Into the Clear
by mikan
Chapter Ten: Confrontation
Kaoru leaned her head against the flat panel of wood that ran up the wall. Through half-lidded eyes she stared blankly at the room before her. Her futon lay in a messy heap. Unwashed dishes cluttered the low table. To her right sat a growing mound of dirty laundry.
She drew in a weary breath, and felt a rush of acid burn her stomach. She leaned her head to the side and closed her eyes, fighting off another wave of dizziness.
I really should eat something.
But she made no move to rise. With her eyes closed, the scene that had been haunting her since the previous day now grew vivid in her mind. Soon the burn of hunger became nothing compared to the viselike pain that twisted her heart.
She could see the events of that afternoon so clearly. Kenshin walking out of the shop with that woman on his arm. Kenshin flying through the air after Sano's punch. And then that woman falling upon him, cradling him, weeping.
Kaoru would never forget the sight. How that woman had stumbled on the dusty street, falling to her knees beside Kenshin, her exquisite kimono ruined, her pale, delicate face marred by tears. How her arms had wrapped around him, pulling him close to her. How her fingers had touched his bleeding lip with sorrowful tenderness.
Who was she? Who was she that she should hold him so close and weep for him so desperately?
Who is she to him? Kaoru agonized. An old friend? A cousin? Did he go to her after he left me? Why is he back? Why is she with him?
He looked so happy to be with her.
Kaoru covered her face with her hands and began to weep bitterly.
"What did I do wrong?" she choked. "Why is this happening to me?"
Why are you doing this? she wanted to scream at Kenshin. What have I done to you that you should leave me without a goodbye, then come back with another woman on your arm? Didn't I mean anything to you? Didn't you care for me at all, even a little, even as a friend?
I loved you.
Suddenly, the door slid open. Kaoru looked up. Ryou towered in the doorway.
He surveyed her coldly, noting the moist cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. She was a picture of abject misery.
All because of Battousai, he thought disgustedly. It's a good thing her father can't see her like this. His only daughter, pining for that filthy murderer, wasting her life away for him. She's a disgrace.
She turned her eyes away from him, not even deigning to speak. He grit his teeth and said evenly:
"You have a visitor."
"I am not seeing anybody."
"That's a shame. I already showed her in."
At that, Kaoru slowly turned her head to look at him. He arched a brow.
"Intriguing, isn't it? I suggest you make yourself presentable and come outside. She's quite a distinguished character, you know."
"Who is she?" Kaoru asked him flatly.
His lips twisted into a sneer.
"She is," he began, his voice heavy with sarcasm, "none other than the exalted Katsura Ayumi-sama."
"Katsura. . .Ayumi?" Kaoru echoed, frowning.
"That's right, Kaoru-chan, today you are being honored with the presence of the niece of Katsura Kogoro himself. Imagine that. The niece of the most revered Ishin Shishi ever, sitting in our living room, waiting to see you. What could you have done to deserve such an honor?"
She stared at him with narrowed eyes, sensing the acid-like hate that seeped through his words. For the first time since he arrived, Kaoru was finally beginning to understand Ryou –- the person that he had become. If there was one thing uncorrupted about him, it was his inveterate hatred for the Ishin. He hated them with a blind, ferocious zeal that was remarkable in its purity. It questioned nothing and spared nobody.
And now Katsura Kogoro's niece was only a few feet away. . .
"I have no idea why she would want to see me," Kaoru told him.
"Don't you now?" Ryou asked her silkily. "Your beloved Battousai was her uncle's bodyguard during the Bakumatsu, Kaoru-chan. Who knows? Maybe she's looking for him."
Katsura Kogoro's niece? How did she know to come here?
She realized Ryou was still speaking.
". . .And to think that we all thought that the whole Katsura clan had been wiped out in the purge of Hagi. Apparently not." He shrugged. "Well, 'better late than never' is what I always say. Ne, Kaoru-chan?"
She looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean by that?" she demanded.
"Precisely what I said." He turned to leave the room. "After you're done chatting with our guest, please be kind enough to ask her to stay for dinner. I'd like to have a talk with her myself." He disappeared down the hallway.
Kaoru stared after him, his words leaving her with a growing sense of foreboding.
What is that awful man planning now?
She shook herself out of her daze and hurried to the pile of clothes in the corner. She picked up a towel and wiped her face. Then she began to rummage through the mound for a clean kimono.
Whatever Ryou was planning, it was bound to be treacherous for the woman who was sitting in the living room waiting for her. She had to get Katsura Ayumi out of the house and away from Ryou as quickly as possible.
Kaoru slid open the door to the living room. A woman was sitting on a cushion in the center of the floor. She looked up, and their eyes met.
Kaoru could only stare at her.
The woman stood up and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry for imposing on your hospitality, Kamiya-san," she said, her voice clear and direct. "But I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
She met Kaoru's gaze levelly. Her eyes were a startling shade of gray.
Kaoru could not bring herself to speak. Her mind was in turmoil, wildly refusing to accept what her eyes were seeing.
The woman who stood before her was the same woman whom she had seen with Kenshin the day before. The same woman whose image had haunted her ceaselessly since then.
That woman was. . .Katsura Ayumi.
Slowly, Kaoru felt her shock begin to recede. In its place came a chill which seemed to wrap around her body and sink into her bones. She assessed the woman before her critically, closing her mind to everything else.
She was well-dressed, her kimono fine and understated, her hair held in place by a pearl comb. Her face was an image of patrician beauty –- the cheekbones high, the nose delicate, the skin flawless. In her bearing Kaoru could detect the rigid pride and calm self-assurance of nobility.
The Katsura clan was one of the most noble families of Choshu. . .it's been said they were all exterminated by the Bakufu, all except for Katsura Kogoro, who died alone and sick a few years after the Bakumatsu ended. . .
This woman is his niece?
The woman spoke again.
"My name is Katsura Ayumi. I've come to speak to you about Kenshin."
She spoke in refined Kyoto dialect, the polished and graceful speech of the Imperial Court. She waited patiently for Kaoru's response.
As she stared at Katsura Ayumi, Kaoru felt something inside of her begin to wither.
She's beautiful. She's a princess. And she has Kenshin now.
Why is she here? What more do they want from me? Haven't I gone through enough already?
Why can't they just leave me alone?
"I'm sorry, but you're wasting your time," Kaoru said briskly. "I have to ask you to leave."
Ayumi blinked, startled by Kaoru's rudeness. She had never in her life heard of a host treating a guest in such a terrible manner. She bit back the retort that almost escaped her lips, reminding herself that she was in this house, in front of this woman, all because of Kenshin. All for Kenshin.
Without this woman, Kenshin will never be happy. No matter how hostile she is, I have to get through to her. For Kenshin's sake.
"Is it really a waste of time to you, talking about Kenshin?" she asked Kaoru coldly.
"Wouldn't it be?" Kaoru countered. "After all, I have nothing to do with him anymore. He's with you now, isn't he?"
Ayumi regarded her silently for a moment, her gray eyes becoming almost transparent.
"I don't have any quarrel with you," she said finally, her tone precise and cutting. "So please, spare me the cattiness. I came here to talk about Kenshin. If you cared about him at all, you would at least listen to what I have to say."
"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" Kaoru bit out furiously. "You don't know anything about Kenshin and me!"
"You're right, I don't," Ayumi retorted. "I don't know what he sees in such an immature, ill-mannered girl like you. Forgive me for being blunt, but you're no great beauty. And your manners? Atrocious, to say the least!"
Ayumi paused. Kaoru was seething.
"So what is it about you, Kamiya Kaoru?" Ayumi murmured quietly. "Why is Kenshin so miserable without you?"
Kaoru stared at her. A long silence stretched between them.
