Chapter 9: Baka Neko

Sano staggered down the empty street, letting his feet automatically guide him home. The heavy summer night air made the musty stench of alcohol stick heavily to him, so that it was all he could smell. He finally reached his small apartment in the longhouse, sliding the door open and unceremoniously kicking off his shoes. He peeled off his jacket, tossing it to the ground as he slumped down on his bed, which he had neglected to put away for a long time now.

He breathed in deeply, still able, even in his drunken stupor, to catch hints of Kyouri in his futon. The smell was almost gone, but it seemed the pain of her leaving wasn't.

He turned on his back, putting his hands behind his head as he again mulled over the piece of paper that had been plaguing him for almost a week now.

'Sanosuke,

'I bet you're wondering why I'm not there, asleep next to you.'

No shit he was. Even now, he wondered what sky she was sleeping under.

'Before you get angry, I wanted you to know that I really did enjoy our night together immensely. It was probably the best time I've ever had.'

Sano grinned, closing his eyes and willing the memory of her standing in the late afternoon sun in the beautiful kimono to come back to him. He recalled the soft texture of her hair that had been splayed over this same futon and the subtle smell of summer she had brought into his home.

'In fact, these past few weeks have been incredible. I had forgotten what it was like to have a job to wake up to each morning and a home to come back to each evening.

'But I realized that it was something I could never get used to.'

It was a good job and a happy home, why couldn't she get used to it?

'I received a letter from Yamainu and Sachi and Shousei. Things didn't go well with their families, and they decided to leave their homes. They asked if I wanted to go with them.'

Bullshit, Kyouri. Yamainu was the epitome of a "big brother," and he would never risk uprooting your happiness for the sake of his.

'We decided that Japan was too small for us, so by the time you read this I'll be on a boat to Shanghai.'

What was going on? Why did you have to leave so suddenly?

'I doubt we'll ever see each other again.'

Last time, you promised that we'd meet again.

'But please remember me fondly, as a close friend.'

I wanted something more…

'-Kyouri'

Sanosuke sat up, resting his elbows on his knees as stormy expression played over his face.

"I don't understand," he muttered, putting his head in his hands as he glared at nothing.

How long had she been so miserable? All the times she had laughed, smiled, or joked around, had they all been faked? Every time he had noticed her doing chores cheerfully, a thoughtful expression on her face, had she been thinking of ways to leave?

Maybe she was forced?

"I don't care how I live as long as I do it away from him."

Had it been him? The uncle she had feared for as long as he knew her?

…But wouldn't she have at least said something? She could've told him why she needed to keep moving: because that bastard was closing in on her.

He could've gone with her.

"Without even declaring anything to her, you move in and try to kiss her, surprising her and probably scaring her," she sighed. "No wonder she ran off."

A feeling of dread sank into Sanosuke's stomach.

Maybe it had been him?

Maybe all she wanted was to be "close friends." Maybe having a romantic relationship was something that she avoided.

At all costs.

It was obvious now.

The way she avoided everyone at the camp…how, even when she spent ten years with him, she only considered Yamainu an "older brother"…how she had left with a blunt note telling him she'd never see him again.

"At least tell me next time, okay? At least give me a chance, to try to go too… We're Sekihoutai, let's stick together…"

Hypocritical wench, he thought bitterly.

It had all been a lie.

He lay down; his bitter mood revived as he wished he had drunk more alcohol.

Wherever you are, I hope you're happy.


"Pfft, is that really it?" she sneered, looking down at Kyouri, who was breathing heavily, clutching her chest where she had been struck.

"One week of training with Say and that's really the best you can do?"

Kyouri looked up at her through her bangs, an expression of pure fury on her face.

She launched herself at Rei again, lunging forward with a punch. Rei, however, just smirked and dodged the hanyou's cumbersome movements. As she dodged to the left, she grabbed Kyouri's outstretched arm, savoring the girl's look of shock and pain as she twisted it back, then pinned the girl by digging her heel into her back.

"Tut, tut, little hanyou, such a temper." She smirked at her two sisters who were watching her with amusement. Still grinning at her sisters, she sent a wave of electricity from her own body through Kyouri's arm, grinning even more broadly at the shriek of pain that finally erupted from the girl.

