THOSE WHO LOVE


Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters, they belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki -I am only borrowing them for my story. Thank you!


Chapter 2 - Revelation

Kaoru's eyelids flickered and she moaned. Kenshin leaned over her to see if she perhaps were about to wake up.

"Kenshin?" Her voice sounded weak.

"Yes it is this one." Kenshin answered in a kind voice. Kaoru smiled and tried to sit up. Kenshin gasped and shook his head vividly.

"You must rest Kaoru-dono!"

"Whatever for, I am feeling quite alright. But I can't remember arriving here though…" She peered into the dark room, trying to make out any contours.

"You fainted. A kind doctor took you in. But Kaoru-dono, how are you feeling?" Kenshin asked worriedly. His sakabato lay abandoned on the floor behind him. He had taken both her hands. Kaoru's cheeks became light-pink.

"I… I told you Kenshin. I am alright." Kenshin blinked.

"But then why are you shaking?"

"It's nothing Kenshin, really. Could we go back to the dojo now?" Kenshin frowned.

"I think it would be better to remain here and rest for a while Kaoru-dono." Kaoru shook her head.

"I really want to go back home Kenshin. You need not worry, this is nothing." Kenshin said nothing for a few seconds and then rose.

"This one will talk to the doctor."

"Thank you Kenshin." She smiled and closed her eyes. He walked to the door and stopped, gazing back. He sighed but then exited. The doctor had already left but perhaps he could talk to the wife in the house. Kenshin closed his eyes and listened to determine where the closest person was. He could hear Kaoru's disturbed breathing; yes in fact it was hard for him to hear anything else but that. It was not that she breathed loud but rather that he felt a stab inside him every time he heard her trouble. He took a deep breath and listened carefully. He heard sounds of running feet and the sound of one very familiar voice.

"So this is the house huh? Well what are ya waiting for? Come on!" It was Sanosuke. Kenshin stopped. The commotion in the hallway came closer.

"Yahiko, you slowpoke!" A bang, probably from Yahiko tossing something after Sanosuke could be heard. A tall man with wild black hair appeared.

"So there you are Kenshin." Sanosuke's voice lowered: "How is she?"

Kenshin shook his head as an answer. Seconds later Yahiko and Tae turned up behind Sanosuke. Yahiko's face had lost that cheeky look and it was heartbreaking to see how he nervously bit his lip. Kenshin tried to smile encouraging but it didn't turn out that well.

"Where is doctor Chan?" Tae asked whilst looking around. "Shouldn't he be here?"

"He had to visit some patients so we are alone at the moment." Kenshin explained.

"Oh"

"Actually this one was hoping that you might have bumped into him outside. He said that he had given Kaoru something to sleep on but she was awake only for a couple of minutes ago, complaining about wanting to go home."

"How long was it since he left?" Sanosuke asked. "I might catch up with him."

"Ah, no, he left about an hour ago. So there is little chance of catching up."

"Does it matter? We just need to bring the vixen."

"Sano, you forget that Megumi-dono is in Aizu. But of course, we must send for her."

"Ah… right…" Sanosuke said and scratched his neck.

"I could make the arrangements if you don't mind?" Tae said in an acted-cheerful voice.

"That would be very kind of you Tae-san. We would all appreciate it." Kenshin answered with a grateful smile.

"Yeah that'd be really nice." Sanosuke agreed. Tae nodded and smiled.

"It is no problem at all. I will get right to it." She bowed and left them.

"She just runs back and forth now doesn't she?" Sanosuke said with a wide smile.

"Where's Kaoru?" Yahiko urged whilst achieving a surprised look from Sano. Kenshin nodded and jested at the door.

"This one thinks that she has fallen asleep again though." Yahiko opened the door looking back at Sanosuke and Kenshin.

"Go on. We have some matters to discuss." Sanosuke said and gave Yahiko a push. The boy swallowed but entered, closing the door behind him.

"What was it you wanted to discuss Sano?" Kenshin asked and frowned.

"Oh I don't know, how about the weather?"


Yahiko looked around.

"It's so big… and dark" Yahiko mumbled. Spotting Kaoru at the mattress he bit his lip again. His steps were short and soft against the tatami mats. Sitting down by Kaoru he noticed her strange breathing. But then, this was not the first time he had seen her breathing like this. Wasn't this why she stopped training so early today? Yahiko had thought nothing of it; he had just figured it being the heat. Well yes it had happened during several training session but only on the hottest days. Maybe she has a problem with heat?

"Yeah that must be it." Yahiko said happily.

"Yahiko?" Kaoru mumbled, opening her sleepy eyes.

"Yikes!" Yahiko shrieked.

"Sorry Kaoru, I didn't mean to wake ya." He grinned trying to smooth it over.

"Oh, it's alright. Besides, I shouldn't be sleeping at this time of the day. But my head feels so heavy…" She mumbled and rubbed her forehead.

