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!
[Please Note: This story was not written to offend those in the medical profession or in the law enforcement field. It was written from my over-active imagination. The characters, the characters in various professional capacities and the events in this story should not be taken literal in anyway. OOCness and unethical practices will prevail throughout this story. Thank you and Enjoy! ^_^]
Part Twelve
".... I discovered many similarities between the Hitokiri Battousai and you. You both were killers of men. It appears as though killing is apart of your past Mr. Himura, a past you can never escape."
********************************Kenshin cast his head downward and began pondering over the things Aoshi had said. He was very familiar with his namesake. After all, the legendary Hitokiri Battousai was a part of Japanese history. It was discussed in every history book he had ever read.
At the time, he had never given it a second thought. However, Aoshi's theories regarding his similarities to that of the legendary Hitokiri Battousai seemed plausible. Kenshin sat in deep thought.
"Could his theory be true? I lost my parents at the age of eight and also accidently killed my wife. I've committed several murders and have destroyed many lives just like the Kenshin Himura of the past. Am I really a descendant of the legendary Hitokiri Battousai? Am I really doomed to suffer the same fate as he did?"
Karou looked over to Kenshin and saw how depressed he had become. She grew angry at Aoshi.
"I think your theory about Mr. Himura is wrong! I don't believe that he is destined to a life of crime. The Kenshin Himura of today is nothing like the legendary Hitokiri Battousai we studied in school."
"Is that what you believe Dr. Kamiya?"
"Yes Dr. Shinomori, I do! During my criminal psychology courses in college, I had to write a thesis on the minds of criminals in the past. Since the legendary Hitokiri Battousai is a part of our history, I was interested in learning more about his mindset.
Through my studies, I found that the Kenshin Himura of the past, was a man struggling between being a pacifist and becoming an assasin to protect the weak. He hated violence. Why else would he have walked away at the end of one of the bloodiest times in Japanese history.
To some, he was hailed a hero, even being offered a government position by a high government official. While to others, he was cast simply as a manslayer. I found his intentions to be sincere. So if you're going to make a comparison, then why not compare the good that can be found in Mr. Himura's ancestors and not just the bad."
Aoshi sat staring into Kaoru's eyes before glancing over to Kenshin.
Suddenly, the intercom buzzed. Kaoru went over to her desk, pushed the intercom button.
"Yes, what is it Yuri?"
"Mr. Sagara is here for Mr. Himura."
"We'll be right out," replied Kaoru. She walked over to Kenshin.
"Are you ready to go Mr. Himura?"
"Yes, thank you Dr. Kamiya," replied Kenshin as he stood.
Aoshi also stood and handed Kenshin a copy of his book.
"I think you will find this a good read Mr. Himura."
Kenshin hesitantly took the book. As his eyes scanned the book cover, he saw scribbled at the bottom the words,
"To Himura Battousai, from Aoshi Shinomori."
Kenshin exhaled deeply and replied, "Thank you Dr. Shinomori. I'll be sure to read it." He took the book and tucked it under his arm.
Kaoru quickly ushered him away from Aoshi and out of her office.
"I'll see you tomorrow for a follow-up session Mr. Himura," she said while watching his response.
Kenshin smiled weakly and simply nodded.
Sano's eyes began to switch between Aoshi, Kenshin and Kaoru. He quickly escorted Kenshin out of the office.
Kaoru stood for a moment watching Kenshin leave the room and then turned to Yuri and said, "Hold all my calls."
"Yes Dr. Kamiya."
Kaoru re-entered her office while closing the door behind her.
Aoshi sat quietly watching as Kaoru opened her window and then returned to her desk. Kaoru was fuming by what had just took place in her office.
"Aoshi, why did you insult Mr. Himura like that! I worked very hard to build his confidence up and in a matter of twenty minutes, you've ruined everything!"
Icy blue eyes stared in silence at her.
Kaoru became frustrated.
"Honestly Aoshi, I don't know why you have to be so cold! Not only were you rude, but you also acted unprofessionally!"
Kaoru took the extra copy of his new book lying on her desk and threw it in the garbage.
"I see I'm not the only one acting unprofessional," remarked Aoshi as he narrowed his eyes at her and at the book in the garbage.
Kaoru glared over to him and then began taking Kenshin's papers and putting them away.
"Why haven't you returned my calls?"
"I've been very busy."
"Will you be attending the seminar with me this afternoon?"
"No!"
"Come to dinner with me Kaoru, I'll make everything up to you over dinner."
"No! Now please leave, I have work to do," she replied while stuffing papers in her folders.
Aoshi stood and went over to her desk. He sat on the edge while watching her put more papers in the folder. He reached over the desk and quickly snatched the folder from out of her hands. He began flipping through the papers.
"Hey! Give that back!" yelled Kaoru as she went around her desk to retrieve the folder.
