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 Six
~*~ 1/ The Black Sakura ~*~
~~~~~ A Farewell Dream ~~~~~
Jacqueline, a 30 year old princess elf of a kingdom in the southern lands walked up to Kaoru, her waist length hair flowed down her back like a black river. Her black eyes held sorrow. "Kaoru," She knelt in front of Kaoru, "I'm sorry that I can't stay any longer. But I know that I will see you become Queen, a good one."
Kaoru didn't say anything.
"My kingdom needs me now and I have to leave," Jacqueline said.
"But can't you stay longer?" Kaoru whined, she held onto Jacqueline's arm.
Jacqueline smiled weakly and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I can't." She couldn't see her clearly, a watery barrier built.
Kaoru smiled, "Oh… then I'll come by to visit! I promise!" She kissed Jacqueline on the cheek.
"Alright, I'll see you." Jacqueline stood and walked down the gravel path. Ahead of her was a grand medieval castle, there were guards who were waiting for her. She glanced back at Kaoru and smiled. As she walked further, a mark of a black sakura appeared on her forearm.
~~~~~~~ End of Dream ~~~~~~~
Two days after Kaoru's sudden change, little Kaoru woke up and yawned. Outside her window was a clear blue sky and beautiful sunshine which poured into her room, providing her with warmth. She also found Battousai resting in his futon. She smiled and then crawled out from under her sheets. She stretched and walked out of her room.
She walked into the dojo hall and found the Oniwabanshuu women, Revolution Trio, Shadow assassins, and her other friends. They were all seated at different corners of the room. Celeste, Jay and Surreal however, were seated near the centre talking seriously. She sighed with frustration. "I thought I told you all to be friends?"
Yahiko stood up, "Well, you tell that Rooster-head not to call me a kid!" He sat back down and munched on his rice ball. Kaoru raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not comfortable around the Shadows…" Tsubame said in a whisper to Kaoru. Not that it was any use, the Shadow assassins had heard.
Kaoru raised her hand and was going to use her powers to move everyone to the centre but unaware about her strength, she had accidentally blasted everyone to different areas of the hall. She gaped and her hands. "Oh… darn."
"What the hell was that?!" Sano stood, he stretched out his brown feathery wings and checked on them and snapped them shut and grabbed Miena's arm and helped her up.
"Kaoru, don't you know basic craft?" Misao asked as she slowly got to her feet. She had landed on her butt real hard and was feeling very sore.
"I'm sorry everybody," Kaoru said quietly. Her foot was drawing an invisible line on the floorboards.
"It's alright," Hitoshizuku wrapped an arm over Kaoru's small form. "Everyone here is going to help you learn." She looked up at everyone with her crystal blue eyes, "Is that right?"
No reply.
"Is that right?!" Hitoshizuku said louder.
"Oh… I elect you to teach her!" Yahiko said as he darted out of the hall. Tsubame followed him. He didn't want to bear the thought of teaching Kaoru basic craft. Not if he received that kind of hard blow.
"Sorry, I'm already trying to teach Tsubame how to fly," Sano said. Miena nodded beside him.
"Yeah, and I'm helping him." Miena added. Her blonde hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders. She grabbed Sano around the arm and pulled him out of the dojo. She didn't mean to offend anyone but she really didn't want to try to teach. The last time she tried, well… she didn't want to think about it.
"Batty and Shinta can teach me." Kaoru said with her sweet voice. "So can you, and Surreal and Jay and Celeste and Soujiro and Athena and Ixchel and Orion and Maya and Kari and Misao…"
"Er…" Everyone looked at each other unsure. Kaoru smiled, she turned around and found Shinta standing behind her, wiping his hands in a cloth. A warm smile plastered on his face.
"Good Morning, Kaoru." He said. He called in paper and an inked brush with an ink well. The inked brushed worked on its own for a bit; writing the days of the week. When it stopped Shinta looked up and said cheerily, "Now, we have to decide what days who should teach Kaoru."
