A gust of wind blew and Soujiro's attention was drawn back to her when he saw the ends of her auburn hair blowing within his view. Ever since he woke up beside her in the inn room and he saw her hair down the first time, it had taken everything he had to not reach over and run his fingers through it and pull her closer to him. He probably would have had Koharu not been present at that time. He now half thought about reaching out to try and touch it until the wind ended up settling back down. He kept his eyes towards her and then sighed as he tugged at his wrap and then took it off.
She had shivered when the wind blew and especially after what he just promised Honoka, he couldn't simply ignore it. He dropped the wrap around her and about nearly talked himself into gathering her hair from within the wrap to set it above it. The tips of his fingers grazed her hair before he retracted his fingers back into his palms and lowered them at his side.
Avaron clutched the wrap and looked over her shoulder to find him staring shyly off in the distance. She faced forward and pulled the wrap more snug around her. "Either way, Soujiro, we don't have a lot of time to spend together…and I don't want to spend the whole time fighting with you.…I'm not sure what my aunt told you. Seeing how she's in a good mood, she must have gotten her way. What did she tell you? She's not forcing you to keep in company with me, is she?"
After a moment, he circled in front of her and surprised her when he got down on his knees and set his hands on his lap so to look up and face her directly.
She blushed. Sometimes he acts so strangely….Yet, it was in that moment she realized without a doubt that she loved him. It was not common that a man would lower himself so to look up at a woman like this. He had spent that morning trying to get her to hate him but he ended up doing the opposite. Not by just how he had momentarily held her tenderly earlier but she understood somewhat why he had acted out. He had failed overall to bury his emotions and keep it contain so as to put on a show he never cared and had used her. Everyone saw right through it. They were just angry that he had tried it and he had hurt Avaron in the process.
He now had a shy smile as he looked up at her. "Do I look upset? Does it seem like I'm being forced to sit here and talk to you?"
She gazed quizzically and raised a brow. He was acting more calmly, but she still struggled to know whether he was still putting an act on just for her sake.
"Did I at all seem upset when I walked in the room after talking to her to get you?" He continued asking.
She finally shook her head. "Not as much as I expected.…"
Her cheeks flushed and became hot when he then leaned closer and whispered: "So maybe it worked out in my favor too."
"What does that mean?" She ended up whispering back to him.
He lowered his gaze, still smiling. "While your aunt may have gotten her way, I am finding myself…okay with it. I'm sorry for what I did. I didn't want you to get hurt…. It's hard enough to leave Koharu behind but I know she's in safe hands. It's the only thing that makes this bearable. I just…don't know how to be there for you all the time. My life is the Meiji's now. They have to come first…that includes…over family…and that isn't fair for you. I will still do everything I can to be there for you, Avaron and I wouldn't think twice about putting you ahead of the Meiji. I can do that as a friend…but that's it. Anything more than that…I can't."
Avaron thought for a moment and then pushed herself off the bench to slowly ease herself in front of him on her knees. Just because he was willing to sit beneath her didn't mean she wanted to be above him.
Soujiro inched away slightly and closed his fists up on his lap revealing that he was still trying to close himself off from her.
"I'm not asking you to make promises. That's not why I'm here. I'm here because I've been worried and the fact alone is I missed you… what is wrong with that?" That's what a friend does."
"Because it's hard enough…."he whispered again. "The time I've spent with you and Koharu is going to be my most fond memories. Those moments spent together have been wonderful…walking through the market place, the night you stayed over at the inn and Koharu wrestled me and you berated me for fighting back," he chuckled at the memory. "The night we kissed.… It was wrong but I took advantage of you. I wanted to make the most of it because I knew it was going to end...I just wasn't expecting this kind of ending."
"It's not taking advantage if I encouraged it despite knowing the circumstances. I wanted to make the most of it as well." She reached out to place an assuring hand over his wrist to which he flinched. She didn't withhold her affection. She knew he was still trying to close her off, but she wasn't going to give up. "Next time, just do this."
He gazed questionably. "What?"
"Talk instead of acting drastically to get what you want. If you want me to leave, you don't have to be a jerk."
He raised a brow with a tilt of his head. "I tried to be reasonable at first to get you to leave." He said with a tone.
She shrugged with a guilty expression. "I'm not perfect either. I'm used to getting my way too."
Soujiro chuckled at that. "Then that's one more reason we shouldn't stay together because I'll always win."
Avaron scoffed but then smirked. "Is that what you think? Who is the one who just caved to an old woman's demands?"
