Heavenly Incarnations Chapter 4: Part 4, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

heavenlypart4 HEAVENLY INCARNATIONS
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.

CHAPTER 15- The Breakdown

She searched all afternoon, flying up one street of Tokyo and down another. She checked the river, his usual fishing spots, everywhere she could think. But he was no where to be found. The sun was beginning to set when she returned home with no proof to what those officers were saying.
" Kaoru! There you are-- What took you so long? Did you find Kenshin?" Yahiko asked her as he saw her land in the courtyard. Kaoru shrugged her shoulders dejected.
" No…"
Yahiko blinked confused as she turned and walked into the building without another word.
" Jeez. She's acting weird…"
" Konnichiwa Yahiko!"
Yahiko turned to see Kenshin standing in back of him, he was holding a lidded wooden bucket with one hand and the other folded in his Gi.
" Kenshin! There you are. Kaoru was looking for you."
" Kaoru-dono was?"
" Yeah---she's in the house."
A nervous look passed over Kenshin's face as he turned and walked into the building quickly. Yahiko scratched his head.
" Everyone's acting weird today."

***
" Kaoru-dono? Yahiko told me you were looking for sessha."
Kaoru in the meantime had been taking out her frustrations on a radish. She was slicing it at a speed not too far from god-like.
" I was LOOKING for you all day! WHERE have you been?!"
" Ummm-- I had something to do…"
Kaoru finished the radish, pushed the julienne pieces to the side and started on another. " When everyone else was working hard on fixing the dojo? What in the world was so pressing that you had to skip it!? YOU live here too you know…" She tried to figure out how she would ask him about this woman. But it was hard to do so without concrete proof that she'd seen the two together. She realized also that if she asked flat out, it would be very insulting to Kenshin if it was just a rumor.
" I'm sorry! Please-- forgive sessha. I brought us home some dinner. Maybe that will make up for it?"
Kaoru stopped her chopping and turned to see Kenshin holding a very large, delicious looking fish.
" Woah--" She momentarily forgot her anxiety as she stared at it openmouthed. " Kenshin-- you didn't CATCH that did you?! It's big enough to feed everyone."
" Heh-- no, I didn't catch it." He smiled and handed it to her. " It was a gift."
" A-- gift?"
" Hai, a friend gave it to me-- well, I'm going to get cleaned up for dinner, see you soon." Kenshin turned and walked from the room. Kaoru stood silently holding the fish long after he'd left. She looked down at it and bit her lip.
" A gift from a friend huh?" She shook her head. " No! It's probably nothing at all! Besides, he brought it home for all of us to eat… I'm just being paranoid."

****

Kaoru awoke the next morning to loud banging coming from outside. She stretched her wings and yawned. Her eyes were slightly blood shot; she hadn't been able to get to sleep last night. She couldn't keep her mind off of Kenshin and that blonde girl.
" What the?!"
She looked over to the far wall where Misao's bed was nicely folded up.
" Misao-chan isn't here…" She climbed off of her cloud, which hovered a few feet above the ground and stepped outside to see Sano walking past the room with armfuls of lumber.
" Ah! Sanosuke!"
" AAAAHH!" Sano jumped throwing all the wood into the air. Clutching his heart, he looked around frantically. " JO-CHAN! DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT!"
" Ha ha!" Kaoru laughed. " I'm sorry, I keep on forgetting that you can't see me." She bit her lip. " I still need to find out why."
" Yeah-- well, could you hurry it up?" Sano grumbled. " Everyone's working on the dojo."
" Kenshin too?"
" Kenshin left before I even got here this morning. "
" …"
" Well, I don't know WHAT he's been doing-- but it seems important. Aoshi is at the temple mediating. It's Misao, Yahiko, Megumi and me today. We could use your help. It's slow going."
" Oh… sure."
She helped him gather the lumber and followed him around the complex to the practice hall silently.
" I want to go find Kenshin-- but… no… I'm NOT going to think about this! If he found someone else, then that's better for the both of us!"
Still, she couldn't shake the uneasiness she felt. The anger she'd experienced yesterday was dwindling down to worry and anxiety.

****

Work progressed quicker with Kaoru there to transfer supplies back and forth quickly.
"Sano!" Kaoru asked. " Could you pass me that hammer sitting next to you?" Misao looked up from her work and dashed to get it. " I can get it Kaoru-san! Sanosuke-san can't see you anyways… Let him do his work.
" Oh! I keep on forgetting!"
" Gee… thanks." Sano muttered irritated.
Misao gave him a wicked grin as she grabbed the hammer and skipped over to Kaoru.
" OH! MISAO-CHAN! WATCH---"
" AHH!" Misao stumbled on a loose board and toppled forward, going straight through Kaoru. Kaoru's face contorted in pain and she uttered a cry as a sharp pain entered through her body. She collapsed to the ground.
" DAMN IT! MISAO GET AWAY FROM HER!" Yahiko yelled.
" What happened?!" Sano looked up from his hammering to see Misao quickly scamper backwards. Yahiko jumped off the roof and landed heavily. He ran over to Kaoru and tried to touch her, but his hand went right through her body as always.
" Yahiko--" Misao looked at Kaoru nervously. " I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
" She did the same thing last time." Yahiko muttered angrily.
" What was that scream!?" Megumi burst out of the house, she saw Kaoru lying on the ground unconscious. " Oh no! What happened?"
" I'm sorry Megumi-san! I-- tripped and passed through her…" Misao blinked back tears. " Is there anything you can do for her?! Megumi-san!?"
" Ken-san will know what to do! He woke her up last time!"
" I don't know where he is. He left early this morning." Yahiko said worried.
" Aoshi-sama can!" Misao perked up. She jumped to her feet. " Maybe he knows where Himura is!"
" Wait-- MISAO!" Yahiko called as Misao sprinted out of the yard.
" Would someone tell me just WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Sano yelled.

****
Kaoru found herself in a crowded street.
" Where am I know?" She looked around her. " Is this another memory?"
The streets were filled with people. It didn't look like Tokyo.

Suddenly, She saw Kenshin walking past her."

" Kenshin! I wonder where he's going in such a hurry?"

At the same moment, Aoshi strode past him, heading in the opposite direction.

" Shinomori Aoshi." Something about this past Aoshi sent a shiver up her spine. The hard stare in his cold blue eyes was not the Aoshi she remembered. And he was not dressed in his ninja outfit.

A few seconds later her past self and Yahiko dashed through the crowds, in hot pursuit of Aoshi, completely bypassing Kenshin. Next the angel caught sight of Misao chasing after Kenshin; she accidentally bypassed Aoshi completely. Yahiko and Misao collided. Both fell to the ground.
" DAMN IT! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING?!" Yahiko said annoyed.
" ARGH! ME WATCH IT? YOU SHOULD!" Misao shot back at him.
" YAHIKO! BE NICE TO GIRL'S." Kaoru's past self scolded the boy and helped Misao to stand. " I'm sorry! Are you ok?"
" Grr-- I LOST HIM!" Misao took a few steps and began to run, " STUPID HIMURA! THAT IDIOT-- ACK!"
She fell to the ground again as Kaoru tackled her.
" Wait! Did you just say Himura? KENSHIN! Do you know where he is?! Hey--"

Kaoru watched the memory fade before her.
" This must be Misao's first memories of me." She said softly. " Heh-- So, that's how we met."

More memories came and went. Kaoru found herself at the Aoiya talking with Jiya. Misao asked her if she seriously intended to see Himura, and if she was strong in her resolve. Then the time when Misao found out the fate of her friends, the Oniwa Banshuu that had died by Kanryu's Gattling Gun.

" How sad-- so… that's why Aoshi was Kenshin's enemy?" the angel scratched her head. " But-- it was Kanryu who killed them." She sighed heavily. " I don't get it at all…that being the strongest thing…"

The scene faded again and she found herself standing in a lonely room. She could hear weeping. Kaoru turned and saw Misao sitting in the corner, tears pouring down her face.
" K-Kaoru-san…" She muttered in-between sobs. " You said you'd wait for me…"

Kaoru's eyes widened. " She… it must be…. My death."

She suddenly felt herself violently yanked from the scene. Kaoru gasped as everything around her went black; She stood in a void.
" Nani? What's happening?"
" Kamiya Kaoru-san."
That familiar voice. But, it wasn't Kenshin.
" Aoshi?"

***
Aoshi sat next to the unconscious form of Kaoru. Everyone around looked at him nervously. He sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He looked like he was meditating.
" What's he doing?" Yahiko whispered to Misao.
" I don't know-- but when I told him what happened… he insisted he come here." She whispered back.
A sigh of relief escaped Megumi's lips and Kaoru's eyes fluttered open.
" Thank God…" Megumi shook her head. " Baka-- you need to be more careful!"
" Oh…" Kaoru slowly sat up and looked at the ring of faces. Aoshi opened his eyes and gazed at her. " What happened?"
" You fainted again." Yahiko said. He had regained his composure again. " Damn it-- Kaoru… why do you do that?"
" Aoshi-sama pulled you out of it." Misao said softly.
Kaoru looked over at Aoshi; she inclined her head towards him.
" Arigato--"
A twinge of a smile escaped his lips and he inclined his head in turn, saying nothing. Misao's eyes widened.
" Aoshi-sama… you SMILED!"
Aoshi looked at Misao with sparkling warm eyes. " Thank you… for coming to get me Misao."
Misao blushed. " Oh… it was nothing…"
" Anyways-- so… you're ok now Jo-chan?" Sano asked into the air.
" Hai," her voice floated back to him. " I'm fine."
" Ano…"
All eyes turned to Misao; she bowed low to Kaoru.
" I'm sorry Kaoru-san… I was just careless. It's all my fault…"
" Don't apologize… I can remember you now too. And all of your memories of me."
Misao blinked back confused. Kaoru grinned at her and she smiled back uneasily, not know what to say.
" Ok!" Sano cracked his knuckles. " Well, with all that drama out of the way, why don't we break for a little while?"
" Great idea! Come on Aoshi-sama!" Misao grabbed Aoshi by the sleeve and dragged him towards the house. " Lets get something to eat!"
Aoshi said nothing, but let her lead him into the house. Sano and Megumi went down to the river to be alone. Yahiko stretched and looked over to Kaoru.
" I could go for a break, hey ugly-- make me some tea will ya?"
A vein popped out of Kaoru's forehead. She eyed him. " What did you just call me? And WHO do you think you're ordering around?"
Yahiko snickered. " I SAID… UGLY! GET ME SOME TEA!"
" Grrr--WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT… YOU CAN GET YOUR OWN TEA!" She involuntarily swung a punch at him. Yahiko flinched but Kaoru's hand passed right through him. " Erk!?"
Yahiko opened his eyes one at a time, wondering why no punch had come. He saw her looking at her hand and then back at him frustrated. A sly grin spread over his face.
" Ahhhh… heh heh-- you can't TOUCH me… right." He snickered. " I can call you whatever I want… and you can't do a THING!"
Kaoru backed a few feet from him appalled. " Y-Yahiko…" Her eyes narrowed and she laughed retaliated. "You THINK so do you?!"
" Yeah-- besides, It's very UNANGEL-LIKE to hit someone, isn't that so?"
" Grrrrr… watch your mouth."
" I might tell Death of your unangel-like conduct the next time he pays a visit." Yahiko snickered. " Ugly…"
" Call me ugly ONE more time-- and you're going to get it! I'm warning you!"
" … Ugly."
Kaoru shook her head. " I warned you!" She put her hands together and closed her eyes. Yahiko noticed her glow brighten and he suddenly felt a drop of water hit his nose.
" Huh?"
He looked up to see a black storm cloud gathering above his head. His eyes widened as lighting flashed with thunder. And rain began to torrent down ONLY on him.
" WHAT!!? WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME UGLY!?"
The cloud grew bigger and the thunder made him jump. The rain pelted down and Yahiko was drenched within seconds. He ran for the house, leaving Kaoru doubled over with laughter.
" HA HA! I may not be able to TOUCH you-- but I can curse you!"
The black cloud followed him into the house. She could hear Misao scream, followed by the sound of punches, and a second later Yahiko flew through the paper screen and back into the open yard. Misao stood panting in the gaping hole.
"KAORU-SAN!" She cried. " YAHIKO'S UNDER AN EVIL SPELL!"
" Grrr-- it's NOT ME! UGLY DID-- AHHH!" Lighting struck the ground an inch from his toes. " OK OK! I TAKE IT ALL BACK! I'M SORRY!! KAORU'S NOT UGLY!"
The cloud shrank slowly and disappeared. Yahiko looked over at Kaoru nervously, she stood with arms folded and gazed down at him triumphantly.
" Ok ok-- you win." Yahiko pouted. Kaoru giggled.
" So-- Yahiko-CHAN…you can make ME some tea."
"…" Yahiko gave her a dagger-eyed look and trudged into the house. " She's even worse as an angel…" he muttered under his breath.

