The Other Side of the Moon

Disclaimer: I own nothing much less Rurouni Kenshin.

Warnings! – The rating is changing due to language and future bloodshed.

Chapter 6 – Blood

Kaoru looked to her reflection on the mirror. It had been a couple hours ago but her clothes and her raven locks were still a bit damp. There was blood on her white sweater. The little boy… Her first reaction was to scream for help but it never came so she decided to take him to the nearest hospital. So far she hadn't heard a single word from the doctors. They were still observing him for sure.

There was blood on her pale hands and that was torment to her. It made her remind things that she had no desire to bring from the past…

So much blood…

Kaoru started to wash her hands but the blood wouldn't go away. Kaoru was scrubbing her hands harder and harder and becoming more frustrated by the second.

A pair of strong arms circulated her vulnerable form, stilling her reckless movements.

Kaoru looked to the mirror again. A pair of understanding violet eyes met hers on the mirror.

"Kenshin…"

Crystalline tears formed a river on Kaoru's red cheeks.

"Kenshin, please, let me go! You will get blood on you too, I will dirty you with blood!"

"Kaoru…"

Kaoru was loosing her strength and was slowly slipping from Kenshin's arms. Kenshin continued to hold her and soon both were sitting on the floor of the hospital's restroom. Kenshin never stopped hugging Kaoru. Kaoru couldn't help but to cry. They remained for minutes like that, Kaoru crying and Kenshin providing her the so much needed comfort. Stroking her raven locks Kenshin was able to calm her down.

"Kaoru?"

"Kenshin… I'm… sorry… I couldn't… stop… and…"

Kenshin silenced her by placing one finger on her red lips.

"It was an accident, nothing else."

"But… he… I…"

"I'm sure he will be alright, we just have to wait for the doctor's report."

"Blood… Blood won't come out… of my hands…" whispered Kaoru while she looked to her hands as if she was in a state of trance.

Kenshin looked to his wife's bloody hands. She was indeed a pure soul, so pure to the point of almost loosing her sanity by having blood on her hands. He couldn't help but to think about his own hands: they were far more stained with blood…

"Blood will come out of your hands, Kaoru." Kenshin got up and help her to get up as well. Pouring some cream soap on Kaoru's hands, he washed her them with extreme delicacy. Kaoru looked surprised to Kenshin, she desired to see her husband's affectionate violet eyes but his red bangs covered them.

"Kenshin…"

"I'm with you, Kaoru. Let's dry your hands and them we will look for the doctor, uh?"

"Okay…"

After drying her hands they exited from the restroom and went to the observation unit in search of informations.

Kenshin looked impatiently to a door with big stop sign. He hoped that he would be able to catch some nurse that eventually would come but a light cough called his attention to Kaoru, who was shivering.

"Your raincoat Kaoru?"

"I… I wrapped the boy…"

"I see. Here, take mine." Kenshin undressed his own black overcoat and deposited over Kaoru's slender shoulders.

"But you…"

"I'm fine."

The door opened and a short black woman, in her forties came out. Kenshin intercepted her.

"Excuse me but would you be so kind to provide informations about a young boy, brought in a few hours ago, that was hit by a car?"

"Are you related with him?"

"No, I'm the husband of the woman who brought him."

"I see, he was taken to the paediatrics' unit 10 minutes ago. Room 025."

"How is he?" Asked Kaoru, with a week voice.

"He has a broken arm and a pretty ugly gash on his head and some minor scratches. He is staying for the night, just to make some exams to determinate the gravity of his head's wound."

Kaoru sighed in relief while Kenshin put an arm around her waist.

"See Kaoru, everything will be alright."

"I'm glad…"

"You can visit him if you wish." And with that, the nurse left the couple alone.

"Kenshin, I want… to visit him…"

"Of course, come on, let's go."

Taking a nearby elevator that took them to the 7th floor, their task now was to find the young boy's room. Asking directions to another nurse, they found themselves standing in front of a white door with golden numbers.

"Room 025… This is it…"

Kenshin opened the door slowly and his well-trained eyes enabled him to see a boy lying in a bed, on the far side of the room.

"Perhaps it's better to turn the light on."

"No Kenshin… I don't want to disturb him…"

"Who are you people?" Asked a young voice coming from the bed. Kenshin turned the light on and the boy opened and closed his eyes several times to adapt them to the illumination.

"I'm…" started Kaoru while she was coming closer "I was the person who hit you… I'm sorry… I couldn't see… I'm really sorry…"

"Save your excuses. I don't need them."

Kaoru's eyes widen with the icy answer that came from the boy's lips.

"What…"

"I asked, who are you?"

