Chapter 12
Yahiko followed a little ways behind Sanosuke, not
wanting to get too close to the slightly-angry, slightly-brooding
man. The death of Megumi had been an unexpected and horrifying
experience for Sano, and Yahiko knew that in times like these,
people needed to have some time to themselves. Sano really had
cared for Megumi..and the worst thing about it all was that he
hadn't been able to tell her that..he hadn't been able to say
that he loved her- that he cared. That was what was tearing him
apart- not so much her death than the fact that he couldn't
express his love to her before she died. Death was inevitable.
Sanosuke knew that. Death was destiny. Sanosuke clenched his
fists. Whatever had done this to Megumi- whatever she had told
them to watch out for...he'd destroy it with his bare hands. If
it meant avenging the death of his vixen, he'd do it immediately.
Sanosuke felt determination rise up in him like a tidal wave.
Yes, he would kill the bastard that hurt Megumi...even if it
meant his life.....
A cracking sound stopped Sanosuke in his tracks, and Yahiko slowed to a stop close behind. Both whirled to face the trees from which the sound had come. A snarling howl broke through the deadly silence of the forest, and Yahiko immediately whipped out his shinai, suddenly wishing that it wasn't merely a shinai, but a katana instead. Sanosuke balled his fists together and set his jaw, preparing for the..thing..that was hidden among the trees.
Yahiko gripped his shinai more and more tightly as he watched the trees before them crash to the ground, one by one. The snarls and howls were getting louder now...the sounds were strange, different. They sounded almost human, but with an animal twist. Yahiko shuddered and stared as the creature emerged.
"What the fu....."
Sanosuke's eyes narrowed at the sight of the monster. It was large and bulky, with an almost-manlike appearance, except that it was hunched over, and it's body was covered with scales. A long, hairy tail extended from it's back, and it's hands were characterized by 5 sharp, dagger-like claws. Yahiko turned to look at Sanosuke uncertainly, "Sano...."
Sanosuke frowned, then started in surprise as he saw a piece of brown cloth hanging from one of the creature's claws. The image of Megumi right before her death flashed before his eyes. A brown kimono....torn to shreds in the back..covered with blood... Sanosuke's eyes widened. This creature...this creature is the one that killed Megumi!! Black hatred rose up in Sanosuke then, clouding his mind. Only one thought raced through his head- It must die.....for vengeance..for love... Sanosuke screamed in fury and raced forward, his fist cocked and ready to deliver the Futaenokiwami. The monster howled and laughed wickedly at the angry Sanosuke. As soon as Sanosuke's fist came in contact with the monster's claws, Sano knew he had made a mistake. He had underestimated his opponent. The claws closed over Sano's fist and he howled in pain as their points dug mercilessly into his flesh, absorbing the full impact of his technique. How can this be?!?!?!
***************
Kaoru looked up at Ralon, silently standing next to her, and wondered about the woman. Why did she help me? I wonder who I remind her of....to make her want to be my friend....What kind of woman is she? She seemed so expressionless before..as if nothing mattered to her...but now... Ralon raised an eyebrow and looked down at Kaoru. "There's something you want to ask me?"
Kaoru thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No....nothing...well..I was just wondering about the way you fought today..like the wind."
Ralon smiled slightly. "Yes...it's a technique my father taught me when I was little. After he died, I refined it to suit me. It's adjusted to suit my fighting abilities. The whole trick of it is to move smoothly, like liquid, or as you put it, like the wind. Everyone, with practice, can achieve some form of this technique."
"Even me? I could learn to fight like that?"
Ralon nodded. "Not exactly like that, but some form of it, depending on your character...the technique bases itself on the character of the one who uses it. If you are evil, the technique will adjust to suit your darkness...If you are good..the technique aids you in your light...the light of a rising sun..extreme beauty- poetry in motion."
Kaoru nodded. "The technique could be...dangerous then..if it was learned by an evil person."
"Yes.. that is why it is only taught to one person per generation. if the user of the technique knows that his or her death is coming...he or she will usually choose a worthy student and pass on the technique."
"How do they know when they are going to die?"
Ralon smiled. "We know....it's..a gift of sorts..." Then she was silent, and said no more. Kaoru took this as a sign that Ralon didn't wish to continue on the subject. She sighed softly, and breathed in the afternoon air, full of the smell of trees and..something else.. a coppery sort of smell, but it was mixed so much with the strong scent of pines and other conifers that it was unrecognizable.
"Ralon..." The older woman turned to look at Kaoru.
"Yes?"
"...you don't think Tora..will.....me...."
Ralon shook her head. "Tora isn't like that,... Kaoru.... not usually. So much has happened to him in the recent past..and..with this new mission of Night's... he's just a little...unstable lately. Don't base your impression of him on these few days, Kaoru."
Kaoru nodded uncertainly, and a sense of Tora's handsome face coming down onto her own flashed through her mind. She shuddered involuntarily. The sense of guilt and pain returned instantly, but left just as quickly. Why would Tora do that..if he wasn't usually that type of person...that type of...monster. The feeling of Tora's hands running down her back flashed back to her and she wrapped her arms around herself protectively. Could it have something to do with the past....?
"The person....that I remind you both of...must have had a great impression on him..."
Ralon said nothing, and Kaoru didn't push any further. If Ralon didn't want to speak of the past, it was her choice. She had already told Kaoru more than she needed to know.
Kaoru walked out further away from the inn and stood watching the woods, as if she were waiting for something. A picture of the red-haired man from her dream came flooding into her mind, and she watched once again as he came closer, only he was beckoning to her this time, a look of pain and anguish in his eyes. He was calling out...Kaoru.... She suddenly felt a deep loneliness pass over her, and she took a step forward, reaching out, trying to touch him. It's you..Ken.. Suddenly, the man's face changed and his eyes glowed a gleaming gold. A sword appeared in his hands and he charged at her, slicing down with his sword...
Kaoru gasped and tore all thoughts of the man from her mind, her body shaking violently. Instantly, Ralon was at her side, comforting hands on her shoulders.
"Kaoru...it's all right."
Kaoru shook her head and cried, turning around to hug the other woman tightly. Ralon blinked in surprise, then wrapped her arms around her new friend, whispering softly.
"Kaoru...it's all right...you're okay now..you're......safe."
End of Chapter 12