::the tinkering of many tools can be heard in the background::
Neko: Is Lunar-chan is still at it?
Kenshin: ::nods:: She's been at it for many days now de gozaru...
Neko: Poor Lunar-chan... ::sniff:: I'm afraid the wall will NEVER go away...
Lunar: EUREKA!!!!!!!!!! ::the sounds of concrete and mortar falling on the ground can be heard. Lunar-chan runs up with a big smile on her face:: I did it, I DID IT!!!!
Neko: You did???
Lunar: HAI! The wall crumbled like a cookie! ::someone bangs on the cellar door::
Yahiko: ::his voice muffled:: DOES THIS MEAN WE CAN COME OUT?
Lunar: ::thinks:: Well... I guess so... as long as you don't eat anything you're not supposed to. ::walks over to the door and opens it, the cast spills out::
Yahiko: Finally! Fresh air!!!
Lunar: Okay... for this section I only need Kenshin... Kaoru... Misao... and Aoshi...::thinks:: Oh yea! And the Oniwabanshue too... except for Okina... (I think that's how you spell it... ::sweatdrop::) The rest of you have the day off... since I'm feeling generous... I'll let you outside in the back yard!
Yahiko: Hontou?
Lunar: ::nods:: Sure... just don't bother Fluffy-chan and Inu-chan (^_^; I shouldn't be aloud to have random ideas)
Sano: Who's that?
Lunar: ::Grins:: My attack dogs... although don't tell them I said that... especially Inu-chan... he might get angry. ::sweatdrop::
Neko: ::eyes go wide and sparkly:: YOU BROUGHT THEM HERE!?!?!?!? ::thinks:: Can I go outside too?
Lunar: ::shakes head:: Iie... I know how you get around them and I need them to be standing up and un-glomped.
Neko: ::pouts:: Humph.
Lunar: Gomen ne Neko-chan. When everyone is back inside where I can watch them, then you can glomp them.
Neko: ::looks hopeful:: Hontou?
Lunar: Hai.
Neko: ::happy dance:: Yatta, yatta, yatta!
Lunar: Alrighty then... since the wall is down, here's the long (I'm not sure HOW long... that wall was pretty damn thick...) awaited Chapter Five! Don't forget to R + R!! ENJOY!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FYI:
"...": Speaking
[...]: Thoughts
~*~*~: Scene change
(...): Lunar-chan notes
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~Someday: Chapter Five~*~
~*~DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I am very busy and probably don't have the time to deal with stupid lawyers. They are VERY stupid.~*~
~*~Either learn from the past or repeat it.
Although it's a tough lesson to learn, it may save your life.~*~
(::shudder:: What an evil sounding voice... Inu-chan... make him go away...)
Kaori's eyes fluttered open and she discovered that she was back in Kenji's room. She rolled over to find Kenji sitting up, staring at her, his violet eyes shining.
"The rain stopped," He said quietly, "You're able to go home now de gozaru." Kaori sat up.
"I guess I can," she smiled and gazed at him, "Demo... I'm not so sure I want to go just yet." She tried to stand, but as her feet hit the floor, her knees buckled and she flopped to the ground. Kenji scrambled over the bed and sat by her.
"Kanama-chan, daijoubu desu ka?" Kaori smiled.
"I'm fine... the realization just hit me full force." She traced the imaginary scar across his cheek again. Kenji froze at her touch. "And I'm glad it did." She cupped his face in her hands. "You're Kenshin." Kenji blinked.
"... Kaoru..." Kenji whispered. He wrapped his arms around Kaori's waist, pulling her into a big hug. Kaori felt the sting of tears in her eyes as she fell into his embrace.
"We've found each other... Kenji..." Kenji pulled back and whipped away the tears that had started to fall down Kaori's cheeks. He cupped her cheek and pulled her closer to gently press his lips against hers. Two sets of eyes slid shut as two souls connected. Kaori's fingers intertwined in Kenji's thick, red locks, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Kenji's mouth parted slightly, dragging Kaori's lips with his and pulling a low moan from her throat. They parted reluctantly, due to the lack of oxygen. Kaori pressed her forehead against Kenji's, gently breathing on his face. They sat like that, with their eyes closed, for almost twenty minutes, just listening to each other breath. Finally, Kenji broke the silence.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to do that... Kaori..." he whispered. Kaori smiled.
