A/N Gah I know I know!!!.. I left you guys hanging for so long...TT me
sowy... Well anyway, I'm back in the game now and I hope to stay that way..
had a little trouble before but I think I have everything fixed now. This
chapter is not as long as I would like it to be, but I thought that it
would be enough to hold you over. I hope to have a longer chapter next
time.
Thanks everyone for all your reviews, Sorry for making you wait so long...forgive me.. Ok enough of that and on to the story.
Disclaimer: Saw it.. wanted it.. had a fit. Still didn't get to own Kenshin...Drat.
Devotion
By
Melissa X
Karou stood in shock and in horror as she looked at the yellow bag that Sano had handed over to Kenshin. Sano had frightened the both of them when he came running into the dojo, screaming for them. Now the three of them stood in the middle of the yard, not one of them saying a word and gazing in anticipation at the yellow sack. Kenshin hid any emotions that he was feeling with his cold mask. Yet Karou could tell by the look in his eyes that he was anything but calm.
Kenshin said not one word as he silently worked out the knot from the bag and opened it just a little to take a look in. At this moment everyone seemed to hold their breath and lean in to see if their worst fears where true. But Kenshin sighed softly and reached in the bag to pull out the thick black rope that was Tanako's braid. Karou gasped at the sight of it, She was thankful that it was just her hair, for it could have been something much worse. Her relief was short lived though, as anger showed itself. How dare they cut her hair, something that Tanako had held pride in. Where they trying to break her spirit? Suddenly the sight of the braid was disturbing to her. Karou prayed that Tanako would remain strong; she prayed that she would find the inner strength that had got her through the many painful years.
Sano cursed and took the braid from Kenshin. He looked at the base of the braid; it was thicker than his wrist and had been shorn off in one clean cut. "Are they trying to tell us something?"
"That much is obvious Sano." Kenshin said in a cold voice as he took the braid back. He spotted the black satin ribbon that had she had weaved in and out of her thick hair. It was tired at both ends of the braid and it was the only thing that kept it from unraveling. He traced over the smooth satin with his fingertips, the sight of his gift to her twisted his heart.
"What does the note say Kenshin?" Karou asked.
Kenshin looked at the tightly folded note that had come with the bag; he dreaded reading what it said but knew that he must read it. He silently unfolded the paper and read out-loud for all to hear. His anger growing with every sentence and his words became heard and clipped.
"Battousai.... I don't know what kind of lifestyle you lead, but I am sure that by now, you have noticed that you are missing a friend. Tanako has been in my holding for over a week and you have yet to show yourself. You leave her hear alone, her spirit too weak to try and escape and her death looming ever closer." Kenshin paused at that last sentence, his anger so great that his hands threatened to rip the paper. He lowered his head to shield the others from seeing the anger in his eyes, as well as the yellow that was slowly coming into view. He took many deep breaths before continuing, the other two waited silently for him to go on.
"She spoke so passionately about you, so sure that you are going to come and rescue her. She holds you dearly, she holds so tightly that even I can not sway her back to our side. You truly must not me a mere man, for you have taken one of my most obedient and trustworthy followers and turned her against me. This is something I never thought I would ever see.
The woman had betrayed her brothers and for that she must die, however, I am willing to deal with you Battousai. If you come to us in the next four days, I will hand her over to you, in exchange, you must fight my gang."
"Is he out of his mind?!" Sano shouted, interrupting Kenshin. "These people know who you are and they still want to fight you? What a bunch of-" If looks could kill, Sano would have been sliced in half from the glare that Kenshin shot at him. Sano slammed his mouth shut and found something interesting to look at on the ground. Kenshin glared at him a moment longer before continuing.
"As unfair as this battle seems," Sano scoffed at that. "I assure you that I will let the woman go free win or lose. I can understand if you can not find it in your demon heart to come and get her, even though she is a wonderful friend, fighter and companion. If such qualities mean anything to you I know not. Remember you have four days, that gives you one to think things over, for it is a three day walk to reach us. Think about it Battousai, if in the four days we do not see any sign of you, we will send Tanako back to you,...piece by piece.
