I'm back with Chapter 12! Don't expect this installment to be very…fluffy or lighthearted. The OAV parts are somewhat skipped over since we know what happens.
As a side note, I realize some of you are probably confused about Shiori and her…role in this. She's meant to be a puzzle that will not be solved for quite awhile. Indirectly, she does play a relatively important part in the plot. You'll probably figure it out in later chapters.
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Chapter XII: Tearful Partings
Otsu, December of 1864
The remaining light provided by the nearly finished candle wick flickered as the oldest occupant of the room stood up, tossing her shawl over her shoulders and drawing in deep, calming breaths. She had gotten used to the wind suddenly coming in an attempt to soothe her, but today she just couldn't relax. Writing a quick note and leaving it on the table, the young woman stepped outside, making her way towards the meeting point.
This is it…no turning back, Tomoe thought as she made her way through the snow, the gentle breeze coaxing her onward. If something happens to me…be happy Kaoru-chan…Find your happiness in Himura-san like I found mine in Akira.
* * * * *
It was about an hour before noon when Shiori and Soujiro came, Kana and the other's all ready outside with Kenshin playing in the snow. Her mood was anything but cheerful, halting the snow games Kenshin and the kids had been playing.
"Shiori-chan, daijoubu ga?" Hachiro exclaimed, rushing over to her. Shiori didn't answer, simply kept her head down and glared at the snow. "What's wrong? Shiori-chan?"
"Leave her be, Hachiro-san," Seiki said seriously, looking his friend over, "Are you sick again?"
"Iie," Shiori said with her voice uncharacteristically soft and quiet, "Daijoubu desu, Seiki-san…demo…"
"Where's Yukishiro-san?" Soujiro piped, noticing the woman's missing presence and interrupting Shiori. The young girl didn't seem to mind this time, grabbing onto Soujiro's arm tightly when an amazingly cold chill ran down her spine making Shiori inhale sharply, face contorting in discomfort. The pain shooting outwards was too much for her all ready chill ridden body to handle, the last thing she heard being everyone's panicked yells before the world went black.
* * * * *
"Welcome, Tomoe-san," a lanky man drawled, shutting the door once Tomoe had stepped inside.
Tomoe jumped slightly, startled. "Iizuka-san," she said flatly. I really don't like him.
The Yaminobu's leader who was sitting on the floor smirked, eyeing her rigid posture. "Did you find out his weakness?"
Tomoe's resolve or facial expression didn't waver as she shook her head. "I couldn't find a visible weakness."
"Chigau," Iizuka drawled passively, smirking as Tomoe stiffened like a board, "My observations prove otherwise. I believe I know of a weakness he has." Iizuka's eyes gleamed maliciously. "You're trying to protect him, Yukishiro-san."
"I'm doing no such thing," Tomoe said flatly, only to gasp as a katana blade was put to her throat. Glancing at the leader, she beat down her fear as he glared at her.
"Don't forget who you love, what Battousai's done to him Yukishiro," the man said lowly, "Do not forget what side you're on."
"I haven't," Tomoe said, inwardly growling while her hand drifted to the dagger in her kimono folds.
"Sorry honey, it isn't there," Iizuka said maliciously as he waved the dagger in front of her.
The next thing Tomoe knew she was back-slapped, the group's leader standing over her sprawled form menacingly. "I knew it; you fell in love with him didn't you? All women are weak like that." He gave her a swift kick that knocked the air out of her lungs, the force knocking her back into the small shrine's wall unconscious. "What's his weakness?"
"The girl he's living with; Kamiya Kaoru," Iizuka stated with a glare at the knocked out woman, "That little brat Shiori reported to Kogoro many times about his odd behavior around her. I confirmed it myself when visiting there to deliver the message to Yukishiro. The fire in his eyes is gone. Battousai will go down easily if you capture the girl."
"What about you?" the leader questioned, "Why not grab her yourself?"
