Okay people next stop chapter two! Now pretty soon I will be unable to
update for awhile. School is going to start soon and with that coming up I
will only have access to the computer to do things like this on weekends
and vacations. So I apologize in advance for being a slowpoke. Just enjoy
the chappie! ^_^
Chapter 2: A repeat of history, yet slightly different.
Misao looked into Kenshin's tear filled eyes. "Tell me, have you seen Kaoru? Onegai I have to see her!" Misao tried to pry his hands off her shoulders. "Hey take it easy Himura!" she said getting up and dusting herself off Kenshin doing the same having let go. "Gomen Misao-dono, I was just excited, because apparently it seems Kaoru had been here and I was hoping you could tell me where she is."
"Just come to the house and we'll talk," Misao said heading for it. Kenshin looked around the crowd one last time before heading in. Once they were all sitting in the room Aoshi brought some tea out for them to drink. Kenshin didn't drink much as anyone would've figured. "Well Himura," Misao started. He looked up. "Hai?"
"To tell you the truth you just missed her." Kenshin gave a sad sigh. "Sou ka."
"You see Kaoru had stop by here not too long ago because she ran into Aoshi, and she was going to stay here demo, when she heard you were coming here she freaked and ran off," Misao explained. Kenshin's head went down. "She's probably mad at me for what happened a few days ago." he sighed. Misao shook her head.
"I know about that, she told me everything. Demo, you've got it all wrong." Kenshin looked at her. "Kaoru-chan left because she's guilty-stricken. Because she is mad at herself for not telling you and everyone else the truth sooner. When you fell in love with her as another person, she felt ashamed because you loved someone who didn't even exist and when you would eventually find out it would hurt badly. She just can't bear to look at you now knowing that would happen, how much hurt she would cause you. She feels worthless and that she should just remain a wanderer. Just like you once did. She feels unworthy, that she doesn't deserve you, that you must not love her now, that all she will ever bring you is pain." Kenshin's eyes went wide.
"Demo, it's not like that at all! Why does she.how can that..!" Misao looked serious now. "To tell you the truth I think you sort of deserve this." Kenshin's head jerked up. "Nani? I don't understand."
"This is exactly how Kaoru felt when you always put yourself down, you pushed yourself away from her. She feels bad about what she did and that she should just leave and not burden or cause you and everyone else pain." "Demo, I don't care about that! She should know that by now!" Kenshin cried. Misao shook her head.
"Doesn't that sound familiar to you?" Kenshin looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"She had never cared about your past demo you kept pushing yourself away. You left and wandered away because you thought you would just bring her pain. But the only time you truly bring her pain was when you left her and when you put yourself down and hide yourself from her just like she is doing now, because you felt you didn't deserve her. You're going through what she had to go through when you left her all that time. And yet here you are wondering why she is doing this, you should know Himura! You did the exact same thing and you knew she was never the same after that!" Now Kenshin felt guilty. He understood now, that he had caused her this much pain when he left. This was what Kaoru had to go through when he left her. He was never strong for her and yet she always was strong and believed in him. And she never stopped loving him, even now.
"Kaoru...I'm so sorry..." he whispered, technically to no one. Misao stood up. "However, that doesn't mean you can't go after her. She was stubborn and came after you, so I don't see any reason why you can't." Kenshin looked up at her and gave her a small smile. "Me and everyone else from the Oniwabaan Group will help you look for her." Kenshin smiled now for real. "Arigato." 'Kaoru...I know now...and I will find you and bring you home....just like you did...and this time....I'll stay strong for you...'
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"Sakura?" Sayo asked when she saw Kaoru appear at the doorway. Kaoru smiled. "Hai it's me." Sayo went up to her and examined her. "You look different. What are you doing back here?"
"I said I was a wanderer. Demo actually someone is here and I don't want him to find me, I can't tell you why just...I can't bear to see him!" Kaoru cried. Sayo put a hand on her shoulder. "Shhhh it's alright you don't have to tell me. You can stay here if you wish." Kaoru calmed down and smiled. "Arigato." Sayo nodded.
