Chapter 2: Forbidden Name
"This is ridiculous!"
Misao watched with a sympathetic smile on her face as a raven haired medicine woman rushed from one side to another, a frustrated frown marring her beautiful features.
"Ridiculous!"
The woman vehemently repeated again. Megumi's face was scrunched up in concentration and frustration; her beautiful black hair was bound and tied in a bundle above her head as she tended to a groaning patient.
"Moving out in five days! They must be insane!" The medicine woman scowled as she changed the bloodied bandages of an injured soldier with the skill and speed of a doctor who'd spent many years on the battlefield.
Misao scratched her head in a sheepish gesture, her other hand held out in a placting gesture.
"Megumi, you know it's necessary." The shorter girl murmured and leaned closer to hold a patient down at Megumi's request, wincing when the soldier screamed as the doctor poured alcohol on the infected wounds.
"Necessary." The doctor hissed under her breath as she cleaned the wound and covered the patient, turning around to tend to the next wounded soldier.
"They are in no condition to travel yet!" Megumi growled, her heart clenching painfully at the agonizing emotions flickering through the soldier's face.
"Have they no consideration for the lives of their comrades?!" She continued, gently dabbing at the sweat beading on the feverish soldier, biting her lip as she held in a cry of despair.
How could they?! Megumi cried inwardly. As a doctor, it was immoral –no, a sacrileges act to force her injured patients to move. It was no different from sending them to their deaths! How could she, as a doctor accept this?! Why would she save these humans just to let them die because they were forced to overexert their heavily injured bodies?
"Megumi…"
The medicine woman sighed as she wiped the sweat on her forehead. Time was a vital factor in war, one small miscalculation could result in many more victims and the loss of their beautiful kingdom. Megumi knew this, yet it didn't mean she had to like it. She was powerless to change the judgment of the higher ups and because they're in the middle of a war, she resorted to doing the only thing that could communicate her hopeless irritation – rant.
Misao watched sadly as Megumi paced around the medical tent, consulting with the head doctor and tending to the screaming patients on the bed all at the same time. Megumi always had a frown on her face when the units came back from a battle with patients. She knew how her friend cursed her lack of ability to prevent the many wounds or deaths of their comrades. But it was inevitable, they were at war and deaths were not uncommon at this time of terror.
"Did you hear about the new transfer captain?"
Megumi looked up briefly at Misao's peppy tone, aware that her friend was trying to veer their conversation to a lighter topic and grateful that she did. The medicine woman looked down again as she handed a cup of water to a groaning patient and moved on to the next bed.
"The one who was recommended by general Hiko?"
"Yea that one!"
Megumi allowed a grim smile to grace her features at the enthusiastic tone of Misao.
"There are so many rumors about him flying around camp, they made him sound so awesome and mysterious. I wish he would arrive faster." The green eyed lady pouted as she played with the end of her braid.
The female doctor snorted lightly as she moved to check on the condition of an unconscious patient. "You just want to relieve the duty of being the temporary captain of unit seven on him."
"I-I-Of-course not!" Misao spluttered and Megumi smirked as her friend's cheeks reddened. Her petite friend was never one to be bound down to responsibilities, she was a ball of energy and being tasked with taking care of an entire unit was probably asking too much of her.
"I- just want to confirm that he's as hot as the rumors claims he is!" the shorter girl shot, crossing her arms over her chest childishly.
"Oh? And you're absolutely sure he's a guy?"
"Everyone says so, so he must be a guy!" her friend reasoned with a huff.
The female doctor straightened up from her position as she tapped her chin with a thoughtful expression.
"Ah, but what if he isn't? General Hiko's message didn't really state the gender of the new captain did he? Everyone just assumed he's a male."
Misao's green eyes narrowed suspiciously at the female doctor. "And how would you know the captain is not a guy?"
Her friend shrugged playfully before turning back to the patient behind her. "Call it a woman's intuition, Misao."
"Am I not woman too?"
"You're still a child at heart." Megumi chuckled as she ducked the empty cup thrown at her.
"Ooooh! Don't you go fawning over the new captain when he turns out to be a gorgeous-hot-guy-with-a-nice-ass!" Misao growled at the laughing docor, trying to pin her friend down between the patient beds. For a brief moment, the two friends forgot their tense situation, laughing and chasing each other around the beds with their worries cast aside.
