Kaoru glanced between them concern and worry furrowing her brow. Who was
this Enishi? Was he one of the breve-saol Kenshin had spoken of?
The tension was almost tangible, Kaoru was surprised to the others hadn't drawn their swords. Aoshi's face was tight, next to him Misao's face was white her eyes huge in her face. Having picked up on the tenseness of the situation, Yahiko was scowling.
If looks could kill, Enishi would have died, been buried and six feet under by now.
He seemed oblivious to it all or perhaps he just didn't' care. His turquoise gaze swept over them contemptuously. Something flickered in his eyes as they landed on her, Kaoru wasn't sure what it was and she didn't think she wanted to know.
"So you brought her."
It took a moment for Kaoru to understand who he was talking about. Her.
He was talking about her.
Her first thought was why? Why was he talking about her? Why should he care that she had come with Kenshin? Why should it matter at all? His voice sounded expectant- knowing. She should have come- she was supposed to come.
Her confusion growing within her Kaoru glared at him. "Who are you?" She snapped.
He smirked slightly (an aggravating smirk at that Kaoru noted in annoyance) in response to her question. "There is no need for you to know at the present moment. You will learn in time."
With that said he turned on his heel walking away.
"We follow him," Kenshin said squeezing Fiachra forward. His voice was tight with displeasure. It was clear to anyone with working eyeballs that the two did not like each other.
Exactly why, Kaoru made a note to ask about later.
~*~
The trees swallowed up the group as they entered, pressing tightly around them so that they could only ride in single file. The horses were kept to a slow walk and here and there Kaoru caught sight o f the man - Enishi darting ahead of them.
He was like nothing or anyone Kaoru had ever seen before. He seemed to prowl above the ground with a smooth airy grace that reminded Kaoru of one of those famed wild large cats.
He was silent as he went melting into the shadows the trees cast despite the brightness of his hair. He had the ease of one who knew this forest and was master of it all. He was the lord of this place.
With ever foot that they ventured farther Kaoru could see as well as sense Kenshin tensing. His body was held stiffly straight and Kaoru got the impression that if she touched him he would shatter, so tightly drawn was he.
Kaoru's gaze returned back to the flickering figure of Enishi, taking her thoughts away from Kenshin and back to the stranger. Where was he leading them to? If the reaction of everyone around her was any indication it was nowhere good.
She ducked a low hanging branch pulling herself out of her thoughts with the action. The tree branches dropped lower until Kaoru had no choice but to press herself against Karuna's neck lest she hit her head or get knocked off by them.
Silence hung heavy in the air. There was no sound it was as if the very trees and air had swallowed up any noise that they could make. It was definitely creepy. There was no birdsong, no whisper of the wind, no crunch of hoof against twig.
Kaoru felt like they were trapped inside their own little world one without sound and filled with only a bleak hushed deadness. Kaoru fought the urge to utter a word, make a noise, and evoke sound. anything.
The ground was flat or maybe it wasn't. Kaoru wasn't sure. They traveled suspended. There was no way of knowing.
Then suddenly Kenshin reined Fiachra in for a stop. Karuna stopped instantly as well, lifting her head and pricking her ears in interest. Kaoru raised her head from where it had rested against Karuna's neck to peer between the mare's ears. Light streaked between the trees ahead of them, cutting through the dimness and gloom that had fallen over them as they had entered the forest.
Signaled by Kenshin Fiachra walked forward once more and the rest of the horses followed. As the horses passed under the final arch of tree branches, out of the forest and into what lay beyond Kaoru felt her eyes go wide.
Whatever she had expected it certainly wasn't this. A large meadow a good several acres by her estimation spread out before them, semi-circled by towering snow dusted mountains. The grass was thick and lush and dotted with flowers of brilliant color. A sparkling brook zigzagged crookedly through the middle of the meadow. It was clear and bright and Kaoru saw the flashing shadow of a fish inside of it. It gurgled cheerfully the sound the first Kaoru had heard since following Enishi into the forest.
