Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but I do own this idea and everything I've written. :3 Don't steal or I'll bite. Muahaha, rawr!
A/N: Yay! I'm glad everyone likes what I've written so far! This series is really going well for me. Anyway, I just wanted to say this early that I will be having a sequel. I hope you look forward to reading it! P.S. Thank you, reviewers for being so supportive!
Changes to chapter 2:
Kaoru moves from Tokyo, not Hong Kong.
Also, I've changed the fact that Kenshin had a sword with him when going to Kaoru's flower shop. So I made it where he had no weapons with him, it would be kinda weird if he did have them, don't you think? I've also changed the ending to chapter 2 a bit. You don't need to really re read it or anything, but chapter 3 might start out awkwardly if you don't.
Please Read and Review!!
Chapter 3: Only Time Tells the Truth
Only time can reveal what will happen next. That, is the ultimate truth.
Dinggg. Donggg. Dinggg. Donggg.
The bells to her shop sang in harmony as the wind playfully danced around and around..
Time passed, and Kaoru still stood motionless, staring at the two men from inside the shop. Her annoyance limit was about to explode. She had to know what they were talking about. What could two complete strangers even have to say to each other? This wasn't making any sense, that is, unless they met before and she didn't know. Hm...
Decision made. As Megumi was at the counter, watching the shrinking crowd of shoppers leave, Kaoru sneaked out of the shop and sat quietly on a nearby bench. Away from sight, she intently listened to their deep conversation.
"Wait- what?! Sanosuke, you're saying that... I've fought you before?" Kenshin choked, confused and lost in his mixed feelings. He guessed it was quite usual to fight someone and forget about them. There were just so many duties to finish, so many priorities in front of him; it was most likely he would forget. But this time around, he hadn't finished Sanosuke off.
"Kenshin, please don't use such formality!" Sano patted Kenshin's back. "Just Sano! So, yes. We've fought before. Sheesh! You don't even remember! -chuckle- I feel dissed. Hah, anyway, tell me, big guy, what's going on in life?"
"Oh... nothing really. Just doing the same job I've always done." (A/N: Hint, hint!)
"Cool! ...Wait, heh, what do you do?"
-silent pause- "Eh, I uhh- protect and serve Kyoto's justice." Kenshin half smiled, trying to cover the truth. Shoot. I hope he doesn't ask any further questions... Change the subject, change the subject. "So, what about you?"
"Hm, well let's see. I live with Megumi, my fiancee, and I help her out at her clinic. Oh! Have you heard of it? The Takani Centre Clinic." Sano smiled proudly. "Well, do you love anyone? I hope that's not to weird of a question, hah."
Kaoru blushed and her heart rate sped faster as she anticipated for his answer. Which, to her loss...
"...Nope, no one. Well, okay. I do love someone dear to me. But, I can't love her. I mean... there's something I need to accomplish beforehand. For now, hopefully I'll always stay near her. And in the end, I'm wishing to settle down with her. We both love each other, that's for sure." (A/N: Clarification: Tomoe)
Kaoru frowned. Was it her? Or was it someone else he was talking about? No... it couldn't have been her.
"Oh, well from your eyes, I can tell that you definitely love her. Don't even question yourself. And you know, whatever's in the way, eventually everything will work out. It all just takes time." Sano smiled reassuringly.
"Yes, time. All I'm waiting for is time...just in two days."
"Nani? Two days?"
"Oh! Nothing, I was just mumbling to myself, heh." Kenshin slightly shook his head as he doze off...
Warmth, sweet smelling flowers. A comforting breeze. Birds chirping happily and freely.
A soothing voice called from behind. "Shinta, dear! Shinta! Tea time! Come now!"
Giggles, laughter, and... a soft, gentle hand. A light weight landed on his shoulder.
"Shin-ta! You're finally here! What took you so long?"
More giggles, more laughter; a tickling sensation and a welcoming hug.
Time, time, time.
