A/N Hi guys.. waves ... Well here is the much wanted next chapter, got a
few screams from the last one.. ... Thank you R.C.. I can't believe you
like this story so much.. blushes lightly Oh and Unicornfan.... Hehe I
knew I had the name wrong.. but by the time I already noticed it.. it was
well into the story and no one seemed to mind it very much and Thank you
for the review, I'm glad you love the story so. Gah!! I can't believe that
Vash showed up in your review Shadowgirl .. ok ok ok... no killies..
see..I'm working on it right now.. hehe...And as always.. hello to Satou-
chan, Brittanie Love, Koishii sweet, and Kenshin's Girl and all other
reviewers.. me love you all.. ok enough of that and on to the story.
Disclaimer, I don't own RK
Devotion
By
Melissa x
The couple thought for sure they were caught, but Sasorie didn't look shocked at all. He stepped further into the room and looked down at the confused faces of the two and the empty bottle of sake sitting on the ground with the unopened one. He looked back at the two gang members that came with him as they also stepped in the room and all three started laughing.
"Who would have thought that Tanto was such a happy drunk?" He shouted through his laughter. The others joined him, for they had never seen the stoic young woman in the arms of another... and Toshiki no less... he was like her brother.
It was then that Tanako and Toshiki realized that they all must think she was drunk and gotten all flirty with Toshiki, who had to stay around and make sure she drank everything, and thus, was her target. Tanako played up the part of the too happy drunk and leaned heavily on Toshiki, even though she was kneeling. Toshiki struggled a bit to keep a good grip on the wobbling girl as he chuckled and looked up at his Master.
"Yes Sasorie-san, seems that very little was needed to totally render her useless. Her mind has gone to other places besides the thought of her own death." Toshiki said, letting his voice sound slightly annoyed at Tanako's petting, for the girl was indeed running her hands through his untied hair. Sasorie laughed again and kneeled down along with them. He picked up the overturned cup that was lying next to the bottles and took up the untouched bottle, opened it and pored the sake in the cup and held it out to Tanako.
Tanako froze; he wanted her to drink and she knew that if she didn't that there last moment charade would crumble. So without really thinking she gave her ex leader a goofy grin and took the cup from him, wobbling just a little and tossed the drink down in one fast swallow, trying to not let it touch her tongue. She tried to keep the relaxed smile on her face as she handed Sasorie back the cup, but she almost started coughing but she was able to hold it back. She felt Toshiki tighten his grip on her, and she saw that he was surprised that she had drunk the clear liquid. She wanted to know what was so surprising that she had stooped to save their lives.
"What?!" She asked a bit too loud and she winced, thinking that she had ruined it all. This however confirmed to Sasorie that she was indeed a few drinks away from being dead drunk.
"You did well Toshiki my boy, I'll leave you two to finish up. Don't let her go too wild on you now Toshiki." He laughed at this last part as he poured her another dink and handed it to her before getting to his feet. Tanako was going to wait till Sasorie left to toss the cup away but he turned and waited for her. So she had no choice but to toss the sake down her throat once again and both Tanako and Toshiki gave the leader a small bow, well, they did there best to bow, for they were still tangled up in each others arms. The Leader chuckled again and turned to leave, with the other two gang member following.
The couple both sighed at the same time; that was much to close for comfort. They struggled a bit to untangle themselves from each others arms and sit separately. Toshiki looked at her and a small grin showed itself on his face. The grin grew until it was a full smile and chuckles soon followed. Tanako glared, she didn't think any of this was funny at all, and now she was already feeling the effects of the two small drinks of sake.
"What's so funny Toshiki-san eh?" She growled, crossing her arms and sitting against the wooden pillar, her legs crossed.
Toshiki was able to stop his chuckles long enough to speak. "Nothing Tanako-chan, just...relieved" He promptly tipped the sake bottle over to rid it of the rest of its contents.
Kenshin and Sano paused as they came out of the forest line and stepped into an open grassy meadow. There was only three hours of daylight left but they didn't need it to search for the gang. For just as soon as they stepped out of the cover of the forest a young boy jumped from his look out point and dashed off across the gentle hill of the meadow, to alert the village no doubt and they made no effort to stop the boy.
"So Kenshin..." Sano looked down at the all too serious face of the ex- samurai as he scanned the area. "You gotta plan?" The two started off across the worn down grass of the training fields. Kenshin with his eyes up and alert, Sano with his hands in his pockets.
"To find Tanako and get her out of there safely." Kenshin's voice was flat but convincing.
