Chapter 21: Unexpected Assistance
A tree, swaying with the wind and the force of the little girl swinging from its branches. She laughed and jumped down, then ran through the vast garden as she chased her imagination.
She stopped in front of a woman with a stern gaze, and the little girl hung her head as if she had done something wrong.
"Why couldn't you have been…?"
The question was left unanswered as she yelled at her mother, her voice screeching over the final words.
He blinked, and the little girl was sitting in the corner, hunched up and staring. He followed her gaze to see the mauled body of a man, dark red blood seeping out of it.
She yelled once again, screaming with her mouth so wide he could count the teeth within, including the small child-like fangs.
He turned to look back at the dead body, only to see his own figure sprawled over the ground, more blood seeping through the white coat as his blank eyes stared…
She was sobbing, still in the corner, but much older.
"Just leave me…please. Let me go, I can't take it anymore, Sanosuke…"
"How is he?" Kenshin asked as Kaoru walked somberly down the walkway, sitting down next to him.
She shrugged, "He's asleep. I left the tray inside; hopefully he'll eat it when he wakes up." Kaoru didn't bother hiding her worried expression. "He hasn't left the room at all, and he hardly eats, even though I've told him repeatedly I haven't cooked at all! If anything happens to Kyouri…I don't know what'll happen to him…"
Kenshin smiled reassuringly, although there was doubt within him as well, "It's all right, Kaoru-dono, Sano and Kyouri are both strong people. Whatever happens, they will be fine." She smiled back at him, but her eyes didn't lose their anxious expression.
-
Sanosuke woke with a start, beads of sweat running down his cheek. He let out a shaky breath, then leaned back against the wall.
He furrowed his brow, gazing at Kyouri's sleeping form.
What was that dream about? He remembered Kyouri, and he remembered so much blood…
Was he dreaming her past? Was he dreaming her nightmares? Why…?
She was silent as always, her chest rising ever so faintly as she slept on, unaware of his constant vigil. He had been with her for two days now, this being the third, and she had yet to show any sign of life besides the constant beating of her heart and intake of breath.
He couldn't help shivering, looking down at her
Kyouri wasn't supposed to be this pale. This quiet. This…lifeless.
He had sat in the same room only a few days earlier, expecting her to pass on only to have her wake once again. Her demon blood had healed her wounds then, but now…
Megumi couldn't find any physical wounds to heal. She should at least have opened her eyes by now…
"Just leave me…please. Let me go, I can't take it anymore, Sanosuke…"
He could hear the words she had cried in his dream, and he couldn't help feeling she'd be saying the same thing if she was awake…
"Kyouri," he muttered, "Don't give up so easily. As long as you can keep going, I can keep going." He closed his eyes and sighed. "What can I do to show you that…?"
-
They'll be fine.
"Hah!"
Megumi said she was perfectly healthy.
"Hah!"
Kenshin sleeps for long periods of time after a fight, too…
"Hah!"
They'll be fine…
"HAH!" As much as Kaoru tried to reassure herself, she couldn't help feel a nagging sense of despair, as if Kyouri had already passed on.
She exhaled breath steadily, and then lowered her shinai as she studied her student's progress.
"Put more leverage on the hilt, Yahiko," she said, "And make sure you keep the swing steady all the way through." Yahiko acknowledged her comment with a tip of his head, then swung once more, this time much better than before.
She sighed, sitting down against the wall.
"Hey, ugly, don't tell me you're done already!" Yahiko retorted as he held his shinai in position.
"I'm just taking a break, idiot," she snapped back. The truth was, she found it hard to concentrate; her mind kept going back to Kyouri's sleeping form and Sanosuke's vigil.
She closed her eyes. She didn't like going into that room. Every time she did, it felt as if it had gotten just a little bit colder…
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin had appeared by the door, a strangely serious expression on his face. "This one senses trouble."
Kaoru got up hastily, "What is it, Kenshin?"
He frowned, "A demon is coming."
-
Time seemed to crawl by his slumped form, minutes stretching into hours and slowly into days. But then, upon reflection, he still felt as if he was watching Kyouri get beaten by her uncle…
The dreams he kept having didn't help. He would see Kyouri's past; her childhood, her nightmares, and her hopes. Surprisingly, he was in a lot of those dreams…
He felt his heart skip a beat.
He remembered the night he had spent with Kyouri, when Kaoru and Megumi had dressed her up in a dark blue kimono. She had seemed so happy, and he had felt almost sick with bliss, but that was the night she had left him…
He frowned as he closed his eyes. If she could just let him see her place of darkness, maybe he could help her find her way out…
Damn, now he knew how Kaoru felt half the time.
