I see some of you are suspicious while others are resigned. No one has argued with my inconsistency, however. I hope you will not be confused in the end.
Wow. This got to be really long.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, and no one owns me.
Chapter 42: To Protect the One I Love
Noise, abrupt, harsh and metallic startled Kaoru out of her fitful sleep. Jerking awake, she fought with her covers then froze as the noise continued for long moments. It was constant, rhythmic, and jarring as it echoed in her chest over and over and over again. An instinctive fear took root in her belly, and she stared wide-eyed into the darkness of her room.
"Milady!"
Misao's loud voice was startling, and her blue eyes turned blindly towards the door. "Misao-san?"
"Milady! The alarm! We need to leave!"
"But… what's going on?" Uncertain, Kaoru pushed back her covers and stood.
"I don't know. The cadence… it says we are being invaded, but that doesn't make any sense. We have been isolated for too long to have any enemies."
"The palace is under attack?" Shocked, Kaoru fumbled to the door, her eyes adjusting slowly to the gloom of shadows. Misao's small form was just a hint of darker space near her feet.
"Yes, milady. Please, we need to fall back into the city. The guard will take care of the intruders. We must retreat to safety."
The wavering depression and self-disgust of the day still held her tightly, and she frowned. "But… I could help." No thought of truly protecting anything came to mind, however, only a desperation to fix what wrong she had done. "I can fight, Misao-san." Shaky and almost possessed she nodded; fighting now would absolve her of her sin.
Misao frowned, too. The tone in her mistress' voice was not normal, nor pleasing to hear. The sound was rather frantic, as if she were rationalizing. It was not strength she was displaying, but recklessness. "No, milady. You will come with me. We are going to retreat."
"But everyone…"
"No. You are not thinking clearly. What would you fight with? Who are you fighting? Why are you so willing to jump into a battle you are not prepared for? Milady, you will follow me out of here so that I may keep you safe. I have been trained just for this purpose. Do not disrespect my responsibilities towards you or my master."
"But that's not…" Faltering, Kaoru slumped. The last time she had done anything on her own she had only made a mess of things.
"We need to fall back and assess the situation. The master will take care of the attack." Thinking quickly, aware that she was in no position to force the lady to do anything in her current form, Misao's voice gentled persuasively. "Why don't you focus your efforts on defense instead? While the master is preoccupied with the fighting we will need guidance and care from another. You are next in the chain of command as his lady. Or soon-to-be lady anyway. Everyone will be looking to you for reassurance and leadership."
"I-I see…" Swallowing, Kaoru briefly wondered if she was capable of such responsibility. Shaking her head, she scowled. Whether she thought she could or not she owed it to everyone to try. She had failed them once already; she could not fail them again. "Lead the way, Misao-san. I shall rely on you to fulfill your duty."
"Yes, milady." Relieved, Misao spun and hopped down into the hallway.
Outside they were besieged by a cacophony of sounds; rapid footsteps, startled shouts, and a deeper reverberation of pounding at the front gate. Overhead birds were in panicked flight, and Kaoru couldn't tell if they were wild animals or residents of the palace. Focusing, Kaoru took off after Misao, her lithe body slipping around corners and easily dodging any obstacles. Occasionally they stopped to help others to head off in the same direction, Misao's strong voice a grateful substitute for Kaoru's still wavering confidence.
The pounding at the gate continued, and Kaoru worried her lip. Whatever was out there really wanted to get in and she feared what would happen once the gate finally broke. The rumors about the palace had kept the residents safe for a thousand years, but words lost their potency over time. These new intruders could very well be a larger threat to the palace than the immediate situation. New rumors could be born from this mishap that could very well condemn them further.
A sudden shock of red out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she turned just in time to see Kenshin disappear from sight across one of the gardens. Slowing, she hesitated, a strange urge inside begging her to go after him. There was fear in the sensation and it gripped her heart so fiercely she gasped. Something was wrong, or was going to go wrong. This night was not going to end well. What if this was the last time she would ever see him?
"Come on, milady! We have to keep going!"
"But Kenshin…"
The loud splintering of wood ripped through the night followed by a harsh boom as the gate broke and dropped to the ground. The intruders had finally broken through.
"Please, milady! We need to get everyone to safety! The master will handle it! You have to trust him to handle it!"
"Please, my lady… I want you to put your faith in me."
Still unconfident, Kaoru let his remembered words win without a fight. "A-alright. Let's keep going."
Their passage through the palace structures continued in a flash, Kaoru's legs hampered by her sleeping robe as she jogged after the weasel. The maze-like path the servant had taken was twisting them close to the outer wall and the mostly deserted pavilions in the northern half. It was here that everything happened at once.
Kaoru caught sight of the lemur first, his ringed tail and glowing eyes an eerie vision during heightened adrenaline. After a brief spike in her heart rate, she noticed the spider monkey he was dragging after him. Unwilling to leave just yet, the cook was screaming at a small kitten that was running right towards Kaoru and her guide.
It took little time for Kaoru to catch onto the situation, and she bent down and scooped the small feline up into her arms. Struggling and mewling, the kitten tried to wriggle away. "Let me go! Please, I have to find Yahiko! I have to go to him!"
"Milady!" Tae, finally loose of her husband's grasp, slid to a stop in front of her. "Thank goodness you caught her!"
Trying to still the ball of fur, Kaoru clutched her tighter to her chest. "Tsubame please, you need to calm down! I'm sure Yahiko's fine!"
"No! I'm sure he's not! He was on patrol! It was his turn to go!"
"Which patrol?" Misao's voice snapped, startling them.
"Gate patrol! He was on gate patrol." Relaxing limply, Tsubame began to cry, the fight going out of her. "I heard the signal. The gate's been breached. That means… it means… Yahiko's dead!" Nose tucking into the crook of Kaoru's arm, Tsubame's cries became grief-stricken and loud.
Sharp pain struck Kaoru's heart and she bit her lip. Knowing that the palace was in danger had frightened her with the outcome. Hearing that the danger had affected someone close to her, someone she cared for, was different. It brought everything to a whole new level of feeling. Yahiko… he couldn't be dead. There was no way.
"He's not dead." The new voice was right behind her, and Kaoru jumped to spin towards the sleek cheetah. "Don't cry, Tsubame-chan, I promise you that Yahiko-kun is not dead."
"Soujirou-kun, what are you doing here?"
Sparing the weasel a brief look, his light blue eyes locked on Kaoru. "The master ordered me to find his lady and protect her, and so I shall." Frown lines appeared on Kaoru's forehead.
"But…"
"Do you mean it, Soujirou-san?" Pleading, Tsubame peeked over the lady's arm, her eyes desperately hopeful. "Is he really alive?"
"Of course he is. That boy is resourceful and intelligent. Besides, Yutarou-kun is with him. They may often fight each other, but they are a good team. I promise you."
"Thank you."
"We need to get moving." Katsu once again wrapped a hand around Tae's, but this time she clutched his hand back. "We can't just stand around here."
"He's right." Nodding, Soujirou signaled to Misao and the weasel hurriedly jumped forward.
"But to where?"
"The city barracks. From what I understand Saitou should have a barricade set up to keep the intruders out of the city should they get that far. We will be safe beyond that line."
"Right." Taking the lead, Misao scurried quickly forward. Katsu and Tae were close behind her with Kaoru following them, Tsubame still clutched in her arms. Soujirou brought up the rear, his silent paws a deadly reminder that he was skilled at what he did.
"Soujirou-kun?" Lowering her voice so that the others could not hear her, Kaoru peeked over her shoulder.
