Disclaimer: Nope, I STILL DON'T OWN KENSHIN!!!!! Grr.. It just gets more
and more frustrating the more I have to remember that! Grr..
Authors Notes: 93 REVIEWS?! My god, you people don't give me a break, do you? Naw, I'm SOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!! Next chapter I gotta have 125, okay? Like that's gonna be hard to reach. I'm burning incense right now. Yeah, so I'm kinda in a mood right now so this should be good. I was at my friend's house and we went to the Renaissance Festival (if that's how you spell it) and I wanted to buy a sword! But they were 400 DOLLARS!!!!! I don't carry that kinda money on me!!! I don't even have that much in the bank!!! I'm such a dork, I don't feel like going upstairs so I'm brushing my teeth in my bedroom while I'm doing this!! You're probably wondering WHY DOES SHE HAVE A TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE IN HER BEDROOM? Well, I was at my friends house and I brought that stuff with me so it was in my bag and my bag is in my room!!! I'm so lazy. god. I'm such a dork. and I just thought of this. what made you all so sure that it was KAORU who was injured? She could have just fainted and the figure could have been injured!!! Hey, see what I mean? Naw. that's not what happened though, I'm going that easy on her.
On with the story!!!!
~Coming of the Dawn~
(where I last left you off..hehehehe..)
A body fell limply to the floor, eyes wide in pain as the life inside of them was slowly drained away with each droplet of precious blood that found it's way out of the body that so desperately needed it for life. Kaoru's last thoughts before being lost in the darkness was her regrets for not realizing until now why she found comfort in the Battousai.
Kaoru found herself lost in a world of blood and pain, washed away into the darkness of the night, with no hope of return.
***Chapter 15- Value Uncovered***
Battousai shuddered as a cold feeling overcame him again. Something wasn't right, and he knew it. He was passing by the Aoiya on his way back from his mission. He was already upset enough after killing the 3 new men that had been on his assassination list. He didn't know why he had decided to walk past the Aoiya. Battousai guessed it was just to see if Kaoru was still okay.
But he couldn't shake that feeling off. That was what had brought him here in the first place. The feeling had halted him in mid attack, and he'd been following his gut ever since he ended his mission. He was worried.
Worried about Kaoru.
Upon reaching the Aoiya, he didn't sense Aoshi's ki, or half of the Oniwabanshu. He immediately knew they had been out on a mission that night, also. He ran to the back and up into his tree, looking into Kaoru's window. He didn't see any movement, and by the looks of the bed, she was sleeping. He sighed. She must be fine.
Kenshin jumped down and headed back to the Inn. He would retire for the night, and then check with Sano about Kaoru the next day.
********** **********
The figure met with his counterpart.
"So, what happened?" the other asked.
"She was so easy." The ruby-eyed man stated, laughing inwardly at the easiness of his job.
The other grinned at him. "Battousai should be having quite the surprise when he comes back from his mission tonight."
********** **********
Kenshin opened his door, turning a small oil lantern on so he could see exactly where he was going. He finished changing into his sleeping attire, and glanced down at his neglected futon. There was a piece of paper on it. Almost hesitantly he lifted it up, and unfolded the still crisp paper. The writing on it was scratched and quick, messy and not too legible. Yet, Kenshin could read it.
'Atonement. For your sins. You killed Tomoe. Now, as atonement for her life and the lives of those you destroyed upon killing her, we will in turn kill someone very close to you. But of course, it will be worse than how you killed Tomoe, because she died thinking you loved her, and this someone does not know your feelings.'
He didn't even stop to finish the note or look to see whom it was from. All that was on Kenshin's mind was Kaoru. Could some have gotten to her? Was he too late? Why?
He was again out of the Inn, not even bothering to change back into his regular clothing. He only grabbed his katana and black trench coat. He ran as fast as his god-speed allowed, skidding to a stop in front of Kaoru's window. He climbed through it, and with the light of the disappearing moon and the coming of the dawn, he saw what he had feared.
Blood.
Everywhere.
The blankets on the futon were soaked in it. The walls were covered in it, and you could see where the sword that had inflicted the wounds had entered the wall when it pierced the flesh of the victim. The blood on the floor appeared to be less, but it was still more than it should be. Shards of clothing lie in the blood, floating like small boats on a river. The scent of the metallic substance stunk Battousai's nose.
This was Kaoru's blood.
The pain she must have endured.
Battousai didn't stop to think rationally. He ran to the closest room, picking up on the ki of a sleeping Misao. He threw her shoji door open and shook her awake. Misao stifled a scream at the sight of Battousai, soaked in blood and staring at her, his amber eyes ignited with flames that resembled those told of the fires of hell. She glanced at him, not sure if she should speak or not.
"Where's Kaoru?" he asked, his voice was pleading, nothing like what his appearance gave off. He sounded desperate.
Misao shook her head, trying to clear it. "She should be right in her room."
"She's not there." He told her, still holding onto her shoulders roughly.
"Stop it, you're hurting me!" Misao cried.
He didn't listen, just held on tighter. Misao stifled another yelp and glanced up at Battousai again.
"There's blood all over in her room." He told her. "Where's Aoshi?"
"Aoshi-sama had a mission."
"Let her go Battousai." Came a voice, cold as ice.
Battousai stood up away from Misao, who just stared at him, stunned.
"Aoshi." Battousai stated.
Aoshi made a slight move so he was standing next to Misao, who was extremely shaken not only by Battousai, but what he had just said along with the blood he had left on her clothing. Aoshi checked to see if she was hurt, but stayed next to her in a protective way, glaring at the man before him.
"Battousai, what is the meaning of this?" Aoshi questioned.
