Kyaa Kyaff here! ^o^
Disclaimer: Hmmm… let me think… do I have to?… fine… Kenshin does not belong to me, unfortunately. Satisfied now!
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Hiya everyone. Well this chapter is rated r! Just in case 'o'
'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
An Alternate Place and Time
Chapter 10: His story
"I will tell you," Kenshin said finally looking at her, "Maybe then you will leave me alone."
Kaoru leaned forward preparing herself for what he had to say.
_________________________*Flashback*_________________________________
The day after the wedding Shinta had went to Kaoru's house only to find out her uncle had thrown her out. It was a tense moment. Neither man holding any like for the other. Shinta had then decided to go to Tae's house. Tae had informed Shinta she was not there, but he had seen Kaoru sneak out heading for the forest. By the time he was done speaking with Tae she was gone. That was when he decided he would follow her. Going back to his home, he was greeted by his mother. He did not tell her he was leaving, Tomoe would.
*Mother will be fine by herself. I won't be gone long.*
Before departing he told Tomoe where he would be.
"Wait," Tomoe said.
"Yes, Tomoe-dono," Shinta replied.
"Here take this with you," Tomoe said handing Shinta the binding thread from the ceremony.
"Arigato," Shinta replied before heading in the direction he had seen Kaoru take.
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Night had come fast. Shinta had found the trail Kaoru had left and was following it. Walking through the forest he heard the pounding of hooves. Making his way toward the noise he came to a stop at a road that ran alongside the forest. Shinta instinctively ducked low and remained hidden in the shadows. After they had passed he made his way back to the trail he had been following. He felt a little worried. The men on horseback were heading in the direction he lived.
*Coincidence*
An hour later he still continued on wishing to catch up to Kaoru. Who knew what could happen to her? Shinta stopped abruptly when the sound of voices could be heard. Slowly and quietly he made his way to a group of men around a fire. They laughed uproariously at something Shinta had not heard.
"I hope there are women at that town. Haven't had one of them in a while," a gruff looking man said.
"I hear you!"
"They better leave some for us!" another man shouted.
*No! Please no! They can't be speaking of…*
Shinta's breath caught in his throat as he heard the men continue to talk about where he lived. He had to get back and warn them.
*Why are they headed there?*
Shinta backed away slowly. Once he was far enough away he broke into a dead run. His breath came in short gasps, his legs becoming numb, everything was a blur.
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Light was beginning to flood the sky as he made his way into the town. There was a horrible stench in the air, and many houses were burning some already burnt to the ground. Shinta tried to catch his breath as he forced his physically exhausted body to move forward.
*No! Tomoe, Okaasan*
That is when he began to see the carnage of dead bodies. He turned throwing up as the stench of the burned and mutilated bodies reached his nose. Tears sprung in his eyes. Standing Shinta was suddenly yanked back as someone grabbed a strong hold on his hair. He yelped in pain dropping his travel pack.
"What do we have here?" The man said dragging Shinta toward his house.
"Where were you hiding, hmm?"
The man gave a disgusting laugh and entered Shinta's house, where men were lounging about. His eyes swept the room and landed on a figure in the corner.
"Nooo," Shinta moaned.
His mother lie at odd angles in the corner of the room. Her kimono was ripped apart and bruises and cuts covered her body.
"Oh, you knew that one. Yeah she was fun, very feisty. Didn't last long though."
Shinta's blood boiled at the comment and he turned coming to life at the man's words and punched him across the face. The man's hold loosened as he fell to the floor. The other men in the room began to laugh.
"You gonna take that from a little boy, Cas." One of the men said sneering.
Wiping the blood dripping from his nose the man stood enraged. He came at Shinta with a wild swing. Shinta easily ducked underneath it giving the man a quick sharp uppercut to the ribs. He staggered and more laughs ensued. Shinta was furious and this man was the target for all his fury. Before he knew it the man lay on the floor thoroughly beaten coughing up blood feebly holding his hands up to defend himself from Shinta's repeated blows. Another man grabbed Shinta from behind.
"That's enough of that," he said kneeing Shinta, who doubled over in pain.
"NO!!!!!!!! Aaaaa. Get off of me!"
* That's Tomoe's voice.*
Shinta looked up from his position on the floor. Tomoe was dragged in by her hair toward the largest man of the group.
"Look here Boss. I found this little bitch hiding away."
"Tomoe," Shinta said hoarsely.
"Shinta? What are you doing here?" Tomoe cried in an agonized voice.
Tomoe was given a good smack.
"Awww! Isn't that cute. You two know each other," the man holding Tomoe said.
"Leave her alone!" Shinta yelled angrily trying to stand only to be kicked down.
"So boss you want her first," the man said shoving Tomoe against the boss.
The boss stood pushing her out of the way a malicious smile on his face.
"You can have her."
He walked up to Shinta seizing him by the collar of his gi top.
"You sure are a pretty boy aren't you? Why don't we get better acquainted?" The boss said running his fingers through Shinta's hair.
Shinta's eyes widened in horror. Tomoe's cries began to ring through the room. Shinta was helpless to do anything.
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*What happened, why do I hurt so much*
In a quick flash everything that had happened came back to Shinta. He lay in a fetal position trying to warm himself as the morning air chilled his naked body.
*Why am I still alive?*
He groaned as he tried to straighten, his body protesting in pain. He felt filthy and degraded. Tears involuntarily came to his eyes as he remembered exactly what the boss had done to him. Tomoe's horrified face at their predicament became dominant in his thoughts.