"Yes, my lady?"
"If you are here protecting me… then that means Kenshin is short a man to help fight off the intruders." The niggling sense that was squeezing her heart tightened with each step she took away from Kenshin. It was making it hard to breathe. She didn't know how much longer she could hold out against the terror it produced in her mind.
"Do not worry for him, my lady. He does not need me. The master is a powerful adversary."
"I believe you only… I cannot help but worry. Please, Soujirou-kun, I am in no danger. You have nothing to protect me from. Won't you go back and help him?"
Turning his head away from the look in her eyes, Soujirou frowned. "I cannot do that, my lady. My master ordered me to protect you with my life, and I shall respect his desire to keep the one he loves safe."
"That is all I want as well, Soujirou-kun." His eyes closed and she bit her quivering lip, the fear inside her mixing with other twisting emotions. "What if I went back? You would have to go with me, wouldn't you? To protect me, right? Then you could…"
"I would let you do no such thing." There was a harsh quality to his voice that clicked her teeth together. It seemed everyone was speaking to her in that way lately. Insides sinking, she felt more worthless than ever.
"My lady." Tsubame's sweet voice alerted her to the kitten's worry, and she absently petted her head.
"You're right, Soujirou-kun. I'm sorry." Tears sprang to her eyes and she found herself alarmingly close to crying like Tsubame had only minutes before. Why did it hurt this much when she had no cause to think Kenshin was dead or even in any credible danger of such peril?
A new alarm rang out and everyone stopped in their tracks. It had a different cadence to the earlier one, and Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. Growling, Soujirou's narrowed eyes glared over his shoulder in anger. "How did they get past Sano and the master?"
Beneath her yukata the necklace burned urgently.
X
The confining space of the buildings gave Enishi the advantage. As the one bearing a weapon his reach was longer, and thereby allowed him to corner Kenshin who neither had a weapon nor the agility to maneuver within the tight spaces. With his wings hampering his swift movements and his talons giving his position away each time he stepped, he was fast learning that fighting in this form was not easy. Dodging one more close swipe, Kenshin glowered at the light in his opponent's eyes. Their green depths said that he knew he had the upper hand.
Around him he was aware of the other fights that were in progress. His men were holding their own well, but with so few numbers to counter the large invading group there was no real chance that they could keep them all from entering. They were at too much of a disadvantage fighting in animal forms against enemies that had weapons. There were already a few of his men that had fallen.
"Is that all you can do is run away?" Sneering, Enishi swung hard, his attack missing his target as Kenshin jumped and destroyed one of the veranda posts instead. Taking chase after his prey, he purposefully struck several more of the braces, causing the roof to buckle and cave in behind him.
The boy was right. He could not win this fight if he focused only on defense. Somehow he needed to find a way to attack. Unfortunately he had not been trained in hand to hand combat. Kenshin was most comfortable with a sword. However, he had vowed long ago never to pick up a sword again. At the time it was not because he had truly thought like Kaoru who did not believe in taking life, but was instead sickened by the ease in which life was taken by his sword. Now, he had no plans to use a weapon because he wanted to believe, like Kaoru, that life was too precious to take away.
Not officially trained to fight with his hands, he could still use his reflexes to his advantage. Vaulting to the roof of one of the buildings, Kenshin's feet easily gripped the cypress shingles. Dodging again, he jumped to the next building, and extended a wing to catch the boy in mid air. Knocked to the side, Enishi skidded on the shingles, trying to find purchase but Kenshin was already on top of him. Now in the open, he could use his wings as an advantage instead. Snapping them back to increase his speed, he caught Enishi in the gut and threw them both into the adjacent roof.
The combined weight and force crashed them through the structure, hurling them inside the pavilion. Kicking off of the boy before they landed, Enishi grunted upon impact, air forcing itself from his lungs. Wheezing, he managed to gain his feet, but before he could lash out his dominate arm was seized in an iron-like grip and he was jerked abruptly forward. Flying through the air once more, he hit the inner rice paper panels, tearing them apart easily, and smashed into the outer wall. Wood groaned and splintered as Enishi coughed up blood.
"Damn you!" Swinging wildly, he backed Kenshin off until he could stand. Skillfully evading his attacks Kenshin followed his movements. Though he seemed to be blindly attacking there was still an ingrained pattern within the moves. Aware that he could see better in the dark than the boy could, Kenshin avoided the spray of light from the hole and played off the dark shadows it created. Waiting for his opening, he caught the sword in one abrupt moment of action, fisted his other hand in his clothing and kicked them both back into the air.
Shooting back out the opening they had created Kenshin used one hard wing beat to give him momentum, twisted and threw the boy again. Crashing into another pavilion, he briefly disappeared within the dark building. This time, though, Enishi had enough time and freedom to recover from the fall. Still airborne, Kenshin watched as the boy shot back out of the building sooner than he had anticipated, blood dripping from his hairline and off one arm. Weapon menacingly flashing in the moonlight, he struck out at Kenshin, his speed alarming. With nothing to block the attack with, Kenshin was forced to throw up a wing, crying out in pain when the sharp blade bit into tissue and bone.
Landing, Kenshin grunted, one hand coming up to cover the wound spearing down his chest. It was shallow, only the tip of the blade having reached his torso. What was left of his left wing hung limp and useless down his back. The sacrifice had been unfortunate but necessary. Kenshin could not afford to lose any of his other limbs, nor let the blow land uncontested. Such a strike would have claimed his life.
"No more flying around now, monster. Your acrobatics were getting annoying." Taunting him, Enishi spit blood onto the shingles, his smile a sick combination of red and white. "You almost look like a man without that wing. Would you like me to rid you of the other?"
Absently looking at the blood decorating the palm of his hand as he withdrew it from his wound, Kenshin's voice was soft. "Kaoru loved flying."
"What did you say?" There was still a hint of mocking laughter in his voice.
"Now I will never get to take her again." Sighing, he dropped his hand and leveled violet eyes on his foe. "That upsets me."
"You're upset?" The scorn on his features turned abruptly into rage. "You have no right to be upset. Whatever pain I inflict upon you is well deserved. That's my woman you've got locked up in here somewhere. She's going to be my wife. She was meant to be mine since we were kids, and I fully plan on making sure that happens."
A frown of recognition contorted Kenshin's face, and he backed up a few steps as Enishi casually advanced. "I know who you are. You are that boy Kaoru was betrothed to as a child."
A sickeningly pleased grin jerked at his lips. "So you've heard of me? That means Kaoru's been reminiscing. She's missed me, hasn't she?"
Features turning droll, Kenshin stopped on the ridgeline of the roof, his left foot fighting for purchase as blood from his mangled wing dripped down his leg. "On the contrary she was quite glad to be rid of your engagement. It seems she was already set on running away before marrying the likes of you."
Muscles twitched in Enishi's face, his grin turning into a scowl. "Well… we'll see how eager she is once I get rid of you for her. No one else is going to want her anyway after she's been defiled by a beast."
"That is where you and I are different." Standing tall as the boy approached, Kenshin tensed his muscles subtly. "I would never defile my lady in such a dishonorable way. I fully plan on making her my wife." Enishi stopped, his green eyes showing confusion. "Kaoru accepted my proposal last night. Willingly."
