A/N: Blah. This took so long to get out and it's so short. However! This week marks the beginning of finals so after a couple more weeks the campus will be closing and I'll be having a lot more time on my hands. Not to mention the Library won't be needing their student workers during the summer so I'll also be out of work. So I'm hoping to be getting faster updates to everyone… er… as long as the trampoline and my bike don't steal my attention away.
Reviewers:
skenshingumi - Thanks for all your wonderful reviews! I was so excited when I got them! In the Wind's Revenge and Kenshin Lost At Sea to tell the truth I don't really have a way to explain Susio's powers because I came up with them in my dream and dreams don't normally make sense. I'm glad you're enjoying my stories and this one as well! You asked why the Ishin Shishi haven't been able to find Kenshin yet, but that was sort of answered in a later chapter, but if you missed it they haven't been able to find him because Shuhei is trying to lose them.
Wistful-Eyes - Hitoshi is defiantly the last thing from ally.
Starknight - Thanks so much for the review!
Lady Battousai654 - I dunno… I like to be evil and as cute as Kenshin's face is… I like to cause suffering. So you never know! -wink- I'm glad you liked the last chapter! And yes, I have read Rended, it's in my Kenshin Torture C2 (Shameless plug)
Viper(the strange) - You're not the only person that loves to see Kenshin hurt. That's why I started the Kenshin Torture C2! (Another shameless plug)
IwuvMyKenshyPoo - Here's the next chapter!
BakaBokken - Thanks for the review. I love creating complex OCs because humans are complex and I want to make them seem human. I try my best… plus there are a lot of horrible fics out there with really simple OCs and I don't want to be like that.
CHIBIKenshinta-chan - Relax! I'm sorry it took longer then a week to post but I'm busy! I have about 3 hours of homework a night that I'm suppose to do that is normally pushed aside and forgotten about until last minute so I can write this fic! I do my best but life gets in the way! That and I have a vow to never leave a fic unfinished so don't worry about my stories never being finished!
Shauntell - TWO CHAPTERS! I'm having enough trouble trying to upload just ONE chapter in a timely manner… heh… don't be expecting more then one chapter at a time from me.
Chibi Binasu-chan - I updated! Please don't kill me…
moeru himura - Sorry Amber Eyed Angel is being slowed at updating. I'm having beta issues. I'm glad I've awaken your joy of Kenshin torture! If you need more story to quell your torture needs check out my Kenshin Torture C2! (Third Shameless plug) Thanks so much for all the positive comments! I'm glad you enjoyed Kenshin Lost At Sea and The Winds Revenge! As for Susio's powers… that's hard to explain seeing how it was a dream and the dream never really said how he got his powers. And no. I want to be a writer but I won't be writing under the name Zig-zag. But I'm sure if I ever got published the first thing my A/N would say in my next update after being published would be: HEY! I GOT A BOOK OUT! GO READ IT! MY NAME IS so and so.
Hitokiri Yumemi - I'm glad I got your emotions going with my last chapter!
Appa Yip Yip - Glad you enjoyed the plot so far!
tsumesgirl05 - Thanks so much for the review!
Shadow Wolves - Hitoshi isn't going to run off with Kenshin. -giggle- That would be funny though! As for Saito and Okita. You'll just have to wait and see!
kawaiimeeh - Actually nobody is 'bad' in this war. They're just people trying to defend their point of view and have to do nasty stuff in order to protect themselves.
Blood Demons - Don't worry! I have a vow to never leave a fic unfinished! You will get to find out what happens… unless I die or something weird like that…
Crystal Snowflakes - Sorry I couldn't update sooner!
Kenshin'sorrow - I don't think I would describe Hitoshi as sorry… more confused right now. I'm glad you like my: 'war, bad stuff happens' point of view!
Demonic Hellfire - Glad to hear you like my story so far!
enchantedsleeper - I think Kenshin would try to deny anything he said about his past.
lolo popoki - Thanks! I'm glad you like the story so much!
Ice Angel Kaoru - You'll find out a little bit more about Hitoshi's feelings as the story continues. Right now he's mostly confused.
Wolf Daughter - Thanks for the great and positive comments!
Anime#1Fan - You'll have to keep reading to find out when they reach their destination.
omasuoniwabanshi - Thanks! I always thought it ironic that everyone who came looking for revenge for someone killed by Kenshin that the man he killed must have killed others himself. People really don't think do they?
Streetwise Girl - Glad I caught by surprise you with Hitoshi pitying Kenshin!
AuburnMoonlight - yay! Evil laugh time! -joins you in evil laughter- BUW HA HA HA! (Buw ha ha ha is the trademark evil laugh of Zig-zag)
Night-Owl123 - Sorry this update wasn't quicker!
Hitokiri Musei - Yes you can call me Zig and sorry this wasn't updated faster!
Pyramidgirl89 - Glad you're liking the story!
Chapter 7 - Just A Girl
In the morning, neither Shuhei nor Keigo could guess at the events that had happened the night before. Hitoshi's exhaustion was easily blamed on all the walking they had done. They tried to wake Kenshin in the morning, but he stayed sound asleep. Hitoshi had the honor of carrying him again.
They walked nonstop that day, not even taking a break for lunch. Their stomachs growled in protest, but Shuhei promised them they were getting closer to home and that urged them on. When dusk fell, they finally stopped to rest.
