Here is chapter 21!!
WARNING: A very depressing chapter! I cried while writing it...
Chapter 21: Shattered Life
"Mizuki?" Kaoru called out to her "what is wrong? What is this li-?"
"Kaoru-chan!" Mizuki said urgently, fear written all over her face "you have to leave here. Kyoto burns…we have lost
…Ishin shishi has lost"
Kaoru's dreams and wishes for spring time vanished at those words.
Kaoru stared at Mizuki with wide eyes, not believing what she had heard "wha…" her voice sounded strange, she tried again "what are you saying…"
Mizuki held Kaoru by her upper arm and led her toward the back of the inn "listen to me Kaoru-chan. Shensin gumi has won, our enemy has won" she steered Kaoru around one corner "according the messenger, they are hunting down the remaining Ishin shishi members, it's only a matter of time before they arrive here" they reached the backyard "many…" she hesitated.
"What are you hiding…oh please Mizuki say it" Kaoru pleaded "something awful had happened"
Mizuki kept walking, not looking at Kaoru "four hundreds Ishin shishi members has died…"
Up until now Kaoru had been listening with shocked daze, refusing to believe that Ishin Shishi had lost, however, upon hearing this, reality rushed out to her "Kenshin! What about Kenshin?" Kaoru stopped in the middle of the backyard "did the messenger say anything about him?" Kaoru looked at Mizuki with pleading eyes.
Mizuki shook her head "all the messenger had said that Battousai had been in the front line of the battle…calm down, Kaoru-chan" Mizuki said when she noticed Kaoru's breath was quickening "no one knows what happened to him, this can be good 'cause it means he is not dead"
"I have to speak to him" Kaoru started to go back towards the inn, but the thunderous sound echoed in the night again and she froze.
It sounded so close.
Mizuki whirled Kaoru toward her "there is no time Kaoru, listen to this. It's a canon's sound, they are burning Kyoto to drive Ishin shishi's followers out. You have to leave, they will target you Kaoru-chan, you are Battousai's woman, they will try to capture you" again she started to pull Kaoru to the small back door.
"Where will I go?" Kaoru protested "I have to wait here, Kenshin…"
"There is another inn, about two hours from the bridge of Kyoto. The inn keeper is loyal to Katsura-san, go there"
"But…"
"Battousai had instructed me to do this" Mizuki said sternly.
"Kenshin?"
"Yes, many of us will go to different safe places if anything is to happen, you will go there and if Battousai is safe, he will do the same"
Kaoru felt tears pooling in her eyes when Mizuki said the word –if. It meant that there was a chance Kenshin was hurt or worse…
Mizuki removed her own shawl and wrapped it around Kaoru's shoulders "you have to be strong Kaoru-chan, for Battousai and for your child"
Kaoru nodded weakly, wiping her tears "what about you and the other women? And Tomoe-san…I have to wait for her"
Mizuki shook her head "we will be fine, it is you whom they will target. I will tell Tomoe-san about your location"
The canon sound exploded in the distance.
"Go! Now!" Mizuki opened the small wooden door "stay away from the centre" she said more urgently now "once you reach the bridge, follow the trail in the woods" Kaoru nodded "the inn name is Hasuwa inn, they will welcome you, now go!" she gave Kaoru a gentle shove outside the door.
Kaoru looked back at her and then she threw her arms around the taller woman "please Mizuki…be safe"
Mizuki smiled sadly at that "you know me I always have a way of escaping troubles, don't worry. Now hurry!"
Kaoru nodded and with one last look at Mizuki she started to run in the bridge direction, not knowing that this was the last time she would see her friend.
She ran towards the chaos.
Mizuki watched Kaoru disappear behind one corner. Turning around, she wiped at her eyes.
Be safe Kaoru-chan.
She entered the inn, talking to some women and helping some others to leave.
"Where is Kaoru?" Tomoe appeared suddenly at the entrance of the kitchen.
"I have already sent her away" Mizuki answered "she should be close to…" she trailed off as Tomoe ran back from wherever she came from.
Kaoru clutched the shawl tightly as she slowed her pace. She had no idea how long it had been since leaving the inn, but running had stolen her breath away and now an overwhelming feeling to rest made her legs heavier. Kaoru stopped and leaned against the wall, breathing deeply. She was close to the bridge, which was good, however, now she had to move toward the centre of Kyoto before turning west. Kaoru closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Even this far from town she could feel that something was wrong, the air was heavy and, opening her eyes, she saw the bright glow in the direction of the town.
Kyoto was burning.
Kaoru pushed herself away from the wall and started to walk. With each step, she was getting closer to the bright town. It seems as if the sun was rising from the wrong direction. But many hours remained before dawn. Kaoru reckoned it was close to midnight now. She rounded a corner and started on a long alley and as she emerged from the dark alley, she placed the shawl over her nose and mouth. The wind was blowing fiercely along the wide street, fanning the black smoke in her direction. From where she stood, the glowing was visible and this indicated that the fire was huge. Kaoru felt her heart tighten at that. People must be suffering right now, she felt like a coward for escaping.
