A/N: Hallo! Sorry this took so long to get out! I just had one of those moments where I couldn't think of anything to write. I think this is another long chapter. YATTA! Now… ON TO THE STORY! =D
Thoughts
~*~ = Scene change
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. *Bawls* Nobuhro Watsuki does.
Dedication: For once, I actually have a dedication. ^-^' This chapter goes out to my uncle, Jim, and my new aunt, Jiab. CONGRATS you guys!
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Last time:
The only thing he truly saw was hatred and sadness, which replaced the warm, loving and carefree look that dawned her big blue eyes five years earlier.
At least it's a start. I promise, I will get Kaoru-dono back, even if I kills me.
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~The next morning~
"Ohayo, Yahiko."
"'Morning." Kenshin smiled cheerfully at the teenager.
"It's a beautiful morning, that it is."
"Yeah," he joyfully replied.
"Yahiko, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Go ahead," he said.
"What's been going on around here these past five years?" Kenshin asked.
"I can answer that for you."
"I know that Yahiko-nii would have skipped over part of it," said second new voice.
"Oh, come on Suzume! You too, Ayame," the sixteen year old wined.
"Grow up Yahiko-nii," Ayame said and rolled her eyes.
"Alright. Thank you, you two," Kenshin acknowledged and smiled at the two girls.
"Well," started Suzume, "Two years after you left, Uncle Sano and Aunt Megumi got together (A/C: Does anyone know what Ayame and Suzume call Sano or Megumi?)."
"You mean they're…MARRIED?!!?"
"No, Kenshin," replied Yahiko while holding in fits of laughter. "But, we all have a feeling that Sano will ask her pretty soon."
"ANYWAY…" Ayame chimed in, " Within the last year…Yahiko got a…GI~RLFRIEND!"
"Oh… you did?" So who's the lucky girl??"
"…Tsubame. Listen, Suzume, Ayame, can I talk to Kenshin, in private?"
"Alright," they said quietly in unison and left the room. The teenager looked over to double-check that the girls were really gone.
"Yahiko?"
"Listen. A lot more has happened besides that. We try to hide it from them even though it's obvious. Everyone, especially Kaoru, has had a hard time since you left," he paused and took a breath while looked directly into Kenshin's violet eyes. "She has never been the same since you left. She always seems like she's in her own little world. She would stay in her room almost all day for the first year. We could easily hear her crying all day and night. It was awful! We couldn't do anything to snap her out of it. Lately, when she's in her world, she'll do something similar to sleepwalking. Usually, she'll go to the spot. The place where you told her goodbye." The redheaded man just stared in shock at the boy before him.
Could this be true? Kaoru-dono…what have I done?! Instead of protecting you, I have hurt you deeply, and I don't know how to help you. "I didn't man to do so, that I did not," he whispered gloomily, but he was the only one who heard those words.
~*~
This seems so…so unreal. Maybe this is just a dream, but it feels real. "I don't know what to think anymore. He just waltzed in here after five years and thinks that everything would be as it was before?!" Kaoru walked down the busy market road, not knowing, or caring for that matter, where her feet would take her. Why does this have to be me? I don't know if I can ever forgive him. I mean, he killed innocent people; plus, he got up and just left us without telling us why. It was so sudden. Just as she snapped out of her thoughts, the sun started to set painting the sky vivid shades of pink, purple, and blue. "Kenshin…I…no! He's caused us such pain for five years. I can't forgive him that easily," she whispered and looked to the sky. Can I?
~*~
"At first, Kenshin," Yahiko said, "I hated you for leaving. I thought that you did it because you grew tired of us, but a few years into your absence, I got word of a man named Shishio and all that he had done and was trying to do. So then, I hated you for not wanting our help. I think that Sano felt the same way I did, but you know him. He holds grudges longer."
"Yes. I agree with you on that account, that I do," Kenshin replied and smirked. I think the only ones I have to worry about now are Sanosuke and Kaoru-dono. *Thinks sarcastically* Oh boy!
"I'm back! Is anyone here?" a voice rang out.
"Hey, Busu. We're in the kitchen,' Yahiko called back.
"Really, Yahiko," she started as she walked in the room, "If you're wanting to learn the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu (A/C: I don't know if this is spelled right b/c I got this off a website), then I wouldn't talk to me like that." She stuck out her tongue at him, and then realized that there was another person in the room. "Oh, hello Kenshin. I didn't see you."
"That's alright, Kaoru-dono. Would you like some breakfast?"
"No, thank you," she answered quickly and rushed out of the room. Why am I so nervous around him? Kaoru closed her eyes tightly, trying to tune out all of her emotions towards the violet-eyed Rurouni. You must be strong, Kaoru.
"Man! What's her problem?"
"She's still mad at me, that she is." I've got to try as hard as I can to get her to forgive me, that I should. "I'm going to go do laun-"
"Hold it, Kenshin!" a voice said in the shadows. "I'm here to challenge you!"
"Sano…why?" Kenshin questioned and looked worriedly at his friend. What should I do??
"Sanosuke! What are you doing?!" the teen exclaimed.
"This is none of your concern Yahiko. So, Kenshin, do you accept?'
"Before I say anything," he started, "I want to know why ad what the terms are."
"Fine," Sano sneered. "The terms are simple. We use fists and a weapon of choice in any combination. The first one to get knocked out loses. And as for the reason, you'll find out soon enough." He stared at Kenshin, waiting for an answer and tried not to blink fearing that he'd miss the response.
Sanosuke has never seemed this serious about a fight before. He could get hurt very badly if I fight him, but what else can I do? "Alright. I accept," Kenshin said coolly and showed no signs of panic on his face. "What time will this fight be?"
"At noon. Today. Oh yeah, and Megumi will be there just in case."
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A/N: so, what did ya'll think? Let me know! Personally, I'm pretty happy with the final product. You all are totally ASWOME! I got about 16 reviews after I posted. Thanks to the following people:
Minako, Sora Himura, Rai Kiko, 8462, Mika blue eyes, star-crystals, Rach, boomerang-chan, Rai, bunny-chan, Crazy Girl Person, LaTiNa-CiNnA, Nicky, Babog, Dragona, and Nitogumi!
I want to say a special thanks to one person in particular, Dragona. You're latest review brought me up to 100 reviews total. Thank you very much! :)
Also, I've been forgetting to put this in. I found this site that has what most of the characters call each other. It's helped me out a lot in this story.
Ja 'ne!
MiraiGurl
Come on, guys.
Push the button! You know you want to.
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