Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin
Chapter Ten:
Silence filled the cold atmosphere, as Battousai awaited patiently for Kaoru's answer. Kaoru on the other hand felt a mixture of both fear and panic as she looked into the eyes of Battousai. She had absolutely no clue on what was going on in that head of his.
"Well?"
Before Kaoru could answer, the door behind her jerked open.
"Eh…Are we interrupting in something?" Sano asked cheekily. Upon hearing this, Kaoru blushed, whereas Battousai simply ignored the question and limped back towards the bed.
"Silence means consent then! Next time when you both need privacy, remember to…"
"IT'S NOTHING SANO! I was just asking about Battousai's wounds…Yeah…Th…that's all! Now if you will excuse me…I have to go…get…something!" Kaoru stammered as she rushed out of the room. As they watch Kaoru ran out, Megumi slapped Sano's head from behind.
"ITAI! What was that for fox?"
"That's for just being plain dumb…" Megumi replied as she slapped his head once more. "This is for being too crude with your words just now! Don't you ever think before you act?"
Rubbing his head in agony, Sano cocked an eyebrow at the comment made. "What are you blabbering about? I always talk to Kaoru that way."
"Baka! There are just some things you can't go about asking like that…"
"Huh?"
"Forget it…You are just too boorish to understand…"
"Nani! For your information, I am quite…"
"Yes, yes…Now move it! I have to give Battousai here an examination." She cut in, pushing Sano out of the room, ignoring his complains. Finally the door clicked shut, and Megumi turned to face Battousai who at that point of time, was comfortably sitting on the edge of the bed, not giving a care for what had just happened.
"I see you are feeling better, much better than when I saw you three nights ago."
Battousai showed a slight reaction at the last statement made. "Three nights?"
"Yup. After Kaoru rescued you from the alley, you were knocked out cold for three nights. I had expected you to wake up around a week later. Haha…a clear effect of TLC."
"…"
"Tender, Loving, Care. From what I heard from Sano, Kaoru has been taking care of you ever since the day you got injured. And I must say she did a great job…"
"Whatever…"
"Look I don't know what happened between the both of you just now…But I for once feel that you should treat her with a little bit more respect. After all, she is a girl, and she has her pride. Try to be a bit more…"
"Did you come all the way down here to lecture me on my behavior?"
"Haha…I guess nothing can ever escape you. After visiting you three nights ago, I went to report to Katsura about your condition."
-----------------
Flashback:
(Knock, Knock)
"Come in."
"Katsura-sama."
"Ah, Megumi! I have been waiting for you. Come take a seat. Tea?"
"Yes, thank you." Megumi answered, as Katsura poured her a cup of tea. Silence filled the air; all that could be heard was the ticking sound of the grandfather clock at the corner of Katsura's room. Finally after taking a sip of his tea, Katsura asked: "How's Battousai?"
"He'll live."
"Good, good to hear!"
"However, his injuries this time round are rather serious. It should put him out of work for a few months."
"Few months? At least…"
"1-2 months."
"I see…concerning the place he is…"
"That you need not worry. He is staying with the Kamiyas. From my observation, it's a rather remote place, at least a few miles away from town."
"Excellent." Katsura replied, sipping from his cup of tea, remaining as calm as ever.
"Katsura-sama, don't mind me asking, but what do you intend to do?"
"Haha…to tell you the truth, I am just as clueless as you. I was planning to have Battousai do a few jobs for me this week, but now since he has gotten himself into some shit, I have to redo all my plans."
Megumi was stunned at Katsura's answer. Despite the many times when she had conversed with Katsura, she was truly afraid this time round because of his calm yet infuriated mood.
"I…I…" Before she could say any more, Katsura held up his hand.
"No need to explain…I understand. Therefore I have come to a decision. Battousai will continue to stay undercover with the Kamiyas until he is well enough to come back to work. He is not to disclose anything about the Ishinshishi to anyone there. Nor is he allowed to kill anyone during this period of time unless my order has been given. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
End of Flashback
-----------------------
"Is that all?"
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Concerning your sword, Katsura suspected as much you would have either lost it or it would have received much damage from the fight. So he would be sending over an identical sword to you. It should be arriving today, if I am correct."
