Part7
Kenshin was sleeping peacefully now, chest wrapped securely in bandages. Kaoru was sitting beside him, holding his hand.
Megumi ran a hand though her dark hair, sighing heavily. "Ken-san is past the danger. He'll be fine in no time."
Kaoru looked up at her with teary eyes. "What about Kenji? What about my son?"
Sano raked his hand through his spiky hair. "Don't worry Jou-chan. Once Kenshin is up and going we'll go get Kenji."
Yahiko nodded and put a hand on Kaoru's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get him back. And Kenji can take care of himself for a little bit, he's a strong kid. He'll be fine."
Kaoru sighed and looked back to Kenshin's face, gently moving his sweaty crimson bangs away from his closed eyes. The man shifted on the futon, letting out a moan. His eyes opened slowly, focusing on Kaoru's face above him.
"Kaoru…." he murmured, blinking. His eyes suddenly widened. "Kenji! We have to save Kenji!" He tried to sit up, but was pushed down by Megumi and Yahiko.
"Easy Ken-san, you are in no condition to fight. I've removed the bullet, but you must give it time to heal. You're lucky it didn't break any ribs." Megumi said soothingly as she held the struggling man to the futon.
"But Kenji! They took him, we have to get him, they'll hurt him! They're going to abuse him! We have to go save him!" Kenshin pushed Megumi off and stood shakily, walking towards the door. Sano stopped him with a long arm around Kenshin's slender waist, pulling him back to the futon.
"Calm down Kenshin, it'll be fine. Kenji will be alright until you heal." Sano began to pull Kenshin backwards again, but let out a yelp as crimson lightning flashed. Kenshin stumbled forward for a moment, then regained his footing and stood strong.
"We go now Sano. I'm fine, we must go get Kenji. Come." He ran out of the room, at a surprising speed for an injured man, Megumi thought.
Sano followed him out cursing the smaller man for all he was worth; ready to knock him out if it was necessary to keep him in the dojo. "Now listen here Ken…." he faded off.
Kenshin stood in the yard, transformed and down on his knees, waiting patiently for Sano to mount him. "Come Sano."
Sano hesitated. "But Kenshin, your wound…."
Kenshin nickered. "Is healed. Every time I shift into this form my injuries will be healed, unless there is something buried in the wound, or it is infected. My magic is powerful enough to fix this one." The bandages had fallen away, and were lying in the yard.
Megumi picked them up, astounded at this knowledge. Sano shrugged and swung a leg over Kenshin's back, and the unicorn stood with the tall man astride him. Yahiko ran up, his shinai strapped to his back. "Wait, I'm going too!"
Kenshin studied the young boy. "It will be dangerous Yahiko. I do not wish for you to be hurt."
Yahiko glared at him stubbornly. "I'll be fine Kenshin. I'm a good fighter, I can handle this. Let me go, I want to help Kenji!"
Kenshin relented. "Alright Yahiko. You may come. But you must promise me that you will be careful. Stay with me, do whatever I tell you."
Yahiko nodded. "Hai!" He suddenly stopped. "Can you carry both of us Kenshin?"
Kenshin whickered, his chuckle. "Of course Yahiko. I am strong enough. Help him up Sano."
Sano reached down and grabbed the back of Yahiko's gi, lifting him up and setting him in front of him on Kenshin's broad back. Yahiko twisted his fingers in Kenshin's long crimson mane, and the unicorn got ready to run for the woods where the other animals had disappeared.
Kaoru ran out then, standing in front of Kenshin's muzzle. "Kenshin…."
Kenshin moved forward and nuzzled her cheek gently, reassuring her. "I'll be alright Kaoru, I'll be fine." He set his glowing ruby horn on her shoulder, and Kaoru was startled to hear his voice echo in her mind. /Will you allow me to do something koishii/
Kaoru nodded, curious as to what he would do. He moved back a step, and used the tip of his horn to nudge the collar of Kaoru's kimono down a bit, to expose her collarbone. Setting the end of his horn to her flesh, he spoke. "This may hurt a bit Kaoru, gomen nasai."
Kaoru braced herself as Kenshin took a step, burying the tip of his horn in her skin, touching bone. She let out a soft cry, then Kenshin pulled back and the pain was gone. She looked down to see a crimson star burned into her flesh, the skin unbroken. Kenshin stepped back again, and looked at her, violet eyes burning into her sapphire ones. /Do you hear me/ Kaoru gasped, and nodded. /Answer me, not out loud, but in your mind./ Kenshin commanded.
/I hear you./ Kaoru replied to him, smiling when he lowered his head in salute and whirled on his hind legs, running at full speed from the dojo yard.
Kaoru watched him go with tears in her eyes, knowing full well that he would bring their son back safe and sound, even if it cost him his own life. That was what worried her.
/I am here Kaoru….I will be here with you always….You have but to call for me…./ Kenshin's voice sounded in her mind, and she smiled, comforted by his voice. Out loud she spoke to Megumi. "Let's go have some tea Megumi, while we wait."
Megumi nodded, and she didn't question what Kenshin had done, though she had a guess. She followed the younger woman inside, casting a glance back at the gate. 'Come home safely Kenshin, and bring everyone with you in one piece.'
HM: Kinda short, sorry. Next one will be out soon!
/Kenshin's mind voice/
/Kaoru's mind voice/
Translations:
Jou-chan: Little Missy, Sano's name for Kaoru
Shinai: Yahiko's wooden sword I think. Spelling check please!
Hai: Yes
Gi: Shirt
Koishii: Beloved
Gomen Nasai: I'm sorry