A/N.... ta-da!!! I think I may be on a role or something cause I just can't
seem to stop writing ^_^ and that's a good thing to all of us no?... lol...
I had one of my wonderful reviewers ask for more Kenshin and Karou... no
worries, the two lover birds will be back, I just need to get this
important information out of the way first ok?...ok...
I want to thank all my wonderful reviewers, who... even now that this story is now 20 chapters long are still sticking around. Muchos Gracias!!! ^_^ ..... And now.... On to the story!!!
p.s.... Here's a Katana.... If you see typo demons out there.... Slay them.
Disclaimer: I don't own RK. .... Drats...
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Toshiki stalked out of his home and headed straight back to the small building; he had yet to finish helping Tanako with her wounds and he would not let her go through the night without treatment. Yet as he drew near to the building he caught a strange feeling and his pace quickened. Stepping around a larger building he froze when he saw Sasorie and a small group of men gathered at the building, they were removing the lock and stepping inside.
They were going to talk to her now? The night was getting late and she had to be growing tired. And what was so important that Sasorie could not wait till the morning to talk with her? Sighing deeply he stalked up to the building and stepped in; the brothers of the gang shifted away to let him through. He kept to the back of the small room, partially hidden in the shadows of the others.
Tanako had finished her dinner and was kneeling on the floor and at the moment was in the middle of a deep bow as Sasorie stepped up to her. She held the position for many long moments even though Toshiki knew that the wounds on her legs must be stinging from the abuse. She rose back up and relaxed as best she could as Sasorie kneeled in front of her and greeted her somewhat coolly.
"How are you this night Tanto?" he asked, even though he knew that she must be feeling as weary as she looked. Tanako looked around at the other men in the room, her eyes raking across Toshiki's form but she did not see him.
"I've been better." She answered. This brought a smile to Sasorie's face and she cleared her throat to continue. "How have you been Leader?"
Sasorie heaved a sigh and eyed he girl in front of him, catching sight of the kimono she was wearing. It had been true what Muko had said, she left the gang behind to pursue a more "normal" lifestyle. "Well enough Tanto. Well enough despite the fact that it seems that one of my most trusted and powerful members has decided to betray me." He's eyes never left her face for a second. He watched the uneasiness pass over her.
"I... I had thought-"
"You had thought your whole party to be dead." Sasorie interrupted. "And so you fled into the night, Toshiki having to drag himself to us without any help whatsoever." Tanako flinched and her eyes darted to the ground but Sasorie continued. "You were ashamed of the failed attempt and you ran away instead of coming home and facing your defeat as Toshiki had to."
Tanako realized that Sasorie still had no idea that Toshiki had ordered her to run away that it had been him who had betrayed him. But that was a secret that only she and Toshiki shared and for always will it remain that way. She took hold of the excuse that Sasorie gave her, even if it was the furthest thing from the truth.
"Yes Sasorie-san," She bowed her head to play up the shame she should have been feeling. "I was ashamed and I did run to keep from having to live with it."
Sasorie picked up the lantern that Toshiki had left there and he held it up to get a better look at her. "You made some new friends I hear, one in particular who is very important." He paused to watch the girl's eyes widen a little before she looked back up and eyed him suspiciously before slowly nodding. "One that goes by the name of Hiktori Battousai, with red hair and a cross shaped scar on his left cheek?"
Tanako wanted to shout that his name was Kenshin but she held her tongue and wondered what in the world did her leader have up his sleeve. "Yes, he has become one of my new friends." She answered with slight hesitation. She then became very worried when her leader flashed her an almost cat like grin.
"So two master assassins have come together. A miracle that the two of you found each other." Now that he knew that all the things he had been told was the truth, he could now work on setting his plan in motion. The confused look on the young woman's face prompted him to tell her a part of his plan.
"As you know Tanto, he gang's of the old era are losing their grip on power. Even the smaller, weaker gangs do not respect us as they should."
"But that time is over." Tanako protested, she had seen how peaceful life was without worrying about one's reputation and spent all their time worrying about caring and loving their family and friends. "Demanding respect is not so important anymore."
Sasorie nodded. "I agree with you Tanto."
Tanako was stunned to hear these words. If he agreed with what she said then what in the world was he up too?