"Kenshin Himura. Hmm... Is he the reason for your working so late and not returning my calls?"
"That's none of your business," she hissed while finally snatching the folder back.
"Why are you becoming so defensive Kaoru. Is it because you are falling in love with him?"
"No!"
"Your feelings betray you Kaoru," he said as icy blue eyes began to stare deeply into hers. "I saw the way you looked at him earlier. I can see that you're falling in love with him."
"You don't know what you're talking about Aoshi," she said while averting his stare.
"You can't hide your feelings from me Kaoru. We used to be lovers or have you forgotten."
"No, I haven't forgotten. I remember the first time I saw you. We attended the same seminar three years ago. You were one of the guest speakers. After listening to your speech on reaching out to the criminal mind, I fell in love with you. I admired your passion for psychiatry. You always worked hard at becoming the best criminal psychiatrist in the field. I was deeply impressed with you back then.
However, after listening to what you said to Mr. Himura today, I feel that all your research and theories were only excuses for hiding your real obsession. Your need for closure over your friends deaths, has caused you to become obessed with destroying the life of Kenshin Himura."
Aoshi widened his eyes at her. "Has your love for a murderer grown to where you would actually insult a fellow colleague?"
"I never said that I loved him, you did. You've been accusing me of such an unethical practice from the moment you walked into my office. I'm the one who should feel insulted."
Aoshi stared at Kaoru in silence.
"I apologize Kaoru for offending you. It's just that I'm concerned about you as a fellow colleague and as a friend. I have a bad feeling about Kenshin Himura. It seems as though death follows him where ever he goes. Whether in ancient times or these modern days, getting involved with a man like that will prove to be fatal."
"Thank you for your concern," replied Kaoru as she rested her hand upon his, "but I will be fine. Mr. Himura doesn't frighten me. I'm not worried over his past and neither should you."
As Aoshi stood, Kaoru walked him to the door. "I'm sorry I won't be going with you to the seminar today. I really am very busy. But if you stop by after the seminar is over, maybe we could go out for a drink or two."
"Have you forgotten? I have no tolerance for alcohol."
Kaoru chuckled lightly and replied, "I'm sorry, I forgot about that. How about if we go out for coffee or tea instead?"
"Yes. I would like that very much."
Before opening the door, Aoshi pulled Kaoru into a warm embrace.
"I miss loving you Kaoru," he said while stroking her cheek.
"I miss loving you too," she uttered as a teardrop trickled down her face. "But I'm glad we're still friends."
He tenderly kissed her forehead and replied, "Yes, we will always be good friends." Aoshi turned and left her office.
As she stood behind closed doors, Kaoru cradled her face into the palms of her hands and wept silently.
Kenshin sat in his cell looking over the book Aoshi gave him. A guard walked over and began unlocking the iron bars.
"The warden wants to see you," remarked the guard as he entered the cell and handcuffed Kenshin.
"The warden? I haven't killed anyone in years. Why would the warden want to see me?"
Silence befell them as they walked down the long corridor. Upon reaching the warden's office, Kenshin saw the back of a young woman sitting in his office. After the guard secured Kenshin to the chair he left the room. Kenshin turned and looked into the face of the young woman and gasped.
"Shura?"
She smiled and nodded, "It's good to see you again Kenshin."
"It's good to see you too Shura," he smiled in reply. "The last time we saw one another was during college. What have you been doing since then?"
"After college, I was hired by a small computer software licensing firm. I was responsible for handling internet piracy. Everything was going well until Gin-jo, the vice president of the firm, decided to get involved with drug laundering. Our firm was closed down and we all lost our jobs. I couldn't find a job for a while so I decided to join the Navy. I've been in the Navy for years now."
"That's good news Shura," smiled Kenshin.
"No, that's Captain Shura now," she said while returning Kenshin's smile. "After ten long years in the Navy, I've finally been promoted to captain of one of the largest vasals in the Navy."
Suddenly, they heard a voice coming from a dark corner of the room.
"Now that the pleasantries are over, we can finally get down to business," replied a tall lean man who was slowly approaching them.
As Kenshin caught sight of the man he gasped, "Dectective Hajime Saitoh."
Shura looked at Kenshin and asked, "Are you alright Kenshin?"
"I am fine Captain Shura," he replied. He turned and scowled at Saitoh saying,
"Saitoh! What are you doing here? Where's Warden Matsushita?"
Saitoh leaned against the desk and slanted his amber eyes toward Kenshin.
"He took a permanent leave of absence," he matter-of-factly answered while pulling out a cigarette from his pocket.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes at Saitoh.
"My name is Fugita Gorou, I'm the new warden here, in case you haven't noticed."
Saitoh lit the cigarette and took a long draw. Upon exhaling, he shifted his eyes between Shura and Kenshin saying,
"Shall we get down to business?"
