Saving You
By: Killua K.
Chapter 1: Altercation
"The heart is as powerful as our mind, but it will never be inferior to it in terms of our feelings and emotions."
Everyone was quite busy doing his or her household chores for the day and no one ever spoke to anybody. The tension grew from earlier's argument about the suspicions about a gang of people who murdered several men. Sanosuke suspected that the serial killers were former royalists of the government, turned savage murderers. Yahiko and Kenshin thought so, too, but Kaoru never believed them.
She had a feeling that these guys were merely ordinary men who desired to foment dread and chaos around the peaceful town. Kenshin considered her point but doubted as well when Megumi came and brought in the big news she managed to gather from her patients in the village.
Megumi revealed that the killers were just out in Kyoto, trying to confuse the policemen so as to make the case harder to solve. They targeted officers of the Meiji Government and planned to kill them later at midnight in the Prime Minister's hall. When the people of Kamiya Dojo heard the news, they all felt a stream of shock ran down their backs.
"The police force needs your help, Kenshin. I heard the people from the town that they will come here later and ask you about it. But if they'd come here, would you accept their request?" Megumi asked him.
Kaoru, still annoyed that her speculation was proven wrong, stood up and went outside the place to continue sweeping the ground. On the other hand, Sano and Yahiko felt that such was a crucial time for Kenshin to make up his own mind regarding that matter. They decided to mimic Kaoru and began cleaning around the dojo.
"Sore ja, itte kimasu ne minasan!" Megumi shouted joyfully as she slid the shoji screen behind her, leaving a contemplating Kenshin alone in the tatami room. She was trying her best to hide her growing concern for the baffled man whom she had a brief talk with earlier. It's all up to him in the end...He didn't give her a straight answer when she asked him of his decision about the police's request. But she very well knew that he must calculate his actions very thoroughly as it might spell out a cold war among the members of Kamiya Doujo, especially between the annoyed sweeping girl and him.
"You're leaving sooner, Kitsune Onna?" Sano teasingly answered back as he placed the long broomstick on his shoulder. He had an inkling that Megumi was trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere that hung all over the place, so he decided to utilize his own tactic too – though the Fox Lady didn't quite approve of it well.
"Oh hell I am, Rooster Head!" she burst out in flaming anger once she heard those cursed words slip from the now guffawing man. His eyes lit up in excitement as he saw her stomp across the cobbled path, flustering in crimson cheeks. But without any warning whatsoever, the mad lady kicked the pile of dry leaves he had just finished sweeping on one side, scattering them everywhere. And with one last look at him, she smirked tauntingly and made her way out through the huge wooden gate.
He wanted to chase her down the street for the mess she did, but realized that he shouldn't do so, as he felt the rising tension between two other people. Yahiko giggled behind him – the boy was secretly watching his petty quarrel with Megumi earlier. So he noticed it too, eh? Sano ruffled the boy's hair as he passed by and grinned widely.
"Go clean what that Fox Lady messed up. I'm too tired of sweeping my butt off."
"Wha-?!" Yahiko's jaw dropped in disbelief when Sano threw his broom on the ground and merely left him with all that dirt. "Ahhh!! MOUUU!! Sano date ba!" He knew it was hopeless; once again, Sano tricked him into finishing his own job.
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But if they'd come here, would you accept their request?
Kenshin refused to answer Megumi's sudden question in front of everyone else. After he obligingly worked for the police during Shishio's breakout, he knew that his friends would never approve him to do it again this time, especially Kaoru. But what if he was the only one who could stop these men from stealing more innocent lives? What if the police fail to take them down and instead, let these rogues succeed in their plans to destroy the government?
He couldn't take the silence anymore that enveloped him in the kitchen. He stared into the shallow empty pot he was about to wash with his hands. A small amount of water filled it, enough for him to see a vague reflection of his countenance. Suddenly, he slightly twitched as he noticed the large X-scar on his cheek. It all brought back an insurmountable amount of pain and horror from his bloody past. He was the infamous Hitokiri Battousai – a savage assassin who worked for several people and blindly materialized their insatiable demands for human lives. It was but a memory of his past now, as he had somewhat triumphed to overcome his nightmares and helped a lot of people to alter views about the government, war, peace and their own lives.
But if I won't help the police, won't it be the same as murdering hundreds of people by my own hands?
Kenshin was ever more confused as he simply thought more about it; so, he removed his apron and went out to see someone – someone who might help him in solving his inevitable dilemma.
