Drop Out

Drop Out

Author’s Note: This is a Rurouni Kenshin fanfic-so the characters that are involved are not mine except for the oc: Ceru. Also, this fanfic is nonprofit.

“Who are you?” A tall man who had a strong build, long dark hair tied in a mid-height pony-tail with matching dark eyes asked the young woman who was laying in a pool of blood on the ground. The young woman had short pale brown hair and brown eyes to match. She also had tan skin. “…” The woman did not answer as her clothes were torn and full of bullet holes. “…Please.” The woman coughed heavily as she slowly sat up. Her breasts were exposed through the torn thin fabric. It was not like the woman had a large bosom so she was able to cover her breasts with one arm easily. “Hn?” The man was a bit surprised by the condition the woman was in. She was covered in scars and blood. Some of the blood seemed to be hers.

“You aren’t-” The man was about to speak until the woman without hesitation charged at him. The woman had a dagger in her hand as she lifted herself off of the ground. “…!” The man suddenly punched the woman in the stomach causing her to lose consciousness. Catching the unconscious woman by his arm, the man let out a sigh and picked the woman up off her feet. He then placed her over his shoulder. “She is going to be a handful…” The man grunted before kneeling down to grab the dagger off the ground. The dense forest was clear of wanderers and the man carried the woman away.

As the hours had passed by, the rain began to pour from the cloudy gray skies. The woman had been placed on a bed in a small room. Her body was bandaged and her torn clothes were put in a folded pile in a basket at the corner of the room. “Who is this woman Master?” The red-haired man questioned the taller man who had picked up the woman from the forest earlier. The red-haired man had a cross-looking scar on his face and violet eyes. In his hands was a bucket of warm water that he had used to clean the blood off of the woman. “I don’t know. I just found her laying in a pool of her own blood in the woods. She tried to assail me though-not a bad idea for a woman who had just been attacked. Quick little thing too…” The man explained as he crossed his arms, “The woman had a bullet wound so I was able to get that out of her before it had gotten worse. The bleeding has stopped as well.” “She does not look like she’s from around here…”

The red-headed man, who was carefully looking at the woman’s features, spoke. “No, but she knows how to protect herself from trying to charge at me like that.” The older man nodded. Knowing that his pupil was interested in trying to find out about this woman, the man laughed and gave his student a smirk. “So, you have an interest in her Kenshin?” The man questioned. Kenshin’s violet eyes widened as he began to shiver. Right when the man was about to reach for the blanket that was covering the woman’s body Kenshin had dropped the bucket of water onto the floor. Hearing the splash, the woman immediately sat up and shouted out of fear.

Her eyes were wide and her breathing was rapid. Turning to the two men with sweat on her face made the woman scream. “Are you alright Miss?” Kenshin politely asked the woman. The woman had a scared look on her face and she stumbled away from the two men. The older man grabbed the blanket and yawned. Before he had scratched his ear due to the reaction of the woman’s loudness the man kept a grip on the blanket. “Ah…!” The woman tried to snatch the blanket out of the man’s hand but the attempts were useless. Suddenly, the man released the blanket from his grip and the woman fell over with her body completely exposed. “Now we know she is still a virgin.” He commented. Kenshin shook his head and sighed in embarrassment.

His teacher was a egotistical sarcastic man who knew a lot about women. Hell, he has slept with his fair share of women. “Come on now. We aren’t going to harm you Miss. Besides, my name is Humeral Kenshin. That man who is teasing you is Seijuro Hiko III.” Kenshin introduced himself and Hiko. Hiko still had that smirk plastered on his face. “…You.” The woman had pulled the blanket down to cover her lower body and looked around to find her dagger nowhere in sight. “You aren’t going to fight me woman. You’re unarmed and I had knocked you pretty square in the stomach earlier today.” Hiko said seriously.

“Ah…!” The woman frowned as she had her knees close to her chest. “Although, ignoring the crappy introduction-do you have a name?” Hiko asked. The room fell silent as the three did not say a word. “Don’t you have a name? You aren’t a prostitute.” Hiko sighed. “Maybe she doesn’t remember…” Kenshin said showing concern for the woman. “I…two names…last name is Yanarabi.” The woman tried to think. “You have a last name but not a first name? What kind of stupid answer is that?” Hiko was not amused. “We could give her a first name.” Kenshin suggested. “You got any ideas?” Hiko was now irritated. “Rabi.” Kenshin pointed out. “Why the hell would we name her after her last name idiot? Give it another go.” Hiko scolded.

