A/N Hi guys! waves Did everyone have a good fourth of July? well I
know I had a fair one grins.. Shout out to Frances, waves a flashes a
peace sign I have a strange feeling I should say hi. Hmmm perhaps you'll
be reading this. Anyway I just heard you're back home in America and I hope
to see you soon.
I want to thank all my reviewers out there, I love your ideas and I will be working them into the story, so don't think that they are not being put into good use. . Ok enough of me and now... the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own many of the characters in this story...
Devotion
By
Melissa x
Kenshin paused and placed a hand on the trunk of a tree; Sano paused as well and turned around to watch Kenshin. They had been traveling for a day and a half and Kenshin paused every few hours, just standing there. When asked what it was Kenshin just shook his head and they continued on.
"What is it now Kenshin?" Sano asked in a sigh as he shoved his hands in his pockets, He was not really expecting an answer but was surprised to see Kenshin look up at him and speak.
"Something is bothering me Sano." He said softly, his purple eyes showing just how disturbed he was. Sano perked up, this was the first time Kenshin had really talked that day.
"Do you have any idea what it is Kenshin?" Sano rubbed the back of his head and looked around, there was nothing around and they had not seen a living soul for a whole day.
"I haven't figured it out just yet Sano." Kenshin replied, looking behind him, all his senses were on alert.
"Hey come on Kenshin, you shouldn't be worrying so much. You should keep you mind on the battle that is coming up, I don't know about you but I don't think that the Onozawa are going to give Tanako up so easily." Sano punched one hand in the palm of his other hand. "You need to be ready and keep you mind on your goal." Kenshin sighed.
"You're right Sano, that you are. Perhaps I'm only worried for Tanako- dono." Kenshin offered as he continued behind Sano.
"Hehe, right, Tanako," Sano laughed as he turned and followed the animal trail running through the forest; the tail had seen some activity, and not just by animals. "I think you're worried about Missy. That she may be following us or something." Sano was only kidding around but Kenshin gasped silently and paused yet again. Sano turned. "Hey Kenshin, I was only kidding, you can't think that she's really following us. We would have heard her by now, and I know you would have known in a moment that she was close right?"
He was right; if Karou was anywhere close he would have been able to sense her, that he would. However, that nagging feeling in the back of his mind was not going to go away that easily. But he shoved it away as best he could and started walking again, he had to stop pausing and wondering; they had a time limit, and if Tanako was harmed because he allowed himself to be distracted he would never forgive himself.
Karou all but collapse on the ground, leaning her back up against a tree. She was worn out, if she didn't take her time she was going to exhaust herself again. She had pushed herself that first day, walking well into the night before she thought it was best that she stop and get some rest or else she would end up wandering off the path. She woke the next morning, had a little to eat and got right back to the journey. She had followed the directions exactly, plus Sano was a messy eater and apple cores and such were tossed about on the trail. And it didn't take long to find the softly worn down animal trail that the gang members mentioned. No doubt they used an animal trail to hide their own trails.
She had followed the trail for hours now and had not seen any sign of Kenshin and Sano. Just the apple cores and footprints ever so often gave them away. She did not know this but she had gained an hour on the pair and was now only four hours behind them. But she was too tired to carry on, she needed to rest.
"Well it's not as bad as I thought it would be." Karou said to herself as she took a small drink of water and hunted around her pack for her own apple. She was almost halfway there; she could do this, she had faith in herself. "And I have faith in you Kenshin." She added as she wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead and took a bite from her apple.
Toshiki kneeled down in front of his Master and bowed in respect. "You called for me Master Sasorie?" He had spent most of the morning warming up with the other members, all in preparation for the Battousai's arrival. He was almost done when he received word that the Master wished to see him.
"Yes Toshiki my boy," Sasorie looked up from the small pile of papers in front of him. "How is the practice going?"
"Well enough Master, the men are as ready as they will ever be." Toshiki answered. Sasorie nodded.
"Very good, and how is our prisoner?"
"Well enough Sir, considering. I cheeked on her this morning." He replied with ease, truthfully there was a storm in his heart. He was torn in two by the girl he loved and his loyalty to his Master. He had chosen, he wanted the girl, and he was going to do anything to make sure she lived through this. The second to last day was coming to a close and the Battousai had one more day. If he came or not, Tanako was not going to be harmed, he was going to see to that. "Is that all you wanted to know Master?" Toshiki prepared to leave but Sasorie was not finished with him.