"I have a vague idea." Kenji chuckled. "Kenji?"
"Hm?"
"What time is it?" Kenji looked up.
"Ano... 5:38." Kaori's eyes widened.
"Oh no!" She leapt up, breaking the warm embrace and knocking Kenji over in the process. (Now, I know I'm probably being cursed to hell for breaking the happy, romantic scene, demo, don't worry. There will be LONGER happy scenes in the future ^_^)
"Oro..." Kenji said, eyes swirling. Kaori covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a giggle.
"Gomen ne Kenji." She said, kneeling next to him and grabbing his hand. "I didn't mean to ruin the moment... or knock you over." She stood up, pulling him with her. "It's just that it's gonna take me a half hour to walk home and Otou-san tries to wake me up around quarter past six..."
"It's alright. I'll just have to walk you home. Tokyo is very dangerous in the early morning hours de gozaru." Kaori smiled.
"Arigato Kenji." They climbed back out the window and proceeded to walk to Kaori's house, hand in hand. (Aw... kawaii!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Outside Kaori's bedroom window, Kenji was helping Kaori back into her house. Lifting her up, she climbed through and landed noiselessly on her bed. Turning around, she looked back out the window.
"Arigato Kenji."
"Do itashimashite de gozaru." Kaori leaned down far enough so she could place a kiss on Kenji's lips.
"I'll see you later today in school Kenji." Kenji smiled.
"Ja ne Kaori."
"Ja." She watched as Kenji disappeared from her window, then she closed it and went back to bed, a grin on her face. For once in a long time, she didn't dream.
Outside, hidden by the shadows of the early morning, lingered a tall, bulky creature. It smiled to itself.
"So... they've found one another..." it rasped. "Perfect."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Kaori walked through the front gate of school, she seemed to be floating in mid-air. With a goofy grin plastered on her face, she approached her friends. Finally noticing the very giddy Kaori, Mayo arched an eyebrow.
"Kaori? What's with you?" Kaori simply giggled.
"Nothing... Mayo, I'm the best I've been in my entire life!" she spun in a circle, and then took Mayo's hands in her own. "I need to talk to you." Kaori dragged Mayo away, leaving Osuka and Okawa in wonder and confusion.
Halting behind a rather large tree, Mayo ripped her hands from Kaori's. She faced Kaori, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
"What the hell is going on Kaori? Have you lost your mind or something?" Kaori giggled again.
"Probably." Kaori smiled. "Mayo, I've found the love of my life!" Mayo's eyes widened.
"Na... nani?!?" she blinked several times. "When... WHO?"
"Hirama Kenji." Mayo's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Hirama-san? Demo, you've never met him!" Mayo protested.
"I did last night! Mayo, he's the one from my dreams!"
"Chotto matte! What do you mean 'from your dreams'?"
"The one's I've told you about. They were images of my past life. I got to see the past unfold in front of my eyes!"
"Hontou?" Kaori nodded in excitement.
"Hai! Mayo, I'm so happy!"
"Kaori, are you sure?"
"Positive. He told me that he had similar dreams." Kaori leaned against the tree. "Last night... he was holding me so gently... as if he were afraid to break me... I never thought I'd feel so protected in someone's arms..." she sighed. Mayo rolled her eyes.
"Kaori, you're getting all sentimental on me." Kaori laughed.
"Gomen ne." she gasped, as something clicked in her brain. "Oh Mayo, so the names 'Aoshi' or 'Misao' mean anything to you?" Mayo's eyes went wide and she began to fidget, toying with the end of her braid.
"Not... really..." she muttered.
"Hm..." Kaori mused. "How 'bout Oniwabanshue? Shiro... Kuro... Omasu... Okan... Okina? How 'bout Hanya and those other guys?" Mayo stiffened as Kaori rattled off names.
"Nani...?" she muttered. "Why do they sound so familiar?"
"Because, Misao, I've remembered mostly everything. And I hope you will too."
"But how can you know those names? I've NEVER told you about... my... dreams..." Kaori arched an eyebrow.
"You've had dreams too?" she shook her head. "Never mind."
"Besides Kaori, they're just dreams." Mayo looked up at Kaori. "How can you be so sure they're glimpses into the PAST?"
"It's just a gut feeling I have. In my heart, I know that it's true." Kaori sighed at Mayo's disbelieving face. "Mayo, doesn't your relationship with Akito-san seem familiar? Doesn't it feel right?"