"But…"

"Who are you?!"

Kenshin was seeing the interaction with interest. The boy was being extremely rude, words slipping out of his mouth without thinking twice. The boy seemed to be always in a defensive mode… He remembered that once he had contact with this kind of behaviour… Another detail he noticed… no one else came to look for him… It could only mean one thing…

"My name is Kenshin Himura and this woman is my wife, Kaoru Himura. Now little boy, time to answer some questions. Your name?"

"Kenshin, you don't need to so…"

"No Kaoru, I'm just treating the way he treated you. I believe he is accustomed to the hardships of life, aren't you little boy?"

"Don't call me little, red haired freak!"

"Your name." Pressed Kenshin.

"Yahiko Yakazaki." The boy looked with sudden interest to the red haired man. The man was still by the door but he could have sworn that his violent eyes for seconds flashed gold… No… Not gold… Amber…

"See? We are getting somewhere. We need to warn your parents."

"Don't bother." Answered the boy while he looked away from them.

"What do you mean?" Asked Kaoru.

"My parents are dead."

"Relatives?"

"No! Why do you keep doing those stupid questions when it is clear you know the answer?!

"Nevertheless I had the desire to hear it from your mouth, Yahiko."

"I..." The boy's eyes watered when he heard his name but he fought the tears back all because of pride. This didn't go unnoticed by Kenshin. "I live in the… streets… Happy now?!"

"I'm sorry Yahiko…" Kaoru couldn't help but to be affected by the boy's drama.

"Cut the crap! I don't need your pity!"

"But Yahiko…"

"I need no one! Just leave me alone!"

"We want to help!" Kaoru looked for a few moments to her husband trying to read his expression. "I…" she tried again "I want to help you!"

"Look, just leave me alone!"

"Yahiko…" Kaoru started but a warm hand upon her shoulder made stop.

"Yahiko, every man has the right to be proud but usually he is proud for the wrong reasons. Just think about it. Let's go Kaoru, the boy wants to be alone."

"Kenshin…" She tried to call for him but he was already leaving the room so she had no solution but to follow him, leaving behind them a very stunned 10-year-old boy.

"Kenshin, I'm going to help the boy whether you like it or not." Kenshin looked surprised to his wife's conviction.

"I'm not going to stop you," said Kenshin. "but bear in mind that he is a troubled child."

"I know… but… I want to help… I was so relieved to see him alright…"

"What to you intent to do?"

"I was thinking that… maybe… I mean… I could take him… to our house… What do you think?"

Kaoru Kamiya Himura, you will never change and I pray you never do…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"You are lucky child."

"Are you kidding me, old man?" Yahiko looked to a mid-sixties grey haired man dressed in a white medical gown then to a young nurse who was pushing his wheelchair.

"I'm not, child."

Yahiko looked to the white corridors and them to his companions. The grey haired doctor had just checked him out but he had insisted to take him to the entrance of the hospital.

"You know, I didn't break a leg, I'm well capable of using my legs."

"Hospital protocols, child."

"So why are you escorting to the exit?"

"Full of questions are you, child?"

"Would you stop calling me a child?!"

"In case you haven't noticed, you are a child."

"I'm not!"

"You behave like one then."

Yahiko had a strong will to respond to the doctor but he controlled his impulse. The bright shine of the sun was entering through the massive glass doors of the entrance and Yahiko could almost smell liberty.

"Now child, remember, you need to rest." Emphasized the grey haired doctor. The glass doors automatically opened and Yahiko could see someone standing there as if waiting for something… or someone…

"Dr. Gensai, it's a pleasure to see you again. Yahiko how are you feeling today?"

Yahiko was taken back by her presence there. Hadn't he been quite clear that he didn't need anyone's help?… Was she stubborn or just stupid?…

"What are you doing here?!"

"Why, to take you to my house."

"What?!"

Kaoru was definitely amused by the boy's reaction. He needed time to realize that he really needed someone to take care of him, but before that, he needed to swallow his pride.

"That's why I said you are a lucky boy." Offered Dr. Gensai. "I believe that Kaoru will take good care of you. There are other boys that aren't so lucky as you…"

"Let's go then. Do you want some help Yahiko?"

"I don't need help!" So the women wanted to help him? Fine! She was about to find out that he was much more stubborn and persistent than her.

Kaoru could bet that the boy was already thinking about the best way to challenge her.

Stubbornness and pride… Essential features in Kamiya Kasshin Ryu…

The nurse pushed the wheelchair until the passenger door of Kaoru's car. Kaoru opened the door and Yahiko got up but dizziness stroked him and he lost his balance. He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the impact on the cold floor stone but it never came. Kaoru caught him and helped him to enter in the car.