Battousai glared him. "Go into Kaoru's room and see for yourself. That's why I'm soaked in blood for yet a 2nd time tonight."
Aoshi glared at him. "If you hurt her."
"It wasn't me!" Battousai growled. "I'd never hurt a woman. ESPECIALLY Kaoru."
Aoshi glared at the Battousai, but knew that was the truth, even behind Battousai's cold exterior. He nodded.
"Is she in there? What's her condition?"
"All there's in there of her is blood and shreds of clothing." Battousai answered, his anger rising.
'Whoever did this is going PAY with their life' his Battousai side stated, totally pushing the other voice from his head.
*********** ***********
Kaoru woke up ((SEE I DIDN'T KILL HER!!!!!!!)), pain searing through her entire body. She felt the dried blood on the small cut on her neck and shoulders. Then the pain that was really getting to her was the ones from the slice that had gone straight through her side, just BARELY missing an organ. It still seeped blood, which was slowly making her weaker. She wanted to cry. The pain was too much.
She lifted her head up slowly, finding herself tied simply by her wrists to the wall. She was leaning against it, her back towards it and her legs out straight in front of her. Her wrists were above her head; the chains that connected her to the cold stonewall rough on her soft skin. She looked around the room with hazy sapphire eyes, which had lost their fiery luster due to the blood loss and pain.
Footsteps were heard outside her door, and Kaoru stiffened, despite the pain that overtook her body in the process. She was too weak to be of any help to herself against whoever was walking in. So she just kept her gaze directed straight at her door as it creaked open slowly, revealing a man with white hair and sunglasses. He was small, but still somewhat intimidating. Like Kenshin, only defiantly not to that extent.
But at that moment, anything would scare Kaoru. Anything could take her delicate life away, as it seeped away along with the blood that still poured from her wounds.
He walked up to her, not saying anything but never letting his gave leave her face. He grinned somewhat, thinking about what he was going to do. She realized that he didn't look anything like the man that had cut her in the first place. He was someone different. It scared her.
Where was she, who was he, and was he in league with the other man?
He pulled out a small dagger, kneeling in front of her just over her lap. He took the blade and teased her into tensing up more by tracing her jaw with the sharp edge. She tried to move her head, but she was starting to get dizzy. Kaoru silently cursed her luck. She couldn't do anything to stop what he was going to do her.
He took the blade, and with a precise hand, sliced from just under eye to her chin on her left cheek. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came.
"The first scar, for killing the happiness she was supposed to find." The man stated, running his finger over the newly produced cut.
The sensation produced new jolts of pain for Kaoru, the salts on his skin burning her new wound. She cried, her salt filled tears not helping either. Then she felt the blade press against the same cheek, and make a mark that would cross over the one already there.
"The second, her death he caused when she was supposed to be his, which caused her to loose her second chance at happiness. May he rot in hell as he sees this." The man stated, standing up after producing the same finger rubbing technique on the new wound as he had done with the first one.
Kaoru cried, her tears stinging not only her eyes but also her entire cheek, and her shoulder as they fell off her face mixed with her blood, and fell into the other wounds that covered her body. Despite the pain, she couldn't stop crying. Her sobs made her body shake as they took her precious energy away.
She heard footsteps again, and nearly cried out. Now she knew who was coming. She didn't want to see him. But Kaoru couldn't stop herself from looking up at him, into his evil red eyes. Covered in bandages, she nearly cried out when she saw a torch in his hand. He stared at her, not really saying anything. All that she saw was the grin that was placed on face.
"I'm going to enjoy this. This is to teach those Ishin Shishi bastards to burn enemy hitokiri alive and not finish the job." He stated solemnly.
Kaoru felt the heat of the flame come closer to her body, closer to the wound that was on her side. She tried in vain to shy away from the torch and the man that was going to produce the new torture on her.
The only thing that could be heard was Kaoru's earsplitting scream as her clothes were caught on fire and her skin burned before she lost herself in the darkness again. The man tossed water on her, stopping the flames from spreading any farther.
That way he could continue his torture on her later.
He left, and looked at his counterpart.
"Enishi, you scarred her cheek."
"You burned her Shishio." He responded to him.
Shishio grinned. "How much longer do you think we have to wait?"
Enishi shrugged. "Not long. We'll have our full revenge."
"Until then, I'm going to continue with this until not one part of her isn't scarred." Shishio stated.
Enishi waved him off. "I've done what I wanted to, I have nothing else to do. Do as you please, just don't kill her yet."
********* *********
Battousai stormed back into his room, grabbing the paper that was the floor. They wanted revenge for Tomoe's death, whoever they were. He had come back to the Inn when he had realized he had never finished reading the note.
'But of course, not all of this has to do with you personally, Battousai. You're group burned me. I have nothing to do with Tomoe. I'm just seeking an equal revenge. Don't worry; your precious friend isn't dead. But she'll wish she was.
It's your call, Battousai. You find us within 3 days. That's your limit. On the 3rd day at midnight, if you haven't found us, she's dead.
And trust us, you know who we are.'
He crumpled the paper up in his hand, anger over taking him. What were they doing to Kaoru? Was she okay? He slapped himself. Of course she wasn't. It would be a miracle if she was still alive after all the blood she had apparently lost. Battousai tried to think of who would want to avenge Tomoe's death.
As far as he knew, her whole family was dead, and she had no friends.
Besides, he couldn't think straight at the moment anyway.
He was worried about what was happening to Kaoru.
'Now do you understand your feelings for her?' the voice inside his head asked him, 'Does something like this have to happen before you understand? What if she doesn't make it through? It took the attack on the Inn to show you that you at least CARED about her, does it take her being taken from you and nearly, or even, killed for you to know?'
