Disclaimers: RK belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, SPE, Fuji TV, Shueisha, Jump Comics and all their affiliates. The characters are being used with no permission but isn't meant to break any laws whatsoever for sessha's demented way of entertainment. Please, this is for entertainment only!!!

SPOILER WARNING: What else is new? You should know what this is by now!!! : P

Created on: 07 July 2000

REAL DREAMS

***Chapter Four***

Megumi stepped out of the room silently, worry written clearly upon her face. There was something more to that lady inside the room she vacated than what is being laid out but, at the moment, the fox cannot tell what it was... yet. So absent was she in thought that she didn't notice a familiar figure in her path.

"Ummmph!" she let out as she bumped nose first into what seems to be a tower of strength. She looked up and found herself staring at the brown eyes of Sagara Sanosuke. Megumi, being Megumi, automatically said, "Baka! Could you watch where you're going next time?!" With a quick flick of her hand, she threw her hair backwards before stomping off... or attempted to stomp off as Sano quickly held her in place.

"Hey, hey! Kitsune-onna! What's the rush? And, what's this not lookin' where I'm going? You're the one lost in her your own little world of fantasies enough not to notice me standin' quietly here!" Sano protested.

Silence. When he didn't get any type of response, he looked closer at Megumi, bringing his face a few inches from her own. The woman doctor was deep in thought and didn't notice Sano.

"Hey." Sano said frankly.

Megumi, startled at that, whipped her head up, almost touching her lips to Sano's. Her lips were poised to say some insulting remark when she caught sight of his warm eyes and the other did the same. In that moment, the two were lost in their own worlds as they peered into each other's eyes. Both were startled as they realized how much they didn't see each other... that more was hidden beneath the rough exterior of each individual and...

"Ehem!" a loud interruption interposed itself. It was Genzai-sensei who was struggling (more like juggling) boxes upon boxes of medical supplies. It looked like he was on his way to the room across the two when he came upon them staring into nothingness, gazing adoringly at each other. Apparently, he has been standing there for some time amused and, at the same time, wondering what the two were doing. But then, his arms started to quiver due to the weight of what he was bringing. So, even if it was against his will, Genzai-sensei had to interrupt or risk destroying what he was carrying.

At the sound of someone near them, the two separated instantly, faces turning a shade of red that could rival with Kenshin's hair in brightness. Genzai passed by without a word yet winked at the two nonetheless, eliciting a more painful shade of red.

After a few moments of silence, the two faced each other with a slight blush. Sano offers his hand and Megumi reluctantly accepts, letting him lead the way to the rest of her routine in the clinic, making her conveniently forget her worries about the strange woman. [Lee: What?! Thought I would do something naughty with them? Think again! ^.^]

*****

*swish* 998... *swish* 999... *swish* 1000. Stop.

Yahiko wiped sweat out of his face as he finished his routine practice for the day. After ignoring his training, he thought it wise if he continued without being told. After all, it was his decision to do this. Not that he didn't care about Kenshin. He did but he knew that he couldn't be of any help right now. Another part of his brain said that it would be some time before Kaoru could train him again. Lastly, he just wanted to lose himself to what he knows can comfort him... to what he knows he can escape to.

As he continued with the rest of the practice swings of his shinai, he felt more confident. All his troubles seemed to bleed away with each swing.

"Yahiko-kun?" a silent voice queried.

Yahiko recognized the voice instantly and decided to take a short break. Fighting the oncoming blush, he turned around to face the newcomer. "Tsubame."

Sanjou Tsubame stood at the entrance of the dojo wearing her uniform from the Akabeko. Although nothing seemed to change with her outward appearance, it is apparent to one who knew her well that she had been affected with the predicament Kenshin was in.

Once the two had settled inside the dojo, Tsubame started. "How are you doing?"

"Hn. Fine, I guess."

"How's Ken-san? Tae sent me to... to know how's everything in the dojo and..."

She never got to finish her sentence when Yahiko interrupted her. With his eyes downcast, he said, "Look, everything's going to be fine, ok? Stop worrying 'coz nothin' bad is going to happen. Kenshin will come out fine, you'll see!"

Tsubame examined Yahiko's face carefully. Ever since Kenshin had fallen ill, everyone's concern was diverted to Kaoru. However, they forgot to pay attention to Yahiko and how he is probably handling the case on his own. He may macho it out but it is obvious that he needs support too.

However, Tsubame took consideration of Yahiko's feelings. She gathered herself and stood up. As she was about to exit, she looked back at Yahiko, sitting silently against the wall. "Yahiko-kun, we all believe in Ken-san. Demo, we'll always be here if you need a friend to lean on too." With that, she silently closed the door.