"Respect is something that this country needs in order to survive. We have gone hundreds of years this way and they should not change what works. I have an idea to bring the idea a great respect back to us. So you will understand that if I use you as bate and the Battousai comes and our gang is able to send him to his grave, then... and only then..... Will we would have the respect that we deserve. Too long has this new era lowered up to the point where we seem to be nothing more than common thieves. All of Japan will know and fear the Onozawa Gang... the gang that killed Japan's strongest imperialist."
Tanako's eyes grew wide and she almost jumped to her feet, but she remembered the situation that she was in. "You can't kill Kenshin! He's not an assassin anymore, many do not even know who he is!.. I didn't even know, not until he and Karou told me. He's a kind and loving person now, he doesn't kill anymore, he protects people!"
"That does not mean that his name still does not strike fear in us all. Just the fact that we killed him will raise us up beyond the reach of anyone else. And if what you say is true then it will be that much more to our benefit, he will not be as strong as he once was. We will take him down easily." Sasorie got a wild look in his eyes... one that Tanako saw all the time in the past, it was the look he got when nothing in world could get anymore perfect.
"NO! You don't mean to kill him just for his name! A name that he does not even use anymore?" Tanako knew that it was stupid to ask, of course he would.
"Whether he goes by it or not... we will have his name under our belts, and he blood on our swords. There is only one thing that I worry about, one thing that could cause us to fail." Tanako looked up at him at this bit. Wondering, hoping that that one thing would keep Kenshin safe. "Will he come to "rescue" you?"
At first Tanako didn't understand, but then she remembered that no one had tried to rescue her in the three days they were traveling. Sasorie must have assumed that the Battousai would retrieve what was his as soon as he could. But Sasorie didn't know that Kenshin had Karou. Tanako did not belong to him in anyway beside friendship. And if Karou had been hurt in the earthquake, then there would be no way that Kenshin would leave her side. Perhaps something else was holding them back, but when it came down to it...... Kenshin and Kaoru, perhaps even Sano would in fact come to get her.
Seeing the answer in her eyes Sasorie gave a nod. "We will prepare for him to arrive at any time then." Sasorie rose to his feet and glared down at the young girl, it was the first look of anger he had showed her all night. "I still haven't forgotten what you did Tanto. You will stay here until we have the Battousai's body dangling from a rope. I will not risk you running off again and spoiling my plans for us." He then smiled "Just see this as a way to bring great honor to your real family, "he raised a hand to the gang members gathered in the room with them, "and to yourself Tanto." And with that said he turned and left, the men filing after him.
Tanako was so upset that she didn't even realize that Toshiki had stayed behind. She curled up against the wooden pillar and drew her knees to her chest and wept. Things could not have gone any worse; all she had been looking forward to was a sure death. However, it seemed that her pain would go on and be ten fold. Her very being here was a great risk to Kenshin and to the rest of her family. Now she wished that she had tried everything she could to escape on the way, not follow them along like an obedient dog. She messed up again and this time her friends where at a great risk of being killed for it.
She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and she jerked her head up to see Toshiki kneeling next to her. His face was as calm as it always was but his eye gave away the many emotions that he was feeling. Tanako wiped away her childish tears but could not stop herself from falling against his strong frame and taking comfort in his presence. Toshiki closed his eyes and gently wrapped his arms around his trembling friend, his heart twisting in his chest .
"You care greatly for the amber-eyed demon don't you?" he whispered to her, his voice was harsh and raspy from the emotion that he was struggling to hold back. She had spoken so passionately about the assassin that it seemed her feelings went beyond friendship.
"He's my friend, the first I ever had. He welcomed me to stay with him and his family, and Karou......... Oh I don't even want to know about the pain she would be in if she found out that Karou was killed. It was her home that I was welcomed to. They brought me clothes and gave me gifts I........ I never felt like I belonged to a family until they came along." She pulled away from the hug to gaze at the curtain of chocolate brown hair that coved Toshiki's face. "Kenshin does not deserve to die... and Karou does not deserve to live with the pain of losing someone she loves very much." She paused as she tucked his hair back behind his ear, tracing over his skin very lightly. The touch bring him to look her in the eyes. "I know the pain of losing someone I loved very much." A sob tried to escape her but she swallowed it. "I thought I had lost you Toshiki, I went all those day and nights wondering if you had died in the forest where I left you."
