Chapter 17: So She Ran
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled in anguish as he was struck across the chest. Yahiko crouched besides her, a look of horror on his face as well.
Kenshin let out a groan as he fell to his knees, his abdomen throbbing and stinging with pain. He reached down with his hand, clutching his stomach, expecting to feel the warm trickle of blood on his palm.
"Kaoru-dono…I…" he gasped, but as he looked down, he realized that the crimson fluid he had expected was absent. "I'm okay…" Kaoru's eyes widened in shock as he turned to look at her, a similar expression in his own wide blue eyes. "This one is fine." The sand clone above them was still poised in its last attack, but had stopped moving, becoming some sort of malicious statue, the sword it was holding as dull, if not duller, than the sakabatou.
Sanosuke looked back at the demonesses, wondering why the attack had suddenly stopped, and his brown eyes widened in shock at the sight before him, the sand clones around them disintegrating into piles of dirt.
"Why…why didn't you dodge?" she whispered in a trembling voice, her green eyes shining with horror on her pale face.
Say chuckled, and replied with a scoff, "The first time I've disobeyed father… now all I need to do is moon Rei to say I've lived a full life."
"You could've parried, moved to the side, anything!" Kyouri continued, furrowing her brow in frustration at Say's nonchalance. Didn't she see the large piece of glass that was shoved through her stomach? Didn't she see the river of blood flowing from it, staining her clothes and Kyouri's hands?
"Then what?" Say asked, glancing at Kyouri with a bittersweet smile. "Then I would have to kill you, right?"
"It's not fair!" Kyouri yelled angrily, tears forming in her eyes, "Why the hell did you do that! It's not fair to make me do that!"
Say smiled softly, closing her amber eyes, "You're right, but I'm still going to ask a favor of you, even though you should've never had to kill anyone in the first place." She opened her eyes again, giving Kyouri a look of sorrow and jubilation, regret and hop. "Take care of them for me, will you?"
"I can't…" Kyouri replied hoarsely, the tears streaming down her face as her anger ebbed away, replaced by a suffocating sadness, "That's your job, you have to take care of them, Say."
"I've never…" Say was slowly slipping, the river of blood still flowing with the same tenacity as before, her voice becoming softer still. "I've never been able to do anything for them. As the eldest, it should've been my job to keep them from hurting, but I've never been able to let them taste true happiness." She looked at Kyouri, smiling as tears also flowed down her cheek. "Maybe my death will achieve more than I have been able to in life."
"I-idiot," Kyouri frowned, shaking her head as she pulled the long dagger of glass, which she had formed from the sand prison, out of Say's body, causing Say to wince. She threw it to the ground, then said shakily, "Y-you're not going to die, you're a demon! Y-you'll recover and we'll both…we'll both kill that bastard."
"Even a demon can't recover from this, Kyouri," Say whispered, her eyes dimming. "Please, I leave this to you, even though…it's not fair…"
"Say…" Kyouri sobbed as she supported her cousin, who was now slumping down to the ground, "Don't go…you're supposed to live forever."
"Hey Kyouri…" Say whispered, her amber eyes staring straight ahead as she let death take over her. "She…she really cared for you…she never wanted to leave…she told…me…she…"
Her body went limp as her final breath escaped her parted lips.
"Say, you have to help me," Kyouri cried softly, holding Say tenderly. "I can't do this alone…Please…"
Say's body glowed for a second with an ethereal light, consuming both of them with a demonic aura that shone only in death. The light slowly faded, and Say's body suddenly disintegrated, turned into dust that flowed through Kyouri's fingers into the ground.
"Say…" Kyouri cried, clinging to a bundle of clothes and a handful of sand—all that remained of her cousin. "No…" She let her cousin's clothes fall to the ground, an overwhelming sense of helplessness overcome her. What was she supposed to do now? Was she supposed to face her uncle, when no one else, not even Say, could?
How would she face Rei?
"Kyouri?" a quiet voice asked. Her head snapped up to Sanosuke, who was standing a few feet in front of her, her eyes widening as she remembered what had happened just a few minutes ago.
The image of his face looking at her with that horror in his eyes flashed in her mind.
