A/n: Last chappie of this story! An yes, this is before the Kyoto arc! Now, read on!
Whispering Sunshine
Chapter 17
Washed Away
"So, what happened to your face?"
"Huh?" Sachi's now dull blue eyes hesitantly moved from staring at the cup of green tea she held. Two miserable days of cruel work (and foul play) and now, about an hour before the time set for the fight, she sat in a small alcove, sipping green tea with the one who was to be Kenshin's opponent. Right now life was like a living hell, only worse. Her life was now in the hands of a certain rurouni's capability to defeat this cold, heartless (maybe even soulless?) ninja. She wished she could just end it now, that way only one person would die from this encounter. But, if Kenshin could defeat this ninja then her death would be in vain. She would just have to wait it out.
"Your face. The scar?" Aoshi repeated his inquiry after noticing that the girl's thoughts were not in the present.
"Oh, that." A trembling hand reached up to trace the horrid reminder of her captivity. Over time she had almost forgotten of its existence. Rarely did she have the privilege to look in a mirror, and when she did, she just accepted it as part of her face. But still, Sachi could not ignore the inquiring looks that strangers passing by on the street gave her. Time and time again she was made to remember the things that she most wanted to forget. It was only after a few seconds that Sachi realized she hadn't answered the man's question. "I got it in a fight." She replied and quickly gulped another mouthful of tea.
"Really." Aoshi's eyebrow rose with the slightest of movement. He almost seemed...interested in her story. Now that in itself was interesting. Maybe he's just looking for a way to amuse him self, Sachi thought. But then again, he has no obvious feelings, why would he want to be amused? Sachi shrugged. She should not try to comprehend questions that were w-a-y above her head.
"How did it happen?" Maybe he was actually interested. Or, maybe he was just faking it. You could never tell with one who didn't show emotions.
"The Boss's men came to get me while everybody but Yahiko was gone and while I was still blind." She started.
"Blind?"
"From being hit hard in the back of the neck."
"Ah. Continue." The ninja sipped his tea slowly and leaned back against the wall.
"Well, Yahiko had just been teaching me some techniques, so luckily I had a shinai handy. But since I could not see I could not dodge attacks very well, and one that was aimed at my shoulder hit my face instead. I guess I am lucky to have only gotten a skin wound and nothing further." Sachi explained, never once looking up into the man's eyes.
Aoshi almost chuckled as he set his teacup down. "Very fortunate, indeed." He nodded and picked up his kadochis. "Now, it is nearly time." He motioned for Sachi and together they left the hideout.
--
"Kenshin, are you sure you want to do this? Last time Aoshi nearly killed you!" Kaoru begged with the headstrong rurouni for the gazillionth time as they neared the bridge.
"I must. For Sachi-dono's sake." Underneath the amber bangs he had a cold glare of determination that had not etched its way unto his face for a very long time. Stopping at the edge of the bridge his eyes drifted to survey the rushing river that gushed just inches from the underside of the structure. "Snow from up the mountains has caused the river to flood more than normal." He stated as the brown churning water mesmerized his eyes.
"Kenshin, this is unsafe. Call the fight off. I'm sure Sachi can make it until we can find a better time or place for this to take place." Kaoru clasped a trembling hand over the shoulder of the set man.
His flowing red hair waved as he shook his head back and forth. "We do not know that Sachi could survive much longer. Do not worry for my safety, Kaoru-dono." He stepped coldly away and unto the bridge. "Here they come."
Sachi stepped timidly behind the towering man. Her heart ached when she caught sight of the little rurouni standing so determinedly on the bridge. It sank lower when she looked up and caught the flames of battle in Aoshi's eyes.
Planting his feet firmly and pushing the girl back behind him, Aoshi glared his opponent down. "This is how it works, Himura." He shouted over the roaring river. "You defeat me, and by my honor I shall let this girl go. However, even if I do defeat you, she is free to go, but she must never set foot in Tokyo again."
"Huh?" Sachi held her hair out of her face from the blowing wind as she looked up at the man with great confusion.