"Thank Katsura on my behalf. I can assure him that I will definitely not reveal who I really am and the Ishinshishi; however concerning whether I will show aggression to anyone during my dormant period, that I have no guarantee."
(Smirk) "I thought as much. I'll let him know that. Right now, I think it's time for me to be on my way."
"You know the way out."
"Haha…still as cold as ever I see. Glad to know that. Remember the usual rules: No cold showers. Avoid vigorous exercise and control that foul temper of yours, lest it might affect your condition."
"Hmph…"
"Oh yes, and another thing…"Megumi continued as she opened the door. "Follow Your Heart."
"What?"
"Follow Your Heart. I'm sure a man like you can understand this simple word of advice. Ta-ta!" And with that, Megumi disappeared out of the room.
Battousai snorted at the last remark given. "Follow my heart, what kind of stupid advice is this?" Despite him saying so, Battousai found himself thinking more and more about the advice.
"Argh! Whatever…Why should I even be bothered? I live by my rules only…" Battousai finally said to himself as he plopped himself down onto the bed. Just as he was about to shut his eyes, there was another knock on the door. Irritated, he forced himself to get up once more and angrily shouted: "Who is it?"
"Yahiko, Kaoru's younger brother."
"…Come in."
"I brought you your breakfast. It's not much, but that's about all we have." Yahiko said as he entered the room. In his hands was a tray of food: A cup of green tea and two cream doughnuts.
"Take it out. I'm not hungry." Battousai said callously, before he lay back down upon the bed. Now Yahiko was a short-tempered boy, if who-so-ever ever gave him such attitude, he would have exploded long ago; yet, this time round, he kept his cool.
"But you have to eat…According to…"
"Hmph! What right does a brat like you have to tell me what to do?" With that last remark made, Yahiko lost control of his anger. He could not allow this man to insult his dignity and get away with it that easily.
"And what right do you have to call me a brat? You don't even know me! I may be young but I have matured much for my age. I do not behave like some kids who always think about nothing but themselves. So don't you dare call me a brat!" he shouted aloud as he banged the tray of food onto the wooden table.
Just as he was about to leave, he turned and face Battousai once more. "By the way, it wasn't me who wanted you to eat in the first place. Honestly speaking I couldn't be bothered whether you starved or not, but Kaoru seemed to, so she specifically asked me to make sure you ate 3 decent meals. So THERE!" he shouted slamming the door behind him.
After Yahiko left the room, Battousai remained where he was. Usually if there was even a slightest insult thrown at him, he would have immediately killed that person, even if it was a child. This time round however, he didn't…something, once more held him back from doing so. Just then, his eyes came upon the tray of food that had been dumped carelessly on the table. Before he knew it, he found himself limping towards it. Finally after much struggle, he managed to settle himself into the chair next to it.
'Feisty kid…' he thought as he picked up a bun to eat. 'Just like his sister.'
Ishinshishi Head-quarters
"Yes, yes. I understand…I'll tell you my answer, let's say around next week…Yes, work here has been rather stressful after my best man went out of action…Alright then talk to you soon…Cheers!" Katsura smirked to himself as he pushed the 'off' button on his mobile phone.
"Don't mind me asking, Katsura-sama, demo…who was that on the other line?"
"That? Oh! That was the Wolf, dear lad!"
"Th…the wolf?"
"No need to get all worried sonny boy! He called for work! Seems the Shinsengumi has met their share of problems as well." Katsura said as he lighted his cigar.
"Sir?"
"Haha…there is no need for you to worry about anything Kubei! Just relax…everything is under control." He replied, taking a huge puff.
"Shouldn't we let Battousai know? After all, he has some grudge against the Wolf."
"Haha…not now boy. Time will reveal the right time for Battousai to know…Only Time will tell…"
Kaoru struggled her way up the stairs towards her apartment. She had spent all afternoon looking for Battousai's lost sword. She did felt scared of what Battousai might do if he didn't had his sword, but her guilt of not properly taking care of it in the first place, overcame the fear, and gave her the motivation to find it.
