Standard disclaimers apply. For the nth time: I'm so broke, I don't have money to win law suits okay? ^_^;
What if some things went wrong from the way Kenshin planned things for the Aoiya's defense while fighting Shishio—and the love of his life being the one to suffer his mistake? Can K&K still triumph over the trials thereafter?
Like what I have more or less predicted on what could be your reactions to Kaoru-chan's death', I'm giving this to ya in retaliation'! Hehe! I knew you all would react that way! Anyways, on with my shout-outs
~Inx's!!!~
Willow: Here ya go. ENJOY!!! Hope it keeps you hanging! Hehe! *Joke!*
Tracy Leigh: I told you I love RK to the bones! And I just love antagonizing the characters maybe I should change my name, whadyathink? Haha! I miss you so much! I wanna see you! Ang daya-daya mo naman, porke nanalo La Salle ginaganito mo nako ha? See yah! ^_^
Gochan: A well-crafted piece of artistry', you say! Haha! I'm speechless. *grins proudly* I'm happy I make you feel that way. Thank you if you liked the K&K intense scene over there. About Aoshi, thanks to Susy there! ^_^;; I promise I'll try to make this one good. Thanks so much!!!
HimuraKaoru: Thank you so much for droppin' by! I'll make it up for Kaoru's death', promise. This is my answer to all ya'r reactions. Thanks for reading! Ja! (So much for being an extreme fic writer, ne? ^_^)
omochi: Here's the next chap you requested I hope you like it. THANK YA! ^_^
Therese Miranda: Ey, hi! I'll give ya some tips: first it starts with a nice, wild and creative imagination. Not that I have one (I've got problems with creativity myself! @_@;;) but words will come just after, I tell you. Follow your crave and write down your thoughts! C ya! ^_^
tsuki-sama: Hello there! Thanks for reading. Angst? Well I think that's just for that previous chapter because I think it's a lil needed. Don't worry, I'll get your Kaoru-san back. Thank you!!!
KawaiiChica: Haha! I didn't mean to be so mean! *raises right hand* Promise! Well, I'll be good *sniff!* from now on. Here's your update, sorry it took long. Gomen, ne? Thanks so much! Bout the Incubus thingy, I'm so excited! Can't wait for it, really. Ja! ^_^
Joey: Guten Tag! ^_^ I received your thank you, awww twas nothing. Its my hobby to send sweet greetings' to friends regularly. You cried??? I didn't know I can even do that! Me, evil? *smirks* Really, now. Haha! Nope, no ghosts here man! I hope you'd like this chap, like I said I was just waiting for the right chance to upload it. And you are NOT going to leave me here waiting for a review from ya again, kei??? I'm gonna cry if you do. *sniffs* See? Vielen Dank! ^_^
Steel Jaguar: Thanks so much! Got me there. Here's the next chap! Enjoy! ^_^
tenshineko: Here's my redemption' from my atrocity', mate! Haha! I hope you like it. ^_^
Sano: Thanks a many!
Saby-chan: *docks at Saby-chan's thrown kunais* Oh no please! *docks again* Whoops! *and again* Man, you got good aim! @_@; Okay, I promise to be real good now. No more angsty stuffs. Thanks for reading this, Saby-chan. I appreciate your compliments so much! You make me feel like one big hot-shot writer, huh! Anyways, tell me what you feel about this one. Ciao! ^_^
P.S. I loved your message! It was soooo kawaiii!!!! Love it! Arigatou!!!
silvertenshi: Don't worry, Kao-chan will get back her memory back. This chap will initiate' everything. It'll give you a hint on what might happen on the next succeeding chappies. I loooove soap operas but I hate the same recurring themes over and overly used. Thanks for the reminder, I'll keep that in mind. THANKS A LOT!!!
Kamimura Kaoru: *gets shocked upon seeing the kodachis* Uh okay now, KK-chan easy now *steps back slowly* You don't have to do this *trembles slightly* I didn't think you'd respond that way trust me, kei? *gulp!* ^_^
Chri: Nope, sir-ee! But thanks for the reminder, don't worry, this'll not be a reincarnation fic. A little NDE's would do the trick, ne? This is my surprise for ya, I hope you'd still like it no matter how it'll turn out! *wipes sweat* Grazi!
