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!
Part Seven
Kaoru slumped into her chair and began thinking of Kenshin.
"For years that poor man has had to carry around so much pain and suffering. I hope that I can somehow ease his burden."
********************************A month had passed with Kaoru having counseling sessions with Kenshin twice a week. Everything seemed to be going well.
One day, while sitting in the cafeteria having lunch, Kaoru's best friend approached her.
"Where have you been? I left several messages and even stopped by to see you yesterday. Your secretary told me you could not be disturbed. What's going on with you Kaoru?"
"I'm sorry Tae. It's just that I'm involved..."
"With a man?" grinned a hopeful Tae.
Kaoru shook her head replying, "No, it's nothing like that. I'm too dedicated to my work to get involved with anyone right now."
"I should have known," she sighed. "Kaoru, there's nothing wrong with being dedicated to your job, but you really shouldn't isolate yourself from your friends."
"I know. Please forgive me for not getting back with you. Its just that, well, I've been working on something really important."
"Does this important matter have anything to do with a prisoner by the name of Kenshin Himura?"
"And just WHO told you that?"
"Uhm... Well I think my break time is over."
Kaoru eyed her friend suspiciously. Tae continued fidgeting with her purse.
"There's never enough time for me now that I am the head dietitian of the cafeteria. See you later Kaoru."
"Tae! Wait!" begged Kaoru as she grabbed her friend's wrist. "Has Yuri been telling you things about me again?"
Tae placed her hand over Kaoru's and replied,
"Kaoru, we've been good friends for a long time. I'm really concerned about you. Getting involved with a prisoner is against prison policy. I would hate for you to lose everything you've worked so hard for because of Kenshin Himura. I heard that he is a nice man, but nice or not, he's still a prisoner convicted of murder. Please be careful."
"I appreciate your concern Tae, but there's nothing to worry about. What I'm doing for Mr. Himura is what I would do for any other prisoner that is up for parole. I don't know where you got the idea of me getting involved, but whatever you heard it's not true. I'm just doing my job, that's all. You have to believe me."
"Ok, I'm convinced," smiled Tae. "So now that we're clear on that issue, how about coming to my place for the weekend? We can rent a couple of old movies and pig out on some chocolate ice cream."
Kaoru wrinkled her nose towards her friend.
"Did I just hear the head dietitian of this correctional facility suggest we, "pig out on chocolate ice cream?" I've never seen anything that resembles junk food in your apartment."
"Well, I didn't say that I would buy the chocolate ice cream. But if a good friend of mine were to bring over some chocolate ice cream and offer it to me, I would gladly accept."
Kaoru chuckled and replied, "Oh I get it. Lay the guilt trip on me huh?"
"You're the psychiatrist, not me. You should be used to handling guilt trips by now."
They both laughed.
"See you over the weekend and don't forget the chocolate ice cream," waved Tae as she headed toward the kitchen.
Kaoru's smile faded slowly as she began reminiscing over their earlier conversation.
"How could Tae have thought that I would get involve with a prisoner? After all, we're best friends. She should know that I would never do anything against prision policy. Kenshin Himura is just another patient who is in need of my help. I feel that he has the potential to change, to start his life all over again. That's why I want to do my best to get him out of this wretched place. Is that so awful?"
Kaoru took her fork and began picking at her food. As she glared down upon her salad, she began thinking of Yuri.
"Wait until I see that Yuri! How dare she meddle in my business! She's going to be in big trouble when I get back. I hope she's feeling my "vibes" right now!"
Yuri was sitting at her desk filing her nails when suddenly she felt a chill shooting down her spine.
"Woe! I'm feeling some really negative vibes from someone. I wonder who it could be?"
She stood up and peeked in Kaoru's office. It was empty. Yuri sat back down, opened a bottle of nail polish and began polishing her nails.
"Oh well, this is a prison. Negative vibes flow through here quite often. I need to learn how to channel out some of those vibes. Maybe I'll talk to Dr. Kamiya about that when she gets back."
Back in the cafeteria, Megumi saw Kaoru sitting at a table glaring at her salad. As she neared Kaoru she said,
"I would ask for a penny for your thoughts, but from the way you're glaring at that salad, I don't want the change."
"I'm sorry Megumi, I didn't see you standing there. Please sit down and join me for lunch."
Megumi put her tray upon the table and sat across from Kaoru. As she took a few bites of her lunch, she noticed how Kaoru was picking at her salad. Megumi extended her arm across the table so as to place her hand upon Kaoru's forehead.
"Hmm... There's no sign of fever," remarked Megumi as she removed her hand from Kaoru's head.
"I guess that means you'll have to come back with me to the infirmary. I'll need to take a few X-rays to find out what's going on in that head of yours."
Kaoru smiled weakly at her before saying, "Megumi, I need to ask you a personal question."
"Sorry, you're not my type," quipped Megumi as she sipped on her tea.
Kaoru blushed furiously yelling, "Megumi!!"
"Oh calm down. I was just kidding," replied Megumi while playfully smacking her on the shoulder. "Why are you so stressed out?"
"Word has been spreading about me getting involved with one of my patients."
"Oh, you mean Kenshin Himura? That's old news."
Kaoru gasped before shouting, "What! You've heard about that too! Oh my god! I'm going to kill Yuri!"
"As a fellow colleague, I would suggest you refrain from using the word "kill" during working hours. This is a prison you know."
Kaoru quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry, I forgot."
"Don't worry. I don't believe every rumor I hear. But Kenshin Himura is a nice find. I always enjoy giving him a thorough examination during his annual check-ups." Heh! heh!
Kaoru blushed crimson in color before saying, "Megumi! How could you take advantage of him like that!"
Megumi arched her eyebrow at Kaoru before replying, "From your reaction, it would make a person think there is something going on between you two."
"My god Megumi! I just met the man last month! I admit that I've been spending more time reviewing his files than I would other patients, but I feel that he has gotten a bad deal. Mr. Himura is up for parole. He has a chance to start his life all over again. Shouldn't I work hard to help him get paroled?"
"Yes. I understand what you are going through. If a male psychiatrist were to do the same thing, nothing would be said about it. However, when you are in an all male socieity, female doctors and psychiatrists will always be scrutinized. No matter what you do."
"I guess you're right," sighed Kaoru.
As Megumi stood she looked back at her friend and said,
"I'm glad that you're working so hard for Kenshin Himura. He's a very gentle and kind man. Kenshin has been in this prison for close to two years now. We all know that he doesn't belong here.
I tried to get his former psychiatrist, Dr. Genzai to do something about it. But he was too close to retirement to care. He didn't have the time or energy to invest in Kenshin as you have now.
The longer he stays, the worst it will be for him. He used to have an infamous reputation among his fellow inmates. But that was years ago. Unfortunately, that reputation still haunts him like a bad dream.
This place will be the death of Kenshin Himura if he doesn't get out of here soon. Help him Kaoru, help him get paroled. But be very careful that you don't fall in love in the process. It may prove fatal for the both of you."
"Thank you Megumi for you advice."
Megumi smiled and left. Kaoru sat pondering over the things Megumi had said.
"Help him Kaoru, help him get paroled. But be very careful that you don't fall in love in the process. It may prove fatal for both of you."
"Am I really falling in love with Kenshin Himura?"
