Cursed

by lossehelin

For a thousand years the village has known of the beast living in the old palace. A beast said to live on human blood. One father knows the truth, and is now bound by word to return a favor he has ignored for thirteen years.

25. Competition

That will be all the sweetness for awhile, so soak it in and get ready for the pain. (Just kidding.)

Disclaimer: I'm not really a competitive person.

Chapter 25: Competition

Laughter tinkled through the air, slipping its way around solid walls and thin rice paper. It was Kaoru's laughter, and Kenshin loved to hear its happy sound. On any other day it would have been welcome, especially after the countless audiences he had held, but a frown marred his features instead. Today it was annoying. Today it was not pleasing. Letting out a controlled breath, he nodded his head at the lion seated across from him, missing the interest that briefly lit Kogorou's eyes. Their meeting was finally over with, the sun high in the sky marking the end of their discussion, and soon the midday meal would be served. After that, Kenshin was determined to spend a few hours with Kaoru, even if it meant watching from the side of the dojo as she trained.

"Thank you for the update, Kogorou-san. I am pleased both Yahiko and Yutaro are doing well."

"Yes, I wish I could say I had a hand in their progress, but I'm afraid I have to be honest and give recognition where it is due. Soujirou-kun has been the biggest influence on their training. Perhaps because he was given the opportunity to spar against you all those years ago."

"He was a worthy opponent." Voice just a touch firm, he rose from his cushion.

"But never quite a match, ne, my lord?" There was amusement in Kogorou's tone, and Kenshin paused to consider him.

"No. It was never in me to lose."

"Of course, my lord." The large cat was fighting a smile now, and Kenshin grumbled low in his throat before exiting the room, Kogorou close behind him.

The laughter sounded again, louder, more carefree, and slightly breathless. It made him feel irrational, it made his chest hurt. Needing to hurry, his steps quickened, fighting the tension in his muscles, and as he emerged into the sunshine his eyes flattened into slits. If it didn't stop soon he was not going to be responsible for his actions.

"I was hard pressed to keep them apart after that, my lady. No matter what the age, children will still be children I suppose."

Kaoru was seated on the veranda, her legs swinging merrily off the edge as she laughed along with the large cheetah laying next to her. She was leaning against one of the posts, her hands playing with her necklace distractedly, and Kenshin wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not, but she was showing the cat a side of her that was rarely witnessed. One he thought only he got to see. It was not an enjoyable notion.

Still giggling, Kaoru shook her head. "Poor Yahiko-chan, Yutarou-kun knows all the right buttons to push when it comes to him, doesn't he?"

"The kid makes it too easy." Mournfully teasing, his head shook as well. "I've been trying to warn him against letting his temper get the best of him, but he's still got a lot to learn."

Sighing, Kaoru let the necklace drop and then grinned mischievously. "Well, if you ask me, he probably picked up that temper from hanging around Kenshin for so long. I won't say I'm envious. You definitely got your job cut out for you."

Soujirou's answer was careful, and Kenshin was surprised by the hurt her statement caused. True though it may have been, hearing her talk about his flaws to another so casually felt like a form of betrayal towards their friendship. Glancing down at Kogorou standing next to him, he found he liked his expression even less.

"Are you confident you have enough experience to win this type of competition, my lord?"

Anger clenched his jaw shut, and he looked away, finding that Kaoru's sapphire eyes had switched to him, her smile widening. "Right, Kenshin?"

Ignoring the lion, he stepped closer to the pair on the walkway, answering coolie. "I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono, I didn't hear what was said."

"Oh." She seemed confused for a second, but accepted the hand he offered to help her up. "We were just talking about Yahiko-chan."

"Ah, what a coincidence. So were we." Dropping his eyes heavily on the cheetah, his lips were stiff as he addressed him. "Kogorou-san tells me you have been a good role model for the boys, Soujirou."

"I suppose." Answering slowly, cautiously, Soujirou's light blue eyes met his warily. "The boys have taken a liking to me."

"Hmm, no doubt they are impressed by your skills. I can think of only a few others that are even close to your level. That doesn't leave you with much of a choice when it comes to demonstrating, does it? An unfortunate side effect of your grooming, I suppose."

