A/N HI y'all !! Ok, I know this chapter is short but I thought this would
be better than nothing, no? Anyway I'm glad that y'all are liking the
story, I almost quit. But now that I know that you are all but begging me
to continue I can't help but want to finish now ^_^ Thanks for all your
reviews they keep my hopes up * waves* Ok enough of that and on to the
story.
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Tanako hardly made a sound as she stepped around Karou's sleeping form. Tanako knew that she didn't have to try so hard to be stealthy, but she knew that Kenshin would hear her if she didn't try to be as silent as she could. She had fallen right to sleep after Kenshin left, but her sleep had been in vain. She was plagued with nightmares and the memories of her childhood; she woke and felt even worse than she had before she went to sleep. Looking out the window, she saw that the sun wasn't even thinking of rising yet. The moon still shone bright, she had gotten only two hours of sleep and she knew that that was all she was going to get.
Rather then sit in the room and go over her twisted life, she decided to talk a little walk outside. She never went out at night without her cloak and remembered that she tucked it away in her new room and had to venture forth to retrieve it. The only sound in the room was Karou's soft snores, and she didn't stir at all when Tanako donned her cloak and silently left the room and the dojo.
The cool night air slapped at her and woke her further from the sleep she needed. She stood on the dojo porch for a few moments, gazing all around her at the night. The moon and shadows where her friends, she knew them well and they knew her. The new moon wasn't too far away and the pale light was weak and dim. Sighing, Tanako stepped out onto the grass and ignored her soft leather shoes and decided to go barefoot on the cool ground.
The night was silent as it usually was and the wind whispered loudly though the trees. She needed a place to think, about anything, something to get her mind off what she had to dig up. Knowing of only one place she wanted to be, she turned and took three running steps before launching herself straight up. She grasped the dojo roof with both hand and pulled herself up, landing silently on her feet. It was not the smoothest jump, but she still wore Karou's kimono and it greatly restricted her movements. The smooth clay tiles where cold on her bare feet but the view was worth the slight discomfort. She perched on the top of the roof and gazed out at the stream that ran close to the dojo. The moon caused the stream to sparkle like so many jewels, and the cherry trees that lined the stream swayed in the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sano was having a very long night. He had only caught a few hours of sleep that night, for he new he would be out and about listening and looking for any sign of the Onozawa gang. There had been a few sightings of a strange group of men in Tokyo, but they where on the other side of the city and seemed to keep to themselves. Sano thought that this strange group could be the very gang he sought. Knowing that Tanako was a very valuable member of the gang, they would be out looking for her. Had Sano not promised Kenshin, he would have turned Tanako into the police or even back to her gang. He did not trust those secretive, stealthy assassins, much less a woman assassin. When his attempts to find the strange group left him empty handed, he thought it best to head to the dojo and warn Kenshin that there may be trouble soon and to be on alert.
However, when Sano arrived at the dojo he was just in time to see Tanako materialize out of the shadows of the dojo and wander around in the yard. Sano paused at the gate and quickly hid behind one of the many trees that lined the wall of the yard. Sano observed the young killer with narrowed eyes. She must be up to no good, stealing away in the night. Yet he spotted Tanako's bare feet under the shadowy cloak and was confused. Perhaps I'm getting a little paranoid. He thought to himself. He caught Tanako's leap to the roof and almost whistled, it was an impressive jump, and he didn't hear a sound. He caught sight of the bright kimono under the cloak and was even more impressed. Instead of opening the gate he hoped over it as silently as he could. This young woman caught his curiosity, he hated to admit it but it was true. She stood on the dojo roof a still as a statue, and the only movement he saw was her amazing long hair and cloak as they whipped back and forth by the wind.
"I know you're down there." She suddenly spoke up, keeping her eyes glued to the sparkling stream.
" Huh?! You did not!" Sano spoke up stepping closer to the roof.
"I do now." Tanako looked down and smiled at the look Sano had on his face. He had just fallen for the oldest trick. He had let himself away; grumbling, he leapt up on the roof to join the girl and sat a few feet away from her.
"So you had an idea that someone was near and spoke up to see if I would answer and confirm your suspicions." Sano stated, glaring at the tricky young woman. Tanako turned to face her new company and sat on the roof and got comfortable. The feat was not easy, as again the kimono prevented the movement from being easy.
"I could hardly miss that fighting spirit you have. It is awful strong." She said keeping her gaze focused on the red headband he wore. The headband snapped softly in the wind like a red banner and further helped Sano's look of suspicion.
"Yeah I see your point." Sano said reluctantly. He gazed silently at Tanako; lack of sleep had taken its tool on the girl. Her hair was a mess, her eyes where red and had dark rings under them. "You look terrible." He winced when he caught there glare. "I mean....you look like you haven't had a moment to sleep at all." He grinned sheepishly, that was the best apology she was going to get out of him.