Kaoru reappeared holding a bowl. "Half of you have to pick a name out." She walked around and half of the group pick out a name. "Everyone will be partnered up with someone else. Shinta and Batty are going to both teach me on the same day so no worries there."
After that, the days were sorted out and Kaoru was bouncing with joy. Now she had a whole group of tutors for magic!
(A/N: Here's the timetable… have fun reading it! Don't forget that Shinta rests during the night and Battousai is awake while Battousai rests during the day and Shinta is awake during the day.)
Sunday – Shinta (day), Battousai (night)
Monday – Soujiro, Surreal
Tuesday – Celeste, Jay
Wednesday – Hitoshizuku, Maya
Thursday – Athena, Ixchel
Friday – Misao, Orion, Kari
Saturday – Shinta (day), Battousai (night)
(A/N: Hehe, this is another chance for you guys to get used to characters as well)
"Is that alright with everyone?" Kaoru asked as she stuck the timetable onto the wall of the dojo. Everyone said that is was fine. She smiled, "We can start tomorrow since tomorrow is Sunday!"
"Oro? So soon?" Shinta said. Kaoru giggled and gave him a tight hug.
"Of course! I want to learn!" Kaoru said. Her laughter stopped suddenly. A high pitched ring flowed through the air. Shinta looked down at Kaoru's face. The cold burning rage filling those crystal blue eyes once again brought upon him a concern. She backed away. "I'm sorry, I have to go somewhere for a while." She then vanished.
"What was that all about?" Misao said.
* * * *
Life is always young,
How many shall shed,
A pure blood,
Tears of those who part,
Shall never be forgotten,
Until we next meet,
Let your souls fly,
In the wind of time…
* * * *
Kaoru's small hands were encrusted with blood and black dirt. She sobbed and cried. No matter how much her heart hated it, she couldn't stop death claiming innocent people or stop the conflicts. Shinta had told her that she'll have to prepare herself. She wanted to stop it now.
"Little Kaoru,"
She sniffled and turned around. "Yes?" Her shoulder-length black hair was tied back into a low braid. Dirt smeared over her kimono, skin and face.
"You should put yourself responsible for deaths of others." Shinta said. He knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. He eyed the newly planted blossom. "Who was it this time?"
"Rose…" Kaoru said quietly, "She was my friend. Her parents are farmers and they had been having trouble growing crops for the humans. Then the humans killed her as punishment."
After moments of silence, the both stood and walked back towards the dojo. Personally, Shinta was getting pissed off that even Kaoru at the age of 13 would still be upset. There had to be a way to stop Kaoru from being flooded with so much sorrow. An idea sparked his mind; he should take her to the Shadow Gates.
'Yes, the Shadow Gates would be perfect, there won't be any vibes from the outside world that would harm her, she will be able to-,' Shinta's thoughts were dropped when Kaoru spoke.
"Shinta, if I go to the Shadow Gates, will I be able to talk to Batty and you more often?" Kaoru asked, "It's just always, I want to talk to both of you to figure out why you two are the same person yet different…" She frowned. "All I know is about that curse…"
"Maybe." Shinta replied. 'Is she reading my mind or something?'
"No, you're just loud." Kaoru said.
"You mean you can hear my thoughts without meaning to?" Shinta asked.
"Yes."
~*~ 2/ Shadows ~*~
Hiko drank in the sake and then placed the cup back onto the table. 'Baka-deshi, you better know what you're doing…' He felt a ki in the room and probed his surroundings. The scent of the ki wasn't male that was for sure. Yet, it wasn't a woman… that left only one option.
* * * *
"Hello?" Kaoru walked through the dark halls of the Shadow Gates. "Anybody here?"
"What are you doing here Kaoru?" Hiko appeared. He had sensed that she was here. "Who led you to this place?"
"Er… how did you know my name?" Kaoru asked with a confused expression. She shrugged the thought off and then continued, "Well, how I got here? Er… I kinda… I don't know. I just got here because I wanted to."