A corral that looked seldom used but still safe and sturdy was off the side near one of the mountain walls that ringed the meadow. It was big enough to contain all the horses they rode with ease but Kaoru doubted they would have to use it. The horses were well trained and knew not to wander away from the herd.
As her gaze passed over the meadow taking everything in Kaoru was once more in for a shock.
A hut - small cottage really was tucked against the far end of the meadow, pressed against another one of the encircling mountain walls. Its roof was thatch; a subtle golden color that glittered in the light and thick strands of vegetation climbed and draped them over its face. Flowers covered the vines, the smell Kaoru recognized instantly as white plum.
As they trickled into the meadow and began to spread apart Kaoru could see Enishi standing off the side watching them with unfriendly eyes.
Why had the come here to a place where they were so unwelcome? She wondered.
Kaoru brought Karuna to a stop and dismounted. Bringing her reins over the mare's head she led her to the corral. The gate of the corral had been opened and Kaoru brought Karuna into it, untacked her and turned the mare loose with rest of the horses.
The saddles were propped up against the fence posts of the corral with the bridles tossed over them. Kaoru placed her tack like the rest and after one last look to make sure Karuna was content (she was grazing seemingly without a care in the world). Satisfied, Kaoru turned away.
Tents were being put up - much larger and grander than the ones from the nights before. Kaoru supposed it was because this would be more a stationary base than the ones before where they were only staying the night. Here it wasn't the same case as before - it looked more permanent. Therefore the tents could be more complex and elaborate and comfort could be taken into consideration.
Would she and Kenshin still be sharing a tent? Yes, they probably would Kaoru was neither pleased nor displeased by the prospect.
She found her eyes roving back to the small cottage. Did Enishi live there? Was he alone or with company? From the way Kenshin had spoken Kaoru had pictured more than one breve-saol.
Kaoru felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and turned around to see Misao standing behind her.
"I don't like his place." Misao said softly her eyes solemn. "It has a. odd feel to it."
"What kind of feel?" Kaoru inquired feeling concern and worry flood through her. Misao was never this quiet or as serious as she was now. Something had to be wrong in order for her to be acting this way.
"A bad feel. Something happened here long ago. something bad. Something that causes sorrow to linger her long after it should have disappeared." Misao's eyes were wide and unfocused. Blank.
"Misao?" Kaoru asked tentatively.
She blinked and shook her head dazedly. "I'm sorry. What were you just saying?" She grinned brightly at Kaoru back to acting like her old chipper self.
".Nothing." Kaoru murmured.
"Oh yeah!" Misao started as if just remembering something. "Megumi says we have to help prepare dinner!"
Kaoru felt herself pale, "you know I can't cook!"
~*~
They had come to a compromise on regards to Kaoru's cooking ability (or lack there of) after Misao had informed everyone of Kaoru's dismal (and that was putting it lightly) cooking skills. Kaoru had been shooed away from the cooking food incase she accidentally do something to ruin it.
The job she had been given: chopping and washing vegetables.
That she took to with gusto hacking away with a knife with disturbing glee, carrot and other vegetable pieces zooming off into the air.
"Those poor, poor vegetables." Misao sighed ducking a wayward turnip slice as she watched over the boiling rice.
Kaoru's only reply was to laugh maniacally and continue slaughtering - er chopping up another pile of awaiting vegetables.
"Kaoru!" Megumi called from over where she was stirring a thick stew. "Will you go collect some more water?"
That was probably said to get a slightly crazed Kaoru away from the defenseless vegetables. The women working near her had been pelted with vegetable fragments ever since Kaoru had picked up the knife and attacked the vegetables.
"Sure," Kaoru set the knife down (much to everyone's relief), grabbed the water bucket and darted off to the creek.
~*~
The water rushed by at a spirited pace. Kaoru set the bucket down and bent over to gather some of the water in her cupped hands and raising them to her mouth she drank. It was cool and sweet. Kaoru wiped the remaining droplets off her face and dunked the bucket in the water to fill it.
There was a soft whisper of foot against grass and Kaoru turned around.
Behind her stood a woman Kaoru had never seen before. She wore a white kimono with purple obi and shawl. Her thick black hair was tied into a looped ponytail and bangs fell over her brown haunted looking eyes.