But I can't be captured, for Kenshin and for my child.
Still this thought did not banish the guilt which gripped her. Kaoru sighed and tried to push this feeling aside as she started to turn west, towards the bridge.
She would be safe once she crossed the bridge. Kenshin might be already waiting for her. Kaoru tried to think positively. Both Kenshins were good fighters; they probably managed to escape somehow.
I will see them soon.
Just as she began to walk the opposite direction of the burning town, a child emerged from the alley closest to her.
He was crying.
Kaoru immediately ran and knelt in front of him.
"Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?" Kaoru did a quick assessment with her eyes, his face was blackened due to the smoke and there were small red burns on his small hands. Kaoru swallowed a lump when she saw these burns, remembering her own, though the child burn were minor and small, nothing compared to what she had had. But he's a small child, he must be hurting.
"Pl…please…" the child was trying to say something but his voice was hoarse and unclear from weeping.
"Don't worry, I know it hurts, I will help you" Kaoru knew the river was close; she could take him there and wash the burns. The cold water would certainly help "come" Kaoru held his hand "I will help you"
"No!" the child looked at her "please help mummy" he cried more "she…she's trapped"
Kaoru's eyes soften at that and her features twisted in pain. Many children must be suffering like him right now. But why? What for? Was it all in the name of war?
"I will help you" Kaoru said without hesitation as she stood "hurry now, take me to your mummy"
The child nodded through his tears and start leading her away from the direction of the bridge, away from safety and towards the burning city.
As they neared the centre of Kyoto, the temperature began to rise and the air got heavier. Kaoru pressed her sleeve closer to her nose and mouth. She had given her shawl to the child and wrapped it securely around his nose. Kaoru's vision was starting to blur and she felt the sting of tears, not only due to the black smoke, but because of the scenes she had witnessed along the way. People were dying, she had seen the bodies and now as they walked in the alley she could hear the screams and wails of the town's people, they were very close to the heart of chaos. As they neared the end of the alley, Kaoru tried to prepare herself to the suffering and death she would have to witness, however, no amount of preparations could have made her ready for this. Just as they emerged from the alley, Kaoru immediately scooped the boy in her arms. People were running everywhere, in every direction. She stared with wide eyes at the ground, some bodies were lying there unmoving and the panicking town people stepped over them without any thought. Kaoru knew the child would be run over if he continued to walk on his feet.
"Whe…where do we go now?" Kaoru asked loudly, as she pressed the child closer to her. Houses and markets were burning, the tongues of flame rose to the sky, illuminating the sky. It was hard to believe that it was night.
The child was crying again, the shawl had fallen off his face and Kaoru was scared to bend down and retrieve it.
"Shhhh…things will be all right, don't worry, we will find your mum" Kaoru tried to reassure him, but in reality she felt hopeless. How was she going find his mother amidst all this chaos?
The child raised his arm and pointed left. Kaoru started to move in that direction, stopping only to ask the child for further directions. She kept whispering calming words to him, trying to reassure him and trying to distract herself of the scenes before her. Men were screaming, women were wailing and children were weeping, but others were just silent. Kaoru saw some who were reclined against the wall, eyes vacant, face blackened, some were dead, some were alive, but in a shock or resigned to their fate.
As the child pointed across the street, Kaoru felt someone grab her ankle; she almost tripped, but managed somehow to keep her footing.
"Please….help me…help…" Kaoru looked down reluctantly. An elderly man was lying on the ground, his hand gripping her ankle tightly "help…help me…" he repeated. He appeared to be fine, however, looking at his lower half of his body, Kaoru almost gagged.
His both legs -or what remained of them- were black, burnt completely that the bones were visible.
"I'm sorry…" Kaoru felt tears running down her cheeks as she pulled her leg forcefully from his painful grasp "I'm really sorry…" breaking free, Kaoru held the boy tighter in her arms and ran across the street, people were shoving and pushing at her, but she managed to hold her ground.
I must not fall, I must not fall, I must not fall…
Although Kaoru kept repeating this in her mind to gain strength she felt herself weakening, her lungs were burning with the need of fresh air and her muscles were protesting the extra weight she was carrying.
When she stopped by the house the child pointed at, Kaoru felt her heart sinking. The small house was a ruin; all that remained was black and charred woods.
Kaoru looked around, trying to figure out what to do next. Her brain was in turmoil, thinking logically was becoming harder and harder. All around her people ran and screamed and begged for help. Kaoru wanted to help them, to help them all, but she couldn't help the boy in her arms let alone other people.
"Don't…worry…you will be fine…you will be fine" she rocked him gently, looking around.
"Sobaru! Sobaru!" Kaoru heard a female voice from behind. She whirled and saw a tall woman running toward her.
"Mummy!" the child squealed in delight.