"This is not my day…" she said to herself. "First the garbage man took the sword away just as I entered the alley. Then I had to search the garbage dump for nearly 3 hours to find his stupid sword. Now the FREAKING LIFT broke down…What else could happen…"
As Kaoru entered her apartment, she met to her surprise, Battousai, who was comfortably sitting on the sofa watching Sano's stolen TV (A/N: Remember Chapter 3…Sano and his stolen TV…)
"Good, you're finally home. I was waiting for you."
"I…I was about to look for you too. Look! I finally found your sword!" Kaoru proudly said as she threw Battousai his sheathed sword. Battousai observed it for a few moments; he then proceeded to unsheathe it and further took out the bloodied sword.
"No problems I see. Now, now, no need to thank…"
"Actually I don't need this sword anymore. Megumi managed to get me a new one, and it would be arriving today. So you can throw it away for all I care." He replied coolly, sheathing the sword, and throwing it back to Kaoru.
Kaoru simply became stoned. She could not believe what she had just heard. After going through so much trouble getting herself dirty, running after garbage trucks, climbing up the stairs, he dares tell her that he doesn't need the sword anymore!
"By the way, didn't you learn that when you borrow something from someone, you should always return it in the same condition as it was before? This sword is filthy…" Before he could continue, Kaoru had already unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards his throat. Her anger had completely taken over her, and she had lost all control over herself.
"You…YOU UNGRATEFUL, MORONIC IDIOT!" she choked. "I went through so much just to get your sword back, and instead of saying a single 'thank you', you lecture me and tell me you don't need it anymore. I mean…don't you ever think of others at all? How could you be so insensitive? Why I…I am gonna KILL YOU!" She screamed as she charged forward.
However, as she did so, Battousai, with his god-like speed, managed to dodge it in time, and tackled her from behind, causing Kaoru to drop the sword, and land straight into his arms.
"Let me go! I am warning…"
"Thank you." He whispered. Kaoru was stunned for words. She had never expected Battousai to actually say those words. Finally, after what seems to have last for hours, Kaoru replied softly: "You're welcome."
"What are you guys doing?" At that moment, Kaoru panicked. The voice that spoke came from none other than Yahiko, her nosey little brother. She struggled her way out of Battousai's arms, and was about to reply when…
"I was just helping your sister up. She was feeling dizzy, and almost fainted." Battousai said impassively.
"Is that true Kaoru? Are you feeling ill? I'll go get Megumi…" Yahiko asked with concern in his eyes, examining his dumb-founded sister.
"I…I'm…fine Yahiko-chan. Just a bit of a head-ache that's all. A little rest would cure it all. No worries…" As Yahiko heard his sister words and seeing her smile, he sighed with a sense of relief.
"Youkatta… Don't get me wrong here that I care for you and all that much yet…Just that if you're ill, there will be one person short doing all the work around here…And DON'T call me YAHIKO-CHAN!"
"Haha…hai hai…" Kaoru laughed as she ruffled her brother's hair, receiving much complains from him because of that. Then it came to her notice that Battousai was still around, waiting for their 'touching scene' to end.
"Yahiko, do me a favor. Since I have a head-ache and all, well…I was hoping you would go down to the store and fetch me some painkillers. Please? Onegai?" Yahiko, at first shook his head all the way, refusing to budge; but after much 'persuasion'…
"OK, OK! I'll go already! I can't stand it when you use those 'eyes' on me! Sheesh… By the way, take a shower will you? You smell!" he shouted. As he was leaving, he shot Battousai a glance that could kill, somewhat telling him that if he ever dares hurt Kaoru, he will personally kill him.
"Battousai watched the door close before he began to speak once more. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, I have a proposition for you."
Kaoru cocked an eyebrow at the statement made. She wondered, why does the 'great' Battousai want to make a deal with her?
"I would like to stay at your place for a few months, perhaps maybe 1-2 months."
"WHAT?" Kaoru screamed. "You MUST be joking. My house, this shaggy-looking apartment? WHY?"
"Well you can honestly see the answer for yourself." He replied calmly, showing her his bandaged wounds. "Doctor's orders I guess…States that I can't afford to do any form of vigorous exercises, which means no traveling. Plus, Megumi thought it would be more convenient for her if I would to stay here, seems I stay too far away from her clinic. And since you was kind enough to rescue me, I don't suppose you mind letting me stay here."