"That's called showing respect and believe it or not, I know how to show it."
"So I don't deserve your respect?" She tested him.
"Of course you do. Like a swordsman that honors the duel but always wins, so would my arguments with you would be like." He teased.
Avaron's lips parted at his audacity but he saw she was struggling not to giggle. She straightened her posture. "Seta Soujiro! You have much yet to learn."
There was a brief silence before Avaron could no longer maintain her serious gaze. Both fell forward into laughter. It was at that point Soujiro realized Avaron had never let go of his wrist as she tenderly moved her hand towards his forearm and stroke his skin with her thumb. He stopped laughing and gazed towards his arm that she held affectionately, still smiling yet struggled with deciding to withdraw his hand or not. He struggled because he knew how he had held her earlier against him and it seemed hypocritical to shove her affection away after getting away with being able to hold her like that. At the same time, by allowing it, he was encouraging something he had wanted to put an end to.
In the end, he couldn't resist and turned his arm around so to clutch her arm the same way but he kept his gaze turned away. He knew what would happen if he met her gaze.
He shook his head. "You're not making this any easier."
Immediately after he spoke however, she had inched close enough to rest her head on his shoulder. "I'm just saying a long goodbye."
"So you're not going to visit me?"
She at once sat up to meet his gaze. He had spent so much energy and emotional turmoil trying to get her to leave and never look back. Had he really changed his mind? He was suddenly acting so sweet and gentle. She saw the sincerity of his words in his eyes.
What changed? What did my aunt say to him?S he mediated a moment. He went too long without feeling…and now that he can, he can't always control it and what results from it. That should bother me, but it doesn't. That smile alone is worth it to me.
Her expression was saying everything to him. "I know….I feel like a fool.…"
She at once shook her head. "You just want to protect me and I can appreciate that, but I've decided it's not worth it if I have to act like I never knew you."
"It is to me," he whispered again. If something happened to Avaron, he would forever look back on this day and regret not trying hard enough to drive her away. Yet, he loved her eagerness to want to stay with him. Part of this was him giving in because he cared for her and he loved how she cared for him. " I want to see you again Avaron, but we should keep our visits few and far in between so not to draw attention, and I would prefer you leave before nightfall." He them added shamefully: "I'm watched more closely at night. "
She nodded in agreement and then rest her forehead back against his shoulder and held her other hand over his forearm against her. The sun was already setting. She wished time would stand still. He still held onto her as well and she thought that was all she was going to receive from him. It took awhile, but he had been staring at her hair that was being illuminated by the setting sun and could no longer resist the urge to raise his other hand and touch his fingertips to her auburn hair. It wasn't a fiery red but it reminded him more of red silk when it glistened in the sun, yet it appeared velvety to the touch. He had never seen anything like it before.
When she didn't reject the touch in the least, he fully rest his hand at the crown of her head and combed his fingertips through with intrigue towards her back.
Unbeknown to him, this resurfaced memories and feelings she had not experienced since she lost her father. How he had held her protectively and lovingly when she had been a child and afraid was very similar to how Soujiro held her. She was nearly caught off guard because she had never thought she would experience those feelings again after he passed away. He was providing something she thought lost to her.
No indeed…we're not making this any easier for each other.
When she pulled away, she had tears in her eyes. She looked up and saw he had the same curious expression he had before when he caught her and held her with waist intrigue. She chuckled at his innocence this time.
"Are you crying?"
She nodded and wiped the tears off the corner of her eyes. "It's nothing." She had just learned that she loved him, lbut now she decided that no matter what he said from now, she was only going to allow herself to belong to him. No one else was going to make her happy. She lowered her head and clasped his hand he now held near the side of her head when he risked stroking her hair again and brought it to her cheek. She was testing at this point to see how far he would go despite what he said where their relationship needed to stand.
"Shigeru would not be happy to see you now," he chuckled nervously because of how she touched him. "He can't be too happy that I chased off his horse. I hope he hasn't been taking it out on you."
She was not thrilled now he brought up her cousin. Indeed, he was infuriated with Soujiro and not just because he chased off an army horse. Shigeru had worked hard to turn any interest away from Avaron so that she would eventually have to come to rely on him when Honoka passed away. He had made it very clear to Avaron that if she still wanted the wealth and home she lived it, she would have to belong to him. Soujiro had been the first person in a long to give ear and concern for Avaron. Part of her wanted to tell Soujiro of her cousin's schemes. Perhaps if he knew, he would be more persuaded into sharing a future with her. She wouldn't mention it though. It wouldn't be fair to guilt him in that way. She was sure Honoka had guilted him enough and she was honestly thankful that Honoka was able to get through to him just to have this brief moment with him.
