Despite what it seems, I haven't abandoned this story. I plan to keep updating this until it's finished so just stick with me. Sorry it has been so long though. I've been trying to put up a web-site of our own and just keep posting it there but it's coming along slower than I would have liked. Anyhow, thanks to ALL of you who have kept reading and reviewing. They really do help me (not to mention make me happy lol). Here's the next chapter.
Unlike the preceeding days, the morning was neither bright nor cheerful. Inside the Kamaya dojo, spirits were low and nerves were once again on edge. If they had taken the time to think about it they would have realized that this day was not unlike one only a week before where they stood waiting beside Kaoru's bed, hoping that she would soon open her eyes. Kenshin had not returned home the night before and they still had no word saying where he had went or where he was.
Outside, the weather added to the dreary feeling. Though rain had yet to fall, the sky was overcast and the sun had yet to reveal itself from behind the thick gathering of clouds. They didn't even have the laughter of the little girls to brighten the atmosphere, Gensai having elected that it would be best if they stayed home on such a day.
Sano and Yahiko had gone into town, hoping they would catch word of the small rurouni somewhere but they had yet to return, so Kaoru didn't harbor much hope on him being there. Megumi had stayed behind, saying that Kaoru still needed close medical attention and if they returned with a wounded Kenshin, they would need her there and ready.
As for Kaoru, she was sitting out front, propped up against the wall and constantly surveying the road ahead of her, hoping she would soon see a flash of red but none came though soon dots began to swim in front of her eyes, making it difficult to see anything. Despite them and the constant waves of dizziness, she sat, vigilant though impatient.
"Kenshin, please be safe," she muttered for what was not the first time. She hoped this mantra would somehow keep him safe while allowing him to know he was not alone, whereever he was.
He hadn't fought fair and he knew it. If he had fought the Battousai head on, then the fight would have been longer, more difficult on his part, but he wasn't out for a fight, not yet anyway. Just killing had never been his style. He wanted to know about his opponent, wanted to know which strings to pull until he was in control, instructing them as if they were a marionettes, and he the puppetere.
The battousai had fought stubbornly, for that he would give him credit but the blow through his chest had just been the first of many. It had been followed by assaults with his fist rather than his sword but the strikes had been no less painful. Feeling Kenshin stir, the man increased his speed, trying to reach his destination before he regained consciousness.
Megumi had forced her to come in and rest, saying straight out that if he returned and she were dead, he would undoubtedly blame himself. Knowing that to be true, she had come inside and climbed beneathe her thin sheet.
It seemed as if it had only been minutes after she closed her eyes before she heard shouts.
"Megumi! Get out here now!" a voice that was distinctly Sano's shouted.
She jumped up and almost fell but after catching her balance, she ran outside to see what had caused him to sound so scared, praying it wasn't Kenshin but her hopes weren't realized after she pulled open the door to see what appeared to be a pool of blood. If it hadn't been for his bright clothing, she never would have realized that there was a person lying in the middle.
"Kenshin, no." Her voice was barely a whisper and no one besides herself heard her say it.
I've been having to do this too much lately Megumi thought as she tried to quench the flow of blood, though she had already found numerous sources. She had fixed Kaoru up twice, Yahiko, and now Kenshin. Though Yahiko's was never life threatening, she was now on even ground with Kenshin and Kaoru. Though she was doing the best she could, she didn't know if she would be able to save his life or not. Why did these things always happen to them? They were good people and they tried to lead simple lifes but their pasts always came back to haunt them. Now not only did they have to deal with a murderer, but they also had to deal with the accusations against Kenshin.
She wasn't sure how they did it. She was just an observer and, more often than not lately, a healer and already, she was tired. She enjoyed the quiet times when the only worries they had were Kaoru's cooking but first Monkusai had shown up, then someone else whom and killed him, followed by Kenshin's arrest and now this. She hoped she had the energy to do this, almost knew she did, but a small part of her was scared that she didn't have the energy it was going to take to be there for them, though she knew if she didn't, she'd break down trying.
The first non-cliffy of the story. This is another one of those transitional pieces. Please R&R. Their ALWAYS appreciated.