Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. If any of you are stupid enough to think so then I feel reeaally sorry for you.
A/N: Voila! The next chapter!
Someone Really Special: You know, there's really no need for you to be rude in your disclaimer.
DWS: Yes, yes there is.
Winter Moon
Chapter Six
Kenshin
I could have danced my joy at being so physically close to someone again, but I merely continued to groom the ever-excitable Misao. A part of me knew that she would have to return to her home-pack someday, so I wanted to be as close to her as I could for as long as possible.
It didn't stop me from being scared. I was scared that she would leave soon, and never return to my side. I was scared of feeling lonely again. I was scared of the feelings I was developing for her, for I had once felt these feelings before. I didn't want to feel that way again. It would kill me to lose another, and I knew that would drive me over the edge.
There is no return from insanity or death.
I needed to hear her speak, to say the words that would mean so much to me. I needed to hear that she would never leave my side. At the same time I needed to forget. I needed to forget that she ever existed. I needed to forget to protect the fragile grip I had on my sanity.
I didn't know that seeing someone again could have this kind of effect on me. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. It was both more dangerous and beautiful than I could have ever imagined. It had tipped the balance, and I could feel myself sliding in one direction. I knew not whether this would spell my destruction… or the healing of my long-broken heart.
"Kenshin?"
I heard her voice, as if from far away. "Yes?" I barely realized that I had spoken; I was so far away in my thoughts.
She paused, as if considering what to say. "Why did you stop? It felt so nice…"
I knew that that was not what she had really meant to say, but I did not question it. Instead I relished in hearing her voice, her sweet voice. I exhaled slowly.
"Misao?"
"Yes?"
"I-we should keep going."
I silently cursed myself. I was a coward. Just as when Misao had spoken, we both knew that that was not what I had meant to say. But I was a coward. I was too afraid to admit something my heart had known the moment I first saw her. I was afraid that, in saying it aloud, I would somehow scare her off. And I knew. I knew that I would have to tell her of my past sometime, before she found out on her own; before I told her the three most frightening words in existence.
I could feel my heart breaking, slowly, painfully. I knew. How could someone, as beautiful and wondrous as she, ever love a monster? How could she believe that a demon could love? Even if she did, how could she ever return that love?
Misao
We had started walking some time ago, though I'm not sure Kenshin noticed. He was still in the lead, but he was treading as if in a daze, his movements automatic rather than concentrated. I looked up at the sky, my gaze following the path of the Sun as it began its descent beyond the mountains. I trusted neither myself nor Kenshin to lead us in the dark; I didn't know the territory well enough, and Kenshin was too out of it.
"We should stop soon."
His head snapped up so fast I could swear I heard his neck crack. He merely nodded and started burrowing into the snow. I followed his example, and it was not long after that we were both curled up to sleep. But I was too awake. I was thinking about what Kenshin had started to say. Deep down, I already knew, but on the surface I denied it as a silly thought. We had known each other for less than three days. It was a ridiculously short amount of time to even consider thinking such thoughts. But I couldn't help it.
'What could he ever see in me? I'm not at all beautiful, I have a horrible temper, and all I've done is argue and yell at him.' Yet I could not deny my own feelings. 'I love you, Kenshin,' I thought. It was with this thought that I finally drifted to sleep.
Kenshin
I didn't know how long I simply lay there, staring into the darkness, watching the Moon rising high into the sky. Misao's soft breaths reached my ears, and I turned to watch her sleep. She was so innocent… so unaware of what I was. As much as I wished I could keep it that way, I knew I had to tell her. I knew she would hate me, just as I knew her hatred would spell my end.
But I couldn't lie to her.
'I will tell her tomorrow.'
That thought repeated itself over and over, swirling itself into blissful oblivion as I slowly crawled into sleep's comforting embrace.
Aoshi
I sniffed the air again. I was growing frustrated at our lack of success, but I plowed on relentlessly into the bordering territory. The others were growing restless. They were uneasy on forbidden land. It was understandable, but it wasn't helpful.
"Aoshi-sama, Aoshi-sama! I've found something!"
It was fortunate that Kaoru spoke up when she did, or I probably would have snapped at somebody. I didn't know why I had such a temper these days, but it was causing problems within the pack. I paused at that thought. Since when did I refer to her as anything other than Kamiya-san…?
"Aoshi-sama!"
