A Rurouni Kenshin/ On a Pale Horse Crossover
By Ashley Auld
* Disclaimer* All rights to the Rurouni Kenshin Characters
are Watsuki-sama's, Jump Comics, etc. All right to the character
" Incarnations" Are property of Piers Anthony. There are references
made to his book " On a Pale Horse." But you do not need to have read the
book to understand what is happening. =) This is only a little fanfic by
a crazed Kenshin fan, I'm a poor college art student, and not even worth
suing! Enjoy!
Authors Note-
Well, I came up with this fic when I still believed
Kaoru was dead. But I liked the idea of it so much that I decided
to keep on writing it. (Even though it's been established that, yes… she
IS alive) Consider this a "what if this happened" fic. Kind
of like an alternative where Enishi does actually kill her.
I know, it sounds awful, but believe me; this ISN'T going to be depressing!
I'm determined to make it happy! And to appease all those Kenshin
and Kaoru fans out there…well… >=)
A little pre-fanfic know-how about "On a Pale Horse."
The incarnations mentioned in this fic are taken from
" On a Pale Horse." In Piers Anthony's book, he takes these aspects
of life and creates people for them-- much like we imagine there being
a "Father Time," and a "Mother Nature." Here, I will be making references
to human incarnations of " Death," "Fate," "Time," and "Nature." ( So far--
I don't know what other ones I shall bring in from his book yet.)
Oh-- Death also rides a horse, Mortus, which
can also conveniently be a car (limo), boat, etc. Whatever Death
might need as a mode of transportation in the moment.
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The thin sliver of the moon cast a pale glow on the velvety
night. Kenshin and Kaoru walked side by side along the riverbank.
Kenshin glanced at Kaoru through the silky strands of hair hung over his
eyes. Kaoru blushed slightly; she felt his gaze on her but pretended not
to notice. She continued walking, looking straight ahead of her at
the night. But honestly wasn't paying any attention to where she
was going. Her foot hit a root in the ground and she tripped ungracefully.
Kenshin extended an arm and caught her before she hit the ground.
" Are you ok Kaoru-dono?!" Kenshin asked hastily. Kaoru
felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment and was thankful for the veil
of darkness. She regained her balance; Kenshin's arm didn't leave
her waist though. She laughed lightly.
" I'm fine. We should have brought a lantern…
it's almost too dark to see anything."
" Almost…" Kenshin's gaze was full on her now. Their
eyes locked and Kaoru knew what he was thinking. He gazed at her
with a sort of longing. She felt his grip on her waist tighten as
he drew her closer to her.
" Kaoru-dono…" he whispered. His mouth hovered
just inches away from hers, nervous to move any further for fear she would
pull away from him. Kaoru's heart beat fast. She didn't move
closer, or pull away, but stood tight in his embrace. Her hand rested
over his heart, she could feel it beating quickly with hers. They
slowly moved closer towards each other's slightly parted lips. Kaoru
closed her eyes, ready to receive his sweet kiss when a sudden pain shot
up through her body. She arched her back and cried out. Kenshin
fell back in shock as white wings emerged from her back, tearing the silky
fabric of her Kimono.
" KAORU!"
Kenshin's eyes shot open with a gasp. His vision blurred
for a moment and he lay confused as to where he was. But after a
few moments came to realize he was inside a room. Staring up at the
wooden ceiling. He turned his head to one side, the back of the room.
There were other beds about; they all lay empty. Then, slowly, ignoring
the pain in his muscles, he turned his head to the other side and saw a
door, which stood slightly ajar.
" Megumi's clinic…" he thought to himself. He sighed and
closed his eyes again; the memories of his past fight with Enishi floated
back to him… Kaoru…
He clenched his teeth. Why wasn't he dead by now!? Why
was he here? He didn't want to fight any more… he didn't want to
hurt anyone ever again. The image of Kaoru with the white wings from
his dream filled his mind. The anguish in her face… what an odd dream
that had been! He seemed to remember another similar dream, except
it was comforting to think of. He'd been held in Kaoru's arms, she'd
been an angel in a white Kimono, and her wings radiated heat and love and
compassion. That seemed to only magnify her incredible beauty.
But… it was only a dream, wasn't it? Even though it had
seemed so real.
Kenshin opened his eyes again as he felt a presence in the room.
He turned his head, expecting to find Megumi or maybe Sanosuke or Yahiko.
But the deep blue eyes that stared back at him from underneath heavy dark
lashes where… And that blue-black hair belonged too… and that smile…
Kenshin sat up in shock. " KAORU!!" Almost instantly the
pain from his wounds caused him to double over.
" Kenshin!" Kaoru cried as he clutched at his abdomen in pain
and began to topple off of the bed. She rushed and caught him before
he hit the ground. " Mou! Kenshin no baka! What did you do
that for?"
Kenshin looked up at her in consternation. It was
Kaoru's voice, her fragrance, but-- how could it be Kaoru? Kaoru
was… she was…
… She was dead!
" K-Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin's eyes were wide with shock and
confusion. She looked down at him sympathetically. She realized
he'd probably mistaken their first encounter as a dream, he'd been on the
brink of unconsciousness at that time anyways. "Kaoru-dono…"
" Yes… it's me." She managed a warm smile. " And no, you're
not dreaming Kenshin…"
His eyes widened as she spread out her wings which had been folded
and hidden against her back until now. His dream flooded back to
him.
" KAORU! YOU--" He didn't know what to think. She… was
an angel, the white Kimono and the faint yellow glow, and the wings…maybe
that other dream, HADN'T been just a dream! A tear ran down his cheek.
" Kaoru…"
" Kenshin…" She ran her finger across his cheek, wiping the tear
away and she smiled at him warmly. " I came back for you…"
" You're-- You're a…"
" I'm your Guardian Angel."
" Angel---"
Kaoru nodded, her eyes glistened with tears but she didn't know
why. Why was she feeling this rush of emotions? Her heart seemed
to pound in her chest but the reunion was cut short by the sound of footsteps
running hastily towards the door. Before Kenshin's very eyes, Kaoru's
image shimmered and vanished. He lay on the wood floor wrapped up
in his blanket as Megumi bolted through the door.
" KEN-SAN!" She cried. She rushed over to him and Kenshin
looked at her in amazement. " Ken-san-- what have you done?!
You'll tear your stitches--"
" --Megumi-dono! Kaoru…" Kenshin looked frantically around
the room for Kaoru, but she was no where to be found. " Kaoru-dono
is…!"
" Shhhh--- let's not think about that right now… Oh my you're
pulse is racing! Quick now, get back into bed, I'll help you!"
With Megumi's assistance Kenshin got back into bed.
She quickly made sure that none of his wounds had opened and felt his forehead.
" A little subnormal… you need to get rest."
" Megumi-dono! I saw Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin looked at her
in earnest. Megumi stopped her check over and looked at him, pain
registering in her face.
" Ken-san…" She tried to smile, he saw her hands clutched her blue
coat tightly.
" Ken-san… The important thing now is for you to get better.
I know how hard it is on you... but please, if not for your own sake,
for Yahiko's. He sees you as a father to him.
Please-- if you live, live for him! So that he may still have
a person to call his family."
Her voice shook at the last note. Kenshin's tense face relaxed
as he soaked up her words. She was right. He didn't know if
he'd just been imagining Kaoru then, or if she was real, but up until now
he'd only been thinking about one thing, his failure in protecting her.
