OH MY! It's SPRING BREAK! I can update now! Man…that was a lot of reviews to handle with! Hah! I'm very happy! Thank you all who reviewed! On with the story!!!
By: S3r3nity
Chapter 4: Released
Previous Chapter
"AHHHH!"
"Where'd that come from?" he asked while shivering.
"Behind here…" the chubby man pointed with his meaty fingers towards the side of the staircase.
He was pointing an ancient dusty old grandfather clock that has stopped walking a long time ago.
The thin man stopped shivering and grabbed his dagger out, "That little wench is going to get it now…" he said with a deadly tone.
Megumi and Sano finally reached where Misao and Aoshi was waiting at the front steps of the Dark Tower.
"Megumi…" Misao said with a frightful tone, "Are you 100% sure that Kaoru went inside the Dark Tower?"
"Come to think of it…no…" Megumi haughtily replied, "Or maybe I'm right...or..."
Sano began to grow impatient, "Megumi…we ran up the hill because of what you said…and now you're not sure about this?"
"I feel Kaoru in there…trust me…" Megumi said angrily and headed towards the door to grab to doorknob.
"No…Megumi—wait!" Misao cried out loud but it was too late, Megumi touched the doorknob and flew backwards but was caught in Sano's arm.
"What the heck happened?" Megumi asked angrily while looking back at the tower.
"There's a magical barrier surrounding the Dark Tower…it senses everyone who has powers…" Aoshi stated, "There's no way we can get in."
"Then what do we do Aoshi?" Misao asked while looking at the cursed tower, "What can we do?"
"I don't know…but first of all we have to make sure Kaoru is inside the tower or else our efforts of getting in there will be useless!" Aoshi replied.
"I know she is!" Megumi shouted to Aoshi who was filled with anger, "Why won't you believe me?"
"There's no proof…we'll have to wait…" was Aoshi's reply.
"What if she is in there? She'll die then!" Misao cried as tears began to form in her eyes.
"Sorry Misao but that's all we can do…" Aoshi said gently to her and wrapped his arms around her. Misao only looked at Aoshi with pain in her emerald eyes.
Finally a scream echoed from inside the Dark Tower and everyone knew who it was.
"Kaoru!" Megumi screamed and ran towards the door until Sano blocked her.
"You'll get hurt!" he cried as he continuously blocked the fox, while she attempted to get away from Sano.
"But she'll get hurt even more!" Megumi cried as Sano held his arms around her to stop her from moving.
"Well not as much as you will! Look!" Sano yelled and grabbed Megumi's bracelet and threw it at the door. The bracelet hit the door and was immediately shot back to Sano, who was quick enough to dodge from it. Megumi's eyes shot wide as she looked down in defeat, "Then what do we do?"
"I don't know, Megumi, I don't know…" Sano replied quietly while staring at the tower.
"AHHHH!" Kaoru screamed as the red eyes finally came visible to her eyes. She realized that the candles lit up again and stopped screaming. Kaoru looked into the eyes and noticed that they weren't blinking or moving. She began to walk towards the glowing amber eyes.
"It's a painting…" she whispered and gently touched the outline of the body that was carved onto the wall. The painting was old and the colors had faded off except for the dark crimson eyes. The image was a man with straight hair tied up in a ponytail, fiery red amber eyes, had a sword held by the right hand, and was dressed in a Samurai outfit.
"He looks like he about to fight someone…" Kaoru murmured as her hands outlined his face and the sword gently as if it was real. She stared into the cold dark amber eyes. 'I can't help but feel as if this man is going to come alive any minute.' Kaoru continued to inspect the image until a bright light shot in the room blinding her.
"Found you!" a man growled taking advantage of Kaoru's weak stage at the moment, he immediately stabbed her on the back, and took the dagger back out.
Kaoru screamed as she was turned around and pinned against the wall by a short fat man. Her vision finally came clear again.
