The Other Side of the Moon
Disclaimer: No, I still don't own Rurouni Kenshin…
Chapter 20 – The Game
The sun shone weakly, there was no warmth left. Dark grey clouds were gathering in the sky. A chilling wind picked up.
It would rain soon…
And yet he was waiting patiently… No chilling wind… No rain would remove him from that place…
He really didn't care about the elements. He was waiting… waiting for them…
In the middle of so many misfortunes and problems this was a happy occasion.
To celebrate life was a happy occasion in middle of so many deaths…
A big smile blossomed upon his lips. It would be good to see them again… They had a long history together and deep down they were all friend in spite of the past disagreements.
He stood unmoving with his arms crossed over his chest facing the sliding doors of the hospital.
But they were sure taking forever…
Misao…
Suddenly the sliding doors opened…
And an image of harmonious happiness appeared by the door.
The man in the wheel-chair was slowly getting up helped by a nurse.
Next to him stood a small woman with a small bundle on her arms cheerfully speaking to the nurse next to her.
Motherhood really suited her, the man thought to himself. She was even more beautiful since the last time he had seen her… He knew that her husband wasn't totally comfortable when he was near…
But there was trust… and strong bonds that no one now could shatter…
Her warm green eyes turned to the busy street. A lonely silhouette that stood by a car called her attention.
A lonely figure but not unknown…
"Soujiro!" The green eyed woman called out. Her soft voice alerted the attention of her husband to the man… his eyes darkened somewhat but his lips curved into an almost invisible smile.
"Misao!" Soujiro answered back as he came closer. "Aoshi…"
"Soujiro." Aoshi soberly acknowledged.
"Oh Soujiro, it's so good to see you! It has been so long! Come closer and meet the new member!"
As Soujiro came closer he could see the baby sleeping peacefully in her mother's warmth totally oblivious to the surrounding environment.
"It's a pity that she is sleeping… she has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen!"
"What's the name of the little princess?" Soujiro asked suddenly curious.
"It's Sachi. I think it matches her…"
As Soujiro took the sight of a loving mother that Misao now represented a new understanding of her nature was formed… How he envy Aoshi for all he had now… that deep down could have been his if things had been different…
"Well, it's good to see you too…" Soujiro started as he cleared his mind from past memories. "I'm here to take you home. May I help you Aoshi?"
Aoshi just nodded and allowed the always smiling man to help him walk to the car.
"Congratulations Aoshi, you are a lucky man…" Soujiro whispered.
"Yes, I am… You too can be a lucky man if you put aside the past."
Some sort of emotion flashed on the man's eyes and it didn't go unnoticed by Aoshi.
"Thank you Aoshi…" Soujiro whispered one more time before helping Aoshi enter in the spacious car.
Once everyone was settled in the car, the engine roared into life and left the hospital complex.
"Soujiro?"
"Yes Aoshi?"
"Any news about Himura?"
"Not really… It's nearly impossible to track him down. Katsura and … Tomoe are hopping mad but Hiko remains totally passive as if he isn't concerned about Kenshin."
"Don't believe on that Soujiro, Kenshin and Hiko share a stormy but deep relationship." Misao added. "As for Tomoe, is not like her to show emotions… much less being mad about their disappearing…"
"Well Misao I can only base my opinion in what I can't see on her… We all know that Tomoe has a very complex and reserved personality… She is there and she hasn't made a move yet but… she is too quiet…"
"That would be expected." Aoshi added.
"Really… I mean… That little snake is only waiting for the right moment…" Misao voiced her thoughts as she caressed delicately the rosy cheeks of the sleeping baby.
"If she is really one of them then she won't need to wait for the right moment." Aoshi's deep voice suddenly broke their thoughts.
"Won't need to wait…?" Misao wondered aloud as she turned slightly to look at her husband. A wordless sort of communication between them gave Misao the answer. Her green eyes wide opened as she took in what Aoshi had implied with his words. Colour was drawn from her face and her thoughts turned to Kaoru. A warm hand on top of hers on her lap broke her reverie. "You really believe that they will return…?"
Aoshi just nodded.
