Aurora Whisperwind: Hello again! Thanks people for responding to that lame chappie! Anyways I'm happier now that I got reviews! Yay! So here's the seventh chap! And I'm sorry, but the cliffie is lame…. Ha ha
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, okay? But I own Yahiko! He's mine to torture! MUHUHAHAHAHAHA!
Yahiko-in-boots: What was that?
Aurora Whisperwind: You have a problem with that, punk?
Yahiko takes one look at her evil face and waiting keyboard and shrugs. 'Nothing, really….'
'I never get even a moment of peace… do these people just like to scream?'-Saitoh muttered as he tried to ignore Kaoru's scream and the subsequent panicked yelps of her dumb companions. Opening his eyes a sliver he found out that the girl seemed to be in some kind of a trance. Interesting… 'No!' –he shook himself hard. This rubbish had to be stopped and most probably it would have to be him again….
What had happened was…..
Kaoru had felt Prince Kenshin coming and waited eagerly for him to appear. But the first thing he had said was-"Kaoru-dono-" He never got any further. 'WHAT? WHAT DID HE CALL ME?'-her head felt like it would burst… she screamed and lunged forward to wring his neck. Prince Kenshin looked panicked as he dodged her hands-"What? My lady, what's wrong? I just said…" he choked as Kaoru seized him. "I mean, I came to say that the wolf you're traveling with…. cough cough he's not ordinary… cough " he swooned. Kaoru had realized he was trying to tell her something important but he had swooned by then. 'OMG! WHAT THE HECK DID I DO? IS HE DEAD?' But before she could confirm anything, the mist cleared and she found herself looking at her panicked friends (though Yahiko looked fiendishly amused) and the wolf's creepy amber eyes.
There was helping to it. "I killed him! I killed Price Kenshin!"-she wailed. "He was trying to tell me something important but I killed him!" Everyone gasped, aghast. Misao looked angry-"Why did you do that, Kaoru? Now it'll be harder for me to find someone!" Both of them started crying their heads off, while Yahiko giggled like he was possessed. Sano just watched.
'What a sentimental scene…'-Okita crooned sleepily. Saitoh sighed. These people were dumb. His 'fairy wolf-brother' was dumb. The crying was getting on his nerves "Listen girl, do you know that you cannot kill apparitions? You can hurt them, but you can't kill" Kaoru lifted her big blue watery eyes to him. "Is that true? Sniff " Saitoh rolled his eyes. "Yes it's true, isn't it?"-he looked meaningfully at Sano and Yahiko who nodded nervously. "He didn't die then! Yay! Oooooooh, he did say you weren't ordinary! No you're not! You are amazing! Thank you!"-she blabbered as she tried to hug him again. Saitoh gulped and leaped out of the way. He had no intention of becoming a cuddly dog again and Kaoru hit the floor hard with her jaw.
"Well, we've had enough rest, right? We'll leave now"-Saitoh commanded as he prepared to leave. 'He knows' muttered Okita. 'I know, but these fools will never figure it out, don't worry. This Prince is smart, but not smart enough'-replied Saitoh with an evil grin. "What about the night of the full moon?"-asked Okita, still sounding unconvinced. "Two days left for that, don't worry your pretty little head over that"-Saitoh assured.
The dark forest was, well, dark. The trees were dead and twisted, looking for people to trip. Sano held the record with 36 falls and 3 hysterical fits. Yahiko was not far behind with 29 falls and 2 hysterical fits. They had walked for a quite a long while when Saitoh, who was leading the way, stopped suddenly and whispered "She's here" And out of the dark mist before them, stepped a woman with a lion's head. She was graceful, elegantly dressed and inscrutably beautiful.
She smiled at them and said-"Greetings my young travelers. I am the xnihps. You know what to do"
Saitoh regarded her for a moment and opened his mouth, but was cut short by Sano- "Oooh, I've been waiting for this…"
"Stay out of this, Sano"-Saitoh warned but Sano ignored him.
"Alright weird cat-lion-woman thingy, here's something you can't answer. What's my name?"
