Homecomings
All was quiet on the dark Kyoto street. The sun had set to its slumber for the night, below the dark horizon. Now, the moon was steadily rising, glowing a bright pearl white. Kaoru marked its creeping ascent with ever-increasing worry, as she waited restlessly for Kenshin and the rest to return.
Still dirty and wearing battle-torn clothing, Kaoru, Yahiko, and the Oniwabanshu, either sat or stood near the wreck that was the Aoi-ya. Seijuro Hiko was also with them, despite his complaints that his 'baka deshi' was keeping him from the comfort of his home. Kaoru could only smile slightly at his griping, since she knew he cared for his apprentice on some indiscernible level, and he was to thank for rescuing them from Fuji, the giant of the Destruction Army. Seijuro-san was an incredible person, the only swordsman Kaoru had ever known to be stronger than Kenshin. But besides his skill, he was also keenly aware. He fought with intellect as well as katana, which was what ultimately saved them in the end.
Worry relentlessly gnawed on Kaoru's nerves, making it suddenly impossible for her to remain sitting. She had been stationary on the seat for hours now, since the conclusion of their battle, staring first at the setting sun, and now the rising moon. It was reaching mid-sky.
As if on cue, Yahiko and Misao were by her side when she stood. They didn't say a word, however, just stood there. Kaoru was about to begin pacing, when the sounds of footsteps approaching at a distance reached her ears. She gasped, needlessly alerting the other two. Three figures were materializing through the mist, at the end of the street.
The tallest, wearing the high-collared coat, she knew to be Shinomori Aoshi. In the middle, with his hair sticking up like a vicious cactus plant and an arm slung around his neck, was Sanosuke. She knew Aoshi was tall, but he looked strangely stooped in comparison…
With a cry, Kaoru finally realized that he was supporting Kenshin's weight, and that the doubled over figure beside Sano looked as though he was hardly able to shuffle his feet forward.
Fiercely energized and unconscious of the others' reactions, Kaoru sprang forward and sprinted towards Kenshin. The tears in her eyes were fueled by partial relief, and now partial fear for his condition. She knew that they would be hurt, but to see him like this was worse than she had expected…
Behind her ran Yahiko and Misao, and behind them stood the others, watching. Seijuro Hiko had his eyes trained on the Kamiya girl, and thought with some satisfaction that his promises had been kept to his apprentice. By giving him the gift of the final secret, and coming to the aid of his baka deshi's friends, Kenshin had conquered the hitokiri within, and was able to return to her.
"Oh, thank goodness you're all back!" Kaoru said tearfully, when she was within speaking distance of the three men. "Kenshin! What happened to Kenshin?" She focused on Kenshin's bent head, and furiously wiped away the tears obstructing her vision. With a tear-stained hand, she gingerly cupped the hot skin of his jaw, hoping to discern whether he was conscious or not.
Kenshin didn't respond… But now that she was closer, she could hear his breathing. It was loud and ragged, but it meant he was alive.
"Let me get him inside, Kaoru," Sanosuke said gently. Distractedly, she nodded and focused on the red-haired samurai again, crying shamelessly and calling to him. But no matter what she said, there was still no response…
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kaoru's voice…
…Anxious…
Scared…
"Kenshin! Kenshin, can you hear me?" She wasn't calling loudly, but just loud enough that he should have heard.
Yes… I can hear you…
…Just can't answer…
"Kenshin, please… Please wake up, just for a moment…"
"Kaoru, be reasonable. He's been through a lot. I saw him fight three battles today, and each was about the same difficulty, though the worst was definitely Shishio. Don't worry, he's not going to die."
…Thank you, Sanosuke…
Yes, Kaoru-dono, I won't die… So please don't worry…
Kaoru sniffed, but stopping speaking, instead tending to Kenshin in whatever way she could.
