A/N: heehee sorry guys but that's all I have right now and NO, I don't like making people suffer with cliffhangers...really, I don't!
A/N: Here you go minna-san the next chapter! I hope you enjoy this one too ok! And thank you all for your wonderful reviews!(c",)
AngelicWarrior: heehee..really sorry about the cliffhanger! but don't worry about this story, it will be here when you get back..i hope you have fun in Spain! and thank you for your R&R!
omochi: me10sai snaps fingers and giant pillows pile up to catch omichi! or more like pages of the this chapter, I mean..heehee hope you won't fall again with this one.oooopsie!
Gypsy-chan : LOL! a few more reviews fro you miss Gypsy-chan and that gigantic grin I was telling you about will become permanently stuck to my face! but then I really don't mind...heehee, I look better with it anyway(I think)! oh and good idea about the popcorn, 'coz this chapie's got a lot of action in it! and I have a pretty good part for you..you'll find out soon in the next chapter..so please stay tuned and thank you sooooo much)
Shiari: hey, you almost got the idea!...but errr...hehehe better go read it before I begin to spout out spoilerso and thanks a lot for the review
Kamimura Kaoru: hehehe...please read this one, I think you'll like one particular part! oh and it's Dargove...i wont say anything 'coz it's gonna spoil the fun of this chapie...and the next, but yeah, he's a cool dragon! I really like him a lot too! Thanks for your reviews!
MP: ok.ok.here's the next chapter! please don't do anything rash... heehee thanks a lot for the reviews!
Genesis: hello! sorry if I mistook you for a male...actually I needed a name for a male dragon but thanks for letting me use your name...though I'm not sure it's fair to use it as a MALE dragon's name...maybe I'll just think about some other character(female) to fit your name AND gender ok) thanks for your reviews and please stay tuned...i'll come up with something for your name(it's really cool)
Willow: hi! yeeessss! I'm glad you liked the intro as well as Willow the dragon! YUP, she's a cool one...I think she got that from you heehee! thank you soooo much again for the revies and I'll thing about the gundam-n'sync thingy...I think it woud look really cute!
LittleDragon5: hey you came back! thanks a lot sweetie! and no, you're not a dork...you're really cool!
Sabrina-Star: heehee...kenshin was always protective of kaoru ever since they met for the first time and I thought it was really romantic so I kinda adapted that in this fic! I'm glad you liked it and...maybe this is a little bit of a spoiler but yes...Sano's gonna appear! I don't think the gang will be complete without him so there...heehee, you just gotta wait ok! and thanks a lot for your reviews!
Ice-God: LOL! thanks for coming back and don't worry about the late review...i'm just glad to see you here! ok I've got two dragon's so far...Dargove - male and Willow - female! but I've mentioned two other monsters as well the Hydra and the Cyclops who fight for Shishio! ok that's all I have for now...thank you so much for your review dear friend
Scarlet Maple: heehee...don't you just love kenshin so protective like that! LOL..i DO! anyway...no, really I don't like cliffhangersgiggle, giggle but thanks soooooo much for your review ok!
on with the story guys...!(c",)
KENSHIN the DRAGON HUNTER Chapter VIII: Second Encounters
Kaoru watched as Kenshin cut open one of the Hydra's head. Tulav and most of the villagers who saw this cheered for their reluctant flame-haired hero.
The head hung from the sides almost falling out, but then to everyone's surprise (and Kenshin's annoyance) the head began to heal, and in less than a minute, reattached itself back on!
"Darn!" Kenshin said, looking back at the Hydra. Some of the villagers who were cheering a few seconds ago became hysterical, especially the women. Some of them dropped to their knees praying for the Goddess Artemis to help them.
Kaoru, overcoming her anger at being set aside by Kenshin like some helpless little girl saw this went to the women, urging them to stand up and fight!
"He's right!" someone said behind Kaoru and she turned around to see Tae and Tsubame holding pots and pans as weapons. At the sight of the two daughters of the village chief, the panic-stricken women began to collect their thoughts and some started to gather stones and anything they could use as weapons. The women dispersed, looking for more useful things to do.
"Watch out!" Kaoru cried minutes later as she saw the Hydra's tail heading at a very high speed towards the unaware Tsubame! Following her instincts, Kaoru ran at an unbelievable speed and dove for the girl.
Kenshin saw "her" running with the corner of his eye. He read her movements and felt his heart skip a couple of beats… in fear!
With his focus distracted, Kenshin was almost swallowed whole by one of the Hydra's head! Fortunately, his reflexes were lightning-fast and he evaded the beast's attack.
His eyes darted back to where Kaoru was headed off to and all he saw was a cloud of dust…
"NO!" Kenshin shouted, fearing the worse about the girl he hardly knew. His eyes suddenly became fierce, his anger toward the deaths of his parents and his friends, and his kingdom and now the beautiful raven-haired beauty surfaced. The savage part of him seem to have awoken and all he could think of now was to draw blood.