How he hated that voice. But how correct that voice was. He should have known by now what he felt for Kaoru. He was too filled with his Battousai pride to care about what he felt for her. Now, when her life was at stake, her finally admitted to it, even if it was to himself and no one else.
But he promised himself; he wouldn't make the same mistake.
He decided he would find, he would save her, and he would tell her what he felt, even if she didn't feel the same. At least he could always protect her. They could always at least be friends.
********* *********
'Kenshin, help me.' Kaoru pleaded in her mind, still out cold, or at least pretending to be. 'My god why didn't I realize how much I needed you.'
She heard the door open.
Again, she knew it was going to happen.
A blade against her skin this time, not a torch like it had been. She felt the cold steel of the shaft touch her arm, then felt as her skin was literally carved off like one would carve a turkey. She winced and bit her lip, she couldn't cry out.
She wouldn't cry out.
Kaoru knew she was stronger than that.
She had to conserve what little strength she had to healing the wounds that seemed to add up as time wore on.
'Please, Kenshin, find me.'
********* *********
"Enishi!" Battousai stated loudly. "Enishi and Shishio, that's who's behind this."
Battousai found himself grabbing his swords, but leaving his trench coat behind. He was about to open his door when it opened for him.
"Okay Kenshin, where are you going?" Sano asked.
Battousai looked at him. "Stay out of my way Sano."
"I know what happened to Jou-chan, now can I ask you something? Why weren't you in that tree like you were every other night?" Sano asked him, his voice angry.
"I had a mission. I thought Aoshi would still be there."
"Well guess what, he wasn't. Who knows now, she's probably dead." Sanosuke told him, not letting his voice falter. "But I'm going with you anyway."
Battousai shook his head. "No, this is strictly between me and these two men."
"I'm going, I don't care what you say. They've got to be strong, and I'm not about to let you travel into some trap on your own. You never know when you might need help. So like it or not, I'm going with you. You never know when you may need me to bail you out." Sano told him.
Battousai had to admit he welcome the help. He didn't think anyone would want to take a chance and help him, but Sano had become a good friend.
"Fine. We're up against a hitokiri and my dead wife's brother." Kenshin told him.
"Do you know where they are?" Sano asked.
Kenshin shook his head. "No, but I have a pretty good idea. And it's going to take us 3 days to get there."
********* *********
"Wake up, dear, and see the light." Came a voice.
Kaoru reluctantly opened her to come face to face with the light from the window. It stung her eyes. She shut them in a hurry until the window was covered.
"I hope you enjoyed that because it's the last of the light you'll ever see." Came the voice again.
Kaoru had become acquainted with names of the men in which she was staying with. This one was Shishio. He was always threatening her, and adding new wounds to the ones she was already trying to heal. She prepared for it. Lately his favorite thing to do was hit her.
She was right. She received a slap across the scabbing cross-shaped scar that now adorned her left cheek. Just like Kenshin. She sighed in pain. It had been 3 long days of this torture. She hadn't seen the other man much, he didn't seem to much like torturing her the scar he had given her being the only pain he inflicted upon her. His name was Enishi, but she couldn't help but wonder who he was talking about when he gave her the cross-shaped scar.
Kaoru knew that at the end of tonight, if no one came and found her, she was going to die. And she knew it was going to be painful. But oh, how she wished she was dead already, instead of going through burn torture, having her skin peeled off, and watching the sick man named Shishio lick her blood off of his weapon of choice. She was weak, healing, but weak still. Not like she had been. The worst wound had been treated. They didn't want her to die yet.
She wished they would let her.
Kaoru had begun to wonder if Kenshin even knew she was gone. Wouldn't he know where to find her? She couldn't be that far away from the Aoiya, could she?
Another blow to the face shook Kaoru out of her thoughts and she looked up at the man that was inflicting pain upon her. Kaoru then noticed she was hungry. She hadn't eaten anything she'd been taken here. They only gave her some water. No wonder she felt so weak, she hadn't eaten. That might help her, she thought to herself.
Kaoru saw a blade in her face, and then felt the tip of it drag completely down from her tight to her ankle on both legs. She shook in pain, not knowing how else to take the pain anymore. Soon enough her body would go numb, and she's be enveloped in the darkness again, with only her thoughts to comfort her.
********* *********
Misao sat in the Aoiya, looking out the window. Aoshi had been gone for 2 days, and she didn't know where he was. She had a feeling he had gone to look for Kaoru, also, just as Sano had and the Battousai had. She cursed all three of the men for leaving her there when she wanted to go look for Kaoru too.
But Misao was worried about Kaoru. If the Battousai needed all this help, then what kind of people had Kaoru? She had to hold onto the faint hope that Kaoru was still alive somewhere, waiting to be rescued.
But even if she was worried about Kaoru, Misao was just as worried for Aoshi. She knew this was dangerous, especially since the Battousai had no idea that Aoshi was heading out to help them. She looked up at the sky, and then down at the ground.
'Bring her back alive, Aoshi-sama, and please be careful' Misao thought before she got up and walked inside to go to bed, since it was late. She estimated it to be around 11 at night.
********* *********
Battousai glanced up ahead. He was right. Enishi had taken Kaoru to the home Kenshin had shared with Tomoe. He could see Enishi inside, but he couldn't see Kaoru anywhere. He could feel Kaoru's ki, though.
"This the place?" Sano asked him.
Battousai nodded, and motioned for him to be silent.
Then together they slunk to the door of the small building, ready to take back what was theirs, to bring Kaoru back home.
Home alive.
Author's Notes: So..... What do you think? I hope you liked this chapter, I was afraid that maybe you wouldn't!!!! I've been sitting here typing it for so long that my butt has gone numb. I really hope this chapter didn't suck. sorry if it did, I want honest opinions from you all!!! What do you think of Kaoru and Battousai sharing the same scar? I don't know why, but I thought it would be a strange way to connect them, if you know what I mean.