She ended up chuckling at his words though in an effort to keep the mood light-hearted. "I haven't seen much of him since. Thankfully, he's hardly home. He doesn't bother me too much as long as I'm there."
"He doesn't have to worry if no one else is bothering you." He then made her look at him since she still held his hand to get cheek. "Hey, he better not hurt you again. I have put myself on a path I can't turn back from because I tread too far down it. If you let him keep trying to control yours, he'll succeed in getting what he wants and you'll have no way out either."
"So what are you saying?"
"Don't stay in that manor waiting for that day to come. Part of the reason people believe Shigeru is because you don't deny it or fight back."
She had never really cared enough to fight back. "I'm out now, here with you."
"But I'm not going to be here forever. I can't be…." He then bit his lower lip. He was afraid of finishing the sentence because of how it might sound to her.
Avaron lifted her head curiously. "What?"
He closed his eyes with a sigh before meeting her gaze again. "I can't be your only source of happiness." He only said it because of what Honoka had said. She apparently hasn't been this happy since her father had passed away. "There's more reason not to pin any hope out for me."
She went along with it. "Why is that?"
He lowered his hand from her face. He folded his fist and tapped his chest over his heart. "This is why. I'm sick. I'm not just sick, but… infected. I might not live as long as I should have. Next year, all it might take is a cold to finish me off."
She rested her palm over his hand but frowned as she turned her gaze back at him. "And I could die tomorrow being at the wrong place and time," she retorted to expose the flaw in his thinking. Her words briefly left him confused and afraid of that reality and he gazed at her suspiciously. She made her point. "We don't stop trying to live our life because of something that may never happen. Don't tell me to be seeking happiness elsewhere when you yourself are denying it to yourself." She looked towards his heart where he still held his fist.
Before he could begin arguing with her, his eyes widened from being startled by her cold touch when she placed her palm on his bare chest over his heart. He leaned forward towards her clutching her hand with the reddest cheeks trying to conceal her touch. "What are you doing? Anyone can walk out and see-"
"It's fine. I've undressed you before."
"Avaron!"
She covered his mouth with her other hand. Soujiro finally stayed still but still leaning in to better hide her intimate hold on him.
"Your hand is really cold," he complained through her hand on his mouth.
She couldn't hide her own shy smile. She kept her hand against his heart a few more moments before saying:"Your heart is fine. It's working just as it should." She lowered her hand from his mouth. She noted that he had been more worried about someone seeing them than actually being offended by her touch. "Why should it stop all of a sudden?"
She made it difficult to argue it for many reasons. He still was holding her hand to him and slowly sat straight up. She was playing on his inexperience and curiosity. Perhaps at the start of this, she was willing to respect his wishes to not set out any hope or future with him, but within a few short minutes, she changed her mind. She was now trying to use this rare moment alone to win him over completely and it seemed like it was working. The moment he met her gaze he leaned in closer but with hesitation. She at once maneuvered her hand from his chest to stroke his hair from his face and then finally pulled him close to kiss him.
For a brief moment, he finally seemed to drop his guard and give in. He clasped the side of her head to run his fingers through he hair one last time...
All at once, it was cut short. He placed his hand on her shoulder and forced her away as he quickly did the same.
"What?" She uttered out half heartedly before she heard the sound of steps from the porch. He gestured his head behind him.
A moment later, Koharu was seen rushing to the edge of the porch. "Kaoru wants you inside Sou. It's still too cold!"
"Ok, Koharu. We're almost finished."
"Now Sou! Don't make me come down there. …Avaron, why do you have his wrap? You're not sick, are you?" She asked accusingly. "And why are you two sitting on the ground? It's dirty. It's a good thing your aunt went home. She would be most displeased seeing that you are getting your dress dirty."
Avaron at once became ashamed and took off the wrap.
"I obviously let her borrowed it," he yelled in her defense.
"No, she's right," Avaron said and leaned over to put it back around him. "You need it more than I do."
"I'm fine!" He raised his voice for them both to hear. He then was forced to succumb to a cough. Koharu at once jumped from the porch and rushed over to him. "Avaron, how could you let him stay out this long and without his wrap?" She raised Soujiro's chin so he was looking at her and touched his face. "I think you're running a fever," she panicked.
"I'm not running a fever," he said and brushed her hand off. "You don't even know what you're feeling for."