"No Toshiki, I have one more task for you before our battle." The Master reached behind him and picked up a small bag and placed it in front of Toshiki. When Toshiki opened the bag he saw two sake bottles. He looked back up at his Master with a confused look on his face.
"What do you wish for me to do with these Master?" He then watched as Sasorie took up a small sake cup from the table in which the papers were resting on and he handed it to Toshiki.
"Have Tanako drink both of those." He stated with a knowing grin. Toshiki was taken aback and still was confused.
"Sir? Tanako is not a drinker; I've never seen her try anything with alcohol in it." Toshiki knew that Tanako despised drinking; she had always said that all it did was give men false courage while dimming their skills. Meaning a good way to be killed in a fight.
"I know this my boy; that is why I want you to make sure she drinks all of that. There is going to be many things going on at once tomorrow, and I know that Tanako will not be watched over at every moment. If she is drunk I highly doubt that she will be able to do anything if she was able to escape or get her hands on a weapon. She will be too impaired to help even herself, much less her demon friend. Do you understand Toshiki?"
"Yes Sasorie-san, I understand completely. I will go to her in the morning and make sure she drank every drop by afternoon." And with that he bowed and made ready to be excused, his mind already churning up ideas on how to make the Master believe she had the sake, for, there was no way he was going to do as he asked.
"Very good, I'm glad to see that your years of friendship with her have not muddled your thoughts. You are excused, go finish your practice." He bowed back and watched as the younger man got to his feet, picked up the bag and placed the drinking cup in it and bowed one last time before turning and leaving.
Karou woke with a start, and she gazed around at her surroundings. She was confused for a moment at the sight of the dark forest around her and it took her a moment to remember what she was doing. She gasped when she remembered.
"I must have fallen asleep!" she said to herself and looked down at the half eaten apple in her hand. She tossed the fruit away and climbed to her feet. It was well into the night and Karou had fallen hours more behind Kenshin and Sano and she knew it too. "No! I need to catch up, or by the time I find them they could already be well into battle and I'll have no way of really helping them." She scrambled to gather her pack together and strap her bokken on her back once again and she hurried off into the forest. The moon gave enough light for her to see the animal trail, even though the thick canopy of leaves overhead blocked out most of the light, she only needed enough to make sure she was going in the right direction. She stayed as quiet as she could for perhaps Sano and Kenshin also decided to sit and rest for the night, it would not be smart for her to suddenly stumble upon them. So she went slow but steady into the night.
The hours flew by as did the miles, it was now early morning but Karou refused to take a rest. She did not stop until she reached the two thirds marker, which was a small bridge over a large stream that she had to cross. She thought she had better stop here or else she very well might stumble upon Kenshin and Sano. As tired as she was, she couldn't bring herself to get any sleep. The nap that evening had fueled her for this all night walk, but now she was all out of steam. She took a drink from the stream and found that the water was ice cold, just touching it with her hands jolted her awake. This gave her an idea, not a very smart idea but one that would have to happen if she was to keep her wits about her.
She striped from her gi and tied her hair up on her head; it would not be good for her to get her hair wet, even though it was summer. The first step in the water was easy, but as she waded into deeper water and the water snaked higher and higher up her bare skin it became hard work for her to take the next step. By the time she reached the deepest part of the stream, the water just reached her hips and she was as wide awake as she could be. However, she wanted to be sure and she dipped down until the water hit her chin and with a soft yelp at the icy bite she stood up and scurried from the water. She treaded carefully on the smooth river stones and pebbles until she reached the bank. Even the warm breeze could not warm her; but that was not a problem for her, the longer she stayed cold, the more awake she would be. So she stood there shivering, with goose bumps covering her damp skin.
After air drying, she got back into her gi and took up her bokken at took a few slashes at an imaginary attacker. She did everything she could to keep her mind and body awake and ready. She tried to picture the battle in her mind; the many gang members and Kenshin, Sano and Tanako right in the middle of them. Who would she go for first? The one in front of her... or just attack randomly to give the others the distraction they would need to attack as well. She felt for Tanako's daggers to make sure they were where she left them. She took them out of her gi and looked at them in there pockets, the metal handles shimmered in the moonlight. What if it came down to her having to use these weapons? He was to give them to Tanako, but if she had too, she would use them herself. What would Kenshin say if he found out?...Or worse saw her use them. She would have to make sure that she didn't kill the person she was using them on, or perhaps Kenshin would never forgive her for staining her hands in blood.