"Oh Sayo, I just figured you should know.." Sayo turned from going to the kitchen and looked at her. "Nani yo?"
"My real name is Kaoru Kamiya." Sayo smiled. That's a nice name, demo how come you were using a different one?" Kaoru sweat dropped. "It's a long story." Sayo giggled. "Sou ka, well just stay here and make yourself comfortable. I'll get us some tea, is that alright?" Kaoru nodded. "Hai, arigato Sayo." She smiled and went into the kitchen. Kaoru went to gaze out the window. 'Why did Kenshin come here? Maybe he's going to visit Tomoe's grave or something.' She hung her head. 'Kenshin...I never expected that to happen, I should've just told you the truth...' When Sayo had come back with the tea and they had settled down she asked her ,"So why did you disguise your real identity anyway?" Kaoru sighed.
"Well you see, I lived with these people, Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sano. We were all grocery shopping but we ran into trouble with some guys with guns. Kenshin managed to fight them off but one of them managed to shoot a stray bullet that he didn't notice so I ran and pushed him out of the way and-"
"You took the hit." Say finished. Kaoru nodded. "Demo, why did you have to hide yourself? I still don't understand." Kaoru continued. "Well I don't really remember anything after that except for I had to escape from my own grave. I almost suffocated back there."
"You're kidding right?" Sayo asked. Kaoru shook her head. "You were really buried alive?!"
"Well they thought I was dead so they buried me, I disguised myself for the time being until I felt it was the right time to tell everyone, especially Kenshin. Demo it didn't turn out as I had hoped." Sayo added something in. "This Kenshin. Are you in love with him?" Kaoru blushed but admitted that she was. "He's here demo, I don't want him to see me. I can't bear to look at him anymore." Kaoru said sadly.
"Why is that?" Sayo asked sympathetically. Kaoru held back tears. "I kept the truth from him for too long. Before I knew it, Kenshin had fallen in love with me when I was Sakura." Sayo gasped. "You're NOT serious!" Kaoru nodded. "I just couldn't take it so I wrote him a letter confessing the true and that I still loved him. But I had left. I just couldn't take it anymore. I kept the truth from him all that time because I thought it was too soon and it would hurt too much. Demo, I ended up hurting him even more now...." Kaoru couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Sayo hugged her hoping it would do some comfort. "I'm very sorry to hear this." Kaoru smiled. "Daijobou, you don't have to worry about this."
"I really don't think that Kenshin hates you. In fact I think he's here looking for you because he misses you," Sayo said. Kaoru looked up with teary eyes. "Are you sure about that?" Sayo nodded. Kaoru still seemed uncertain. "I don't know, he may be able to forgive me but I can't forgive myself. I still need time." Sayo nodded understandingly. "I won't interfere."
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"How do you think they're doing?" Megumi asked Sano. They were both sitting on the porch that night oblivious to Yahiko spying on them. They thought he had already gone to sleep. Sano draped his arm over her. "Don't worry kitsune, I'm sure he and Jou-chan are doing fine, so let's just wait for them to come back ne?"
Megumi leaned her head on his shoulder. "Aa, you're right." "You know," Sano started. "It's hard to believe that we used to fight all the time don't you think?" Megumi chuckled. "Yeah, I kind of miss it." Sano gave her a sly grin. "Is that so?" He quickly started a major tickle attack on her. "SANOOOO!!!!" Yahiko managed to get to his room before doubling up in laughter. Sano and Megumi ended up falling asleep on the porch. Yahiko was wondering how it would be like if he and Tsubame were like that. He blushed wildly. 'Why am I thinking about that?! I only like her as a friend....or do I?'
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Next morning Kaoru woke up to help Sayo clean her house. "It was nice of you to let me stay here, demo I think I should be able to find a place to stay," Kaoru reasoned. Sayo shook her head. "No really it's alright." Kaoru shook her head again. "No really-"
"You can stay with me Kaoru," came a voice. Kaoru and Sayo turned around. Kaoru gasped "You?!"