Aoshi turned slightly to face her. "No one should have to live the way you do except by choice, and it is clear that you would do anything to escape your personal prison. I do it not for you, but for the sake of humanity. If you flee from Tokyo, chances are they won't pursue you."
"Arigatou, Shinormori-san." Sachi respectfully bowed.
The cold man just grunted as he stepped forward and drew his kodachi. With out another word he was on the move. In a blur he had charged the waiting Battosai. Kenshin was ready this time and he quickly dodged and blocked as many of his attacks as he could.
Sachi's eyes drifted over the battle, but it was so hard for her to keep up. Now Aoshi had started his famous move, the 'sword dance'. In a flash the ninja lunged at the redhead. There was a clang of metal and Kenshin's sakabato went sailing through the air, landing point first in the dirt a few inches from Sachi's feet.
Kenshin kneeled with Aoshi's kodachi trapped between his hands. It was nearly a total repeat of the last time they had fought. But, Kenshin had forgotten the possibility that Aoshi had been training for this move and had learned a new technique. In the blink of an eye, the sheath of Aoshi's kodachi landed broadside Kenshin's head.
The rurouni stumbled backwards as blood began to flow from his ear and mouth. He gasped and let go of the ninja's blade as his vision began to grow fuzzy. He fell the to ground and grasped his head as a terrible ringing echoed through it.
Aoshi's eyes narrowed. "Now, you die!" He raised his kadochi for the final blow. In mid air he hesitated and glanced across the bridge at the ghost white expressions on the woman and child's faces. Kaoru sobbed as the tears spilled unmercifully down her cheeks. Yahiko stood frozen to the spot as he watched what he believed impossible happen. Luckily, it didn't happen. This hesitation was all the new wielder of the sakabato needed.
Sachi stood over the fallen rurouni, the sakabato clashing with the kadochi. "Leave him be!" She snarled. "Can't you see you've won?!"
Aoshi stepped back a bit. Was it true? Could he have really won, even if the Battosai was still alive?
"Kaoru, get Kenshin out of here!" Sachi yelled, never once taking her eyes off of the startled expression on the ninja's face. Obediently Kaoru ran up to her beloved rurouni and carefully dragged him to the edge of the bridge.
"If you want to take advantage of a fallen warrior you might as well fight an inexperienced girl like me!" Sachi shouted into the tall man's face.
"You would most assuredly die." He glared back at her.
"Then end my suffering!" Sachi backed away but still held the sakabato in the ready position.
"It would be a waste of my time." Aoshi turned to walk away.
"Try me." Sachi muttered.
Looking over his shoulder at the fiery girl Aoshi felt her desire to battle. Surely she would fall after his first attack. He might be able to even go easy on her to discourage her. Might as well do it, he summed up and whipped around with his kadochi still out.
In a flash he lunged at her, and she the same. They landed on opposite sides of the bridge. For a brief moment everything stood still except for the rushing water and the stormy wind. Then Sachi groaned as blood started to stream forth from her left shoulder. Aoshi's eyes widened with surprise as one by one the belts around his waist gave way and fell to the ground. He had misjudged her ability.
He was about to turn around and comment when a loose tree came floating down the river and rushed over the bridge, taking Aoshi with it. Sachi turned and ran to the spot where the ninja had disappeared. She noticed him floating in the water, grasping to a support beam on the bridge for his life. He was about a sword length away. Thinking quickly, Sachi lowered the handle of the sakabato down to the struggling man. She grunted as blood began to fill her palms, but she just grabbed the blade harder to support Aoshi as he climbed up the side.
Kaoru propped Kenshin up and held a cloth to his ear as his senses began to come back to him. Looking up to see the raven-haired girl at his side, the rurouni nearly smiled before he remembered the other girl who he had been fighting to protect. "Sachi!" He sat up abruptly.
"Shush! She's okay. Rest now, Kenshin. Yahiko, go see what's taking Sachi!" She tried to comfort her love.
