A/N: that was not so much of a cliffhanger was it! anyway please R&R this one too ok. thank you all so much!
A/N: Hello everyone first of all thank you sooooo much for your reviews! I'm happy very, I mean VERY HAPPY top have reached over a hundred reviews!..sorry about the delay, I had some trouble with my PC but it's ok now..here's chapter 10.errrr.. not a lot going on here, only more questions to be raised...WHOA ducks as people started throwing rotten tomatoes at her gomen, gomen, minna-san, I'll try to do better next time ok oh and thank you to Shiari and Shin-chan for poinitng this out...I have been using excessive exclamation points(heheeh -blush, blush, blush)...i've already edited chapters 7, 8 & 9...I'll look into the others later. bows really low again i'm really sorry
omichi-san: wow you really stuck to my story and I appreciate it very much! hehehe, you'll know more about the "lady" in this chapter so please read on. Thank you very much for your reviews
MP: hehehe...I liked the battle scene too, and you're right, kenshin is lucky to have lightning-fast speed or else kaoru would probably be dead by now thank you very much
tenshineko: LOL! there are a lot of secrets yet to come with this story so please stay tuned, and honestly, I do hope kaoru would really knock some sense into kenshin but...the story is unfolding by itself so I let it take a natural course(errrr, I'm not sure I'm making sense here but please do excuse me) thank you very much for your review
Gypsy-chan: LOLOLOL! I got over a hundred reviews PLUS a rating of twelve from you! faints on the floor eh! hehehe, anyway, I think kaoru is a great warrior and even though she's a woman it doesn't mean she could not surpass men's abilities right? oh and please read the A/N at the end 'coz I want you to comment on what I said...hehehe, I can't give you too many details because it might give the surprise away thank you oh sooooooo much for your very inspiring reviews
Ice-God-kun: hehehe, no problem about the late reviews...as long as you've read it I'm more that grateful! and for your suggestion...heehee I'll look into thatwinks I won't say much or I'll be giving away anither spoiler but thanks so much for that and also for your reviews!
Sabrina-star: errrr...gomen nasai, this chapter took a bit longer than the others, but like I said I had PC probs...anyway, it's working again and I'll try my best to post the next one as soon as I can ok! thank you sooo much for your reviews
Genesis: yeah, it does give some suspense, but then it's harder to write...heehee, not that I mindwinks but thank you really for all your reviews
chupito: hai...I'll give more chapters as you requested!LOL thank you very much for your review!
Pirogoeth: LOL! please don't do the F-N-K on me...I'll never be able to finish this if you do but thank you for your reviews and I really like your name...I'm asking you permission now if maybe I could use it in the story! hehehe...just leave your response on your review or e-mail me, my add is written above. thank you again so much
tearslesereph: here's the next chapter...took quite long but I got It out and I'll try to do better next time ok! hehehe...and as for the K&K waff, hehehe I just love them, and the other characters might be appearing, I won't guarantee it except for maybe misao. Thank you very much for your review!
selene: ok here's an update, I hope you like it too though it's not much. thank you very. very much for your review!
Willow-chan: hello! you have a very beautiful name and please call me ashe hehehe, I'm sooo pleased you remembere'd about the "chosen one" bit...that will be explained in the later chapter/s but the story's gearing towards that and well other secrets too so please stay tuned! LOLOL! school started since june here hahaha, school's really annoying I know winks but then we do need education so...cheer up, all my characters here especially Willow the Dragon will be cheering you on! thank you so very much for all your reviews!
Kamimura Kaoru: hehehe...don't worry if you didn't sign in. I can see your name well and really, I appreciate you coming back and reviewing this story. thank you very, very much!
Kajun Spice: WOOOOOOOWEEEEEEE! I'm sooooo happy you reviewed each chapter! thank you oh sooooo much and I'm glad you liked it(or else you might be chasing Artemis now with kenshin's sword threatening her)LOLOLOL! but really thak you soooo much...and I'm liking your name a lot too! errrr may I please use it in this story too...pretty please!