Avaron bit her lower lip in guilt already and took it upon herself to touch his forehead and cheek. "You are warm. I would feel better getting you back inside too."
Koharu felt a another twinge of jealousy seeing Soujiro's expression soften at her touch while he had merely been annoyed by her touch. A growl was heard from within her but she was ignored.
Soujiro relented with a nod. He reached over to help Avaron up before Koharu suddenly got in between them. Her expression was different now as she started rubbing here feet against each other and she gave him a helpless look. "Can I ride on your back Sou? My feet are getting so cold already."
"Avaron has a sprained ankle. I think you can get back just fine."
"That's not my fault! Pleeeease Sou. It's been awhile since you've carried me."
Avaron ended up giggling. She knew Koharu was jealous and she couldn't be mad at the girl for interrupting. If she wanted any place in Soujiro's future, Koharu would be apart of it too.
"It's okay Soujiro. Your sister needs help too."
"What? No, she doesn't. Koharu what's gotten into you? You've been acting more mature up till now….
He has no clue, Avaron giggled inwardly.
Koharu was already putting her arms around his neck, quite possessively. "You're my brother and the care of your sister comes first, understand? You haven't carried me in awhile anyway and my feet are cold."
Avaron got to her feet and started making her way back to show him she was capable. She limped, but showed no signs yet if her ankle fully giving out. "It's all right. I'll get a headstart so I don't slow you two down." She said as she limped passed them. She was still grinning ear to ear. She had got him to hold her and kiss her back and so far, he didn't seem to be regretting any of it.
Soujiro at once looked over at Koharu with a glare. "I can't believe you're okay with Avaron limping back inside. I might get lectured for letting her walk without support."
Koharu didn't say anything and her death grip on him lesson to a more affectionate hold. He started to sense the sadness that had been growing inside of her. There were expressions the girl could give him that his heart couldn't take. He raised his hand with the bracelet for her to see and touched her arm. "Hey, no matter what, you'll always be my sister. Okay? You know I'm only able to be happy here because of you."
"…Do you really mean that?"
He nodded. "Hai. You were the key to my happiness, Koharu."
She snuggled more affectionately against him. "And you were mine. I'm sorry I hurt you today."
He smiled and gathered her legs to his sides and stood with her. "You know what Koharu, it turned out just fine. I know you were just trying to help me. In the end, it all worked out for the better. So thank you."
She smiled and gave him another tight squeeze. For a moment, it felt like things were back to the way were when she first met him. Just him and her getting ready to face the world together.
He then added: "But don't ever pull another stunt like that again."
She chuckled. "Okay, Sou. I promised."
The two entered back into the dojo to warm themselves by a fire and was already following just behind Avaron. He thought he would save himself some reproving by letting her hold his arm and leaving the option for her to lean into him for added support. She didn't hesitate to use this last moment with him to hold him again.
Little did he know, he had one last test to face that day.
Just before they were going to meet with the others, he suddenly came to a stop and his expression darkened.
"What is it?" Avaron asked.
"Something repulsive. Koharu, did any visitors show up before you came to get us?"
Koharu was genuinely confused. "No, why?"
He continued guiding them and led then into the room where everyone was gathered to warm themselves by the fire. There standing at the opposite side of the room sure enough was the unwelcomed guest. Avaron winced at the sight of him and not having been expecting his presence. It wasn't just a Meiji soldier, but even worse, her cousin.
He was certainly not pleased seeing Avaron clinging to Soujiro.
Sanosuke chuckled at the sight of the three of them. "Well, aren't you three becoming quite the peculiar family."
For once, his words didn't agitate Soujiro but they unknowingly undermined Shigeru's attempts at keeping her for himself.
"Soujiro, this is Avaron's cousin, Honoka's son," Kenshin stepped forward feeling the need to explain why a soldier was present in the room.
"We've met," Soujiro uttered distastefully.
"He's come to take her home." Kenshin's tone was stressing to Soujiro to not cause any trouble. They merely figured Soujiro would because of the uniform Shigeru was in. What they didn't know was what Soujiro knew about the man already.
Even now, his eyes were slowly looking Avaron up and down in her new dress. He smiled at her. "The European style suits you Avaron. Perhaps England is a better option for you than here," he said as he gazed at Soujiro threateningly.
Avaron put on a smile and acknowledged Shigeru kindly. "I'm afraid I'm far from being ready to visit England. I've injured myself after just one day. Soujiro here has had to help support me all day," she said as she looked up to him with a smile. He met her gaze, not with a smile, but concern.
