Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Flying High
by Uenki
Chapter 1: Shanghai
Crowds were bustling down through the street, with smiles on their face. Inside a traditional Chinese restaurant, a teen and a woman sat down quietly, murmuring in a language that was unknown to most of the Chinese.
"No! You're not going to face him alone, Kao-neechan!" The teen cried, bolting up, clutching his Chinese sword up in a state of anger. The woman said nothing, but to eyed the teen, speaking softly in fluent Chinese, "It's alright, sit down." The teen did not retort and sat down on his seat, muttering about woman nowadays and his sister. The woman chuckled, brushing the wrinkles out from her traditional red Chinese dress with slits down the leg and pushed away a lock of raven hair from her face.
Her blue eyes shone with maturity yet quite the opposite; she has not at all matured. By the side of her seat is a shinai, which held no aura of killing. "I am not going to face him, En-chan. I am just… testing him. I wanted to see if he was still the assassin 5 years ago, or has he changed." She responded, her whole posture becoming icy cool.
"What if he hadn't?" Yukishiro Enishi enquired to her sister, with no bloodlines related, taking a sip of his tea. Yukishiro Kaoru's eyes narrowed, though slowly, concentrating onto the table top, deep in thought.
"Then this will be Jinchuu, En-chan." Enishi smirked, Jinchuu was what he had requested, much to her second sister protest. Yes, they both were skilled in Chinese swordsmanship, but his sister always knew something he did not. His expression was a mixture of revenge and gleeful, as if a kid who had just gotten his Christmas present. Kaoru eyed his expression, but said nothing. She took up the pair of chopstick and put a piece of hot, steamed bun into her mouth, motioning her brother to dig in.
They both finished their food, and Enishi motioned for the waitress to step in. The waitress came with a pad in her hand, a pen on another. Carefully, the waitress placed the bill on Kaoru's right hand side, and Kaoru scanned the numbers in. Throwing a few copper coins onto the table, they both left.
"Where are we going now, Kao-neechan?" Enishi asked, raising an eyebrow at her sister's firm and cool expression. Kaoru halted to a stop, and turned back to face Enishi.
"It's me who is going, En-chan. I am going back to Tokyo." Her voice was stern, and a cool edge to it. Enishi's mouth was wide agape in surprise.
"What about me?" his speech was slurred a tad bit by the suddenness, and the crowd seems to be quieting down much to their delight.
"You're going to stay here in China, Shanghai, you hear me?" she commanded, while Enishi had a look of protest, but his sister's stubborn nature stopped him. He could be stubborn, but his sister was a whole lot more. Reluctantly, he nodded. Kaoru finally graced her lips with a small smile.
"Good!" she exclaimed brightly, while the on lookers gave her a strange look. Enishi trudged his feet and grabbed her hand, like an innocent kid.
"Then let me led you to the airport, Kao-neechan." He said softly, while Kaoru nodded, taking out the ticket and her passport from her rucksack that seemed so extra with her outfit.
"Yeah, this afternoon… In about one more hour." She replied, glancing at the clock tower in the northeast direction. Enishi nodded, and walked side by side with her sister who is rising out a hand to hail the cab.
They settled down onto the cushioned seat inside the cab, enjoying the silence. Enishi hesitated before speaking aloud, "Then when am I going to see you again, Kao-neechan?" he asked timidly.
Kaoru said nothing, but to shake her head, then, a pregnant silence followed on. Half an hour later, they reached the airport and they were standing at the front door. Kaoru brushed and gave a peck on his forehead.
"I will be seeing you… I promise, En-chan." With that heart melting smile, she went into the airport. Enishi stood there, feeling the soft peck on his forehead, his heart shattered. Not only his sister was leaving, his second sister was leaving too.
A boulder remained in his throat when he saw the snow white airplane swaggering into the sky, cutting the air into half.
Sayonara, Kao-neechan.
Kaoru sat there, knowing very well that she was going to miss her dear little, sweet brother for a long time, a long time indeed.
Her fingertips felt the smooth surface of the silver ring, Tomoe's, her sister's ring. Still, she felt comforted, and she brought the ring close to her chest.
What do you really want, Tomoe? Do you really want Jinchuu to happen? Do you really want Enishi to be filled with hatred?
Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind to be free of everything, giving in to the soothing darkness.
Author's Note: Hey! Another writer's block killer, with lots of AU.
Story Background:
[o] Set in Modern China, Shanghai and Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto.
[o] Enishi is Kaoru's and Tomoe's brother.
[o] "Enishi and Tomoe" and "Kaoru" is not blood related.
Kaoru's background would be revealed in further chappies.
That's all, I think. I need a beta! See my profile to contact me!
Love,
Uenki.