"Surprised to see me? As I was saying you can stay with me, in fact I would like to spar with you, I want to know what your style is like." Kaoru sweat dropped but figured Kenshin wouldn't find her if she did. "Oh alright then."
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"Where do you think we should start looking Himura?" Misao asked once they got outside. Aoshi was to stay at the house if Kaoru should come back. "To tell you the truth I don't know. I was hoping you would have an idea of where to look." Misao thought. We had better check the inns first, she could be staying there." And of course, they had to stop at Sayo's first.
"What?" Kaoru?" Sayo asked. Misao nodded. "Yeah she has long black hair that she normally wears in a ponytail tied by a ribbon and she has a sword too." Misao did her best to describe her. "Oh yeah she was here not too long ago. Demo, some guy in a huge white cape came and took her some time ago." Kenshin's eyes went wide. "White cape?"
"Yeah," Sayo said. "His hair sort of looks like yours." She pointed to Kenshin. Kenshin gasped. 'Masaka...could it be....' he took off for the forest. "Himura wait up!!!" Misao shouted chasing after him. Sayo sweat dropped. "Was it something I said? Oh well." She didn't realize she blew Kaoru's cover.
"Himura what is going on?!" Misao asked struggling to keep up with him. "I think I know where Kaoru is!" They stopped to hear swords clashing. "Oro?" They followed the sounds.
"Wow you ain't bad at all." Came a deep voice. Kenshin froze. "Oh no, not him." He grumbled. Misao recognized it too. "Oh...that guy..." They were interrupted soon after. "I'm surprised you didn't beat me. Are you sure you're not going easy on me?" Kenshin gasped. "That sounded like-!!!" Misao nodded. "I know that voice anywhere!" they both took into a run and stopped behind some trees as not to be seen. Their eyes almost popped out at the sight that welcomed them. "Shishou is fighting with Kaoru?!?!?!" Misao shushed him. "Keep it down..."
"Alright you, I was going easy but I won't this time!" he charged at her. Kaoru quickly dodged the attack and countered it. But Hiko blocked it. Yes, the guy that asked Kaoru to stay at his house and spar with her was Hiko, Kenshin's master or 'shishou'. He forced Kaoru back and she hit the rock wall. Kenshin was about to make a run for it. "Kao-!!!" Misao covered his mouth. "Shhhh! You want us to get killed?!" Misao whispered. Kenshin was forced to stay put. He really felt like killing the guy. They watched as Kaoru got up.
"Nice one Hiko." Hiko laughed. "Alright here I COME!!!" Kaoru concentrated with everything she had and acted quickly. Once he was about to strike she noticed his arm always moved slightly. Using that fraction of time she did a backwards flip over him and countered. "Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kaze- Sakuseigijutsu!!!" she hit him good. Hiko got up rather groggily and smirked. "Well I must say I am impressed. Too bad my baka-deshi wasn't here to see this." Kaoru smiled just a little but her head went down. Hiko went up to her. "Doushite?" Kaoru felt her eyes water up. "It's...it's nothing."
"Maa maa come now you can tell me," Hiko soothed. All of a sudden he got an evil glint in his eye and he tightly hugged Kaoru. Hiko hugged her. Kaoru gasped. "H-Hiko what are you doing?! D-Dame yo!!!!" Kenshin couldn't take it. He took off running Misao trying to get in front of him. "Himura!!!!"
"SHISHOU GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Kenshin growled. Shishou looked at him amusingly letting her go. "I thought you were here." Kaoru turned around surprised. "Misao-chan? And...." her eyes widened. "K...Ken...shin..." that was all she said before she fainted from exhaustion and from the fight. Kenshin broke into a run and caught her before hitting the ground. "Koishii!!!!!"