"You put us through a lot of trouble little wench…" the tall thin man said dangerously as he use the bloody dagger and wiped it on Kaoru's white tank top. Kaoru only smirked and kicked the short man onto the floor directly knocking him out. She immediately took the advantage to run towards the door but was pulled back.
"Don't think you can escape brat!" the tall man yelled as he pulled Kaoru's long hair and yank her back to the wall. He dropped his dagger and replaced it with a sword. He began to grin in triumphant as he held the sword in front of Kaoru's neck.
"I'm not going to go easy on you," the tall man said as he thrust his sword into Kaoru's stomach. Kaoru screamed in agony as she felt the sword went halfway in her body.
The thin man continued to speak, "Our boss…said to kill you quickly…" he said gently and began to twist his sword around, tears began to form in Kaoru's eyes as she felt the inside of her being torn apart.
"But…I'm going to make it slow and painful…" he sneered, "This is what you get for messing with us!" With that said he pushed the sword completely through her body. Kaoru's eyes shot opened and she felt the sword come out through her back and into the wall where the mysterious image was painted.
The man cackled loudly as soon as he saw blood spread onto the wall behind her. Kaoru felt the blood soaking her shirt and seeping onto the cracks where mysterious image was carved. She managed to squeak out, "Help…"
Before sinking into the darkness she saw a dark shadow emerge from behind the cackling man.
Aoshi, Misao, Megumi, and Sano's eyes immediately snapped opened at once.
"Did you feel that?" Misao asked Aoshi as she felt the aura around the tower vanished. Aoshi looked back at her and silently nodded.
"The barrier around the tower…" Megumi said, "Just mysteriously disappeared…" she reached her hand out felt no power attacking her from where she was earlier.
Everyone stood next to Megumi and wondered what to do next.
"AUUUUUUUUGGGGggggggg" a voice screamed out and eventually faded within' the tower.
"KAORU! Everyone take action now!" Sano cried out to everyone and they immediately went into the house.
Everyone one by one went into the tower first Sano, Megumi, Misao, and last was Aoshi. The room was filled with a disturbed wave and sent shivers down everyone's back.
"Can you sense her?" Sano asked Megumi.
Megumi closed her eyes and felt the mysterious aura floating around her trying to sense Kaoru, "I can't sense her…" she replied sadly.
"Fine—everyone…we'll form a search scene. Misao…levitate around the stairs to see if Kaoru is anywhere. Sano go outside and see if there's any suspicious people that are standing around. Megumi stay right here and try to sense Kaoru once again. I'll look around down here. Move everyone!" Aoshi commanded and clapped his hands to get everyone moving.
Sano ran outside, Megumi closed her eyes to sense Kaoru once more, Aoshi ran up the staircase, Misao levitated high up in the air and searched around the staircase. Misao searched around until she saw a fallen grandfather clock and signal to Aoshi where it was. Aoshi tapped Megumi on the shoulders and both ran to the fallen grandfather clock and saw a hole that lead under the staircase. Aoshi looked up to Misao. She float down then they all peered into the dark room and gasped.
"Kaoru!" Misao shrieked and ran towards the bloody body pin against the wall.
Megumi took a look around and ran to Misao. "Where is she?" she asked. Misao pointed to the sword. Megumi saw the blood all over Kaoru, she can only gasp in horror. Right then Sano came rushing in.
"Missy!" he shouted as he pushed Megumi and Misao out of the way and took hold of the sword. Sano, with all his strength finally managed to yank the sword out of Kaoru's body. Kaoru's body came down until Aoshi teleported and caught her. Megumi walked over to Aoshi and put her hands over Kaoru's wound.
"The wound is really deep, she was tortured for quite a while…I might not be able to save her…" Megumi said while tears formed in her eyes.
"Don't think that! Focus directly to her wound and nothing else! Don't pay attention to how she looks!" Sano cried out to Megumi. Megumi looked at Sano and gave him a nod. She closed her eyes and held out her hands close to Kaoru's bloody bldy..
Everyone watched with anticipation and began to lose hope when Kaoru's body didn't show any sign of healing. Aoshi, who was still holding Kaoru in his arms, began to shake uncontrollably.
