To readers reading this story, I have to warn you that the story it going to be a bit confusing from this point on. If you have any questions please do write them in the reviews. That way you could make my job a bit easier as a writer. Thanks! If you do not suggest me on writing any further in this story, then please do tell me so. Thanks for the reviews and for you readers for inspiring me to write. Sorry for the other story that I am writing. I will get to it soon, it's just that this story has been taking all my time. Also I hope you like the two songs I wrote. One is from chapter twp and the other is in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ruroni Kenshin. I wish I did but I don't. : (

The Voice

Chapter 4

It was late in the evening, when there was no one at sight. The moon was out along with the stars. They were the only lights that could be seen in the forest. In the middle of the forest with nothing to do but wait, Sukura could feel her patience running thin. She promised Dimitri, that she would meet him in this very same spot when he was done with important business, but so far he was no where to be seen. Sukura couldn't stand him. Usually when he says he going to do one thing, he ends up doing another.

As Sukura waited, she remembered what happened to her earlier. She met an amber eyed man by the name of Kenshin Himura. By accident he mistook her for another young girl. She was amazed by that sort of action, because she heard what he was capable of doing. She knew he was no other then Hitokiri Battousai, the killing machine. A monster that killed without any emotion or feeling any remorse. So what was he doing looking for a young girl in broad daylight? If he was a killer, an assassin, why would he make himself known to the world? According to some of the town's people, it was rumored that he was just a wanderer like her, who traveled from place to place. Then one day out of no where he met a young girl who changed his life forever. She believed in what Sukura believed in. She believed that a sword was to protect a person's life. Not to take it away. She believed that in order to wield a sword, that it has to come from wanting to protect loved ones, rather in just the need to kill alone. Because of these beliefs Battousai who is now known as Kenshin, lives by that girl's beliefs. It is also rumored that ever since her disappearance two years ago, that his Battousai side rose again. Without her Kenshin was nothing but a living corpse. A man who believes that living was more punishment for him then death. Whoever that girl was, she made a hell of a difference in Kenshin's life. She was the only one who could probably tame Kenshin's beast, but now with her out of the scene it was hard for anyone to control him.

Just when Sukura was deep in her thoughts, she heard screams coming from the direction of the main road. She decided to follow those screams to see what the situation was about. When she followed the screams, she saw that it came from a dojo. Through the gates she saw a group of people standing there begging for the fight to stop. Just before her, she saw Dimitri watching the fight with an amusement look on his face. It was the first time she saw him show some emotions. Sukura took her time to watch the fight unfold before her. She saw Kenshin who mistook her for the girl named Kaoru, fighting a police officer. His face was harden like Dimitri's face except at least he was just smirking, knowing he could piss off Battousai.

"What caused this fight to happen?" Sukura asked Dimitri in a very serious voice. For some strange reason she was worried over Kenshin. He didn't have the young girl by his side to tame his beast. She was more afraid that he was going to kill the police commissioner, who looked all to please to end his poor soul.

"Well it's nothing really. Battousai is mourning over his long lost love. Because he's mourning Saitoh decided to kill him. Saitoh decided to end his life, since Battousai may go back to how he was like a long time ago," said Dimitri with a harsh voice.

"You mean the Saitoh from the Shinsingumi? But how could that be? Two manslayers fighting each other in a time like this? Are they crazy?"

Knowing that Sukura was not pleased with the fight Dimitri simply stated "they owe each other the fight. They fought many times in the past, during the revolution. Every time they fight, they will be reminded of the revolution. They will be reminded that both of them ended in a draw. The fight is just a test of their strength. Mainly to see who is stronger then who."

"So, you are going to stand here and watch the both of them fight? You aren't going to do anything to stop them from fighting? Are you crazy just like the both of them?!"

"Look, Sukura, this fight has nothing to do with you. It's their fight, it's their lives. If they wish to throw it all away, who am I to step in? Even if I did, I won't stop them from fighting. They need a voice from the revolution to stop them from fighting. A voice that knew what they went through. A voice who could understand how they feel," replied Dimitri.

"Is that all it takes to stop this fight? Is that all that someone has to do? To stop the fight a voice is needed? A voice who understands the belief that every assassin, every samurai had in order to fight for their nation? The pain, the fear the civilians had to live through? The bloodshed that surrounded Kyoto?" she whispered. Watching the fight in front of her, she could see how intense Kenshin was. He was ready for whatever was coming his way. Saitoh only looked at him, with a smirk on his face. The fight was uneven. Saitoh had the upper hand in this fight, while Kenshin was easily distracted from his stupid remarks. Saitoh was only trying to get the Battousai inside of Kenshin, to get mad, until he reached a point where he would lose all sanity, so that Saitoh could kill him easily.