"Oh, Sobaru…" the woman yanked the child from Kaoru's arms forcefully and hugged him tightly to her breasts before glaring at Kaoru "WHY DID YOU TAKE MY CHILD?" she started to scream and push at Kaoru.
"I was try-" Kaoru tried to explain.
"WHERE DID YOU TAKE HIM? My poor child" the woman eyes were wild and scared, her face was burned slightly on one side "LEAVE us alone" and she suddenly shoved Kaoru hard.
Kaoru, who wasn't expecting this, found herself slammed against the wall with a force that knocked the air out of her lungs. She gasped and slid against the wall, her eyes closed in pain.
"Wait…wait…" Kaoru whispered weakly as she opened her eyes "I…I was only trying to help" but the woman was already moving, mingling with the panicked crowd.
Kaoru remained sitting were she was slumped against the wall, staring dizzily at the screaming people. She was hot and uncomfortable sitting there, but she was very tired, the smoke was making her eyes water –or was it exhaustion that making her cry?- she wanted nothing more than curl into ball and block the sounds of suffering and crying. But she had to move, to escape here somehow.
When she finally decided to stand up, Kaoru placed one hand on the ground to push herself up and just then she felt her hand touching something soft. She looked down to her left and her eyes widened at what she saw.
A hand was all she could see from under the fallen wall beside her.
Someone was buried under the ruins and all she could see was his or her burnt hand. Kaoru was about to scream but she felt a bile rise in her throat and immediately she bent over and threw up. Tears streamed down her face as she emptied her stomach.
Kenshin
The name appeared in the fog of her mind. And it made her cry more. She wanted to see him, to be in his arms, only then she would feel safe.
With this thought, she forced herself up and started to walk paralleled to the broken wall, avoiding the centre of the street. Still sometimes she collided with panicked women and men, sometimes she tripped over burnt bodies, but Kaoru sprang to her feet as fast as possible, afraid to be run over. Her hands were hurting from where she accidently had touched a burning wood.
Finally she saw the alley she had been looking for, the one which would lead her to the bridge. She slipped through and walked faster now, pressing her sleeve to her nose. The screams were behind her now, but still close. Kaoru forced her legs to move faster, wanting to put as much distance as she could with the horrors behind her though in her mind, she could still see the burnt bodies and the mutilated people. In the distance she heard the sound of canons, but their targets were unknown to her. Kaoru walked faster, her muscles were protesting but she forced them to move.
Move, move, faster, faster…
She had no clue for how long, but Kaoru kept walking faster and faster, thinking only that she needed to be out of Kyoto. She walked thinking of Kenshin and praying that he was safe, that both were safe. She thought of Mizuki and Tomoe and hoped they were safely out of Kyoto and that they did not have to pass through the town. She walked and walked until suddenly she realized that all around her was silent.
Kaoru stopped and looked around. She was in the middle of a main street; the burning town was behind her. The bridge must be close; she could hear the sound of flowing water near.
The river.
Panting for air, Kaoru forced her legs to move again, now knowing that she would be safe soon, she ran through the alley as fast as she could.
Kenshin, please be safe, please wait for me.
Thinking of Kenshin made her legs move faster. The end of the alley was near but she felt as if thousands of miles were between them.
Finally, she reached the mouth of the alley and ran out. She almost squealed in delight when she saw the bridge.
Kenshin, I will see you soon.
"Oi!"
Kaoru froze on her spot.
Oh…no…please no…
She turned slowly to the left and saw what she had feared the most.
Two Shinsen gumi soldiers were standing by the river with two horses tethered to a tree by the river. The two soldiers started to approach her and Kaoru remained where she was. She had no energy to run, no strength to move at all. She tried to suppress the tears that were pooling in her eyes as they neared her.
"Well, what do we have here?" one soldier said, looking at her. Her hair was loose and her cheeks were blackened with the smoke, and her breaths were coming in short deep gasps "what are you doing here, girl?" the same soldier spoke again, while the other kept studying her intently.
"I have to leave here, please…" Kaoru pleaded "someone is waiting for me"
"Who is waiting for you?"
"My parents" Kaoru lied without hesitation.
"Hmmm…so you got separated from them in the chaos, I guess the situation there is worse than we think" the soldier added, looking at her burned clothes "though you are the first to take this road"
"There is a village near here…" Kaoru started but the soldier waved her away.
"Go, go to your parent, although," he looked at her up and down appreciably "I think you are old enough to live with a man now not with you parent"
Kaoru took a step backward and muttered a quick thank you, before turning around.
"Wait"
Kaoru halted and looked over her shoulder.
It was the second soldier, who up till now had been scrutinizing her silently "what is your name, girl?" he asked solemnly.
"Mi…Mizuki" Kaoru answered.
"Mizuki, eh?" he started to walk toward her again and stopped close to her as Kaoru turned to face him. He reached out and wiped her cheek with his thumb "I think not…" suddenly he grabbed her hard and spin her around twisting her arm painfully behind her "I think not…Kamiya Kaoru"
Kaoru's eyes widened at that. How did he…?