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The morning was clear and white strips of clouds filled the blue sky. He inhaled deeply then stepped out of the engawa and tried to find Kaoru. He saw the broom neatly placed beside the wall and the swept leaves piled up on one side. He realized that she had left earlier. Where could she be now? Kenshin thought. He walked outside and decided to go down the river where he used to see her.
After a few minutes, he reached the tranquil place and saw her sitting on a boulder near the running water. He quietly crept toward her then gingerly sat beside her.
Kaoru turned her eyes to him, and he saw the glitter of expectancy in those luminous windows. But she managed to draw back her lips and tightly lock them into a depressing frown, seemingly not happy at something.
"You know I need some privacy. Why don't you just go back to the dojo and stop wasting your time?" she snapped. She turned her eyes away from him and sighed.
"You are never a waste of time for me, Kaoru..." he replied gently. But his tenderness didn't soothe her anger, only worsening to an extent. She quickly stood up and made few paces away from him. He wondered why she was constantly evading her, now that he needed her more than ever.
"But now, I am a waste of time. And I know you can see that, too. Besides, I won't answer your questions nor speak to you from this moment," she spoke harshly.
A soft breeze blew and lifted her pony-tailed black hair. Her back was away from him and she kept quiet. She thought if she wouldn't speak to him, he'd soon leave her alone.
"You know, Kaoru, I think...well, if ever they'd come and ask me - I think..." Kenshin paused as he searched for the right words to explain his situation. He didn't want to cause anymore pain to the woman in front of him.
Kaoru wanted to cover her ears at that moment. Now what, Kenshin?! After I've proven my hunch wrong, you're gonna what?! Dammit...She tried to hold back the tears in her eyes. No, she didn't want to wail in front of him at that very moment. She'd be like a foolish child, desperately wanting a candy that may never be given to her all along.
"I'll accept their request to protect the officers of the government later this midnight..."
His shocking words sent out a big blow to her. She had already expected his decision to help; she had already done so in order to mask the extreme feeling of anxiety and frustration that was relentlessly pounding inside her chest. But why did it sill come to her as a tremendous shock? Why was she still astounded by his painful words?
"It's not that I want to show off and kill those murderers to prove that I'm stronger," Kenshin paused briefly. "It's because what they're doing is wrong. We are all part of this restoration and even if I'm not Hitokiri Battousai anymore, I still need to put off these criminals aside. I just hope you'd understand."
He painstakingly looked at her petite unmoving body. He thought she would finally say something, or even curse him for putting his life in danger once more. But he upsettingly didn't hear any of her litanies.
Kenshin stood up from the boulder where he sat and let out a big sigh. "Well...I guess I'm just really wasting my time. But it's nice of you to listen to me even for a few minutes. I really expected that you'd keep your promise not to speak any word. Ja mata ato de, Kaoru-dono," he finally uttered his last words as he turned his back and walked away from the serene place.
Only then did Kaoru turn around and feel sadder. Kenshin was gone in an instant, as if he never even came. A stream of tears formed in her blue eyes and slowly rolled on her warm cheeks. She could still remember Battousai's words and exceptionally sad tone when he spoke to her. But why can't you understand, Kenshin?! I don't want you to go and risk your own life saving others! Why can't you understand me? She thought painfully. Suddenly, she fell on her knees and unexpectedly found herself wailing on the grass-covered earth.
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Noon came quickly and they hardly noticed it. Kenshin was in the kitchen preparing meals while Sano and Yahiko were playing cards. Dr. Genzai and his nieces were playing with one another. They were all having fun except for the lone cook who was continuously contemplating about what happened that morning.
Kenshin felt awful after he had that one-sided conversation with Kaoru. But actually, he was more worried about her because she hadn't still come back from that place. Preferring to be optimistic, he kept convincing himself that everything's all right.
He put the last vegetables in and stirred the food in the pot. He put the lid over and let it simmer as he checked his baked applesauce cake in the oven. Knowing that it's perfectly cooked, he removed the cake and placed it on a big decorative platter. Then, he put the fire off under the pot and stopped cooking. Sweet aroma filled the air as he breathed it all in to soothe the tension he was feeling. Kenshin then scooped some soup and placed it on a bowl with some rice balls arranged neatly on one side.
"Yahiko! Sanosuke! Help me here. I need to put the food on the table now!" he cried.
After a while, the two men came and helped Kenshin with the food. They placed plates and cups on the table and neatly placed the main course on it. Then they called the girls and Dr. Genzai in order to start their meal.
"Hey, where's Ms. Kaoru?" Yahiko asked as he stopped chewing the rice balls.
