Konnichiwa minna-san! Okay I've got chappie 3 up and ready now, hope you
like it! It's a bit of a spoiler for the last arc though so you were
warned. Anyways next chapter is up!
Chapter three: Lost in Darkness
Kaoru spun around in response to the noise. "Misao-chan?! And-!!!" her eyes widened at the sight before her. "K-Kenshin..." that was all she was able to say before she fainted exhausted from the fight, and from shock. Kenshin broke into a run and caught her before she hit the ground. "Koishii!!!!!"
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Kenshin stayed by Kaoru who was on the futon holding her hand. He had finally found her, but the look in her eyes when she saw him. He couldn't make it out. Was it pain? Hurt? Was she happy to see him or not? Kenshin couldn't tell, it could be mixed emotions. But now wasn't the time to think about that. Misao sat near the fireplace drink tea a few feet away from Hiko who was drinking his sake, nothing new there.
"What caused Kaoru to pass out like that?" Misao wondered aloud. Hiko took another gulp. "It was probably exhaustion from the fight or shock from seeing you two. Maybe both I don't know." He smirked at Kenshin. "Looks like you weren't happy about me with your girl huh? I could easily tell you like this one by the way you yelled at me to take my hands off her, and let's not forget the little endearment you let slip, hehe." Kenshin was flustered but he still shot Hiko a death glare. "Leave me alone."
"Anyhow it's getting late, there are some extra futons over in that corner, I suppose you guys can use them and decide where you are sleeping. I'm going to sleep next to the girl, it ought to be pretty cozy." As could've been expected, Kenshin did not like the idea at all. "Shishou I know what you are thinking! Don't even think about it I'm sleeping there!" he yelled. Hiko snickered Misao being quite amused by the whole thing. "What's wrong why can't I sleep there?" Kenshin snarled. "Don't play dumb with me! It's just..well I-I love her! And well..I wanted to be the one who..." he blushed. Hiko seemed satisfied, he loved annoying Kenshin. "I suppose that's a good enough reason." After everything was decided they hit the hay. Kaoru was sleeping closest to the fire and next to her was Kenshin, who was sleeping fairly close to her. Their futons touched. Hiko was about a foot away next to Kenshin. He didn't want him touching Kaoru in his sleep and Misao slept in a corner not wanting to be anywhere near the guys. Once everyone was sound asleep that was when Kaoru finally regained consciousness.
"Where am I? It's so dark..." she sat up her eyes getting accustomed to the darkness. She found she was in Hiko's hut and they weren't alone. She found Kenshin on a separate futon but he was still very close to her. "Kenshin...." Why on earth did he come? Maybe it was because he wanted to train with Hiko, but then that didn't explain why Misao was with him. Kaoru just couldn't take it, not now. She had to get out of here, she needed to be alone. She felt she shouldn't be near Kenshin all she might do is cause problems. Slowly she got up and rolled up her futon, putting her blanket over Kenshin.
"Gomen nasai Kenshin...." she whispered kissing him lightly on the cheek before picking up her pack and sword and slipping out the door. Unknown to her, Hiko had seen everything.
That morning after Kenshin had awoken he turned and found Kaoru's futon rolled up and her blanket on him. "Ano, where is Kaoru?" he looked around but only found Hiko drinking his sake again and Misao still sleeping. "Shishou, where is Kaoru?"
"She left late last night," was his answer. Kenshin was dumbstruck. "Why would she leave and why didn't you stop her? Something could've happened to her!" Kenshin said fearfully. Hiko shook his head. "I don't know why she left demo it must have been important. It wasn't my business to pry anything out of her so I let her go. Besides I've seen her fight. She's one heck of a good fighter so I wouldn't worry about her if I were you. Besides just between you and me, I saw her kiss you just before she left." Kenshin's eyes went wide before he became beet red. "Oro....Kaoru kissed me?" Hiko smirked. "Saw the whole thing." Kenshin smiled at the thought of Kaoru kissing him. But why did she sneak off last night? Was she running away from him? Just then a dagger crashed through the window glass flying everywhere. Misao jumped up and shrieked. "Wha-What's going on?!" Kenshin and Hiko rushed out Hiko staying close to Misao to make sure nothing happened. There were two people standing there and they didn't look friendly to say the least.
"What do you want?" Kenshin asked them. One of them smirked. "You must be the Battousai. I didn't expect to find you here demo I don't want to mess with you at the moment. I heard that the Kamiya girl was staying here is that right?" Kenshin's glare hardened. What did these men want with Kaoru?
