Before I start this chapter, I'd like to say this…
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but if all goes well, I should own the world by noon tomorrow!
Also, this chapter is based heavily on the manga (I took a lot of the conversations from straight out there). If you've only seen the anime, it's okay, just know that Sano didn't fight Kenshin in the manga.
Chapter 7: Discovery
"Nishiki paintings?" Sano asked around the fishtail in his mouth, looking up at Tae and Tsubame.
"Yes," Tae said, "The gallery's fetching in some new ones, but the artist is so popular they sell right out. And we can't get out of work, so…"
"So you want me to go buy them for you," Sano finished.
"If it's not too much trouble," Tae smiled.
"Why ask me? Why not make Yahiko…"
"'Cause I'm working too, idiot!" Yahiko yelled. "Some of us do work for a living!" He stomped off angrily as Sano wondered vaguely why he had been listening.
"Come on, Sano," Kyouri said as she pulled on the loose ends of his headband, "Don't be a bum, it's not like it's all that much trouble or anything."
"And why are you out here?" Sano asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Break time!" she responded cheerfully, holding up a riceball.
"Well," Sano said, turning towards Tae and getting up, "You have treated me to a lot of meals, so… Fine, I'll get your paintings."
"I put those meals on your tab," Tae pointed out, "It's no treat."
"Kinda academic, isn't it?" Sano frowned. "You know I'll never pay."
"Hey, Kyouri!" a cook exclaimed from the back, "Come on! It's the middle of lunch hour! Get back here!"
"Mou," Kyouri frowned, "I'm going, I'm going. See ya later, Sano."
"Yeah, bye," Sano replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets as Kyouri sauntered back into the kitchen.
"Your break isn't until another hour!" the cook that had called her in reprimanded. "What were you doing out there?"
"Just chattin' with Tae-chan," Kyouri grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, I won't do it again."
"You'd better not," the cook snorted angrily as he set back to work. She shrugged, picking up the latest order and getting started.
As she worked, she mused on the fact that everyone, Sano included since he was already back to mooching, seemed to get right back on their feet after the whole "Raijuta incident." She kinda figured that the fact that he had turned out to be a complete, and pathetic, fraud and that Yutarou had lost the use of his right arm for swordsmanship would leave more of an impression.
To have your role model, your dream, come out to be the century's biggest fake…To have everything you believed in shot down so easily… She couldn't imagine what that would be like…
At least Captain Sagara had stayed true to his beliefs until the very end.
"Oh well," she sighed, "It all worked out in the end, so it's nothing to brood about."
"Kyouri-san…" a neighbor cook said with a perplexed look on her face, "What're you talking about?"
Kyouri smiled nervously, waving her hand, "Nothing, nothing, just thinking to myself." Yutarou's fine, Raijuta's defeated, and, besides some minor damages to the dojo, there were no casualties, so stop thinking about it and try to concentrate a little more on your work!
Her determined face faltered, however, when she noticed she was cutting the same hunk of beef for the third time.
The Next Day-
"What! You know Tsukioka Tsunan from the old days!" Kaoru and Kenshin exclaimed, perhaps a little too surprised.
"Why am I not surprised you're not surprised?" Sano said, giving them a weird look.
"No, really, we're surprised!" Kenshin said nervously. "Aren't we, Kaoru-dono?"
"We sure are, Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed, also nervous.
"Katsu?" Kyouri asked, walking over. "Katsu's here?"
"Oh, hey, Kyouri," Sano grinned. "Yep, he's been hiding out at the Dobu Ita houses at the edge of town. I just found out since he drew a picture of the Captain with both of us in it."
Kyouri smiled, "An artist? That suits him. He was always so dark and moody."
"Yeah…" Sano said, a sweatdrop on his cheek as he looked away. He had forgotten that Katsu and Kyouri had been on less than friendly terms. He turned back to Kaoru and Kenshin. "We want to celebrate the reunion big time, so can we rent the dojo for tonight?"
"Of course," Kaoru said, "but where are you gonna get the money to…?" She suddenly gasped, then advanced on Sanosuke, gripping her shinai threateningly. "You're gonna mooch off me again, aren't you! Then the answer is no! NEVER!"