She let go of Kyouri's arm, watching as she slumped down, breathless and wide eyed, clutching her scorched arm in pain. Rei reached down and grabbed a fistful of Kyouri's brown hair, making the girl wince painfully, pulling her head up so she was at eye level.

"Maybe now you'll understand just who to respect," Rei spat angrily at Kyouri. Kyouri, however, just gave her another angry look that was misted over with pain, kindling Rei's anger further. "Dammit, hanyou, you forget your place!" Rei slammed the girl to the ground, hatred coursing heavily through her veins.

"All right, Rei, that's enough," a voice said, stopping what looked like would become another onslaught of lightning. Rei looked up to see her older sister looking at her with disdain.

"What's the matter, Say?" Rei spat, cracking her fingers threateningly as energy sparked through them, "Feeling sorry for the hanyou?"

"No," Say responded lazily, "But I'll be feeling sorry for you when you kill her and father punishes you." Her expression sharpened. "He waited ten years for this girl—what makes you think he values your life over hers?" Rei felt another surge of anger swell through her as the ball of lightning her hand crackled even more loudly.

"She's just a half-breed," she hissed through clenched teeth.

"And we're all just tools," Say responded. "We're in no different position than she is." Rei glared at Say, attempting to spark a challenge, but Say just shrugged it off and grinned lazily.

"Pfft, whatever," Rei snorted. "Aisu, Uneri, let's go. We've got training to do." With a final glare at the young girl sprawled on the ground and at her older sister, Rei turned and stalked out of the practice hall, her two younger sisters following closely as they cast nervous glances at Say.

Say sighed heavily as she watched Kyouri struggle to sit up, still clutching her arm and fighting for breath.

"This would be a lot less painful if you'd just take off that necklace," Say pointed out. Kyouri didn't answer, just shook her head. "Why not? All it does is suppress your demonic aura, right? If you took it off, you'd release your demonic powers and it'd probably heal in the next few hours." Then she added under her breath, "Of course it'd take a lot less time if you were a pure-blood…"

"I don't want to…" Kyouri muttered, looking away from the tall neko-youkai standing above her.

"Don't want to heal?" Say asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I don't want to forget what it's like…" Kyouri said, "… to be human."

Say gave a snort. "You weren't human to begin with."

Kyouri looked at her arm, still singed and claw-less, "This is who I've been for the past ten years. I can't give that up so easily."

Say furrowed her eyebrows, "Who you've 'been' for the past ten years has been a lie."

"Maybe… but that's who he believed I was…"

Say gave an exasperated snort, rolling her eyes as she sat down on her haunches so she was at eye-level with Kyouri. "Pathetic. I should've let Rei kill you."

Kyouri gave a half-hearted smile. "Maybe that would've been best."

"Oh brother," Say moaned. She stood up, gazing down at Kyouri. "Listen, I may have eternity, but I'm not willing to wait that long. Hurry and get up so I can find some bandages for you and get on with my training. There's gotta be some in this place somewhere…" She looked around and began to stride towards the door, then looked back at Kyouri, still slumped on the floor. "Come on, hanyou-chan!" Kyouri smiled inwardly and heaved herself up, ignoring the complaints from her singed body as she staggered towards the older demon.


Say plopped down heavily on the small bit of roof protruding over her window, sighing as she reached into her sash. She pulled out a small hand carved nay (flute), looking down at it fondly before bringing it to her lips and releasing a soft, wistful melody. The haunting song hovered around her and floated down to the dark grounds, mingling with the sounds of the night as she let it carry her back home. After a while the song ended, and she let the final note linger softly before she lay the flute down. She gave a half-smile before tucking the flute back into her sash.

She leaned back, crossing her arms behind her head and resting on them, letting the memories her favorite lullaby brought dance in her mind. But after a while, she mentally clicked off the distant memories as she realized they had all run out.

Memories of her life with her mother were scarce and few, but happy.

She closed her eyes, letting the lullaby and memories replay in her mind.

