Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: RK does not belong to me.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

---- indicates flashback

An Illusion of a Peaceful Time

Chapter 9: Fighting to Stay Strong

Tying her hair back, Megumi pressed the palms of her hands to her eyes. She sat like that for several minutes before letting out a frustrated sigh. Fatigue curled around her, blurring her vision, even as she tried to focus on the medicine before her. Something was eluding her, and if she could just figure it out, Megumi knew she could save the lives of her friends. Aoshi was showing signs of illness, as was Yahiko. Think, she had to think. Megumi closed her eyes, her fists clenched.

"Damn…"

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her gently. She instinctively leaned back against Sano, needing his comfort and support.

"You really need to get some rest. It won't do you any good to work so hard that you get sick too," Sano whispered softly against her ear.

Megumi shook her head, "I can't sleep. I have to…I have to figure something out. Our friends are dying, and I'm not going to sit around and let it happen."

"You need rest," Sano's arms tightened their hold, "I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine. I'm fine. I just need to…how are they doing?"

"Jou-chan hasn't gotten any worse, but she hasn't gotten any better. Kenji's still conscious, but his temperature is rising. Misao…keeps getting worse and worse. Yahiko and Aoshi are in the same boat as Kenji," Sano said his voice full of worry, "Uki and Outa don't seem to have any problems, but Eiji is showing signs now too."

"I don't know what to do! I don't know how it's being spread!"

Sano kissed the side of her hair, "You're doing the best you can."

"It's not good enough! People are dying and all I do is try and alleviate their pain."

She couldn't stop her tears. She had been hanging on by a thread since everything had started, and it was snapping. Sano pulled her away from the table she was sitting at and gathered her into his arms. She held onto him pressing her face against his chest, as she was overcome by all her bottled up emotions. Sano held her, smoothing down her hair, while whispering comforting words to soothe her.

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Breathing with some difficulty, Aoshi cradled Misao in his arms. Yesterday she had been mumbling incomprehensively, and now she was as still as the dead. It had scared Aoshi to no end. He refused to let her out of his sight or his arms. He kept holding her, talking gently to her, as he never had. He had caused her so much pain, and when he had finally come to terms with everything, he was losing her. It wouldn't be so bad though. If he had to lose her at least he would be with her soon. His lungs ached with each breath, and it felt unbearably hot in the room though it was open to the breeze.

"Misao, please…open your eyes," Aoshi murmured inaudibly.

Her black lashes stood out against her pale face. He let his hand slide along her cheek, gaining no response. So small, too small and fragile. How could she suffer through all she had with a smile across her face? She had forgiven him everything without even a blink of an eye. His pain, his suffering and anguish were nothing compared to hers. Always she had been stronger than him.

"You have to stay strong this time too," Aoshi brushed her sweat soaked hair from her face, "I want to see you smile again."

Still she did not move. Her chest barely rose and fell with each breath she took. Soujiro had tried to convince him to get up to eat or even bathe, but Aoshi refused to leave. He was terrified like he had never been before that she would slip away if he wasn't with her for even a second. Vaguely he began to wonder if fate was somehow laughing at him. Was this his punishment? Undeserving of Misao, she would be taken from him? He would rather die.

"You have to get better. I didn't tell you…"

Aoshi had always pushed her away, not wanting to get her involved in the dangers he encountered. His efforts to protect her never worked. She was headstrong, but he hadn't seen the sorrow in her eyes every time he pushed her away. Blinding himself to her sadness was the only way he could push her away. The little girl he protected grew up and changed. He knew from the start he loved her. No longer was it the fond affection for a little girl. That out of everything frightened him the most.

"I can't lose you now," Aoshi said gently rocking back and forth, "I have to tell you so much."

Aoshi held her closer, hoping to ease any pain she might feel. Every once and a while he tenderly wiped her face with a cool cloth. Anything he could do to help her he would. Aoshi needed her to open her eyes. To look at him with that easy smile. To see her eyes sparkling with happiness without a trace of sorrow. Needed to know that for once he would not cause her pain. He was tired. So tired. His eyes closed slowly, tears shimmering in the moonlight.