Losing grip of his control, Enishi cried out angrily and made a lunge for Kenshin's precariously balanced form. Letting his foot slip, Kenshin sidestepped the jabbing sword point and grabbed a handful of Enishi's clothing. Momentum dragging them both down the other side of the roofing, Kenshin blocked Enishi's sword arm as they slid. Pressing his hand roughly into the passing shingles, the pain finally forced the boy to let go only moments before they were pitched into the darkness. Wrestling, they landed with a harsh thump in the dirt, both grunting from the impact. The sword sheathed itself in the earth dangerously close to their momentarily still forms, both sets of eyes glancing at it simultaneously. Kicking, Enishi briefly dislodged the palace lord's weight from him and quickly scrambled towards it, his hand reaching. Ripping at whatever he could grasp, Kenshin drug him backwards away from the weapon. Twisting the foot he had a hold of he forced a cry of pain from Enishi's lips before gaining his feet. Snatching up the sword, Kenshin whipped his arm in one smooth motion, sending the weapon away from them and into the shadows.
Clambering to his feet, ignoring the pain in the one that was twisted, Enishi launched bodily into Kenshin's torso. "What are you crazy?" Dirt-rolling them across the yard, Enishi threw a punch, catching Kenshin in the jaw. "What made you think you could beat me hand to hand?" Grunting, Kenshin took another punch, his wounds aching from abuse. "I've clearly got the advantage. For a monster, you're almost puny!" Kneeing him in the gut, Enishi watched him wheeze, triumphant that he was once again the one with the upper hand. Standing, he stomped a foot down on his uninjured wing, grinding the small bones of its structure under his sandal. "At least with the sword you might have stood a chance."
"No. You would already be dead."
"What?"
Jerking his wing he overbalanced the taller man and stood, his speed coming back after so long of disuse. Grabbing him firmly by the collar, Kenshin spun and tossed him one more time, the force of his fall giving strength to the act. Busting through braces and into the outer wall, the roof collapsed on top of him, burying the boy under thick debris. Panting, Kenshin grimaced as his muscles twitched in protest. The exertion it took to throw the boy around was finally taking its toll. It was a different sort of work out than he was used to. Steadying his breath as the dust settled, Kenshin relaxed. The boy was not getting back up.
Grinding his jaw as the pain reasserted itself, he unconsciously contracted his wings and the muscles in his back tensed in abrupt shock. The pain of the one cut off was burning, but his other was now broken in certain places that would not allow it to fold. Dragging the ground behind him it felt like a knife was twisting inside him with each small jolt. Kaoru would not be happy when she saw him. Lips twitching in anticipating amusement, he pictured the scolding he was going to receive when it was all over with. Letting her fuss over him for awhile didn't seem like such a bad thing.
Noises not far behind him tore him from his daydream and he turned. Someone was fighting close by, and by the cries he could tell that it was not going well for his subject. Hurrying to help, Kenshin hopped up on the walkway and ran to intervene, his pain forgotten
Knocking aside boards and debris, Enishi glared at the lord's retreating figure. He obviously thought he had beaten him. He would pay for that assumption. Enishi was going to kill that beast before the night was over.
X
The intruders were too far into the palace for Sano's liking. One step past the entranceway was too far, but now that they were well into the quarter section it was getting harder and harder to keep track of them let alone contained. Too many of his men had fallen, and with too few at his disposal to begin with he was fast losing what chance they ever had to win. Growling low in his throat, Sano circled the man he was following, slipped up under the walkway, and raced to the other side of the building. Ambushing the bandit before he even knew what had hit him; Sano clamped his teeth around the man's leg and maimed him without mercy. Going next for his arm, he made sure the man would never hold a weapon again. Killing had never really been his style, but he wasn't going to let that stop him from making sure his opponent wasn't a threat anymore.
Bounding away as the man screamed in pain and anger, Sano tracked his way diagonally through the palace. His men were stretched thin, and it was almost necessary to sweep the buildings in a zigzag pattern to cover as much ground as possible. Occasionally they overlapped, which was good. This helped him keep track of his men and up to date with the status of the engagement.
Roughly fifty men had broken through into the palace. Sano had never really been good at keeping track of numbers, but he estimated that they had taken at least a quarter of them down. It wasn't enough. That left too many.
Irritated, Sano angled his path slightly up, his destination a reason why he had chosen this track of the palace. The infirmary was on this side and he had to check to make sure the place was clear. A part of him hoped that they had all evacuated during the first alarm, and yet he knew the lead physician. She was a stubborn, headstrong woman that would insist on staying if she had any cause to. With the fighting going on, she would have insisted she stayed just in case.
With a sinking feeling in his gut he heard raised voices, loud demands, and sick laughter. Crashing announced the torment of the ones inside the building, and Sano growled low before barreling through the broken door. There were, in fact, three men wrecking havoc within the structure; two of them tossing around bedding and rummaging through cabinets and the other taunting someone in the far corner. Eyes widening, Sano cursed. How could he have forgotten? They had turned the infirmary into a place to keep the orphans a long time ago. With no one getting sick, it was almost a waste of space not to use it.
Backed into the corner was indeed the vixen, but behind her were ten or so children and two of the other assisting physicians. They were all small, non-predatory animals, and the fox was the only one looking as if she would put up a fight. With teeth bared and a low noise wavering somewhere between a growl and a hiss coming from her throat, she looked about as pissed as a wet cat. Laughing, the man poked at her with his sword, forcing her to twitch backwards and then laughing harder as she snapped her teeth at him in warning. Feeling overwhelmingly protective, Sano charged forward, uncaring of the other two as they spun in shock to watch him. Growling loudly, he landed between the bandit's shoulder blades and tackled him to the floor.
Shouting in alarm, the man tried to roll to throw him off, Sano barking loudly in his ear. Skidding to the side as he was finally dislodged, Sano latched onto the man's hand, sinking his teeth deep into the flesh. Screaming in anger, the man twisted to swing at him with his sword, but Sano let go at the last second. Curled awkwardly, the man was unprepared to counter when Sano jumped him again, mauling his shoulder. Beating at him with the hilt, the man screamed in desperation for the others to help him. Unwilling to let go, Sano bit harder, tearing sinew and muscle until the sword dropped with a clatter to the floor.
The others were almost on top of him now and Sano ducked back to avoid the strike aimed for him. Not expecting him to be so quick, the second bandit was alarmed when his swing cut straight through air and into his buddy on the floor. Slicing the first man open, he was dead before the other could pull back.
"Shit! You stupid mutt! Look what you made me do!"
Backing up slowly, Sano's mahogany eyes glared up at his second attacker, warily watching the sword in his hand. A cry of panic rippled through the children, and his eyes swung to them, horrified to find the third man stepping towards the orphans instead. There was purposeful intent in his step and Sano knew he was going to get rid of all obstacles and distractions before going back to his looting.
Snapping suddenly at the second man, Sano shot past him the moment he reared back. Digging his nails into the wooden flooring, he darted across the room to intervene. Skidding to a stop, he placed himself between the attacker and his prey, his hackles rising as he growled in deep warning. It gave the third man pause, the second cursing as he moved to follow. Aware he was outnumbered and probably outmatched, Sano gnashed his teeth and hoped they thought he was rabid.
Two very distinctive roars came from behind the two bandits, and Sano took advantage of the distraction it caused to launch an attack on the third man in front of him. Latching onto his arm, he used his jaw muscles to tighten the hold he had on him and pushed with his back legs to drop him down to his level. Barreling forward into his chest, he knocked him over and unceremoniously ripped at his throat.
Looking up quickly to the second one, the man's voice screaming in terror and pain, Sano found two large felines attached to him. One was unmarked and tan, the other striped orange and black. "Hell, it's the brats!" The man finally toppled over under the weight of their bodies, and the striped cat looked up from his perch in the middle of his back to growl at Sano. "Watch who you're calling a brat you mutt!"
