From: Chibi-Chiriko Hello, everyone! Here's Reiki 2 -- I figure sending out one chapter a day for the next seven days won't hurt, right? I think this is one of my favorite chapters, if I do say so myself. ^^;; +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* DISCLAIMERS: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, Shueisha, Fuji TV and SPE Visual Works. This is a nonprofit work of fanfiction; all original RK characters are used without permission from the owners. No copyright infringement intended. REIKI by: Chibi-Chiriko ACT TWO: Bittersweet, Familiar It seemed as though I'd been there for hours, scrubbing the undamaged walls until all the bloodstains had come off, gathering all the wood splinters together and disposing them, turning the tables upright and carefully keeping the day's earnings. Yet when I looked at my pocket watch, I was surprised to find that it had only taken twenty minutes at most. I took out a roll of bandages from the spare compartment, and neatly dressed the wounds on my head and legs. I took off my trenchcoat and gingerly washed my elbow, which had become an ugly shade of purple from the bullet wound. It stung like hellfire as icy drops of water penetrated the injury, searing my arm with such blinding heat that I almost blacked out. Nevertheless, I kept still, holding the wound patiently to the onrushing flow of the faucet water until I had cleaned it thoroughly. I turned off the tap, feeling the blood drip on to the sink. The sound of dripping drops of blood was too loud in the still night. With a sudden, vicious motion, I tore off the lower part of my sleeve, the sleeve of the gi I'd had underneath my coat. Then I knelt down, and took out a clean, kitchen knife I'd just washed. Carefully, daintily, and without hesitation, I plunged it into the flesh around my elbow wound. As the tip of the blade pierced deeply into my skin, it was as though intense lightning had struck where it had, so sharp and burning was the pain that ravaged the area, like wildfire spreading in a forest like locusts. Grinding my teeth, I gripped the handle of the knife tightly, and probed the area for the bullet, to take it out with one swift stroke. Never mind that the pain was only made sweeter and more maddening by the rivulets of blood that trickled down my arm. Never mind that I should have gone to a doctor to have it taken out instead of attempting it myself. I found the Goddamn bullet wedged deep beneath my flesh, and with a primal snarl, I wrenched it out with the razor sharp blade of the knife. All at once, the knife cluttered onto the floor, the bloody, rusty bullet dropping next to it, the sound mingling with an anguished cry. I lay against the wall, gasping for breath as I clutched the wound, which was now wider and more agonizing than any I'd ever sustained before. Dimly, I recall trying to get up, my steps unsteady, my eyes murky and almost unseeing. My head swam with nausea and dizziness, and it was all I could do to keep from fainting or vomiting. Gently, I reached for the roll of bandages, and wrapped it slowly and carefully around my elbow. For a few heartbeats I lay there, breathing heavily, my pain only overshadowed by the looming image of an angel marred by blood for my sake. I could almost feel her trembling arms around me as they had been what seemed years ago. I could hear her frail gasps for air, feel her tears warm despite the cold. I crawled to my feet, and picked up my twin kodachi, and slid them into their single sheath. I pulled on my trenchcoat and slipped out into the night, remembering to lock the door. Then I headed for the doctor's clinic. When I heard a low moan of pain from the clinic, I felt panic grip me in its icy fingers, and my pace quickened. Forgetting to knock, I burst inside, frantically searching for my Misao who was in pain. There she was on the bed, Okina holding her hand. There was a frightened look in her eyes, and her face was pale and drawn. I saw the doctor holding a scalpel and a soaked cottonball standing before her, looking at the puncture wound above her knee. My mouth opened, but no words came out, save for a shuddery breath. They heard this, and Misao turned toward me. Her eyes widened, and a tremulous smile curled up on her lips. "Aoshi-sama," she whispered. "You came!" I nodded, exhaling. I tried to keep my emotions in check as I strode toward the bed. I kept my voice steady as I spoke. "Are you all right, Misao?" Tears were welling up in her cerulean eyes as she shook her head no. Her eyes were begging me to save her from the pain, and as I watched her helpless and afraid, I felt my own eyes mist over, and my heart plummet. "Sh-she's going to t-t-take the bullet out with -- with *that.*" She trembled as she eyed the scalpel fearfully. "I'm scared, Aoshi- sama -- I know it'll hurt, and I can't take any more pain. 