Rurouni Kenshin is created by and the legal property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, so please don't sue me...I have NO money ;-;

" And when were movin' sets across the stage...do us all a favor and move you ass's out of the wings!!"

Stage Manager Sarah CCHS Production of "OKLAHOMA!" 2001-2002 Drama Dinner Improv "The Actor and the Techi should be Friends.

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Healer

Kenshin walked along the path, eyes faced forward in concentration. Someone was calling to him. Eventually, his walking pace became a swift run. He ran straight into a clearing. His eyes concentrated on the figure in the center. Long black hair tied by a cord, white kimono blowing in the breeze. "Tomoe...?" She turned to face his. Black eyes smiling at him.

Anata...you came. I knew you would...

Tomoe stepped toward him till they were inches apart. Kenshin's breath ran ragged. His arms came up, encircling her. "I'll never let you go..." Tomoe smiled.

I know...

His frame adjusted to hers, and he sighed in contentment. Their eyes met and he moved to cover his lips with her own. But, a voice stopped him.

"K-Kenshin..."

His eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. Tomoe stroked his cheek.

Anata...what's wrong??

"I...I thought I heard someone call my name, but, I guess it was nothing..." He moved to kiss her again and the voice returned, this time more pleading...

"Ken...shin..."

He backed away from Tomoe...head in his hands. Tomoe stepped toward him in concern

Anata...what's going on? Are you alright?

The voice echoed in his ears, trying to jar him awake. "NO!" he pleaded "Give me more time with her!" Another voice was heard, this one sounding far more urgent than the last. He felt himself being drawn away from Tomoe....

"HIMURA!!!!"

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"HIMURA!!!!"

Kenshin jerked up out of bed and looked up into the face of Misao. "M-Misao-dono!? What's going on!?" Kenshin looked next to him to see a pale faced Kaoru and a frantic Omasu attempting to get Kaoru to breath again. Shock filled his senses. He reached his hand out to touch her cold hand. "Kaoru...? Kaoru!" Kenshin backed up into the wall and watch the actions taking place. Omasu tried over and over again to get Kaoru to breath. Finally, after what seemed like hours, she started to breath. Misao fell to her knees in relief. Then her eyes darted to Kenshin. "Himura...why didn't you wake up?! I thought you of all people would have been able to sense something was wrong with Kaoru!" Kenshin looked down his eyes wide. "Your lucky Aoshi-sama heard Kaoru-chan's cries, if he hadn't come and woken Omasu and I...Kaoru-chan would be dead." Kenshin looked up slightly to see Aoshi standing by the door, hands folded in his sleeves, eyes closed. Misao waited for a response, but when none came her and Omasu left. Aoshi took one last look at the samurai before also exiting.

Kenshin swallowed and crawled over to where Kaoru laid. Her breath coming in a little shallow than normal. He touched her face, running his fingers over her eyes and mouth. "Why...why wouldn't I wake up? Why couldn't I sense Kaoru was in danger?" He gathered her in his arms and let a solitary tear fall to land on her lips. "Kaoru-koishii...what's going on?"

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Kaoru woke up late that afternoon to find herself wrapped him Kenshin's arms. ' Why do I feel so dizzy?' She looked at the face of the man who was holding her. His face was full of worry, sorrow, and...guilt? She tucked a stray piece of red hair back behind his ears. Kenshin stirred slightly at her touch and his lavender eyes opened to meet her blue ones. "Koishii...I..." his hold on her suddenly became tighter. Confused eyes looked into his. "Kenshin...what's wrong?" He looked surprisingly up at her. "You....don't know?" Kaoru rubbed her head for a moment before speaking. "I-I just remember someone strangling me...and Misao was calling your name...Kenshin, did I.....did I almost die in my sleep?" Kenshin nodded and let his head hang. "Gomen Kaoru...I-I should have know what was going on and woken up to help you, but....I...." His words faltered and his guilt consumed him once again. Kaoru slowly rapped her arms around him. After a second, he shrugged out of her hold and stood. "Kenshin?" she looked up at him pleadingly. He clenched his fists to his sides and closed his eyes tight. ' I-I don't know what to do...maybe this is all a sign...a sign that I shouldn't be with her.' He opened his eyes, which were glazed with unshed tears. Looking down he blurted out. "Gomen....Kaoru-dono..." Kaoru watched as her happiness turned away and walked out of the room. Her body was stoned in place. Silent tears slid down her cheeks. "Kenshin...."

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Hiding was all he could do. He wouldn't leave her alone in Kyoto....not with so many of his enemies lurking about. He leaned against the sturdy branch of the tree, head in his hands. ' Tomoe...Kaoru...they, they both mean so much to me. But, Kaoru is my new life...I'm over Tomoe...aren't I? ' Before Kenshin's thoughts could wander any longer, Kaoru walked out of the Aoyia. Kenshin's breath caught as he noticed her stunning appearance. His heart tightened as he watched her wipe away a stray tear. Slowly she made her way out purse in hand. Curious on where she was headed, Kenshin began to follow a good distance behind.