There was more but Kenshin could not continue; swearing to himself, he gripped the note in one fist and kept his eyes to the ground. The golden yellow of his eyes threaten to smother the gentle purple that was there a moment ago. Visions of what he wanted to do to this leader flashed in his mind. Blood sprayed across his unseeing eyes. Pain filled screams sounded in his ears. It was not till a soft innocent voice calling his name did he snap back to reality.
"Kenshin?" Karou asked softly, taking a step closer to the red-head. "Kenshin, we're going to go get her right? I mean we are not just going to leave her there are we?... Kenshin?"
"No Karou-dono, we will not leave Tanako to the fate that this man has chosen for her. His voice was calm and sure, and Karou felt better knowing that he had it all under his control. "I will leave first thing in the morning and I'm bringing Tanako back here." Kenshin turned to look at Sano. "Sano, I would grateful if you came with me. I need you to watch my back, even I can't keep an eye out for so many men."
"Hey you got it Kenshin, You didn't think I was going to let you go all by yourself and have all the fun now did you?" Sano answered with a grin on his face and both hand balled into fists.
"Kenshin, I'm coming with you!" Karou shouted as she realized that she was about to be left out. Kenshin turned at took one good look at her and made up his mind. He would have allowed her to come, but she was not at the best of her abilities yet, she was still far too weak.
"No Karou-dono. You're staying, that you are." He turned back to Sano, "Thank you Sano, you will be needed." He smiled at the teen. "Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
Sano shrugged, "I may not have cared for her at the start but this is something I just can't sit around and let happen." Karou looked at the two through dangerously narrowed eyed and growled.
"I'm going!" She insisted, stomping a sandaled foot. Kenshin turned and took hold of her by the arm and led her away a few steps from Sano. The teen knew better than to try to listen to the lover's fight so he wandered into the dojo.
"Yes Karou-dono, you are staying. You are not strong enough to make the three day walk and then fight who knows how many men. You hide it well but I can see it. You are not recovered. I will not let you throw yourself into danger, you are not a fool, that you are not. And I am not a fool ether," Kenshin sighed but his grip on Karou did not let up. "Karou I do not wish to demand you so I am pleading with you. Please, stay here where you are safe." He gazed at his Love with eyes that were swiftly returning to the soft amethyst that they were.
Karou sighed at Kenshin's pleading and nodded her head though it was a reluctant nod. "Alright Kenshin." He gave her arm a shake.
"Your word."
Karou looked up and looked him full in the face. "I'll give you my word to stay here if you give your word that you will return."
Kenshin sighed, he would have promised her anything if it would keep her safe but he could not swear to something he was not so sure of. He never knew when this battle may be his last. He could still give his word, but it would be a lie, and he would never lie to Karou, that he would not. "I'm sorry Karou; I can not give you my word on that. I don't know for sure the outcome of this." He let go of her arm and reached up to touch her cheek.
"If you can't give me your word, then I won't give mine that I will stay." She told him rather sternly. Kenshin's eyes grew wide at the certainty in her voice.
"But that's-"
"The way it's going to be." Karou interrupted, crossing her arms and stepping backward until he was forced to drop his hand. Then Karou turned and slowly walked back to the dojo, she fought the tears that Kenshin's hurt look had brought to her eyes. She was not going to let this go, she was going to do all she could to get Kenshin to let her come along with them.
Kenshin sighed again as he watched her walk away, worry and regret now showed in his face. He should not have waited so long to rescue Tanako, now she was in such danger. And he should not have let Karou over work herself. Now she was too weak to come with them and he had a feeling that their argument was not over just yet. He also worried about the battle that was to come, if there was a way out of it or if he would have to draw his sword. From the stories that Tanako had told him, Kenshin knew that he and Sano where outnumbered greatly, at least a hundred to one. Even he could not fight so many at one time without a rest.
He looked down at the braid and note that he still held in his hand. The note still had more on it. He would finish it later. Most likely it was directions for them to find the gang's whereabouts. But at that moment he needed to gather his thoughts and form a plan. Sighing softly he followed Karou back into the dojo in search of Sano.