"Hey, hey," Sano replied, raising his eyebrows at her. "Don't worry, I'll take care of the money." Insert lots of strange looks from Kyouri and the Kenshin-gumi. "Okay? Okay, thanks." Sano began to leave, ignoring the strange looks. "Oh yeah, and would you tell Tae and the little girl? They'll be pleased."
As Kaoru began shaking Kenshin furiously, demanding to know what was wrong with the rooster ("oro oro-ro!"), Kyouri frowned slightly. She didn't exactly hate Katsu, personally she didn't know him well enough to, but just the fact that he was always so edgy around her put her on edge. She pulled her necklace out from under her gi, gazing at it and wondering absent mindedly why it couldn't mask everything…
Later That Night-
After a happy night of drinking and eating sushi, every one was curled up in blankets and sleeping soundly, except Kenshin, who was sleeping against the wall holding his sakabatou as he often did, and Yahiko, who was sprawled on the ground and drooling in a drunken sleep.
"At last," Katsu said, "Shall we get going?" He was eager to get started and get out of the dojo. This evening had been extremely awkward for him, someone who had avoided large social scenes for ten years. Not only that, it was hard to see Kyouri and Sanosuke acting so happy, Kyouri especially.
Katsu, don't tell Kyouri about what we're going to do.
Sanosuke didn't need to worry about that, he was the only one Katsu could trust for a job like this.
And he didn't trust Kyouri. At all.
Besides, she had abandoned the Sekihoutai, so this type of duty was not for her.
"It's your last dinner," Katsu said, not facing Sanosuke, "Did you enjoy it to the fullest?"
"Not really," Sano grinned, "That's not why I had the party. I've made Akabeko and the little girl treat me a lot. This was just a small gift in return." He turned to look at the artist. "How 'bout you? You haven't had a party like that for ten years, did you enjoy it, even a little?"
"Not at all."
"Heh, gloomy to the last."
Katsu paused, "You sure about this, Sanosuke."
"Fool," Sano answered, "If I'm not sure of it, I don't do it."
"Ah," Katsu smiled, "You're restored the Sekihoutai to life, I thank you from the bottom of my heart." He walked to the door, sliding it open. "Lets hurry, if we linger much longer, the sun will rise before we can get the grenades to internal affairs." He walked out, leaving Sanosuke standing in the dojo.
"Sorry, guys," he said to the group of people sleeping behind him. "I won't ask that you understand, but the Sekihoutai… it means too much to me." He began to leave. "Kenshin, when we next meet, I'll be a good and proper outlaw. I won't even complain if you beat me down with your sakabatou." At the door, he turned slightly to look at Kyouri, who was laying down with her back facing him. "Kyouri, I couldn't ask you to do this, I couldn't ask you to throw your life away for something like this. I'm sorry." He slid the door behind him as he stepped out.
A while later, Kenshin got up, sliding his sakabatou into the belt of his hakama, and leaving without a word.
A little later, Kyouri sat up, hugging her legs tightly as silent tears formed in her eyes.
The Next Day-
Kyouri sighed, sitting down as she waited for the rice to cook and leaning her head against a post. After Sanosuke had left the night before, she hadn't gotten much sleep, and that was now taking its toll. At least it was her day off, and all the cooking she had to do today was make some bento for the residents of the dojo.
She suddenly didn't feel the same passion she had before for cooking. She frowned, thinking about her job, then lay down, putting her hands behind her head.
She just felt… tired…
It was probably just since she didn't get much sleep… that's all…
"Cooking and laying on the floor? That's not too hygienic." Kyouri shot up, looking at Sanosuke in utter surprise.
"Y-YOU!" she suddenly exclaimed, pointing at him with an accusatory finger.
"Eh?" Sanosuke frowned, his eyes widening. "Yeah, it's me." Kyouri's hand clenched with suppressed anger.
Thwak!
"BAKA! MORON! YOU BUM!" she yelled as he gripped his head where she had knuckled him. "YOU'RE HOPELESS!"
"What the hell did I do?" he exclaimed angrily.
"How could you!" she continued, although it seemed her energy and anger was draining, only to be replaced with sadness. "What you said… What makes you think I wouldn't do anything… for the Sekihoutai?" Sano faltered, forgetting the pain in his head.
"You were listening?" he asked quietly. She nodded slowly.