Shin-chan: hai! this humble author has seen her errors and I edited some of my chapters...errrrr, I got only as far as chapter 7, 8 and 9 though but please check it out and tell me if it still needs some editing...(blush, blush, blush) I thank you sooooo much for your reviews! I'll try to be more aware of my punctuations and if I get carried away again, please feel free to write your comments. I would grealyp appreciate it!
Michy: thank you for liking this piece, I wasn't sure kenshin as a dragon hunter would be proper anyway, thanks so much for you review and I hope you come back and review again. here's the next chapter.
ArtemisMoon: HAHAHAHA I couldn't help but write that "DIE DIE DIE" phrase when I saw the opportunity! LOLOL! you're a good goddess and you'll find out why in this chapter...oh and please read my A/N below AFTER you've read this chapter 'coz I need you to comment on it too! and yeah I'm soooo glad I reached the 100 review mark and it's all thanks to you and the others who kept coming back to review. thank you, thank you soooo much! hehehe...i'd better stop before I sound like a beauty contestant here(in my dreams!) LOL
sorry for the very long author's notE, but here is chapter 10...(c",)
KENSHIN the DRAGON HUNTER Chapter X: Deneb
three days later...
the heavens...
Goddess Artemis watched the events down the earth from her magical mirror. Gently, she stroked the small turtle on her lap. "This is not good, Koishii" the goddess said, "not good at all!" Koishii the cute little turtle bobbed its head up and down, agreeing with his mistress. "I have no choice, I must do 'it' again."
Dark Castle, Shishio's stronghold...
"It's confirmed, your majesty, the Hydra has been killed" a soldier said kneeling before King Shishio.
"Impossible! That fool Tulav could not have had that many men to destroy the Hydra, even if the whole village fought against it!"
"Well, you majesty, it's been said that the red-haired dragon hunter, with a cross-shaped scar on his cheek helped them."
Shishio clenched his trembling fist and the soldier could feel his heart pounding in fear. The king's anger is something to be fearful of.
Harharharharhar! Shishio laughed out loud instead. "It really is 'him' then!" Shishio thought. He's heard about this skilled, young, red-haired dragon hunter before and had his suspicions. Now he was quite sure… that boy is his nephew. No one but Thairu's son would be good enough to handle the Hydra.
Shishio's eyes narrowed, if the officer who claimed to have killed the brat was alive now, he'd make him suffer! Unfortunately, the reward he got for 'killing' the kid was to be honored as a sacrifice for the Cyclops. "No matter," Shishio said laughing again "with Thairu's son in the picture, it would be a lot more fun. I am in need of a much more worthy enemy than the likes of Tulav! Bwahahahahaha!"
The soldier watched, sweating hard at the different reactions of his king. He inched slowly away but didn't even reach the exit when a dagger was thrown at his back...killing him instantly. "I did not DISMISS you yet!" Shishio said, "It's a good thing I did not MISS you though!" Shihsio laughed, but his brain is already plotting his course of action...
near Cepheus, the forest between Triah and Surlow, where Kenshin and Dargove first met...
"How much further, Willow?" Kaoru anxiously asked the female dragon.
"Dargove isn't doing so well" Yahiko chimed in.
"We're getting close," Willow said. She was carrying both Kaoru and Yahiko on her back. Dargove Is much too weak now from the injury he's got, courtesy of the Hydra.
"Don't worry, all of you, I'm fine" Dargove said, slightly smiling.
Willow, Kaoru and Yahiko forced themselves to smile back. Their friend was clearly in pain and they can't do anything to ease it.
"Look there!" Willow said, and they all saw a vast forest, so healthy and alive. "That's where we must go in order for Dargove's health to return. The lushness of nature there would surely help a lot," Willow explained. "Cepheus is the only forest this big that has so far survived Shishio's reign. I'm sure a few days of rest there and Dargove will be completely recovered."
"So as Dargove heals the forests, the forests could heal Dargove too?" Kaoru asked and the female dragon nodded.