"What do you mean by that?" Mayo was confused.
"Like it's fate that you two are so close. Like it's meant to be." Mayo looked away, thinking. Sudden realization washed over her and her eyes widened.
"Oh... my..." She looked back. "Kaoru! Oh! I get it now!" Mayo did a little happy dance that make Kaori laugh.
"You're so silly Mayo." Kaori said through her laughter. Mayo stopped dancing.
"Do you think Akito-kun remembers?" she asked, suddenly worried. Kaori nodded.
"Even if he doesn't right now, I'm sure he will soon. Demo, don't push anything, and let him remember on is own." Mayo frowned.
"What makes you think I'll push anything?"
"Mayo, you have the least amount of patience of anyone I know." Mayo crossed her arms over her chest and growled.
"Humph." Kaori laughed, then bit her lip.
"Mayo, do you wanna find the others?" Mayo blinked.
"Others?"
"You know, Sano, Yahiko, Megumi, and Tsubame?
"I donno..."
"I have a very strong feeling we ran into Yahiko and Tsubame yesterday." Mayo narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Remember that freshman who crashed into me yesterday and called me 'busu'?"
"Hai."
"Doesn't that remind you of one particular annoying student I have?" she stopped. "Well, at least, had?" Mayo's eyes widened.
"Oh yea... Do ya think?" Kaori nodded. "Oh wow... so that must have been Yahiko... and the brown haired girl must have been Tsubame."
"Well, now all we have to do is find Sano and Megumi."
"Demo, Kaori, that could take months, even years!" Kaori shook her head.
"I don't think so. Now that Kenji's here, I think we'll all meet somehow. It is because of him we all met in the first place. They might just end up finding us first."
"I guess." Mayo sighed. "We should head back to Osuka and Okawa before they start wondering where the hell we went." Kaori nodded and they walked back to their group where Akito, Shizuo, Kuro and Kenji had joined Osuka and Okawa. Mayo bounded up to Akito and smiled up at him.
"Ohayo Akito-kun!" she said brightly. Akito didn't smile back; he barely noticed her, as he was in deep thought. "Akito-kun? What's wrong?" Akito blinked, finally acknowledging Mayo's presence.
"Oh... Ohayo Mayo..." he took her hand. "I need to speak with you, now." He started walking away, dragging her with him.
"Aa... ja ne minna." Mayo said, tipping over her shoes as Akito pulled her away. Kaori giggled.
"What's so funny Kaori-dono?" Kaori's giggles subsided and her eyes widened.
"That's not funny Kenji." Kenji's smile never left his face. Kaori leaned in to whisper in his ear. "It's just that I think Aoshi and Misao need to have a chat." Kenji's violet orbs widened.
"Hontou ne?" Kaori smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Hai." Kenji smiled back. At this time, Osuka, Okawa, Shizuo and Kuro had been watching the two lovers with confused looks on their faces. Kaori suddenly felt a hand on her collar, pulling her from Kenji. She turned to face Osuka. "Nani...? What is it Osuka?"
"Damn Kaori... you're being awfully friendly with someone you haven't even been introduced to yet." Kaori smiled.
"I'm so friendly because I know him VERY well." Osuka arched an eyebrow. "I met him last night Osuka and... found my soul mate." (Aw... so much sap... I think I'm gonna hurl... I CAN'T believe I wrote that...) The four blinked in unison.
"NANI?" they all yelled. Kenji held up his hands.
"Maa, maa minna... calm down." Kaori opened her mouth to explain when the warning bell rang.
"Homeroom." She said.
"I'll walk you." Kenji said, grasping Kaori's hand.
"Arigato." Kaori smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaori, after saying good-bye to Kenji, met a very hyper Mayo in homeroom. The second Kaori walked in, Mayo ran up to her, literally jumping up a down and talking a mile a minute. After listening to Mayo ramble on for a few minutes and not understanding a word of it, Kaori grasped Mayo's shoulders to keep her from bouncing.
"MAYO!" Mayo immediately stopped talking. Ignoring the stares from her fellow classmates, Kaori let her frantic friend into the corner. "Now, Mayo, explain this to me in words I can understand." Mayo took a deep breath.
"Akito-kun talked to me."
"Yea, that much I got. What did he SAY to you?"
