Disclaimer: I don't own any of the SM or WK (or any other remotely familiar anime) characters though if I did, Aya would be mine! ALL mine I tell you! *sweatdrops*
Tenshi's Notes: Minna-chan! Well, here we go… another chapter to this ficcie, and you're about to see one of my twists to this ficcie. Hopefully, no one saw this coming and even I didn't myself! *grins* Anyway, mega thanks to all my wonderful imoutos and their extremely hilarious reviews!! *giggles* *GLOMPS* I love you girls! To all my other reviewers (kawaiibaka especially), arigatoo for keeping me going! As usual, my thanks to Angel-chan, who has been nothing but supportive of me. To my reader, Just Style, it'll be a while before Ken-kun re-appears again. Gomen gomen! Demo, I hope the rest of the fic keeps you hooked anyway. To Teardrop, the ficcie won't become clear for a while. Just my usual way of building suspense, anticipation, and to keep you all reading.
And to the new readers, if you even liked a line of what I wrote (hopefully you'll like two lines at least hehe), please let me know! That's it! Ja!
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Chapter 5
He nearly leapt out of bed, his body drenched with sweat, tormented by his nightmares. Not her again. Running his hands through his hair, he took ragged breaths, struggling to gain his composure once again. Normally known for his cool, he was anything but at the moment. The chill of the morning air drafted in, calming the burning emotions within him. Her. It was always her that haunted his blood, his mind. Even in death, he would never be free of the guilt that tied him to her.
"Asuka…"
Burying his face in his hands, the other men would've been astounded to see the fickle playboy distraught over ONE female. A dead one at that. He had been so young, so foolish. He hadn't realised the truth in his heart, and he had been content to be her best friend. He had wanted more, burned for it, but he hadn't recognized it until it was too late. Until he had lost her, and he had sold his soul for money.
Within him, the flames of self-hatred ignited, exploding in its fury. At times, Yohji felt so consumed by it, and it would be so easy to give in. He had surrounded himself with female companionship, none managing to match her warm smile, or the way she had made him feel. Asuka. He ached to be with her at times, and guilt stabbed at him repeatedly for being unable to save her. For lying there helplessly, the wound upon his body draining his strength as he begged her to leave. It was his fault. Had he tried to help her instead, maybe it would be his grave that she would be visiting every week with a single red rose. Rain or shine, he was always there. An hour each week, spending time with the woman he had loved, and possibly still loved. He had locked away his emotions so long ago that he had forgotten what it was like to live. In his current occupation, he could not afford such luxuries. It had been easier this way. With each time he used the wire upon his victims, he would pretend it was one of Takatori's men he killed. Or perhaps, it was himself.
Sometimes, he yearned for the taut line to end his existence, so that he could be free from this all. But he reminded himself time and time again that he wasn't allowed to. Not while blood of innocents were being shed, destroyed by animals such as Takatori.
Asuka. Would she hate the man he had become? There were those who called him shallow, believing that he only existed for the next female to warm his bed. It was only in that act that he could delude himself into thinking that he was alive for one moment. Where was the shell that was him? It certainly wasn't the emptiness that existed within him.
Eventually, his heartbeat resumed its slow steady beat, and he raised his head slowly to watch the rising sun. The colours reminded him of a certain young woman who had appeared in all their lives. She was stunningly beautiful, and though he recognized that fact, it was something else altogether that had caught his attention. There was something about her that could see past all the shit that he threw on the surface and dive to find the man within. But was there anything for her to find? He had stopped living so long ago. Then again, perhaps it was the vibrancy and zest for life that he had found so fascinating. Or it could've been the tormented soul he saw within her amazing blue eyes.
There was something so different in the way he reacted to Usagi, and the other females that he had ever encountered. Asuka. What do you think? Do you think she'll save me, or be the one to end my pathetic existence?
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Her job had been made all that much harder with all these unexpected complications. Only the slightest bit out of breath, she cursed the man for choosing an area as remote and as far away from the city to live, though she could certainly empathise with what he was feeling. Given the circumstances of his past, and all that he had been through, he definitely deserved his peace. A momentary lapse of guilt seeped through, and she quickly forced it out. It wasn't as if she had asked for this, but she really needed his help. As is, Weiss was going to be no match for Schwarz. She had to get an advantage for them and he was the only one she knew of.