Kaoru watched him go inside. Misao also disappeared back into the room she'd thrown Yahiko from, leaving Kaoru alone in the courtyard.
Kaoru giggled. " Picking on him is fun, no matter how unangel-like it may be." She stood for a long while, surrounded by the silence. " Well-- there isn't much to do now…" She bit her lip." I wonder what Kenshin is doing right now."
Visions of him with some beautiful blonde American girl swam through her head. She quickly shook them away. " NO! I'm not jealous-- I'm not jealous… I'm--"
" -- Jealous of what?"
" AH!" Kaoru turned around to see Death sitting on the porch in front of the dojo. She relaxed with a loud sigh. " Oh… you scared me!"
" Sorry-- there's no easy way for me to warn you I'm coming." Death motioned for her to have a seat. " Shall we chat?"
Kaoru nodded and sat down next to him. She absently began to preen her feathers. " So, what do you want to chat about?"
" I want to know if you've told him yet."
Kaoru froze. She lowered her gaze, tugging at a feather nervously. " Oh?"
" Well?"
" Ummm… There's no need to tell him now."
" No need? Why?"
" Because-- he's got a new girl."
" Ah-- that's reassuring news."
Kaoru shuddered. " Oh… yeah. Heh heh…"
" And how are you taking it?"
" Oh! Me?" She gave him a fake smile. How was she going to tiptoe around this one without lying? " Umm-- it's a… little hard to get used to. But, I know it's what's best for him."
Death was silent for a long moment. Kaoru wondered if he could tell she was avoiding the question. She quickly searched for a new subject. " Oh! You know I've shown myself to everyone right?"
" Yes-- you handled that situation pretty well, considering it was such a complicated one."
" Oh-- thank you. Anyways, Sanosuke can't see me. He can only hear me… why is that?"
"…"
" Well?!" Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. What if he was going to hell-- what if he was going to die... what if--
" You should know."
" I really don't." She looked at him nervously.
Death chuckled. " Tell him to stop gambling, drinking, and mooching off of his friends so much. Then he may be able to see you."
" WHAT?! THAT'S THE ONLY REASON!?"
" Yes."
" He's ok then right?"
" Well-- if he stays on his current path, he should be ok. " Death drew a file out of his long cloak and flipped through it. " It says here that he passed the 50% mark back when he proposed to Takani Megumi-san. He's been teetering between heaven and hell for a long time. But since then, he's gotten a job and he's beginning to stabilize."
Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief. " Oh… that's good to hear."
"Well-- I have work to do. " Death closed the file and stood. " I'm glad Himura found another girl. I can rest easier."
Kaoru nodded solemnly. " You never had to be worried in the first place…"
" Farewell."
She watched him slowly fade until she sat alone in the yard again. Everything seemed so still.

***

Yahiko ran out onto the porch a moment later carrying two cups of tea. He looked around.
" Kaoru? KAORU!?"
She wasn't there. He shrugged and walked back into the room. " After I made that tea and everything…"

***

Kaoru reappeared down by the river. She sat under a tree and watched the water ripple as the wind blew softly through the trees.
" Kenshin…"

" I'm glad Himura found another girl.'

Her heart thumped in her chest. She gripped her Kimono tightly until her knuckles were white. She closed her eyes against the tears that were surfacing.

" Kenshin…"

" I hadn't seen him around much, after that Kamiya girl died… but I saw him earlier today with some new chick."

" Kenshin…"

" I'm going out, I won't be back until late."

" Kenshin…"

" It was a gift."

Kaoru erupted in tears. She curled up against the tree, hugging herself tightly. Letting her tears slide down over her cheeks.

" Ken…shin…"

CHAPTER 16 - The Power of Goodbye
( Many thanks to Madonna. ^_^)

" Your heart is not open, so I must go.
The spell has been broken… I loved you so.

Freedom comes when you learn to let go,
Creation comes when you learn to say no.

You were my lesson I had to learn.
I was your fortress you had to burn.

Pain is a warning that something's wrong,
I pray to God that it won't be long.

There's nothing left to try,
There's no place left to hide,

There's no greater power than the power of goodbye."
(Madonna, The Power of Goodbye)

~~~~~

Kaoru opened her eyes to find herself lying underneath the tree, curled into a tight ball. Her wings folded around her like a blanket of feathers. She slowly raised her head and took in her surroundings.
" I must have fallen asleep." She muttered sleepily as she sat up and stretched. She stood up and took a few steps towards the river; the sky was a radiant combination of orange, pink and purple colors. " It's the afternoon already. I've slept for most of the day-- But-- " She smiled slightly as she put her hand to her face, her cheeks were long dried from her tears. " It felt good to cry, and to sleep… I feel better now."
She turned and began to walk along the water's edge deep in thought. " I guess love is a luxury for the living. I was foolish to love him in the first place. Nothing good could come of it. It's better this way." She stopped as she heard someone laughing. A woman's laughter.
" Megumi-san?"
Kaoru walked in the direction of the laughing until she came upon Megumi and Sanosuke both lounging near the river, sitting on the grassy bank. Kaoru quickly hid herself behind a tree. She didn't want to disturb them.

" We should name him Souzo." Sano said matter-of-factly.
" Oh? That was the name of your boss, right?" Megumi looked at Sano with one eyebrow raised.
" Yeah. But don't you like that name?"
" But, how are you so sure it's a boy, what if it's a girl?"
" Well-- you can name her if it's a girl. But I think it'll be a boy." He grabbed her by the waist and drew her too him gently. Megumi laughed again as Sano put his ear to her stomach.
" Oi-- you in there… you like the name Souzo right?"
" Sano-- you baka…" Megumi playfully smacked him upside the head.
" Hey! I think he kicked! He likes the name." Sano looked up to her with a wide, hopeful grin. Megumi rolled her eyes.
" He's too young to kick yet! But-- ok ok… we can call him Souzo. I think it's a good name too." She smiled back at him.
Kaoru watched as Sano lay her onto the grass gently. Supporting her head with one hand and the other still wrapped around her waist.
" I love you." He brushed some strands of hair from her face.
Kaoru turned and walked away with a blush before she could see them go any further.
" I shouldn't watch that… but--" She sighed as she headed back towards the dojo. " -- I guess I'm a little envious."

****

" Hi Yahiko!"
" Hey Kaoru." Yahiko looked up from his hammering to greet the angel. He saw some lines under her eyes that he hadn't noticed before. But she smiled at him, so it seemed to be ok. " Where have you been?"
" Oh-- I was just out… thinking." She walked past him and then surveyed the work. Misao and Aoshi had the whole wall almost repaired. And the roof was already good as new. " You guys are working fast! It's looking very nice."
" No thanks to Kenshin--" Yahiko muttered.
" …"
Yahiko waited for her to agree with him. But when no reply came he looked up to see her looking very distant. It was as if she was in a daydream.
" Kaoru?"
" Oh?! Oh!" She quickly shook her head and laughed half-heartedly. " Yeah-- whatever you say. Is he back yet?"
" Hey-- Kaoru… are you ok?"
" Hm? Me? Fine! I'm just fine. Is he back yet?"
" Umm-- no… not yet."
" Oh.. well-- I'm going to go look for him."
Before Yahiko could reply, she vanished.
" Hmph-- I can't figure her out…" he muttered to himself.
" Just leave her alone." Misao's voice interrupted him. Yahiko looked back at her annoyed.
" What's that supposed to mean?"
" I mean-- Kaoru-san loves Himura-san. Even if she says she doesn't remember him… I can tell she does. And Himura-san has been avoiding her recently."
" Really?"
" You didn't know? Boy-- you really are slow." Misao snickered at him.
" NANI?!"

***

Once again, Kaoru searched. She flew over Tokyo. She spent over an hour in the Akabeko, hoping to find some clue. (that was the center of gossip in Tokyo, after all). But no clue was to be had. Darkness soon descended. For some reason she was very very tired.
" I've slept so much today-- why am I still so tired?" She muttered to herself as she trudged back towards the dojo. She'd flown so much that her wings drooped down, almost trailing in the dust behind her Kimono. It was the first time since she'd come to earth that she felt so fatigued. Normally she could fly anywhere for as long as she wanted without getting tired.
" Maybe Angels get the cold--" She muttered to herself, trying to feel her forehead for a temperature.
Just then, she heard a familiar voice from just around the corner.
" I'm sorry, Christina-dono… but I can't."
Kaoru's eyes widened as she recognized Kenshin's voice. She quickly flew up to the roof of one of the buildings. Her wings ached from the exertion but she ignored it. She made herself invisible and perched up high, watching as Kenshin rounded the corner and began walking down the street side by side with what was definitely a blonde haired western girl. " Christina?" She thought nervously. " That's certainly a western name…"
" But--I don't like being all alone!" The girl looked up at him pleadingly. She grabbed onto the sleeve of his Gi. " Please?"
" What are they talking about?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes, looking at the girl closely was hard from her perspective. She wore a very expensive blue Western style dress with many ruffles and a long cloak lined with white fur. The dress made her hair stand out like a lightbulb. Her hair was done in a western style bun with ringlets that hung down to her shoulders. And loose tendrils of hair fell over her forehead and white, porcelain-like skin. She had some Asian features. " She's probably half or a quarter Japanese…" Kaoru thought. She spoke with an accent… but she seemed to know Japanese pretty well.
Kenshin made no move to shake her from his arm. Which set Kaoru's teeth on edge.
" I have to get back home or my friends will worry about me." He said instead. "And I don't want Kaoru-dono to get suspicious."

" NANI!?!!" Her cheeks burned hot with rage. " I didn't think Kenshin was THIS kind of a person!!?"

" But-- my father is gone… I'll be all alone in that house." She said, holding his arm tighter. " Please… stay the night."

" ARRRGHGHHH!! KEN--- SHIN….." She resisted the urge to swoop down and beat him senseless. She wanted to put a curse on the little tramp. Kaoru clenched and unclenched her fists. " Does she have ANY sense of modesty?! She's not married-- and… and…asking him to go to bed with her like that-- Americans must be SOOO shameless!!!" She was sure Kenshin would object. He was certainly not one to take advantage of a young, underage girl. He knew better…

Kenshin sighed heavily. And then smiled down at the girl holding his arm. " Well… I suppose so…"

" NANI!?" She leapt forward, slipped on a loose shingle and crashed to the ground with a thud. " Ouch…"

" Oro?" Kenshin looked behind him, but was quickly distracted by the girl jumping on him, throwing her arms around his neck and laying a big kiss on his scared cheek. Kenshin almost lost balance himself and took a step backwards. " ORO?!"

" YATTA!!" Christina snuggled against him some more and then grabbed him by the hand and began tugging him impatiently in the direction they were going. " Come on let's go!"
" A--Aaa.." Kenshin said a little distracted. He looked behind him but saw nothing.

Kaoru sat where she'd landed. Shock soon replaced anger. Then sadness replaced shock. She clutched at her chest. It was like something burst inside of her. The tears welled up in her eyes again. She'd cried so much that day already-- and she wanted to cry more. Just when she thought she didn't have any more tears left…
She watched, helplessly as the two continued on their way. In the opposite way of the dojo…

" No-- I won't chase after him. I told myself that it's better this way." A gust of wind came up as she stood to make her way back home. She was alarmed to see several feathers get caught up in the blowing currents.
" Feathers? But-- angels don't loose their feathers…" she muttered concerned. Then quickly shrugged it off. " I must be getting a cold or something…"

She dragged her feet through the dirt. Sadness was soon replaced by bitterness. Even barefoot as she was, the dirt underneath her didn't hurt her tender feet. It mocked her.
" I'm dead… heh-- what a joke… Of course I can't be with him… It's forbidden." She laughed coldly as she crossed the bridge towards the dojo and began to walk along the path by the waterside where she'd seen Sanosuke and Megumi earlier that day. She stopped by the spot where the two had been together and looked up to the small sliver of moon that reflected on the rippling water. Another gust of wind sent a flurry of feathers out over the water; they disappeared into the darkness.
Then, she noticed them…tiny lights, which flitted about her.
" Fireflies?"
She sank to her knees, feeling the cool, damp grass soak through her thin Kimono. The coldness seeped into her bones. She suddenly felt, overwhelming, and completely alone.
" No-- don't cry… don't!" She told herself sternly. Her heart ached in her chest. The fireflies circled her. Something about them made her want to scream. Like an invisible pressure was pushing at her, harder and harder, until it was ready to burst. She clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tightly against the tears. But sudden voices behind her made her jump out of her self-torture. Momentarily forgetting her pain, she whirled around in surprise to see… herself!?"
" A memory? But--" She looked around her. " No one has entered my body--except…" She saw the fireflies surrounding her. " Masaka…(no way) "

She quickly dismissed the idea. And instead focused on herself standing by the fireflies.

