Hey! So sorry for the very long update! And a few people just placed reviews there…hehe! Joke! I'm happy at least there was someone reading my story and thanks for all the reviews! Just a few chapters more and I'm finished! Hehe!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own RK! And everything goes with the flow of the story and mostly not based on the real RK series! Thanks for respecting all!
Chapter 18: Puppet
Tears filled my eyes, seeing my brother running towards me. Saitoh just glared, he didn't lift his sword to strike my brother or Kaoru either. I glanced at Kaoru as she ran towards Kenshin, hugging him from behind. There wasn't fear in her eyes…all were tears and nothing more. Her soft sobs melted my heart…I felt hurt and jealous. But…I betrayed her…I did something to her that wasn't supposed to be done anyway…
Stupid me…
I suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap my neck, and a few sobs on my chest. It was Enishi…
The kid I've always waited to see and to hug…
Looking at him, tears began to flow down to my cheeks, my heart softened. I mumbled his name as my hand brushed back his hair. With my eyes closed, I kissed his head and then rocked him with a sweet song in my mind. He pulled back, and then looked into my eyes, worried that I was crying.
"Don't cry, oneisan." He told me, trying to wipe my tears with his finger. I shoved away his hand gently, telling him that I should wipe my own tears. He stood up, looking at me then he glanced at someone behind me.
He froze there.
I was wondering what he was eyeing at or whatever was wrong with the thing he was eyeing at. I then decided to see it for myself, he was looking at Kenshin…I could see. Saitoh Hajime was just there, standing a bit far from me and Enishi. I then noticed a smirk on his face, what's the use? Some kind of disturbing feeling entered my mind, like there was something sly with that smile on his face.
"Oneisan." Enishi broke, "Why are you with that moron?"
I snapped at Enishi, what such language? Where did he get those words? "Enishi, you watch your mouth!" I slapped him. His face turned to the left, then he cradled his aching cheek. And then, a smile…a smile crawled to his face…I began to get scared…and confused. Why is he smiling?
As he faced me, the fear rose higher. This is not the Enishi I know.
His face twisted in some kind of utterly madness, his facial expression towards me…it was so different. Enishi gave out a hearty laugh and then stared straight at Kaoru. I caught where he was looking at and then saw Kaoru hugging Kenshin from behind. She doesn't have any facial expression like Enishi's but something tells me that everything is wrong.
Kaoru stood up and then took something from behind her, Kenshin wasn't paying attention to her, he just stared at Enishi and then at Saitoh. Does he know what kind of game is in here already? Hopefully…wish he could…
Trying to stand up with the use of his sword once more, he looked at something in the woods. I caught him opening his mouth, about to say something when suddenly Kaoru hit him with something from behind. He fell to the forest floor, losing his balance and then panting there. Saitoh was now smiling evil.
Looking at Kenshin, he took a few steps forward and then positioned his sword, strafing. "So this is how weak the Battousai is." He commented, aiming at Kenshin. If Kenshin didn't move even a bit, he could get killed! So I got ready to run but then, Enishi caught me by the hair. I retrieved my hair and then glared at my brother. "What is wrong with you?" I snapped, "I'm you sister, right?"
"No, Yukishiro." Came the reply. I was shocked, he didn't call me oneisan anymore. Saitoh was about to take a step forward when suddenly, Kenshin tried to take his balance once more, gripping on his sword's handle. Kaoru kicked him but then Kenshin wouldn't give up. He now knows something…something I don't even really know.
He quickly made a backslash, hitting Kaoru and slicing her into half. I turned away, hearing the screams of the girl who was my friend…but then at the same time, I betrayed her. I don't want to see any of these bloodshed…Kaoru was sliced into half.
"How did you...?" Saitoh asked, standing at ease. It made me look towards Kenshin, trying to face the fear of seeing a dead woman's body separated. But there was none…how come?
"Strings…they are good to be so thin and fine." Kenshin said, "The puppet master is stupid to create these useless and dead work of trash." Then he looked at Enishi, a glare look in his eyes. How could these be puppets when they look so much…human? "Battousai…" Saitoh smirked, a glimpse of wolf spark in his eyes. "…you sure are smart…but you are too weak!" And with that, Saitoh charged Kenshin, his sword was raised on such level he could hit Kenshin. But Battousai evaded that, throwing Saitoh's sword aside.