"Megumi…I beg you…save Kaoru... he whispered and held the cold body closer to him.
Suddenly a glow emerged throughout Kaoru's body and Megumi's hands glowed brightly. Everyone watched the blood on her body fade go away and her huge wound shrivel up back to her usual light skin. Megumi smiled happily and fainted.Sano reaction immediately and caught her. Everyone began to breathe out a sigh of relief.
"Aoshi...It's okay now...Kaoru's fine now..." Misao whispered to Aoshi who was still holding Kaoru's body closely to him.
Aoshi looked at Misao and nodded, soon Kaoru began to stir in Aoshi's arm. Her blue eyes slowly opened and immediately clashed with Aoshi's deep dark blue eyes.
"Aoshi…" she whispered weakly, "I'm sorry…"
Aoshi held Kaoru's closer to his body and sobbed silently, surprising her.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked.
"I'm the one that's supposed to be sorry!" Aoshi whispered and hugged Kaoru, shocking everyone. "I was stupid to leave you vulnerable to danger…I shouldn't have left you defenseless…" Kaoru slowly moved out of his arms and moved her hands to hold Aoshi's face.
"That's okay, I'm fine now...it won't happen again," she said gently while looking into his eyes. Aoshi nodded and stood up to inspect the dark room he neglected to see earlier. His eyes caught attention of the book Kaoru saw earlier. Kaoru felt shock through her spine as she saw two piles of ash on the floor.
'Battousai was a bloodthirsty killer…could whoever just saved me be him?' she thought. Kaoru looked around and looked back to the piles of ash.
"Oh yeah…about those piles of dust…" Sano interrupted, "I did that while everyone was paying attention to you. I found a fat guy unconscious and the skinny one was beaten up pretty bad…did you do that Kaoru? I mean—since you were the only one in here…"
Kaoru was about to reply until Sano stopped her, "Well…it doesn't matter…I killed those demons already…" Kaoru couldn't help but laugh at Sano's ridiculous smile.
"Glad you're okay Kaoru!" Misao shouted and hugged Kaoru.
"Where's Megumi?" Kaoru asked her best friend.
"She fainted…she must've used all the energy in her to save you…" Misao replied as she went over to Aoshi.
"Oh…well…I'll thank her later then…" Kaoru said cheerfully.
"What are you looking at Aoshi?" Misao asked the silent man who was flipping through the pages of the book.
"This book contains a lot of information I think we should take it back to the temple and do more research on it." He declared.
"Okay! Sano! Pick up Megumi! We're going to the Lotus Temple! Want to come along Kaoru? We won't yell at you…" Misao asked happily, "Please?"
Kaoru smiled, "No thanks…I think I'll go back to your mom's house right now…see you!"
Aoshi heard the conversation and coughed. "I'll take Kaoru home first then meet up with you guys later." She beckoned Sano to go out with her.
"See you later guys!" Misao shoute. She waved to Aoshi and Kaoru as she exit through the hole. Aoshi and Kaoru waved good-bye to Misao soon far away they heard Misao shriek, "Sano! Don't treat Megumi like a broom just because she's knocked-out! NO! Don't dump her on the floor!"
Aoshi and Kaoru smiled at each other. "Shall we leave now?" he asked.
"Yes please…this place is giving me the goose bumps!" Kaoru shouted to Aoshi who was picking up the mysterious book. He accidiently dropped it on the floor revealing a blank page in the book. 'That's the page with the gold writings on it! But where are the words?' Kaoru thought to herself as she paled.
Aoshi picked up the book and closed it. "Kaoru…you're pale are you okay?" Kaoru snapped out her thoughts and smiled.
"I'm fine…just a little dizzy from the events that just happened earlier…" she lied.
"Oh…well maybe some fresh air will clear that up..." Aoshi replied.
"You call teleporting to your house within 5 seconds means getting some fresh air? That's impossible unless you mean that you want to walk…" Kaoru said drifting off while looking at Aoshi's grin grow wider.
