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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CHAPTER 10- Kenshin's Simple Solution
(Go get a soda-- this one's a long one! ^_^ )
The storm outside raged. Yahiko looked out the window worried.
It was because Kenshin had left (and was still gone). He'd had to
feed Ayame and Suzume. The two girls sat at the table forcing one
mouthful after the other.
" It's SO salty!" Ayame said, her nose wrinkling as she made
a face.
" Yahiko-nii… you can't cook very well." Suzume laughed.
" Not at all!" Ayame agreed with a laugh. " Worse then
Kaoru-neesan!"
Yahiko reddened at that. " It's not like I've EVER tried
to make a meal before! Be happy that you get anything at all!" He looked
out the window again with steadily increasing annoyance. "Damn you Kenshin--
Why'd you just take off like that?"
Ayame and Suzume exchanged glances and then quickly dashed from
the room, they're plates weren't even halfway empty.
" I'm not hungry anymore!" Suzume yelled.
" Me neither!" Ayame said.
Yahiko sighed and took the plates to the Kitchen. "Where
is that damn Kenshin… the storm is really bad… And what was he talking
about as he left?"
Yahiko washed the dishes in a dishearted manner; he looked around
at the dim, candle lit kitchen and imagined Kaoru standing in the doorway.
" Yahiko! When you're done with the dishes, I want you to scrub
all the floors until they're spotless!"
" I'm not your personal slave, ugly!"
Kaoru's face grew red. " UGLY!?"
" Ha!" Yahiko flew from the room, almost knocking Kaoru off of
her feet. " YEAH! WHY don't you do the dishes UGLY? That's woman's work
after all!"
" GRRR-- YAHIKO! GET BACK OVER HERE!"
Yahiko chuckled to himself as he wiped the last dish clean and
set them to dry. "Kaoru wouldn't believe, I'm doing them without
her asking me too-- "
The sound of the front door opening interrupted his thoughts.
Yahiko's eyes shot open. " Kenshin?!"
He bolted from the kitchen and came bounding towards the entrance.
" KENSHIN!"
He rounded a corner and slammed straight into Misao.
" AHHH!" Misao fell back with Yahiko and hit the ground.
The two lay in a knot of tangled arms and lets. " YAHIKO! GET OFF OF ME!"
" MISAO?!" Yahiko struggled to his feet and helped her
up. He looked up at Aoshi who stood in the background coolly.
His dripping wet hair hid his eyes completely.
" Yes it's me baka!" She wrung out her ponytail. " Sorry
for being so late-- the storm delayed us…"
" Sorry- I thought you were Kenshin." Yahiko's face failed to
hide his disappointment. Misao tensed for a moment as her gaze fell
on him.
" -Himura?"
" Yeah-" Yahiko looked up at her. " You didn't see him
did you?"
Misao glanced at Aoshi, who gave only a slight nod. She
turned back to Yahiko and put a hand on his shoulder. " I think you'll
need to sit down for this one…"
***
" WHAT?" Yahiko had been in the middle of sipping his tea, his
surprise at what Misao had just said made him spray it out all over the
ground.
" EEWWW! Yahiko look at the mess you just made!" Misao said disgusted.
Yahiko ignored her " What did you just say? Kenshin's WHAT?"
" He's-- gone insane… Aoshi-sama and I think." She muttered with
closed eyes. "He's lost his mind."
" But- HOW? What makes you think that?"
Misao described the one-man conversation he was having with "Kaoru."
" I-- don't believe you." Yahiko muttered, he clenched his fists
and stood up. " It CAN'T be true."
" It's true Yahiko! Aoshi-sama and I heard him speaking with--
ummm... 'Kaoru.'"
" I won't believe it, until I see it for myself." He glared at
her and then ran from the room.
" YAHIKO!" Misao moved to follow him but stopped at Aoshi's raised
hand.
Yahiko ran down the hallway and out into the rain. He was going
to sit by the entrance and wait for Kenshin to return. He was going
to see with his own eyes that Kenshin WASN'T mad. True, Kenshin had
been melancholy lately-- but it WASN'T because he was insane. The
more and more Yahiko thought about it, the more he denied it. It
was impossible. How could anyone believe they were talking with someone
who was dead?
" Kenshin-- idiot!" Yahiko muttered under his breath. He
leaned against the gateway entrance, shivering in the rain, feeling the
drops slide down his cheeks and slowly soak his Gi.
It didn't take too long before he noticed a dark figure walking
towards the dojo.
" Kenshin?"
He took a few steps forward with a wide smile on his face.
But stopped short as Kenshin got closer. The red-haired ex-Rurouni
looked miserable. His face was downcast, the long red strands of
his hair were soaked all the way through, and they stuck to his face in
disarray. His Gi and Hakama were drenched. It looked
as if he'd jumped in the river with all his clothes on. He trudged
sadly past Yahiko without even a glance and entered the dojo.
Yahiko watched from the entrance as Kenshin crossed the courtyard
and entered the building.
" Kenshin…"
He clenched his fists and ran after him. Bursting open
the front door and looked about for any sign of him. The trail of
water headed towards Kenshin's room. Yahiko set forward determined
and came to the closed door. He knocked on it loudly.
" Oi! Kenshin! It's Yahiko. Can I come in?"
There was no answer.
Yahiko slowly opened the door and peered in. The room was
completely black.
" Kenshin?"
He froze as the light from the hallway spilled into the dark
room. Kenshin was slightly illuminated, sitting against the back
wall of the room in a fashion all too familiar to Yahiko. Sakaba
sword chained and resting on his left shoulder, his eyes downcast and face
a complete blank.
" Yahiko…" the voice was faint. " Please leave me alone."
****
Kaoru watched Kenshin in horror. She was right back where
she'd started. She'd completely destroyed him.
" Kenshin…"
She noticed Yahiko open the door, and Kenshin sent him away just
as quickly. The boy had a tortured, confused look on his face.
Kaoru crept over to the still form and kneeled next to him.
" Kenshin…"
" …"
" Please! Look at me!" She pleaded. Kenshin slowly raised
his eyes to gaze into hers.
" Kenshin, don't do this to yourself! I--"
" Kaoru-dono…"
" Hai?" She looked at him hopefully.
" Leave me alone."
Kaoru's voice caught in her throat. After a long pause,
she slowly nodded and then disappeared.
She reappeared outside, materializing so that she could feel the
rain run coolly down her face. She looked up at the dark sky and
closed her eyes. Wishing the rain could wash away everything she
felt. Her frustration, her pain, her sorrow, the tearing feeling
in her heart… She felt it soak her to the bone. Tears mingled
with the drops that ran down her cheeks.
" I've failed completely…I-- I NEVER should have come here! I
never should have been a guardian angel." Her whole body trembled.
She hugged herself, staggering towards the coy pond. She looked down
into the water. Her reflection was barely distinguishable due to
the thousands of tiny raindrops that broke the surface of the water.
Her mind was a carousel of deep-seated thoughts and emotions. Going
around and around and never coming to a stop or an end. The frustration
gave way to anger. She scowled.
"DEATH!" She cried angrily, she yelled up to the heavens, " DEATH!
THANATOS!" " WHERE ARE YOU?! DEATH!!"
There was no answer. Kaoru collapsed on the bank near the
pond, waiting, letting the rain pound down on her. Death never came.
****
Yahiko couldn't sleep a wink all night. His mind ran over
the events with Kenshin over and over again. He desperately tried
to find a reason for his friend's sudden behavior. He'd thought Kenshin
had been over things-- maybe it wasn't true, maybe he'd just been pretending
to be over Kaoru for Yahiko's sake. Yahiko grimaced at the thought.
He tossed and turned, the wind of the storm died down, and he realized
he no longer heard rain pelting the wooden roof of the dojo. Time
seemed to stand still and before he knew it, the light from the rising
sun was slowly beginning to creep through the windows. He gave up
the idea for sleep at that point and got up wearily.
" Might as well start breakfast-- I'm gonna have to feed Ayame and
Suzume chan at least. Dr. Genzai should be back from his trip by
mid-day." Yahiko sighed heavily as he trudged towards the kitchen.
Passing by Misao's room (used to be Kaoru's) he smiled slightly as he heard
her heavy breathing. At least Misao had been able to sleep that night.