She shivered at the thought and slipped the daggers back under her gi and got back to her practice. She trained for at least an hour and she became hot and sweaty all over again. So once more she striped off her gi and took a fast dip in the cold stream. By the time she was once again dry and dressed the morning light was showing up through the forest of leaves. She had a fast breakfast and then slowly crossed the bridge continued in the way the directions told her to. She was now back to being four hours behind Kenshin and Sano.
Toshiki knew that he was not to bring Tanako any food for the day, this way the sake would take a stronger hold on her body. But he was not going to give her the alcohol so why shouldn't he bring her food? He grinned to himself as he slipped a rice ball and a few fruits in the bag along with the sake. It was early morning, the sun was starting the climb the sky, if he was not so sure of himself, Toshiki might have been fighting back tears on this last day of Tanako's life. However, he knew that she was not going to die, even if her friend did not show up. Anyway he wouldn't show his fear in front of her, he had to be strong, for her.
Toshiki let himself into the holding cell and was almost tackled to the ground. He found Tanako hugging the life from him before he even had a chance to shut the door behind him. Toshiki ended up having to kick the door shut and he set the bag down before he tried to pry the young woman off him, but after a moment his struggles stopped and he wrapped his arms around her in return.
"Today is the day." Tanako said, all in all she thought she was taking her last hours on earth pretty well. But she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from Toshiki; he made her want to live, his love made her fear death.
"Yes it is." Toshiki agree gently as Tanako slowly relaxed her grip and stepped away, blushing in apology. "I have something for you." He added as he kneeled down and took the bag in hand. Tanako followed. "Sasorie wanted me to give you this." He said as he pulled the two sake bottles from the bag.
"What?!" Tanako laughed, "So he wants to get me drunk, just to be on the safe side eh?"
Toshiki raised an eyebrow. "Yes, exactly. How do you do that?" The girl only smiled back at him and out of habit tried to tuck her hair behind her ears but they fell back into place. "Anyway, there will be no drinking for you today Tanako-chan." He smirked as he uncorked the bottle and dumped to contents through the inch gap in the floor boards. He set the empty bottle next to the untouched one. He then reached back in the bag and handed her the rice ball and the fruit that he had snuck in. "This is much better for you anyway."
"Aw Toshiki, you're no fun." She thanked him anyway and gladly ate up the rice ball and the fruit that he brought her. Afterwards, they fell into a silence, not an uncomfortable one, but one Tanako thought they should use. "So... Do we have a plan?"
"I wish we did dear Tanako." Toshiki sighed. "There is not much we can do to prepare for this; even I don't have any idea what Sasorie is planning." Toshiki fell silent and then asked the question that had been bugging him for some time. "Are you sure Mr. Himura will do all he can to help you?"
"Of course he will." Tanako replied. "He almost lives by the rule of protection." She tipped her head to the side to give her love a quizzical look, wondering what was going on inside of his head.
"Good," He replied sternly "Even I know that I can't keep a eye out for you at all times, so I'll be glad to know that you will be taken care of-" Toshiki was cut off suddenly as the girl launched herself at him and knocked him to the ground and pined him there, sitting on him like a rather large cat.
"What the Hell is that suppose to mean!?" Tanako shrieked. "I can take care of myself thank you very much. I don't need you men to look out of me all the time. Who was the one who beat you last time we had a spar?"
Toshiki looked up at the burning green eyes of the girl holding him down and struggled to hold back a laugh. "As I recall, that spar was hardly fair." He said calmly, remembering the fight like it was yesterday.
"FAIR?!?!!" Tanako grabbed Toshiki by the front of his gi and lifted him a bit from the ground. The smile on his face only grew brighter.
"You wouldn't hold still, you fight like a ninja, always trying to escape, never standing and fighting." He knew he hit a soft spot, and he almost heard the snap of her will breaking.
"You slapped me five times in the butt with the flat of your sword you BAKA!!" She gave him a fierce shake by his gi.
"You were moving to slow."
"First I was moving too fast... then too slow?!"
"Hai" he said simply. Tanako scoffed and let him go suddenly; he fell back to the ground with a thud. She climbed off him and sat back against the wooden pillar in the middle of the room, glaring at Toshiki. He, on the other hand, roared with laughter.
