Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin I never have and never will, so there.
Chapter 7: All In The Family
By TaintedInuShemeeko
Nori slowly pulled on her light blue gi as she slowly made her way outside of the dojo. Her brown her with red streaks was pulled back in much the same fashion as Kenshin wore. Nori's vacant eyes looked at nothing, she then reached a hand out as a blue and black butterfly landed on her hand. It then suddenly took flight, as Nori felt a presence behind her. A small smile spread a cross her face when she realized who it was.
"Good Morning, Sanosuke. I heard that Seijurou Hiko will be coming to visit Kenshin."
Sanosuke's eyes widened when he realized that Nori knew that he was standing behind her. He then cleared his throat.
"Well umm…actually the way I hear it. Hiko is coming to see you Nori."
Something flashed inside of Nori's lifeless eyes, as she turned to face Sanosuke. However, no matter how hard Sanosuke thought. He just could put his finger on what it might be. Sanosuke was startled when Nori turned quickly away from him. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the box he had bought when he had visited Edo.
"I'm guessing you know about my trip to Kyoto. At least I figure the little missy told you."
"Yes, Karou told me. Why does it matter that I know you went to Kyoto?"
Sanosuke opened the small box and pulled out a silver necklace. On it was a blue opal heart.
"You see Nori, when I was inKyoto I went there to visit a old friend. I kind of bought something for you."
Nori gasped lightly as Sanosuke put the necklace around her neck and clasped it. She then bought her left hand up to touch the small heart shaped charm.
"It's lovely Sanosuke it's one of the most beautiful things I have ever gotten."
Sanosuke was shocked. "How do you……how can you see it?"
"It's not that I see it with my eyes. My fingers and spirit can tell me what it looks like. Thank you Sanosuke."
Nori then turned back to Sanosuke. She slowly reached a hand out toward Sanosuke. He caught it in his hands as she reached out to touch his face. Nori then bought her lips up to Sanosuke's cheek and kissed it lightly.
"Shouldn't you be heading to the Akabeko? I believe Karou, Kenshin, Yahiko, and the children are there."
Sanosuke then looked into Nori's vacant eyes.
"Well aren't you coming too?"
Nori shook her head at Sanosuke.
"No, I'll be staying here."
Sanosuke frowned down at her. Nori's left hand then traced the side of his face until she reached his mouth. She couldn't help the small smile, nor the giggle that escaped from her lips.
"I will have to say, I much rather enjoy your silly grin. Then this mean frown that is now upon your face, I do indeed."
"Sorry, I just don't like the idea of leaving you here alone."
Nori wrapped her fingers tightly around Sanosuke's.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened, while you were away."
"If I would have been here you might not have been hurt as badly."
Nori bowed her head a single tear slid down her right cheek. She let lifted her head to look a Sanosuke once again. Sanosuke was taken by surprised by the tear he saw running down her cheek.
"You're right I might not have. But it could have been you who was hurt badly. I don't think I could deal with anyone else I care about being hurt. As for me not going I will be fine, I will be meeting an old acquaintance so I should be fine."
Nori let go of Sanosuke's hand as she prepared he him to leave. However, he didn't move Sanosuke just stood there and looked at her.
"Are you sure you will be alright?"
"Yes, now go and enjoy a good day with your friends."
She said as she pushed him toward the gates.
Nori smiled gently at Sanosuke.
"I will be fine, I promise. Oh and take this."
Nori then gently pushed a money pouch into Sanosuke right hand.
"Huh? What's this for?"
Looking down at the wallet that lay in his hand.
"It's money to pay your tab. As well as money for your lunch, oh and bring back some back some beef pot stew, and some sake if you could. Thank you Sanosuke."
Nori shut the dojo doors and then leaned up against them.
"Sorry Sanosuke, but I had to get you out of the dojo before he came. After all these years why did he have to find me now?"
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Sanosuke was still dumfounded as he walked down the street.
"Well that was weird. Tae won't believe that I'm paying my tab. I shouldn't take her money however that's what she gave it to me for. Then again it was almost like she was trying to get rid of me."
Tae smiled as Sanosuke walked into the Akabeko.
"Why Sanosuke it's good to see you. I hope you don't plan on skipping your tab again."
"Actually, I'm here to pay it. Also could I get some beef pot stew and a big jug of sake to go when I leave?"
"Sure thing Sanosuke."
"Oh, are Kenshin and the others here?"
"They sure are. Why their right over here."
Sanosuke waved at Tae.
"Thanks Tae."
"Why, your welcome Sanosuke."
"Hey, Kenshin, little Missy mind if I join you guys."
Kenshin smiled his Rurouni smile as he looked at Sanosuke.
"Sano of course you can. Isn't that right Missy Karou?"
"Huh, yea sure."
Karou then gave Sanosuke a scary look.
"Just as long as I don't have to pay your bill."
Sanosuke held his hands up in front of him.
"Whoa, take it easy little Missy. I'm paying for my own lunch today ok."
Sanosuke ordered his lunch, however his heart really wasn't into eating it. Kenshin seemed to be the only one to notice.
"Is something bothering you Sano?"
"Yea, there is."
A worried expression fell upon Kenshin's face.
"What is it Sano?"
"It's Nori, she seemed in a hurry to get my out of the dojo a couple of minutes ago. I think something is up. I just have a bad feeling about it."
"Do you think that Missy Nori could be in danger?"
"I'm not sure Kenshin. I just don't have a good feeling about this."
Kenshin slowly stood up and then slipped his sakabatou in to his sash.
"Then we should go and make sure that she is safe. Indeed we should."
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Nori held her ground as she felt a presence behind her. She didn't dare move, Nori placed her left hand near the hilt of her reversed-blade sword. She then felt a shift in the wind as she unsheathed her sword. Turning quickly she was able to block her opponents attack. Before her attacker could react Nori disappeared and reappeared behind her attacker. Nori's reversed-blade sword was placed at the side of her opponent's neck.
That's when her attacker spoke.
"Do you really think that, that silly little sword of yours could hurt me?"
Nori then found her voice.
"I believe you have felt this kind of blade, on your body once before have you not. Being welded by your own student?"
The attacker then laughed.
"So my idiot apprentice has told you about, that did he?"
Nori narrowed her eyes at him. She just couldn't forgive Hiko for what he did.
"Maybe and maybe I found out on my own."
Hiko shook his head at Nori.
"I see you are still the brat you use to be. Aren't you?"
"No, I've changed a lot through out the years since my father's death."
"All I see is the same spoiled girl your father brought with him that one day. The only difference is that your are now blind because she did something stupid."
Nori hand suddenly reached out and made contact with the side of Hiko's face.
"No, Seijuou you're the one who hasn't changed. You're still as arrogant and pig headed as I remember you."
Hiko raised a hand up toward Nori. "You shouldn't talk to your family like that."
"Gee, your family? It's hard to remember when you have an uncle who disappears out of your life. One who waits ten to fifteen to show his face."
Nori shook her head as she felt a tear slid down her cheek. It hurt her heart to much, she had been without her true family for too long.
"Why come to me now Hiko?"
Both Kenshin and Sanosuke froze in front of the dojo doors. Sanosuke turned to Kenshin.
"Hey, Kenshin did I just hear what I think I heard?"
"Oro. Master Hiko is…..is Miss Nori's……"
The word that was said next slipped out of both men's mouths.
"Uncle!"
(A/N: Another great chapter finished hope you like it Please RR.
Ciao,
Tainted InuShemeeko.)