The shoji slid open, and he lazily opened his eyes.
It was only after he let his gaze travel up the red hakama, absorb the layers of open kimono, and into the young woman's face, that he realized what he was looking at.
The same dark red eyes he had been dreaming about were suddenly boring down on him.
"SHIT!" he yelled in surprise. He stared at the demoness at the door, but was unable to do much else…
She quirked an elegant eyebrow, "My, human," she said languidly, "How articulate you are."
He glared at her and replied, "Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"
She smirked, "I'm here to see Kyouri-san, of course."
He stood up defensively, "Back off; I don't give a fuck if you're the strongest demon in Japan, I'll beat your ass before I let you touch her."
She tilted her head slightly, then her smile broadened, "You have no need to worry about that. The strongest demon in Japan is dying in front of you."
Sanosuke's eyes widened as he looked down on Kyouri, "She's dying?"
"Of course," the demoness shrugged as she went down on her knees besides Kyouri, settling herself on the ground delicately. "But we can fix that."
"Eh?" Sano's eyebrows disappeared under his headband, "You're gonna help her?"
She scoffed at his amazement, "Please, human, you don't give my family enough credit." She placed a taloned hand on Kyouri's forehead. "She helped my sisters and me, so I will return the favor." Sano studied her warily for a second longer, but finally sat across from her on Kyouri's other side.
"So, what's wrong with her?" Sano asked testily.
The woman had closed her eyes, and now snorted gracefully, "Strangely enough, her soul is still tied to her body." She opened her eyes, and Sano couldn't help feel uneasy as they stared at him. "She gave you her life energy, which was a risky move in itself. You could have been ripped apart by the demonic aspect of it. Still," she smiled pleasantly, "you seem to have taken well to it. In fact, I believe her soul is in limbo between your body and hers."
Sano's eyes widened, "Is that why I've been having weird dreams?"
She grinned, "Dreams about my father, no doubt. Yes, she's tied to you at the moment."
Sano grimaced, imagining a hazy Kyouri in a white death kimono floating above them, an eerie expression on her face.
The demoness seemed to be ignoring him, "I believe her body is in fine condition, she healed it during the fight; it's her spiritual and life energy that's depleted, but for a demoness of my prowess, it's really no problem. Though," she addedlooking up at Sano, "you're going to have to give her some of your spiritual energy, or else my pure demon energy could kill her."
Sano nodded, "All right."
"Rest your hands on her chest," she said, motioning to Kyouri. Sano did that, ignoring the surreal absurdity of the situation in general.
He still didn't believe in demons, or, at least, it hadn't sunk in yet, even after…
She placed her own hands over his, and closed her eyes. "Now, simply let your energy flow into her and we will revive her."
Now Sanosuke really did feel stupid. He found it hard to believe he could do any of that (Kenshin was the one that was good with ki), but he still had to try.
An image of Kyouri laughing with him flashed through his mind, her green eyes glinting happily…
His hands began to feel warm, and he was surprised when the woman said, "Very good, human, very good…"
Why am I here? Why am I here? Why am I here…?
The same question plagued her as she drifted, her body numb as her mind wandered. She had spent what seemed like eternity falling through her memories, and she was tired, so tired, of hurting…
Someone please let me leave…I just want to go, let me go, Sano…
"Kyouri…"
Her name echoed around her, a hint of a whisper as she wondered who had come for her.
"Kyouri, I'm here…"
Sano? No, it couldn't be him. It had to be someone else, but who…?
"Kyouri."
A figure appeared before her, slowly coming into focus as she felt a jolt of shock.
She was staring into bright green eyes, jarringly alike to hers.
Father?
He smiled at her, "Hello, my little Kyouri."
Father! She felt a rush of joy as she took in his mystic appearance. He looked just as she remembered: tall, lean, his hair in a long brown braid, and with the same kind expression in his cat-like eyes…
You're here for me, right? Can I leave now?
He smiled warmly once more, "Kyouri, I'm not here to take you."
She felt her happiness wane, But…I really want to leave…I just need to get out…
"Kyouri," he sighed, "If you really wanted to leave, you could've any time. You know that."
She was silent as she felt the happiness within her clench tightly into a ball, turning into discomfort.
"You've been holding onto him, just as he has been holding on to you."
He's the one that didn't let go! she cried. I tried to tell him to just let me go!
He looked at her sadly, "Why do you want to die so badly?"
Because…because it'd be better if I did. I could not face him again, or my other friends, not after they saw me…
Shame grew within her.
I'm no different than him, father, I don't deserve what I have. I should just die. I—I'm content knowing everyone's alive and well, that's all I need to pass from this world in peace…
"If you do, I doubt that man will ever be able to live happily."
