"Everything seems to be in order. The bullet just grazed your arm, and you did a very nice job of tending the wound," the doctor, Megumi, said as she put away her supplies, "I suggest you don't do any harsh work with that arm, and tot take it easy. The muscles were just grazed, and if you keep moving, they could tear." She stood.
"Thanks,doc." I said, standing up, "how much?"
"Oh no! It's alright! Your a friend of Ken-san so of course it will be free!"
"Ken-san?" I turned towards Kenshin, the red head with cross shaped scar. My fist impression from him was that he was stubby.
"Well then, I should be off. I have a few patientes I left to Doctor. Goodbye Ken-san! And take care of your wound, Kyo."
"Okay, hun. Don't you worry. I'm used to this," I grinned and waved as she left. When she was gone, I said, "I like her."
"That damn vexen." Kauru huffed.
"Ooh! Someone's jealouse!" I said in a singsong voice.
"Am not!"
"Riiiiiiiiigth!" I draweled. Then I broke into a fit of coughs.
"Are you okay, Miss Kyo?" Kenshin said, looking honestly worried.
"I'm fine. Don't worry," I coughed, "I've had 'em for a while. Just left over from a cold I had not to long ago."
"Are you sure?" Kauru asked.
"Jeez! I'm fine!" I waved them off, "You guys are worrying so much for a stranger you found in a tree." I sat down at the table. . . floor. . . thing. I may be Japanese, but I have a hard time with these terms.
"It's fine! I can't just leave someone like that!" kauru said, sitting down, arranging her lavender kimono.
"By the way, I think you'll look better in blue. A light periwinkly will bring out your eyes. The lavenders good, great really, but blue is more. . . you." I said, indicating to her kimono.
"Really? I do like blue." She tugged at her sleeve.
I nodded, "It;s a good color, but I'm more for a deep purple. Like this," I held up my arm.
"Speaking of, do you want to borrow some clothes? You'res are really dirty and blood stained," Kenshin said.
"Oh! No thank you, but I prefer this to any old girly kimono. I like how they look and all, but I'll never wear one. And besides, it just needs to get washed, right?"
"Yeah, I guess."
About after a 5 days at the dojo, it was like home. I helped as much as I could at first, then I got bored from all the labor and decided to watch. Yahiko annoyed me a bit, Kauru was really short tempered, and Kenshin was. . . Kenshin. Humming away as he washed clothes and dishes, perfectly at peace. But I had a really strange feeling he didn't trust me completely. he seemed to not really trust anyone, or let anyone in as it is. He smiled and joined in with everyone, but he seemed a bit distant from them, how he never really opened up. I sat on the roof of the training room, where I could here Kauru and Yahiko training. It smelled lightly of sweat, wood, and strength, a dojo combo. From here, I could see Kenshin washing clothes, humming to himself with a small smile on his face. My clothes had been repaired by Kauru, and washed by Kenshin (Yahiko supervised) so I sat in my clean (not for long) clothes, linen hanging from the tight cotton shirt. I fiddled with my buckles and I closed my eyes, thinking of home.
Of course, the first person who came to mind was Renji.
Renji was. . . is my best friend. He's been here for me since forever, and I was their for him. Together, we were inseperable. How we enjoy pretty much everything, and when we argue, it's light and teasing.
*Random Flashback. . . because i like torturing you*
My legs were resting across tight jean clad ones, perfectly at ease.
"Yah know, one day, I'll get out of this hellhole, and live with you in our crappy downtow apartment filled with loose mecha parts and trash."
Renji smiled. Straight teeth, dark emo styled hair complete with the blue streak, sea green eyes, and cartilage piercing, "yeah, and we'll have a pet. Like sloth or Boa constrictor. Complete with a mate and a set of triplets."
"Sure. . . no." I laughed, "A flat screen with the best gaming and top computer geek desk."
"And a fridge stolked with all our snacks."
"And a room for each of us. Mine purple, your's blue."
"With Death Note, Black Butler, Inuyasha-"
"One Piece, Bleach, Xxxholic"
Together," and Slayers posters all over the walls."
We broke off laughing at the though of our dorkified apartment.
*back to the past. . . like that movie only better*
The side gate opened, and a tall man with really spiky, almost rooster-like hair, entered. Scratch that he's an overgrown rooster. He wore a white happi jacket with black trim and white dogi pants with a red band around his head and right wrist. His back had the aku sign, the mark of evil. Huh. Prehistoric bad boy. He chewed on some wheat, with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey Kenshin," he went over to Kenshin plopping down next to him. "i was wondering, can I have some money?"
"Sano," Kenshin sighed and wipped his hands, "I told you not to spend your money on gambling. It will only get worst." Instead of frowning like any normal person does, Kenshin reaches into his kimono sleeve and pulles out his wallet. Damn. Renji would never give in that easily. I'd have to promise him something in retur, or if worst comes to worst, puppy dog face.
