Summers almost here. Yay!! And I apologize for posting the wrong chapter. Oops, my bad. : )
Ch. 3
Misao followed Aoshi through the dark halls, searching for any sign of survivors. So far they hadn't come across anyone. When they entered the throne room, Aoshi froze, causing Misao to crash into him.
"Why'd you have to stop so......" she trailed off as she looked around Aoshi. The scene before them was utterly gruesome.
Bodies littered the ground, mostly from the royal guards. The floor was almost entirely covered with blood, some of which still poured from the wounds of the dead.
"Dear God," Misao's eyes were wide with shock and she suddenly felt sick to her stomach.
Although Aoshi hadn't said a word, you could see the shock and horror clearly etched across his face. He took careful steps into the room and silently searched faces, hoping to not find familiar ones.
But luck was not on his side, as halfway through the room he came across the beheaded bodies of his King and Queen. He rushed forward and knelt beside them as he had done so many times before and whispered a prayer for them.
Misao had finally got a better hold of herself and slowly made her way towards Aoshi, which she regretted entirely as she reached the scene. She fell to the ground in sobs as she saw the bodies of her guardians, and could only pray that her friends did not suffer the same fate.
After some time, Aoshi rose and turned to Misao, whose cries had turned into sniffles and whimpering. "We will give them the proper burial they deserve once we finish searching the castle," he softly told her. With his help, Misao was able to pick herself off the floor and follow him through the double doors into the next room. If only they knew what awaited them there.
...................................................................
Although Kaoru had tried her best to prevent it, tears were streaming down her face as Gohei began tearing at her dress. She had never given up her struggle, but it was completely useless, as Gohei's was using his weight to pin her to the ground. She had begun to say the prayers her mother had taught her as a child in her head, as Gohei had moved his lips to her now bare shoulder, kissing the exposed creamy skin.
Suddenly shouts and yells were heard from outside; the commotion drawing Gohei's attention. He raised his head and frowned towards the tent's entrance, angry at the disturbance. He looked at Kaoru, then back up. Muttering curses he grabbed some rope and tied Kaoru's wrists to the center beam of the tent. After checking his handiwork, he stood, put on his sword, and pulled back the tent flap.
"What the hell is going on out here!" he yelled while stepping outside. "Oh shit."
His men littered the ground before him. But the odd thing was that there was no blood. It was disturbingly quiet as he took a few more steps out and drew his sword.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a soft but firm voice commanded as Gohei felt the cool metal of a sword meet the back of his neck.
Seeing that he was in no position to argue, Gohei put his sword back in his sheath.
"What do you want?" he asked in a shaky voice.
"I want to know if you are the ones responsible for the destruction of the village."
"No," Gohei lied, "We just got here and saw what had happened."
"Wrong answer," was the curt reply. "I can see and smell the blood on your men, you liar." Gohei never even had time to respond as he fell to the ground unconscious.
As he sheathed his sword, the wanderer turned towards the tent. He had been almost positive the scream had been from a woman, but he hadn't seen any signs of one around the camp. And there was only one more place to look.
..............................................
Kaoru had tried to follow what was happening outside, but could only make out murmurs. She attempted to loosen her bonds, but the more she pulled and twisted the tighter they got. She froze when she heard a loud thud. She could only stare at the tent's flap as it opened and the silhouette of a man filled the entrance.
(Kaoru's POV)
The bright sun forced her to scrunch her eyes shut as the man stepped into the tent, but she could already tell that it wasn't Gohei, as his stature was much smaller. As the flap was closed, Kaoru could finally get a look at her hopefully savior.
Although the man was smaller, Kaoru could tell that he was very muscular and strong. He had brilliant red hair that was pulled back, though much of it had escaped its confinement and messily went everywhere. A cross-shaped scar adorned his cheek, giving him a more tough and dangerous look. But despite these different features, what drew her attention the most were his eyes. They had been narrowed and a steel blue when he had entered the tent, but upon seeing her, they had turned into a softer amethyst color. But she had sworn that they had flashed amber for just a moment, had she blinked she would've missed it.
(Wanderer's POV) - (hmmm, wonder who that could be)
Upon entering the tent, the wanderer was taken aback by the beauty of the young woman tied to the beam. Her raven hair was flowing around her shoulders, contrasting nicely with her milky skin. But what captivated him the most were her eyes. Large cerulean eyes locked with his own, showing him her every emotion. As he checked her for injuries, anger overcame him as he noticed that state of her dress.
(Normal)
The man took quick steps towards Kaoru and unsheathed his sword. Kaoru's eyes widened and then shut as she waited for him to deliver the blow that would end her life. But instead of feeling pain, the ropes around her wrist loosened, freeing her. As she opened her eyes, she met the mans amused gaze with a questioning look.
"Now why would I want to kill you when I just went through the trouble of saving you?" he asked with a smile.
"Who are you?" Kaoru asked.
"Himura. Kenshin Himura."
I'm sorry it's short, but I figure something is better than nothing at all! : )