Soujiro felt Koharu's arms tighten around him like a restraint when Shigeru started approaching them. Avaron quickly decided to let go of Soujiro first and gave a calming expression to let him know she would be fine. Even as he approached her, Soujiro saw his eyes looking her up and down more intimately especially now that everyone else's eyes were behind him.
Did he actually mean to do something to her tonight? No one else had treated Avaron with interest before and Shigeru was clearly threatened. Avaron attempted to meet Shigeru before he got too close to Soujiro. She limped but Shigeru quickly snatched her up like she was about to fall. Koharu could feel Soujiro's breathing change, struggling to keep calm and could feel his sharp breath on her arms whenever he exhaled and the tension of his arms grow around her legs that were still supporting her.
"Easy there, there's no rush," he said when he caught her by her waist. He helped her stand straight and put his arm around her to keep here at his side. Avaron struggled not to react when Shigeru put his hand on her back using her hair as cover to feel the skin of her upper back and trace his hand down her back by the time he was within everyone else's view. Koharu had witnessed it, however, and held on to Soujiro more tightly. It was like this guy was trying to get a reaction out of Soujiro. She was thankful he was holding her because he had to support her and not act on his feelings right away.
Kaoru had watched Soujiro's expression darken the more Shigeru talked and handled Avaron. She had at first excused it because she figured Soujiro was simply struggling with prejudice towards a soldier being present. She was seeing clearly now it was a bit more personal than that. She saw that Avaron was uncomfortable, like she was being held by a vine of thorns. Her ankle could be to blame, but she had not looked to be in that much pain when Soujiro was supporting her.
Soujiro started to follow after Shigeru.
"Don't!"
Everyone looked at Kaoru. Shigeru looked from her to Soujiro who had stopped at the command of Kaoru's voice.
Kaoru cleared her throat and smiled towards Shigeru. "Don't forget to give Honoka our regards. It was a pleasure having her and Avaron over today. Please know Avaron, you're welcomed back any time."
"Thank you-"
Shigeru gave her a jerk to try and make it look like she stumbled again. "She won't be returning again. She won't be associating herself with the likes of you people again."
"Excuse me?" Kaoru at once drop her kind facade. "It was Honoka, your mother who-"
"Who is clearly not right in the head and I would appreciate that you not take advantage of my mother with the condition she's in nor take advantage of my cousin's ignorance. Last thing this family needs is her being involved in another scandal." Avaron was seen sinking her head on the attention he was drawing to it. "Let's go, Avaron. I'll deal with you myself when we get home." He forced her along and out the door. Right before she left his view, she gazed at Soujiro. Whether she meant it or not, Soujiro saw it as a silent cry for help and was faced with a crucial decision.
It was Kenshin's turn now to stop Koharu from charging Shigeru. "Let him go, Kaoru. There's nothing we can do. With Soujiro here, we have to remain all the more neutral in this-"
He had to turn his attention to Soujiro when he made Koharu get down from him and tried to make a break pass them. He almost had to tackle Soujiro to stop him. "You most of all have to remain calm."
"Kenshin, you don't understand. He's going to hurt her."
No one took him seriously. Kaoru got beside Kenshin with her hands on her hips. "Soujiro, he's right. Let's just let him go for now. We'll deal with it later."
"No!" He yelled defiantly. "Look, I made a promise to make sure no harm befalls her. Are you going to prevent me from falling through with it?" He looked at Kaoru because she had witnessed him making the promise.
"Absolutely not! You' are not going." Kaoru knew he had also promised to put Avaron before the Meiji if he had to. She didn't expect that moment to be so soon. She was genuinely afraid of him messing up his only chance.
"Kenshin please," Soujiro begged and even did a small bow. "You have to believe me. He won't be taking her home."
"What are you going to do?"
Soujiro at once stood straight and replied: "Talk to him."
Sanosuke at once snorted with a laugh only because he knew he couldn't even be that restraint.
Soujiro stepped away and raised his arms: "Look at me. I have no weapons, he does. What else can I do? Plus, I know better than to attack a soldier right now."
There was only moments for Kenshin to decide to trust Soujiro before it would be too late. He looked at Soujiro one last time. "You promise you won't fight or leave the dojo?"
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled in disapproval.
"Hai." Soujiro affirmed.
"Go." Kenshin said with a nod of his head. Soujiro at once ran passed them to catch up to Shigeru.
"Are you out of your mind, Kenshin?" Kaoru yelled angrily with her hands in the air. "Of course he's going to fight. His behavior today showed how unstable he can be!"