"Yahiko!" Indignant and annoyed, the other huffed as the man rolled over, dislodging them both. "Pay attention, servant boy! You let him get away!"
"I did?" Swiping a large paw at his leg, Yahiko swept his feet right out from under him. "What were you doing, rich boy?"
Belly flopping across his torso, Yutarou pinned the man to the floor. "All the work! The least you could do is keep him down so I can finish him off!"
"Whatever, you lazy pain in the ass." Whapping him hard with his front paw, Yahiko ricocheted the man's head off the hard flooring and knocked him out. "Take a nap, scumbag."
Assured that all three of the men were now taken care of, Sano spun towards the group huddled in the corner. Cinnamon eyes met his squarely and for a moment he forgot what he was going to say. Shaking himself, he checked her over, reassured by the absence of any visible wounds. Swallowing, he nudged his head to one side, indicating the others. "Is everyone alright?" A few of the children were crying, but the bigger ones nodded, their bodies trembling instead of their voices. The two assistants answered, their jobs forcing them to be used to violence and bloodshed, and began checking over the kids. The fox was still staring with those eyes that he could never figure out.
Features twitching, very much aware there was blood all over him, Sano looked at the others but spoke to her. "You alright, fox?"
"Of course."
Yeah. Right. She can handle herself. The surety in her tone instantly rubbed him the wrong way and hardened his voice. "That's good, but what are you still doing on this side of the palace? Didn't you hear the evacuation order?"
"We heard it."
"But you ignored it, right?" Irritation entered his voice, and he growled. "That's reckless, fox, real reckless."
"A few of the younger ones hid when they heard the noise. I wasn't going to leave them behind." An offended note took the place of her bland speech.
"Fine, but why didn't you send the others on ahead? You could have asked for help. There was plenty of time." The volume of his voice rose another degree.
"Help from who? It was chaos when the alarm sounded."
"The infirmary is not far from the palace barracks, you could have asked one of the men."
"They were all needed at the gate. I wasn't going to keep them from the fight." Her own voice lifted to match his, fighting to be dominate.
"Stupid woman! You could have been killed!"
"And what do you care?!"
The entire room was quiet as the yelling match abruptly stalled. Shifting uncertainly, Yahiko cleared his throat. "Um, you guys, this might not be the best…"
"Shut up!" Both turning on him, Yahiko ducked his head and wisely did as he was told.
"Look here fox, you're the head physician. You're important to the palace. You can't just recklessly put yourself in harms way. Too many people depend on you, especially now."
"Oh, so that's how it's going to go. Let's just throw this off on everyone else. Fine, you idiot mutt! I thought you were gaining some sense, but I see it's just a big charade. I hope you're happy with your new status. It certainly suits your shallow attitude."
Perturbed, Sano unconsciously used his size to tower over her. "Dammit fox! What the hell do you want from me? I'm trying to do this right but you twist everything around!"
"Do what right? Your job? Well don't let me keep you!" Snide and unconcerned by his attempt at intimidation, Megumi sniffed.
Swearing forcefully, Sano rubbed a front leg over his head harshly in exasperation. "You are the most frustrating woman I have ever met!" Dropping his paw, he tilted his head, his posture a mixture of anger and confusion. "Don't you realize I came here for you?!" Pausing to let his words sink in and bring contriteness to her features, he glowered in annoyance. "I had no intention of coming near you until I straightened my shit out, but I would never let that decision put you in any danger. To hell with everyone else! What the hell was I suppose to do? If I lost you like that… I'd never have a chance of getting you back."
Tension leaving quicker than it came, Megumi slumped, her eyes drifting to the floor. "Oh."
Grumbling, Sano sat down. "Come on, fox. Don't do that. I like it better when you look me in the eye and tell me off."
Exhaling a trembling breath, Megumi lifted her chin. "Come see me later and I'll have something appropriately worked out." Smiling weakly at his soft chuckle, she sighed and jerked her head. "We need to get these young ones out of here first."
Still grinning, he hopped up. "It's a deal."
"About time." Grumbling Yahiko stood as well.
"What did you say brat?"
"Clean out your ears old man! I said it's about damn time!"
"Just because Soujirou is your commanding officer does not mean I can't punish you, kitty."
"Whatever, mutt. Let's just get going."
Walking to the door as they herded the orphans together, Sano glanced outside. Now that he was reassured and his chest now longer clenched in unknown fear he knew what had to be done. He couldn't afford to escort anyone. He's presence was needed on the battlefield. "Listen up." Speaking over his shoulder without looking, he addressed his subordinates in a tone that was more suited to his position. "You two escort them to the city barracks. Make sure they arrive safely."
"Hey! What about you?" Indignant that they were going to be stuck on babysitting duty, both of the large cats spoke up.
"You two forget that I'm the only commanding officer out there besides the master, and he's got his hands full. I need to get back to my job. You two do as I say and then come back if you can. We'll need all the help we can get, but the safety of the residents is top priority. You got that?"
"Yes sir."
"Don't sound so enthusiastic. I said do you got that?"
"Yes sir!"
Hopping down off the veranda, he sighed as a voice hurriedly called after him before he could disappear. "Wait, Sanosuke!" The vixen stood in the doorway when he half-turned and he was amused by the worried set of her face. "Don't be stupid, alright? You have to come back. I…I…" Struggling, she seemed undecided on whether she should say any more or not.
Taking pity, he grinned. "Yeah, I know, fox. Me, too." The admission alone was worth the shocked and yet disbelieving and then happy look that lit her eyes. Later he would have to make sure he said it properly. "See ya… fox." Leaving her with a wink, he took off on his run, making his way slowly towards the barrier where palace met city.
X
The front gate was busted and gapping when Koshijirou, his three students, and their two escorting wolves finally made it to the palace. Panting, aching, and seeing spots, the master stumbled along next to Haruki. The brothers had periodically taken turns helping him, but during the last few miles Haruki had all but dragged Koshijirou. His legs were getting too weak to support his own weight, and because of his shoulder they had been forced to put his left arm in a sling. Too stubborn to give up and let the palace take care of his daughter, Koshijirou had insisted. For their own reasons both the boys and the wolves had argued very little. Inside his bleary mind, Koshijirou was beginning to suspect that they wished to be there just as much as he.
Where the palace had been neat, tidy, and clean the last time he had visited, the intrusion had left destruction in its wake. Smoke was pluming through the air, shown by a reddish glow off in the distance, and Koshijirou vaguely recognized the sign as fire. Buildings near the front were ransacked and doors were broken. Bodies of dead animals and only a few men were scattered about the courtyard. It was a sad twist on the beautiful palace his daughter had grown to love and cherish. On either side of them the two quiet wolves cursed under their breath.
Slumping, feeling lightheaded again, he heard the boys talking and soon he was sitting on one of the walkways. Taking a few sips of water, he concentrated on his breathing. It shouldn't have been so hard, but the pain in his shoulder was beginning to burn, spreading its fiery clutches outward from the wound. Sweat was beading on his forehead and he knew he was fighting off an infection. It couldn't be helped, though. He needed to find his daughter, and he needed to find her quick. Something was urging him towards her; something that was demanding he be there.
"Master." Vaguely he realized they had been calling him for awhile now. "Master." Focusing with difficulty on Haruki's face, dulled blue eyes blinked.
"What is it, boy?"
