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 sat in bed, head in his hands. Insanity. He had to be going insane. There was no other possible explanation. Tomoe had been dead for almost 13 years now, and yet, here she was, controlling him. " I love Kaoru...there's no doubt in that, but, then why am I seeing Tomoe, and falling into everything she wants...this had to be fake. There's no way this is all real!! " He spoke to no one, only himself as he lay alone in the dark. Not even Battousai could give an answer to his inner demands. In fact, it was Battousai who Tomoe often called too. Kenshin clenched his eyes tight, trying to stop the sting of tears. When? Since when had he been so weak, so confused? The sound of the door sliding open startled him. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Jasmine scent filled the room and he heard the door shut. He watched her shadow on the wall opposite of her. Her figure leaned against the wall lightly her head tilted upward. He sat there staring at her shadow for several moments. How could he look at her? Especially after that dream...or... what he thought was a dream. Her voice, a mere whisper broke the silence. "Are you mad with me Kenshin?" Her question surprised him, enough so to get him to turn and look at her. "Kaoru, no...I'm not mad with you. Why-why do you think that?" Her blues eyes met his amethyst ones for a second, before turning away. "Misao said you came in looking for me. She said you were really upset. I-I wanted to make sure you weren't upset with me." Her eyes trailed to the futon, and focused on the scarf lying there. Quickly he moved it out of the way. "Kaoru-koishii, why don't you sit down, and tell me why you ran off." Her eyes widened. "You....you saw me!?" Kenshin lightly patted the spot next to him. "Hai, I saw you....and then chased after you, but, I lost you in the down pour. Now, tell me koishii, why did you run?" ' You know exactly why she ran..' his other half stated. Kenshin shook his head at Battousai's pressing voice. Kaoru sat down beside Kenshin head down slightly. ' Time to face the music...' Before Kenshin could ask her to explain again, Kaoru spoke. "Kenshin....I've been lying to you..."
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Kenshin wandered through the lone cemetery as darkness crept up behind him. He needed to be alone. But more importantly, he needed to see someone, one last time. His conversation with Kaoru was still fresh in his mind. Never had he expected what she had been planning to do....
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Kaoru's face was still down as Kenshin looked at her confused. "Lying?" Kaoru nodded meekly before starting. "I knew after you proposed to me that you were planning to go to Kyoto alone...to collect your thoughts. That night, when you were talking with Sanosuke about it...I over heard. I stood there for a good half an hour and listened. Tomoe....you were talking about how you were going to visit Tomoe's grave. Your voice started to crack, and, I could tell you were upset. I almost walked in to tell Sano to leave so I could comfort you. But, I didn't, I.....I just stood there and listened. " Kenshin's eyes widened slightly as he recalled the conversation. Kaoru pressed on. "That's why, that night, when you asked if I wanted to stay in your room, I said no. I-I wanted to think. You were so sad when you just mentioned her name. Even before you asked me to marry you, I would sit outside your room, listening to you call out her name. I've heard so many of your nightmares, but, I never could do anything to soothe them....you always cried out for her....Tomoe..." Kenshin stared at her in wonder. Battousai's voice crept in. ' You know exactly how wrong she is...her name was the only one called out after Enishi...' Kenshin strived to find something to say, but, she kept going. Emotion taking over....tears slipping from her eyes. "So...the next morning I asked if we could go to Kyoto. I was determined to find away to make them stop. To make all the nightmares you have stop. I ask Aoshi to help me....I asked him to tell me what I could do. I went to see Hiko to find out more about how you became the legendary Battousai....and who you were before then. Then...I went to Enishi....to find out more about your relationship with Tomoe. Enishi.....Enishi was cruel as usual. He was furious when I asked about Tomoe. He-He said I could never replace her in your heart, but....I already knew that. That's when I went to that shrine....and...and I saw you in the tree...with her. With her scarf. I knew I had lost then, and, I ran. I ran away from you, her, and myself. I had come here to try and chase away those demons, the ones that haunt you in your sleep. I...I wanted you to forget...and start a new life. One without the nightmares, but, it seems I failed." Her voice ceased and the tears continued. He was speechless. Nothing could have prepared him for what she had just said. Lavender eyes slipped close as he took in all that she had said. Soon her sobbing became more intense and he looked up at her startled. "Kaoru?!" He reached out and held her. Rocking her in his arms, trying to calm her. Between her sobs he could hear her talking, but, her voice was too muffled for him to understand what she was saying. He was only able to pick a few of the words. " don't.....aishiteru...please....gomen...." He held her still, confused by her sudden outburst, yet, he held her. Finally her crying began to cease, and her wet blue eyes met his. "Gomen ne...gomen ne Kenshin..." He shook his head, red hair falling in his face. "Don't be sorry..." Wiping a stray tear from her cheek he let her go and rose. Her eyes darted up to meet his, worry of rejection dancing in them. "Don't worry...I'll be back..." Before Kaoru could respond he walked out the door, leaving Kaoru alone in the dark.
