H,Chapter 4. Some Things Never Change

"Here are your lamps." Andrew gave one lamp to each of them as he said so. "As I said, there are three rivers in that forest so we should split up. Me and Yahiko will go to the northern part of the forest. Sanosuke will go to the other one that flows directly to the sea which is in the southern part. And Himura-san will go to the last which is located in the eastern part. That river is connected to a water fall." He sorted out.

They all nodded. "Remember Himura-san, if you find Kaoru, and sees you in that attire, she will think you are her Matthew. Don't say anything. But if you need to, then do. We must find her before dawn. If we don't, this whole thing will happen again next year. And I won't allow that to happen anymore. I want my sister to be happy." That was Andrew's last words. At that, they all parted searching for the lost bride.

* * *

Kenshin was busy trekking through the maze-like forest. He was determined to find Kaoru and make sure she's all right.

Just wait a little more Kaoru. I'm going to find you.

Later, he came across a shallow canal. A thought came to his mind. This must be connected with the river Andrew-dono was talking about! He followed it. Until it became wider and obviously was now a river. It was crystal clear for it came from the mountains. There stood before him a great waterfall the strong splash of water creating a music of its own. He looked for any sign of Kaoru. None. But he didn't give up. He scanned the place inch by inch.

His patience was rewarded. By and by, he heard faint sobs. He recognized them! Kaoru! Kaoru! The sound she made was both happiness and sadness to him. Happiness that she was all right, Sadness that she was crying. How he wished he be there at her side. Comforting her. Wrapping his arms about her. He followed the source of the voice. Slightly ruining his attire. It didn't matter though. What mattered was for him to find her.

He found Kaoru or should I say Sakura sitting on the river bank. The canopy above was as beautiful as the person it covered. The stars were twinkling, the moon was forever shining. The sounds which the night created seemed to be a lullaby. The gentle splashing of the river's water. The cool night breeze. All seemed to be in one accord.

Kaoru's beautiful face which was now Sakura's, crumpled. Tears started to flow from her sapphire eyes. She remembered how she loved Matthew. But then she remembered of his betrayal. How she wished she could turn back time. How she wished she never had met Matthew and never loved him in the first place.

Kenshin's heart twisted at the sight he saw. He never wanted to see Kaoru in any other way but smiling and happy. Remembering Andrew's warning that if Kaoru sees Kenshin, she'll think he's Matthew, and boy, what a mess would it be so he refused at his initial impulse to go and console her. At last, he can't take Kaoru's crying anymore he walked quietly near her calling out her name in his most gentle voice.

"Kaoru-dono."

She was shocked. Looking up to the man in front of him, he readily recognized him. Matthew.

"You!" she exclaimed.

"Oro!?" Kenshin stopped from walking.

"Why, why are you here?! Why won't you leave me alone! You lied! Why won't you die!?! Daikkirai!" came her enraged voice.

Kenshin was speechless. He never thought that he would hear those words from Kaoru. The voice was of Kaoru's. But this is not Kaoru. It was someone else. It wasn't her all right. But, still it seemed to hurt him.

"Kaoru-dono, look." he spoke out slowly trying to calm her.

"Kaoru-dono? Kaoru!? Who is Kaoru?!? Is she your replacement for Amanda! Is she your replacement for me?!" she was now crying and Kenshin didn't seem to know what to do. Somehow, he added more pain to Sakura's now tattered heart. He gave in to his initial impulse to embrace her feeling that was the only thing left to do. He had to. So he did. At first, she tried to squirm out of him. But readily gave in as she felt a feeling of security.

"Doushite. why." her voice was shuddering from tears. Kenshin kept silent his lids closed. He hugged her still. "Matthew." He slowly opened his violet eyes Kaoru's jasmine-scent hair meeting them. "Did, did you, did you ever really l-love me?." she queried tears still flowing.

Kenshin couldn't help but blink in confusion. He didn't have a single idea to say. This was Sakura. If it was Kaoru, he might have seen yes. Silence. Silence cut through Sakura's heart. Forever scarring it. "Does that mean.no???" she didn't want to look at him. She'd be hurt if she did so.

She tried to pry off him. But suddenly, something happened. Matthew's spirit came out of the river and went into Kenshin controlling him fully. His embrace tightened Sakura could scarcely breath.

"No.Sakura. It doesn't mean that I don't love you. I love you so much." Matthew's voice was a mere whisper.

"Demo, Amanda.She said, she said." came her response.