"Shut up Toshiki, I swear." Her glare grew even more heated. "I don't know how I could love such a... such a." She struggled to find a word mean enough, nasty enough, harsh enough to slap the smile from his face. Meanwhile Toshiki got up from the floor and kneeled down next to her, his smile changing ever so slightly and Tanako suddenly couldn't find any words strong enough. "Such a ..... mean....person. You, big.... meanie." Toshiki only chuckled deep in his chest and leaned forward to hush her words with a kiss. He stopped the kiss and soon as he felt her relax and go off guard.
"That's why you love me Tanako-chan....Cause I cam make you speechless." He whispered against her lips before pulling away to gaze into her eyes, which were now even more heated, but for other reasons.
Tanako didn't want to lose, she hated losing. And no way would she let herself lose to him. Yet she had nothing left, no more anger to spur her on. So she only smiled and caught Toshiki by his gi once again and caught him in a kiss that rivaled his. Toshiki was caught off guard by the kiss and couldn't hold back the half moan half sigh that escaped him. Satisfied that she had one up on her best friend and only love, she broke the kiss, or tried to. Toshiki had snaked his arm around her and now held her tightly to him and he refused to let her back away.
Tanako still didn't want to lose this very strange fight; so she wrapped her arms tightly around his lean frame and pulled him tighter against her. His strong body was like a wall to her soft female body, he was unyielding, yet she felt his shaking. The kiss they were sharing became something completely different. It had grown in force, almost as if they were feeding off each others passion. She could hear him moaning deep in his chest and was stunned to hear soft desperate whimpers coming from herself. The stress and the fear of the day had worn down on both of them and now all they wanted... all they needed was each other.
Suddenly the door flew open and the couple was ripped away from their self made heaven and the kiss broke. The two looked up at the person who had caught them and fear lanced through them, pinning them together so that their embrace could not have ended if they wanted it to. Standing before them, looking down at them... was Master Sasorie.
A/N...... one word..... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH they are caught!!!! What now? What now?!?!? runs around in a circle and panics ok ok..lets think logically now.. yeah I know... big cliffy. Mwhahaha couldn't help it. So, they got caught (almost) with their pants down and by the master no less. So tell me what you thought of the chapter and of this sticky situation that they have found themselves in. And what of Karou?... what would happen if she took up Tanako's daggers and used them?.. ... can't wait to hear from you. x
I want to thank all my reviewers out there, I love your ideas and I will be working them into the story, so don't think that they are not being put into good use. . Ok enough of me and now... the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own many of the characters in this story...
Devotion
By
Melissa x
Kenshin paused and placed a hand on the trunk of a tree; Sano paused as well and turned around to watch Kenshin. They had been traveling for a day and a half and Kenshin paused every few hours, just standing there. When asked what it was Kenshin just shook his head and they continued on.
"What is it now Kenshin?" Sano asked in a sigh as he shoved his hands in his pockets, He was not really expecting an answer but was surprised to see Kenshin look up at him and speak.
"Something is bothering me Sano." He said softly, his purple eyes showing just how disturbed he was. Sano perked up, this was the first time Kenshin had really talked that day.
"Do you have any idea what it is Kenshin?" Sano rubbed the back of his head and looked around, there was nothing around and they had not seen a living soul for a whole day.
"I haven't figured it out just yet Sano." Kenshin replied, looking behind him, all his senses were on alert.
"Hey come on Kenshin, you shouldn't be worrying so much. You should keep you mind on the battle that is coming up, I don't know about you but I don't think that the Onozawa are going to give Tanako up so easily." Sano punched one hand in the palm of his other hand. "You need to be ready and keep you mind on your goal." Kenshin sighed.
"You're right Sano, that you are. Perhaps I'm only worried for Tanako- dono." Kenshin offered as he continued behind Sano.
"Hehe, right, Tanako," Sano laughed as he turned and followed the animal trail running through the forest; the tail had seen some activity, and not just by animals. "I think you're worried about Missy. That she may be following us or something." Sano was only kidding around but Kenshin gasped silently and paused yet again. Sano turned. "Hey Kenshin, I was only kidding, you can't think that she's really following us. We would have heard her by now, and I know you would have known in a moment that she was close right?"
He was right; if Karou was anywhere close he would have been able to sense her, that he would. However, that nagging feeling in the back of his mind was not going to go away that easily. But he shoved it away as best he could and started walking again, he had to stop pausing and wondering; they had a time limit, and if Tanako was harmed because he allowed himself to be distracted he would never forgive himself.