I want to do the next chapter but I'm waiting. It will give me time to think it all out instead of rushing it. It's gonna have a lot of fighting in it. and if anyone can help me with moves for the other characters (or what weapon Enishi has!) I would be most grateful!!! Otherwise I'm gonna have to try and figure it all out on my own write it out using bland words again, even thought I try not to.
Yes, I know, poor Kaoru!!! I feel sorry for her, but I need a ROYALLY PISSED OFF BATTOUSAI for the next chapter. What could get me that better than seeing her suffer? At least I didn't kill her, right?
Yeah, yeah, I know, shorter chapter than the last few ones, but I just couldn't think of anything to write before he went off and got Kaoru back. I'm trying to make it go as slow as possible and be as interesting as I can possibly make it, ya know?
Hey!!! Review responses:
Kazuma Girl: Yeah, there are a few Battousai/Kaoru fics out there, and I'm starting to perfer them to regular Kenshin/Kaoru fics for some reason. I'm glad you think I'm portraying Kaoru good because I thought I was doing horrible at that!!! I was adding what I thought I needed for the fic, I'm glad you like it!!!!
Chibilover 2000: I'm glad you like it!!! Yeah, I like the arguing parts too!!! I just run out of things for them to argue over. it gets so hard to find things for them to argue over. I mean, it's not like they can argue over the remote control or anything!!!! I'm trying to make it all work out right. And how do you know she won't die?! She could!!! I resent that!!! ^_~, I am capable of it although, you are right, I wouldn't kill Kaoru!!! Grrr... I'm too nice.
Krystlsailormoon: I am a brave authoress, ain't I? Okay. you suck. how did you know it was Shishio? Grr. I gave too many clues!!! But who was the OTHER guy, HUH? Don't worry, I like Kaoru too much to kill her. but I do want Shishio to die. hehehehehe. someone has to die. I'm sorry, but I always have someone die!!!
Sano and Kenshin: Why?! That's mean!!!
Crystal (in Sireta mode): Shut up or it'll be you!!!
Sano and Kenshin: (gulp) Yes authoress.. (hide under bed)
Crystal: Sorry, you know I wouldn't kill you!!! That's to mean! (bear hugs them)
Sano and Kenshin: (gasp for air).
I'm gonna update ASAP!!! Yeah, people actually like to know what I have to talk about!!!! I'm so happy, SOMEONE OUT THERE LOVES ME!!!! Maybe I will use that idea. if I do IT WAS YOUR IDEA ANGIE YOU GET ALL THE CREDIT!!!!!! I like it when you say you bounce with glee. It's just funny to read. I make people happy!!! I bounce a lot when I'm happy too, I thought I was the only one who did that!!!! Oh, and read Hooked Reader's response, I mentioned you for a good reason, it deals with Kenshin!!!!
Angelic Countenance: I can't help writing so fast!!! I have nothing else to do with my life!!! I don't own ANY video games or anything like that!!! I have no choice but to write. I have 3 sibilings, so we have NO money to go anywhere. grr. I don't want to upset anybody, so I'm NOT GOING TO KILL KAORU!!! SIRETA WILL NOT KILL KAORU, EITHER!!!! She will be alive, but probably not in good shape because, I dunno. Someone's gonna die though. It probably won't be her, or Battousai. But someone will. I have to, it's a habit.
Kenshin'sgrl: Yeah I rock!!! Oh yeah (does victory dance across room and smiles like a big goofy monkey) Sure, go ahead and print it out if you want to to add it to your collection. I'm so happy you like it THAT MUCH!!!!! And you're welcome for your shout out, so here's another one girly!!!! Cookies and Kenshin plushies for you!!!!! I love suspence.. (grins evilly)..
Xiao zhu: Geez, you people don't want her to die, huh? I won't kill her (although it kinda makes me want that SOME OF YOU think I wouldn't!!!!) I won't make Kenshin suffer that bad, I'm not THAT EVIL. Well, Sireta's not that evil, and Crystal's not that evil either. but I'm gonna update soon, no worries!!!!! Thanks for your review!!!!!
Disturbed-demon-gurl: I'm making people cry!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!* cries for making people cry and hands out apology gifts of whatever you want * I will not kill her. Battousai would KILL ME!!! (you forget, Kenshin is in here too. in my room like all the time (okay, only in my head he is, but still) and I don't want a fulfledged Battousai after my head!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!!! SCARY!!!!!). * kenshin laughs at the fear on authoress's face * * authoress thoinks him on the head * I'm glad you like the evil chapter. I actually like to write evil things. I guess I got a little evil in me ( * Sireta tries to take over authoress again but fails *)
KagomeKia: Yes, killing her is too evil, but torture? Nah. that's not too evil. that was really my idea, too!!! I mean, still pissed off Battousai either way, right? And that means SOMEONE'S gonna lose their head!!!!! Hehehehe. my evil side is coming out too much now. must shove her back inside.
Beriath: Yes the evil will prevail!!! I was wanting to do that too!!! I want Kaoru to be 'fake unconscience' just like Battousai did!!! Hehehe. revenge. but no, she won't die. yes, VERY near death. hehehehehe. doesn't that just bug you that hiruma is too much like himura? I hate that!!! GRRRR!!!!!!!!! (authoress jumps in with her rubber sword (okay, I can't afford a real one right now, Kenshin stole it from me!!) and protects her friend Beriath from angry reviewers) Oh don't you worry. this is going to be good. I thought I wrote a good cliffhanger. hehehehe.. I'm getting evil. evil is not good. (Sano: No DUH, Crystal!).