Kenshin went for the same head he had slashed earlier. He ran towards it, cutting through it as he jumped upwards. But this time, he did not give the Hydra time to regenerate. With his god-like speed, Kenshin slashed the head as he dropped back down, completely severing it from the Hydra's body. And this time, the head stayed on the ground.
Some of the village people again cheered, even Tulav, but Kenshin didn't hear any of them. He looked at the second head of the Hydra and began to run towards it, but he was attacked by the other head (there were three) so he had to back up a bit.
The villagers, given hope of success, began to distract the two heads from Kenshin, giving him time to prepare himself for his next move. He jumped back as the tip of the Hydra's tail swished near him.
THUD! Kenshin bumped into someone, and by pure instinct, he turned to see who it was. "Watch it dragon hunter!" Kaoru yelled at him, catching him completely by surprise!
"She's alive!" Kenshin thought, his heart skipping a couple of beats again at the sight of her, but this time not because of fear, no, not at all… "But how come she's carrying a rope…?" Kenshin's thoughts were interrupted as someone shouted behind him.
"Aaaarrgghh!" it was Tulav!
"Father!" Tsubame and Tae both shouted as they saw their father down on the ground about to be crushed to death by the Hydra! Once again aware of his surroundings (aside from Kaoru), Kenshin went for the village chief and stood between him and the monster.
"This is not good" Kenshin thought, as the Hydra drew nearer. He couldn't save Tulav, and at the same time fight both of the Hydra's head. One of them is bound to kill the injured man behind him!
Kaoru saw the situation and pressed the villagers to do her bidding faster.
Yahiko watched as Kaoru began shouting orders to the people. She had this brilliant idea of slowing down the Hydra! The plan was to tie down the Hydra's tail since its use is mainly for the locomotion of the monster.
Everyone worked faster. They all knew time was of the essence, but Kaoru pushed herself above everyone else.
Yahiko wanted to go to her, and tell her that it's not her fault Dargove isn't here right now, but he was on the other side of the Hydra's huge body and with all the ruckus going around, Kaoru probably couldn't hear him even if he shouted as loud as he could.
Kaoru held her hand high as the Hydra's tail began to rise. She waited for the precise time then swiftly gave the signal as she set her hand down quickly.
Six of the villagers jumped on cue and dropped two ropes that encircled the Hydra's tail.
Kaoru looked at Yahiko and silently, they spoke, understanding what they must do… Yahiko nodded and raised his bow and arrow with a rope attached to it. Kaoru on the other side did the same.
Two arrows flew crossing each other, and accurately hitting their targets! As the arrows landed, the villagers pulled the ropes attached to it, tightening the ones around the Hydra.
Men, women and even some older children pulled both ropes with all their strengths, stopping the Hydra before he could crash both Kenshin and their beloved chief.
Meanwhile, near the village, two dragons were flying swiftly to lend a hand to their friends.
"Dargove, are you sure you're up to this?" Willow asked as she flew beside him. "I'm fine Willow, I'm not worried about myself right now…" Dargove's voice trailed off.
"Don't worry, they're safe" Willow said. She's never seen her friend so affected by circumstances like he is right now. But then again, he's never raised anyone as his own child before. "Try not to push yourself too hard ok, I know healing humans take a lot of your strength and you have not rested enough to be completely recovered from that yet." Willow said voicing out her worries.
Dargove smiled at his companion. "You worry too much about me Willow!" Dargove said.
"And you worry too much about her!" Willow replied, with an eyebrow raised.
Dargove shook his head and shut up. He knew better than to argue with Willow, especially when she happens to be right. He does worry too much for Kaoru, and when it comes down to it, he wouldn't mind giving up his life for her…. "Please be alright," Dargove prayed.
Willow looked at Dargove, pitying him a bit. "They're going to be ok," she said softly.
Dargove looked at her gratefully, and she smiled again. The two dragons then continued towards Hundorf in silence.
Back in the village, Kaoru's plan gave Kenshin enough time to carry Tulav to a nearby house, undamaged by the Hydra. He assessed the situation.
"The ropes won't hold for much longer," he said but also silently admiring whoever thought of the idea.
"I agree!" Tulav said weakly. "Please… save our village… please…"
"Don't talk, save your strength" Kenshin said turning around. "I have to go back now…"
"Wait!" someone cried from inside the house. It was the old lady who saw the vision. "You cannot kill the Hydra by simply cutting off the heads" she said.
"Yes he can!" Tulav spoke, "I saw it with my own eyes!"
"No..." the old seer insisted, as she pointed out the window, "look outside!"
Kenshin did as he was told and saw the severed head began to move! Like a nightmare before his eyes, the head began to slide towards its body and in no time, the Hydra was complete again.
"The monster has but one weakness," The old lady said standing beside Kenshin.