Toshiki felt tears burning in the back of his eyes but he would not let them show much less let them fall. He pulled the young girl back into their hug and he pressed his cheek against hers and gave a shaky sigh. "I tried to tell myself that you had died along with the team that night." He started, his voice wavering at first but then growing stronger as he went on. "But no matter what I did my mind would always wander back to you. I wish I had been the one to give you the family life that you wanted so badly. After having your family killed in front of you and having your childhood stolen from you. I wanted so much to give it back to you. Yet I could not."
He felt her sigh, was her sigh in relief... regret? He didn't know, but he continued anyway. "Tanako you are my best friend, I teased you more than I teased my training partners. I'm sure you noticed that I did everything I could to get close to you. Even on the one fateful night when we were waiting for the troops to come down the road." He breathed a soft laugh against her skin. "I mind was not on the mission that we were on. It was on you, and how I wished we could spend the nights out without the missions."
Suddenly he sat her back against the wooden pillar and stood to retrieve the rest of what he would need to finish caring for the small wounds on her legs. He also took a jar of salve from the pack, the doctor who had long treated the gang and had many times treated Tanako after her whippings had packed it for him... telling him to rub it onto any bruises, to take the pain away. He wondered if she would allow him to apply the salve, but quickly shoved the thought away. He would give it to her to apply.
Returning to her side he fixed the lantern so he could see better. He worked in an uncomfortable silence, knowing that he had stopped his confession short. He glanced up at her sad and confused face, She had all but told him she loved him and here he was talking about how he failed in giving her what she wanted and what he was thinking that night before the raid. 'Just tell her damn it, She wants to hear It, I want to say ... just say it!
"Tanako?..." He looked her full in the eyes.
"Nani Toshiki-san?"
"I love you" He whispered and watched for her reaction. She was cool and her reaction was subtle, but the brightening of her eyes and the faint smile that cause her lips to twitch was all he needed.
"I love you too." She replied just as softly, and was rewarded with the sight of a faint blush moving across his face. Nothing was said as he continued to work in the lantern light. The silence was no longer uncomfortable, but relaxed and warm, and it heated up even more as the two shy people would glace up at each other and catch the other looking at them.
********************************************************
A/N Awwwwww....... They told each other... * cheesy music in the background* But now we know what Sasorie is up to.... * sigh*... yet another lets kill the Manslayer Mwhahaha deal but hey... everyone wants to be known as the one who killed the Demon right?... anyway.. I have the next chapter half finished... It looks like it may be another long one so be prepared to see another chapter up in two days or so.. ^_^. Please review!
I want to thank all my wonderful reviewers, who... even now that this story is now 20 chapters long are still sticking around. Muchos Gracias!!! ^_^ ..... And now.... On to the story!!!
p.s.... Here's a Katana.... If you see typo demons out there.... Slay them.
Disclaimer: I don't own RK. .... Drats...
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Toshiki stalked out of his home and headed straight back to the small building; he had yet to finish helping Tanako with her wounds and he would not let her go through the night without treatment. Yet as he drew near to the building he caught a strange feeling and his pace quickened. Stepping around a larger building he froze when he saw Sasorie and a small group of men gathered at the building, they were removing the lock and stepping inside.
They were going to talk to her now? The night was getting late and she had to be growing tired. And what was so important that Sasorie could not wait till the morning to talk with her? Sighing deeply he stalked up to the building and stepped in; the brothers of the gang shifted away to let him through. He kept to the back of the small room, partially hidden in the shadows of the others.
Tanako had finished her dinner and was kneeling on the floor and at the moment was in the middle of a deep bow as Sasorie stepped up to her. She held the position for many long moments even though Toshiki knew that the wounds on her legs must be stinging from the abuse. She rose back up and relaxed as best she could as Sasorie kneeled in front of her and greeted her somewhat coolly.
"How are you this night Tanto?" he asked, even though he knew that she must be feeling as weary as she looked. Tanako looked around at the other men in the room, her eyes raking across Toshiki's form but she did not see him.
"I've been better." She answered. This brought a smile to Sasorie's face and she cleared her throat to continue. "How have you been Leader?"
Sasorie heaved a sigh and eyed he girl in front of him, catching sight of the kimono she was wearing. It had been true what Muko had said, she left the gang behind to pursue a more "normal" lifestyle. "Well enough Tanto. Well enough despite the fact that it seems that one of my most trusted and powerful members has decided to betray me." He's eyes never left her face for a second. He watched the uneasiness pass over her.