He stopped when he passed Kenshin's door. He hung back, looking
at it in earnest. Should he check on him? Was he still acting the
same? Yahiko took a deep breath and slid the door open a crack, peeking
in. He looked to the back but Kenshin wasn't there! Yahiko
opened the door wider and scanned the room. Still-- no sign of Kenshin.
" Oh shit…" Yahiko muttered. He closed the door and looked
around wildly. " Don't panic stupid!" He told himself. " Look
first and THEN wake everyone up!" He bounded towards the main entrance,
looked in the training hall, outside near the clothesline, in the bathroom…
no sign of Kenshin.
Yahiko was beginning to really panic now. There was one
place that he hadn't checked. The kitchen. He sprinted into
the building and slammed the door wide open. Yahiko face faulted
as he saw Kenshin in the kitchen, back to him, preparing breakfast.
" KENSHIN?!" Yahiko pulled himself from the ground and stalked
over to him angrily. " Kenshin--"
" Shhh--" Kenshin put his finger to his mouth and Yahiko promptly
shut up. "Everyone is still asleep. Misao-dono HATES to be
woken up, you know that." Kenshin turned and continued his preparation.
Yahiko's face grew red with frustration and he put his hand on Kenshin
shoulder, spinning the redhead around with surprising strength.
" Oro?"
" WHAT'S up with you? What about last night?!" Yahiko was ready
to take his Shinnai to him for making him worry so much.
Kenshin looked at him innocently. " Ohh-- last night? Heh--
it was just a rough night, that's all. I'm ok now." He gave him a
reassuring smile. Not his usual fake one, which surprised Yahiko.
The boy sighed heavily.
" I was really worried about you Kenshin-- just a rough night?
WHAT happened to make you so-- soo…"
He stopped when Kenshin put a hand on his shoulder. " You
don't need to worry about that… it's over. Now, why don't you go
and get cleaned up-- you look like you didn't sleep a wink."
Yahiko nodded solemnly and then turned to walk from the room,
muttering under his breath. " Yeah- cause a certain redhead decided to
have a little tantrum last night and make me worry to death--"
****
Kaoru hung back behind the door to the Kitchen as Yahiko left.
Confusion plagued her.
" What? What's wrong with Kenshin now?" She muttered to herself.
" I thought he was depressed." She shook her head and sighed. " I
don't get it at all-- only one way to find out!" She waited until
Yahiko was out of hearing range and clenched her fists. She turned
and walked into the room determined.
" Kenshin!" She said, calling him to attention.
" Oro?" Kenshin turned and gave her a warm smile. " Ohayou
Kaoru-dono!"
Kaoru stood speechless at the happy go-lucky tone of voice.
" D-Don't 'Ohayou Kaoru-dono' me!" She said nervously.
" Oro? Why not?"
Kaoru shifted weight from one foot to the other." Well-- ummm…I thought
you were depressed!"
Kenshin smiled at her and then turned back to his cooking. "
I was."
" Quicker recovery than I thought…" Kaoru mumbled under her breath.
She quickly shook her head and put on a large smile. " So-- tell me why
the change in attitude all of a sudden?"
There was no answer. Kaoru's fist tightened, she tried to keep
her voice calm. " Ohayou, Kenshin."
" Ohayou again, Kaoru-dono." He said without turning.
Kaoru's vein stuck out on her forehead, why did she have the
sudden urge to punt him?
" SO… KENSHIN!" Kaoru said with more force. She couldn't
sort out whether he was avoiding her, or if he was so far in a shell that
he was lying to her.
" Hai?"
" WHY are you happy this morning?" She demanded.
" What's wrong with being happy?" He looked up at her a little
confused. But his face met fist as Kaoru slugged him with all her
might.
" OROooooo…." Kenshin flew across the room and crash-landed amongst
some empty crates.
" OH MY!" Kaoru looked at her fist and then looked back at Kenshin
amazed. "Wha? What have I--? KENSHIN! I'm so sorry!" She hurried over to
him and tried to help him stand. Kenshin's eyes twirled.
" Orooo…"
" I- I don't know what came over me…I guess I was frustrated
with you being SO evasive about my questions--- but… Please forgive me!!!"
She bowed to him repeatedly. Kenshin only laughed out loud.
At this, Kaoru looked up at him completely shocked.
" Why are you laughing? I just HIT you!"
" Because… you're remembering-- I can tell. The Kaoru-dono
I know would have punched me for my first evasion." Kenshin winked at her.
Kaoru looked at him in consternation.
" Come again?"
Kenshin returned back to the meal he was making. " I thought
about it a lot last night, and came up with a solution to the problem."
" Solution?"
" Hai--" Kenshin looked at her, slightly saddened. " Last
night, I thought that it was all over-- what could I do if you didn't remember
and love me? But then, I thought about it some more and found that
the solution is really quite simple."
Kaoru got a sudden sinking feeling. " Yes?"
" I lived with you for only a year and a half before you --died…
but in that short period of time, I have countless fond memories of the
times I've spent with you. You don't have any of those memories--
but…"
Kaoru swallowed hard. " But?"
" Well, what I'm trying to say is that… I'll remind you of those times
we were together… You're already remembering, I know you are."
Kaoru had a sudden flashback of the time she'd been sitting with Tomoe.
She couldn't explain how-- but she knew how she'd first met Kenshin.
It was like she'd been there to witness it. " My memories-- are…
coming back?"
" Hai," Kenshin rubbed his sore cheek. " And this proves it…"
He chuckled. "To tell you the truth, I've missed that--"
Kaoru blushed a bright red. " Did I really punch you when I was
alive?"
" Not just that-- it was pretty painful when you use the bokken, and
when I brought home Megumi-dono that day for the first time…you came down
with a vengeance!" Kenshin laughed at the memory. Kaoru stared at him open
mouthed.
" I'm so sorry! I had no idea I was such a violent person!" She turned
from him and muttered to herself. " Maybe THAT was why I was only
92% good."
" Nani?"
" Oh! Nothing!" She gave him a nervous smile. " Soo-- reawakening
my memories? Heh-- heh…" She didn't know how to get past this one.
She'd hoped that the "not remembering him" would make him give her up,
but that obviously wasn't the case. She hated to admit it, but something
inside of her was secretly pleased that he hadn't-- Something inside her
was-- happy to receive those memories. She couldn't sort it out.
Did she- WANT to have her memories back?
" That's right." Kenshin said. " I'll make you fall in love with
me all over again."
CHAPTER 11- On a Thin
Line of Sanity
A few days had passed and no more traumatic episodes had surfaced.
Kenshin was acting cheerful again. Yahiko couldn't figure it out.
He sat on the porch, watching Kenshin doing the laundry. Misao plopped
down next to him and knocked on his head teasingly.
" OHAYOU! Yahiko!" She grinned.
" Hey! What's that for?!" Yahiko rubbed his head startled out
of his deep thoughts. Misao shrugged and looked over to Kenshin.
" You've been keeping an eye on him too then?" She said softly.
Yahiko sighed and nodded.
" He's happy again, I suppose that's what's most important.
I still haven't caught him talking with Kaoru yet."
" Duh."
" Huh?"
" Obviously, Kenshin can tell when we're hanging around, he can
sense us-- so he doesn't "talk" with her."
" Well…" Yahiko looked at her flabbergasted. " What are we supposed
to do then? I don't think he's insane-- but… he WAS acting really strange.
And when I ask him about it he just smiles and says it was nothing--"
The low voice of Aoshi cut him off. " He doesn't want you
to worry about him."
Misao looked up at Aoshi. " Nani?"
Aoshi simply walked past them and down the steps. " I'm
going out."
" Where are you going, Aoshi-sama?" Misao stood as if to follow
him, Aoshi looked at her coldly and she stopped.
" I'm going to the police station."
Misao's breath caught in her throat. "Why?"
"…" She thought she saw a fleeting moment of pain on his face
before it was masked by his usual seriousness. He turned and without
responding, continued to walk towards the door.
" Battousai…" he thought to himself " You may be content to let him escape-- but, I can not forgive him-", his gaze darkened. " I'll find him…"
****
" And you love that cold-hearted bastard?" Yahiko muttered to
Misao. She turned on him with a vengeance.
" EXCUSE ME!?"
" I said ' and you lo--.'"
" KAN SATSU TOBIKU NAI!"
