Standard Disclaimers Apply. The rights to Rurouni Kenshin are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics and other associated groups. Do not sue!!! I am writing this to satiate my urge to write.

Deadly Family Ties

Chapter Twelve

            Kenshin left the dojo early the next morning to go to take a walk. He did not want to face Kaoru… or whoever she may be. He needed to find answers. This is crazy… what am I doing? Of course she is Kaoru… isn't she?

            It took him every ounce of self-control he had not to grab that woman by the neck, pound her on the wall and demand where his Kaoru was. But of course, he couldn't because, if she really was Kaoru, then it would immensely scare her and… it would break his heart to know that he had hurt the woman he truly loved because of paranoia.

As he was strolling, he found himself looking at his surroundings blankly as he struggled to sort out the unexplainable events that just happened the previous evening. He knew that there must be a logical explanation but he just did not know what.

Kenshin unconsciously headed to the market… to the same corner he and Kaoru found the old senile man. When Kenshin saw where he was he decided to ask the old man a couple of questions even if he knew that Aki's ex-worker wouldn't be of any help regarding the matter that was bothering him.

Surprisingly, the man wasn't there anymore. Feeling at a loss, Kenshin decided to ask Dr. Genzai instead.

Kenshin walked in the clinic with a blank expression on his face, he asked casually not to alarm the old man, "Dr. Genzai, can I ask you something?"

Despite Kenshin's relaxed tone, Dr. Genzai couldn't help but be a little bit jumpy. After Kaoru's interrogation almost a month ago, his paranoia never left him. "What is it Kenshin? You know, I am a busy man— "

Kenshin noticed his unwelcoming tone so he assured, "This won't take long, it is only one question."

Dr. Genzai nodded in resignation and sat down in front of him.

Kenshin smiled gratefully and asked, "Does Kaoru speak any foreign language or dialect?"

"No." Dr. Genzai's eyebrows creased in bewilderment as he gave Kenshin a quizzical look.

"That's what I thought. Thank you Dr. Genzai." Kenshin replied as he motioned to leave.

Dr. Genzai frowned at his lack of explanation so he pried, "Why did you ask?"

"Oh nothing, I was just curious because she mumbled a couple of strange words," replied Kenshin while flashing the doctor his rurouni grin to rid him of any more inquiries. "Anyway, thank you. I must go now," Kenshin said as he bowed appreciatively. He was heading out the door when Dr. Genzai spoke.

"Wait! I remember her mother speaks a little Spanish."

Kenshin's eyes lit up at his words and whispered, "I'm glad…"