'Cause if I do --" Tears ran down her face. "I know I'm gonna die once it pierces me, I know it! I just know!" She began to sob. I glanced at the doctor, whose eyes were teary with compassion. I remembered the stinging pain, the intense fury of the knife's edge as I removed the bullet that had punctured my elbow. Without realizing what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around her, and stroked her hair. "I'm here," I murmured, rocking her gently. I didn't dare look at Okina, whom I was sure was shocked. "I'll protect you, Misao, I won't let you die. I promise." She didn't answer; instead, her arms held me tight, her body sagged against mine. I felt a dull ache at the pit of my stomach as I heard her quiet sobs, muffled against my chest. My throat constricted. *She's trying so hard to be brave* I thought. A memory forced itself to the front of my consciousness, a memory that seemed to have taken place long, long ago, in a different time and place. Once again, I could see the marble walls and the chandelier hanging on the ceiling. The sound of a rattling Gatling gun and the piling of bleeding corpses on the floor before me filled my senses as it had that night, taking in the whole scene. The din of slowing hearts mingling with my shattered own played hauntingly over and over again, slowly driving me insane... I buried my face in Misao's hair, so no one would see my moist eyes. Suddenly, I felt her body tighten, and her breathing grow ragged. Her arms tightened around me to the point of suffocation, but I held on, her pain becoming mine. I heard a sharp intake of breath, and a low cry, as the sound of sterilized metal cutting into tender flesh pinched the air. I stroke her back, desperate to ease her suffering. I could feel her trembling, she was trying so hard not to scream or cry in front of me. I wanted to say that it was all right, that I was no stranger to tears or panic or anguish, that she could show whatever part of herself to me and not be ashamed -- but the words didn't come out. Maybe I just didn't know what to say. Perhaps it was I who was scared. I had a good reason to be, after all. A moment later, the doctor said, "There, it's out." Misao was still shaking, and I hadn't let her go. I lifted my head to see the doctor dressing her wound in fresh bandages. I sighed, relieved to see that my angel was safe at last. I looked at her, but didn't say anything. There was a lump in my throat as I saw the pallor on her face, the desperate plea in her eyes. Obviously, she hadn't taken it well as she seemed to had. The earthquake had done its damage, and the aftershock was still working its brutal effects on her. She was young, life had never been too hard on her. And now, it was coming all at once, all too quickly. Reality... The doctor bit her lip. "She may have to walk on crutches for a while," she said softly. "The injury was deeper than I thought. I'm truly sorry." She looked genuinely concerned. I said nothing. What was there to say? Okina cleared his throat. "Thank you anyway, Doctor," he said. "We appreciate the help. We'd better go now." He glanced at me, then nodded at Misao, who was still lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Wordlessly, I lifted Misao off the bed, and settled her comfortably in my arms. Then, we walked home in silence. At the Aoiya, Omasu helped me lay Misao on her futon. Misao was barely conscious, and though her sweat was cold, her forehead was hot. She had come down with a fever. And by the looks of it, it would stay for quite some time. "She'll be all right in the morning." Omasu's voice was quivering. I knew she probably doubted that statement herself, no more than I did. I forced myself to look away. I didn't want to see Misao like that, helpless and afraid. It wasn't like her at all, and I refused to acknowledge that. The fear she showed me was a reflection of the fear inside me. I didn't want to be reminded of it. Yet it tormented me because... *Why should it torment me?* ... because I cared... Somehow, I already had an inkling of what was to become of the next few weeks. I'd foreseen a bleak future, and little did I know how bleak it would be. I strode out of the room, but not before Omasu called out to me. "Aoshi-sama, wait." I paused, but I did not look at her. "Thank you for helping Misao," she said quietly. "I can only imagine how horrible it was for her." I said nothing. I heard her sigh deeply. "Good night, Aoshi-sama." I walked on, until I found myself in total darkness. Then I walked into my room, and flopped down wearily on my bed. The motion made my injured arm throb, but the pain was distant. Misao's cries were still ringing in my air. Misao's cries mingling with my silent own. END ACT TWO 1/30/00 +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shop the web for great deals. Save on Computers, electronics, Home furnishings and more. http://click.egroups.com/1/1559/4/_/_/_/951124118/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------