She shot up, stepping away from him as he took a reluctant step forward, then did the only thing she could think of.
She ran.
-
"What…what happened?" Kaoru asked in a strained voice, looking at Kenshin, who was still clutching his side tenderly. No one answered, all gazing at the ground around them instead of at each other. "Sanosuke?" she asked, looking up at the ex-street fighter. She didn't have time to decipher the clouded expression on his face, however, as he suddenly broke into a run, bolting out of the open gate down the road, tracing Kyouri's path.
-
No, no, no no no no…
Her mantra was thudding inside of her head, matching the rhythm of her feet pounding on the hard ground.
No No No…
She wouldn't go back. She wouldn't stay. She wouldn't see his face, the horrified expression in his eyes, his mouth slack with shock.
She wouldn't go back to Him. She wouldn't be the one to tell her cousin that Say had…
No.
She would keep going. The monstrous blood flowing within her veins would fuel her legs, allowing her to keep running for days. She could go wherever she wanted.
Anywhere but where she wanted to be the most.
Her eyes began to burn, her vision blurring as tears ran down her face and splattered the ground behind her as she kept moving forward, clenching fists that were caked with blood.
It would be so easy to disappear. To just erase herself from the face of the planet. Who would be left to miss her?
No one.
Her throat was clamping shut, each breath feeling like sandpaper against the back of her throat. She could hardly breath now, hardly see, hardly keep going.
She squeezed her eyes shut, blinking away the obnoxious tears as she attempted to swallow, only to find that a large egg had lodged itself in her neck somehow and she couldn't gulp or breathe through it.
Her foot hit a bump in the road, and she felt her whole body give way under her as she tripped. She just squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the fall but not caring enough to put her hands out to stop herself.
What difference would a little more pain make?
Heavy breaths…in out in out in out…keep yourself alive, at least until you can get away. Let the ringing in your ears die down, then pick yourself up and run.
Just run away.
In out in out in…
Her heart pounding and brow sweating, the loud buzzing in her head began to die down, only to reveal another noise beside her.
In out in out…
In and out--the sounds of her heavy breathing were accompanied by the sound of someone else's exhausted pants for air.
In…out…
Strong hands lifted her so she was on her feet, facing the person that had caught her and prevented her from slamming into the ground.
No…please…don't let it be…
She didn't want to open her eyes. Please, it couldn't be him…
"Kyouri?"
She clenched her fists, feeling anger course through her as her eyes snapped open and she glared furiously at the ground, noticing Sanosuke's feet across her own.
"Get away from me!" she yelled, pushing him away and lifting her fist to punch him, only so he could catch her wrist, stopping her. "Bastard! Let go!" She pulled away, but he wouldn't let go, wouldn't loosen his grip. She glared at the bandaged hand that was holding her wrist, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Kyouri!" he exclaimed. "Calm down!"
"Fuck off!" she screamed, the tears still falling, "Why the hell are you following me? Why are you here?" He struggled to keep a firm hold on her as she thrashed around furiously. She could easily knock his hand away, but she couldn't bring herself to summon enough demonic energy to do it. She couldn't bring herself to expose more of that thing to him. "What the hell do you want from me!"
She lifted her other hand, hoping to punch him, but she faltered and he easily caught her wrist with his other hand.
"LET ME GO!" she shrieked, panic and fear welling within her as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Kyouri! Look at me, dammit!" he yelled back, and she could hear the frustration in his voice.
Hurt him, hurt him so bad he'll forget about you. Hurt him so he'll leave you alone.
"Damn human, get your filthy hands off me!" she spat, screwing her eyes tightly, trying to keep the tears at bay, though they still managed to squeeze through.
"I'm not letting go!" he growled in a quiet and serious voice.
"Let go, you bastard! I hate you! I hate you so much! Let me go! Let me go..!"
"Calm down, dammit!"
"Don't you get it! Are you stupid or something! You're supposed to be running away from me!" It would be so easy to lash out at him with her claws. That's what they were there for, after all--to maul humans. "Don't you hate me as well!" She found herself staring at his chest, her eyes now wide open with panic. She caught herself just in time to keep them from traveling to his face. "I'm a MONSTER! I'M A FUCKING MONSTER! GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL AND LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"
"KYOURI, CALM DOWN!"