Her eyes were vacant as if something in her head been ripped away. Some essential part. They regarded Kaoru calmly if a bit distantly seeing her, yet not exactly registering it.
Her eyes took Kaoru in from head to toe and Kaoru felt like she was being swallowed up in that cool empty gaze.
"You are Kaoru," her voice soft, whispery and insubstantial.
"Yes," Kaoru whispered her mouth felt dry, her ears were ringing. "Who are you?"
"I," the woman stepped with every word she uttered. "Am Tomoe." they were nearly nose to nose now; Kaoru could see her bewildered reflection in those serene empty brown eyes.
Tomoe raised a hand as if to brush the bangs out of Kaoru's eyes. As her fingers stroked across her forehead a cold numbness seemed to fill her.
Kaoru's vision turned black.
~*~
Snow was falling in thick obscuring sheets. Distantly Kaoru could feel the flakes landing on her, a brief bite of cold that dwindled and became numb. They fell onto her shoulders, into her hair and coating her lashes and turning them white. Her breath puffed out in cloudy silver.
For a moment she was disorientated. Snow? Her mind though sluggishly. It had not been snowing before. Where had the snow come from?
The sky was cloudy, the sun a dim silvery metallic disc in the center. It seemed darker than it should have been. The shadows crawled out from below the trees across the ground leaving blackness in their wake like waves.
Her gaze swiveled back and forth taking everything in around her and noting the stillness of the air - the ever present silence. It seemed a tense kind of silent, expectant. wary.
As her gaze roamed through the meadow it came to a stop abruptly.
Kenshin stood in the center of the meadow his sword in hand and his eyes molten gold. A slight distance away from him was something. Kaoru felt her eyesight blur as she attempted to focus on whatever it was.
It was the remnants of a man. He stood with his back straight seemingly comprised of rotting flesh and shadows. The sword in his hand was rusted and dirt caked. The smell of death and decay was overpowering and Kaoru could feel her stomach twisting in nausea.
His face was gaunt and skeletal. Silvers of flesh hung from deep cuts across his face. His eyes were sightless and black that swirled and twisted - shadows. From where his mouth would be there was only a gaping hole that exposed rotting and yellowed teeth. His hair was black and gave the impression of it once being thick and long and most of it had fallen away to a remaining few wisps and strands barely held back by a moth eaten old strip of leather. His clothes minus a few cuts were for the most part intact. There was one large slash across his stomach and as Kaoru's eyes were laid on it she saw strands of shadows writhe and twist from somewhere deep inside the wound.
"I will not die!" The man's voice was an inhuman snarl.
"You are already dead," came Kenshin's reply.
"No!" The man howled. He lunged at Kenshin sword upraised. Kenshin dodged easily and another shadow-filled wound was made across his back.
"No. I will not die." He whirled around to face Kenshin and for a brief moment their swords met in a resounding clang of metal that seemed to echo forebodingly through the meadow.
"I will not die." It was a mantra he chanted each time he and Kenshin clashed.
Kenshin was wearing at him, hacking him to bits literally. Whenever a wound was made shadows would close over it and seal it up, healing it. The snow fell thicker around them until it became almost impossible to see. They were ghosts darting through the whiteness in flashes of crimson and black.
"Give up already. You were dead a long time ago there is no reason for you to remain here." Kenshin's eyes were glowing in the dimness.
"No," the man moaned. "I will not die. I cannot die."
"And so you sold your soul to the demons to continue living in a half- state. You are soulless. You are nothing more than a monster, one who haunts from beyond the grave and will not leave."
"I cannot die! You cannot make me die!" He screamed. With quickness Kaoru would not have expected he attacked Kenshin once more.
But then she was there.
Tomoe threw herself between them whether to halt the battle or protect the demon-man Kaoru did not know.
Time seemed to have stilled.
Kenshin's sword cut through Tomoe's body and into the demon-man's back.
The demon-man screamed and shattered - there was no other word for it. The shadows that made him up vanished and his rotted body hit the ground in pieces.