Stubbing her toe against a tree stump, she let loose a string of swear words that no proper young lady should know, and would've made even the most fluent curser turn red. Flinging her hair out of her eyes, she quickly knotted it back up on the top of her head. She tightened her jaw in determination as she readied her body for the series of leaps that would bring her that much closer to her destination.
With panther-like grace, she made short of the distance and she landed deftly on her feet after she untucked her body gracefully. She blew her bangs from her forehead and began approaching, secretly dreading the task at hand. She had no right to disturb the peace that he had so rightfully earned. However, so many things and so many people were depending upon her, and she had her own private vendetta to address. She couldn't guarantee that she could help Weiss should the need ever arise.
Her eyes softened in memory of one man in particular, and how he had wound back up in her life again. Despite their encounter earlier on in the day, she struggled to recall the tender man she had caught a glimpse of, and the tormented soul that was so like her own. A brief smile curved her lips as she thought about the way his hair had shone in the sunlight and how for one moment, she had seen the same longing in his beautiful eyes. She wished that things could've been different, and they could've been born with a clean slate. A sigh escaped her as she thought about the man whose peace of mind she was about to destroy. She was pretty sure that the man she had been searching for had already sensed her presence.
Frowning, she was about to raise her hand to knock on the door when it opened without warning. Her hands quickly went to her weapons hidden beneath her clothing before realising it wasn't him standing at the door way. She found herself confronted with a woman with a slender build but with unmistakable aura of strength. Especially mental strength. Her glossy hair shone with blue highlights as the moon's beams cast upon her. Dark eyes stared back at her, shimmering with sadness and knowing. She found herself taking a deep breath, and the regret once again flooded her system.
"I'm looking for the Hitokiri."
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Eyes downcast, he reflected on why he had appeared on this earth after wandering for so long. He had been alone ever since she had gone. Without her to anchor him down, he had reverted to his rurouni ways once again. Time had ceased to matter as he did so, seeking only her. With each death, he was destined to be reborn into the same life, and each time, he would always miss her. She would always be around in some shape, way, or form, but nothing which he could attain. He had been getting tired, and his soul ached to be near its other half.
Finally it happened.
He was finally born in time with his beloved some three hundred years later. In this new age and era, the age difference hadn't been as vast, not that it had stopped him before. Granted, she had died of old age, and their son had been fully grown with a family of his own already when she had passed on. But it was too late. He had been cast adrift again without her. Though not any more. Not when he had found his salvation again. His eyes were tender as he saw her making her way to his side, where she had always belonged.
It was strange the way the rules of reincarnation had worked. In this life, they had wound up nearly identical to their first forms. She was still the heart-wrenching beauty she had always been, fiery spirit that burned within her that he had always admired, combined with a hint of fragility and self-doubt that he found endearing. They had just found each other a little over two years ago and they had never been apart. This time, there was nothing of his past tainting their being together.
"Anata?" she called out softly, her namesake for him never failing to spread such unbelievable joy within him.
"Come here," he whispered huskily, needing to feel her in his arms again. She went willingly of course. She could never be without him either. Two halves to a whole, they complemented each other.
She nestled against him, fitting so perfectly that it was as if they were made for no one else. Stroking her silky dark hair, he leaned his cheek against the sweet-smelling tresses, feeling the contentment spread through him. Love hummed in his blood, and for now, the fiery urges were at bay. He had her by his side. That was all that mattered. She belonged to him, just as he to her. He reached forward to entwine his fingers with the delicate hand that was laying on his chest, sensation spreading as it always did each time they touched. His heart pounded steadily in sync with her own and he could sense the worry emitting from her. It was as if he were thrown back in time when he had been a rurouni and she was the young woman who had taken him in, giving him direction when he had none to speak of. Despite her youth, she was wise beyond her ears, and he had been awed by her conviction and belief in him. Relishing the feel of her in his arms, he allowed himself another moment with her.
"It's happening again, isn't it, koiishi?"
She nodded against his chest, the tears beginning to roll silently.
"A woman came for you. She said the city needed you."
Again. Always his life was bound by duty and obligations. Though he had been born with a clean slate this time, all his skills and the man that still lived within him had all the capabilities inherent in Himura Kenshin. It would never end. No peace. Not in this life either.
"You couldn't live with yourself if you didn't do everything you can. It's not you, anata. It never was. That's why you constantly sacrificed yourself."
How well she understood him. Was it little wonder why he loved her as much as he did?
"What would I do without you?"