Dark eyes glanced away and Koshijirou slid his attention from him to Kazuki and then Ren. Both of the other boys were already looking off toward the center of the palace, their black eyes intense and focused as if drawn there.
"The fighting is that way. What do you wish to do?" The question was a formality, Koshijirou could feel it. They were eager, too eager, to leave and join the battle.
"What, boy, are you going to do?"
All three sets of eyes darted to him, and he laughed. "You still think me a fool. I know there is something going on, I just don't know what. Right now…" Leaning against the post next to him, he sighed. "I really don't care, as long as it is not a danger to my daughter."
"No, sir!" All three chorused at once, and he was reassured by the sincerity in their answer. "Rest assured, Master." Ren's timid voice spoke in that way that did not suit him, forcing Koshijirou's eyes back open. "Our purpose is for Kaoru-san's wellbeing."
Staring them down with what intensity he had left, his strength abruptly gave out and he relaxed. "Go and do as you wish. I will rest for a moment or two and be… right behind you."
"Thank you, Master." Their relieved answer floated through his murky brain, and his last thought before he passed out was why they had waited for his permission at all.
X
The city barracks were overloaded with refugees from the palace, all scared and looking for someone else. Upon arriving with her own ragtag group of strays, Kaoru had instantly been thrown into a position of leadership. Seeing the lady gave the people someone to focus their hysterics and questions on. Unable to answer them on what was happening, she instead placed her efforts into keeping everyone calm. In the beginning she had resisted, her own fear and lack of self-confidence wanting little to do with making decisions for others. After awhile, however, the shock of the situation had worn back her doubts and forced her to take charge.
The others helped her as much as they could, and Misao was soon glad to see her mistress acting like herself again. Whatever was going on between her and the master to make her act the way she had mattered little in the face of everyone else's distress. It was in her nature, Misao realized, to put everyone else before herself. Being needed was the best way to help her heal.
Soujirou sat right outside the door facing the palace, guarding the entrance from any intruders. So far there had been no sign of the bandits, but the city guard was anxious and Soujirou was not about to be caught off guard. He had a duty to protect, and he planned on fulfilling that duty. A restless part of him, however, whispered of how protected the place already was. He was needed by his master's side, not here. The lady was right, there was nothing to protect her from, and if he went and fought with the intruders he could help stop them from getting close enough to put her in danger.
Shaking his head roughly, he threw the thought from his mind. He knew what his orders were, and he would not disobey.
"You're thinking the same thing that I am, Soujirou-kun." Surprised, Soujirou looked up to see Kaoru standing next to him. Kneeling so that they were eye-level, Kaoru pleaded once more, only this time there was no desperate fear ruling her request like before. This was the woman he had fallen in love with; the same woman that belonged to his master. "I am safe here. Please, I want you to go. Kenshin needs you more than I do, and since I can't go to him myself, I want someone I can trust to keep him safe for me."
The admission of trust was more painful than joyful, and he grimaced, fighting against his reason and his orders. "The master will be angry if I show up now. He ordered me to stay by your side, Lady Kaoru. You are more important to him than his own life."
"And I have an entire wall of wolves between me and whatever danger is within the palace walls. I am a little too protected, Soujirou-kun. You said so yourself that there are too few men left to defend the palace. Kenshin needs everyone he can get. Your skills are wasted sitting here doing nothing. You are needed out there where you can protect everyone, not just me."
"My lady, you don't understand."
Chin lifting, she set her jaw. "This is an order, Soujirou-kun. As the future wife of your master I order you to find Kenshin and protect this palace from its enemy." Wide, almond shaped eyes stared up at her, and she bit her lip, her voice lowering sheepishly. "I-I have that right, don't I?"
Nodding slowly, he stood to all fours and bowed his head. "Yes, Lady. You have that right." Kaoru sighed in relief. "But the master's orders will always prevail over your own, especially during times of military rule." Failure contorted her face, and he smiled. "But this once I might forget such a technicality."
"I'll gladly take the blame, Soujirou-kun." Eager, Kaoru's features turned from despairing to earnest in seconds.
"I hope you will, my lady. He's going to be furious when he sees me."
The cheetah was running off across the yard before Kaoru could say thank you, and Kaoru could tell that he was relieved to be going back. Letting out a controlled breath, she was happy to feel the urgency in her chest ease up. Soujirou would keep Kenshin safe. She needed for him to keep Kenshin safe.
"Where's he going?" Misao came up to stand by her leg, looking out at the place Soujirou had disappeared.
"I sent him back to help Kenshin. He needs the help more than I do."
"But milady…"
A loud explosion shook the ground and one of the palace buildings burst into flames and shooting chunks of debris. Red lit the night sky, illuminating the rooftops nearest and outlining the grey plumes of smoke. It was startling and horrifying and too close to the city limit for comfort. Shouting, Misao jumped forward off the walkway and ran for the barricade where she began conversing in harried sentences with one of the city wolves. Blue eyes lit by the fire stared at the burning structure, watching it throw licks of flames onto an adjoining pavilion. Fear for those near squeezed her heart, and a desperate hope that Kenshin was not caught in it repeated over and over within her mind.
For long moments she simply stared, dazed, awed, and shocked by the blatant destruction these intruders were throwing out on her beautiful palace. Within the new illumination, however, Kaoru caught sight of furtive shadows racing along the rooftops. Eyes locking on their movements she found that there were only two and they were both human shaped. On one of them, however, she saw the barest hint of a wing. Kenshin. Her heart gave a leap, glad that he was alive. The taller shadow behind him was giving chase, throwing itself harshly into each attack and leaving his own mark upon the rooftops. Kenshin was dodging, but there was something wrong with his movements.
"They're here!"
Distracted, Kaoru's eyes fell back to the ground and widened as multiply shadows came rushing out of the palace structures and towards the barricade. In front of them stood a line of tough wolves, causing many of them to hesitate. Behind them, however, was a less uniform group of predators that were no less dangerous. There were too few at their back, however, to appropriately pin them in between. The ones that gave up the charge turned to cut through the thinned ranks at their backs, while their braver men cried out in challenge, charging towards the wolves.
The wolves attacked in structured groups, taking down their prey efficiently instead of wasting time with one on one battles. They killed without mercy, and Kaoru's stomach churned and twisted as she watched the violence in front of her. This battle, however, was not one that would allow her to press her beliefs on everyone else. It was too widespread and too dangerous. Fighting with her shock, wondering what she could do besides just watch what she never wanted to see, Kaoru spied a couple of the bandits slip past a group of preoccupied wolves.
Firming her jaw, Kaoru turned and ran back into the barracks. There were weapons within the building, though none of them had been used in over a thousand years. Snatching up one of the training swords, she ran back for the entrance, ignoring the cries around her.
"My lady, what do you think you're doing?" Tae caught her at the door, detaining her impatient steps.
"I'm going to protect what's important to me." The room behind her went quiet, and she briefly glanced at the multiple sets of eyes staring at her and her declaration. Firming her jaw, she stepped around the cook. "Please keep everyone inside. I promise I won't let anyone through."
"Y-yes, my lady."
Falling easily into the discipline she was familiar with, Kaoru smoothly descended the stairs and met with the first man almost upon the barracks. He seemed momentarily surprised to see another human, let alone a woman, after fighting off all the animals. Slowly his muddy eyes blinked at her, but before his mouth could open to say anything she saw her opening and laid him flat. Satisfied with his groan, she meet the man coming up fast behind him. This one did not hesitate, seeing as it hadn't helped his friend much, and she serenely countered his angry attack with one of her own. Fighting an opponent who wielded steel with a wooden sword was not something that could be done without practice. Fortunately it was something Kaoru had trained to do nearly her entire life.