Tomoe fell to the ground crimson soaking her clothes and the snow around her. Her hair had somehow come loose and fanned about her face the blood soaking it as well. Her eyes began to dim as the life started to leave her body.
Enishi raced from the trees where he had been watching the battle and with a wordless cry fell to Tomoe's side. His hair was black Kaoru noted distantly. As she watched he placed his hands over Tomoe's wound and a bright colorless glow surrounded them.
From where he stood Kenshin watched them with blank eyes that looked dazed and unfocused; Tomoe's blood was dripping from his sword and falling onto the once pristine white snow.
The glow around Enishi and Tomoe faded gradually at first, dissipating a bit by bit. As the last wisps of it disappeared Enishi rose from Tomoe's side. His hair was shock-white, face pale and slightly gaunt. He reached out a hand toward Tomoe and Kaoru felt a thread of surprise run through her as Tomoe reached up her hand toward him weakly.
Enishi pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her holding her against him. The wound from Kenshin's sword was gone - it had vanished though her kimono was still crimson stained. Tomoe's face was almost translucently pale, her brown eyes huge in her face and filmed over slightly.
Kenshin took a step toward them his golden eyes unreadable, his face composed. His lips moved forming words that Kaoru could not hear. Tomoe smiled slightly in response to whatever he had just said and shook her head slightly. Enishi was glaring at Kenshin she noted and his arm tightened around Tomoe's waist momentarily. Slowly he began to lead her away leaving Kenshin to stand by himself in the snow.
~*~
Moon Baby: Thank you!!
Merlock12: ::hug:: Thank for your comments ^.^ !! Enishi does have some magic-ability but he's not quite what I would call a wizard but you shall see as I define his powers a bit more in the chapters to come.
Pia Bartolini: ::eyes sparkle:: All I can say is thanks! ::huggles::
I won't Tell: LOL I agree!
Koniko-chan: You're welcome. ::gives s'mores::
Aniall4: I'm glad you enjoyed it ^.^
Dove-chan: I know I didn't wake him up like you told me to but there's only so many times Kaoru can be threatened with death in the space of a story (unfortunately for her she's going to get more death threats u.u; as you will see)
Hitokiri-miao miao: I updated as quickly as I could ::offers a hog-tied and gagged Cross-Country Coach for torture).
Punky1: It's one of my favorites too ^.^ It's just so much fun to write. Don't worry I'll be keeping this one up!
Kiya Star: Untitled has been taken down for the time being for some rewriting and revising as I attempt to overcome a massive writer's block sorry.
Ymir-chan: Hai!
Crystal Renee: I'm glad you're happy ^.^ I love happy reviewers!
Hikari no Kodomo: Yep! I was flipping though a book-buying catalog that the school sends out sometimes and the title Memory, Sorrow and Thorn popped out at me. The title fit for this fic though I changed Thorn to Sword (for reasons that you will see) I'm currently trying to get a hold of the books at my local library (trying being the main word there).
Tanuki-dono: ^.^ You always leave great reviews that make me smile ::huggles::
Rekka's Angel: I liked the tent scene too it was fun to write hehe. Ferai: ^.^ At least I haven't made her run 7 miles and then ride for 3 hours without a break in between ::wince:: Today I had to do exactly that and let's just say I'm so sore I can barely type and leave it at that ::cuddles her heating pad::
Jaganshi-Summoner: I'm Tomoe-neutral. I don't dislike her but she's not my favorite character either. At least you won't have me going around waving 'Tomoe Sucks!' banners ::rolls eyes::
Kat-gurl1: I'm glad you like it ^.~
EnjeruJoshin: Sorry about leaving you hanging! I wrote more!
Poppy2: ::pats her back:: All will be revealed in time and don't worry there will be romance between Kaoru and Kenshin (eventually. ::scowls at muses).
AnimeLuver: ^.^ Am continuing and will keep continuing!
Irksome One: ::grin:: Enishi won't be (too) bad in this fic.
Ixchen: ::smiles back:: you're welcome!
