Kyaa Kyaff here!
Disclaimer: Kaoru & co does not belong to me. (I got tired of saying Kenshin! ^_^)
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
An Alternate Place and Time
Chapter 18: Combat and Confessions
Kaoru watched Soujiro his face oddly devoid of emotion, except for a small smile. He began walking past her to the door. She grabbed onto the material of his gi top. He looked over at her.
"Sou-chan," Kaoru said.
He didn't seem to acknowledge her though and he took her hands off him before walking out the door. A locking noise was heard several seconds later. Kaoru just stared at the door distraught. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked over at Tokio.
"I don't understand, "Kaoru began, "I know who my parents are. They died and Uncle Hajime adopted me."
"Yes, but they weren't your true parents." Tokio said sitting next to her.
Kaoru remained quiet trying to take all of this in.
"I don't know what to say. Why then? Why did you give me up?"
"Hajime had many enemies. You used to have an older brother, but one day we were captured by one of his enemies trying to gain the upper hand. They killed our son."
Kaoru watched the Tokio's face become sorrowful.
"About two years later I found out I was pregnant with you. When I did give birth to you, we faked your death. I didn't want that same life for you. If you could grow up a happy child then… but after the death of the Kamiyas, Hajime took you back in, because no one at the village wanted to take you in. At the time things seemed more secure, so it was all right."
Kaoru did remember when her parents died. No one wished to take her in. She was the little tomboy, who had on more than one occasion beat up one or two of the boys in the village.
"Then why didn't you come to see me?"
"I was coming to see you, but that was when I was captured by Shishio Makoto. There were too many off them. I couldn't fight them all. I get to see Hajime once and a while, but there using me against him."
Tokio clenched her fists at these words. Looking up at Kaoru she reached out her hand running it through her hair.
"You've grown up so beautifully," Tokio said.
"That still doesn't explain why Saitoh did what he did? I don't understand any of this. Shishio Makoto's base. Kenshin's here!" Kaoru said standing abruptly.
Tokio stood up too.
"We have to get out of here." Kaoru said.
"I've tried. There isn't a way out."
Kaoru began looking around the room, "There has to be some way out."
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"Wake up."
Kenshin felt someone slap him sharply on the face. He opened his eyes to see a woman standing over him.
"Come now. It is time for you to meet Shishio-sama."
Kenshin sat up going for his sword. It wasn't there.
"You do not want to keep Shishio-sama waiting," the woman said looking back at him.
He stood not saying a word. Seeing that he was going to follow her she continued into the hall. She obviously did not consider him a threat. Kenshin followed her out paying close attention to the route they were taking. He hoped Kaoru was all right. The woman stopped at a tall large door. She knocked once and was answered with a muffled reply. Pushing opened the door she went inside, Kenshin proceeded after her. There sat a completely bandaged man sitting on a chair at the back of the room.
"Nice to meet you Battousai." Shishio said.
Kenshin noticed to his right was Seta Soujiro staring impassively at nothing.
"Going to kill me now," Kenshin said.
Shishio began to laugh, "No, I want to fight you."
Shishio stood gesturing to his body, "Do you know why I look like this?"
Kenshin made no reply. Shishio continued on.
"I was part of the Ishin shishi. I was there strongest, but my ideas did not fit to theirs. Trust and you will be betrayed. If you are careless, you will die. Kill or be killed. The strong live, the weak die. … I knew too much so they tried to kill me by burning me to death. The fools. After recovering I started recruiting my own people. That's when I met Saitoh Hajime, a member of the Shinsengumi. He tried to kill me, but that ended in a standoff. But it was quite easy to get him to join me when I captured his wife," Kenshin was surprised by this, "For a man that goes by the motto 'Kill evil instantly' he bent to my will amazingly quick. But that is another story. Wondering why I want you? You can join me, or I will fight you to prove I am stronger," Shishio added almost talking to himself, "To replace me with a boy."
"Are you done yet?" Kenshin asked.
"Your choice," Shishio said sitting back down.