An annoyed tick formed on Iizuka's forehead. "I need to finish the brats off once and for all. No one makes a fool of me, least of all a little 8-year-old brat of a girl."
* * * * *
"Her fever is high," Kaoru murmured as she placed a hand on Shiori's forehead. After putting the girl into a futon the children had been ordered home, lest the child's illness spread. "I'm going to go get water from the river, you two watch her for a moment."
"Hai, Kaoru-san," Soujiro said as he knelt besides his friend who was flushed, her breathing heavy.
Kaoru smiled slightly before grabbing a bucket and running outside, wrapping the blue shawl Tomoe had made her for winter around her shoulders. The wind nipped at her skin as she trudged outside, down to the almost completely frozen over river.
"Mou, I wish it were summer," she muttered, filling the wood bucket with the cool water. Staring at her reflection, Kaoru put her finger into the chilling water, shivering as soon as she took it out. "It should be good for reducing her fever."
"Very." The unknown voice made Kaoru jump, whirling around to try and find the source of the voice.
A light tap on her shoulder made Kaoru turn around sharply, swinging her fist in attempt to punch whoever it was. The attack was easily dodged, however, and Kaoru managed a small noise before she was hit in the back of her neck and fell unconscious into a ninja's arms, unconscious.
"Take her back to your leader," Iizuka said, "I'll take care of Himura."
The cloaked ninja nodded, bounding off from branch to branch with Kaoru slung over his shoulder, Iizuka picking up her fallen shawl before heading off towards the cabin.
Inside, Kenshin was fidgeting restlessly, snapping out of his worried state when he heard the door open. To his dismay it was only Iizuka, though alarm surged through his veins when he saw the shawl in the man's hands. "Where's Kaoru?"
Iizuka shook his head with fake sorrow. "A ninja was taking her away as soon as I came. He was one of the Yaminobu that the traitor hired." His face turned serious as he said, "Yukishiro is the traitor, Himura. You have to kill her."
Kenshin felt sad, but that familiar anger was beginning to flow into his veins. A part of his mind was frightened by the sudden switch but it was pushed back and locked away. The only thought his mind was having was rescuing Kaoru and finding out why Yukishiro was doing this…why would she do this after being so kind to him? To Kaoru?
"Himura-san…"
"Watch after Shiori, Soujiro." His voice was no longer a gentle tenor but rather a commanding baritone drawl. "Iizuka, stay with them."
"Yeah, I'll watch the kiddies." Iizuka sat back, patting his hidden sword to show the assassin he was set for any trouble.
"Kenshin-san…" Shiori's eyes were closed as her hand came up and tried to grab hold of anything, the pain unbearable. Whatever she was sensing it was happening now or going to happen in a few minutes.
Kenshin didn't answer, grabbing his daisho and running out of the cabin without looking back.
Once Iizuka was sure that Kenshin was far away, he lost his grin and glared menacingly at the bed ridden child. "You're more trouble then you're worth, brat."
Soujiro stood up, brow furrowed. "That's not nice, Iizuka-san!"
Iizuka snorted, smacking Soujiro out of his way with the katana sheath and drew the blade in one tug. "It's time I finish what that fire couldn't!"
Groaning, Soujiro rubbed his smarting cheek, looking up to see Iizuka advancing on a defenseless -- more or less -- Shiori. Standing, he picked up the wakizashi and drew the short sword determinedly. I have to protect Shiori-san! "Stop, Iizuka-san!"
Raising an eyebrow, Iizuka let out a boisterous laugh when he saw Soujiro standing there with the short sword set in his hands firmly. "Little boy, you think you can defeat me?" When Soujiro didn't move, he glared and set himself into a stance. "Fine then, I'll finish you off first!"
As Iizuka charged and lifted his katana high for the strike, Shiori finally managed to sit up and yell out, "Soujiro-san!" just as the sword was brought down
* * * * *
Groaning, Kaoru's eyes fluttered open, only to see the dreary insides of what looked like an old shrine. In the corner, however, was a limp form huddled against the wall.