~~~
Her past self watched the lake with a worried expression. Kenshin's voice could be heard from the darkness.
" Kaoru-dono…"
Kaoru turned and relief washed over her face as Kenshin's figure materialized slowly out of the darkness. " Kenshin!"
He returned her gaze softly. But said nothing.
" Ken..shin?" Kaoru's voice hinted her nervousness.
" Okubo was assassinated this morning."
" Yes…I know."
" The criminal, Shishio was his killer."
Kaoru's looked at him shocked.
" I can't let him do as he pleases, so…"
There was a long pause. Kaoru seemed to hold her breath.
" I'm going back to Kyoto de gozaru…"
Kaoru was silent; she turned from him to gaze back out at the water. " Kyoto…" She repeated softly. "After you go-- will you return as the Kenshin of 10 years ago?"
" I don't know…" He gazed at the stars overhead. "Over these last 10 years, I thought I had put away the Battousai. " But fighting Saitoh made me realize that the Hitokiri was still living deep inside of me."
" But…" She clenched her fists, her voice rose in protest. " But, you could get rid of him! Even though you came close to becoming the Battousai! Kenshin is KENSHIN! A non-killing Rurouni!"
" If I stay here, I'll put you all in danger, slowly becoming the Battousai again, little by little…" He turned towards her slowly. Smiling sadly. Kaoru stared at the ground helplessly. "When I first met you, you told me that you didn't care about my past… I was so happy."
She started momentarily, then looked back at the ground. Her lower lip began to tremble.
" I thought I could just live a normal life with you, just being a samurai…"
He reached out and hugged her too him tightly. Kaoru's eyes shot open in surprise as he held her close. Breathing in her scent.
" Thank you so much… sessha is a Rurouni…" Kaoru was silent. Allowing herself be held in his embrace. "I going to return to my journey."
The tears began to pool in her eyes.
" Sayonara."
He backed away from her past self and turned around. As he disappeared into the darkness. The past Kaoru fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. She brought her hands to her face. All she could do was mutter the words.
" Ken-shin…"
~~~

The angel was also on her knees. Tears running down her cheeks. She hugged herself tightly.
" Now--" she thought, She uttered a small cry, the loneliness and the abject sadness overwhelmed her. She didn't notice the images before her fading, and she was once again alone in the dark. Surrounded by fireflies." I have to say goodbye all over again…"

****

Kaoru stepped through the dojo gate quietly. The moon was already high overhead. She wiped her eyes again and crossed the yard and entered the building. She walked along the porch, her tears still pouring down her cheeks.
" I'm so in love with him…I'm such an idiot." She thought as she passed by Kenshin's room and then abruptly stopped. She looked back at the closed door. " Did he really spend the night with that girl?" She bit her lip, and slowly slid the door open a crack. She peeked into the dark room. All was silent. She opened the door a little wider so what little light there was from the moon could spill into the room. It was empty.
She walked over to his bed. Neatly folded in the corner of the room. She stood over it for a long time. Then slowly kneeled and unrolled the futon. Before she knew what she was doing, she lay down on it and closed her eyes. She sniffed, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness around her. This was his room… where he slept-- but not tonight. She rolled up into a fetal position.
" Goodbye… Kenshin." She whispered to the darkness.
That night, she fell asleep alone in his bed, on a tear soaked pillow.

CHAPTER 17- Regaining Faith

Light streamed in through the windows of the room when Kaoru opened her eyes. For a moment she didn't know where she was. But quickly remembered what had happened that night before. She quickly sat up in bed.
" Kenshin…" She looked around her, but he wasn't there. She wondered if he'd bothered to come home at all last night. The thought of him still being with that girl, sleeping in her bed… She clenched her fists, then realized that a blanket covered her. She hadn't bothered to cover herself last night when she'd collapsed on his bed Puzzled, she threw the covers aside and stood up. She straightened out her Kimono quickly and as she retied her hairbow. She felt a little better than last night. The fatigue was gone from her wings. Though she still felt a little feverish. Looking back to the bed, she noticed the futon littered with many feathers.
" It's probably a sickness of some sort, I'll ask death about it later. But-there's no time for it now." Se nodded her head in a firm decision. Even if he didn't love her anymore-- she was going to confront him. It was wrong that he hid it from her. And that he actually thought he could get away with it!?
" I think not…" she said aloud, answering her own question as she slid the door to his room open violently. She stalked out of the room, turned the corner and almost tripped over something lying on the ground.
" Ack!" She caught herself before she fell and looked back to see Kenshin lying by the door, fast asleep. Kaoru blinked twice.
" Kenshin?"
She wondered what time he'd arrived home last night. She kneeled next to him and shook him slightly.
" Kenshin-- wake up."
Kenshin opened his eyes with a start at her touch. He looked up to see her face looming over him. He slowly sat up with a sleepy expression.
" Ohayou, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin smiled a little sheepishly.
" Kenshin-- I--"
" -- I'm sorry that I arrived home so late last night. Please-- forgive me!"
Kaoru sat stiffly. He was lying to her to her face! He'd never come home last night.
" I opened my door-- and you were asleep in my bed…" He rose and straightened out his Gi. Kaoru stood as well. Her look growing steadily darker.
" So-- I just slept out here. I didn't want to disturb you."
"…" Kaoru said nothing. Which made Kenshin look a little uneasy. She clamped onto his arm in one swift gesture.
" Oro?"
" You're coming with me… we need to talk." She tried to keep her voice as stern as she could. She walked down the steps dragging him behind her and was on her way out the door when a voice stopped her.
" KAORU-SAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Kaoru stopped and glanced back to see Yahiko and Misao running out of the kitchen. Misao had an apron on and she waved a large spatula.
" Kaoru-san! I made breakfast for everyone! Himura-san! Good to see you again!"
Kenshin looked at Kaoru dubiously then smiled a 'good morning' to Misao.
" Before you drag him out-- at least have some breakfast!" Misao pleaded with them. Kaoru clenched her fists. She didn't want to wait…
" Sorry Misao-chan… but Kenshin and I really--
" I'll be HAPPY to have breakfast with you Misao-dono!" Kenshin said enthusiastically. He then grabbed Kaoru by her own sleeve, and began tugging her towards the building. " Kaoru-dono… it's the first time Misao-dono has cooked for us, it would be rude to refuse!"
" Yatta! You guys are gonna LOVE what I've made!" She giggled as she raced back into the room.
Kenshin made to follow but Yahiko quickly stopped him.
" You don't wanna go in there Kenshin." He warned.
" But…"
" You didn't get the pleasure of WATCHING her cook!" Yahiko gagged. " I'd bet this dojo that she's even worse than Kaoru."
Kaoru glared at him.
" All the same-- I am hungry. And it was very nice of Misao-dono to cook for us." Kenshin walked past Yahiko, still pulling Kaoru along. " Don't you think so Kaoru-dono."
" A-- Aaaa…." She sighed… he was right. She didn't want to hurt Misao's feelings. Looks like the confrontation would just have to be saved for after breakfast.

*****

" So! How do you guys like it?!" Misao gave everyone sitting around the table a warm look. Sano looked down at his food reluctantly. Megumi was about to take a bite but he quickly stopped her.
" No Megumi-- I'm trying it first… If you eat it, it might be damaging to the baby."
" You baka-- I'm sure it's not THAT bad!" She scolded him.
" …" Aoshi was his normal, quiet self. He sat with his plate untouched, a slight sweatdrop alighting his head.
Yahiko summed up all his courage and dug his fork into the grayish-brown mush substance.
" Kaoru-dono, aren't you going to eat any?" Kenshin asked her.
" Heh- I don't have a body that needs feeding! I'm perfectly fine." Kaoru said nervously.
" Ahhh-- I totally forgot about that!" Misao sighed disappointed. " And I'd hoped that you'd like it!
" ACKKK!!"
All heads turned to Yahiko who dropped his fork and looked up at Misao completely dumbfounded.
" Yahiko! What's wrong? You don't like it?!" Misao looked at him nervously. Everyone at the table stared at him, waiting for a response eagerly.
" It's-- kinda… good." He slowly muttered. He took another bite. " Yeah-- I wasn't imagining it… it's definitely better that busu…"

Instantly, a storm cloud began to form above his head. Yahiko looked up in fear as rain began to pelt him.
" YAHIKO! YOU'RE GETTING THE FOOD WET!" Misao yelled.
Kaoru snickered.
" ORO?!" Kenshin stared at the boy open mouthed, then looked at Kaoru.
" Kaoru-dono… did you…"
" Every time he calls me ugly…" She said with a satisfied grin. Then quickly remembered who she was talking too and flashed him a dirty look. Kenshin blinked at her confused. Then turned his attention back to Yahiko.
" Ok ok! I'M SORRY! SHE'S NOT UGLY!" Yahiko yelled at the cloud. The rain instantly stopped, but the cloud remained where it was.
" What is it this time?" the boy gave Kaoru a dagger eyed glare. She folded her arms.
" The cloud isn't just satisfied with an apology… you have to do something for me."
" WHAT?!"
" Hmmm-- what kind of punishment should I do…" She thought out loud with an evil grin.
" Why you-- I swear someday I'm gonna--"
" -- You're gonna what?" Kaoru cut him off. Yahiko scowled.
" Nothing…"
" That's better."
" Ok then-- Kaoru-SAMA… what can I do for you?" He said through clenched teeth.
" I haven't decided yet." She laughed. " Check back with me when I think of something.
" GRRR----"
" WHAA HAA! MY FOOD!"
Everyone froze as Misao jumped from her seat and pointed an accusing finger at Yahiko. " THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! MY DELICIOUS BREAKFAST THAT I SLAVED OVER IS RUINED!"
" Erk… Umm-- gomen?" Yahiko shrugged his shoulders apologetically.
" GET OUT OF HERE! GO FIX THE DOJO OR SOMETHING! NO MORE BREAKFAST FOR YOU!" Misao screeched. Yahiko got up and ran out the door-- little black rain cloud close on his heels.
Misao sat back down and fumed. Aoshi continued to eat the soggy meal with little expression. Kenshin slowly rose.
" Well-- Time I got going…"
Kaoru's hand reached up and before he knew it he was back on the ground.
" OH no you don't-- you're not going ANYWHERE today until I have a little CHAT with you." She said hotly.
" Kaoru-dono… what's wrong? Kenshin asked her worried. She blinked. He seemed TOTALLY ignorant! But she knew he was lying-- she'd SEEN them together.
Sano, Megumi, and Misao were watching her; all heads cocked to the side in confusion.
" Umm-- not here… come with me." She grabbed him by the Gi and began to walk out.
" ORO…" Kenshin found himself being dragged unceremoniously across the floor. He threw Sano a desperate look.
" WAIT A SEC!" Sano called out. Kaoru stopped and turned to him.
" What is it Sanosuke?" She said quickly, her anger still evident in her voice.
" Before you go and beat the crap out of Kenshin-- I have no idea what he's done… that's none of my business. But-- before you do… I want to remind you of your promise.
" My…promise?"
" You don't remember?" Megumi looked at Kaoru amazed.
Kaoru felt her face growing red. "Ummm---"
" Ohh-- baka girl!" Megumi shook her head. " You were going to help me with shopping and preparations for tomorrow!"