"What?" the other soldier said as he came near them "what did you say? Are you sure?"
"Totally sure, I cannot forget her face" he twisted her arm more when Kaoru started to struggle "I was one of the soldiers who led her to the questioning room when she was first captured"
"Whoa! I can't believe our luck, we captured Battousai's woman without breaking a sweat"
Upon hearing Kenshin's name Kaoru started to struggle again "no! Let me go" she tried to stomp on his feet but the man twisted her arm painfully making her cry out in pain.
"Stay still or I will break your arm for you" he threatened calmly.
"No…no…" Kaoru moved frantically, refusing to be captured, yet knowing that she couldn't do anything about it. She could hardly keep standing, let alone fight them both.
"Let's go to the horses" the soldier holding her said as he pulled her roughly "we will restrain her there and move her to the main camp"
He applied more pressure to her arm as he forced her to walk forward. The pain in Kaoru's shoulder was so severe that she stopped struggling. She looked frantically around, searching for something, anything to use as a weapon.
"What with her anyway?" the other soldier said, peering at her.
"We have orders to capture her, as you know Battousai is not among the dead. This woman will be used to lure him out"
The joy that filled Kaoru was so great that she ignored the fact that they would use her to get to Kenshin.
Kenshin is alive! Despite her predicament, she smiled Kenshin is alive as long as he's alive there was hope. Now she would try twice as hard to escape. She felt her energy renewing and her spirits elevating; however, the next words the soldier uttered made her body go rigid with horror.
"We will deliver her directly to Enishi, this is Kiyokawa-sama's order" he forced her to stop by the horses "get the ropes"
I have to act
Just as the other soldier turned towards the horse, Kaoru jammed her elbow onto the man's rips (the man which was holding her) and then she kicked him between his legs. The other soldier turned from the horses upon hearing his comrade's scream and was about to seize her, but Kaoru bent low and grabbed a handful of sand, throwing it on his face. Wasting no time, now that both men we slightly incapacitated, Kaoru ran towards the bridge.
I have to reach the woods. She desperately urged her legs to move faster, seeking the woods cover. When she heard voices behind her, Kaoru did not turn or slow down, but kept running towards the bridge, which was closer now.
Now she was so close, she could almost touch the railing of the bridge, but just as she was about to cross the wooden bridge, a hand yanked her kimono from behind and shoved her hard on the ground. Kaoru yelped in pain, and the soldier wasted no time as he straddled her waist.
"Let me go!" Kaoru screamed at him and hit him on his hand and chest.
"You bitch…" he slapped her hard across the face, causing tears of pain to run down her cheeks "bring the rope!"
The other soldier appeared, holding a length of rope and rubbing his eyes. He knelt beside them as the soldier on top of Kaoru grabbed her wrists, locking them together.
"She is really a big trouble" the soldier complained as he looped the rope around her wrists.
"NO!" Kaoru tried to fight them with all her strength, she writhed beneath the soldier and tried to throw him off her. However, two men were too much to handle and eventually they secured the rope tightly around her wrists.
The man on top of her rose to his feet and pulled Kaoru to her feet by her hair. The searing pain on her scalp made Kaoru cry out, which earned her a second slap from the soldier.
"Shut up!" he shouted and began pulling her towards the horses "if you try to pull anything again, I swear I will make you regret the day you were born" once they reached the horses he ripped Kaoru's neck bandage and secured another rope around Kaoru's neck and pulled her by it "if you try to escape I will strangle you. Lead the horses" he said to his fellow Shinsen gumi soldier "I will make sure she never tries to escape again"
"Let's just dispose of her" the other soldier complained as he led both horses "we can hunt Battousai down, he is no threat now that Ishin shishi has failed"
"We have specific orders to capture her and bring her to the camp"
Kaoru walked obediently behind him, whenever he tucked at the rope, it constricted tightly around her neck, making it difficult to breathe. Her cheeks stung from where he slapped her and there was nothing more she wished to do than to kick him again or knock him unconscious. But her strength was seeping out of her, the horror she had witnessed and all the physical strain she had been through tonight made her weak and as the time trailed on, she found it hard to keep up with the pace of both men. Only fear of suffocation kept her going. She wondered if this night was ever going to come to an end, she wondered when she's going to see Kenshin again.
I have to escape she thought but did not do anything although she was aware that each step she was making was getting her closer to Enishi.
They were walking parallel to the river, she had heard them say that they have to use the north bridge to cross the river and reach the camp, which was somewhere in the woods. She was grateful that they wouldn't be crossing Kyoto's centre.
They spoke about the battle and she heard that Katsura was not captured, she was glad to hear that. She hoped that both Kenshins were with him.
The bridge could be seen now and Kaoru knew once they crossed it, she would lose all chances to escape.
"Please let me go" Kaoru tried begging "I won't be any use for you, just let me go"
"Shut up" the one holding the rope said.