"I... I had thought-"
"You had thought your whole party to be dead." Sasorie interrupted. "And so you fled into the night, Toshiki having to drag himself to us without any help whatsoever." Tanako flinched and her eyes darted to the ground but Sasorie continued. "You were ashamed of the failed attempt and you ran away instead of coming home and facing your defeat as Toshiki had to."
Tanako realized that Sasorie still had no idea that Toshiki had ordered her to run away that it had been him who had betrayed him. But that was a secret that only she and Toshiki shared and for always will it remain that way. She took hold of the excuse that Sasorie gave her, even if it was the furthest thing from the truth.
"Yes Sasorie-san," She bowed her head to play up the shame she should have been feeling. "I was ashamed and I did run to keep from having to live with it."
Sasorie picked up the lantern that Toshiki had left there and he held it up to get a better look at her. "You made some new friends I hear, one in particular who is very important." He paused to watch the girl's eyes widen a little before she looked back up and eyed him suspiciously before slowly nodding. "One that goes by the name of Hiktori Battousai, with red hair and a cross shaped scar on his left cheek?"
Tanako wanted to shout that his name was Kenshin but she held her tongue and wondered what in the world did her leader have up his sleeve. "Yes, he has become one of my new friends." She answered with slight hesitation. She then became very worried when her leader flashed her an almost cat like grin.
"So two master assassins have come together. A miracle that the two of you found each other." Now that he knew that all the things he had been told was the truth, he could now work on setting his plan in motion. The confused look on the young woman's face prompted him to tell her a part of his plan.
"As you know Tanto, he gang's of the old era are losing their grip on power. Even the smaller, weaker gangs do not respect us as they should."
"But that time is over." Tanako protested, she had seen how peaceful life was without worrying about one's reputation and spent all their time worrying about caring and loving their family and friends. "Demanding respect is not so important anymore."
Sasorie nodded. "I agree with you Tanto."
Tanako was stunned to hear these words. If he agreed with what she said then what in the world was he up too?
"Respect is something that this country needs in order to survive. We have gone hundreds of years this way and they should not change what works. I have an idea to bring the idea a great respect back to us. So you will understand that if I use you as bate and the Battousai comes and our gang is able to send him to his grave, then... and only then..... Will we would have the respect that we deserve. Too long has this new era lowered up to the point where we seem to be nothing more than common thieves. All of Japan will know and fear the Onozawa Gang... the gang that killed Japan's strongest imperialist."
Tanako's eyes grew wide and she almost jumped to her feet, but she remembered the situation that she was in. "You can't kill Kenshin! He's not an assassin anymore, many do not even know who he is!.. I didn't even know, not until he and Karou told me. He's a kind and loving person now, he doesn't kill anymore, he protects people!"
"That does not mean that his name still does not strike fear in us all. Just the fact that we killed him will raise us up beyond the reach of anyone else. And if what you say is true then it will be that much more to our benefit, he will not be as strong as he once was. We will take him down easily." Sasorie got a wild look in his eyes... one that Tanako saw all the time in the past, it was the look he got when nothing in world could get anymore perfect.
"NO! You don't mean to kill him just for his name! A name that he does not even use anymore?" Tanako knew that it was stupid to ask, of course he would.
"Whether he goes by it or not... we will have his name under our belts, and he blood on our swords. There is only one thing that I worry about, one thing that could cause us to fail." Tanako looked up at him at this bit. Wondering, hoping that that one thing would keep Kenshin safe. "Will he come to "rescue" you?"
At first Tanako didn't understand, but then she remembered that no one had tried to rescue her in the three days they were traveling. Sasorie must have assumed that the Battousai would retrieve what was his as soon as he could. But Sasorie didn't know that Kenshin had Karou. Tanako did not belong to him in anyway beside friendship. And if Karou had been hurt in the earthquake, then there would be no way that Kenshin would leave her side. Perhaps something else was holding them back, but when it came down to it...... Kenshin and Kaoru, perhaps even Sano would in fact come to get her.
Seeing the answer in her eyes Sasorie gave a nod. "We will prepare for him to arrive at any time then." Sasorie rose to his feet and glared down at the young girl, it was the first look of anger he had showed her all night. "I still haven't forgotten what you did Tanto. You will stay here until we have the Battousai's body dangling from a rope. I will not risk you running off again and spoiling my plans for us." He then smiled "Just see this as a way to bring great honor to your real family, "he raised a hand to the gang members gathered in the room with them, "and to yourself Tanto." And with that said he turned and left, the men filing after him.