A/N... yeah I know it was short but hey... I'm working on a few other storied kay... anyway do you think it would be a good idea for Karou to head on out with Ken and Sano?... or on her own... or at all?.. don't think that I'm going to let Kenshin leave without resolving the little argument they had. .. I hope to update soon... as I know you guys do too.. hehe.. x... points to the review box
Thanks everyone for all your reviews, Sorry for making you wait so long...forgive me.. Ok enough of that and on to the story.
Disclaimer: Saw it.. wanted it.. had a fit. Still didn't get to own Kenshin...Drat.
Devotion
By
Melissa X
Karou stood in shock and in horror as she looked at the yellow bag that Sano had handed over to Kenshin. Sano had frightened the both of them when he came running into the dojo, screaming for them. Now the three of them stood in the middle of the yard, not one of them saying a word and gazing in anticipation at the yellow sack. Kenshin hid any emotions that he was feeling with his cold mask. Yet Karou could tell by the look in his eyes that he was anything but calm.
Kenshin said not one word as he silently worked out the knot from the bag and opened it just a little to take a look in. At this moment everyone seemed to hold their breath and lean in to see if their worst fears where true. But Kenshin sighed softly and reached in the bag to pull out the thick black rope that was Tanako's braid. Karou gasped at the sight of it, She was thankful that it was just her hair, for it could have been something much worse. Her relief was short lived though, as anger showed itself. How dare they cut her hair, something that Tanako had held pride in. Where they trying to break her spirit? Suddenly the sight of the braid was disturbing to her. Karou prayed that Tanako would remain strong; she prayed that she would find the inner strength that had got her through the many painful years.
Sano cursed and took the braid from Kenshin. He looked at the base of the braid; it was thicker than his wrist and had been shorn off in one clean cut. "Are they trying to tell us something?"
"That much is obvious Sano." Kenshin said in a cold voice as he took the braid back. He spotted the black satin ribbon that had she had weaved in and out of her thick hair. It was tired at both ends of the braid and it was the only thing that kept it from unraveling. He traced over the smooth satin with his fingertips, the sight of his gift to her twisted his heart.
"What does the note say Kenshin?" Karou asked.
Kenshin looked at the tightly folded note that had come with the bag; he dreaded reading what it said but knew that he must read it. He silently unfolded the paper and read out-loud for all to hear. His anger growing with every sentence and his words became heard and clipped.
"Battousai.... I don't know what kind of lifestyle you lead, but I am sure that by now, you have noticed that you are missing a friend. Tanako has been in my holding for over a week and you have yet to show yourself. You leave her hear alone, her spirit too weak to try and escape and her death looming ever closer." Kenshin paused at that last sentence, his anger so great that his hands threatened to rip the paper. He lowered his head to shield the others from seeing the anger in his eyes, as well as the yellow that was slowly coming into view. He took many deep breaths before continuing, the other two waited silently for him to go on.
"She spoke so passionately about you, so sure that you are going to come and rescue her. She holds you dearly, she holds so tightly that even I can not sway her back to our side. You truly must not me a mere man, for you have taken one of my most obedient and trustworthy followers and turned her against me. This is something I never thought I would ever see.
The woman had betrayed her brothers and for that she must die, however, I am willing to deal with you Battousai. If you come to us in the next four days, I will hand her over to you, in exchange, you must fight my gang."
"Is he out of his mind?!" Sano shouted, interrupting Kenshin. "These people know who you are and they still want to fight you? What a bunch of-" If looks could kill, Sano would have been sliced in half from the glare that Kenshin shot at him. Sano slammed his mouth shut and found something interesting to look at on the ground. Kenshin glared at him a moment longer before continuing.
"As unfair as this battle seems," Sano scoffed at that. "I assure you that I will let the woman go free win or lose. I can understand if you can not find it in your demon heart to come and get her, even though she is a wonderful friend, fighter and companion. If such qualities mean anything to you I know not. Remember you have four days, that gives you one to think things over, for it is a three day walk to reach us. Think about it Battousai, if in the four days we do not see any sign of you, we will send Tanako back to you,...piece by piece.
There was more but Kenshin could not continue; swearing to himself, he gripped the note in one fist and kept his eyes to the ground. The golden yellow of his eyes threaten to smother the gentle purple that was there a moment ago. Visions of what he wanted to do to this leader flashed in his mind. Blood sprayed across his unseeing eyes. Pain filled screams sounded in his ears. It was not till a soft innocent voice calling his name did he snap back to reality.