"Kenshin dragged my past out, I don't think I got more then a couple hours of sleep." She said softly, hoping that Sano wasn't going to ask her about her past as well. Thankfully he did not; instead he gave her the strangest look.
Sano felt his suspicion and hatred slip away; this girl was hurting, he could see it in her eyes. Get a grip Sanosuke he scolded himself for almost letting her chop away his defense. Though he did feel bad about the things he said to her. She didn't deserve it; she only wanted to run from the past that had marked her as a killer. So that people like him would trust her and be friends. Geezz..I guess I could be her first success. "Listen, Tanato-......um, Tanako...I just wanted to apologize for what I said the other day. Look I know your trying to get rid of that shady reputation of yours and I threw your efforts back in your face. It's just going to take me some time to trust you; remember, I was just like you. I hardly killed as any as you, but I know how you think and having around my friends and in their home was something that I couldn't risk. But seeing how things have gone so far.....doesn't prove much....but it is a start. Just give me more time, and then I'm sure I'll come around to liking you."
Tanako was thrown off balance by Sano's words and she could do nothing but stare at him. He had kept his eyes adverted as he apologized but that didn't lessen the sincerity of his words. It should not have meant so much to her, but his words were like water to her dying body. The hope of a few more hours of life, the rope of hope to pull her out of her death. Suddenly she realized that the young man was looking at her; he didn't move an inch, only locked eyes with her, willing her to take his apology.
"Thank you, Sanosuke....it means a lot to me to have your trust." She whispered dropping her eyes to her hands that rested in her lap. She missed Sano's brown eyes lit up at her words. He got to his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away from her.
"Yeah well don't let it get to your head." He said making his voice a little rougher then he intended. "I understand that you need at least some trust to help you along, but you have to earn my complete trust." And with that he leapt off the roof and landed perfectly on the ground. "I hope the rest of the night is good to you......and call me Sano." He called over his shoulder as he left the dojo. He had completely forgotten why he had came in the first place.
"Thank you...Sano." She whispered to herself as she watched him walk away into the shadows.
*****************************************************************
A/n Yeah I know it's short * falls to her knees* forgive me!!! I'll make it up to you I swear!!. Don't worry, the story is about to pick up. Remember that group that Sano heard about? They will come into play very shortly. ^_^ leave reviews and tell me what you think. Thanks!! * waves.*
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Tanako hardly made a sound as she stepped around Karou's sleeping form. Tanako knew that she didn't have to try so hard to be stealthy, but she knew that Kenshin would hear her if she didn't try to be as silent as she could. She had fallen right to sleep after Kenshin left, but her sleep had been in vain. She was plagued with nightmares and the memories of her childhood; she woke and felt even worse than she had before she went to sleep. Looking out the window, she saw that the sun wasn't even thinking of rising yet. The moon still shone bright, she had gotten only two hours of sleep and she knew that that was all she was going to get.
Rather then sit in the room and go over her twisted life, she decided to talk a little walk outside. She never went out at night without her cloak and remembered that she tucked it away in her new room and had to venture forth to retrieve it. The only sound in the room was Karou's soft snores, and she didn't stir at all when Tanako donned her cloak and silently left the room and the dojo.
The cool night air slapped at her and woke her further from the sleep she needed. She stood on the dojo porch for a few moments, gazing all around her at the night. The moon and shadows where her friends, she knew them well and they knew her. The new moon wasn't too far away and the pale light was weak and dim. Sighing, Tanako stepped out onto the grass and ignored her soft leather shoes and decided to go barefoot on the cool ground.
The night was silent as it usually was and the wind whispered loudly though the trees. She needed a place to think, about anything, something to get her mind off what she had to dig up. Knowing of only one place she wanted to be, she turned and took three running steps before launching herself straight up. She grasped the dojo roof with both hand and pulled herself up, landing silently on her feet. It was not the smoothest jump, but she still wore Karou's kimono and it greatly restricted her movements. The smooth clay tiles where cold on her bare feet but the view was worth the slight discomfort. She perched on the top of the roof and gazed out at the stream that ran close to the dojo. The moon caused the stream to sparkle like so many jewels, and the cherry trees that lined the stream swayed in the wind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sano was having a very long night. He had only caught a few hours of sleep that night, for he new he would be out and about listening and looking for any sign of the Onozawa gang. There had been a few sightings of a strange group of men in Tokyo, but they where on the other side of the city and seemed to keep to themselves. Sano thought that this strange group could be the very gang he sought. Knowing that Tanako was a very valuable member of the gang, they would be out looking for her. Had Sano not promised Kenshin, he would have turned Tanako into the police or even back to her gang. He did not trust those secretive, stealthy assassins, much less a woman assassin. When his attempts to find the strange group left him empty handed, he thought it best to head to the dojo and warn Kenshin that there may be trouble soon and to be on alert.
