Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or creations from Rurouni Kenshin. But I do share ownership of the original characters with other authors/readers. There's my disclaimer, so… have a nice day… or night.
The Black Sakura – Book I: the Birth of Warriors – By Cherry Chibi
Chapter 2
~*~ 1/ Oniwabanshuu ~*~
Sixteen year old Misao skimmed through another book before furiously throwing it on the floor. "Orion! I just don't see why I have to stay here and do nothing! Lord Aoshi won't even let me go out there!"
Orion was a mix between a demon and a werewolf. She had a human face, short blonde hair which ended above her pointed wolf ears. Tall. Blue, hazel bordered eyes and a tail that was wrapped around her left leg for safety.
Misao growled angrily and threw another book on the floor.
"Misao, I advise you that you stop this nonsense." Orion said calmly, "Lord Aoshi won't be pleased about this. Searching for the key to the gates won't get you anywhere. Just stay put and when the time is right, we can go and search for Kaoru."
She sobbed and dropped onto her knees. "I can't Orion. It has been two months. Kaoru can't just leave and then disappear. You're my Guardian right? So please, just talk to Lord Aoshi and ask him to let me go and find my best friend." Her blue eyes pleaded at Orion, hoping to at least stir some sympathy from the 200 year old guardian.
Orion sighed and shook her head "He has been busy. No one in the Oniwabanshuu except Okina has been seeing him. I'm sorry. However, if you'd like me to torture the daylights out of Lord Aoshi then…"
"No!" Misao blurted out with her eyes wide in shock.
Orion shrugged. "Only kidding." She looked around the messy room and frowned. "I wonder who will be cleaning this up…" She crosses her arms and looks at Misao expectantly.
"Er… Celeste?"
"No…" Orion said. She tilted her head.
"Kari? Okina? Lord Aoshi?"
"I doubt it very much."
"Orion! Can you help me? Please?" Misao pleaded.
Orion smiled innocently, "I'm sure that, my dear little Misao, you are a very smart young demon. Why don't you just use your powers?" She stifled a laugh when Misao's face looked as enlightenment dawned on her.
"You're a genius."
~*~ 2/ Shadows ~*~
Ixchel was coughing up blood by a tree a fair distance away. Surreal watched in confusion as Athena chanted a spell. Although Surreal didn't like Ixchel very much, and Ixchel probably didn't like her either, she was concerned.
"Ixchel was cursed by Tomoe," Soujiro said briefly.
Surreal nodded. There was a short period of silence.
"Since when did you change your name into Surreal?" Soujiro questioned. He was seated on a fallen tree trunk with Surreal.
*After you killed the family, left and didn't tell me where you were going.* Surreal replied. *A nice small family of demons adopted me, and then one day, I heard Death's Truth come to the household and question them about the Black Sakura. Mother and father, shielded Jay, Celeste and I from Enishi and Shishio. They died.*
Silence again.
Soujiro weaved words together carefully, "I would've taken you with me if… I wasn't leaving to find Lord Battousai."
Surreal smiled and grieving expression, *no need to worry, I have forgiven you years ago.* her body turned translucent. *You may call me Ayame still, if you wish.* Then Surreal vanished.
"What was that all about?" Athena questioned, she was supporting Ixchel with her arm under Ixchel's shoulders.
"Nothing."
~*~ 3/ The Black Sakura ~*~
Up and early the next morning, recovery over the sudden thunderstorm had accomplished and everything at the Kamiya Dojo was normal…
"Tori! Get back here!" Kaoru shouted, "Ian! Miyu!" She scanned around the dojo yard with a frown. "Why is it that they are impossible to find when they decide to play hide and seek?"
"Got you Aunty Kaoru!!" Three kids pounced onto an unsuspecting woman. Seven year old Miyu grabbed Kaoru around the waist and gave her a hug, six year old Tori hugged Kaoru around the neck and five year old Ian hugged Kaoru's legs.
