Chapter Four: The Veil is Lifted

It was dark when they arrived at a deserted village. No doubt the one most of the villagers had come from, of course. It sprawled just below a mountain, which was dead with rocks and ice. The abandoned buildings were boarded up with "closed" signs and locked doors. A moan came with the chilly wind that blew past them. Sanosuke was unnerved. The death in this place was horrid, stinking of cursed spirits and other demons. It was truly the devil's playground. Kenshin eyed the rocky formation just above them.
"Stay here." he warned Sanosuke. Sanosuke frowned.

"No." Kenshin looked frustrated.

"Please.?" Sanosuke raised a brow.

"And since when do you have all the fun?" He teased. Kenshin looked grim.

"This one assures you, this will not be fun, Sanosuke." Sanosuke was angry now.

"No! I've gone with you to confront your foes, avenge your friends, and forgive your victims. I'm not leaving you now." He growled. Kenshin took it with comfort.

"Very well." he finally sighed. Sanosuke knew that this victory would be savored later. They exchanged fierce glances before beginning their long journey up.

The rocks on the mountain were in fact the ruins of the Halls of Shadow. While there were a few underground wings still in tact, nothing above the ground remained. Kenshin stood in the midst of the ruins, feeling a presence he had not felt since he had murdered Gekimetsu Hitokiri. The truth about Gekimetsu was that he never truly knew her name. She was simply a pawn gone array in the Revolution. The Dark Spirit had been truthful when he claimed the Rurouni's intentions. Kenshin shut his eyes, bowing his head in reverance to the other presence he now felt. Perhaps it was the girl.

Please, if only you could show yourself to me at least once. Forgive me. He thought silently.

Sanosuke watched in horror as the Rurouni fell to his knees, body glowing with unnatural white light. While the new presence was not foreboding but comforting, it didn't stop the fist-fighter from touching Kenshin. The moment he did, he was sucked into a world of white.

Kenshin looked around in awe. He was unsure of were he was, much less how he even managed to get there. There were dozens of cherry trees, all bearing sakura blossoms and just as many tulip trees in an array of pinks, reds, and whites. Petals floated down into a lake which he stood on, making small ripples in the water. Oddly enough he did not make ripples as he stood. After searching through the low branches of cherry and tulip trees, he spyed clothing.

You wished to speak, Hitokiri? A voice sounded. It almost echoed in it's sweetness, filling the air like a sharp sweet smell. There was a breeze and the hint of cream colored cloth vanished.

"Please, I wish to speak with Gekimitsu Hitokiri." He said softly.

Gekimetsu Hitokiri? I have never heard such a name. Not here in my haven. Who is it you seek? Another peek of cream cloth to his right.

"A woman that I once knew. She died by..." Kenshin hesitated, not sure if he should go on lest he anger the spirits.

All is known in the spirit world, Hitokiri Battosia. Please continue, that I might know who you wish to speak with. Kenshin struggled on.

"She died by my sword, and I have come to beg her forgiveness that I might spare the lives she seeks to take." A howling wind blew a curtain of cherry and tulip blossoms so thick that Kenshin could not see anything in front of him.

Kaoru's distress only worsened her condition. Though only a few months into the pregnancy, she was having headaches and stomach pains beyond belief. She sucked in a breath, grabbing a low hanging limb of the tree she was standing under. She moaned as her stomach tightened painfully.

"Take a deep breath." Megumi's voice sounded. Kaoru started in surprise, but did as Megumi instructed. There was a small bag in Megumi's hand, and from it she produced a small powder. She also drew out a small cup and dipped it in the small stream by the tree Kaoru sat beside and mixed some powder with the water.

"Drink this. It's blessed thistle, kava kava, and queen of the meadow. It's to help soothe women with child." she said softly. Kaoru's eyes fell to the ground.

"So you know." Kaoru said quietly. Megumi handed the cup to Kaoru, who took it and swallowed the water. She coughed at the bitter herbs, but swallowed all of it. Megumi smiled.

"I knew the first month, Kaoru-san. I'm a physician, it's my job."

Kaoru closed her eyes, the kava kava herb beginning to take effect. Megumi removed a blanket from the bag.

"What are Yahiko and Seijuro doing?" Kaoru asked. Megumi raised her left brow in slight annoyance before shrouding Kaoru in the blanket.

"They went to Akabeko to get something to eat and finish up Yahiko's work there." she answered. They sat quietly for a moment, saying nothing and listening to the small creek.

"Are you worried?" Megumi finally asked. Kaoru looked off into the forest beyond the creek.

"Yes.. and no. I have faith in Kenshin-san." She said softly. Megumi smiled and sat silently beside her.

The wind died down to a soft breeze that caressed his face with cherry blossoms. Before him stood a brown haired girl, not much older than sixteen, with dark brown eyes. They were fierce, but kind at the same time. They offered protection and death, understanding and confusion, everything and nothing. They looked up at him, studying him intently. She wore a tomesode, oddly enough, colored cream and light pink, adding to the pink hughes in her cheeks.

What do you seek, Himura Kenshin? The same voice asked. Kenshin blinked, stunned. Light laughter filled the air.

Yes, this is what I would have been, had I not been corrupted. she said with laughter in her eyes. Kenshin liked this young woman immeadiately. It was a shame she had not lived. Kenshin's guilt was overpowering, it literally brought him to tears. The tear rolled off his cheek and fell into the water, making a small splash.

I ask you forgiveness, Gekimetsu Hitokiri. he said. The girl's smile slowly dropped.

My forgiveness will be granted... When you find out what my true name is. She said. With that, her form melted with the blossoms.

How! He called. He recieved no answer.

Sanosuke could hear every word, but when he tried to contact Kenshin he found that he couldn't even touch him.

I'm sorry, but this is one battle you should not be in, Suke-san. the young woman's voice said. She appeared just behind him. Why are you even here, young man?

I'm here to support my friend. He answered. She gave him a smirk.

You won't be of any use to him here, O' Champion of Idiots. she mused. He must find it for himself. While he is a master swordsman, he is not at peace with himself. Himura's guilt has become unbearable for him, and I only fear he will not be able to face my greatest mistake without first being put to peace again. Sanosuke nodded slowly.

What is your greatest mistake? he asked. He heard her sigh, then felt her arm tuck beneath his.

Let me tell you my story...

I was once a lovely young girl of eight years old, unspoiled and unused. At such a ripe young age, I had yet to discover evil, seeing only good in the world. The first evil I saw experienced was on a normal day. Noone would have thought otherwise... she said, walking along the water, the long trail of her kimono following through the water as the scenery shifted.

A/N: Okay, this is what happens when an idiot meets a computer... gee how MANY times do I gotta do this! Thats what happens when you don't have a betareader... which I don't... crowd points fingers at godsspiker and laughs at her miserable attempts to finish newest chapter. This is humiliating... I'll go write under a rock now, thank you... now GO REVIEW!