InuYasha Fan Fiction / Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ In the Arms of the Enemy ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Hey! Thanks for checking this out. It isn't exactly my first fanfiction, but I'm trying a different style, hence the alias so some won't be offended. Please let me know what you think! And, yes, this is a crossover/AU fic..and will involved a mixed pair. It occurs in the time between Tomoe and Kaoru. Please, do not flame if you are opposed to the pairings, and don't hate me for making Inu-chan looking like a bastard..but I had to!!..*sob*..

So, I will repeat, please do not flame me because of pairings, OOC, anything you might find worthy of a flame, for this is an AU, and such events may occur. I understand completely that you are entitled to you opinion, and I respect that. But keep them to yourself :).. ok? Ok.

Please have an open mind reading this! If you give it a chance, I'm sure you would take to it. Arigatou!

Oh, and please bare with me in the italics/bolding department. Some genius, who I will not name, screwed up my Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc. and now I must resort to WordPad. Yes, I know, sad and pathetic. But hey, better than nothing, right? So until I can sort it out, I appreciate your patience.

Thoughts are in '.

So..Now that I'm done my pre-rant..let's start the story! =D

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In the Arms of the Enemy

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Chapter 1

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A chorus of female laughter echoed through the forest, as she ran between the trees. Her suitor followed behind, not too close, although she knew he could catch her anytime he wished. She swerved around the nearest trunk, as his footsteps neared closer. Wind rushed around her face, her bangs flying in the warm evening sun.

A pair of hands wrapped around her waist, and she laughed once more, as he pulled them to the ground. They rolled, and she found herself underneath, looking up into his amber gaze. His hair slid down off his shoulders, encompassing them in a silver curtain. Her face was flushed with excitement, her heartbeat racing wildly out of control. She breathed deep, as she found her voice.

"You'll stay with me always?" she breathed, her eyes soft and full of adoration.

"Always," he whispered, his voice low and sultry, as his head leaned down and he claimed her lips.

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She hummed a wordless tune as she carried the water-filled bucket to the small hut. Three years had passed since she had wed her love, and she had never been happier. Even after such a long time with the same man, he still made her flush with excitement. The noon sun shone bright through the leaves of the old trees, standing tall and proud. She had finished up earlier than she had expected, and there was a small bounce in her step as she ventured home. He would be surprised to see her home so soon. Her heart thumped as his face came into her mind's eye, and she sighed.

The trees parted, as the small wooden hut came into view. A small fire burned inside, the grey smoke escaping through the tiny chimney at the side. Her footsteps were hushed as she entered the doorway, slipping off her sandals at the door. A few drops of water splashed over the edge of the bucket, as she carried it through the main hall. She called out his name softly, peeking through the dining area and lounge. As she neared the bedroom, hushed voices came to her ears, and she frowned, confusion on her face.

A female whisper echoed through the room, and her eyes widened, even though she couldn't make out the words. Her husbands deep voice murmured, and a hand raised to her mouth. She pressed herself against the wall, and sidled closer to the bedroom door as the whispers formed words.

"What of your wife?" The woman asked. She froze.

"She needn't know," he replied. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest, as betrayal and deceit filled her.

The sounds of heated movements came to her ears, as tears came to her eyes. The bucket slipped from her fingers, as it fell to the floor with a thud, the sound unnoticed to the two in the bedroom, in the throes of passion. The water leaked out of the bucket and crawled across the floor, as she slid down against the wall, her head tucked between her legs, the reality hitting her like a slap in the face.

'How...why...I don't...'

As the sounds became louder, she scrambled to her feet, her leg accidently knocking the bucket, as it rolled and made a sound. It rested in the doorway, but she didn't turn back as she ran to the door and slid on her sandals, escaping outside as fast as her feet could carry her. The thump of foosteps came from behind her and she squeezed her eyes shut, holding back the tears with the last of her restraint. He called her voice, but she didn't turn around, she continued to run. A hand wrapped around her arm and spun her around into a strong frame, and she fisted her hands, beating his chest.