"Well that's cuz that doctor -what's-his-name gave you something so you'd sleep." Yahiko explained. Kaoru's eyes widened.

"Is that so? That was quite unnecessary of him…" Kaoru tried to focus her eyes on Yahiko's face. "In fact I think I could go back to the dojo right now – if it weren't for that!" She said in a much higher voice, which of course led to harder breathing.

"Really? But then I could fetch a wagon. That way you could sleep of that sleepiness! I can drag you if you want." Yahiko cried happily. Kaoru smiled at the suggestion.

"That's very kind of you Yahiko-chan."

"Stop calling me chan!" Yahiko sneered and jumped to his feet. Kaoru snickered softly.

"I'll go and tell Kenshin about my idea. Just… go back to what you were doing!"

"Hookay." Kaoru responded sleepily and smiled.


The morning on the arrival of Doctor Takani was chilly. The pretty weather seemed to have just slipped away, leaving nothing but grey clouds and harsh winds. The townspeople stayed inside – it seemed as if a storm was coming. Today was a strange occasion. The only one waiting on the platform was Sanosuke and he looked all but comfortable

He shouted at the only passenger getting of the train. She strokes her hair out of her face and gave Sanosuke an enraged look.

"Gee, what a welcome, only you here Sano?" Megumi asked as she approached Sanosuke.

"Whaddya mean "only you"?" Sano asked grumpily and lifted up Megumi's bag.

"How is everyone?" Megumi urged. Sano shrugged his shoulders.

"I honestly don't know. Kaoru's… well, not well. Kenshin is very worried and so is Yahiko." Sanosuke said and sighed. "Everything's just grey, even the weather!"

"And how are you Sano?" Megumi said, stalling on the word "you". Sanosuke looked at Megumi and then shook his head.

"I'm bearing with it." His voice was low. "And now that the great doctor Megumi's here everything will be alright." Sano continued - a loud and phoney act. Megumi gave Sanosuke a worried look. But she was touched that he believed in her.

"I want you to know that I will do my best." Megumi said softly. Sanosuke nodded.

"Of course you will. I trust you." Megumi's cheeks turned a bit pink.

"Thank you Sano." Sanosuke grinned and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.

Soon the pair was outside the Kamiya Dojo. Sano pushed open the door to the garden. The wind had increased and the garden had gotten a few hits; small up-standing plants had been forced down and the trees had lost some of its leaves. But other than that the Kamiya Dojo looked just like it always had. Megumi's steps were uncertain as she walked up to the porch. There was no saying what she would find. However her insecurity disappeared with a bang.

"…THEN LEAVE!" It was Kaoru's voice. It sounded stronger than ever.

"YEAH I JUST MIGHT IF YOU WON'T START MAKING EDIBLE FOOD! It's really bad. Kenshin, tell her!" Yahiko shouted. Megumi gave Sanosuke a sceptical look. Sano answered with a snort.

"Ah, Yahiko, a swordsman must learn to endure yes he must…" Kenshin countered stupidly.

"Oroooo!" He groaned as he found himself wearing the rice-pot as a hat.

"I see there are many sick people in here!" Megumi yelled from the hallway.

"Oh Megumi-san!" Kaoru's face was that of utter surprise. "I didn't know you were coming to visit. Here, have some lunch." She nervously jested to the table. Megumi gave her a suspicious look but sat down at her appointed place.

"Oh stop being rude Kenshin." Kaoru snickered, "The rice is for everybody." She grabbed the pot to lift it off.

"Sano, help her" Megumi pointed.

"Ah whatever for, I am perfectly alright by…" Her hands shook so badly that she dropped the heavy pot on the floor. "…myself." Megumi and Sano exchanged looks.

"Oh I'm so sorry Kenshin, did it fell on you? It… slipped" Kaoru explained and started brushing off the grains of rice that had fallen on him.

"Orooo…" Kenshin moaned and rubbed his head.

"Kaoru you're so clumsy!" Yahiko stated and laughed. Sanosuke gave the boy a pat on his shoulder.

"Now will I have any peace and quiet whilst I eat or won't I?" Megumi asked straight-backed.

"Oh of course Megumi-san!" Kaoru said and sat down again.

"How kind of you" Megumi snorted. Kenshin crept back to his place, still having rice everywhere.

"So Megumi-san; what's the reason for this trip?" Kaoru asked whilst smiling unsurely.

"Just a health-check. I will start with you Kaoru, after lunch."

"Oh so that's what all this is about. I told you all that I'm fine. I am not sick!" Kaoru cried angrily. "I appreciate your concern but this is really unnecessary! And for you to force Megumi-san to come here… She has more important tasks back in Aizu!" Kaoru's enraged eyes wandered from Sanosuke to Kenshin and back again.

"Do you believe that those two could force me to anything, dear Kaoru?" Megumi asked in a strict voice.

