Summary: Kenshin accepted Aoshi's challenge. A loud sound is heard and a body hits the ground. Kaoru is not aware of the fight.
Chapter 14: Farewell
Disclaimer: I do not own RK no matter how much I wished.
Hajime Estate
Enishi entered the mansion dejectedly. Tokio comes to greet him.
"How did it go?" Tokio asked.
"She didn't take the ring." Enishi said dryly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Tokio apologized to her nephew feeling truly sorry for him.
"That's not a surprise." Saitou said as he entered the room. He had a pack of cigarettes in his gloved hands. Enishi shot in an angry glare.
"Saitou, stop that!" Tokio snapped.
"Honey, he needs know the simple truth. The Kamiya girl loves Hiko's kid. You're too late kid. Get it through your thick skull." Saitou said to his nephew.
Misao peeked out from her room with a full grin on her face. 'I wonder how his date went.' Misao thought knowingly. She went back into her room satisfied with his reaction. Enishi balled up his hands into fists. It was true and he knew it was but, he was not ready to accept that yet. Enishi marched up to his room agitated. 'I know she'll soon hate Himura soon enough.'
Kamiya Estates
The phone rang annoyingly through the house. A maid answered it.
"Hello?"
"May, I speak to Mr.Kamiya?"
"Certainly, Sir. Please wait one moment." The maid said. She went to fetch Kastura. The maid knocked on the door quietly.
"Yes?" Kastura answered.
"Mr.Kamiya, you have a phone call." The maid reported.
Kastura picked up his phone line.
"Hello, Kamiya Kastura speaking."
"Mr.Kamiya, you must come to hospital immediately. It is urgent." The nurse said.
"Why should I?" Kastura questioned.
"It's your nephew."
"What hospital?"
"The New Life of Tokyo Hospital." The nurse said.
Kastura dropped the phone abruptly. He gathers his coat and umbrella. Kastura ran downstairs. Kaya looked at him wildly.
"What's wrong?" Kaya asked curiously.
"Get your coat. Where's Kaoru?" Kastura asked.
"She's in her room sir." Megumi said as she walked in to the room.
"Takani, get Kaoru and hurry downstairs." Kastura instructed. Megumi instantly ran upstairs to find Kaoru.
"What in the world is going on?" Kaya demanded.
"Get in the car woman! You are wasting time!" Kastura yelled fiercely. Kaya fled to the awaiting black limo.
Megumi busted into Kaoru's room. Kaoru was sprawled on her oversized, comfortable bed. Megumi shook Kaoru violently. Kaoru's tired sapphire eyes opened slowly. She saw Megumi staring at her.
"Get dress quickly!" Megumi said as she flung Kaoru some clothes.
"What's going on?" Kaoru asked tiredly as she slipped on her coral sweats and a milky, white tank top that she stole from Aoshi.
"I don't know but, your father wants you down there right now. Can you go faster?" Megumi said hurriedly. Kaoru put on the coral jacket that matched her sweats.
"Go downstairs now!" Megumi shouted as she tossed a pair of white flip-flops at Kaoru. She caught them clumsily. Megumi shoved the younger girl downstairs. Kastura stood at the foot of the wooden stairs.
"Come on, you two." Kastura said. Kaoru and Megumi ran through the down pouring rain and hopped into the limo. Kastura sled in promptly after them and slammed the door. The limo sped out the front yard towards the hospital.
"Kastura, tell us what is going on?" Kaya commanded.
"Aoshi is in the hospital." Kastura said glumly. Kaoru's eyes widen full of fright.
"Daddy, what happened to him? Will he be okay?" Kaoru asked franticly as her eyes begun to well up.
"The details are vague, honey. We'll see when we get there." Kastura said.
Kaoru looked down at the ground. 'That doesn't sound very promising.' Kaoru thought.
"Did you call Misao?" Kaoru asked as her best friend came to her mind.