"She's helping Aoshi up the side of the bridge with the sakabato." Yahiko bluntly stated as he observed the on goings.
"What?!" Kenshin ignored Kaoru and sat up, only to feel a throbbing in his head. Looking past the girl at his side he saw the teenager perched precariously on the bridge, helping the tall man up the side. He began to rise to go to her aide just as Aoshi set foot on solid ground.
The tall man look surprised at the girl. "You...saved me." He noticed her bleeding hands. "Why?"
"It's similar to my situation. I do not like to see anyone die, and it is no doubt that you would not like to go that way." She smiled strangely. "A helping hand for a helping hand."
"...thank...you." Aoshi stated dumbfounded. "I guess Himura accepts his defeat, therefore I am the victor. You are free to go, and since the redhead is still alive I feel no regret of allowing you to stay in Tokyo." He stated before backing off and away. Little by little the rushing water began to lap over the edges of the bridge.
"Sachi, you...are all right?" Kenshin staggered up behind her.
"Yes, I'm fine, Kenshin. And so is Aoshi, thanks to your sakabato. Thanks for...uh...letting me use it." She smiled and began to hand the sword over to its rightful owner when she felt a wet sensation at her feet. Looking down she saw the water gushing past her ankles. "Kenshin, run!" She screamed and pushed the rurouni in front of her as the river began to over take the bridge.
"Sachi!" Kenshin's cried his lungs out as he toppled over unto the bank and watched the rushing waters sweep the holder of his sakabato away and out of sight. Quickly righting himself he began sprinting down the bank, but he could not see any sign of her. Sachi was gone, washed away forever. Crying, Kenshin collapsed on the bank and sobbed, holding a little book in his hand. Suddenly becoming aware of the object in his hand, his eyes misted over even more.
"Her father's diary. Sachi's last wish, I shall not stop until it is completed." He clutched the little book to his heart. "Not until all of my guilt is washed away."
--
KatDrama: and that concludes this story! Wow, the first ever story I ever finished!! Be on the look out for the sequel "Divided Waters" Thanks to all of my reviewers:
WhiteRabbit5- I hope the ending wasn't cliché (even though I have no idea what on earth that means)...
The Grinch- thanks for your support by sticking with the story!
Misaoshiru- yes, I heard your suggestions, but that doesn't mean I had to follow them.
Drow Angel- I'm sure you have, so have I, but I prefer not to use them.
Shades- thanx for the review
Animegoddess177- I still have to get around to reading your story, sorry it's taking so long.
and a special Arigatou to Twilight Sky!!!!! (hugs Twilight) You've stuck to this story through every chapter! Your reviews are what kept this story going!!
Well, see ya in the sequel!!! Naughty cliffhanger, eh? Well, I suppose I could give you a preview...
Preview of "Divided Waters"-
"Hey, Sakura! Come see this!!" A little boy called from down by the water.
"What is it, Toshi?" A skinny farmer girl in ragged clothes flipped her jet-black hair and shifted the weight of the basket of vegetables she was carrying to her hip impatiently.
"There's a body in the river!"
"What?!" Vegetables forgotten, the girl skidded down the grassy bank to where he brother stood prodding a person who lay in the shallows of the river.
"Do you think it's dead?" He questioned in his little boyish way.
"I don't know." Sakura bent over and studied the poor creature that had washed up on the bank. "I suppose we could take it back to the village."
"Ewww. Why?" Toshi's face twisted up in the most indignant face.
"Look at the chest rising and falling. I'm pretty sure it's alive." His sister pointed out. "You go and get old Mrs. Tenuki. She was a midwife in her younger days, she might know something 'bout mending peoples."
"Okay." The little boy sped off. Gingerly Sakura linked her arms under those of the person's and drug it out of the water. A pitiful groan escaped the person's lips. Setting the body down Sakura noticed a shiny object clasped in the person's hand. Prying it from the clammy fingers she held it up and watched it shine in the sun.
"Wow." She whispered in admiration. "A reverse blade sword."