" AHHH!! WATCH IT!
" DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY AOSHI-SAMA THAT WAY!"
" WELL IT'S THE TRUTH-- WEASEL GIRL!"
" NO ONE CALLS ME WEASEL GIRL… Yahiko-CHAN!"
" GRRR!! DON'T CALL ME CHAN!"
Kenshin heard the commotion and walked over towards them.
He found the two rolling on the ground biting and scratching. He
sighed loudly.
" Maa maa-- calm down you two!"
Yahiko and Misao instantly stopped and looked up at him.
" Kenshin!" Yahiko quickly picked himself off of the ground and
dusted off his Gi. Misao followed suit.
" Yahiko, Misao-dono." Kenshin smiled at them both. " You
really shouldn't fight like that… nothing good comes of it."
" But-- she called me chan…" Yahiko muttered under his breath,
dagger eyes at Misao."
" He called me a weasel girl." She responded angrily.
" Ha ha…" Kenshin laughed. Both looked at him in exasperation.
" WHAT'S SO FUNNY?"
" Just that-- you both are acting so much like children… it's--"
" WE'RE NOT CHILDREN!" They screamed in unison. Kenshin
was immediately across the yard, head imbedded in the wooden fence.
A faint "Oroooooo." Could be heard. Misao and Yahiko stalked off
towards the entrance together.
" Hmph-- stupid Himura--" Misao growled.
" How dare he--" Yahiko agreed.
They both walked out of the dojo; there was nothing there to
do anyways. They walked for a while side by side saying nothing, a tension
filled silence grew between them.
" Why are you following me?" Yahiko finally broke it, eyeing
her threateningly.
" I'm not." Misao said stubbornly. "You're following ME!"
" Ok ok--" Yahiko let out a long sigh. " Sorry-- I guess
I've been acting like a major brat… it's just the anxiety. I'm worried
about him-- but he acts like nothing's wrong! And I can't figure him out!
I get so damn frustrated!"
" Yeah-- me too…I'm sorry I've been a total bitch… I don't understand
it either. I KNOW what I heard that night in the rain. He was talking
to Kaoru."
" I can't believe that."
" It's true! Aoshi-sama even heard it!"
" But--" Yahiko shook his head. " It's SO farfetched! How can
he-- * believe * that Kaoru is there with him? He KNOWS she'd dead."
Misao grabbed his arm, an idea suddenly springing to mind.
" You'll believe me when you see it right?"
" See what?"
Both turned at the sound of Sano's voice. He stood with
hands in pockets, non-chalantly chewing on his fishbone. He eyed
the two mischief-makers warily.
" Sano!" Yahiko looked at him surprised. " Where've you been?
I haven't seen you around in a while.
" Heh-- got a job."
" …" The two stared at him for a full moment in utter disbelief.
The silence made Sano slightly annoyed.
" I know I know!" he threw up his arms, " ME-- get a job…
But--" he smiled "With the baby and all, I want to help pitch in for the
costs it will create."
" …" Yahiko and Misao still stared at him with wide eyes.
Finally- Yahiko burst forth in laughter.
" WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" Sano growled down at him. Misao soon
joined in and they both were rolling on the ground in no time.
" You're joking!! Right? That was great Sano! Heh heh--" Yahiko
wiped a tear from his eye as he slowly stood up.
" You really had me going there for a moment." Misao laughed.
She held her sides, still chuckling.
" …" Sano was unamused. " It's true."
They stopped laughing at his dead-serious tone and resumed their
shell-shocked posture. Then exchanged looks and burst forth in a
new peal of laughter. Sano finally exploded.
" GET OVER IT! I'VE GOT A JOB OK!"
Laughter instantly halted, they jumped into rigid posture and
hastily nodded. Frightened of the Chicken-heads wrath.
" Sorry Sano--" Yahiko was the first to venture forth to speak.
" Heh… It's just hard to believe I guess."
" Where are you working?"
" I load cargo at the shipping docks. It's pretty good money--
Megumi doesn't want me to be fighting people… which is really what I'm
best at." He shrugged. " But-- if that's what makes her happy-- then…"
" Aww--- how cute." Yahiko gave him a sly grin. Sano slugged
him.
" Ouch! HEY!" Yahiko retaliated by tackling his spiky hair, knawing
on it with a vengeance.
" GET OUT OF MY HAIR!"
" You really are a kid." Misao said with a grin to Yahiko.
The boy instantly stopped and looked down at her indignantly from his perch
upon Sano's head. But he said nothing.
Sano smoothly plucked Yahiko from off of his hair and set him
on the ground. " Anyways, where are you two going? I was just dropping
by to see how Kenshin was doing. Last time I heard, he was kinda
depressed."
Misao and Yahiko exchanged looks. Yahiko slowly nodded
to her and Misao grabbed Sano by his arm and started to lead him to the
side of the road.
" Sano-- this is going to sound unbelievable to you… but--"
****
" WHAT?!" Sano cried. Misao nodded solemnly her confirmation.
" That was my first reaction too." Yahiko said seriously.
" I'm not sure if I believe it, I haven't seen it for myself.
But something is definitely going on with Kenshin. A few nights ago
he left the dojo in the middle of that huge storm. He looked SO angry.
And then when he returned, he was soaked to the bone and wouldn't talk
to me. He was totally depressed. I didn't know what was wrong--
he just went into his room and sat in the back. Just like when he
was in Rakuninmura. "
" He sounded distressed when he thought he was talking to Kaoru.
I heard him out in the storm! That must have been the reason." Misao concluded.
" That's really serious." Sano furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
" Is he still like that now? Why didn't you come to get me?"
" No-- the next morning he was fine. I can't figure it
out." Yahiko sighed heavily and shook his head.
" Hmm-- well, one way to figure it out." Sano started to walk
off towards the dojo.
" Wait! What are you going to do?" Misao caught up with him,
followed by Yahiko."
" I'm gonna ring the truth out of him." Sano said seriously.
" What? That's not going to get you anywhere-- Kenshin's not
the type of person who spills his feelings out to people… the only person
that was able to reach inside him was Kaoru-san-- but… she's gone now."
Misao stood in front of him and Sano stopped, he looked down, clenching
and unclenching his fists.
" Well-- what do I do? If you think he's gone insane, then we
should have Megumi look at him to make sure."
" Wait Sano… what if it's not true?" Yahiko interjected. " I
don't see how he could be insane."
" Well-- we'll need proof then."
" How?"
Sano got a sly grin. " Where is Kenshin now?"
" He was doing the laundry, last time we saw---" Misao said.
" No--" Yahiko muttered to her. " He was half unconscious with
his head imbedded in the fence!"
" Shut up."
" Ok you two… don't start." Sano put a hand on both their shoulders.
" We're gonna find out once and for all--"
****
Kaoru yawned as she sat alongside the washbucket. " Kenshin--
you know you have no life…"
Kenshin snapped a sheet clean and then rung out the excess water.
" I'm happy doing this."
" But you never get out anymore!" Kaoru scolded. " I was at the
Akabeko-- eavesdropping as usual, and Tae-san was talking to Tsubame about
how much she wished that you would come by! Yahiko and Misao go there often
enough… but-- you never go out anymore."
" That's because I'd rather be here and talk to you." Kenshin
said matter-of-factly. He wrung out another white washcloth and set
it in the dry bucket to be hung up.
" …" Kaoru folded her arms frustrated. " I swear-- I used
to be SO scared that you'd always leave and never come back, and now I
can NEVER get you to leave!"
Kenshin stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. "How
did you know?"
" I--" Kaoru straightened. " I-- don't know…"
Kenshin smiled slightly and continued his washing. She
sat rigidly. The memory had just sprung to mind. She'd said
the words before she even knew that she was saying them.
" You're remembering again-- " He said quietly.
" So what about that!" She said quickly, eager to get off the
subject. " I'm just worried about you! It's not healthy to be such
a hermit."
" I'm-- sorry for making you worry about me."
" ARRGH!" Without thinking, she sent a tidalwave of water his
way, drenching him.
" Oro…" Kenshin looked at her wideyed and waterlogged.
Kaoru threw up her hands. " STOP apologizing for making me worry!!
All you EVER do is worry about worrying me, start WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF!"
" Gomen-Kaoru-dono…"
Kaoru's anger disappeared a quickly as it had come. She
blinked, beside herself.