"I…I…Well…You can't!"
"And why not?" Battousai smirked as he settled himself down once more onto the couch.
"Well…There are not enough rooms. You can't expect me to allow you to continue to sleep in Sano's room; I mean where would he stay?"
"That won't be a problem. Megumi just told me that she had an extra mattress that her clinic does not need. Since it was still new, she couldn't bear the thought of throwing it away, so she decided to pass it to me to sleep on during my stay here. Sano will bring it back tonight."
"Then…what about the lodging? You can't expect us to support you. I mean we barely…"
"I'll pay a rent of $1000 a month. If you permit, I'll pay you this month's rent straight away."
"I…I…"
"Well Ms. Kamiya? Do I hear a yes?"
The day fell, and soon the moon replaced the sun in the sky, shining brightly as ever. At the little shabby apartment, the Kamiyas and Battousai were just settling down in the living room for a private meeting that would change their lives forever.
"What is it Kaoru? Why a family meeting all of sudden?"
"Yeah Busu. What's up?"
"Guys…" Kaoru slowly began. "I have a major announcement to make. I know it would be a bit shock to you all at first, but I just wanted to let you all know that the decision was made at the benefit of…"
"Yeah, yeah, cut the crap and get to the point Busu."
"FINE!" Kaoru took a deep breath and finally she blurted out the unbelievable news. "Battousai will be staying with us a little longer than expected."
"WHAT?" both males screamed.
"I knew you both would have that expression. Well you see Battousai is still quite injured and needs to recuperate. So under Megumi's orders, he is to stay here until she deems him well enough to take care of himself. Plus he's paying rent, so…"
"How long?" Yahiko asked with irritation in his voice.
"Time is not really a factor here…"
"How long?"
"About 1-2 months." Kaoru murmured, hoping Yahiko would not hear, but he did and he was hopping mad.
"2 MONTHS? KAORU, ARE YOU INSANE?"
"Chill Yahiko. Battousai needs his rest under Fox's orders, plus he's even… "
"Sano, you and Battousai will be sharing a room."
"WHAT? MY...MY ROOM?"
"Well not exactly your room, you see he has his own mattress, so you don't have to share a bed with him."
"Yeah…but still MY ROOM?"
"Chill Sano, I mean it's just 2 months. After all, someone just said Battousai needed his rest!"
"Why you little…"
"Sano, Yahiko, I am sure that during this period of time, you both will definitely become good 'acquaintances' with Battousai. So…"
"Wait, wait, wait! Now hold on a sec! Can't we just take time off now to discuss about it, instead of rushing into things here? I mean it's not as if, you already signed a contract or something rite…" Sano assured himself and Yahiko.
"Well, actually…"
"YOU DIDN'T!" Sano startled up once more.
"She did." All heads immediately turned towards their unwanted guest. "Right here, it clearly shows that Kamiya Kaoru has signed a contract concerning the renting out of a room to Battousai, which is me."
"WHAT?"
"Thus because of so, the contract is made valid, and both parties should not under any circumstances breach it if not will face the penalty fine of $1,000,000."
At this point, both males' jaw practically dropped. Reality of the current situation hit them like a brick, and they could not believe what had just happened.
One week later…
After having a dreadful discussion with her brothers that night, Kaoru managed to get both of them to somewhat accept what had been done. Still, despite they had agreed to abide by the contract, there was still an air of tension every time Battousai and her brothers met. So far, it was just a few exchanges of glances and sarcastic remarks, nothing serious enough to break out into an argument or fight. But she never took the peace for granted and was always on the alert for anything that might happen.
'Man! It's already one week, and they still behave like they are enemies.' Kaoru thought to herself as she mopped the floor. It has almost been a week since Yahiko and Kaoru started working at Akabeko's. So far, they were extremely thrilled to work together with Tae and Tsubame. They didn't had to worry whether they would fit into their new working place as Tae made them feel so at home, neither did they have to worry about food as meals were provided.
"Kaoru! Kaoru dear, are you done with the floor? It's going to be 5 soon."
"Oh yes, I'm just about done Tae-san." Kaoru said, snapping out of her own thoughts, and finishing the last part of the floor. "There we go! All done!"