Sukura watched the scene before her unravel itself. Kenshin was standing there when all of a sudden out of nowhere Saitoh attacked. Kenshin dodged his sword instantly, but didn't see his left fist. His left fist hit Kenshin on the right side of his chest. Kenshin was strike by the pain. Sukura could see how he was doing everything in his will power not to cry out on pain from it. Then Saitoh brought his right knee to his stomach. Kenshin finally did cry out in pain. Sukura could feel his anguish, his cry. She wanted to be able to take it away from him instantly, but she couldn't. Dimitri would never allow her to enter the fight. All Sukura could do, was do like the rest of the people around her, watch in horror, in shock. She hated it. Kenshin braced himself for the final blow from Saitoh's sword. Sukura couldn't do anything but cry from that moment on.

"Someone please stop them. Someone please help Kenshin," she whispered. Her mind was becoming dazed. Her vision became blurry. She kneeled to her knees, covering her face with both of her hands. All that could be heard were her sobs. Then it happened. As the sword came down, the trickled of blood made a path straight towards her. Then visions came to her. She was someone else. Sukura was a young girl, who was with the other people she was with now. They all stood there, stunned by the fight, stunned to see that the Battousai had reawakened from his slumber once again. Sukura as this young girl could do nothing but cry. She was afraid for the man's life before her. Her precious Rurouni, the man who she fell in love with from the beginning, was not the same. She was afraid he was going to break his vow. Most of all she was afraid that he was going to leave her, and forget she ever existed. Yet she was mad, because she could not stop them. She couldn't stop Battousai. No matter how much she begged, whimpered, cried, no one did anything. It was then, when a man who watching the battle scene, said something. Sukura as that young girl strained herself to hear what he was saying. He was dressed in white. His shoulder bandaged. He leaned some of his weight on a young woman beside to keep him steady. He said that the fight needed a voice, a voice from the revolution, who understood everything that went on, was needed.

Sukura snapped from the vision she had. Her head went up, her body struggling to support itself on her two feet. She stood tall and proud. If they wanted a voice, they were going to get a voice. Her voice was the one to bring peace during the Revolution days. She could do the same here and now. Focusing all her energy on her voice. She closed her eyes. She pushed away the bloodshed from her mind, and the fact that Kenshin could be dead. Instead she thought of the brighter days. The happiness a person could have. And as the wind blew, she sang to the very heavens commanding them to do her bidding. She sang with all her heart and soul. She sang from the view points of both Kenshin and Saitoh.

You only see what your eyes want to see.

How could life be what you want to be.

It's cold,

When there are no emotions.

You only live for your hates,

And your regrets.

You see but you heart does not feel.

It's cold,

When there are no emotions.

Red is the color of blood,

Innocents die out of lust,

It's cold,

When there are no emotions.

But life has it's chances.

It has it ways.

It's warm,

When there are emotions.

When you smile,

You gain the trusts,

From those around you.

It's warm,

When there are emotions.

In life you gain what you lose,

And if you give me a chance,

I could let you choose,

I'll be the one,

To lift the burden from your heart.

With those words, everyone turned to Sukura in shock. Saitoh missed Kenshin with his sword. Everyone was hypnotized by her voice. She was like an angel from the very heavens sent on earth to stop the bloodshed and pain. Saitoh and Kenshin shook their heads in disbelief. They knew that voice. Especially Kenshin. Kenshin turned to look at Sanosuke and Megmui. They also recognized that voice. That voice was the same voice from the Revolution. That was the same voice that brought peace into people's homes. But after an incident that happened many years ago, that same voice wasn't heard again, except for the night of Kaoru's death.

Sukura woke up in a strange room. She couldn't recognize the room at all. Laying on the futon, she saw that the room was dark. The only light that it had was the candle that flickered next to her. The last thing she could remember was the fight between Saitoh and Kenshin. She had a strong feeling to stop the fight. She didn't know how, or why, but she had to stop the fight no matter what. Then that was the moment she felt a strong presence inside of her. It was swamping her whole body. The things she felt, the things she saw. She didn't know what to expect from the scenarios.

Sukura laid there on the futon deep in thought, until Dimitri came into her room. "Are you feeling much better Sukura?" he asked. He was concerned about her. Ever since from the battle, he knew he had to keep a close eye on her. She knew when she took a big risk of identifying herself when she sang. He didn't know why she had a strong urge to stop the battle.

"Yes, Dimitri I am alright thanks to you. What happened? I vaguely remember what happened. All I remembered was the battle that went on between Saitoh and Mr. Himura," said Sukura with a bit of weakness from her sleep. She felt dazed and a little bit light headed.

"That doesn't matter now. What matters is that you're okay. What we should do is get out of here," Dimitri replied. He knew they had more important business to do then to stick around with Battousai and his friends.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't leave so easily," said Sukura a little distressed. Being in this room, seemed familiar to her. It felt as though she was in here before. It was the same room she had seen in her dreams. Now everything seemed to be scaring her. She didn't know if she was in her right mind.

