A/N: Hi guys, uhmmmm before you read, please prepare yourself for a probably DEPRESSING 'surprise'...Please don't hate me for this and PLEASE do read on till the end...



A RIVAL FOR KENSHIN Chapter X: Revelations



Kenshin looked at Kaoru, "MY Kaoru" Kenshin thought ..and she was smiling so sweetly.. "For me!" He smiled back at her even as he felt himself loosing consciousness. The bullet did miss his heart. but it did not miss his body completely.... His vision began to blur as he began to collapse, and felt himself drawn into a place of nothingness. Still he smiled thinking, "If I am to die, then it is best that I do die in the arms of the woman I love.. Kaoru.. Kaoru.. Kao.." Kenshin fell on her lap and Kaoru, for the first time, realized that something was wrong! She held Kenshin and touched something wet and sticky on the side of his clothes. Kaoru held up her trembling hand... and screamed in fear at what she saw... (*weeping passionately...* lets **sob** go **sob** somewhere else **sob** ok **sob, sob, sob**)



Both Sanosuke and Yahiko could feel it. Something bad has just happened! "Kaoru!" they both cried as they heard her scream again! "Sano.." Yahiko said fearfully as they rushed inside the cave, but Sano only bowed his head, avoiding his young friend's eyes.



Inside, the darkness of the cave, they could see a silhouette of a woman.. Kaoru. They could not see the still figure lying at her lap. "Kaoru!" They called out to her, but she did not respond. They stopped a few feet from her and saw her trembling... violently! Yahiko felt tears flow from his eyes, though he did not know what had happened, he knew it was something really terrible! He looked at Sano, who stood frozen too.. his eyes as wet as Yahiko's.



By then Yujiro appeared, and had Kenshin and Kaoru in full view. "No!" he thought as he saw Kenshin's clothes stained crimson red with his blood. "Darn he was shot after all!" He rushed to them, shouting at Yahiko and Sano to help him carry Kenshin, snapping them awake from what seemed like a trance. Then they saw Kenshin, for the first time since they entered the cave. He was bloody, and motionless. Kaoru on the other hand was staring at the blood in her hands, obviously in severe shock of what she had just witnessed. Yahiko went to her slowly.. "Kaoru," he said softly, "Let's go. We have to get Kenshin to a doctor and fast!" "Ken.. shin.." Kaoru whispered over and over again.



Yujiro helped Sano carry Kenshin. piggy-back style and he carried Kaoru, "newly-wed style" while Yahiko trailed behind. Questions and explanations will have to wait later. Right now, Kenshin's life is the most important thing to consider. Next to that is Kaoru's sanity..



Kenshin felt himself floating. lightly, like a feather falling. "Kaoru" he said.. the first thing that came to his mind as he felt himself land on a firm surface. He opened his eyes slowly and when his vision cleared, he realized that he was in his room.. back at the dojo. He felt a stabbing pain at his side where the bullet entered but ignored it. He turned his head and saw her.... Kaoru was right beside him lying on her side.. facing him and sound asleep... holding one of his hands in both of hers.



Kenshin turned to his side too.. not minding the pain. He's used to it anyway, but moments like these with Kaoru were so rare! He sat up slowly using his free hand, careful not to wake her. He watched her for a while then he couldn't help himself, he brushed away a stray hair from her face. She sighed, and subsequently started to wake up. When she opened her eyes, her gaze met Kenshin's. She smiled... relieved, happy!!! "You're awake!" she exclaimed, still smiling. "Kaoru, I'm sorry!" Kenshin said about waking her. But Kaoru's expression suddenly changed and her face became angry, her teeth turning into fangs and *&^%$KAPOW!!!*^%* she gave Kenshin an upper cut! "Eeeeeeehhhhh" Kenshin said dropped back to bed, his eyes swirling.



"You should be sorry you stupid rat! (recognize this Sarkling Crystal- san? heehee^^) That's what you get for not telling me you were hurt and bleeding!" Kenshin got up.... sweatdropped looking apologetically, scratching the back of his head. "Really I'm sorry Kaoru!" he said about to smile but stopped as he saw Kaoru's expression. She turned serious again looking at him teary eyed. "Don't ever do that to me again Kenshin because I don't think I can.. if you... I don't.. I can't..." Kaoru said finding no words to tell this man that how scared she was for him, how she felt like dying too at the thought of him gone and how much she cares for him. need him.... love him! The tears that Kaoru had been holding back began to flow freely from her eyes.