He hadn't considered the kind of pain he was causing others. He could
see that pain in Megumi's eyes.
" Megumi-dono…Thank you." He looked at her with compassion.
Megumi's breath caught in her throat and she hastily nodded.
" We-- We all love you very much! So get some rest!"
Kenshin said nothing, only closed his eyes. Fatigue
pulled at him and he struggled to stay awake long enough for Megumi to
leave the room in the hopes that he'd once again see the beautiful angel,
but the fatigue won and he fell fast asleep.
Megumi stayed with him for about ten minutes more, she watched
his peaceful face as he slept. The dirt and blood washed away.
She brushed a strand of hair from his forehead and then heard footsteps
stop in the doorway.
" Yo--"
Megumi turned to the usual, low voiced Sano. He stood in the
doorway with hands in his pockets. She smiled and walked to him.
" Ken-san woke up. He--" She bit her lip. " He said
he saw Kaoru… I mean-- he was screaming her name when I heard him!"
It didn't take a genius to see that Megumi was also suffering.
Suffering for Kenshin. Sano wished that he knew exactly what her
feelings were. He put a broad hand on her shoulder and their eyes
locked.
" Let's take a walk…" Sano suggested.
Megumi hesitated and looked back at Kenshin. " But--"
" He won't wake up for a while. Come on, you need to get
out-- you haven't allowed yourself to leave his side for three days now.
It's not healthy to stay inside."
Megumi chuckled slightly, almost bitterly. " You're right…
I must be loosing my mind-- because I'm starting to worry over nothing.
Ken-san will recover, good as new in no time."
The two left the room and Kaoru reappeared. She crept over
to Kenshin on silent bare feet and leaned over his sleeping face.
" Aww-- I was hoping I'd get to talk to him more…" She pouted.
" But-- I suppose it's better for him to gain his strength." She bit her
lip nervously. " He didn't seem all that excited to see me… it was
more confusion then anything else. Well-- I suppose I can understand
that… I probably would have acted the same way if an angel had suddenly
appeared in front of me and said they were my guardian angel!" She chuckled
and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. " I would probably think
I was loosing my mind."
****
Sano and Megumi went down the steps and opened the front gate
to the clinic. The door opened to reveal Yahiko jump back with a
start to avoid smacking right into Sano.
" Yahiko! There you are-- where have you been all day?" Sano
looked down at the boy.
" Oh… nowhere in particular." Yahiko folded his arms and looked
away. Sano and Megumi exchanged glances.
" Well brat, we were about to take a walk." Sano began to walk
past Yahiko and turned to give him a good slap across the back that made
Yahiko almost fall flat on his face. " So, watch the clinic for us will
ya?"
" Ack!" Yahiko caught himself and turned around to see the two
retreating figures. He clenched his fist, thinking of a thousand
different things he could say in retort, but instead let out a long sigh
and retreated into the courtyard, closing the door behind him.
Megumi glanced back worried as the door closed. " Do you
really think you should be teasing him at a time like this?"
" I'm just trying to lighten the mood. Yahiko has retreated
into a shell lately."
" I don't think that's quite the way to handle kids." Megumi
looked at him a little annoyed. Sano scratched his head.
" Yeah, well I have no experience with kids…"
" It doesn't surprise me." Megumi smirked. Sano looked
down at her exasperated.
" WHAT'S the smirk for?"
" I was just thinking about how clueless you are when it comes
to family life… if you don't start acting more gentlemanly, you'll NEVER
catch a wife. What woman would want to marry an unemployed, drinking,
gambling, scummy man like you?" She laughed lightly. Sano's
expression turned pained and he stopped in mid stride. Megumi noticed
and turned to face him.
" What's wrong?"
Sano narrowed his eyes at her. " What was that supposed to mean
huh?"
Megumi blinked. " I was being blunt."
" Yeah-- but I want to know what that REALLY meant."
" W-What do you mean? It meant what I said it did!"
" Are you so sure?" Sano walked up very close to her and looked
deep into her eyes. Megumi bit her lip nervously at the intense stare.
But she couldn't find the strength to pull away from that gaze. "
You sound more like you're trying to convince yourself than anyone else."
Megumi's reply caught in her throat.
" Wh-what are you implying?" she stuttered.
Sano was silent for a long moment, then turned from her. " Forget
it."
" Wait! I want to know what you mean by that!" Megumi grabbed
his shoulder but he shrugged her off.
" I said forget it!" He began to walk away. Desperation
grasped Megumi; she didn't want him to be angry with her.
" Wait Sano! I was only joking! I didn't mean to--"
" It's nothing! Don't worry about it."
" But-- why are you angry? I'm sorry!! Sano, I--"
" -- Why don't you go back to the clinic and fuss over your darling
Kenshin." Sano's voice was cold and icy; it cut through Megumi like a knife.
" Kenshin's no drinking, gambling, scummy guy that knows nothing about
family life."
Megumi froze. She watched Sano saunter off down the street
but couldn't bring herself to go after him. Tears welled up in her
eyes.
" S-Sano…" The realization of his unintentional confession of
love completely took her by surprise, she sank to her knees. Sano's
form continued to grow smaller and smaller until he disappeared from her
view.
Megumi hung her head and allowed the tears to flow freely. "
Sano no… baka…"
That evening, Yahiko lounged on the porch of the clinic and scratched
his head. Megumi had come back early without Sano, had run into her
room and shut the door. Later, after she'd emerged she was suddenly
very quiet and withdrawn. As if lost in thought. He wondered
if he should try and talk to her.
" Naw-- why would she want to talk to a brat like me about her
problems?" He muttered under his breath. Then laughed slightly.
" Maybe they just had a lovers quarrel."
Yahiko may be a kid, but he could still tell when two people,
no matter how much they acted like they hated each other, really loved
each other.
His stomach growled and disrupted his thoughts. He realized
that he hadn't eaten anything since lunchtime and rose from his seat to
find Megumi and bug some dinner. He began to walk into the building
but stopped in midstride, reconsidering bothering Megumi.
" Well-- maybe Tsubame will give me something from the Akabeko…"
He turned around and caught sight of Misao just entering into the courtyard.
" OYY! Yahiko!" Misao called to him and waved. Yahiko
ran down the steps and met her at the gate.
" Where are you going to?" Misao asked. Aoshi followed
into the courtyard behind her and closed the gate.
" Oh, I was just going to go grab something to eat at the Akabeko…"
" Isn't Megumi coming with you?"
Yahiko glanced back to the building nervously and then shook
his head. " I don't think so, something's bothering her…'
" Himura?"
" No, I think Sano is the one who can answer your question.
Well-- I'm off, you guys can come along if you want." Yahiko opened
the gate and began to walk out.
Misao watched him go and then looked up at Aoshi. He stood
completely blankfaced. She bit her lip and then set foot determined
towards the clinic.
Aoshi stayed behind in the courtyard, he looked around him as
if slightly confused. The wind played with his hair.
"Kaoru?" He muttered under his breath.
Kaoru froze as she heard him mutter her name. Was this man
able to sense her? How? She was invisible!! Could he
feel her presence? The wind rushed through her hair and he slowly
turned to look in her direction. He wasn't looking at her, but through
her. He could feel something.