*****

Tsubame closed out the door carefully. Once she heard it close shut, she sighed and composed herself. She was worried. After all, this was an extension of her family and she would do anything to be able to ease the tension. Picking her way through the dojo hallways, she found Kaoru exiting Kenshin's room carrying a small container of water and cloth.

Tsubame smiled. "Kaoru-san."

Kaoru looked up and managed a weak smile. "Tsubame."

Tsubame came silently forward to offer her assistance. She got the tub from Kaoru and helped her to the kitchen. "Kaoru-san, don't you think you should sleep? You haven't gotten rest since..."

"Hai, hai, Tsubame. Arigato for the concern but I can manage." the older woman replied. Although she said those words, Kaoru could feel her vision swimming. Fatigue was taking its toll on her body. It was just a matter of time before she dropped off. However, she was also stubborn.

Tsubame looked at Kaoru carefully, noticing the lines of fatigue not only on her physical being but also on her actions as well. "Kaoru-san, please. I think you do need rest. You've been... you've been working hard and all but I don't think it would be worth it if you overworked yourself..." she started before launching off into a fully-planned argument of why the woman had to rest. Finally, after a few minutes more, Kaoru gave in and retreated to her room where rest claimed her almost instantly.

*****

The strange man guiding Kenshin suddenly disappeared from view. At first, Kenshin thought that it was just him being too slow in walking or he was too deep in thought to notice that his... companion... had disappeared. Frantic, he rushed to search but he found him nowhere in sight. To and fro he went until he finally gave up. However, when Kenshin looked up, he found himself in front of a house that looked awfully familiar. His guts tightened as memories hit him like a wave lapping on a shore.

He searched around and found the tree he used to hide in. Walking over, he marveled at how much it hasn't changed nor aged since he was gone. The rough surface looked the same and he remembered running here every time he had a problem. With only a whisper of the wind, he reached up, climbed the tree and made himself comfortable. Tears stung his eyes yet he fought for control. His breathing became regulated and...

Suddenly, he heard someone crying. His eyes snapped open at once and found a child crying underneath him. Er, below him. Kenshin, although surprised, jumped down and asked the child what was wrong... or tried to ask that is since he could not apparaently touch the child. Apparently, the child cannot see him as well.

The child...

The young one looked vaguely familiar to Kenshin. His guts were telling him something... When the child looked up, Kenshin saw the face and gasped. *Masaka!*

However, he cannot be mistaken. It was him... rather, to be accurate, the child was Kenshin... was Shinta.

The young child scrubbed his eyes and started to say something unintelligible. However, Kenshin knew what it was since he remembered it...

" 'Tousan... 'Kaasan... Why did you... leave me? Why?" A pause. "What will happen to me now? You were the last of my living relatives... 'Tousan... 'Kaasan... " He sobs. "What did I... do... to deserve... deserve this?"

Kenshin remembered that the rants went on and what he said at that moment. Tears streamed down his cheeks unnoticed as he remembered the pain and the sorrow of loneliness. The scene playing before him was the time after his parents were buried. He fell on his knees.

Then, the scene shifted to the day when he was sold into slavery.

"Take this one." the gruff man had said. "His parents had just died so I don't think it'll matter." At this point, Kenshin felt the rage come upon him as he recalled that day. The gruff man was a neighbor of theirs although he can't seem to remember his name. The man was something of sadistic nature with greed plastered all over his being. In the midst of Shinta's grief, he forced him to be carried off by those slave drivers, being paid handsomely for such a prize. But then, as before, Kenshin could do nothing.

One scene after the other played out before him from his time of slavery up to the time where he was about to be killed by the bandits. Almost all the scenes played out before him was the same. All the scenes showed his grief... his suffering. All his worries in his childhood... or what was his childhood.

In the midst of the painful recollections, Kenshin could only think of one thing, "Why is this all coming back to me now?"

End chapter four.

Neko: Eck! Everyone's gone OOC!!!! Gomen! I started writing this late evening of a very rainy and stormy night so please bear with me on this account! *ducks thrown objects* Well, to be honest, it's been some time since I really wrote this straight. Demo, I can't even go beyond 3 pages!!! Arrgh... I dunno. Well, I was going to write more recollections of Kenshin but if I do, it's like retelling the whole story of RK so I didn't think I would. I'll just settle more on the 'background' instead of the 'foreground.' Hmm... Well, C&C are appreciated day in and day out! ^_^