Kyaa Kyaff saying hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Kenshin & co does not belong to me.
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
An Alternate Place and Time
Chapter 16: An unexpected visit, Shishio Makoto?
Kaoru bit her bottom lip and cleared her throat in the awkward silence, "You wanted to tell me something Sano?"
Sano raised his eyebrows up and looked like he was trying hard not to laugh.
"Sanosuke!" Kaoru said threateningly.
Sano held his hands up in surrender a sly smile crossing his face, "I didn't see a thing."
"I don't want to hear a word from you!" she said her face flaming up again.
"Nothing, but you might find more privacy in the woods further down the road." Sano said before running out of the room, where Kaoru held her sakabatou ready to hit him.
'How am I supposed to face Kenshin now? This is embarrassing. But he did kiss me back.'
Kaoru's face became dreamy. If they had been married as originally planned they would have been way past that point. Kaoru began to imagine something else before hitting herself in the head.
'Hentai! Stop thinking like that!'
Kaoru stepped outside. It was a beautiful peaceful day. Kaoru wondered how long it would stay peaceful.
"Aaaa!" Yahiko's cry ripped through the still air.
Kaoru ran behind the house, where the cry came from.
"What, what is it Yahiko?" Kaoru said seeing that both Yahiko and Tsubame were fine.
"That little girl scared me half to death!" Yahiko said.
"Little girl! I will get you for that!" a voice shouted from the roof of the house.
Kaoru turned toward the voice seeing Misao sitting there with two kunais ready to throw at Yahiko.
"Misao-chan!" Kaoru exclaimed excitedly.
"Kaoru-san!" Misao yelled happily jumping off the roof and over to Kaoru.
The two friends embraced. Misao looked the same as ever to Kaoru. Delighted at the unexpected visit she invited Misao inside. Yahiko grumbled to himself before reverting his attention back to Tsubame.
"What are you doing here?" Kaoru asked.
Misao became unusually quiet and sullen looking. Kaoru went over to her.
"Aoshi-sama … Aoshi-sama left!" Misao said, "I have been looking for him, but I can't find him anywhere."
"He left. Why? Where have you been?" Kaoru asked.
"As part of the Oniwabanshu, I have been doing my part. There was a really terrible fight and four of his men died protecting him!" Misao said becoming teary-eyed, "He left afterwards barely recovered from his injuries. I am so worried about him. Kaoru-san, I don't know what to do? All I know is he is searching for the Hitokiri Battousai and a man named Shishio Makoto."
"Battousai? Shishio Makoto…I never heard of him before." Kaoru said immediately paying more importance to the unknown name.
"No one has," Misao replied, "But I have reason to believe Aoshi-sama is somewhere in this area. And I am going to find him and bring him back." Misao said her face becoming determined.
"Misao-chan, why don't you stay here? You can continue your search, and I will help in anyway I can."
"Really!?" Misao said lighting up instantly.
Misao jumped up giving Kaoru a big hug.
"Sano and Megumi are here too." Kaoru said.
"Well, I better go surprise them then. Later tonight we have to catch up on old times!" Misao said fairly dancing around with excitement.
Kaoru smiled as she watched Misao run out the door. A loud 'Oi' was heard and Kaoru could just imagine Sano lying on the ground with Misao jumping all over him. Kaoru walked over to her futon. The two-roomed house was now split into the girls and guys room. The one room served as both with a screened separating them. Kaoru went over to pick up the blue ribbon laying on her futon. It was her favorite ribbon that she had given to Soujiro, when they had finished training. She rarely got to see him and wanted to give him something to remember her by. She was disheartened at the fact that he gave it back. Sighing she took the ribbon putting her hair up in the usual style.
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Kenshin walked the streets of the city, staying in the shadows.
*What came over me? *
Kenshin decided to go see how Tomoe was doing. Upon reaching the building he was greeted by the old woman. After speaking with her briefly, he went down the hall toward Tomoe's room.
"Kenshin-san!" Tomoe exclaimed happily, when she opened her door to see Kenshin standing there.
"How are you doing, Tomoe?" Kenshin asked stepping into her room.
"Kaoru-chan didn't come with you today?" Tomoe asked in disappointment.
"No, not today."
"Did you two fight?" Tomoe asked frowning at him.
"No," Kenshin replied.
"Good, you just better treat her right!" Tomoe said laughing softly.
Kenshin started at her words remembering.
_____________________Flashback______________________________
"Nervous are you?"
"Yes," he answered honestly, "Does she really want to marry me? I am not sure. I think she sees me as more a big brother."
Tomoe laughed softly at this.
"No she doesn't. Trust me. You just better treat her right!"
"Of course Tomoe. Now go to bed before you catch a cold."
"Alright Shinta. Goodnight and Arigato."
Shinta smiled as he headed off to go speak with Akira.
_____________End Flashback_____________________________
"Kenshin-san?" Tomoe said looking at him worriedly.
"Nothing, nothing Tomoe. I just came to make sure you were all right. I have to go now, but I'll be back. Next time I will bring Kaoru." Kenshin said walking to the door.