"Grooming?" Kaoru's voice interjected into the atmosphere of tension that was slowly growing between the two. A slight smile tugged at the corner of Kenshin's mouth as Soujirou explained tersely.

"I was Lord Kenshin's personal sparring partner, my lady. Such a position required that I be trained well in combat. Otherwise," His eyes switched back to his lord. "I would not have survived."

"What do you mean?" Frowning, Kaoru glanced quickly at each. "You wouldn't have really tried to kill him, right Kenshin?"

The half smile on his face melted as his eyes swung to her, abruptly dismayed by the insinuation of Soujirou's words. In that moment he realized Kogorou was right to question his abilities. He did not have the experience to win such a fight. By using Kaoru's bottomless well of compassion to his advantage, Soujirou had soundly beaten him into the ground, and without one thought he had walked right into the trap.

Knowing he had lost even one match against the cheetah sparked a vile mass of frustration in his gut. Lips twisting, his head jerked away. "If I had wished him dead, he would not now be here." Shooting a glare at Soujirou as if to remind him of his mercy, his thoughts transitioned easily into that temper Kaoru had spoken of. "Perhaps when you tire of babysitting, Soujirou, you could make time in your schedule for a quick spar or two. I could not approve of my personal guard becoming complacent training boys and forgetting his true duty."

Ears pinning back, Soujirou ducked his head. "Of course, my lord."

"Kenshin…"

"It is time for lunch, my lady." Stalking off without waiting to see if she would follow, he was tense until her soft footfalls echoed after him. It was not right, though. It was not what he wanted. Brow furrowing deeply, his eyes briefly closed. I do not even know what it is that I want, but what I don't want is clear… Her happily smiling face appeared in his mind's eye, watching as another brought her laughter to life. I don't want her to ever look like that again because of someone else.

"Kenshin?" Gently her hand touched his arm.

Still angry, he avoided her gaze. "What is it, my lady?"

"I know that you have been under a lot of stress lately, but you shouldn't be so hard on Soujirou-kun. I think he's the perfect choice to train those boys."

A muscle next to his nose jerked, its twin down his neck a following twitch. "Of course, Kaoru-dono, why wouldn't the Heavenly Sword be a perfect choice?" Bitter, he rolled his shoulder to dislodge her touch.

"Heavenly Sword?"

An old memory tossed up from the depths of his mind, and his resentment mixed with loathing. "The title given to Soujirou… by Shinta-sama." Nothing more was said on the way to the dining hall.

Once they were seated, served, and eating Kenshin's temper had cooled enough to allow another emotion to taint his heart. One he was getting to know very well. Golden eyes drooping, he let his bangs cover his face, staring down at the dishes before him and listening as Kaoru chatted away with his cook. On the very first manageable spring day, Tae and Katsu had been married and were now residing in one of the far reaching pavilions, closest to the kitchens for her convenience. Everything seemed to be going well for the couple, and a part of Kenshin was happy for them. Very few good things had come about during the reign of this curse, and any small moment of joy was celebrated by everyone. Even, it seemed, those that Katsu imagined still felt anger towards him and the slew of deaths those seven hundred years ago.

As Tae left, Kaoru turned back to him and began to merrily babble about this or that. Listening with only half an ear, his golden eyes followed the small spider monkey, wondering briefly what it would be like to experience the bliss she could now claim. Would it be the same carefree abandonment one felt as a child? Frowning, he returned his attention to his food. His childhood had been so long ago he could barely even remember the vague sensation of freedom. There were a few memories; of his mother's laughter, an open field, swiping a treat from the kitchen when no one was looking. All too soon they faded into the rigid discipline and displeased gaze of his father's training. Nothing after that had been joyful.

