The Lonely Tiger – Chapter Five
'Welcome to our hiding-place, little girl! I'm Yoro Karasu...
'Whaaat?' exlaimed loudly Misao. 'You're that bloody monster?!'
'Hmm? I never thought that I'm so famos. I'm truly touched.' Smiled merrily, but before he could countinue, Misao interrupted him:
'Don't play a fool! I heard everything about you!'
'Yes, I know. And I'm very happy about it... Well, could you be so kind as to tell me, why did you attacked us exactly? You know, I never liked such a bad jokes.' His seductive face turned to fearsome and stern. That steely glance give her the creeps.
'It's all right, we each are very nervous.' The lady stood in front of him, and reassuringly smiled at him.
'Yeah... Sorry. I lose my head.' he sighed, and gently took her both hands.
'Do you know something about Hibaku?' her voice was full of worry and angst. Karasu embraced her comfortingly, and softly whispered in her ears.
'Don't worry my dear. He's a clever boy. He'll be fine, I promise.'
'I hope so!' sighed and nestled close to him.
Misao was totaly surprised. 'I don't get it! He's the bad guy, why is she acted like that? And Hiko-san? Did she forget him?...
At this time in the middle of the forest...
'You almost... kill me1' said the strange young man out of breath. He seemed about 16-years-old. He wore a blue shirt and a grey hakama. His pure-colored hair disheveledly fell on his face.
'Who's that brat?' wondered Sano, but to his surprise, the one angrily shouted at him.
'I'm not a 'brat', you stupid monkey!'
'Whaaat? You little...'
'Stop it, moron. So, could you tell me who you are?' asked Saitou.
'Ch, why should I tell you, old man?'
'Because if you don't...' he suddenly grasped his neck and slowly lifted him up. 'I'm afraid, I'll brake your neck.'
Kenshin wanted to intervened, but Odora got in his way:
'Don't worry.'
'But...'
'I said, don't worry.. Hm, you truly become too sensitive, Battousai-san.' sneered at him disdainfully.
'He'd rather be weak, than someone so insensible like you.' said angrily Kaoru.
'You know nothing about life, Kaoru-san. Love and kindness... that's all bunkum! If you want to survive, you must ossify your heart and threw away your humanity... otherwise, you'll brake.' The last words were just soft whispers. Kaoru incredulously stared at him. Kenshin was silent too. He knew the meaning of those words, and now, he felt pity on that bitter man. He himself should easilly become like that, too. But there was someone who showed him an other way. Someone who brought him back to life... Whereas, Odora was lonely, and bore too much distress and sorrow... Saitou's calm voice put him back to reality.
'So? Are you desided to answere my questions or would you play a little bit more?
'Agh... All right... you won. Just... just let me go!'
'Much better.' Saitou smirked and threw him down.
'Not too kind, but very effective...' muttered Yahiko.
'Than again. Who are you?'
'My name is Hibaku. But I'm only a servant, you know. If you want some ransom or something like that, I think I'm useless.'
'Where did they took a girl?' asked Aoshi, with his usual poker face.
'I don't know.'
'You do. And you will take us to your hiding-place.' Odora stepped forward and coldly looked down the boy.
'Ch, I'm not a traitor.'
'Then, you'll die.' Said, and slowly drew his sword.
'Wait!' Kaoru wanted to stop him, but Kenshin gently grasped her arm.
'Speak or die. Your choise.' The blade was very close, and almost cut his skin. 'Where is Yoro Karasu?'
Odora's face was emotionless. Hibaku swallowed, but didn't say anything. He was shaking, they saw that. Odora narrowed his eyes, and with a rapid movemant, he striked at the boy. The others frightenedly exlaimed. Sano lost his patient, and angrily punched the samurai.
'You bastard! Why did you do that, you san of a... huh?'
They were all surprised, when looked at their captive. Hibaku's eyes turned extremely big and helplessly glared at the sword. The blade was closely next to his face, pierced in the tree. There was only a light cut on his face.
'That was close!' sighed relievedly Yahiko.
'Why did you do that?' turned to him seriously Kenshin. Odora wasn't listened. There was something strange on his face.
'He looks... just like her.' He silently gazed at the young bandit. For an instant moment, there was something soft light on those merciless eyes. But there was only a second. His face returned to the normal unimpassioned form, and idly touched his chin.
'Nice punch. But if you want to live, you won't try it again.'
Misao set on the blanket. She bored. She didn't undersood everything. That Karasu guy looked very gently with Odora-san's mother... To tell the truth, Odora-san seemed totaly different than her.
'Aren't you hungry?'
'Huh?Oh... umm..' she was a bit emberessed, because she didn't knew her name.
'My name is Murasaki Ume.' She smiled kindly and kneeled next to her.
'Um! I'm Makimachi Misao.'
'I'm truly happy to meet you, Misao-chan.'
'May I ask you something?'
'Yes, Misao-chan?'
'You love him?I mean, Hiko-san?'
'Why did you ask?' she tryed smiling, but her face turned sad.
'Cause I can't belive what I saw! Karasu was the one who kidnapped you! How could you acting like nothing was happened?'
'He's not bad, as you think. He took care of me and...'
'It's nonsense! Hiko still loves you! You can't give up so easilly!'
'What do you want me to do?' her eyes was full of tears and her voice was trembled. 'He left me! I waited for him so many years... You're right, I love him. I always did, but... I'm weak. I couldn't protect my own child! She was the greatest gift, that he gave me and... she's dead. I coudn't save her! I...' she sobed. Misao's heart nearly broke, when she looked at her. It took her a lot of minutes, when she relized the meaning of Ume's words.
"How did she say? Hiko and she had a daughter? But Odora-san is... It can't be, he couldn't be a girl!!"
Author's note: Well, I think it's getting interesting. I hope, you'll read the next chapter too. Please wright me your opinion about this story. I know, it's not a big crack, but this is my first fanfict so I'm gladly welcome your critics