Chapter 9
Kaoru peered into the Meeting Room and looked around. Now that it
was day, the room didn’t seem so magnificent as it had
before. The beautiful-golden walls of the night before were now a
dull brownish-yellow, and the candles burning so brightly on
their wicks had melted down to little puddles of wax Kaoru
frowned at the sight, wishing that it would once again return to
its magnificent, beautiful state. Sighing, she walked over to a
chair near the center of the room and sat down. Only minutes
later, a servant boy came rushing in and bowed deeply to Kaoru.
"Sumimasen, Kaoru-san, but Night is a little busy at this
time. He will be with you shortly. Is there anything the lady
needs to be more comfortable?"
Kaoru stared at the boy for a moment, wondering at his humble
manner and offerings of servitude.
"Oh…no..no thank you."
The boy straightened immediately and looked fearfully at Kaoru,
and then at the open door to the room.
"You shouldn’t say thank you to me Kaoru-san."
Kaoru nodded dumbfoundedly at the boy as he hurried out of the
room. I’ll never understand their concept of manners and
gratitude..
Now that all was quiet, Kaoru settled comfortably into her seat
and fingered the soft fabric of her kimono absently as she
recalled her strange dream….
~*************~
Kaoru inhaled the fresh scent of flowers in the beautiful field
spread out before her. Everything was green and beautiful, like
nothing bad could ever enter this world of peace and harmony.
Kaoru laughed happily and threw herself into the flowers, basking
herself in golden pollen and sunshine- soaking it all in like a
thirsty sponge….
Suddenly, a shadow appeared over her, and she looked up to see a
lone man with red hair and golden eyes. On his left cheek, there
was a cross-shaped scar, and in his hands, which he raised high
above his head, he held a deadly sword. His eyes were filled with
pure hate and anger, and he screamed as he brought the sword
crashing down, crushing the light, killing the sun, destroying
the love.
~**************~
Kaoru shuddered and returned to reality. What did it mean?
That dream? Who is that red-haired man? Kaoru frowned and
forced the dream from her mind.
"What troubles my Day so?"
Kaoru jumped and looked up abruptly at her speaker. A tall, lean
figure stood before her wirh dark, tousled hair and sharp black
eyes. A long scar ran down his face from his right eyebrow across
one eye to his right cheek, making him look fierce, in a way. The
man was in his late twenties, or perhaps early thirties and
appeared rather handsome, but there was something dark about him,
something strange…
"I…um…you are?"
"Watashi wa…Night…."
Kaoru’s eyes widened in surprise and she quickly stood up
and bowed as deeply as her kimono would allow.
"Sumimasen, Night-sama. I didn’t know…."
Kaoru started as she felt a hand on her shoulder, pushing her
gently into a standing position, and then more fingers, grasping
her chin lightly, tilting her head back ….back until she
stared straight into the deep, black eyes of Night.
"It’s all right, Kaoru-dono. You are my
guest….free to enjoy all the pleasures of my home…with
me, if you like."
Kaoru looked up, surprised, and Night smiled slightly. Releasing
her, he took a step back and gave her body an appraising look.
"Very nice.." he murmured, and Kaoru blushed furiously.
"Well, it seems as if you are the final Star…you will
start training with the others today…that is, all except
Hebi. I have sent her off on a special mission. I hope you
enjoy it here at Akuma Inn. After all, you will be staying for
quite a while."
"Hai…Night-sama"
Night smiled at Kaoru and shook his head.
"No….call me…Yoru-kun"
Kaoru stared at Night for a moment.
"Demo…"
"It’s all right… We will become very good friends,
I promise you that… you and I… it is only right that
you should call me by Yoru-kun…my true name."
Kaoru nodded confusedly at Night.
"I must leave now….I have a busy day today. I will see
you tonight, Kaoru-chan.."
"H..Hai."
"Good.. Until then."
Night disappeared as quickly and quietly as he had come, almost
as if he had vanished into thin air, leaving Kaoru staring after
him, a dazed expression on her face.
***************
Kenshin walked slowly down the path, a craving for Kaoru
awakening deep in his heart. I miss you Kaoru… I miss the
way you used to get so mad at me, Sano, and Yahiko.. I miss the
way you’re cooking tasted. I miss the way you were when you
were happy. I miss your tears when you were sad. I miss the way
you loved me…..and…..and I miss the way I love you.
A single tear fell down Kenshin’s cheek, sliding across his
scar, and falling onto his kimono. It was soon followed by
another, then another, It’s been so long since I cried
like this for someone I loved,… so long… Oh
Tomoe….you and Kaoru are so much the same…and yet so
different….Kaoru…..I love you
Suddenly, a loud crash broke the silence, and Kenshin spun around
abruptly, drawing his sword with amazing speed. A soft moan came
from the billowing smoke resulting from the crash, and Kenshin
walked toward the sound, cautiously.
"Help…me..please."
Kenshin frowned at this. How could there be any human being in
this part of the woods at this time? It was almost impossible for
that to happen, considering the signs and fences blocking off
certain parts of the forest. Still, it sounded as if the person
needed help, and Kenshin’s new rurouni heart had the
sympathy in it to aid a person in need. Cautiously, Kenshin
followed the soft moans until he reached a pile of rocks and wood
which had fallen in what appeared to be a landslide. With one leg
caught underneath a small pile of rocks, a girl called out to
Kenshin, moaning in pain. She was extremely beautiful and wore a
red, off-the-shoulder kimono. Her eyes, shiny and dark, were
pleading at Kenshin to help, so what else could he do but help
the poor girl..
After lifting the rocks off the girl and cutting at the wood with
his sword, Kenshin reached out to pull the girl up. Immediately,
she wrapped her arms around his waist and weeped into his chest.
"Oh! Arigatou…kind sir. I was so scared and now…I
can’t walk…. I got lost while I was looking for herbs
for my mother, and this is what happened to me…"
Kenshin looked helplessly at the girl.
"Oro?"
Teary eyed, the girl leaned back and looked at Kenshin
pleadingly.
"Please, can I travel with you for a while… My
leg…I don’t think I’ll be able to get home.."
Kenshin frowned for a moment. That's strange..Why does she ask
to travel with me if her leg is hurt?..She said she couldn't
walk...
"I will be doing quite a bit of walking…"
"Oh… but you must be tired..Please.. I know a little
cabin in these woods that belonged to my grandfather once…
Let me take you to it so you may rest and eat..then you can be on
your way,"
Kenshin considered this for a moment. He was hungry and
tired,…but Kaoru… Then again, this girl did need help.
Her leg was hurt and might be broken. If her grandfather had a
cabin here, then that would mean the girl was familiar with these
parts. Perhaps she might be able to tell him where Akuma Inn
was...but then again, he would have to be careful..she was a
suspicious figure. Sighing, Kensin nodded.
"All right…but what is your name?"
"My name is Kigadeki Hebi…and sir, you are?"
"Himura Kenshin.
End of Chapter 9