"You mean it?" Kaoru asked happily. Aoshi only nodded. Kaoru gave out a loud screamed and hugged him."Why?" she asked.
"It's nice to just act normal sometimes…especially when you have company…" Aoshi said warmly.
"What about Misao and Sano waiting at the temple?" she asked.
"They can wait…" Aoshi replied, "All that matters is you…everyone wants you to feel safe first." Kaoru giggled and Aoshi headed out the hole under the staircase. "Are you coming or do want to stay here?"
Kaoru face paled as fear crept up on her and she began to chase after Aoshi. Aoshi ran away snickering. Kaoru was about to exit the hole until a sick feeling in her stomach was beckoning her to turn around. Kaoru stood still until an arm wrapped around her shoulder making her jump. It was Aoshi.
"Let's go," he said warmly, his right hand reached over, it entwined itself to Kaoru's left hand, and he gently pulled her out. Kaoru walked slowly until a strange feeling told her that something isn't right and with all the courage she could muster up, she finally turned around. Suddenly her heart became heavy.
The man with amber eyes on the wall was gone.
Gak!!! This isn't an Aoshi and Kaoru pairing!!! Sorry…but I want to add more emotions for Aoshi! Sorry! Review now or I won't update!!!
Review Response:
Kaname-chan- Thank you for reviewing. I'm really happy that you liked that last chapter. I hope you enjoyed this one too.
Dragon Master271- Thank you for reviewing. No, this fic isn't my first fic. My other ones are "Us After This" and "Silent Heart". If you want to read it just click my pen name and look at the authored stories and you'll see the ones I've written. I hope you'll enjoy them all.
kaoru kamiya- Thank you for enjoying my story. Is Kaoru going to get powers? That's for me to know and to you find out in the future.
The evil witch- I'm really, super, really happy you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope you'll update your story soon. I can't wait!!!
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KaoMisao1728- I would make my chapters longer but then it eventually gets way too long for me to post it up so I'll just keep it pretty short, I'm sorry. Tell me if you still want me to e-mail you my update on this story. Don't forget to review! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Me- I'm glad you like this story!!! Don't worry I'll try to do a good job! Thank you for reviewing!!!
Kirara1- Yes indeed, I'm really evil! But don't worry, it's not like I'm never going to update. It's just going to take more time. I hope you do like reading my story though. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW!
Alex- I'm glad you like this fic. Thank you! And thanks for reviewing!
darkgirl2- I, too, also hate those girlish screams. It's so frustrating! Battousai so far is just a painting so I can't hurt him YET. But then…if you want me to make Kaoru throw something at him in the future-yet-to-come chapters, then I'll be glad to do it just for you. Thank you for the idea, and thanks for reviewing!
Haha- I updated…now it's time for you to tell me if you liked it or not. Thank you for reviewing the last chapter!
kenshin's-angel- I'm really glad that you updated because you liked this fic! That makes me feel happy a lot! Thanks for "advertising" "Silent Heart" in your profile!!! Oh yeah, I LIKE YOUR FIC A LOT! SO UPDATE SOON! UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!! Whoops…must remain calm…thank you for reviewing!
kaoru182003- I'm really glad that you like this fic! It makes me VERY happy! Thank you for reviewing!!!
Fate's Company- Yes…this is kind of like Fushigi Yugi…except…it's not! Okay…that didn't make sense…I'm retarded…but it's really different from Fushigi Yugi! You'll see…I at least I hope to make it different from that. Well…whatever…I hope you like this chapter! Thank you for reviewing!
kik-ting- Wow… I never knew that this fic is creepy…but yeah…if I was also in Kaoru's situation I'd be screaming my butt off too but I don't want to make her really girlish. So yeah…Thanks for reviewing!!!
Kitsune KeNsHiN- Yes…I have to agree that this fic is different it came to me…I don't know how…but I really liked the idea. I'm really glad that you like this story! Thank you for reviewing!
As for the rest you who also read THANK YOU! I just hope that you'll leave a review! Thank you!