Kaoru didn't know this because Dargove getting sick is a totally new experience for her. He had always been so strong, protecting her, playing with her, caring for her wounds, teaching her how to fight. Kaoru closed her eyes as she remembered Dargove, helpless and almost slashed, and by 'him' no less!
"Why?" Kaoru asked herself, angry and confused. Kaoru clenched her fists. "Whatever his reasons are, he's not going to get near Dargove again," she swore to herself. "I will make sure of that, even if I have to fight him… and this burning feeling in my heart!"
As they landed, Dargove went immediately to sleep. Kaoru held him as he breathed shakily, painfully. The tears she's been holding back began to flow. Dargove had always been with her protecting her, loving her. He had been her father, her mother, her friend, and he had always been so strong. Her heart ached in seeing him like this, especially when she is partly to blame.
A hand touched Kaoru's shoulder… Yahiko. He has tears in his eyes too.
"He's going to be fine" Kaoru said finding strength to smile. Yahiko nodded and wiped his tears.
"There's a town near here, Willow said. You two should go there and find a good place to eat and rest. It will take days for Dargove to heal so you two best stay in town for a while."
Kaoru was about to protest but Willow raised a claw. "I will take good care of Dargove. Besides, something tells me you have to go to that town."
"Roses..." Kaoru said suddenly, "I smell roses!"
"I don't" Yahiko said, confused.
"Neither do I," Willow answered looking straight at Kaoru, "but that is why you must go."
Kaoru nodded. There was something nostalgic about this place. Kaoru felt it as soon as they landed, and now the feeling is getting stronger. Willow's right, she has to go to town.
"Are you alright Kaoru?" Yahiko asked when they were almost into the town of Deneb, wondering why his ugly sister was so quiet. "Dargove's going to be alright you know" he continued when she remained silent. Still, he got no answer so he decided on a new approach, "KAO-RU!" Yahiko shouted, startling Kaoru, and another small animal hidden in the bushes. They both looked in time to see a small cat scampering away.
"You scared Minnie away, you darned brats!" A tall, skinny young man with spiked hair said glaring at them both before he looked at the direction where the feline ran. He was so close to catching the cat when they came along and one of the lads had shouted... "Stupid kids!" he thought.
Sanosuke Sagara's temper is something feared by the villagers of Deneb. He carries no weapon, but is a great fighter and would knock any man down who dares cross him. Nothing was said about his brains though…
"Heh!" Sano thought, "I bet those two boys are trembling with fear right now. Serves them right!" He turned to look at them, then sweatdropped.
Kaoru and Yahiko's face were puffed up and tears were flowing from their eyes as they tried so hard to control their laughter. The look on the skinny man's face, first of surprise, then realization was more than they could bear and they burst out laughing out loud.
"Bwahahahahaha...Here, little kitty!" Yahiko said still laughing.
"No, no, no...little Minnie!" Kaoru joined in and they both fell to the ground laughing their hearts out.
Sano glared at them. "There's nothing wrong with a grown man trying to catch a small cat!" he said defensively. more peals of laughter "It's not even mine in the first place!" another burst of laughter Sano stuck his hands in his pocket and went to find the cat.
"Wait!" Kaoru yelled, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing again. "We'll help you find errrrrr...Minnie."
"I don't need you help!" Sano yelled back raising his fist at them before he stomped off.
Kaoru giggled, he looked like an overgrown baby. "Let's follow him," she said and Yahiko, still laughing went along. He can't wait to see the cat rearranging that weird hair on top of the skinny man's head!
An hour later, Minnie was still nowhere to be found and Sano was getting worried. He promised little Ayame and Suzume he would find her and it's getting pretty late. Not only that but he has those two behind him to worry about. Why he didn't just beat them up, he would never know, but they looked harmless enough.
"What a day!" he thought. He'd just got back from his long journey from the capital of Triah. "What a terrible place that is, filled with beggars and whores and rowdy soldiers!" he thought. And more annoying was that no one was able to tell him whose seal it was that was embroidered in the only clothing he had from his past! It seemed like such a waste of time, but doing something is better than doing nothing. "I need to find out who I really am," he thought.