"What do you want with her?" Kenshin asked almost demandingly. The man growled. "My name is Yashiitomo and this is my son Tsueng. I don't have any business with you and I don't see why I should waste my time answering your stupid questions. I'm basically just here for the girl so if you don't mind we would like to find her." Kenshin got into a fighting stance.
"Kaoru isn't here right now and even if she was I wouldn't tell you where she is!" he hissed. Yashiitomo laughed. "All right then suite yourself. Tsueng go ahead and handle them, I'll see if I can find the girl anywhere." With that he was gone. Kenshin was about to go after him but Tsueng got in his way.
"It you want to catch up with Otou-san you'll have to defeat me first!" Kenshin snarled. He didn't have time for this. Kaoru was in danger. Suddenly Hiko yelled to him. "Don't worry about this jerk I'll handle him! Go after the other guy!" Kenshin gave him a grateful look and dashed off leaving Tsueng very pissed and Misao confused. What did they want with Kaoru? It didn't sound like anything good.
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Meanwhile Kaoru was far off walking down the empty forest clearing. She can't believe she kissed Kenshin. She brought a hand to her lips; it felt good for some reason even though...well forget it. Suddenly she felt she wasn't alone. Someone was stalking her she just knew it. She flicked her sword open from its sheath drawing it fast. "Who's there?" she asked. Slowly the man emerged from the bushes. Kaoru's eyes widened. "Yashiitomo?! What do you want now?!" he grinned. "I don't remember succeeding in killing you before because of your Battousai friend. But he won't be coming now so I might as well finish some business!" Kaoru growled. "If you did something to Kenshin I'll-!!" She was interrupted when he let loose an attack she had never seen him use. Unknown to her ever since they last fought him several years ago he had been training hard and had greatly improved with many new attacks. "RAIRYU-SEN!!!" Kaoru had no chance to react because she was sent flying. It was like being struck by an electric sword. It was horrible! Kenshin was some distance away so he wouldn't find her. Luckily someone did show up and fight him off. All Kaoru could see was black but she did recognize who's voice it was. "Soujiro?" she blacked out.
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Back at his place Soujiro had tended to Kaoru's brief wounds. "I didn't think I'd find her here, I wonder what she was doing." He said to himself. He and Kaoru had been good friends for awhile but they rarely saw each other. Soujiro was glad that whatever attack that was didn't harm her body very much but sadly it did have it's affects on her. When Kaoru woke up she was shocked at what it had done to her.
"It's alright you're safe now Kaoru-san, demo I suggest you stay here for awhile-"
"I can't," Kaoru interrupted. "Even if I'm like this I can't risk anyone being with me. Soujiro arigato gonzaimasu demo I really need to be on my way it's dangerous for me to stay anywhere near innocent people. Yashiitomo's after me and I can't have him hurt others just to get to me." Soujiro tried to protest.
"Demo Kaoru-san it's dangerous to wander around alone like this especially since you can't-!" "I know Sou-chan demo I still.." Soujiro didn't know what to do. "You know Kenshin has been looking for you, I said I would help him look for you so I should go see if I can find him and tell him I-"
"Iie!!!" he looked at her surprisingly. "Doushite?" Kaoru supported herself with her sheathed sword as she walked feeling for the door. "I can find him myself if I need him demo don't tell him anything I should best try to make sure he doesn't find me or he could get involved with the situation and get himself hurt."
"Demo what about yourself?" she smiled but didn't turn her head. "I'll be fine." With that she recklessly took off. "Kaoru-san!!" Soujiro would have tried to follow her but he knew she would never change her mind and she was good at losing him. He just hoped and prayed she would be safe.
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Meanwhile Kenshin was still frantically looking for Kaoru. 'Oh gods I hope she is alright....' just then he saw a likeness of someone sitting against a tree in the forest clearing. As he got closer he realized who it was. "Kaoru!!!" he said running to her. She didn't bother to look up. She knew who it was. 'He found me...' She slowly stood up but her eyes remained hidden beneath her black bangs. She felt herself being encircled in an embrace, something she wasn't expecting.
"Thank kami you're alright, I was so worried about you!" Kenshin said burying his face in her hair. Kaoru was frozen too shocked to move. He worried about her? Doesn't he hate her? She hugged him back awkwardly but refused to look him in the eyes. They remained hidden beneath her bangs. "Kenshin you shouldn't stay with me or you might get hurt. Someone name Yashiitomo is after my life and if you interfere he will kill you." Kenshin's eyes flecked amber knowing now why that guy wanted her. He tightened his hold on her. "He'll have to get through me first." Kaoru shook her head. "You don't understand how dangerous he is Kenshin he's improved a great deal since I last fought him. Leave him to me I'm the one he wants." Kenshin shook his head.