"Tomoe-san!" When Kaoru tried to move, she frowned when she realized her arms and legs were tied.
"She can't hear you," a tall, muscular man said as he tossed a dagger up and down in his hand. "So you're the Battousai's woman…"
"What?!" Kaoru was confused and angry as she tried to wriggle free of her bindings. "Are you after Kenshin?!"
"Smart broad." The comment obviously infuriated Kaoru further, spitting in the man's eye when he lifted her chin up. Growling, the Yaminobu leader smacked her with the back of his hand, sending Kaoru into the wall next to Tomoe. "No matter; Battousai's going to die so I wouldn't count on seeing him again."
On cue, an explosion sounded in the distance, birds flying away as the first bomb was set off.
* * * * *
Metal clashed with metal as Soujiro brought his wakizashi up, face emotionless due to a lot of practice as he pushed Iizuka away. Shiori was trying to sit up but due to the circumstances, Soujiro couldn't turn his attention away from his opponent to tell her to sit down.
"So the little boy has some skill," Iizuka said absently, "Still not enough." Blade raised high to strike, Iizuka brought it down, only to yell when several well aimed kunai's pierced his arm. The sudden pain made him stumble to a stop, turning around to glare at the sick child who was falling back to her knees, drained of any energy she had left from throwing her hidden weapons. "Brat! I'll kill you now!"
With a loud roar he ran forward, ignoring the wounds he was opening as he brought the blade up and charged her.
Gomen nasai, Kaoru-san…I can't stay true to your teachings, Soujiro thought before hopping on his toes a few times, taking off and creating indents in the floor from his Shukuchi. As Iizuka turned around to block a thrust he was anticipating, Soujiro was all ready there with the sword at his neck, slicing through and decapitating him in one quick slash.
Blood sprayed everywhere as Iizuka's body fell forward, Soujiro frozen to his spot as he held the blood stained wakizashi in his hand and stared at his hands calmly. Shiori wasn't in any better a shape then him, on her knees and looking at Soujiro as if she were seeing someone she didn't know. "S-Soujiro-san…"
* * * * *
The tamed breeze of winter should have chilled him to the bone but Kenshin was too out of it to be affected. He was bleeding everywhere, the red liquid dripping down his head as he trudged through the forest. His shoulder was burning in pain from the injury that had been inflicted there, barely managing a glare at the leader who was at the end of the forest in front of the shrine.
Inside, Kaoru and a wide awake Tomoe were back to back, Kaoru tugging furiously at Tomoe's bindings. "It's almost untied."
"Hurry, Kaoru-chan," Tomoe hurried as she heard Kenshin give a furious battle cry. Iizuka had undoubtedly said she was the traitor and Kenshin was probably furious with her. When the ropes around her hands finally fell loose, Tomoe wriggled out of them and quickly untied her feet, wincing as she heard each clash of metal from outside.
"Tomoe-san, untie mine!" Kaoru yelled when Tomoe ran towards the door.
Tomoe turned to give her friend one last sorrowful look. She had told her everything just moments before but she still considered her a friend. "Sumanu, Kaoru-chan, but I can't." For a moment, she could see Akira again, holding out a plum blossom and mouthing that it was all right. Nodding her head to herself, she turned and ran outside, prepared to grab the dagger from her former leader and accept whatever fate that was tossed her way.
"TOMOE-SAN!" Kaoru's yell reached deaf ears as she twisted furiously with her bindings, finally freeing her hands and getting her feet free as well. Rushing towards the door, everything outside seemed to freeze and go in slow motion, her eyes widening in horror.
Kenshin was pulling back for a final blow, one eye closed and bleeding profusely. With her limited ability to read people she was sure that he couldn't focus because of all his injuries, bringing the blade down just as Tomoe took her dagger from the brawny Yaminobu leader.
The blade sliced right through both of them, the red liquid flying onto the ground like rain. The leader fell and a horrified Kenshin stood stock still, the dagger flying from Tomoe's hand and slicing a cut across Kenshin's cheek, over the old scar to make a cross shaped mark.
