Chapter 11: Acceptance


The soft sounds of morning filled Kyouri's ears as she lay in bed, her eyes still shut and unwilling to open to a new day.

Her head was throbbing, a painful pulsating hammering behind her eyes that made her wonder just what had happened the night before.

She couldn't really remember, it all seemed a little blurry…

She'd probably have to get up soon before they sent someone to come and get her, but it felt so comfortable in her sheets and she was unwilling to even move her head as she heard approaching steps.

She turned her back to the door and shut her eyes, praying for a few more minutes of silence.

The door opened and someone called out to her.

"Kyouri-chan? Is everything all right?"

It was Kaoru.

Kyouri shot up, her head protesting painfully.

"K-kaoru?" Kyouri stammered, gawking at the young sensei. Kaoru's eyebrows disappeared under her bangs, then knitted together in concern.

"Yes, Kyouri, it's me," she said, giving a half smile. "Are you all right? You look a little pale." Kyouri's head gave a particularly painful throb, causing Kyouri to wince. She rested her hand against her temple, waiting for the pain to subside. It finally did, and she noticed that Kaoru was now sitting next to her, worry etched on her face.

She sighed heavily, "I told that baka not to give you so much to drink last night. You seem to have a hangover; come to breakfast and I'll make you some tea!"

"Hangover?" Kyouri asked, looking surprised.

"Yes," Kaoru smiled. "You got back last night and Sano insisted on having a huge party. We all drank a bit much, so it's okay."

"I got back?" Kyouri exclaimed. "Wait, where was I?"

"Kyouri-chan, do you have a fever?" Kaoru asked, placing her hand on Kyouri's forehead. "You got back from your trip to visit Yamainu-san, remember?"

"Um, I…" Kyouri trailed off, not particularly remembering but feeling that there was something else.

"Oh well, you should come to breakfast." Kaoru smiled warmly. "You're probably still tired from the trip and all."

"Y-yeah, I'll be right there," Kyouri replied as Kaoru got up and left with a final smile at Kyouri. Kyouri looked at her hands in her lap.

She felt something squirm in her gut, as if something was wrong.

She shivered, then shook off the feeling, and went to get dressed.


"Dang, that girl cannot hold her alcohol." Sano grinned after Kaoru told him what was wrong with Kyouri. "Even Kenshin doesn't have much of a hangover."

"What's that supposed to mean, Sano?" Kenshin frowned. "This one has always been able to drink a decent amount of alcohol."

"Er…" Sano was saved from having to answer as the door slid open. Kyouri stood there, looking at everyone in shock. Her eyes met Sano's, and they gazed at each other for a few seconds.

"Yo!" Yahiko said, snapping both of them out of their daze. "No bedroom eyes at the table!" Kenshin "oro-ed" as Kaoru smacked Yahiko upside the head. Kyouri was blushing as she sat down awkwardly beside Sano.

"Ohaiyou," she smiled at everyone. "Sorry, I just have this huge headache…"

"So we heard," Sano grinned. "I could take you out to practice drinking more often, if ya want." Kyouri blushed again, remembering the last time they went out, but Sanosuke seemed unfazed. She gave Sano a small laugh, but didn't answer otherwise.


Kyouri scrubbed the large pot that had been used for the miso soup, her hands working mechanically while her mind went elsewhere.

Sitting with her friends, she'd felt a strange feeling slowly sink into her stomach, so strong that she lost her appetite.

That heavy feeling of dread had been smothering her, but she didn't know why.

She picked up the large pot and hauled it back to the kitchen. As she set it in its rightful cupboard, she pressed her hand against her forehead.

Everything was so fuzzy… she couldn't remember specific events.

She stood up, her head bowed and eyes closed as she tried to remember the trip she had taken.

Images flashed in her mind's eye, too fast and too fuzzy to really distinguish. Amongst them, however, there were images of Yamainu and Sanosuke.

She'd taken that trip… she knew she had.

Hadn't she?

She sighed heavily, opening her eyes.

Sano's face was right beside her, staring at her with a curious expression.

"EEP!" she jumped, nearly stumbling as she stepped back in surprise. Sano laughed, straightening up.

"Oi, you were really out of it, ne?" he grinned.

"Don't do that, baka!" she snapped, feeling around with her hand for something to pelt him with. She grabbed a set of cooking chopsticks and chucked them at him, but he dodged, jumping to the side. She was about to throw the dirtyshamoji at him when he suddenly jumped in front of her, dangerously close as he grabbed the paddle.