"I choose to fight."
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Kaoru hit the door in frustration. Tokio came over placing her hands on Kaoru's shoulders.
"You must be patient," she said.
She turned to look at Tokio. But before she could say anything muffled noises could be heard outside the door. Everything suddenly became quiet. Kaoru stepped closer to the door. Someone was unlocking it. Kaoru jumped back quickly as the door swung open Saitoh filling its frame.
"Tokio," he said.
His eyes widened when he glanced around the room and saw Kaoru.
"What are you doing here?" Saitoh asked.
"Hajime, they know. They know she's our daughter."
He quickly looked at Kaoru, "I am getting you out of here now."
Tokio walked over to him, but Kaoru did not move, "Where's Kenshin?"
"He is going to fight Shishio." Saitoh replied already knowing that Kenshin would choose not to join with Shishio.
"I have to find him," Kaoru said.
"You are going to leave here with Tokio."
Kaoru glared at him, "I don't care if you're my father or not. You can't order me around."
Kaoru tried to shove passed him. He caught her arm pulling her back.
"That's not the issue. Take your…mother and go."
"I can take care of myself Hajime," Tokio said grabbing a sword from a now dead Chou.
Saitoh growled out in anger. Kaoru yanked her arm from his grasp walking up to Tokio. Wrinkling her nose at the man lying dead on the ground her eyes widened. Leaning over she released her sakabatou from around the man's waist placing it on her own. Turning to Tokio she smiled.
"Get out of here safe. We have a lot of time to catch up on after this, mother."
Tokio nodded touched by her words. Kaoru hugged the older woman in a tight embrace.
"Where is he going to fight Shishio?"
"On the roof," Saitoh replied.
"How do I get there?" Kaoru asked.
"I don't know."
"Fine, I will find it on my own," Kaoru said looking down both halls deciding to go down the one to her left.
Tokio moved next to Saitoh placing her hand on his arm.
"You remember where to go?" Saitoh asked gruffly.
"Yes," Tokio replied, "Make sure she's safe."
Saitoh nodded before striding down the hall after Kaoru.
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Kenshin stood on top of a buildings roof. It was just outside the city's limits. He watched as his breath came out in puffs of misty air. He now held his weapon. The woman known as Yumi walked over to Shishio, who stood near one side of the roof between another man named Hoji and Soujiro. Pulling out a timepiece Yumi looked down at it.
"Don't forget if you concentrate too much on the fight…" Yumi looked up at Shishio, "Please, take care of yourself."
Shishio brought his hand to her chin before leaning forward and kissing her. Yumi closed her eyes savoring the moment. Moving away Yumi watched him with eyes filled with love.
"I will finish this fight in less then fifteen minutes," he said walking toward the middle of the roof.
Kenshin readied himself to fight.
"Once I take you down nothing will stand in my way. I will make this country the strongest by ridding it of its weaknesses."
"Let's finish this," Kenshin said.
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Kaoru was running down the hall. She saw a stairway leading up. Just as she approached it she sensed someone to her left. Drawing her sword she deflected a strike that would have sliced her head off. The force of the other person's attack sent her toward the wall. There stood a man with a bandana around his eyes. He held his sword ready to attack her again. With a swift strike he attacked. Kaoru dodged it coming at him fast before twisting out of the way of a counterattack. She didn't have time for this. She needed to find Kenshin. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me take care of this," Saitoh said.
Kaoru looked at him surprised.
"Go now," he said.
Kaoru nodded before running up the stairs.
"Saitoh," the man said.
"So nice to see you again, Usui. This time you die!"
Saitoh pulled his sword back getting into his fighting stance the tips of his fingers at the end of his blade. The blind swordsman smiled. Saitoh lunged forward with deadly force. Usui sensing his move jumped out of the way deflecting the second attack that followed the first before sliding his blade down Saitoh's and slicing him across the legs.
"You are making this too easy Saitoh," Usui admonished.
Saitoh stood bracing himself with his sword.
