Kenjutsu Beauty

Chapter Five

"The run away"

"Dear Kaoru,

Sorry to leave without saying good bye. I knew if I tried you'd never let me go, and I wouldn't be able to resist staying. I'm amazed at how quickly you got into my heart, Yahiko and Sano too. Though I know Sano hates me, it's alright. It's nothing less than I deserve. Promise me you'll take care of yourself. I would tell you to stop letting strangers into your home, but I know it would be in vain. So instead I'll tell you to keep Sano and Yahiko by your side. That kid is has more potential than any kid has a right to. I'll write you again when I find my family.

-Takani Megumi"

Kaoru looked up from the note at the two boys sitting in her dinning room. "She just left." She uttered in disbelief. "I can't believe she just left. Without a word!"

Sano stretched lazily, "Well, that's one less thing to worry about." He said hiding a grin. He was totally not expecting the bokken that crashed into the side of his head the very next moment. He looked up to see Kaoru frothing at the mouth.

"I can't believe you're so calloused! After all she's been through! Loosing her family at such a young age, fending for herself through those years alone, the slavery of Kanryuu, and who knows what else! You're insufferable! To see people suffering right in front of your face and just turn your back! I don't understand how you can live with yourself everyday, with that kind of apathy!" She was trembling not from rage but from disappointment and hurt. She would have continued her tirade if she wasn't struck speechless. Yahiko was staring at her wide-eyed and Sano wore a solemn expression, one he seemed to be wearing more and more.

"You're right of course. The Captain would have told me just the same thing. I should care more, but I just can't. Alright? It's because of her that Yoita died. She's the one that brought those oniwaban freaks here and put you and the brat in danger. Who knows how many other people she may have killed or how many lives she's ruined with her opium, and she just kept making it. Why? To save her own life. How selfish is that? So no, she can leave for all I care." He stood and waited a few seconds before he just turned around and left, his hands in his pockets.

"Sano?" Kaoru asked a little belatedly.

"Jeez, Buso! You'd think you knew how to apologize to a guy at least!" Yahiko said still staring at her.

"Shut up Yahiko!" She said before running out after Sano. "Sano! … Sano, I didn't mean it I'm sorry! Sano!" He finally stopped and looked at her. "I know you've been through a lot too. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, I'll be back later. Maybe tomorrow." He started to walk away again but she stopped him.

"Sano, wait. I'm serious, I really didn't mean to say that. I'm really sorry. Come back to the dojo?" She pleaded.

He smiled then, just to show her he wasn't mad. "I've got some things to do. So I can't go back yet, but if it'll make you feel better I'll be back before dinner!"

She let him go after that, silently wishing he'd be more open with her.

Maybe I should have asked Sano if he knew some strong honorable men willing to escort a lady. Megumi thought as she glanced behind her for the twenty-third time that day. The impossibility of the idea escaping her in her preoccupation. She had made it to the forest feeling pretty good about everything. After she got to the forest however, that was another story. She hadn't forgotten about the oniwaban keeping track of her and wanted to get out of town before Beshimi recovered. Now she almost wished it was him she felt watching her. At least he wouldn't hurt her. Then again, she could be imagining it. Probably a bird or something.

Needless to say, Kaoru was upset. As she sat listening to Yahiko clean the dojo after their usual training session her thoughts trailed to Sano. By his reaction, she could only guess she had gotten it wrong. What bugged him was obviously not that she had discounted his experiences and opinions but something else, obviously being the stubborn male that he was, he was not just going to sit down and have a heart to heart with her. She sighed. Why would Megumi just leave like that? She knows the oniwaban are after her … She's alone … She could easily get hurt on the long trip by herself. She should have asked. I'd have come with her … it's not like I have any obligations here, Yahiko would just have to come along that's all. The more she sat there thinking the more she just couldn't make sense of it. Megumi's smarter than that. She was sure of it. So with one last thought before making up her mind she decided to go into town and ask everyone who knew Megumi if she had come and asked for an escort. As she got to the gate however, she remembered Sano was coming back for dinner … her treat. Groaning she went back inside to see if there was something she could make Yahiko cook.

After hours of walking and becoming increasingly paranoid Megumi could stand it no longer. Going farther and farther away from town only increased the fear. Unwilling (or able as the case may be) to walk anymore she stopped, and turning around called out to whatever it was silently hoping it was nothing. "Alright, I've had enough! Show yourself!"