Standard disclaimer applies.

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The Sound of Jasmine

By: Luna

Part Nine: Enishi's Interlude.

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I had returned from my trip back home to settle things that were getting a little too out of hand without me there. God, but I hated incompetence. I probably should kill the damn slaves next time they get out of line. I smirked to myself. Oops, they were called employees nowadays, weren't they?

I was angered when I returned to find out that Jasmine picked up another bum, and this one seemed to be infatuated with her too. He always hung around the house, keeping a wary eye on me and the golden-eyed freak. Hmm. I could kill him just to get him out of the picture, but Jasmine might get mad at me. I smirked again and closed my eyes as I leaned back against one of the porches posts.

In my mind, his name was Rooster-head. I forgot what his name was the moment he finished saying it. Plus, he got really pissed of at the 'nickname' I gave him. Bastard Battousai seemed outwardly unaffected by the dumb ass and his dumb ass jokes, but I could tell that he didn't like him either. Jasmine laughed and smiled a lot when Rooster head was around, and they were never directed at either of us.

I frowned as I opened my eyes and discreetly looked at Bastard, for once not doing any women house chores such as laundry, instead just leaning up against the trunk of a tree in a dark corner of the yard, one leg stretched out in front of him as his other knee was bent so one of his arms could rest on it. He was eyeing Rooster head with distaste, but the angle his head was tilted to prevent Jasmine or Rooster from noticing that his distasteful gaze was directed at them. Or I should say, directed at one spiky haired dumb ass.

Hmph. I don't see what the hell is so special about Bastard. Jasmine pays almost all of her attention to him when he finally decides to join her. Hell, the man never even smiles at her for god sakes! He doesn't talk, he doesn't even *do* anything with her except sit by her, and that's only occasionally, and if he isn't off brooding in some dark corner like he is now he's not even around her period. And his eyes are always that chilling amber that dares anybody to approach him. Personally, if I were a woman I'd just ignore the shit head and pay more attention to somebody more important. Say, a tall gorgeous white haired man that hangs around at my house all day.

Deciding that it was time to interrupt Jasmine and Bird-brained idiot's conversation, I stood up and walked purposefully towards them, mentally grinning when dumb ass number two frowned up at me. Bastard was dumb ass number one, for there's no one else I hate more than the little cherry dipped shit.

"Hey, Jasmine! I've come to relieve your pretty little head of Birdman's annoying conversation." I gave her my most charming grin, loving every moment of Rooster head's bristling. But he dared not say anything to me. Jasmine being there be damned, but if he said one word against me I'd drag him out to the streets and toy with him until I got bored. Bastard may be the most feared man and hitokiri ever to live, but I came a close second when pissed.

Jasmine smiled up at, and I was glad when I saw the slight appreciation in her eyes. Heh, no woman could resist my quirky little grin, and Jasmine seemed to be no exception. Damn, but am I good or what?

I flick my gaze to shit head and noticed how his look of distaste turned to an outright glare. But I only shrugged mentally as I turned to my object of affection. It was his own damn fault for being a crabby little dip shit hermit not bothering to join us. Besides, it wasn't as if I cared. Whenever he was around everyone else was ignored, and I kind of liked the attention I got.

It was nearly dusk when I chose to leave. Too bad Bastard disappeared, other wise he might choose to finish our postponed fight and try to kill me on the spot when I kissed Jasmine on the cheek good night.

I frowned.

She was staring at him. Again.

Damn it all to hell, but what the devil does she see in the bastard? Either they're doing things at night that I'm not aware of, or he put some kind of spell on her. Because why would she bother showering him with all kinds of love when she has me?

She had walked over to where he was standing, leaning up against what I now dubbed 'Bastards Tree'. And why not? He always sits either in it, against it, or near it. I couldn't hear what was being said, and I got pretty pissed off when I saw Jasmine smile at him; a smile that she gives only to him. Said something to him, and he hesitated only a moment before giving her a small smile—just the barest lift of the corner of his mouth, and nodded. She smiled at him again and gave a small laugh, before she turned back around to pull laundry from the line. Battousai joined her, not at all affected by the hostility I knew he sensed in my ki.

Resentment was burning a hole in my chest, festering the hatred I already held for the golden-eyed freak.

Why should he be the only one gifted with that smile? Why the f-ing hell should he only hear her laugh? Sure she laughed with Rooster and me but it was never the same as the one she gave him. The laugh she gave him was soft and delicate. Affectionate and loving. And I absolutely hated him for it.