"You didn't see us did you?" Miyu questioned innocently.
"No I didn't," Kaoru said, recovering from shock.
"There you are, you rascals!" Shakaku, a demon who is eighteen years old caught hold of Tori and Ian. "You two are in big trouble now." He pulled the two young boys back inside by their collars.
"Males." Hitoshizuku said with an exasperated sigh as she walked passed Shakaku and towards Kaoru; her crystal blue eyes looking irritated knowing that Shakaku had come to 'visit' again.
"You shouldn't really judge males like that," Kaoru said. Miyu was holding Kaoru's hand.
Hitoshizuku shrugged, "They're seem to be the same to me; arrogant… smart mouthed… pricks." She smiled at Miyu when she heard the little witch giggle.
"Well, don't go around influencing the kids." Kaoru said, after a short pause she said, "I think that Tsubame and Yahiko are making breakfast this morning."
There was a knock at the Dojo Gates which sent burning sensations to Hitoshizuku, Shakaku, Maya and Jacqueline. They were soon standing in the yard. Kaoru walked casually to the gates and opened the doors.
"May I help you?" Kaoru asked, hiding the anxiousness of her tone.
* * * *
"It's him…" Jacqueline said quietly, she called in her sword.
Maya summoned her fiery sword. "I don't think it s exactly…" she furrowed her eye brows
"But be on alert anyway," Hitoshizuku said.
"It's not him…" Shakaku said, "It's his… other half."
"What?!"
* * * *
"Shinta?" Kaoru repeated. She was sure that he was Battousai. He had blood red hair, the scar on his left cheek but he had blue eyes instead of amber AND he was much more polite. 'This is definitely odd.'
"Is there are problem Miss Kaoru?" His warm blue eyes looked slightly confused.
"Oh no, nothing's wrong, why don't you come in? I think that we can arrange a room for you to stay in…" Kaoru said.
"No, that won't be necessary; I just arrived to ask if you know about the Black Sakura." Shinta queried.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because it has been passed down to me that I have to tell the Black Sakura what his or her powers and abilities are for. I have been taught what needs to be done to help the person control their ability so that they will be able to bring an era of peace among the three realms." Shinta explained. *Of course, I know that person is you Miss Kaoru.* He said telekinetically to her.
Kaoru stammered. "In that case, may I ask that you stay here for the time being, Shinta?" She gestured for him to enter. When he did, the atmosphere seemed to have tensed. Kaoru glanced at the others giving them a sign not to worry.
~*~ 4/ Oniwabanshuu ~*~
"Good morning!" A 142 year old woman entered the room; her sudden outburst of energy woke everyone to their senses. She was one very unusual witchy vampire around. She had hip-length brown hair flowed graciously, blue-green eyes, ivory skin and medium built.
"Morning Kari!" Misao said brightly.
"Anyone willing to do some early morning exercises with me?" Kari questioned the people in the room.
"Me!" Misao said, "It's so much fun. I think that I can almost do all the stretches you showed me."
"Seriously darling, you can't really be that energetic at that age," Celeste said concerned, "The last time you did something extreme, vampires ended up surrounding us." Celeste shuddered remembering that night. She was a nymph who uses the powers of sound to defend herself and well, exploding vampires with sound was a very ugly thought and she ended up trying to scrub of the feeling for weeks.
"Don't worry Celeste," Misao said, "Kari is really good at that stuff." She clasped her hands together and tilted her head to one side.
Orion pounced on Kari, "You are really gonna get it if you make Misao practice on me again!" The two tumbled onto the floor. Celeste shook her head. Misao just laughed. Minutes passed, Celeste and Misao watched in amusement as their 'guardians' played their 'Mercy' game. A game when the first one to say 'mercy' loses.
"Ow! Alright, alright, alright! Mercy!" Kari shouted as she stood and straightened her shirt and pants.
"Hang on… before anyone goes anywhere, who exactly arranged this meeting?" Celeste asked. Her green-grey eyes were looking serious.