" Oh-- Oh gods, I did it again didn't I?"
" Heh-- it's ok… really-- not as painful this time." Kenshin
smiled nervously at her.
" I'm sorry Kenshin…"
" No-- you have a point. And--" He wrung out his dripping
Gi. " You made it quite clearly." He couldn't help but chuckle.
They exchanged looks and both started to laugh.
" You really are soaked through!" Kaoru giggled, she splashed
a little more water his way.
" How'd you splash so much water at once?" Kenshin grinned.
" Heavenly powers." She gave him a mischievous smile.
" Oh yeah?" Kenshin felt a sudden boldness wash over him.
" I'm possessed of a God-Like speed myself… I bet I can make a bigger wave
then you."
" Oh REALLY?!" Kaoru's voice held the ring of a challenge.
She knew she was walking on dangerous ground.
" It's not flirting…" she told herself, more as an excuse then anything
else. " Just friendly play." It was fun to be with him when
he was cheerful. She found that she was enjoying his company more
and more. Now, suddenly she'd stumbled upon a playful part to his
personality that he hadn't shown to her before. And was excited about
it. Her heart beat in her chest quickly with the rush of adrenaline.
The feeling was alien to her-- But she didn't mind it.
Kaoru's challenge was too sweet to pass up for Kenshin. With
incredible speed, he swiped at the soapy water and it washed over Kaoru
completely. Kaoru sat stunned for a moment, surprised and totally
exasperated.
" KENSHIN! WHAT… DID… YOU… DO …THAT… FOR?!"
" Nani?" Kenshin blinked at her. " But-"
" KENSHIN NO BAKA!" She lunged at his throat but her foot caught
in the folds of her Kimono, she instead plunged headfirst into the bucket
of laundry water.
Kenshin fell back, eyes wide. " Oro…"
" Ken…SHIN…." Kaoru's arms emerged and her hands held the sides
of the bucket as she slowly raised her head out of the water. Her
eyes filled with the fire of vengeance. She leaned over towards him with
an evil smile.
" H-Hai?" Kenshin backed up a little, fearful of her wrath when
his eyes wandered down to the SOAKING wet WHITE Kimono that now was INCREDIBLY
see-through. His eyes widened considerably, he couldn't manage to
tear his stare away from her breasts, so round and beautiful and heaving
with her angered breathing.
" What are you looking--" Kaoru stopped as she answered her own
question in her mind. Quick as lightning she backed away and turned around,
her face red as a cherry with her arms wrapped around her protectively.
" HENTAI!!!!!!!"
" Oro--- Gomen! Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin reached out towards her
apologetically but she thwacked him with her wing and sent him reeling.
" OROOOOOooo…"
Kaoru closed her eyes and a warm light surrounded her. As it
left, she was dry again. She took her arms away from her chest with
a sigh of relief and then glanced back. Kenshin lay on the ground
a few yards from her with a large swelling bump on his head and spinning
eyes.
" Oh no! Grr-- I HAVE to learn to control my violent streak!"
She said this more to herself then to Kenshin. "It's NOT going to look
good on my record in heaven…"
" Kamiya-Kaoru-san…"
Kaoru froze. That voice… so familiar. She slowly turned around
and met face to skull with Death.
" Thanatos!" She said shocked. Almost instantly, the shock
was replaced with a dark frown. She stood and faced him. " So-- now
you show up."
" I apologize for the other night-- there is a reason."
Kaoru glanced at Kenshin who had recovered and was looking at
her nervously. A sudden fear registered in her mind and she looked
at Death wide eyed.
" It's not--"
" No-- I'm not here for Himura."
Kaoru relaxed.
" I need to talk with you."
" I should think so--" Without turning to look back at Kenshin
she said softly. " Wait for me here Kenshin-- This shouldn't take long."
" H-Hai…"
****
Kenshin watched the two disappear and he was left alone.
He felt a sudden presence and whirled around to see Sanosuke. Yahiko and
Misao were on either side of him looking visibly distressed.
" Sano--" Kenshin said surprised. " I haven't seen you around
for a while-- where have you--" He trailed off at the look Sano gave him.
The street fighter clamped a powerful hand on his buddy's shoulder.
" Kenshin, I want you to come with me."
" Nani? Sano-- I…"
" Kenshin… come with me to see Megumi."
" Why? I feel fine."
" Please-- go, Himura-san!" Misao looked up at him with pleading
eyes. Kenshin could see tears were in their corners. Yahiko
looked at him with a similar anguish.
" Kenshin-- I'm asking you nicely-- but if you resist, I'm gonna
have to take you there by force." Sano said slowly. " You're my buddy--
and you need help."
" Sano-- what are you talking about?!" Kenshin knew the secret
was out. They had obviously heard him talking to Kaoru… they must
think he's crazy!
" Who were you talking to just now Kenshin?" Sano asked seriously.
" No one…" Kenshin said carefully. Sano shook his head
and began to pull him forcefully towards the dojo entrance.
" HEY! Let go Sano!" Kenshin shook his arm free and looked back
at him with narrowed eyes. Kaoru told him to wait there-- and that
was what he intended to do. " I'll go with you later… but not right
now."
" I don't think this can wait Kenshin!" Sano grabbed onto his
arm again. " Please! Just come with us to see the doctor! It won't
take long-- you'll be back here by lunchtime!"
Kenshin was about to protest again, but the look on Misao's face
stopped him. Tears streamed down her cheeks; she clutched the front
of her Ninja uniform nervously.
" Please--" she stepped forward looking into his eyes with passionate
concern. " See a doctor, Himura-san."
Kaoru stood face to face with death. Her gaze set and determined.
They'd appeared in Purgatory, in his mansion. She watched as he lifted
his black cloak off his shoulders and handed it to the butler to put away.
The thin, tired looking man was once again visible, the skull illusion
that hid his face faded. He motioned her into his sitting room and
she entered, he followed behind.
Death went and sat in his comfortable chair; Kaoru sat across
from him at his bidding.
" So-- what do you want to talk to me about?" She asked.
" I think you know perfectly well."
Kaoru's heart quickened. " W-What do you mean? I have no
I--"
"-- Himura confessed his love to you… "
Kaoru could feel her face grow red; she quickly tore her gaze
from him and began to fidget nervously with the sleeves of her Kimono.
" H-How did you know?"
Death sat back and sighed. " I've been keeping an eye on
you, as you know. And I'm beginning to become just a little bit concerned.
You're very lucky that Shishio has been acting up lately in Hell-- and
so the Archangel and God and everyone have been busy with him, and your
fame has settled down. I don't think anyone else in Heaven is aware
of the recent events that happened with Himura."
" Events?"
" I'm sure you know what I'm talking about…"
Kaoru lowered her eyes.
Death shook his head. " Because you are put under my supervision,
I feel it's my duty to give you this warning before it's too late."
"W-Warning?"
" Yes," Death leaned closer to her. " You know what will
happen if they find out-- and they WILL find out if you allow yourself
to be seduced. You cannot have any sort of relationship with--"
" - I KNOW!" Kaoru burst out. She began to feel the anger
rise in her. WHO was the person who put her in that situation in
the first place? Death! That was who. And here he was lecturing her…
She gave him an icy look, her voice low, trying to control her anger. "
I know perfectly well about rule number 3… But what can I do? I've tried
to make him give me up without totally smashing his heart to pieces.
He's in a delicate condition because deep down- I KNOW he still blames
himself for my death, and no matter how many times I say I forgive him,
I don't think he'll ever forgive himself. But if he thinks he can
still be happy with me-- then that is the only thread that keeps him from
falling apart, I can't break that thread. I'm in a corner-- so WHAT
do you expect me to do?"
Death was silent for a long moment. " Do you love him?"
Kaoru was shocked by his question. She paused, licking
her lips trying to bide herself some time. Did she love him?
She was certainly attached to him, and she enjoyed her time she spent with
Kenshin. But was that love? She searched for a way to avoid
answering the question.
" How can I love him, when I don't even remember him?"
Death was silent again. Kaoru sat uncomfortably, wanting to know
what he was thinking. Finally he spoke.
" So-- that time you called me, in the rain…"
Kaoru's eyes widened.
" You wanted to know-- what was happening to you… You have been
experiencing feelings for him, haven't you? Feelings that no angel should
know exist. "
" I-- No! That wasn't the reason!"