" Tomorrow?"
" The WEDDING… remember?"
" TOMORROW? THE WEDDING IS TOMORROW?" Kaoru cried.
" Kaoru-san, you really forgot?!" Misao's mouth dropped open in shock.
" Oh my…Oh Megumi-san! I'm sorry!" Kaoru bowed to her repeatedly. In all her anxiety over Kenshin-- she'd completely forgotten about the wedding!
" Yeah-- that's why we've been pressing to finish the dojo so bad. We're having the ceremony and party here. That and Yahiko wants to start the school up as soon as he can to get some cash rolling in." Sano said.
" Yahiko is going to teach Kamiya Kasshin Ryu?!" Kenshin said surprised. Kaoru hit up upside the head.
" BAKA! If you were ever AROUND…then you would have known!"
" Speaking of which…heads up Kenshin!" Sano yelled.
" Oro?"
Sano threw a metal object at him. Kenshin brought his hands up and caught it.
A hammer.
" Guess what Kenshin! You're a lucky guy cause you get to finish the dojo repairs-- ALL BY YOURSELF TODAY!"
" Sano…" Megumi objected.
" Hmph-- it's time he did some of the work." Sano said to Megumi sternly. She couldn't argue with that. Sano looked at Kenshin. "Megumi, Yahiko, Misao, Aoshi, Kaoru, and I have been working nonstop to fix the dojo-- and you've contributed absolutely NOTHING to the process."
" Oro? Sessha? But--"
" -- Not now Sano… I need to talk to Kenshin!" Kaoru stated flatly.
"Kaoru-san, I thought you were going to come shopping with me!" Megumi said.
" But--" Kaoru didn't want to loose this opportunity to talk with Kenshin. " But-- can't MISAO do it? I'm dead!"
" Kaoru-san… you were so excited to help out before!" Misao said. " Aoshi-sama and I are going to be decorating all day long. We're going to be busy with other things."
Kaoru looked to Megumi, then down at Kenshin, then back to Megumi. She sighed heavily and released Kenshin's Gi.
" Oro!" The redhead fell flat on his back. Kaoru stepped over him and bowed to Megumi.
" I'm sorry Megumi-san. Shall we go then?"

****
Later, Kaoru walked up the street with Megumi. But her mind was elsewhere.
" Kenshin doesn't love me anymore- but, I have to be strong about it! I've cried enough. I'm still his guardian angel-- I still have a bond to be with him and guide him. Well-- that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do!" She nodded determined. " That's right-- I've gotta forget I ever loved him! That's the best way to do this. Kenshin and I can never be together… So I'll just be his friend-- but-- " She sighed heavily " That's a lot easier said than done…"
" Kaoru-san." Megumi said quietly. Kaoru shifted her attention to Megumi abruptly.
" Oh-- Hai? Megumi-san?"
" You're thinking about Ken-san aren't you? That talk you wanted to have with him…"
" It's nothing really! Just some guardian-angel to client advice." That wasn't exactly a lie-- She hastily tried to change the subject. " So-- have you gotten your wedding Kimono yet? What does it look like?"
Megumi blushed. " Well-- I haven't seen my family for a long, long time. I don't know where they are-- but, Dr. Genzai lent me his wife's wedding Kimono… that was very generous of him. It's a stunning kimono."
" Oh-- how nice of him! What does it look like?"

****

The shopping was long and tedious. It was the afternoon when Kaoru and Megumi arrived back at the clinic.
" Arigato Kaoru-san. Would you like to come in and have some tea?"
" No thank you-- I can't drink or eat anything remember?" Kaoru smiled at her.
" Oh yes-- so silly of me! I guess having you around makes me still think you're alive…" She was silent for a long time. They stood at the door to the clinic.
"… I…" Megumi sounded hesitant. " I lied to you… and put Sanosuke up to this-- you never promised to take me shopping…"
" Huh?" Kaoru blinked.
Megumi bit her lip. " I took advantage of the fact you've lost your memory-- I'm sorry."
" No-- it's ok!" Kaoru waved her off. " I really had a nice time with you."
Megumi ignored her comment. "I've been trying to think about how to go about saying this all day long-- so, now I guess it has to be said. I know you care very deeply for Ken-san…"
" N-Nani? Heh-- of course I don't… He's just my client, I have to look out for him--"
" You're not fooling anyone!" Megumi looked at her icily. Kaoru felt her determination waver under the woman's stare. " Back to what I was trying to say earlier -- I"
" Why don't you show me your wedding kimono!" Kaoru hastily tried to change the subject.
Again, Megumi ignored her. "-- I see how you've been behaving lately… he's been going away so often… And you just sit around and let it happen!"
" But-- I have no right to interfere with--"
" No right? Don't give him us so easily… Kaoru-san."
" What's that supposed to mean? Heh--"
Megumi looked at her very seriously. " I can tell you're angry at him about something. I wanted to have this talk with you before you talked with him. Don't you dare make Ken-san unhappy… because he loves you very deeply. "
" No-- he doesn't lo--"
" HE DOES! Ken-san is not the type of person who would change his mind. You probably think there's another woman. I'm not blind, I KNOW he's been gone lately-- "
" But-- I SAW THEM together!" Kaoru couldn't believe she was hearing this… and just after she'd decided to put it all behind her.
" Has he told you yet?"
" No! He's been hiding it from me?"
" And do you honestly think Ken-san is that kind of person? Who would hide something that important from you?"
" …"
" I bet there's more than meets the eye-- I refuse to believe that Ken-san would hurt you. So when you go to talk to him, don't you dare accuse him of anything. Don't risk your relationship! I'm furious that you would actually lose faith in him…"
" Lose-- faith?"
" Yes-- Don't be such a baka girl… Even as an angel you're still as ignorant and immature as you've always been…"
" M-- Megumi-san…" Kaoru began to feel the anger rising in her. " You have NO idea what I've been going through-- how can you say that!? I… Ok fine-- I LOVE him… but I'm not allowed to interfere with any decisions that he makes!"
" On who's authority?!"
" THE ARCHANGELS!"
" …" Megumi was silent. For once, she couldn't think of anything to say back. She took a step towards the door and opened it. " Gomen… But-- Kaoru-san…'
Kaoru looked up at her, blinking away tears hastily. "Hai?"
Megumi thought for a moment, then smiled at her. " Believe in Ken-san… don't jump to conclusions. There's more here then meets the eye-- I'm pretty sure. Thank you for the wonderful day."
" But--"
Megumi quickly shut the door in her face. Kaoru stood totally still. She turned around and began walking back towards the dojo. The day had worn her out. Her head swam, and her wings felt heavy and awkward like last night. She sighed heavily
" I've lost faith in him…" She muttered to herself. " It's true-- I should have faith in Kenshin. But-- What I saw-- and HEARD… there's no denying that!" She clenched her fists, the pretty face of the blond girl drifted through her mind. " I'm gonna find out the truth-- once and for all." She thought of what Megumi had told her. " …Megumi-san was right…it's not like Kenshin at all to behave like this. So why? There is more here than he's letting on--"

****

She arrived back at the dojo to find the entire courtyard streaming with decorations. Paper lanterns, flowers, ribbons... the dojo was sparkling like glass. Yahiko lounged on the porch with a fan.
" Jeez-- it's so damn hot…" he muttered annoyed. The cloud still hovered over him. He opened one eye as an idea hit him.
" Busu." He said to Kaoru as she passed by him.
The cloud instantly began to pour. Yahiko sighed contentedly as the cool rain pelted his face. " This curse has its up-sides…"
" Hmph!" Kaoru threw him an ugly look, the walked over to Misao.
" Misao-chan! Where is Kenshin?"
Misao looked up from her work of trimming some of the bushes. " Oh! I think he's still finishing up on the dojo.

Kaoru walked around the side of the building hastily and found Kenshin clearing away the pile of old wood and debris. The wall was repaired. And looked good as new.
" Kenshin." Kaoru softly called him to attention.
" Ah! Kaoru-dono… Konnichiwa." Kenshin said as he walked from the gate and deposited the pile of splintered wood on the ground just outside.
" Kenshin-- I want to talk to you now." Kaoru followed him outside.
Kenshin wiped his brow. " Not now Kaoru-dono, I need to finish this up…"
" Now…" She said sternly. She stood in-between him and the pile he was supposed to clear. Kenshin sighed heavily.
" Hai-hai… I'm listening."
Kaoru looked around. " Not right here, where we can get interrupted. Come with me." She took his arm and let him down the street and into the woods which outskirted Tokyo.
" Kaoru-dono…I don't think we'll be bothered here. We don't need to go this far-- oro!"
He halted quickly; trying to keep from running into her as she stopped suddenly and then turned to him. They were in a small clearing, the light filtered down through the trees illuminating the forest in an angelic-like light.
Kaoru turned to him. The look on her face was not one of anger, like this morning… Kenshin couldn't quite make it out-- hurt? Forlorn? Or maybe even sadness?"
" Kaoru-dono… please tell me what is so important." He felt his own heart quicken as she looked at him. She stood very still. In the light, it was like she was a statue. The beautiful marble statue of an angel of old antiquity. Just looking at her made Kenshin beside himself with awe. Awe of not only beauty, but also power, and majesty.
Finally, Kaoru spoke. " Kenshin-- I still remember that night, when you told me that you loved me."
" H-Hai?"
Kaoru watched him carefully. He seemed completely unaware of the reason she had brought him here. There had to be a reason why-- Kenshin wasn't that good of an actor to try and hide it from her. And he had a terrible poker face.
" At first, it troubled me…" Her voice shook. " I was scared… And I didn't want to hurt you-- but being with you for these past few months---"
" --Kaoru-dono…'
"--- I guess, I got too used to it. To being constantly watched by you, I was spoiled by all that attention. Gomen-ne… and now you've been going off by yourself recently. And I felt rejected. And I felt alone. It felt like you didn't need me, you didn't need the protection of a guardian angel anymore."
" --But…"
Kaoru flashed him a look, Kenshin quieted. She sighed and sank onto the grass. Kenshin reluctantly sat next to her.
" -- And so I went looking for you one night."
Kenshin's eyes shot open.
" And-- I found you just last night."
" Kaoru-dono…I--"
" With this GIRL!" She wasn't going to let him stop her. She felt her heart burst as she said those words. She couldn't help it. Her mind shattered and she had no walls left. Tears sprung forth in her eyes.
" I've cried… and cried… I try to understand, but I don't! You went with her last night. And I was so angry… angry that you would hide it from me. I fell asleep in your bed thinking that it was the end. But then Megumi-san told me to have faith in you. That I shouldn't rush at you with accusations. I try and tell myself that I'm being stupid… I'm dead-- you're alive. And you deserve someone living and breathing, with a body that you can touch-- I was jealous! Jealous-- and at the same time devastated because I've realized---"
She stopped as she felt him gather her into his arms. He hugged her tightly to him. His body felt so warm. Kenshin whispered into her ear.
" What did you realize?"
" That-- I'm in love with you…" She said softly.
The act of telling him sent a tremor of excitement up her spine. Being in his arms was something she'd dreamed of. And it was happening. Forget rule number 3, she wanted to be with him. Was that so bad? Was that so WRONG? She loved him… too deeply to put into words. But being as they were made her feel truly content for the first time in months.