" Ohh- oh no what do I do?" Kaoru took a step back nervously
and then spread wings and vanished.
****
" Megumi-san!" Misao knocked on the door. A few moments
passed before Megumi opened it. Misao saw her puffy red eyes and
the tear streaks still remaining on her cheeks.
" Hai? What is it Misao-chan?"
Misao stood silent for a moment, wondering how she was going
to go about cheering Megumi up. " Ummm-- I just came by to see how
you were doing! Yahiko said that you seemed upset about something."
" He did?" She feigned shock. " Well-- I'm fine! Really…
but I appreciate you coming to see me. Now-- if you'll excuse me, I do
have paperwork--"
Misao stuck her foot in the door as Megumi began to close it.
She looked at the tear-streaked face determined.
" Don't tell me you're fine Megumi-san! I can see your eyes are
puffy, you've been crying!"
" I- wasn't crying!"
" There are tear streaks all down your cheeks!"
Megumi put a hand to her cheeks and then sighed. " You
win, please, come in Misao-chan…"
Misao nodded and walked into the dimly lit room.
" Would you like some tea?" Megumi sat on the mat; Misao sat
across from her and shook her head.
" No thanks, I just want to talk about you."
" Talk about me?" Megumi looked so tired. All her supervision
of Kenshin must have cost her many hours sleep, and this latest ordeal
with Sano was mentally exhausting for her to deal with. " So--- what
do you want to know?"
" What happened?"
Megumi bit her lip. " I-- " She felt the tears coming
in a fresh flow. " He-- Sano hates me!!!"
" WHAT?!"
Megumi held a handkerchief to her face and cried into it.
" I insulted him! I don't know why I did it-- Maybe it was because of all
the stress, or my frustrations with Ken-san's health, or because I was
tired-- but I hurt his feelings, badly… and-- now I think he hates me."
" Sanosuke doesn't hate you! I'm sure of that! He loves
you doesn't he?"
Megumi stopped and looked up at Misao. Sano's words ran
through her head.
"Kenshin's no drinking, gambling, scummy guy that knows nothing
about family life."
She bit her lip. " But-- he was so angry…I... it's
all my fault!"
" Well-- don't give up so easily Megumi-san!!"
" I don't even know myself what to think… I mean-- I think I
love Ken-san… but then when something like this happens, Sano is the only
person I think about! I'm all mixed up."
" You have to figure out who you love, and who you regard as
a friend-- Megumi-san… that's all up to you." Misao gave her an encouraging
smile and put a hand on her shoulder. " All I can do is try and support
you, in whatever decision you try to make. But regardless, I think
you should try and make up with Sanosuke. I bet he's feeling bad
about making you cry."
" You-- think so?"
" I'm sure of it! No guy likes to see the woman that they love
cry-- go and find him and apologize! I bet he's on his way here right now
to do the same."
Misao's determined gaze was encouraging to Megumi. She
nodded slightly and then wiped the tears away with her handkerchief.
" You're right Misao-chan… I mean-- I don't know if I love him
or not… but I don't want him to be angry with me. The best thing
to do it to talk about it. Right?"
" Right!"
Megumi bit her lip and nodded determined. " Ok, I'll do
it!"
****
The sounds of Megumi's wooden sandals leaving the building, followed
by the soft padding of Misao's feet woke Kenshin from his sleep.
He opened his eyes and listened to the door slide open and then closed.
He looked around the dark room, hoping to see Kaoru again but she wasn't
there.
Had she been real? He lay in bed thinking about it.
Running over his encounters with her numerous times. He'd touched
the fabric of her white kimono, smelled her fragrance, heard her voice,
and saw her smiling face… He prayed to god that it hadn't been only
a dream. He sat up carefully, wincing slightly at the pain and saw
his clothes lying on a rack across the room. His Sakaba, still chained
together lay against the wall next to it.
He had to find her… and make sure she was real.
Kenshin took a deep breath and slid off of the bed, leaning on
it for support.
" Kaoru-dono…" he ground his teeth and took a step towards his
folded Gi and Hakama, washed and neatly mended. He stumbled on the
next step but caught himself before he fell.
Continuing in this fashion. He reached the far side of
the room and sat on an adjacent bed to dress.
" Kaoru-dono… where are you?"
****
Death sat in his easy chair in purgatory; he turned on the TV to see the latest news happenings.
" God has proclaimed a national holiday for all Angels in honor of our famous Guardian Angel, Kamiya Kaoru who, after only a few hours initial training brought back the famous Himura Kenshin from the brink of death. Himura Kenshin was known as the legendary Hitokiri Battousai who saved Japan from this world's current Devil… Shishio Makoto. It's safe to say that Shishio belongs in Hell, and not on earth!"
Death smiled to himself. Not only was she the biggest topic
of conversation in all the worlds, Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell, but he'd
gotten himself a salary raise. It was turning out great for everyone!
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Death
turned off the TV.
" Enter!"
His butler poked his head inside.
" Our very own Guardian Angel of Beauty and Compassion, Kamiya
Kaoru-san is here to see you sir…"
" Oh! Please show her in."
The door opened wider and the butler bowed as she passed.
Kaoru walked into the large room, trying not to gape at the finery in which
Death lived.
" What brings you here Kaoru-san?"
" Heh- what's up with this 'Guardian Angel of Beauty and Compassion
thing?'" she inquired with a slight blush. Death shrugged.
" You're new title. You've been promoted too-- I've been
instructed to give you this."
He pulled open a drawer in a table next to the armchair and took
out a wooden box about 3 inches in height and 12 inches in both length
and width.
" What is it?" Kaoru accepted the box that he set in her hands.
" Open it."
" She opened the box to reveal a shining golden halo."
" A halo?"
" Like a metal of honor in heaven. You don't need to wear
it all the time of course… it's awfully garish I think."
Kaoru took the golden ring and set it on her head. It hovered
in the air a few inches from her hair.
" How does it float like that?"
" Oh--- don't ask me that's God's work." Death grinned at her.
" I must say though- it suits you very well."
" Oh! Well thank you!"
" By the way, was there a reason you came?"
" Oh yeah!" Kaoru had almost forgotten. " I-- it was so
scary! There's a man who saw me!"
" You let someone see you other than Himura?"
" No! I was invisible to him, but I mean-- he could SENSE
I was there! He even said my name!"
Death sat back in his chair deep in thought. " Well-- Is
he spiritual?"
" Spiritual?"
" Does he meditate a lot?"
" How should I know! He obviously knows me but I don't
remember him at all."
" Well, he must be if he was able to sense you. Priests
and people deeply in tune with the world and their inner soul can sometimes
sense heavenly beings. " He rose and walked to a file cabinet and
drew out a thick file.
" What's that?"
" You're file."
" Oh…"
Death flipped through it. " Do you know what his name was?"
" Shinomori Aoshi-- I think…"
" Shinomori-- Shino-- AH! Here it is." Death pulled out a document
and skimmed it. " Looks like he created a lot of trouble for Himura
a while back… Yes-- he's been deeply engrossed with Zen meditation
for the past few months." Death put the document back in her file
and shut it, returning it to the cabinet. " You don't need to worry
Kaoru-san… He probably won't let on that he knows you're around.
No one would believe him unless you show yourself."
" Heh-- I guess you're right, I've been worrying over nothing
haven't I?"