"Tomoe-san! Kenshin!" Kaoru ignored the biting cold and ran down from the shrine, sliding next to them as Kenshin held Tomoe up.
The gold in his eyes had died to horrified amethyst, watching Tomoe as she slowly made her eyes open. They eyed his new scar, a mix of regret yet relief crossing them. "…Don't cry for me…onegai…Kaoru-chan…"
"Why did you…Yukishiro-san…why?" Kenshin was confused and trying to keep his emotions calmed but his restraint was breaking.
"I had to…for Akira," she said, tracing the scar Akira had made long ago, "He was right…everything will be…alright…"
As realization struck Kenshin, Kaoru's tears fell faster, watching Tomoe's eyes close. "Hang on, Tomoe-san, onegai!"
"I'm glad I met you, Kaoru-chan," Tomoe said with a weak smile, her eyes closed, "Take care of yourself…and Himura-san…sayona…ra…"
"TOMOE-SAN!"
* * * * *
Shiori let out a sharp gasp, the pain she had been feeling for days dying to nothing in a single moment. Running to look outside, she sighed when she saw nothing but white, the storm down to a small flurry of snow. "It's over…"
"What's over?" Soujiro queried. He was still in his blood stained clothes, unable to move from his spot in a corner.
"Whatever I sensed has happened…and it wasn't good…" she whispered. Her tone was eerie again but she was back to normal, no edginess or fatigue present. Shiori was calm and relaxed, perhaps a bit to calm for Soujiro's liking. It was like their health was switched, him being the sick and edgy one now.
Staring out into the forest, Shiori barely contained her curiosity when Katsura made his way out of the trees but gasped at the people following him. "Kaoru-san! Kenshin-san!"
Soujiro was at her side and looking out in a flash, eyes widening with his friends at the body Katsura was carrying. "Yukishiro…san…"
* * * * *
"Sou ka…" Shiori was obviously disturbed as Katsura and Kaoru finished telling them what had happened and why Katsura was finally out of hiding. "So the one who gave Kenshin-san his first scar was Yukishiro-san's fiancé? She was out for revenge?" That explains her hostility towards Kenshin-san when I first saw her…
Kaoru nodded and sniffled, "She tried to save us but…"
"In any case, you'll need to watch over Kenshin to make sure he doesn't run up a high fever." Turning towards the trunk Iizuka's body and head had been put into, Katsura let out a long sigh. "So he really was the traitor after all. I'm glad you are both unharmed for the most part."
Shiori and Soujiro winced. It was true that both of them were physically fine but Soujiro was mentally a wreck. He had killed for the first time and it was tearing him apart inside, though he wasn't telling anyone. He simply smiled like everything was OK, but his smile wasn't reaching his eyes like it normally would.
"I'm going to go check on Kenshin…" Getting up quickly, Kaoru walked towards Kenshin's room where they had laid him down, oblivious to the looks Soujiro, Shiori and Katsura gave her back. Sliding the door open, Kaoru didn't bother to hide her tears.
His injuries had been severe, though she knew enough about medicine to properly bandage them before the wounds he acquired got infected. Kenshin's face was red from his rising fever, breathing heavily as he tossed and turned in his sleep. Kneeling by his side, Kaoru changed the towel on his forehead and stroked the cross shaped scar on his cheek. At least Tomoe-san got her revenge without killing him… Kaoru tried to wipe away the tears in her eyes as she glanced towards the door to her room across the hall, Tomoe's body laid out in her own futon. Why did she…why did she have to die?!
"Kaoru…" Wiping her eyes, Kaoru gave a relieved sigh as she saw Kenshin's eyes focused on her, though they were still dreary. With a strained effort, Kenshin brought his hand up to her eyes, wiping her tears away. "Don't cry…Kaoru…" When she didn't stop crying Kenshin grimaced and gave himself another mental kick. "Gomen nasai…for making you…cry…It's my fault."