She giggled against his chest, the sound sending shivers traversing across his skin.
"Probably eat better, and live longer."
He laughed, more freely than his past self ever could. His hand moving from around her waist to linger gently on her chin, he tilted her face upwards so he could gaze into the bottomless pools of dark blue that he would willingly drown in. He watched the tender expression and loving light appear and he was humbled by it. Because of her, he was whole.
"As I have and always will, I promise you, koiishi, I will be back by your side."
She curved her lips, gracing him with a beautiful smile as her hand came up and lay over the hand upon her cheek.
"Forever, anata?"
"Forever," he promised.
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With each ring of the bell, all of the men present found themselves holding their breaths, hoping against all hope that she would walk in. It had only been one day since she had entered their lives, but already the change had begun in them. One man in particular would gaze out the window with an almost wistful expression on his face before catching himself in time. It had taken remarkable restraint on his part, but it wouldn't do to let the other three see how he felt. As far as they were concerned, he wasn't interested. He was the cold-hearted bastard who only burned with revenge. It was strange how there was another emotion worming its way in, making a mockery out of the deadened area of his heart.
He had believed it to be impenetrable. The minute that his sister had been run over, all hope had drained from veins, only to be replaced by the iciness that dominated. It barricaded against trespassers who dared to venture too close. It protected him each time he had to take another life. This was not the life he had wanted, but he was bound by the chains of revenge. As he lived and breathed, it would dictate who he was.
All it had taken was her, and suddenly, his blood was throbbing once again. Living again. Did he want this? Images of his sister lying in bed so peacefully, along with an angel so beautiful it took his breath away mingled. Suddenly, it was HER face he saw there in that bed.
HE had caused that. He was incapable of emotions because he was afraid. If he permitted that damned emotion to enter his system, the price that she would pay would be with her life. For he was still that eighteen year-old man caught by the strings of helplessness as he watched every person he loved leave him. Emotionally stunted, he would never allow anyone to get close again.
And yet, even as he said this, he found himself being filled with a deep longing for something, someone, no. He wanted her. Only her. Only she could ease this pain, and perhaps he could live again. Was it fair to her though? He would not allow his blood-soaked hands to touch her, and taint the purity within. Angel … angel to Shinigami. Iie. He was neither death nor the grim reaper. He was a murderer. It was that simple. And as such, he could never permit such a thing to happen. But still… he hoped.
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Watching her from afar, he allowed himself a moment's indulgence to admire just how beautiful she was. She was sunshine personified, with laughter that rang with life's secrets. She had held all his emotions in her palms, and she had never hurt him. Not once. Since she had appeared in his life many years ago, she had given him completion and meaning to his otherwise mundane life. No longer had he lived for his job but for the happiness she had brought to him.
It wasn't that type of love he felt for her despite what most people would think. There was a tie that ran deeper than the insignificant blood bond that had brought them together. He was a part of her, just as she forever will remain a part of him.
So why was it that he had to be stuck here, watching her from so far away? She had changed so much. The spring that had lit her step was no longer there. Her face no longer shone with happiness. He knew he was to blame for that, for erasing it from her eyes. She had blossomed into a full-fledged beauty, and he drank in the sight of her, having been away for so long. He wanted to give her a hug and assure her that everything was okay. But it was no longer the case. He no longer had that right, and she had now chosen a disastrous path, one that would surely destroy her. It was why he was here in the first place.
Ironies, he thought to himself. Hiding in bright daylight when no one can really see me anyway.
She stopped suddenly and glanced in his direction. He froze in place. Surely she couldn't see him? He had known about the skills she possessed but even still, with all that she'd become, it was impossible. He heard her sigh from five hundred feet away that sounded as if she had done so next to his ear. His heart fell with heavy regret and as she turned around to walk away, his hand waved a goodbye she would never see.
He would be with her for as long as she lived. And he would protect her soul with all that he had in him.
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Tenshi's blurb: If anyone's confused, the hitokiri part comes from the anime Rurouni Kenshin. And guess what? This has become a multi-crossover, and what I think to be one of the first SM/WK/RK ones! And the line where Aya/Ran says "he is neither death or the grim reaper. He is just a murderer" comes from the actual series itself. I can't hope to write such brilliance on my own! If you have more questions, either email me, or leave your email in your review, and I'll answer them if I can! Believe it or not, there are MORE plot twists to come! And oh yeah, the RK characters don't belong to me either. ^-^