--
well, that's all I'll tell ya for now. See ya then!
Whispering Sunshine
Chapter 17
Washed Away
"So, what happened to your face?"
"Huh?" Sachi's now dull blue eyes hesitantly moved from staring at the cup of green tea she held. Two miserable days of cruel work (and foul play) and now, about an hour before the time set for the fight, she sat in a small alcove, sipping green tea with the one who was to be Kenshin's opponent. Right now life was like a living hell, only worse. Her life was now in the hands of a certain rurouni's capability to defeat this cold, heartless (maybe even soulless?) ninja. She wished she could just end it now, that way only one person would die from this encounter. But, if Kenshin could defeat this ninja then her death would be in vain. She would just have to wait it out.
"Your face. The scar?" Aoshi repeated his inquiry after noticing that the girl's thoughts were not in the present.
"Oh, that." A trembling hand reached up to trace the horrid reminder of her captivity. Over time she had almost forgotten of its existence. Rarely did she have the privilege to look in a mirror, and when she did, she just accepted it as part of her face. But still, Sachi could not ignore the inquiring looks that strangers passing by on the street gave her. Time and time again she was made to remember the things that she most wanted to forget. It was only after a few seconds that Sachi realized she hadn't answered the man's question. "I got it in a fight." She replied and quickly gulped another mouthful of tea.
"Really." Aoshi's eyebrow rose with the slightest of movement. He almost seemed...interested in her story. Now that in itself was interesting. Maybe he's just looking for a way to amuse him self, Sachi thought. But then again, he has no obvious feelings, why would he want to be amused? Sachi shrugged. She should not try to comprehend questions that were w-a-y above her head.
"How did it happen?" Maybe he was actually interested. Or, maybe he was just faking it. You could never tell with one who didn't show emotions.
"The Boss's men came to get me while everybody but Yahiko was gone and while I was still blind." She started.
"Blind?"
"From being hit hard in the back of the neck."
"Ah. Continue." The ninja sipped his tea slowly and leaned back against the wall.
"Well, Yahiko had just been teaching me some techniques, so luckily I had a shinai handy. But since I could not see I could not dodge attacks very well, and one that was aimed at my shoulder hit my face instead. I guess I am lucky to have only gotten a skin wound and nothing further." Sachi explained, never once looking up into the man's eyes.
Aoshi almost chuckled as he set his teacup down. "Very fortunate, indeed." He nodded and picked up his kadochis. "Now, it is nearly time." He motioned for Sachi and together they left the hideout.
--
"Kenshin, are you sure you want to do this? Last time Aoshi nearly killed you!" Kaoru begged with the headstrong rurouni for the gazillionth time as they neared the bridge.
"I must. For Sachi-dono's sake." Underneath the amber bangs he had a cold glare of determination that had not etched its way unto his face for a very long time. Stopping at the edge of the bridge his eyes drifted to survey the rushing river that gushed just inches from the underside of the structure. "Snow from up the mountains has caused the river to flood more than normal." He stated as the brown churning water mesmerized his eyes.
"Kenshin, this is unsafe. Call the fight off. I'm sure Sachi can make it until we can find a better time or place for this to take place." Kaoru clasped a trembling hand over the shoulder of the set man.
His flowing red hair waved as he shook his head back and forth. "We do not know that Sachi could survive much longer. Do not worry for my safety, Kaoru-dono." He stepped coldly away and unto the bridge. "Here they come."
Sachi stepped timidly behind the towering man. Her heart ached when she caught sight of the little rurouni standing so determinedly on the bridge. It sank lower when she looked up and caught the flames of battle in Aoshi's eyes.
Planting his feet firmly and pushing the girl back behind him, Aoshi glared his opponent down. "This is how it works, Himura." He shouted over the roaring river. "You defeat me, and by my honor I shall let this girl go. However, even if I do defeat you, she is free to go, but she must never set foot in Tokyo again."
"Huh?" Sachi held her hair out of her face from the blowing wind as she looked up at the man with great confusion.