Kenshin's heart ached at her tears and before he knew what he was doing, he pulled her close to him and held her like he would never let her go! Kaoru cried, releasing all the worries, all the tensions, all the heartaches that had happened to them these past hours, days, months.... She clung to Kenshin as if her life depended on it! Kenshin let her cry in his arms, and even when her sobs subsided, Kenshin did not let go. He kissed the top of her head and Kaoru felt it. She pulled away far enough to look at Kenshin. His eyes were hazy, wet, almost. His hand went to caress her cheek and without any hesitation, Kenshin lowered his head and kissed Kaoru on the lips!



For Kenshin, everything vanished... his past sins, his enemies, his heartaches, his worries, his very identity.... everything.... except KAORU. His kiss deepened eliciting a moan from Kaoru prompting Kenshin's lips and tongue to move hungrily, yet sensually, as if to make up to her in deeds what they should have spoken to her in words. And Kaoru responded, uncertain at first then gradually embarked on meeting his exploring tongue with hers. Eagerly, she began to speak the same foreign language that Kenshin was teaching her. Their first kiss seemed to have lasted as long as an eternity and as brief as a heartbeat, as they both pulled away at the same time breathing heavily and hearts beating wildly! Their eyes met, they knew what would happen if they went on... but both were also aware that the right time hasn't come... yet!!!



(Hehehehe....this was the surprise *winks* an added bonus 'coz you guys probably wanted to kill me while reading the first few paragraphs!!!! Anyway, the Author's note at the beginning was just to throw you people off track harharhar... errrrr gomen nasai minna-san this is the last chapter so please let me off the hook easy...*looks at everyone with puppy-dog eyes* PLEASE!!!!)



That moment passed and both Kenshin and Kaoru were once again faced with the harsh reality. But Kenshin stood his ground and held Kaoru's hands in his. "Don't marry Yujiro" he said in a pleading tone. "I heard you.. accept his proposal at the cave.." he said haltingly as tears flowed from his eyes.. in front of Kaoru! For once in her life, Kaoru had a glimpse of what Kenshin had been feeling every time SHE had shed tears. Kaoru felt this constricting pain in her chest at the sight of her Kenshin crying. She wanted to stop the pain he was feeling, but not knowing what to do, she just held him close, and gently running her fingers through his loose hair. "Barkley threatened us at gunpoint so we had no choice.... Yujiro just proposed to me to make me feel better." Kaoru whispered her eyes now wet too as she thought of Kenshin's woman.



"But last night..." Kenshin began "Shhhhh" Kaoru said, "it's alright Kenshin, if you love her more than me, just hold me for now and we'll talk about it later." "Her?" Kenshin asked not understanding what Kaoru was talking about! "Not HER, Kaoru, HIM! I'm talking about Yujiro.... and you, and the plans you've probably made and the talks you've had and him wanting to talk to me... and you... falling in love with HIM instead of me!" "What?" Kaoru asked, just as confused as Kenshin is. "I haven't fallen in love with Yujiro and we haven't made any plans... Kenshin you're the one who is in love with another woman! You admitted it right?! You were going to meet her last night and you were going to her the other night too.."



"Shhhhhhh" Kenshin said, hushing Kaoru up this time, with his forefinger lightly on her lips. He now understands the comedy of errors that played them both like gullible fools! Kenshin smiled happily, boyishly even and almost laughed out loud at the realization of the truth if Kaoru, still a bit lost and emotional wasn't looking at him like he was out of his mind! Kenshin removed his finger and kissed Kaoru again just lightly but sweetly on the lips before he began to tell her what really happened in the past few days since Yujiro arrived....



"They've been in there a long time haven't they?!" Yahiko asked. "Oooowww" Yahiko yelled as Sanosuke punched his head! "Leave them alone..the poor guy's just been shot for crying out loud!" Sano practically screamed at Yahiko! "Arrrrrrghhh" it was Sano's time to yell as Megumi hit him with a bottle of medicine! "The boy was just asking!!!! You.... pervert!" she shrieked! "Hey I'm no boy!" Yahiko chimed in. Yujiro watched laughing as the three argued. "This is no laughing matter!" Kaoru cried out joining in the pseudo fight. Yujiro looked at Kenshin as he stood beside the yakking Kaoru. "It's good to see you're ok, but are you sure it's safe for you to be walking around?"



"Yujiro's right Kenshin!" Megumi said in her 'I'm your doctor' voice. "Your wound may have only been a flesh wound but you did loose a lot of blood! Now sit down and rest!" "I'm alright Megumi..." Kenshin began but sweatdropped and sat himself down at the stern look on Kaoru's face. "Hey, you feeling alright there buddy?" Yahiko asked and Kenshin nodded smiling. "Well good or else Kaoru here will be crying soooo hard AGAIN like a wailing baby!" "YUP!" Sano agreed and they both started laughing out loud!