" Then what was the reason?"
" That--" She tried desperately to come up with an unincriminating
answer. But there was nothing that she could say. It was the truth.
She knew it was. Kaoru sat clenching her fists. Death waited patiently
for her to answer him. She looked at him a little nervously; maybe
she could change the subject again. " Before I answer-- I want to know
something, why didn't you come?"
" Huh?"
" I was calling for you, why didn't you answer me? I know you
heard me."
" I saved you from making a terrible error."
" What?"
" If I had come to you, Heaven would have known about it-- and
they would have gotten the hint that you were falling in love w--"
Kaoru suddenly jumped to her feet, " I'M NOT FALLING---" She
trailed off, surprised at her sudden outburst. She looked around
her nervously, then said very quietly. " -- In love."
" I hope not." Death waited as she sat back down and smoothed
out her Kimono. His eyes were narrow and serious. " Nevertheless,
You should not call for me under those types of circumstances in such a
loud way. All of heaven can hear you. I had to make excuses
for you. If you had just told him right off that you couldn't have
a relationship with him, none of this would be happening."
Kaoru sighed heavily. " What should I do?"
" TELL him about rule number 3!"
" But--"
Death looked at her sternly. " He's NOT going to die if
you tell him… He's not on my Death List."
Kaoru wordlessly nodded. She slowly rose, as if all her
energy had been drained from her. " So- can I leave?"
Death nodded. " Good luck, Kamiya-san. You're a bright
young angel, and I know you'll do what's best."
The encouragement he gave her only made her cringe. Kaoru walked from
the mansion in purgatory and lifted into the air. Her wings seemed
heavier. She flew down towards earth and the dojo deep in her own thoughts
of Kenshin.
He had decided he would make her fall in love with him, and remember
him again. That was the reason he'd cheered up after that horrible
night of the storm. But, this news would shatter that hope that he'd
found. She cringed at the damage she was about to do, but she
couldn't fool herself any longer. She was an angel, he was a human…
and to love him was forbidden. She would tell him the truth.
******
Kaoru appeared in the courtyard and looked around anxiously.
" Kenshin?!" she called out to him.
No answer.
" Strange, I told him to wait. It hasn't been that long
has it?" She went into the dojo.
Not there.
She went into the kitchen.
Not there.
She searched everywhere. But no one was at home.
The place was completely empty.
" Hmmm… I wonder where everyone went." She shrugged and sat down
on the porch. " I guess I'll have to wait for him to come back. Damn
it! I really need to tell him-- I won't know where he is unless
he calls to me." She thought to herself.
" Kamiya-san…"
Kaoru jumped and whirled around as Aoshi stood in the doorway.
He wasn't looking at her, rather directly in front of him and she was on
the steps below him. Kaoru gaped.
" I know you're there, Kamiya-san." Aoshi said slowly.
" You weren't there a moment ago…" she said nervously, more to
herself then anything else.
" I came in through the back door."
" YOU CAN HEAR ME?!" She stood up and took a few steps away from
him.
" I can feel your presence, and hear you in my mind."
" But--"
" You're looking for Kenshin?"
Kaoru didn't answer.
" Sanosuke, Yahiko, and Misao have taken him to Megumi's clinic."
" To the clinic? Why?"
Aoshi held up a note that had been in his room. Apparently
Kaoru hadn't checked in there. " I think you'll find out soon enough."
Kaoru swallowed hard, she would deal with the fact he could hear
her when she got back. She had a sinking feeling that something was
happening to Kenshin.
******
" You're joking!" Megumi's voice heightened with surprise at what
Sano told her. Sano shook his head and gestured towards the other
room where Kenshin sat with Misao and Yahiko watching him. Kenshin
had a pensive look on his face.
" He's gone freakin' nuts! I swear to you-- he has one man conversations
with Kaoru!"
" Ken-san isn't insane! I can't believe it…" Megumi shook her
head.
" I saw and heard it with my own eyes and ears… babe, you KNOW
I wouldn't lie to you."
Megumi nodded slowly and then stood up. " Very well, bring him
in. I'm no psychiatrist, but I do know something about the workings
of the mind. And-- if he really is crazy, then I will find out."
" Thanks Megumi." Sano gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and
then walked from the room. She saw through the open door as Sano
said a few words to Kenshin; the redhead nodded and then stood up.
As he entered the office, Megumi offered him a seat and then
sat across from him.
" Ken-san… How are you feeling today?" She said with a slightly
forced smile.
" Just fine." Kenshin smiled back at her. " But--not meaning
to be rude… why don't we cut to the chase Megumi-dono." His smile faded
to that of a little worry. How was he going to convince her that
he wasn't insane? No one could see or hear Kaoru but him.
" Ohh- yes, well…Sanosuke and everyone seem to believe that-- well…"
She tried to put it as kindly as possible. " Well, they're concerned for
you, because--"
" I know what they're scared about, Megumi-dono." Kenshin interrupted
her. He smiled reassuringly. " I assure you, I'm not insane."
" Ken-san…"
Just then Kaoru flew in through the wall.
" Kenshin!"
Kenshin's eyes widened and he couldn't help but shift his gaze
to her. Kaoru landed gracefully and hurried over to him.
Megumi studied his sudden nervous look and began to feel a little
nervous herself. Kenshin was looking past her.
" Ken-san?"
" Oh! Hai, Megumi-dono." Kenshin looked back to her and smiled.
" What is it?"
" Ken-san… I want you to tell me with all honesty… Have you been
talking with Kaoru-san?"
Kaoru froze and looked over to Megumi. " How does she know?"
She then inhaled sharply, the answer to her own question becoming evident.
" Oh gods, so that's why everyone brought him here. They probably
think he's gone insane!"
Kenshin didn't know what to do. Under this woman's gaze,
he didn't want to lie. And he felt like she would know if he did.
Kenshin had no choice; he HAD to tell her the truth. He gave Kaoru
a side-glance. He could tell she'd figured out what he was being
questioned for. The beautiful angel looked back at him nervously.
" Kenshin-- "
She then remembered when Juniperia-sensei had said.
" Rule number 2, you may make yourself known only to the client
and the clients immediate family or friends. No one outside that
circle shall know you exist."
Megumi was a close friend. Wasn't she? Weren't they all?
" Tell her about me Kenshin!" She said nervously. " I hope
that she will believe you though."
Kenshin nodded and then shifted gaze back to Megumi.
" Yes," He looked at her very seriously. " I have been
talking with Kaoru."
CHAPTER 13 - Truth Revealed
" Yes," He looked at her very seriously. " I have been
talking with Kaoru."
Megumi was surprised at the sudden confession. " Ken-san… Kaoru-san
is."
" She's dead, I know. But--" Kenshin bit his lip.
How could he tell her in a way that she would believe him?
" But?"
Kenshin was silent for a long moment. " Ok-- You know how I turned
up on your doorstep, half dead after the fight with Enishi?"
Megumi eyed him confused. " Yes?"
" Well-- Kaoru came to me, as an angel… and she brought me to
you to be treated."
Megumi's face looked pained. " Go on…"
" And, at first I didn't believe it myself, that there was this
beautiful angel talking to me. And it was Kaoru! But then she
spoke to me, and told me that everything was ok. And the past few months
she's been with me, as my guardian angel. No one can see her or hear
her but me…" He looked up to her hopefully. Megumi's expression was
one of total shock. Kaoru put her hand to her forehead.
" Baka Kenshin-- she doesn't believe you at all!"
" Well, how am I supposed to tell her to make her believe me?"
He said out loud back at Kaoru. Megumi's eyes widened even more and
she turned her head in the direction Kenshin was looking.
" K-Ken-san…"
" Now you're making her even more concerned!" Kaoru said angrily.
" It's not as easy as it looks!" Kenshin's voice heightened,
revealing his anxiety.
" Ken-san…" Megumi put a hand on his shoulder nervously.
" Please calm down…"
" Kenshin! Forget what I said!" Kaoru nervously wrung her hands,
" Just…tell her it was a lie then! I don't want you to be put in an institution!"
" It's too late now Kaoru-dono… she already thinks I'm insane."
" Ken-san, I never said that-- I…"
" But that's what you're thinking, isn't it?" Kenshin looked
at her. Megumi couldn't hold his compassionate gaze and lowered her
head.