She should smile only for me. She should laugh . . . only for me! He does not deserve the kindness she has shown him. He's killed hundreds—all for the sake of an empty ideal that would probably not even happen! A dream that will always stay a dream!

I don't care if Jasmine cares for him . . . but I'm going to kill him.

There was someone once . . . in a different time, in a different place . . . in a whole different reality . . . where a beautiful someone once smiled only for me. I still see her in my mind, smiling at me, urging me onward.

But then he came.

He stole her happiness away. He killed the one she loved, and then he took her too. He did something to trick her into falling in love with him, and now she's dead! She'll never get the chance to smile again!

Craziness nipped at the corners of my sanity, attempting to rip apart my resolve.

And for a moment, I entertained the idea of letting it loose. I grinned humorlessly. Wouldn't both Jasmine and Kenshin be surprised? Me losing control over my sanity all because of a woman. I snort. Hell, why not? A woman like Jasmine would be worth it.

She was kind. She gave and gave, unknowingly or not, I don't know, but she never seemed to want or demand anything in return. She knows what sorrow feels like—I can see it in her eyes, in her smiles, but she also knows what happiness is. That too, I can sense in her. She accepts everyone for who they are, and she never judges. How I know that is very simple to explain, even to somebody like Rooster.

I know she senses something in me. I can see the wariness in her eyes sometimes when I catch her watching me around Bastard. I can see it in her slowly and sometimes too careful movements when I'm around her. And still, she lets me visit her.

And for some perverse reason, I let her continue to batter my heart when she ignores me and focuses all her love towards Battousai.

Yes, I can tell she loves him.

Anyone would be able to see it. Her eyes lit up at the mere sight of him, and her face seemed to glow in a form of happiness that only he seemed to be able give her. I was jealous, yes. Extremely so. She should belong only to me. She should smile, for nobody else but me!

That bastard, for everything he has done, does not deserve her.

With a slow, almost evil, smirk, I closed my eyes and began to plan.

"Enishi-san, it's a nice day today, isn't it?" Her voice cut through my thoughts, and I found myself smiling at the happy tone. Opening my eyes, my grin grew when I saw her look away, flushing slightly. Yep, the old Yukishiro charm is still in me. I don't even have to speak and the ladies swoon. Damn I'm good.

"Hello, beautiful. Yep, sure is a nice day. Probably one of the few we're gonna have once winter fully hits us. I might just head back to my own estate." She sat down a few feet away from me, her feet dangling back and forth over the edge of the porch. She looked just like a little kid.

"Hmmm." Was all she said. I closed my eyes again and continued what I had been thinking before.

"Kenshin seems different somehow, don't you think?"

I barely stopped myself from growling. Even when he's not around, all she can think of is him. I shrugged nonchalantly. "How the hell should I know? It's not as if we exchange secrets on a daily basis."

She winced slightly at my tone of voice, and I cursed aloud as I sat up to apologize. "Hell, sorry 'bout that."

She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I knew that you both didn't like each other, so I shouldn't have spoke of him to you."

I sighed. "Jasmine. Look at me."

She automatically turned her head to me with a frown of confusion on her face. Neither of us noticed Kenshin approaching. "You can tell me anything you want. Whether it is about Bast—Battousai then so be it. But can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Enishi-san." She pivoted towards me, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

"While you're trying to get Battousai to notice you, why don't you try noticing me?"

She flushed scarlet and looked away. "I notice you . . ." Her voice held uncertainty and confusion.

I shook my head. "Not like you notice him. You may not be aware of it, or maybe you are, but . . . it always seems . . . everything always seems to be about him." I felt like a bastard then, when she started to strap on her mask; the one she dons when she doesn't want anyone to know what she's thinking or feeling. But like the selfish bastard I was and enjoyed being, I didn't care at all. I wanted to know now that if push comes to shove, if she would throw our friendship away all for a man that probably would never return her feelings.

A movement caught my attention, and when I looked up, Bastard was standing right there, his golden eyes glued to the beautiful young girl in front of him. I felt like hitting myself then. Sure, you moron! Give him an excuse to lead her on! Give him another chance at leading her one more step away from me!

Giving into the urge, I smacked my forehead with the heel of my palm. "Hello, Battousai." I said dryly.

Jasmine jerked her head up, a startled look in her eyes. Her face flamed up again when she caught and held Bastards gaze, but after a moment longer she looked away and dropped her gaze back down to her lap. A moment later, she hesitantly looked back into Bastards eyes to find his gaze focused solely on her.