"Yes, I've informed the Hajimes. They're meeting us there." Kastura explained.
'Poor Misao-chan. She will be heartbroken.' Kaoru thought. The dark limo came to a sudden halt. Kastura was the first out the door with his large umbrella. He waited for Kaya to step out. They walked to the entranced together. The driver took Kastura's place with his umbrella. Megumi sled out first and Kaoru followed after her. They trotted quickly through the harsh rain.
Kaoru ran through the automatic doors of the hospital with Megumi in tow. The cold air hit her like an unexpected punch. Kaoru shivered. She saw her parents waiting in the emergency waiting room. Kaya was staring into space. Her usual scowl was replaced with an empty, lost look. Kastura held her hand. Kaoru sat a few feet away from them. Megumi sat by her reading a Healthier Life magazine. Her hands were shaking nervously.
'I can't believe this is happening. I'm sitting in a waiting room hoping my cousin isn't fighting for his life right now. This has to be a nightmare.' Kaoru thought as she pinched herself. 'Okay this is for real then. Oh Aoshi please be okay.' Kaoru thought. Kaoru played with a strand of hair nervously. This waiting was killing her. It was the worst part not knowing what's going on. Screaming was heard down the hall. The voice sounded very familiar.
"Where is he? Tell me now!" Misao screamed hysterically.
"I need you to calm down ma'am." The nurse said.
"My boyfriend is here! I want to know where he is right now!" Misao demanded as she started grabbing stuff and flinging at the nurse. The terrified nurse dodged the projectiles that were thrown by the enraged teenager. Sano had to try his hardest to restrain Misao's hands. Saitou stood back blowing smoke out his mouth. Tokio apologized to the frightened nurse for her niece's behavior. Enishi watched with a bored expression on his face.
"Misao-chan, over here." Kaoru called out to her upset friend. Misao ran towards Kaoru. Kaoru hugged her upset best friend.
"How is he?" Misao asked with tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. They were ready to fall any minute.
"We don't know anything yet. The doctor has not come out yet." Kaoru said.
"Is that a bad thing? Why hasn't he come out yet?" Misao asked anxiously.
"I really don't know Misao." Kaoru said sadly. Misao plopped next to Megumi. Kaoru sat down next to her uneasy friend. Saitou and Tokio walked towards Kastura and Kaya to comfort them. Sano sat down looking around nervously. He was scared to death when he was in hospitals. Sano did not trusted neither doctor nor nurse. He jumped every time a nurse passed him thinking that they wanted to give him a shot to collect his blood. Enishi looked at him amusedly.
A middle aged man with light brown hair walked towards Kaoru's parents. He appeared to be the head doctor of the emergency unit.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Zen head of the emergency unit." He said.
"How is he?" Kastura questioned.
"Right now he is in the recovery room. His arm was cut through cleanly by a sword. He has lost an ample amount of blood. We took out the bullet that was embedded in his chest. He is having complications breathing. We have him on a machine right now. To be honest the odds are stacked against him. I'm surprise he is still alive." Dr. Zen explained.
Kaya shook her head not believing the news they received. Kaoru and Misao approached the adults. From the looks of the sullen faces you could believe Aoshi was dead.
"Can we see him?" Kaoru asked.
"He's unconscious right now." Dr.Zen said.
"I don't care I want to see my Aoshi-sama now!" Misao yelled furiously as she stomped her foot.
"Okay, but two at a time." Dr. Zen said.
"Misao, you can go first." Kastura said. Misao started to shake. Her eyes welled up.
"I don't think she's ready yet father." Kaoru said.
"I understand." Kastura said. He followed the doctor down the long corridor with Kaya beside him.
Kaoru comforted her shaken friend. It was very difficult for Misao to stand. She was just as afraid as Misao was to see her cousin. 'Please be okay for Misao's sake' Kaoru thought as she closed her eyes. The minutes had ticked away slowly. Kastura and Kaya came back. Kaya held back her tears refusing to cry in front of everyone. Tokio and Saitou went after them. Kaoru went towards her parents.