"Please, don't take me to him…" Kaoru insisted and halted, refusing to walk.
"I said shut up! And move!" he tucked violently at the rope, making it constrict tightly around her neck.
Kaoru gasped and went down on her knees, clutching at the rope with her bound hands.
"Stand up!" he shouted again and raised his hand to slap her "if you don't-"
"What is going on here?" a new calm voice echoed in the night.
Both men turned away from Kaoru and towards the voice.
"Captain Okita…"
Okita was standing about ten paces away, nearer to the bridge. He stared at the girl on her knees. For a moment his eyes widened at the recognition but then he looked coldly at the soldier holding her rope.
"This is Kamiya Kaoru?" Okita asked without a hint of emotion in his voice.
"Yes captain" the soldier replied "we've captured her trying to escape through the western bridge"
Okita nodded and strode to them. Without further words, he knelt before Kaoru, who was looking at him uncertainly, and started to untie the rope around her neck.
"Captain! She will try to escape"
"A mere woman is no challenge for me" Okita replied angrily, looking at the newly formed red line around her neck "but I see that she has been more than a challenge for you both"
"Well…she…" the soldier leading the horse mumbled incoherently.
"Enough!" Okita ordered, looking at Kaoru, who was staring at him with questioning and pleading eyes "you two can leave, I will take her from here" he carefully raised Kaoru to her feet and untie her wrists.
The soldier with the horses started to move back where they had come from without protesting, but the other one remained motionless.
Okita glared at him "do I need to repeat myself?"
"I'm sorry captain Okita but I have two specific orders, from Kiyokawa-sama himself" the soldier's voice was calm and intent "First, Kamiya Kaoru is to be given directly to Enishi"
Okita tightened his arms on Kaoru "I will do that myself"
"The second order, Kamiya Kaoru is not to be given to captain Okita…to you"
Okita narrowed his eyes "what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means nothing captain Okita, only that I have found the girl and I'm responsible for delivering her"
Okita tightened his jaw "you will do wisely to listen to me and leave this very moment"
"I'm sorry captain Okita, I can't"
Okita looked down, pondering for few silent moments. Kaoru could see that his eyes were sad now "then I'm sorry too" Okita said and he disappeared from the spot next to Kaoru and appeared right before the soldier. The soldier did not have the time to unsheathe his sword or scream as Okita's blade was driven through his throat.
"I'm sorry" Okita repeated ruefully and twisted his sword before pulling it out. The soldier fell down, dying immediately.
Okita turned and stared coldly at the other soldier, who was frozen with panic near the horses.
"Go" that was all Okita said and the man took flight, crossing the bridge and disappearing in the woods.
Okita sighed and closed his eyes, raising his head to the sky.
Kaoru remained standing on her spot, staring at him.
Finally Okita opened his eyes and sheathed his bloody sword before looking at her…
…and he smiled.
A small sad smile and that was all the reassurance Kaoru needed before she ran to him and into his opened arms.
"Oh…Okita…" Kaoru cried in his arms, she had never been so happy to see someone before, but other thoughts plagued her mind "the people…the town people are dying…everyone is…" she sobbed harder.
"Shhhh…it's all right, you're safe now" Okita tightened his arm around her waist and touched her loose hair with his free hand. Her hands were clutching his gi tightly, and Okita could see small burns on them. Her kimono was burnt in some places. He had no doubt that she had passed through the burning city.
What Okita wanted was to continue holding her and let her calm down but there was no time "Kaoru-chan," he gently cupped her face with his hands to make her look at him "we have to leave here" he wiped her tears with his thump, looking at her tired eyes "other soldiers will come soon, I will see you safely outside Kyoto"
Kaoru's wet eyes flickered momentarily to the dead soldier "I'm sorry, you had to kill you comrade for me" she whispered.
Okita's eyes soften "I will do anything for you Kaoru" anything to make it up for what I had done. He kissed her forehead and Kaoru closed her eyes. He would not let her fall in Enishi's hands again; he would protect her and Enishi had to go through him first if he wanted to get to her.
"Let's go" he held her hand and led her away from the bridge and into a narrow alley.
"Aren't we going out of Kyoto?" Kaoru asked, wiping her tears.
"Yes, but not using this bridge" he led her out of the alley and onto a main street "our main camp is there. And I can't walk close to the river, many of us are guarding the bridges" they kept walking straight, and Kaoru was afraid they would have to pass through the town again, the huge flame could be seen in the far distance "I was assigned the eastern border, we can go from there, however, we may have to wade the river, is that all right with you?" he looked back at her.
"Yes" Kaoru said, she would do anything to be out of Kyoto and…to Kenshin "Okita…" Kaoru hesitated, but she asked anyway "do you know anything about Kenshin?"
She felt him tense for a moment before resuming the walk normally "He wasn't killed or captured, that's all I know" he said darkly.
Kaoru did not say anything; this seemed all of what Shinsen gumi knew about Kenshin. But there was another question she had in mind.