" That's ok, I'm glad you came to me for your questions. "
****
Yahiko ran into Misao on his way back from the Akabeko.
" Misao! Did you see Megumi at all?" Yahiko asked her concerned.
She grinned at him.
" Things are being taken care of right now!! Megumi's off
looking for Sanosuke. Aoshi-sama and I just grabbed something to
eat and we were heading back to the Kamiya dojo… care to come along?"
" Wait, you say that Megumi's gone?"
" Yeah. Things will work out-- don't worry, you can trust me!"
She winked at him; very proud of herself for the way she'd cheered Megumi
up.
" Wait-- if we're here, and Megumi's gone, Dr. Genzai is out of town…
then, who's looking after Kenshin?"
Misao froze, in all the hype of cheering up Megumi, she'd forgotten
completely about Kenshin's fragile mental state.
" Oh-- damn it…" was all she managed to say.
Yahiko used some of Sano's more colorful vocabulary. "
@#%!#!!!! You LEFT him ALONE?!"
" I'M SORRY!"
" If Battousai wakes up-- who knows what he'll try to do…" Aoshi's
voice even took on a tinge of worry.
Yahiko shook his head and bolted towards the clinic with Misao
and Aoshi on his heels.
*****
Yahiko was the first one to enter Kenshin's room. He grappled
in the dark until he came upon Kenshin's bed, it was empty. He squinted
in the darkness and then ran across the room to find his clothes and Sakaba
were also missing.
" Kuso…"
Misao rushed in the door with Aoshi
" Yahiko! Is Himura…" She trailed off as he walked past her into
the lighted hallway, his head downcast and teeth clenched. " Yahiko…"
Yahiko shot his gaze up at her, the two words that he muttered
echoed in her mind.
" Kenshin's gone."
Kaoru arrived at the clinic to find the place in complete chaos.
" What do we do? AOSH-SAMA! WHAT DO WE DO?" Misao blinked
back tears.
" Don't loose your head idiot-- we'll find him!" Yahiko
smacked her on the head with his shinnai. Misao turned on him with
a fierce vengeance and grabbed for the wooden sword.
" DON'T think you can just WHACK me with that thing-- I'm the
leader of the Oniwa Banshuu! GIVE IT TO ME!"
" QUIT IT!" Yahiko whacked her again. " We've got more important
things to worry about-- like finding Kenshin!"
Kaoru stood in the distance. Her heart stopped. Kenshin
was missing? She turned towards the door and flew straight through
it towards his room. Aoshi got that same chilling feeling he'd experienced
earlier that day.
Misao noticed the visible shudder and stopped stomping on Yahiko.
" What's wrong Aoshi-sama?"
Aoshi revealed nothing. " Just a chill in the wind, I'm
fine. Why don't you and Yahiko go to find Sanosuke and Megumi, I
will go to Kaoru's graveyard, perhaps Battousai went there…"
" Oh-- but-- what if he didn't?" Misao looked at him nervously.
Yahiko got up and brushed himself off.
" Yeah-- what if he went back to that Rakuninmura place?"
This time it was Misao's turn to shudder.
" You two find Sanosuke and Megumi first, then go to check out
Rakuninmura. Have them go to the Kamiya Dojo."
Kaoru searched the room frantically for Kenshin.
" Kenshin! If you're hiding this isn't funny! Everyone is looking
for you!" She waited but no answer came. She sighed.
" Heaven isn't going to like this-- how can I loose my client so easily?
Damn it-- I've got to find him before he hurts himself!"
*****
Sano sat slumped over with his back to a tree. He casually
tossed a stone into the river and began pulling at the grass around him
involuntarily.
" Stupid Megumi--- I don't know why I even try…" he muttered
under his breath. " I mean, what does Kenshin have that's makes him
so appealing to women? The famous title? I know I can't compare to him
in skill… but still--" He grimaced and then threw another stone into the
river with more force. " DAMN IT!" He got up, grabbed a larger rock
with both hands and then, using the momentum of his body tossed it as far
as he could. It made a large splash as it entered the water. Sano
stood panting from the exertion when he heard footsteps coming up behind
him.
" Sano--"
It was Megumi, he turned around to look at her, he could see
that she'd been crying. She was clutching her sleeves nervously,
and afraid to look at him.
Sano went and sat under the tree again without a word.
Megumi bit her lip; she felt the walls of her courage falling down around
her.
" Sit down…" he muttered and Megumi nodded. She sat next
to him, not knowing where to start.
" Sano-- I--"
" I know what you're going to say Megumi. That you're sorry…"
Megumi looked up at him; she could feel the tears pooling in
her eyes again.
" I guess-- I deserved the wake-up call though…" Sano smiled
bitterly. " I mean--- I should have known with my lifestyle, that
it's not adequate to support umm--" he trailed off, looking at her and
blushed deeply. " I mean-- No woman would--" He tried to tip toe
around the word marriage but it wasn't working. Megumi quickly put
a hand on his arm and he stopped. He looked at her face and saw a
smile there.
" Sano-- No… what I said was completely uncalled for. I
guess it was due to all the trauma and pent up stress I've been putting
myself through for the last few days. I don't want you to think that
I don't like you! And your life style really doesn't bother me at
all…truthfully."
" But-- what I said about Kenshin-- that was really uncalled
for to… I-- know that you like him…" He leaned back against the tree,
Megumi's eyes widened. " And-- when Kenshin gets out of his depression,
which I'm sure will happen eventually, now that he's back… I wish
you luck."
Megumi couldn't believe she was hearing this. Sano was
just giving up like that? He was giving Kenshin to her? Her
mind instantly flitted to the time when she'd decided to give Kenshin to
Kaoru. She knew that Kenshin loved Kaoru-- Megumi had loved him too,
but at the time, it wasn't as painful as she'd thought it would be.
She knew that the two belonged to each other. Kaoru had been there
before she had and established a special place in Kenshin's heart that
she could never hope to fill. Megumi had gotten over that.
She was seeing a side of Sano that she didn't know existed, a gentle, caring,
emotional side of him that he usually tried to keep hidden underneath the
rough, bad-ass attitude. While she heard him speak like this, something
in her, a dull pain, had surfaced. She felt the need to be held in
his arms. She didn't want to be without him.
" Sano--" she felt her cheeks grow hot, she must be blushing
furiously. Megumi took a deep breath; the truth was finally made
clear to her. She needed him. " Sano-- I… don't love Kenshin."
Sano looked up at her in amazement. " But-- you--"
" He's my patient, and a very special one at that." She bit her
lip. " Kaoru-san wouldn't forgive me if I didn't take excellent care
of him. But-- It's you that…I--"
She trailed off, Sano's eyes widened. Megumi knew what
she wanted now-- and she could get it… if she could only find the courage!
" Do it Megumi! Baka! And be happy!" her inner voice told
her.
" I love you!" She blurted.
She felt hot tears rolling down her cheeks and closed her eyes
against them. But they continued to pour. She felt herself
being taken into Sano's arms. He held her tightly, almost possessively.
" S-Sano…" She didn't protest or pull away, it felt good to be
in his warm embrace. She felt protected and safe with him. Her arms
slid up around him and she returned the embrace.
" Hey-- no need to cry now right?" he couldn't help but smile.
" I'll be the one to protect you, from now on. You don't need to
worry."