JML: Yep ^.~
Keirran: ::hands her a bucket:: You keep drooling like that and you'll flood something ^.^
The tension was almost tangible, Kaoru was surprised to the others hadn't drawn their swords. Aoshi's face was tight, next to him Misao's face was white her eyes huge in her face. Having picked up on the tenseness of the situation, Yahiko was scowling.
If looks could kill, Enishi would have died, been buried and six feet under by now.
He seemed oblivious to it all or perhaps he just didn't' care. His turquoise gaze swept over them contemptuously. Something flickered in his eyes as they landed on her, Kaoru wasn't sure what it was and she didn't think she wanted to know.
"So you brought her."
It took a moment for Kaoru to understand who he was talking about. Her.
He was talking about her.
Her first thought was why? Why was he talking about her? Why should he care that she had come with Kenshin? Why should it matter at all? His voice sounded expectant- knowing. She should have come- she was supposed to come.
Her confusion growing within her Kaoru glared at him. "Who are you?" She snapped.
He smirked slightly (an aggravating smirk at that Kaoru noted in annoyance) in response to her question. "There is no need for you to know at the present moment. You will learn in time."
With that said he turned on his heel walking away.
"We follow him," Kenshin said squeezing Fiachra forward. His voice was tight with displeasure. It was clear to anyone with working eyeballs that the two did not like each other.
Exactly why, Kaoru made a note to ask about later.
~*~
The trees swallowed up the group as they entered, pressing tightly around them so that they could only ride in single file. The horses were kept to a slow walk and here and there Kaoru caught sight o f the man - Enishi darting ahead of them.
He was like nothing or anyone Kaoru had ever seen before. He seemed to prowl above the ground with a smooth airy grace that reminded Kaoru of one of those famed wild large cats.
He was silent as he went melting into the shadows the trees cast despite the brightness of his hair. He had the ease of one who knew this forest and was master of it all. He was the lord of this place.
With ever foot that they ventured farther Kaoru could see as well as sense Kenshin tensing. His body was held stiffly straight and Kaoru got the impression that if she touched him he would shatter, so tightly drawn was he.
Kaoru's gaze returned back to the flickering figure of Enishi, taking her thoughts away from Kenshin and back to the stranger. Where was he leading them to? If the reaction of everyone around her was any indication it was nowhere good.
She ducked a low hanging branch pulling herself out of her thoughts with the action. The tree branches dropped lower until Kaoru had no choice but to press herself against Karuna's neck lest she hit her head or get knocked off by them.
Silence hung heavy in the air. There was no sound it was as if the very trees and air had swallowed up any noise that they could make. It was definitely creepy. There was no birdsong, no whisper of the wind, no crunch of hoof against twig.
Kaoru felt like they were trapped inside their own little world one without sound and filled with only a bleak hushed deadness. Kaoru fought the urge to utter a word, make a noise, and evoke sound. anything.
The ground was flat or maybe it wasn't. Kaoru wasn't sure. They traveled suspended. There was no way of knowing.
Then suddenly Kenshin reined Fiachra in for a stop. Karuna stopped instantly as well, lifting her head and pricking her ears in interest. Kaoru raised her head from where it had rested against Karuna's neck to peer between the mare's ears. Light streaked between the trees ahead of them, cutting through the dimness and gloom that had fallen over them as they had entered the forest.
Signaled by Kenshin Fiachra walked forward once more and the rest of the horses followed. As the horses passed under the final arch of tree branches, out of the forest and into what lay beyond Kaoru felt her eyes go wide.
Whatever she had expected it certainly wasn't this. A large meadow a good several acres by her estimation spread out before them, semi-circled by towering snow dusted mountains. The grass was thick and lush and dotted with flowers of brilliant color. A sparkling brook zigzagged crookedly through the middle of the meadow. It was clear and bright and Kaoru saw the flashing shadow of a fish inside of it. It gurgled cheerfully the sound the first Kaoru had heard since following Enishi into the forest.
A corral that looked seldom used but still safe and sturdy was off the side near one of the mountain walls that ringed the meadow. It was big enough to contain all the horses they rode with ease but Kaoru doubted they would have to use it. The horses were well trained and knew not to wander away from the herd.