Their movements went faster and faster but then, both became stronger and stronger. Standing up, I wish to see who was controlling these puppets. But then, something hit my back…hard. I fell to the ground and then remembered the puppet Enishi was just there behind me.
Trying to stand up, my eyes have fixed on the attention of a long wood. It doesn't look heavy as it looks but it's just that…it's hard to reach. I wanted to break free and hit the puppet but then my thoughts kept on considering Enishi as real…not a puppet with a trapped mind.
Reaching for the wood quickly as I could, the damn puppet stepped on my hand. He was trying to crush my fingers, it was only a few inches to the wood. Looking up, I could see the wry smile on his lips, but how could this be a puppet? Such smooth skin and no trails of joints and screws. I have to think of something fast, before he could turn these hands to dust. So I did, grabbing on his foot as I pulled it with all might. The puppet did not fall, it was still looking down on me and still grinning. What an asshole…even if he looks like my brother. Again, I tried to make another pull, using all the energy I could give. And finally…he tripped on that, which gave me an opportunity to grab that long wood and hit it many times. As I got the wood, I struck the puppet on the chest, as if it was a vampire.
The dummy just fell, cradling the injured part ad he was trying to pull it out. I stepped on it's chest, preventing to stand up and try to get the long wood. Thinking fast, my eyes darted on it everywhere and then tried to look for the string. I could see any but then I felt one.
It was detached to the doll's thigh, which was not really noticeable. I pulled it off, the support towards the dummy wasn't fastened enough, I thought. Then again, I happened to feel another string, pulling it off until the puppet couldn't move anymore…finally. Wiping the sweat that bruised on my brow, I panted and then smirked at the accomplished work.
Now I have to look who was the puppet master...
Kenshin dodged another move, hoping that he would dodge the next and kill the asshole that was fighting him. Another swift move, and then he blocked it. He gave his plan a try, hoping that his sword would hit the wolf's thigh. It did but then Saitoh pushed him off and then they separated again to take another breaths. Battousai landed on his foot and then used is sword again as a balance. He eyes Saitoh's thigh, the part where he managed to hit and then saw the pants ripped. It was small, then a trail of blood followed. Saitoh caught where he was looking at and then smirked. "You call this a scratch?" he asked, posing once more. Kenshin ignored whatever he was saying, he really has to kill this son-of-a-btch and blow him down. But he could fail…he could find difficulty in this fight.
Once more, their metal clashed, scratching each other's weapon neatly and quickly. Then Himura began to noticed something, why isn't he using his great technique? He shook that question off, it might come in mind.
Another swift blow and the poor samurai wasn't concentrating that much, which made another mark on his body. Then they pushed each other off again, taking a short breather. Then they pushed theirselves again.
Kenshin thought it was boring but hard. When will this fight end? Will there be someone to come and help him in here? God! He wasn't tired, he was bored…bored of doing the same thing all over again. Bored of seeing the same technique Hajime Saitoh has used.
"You seem to be…distracted." The wolf commented. Kenshin grunted, and then pushed him off his face. "Screw you!" he shouted, inserting his sword as Saitoh tucked his sword in his favorite position. "Maybe you are bored, Battousai." He began to say. "Don't worry, I'll that off you…quickly."
The search for the puppet master was not successful. Maybe he was hiding so perfectly…among the trees maybe. I already followed where the strings would lead to but then it just stopped on a stump of tree, it was cut reasonably. Looking back at Kenshin, he was still fighting and I could sense that was…tired? Maybe…he kept on panting and they kept on pushing theirselves aside. But then, they paused, taking each other's stance.
Kenshin was doing the Battou-justu and Saitoh…well, he was doing some of weird stance. Something that I don't know what was called…anyway…
I notice them both pause.
What are they waiting for? A cue? Something to cross in between them? This is no desert for something to go in between…and besides, we're in the middle of the woods. Argh!
In a blink of an eye, they charged at each other. Kenshin successfully his Saitoh on the stomach but then, he was stabbed there too…by some move of Hajime's. then, they pulled back, taking another pant and allowing theirselves to clutched their wounds and put pressure on their wound.