However, when Sano arrived at the dojo he was just in time to see Tanako materialize out of the shadows of the dojo and wander around in the yard. Sano paused at the gate and quickly hid behind one of the many trees that lined the wall of the yard. Sano observed the young killer with narrowed eyes. She must be up to no good, stealing away in the night. Yet he spotted Tanako's bare feet under the shadowy cloak and was confused. Perhaps I'm getting a little paranoid. He thought to himself. He caught Tanako's leap to the roof and almost whistled, it was an impressive jump, and he didn't hear a sound. He caught sight of the bright kimono under the cloak and was even more impressed. Instead of opening the gate he hoped over it as silently as he could. This young woman caught his curiosity, he hated to admit it but it was true. She stood on the dojo roof a still as a statue, and the only movement he saw was her amazing long hair and cloak as they whipped back and forth by the wind.
"I know you're down there." She suddenly spoke up, keeping her eyes glued to the sparkling stream.
" Huh?! You did not!" Sano spoke up stepping closer to the roof.
"I do now." Tanako looked down and smiled at the look Sano had on his face. He had just fallen for the oldest trick. He had let himself away; grumbling, he leapt up on the roof to join the girl and sat a few feet away from her.
"So you had an idea that someone was near and spoke up to see if I would answer and confirm your suspicions." Sano stated, glaring at the tricky young woman. Tanako turned to face her new company and sat on the roof and got comfortable. The feat was not easy, as again the kimono prevented the movement from being easy.
"I could hardly miss that fighting spirit you have. It is awful strong." She said keeping her gaze focused on the red headband he wore. The headband snapped softly in the wind like a red banner and further helped Sano's look of suspicion.
"Yeah I see your point." Sano said reluctantly. He gazed silently at Tanako; lack of sleep had taken its tool on the girl. Her hair was a mess, her eyes where red and had dark rings under them. "You look terrible." He winced when he caught there glare. "I mean....you look like you haven't had a moment to sleep at all." He grinned sheepishly, that was the best apology she was going to get out of him.
"Kenshin dragged my past out, I don't think I got more then a couple hours of sleep." She said softly, hoping that Sano wasn't going to ask her about her past as well. Thankfully he did not; instead he gave her the strangest look.
Sano felt his suspicion and hatred slip away; this girl was hurting, he could see it in her eyes. Get a grip Sanosuke he scolded himself for almost letting her chop away his defense. Though he did feel bad about the things he said to her. She didn't deserve it; she only wanted to run from the past that had marked her as a killer. So that people like him would trust her and be friends. Geezz..I guess I could be her first success. "Listen, Tanato-......um, Tanako...I just wanted to apologize for what I said the other day. Look I know your trying to get rid of that shady reputation of yours and I threw your efforts back in your face. It's just going to take me some time to trust you; remember, I was just like you. I hardly killed as any as you, but I know how you think and having around my friends and in their home was something that I couldn't risk. But seeing how things have gone so far.....doesn't prove much....but it is a start. Just give me more time, and then I'm sure I'll come around to liking you."
Tanako was thrown off balance by Sano's words and she could do nothing but stare at him. He had kept his eyes adverted as he apologized but that didn't lessen the sincerity of his words. It should not have meant so much to her, but his words were like water to her dying body. The hope of a few more hours of life, the rope of hope to pull her out of her death. Suddenly she realized that the young man was looking at her; he didn't move an inch, only locked eyes with her, willing her to take his apology.
"Thank you, Sanosuke....it means a lot to me to have your trust." She whispered dropping her eyes to her hands that rested in her lap. She missed Sano's brown eyes lit up at her words. He got to his feet and shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away from her.
"Yeah well don't let it get to your head." He said making his voice a little rougher then he intended. "I understand that you need at least some trust to help you along, but you have to earn my complete trust." And with that he leapt off the roof and landed perfectly on the ground. "I hope the rest of the night is good to you......and call me Sano." He called over his shoulder as he left the dojo. He had completely forgotten why he had came in the first place.
"Thank you...Sano." She whispered to herself as she watched him walk away into the shadows.
*****************************************************************
A/n Yeah I know it's short * falls to her knees* forgive me!!! I'll make it up to you I swear!!. Don't worry, the story is about to pick up. Remember that group that Sano heard about? They will come into play very shortly. ^_^ leave reviews and tell me what you think. Thanks!! * waves.*