Disclaimer: I do own Rurouni Kenshin. What? I don't? Dammit!
Through the Minds of Manslayers by Cabel
Chapter 4: Blinded by a Blade of Sunshine, The Only Option
With almost as much patience as there was panick, the group managed to make it till morning. Unfortunately the unexpected event of an attack within the dojo resulted in another night of sleep deprivation, leaving the group in even worse shape than the previous morning.
But the worse among them was Yahiko, who had barely moved since he woke up. The others have been trying to get him to come out of his room but to no avail.
"Yahiko, won't you come out and eat something." Karou said through the door.
"I'm not hungry!"
"You should eat if you want to keep up your strength up, that you should."
"If Karou's making it then I'd rather starve!"
"WHY I OUGHTA.!!!"
"Calm down Missy. Can you at least tell us what happened?"
"I can't Sano, I don't know what he looked like."
"You mean to say someone snuck in and cut you without being seen."
"I couldn't see him cause he wasn't here."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
"It means he didn't attack me from here, he attacked me in my dream."
"You're saying that your dream attacked you."
"That's exactly what I'm saying Karou!"
"Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?!"
"Does this look ridiculous!?" Yahiko yelled as he flung the door open and pointed to the bandage on his cheek for further emphasis.
"Alright everyone settle down, perhaps it would be better if we talked about this over breakfast, that it would." The only response that Kenshin got was the only one that was needed, the sound of Yahiko's stomach growling.
Some say that hunger is the best spice. It seems that also applies to Karou's cooking as Yahiko proceeded to eat anything that was within arm's length.
"Slow down or you'll choke."
"Sorry Karou but near-death experiences make me hungry."
"Speaking of which, how about explaining what happened last night, and this time, try to make sense." Sano asked.
"I told you, I was attacked in my dream. He had claws on his right hand. He used my father's image to get to me. Now I'm worried that the next time I go to sleep, he may use your faces to get me, or mine to get you. Either way, I'm scared that I won't wake up next time."
"Alright, Yahiko has finally gone crazy."
"Does it really sound crazy Sano, or are you too scared of the bogey man?" Yahiko responded with a smirk.
"I'm not the kid who believes in him."
"Who are you calling a kid!!"
As the conversation quickly decayed into another one of the dojo's everyday arguments, the effects of sleep deprivation started to catch up with Karou. Her eyes were starting to feel heavy, as she started to nod off a thought raced through her mind.
"Suppose there is some truth in Yahiko's story. What then?"
No one had an answer. They sat there for several seconds before Kenshin broke the silence.
"The breakfast you made is excellent Ms. Karou. It's probably the best meal I've ever had, that it is."
Karous' face lit up. "Why thank you Kenshin, I've been practicing."
Kenshin smiled, "It certainly seems your practice has been paying of.." All of a sudden Kenshin collapsed on the table head first with a thud. Karou yelped in surprise, but Sano and Yahiko kept acting casual.
"Congratulations Missy, you killed Kenshin."
"Can't say we didn't warn him. We told him that stuff wasn't good for his health."
Karou sat in shock of what see was hearing. Sano and Yahiko glared at her.
"But would he listen, noooo, he was so concerned about hurting your feelings that he kept eating that crap, I'm surprised he could keep a straight face, much less smile."
"Or maybe he killed himself on purpose so he could get away from the raccoon girl here."
Kenshins' body suddenly sprang back to life and grabbed Karou by the hair with a look of disdain in his eyes. "Let's see how you like it." Without hesitation he stuffed her face into the plate in front of her, not giving thought to if she could breath.
Karou was sure she was going to suffocate until Kenshin released her. When she looked up they all stared at her with looks of contempt. Before Karou could catch her breath a hand reached out from behind and covered her mouth.
"Pathetic." Karou knew that voice.
"You're supposed to be the assistant master of the Kamiya-Kashinn style, the sword that protects. But not only are you unable to protect yourself, but you can't even protect the ones you love from your terrible cooking skills. I thought I raised you better."
"Father" Karou managed to mutter out.
A flash of light blinded her momentarily. When her eyes adjusted she saw the source of it. It was the reflection of the sun, coming off of a person's right hand. It wasn't the hand actually, but four blades that were attached to the fingers of a glove, resembling.claws. Then out of nowhere the cackling came, and a new, darker voice spoke.
"I'm your daddy now, bitch."
The voice broke out in laughter as he forced Karou to the table and held her down. Karou could see the shadow of the person as he raised his clawed hand and prepared to strike.
Karou sat up screaming, scaring everyone. Immediately they all started trying to calm her.
"Karou! It's alright, we're here." Kenshin said as he grabbed Karou in a hug, tears streaming from her face.
"Claws.I saw his claws.He was about to." She said as she continued sobbing into Kenshins' shoulder.
"Even I have to admit now, there's some weird stuff going on around here."
"Sano, could you send for Ms. Megumi? She should have some means for you three to stay awake, that she should."
"Sure but what are you planning to do?"
"I'm not certain about a lot of things, but if someone, or something, is threatening the lives of my friends, then I know I have to do everything within my power to protect them. That is for certain, that it is."
"That's crazy; you don't even know what you're dealing with!"
"Maybe not, and I'll never know unless I get the chance to find out for myself."
Kenshin gave them a look of concern.
"Sano, Yahiko, should anything happen, you have my permission to wake me up by whatever means necessary."
A/N: That's funny; these chapters seem a lot longer on notebook paper.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm impressed at the number of updates this site gets within 24 hours. I guess I have update as often as I can to keep up with everyone. I'm surprised I already have four chapters within a week.