Aoshi turned slightly to face her. "No one should have to live the way you do except by choice, and it is clear that you would do anything to escape your personal prison. I do it not for you, but for the sake of humanity. If you flee from Tokyo, chances are they won't pursue you."
"Arigatou, Shinormori-san." Sachi respectfully bowed.
The cold man just grunted as he stepped forward and drew his kodachi. With out another word he was on the move. In a blur he had charged the waiting Battosai. Kenshin was ready this time and he quickly dodged and blocked as many of his attacks as he could.
Sachi's eyes drifted over the battle, but it was so hard for her to keep up. Now Aoshi had started his famous move, the 'sword dance'. In a flash the ninja lunged at the redhead. There was a clang of metal and Kenshin's sakabato went sailing through the air, landing point first in the dirt a few inches from Sachi's feet.
Kenshin kneeled with Aoshi's kodachi trapped between his hands. It was nearly a total repeat of the last time they had fought. But, Kenshin had forgotten the possibility that Aoshi had been training for this move and had learned a new technique. In the blink of an eye, the sheath of Aoshi's kodachi landed broadside Kenshin's head.
The rurouni stumbled backwards as blood began to flow from his ear and mouth. He gasped and let go of the ninja's blade as his vision began to grow fuzzy. He fell the to ground and grasped his head as a terrible ringing echoed through it.
Aoshi's eyes narrowed. "Now, you die!" He raised his kadochi for the final blow. In mid air he hesitated and glanced across the bridge at the ghost white expressions on the woman and child's faces. Kaoru sobbed as the tears spilled unmercifully down her cheeks. Yahiko stood frozen to the spot as he watched what he believed impossible happen. Luckily, it didn't happen. This hesitation was all the new wielder of the sakabato needed.
Sachi stood over the fallen rurouni, the sakabato clashing with the kadochi. "Leave him be!" She snarled. "Can't you see you've won?!"
Aoshi stepped back a bit. Was it true? Could he have really won, even if the Battosai was still alive?
"Kaoru, get Kenshin out of here!" Sachi yelled, never once taking her eyes off of the startled expression on the ninja's face. Obediently Kaoru ran up to her beloved rurouni and carefully dragged him to the edge of the bridge.
"If you want to take advantage of a fallen warrior you might as well fight an inexperienced girl like me!" Sachi shouted into the tall man's face.
"You would most assuredly die." He glared back at her.
"Then end my suffering!" Sachi backed away but still held the sakabato in the ready position.
"It would be a waste of my time." Aoshi turned to walk away.
"Try me." Sachi muttered.
Looking over his shoulder at the fiery girl Aoshi felt her desire to battle. Surely she would fall after his first attack. He might be able to even go easy on her to discourage her. Might as well do it, he summed up and whipped around with his kadochi still out.
In a flash he lunged at her, and she the same. They landed on opposite sides of the bridge. For a brief moment everything stood still except for the rushing water and the stormy wind. Then Sachi groaned as blood started to stream forth from her left shoulder. Aoshi's eyes widened with surprise as one by one the belts around his waist gave way and fell to the ground. He had misjudged her ability.
He was about to turn around and comment when a loose tree came floating down the river and rushed over the bridge, taking Aoshi with it. Sachi turned and ran to the spot where the ninja had disappeared. She noticed him floating in the water, grasping to a support beam on the bridge for his life. He was about a sword length away. Thinking quickly, Sachi lowered the handle of the sakabato down to the struggling man. She grunted as blood began to fill her palms, but she just grabbed the blade harder to support Aoshi as he climbed up the side.
Kaoru propped Kenshin up and held a cloth to his ear as his senses began to come back to him. Looking up to see the raven-haired girl at his side, the rurouni nearly smiled before he remembered the other girl who he had been fighting to protect. "Sachi!" He sat up abruptly.
"Shush! She's okay. Rest now, Kenshin. Yahiko, go see what's taking Sachi!" She tried to comfort her love.
"She's helping Aoshi up the side of the bridge with the sakabato." Yahiko bluntly stated as he observed the on goings.