She felt weariness consume her. But I'm so tired, father…
"Life is tiring," he smiled comfortingly, "But when you have someone you care about, it's always worth the effort."
She bristled. She never cared about you, or me. Don't say that, that woman hardly deserves your attention.
He looked down at her sadly, "Kyouri, it's not as you think it is."
No! It is! Do you know what she did to me, to your daughter? her voice seemed to get louder as the anger grew. She left me with that monster! She left me so she could live! That's the kind of person she was!
"Kyouri, you don't understand, but…" he trailed off, then closed his eyes, "You will have to give her a chance. For me, all right?"
She seemed to draw back from him, Father, there won't be a chance. I told you, I'm leaving them all.
He shook his head slowly, "You let yourself believe you were no different than my brother. Kyouri, you could have never drawn a more mistaken conclusion." He smiled at her. "His power comes from manipulation and hatred; he stole it from his victims just as he stole you from me. But you—" His smile broadened. "Your power was given to you, a gift from a man that cares for you very much. You should be happy you were able to use it."
But…but father, she cried, I nearly killed him, I nearly killed Sano…
"It was a price he was aware of, and he readily paid. Let him in, Kyouri, he won't leave you."
Father…
"He's coming for you. Please, help each other."
She felt a shock of sadness as she saw he was fading, Father, please don't leave…
He smiled down at her, "When have I ever left you? I love you, little one…"
Daddy…
"Don't go…" she gasped as a tear rolled down her face.
"Hey!" Sano exclaimed as he glared up at the demon. "Are you hurting her!"
"Hardly," the woman frowned, taking hers and Sano's hands off Kyouri, "She must still be reminiscing. Perhaps about her mother…?"
"Kyouri," Sanosuke called, "Oi, Kyouri? Are you awake?"
"Sano—" she whispered. Finally, after what felt like another three days of waiting, she opened her eyes, and he could see his reflection in the bright green irises as she stared back questioningly.
"Sanosuke…?" she mumbled, blinking and sitting up, "What…?"
"You're back," Sanosuke sighed as he looked at her with a mixture of relief and elation. "You're really okay, Kyouri." He laughed softly to himself as he sat back, staring at her in wonder. "Man, you really scared the crap out of me."
"Sano?" she asked, a worried smile on her face. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, yeah, fine," he grinned, waving her off with his hand, "I'm just a little tired." Indeed, he was breathing rather heavily, as if he had just run a long distance, and he was leaning back on the wall rather warily, happily gazing at her as he rested.
"I'm glad to see you're doing well, Kyouri-sama," a voice to her right stated. Kyouri's skin prickled and she turned to see no other than Ichijou smirking at her.
"You," Kyouri frowned, "What are you doing here?"
"Must you speak that way to me, Kyouri-sama?" Ichijou grinned. "Surely not after I helped you come back to your body."
"Sanosuke helped me," Kyouri growled, "You people never help; you only work for your own advantage." Ichijou was silent, gazing at Kyouri stonily.
"How can you say that," she said softly, "after Say gave her life selflessly?"
Kyouri flared, "Don't talk to me about Say."
"Then don't tell me I don't have a soul," Ichijou narrowed her eyes at her cousin, "You forget, dearest Kyouri, that it's not that demons have no emotions, but that they can simply control them more efficiently."
Kyouri frowned, "Just what do you want?"
"We need to talk, Kyouri-sama."
"Fine," Kyouri sighed, "But not here. Sano—" She cut off when she realized he was sleeping, his jaw slack as his head leaned against the wall. "Sano…?"
Ichijou snorted, "The human completely wore himself out trying to revive you. Don't expect him to wake up for a few days."
Kyouri shot Ichijou a dirty look, but then got up and draped her blanket over Sanosuke.
"Let's talk outside."
"Lead the way," she replied coyly.
-
"KYOURI!" Kaoru exclaimed as soon as Kyouri walked through the door. "You're all right!" Kaoru ran to her and hugged her, still rambling incoherently but clearly thrilled nonetheless.
"Kyouri-dono," Kenshin smiled, tilting his head down, "This one is glad to see you are well. We were rather worried when your cousin came. This one is glad she kept to her word." He cast a steely gaze at Ichijou, but she just smirked and shrugged it off.
"Ha!" Yahiko grinned cockily, "I knew you'd be okay! You should've seen how worried everyone was about you!"
"You weren't worried?" Kyouri asked, smiling as she quirked an eyebrow.
He shrugged, "Maybe a little, but no way you'd just up and die like that."
She grinned happily at him, then turned to face everyone else.