Her hands on this one's face… They are cool, and comforting. She strokes this one's hair. And her warm, supportive shoulder is underneath his arm, her form next to his bloody, shivering, aching body…
…Thank you, Kaoru-dono…
Kaoru was somewhat comforted in being so close to Kenshin, and supporting him with her own body. Despite looking so frail, he still felt strong and solid. One of her arms wrapped around his waist, while the hand on the other pulled his slack arm around her shoulders. It worried her how limply it hung over her. And his eyes were mere slits, opening just a crack in an unconscious expression.
"Remember, Kenshin," she whispered in his ear, trying to hold back the tears in her voice.
"We all promised to go home to Tokyo together. I know you are strong, Kenshin, and that you'll make it through this. Just listen to the sound of my voice: we are all here, together, for you, Sanosuke, and Aoshi. Even your master is here, Kenshin…"
Shishou stayed?…
…Thank you, Master…
This one only feels her gentle hands now. The heat of her body is replaced by a soft futon and blankets.
Kaoru…
Stay here with me…
This one will wake up soon, to see your face. And we are home; wherever you are, Kaoru-dono, home for this one will also be…
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Just when Misao thought she'd start screaming if the stressed silence wasn't broken, she heard footsteps. Then Kaoru-san gasped, confirming her suspicions—
Himura, Sagara Sanosuke, and Aoshi-sama had returned. The moon's opal light seemed to glow behind their silhouettes, casting their long shadows eerily upon the ground.
She, Kaoru-san, and Yahiko all sprang into movement. Kaoru-san was in the lead, with Misao not far behind, and Yahiko alongside her. If not for a painful memory and fearful doubt, she would have been caught up with Kaoru-san already.
It was just that… Aoshi's words held her back.
He had said he never wanted to see her face again, or hear her voice. And then he'd turned his back on her, and on the rest of the Oniwabanshu, leaving Okina to die in his wake. She'd almost given up on him, and given up on her own hopes and feelings…
What could she do now? Would he still hate her?
While Kaoru was already calling to Kenshin, and Yahiko interrogated Sanosuke, Misao slowed to a halt far behind the approaching warriors. She stood rigidly, biting her lip and crying as she saw Aoshi-sama approach steadily towards her. He was walking tall, but very slowly… He must have been injured…
The closer he got, the less certain Misao became that she should be there. Despite what Hannya said… Maybe it was too soon to meet his eyes just yet… so she looked away.
She heard the footsteps pause.
Aoshi observed the girl he'd callously injured and thrown away, not so long ago. At a proximity of ten feet, he felt he couldn't place himself any nearer to her. Not after what he'd done.
But he noticed that she was crying…
Something akin to a fresh and excruciatingly painful wound ripped thorugh Aoshi's chest. He quietly gasped and stumbled a step forward. How fitting that he would end up falling down to her feet…
Yet, to his immense surprise, his descent was halted by Misao. She had wrapped herself around his waist, and was supporting him. Aoshi regained his balance, with one hand on her shoulder. If anyone had seen his face then, they would have realized just how much the man had suffered… Regret and shame were cast on it, as he looked down at the top of Misao's head. How could she stand to be so close to him?
They stood there in silence, listening to the sounds of Kaoru's frantic voice, Yahiko and Sano conversing, and the others trying to find a place for Himura to lay down. The master swordsman, Seijuro Hiko, was declaring his departure, and that he would send a doctor back on his way. Aoshi would have heard more of the conversation, but then Misao sniffled into his torn shirt and he was distracted.
Misao hoped that Aoshi-sama wasn't angry with her for touching him. She hoped he noticed how she hadn't said a word or how she was hiding her face, though there were many things she wanted to say, and wanted nothing more than to look in his eyes again after so many years.
Aoshi certainly noticed.
"Misao…" he whispered. His voice was hoarse, and so soft it was almost lost in the breeze that blew the mist around them.
"Misao… Look at me…"
Stunned, Misao obeyed. She leaned away from Aoshi and looked up into his deep, darkened eyes. They were battle-weary, and only she could discern the intense emotions that were passing behind them…
For a second or more, Misao forgot how to breathe. It had been so long since she'd last seen him. Eight years… And now she remembered more clearly than ever why she had been searching for all that time.