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That had been over half an hour ago, and now Kenshin roamed aimlessly about the darkened grave yard. Yet, low and behold, his feet lead him to that one familiar grave. He kneeled, staring at the inscribed words, his heart twisted slightly at what Kaoru had said. " I already knew I couldn't replace her..." Battousai seemed to be on the same train of thought, as he interrupted Kenshin's own thoughts. " Perhaps...if you think about it....she needs to be helped more than we do." Kenshin shook his head. "All this suffering she's gone through these past few days...it was for us...you can't deny that.." Silence was the Battousai's answer. Kenshin continued to stare at the grave and finally reached out, brushing his hand against the name. "Gomen ne Tomoe...it's time I let go. Whatever has been going on these last few nights, I'm going to forget them. You can't come between us any longer. It's true Kaoru will never replace you...but, this is also true...your my past...she it my present. So, Sayonara....Tomoe" Rising, he said one last prayer before leaving the dark graveyard, unaware of the feminine shadow following him.
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When Kenshin returned he found Kaoru already asleep, hugging close to her one of Kenshin's gi's. The site was amusing, and again comforting. Changing into his yukata he crawled into the futon next to her, and took her in his arms. "Aishiteru...Kaoru-koishii..." Stirring slightly, Kaoru adjusted to his hold and sighed in contentment. Eyelids feeling heavy from the days ordeal, Kenshin allowed sleep to find him.
Again, the same path, same darkness, the same voice calling him. Golden eyes looked around cautiously as if searching for an enemy. The women's voce beckoned him to come closer, and he did. Commands were being whispered into his ear left and right. A voice in the back of his head though, tried to call him back. Ignoring the one piece of sanity left in him, Battousai pressed on through the dark.
The room was round, cold, and dark. Just like the last time. Her heart began to beat faster as the voice of the women she seemed to fear most came closer. Her body went cold as the voice turned and whispered in here ear. Breath running ragged, Kaoru attempted one thing she had yet to try...she ran. She bolted off into some unknown direction searching for anyplace to hide. The sound of feet behind her made her speed up. Reaching a cliff she looked down to its never-ending fall. Her breath caught as Tomoe appeared in front of her. A strange smile upon her lips. "Kamiya...I've come to give you something."
Battousai followed his urge to run. He was being called, and he had to obey. Tomoe's commands became stronger in his ear, and he ran faster. His sanity still screaming in the background to stop. His dash became a slow walk as he approached the back of a young women. He could see Tomoe in front of her, and listened to her words. "...I've come to give you something..." Battousai felt his hands being lifted and fitted around a smooth surface. Suddenly his sanity began screaming wildly, stronger and more fierce than it had before.
Kaoru's eyes widened as she felt hands grasp her neck once more. In her mind she was screaming, but, no sound could be heard in the open. Her hands clawed at the ones around her neck. ' Such strength!' she thought. She had one option. Closing her eyes tight she jumped up, flipping backwards toward the cliff. Her mind suddenly realized what the dream was about. Taking one last look at Tomoe, she rolled off the cliff, her mind set. ' I will take away his nightmares...even if it means facing his other half.' The figure holding her growled before realizing what was happening.
Battousai felt himself falling, along with the person he was holding. Tomoe's voice was again in his ears. "Don't let her go...what ever you do...never let her go...you have to power to be one man and protect her. Anata...be happy. Sayonara." Battousai opened his eyes to look at the women in his grasp. Swallowing he turned her around, afraid of what he would see.
Ice met Amber....and the dream shattered.
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A/N~ Whoa....weird dream...and CLIFFHANGER ENDING!! WEEE!! \^o^/. Only a few more chapters to go!! Drop a review on what you think of this chapter!! PLEASE EXCUSE ALL SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS! Well Till Next Time! Ja! =^.^=
~Kawaii Ayame~
