Authors Notes: Hey everyone! Thanks you for being so patient!! I'm so sorry that it's been taking so long to update !! It's just been really hard to keep track of what happened and what to do next!
Anyway, here is chapter 24/26!
Chapter 24/26- death match?
Kaoru watched from the sidelines as the one she held dearly was about to face off with the man who had almost succeeded in raping her. She had a small hunch at what the outcome would be, but she knew that anything could happen.
Kenshin crouched into his fighting position as the man before him squirmed and wriggled in a nervous sweat. Kuchiro wasn't ready for something like this. The look in that boys eyes were filled with hatred and blood lust. The way he had just snuck up on him and rammed the back of his sword into his throat was un human. The speed he had. The grace. Kuchiro just couldn't compete...
"What's the matter...cat got your tongue?" Kenshin used the same phrase Kuchiro had used on Kaoru to throw him off guard.
'What? Tha-...that's what I said to...' Kuchiro's mind wasn't able to process just how this boy could have caught that comment. Without anymore thought, Kuchiro drew his sword shakily, trying to stiffen his trembling arms as he held the gleaming blade in place.
"So....have you finished wetting yourself?" Kenshin's icy question had made Kuchiro wonder if what he was asking was the truth or if it were just a sarcastic question. Kuchiro curiously looked downward to see a small wet patch on his hakama that bled down a ways. He looked up a bit embarrassedly while Kenshin laughed.
"So you are done wetting yourself...I didn't know you actually did. Excuse me for scaring you that much...after all...I'm only 15..I wouldn't know any better." Kenshin then became serious once again, his eyes glazing over with a molten gold glow that re-iced over Kuchiro's fear stricken body.
Kaoru watched in wonder as Kenshin then returned to his cold icy state and stood in the position of what he called 'battojutsu'. His callused palm was hovering over the hilt as his right foot stood bravely in front; his left hand gripping the sheath, ready to attack at any given moment.
Kuchiro couldn't take it anymore. He gripped his shaking blade tightly as he starting to rush forward, a battle cry ringing from his scratchy voice. Kenshin smirked as he watched Kuchiro run towards him in a nervous wreck. Right at the last moment, he flipped his blade as Kuchiro came into reach and then, he drew his blade, striking Kuchiro in his right side, knocking the wind from his lungs. Kuchiro went flying to the left from the large blow Kenshin carried out on him.
Kaoru's hands went to cover her mouth on reflex as she watched the larger man go flying at just the hit of Kenshin's blade. She had a feeling of dread deep within her as she saw the man go ricocheting from the blade. She didn't want death...not a death match. She turned to Kenshin to see him slowly approaching the man who was on the ground in a heap of pain. He was prowling like a tiger and was close to finally devouring his prey.
Kenshin's mind was lost somewhere in a deep river of rage. He couldn't even begin to comprehend how enraged he was at this man for even laying a finger on Kaoru. He finally reached where Kuchiro lay, shuddering from the fierce impact. Kenshin's eyes blared angrily into his, molten gold glittering with anger and hate. He then flipped the blade back to it's sharper side and raised it high above his head, eyes still in contact with Kuchiro's.
Kuchiro was too frightened to move from the spot in which he landed. He felt as if he were knocking on deaths door, or at least walking down it's side walk. He could smell his own fear; no reason to deny it. He didn't know what to do to defend himself. He didn't know just how deep in crap he would be if he messed with that girl. He didn't know how much it would help, but maybe pleading for his life would get him off the hook.
Kuchiro got up onto his knees and then bowed down in front of the approaching Kenshin.
"Please! I'm sorry! Please, don't kill me! I'll do anything! Just spare my life!!" Kuchiro's voice wavered and choked into a sob. Kenshin stopped, his eyes still a golden blaze. Kaoru was leaned up against an old oak tree, hands covering her mouth. Kenshin wouldn't kill a man on his hands and knees, begging for his life...would he? Kaoru's thoughts ran into a hectic mess.
"You...,a sniveling bastard, with a very copper tongue...nothing like silver...kneel here and beg for your life? You're a lowly dog! You wouldn't deserve to live even if you were to kiss the ground! Now...prepare to die." Kenshin's voice didn't hesitate or waver. He was serious as he was in the beginning.
He raised his sword high and perched it there before slowly bringing back. Kaoru watched in horror. He couldn't...he wouldn't. Kaoru couldn't watch it any longer. She needed to stop it. She picked up her feet and started to run towards them. Kenshin was ready to bring his sword down upon tender flesh. Kaoru then jumped right in front of Kuchiro in the last second. Kenshin brought his sword down and then saw that what he was about to kill...was the one he wanted to protect!
With all the strength he had within him, he stopped his sword mid strike, and froze in place. His sword slowly slipped from his grasp as it fell to the ground below him as he stared into the eyes of the one before him. She looked at him, fear still written in her eyes as she awaited what he was going to do to her. She closed her eyes, expecting to get a blow of angry yells and shouts of fury from him. But instead, she was brought up into a tight embrace; one that she was almost awe struck to believe happening.
Before she could even mutter a slight squeak of reply, he spoke.
"Kaoru...oh god, dear Kaoru..." When Kenshin muttered those words, his voice deep and his body shuddering, he hugged her closer; pressing her fragile form to his trembling one. He rubbed his ice cold cheek against her warm, silk soft one, savoring the feel of her porcelain skin against his.
"Don't ever...do that to me again...ever." Kenshin's words were suddenly wavered when crystalline tears slid down his face and fell onto the cotton of her training gi. Kaoru gasped silently to herself. He was...crying...for her? She was just about to bring herself away from his embrace and look at his face, but he gripped her tighter as if afraid that he'd loose her if he were to lessen his grip on her.
"Kaoru...please...don't ever scare me...the way you did just now..." He then tenderly brought her face away to look at him, his face now stained with tears; his eyes glossed over with a hue of fear, sadness, worry, and ...longing. He lifted a shaking hand up to her face and cupped her cheek into his hand. He stroked her face with his thumb tenderly. Her lip began to quiver with the tremendous fear that he had for her. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was suddenly drowned out...with none other than a gun shot.
"KENSHIN!!"
Kenshin's eyes were wide, and dilated. His mouth hung open partially, and his back arched upward. Kaoru's eyes were just as wide; maybe even wider. She watched in utter horror as Kenshin was hunched forward slightly, eyes glossed over with a dull hue, looking off to the ground. His hand clutched his side that was currently gushing out a crimson liquid that's metallic aroma couldn't be mistaken for anything else other than blood.
Kuchiro was seated off to the side, still trembling in the fear that Kenshin had wrought on him. A rifle was carelessly placed in his chubby hand, his finger rested on the pushed down trigger. Smoke emitted from it's tip, identifying it's recent use. His target was apparently what he had hoped to aim for. And to his disbelief, he had hit it.
Kenshin's breath soon came out into raspy, rugged puffs of air. He slowly retracted from her, blood spilling from his side. Kaoru watched in horror, unable to move any part of her body as she shook from the sight before her. Blood started to seep through his gi, soaking it as a small trail of it bled down his chin from his lips.
Kenshin the fell to the ground onto his knees roughly. His breathing hoarse and the blood ran down his sides, drenching his hand. Kaoru couldn't move. Her body was frozen. Her only thoughts were of one thing.
I'm going...to lose him...That's all for now! I am so sorry for the delay! Eight grade is such a hassle. And a pain! Well, Please review!! :D