She loved Aoshi-sama more dearly than anyone. And with just one look, she knew that he loved her just as much. For someone as stoic as him, any display of emotion meant extraordinarily more than it appeared. All her doubt and fear had been forgotten. All of his mistakes, even the ones committed against her, her friends, and her family, were forgotten.
Aoshi brushed away the undeserved tears under Misao's eyes with his thumb.
"Don't cry, Misao," he said.
Then Okina called to them. "Misao-chan! …Aoshi…"
They parted reluctantly, so that Aoshi could face Okina. The old man had a familiar, hardened glint in his gray eyes. In different circumstances, this Aoshi would have returned directly. But he did not forget his place, and bowed to Okina, not saying anything. There were no words that could convey how truly guilty, and sorry, Aoshi was.
For the second time that night, Aoshi was surprised when Okina raised him back up. He continued to glare at him, then, the glint in his eyes disappeared as he embraced the tall man as if he were a prodigal son. Aoshi knew that all of his sins had been forgiven by Okina at that moment…
It would be better, he thought, if Misao and Okina weren't so compassionate… He felt he so little deserved their love and kindness…
Yet in his heart of hearts he knew that he could have never begun to forgive himself if they hadn't.
"Come, you two, and get your injuries treated by the doctor after Kenshin-kun," Okina said, breaking away from Aoshi. He walked between the younger onmitsu, placing one arm around Misao's thin shoulders.
Suddenly filled with joy, Misao turned her head and smiled brightly at her Aoshi-sama. He still looked so dark and grim… When Aoshi noticed her smile, he started and blinked. How could she be so cheerful in the circumstances? But then he closed his eyes solemnly and remembered, This is Misao…
All Misao could think was: Aoshi-sama is Home!
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
On the walk home, Sanosuke could barely process how light Kenshin really was… Although the short samurai was heavy with his own fatigue, Sano barely felt his lean arm, slung around his neck. He would have never imagined Kenshin was really this light, since his sword blows carried so much devastating weight.
"Almost home, buddy," he murmured, as they approached the corner that would turn them onto Aoi-ya's street. He didn't worry about it when Kenshin didn't respond, having seen the battles he endured on Mount Hiei. But he knew Jo-chan would be beside herself with worry. She probably already was.
Thankfully, she knew to expect injuries, and could maintain some semblance of discipline in dire situations, even when Kenshin was involved… And she had the rest of their friends there for support as well. Although…
Sanosuke glanced at his grim companion, the inscrutable Shinomori Aoshi. He still couldn't believe they were on the same side now. He wagered that Aoshi's return would create more than a little stir among the other onmitsu, and especially with that crackpot weasel-girl. She was worse than Kaoru when it came to emotions. Right now, he thought, they needed someone calm and collected like a lady doctor they knew.
She would do wonders for Kenshin's wounds as well…
Sano had to bite his tongue, to refrain from gasping, when the remains of the Aoi-ya came into view. For a split second he worried that Kenshin had been wrong, and their friends were dead… but a short moment later, he exhaled with relief, seeing Jo-chan, weasel, and Yahiko running in their direction.
As expected, Jo-chan was near hysterics. Sano did his best to calm her down with a rational statement, meanwhile ignoring Yahiko's loud questioning.
"Sano! Are you okay? What happened to you guys? What's the matter with Kenshin, why is he so beat, but you two are fine?"
"Let me get him inside, Kaoru," Sanosuke said gently, cutting in over Kaoru's similar questions. He was also thinking, Gee, thanks for all the sympathy, midget…
Kaoru nodded weakly and slipped under Kenshin's other arm, leading them to an undestroyed room in the Aoi-ya. Shortly thereafter, Sano left Kenshin to her care, and declining the others' suggestions that he get medical treatment, asked for a pen and paper.