"Is he?" Kaoru asked not willing to finish her sentence.
"No. He's asleep. Still struggling to stay alive." Kastura reported. Kaoru wanted to bust into tears. She definitely didn't want to see him now struggling for each breath. Kastura patted her back gently. Tokio and Saitou arrived back from Aoshi's room. Megumi dragged Sano to come with her by pulling him by the ear. It was a humorous sight.
Misao was next to Tokio still shaking like a leaf. Kaoru played with another strand of her midnight hair. The rain outside was still pounding heavily on the earth. The thunder made Kaoru jump. Sano and Megumi walked back from the long corridor.
Kaoru sighed. She got up to her feet and started trotting to the horribly long corridor. Misao was behind her. Within seconds they were in front of his room. Kaoru took Misao's hand and squeezed it for some hope. She turned the cool, silver handle slowly and walked in.
Misao squealed as she ran to his bed side. Aoshi lay there with his eyes half way open. He was hooked up to several machines and had an oxygen mask over his mouth. Kaoru's breath was caught in her throat. 'He's okay.' Misao's face was decorated with a small smile. Glee glowed in her blue green eyes. She wanted to hug him so badly but restrained herself from doing it terrified that she might accidentally hurt him.
"Aoshi-sama, can you hear me?" Misao asked.
"Yes, Misao." He said hoarsely. Misao was ecstatic from his response. She handed him the glass of water. He took it gratefully and drank it greedily. He took off the oxygen mask. Kaoru was still by the door. Her face was turning blue from the lack of air.
"Breathe." Aoshi reminded her. Kaoru sighed heavily. 'What I'm going to do without him.' Kaoru thought as she sat next to Misao. It was quiet expect for the sound of the heart monitor beeping. Kaoru examined his wounds. His left arm was wrapped heavily with bandages. His right side of his chest was covered with those sticky patches.
"I was waiting for you two." Aoshi said.
"Oh, Aoshi-sama! I'm so happy you're alive! When do you get out of here?" Misao asked. Aoshi sighed lightly. He took her hands.
"Misao, I'm not coming back." Aoshi said.
"W-What did you do you mean?" Misao uttered fearfully.
"I'm going to die very soon. It is a miracle that I am alive right now." Aoshi said. Misao was silent. She was trying so hard not to cry. A large lump formed in her throat. Kaoru gave her friend a sorrowful look. Aoshi sat up in his bed.
"Misao, I will always love you." Aoshi said. Misao's blue green eyes stared at him.
"I love you too Aoshi." Misao said quietly. Aoshi gave Misao a long, sweet tender kiss. A small tear fell down slowly. Aoshi wiped the small tear from her face.
"Be strong." Aoshi whispered. Misao nodded her head.
"And Kaoru promise me you will take care of yourself." Aoshi asked.
"I promise." Kaoru promised. With that Aoshi laid down to finally go to eternal slumber. Kaoru and Misao watched him soundlessly. The heart monitor crept sluggishly to a stop.
"Noooo!" Misao screamed earsplitting. Everyone rushed into the room. Misao cried an endless river holding onto Aoshi's chest. Kaoru glanced at her saddened friend. Small, crystals tears silently sled down her face. 'He's dead! He's dead! I can't believe this! Why is my dear cousin dead?' Kaoru's mind was screaming to her. Misao started hiccupping. Tokio gently tugged Misao off of Aoshi. His chest was soaked with salty tears of pure melancholy.
"Mr.Kamiya, you have to see this." Enishi said as clicked on the news channel on the tiny TV.
"I'm Onessa Haiki, with a special news report. I am in Jade Park where Shinomori Aoshi was attacked. Eye witnesses say that Shinomori was seen in the park with Himura Kenshin. A loud sound was heard and Shinomori fell to the ground. After this Himura was seen fleeing the crime scene. Here are two the witnesses now."