"Why are you doing this?" Kaoru finally whispered hoarsely. "What more do you want from me?"
Ayumi's voice softened.
"Only that you should go to him."
A defiant gleam flashed in Kaoru's eyes, but before she could speak, Ayumi continued smoothly:
"Kenshin is leaving for good tomorrow. Where he'll go to, I don't know. But I do know that the only person who can stop him is you."
Kaoru blinked. Slowly, the anger in her eyes dissipated. In its place settled a bitter amusement.
"Ah, so he's leaving you, is that it?" Her lips twisted wryly. "Too bad. I can't help you there. I don't know why on earth you would think I could stop him from leaving. Kenshin has always done exactly as he pleased. I don't have a say in whether he goes. . .or stays. At all. I never did."
"But you do have a say in whether he is happy or not," Ayumi cut in.
"That's enough!" Kaoru snapped. "I've had enough of hearing this nonsense! Contrary to what you think, Katsura Ayumi-san, I am not an important person in Kenshin's life. Kenshin never gave a damn about me. So you really should stop insisting that I am vital to his happiness or to his existence in any way. Kenshin has always lived within himself. He's always kept his pain to himself, his memories to himself, and he's always found happiness and peace in those memories. That's why nobody -- not me, and apparently not even you -- can ever make him stay. Nothing can ever surpass the memories he holds inside. So if he wants to leave, you really can't do anything about it."
Kaoru paused and looked away.
"Go after him if you like," she continued quietly. "But please, just leave me alone."
Ayumi regarded her with sudden understanding.
"Is that what you think it's all about? Do you think all that he wants is just to live the life he could have led with Tomoe? The life of his memories?"
Kaoru did not respond.
"Well, I don't blame you," Ayumi said with a shrug. "Because I thought the same. I thought that if I could give Kenshin the life he always wanted, the life he could have had with Tomoe –- he'd finally be happy. And I tried, Kaoru-san. I really tried." She looked away.
"My uncle and I live in Otsu. In a cottage built on the spot where Tomoe and Kenshin's house used to stand. When he came to the house, I thought that if I tried hard enough, I could help him find contentment in living the simple life he'd led once. I believed that, somehow, I could make him happy, too. But I was wrong."
Her eyes darkened with sadness.
"The life of his memories will always be part of him, Kaoru-san, but it will never be enough to make him happy. He doesn't want to live like a farmer, or to spend the rest of his days in the countryside with me. The truth is, he doesn't want any other woman by his side but you. All he wants is you. All he needs is to know that you love him."
"I don't believe you," Kaoru said quietly, without any rancor.
Ayumi's face hardened into a cold mask.
"Do you know who I am?" she snapped, her tone suddenly icy. "I am the last of the Katsura clan. My family was one of the oldest in the realm. I spent part of my childhood at Court, and I was betrothed to one of the Emperor's sons. But when the Bakumatsu started, I lost everything. . .my whole family branded as traitors. . .my father and brothers forced to cut their bellies open, while my mother and sisters slit their throats. I watched it all. And then the horror of escaping, of running for your life, day and night hiding in filthy creeks and crawling in mud. . . You have never known such terror. But I made it to Kyoto, to my uncle. . .and to Kenshin. Kenshin was the one who took me to a safe place. He was the strongest and the kindest man I'd ever known. I never forgot him, even after he disappeared."
She fell silent for a moment, then continued:
"When he came back to Otsu, I swore I would never let him go. I did everything for him. I cooked the best meals I could manage, I saw to his comfort at every moment, I played the samisen for him at night. Everything I had been taught, everything I had been trained since childhood to do for the prince who would be my husband, I did for Kenshin. And yet I've failed to make him happy."
She looked at Kaoru squarely, her eyes like flint.
