Chapter 6
By Crystal
Author's Notes: I know some of you are waiting for 'The Difference Between Rain and Tears' to come out... But I have a writer's block for that. Terribly sorry. I still can't think of anything to write for it. If there's any ideas, email me or leave it on the review. Thanks!
*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*
I closed my eyes in pain... Kenshin and Kenji were reunited... So was Kenshin and I. But what about Kaoru? Deep down inside, I knew that I did not deserve him at all.
I was a traitor... Yes, I did change in the end, but that doesn't ever change the fact that I was a traitor to my very own husband...
Kaoru deserves him... She was nothing but a sweet innocent soul, and the way she had defended Kenshin when Kenji had called him Battousai showed clearly that she loved him. Was Kenshin really that dense to notice? Or did he know?
After Kenshin released himself from Kenji, I started looking at a young man that stood behind Kenshin. A young man about the same height as him, short black hair and dark blue eyes... So dark someone would mistake them for black.
"Tomoe?" I shook out of my thoughts.
"Gomen nasai... Kenshin." I saw him wince as I called him Kenshin. I don't blame him... The last time I had called him, which was a decade ago, I called him 'anata'. But now that Kaoru was here... And if she loved him... I don't think... No... I definitely don't deserve him. He deserves someone so much better. Way better than me... "But who is that young man there?" I pointed at the dark blue eyed man.
He smiled a bit, "His name is Seta Soujiro... He's been with me since the beginning of my travels. I saved him from... some... slave drivers."
Ah, so that was the boy Kenshin saved... "Konnichiwa... My name is Yukishiro Tomoe... Nice to meet you, Soujiro-kun." His smile didn't flatter a single bit, but nodded, a bit like Kenji did. "Anyways... Let's... Let's finish lunch, and we can talk when we get back to Kaoru's house." Everyone agreed, but lunch passed so silently... And very uncomfortable.
* * * * *
A drop of blood dripped on my cheek... I felt my left shoulder pounding with so much pain I wanted to die and I looked at up him. Shaking, my hand went up to his face to brush the tears and blood off while breathing deeply, knowing each breath was my last. A cross scar, one that would not fade... The snow stained with blood...
"Anata... It's... it's better this way... Gomen... na... sai... A...na...ta..." The snow was still falling all around us and I felt the corner of my mouth lift into a smile. And he smiled back sadly. "Ai...shi...te...ru... Ken...shin..."
"Aishiteru, Tomoe. Zutto."
Then there was darkness.
~*~
"What are you saying?"
"How much longer will you continue killing people? I want to see with my own eyes... ...My very own eyes."
His amber eyes shone and he lifted his sword up, "Stupid fools, move out of the way!"
~*~
"You... remarkably made it rain..."
"Remarkably made it rain..."
"Made it rain..."
"Rain..."
"Rain of blood."
Blood was dripping off my face and the streets were splattered with that man's blood, but all I could do was stare into his eyes, and darkness claimed me.
My eyes flew open as I sat up abruptly in my futon. It was the morning of May 7, 1879 and Kenji and I still haven't returned to Otsu for some reason. One of them had to do with Kenshin. I can hear Kenji's footsteps echo through the hall, running towards me. He crashed open the door, "Daijoubu, Okaasan?" He asked worriedly.
"Aa... Just a dream, Kenji." He nodded hesitantly, but left soon after. These dreams were so regular to me they never scare me any longer, but the only thing that scared me was how... How I saw his amber gaze and him kill again. I had a lot of dreams about our time in Otsu, but never, since seven years ago have I seen him kill in my dreams.
I shiver slightly at the cold intense gaze that those amber eyes would give me, but those were also the eyes I had fallen for. Or perhaps I have fallen for the violet ones... But seeing the indifferent stare of Kenshin after getting used to those warm violet ones were definitely... Disturbing.
I sighed. Today, Kaoru and the rest of us, including Kenshin were going to have lunch. I'm not exactly looking forward to it, since it seems so uncomfortable. I hate this.
I discarded my yukata and wore my kimono slowly, then applied hakubai-kou again, then tied my hair unto a low ponytail, finally getting out of my room and calling for Kenji and Toshiko to get ready.
Once we were all ready, we started towards the Akabeko when my steps suddenly flattered...
"Stupid fools, move out of the way!"
"Charge north! My name is Heibo Shinosuke!"
"Your name means nothing to me!" Kenshin ran forward and stabbed the person on his left right through his neck, then slashed the person on his right. He stabbed another one through the stomach and ran the sword into that last person's neck and into the wall.
A gasp escaped my lips, causing Kenji and Toshiko to look at me, alarmed. But their faces were so blurry, and the sounds coming out of their mouth, I could barely hear, let alone make out.