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Soujiro was walking to his room, when he caught sight of Yahiko, who was sitting on the porch staring up at the stars. Concerned Soujiro went over to him.

"Hey Yahiko."

Yahiko didn't turn, "Hey."

"Mind some company?"

"Not at all. Take a seat," Yahiko replied gesturing to the spot next to him.

Soujiro took the offer. They sat that way for several moments in silence.

"We'll get through this."

Yahiko smiled, "I know. Can't give up. I won't."

"Neither will I. Anything I can do to help I will."

Yahiko was taken by a sudden coughing fit. It lasted for several seconds, while Soujiro looked on in concern unable to do anything. Yahiko finally straightened looking back out at the stars his expression pained.

"I'll get better for Tsubame-chan and our child," Yahiko whispered, "I'm just glad she's safe."

"What are you hoping for?" Soujiro asked to lighten the mood and out of curiosity, "A boy or a girl?"

A wide smile crossed his face. Yahiko seemed to think about it before shaking his head.

"I don't care which it is as long as my wife and child are healthy. I think it would be nice to have a strong son to head the family when I'm gone, but a beautiful daughter can also do the same thing," Yahiko laughed, "I think Kaoru and Misao's independence have rubbed off on me. Women can be just as smart and strong as men. When I was a kid, I didn't believe that, and I teased Kaoru mercilessly because of it."

"I remember that. You certainly were a handful back then," Soujiro laughed as well, "Yes, Kao-chan definitely proved women are an equal to men."

A silence followed this statement.

"Do you think…do you think she'll get better?"

Soujiro worriedly looked at the night sky, "She has to."

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Soft cries filled the room as Kenshin paced back and forth, his son in his arms.

"Shh…it was just a bad dream."

Kenji continued to cry, his face buried against Kenshin's shoulder. He did everything he could to soothe Kenji. His cries gradually subsided to sniffles. Kenshin rubbed his back holding his fear on a tight rein at how hot Kenji felt. Things were becoming worse. More and more people were ill. It all seemed like a bad dream. Everything had gone so wrong. Was there ever going to be a day where he could just sit back and relax? Kenshin squeezed Kenji perceptibly closer feeling him trembling.

Kenji held on to Kenshin his eyes teary, "I don't feel good."

"I know Kenji," Kenshin said, "It's okay. As long as you listen to Megumi-san."

"I listen," Kenji replied, "Okaasan listens too."

Kenji's eyes began to tear up, "Will Okaasan be okay?"

Kenshin nodded his head unable to talk. He was on a precarious ledge, and if he wasn't careful he would fall. The only thing that kept him going was the fact that he needed to take care of Kaoru and Kenji. His eyes landed on his wife. She lay as still as yesterday with no apparent change. Her pale face worried him. Earlier Kenshin had bathed her with a cool cloth after Megumi had given her some medication. It was at night though that her temperature seemed to rise along with Kenji's. Kenji thankfully was not as bad. He was restless unless he was either next to Kaoru or Kenshin.

"Would you like to go outside real quick? Some fresh air might help. I'll even leave the door open for Okaasan."

Kenji nodded. Truth be told Kenshin didn't want to take his eyes off his wife, but Kenji needed to get some fresh air. Trying his best to stay optimistic Kenshin stepped outside, even as his mind screamed to stay next to Kaoru. As he walked out he noticed Yahiko sitting next to Soujiro, both gazing up at the sky. His own eyes lifted to the night seeing the sparkling stars above. Both men turned at the sound of his approach.

"Is everything okay?" Yahiko asked anxiously.

"Fine. I just wanted to take Kenji from the room for a bit."

"I'll watch over Kao-chan for the time being," Soujiro said standing up.

Kenshin thanked him taking a seat next to Yahiko. Kenji for the first time that day crawled from Kenshin's arms over to Yahiko. He put a small hand to Yahiko's forehead as he had watched his father do to his mother. Using Yahiko's gi he pulled himself upright, giving Yahiko a hug around the neck. Surprised, it took Yahiko a second to hug him back.

"Yahiko-nii doesn't feel good either," Kenji stated.