As she did, she thought of the Kyouri she had known ten years ago: a small and scared child that pined for her mother and was constantly picked on by her older and bigger full-blood cousins. Rei had often mocked Kyouri openly about how her mother abandoned her, casting the poor child into an even deeper depression than she had already been in. It was really no wonder Kyouri had run away; the prospect of spending the rest of her life at the mansion was probably worse than facing an early death.

Still, Kyouri was no special case. They were all in the same position.

Say opened her eyes, thinking of the unhappy reunion that had occurred a week ago.

Flashback-

"Well, well, well." Rei smirked as Kyouri walked up to the group of neko-youkai. "Look at what the cat dragged in, as they say." Aisu and Uneri both sniggered at their Onee-san's joke.

"Ohayo, Rei," said Kyouri impassively, "You haven't changed much, obviously."

"Oh, you'd be surprised, hanyou-chan," replied Rei cockily, shouldering her training pole threateningly. "But look at you! All grown up into a little woman."

"While you're as immature as ever," Kyouri replied, rolling her eyes.

"Don't be rude," Rei said, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "I was being nice, welcoming you back into our loving company. There's no need to be so snippy."

Kyouri gave the girl a disgusted look. "I'd rather be in the depths of hell than here, being 'welcomed back into your loving company.'"

"I'm telling you, hanyou," growled Rei, "Don't be rude."

"Go find a hairball to choke on," Kyouri spat back. Rei bristled, tightening the grip on her staff and tensing as she prepared to strike.

"Calm down, baka neko," a voice said lazily, stopping the young demoness from striking. "Five minutes and you're already pouncing at each other." Say was looking down at the two girls with a look of exasperation from the roof. She jumped down, landing noiselessly on the ground in front of the two girls.

"Ohayo, Say-kun," Kyouri said, a smile flashing across her features.

"Ohayo, Kyouri-chan," Say grinned. "Glad to be back?"

"Hardly," Rei spat, shooting a glare at Kyouri, "Give her a week and she'll be planning an escape again." She gave Kyouri a nasty grin. "Though it'll be no use. I told you it's impossible to run away from here."

"And yet I managed to take a ten year vacation," Kyouri replied sarcastically. Rei growled threateningly again, but Kyouri just gave her an innocent smirk.

"Don't toy with me, hanyou," Rei hissed through clenched teeth, "Unless you really do wish to visit the depths of hell." Kyouri didn't answer, but gave a stubborn look that only fueled Rei's anger.

"Such a fierce aura," another voice cut in. "Please be careful, Rei-san, or you'll end up killing Father's prize." Rei froze, as if her heart had stopped, and quickly turned to the speaker, bowing.

"Gomennasai, Onee-sama," she said politely, all the anger in her voice minutes ago gone. "I would never do anything to anger Father."

"Yes, I know," the speaker said. Kyouri looked to her left to see a young woman gazing at her with a stoic expression, dressed in an elaborate old-fashioned kimono that trailed behind her on the pathway. Just as she took in the dark red eyes, however, she felt a hand behind her neck push her down into a bow.

"Forgive this hanyou, Onee-sama," Say was saying as she kept Kyouri in the forced bow. "She does not know how to act properly." Kyouri couldn't see the demoness' reaction, but guessed it had been favorable since Say's grip on the back of her neck relaxed slightly.

"I was just hoping to see this hanyou Father had been hunting for such a long time," the young woman responded. "Though I have to say, I was hoping to be more impressed." Kyouri felt a twinge of anger at the haughty demoness. "Though she does have a rather large spirit, doesn't she?"

"Hai, Onee-sama," responded Say, almost automatically.

"Say-san, I'm putting her in your care. Try to make her at least a little less pathetic than she is now."

"Hai, Onee-sama." With that Kyouri heard the soft rustle of silk as the demoness walked away, but it was only after the sound of a door closing was heard that Say finally let go of Kyouri.

"Next time try to keep your manners in mind," Say sighed exasperatedly.

"Who was that?" Kyouri asked, ignoring Say's chiding.

"That was Ichijou-sama, Father's daughter," Say answered.

"Huh? But I thought you were all his daughters."

"Geez, you really are an idiot, aren't you?" Rei cut in, giving Kyouri a look of superiority. "I mean, I knew you were stupid, but I didn't think you were that retarded."