"Hey!" Koharu called her out for speaking that way about him.
Kaoru bowed her head in shame for saying it with those words, but she said it because she was sure that Soujiro was going to ruin his last chance at life. She saw it no differently than going right up to a cliff to push him off.
"She's right, Kenshin. I think this was a mistake," Sanosuke chimed in. "Even threatening the guy could reap negative consequences."
"Look, if Avaron is in danger then we need to do something. This is Soujiro's promise to keep and we can't start trusting him unless we give him the chance to prove himself. His words were sincere and he was genuinely worried about her."
"There are smaller, less risky ways to earn trust!" Kaoru lamented. "Where are you going?" She questioned when Kenshin turned away to leave.
Kenshin walked a few more steps before looking over his shoulder at them. "Well, you didn't think I was going to leave him alone out there without supervision, did you?"
Kaoru flattened her brow and crossed her arms. She muttered: "No…you didn't say you were going to." That made it a bit easier for her to handle.
"Well, of course. I don't trust him that much," he said and continued forward to meet Soujiro outside.
By the time Soujiro rushed outside, he saw that Shigeru had already gotten Avaron on the saddle of his horse and was about to climb on behind her and ride.
"Shigeru!" He yelled to get his attention.
Avaron met his gaze from the saddle and immediately shook her head. "Soujiro, go back inside."
Soujiro had no intention. Shigeru had refrained from climbing onto the saddle and Avaron saw the smug on his face growing wider.
He was hoping for this….
Before she could even warn Soujiro, he was already within their reach. "Shigeru." He let Shigeru know he was upon him.
Shigeru whirled around with a fist aiming to strike Soujiro's jaw but turned to only be met with the air. Soujiro didn't attack, nor even defend himself, but dodged the attack.
Shigeru had turned with such force and rage that he ended up stumbling and falling flat on his face against the ground. Souijiro didn't waste a moment and flew to Avaron's side and snatched up the reins of the horse and quickly got the horse facing outside the dojo. He looked up to Avaron as he quickly guided the horse. "You know how to ride a horse?"
"…yes?"
He threw the reins to her. "Don't stop riding until you reach your home. I'll try to slow him down." She tried to speak out for his safety but he left her no time to and slapped the flank of the horse. "Go!"
The horse burst into a gallop leaving her no choice but to hold tight to the reins so to not fall. She got one last glimpse of him before the dojo walls cut her view off.
Soujiro was able to hold a triumphant smile, knowing he succeeded in his main objective.
"No!" Shigeru yelled as she had taken off. He stumbled to his feet but by the time he tried to reach her, she was long beyond his reach. He at once faced Soujiro. "You little bastard!" He swung a right hook. Soujiro instinctively stepped back and raised his arm to block the attack. It was at that moment Kenshin and Kaoru were on the porch and Soujiro met Kaoru's concerned gaze.
"Sou!" Koharu had already started running down the steps.
Soujiro rolled his eyes in defeat and completely lowered his defense.
Shigeru followed through on the attack by grasping Soujiro's shoulders and kneed him in his stomach. His knees buckled in response to the blow as he heaved forward. Shigeru grabbed him and slammed him as hard as he could into the ground. "You're not going to fight back you little vagrant!"
Soujiro's eyes widened at being called a vagrant. It implied Shigeru knew something more about him than he originally thought.
"Hey!" Kaoru's voice rage through the courtyard. She rushed down the steps towards them with Kenshin close at her heels.
When Shigeru turned around, he was instantly struck with a sandel to his face and with such force that he nearly lost his balance. When he focused his gaze, he saw Koharu standing in a protective stance ahead of Kaoru wearing only one shoe.
"You leave him alone!" Koharu yelled.
"You little brat!"
The moment he made a threatening move towards Koharu, Soujiro twisted himself closer to Shigeru and thrust his leg out to trip the man. Shigeru was thrown to his knees and was quick to turn his attention back on Soujiro now that he was fighting back. Soujiro didn't say a word, but his eyes told Shigeru everything.
You touch her, I'll kill you.
He sneered and lunged back at Soujiro to keep him pinned against the ground. He tightened a fist and struck Soujiro's face. He could only lay there and take the beating from him and not even defend himself. "Fight back! You're supposed to be dangerous, right? Prove it!"
"Get off him!" Kaoru roared as she rammed herself into Shigeru's side and thrust him to the ground. Once she got Shigeru away, she put herself in front of Soujiro and drew her sword. "What's your problem?" She questioned him.