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No don't hurt me! *dodges food and whatever else you all want to throw at me* I know it was a bad place but come on! At least I updated this much right? Alright I'm sorry I am very evil. But thanks for reading and please review! Unless you're too angry. ^_^
Chapter 2: A repeat of history, yet slightly different.
Misao looked into Kenshin's tear filled eyes. "Tell me, have you seen Kaoru? Onegai I have to see her!" Misao tried to pry his hands off her shoulders. "Hey take it easy Himura!" she said getting up and dusting herself off Kenshin doing the same having let go. "Gomen Misao-dono, I was just excited, because apparently it seems Kaoru had been here and I was hoping you could tell me where she is."
"Just come to the house and we'll talk," Misao said heading for it. Kenshin looked around the crowd one last time before heading in. Once they were all sitting in the room Aoshi brought some tea out for them to drink. Kenshin didn't drink much as anyone would've figured. "Well Himura," Misao started. He looked up. "Hai?"
"To tell you the truth you just missed her." Kenshin gave a sad sigh. "Sou ka."
"You see Kaoru had stop by here not too long ago because she ran into Aoshi, and she was going to stay here demo, when she heard you were coming here she freaked and ran off," Misao explained. Kenshin's head went down. "She's probably mad at me for what happened a few days ago." he sighed. Misao shook her head.
"I know about that, she told me everything. Demo, you've got it all wrong." Kenshin looked at her. "Kaoru-chan left because she's guilty-stricken. Because she is mad at herself for not telling you and everyone else the truth sooner. When you fell in love with her as another person, she felt ashamed because you loved someone who didn't even exist and when you would eventually find out it would hurt badly. She just can't bear to look at you now knowing that would happen, how much hurt she would cause you. She feels worthless and that she should just remain a wanderer. Just like you once did. She feels unworthy, that she doesn't deserve you, that you must not love her now, that all she will ever bring you is pain." Kenshin's eyes went wide.
"Demo, it's not like that at all! Why does she.how can that..!" Misao looked serious now. "To tell you the truth I think you sort of deserve this." Kenshin's head jerked up. "Nani? I don't understand."
"This is exactly how Kaoru felt when you always put yourself down, you pushed yourself away from her. She feels bad about what she did and that she should just leave and not burden or cause you and everyone else pain." "Demo, I don't care about that! She should know that by now!" Kenshin cried. Misao shook her head.
"Doesn't that sound familiar to you?" Kenshin looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"She had never cared about your past demo you kept pushing yourself away. You left and wandered away because you thought you would just bring her pain. But the only time you truly bring her pain was when you left her and when you put yourself down and hide yourself from her just like she is doing now, because you felt you didn't deserve her. You're going through what she had to go through when you left her all that time. And yet here you are wondering why she is doing this, you should know Himura! You did the exact same thing and you knew she was never the same after that!" Now Kenshin felt guilty. He understood now, that he had caused her this much pain when he left. This was what Kaoru had to go through when he left her. He was never strong for her and yet she always was strong and believed in him. And she never stopped loving him, even now.
"Kaoru...I'm so sorry..." he whispered, technically to no one. Misao stood up. "However, that doesn't mean you can't go after her. She was stubborn and came after you, so I don't see any reason why you can't." Kenshin looked up at her and gave her a small smile. "Me and everyone else from the Oniwabaan Group will help you look for her." Kenshin smiled now for real. "Arigato." 'Kaoru...I know now...and I will find you and bring you home....just like you did...and this time....I'll stay strong for you...'
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"Sakura?" Sayo asked when she saw Kaoru appear at the doorway. Kaoru smiled. "Hai it's me." Sayo went up to her and examined her. "You look different. What are you doing back here?"
"I said I was a wanderer. Demo actually someone is here and I don't want him to find me, I can't tell you why just...I can't bear to see him!" Kaoru cried. Sayo put a hand on her shoulder. "Shhhh it's alright you don't have to tell me. You can stay here if you wish." Kaoru calmed down and smiled. "Arigato." Sayo nodded.