"He didn't make a lot of sense at first and I was getting really annoyed with him until he blurted out that he's had the same kind of dreams as me!" Kaori blinked.
"He KNEW about your dreams?" Mayo nodded.
"I've told him from the start."
"How come you didn't tell me? I've told YOU everything!"
"I didn't want to SCARE you, of course! I had to watch you... DIE..." Mayo gulped. "I... it was so hard for me to see that over and over..." Kaori sighed.
"It's okay..." then, a smile spread across her face. "So, does this mean he remembers?" Mayo nodded.
"Everything... unfortunately..." Kaori blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
"He's told me that he knows about the years after... Kaoru's death."
"What about them?"
"He says... I knew most of this too... that one by one we were all killed off." Kaori's eyes widened.
"NANI?" she shrieked. Mayo shushed her.
"Quiet!" she gulped. "After you, Genzi-sensei, Ayame-chan, and Suzume-chan were slaughtered in their own home two years later. Three years after that, Yahiko and Tsubame were killed while they worked late one night at the Akabeko. Three years later, Sano was killed, two years later, Megumi and Kao-chan were found dead in their home. Three years later, Aoshi, Misao and the entire Oniwabanshue..." she stopped, noticing Kaori was shaking.
"Kami-sama..." Kaori whispered.
"I don't have to continue Kaori." Kaori shook her head fiercely.
"Iie... tell me." Mayo nodded.
"Three years later, Aoshi, Misao, and the entire Oniwabanshue where massacred at the Aoiya...
"..........." Kaori clenched her teeth.
"I just don't understand how it happened..."
"...What about Kenshin?" Mayo shrugged.
"Couldn't tell ya. Our dreams stopped when we... they died." Mayo looked down. "I don't know what happened after that."
"Arigato Mayo... for telling me."
"Do itashimashite." Kaori sighed.
"I wonder..."
"Wonder what?"
"I wonder why we're remembering everything so suddenly... these memories are INCREDIBLY painful... and I don't see the reasoning behind it. Technically they shouldn't have an impact on our lives today and if fate is really in play, we would have discovered each other all over again anyway... why learn about them at all?"
"Maybe something's gonna happen." Mayo said softly.
"I hope not... I don't want history to repeat itself."
"I hope you're right... it would be awful if it did..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, the creative juices are flowing!! ::happy dance:: This ROCKS!!! I guess I'll leave you all with this evil cliff hanger and as you can probably tell, I was feeling a LITTLE morbid as I wrote the end of this chapter... ^_^
Neko: ::sniff:: It's SO SAD!!! POOR KENSHIN-KUN!!!!
Kaoru: Poor Kenshin? What about the rest of us? What about me? I'm the one who died FIRST!!!
Lunar: Calm down. I don't want any fighting today. Neko, go get everyone from outside and you can spend some time with Inu-chan and Fluffy-chan.
Neko: ::eyes light up and she runs outside::
Lunar: Oi vey... ::sweatdrops:: Well, that was chapter five. I hope you all enjoyed it. ::grins evilly:: Wait until Chapter Six... I have many morbid thoughts rolling around in my head... oi... I need a life...
NAMES!!!! YEA!!!!
Kenshin Himura – Kenji Hirama
Kaoru Kamiya – Kaori Kanama
Aoshi Shinomori – Akito Suzukaze
Misao Makinachi – Mayo Matsuda
Shiro – Shizuo Inao
Kuro – Komi Hirose
Omasu – Osuka Shirai
Okan – Okawa Ando
FYI: Japanese glossary
-dono: suffix. VERY respectful. Kaoru-dono = Miss Kaoru
Hai: Yes
Minna: Everyone
Gomen ne (nasai): I'm (really) sorry
Ja (ne): See ya (later)
Demo: But
De gozaru: something Kenshin says after every sentence. It basically repeats what he just said.
Kawaii: Cute
Do itashimashite: You are welcome
Arigato: Thank you
Kami-sama: God
Yatta: Yea!
Hontou ne: Really?
Nani: What?
Ohayo: Morning!
Okie dokie, that's all for now. It would be nice if I got A LOT of reviews (hint, hint). If I do, maybe I'll update faster ^_^. Well, I better go start on Chapter Six so I'll see you all there! Now, please R + R... and remember to keep the peace, love and ANIME!! JA NE!!!!!