"Kenshiiiin??" Sano waved his hand back and forth in front of his face.
"Wha? Huh?" Kenshin looked around, momentarily lost, then soon remembered where he was. "Oh, sorry. I've got a lot on my mind, that's all." Bungled with his thoughts... Why, why did I suddenly think of that again? Augh! How annoying! No, I shouldn't be bothered by these memories, I need to focus on the present.
"Hm, you do? Stressed out? Well then, perfect!" Sanosuke shot his finger up and grinned mischievously.
"Ehh- what?" Kenshin quickly snapped out from his contemplative inner self.
"Tomorrow's the spring festival! Why don't you come with me? It is Saturday after all!"
Kenshin frowned and immediately responded with a strict undertone, "I'm sorry, I have things to do. I can't go."
"Aw, come on! Don't say that! Kaoru will be there..."
"Wait. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Oh, it's obvious! You like her, right?" He winked and smiled heartily, "I mean, everyone does."
On the bench, Kaoru turned red as an apple. She couldn't believe she was actually hearing this. Maybe it was a bad idea that she was eaves dropping...
"No, I'm sorry, I really ca- " Kenshin halted abruptly in mid sentence. Hold it... I can get to know her better this way. What am I thinking saying no?! "Actually, that would be a great idea!" He replied enthusiastically. "I'll invite her."
"Great! Tomorrow! Let's meet here at around 6 PM." Sano smiled and softly laughed to himself. "Well, can't chat much more. I've got to go, or Megumi will really kill me for spending too much time here. -sigh- We still have to cook dinner."
"Hm, okay. Good bye Sanosuke."
"Kenshin, I told you, it's Sano!" He waved goodbye as he entered the flower shop. "Later man. It was nice talking to you!"
Kenshin was left standing alone once again. Lifting his head towards the sky, he realized dusk was arriving sooner than expected. Wow, already this late?
It was time for him to hurry back to the inn. He never knew why he felt such an urgency to do so, but maybe it was because more enemies roamed around at night, more people who targeted him. Just as he turned around, Kaoru walked past him with a friendly smile and a slight nod.
"Hello again!" She pushed the curtain aside, about to enter the shop.
"Uh, wait! -ahem- Excuse me Kaoru... Tomorrow's the spring festival, and I was wondering if you would come with me. Your friend Sano invited me, so I thought it would be a great idea if you came along," Kenshin began sweating, nervously waiting for her answer. She had to accept. She had to say 'yes.' Kenshin had to find out more about Kaoru. But was it more than just "having" to go to the festival with her?
Kaoru's eyes twinkled with delight. "What- really? Serious?!"
Kenshin nodded, almost laughing at her reaction. "Heh, yes. I'd really love going with you..." He wondered if he really meant that. Did he? No, of course not. It was all an act, and besides, she would have to be eliminated anyway...
"Oh, well, yes! I'll definitely go with you!" Kaoru smiled cheerfully as she blushed deeply. "Um, wait. I don't even know your name," she lied, wondering if Yahiko's information was correct.
"Oh, I'm sorry I never properly introduced myself. I'm Himura Kenshin." He tilted his body in a slight bow.
"Kenshin." She sighed dreamily, "Great! Anyway, when and where should we meet?"
"Hm, how about here? Tomorrow evening at around...six?"
Kaoru thought momentarily, even though it hadn't really mattered since he and Sano had already set the time. But she wasn't supposed to know that, was she? "Sure! That sounds great." Kaoru smiled as she thought of what a wonderful day she had.
For the second time, Kenshin bowed deeply, respectfully and formally. "Good evening, Kaoru-dono. See you then."
"Well, have a nice day!" She smiled and left to the shop, gasping for air once she entered.
"So, I see you're getting along quite well with my friend."
Kaoru quickly twirled around at those startling words. "W-what?! Your friend, Sano? Wow, I never knew you had friends," she smirked jokingly, though she was truly was surprised that they had known each other before.