At least, not until a child with blue eyes had shown up at his palace and turned everything upside down. With one small yank of her child's fist she had shortened his time by a few centuries, the hundreds of blossoms disrupted by her unknowing desire breaking free from that cursed cherry tree, flying freely through the air in one last moment of beauty before shattering upon the ground below. And yet… he was unable to feel anger towards her for taking his time away. In fact, there was instead a sense of liberation and, on a certain level, amusement. Respect, as well, was present within his mind, awed by this young girl who had enough daring to walk through the forest alone, push through the gates of a palace that was supposed to house a most fearsome creature, and straight into the little shrine that even he did not like entering. There she had defied the sorceress, plucked one of the petals, intact, and then proceeded to ask if it was alright for her to keep. That day spent with her was one of the most amusing days of his life.

Now she was back, not as a child, but as a woman, and everything was different. Everything was changing, had changed, or would soon be changed. The friendship they had created was at its limit, it could no longer stay where it now was, even if a part of him wished for it to. Time was slipping by, always without him, always transforming and altering, forcing growth and adding or taking strength. Kaoru wasn't aware of it, she was still too young to notice, still a part of the flow where everything would change naturally for her. Kenshin could see it, though. As a being trapped outside of time, it was all too easy to spot the signs. Signs that had ignored him for so long.

Cheerfully she was still prattling away, ignorant to his silence or trying to fill it purposefully. Nothing she was saying was important, he knew it, and so did she, and yet still she insisted. Perhaps it was her own way of saying she did notice, whether subconsciously or in anxious denial. It was heartening to think that maybe she did not want their friendship to end either, comforting to know that she enjoyed the time they spent together. A small smile lit the darkness of sorrow that was painted atop his anger and frustration, momentarily relieved by the thought.

"Soujirou-kun said he wouldn't mind escorting me around the gardens since you've been so busy. Once the trees start blooming, I thought I might take him up on the offer."

Rage overshadowed all of his previous thoughts, and he was reminded that he wasn't the only one now sharing a friendship with her. Kaoru was now seen more often with the cheetah than him. It was an unfortunate side effect of the search and rescue situation Tae had instigated. After saving both her and Katsu from the branches he himself had broken from the tree, Kaoru and Soujirou had become close. They laughed easily together, chatted easily together, and were much more relaxed and carefree than Kenshin could ever be with anyone. It didn't seem to matter that with her Kenshin was at his most calm and peaceful, because even then he was still on guard. He still second guessed himself, still held himself back, he was still careful. Now that he was taking over control of his palace and spending much of his day dealing with the problems he should have been handling from day one, he had much less time to spend with her. She had to find something to fill her day, and that something was a large spotted cat that seemed to have much in common with her.

After finding her that first time, sitting in her training clothes, a towel around her shoulders and her eyes lit with laughter, something between them had changed. He was no longer as calm, no longer as peaceful. His mood swung from irritable to apathetic to sorrowful, and when they were together, he couldn't look her in the eye. More and more often Soujirou would enter their conversations. More and more often Kenshin said nothing at all. Some drowning part of him recognized the signs. Time was flowing on without him and soon, if nothing was done to stop it, he would be replaced by another.

With an audible crack the chopsticks in his hand snapped in two, and Kaoru jumped and stared. Golden eyes swinging slowly to his right hand, he too gazed upon the broken utensils, confused himself on what had happened. The beautiful ivory she had picked out for him her very first day lay useless within his grip, and he thought of the sorceress and her words. They were angry with him, he remembered her saying. Angry because they only wished to please her and he had instead hurt them… hurting her.

"I'm sorry." The words whispered from his mouth, and through his fall of hair he could see her frowning. She didn't understand, but then… neither did he.

"I-it's alright, Kenshin. I'll just… get you another pair."

"No." She froze with her hands on the table, ready to push herself up. "Finish your meal, Kaoru-dono. I will get my own." She seemed surprised, astonished, amazed even, but breathlessly relented, and he stood to retreat into the kitchens. A welcome retreat, he realized, because it was getting harder and harder to think clearly when she was around.

There was no one in sight as he snuck into the still warm and aromatic side of the kitchen. A peek into the wash room showed it was empty as well. Voices were murmuring from the outside, however, and a foreign sense of intrusion pressed down on his stomach as he snuck up to the cracked shoji to see what was going on.

