Chap.4: Sowing the Seeds of Solace
"Koishii how did it go?"
"Very well as a matter of fact. I gave her the pseudo tour and replaced her tea with a little bit of sake..."
"You weren't supposed to do that!"
"I know but I just couldn't resist! Plus it did work out perfectly...."
"What am I going to do with you..."
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He heard the shoji snap open and turned his head to the right. Only to meet seas of aqua and a mask of white. Her eyes dimmed, then she started to fall... it's like she's falling through water..... 'Catch her..' What! 'Catch her NOW!' Moving in blur, he caught her preventing her from hitting the floor which was now only 2 inches away from her prone form.
What do I do now?
'Take her with you'
I have to kill her.... She saw that which none before have...
Kurasa's hair was loose and bangs were framing her pale face. Let us look beneath her mask at least.... Kenshin removed the buttons on the side of her face to reveal a pale nose and pink lips. Her face highlighted in the moonlight... God she's beautiful... why the mask.... He scooped her up into his arms bridal style and walked across the room, sliding the shoji open with his foot he stalked into the night with Kurasa in his arms.
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"Aoshi-samaaaaaaaa! You're back!" Misao couldn't help but jump at him when he walked into the Aoiya.
Aoshi was just silent as usual but squeezed back at the hug that threatened to break his ribs.
"How did it go? What did you do?" asked a very impatient itachi.
Aoshi simply brushed past her, ignored her questions, and entered the room where Okina was located and kneeled across from the older man.
"How did it go Okashira?"
"Well I didn't expect them to send The Battousai for such a straight forward asassination. It seemed to me like they were trying to set something up. I told him to come back and visit the Aoiya once the mission gets completed. I want to find out what's going on. Why would they send someone so skilled when the mission was so obviously simple?"
"Hmm. You're right. I have a feeling that this had nothing to do with mission though. They knew that the job would be completed one way or another. Also how do you know that he will come back to the Aoiya?"
"He will because he is a man of his word." And nothing more...
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A flash of silver and the room was covered in blood. The assasin turned his head and amber eyes met my own....
Startled blue eyes flashed open. It was only a dream.... Taking a peek around her surroundings her eyes widened. Maybe not... Where am I? How did I get here? What the hell am I doing in somebody else's futon! I didn't do THAT last night did I...
The shoji slid open cutting that particular train of thought off. Only to reveal a slender redhead, with amber eyes that bored into my own. Suddenly it was coming back. He killed Okubo...
"If you want lunch you can go downstairs right now. Okami-san probably has some..."
"Don't worry about." I spoke in a tone so icy, I couldn't fathom how that it came out of my mouth.
"Fine." was his terse reply.
He walked out of the room closing the shoji yet again. The second I heard his steps dissappear. I dashed out of the room and down the opposite steps going toward the kitchen. Man am I hungry...
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A small smile seemed to creep up onto my face the second I heard the shoji snap open and the hurried footsteps. I should figure that she was hungry. She's been sleeping so long that she missed lunch, that she has. That she has! Kuso! I must be getting sick. Damn old fashioned manners shishou taught....
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I walked into the kitchen, in the most graceful fashion that I could possibly concieve of. Clearing my throat politely to make myself known. It's slipped on... now I am safe...
"Ah you must be Himura-san's guest. He told me to leave you some food. Here."
So that's his name... "Arigato, Okami-san?"
"Hai, that's my name. And what it is yours?"
"Watashi wa Ukiko, Kurasa. I was wondering, could I possibly eat out back..."
"Go ahead dear. Just promise to leave the laundry alone okay?"
"Fine"
I strode out onto the rear porch of the inn and noticed a door leading into the woods. Creeping out quietly, I walked with my tray toward the sound of rushing water. A stream... Himura hmmm. I could feel myself relaxing in the gentle presence of the water. He so... mysterious...
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"Tae-san have you seen busu?"
"No, Yahiko"
"Where could that Tanuki have disappeared off to anyway! She had to choose this night to disappear! The night the host got killed and she chooses to evaporate into thin air!"
"Kid, what's wrong with the kitsune?"
"Tori-atama, Kaoru vanished last night!"
"What do you mean? Jou-chan's gone?"
"Yeah. I haven't seen her since she went the bathroom last night at the party..."
"Shimatta."
"Baka tori-atama! Don't just stand there and curse! Go and tell and the itachi and the ice cube!"
"Jeesh. Women can't live with them, can't live...."
"Baka move your behind before I move it for you!"
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"Okami-san did you give the food to her?"
"Hai. If you want to talk to her she went out back."
"Arigato."
I wonder what she's doing back there? Kenshin glanced around the yard and noticed the fence door was ajar. Why did she leave the compound with the food? A stream... Walking toward the stream used so many times before for meditation, he hopped lightly into one of the branches overlooking the pristine waters. and the ice queen... why does she always behave that way around people. She so cold... her ki currently suggests otherwise though. Her face so peaceful it is as though she finnally has found a way to relax. I wonder...
Kenshin flipped down from the branch, walking down to the stream bed making alot more noise then usual. Her ki, as soon as she sensed my presence, practically disappeared it suddenly got alot colder too. Like she's her hiding her true self...
"What do you want?"
"Why are you eating outside like this?"
Her ki is still so restrained....
"I felt like it. I had question. Why didn't you just leave me there when I fainted? Now, all my friends are going to be all worried. Damn you."
the ki is still cold I think it's gotten colder too. She's hiding as though I'm going to hurt her...
Kenshin ignored the comment and proceeded. "I came here to tell you that at 5 you are to meet with Katsura-san in the meeting room. Just meet me in the room we share.
Since you asked your question, let me ask one of my own. What is your name?"
"Ukiko, Kurasa"
"Nice to meet you Ukiko-san. Please remember to come by the room at 5." Kenshin started back toward the inn but, decided to say a little more.
"I would also advise you to stop hiding behind that mask of yours. It fools no one."
He left with that parting shot leaving Kurasa in a state of total confusion...
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Author's notes: So how did you all like that chappy? I'm updating a little late because I actually would like my story to stay on the list for a little while instead of just dissappearing after a couple of hours. I have have alot more freetime coming up so hopefully I can write the chapters a bit quicker.
Please review if you want another chapter! If nobody reviews then nobody is reading!
Arigato minna-san for the reviews!
Japanese to English Glossary:
Arigato- thank you
Kurasa- Raven
Tori-atama- Bird-head
Tanuki- Raccoon
Itachi- Weasle
Watashi wa - I am....
Koishii- term of endearment male to female
sake-rice wine
Shoji- japanese sliding door made with a wood frame and rice paper
Okashira- Leader (I think..)
-sama- Lord....
-san - Mr. mrs. miss
-chan- little
hai- yes
ki- person's aura
kuso- all purpose swearword
shimatta- another swearword
baka- stupid
shishou-master
busu-ugly
Please review if you would like me to add more chapters!