The second man went down hard, his knee cap busted and eyes rolling up into his head. Both defeats were satisfying, allowing Kaoru to take part in the battle in her own way, without taking lives. In this way, she was able to save not only the people she wanted to protect, but the people who were misguided in their attack of the palace. They deserved punishment, but in a way that would be beneficial to everyone.
Staying well behind the barricade, Kaoru paced her way back and forth, picking off the unlucky ones that managed to break through. She would not go too far from the barracks, however, and had to contend herself with letting the city guard chase after the others. Her job was to protect the palace residents now taking sanctuary inside the building behind her. No matter how hard it was to keep herself from trying to save them all, she would not sacrifice all of the helpless ones huddled together inside just for one or two bandits. It was a hard choice that hurt her heart, and it was regrettable that she was required to make it.
Quick glances at the rooftops showed only rare visions of Kenshin and his enemy. Whoever he was fighting was skilled to push Kenshin as far as he was. They were not close enough for Kaoru to see clearly, but she could tell they were both wounded. It frightened her, the urgent pleading within coming back harshly, wanting to go to him.
A new commotion broke her concentration away from her most recent downed opponent, drawing her eyes down the line to her left. Fighting their way through the bandits was a small group of men, and Kaoru would have mistaken them for other bandits, except there were two wolves escorting them through the chaos. Blinking as she recognized her father's new students, Kaoru took off running to meet them, the barricade letting them through reluctantly and only because of the guards with them.
As they finally made the other side of the fighting, the tallest one of the boys went down and Kaoru saw that he was actually carrying someone on his back. Carefully he was laid out on the ground and the closer Kaoru came the surer she was that it was her father. The two wolves, seeing their duty finished took off to join the battle, leaving the boys to catch their breath. Sliding to an abrupt stop next to them, Kaoru dropped to her knees and ignored their surprised jerks.
"Daddy!" Wide eyes staring at the sweat on his face and the hasty bandages wrapped around his shoulder, she switched her attention to the oldest boy. "Haruki-kun. What happened?"
Still breathing heavily, Haruki frowned. "He fought with some man named Enishi last night."
"Enishi? Why would he attack my father?"
"Because he wanted…"
"Kazuki!" Haruki cut his younger brother off, his voice stern with warning. Looking between the two, Kaoru set her jaw and reached out to grab them both by the ear.
"Now listen here! You will tell me what is going on right this minute! Why did Enishi attack my father and is he the one attacking the palace?"
"Yes, ma'am." They chorused in unison, but Ren, sitting timidly on the other side of Koshijirou, out of her reach, spoke up softly.
"He has been looking for you, Kaoru-san, for a couple of months now." Kaoru's brow furrowed, her hands slipping free of the boys' ears. "He saw you last night with the palace master and then attacked your father after you left."
"He's here for me?"
They didn't answer her and she scowled, everything falling into place. The attack on the palace wasn't random, it was planned, and she suddenly knew who Kenshin was fighting. This wasn't right. In fact, it was completely wrong. Clenching her trembling fists, Kaoru glanced at the barricade. "Come on, we need to get my father away from here and somewhere safe."
X
It was getting more and more difficult to keep his attention focused on one opponent. While dodging Enishi's crazed attacks, Kenshin also had to keep an eye out for other battles within his reach. Having caught up with the rest of the invaders, they were now surrounded by fighting, and with his men outnumbered as they were, Kenshin had a responsibility to protect everyone under his care.
The broken wing at his back was slowing him down, leaving him vulnerable. Already at a disadvantage without a weapon to defend himself with, the extra dead weight was hampering him to the point of danger. Only his instincts and reflexes were keeping him ahead of his opponent, and it wasn't by much. The boy was strong and skilled, though not nearly like any of his brothers were. With a sword in hand, Kenshin would have picked him apart.
But that was not a path he was willing to take. He could not sacrifice everything he had gained now by killing a misguided brat. Whatever was going through the child's mind, it was not well thought out. Though Kenshin and his men were outnumbered, there was no chance that Enishi's band of petty thieves and scum would be able to hold the palace. There was also no way their leader would take Kaoru outside of its walls.
The battle had progressed its way into the open yard nearest to the city. There were bound to be a few stragglers, but it seemed as though most of the invaders had been herded into the area. Saitou's city guard was standing their ground well against any attacker stupid enough to try and break through, and he was glad to see that they were following his orders not to break ranks no matter what. That unfortunately left only his palace guard to take care of the thirty or so men left, and they had been thinned down considerably from the few they had been to start with.
"Pay attention, beast, or I'll relieve you of your head!"
Ducking the swipe, Kenshin frowned at the glee radiating from Enishi's dark green eyes. He was having too much fun, taunting and toying with him. Too mature to let such things get him worked up, Kenshin hardly replied anymore to the scathing remarks. He had too many other matters to see to. His only concern about the boy was keeping him from hurting anyone else unintentionally.
Forced down into the yard, Kenshin turned to meet his attacker, his wing dragging down his movements. Hissing between his teeth as the pain from his wounds shot with fire, he miscalculated his moves. Dodging yet another attack, he stepped back on his broken wing, tearing the tissue and tripping himself. A triumphant look entered Enishi's eyes, seeing victory, but before Kenshin could regain his equilibrium Enishi was attacked from the side and dirt-rolled to the ground.
Stumbling off of his wing, Kenshin's eyes widened then flattened into slits as the cheetah pounced off the boy, a threatening snarl issuing from his mouth. Dazed, Enishi swiped at nothing, stalling both from attacking while he steadied himself.
"Soujirou! What the hell are you doing here?"
Short ears flattened back against his skull, but there was a mutinous look on his face that did not react to his master's anger. "The lady has been safely escorted, my lord. I have returned to assist you."
"Those were not my orders."
"Would you stop ignoring me and fight you coward!" Charging Kenshin, Enishi screamed his impatience at having to chase the master down. Seeing as the creature was more interested in everyone else and not the man attacking him, Enishi was insulted. As a prideful man, he could not stand the shame.
Smacking his hand against the flat of the blade to deflect the attack, Kenshin stuck out at a leg and tripped him back onto the ground. His attention however was still very much on Soujirou. The ease in his sudden show of strength only wounded Enishi's pride further. Now it was more than obvious that the lord was not truly concerned with his presence.
"You are the only one I trust to keep her safe, Soujirou. You will return to her side immediately."
"With all due respect, my lord, I have to decline." Distracted by a nearby fight, and seeing as how the master was handling the boy just fine for the moment, Soujirou intervened and helped bring the bandit down. "You see, the lady has discovered the new power your engagement has granted to her, and she was very adamant about using said power." Circling around behind Enishi so that he was caged between Kenshin and the cheetah, Soujirou ducked his head predatorily. "She ordered me to find you and help you instead."
Growling, Kenshin's stare turned flat. "I know you know better, Soujirou. That maddening woman has more power than she realizes without having to rely on mine."
"I told you to stop ignoring me!"
The sudden scream of an owl tore through the night, jerking Enishi's head upwards, and out of nowhere their troops tripled in strength. From the north came Aoshi, finally back from the mines, his squad of ninjas digging into the battle fiercely and with much anger. Moments later there was a roar of defiance from the south, Kogorou's men having returned from the ridgeline. Shocked, Enishi's green eyes widened, sensing his defeat was imminent and filling his chest with desperation. He had no love for the men under his control, but he had needed them to fight through the palace. He needed them to get Kaoru back.
