The God of War's Love

Chapter Four

(Akane above)

My head throbbing, I was silently reprimanding myself for being so weak. I've collapsed, what feels like, ten times in the past week. I open my eyes to an elaborately designed room, with bandages and stitches applied on my previously inflicted wounds. I look over to see a worried Malcom peering at me, and Blanco in his lap.

"What's up, dude?" I muttered in hope of reminding myself of home.

"Har-har. I think I have some explaining to do, don't I?" He asked, peering into my face as he replaced a cool cloth on my forehead. Huh. I must be fevered.

"You sure as hell have some explaining to do." I said calmly.

"Ok. Ok. I'm sorry. I never knew anyone would go into the alley, let alone a small kitten with a big goof barreling in behind her." He said while I made an offended face. "Sorry. I'm sorry. Kenshin took me in when I showed up a year ago. He's been training me to fight, but I still can't. My main purpose is to hide, not to be skilled in hand to hand combat. I'm sorry for bailing on you when you first came here. I saw them hurt you, and I wanted to do something; however, I could not."

I weakly held out my hand and grabbed his, forgiving him silently with a smile. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

*Malcom's Point of View*

Akane has been unwell recently. I am not educated upon her condition, but the fever could kill her if it persists. Modern medicine would be a wonder, in times like this. I looked down at her sleeping face, and took in her features. She had long eyelashes, pale skin, a button nose, and an adorably small frame. I think she is about five feet tall, and weighs absolutely nothing. When I carried her to Kenshin's room, it didn't even feel like I was carrying anything. A chill went through me as I thought about what had transpired yesterday.

Yesterday

When Kenshin called me, I already knew something was amiss. When I responded to the summons, I never expected to have a sword to my throat, let alone having Akane's small hands save my life. I saw Akane's tears form, and a piece of my heart shattered. Because of me, she was in pain. She was hurt.

"Akane," I muttered, looking to my monster of a lord as he did the same. He is fitting of the title, "God of War." His only purpose is to destroy, to kill, to harm. Akane was too innocent for him. He hates women, why would he show such an interest in her. What makes her special to him? What makes her special to me?

Kenshin's hand slipped through the bar to wipe her cheek of fallen tears. Get away was all I thought. Her face turned deathly pale as she closed her eyes and fell unconscious.

"Malcom. I'll spare your life now. You have a lot of explaining to do." He said through a hiss.

"Yes, my lord." I said as I sat up.

"Go around and catch her when I let go. I don't want her to hit her head. She's fevered." He mumbled.

I went around the gate and held the back of Akane's thin neck and her right side. Kenshin gently released her as I held her up in a bridal carry.

"Malcom, take her to my room." He commanded.

"My lord, you aren't going to..." I hesitantly inquired. No. I won't let him.

"No, you fool. You can treat her wounds and fever until I return. I can take care of her tonight."

"Yes, my lord."

Present day

Akane, you are too innocent and beautiful for a monster like that man.

Akane's Point of View, That night.

My head throbbing, I hazily opened my eyes to see a worried Kenshin towering over me. He had to be above six feet tall. Heh... hot. I deliriously sat up and leaned on Kenshin.

"Akane, lay down." He mumbled. I continued to touch him. I poked his cheek, nose, hair. I put his hair over his upper lip like a second mustache. "Akane, stop."

I got dizzy and decided to lay back down. Blanco ran up to me and laid on my chest as I planned on interrogating Kenshin.

"He-Hey Kenshin," I mumbled deliriously.

"Yes, Akane?" He responded.

"Are you a woman?" I asked, dead seriously.

"W-what?" He stuttered. I made Kenshin Uesugi stutter! Yes! 

"There was this one website I saw that said you anger married because you were a lady, like Mulan or s-something, but, like, taller." I was rambling.

"What's a web-sight, and who is this Mulan," he looked at me dubiously.

I giggled and reached out for his hand with my left one. The bandages around it made him cringe.

"Why did you grab my blade, Akane?"

"You were going to hurt my friend, and nobody hurts my friend." I responded. "Why did you want to hurt him anyways?"

He hesitated, "Without trust, I cannot have a vassal."

"But would you tell someone you looked up to that you are a space ninja from four hundred and sixty years in the future?" I asked him.

"I suppose not."

For some reason, tears started to form in my eyes. I really am out of it.

"Akane, what's wrong?" Kenshin  asked, worried.

"Dude, why are you worried about me. We met, like, a day ago?"

" 'Dude?' Ugh, never mind... you are honest, Akane. Honesty is one of my most important values." He said, "Akane, if you could change anything, what would you? Your current circumstances? Would you return to your time?"

"No," I muttered, "I would... um... get rid of all of the suffering here. Make sure no one had to die unless it was a peaceful death. Get rid of starvation, pain, cruelty. That's what I would... do." I mumbled as my eyelids grew heavy. "I'm cold," I said as chilled shook my entire body.

Kenshin's Point of View

Akane's body shook as her hazy eyes shut. "I'm cold," she muttered.

What Malcom and the doctor had revealed was that if Akane's fever evolves any further, she could die. That was the only thing that resounded resolutely in my mind. I love war, she hates it. I hate cruelty, yet so does she. Why am I so contradictory? Never mind.

"Akane, can you sit up?" I patiently asked.

"Uh...huh." She said as she made an effort to sit up. As she tried, she fell back; out of instinct , I reached out and caught her before she got hurt.

"Come here..." I said as I picked up her weightless body, sat her in my lap, and took out a piece of bread. "Here. Eat." I pushed the bread to her mouth and she slowly ate. After she was done, she looked back at me warmly. She hasn't eaten in days, since she gave her food to that little cat.

"Thank you," she mumbled deliriously, "... so... warm." She turned in my arms and nuzzled underneath my chin. What do I do? Gah... I've never thought a woman was cute before. Kenshin, stop. Not the time.

Her breathing evened out as her temperature rose, but her shivers were suppressed by my warmth. I do not understand how such a cold hearted man like me can have such a beautiful girl in his arms. I don't deserve this.