Neko: Is Lunar-chan is still at it?
Kenshin: ::nods:: She's been at it for many days now de gozaru...
Neko: Poor Lunar-chan... ::sniff:: I'm afraid the wall will NEVER go away...
Lunar: EUREKA!!!!!!!!!! ::the sounds of concrete and mortar falling on the ground can be heard. Lunar-chan runs up with a big smile on her face:: I did it, I DID IT!!!!
Neko: You did???
Lunar: HAI! The wall crumbled like a cookie! ::someone bangs on the cellar door::
Yahiko: ::his voice muffled:: DOES THIS MEAN WE CAN COME OUT?
Lunar: ::thinks:: Well... I guess so... as long as you don't eat anything you're not supposed to. ::walks over to the door and opens it, the cast spills out::
Yahiko: Finally! Fresh air!!!
Lunar: Okay... for this section I only need Kenshin... Kaoru... Misao... and Aoshi...::thinks:: Oh yea! And the Oniwabanshue too... except for Okina... (I think that's how you spell it... ::sweatdrop::) The rest of you have the day off... since I'm feeling generous... I'll let you outside in the back yard!
Yahiko: Hontou?
Lunar: ::nods:: Sure... just don't bother Fluffy-chan and Inu-chan (^_^; I shouldn't be aloud to have random ideas)
Sano: Who's that?
Lunar: ::Grins:: My attack dogs... although don't tell them I said that... especially Inu-chan... he might get angry. ::sweatdrop::
Neko: ::eyes go wide and sparkly:: YOU BROUGHT THEM HERE!?!?!?!? ::thinks:: Can I go outside too?
Lunar: ::shakes head:: Iie... I know how you get around them and I need them to be standing up and un-glomped.
Neko: ::pouts:: Humph.
Lunar: Gomen ne Neko-chan. When everyone is back inside where I can watch them, then you can glomp them.
Neko: ::looks hopeful:: Hontou?
Lunar: Hai.
Neko: ::happy dance:: Yatta, yatta, yatta!
Lunar: Alrighty then... since the wall is down, here's the long (I'm not sure HOW long... that wall was pretty damn thick...) awaited Chapter Five! Don't forget to R + R!! ENJOY!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FYI:
"...": Speaking
[...]: Thoughts
~*~*~: Scene change
(...): Lunar-chan notes
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~Someday: Chapter Five~*~
~*~DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I am very busy and probably don't have the time to deal with stupid lawyers. They are VERY stupid.~*~
~*~Either learn from the past or repeat it.
Although it's a tough lesson to learn, it may save your life.~*~
(::shudder:: What an evil sounding voice... Inu-chan... make him go away...)
Kaori's eyes fluttered open and she discovered that she was back in Kenji's room. She rolled over to find Kenji sitting up, staring at her, his violet eyes shining.
"The rain stopped," He said quietly, "You're able to go home now de gozaru." Kaori sat up.
"I guess I can," she smiled and gazed at him, "Demo... I'm not so sure I want to go just yet." She tried to stand, but as her feet hit the floor, her knees buckled and she flopped to the ground. Kenji scrambled over the bed and sat by her.
"Kanama-chan, daijoubu desu ka?" Kaori smiled.
"I'm fine... the realization just hit me full force." She traced the imaginary scar across his cheek again. Kenji froze at her touch. "And I'm glad it did." She cupped his face in her hands. "You're Kenshin." Kenji blinked.
"... Kaoru..." Kenji whispered. He wrapped his arms around Kaori's waist, pulling her into a big hug. Kaori felt the sting of tears in her eyes as she fell into his embrace.
"We've found each other... Kenji..." Kenji pulled back and whipped away the tears that had started to fall down Kaori's cheeks. He cupped her cheek and pulled her closer to gently press his lips against hers. Two sets of eyes slid shut as two souls connected. Kaori's fingers intertwined in Kenji's thick, red locks, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. Kenji's mouth parted slightly, dragging Kaori's lips with his and pulling a low moan from her throat. They parted reluctantly, due to the lack of oxygen. Kaori pressed her forehead against Kenji's, gently breathing on his face. They sat like that, with their eyes closed, for almost twenty minutes, just listening to each other breath. Finally, Kenji broke the silence.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to do that... Kaori..." he whispered. Kaori smiled.