$#POW&# !#$% KLUG*%$... That's not very funny!!! Kaoru said knocking them down with a broom she somehow managed to grab! Sano turned and saw Yahiko sprawled on the floor as he is, a silly expression on his face, with his eyes still swirling. Sano made a fist at the narrator!!! "Of all the scenes in this story, you had to duplicate THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!" he said shouting! **narrator just laughs out loud and 'accidentally' sends a thunder cloud over Sanosuke and drenches him good! harharharhar don't mess with me pal!!!** Everyone laughed at that (including yours truly) before Yujiro decided to speak up to fill in the missing pieces of the mystery of Barkley and his men...

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One week later...at the docks..



The four members of the Kenshin-gumi stood facing their new friend Yujiro at the docks as he was bound for England...with his mother. Kaoru went to him and hugged him goodbye. "Thank you" she said, and Yujiro looked puzzled. "Why he asked, I brought you nothing but trouble?!" Kaoru laughed, hugging him again. "It was good seeing you again Yujiro, and I wish you and your mother well!" was Kaoru's reply. "Take care!" "Good luck Yujiro!" Sano and Yahiko both said. "Thank you...all of you!!!!!" Yujiro said. Kenshin then went to him and extended a hand. Yujiro grasped it firmly, honored to have met such a man. "I... would have married Kaoru.." he so softly that only Kenshin heard it. "If only she wanted to, but..." "I know" Kenshin answered when he broke off. "I will take care of her!



Kaoru went to the two men and her eyes caught Kenshin's. Yujiro watched as those two spoke volumes with only a glance. He smiled and boarded the ship. He will rebuild his father's business and he will make sure his mother forgives him for choosing to go with his father. Yujiro looked back and waved. He doesn't think he will be coming back here, but he has all his memories of this visit to last him for a hundred lifetimes. As the ship slowly headed towards England, Yujiro brought out the map of Barkley. He told everyone what had happened in the cave that day..... that Barkley shot him as he was blinded by dirt but he missed (or more precisely he evaded) and the bullet ricocheted back to Barkley hitting him at the back, killing him instantly 'before he could disclose why he was interested in the dojo' and everyone just let it go at that.



He looked at the map and brought out a lighter(heehee.sorry, I'm not sure if lighters were available during this time, but I couldn't think of anything else) and burned the paper in his hand and watched as the ashes went to the sea. He carried no guilty conscience in not telling anyone about the treasure. It's blood money anyway and the way things were going at the Kamiya dojo, he was sure they'd be alright without it!!!! He smiled as he thought of what the gang might be doing right now....



Kaoru watched the ship as it grew smaller and smaller. "Have a safe journey Yujiro" she said feeling a little sad, but Kenshin came and stood beside her, silently telling her that she will never be alone. This raised her spirits up and happily, she led the way back to the dojo. "We're gonna have a feast tonight and I'll make you the best meal you've ever tasted!" she said. Kenshin:"But..!!!" Sano:"You..!!!!" Yahiko: "Huh...!!!" the three men said and sweatdropped at the same time. But Kaoru looked at them with a puffed fuming face and this silenced the men. "Now I'm going to need some vegetables... oh and beef.. and...." Kaoru went on and on as they walked and the three men, looking pale and walking like they were a hundred years old followed her all the way home!!!!!!!!

...the end(c",)

Author's Notes: errrrrrrmmm the Real one!!! Thanks again everyone for reviewing this story. This is the end, but I learned a lot in writing it especially from your reviews.^^ Goddess Artemis thank you again sooo much I know I've been saying this a lot of times but then I think it's just right( Sparkling crystal thanks for your review too I hope you get to read this last chapter.sorry I took some time to write this one, but as I told ArtemisMoon, I'm having a hard time letting this story go^^ so again thanks to all and I got a couple of poems here.... it's posted in this site too but you might wanna read it especially after reading this chapter so.. here you go all RK fans (



KAORU'S SONG A wanderer came into my life When he rescued me from rouges one night His past was as violent as his face was calm With strengths and skill that equal none

He took my hand and led me home Then he turned and walked away But my heart could not bear to see him go So I asked if he would stay

He came to me in mystery This beautiful wanderer of mine But he chose to face the future with me And leave his past behind.





KENSHIN'S SERENADE



My life's emptiness is apparent and vast I roam this land to atone for my past I fight for the people, the right, the just And though I feel weary, I move on, I must



Then you came, you needed my help But you ended up saving me from myself And from that very first day we met I knew our destinies were tied and set



And now, no longer empty I am You are here beside me, holding my hand And I know in my heart, I'll never be alone As you smiled at me and welcomed me home