"Kenshin?" Karou asked softly, taking a step closer to the red-head. "Kenshin, we're going to go get her right? I mean we are not just going to leave her there are we?... Kenshin?"
"No Karou-dono, we will not leave Tanako to the fate that this man has chosen for her. His voice was calm and sure, and Karou felt better knowing that he had it all under his control. "I will leave first thing in the morning and I'm bringing Tanako back here." Kenshin turned to look at Sano. "Sano, I would grateful if you came with me. I need you to watch my back, even I can't keep an eye out for so many men."
"Hey you got it Kenshin, You didn't think I was going to let you go all by yourself and have all the fun now did you?" Sano answered with a grin on his face and both hand balled into fists.
"Kenshin, I'm coming with you!" Karou shouted as she realized that she was about to be left out. Kenshin turned at took one good look at her and made up his mind. He would have allowed her to come, but she was not at the best of her abilities yet, she was still far too weak.
"No Karou-dono. You're staying, that you are." He turned back to Sano, "Thank you Sano, you will be needed." He smiled at the teen. "Do you know what you are getting yourself into?"
Sano shrugged, "I may not have cared for her at the start but this is something I just can't sit around and let happen." Karou looked at the two through dangerously narrowed eyed and growled.
"I'm going!" She insisted, stomping a sandaled foot. Kenshin turned and took hold of her by the arm and led her away a few steps from Sano. The teen knew better than to try to listen to the lover's fight so he wandered into the dojo.
"Yes Karou-dono, you are staying. You are not strong enough to make the three day walk and then fight who knows how many men. You hide it well but I can see it. You are not recovered. I will not let you throw yourself into danger, you are not a fool, that you are not. And I am not a fool ether," Kenshin sighed but his grip on Karou did not let up. "Karou I do not wish to demand you so I am pleading with you. Please, stay here where you are safe." He gazed at his Love with eyes that were swiftly returning to the soft amethyst that they were.
Karou sighed at Kenshin's pleading and nodded her head though it was a reluctant nod. "Alright Kenshin." He gave her arm a shake.
"Your word."
Karou looked up and looked him full in the face. "I'll give you my word to stay here if you give your word that you will return."
Kenshin sighed, he would have promised her anything if it would keep her safe but he could not swear to something he was not so sure of. He never knew when this battle may be his last. He could still give his word, but it would be a lie, and he would never lie to Karou, that he would not. "I'm sorry Karou; I can not give you my word on that. I don't know for sure the outcome of this." He let go of her arm and reached up to touch her cheek.
"If you can't give me your word, then I won't give mine that I will stay." She told him rather sternly. Kenshin's eyes grew wide at the certainty in her voice.
"But that's-"
"The way it's going to be." Karou interrupted, crossing her arms and stepping backward until he was forced to drop his hand. Then Karou turned and slowly walked back to the dojo, she fought the tears that Kenshin's hurt look had brought to her eyes. She was not going to let this go, she was going to do all she could to get Kenshin to let her come along with them.
Kenshin sighed again as he watched her walk away, worry and regret now showed in his face. He should not have waited so long to rescue Tanako, now she was in such danger. And he should not have let Karou over work herself. Now she was too weak to come with them and he had a feeling that their argument was not over just yet. He also worried about the battle that was to come, if there was a way out of it or if he would have to draw his sword. From the stories that Tanako had told him, Kenshin knew that he and Sano where outnumbered greatly, at least a hundred to one. Even he could not fight so many at one time without a rest.
He looked down at the braid and note that he still held in his hand. The note still had more on it. He would finish it later. Most likely it was directions for them to find the gang's whereabouts. But at that moment he needed to gather his thoughts and form a plan. Sighing softly he followed Karou back into the dojo in search of Sano.
A/N... yeah I know it was short but hey... I'm working on a few other storied kay... anyway do you think it would be a good idea for Karou to head on out with Ken and Sano?... or on her own... or at all?.. don't think that I'm going to let Kenshin leave without resolving the little argument they had. .. I hope to update soon... as I know you guys do too.. hehe.. x... points to the review box