Ana: WHAT? YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME!!! AHHH!!!! KENSHIN HELP ME PEOPLE HATE ME THEY WANT TO KILL ME!!!! (kenshin shows no mercy on authoress as he is still mad at her for last chapter, too) Oh, I updated, so don't hurt me please (cowers under computer desk and again moniter falls on head)
Angelike Riddle: Angel-chan, you are so right on the debate question!!! I always liked Kenshin. I dunno why. but YES we all know there is more going on in that rurouni/battousai head of his.he's not as innocent as he wants us to think he is. OH MY GOD YOU ARE SO NICE TO ME!!!! I'm glad you like this story and I'm not disappointing you. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more, but I went through the whole chapter after I wrote it and I wrote in more where I could to make it longer (it went from 10 pages to 14!!!!) and if I gave away TOO MUCH then the cliffhanger would've sucked big monkey butts (okay, don't ask, sorry for my language but that's just how I talk sometimes!!! In a monkey mood right for some reason.) It's okay that you didn't review before, just thanks for reviewing now so that I know you exist!!!! (smiles so whole face is a smile * Sano: Geez, she's got a big mouth! * Stops smiling to bonk Sano and then smiles again) I'm doing a fantastic job? (cries happy tears and stuffs Angel-chan with all the treats she could ever need)
Alannah1: Nope, Sireta can't control me that long. I will take over and I will avenge Kaoru's pain by making Battousai do stuff. yeah. stuff. uh. yeah. okay, that was the dumbest comeback I've ever had. It's okay that you never reviewed before!!! I understand, my computer sucks sometimes too!!!! It makes me so angry I wanna kill the thing!!!! LOL, thanks!!!!
Catrina3: I WON'T KILL KAORU, I WON'T KILL KAORU, I WON'T KILL KAORU (repeats over and over and over again).Yeah I made that firefly part up on my own, with of course, a little help. I was reading Dance of the Fireflies when I came up with that scene, besides, fireflies are supposed to have some meaning to Kenshin and Kaoru, right? So I decided I would add it in there!!! Aren't I so cool? LOL, no, I'm a dork!!! Anywayz, I'm glad you liked that part, I was afraid it would be too mushy too soon. Oh well, I like waff and violence. I know, strange mix.
Hooked Reader: NO I WILL HAVE KENSHIN BEFORE YOU IF KAORU DIES!!! (plugs Kenshin's ears.) but I fear I have to give him to Angie before I can have him, since he is her 'Kenshin-angel' (hahaha Angie if you are reading this, because guess what? I'm thinking thoughts about your Kenshin-angel!!! MWHAHAHAHAHA!!!). And I don't want to kill Kaoru, it would break my readers hearts. So, she lives. Kaoru prevails. I'm glad you like this!!!
BlackDeath: Geez. dark name, ne? But I like to torture you with cliffhangers!!! It's so much fun!!!!
Geminidragon: NOOOOO!!!!!! Wake up!!! (gets kenshin and sano to do CPR to revive Geminidragon). Don't let the suspence kill you, just let it torture you!!!! Geez, ya scared me!!!! LOL, anywayz, I'm gonna come up with something soon!!!!
Piper: Oh yeah, we're gonna go REAL DEEP into Kenshin's emotions on that, yes we will, and he's gonna be PISSED OFF!!!!! Okay, sorry for the language, but there's not better way to say it because that's even an understatement!!!! Yes, we all like to see a protective Kenshin/Battousai, don't we? Hehehehe. I'm sure Kaoru does too. (gets hit on the head with Kaoru's bokken) Ouch!!!
Ewunia: Me? Cruel? Never!!! LOL, yeah, I know, that was pretty mean, wasn't it! I'm glad you think this story is different, I didn't want to end up copying anyone else's story or plot, I want my work to STAND OUT!!!! Now, if I told you what was going to happen to Kaoru, that would ruin the WHOLE story, now wouldn't it? Naughty, asking me to tell you!!!
Elisa Ang: Yeah,I know, I got home and I'm like "87 reviews? Oh my god!" but I was gone to my friends house!!! So that's why I'm writing this chapter RIGHT NOW TONIGHT BEFORE I GO TO BED!!!!!!!! That's okay that you get excited, I do too!!!! LOL!!!! It's a habit!!!! I'm glad you like the story!!!
Brittanie Love: You be very very very very very very very very very very (takes breath) very very very very very very very very very very very very very very welcome!!! Now, I myself still have to see where the sword hit Kaoru because it can't kill her. (I promised TOO MANY TIMES that it wouldn't kill her) so I'm guessing it was the force of the blow alone with the position of where it hit her. Remember, she WAS sitting so her head was over her chest, which means if I was going to kill her (I considered it, don't kill me please!!! I'm just a drama queen sometimes!!!) in the story, then the person would have sliced the sword through her head and then through her heart in the same motion. So.. I guess I gotta find out what happened, ne?
Cutie Blossom: No, I LOVE LONG REVIEWS!!! They remind me of letters and I love letters because I love to talk to people who will listen to my rants. Yes, I like Kaoru being very very stubborn like that. "I'm not leaving until you answer me!!" hehehe. Okay. I never really ANSWERED your question on if Kaoru or Battousai would die. I've decided that SOMEONE is going to die, but, I'm not going to make it them because the story is about them. I'm thinking it'll be a bad dude (who better to die, anyway?). I know school is so gonna suck!!! I'm suck a freakin' night owl. and school start TUESDAY and I have CHEMISTRY first thing in the morning 0_o;; that a distater in the making. something's going to explode I just KNOW IT!!!! I always stay up late. I've been getting in trouble for it too. I'm nocturnal, OKAY!!! But what's funny is I have to have TOTAL darkness in order to fall asleep. Hahaha. no wonder I'm so screwed up half of the time!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well. when school comes I'm gonna be so zoned out I don't know what I'm gonna do. at least I have no school on Friday or the Monday after that!!! Hehehe!!!! Just to get myself settled in!!! What I noticed really sucked about school this year though is that I have to come back on my birthday from Christmas break. My b-day is January 5th (like you care, but oh well, I'm telling ya anywayz!) and we come back from break that day. Grrr!!! Oh well. Glad you like the story, and sorry if I TALKED YOUR EAR OFF!!! I talk too much.