As her gaze passed over the meadow taking everything in Kaoru was once more in for a shock.
A hut - small cottage really was tucked against the far end of the meadow, pressed against another one of the encircling mountain walls. Its roof was thatch; a subtle golden color that glittered in the light and thick strands of vegetation climbed and draped them over its face. Flowers covered the vines, the smell Kaoru recognized instantly as white plum.
As they trickled into the meadow and began to spread apart Kaoru could see Enishi standing off the side watching them with unfriendly eyes.
Why had the come here to a place where they were so unwelcome? She wondered.
Kaoru brought Karuna to a stop and dismounted. Bringing her reins over the mare's head she led her to the corral. The gate of the corral had been opened and Kaoru brought Karuna into it, untacked her and turned the mare loose with rest of the horses.
The saddles were propped up against the fence posts of the corral with the bridles tossed over them. Kaoru placed her tack like the rest and after one last look to make sure Karuna was content (she was grazing seemingly without a care in the world). Satisfied, Kaoru turned away.
Tents were being put up - much larger and grander than the ones from the nights before. Kaoru supposed it was because this would be more a stationary base than the ones before where they were only staying the night. Here it wasn't the same case as before - it looked more permanent. Therefore the tents could be more complex and elaborate and comfort could be taken into consideration.
Would she and Kenshin still be sharing a tent? Yes, they probably would Kaoru was neither pleased nor displeased by the prospect.
She found her eyes roving back to the small cottage. Did Enishi live there? Was he alone or with company? From the way Kenshin had spoken Kaoru had pictured more than one breve-saol.
Kaoru felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and turned around to see Misao standing behind her.
"I don't like his place." Misao said softly her eyes solemn. "It has a. odd feel to it."
"What kind of feel?" Kaoru inquired feeling concern and worry flood through her. Misao was never this quiet or as serious as she was now. Something had to be wrong in order for her to be acting this way.
"A bad feel. Something happened here long ago. something bad. Something that causes sorrow to linger her long after it should have disappeared." Misao's eyes were wide and unfocused. Blank.
"Misao?" Kaoru asked tentatively.
She blinked and shook her head dazedly. "I'm sorry. What were you just saying?" She grinned brightly at Kaoru back to acting like her old chipper self.
".Nothing." Kaoru murmured.
"Oh yeah!" Misao started as if just remembering something. "Megumi says we have to help prepare dinner!"
Kaoru felt herself pale, "you know I can't cook!"
~*~
They had come to a compromise on regards to Kaoru's cooking ability (or lack there of) after Misao had informed everyone of Kaoru's dismal (and that was putting it lightly) cooking skills. Kaoru had been shooed away from the cooking food incase she accidentally do something to ruin it.
The job she had been given: chopping and washing vegetables.
That she took to with gusto hacking away with a knife with disturbing glee, carrot and other vegetable pieces zooming off into the air.
"Those poor, poor vegetables." Misao sighed ducking a wayward turnip slice as she watched over the boiling rice.
Kaoru's only reply was to laugh maniacally and continue slaughtering - er chopping up another pile of awaiting vegetables.
"Kaoru!" Megumi called from over where she was stirring a thick stew. "Will you go collect some more water?"
That was probably said to get a slightly crazed Kaoru away from the defenseless vegetables. The women working near her had been pelted with vegetable fragments ever since Kaoru had picked up the knife and attacked the vegetables.
"Sure," Kaoru set the knife down (much to everyone's relief), grabbed the water bucket and darted off to the creek.
~*~
The water rushed by at a spirited pace. Kaoru set the bucket down and bent over to gather some of the water in her cupped hands and raising them to her mouth she drank. It was cool and sweet. Kaoru wiped the remaining droplets off her face and dunked the bucket in the water to fill it.
There was a soft whisper of foot against grass and Kaoru turned around.
Behind her stood a woman Kaoru had never seen before. She wore a white kimono with purple obi and shawl. Her thick black hair was tied into a looped ponytail and bangs fell over her brown haunted looking eyes.