A groan from the side interrupted their childish play and the doctor flinched, quickly remembering her place and turned to check on the injured patient. Seeing that the patient was just groaning in his sleep the female doctor sighed with relief and turned back to face her petite friend.
"I should leave." Misao smiled with understanding and started towards the tent flaps.
"Thanks for coming Misao."
The small soldier had barely caught the soft whisper. The back that was turned to her friend hid the growing smile on her face.
"Don't stress yourself." With a quick wave, the small girl slipped from the medical tent, leaving Megumi to her duty.
x x x
He sat alone on the grassy plains just outside of camp, crossed legged and hunched over, cradling his inanimate companion against his chest. Amber eyes were unfocused, gazing over the green plains but barely registered their movement as the wind swept through the area.
It was the gentle, fragile peace that came after a battle – short lasting but a refreshing balm for a broken soul. Like always, whenever Kenshin finds himself alone, his mind began to drift into darker thoughts.
The screams of his enemies that he forced himself to ignore on the battlefield flooded back to haunt him, echoing loudly by his ears and threatened his sanity.
It's the Battousai! The Battousai arrived! AAAAGGH! MONSTER! MURDERER! DAMNIT! AAAAAAAAAAGH! WHY?! YOU-
The warm splash of blood coating his entire being…
Please –MONSTER- AAAHp-pleaseGET –AWAYfRoMME PLEASE! familyWIFE-MONSTERitsANDCHILDREN THE BAttouSAI!
PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!
The stench of death that clung to his skin…
You're not human! You-you! H-HOW COULD YOU?! MURDERER!
DIE BATTOUSAI!
DIEdieDIe dIe DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE die Die die dieDIE die
…monster
you're a…
Kenshin winced as a sharp flash of pain drew his attention, his hand unconsciously rising to touch the single scar on his left cheek. His finger brushed gently over the slash scar that ran diagonally from his cheekbone to his chin and his expression softened.
Suddenly, the scent of blood intensified and clogged his nostrils, suffocating the warrior with its stale smell. Amber eyes flew wide as Kenshin stood up violently, hacking and coughing as he tried to dispel the horrible phantom scent.
…the mind numbing fear. Panic, despair, hopelessness, pain. Death was close, he could smell it, feel it... it opened its maws ready to claim its victim, silver and red glinting brightly. It snapped. Blackness. A body falls. Red. More pain.
Stranger.
"Live."
"Colonel!"
Kenshin flinched; shocked abruptly from the horrible grasp of his memories, his nerves stripped raw and hummed with agitation from the painful recollection - he reacted instinctively, drawing out his blade and swung at the loud noise.
A strangled gasp. A choked grunt. The katana halted its travel millimeters from skin and the air vibrated with restrained energy. The momentum that was unceremoniously stopped whiplashed, sending a strong gust of wind tearing against the red haired colonel.
Amber eyes widened fractionally as the warrior slowly registered the familiar face and voice. The weapon was back in its protective sheath even before the shocked soldier registered Kenshin's movement.
"What?" the Battousai bit out roughly as he glared at the soldier, amber eyes glowing with fading emotions.
The soldier swallowed nervously as one hand went unconsciously to his neck. "T-two riders just arrived, they are requesting y-your presence sir." The male gave a sharp 'eep' when a growl slipped from his frightening superior's lips and unconsciously took a hesitant step back.
But the colonel was far too strung up to feel guilty for scaring one of his men. Waving the soldier ahead, Kenshin released a pent up breath, straightening his ruffled uniform as he grounded himself back to reality. It took longer than usual, the fear lingering and tauntingly dance across his skin, refusing to leave. Reminding him always, of his burden. His scar flashed with pain.
As he took the first steps towards camp the impassive role of a commanding leader slowly seeped back and filled him, masking and dulling his emotions.
In the dark recesses of his mind, the lingering nightmares settled down like fog, patiently waiting for the barriers to fall once more.
x x x
The restricting hold on her shoulder was the only thing that was preventing the captain from fleeing. At the soft growl that escaped her lips, Aoshi's hand tightened fractionally on her, his cool gaze sent a cautious warning to bear with the situation for a little longer.
Sighing, Kaoru folded her arms on her chest as she tried to peer past the human barrier formed around them. It was not the first time she became a subject of interest to many; the confused and skeptical gazes sent their way were not ones she'd never seen. Muttered jokes and insults couldn't hurt more than a little prick of a needle for she had long grew immunity to such biased opinions. The attention surrounding her now became a hindrance.