Yahiko knew that a thank you was in order but no word left his lips.

"Once again I thank you Dr. Gensai."

"You are welcome Kaoru. Bring him in three weeks for a check-up. Give my regards to Kenshin."

Kaoru took her seat behind the steering wheel and started the engine.

"So, where are you going to dump me?"

Kaoru turned to face his young face with honest surprise and amazement.

"Dump you?"

"Yeah! Dump me!"

"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm going to take you to my house."

Yahiko looked for some moments to Kaoru's serious expressions then started laughing.

"Your house?! Are you fucking kidding with me?!"

"Watch your tongue little boy!"

"I'm not a little boy!!"

"Yes, you are! And whether you like it or not, you are going to my house!"

"To live with you and that red haired freak of yours?! Only dead!!"

"If you want, that can be arranged…" Kaoru answered with a wicked smile. Yahiko just sweat dropped.

This woman must be completely crazy…

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?… Why nothing, Yahiko."

"Nothing?… It can't be… People always want something in exchange of something… Besides you hardly know me!"

"Well then, you will have to learn that there are still people in this world that are motivated by the desire to help."

"And that red haired freak of yours agrees with you?"

"That red haired has a name: Kenshin Himura and he agrees."

"Really?! He looked like a very though guy yesterday… Is he a cop or something?"

Kaoru saw the sign's red light and stopped.

"A cop?… No way… Kenshin hates violence and can't stand the sight of a gun…"

"It doesn't look like…" Whispered Yahiko while looking to his broken arm.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was forbidden to smoke in IACO's facilities but Saito Hajime had a special pleasure in breaking the rules. The others directors didn't mind with Saito's irritable manners. Hajime was known to be an anti-social person but his fame as a skilled agent and responsible director was worldwide known throughout the IACO's divisions.

"Fashionably late Battousai…"

"Fuck you Saito."

Kenshin was entering in the conference room, a spacious room only used by the committee reunions and sat in of the only two available chairs by the big round black oak table.

"Ouch! Aren't we touchy today?…"

"Saito…" Warned Kenshin with a low hiss.

"I would appreciate if the two of you respected this reunion." intervened Hiko who was the last one to enter in the conference room.

"Hiko, before we start I would like to…" Started a blond haired man but he was in no time interrupted by Hiko's cold voice.

"Save your breath James. You are the European director, but a director nevertheless and the last I looked I was the president of this organization. Consequently I believe that I must know everything that happens inside IACO. However Tomoe's return was hidden from me."

Saito's eyes reflected surprise for some seconds. Astonished looks took over the other directors and chiefs of operations present in the room.

"This is a very delicate question that we must take care off." Continued Hiko.

"It was expected from a fucking bastard like him." Commented Saito while looking to the man in question.

"I did was I thought…" The blond man tried to explain.

"The fault is also mine." Stated Katsura, reacting for the first time.

"Two directors Hiko?!" Asked with an incredulous look upon her face the only female element of the group of 4 directors.

"So it seems Nadjia. This was the original reason why I decided to convoke the meeting."

"That's easy to work out, Hiko." Stated Saito with a dangerous shine upon his wolf eyes.

"Later Saito. As I was saying, serious things happened in the last 3 hours, things that we can't ignore. James brought disturbing informations from United Kingdom."

"Some excuse to stay out of trouble…" Muttered Saito to a tall dark haired woman sat next to him.

"Now Saito, maybe later we can work out our differences but could you please…" said the European director, as he got up from his seat and walked towards a white screen, "stop talking to your chief of operations and pay attention to what I'm about to say."

Facing everyone present in the room, James pointed to a laptop on top of the desk with a small object that looked like a pen and an image of a tall man in his late thirties with black eyes and dark colored skin appeared on the white screen.

"This man is August Christopher, an MI6 undercover agent, one of the best from what I've gathered. He was found dead 3 hours ago and MI6 considers us the main responsibles."

"Responsibles?…" Whispered Kenshin.

"Us?!"

"Yes. They say we blew up his cover. We all know that IACO is the only organization in the world with a complete database about every single intelligence operations of every country."

"So they think we are the mole?" Asked Katsura.

"Yes."

"Tell me James, how can they be so certain that we dictated their agent's death?" Asked the black colored woman.

"It's quite simple Nadjia, because of how they found their agent."

Once again James pointed to the laptop and another image appeared on the screen. The same man from the image before was now inside a car with a hole provoked by a bullet on the centre of his forehead and a huge deep slash across his chest. His wide-open eyes showed the horror he had seen and suffered in his final moments. Blood was everywhere inside the car.