"Shut up, hairball," Kyouri hissed angrily.

"We are all illegitimate daughters of Father," Say answered, before Rei and Kyouri could get into another argument, "Born from his harem, mostly made up of foreign demonesses that were gained from compromises with demons from abroad that fear his power. She is the one true offspring he bred from his late wife, who passed away several decades ago."

"Decades ago?" Kyouri echoed. "Then she's…"

"I believe in human years she is a bit more than half a century old."

Kyouri nodded in realization, not at all surprised. Demons had different life spans than humans and, as she understood it, lived for almost an eternity. All the demonesses that were standing around her now were at least twenty-five years old, even if they seemed to only be teenagers. Sachi and Shousei themselves had refused to tell Kyouri their age in human years, saying they didn't want to be treated like "baa-chan's" by Yami and herself, who both had mortal life spans since they were hanyou's. Then Kyouri arched an eyebrow, "Wait, then why didn't I see her last time I was here?"

"She was abroad, probably on a business trip for Father, though I'm not sure exactly where. She spends about as much time away as Father does."

"Oh," Kyouri said.

"Anyway, let's stop wasting time," Say grinned. "She left you in my care, and I swear by my ancestor's graves that I will knock some power into that scrawny little body of yours." Kyouri rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, good luck with that," Rei snorted. "I'll be over here, not wasting my time and training with real demons. You guys just stay out of our way."

Say hit Rei on the head with the staff she was holding, "Don't disrespect me like that, Rei-chan." Rei snorted angrily, but muttered an apology before ambling off with her sisters in tow.

"Come on," Say said, grinning evilly. "Let's get started, Kyouri-chan…"

End Flashback-

Well, Kyouri was improving, Say had to admit, although she'd improve much faster if she'd just release her demonic powers instead of locking them in that damned necklace. How often would she have to get her face slammed into the dirt by Rei before she realized that a human body was not suitable in a demon's lair?

Oh well, if she couldn't learn by Rei, then Say would just have to personally knock some sense into her. She grinned a conniving smile, already planning the next day's practice session.


Kyouri slumped down on her western-style bed, letting her face sink into the pillow. After a few moments of lying there motionless, her body throbbing after a day of exhausting drills and sparring with Say, she turned and looked up at the off-white ceiling, made a strange yellow by the glow of the lantern on her bedside. She sighed heavily as she breathed in, missing the familiar texture of her futon at the dojo and being able to hear the night through the thin shouji screens.

This mansion was a strange place, unnervingly tidy all the time from servants that she never saw. The large western-style house, complete with chandeliers, sitting rooms, and large dining tables (all of which lay spotless yet unused since company was nonexistent), was teeming with the large and ominous presence of one of the most powerful demons in Japan, suffocating any emotions—except, perhaps, fear.

Kyouri had yet to find out what all this training was needed for, but it seemed that it was all her cousins did around here. She didn't really mind, and found that she liked the feeling of sore muscles at the end of a long day. Not only that, but she didn't care what she was doing as long as they were all safe.

She smiled gently, thinking of the residents of the dojo.

With her gone, Kenshin was now probably stuck with all the chores. The poor rurouni would be worked to death if he didn't get help from the others. Then again, maybe Kaoru was helping with the cooking, since she had improved a bit after her lessons. Kyouri wondered if Yahiko was still giving her a hard time… probably, since learning kendo and tormenting Kaoru were apparently the two goals of his life. And Sanosuke…

She continued smiling, trying to ignore the tears in her eyes. He was probably furious at her… And she'd never see him again… never get a chance to explain…

She turned on her side, quickly wiping away her tears as she closed her eyes and began to fall asleep.

Wherever you are, I hope you're happy...


Note: How's that for a change in tone:D

Okay, so if you've read my bio you should know I'm a complete Linkin Park freak. Yeah, yeah, I know: everyone likes LP, and it's so over used in AMV's and such, but I really think this song fits! Anyway, if you don't like it, just scroll down and ignore it.