Hiko cocked an eyebrow at her. "You got here because you wanted to?"
"Uh huh… you see, all I do is close my eyes and concentrate on the place. I don't have to know what it looks like, I just imagine the people that would be there." Kaoru explained. She stopped explaining when she saw Hiko's confused expression. "By the way, who are you?"
"I'm Hiko Seijuro, Battousai's predecessor." Hiko replied. "And why have you come here Kaoru?"
"Um… I wanted to check it out. But now that I know that you live here as well, I wondered… well… ah… how about I stay here for a while?" Kaoru asked. "Shinta said that I should."
"Don't you think it's a bit dark?"
"No."
'Of course, she is the Black Sakura, every Black Sakura in history had a refuge that was a dark place. Not that it was because they had been vampires or demons, but it was in their blood.' Hiko thought.
(A/N: And yes, that means that there had been other Black Sakuras in the past but they had failed to complete their mission. So, if Kaoru succeeds, she would end the Black Sakura bloodline and it would only start again when long term wars begin again)
"Since you are Batty and Shinta's predecessor… Is it alright if I call you Uncle Hiko?" Kaoru assumed that it was alright since Hiko didn't make any sound. "You look fit for 270 years old…" Kaoru said.
"How did you know that I am that old?" Hiko asked.
Kaoru shrugged. "The walls talk."
'Strange girl…' Hiko thought.
"I better get back before the others start worrying. Bye Uncle Hiko!" Kaoru vanished from sight.
Hiko stood their in amazement. How can her abilities be that strong? It couldn't be possible. He was sure that her ki was reeking with power stronger than when she was seventeen. What could have happened for her powers to be that strong now and not then? Hiko called in a bottle of sake and took a swig from it.
* * * *
When the sun had set and the moon had risen; Battousai awakened and Shinta rested. He was preparing himself to leave for hunting. His body needed replenishing. Battousai levitated to his feet and flexed his muscles.
"Batty…"
A whisper of anguish called him. Eyes darted to the girl in the corner. She was Kaoru but she was translucent and white. Alarm. Battousai rushed over to Kaoru's body in the futon and checked on her breathing. None.
"Batty…"
A gentle touch on his shoulder sent chills throughout. Slowly, he turned his head and eyed Kaoru who was a ghost. "Kaoru…"
"I want to go hunting with you," She said, "I'll go with you as a spirit."
"No." Battousai said. His amber eyes fierce. "I don't want you to see me hunting."
"I've seen blood before. I'm not afraid of it." Kaoru said sternly.
Battousai shook his head in disapproval. He stood, "I do not want you to go." A part of him though, was curious to why she would want to go. Even as a child she aroused curiosity from him.
"Please…"
"Will you be able to follow?" Battousai asked. She nodded. "Fine." He transported himself to a familiar region.
In a flash, Battousai had arrived in Hell. A place where he could feed on blood and not get interrupted or bring any disturbance. He looked to his side and found Kaoru standing beside him. She was looking around.
"Hell is nothing like the stories…"
"Of course it isn't." Battousai said. He picked up pace as he walked passed all of the underworld demons. The rocky walls were coated with ashes and blood. The ground stank of the twisting smell of rotting flesh. The only sources of light were the lanterns which were floating alongside the walls, but the whole place was dim anyway. Battousai entered the Chambers of Justice. Kaoru was floating beside him, curious.
Chamber of Justice was a place where humans of filled with evil minds were sent to when they were killed or just simply, unworthily, died peacefully. Battousai was greeted by a skeletal guard who led him to a private room where he found a young looking male.
"Please! Let me go!" The man begged. The skeletal guard slammed the door shut. Leaving the man face to face with Battousai. Battousai glanced to his side and found Kaoru still beside him. Her eyes narrowed at the man with cold rage.
Battousai skipped the thought for the moment. What he wanted now was to feel the warm thick fluid glide down his throat. So quickly, he advanced onto his victim. Scream. Splatter. Silence. His fangs dug into the flesh of the neck, piercing through the artery near the bone.