"Unfortunately I agree with Aoshi…" Soujiro added as he paid attention to the surrounding traffic.
"Poor Kaoru… How can life be so unfair to her…?" Her frustration barely contained. "Do… do you think that she knows what will happen?"
"Who knows…"
"But Aoshi you know Kenshin better than anyone!"
"You are wrong Misao. I believe that there is no one who really knows Kenshin… Except Hiko…
"Aoshi…"
"We can't do anything Misao. We have to wait and see." Aoshi quietly replied as he brought her cold hand to his warm lips.
Something that resembled like jealousy hit Soujiro as he adjusted the rear-view mirror.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The spacious coffee shop was bursting with life and noise. Some were taking their breakfast; others had just chosen the coffee shop as a temporary shelter from the falling rain.
In a small table in the middle of the coffee shop sat a woman carefully studying the surrounding environment as she brushed some invisible wrinkle from her flawless dark green turtleneck.
A look to her watch confirmed that he was indeed late.
Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to change. The sound of rustling clothes was heard and she felt that someone sat behind her on another table.
"You are late." Her delicate voice was heard.
A cunning male chuckle was her only response as the man opened the newspaper and hid his attractive features from curious eyes.
Patience worn out, the woman picked up her things and was about to leave when a strong grabbed her delicate fist and made her sit again with their back to each other.
"Come now my beauty you were never this impatient… What is happening, my love?" His deep and chilling voice was heard for the first time.
"Have you found them?"
"No, my love."
"Then of course something is happening. You said you would be able to track them down." The woman hissed.
The man simply laughed.
"What is so funny?"
"My beloved… Tomoe… So you fucked Battousai for three years and you didn't learn anything about him…?"
"Tiger…" Tomoe dangerously hissed.
"Don't use that tone of voice with me. You know I'm not easily impressed. You should know that Battousai can avoid being seen if he wishes and even disappear if he wants to. IACO has access to every satellite on the planet and you told me that you used them all and still there were no sign of them! So you expect a miracle from me, Tomoe? I am the head of this organization, I call the shots. You follow orders, nothing more."
"I'm more than aware of that… but still I can't see how that solves our problem…" Tomoe shot back as she kept tapping the table with her elegant nails.
"Why it's quite simple, my love… We don't have a problem. Battousai solved the problem as soon as he ran away with his wife from IACO."
"No one can find them, Tiger! Isn't it our mission to find the heir, kill Battousai and bury IACO?"
"Yes my love…"
"Then how will we be able to carry on our task if the man who could lead us to the heir is gone?!"
"Oh my love, Battousai tricked you well all those years… You are convinced that he will not return, isn't that true…? Well, I must inform you that he will return… soon enough… His sense of justice and truth will be his downfall." The man replied with a mocking voice.
The man's words echoed in her mind. The emotions had momentaneously blinded her. She hadn't considered that scenario. She had always thought that he had run away for good…
Of course not… Kenshin… You love her and you will do everything to clear her honour... In the end I was the one who was fooled… Don't worry… Soon I will be there to see my victory…
"My love?" The man's deep voice inquired.
"Tiger…"
"After that we have to take care of the old rascal…"
"Hiko will always be a problem but I'm sure he will be devastated… That will be a perfect opportunity to draw the information about the heir's whereabouts…"
"Good, I'm glad that we have overcome our… small disagreement… We have so many things ahead of us my love…"
"I take my leave Tiger… Until next time." Tomoe quietly whispered before gathering her things and getting up.
The man put down the newspaper and allowed his eyes to follow her retreating figure. A large hand ran through the spiky white locks of his hair and his lips curved into a smile.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The body was heavy but she felt in heaven. A naked arm stretched to her side in search of something…
Were it should be another body there was only a cold sheet.
Her eyes opened in surprised.
She was alone…
Again…
Kenshin…
She got up slowly taking in the surrounding environment hoping to find… him…
It was a dark day, the house was only illuminated by the bright flames that came from the fireplace… Everything was in silence…
Why… Kenshin…
The events of the previous day came rushing to her mind like a lightning. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath that somewhat cleared her fuzzy mind.