Kenshin was helping Soujiro sit up right. "Are you all right?"
Soujiro nodded as he wiped the blood off his lips that had been struck. "For a moment, I thought you guys weren't going to come."
"You mean you expected help?" Kaoru said over her shoulder. "Why didn't you just ask?"
"Do you not know me?" Soujiro asked in an irritable tone.
"You and Kenshin both need to work on communication," she complained.
Soujiro gazed confusingly at Kenshin, who only shrugged in response.
"Hey!" Shigeru hollered. He got back to his feet and glaring at the women that dared to attack him. He had no idea he was facing the teacher of the school he was now trespassing in. He didn't know what to think of her. He just knew she was in the way.
Kenshin told Soujiro to remain where he was. If anyone was looking in from the outside, Soujiro had to look as defenseless as possible. He however, wouldn't be defenseless with both Kaoru and and Kenshin standing guard.
"Get out of the way, woman. If you really knew who you were trying to protect, you wouldn't be hanging around here, let alone letting Avaron stay in contact with him. He's a murderer that worked for a psychopath. If you knew what I know, you would agree he deserves death and no less."
Kenshin stood from Soujiro's side. "You know who he is?"
Shigeru scoffed. "Of course I do. He's supposedly the Tenken, Shishio's right hand man. You think the Meiji wouldn't make me aware what Avaron has been up to?"
Soujiro did not like him having that information.
Shigeru stepped forward as he met Soujiro's gaze. "Women can be so naive but I will do everything in my power to make sure she knows who she's associating with. You won't be seeing her again Tenken."
Soujiro clenched his jaw but relaxed when he saw Kenshin softly motion his hand behind him. He was in effect trying to tell Soujiro to not open his mouth either. He obeyed.
Kaoru stepped forward in a rage. "You're trying to get him in trouble! That's all this is. If you had any evidence of Soujiro attacking you, even threatening you, he could be taken away from here at once."
Shigeru didn't deny it. "I have no problem with it and you shouldn't either. He should pay alone for running my horse off. Do you have any idea how much trouble I would have gotten into if anyone else found that horse?" He yelled at Soujiro. "You could have cost me everything!" He turned around on guard when he heard someone approaching him from behind and saw Sanosuke now involving himself.
"The only problem you really have is you see Soujiro as a threat to something you want. You're too stupid to realize you're not just risking his last chance but perhaps this country. Shishio's troubles didn't end with him and Soujiro is the key to silencing Shishio's followers and their schemes for good."
"I'm not going anywhere until I've taught this boy a lesson!"
There was a cackle of laughter from behind. Yahiko turned with a raised brow next to him to see Koharu laughing. In fact, they all gave her the same perturbed expression. Koharu then crossed her arms and stared Shigeru right in the eyes. "You think Soujiro had made an enemy out of you but you're the one making an enemy of the Tenken. I'm only sorry I won't be there when he's able to throw you flat on your ass."
Soujiro couldn't hold in a snort of laughter and was immediately reprehended by the glare Kaoru cast over her shoulder at him. She was right. Soujiro couldn't fight back right now because he was trying to prove to the world he could maintain self control and follow orders, but the day was going to come when he would be allowed to put others in their place.
Shigeru drew his sword and started to charge at Soujiro, who Kaoru was still guarding with her wooden sword. Soujiro started to maneuver to protect her. "Look out!"
"Stay down!" She ordered Soujiro and at once turned he attention back to Shigeru.
Shigeru was now more eager to put Soujiro in his place before he would get the chance to do so otherwise. He had drawn his sword at Kaoru hoping the sound of the metal blade would dissuade her from protecting Soujiro but she stood her ground. Kenshin stepped ahead of her with his reverse blade raised making Shigeru come to a halt. He was still eager, however.
"Get out of the way! You're not really going to attack a Meiji soldier now, are you? I guarantee you'll get into just as much trouble and this boy still taken away. It's better to just let me finish our little…talk."
Kenshin's stance slacked at the thought. He nodded in defeat and returned his sword to the sheathe. "He's right. You of all people shouldn't fight him Kaoru." He turned to face her.
She was dumbfounded he was giving up so quickly.
"It won't be good for your school if people find out the teacher attacked a soldier."
"I'm not just going to step aside!"
Kenshin then smiled. "We can't get away with it, but he can." He nodded to Sanosuke.
Shigeru's overconfident smile fell flat when he heard knuckles being cracked behind him. Before he could even turn around, he was picked up by the back of his coat so that his feet dangled off the ground and was hauled off towards the gate.