Sano sipped his soup then looked around. "Yeah, I haven't seen her since morning," he said. He looked at Kenshin and eyed him as if he were trying to ask him mentally if he had seen Kaoru.
"No, I haven't," he suddenly answered. Yahiko and the girls quickly looked at him as they heard him. He suddenly realized what he's been doing and smiled. "Uh...well, I'm just saying I haven't seen Kaoru-dono that's all," he chaffed.
"That's good, Kenshin. At least we know you're not having imaginary friends," Yahiko chuckled. They all laughed loudly but only for a brief moment as the shoji slid open, revealing a panting and worried Megumi on the other side.
"Oi oi oi, what brings you here then, Kitsune Onna?" Sano asked sarcastically. She raised her eyebrow then sat beside Yahiko.
"Kenshin, I heard in the town..."
"You always hear things in the town, foxy!" Sano laughed.
Megumi, irritated, stood up and gave him a good punch on his head, finally attaining her physical revenge. "That's for you for not listening to me first!" she cried angrily. Then she proceeded, intently eyeing Kenshin.
"I heard that the serial killers kidnapped a woman down the river. Witnesses say, it was the girl from Kamiya Dojo so...I suspect that she may be Kaoru-chan. I don't know. Is she here?" she asked.
Hearing the horrifying news, Kenshin's heart started thudding quickly in intense anger and guilt. Wh-what..?!
"They kidnapped Jou- chan?" Sano emphasized.
"So it's true then..." Megumi finally said.
For a moment, they fell silent. They were all bewildered at the shocking news.
Yahiko and Dr. Genzai explained to Megumi that Kaoru hasn't been back since morning, thinking that she's just wandering somewhere in the town.
"I'd better go," Kenshin muttered as he stood, gripping his sakabatou tightly.
"Kenshin, what are you planning to do?" Yahiko asked.
He looked down on him, and the little boy saw the blazing flare in his now crimson-blood eyes. As if hearing nothing, he turned away from everyone and headed to the door without any hesitation.
Sano stood up and was about to go with him when Kenshin turned around and eyed him.
"I need to do this alone. It's my fault. I have to save her," he mumbled. Sano wasn't able to retort nor did anyone in the group. They were stunned at the harsh tone of his voice and the angry look in his eyes.
But if there was one person who understood him the most, it was Sanosuke. He eased his lips into a wide confident grin and patted Kenshin on the back, encouraging him to fight for the woman he truly cared for. "Go for it then, my friend."
Surprised at what he saw, Kenshin smiled a little bit then scurried away to the town in order to save Kaoru.
For a moment, everyone kept quiet. Kenshin's eyes turned crimson in color, they all realized. They haven't seen his eyes like that before - full of mixed emotions and uncertainty. It was a mystery that held unfathomable depths in Kenshin's character and feelings, unwanting to be touched.
"We have to let him make his choice. He is Battousai now and not the wanderer Kenshin we used to know. We have to let him make up his mind," Dr. Genzai spoke as he broke the uncomfortable silence enveloping them.
"But the police force ordered him not to take any action before midnight. They told him to keep quiet and let things go on even if the killers murder people. What if they find this out?" Yahiko protested suddenly.
Dr. Genzai touched his overgrown beard and looked at him, puzzled in many things. "The killers took Kaoru and I'm sure Kenshin can't wait till midnight to punish those ruthless men. Besides, they can't stop him. He is Battousai. No one ever wins over Battousai the slasher," he replied.
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The abandoned house on 2nd street...She is there with those serial murderers, he thought as he quickly ran toward that place.
He remembered what happened earlier as he left the dojo. An arrow almost wounded his face when it appeared from nowhere and buried itself on a wooden pole beside him. He pulled it and found a crumpled note saying: "We have your girl, Battousai. Go to the abandoned house on the 2nd street north and we'll give her back to you...if only you'd be able to defeat us in a match."
He crushed the paper in his hand but suddenly, he noticed that the note was written not by ordinary ink, but rather by something else.
Blood...
The foul stench of dried blood reached his nose as soon as he smoothed out the paper to examine it more carefully this time. He ran his fingers on its rough surface and felt a slippery sensation from the "ink".
Realizing the imminent danger Kaoru might be facing, he hurried towards the rendezvous, throwing away the piece of paper which he had wished did not contain her blood. But if ever it did, he'd kill her captors one by one and finish all of their families and relatives.
"I'm coming, Kaoru-dono!" he cried angrily.
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To be continued...
A/N: Hey guys, I have to cut this story into two chapters since it would be too long if I make it a one-shot fic! So bare with me, okay?! Ja! XD