"Come on, Kyouri, don't be so violent," he grinned, his nose centimeters from hers. "No wonder you don't have a boyfriend." Her face burned with indignation as she pushed him aside and went to pick up the chopsticks.

"I don't need a guy that expects me to act like a prissy little wife," she grumbled, setting them on the counter. She felt a pair of arms wrap gently around her waist.

"I don't expect that," he whispered in her ear, setting his cheek against hers.

"S-sano?" she faltered, her eyes widening at the sudden show of affection.

"Hey, Kyouri, I really missed you," he continued in his soft voice. She felt her heart thumping in her chest as her face burned, but couldn't help smiling. She let her tense shoulders relax, resting her hands on his. She felt him grin, then tighten his hold on her gently.

"I missed you too," she whispered. It felt like an eternity since she had seen him, since she had breathed his scent and heard his soft voice.

He turned her in his arms so that they were facing each other, arms still around their bodies. Everything about his face, from his wide grin to his glowing honey-brown eyes, was shining with happiness. He leaned in slowly, and she felt his fingers interlock behind her, as if trying to keep her from running.

She didn't mind; she wasn't planning on going anywhere.

She felt his soft lips press against hers, forming gently with hers and locking together. It felt as if fireworks erupted inside her, and they both smiled as they slowly deepened the kiss.

As sudden as Sano's hug, the feeling of dread re-emerged inside her, putting out the fireworks and leaving her feeling suddenly cold.

She shivered and pulled away, avoiding Sano's surprised expression.

"Are you okay?" he asked, a worried tone in his voice. She was surprised; she had expected him to get mad. She looked up into his eyes to see that they were set in an anxious expression. As she did, the feeling melted away again, and she smiled.

"Sorry," she said, slightly breathless. "I just--" She didn't get to finish, however, as he kissed her again, bringing his hands up to caress her neck. Once again she smiled, deepening the kiss and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Oh!" a surprised voice gasped suddenly, causing the two lovers to pull apart. Kaoru was standing at the door, wide-eyed and looking uncomfortable.

"Er, I was just, um," she stuttered as she blushed deeply.

"It's okay, Jou-chan," Sano grinned, turning towards her and returning his arms to Kyouri's hips. "You had to learn about kissing someday."

Kaoru laughed nervously. "Right, I just wanted to see if Kyouri could go to the fish market to see if they had anything left for lunch, although it is a little late and I doubt they still have a good selection, but I still wanted to try and I just came to see…" She trailed off, a blank smile on her face as she waved her hands in defense.

"All right, I'll go see," Kyouri smiled.

"Right!" Kaoru shot out of the room as soon as she could, leaving the two standing in their embrace, grinning widely.

"That must've been really awkward for her," Kyouri mused, turning her gaze back to Sanosuke.

"Yeah," he chuckled, then he looked down at her with a warm smile. "You don't have to leave right now, you know." Kyouri smiled, resting her head in the crook of his neck as he held her tightly.

She didn't want to leave; she loved the way it felt to be wrapped in his loving embrace, the coarse fabric of his gi against her cheek and the feeling of his chest rising with each breath made her feel safe.

Safe…

Kyouri's train of thought surprised her; why would she think of that word?

The feeling quickly dissipated, however, as he cupped his hand under her chin and kissed her again.

She allowed herself to stay with him for a few more minutes before she finally willed herself to break away from his embrace. She gave him a warm smile at the door, both their faces flushed with happiness.

She practically glided to the market in a lovesick haze, hardly paying attention to her surroundings.


Kyouri walked down the path happily, humming under her breath and holding two fish wrapped in rice paper. Kaoru would be pretty happy that she had been able to find such good fish at this hour, and would probably be willing to take part in another cooking lesson.

She was still humming as she slid open the gate, but stopped instantly as she let out a scream of surprise, her package falling to the ground.

The dojo had been leveled; debris and rubble, along with a few posts that were still upright, seemed to be all that was left.

"How…?" she managed as a deep panic overtook her as her eyes assessed the damage. Where was everyone?

Her eyes fell on a small hand that was sticking out of the rubble. She hurried to it and began to push the large pieces of the dojo off the body.

She finally managed to pull Yahiko out by his hand.

He wasn't moving.

She turned him over, only to drop him and jump back in horror.