"I won't let him come near you. Do you want to get killed?" Kaoru sighed. "I know Kenshin that I probably won't survive demo I can fight well you saw me. I know Kenshin he's dangerous I ran into him today demo I don't want anyone else to get hurt for my sake. I know I have less chance of beating him than you now that I'm like this demo I have to do this. It'd be best if you stayed with Misao-chan or head back to Tokyo." Kenshin's eyes widened. "But why? And what do you mean now that you're like this?" Kaoru stiffened. Kenshin looked at her with concerned eyes. "And why aren't you looking at me anymore, you eyes have been cast downward the whole time." Involuntary tears seeped out of her eyes.
"I can't look at you...not after this and not after what happened before. I shouldn't have lied to you." Kenshin hugged her tightly. "Shhhh it's alright I'm here. Don't blame yourself for that you did what you thought was best. Demo, I'm not going back I'm staying with you. I won't let Yashiitomo kill you." Kaoru slowly pulled away her eyes still hidden.
"Kenshin I have to do this on my own. I'm no good to anyone now and all I ever did was cause pain for all of you, I'm just a burden-" "Kaoru don't say that about yourself! You aren't a burden and you never were!" He crushed her in a tight embrace. "Ever since you left I've missed you every moment you were gone. I don't know why you keep on avoiding me demo please don't do this on your own. You aren't useless you're very important to me!"
"Kenshin.." was all Kaoru could say. Kenshin tried to tilt her head up but she turned away. "Why won't you look at me?"
"I can't Kenshin I..I just can't!" Kenshin cupped her face and brought it towards his but she kept her eyes tightly shut. "Kaoru please look at me. You don't know how much I have wanted to see you again..." He gently kissed her on the lips surprising her. "Kenshin I'm afraid I can't look at you," she said after they had pulled away. "Why not?" he asked her. Slowly she opened her eyes as the tears came again. Kenshin gasped in shock and pain. Pain for Kaoru's sake. His forehead was against hers but he didn't pull away. Still, he couldn't believe it.
"I'm...I'm blind Kenshin..."
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Kaoru's blind?! What is going to happen? Thanks guys for reading and reviewing it really makes me happy. It was a bad place to stop but I can't help it, yes I know I'm very evil. Anyway thank you so much for the support! Please R/R!!!
Chapter three: Lost in Darkness
Kaoru spun around in response to the noise. "Misao-chan?! And-!!!" her eyes widened at the sight before her. "K-Kenshin..." that was all she was able to say before she fainted exhausted from the fight, and from shock. Kenshin broke into a run and caught her before she hit the ground. "Koishii!!!!!"
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Kenshin stayed by Kaoru who was on the futon holding her hand. He had finally found her, but the look in her eyes when she saw him. He couldn't make it out. Was it pain? Hurt? Was she happy to see him or not? Kenshin couldn't tell, it could be mixed emotions. But now wasn't the time to think about that. Misao sat near the fireplace drink tea a few feet away from Hiko who was drinking his sake, nothing new there.
"What caused Kaoru to pass out like that?" Misao wondered aloud. Hiko took another gulp. "It was probably exhaustion from the fight or shock from seeing you two. Maybe both I don't know." He smirked at Kenshin. "Looks like you weren't happy about me with your girl huh? I could easily tell you like this one by the way you yelled at me to take my hands off her, and let's not forget the little endearment you let slip, hehe." Kenshin was flustered but he still shot Hiko a death glare. "Leave me alone."
"Anyhow it's getting late, there are some extra futons over in that corner, I suppose you guys can use them and decide where you are sleeping. I'm going to sleep next to the girl, it ought to be pretty cozy." As could've been expected, Kenshin did not like the idea at all. "Shishou I know what you are thinking! Don't even think about it I'm sleeping there!" he yelled. Hiko snickered Misao being quite amused by the whole thing. "What's wrong why can't I sleep there?" Kenshin snarled. "Don't play dumb with me! It's just..well I-I love her! And well..I wanted to be the one who..." he blushed. Hiko seemed satisfied, he loved annoying Kenshin. "I suppose that's a good enough reason." After everything was decided they hit the hay. Kaoru was sleeping closest to the fire and next to her was Kenshin, who was sleeping fairly close to her. Their futons touched. Hiko was about a foot away next to Kenshin. He didn't want him touching Kaoru in his sleep and Misao slept in a corner not wanting to be anywhere near the guys. Once everyone was sound asleep that was when Kaoru finally regained consciousness.