Kenshin'sgrl: I was gonna put it up sooner, but 1, I was gone, and 2, guess what, I couldn't get the site to open!!!!!!!!!! Sorry!!!!!!!!!!! Don't die on me , the story needs you to read it!!!!!!!!
HiEi FoR sale (Zeus The Moose): do you have like 50 different names? Yes, everyone liked the chapter but hated the cliffhanger. but I like cliffhangers. I don't know, I'm a strange child!!!!!
Marissa: Yes, I can be evil, I know that was a horrible place to leave off. But I'm gonna update, that I am, no worries for you!!!!!!!!!
And treats for all of you!!!! Yummy, this time it's ice cream with whatever topping you want and soda pop all around!!!
Anywayz..
Kenshin: You're evil. You always make your readers wait, that you do.
Crystal: But you gotta do something to make sure they will keep reading. I sure did get myself some reviews for the last chapter!!! Goodness gracious!!!
Sano: I wonder why, you were going to kill Jou-chan!!!
Crystal: No.. Sireta was going to kill Kaoru.
Kaoru: No one's gonna kill me any time soon, so you two can stop worrying.
Crystal: Yeah, Kaoru's gonna kick some butt.
Kaoru: Uh. I'm kinda INJURED in the story.
Crystal: Oh yeah. oops. forgot. stupid brain don't work.
Kaoru: And who was asking about taking Kenshin if I died?
Kenshin: Oro?!
Crystal: (tries to look innocent) Uh. a reviewer but they were playing.
Kaoru: And who calls him Kenshin-Angel?
Crystal: Uh. a reviewer?
Kaoru: (reads responses) Oooo. where's my bokken?
Crystal: Angie and Hooked Reader, watch out KAORU'S COMING AFTER YOU!!!!!
Kenshin: Kaoru-dono. don't hurt anyone innocent- (door slams in his face) please.
Sano: Uh oh..
:P, Well I'm gonna go for now!!!!!! It's almost 2 AM and I need to sleep!!! I gotta go to school on TUESDAY and be up by 6:15 AM. there is NO WAY I'm gonna survive this school year. I've got 3 HOURS with the same TEACHER RIGHT IN A ROW and it's a computer teacher!!! I'm gonna go insane!!! If I don't update, blame it on being on computers too much at school!!!!
So, until the next chapter!!! 125 reviews, okay?
Luv,
Crystal Renee
Authors Notes: 93 REVIEWS?! My god, you people don't give me a break, do you? Naw, I'm SOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!! Next chapter I gotta have 125, okay? Like that's gonna be hard to reach. I'm burning incense right now. Yeah, so I'm kinda in a mood right now so this should be good. I was at my friend's house and we went to the Renaissance Festival (if that's how you spell it) and I wanted to buy a sword! But they were 400 DOLLARS!!!!! I don't carry that kinda money on me!!! I don't even have that much in the bank!!! I'm such a dork, I don't feel like going upstairs so I'm brushing my teeth in my bedroom while I'm doing this!! You're probably wondering WHY DOES SHE HAVE A TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE IN HER BEDROOM? Well, I was at my friends house and I brought that stuff with me so it was in my bag and my bag is in my room!!! I'm so lazy. god. I'm such a dork. and I just thought of this. what made you all so sure that it was KAORU who was injured? She could have just fainted and the figure could have been injured!!! Hey, see what I mean? Naw. that's not what happened though, I'm going that easy on her.
On with the story!!!!
~Coming of the Dawn~
(where I last left you off..hehehehe..)
A body fell limply to the floor, eyes wide in pain as the life inside of them was slowly drained away with each droplet of precious blood that found it's way out of the body that so desperately needed it for life. Kaoru's last thoughts before being lost in the darkness was her regrets for not realizing until now why she found comfort in the Battousai.
Kaoru found herself lost in a world of blood and pain, washed away into the darkness of the night, with no hope of return.
***Chapter 15- Value Uncovered***
Battousai shuddered as a cold feeling overcame him again. Something wasn't right, and he knew it. He was passing by the Aoiya on his way back from his mission. He was already upset enough after killing the 3 new men that had been on his assassination list. He didn't know why he had decided to walk past the Aoiya. Battousai guessed it was just to see if Kaoru was still okay.
But he couldn't shake that feeling off. That was what had brought him here in the first place. The feeling had halted him in mid attack, and he'd been following his gut ever since he ended his mission. He was worried.
Worried about Kaoru.
Upon reaching the Aoiya, he didn't sense Aoshi's ki, or half of the Oniwabanshu. He immediately knew they had been out on a mission that night, also. He ran to the back and up into his tree, looking into Kaoru's window. He didn't see any movement, and by the looks of the bed, she was sleeping. He sighed. She must be fine.
Kenshin jumped down and headed back to the Inn. He would retire for the night, and then check with Sano about Kaoru the next day.
********** **********
The figure met with his counterpart.
"So, what happened?" the other asked.
"She was so easy." The ruby-eyed man stated, laughing inwardly at the easiness of his job.
The other grinned at him. "Battousai should be having quite the surprise when he comes back from his mission tonight."