"You're such a jerk…" there was a ball lodged in her throat, and tears were starting to burn in her eyes again. "To leave just like that…" She shot him a pained look. "At least tell me next time, okay?" Sano didn't answer, and she tried to smile. "At least give me a chance, to try to go too… We're Sekihoutai, let's stick together…"
Sanosuke was silent, gazing at her and looking rather guilty, "You're crying?"
"Sh-shut up," she grinned miserably, wiping her eyes. Why the hell was she crying? She hated crying, having done enough of it in her childhood.
Before she could say anything else, he stepped towards her and hugged her.
"Nothing happened, Kenshin stopped us," he said softly as she gasped silently. "I won't leave without telling you, I promise." He let go abruptly and grinned. "So don't cry, okay?"
Kyouri stared at him, then frowned. "You don't have to act like a tough guy," she said, trying to sound casual, "Trying to be a hero to a damsel in distress…"
"I'm not, I really mean it," he responded simply, making her heart skip a beat and her face burn. He watched her, not bothering to hide the amusement from his face. She noticed this, and it only made her face burn even more as she glared at him. She couldn't hold that very long, however, because of the way Sanosuke kept gazing down at her. The soft look in his eyes and the way he was smiling tenderly reminded her of the way her father would smile down at her mother a lifetime ago…
He tilted his head down as her heart pounded against her ribs, inching closer and closer so his sharp features stood out vividly; his honey brown eyes, the slender face and large mouth, the old worn headband on his forehead that held back the wild brown hair of his all came into sharp focus as time seemed to slow down to a crawl and he edged closer.
He was inches away from her.
She seemed transfixed, unable to move as she gazed into the deep brown of his eyes.
She could almost count his eyelashes, and their noses brushed against each other.
She could breathe in his scent, feel his warmth, taste his breath…
She couldn't… didn't want to move…
Run, little cat, I'll always find you…
Suddenly time sped up, and before she knew it she had pushed him away and was breathing deeply, her face flushed as he looked at her with a flustered look.
"I-I just remembered I have to buy tofu for lunch!" she lied hurriedly. "Sorry, Sano, but I've gotta get going!" She rushed past him before he could protest, leaving him standing in the kitchen with a deflated feeling sinking into the pit of his stomach.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Oh no, oh no, oh no…" she mumbled to herself repeatedly as she paced around the riverbank, a feeling of panic swelling uncontrollably in her chest. "This wasn't supposed to happen…"
Honestly, what were you expecting?
Not this, this was the last thing she wanted…
Is it really? You've always seemed rather hopeful…
She was hoping to be happy, to watch him be happy, but any feelings other than friendship would end in extreme pain.
"No! Ishi! Don't let them take me like this, it's not true! ISHI!"
The shrieks of her mother were still fresh in her mind. It was true, feelings other than friendship would only end in unnecessary suffering.
This wasn't a fairy tale, love wasn't an unstoppable force that could defeat all odds.
Love?
She stopped pacing, her heart pounding in her ears for the second time that day.
When? When did she come to love him so much?
You loved him the minute he handed you that riceball in that old cell.
"Oh, god, no…." she groaned sadly, sinking down to the ground. "I can't…"
Can't what? Can't love?
No, of course not. What happened with her parents should be enough of a reminder that love between people like her and humans just couldn't happen.
Sanosuke's never cared about appearances
-.
"When Sanosuke met me, he was guarding my jail cell, okay! But he didn't judge me because of it, and he was even willing to become my friend when no one else in the camp would come near me!"
-
This isn't about appearances, this is about his and everyone else's safety.
From what? From "him"? You haven't seen him for ten years.
That didn't mean he wouldn't appear again.
"Don't you get it? You've been running for the past ten years to keep away from him so you could control your own life, but even if he's not here physically he's still managing to do that! If you really want to take control of your own life, then do what you want when you want without worrying about that bastard!"
-
Hadn't Sanosuke himself preached about living how you want, in this new age that the Captain had helped build? If she tried to use the excuse of "keeping him safe," she'd just end up hurting his pride and his beliefs.
"I just want to be happy… like my father would have wanted."
-
Tears formed in her eyes.
To be happy… to be happy with the person I love is all I want… it's all anyone would want…
Will you let me? Sanosuke, will you let me love you… even if I am a monster…?
He doesn't care about appearances.
"Kyouri, baka, just give it up! She's not coming back for you! They don't care about us, they never have!"