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing," he replied, waving his hands in front of him, flashing him a sincere smile. "Thank you very much, Dr. Genzai. Sorry for disturbing you." With that, Kenshin left with a big burden lifted from his shoulders. I am glad to hear that… I shouldn't have doubted Kaoru all along. I wonder what had gotten into me to think that she is not her. Maybe it's Enishi's doll… that episode in my life had really scarred me. Well Kenshin, that Kaoru in your dojo is no doll. She is alive and she is your Kaoru…

~~~~~

            Get a grip, Yahiko! You can do this! Yahiko said to himself as he walked towards the dojo the day after his espionage. He stopped in front of the door and took a deep breath. Shouldn't I tell Kenshin first before I confront this impostor? Yahiko paused for a moment to ponder on that thought. No… Kenshin will never believe me without solid proof. But I could tell him to visit her hideout. No, I'll just have to make her confess everything first. Mustering up his bravado, he stomped towards the dojo, wearing a fierce face, gripping his shinai firmly on one hand and clenching the other. "Kaoru!!?" he called out.

            Regan walked out of the dojo, clad in a gi and hakama. She opened her arms and smiled, "Yahiko, I'm glad you came back! I missed you!"

"Stop that bullshit!" Yahiko snapped. "I know that you are not Kaoru."

Regan's eyes sparkled at the new revelation. "What do you mean, boy?" she asked, emphasizing on the word "boy" with much amusement in her voice.

Yahiko's eyes widened in recognition as he stuttered, "You're… you're that lady wearing who approached me a month ago."

"Great observation. I commend you…" Regan replied, clapping her hands.

"Do not mock me…" he sneered.

            Regan opened her mouth, forming an 'O' to provoke him.

Yahiko breathed heavily to control his intensifying rage. I have to keep my composure like Kenshin and Aoshi. Don't lose it. Looking at her straight in the eyes, he asked compellingly, "Who are you and what do you want?"

"Kid, I thought you knew what was going on?" she asked feigning confusion. "You just said awhile ago that you knew I wasn't Kaoru." Smiling widely, she continued, "Tell me… who am I?"

Unable to control the strong emotions inside him, he yelled, "Don't play games with me!!! I demand to know who you are and what you want!!!"

"Demand? Are you sure you are in the position to demand, boy? You have got to be kidding me," she guffawed. "You are just like Kaoru. Very demanding. The good life must have spoiled you rotten, huh?"

"You don't know anything about us!!" he spat. Tightening his grip on his shinai, he growled deeper, "I repeat, I demand to know who you are and what you want!"

Regan raised her eyebrow and smiled. "Alright, boy. I'll tell you. I am Kaoru's twin and I want to take over her life. Satisfied?"

Yahiko's eyes widened at her indifferent manner of divulging information. He just stared at her allowing the words to settle. He was too shocked to reply, to think or to act. When he finally understood the implication of her words, he carefully took steps back in panic as he muttered. "Impossible. Twin? I don't believe you!"

Regan smiled at him threateningly and said, "I don't care what you think, boy. You are just a walking corpse to me." She unsheathed the 'Silver Tiger' she hid on her back.

            Yahiko's heart paced rapidly as he saw the sword glinting with the sun's rays. He turned and started to bolt for his life. However, his attempts were futile. Regan was too fast for him. Before he even knew what was coming, she slashed his back diagonally causing him to fall face-first on the ground.

            Regan raised her sword to stab him on the chest but before she accomplished that she heard Yahiko murmur, "Ken… shin."

            "Eureeka!" Regan exclaimed when an idea occurred to her. She turned Yahiko over so that his back was now lying on the floor. She stared at his unconscious figure and with the hilt of her sword, she hit Yahiko hard on the head causing blood to flow. She smiled inwardly, That should make you forget what happened today, that is… if you will still wake up. Regan thought for a moment and then she tousled her hair and ripped her gi in a few places. She wounded herself on her arm and stabbed her thigh, biting her lower lip to control the pain. She limped back to the dojo to hide her sword and went back to carry Yahiko to Dr. Genzai's clinic. On the way there, she praised herself, "Regan, you're a genius!"

~~~~~

            "Kaoru, dinner's ready!" Yuku called out as she cautiously opened the door to Kaoru's room and placed the tray on her bed.

            Gohei Hiruma guarded the opened door with his arms crossed on his chest, grinning condescendingly at Kaoru. "Hey… your beloved Battousai not here to help you? Heh! He must be pretty busy enjoying himself with your sister," he snorted incitingly.

            Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him, a single thought preventing her from grabbing the tray and throwing it at him, Maa, maa, Kaoru. Have patience even for the day. You musn't be too rash… She regarded Yuku with cold eyes and asked, "When is my sister coming back here? I need some answers!!!"

            "Patience, little child. You'll get your answers. Regan found hers after eighteen years, pray that yours will come much sooner."

            "And what is that supposed to mean?"

            "Oh nothing," she smiled mockingly. "Regan will be back after her wedding."

            Blood drained from Kaoru's face as tears welled up in her eyes. She ignored all rational thought containing her outburst and began hitting Yuku, screaming, "No!!! Not Kenshin!!! Why are you doing this to me!!? I won't let her do it! Let me–"

            Yuku caught one of her arm and gripped it tightly, "Do not test my patience, dear, unless you want to die of starvation without knowing the truth."

            "What is the truth anyway? The truth doesn't matter anymore to me. You know why?" she snapped with glazed eyes. "It is because you are just using it to justify your crimes. You are using it as an excuse to destroy other people's lives just because you aren't contented with yours."

            Yuku let go of her arm and slapped her hard on the cheek. "You don't know what you are talking about, child. You have no right to place judgment on your sister or me. You don't know the hell we have suffered."

            "And I suppose you know mine?"

            "Yours doesn't even begin to compare."

            "Then why don't you start your own life instead of taking over mine?"

"Because you have to pay your parents debt," Yuku smiled.

"Like you said, it isn't mine to pay."

Yuku frowned in resignation as she stepped out of the room with a loud huff. "You don't even know what you're talking about."

"Enlighten me."

"Gohei, lock the door to make sure she doesn't come out."