"It's not over yet," he yelled swinging low before slashing up, jumping back to avoid a blow, then diving forward with his own attack.
After the attack both men stood away from each other waiting for the other to show a weakness.
"This is where you die," Saitoh said.
Rushing forward simultaneously, a loud ringing filled the air as their swords met. The two kneeled opposite from where they had been. There was a moment of tense silence before Usui grabbed his bleeding side spitting up blood, then fell to the ground dead seconds later. Saitoh stood looked back at the man. Wincing in pain he decided to find something to wrap the wounds on his legs with.
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Kenshin slid backward from the force of the attack. His chest had a minor burn on it from one of Shishio's attacks. He had been unable to seriously harm Shishio. He had numerous small cuts himself.
"Shishio-sama is the best. He cannot lose." Hoji yelled.
Beside him Yumi watched the little timepiece saying more to herself, "Ten minutes, thirty seconds."
Shishio put the tip of his blade into the melting snowy ground. He used the oil saturated in his sword from the many people he had killed to create friction that gave life to the flame he used as part of his attack. With a yell Kenshin ran forward attacking using a different combination of moves. Just as Kenshin thought he had him, Shishio caught his blade in between his fingers. Kenshin's eyes widened with shock, while Shishio grinned. Grabbing Kenshin by the throat before he could react he held him aloft in the air. He pulled his sword back ready to pierce it through Kenshin's throat. The door leading to the roof slammed open unexpectedly.
"Kenshin," Kaoru cried seeing Shishio strangling him by the throat the snow surrounding him melting away from the heat rolling off his body.
Kaoru's eyes widened as in seconds the dream she had flashed before her eyes.
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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.
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"No," Kaoru yelled running forward drawing her sword.
Shishio looked at her with amusement, tossing Kenshin against the wall, where he was knocked unconscious. He deflected her blow as if it was nothing.
"You must be the Kamiya girl. Saitoh's brat. I will have great pleasure in killing you."
Kaoru made no reply as she went defensive. Shishio came forward drawing his sword back fully; he hit it against the sheath of his blade creating a spark that turned into flames. Kaoru jumped back as the flames singed her. Seeing Shishio lower his sword to the ground Kaoru advanced quickly to prevent his next attack. Their swords connected briefly before he threw her off violently. She fell to the ground hard sword still gripped in her hand.
"Once I kill you, I'll finish that boy," Shishio said.
Kaoru looked over to where Kenshin was slumped over against the wall.
'Kenshin I will protect you.'
Standing up she faced Shishio with a determined look.
'Focus.'
She pointed her sword straight at him.
'See your target and beyond.'
Setting her feet apart she took a deep breath.
'My power comes from my will to live and protect the ones I love.'
She came forward with a loud cry. Slashing up, down to the right, then down again. She jumped back before leaping into the air and slamming into Shishio's sword. Pushing off she twisted around going for his back. He was ready to defend it though. Unfazed she came at him again fiercer than before. Completing her combination she whirled around smashing him in the ribs.
"Shishio-sama," Yumi cried out as he was thrown backward into the wall.
"No, no Shishio-sama cannot lose." Hoji repeated.
Shishio stood up from where he had been thrown into the wall. Yumi grabbed onto Hoji.
"Fifteen minutes has passed. You must stop him from fighting. If this continues his body temperature will rise to high and he will die."
Seeing Shishio standing Hoji shook his head, "We must have faith in Shishio-sama."
"Was that the best you could do?" Shishio asked.
Shishio abruptly bent over in pain his mouth beginning to foam a bit. He started scratching frantically at his chest. He began crying out falling to is knees. Kaoru walked toward him cautiously, not knowing exactly what was wrong.
"Shishio-sama," Yumi screamed running forward and between Kaoru and Shishio. She dropped to her knees arms spread out to protect Shishio.
"Please, please, that's enough. Leave him alone now."
Kaoru watched her, and began to lower her sword. Shishio grabbed his sword and without another thought drove it through Yumi's back. Kaoru had seen him move moments before and although never suspecting this had moved just enough to have been stabbed in the leg instead of anywhere else. Kaoru watched horrified as Shishio pulled his blade from her leg and Yumi. Yumi collapsed onto him.