-
"Please don't… We can work something out. We'll get the Captain or someone to help. You can stay here."
-
He didn't want her to go.
"I won't leave without telling you… I promise."
-
Don't leave me… don't let me feel that pain again. I don't think I could take it.
"Captain Sagara believes in complete equality, even if you're a peasant you should still be able to choose your profession and live happily!"
-
The tears that had been swelling in her eyes overflowed, running down her cheeks as she smiled.
Equality… for everyone… even me…
She could tell him. She would tell him. Tell him that she…
"Hello, Kyouri."
Her blood froze, any thoughts that were passing through her mind stopped as every fiber of herself went numb. Jade green eyes widened in complete shock, utter horror.
No…
"Why are you looking so scared?"
The same deep voice reverberated around in her blank, buzzing mind as a chill wind blew by, making the wet tears on her face suddenly feel like cold ice.
A large clawed hand appeared on her shoulder. What some would take as a comforting gesture, she took as a menacing and frightening act.
Don't…. don't look… it can't…
Not now.
She couldn't stop it, her face turned by itself.
She found herself staring into dark, red blood eyes that had slits for pupils, staring down at her intently, pulsating maliciousness.
"O…ojii-sama…" she gasped.
Note: "Ojii-sama" is a very polite (or humble) way of saying "uncle."
GASP! Cliffie! Whee! I put in a LOT more hints, but don't worry too much since all will be revealed next chapter! This one is getting excited since it's leading up to the part I've been planning since I started this fic…. (-grin-)
Sorry if I made Katsu seem kinda evil, but I guess that's just the way Kyouri sees him… And he wasn't too mean… was he?
Reviewer Responses:
FairyMage: ….. T-T You…. YOU'RE THE FIRST PERSON TO FIGURE THAT OUT! Damn, I've been waiting forever for someone to say something like that…. Thank you! (-hands over Sano plushie, Sagara plushie, and a cookie-). You are not slow at all, and neither are any of my reviewers, but… at least I know someone's not gonna be surprised next chapter… Thank you, I take a lot of time to pick the right names for everyone of my OC's, so I'm glad you like Yami's name!
Sangokirara5: O.o Woah… IT'S YOU! I never thought I'd hear from you again… hm… Well, I'm glad you're liking it so far (really!), considering you read the first (and weird) version of this fic. But, dude, a guy named Rio comes and sweeps Kyouri off her feet? O.o Umm, there will be some competition for Sano later, if it makes you feel better! (-grin-).
Omasuoniwabanshu: (Ahh, you think I'm funny! (hee!).) Thanks, now that I'm getting more into this story, I do tend to write more than usual. But spring break's coming up, and once I get back from LA (WOOT!... sorry, had to brag a little bit!) I'll definitely be reading your fic!
K.T.youko: (woot! Four reviews!). My begging made you sad? Oh, you kind hearted being, you! It's okay, your reviews made up for the other FOOLS that don't! (-biiig grin-) Incredible, you're one of the most mature seventh graders I know (granted, I don't know many, but still!). Not only that, but you almost started crying? Wow T-T. I like your criticisms, especially since I agree. I really don't think I did justice to their reunion, but I was seriously in a rut at that time (-sigh-). But this one perseveres, and I'm actually getting into it again! WOOT! Thank you for reading! (-bows-)
Haki: Yah, well, they couldn't stick around for forever, although they do come back later to visit! Yay!
WhiteRabbit5: Yay, you're still reviewing! I was beginning to wonder…. (-grin-). Oh, I'm sooo glad you liked that kitchen scene (I was nervous when you said "the kaoru-can't-cook thing has been reaaally overdone), especially since my sister said Kaoru seemed OOC. But, Kaoru never really has a chance to be with regular girls (Megumi doesn't count, she's too mature to say "yay"), except with Misao, in which she is kind of light hearted sooo… Everyone has the skill to draw! Seriously, you can do it! Once you do, send me a picture of Naraku! (-grin!-). Ahh, melodrama… (-nervous-) yeaaah, well, I'll just wait to see what you think… Yay! It does have something to do with the necklace! Score!
WARNING TO ALL READERS:
Kie-san likes the supernatural.
THAT IS ALL! (-bows-)
ANOTHER WARNING TO ALL READERS:
Review or receive the Bird Kick of Rage!
REVIEWWW!
