R-05280

By: Kelli St. Pierre………..sadly I do not own Rurouni Kenshin…..

Chapter 9: "The beginning of the end……"

The blazing sun rises over the mountains as its raise shines over bodies in blankets all scrunched up in one area. Some of the bodies start moving as some just moan and groan and fall back asleep. But one body in particular got up immediately.

Misao

She pulled the blanket off her and threw it in the sand she slept on. She quickly looked around to see everyone sleeping as the sun shines on her. She looks over to the camp, or what is left of it….

Everything was burnt, torn, and demolished as the once camp site turned into a death site. Everything was gone or pieces were only left. The whole area of sand the camp once was was all black and burnt. Even the dead bodies were still there, missing parts of their legs or arms, maybe even their stomachs. Or maybe all of then were blown away.

Misao closed her eyes as she tried not to puke, trying hard not to remember last night. Trying hard not to remember the screams she heard as she remembered the bombs hitting them. It was as if it was the fourth of July as bombs barely missed her by a few feet. She remembered how it felt to be thrown back by then as she must of flew back at least five feet each time.

As much as she tried not to remember it, her mind disobeyed her as the memories of last night came….

"IT'S A BOMB!" Aoshi had yelled.

Right when he yelled that, the ground shook as an explosion was heard, as well as screams. Aoshi and the others ran out threw the door as Misao was left their. She tried to stop Aoshi from going but was too late and was left alone as she ran out now. She was able to what looked to be shooting stars coming right towards the camp as she saw some hit and a ball of fire erupted right where they hit.

Misao ran to find Aoshi as everyone was now awake and running for their lives, some tripping over each other as they all ran. Misao scanned over the whole area as the screams were getting louder. She could see the bombs hitting people as they screamed in agony, but their screaming was quickly cut off by the explosion and the fire that burst. And even the people, who didn't even get hit, got blown back by the explosives. Misao tried not to look and move her legs but she was glued their, she was glued and couldn't find the energy to move at all.

But what Misao failed to realize was that a bomb was heading right for her and didn't see it coming. The bomb came sizzling towards her and right before it hit her, a figure grabbed her and jumped as the bomb came down and exploded. The figure rolled uncontrollably with Misao in its arms. Once they stopped rolling, Misao opened her eyes, not even aware they were closed, and gasped.

"Aoshi!" Misao yelled loudly, trying her best to over power the noise of the explosions.

"Are you all right!" Aoshi yelled just as loudly back, as his voice was beginning overpowered by the bombs also. Misao was only able to nod as her throat was to clogged up with smoke for her to talk, never mind breath as Aoshi looked her over. He looked over at her ankles and saw that they were red with a few scratches on them. But that wasn't what caught his attention, it was her back. He saw that her uniform was wet all over her back as he put a hand on it and noticed it was warm.

Blood

Aoshi's eyes were wide and Misao noticed this.

"What's wrong!" Misao asked loudly as she could, as she was getting tired slightly.

"Just hold still Misao" Aoshi yelled back.

But right when Aoshi yelled that, Misao's eyes started closing a little as she collided with his chest. Aoshi quickly grabbed by the shoulders gently and looked her threw the eyes.

"Misao, listen to me, you must stay awake!"

"Wha…alright….Aos..." Misao said slowly as her eyes slowly slid shut. Aoshi shook her again but she didn't stir. This was all Misao comprehended as Aoshi held her in his arms, as her world went black……

Misao slowly got up as she could, but then fell back down as her head felt like a feather. Misao hissed in pain as her back started aching. She never really saw what happened to her back, but knew it was probably serious. She was again tried getting up as she slowly stood on wobbly legs only to fall again. But she didn't fall on the hot sticky sand and instead, fell on a very warm body.

"You shouldn't be up you know"

Misao turned around to see Aoshi looking down at her, with a little concern in his eyes.

"I know, but I have to see Sano and make sure he's all right" Misao replied breathlessly.

"Well at least let me carry you to a place where you can try walking" Aoshi offered as people were everywhere and in Misao's condition, she would never make it and would probably end up falling on people instead. So she allowed Aoshi to carry her as he tip toed over the bodies as quietly as possible and to not get sand on them.