Sano didn't use to mind about his past, he was happy where he was, but lately, something's been hounding him, like a sense of duty, to find out his real identity.
"Hey rooster head!" Yahiko shouted tearing Sano away from his thoughts. "I think you need our help now!"
Sano gritted his teeth, that boy is really irritating him! But he's right, he probably do need their help. He sighed, "Okay mister smarty pants, what is it exactly do you propose we do?" Sano asked. "Oh and before you say anything else, my name is Sanosuke Sagara. Call me rooster head again and you'll lose yours, understood!" he said towering over the sweating Yahiko.
Kaoru smiled, "I am Kao and this is my brother Yahiko. Nice to meet you Sanosuke!" She then walked over to a squirrel and started to ask it where the little cat headed. This time, it was Sano's turn to laugh… and laugh he did!
Kaoru narrowed her eyes and began to talk louder to the squirrel so Sanosuke could hear her over his laughter. "Will you please ask your friend above the tree to throw a few acorns on that baka over there!" Kaoru said pointing at Sano.
Sano began to laugh louder...until he felt acorns plip-ploping on his head one by one...
"H...how did you do that!" Sano asked but received only a smile from Kaoru as his answer. "Minnie went this way" she said and thanked BOTH squirrels before she turned around, leading the way.
Sano could only scratch his head and follow while trying to think of a logical explanation for what he just witnessed. He gave up thinking (and laughing) on the fifth animal Kaoru talked to. Besides, he was getting some pretty serious bruises as Kao kept proving to him that he COULD talk to animals.
He walked meekly rubbing his sore butt as he thought of the stag that had just poked him there...
Deneb, Village on the edge of Triah, nearest to Cepheus...
"Welcome dear traveler! Our inn is full now, most of those who came here years ago to visit decided to stay 'coz this is one of those places ignored by King Shishio because we are a small village. But we do have all our resources here. We raise our own crops and our own livestock so we do not need to go out" Megumi Takani, a beautiful woman with long dark hair and cherry-colored lips, told the old lady she was escorting as she led her to the chief's house.
"This is my uncle Gensai's house, he is also the village chief."
"Thank you so much my dear, but who is living in that empty house we just passed by over there?" the old lady said pointing at a seemingly empty, but well-kept house.
"I'm not sure… there's a well-guarded secret passed on to every chief about that house, you can talk to my uncle about it if you want to but you shouldn't expect too much..." Megumi broke off when she saw two little girls on the porch with sad faces.
"Hey you two! Is there...something wrong?" Megumi asked.
The bigger girl, Ayame nodded and her younger sister, Suzume began to cry. "Minnie ran away!" Ayame said as she started to cry too.
"Don't worry, she'll come back" Megumi said soothingly as she carried Suzume, comforting her.
"Well, we sent Sanosuke to find her and we think he's lost too" Suzume said in between sobs.
Megumi's heart raced at the mention of Sano's name. "So, that idiot is back!" she said angrily... not wanting to admit, even to herself that she's relieved and really happy that he's back safely.
Megumi felt a slight tug on her skirt. She looked down to see Ayame looking at her strangely. "You're still not angry at uncle Sano for not saying goodbye to you when he left, are you?"
Megumi sweatdropped. The child was asking so innocently, but then she seemed to have seen straight through Megumi's heart! "Maybe that's why Sanosuke's taking so long to come back, it's because he's afraid of auntie Megumi!" Suzume said scrambilng down and now smiling, happy that their 'uncle' Sano was not lost after all.
Megumi sweatdropped some more before she heard someone laughing behind her...
It was the old lady...and she completely forgot about her! "Uhhhhmm," Megumi began her apology, but the girls were already saying hi to their new visitor.
"Hello, my name is Ayame and that is my little sister Suzume!" the little girl said. The old lady laughed some more.
"Well, my name is Gypsy-chan, and this, she brought out a small animal from her bag to the girl's delight, this is my pet turtle, Koishii."
...to be continued(c",)