"Do you think it's easy for me to stand here and beg you to go to him? He's all I have left. If I had my way, I would just stay by his side forever, and never let him go. But he'll never be truly happy with me. And so I have no choice but to beg you to go to him. Believe me when I say that he doesn't want me. Because if he did, I would not be standing here right now. I love Kenshin, Kaoru-san. And if he means nothing to you, if you truly don't believe that you can make a difference in his happiness, or if you no longer care. . .then tell him so. I beg you. Tell him so that he can open his heart to love those who do love him."
Kaoru was struck speechless by the raw earnestness in Ayumi's eyes. She no longer knew what to think, or say, or believe. Ayumi's words had caused a wild hope to spring up in her heart, but she was so afraid that it was all somehow a lie, or a dream.
Is this real? she asked herself.Is it true that Kenshin wants me? Why would she lie?
What should I do?
She opened her mouth to speak, when suddenly, a blood-curdling yell echoed from the courtyard. Kaoru froze. Ayumi stared at her.
"What was that?" she whispered.
Kaoru did not respond. A heavy sense of dread clamped over her heart.
That had been Ryou's voice. And what they had just heard had been a battle cry.
The courtyard, she thought. Without another word, she rushed out of the room, Ayumi fast on her heels.
After Ryou had left Kaoru's room, he had gone to sit on the porch. The courtyard was quiet, since he had cancelled class for that day. Laying his katana across his lap, he had settled himself against a post and let his thoughts drift to the woman who had arrived that afternoon.
What do you know, he mused. Katsura Ayumi dropping by. I'll have to find out from her tonight if her wily bastard of an uncle is still alive. If he is, then I guess I'll be off to see him sometime soon. Courtesy only demands as much, ne?
And after I finish that old traitor off, there's only Battousai left to take care of. But all in good time. He'll probably end up right in my path one of these days, and that'll be the end of him.
The scrape of straw sandals against the earth broke the silence. Ryou looked up, and saw a shadowy figure standing in the portal of the open gate. He squinted against the sunlight. The man was short. A sword hung at his side.
Ryou stood up, his katana in an easy grip.
So soon, he thought wryly, walking over to the gate and stopping several feet directly in front of Kenshin.
"Well, well, well. If this isn't another pleasant surprise," he drawled. "First Katsura Kogoro's niece, now you. You Ishin scum are really plaguing me today, aren't you?"
Ayumi came here? Kenshin thought with alarm.I told her to stay at the inn!
Keeping his face impassive, he told Ryou flatly:
"I'm here to talk to Kaoru."
Ryou arched a brow.
"What, no more 'dono'? I see your manners have deteriorated since you left, Battousai. I'd appreciate it if you'd call her 'Kaoru-san'. After all, you are no longer on personal terms with her. And besides, you should really use 'san' whenever you refer to another man's wife."
That hit home. Kenshin's eyes widened, and he stared at Ryou blankly. Ryou's lips twisted into a smile.
"Oh, you haven't heard? Well, allow me the honor of informing you. Kaoru-chan and I have officially been joined in marriage since. . ." he waved a hand vaguely in the air, ". . .oh, a month or so ago. We haven't had the ceremony yet, but the paperwork's all signed and set. I figure we'll go to a shrine one of these days. You're welcome to attend, if you're still in town."
Kenshin was inwardly shaken. Kaoru, married to Ryou? Sano didn't say anything about that! From what he'd heard from Sano, he'd assumed that Kaoru was unhappy with Ryou. But now. . .Was she really married to him? Was it true?
Please don't let it be true, Kenshin implored. Please don't let me be too late.
"I'm going in to see her," he said, starting to stride past Ryou.
The sheathed katana whipped outwards to block him.
"You are going to do no such thing," Ryou murmured softly. "She's none of your concern now. She's mine."
"Liar," Kenshin shot back.
Ryou regarded him with amusement.
"Oh, I have all these tales to regale you with, Battousai, if only we were on friendly terms. But I understand your feelings perfectly. To think that you almost had her! Well, let me tell you, she really is a prize. That first night, she was magnificent! Insatiable and eager to please, beyond your wildest dreams! Certainly well worth the wait. I'm glad I stuck around."