Tear filled sapphires stared at him incredulously. "It's not your fault! It was an accident, Kenshin! You couldn't have possibly stopped your blade in time…you were hurt and weakened from all of the blood you loss!"
Kenshin grimaced again, turning his head away. He couldn't stand looking at her eyes anymore. He couldn't look into her eyes anymore. Gomen nasai…but I can never tell you what I wanted to anymore…Kaoru-dono…
For the first time in his memory, Legendary Hitokiri Battousai finally broke down, his tears mingling with the soft sobs of the young woman beside him, the one he loved but vowed to never tell.
* * * * *
"Katsura-san; since you're out of hiding I take it that it means Kenshin-san will be going back to Kyoto." Shiori nodded knowingly when he nodded. "I don't think I'll be going back."
Soujiro stared at her questioningly, though his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach; he had a feeling he wouldn't like what she was saying. "What are you talking about, Shiori-san?"
"My job here is done. I'll be going home to Edo," she said quietly, "Kaoru-san will watch after him from now on so I don't need to be here."
Soujiro nodded in understanding, though he was sad about her decision. He wanted his friend to stay still but he understood her yearning to be home with her family in Edo. "When are you leaving?"
"In the morning."
* * * * *
As she said, Shiori loaded up her horse early the next morning, Soujiro helping her. Kenshin and Kaoru had been anything but glad that she was leaving, the ill assassin less then pleased about the fact that she had been there for a reason she wouldn't tell. After much debate, Kaoru had let him sit on the porch -- after she swept away the snow -- so he could see her off with the rest of them. "You're set to go."
"Great…If I go straight on I can get there just by nightfall," she said, hopping onto the saddle and grabbing the reigns. Sighing, she sweat-dropped under Kenshin's stony stare. "Gomen nasai, Kenshin-san, for hiding so many things from you."
"Why WERE you here anyway? Who sent you?" His expression was stone cold again, even colder then he had been the first time she met him. Kenshin was obviously stomping his emotions into the corners of his heart and into his 'killer mode' again.
With a small grin, Shiori said, "It's best if I don't tell you who sent me or why. After this revolution ends, however, and you run into me sometime, I'll tell you then. Look me up in Edo if you wish, you'll find me sooner or later."
"Take care of yourself, Shiori-chan," Kaoru said with a teary smile, "You're a good kid and I thank you for being Sou-chan's friend these past months."
Shiori nodded, blinking her tears away while smiling at her new friend. "You're a special friend of mine, Soujiro-san. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting me and I hope I'll see you again in the future."
Cheeks red in embarrassment, Soujiro nodded and pocketed the letter she had given him. "I'll be sure to give this letter to Kana-san and the others. I know I'll see you again…sometime in the near future."
Smiling, Shiori nodded before saying, "I'll miss you, minna-san. Sayonara." Waving briefly, Shiori hit the horse lightly, snapping the reigns to make it go faster and down the forest path for her home.
January 15 of 1865, Himura Kenshin returned to war that, stepping out from his position as a shadow assassin and into the front lines of battle, fighting and protecting Ishinshishi members from the Shisengumi. Kamiya Kaoru and Seta Soujiro stayed by his side, despite the perilous danger it meant for them.
Walking away from the burning cottage they once called home, the trio returned to Kyoto, Yukishiro Tomoe ascending to the heavens to join her love in peace.
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OK, I KNOW that was a pretty corny ending but I couldn't think of anything better. I'm so sorry for lack of updates but I was so caught up in writing my original, which I would like for some people to read and tell me how that is too! Check it out on my profile and review if you're not too busy.
All right, the next chapter will begin what I would like to call "Baka-deshi's admittance to hell". Can you guess who's appearing in the next one? I don't know when it's going to be out though so sorry! Don't forget to R&R!
P.S. - If I missed anyone when I sent out my new chapter alert, tell me in a review so I can make sure to add you to my list!