"DON'T MAKE ME KILL YOU!"
"LIKE HELL YOU WILL!" And with that he thrust his head forward, the only part of him that wasn't preoccupied in keeping Kyouri in front of him, and slammed it into her own.
She was so shocked she stopped resisting, little stars popping in her vision as a bolt of pain shot through her. She faltered, swaying slightly as she recovered from the shock and as the pain slowly died down.
"Kyouri, look at me," he said in a soft voice, apparently unfazed by the head-butt from hell. Still partially dazed, she looked forward, her jade eyes finally meeting his dark amber ones.
Fear. Fear looked back at her.
Didn't she realize it? Didn't she know where this fear came from? It came from the desire to keep her beside him. It was the fear that she would disappear once again, the fear that gave him the energy to run after her.
"Let me go…" she pleaded softly, hanging her head, tears spotting the ground beneath her, because she couldn't stand looking into eyes so much like hers.
"I can't," he whispered back, letting both of their arms drop down as he loosened the grip around her wrists.
"Why not?" she snapped back, although all the malice, all the hatred she had forced herself to feel was gone, leaving behind pained exhaustion. "You don't understand, you've never understood."
"Tell me so I can," he replied firmly, knitting his eyebrows as he ignored the trickle of blood that came from his forehead.
"You've never understood, Sanosuke," she said, looking up at him, "You've never understood that you've never known me." A trickle of red blood dripped off his nose. He had never seen her blood, had he? "You don't know me, Sanosuke, and you don't owe me anything." Her own blood was a muddy red, almost black.
This was for the best, she thought as she closed her eyes, "Let me go."
"I've never known that you were a demon," Sanosuke said, letting go of one of her wrists and wiping his face with his sleeve, ridding himself of the small trickle of blood. "I've never known that about you, Kyouri, but that doesn't mean I don't know you." He grinned weakly at her. "You're Kyouri."
She shook her head, "It's not that simple."
We belong to different worlds.
"Why not?" he asked, resting his hand against her cheek to keep her from shaking her head anymore. She felt a chill run down her spine, remembering the tenderness of the kiss she had dreamed. "I know you, Kyouri, and I know that you're a good cook, that you work hard and that you like the quiet sound of the river at night." She felt her heart pounding as his voice gouged holes in it, drawing out bittersweet memories. "You like acting crazy and letting people know how you feel." He wiped her tears with his finger tips, brushing them away. "Kyouri loves her friends very much, and would do anything for them." He tilted her head up gently with his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Just like we would do anything for her."
Then just let me go…
She lowered her head, smiling sadly as he waited for her response.
"She's gone," she whispered. "She died, didn't you hear? She drowned in a river of blood, and she won't be coming back this time."
This time he shook his head, frowning, "Liar, she's right here." He leaned closer to her, moving his hand to her waist and placing his cheek by hers in a soft embrace. He whispered, "She just tried to run away again. This time, though, I'm not letting her go so easily." Her heart throbbed as a tear slid down her cheek once again, only to be brushed away by his cheek.
The tears were flowing freely now, her quiet sobs ringing in the air around them.
He let her wrist go, allowing her hand to fall limply at her side.
"I won't force you to stay," he said, a note of sadness in his voice. "I'd never do that to you. I'm just asking you to come back." He stepped back and reached up, tracing the trail of her tears, gently wiping them away. "Come back, I'll wait."
He turned to leave, hoping with every fiber of his being that this wouldn't be the last time he saw her.
He thought he might have imagined it, the feeling of her hands clenching the back of his coat, holding him back, but when he heard her voice he knew he wasn't.
"I was…I was so ready to give up. Dammit, Sano, you're so draining…"
He turned around as she feebly let go of "aku," looking at her but ignoring her tired green eyes, her splotchy face and runny nose.
All he saw was her hopeful smile.
Tears were still running down her face as she struggled to keep her smile in place.