The kitchen staff was eating, along with a few of the other servants that were close to them. The servants had their own dining hall to eat in, but it seemed a few of them liked to eat together and share companionship. The atmosphere was warm and easy, the talk light, teasing, or kind. It made him feel like a trespasser, an unwanted bystander that had no place in their tight knit group. It was the same developing feeling that he now experienced when he came upon Kaoru and Soujirou. Like he was an outsider. Like he had no place.

Is this the sacrifice I must make in becoming the master? Must I give up everything that I have come to enjoy, separate myself from the one person who has come to accept me, withdraw myself to a place far beyond the reach of those around me and look on as a mere spectator? Can I never be a participant? Can I never own this happiness myself?

Katsu shifted and Kenshin's eyes were drawn to him, watching as his arm casually, naturally, curled around Tae's shoulders, how she leaned into him. It reminded him of the painting he still had hidden in his rooms, of Kaoru's hand warmly enclosed within his own. He had wanted that. More than anything in his life, he had wanted to know what kind of emotion would accompany the action. That evening, watching the sunset and wondering if their friendship was over, scared that her presence would reveal a rejection he could not live with, her strong fingers had curled around his own. Now he knew what it was like. Now he could no longer say he was ignorant. Those sensations were still too twisted and fierce to correctly identify, but he would not object to their reappearance.

I want that again. The recognition burst within him, and he looked away, his hands fisting against the wooden frame of the shoji. When it was just us. When there was no one else to demand her time. I don't want there to be someone else. I don't want to share her attention. Whatever he wanted, though, he had to face the truth. There was someone else, and he was trapped in a position that let him do little about it.

Turning back to the room he decided against disturbing them. It couldn't be hard to find chopsticks, and he didn't want these emotions staining his actions, making him vulnerable, not in front of his servants.

It was sometime later when he finally noticed Kaoru's presence standing behind him. He was having no luck finding the chopsticks, but he had no annoyance left to spare for their absence. So when he turned, his eyes meeting hers, he could only blink and feel sorry for himself. Like a large chasm, the gap between them was nearly tangible.

"You've been gone quite awhile, Kenshin. Have you been looking by yourself?" Sighing, his eyes cast themselves back over the shelf he was rummaging through, and he nodded. "Why didn't you just ask Tae-san to help you?"

He shrugged. "They are eating and I did not wish to disturb them."

A quick flit of shock widened her eyes, and then she smiled, her head jerking. "Come on. I think she keeps them over here." Within seconds she had the ivory utensils in her hand, her smile widening teasingly as she offered them. "You should have just let me come get them in the first place, Kenshin. Your food's probably cold by now." Avoiding her gaze, he shrugged again and the smile fell from her face. There was a couple seconds of silence, his thumb running along the smooth surface of ivory.

"You're mad about something." The abrupt statement caused amber eyes to dart back to her face and she ducked her head to play with her kimono sleeves. "Is it what I said earlier?" Both of her hands flew out to the side and she spoke without waiting for an answer. "I was just teasing. I didn't mean to upset you. I mean, my temper's just as bad as yours and I just wanted… to bring you in on the fun. You've been so busy lately and you haven't been speaking to me at all, and I haven't seen you laugh in such a long time. I know what you're doing is important and I'm glad that you're taking responsibility and I don't want you to quit it's just…" Her hands came back to fidget with her necklace, its soft glow brightening as her fingers rubbed its surface. "I miss you, Kenshin."

The tight breath he was holding relaxed from his lungs, and the only emotion he could process was relief. Swallowing, he stood just a little straighter, his chin lifting to better study her face. "I've missed you as well, my lady." Sapphire eyes shyly looked up at him and she blushed, but smiled.

"Really?"

His brows furrowed, completely serious and completely confused. "Of course. I would not have gone through so much trouble to make sure my afternoon was free if I did not like spending time with you."

Face brightening, he could see the child that was still within her, eager to play, but a shadow of maturity pulled her up short. "Is that going to be okay? I mean, are you sure it's not going to mess anything up?"