"Oh yeah…" Misao said, "Okina told me that you arranged it Celeste."
"ME?! I thought that it was Kari…" Celeste looked stunned.
"No… he told me that you arranged Orion," Kari said.
"What? I thought it was Misao…" Orion said. "Alright, someone's playing a prank." The doors opened and Aoshi entered with Okina.
"OKINA!" The women shouted at Okina. Knocking the old man over.
"Sheesh, at least you could've said that it was you." Orion said. "We are capable of handling the truth."
"It was actually Aoshi who arranged it. Telling you four would be disastrous." Okina said in a huff.
"Oh," Misao turned her attention to Aoshi and so did the others. "What is it that you want to tell us Lord Aoshi?" They all took a seat.
"Misao, I know where Kaoru is," Aoshi said calmly, "She's at the Dojo building in the forests and it turns out that her abilities have awoken."
"You mean she isn't human?" Kari asked.
"I knew it." Celeste said under her breath. "She's the Black Sakura."
Misao's eyes widened with sheer happiness, excitement… practically optimism. "You mean… Kaoru's going to be the one who will stop the conflicts among the three realms? The one who we will all serve with great honor and eliminate all evil on this world? The one who be the one to bring the time of peace and happiness to all? That's great!!!!!"
"Misao, settle down." Kari said. "You're acting as if Kaoru's going to become the queen of the world."
"She might as well be."
"Listen!" Okina shouted, "You women are going to be given an important task so shut your mouths, some warriors you are…" He scolded. Then he felt his face heat up when the four women were glaring at him. "Then again… I remember why you are warriors."
Aoshi continued. "I will assign the four of you to find the Black Sakura today and offer your services to her. Protect her from all threats understood?"
"Yes Lord Aoshi," The four said in unison.
"I also want the four of you to eliminate Battousai." Aoshi continued, "However, knowing his strength, you will have to find a way that will defeat him, if need be, summon for me to arrive."
They all nodded in understanding.
"Dismissed."
Everyone left the room except for Misao. She remained seated opposite of Aoshi. Her gaze was fixed on him. "Lord Aoshi… why would you want to get rid of Battousai?" She slowly questioned him.
"He was responsible for the deaths of half of the Oniwabanshuu." Aoshi replied.
"But that was because they were acting on their own and wanting to fight him," Misao said in a small voice, "Don't forget that they had killed most belonging to the Shadows. I can sense that he is not all that bad. What if he too wants to serve the Black Sakura?"
"The Black Sakura's power is unlimited, but the one who bears it doesn't know how to control it. Anyone who can get to that person's trust can manipulate her and use the person for their powers." Aoshi said. "I don't want that to happen."
"I understand Lord Aoshi." Misao said.
Aoshi hesitated before saying, "Just call me Aoshi."
Misao looked at him and smiled broadly. She pounced at him and gave him a hug. "Alright." That was the first sign ever that Aoshi had shown to her that they had a friendship which was different and that overjoyed her. She backed away and smiled. "I hope to see you soon Aoshi." She exited the room.
'And I hope that what I'm doing is right Misao…' Aoshi thought.
~*~ 5/ Shadows ~*~
Battousai paced in his lair. How? Why? When? He had been watching Kaoru until he saw 'Shinta' enter the scene. His other half. He knew that today he had been feeling odd in the inside but he never would have expected this. He sensed another presence in the room.
He turned around and glared at the women wearing a white kimono. Her black eyes filled with hate bored into him. "You." He hissed.
"I've waited for this chance for a long time." Tomoe said calmly. "Under the Blue Moon, little did you realise that a lot more happened than the bitch's powers awakening. Your other half also woke and now Shinta has separated from you. You know what that means Battousai?"
He unsheathed his sword and charged at Tomoe but somehow she had dodged him.
"You're not as strong as you used to be Battousai…" Tomoe mocked him. She threw a powder at him which numbed his body. "Without your other half with you, you'll never gain your full strength." She smirked and then chanted in a low tone.
