DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.


Author's Notes: This is my first Alternate Universe Fanfic about Kenshin and Kaoru falling in love during modern times. It's not your typical love story and it is OOC (Drama/Angst/Romance) Fatal Love Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy!



FATAL LOVE
Part Two



"Mr. Himura, I am here to help you. Please tell me about your past....."

After lifting his head and gazing into her pleading eyes Kenshin sighed before replying, "Very well. I can see that you are determined on finding out my reasonings, so I will tell you my story."

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"Ten years ago, after graduating from college, I was hired as a stock broker at Makoto Brokerage Firm. My boss, Shishio Makoto, was impressed with my work. I was a very aggressive worker gaining the title of employee of the year after being with the firm for only six months. He quickly gave me the office of my rival, Seta Soujirou. Seta was not please by losing his office to a new comer.

Seta had been with the firm as a young boy. He worked his way from stock boy all the way to an entry level stock broker position. One day after observing Seta's work, Shishio could see that he had great potential. He had soon come under Shishio's tutelage. Before long, Seta was Shishio's right hand man. That is, until Shishio gave me that position.

Shishio enjoyed watching the rivalry between Seta and I. His motto was, "only the strongest survive." In order to stay on top, I spent many long hours at my job buying and trading stocks. My wife Tomoe begged me to spend time with her. But I refused. I had a goal to reach and I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way.

Six months later, Tomoe left me. I loved her so much. But I thought if I went after her, Shishio would view me as weak. I didn't want to lose everything I worked so hard for. So I continued going forward becoming ever stronger. Shishio's motto of survival of the strongest became a way of life for me.

By the next year Seta Soujirou decided to leave the firm. He knew that he could never go back to being Shishio's right hand man. Seta said that I was better than he was so decided that it was time for him to make a career change. We parted on good terms.

It seemed like everything was going perfectly. I had many prestigous clients, a great salary and a luxurious home. What I didn't have was Tomoe. I hoped that within time we could get back together. But after she left me, she found comfort in the arms of another man. His name was Akira Kiyosato.

At first I didn't understand why she chose him. Akira owned a little shop in the country repairing antique swords. His income was meager compared to my millions. But, as I watched them interacting with each other at their wedding reception, it finally hit me. Akira gave Tomoe something I could never give her, that was his time. I could see from the smile on her face that Tomoe was truly happy with him. Tomoe, Akira and I remained good friends.

With Tomoe out of my life, I let my main focus be my job. One day everything fell apart. All of the underhanded business deals Shishio had made back fired. The Security and Exchange Commision (SEC) found out about our inside trading business. It seems Chou Katanagari, an entry level stock broker, was trying to become my rival. He slipped up on one of his business deals which is what caused the SEC to get involved. Chou made special arrangements with the government to tell all he knew of Shishio's business.

After finding out what Chou did, Shishio Makoto became depressed. His plans to expand his business worldwide were now ruined. His whole life had come under investigation by the SEC. There wasn't anything he could do to stop it. It was at that point that Shishio became a madman. He went through the office burning the evidence linking to him. Then upon reaching home, he killed his wife Yumi and brother-in-law Hoji. Finally he set fire to himself burning down the whole house.

Since I was the only high officer remaining from Shishio's firm, I was held accountable for inside trading. Many of my clients lost millions of dollars. Their businesses were ruined, their homes were taken away and some clients even comitted suicide all because of me. All I ever wanted in life was to succeed in my career while helping people to invest in a better future for themselves. But instead I've only created chaos."

After writing a brief note in Kenshin's file, Kaoru looked up at him and said,

"Mr. Himura, why are you blaming yourself for this tragedy? The court records show that you were cleared on those charges. The company that you thought was a good investment was the one at fault. That company pressured their accounting firm to falsify their records making the company's revenue higher than what it actually was. You thought that the company would be a good investment, that's why you chose it for your clients. The court clearly stated that you didn't act improperly in the matter but was rather misguided by that company's conspiracy with their accounting firm."

"Dr. Kamiya, you don't understand. Many people went bankrupt. They lost their homes and businesses all because of my bad decision. What about those who committed suicide? How can I look the other way at their deaths?"

"You didn't force those people to commit suicide. They chose to take their own lives. And as for the people who lost their homes and businesses, they all filed a lawsuit against the company and accounting firm in question. The file shows that they won the lawsuit over seven years ago. I'm sure by now they have settled into a new life."

"I know that you are trying to help me and I am very appreciative of that. However, as I mentioned before I choose not to be paroled."

Before Kaoru could began her debate with Kenshin again, she heard a knock on the door before it slowly opened.

"Excuse me Dr. Kamiya, you have another appointment in ten minutes," said her secretary Yuri. "Shall I reschedule Mr. Himura for the same time next week?"

"Yes, thank you."

Akamatsu entered the room and released Kenshin from the chair. Kaoru didn't like the way Akamatsu jerked Kenshin up out of the chair.

"Mr. Akamatsu, I know that Mr. Himura is a prisoner but he is also a human being. The policy in which you were so quick to quote earlier, also forbids harsh treatment of inmates. Therefore, if you do not show Mr. Himura proper respect I will report you to the warden. Is that clear!"

"Yes Dr. Kamiya," grumbled Akamatsu while suppressing the anger that had built inside of him.

"...And Mr. Himura."

"Yes Dr. Kamiya."

"Please remember that I am here to help you. If you need to see me before our next scheduled session, contact my secretary. She will make the necessary arrangements for another meeting."

"Thank you Dr. Kamiya," smiled Kenshin. "I look forward to our next session."

Akamatsu nudged him to out of Kaoru's office. While passing Yuri, Kenshin stopped and said, "Have a nice day Miss Yuri. I'll see you next week."

"See you next week Mr. Himura," smiled Yuri.

After Kenshin and Akamatsu were gone, Yuri turned to Kaoru and said, "Mr. Himura is always so pleasant."

"Yes he was quite pleasant."

"...and a real cutie too. I think you two would make a nice couple. You both have the same vibes. I felt it when you two were in the office. You know, I'm pretty good at matching peoples vibes."

"Yuri, this is a correctional institution, not a dating service. I would appreciate it if you keep your vibes to yourself."

"Yes, Dr. Kamiya. I'm sorry. Will there be anything else?"

"No. I need a little time to prepare for the next appointment. Call me when the person arrives."

"Yes Dr. Kamiya," replied Yuri as she closed the door behind her.

Kaoru began thumbing through Kenshin's files.

"Kenshin Himura does not belong in a place like this. I just know it. He's not a hardened criminal like some of the other inmates I've spoken with. He seems different. I can sense a gentleness about him.

I guess part of Yuri's "vibe" theory is right. There is something that attracts me to him. Maybe it's his soft smile or his beautiful lavendar eyes. Clearly not the eyes of a hardened criminal. Wait... what am I saying. I've just met the man and I'm getting carried away like a school girl having her first crush. I must maintain my focus."

Kaoru became irritated with herself. She stood up and walked over to the window again. This time, as she gazed out the window she saw that the rain had turned into a gentle shower. She opened the window and stuck her hands outside. She cupped the palms of her hands allowing the raindrops to form a small puddle of water in her hands. Kaoru looked into her hands and from the reflection of the light saw a faint rainbow. She smiled inwardly.

"Father use to tell me to catch a rainbow would mean a new beginning for the beholder. I wished those words were true. If they were, I would give my rainbow to Kenshin Himura so that he could have a new beginning."

Kaoru shook the water from her hands and went back to her desk making preparations for her next appointment.