"I have a vague idea." Kenji chuckled. "Kenji?"
"Hm?"
"What time is it?" Kenji looked up.
"Ano... 5:38." Kaori's eyes widened.
"Oh no!" She leapt up, breaking the warm embrace and knocking Kenji over in the process. (Now, I know I'm probably being cursed to hell for breaking the happy, romantic scene, demo, don't worry. There will be LONGER happy scenes in the future ^_^)
"Oro..." Kenji said, eyes swirling. Kaori covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a giggle.
"Gomen ne Kenji." She said, kneeling next to him and grabbing his hand. "I didn't mean to ruin the moment... or knock you over." She stood up, pulling him with her. "It's just that it's gonna take me a half hour to walk home and Otou-san tries to wake me up around quarter past six..."
"It's alright. I'll just have to walk you home. Tokyo is very dangerous in the early morning hours de gozaru." Kaori smiled.
"Arigato Kenji." They climbed back out the window and proceeded to walk to Kaori's house, hand in hand. (Aw... kawaii!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Outside Kaori's bedroom window, Kenji was helping Kaori back into her house. Lifting her up, she climbed through and landed noiselessly on her bed. Turning around, she looked back out the window.
"Arigato Kenji."
"Do itashimashite de gozaru." Kaori leaned down far enough so she could place a kiss on Kenji's lips.
"I'll see you later today in school Kenji." Kenji smiled.
"Ja ne Kaori."
"Ja." She watched as Kenji disappeared from her window, then she closed it and went back to bed, a grin on her face. For once in a long time, she didn't dream.
Outside, hidden by the shadows of the early morning, lingered a tall, bulky creature. It smiled to itself.
"So... they've found one another..." it rasped. "Perfect."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Kaori walked through the front gate of school, she seemed to be floating in mid-air. With a goofy grin plastered on her face, she approached her friends. Finally noticing the very giddy Kaori, Mayo arched an eyebrow.
"Kaori? What's with you?" Kaori simply giggled.
"Nothing... Mayo, I'm the best I've been in my entire life!" she spun in a circle, and then took Mayo's hands in her own. "I need to talk to you." Kaori dragged Mayo away, leaving Osuka and Okawa in wonder and confusion.
Halting behind a rather large tree, Mayo ripped her hands from Kaori's. She faced Kaori, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
"What the hell is going on Kaori? Have you lost your mind or something?" Kaori giggled again.
"Probably." Kaori smiled. "Mayo, I've found the love of my life!" Mayo's eyes widened.
"Na... nani?!?" she blinked several times. "When... WHO?"
"Hirama Kenji." Mayo's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Hirama-san? Demo, you've never met him!" Mayo protested.
"I did last night! Mayo, he's the one from my dreams!"
"Chotto matte! What do you mean 'from your dreams'?"
"The one's I've told you about. They were images of my past life. I got to see the past unfold in front of my eyes!"
"Hontou?" Kaori nodded in excitement.
"Hai! Mayo, I'm so happy!"
"Kaori, are you sure?"
"Positive. He told me that he had similar dreams." Kaori leaned against the tree. "Last night... he was holding me so gently... as if he were afraid to break me... I never thought I'd feel so protected in someone's arms..." she sighed. Mayo rolled her eyes.
"Kaori, you're getting all sentimental on me." Kaori laughed.
"Gomen ne." she gasped, as something clicked in her brain. "Oh Mayo, so the names 'Aoshi' or 'Misao' mean anything to you?" Mayo's eyes went wide and she began to fidget, toying with the end of her braid.
"Not... really..." she muttered.
"Hm..." Kaori mused. "How 'bout Oniwabanshue? Shiro... Kuro... Omasu... Okan... Okina? How 'bout Hanya and those other guys?" Mayo stiffened as Kaori rattled off names.
"Nani...?" she muttered. "Why do they sound so familiar?"
"Because, Misao, I've remembered mostly everything. And I hope you will too."
"But how can you know those names? I've NEVER told you about... my... dreams..." Kaori arched an eyebrow.
"You've had dreams too?" she shook her head. "Never mind."
"Besides Kaori, they're just dreams." Mayo looked up at Kaori. "How can you be so sure they're glimpses into the PAST?"
"It's just a gut feeling I have. In my heart, I know that it's true." Kaori sighed at Mayo's disbelieving face. "Mayo, doesn't your relationship with Akito-san seem familiar? Doesn't it feel right?"