*Tomoe!*
Shinta looked around the empty house. Tomoe lie in the middle of the room. Shinta crawled his way over to her. His progress was slow and several times a fit of coughing took over him. He wiped the blood from his mouth. Tomoe lay her glassy eyes staring straight at the ceiling. Shinta leaned closer. Her eyelids moved imperceptible. She was breathing in shallow breaths.
*She's alive*
Tears of relief fell from Shinta's eyes. Tomoe began to shiver violently.
*Clothes, I need to find clothes.*
Finding the strength to get up for Tomoe, he made his way to his room.
*Where did the men go? Why did they attack?*
Shinta pulled clothes over his blood encrusted body. He grabbed some clothes for Tomoe. After dressing her as well, he picked her up placing her on a blanket he had found. Just that little effort had him doubling over in pain.
"Tomoe," Shinta said.
"Tomoe, please answer me."
Tomoe continued to stare at nothing. Shinta stood to find some water for her.
"Shinta! Shinta!" Tomoe began frantically screaming.
Alarmed Shinta tried to calm her down without any luck. She continued to scream and began to thrash violently around. Just as suddenly as she had started she stopped.
Shinta dropped to his knees. "I am so weak. This is my fault. I should have protected you."
Shinta was disgusted with himself. He made his way outside upon seeing Tomoe was calm again. He went to get water from a well when he heard footsteps behind him.
"Well, if it isn't Himura Shinta," Saitoh said.
"You are unhurt?" Shinta asked in disbelief.
"Why would the men I paid wish to hurt me?"
"What!"
"I have my reasons." Saitoh declared, "I am surprised you aren't dead. You look as if you can barely stand."
"You bastard!" Shinta cried.
Saitoh walked closer to Shinta pulling a dagger out. He grabbed the weakened Shinta by the throat.
"I never liked you boy. But I will let you live. Did you enjoy Shu's attentions? I have heard he has a thing for boys."
Shinta's fists clenched as he tried to get out of Saitoh's grip.
"A gift to remember me by," Saitoh said slicing the dagger across Shinta's left cheek, "Live with your shame."
Those were the last words Shinta heard before Saitoh knocked him out.
_________________End Flashback_____________________________________
"After that I buried the dead, and left with Tomoe. I met up with the Ishin shishi. They trained me to become stronger. No one will ever take advantage of me again. And once I find your uncle, I will make sure he dies a gruesome death." Kenshin finished.
Kaoru's eyes brimmed with tears. She suppressed the sobs that tried to clog her throat.
"Kenshin…" Kaoru said tentatively reaching out to touch him.
He pulled back, "I don't want your pity!"
"Kenshin, please…"
Kaoru looked away unable to gaze at Kenshin anymore. If she did she would begin to cry.
"Satisfied now? Do you find me disgusting? Dishonored? You can't even look at me!" Kenshin said angrily standing up.
He had not wanted to remember that time. Now it was painfully close to the surface and he was lashing out at Kaoru.
"Don't leave," Kaoru whispered as tears spilled down her face.
"If you decide to still go see Tomoe I will take you, but after that you will leave me alone."
Kaoru stood forcefully grabbing his gi as he tried to leave. He turned eyes flashing with pain and anger.
"Kenshin!" she cried, "It doesn't matter. Everything that happened was not your fault! You couldn't have fought all those men."
"Let go of me now," Kenshin said a cold mask of indifference slipping over his face.
"Kenshin, I won't let go!" Kaoru exclaimed.
More tears fell as he pried her hands from his gi. Kaoru only grabbed hold of him again. He glared at her and once again began to remove her hands.
"Kenshin, I will never let you go because… because I love you!"
Kenshin stopped frozen in place by her words.
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*Kyaa Kyaff once again peeks around a corner*
Hiya! I know that was a little harsh, but that is what happened. Wondering what Saitoh's reason was, well I guess you will have to continue to read to find out!
Kaoru confesses her love to Kenshin! How will Kenshin react?
*Kyaa Kyaff makes sure Crystal isn't around to wring her neck for the cliffhanger ^_^*
I think it's safe! *Big smile*
I will update asap!
*Sees Chiki walking by and gives her a big hug for all her support!*
Thanks Chiki!
I would like to thank everyone who reviewed.
Joey- Please don't die of curiosity! See I updated! Tomoe's part is coming up! So hang in there and send me a review!
Vesca- Waff! Hmmm… maybe in the next chapter. ??? ^_^
moonblossom- Tomoe is coming up soon. Next chapter! You will get to see what happened!
Marstanuki- See I updated fast because caring reviewers such as yourself motivate me!
Chibi-hime- Hiya! Do I have your gratitude now? I hope so! I hope you liked the chapter!
Lizzie- please don't cry *pulls out a tissue* see I updated! ^_^
Aizel- Well Kaoru said how she feels! But Kenshin… you will have to find out in the next chapter! Hang in there please!
Samantha- Thanks for the suggestion. I will try to incorporate their thoughts more, but sometime I want to keep you guessing.
Chiki- *tries to return chiki's stretched patience back to normal* ^_^ hope you liked the chapter.
Shunu no miko- I am glad you like my story! Thank you!
Bunny- hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Kamimura Kaoru- Hi! Soujiro will definitely be back! Does he still like Kaoru? … maybe, can't tell you yet! Thanks for the review and keep reading.
sTaR- Yeah I have seen the seisouhen oav. *grabs a tissue* So sad! But I am glad you like the story!
Jim- Hi, I am glad you are still reading the story! Can't wait to hear from you again.