"No. I might have loved her. But that was a long time ago. Before I found you. She didn't love me though. She was only after my riches. She was a greedy woman. I don't care of anything anymore. Except you." his voice was filled with emotions.

"After all I've done? Refused to listen to your explanations? And even, even.killing you.?" tears were streaming down fast.

"Yes.Yes, it's all right." He simply answered.

After all I've done? You don't care and it's all right? Matthew, you do, you do love me.

Looking up to him tears abating from her blue eyes the last word that was heard was.

"I love you." After that, Sakura felt Matthew's lips caressing over her own. It's warmth signified Matthew's immortal love for her. She proportioned it by giving in too. Giving him herself. Her soul. They just stayed that way for who knows how long.

Just then, approaching the couple were the three other men. Andrew, Sano and Yahiko.

"What the---" Andrew's arm prevented Sano abruptly to continue to approach them and to talk as well.

"Stop. Let's give them time." He simply said looking at him.

"But, bosu-Kenshin!" Yahiko reasoned pointing at them.

"You're mistaken." Andrew shook his head. "It's not the persons you think they are." A grin forming.

"Huh?!" Sano and Yahiko both confused.

Andrew gave out a silent chuckle. "Look closely." he pointed. There met their eyes two spirits lip and lip, hand and hand ascending towards heaven leaving the two former "possessed" figures by themselves.

Kaoru felt something warm playing over her lips. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw red hair. Masaka. It couldn't be.? She silently asked. Looking closely, she gasped loud enough that Kenshin, too was awaken.

"Kenshin!" she exclaimed in embarrassment.

"Oro~!?" "Ka-kaoru-dono! Se-sessha didn't mean to---" Kenshin's statement was cut off by a ton of laughter coming from the trees. Later, three figures came walking towards them.

"Boy, Kenshin you scored!!! Ahahaha!!!!" Yahiko flew off with major laughter.

"Oi, Jou-chan! How did the Hitokiri-Battousai taste like?!!" Another nuclear laughter.

"Mou!!! Baka!" Kaoru pounded both of them on the head despite the fact she was wearing a formal kimono.

"Enough." Andrew's voice commanded but was still soft. He turned to look at Kaoru.

"Kaoru, thank you for everything. Arigatou Gozaimasu." he bowed down at her.

"Umm, Andrew, what, what do you mean?" Kaoru was confused. It was just then they realized that Kaoru didn't knew the things that happened.

"You mean you don't know or even remember ?!?" Sano asked surprised.

"Remember what?! And besides.why am I wearing this?" she asked frantically asking for some confirmation while studying the garment she was wearing.

"Nothing so important. Himura-san will tell you,ne?" He turned his look to Kenshin mischiviously copying what Sano did earlier.

"A? A, y-yes." he nervously replied and seemed to blush a little.

Kaoru was still confused and Andrew seemed to notice it. He chuckled and embraced Kaoru like his own. "It's allright. Take care always." hugging her more. "And, oh, you can keep this." Smiling as he arranged the ruffles on her sleeve.

"Arigatou. The same with you. Please always take care." she answered back.

Andrew gave out a heavy sigh after releasing her. The sun was already rising but the mist in the forest still made everything vague. "I think it would be good if you go now.Sayounara." At the blink of an eye, Andrew walked into the fog and disappeared from their sight. And as soon as that happened, the cliff where the Lawrence manner seemed to fade and disappear as well.

They were all astonished. Turning to go out of the forest, they were stopped by something which seemed to resemble a tombstone. Nearing it they read the inscription,

HERE LIES ANDREW LAWRENCE. DIED.

"1860?!?" Yahiko freaked out.

"That means, Andrew-san was also a ghost." Kaoru's statement wasn't a question. It had an indescribable feeling.

"Aa." Kenshin nodded.

Sano seemed to notice the ground they were in was also fading. Chi! "No good! Hayaku! Let's go! Andrew was right about us leaving this place!"

They all ran out of the forest the fastest way they could. The place where they came out was gone. It was replaced by the endless ocean. And that place will just now be a memory locked up in their hearts and thoughts.

May you rest in peace Andrew-san.Take care.Sayounara. Kaoru thought taking a last glimpse at that place and they all proceeded to walk home.

* * * On to the Finale. The End of a Day

* * *

Author's notes: Well, that's it for this chappie. Finally got a spare time to update this. I still have four tests tommorow (Physics, Trigonometry, Filipino and Economics), plus, I have two postponed test: Comouter Edu. and PEHM.

Well, GTG! Ja! Thanks to my readers and reviewers. If this story bores you or something, you can read my other "better" works if you wish. They are posted here too.