Wee! I'm like actually writing fics.. O.o With actual chapters.. Wee for me! -pulls up slacks and smacks belleh-
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Chapter 4. Discovery

I awoken from the sanctuary of my dreams by the sound of rain. I listened as it fell in a light, constant downpour, my eyes focused upon nothing as I stared. Kenshin seemed to hesitate before expressing what he needed to ask me so desperately. He pulled away, glancing to the side, and gripped the bed sheets between strong fingers. I simply kept in a kneeled position, and sat up straight, my gaze slowly rising. I cantered my head, then outstretched my hand to cup his cheek, and gently glided my thumb over his scar in a soft, comforting manner.

He jerked his head sharply away, narrowing those cold, blue eyes, and making me frown. Not knowing what to do, and not wanting to upset him further, I silently stared down at my futon, and wondered what I did wrong..

"Why.. Why did you betray me, Tomoe?", he coolly asked.

'Oh, that', I thought. 'Well there is a good reason..', I mused, the thought having two meanings. I turned away nervously as I prepared to envelop him with all I had been going through since that curse'ed day. .. But it was funny; after all I had lost, and what could have been, I was almost content with the way things were going now. Almost content with Kenshin. I was reluctant to share my grief with him, for he would look at me differently.. Pity me. I just somehow knew he would. True, he did need to know of my past; and yes, I did need to cleanse myself of this secrecy. But.. it was so hard to do now.. I started to open my mouth, but only sputters of words slipped out. I lowered my head in shame.

Finally, he graced me with his almost vapid gaze, which I felt, burning into my face, but I still did not turn around to face him, for all the world. I assumed that he was loosing patience, for he grabbed the collar of my kimono and yanked me roughly to him, my hair flowing in a whip of ebon behind me. I did not even gasp at the sudden action, as he held me, almost protectively, against him. I simply lay limp in his arms... Sweet rapture.

"Tell me.. Tell me now! I want reasons, and I want them now!", he whispered hastily from above me; his tone daring me to even attempt movement.

I kept an emotionless stare across the room, again.. my lips sealed. I did not want to speak for all the world.. My head simply lay against his chest as I felt peaceful, ignoring his pleas; taking in his scent.. 'Oh Kenshin', I thought. 'Do not ask me this.. Not now. Please..! Do not make me remember...'

"Tomoe...", he spoke as he gripped at my kimono. "Just.. tell me.. why..", his tone grew desperate and my heart skipped a beat.

"Tomoe.. please..", his embrace tightened and he crushed me against his chest, making me finally let out a faint gasp. His face buried into my hair, and I felt warmth seep into my scalp.. moisture. He was crying. How ever did I bring such a man to tears? I blinked innocently as I felt it rain, now inside our home.

"Ken.. shin..", I whispered as my dark eyes softened.. I felt him rub his face into my hair more, and he closed his eyes, breathing in my scent and releasing a beautiful sigh.. I attempted to sit up, but he still held me firmly in place, as if I were the most significant thing in the world to him.

He slowly released me in a passing moment. I turned my head slowly around and squinted as I stared in a kind of awe.. His eyes, they shone with the visible tears of a child. My chest heaved a sigh as my fingertips touched his chapped lips. I trailed my nails along the inside of his bottom lip when his mouth slightly gaped opened, feeling their tenderness and warmth.

I felt so relaxed now, so at ease, that I failed to realize what I let slip through. Three simple words passed my lips:

"You killed him..", I softly stated.

He used his own shoulder to wipe his eyes, then stared back at me with unnerving suspense.

"Who did I kill?"

"You killed many.. but he..", I glanced to the side, acting as if it were just a normal conversation; almost displaying enough tenacity to act playful as I fiddled with my slender fingers, and rested in his arms like a newborn, who now sat draped across his lap. "But he.. was my fiancé..", I whispered shyly, my fingers now rising to meet my own lips as I blushed, tears forming at the corners of my eyes.

"I..", he started, his eyes wide now as he fell forward. I smiled morbidly, then caught him in mid-fall.

"Kenshin..", I began with utmost tenderness. "I forgive you.. It took me a while.. But I forgive you..", was whispered as my lips reached his ear. 'Death.. It should take more time than this to forgive', I grimaced, shutting my eyes. Would I lie to my heart, just so I would not be alone again?

"T-Tomoe..", he stuttered, then pulled away, gripping me by the shoulders and trying to stare into my eyes, which were cast away from him. "I.. I did not mean to--"

"Of course you did, Kenshin", I interrupted. "Your job was to kill him, after all.. That *was* what you meant to do", I reminded him, facing him now as my eyes narrowed. I could not help it -- could not hold it back. I did not forgive this man..

He shut his eyes tightly, and gripped my shoulders even more. "Tomoe..", he desperately called to me, seeking strength which I could not give to him.

"Kenshin..", I cooed, then a surge of pain made me shut my eyes. "You are.. hurting me.."

He opened his eyes then released me with blood-stained fingers, then slowly pulled back as his eyes kept wide and fixated on my face.

"More red..", I mused, eyeing his fingertips. "Why do you have to make everything bleed?", I asked in a half-whisper before falling forward, and fainting in his arms as everything went black.

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Hoho, 'tis done. Hope it wasn't too bad. -clasps hands- I tried to make it longer, and it is.. a little more than the last chapter, at least. -bites her lip- Reviews, of course, always welcomed!