"Where am I? It's so dark..." she sat up her eyes getting accustomed to the darkness. She found she was in Hiko's hut and they weren't alone. She found Kenshin on a separate futon but he was still very close to her. "Kenshin...." Why on earth did he come? Maybe it was because he wanted to train with Hiko, but then that didn't explain why Misao was with him. Kaoru just couldn't take it, not now. She had to get out of here, she needed to be alone. She felt she shouldn't be near Kenshin all she might do is cause problems. Slowly she got up and rolled up her futon, putting her blanket over Kenshin.
"Gomen nasai Kenshin...." she whispered kissing him lightly on the cheek before picking up her pack and sword and slipping out the door. Unknown to her, Hiko had seen everything.
That morning after Kenshin had awoken he turned and found Kaoru's futon rolled up and her blanket on him. "Ano, where is Kaoru?" he looked around but only found Hiko drinking his sake again and Misao still sleeping. "Shishou, where is Kaoru?"
"She left late last night," was his answer. Kenshin was dumbstruck. "Why would she leave and why didn't you stop her? Something could've happened to her!" Kenshin said fearfully. Hiko shook his head. "I don't know why she left demo it must have been important. It wasn't my business to pry anything out of her so I let her go. Besides I've seen her fight. She's one heck of a good fighter so I wouldn't worry about her if I were you. Besides just between you and me, I saw her kiss you just before she left." Kenshin's eyes went wide before he became beet red. "Oro....Kaoru kissed me?" Hiko smirked. "Saw the whole thing." Kenshin smiled at the thought of Kaoru kissing him. But why did she sneak off last night? Was she running away from him? Just then a dagger crashed through the window glass flying everywhere. Misao jumped up and shrieked. "Wha-What's going on?!" Kenshin and Hiko rushed out Hiko staying close to Misao to make sure nothing happened. There were two people standing there and they didn't look friendly to say the least.
"What do you want?" Kenshin asked them. One of them smirked. "You must be the Battousai. I didn't expect to find you here demo I don't want to mess with you at the moment. I heard that the Kamiya girl was staying here is that right?" Kenshin's glare hardened. What did these men want with Kaoru?
"What do you want with her?" Kenshin asked almost demandingly. The man growled. "My name is Yashiitomo and this is my son Tsueng. I don't have any business with you and I don't see why I should waste my time answering your stupid questions. I'm basically just here for the girl so if you don't mind we would like to find her." Kenshin got into a fighting stance.
"Kaoru isn't here right now and even if she was I wouldn't tell you where she is!" he hissed. Yashiitomo laughed. "All right then suite yourself. Tsueng go ahead and handle them, I'll see if I can find the girl anywhere." With that he was gone. Kenshin was about to go after him but Tsueng got in his way.
"It you want to catch up with Otou-san you'll have to defeat me first!" Kenshin snarled. He didn't have time for this. Kaoru was in danger. Suddenly Hiko yelled to him. "Don't worry about this jerk I'll handle him! Go after the other guy!" Kenshin gave him a grateful look and dashed off leaving Tsueng very pissed and Misao confused. What did they want with Kaoru? It didn't sound like anything good.
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Meanwhile Kaoru was far off walking down the empty forest clearing. She can't believe she kissed Kenshin. She brought a hand to her lips; it felt good for some reason even though...well forget it. Suddenly she felt she wasn't alone. Someone was stalking her she just knew it. She flicked her sword open from its sheath drawing it fast. "Who's there?" she asked. Slowly the man emerged from the bushes. Kaoru's eyes widened. "Yashiitomo?! What do you want now?!" he grinned. "I don't remember succeeding in killing you before because of your Battousai friend. But he won't be coming now so I might as well finish some business!" Kaoru growled. "If you did something to Kenshin I'll-!!" She was interrupted when he let loose an attack she had never seen him use. Unknown to her ever since they last fought him several years ago he had been training hard and had greatly improved with many new attacks. "RAIRYU-SEN!!!" Kaoru had no chance to react because she was sent flying. It was like being struck by an electric sword. It was horrible! Kenshin was some distance away so he wouldn't find her. Luckily someone did show up and fight him off. All Kaoru could see was black but she did recognize who's voice it was. "Soujiro?" she blacked out.
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Back at his place Soujiro had tended to Kaoru's brief wounds. "I didn't think I'd find her here, I wonder what she was doing." He said to himself. He and Kaoru had been good friends for awhile but they rarely saw each other. Soujiro was glad that whatever attack that was didn't harm her body very much but sadly it did have it's affects on her. When Kaoru woke up she was shocked at what it had done to her.