The moment the door was closed, Kaoru smiled widely, My plan is working perfectly. As long as I keep my stubborn and ignorant façade, they won't suspect a thing... Now, I just have to trust my instincts that at exactly 7:00 tomorrow evening, she will serve dinner as scheduled. Mother, Father help me on this... This has to work. I cannot fail. Now, all I need to do is to rest and wait... Kenshin, the real Kaoru is coming home soon… Please don't do anything you will regret later on...

~~~~~

            After the big drama that unfolded inside Dr. Genzai's clinic, Kenshin and Regan went home to rest. They ate dinner in silence with a thick air of tension around them. Regan pretended to be crying while Kenshin held a grim expression on his face.

            When they had retired to their bedrooms, Regan made her sobs and wails louder to lure Kenshin inside her room and check on her. She was not disappointed because in minutes, Kenshin came knocking on her door.

            Regan opened the shoji door slowly and then threw her arms around Kenshin. She whimpered, "Kenshin, what happened to Yahiko was horrible!"

Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru and comforted, "I know, koishii, please, stop crying."

            Regan led him inside her room, motioning him to sit beside her on her futon. She bowed her head, wiped away her crocodile tears and said, "I did everything I could to save him but they beat him up badly."

Kenshin pulled her towards him for a hug as he whispered to her ear, "Don't blame yourself, if you hadn't been there to save him, he would have…"

"Oh Kenshin, don't say that! If something happens to Yahiko, I don't know what I'll do!" she exclaimed as she tried to bite back the smile that was forming on her lips.

"Sshh… I am here. Everything is alright, ne?"

Regan shook her shoulders violently as she inwardly smiled, Now for the bait… Cracking her voice, she continued, "That horrible experience taught me one important thing…"

Kenshin pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. "Which is?"

"To live every single day as if it is the last."

"That's good to know, Kaoru…" he replied pulling her again for another embrace.

Regan pulled back and captured Kenshin's lips into her own for a heated kiss. She caressed Kenshin's chest muscles, enjoying the way they tensed under her touch. She nibbled his earlobes and whispered seductively, "Make love to me, Kenshin…"

~~~~~~

**Kenshin, the real Kaoru is coming home soon… Please don't do anything you will regret later on..**

Author's Notes:

::chibi-angel dodges the vegetables flying her way:: Sorry! Sorry! Sorry for that urky Regan/Kenshin moment! For all Kenshin knows, Regan is Kaoru. Just think of it this way, if Regan were Kaoru, it would be totally sweet, right? ::OUCH!:: Hey that hurts! Don't worry! When this whole fiasco is over, it will be all worth it! I promise I'll make it up to you with extreme K and K waff!

Okay, so Kenshin got more sidetracked here, right? Well, I think with all that was happening including Yahiko's incident, Kenshin's mind must be spinning right now. Since he somewhat convinced himself on a certain level that he is truly with Kaoru, it would be reinforced when Regan broke-down in front of him. Seeing that weakness on her melted his heart enough to believe that it was Kaoru.

Many… many thanks to those who left a review!

Terrence-I am glad it did. Angst? Actually, I am enjoying it a lot now but since I don't have a lot of time on my hands… I am going to stick with my current on-going fics first. ^__^ Fuuzaki- of course I am smiling! Coukdyou see how wide it is? Thanks! Someone- the title of the fic is The Agony and the Ecstacy by Midori Natari Himura. Just a few more chaps to go and K/K would be reunited. Lily, Fujifunmum- He'll catch on soon… but you see… it's "Kaoru" we're talking about here so I don't think that suspicions would be easily ignited when it comes to Kenshin. Dementedchris- I am so glad I finished this last summer. If only I could find the time to edit the remaining chapters… geez… didn't know that this sem would literally pull me down. About the heights thing.. thanks a lot! I need a major TON of honest feedback and encouragement. Ali-chan- Thanks a lot! Your review surely made my day! Yup… I know we authors don't get paid but reviews are enough to keep us happy and fulfilled. Cherrybubbles- so? When is it? Tell me! Sorry JML, the final revelation will come soon but not yet now… just a chap or two to go and she'll see… Bwahahaha…. sweetaznpnai4eva, luthien, kamehime, Samurai X- thanks a lot! Yup, I will update soon! Mae- thanks for that encouragement. No, please don't be sad, ne? Aria- I promise that K/K waff will compensate for all this. I promise. Vesca- thanks! That is ultra sweet! I do update ff.net first because it is easier and I get more reviews here. kittie!? Sure!! I would love to take care of them… as long as they won't scratch my shih-tzu. Marstanuki- you know what? Me, too. ^__^ Hana-chan- thanks for the trust! Hey! Surfacing hearts would be ending soon! I just want to thank you again for everything!

Special Thanks to Midori for editing this.

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