Two of the teenage boys came to the reporter dripping wet. They were shivering from the cool wind blowing their way. One of them was tall with short dark brown hair. He wore miniature angular spectacles on the edge of his sharp nose. He looked very excited to be on TV. The other one was average height and had his dark purple hair into a Mohawk. He had one piercing on his eyebrow. He looked kinda of laid back.
"Now tell me what did you gentleman see?" Onessa asked.
"Man, it was pretty awesome! The tall dude and the little red man were dueling with swords. They were moving so fast! I mean super fast dude! I couldn't tell who was winning. Then this loud noise came and the tall dude was on the ground. The little red man looked freaked out. He left before the ambulance came. It was a killer fight!" The tall brunette guy explained excitedly.
"How about you? What did you see?" Onessa asked greedy for more information on the story.
"Basically, the same thing excepted after the bizarre noise a silver car sped off passed us." The purple haired boy said.
"Do you think the silver car has something to do with the attack on Shinomori?" Onessa asked.
"I don't know but, it was too weird that the silver car happened to pass when Shinomori is injured." The purple haired teen said.
"That's all I have for this special report. Hopefully Shinomori will make a full recovery very soon." Onessa said. Enishi clicked the television off. Kastura's clenched fists shook angrily. He gritted his teeth together. He was ready break something right that moment. 'Those damn murderous Himuras!' Kaya touched his clenched fists.
"Wait, until the funeral at least Kastura." Kaya said. She knew her husband well. She knew he was about to go rip off the Himura kid's head off.
"Alright." Kastura responded. His angry red face was turning back its normal color. He punched the wall to satisfy his temporary angry that would soon come back. The doctor stared at Kastura when he saw the hole he left in the wall. Kaya followed her husband out the door. Kaoru was in complete shock. Her cerulean eyes were wide with confusion, angry, and sadness. 'K-Kenshin. How could you?' Megumi dragged the shocked Kaoru to the car.
"Holy shit, Kenshin. You fucked up." Sano said when he saw the look in Kaoru's eyes.
Himura Resident
Hiko and Nataura turned off their wide screen TV.
"Baka!" Hiko bellowed. It was quiet through out the whole house. Some of the maids came to see why Hiko was yelling.
"Make yourselves useful. Find that baka right now!" Hiko yelled again. The maids scrambled through the mansion searching for their young master. Minutes went by and Hiko became more infuriated by the second. Hiko started knocking down priceless vases.
"Hiko! What the hell are you doing?" Nataura screamed at him.
"I got to take my angry out on something!" Hiko cried.
"Well, don't take it out on my vases! These are from the Linh dynasty!" Nataura shrilled. Hiko grumbled and stomped to his study to destroy more priceless and irreplaceable objects.
Kenshin
Kenshin staggered home in the pounding, heavy downpour. He grasps his injured shoulder. The moon was hidden in a blanket of menacing clouds. It felt like 55 degrees with the intense wind blowing. Kenshin turned around behind him to see if any cars were coming so he could cross the slippery road. There were no cars but, there was a group of unclear figures walking swiftly. Kenshin hid by a near by oak tree.
The group passed him. They were young men and they seemed very angry. They were also armed with swords, knives, and daggers. They all wore the same navy blue uniforms. The uniforms looked familiar. It finally clicked. The afternoon he escorted Kaoru home some of the workers and servants had that uniform on.
'Those are Kamiyas and they're heading to my house. But why are they going to my house? Whatever they're doing it can't be safe and my mother is still at home.' Kenshin thought. Kenshin stepped out his hiding place. The rain had decreased a bit so it was hard to see the group of Kamiyas. They were almost to the front gate. Kenshin took brisk stride steps to catch up with them.
"Hey!" Kenshin called out. The group halted and made turned 180 degrees around. They marched up to Kenshin in unison. There was three feet separating the furious group from Kenshin. There were four of them. One of the men was tall and had a large built. The rest of them were average height.