"That's it?!?!?!" What about the dozens of gang members that will be going after us?" Sano wanted to get in, and get out; and if he had to punch a few dozen men to do so then so be it, he just might like it.
"We want things to go as peacefully as possible Sano. Last thing we want is a fight, we could lose track of Tanako." Kenshin scolded gently.
"But what if we already have her Kenshin, can I beat up some no good gang members then?"
Kenshin sighed and shook his head; Sano would be Sano it seemed. Yet he was still glad to have his friend by his side. "Alright Sano, but only after we have her...and only if they persist in fighting us."
"Hehe, good." Sano cracked his knuckles and grinned, this was going to be one of the best fights, an all out brawl.
By the time the two reached the edge of the training fields a group of gang members where already assembled and the outskirts of the village to "Greet" them. Kenshin also knew that he would be a fool to think that they were not surrounded by gang members in the forest behind them.
A warning cry sounded and Toshiki jumped up just as the door flew open and a fellow high ranking member rushed in.
"Toshiki, he's here... the Battousai is here, and he brought a friend with him!" And with that said he turned on his heal and dashed to meet the visitor, his hand already on the hilt of his katana.
Tanako jumped up and looked out the door to catch sight of Kenshin and Sano in the distance, walking ever cautiously into the village. "It's Kenshin!" She cried, stumbling a bit as the room tipped. She cursed the sake she had to drink, two cups and already she was feeling as if she was going to fall off the Earth. "And he brought Sano with him!"
Toshiki's heart leapt when he saw the demon, knowing now that Tanako's chances of living through this had greatly increased. Yet he couldn't help feeling the pains of jealousy, but he shook them away. As long as Tanako got out of this safely, he would be happy.
"So...do you have a plan?" Tanako asked. Toshiki looked down at her and pushed her further into the room, pressing her against the wooden pillar with one hand.
"To get you out of here alive." He replied.
"What!! Is that all you have planed?!" She shrieked back.
"I never really thought this far ahead Tanako-chan; I need to see how things turn out before I can really try to get you out of here. Until then, I want you to stay here... no doubt you will be guarded so if you try to escape, it could ruin everything."
"STAY HERE!!?!?"
"Yes! You must stay here, don't follow me, it will be much too dangerous." Toshiki demanded one last time before placing a brief but passion filled kiss on her lips before darting away. Shutting out the noise the newcomers had created in the village.
"Grrrrrr," Tanako's hands itched for her daggers and her mind screamed for a fight. She was not the woman who needs to be rescued........ Ok perhaps she was, but she hated feeling that way.
Toshiki stepped up to the front of the gathering and stood next to Sasorie; demands were already being made and Toshiki stood silently, glaring at the red-haired demon before him. Yet he felt the edge of fear, just by looking at Kenshin.. and he knew that he struck fear in the hearts of all the men around him, even Master Sasorie was feeling the sharp cold point of fear. The Battousai's very aura seemed to chill their very bones.
"Why have you brought another, Battousai!?" Sasorie shouted across to Kenshin, indicating to Sano, who stood there as if he walked into these things every day. He had his hands in his pockets but the Leader saw his eyes darting about, forming a plan and knew he had better keep an eye on the tall skinny young man. "Is it because you doubt your abilities to defeat us and free your lovely friend?!" Many jeers and snickers sounded from the masses of fighters gathering ever closer to them.
Kenshin knew that he was supposed to have come alone, and he did doubt his abilities against so many and he would not risk the life of his friend on account of his pride. Yet he knew that it would be stupid to expose this.
"I have no doubt that I will defeat you and your gang and return Tanako home!" Kenshin shouted over the chuckling that was still going on. "But I do doubt your word, I want to make sure that Tanako gets home safely, my friend here will make sure that you will keep your word!"
Karou froze as she heard shouting, she was at the edge of the forest and the trees were thinning out. She had made better time than she though and was a bit surprised that she had caught up to Kenshin and Sano. She could see that there was small field between the forest and the village and that Kenshin and Sano were right at the edge of the village. She also saw gang members hiding behind the trees that surrounded the field; in fact there was a young man standing not five yards from her, crouched down low against the tree. They were going to wait until the battle started then attack Kenshin and Sano from behind.
Here was her chance, her chance to help out. Karou was afraid, yet she would not let that fear take over. She silently slid her traveling pack off and dropped it on the ground. She took up her bokken and felt her gi for the tantos and kunai. She still had them tucked away, and the first chance she got she would hand them over to their owners to be used properly.