Feeling a touch of the old camaraderie they shared, he chuckled and shook his head. "I have worked very hard to make sure I have this time off, my lady. Did you think I would simply skip my duties and leave everything in disarray?"

"Well, no…" Huffing, she jabbed her hands on her hips. "Geeze, Kenshin, I was trying really hard to be thoughtful and not selfish. You don't have to make fun of me for it."

Laughing, his hand rested lightly between her shoulder blades as he guided her through the doorway. "I would do no such thing, my lady."

Misao turned away from the crack in the shoji to shoot a wide grin at the others. "Oh yeah, you guys. I'm winning a bet."

"Don't get too cocky, weasel, summer will be here before you know it." Sounding really sure of himself, Sano belched and flopped down on his side.

"So, spring's the best time of year for love, don't you know that mutt?" Sticking her tongue out, Misao leaned into Aoshi's side, her cheek rubbing against the feathers on his chest as if to prove a point.

"Actually, Misao, I think you're talking about hormones." Reveling in a patch of sunshine, Megumi corrected her in an offhand, slightly bored manner.

"Whatever. It's still going to help me win a bet."

"Oh really, you guys, who cares about a bet." Sweet and dreamy, Tsubame spoke up, her large brown eyes staring off in the distance. "I think it would be great if Lord Kenshin finally found some happiness. After all, look at all the trouble he's gone through just to make sure we're all happy." Glancing at Yahiko, she shyly ducked her head.

"I agree, Tusbame-chan." Squeezing Tae a bit tighter into his side, Katsu's dark eyes closed. "So much of our lives have been clouded by darkness. It would be nice for our secluded palace to finally see some sunshine."

"Right. So who's going to help me win a bet?" Eager and still grinning, Misao joined in as they all shook their heads and laughed."

X

It was a little sad that after it was all said and done, the only thing Kenshin and Kaoru had to talk about after being apart for so long was his audiences. Kaoru was still more than interested, though, so it made him feel better about the conversation. He had, at one point, asked her if she would like to attend them with him, but for now she did not wish to get in the way. He had a feeling that their misadventure up the mountain by the old dogwood tree had frightened her away from trying to make decisions for others. Slowly, he was hoping to get her back into that eagerness, because then he could keep her by his side during those audiences, and not wonder what she was doing and with whom while he was occupied.

The first couple of weeks afterwards had been tiring, but then the beginning of anything was always tiring. After reviewing Kaoru's list of people and sending out summons to their homes, he had met with each and every one of them. All of the ones he had regular interactions with were easy and took to their assignments without a fight and in fact seemed to relish the acknowledgement and new responsibilities. It was the ones he did not see or feel familiar with that made it hard to delegate to.

Toki, a large beautiful white swan, was polite, soft spoken, and reminded him of his mother. Her dark swan eyes seemed to encourage him along in his talk, and when it was all over she assured him she would handle her duties over the female servants without mishap. Her brother, Gentatsu, on the other hand, made him feel nervous, even though he was just as easy going as she was. It was probably the way he liked to laugh, and seeing it come from the sharp beak of a hawk did nothing to lessen his anxiety. As the master he did not let his emotions show, though, and his sigh of relief when the hawk was gone was loud.

The others were a multitude of faces he soon became very familiar with. Some had more problems to take care of than others. Koki, a large stag, needed little help. He ran the fields with a stern hand and had been dealing with many of his problems personally for years. Though, having an acting lord would make enforcing them much easier, he had assured. Tomoki, a very large and fluffy panda, was the same in the orchards, though he was still trying to figure out a way to keep the birds away from his fruit trees. Shinobu, a tough and scarred kangaroo, was bored to pieces without something to work on. The palace had little decay, thanks to the curse, and only natural disasters like lightning strikes or floods ever produced any work for him.

Yuya and Ran were the biggest problems. They fought constantly, and Kenshin was at his wits end trying to keep them from going at each other's throats. The only thing that kept him from letting them was Yuya's smaller stature. All it would take was one wrong step from Ran's oversized elephant foot and the mole would be dead. Strangely it was Hania, a small dormouse, that was able to calm them the best. She had a calming way about her, and her clever words were just as skilled as her fingers when it came to repairing torn clothing.