"You would…you would go so far as to kill…" Kaoru couldn't speak full of anger.
She did not know the relationship between the two, but it was obvious how the woman felt.
"You understand nothing," Shishio said holding the dying Yumi.
"I am so happy. So happy I could help you," she began softly, "I'll be waiting for you in hell."
With that her hand slipped from Shishio's hand. Her face held a smile. Kaoru held her leg in pain, trembling with rage.
Shishio slowly stood up, "This is where it ends."
The next few minutes were a blur for Kaoru. She fought as if possessed by someone other than herself, and now she was surrounded by flames. No she wasn't, they were bursting from Shishio's body. He had dropped his sword and was screaming and laughing in agony. Kaoru began to back up. Out of nowhere she saw Soujiro lunging at her from Shishio's right.
'No!'
His blade hissed passed her above her shoulder. Turning sharply she saw Hoji behind her with a small gun now impaled on Soujiro's sword. Soujiro watched Kaoru not saying a word. Kaoru reached out to him, but he backed up.
"Sou-chan," she said hesitantly.
"No, Kaoru. Don't say anything. Just get out of here."
Kaoru looked around and began to notice four other members of the Juppon Gatana appearing. She needed to get Kenshin out of the building now. Kaoru stopped though. Pulling out her favorite blue ribbon she grabbed Soujiro's arm.
"Please keep this. We will meet again. Until then I want you to have something to remember me by."
Soujiro looked into her eyes. Grabbing a sash he had tied to his belt he held it out to her. She took it in her hands. Soujiro then smiled at her. Not one of his fake smiles. One of the true ones he used to share with her when they were younger. Running over to Kenshin she grabbed him slinging his arm around her shoulder. The cold was making her fingers numb and the wind was picking up. Entering the building she made her way out of it without encountering anyone. Stepping out into the frosty cold she made her way up toward the forest that the building was next to. The wind increased and it began to snow. It was quickly turning into a blizzard. Kaoru trudged up the forest trail trying her best to hold onto Kenshin. Judging by the lump he had on his head he had hit the wall pretty hard.
After an hour of searching aimlessly for some kind of shelter, Kaoru blinked in astonishment. As if in answer to her prayers, a small cabin stood in the wintry storm. Dragging Kenshin closer, she had to put him down and move the snow building up in front of the door out of the way. She didn't care if someone was living here or not. If they had a problem they could take it up with her sakabatou. Picking Kenshin up once again, she managed to pull him inside. Looking around she saw a futon with one blanket, a place to make a fire and a trunk. Going over to the trunk she found food and an empty jug of sake. Second she went over and got a fire started. Kaoru concluded someone must have been living there recently. She pulled the futon closer to the fire. Walking over to Kenshin she kneeled down. Upon inspection she noticed he had no serious wounds. Her leg however was burning with pain. She ignored it though. She needed to take care of Kenshin first. Getting off his gi top with a little struggle she placed it by the fire to dry. Reaching for his hakama she blushed.
'Stop it. He has pants on underneath.'
Kaoru didn't dare remove anything else. After getting him in the futon and under the covers she attended to herself. Finally finished with her wounds, wearing bare minimum, while still trying to retain her modesty she crawled in next to Kenshin to sleep.
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For the next week they were stuck in that little house. The blizzard had been a bad one. Kenshin had woken up the next day quite disoriented. Kaoru explained everything that happened. He stayed unusually quiet for the rest of the time. They lived off of the food and melted snow for that week. It was nighttime again. Kenshin and Kaoru had become comfortable, well sort of, with sleeping crunched together in the same futon. To be perfectly honest Kaoru enjoyed being right next to him. Kenshin would try his best not to touch her at all. Kaoru was fed up with it. Sitting up she looked down at him.
"Kenshin."
He turned lying on his back.
"What do you think of me?"
"What's with the question?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru looked down briefly, "Because I love you."