" I'm sorry, Ken-san…"
" Megumi-dono, I can understand why you wouldn't believe me.
Until this happened, I wouldn't have believed it myself."
" Ken-san…"
" But-- even if you don't believe me." He gazed over at Kaoru
lovingly. " Even if I am really imaging all of this… then I'm content
with being insane."
Kaoru could feel her temperature rising. " Kenshin! Don't give
up so fast, you IDIOT!" She stalked over to him and grabbed him by the
front of his Gi.
" Oro! Kaoru-dono… I--"
" STOP the pathetic interlude! I don't want your friends treating
you like you're insane!"
" But-- Kaoru-dono. They won't believe me, no matter what I do!"
Megumi rubbed her eyes. How was Kenshin doing that? Trick
with wires? It looked very well like some invisible force lifted him up
by his Gi. And now it was supposed to be Kaoru? She quickly stood
up and ran towards the door. Kenshin looked back at her.
" Ahhh! Megumi-dono… It's ok! Don't be scared! It's only Kaoru!"
Megumi threw open the door to the examination room. Sano,
Yahiko, and Misao all jumped up.
" Well?" Misao ran up to her hopefully. " He's not really insane?
Right?!"
" I-- I don't know what to make of it… He was talking to her
right in front of me… I was inclined to believe he was… but--" she looked
back towards Kenshin, It really did look like someone was grabbing him
by the front of his Gi.
" What the?" Sano looked at him confused.
" Is he using wire?" Yahiko wondered.
" No! It's really Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin said with a sweatdrop.
Maybe Misao or Yahiko would believe him.
" Grrr-- I'M not about to let them lock you up!" Kaoru said defiantly.
She saw their reactions to what she was doing and a sly idea came to her
mind. " Heh…"
Kenshin saw the look on her face and he felt a twinge of fright.
" K-Kaoru-dono… what's that look on your face for… ORO! Kaoru-dono… what
are you--?!"
" If this is what it takes--" she wrapped her arms around him and beat
her wings. Lifting him completely off the ground.
" AHH! Kaoru-dono… please don't do that!" Kenshin said exasperated.
Everyone looked up at the floating Rurouni in disbelief."
" Oh my god…" Megumi took a step back and grabbed onto Sano's
arm for support.
" Himura?!" Misao looked at Yahiko who had a similar look of
confusion.
" Is-- it true? Is Kaoru really there?"
" Is it a ghost!?" Sano said in shock. He took a few steps
back, remember his encounter with his boss the night he'd learned Futae
no Kiwami."
" Don't be silly!" Megumi's voice cracked slightly, they could
tell she was still worried, despite her words. " Ghosts aren't real.
I'm sure-- he's using some sort of wire or something!"
" Can a wire do that?" Misao pointed with a shaky finger.
Kenshin was circling the room.
" OroOOOOOOoooooooROOooooooo…. Kaoru-dono-- sessha is getting
dizzy!!!"
He whirled in the air, swooped down just above their heads, did
somersaults and spins and flips. Kaoru laughed.
" This is actually kinda fun!"
" Kaoru-dono… I think I'm going to be sick…"
" What the fuck is going on!?!" Yahiko muttered. " Is it
REALLY Kaoru?!
" Maybe a trick of the light…" Misao contemplated.
" KENSHIN!" Sano yelled up at him. " You'd BETTER be telling
the truth or I'm gonna pound you to a bloody pulp as SOON as you get your
ass back on the ground!"
" Oro!! Sano-- it's true! I swear!" Kenshin looked up at Kaoru
pleadingly. "Kaoru-dono… please put me down!"
Kaoru stopped her circling and sighed heavily. " This isn't working…
I wonder if I CAN show myself to them…" She noticed Kenshin looked a little
green-faced.
" Kaoru-dono… I'm going to throw up…" he muttered. " The
room is still going in circles…."
" You're such a baby!" she scolded. " Wasn't that just a little
fun? Come on, admit it!"
" I'd rather take Shishio AND Enishi on at the same time…" he
said under his breath.
" Hmph! Wimp!" She swooped low and then dropped him a good 3
feet above the ground.
" ORO!" Kenshin landed on the ground with a thud, then looked
back up at her annoyed. " What did sessha do to deserve this?"
" Kenshin-- give it up! How did you do that?" Sano looked at him
seriously. " If you're pulling some huge joke, then this is NOT funny!"
Kenshin met Sano's angry gaze and sighed. " I can't prove
it to you…you have to trust me."
" Hold on a sec Kenshin!" Kaoru sat next to him and pulled
a thin book from the sleeve of her Kimono. She opened it up and read
the fine print under Rule Number 2. " Hmm… only under matters of extreme
urgency may the guardian angel show themselves to the said family or close
friends." She shut the book and tucked it back into her Kimono sleeve.
" Well, I'd say this was an emergency, you're seconds away for being declared
mentally insane, right?"
" I think that's how it's going, yeah." Kenshin nodded.
Kaoru looked up and saw that the worried group of friends had nothing more
than confused or angry looks on their faces.
" Himura- as much as I want to believe you…" Misao said slowly.
" I- I can't believe that Kaoru is is… back from the dead. It's totally
ludicrous!"
" She's right." Yahiko said.
" Ken-san… I think it's best that you go someplace where it's
nice a quiet, and peaceful…" Megumi took a step forward towards him.
" Where you won't have to fight anyone…"
" All right… that's it…" Kaoru voice had a tinge of anger in
it. She stood up quickly.
" Huh? Kaoru-dono? What are you--?" Kenshin looked up at her
and saw that she began to glow brighter. She cupped her hands together
and closed her eyes. Kenshin looked at her confused until he heard
a gasp escape Misao's lips.
" Misao-dono?" Kenshin turned to see the girl fall to her knees.
She was staring intently at Kaoru, her mouth wide open. " Misao-dono,
can you see her?"
Wordlessly, Misao nodded. Megumi was the next one to gasp; she
fell back, suddenly weakened and Sano caught her.
" Oi! Megumi-- what's wrong?"
" Don't-- you see her?" Megumi couldn't tear her eyes away. Sano
squinted. " I still don't see her."
" I see her…" Yahiko muttered. " Kaoru…" His heart suddenly tightened
in his chest. The woman that had been almost like a sister to him
was slowly become visible in front of his eyes. It was like she was
coming back to life.
The image of Kaoru in a flowing white off the shoulder Kimono, with
a light purple Obi and graceful white wings slowly materialized.
Everyone but Sano gasped as she lifted her head. Her face in full view,
it was definitely Kaoru.
" What's going on?! Oi! Megumi--" Sano stopped at a swift gesture
from Megumi. He looked closely, squinted his eyes as hard as he could in
the direction everyone else was looking. But saw nothing.
Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and looked up at each of them.
She smiled softly. Yahiko took a step forward. He felt an incredible
need to rush over to her. To be held in her protective embrace.
But he stood firm, refusing to let his tears surface.
" Kaoru- is it you?!"
" Yahiko, Minna…" He voice was soft and sweet. Sano gasped
as her voice entered his mind. Everyone else seemed to see her but
him. "Why?"
The scent of Jasmine filled the room. Kaoru smiled warmly at
all of them. " Hai, it's me."
CHAPTER 14 - Kenshin's New Rendezvous
She stood with her chin up, regal like a queen. Her kimono
flowed about her as if it was moving in water. Kenshin couldn't help
but gawk at her. She looked even more beautiful now as she stood
looking at the group of friends.
" K-Kaoru." Yahiko repeated breathlessly.
" Yahiko," She smiled at him. That one smile seemed to
fill him with comfort. She looked to everyone. Sano was the
only one that didn't look completely astonished. He folded his arms.
" Oi… do you all really see her? I don't see anything!"
" Hush." Megumi hastily put a hand on his arm and Sano quieted.
" I'm sorry I've kept myself a secret until now." Kaoru said
slowly.
" Kaoru-san…" Tears began to slide down Misao's cheeks.
She made no move to wipe them away. " Kaoru-san, you're really there…"
her voice trailed away as she buried her face in her hands, unable to control
her sobs. Megumi knelt by the girl and put her arm around her comfortingly.
