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 Four



Kenshin closed his eyes and fell asleep. A tall slender figure was standing outside of the infirmary keeping a careful eye on Kenshin. He smirked at the red-headed man who was now sound asleep. The man stepped back into the darkness awaiting for his fateful meeting with Kenshin.

********************************

Three days later, Megumi finally released Kenshin from the infirmary allowing him to resume his daily activities.

"Hey Himura, good to have you back," replied the prisoner in charge of the laundry unit.

"It's good to be back," smiled Kenshin as he put the dirty laundry in the washing machine.

While busying himself with the rest of his laundry detail, Kenshin's mind began to drift on Kaoru.

"In less than three days, I will meet with Dr. Kamiya again. How much should I tell her about my past? How much does she already know?"

His thoughts were momentarily interrupted by a fellow inmate bringing another cart full of dirty laundry to him.

"Here you go buddy."

"Thank you."

"I'll be back to collect the carts when you're done."

"I should have both carts ready for pick up in an hour."

The man nodded at Kenshin and left the laundry room. As Kenshin put the dirty clothes into the washing machine, his mind began to wander back on Kaoru.

"Why am I worrying myself over my next session with her? It's not like I haven't seen a female psychiatrist before. But there is something different about her. I sensed it from our first meeting. Dr. Kamiya doesn't view me as just another case study. I can feel the genuine concern she has for me.

Kenshin you idiot, be reasonable. Dr. Kamiya must treat everyone that way. Her free giving spirit reminds me of how I was after graduating from college. I wanted to help people to have a better future. I worked long hours every night, hoping it would make a difference. But instead, I destroyed the very lives of those I wanted to help. I hope that never happens to Dr. Kamiya. I pray that she will succeed in life where I have failed."

The buzzer on one of the dryers went off causing Kenshin to come out of his thoughts. He unloaded the dryer and put the next load of wet laundry in the machine. Kenshin began working more diligently so as not to let his mind wander on Kaoru again.

Two days later, Kenshin was sitting in his cell waiting to be escorted to Kaoru's office for their second session.

Suddenly, a guard named Toma was standing outside of his cell unlocking the steel door. As Kenshin looked into the man's face, he smiled and asked, "Have we met before?"

"Yes," replied Toma as he near Kenshin. "You and I did time together back in Kyoto over ten years ago."

"I thought you looked familiar," responded Kenshin as they began walking down the corridor. "We went through some pretty rough times back then."

"Yes we did. But its' good to be on the outside now."

"Do you really like being on the outside?"

"Its okay. A lot of things have changed after my parole over ten years ago. But there's one thing that never changes. That is a dirty politician. I try to stay as far away from them as possible."

"Why?"

"Because that's how I came to be in prison."

"You never told me your story. How did you come to be in prison?"

"It all started when I put my trust in a corrupt politician named Hashizume. I was involved in a covert operation of his. I know that was a very imbecilic thing to do, but I did so with a goal in mind. I was hoping to obtain a higher military position after Hashizume had secured his position within the government.

In order to carry out his plans, I enlisted the aid of a few of my old army buddies. We called ourselves the Jinpu Tai. We had hopes of making this place a better world. However, before that could happen, Hashizume said that a cleansing of the government had to occur. Which meant the spilling of innocent blood, including the blood of the Ambassador.

As we neared the final stages of our plans, Hashizume wanted me to find one last person to help in our covert operation. That person's skills were to be equivalent to yours Kenshin. You used to be a real killer when you first came to prison.

Anyway, I contacted the sargent that had trained me. His name was Sasaki. He had changed his way at living. He was no longer the sargent of arms I used to know. He had retired from the army and was working as a school teacher. Sasaki tried convincing me to give up my useless plight. But I wouldn't listen.

Hashizume's scheme unfolded, he fingered me for all the killings. I finally realized what my sargent had been trying to tell me. But by then, it was too late. I tried comitting suicide but he wouldn't let me. He told me it was harder to live than to die. He was right.

After serving time and being paroled, I tried finding a job. No one would hire an ex-con. So I decided to become a prison guard. I've been doing this for the past five years."

Toma stopped suddenly realizing they had made it to Kaoru's office.

"Thank you for sharing your story with me Toma."

"Hey, I hear you're up for parole."

Kenshin nodded.

"I hope you get paroled. You're a pretty nice guy Kenshin. You don't deserve to be here."

As Kenshin entered the waiting area to Kaoru's office thought,

"I am glad you have found your path in life Toma, but as for me, I have chosen to stay in prison. This is what I deserve."

The longer Kenshin sat outside of Kaoru's office, the nervous he became. Yuri noticed his nervousness.