The audience was absorving the horror that the image transmitted, not exactly concerned by the brutally but preoccupied with the message that the blood conveyed.

Kenshin looked with disgust to the dead man, then he looked to the car's windshield, that sight was far more disturbing than the rest. 4 letters had been written upon the windshield with blood of the dead man.

Just 4 letters: IACO.

"Understand: this is a warning for us. Someone is out there to hunt us." Said Hiko after minutes of icy silence.

Indeed a warning, father…It demands a payment with blood…So this is how it begins…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Author's note: I know: confusing and boring but from my point of view it was necessary to bring forth some structural meaning to the story.

I want to apologize for the grammatical mistakes. Unfortunately they still exist… My English teacher would definitely kill me… ^.^

Please I want to read your opinion/critic/ suggestion. Feel free to do so!!

A word to my reviewers, my inspiration!

pagan: And I must confess that your review enlighten my day as well! Thank you very much!

scythe195: Did you have a clue about the boy's identity by the end of the last chapter? I know that many question are being raised in each chapter but believe that in the end answers will come. Thank very much for your words!

CryptikMaidenRK: Aoshi is overprotective with Misao and he is just concerned about her health thus the bath. She had just come out of the rain… Does it makes sense?… Don't worry; soon enough there will be the first confrontation between our couple but you are right about Kaoru, she is quite aware of what is happening around her even though she does not know exactly what is happening. Thank you very much for your compliments! They mean so much to me! Thank you!

Ginny-cry: And you won the lottery!! Absolutely right! Tomoe got rejected but in this chapter things will warm up a bit, she won't that easily… unfortunately... ^.^ Thank you very much!

half-breed-demon-fox: That's right! Thank you very much!

JaneDrew: You are the first person to note that specific detail about Tomoe's face! Interesting isn't it? Aoshi definitely knows his wife and is somehow aware that Misao will try to do something about Kaoru. As for Kenshin, well… I can't tell, I would spoil the fun… And your guess was right! Thank you very much for the compliment about the fighting scene, I always have extreme difficulty to write a coherent fighting scene… Thank you very much for your review!

Graham: Thank you for pointing out the mistakes! Sorry... ^.^ Thank you very much!

Keirin-Sama: The name of the new teacher wasn't chosen by mere accident… You see, Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of my favourite movies and including the name, Jonathan Harker, is a way to pay it a tribute! Enishi?… Uh... I... can't... tell… but I'm sure you will be surprised… Well, I hope… Thank you very much!

Reignashii: You will see… Thank your very much!

Tenshi: The moment of truth is near… somehow… Thank you very much!

nes: E eu gostei especialmente de escrever essa parte… O silêncio tem muita força, por vezes, mais que as palavras… Sim, de facto o Jonathan vai ter muitos problemas com o Kenshin... Escrevo sim, um amigo meu também me deu esse conselho e de facto, tenho tido um cuidado redobrado. Muito obrigada pelas tuas palavras! Um beijo grande Agnes!

cyjj: Thank you very much!

reader-kikilala: And that was only the beginning… Thank you very much for your words!

nilnil: Interesting nickname I must say… It reminds me of Latin, the word nihil, but I don't know why… Okay, just forget it! As promised I will answer, or at least try to answer to your questions:

1) As a kind of secret agent, although I really don't like this kind of label… More like a Special Forces operative against crime… Did I make my clear? I tend to mess things up… ^.^

2) Tomoe exists in the fic only to create a mess in our couple's life.

3) Let's just say that they have a long story together… I can't tell more… But bear in mind that they had a relationship… long time ago…

4) Future details of the story will explain, at least partially, why Kenshin desires to hide truth from Kaoru. The stereotypical Kenshin that we have in mind hates the idea of showing his other half, the Battousai, to Kaoru. That can explain a bit why Kenshin hides the truth.

5) The first part of the revelation is near… I can't tell… ^.^

6) (blushing hard) Thank you… (still blushing) Thank you… What can I say? Thank you!!!

I hope I was able to answer to your question. If you have some more, don't hesitate and ask! Thank you very much!

.: Ouch! I really had that desire but I still need Tomoe for future troubles! ^.^ As for Misao... I'm tempted to tell… but… I... can't! I'm sorry... ^.^ Thank very much!

Jen: If I had enough time I would be posting chapter every two days! But… just blame the school! I'm here answering to your reviews but I have a pile of homework on my desk! He is, isn't he?… That's right! lol Thank for the offer and your words! Thanks!

Shinken-Tamura Yoshimi: I'm starting to melt with your compliments… I really appreciate your words! Thank you very much!

Kisses from Portugal!