Once they were in walking range, he let her down carefully and tried to help her walk. It took her a couple of tries to get her mind and legs into focus, as she ended up only being able to walk slowly. Aoshi stood right at her side the whole way as they went for Sano's.

"So, what happened to the rest of them and you while I was unconscious?" Misao asked quietly.

"Basically that whole incident was a half an hour long, it was five minutes over after you went" Aoshi started, "People didn't even know it was over until Saitou blew his whistle loudly and announced that everyone to stay calm and to report that everyone to sleep in the area we were in."

"And as for me, I only have a couple of scratched and a few burn marks, nothing to serious, unlike you" Aoshi finished.

"There weren't many people out in that field when I woke up, I'd guess and say there were only about two to four hundred people their," Misao recalled quietly.

"Yes…..many people did…..go…during that battle" Aoshi said quietly.

"It's amazing isn't it, that so many people could die that quickly in just a half an hour" Misao remarked slowly and quietly.

"Yes, it is" Aoshi replied just as slowly.

"And it's thanks to you that I'm here" Misao said as she looked up at him.

"But it wasn't enough, as you can see" Aoshi said, as he looked away as if she'd hurt him with her eyes.

"You mustn't think like that Aoshi" Misao replied as she moved impossibly closer to her.

But before either could say anything else, they saw what looked to be two figures running from behind them as they heard their names being called out.

"Aoshi! Misao!"

Both Aoshi and Misao turned around to see Kenshin and Kaoru run over to them. When they got to them, they both were panting for breath.

"We saw you two leave and thought we'd come" Kaoru said as she recovered, as did Kenshin.

"That's fine, were just on our way to visit Sano" Misao said.

"Really" Kaoru asked, hope in her eyes.

"Yea come on"

So Misao, Aoshi, Kaoru, and Kenshin walked together as Misao led them.

"So what happened with you guys, are you okay?" Kaoru asked curiously.

"Well since their right here and walking well, we can cross out the idea of them being blown up" Kenshin replied jokingly.

"Well for me, I only got a few scratched but Misao has a large burnt and slashes across her back" Aoshi answered, with a little hurt in it.

"Oh my god, are you alright Misao" Kaoru asked worryingly.

"Yea, just takes me awhile to walk but besides that I'm alright" Misao replied back.

"Well for me and Kenshin, we only got a couple of scratched two, but Kenshin only has a sprained ankle for anything serious" Kaoru answered.

They finally arrived where Sano should be and luckily for them, it didn't burn down like the rest of them. There were only a few burn marks on the roof but besides that, Misao might of never thought it never was touched.

"I'm not surprised really" Kenshin said out loud, as if reading her mind, "This building is pretty away from the camp so it probably only caught the stuff that got blown away."

Aoshi nodded as he opened the creaky door for everyone to come in. Once everyone was in, they all gathered around the table where Sano was as Misao lifted the blanket to see if face.

"Oh, he looks like that all the time when he sleeps" Kaoru said, mainly to herself as she looked almost to be in tears. Kenshin held her tightly though, as if to say he's there for her. To Misao it was cute to see them both like that, since Kaoru really needed it. She could feel arms around her also as she knew they belonged to Aoshi.

So they all stayed there for what seemed like hours there, just looking at Sano and talking, joking around with each other. It would kind of see to Misao that with these people it seemed like school with her friends. How she missed her friends so much, how much she missed Jiya and the others.

But suddenly a whistle blew loudly as the two couple got up slowly and went to the door. Aoshi again opened it for everyone as they all walked out.

"Oh my god, it's afternoon already?" Kaoru said amazed.

"We were there for a pretty long time but I didn't think that long" Kenshin said also.

They all kept walking as the whistle grew louder and louder. They kept walking to see a group of people circling around a building, or what was left of it, as a figure stood at the middle.

Saitou

They were the last one's their so they were behind everyone and that meant it would be hard for them to hear. Saitou continued to blow his whistle three more times and then put it in his pocket. Misao noticed that Saitou had a couple of scratched on his face, probably more on his arms and all but Misao couldn't tell.

"Alright!" Saitou yelled out, "As you all know, last night's encounter was not predicted and as the price, we lost many! Actually, we were suppose to head over to their base a week from now when we were set, according to plan. However according to our information I have just received, we will have to attack ahead of schedule!"