Tomoe's face broke into a huge smile as she opened the door for Kenshin.
"Alright Shinta. Goodnight and arigato."
Kenshin stopped in mid-stride, turning to look at Tomoe, "What did you just say?"
Tomoe gave him a quizzical look before saying, "I said alright Kenshin. Goodbye and arigato."
"Yes… well, stay safe," Kenshin said quickly leaving.
*I am hearing things now. *
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Kaoru frowned at the darkness surrounding her as she sat outside. Everyone had finished dinner and was now inside talking. Kaoru excused herself to go outside to wait for Kenshin. He had not been back since that morning.
'Did I scare him off? What am I saying? That is ridiculous.'
Kaoru sighed pulling her clothes closer for warmth in the cold crisp air. The temperature had dropped dramatically since that afternoon. Kaoru wasn't too fond of the cold, but she loved the snow. She couldn't wait for it to begin to fall. It was like a reward for the cold. She began to remember the times when her, Kenshin, and Tomoe used to sneak out and play. Kaoru smiled fondly at the memory. She blew a breath out into the air and watched as it took form before dissipating into the night. It was a good thing Megumi had bought warmer clothes; tonight was going to be extra chilly.
Kaoru looked up to the sky and started with surprise. Little snowflakes began drifting down. Kaoru was elated and stood up as more of the white snowflakes began descending to the earth. Kaoru stuck out her tongue to catch the snowflakes that fell near her. She felt like a little kid again, and didn't care if she looked ridiculous. Kaoru's shout of laughter attracted the others and they stepped outside.
"It's snowing!" Misao cried happily running over to Kaoru and mimicking her by sticking out her tongue to catch the snowflakes.
Megumi smiled moving closer to Sano, who looked at her in surprise.
"It's kinda cold out here. Want me to warm you up?" Sano asked putting his arm around her.
He expected her to come back with a row of insults and push him away. Instead she stood next to him not answering, caught up in the beautiful site of the first falling of the snow. Sano decided not to open his big mouth again. A rare chance to hold Megumi, he wasn't going to say another dumb thing to mess it up.
Tsubame was delighted. She grabbed onto Yahiko's arm pulling him out into the yard. The snowflakes began falling on them.
Kaoru suddenly stilled causing everyone to look at her. From the street further down Kenshin came forward staring at everyone silently. Kaoru began running toward him. She caught onto him, when she slipped. His arms went around to steady her.
"Kenshin, it's snowing!" Kaoru stated her face glowing.
"I noticed," Kenshin said in a flat tone causing Kaoru to frown.
"Mou, Kenshin! Don't tell me it isn't pretty."
Kaoru pulled away from him, and unexpectedly smacked him on the forehead.
"Oro!?"
Kaoru stared at him in shock. Everyone looked at the two in confusion.
"You said it. I haven't heard that in such a long time." Kaoru said her face becoming more radiant.
Kaoru began to laugh throwing her arms around Kenshin, who looked at her startled. Kenshin smiled against his will, Kaoru's infectious laughter pulling it from him.
*What is it about you? You melt my resolve so easily. Kaoru.*
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Kaoru woke up feeling refreshed after last night. Sitting up and stretching, she quickly jumped back under the covers realizing how cold it was. Looking around, she noticed Megumi, Tsubame, and Misao were already up. Kaoru felt extremely cold as she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, but it provided no warmth. Getting up she walked to the other side of the room. Yahiko, Kenshin, and Sano were up already too. Kaoru was becoming increasingly chilled.
Kaoru checked in the main room, but no one was there either.
'Where is everybody?'
Kaoru heard a weird noise coming from outside. Cautiously opening the door she looked out and froze shocked at the sight before her. To her right Sano lie over Megumi, both had a sword through them pinning them to the ground. Their lifeless eyes stared up at her. Kaoru shifted her gaze fearfully to see Tsubame's bloody outstretched hand reaching for an equally bloody hand of Yahiko. Both their throats were viciously slashed. Kaoru's blanket slipped from her numb fingers. Kaoru began to tremble. She stepped further outside against her own will. The beautiful white snow was drenched in blood. It was everywhere. A thud sounded beside her.
'Don't look. Don't look. This isn't real.'
Kaoru looked and found it hard to breath. Misao had fallen from the roof and was sprawled out on the ground next to Kaoru at odd angles. Kaoru was in a state of utter disbelief. Kaoru heard the weird noise again. Looking for its source she saw a horribly bandaged man holding Kenshin. The man's face held a vicious gleam. The snow around him melted away as waves of heat seemed to emanate from him.
"Kenshin," Kaoru tried to call out, but it came as a silent plea.
Kenshin watched her with eyes full of pain. The man holding him suddenly thrust his sword through Kenshin's throat. His blood splattered all over Kaoru. Kaoru began shaking violently. She felt like she was wrapped in blanket of snow. Kaoru brought her gaze back up to the bandaged man her movements sluggish. To the right of the man another person stepped forward. With a big smile on his face Soujiro slipped forward aiming to plunge his sword into her heart.