No longer worried for his people, Kenshin finally allowed his attention to settle heavily upon the boy. "Go on, Soujirou. If you must be here then find your own fight."
"Yes sir."
Chest heaving as his mind turned frantic, Enishi stared into the eyes of a completely different man. They were not like the ones from before. These eyes were harder, focused and taunting him with defeat. Defying such a fate, Enishi lifted his sword with a wild cry and charged. Lashing out, the strike powerful and desperate, his eyes lit gleefully when his opponent did not move. Instead his one remaining wing shot up, the foolish attempt to block him futile. Laughing as blood sprayed and the dismembered wing dropped to the ground, Enishi thought the creature mad for resorting to the same mistake twice. He was obviously idiotic to purposefully inflict more pain upon himself like that.
Body angled sideways away from the strike, Kenshin had avoided the tip hitting him this time. Grinding his teeth against the pain shooting up his back, he could see Enishi's surety that he had lost his mind. Bowing his head ever so slightly, Kenshin circled to the side so that the dead wing was no longer an obstacle between them. The action brought confusion to green irises. "Thank you. The wing was becoming bothersome. Now I may move freely."
Horror touched the child's features. "You let me do that on purpose?"
He was such a young and innocent child. The thought only deepened Kenshin's resolve to stick by his newly adopted principles. "In war you do not allow yourself to have weaknesses that will slow you down. If your arm is hampering you… then you simply sever it from your body."
X
Koshijirou woke feeling as if he could breathe easier than before. Blinking open his heavy eyelids he turned his head slowly to his left, feeling something tugging on his numbed shoulder. A small spider monkey knelt next to him, carefully wrapping his shoulder as it should have been, and he belatedly recognized the nice cook that served him his meals when he visited.
"T-Tae… san…"
Soft brown eyes shot up to meet his and widened before she turned to holler over her shoulder. "Megumi-sensei! He's awake!"
Scampering spoke of the other's approach and soon he was staring into the cinnamon eyes of a small red fox. He wasn't quite sure if he remembered this one or not. "Kamiya-sama. Do you know where you are?"
Croaking, he coughed, surprised by the dryness of his mouth. Swallowing weakly, grateful he could feel no pain, he tried again. "Palace."
"Good. That's right. You lost a lot of blood, but you don't seem to be in any danger. Do you remember your injuries?" Nodding, his brain began to clear of the fog covering it. Shoulder and leg. He had been in worse conditions. "You're running a fever because of them. Both of your wounds are raw and infected. You are going to need to stay still for awhile. I administered something for the pain, but it is probably why your mouth is dry. We will bring you some water, so please stay put."
"Wait." Fighting the rasp in his throat, Koshijirou protested. "My daughter. Where's my daughter?"
"Outside defending the building. She and those three boys brought you in here and then had to leave."
"I… would like to see her." Fighting to sit up, Koshijirou frowned as his body reacted slowly to his desires.
"You need to stay put!" The soothing voice from before was replaced by sudden irritation, his stubbornness bringing out the physician's no-nonsense side. Before the matter could be argued, however, the frantic voice of a kitten running through the door interrupted them.
"The Lady! She's gone!"
"What?"
"She snuck through the barricade and is trying to join the fight! The boys she was with were too busy to notice, but I saw her go!"
An instinctive fear tugged at Koshijirou's stomach and he sat up all the way. "I have to go after her."
"You are going to stay put!"
"Forgive me, but I cannot do that." Struggling to his feet, Koshijirou stumbled his way to the door and after the only family he had left. A sure part of him felt dread and knew what it meant.
X
Kenshin's wings were gone!
Pained by the revelation, Kaoru sprinted her way through the havoc, her hand clutched tightly around her wooden sword. With the fight now contained to the yard, she was able to see everything so much clearer, and her eyes were instinctively drawn to Kenshin. Two uneven stumps were all that was left of his once majestic wings, and the sight made her sick to her stomach. It meant the fight was not as easy for him as she had hoped. He was struggling to win… because he was fighting without a weapon.
Upon seeing his predicament, her feet had moved of their own volition. She was being drawn to his side; to help him; to free him. She needed to be there for him, because she had what he did not. A quick glance down at the solid wood in her hand firmed her resolve. She knew why he wasn't fighting with a weapon, and it wasn't just because he no longer carried one. Kaoru had convinced him of her principles, had persuaded him into seeing the truth through her eyes. He would not kill, because he knew her. It was that simple. And so, she would bring him a weapon he could use without fear of taking life.
The invading forces were thinning considerably, and Kaoru found herself lucky enough not to be detained by any fighting. There were many wounded and lifeless bodies, however, and she desperately kept her eyes level to keep herself from becoming distracted by the horror. Instead she focused on Kenshin and his opponent: Enishi. They were really going at each other, and she could see Kenshin's skill as he countered each of Enishi's strikes. It made her feel strangely proud and in awe of his strength. If he could fight like this unarmed, she wondered about his true skill with a sword.
As she came nearer, something strange and fortuitous happened. One of the fights still in progress spilled into the middle of the two men, breaking them apart and distracting Kenshin's attention. Seeing an opening to end this without further violence, Kaoru slowed to a stop and brought green eyes to her.
"Enishi!"
The tall man jerked, his eyes finding her immediately, and she steadied herself against the rage she had always seen in him. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and he turned fully to walk towards her, his sword dropping to his side. Out of the corner of her eye Kaoru saw Kenshin's looking towards her as well, his eyes wide. Lowering her own weapon, she held up a hand in peace, trying to reason.
"You need to stop this. This whole battle is senseless. None of these people have ever hurt you. You have no reason to be here. Please just go quietly and…" Not expecting him to attack her, Kaoru jerked her bokken up reflexively when his sword shot out. Deflecting it clumsily, Kaoru stumbled back, a notch in her sword weakening its strength. "Stop it, Enishi! I don't want to fight you!" His lips sneered but he still didn't respond, and another strike from his sword splintered her weapon and knocked it from her hands. Still off-balance, his already spiked adrenaline putting her at a disadvantage, she gasped in shock when his hand smacked violently across her cheek.
"Shut up, you unfaithful bitch!" Grunting as she spun and hit the ground, Kaoru's eyes crossed and briefly went dark as the pain rattled inside her head. "It's time you learned your place!"
A kick to the back of his knee dropped Enishi to the ground before he could turn his kneecap cracking as it hit first. Arm whipping out in retaliation, his elbow was caught in a strong, clawed grip and the sword torn from his fingers. Eyes barely given enough time to widen, the hilt of his own katana was smashed into his face, breaking his nose and knocking him flat. One last kick was thrown into his stomach, sharp talons tearing at tender flesh, and he hissed as the pain both hampered and helped the impending darkness threatening the corners of his vision.
"Kaoru!" Kneeling next to her, Kenshin dropped the sword carelessly, his hands gingerly turning her onto her back. Curling her into his arms he watched as her eyes flickered, the blue irises beneath dazed and unfocused. Fear, unlike anything he had ever experienced before, ate at his heart like a rabid dog.
The images that were registering in her mind were disjointed and irregular. Some of them she wasn't even sure when they came from, not to mention where. Injured bodies, fallen friends, struggling battles that were continuing even as she was stuck in the tangle of her uneven thoughts. Whispered words she could not recognize told her of things she did not understand. Soothing warmth wrapped around her body even as searing heart burnt the skin of her chest. She was spiraling, losing herself to another being, a different life, but her heart would not be taken by this new entity. Kaoru's will was strong and all she wanted was to protect. Whatever was to happen, she wanted everyone she cared for to be safe from this horrible madness.