"Bastard!" Kenshin snarled furiously, provoked beyond endurance. He drew the sakaba with sudden speed and slashed at Ryou. Ryou jumped back and gracefully evaded the blade. He landed soundlessly a few feet away. He pulled his katana out of its sheath.
"It's good to know we're finally getting down to business," Ryou said, gripping his sword firmly. "I've been waiting for this fight for a long time, Battousai."
"Too bad it won't last that long for you."
A smile spread slowly on Ryou's lips.
"Don't speak too soon."
I've got you now, Ryou thought with satisfaction, his hand moving slightly on the haft of his sword. With one undetectable flick of his thumb, he slid a small panel of wood open. Within seconds, a clear, viscous liquid began to trickle down the blade of his sword, unseen.
No matter who's left standing at the end of this fight, Battousai, with one cut, you're dead. This is one fight I am not going to lose.
For my lord Shogun, and for all the people you've killed. . .
Vengeance at last.
He raised his sword and charged at Kenshin with a ferocious cry.
Kaoru stopped in her tracks when she reached the porch. She had made it outside just in time to see Ryou bring his katana down upon Kenshin's shoulder with frightening brutality.
Kenshin swung his sword upwards and deflected the blow. Ryou pulled his blade downward and slashed viciously at Kenshin's chest. Kenshin whipped the sakaba out in a curve and struck Ryou forcefully. Ryou went flying backwards in the air, landing hard on the ground. Kenshin stayed where he was, clutching his middle.
A dark stain began to spread on his gi.
"Stop it!" Kaoru screamed, ready to spring off the porch, when a firm hand grasped her arm. She looked up to see Ayumi staring hard at her, her face pale, her eyes intense.
"Where are you going?" Ayumi demanded tersely. "You can't go down there!"
Kaoru tried to push her away, but her grip was like steel.
"Kaoru, listen to me!" Ayumi said insistently. "You'll only get Kenshin hurt if you run in!"
"I have to help him! He's hurt already!" Tears started spilling down her cheeks. "Why are you doing this to him?" she cried at Ryou. "Leave him alone!"
Slowly, Ryou got to his feet. His gi was ripped where the sakaba had struck him, and a large welt streaked across his chest. He stood a few feet away from Kenshin, holding his sword ready. Blood stained the gleaming blade. He watched Kenshin carefully.
Kenshin gripped his sword and charged at Ryou. He brought the blade up against Ryou's side, but he missed. Quickly he reversed the swing and aimed for Ryou's shoulder. Ryou moved away easily.
Why am I moving so slowly? Kenshin wondered, trying to bring the blade back up. Suddenly the sakaba seemed so heavy. He watched the blade miss again. Then Ryou disappeared from his view.
Like lightning, steel suddenly slashed into his side.
Kenshin fell to the ground. Blood blotted the earth underneath him. He looked up, and he could see two Ryous looking down at him.
Somebody's screaming, he thought. It sounds like Kaoru. It sounds like she's far away. . .
What's wrong with me? Why am I getting so dizzy?
Kaoru watched Kenshin struggle to rise to his feet. He seemed groggy and disoriented. With great effort, he stuck the blade of the sakaba into the ground and used it to pull himself up. He swayed slightly.
"You bastard!" she screamed at Ryou. "What did you do to him?"
A low chuckle echoed in the silence. Ryou tossed her an easy smile from behind his shoulder.
"I haven't done anything to him yet, Kaoru-chan. Keep watching."
He turned back to face Kenshin.
Kaoru stared at Kenshin helplessly. His grip on the sakaba was loosening.
I have to do something, she thought frantically.
With sudden strength, she wrenched her arm out of Ayumi's grip and sprinted to the dojo. Ayumi stared after her, alarmed. Kaoru strode to the rack on the wall and grabbed a wooden sword. The bokken was cool and smooth in her fevered hand. She gripped the handle firmly and hurried back outside.