"It's alright you're safe now Kaoru-san, demo I suggest you stay here for awhile-"
"I can't," Kaoru interrupted. "Even if I'm like this I can't risk anyone being with me. Soujiro arigato gonzaimasu demo I really need to be on my way it's dangerous for me to stay anywhere near innocent people. Yashiitomo's after me and I can't have him hurt others just to get to me." Soujiro tried to protest.
"Demo Kaoru-san it's dangerous to wander around alone like this especially since you can't-!" "I know Sou-chan demo I still.." Soujiro didn't know what to do. "You know Kenshin has been looking for you, I said I would help him look for you so I should go see if I can find him and tell him I-"
"Iie!!!" he looked at her surprisingly. "Doushite?" Kaoru supported herself with her sheathed sword as she walked feeling for the door. "I can find him myself if I need him demo don't tell him anything I should best try to make sure he doesn't find me or he could get involved with the situation and get himself hurt."
"Demo what about yourself?" she smiled but didn't turn her head. "I'll be fine." With that she recklessly took off. "Kaoru-san!!" Soujiro would have tried to follow her but he knew she would never change her mind and she was good at losing him. He just hoped and prayed she would be safe.
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Meanwhile Kenshin was still frantically looking for Kaoru. 'Oh gods I hope she is alright....' just then he saw a likeness of someone sitting against a tree in the forest clearing. As he got closer he realized who it was. "Kaoru!!!" he said running to her. She didn't bother to look up. She knew who it was. 'He found me...' She slowly stood up but her eyes remained hidden beneath her black bangs. She felt herself being encircled in an embrace, something she wasn't expecting.
"Thank kami you're alright, I was so worried about you!" Kenshin said burying his face in her hair. Kaoru was frozen too shocked to move. He worried about her? Doesn't he hate her? She hugged him back awkwardly but refused to look him in the eyes. They remained hidden beneath her bangs. "Kenshin you shouldn't stay with me or you might get hurt. Someone name Yashiitomo is after my life and if you interfere he will kill you." Kenshin's eyes flecked amber knowing now why that guy wanted her. He tightened his hold on her. "He'll have to get through me first." Kaoru shook her head. "You don't understand how dangerous he is Kenshin he's improved a great deal since I last fought him. Leave him to me I'm the one he wants." Kenshin shook his head.
"I won't let him come near you. Do you want to get killed?" Kaoru sighed. "I know Kenshin that I probably won't survive demo I can fight well you saw me. I know Kenshin he's dangerous I ran into him today demo I don't want anyone else to get hurt for my sake. I know I have less chance of beating him than you now that I'm like this demo I have to do this. It'd be best if you stayed with Misao-chan or head back to Tokyo." Kenshin's eyes widened. "But why? And what do you mean now that you're like this?" Kaoru stiffened. Kenshin looked at her with concerned eyes. "And why aren't you looking at me anymore, you eyes have been cast downward the whole time." Involuntary tears seeped out of her eyes.
"I can't look at you...not after this and not after what happened before. I shouldn't have lied to you." Kenshin hugged her tightly. "Shhhh it's alright I'm here. Don't blame yourself for that you did what you thought was best. Demo, I'm not going back I'm staying with you. I won't let Yashiitomo kill you." Kaoru slowly pulled away her eyes still hidden.
"Kenshin I have to do this on my own. I'm no good to anyone now and all I ever did was cause pain for all of you, I'm just a burden-" "Kaoru don't say that about yourself! You aren't a burden and you never were!" He crushed her in a tight embrace. "Ever since you left I've missed you every moment you were gone. I don't know why you keep on avoiding me demo please don't do this on your own. You aren't useless you're very important to me!"
"Kenshin.." was all Kaoru could say. Kenshin tried to tilt her head up but she turned away. "Why won't you look at me?"
"I can't Kenshin I..I just can't!" Kenshin cupped her face and brought it towards his but she kept her eyes tightly shut. "Kaoru please look at me. You don't know how much I have wanted to see you again..." He gently kissed her on the lips surprising her. "Kenshin I'm afraid I can't look at you," she said after they had pulled away. "Why not?" he asked her. Slowly she opened her eyes as the tears came again. Kenshin gasped in shock and pain. Pain for Kaoru's sake. His forehead was against hers but he didn't pull away. Still, he couldn't believe it.
"I'm...I'm blind Kenshin..."
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Kaoru's blind?! What is going to happen? Thanks guys for reading and reviewing it really makes me happy. It was a bad place to stop but I can't help it, yes I know I'm very evil. Anyway thank you so much for the support! Please R/R!!!