"Yup! We fought before, about two years ago I think. Then we became friends, well acquaintances I suppose. Then suddenly, he left. Never really knew where he went to. But he's here now! That sure surprised me after seeing him for so long. That's all." Sano sighed as his voice trailed off. "He did help me out in many ways though. To let go of my past and look forward into the future. The importance of living life fully, don'tcha think?"
Kaoru smiled pleasantly, "Yes. I do... but you two fought each other once? What do you mean by that?" She shook her head, hoping that Kenshin wasn't the type of man who would pay for a brawl.
"Huh? Yeah, he is a swordsman after all. He fights for the new era, and I think he still does." Sanosuke recalled Kenshin's words of protecting and serving Kyoto's justice. He scoffed, "Whatever about that, even if I'm totally against what he's doing... I don't hold any grudges against him, he's different than those other loser boozer Ishin Shishi."
Amazed, Kaoru's jaw flew wide open. "H-he is?! -pause- Wow. -giggle-"
"What??"
"Haha! Well, nothing! It's just... he's so small." Kaoru and Sanosuke laughed happily, 'till just when a few seconds later...
"Sano!" Megumi barked. "Finally, you came in!"
Kaoru and Sanosuke quickly settled down from their laughing roars.
"Oh, Megumi! Thanks for helping out. I'll be closing the shop now."
"Ahh, no big. Anyway, we really have to get back home. We still need to cook dinner." She glared with her blazing eyes at Sanosuke. "...Right Sano?"
"EHH!? -sigh- Well, yeah, I guess."
Megumi cleared her throat. "Whatever, you two, just tell me."
Both Kaoru and Sano glanced at each other. "Huh?" they said simultaneously.
"Well! I mean, who was that red haired guy? You do know that I am also curious... Kaoru." Megumi stared knowing well what Kaoru was up to a while ago; eavesdropping.
Kaoru got the hint immediately. "OHHHH!! Hehehehehehee! Well Sano! Tell her!" Geez, Megumi knows me too well. She better not tell!
"Eh, sure. ..." Sanosuke told everything back from square one, still clueless of Megumi's comment. Finally he finished.
Sano sighed deeply, "Annnd! That's it. Any more questions, ladies?"
Megumi nodded contently, "Ohh. Now I see. Okay then!" She turned to face Kaoru. "Anyway, we really have to go now. Tell Yahiko we said 'bye'!"
"Hehe, right! Bye you two and I'll be seeing you both tomorrow, correct?
Sano replied loudly over Megumi's yapping noises, "YEAH! AT 6 RIGHT? UNTIL THEN!"
"Wait, Sano?! What are we doing tomorrow?! H-hey! You get back here!!"
The couple ducked under the bright red curtains and left chasing each other down the street...
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The sky had grown darker as the moon crawled over the horizon. Meanwhile, Kenshin stomped his way towards the inn after coming back from a long walk around town. He had felt so unnerved ever since he remembered those sudden memories. Even worse, it annoyed him that he had to go to the festival with her, but why did this bug him so much? After all, he was just going to some every other traditional, spring carnival for a reason; to find more about Kaoru. He snorted, trying to push his badgering thoughts away. Relax man! Just relax!
Kenshin pushed open the wooden gates as he walked into the Choshu estate. Thump, thump, thump. The same, usual soft tapping of his feet ticked away as he walked towards the entrance. Like always, he was alone in the empty area, but this time, blood hadn't stained his clothes. He came back not from another kill, but from a social event at a flower shop.
No, no, I came back from work. Work. Work. Work. He tried to drill those words in his mind.
... Sliding the door, Kenshin entered the pitch black room. Quickly, he lighted two dim candles. He sighed, and sat at the low table as flipped through his journal. He had so much to write down. It's been a long time since he was this active and busy. Then, he began...