"Thank you, guys," she said, her green eyes glittering with happiness. "But now—I believe I have to talk to my cousin…"
Kaoru cast Kyouri a worried expression, but Kenshin merely nodded and began leading the way out of the yard, Kaoru and Yahiko in tow.
Ichijou smiled nonchalantly to herself, then settled herself down gently, crossing her legs, "This is a very quaint little dojo, isn't it? It's rather peaceful, not like the mansion."
"Ichijou," Kyouri said warily, leaning her shoulder against a post, "Tell me what you're doing here."
Ichijou glanced up at her without moving her head, "I believe I already told you, Kyouri-sama, I am here to help."
"And why are you calling me that, anyway?" Kyouri snapped.
"Simple," Ichijou replied pleasantly. "You defeated my father and are now the Lady of the mansion and the family. I am under your service, Kyouri-sama."
Kyouri stared at her in disbelief, "Are you screwing with me?"
"Please, Kyouri-sama," Ichijou frowned, "Demon Ladies hardly use such crude language." Kyouri sighed heavily, slumping down onto the ground as she tilted her head back against the post.
"I think I'm gonna go crazy…" she muttered to herself.
"I have a special tea for that, I believe," Ichijou smirked.
Kyouri cast her a wary look, "Ichijou, why didn't you kill me? You could've taken power so easily. It belongs to you, anyway."
Ichijou shook her head, "No, Kyouri-sama, I already said it belongs to you. Besides, I doubt I could kill you even if I wanted to."
Kyouri tucked in her chin as she looked steadily at her cousin, interest peaked, "What do you mean by that?"
Ichijou sighed heavily, "You really do resemble your parents too much for me to handle, Kyouri-sama."
Kyouri arched her eyebrows in surprise, "You knew my parents?"
"Naturally," Ichijou shrugged, "I even met you mother on several occasions before…"
"Before she found out my father was a demon and turned tail and ran," Kyouri finished bitterly.
"That's hardly what happened," Ichijou stated blandly. "You don't give your mother enough credit, Kyouri-sama."
"Oh, don't start," Kyouri snorted, "Not you, too."
Ichijou gave Kyouri a bemused look, but didn't question the strange comment. She turned to gaze out at the simple yard once again, then said vaguely, "Haven't you ever wondered where that necklace came from?"
Kyouri looked up at her, knitting her eyebrows together, "My father gave it to me, of course."
Ichijou scoffed, "Well, it's not like he wished it into existence, did he?"
Kyouri sat up more straightly, "You know where it came from?"
Ichijou turned to gaze at Kyouri with a cryptic expression, "Of course. I made it."
A still silence hung over the women as Kyouri stared at Ichijou with wide eyes of disbelief.
"Wha…?" was all the half-breed was able to mutter.
Ichijou gazed ahead with a tender expression foreign on the woman's usually cold demeanor, "You have to understand, that with a parent like mine, my uncle was more of a father to me than anything."
Ichijou sighed heavily, tilting her head upwards, "I was the only one that knew of his love for a human. He was really genuinely smitten by her, even though he was already promised to a clan, once they bore a suitable mate."
"My mother…?" Kyouri mumbled.
"Who else could it be?" Ichijou nodded. "He came to me rather distraught, telling me of his predicament. He had spoken with her several times, but he was worried about getting any closer lest she should begin to…notice things.
"Unlike the Fox clan, we Cat-demons really don't have any powers to disguise ourselves more than the usual demon." She glanced at Kyouri. "So, he came to me looking for an answer."
"Why you?" Kyouri frowned. "I mean, what could you do anyways?"
Ichijou grinned widely, baring her fangs, as she chuckled, "I am the first born daughter; I have no duties to anyone as it is. What else could I do but study?" She narrowed her eyes cattishly. "Don't make light of me, Kyouri, I may not have your physical strength or my Father's malicious mind, but I am well versed in most languages and am familiar with most secret traditions."
"Do you have any idea how far-fetched that sounds?" Kyouri said skeptically.
"Perhaps," Ichijou replied with a miffed expression, "But your necklace is proof enough. It absorbs demonic energy so well that the wearer is reduced to an almost mortal state. Only alchemy can do something like that."
Kyouri stared at Ichijou with newfound respect.
"That's better," Ichijou grinned haughtily, causing Kyouri to scowl at her, "Anyways, with that my uncle was able to court the human woman. I thought that after a while he would tire of her, but, to my surprise, he married her. Right under the family's nose, I may add, and still no one noticed. With my help, even his child was able to escape detection." Then she added, "For a while, anyway."
Ichijou let out a long sigh, then tilted her head down thoughtfully. After waiting a few seconds for her to continue, Kyouri said impatiently, "Then what? Come on."