"But your hand, Sanosuke-san," said the onmitsu called Okon. She was an attractive, mahogany-eyed woman, with an authoritative, and somehow motherly air. Sano pressed for his request. "This isn't anything, I need to send a letter right away. Please, Okon." She nodded once and got the items.
Once they were given to him, Sano retreated to a place by the fire they'd lit outside, and began writing Megumi. He had to use his left hand.
It's not calligraphy, but she'll be able to read it…
"What are you doing, Sanosuke?" Sano didn't look up.
"Writing to Megumi about Kenshin. She'd want to know, and is the best doctor to treat him."
"Good idea," Yahiko said, approvingly. He stayed quiet for a minute during which Sano added another sentence, but then interrupted again.
"Sano, how come Kenshin is so beat up, but you and Shinomori are fine?" He almost snapped his question, and didn't flinch when Sano raised a warning brow at him.
"Because Kenshin did most of the fighting. I couldn't get in the way with his duel against Shinomori, and when it came down to it…" Sano grimaced, looking down again, at his destroyed right hand. Yahiko took notice of it for the first time, and his eyes widened in shock.
"I was no match for Seta, or Shishio. I pretty much had to rely on Kenshin the whole time."
"You mean you didn't help at all?" Yahiko questioned bluntly. Sano's neck jerked up as he snarled: "Of course I did! I was the first to fight, Yahiko, and win. And are you dumb enough to think my right hand got this way by doing nothing?" He fumed silently, as Yahiko when very very white and silent. In the intensity of the situation, and his concern for his idol and near-father figure, he hadn't been thinking clearly…
"I'm sorry, Sano…" he said, shamefacedly. "I didn't even think before I said that…" He hung his head, shrouding his eyes behind shaggy bangs. Sano's glare dulled.
"Feh," he muttered, going back to his letter again, "It's okay, Yahiko. Don't worry about it. When I'm done with this, help me fold and send it, okay?"
"'K." Yahiko looked up and nodded contritely.
Megumi—
Just got back from the fight with Shishio Makoto. Everyone's fine, except for Kenshin. He's been burned, directly in the chest area, seriously cut on his neck and back, has a stab wound in his left side, and is missing a chunk of flesh over his left shoulder where the mummified maniac sunk his teeth into him… Some "the weak are the food for the strong" garbage…
I don't want to worry you, but you're needed here, Lady Doctor. Come as quickly as you can. We're at the Aoi-ya now, but I suspect we'll move soon for urgent reasons I'll explain later. I'll meet you at the train staion in a few days.
See you soon,
Sano
Sanosuke handed the letter to Yahiko, who silently took and folded it. Then they got up and walked to the back of the demolished building where the carrier pigeons were kept. As Sano surveyed the damages, he hoped it hadn't been destroyed too.
But luck and a higher power seemed to be on their side, since the cages were quiet and undisturbed. Sano had Yahiko extract the correct bird and attach the note to its leg. Then he launched it into the air, and they watched it fly away, looking like an eerie gray specter, or simply enormous moth…
"Thanks, Yahiko," he said. "Why don't you go see if anyone needs help?"
For once, Yahiko didn't question or criticize him for not doing the same, though Sano knew he was thinking about it… He was thankful the kid just shrugged and walked away. Sano guessed this was because of what he'd said earlier.
He may look up to Kenshin, but he's got a temper more like Jo-chan's…
Habit compelled Sano to sling his hands in his pockets, but his injury was waxing more and more painful as he just stood there. He settled for a cradling position, and continued to think.
With luck, kitsune will get the letter the day after tomorrow, and arrive by midnight. Once she gets it, she'll literally fly back here, unless she has a really serious patient on her hands… Hopefully, folks stay healthy over there, because we need her here…
He rolled his neck restlessly, thinking about the reassurance Megumi's presence would bring to everyone. She was an anchor in times of distress.
Weariness was beginning to settle over him. The night was strangely quiet, in comparison to the chaos he'd experienced just a few hours ago.
Since there was nothing he could help with at Aoi-ya, Sano decided to go to the train station and wait…