Shun was the next to biggest pain. He was a rather cocky stallion and after trying to deal with him civilly and professionally for several days, Kenshin had lost his patience and rapped the damn horse hard on his nose. It had frightened him for a second, watching him lose his footing and drop to the ground, but well worth it afterwards. Shun no longer had an attitude when they spoke, and was working well with him on the branding idea Kaoru had come up with. Too many times, it seemed, they had mistaken curse-changed animals with the real ones. Thankfully nothing fatal had happened, but there had been a few close calls, and there were some very unhappy parents because of it.

The hunting and education divisions pretty well took care of themselves, but still kept him updated and had some minor issues that he helped with. Norio, a large eagle, was old, respectful, and reminded Kenshin of a general. They owed much of their wild game to him and none of the other hunters even questioned his new position as their superior. Sachi, on the other hand, was all alone in her endeavors, but her patience was shown in the dignified turtle shape she had been given.

Which left Shigure. Kenshin had to admit that Shigure was one of his favorites, mainly because he never saw him much, but also because he remembered Shigure. It had taken him awhile, but after his first few conversations with the stately egret, he recalled the voice and mannerisms. Shigure had fought in the wars with his brother. Shigure had been a firm supporter of Shinta, and after his death had retired from the fighting to take up a more calming hobby. Gardening was undemanding, soothing, and rewarding, but most of all, gardening allowed you to bring plants to life in lieu of bringing death to people. Also, he always seemed to have a proverb stuck up his sleeve that pertained to any situation.

"It sounds like everything is going great, Kenshin. I'm glad."

"Yes, I am as well. Since things are beginning to calm down, I will have more extra time… so there is really no need for you to have an escort through the gardens. I will make certain I have time to take you. You should not have been afraid to ask me in the first place."

"I suppose, but I didn't want to be a bother, and Soujirou-kun said he didn't mind at all, so you don't have to go out of your way."

"It's no trouble!" Snapping, his shoulders hunched. Will I not be rid of the damn cat for even one afternoon?

"Alright." Agreeing quickly to hopefully calm him down, they sat in silence, staring out across the budding courtyard. Sighing, Kaoru dropped her eyes to the clawed hand resting on the walkway between them. For what was not the first time her thoughts returned to the spelled cherry tree and the still unanswered question of the curse. She had been trying to wait for a good time to ask again, but there didn't seem to be such a thing. A part of her knew she could confront Tomoe about it again, and would probably get her answer, but she wanted to hear it from Kenshin first. Going to the shrine felt like sneaking around behind his back, and she hated to do that.

Stealing her nerves and knowing they didn't have much time left alone before the real world would once again demand his attention, Kaoru reached for his hand and pulled it into her lap so that she could play with his fingers. It was a very personal gesture and she could feel the stiffness of his muscles as he froze. Hiding her smile, she imagined his inner reaction, his conscience insisting on the impropriety of their posture.

"Kenshin… there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about, but I'm afraid… you will be mad at me for bringing it up."

"Then… don't say anything." The warmth of her fingers playing with his was drugging, the sensation like a fuzzy tingling down his arm, and he did not wish for it to end. Distantly he understood the truth of her words. If she were to bring up something he did not like, then this atmosphere of closeness would disappear.

"Or perhaps… you should try not getting angry."

Yes, there was that too. Communication was a vital key to any relationship, a lesson he had learned as the master, and if there was something they needed to talk about then he needed to try and listen. There was a warning in her voice, however, that suggested nothing would ever be the same after this. Breath shaky in his lungs, he nodded. "I will try, Kaoru-dono."

"Thank you."