He looked at her, and for some reason, trusted her. She nodded, reading the flame-haired man's thoughts. "There is a black spot on the crown of the monster's middle head. That is the only place you can strike in order to destroy the Hydra… forever!"
Kenshin nodded his thanks and wasted no time to go finish the task.
"Pull!" Kaoru said, standing in line with the villagers as they pulled the ropes. The Hydra was writhing and thrashing about, struggling to be free.
"This is no good," Kaoru thought. "The ropes are not going to hold much longer!"
Suddenly, she saw Kenshin approach the monster, but all the three heads attacked him at the same time, almost crushing him! Thankfully, he evaded them all.
Kaoru didn't realize she held her breath all throughout that scene. She even found herself praying for the red-haired dragon hunter's safety. Kaoru also found herself admiring him. "He looks so handsome, so valiant, moving with so much grace using so high a speed!"
Kaoru shook her head from those thoughts, embarrassed that she found time for such utter nonsense at a time like this.
"Distract the two heads on the sides!" Tulav said startling Kaoru. She saw that the village chief was in pain and was assisted by the old seer, but still his presence commanded much respect from the people. "Let the chosen one get closer to the middle head of the monster!"
Kaoru was about to ask why, but it seems that they had bigger problems at hand, as the ropes on both sides of the Hydra's tail snapped suddenly, freeing the fuming monster!
"Move back! Leave the ropes, they're of no use now!" Kaoru shouted.
Kenshin suddenly found himself face to face with the raging Hydra. "Oh great!" he thought as the monster began its attack on him.
Now that the monster was free again, it became more destructive and dangerous than ever. Kenshin, dodging and ducking from the Hydra's three heads can't seem to shake them off!
"Darn!" he said. "Just a few seconds, that's all I need to climb the middle head...ummmmfff" Kenshin said as he began to duck again.
Tulav, in pain looked at the red-haired warrior feeling helpless. Kaoru, on the other hand was not about to let the stupid monster have his way and destroy this village. She rallied some of the men and proceeded to shoot the Hydra with their arrows. Yahiko on the opposite side seemed to have thought of the same tactic and arrows flew, distracting the left and right heads of the monster, or more like angering them.
The Hydra launched its attack on its assailants. Kaoru, quick on her feet was eluding every blow, but Yahiko, with Tsubame at his side was moving a lot slower as he was protecting her too.
Seeing this, Kaoru jumped on the Hydra's back and went over to them. "Get Tsubame out of here!" Kaoru told Yahiko when she reached them.
"But…" Yahiko started to protest but was cut off with Kaoru's stern look.
"Alright dogface, though you'd better be safe 'til I return!" Yahiko cried as he carried Tsubame to safety.
"I'm sorry Yahiko" Tsubame said tearfully. "I only wanted to help, but I've become more of a burden to you" Yahiko shook his head, and looked at Tsubame.
"You will never become a burden to me Tsubame… never!" Yahiko said, blushing all throughout his speech.
Tsubame, blushing too smiled at Yahiko, as he set her down.
"Uhhhmmm...I have to go and see my ugly brother now!" Yahiko said, still red in the face. Tsubame nodded, "Please be careful Yahiko!" she said as he left.
The Hydra head crashed into a house and Kaoru covered her head as debris began to fall. She didn't realize the Hydra head dropping fast, towards her!
The villagers provided enough diversion for Kenshin, and he found his way to the middle head. He was only a few meters away from the middle head's crown when he saw "her" below. She was fighting the left head of the Hydra, which hit one of the houses.
Kenshin saw that the Hydra did it on purpose to distract her. Now, there was no way for her to avoid getting crushed!
Without second thoughts, Kenshin leapt… and lunged for her.
"Aaaagghh!" Kaoru cried as they rolled together, just barely making it. When they stopped, Kenshin was atop her, and they were both panting.
"Are you hurt?" Kenshin asked her concerned, and reaching out to touch her cheek. His action did not only surprise Kaoru, but it surprised him as well! They stared at each other, before Kaoru slowly lifted her hand to softly stroke his scarred cheek.
Kenshin smiled at her, again for the first time in a very long time, feeling his heart pounding wildly in his chest… or was that hers?
He felt the Hydra coming down fast towards them, but he didn't move. He could easily jump up and evade the head, but he knew, even with her speed, she wouldn't be able too, and so he stayed… strangely calm and almost at peace with his death, together with this mysterious beauty beneath him.
But then Kenshin heard it, a loud, resounding roar! Even the Hydra froze, distracted by the ferocious sound.
Kaoru, looking up, saw them high up in the sky. She smiled, "Dargove..." she thought happily before she slowly closed her eyes and lost consciousness.
Kenshin quickly stood up and carried Kaoru away from the Hydra. He didn't need to look to know what made that sound! His eyes narrowed, he's heard that roar before…
...to be continued(c",)