Chapter 16

(Kaoru)

Throughout Megumi's work the boy never batted an eyelid. Every now and then a twitch would appear in a wing or an arm, but other than that he didn't move at all.

Megumi cleaned and bandaged every cut on his thin body quietly, not saying a word. I could tell by her expression that it was bad. We had removed the leash around his hands, but the collar was a different story. Every time we got close to it the boy tensed up and a strange growling noise would come from him. So it remained there, much to my displeasure.

Finally Megumi sat back, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Well tanuki, you've got yourself a problem." I was silent, waiting for her to continue. "He's severely malnourished, but thankfully he's had the proper amount of water. He's been beaten numerous times, whipped, and he has burn scars all over him, along with what looks like a mark from a fire poker on his left shoulder. There are also scars from katana wounds, ranging from 2 to 4 years old." She paused here. "There's one more thing Kaoru."

I gulped. The myriad of injuries already shocked me, what more could be wrong?

She sighed. "He's been raped, several times it seems." I gasped. "I think he was a slave of some sort."

I put out a hand, stroking the boy's fire-red hair gently. "Oh Megumi…He's so young."

"He's probably not as young as you think tanuki. He's around 17 or 18, but I'm not sure." Megumi told me, pulling the blanket up around the boy's shoulders. We had him on his stomach, his wings stretched out to the sides.

I sighed and stood. "I'd better deal with Yahiko. I'll be right back."

I went out to where Yahiko sat in my kitchen, idly stirring broth I had put on not long ago. I knew we had to feed the boy, so I had put Yahiko to work.

"Yahiko?" I said, getting his attention. "What did you need when you came earlier?"

He sighed, standing. "I was wondering if I could…well…live with you sensei." I blinked, but said nothing. "I have no where else to go," he murmured. "The person I was living with told me to leave. His wife was having a baby, and my room was given to the child."

I smiled gently at Yahiko. "Alright. You may stay. But you will have to help out, and listen to me."

He nodded. "I will."

Megumi came out of the room. "I need to go get some more medicine and bandages. No doubt he's going to catch a fever. Give him some broth and a little water, and I'll be back soon."

I nodded. "Arigatou Megumi." She left and I turned to Yahiko. He held out a bowl of warm broth. "Come help me." I said, taking it with a smile.

He followed me silently, into the room where the boy was still motionless. Yahiko's face was a picture of pure shock when he saw the boy's wings, but he said nothing about it. With his help I turned the boy over and lifted his head gently. I spooned the broth into his mouth and to my great happiness he swallowed.

About halfway through the broth I stopped as the boy stirred. I put down the broth and watched as his eyes fluttered open.

His eyes were dull and clouded, but they were the most beautiful shade of amber I had ever seen. He blinked and then focused on me. In that instant he flew upright, scrambling away from me in fear. When his back hit the wall he brought his tattered wings around to hide his thin body.

I moved closer, putting up a palm in a calming gesture. "It's alright, I won't hurt you. You're safe." He whimpered slightly, but did not say a word. "My name is Kaoru Kamiya." I said in a soft soothing voice. "You're at my dojo. I found you in the river. What's your name?"
He didn't speak, but I could see him relaxing slowly. His wings were starting to sink, and I could now see his thin face. He still looked frightened, but could tell he was curious as well.

I inched closer, my hand still extended. "What is your name?" I repeated softly.

His wings had dropped now, falling to rest against his back. He was no longer pressed against the wall, but he still remained in the corner. He knew what I was asking, I could tell by the look on his face, but still he did not say anything. A high-pitched animal like whine escaped his throat and I suddenly understood.

"You can't speak can you?" I whispered.

He remained still, and thenshook his headslowly. I sighed, making my way closer. He shrank down as my hand got closer, and I had to fight back tears. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." My hand hovered in front of him and he slowly raised his right hand and put it in mine.

His fingers were slender and delicate, too breakable in my mind. But I could feel the powerful calluses that only come from years of wielding a sword. I gently closed my hand around his, pulling him forward. He followed obediently, looking towards Yahiko with curious amber eyes.

Yahiko smiled at him. "I'm Yahiko."

The boy nodded slightly, short crimson hair swaying around his face. "Can you tell us your name?" I asked him. "Can you write?"

He shook his head, and then looked down. He suddenly looked up, looking around with a thinking look on his face. His eyes landed on Yahiko, and he pointed at him. I cocked my head. "Yahiko?" He focused on me again, and then pointed at the bokken I still had in my belt. "Oh…" I murmured. "You were pointing at his shinai."

He nodded, and then pointed to his chest. I still wasn't sure, and he hesitantly pulled at my hand. "Go on." I urged him, seeing his fear.

He set my hand on his chest, and I could feel his erratic, speeding heartbeat. He was terrified, but he was trying to communicate. "Heart?" I questioned.

He nodded, a smile gracing his face. It was almost like talking with a child, because he couldn't speak, but he was smart, I could tell that much. He dropped my hand, pointed to his chest and then the bokken. "Heart…bokken?" He shook his head, pointing at the bokken again. "Um…Sword?"

His smile widened and he repeated his actions.

Yahiko frowned. "Heart sword?"

I cocked my head. "Ken-shin."

The redhead nodded and I looked at him. "Kenshin? Is that your name?" He nodded happily and I smiled. "Kenshin…I like it."

His face was happy, but his eyes were still dull and lifeless. I didn't quite understand, but I was glad he was opening up a little. I knew by his fluttering pulse that inside he was terrified, but he was doing wonderfully.

He spotted the broth by the futon and then looked at me and whimpered. I reached for him again, too fast for him. He shrank down instantly, fear flooding his features. His thin arms came up to shield his face as he hid in the circle of his wings.

I knelt beside him, shaking my head as tears filled my eyes. "Oh Kenshin, iie, I would never hurt you. Gomen nasai."

He peeked at me, fear still on his face. His whine sounded like that of a beaten dog and the tears finally fell down my cheeks. "It's okay, I promise. I won't let anything else happen to you." My voice was choked with tears, and I put my head down to hide my face.

When a slender hand wiped away my tears I was shocked to look up into Kenshin's bruised face. I reached up again, this time slower. He flinched, but did not move away. I slowly unbuckled the collar, and it fell to the floor. He smiled at me, and I could tell we were going to get along just fine. Maybe I could heal his broken soul, and help him learn to trust again.