Kenshin left the
dojo feeling uneasy as he looked back at Kaoru. At first, he thought it was because Kaoru was so
concerned about his return. Later, however, he realized Kaoru had fear in her expression and
knowing Kaoru, she wouldn’t fear about his return when he had said he’d come back. She had
faith in him. Something else was bothering her.. but what is it? Kenshin all of sudden felt like he
had just left a beautiful and feeble bird in the lion’s den. He felt a strong urge to turn back. He
quickly shook his head. No, he thought, Kaoru isn’t weak... She is a strong, determined... and
beautiful. Kenshin smiled to himself. He forced himself to think that everything would be all right
and changed his thoughts to Ninja Amano whom he’d have to face really soon. He walked
silently beside Chiemi and Sano deep in thought.
As the cold and silent night fell, Kaoru
sat on the porch thinking about Kenshin. Yahiko had already gone to bed with not much to do
for the rest of the day. She believed that Kenshin would return safe and sound. But that look on
Chiemi... She shook her head violently to erase the thought, only to realize that someone was
watching her. She stood up abruptly, reaching out for her wooden sword. Her keen senses
detected that it was carefully following her moves.
“Come out!” Kaoru cried. An evil
laughter filled the dojo. Yahiko rushed out of his room to take his stand beside
Kaoru.
“What was that, Kaoru!” Yahiko shouted as he carefully observed the surrounding.
“Watch out, Yahiko. Someone’s here,” warned Kaoru, gripping her sword tighter.
Suddenly, a dark figure landed lightly in the middle of the dojo. He was dressed all in black, only
revealing his dark brown eyes. He crouched on the ground laughing under his breath
continuously.
“That was pretty impressive of you to detect me... for a girl,” he
smirked.
“Get back, Kaoru!” Yahiko stood in front of her with his own sword intact.
“HA!” the man cried, “Hey, boy, get out of the way. I am not after you. You are no
match for me anyway.”
“Uruse!!” Yahiko shouted out in anger. “With Kenshin gone, I
am the one who will be protecting Kaoru!!”
‘Yahiko..’ Kaoru thought as her eyes grew
wider in surprise. She gently starred at Yahiko with appreciation, who was standing in front her,
determined to protect her. She touched his shoulder, looking fierce at the mysterious man once
more.
“Yahiko, I can take care of myself,” Yahiko tried to say something but Kaoru
stopped him by asking out loud to the stranger across the yard. “Who are you? And why are you
after me?”
“My name is Rui and I’ll tell you the details on our journey. As for now, this
is my gift to you.” Rui disappeared all of sudden to strike Kaoru on her neck behind her. Kaoru
skidded across the yard as she fell on the ground. She lay still in the dust.
“Kaoru!!!!!”
Yahiko screamed and took a good swing at Rui. But he was too quick. He was already out of
Yahiko’s reach even before he could strike him.
“I wasn’t told to treat her gently,” said
Rui with indifference. “Who do you think you are dealing with boy?” Rui laughed. “The only
person I can’t beat is Amano and I doubt even the hitokiri would be able to kill him!” Yahiko
was stunned by what Rui had just said. His hands trembled helplessly in anger.
“How...
how do you know that Kenshin went after him?” Yahiko demanded.
“It’s really none of
your business, boy. I wasn’t asked to spare your life, child. So say good-bye to the world.” Rui
disappeared once more and stood behind Yahiko with a knife ready to cut through
him.
“NO!!!!” A rock unexpectedly struck his hand, causing him to drop the knife.
Yahiko took this chance to drive his sword into his stomach. Rui, however, quickly recovered his
strength and shouted, “Il Pal Gong Sen!!” He grabbed Yahiko’s head, threw him up in the air,
and kicked him on his spine. Yahiko crashed into the wall, motionless.
‘Kao....’
Rui, spitting blood from his mouth, from Yahiko’s strike,looked at Kaoru who was
clutching his sword that he had dropped, breathing heavily.
“That was a very good
throw... for a girl,” Rui said smiling. “You made me use one of my techniques to kill him.” He
starred at Kaoru wiping blood from his mouth. “I am impressed with you, yes I am. You have
recovered from my fatal blow so quickly.” Then he looked at Yahiko. “My, my, what is wrong with you
two? He’s not dead,” Rui said slightly surprised. “Well, I’d just have to finish him now.” He
walked over to Yahiko smiling.
“Stop,” Kaoru replied with determination. Rui turned
around to find Kaoru ready shove the knife into her throat. “Looks like you must have me alive.
Leave that boy alone and I’ll follow you without any resistance, or I’ll kill myself as well.” Kaoru
pushed in the sword a bit deeper. Red blood trickled down her neck.
“Who are you
kidding?” Rui laughed with awe.
“Don’t underestimate me. I love Yahiko that I can die
for him,” Kaoru replied, her voice harsh with pain, but eyes glowing with courage and
truth.
“I don’t care if you are dead. You can just go ahead and ki...”Rui trailed off.
Chiemi’s words ring into his ears. ‘If she dies, Kenshin will never recover!! Keep her alive!!’ Rui
frowned. “Che... women..” Rui cursed under his breath. He walked toward Kaoru and grabbed
the knife from her hands. “Look at the boy, girl. He’s alive right? So don’t try anything stupid.
Oh yah, take a good look at him too. It might be your last time..” Rui flashed a devilish smile.
Rui quickly picked up Kaoru and carried her away into the darkness.
‘Kenshin....’ Kaoru
silently called for him with tears in her eyes.
Kenshin stopped. “What’s wrong, Kenshin?”
Sano asked turning around to see his friend bewildered.
“I.. I heard Kaoru’s voice.”
Kenshin replied looking around. Sano threw his hand in the air.
“Ah~~ There you go
again. You said that on our way to fight against Shishio. It probably means that she all right, Kenshin.
Quit worrying about her,” Sano grumbled.
“Hai...” Kenshin smiled slightly as they
started again. ‘But her voice.. her voice... this time it was.. so sad and frightened....’ Kenshin’s
face darkened, not being able to help himself to worry about her.
Chiemi
silently observed his reaction and secretly smiled to herself, knowing that Kaoru would be long
gone by this time.