She peeked around the tree that she was hiding behind and looked around. The young gang member had his sword already in hand, the light from the dying sun flicked off the metal. He was the furthest one out, no one would be able to hear her attack if all went well. Turning back around, she places her back against the tree and said a fast prayer before darting out from behind the tree and used an over head swing to knock the gang member over the top of the head. To poor man didn't even see nor hear what hit him, for he fell silently to the ground, dropping his sword and falling instantly unconscious.
Karou looked around to see that the other gang members had not stirred from their places in hiding. She had not made a single sound during her attack, they were all concentrating on the shouting going on between the Battousai and their Leader; just waiting for the signal for them to run into the fight and ambush the two. Karou gathered her nerves and steadied her shaking hands. That was one down, there was well over a few dozen left to go. So she spotted her next target and slinked back behind the trees to catch him from behind.
Sasorie eyed Kenshin suspiciously, the red-hared demon had his attention on something else. He saw his hand twitch and reach for the hilt of his katana, but he paused in mid reach and relaxed again, his cold eyes moving back to catch the Leader's eyes yet again, his arms relaxing at his sides.
"I have come." Kenshin shouted out at him. "Now you keep your side of the bargain and let Tanako go home and swear that you will let her live out her life in peace!"
"I'm true to my word Battousai!" Sasorie shouted. "But first we want to see a taste of your infamous Hiten Mitsurugi style." The younger one by his side scoffed.
"Oh, I don't think you want to see Kenshin's style buddy." Sano said with a lazy grin on his face. He took his hand from his pocket, looked at his nails for a moment before making a fist and returning his hand to his pocket, looking down at his friend. Kenshin looked up at Sano and flicked his eyes to the forest behind them and whispered so that the others around them would not hear.
"Sano, there's something going on in the forest, I keep feeling bursts of energy, a fighters spirit. There's someone out there but I don't know who it is just yet."
"Perhaps it's Tanako." Sano whispered back.
"I already thought about that, this spirit seems different, close... but off by a little. This person is using a different fighting technique." Kenshin felt that he should know who this person was that was attacking the gang that he knew was in the forest, but for some reason he felt as though he had never knew the person. Something was going and he did not like it at all.
A/N.......Hmmmmm.. stretches from sitting in the school chair for too long. boy that last two pages took forever to do ... I hope the next chapter is as hard. Anyway..... Gah.. so Kenshin knows that something fishy is going on in the forest behind them. Hehe And Karou is weeding out the backup, wow... I hope she stays silent.. there is a lot of them back there and if one hears her... it's all over.
Next Chapter... we get the see the gang attack... and find out if Tanako listens to Toshiki and stays where she's at. We also get to see Karou kick butt....... can't wait for your reviews.. waves x
Disclaimer, I don't own RK
Devotion
By
Melissa x
The couple thought for sure they were caught, but Sasorie didn't look shocked at all. He stepped further into the room and looked down at the confused faces of the two and the empty bottle of sake sitting on the ground with the unopened one. He looked back at the two gang members that came with him as they also stepped in the room and all three started laughing.
"Who would have thought that Tanto was such a happy drunk?" He shouted through his laughter. The others joined him, for they had never seen the stoic young woman in the arms of another... and Toshiki no less... he was like her brother.
It was then that Tanako and Toshiki realized that they all must think she was drunk and gotten all flirty with Toshiki, who had to stay around and make sure she drank everything, and thus, was her target. Tanako played up the part of the too happy drunk and leaned heavily on Toshiki, even though she was kneeling. Toshiki struggled a bit to keep a good grip on the wobbling girl as he chuckled and looked up at his Master.
"Yes Sasorie-san, seems that very little was needed to totally render her useless. Her mind has gone to other places besides the thought of her own death." Toshiki said, letting his voice sound slightly annoyed at Tanako's petting, for the girl was indeed running her hands through his untied hair. Sasorie laughed again and kneeled down along with them. He picked up the overturned cup that was lying next to the bottles and took up the untouched bottle, opened it and pored the sake in the cup and held it out to Tanako.
Tanako froze; he wanted her to drink and she knew that if she didn't that there last moment charade would crumble. So without really thinking she gave her ex leader a goofy grin and took the cup from him, wobbling just a little and tossed the drink down in one fast swallow, trying to not let it touch her tongue. She tried to keep the relaxed smile on her face as she handed Sasorie back the cup, but she almost started coughing but she was able to hold it back. She felt Toshiki tighten his grip on her, and she saw that he was surprised that she had drunk the clear liquid. She wanted to know what was so surprising that she had stooped to save their lives.