There is still something that keeps him from me… But what…?
Carefully gathering a white sheet around her form to conserve some of the warmth she left the nest of pillows and blankets by the fireplace and walked towards the bedroom in search of some clothes.
Kaoru had no doubt that Kenshin wasn't inside the cottage so decided to search for him so a pair of jeans and a warm sweater would serve perfectly. The discovery of a pair of tennis in wardrobe made her realize how Kenshin was devoted to the small details. He knew her favourite colours, he knew her size, her shoe numbers…
You never cease to surprise me Kenshin Himura…
Soon her hair was caught into ponytail.
Now she was ready to look for him.
Leaving the bedroom, she crossed the living room and reached the door.
As she turned the doorknob and opened it the scent of wet earth assaulted her senses.
Rain…
The rain had ceased sometime ago and thick clouds were slowly dissipating.
This feels so good…
Kaoru thought as she stepped on the wet grass.
With the lungs filled with fresh hair and no idea where to find Kenshin, Kaoru allowed her feet and her intuition to guide her into the woods.
After a 10 minutes walk among tall trees Kaoru reached a small lake.
Yes, the scenery was indeed beautiful but what stood on the other side of the lake was breathtaking.
A blur of red and black…
A deadly dance…
Of sword and experience…
Against an invisible enemy…
Once more her feet lead unconsciously towards him… slowly and silently as possible…
An almost animalistic roar echoed in the forest… His form disappeared into the air… A gust of wind rose…
Kaoru had no choice but to cover her face.
When she opened her eyes she could see him unmoving looking at her.
"Kaoru…"
"Good morning Kenshin…" Kaoru softly replied as she came closer.
"I'm sorry Kaoru but…" Kenshin started to explain but Kaoru raised one delicate finger to his lips.
"Not enough Kenshin… Something is wrong… There is still something you haven't told me… There is still something that keeps you away from me… What is it…?"
A guilty expression flashed on his face. Kenshin turn around, sheathed the sword and picked up his discarded sweater.
"I'm tired of secrets, Kenshin!"
"We both are…" Kenshin whispered "But it ends soon…"
"Kenshin… What do… you mean…?" Kaoru cautiously asked fearing the dark shadow that now was covering her heart.
"There are consequences for every action taken… My case is no different…"
"Kenshin…?"
"We are returning tomorrow to IACO… I've gathered the proofs to prove your innocence and I will be able to clear your name… That's my only goal… After that something has to happen… To betray IACO is to sign… a… death sentence…"
"Wh…at…?"
"When we return, I will be arrested and sentenced to death."
And the world went spinning to Kaoru.
Death… is only the beginning…
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Author's Note: I'm terribly sorry for the late update and for the length of the chapter… I'm sorry but… several things happened… BUT I'm back! So… wait for the next chapter… it will be out soon enough… (I hope…)
So the rules on are tightening… Well, I'm very sorry but I believe that this time I won't answer personally to my beloved reviewers… Just to make sure how things are around here… I hope one day I will be able to answer to all my reviewers personally without the fear of being kicked out… The infinitude of democracy…
Once again I'm sorry about the mistakes… I'm working on it…
My thanks to: Annabella5, tiffany, F-chan1, EcHoInG SoLiTuDe, Saer, noneedforprozac27, royal blueKitsune, Kyrene once Blood Roses, PAISITA, Angel81, legolasEstelstar, kimberlyann, Tears of Hell 1428, Cobaltsky, isastar, a, Kinomoto, Maresia Eterna, Miyzawa, Tsubasa-Wings, kira-kun, catasa, miki, reader-kikilala, nes, happyangel123, EmpressKona, DayLightsDarkness, Dawn at the Door, Clemen, Black Metalmark, Snow Lepord, littleanimefan, moOn, Soniya Himoura, Tameka-tanuki-jouchan, Lyphta, roxxy, Via x Infinito, half-breed-demon-fox, Wolf Jade, Rinoa-Heartilly-666, Reignashii, Woven Bamboo Pattern, Only Secret!
Well then, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS I RECEIVED! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Kisses from Portugal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!