********** **********
Kenshin opened his door, turning a small oil lantern on so he could see exactly where he was going. He finished changing into his sleeping attire, and glanced down at his neglected futon. There was a piece of paper on it. Almost hesitantly he lifted it up, and unfolded the still crisp paper. The writing on it was scratched and quick, messy and not too legible. Yet, Kenshin could read it.
'Atonement. For your sins. You killed Tomoe. Now, as atonement for her life and the lives of those you destroyed upon killing her, we will in turn kill someone very close to you. But of course, it will be worse than how you killed Tomoe, because she died thinking you loved her, and this someone does not know your feelings.'
He didn't even stop to finish the note or look to see whom it was from. All that was on Kenshin's mind was Kaoru. Could some have gotten to her? Was he too late? Why?
He was again out of the Inn, not even bothering to change back into his regular clothing. He only grabbed his katana and black trench coat. He ran as fast as his god-speed allowed, skidding to a stop in front of Kaoru's window. He climbed through it, and with the light of the disappearing moon and the coming of the dawn, he saw what he had feared.
Blood.
Everywhere.
The blankets on the futon were soaked in it. The walls were covered in it, and you could see where the sword that had inflicted the wounds had entered the wall when it pierced the flesh of the victim. The blood on the floor appeared to be less, but it was still more than it should be. Shards of clothing lie in the blood, floating like small boats on a river. The scent of the metallic substance stunk Battousai's nose.
This was Kaoru's blood.
The pain she must have endured.
Battousai didn't stop to think rationally. He ran to the closest room, picking up on the ki of a sleeping Misao. He threw her shoji door open and shook her awake. Misao stifled a scream at the sight of Battousai, soaked in blood and staring at her, his amber eyes ignited with flames that resembled those told of the fires of hell. She glanced at him, not sure if she should speak or not.
"Where's Kaoru?" he asked, his voice was pleading, nothing like what his appearance gave off. He sounded desperate.
Misao shook her head, trying to clear it. "She should be right in her room."
"She's not there." He told her, still holding onto her shoulders roughly.
"Stop it, you're hurting me!" Misao cried.
He didn't listen, just held on tighter. Misao stifled another yelp and glanced up at Battousai again.
"There's blood all over in her room." He told her. "Where's Aoshi?"
"Aoshi-sama had a mission."
"Let her go Battousai." Came a voice, cold as ice.
Battousai stood up away from Misao, who just stared at him, stunned.
"Aoshi." Battousai stated.
Aoshi made a slight move so he was standing next to Misao, who was extremely shaken not only by Battousai, but what he had just said along with the blood he had left on her clothing. Aoshi checked to see if she was hurt, but stayed next to her in a protective way, glaring at the man before him.
"Battousai, what is the meaning of this?" Aoshi questioned.
Battousai glared him. "Go into Kaoru's room and see for yourself. That's why I'm soaked in blood for yet a 2nd time tonight."
Aoshi glared at him. "If you hurt her."
"It wasn't me!" Battousai growled. "I'd never hurt a woman. ESPECIALLY Kaoru."
Aoshi glared at the Battousai, but knew that was the truth, even behind Battousai's cold exterior. He nodded.
"Is she in there? What's her condition?"
"All there's in there of her is blood and shreds of clothing." Battousai answered, his anger rising.
'Whoever did this is going PAY with their life' his Battousai side stated, totally pushing the other voice from his head.
*********** ***********
Kaoru woke up ((SEE I DIDN'T KILL HER!!!!!!!)), pain searing through her entire body. She felt the dried blood on the small cut on her neck and shoulders. Then the pain that was really getting to her was the ones from the slice that had gone straight through her side, just BARELY missing an organ. It still seeped blood, which was slowly making her weaker. She wanted to cry. The pain was too much.
She lifted her head up slowly, finding herself tied simply by her wrists to the wall. She was leaning against it, her back towards it and her legs out straight in front of her. Her wrists were above her head; the chains that connected her to the cold stonewall rough on her soft skin. She looked around the room with hazy sapphire eyes, which had lost their fiery luster due to the blood loss and pain.
Footsteps were heard outside her door, and Kaoru stiffened, despite the pain that overtook her body in the process. She was too weak to be of any help to herself against whoever was walking in. So she just kept her gaze directed straight at her door as it creaked open slowly, revealing a man with white hair and sunglasses. He was small, but still somewhat intimidating. Like Kenshin, only defiantly not to that extent.
But at that moment, anything would scare Kaoru. Anything could take her delicate life away, as it seeped away along with the blood that still poured from her wounds.
He walked up to her, not saying anything but never letting his gave leave her face. He grinned somewhat, thinking about what he was going to do. She realized that he didn't look anything like the man that had cut her in the first place. He was someone different. It scared her.
Where was she, who was he, and was he in league with the other man?
He pulled out a small dagger, kneeling in front of her just over her lap. He took the blade and teased her into tensing up more by tracing her jaw with the sharp edge. She tried to move her head, but she was starting to get dizzy. Kaoru silently cursed her luck. She couldn't do anything to stop what he was going to do her.
He took the blade, and with a precise hand, sliced from just under eye to her chin on her left cheek. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came.
"The first scar, for killing the happiness she was supposed to find." The man stated, running his finger over the newly produced cut.
The sensation produced new jolts of pain for Kaoru, the salts on his skin burning her new wound. She cried, her salt filled tears not helping either. Then she felt the blade press against the same cheek, and make a mark that would cross over the one already there.
"The second, her death he caused when she was supposed to be his, which caused her to loose her second chance at happiness. May he rot in hell as he sees this." The man stated, standing up after producing the same finger rubbing technique on the new wound as he had done with the first one.