Kaoru let out a terrified scream that seemed to rip through her very being.
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Kenshin sat up with a start. Jumping up he ran over to the girl's side of the room. Kaoru was missing. Everyone else was waking up from the horrifying scream. Kenshin began to panic.
*Kaoru! *
Running outside, he saw her laying in the snow half covered by it. He dropped down to his knees upon reaching her. He pulled her up wiping the snow off her face. She struggled against him for several seconds. She stopped suddenly and opened her eyes wide. Tears began to form and trail down her cheeks.
"Kenshin…Soujiro…Sano…Megumi, …," Kaoru began to softly repeat everyone's name.
He gathered her into his arms and carried her back inside. Megumi went over to her immediately.
"Lie her down here. What was she doing outside? It looks like she has been out there for a little bit. Come on, we need to warm her up."
Kaoru continued to say everyone's name repeatedly before drifting off to sleep from a drug Megumi had given her.
"What happened?" Yahiko asked in bewildered concern.
"I don't know. Let's wait until she wakes up." Megumi said.
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Kaoru opened her eyes slowly the images she had seen before burned into her mind.
'Was it a dream? It was so real.'
Kaoru looked over in a panic to see Kenshin and Sano talking. Kaoru felt like crying in relief. Her dream had been so real and vivid, she feared it was true. Kenshin glanced over noticing she was awake. This caused everyone to surround her with questions. She explained her dream reluctant to remember it. She left out the part with Soujiro though.
"Didn't know you were one to sleepwalk Jou-chan?"
"What a horrible dream," Misao said.
"You scared me, when you screamed," Yahiko stated.
"Will you be okay, Kaoru-san?" Tsubame asked.
"Yes, I am fine now, so let's forget about this. We have more important things to do today." Kaoru replied still shaken from her dream.
Kaoru sat up looking outside, "What time is it?"
"It's mid-afternoon," Megumi replied.
"That gives us time." Kaoru said.
Everyone watched Kaoru puzzled.
"Misao-chan, I said I would help you find Aoshi, and I meant it."
Misao jumped in happiness, "As long as you feel up to it!"
"Of course I do." Kaoru replied.
Kenshin, Yahiko, and Tsubame had no idea what they were talking about, so Kaoru filled them in.
"He's looking to fight me?" Kenshin asked amused.
Misao's mouth dropped open, "You…you're Battousai?"
Kenshin nodded. Misao instantly latched onto him.
"You can't fight my Aoshi-sama!!! I won't let you hurt him."
"Misao-chan, calm down. There won't be any fighting." Kaoru reassured.
The girl let go of Kenshin.
"But I can't go out like this, and neither can Kenshin. We will be recognized." Kaoru said.
"That's easy. We have clothes that will cover you up," Megumi replied.
"All right then. Yahiko and Tsubame, you are going to stay here." Kaoru said.
"And make sure to behave," Sano said teasingly to Yahiko with a wink.
"Shut up, tori-atama!" Yahiko yelled jumping at him.
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Misao, Kaoru, and Kenshin formed one group and Sano and Megumi formed another. Kenshin was going with Misao and Kaoru, because he had no idea what Aoshi looked like, and he wanted to make sure Kaoru was safe. The city was crawling with the Shinsengumi and he would be there to protect Kaoru if something were to happen.
Misao chattered on about different things to Kaoru. Kenshin walked a good distance behind the two.
"I know I'll find him faster now with your help!" Misao said happily.
Kaoru smiled. They continued their search of the city.
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"You wished to speak to me Shishio-sama," Saitoh said with contempt.
"Such a disrespectful tone. You better respect me more. You know the consequences."
Saitoh kept his face impassive, his hatred and disgust of the man building up.
"But anyway, I want you to find Himura Battousai and bring him to me. It is rumored he still lives somewhere in this area. Find him quickly. I want him alive."
Saitoh's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. The man known as Shishio placed a bandaged hand on his equally bandaged forehead.
"I also want you to bring me that boy. Seta Soujiro, I believe his name is. I wish to speak to him now. You are dismissed."
Saitoh bowed slightly before leaving the room. Outside the door his fists clenched and his face twisted into anger. Taking a deep breath, he assumed an air of indifference setting out to do as he was ordered.
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Hiya everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kyaa Kyaff here!
Thank you, thank you for all your reviews. No individual response this time, but I want to thank all of you! Kara Himura, nessa, Shunu No Miko, Gypsy-chan, MP, Joey, gin pomela, kawaii sakura-chan, marstanuki, Mango, Kenhime, saskia, lizzie, Alannah, Jim, Onna Oji, Lina, Crystal, Apple, Shizuka, Naomi, Omochi, Bunny, Vesca, Fudgieangel, moonblossom, Emerald, and Chiki! You guys are sooooooo great! You motivate me so much. Next time I will do individual response cause I really love to, but I wanted to get this chapter out quicker!
I'll be waiting to hear what you thought of this chapter!
Kyaa Kyaff saying love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!