"Did…did you fight him?" she whispered.
"No" Okita replied "but he has killed many of us"
Kaoru bowed her head and followed him silently.
They kept walking for sometimes, and Kaoru tried hard to keep up and not to fall. Exhaustion was overwhelming her and making her surrounding seem unfocused and blurry. But she kept pushing herself, for Okita's sake. He had gone through many troubles to help her; she would have to be strong.
They walked between two buildings and when they were about to turn, Okita suddenly stopped and pushed her against the wall. He pressed his body against hers and placed one hand over her mouth.
Kaoru did not realize what was happening until a group of Shinsen gumi soldiers passed near the opening of the alley. Kaoru's breathing was hard and deep, she tried to calm herself and breathe normally through her nose, but her heart was beating fast. She looked at Okita and he was looking at her too. He touched her hair gently with his free hand trying to calm her. It worked, Kaoru's breath started to slow and she closed her eyes, wondering if she could sleep for few seconds, standing up.
The voices of the soldiers disappeared and Okita removed his hand slowly.
"Sorry, Kaoru-chan" Okita whispered, but did not move away from her.
"It's ok…it's all right…" Kaoru closed her eyes and rested her head against Okita's right shoulder. When she felt herself being lowered to the ground she opened her eyes and looked at Okita, who settled next to her against the wall.
"What are you doing? We have…"
"We can rest for a while" Okita smiled "come," he moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her against his chest "rest now" he said, rubbing her shoulder. Exhaustion was apparent on her, and Okita knew that she had been pushing herself since they had start walking. Sheer will was the only reason she kept going. Though he understood that any moment delay might endanger them he was afraid that she would collapse any moment.
"Okita-san" her voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I'm making you go through lots of trouble for me, aren't I?"
"No Kaoru-chan, I'm the one who decided to help and besides, they need me. Now more than ever"
Kaoru thought for few moments, and then she moved slightly to look at him "come with me, Okita"
Okita stared back at her with a serious expression on his face "I can't, I have a duty and," he looked away "I'm only doing this because I think using you is wrong" his expression changed, and Kaoru wondered what he was really thinking about "Innocent people should be protected not used"
"But it's dangerous, I don't want you to get hurt…especially not because of me"
Okita smiled, the serene bright smile which Kaoru loved to see "you're really so kind Kaoru-chan" he touched her hair "don't worry about me, I will be fine. More importantly we have to get you out of here" he stood up "I'm sorry we can't rest any longer" he offered his hand to her.
Kaoru shook her head as she held his outstretched hand "I'm fine now" she lied.
"And you are a bad liar, Kaoru-chan" he smiled and squeezed her hand gently before peering at the main street.
"It's all clear" he muttered to himself and started across the wide street.
But before they walked few paces some called.
"Captain Okita?" both Okita and Kaoru froze.
Okita turned slowly around to see who had called his name though he already knew.
Ten Shinsen gumi soldiers were at the other end of the street.
A whole squad.
Okita squeezed Kaoru's hand tightly, as he felt her tense beside him.
The squad began to approach.
"Captain Heisuke" Okita greeted the leader of the squad.
"Captain Okita" the old captain said, when he was near "how fortunate that you have captured Battousai's woman"
"Yes" Okita clenched his jaw, wondering how the hell the captain had recognized her so easily. Then he remembered that Heisuke was present when Kaoru had been brought before Kiyokawa-sama.
"Battousai has been seen around here. This should lure him out successfully" the captain said cheerfully.
"Then I will deliver her to the main camp and they will decide what to do" Okita replied calmly.
"But captain Okita," the other captain's tone remained casual but he narrowed his eyes at Okita "the main camp is on the opposite direction"
"I know," Okita's voice did not waver "I just need to see to see my squad on the eastern boarder"
"Ah, yes I understand. Then we will take her from here since we're heading to the main camp now" he ushered to two of his men.
Okita let go of Kaoru's hand and stepped in front of her "I will take her myself to the camp" Okita said between his clenched teeth.
"Now, now captain Okita," Heisuke smiled maliciously, making the wrinkles around his eyes deeper "this behavior is not befitting of someone of your rank"
"And you giving me orders is not befitting to your rank either. So leave now"
"I think not" he took a step toward Okita and Kaoru "we have been warned that you might refuse to surrender the girl, but I'm afraid that we are so close to complete victory that I can't indulge your youthful wishes. Seize the girl!" he ordered his men but before he could finish his order, Okita unsheathed his sword with incredible speed and killed the closest two men. Taking advantage of their surprised state, Okita managed to disembowel a third soldier before he moved to the captain himself.
The captain now recovered and pulled his own sword out of the scabbard "you kill your comrades for the devil's woman?" he spat as he deflected Okita's vertical blow.
"Retreat" Okita ordered, delivering another strike at the old man's shoulder "order your men to withdraw; I don't want to kill more"
"Take the girl, NOW!" the captain ordered.
