Chapter 27

(Kenshin)

We walked farther and farther away from Tokyo(That's where they live right? O.o), following the path of the river that I had come down so many months ago. I knew that it would eventually lead us back to Enishi's home, and this was good, seeing as I had no idea where he was.

Kaoru walked close to me, Sano on my left while she was on my right. After a while I felt her fingers touch my hand hesitantly, and I curled my fingers around hers, squeezing her small hand reassuringly. Once I thought we were far enough away from Tokyo I pulled at my gi. "Does anyone mind if I let my wings out?"

Kaoru's face lit up. "Really? You'll let them out? I love your wings!"

I chuckled. "Calm down koishii." I glanced at Sano, and he shrugged, a grin on his face. I fully pulled off my gi, tying it around my waist so my chest was bare. Snapping my fingers I stretched my wings out, sighing in relief as the sun beat down on my feathers. "Kami, this feels good."

Kaoru was looking at them in wonder, her blue eyes sparkling. She put out a hand, stroking the feathers gently. I felt the lethargy creep over me as she continued to do so, and I stopped walking as my legs became weak. I began to purr, closing my eyes and leaning unconsciously towards her. She noticed this, and she withdrew her fingers hurriedly. "Gomen Kenshin. I didn't mean to."

I shook myself, putting a wing around her shoulders and pulling her close to me. "It's fine koishii. I rather enjoyed it, but perhaps it should until later." I lowered my voice a notch at the end, causing a blush to spring to her cheeks and her eyes to get wide.

Sano let out a laugh. "Whoa there Kenshin, slow down. We've still got to get rid of this Enishi guy."

I smiled widely at him. "Gomen Sano. I couldn't help it." I released Kaoru, putting my wings around my shoulders.

We continued along, and I began to grow used to the feeling of having my wings out again. I was so glad that I could do so, it felt wonderful. However, my wings itched to fly, and I started fidgeting uncomfortably.

Kaoru looked at me suspiciously. "Kenshin? What wrong?"

I growled softly. "I want to fly…"

She smiled, releasing my hand. "Well then fly. For a little while. Sano and I can walk under you. It'll be alright. I understand, you haven't flown for a little while now."

I blinked at her. "Really?" I grinned, pulling my sakabatou from my belt. "Well then, hold this."

She took it from me, and I ran forward, increasing my speed until I reached a fairly tall tree. I scaled it easily, and then flung myself from the upper branches, unfurling my wings and flapping powerfully away from the tree. It felt absolutely heavenly to be back in the air, and I spun, closing my eyes and raising my face to the sun.

I heard Kaoru's laugh below me, and I looked down at her. She was watching me with envious eyes, and I grinned. 'Perhaps, one day, I will let you experience my world. When I am sure that nothing will happen to you, when I am able to fly with no trouble.'

It had always been hard on me while I was flying. I had ignored it all my life, ignored how difficult it got for me to breathe the higher I got. I figured that I would get over it as I got older, and I was always careful not to go to high. But when I had taken Tomoe up with me it had been like the division line of when it had grown too hard had been lessened by a good 100 feet. All of the sudden it had been like a thick blanket had descended over me, and I had fallen.

I looked ahead of us, narrowing my eyes slightly so I could see better. There. Not far away from us was the steeple of Enishi's castle. We were getting close.

I flew for a good 10 minutes, and then I began to grow tired. It was sooner than usual, but I was still a little weak. My magic, released from holding my wings invisible, would be able to work faster, but I was still slightly weak. I descended to the ground, folding my wings against my back. I gasped for air, back in the normal atmosphere it was difficult to breathe until I got used to it again.

Kaoru was worried; I could see it on her face. She crouched next to me, putting a hand on my back. "Kenshin?"

I shook my head slightly, smiling at her as I got my breath back. "It's okay Kaoru… I'm just…trying to get used to the air again."

She frowned, and I could tell she didn't understand. I stood, finally my lungs had grown used to the air again, and I could breathe easily. I smiled slightly at her again. "Up there the air is thinner, and after I get used to it it's very hard for me to transfer back and forth. It always takes me a minute to get used to it. I'm fine, I promise."

Her fear eased, and she nodded. "Alright."

I looked in front of us. "We are growing close. I saw the top of the castle while I was in the air. We will soon be there."

Sano grinned murderously, cracking his knuckles. "Good. I'm just itching to beat that bastard into the ground."

I chuckled, slipping the sakabatou through my belt as Kaoru handed to me. "Arigatou. Well Sano, you'll get your wish. But you'll have to beat what I leave behind."

Kaoru smiled slightly. "Hai, and I'll have to join you Sano."

He grinned. "Well damn, I was hoping I would have a whole piece of him all to myself. You know, maybe an arm or a leg. Maybe even his head…"

Kaoru shuddered. "Sano, that's kind of sick. We're not gonna rip him apart."