A look of pain flashed over Kaoru's face as Misao's sobs carried
over to her ears. She swallowed hard. " I knew this kind of
effect would happen if I showed myself. But I couldn't allow you
to lock Kenshin up. He's not insane. It really is me.
I am his Guardian Angel."
" Forgive me, Ken-san." Megumi look up at Kenshin apologetically,
she shook her head. " I never should have doubted you.
" It's ok, Megumi-dono." Kenshin smiled at her. " I can understand
why you wouldn't believe it. It's pretty crazy to try and talk about
it."
" Yo-- Kaoru, is this some kinda joke? Why can't I see you?"
Sano said annoyed. Everyone could see her but him, he could hear
her-- but that was all. It was making him feel more than excluded.
" You can't?" Kaoru blinked surprised. She glanced at Kenshin
who shrugged, then bit her lip. " I can't say why… You should be
able to---"
She was suddenly cut short by a sudden cry from Yahiko. The boy
up until now had been desperately trying to contain his emotions.
But the sight of her brought about feelings that he never knew existed.
And he was fighting a loosing battle. He realized how much he really
did love her, like an older sister. He told himself over and over
that he should be a man, and not cry-- but it was too much. He took
a step towards her, then before he knew it; he was running with arms outstretched.
" KAORU!"
" Yahiko!?" Kaoru turned from Sano and gasped as the boy lunged
towards her and passed straight through her body. She cried out in
pain, arching her back. Everyone watched in horror as she began
to fall forward. Her eyes rolled back in her head until all you could
see were the whites.
" KAORU-DONO!?" Kenshin rushed and caught her before she could
hit the ground. Yahiko looked back from where he'd landed with eyes
wide, tears pouring from them.
" W-What happened?" He said breathlessly.
" What's going on!? Hey!" Sano yelled as everyone got up and
dashed around Kenshin. " Why did she scream like that?! What happened!!!!"
Kenshin shook her slightly. " KAORU-DONO! KAORU-DONO!"
" Kaoru-san?" Misao put her hand out but it passed through Kaoru's
body as easily as Yahiko had. Kenshin seemed to be the only one who
could physically hold and touch her. " Himura-san… what happened?!"
Kenshin ignored them. He hugged her to him protectively.
" Kaoru-dono!! Kaoru-dono wake up!"
***
Kaoru found herself standing on the familiar bridge in Tokyo.
The day was sunny and warm.
" Huh? What am I doing here?"
She looked around her and froze as she caught sight of an all
too familiar couple walking towards her: Kenshin and Kaoru.
" Another memory?" She said softly to herself.
The two passed by her as if she was invisible. But she
heard soft footsteps and before she knew it Yahiko had run up and rammed
himself into Kenshin. The boy was quick and agile, and as Kenshin
recovered her past self dove at him and knocked him down.
" WAIT JUST A SEC!" She yelled angrily.
" Wow-- I can do that… IN A KIMONO?!" Kaoru blinked amazed.
The Kaoru of the past held up some wrapped coins. " He's
a pickpocket, Kenshin! Check your money!"
" Aackk! Get off of me you ugly hag!"
She gawked at the boy before she picked him up by the front of
his Gi angrily. "What!? How RUDE! Do you know who I am?"
" Screw you Ugly!!" The boy retaliated still.
" Maa maa…" Kenshin put his hand on Kaoru's shoulder and she
released Yahiko. " I guess it was my fault for not being more careful.
Here you go." He put the money in Yahiko's hand. The boy looked up
at him surprised. " Don't get caught next time." Kenshin said with a smile.
He got up and began to walk away.
" W-Wait a sec… Kenshin!" Kaoru ran after him. " Are you sure
about that?"
Kaoru blinked at the scene and giggled. " So… is this how
I met Yahiko?" The background around her darkened and she found herself
in the dojo.
" Huh? What now?"
Almost on que, Yahiko rounded the corner with his Shinnai in hand
laughing. A flustered Kaoru in hot pursuit, waving her own wooden
sword menacingly.
" YAHIKO! GET BACK HERE!"
" HAA! WHO'D WANT TO TAKE LESSONS FROM AN UGLY RACCOON GIRL LIKE
YOU?!" He snickered back at her.
" R-Raccoon Girl!?" Kaoru eyed him angrily. She watched the two
of them joust outside in the courtyard. The Kaoru of the past finally got
the better of the stubborn pupil and after giving him a few good whacks
upside the head, dragged him back into to dojo.
" Heh-- can't say he didn't deserve it…" The angel folded her
arms. " These must be Yahiko's memories of me."
The scenery darkened again, and Kaoru now found herself in a
place, which was unfamiliar to her. The building was traditionally
Japanese, but it was not her dojo.
" Where am I?"
There was a large crowd in the courtyard, some wearing Ninja
suits… and a strange girl in a green Kimono with a giant scythe.
A really fat ugly guy and a short, lanky man wrapped in a black cloak with
a black mask.
" Looks like a fight."
She saw herself and Misao both facing the woman with the scythe, and
Yahiko ready to fight the man with the black cloak.
" Yahiko, there's a lot more to learn in Kamiya Kasshin Ryu."
The Kaoru of the past said seriously. " If you die, I'm not teaching
you another thing."
" I won't die." Yahiko said determined.
Kaoru stood speechless as she watched the battle. (Not to mention
when she found out that " pole woman" was really a "rod man.") She
screamed when the first bomb hit Yahiko. And laughed triumphantly
with the rest when he defeated the man using Kenshin's Ryu Tsui Sen.
" Yahiko…" an overwhelming feeling of pride filled the Angel.
He was her student. Such a strong young man he was turning
into. More memories came before her. When she beat Kamatari.
The time they went to Kyoto in search of Kenshin. When they first
found Misao and how she had been in Kenshin's company.
An incredible ache filled her heart when he burst into her room
as she lay in bed weeping and demanded that they go find Kenshin in Kyoto.
She watched as the Kaoru of the past nodded solemnly.
" I- I really want to see Kenshin…"
" What happened to make him go to Kyoto?" She wondered.
Even through Yahiko's memories, her feelings towards Kenshin were evident.
" Yahiko-- thank you." She said quietly, she knew he couldn't
hear her, but she didn't care. She wanted to reach out and hug the
boy. He was her student, and not only that-- he was like a younger brother.
Someone that she had to look out for.
" KAORU-DONO!"
A faint voice filled her mind. She turned from the scene
confused. "Kenshin?"
Now the voice was louder. " KAORU-DONO! WAKE UP!"
" Kenshin!?"
***
" KAORU-DONO!"
Kaoru winced, as she became aware of someone shaking her.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the worried face of Kenshin.
" Huh?" She blinked confused as he held her to him.
" Kaoru-dono… are you ok?! I was so worried!"
Kaoru smiled. " Hai. I'm fine." Kenshin relaxed his
grip on her and she saw Yahiko sitting next to him silently.
" I--I'm sorry Kaoru…" The boy said softly.
She smiled, remembering the scene's she'd witnessed and reached
her hand up towards him, though she couldn't touch him, she could feel
the warmth of this body.
" No-- Thank you…I can remember you now."
" Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin's grip on her tightened. She could tell
he was nervous of her making contact with Yahiko again. Kaoru looked
up at Kenshin's concerned face and smiled in reassurance.
" Don't worry Kenshin… I just don't think I was prepared for
that-- I'll be ok. I'd never shown myself to anyone but you before,
I think that's why it happened."
" Kaoru-san."
Kaoru looked over at Misao. The girl swallowed hard and wiped
a tear from her cheek. " Welcome back."
****
Everyone had been surprised at Aoshi's reaction to the news.
Or… more his lack of a reaction. Kaoru decided to keep it a secret
that he'd known of her presence since the beginning.
Days passed and they celebrated non-stop. Kaoru wasn't
sure why-- maybe because she was among them again. Even if she was an angel,
there was no denying the fact that she was still dead. But the parties
were fun. Sano still couldn't see her and she made a mental note
to ask Death about it on his next visit.
Still… she found she missed being known to Kenshin, and ONLY Kenshin.
She certainly got no time alone with him anymore which was good in several
ways. Namely, no romantic angst. But it put off her decision
to tell him about rule number 3.
A month had passed and the parties were beginning to die down.
Kaoru sighed as she sat on the front porch, contemplating just how she
was going to tell him.
" It'll have to be at a good time… maybe when he's drunk.