"Here," Kenshin gave him some money.
"Damn, sucka, you either gotta weak friend or strong persuasive skills." I smirked, reclining back against the slanting roof.
Sano and Kenshin turned, "who are you? And what are you doing here?"
"Me? Just an everyday village girl. Can't I stay up here? It's a free country. Wait, no wrong country." I swished my bangs back with a jerk of my head.
"Look whoever you are-" Sano stood, looking a bit pissed.
"Sano, it's okay. She's a guest. We found her wounded so we toook her in." Kenshin said, standing also.
"Yeah what Ginger said." my smirk widened.
"Then why are you smirking?"
"'cause I feel like it. You cant' tell me how I should arrange my face. How 'bout this? Is this better?" I stuck my tongue out and pulled down my lower eyelid.
"Why you-!" he tensed.
"Sano," Kenshin held his arm, "she's only teasing. Let her be."
"Yeah, Sano. Only teasing." I stood up and hopped down from the roof, landing gracefully on my feet. But the impact jarred my injured arm, making me stumble. "Whoa, landed harder than I though I did."
"Are you okay, Miss Kyo?" Kenshin asked concerned.
"I'm cool. Just missed my footing thats all." I cleared my throught. "Okay. I'm Kyo. Nice to meet'cha. I'm bad at formal intros so you'll have to take it from there." I came over to Kenshin and Sano.
"I'm Sanosuke Sagara." Sano said.
"Okay cool. Cool. Now I'm going for a walk, if anyone wants to join me, to bad because I prefer going alone. Later." I hopped the small fence, even though the gate was only 3 feet away, and started on my way.
"She talks weird." Sanosuke said.
"I guess she does." kenshin agreed.
Spring was a beautiful. the sunlight filtering in through the cherry blossoms gave the air a pale pink tinge, throwing the earth into a serene space with the sounds of birds twittering and gently sway of the branches. I instently felt calm and relaxed. I massaged my right shoulder, getting a slight jab of pain.
"A storm's coming. Something big's approaching and I have a feeling that I'm going to be caught in the middle of it."
(AN: EPIC FORESHADOWING!)
I wandered back to the dojo, only to fina carriage with the police emblem in front of the dojo. Out of habit, I snuck around the back and scaled the fence there. I then came around the front, where Kenshin was talking to a man with squinty eyes and round glasses in a police uniform.
"Mr. Himura, I know we've been asking for your help for so long, and you're the only man we can turn to. Someone has been killing citizens, all of which with red hair. They leave no trace, and with what investigators have found, with a weapon unknown to us. We think it's a warning from another country."
"What's the weapon?" Kenshin asked. He had a complete poker face, and his hand clenching the hilt of his sword.
"It looks like a gun wound, but with closer investigation, their's no bullet. Neighbors around the victims say they never heard a gun shot. The wound also secretes more blood than a normal gun wound, and whatever weapon used, gun or blade, leaves a perfect circle of the wound."
I stiffled a gasp. Kenshin's eyes flashed in my direction then back to Mr. Squinty.
"And where do I come into the investigation?" Kenshin asked.
"The killer always leaves a warning, a strange symbol or marking. We've been trying to trace its origins, but come up blank. Here." Mr. Squinty pulled out a wrinkled note with a dark stain on the corner. Written in blue ink, was two arrows crossing paths the the initials A & C under it in Arial text.
I stumbled back. Oh shit. Not them!
Kenshin took the note tentatively and examined the sign. "I'm afraid I'ce never seen anything like this before."
"A warning just came up at the home of Mr. Edgar Williams. A rich English man, whom is also a red-head, just this morning in the mail. I am here to ask if you would go to Mr. Williams' home tonight, to help catch the murderer."
Kenshin nodded. "I will help. And you, Miss Kyo, will stay here."
Dammit. I stepped out, "But wait, I think I can help. I've seen that sign before."
"And whom are you?" Mr. Squinty fixed his glasses.
"I'm Kyo. Nothing more or less. I've seen that sign. I- I can's say where," I clenshed my right, gloved hand, "but it's not good. Kenshin, take me with you. I need to go and. . . I can't explain it anymore."
"No, Kyo. It's to dangerous for a wimp like you. We can't let a little girl like you get in any trouble." Sanosuke said. hey he was standing next to Kenshin this whole time. . . great.
"I'm going, whether you like it or not!"
"No! Then we'll have to protect you!" he argued.
"I can take care of myself. Look I can help you!"
"She can come." Kenshin said.
"But Kenshin-" Sanosuke started.
"I believe her when she says she can take care of herself. She doesn't seem like the type to lie about that."
I grinned, "Thanks Kenshin. At least someone here is aware of my awesomness." I stuck my tongue out at Sano.
"Why you-" he got pissed.
"All right. We'll pick you up tonight at 8:30." Mr. Squinty said.