Sorry it took so long, but here you go. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I wonder just how many separate situations we, fan-writers, have made for Kenshin's scar. XP
Chapter 26: Cross-Shaped Scar
Kaoru was glad for the small awning of rock near the cliff of a mountain as rain poured from the heavens. Though the bite of winter was still in the air, Kaoru could smell the coming spring and the fact lifted her spirits. She had always loved the short months of spring, and enjoyed the storms that ensued during. Of course, being soaked completely through with cold water was not truly pleasant, and so she watched from their safe haven with delight and wonder in her eyes.
Kenshin seemed to be less than impressed, his attention focused on the cleaning and sharpening of his katana. The rhythmic scrape of the wet stone only added to her contentment, however, and her smile widened as she leaned back into the rock wall behind her. It was fortunate that they were on higher ground, as the amount of water draining off the canopy overhead would have flooded them out if their hollow tilted even slightly inward. Fortunately the rock had experienced many seasons of such treatment and the section that received the greatest pounding from the rain was worn away, angling sharply out to the ledge. The run of rain wash was fascinatingly beautiful, even if it was deadly in its own way, and Kaoru awed over the rainbow splashes of light that filtered through the nearly glass-like window of liquid.
Huddled under a blanket, Kaoru adjusted her position to lay out on her belly, propping her head on her elbows as they pillowed on the softer texture of her bedroll. "All of this rain must sound strange to a fish." Lowering her ear to the ground, Kaoru grinned as the patter of rain took on a deeper reverberation. "They must think it's the end of the world with this loud pounding of drums vibrating their homes."
"Are you sure they notice it at all, little bird?" Inspecting the edge of his katana carefully, Kenshin spared a glance towards the border of their small domain. "They live in the same water this provides. Maybe they see it as a gift."
Smiling, Kaoru turned over to her back. "Perhaps you are right. Rain brings life, ne? Warming the hearts of trees from their winter hibernation, calling to them to wake and stretch their limbs toward the coming sun." Arms reaching in imitation toward the shelter above, Kaoru sighed.
"Is that how you feel, bluebird?"
Dropping her limbs, Kaoru shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose so. Don't you? You are no less a part of nature than any 'little bird.'"
Features twisting, he looked away, running a soft cloth over the steel of his sword before fitting it to the entrance of its sheath and putting it respectfully away. "I cannot say I have ever felt anything special about spring." Quiet for several long seconds, he tucked his arms inside the sleeves of his gi and closed his eyes. "Maybe only a passing gratefulness that winter is over."
"Only the same gratefulness that we all feel, Kenshin." Adjusting her hands under the base of her skull, she grinned when a red brow lifted. "Whenever I think of spring I think of my mother and her herbal garden. I used to help her every year and I always remember feeling so excited, knowing that by the middle of summer there would be numerous plants to scent the air. Many of which I myself had placed there. And Mother's voice would speak praise and teach me the names of every seed, stem, and leaf. Tell me the uses of every root and flower. How to bind a wound. How to set a broken bone." Eyes unfocused as her words turned inward, her voice whispering old memories as if she were unaware of her own commentary. "'Imagination is the key, Kaoru,' she would tell me. 'Do not underestimate your own mind's potential.'" Thinking of the broken rib of her demon, her smile softened. "I always tried to remember that, no matter what situation I was in." Blinking, she turned her head to meet the curious amber irises of her possessor. "Do you remember your mother, Kenshin?"
The soft quality of his eyes pulled back, shielding his emotions from her, and he looked away. "I'm not sure I ever had one." Hearing her small intake of breath, he spoke over her before she could question further. "Nor a father. Only Master."
"Are you sure he isn't your father?" Though she was trying to tease, she flinched when his hand jerked.
"He is not my father."
"I'm sorry." Swallowing as he crossed his arms, his head ducking into his chest, Kaoru sat up, wrapping her own arms around the blanket covered shapes of her upraised knees. "May I ask why you hate him so much?"
"I do not hate him." His deeply furrowed brow spoke his confusion of her assessment, and one hand lifted to touch the scar on his face. "He saved my life once." Dropping his forearm as if just aware of what he was doing, his fingers fisted. "I simply do not like thinking about him."
Watching the way he touched the scar, almost tenderly, Kaoru realized only belatedly what the mark on his face meant. Months before she had marveled at the old wounds on his body, wondering how anyone had gotten the chance to give them to him, but had never thought to consider the scar so plainly dug into his face. After the fight for Yahiko she was given proof that her demon was not immortal, but the cross-shaped scar was merely another aspect of his character and she had still given it little to no thought. Now the origin was intriguing, and she wanted to know what about this other man upset her demon. Was he dead now? Or had some other tragedy befallen him? "But he saved your life, Kenshin. Surely that gives him some right to be remembered."
Dark, goldenrod colored irises stared thoughtfully at her, almost amused by her insistence. "He would not care for such sympathies. Especially from me."
"But… why not? You were his pupil, ne? Surely he cared for you, even a little. Isn't the fact that he took the time to save your life proof that he cares what happens to you?"
"If he had cared at all he would have saved everyone else before they were slaughtered." Snapping, he nearly growled, denying her words with irrational thoughts that he himself could find no truth in. Even after twenty years had passed.