"Oh Sayo, I just figured you should know.." Sayo turned from going to the kitchen and looked at her. "Nani yo?"
"My real name is Kaoru Kamiya." Sayo smiled. That's a nice name, demo how come you were using a different one?" Kaoru sweat dropped. "It's a long story." Sayo giggled. "Sou ka, well just stay here and make yourself comfortable. I'll get us some tea, is that alright?" Kaoru nodded. "Hai, arigato Sayo." She smiled and went into the kitchen. Kaoru went to gaze out the window. 'Why did Kenshin come here? Maybe he's going to visit Tomoe's grave or something.' She hung her head. 'Kenshin...I never expected that to happen, I should've just told you the truth...' When Sayo had come back with the tea and they had settled down she asked her ,"So why did you disguise your real identity anyway?" Kaoru sighed.
"Well you see, I lived with these people, Kenshin, Yahiko, and Sano. We were all grocery shopping but we ran into trouble with some guys with guns. Kenshin managed to fight them off but one of them managed to shoot a stray bullet that he didn't notice so I ran and pushed him out of the way and-"
"You took the hit." Say finished. Kaoru nodded. "Demo, why did you have to hide yourself? I still don't understand." Kaoru continued. "Well I don't really remember anything after that except for I had to escape from my own grave. I almost suffocated back there."
"You're kidding right?" Sayo asked. Kaoru shook her head. "You were really buried alive?!"
"Well they thought I was dead so they buried me, I disguised myself for the time being until I felt it was the right time to tell everyone, especially Kenshin. Demo it didn't turn out as I had hoped." Sayo added something in. "This Kenshin. Are you in love with him?" Kaoru blushed but admitted that she was. "He's here demo, I don't want him to see me. I can't bear to look at him anymore." Kaoru said sadly.
"Why is that?" Sayo asked sympathetically. Kaoru held back tears. "I kept the truth from him for too long. Before I knew it, Kenshin had fallen in love with me when I was Sakura." Sayo gasped. "You're NOT serious!" Kaoru nodded. "I just couldn't take it so I wrote him a letter confessing the true and that I still loved him. But I had left. I just couldn't take it anymore. I kept the truth from him all that time because I thought it was too soon and it would hurt too much. Demo, I ended up hurting him even more now...." Kaoru couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Sayo hugged her hoping it would do some comfort. "I'm very sorry to hear this." Kaoru smiled. "Daijobou, you don't have to worry about this."
"I really don't think that Kenshin hates you. In fact I think he's here looking for you because he misses you," Sayo said. Kaoru looked up with teary eyes. "Are you sure about that?" Sayo nodded. Kaoru still seemed uncertain. "I don't know, he may be able to forgive me but I can't forgive myself. I still need time." Sayo nodded understandingly. "I won't interfere."
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"How do you think they're doing?" Megumi asked Sano. They were both sitting on the porch that night oblivious to Yahiko spying on them. They thought he had already gone to sleep. Sano draped his arm over her. "Don't worry kitsune, I'm sure he and Jou-chan are doing fine, so let's just wait for them to come back ne?"
Megumi leaned her head on his shoulder. "Aa, you're right." "You know," Sano started. "It's hard to believe that we used to fight all the time don't you think?" Megumi chuckled. "Yeah, I kind of miss it." Sano gave her a sly grin. "Is that so?" He quickly started a major tickle attack on her. "SANOOOO!!!!" Yahiko managed to get to his room before doubling up in laughter. Sano and Megumi ended up falling asleep on the porch. Yahiko was wondering how it would be like if he and Tsubame were like that. He blushed wildly. 'Why am I thinking about that?! I only like her as a friend....or do I?'
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Next morning Kaoru woke up to help Sayo clean her house. "It was nice of you to let me stay here, demo I think I should be able to find a place to stay," Kaoru reasoned. Sayo shook her head. "No really it's alright." Kaoru shook her head again. "No really-"
"You can stay with me Kaoru," came a voice. Kaoru and Sayo turned around. Kaoru gasped "You?!"