Megumi laughed lightly. " I can't believe it took me this
long to realize---"
Just then Sano caught sight of two forms stumbling down the slope
towards the river. It was Yahiko and Misao. They looked panic
stricken. Sano quickly let go of Megumi and they assumed more appropriate
positions as the two approached them.
" SANO! IT'S HORRIBLE!" Misao yelled as they stopped in
front of them. The two panted, trying to catch their breath.
" What-what's wrong?" Megumi looked up at them confused.
" K-Kenshin!" Yahiko muttered in between deep breaths.
Megumi's eyes widened and she jumped from her seat. " WHAT?
WHAT'S WRONG WITH KEN-SAN!?"
" Oi! What happened Yahiko?" Sano stood up after her; he
grabbed the kid by his Gi and shook him. " Get ahold of yourself!
What's wrong with Kenshin!?!"
" He's GONE!" Yahiko finally blurted it out and Sano released
his Gi. Misao waved her arms around wildly.
" Aoshi-sama and I were just having lunch and Yahiko had gone
to the Akabeko-- and when we came back he was gone! He took his Sakaba
sword and everything too!"
" This is serious-- Ken-san shouldn't be out and active with
his injuries!" Megumi looked up at Sano worried. Sano nodded to her.
" We're going to look for him. Megumi is coming with me,
where's Shinomori?"
" Aoshi--sama went to Kaoru's grave to see if Kenshin might have
gone there."
" Sano." Yahiko took on a very mature orderly voice. "
Go to the Kamiya Dojo with Megumi. See if he went there. Misao
and I are going to go to Rakuninmura. We'll all meet back at the
clinic in 2 hours."
" Hai! Come on Yahiko!" Misao turned and dashed in the opposite
direction.
" OY! WAIT FOR ME!"
The two broke off at a run.
Sano grabbed Megumi's arm. " Come on!! We've gotta find
him!"
****
Kaoru searched all over Tokyo for Kenshin. She felt a desperate
need to know he was ok. It tore at her inside and it frustrated her
to no end because she didn't know where he would have gone. She didn't
even know where he used to live. She didn't know where SHE used to live
for that matter.
" What do I do? How do I find him?" She landed on a bridge
overlooking the riverbank, feeling her confidence wane. " I'm not
a good guardian angel…" She took off the halo and tucked it in her sleeve.
" I've already lost my first client…I should be watching him constantly.
Ohh-- Kenshin no baka! How dare he just walk off like that when he's in
that kind of condition!"
She leaned on the railing and looked down at the water, then
her eyes widened as she caught the flash of red hair. She flew up
and hovered just over the edge of the bridge. Kenshin sat on a log
next to the riverbed, his sword rested against his shoulder.
" Kenshin!" She was overjoyed to find him. Kenshin
heard the voice and looked up to see Kaoru heading straight for him, her
wings arched gracefully.
" Oro!?" Kenshin's eyes widened. Before he knew it
she'd come in contact with him, the force of her decent made him topple
off of the log backwards as she grabbed him in a huge embrace.
" OROOOoooo…"
" KENSHIN NO BAKA!" She lay on top of him and looked down
at him with tears in her eyes. " How DARE you go off like that?!
You scared me!"
Kenshin blinked. He'd gone to that place to wait for her,
and there she was. It was true!! There was no doubt in his
mind. He was fully conscience, and an angel was talking to him!
" Kaoru-dono-- how is it that you're here? You're-- umm... you're
dead?"
He noticed the position she was in, with her legs straddling
his and her arms wrapped around his shoulders.
Kaoru seemed to notice this too and blushed deeply. " Oh
-- Oh I'm sorry- I was just so excited at finding you… I…" she got off
of him carefully but not without giving Kenshin an accidental full view
of her cleavage thanks to the off the shoulder Kimono that she wore.
He felt his entire face grow hot with embarrassment, he found that he couldn't
tear his eyes away.
Kaoru was unaware of the view she'd just given him. She
dusted her white Kimono off and then sat upright on her knees, her feet
tucked underneath her.
" Shall I help you get up? Are you strong enough? Oh no! You're
nose is bleeding-- here...." She offered him a handkerchief.
" Oro?" Kenshin's face could have matched his hair; he took the
handkerchief and held it to his nose. "Oh! I'm ok-- really… thank
you K-Kaoru-dono…" He sat up carefully but winced as the pain shot through
his chest. Kaoru took no time in supporting him.
" You should take better care of yourself! I'm in charge of looking
out for you now-- so I suggest you do what I say in the future." Her tone
was demanding. Kenshin smiled, she was an angel, but even as an angel--
she was the same old Kaoru.
" Oi? You listening to me? Kenshin?"
" Oh-- Hai de gozaru!" Kenshin nodded vigorously.
His nose had stopped bleeding and he tucked her handkerchief into his sleeve.
" I'll wash your handkerchief for you and give it back."
Kaoru smiled at him. " Oh-- you really don't have to, it's
not a real handkerchief."
Kenshin blinked, he looked in his sleeve again and found it gone.
" How did it?"
" I just conjured it up. One of my little tricks that I
can do." Kaoru winked at him. Kenshin smiled and shook his head.
" My guardian angel huh? It's going to take a little while to
get used to… But-- Kaoru-dono…" he looked around nervously. " What
if someone sees you? What'll you do?"
" No one can see me but you." She said matter-of-factly.
" And I'd appreciate you not telling anyone about me too. I'm supposed
to just be YOUR guardian angel. My job is to watch over you, keep
you out of trouble, give advice, comfort, that sort of stuff." She
grinned at him. Kenshin couldn't believe what he was hearing.
" You mean-- forever?"
" During the entire span of your life, yes. I'm devoted to you."
" But-- how can you… when I-- I failed in protecting you?"
Kenshin looked at her earnestly. Kaoru felt her a shiver run up her
spine. Kenshin kept bringing up the "protection" issue; she desperately
wanted to know just exactly WHAT had happened to her. She was going
to have to find out sooner or later. But something in her couldn't
bring her to tell him that she didn't remember a thing of her former life.
She knew that it would cause him distress. She'd have to tell him
when he was fully recovered.
" Baka--" she smiled at him. " I told you before, I forgive
you for all that-- "
" But--"
Kaoru put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "You shouldn't
dwell on the past Kenshin-- try and look towards the future.
I'm concerned for your happiness."
" But-- I'm a failure… I devoted my life to protecting you, Kaoru-dono…"
Kaoru tried to hide her surprise. But she could tell with
the way he looked at her, That they were supposed to be much more than
just friends like Death had described.
" Oh no--" She thought to herself. " Oh no-- I'm going
to break his heart… I can't! Death-- why'd you do this?"
She couldn't let on just yet about rule number 3 though.
She wanted to put his mind at ease as much as she could while he was recovering.
" Kenshin, Under those circumstances, there was nothing that you could
have done! You're definitely not a failure-- never say that about
yourself. You brought me more happiness in my lifetime then I'd ever
known existed." This seemed to ease him. Kaoru smiled and ran her
fingers along his scarred cheek. " But-- the important thing now
is… that-- " she forced the words out of her, knowing that sooner or later,
they would cause him pain. " That we're together…"
Kenshin knew she was holding something back, but he took it as
her usual innocence that was a true virtue in Kaoru. He put his hand
on hers that was caressing his cheek and held it tightly.