Linkin Park: Somewhere I belong

When this began
I had nothing to say
And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me
I was confused
And I let it all out to find / That I'm
Not the only person with these things in mind
Inside of me
But all the vacancy the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I've got left to feel
Nothing to lose
Just stuck / Hollow and alone
And the fault is my own
And the fault is my own

I want to heal
I want to feel
What I thought was never real
I want to let go of the pain I've held so long
(Erase all the pain 'til it's gone
It's gone)
I want to heal
I want to feel
Like I'm close to something real
I want to find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong

And I've got nothing to say
I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face
I was confused
Looking everywhere / Only to find that it's
Not the way I had imagined it all in my mind
So what am I
What do I have but negativity

'Cause I can't justify the
Way everyone is looking at me
Nothing to lose
Nothing to gain / Hollow and alone
And the fault is my own
The fault is my own

I will never know
Myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel
Anything else until my wounds are healed
I will never be
Anything 'til I break away from me
And I will break away
I'll find myself today

I want to heal
I want to feel like I'm
Somewhere I belong

Okay, see? I thought it fit really well with what Kyouri has to go through (man, sometimes I wish I could make an AMV of my fic, but that'd be overdoing it -.-'). A good song to describe how Sano's feeling is The Killer's "Smile Like You Mean It." Both bands come with the Kie-san stamp of approval, so check them out if you get the chance! (-grin!-). Anyways, for those of you who thought that was annoying, don't worry, I don't think I'll be putting lyrics up again (I think), but I will probably put up song names that I think go with the chapter.

I hope you people don't get too confused with Say's name, but I chose it for a reason, as ambiguous as it may be…

And I think you guys should get mad at me for being so uncreative with Rei's name (ô.ô').

I got the weirdest review. I guess I could say it was my first flame, but all the guy (assuming it was a guy) did was left an anonymous review (didn't even bother making up a name!) that said "you suck." I think it's kinda funny, heh heh…

Reviewer Responses:

FairyMage: You live in LA? … Sessha's so jealous… I'd love to live in a big city, but I'm stuck in this stupid little tourist attraction in AZ. It sucks and my sanity is nearly gone, as is shown with this fic :D. But, yah, I loved every part of it, it was the best spring break I've had in a long time! Actually, I liked the rain since it had been snowing so much here, and it rained while we were at the Science Center so I didn't mind :). Thanks for pointing out the lute thing. I knew that…really… --'

WhiteRabbit5: I'm glad you liked the chapter! I was nervous about them actually going on a date, but I figured they had been beating around the bush long enough :D. I dunno, Sano's dad is dressed pretty weird, who knows what he was wearing when he was little! The thing I do pride myself on drawing are the funny little manga chibi's that manga-ka draw when they don't want to add detail or something (I love those things! They're so funny!). (-zips her mouth closed-) I'm not saying anything about the necklace yet! You live in LA too? (apparently fairy mage lives there too). I'm so jealous, you have no idea. I'm moving to a big city the first chance I get, I hate living in this stupid little town (-grumbled more-). XD

K.T. youko: Gomen, those grammar mistakes slip by me pretty easily. Argh… but I'm working on it (got me self a beta reader:D). I made you cry? OMG, wow! (-hands KT youko a tissue-). (-gloom-) Nooo, I haven't seen anything past the Shishio saga, 'cause that's when Cartoon Network restarted the series. DAMN THEM! (-gives them a futae no kiwami and obliterates CN building-). Yahiko no Sakabatou is a little, er, "adventure" Yahiko-chan has. You can find it here: (just take out the spaces) http / members . fortunecity . com / serizawa / yahsak . html. Gomen, but it's just the script version, I have yet to find scanlations (-sigh!-).

OmasuOniwabanshu: Yeaaah, I've thought about what's gonna happen to her uncle a lot, and Kenshin's pesky no killing vow is getting in the way (argh). But sessha will not say anything more! I'm really glad you liked the chapter, "cute" is just the word I was going for!

Okay, it's bed time and I've gotta get up at five tomorrow morning (-dies-). I hope you guys liked the chapter!

LEAVE A REVIEW OR I'LL GET MY LITTLE SISTER TO GO TO YOUR HOUSE AND SHAVE YOUR EYEBROWS IN YOUR SLEEP!

Aku-chan: (-eeeevil grin-)

XD