The Incubus concert's only a few days away! Yay! I'm sooo thrilled! *brings out Boyd poster and kisses it* Mmmm! I just love them, for heaven's sake! I'll be leaving two or three weeks from now for Texas, and be staying there for a week so I guess there'll be no updates up until then I think :((( But I promise to be back early, the semester's about to end, can't wait for it! Oh well
Chapter Eight
I don't feel anything
Where am I?
I feel so light
Megumi froze in fright. Seeing Kenshin's inconsolable reaction,
Trembling, she fainted into the arms of the weeping Oniwaban women.
The event did not stir Misao, who still stood at the end of Kaoru's futon. She glanced at the two fainted bodies of Kenshin, and by his and Kaoru's side, the unconscious Megumi—who was being attended to by Omasu, also now crying herself.
This cant be happening
Her eyes continued to roam around. She walked slowly towards Kaoru's body.
She could see her big bright eyes were closed
Her usual naturally rosy-colored cheeks pale from the sudden seizure lapse
Her lips were shut thinly
Her skillful but lifeless hands still clutched Kenshin's garment
I don't believe this
Misao began to step back, her eyes still wide in shock and hesitation.
Okina was about to rush towards her but felt a lingering presence get passed by him heading for her. He stopped.
Misao started to tremble, her hands shook as her fingers touched her lips—as if she could get some words to force out of her mouth
But there was none
N-no Kaoru-chan
She called to Kaoru in her mind. K-kaoru?
Kaoru's eyes did not open to heed her call.
Misao's voice began to stutter.
For the first time in her life, she needed someone desperately to hold on to. Her knees began to buckle, her balance failing.
Two strong arms came to her rescue before she touched the ground. Feeling lightheaded, her eyelids fluttered open slowly. she stared up to him.
be strong, Aoshi replied and looked at her apologetically. Kamiya-san would want it that way.
The serenity in his face took away her sorrow for a moment but as his words sank in her consciousness, it came back instantly.
Tears began to fall from her eyes. Like a small child, she held on to Aoshi's gi and sobbed miserably.
Aoshi was startled with Misao's gesture. Looking down at her as she clutched at his garment, he stroked her back attempting to give her some solace.
At that moment, they heard quick feet padding towards the room.
Yahiko, unaware of what's happening around them, quickly laid the cold pail of water near Kaoru's futon. Shoving an arm to his forehead to wipe the trickling sweat, Okina hovered in front of him, face plastered with poignant expression.
Yahiko's brows arched. His ears suddenly became sensitive to the loud cries of Okon, the silent musings of Omasu to the unconscious Megumi and finally the grief-stricken Misao in one corner, being calmed by the still passive Aoshi.
What the—?
He looked back at Okina, whose expression did not change. Finally succumbing to the urge of knowing what was going on, What the hell's happening here?
Before Okina could even speak, Sano barged inside, carrying Megumi's medicine kit. Hey kitsune here it— his last word was cut off by the scene that lay before him.
Yahiko called from Okina's side. Everybody's actin' weird, he said pointing to the others. Raising a brow, he yanked at them. Hey! Cut the crap people! You all look like somebody just
Sano rushed over to her bedside. He began to rub her hands over and over like frenzy. C'mon now, Jou-chan wake up please, he said.
Yahiko's mouth dropped open. He automatically glanced over to Kaoru's futon, eyeing her meticulously. She remained firm and stiff to Sano's call.
He looked around him and reality started to penetrate in his mentality.
Okina placed a hand on his shoulder.
Yahiko glanced over to him, displeasing whatever Okina was about to say
your sensei, Kamiya Kaoru had just passed away.
Is this the end?
Finally
Kaoru
Hmm?
Hime-chan
Who goes there?
You don't remember me?
Gomen show yourself.
I will, you just wait there, ne?
B-but
We will see each other soon
Wait!
Then come
What is this place
I feel like I'm flying
Where are you taking me?
To the truth, dear princess.
the truth'? W-what do you mean by that?
Silly can't you wait a little longer?
Mou! I can't! Honestly!
Haha! You're still the same Kaoru we've always known
W-wha—? We?' You mean there's more of you around?
Of course! I can't possibly help you solely!
Hep-hep! You begin to sound like I have a problem when actually I don't have and FEEL like having one
Believe me, you don't have any idea of what you're saying. You'll soon face them one-by-one, I tell you. And you're not supposed to be feeling like that, anyway.
Uh-huh? Is that so? You're gonna give me problems? Fine. I'll leave you now
Where are you going?
I'm going home
And do you KNOW exactly where your home' is?