'Damn bitch.' Battousai thought as he struggled to move. Tomoe approached him holding her dagger and with a swift swipe, blood trickled and the scar became a cross.
Under the Blue Moon
Thou awoken thy secret
One into two thrice
Forever shall that be
Only when pure of all pure
Blood touches thy lips
Will thy be free…
Battousai let a yell of rage fill his lair. Tomoe's laughter rang in his ears long after she had vanished. From that moment he vowed that when he gains his full powers again, he'll kill that bitch. His vision began to blur and he had just managed to see two familiar people
Ixchel and Athena entered, they're eyes widened when they saw the powerful fury in Battousai's eyes.
"Ixchel, we need to tend to his new wound." Athena said.
"He-he's fading…" Ixchel said in a concerned tone.
"No! Battousai, don't do this… wait. You can fade…"
~*~ 6/ The Black Sakura ~*~
Kaoru held the sleeve of her dress against Shinta's left cheek. They were both sitting in the room talking until laughter raged the room and a sudden wound appeared on Shinta's face and he passed out.
'How did that happen so suddenly?' Kaoru then closed her eyes and unknowingly entered the depths of Shinta's mind.
She eyed her surroundings. So much blood and so many secrets. But those features felt as if they don't belong to Shinta and yet, they do. As she entered further into the abyss of darkness, she found a mirror.
Kaoru gazed at the mirror and realised that it was a symbol of a curse. She tried to touch it but there was some sort of barrier around it. However, there was a tainted scent that she didn't like at that very moment. 'A curse filled with hate…' Kaoru thought as she backed away from it, 'A curse of separation…'
Kaoru tried to remember what Jacqueline had taught her about symbols, spells and curses but to no avail. She felt turned around and found Shinta standing in the centre of the darkness.
He didn't say anything. He looked too hurt to say anything. Let alone do anything.
"Are you alright?" Kaoru asked gently; feeling that any loud outburst would shatter him. "Shinta?"
"Miss Kaoru, I would like to ask you a favor," Shinta said.
"What would that be?" Kaoru questioned.
"That you will accept me to become a part of your court," Shinta said.
A court was usually formed by leaders of the different regions in the realms so that they claim that area to rule. It was used as protection for the leader as well.
Kaoru looked stunned. "But, I don't want to form a court."
"But don't you want to stop the war?"
"I do. I will find another way of doing so." Kaoru said. She stammered and then said, "But I would accept you willingly to be my friend."
Shinta smiled at her. And together, they rose from the darkness…
Kaoru's eyes opened and she found herself lying in her own futon in a change of clothing. She sat upright and found Shinta lying on a futon on the opposite side of her room. She slid out of the futon and walked silently towards him. 'I thought he had his own room…' As she got closer she noticed that the blanket was covering him was black… that the area was darker than it should be… that he was floating….
Kaoru knelt beside him and leaned over to check if someone had seen to his wound. Then there was a detail that she couldn't miss. 'Amber eyes,' she tried to crawl back but he took hold of her wrist. "Let me,"
"Don't yell," Battousai said through gritted teeth.
~*~
A/N: Well, there's another chapter for ya! Thanks a lot for all of your reviews and I apologize for such a late update, wanna here my reason?
Denis the Menace (The kid from next door, about four years old) of Taylors Lakes (the suburb I live in) threw a green ball into my backyard and he and his sisters (both girls around 6-8 years old) came over to get their ball back. Only when I opened the door did the little punk decided to invite himself in and raged through the house. That kid was crazy, he was sliding down the stairs on his stomach crossed eyed and he roamed through my bedroom and then got onto my computer…. Then things got ugly.
Well, now that my computer is fixed, I can update. ^-^ But because I wanted to do it ASAP I didn't get to answer the reviews. Sorries.
Next chapter I'll be introducing Revolution. A lot of names huh? Well, a good reason I posted the character listings…