Author's note: This story is set post-Jinchuu (yep. We get that a lot here, don't we?), another take as to how Kenshin and Kaoru get together. It's such an interesting event because Nobuhiro Watsuki doesn't explain how they get together, the reader is just simply left to understand that it happens eventually. That how is very intriguing, hence the wealth of post-Jinchuu stuff. This story, however, is going to be a story full of angst since the author (me) is a person full of angst as well.
I seriously want to write a story about Kenshin and Tomoe, but the more I read, re-read, watch, and re-watch the Rurouni Kenshin series, I find myself drawn to Kaoru's liveliness. I start out writing a story about Tomoe, and end up including Kaoru. Then I end up not including Tomoe anymore, or relegating her to the role of supporting character. =sigh= Well, some notes (and apologies): I bent the canon a little bit because I want to include Sanosuke in the story still, so if I made his escape to China short, I apologize. I didn't want Megumi to leave permanently yet as well, so I'm including her here. For the villain, if he seems not to be how he is portrayed in the manga, I apologize because I'm just using him for my personal means. After all, this is just a work of fiction based on a work of fiction done just to exercise my mental capacities and not to make money off somebody else's hard work.
Lastly, I apologize in advance if I'm not updating stories as regularly as you'd wish. My work is a very demanding one, and leaves me little time to polish my stories. I'm a perfectionist as well, so I take my time checking and rechecking my work.
And yes, that last question in the summary is a stupid question, but well, it's worth exploring. =)
Okay. After that lengthy author's note, on with the story!
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A blinding flash of metal – a piercing pain – scarlet blood.
And his voice…
"Kaoru!"
Why was he looking at her that way?
She could only sigh as she fell forward.
"Kaoru!"
In the distance, she could hear Yahiko shout something angry. A dull thud, a whimpering noise, and another thud… then even Sano sounded so angry…
Warm arms caught her before she touched the ground. It was comforting, but the pain was too much… too much…
"Kaoru, talk to me, please…" she heard Kenshin say with urgency and panic.
Panic? Kenshin never panicked before…
"Wait here. We'll call Megumi and Dr. Genzai…"
"Hurry!"
It was painful to draw a breath now. She couldn't help whimpering against it.
"Kaoru? Hold on for a while, they'll be here soon."
Kaoru looked up at Kenshin's face. She wanted to touch his face, to touch that cross-shaped scar which had brought him too much pain… but she couldn't even lift a finger anymore. She blinked slowly. Even Kenshin's face was growing blurry now…
She heaved a deep sigh. Immediately, Kenshin's hold on her tensed up.
"Kaoru? Just wait, please…" he pleaded as he held her closer to his chest. She could feel his heart racing rapidly against her cheek. It's so warm…
"Kenshin…" she breathed out.
"Yes, Kaoru? What is it? Please talk to me," Kenshin's words gushed out.
So many things. So many things I want to say to you, Kenshin…
Did she say that out loud? At Kenshin's silence, she figured not. She wanted to tell him… but she was comfortably warm in his arms. She smiled instead, and let the heaviness fall over her eyelids.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin's sharp cry forced her eyes to open again. "Kaoru, don't!"
Don't what? She wanted to ask, but she was feeling so sleepy… so sleepy…
A warm drop of water fell on her cheek. She looked up. Kenshin was shaking, and through the blurry haze, she saw his eyes glisten with tears. Kenshin, crying?
"Kaoru, please, stay with me…" Kenshin pleaded brokenly, pain echoing in his voice. "Stay with me, Kaoru, please don't…" He pulled her closer to him, rocking her slowly.
She ought to smile at that, because finally, Kenshin said the words she wanted to hear from him. But she wanted to sleep… now…
Beyond Kenshin's crimson head was a light brighter than the sun, and before she succumbed to the heaviness in her eyes, she thought she saw a figure of a woman with the most melancholic pair of eyes she had ever seen.
The smell of white plums accompanied Kenshin's agonized cry.
"Kaoru!"
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**Author's note is as long as the chapter. Ha ha! Read and review please!