catch her retreating form. She was a beauty to him, though he tried to cover up his feelings by saying that she was just a girl and therefore too young for him. But even in the flickering firelight he could see her curves, and her maturity as she watched after her dear friend. Aoshi bowed his head and sighed. Through all his meditating he could determine only one thing: he was hopelessly in love with her. But he saw that he could do nothing.
"She is too young." He told himself for the umpteenth time.
¤¤
Kaoru felt something nudging her, forcing her to consciousness. She moaned loudly and sat up. "What is it?" She asked groggily after finding Misao sitting upright beside her.
"Aoshi-sama's finished with the bathhouse. You're free to go in." Misao said quietly. "There are some spare yukata's by the towels."
"Thank you Misao." Kaoru nodded, pushing the covers away from her. Though as she attempted to stand up, she caught sight of Misao's downcast face. "What's wrong, Misao?" She asked sympathetically, gripping Misao's chin so that she could look at her.
Misao sighed. "I love him, and he doesn't see me."
Kaoru embraced the younger girl tightly. "Oh Misao, don't worry. You're too young to think about such things. Of course Aoshi sees you, maybe he just doesn't think you're old enough to accept him yet."
"Why should age matter?" Misao pouted. "Love doesn't happen at a certain age. Love is timeless."
"Maybe you need to show Aoshi that." Kaoru suggested, backing away from Misao.
Misao looked down at the ground. "Maybe..."
Kaoru sighed. "I'm going to go to the bathhouse now. Good night." Misao nodded and Kaoru left.
As Kaoru headed out the back door, her thoughts drifted back to Misao. She was deeply in love with Aoshi. She would do anything for him. If anything happened to Aoshi, Misao would be by his side in an instant.
Kaoru entered the bathhouse and stripped herself of her kimono and stepped into the tub of hot water.
'If anything happened to Kenshin, I would be by his side in an instant.' Kaoru thought aimlessly, letting it run through her mind several times.
"Wait!" Kaoru shot up in the bathtub. "What if something DID happen to Kenshin? And I'm just sitting around doing nothing!"
Kaoru leapt out of the bathtub and pulled on the first yukata she could find. It was one of Misao's judging by the legnth, and since Misao was shorter than her, the yukata hung just above her knees. Kaoru was in too much of a hurry to think about the yukata, however, and was currently bolting out of the yard and into the streets where the rain had started to plummet from the sky.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru wailed as she wandered through the abandoned streets. "Where are you?"
She was drenched and the yukata was clinging to her every curve. Her ebony hair was plastered to her face and neck as she continued down the street. The biting wind that whipped at her hair and chilled her body caused her to shiver, but she wasn't giving up.
Kaoru came upon the town's central park, and towards the edge of the park near the shrubbery something interesting caught her eye. There was something in the street just behind the shrubbery. And that something had red hair.
'Kenshin!' Kaoru's mind screamed.
Kaoru, ignoring her injured foot, ran flat out towards Kenshin and scooped his shivering body into her arms. He was deathly pale, and his skin cold to the touch. He was still out cold, and Kaoru was frantic with what to do.
The only thing she could think of doing was to bring him back to the Aoiya and hope that someone there would be able to treat him since he would surely have a horrible fever once he woke up. So Kaoru gathered Kenshin as best she could into her arms and trudged back down the street towards the Aoiya. It took Kaoru a good thirty to forty-five minutes before she arrived back at the Aoiya, flinging the front door open causing the two occupants in the front room to jump and stare.
"Kaoru." Misao groaned as she saw Kaoru limp into the room, soaking wet. And then her attention turned to the body that had just slumped to the ground from Kaoru's arms.
"Himura." Aoshi said immediately, his voice containing a hint of shock.
"He needs help." Kaoru gasped. She was on the verge of collapsing, thinking that her ankle would not be capable of carrying her weight much longer.
"Go wake Okina." Aoshi ordered Misao who obediently dashed up the steps. As Misao could be heard waking up the disgruntled man, Aoshi walked over towards Kenshin and scooped him up into his arms. "I'll be putting him in your room, Kaoru." Aoshi stated as he briskly carried Kenshin up to Kaoru's room.
Kaoru slumped up against the nearest wall and slid down to the ground, curling up into a fetal position. She looked up as she heard three pairs of footsteps walking down the steps. Two of which belonged to Aoshi and Misao, the third belonging to an elderly man who was Okina.
"What do you need, Aoshi?" Okina asked faithfully.
"Go fetch Takani-san. She should be staying just a few blocks away at the Inn." Aoshi said. Okina nodded and walked briskly out the door.
"You know I could have done that." Misao said, turning on Aoshi.
"I don't want you going out in that weather." Aoshi said as he looked down at Misao, staring her straight in the eyes. "Okina is also going to an Inn where people are supposedly sleeping at this time at night. We don't want you walking in and creating a great deal of commotion."
Misao glared at Aoshi before walking over to Kaoru to help her up. "Come on Kaoru, let's get you out of these clothes."