"And how ahead is that?" One of the people yelled out, as other's yelled out yea's.

"…..Tomorrow morning" Saitou replied casually as the people had shocked faces on, "Tomorrow we will head down there at approximately 3:00 and destroy whatever camps or forts they have. Until then, rest up cause it will be a long day, and final day for some of you."

With that Saitou stormed off at what looked to be no where, until she spotted far up ahead a building that was way away from the camp. As for the other soldiers, they walked away, probably towards the field to get an early sleep.

But Misao strode over to where Saitou was heading, not figuring how she got her energy back so quickly. And as for the others, they kept calling her name as they yelled to deaf ears. When they figured out she wasn't coming back, they ran forward to where she was going.

Saitou's place

Misao went over and opened the door as quietly as she could as she closed it just as softly. She studied where she was and noticed that in the center of the room was a wooden desk with a bed far off in the corner. There was a door off to the right and knew that was probably the bathroom since he let her know he had one, which got her slightly angry at the thought. But she brushed it off as looked around for him. She could of sworn he was going here?

"Is there something your looking for here weasel?"

Misao turned around to find two golden eyes that didn't look to pleased. She turned fully and challenged his stare with one of her own, which Saitou looked pleased at.

"Weasel, I thought I made it clear that people should get their rest for tomorrow" Saitou said calmly as he went by her and sat in his chair at the desk. Before she could speak again, he again spoke.

"But of course, silly me, I said people and you are not of that so you must of gotten confused. So let me repeat what I said earlier again" Saitou said and continued, "We will be leaving tomorrow and so people and weasels should get their rest for tomorrow."

Misao was of course angry as she was steaming with rage with her oh-so beloved captain. She stomped over to his desk, and pointed a finger at him accusingly.

"Listen here Saitou, I have no need for your taunting alright, and I want to know why we have to go tomorrow!" Misao basically bellowed at him, while he all the while raised an eyebrow.

"Are you ordering me around weasel?" Saitou asked coolly, "Please just leave weasel, I have a meeting with one of the other captains and don't plan to have you here. You'll just stink up the place and that would be totally embarrassing."

Before Misao could respond, the door opened to reveal what looked to be a woman in her early twenties. She had long black hair and dark eyes as she wore the same uniform that Saitou wears. Saitou stood up as the both bowed at one another.

"Have a seat" Saitou recommended for the woman as she closed the door and went in and took the seat. Misao all the while just standing there as if she was a nobody.

"Um, who is this?" The woman asked curiously with an eyebrow raised at Misao, who didn't know take that rudely.

"This, this is no one of importance but if you must, this is Misao" Saitou said as he just pointed in Misao's direction while lighting a cigarette, "And this is Captain Takani, go on and shake hands or whatever you girls do"

The woman known as Captain Takani just stared over at her as if she were studying her, which made Misao uncomfortable. Luckily the tension was broken as the door burst open to see Aoshi, Kaoru, and Kenshin there.

"Now what is this?" Captain Takani question as Misao could tell she was getting aggravated, and if Misao wasn't mistaken, she could see that Saitou was as well.

"These are nobody's also who were just leaving with the weasel" Saitou said calmly as his gold eyes pierced the intruders at the door. Kenshin and Aoshi looked down as Kaoru got a little scared at his eyes. But not Misao, who just strode over to Saitou and told him sternly.

"Listen, Sai-….I mean Captain Saitou," Misao caught herself, to make herself sound more proper and mature, "I am not going leave until you tell me why we are leaving so early"

"Are you disobeying my orders weasel" Saitou asked slowly, his piercing gold eyes straight threw Misao's, whose surprisingly held their ground.

"Hmm, you remind me of someone……tell me your full name please" Captain Takani asked, breaking the staring contest Misao and Saitou were having.

"M-Misao Makimachi" Misao replied, trying to sound sternly as possible.

"I knew you sounded familiar. Your father was in the army wasn't he?"

"Y-yes he was, why, did you ever meet him?"

"Of course not, but my father was a great friend of him and they were comrades for a long time. My father told stories about he and him and how your father was." Captain Takani finished. Captain Takani looked over at Saitou sternly and announced…..

"By permission of me, I will allow her to stay here"

"You do know that she is not one of your people" Saitou said sternly, "However, to not start a fight with you, I will let her stay here. As for the others, they leave."