"Surprised to see me? As I was saying you can stay with me, in fact I would like to spar with you, I want to know what your style is like." Kaoru sweat dropped but figured Kenshin wouldn't find her if she did. "Oh alright then."
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"Where do you think we should start looking Himura?" Misao asked once they got outside. Aoshi was to stay at the house if Kaoru should come back. "To tell you the truth I don't know. I was hoping you would have an idea of where to look." Misao thought. We had better check the inns first, she could be staying there." And of course, they had to stop at Sayo's first.
"What?" Kaoru?" Sayo asked. Misao nodded. "Yeah she has long black hair that she normally wears in a ponytail tied by a ribbon and she has a sword too." Misao did her best to describe her. "Oh yeah she was here not too long ago. Demo, some guy in a huge white cape came and took her some time ago." Kenshin's eyes went wide. "White cape?"
"Yeah," Sayo said. "His hair sort of looks like yours." She pointed to Kenshin. Kenshin gasped. 'Masaka...could it be....' he took off for the forest. "Himura wait up!!!" Misao shouted chasing after him. Sayo sweat dropped. "Was it something I said? Oh well." She didn't realize she blew Kaoru's cover.
"Himura what is going on?!" Misao asked struggling to keep up with him. "I think I know where Kaoru is!" They stopped to hear swords clashing. "Oro?" They followed the sounds.
"Wow you ain't bad at all." Came a deep voice. Kenshin froze. "Oh no, not him." He grumbled. Misao recognized it too. "Oh...that guy..." They were interrupted soon after. "I'm surprised you didn't beat me. Are you sure you're not going easy on me?" Kenshin gasped. "That sounded like-!!!" Misao nodded. "I know that voice anywhere!" they both took into a run and stopped behind some trees as not to be seen. Their eyes almost popped out at the sight that welcomed them. "Shishou is fighting with Kaoru?!?!?!" Misao shushed him. "Keep it down..."
"Alright you, I was going easy but I won't this time!" he charged at her. Kaoru quickly dodged the attack and countered it. But Hiko blocked it. Yes, the guy that asked Kaoru to stay at his house and spar with her was Hiko, Kenshin's master or 'shishou'. He forced Kaoru back and she hit the rock wall. Kenshin was about to make a run for it. "Kao-!!!" Misao covered his mouth. "Shhhh! You want us to get killed?!" Misao whispered. Kenshin was forced to stay put. He really felt like killing the guy. They watched as Kaoru got up.
"Nice one Hiko." Hiko laughed. "Alright here I COME!!!" Kaoru concentrated with everything she had and acted quickly. Once he was about to strike she noticed his arm always moved slightly. Using that fraction of time she did a backwards flip over him and countered. "Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kaze- Sakuseigijutsu!!!" she hit him good. Hiko got up rather groggily and smirked. "Well I must say I am impressed. Too bad my baka-deshi wasn't here to see this." Kaoru smiled just a little but her head went down. Hiko went up to her. "Doushite?" Kaoru felt her eyes water up. "It's...it's nothing."
"Maa maa come now you can tell me," Hiko soothed. All of a sudden he got an evil glint in his eye and he tightly hugged Kaoru. Hiko hugged her. Kaoru gasped. "H-Hiko what are you doing?! D-Dame yo!!!!" Kenshin couldn't take it. He took off running Misao trying to get in front of him. "Himura!!!!"
"SHISHOU GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Kenshin growled. Shishou looked at him amusingly letting her go. "I thought you were here." Kaoru turned around surprised. "Misao-chan? And...." her eyes widened. "K...Ken...shin..." that was all she said before she fainted from exhaustion and from the fight. Kenshin broke into a run and caught her before hitting the ground. "Koishii!!!!!"
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No don't hurt me! *dodges food and whatever else you all want to throw at me* I know it was a bad place but come on! At least I updated this much right? Alright I'm sorry I am very evil. But thanks for reading and please review! Unless you're too angry. ^_^