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.

Merry Christmas RK Fandom!!

Deadly Family Ties

Chapter Sixteen

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kaoru asked softly, feeling her head spin.

"Who are you?" Battousai growled, pressing his sword against Kaoru's neck.

Kaoru looked directly into his amber eyes and exclaimed, "Kenshin, it's me Kaoru!"

"You lie," he sneered as he took a step closer to her.

Kaoru took steps back away from his sword, but due to her weakened condition, she fell on the ground. Kaoru looked at him pleadingly, biting back the tears forming in her eyes. Why can't he recognize me? she thought bitterly.

Battousai kneeled down to level with her. "What have you done with the real Kaoru!?"

"Kenshin, I am Kaoru! Why don't you believe me!?" she yelled out in frustration, ignoring the pain stabbing her head. Cautiously, she held out her hand to him. She looked straight into his glazed eyes as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

Battousai glared at her hand and jerked it away. "I will not have you deceive me! Where is Kaoru! If you tell me where she is… I might spare your life."

In utter desperation, Kaoru cupped his cheeks and cried out through sobs, "I am here Kenshin! Look into my eyes and know that it is me!"

Battousai refused to look back at her but he also didn't jerk her hands away. He just raised up his sakabattou and said coldly. "You leave me no choice…"

When Kaoru saw what he was about to do, she wrapped her arms around him, stroking his back as she sobbed, "Kenshin! Nooooo! Don't let your hate bind you." She pulled back and cupped his cheeks again. She searched for his eyes and pleaded, "Look at me. Kenshin, it's me Kaoru. Isn't your love strong enough to see that I am your other half?" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued, "Why? Why can't your heart distinguish who I really am!!! Kenshin! Look at me and see…"

Battousai finally met her eyes and challenged, "Prove yourself!"

"I don't have to!" Kaoru took Kenshin's hand and placed it on her chest. Pressing her sore forehead against his, she whispered, "Feel my heart and you'll know…"

Kenshin's eyes softened and returned to its purple hue. He caressed her cheeks with both his hands and asked, "Kaoru?"

"Yes…" she smiled.

Kenshin wrapped his arms around her and burst out crying, "Oh, Kaoru! I am so sorry! I am so sorry! Please forgive this unworthy one! I was so confused back then. I noted that you had changed but I ignored it, thinking that it's because of the problems you are going through. Then the next thing I knew, you have a twin and you are not you. I was so confused. I didn't know what to think. All I wanted was to have you back, the real you. I am so sorry. I almost hurt you there." Hugging her tightly, he exclaimed in outmost joy, "Oh Kaoru, I am so happy to be able to finally hold you in my arms again! I love you! I love you!"

Kaoru embraced him back. "Kenshin, that's alright. Everything is fine now."

Kenshin pulled back and penetrated her eyes with his. "Forgive me for not knowing sooner, Kaoru. Forgive me! I am so sorry."

Kaoru wiped away his tears and placed a finger on his lips. She consoled, "Hush! Love. What matters most is that we are together again. Ahh…" Unable to contain the pain in her head, Kaoru passed out.

"Kaoru!!!" Kenshin noted the bruises around her head, hands, and feet. He said with mixed worry and guilt, "Oh, Kaoru. What have they done to you." Kenshin tucked a stray hair on her face and with one swift move, he swept her from the ground, carrying her in his arms. He laid her on the futon for a moment as he filled the tub with water. After that, Kenshin carried her to the bathhouse to clean her up before dressing her wounds. He laid her on the floor and whispered, "I'm sorry for this, Kaoru."

He slowly and gently stripped off Kaoru's kimono, making sure that he didn't scrape any of her wounds. He put her down on the tub and tenderly wiped her soft curves with a small towel to clean her. He sighed audibly when he saw the body of his most beloved, bruised, battered and wounded. He continued to lovingly bathe her as he sang a soft tune to her.

Kaoru slowly fluttered her eyes and asked, "Kenshin?"

"Yes, dear," he replied blushing furiously. "I hope you don't mind…"

Kaoru placed her hand on his cheek and said ardently, "Not at all."

Kenshin nodded as he continued lowered the towel to clean her thighs.