"Mr. Himura seems a little nervous today. I'm getting some strange vibes from him. He never acted this way when he used to see Dr. Genzai. It must be the medication."

Yuri stood up and poured Kenshin a glass of water. As she handed the cup to him she said, "Drink this Mr. Himura, your vibes are killing me."

Kenshin accepted the cup of water from Yuri while thinking, "Vibes? What is she talking about?"

Kaoru was on the other side of the wall in her office. She poured herself a glass of water.

"Okay, I know that I can do this. I broke through a little last week. Now it's time to try again."

Yuri knocked on Kaoru's door. "Excuse me Dr. Kamiya, Mr. Himura is here to see you."

"Thank you Yuri. Please send him in."

Yuri stood for a moment and wrinkled her nose toward Kaoru. Kaoru stared back at her asking, "Is there anything wrong Yuri?"

"Its your vibes..."

Kaoru glared at her secretatry. Yuri smiled while backing out of her office and thinking,

"I don't care what she says. Her vibes are just as bad as Mr. Himura's. Something is bound to happen with all those vibes coming from those two."

"Dr. Kamiya will see you now," replied Yuri as she motioned for Kenshin to enter the office.

"Thank you Miss Yuri," replied Kenshin as he stood and handed her the cup, "and thank you for the water. I hope your vibes get better."

Yuri giggled as Kenshin and Toma walked passed her. Upon entering the office, Kaoru took note of how the guard was treating Kenshin. She was glad to see Toma treating him with respect and not the way Akamatsu had.

After Toma handcuffed Kenshin's wrists and ankles to the chair Kaoru stood and said,

"Thank you... What is your name?"

"Toma."

"Thank you Mr. Toma for escorting Mr. Himura into the office. You may leave now."

"But Dr. Kamiya, prison policy states..."

Kaoru held up her hand and replied, "I am fully aware of prison policy. I will be responsible for Mr. Himura's behaviour."

"Very well Dr. Kamiya. However, I would like to request that you at least keep the door opened. I need to stay within reach of Mr. Himura at all times."

"That's fair enough," replied Kaoru. After watching Toma leave the room she turned to Kenshin and asked, "Shall we get started with our session?"

Kenshin smiled and nodded.

"From our last conversation, we discussed the reason why you were imprisoned the first time. After you were cleared of all charges and released from prison, what happened next?"

Kenshin sighed hoping not to discuss this part of his past. It was the very painful. Kaoru could see that it was going to be something hard for Kenshin to talk about.

"Mr. Himura, I know that this part of your life is not very pleasant to talk about, but could you please tell me what happened? I really need to know."

Kenshin lowered his head and began with his story.

"As you have mentioned, I was cleared of all charges regarding the inside trading matter. But that was only after serving three years in prison. Upon returning home, I found that my neighbors had shunned me.

Even though they knew full well I was innocent, they still didn't want me in their neighborhood. They claimed that my being there would only bring the property value down more. So I was forced to sell everything I owned.

When Tomoe and Akira heard of my misfortunate, they offered up their home to me. I really didn't want to impose on them but I had no where else to go.

Four months had passed and I had finally adjusted to country living. I kept myself busy around their home doing the laundry and helping out with the cooking. I tried to avoid outside contact as much as possible. After what I had been through, I wanted to keep a low profile.

For a short time I was very happy. Being around Tomoe reminded me of better times. I had forgotten how wonderful she really was. But I know that she was no longer mine. She belonged to Akira now. I could see how truly happy she was with him. During our marriage, Tomoe never smiled for me. But with Akira, she seemed to give her beautiful smile to him everyday. Tomoe..."

Kenshin paused for a moment after sighing Tomoe's name and then continued back with his story.

"I took a job earning meager wages. After saving a small portion of my salary for two months, I finally had enough to treat Tomoe and Akira. I wanted to express my appreciation for their hospitality so, I decided to take them into the city for dinner and to see a nice play. It was a cold winter's night. But that didn't seem to matter to us. We were all having a wonderful time.

On the way back to the car, we were stopped by two young street punks. One was tall and muscular and the other one was average built. From their appearance, it was clear to see that they had all the makings of want-to-be-gang members. They demanded that we give them all our money and other valuables.

I was furious by the fact that these street punks had the audacity to ruin our perfect evening. I told Tomoe and Akira to go ahead and that I would deal with those muggers. Having had a brief taste of prison life, I knew how to deal with their kind.

Tomoe noticed one of the muggers pulling out a knife. She begged me not to fight. She told me to give the muggers whatever they wanted so that we could leave. I should have listened to her, but I didn't."