Working together, they managed to wake Kenshin enough to pour some water down the back of his throat. Kenshin drank without protest, not awake enough to do so anyway. Again, they left no guard to watch him. Keigo climbed another tree, secured the rope to a high branch and went to bed.
For the first time, all four men slept through the entire night. In the morning they moved out again.
Kenshin awoke now and then. He would ask questions, mostly about where they were going. He spoke in a small, tired voice, so soft the others never heard him. Hitoshi would answer him just as quietly. There was one specific question he was never sure how to answer.
"Where's Tomoe?"
He never answered that question, and Kenshin was persistent on asking it. When it was clear to the delusional redhead that the man carrying him wasn't going to answer, he fell back into unconsciousness.
When they stopped for the day, Shuhei and Keigo were excited. They were getting closer to home. Hitoshi was excited as well… but why did they have to leave him to watch over Battousai?
As night bled into day, mixing together into twilight, Kenshin continued to talk to Hitoshi. Apparently he didn't fully recognize Hitoshi, but he wasn't calling him Shishou anymore. He fell in and out of sleep. Hitoshi would be lying if he said he would prefer the times that Kenshin was awake. For some reason, hearing Battousai talk about simple things such as gardening and making medicine was unsettling. Right now he was sleeping. Hitoshi hoped it would stay that way until his shift was over. A groan from Kenshin warned Hitoshi that that was not meant to be.
Kenshin's eyes cracked open slightly as he looked around. When his eyes landed on Hitoshi he studied him for awhile, a slow friendly smile spread on his face after a moment. Earlier Kenshin had tried to talk Hitoshi into buying some medicine he had made and had from that made a new personality for Hitoshi.
"You're back again." His voice croaked. Hitoshi sat silently beside him. "Did you want that," he trailed off, closing his eyes for a moment in thought. "Cream?"
"Iie."
He was silent for a bit. "Where's Tomoe?" His head tipped side to side looking for her. When Hitoshi didn't answer again he went on. "Is she out in the garden?" Again Hitoshi remained mute, having learned that Kenshin would eventually fall asleep whether he answered or not. Panic was slowly creeping into Kenshin's features. "She didn't go into the forest, did she?"
Hitoshi was startled slightly. This was new. "Nani?"
"I have to go after her!" He started to try to sit up, but Hitoshi held him down. "LET GO OF ME!" He became aware that he couldn't use his hands and that made him increase his struggles. "I have to go after her! She shouldn't go into the forest!"
Hitoshi was amazed at the strength Kenshin showed. He was still sick, although not nearly as sick as he was just a day ago, and he hadn't eaten properly in days. "Why? What's in the forest?" He asked, his curiousity spiked. Why was he fighting so hard to keep someone from a forest?
"Don't let her leave! Tell her to come back!" He thrashed with all his might. Why wouldn't this man let him go?
"Hitoshi! What's going on!" Keigo's voice barked, sitting up in his bed.
"Nothing! He's delusional!" he yelled to Keigo before turning back to Kenshin. "She's fine. She's not in the forest."
"Where is she?" His struggling ceased, but the panic in his voice and the tension in his muscles was still there.
"In the garden." He could feel Kenshin's body slacken in his grasp. "She's in the garden," he repeated.
Kenshin closed his eyes, suddenly feeling tired. "Alright. Are the kids here?" he asked softly, falling back to sleep.
"The kids?"
"Hai. I promised," he yawned, "to fly kites with them. Will you tell them I'm too tired?"
"I will." A slight blush came to Hitoshi's face. What was he saying?
"Arigato," Kenshin whispered, drifting off once more into a deep sleep. Hitoshi let out his sigh. Soon his shift would be over.
With morning came Keigo's news that Battousai's fever had finally broken. Covered in sweat, his eyes barely open, and shaking slightly, he was a sight to behold. However, it was clear that he was getting better, from the way he glared at the three men through his half-closed eyes.
Shuhei laughed slightly. "I can't believe you lived!" he yelled, amused, slapping Kenshin's shoulder like an old friend. "I thought for sure you were gonna die!" Kenshin didn't reply, keeping silent as the men left him to eat breakfast.
As they ate their meager meal, Shuhei and Keigo talked excitedly to each other about how close to home they were; not to mention that they would be able to hand over a live Battousai. Hitoshi didn't join their excitement, instead thoughtfully chewing over his food. When Shuhei called his name he jumped slightly. "You daydreaming, Hitoshi?" Shuhei asked with a grin.
He swallowed to clear his throat before answering. "Hai."
"Thinking of a girl you got back home?" Keigo added playfully.
Hitoshi grinned nervously. "Sort of. Just thinking of a girl."
Shuhei and Keigo exchanged mischievous grins. "Is she pretty?" Keigo pressed, having been a while since there was any good talk. Spending time with a sick but dangerous killer had sapped any humor from their campfire chats.
"I suppose so. I haven't actually seen her," Hitoshi admitted.
"An arranged marriage?" Shuhei asked, curious.
"Iie. I don't know her. Just heard someone I knew talking about her."
Keigo was disappointed. "Just thinking of some girl someone else talked about?" That wasn't a very interesting conversation. "Don't you have a girl waiting for you back home?"
He shook his head. "Not really."
The conversation was dropped and a few tales of home were exchanged. The fire was put out and camp was packed up. They were on the move again. Kenshin was still too weak to walk long, so Hitoshi had to carry him once more, much to the displeasure of both men. The walk was much quieter, but the silence was deafening in itself. Hitoshi found himself missing Kenshin's delusional talking.