The xnihps stared at him and then very slowly asked him if Sano wasn't his name. Sano explained that his true name was unknown. (Blah blah blah you know the story) The xnihps remained thoughtful for a while and then said with an triumphant smile "That's easy, a man who keeps asking his name… you're Sanostiltskin!" Sano's jaw dropped. "You're right! Hey guys that's my name!" Everyone got together into a group hug and cheered (obviously excepting Saitoh)
"Yes, I remember now, you're right, but how did you-" The xnihps smiled "I know my fairy tales. Now if you don't mind, you're all dead"
They stopped cheering. Everyone obviously forgot about that part of the agreement. "RUN!" yelled Yahiko-in-boots and there was a mad scramble which was quickly cut short by the xnihps. "Okay, who should I eat first, ah the wolf! I salute your bravery, handsome wolf. You were the only one who did not attempt to run. It will be an honor to eat you" Saitoh did not flinch. Instead he stood watching her with a strange smile "Save your saliva, xnihps, as I have a discrepancy to point out"
The xnihps blinked "A discrepancy? Well, go ahead" Saitoh bowed "if you remember, we are supposed to ask you riddle. What this idiot asked you was a question, not a riddle" She looked flabbergasted "Very well then, ask me the riddle" Saitoh nodded "Gladly, my lady. Well then tell me-"
'Tell me the name of a creature winged
Fierce, with a thousand limbs and clawed
All knowing and strong, million eyed
But with a mind and resolve flawed'
The xnihps looked seriously shocked. Saitoh smirked. He knew he had won. She pondered for a while and then bowed gracefully and backed away. "You've won, and for that, I let you and your companions go. But I wish to know, what is the creature you speak of?" Saitoh smirked some more and said "Nothing. Every question needn't have an answer, you know"
The xnihps threw back her head and laughed. "Right you are, I forgot about that. To thank you my fierce and noble wolf, I give you a warning. Your path is filled with danger great and I am but the beginning. Your next test will be greater. For-
'Beware the man with servants three
Whose heart is colder than the icy sea
For though his looks may fill you with glee
Know that he won't let you walk free'
And with those she disappeared into the shadows again. Kaoru looked alarmed "Who the heck was she talking about?" Saitoh looked thoughtful "I believe she was referring to… but it can't be; he can't exist…" He walked off. "Hey wait! You were amazing, Saitoh, I mean, even the xnihps was impressed!" Yahiko was still ranting about how cool Saitoh was but he was hardly paying any attention at all. 'So, you think it's him, then?' Okita's calm voice came again. "Maybe. If it's true, then we have quite a fight on our hands' Saitoh muttered. By the yelling behind him, the others were obviously devising their own strategy to defeat him.
'But the biggest problem here is the man itself. He's a fanatic. I wonder how the dark wizard managed to recruit his services' Okita wondered aloud. Saitoh looked at him 'Interesting point there, Okita. Not for money, definitely. Maybe for power or-' this train of thought was interrupted rudely by Misao who jumped on top of his head and started bouncing, screaming "I know how to beat him! He's my Prince! I'll melt his stone-cold heart!" Saitoh considered squashing her but decided to just pick her up and throw her away. 'Fools…..' he mumbled as Okita giggled insanely.
Yahiko noticed that Kaoru was unusually quiet. "What's up, Busu? You didn't kill Prince Kenshin, right? So what's your problem?" Kaoru looked at him distractedly. "I suppose, but I was just wondering… this guy she warned us about… what if he kills any of us? What if you're killed? I don't think I can live with myself if I escape" her eyes welled up. "I don't want to see any of you die" Yahiko's reply was dead-pan "Well, if you die first, then you won't" Kaoru lifted her shimmering blue eyes to his and threw her arms around him.
"EEEEEEEW! GET OFF ME! BUSU! GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME!" Sano rescued Yahiko from Kaoru's grip and calmed her down. Saitoh smirked and paused. A thought struck him. "You know, there's a surefire way of killing this guy. Just cook for him" Kaoru stopped crying. His blue eyes caught fire and she lunged at Saitoh screaming something unintelligible. Saitoh looked alarmed and shot off. Misao finally regained consciousness after her flight to the tree which earned her a nasty bump on the head. "What happened…?" Grinning, Sano explained while Yahiko gagged nearby. Yep, even with impending danger, life didn't change that much. And neither did Kaoru.
Ta da! How was it? Not funny, I'm sure but I still like this chap. I love the xnihps! What about you guys? This story is shaping up again! Woo! Were the riddles nice? I was never a poet, so these were the best I could come up with! Review please!
To lolo popoki: You're first on my thank you list! I'm running out of things to say! Thank you really, I'm very grateful that you're there for both my stories! and don't worry, this story won't take years! ; )
To Rurouni-maxi: This story brightens your day! I'm flattered, really! that's such a nice thing to say!Keep reviewing and thank you for your help!
To sueb262: Thank god you're back! I freaked out when you didn't review my 5th chap! Thank you for the suggestions, I reposted chap 6, did you read it? Oh and will you please, please read my other fics? I really want to know what you think!
To animefreakgal456: Hey thanks for reviewing! I love your story too, and I'm going to be a faithful reviewer! Keep reading!
To LordFluffyLoverOfPain: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like this story!
Review please people! It makes me as happy as hell!