He gets really happy when he's drunk-- but…" she grimaced at the last party,
when Kenshin got drunk and then tried to get her to elope with him. " It'll
be hard to do it without really hurting him. Arrghh!" She put her hands
to her head, tearing at her hair. " What am I gonna do!?!?"
" Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru froze and quick as lighting composed herself. She
put on a fake smile and invited him to sit next to her. " Kenshin!
Good morning!"
" Ohayou." He didn't sit next to her, but instead walked down
the steps. " Kaoru-dono. I'm going out again and I won't be back
until late. See you later."
" …" Kaoru sat completely frozen as he casually walked out of
the dojo. Then shook her head. " Wait-- I must have been imagining
that…" she shook her head in denial. " He ALWAYS sits next to me
and we talk in the morning. He seemed… a little cold. What's he up
to?" She admitted that recently, Kenshin had been going out a lot.
He would be gone all day and come back just in time for dinner. But
this was the first time he'd left so early in the morning.
But a sudden loud banging coming from the other side of the building
interrupted her thoughts. Kaoru stood up and flew towards the sound.
She was surprised to see Yahiko on the roof, surrounded by boards, extra
shingles, and tools.
" Yahiko, what are you doing? Get down from there! You'll fall
and break your neck!"
" I'm trying to fix up this run-down dojo! You know this entire
training hall has been completely demolished ever since…" he trailed off.
Kaoru looked at him nervously. Kenshin never went back to this part
of the dojo. And the blood staining the wood at the far end of the
training hall gave her a good idea why. She never asked, but had
a feeling it was where she'd died. Yahiko sighed loudly. "
Ever since that Bastard came…"
" Yahiko!! Is this enough?!" Misao's cheery voice floated up
to them. Kaoru looked down to see Misao and Aoshi both laden with wooden
boards. Yahiko walked to the edge of the roof and nodded his approval.
" Yeah! Just put it with the rest!"
The two Oniwa Banshuu deposited the wood in a neat pile.
Misao picked up a large hammer; she teetered a little from the weight but
gripped it tightly.
" ALL RIGHT! LET'S FIX THIS PLACE UP-- huh!?" She blinked as
Aoshi silently took the hammer out of her hands.
" This is too heavy for you." He said seriously. " Let
me do this."
Misao watched as he began to strip the broken boards away from
the wall. She smiled to herself and instead began to take away the
debris.
" What are you doing this for?" Kaoru asked Yahiko.
" To get this Dojo back in working condition of course!" Yahiko
said matter of factly. He tore off a few broken shingles. "
You left me and Kenshin little to no money at all and if we're going to
survive, we need to fix this place up and get some more students.
" -Who's teaching this school!?" Kaoru asked exasperated.
" Me of course!"
She gawked surprised. For someone who was just entering
puberty, he was amazingly adult sometimes. She smiled and shook her
head.
" Is there anything I can do?"
" You can pick things up right?"
" Yeah."
" Why don't you take these broken shingles and put them where
Misao is taking the debris."
Kaoru gathered up a bunch of shingles, surprisingly they weren't
heavy at all, (but then again, nothing was heavy to her) and flew down
to the ground, dropping them in the steadily growing pile of debris.
" Hey everyone!" Sano waved as he sauntered up. " Came to see
if you needed a hand."
" I was wondering when you'd show up!" Yahiko yelled down at
him. " Get workin'! You made some of this mess too!"
" Hmph-- He's the new owner of the Kamiya Kasshin School and
now he gets all cocky…" Sano muttered irritated.
" Now now." Megumi put a hand on his shoulder. " Yahiko
has a lot of responsibility suddenly. As the successor to Kamiya Kasshin
Ryu, he's got to rebuild everything. So be supportive!"
" Yeah-- But he doesn't have to be so god damn righteous about
it all!"
" Hey Sano!" Kaoru playfully hit him upside the head. " Stop
talking and start working! I want you to fix that wall over there by sundown!"
" GRR! STOP THAT JO-CHAN!" Sano swiped the air but Kaoru giggled
as she easily evaded him and pushed him playfully towards the pile of wood.
" What did I say Sanosuke? Get to work!"
" God Damn it… no fair, I can't even see her." He muttered angrily
as he picked up some wood and walked over to where Aoshi was working.
" Well, I suppose I should get to work myself!" Megumi rolled
up her sleeves and picked up a bucket of soapy water.
Sano stopped his work and looked back at her in protest. " Oh
no-- You're not doing ANYTHING in your condition. Why don't you go
rest in the shade or something?"
" Hmph! What condition? I'm ONLY three months along."
" But--"
" No buts, I'm fine."
Kaoru giggled as the two fought. It finally ended when
Sano physically picked Megumi up, the bucket of water fell to the ground,
spilling everywhere and carried her over near the coy pond, depositing
her under a cherry tree.
" S-SANO!" She looked at him angrily.
" I said-- I don't want you working!!" He growled down at her.
Then stood and walked back to his work leaving her looking very ruffled.
Work went smoothly for the next few hours. Sano stretched
and wiped the sweat from his brow.
" Hmph! Where is Kenshin? He should be here helping too." He
muttered more to himself then anyone else.
" He said he had something important to do today." Misao said.
" What's more important than fixing the dojo?"
Misao stopped and looked back at him a little sadly. "
Maybe he just doesn't like to be reminded of this…" she glanced at Kaoru.
" …This particular part of the dojo."
" …" The two were silent and then wordlessly turned and continued working.
Kaoru sighed. She would need to ask them exactly what had happened
there eventually. But now wasn't the time. It was obviously
still too painful for anyone to talk about. But they did have
a point. Where was Kenshin? She deposited another load of shingles
and then yelled up to Yahiko.
" I'm going to look for Kenshin!"
" Huh?" Yahiko looked up but before he could answer, the angel
was gone.
****
" Grr-- that stupid Kenshin." She muttered to herself as she glided
above the houses of Tokyo, keeping her eye out for any flashes of red hair.
" What's he doing anyways?"
She landed at the bridge where she'd found him the first time
but he wasn't there. Sighing heavily, she sat on the rail and watched
as travelers passed by.
" I can't exactly ask them if anyone's seen him. How will I know
if he's been by here? I'll try the Akabeko."
Kaoru disappeared and relocated at the restaurant. She
hung around for a bit, listening in on conversations. But nothing
about Kenshin was brought up. She was beginning to consider showing
herself to Tae or Tsubame when a conversation between two policemen caught
her ear.
" That redhead, you know him-- Himura Kenshin?"
" Yeah! Inspector Fujita is always talking about him."
" Yeah… anyways, I hadn't seen him around much, after that Kamiya
girl died… but I saw him earlier today with some new chick."
" So what?"
" So what!? I saw her, that girl is GORGEOUS!"
The other officer was in the middle of sipping tea; he choked,
spraying it in his friend's face. " REALLY?! Who is she?!"
Kaoru's mouth dropped open. " Kenshin's with some girl!?"
" Ack! Damn it --" The other cop looked at his friend disgusted
and brought a napkin to his face.
" Sorry…Anyways, who is she?!"
"Don't know who. She just moved here. She's TOTALLY rich,
and young… about 17 I'd say… she's from America."
Kaoru could feel her temperature rising, she clenched her fists.
" Some 17 YEAR OLD AMERICAN GIRL?!"
" She's blonde."
" BLONDE?"
" With blue eyes."
"BLUE EYES?!!??!?!?!"
" Whhooooo hoo! He can pick 'em! Lucky son of a bitch!" The other
officer laughed. Then stopped as a sudden chill ran up his spine.
" What's wrong?" The other officer asked.
" Woah-- Don't know… I just got some weird feeling just now."
Kaoru stormed out of the restaurant. She growled under
her breath.
" Kenshin with some 17 year old blond?! I can't believe it! It's
not true!" She bit her lip. " Then again… he's been going out a lot
recently… and NOT telling me where! And this morning he wasn't acting
like himself…" She shook her head. " ARRGGHHH! What am I thinking? No way!
He wouldn't cheat on me--" she caught herself. " What am I saying!?
We're not even together---But--" she clenched her teeth angrily. " He SAID
he'd wait for me-- But-- AAAHH!! WHAT AM I THINKING! It's GOOD that he
found someone else-- But…Why do I have the urge to… break something…"
[End of Part 3]