Uhmm
Okay now
Mou! Okay, you won—I lost. What do you need from me?
Me? I don't need anything from you. I think what you mean is otherwise
And what would I WANT from somebody errr, something' that I don't even see!
I've already told you you're gonna see me
I still have clear eyes, you know.
But not as yet.
Fine. When, then?
Once you
I what?
Never mind. You'll get to there anyway.
Mou! I'm outta here
You STAY here!
Huh? *gulp* Now you're beginning to sound like
Like who?
Like
Somebody I know that I don't know! Awww, don't mind me. I don't remember who!
THAT'S precisely why I'm with you right now—
—to teach me how to sound stupid?
Ha-ha. Nice try. Of course not, to help you remember, silly!
Help me remember? Why? Did I forget something?
Not someTHING', but someone
What?
What' too?
You know, this all sounds crazy, ne? How could I possibly
Yahiko screamed. He hastened over to Kaoru and shook her shoulders. Kaoru! Wake up! I said, WAKE UUUPPP!!! he wailed uncontrollably.
Okina held Yahiko and tried to calm him down
Sano could not hide his true feelings anymore. He moaned miserably and stared blamefully at Kaoru.
he called on to her. Y-you can't do this to us
Sano stood and walked limply to a beam. He muttered under his shallow breath, What now, Jou-chan what will become of us
Yahiko was still crying hysterically in the arms of the old man. Each sob sends goosebumps all over the body of each of the persons inside the room mourning over Kaoru Kamiya.
Misao, who was a bit calmer now than Yahiko, only stared silently at the boy. She knows how much he loves Kaoru, she was more than just his kenjutsu sensei; she was his beloved sister, a mother and a friend. Underneath those taunts and frequent insults, it was evident how much he respects' and protects Kaoru in the most possible way he could. He even risked his young life countless times just for her especially during this last fight with Shishio.
She glanced over the rooster-head and sighed at his condition; he was as devastated as Yahiko. His Jou-chan was irreplaceable. Nobody gave him as much importance as Kaoru did. Nobody would just welcome a street fighter unconditionally inside a home as she did. Nobody gave him free food and entertained him tirelessly as she did. Nobody smiles at him brightly no matter how naïve he may be only Kaoru. His Jou-chan.
And now
Misao shuddered again at the thought. She huddled up against Aoshi's chest, who continued to make her feel relaxed by stroking her arms as he once again felt the sudden stir of her emotions.
What are they doing?
As you can see they're crying.
But why?
They're sad, of course!
I mean, about what?
Kami
???!?
T-the girl over t-there
What about her? *grins*
she looks like m-me!
Of course she does not just look like you that's because she's YOU, for heaven's sake!
M-me?
Am I dead?
Mou! I'm floating
I think I'm gonna faint
???
Heyy! Aren't you gonna tell me anything?
*looks at other directions*
!!!
I thought you don't want to have ANY problems?
I'm just curious.
Don't look like it.
It does.
Does not.
Does
not.
*sighs* Oh-kay, I'm sorry. Now will you tell me what's goin' on?
That's more I like it. Now, if I ask you to tell me something about yourself would you be able to say at least anything?
I'll take that as a nos. See? You don't remember anything because you had forgotten your life'.
My job here is to help you remember. You are one important person, Kaoru-hime, you just don't know how
M-me? Important?
Can't you see from the way the little boy cried? Silly
Ow.
And once you have regained your memory you'd wish you'd be back with those people around you down there
D-do you think so?
Of course.
Why?
What why'?
I mean, why do you want to help me? I don't even know you yet. You won't even show yourself to me
Its because its not yet time to.
But do I really get to see you?
Yes, Hime-chan.
Okay. Hey wait you always call me Hime-chan'. Only one person calls me that
And that would be who? *smiles*
I don't remember. But I know there's ONE that calls me that!
Whoops! That's the end of it! More happenings to come. I told you I have my reasons why I have come to this last resort' (as my cousin would say) of making Kaoru remember. He said this was more okay-er than the usual you know—getting-bumped-again-get-memory-back-again—thingie. NDE's are better, alright! Yeah, this and the last chap's a little extreme' I know, but I got no choice. Hope you understand. @_@;;
I'm planning to write another fic and that means I've gotta end this soon. :((( Yeah, sad but I can't write long fics! *whew!* I'm gonna try my hand on humor this time. Ya know to widen my horizons? Does that sound right? Oh well, PLEASE REVIEW!!! Thanks!!! ^-^