I walked up to Kenshin and handed him a towel, "Wash your face before your hands."
"You're still awake?"
I nodded, "Even in separate rooms, I get worried whenever you leave."
I saw his whole body stiffen, "Don't bother with me." His voice was cold and the blood was rolling down from the scar Kiyosato gave him. His eyes were even colder, making me shiver inwardly.
I felt someone shake my shoulders and concentrated on who was standing in front of me. Kenji.
"Okaasan, daijoubu?"
I smiled, "Aa... Just... Daydreaming, I guess."
"You seemed preoccupied today." Toshiko said.
I nodded, "something bad's going to happen today... I can just feel it." It was true, I have this gut feeling, as if something bad was going to happen... It was just like it was during the Bakumatsu... And I haven't had this feeling... Ever since... then. Oh god... "Something terrible is going to happen..." I said quietly.
"Oneechan, don't you think you're being a bit paranoid...?" Toshiko asked me, casting a glance my way while all the while walking in front of me.
I shook my head, "Perhaps, Toshiko... But... Ah, never mind. We're at the Akabeko." I said, pointing ahead. Indeed, we were already there. Kenji slid open the door and we walked inside.
"Otousan..." Kenji greeted again, then, "Kaoru-san, Soujiro, Yahiko-chan."
"Ohayou, Kenji-kun..." Kaoru greeted happily. It seems that she was hiding all her feelings for Kenshin inside of her. She really shouldn't do that... I think I really should talk to her later.
"DON'T CALL ME –CHAN!"
Toshiko smiled at Yahiko, "Ohayou, Soujiro-kun, Kaoru-san, Yahiko-kun, Kenshin-san." She said politely. I looked up at them, and sat down.
"Konnichiwa, Toshiko-chan, Tomoe-san, Kenji." Soujiro smiled.
I saw Kaoru look at me strangely, "Tomoe-san? Are you okay? You seem like your in a far away place."
I glanced up slightly and smiled hesitantly, "something's been on my mind today... And it's just plaguing my thoughts... I can't seem to get rid of them, it's as if something is warning me that there's trouble today... Where's Sanosuke-san today?"
"You're just like Kenshin, he's had something on his mind the whole day." Indeed, Kenshin was sitting with his back supported by the wall, his head bowed down, as if deep in thought. Maybe... he had dreams like I did? Maybe? "Sano, I don't know where that rooster head is..."
Suddenly, Kenshin looked his, but I noticed his eyes were tinted a bit with amber... Battousai... "Tomoe..." He said quietly with a nod.
"Kenshin... Are you... Never mind." I shook my head, there was no need to get him more worried.
After eating lunch, all seven of us headed towards the dojo. Megumi-san just popped out of nowhere, joining us. To my surprise, Megumi-san didn't flirt with Kenshin, not that I would mind. Okay, that was a total lie. But... Hey.
"No way! No vixens in my house!" Kaoru shouted. The whole group was amused, with the exception of Kenshin, who talked even less today.
Megumi-san smiled with that fox smile of hers, "What do you think, Yahiko? I'll cook dinner." Yahiko-kun nodded while smiling all the way. Kaoru huffed. "Ken-san, is it all right for me to come over?"
"Eh?" My head shot up immediately. That was his favourite word during our time in Otsu... Nice memories... He seemed to have noticed, because the next second, he gave me a glance.
"You don't look well today, Ken-san. Do you want me to have a look at you?" So much for the no flirting. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes and I saw Kenshin grinned a small childish grin at me. The corner of my mouth twitched upwards. Megumi-san will never change, no matter if Kenshin has a wife or not...
"No, I'm fine, it's nothing." I heard him say, then his eyes glazed over again. I shook my head, hoping the gut feeling would disappear, but it didn't.
We reached the dojo soon and when we went inside the gates, there was a big hole through the dojo hall. "This..." Megumi-san started.
"What in the world happened?!" Kaoru asked, confused yet worried.
A familiar smell hit my nose. The smell so strong during that snow fall... My blood... The smell of blood. I saw Kenshin and Kenji immediately stiffen, "Blood." They said, both at the same time. Kenshin rushed in, "Sano!"
XenoMark – Ah, I agree. I'm going to put a bit more Kaoru soon. And how she reacts. To be truthful, I really don't know how she'll react yet.
Blueraingurl – Yeah, agreed. He so better do, or I'll whack him upside the head ^^ They'll end up together, I'm sure.
rika – lol... Thanks!
Rook – Thanks!
ReAcH – Woohoo! Another reader *grins* Thanks ^^;;
Aerisakura and Smashfriends – It wouldn't be fair for Tomoe, after all, she has spent the past decade waiting for Kenshin ^^
Sakura Alex – lol, woops ^^ But anyways, thanks! And I will keep up the work!