"What do you mean by that?" Mayo was confused.
"Like it's fate that you two are so close. Like it's meant to be." Mayo looked away, thinking. Sudden realization washed over her and her eyes widened.
"Oh... my..." She looked back. "Kaoru! Oh! I get it now!" Mayo did a little happy dance that make Kaori laugh.
"You're so silly Mayo." Kaori said through her laughter. Mayo stopped dancing.
"Do you think Akito-kun remembers?" she asked, suddenly worried. Kaori nodded.
"Even if he doesn't right now, I'm sure he will soon. Demo, don't push anything, and let him remember on is own." Mayo frowned.
"What makes you think I'll push anything?"
"Mayo, you have the least amount of patience of anyone I know." Mayo crossed her arms over her chest and growled.
"Humph." Kaori laughed, then bit her lip.
"Mayo, do you wanna find the others?" Mayo blinked.
"Others?"
"You know, Sano, Yahiko, Megumi, and Tsubame?
"I donno..."
"I have a very strong feeling we ran into Yahiko and Tsubame yesterday." Mayo narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Remember that freshman who crashed into me yesterday and called me 'busu'?"
"Hai."
"Doesn't that remind you of one particular annoying student I have?" she stopped. "Well, at least, had?" Mayo's eyes widened.
"Oh yea... Do ya think?" Kaori nodded. "Oh wow... so that must have been Yahiko... and the brown haired girl must have been Tsubame."
"Well, now all we have to do is find Sano and Megumi."
"Demo, Kaori, that could take months, even years!" Kaori shook her head.
"I don't think so. Now that Kenji's here, I think we'll all meet somehow. It is because of him we all met in the first place. They might just end up finding us first."
"I guess." Mayo sighed. "We should head back to Osuka and Okawa before they start wondering where the hell we went." Kaori nodded and they walked back to their group where Akito, Shizuo, Kuro and Kenji had joined Osuka and Okawa. Mayo bounded up to Akito and smiled up at him.
"Ohayo Akito-kun!" she said brightly. Akito didn't smile back; he barely noticed her, as he was in deep thought. "Akito-kun? What's wrong?" Akito blinked, finally acknowledging Mayo's presence.
"Oh... Ohayo Mayo..." he took her hand. "I need to speak with you, now." He started walking away, dragging her with him.
"Aa... ja ne minna." Mayo said, tipping over her shoes as Akito pulled her away. Kaori giggled.
"What's so funny Kaori-dono?" Kaori's giggles subsided and her eyes widened.
"That's not funny Kenji." Kenji's smile never left his face. Kaori leaned in to whisper in his ear. "It's just that I think Aoshi and Misao need to have a chat." Kenji's violet orbs widened.
"Hontou ne?" Kaori smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Hai." Kenji smiled back. At this time, Osuka, Okawa, Shizuo and Kuro had been watching the two lovers with confused looks on their faces. Kaori suddenly felt a hand on her collar, pulling her from Kenji. She turned to face Osuka. "Nani...? What is it Osuka?"
"Damn Kaori... you're being awfully friendly with someone you haven't even been introduced to yet." Kaori smiled.
"I'm so friendly because I know him VERY well." Osuka arched an eyebrow. "I met him last night Osuka and... found my soul mate." (Aw... so much sap... I think I'm gonna hurl... I CAN'T believe I wrote that...) The four blinked in unison.
"NANI?" they all yelled. Kenji held up his hands.
"Maa, maa minna... calm down." Kaori opened her mouth to explain when the warning bell rang.
"Homeroom." She said.
"I'll walk you." Kenji said, grasping Kaori's hand.
"Arigato." Kaori smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaori, after saying good-bye to Kenji, met a very hyper Mayo in homeroom. The second Kaori walked in, Mayo ran up to her, literally jumping up a down and talking a mile a minute. After listening to Mayo ramble on for a few minutes and not understanding a word of it, Kaori grasped Mayo's shoulders to keep her from bouncing.
"MAYO!" Mayo immediately stopped talking. Ignoring the stares from her fellow classmates, Kaori let her frantic friend into the corner. "Now, Mayo, explain this to me in words I can understand." Mayo took a deep breath.
"Akito-kun talked to me."
"Yea, that much I got. What did he SAY to you?"