"Release me! Do not touch me with your filthy hands!"

"Kagome, listen to me! You don't understand!" She screwed her eyes shut. Despite what he said, she did understand.

"How long!?" she screamed, the tears flowing over down her cheeks, "How long have you kept this charade?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but anger surged through her anew. "Do not give me your excuses! Let me go! Let me go!"

She wrenched her arm out of his grasp, and she turned and ran. His voice faded behind her, as she entered the forest, the exit falling behind as she ventured deeper. Her face was pale, her cheeks rose as crystalline tears ran down her face. She entered a small clearing and dropped to her knees, her hands covering her face. Her small frame shook with harsh sobs, as she cried, lonely, unaware of the events about to occur.

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The soon to be lifeless body slumped to the ground, blood spraying from the chest wound. The coppery liquid fell upon his face, and he watched with blank eyes, as the man collapsed in convulsions, a final burst of blood spewing from his mouth before he lay still upon the dirt.

Calmly wiping his sword, he sheathed it, and stepped around the body heading further into the trees. His eyes drifted downwards as he moved, swiftly yet silently, heading for the nearest sign of civilization. How many times had he ceased the living of another. Ignored the desperate pleas for mercy, and slaughtered. And while though they convinced him that it was for his country, for his people...he couldn't help but be haunted by the still faces of the victims.

He sighed, his anguish and despair radiating around him in contagious waves. Five years. Five years, and still the image of her face haunted his mind. The feel of her skin as it gradually faded from warm to cold, the blood leaking from the mortal wound on him, staining the flawless snow beneath. He sighed once more, as he continued to walk through the trees. It was said that time would heal all wounds. How much longer need he suffer until he could finally rest?

The sound of soft cries reached his ears, and he slowed. He ran to the nearby tree, his back against the trunk, as he slowly peeked around the tree into the clearing beyond. He blinked, as his gaze fell upon a young maiden, kneeling in the soft grass. She cried into her hands, and he saw the few tears that escaped through her fingers, running down her cheeks onto the edge of her chin. He exhaled, and came out of the forest, the grip on his katana relaxing.

She seemed to notice his presence, for she became quiet, her body still. Yet, she did not raise her head or move to escape. When he spoke, he spoke low and quiet, his voice without emotion.

"I'll not cause you harm."

"It matters not what you do to me," she whispered, her voice cracked. He shrugged lightly.

"You should at least move to a safer location. Imperial forces are scheduled to travel across this path, and I'm sure they won't be as respectful as I."

He watched, gauging her reaction. When she raised her head to meet his gaze, his eyes widened slightly. Her eyes locked with his own, and he forced himself to remain still. Her stormy eyes swirled with pain and betrayal, a beautiful sorrow that captured him. Her eyebrows lowered, and she frowned slightly.

"Your eyes hold incredible loss and grieve." Her melancholy voice hung in the clear forest air.

He turned away, away from her eyes, from her face, from her. "It is no business of yours."

She bowed slightly, an ironic smirk on her face. "Forgive me, it is true."

He looked back at her, and when her head rose, she gasped. Their eyes met, drawn by the intense gazes of the other, the forest fading into black around them, as only they remained in the world.

The moment was broken, as she suddenly gasped, and cried out in pain. She was pulled backwards onto her feet, and he came out of his dream world with a start. A small troop of Imperialists stood across from him, the leader holding her by the hair. Her eyes were squeezed shut, as she clawed desperately at the fisted hand in her locks.

The looks on their faces told him what they intended. It disgusted him to no end, and a rare surge of anger coursed through his veins. The feeling of wanting to protect her, to save her, filled him and it shocked him. But he didn't pay attention to the emotions of his body; he was preoccupied by the chant coursing through his head.

Kill.

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Yay! I finished the first chapter...now to see what happens o.O

Second chapter coming soon...please don't kill me!! *runs away from raving Inu/Kaggers* O_O

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Thanks!

Meii (P.s. no flames..=\)