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Kaoru looked down in the paper her hand, and then at the small house in front of her. ' This is the place...' Taking a deep breath she stepped toward the door and knocked softly. Her hands trembled...what who he think with her showing up? Suddenly, the door slid open. She looked up at the man that stood before her. "Well....Kamiya-san...what an, unexpected surprise. Your the last one I would see at my door step." Kaoru swallowed and looked down. "I'm not here to dwell on the past Enishi...I'm.....I'm here to ask for you help.." Enishi lifted an eyebrow. "MY help? Whatever for?"

Kenshin looked on in utter disbelief. 'ENISHI!? What on earth would Kaoru want to talk to Enishi about? ' Kenshin watched the scene unfold as Kaoru nervously talked to Enishi. Enishi then stepped away from the doorway inviting her inside. Kenshin clenched his fists, and his eyes flashed amber. ' Enishi...you hurt her...'

Kaoru kneeled on the ground across from white haired man. "You know...I could kill you..." Her eyes met his. "But, you wouldn't..." He smirked. "Well...what is it you need my help?" To Enishi's surprise she bowed. "I...I would like you to tell me, if you can, about Kenshin when he was with Tomoe. And....if you could bare to....tell me, what exactly happened to her...." Kaoru looked up to see Enishi staring at her. "Why have you come here Kamiya Kaoru?" "I-I just told you...I need your help.." Enishi stood, towering over her. "Where's Battousai!? I know he's here...he wouldn't let you come and see me alone, not after what happened last time." Kaoru swallowed. "I want to make him forget! I want him to be able to live a happy life when were married. I want to help him forget. I....I want to save his soul..." He stared at her. "Why...why would you want to save that monster? You'll never be able to chase away his demons." Kaoru's eyes widen, and she stood. "He is NOT a monster! He's kind, caring, and loving! He's not who you think he is." Enishi took a step forward. "He killed her! He killed my sister!" "It was an accident! Even I know it was an accident Enishi!!" Kaoru's eyes widened as Enishi pushed her into the wall. "You hate it...don't you? Your getting married and you know you can't replace her.." Kaoru looked down. "I-I know I can't replace her...and I don't want to..." "What do you want...?" Speechless. ' What do I want? ' She looked up into his eyes. "I want him to forget....to begin a new life." Releasing her Enishi walked toward to back of the room. "She only pretended to love him...at least, in the beginning. But, then...she fell in love with him. She loved him despite the fact he killed Kiyosato! Kiyosato Akira...my sisters fiancé. She was hired to Battousai....revenge for Kiyosato. But, instead she was drawn to him and protected him. That's how and why she died. Protecting him. Nee-san would still be alive today if it wasn't for him. I don't care if it WAS an accident...I won't ever forgive him." Kaoru kept her eyes downcast. "That's why you came up with the Earthly Justice. That's why you kidnapped me...and made Kenshin go through all that pain again." A small laugh escaped Enishi. "I could have killed you for real then but, you were too much like her...my Nee-san. After I witnessed Nee-san's death, I kept up with what Battousai was doing. I had heard he finished fighting the war, and moved on wandering. He atones for her. Everything he has done has been for Tomoe. I bet you...even now, he still holds her scarf close to his heart." 'Scarf...? What is Enishi talking about?' Bowing Kaoru utter a few last words. "I'm sorry about what happened to Tomoe-san. I'll be sure to visit her before I leave Kyoto." Enishi turned to Kaoru and nodded slightly. "You can't replace her Kamiya-san...especially now, since you know...everything he's done has been for her." Looking down Kaoru let a solitary tear slide down her face. "I know."

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Kenshin trailed behind Kaoru once again, wonder just what had happened inside Enishi's. Half way back to the Aoyia, Kaoru stopped by a small old abandoned shrine. Curious, Kenshin climbed up into a tree to get a good look inside the shrine. She knelt down in front of the small alter and recited something Kenshin couldn't quite hear. Sitting up she looked around blue eyes concealing emotion. Soon her tears began to flow as she remembered what Enishi had told her. "Why...why can't I be... I-I know Kenshin loves me but, but still. Why does it feel it's not enough anymore? Why, why do I bother even doing this?! He loved Tomoe-san...he must of. Everything he's done...the wandering, picking up the Sakabatou...atoning. It was all for her. Could Kenshin still love her? Does he carry her scarf like Enishi said...? There's too much...too much I can't answer, but...I'm doing this...for him."

From his perch, Kenshin watched in awe as Kaoru cried. He didn't listen to anything she said, he just watched her as her emotions took over. ' Kaoru...whats wrong? Why are you so upset all of a sudden? Is it still about what happened this morning? ' A breeze blew by and Kenshin tucked his arms into his gi. Upon doing so, he felt a strange fabric brush against his skin. "Oro?" Slowly he removed the cloth and brought it out into the open. His eyes widened as he realized what he was holding. "This...this is..." the blue scarf waved slightly in the wind. Kenshin's hands moved unconsciously to wrap it around his neck and did so without thinking. Inside the shrine, Kaoru stood and looked out the window. Her eyes widened as she saw her rurouni perched in a tree, an old tattered blue scarf rapped around his neck, and a smile across his lips.

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A/N~ Well, well, well...there you have it, chapter 5. I'm SOOOOOO sorry for this taking so long. I had A LOT of after school things going on, and writers block hit. . Well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Enishi might make another appearance later, all depends. Anyway, leave a review if you want me to keep writing! Till Next Time! Ja! =^.^=

~Kawaii Ayame~