Stay tuned for Chapter 5: Evil Takes Form, the Meeting of the Manslayers
Until next time, this is Cabel
Through the Minds of Manslayers by Cabel
Chapter 4: Blinded by a Blade of Sunshine, The Only Option
With almost as much patience as there was panick, the group managed to make it till morning. Unfortunately the unexpected event of an attack within the dojo resulted in another night of sleep deprivation, leaving the group in even worse shape than the previous morning.
But the worse among them was Yahiko, who had barely moved since he woke up. The others have been trying to get him to come out of his room but to no avail.
"Yahiko, won't you come out and eat something." Karou said through the door.
"I'm not hungry!"
"You should eat if you want to keep up your strength up, that you should."
"If Karou's making it then I'd rather starve!"
"WHY I OUGHTA.!!!"
"Calm down Missy. Can you at least tell us what happened?"
"I can't Sano, I don't know what he looked like."
"You mean to say someone snuck in and cut you without being seen."
"I couldn't see him cause he wasn't here."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean."
"It means he didn't attack me from here, he attacked me in my dream."
"You're saying that your dream attacked you."
"That's exactly what I'm saying Karou!"
"Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?!"
"Does this look ridiculous!?" Yahiko yelled as he flung the door open and pointed to the bandage on his cheek for further emphasis.
"Alright everyone settle down, perhaps it would be better if we talked about this over breakfast, that it would." The only response that Kenshin got was the only one that was needed, the sound of Yahiko's stomach growling.
Some say that hunger is the best spice. It seems that also applies to Karou's cooking as Yahiko proceeded to eat anything that was within arm's length.
"Slow down or you'll choke."
"Sorry Karou but near-death experiences make me hungry."
"Speaking of which, how about explaining what happened last night, and this time, try to make sense." Sano asked.
"I told you, I was attacked in my dream. He had claws on his right hand. He used my father's image to get to me. Now I'm worried that the next time I go to sleep, he may use your faces to get me, or mine to get you. Either way, I'm scared that I won't wake up next time."
"Alright, Yahiko has finally gone crazy."
"Does it really sound crazy Sano, or are you too scared of the bogey man?" Yahiko responded with a smirk.
"I'm not the kid who believes in him."
"Who are you calling a kid!!"
As the conversation quickly decayed into another one of the dojo's everyday arguments, the effects of sleep deprivation started to catch up with Karou. Her eyes were starting to feel heavy, as she started to nod off a thought raced through her mind.
"Suppose there is some truth in Yahiko's story. What then?"
No one had an answer. They sat there for several seconds before Kenshin broke the silence.
"The breakfast you made is excellent Ms. Karou. It's probably the best meal I've ever had, that it is."
Karous' face lit up. "Why thank you Kenshin, I've been practicing."
Kenshin smiled, "It certainly seems your practice has been paying of.." All of a sudden Kenshin collapsed on the table head first with a thud. Karou yelped in surprise, but Sano and Yahiko kept acting casual.
"Congratulations Missy, you killed Kenshin."
"Can't say we didn't warn him. We told him that stuff wasn't good for his health."
Karou sat in shock of what see was hearing. Sano and Yahiko glared at her.
"But would he listen, noooo, he was so concerned about hurting your feelings that he kept eating that crap, I'm surprised he could keep a straight face, much less smile."
"Or maybe he killed himself on purpose so he could get away from the raccoon girl here."
Kenshins' body suddenly sprang back to life and grabbed Karou by the hair with a look of disdain in his eyes. "Let's see how you like it." Without hesitation he stuffed her face into the plate in front of her, not giving thought to if she could breath.
Karou was sure she was going to suffocate until Kenshin released her. When she looked up they all stared at her with looks of contempt. Before Karou could catch her breath a hand reached out from behind and covered her mouth.
"Pathetic." Karou knew that voice.
"You're supposed to be the assistant master of the Kamiya-Kashinn style, the sword that protects. But not only are you unable to protect yourself, but you can't even protect the ones you love from your terrible cooking skills. I thought I raised you better."
"Father" Karou managed to mutter out.
A flash of light blinded her momentarily. When her eyes adjusted she saw the source of it. It was the reflection of the sun, coming off of a person's right hand. It wasn't the hand actually, but four blades that were attached to the fingers of a glove, resembling.claws. Then out of nowhere the cackling came, and a new, darker voice spoke.
"I'm your daddy now, bitch."
The voice broke out in laughter as he forced Karou to the table and held her down. Karou could see the shadow of the person as he raised his clawed hand and prepared to strike.
Karou sat up screaming, scaring everyone. Immediately they all started trying to calm her.
"Karou! It's alright, we're here." Kenshin said as he grabbed Karou in a hug, tears streaming from her face.
"Claws.I saw his claws.He was about to." She said as she continued sobbing into Kenshins' shoulder.
"Even I have to admit now, there's some weird stuff going on around here."
"Sano, could you send for Ms. Megumi? She should have some means for you three to stay awake, that she should."
"Sure but what are you planning to do?"
"I'm not certain about a lot of things, but if someone, or something, is threatening the lives of my friends, then I know I have to do everything within my power to protect them. That is for certain, that it is."
"That's crazy; you don't even know what you're dealing with!"
"Maybe not, and I'll never know unless I get the chance to find out for myself."
Kenshin gave them a look of concern.
"Sano, Yahiko, should anything happen, you have my permission to wake me up by whatever means necessary."
A/N: That's funny; these chapters seem a lot longer on notebook paper.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm impressed at the number of updates this site gets within 24 hours. I guess I have update as often as I can to keep up with everyone. I'm surprised I already have four chapters within a week.
Stay tuned for Chapter 5: Evil Takes Form, the Meeting of the Manslayers
Until next time, this is Cabel