Kenshin smiled into her hair. He tightened his embrace, feeling her body relax and mold to him. He inhaled the sweet Jasmine scent. Then sat back away from her, caressing her tearstained cheeks with his callused hands.
" Kaoru-dono… I'm so happy."
" But--"
He put his finger to her lips, stopping her. His face became suddenly serious.
" Don't be scared. Because there is nothing going on between me and Christina-dono… "
" But-"
Kenshin shook his head. Kaoru was silent.
" The truth of the matter is… that I've been working.
" Working?"
" Hai-- I took a job as a bodyguard for a short time. Getting paid by the hour. Christina-dono's father is American, her mother was Japanese, and her family is very wealthy in trading with America. Recently-- there have been kidnap attempts on her, probably to hold her for ransom. And her father needed someone who would protect her for the short time she's in Japan."
" But-- she asked you to go to bed with her!"
Kenshin blinked back startled. A blush crept across his face" She asked me to spend the night, as in watch over her! She was scared because her father wasn't in the house and someone may try and take her in her sleep. It has happened before. But I certainly did NOTHING with her! I SWEAR!"
Kaoru's mouth hung open. "But-- she KISSED you!"
" She probably has a teenage crush on me-- and in America, a kiss on the cheek isn't as heavily weighed as in Japan."
Kaoru looked at the ground. She'd been completely misled. She was so glad that she hadn't accused him. Megumi had been right.
" So, are you finished working?"
" Aa.." he nodded affirmatively.
" She's gone back to America?"
" Hai--with her father. He's left his associates in Japan, to take care of business here.
" Kenshin-- why did you take the job in the first place?"
Kenshin sighed heavily. " I was hoping to tell you this stuff tomorrow… seeing as it is Tanabata."
" Tanabata?"
" Hai-"
Kaoru's face reddened. She'd completely forgotten, so Sano and Megumi's wedding was on Tanabata…
" But-- because of the circumstances, I suppose today will have to do. I took the job to buy you this." He pulled a small box from the sleeve of his Gi.
Kaoru brought her hands to her mouth in surprise. " Kenshin…"
" I hope that you are able to wear it-- I remember last year, when I gave you one not knowing what it meant… but, this year I wanted to change that. " his face was set in determination, he opened the box and Kaoru gazed down at the ring. A small, perfectly cut crystal was set into the gold band. " It's a small crystal-- all I could afford. But, I want you to wear it."
Kaoru was totally speechless. Kenshin held up the ring. And, acting on her body's impulses, she brought up her left hand to receive it. Kenshin slid it onto her ring finger. It fit her perfectly. She looked at it and then up into his purple gaze, tears flowed anew down her cheeks.
" Kenshin…it's so beautiful! Thank you…" She clasped her hands together at her chest, running her fingers over the ring. Kenshin smiled down at her and gathered her up into his arms again.
" I would ask you to marry me… if you were alive…" he whispered. " I love you."
" I love you too. I love you so much! And if I was alive, I would say yes." She slid her arms around him and returned his embrace, burying her head in his chest. "
" But-- I think the term 'soul mate' would still apply. Right?"
Kaoru laughed into his Gi. "Yes."
They held each other tightly for a long time. The yellow rays of the sun grew dimmer and dimmer as they fell behind the trees. Kenshin brought his hands up to cup her face. He looked deeply into her eyes; he could see his reflection in the deep pools of blue. Those eyes that always cried tears for him. He would never allow them to cry again. He wiped away the tears with his thumbs.
" You don't need to cry anymore." He whispered.
Kaoru's heart leapt in her chest with anticipation as he brought his lips slowly closer to hers. She didn't give any resistance. She closed her eyes as she felt him brush against her lips, hesitate, and then drew her in fully. Holding her in a passionate embrace, he kissed her for real, for the first time.
He kissed her long, and hard, drinking her lips to the fullest like he'd been longing forever since he'd first met her. And now, she was finally his.
A gust of wind came up and blew around them in a flurry; sending feathers swirling like dry autumn leaves. Both lovers too preoccupied to notice the feather's peculiar color-- that of a dull, lead Grey.

CHAPTER 18- Wedding Celebrations and Unexpected Visitations

First of all-- I would like to give a great big huge Arigato Gozaimasu to Amy for ALL her great help in tracking down info on Meiji Era weddings!! ::grovels at her feet:: Ok-- THIS one is for Amy! ^_~ And it's EXTRA long too to make up for the fact I'll be gone and unable to write during Christmas break. ^_^;;

The sun had long set behind the hills. And Kenshin and Kaoru lay together in the cool grass. The night was a velvety black due to the new moon, and they had a clear view of the stars, which shone brightly between the tree branches. But they weren't watching the stars… Kaoru's head rested comfortably on Kenshin's shoulder. His arm wrapped around her protectively. She lay silently, listening to the story that Kenshin had once told her before not too long before her death.
"… She jumped in front of me, trying to protect me with her tanto…" He whispered into the night. " I didn't sense it until it was too late."
Kaoru blinked back tears. " Tomoe-san…"
" I killed her, right there. And at the same time, with that same slash, I killed the man who'd kidnapped her. She died in my arms, with a smile on her face… there was nothing I could do to save her."
Kaoru closed her eyes and shifted her weight, bringing herself closer to Kenshin's body. Kenshin tightened his grip on her.
" So--" Kaoru said slowly. " Enishi saw you…"
" Hai."
" And, vowed to exact revenge for what you'd done."
" Hai."
" And-- that revenge…"
" Hai-- he killed you."
Kaoru closed her eyes. Kenshin felt her thin frame shaking and he sat up suddenly. " Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru looked up at him. But she wasn't crying… she was angry.
" He-- he killed me in order to hurt you…"
Kenshin nodded solemnly.
" But-- you DIDN'T mean to kill Tomoe-san. She JUMPED in front of you!"
" He didn't see that."
" Don't make excuses for him." She clenched her fists. " There's no excuse for what he's done." She began to stand but felt Kenshin's strong arms wrap around her and pull her back.
" Kaoru-dono. What are you thinking?"
She resisted his hold. " Let go of me. I'm going to find him!"
" Don't-- if he knows that I'm still alive and… happy-- he will not be satisfied with his jinchuu."
" You're going to let him get AWAY with this?"
"…" Kenshin let go of her and sat back. " I don't want to make any more trouble for anyone."
" Kenshin…"
He shook his head. " I thought that I'd failed you-- I thought that everything I'd been working for over these past 10 years has been for nothing. But when you came back to me…" He smiled as he traced along her cheek with his fingers. " … When you came back to me, I wanted to live again. Please, leave Enishi alone-- he's been through enough pain… if thinking he destroyed my life makes him happy- let's continue to let him think that. And he'll be happy."
" Kenshin…"
" I don't want to bring any more danger to those that I love. All my life I've been asking for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness for all the crimes that I've committed. And you gave it to me… of all people to give it to me…it was you. That's all that matters to me. I can be happy, and content with your forgiveness. With it, you made me decide to put behind my bloody past."
" Kenshin…"
He put a finger to her lips, silencing her protest and continued. " You made me see the importance in myself… you brought back that shining light in my life that had been burned out ever since that winter day ten years ago…Kaoru-dono, you're the most important person in my life."
Kaoru sat in awe. He brought his arms around her and hugged her to him tightly. She returned his embrace.
" Kenshin." She snuggled into him. " Aishiteru."
" Aishiteru, Kaoru."
Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. No honorific… her embrace tightened. She wanted to stay like they were forever. She loved him so much. She was breaking the rules-- but right now… she would brave anything to be with him like she was right now… even Hell.
" We've been out here for a long time." Kenshin finally said. " Shall we return to he dojo? There's going to be a lot happening tomorrow."
Kaoru wordlessly nodded as they rose and walked hand in hand towards the dojo.
" Can you see alright?" Kenshin asked her.
" I can see fine." She said with a smile. " And you?"
" Daijobu." He said, then promptly tripped over a root and fell face flat on the ground. " Orooo…"
" Haha! Liar." Kaoru joked as she helped him up. " Now you've got leaves in your hair…" She reached up to pick some out, peering at him closely to see in the darkness. Kenshin took no time to steal a kiss from her lips when her face was so close to his. Kaoru blinked startled for a moment, his smile was so gentle, and his eyes looked at her with such love. She smiled as she took him by the hand again. " Sneaky too." She grinned playfully.
" Oro?"
" I'm leading this time-- so watch your step!"

They walked a little ways and Kenshin, even by only holding her hand, could tell her body was shaking.
" Kaoru? Are you ok?"
" Hai. I'm fine-- just tired."
" Are you sure? You're shaking."
" I'll be fine!" She said it with more emphasis to quickly make Kenshin shut up. It worked for a little bit, then he noticed she was dragging her feet.
" Kaoru … shall I carry you? You're really tired."
" I'm FINE--" As she said this, her mind went spinning. She felt herself falling.
" KAORU!" Kenshin caught her before she hit the ground. " Kaoru! Are you ok?"
Kaoru shook her head. " Eh?" She felt herself being hoisted up into his arms. "I'm sorry-- maybe I worked myself too hard today." She said drowsily.
" Are you sure? Can I take you to see Megumi-dono?" He looked down at her nervously. Kaoru shook her head stubbornly, which only made the spinning worse.
" No-- are you kidding? It's Megumi-san's wedding tomorrow! She needs to get her sleep tonight of all nights."
" But--"
Kaoru wrapped her arms around him and planted a kiss on his cheek. " I'm fine. Really."

" A--Aaa…"
From the sound of his voice, he wasn't convinced. But he apparently agreed with her that waking up Megumi was not a good idea, considering what day it was tomorrow.

****
Kaoru stood with Kenshin in the forest as she had the night before. The bright moon illuminated both of them. Kenshin held up the ring that he'd bought for her.
" Marry me, Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled and held out her finger. " I will."
He slipped the ring on. But a sudden burning pain engulfed the finger it went on. It was as if the ring was a branding iron. She screamed and tried to wrench the ring off her finger. Kenshin fell back in shock.
" Kaoru-dono, what's wrong?! Kaoru-dono… you're wings!"
Kaoru looked over her shoulder, even in the pale moonlight you could see that they were pitch black. Dark feathers whirled around her, caught in the wind currents.
" K-Kenshin…." She looked back at him in horror and then the ground below her suddenly opened. She was falling. She tried to fly but her wings just added to the weight and made her fall faster.
" KENSHIN!!!!!!"

Kaoru awoke with a start. She sat up in her bed quickly and looked around her; she was in the dojo. Misao was fast asleep in her own futon at the far side of the room, unaware of Kaoru's sudden and violent awakening. Kaoru lay back down nervously; she wondered how she'd got there.