Okita jumped away from the captain and at the same time drove his sword into an advancing soldier's heart.
Four soldiers were dead now.
"You can't beat me" Okita said as he blocked an attack from the captain.
"You are outnumbered, surrender" Heisuke took two steps backwards "we have been ordered not kill you as your skills are greatly valued, but we will capture you with the girl and you will answer to Kiyokawa-sama"
"You will not take her" Okita lunged at him, and this time he felt the other men moving behind him. Six men remained, including the captain. Okita was greatly outnumbered but he needed to take down the captain first.
"OW! Shit!" he heard a soldier behind him curse and Okita looked at Kaoru's direction, only to see her flinging rocks at the other soldiers.
One soldier was already on his knees, clutching his bleeding forehead.
Okita almost smiled, she was really special and brave.
Kaoru…
"Okita! Behind you!" Okita turned in time to block an attack aimed at his side by one soldier.
"Don't kill him!" he heard the captain shout, but Okita killed the soldier with one slash across his throat.
Five were down.
"Don't come near me" he heard Kaoru's voice and saw the captain approaching her.
"Kaoru!" Okita shouted her name and was about to run towards them but then it happened.
A coughing fit seized him and he dropped on one knee, coughing blood.
The accursed disease gripped him.
While he gasped and cough, he sensed a movement to his left. A soldier was about to attack him.
I can't die…not now…
…Kaoru
Still on his knee, Okita gripped the sword with both hands and plunged it deep into the man's abdomen. The man's screams echoed in the black night.
I'm sorry…
Six are down.
Okita rose slowly to his feet with the support of his sword. The three remaining soldiers looked at Okita fearfully.
Okita breathed in and out quickly as he looked at them with wild eyes.
"Why…" one soldier began "why, captain Okita, are you killing us? You are one of us, you are a Shinsen gumi soldier!" the soldier finished with desperate and confused voice.
A pained expression assailed Okita's tired features "I'm…sorry…" Okita breathed "but…I will…protect her…"
"WHY?" the soldier screamed and lunged at Okita with both hands raised above his head to deliver a vertical strike. Still panting, Okita moved his sword in a horizontal way, slashing the soldier's chest open.
"Be…because she…is innocent and I…" Okita now faced the remaining two soldiers, he was now gasping for air and blood ran down his mouth. The cool night breeze brushed against his cheeks and lifted his brown hair.
The two soldiers prepared to attack…
With a roar Okita lunged at them.
Kaoru kicked the captain hard on his shin, as she tried to break free from his painful grip around her neck.
"You wench" the captain backhanded her, making her fall on the ground "If you are not more useful to us alive than dead, I would have killed you"
Kaoru supported herself on her arms, as she tried to lift herself off the dirt ground. She shook her head, to clear the dizziness. She could hear a loud ringing sound in one ear.
"Now," the captain knelt beside her "you will be an obedient girl and AHHH!" he screamed loudly when Kaoru shoved a handful of sand on his face.
She scrambled away from him, but he held her ankle "you bitch…you bitch" he rubbed his eyes.
"Let me go!" Kaoru moved her legs and kicked his hand.
"I will kill you myself after Battousai is captured…" he rubbed frantically at his eyes.
Kaoru froze.
This man will hurt Kenshin.
"I swear I will-" the captain did not get the opportunity to finish his threat, because Kaoru, spotting a big rock, gripped it tightly and bang it on his head.
"You will not hurt Kenshin!" and she hit him again with the rock and again and again...
This time he remained motionless as his white hair turned into red.
Kaoru stared at him for a long time, breathing deeply. Her blue eyes settled on the bloody rock in her hand and she immediately let go of it.
I've killed a man Kaoru stared wide eyed at his motionless body. But he was going to hurt Kenshin…he was…Kaoru tried to banish these thoughts. This was not the time, Okita needed her…
Now her eyes moved around looking for Okita. She sighed in relief when she spotted him standing among the bodies of the other soldiers, his back to her.
He had killed them all.
Kaoru rose to her feet unsteadily "Okita you-"
"Kaoru-chan" Okita interrupted, without looking at her "do you hate me for having betrayed you before?"
Kaoru was confused by this question "of…" her voice was hoarse and her heart was beating frantically "of course not, I don't hate you…I never have"
"So I am forgiven?"
"I have never blamed you"
"Then Kaoru-chan, I'm glad…" he turned slowly towards her, smiling brightly "I have no regrets in my life"
Kaoru's eyes widened as he turned towards her and she gasped when he faced her fully. His chin was smeared with blood running from his mouth but this was not what had made her gasp. The right side of his gi –toward his lung- was covered with blood.
She took one step towards him "Okita…you're injured"
"No Kaoru-chan" he said, the smile still on his face "I'm killed"
And he collapsed.
"Okita!" Kaoru ran to him and went down on her knees beside him "Okita! Okita!" she called his name until he opened his eyes.
