Hey everyone I'm sorry I haven't updated in such in a long time. The credit
for this chapter goes to Nicky, thank you for supporting me! This story is
for her! Oh and now is your chance to find out who won the vote!
Chapter five: Revealed under cover of Darkness
Kaoru tossed and turned sleeplessly in the futon that was lent to her. She was in Kenshin's room, this was so weird! But it felt kind of…almost good. The scent of scandal wood surrounded her. Kenshin's scent. It was almost like Kenshin was right there with her. Kaoru felt a little guilty stricken for keeping this a secret from him, but she felt it was still too soon to tell him. It was just too soon. Certain no one would bother her, Kaoru no longer has her disguise on. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. 'Kenshin…how long am I gonna keep this from you?' How she wished he was here with her. The futon, this one wasn't hers so she wasn't adjusted to it either. Where was her futon anyway? Whatever happened to it? She was about to shake this thought off when she heard a soft sound coming from her room. 'Kenshin?' Quiet as a cat, she crept out of the room she was staying in and went to her room. More like Kenshin's now. She creaked his door open just a little, surprised that Kenshin didn't notice she was there. She saw him, he was sitting cross-legged on a futon, his red bangs hiding his eyes. She could see tears fall every now and then onto the futon he was sitting on. 'That futon looks familiar.' She thought, it dawned her. Wait a sec, that was her futon! Not only is Kenshin staying in HER room but he's also sleeping on HER futon! Tears started to flow down Kaoru's face. Kenshin was this upset over her? He missed her that much? Kenshin quietly spoke her name and mumbled something she couldn't make out. It took all her willpower to not go bursting into Kenshin's arms and especially not to blow her secret. With a heavy, guilty-struck but inaudible sigh, she stumbled back into her room. Kenshin too, was in a pretty pitiful condition. Unknown to Kaoru, he had been like this ever since he had seen her 'die' right there in his arms. He stayed in her room and slept on her futon because her scent was the only thing that helped him get through the night. It somehow made him feel like she was there, right by his side. He knew she wasn't but still, it was the only thing left of her and surprisingly, her jasmine scent never got rubbed off by his own and it never faded. He wanted her back so badly, he missed her so much. Even though it had been three days ago, he still wondered why she had to die, what could've happened if he just moved a little quicker. If it weren't for him she would still be here. He had involved her in this. It was all his fault. He knew Kaoru would never hold it against him but he just couldn't seem to forgive himself for this. Without Kaoru, he was lost and empty. He didn't feel like there was anything left for him to live for. Kaoru had been his life, his reason for living and for even being here. There were so many times when he was just about to get ready to go wandering again but Kaoru, the smile she gave him, the way she said she didn't care about his past, it kept him here. There had also been times when Kenshin just wished that he was dead. That way he could be with Kaoru. He did try once to stab himself with his sakabato, but Sano and Yahiko had stopped him. They reminded him about Kaoru's last words, how she had told him she loved him and to live on for her. The dojo, everything she had, it was left with him and both their friends. He had to keep going…for her. Snuggling into what was once Kaoru's futon and breathing in her scent one more time, he let sleep overcome him.
***************************************************** A few hours later, Kaoru woke up in the middle of the night again. She had managed to get at least an hour of sleep but it was still late. She tried over and over to sleep but it was no use. She sighed, she finally decided to go get some fresh air. Before she got ready she crept to all the rooms to see if everyone was asleep. Positive it was just her, she didn't bother to disguise herself. She did put on the pink kimono but she tied her hair up in the indigo ribbon the way she normally did. She knew that she would be in trouble if Sano or anyone saw her, especially Kenshin, but she was positive no one but her was awake. So quietly she crept outside. She went and sat on the porch of the dojo, just gazing at the stars. It brought back the memory of her and Kenshin sitting here watching the sunset. She felt so warm and safe when she was in his arms. A lone tear found its way down her cheek and fell to the ground, shattering like her heart. She felt like her heart was being torn apart. Still not feeling tired, she headed to the dojo, where she and Yahiko practiced. She looked over at the wall, where both hers and Yahiko's names were. She even saw the stand which held her katana which seemed untouched. Kaoru walked over to it and gently picked it up. Even though she and Yahiko fought a score of times, she lived him like the brother she never had. She wondered how Yahiko and the others were taking this, mostly Yahiko. She didn't expect this to be answered. She suddenly heard and quiet but horrified and surprised gasp coming from behind her. She spun around to see Yahiko, in his nightwear staring at her in disbelief and fear. Yahiko was trembling and staring, he was frozen there. Kaoru knew she had been caught. She decided there was no choice but to tell him and hope he doesn't say a word.