"Arigato Kaoru. You and your brother have been such a great help around here."
"Haha! No need to thank us Tae-san! We should be the ones thanking you, if you had not given us a job here, we would still be walking around, jobless." Kaoru replied hastily, bowing to show her gratitude. Tae smiled at the gesture Kaoru shown.
"Hey Busu! We need a little help here in the kitchen! So when you are done 'dreaming', get your butt over here!"
"Why you little…You just wait! When I get my hands on you…" Kaoru muttered to herself, as she hurried her way towards the kitchen. Soon after, Tae could hear the two siblings arguing; Tsubame's voice could also be heard a few times, as she tried her best to calm both parties.
Tae chuckled to herself. Kaoru and Yahiko had been the best two helpers she ever hired. Both of them are not only hard-working, they also add a little spice to Akabeko, making the place into a much more bustling and lively place. With their addition, Akabeko's business had never been better. They had become somewhat family to them already.
"Tae-san!" Tsubame said as she came running out of the kitchen. "You have to stop those two. They even begin hitting each other with a broom and mop."
"Haha…Why are you so worried for them? They do this almost everyday."
"Demo…"
"Don't worry so much…They're siblings. They will not have the heart to kill each other yet."
"But, Yahiko is…"
"Yahiko? Oh! Now I see…"
"Eh?"
"Looks like my little sister here have a little crush!" After hearing the word "crush" being mentioned, Tsubame face went red.
"I..ie..Iie…"
"There, there. No need to deny."
"Demo! I…Well…Yahiko…"
"Haha…alright, alright. No more jokes…5 is just around the corner. You better go back in the kitchen and let those two know."
"Hai!"
Sano walked down the steps of the motel where they lived. In his hands were bags of garbage which had accumulated over the week. It seems that since Kaoru and Yahiko had been busy with their new jobs; it was down to Battousai and Sano to take care of the house most of the time. However, the duo was not exactly the type that would be really bothered about the mess until it has reached to an undesirable stage.
"Stupid bags of garbage…I hardly get an off-day, and what am I doing, clearing the trash. And that stupid Battousai fellow, he lives there and doesn't even bother to lift a finger…" Sano grumbled to himself as he made his way to the dark alley where the garbage was usually collected in the morning.
"Ok, now I am beginning to sound like Kaoru." He chuckled to himself.
Just as he was about to leave the alley, he was approached by three brawny, powerfully-built ruffians, two of which carrying pipes in their hands.
"Well, long time no see you three. I'm touched you guys even bothered to come all the way down to Kyoto just to look for…"
"Cut the crap Sagara. We are here to collect a debt." The tallest of the brutes spat.
"A debt? I honestly do not know what you are talking about."
"The debt that was unpaid before you left Sagara. The $20K you still owe our boss."
"$20K? I do remember it was $10K the last time."
"Ever heard of interest Sagara?"
Sano slapped his head. It had been quite a while since he had borrowed money from brutes like them, not since after he had distinctively promised his younger sister never to gamble again.
"Now that you have recalled. Pay up!"
"Haha, I'm sorry gentlemen, I have no dough to pay you guys back. But if you really want the money back, you've got to get it back from the train station, the restaurant in which we ate in before coming here and etc."
"Oh no! We don't have to go to that extent yet Sagara. I heard you came here with your darling siblings. I'm sure they will fetch a hefty price at the black market. Don't you thick so boys?" With that, the three men started smirking with a tinge of evil in their laughter.
Sano clenched his fists in anger. The last thing he wanted was his family being threatened.
"Your fight is with me Sean! Leave my family out of this."
"I'm afraid I can't do that Sagara. Though yes my feud is with you, yet I still have to answer to my boss in some way or another." He replied as he snapped his finger. Immediately, the other made their way out of the alley, and soon disappeared in the mist.
"Shit you Sean!" Sano shouted as he charged towards him.
However Sean quickly avoided the attack and delivered a jaw-breaking punch in return which sent Sano flying towards the trash bins near-by. He then continued to kick him numerous times before picking up a nearby stick. (A/N: Sean is the guy that is without a weapon)
"You are such a fool Sagara. You actually think you can beat me? Haha! Once I am done with you, my other two men would have captured your two darling siblings."