Karou all but collapse on the ground, leaning her back up against a tree. She was worn out, if she didn't take her time she was going to exhaust herself again. She had pushed herself that first day, walking well into the night before she thought it was best that she stop and get some rest or else she would end up wandering off the path. She woke the next morning, had a little to eat and got right back to the journey. She had followed the directions exactly, plus Sano was a messy eater and apple cores and such were tossed about on the trail. And it didn't take long to find the softly worn down animal trail that the gang members mentioned. No doubt they used an animal trail to hide their own trails.
She had followed the trail for hours now and had not seen any sign of Kenshin and Sano. Just the apple cores and footprints ever so often gave them away. She did not know this but she had gained an hour on the pair and was now only four hours behind them. But she was too tired to carry on, she needed to rest.
"Well it's not as bad as I thought it would be." Karou said to herself as she took a small drink of water and hunted around her pack for her own apple. She was almost halfway there; she could do this, she had faith in herself. "And I have faith in you Kenshin." She added as she wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead and took a bite from her apple.
Toshiki kneeled down in front of his Master and bowed in respect. "You called for me Master Sasorie?" He had spent most of the morning warming up with the other members, all in preparation for the Battousai's arrival. He was almost done when he received word that the Master wished to see him.
"Yes Toshiki my boy," Sasorie looked up from the small pile of papers in front of him. "How is the practice going?"
"Well enough Master, the men are as ready as they will ever be." Toshiki answered. Sasorie nodded.
"Very good, and how is our prisoner?"
"Well enough Sir, considering. I cheeked on her this morning." He replied with ease, truthfully there was a storm in his heart. He was torn in two by the girl he loved and his loyalty to his Master. He had chosen, he wanted the girl, and he was going to do anything to make sure she lived through this. The second to last day was coming to a close and the Battousai had one more day. If he came or not, Tanako was not going to be harmed, he was going to see to that. "Is that all you wanted to know Master?" Toshiki prepared to leave but Sasorie was not finished with him.
"No Toshiki, I have one more task for you before our battle." The Master reached behind him and picked up a small bag and placed it in front of Toshiki. When Toshiki opened the bag he saw two sake bottles. He looked back up at his Master with a confused look on his face.
"What do you wish for me to do with these Master?" He then watched as Sasorie took up a small sake cup from the table in which the papers were resting on and he handed it to Toshiki.
"Have Tanako drink both of those." He stated with a knowing grin. Toshiki was taken aback and still was confused.
"Sir? Tanako is not a drinker; I've never seen her try anything with alcohol in it." Toshiki knew that Tanako despised drinking; she had always said that all it did was give men false courage while dimming their skills. Meaning a good way to be killed in a fight.
"I know this my boy; that is why I want you to make sure she drinks all of that. There is going to be many things going on at once tomorrow, and I know that Tanako will not be watched over at every moment. If she is drunk I highly doubt that she will be able to do anything if she was able to escape or get her hands on a weapon. She will be too impaired to help even herself, much less her demon friend. Do you understand Toshiki?"
"Yes Sasorie-san, I understand completely. I will go to her in the morning and make sure she drank every drop by afternoon." And with that he bowed and made ready to be excused, his mind already churning up ideas on how to make the Master believe she had the sake, for, there was no way he was going to do as he asked.
"Very good, I'm glad to see that your years of friendship with her have not muddled your thoughts. You are excused, go finish your practice." He bowed back and watched as the younger man got to his feet, picked up the bag and placed the drinking cup in it and bowed one last time before turning and leaving.
Karou woke with a start, and she gazed around at her surroundings. She was confused for a moment at the sight of the dark forest around her and it took her a moment to remember what she was doing. She gasped when she remembered.
"I must have fallen asleep!" she said to herself and looked down at the half eaten apple in her hand. She tossed the fruit away and climbed to her feet. It was well into the night and Karou had fallen hours more behind Kenshin and Sano and she knew it too. "No! I need to catch up, or by the time I find them they could already be well into battle and I'll have no way of really helping them." She scrambled to gather her pack together and strap her bokken on her back once again and she hurried off into the forest. The moon gave enough light for her to see the animal trail, even though the thick canopy of leaves overhead blocked out most of the light, she only needed enough to make sure she was going in the right direction. She stayed as quiet as she could for perhaps Sano and Kenshin also decided to sit and rest for the night, it would not be smart for her to suddenly stumble upon them. So she went slow but steady into the night.