"Yahiko," she started as she stood up and smiled lightly, her sapphire eyes glistening in the pale moonlight. "You found me." Yahiko trembled and continued to stare.
"K-Kaoru, is-is that really you?" Yahiko asked, barely taking a step forward. "Are you a ghost?" Kaoru walked towards him, slowly as not to scare him.
"No Yahiko, I really am alive." She could tell Yahiko was having a hard time believing this, so she kneeled in front of him at eye level. "I know this must be a shock. Demo, Sakura, the wanderer that came here not too long ago, that was me. I came with Kenshin because I had met him in Kyoto. Kenshin didn't know it was me and right now I don't plan on telling him. I would have come with him to the dojo before but I had stopped by the Akabeko to learn how to cook from Tae and Tsubame-chan. They too, know my real identity demo they promised not to tell. I wasn't expecting you to find me so I am trusting you to make sure you don't say a word to anyone about this." Yahiko didn't know what to do or say. This was all so sudden.
"Kaoru, are you really…" Yahiko didn't finish because Kaoru put a finger over his lips. "Hai Yahiko, it really is me, I was able to get out of my grave before running out of oxygen," she joked as she lowered her kimono just a little, exposing a wound. Yahiko gasped. "That's-!"
"Hai, the wound I got when I ended up getting shot in order to save Kenshin." Kaoru closed her eyes to prevent tears from falling but opened them suddenly when she was tackled by something. She looked to see Yahiko, arms around her neck and crying on her shoulder. "Kaoru, why didn't you say anything? We all thought you were gone." Kaoru stroked his back to comfort him and looked him in the eye.
"I can't Yahiko, you weren't even suppose to know. And I most certainly can't tell Kenshin just yet. I don't think it is the right time right now. I want you to promise me, that you won't tell a soul. Just pretend I'm still Sakura. I promise you everyone will know demo you must promise me you won't say anything okay?" Yahiko looked straight in the eye before nodding in agreement, smiling lightly. Kaoru smiled back and got an idea. "How about we give Kenshin a taste of his own medicine?" Yahiko looked puzzled.
"What do you mean?" Kaoru winked at him. "It's almost morning, the sun will be out any minute. If you want you can help me make breakfast. If you never noticed, Kenshin was always working and it always made me feel lazy, you know what I mean?" Yahiko thought for a moment before nodding.
"Makes me feel that way too."
"Well, Kenshin isn't up yet so why don't we get some of his chores and things done and surprise him, it'd be funny to see the look on his face ne?" Yahiko had to laugh about that.
"Yeah, he's gonna be hurling oro's at us." Now they were both laughing. Yahiko stood up. "Okay let's do it!" Kaoru agreed and they both headed to the kitchen giggling softly. But he suddenly stopped. Kaoru turned to look at him. "Something wrong?" Yahiko smirked. "Iie, I was just wondering, can you cook anything else that won't poison us? I have to admit your cooking was good." Kaoru smiled. "I can't cook much, demo let me show you what I can cook."
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Well it's finished! I hope it wasn't too depressing. If any of you weren't voting for Yahiko, I'm sorry but he was the one with the most votes. It was almost Sano. I am also very sorry that the chapters are too short. Flames are welcome! Please review, you guys are very good at it!