The alien presence agreed, and her eyes came open.
Kenshin's features came into focus above her, and she watched as he exhaled a shaky breath of relief. A smile tugged as his lips, fighting with the furrows setting themselves deeply into his brow. He was angry and yet happy, and she knew she would be scolded later. Sudden movement caught her attention, her brain processing it as if in slow motion, and she watched in horror as Enishi struggled to keep his feet before charging at Kenshin's unprotected back. A knife was pulled from his sleeve, his arm lifting it high, and Kaoru's eyes swung to Kenshin just in time to see him frown in confusion. With no time to warn, no time to think, Kaoru's hand snapped out and hit his chest. The action was unconscious, the result astounding, and she stared in awe as something soft pink and opalescent sprung to life around Kenshin's body. The knife hit the barrier, turning it aside so that it skidded harmless off, and Enishi's weight followed with it.
Shocked, Kenshin stared at the pulsating bubble, a bit uneasy, a bit curious, and more than confused. Around him in the yard there were many of the bubbles, all cocooning in his people, whether injured or fighting or otherwise. It was beautiful, and as he watched, he found that nothing was allowed inside the barrier that would hurt what it was protecting. It was like love, and it was decidedly Kaoru.
Glancing down he was forced to squint as the necklace lying on her chest was afire. Blinking, he smiled in bewilderment as his eyes caught hers, stunned and amazed by the truth of what she had done. It was magic, but Kaoru had accomplished it only because she wanted to protect everything she cared for. Such compassion and love was a blessing to be bestowed with.
"Kaoru." His hand reached, sliding easily through the barrier that was surrounding him, and touched her face. She smiled happily, her own beautiful sapphire gazing back. There was so much love in her eyes, the hand on his chest warm and firm. It was a wonderful dream after all of the nightmares… but even dreams eventually come to an end.
Abruptly she coughed, as if she had been holding her breath, blood splattering out of her mouth and onto the barrier between them. Blue eyes that seemed to be so very deep only a moment ago now showed themselves to be in shock instead. Drifting down haltingly, they guided his own eyes to her stomach, her free hand fluttering over the end of a knife buried hilt deep into her flesh. The hand on his chest clenched, grasping desperately at his kimono, trying to anchor herself to him.
"No."
The protective pink barrier flickered weakly as its caster lost strength, disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared. Discouraged by the ominous meaning of such a sign, Kenshin shook his head, his hands clutching her to him tighter as if he could hold her to life by his strength alone. "No."
Crab-walking his way away from the scene, Enishi stared wide-eyed at the knife. It had not landed where he had intended it to. It wasn't his fault. Something had blocked him. Something made him miss. Too horrified by what he had done, denial fought with his reason, shielding his mind from grief.
"Kenshin." Her fluttering hand came up to touch his cheek, her lips fighting for a smile, and his head still shook. "It's okay."
"No." His voice broke, his hand pressing hers into his scaly cheek. "No Kaoru, this…" Words left him, his throat choked, and he closed his eyes. "This isn't real!"
"Kenshin."
"I wasn't supposed to lose you yet. Not so soon. I'm not ready. Please, Kaoru. You have to stay."
"Kenshin." Weakly chiding, Kaoru's arms grew heavy, and he clutched her hand tighter, keeping her touch close even as her fingers turned cold.
"You promised you would stay. You promised. I won't let you go again." Fiercely denying the fate that would rob him of her warmth, he trembled, his features turning stern even as his deep violet gaze wavered with unshed tears.
"I'll always be with you Kenshin." The smile on white lips was loving, the hand still tangled with his shirt dropping limply to curl around her necklace. "I'll be here. Please…" Struggling to breathe, her eyes dazed by pain, she fought to stay focused. "Keep it with you… so I can stay close." Beneath her hand, the necklace pulsed like a heartbeat; fierce, strong, and pure.
"It's not enough. I have to have you. Please." His tear soaked pleading finally jerked at her lips sorrowfully, a tear sliding out of her eye as she gasped.
"I'm sorry, Kenshin." Within his arms her body convulsed, her muscles tensing in rejection, fighting the pain. "I'm sorry…"
The vibrancy in her eyes was fading, her irises turning dark and lifeless. Eyelashes fluttering, her lips formed indistinct words, fighting to tell him something he would never hear. "Wait." Lowering her hand and releasing it from his grasp, he brushed at her hair. "Don't go yet." Fluttering eyelashes stilled, her entire body relaxed, and beneath her hand the last remaining petal flashed hotly.
Caught in his grief, Kenshin shook her gently, his chest heaving in panic. "Wake up. Come on, Kaoru, just wake up. Please." Shaking her a little more firmly, her head jerking limply, panic and denial gripped him tighter. "I won't allow it! You have to wake up! You promised you would stay! You said you would be my wife! I won't let you back out now!" Waiting for a reply that would never come, his chest convulsed and his arms constricted, holding her against his chest. "I can't do this anymore. Not without you. Please… come back."
"No!" Jerking at the sudden intrusion, Kenshin listened as someone new slammed to their knees across from him. "Kaoru, no!" Vaguely he recognized her father's voice, and pain of a different kind lanced through him. This man had trusted him to take care of his daughter. What a fine job he had done.
Trembling, Kenshin loosened his hold, his head lifting to look at the man now bent with his forehead in the dirt. Grieving for his only child, her cold hand clutched in his only good one, swearing that it was his fault, apologizing for not being there… Teeth grinding, Kenshin knew where the blame truly belonged. Eyes darting to the knife still buried in her small body, they shot to the man still frozen and staring with his backside in the dirt. Violet eyes bled with gold, smashing the round pupil, lengthening it into a slit of hatred as the irises expanded once more. Fear widened green irises and Kenshin felt satisfaction in his terror.
Laying Kaoru out gently on the ground, Kenshin stood, his eyes never leaving his prey. Anger was fresh in his mind now, and he would sate the emotion thoroughly.
"Soujirou!"
Not far away, his own chest constricted with grief and rage, Soujirou snapped to attention at the command in his master's voice. "Yes sir."
"Bring me my sword!"
Soujirou's jaw tightened. "Yes sir!"
As Kenshin advanced on his terrified foe, one sickening thought passed through his mind. Kaoru's death was not only premature, but needless. The curse had not broken.
X
A/N: I think I have much to say, but I would like to start with the title of this chapter. Everyone in it is trying to protect someone they love. This even includes someone you might not realize. XD Just think about it, you might understand something. If not, don't worry, it will be said in the next chapter.
Okay… I finally got to fit Sano's partial reconciliation into the story. Yay! They're just too cute.
Oh, and what's this about the curse not being broken? Huh. -evil laugh- This was my inconsistency. Have you caught on to it yet?
Also, Kaoru used magic! Ahh! And then she died… right…
Okay then. I am actually really proud of myself with this chapter. Not only is it unbelievably long, but I think I did okay with the fight scenes. I know you might not be impressed, since they are pretty elementary, but since I'm not very good at them any improvement is cause for celebration for me! lol It's going to be even cooler in the next chapter though since Kenshin gets his sword! Yay! I will work hard!
Right, so please review, I love feedback… even if you are not happy. XP In the next chapter, the final Kenshin/Enishi showdown, Kenshin discovers the five stages of grief, and Tomoe learns the truth about her own curse. Hope to still see you there… please… onegai… amabo te… por favor…