Chapter 4
"What's no fair?" Kenshin asked jokingly.
"As if u didn't know!" Nozomi partially yelled at him.
A chuckle escaped from the young Rurouni. His violet eyes were attracted to the young girls face suddenly. The sun was just beginning its morning hike over the mountain peaks and he could see her gentle face a bit better than before.
She looked ahead to the mountains in the distance as his study her for a while. Nozomi's face showed a disturbed look of defeat. But Kenshin was able to see beyond the frown and lowered eyebrows. Nozomi wasn't all sad she was infact a very loving gentle soul. And seeing her smile was a pleasant but unfortunately rare treat. But what puzzled him is why she was like that. Was it because she was afraid to show who she really was? Or was it because she had been hurt in the past and had changed since?
He wondered about this for a while as he kept up his pace making sure not to lose Nozomi.
Suddenly Nozomi stopped for a moment. The wind rustled the rows of the sakura trees they had just entered beneath.
Now small blossoms and petals floated down on the wind from the trees overhead. A few petals found their way into the rurouni's crimson hair. Nozomi removed her hand from her bo, which she had tucked into her belt. Now she reached up to remove the petals but instead of touching the soft skin of the blossoms she found her self running her hand along the soft skin of his cheek.
Suddenly she paused. Nozomi shook her head a few times and closed her eyes. Reopening them she seemed to be coming out of a trance. Once she saw what she was doing she quickly pulled back. But upon doing so Kenshin caught her wrist. Nozomi couldn't look at him and instead gave her attention to the dirt path below her feet.
Her face glowed a soft red as Kenshin held her wrist. For some time they stood there silent until Kenshin spoke up.
"Nozomiā¦" he whispered.
Nozomi hesitantly looked up into his soft violet eyes. Her heart started to beat at the speed of light. She waited expecting Kenshin to say something sweet and kind.
"Lets go." he finished.
Disappointed Nozomi looked down with sad eyes. But Kenshin lifted her chin. He gave her a small smile and lowered his hand.
Just as Kenshin turned to begin walking again he no longer held Nozomi's wrist but grasped her gentle hand in his own. Surprised Nozomi gave a blush and a bit of a smile to this action.
They started again and after leaving the tunnel of sakura trees they walked among the empty rice fields once more.
Kenshin glanced at Nozomi through the corner of his eye and saw the edges of her mouth curved upward in a faint, small smile.
Finishing the conversation his earlier conversation in his mind he thought 'But everyone has to smile sometime'.
Nozomi and Kenshin continued to walk hand in hand and as the sun just finished climbing over the mountains they reached their destination.
Upon entering the sleepy town the sakura trees seemed to glow in the morning sun. Their pink petals stood out and seemed to represent the peace and hope the town had for the future. To Nozomi it was beautiful.
But the sakura trees were not the only noticeable things. Scents of teas filled the air as the people of the town awoke.
Finally after walking through town Nozomi let go of Kenshin's hand. Upon arriving at the dojo Nozomi quietly knocked on the door.
After a few moments the door to the dojo opened a bit. Suddenly out of nowhere leapt a man with a sword. He dashed towards Kenshin sword about ready to strike. Quickly Kenshin unsheathed his sword and begun to battle. His eyes narrowing into a death glare at his opponent he continued to fight.
Just as quickly as the other another man appeared out of no where. This caught Nozomi's eye quickly but Kenshin some how didn't sense the person.
Though he had two swords and had incredible speed. Nozomi pulled out her bo and blocked both of his swords. But a problem approached upon doing so. She may have protected Kenshin but she injured herself badly. With a wounded shoulder and a cut cheek she fell to the ground on her knees.
Kenshin heard this and turned around. When he saw what had happened to Nozomi his eyes no longer were staring at battle with anger but at Nozomi with worry and freight.
He to fell to his knees put not in pain only in horror. He wrapped his arms around Nozomi and pulled her close.
No longer were the men attacking but staring at what had happened to Nozomi. They had lowered their swords and stood dumbfounded. Suddenly another man appeared. His hair was fairly long and black with some spots of gray. His face showed knowledge and discipline. And upon his healthy body he wore a black shirt and white hakkamas.
"Nozomi!?" he said rushing toward her with worry on his face. He too knelt beside Nozomi.
Kenshin looked up showing that his eyes had been dampened with tears. He stared as the man attempted to touch Nozomi's shoulder. But as soon as he got close enough to touch her ripped shirt blood stained his fingers and immediately he helped her up.
"S-sensei?..." she began when she looked up. She flinched at the pain her injuries were granting her as she moved.
"Don't speak child." he whispered as he helped her into the dojo.
Kenshin watched all of this in confusion. "Sensei?...Nozomiā¦Nozomi wait!" he yelled as the dojo doors slammed shut leaving him outside alone his eyes still wet with tears. As the last of the water jewels trickled down his face as he sat there in aw.
Finally he got up and rushed to the dojo doors and started banging on them. "Nozomi!" he yelled. But once again he was stopped. The two mean who had tried to rid of him before stood guard at the doors with their swords.
Kenshin gave up. He could easily defeat these men but there was no point in fighting. It wouldn't change anything and either way he was sure she was in good hands. The only reason he yelled for her was because he wanted to see her badly.
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