" I must have fallen asleep in his arms…" She quickly looked at her ring finger. The ring was there… but it didn't burn at all. Then she checked her wings. She was alarmed to see more feathers littering her bed. Her wings were white-- but the loose feathers weren't. Kaoru felt a scream rising in her throat as she examined the feathers.
" No-- it's just the darkness!" She mumbled to herself. She quickly jumped out of bed and ran outside. But there was no moon to shed any light. She dropped the feather, panic grabbing her. The darkness… so much darkness…
" K-Kenshin…" She mumbled as she backed away from the courtyard. The darkness was closing in on her. She hugged herself and sank to her knees in the doorway. Suddenly feeling incredibly vulnerable.
" Kaoru?!"
Her eyes shot open as she heard Kenshin's voice. It was so sweet without the -dono added. She looked up at him with tear streaked cheeks.
" I heard the door opening and someone crying. Are you ok!?"
"Kenshin!" She launched herself at him.
" Oro?! Kaoru what's wrong?"
She clutched at his nighttime Kimono violently, and cried.
" I'm scared-- Kenshin…"
Kenshin quickly kneeled and put his arms around her.
" What happened? Are you ok?"
Kaoru didn't answer him; she just shook her head and cried harder. " I'm scared-- it's so dark!"
" Shhh…" He rocked her gently as if she was a baby.
" It's so dark…" she muttered over and over until the rocking motioned calmed her shaken nerves. She felt safe in his arms. The darkness couldn't get to her when she was with him.
" Don't leave me again--" she whispered.
" I won't. I'm right here."
" I don't want to be apart from you…" She knew that she couldn't bear not being in his arms right now. Her nightmare still lingered in her thoughts. " Let me sleep with you tonight."
Kenshin didn't say a word; he gathered her up in his arms and brought her into his room. He set her on the futon and slid into bed next to her, covering both of them with the thin summer blanket. Kaoru snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating. It was a little fast. She smiled to herself as she could tell that he was nervous.
Soon, the beat slowed to normal and she felt her eyelids drooping. The visions of her nightmare left her in his protective presence. There was nothing to fear with him there. Everything would be ok. He was all she needed. She closed her eyes and allowed sleep to take her again.

***
The next morning Kaoru and Kenshin both awoke to the sound of loud footsteps outside the door. It was violently yanked open with a bang by Sano. He marched in and leaned over Kenshin.
" KENSHIN! I come here hoping to see EVERYTHING ready for the ceremony and the party-- and the yard is STILL filled with debris!"
" Oro…" Kenshin blinked startled, momentarily blinded by the light that streamed into the door. Kaoru looked up from her head's resting place on his chest annoyed. She realized that Sano had no idea she was sleeping with Kenshin.
" S-Sano…" Kenshin's face reddened as he remembered WHO was sleeping next to him. Kaoru felt his grip around her waist tighten with embarrassment. " Oro… I will right away Sano-- sessha…"
" So THERE'S the lazy--" Yahiko walked up to the door and froze, his eyes popped almost from his sockets as he saw Kaoru lying there, her white Kimono practically falling off as she was draped over Kenshin in such a passionate way.
" What's wrong? Oi?" Sano looked at the dumbstruck boy and curiously walked over to him. " Yahiko?" He passed his hands over Yahiko's eyes several times but Yahiko didn't flinch.
Kenshin's face was bright and red as a cherry. " Ano-- Sano…"
" Nani?"
" K-K-Kaoru…is…" Yahiko pointed nervously. Kaoru noticed that he was embarrassed. She suddenly felt incredibly bold and mischievous. She snickered at him and ran her hands over Kenshin's chest, then followed by rubbing herself up against him seductively, exposing even MORE skin.
" ORO?!"
Yahiko's eyes popped even more, " Sh-She's…and…K-K-K--Ken…Sh-sh-shin…is…" For some reason, he was having a very difficult time speaking.
Sano blinked and took a better look. Sure enough-- there was a second 'bulge' in the sheets next to Kenshin, as if something or-- someONE was lying next to him. He quickly covered the boy's eyes.
" Oh wow-- I'm sorry Jo-chan!! Ummm… I didn't know-- I had NO idea… umm…" He swallowed hard and looked away, even though he couldn't see her. " Are you decent? I'm sorry-- ummm…oh gods…"
Kaoru snickered. " No Sano-- I'm completely naked."
" ORO?!"
" Kenshin is too-- under the covers…"
" ORO?!"
" GOMEN!" Sano backed away out of the doorway with Yahiko, bumping into the frame in the process. " Oh! Sorry-- Umm-- I'll… just go… now--"
" GRRR-- GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME SANOSUKE!" Yahiko struggled but it was in vain. " SHE'S LYING! SHE'S--"
" YAHIKO!" Kaoru said quickly. " I've finally decided what you can do for me to get rid of the cloud."
Yahiko stopped his struggle and allowed Sano to keep his hands to his eyes. "What?"
" You can go and clean up the rest of the debris."
" NANI?! BUT--"
" Come on Yahiko-- DON'T piss Jo-chan off…" Sano quickly shut the door with a hasty bow. " Gomen- Jo-chan…. Don't curse me or anything… please!" They could hear their arguing slowly fade as they walked away. Kaoru rolled over laughing hysterically.
" Ha ha! I TOTALLY embarrassed Sanosuke! Ha!"
" Kaoru…"
She wiped a tear from her eye and looked up at him. " Yes?"
Kenshin kissed her on the forehead. " Ohayou."
****

Kaoru had managed to get Kenshin out of his chores, but there were still things to be done for the wedding, which was to take place at noon. Yahiko and Sano had cleared all the debris in record time. Sano sat stiffly with Kenshin on the steps of the dojo. It was an hour before Megumi would arrive with Kaoru and her other bride's maids to start the ceremony.
" Kenshin… do you think I should wear the headband, or take it off? What do you think?"
" Oro? You look fine with it on."
" And what about this Jacket-- do you think it looks weird on me? And I don't feel right without the bandages--and…'
" Sano--"
" Yeah?"
" Calm down."
Sano ran a nervous hand through his hair. " Damn it-- Kenshin… I'm trying to be cool about this-- but… but…ARGH! I can't help it… I NEVER thought about marriage until now…"
" Just know that if you chicken out-- Megumi-dono will never forgive you."
Sano gave him a dirty look. " I WON'T chicken out--"
Kenshin folded his arms. " Hai hai… just wait-- you'll see when you two exchange the cup…"
"…"
" I almost fainted dead away at my wedding." Kenshin laughed at the memory.
Sano grew a few shades paler.
" All you have to do-- is think about how much pain you'll receive if you chicken out, that will keep you standing."
" OHAYOUUU!! BRING OUT THE SAKE! WE'RE HERE!"
They both turned to hear a familiar genki voice from the side of the dojo. Kenshin jumped up and ran to the entrance to see Okina, along with the four other Oniwa Banshuu looking around, hot and tired and laden with packages and presents.
"O-Okina-dono!!" Kenshin said amazed. " What are you doing in Tokyo!?"
" Ah!" Okina looked around. " There's no party?"
" It doesn't start until noon." Sano said completely dumb struck." What are you doing here?"
" We came to greet the happy newlyweds of course! Here- this is for you!" He promptly dumped several packages into Sano's hands. " Now, where's the sake??"
" Oro-- Tae-dono isn't here yet… Yahiko is helping her bring all the food here after the ceremony." Kenshin said.
" How did you know I was marrying Megumi today?" Sano peeked over the giant pile of presents utterly confused.
" My pretty Misao-chan told me! We left for here as SOON as we heard the news!" Okina gave an overly genki cackle that sent a shiver up both Kenshin and Sanosuke's spines.
" Oro-- well, you all must be hot and ready for a bath. I'll go prepare one right away. Okon-dono, Omasu-dono, I suppose you can stay in Kaoru-dono's room with Misao-dono."
" Domo." Okon and Omasu bowed together; they left a flustered Sano with the cackling Okina and the other two men and began to walk towards the building quietly. Finally, Omasu's voice broke the silence. " Ano…"
" Oro?" Kenshin looked back at them.
Omasu looked at Okon nervously, then back at Kenshin. " Himura-san… I'm sorry… about Kaoru-chan…"
Kenshin froze, that was right…they had no idea of Kaoru's presence there. And no idea of how happy he was at that moment. It occurred to him that Tae-dono, Tsubame-dono, Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan, and Genzai-sensei had no idea as well… he had to pretend. He smiled back at them and continued walking.
" Thank you."
" Himura-san. We're happy to hear that you're ok now-- but if you ever need a person to talk too… well--"Okon smiled at him " You know that we're here for you."
" H-Hai… I'll remember."

***
Megumi arrived at the appointed time with her bridal party, consisting of Kaoru (unseen to all but the original six), Misao, Ayame-chan, and Suzume chan.
" Wai! Wai!" Ayame and Suzume-chan danced around in their pretty new Kimono's.
" Now now-- calm down." Genzai laughed as the two little girls ran over and clamped onto Kenshin.
" Ken-ni! Is it true Megumi-oneesan is getting married?!" Ayame asked.
" Will she have lots of babies?" Suzume asked him.
" Ha ha… yes, she's getting married-- and yes, Megumi-dono will have a baby." Kenshin smiled down at the two girls.
" Himura." Misao looked around. " Where's Yahiko?"
" Ohh- Yahiko should be arriving any minute with Tae-dono and Tsubame-chan. They're bringing all the food for the party afterwards."
" Ahh--"
A chillingly familiar voice piped up behind her, making her jump. " MISAO-CHAN!!"
Misao hardly had to time to whirl around to make sure she wasn't hearing things when she felt herself get scooped up into Okina's arms.
" ACK! J-J-JIIYA!? What are YOU doing-- Erk… here…" She gasped for breath at his tight embrace.
" Why-- To join in the festivities of course! HEE HEE HEE…" He went into another fit of cackling. Kenshin exchanged tired looks with Sano.
Aoshi stood away from the group, he watched Misao's happy (but painful) reunion with Okina. Omasu and Okon and the other two Oniwa Banshuu joined in the greeting. Sano walked over to Aoshi and slapped him on the back with a grin.
" Aren't you going to join in the group hug?" He asked him.
" …" Aoshi gave him one of those 'touch me again and die' looks. Then put his hands in his pockets and walked over to the group.
" Aoshi!" Okina's face brightened as he let Misao go. She wavered a little bit and Omasu caught her before she fell over from lack of oxygen.
" Okashira." Aoshi said in acknowledgement. Even though Misao was technically the new leader of the Oniwa Banshuu, Aoshi still felt the need to address Okina by his former name.
" I hope you've been taking care of my pretty Misao-chan." He looked at Aoshi carefully. " She's a little thinner then when she left…"
" Well, she's been through some rough times."
Okina nodded in understanding," True true… well, this is no time to be melancholy… it's time for a PARTY!"
" Sorry we're late!" Yahiko's voice carried over to the group as he marched into the dojo with several trays of food piled high, followed by Tsubame and Tae who were similarly laden with goodies.
" Ok-- where do I put this? My arms are tired!" The pile of food trays and boxes that were stacked up to above his head muffled Yahiko's voice.
" You certainly have a feast here." Tae commented.
" Oro… let me help you with that Tae-dono." Kenshin managed to pry the two little girls off of his Gi and took half of Tae's burden.
" I'll help you with that Tsubame-chan." Sano walked over to the little girl who was visibly buckling under all the weight that she was carrying.
" P-Please do… Sanosuke-san." Her small voice was strained. He easily lifted the food and she quickly went and sat on the porch with a sigh of relief.
Sano, Kenshin, Tae, and Yahiko all sorted the food out on the low table in the dining room and went back outside where the rest of the gathering was.