Sano felt rage running through him; he was not about ready to allow this fiend to do anything of any sort to his younger siblings. Yet just as he was about to get up, he was held down once more as Sean placed his bulky foot against his neck.
"Uh-uh. It's time to end this!"
CLANG
Sean was about to bring the hard cold pipe down upon Sano's head, when his actions were abruptly halted. His pipe met with another sort of metal. As he looked up to see who else could have the power to stop him, his eyes met with cold amber ones.
"Who the hell are you?"
silence
"I asked who the hell are…" Before he could finish, he was immediately send flying towards the other end of the alley, with a swing of the opposing metal.
"What the hell!" Sean cursed as he struggled to get up. "So you want to fight do you? Bring it on!"
With that the two men charged at each other. In just within seconds, Sean had taken the beating of his life. He was severely injured, with many cuts and bruises on his body. He laid against the wall, unconscious, his blood slowly seeping out of the wounds.
Sano watched from where he was. He gasped when he saw Sean being flung to the other end. He could not believe that Battousai actually had that sort of ability. Battousai walked towards the dumb-founded Sano, sheathing his sword along the way.
"Is he…"
"No. Just barely, those wounds won't kill him yet.
"But why?"
"Hmph…I just needed to exercise a bit." Sano cocked his eyebrow at the answer given. If that was what Battousai called an exercise, then many had already been in the hospital long before.
"Shit!"
"What now?"
"Kaoru and Yahiko! Sean's other two brutes are going after them this instant! We got to save them!" Sano said as he struggled to get up. Battousai watched the injured man; suddenly an unknown feeling surged through his body. He didn't know what it was exactly then, but it seemed to be telling him to go save Kaoru and Yahiko.
"Don't bother, with your wounds, by the time you reach there, they would have been dead."
"Then what do you suggest doing then. You go save them while I sit here and wait like a stool pigeon?"
"Yes, unless you would prefer to make your way to Megumi's instead." Battousai replied before he sped off towards Akebeko, leaving behind a rather speechless Sano.
-------------------------
Akebeko
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"Well that's that." Tae said as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. Akebeko as usual had met with a booming crowd that night, and they had just closed for the day.
"Oh my, it's that late already. Kaoru dear, I think you both better get going soon, or else your elder brother might get worried."
"Sano? Haha, that'll be the day." Yahiko chuckled aloud as he mopped the floor. "That guy must be right now sitting down on our broken-down couch watching football on that mini T.V. of his."
"Demo…"
"Don't worry Tae-san. Yahiko is right. Sano is most probably relaxing his butt off now since it's his 'hard-to-get' off-day."
"Alright. But still it's rather late, and it would be rather dangerous for the both of you to walk home by yourselves. Should I call your brother to come down and pick you both up?
"Don't worry Tae-san. Both Yahiko and myself are trained in the art of Kendo. We will have no problem in handling thugs." Kaoru assured.
Before Tae could answer, the threesome heard an ear-piercing scream coming from the kitchen. With that, the three ran towards the scream, and to their horror, they found a frightened Tsubame in the hands of two bulky-looking street thugs.
"Who the hell are you guys?" Yahiko shouted in anger, raising the mop in a defense position.
"Chill little dude, let me introduce ourselves. I'm Crane and the fellow next to me is Jen. We came on behalf of Sean. You remember him don't you?" Hearing the name mentioned, both Kaoru and Yahiko went stone-cold. Before they could respond…
"I don't know who on earth is Sean! Just let Tsubame go!"
"Oh of course we will, just as long as those two people next to you leave with us!"
"Kaoru…Yahiko?" Tae stammered as she looked towards the two siblings.
"And why should we trust street thugs like you?"
"You can choose not too…but a will you at the extent of this little girl?" Crane said as his hold on Tsubame went tighter, causing her to whimper.
"Shit."
"Alright."
"Kaoru!"
"We will go with you, but only if you let the girl go first."
"You two get over here first, or else no deal."
"Kaoru don't trust them! Remember how they treated us in the past!"
"We have to Yahiko. For Tsubame's sake." Kaoru said quietly, realizing that very soon her life would go back to being the worst once more. Yahiko realizing his sister was right dropped the mop onto the floor.