His eyes were wide open, as if gazing in disbelief at death; three large gashes ran across his chest and throat, his usual turquoise blue gi darkened with blood.

Kyouri was shaking heavily, looking at the small body of the young boy she had talked to only this morning.

Who had done this?

She ran around the destruction to where the yard would be, only to find another horror awaiting her.

Against one of the large posts that had been left standing were Kaoru and Kenshin, her arms wrapped around his neck and her chin resting lamely on the top of his head. He was still gripping his sakabatou, a defeated and pained expression on his face, while Kaoru, even in death, was gazing at him with a warm yet remorseful expression. Both of them were drenched in each other's blood.

Kyouri stood, frozen, staring at the image in front of her, her mind buzzing.

"Kaoru… Kenshin…" she whispered, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Her heart gave a painful throb. "Sanosuke!" She began running, looking for the man she loved, praying to all the Gods and whatever other deities that could help her that he would be all right. "Sanosuke! Sano!" She continued yelling his name, her panic mounting with each passing moment of silence. "SANO!"

There was movement under a particularly large pile of rubble. Kyouri stopped, her breath catching in her throat as she watched Sanosuke emerge from the debris.

"Sano!" she exclaimed happily as relief flooded her. He was alive…

He looked up at her in surprise, then did something completely unexpected.

He glared at her.

"You… you bitch…" he snarled with a pained expression as he clutched his bruised chest. Kyouri's happiness evaporated.

"Sano…? Wha…?" she gasped, a weak, hopeful smile still on her face.

"What're you doing here? Coming to laugh at us?" he growled as his expression deepened. "This is all your fault." Never had someone given Kyouri a look of so much hatred and loathing. He clenched his fists, then without warning began to charge towards her.

"THEY'RE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!" he roared as he approached her. Kyouri could've had a chance to run or dodge, but her feet suddenly felt as if they were made of lead, and she could only watch as her love pulled his fist back and rammed it into her face. She was knocked back a few feet, falling on her bottom as her face stung smartly. Sanosuke faltered, clutching his chest once again, but his intense expression didn't.

Kyouri touched her cheek gingerly, wincing when it throbbed. Tears began to run down her cheek as she watched Sano muster up the energy to come towards her again, killing intent visible in his eyes.

"Why…?" she gasped as her vision blurred with hot tears. "Sano… don't…" But he didn't hear her pleads, his eyes glazed manically with hatred as he clenched his fists in front of him.

He finally reached her, towering above her with his impressive height, a dangerous snarl on his usually laughing face. He was preparing to kick her, lifting his foot with effort as she stared on in horror.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," hissed a shadow standing behind him. Long talons suddenly erupted through his chest, sending a spray of blood everywhere and drenching Kyouri's face.

The familiar stench of blood filled her nostrils, and the memory of the man she had killed suddenly flooded her, along with where she really had been for the past two weeks.

"No…" she whispered as Sanosuke's eyes began to dull, a river of blood running from his chest as the talons receded. His knees buckled under him and he slumped forward onto Kyouri, his face landing next to hers as she caught him awkwardly.

"I can't believe…" he gasped, his voice raspy as he struggled to say his final words, "that I ever loved a monster like you…" Kyouri couldn't stop shaking, couldn't stop the tears that were flowing from her wide eyes, mingling with Sanosuke's blood on her face, as she felt his body go limp.

He slid off her like a blood covered rag doll.

"No… Sanosuke…" she whispered hoarsely as she turned him around, "Don't go…" His eyes were half open, the usually vibrant honey brown color now dull and lifeless. "Sano…" She huddled over him, hugging his dead body and smearing his crimson blood over her red clothes, sobbing uncontrollably and begging for forgiveness.

"Why do you cry for that filthy human?" a voice said. Kyouri snapped her head up, looking at her uncle who was standing where Sanosuke had stood.

"You…" she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "YOU KILLED HIM!" She hugged his body closer to hers, as if protecting his already lifeless form, panting with the effort of yelling through her racking sobs.

"Yes," he grinned, bringing up his blood covered hand and licking one of the talons with a sick smile. "I suppose I did."

Kyouri placed Sanosuke's body carefully on the ground, closing his eyes with her hand, then looked up at her uncle with immense hatred. "I'll kill you." She lunged forward, swiping at him with her fist, but he dodged to the side easily, causing her to lose her balance and fall forward into the dirt ground.