" I still can't believe-- that you came back… for sessha…"
" I couldn't leave you--" Kaoru felt that voice in her again,
that one that was detached from her. The one that had spoken to him
the first time they'd met. The words poured from her tongue of their
own volition.
Kenshin closed his eyes and smiled. " I've probably caused
everyone back at the clinic a lot of worry… I should probably get
back there huh?"
" Not the way you came you're not!"
" Oro!?"
Kenshin opened his eyes, surprised as Kaoru brought her arms
around him. She arched her wings around them both protectively.
He felt the comfortable heat radiate from her feathers. She closed
her eyes and the two vanished in a flash of brilliant white light.
CHAPTER 8 - The Desperation of an Unrequited Love
( And the drama hightens!)
Yahiko sat on the porch of the Kamiya Dojo, it had been a month
since Kenshin's return to them and Kenshin was back on his feet, and acting---
well--- better then how he was just after Kaoru had died. He remembered
the time when everyone had arrived back at the clinic to find Kenshin back
in his bed as if he'd never left. Only he was calm and-- almost happy.
He wouldn't tell anyone the reason, but after that, his recovery had been
very quick. Things were on the upturn. Sanosuke
and Megumi became engaged as soon as Megumi found out she was pregnant.
Yahiko thought, for a while that things were going to go back to semi-normal.
Though they would never be completely the same without Kaoru around…
Now, he was acting weird…. quieter then usual, seemed more withdrawn
and spent a lot of time just by himself. He still helped out with
the chores, doing the laundry and cooking, not with the same enthusiasm
that he'd shown before when Kaoru was alive. But Yahiko couldn't
help but wonder if there was some way to get Kenshin out of his shell.
Misao was the expert on people who had retreated into shells (i.e.
Aoshi) and she told Yahiko that he just needed to give Kenshin his support
and always show that he cared. Of course, when Yahiko pointed out
to her that her advice probably wasn't the right way to go about it because
she'd used it on Aoshi and it hadn't made any effect so far… he'd received
the most gruesome bump on his head. He rubbed the sore spot, even
without Kaoru around; he still managed to get pummeled.
" How can I make him cheer up?" He thought. He sighed heavily
and glanced back towards the kitchen where Kenshin was cooking lunch.
Kaoru sat on the counter next to Kenshin, who was slicing up a
large white radish. She tapped her fingers on the wood and eyed him.
" Kenshin…"
" Oro?"
" Why don't you smile anymore?"
" Oh! I'm sorry Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin gave a faint, forced smile
and she non-chalantly whacked him upside the head.
" Don't think you can fool me with a fake smile baka! What's
wrong? You've been getting sulkier and sulkier lately!"
" Oh--- It's nothing… I guess my wounds are bothering me." Kenshin
lied. He didn't want to tell her it was because she hadn't responded
to any of his 'hints.' He didn't know if he could have a relationship
with an angel, it was heresy for all he knew. But having her around,
in that off the shoulder, incredibly sexy kimono with those dark eyelashes
and the hair that always seemed to flow around her as if it was moving
through water… That smile, that fragrance… it was driving him insane.
He wanted to touch her, hold her, kiss her, even make love to her… he wanted
her to be his, to hear her say that she loved him. But Kaoru
always stayed at a safe distance from him. Was he wrong in believing
that she loved him?
Kaoru knew he was lying. She had a sixth sense for it and
sighed inwardly. She honestly knew what the problem was, and had
picked up on all his hints. The ribbons he bought for her… making
her favorite meals… the ways he would subtly say "Kaoru" instead of "Kaoru-dono…"
The flowers, the western candies called "chocolate" that he bought for
her… the list went on and on. She could only thank him and accept
the gifts in gratitude. But she could not return his feelings.
She couldn't bring herself to tell him the reasons. She was hoping
that he might get over her on his own; that he might realize that she wasn't
interested… but so far, it wasn't working.
" Kaoru-dono…"
Kaoru was snatched out of her thoughts and looked at him a little
nervously. " Hai?"
" Could you please pass me the soy sauce?"
" Ohh-- Hai…" relieved that was his only question, she flitted
across the room and grabbed the bottle of soy sauce. Then brought it to
him.
Yahiko blinked twice. Was he imagining it? Or was a bottle
of soy sauce floating through the air? He shook his head and looked
again but it was on the table next to Kenshin… he couldn't remember if
it had been there before.
" Damn-- maybe I'm just hallucinating or something… but it's
not like it's hot outside though."
It was actually getting to be very windy. The clouds were
coming in and it looked like there was going to be a storm. He got
up and went around the complex to find Ayame and Suzume playing catch.
" Ayame-chan! Suzume-chan! Come inside! It looks like it's going
to rain!" Yahiko called to them. The wind was beginning to blow harder;
leaves whirled around Yahiko and the two little girls as they followed
him inside.
" Hey Kenshin…" Yahiko waved as he walked in. Kenshin nodded
to him in response. Ayame and Suzume ran in laughing and grabbed
onto each pant leg of his Hakama.
" KEN-NII!!! PLAY WITH US!" Ayame said excited.
" KEN-NII!! LET'S PLAY TAG!!" Suzume pleaded.
Kenshin put down the knife he was cutting the vegetables with
and shook his head slowly.
" Gomen-nasai, I have to finish lunch…" He didn't smile, the
two little girls slid off of his Hakama, looking disappointed.
" Well, after lunch then?" Ayame asked.
" Perhaps…" was Kenshin's reply as he turned from them and continued
cutting. The coldness in his voice made Ayame's lower lip tremble.
Yahiko quickly jumped in.
" I'll play with you Ayame-chan! Suzume-chan! What shall we play?"
" WAIII!!" Instantly forgetting Kenshin, they ran out of the
room with Yahiko close behind. He stopped outside of the door and
looked back at Kenshin worried. Kenshin continued to chop with his
usual precision. But no smile alighted his face.
" He used to love to cook… before Kaoru--" Yahiko sighed again
and then ran off after the two little girls.
" Do you realize you almost made Ayame-chan cry?" Kaoru scolded
Kenshin.
" Did I?" Kenshin looked back at the empty hallway and then shrugged
and continued to chop. " I had to make lunch…"
" What's WRONG with you!" Kaoru wasn't sure what else she could
do; she jumped off of her perch and grabbed Kenshin's shoulder. The
redhead made no move to oppose her. He dropped the knife on the table
once more and allowed her to spin him around to look at him. He lowered
his eyes.
" Nothing's wrong…"
" Yes there is-- You've got to cheer up! Live! You
may be recovered but you're worrying Yahiko-- everyone is worried about
you! Don't you care about that?"
" I don't mean to… I just--" He continued to look down at the
ground, his fists clenched. Kaoru's heart quickened and she quickly
took her hands off his shoulders. Kenshin looked up at her
with grim determination. " I know why-- I think I do…."
" Know… what?" Kaoru's voice caught in her throat.
" You-- you still blame me don't you? I guess I deserve
it… for not protecting you from Enishi-- that's why you…." He trailed off,
afraid to complete his sentence.
Kaoru was shocked. " W-What? What do you mean I blame you?
Of course not!! I don--"
" Then WHY won't you respond to my feelings!?" His voice heightened.
Kaoru was getting desperate; she didn't know how to handle this.
" I-- DON'T know what you're talking about… Kenshin… are you
sure you're ok? Do you feel ill?" Kaoru reached up to feel his forehead
but he grabbed her wrist and brought her too him, he pressed his lips to
hers, kissing her with an incredible hunger.