Chapter five: Revealed under cover of Darkness
Kaoru tossed and turned sleeplessly in the futon that was lent to her. She was in Kenshin's room, this was so weird! But it felt kind of…almost good. The scent of scandal wood surrounded her. Kenshin's scent. It was almost like Kenshin was right there with her. Kaoru felt a little guilty stricken for keeping this a secret from him, but she felt it was still too soon to tell him. It was just too soon. Certain no one would bother her, Kaoru no longer has her disguise on. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. 'Kenshin…how long am I gonna keep this from you?' How she wished he was here with her. The futon, this one wasn't hers so she wasn't adjusted to it either. Where was her futon anyway? Whatever happened to it? She was about to shake this thought off when she heard a soft sound coming from her room. 'Kenshin?' Quiet as a cat, she crept out of the room she was staying in and went to her room. More like Kenshin's now. She creaked his door open just a little, surprised that Kenshin didn't notice she was there. She saw him, he was sitting cross-legged on a futon, his red bangs hiding his eyes. She could see tears fall every now and then onto the futon he was sitting on. 'That futon looks familiar.' She thought, it dawned her. Wait a sec, that was her futon! Not only is Kenshin staying in HER room but he's also sleeping on HER futon! Tears started to flow down Kaoru's face. Kenshin was this upset over her? He missed her that much? Kenshin quietly spoke her name and mumbled something she couldn't make out. It took all her willpower to not go bursting into Kenshin's arms and especially not to blow her secret. With a heavy, guilty-struck but inaudible sigh, she stumbled back into her room. Kenshin too, was in a pretty pitiful condition. Unknown to Kaoru, he had been like this ever since he had seen her 'die' right there in his arms. He stayed in her room and slept on her futon because her scent was the only thing that helped him get through the night. It somehow made him feel like she was there, right by his side. He knew she wasn't but still, it was the only thing left of her and surprisingly, her jasmine scent never got rubbed off by his own and it never faded. He wanted her back so badly, he missed her so much. Even though it had been three days ago, he still wondered why she had to die, what could've happened if he just moved a little quicker. If it weren't for him she would still be here. He had involved her in this. It was all his fault. He knew Kaoru would never hold it against him but he just couldn't seem to forgive himself for this. Without Kaoru, he was lost and empty. He didn't feel like there was anything left for him to live for. Kaoru had been his life, his reason for living and for even being here. There were so many times when he was just about to get ready to go wandering again but Kaoru, the smile she gave him, the way she said she didn't care about his past, it kept him here. There had also been times when Kenshin just wished that he was dead. That way he could be with Kaoru. He did try once to stab himself with his sakabato, but Sano and Yahiko had stopped him. They reminded him about Kaoru's last words, how she had told him she loved him and to live on for her. The dojo, everything she had, it was left with him and both their friends. He had to keep going…for her. Snuggling into what was once Kaoru's futon and breathing in her scent one more time, he let sleep overcome him.
***************************************************** A few hours later, Kaoru woke up in the middle of the night again. She had managed to get at least an hour of sleep but it was still late. She tried over and over to sleep but it was no use. She sighed, she finally decided to go get some fresh air. Before she got ready she crept to all the rooms to see if everyone was asleep. Positive it was just her, she didn't bother to disguise herself. She did put on the pink kimono but she tied her hair up in the indigo ribbon the way she normally did. She knew that she would be in trouble if Sano or anyone saw her, especially Kenshin, but she was positive no one but her was awake. So quietly she crept outside. She went and sat on the porch of the dojo, just gazing at the stars. It brought back the memory of her and Kenshin sitting here watching the sunset. She felt so warm and safe when she was in his arms. A lone tear found its way down her cheek and fell to the ground, shattering like her heart. She felt like her heart was being torn apart. Still not feeling tired, she headed to the dojo, where she and Yahiko practiced. She looked over at the wall, where both hers and Yahiko's names were. She even saw the stand which held her katana which seemed untouched. Kaoru walked over to it and gently picked it up. Even though she and Yahiko fought a score of times, she lived him like the brother she never had. She wondered how Yahiko and the others were taking this, mostly Yahiko. She didn't expect this to be answered. She suddenly heard and quiet but horrified and surprised gasp coming from behind her. She spun around to see Yahiko, in his nightwear staring at her in disbelief and fear. Yahiko was trembling and staring, he was frozen there. Kaoru knew she had been caught. She decided there was no choice but to tell him and hope he doesn't say a word.