"Kill me?" he laughed. "Shouldn't you be aiming that hatred at someone else?"

Kyouri looked up from the ground, glaring at him, "What?"

"You're the one that caused their death," he replied, sneering at her with the same mocking smile.

Kyouri's heart jumped into her throat, but she forced it back down with a large gulp. "Bastard, you're the one that killed them."

"But you're the reason I did." Kyouri froze, blinking stupidly as her pulse quickened. "You're the one that ran away, you're the one that came here, you're the reason I had to kill these people. It was to punish you." The painful buzzing filled Kyouri's head once again as she mentally denied his words.

"No… no, it's not true!" she yelled, but even she could notice the frantic and defeated tone in her voice.

"What other reason would I have for killing these people?" he asked, raising a thin black eyebrow. "What other reason would they have to die cursing your name?"

"Wha-what?" she gasped.

"I clearly explained to them just why I had to make examples of them," he explained, grinning. "The swordsman died protecting that wench, and their last words were un-granted wishes that you had never come to their dojo. The boy, after seeing their deaths, attempted to run away, swearing to take revenge on you. And that man-- well, you know what happened with him; he died wondering just why he had fallen in love with a monster like you."

"L-liar…" she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Kaoru, Kenshin, Yahiko… they're not like that… and Sano--" She stopped, remembering what he had said.

"I can't believe… that I ever loved a monster like you…"

A monster? Is that what he really thought of her?

"Don't you understand, Kyouri?" her uncle asked, looking down at her with contempt. "Humans will always hate our—your--kind. And yet demons will always shun you for your human blood." His smirk widened. "No matter how good you may believe they are, they will always treat you like vermin."

He hunched down to her level, reaching out and cupping his hand under her chin so that she had to look at him. "Now, I, on the other hand, will always care for you, even if you are a hanyou." Kyouri stared at him, her eyes wide in horror. "Don't you see? The only place you will ever belong is in my home."

A horrible realization sank into Kyouri's stomach, making her nauseous as everything began spinning around her.

It's true… it's true… I'll never…

She hung her head in despair, tears leaking out of her tightly shut eyes.

"Come back to me, Kyouri," her uncle said in a silky, coaxing voice. "I need you…"

"Please…" she gasped, "No more… please…"

"It's all right," he continued. "Rest now, Kyouri."

She felt her body grow heavy, darkness veiling her vision and allowing her numb mind to finally rest. She welcomed the feeling, and quickly fell into a heavy and dreamless sleep.


"I wonder how 'tea-time' went for the little princess," Rei smirked to her two sisters as Say pretended not to hear. "I hope she saved me some crumpets." If Say hadn't been able to control her emotions so well, Rei would've found herself trapped in a sand dune.

Approaching steps could be heard as Rei quipped, "Oh look! Here comes the princess now!"

Kyouri appeared before them.

"K-kyouri…?" Say gasped. Apparently she didn't have as good a hold on her emotions as she thought she did.

The young hanyou stood before her, gazing at her indifferently with vibrant green slitted eyes. At her sides were her hands, now graced with sharp talons that could be used as deadly weapons. An aura of demon and human energy swirled around her, giving her a strange scent.

"Oooh!" Rei grinned in amusement. "Kyouri-hime has taken off her wittle necklace! How does it feel to be a true-blue hanyou?" Kyouri didn't answer, but just shot her cousin a piercing glare.

"Kyouri, why did you take it off?" Say asked, her eyebrows knitted together as she recalled the girl's persistence to remember her human side.

"What's the point of keeping it on if I'm going to be living here for the rest of my life?" Kyouri replied, her voice strangely flat and distant. "Let's get going." Without a second glance she walked past her cousins towards the direction of the training hall.

An uncomfortable silence that even Rei was unwilling to break fell over the demonesses.

"Well," Say sighed tiredly, glancing at Rei as she began to follow the hanyou, "I guess you were right."

Rei didn't answer as she felt her heart sink with a feeling that felt uncannily like disappointment.


Note: …

(-nervously-)Umm, hi… o.o (-ducks for cover-)

Don't hate me yet! The fic isn't over! Please, please, stick around, I swear there's more stuff that's in store.

I'm not gonna say anymore, tho', I don't trust myself (-zips mouth closed like the Genie-). :3

And please don't forget to review, de gozaru. I've gotten great reviews so far, they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!