"I'm sorry Tae-san that you both have to be pulled into our past feud. Thank you for everything, we both really appreciate all you have done for us."
"Kaoru san…" Before Tae could reply, Kaoru pulled her brother along as she made her way towards the two thugs.
"You see! That wasn't too bad! Now we can leave." Crane smirked as he signaled to Jen to take hold of Kaoru and her brother. Yet instead of releasing Tsubame as promised, he began making his way out of the restaurant.
"Wait! Let Tsubame go! You promised!" Kaoru shouted in anger as she struggled.
"I did…and weren't you such a fool to believe me. You should have listened to your pest brother there. Perhaps you could have a slight chance of getting out of here."
"Tae-san!"
"Shit these creeps! If they won't play by the rules, then I guess we shouldn't be nice either." Yahiko shouted as he elbowed Jen in stomach. The thug screamed in pain, and released his hold. Yahiko made use of this opportunity and proceeded to pick up the mop he had dropped before.
"Head's up Kaoru!" he yelled as he threw the mop towards his sister.
Kaoru caught it swiftly and got into fighting stance.
"Haha! You both think you can fight both of us!" he smirked as he threw Tsubame aside, injuring her further in the process.
"Don't underestimate us!" Kaoru shouted as she charged towards him. Soon a brawl broke out. Kaoru and Yahiko against the two street thugs who has came to 'collect' them. Just as they thought they could win this, things took a bitter turn for the worst.
"Yahiko!" Tsubame screamed as she watched the boy being punched right into the stomach, and stumbling onto the floor. "That's for elbowing me before!" Jen sneered as he stepped on Yahiko preventing him from getting up.
"Yahiko, hang on!" Kaoru said as she made her way towards her brother, her back facing her forgotten opponent.
"Be…Behind you!" However Yahiko's warning came a minute too late. Before Kaoru could have the chance to retaliate, her opponent had struck her down hard across the back of her head, knocking her out cold.
"Ka…Kaoru!" Yahiko cried out as he watched his sister falling onto the cold hard floor; blood trickling down her face.
"Fools! You should have known better to challenge us! No matter, you both will still have to come back with us. But not before we take care of the other two as well." With that the two made their way to the trembling sisters.
"No! Stop!"
CLICK
The atmosphere became dark and silent. Nothing could barely be seen; the only sounds that could be heard were the soft whimpering coming from Tae and Tsubame.
"What the? Turn the light back on!" However no matter how hard Jen tried, the room remained as dark as it already was.
"The switch is defective!"
"Well then FIX it you moron!"
"How?"
"Try the fuse box."
"Yeah, try the fuse…box…" Crane stopped dead at his sentence when he realized that there was another man in the same room as they all were when there was none to begin with. He immediately took out his lighter and began flashing around the room to see who it could be.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!" Crane received no answer. Just as he was about to call out to the uninvited guest once more, he heard an earsplitting scream. As he turned, he found his accomplice, Jen lying in a puddle of his own blood, barely alive.
"What in blazers…"
"The next…is you." As Crane turned towards the voice from behind, he came face to face with a pair of golden slits. He was about to strike, when he was met with a blow that caused him to end up the same way his accomplice did.
"Wh…who are you?" he muttered under his breath, before passing out.
"Your worst nightmare." Battousai replied as he flicked the blood off his sword. He walked towards the very injured Kaoru who still lay unconscious on the floor. Shaking his head, he picked her up gently into his arms, and began making his way out of the restaurant. At that moment, Yahiko with the help of Tsubame too managed to get up.
"Where are you taking her?"
"To Megumi's."
"I want to come too."
"Call the police."
"But…"
"I suggest that you should stay here. The police will eventually come, and I am sure they would need your help for further investigations." And with that, Battousai was gone.
Along the way to Megumi's, Battousai glanced at Kaoru's pale, unconscious face. He recalled the scene in which Kaoru had been struck by one of the thugs. The sight of her getting injured caused a sudden strange feeling of anger in him. If not for Katsura's order that he was not to kill without orders, those two men would have been in a much worse state than they already was.
"Stupid girl…Always so rash…Couldn't you not think for others once in a while."