I pretended to act hurt. "Aww… I was looking forward to that part…" She looked at me funny and I laughed. "I'm only kidding Kaoru."

In reality I was terrified. I was only joking around with the other two to put on the pretense that I was calm and laidback. I was horrified of going to face Enishi for the first time since he'd captured me, and I was afraid above all that he would catch me again. That I would return to being his plaything.

We were soon confronted with the cliff I had fallen down. I sighed heavily, scanning the rock face with my sharp eyes to find a place for Kaoru and Sano to climb up. I pointed. "There Sano. You and Kaoru should be able to get up right there."

The tall man looked it over. "Hai, that'll do." He turned to Kaoru. "Can you get up that?"

She nodded. "Let's go."

I breathed deep, centering my ki and casting my senses out. I had to know if Enishi was even at the castle. My eyebrows twitched together. 'There you are…'

I opened my eyes, pumping my wings and shooting straight up. I hovered just behind Sano and Kaoru. They reached the top quickly, and I landed again. I knew that I had to find some way to make myself seem a little more intimidating.

My magic responded easily to my call, swirling around me. I closed my eyes, raising my face to the sky. "Kami-sama…" I whispered. "This unworthy half-angel asks for your help."

My son…What is it that you wish?

I smiled, instinctively sinking to one knee and bowing my head. "I ask for the full powers of an Angel, if only for a short time. Onegai, my tou-sama."

I felt his gentle hand on my head. You have done much in your life my son, not all of it good. But I hear your plea, and I will help my children.

I smiled. "Arigatou Kami-sama."

His hand left, and then two fingers slipped beneath my chin. Look at me itoshigo…

My eyes snapped open, going wide as tears filled my eyes. "Father…"

My father smiled, wiping away the tear that slipped down my cheek. I love you itoshigo, and I'm proud of you. Now show that man what our family is made of.

I chuckled slightly. "I will tousan. I love you… Daddy."

My father started to fade, touching my forehead as he did so with two fingers. Fight itoshigo…

I felt power flow through me, and my wings began to change. I felt my body shifting, and I heard another voice. Use this itoshigo. It will help you.

"Mother…"

Then everything faded.

(Kaoru)

The white magic swirled like a tornado around Kenshin's thin frame, and I watched as he raised his face. He spoke then, his voice echoing around us even though he was obviously whispering. "Kami-sama… This unworthy half Angel asks for your help."

I watched in awe as a great light came down, a gleaming presence that rested on the ground beside Kenshin in his swirl of magic. I could see no features, but the mere sight of it sent me into awe. I sank to my knees, barely noticing that Sano did the same thing next to me as Kenshin knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

My son…what is it that you wish?

I knew instantly that this was the very voice of Kami-sama, and I felt tears come to my eyes as I listened quietly to the conversation. There was another presence, this time with a pair of gleaming wings.

The magic began to whirl more fiercely, and it nearly erased Kenshin from my sight. I struggled to keep watching him, but the magic suddenly disappeared with no warning, leaving him clear in my eyes.

I watched with wide eyes as Kenshin's feet left the ground, his back arching, pushing his chest to the sky. Light flared around him and his body jerked violently. His wings began to change, becoming slimmer and more agile. The light then engulfed him, blocking him from my sight.

Sano grinned. "Do you know what's going on?"

I shook my head. "Iie."

At that moment the light cleared to show Kenshin on his side on the ground. I ran forward. "Anata!"

I rolled him over, holding his shoulders. I gasped, and I heard Sano whistle.

Kenshin's wings and lost their feathers, becoming solid, though they were still crystal white. His hair was streaked with silver; white markings covered his face, tracing intricate patterns I didn't understand. They went down his neck, onto his chest, arms, and back. Glistening fangs hung in his mouth, and I blinked at this sight. He was so different…

His eyes flickered, and then opened slowly. His eyes shown with silver and gold, pupils slitted. He focused on me, holding up a hand. In it was a single crystal feather. "Kaasan…" he whispered. He pushed himself into a standing position, facing Enishi's castle. "I am ready."

His voice was deeper than normal, full of power and confidence. I went to stand beside him, winding my fingers in his. He looked down at me, silvery eyes wide. "I am ready too." I said with a smile.

He smiled back at me. "We will win Kaoru. Thanks to Kami-sama, and my parents. We will triumph."

I leaned against him. "Of course we will. I never doubted it in the first place. Now come on, let's go."

I was surprised when he pulled me up into his arms, spreading his solid, powerful wings. "Come Kaoru…"

I wiggled. "Kenshin! What are you doing? You could hurt yourself! You'll start an attack."

He smiled. "Not with the powers that my mother has given me. She gave me a great gift Kaoru. The gift to breathe freely. I am healed."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

He nodded, and then shot straight into the air, me hanging onto his neck, wonder shining in my eyes.