Her eyes were vacant as if something in her head been ripped away. Some essential part. They regarded Kaoru calmly if a bit distantly seeing her, yet not exactly registering it.
Her eyes took Kaoru in from head to toe and Kaoru felt like she was being swallowed up in that cool empty gaze.
"You are Kaoru," her voice soft, whispery and insubstantial.
"Yes," Kaoru whispered her mouth felt dry, her ears were ringing. "Who are you?"
"I," the woman stepped with every word she uttered. "Am Tomoe." they were nearly nose to nose now; Kaoru could see her bewildered reflection in those serene empty brown eyes.
Tomoe raised a hand as if to brush the bangs out of Kaoru's eyes. As her fingers stroked across her forehead a cold numbness seemed to fill her.
Kaoru's vision turned black.
~*~
Snow was falling in thick obscuring sheets. Distantly Kaoru could feel the flakes landing on her, a brief bite of cold that dwindled and became numb. They fell onto her shoulders, into her hair and coating her lashes and turning them white. Her breath puffed out in cloudy silver.
For a moment she was disorientated. Snow? Her mind though sluggishly. It had not been snowing before. Where had the snow come from?
The sky was cloudy, the sun a dim silvery metallic disc in the center. It seemed darker than it should have been. The shadows crawled out from below the trees across the ground leaving blackness in their wake like waves.
Her gaze swiveled back and forth taking everything in around her and noting the stillness of the air - the ever present silence. It seemed a tense kind of silent, expectant. wary.
As her gaze roamed through the meadow it came to a stop abruptly.
Kenshin stood in the center of the meadow his sword in hand and his eyes molten gold. A slight distance away from him was something. Kaoru felt her eyesight blur as she attempted to focus on whatever it was.
It was the remnants of a man. He stood with his back straight seemingly comprised of rotting flesh and shadows. The sword in his hand was rusted and dirt caked. The smell of death and decay was overpowering and Kaoru could feel her stomach twisting in nausea.
His face was gaunt and skeletal. Silvers of flesh hung from deep cuts across his face. His eyes were sightless and black that swirled and twisted - shadows. From where his mouth would be there was only a gaping hole that exposed rotting and yellowed teeth. His hair was black and gave the impression of it once being thick and long and most of it had fallen away to a remaining few wisps and strands barely held back by a moth eaten old strip of leather. His clothes minus a few cuts were for the most part intact. There was one large slash across his stomach and as Kaoru's eyes were laid on it she saw strands of shadows writhe and twist from somewhere deep inside the wound.
"I will not die!" The man's voice was an inhuman snarl.
"You are already dead," came Kenshin's reply.
"No!" The man howled. He lunged at Kenshin sword upraised. Kenshin dodged easily and another shadow-filled wound was made across his back.
"No. I will not die." He whirled around to face Kenshin and for a brief moment their swords met in a resounding clang of metal that seemed to echo forebodingly through the meadow.
"I will not die." It was a mantra he chanted each time he and Kenshin clashed.
Kenshin was wearing at him, hacking him to bits literally. Whenever a wound was made shadows would close over it and seal it up, healing it. The snow fell thicker around them until it became almost impossible to see. They were ghosts darting through the whiteness in flashes of crimson and black.
"Give up already. You were dead a long time ago there is no reason for you to remain here." Kenshin's eyes were glowing in the dimness.
"No," the man moaned. "I will not die. I cannot die."
"And so you sold your soul to the demons to continue living in a half- state. You are soulless. You are nothing more than a monster, one who haunts from beyond the grave and will not leave."
"I cannot die! You cannot make me die!" He screamed. With quickness Kaoru would not have expected he attacked Kenshin once more.
But then she was there.
Tomoe threw herself between them whether to halt the battle or protect the demon-man Kaoru did not know.
Time seemed to have stilled.
Kenshin's sword cut through Tomoe's body and into the demon-man's back.
The demon-man screamed and shattered - there was no other word for it. The shadows that made him up vanished and his rotted body hit the ground in pieces.