Sanosuke at once hurled the man a couple of feet outside the dojo gate and continued the fight outside. He continued approaching the man. "If it isn't clear enough, stay away from here. That includes Avaron. If anything happens to her, you'll have the wrath of not just mine, but the Tenken and Batoussai raining down on you. You got that buddy?"
Shigeru slowly crawled away as Sanosuke approached him. He responded to Sanosuke words by spitting at his feet and immediately twisting around off the ground to make a run for it.
"Why you little-" he started to go after him.
"Let him go, Sanosuke." Kenshin said as he entered outside the gate. "I think he got the message."
Sanosuke obeyed begrudgingly. "You sure Avaron will be safe tonight?"
Kenshin nodded. "Soujiro bought her plenty of time to get indoors. She should be safe now."
They entered back within the dojo. Soujiro was still on the ground and looked to be in deep thought. He seemed to be questioning his life and decisions that he's made all over again. He wondered again if he could really keep the promise he made to Honoka. How could he know to be there for Avaron when she was going to need it? How was he going to stay focus knowing she could be left on her own very soon? That was if Shigeru didn't get a chance to get to her first. His mind briefly went so deep that he was thinking back to their childhood and how it should have gone so he could have always been beside her and keep her from Shigeru. He wished he hadn't been afraid to run away with them, just as her father had been too afraid to take him. He wished things could be different.
He was in such deep thought, it took him a moment to realize the hand being offered down to him.
"Hey, kid!" Sanosuke yelled.
Soujiro saw the hand and followed it up until he met Sanosuke's gaze. "You want to stay on the ground?"
Soujiro glowered at him and at first didn't accept the helping hand.
"You're really not threatened by the guy, are you? He's a moron living off his family reputation. It's all he has. Without that he's nothing."
"I'm not threatened by him," Soujiro spat. "Avaron is. He's never going to stop until…until he has his way with her. I have to find a way-"
"Absolutely not," Kaoru said as she returned her sword to her side. "You won't be doing anything more to jeopardize your last chance."
"I can't just-"
"We'll watch over Avaron," Kaoru assured. "Like it or not, you're our responsibility and what you do affects us for better or for worse. What we really need, including for Avaron is for you to recover fully. There, it's taken care of."
Soujiro shook his head confusingly. "I don't understand."
"You were right to make that promise to Honoka. Avaron was there for you and now you need to be there for her. You've proven what that promise means to you to keep it and you'll keep it by letting us watch over her."
Kenshin stepped forward. "You can count on us. Nothing will happen to Avaron."
Soujiro didn't know how to respond. In one short moment, his cares and worries were being elevated. He looked at Sanosuke when he offered his hand down again to help him up. "If it makes you feel any better, we would protect her anyway. That's what we do. You don't have to do anything with it."
The comment about earned a smile from Soujiro. He relented, yet still begrudgingly accepted the thug's helping hand. Sanosuke didn't make it any easier and pulled him up abruptly so that Soujiro's feet about left the ground and he about lost his balance when Sanosuke let go of him to make him stumble.
"Don't be so rough!" Kaoru called him out. "Are you all right?" She asked Soujiro. She didn't give him a chance to answer the question. "I have to say that I'm rather…impressed. I didn't think you could do it. I shouldn't have doubted you so quickly."
"I've given you more reason not to trust me," he reminded her. "I can't really blame you."
Kaoru attempted to deny it, but couldn't. "Well, yes…you have. You were way out of line today. You were reckless, disobedient and disrespectful in every way. Even after what I told you this morning, you immediately turned around and disobeyed me. If you're going to stay here, things have to change. Tonight is the last time you disobey me."
Soujiro acknowledged her with a nod.
"No more isolation. I expect to see you everyday and seeing how you're well enough to work, I'm going to start giving you chores. Everyone here has to earn their keep."
"At this rate, he won't want to live here anymore," Yahiko muttered.
"No, I understand," Soujiro said. He smiled and took the next step by giving Kaoru a deep bow. "Thank you…Sensei."
Now it was Kaoru caught off guard. She became excited and eager, however. "Sensei…does that mean you'll let me train you back into shape?"
Soujiro stood straight and replied with a firm: "Hai."
Koharu was just as thrilled and revealed it by embracing his side. "Yay, Sou is going to be a samurai again!"
Kaoru clasped her hands together in preparation. "All right! I won't let you down Soujiro. We'll start training first thing in the morning."
Soujiro ended up resting his arm on Koharu and nodded to Kaoru. "I'll be there."