Sneaking a glance at her tall companion, Kaoru was surprised to find Aoshi's jaw tight and strained, his icy blue eyes burning and for a moment a flash of pity passed through her. She was the one after all, who subjected her friend to much scrutiny.
"Which division are you from?"
"Who are you?"
"Is that katana fake?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Is that a woman? Did she steal the uniform?"
"I wish to speak to the colonel of the first division." Kaoru bit out the words she'd been repeating for the last few times, ignoring the suspicious glances sent her way. It's the same procedures over and over again, no matter what she did, where she went. No one would believe her, no one would listen just because she's petite in size – just because she's a woman.
Then all too suddenly, the human crowd before her parted cleanly in two, a mane of red hair bobbed into sight as soldiers moved away to give the new arrival a wide berth. Amber eyes seared into hers and the female captain felt a spark of fear ignite in her, freezing her limbs and locking her jaws. She barely noticed her second in command shifting protectively to her side, his hand lightly brushing past his kodachis in warning.
The man walked wearing a cloak of dangerous aura, his face was devoid of emotions, unpredictable and unnerving. The people he passed seem to bend over ever so slightly, as if his overpowering presence suffocated and pressed down on them. His strides were long despite his small size and a ponytail of red whipped the air behind him as he closed the remaining distance between them.
"I am the colonel of the first division. What business do you have here?" his voice was cold and his amber eyes peered into hers, trying to pry apart her very existence.
Despite being only an inch or so taller than her, his dangerous presence struck fear in the lady and Kaoru wanted nothing more than to curl up and beg for forgiveness. However, the stubborn iron pride of the warrior would not let her back down easily. After surviving this many years in a male dominant society, she would not be kicked down and trampled over by this small slip of a man.
"We are-" the woman replied softly with ice coating her words as she straightened her back and faced the intimidating colonel. "-the soldiers transferred from another division to aid the first. We're here to report for duty."
Several gasps of shock and outrage were heard at her obvious display of disobedience accompanied by disbelief in her claim. Why would the higher ups send a woman to help? Did Eloria's population dwindle so much that women were sent to war now? The idea was too shocking, too frightening for the soldiers to accept and so they did what most did - deny her claims.
"You liar!" "As if we need help from a feeble woman!" "Shameless!" "Take your begging elsewhere!"
"A woman I may be." Her voice rang loud and clear, cutting through the chaos building around them and quietened the complaints. "But dare you think me feeble..." her hand reached towards the sword strapped by her side, sapphire eyes hardening to steel. "Challenge me and I swear you'll find me no less viscious."
Swords slid out of their sheaths as several soldiers stepped out to meet her challenge. Kaoru tensed as her fingers flexed on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw out her weapon to face her opponents when a raised hand halted all movement.
"There will be no fighting." his voice was low and soft, yet his command held threat. The soldiers quickly moved to the side, sheathing their swords in silence as they caved under the redhead's terrifying aura. Kaoru slowly looked up, dragging sapphire eyes to the burning depths that she knew was waiting for her.
The colonel seemed unfazed by the whole ordeal, but Kaoru's trained eye could pick out hints of anger and frustration hidden under the calm mask. She was somewhat disappointed to find the same doubt that were in the soldiers eyes reflected in those golden eyes. But she was used to this and had been prepared for this situation. She reached into the folds of her gi and pulled out a crumpled letter.
"This is the letter of recommendation from general Hiko. The proof that my words are nothing but the truth." The letter was taken from her hand and the audience around them shifted uneasily, both curious and wary of the letter currently in the colonel's hands. Aware that things from now on would be taking a great big change.
The colonel opened and read the words inscribed on the small slip of paper and Kaoru watched as his face slowly pulled into a frown. After a few tense moments, the colonel lowered the letter and raked his eyes over the two soldiers, the frown still decorating his face.
"How would I know you didn't forge this?" the colonel challenged after a long moment of silence passed. His paranoid self was still wary of the new intruders and years of experience had taught him to be extra careful. The rough scribbles were unmistakably the general's own handwriting, however a part of the male was still hesitant to accept another female into his division.
Kaoru's thin strand of patience finally snapped at the insulting accusation and the captain stepped forward to glare angrily at the redhead colonel – manners be damned.