Kaoru nodded weakly and allowed Misao to help her up the stairs and back up to her room. A candle was lit near the corner and it cast wide shadows across the walls. On her bed Kaoru found Kenshin sleeping, his wet clothes laying out on one of the spare mats to dry. Kaoru's yukata soon joined Kenshin's clothes as she found herself in another one of Misao's too-small yukatas.
Misao gave Kaoru a small smile just before she exited the room. "I'm sure Takani-san will make everything better. So don't be alarmed if you see another woman in the room treating Himura-san."
Kaoru nodded her understanding and slipped beneath a thick layer of covers, snuggling into their warmth. She soon let sleep overcome her. She was too asleep to even notice a slender woman with long black hair enter the room, tending to Kenshin's fever and Kaoru's swollen foot.
¤¤
"Aw, gee, c'mon fox. Why d'ya hafta be so darn stubborn?" A tall man with gravity-defying hair complained with a fishbone dangling at the corner of his mouth. "I was jest askin you out on a date, that's all."
Megumi Takani sighed at her door, still dressed in her lavendar kimono that she had been wearing all day. Her long black hair wasn't as neat as usual since she didn't have the time to care for it as she usually did. The lord had been persistent for the past week that she'd stay at Hitokiri Kamiya's side, making sure that his health didn't waver. But Megumi knew that the lord shouldn't keep his hopes up. Kamiya-san was a dying man, and Megumi could do no more except give him the proper amount of medication each day and see that he was comfortable. She hated it when there was nothing more to do, but she had to accept it long ago when she first entered her profession. Though sometimes it did catch up to her, and one could find her weeping in a corner of some room.
But now wasn't the time to be moping about. Right now there was a certain rooster-head that wouldn't leave her alone. He had followed her home from the palace to ensure her safety. Though his non-stop rambling irritated her, she couldn't help but feel grateful that he had done such a thing. Those men that had stormed through the town had driven all of the travelers away and had taken advantage of several innocent young woman along the way. This was why there were no complaints to the man's non-stop chatter because there was no one in the Inn.
"...We don't hafta go anywhere fancy. Maybe just have lunch at the Akabeko or somethin'." Sanosuke Sagara drawled on.
Megumi held up a hand, silencing the tall man that stood before her. "Now is not the time. Can't you see I'm tired and want to go to sleep?"
Sanosuke paused and looked the woman over. It was true, her hair was unkempt and she had bags beneath her eyes. "Alright, kitsune, but just this once. I'll be back in the morning to pick you up and maybe we could catch some breakfast. Your treat, of course."
Megumi sighed. "You should start saving money, tori-atama, instead of gambling it all off."
Sanosuke shrugged. "Where's the fun in that?"
Megumi rolled her eyes. "Goodnight." She said, waving Sanosuke off. Sanosuke gave her one of his smirks before turning around to head back down the steps. However once he took one step down the stair, a man had briskly swept past him. "Hey, watch it oibore!" Sanosuke hollered, raising a fist. But as the form stop, Sanosuke recoiled. "Whoa? You are an oibore. Gomen! He quickly bounded down the steps before the 'oibore' could reply.
Megumi sighed and placed her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry about that. Why can't he just be normal for once?"
The old man smiled. "Are you Takani-san? My name is Okina."
Megumi nodded. "Yes, that's me Okina-san. How can I help you?"
"I'm sorry to bother you this late at night, but I'm afraid two of our residents are in need of your care. Himura-san and Kamiya-san." The man said apologetically, bowing slightly.
Megumi placed her hand over her mouth to cover her astonished gasp. Wasn't Himura-san the lord's hitokiri and that tori-atama's friend? And how many other Kamiya-san's could there be besides the Hitokiri Kamiya in the palace and his daughter that was somewhere out in the wild last time she heard?
"Of course I'll be able to help you. If you would just show the way." Megumi replied.
Okina nodded and led Megumi through the streets and back into the Aoiya.
¤¤
"Oh good, Okina, you're back." Misao said immediately once Okina had entered the Aoiya with Megumi at his side.
Okina bowed at Aoshi, who was standing stoically by Misao's side. "This is Takani-san, as you requested."
"Arigato, Okina." Aoshi said. He then twisted on his heel, beckoning for Megumi to continue. "Both Himura-san and Kamiya-san are upstairs waiting to be treated."
"Could you tell me what's wrong with them?" Megumi asked as she fished through her medical bag, looking for any instruments that she thought would be necessary.
Misao tailed after the two as they climbed the steps. "Kamiya Kaoru has what looks to be a broken ankle, and Himura Kenshin I think has a fever. They're both sleeping right now."
Megumi's brow furrowed. Kenshin with a fever wasn't a good thing, especially if it was too serious for the members of the Aoiya to treat.
Once she was shown the door to Kenshin and Kaoru's room, she ordered Misao and Aoshi to fetch spare bandages and a warm cloth before setting to work.
This was going to be a long night.