"What do you mean 'then what'?" Ichijou snorted, "I thought that explained things rather well."
"Ehh…" Kyouri replied, looking away.
Ichijou gave her a peevish look and said, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be alive. I can't help but feel a sense of responsibility for you. Besides," she looked away cockily, though her voice seemed more serene than egoistical, "I really cared for my uncle. He would've wanted me to take care of you."
There was a moment of silence as they both mulled over what had been said in their minds.
Kyouri frowned as she looked up in exaggerated despair, "You people drive me crazy. The second I think one thing, you turn it around and…"
Ichijou smirked with her usual brazen attitude, "You have no idea. Your hair would curl if I told you everything I know. Like, Rei, for instance, she…"
"Don't!" Kyouri butt in. "I really don't wanna hear it!"
"Suit yourself," Ichijou shrugged smugly, as if it was Kyouri's fault for missing out on a really juicy fact.
Kyouri stared at her cousin, surprised as she realized she did, in fact, enjoy her company. Still…
"Why didn't you help me earlier?" she asked softly, remembering how she had been assaulted in her presence to have her mind filled with false memories.
Ichijou looked ahead stoically, avoiding Kyouri's eyes. Finally, after painful minutes of quiet, she replied in a small voice, "I already told you, Kyouri, I'm a scholar, not a fighter. Besides—he was my father, there was nothing I could do…"
Kyouri clenched her fists in repressed anger.
"I don't ask you to forgive me," Ichijou continued, "I simply ask that you understand." She stood up, her self-assured mask back on tightly. "All right, I've wasted enough time here, dear cousin. I should get going."
Kyouri stood up and shook her head in confusion, but she couldn't help a small smile from forming, "All right, Ichijou, I'll show you the way out."
"Thank you," Ichijou nodded politely. They walked in silence to the gate of the dojo.
"By the way," Kyouri said, her hand resting on the door, "forget the 'Kyouri-sama' stuff. I really don't want to head the family; I'll leave that up to you. Let's just—forget about what happened."
Ichijou smirked knowingly, "I doubt any of us will forget any time soon, Kyouri, but I understand. I won't bother you with issues of the family. Still," she allowed her red eyes to soften, "you are welcome back at any time, and don't hesitate to ask for assistance, if you should ever need it, though I pray you never will. We are all in your debt."
Kyouri smiled more broadly now, but it fell as a dark thought crossed her mind, "Ichijou?"
Her demonic cousin gave her a questioning expression.
"I—I mean, well, about Say…" A painful expression shrouded Kyouri's face. "I'm sorry."
Ichijou looked on stoically, though her red eyes revealed more, "As am I, Kyouri. My sister was one to be admired, and she always will be as long as those she affected are around."
"Thank you," Kyouri tilted her head down, "for everything."
"Likewise," Ichijou smirked. "Take care of that hard-headed human; I have to say I took a liking to the fool." Kyouri smiled despite herself. "Goodbye, and feel free to call on me."
"All right," Kyouri replied, opening the door. "Have a safe trip."
Ichijou gave one last meaningful glance at her cousin as she stepped into the waiting carriage, which had probably been drawing strange looks from passersby for a while now. The coachman closed the door swiftly, then he jumped onto his perch and urged the horses on without a second glance.
Kyouri shut the dojo gate as she walked back inside, only to find the other residents waiting impatiently for her.
"Well?" Kaoru asked as she looked Kyouri over fretfully, "How do you feel?"
Kyouri smiled, feeling lighter than she ever had in so many years, "Unbelievably well." Then, after a pause, "Can I take a bath…?"
Note: Well, now, wanna hear something funny? This chapter has been ready for about two weeks now, but I haven't put it up because I'm a crazy bitch! Ha! Ha ha ha…
Ha…….
Okay, so it's not funny, and I am sorry. I have started on the next chapter, because I got all inspired when I drew a picture of Kyouri and Sano. It's so cute! XP
I've got the url posted on my profile page. Check it out!
DO IT! (grrr)
I get tired of being bouncy…
All right then, a few more chapters to wrap this up and this fic will be done! OMG THAT'S SOOO CRAZY! It feels like it was a lifetime ago I started this fic…(-reminisces-)
If all goes well, I'll do a sequel, but I can tell ya that things aren't looking too bright for that. Maybe a fic where both my RuroKen OC's come together and chill for a while with their respective partners and the Kenshin-gumi. That'd be fun…
PLEASE don't forget to review! My writer's ego needs a major boost at the moment. It doesn't even have to be a positive review, just show me that SOMEONE READ THIS!
I heart all of you, btw. Cheers!