Megumi, up to this time had hung back from the group next to Kaoru.
" Are you nervous, Megumi-san?" Kaoru asked her.
Megumi was fidgeting with her sleeve, apparently lost in another world.
" Megumi-san?"
" Oh! Heh-- nervous? Oh no…" She vigorously shook her head to emphasize but Kaoru folded her arms and snickered.
" Megumi-san, you always fidget with your sleeves when you're nervous."
Megumi noticed this and quickly put her hands behind her back. She sighed heavily. " How can I not be nervous? Ohh-- I've wanted this for a long long time, but now that it's finally happening, It's just unbelievable."
Kaoru said nothing, but nodded her head in agreement. She looked over at Kenshin who was busily setting up the food for the party after the ceremony.
" It would be wonderful if Kenshin and I…" she thought to herself, then put her hands to her cheeks and blushed. " If we could have a wedding ceremony like this-- we would throw such a great party afterwards… all the neighbors would join in… and then that night we would…" She laughed out loud, blushing even deeper.
Megumi looked at her with a sweatdrop. " What are you thinking?"
" Eh?!" Kaoru broke out of her daydream and looked up at Megumi surprised. Megumi gave her a catty smile.
" Oh! N-Nothing…" Kaoru stammered.
" Hmmm…sure…" She snickered and began to walk over towards Sano. Kaoru stamped her foot angrily.
" What's THAT supposed to mean!? Mou!" She stalked over towards the rest of the group.
She walked over next to Misao and the group instantly quieted. Megumi stood next to Sanosuke under some of the Cherry blossom trees, all decorated with lanterns and streamers. It appeared the ceremony was going to begin.
The ceremony wasn't very long; the last part was always the best to watch. Kenshin acted as "go-between " and presented the engaged couple with the three meoto sakazuki cups filled with Sake. Megumi and Sano each took three sips from the three cups. A cheer from the crowd erupted at the end of this ceremony and the partying began.

****
" KENSHIN! GET OVER HERE AND DRINK WITH ME!" Sano bellowed.
" ORO?!"
" Ken-nii! Play with us!!"
" ORO?!"
" Himura!!!!" Misao called to him. " THERE'S NO MORE UNAGI!"
" ORO?!"
Kenshin ran from one end of the dojo to the other several times. Kaoru giggled as she watched him from her seat on the porch of the dojo.
The neighbors all heard the partying and invited themselves over to share in the festivities, bringing food and more sake. By mid-day the party was in full swing.
" Oi.. Kenshin…" Sano slapped his friend on the back hard, making Kenshin almost take a face dive.
" Oro, H-Hai Sano?"
" I know I'm supposed to give you a bunch of money and food-- for being go-between and all… but… seeing as I lost all the money I'd been working for gambling, can you just put it on my tab? What do you say?"
" Heh heh-- " Kenshin laughed nervously as Sano swayed a little bit on his feet and put up his hands. " No problem Sano…"
" THAT'S my best buddy!" He slapped him across the back again, this time Kenshin did fall flat on his face.
" ORO!"
Kaoru looked at Sano discussed. " If you EVER want to see me Sano, you'd better stop drinking and gambling! That's what death said!"
" Who'd want to see you any ways?" Sano muttered, this followed by a flash of lightning and a black cloud suddenly loomed over his head.
" SOBER UP!" Kaoru screeched as the cloud began to torrent down. The partygoers all awed at the sight, thinking it was some kind of trick. Sano tried to run away from the cloud but it followed him wherever he went.
" JO-CHAN! SORRY!!! SORRY!! I TAKE IT BACK!"

Meanwhile, across the yard…
" Tsubameee…" Yahiko slurred. He grinned at her drunkenly. Tsubame blinked back startled.
" Ohh-- hai? Yahiko-kun?"
" Did you know that-- ACK!" He looked up as someone had grabbed him by the ear and was leading him away from Tsubame. It was Megumi. She'd changed from her wedding Kimono into a light blue Kimono with white and yellow cranes. Her Obi was an expensive dark blue with a flower pattern embroidered in white.
" Oi! Megumi-san!! LET GO OF ME!! #%@$%&!" He went into a torrent of some of Sano's more colorful vocabulary.
" Don't be vulgar, I'm saving you from future embarrassment." Megumi said hotly. "Don't talk to girls you like when you're drunk."
" WHAT!? I 'AIN'T DRUNK!" He bellowed.

Aoshi stood away from the group. He was probably the only one, besides Megumi, and the two children (and Kaoru of course) that hadn't touched any sake. He watched Misao from the distance out of the corner of his eye as she sat in the shade of the tree with Okon and chatted, apparently about all the adventures that she'd shared with the Kenshin-Gumi since Kaoru's death. Omasu snuck up behind Aoshi and whispered in his ear.
" Doesn't Misao look beautiful in her Kimono?"
" … " Aoshi said nothing for a long time, then finally opened his mouth as if to reply when Jiiya tackled Misao and they started to wrestle.
" Oh my…" Omasu said as they watched the two rolling around in the dust. Misao biting on his leg one moment and he pulling her braid the next. " Heh-- I guess Misao-chan's a tomboy at heart…" She giggled. Aoshi still said nothing.

A few more hours passed. Kenshin finally got a free moment to take a rest; he sat with his back against a tree and sighed. Kaoru walked over and sat next to him.
" Everyone's having so much fun!" She commented with a happy sigh.
" Yeah… it's quite a party."
They were both silent. Finally, Kenshin spoke.
" Kaoru?"
" Hai?"
" Umm-- how do you feel today?"
" Oh-- ok, I guess… I still feel weak like last night." She passed hand over her forehead. " But I can't let it bother me now."
" So, you still feel sick?"
" Well--" She glanced at her wings nervously, a stray feather floated down and she picked it up, it was dark Grey. " I just don't know what's going on-- but…" She bit her lip. " Maybe this is my punishment for breaking the rules…" She thought to herself.
" Kaoru-dono, what's wrong with your feathers?" Kenshin sat up alarmed.
" Oh-- it's… nothing…" She hid the feather behind her back and smiled at him nervously. Kenshin looked at her crossly.
" Promise me that you'll talk to Megumi-dono after the party."
" But--" She was about to protest. What could Megumi do for her? She was an angel; Megumi certainly couldn't examine her.
" Kaoru… promise me."
" Oh ok… I promise." At this point she would do anything to silence him. If she told Kenshin about rule number three now; then he would distance himself from her… he wouldn't want her to get into trouble. But, she didn't want to be apart from him. That was something that she wouldn't be able to take. She quickly changed the subject. "Don't you wish we could have a party like this?"
" …Yeah."
" HIMURA-SAN!"
Kaoru jumped back as Tae practically walked through her and kneeled next to Kenshin.
" Oro?"
Tae squinted down at him determined. " Himura-san… what are you doing sitting down all by yourself?"
" Oro? Well-- I was taking a break."
" You looked DEPRESSED to me!" She made a fist.
" Me? Oh--" He gave her a weak smile and held up both hands. " I'm not depressed, really."
" Himura-san, you listen to me…" She grabbed him by the Gi and shook him. " Even if Kaoru-san isn't around anymore… I don't want to see you depressed! You have Yahiko to watch over now! So don't go wandering around anymore!"
" Oro?! Tae-dono…sessha…"

Kaoru smiled and walked away from Kenshin who was desperately trying to appease a very self righteous Tae who had had a little bit too much to drink. She was apparently dumping all her worries onto him. Tae's voice slowly faded as she walked farther away.
" And you NEVER visit the restaurant anymore! If it's money that you're worried about it's ok-- I'll let you eat for free considering the circumstances. And do you realize…"
" Poor Kenshin, maybe I should show myself to Tae… I didn't know she was so concerned about him. It would certainly make her happier. Tsubame-chan too." Kaoru thought. She absent-mindedly walked through the crowd. A cry interrupted her thoughts and Kaoru whirled around. It had come from the main dojo entrance. She hurried over to see a tall man with a sword slung over his shoulder. He had lifted a young child off the ground with one hand and shook him. The child cried.
" What's going on here!?" The stranger demanded.
" W-Wedding… party!" The child cried.
" Oi-- What are you doing to my son?!" One of the neighbors cried. A man rushed forth but stopped at the look the tall stranger gave him.
" Tell me..." The stranger eyed the child's father. " Who's wedding…"
Kaoru gasped. She'd SEEN him before somewhere, it was like deja-vu. He peered at the father over small round glasses. His hair was a brilliant white and it stuck up in all different directions.
" Answer me…And I'll put the boy down." He said coolly.
" It's Sagara Sanosuke's and Takani Megumi's wedding sir." He said hastily.
The stranger gave no reaction; he slowly lowered the crying child to the ground. The child's mother grabbed the boy up and dashed out of the dojo.
" Oi! What's going on here!?" Sano cried as he pushed his way towards the front of the crowd. The cloud gone from his head but he was still a little waterlogged.
" Sanosuke-san…" Misao said nervously, she pushed her way towards him. "This guy with the glasses and the blue cape was demanding who was being married here today."
" Nani?" Sano turned towards the dojo entrance. It was easy for him to see over all the heads of the crowd. He froze at the sight of the swordsman. " Masaka…"
" Sanosuke? Do you know him?!"
Sano didn't answer, he just pushed past her, he bellowed out angrily.
" ENISHI!"
" That's ENISHI?!" Misao cried. She quickly followed after him.
Sano pushed his way through the crowd until he was standing face to face with the tall gangster. Enishi eyed Sano with a wide grin set across his face.
" What do you want here?"
Enishi pushed his glasses higher up on the ridge of his nose. " What's wrong with coming here? I've only come to join in the celebration."
" What are you REALLY here for?"
" Well-- to be honest with you I'm a little concerned, because I got a disturbing report from one of my associates."
" You mean one of your henchmen."
" Whatever you choose to call them."
" So…"
" Battousai is living here again… is that correct? I would like to see him."
Sano's face was hard set. He clenched his fists. " Kenshin's not here. I'll have to ask you to leave."
" Maybe you didn't hear me correctly the first time… I said--" And he drew forth something that struggled from within the folds of his cape. " WHERE IS THE BATTOUSAI!?!"
Sano recoiled at the sight of the struggling person that Enishi held in his tight grip…
" Tsubame-chan…"
" Now that I have your full attention." Enishi gave a maniacal grin and put a knife to Tsubame-chan's throat. " You'll tell me what I want to know."

CHAPTER 19- A Battle for Nee-san.

Tsubame gave a small whimper as she could felt the cold steel of the knife press against her throat.
" TSUBAME!" Yahiko grabbed his shinnai and in a fit of rage charged Enishi. "LET HER GO!"
Enishi easily sidestepped Yahiko's advance and the boy crashed to the ground.
" Yahiko-kun…" Tsubame's voice squeaked with terror, " Don't-- he'll kill you, like he killed Kaoru-san!"
Yahiko stood up and looked over his shoulder at Enishi. " Let Tsubame go Enishi-- I'll fight you!" He held his shinnai in a ready stance. " I'll avenge Kaoru's death!"
" Perhaps you weren't listening to me earlier…" Enishi pressed the flat of the knife closer to Tsubame's throat, she whimpered again. " I want the Battousai."
" I'm here Enishi."
The crowd parted to let Kenshin pass through. His eyes were dark and narrowed. That gaze sent a shiver down Sano's spine.
" Ahh--- So what I heard was true…" Enishi chuckled and set Tsubame down harmlessly.
" Yahiko-kun!" Tsubame turned and ran into Yahiko's arms. He instantly dropped his Shinnai to hug her tightly.