“No nicknames…no Rabi.” The woman spoke. “Well, how about Ceru?” Kenshin suggested. “Not much of an improvement, but fine.” Hiko gave up. “My name is...Ceru.” The woman took the name in acceptance. “Childish name for a wandering woman. But I will allow it.” Hiko turned to the woman sternly. The woman just stared at the man. “Now Master, Ceru is only clueless.” Kenshin with a chuckle spoke. Ceru’s eyes narrowed and allowed her hand to get a grip of the man’s ponytail. “Ow…!” Kenshin almost shouted as Ceru continued to tug at his hair. “Clueless…no, I’m not clueless. I just can not remember.” Ceru explained herself. “Oh? Our guest can think on her own now. Well, since you have no where else to go you have chores to do.” Hiko spoke before he stood up.

“You mean like cooking and cleaning…?” Ceru tried to get what Hiko was talking about. “Yes. Unless, you think you are able to handle bedding.” Hiko commented with a smirk. Ceru had a strange look on her face while Hiko cocked his head to the side. “No.” Kenshin shook his head. “Don’t be so naïve Kenshin. Ceru seems to be a young one who needs to be taken care of. Maybe having her dance in my bed will make the woman understand things easier.” Hiko now was grinning. Ceru glared at Hiko and wanted to throw a knife in his throat. She did not know if she could trust him or not. “I’m going to head to my room. G’night.” Hiko chuckled and waved good-bye.

“What the hell…was that?” Ceru breathed nervously as she turned to Kenshin. “Somehow, I think you should be careful of the Master.” Kenshin said as he listened to the steps go away. “Anyway, where did you come from? You are not from Kyoto.” He mentioned. “…I can not remember.” Ceru spoke calmly. “He brought me here…I tried to hurt him and he brought me here.” Ceru explained/ “If I can not remember how I came to Kyoto.” She added. Observing the woman carefully, Kenshin had noticed that the woman had a small build and she had short hair. She also had scratches on her body too. ‘She might be younger than I…’ Kenshin thought. He knew his teacher was not the type of to pick up a random woman off of the street. Hiko was usually found drinking sake and being sarcastic. “Somehow, you have gotten yourself involved in danger. Master had shown me the wounds that were caused by a bullet.” Kenshin spoke softly. Ceru flinched when she heard the word ‘bullet’.

Her eyes dilated as she felt like she was about to fall. “Please don’t…” She murmured. “Ceru…” Kenshin frowned as Ceru placed her hands on her shoulders. The wound was deep and the mark surrounding that wound has caused discoloration. “I saw…shoot her.” Ceru muttered. “You saw someone get shot?” Kenshin repeated. “I was given a note…she was shot in front of me.” Ceru tried to think. “Do you know who did this deed?” Kenshin asked. He did not have to know, but he wanted to. This woman was left to die and she looked frail. Of course, Ceru had no home to return to and her memory was shot. “No clue.” Ceru answered. The two were silent for a moment until Hiko broke it by showing his head through the doorway.

“Are you two going to screw around or start cleaning?” Hiko became impatient. Kenshin froze in shock as Hiko now had a grin plastered on his face. Cure looked clueless and had a blank expression on her face. “Like I said before, I could have Ceru dancing in my bed.” Hiko smirked as he walked in. He was holding a bottle of sake. “No.” Kenshin said awkwardly. Ceru shook her head in shame. “I-I’ll get you something to wear Miss Ceru.” Kenshin immediately left the room. Hiko looked at Ceru and showed her the bottle. “You drink?” He asked. “…Drink? What…?” Ceru was confused.

A few minutes have passed and Kenshin, holding a yukata in his arms, noticed his teacher drinking. Ceru looked nervous. She had never tasted alcohol before and she did not think that having anything to drink would make her feel better in the situation. Too tired to do anything Ceru’s eyes went from normal wide awake to drowsy. She soon fell asleep. “So, you think I should keep her?” Hiko said before taking a sip from his bottle. “…You are horrible.” Kenshin commented.