It has been quite some time since I wrote fanfic. I don't know what it is calling me back. I apologize if I'm out of practice, but I want to try to finish this story. It was a review that encouraged me to come back; it is reviews that will encourage me to finish what I have started. Please support me in this aspect if you want me to continue writing.
-the wandering KatDrama
Chapter Eight
Travels
By KatDrama
Silent gray clouds shifted overhead. Yahiko's eyes focused on the small pebble he had been kicking in front of him for the past hour. He felt like a loaded spring ready to unleash the feelings that had been bottled up inside of him for so long, but those long anticipated feelings of joy at hearing of Sachi's survival now tussled against so many new emotions that he could not identify. Foremost in his mind was a sense of betrayal. All this time Sachi had been alive, and yet she had not told them? Why? Did she forget about them that easily? Or was there some reason that she wanted to stay away from them? Concentrating at the pebble at his mercy he wound up his foot and kicked it sharply with all the frustration that was inside him. Would it be joy or anger he would feel when he met up with Sachi again? Only that one moment in time, the one moment he'd been anticipating for so long could tell.
The round pebble soared through the air, smacking a tall lanky man hard in the back of the neck. With quick reflexes his hand went up as if to swat at an annoying fly. Rubbing the back of his neck the bird-headed Sano turned around and glared at the kid. "You little punk!" He growled, his hand taking the all too familiar form of a rock hard fist. "I oughta…" He sighed and let his threat trail off when the kid continued walking by him, his brown eyes clouded over as they studied the trail before him. With a huff of annoyance he stretched his arms and rested them behind his head, matching pace with the spiky haired swordsman. "Anxious, huh?" He spoke in a more serious and subdued voice.
For a few moments Yahiko did not answer, continuing on his trance like march behind the farmer's wagon. There was a long pause before the answer came in the form of a long sigh. "Yeah…"
"There are many questions that plague us all, that they do. Not knowing whether the answers will be favorable is what disturbs you, does it not?" The swordless rurouni finally spoke, his purple eyes, having been as hard as stone since the beginning of their journey the day before now softened a bit with compassion for young Yahiko's frustrations.
"Exactly!" Yahiko finally awakened and stretched his arms wide as though asking the sky to answer all his questions. "Why would Sachi choose not to return to us? Or at least send word! All this time we thought she was…" He winced and closed his mouth. Choosing to say no more he stewed over his anger.
Finally the farmer sighed and faced the trio that tagged along behind the wagon. His weary face understood their frustrations; it was not his place, but Sachi's to answer their unbelief. "Boy…" He looked at Yahiko. "I advise you…listen with an open ear to the girl and my daughter before unleashing your anger. Though it may be justified, it is out of place." Kenshin nodded at Akio's wisdom.
Yahiko, though visibly looking remorseful, held unto his anger deep inside. Crossing his arms he could not bring his eyes to face the farmer. "So how much longer?" He asked impatiently, his feet kicking up small clouds of dust before him.
Akio looked up the road and the conditions in the sky. "I'd say about a day and a half more."
"Great." Yahiko sulked even more, his youthful chin jutting downwards with a childish pout. Kenshin could not help but restrain a laugh at his outlandish behavior, but he quickly grew silent under the boy's icy glare, though a knowing smile remained on his face.
Almost two more days Sachi…Kenshin's violet eyes traveled up to the dwindling sun in the horizon, its golden rays slanting across their path, distorting their shadows into unbelievable shapes. The rurouni's steps quickened just a bit, his sakabato's empty sheath flapping against his side as his stride lengthened. A look of determination overtook his small body, transforming him into a man eager to meet a long lost friend. His heart nearly cried with joy. Only two more days, Sachi! Hold on until then! The mismatched caravan of farmers and warriors disappeared into the bleeding sunset.