Waiting fretfully for the words he would supposedly not like, the tension grew as she seemed to be in no hurry now to start the conversation. Carefully she explored the contours of his palm, the hardness of one black claw, the rough texture of red scales. Finally unable to withstand the wait, he turned to look at her, curious and reluctant. Head ducked, shoulders slumped, her features were curled in that telling sign of tears, and his apprehension evaporated into worry. "Kaoru-dono…"

Starting at the sound of his voice, she gasped in a breath, her fingers tightening around his. There were no tears yet, but she was upset, beyond a doubt. "Why did this happen, Kenshin?" The warmth inside him turned cold, and he stopped midway in his wish to comfort. "I've been… thinking about it and trying to understand, but… I can't, I just can't. And I need to. I've found that I have to know. This place is too much a part of me now for me not to know anymore." Lifting her head, her eyes looked into him, through him, their depths wavering, pleading, asking to be told. "I need to know what happened, Kenshin. I need for you to tell me."

Something vulnerable lightened the gold of his irises, his pupils softened, large and round. Shaking his head, he tried futilely to deny her. "Please don't ask that of me." Sharply the bones of her fingers dug into his own as his grip tightened. "I don't wish for you to know."

The lower part of her stomach dropped and she swallowed, tasting a touch of fear. "Is it… really so awful?"

Hesitating, he nodded. "Yes." She appeared undecided and his anxiety grew. "Please, Kaoru-dono, do not force me to say. Not to you."

The hand not caught in his grasp stroked over the top of his knuckles. "It was something you did, wasn't it? That's why no one else knows why this happened to them."

Looking away, his head tilted so that his bangs covered him from view, trying to hide from her and his confession. "Yes." Slowly his hand lifted, touching the scar on his face, and he knew she did not miss the significance of the action. "You thought this scar had a story, but it is not one that should be bragged upon. It reminds me, everyday, that I have only ever brought those around me suffering. I have tried to keep you from that suffering, and now… you wish for me to lead you blindly into it. I don't wish to do that."

"But what if there's a way for me to help? Tomoe-dono told me about the tree, about how it is the center of the curse and how the petals mark the time. I've had a lot of time to think about it, Kenshin, and… it's my fault you don't have that much time left. I shortened your time, and now I want to pay you back. Please, Kenshin, I want to help."

"I have never been angry with you for what you did. You don't owe me anything, Kaoru-dono."

"But what about everyone else? What did they ever do to deserve this fate? Haven't you at least wanted to help them if not yourself?"

"Of course…"

"Then let me do it for them, if you won't let me do it for you." His head tilted further away from her, and she could feel him trying to pull away. A part of him experienced a painful sort of pleasure, knowing that she wished to do so much to help him. Another part felt only fear.

"It is useless. I don't even understand what is needed to be done to break the curse."

"But Tomoe-dono does." Eager to win her argument, she pulled out her final card. "Doesn't she?"

Reluctant, his face contorting, he agreed. "Yes."

"Then let me ask her." Both hands cupped around his one, she clenched them together, pulling on his arm. "Please, Kenshin. I won't go unless you say it is alright."

If only because she was telling him that he held sway over her decision, he knew he could not deny her. Their relationship had found the breaking point, and after this, everything would be different. If he was to deny her, if he was to agree… it didn't matter, because nothing would stay as it now was. The warmth of her presence, the touch of her hand, all would be gone by tomorrow, no matter what he decided.

Gently pulling her hand to his face, he pressed the soft skin of its back into his scales. "Very well, you have my permission."

"Thank you."

"But I warn you, my lady…" Slowly dropping her hand to his chin, he met her gaze, intently studying the expression of trust and comfort she wore when near him. "you will never look at me the same again."

X

A/N: Well, what a wonderful start to part three! It's kind of like starting a whole new story or something. Except everyone has previous knowledge of the characters and their experiences. Ah well, looks like Kenshin has some competition. This wasn't original to the story, but I thought it kind of needed after trying to figure out how I was going to get his butt in gear. Poor Kaoru doesn't know what's going on, but Kogorou does. And then on to the curse. Yay! Finally! This story took me on one heck of a detour away from it for awhile, but here it is, and everyone knows what that means for the next chapter. Ahh! We get to learn the truth! About time! Alright, I think I did alright getting a good dose of everything into this chapter, so perhaps you all know what to expect in the future. Please, as always, leave me a review, and tell me what you thought, and next week I will hopefully have another chapter for you to read. All the wonderful truth about Tomoe, Kenshin and the curse. See ya!