"But I …"

"There'll be none of that." Megumi interrupted and waved with her finger in the air. "I came on my own accord. In fact I will make use of this trip in many ways. For example I need to put in an order for some new books and I really would like to do it personally." Kaoru blinked. Then she smiled. A smile which travelled around the whole table, well except for Yahiko of course, he was too busy eating. Sano spotting this ruffled the boy's hair with one hand and grabbed some food with the other.


"Alright Kaoru! Would you come with me? I talked to our kind neighbouring doctor and he said that it was perfectly okay to use his surgery, so come along now." Megumi opened the door and kept it open to let Kaoru pass.

"Thank you Megumi-san" Kenshin said thankfully. Megumi warded off the thanks by waving her hand.

"You know I'd do anything for you all, Kenshin." Megumi's voice was gentle and a bit sad. Kenshin smiled equally sad at Megumi's back as she walked over the yard, following Kaoru.

Sano laid his arm around Kenshin and gave him a pat.

Entering the surgery Megumi jested for Kaoru to sit, and so she did. Megumi began rumbling around all the bottles standing on the shelves, in the boxes and on the floor.

"Now when all those loons are gone, do you think you could tell me how you really are feeling?" She asked still with her back at Kaoru.

"Oh, I really am fine, it's true." Kaoru tried to sound honest. Suddenly, Megumi slammed her hand in the table. Kaoru's eyes widened whilst bottles standing on the table rattled.

"Will you not speak the truth?" Megumi turned her head and their eyes met.

"It is the truth."

"Oh please, I am a doctor. This behaviour of yours… It doesn't match!" Megumi's voice had lost its calmness. Kaoru swallowed and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them they shone with resolve.

"Megumi-san I do appreciate your concern, which I already have explained. But what you are doing really is pointless. I …"

"Pointless? Pointless to get to the bottom of this mystery?" Megumi interrupted. Kaoru shook her head.

"Pointless since it is no mystery." Kaoru seemed frightfully calm. In fact she seemed to have caught Megumi's usual calmness whilst Megumi herself almost had become frantic.

"Will you not share this… knowledge of yours then?" Megumi scratched her forehead in annoyance.

"If I tell you will only force meaningless treatments on me, no, I know that, because you are who you are. You wouldn't accept what I have accepted." Megumi waved with both her hands at Kaoru.

"But Kaoru, none of my treatments are meaningless. If I have treated Kenshin back to health from all those wounds…"

"This is different."

"Why?" Megumi tapped her foot. Kaoru sighed.

"There just is no way for you to let this go is it?" Kaoru smiled.

"Not likely." Megumi answered Kaoru's smile.

"I figured as much. At least I tried."

"Go on." Megumi sat down next to Kaoru.

"These symptoms are not new. I have seen them before in my family." Kaoru took a deep breath. "Those in my family who felt its affects… all died." Megumi was quiet for a while, allowing Kaoru to suppress her emotions.

"But that must have been a long time ago." Megumi urged.

"The last one… the last of my family died about two years ago." Kaoru glanced at Megumi. "Why does it matter?" She continued.

"Well new discoveries give new medicines and other solutions." Megumi said hopefully. Kaoru shook her head.

"I won't have you getting my hopes up again. Not now when I have finally come to terms with it." Kaoru's tone was final.

"But…"

"No. Megumi-san, please." Megumi flinched at the interruption.

"I am sorry Megumi-san. But I truly feel fine for now. Could you not just accept it?" Kaoru pleaded. Megumi sighed and spread her fingers powerlessly.

"I do not approve to this. No I certainly do not approve." Megumi muttered sternly.

"Megumi-san…" Kaoru's eyes had become wet.

"Damn it. Well, alright. But only on one condition!" Kaoru nodded vividly.

"What?" She gasped.

"I want you to write to me. The first letter will go deeper into your relatives and their symptoms. As you degrade…" Megumi paused and swallowed before continuing again: "As you degrade you will update me on every type of symptoms you yourself feel."

"Oh but Megumi-san I could not ask you of anything like this, it's too much!" Kaoru tried.

"EVERY little piece of information will help me defy how to treat this. I will not obey to giving no treatment at all Kaoru." Megumi spoke harshly. But then, softening her voice she took Kaoru's hand in hers.

"You must understand this Kaoru. You are a dear friend to me and I will not stand by just watching your illness." Kaoru nodded and gratefully grabbed Megumi's offered hand.

"I thank you Megumi-san, no, just Megumi. I think we have come close enough to drop the politeness, at least when we are alone." They both smiled and Kaoru's usual cheerfulness seemed to shine with new strength.

"So it is a deal?"

"Yes, yes Megumi. It is.


The end of chapter 2

Priscy987 Clever, clever reader you! That was actually my intention from the start, which is also revealed in this chapter. Thank you for reading and keep commenting, it's a great support!

Oranjitenshi And hello to you! Domo arigatou! I will try to update without too big gaps. Please keep reading! I hope I do not make anyone disappointed ;;