The hours flew by as did the miles, it was now early morning but Karou refused to take a rest. She did not stop until she reached the two thirds marker, which was a small bridge over a large stream that she had to cross. She thought she had better stop here or else she very well might stumble upon Kenshin and Sano. As tired as she was, she couldn't bring herself to get any sleep. The nap that evening had fueled her for this all night walk, but now she was all out of steam. She took a drink from the stream and found that the water was ice cold, just touching it with her hands jolted her awake. This gave her an idea, not a very smart idea but one that would have to happen if she was to keep her wits about her.
She striped from her gi and tied her hair up on her head; it would not be good for her to get her hair wet, even though it was summer. The first step in the water was easy, but as she waded into deeper water and the water snaked higher and higher up her bare skin it became hard work for her to take the next step. By the time she reached the deepest part of the stream, the water just reached her hips and she was as wide awake as she could be. However, she wanted to be sure and she dipped down until the water hit her chin and with a soft yelp at the icy bite she stood up and scurried from the water. She treaded carefully on the smooth river stones and pebbles until she reached the bank. Even the warm breeze could not warm her; but that was not a problem for her, the longer she stayed cold, the more awake she would be. So she stood there shivering, with goose bumps covering her damp skin.
After air drying, she got back into her gi and took up her bokken at took a few slashes at an imaginary attacker. She did everything she could to keep her mind and body awake and ready. She tried to picture the battle in her mind; the many gang members and Kenshin, Sano and Tanako right in the middle of them. Who would she go for first? The one in front of her... or just attack randomly to give the others the distraction they would need to attack as well. She felt for Tanako's daggers to make sure they were where she left them. She took them out of her gi and looked at them in there pockets, the metal handles shimmered in the moonlight. What if it came down to her having to use these weapons? He was to give them to Tanako, but if she had too, she would use them herself. What would Kenshin say if he found out?...Or worse saw her use them. She would have to make sure that she didn't kill the person she was using them on, or perhaps Kenshin would never forgive her for staining her hands in blood.
She shivered at the thought and slipped the daggers back under her gi and got back to her practice. She trained for at least an hour and she became hot and sweaty all over again. So once more she striped off her gi and took a fast dip in the cold stream. By the time she was once again dry and dressed the morning light was showing up through the forest of leaves. She had a fast breakfast and then slowly crossed the bridge continued in the way the directions told her to. She was now back to being four hours behind Kenshin and Sano.
Toshiki knew that he was not to bring Tanako any food for the day, this way the sake would take a stronger hold on her body. But he was not going to give her the alcohol so why shouldn't he bring her food? He grinned to himself as he slipped a rice ball and a few fruits in the bag along with the sake. It was early morning, the sun was starting the climb the sky, if he was not so sure of himself, Toshiki might have been fighting back tears on this last day of Tanako's life. However, he knew that she was not going to die, even if her friend did not show up. Anyway he wouldn't show his fear in front of her, he had to be strong, for her.
Toshiki let himself into the holding cell and was almost tackled to the ground. He found Tanako hugging the life from him before he even had a chance to shut the door behind him. Toshiki ended up having to kick the door shut and he set the bag down before he tried to pry the young woman off him, but after a moment his struggles stopped and he wrapped his arms around her in return.
"Today is the day." Tanako said, all in all she thought she was taking her last hours on earth pretty well. But she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from Toshiki; he made her want to live, his love made her fear death.
"Yes it is." Toshiki agree gently as Tanako slowly relaxed her grip and stepped away, blushing in apology. "I have something for you." He added as he kneeled down and took the bag in hand. Tanako followed. "Sasorie wanted me to give you this." He said as he pulled the two sake bottles from the bag.
"What?!" Tanako laughed, "So he wants to get me drunk, just to be on the safe side eh?"
Toshiki raised an eyebrow. "Yes, exactly. How do you do that?" The girl only smiled back at him and out of habit tried to tuck her hair behind her ears but they fell back into place. "Anyway, there will be no drinking for you today Tanako-chan." He smirked as he uncorked the bottle and dumped to contents through the inch gap in the floor boards. He set the empty bottle next to the untouched one. He then reached back in the bag and handed her the rice ball and the fruit that he had snuck in. "This is much better for you anyway."