"Yahiko," she started as she stood up and smiled lightly, her sapphire eyes glistening in the pale moonlight. "You found me." Yahiko trembled and continued to stare.
"K-Kaoru, is-is that really you?" Yahiko asked, barely taking a step forward. "Are you a ghost?" Kaoru walked towards him, slowly as not to scare him.
"No Yahiko, I really am alive." She could tell Yahiko was having a hard time believing this, so she kneeled in front of him at eye level. "I know this must be a shock. Demo, Sakura, the wanderer that came here not too long ago, that was me. I came with Kenshin because I had met him in Kyoto. Kenshin didn't know it was me and right now I don't plan on telling him. I would have come with him to the dojo before but I had stopped by the Akabeko to learn how to cook from Tae and Tsubame-chan. They too, know my real identity demo they promised not to tell. I wasn't expecting you to find me so I am trusting you to make sure you don't say a word to anyone about this." Yahiko didn't know what to do or say. This was all so sudden.
"Kaoru, are you really…" Yahiko didn't finish because Kaoru put a finger over his lips. "Hai Yahiko, it really is me, I was able to get out of my grave before running out of oxygen," she joked as she lowered her kimono just a little, exposing a wound. Yahiko gasped. "That's-!"
"Hai, the wound I got when I ended up getting shot in order to save Kenshin." Kaoru closed her eyes to prevent tears from falling but opened them suddenly when she was tackled by something. She looked to see Yahiko, arms around her neck and crying on her shoulder. "Kaoru, why didn't you say anything? We all thought you were gone." Kaoru stroked his back to comfort him and looked him in the eye.
"I can't Yahiko, you weren't even suppose to know. And I most certainly can't tell Kenshin just yet. I don't think it is the right time right now. I want you to promise me, that you won't tell a soul. Just pretend I'm still Sakura. I promise you everyone will know demo you must promise me you won't say anything okay?" Yahiko looked straight in the eye before nodding in agreement, smiling lightly. Kaoru smiled back and got an idea. "How about we give Kenshin a taste of his own medicine?" Yahiko looked puzzled.
"What do you mean?" Kaoru winked at him. "It's almost morning, the sun will be out any minute. If you want you can help me make breakfast. If you never noticed, Kenshin was always working and it always made me feel lazy, you know what I mean?" Yahiko thought for a moment before nodding.
"Makes me feel that way too."
"Well, Kenshin isn't up yet so why don't we get some of his chores and things done and surprise him, it'd be funny to see the look on his face ne?" Yahiko had to laugh about that.
"Yeah, he's gonna be hurling oro's at us." Now they were both laughing. Yahiko stood up. "Okay let's do it!" Kaoru agreed and they both headed to the kitchen giggling softly. But he suddenly stopped. Kaoru turned to look at him. "Something wrong?" Yahiko smirked. "Iie, I was just wondering, can you cook anything else that won't poison us? I have to admit your cooking was good." Kaoru smiled. "I can't cook much, demo let me show you what I can cook."
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Well it's finished! I hope it wasn't too depressing. If any of you weren't voting for Yahiko, I'm sorry but he was the one with the most votes. It was almost Sano. I am also very sorry that the chapters are too short. Flames are welcome! Please review, you guys are very good at it!