A tense silence filled the air, and I decided that it was time for me to go. By the looks in both of their eyes, I knew that I just blew all, if any, of my chances to hell at getting Jasmine. I sighed.

"I better get going, Jasmine." She nodded in absent acknowledgment, and I sighed again as I made my way out the front gate of her house. When I looked over my shoulder one last time, I suddenly wished I had never looked at all.

Battousai took both of Jasmine's hands in his, kissed both of her palms, then held them against his chest and bowed his head over them, almost reverently. When Jasmine's eyes softened just slightly, I got the vague feeling that he had done that before.

Then the gates shut completely, and I stood alone outside the walls of her property, staring at the wooden gates.

The calmness of the night fell on the small town of Namazu; wrapping it in her pitch-black arms. The cool night air gently blew across the sleeping town, dancing with the trees that were nearby. The crickets were out and had already started to sing their lullaby to lull children to sleep.

I stood in the middle of the dirt road and breathed in the fresh smell. It was true that I had decided on leaving for good, but there was no way in hell that I was going to miss my opportunity on fighting Battousai and finishing the fight that was interrupted. Vengeance ruled my heart and my soul purpose that evening was to make him pay. He stole away both chances at my happiness, and I wasn't going to leave without some kind retribution.

I didn't even notice the chill of the wind; didn't even make me shiver at its iciness. Only my hair seemed to be affected by it, for it waved slightly from the wind and felt cold when my bangs blew into my eyes.

My eyes were focused on my destination and narrowed with determination. The only sound of my presence on the dark streets were the soft padding sound of my feet bringing me closer and closer to the place I wanted to be: Jasmine's house.

The shadows of the trees seemed to reach out for me, as if to bring me into the inky depths of nothingness, and I welcomed the feeling of that nothingness soaking into my soul. The tall looming walls of the front gate seemed almost a symbol to me. Like the final obstacle that I must pass. For once I passed these gates, I would finally meet the source of all my pain. The Battousai.

I had planned it like this. I wanted it to be deep into the depths of darkness when Jasmine was still sleeping and unaware of our fight. I didn't want her to interrupt like she did last time. This was a fight I intended to finish with no disruptions.

I felt Kenshin's ki stir to life when I opened the front gates, standing in front of them but not entering. When the shoji opened and revealed the bastard, his back straight and stiff and his golden eyes blazing in fury, I smirked and tilted my chin up slightly in a domineering manner.

"It's about time you got your lazy ass up. Get the hell out here and fight me!" I demanded, waving my hand in a gesture for him to follow me. He did not.

"Do not be foolish Enishi. Though you probably deserve to, I won't kill you." Kenshin responded, his voice a growl as his hand clutched at the hilt of his katana as if he was barely holding himself back. Seeing how he wasn't going to immediately accept my challenge, I decided on a different approach.

"Tell me, Battousai, when are you going stop slashing innocent people and staining the ground with their blood? When are you going to realize that killing people isn't helping anything?" I growled out. Get mad, Battousai! Get furious! Fight me in your *true* nature!

Battousai nearly snarled as he took a half step forward. "I'm not helping anything? You don't really think I haven't heard what you have done? Unlike you, what I am doing is for the future! For the millions of people that are oppressed! I don't kill for sport like you—-so don't insult me further by placing me on your low level."

He took another step, just a few away from the porch steps. "Enishi, I suggest you leave now. For some reason, and damned if I know, Kao—Jasmine cares for you, and I don't want her blaming me for your death." My eyes narrowed. Had she told him her name?

Kenshin's hands were shaking with barely contained fury, and he bowed his head just slightly to hide the look in his eyes. He didn't take another step towards me.

I prodded a little deeper, knowing that I only needed slight prompting for him to finally fight me.

"Fighting for those oppressed? And what about the sacrifices made? Was that all that Tomoe was to you, you sick bastard! You stole away her happiness! You killed her! How dare you say that you wish to 'protect' someone! How dare you say you're going to 'fight for the future'! All you care about is your own agenda—-you give no thought to the people who wait at home, waiting for the ones you kill to walk through their front door any minute!

The only thing that you can possibly do is destroy futures and lives with your sword! Don't try to feed me your foolish ideals! For that is all they are! Dreams! Fantasies! Illusions that you have created to help you kill people more easily—-just like you did to my sister!" I snapped, my eyes flaming with hate. He deserved to suffer. He deserved to rot in hell, in places so deep that not even the devil dares to go.