"S-still," she said hoarsely, "I…" She gulped, looking at Sanosuke with despair. "I killed her." She held herself shakily, wrapping her arms around herself, as she slumped down, the tense smile cracking. He knelt down in front of her, at a loss for words. "I-I killed her, Sano, I killed Say."
What could he do? What could he do besides pull her into his own arms, swearing to himself that he'd kill the bastard that put her through this, as she sobbed into his chest, repeating over and over that she had killed Say, that she had killed…
"I'm so sorry," she wept, "Forgive me…forgive me…"
And they stayed there, time standing still for both of them as she cried, cried out all the tears she had held back for each of her victims, for each moment of pain she had caused, and he held her, catching her tears in his white coat that bore "evil" on the back.
-
-
Note: Meow.
Okay, who feels like shoving some stilettos, a mace, and a flaming Barbie up Mr. Uncle-who-must-die's ass? I do!
Let me just say that I really loved Say, she was one of those characters that made me laugh while managing to pull heart strings. It was for the best….right…?
Ehhh, I have a feeling the next chapters are gonna take a while. There's something that's gonna be hard to get out of the way, but after that I'm gonna have a LOT of fun writing what happens next! I hope you guys don't think I've given up on any of my fanfic's, it's just that I definitely have the time, I'm just so sapped that I don't do anything.
It's frustrating as HELL and I want school to start just so I'll have something to keep myself busy with.
OMG! I'M GOING CRAZY! (-chokes herself for wishing school was starting
-)
FairyMage: Heh heh, ya, I just read it (I –HEART- U!). Sorry 'bout that, I haven't been keeping up with xanga much (or at all). I really should, since I have fun writing crap and reading crap (XD), but I dunno… I can see you're happy with the Sano punching-ness! I had to give Sano-chan his chance, of course, because he can't seem all wussy and stuff! That's one of my big fears: that I'll make someone seem like a constant victim or something. (-drool-) Yeah, the anime voices are so HOTT! You know what's kind of a let down, tho'? In Witch Hunter Robin Sano's voice is the voice of a butt ugly guy with sideburns and a furry jacket (if I recall correctly). I mean, he was a cool character and all, but still…
K.T.youko: Gomennasai, but it had to happen! Can you really see me killing off a main RuroKen character? I think not! I still feel bad for killing Say, though, because I really liked her. (-sigh-) Ah, well…
Rayne-chan: I think I'll ignore your threat, because the most you could do would be to throw some cyber-sushi at me (ahh, I love being anonymous). :D. Come now, do you really think I'd kill of one of the main characters? I haven't even gotten to the Kyoto arc yet!
Angel of Mercy: (-points and laughs-) Ha ha! (-angel leaves-) Hey! Wait! I didn't mean it! COME BACK! Oh, and, BTW, them flesh eating zombies can kiss my zanbatou. Mm-hmm (-snaps fingers-). XD (I'm not too good on the "update fast" thing, unfortunately -.-').
OmasuOniwabanshu: Yeahhh, maybe you're right; maybe I should let the Kenshin-gumi go on vacation (-ignores Bahamas brochures Kaoru shoves in her face-). I just don't really want them to be, you know, just there. I love the Kenshin-gumi and would love for them to help out with stuff. Argh, but you still have a point (-frustration-). Forgive me, and heads up 'cause I think the next chapters are gonna be a bit hairy in that department. (I do have the magic touch, for I finished Harry Potter in only one day! –POOF!-).
Kumori-hime: Ah, maybe I should download the anime. Hmm… nah, I read the scanlated manga, and that's good enough for me. Too bad you don't have CN! They pass really good anime a lot of the times on Adult Swim! My condolences, friend. And I'm sure you already know, but I love your reviews. :D
TessaCilory: Might I suggest a seatbelt for your chair? I find it helps sessha a lot XD. Thanks for your review and sporadic anticipation!
I got two reviews from new people last chapter, which was a very nice surprise indeed. I LOVE YOU ALL! MWAH!
But that won't stop me from throwing cyber-sushi at you if you don't review! (-twitchy Soujiro grin-)
(The new Harry Potter book was so...-breaks out in sobs-)