Kenshin didn't know how to respond.
*I love you too.*
Kaoru watched him, but he made no response. Instead he turned back over facing away from her.
"Just tell me you don't love me. I'll leave you alone then."
Kenshin did not answer her. Grabbing his shoulder she forced him to look at her again.
"Tell me. I can handle it."
He closed his eyes and was about to speak. The look in his eyes told Kaoru he was going to say what she feared he would. That he didn't love her.
'No, no I don't want to hear it! I lied. I won't be able to handle your rejection one more time.'
Kaoru did the only thing she could think of. She cut his words off with a kiss. Once again she had shocked him with her boldness. He had been prepared to lie to her.
*But why lie?*
He remembered the day Kaoru had kissed him before they were interrupted by Sano. It was the same, except there was no Sano to interrupt them this time.
*I want to be with you. This is right.*
His hands came up pulling her onto him. He felt a brief pain as she hit into his burn wound, but ignored it. He began to kiss her more passionately. Kaoru was surprised at his response, but she gave in to what she was feeling.
"Kaoru," he said softly trying to stop what he was doing but not wanting to.
"Shhhh."
Leaning forward she captured his lips once again as he began running his hands along her back. He grabbed her hand unexpectedly reversing their position, so that, she now lay under him. Kenshin began nipping her neck lightly before trailing a series of soft kisses along her collarbone.
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Kaoru lay content her head pillowed on Kenshin's shoulder. His hand was gently smoothing her hair. His other hand held hers. He loved the feeling of having her close to him. She was gentle, kind, beautiful, intelligent, and everything that he had ever wanted. He had lost her once. Never again.
"I love you Kaoru," he barley said in a whisper finally admitting to his feelings for her.
Kaoru heard him though and felt the urge to cry.
"There's something I want to give you." Kenshin said suddenly.
Sitting up, Kenshin reached over to his gi. Reaching into it he pulled out a small hairpiece. There was a thread around it. Kaoru felt her heart begin to pound. Kneeling next to her, he placed the comb she had worn in her hair on their wedding day in her hand. He then grasped her hand feeling how right it was to do so. Taking the small thread he began to slowly wrap it around their hands. Kaoru's face scrunched up as many emotions whirled through her. He paused for a second before completely wrapping their hands together.
"Now we are husband and wife no matter what anyone says," Kenshin said.
Kaoru was overjoyed. She hated crying but she felt tears forming in her eyes. For this one moment she was so incredibly happy. Kenshin undid their hands and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Pulling back Kaoru placed the comb and the thread next to their clothes.
"Come here," she said lying on the futon.
Kenshin raised and eyebrow at her shy but mischievous look.
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Kaoru vaguely heard noise outside. She was too groggy to really pay any notice. She was jolted wide-awake when the door swung open and a huge figure filled the doorway. Kenshin was also woken up. Kaoru and he sat up quickly at the same time. Kaoru squeaked grabbing the blanket to cover up her nakedness.
"Shishou?" Kenshin said in disbelief recognizing the figure.
Shutting the door and putting down two jugs he held, Hiko Seijuro watched Kenshin with amusement.
"So my baka deshi has come to visit," Hiko looked over at Kaoru who was trying to cover herself up, "and you brought a woman with you too."
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This had got to be the longest chapter I have ever wrote. Yep I twisted things around with the Shishio fight and one or two of the lines were from the episodes. Hope you liked it though. It's not over yet.
I would like to thank Fudgieangel, kame hime, tesuka-chan, Lina, Chiki, Alannah, Crystal, lizzie, me me me and only me, Apple, Joey, White Plum, Blue Moon, Isis 13, Shizuka, Omochi, Haruko, marstanuki, Kamimura Kaoru, Kagome, Jim, Naomi, Hota Chan, Gypsy-chan, and Aya-chan for all your wonderful reviews. I really wanted to do individual response but I am being lazy and I wanted to get this chapter out quick. But I want you guys to know you motivate me greatly!
Kyaa Kyaff saying hope to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!