"What?!" She asked a bit too loud and she winced, thinking that she had ruined it all. This however confirmed to Sasorie that she was indeed a few drinks away from being dead drunk.
"You did well Toshiki my boy, I'll leave you two to finish up. Don't let her go too wild on you now Toshiki." He laughed at this last part as he poured her another dink and handed it to her before getting to his feet. Tanako was going to wait till Sasorie left to toss the cup away but he turned and waited for her. So she had no choice but to toss the sake down her throat once again and both Tanako and Toshiki gave the leader a small bow, well, they did there best to bow, for they were still tangled up in each others arms. The Leader chuckled again and turned to leave, with the other two gang member following.
The couple both sighed at the same time; that was much to close for comfort. They struggled a bit to untangle themselves from each others arms and sit separately. Toshiki looked at her and a small grin showed itself on his face. The grin grew until it was a full smile and chuckles soon followed. Tanako glared, she didn't think any of this was funny at all, and now she was already feeling the effects of the two small drinks of sake.
"What's so funny Toshiki-san eh?" She growled, crossing her arms and sitting against the wooden pillar, her legs crossed.
Toshiki was able to stop his chuckles long enough to speak. "Nothing Tanako-chan, just...relieved" He promptly tipped the sake bottle over to rid it of the rest of its contents.
Kenshin and Sano paused as they came out of the forest line and stepped into an open grassy meadow. There was only three hours of daylight left but they didn't need it to search for the gang. For just as soon as they stepped out of the cover of the forest a young boy jumped from his look out point and dashed off across the gentle hill of the meadow, to alert the village no doubt and they made no effort to stop the boy.
"So Kenshin..." Sano looked down at the all too serious face of the ex- samurai as he scanned the area. "You gotta plan?" The two started off across the worn down grass of the training fields. Kenshin with his eyes up and alert, Sano with his hands in his pockets.
"To find Tanako and get her out of there safely." Kenshin's voice was flat but convincing.
"That's it?!?!?!" What about the dozens of gang members that will be going after us?" Sano wanted to get in, and get out; and if he had to punch a few dozen men to do so then so be it, he just might like it.
"We want things to go as peacefully as possible Sano. Last thing we want is a fight, we could lose track of Tanako." Kenshin scolded gently.
"But what if we already have her Kenshin, can I beat up some no good gang members then?"
Kenshin sighed and shook his head; Sano would be Sano it seemed. Yet he was still glad to have his friend by his side. "Alright Sano, but only after we have her...and only if they persist in fighting us."
"Hehe, good." Sano cracked his knuckles and grinned, this was going to be one of the best fights, an all out brawl.
By the time the two reached the edge of the training fields a group of gang members where already assembled and the outskirts of the village to "Greet" them. Kenshin also knew that he would be a fool to think that they were not surrounded by gang members in the forest behind them.
A warning cry sounded and Toshiki jumped up just as the door flew open and a fellow high ranking member rushed in.
"Toshiki, he's here... the Battousai is here, and he brought a friend with him!" And with that said he turned on his heal and dashed to meet the visitor, his hand already on the hilt of his katana.
Tanako jumped up and looked out the door to catch sight of Kenshin and Sano in the distance, walking ever cautiously into the village. "It's Kenshin!" She cried, stumbling a bit as the room tipped. She cursed the sake she had to drink, two cups and already she was feeling as if she was going to fall off the Earth. "And he brought Sano with him!"
Toshiki's heart leapt when he saw the demon, knowing now that Tanako's chances of living through this had greatly increased. Yet he couldn't help feeling the pains of jealousy, but he shook them away. As long as Tanako got out of this safely, he would be happy.
"So...do you have a plan?" Tanako asked. Toshiki looked down at her and pushed her further into the room, pressing her against the wooden pillar with one hand.
"To get you out of here alive." He replied.
"What!! Is that all you have planed?!" She shrieked back.
"I never really thought this far ahead Tanako-chan; I need to see how things turn out before I can really try to get you out of here. Until then, I want you to stay here... no doubt you will be guarded so if you try to escape, it could ruin everything."
"STAY HERE!!?!?"
"Yes! You must stay here, don't follow me, it will be much too dangerous." Toshiki demanded one last time before placing a brief but passion filled kiss on her lips before darting away. Shutting out the noise the newcomers had created in the village.
"Grrrrrr," Tanako's hands itched for her daggers and her mind screamed for a fight. She was not the woman who needs to be rescued........ Ok perhaps she was, but she hated feeling that way.