Kaoru watched him as he went down from her outer thighs to her inner thighs, down to her calves and her feet. When he had finished with both legs, Kaoru called him, "Kenshin?"

"Hmmm…"

Kaoru took his hands, motioning him to come closer. She whispered to his ears, "Come join me here."

Kenshin nodded, stripping off his own gi, hakama and undergarments. He lifted Kaoru gently, slipped on the tub and rested her on top of his body. He wrapped his arms around her waist, continuing to trail the wet towel from the valley of her breasts to her navel. For hours, they stayed in that intimate position, savoring the feeling of finally being together once again. Both were content to feel each other's rhythmical breathing and hearing their heartbeats pound against each other.

Finally, Kaoru shifted up and captured Kenshin's lips into her own for a short yet sweet kiss. She pulled back and said in a determined voice, "Kenshin… I want to save my sister."

"What!?"

"I'll explain to you on the way. Let's go to Yahiko."

"Kaoru, I am so sorry to say this but Yahiko had an— "

"I know that already. Please let's hurry!" Kaoru didn't know what had come into her but she knew one thing… her sister had experience too much bitterness in her life already, she needed to atone and make up for the lost time. Whatever she became, it was only because of the circumstances that pushed her.

It was no one's fault.

Except maybe for Marcus.

~~~~~

Despite Kaoru's weakness at that time, she insisted on coming along to Dr. Genzai's clinic. She had been worrying about Yahiko since she found out what Regan did to him and her mind would not rest until she heard from their trusted doctor himself that he was okay.

When they had arrived, Kenshin cracked the door open and called out, "Dr Genzai?"

Dr. Genzai came out of the consultation room and greeted them cheerfully, "Kenshin! Kaoru! Just the people I wanted to see!"

"Is Yahiko alright?" Kaoru asked almost tearfully.

"Yes, yes, you do not need to worry. Yahiko is alright."

"I'm glad. For a minute there I almost thought that Reg— "

Dr. Genzai placed a hand on her shoulder and comforted, "Kaoru, I know you love Yahiko as if he were your real brother. I know that he feels the same way too. In fact, had been calling out your name ever since he woke up?"

Kaoru glanced at her fiancée and asked, "What was he saying?"

"Actually, he was mumbling things like Kaoru is not Kaoru that there is an impostor…"

Kenshin and Kaoru locked eyes and frowned.

Dr. Genzai noticed this so he assured, "…You don't have to worry. His memory might still be jumbled a little bit because of the severe hit he received in the head."

"Oh," Kaoru answered. I am glad that Dr. Genzai doesn't suspect anything. It might make matters worse.

"You can see him now if you wish."

"Dr. Genzai, will you please excuse us for a minute?" Kaoru smiled politely.

"Certainly," the old man replied, nodding understandingly as he headed towards one of the empty rooms.

When Dr. Genzai left, Kaoru turned to Kenshin and said in a serious tone, "Kenshin, I think it would be best if you were the one who asked Yahiko…"

"Why?" At the back of his mind, he already knew the answer, but he just needed confirmation.

"Regan was the one who did that to him…" she replied softly.

Kenshin breathed in deeply, clenching his fists. His cold eyes were like orbs of purple and amber. He growled, "How dare she…"

Kaoru saw the anger boiling inside him. Wanting to pacify it before it is too late, she cupped his cheeks, looked directly in his eyes and said, "Please, Kenshin. Please contain your anger. We have to save her."

"Why should we?" he snarled.

"Please, help her. Please, even for me…" At this point, Kaoru wrapped her arms around him and whispered to his ears, "You know, even if I haven't experienced half of what she had been through, I understand her. She wouldn't be that way if she wasn't raised in a house where violence is synonymous to discipline."

"…"

Kaoru pulled back, tears forming in her eyes. "Kenshin, she is still my sister."

Kenshin wiped away her tears and said sternly, "She should be thankful that she is." With that, Kenshin headed towards Yahiko's room.

"Thank you, Kenshin," Kaoru whispered after him. I hope we are not too late.

~~~~~

Meanwhile, Regan woke up half-naked, her whole body drenched in blood.

Author's Notes:

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