I glanced at Kenshin, wishing to rush towards him and to comfort him. His face wasn't screaming pain but then from the looks of it, he is indeed really hurt. I took a step forward, about to run and make a move on it. But then I hesistated…
I began to think, if there was a puppet Kaoru that had hurt Kenshin here in the woods, would there be a real Kaoru that would rush to his side and comfort him? In other terms, is she here? I then looked around, about to get the feeling of seeing her around. I could feel her blue innocent orb eyes on mine, glaring and thinking why would a friend names Tomoe betray her? Sleep with the man she's always loved? Bullshit…I don't want to think about it either. I don't care…for now…
As I was to go back to the puppet for any other available signs, I then noticed, where is Nataku? Did he wake up and then ran off or something? I didn't notice that…there might be some possibilities that he woke up and then…gone! So, where the heck is he? My eyes searched for any possibilities he could go into? Tracing a few paths and then forgetting the fight on where I was before, I concentrated on two things…or persons: Nataku and Enishi. Where could the two be?
Searching for any of the two, I looked down to see if there are any footsteps on the forest floor. But there wasn't any…it might be even useless to look for them. Around me, the atmosphere seems quiet…sure is creepy. Then, I began to feel scared…but I have to go on, even if I'm scared. I have to help Kenshin.
Out of the blue, I saw someone standing near a tree. I concentrate on him more, wishing to see his looks. But I couldn't see his face, he was looking somewhere…maybe towards where Kenshin and Saitoh's fighting. All I can make was his bloody police uniform and a long gash along his chest. His appearance from behind reminded me of someone but it was impossible…he was dead…months ago. I felt scared again, a ghost? My lips trembled, I wanted to say something to catch the man's attention but then I couldn't make any statement. Slowly, he turned around and then tried to smile at me. I began to take a few steps forward, crying and whimpering as I saw his face…yes, I was right. Wanting to reach his face out, more tears flowed down on my cheeks. My knees began to get weak, which made me land on the floor.
Looking up, crouched and reach out for me. He was helping me stand up. This man is just a ghost, he can't be real but then my heart softened when I saw his face. I missed you…but why now? Why just now? His hand groped for my face and then I looked at the open palm, there was something glittering in it.
Once more, I cried.
It was a ring.
"Anata…" I mumbled, crying. "You…you must be here to tell me everything…go on, tell me I'm a bastard!" He shook his head and then helped me sit up, and then he sat beside me. A wet smile went to his lips as he opened his mouth to tell me something. "Koishii…I won't hurt you by the use of words." He explained, "I'm thanking that Himura guy for taking care of you…"
I shook my head in anger, "No!" I snapped, "You must hate me right now for betraying you!" He just smiled and then took my hand. I looked at his features and then felt sorry for him. Days before, I wished to know how did he exactly die but then…now I know. A deep slash on his chest and his bloody vest…I touched it. He didn't quiver or snap out off it, he was just holding my left hand. Gliding his finger on the ring on the finger, he smiled again. "You were still wearing this…thank you, Koishii…" he whispered.
Any strand of tears flowed to my cheeks and then they gathered on my jaw line. How I longed to see him, even though when he was buried I did see him…but that was days ago. I whimpered and then whispered a sweet name for him…
Suddenly, he hugged me. Even though he was a ghost, I could feel some warmth in his skin. Then, little by little, coolness wrapped his body and it shared on me. I didn't wrap my arms around him, I didn't quiver, I just sat there…my eyes opened wide and letting the tears flow.
"Arigatou…"
Then, his image disappeared, just like the for when blown away. After that, I was still there, sitting down, crying and shocked for many minutes. Damn…
Even thought Akira told me that he wasn't mad at me, I still feel the guilt inside. Slowly I stood up and wiped away all the tears on my face with the back of my hand. Still staring in space I was…but then something snapped on my mind. I have to look for Enishi again…same with Nataku.
thanks for the reviews once more and I apologize for the very long update! Suki saki! My big fan? Hehe! Add me in your author alert so that you'll be able to know when will I update! Ok? Thanks very much and let me be you favorite author! Only a few did that! Thanks anyway! Sorry again for the long update…very late I mean!
