Opium Dreams

A mysterious woman arrives in Tokyo . She has the face of an innocent, but behind her peaceful amber eyes lie dark secrets she alone knew...

The next day...

Kino had finally regained consciousness and was propped up on the mat, eating noodles and eggs for breakfast. Dr. Genzai sat beside him, readinga medicine book and keeping a watch on the invalid. From the next room, the muffled sounds of Yahiko memorizing some text on the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu could be heard. Kaoru was in the room with him, quiet save for the occasional comments she made to correct Yahiko\'s monologue.

Kino finished his food and placed the bowl back on the table next to him. As he did this, Dr. Genzai looked up, a ready smile on his wizened old face.

\"It\'s good to see you haven\'t lost your appetite,\" he said.

At his, Kino\'s face visibly reddened.

\"No, there\'s no reason to be embarassed,\" the old doctor said, guessing the reason behind the young man\'s change of pallor. \"I always say a healthy appetite makes a healthy man. And you, young man, are healthy and lucky to be so. That poison was extremely deadly.\"

Kino bowed his head respectfully. \"Arigato. I am indebted to you for life, Genzai-sensei.\"

Dr. Genzai waved his gracious words off with a smile. Then he asked, \"What happened anyway? Why were you attacked? I couldn\'t get anything out of Kenshin.\"

Kino shook his head. \"I don\'t know much myself. The men were after the girl and Sano stepped in to fight them.\"

\"Has anybody seen Sano?\" Kaoru wandered in from the next room, an annoyed expression crossing her pretty, still childish features. She didn\'t notice that she was interrupting the conversation between the two men. \"He was supposed to take over Yahiko\'s training today while I go to the market,\" she said, her hand on her hips.

\"I\'m afraid I don\'t know, Kaoru-kun,\" Dr. Genzai replied, looking at her from his squatted position on the floor.

\"He might be at the restaurant again,\" Kino offered, referring to Sano\'s favorite hunt.

Kaoru raised her fists in frustration and said, \"Ooh, that chicken head is really going to get it this time. Dumb poultry meat making stupid promises....\" She continued to grumble as she crossed the room. When she reached the doorway, she shouted, \"Kenshin!\"

Hurried footsteps could be heard and the red-haired swordsman appeared. \"Kaoru-dono, you called?\" He was a sight. Soap suds covered his hands, his clothes, even his hair. Forgotten in his hand was a piece of laundry, still wet and also covered with soap suds. He was smiling cheerily.

I\'m going to the market. Sano\'s not here so I\'m leaving you in charge of Yahiko\'s training \'til I come back,\" she said in her usual bossy manner.

Kenshin\'s smile never left his face. As soon as Kaoru left though, he turned serious. He looked at the two men in the room with him and asked, \"Sanosuke-san has not returned?\"

Sano opened his eyes and stared up wonderingly at a house spider busily spinning its web. He didn\'t know where he was. Probably some old, run-down place, he thought, eyeing his surroundings. The door suddenly opened and in walked a young woman carrying a basin and some towels. She had raven hair which she tied up in a loose bun to keep them away from her eyes as she worked. Even so, a few whisps escaped to softly frame her face. It was Megumi.

The dream of last night came crashing back to Sano, making his breath shallow and his vision shrouded. She must have noticed something for she turned then. Sunlight glinted on dark amber eyes, turning them to blazing gold.

Megumi walked towards the bed to check on her patient. She noticed that Sano was looking at her from half-closed eyes. \"You\'re awake,\" she said with no trace of emotion on her face. Only her voice told him anything at all. It sounded tired as though she\'s had many sleepless nights.

\"What day is it?\" Sano asked.

\"Tuesday.\"

Tuesday. That meant it was only yesterday that rat-face attacked me, he thought, closing his eyes. He felt her cold hand touch his forehead and he opened his eyes to study her countenance. She was busy checking the bandage over his shoulder wound and did not return his stare. This left his gaze to roam free. She was really beautiful. That was probably the reason why those men were after her. Hell, I only spent one day with her and already she\'s haunting my dreams, Sano mused.

\"What are you thinking?\" Megumi\'s voice broke the silence.

\"I was wondering where we are,\" Sano lied, \"but then I thought this place looked familiar. We\'re in a hut in the woods and somewhere nearby is the Kamiya Dojo. Am I right?\"

Megumi nodded. \"The dojo was too far for me to carry you all the way. I spotted this hut and brought you here,\" she said by way of an explanation. She then reached towards the table for a glass of water and a small packet. As she did so, the sleeves of her kimono touched Sano\'s face, allowing his mind to conjure up images from last night\'s dreams.

** TO BE CONTINUED **