"Aw Toshiki, you're no fun." She thanked him anyway and gladly ate up the rice ball and the fruit that he brought her. Afterwards, they fell into a silence, not an uncomfortable one, but one Tanako thought they should use. "So... Do we have a plan?"
"I wish we did dear Tanako." Toshiki sighed. "There is not much we can do to prepare for this; even I don't have any idea what Sasorie is planning." Toshiki fell silent and then asked the question that had been bugging him for some time. "Are you sure Mr. Himura will do all he can to help you?"
"Of course he will." Tanako replied. "He almost lives by the rule of protection." She tipped her head to the side to give her love a quizzical look, wondering what was going on inside of his head.
"Good," He replied sternly "Even I know that I can't keep a eye out for you at all times, so I'll be glad to know that you will be taken care of-" Toshiki was cut off suddenly as the girl launched herself at him and knocked him to the ground and pined him there, sitting on him like a rather large cat.
"What the Hell is that suppose to mean!?" Tanako shrieked. "I can take care of myself thank you very much. I don't need you men to look out of me all the time. Who was the one who beat you last time we had a spar?"
Toshiki looked up at the burning green eyes of the girl holding him down and struggled to hold back a laugh. "As I recall, that spar was hardly fair." He said calmly, remembering the fight like it was yesterday.
"FAIR?!?!!" Tanako grabbed Toshiki by the front of his gi and lifted him a bit from the ground. The smile on his face only grew brighter.
"You wouldn't hold still, you fight like a ninja, always trying to escape, never standing and fighting." He knew he hit a soft spot, and he almost heard the snap of her will breaking.
"You slapped me five times in the butt with the flat of your sword you BAKA!!" She gave him a fierce shake by his gi.
"You were moving to slow."
"First I was moving too fast... then too slow?!"
"Hai" he said simply. Tanako scoffed and let him go suddenly; he fell back to the ground with a thud. She climbed off him and sat back against the wooden pillar in the middle of the room, glaring at Toshiki. He, on the other hand, roared with laughter.
"Shut up Toshiki, I swear." Her glare grew even more heated. "I don't know how I could love such a... such a." She struggled to find a word mean enough, nasty enough, harsh enough to slap the smile from his face. Meanwhile Toshiki got up from the floor and kneeled down next to her, his smile changing ever so slightly and Tanako suddenly couldn't find any words strong enough. "Such a ..... mean....person. You, big.... meanie." Toshiki only chuckled deep in his chest and leaned forward to hush her words with a kiss. He stopped the kiss and soon as he felt her relax and go off guard.
"That's why you love me Tanako-chan....Cause I cam make you speechless." He whispered against her lips before pulling away to gaze into her eyes, which were now even more heated, but for other reasons.
Tanako didn't want to lose, she hated losing. And no way would she let herself lose to him. Yet she had nothing left, no more anger to spur her on. So she only smiled and caught Toshiki by his gi once again and caught him in a kiss that rivaled his. Toshiki was caught off guard by the kiss and couldn't hold back the half moan half sigh that escaped him. Satisfied that she had one up on her best friend and only love, she broke the kiss, or tried to. Toshiki had snaked his arm around her and now held her tightly to him and he refused to let her back away.
Tanako still didn't want to lose this very strange fight; so she wrapped her arms tightly around his lean frame and pulled him tighter against her. His strong body was like a wall to her soft female body, he was unyielding, yet she felt his shaking. The kiss they were sharing became something completely different. It had grown in force, almost as if they were feeding off each others passion. She could hear him moaning deep in his chest and was stunned to hear soft desperate whimpers coming from herself. The stress and the fear of the day had worn down on both of them and now all they wanted... all they needed was each other.
Suddenly the door flew open and the couple was ripped away from their self made heaven and the kiss broke. The two looked up at the person who had caught them and fear lanced through them, pinning them together so that their embrace could not have ended if they wanted it to. Standing before them, looking down at them... was Master Sasorie.
A/N...... one word..... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH they are caught!!!! What now? What now?!?!? runs around in a circle and panics ok ok..lets think logically now.. yeah I know... big cliffy. Mwhahaha couldn't help it. So, they got caught (almost) with their pants down and by the master no less. So tell me what you thought of the chapter and of this sticky situation that they have found themselves in. And what of Karou?... what would happen if she took up Tanako's daggers and used them?.. ... can't wait to hear from you. x