"So you came out to play with us you scumbag." The tall, large man said.
"Why are you here? I've done nothing to any of you." Kenshin said.
"You shithead! You have killed our young master! And now you shall pay!" the tall, large man spat out.
"I didn't murder him." Kenshin said.
"You bloody liar! Men take care of this nuisance!" the tall, large man commanded.
The three men ran towards Kenshin. Kenshin dodged each guy. One of them pulled out a dagger. He head to Kenshin wildly. Kenshin evade the man armed with the dagger. He grabbed the armed man's arm and twisted it behind the man's back. The man screeched with pain and dropped his dagger. Kenshin kicked the dagger out of the man's reach. He released the pained man. The man stared at Kenshin for a brief second and ran the opposite direction scared out of his mind.
The two others followed their friend's exampled and rushed back to the Kamiya mansion. The tall, large one was still there. He unsheathed his katana waiting for Kenshin to draw his sword. Kenshin unsheathed his sword turning the blade backwards. The tall, large Kamiya servant lurched at him for the first attack. Kenshin disappeared in front of him. The Kamiya servant stood there confused seeking his vanished enemy. Kenshin reappeared behind the man to strike. The man fell to the wet, muddy ground. He glared at Kenshin as he sheathed his sword.
"This is not over. Not by a long shot." The tall, large man spat out as he fled to the Kamiya estate.
Kenshin shook his head. He continued to trot home. The huge gate was open. A couple of servants were waiting with a tan umbrella. He approached the awaiting servants.
"Young master, your father is searching for you." The servant said. Kenshin sighed and went with the servants. Before stepping into the bright mansion Kenshin removed his footwear. He crept in silently. 'I wonder how mad he is?' Kenshin thought. A loud crash was heard from upstairs followed by a series of loud swearing. 'He's really pissed off.' Nataura came from upstairs shaking her head. Her brown eyes brightened when she seen her drenched red haired child.
"My darling son is finally back. You had me very worried." Nataura said.
"Sorry, mom." Kenshin apologized.
"Go find some dry clothes and come to the family room." Nataura said. Kenshin obeyed his mother and went to his room. He towel dried his hair and put on a pair of old blue jeans with bleached spots in them and a olive t-shirt. Kenshin walked down the stairs at a snail's pace. There was no use of hurrying because he knew he was screwed. He heard his mother murmuring softly to his father. Kenshin entered the dimly lit room. Nataura stop talking when Kenshin came in. Hiko glared at him hotly.
"Sit down, baka." Hiko bellowed. Kenshin plopped on the dark leather couch.
"Is there anything you like to tell us honey?" Nataura questioned. 'Do they know about my duel with Shinomori?' His mother stared at him with her same sweet smile on her face waiting patiently for his answer. Hiko stood by her glowering at him. 'I better tell them. I know he's been waiting to chew my head off.'
"Yes, mother. I was invited to a duel this evening." Kenshin said. Nataura glanced back at Hiko with that 'I told you he was going to tell us' look on her face.
"Was it that Shinomori gentleman from the Kamiya house?" Nataura asked. Kenshin's plum colored eyes widen slightly.
"Yes." Kenshin answered.
"Who won this duel?" Nataura asked carefully. Hiko glanced at Kenshin's face with sudden interest.
"It was a draw." Kenshin said.
"Liar!" Hiko shouted.
"Huh?" Kenshin said confusingly.
"You will not sit on your lazy ass and lie in my face baka! You murdered Shinomori!" Hiko yelled.
"I did not! I would never kill anyone! Especially someone who is very dear to the darling angel I love!" Kenshin shouted backed angrily.
"Alright, explain this!" Hiko bellowed as he clicked the on button harshly on the remote controller. The headlines of the breaking news read Shinomori Aoshi brutally murdered by Himura Kenshin Kenshin eyes were about to pop out of there sockets. The interview of the two teenage guys was on every channel. 'What the fuck is this?'