Tanako was so upset that she didn't even realize that Toshiki had stayed behind. She curled up against the wooden pillar and drew her knees to her chest and wept. Things could not have gone any worse; all she had been looking forward to was a sure death. However, it seemed that her pain would go on and be ten fold. Her very being here was a great risk to Kenshin and to the rest of her family. Now she wished that she had tried everything she could to escape on the way, not follow them along like an obedient dog. She messed up again and this time her friends where at a great risk of being killed for it.
She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and she jerked her head up to see Toshiki kneeling next to her. His face was as calm as it always was but his eye gave away the many emotions that he was feeling. Tanako wiped away her childish tears but could not stop herself from falling against his strong frame and taking comfort in his presence. Toshiki closed his eyes and gently wrapped his arms around his trembling friend, his heart twisting in his chest .
"You care greatly for the amber-eyed demon don't you?" he whispered to her, his voice was harsh and raspy from the emotion that he was struggling to hold back. She had spoken so passionately about the assassin that it seemed her feelings went beyond friendship.
"He's my friend, the first I ever had. He welcomed me to stay with him and his family, and Karou......... Oh I don't even want to know about the pain she would be in if she found out that Karou was killed. It was her home that I was welcomed to. They brought me clothes and gave me gifts I........ I never felt like I belonged to a family until they came along." She pulled away from the hug to gaze at the curtain of chocolate brown hair that coved Toshiki's face. "Kenshin does not deserve to die... and Karou does not deserve to live with the pain of losing someone she loves very much." She paused as she tucked his hair back behind his ear, tracing over his skin very lightly. The touch bring him to look her in the eyes. "I know the pain of losing someone I loved very much." A sob tried to escape her but she swallowed it. "I thought I had lost you Toshiki, I went all those day and nights wondering if you had died in the forest where I left you."
Toshiki felt tears burning in the back of his eyes but he would not let them show much less let them fall. He pulled the young girl back into their hug and he pressed his cheek against hers and gave a shaky sigh. "I tried to tell myself that you had died along with the team that night." He started, his voice wavering at first but then growing stronger as he went on. "But no matter what I did my mind would always wander back to you. I wish I had been the one to give you the family life that you wanted so badly. After having your family killed in front of you and having your childhood stolen from you. I wanted so much to give it back to you. Yet I could not."
He felt her sigh, was her sigh in relief... regret? He didn't know, but he continued anyway. "Tanako you are my best friend, I teased you more than I teased my training partners. I'm sure you noticed that I did everything I could to get close to you. Even on the one fateful night when we were waiting for the troops to come down the road." He breathed a soft laugh against her skin. "I mind was not on the mission that we were on. It was on you, and how I wished we could spend the nights out without the missions."
Suddenly he sat her back against the wooden pillar and stood to retrieve the rest of what he would need to finish caring for the small wounds on her legs. He also took a jar of salve from the pack, the doctor who had long treated the gang and had many times treated Tanako after her whippings had packed it for him... telling him to rub it onto any bruises, to take the pain away. He wondered if she would allow him to apply the salve, but quickly shoved the thought away. He would give it to her to apply.
Returning to her side he fixed the lantern so he could see better. He worked in an uncomfortable silence, knowing that he had stopped his confession short. He glanced up at her sad and confused face, She had all but told him she loved him and here he was talking about how he failed in giving her what she wanted and what he was thinking that night before the raid. 'Just tell her damn it, She wants to hear It, I want to say ... just say it!
"Tanako?..." He looked her full in the eyes.
"Nani Toshiki-san?"
"I love you" He whispered and watched for her reaction. She was cool and her reaction was subtle, but the brightening of her eyes and the faint smile that cause her lips to twitch was all he needed.
"I love you too." She replied just as softly, and was rewarded with the sight of a faint blush moving across his face. Nothing was said as he continued to work in the lantern light. The silence was no longer uncomfortable, but relaxed and warm, and it heated up even more as the two shy people would glace up at each other and catch the other looking at them.
********************************************************
A/N Awwwwww....... They told each other... * cheesy music in the background* But now we know what Sasorie is up to.... * sigh*... yet another lets kill the Manslayer Mwhahaha deal but hey... everyone wants to be known as the one who killed the Demon right?... anyway.. I have the next chapter half finished... It looks like it may be another long one so be prepared to see another chapter up in two days or so.. ^_^. Please review!