Tomoe fell to the ground crimson soaking her clothes and the snow around her. Her hair had somehow come loose and fanned about her face the blood soaking it as well. Her eyes began to dim as the life started to leave her body.
Enishi raced from the trees where he had been watching the battle and with a wordless cry fell to Tomoe's side. His hair was black Kaoru noted distantly. As she watched he placed his hands over Tomoe's wound and a bright colorless glow surrounded them.
From where he stood Kenshin watched them with blank eyes that looked dazed and unfocused; Tomoe's blood was dripping from his sword and falling onto the once pristine white snow.
The glow around Enishi and Tomoe faded gradually at first, dissipating a bit by bit. As the last wisps of it disappeared Enishi rose from Tomoe's side. His hair was shock-white, face pale and slightly gaunt. He reached out a hand toward Tomoe and Kaoru felt a thread of surprise run through her as Tomoe reached up her hand toward him weakly.
Enishi pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her holding her against him. The wound from Kenshin's sword was gone - it had vanished though her kimono was still crimson stained. Tomoe's face was almost translucently pale, her brown eyes huge in her face and filmed over slightly.
Kenshin took a step toward them his golden eyes unreadable, his face composed. His lips moved forming words that Kaoru could not hear. Tomoe smiled slightly in response to whatever he had just said and shook her head slightly. Enishi was glaring at Kenshin she noted and his arm tightened around Tomoe's waist momentarily. Slowly he began to lead her away leaving Kenshin to stand by himself in the snow.
~*~
Moon Baby: Thank you!!
Merlock12: ::hug:: Thank for your comments ^.^ !! Enishi does have some magic-ability but he's not quite what I would call a wizard but you shall see as I define his powers a bit more in the chapters to come.
Pia Bartolini: ::eyes sparkle:: All I can say is thanks! ::huggles::
I won't Tell: LOL I agree!
Koniko-chan: You're welcome. ::gives s'mores::
Aniall4: I'm glad you enjoyed it ^.^
Dove-chan: I know I didn't wake him up like you told me to but there's only so many times Kaoru can be threatened with death in the space of a story (unfortunately for her she's going to get more death threats u.u; as you will see)
Hitokiri-miao miao: I updated as quickly as I could ::offers a hog-tied and gagged Cross-Country Coach for torture).
Punky1: It's one of my favorites too ^.^ It's just so much fun to write. Don't worry I'll be keeping this one up!
Kiya Star: Untitled has been taken down for the time being for some rewriting and revising as I attempt to overcome a massive writer's block sorry.
Ymir-chan: Hai!
Crystal Renee: I'm glad you're happy ^.^ I love happy reviewers!
Hikari no Kodomo: Yep! I was flipping though a book-buying catalog that the school sends out sometimes and the title Memory, Sorrow and Thorn popped out at me. The title fit for this fic though I changed Thorn to Sword (for reasons that you will see) I'm currently trying to get a hold of the books at my local library (trying being the main word there).
Tanuki-dono: ^.^ You always leave great reviews that make me smile ::huggles::
Rekka's Angel: I liked the tent scene too it was fun to write hehe. Ferai: ^.^ At least I haven't made her run 7 miles and then ride for 3 hours without a break in between ::wince:: Today I had to do exactly that and let's just say I'm so sore I can barely type and leave it at that ::cuddles her heating pad::
Jaganshi-Summoner: I'm Tomoe-neutral. I don't dislike her but she's not my favorite character either. At least you won't have me going around waving 'Tomoe Sucks!' banners ::rolls eyes::
Kat-gurl1: I'm glad you like it ^.~
EnjeruJoshin: Sorry about leaving you hanging! I wrote more!
Poppy2: ::pats her back:: All will be revealed in time and don't worry there will be romance between Kaoru and Kenshin (eventually. ::scowls at muses).
AnimeLuver: ^.^ Am continuing and will keep continuing!
Irksome One: ::grin:: Enishi won't be (too) bad in this fic.
Ixchen: ::smiles back:: you're welcome!
JML: Yep ^.~
Keirran: ::hands her a bucket:: You keep drooling like that and you'll flood something ^.^