"You see baka. Everyone in Japan will see this. I will probably lose all my business partners. You have tarnished our family name!" Hiko shouted.
"I didn't do it!" Kenshin yelled.
"Can you prove that?" Hiko grilled. He stared at his son with accusing eyes. Kenshin was silent. He couldn't possibly prove his innocence.
"I didn't think so." Hiko spated. Kenshin's clenched fists shook violently. He threw the closest thing next to him at the wall. It was a hand stitched pillow.
"You're supposed to believe me! I'm your son!" Kenshin shouted furiously as he got in his father's face. His face matched his blood red locks. Hiko glared down at his infuriated son.
"You're not my son. You're a murderer." Hiko said venomously. Kenshin's eyes narrowed.
"I guess it runs in the family then." Kenshin shot back. Hiko grabbed Kenshin by the collar and tossed to the opposite wall. Kenshin hit the cream colored wall very hard. The wall had a nice size hole. Kenshin rubbed his head. The wound on his shoulder reopened causing blood to pour out on the cream carpet.
"Hiko! What the hell is wrong with you?" Nataura screamed. Hiko ignored his wife and stalked over to his son.
"You know it's true. You killed Mr.Koshojirou." Kenshin accused. Hiko reached for him again but stop when Nataura put herself between them.
"You will not touch him again." Nataura said quietly as tears came down her face. Hiko baked away feeling awful because he caused his wife to shed tears.
"Honey, I'm sorry." Hiko apologized.
"Don't apologize to me. You need to say that to Kenshin." Nataura said.
"I refuse to do that." Hiko said as he looked at Kenshin in disgust.
"Go to bed." Nataura commanded. Hiko fulfilled his wife's wish and stomped upstairs. Nataura turned to her son to examine him.
"Are you alright honey?" Nataura asked softly.
"I'm fine." Kenshin replied.
"Okay. I'll get someone to clean that wound." His mother said as she got up.
"Mom, you believe me right?" Kenshin asked.
"Of course, I do. I know you always tell me the truth." She responded. A small smile appeared on his face. 'At least someone believes me.'
Kamiya Estates
The house was empty and filled with sorrow. After the breaking news report that was broadcasted all over Japan the phones have been ringing all night.
"That Himura is slippery one! If think he thinks killing one our most important partner is going to make our business plummet! He has another thing coming!" Kaya screamed.
"I will see to it that Hiko will pay for this. His reputation will be no more when I'm finish with him." Kastura spoke. Kaoru watched her angry parents pacing the room ignoring the annoying phones that kept on ringing.
"You are the cause of all this!" Kaya yelled as she turned to Kaoru. Kaoru gave her mother a bewildered look.
"If you wouldn't have been with this Himura kid we wouldn't be in this mess!" Kaya yelled.
"He used you. He used to destroy our business and you fell for you little gullible brat!" Kaya screamed. Kaoru's eyes widen. 'Maybe she's right. No! He loves me.' Kaoru justified weakly with her thoughts.
"Kaya, be silent." Kastura said sternly. Kaya snorted and marched up to their quarters.
Kaoru ran up to her dimly lit room. She stared out of her large window. This was all too much for her. She wished it would all go away. 'I can't believe this. Kenshin. He couldn't! He wouldn't do this.' Kaoru thought. 'But he is very capable of it and there were witnesses. Face it. He killed Aoshi and he didn't give a damn about you!'
Kaoru shook her head vigorously to get rid of the thought. She grabbed her ipod and blasted the volume all up to drown her thoughts with the sounds of Evanescence.
Sapphire was growling fiercely. He was scratching at the window. Kaoru went to gather the upset wolfing. She looks out the window. Kaoru dropped her blue ipod. Her mouth hung open. On the other side of the window stood a soaked Kenshin knocking on her window pleadingly. Her breath was caught in her throat. 'K-Kenshin.'
That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time see ya!
Strawberrypie-chan