Chapter 19

(Kaoru)

Sano was quiet beside me, waiting for me to start the conversation. When I remained silent he finally spoke. "Well Jou-chan? Who is this man?"

I sighed. "Two weeks ago I was coming back from teaching at a dojo. When I went over the bridge I looked down into the water, and there was a body there. I ran down to the edge, and managed to get him out of the water, but I was afraid that he was dead. His skin was so cold, and he was barely breathing at all. I managed to get him back here, and sent one of my students, Yahiko, for Megumi. She came soon after, and began to bandage him up." I bit my lip slightly, and then continued. "Kami Sano, he was so beat up. Megumi described many different wounds on him."

Sano shifted his position. "A slave you said. Is this what Megumi described?"

I nodded. "In some way. He's been tortured, we know that. He's got burn marks all over his body, along with a mark from a fire poker on one shoulder. He was severely malnourished when he came to us, but thankfully he's been putting on some weight. You could see every bone in his body, it was frightening. There are whip lashes all over his back, chest, and wings, and several of them were infected. He had a fever for about a week and half, but he's slowly gaining health back."

Sano whistled. "That's a lot of injuries for such a little man. He's a lot smaller than most people."

"Hai, that's true. According to Megumi, he was also raped several times." I said softly.

Sano gasped. "Raped? What kind of a monster would do that to him?"

I shrugged. "We don't know. He had a collar when he first came to us, a leather one that was rather tight around his throat. There was a word carved into it, Oni. That's the only clue we have to his past. He's terrified of any new person, especially males, and you still have to move slowly around him or he thinks that you're going to hurt him. He's extremely jumpy."

Sano leaned his cheek on his hand, resting his elbow on his knee. "Wow. That's just horrible, that someone could do that to another person. Why is his speech so… weird?"

I smiled slightly at his word for it. "When we found him he couldn't speak at all, it was only animal-like sounds, whimpers, whines, growls, stuff like that. Only recently we found that he could speak, he just didn't know how. It's very strange, but he's learning again through copying us. Sometimes it's difficult to talk with him because he doesn't understand some words, but he's getting better. He's very smart, so it's fairly easy to teach him things he doesn't know."

Sano glanced towards the dojo suddenly, and I saw Kenshin creeping towards us, fear still on his features because of Sano, dressed in a clean gi and hakama. He slinked behind me, still staying as far away from Sano as he could.

I smiled gently at him, encouragingly. "It's okay Kenshin, remember? Sano's a nice guy, he wouldn't hurt you."

I felt him nod against my back. "Know that Ru. Can't help scared."

This was the second time that he'd used this phrase today, and again I understood. He knew that Sano wouldn't hurt him, but his inner instincts would take time to beat down. He just couldn't stop being scared even if he knew that Sano was no threat to him. I sighed. "It's alright Kenshin, I understand."

Sano suddenly spoke, seeming curious. "Why's he got wings?"

I shrugged. "We don't know. We don't know much about him at all."

Kenshin shivered against my back. "Gomen Ru."

I sighed again. He thought it was his fault. "That's alright Kenshin, I promise. We won't force you to talk until you want to, okay?"
"Okay."

I smiled. Even though he was a grown teen he still acted like a child with his innocence and easy agreements. It was cute. I started to stand, and Kenshin stood with me, moving to my side slowly. "Well then, I suppose it's time for some breakfast. Are you hungry Kenshin?"

He nodded with a smile. "Hai Ru. Go eat!"

I laughed. "Alright then. Why don't you come help me?" He nodded happily and followed me into the kitchen while Sano went to find Yahiko.

(Kenshin)

It was like waking up from a dream. I blinked, sitting up slowly from the soft futon I was on. I stretched my wings slightly, wincing as aches and pains made themselves known. Where was I?

Kamiya dojo.

The answer supplied itself in my mind, and I didn't bother to ask where it had come from. I had obviously been here for some time, and I seemed comfortable in my surroundings. I couldn't remember much from my time with Enishi, but I knew somehow that I had gotten away from him. He had been right that day, I had retreated into myself to try and save my sanity.

That last act of his to break me, it had done exactly that. I had lost all hope, and days had blended into one, and before I had known it a year had passed. I became Enishi's plaything, with no purpose in life.

I stood carefully, glancing around the room tentatively. I spotted a hakama and gi lying near me, and I picked them up, carefully changing out of the blue yukata I was wearing. There were prepared holes in the gi, and I carefully inserted my wings through them.

I slid open the door quietly, walking down the hall to where I smelled food being cooked. I could also hear a soft voice singing gently. It was a beautiful voice, singing a song I didn't know. When my footsteps grew too loud the voice halted instantly, and I saw a young girl come to the door.

Kami-sama she was beautiful. Long raven black hair, tied in a high ponytail, only slightly lower than a topknot, a pale flawless face, and large sapphire eyes created a picture of beauty that any man would appreciate.

She smiled at me as I came in. "Kenshin, ohayou."

'Who was this girl?' I thought quickly, trying to remember so I could greet her properly. Again the answer supplied itself.

Kaoru Kamiya.

"Ohayou Kaoru-dono." I murmured quietly.

Her smile fell from her face and turned to a gasp. "Kenshin, you… You used my full name!" She moved closer to me, laying the spoon she had been using down as she did. She gasped again. "Your eyes…"

I cocked my head slightly. "What about them?"

She shook her head again. "There is life in them Kenshin! It's worked! You're okay!" I suddenly found myself enclosed in a warm embrace, and I stiffened automatically. She released me quickly. "Gomen, I know you don't like contact…"

I shook my head. "It's alright…" I murmured, surprised slightly at her behavior.

She suddenly smiled widely. "Kami, I can't believe it! All that trust and time, you've finally come out of your shell! I was wondering if you were ever going to open up to us at all."

I blinked. "Well Kaoru-dono, I'm still not quite sure about what you're talking about, but I'll do what I can…"

She shook herself. "Oh Kami-sama, I guess I'm going a bit fast for you huh?" She grew serious. "Kenshin, you've been so quiet before now. I want to know what's happened to you." I flinched. "I don't understand why you're like this, and I want to know so I can help you heal." She suddenly cocked her head. "It would also be nice to know why you have wings."

I sighed, looking down. "I suppose I owe you that much Kaoru-dono. You've taken care of me, and you deserve to know who I am." I settled myself down, and she sat beside me, preparing herself for the long story that was to come.

It's been a while hasn't it? Gomen nasai! –bows- I was grounded off my computer, and I only just got back on. Couple of announcements…

First: I'd like everyone to think about this. I think I've given some good clues as to what's wrong with Kenshin, and I want some of you to see if you can figure it out. If you do... -holds up a Kenshin plushie and pocky- Prizes! And I'll give you a shout-out! If no one figures it out by chapter 21 I'll just say it. But I want this to be fun!

Thank you everyone, and please review!