"What?!" Kenshin ignored Kaoru and sat up, only to feel a throbbing in his head. Looking past the girl at his side he saw the teenager perched precariously on the bridge, helping the tall man up the side. He began to rise to go to her aide just as Aoshi set foot on solid ground.
The tall man look surprised at the girl. "You...saved me." He noticed her bleeding hands. "Why?"
"It's similar to my situation. I do not like to see anyone die, and it is no doubt that you would not like to go that way." She smiled strangely. "A helping hand for a helping hand."
"...thank...you." Aoshi stated dumbfounded. "I guess Himura accepts his defeat, therefore I am the victor. You are free to go, and since the redhead is still alive I feel no regret of allowing you to stay in Tokyo." He stated before backing off and away. Little by little the rushing water began to lap over the edges of the bridge.
"Sachi, you...are all right?" Kenshin staggered up behind her.
"Yes, I'm fine, Kenshin. And so is Aoshi, thanks to your sakabato. Thanks for...uh...letting me use it." She smiled and began to hand the sword over to its rightful owner when she felt a wet sensation at her feet. Looking down she saw the water gushing past her ankles. "Kenshin, run!" She screamed and pushed the rurouni in front of her as the river began to over take the bridge.
"Sachi!" Kenshin's cried his lungs out as he toppled over unto the bank and watched the rushing waters sweep the holder of his sakabato away and out of sight. Quickly righting himself he began sprinting down the bank, but he could not see any sign of her. Sachi was gone, washed away forever. Crying, Kenshin collapsed on the bank and sobbed, holding a little book in his hand. Suddenly becoming aware of the object in his hand, his eyes misted over even more.
"Her father's diary. Sachi's last wish, I shall not stop until it is completed." He clutched the little book to his heart. "Not until all of my guilt is washed away."
--
KatDrama: and that concludes this story! Wow, the first ever story I ever finished!! Be on the look out for the sequel "Divided Waters" Thanks to all of my reviewers:
WhiteRabbit5- I hope the ending wasn't cliché (even though I have no idea what on earth that means)...
The Grinch- thanks for your support by sticking with the story!
Misaoshiru- yes, I heard your suggestions, but that doesn't mean I had to follow them.
Drow Angel- I'm sure you have, so have I, but I prefer not to use them.
Shades- thanx for the review
Animegoddess177- I still have to get around to reading your story, sorry it's taking so long.
and a special Arigatou to Twilight Sky!!!!! (hugs Twilight) You've stuck to this story through every chapter! Your reviews are what kept this story going!!
Well, see ya in the sequel!!! Naughty cliffhanger, eh? Well, I suppose I could give you a preview...
Preview of "Divided Waters"-
"Hey, Sakura! Come see this!!" A little boy called from down by the water.
"What is it, Toshi?" A skinny farmer girl in ragged clothes flipped her jet-black hair and shifted the weight of the basket of vegetables she was carrying to her hip impatiently.
"There's a body in the river!"
"What?!" Vegetables forgotten, the girl skidded down the grassy bank to where he brother stood prodding a person who lay in the shallows of the river.
"Do you think it's dead?" He questioned in his little boyish way.
"I don't know." Sakura bent over and studied the poor creature that had washed up on the bank. "I suppose we could take it back to the village."
"Ewww. Why?" Toshi's face twisted up in the most indignant face.
"Look at the chest rising and falling. I'm pretty sure it's alive." His sister pointed out. "You go and get old Mrs. Tenuki. She was a midwife in her younger days, she might know something 'bout mending peoples."
"Okay." The little boy sped off. Gingerly Sakura linked her arms under those of the person's and drug it out of the water. A pitiful groan escaped the person's lips. Setting the body down Sakura noticed a shiny object clasped in the person's hand. Prying it from the clammy fingers she held it up and watched it shine in the sun.
"Wow." She whispered in admiration. "A reverse blade sword."
--
well, that's all I'll tell ya for now. See ya then!