"Sukura, we have to go. You don't know the danger you put yourself into when you sang that song. I bet they already know who you are. For the best interest and your safety, we have to get out of here," Dimitri commanded in a harsh, cold voice.

Sukura knew that voice all to well. When he used that voice, it meant that they were in a serious position. She knew the consequences of exposing her identity, but she was willing to take it to stop a fight. For some reason, being in the position, of the young girl, made her think differently. The people in this place she was staying in, for some reason felt very important to her. She felt, if they were to lose Kenshin, the real potential threat would be something they couldn't handle without his help. Kenshin was the strongest fighter among the group. She knew without him, the others were in great danger of being hurt. She wondered if that was why he never left, even after what happened to his beloved Kaoru.

"You don't understand. If I leave now, then they all could be in great danger. They would be used as pawns, and I will eventually have to give in. I am sick and tired of having people die because of me. I am tired of them sacrificing their lives because they believe so strongly in me. The fight that went on between Saitoh and Mr. Himura, it happened before," said Sukura as she whispered the truth.

Dimitri was stunned. He knew that Sukura had special gifts, but he didn't know that her gifts also had to do something with seeing people's past.

"I didn't know it either, until now," replied Sukura as she read Dimitri's thoughts from his facial expression. "When everything was happening in the fight, I had these visions of a young girl, who loved Mr. Himura very deeply. She loved him with all her heart. What hurt so much was the fact of how much she loved him; she couldn't break through his Battousai side when he was fighting Saitoh. She felt so helpless, she felt as if she was no use to him. Even going through all that, she realized if she loved him so much, but was not able to help the tame the Battousai. What use was she? How does she know that Mr. Himura himself won't turn into Battousai?" Sukura paused letting someone else's feelings of which she felt earlier, stir back into her memory. "She left, because of him. After that fight, after his encounters in Kyoto, after him revealing the truth about his past, she accepted him. She thought the wall he created around his heart broke. She thought she could help him heal. But she was wrong. The only time he ever really opened up to her was when she was in great danger. Then he would just pull away. In ways she wanted to heal his heart, for she knew the only way for him to truly atone for his ways, was if he was to find peace at last. Compare to others, she was in no class to be a lady, and because she couldn't do several things, she sacrificed her love for him by leaving him to find a better life. She left to start a future for herself, except all to have it taken away from her. You know what puzzles me Dimitri? The fact about how much she envied him, because even though he had dreadful memories about his past, at least he had memories, while she had nothing. She had no memories whatsoever. She knew nothing of her parents, except for what she was told by Dr. Gensai. All she ever wanted was to love and to be loved. Is that so hard to ask for?"

Sukura couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheeks. When she blinked to stop her tears and to make her blurry vision clear again, there was only more tears. She felt so sorry for the girl named Kaoru. A girl who loved someone but could never be loved in return from the one man she was willing to die for.

Dimitri couldn't take any more of her tears. He had to get her out of here, before danger cornered them in the dojo. As he looked down at the young woman crying in his arms, he gently, wiped away the remaining tears that fell from her eyes. "Sshhh, everything is going to be okay. Feeling love is a serious matter. No one should take that lightly. There are different ways to love. From the way you talk about Kaoru, she must have really loved this guy. He was maybe afraid to love, because either of her status, her age, or because she was just opening herself to the world, that he didn't want to have her come into his world," Dimitri said. He hoped to take some of the pain Sukura was feeling away from her.

"If I was her, I would've told him before it was too late. Maybe it was too late. She was so afraid of being compared to his first love. She was so desperate to take away the pain she felt. The pain that only he could create. Instead of protecting her, he hurt her more," Sukura replied as a few more tears fell from her eyes.

"I know how it feels like to love someone. In fact now that you talk about confessing feelings, I should've said this a long time ago, but I didn't know how. I was more afraid of being rejected. My beloved Sukura, I love you. I loved you every since we were children. I love you now and I'll always love you forever. Please forgive me taking so long for saying that," Dimitri whispered in her ear.

Sukura couldn't help but shiver. She couldn't help but feel this weird feeling inside her. To know that someone loved her was more then she could bear. "I love you too Dimitri," she whispered. "I love you too."

Standing from the shadows, Kenshin watched the whole scene. He was right. Sukura had some link to Kaoru. When he first met her, he believed so, but he couldn't figure out why he came to the conclusion. As he watched the young couple embraced, he couldn't help but envied them. He wished for a second for that couple could be him and Kaoru. He regretted everything he did to Kaoru in the beginning. He thought the best way to atone for his sins, was to protect as many people as he could with his sword. But what he didn't realize was, how much emotions Kaoru felt for him. He never realized how much she truly loved him. He never realized that only way he could really atone for his sins, his past, was to protect her with his sword, to actually let himself fully love her and show his feelings for her.

"Oh Kaoru, how could you ever forgive an unworthy one like me?" he whispered to himself, with no one left answer him but Sukura.