Kaoru froze as an incredible surge of emotions welled up inside
of her. Her heart leapt in her chest; part of her wanted to kiss
him back. Part of her wanted to be held in his strong arms, protected
and loved. But her practicality made her tear away from his grip.
She put her fingers to her lips and backed away from him. Kenshin
looked at her in shock.
" K-Kaoru-dono… I'm sorry!" He stammered, taking a step closer
to her. " I don't know why-- I don't know what came over me…"
She had tears in her eyes, she was crying. She shook her
head and she clutched her heart as if in pain.
" Kenshin… no…baka…" she muttered. Tears poured down her cheeks.
Why was she feeling these emotions? Why did they tear at her so?
It was driving her insane.
"Kaoru-dono… I'm sorry… I'm sorry!"
" Why'd you do that… baka--" She shook her head.
" I love you! I can't help it-- I love you so much, I was desperate
to find out if you loved me… please… forgive me." Kenshin took another
step towards her, she backed up against the wall, his advance halted and
he looked at her devastated. " Kaoru…dono…"
" I--" She swallowed hard, for some reason, the words couldn't come…
it was so painful. Her body felt like it was being torn in half.
" I… don't… love you---"
"Kaoru…" his voice cracked, giving away the overwhelming feeling of
despair that suddenly plagued him. He felt as if everything was in
slow motion. The world seemed to stop in that one instant.
Kaoru could have gone and torn out his heart, holding it above his head
and laughed, and it wouldn't have hurt as much as those four words.
" I don't love you."
" Naze…why?" was all he could manage to choke out.
" I'm sorry…" tears poured down her cheeks like silver droplets.
She began to fade, then disappeared.
"KAORU-DONO!" Kenshin moved to catch her, but only caught
thin air.
" What... What have I done?" Kenshin sank to his knees; the last
of his hopes flew away from him. Then something caught his eye.
He blinked as he saw a feather lying on the ground where Kaoru had disappeared.
A wing feather? He picked it up and examined it. The peculiar
thing about it though, was that it was not white; but Grey…
" Kaoru…dono…" His gaze darkened as he clutched the feather,
quickly dismissing the color. He flung it away, fingering the hilt
of his Sakabatou; he strode confidently towards the closed door of the
dojo. Yahiko almost ran into him as he rounded a corner. Ayame
and Suzume were in hot pursuit.
" WOAH! Kenshin? What are you doing? It's a raging storm
outside!" Yahiko said exasperated.
Kenshin ignored him as he opened the door. The wind instantly
sent his red hair flaring around him; Yahiko took a step back in surprise
of Kenshin's sudden movement. Ayame and Suzume nervously hid behind
Yahiko.
" Yahiko-nii… what's wrong with Ken-nii?" whimpered Suzume.
" I don't know…" Yahiko said slowly, he reached out to grab hold
of Kenshin's Gi, but the red headed samurai's cold gaze that fell on him
made him stop.
" I'll be back." Was all he said. He plunged into the storm,
instantly swallowed up by the torrents of rain.
" I'll be back when I find out why…"
Kaoru lay next to the plum tree in heaven, crying into Tomoe's
embrace as Tomoe tried to comfort the shaken angel.
"There… there… it was only a kiss… nothing important… you won't
get into trouble, Himura-san won't either-- it was a mistake!"
" But--" Kaoru was wracked with sobs, Tomoe offered her a handkerchief
from thin air, which she accepted and held to her red, puffy eyes.
" But-- it's not just that… why? Why am I so torn over this? It was
SO hard to say those words… like something inside of me broke!
I've completely shattered him… maybe it's my guilt…"
" Maybe it's something else…" Tomoe said softly. Kaoru
looked up at her.
" Like… what?" Her sobs had quieted as she eyed her friend
nervously.
" Maybe, you're feeling what your past self would feel if put
in this position… maybe you're feeling your love for Himura-san."
This made Kaoru burst into a fresh flow of tears. She shook
her head. " Oh gods-- no! This CAN'T be happening! I'm breaking
the rules! I was never cut out for this work… I'm NOT a good Guardian Angel…
First I break my clients heart, then find out that I'm in love with him…
what do I do? Resign?"
" You can't resign, A Guardian Angel can't resign."
" No-- I CAN'T be in love with him! I don't remember anything
about him!" She shook her head determined. A sudden image filled
her mind. Her eyes opened wide in shock.
" Kaoru-san? Kaoru-san?" Tomoe shook her, but the angel didn't
hear her, she seemed to be in some sort of trance. Her body was rigid and
she stared straight ahead, at something that Tomoe couldn't see.
~~~~~~
Kaoru found herself surrounded by darkness. It was Tokyo,
the morning was just beginning to dawn, but the sun hadn't risen above
the horizon yet. She heard the sound of footsteps running.
A girl rounded the corner wearing a yellow Gi and black Hakama. Her
hair was in a high ponytail and she waived a Bokken around like she certainly
knew how to use one.
" STOP THERE! HITOKIRI BATTOUSAI!" She demanded as she
skidded to a stop and pointed the bokken at a redheaded stranger.
The stranger stopped and turned around confused.
" Hmm?"
Kaoru gasped. It was-- Kenshin! And that girl, was herself…
what was going on?
" PREPARE YOURSELF!" Kaoru yelled as she charged him.
Kenshin easily dodged her attack by jumping effortlessly into the air,
but he landed roughly onto some weak crates and went crashing down to the
ground in a cloud of splintered wood and dust.
" Orooooo…"
Kaoru couldn't help but giggle. That was Kenshin all
right… so clumsy… but only when around her.
The Kaoru of her past looked over at him curiously. "
Are you really the legendary Hitokiri?" She walked over to help him up.
Kenshin shook his head.
" Sessha a Rurouni."
" Rurouni?"
" A wandering samurai de gozaru yo, here-- do you think I
could kill anyone with this?"
He offered her the hilt of his sword; the girl hesitated,
then pulled it from its Saya.
" What's this?" She looked at it dubiously. "The blade is
on the wrong side!"
" It's a Sakaba sword…"
Kaoru's breath caught in her throat as sudden realization hit. "This… it's the first time that I met Kenshin. When I was alive…I challenged him while in pursuit of the man who was trying to ruin my dojo…" she shook her head. " What? What's happening to me? Why--"
A sudden incredible array of images and memories flowed through her head.
She saw Kenshin run in on her in the bathtub. She saw his smiling face as he said the words.
" I don't think your father would expect you to die protecting the dojo, I think he would just want you to be happy."
She saw him moving with incredible speed, his sword flying as he injured several men who'd attacked her.
" The Hitokiri Battousai's style isn't Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu or your other style, it's called Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, An assassins sword stance that uses God-Like speed. If I hadn't been using this special sword, you would all be dead."
She saw him standing with his back to the closed door of the
dojo.
" I'm a little tired of wandering…"
A well of emotions flooded her, Kenshin-- so passionate, so
kind, and yet so mysterious in his own way. Kenshin--
Kaoru jolted out of her trance to hear Tomoe's pleas.
" KAORU-SAN!? ARE YOU OK?"
Kaoru blinked, seeing Tomoe's worried face and quickly shook her head.
" Wha--?" She remembered every detail of the meeting with Kenshin.