I shook myself out of my thoughts and padded over to Kao-Kamiya. She was wagging her tail excitedly as a puppy first seeing the world. Everyone else had already congregated around her. When I got near I looked to the ground. Sure enough, there was a paw-print embedded into the icy blanket. Glancing forward, I saw the tracks going in a careless, straight line.
It was not how I taught her to evade enemies, though I should be thankful for it.
I scented the print, just to be sure. There was, thank Kami-sama, the faint smell unique to Makimachi all over it. I ran, following the indents in the snow, at a pace that showed clearly how eager I was to bring back our pack-mate. I slowed as we neared a small clearing, my eyes narrowed, teeth bared.
The pack stopped, also wary.
Suddenly, it hit me. The scent from the border. I growled low in my throat. When I caught up to Makimachi, there would be blood shed.
Kaoru
I whined in anticipation. I could smell my sister, however faint. I barely noticed my surroundings as I charged forward, leaving the pack behind to follow at their leisure. I didn't care about the strange scent. I didn't care about the second set of prints. I didn't care about Aoshi-sama. I didn't care about his sudden anger. All I knew was that I was bringing my sister home.
Aoshi
Most of what I can recall of this time is anger. White hot anger, burning and destroying; consuming my soul. He killed them. I barely noticed as Kaoru charged ahead, her thoughts obviously on her sister. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Han'nya, Shikijo. I will taste blood; savoring its victory. I remembered their lupine faces so clearly, yet at the same time they were distorted by my hatred. I promised I would not forget. I could see their deaths, as if they happened only moments ago. I will kill. They had aided an attack against the Ishin-Shishi as a force all their own. Oniwabanshu. I remembered the blood-red pelt. Death. A thin line of blood coating His fur as I clawed at his face. I remember. Cold amber eyes, relentless and unforgiving. I have not forgotten. I will see his blood on my claws. I can see the intensity behind his eyes. The sweet taste of victory; revenge. He enjoys the fight, relishes in the kill. Revenge. "HIS BLOOD IS MINE!"
I didn't notice that I had screamed the last of my disorganized thoughts. I didn't notice when I started running. I didn't notice as the pack followed, confused. I didn't notice, and I didn't care. 'I will see his death. I will see the death of the traitor. I will see their death by my claws. I will have my revenge!'
Kaoru
I was running, running. I could see the prints; they are all I focused on. I barely cleared a fallen log in time. I wanted to see my sister. I had to know that my sister was safe. I slowed my pace slightly, trying to calm myself. It would be safer if the pack went together, rather than scattered. If I lost sight of the goal I would fail to achieve it. I stopped. I looked back somewhat guiltily. I needed to apologize to Aoshi-sama.
Undergrowth trembled, twigs snapped. I could hear the sound of paws thudding against the ground. I pricked my ears. Was it Aoshi?
It was. But before I had the chance to say anything, he shot past me as if Death itself were on his very heels. It wasn't long before the rest of the group caught up. To me, at least. We had all lost sight of Aoshi by then.
"What's wrong with Aoshi?"
I didn't notice that I had not called him by his title. When no one answered I repeated my question.
Silence, for a moment. Finally, it was Sojiro who answered, his mood uncharacteristically solemn. "We don't know."
I looked to the sky. Night was falling, Day leaving its last marks upon the clouds as the Sun lowered beyond the horizon.
"We had better stop for now. It's nearing night and none of us know where we are. Hopefully Aoshi will have calmed by Morning's first Light."
We all dug small hollows in the snow. I glanced at each of the pack that had come. Chou was making rather lewd remarks, attempting to lighten the mood. Sojiro's eyes were darting here and there, taking in the surroundings. Megumi, the calmest of us by far, was attempting to sleep. Sanosuke was standing still as stone, an unmoving look of suspicion affixed to his face. Perhaps he feared ghosts on this land? He was always superstitious. I looked up, gazing at the Moon as it appeared high in the sky. I wanted to sing to it; howl away my worries and concerns, but I couldn't. We were on someone else's territory. It would be both dangerous and disrespectful.
I sighed, watching as my small puff of breath became visible to the world. I hoped that Aoshi would be alright.
A/N: Wow. I typed two chapters in one day. I am amazed. Now you get another chappie muchly much faster! -Ahem- Anywho, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. Please review, and I'll see you next time.
SRS: "Muchly much faster?" I will never let you live this down.
DWS: Nooo! I'm like the miniature giant from Avalon!
SRS: I hereby proclaim that I'm no longer related to you.
DWS: Oh, well, in that case… I am relieved.