Toshiki stepped up to the front of the gathering and stood next to Sasorie; demands were already being made and Toshiki stood silently, glaring at the red-haired demon before him. Yet he felt the edge of fear, just by looking at Kenshin.. and he knew that he struck fear in the hearts of all the men around him, even Master Sasorie was feeling the sharp cold point of fear. The Battousai's very aura seemed to chill their very bones.
"Why have you brought another, Battousai!?" Sasorie shouted across to Kenshin, indicating to Sano, who stood there as if he walked into these things every day. He had his hands in his pockets but the Leader saw his eyes darting about, forming a plan and knew he had better keep an eye on the tall skinny young man. "Is it because you doubt your abilities to defeat us and free your lovely friend?!" Many jeers and snickers sounded from the masses of fighters gathering ever closer to them.
Kenshin knew that he was supposed to have come alone, and he did doubt his abilities against so many and he would not risk the life of his friend on account of his pride. Yet he knew that it would be stupid to expose this.
"I have no doubt that I will defeat you and your gang and return Tanako home!" Kenshin shouted over the chuckling that was still going on. "But I do doubt your word, I want to make sure that Tanako gets home safely, my friend here will make sure that you will keep your word!"
Karou froze as she heard shouting, she was at the edge of the forest and the trees were thinning out. She had made better time than she though and was a bit surprised that she had caught up to Kenshin and Sano. She could see that there was small field between the forest and the village and that Kenshin and Sano were right at the edge of the village. She also saw gang members hiding behind the trees that surrounded the field; in fact there was a young man standing not five yards from her, crouched down low against the tree. They were going to wait until the battle started then attack Kenshin and Sano from behind.
Here was her chance, her chance to help out. Karou was afraid, yet she would not let that fear take over. She silently slid her traveling pack off and dropped it on the ground. She took up her bokken and felt her gi for the tantos and kunai. She still had them tucked away, and the first chance she got she would hand them over to their owners to be used properly.
She peeked around the tree that she was hiding behind and looked around. The young gang member had his sword already in hand, the light from the dying sun flicked off the metal. He was the furthest one out, no one would be able to hear her attack if all went well. Turning back around, she places her back against the tree and said a fast prayer before darting out from behind the tree and used an over head swing to knock the gang member over the top of the head. To poor man didn't even see nor hear what hit him, for he fell silently to the ground, dropping his sword and falling instantly unconscious.
Karou looked around to see that the other gang members had not stirred from their places in hiding. She had not made a single sound during her attack, they were all concentrating on the shouting going on between the Battousai and their Leader; just waiting for the signal for them to run into the fight and ambush the two. Karou gathered her nerves and steadied her shaking hands. That was one down, there was well over a few dozen left to go. So she spotted her next target and slinked back behind the trees to catch him from behind.
Sasorie eyed Kenshin suspiciously, the red-hared demon had his attention on something else. He saw his hand twitch and reach for the hilt of his katana, but he paused in mid reach and relaxed again, his cold eyes moving back to catch the Leader's eyes yet again, his arms relaxing at his sides.
"I have come." Kenshin shouted out at him. "Now you keep your side of the bargain and let Tanako go home and swear that you will let her live out her life in peace!"
"I'm true to my word Battousai!" Sasorie shouted. "But first we want to see a taste of your infamous Hiten Mitsurugi style." The younger one by his side scoffed.
"Oh, I don't think you want to see Kenshin's style buddy." Sano said with a lazy grin on his face. He took his hand from his pocket, looked at his nails for a moment before making a fist and returning his hand to his pocket, looking down at his friend. Kenshin looked up at Sano and flicked his eyes to the forest behind them and whispered so that the others around them would not hear.
"Sano, there's something going on in the forest, I keep feeling bursts of energy, a fighters spirit. There's someone out there but I don't know who it is just yet."
"Perhaps it's Tanako." Sano whispered back.
"I already thought about that, this spirit seems different, close... but off by a little. This person is using a different fighting technique." Kenshin felt that he should know who this person was that was attacking the gang that he knew was in the forest, but for some reason he felt as though he had never knew the person. Something was going and he did not like it at all.
A/N.......Hmmmmm.. stretches from sitting in the school chair for too long. boy that last two pages took forever to do ... I hope the next chapter is as hard. Anyway..... Gah.. so Kenshin knows that something fishy is going on in the forest behind them. Hehe And Karou is weeding out the backup, wow... I hope she stays silent.. there is a lot of them back there and if one hears her... it's all over.
Next Chapter... we get the see the gang attack... and find out if Tanako listens to Toshiki and stays where she's at. We also get to see Karou kick butt....... can't wait for your reviews.. waves x