¤¤
Misao sat downstairs by the hearth. Megumi had shooed her and Aoshi out of the room as she treated both Kenshin and Kaoru. It turns out that Kaoru had a slight fever as well, though nothing too serious once treated properly. Kenshin, however, seemed on the verge of death. His skin was pale and his breathing shallow. Misao hoped that he would pull through: Kaoru needed him.
Misao sighed and rested her head against the wall with her eyes closed.
"You should go get some sleep." Advised the monotone voice of Aoshi.
"I want to wait until Megumi-san finishes." Misao said, not opening her eyes.
She heard the Aoshi's quiet footsteps as they approached her, pausing only a foot away. Misao cautiously opened one eye, jumping slightly as she met Aoshi's hardened gaze.
"Why are you being so stubborn tonight?" Aoshi asked quietly. His azure gaze had softened as he took in the soft contours of Misao's face. He had realized that there was no point in holding back his love for her in fear that he would be too late. Aoshi saw how easy it was for two people to separate by just looking at Kenshin and Kaoru. They could have been deprived from each other at a young age and they haven't admitted their feelings to each other. Aoshi would not let that happen between him and Misao.
Misao was taken aback by Aoshi's question as he showed his concern. "Since when did you care?" She asked, not trying to sound offending, but only shocked.
Aoshi's stooping form lowered to the floor as he sat himself alongside Misao. "I have cared for a long time." He said, taking Misao's hands in his.
Misao was at a loss of words. What was with his change in attitude? "Why are you being so forward tonight?"
A small smile graced Aoshi's lips. "I have come to realize something." He paused to look at Misao's confused face. "I don't want what's happening between Kenshin and Kaoru to happen between us."
"What's going on between Kenshin and Kaoru?" Misao asked a little more urgently, her form leaning forward slightly. Was there anything going on that she didn't know about?
"You know as well as I do, Misao, that they are becoming more intimate with each other." Aoshi started solemnly, "But they are so close in losing each other every day. Kaoru is constantly running away from Lord Shishio as Kenshin is constantly fighting for her. They could easily be separated from each other, and they would both be devastated."
Misao was in a daze. Never had Aoshi mentioned so much in an attempt to portray how he was feeling. In response, her grip on his hands tightened, encouraging Aoshi to continue.
"I don't want that separation between us. I don't want to be devastated." Aoshi finished. His eyes were pleading, his expression slightly strained. "I love you, Misao."
Misao's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Oh Aoshi-sama! I love you too!" She flew forward with her arms outstretched, flinging them around his neck. She was laughing happily into his shoulder as Aoshi's arms encircled her small waist. A broad grin was across his face, reaching to his once cold eyes that were now warm.
The couple stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's warmth. Misao didn't expect any future physical contact that happened in the open again for a while, but she wasn't complaining as she reveled in the feeling at the moment. She respected Aoshi for his austere appearance, and she wasn't going to ask him to change just for her selfish inner desires.
After a few more moments they both pulled away.
"I think it's time for me to go to bed now." Misao yawned loudly.
Aoshi looked down at her lovingly. "Didn't you want to wait until Megumi was finished?"
Misao shrugged, slipping down onto her back and placing her hands behind her head. "I think that might take a while, now that I think about it. There's enough time for a short nap, right?"
Aoshi chuckled and Misao beamed at him. "Would you like me to get you some blankets then? Or would you prefer your bed?"
"A couple blankets please!" Misao said enthusiastically. Aoshi in response stood up and walked down the hall past the steps and to a small closet. He pulled out three blankets and walked back to where Misao was, toppling the blankets onto her resting form.
"Ayaui!" Misao complained loudly.
Aoshi slipped a finger onto her lips to hush her. "Some people are sleeping." He reminded her. Misao sheepishly took the blankets from Aoshi and stretched one out across the floor. She then laid down on that one and pulled a second blanket over her, drawing it up to her chin.
"Oyasuminasai." She yawned, her eyes drifting shut.
Aoshi took the second blanket and wrapped it around himself as he propped himself up against the wall, watching over Misao as she drifted asleep. "Oyasuminasai."
...tbc...
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A/N: Another chapter up! You all hafta tell me what you think! I decided to not include Tomoe in this story; I think she would just disrupt the story line. My original ending for this story has changed somewhat since these stories have a habit for writing themselves. I'm open to any suggestions!
Arigato!
Amy- heh, yeah, she was taken, but not exactly kidnapped
The-Lone-Lemon- every story needs much K&K waff!
ChibiBattousai- Oh I love writing K&K waff scenes, and I love reading about them too. I'm hoping to put more in. I don't think it was enough
Kik-ting- haha, it's great to know you're hooked on it.
Innocence8- wow, gee, thanks. I'm glad my stories are original and not repetitive with the common plots there are out there.
KoishiiSweet- lol! Who could live without K&K fluff?
Silver Eyes Bright- Yeah, Kaoru does seem to get all the attention now, doesn't she?
Vicotoria- thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed it and please keep reading!
Please review!