What was happening to her? She looked at Tomoe and gave her a slight smile.
" I'm ok…"
" What happened Kaoru-san?"
" I don't --I'm not sure…" She looked up at Tomoe with a sudden
feeling of embarrassment, like she shouldn't be talking about Kenshin with
the angel. Kaoru sighed heavily. That was nonsense.
" Kaoru-san?" Tomoe voiced her concern. Kaoru clutched the folds
of her kimono.
" What should I do?"
" Tell Himura-san the truth."
" The truth?"
" He needs to hear it Kaoru-san… you're only hurting him more by not
telling him. I know you think it will hurt him, but it's for his
own good."
Kaoru's eyes widened. Was she-- hurting him more by hiding?
She knew it was true, deep down she knew it but always wanted to deny it.
Something in her was trying to stop her from saying something as horrible
as " I don't love you" to Kenshin.
" I-- I think you're right Tomoe-san… I'm -- I'm only hurting him by
hiding from him."
" I'm glad that you've finally de--" Tomoe trailed off at a sudden
look of shock across Kaoru's face. "-- Kaoru-san?"
" He's calling me!"
" Nani?"
Kaoru quickly stood up, dropping the handkerchief. In her
mind she heard Kenshin's pain wracked voice calling her name, and the howling
of wind. " I have to go!! Thank you again Tomoe-san!"
Kaoru spread her wings and took off towards earth before Tomoe could respond.
***
Kenshin stumbled through the harsh storm. The rain came
down, pelting him like thousands of tiny needles. He turned from
the wind as his hair whipped about him in frenzy.
" KAORU-DONO!" He called as loud as he could. Rain mixed
with tears clouded his vision. She HAD to come when he called; it
was her duty as his Guardian Angel. He was going to get an answer
from her-- he was going to find out why… And he was NOT going to rest until
he did.
" KENSHIN!" He heard her voice behind him and turned around
to see her standing very still. She looked at him in shock.
He could see the red rings under her eyes…
" So… she was suffering too…" he thought. He clenched his
teeth determined.
" KAORU-DONO! I'M SORRY! BUT I HAVE TO KNOW!"
" KENSHIN! GET OUT OF THIS STORM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Kaoru
yelled at him to be heard above the wind. She had not materialized
herself, and her robes hung loosely around her, unaffected by the wind
that was doing its best to choke Kenshin with his own hair as it whipped
about his neck. Kenshin shook his head
" NOT UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER!!"
" TO WHAT?"
" TELL ME WHY YOU DON'T LOVE ME!" He could feel his courage
coming back to him; he looked at her with fevered determination.
Kaoru bit her lip, strong in her resolve.
" FIRST! GET OUT OF THE RAIN!" she demanded.
They walked through the streets until they found a secluded alley
that was sheltered from the storm. Kenshin stood, dripping wet as
Kaoru materialized herself and leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling
very tired.
" Kenshin… I don't want to hurt you…" She bit her lip nervously.
" Kaoru-dono… I want to know why."
" I-- I…" The same images that she'd experienced earlier were
suddenly coming back to her. Kenshin's smiling face…
" Kaoru-dono, I don't think your father would expect for you
to die protecting his name, I think he would expect you to be happy."
" AHH!!" She clutched her head, recoiling in pain. Kenshin
jumped to her aid.
" KAORU-DONO?! Are you ok?! What's wrong?"
There was such panic in his voice. The pain left almost
as soon as it came. Kaoru relaxed in his embrace, leaning her forehead
against his shoulder, she felt a trickle of sweat go down her forehead.
These memories were driving her crazy-- she was not supposed to be experiencing
them! No-- she couldn't allow it! She COULDN'T love him… it
was impossible.
" I'm fine…" she said softly, she drew away from him and looked
up at him, her eyes brimmed with tears. " Kenshin--"
Kenshin's heart skipped a beat, she gazed at him with so much
compassion, and yet an incredible sadness was behind those wide blue eyes.
He was afraid of what she was about to say.
" I can't be with you."
Kenshin felt as though he'd just gotten the wind knocked out
of him. " Tell me why." He managed to choke out.
" But… I just want to see you happy…" She couldn't stop the tears
from flowing any longer. But she made no move to hide them." So--
you should forget about me, find another woman who deserves your love…"
" I'll be happy if I can have you." Kenshin looked at her intensely,
his deep, purple eyes conveying all the emotion and pain he was feeling.
" No!" Kaoru cried out almost instantly. She tore her gaze
from him, she couldn't take it anymore… she couldn't stand up against that
gaze filled with so much love-- love directed to her. Kenshin grabbed
her shoulders again.
" WHY NOT?!"
" Because…" she had to tell him. Tomoe's voice wrung in
her mind.
" Tell him the truth…"
She needed to tell him the truth. But how could she say that she wasn't
"allowed" to love him? That he'd be stuck with her for the rest of
his life and never be able to even hope of a relationship with her?
No-- she couldn't bring herself to say that. She fervently searched
for a different reason. A reason to give him for not loving him.
But how could she do that? She didn't even remember him. Those
memories that she was experiencing, her mind was in such turmoil.
She had to make it stop-- make it stop once and for all.
" Why?" Her voice was incredibly soft. Kenshin had to strain
his ears to hear her. " Because… I don't know who you are…"
Kenshin blinked surprised. " You-- what?"
Kaoru took a deep breath, steadying her shaking voice.
" I don't remember you! I don't remember myself even… when I went to heaven;
all of my memories from my past life were erased. Yahiko, Sano, Megumi-san,
Enishi, EVERYONE… especially you-- I don't remember anything…I…I don't
love you, because I don't remember you..."
****
" AOSHI-SAMA! HURRY UP OR WE'LL BE LATE!!" Misao yelled above
the high winds. " WOW-- WHAT A STORM! IT'S EXCITING ISN'T IT?"
" …" Aoshi gave no response; he took Misao by the arm and tugged
her off to the side of the road, under an overhang that sheltered them
from the rain and sharp winds.
" Aoshi-sama?" Misao looked at him confused.
" We should wait until the storm lightens up… I don't want you
to get sick." He muttered.
Misao blushed deeply. He was slowly beginning to show he
cared. Little things like this meant a lot to her.
A sudden tremor went up Aoshi's spine as he quickly turned in
the opposite direction they'd come.
" What's wrong, Aoshi-sama?" Misao could sense his tenseness.
" I feel… " He didn't bother to complete his sentence, he walked
a little ways and then disappeared into an alleyway.
" Oi! Wait up! Aoshi-sama!" Misao joined him as his walked
briskly down towards another road, which ran parallel with theirs. " Where
are you going?"
He turned and put a finger to her lips, silencing her.
Misao blushed a deep scarlet. He took his finger away and
continued to walk, she followed him mutely, confusion growing with every
step. Aoshi rounded a corner and then stopped just before another
dark alleyway. He motioned Misao to stop and then leant up against
he wall. Misao copied him. The wind had died down and she could hear
a voice clearly. It was Kenshin's voice! He sounded like he
was arguing… with himself?
"KAORU-DONO!? What's wrong? Are you ok?"
" Tell my why…"
" I'll be happy if I can have you…"
" WHY NOT?!"
Misao inhaled sharply. " Kenshin? What's wrong with him? He thinks he's talking to Kaoru-san!"
[End Part 2]