Kenshin shook with self-loathing; unshed tears of that event brimming up in his eyes. He gripped the hilt of his katana unrestrained fury; his knuckles turning white. But I didn't care. I wanted him to die with him hating himself. I wanted him to die knowing of the lives he destroyed. Mine, and my sisters.

"With this sword I shall destroy the breeder of death. I shall make him feel pain! I shall take his happiness away! I will rid the world of your filth!" I growled then started to run straight for him.

Kenshin's wrist snapped out, bringing his blade out in front of him, blocking my attack.

I growled and jumped back, running to the left, quickly encircling my prey. In a bout of rage, I swung my sword horizontally in an act to cut Kenshin in half.

Kenshin quickly jumped in the air and over my body. He twisted his body in mid-air so he faced my unguarded backside and brought his sword down.

I turned my head quickly to look at Kenshin coming, his sword aimed for my back. And I quickly swung my sword backwards in an effort to defend myself. Kenshin's sword met mine, though the force behind it caused me to fall forwards.

No! I can't lose! I have to win! For Tomoe, and for Jasmine's happiness!

I growled and forced myself off the ground, using my sword as support. I scanned the temporary arena for my opponent with my eyes and chi. He would not stay hidden for long.

I turned around abruptly, my blade up and ready, my eyes searching frantically for the Battousai. Where the hell was he?

"Show yourself, you Devil!" I screamed into the darkness. Still, silence reigned supreme, and I stood alone in the courtyard of Jasmine's home. "Fight me! You must die! I cannot allow you to cause another persons pain! And you know it too! You know that staying here will only cause her pain!"

Kenshin jumped from the black shadows, delivering a Ryu Sui Sen to my already hurt body. The force behind his attack sent me spiraling into a nearby tree, cracking it a little from the force of Kenshin's attack.

Kenshin walked up slowly to my still body and narrowed his eyes in anger. But I couldn't move. For the life of me, I just couldn't move.

"Never. . . .come here again. I do not wish to kill you." Kenshin grounded out.

I, however, could only make a gurgling sound from the back of my throat and a light moan of pain.

"You need to accept your defeat and leave this place peacefully. However . . . if you even dare come here again, then I will not hesitate in killing you." Kenshin whispered harshly, resheathing his katana.

I sat up slowly, my face bloodied and knotted in anger. I spat out some blood and stood up with my sword's support, barely even managing that. But I would not let him leave without condemning his soul. I will not let him leave without the weight pushing his shoulders down.

"Why do you stay here? Why do you continue to her hurt her?" I rasped out, and I mentally cursed myself for being so weak.

Kenshin stopped, but did not turn around.

I smirked at my silent victory. "You will leave. You know you will. And you will steal away her happiness just like you did Tomoe. The only difference is she will still be alive to taste the bitter fruits of the heartache you will leave her with. You will never be able to make her happy. Why are even trying? You are only going to hurt her in the end."

Kenshin's head bowed, and for a moment I thought that maybe I had one the fight after all. "When I leave, I may hurt her. In fact, I know I will. But if I can give her happiness, in any form I can, then I will give it to her. She knows that I will be leaving. She realized it a long time ago. We both accepted the consequences that sealed both our fates when she let me stay here. And I will not regret, even for a moment, the time that I spent with her."

I gave a faint smirk, feeling utterly defeated. "Yes, you won't, but will she?"

He stiffened, but then slowly relaxed. "I guess I'm just going to have to ask her then, wont I?"

I limped out of the yard, barely having the strength, and gave a humorless laugh. "I suppose you should. Go ahead then, rot in your fake reality. I hope she realizes soon enough what an empty dream you really are, and opens her eyes to reality."

The gates once again closed behind me, shutting out the happiness that could have been mine if Battousai had never existed. Shutting out the light that I might have held in my own two hands, but had been snuffed out before I even had a chance to let it burn.

With hate and bitterness in my heart, I walked away from what could have been mine. Walked away from the only happiness that I thought I could have possessed, if only that demon never existed.

I walked away . . . from her . . . and the man that ruined my life and me irrevocably, the man whose name was Himura Kenshin, the manslayer of the night, the destroyer of happiness.

As I walked away, I finally let go of the edges of my sanity, willing the darkness to consume my soul, just as the night consumed my body, making me invisible to everyone, including those who looked.

I walked away from Jasmine . . . and the beautiful sound she made when she laughed, and the beautiful sound I heard even when she wasn't speaking at all.