Feeling satisfied that his strength was growing and that his desire for the red meal was done, Battousai stood, licked his fangs and then left the room. Kaoru was floating beside him silent.
"Thank you, Batty."
"What for?"
"Tomorrow, there'll be at least 10 less Cold-Blood Blossoms dieing."
Battousai silenced. A chilling fear stabbed and jabbed down his spine. Someone had taught her how to hate. He didn't like the thought.
"Batty," Kaoru looked up at him. "Will you show me around Shadow Gates?"
"Why?" Battousai questioned. He wondered whether if Kaoru would be exhausted tomorrow because she is awake and hanging around him.
"You know why."
"There won't be enough room for everyone." Battousai said calmly. He transported himself back onto earth, normal land. Kaoru was beside him still. She was smiling.
"I don't mind. I just want to be alone sometimes, without anyone worrying about me." She said. She stretched her arms. "Everyone wants time alone to themselves sometimes right?"
"I suppose," Battousai said.
"So will you show me?"
"I was going to straight away." Battousai said calmly.
"But?"
"I thought walking there would be much more enjoyable." Battousai said. He smirked when Kaoru pouted. "I would've thought that you would want to talk to me more often." Kaoru grinned and hugged him. Surprisingly, that was the first time.
"Well yeah! But I need time to think of questions first!" Kaoru joked. She composed herself and was walking alongside him. "So why do vampires have to drink blood?"
'And she says she needs time to think of questions,' Battousai thought sarcastically. "Vampires need to drink blood so that they have strength to live." He replied in a quiet voice.
"Do you like the daytime? Why don't you come out during the day?"
"I do need to rest." Battousai replied. Inside him, he felt relaxed, knowing that he could talk comfortably with the little power packed girl.
"So it's like a reversed day?"
"I suppose."
"Have you ever spoken with Shinta?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
There was a period of silence. Both of them enjoyed it though. It was the type of silence where you would lose yourself in thought and just enjoy having company. Then the questions started rolling again.
"What's your favourite colour Batty?" Kaoru asked.
"Red."
"I like sapphire. Um, Batty, why are there people following us?"
"What?" Battousai probed around the area and picked up several personnel. 'Damn Bounty Hunters.' He transported himself to the Shadow Gates, Kaoru was with him.
"I don't like them. They're the disgusting people who care for nobody." Kaoru said. She walked through the gates. Some dust toppled from the roof.
"Not many like them." Battousai added.
"Baka-deshi, I knew you'd be coming." Hiko said. Battousai's amber eyes flared at Hiko.
"Hello Uncle Hi-hi-hi…" Kaoru sneezed, "Ko!" She blushed slightly.
Battousai laughed.
~*~
A/N: I'm sorry for the late update again and for if my writing is kinda slacking off. I'm seriously lost in studying for exams and everything so please just bear with me.
LittoGrrlStephie: ^.^x I know that you don't like Tomoe very much. I don't really like her myself but then again, Tomoe was there for a good reason. I can't tell you what I've decided Tomoe's fate will be so you'll just have to wait. *evil grin*
FireKitsune: I was wondering where you went. Well, nice to see you back! ^o^x
Nee-chan: *laughs* Well, of course you can have a character in one of my fics. Maybe not this one though. How about 'Hidden in Study'? Send me an email asap. ^.- I'll tell you what I'll need.
RKKL: Now, now, now, I know that you love Sano very, very much but please, *Pulls Sano away from Miena and Sano Fans* Another person I know loves him very much too… *Jay appears and bashes Cherry* *Cherry makes up her mind* On the other hand, *Pushes Sano back into the mob* HE'S YOURS!!! *Runs for it*
MP1: Oh that's alright. College is a priority. But thanks for reading! Sorry that I had to send you character away, she will be back in the second or third book, I've got an important reason too… Promise!Thanks everyone! Now I'll get back to studying for exams.