"He didn't make a lot of sense at first and I was getting really annoyed with him until he blurted out that he's had the same kind of dreams as me!" Kaori blinked.
"He KNEW about your dreams?" Mayo nodded.
"I've told him from the start."
"How come you didn't tell me? I've told YOU everything!"
"I didn't want to SCARE you, of course! I had to watch you... DIE..." Mayo gulped. "I... it was so hard for me to see that over and over..." Kaori sighed.
"It's okay..." then, a smile spread across her face. "So, does this mean he remembers?" Mayo nodded.
"Everything... unfortunately..." Kaori blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
"He's told me that he knows about the years after... Kaoru's death."
"What about them?"
"He says... I knew most of this too... that one by one we were all killed off." Kaori's eyes widened.
"NANI?" she shrieked. Mayo shushed her.
"Quiet!" she gulped. "After you, Genzi-sensei, Ayame-chan, and Suzume-chan were slaughtered in their own home two years later. Three years after that, Yahiko and Tsubame were killed while they worked late one night at the Akabeko. Three years later, Sano was killed, two years later, Megumi and Kao-chan were found dead in their home. Three years later, Aoshi, Misao and the entire Oniwabanshue..." she stopped, noticing Kaori was shaking.
"Kami-sama..." Kaori whispered.
"I don't have to continue Kaori." Kaori shook her head fiercely.
"Iie... tell me." Mayo nodded.
"Three years later, Aoshi, Misao, and the entire Oniwabanshue where massacred at the Aoiya...
"..........." Kaori clenched her teeth.
"I just don't understand how it happened..."
"...What about Kenshin?" Mayo shrugged.
"Couldn't tell ya. Our dreams stopped when we... they died." Mayo looked down. "I don't know what happened after that."
"Arigato Mayo... for telling me."
"Do itashimashite." Kaori sighed.
"I wonder..."
"Wonder what?"
"I wonder why we're remembering everything so suddenly... these memories are INCREDIBLY painful... and I don't see the reasoning behind it. Technically they shouldn't have an impact on our lives today and if fate is really in play, we would have discovered each other all over again anyway... why learn about them at all?"
"Maybe something's gonna happen." Mayo said softly.
"I hope not... I don't want history to repeat itself."
"I hope you're right... it would be awful if it did..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, the creative juices are flowing!! ::happy dance:: This ROCKS!!! I guess I'll leave you all with this evil cliff hanger and as you can probably tell, I was feeling a LITTLE morbid as I wrote the end of this chapter... ^_^
Neko: ::sniff:: It's SO SAD!!! POOR KENSHIN-KUN!!!!
Kaoru: Poor Kenshin? What about the rest of us? What about me? I'm the one who died FIRST!!!
Lunar: Calm down. I don't want any fighting today. Neko, go get everyone from outside and you can spend some time with Inu-chan and Fluffy-chan.
Neko: ::eyes light up and she runs outside::
Lunar: Oi vey... ::sweatdrops:: Well, that was chapter five. I hope you all enjoyed it. ::grins evilly:: Wait until Chapter Six... I have many morbid thoughts rolling around in my head... oi... I need a life...
NAMES!!!! YEA!!!!
Kenshin Himura – Kenji Hirama
Kaoru Kamiya – Kaori Kanama
Aoshi Shinomori – Akito Suzukaze
Misao Makinachi – Mayo Matsuda
Shiro – Shizuo Inao
Kuro – Komi Hirose
Omasu – Osuka Shirai
Okan – Okawa Ando
FYI: Japanese glossary
-dono: suffix. VERY respectful. Kaoru-dono = Miss Kaoru
Hai: Yes
Minna: Everyone
Gomen ne (nasai): I'm (really) sorry
Ja (ne): See ya (later)
Demo: But
De gozaru: something Kenshin says after every sentence. It basically repeats what he just said.
Kawaii: Cute
Do itashimashite: You are welcome
Arigato: Thank you
Kami-sama: God
Yatta: Yea!
Hontou ne: Really?
Nani: What?
Ohayo: Morning!
Okie dokie, that's all for now. It would be nice if I got A LOT of reviews (hint, hint). If I do, maybe I'll update faster ^_^. Well, I better go start on Chapter Six so I'll see you all there! Now, please R + R... and remember to keep the peace, love and ANIME!! JA NE!!!!!