" Is Tsubame-dono all right?" Kenshin asked Yahiko without shifting his eyes from Enishi.
" Yeah." Yahiko answered for the girl, who was already sobbing into his Gi.
" Take her out of here. Go somewhere safe. Sano, get everyone out of here." Kenshin fingered his Sakaba.
Sano threw up his arms and bellowed. " EVERYONE OUT! USE THE BACK DOOR--"
Enishi and Kenshin stood face to face. Enishi grinned while Kenshin scowled. The party dissipated around them until Sano, Megumi, Misao, Aoshi, and Kaoru remained. Yahiko had taken Tsubame out as Kenshin had ordered.
" What should we do." Misao whispered to Sano. " Should we stop them?"
" No way-- Enishi's here for blood." Sano responded.
" But-- Ken-san is still in no condition too--" She was promptly cut off by Aoshi.
" --Battousai wants atonement for Kamiya Kaoru's death… I can plainly see it in his eyes."
" No!" Kaoru protested.
All turned to Kaoru surprised. Kaoru shook her head.
" No--" She repeated again, "That's NOT what Kenshin told me!"
" You don't WANT him to avenge your death?!" Sano said incredulously.
" I don't want him to get KILLED!"
" You don't have much faith in Ken-san."
" That's NOT it… It's just that-- that…" Kaoru bit her lip, she was sick of the fighting. Nothing but death came from fighting. Last time it was her own death-- who would it be this time? The group watched from a distance as Kenshin drew his sword. Enishi still hadn't bothered to take his out of the bag slung over his shoulder.
" Battousai, you amaze me." Enishi said slowly. His maniacal grin was replaced by a malicious scowl. " How is it-- that you are still alive? I destroyed your life… you must not have loved her if you were able to recover so quickly. I must say I'm terribly disappointed in you."
" Shut up Enishi." Kenshin warned. " You have no idea how much I loved her."
" But you see…" Enishi swung the sword from his shoulder and unwrapped it. He held it up so the edge glinted in the sunlight. " … If you recover like that-- it means my Jinchuu isn't quite complete yet. Let me see…" He ran his gaze over the watching group and pointed his sword at Megumi. " How about that one? The doctor? Would you be sad to see a sword stuck through her heart?"
" KISAMA!" Sano bellowed, stepping in front of Megumi. " TOUCH HER AND I'LL BREAK YOUR FACE!"
Enishi was unruffled by this. He chuckled and then turned back to Kenshin, who's gaze was a little darker.
" So… what do you say?" Enishi gave an innocent shrug. " Would TWO deaths do it for you?"
" Enishi… You picked this fight, and I'll give it to you. I will not allow you to hurt any more innocent people."
" I think you're missing the point, Battousai." Enishi crouched low, his sword raised over his head pointing towards him in a deadly arc.

Kaoru saw the dangerous gleam in Kenshin's eyes, the more Enishi taunted him, the angrier he was becoming. A deadly calm had settled around them. She stepped forward, calling out nervously to Kenshin. Scared he would revert to the Hitokiri.
" Kenshin…"
He twitched slightly, sensing that she was right next to him. " Don't worry Kaoru, I'm fine, but I need to do this."
Enishi paused his attack and relaxed, he threw his head back and laughed.
" What's so funny!" Kenshin yelled at him.
" Oh-- Oh of course! It makes sense now-- did you hear him too Nee-san? Yes-- that's what I thought…" Enishi eyed Kenshin. " He's talking to the Kamiya girl…"
Kaoru gasped, Kenshin stiffened.
" I see it's true… so she's with you is she? Just like nee-san is with me? Nee-san always pulled me through the difficult times with her smile. Does your girl smile for you too Battousai? Is that how you survived the hard times? I wasn't expecting that… not at all--" He chuckled. "Well-- we can't have that…"
" Yeah-- So Kaoru-dono smiles for me…" Kenshin frowned. " And yes, she's who pulled me through this."
Enishi glared at him. " As I said--"
" And you know what…" A mischievous glint was in Kenshin's eye now-- Kaoru wondered what he was up to.
" What?"
" Kaoru-dono hates you…"
Enishi's blinked confused. Kenshin continued.
" She hates you because YOU killed her."
Enishi shook his head. " The replacement for my sister HAD to die!"
" She's talking to me now--- " Kenshin pressed on. He pointed his sword straight at him, allowing the yellow light of the Battousai to illuminate his eyes. His voice rose in a fury. " She wants HER JINCHUU!"
" KENSHIN WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!" Kaoru cried.
Kenshin ignored her; Enishi took a step back. " NO-- No… that's-- NO!!"
" It's true-- you killed Kaoru-dono…" His eyes flickered the fires of insanity. " I'll serve my own JINCHUU!"
Enishi shook his head. " BASTARD! YOU'RE LYING! SHE'S NOT REALLY THERE!"
The two flew towards each other in a flash; metal clashed and dust rose in a swirling cloud. Kaoru collapsed to the ground, watching helplessly.
" Kenshin was smart in that…" she could hear Sano's comment to the watching group. " He got Enishi so rattled up-- just look!"
The dust cleared, Enishi lay sprawled on the ground, a line of blood ran down from his forehead. He got up slowly, using his sword as a crutch.
" Nee-san… why aren't you helping me?" Enishi whimpered. " That girl-- I HAD TO DO IT! I had to avenge you! NEE-SAN!"
" So-- nee-san isn't smiling for you now? Is that it?" Kenshin's sleeve was ripped, with a little blood. " Maybe she agrees with Kaoru-dono." The yellow light from his eyes had died back down to purple.
" NO! NEE-SAN WANTED IT!" And Enishi charged him again.

And the battle raged. Enishi was getting driven into the ground by Kenshin's sword. But his endurance made him rise blow after blow until his face was covered with blood. Kenshin had a few cuts. The worst being a blow from behind that left a dark trail of blood running down his back.
" Kenshin!" Kaoru saw this and paled. How long would this go on? Until one died? No-- Kenshin would not kill Enishi… but Enishi would not allow himself to lie in the dust. If he was going to fall-- he was going to die when he did it…that meant--
" I have to stop this… but-- I CAN'T… How can I make them stop?" Then she remembered what Enishi had said…

" Nee-san wanted it…"

" Of COURSE! Tomoe-san!!!" Kaoru retreated from the fight. " KENSHIN! HANG IN THERE!" She raised her wings and lifted into the air. Black feathers left a trail as she ascended.
Kenshin didn't bat an eyelash, he continued the battle.
" HITEN MITSURUGU RYU-- DO RYU SEN!"
" KYAAAA!!" Enishi smashed into a wall. Debris was flying everywhere.

Kaoru clenched her fists, sweat formed on her brow as she flew up higher and higher.
" I can do it--" She told herself. " Just-- a little further." Her wings ached, her whole body ached, but if she stopped she would fall like a rock. She couldn't afford to stop. " Tomoe-san will stop this! Once and for all!"

Kaoru collapsed on the cloudy ground and instantly found herself sinking. She had to keep her wings moving to keep from falling through. She found Tomoe san under the plum tree; she was strumming lazily at a harp.
" Tomoe-san!"
" Kaoru-san, what happened to y our wings?!" Tomoe put the harp aside and stood to greet her. Kaoru grabbed her arm.
" No time to talk--- you have to come with me!"
" W-Where?" Tomoe allowed Kaoru to pull her out from under the shade of the tree.
" To earth! Kenshin is fighting Enishi-- you're brother who killed me! You have to help me! You HAVE to stop them!"
" Nani? What? I don't understand…slow down there---" She laughed. " Help you? How can I do that?"
Kaoru bit her lip… this was not going to be as easy as she'd hoped, Tomoe didn't remember her brother.
" Tomoe-san," she took a deep breath. " Your brother really loved you, and when Kenshin killed you he went insane and as his revenge he killed me-- and he thinks that you're always with him and that YOU wanted him to kill me-- you have to convince him that what he's doing is WRONG!"
" Woah-- slow down Kaoru-san… He thinks I told him to KILL you? I've been up here!"
" I KNOW! He's crazy! And he needs professional help!" Kaoru continued to pull her upwards, her wings straining. " Please-- come with me."
" I would-- but I'm not allowed to go to earth, Only Guardian Angels can do that. I can only watch what's going on-- I can't interfere."
But-- you CAN on my authority! I'm a Guardian Angel!"
" No-- I can't Kaoru-san. I don't want you to get into trouble-- that only way I could go would be under the authority of an incarnation, and they'd have to clear it with God or the Archangel first."
Kaoru's wings cramped and froze… She crashed to the ground. Tomoe looked down at her in shock.
" Kaoru-san! What's happened to you!"
" Please…" Kaoru's tears came unbidden. She slowly began to sink down towards earth. " I love Kenshin… I don't want him to die-- and I don't want him to kill… I just want peace for him. Please… "
" Kaoru-san… I… " Tomoe grabbed her arms and pulled her up again, keeping her from sinking. " I…"
Kaoru looked up at Tomoe through her tears. Tomoe was suddenly awash with guilt.
" In life you started this…" Kaoru whispered to her. " In death-- I want you to finish this."

****

Kaoru had been gone only about 20 minutes. But it was more than enough time to make the two men barely standing, blood ran down their faces and they leaned on their swords, both breathing heavily. Kenshin was no not much better off than Enishi.
" Enishi--" Kenshin managed to stand without the aid of his sword. " I was content to let you live your life thinking that you'd destroyed me… I wasn't going to hunt you down… you've taken the most precious thing in the world from me… why can't you be satisfied?"
" Battousai, I will not be satisfied until I've destroyed you completely-- Nee-san won't be satisfied either."
" Does Tomoe really agree with the tactics of destroying the lives of innocent people?"
" NEVER MENTION MY SISTER'S NAME!!!" Enishi charged in a rage, Kenshin lunged too meet the charge but both crashed into what felt like an invisible wall before they could connect. Stunned, both fell to the ground, wondering what had just happened. Kenshin gasped to see Kaoru appear in a radiant ring of light. She floated a few feet above the ground, facing Enishi. He knew Enishi saw her. The spiky haired swordsman froze in horror at the familiar face.
" Y-You…" He managed to stutter.
Kaoru gazed down at him. " Stop this, both of you will end this dispute right now."
" Kaoru-dono… please step aside." Kenshin said as he attempted to rise again.
Enishi said nothing; he only looked at her open mouthed. Suddenly, the image of his sister which he always carried in his mind was no where to be found. He looked around frantically for her.
" Nee-san? NEE-SAN WHERE ARE YOU?!"
" She was never there." Kaoru said softly. Enishi looked up at her again in amazement.
" No-- Nee-san ALWAYS smiled for me-- she was ALWAYS there…"
" Kaoru-dono… what are you doing?" Kenshin asked, he leaned on his sword heavily. Kaoru looked back at him and smiled reassuringly. Then she turned back to Enishi and raised her hands in prayer, her eyes closed. " I have something I would like to show you."
The air in front of her seemed to shimmer and move; As if it was water that rippled when touched by the wind. A brilliant halo of light emerged and Tomoe's image could be distinguished.
" NEE-SAN!?" Enishi gasped. Tomoe's face hadn't changed at all since her death--- She looked at him with that familiar calmness and composure, Enishi's joy turned to disbelief because she was not smiling at him. She looked at him blankly. Not sad, but not happy either.
" Tomoe?" Kenshin's reaction was also similar. Kaoru floated to the side and the glowing halo expanded and she floated out of it. Her ghost was in full view to both of them, and she was surrounded by so much light they had to shield their eyes. Tomoe turned her eyes onto Kenshin, and inclined her head.
" Greetings, Anata…"

[End of Part 4]
Continue to Part 5