1864 May
Here I am again. Today was so hectic, it's almost hard to put it down in words. So I found out that Kaoru is a sword master who teaches a boy named Yahiko. Not only that, some stranger named Sano comes up to me and chats with me like we're friends. It's frustrating though, he looks so familiar, yet I just can't place my mind where I've met him. Things are getting stranger and strange. Oh yeah, that famous, miracle doctor from the Takani Centre Clinic is friends with Kaoru, I assume. This seems more than just a bit odd to me because if Kaoru is really a "bad guy," why would she be connected with Megumi in the first place? Anyway, there's more. I'm going to the festival with Kaoru. It's crazy! How can I do this? I mean I actually like this girl and I don't want to kill her! That's final. And whenever I'm around her I feel like I want to ... cry. I- WHY?! It's so annoying! Why do you I want to cry in front of her? Never mind. I just wish I could get this over with. I'm going to sleep now. Good night.
-Himura Kenshin
Kenshin set his brush down after he cleaned off the ink. His eyes bagged until he could no longer keep them open.
A shout and a scream. Time sped like lightning and he could see everything.
Scarlet flames engulfed the air. Little children shrieked, falling to the ground to their slow, painful burning deaths.
The smelly corpses were intoxicating. And what was left of a town, now a pile of ash.
Suddenly, time warped and he fell into a blood filled river with floating bones.
Down he went, as gravity tugged at him each time with a greater force. He thrashed and kicked trying to gasp for air. Still, no use.
Suffocation.
Silence.
Then. Relief.
He could breath, almost, barely. A light at the end of the crimson prism called him forth. Finally, he emerged into the open and all the blood washed away like a tub emptying through the drain.
Then all was white. Light and bright. Illuminating skies seeped through the walls like a blank canvas awaiting for its missing masterpiece. Suddenly, he could make out a lone, gray figure. Closer and closer it came, until he could almost see...
"Tomoe? Tomoe! What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!" He ran forwards about to touch her shoulder, just as she dissolved in thin air.
Instantly, a voice came from behind. "Kenshin? Welcome!"
He turned quickly, startled to see Kaoru.
She smiled and held a hand out. "Kenshin. Come."
He reached, but missed falling to the hard, cold ground.
No! It was happening again. No! The blood filled flushing him through the tunnel of confusion. No! And is last words... "Kaoru. Tomoe. Don't leave me."
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A/N: LOL. I'm trying to make Kenshin more like a teenager rather than a 27 year old experienced calm dude from the books.
WEE! Yes, Sano is very voluble. I have to make him like that though because he needs to give you more information about everything, heh. Anyway, if you haven't guessed by now, Megumi and Sano are like partners. They live with each other. But, you probably knew that, hopefully. Well, I hope you liked the third chapter.
P.S. Please don't mind the 'THANK YOU." I had to take up space because I felt like it was needed. But still, THANK YOU for all your support! :D
P.P.S. If you read, review. If you don't review I won't update. xD -gasp- Yori-chan's threatening you...n-no way! (I stole Kris' idea, it works.)
Replies to reviewers:
emo-foxkitten- Yes, well, personally I do not see Kenshin as emotionless. All throughout his years, he would complain to his Master and later on, he becomes even more emotional with Kaoru. Being emotionless is Aoshi's job, which he does a good job doing, haha. But, I can see why you'd think he's supposed to be emotionless, for he is a cold blooded murder. xD Anyway, most of my characters are a bit OOC since it's AU. I hope you continue to like my next chapters! Thanks for reviewing. :)
xxfirebubblesxx- Yo, Kris! Wow, I'm so surprised that you've continued reading this. (Since you don't even know about Rurouni Kenshin...do you?) Anyway, I'm glad you are and please continue to! :)
half-breed-fox-demon- Yay, I'm glad you like the second chapter! I hope you enjoy this one too! Please continue to read and review! :)
Kuroshiki- Thanks for editing!...at 2 AM at night, haha. However, I've changed about 2/3 of it. Not edit... change. So you should read it again. I hope you like this chapter too!! Oh, and Kuro-chan, happy birthday!! :)
REVIEW!
Bye bye now! Reiia