Captain Takani nodded her head as the others at the door closed it quietly. Captain Takani looked back at Misao.

"Why don't you go get a chair, this is probably be long"

Misao nodded and saw a creaky looking chair in the corner and grabbed it. She slid it over next to Captain Takani as sat in it, trying to look as professional as possible.

"Now, on to serious matter, have you found out where exactly they are in the mountains?" Saitou asked sternly towards Captain Takani who nodded her head.

"Yes, I sent my best troops to look and they found that there camp site is right about at the top of the mountain, if not all the way. They also said that the way there is heavily guarded with ammunition and gun power."

"Um, hey, lost here" Misao squeaked in as Saitou sighed and looked at her.

"To answer your annoying question weasel, we are leaving cause there are Iraqis right at one of the mountains that are not to far away from us that have sent up a base. They were of course the ones responsible for the destruction last night and if we stay here, they will continue to fire at us while we cant do anything. Luck is with our side today as the Iraqis used all of their bombs they had last night, so it will take them awhile to get more. I would have attacked them now during their weakest moment except I didn't know where exactly on the mountain they were and also what to expect. That is why Captain Takani is here to fill me in. Now please do be quiet while us adults are speaking"

Misao just sat their in awe as Saitou went on to talking to Captain Takani. He said all of that as if she were asking what the weather was. And not only that, he didn't even show any sign of care or fear of the situation their in.

But Misao did have to give him credit for was the plan strategy he used for this. It was only last night everybody and the camp was attacked and already he is attacking them. As much as she hated to admit it, she kind of admired the guy for his way of thinking. And it wasn't up till now that she discovered why he was chosen as a Captain.

"Weasel"

"Eh" was all Misao was able to make as both captains were looking at her.

"I said that you may leave now since me and Captain Takani have private business to talk about." Saitou said sternly. Misao looked over at captain Takani and she nodded her head as well. Misao got up from her chair and bowed to them as she went out. But just before she left, she turned around and asked one more question.

"What will happen to Sano?"

Saitou looked at her right threw her eyes as he blew smoke out and replied smoothly back.

"He will be escorted to a hospital by plane when we demolish this area once we left"

"Demolish?" Misao asked shocked.

"Of course, do you think we'll just leave a burning campsite with dead bodies lying around?"

"No…..thank you" Misao said quietly as she opened the door and closed it behind her. She saw everyone there waiting for her as she walked over to them to tell them when something hit her.

He knew

He knew that she snuck in her if he knew her father was dead. This struck Misao very deep and very puzzled as one question hung in her head….

'Why didn't he rat me out?'

It was late when she got out of their and even later when she told them the whole story. They all had shocked faces as they continued to walk towards the field were every soldier was.

"Damn, these son's of bitches are smarter than I thought" Kaoru said in fury as she held Kenshin's hand.

"Well, it's best to stick together so we'll all know where all right" Kenshin said as held Kaoru's hand back.

"That's probably the best plan I heard ever since I got here" Aoshi said silently as he to was holding Misao's hand. When they got their, they went a couple of feet away from the people as they all laid down on the cold sand. Basically they formed a line laying down which went, Kenshin, Kaoru, Misao, and Aoshi. Kenshin and Kaoru of course scrunched up together as Aoshi lightly put his arms around Misao, spooning her a little. Misao for once in her life was feeling two completely opposite feelings. Happy that she was finally in her lover's arms….

And scared to death of what the battle awaits for tomorrow……

Pretty good I think. I was a little stuck as to how I should start off with the chapter, either her waking up remembering it all, or having it start right where I ended it. But I though I should have her waking up and remembering it all cause some reviewers don't want a lot of bloody stuff and I respect their feelings so I try to not put as much angst as I would like. And I have listened to your reviews and tried to mix it up a little. Hopefully I'm doing a good job at it since I never really had to do something like this with my stories. But I like the challenge….:)

Also, I do plan on three more chapters probably for this story (so sad,…..:(..). I think this story went by fast and it's already towards the end, which is kind of sad since I think this is my best story I've ever written (and thanks to you guys!). So like always, please review and also…..THANKS TO ALL OF MY REVIEWERS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THIS STORY FOR SO LONG! I APPRECIATE A LOT!YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!