Ryou was standing directly in front of Kenshin, falling into a stance. Kaoru recognized it. He was going to run in and use the momentum of his run to power a vicious thrust that would surely skewer Kenshin.
There's no way he can avoid that jab in the condition he's in, she thought. She watched Kenshin blink repeatedly in an attempt to focus his eyes. His skin was paling into a sickly shade of yellow.
He's been poisoned! she realized with horror. Kenshin!
Her heart stopped with fright.
Kenshin, you should have known Ryou would do something as low as this! Why did you have to fight him? Why is it always like this? You always rescue me and get hurt because of me. Then you always blame yourself for putting me in danger. And then you leave.
I'm sick of it. It's enough. You've suffered enough already.
This time I'll fight for you.
Ryou raised his sword and prepared to charge.
In that instant, Kaoru rushed in and slammed her bokken against his ribs with all the force she could muster.
He crumpled to the ground. One hand clutched his side while the other kept its grasp on his sword. He looked up and stared at her in shock.
"You're a disgrace to my father's school," she spat contemptuously. "Poisoning your opponent! Coward! Get up and fight me!"
Her words struck Ryou to the core. At that moment, any affection he had ever held in his heart for her vanished completely. He had been willing to tolerate her insane obsession with Battousai, but there was no way he was going to allow her to interfere in the most crucial fight of his life.
I've lost everything. My honor, my pride. . .even you, Kaoru. I've lost you to him. The Ishin have taken everything from me. This fight is all I have left. . .
And you betray me.
"You traitorous slut," he muttered. "I don't have time to deal with you."
In a motion so fluid and sudden that it startled Kaoru completely, his sword swung outwards in an arc of steel. She tried to block the blow with her bokken. His blade cut cleanly through it, and she found herself holding a useless chunk of wood.
She stared at it, stunned.
That moment was all he needed. The katana came slicing back down through the air, hissing at her.
She saw only a horizontal flash of light.
Kaoru was flung by the force of the blade several feet away. Her body landed on the hard earth and twisted limply into a halt.
"Kaoru!" the horrified scream echoed in the courtyard.
The image of her body hitting the ground like a battered doll burned itself into Kenshin's mind. In that instant, fear and fury electrified him into action. Deftly, he slammed the sakaba back into its sheath. He fixed his gaze on Ryou, and came hurtling forward in a sudden burst of speed.
Ryou never knew what hit him. He saw only a glint of light flashing off the blade of the sakaba as it struck him in one perfectly executed, undefendable, overpowering blow.
He felt the blunt edge of the blade gouge a long gash into his chest. Underneath his unbroken flesh, he felt cartilage and bone snap sickeningly. He wheezed slightly as he collapsed. All the air had been lashed out of his lungs.
Everything turned black after that.
In the silence, only Kenshin's labored breathing could be heard. He dropped the sakaba from his grasp. It clattered dully onto the ground. He staggered over to where Kaoru lay.
"Kaoru," he whispered, reaching for her broken body. There was so much blood. Blood on the ground, on her kimono, on him. He pulled her close to him, and felt his strength ebbing fast.
Warm blood gushed thickly over his hand. He stared in horror at the gaping wound in her side. The blade of the katana had been driven deeply into her, and then had been pulled out at a different angle. The cut had mangled her flesh. Kenshin hugged her to him desperately, his hands slick with her blood. He tried to rise, but could not find the strength.
"Kaoru, I'm here," he murmured weakly. He held her tightly and tried to summon his strength. "I'll get help for you, koishii. I'll get help. . ."
I have to get up, he told himself.I have to get up and bring her to a doctor. Fast.
I. . .can't.
He no longer had the strength to move. He collapsed against her.
Why did you do it, koishii? Why did you attack him?
I swore I'd protect you. . .
His lids dropped closed.
A deep, enveloping blackness descended upon everything.