"No, but I'll be alright," Yahiko said.

Kenji sat down in his lap.

"How are you doing?" Kenshin asked.

"I'm fine. Just a bit warm," Yahiko answered, "Want to help me look for a shooting star, Kenji-kun?"

"Yeah!" Kenji replied.

"Then we can make a wish for everyone to get better, when we find one."

Kenshin stared at the scene before him. Kenshin knew without a doubt Yahiko would make an excellent father and told him so.

"Nah…I mean I hope to be…" Yahiko smiled imagining his own child sitting in his arms.

"You will be," Kenshin replied.

Silence settled over them as they raised their eyes to the sky. No shooting star crossed their path, but Kenshin wished everyone would recover anyway.

"Kenshin?"

"Hmm?" Kenshin looked over to Yahiko.

"Why don't you go inside with Kaoru?" Yahiko indicated Kenji, who had fallen asleep while looking at the sky, "I'll just hold him for a little longer. I'll bring him in later."

Kenshin watched Yahiko and Kenji for a moment before smiling, "Alright. But if you get tired or don't feel so well just bring him right in."

Yahiko nodded as Kenshin stood. He silently made his way back into the room, where Soujiro sat by Kaoru's side speaking softly. He looked up at Kenshin's approach.

"Kenji is with Yahiko," Kenshin explained seeing Soujiro's questioning gaze.

Soujiro got to his feet, "I'll go check on Aoshi and Misao."

Soujiro smiled down at Kaoru before putting a comforting hand on Kenshin's shoulder.

"She'll get better. I know it, so don't give up."

Kenshin's gaze fell on Kaoru, "I know."

Without another word Soujiro left the room. Kenshin sat beside Kaoru, staring at her pale face. Taking a deep breath to calm himself he made himself comfortable beside her. Gently, he pulled her into his arms needing to feel her near him. He pressed a kiss to her hot cheek, whispering softly to her. His hand strayed to hers, taking it in a firm hold. He started when he saw her eyes flutter. It had to be his imagination. He sat up still holding her hand. Kenshin stayed that way, watching for any movement but there was none. Sighing he held her again.

"Please, Kaoru. Fight it. I'm right here by your side. Always as we promised. Never to be separated again. So don't give up. Please."

Kenshin hugged her carefully closer.

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Tsubame paced back and forth in Tomoe's house, having safely reached it the other day. Her hand strayed to her stomach, her hand gently following its curve. It calmed her to do such, and it helped her ease the helplessness she was feeling. She hoped everyone was alright. She hated leaving, but couldn't possibly take the chance of staying. If she hadn't been pregnant there was no way she would have left.

She understood why Yahiko had stayed and gave him her full support in his decision. Reluctance had shone bright in his eyes, but she had urged him to stay as he wished. Megumi would need all the help she could get. Tsubame missed Yahiko's warm arms already and wished with all her heart to be near him again.

In the next room Tomoe was also brooding. She wished she had stayed. She was sure Megumi could have used her help, but someone had to take care of Tsubame as well. She knew Enishi had felt the same reluctance to leave. It was never easy to leave friends, but it was even harder knowing the situation. Their friends' lives were hanging by a thread and instead of being close by for support and assistance, they were safely far away.

All Tomoe could do was keep faith in her belief that her friends would get well again. She truly believed they could fight back. She couldn't wait to see Kaoru's smiling face. All of them had lived such turbulent lives. This was no way to end it. Everyone had to survive so they could live in the peace that was sought after in this new age.

Tomoe prayed for a miracle.

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Hiya! Okay this chapter wasn't that long, but I hope you enjoyed it. Everything that I want to happen is in the next chapter, so this was more of an intermission chapter…^^;; or something like that. Anyway, the story is soon coming to a close. Probably a few more chapters…I'm not sure yet.

I'd like to thank CurlsofSerenity, JML, Princess Sapphire, Azura Dea, Pia Bartolini, elisa ang, yuki, LiL Snoopy, CharlieTheOtakuNymph, sTrAwBeRrY, Battousai, and Kuroshiro Usagi. Your reviews are a definite encouragement for me!

Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!