It was her turn to feel confusion. "I don't understand. What happened?"
"That is none of your business. You should never have brought it up in the first place."
Leaning her chin on her knee in defeat, Kaoru sighed. "I only wanted to know what would bring you to think of your master in such ways. Was he cruel to you? Did he save your life only to use you?"
"I don't even think he knows why he saved me." Answering her shortly, he was unable to keep himself from continuing. "Even then people accused me of being a demon child." Almost violent, his hand reached up to tug on his red hair, his face twisting into disgust. "And because the merchants who had found me tried to protect me, they were killed. Any companion of a demon must be a demon themselves." Steadily his eyes met hers and she knew he was recalling that moment in the town they had met Yahiko and Sano. The voice of that woman whispering of Kaoru and her connection to the one they called demon. "Even Master's eyes were uncertain when they looked upon me, and I was unsure whether he would kill me along with those crazed men who had followed us." Like her, his memories took hold of his tongue and his eyes glazed as he remembered a horror she could not see but in her worst dreams. "But the longer he stared the less fear I felt."
He fell silent, and Kaoru shifted her weight to lean forward. "And?"
"And he laughed." Voice dry as his eyes lifted to the wall of water, Kaoru could not help but grin at the image. A young boy staring up at the man who had just saved his life, fearful of his intentions, and then watching as he laughed in the midst of such chaos and destruction.
"A strange reaction. Was he amused by you?"
"I suppose. I amused him much of the time." Nearly quirking a smile, Kenshin grunted.
"Then what has he done that upsets you so much?"
Thin lips pulled downward, neither a frown nor a pout, but full of sorrow none-the-less. Raising himself carefully from his sitting position, speaking of a tenderness still in his muscles, he surprised Kaoru by settling next to her. Adjusting her limbs as he spread out on the bedroll himself, pillowing his head in her lap, he wrapped an arm around her and sighed. "Your questions are making me weary, Kaoru."
Pulling almost automatically on the tie in his hair, she massaged at his scalp, letting the fine strands thread through her fingers. "I'm sorry. You don't have to talk about it anymore if you don't want to." Chuckling softly, she smiled down at him. "I'm afraid I am too curious for my own good."
"I ran away from my master when I was thirteen." Pausing in her actions, Kaoru's heart ached, feeling her own pain at the thought of being separated so willingly from someone who cared. "I joined a nearby skirmish between two feudal lords for power. It was not something my master wanted me to do with his technique. I was disrespecting my master, and I would never be forgiven. Knowing this, I knew I could never return." There was no emotion in his voice, though Kaoru could feel, once again, his loneliness. An emptiness that she now knew stemmed from years before. "My skill was better than most, and it was not long before I became recognized and sought after by many feuding lands. Everyone knew to fear me, and even the men who paid me to kill were afraid. I am a demon and no one can stand to be near me. This has been the truth of my life, little bird."
"But surely your master…"
"Especially my master." As anger entered his voice, she felt the sorrow shake with despair. Once again his fingers trailed over the scar on his face.
"Did… he give this to you?" Tentatively placing a hand over his, Kaoru bit her lip as red lashes covered dark irises.
"It was my reward for going back. Punishing me for my abuse of his knowledge, and exiling me from his teachings. I am no longer allowed to speak his name or the name of the sword style he taught to me."
Smiling through the tears that threatened the backs of her eyes, Kaoru smoothed red hair out of his face. "I do not mind being near you, Kenshin." His head tilted to look up at her, and her cheeks darkened, her eyes darting away almost shyly. "It doesn't matter to me what other people think or say about you. Being with you makes me happy, and I just hope I can stay with you for-" -ever. Blush darkening, Kaoru cleared her throat. "For as long as you want me to."
Attitude returning to normal, Kaoru felt the gloomy atmosphere lift as he purred. "Do not worry, little bird." Shifting to bring her down beside him, he nuzzled his nose into the back of her neck as he snuggled her into the curve of his body. "I do not expect to ever tire of your blue eyes." He yawned, which surprised her, and she helped with the blankets when he tugged on them. "Nor your affection…"
As her heart warmed she stared out at the pounding rain. It was only mid-afternoon, but it seemed her demon wished to nap while they waited for the downpour to let up. Smiling happily, Kaoru curled her hand around the arm at her waist. Spring showers, she realized, were not only about new life, but washing away old layers and uncovering what lay dormant underneath.
A/N: Squeel of girly delight! Ok, so I feel better... Kenshin is so warm and fuzzy now. What a change from the beginning of our story. Hope that everyone is still paying attention to everything, and that you are still keeping in mind that this is all from Kaoru's perspective. I know that this is not what everyone was expecting of the situation for his scar, but I wanted something different and yet simple. So... it actually seemed rather appropriate to have Hiko give it to him considering everything that has happened... but I will be quiet now, since you were only given a general idea and I don't want to spoil the ride. Hope that everyone liked, and please, as always, leave a review to tell me exactly why or why not. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews so far! This author is in a delirium of excitement over each and every one. Hope to see you in a week with the next chapter. Now we're really starting to get serious!