"Ka…Kaoru…" he blinked trying to focus his eyes on her "listen to me Kaoru…you have to reach the eastern side…"
"Don't speak, you will come with me…" Kaoru looked around "I will stop the bleeding…it's only a minor wound…I will look…" Kaoru was about to stand but Okita held her wrist weakly.
"No Kaoru…it's no use" he whispered, and Kaoru could hear strange noises from his lung "you…you have to listen…"
Kaoru touched his face and wiped his chin with the hem of her sleeve "you will show me the way…" Kaoru smiled, there was no need to cry, she told herself, Okita was fine…he will be all right.
"Follow…follow this street and turn left…" Okita coughed and more blood ran down his chin "you will soon hear the river's sound…make it your guide…"
"Yes…yes but you don't need to tell me all this" Kaoru moved his head carefully onto her folded legs and touched his forehead "you will show me the way yourself…the bleeding will stop, I will try hard..I will…"
"Kaoru…" Okita's eyes never left hers "did…you he…hear what I've said? Can you find your way?"
"Please…Okita…" finally, tears pooled in Kaoru's eyes "please don't leave me…"
"Did you…did you understand what I've just said?" Okita insisted, looking directly into her glistening eyes.
Kaoru nodded as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Okita closed his eyes, relaxing a little bit. But a coughing fit seized him and his whole body shuddered with the force of it.
Kaoru sobbed hard and stroke his forehead "Okita…I'm sorry…I'm sorry..."
Okita opened his eyes as the coughing abated "Kaoru…" he looked up at her for a while, feeling her tears dropping on his bloody cheeks "you're…you…are so beautiful" he managed to smile, a small smile. He raised a trembling hand and touched her cheek "I…have lied when…when I've said the reason…" he stroke her cheeks "…I'm helping you is…only because…because…I don't want you to be used…I...I…care about…you…I-" again a spasm of cough gripped his body this time stronger than before.
"Please Okita…what can I do? Tell me…please…" Kaoru placed her hand over his trembling one against her cheek as she wept.
"Meeting you…is the best…" his voice was becoming a mere whisper and the light in his eyes was dimming but he tried hard to keep looking at her "…thing…that has happened in…my life…" it was getting harder for him to speak and Kaoru saw the life flicker in his brown eyes "I'm so...glad…and perhaps…in the afterlife…me…you…" his heart gave up the struggle, his last breath was as quite as a candle flame blown out by a night breeze and his eyes lost the sparkle in them, they become unfocused and hazy, but they were now looking at the sky…forever at the sky.
"Oki…Okita?" Kaoru choked, his hand against her cheek became limp. Kaoru kissed his palm "Okita look at me…please…please…" tears poured down her cheeks and onto his face. She let go of his hand and wrapped her arms around him, bringing him close to her chest. She rocked him gently, kissing his forehead, stroking his hair.
Kaoru kept holding him while weeping. She did not want to leave him, she did not want to let him go. So she continued holding him close to her chest…
Close to her heart.
Kaoru cried and cried, for so long, she did not know for how long exactly. But she remained holding Okita, among the bodies of Shinsen gumi's soldiers until the sky was brightening. The whole world seemed grey at this time, colourless and bleak. Dawn was near. Her tears had already dried out, but she remained holding Okita's body. Kaoru lowered her eyes to look at him.
His eyes were closed, now closed forever.
She couldn't remember when she had closed his eyes.
Kaoru ran her finger along his cheek, he was so cold now. During the time she had been holding him, she had felt his warmth ebbing gradually. She lowered her head and kissed his brow. And fresh tears rolled down her cheeks when she looked at him again, silent tears.
He seemed at peace.
"Rest now, Okita-san" Kaoru lowered him gently to the ground "I will always remember you" she folded his arms across his chest and placed his sword between them. She had wiped the blood off his face long ago and now he looked as if he was sleeping peacefully. Kaoru stared down at him and bowed to the waist "thank you Okita-san…for everything and farewell" she remained in that position as her features twisted in anguish and the sobs started again. It was taking all her strength not to kneel down again and hold him in her arms.
She straightened her posture and turned to leave. She walked few paces before turning to look at him again. Although he seemed at peace, Kaoru did not want to remember him like that. What she wanted to remember was Okita's face with the bright smile which had always made her feel at ease. However, her eyes remained glued on him as if to remember every detail about him. She didn't want to leave, she was so tired of running, what she wanted was to lie next to him and hold him. But she had to go otherwise Okita's sacrifice would be for nothing. It was pure lucky that no other members of Shinsen gumi had passed by again.
So Kaoru started to walk. She walked leaving an important person behind, a great man, a great soldier…a great friend.
But she felt as if she was leaving a piece of her heart behind.
Okita.
Oh god that was an awful chapter!! Okita!! I really hated to kill him, I think that's why I have been delaying this chapter for so long, I did not want him to die :( But Okita is sick so he's bound to die sooner or later…
Few more chapters and it will be the end. Poor Kaoru, she's really suffering and it's only the beginning.