"And why – pray tell, would I go all the way to forge a letter of recommendation just to join your merry band, Battousai?" she hissed, sapphire eyes flashing angrily.
Hushed silence fell over the area as soon as the last word left her lips and everything stilled. The colonel's shoulders had tensed up and his lips were pressed so tightly together they turned white. The soldiers around the area sealed their lips in mid-sentence and not one dared breathe as all eyes turned warily to their tensed captain.
The livid male looked demonic under the setting sun as he took a step forward towards the captain, his eyes flashing a dangerous gold. A large shadow intercepts him, Aoshi standing protectively in front of Kaoru with his two kodachis held in a defensive position. A soft warning growl rumbled from her companion and Kaoru saw the colonel's shoulders tense in response.
"It's ok, Aoshi." Kaoru gritted as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, forcibly pulling him away from his defensive stance. Despite feeling like punching the redhead in the face herself they couldn't afford to cause a scene now. Not after just barely escaping from one just moments before. Facing the furious redhead, she stood up to his boiling gaze without flinching.
"General Hiko sent us here to help, you can choose to believe it or not. Frankly sir, I don't care, but everyone could see that your weakened division could use what help it could get." Kaoru snipped, her tone hard and unwavering. Warily she knew she was going too far with her words but her fiery temper once again clouded her better judgement.
A muscle in the colonel's jaw twitched and his hand clenched painfully around the sword against his waist. If possible his golden eyes seemed to glow with his raging emotions at the disrespectful jab made by the female.
Their heated gazes locked and held and Kaoru could feel the intensity of their glares rising dangerously to a breaking point. Neither budged or batted an eyelash. The tension in the air was almost palpable, crackling painfully in the air.
The sudden sharp click of heels shattered the suffocating the tension building between them, the colonel whipping around and walked away, abandoning the two new arrivals in the midst of a group of stunned soldiers.
She watched as the flicker of red disappeared around a tent before releasing the breath of air she had been holding in unconsciously. Her knees suddenly felt very weak and tired as she stumbled lightly but was thankfully caught and steadied by Aoshi. Muttering a soft thanks, Kaoru tried to even out her racing heartbeat, wiping away the beads of sweat appearing on her forehead as she tried to calm down from the terrifying experience. Somewhere at the very back of her mind, the captain knew she'd just barely escaped with her life.
The sound of someone applauding caught her attention and both captain and second in command turned to find a tall male walking towards them with a cheeky smile.
"Amazing." The male was grinning from ear to ear as he applauded loudly. "Not many could stand up to the Battousai like that and lived to tell the tale." The male chuckled loudly as he looped an arm around Kaoru – which prodded a warning glare from Aoshi and an elbow jab from the captain – his face was friendly as he laughed openly and Kaoru felt her lips twitch despite feeling like she's going to fall apart and melt into an indistinguishable puddle.
"I must apologize for Kenshin's behavior, he can be a real grouch when he wants to." The cheerful male held out a hand in offering and Kaoru smiled, placing her smaller palm in his and shook his hand.
"I think I noticed, but thanks for the warning…?" Kaoru muttered shakily as she straightened her uniform, clenching her hands by her side and willing them to stop shaking. To think that her first encounter with Eloria's legendary monster would start like this.
"I'm his second in command, Sagara Sanosuke. You can call me Sano, little missy." The male chuckled as he rubbed a hand behind his neck.
"Since Kenshin's not available, I guess it'll be up to me to show you around!" one thick arm began pushing her along and Kaoru had to struggle to match the taller male's longer strides.
"Thanks, Sagara we'd appreciate that." Kaoru gave in to a tired smile as she followed the male with spiky black hair with Aoshi walking silently behind.
"Please, call me Sano, little missy and welcome to the first division."
The apprehensive look Kaoru shared with her second in command was missed by the happy male leading in front.
To be continued...
Whoops! Sorry for the delay! OnO;
I actually had 2/3 of this chapter written out already xD but then I just left it sitting for a while and forgot it. Ack! I blame life, school and exams!
Again, I had a hard time writing this chapter xD this story is actually a lot more challenging than I thought!
I probably have a dozen mistakes scattered here and there -shot-
Thanks for reading!
Reviews are greatly appreciated C:
and hope to see you soon again!
P.S. Yes, for now Kenshin only has one scar on his cheek.