Kaoru cried, her tears stinging not only her eyes but also her entire cheek, and her shoulder as they fell off her face mixed with her blood, and fell into the other wounds that covered her body. Despite the pain, she couldn't stop crying. Her sobs made her body shake as they took her precious energy away.
She heard footsteps again, and nearly cried out. Now she knew who was coming. She didn't want to see him. But Kaoru couldn't stop herself from looking up at him, into his evil red eyes. Covered in bandages, she nearly cried out when she saw a torch in his hand. He stared at her, not really saying anything. All that she saw was the grin that was placed on face.
"I'm going to enjoy this. This is to teach those Ishin Shishi bastards to burn enemy hitokiri alive and not finish the job." He stated solemnly.
Kaoru felt the heat of the flame come closer to her body, closer to the wound that was on her side. She tried in vain to shy away from the torch and the man that was going to produce the new torture on her.
The only thing that could be heard was Kaoru's earsplitting scream as her clothes were caught on fire and her skin burned before she lost herself in the darkness again. The man tossed water on her, stopping the flames from spreading any farther.
That way he could continue his torture on her later.
He left, and looked at his counterpart.
"Enishi, you scarred her cheek."
"You burned her Shishio." He responded to him.
Shishio grinned. "How much longer do you think we have to wait?"
Enishi shrugged. "Not long. We'll have our full revenge."
"Until then, I'm going to continue with this until not one part of her isn't scarred." Shishio stated.
Enishi waved him off. "I've done what I wanted to, I have nothing else to do. Do as you please, just don't kill her yet."
********* *********
Battousai stormed back into his room, grabbing the paper that was the floor. They wanted revenge for Tomoe's death, whoever they were. He had come back to the Inn when he had realized he had never finished reading the note.
'But of course, not all of this has to do with you personally, Battousai. You're group burned me. I have nothing to do with Tomoe. I'm just seeking an equal revenge. Don't worry; your precious friend isn't dead. But she'll wish she was.
It's your call, Battousai. You find us within 3 days. That's your limit. On the 3rd day at midnight, if you haven't found us, she's dead.
And trust us, you know who we are.'
He crumpled the paper up in his hand, anger over taking him. What were they doing to Kaoru? Was she okay? He slapped himself. Of course she wasn't. It would be a miracle if she was still alive after all the blood she had apparently lost. Battousai tried to think of who would want to avenge Tomoe's death.
As far as he knew, her whole family was dead, and she had no friends.
Besides, he couldn't think straight at the moment anyway.
He was worried about what was happening to Kaoru.
'Now do you understand your feelings for her?' the voice inside his head asked him, 'Does something like this have to happen before you understand? What if she doesn't make it through? It took the attack on the Inn to show you that you at least CARED about her, does it take her being taken from you and nearly, or even, killed for you to know?'
How he hated that voice. But how correct that voice was. He should have known by now what he felt for Kaoru. He was too filled with his Battousai pride to care about what he felt for her. Now, when her life was at stake, her finally admitted to it, even if it was to himself and no one else.
But he promised himself; he wouldn't make the same mistake.
He decided he would find, he would save her, and he would tell her what he felt, even if she didn't feel the same. At least he could always protect her. They could always at least be friends.
********* *********
'Kenshin, help me.' Kaoru pleaded in her mind, still out cold, or at least pretending to be. 'My god why didn't I realize how much I needed you.'
She heard the door open.
Again, she knew it was going to happen.
A blade against her skin this time, not a torch like it had been. She felt the cold steel of the shaft touch her arm, then felt as her skin was literally carved off like one would carve a turkey. She winced and bit her lip, she couldn't cry out.
She wouldn't cry out.
Kaoru knew she was stronger than that.
She had to conserve what little strength she had to healing the wounds that seemed to add up as time wore on.
'Please, Kenshin, find me.'
********* *********
"Enishi!" Battousai stated loudly. "Enishi and Shishio, that's who's behind this."
Battousai found himself grabbing his swords, but leaving his trench coat behind. He was about to open his door when it opened for him.
"Okay Kenshin, where are you going?" Sano asked.
Battousai looked at him. "Stay out of my way Sano."
"I know what happened to Jou-chan, now can I ask you something? Why weren't you in that tree like you were every other night?" Sano asked him, his voice angry.
"I had a mission. I thought Aoshi would still be there."
"Well guess what, he wasn't. Who knows now, she's probably dead." Sanosuke told him, not letting his voice falter. "But I'm going with you anyway."
Battousai shook his head. "No, this is strictly between me and these two men."
"I'm going, I don't care what you say. They've got to be strong, and I'm not about to let you travel into some trap on your own. You never know when you might need help. So like it or not, I'm going with you. You never know when you may need me to bail you out." Sano told him.
Battousai had to admit he welcome the help. He didn't think anyone would want to take a chance and help him, but Sano had become a good friend.
"Fine. We're up against a hitokiri and my dead wife's brother." Kenshin told him.
"Do you know where they are?" Sano asked.
Kenshin shook his head. "No, but I have a pretty good idea. And it's going to take us 3 days to get there."
********* *********
"Wake up, dear, and see the light." Came a voice.
Kaoru reluctantly opened her to come face to face with the light from the window. It stung her eyes. She shut them in a hurry until the window was covered.
"I hope you enjoyed that because it's the last of the light you'll ever see." Came the voice again.
Kaoru had become acquainted with names of the men in which she was staying with. This one was Shishio. He was always threatening her, and adding new wounds to the ones she was already trying to heal. She prepared for it. Lately his favorite thing to do was hit her.
She was right. She received a slap across the scabbing cross-shaped scar that now adorned her left cheek. Just like Kenshin. She sighed in pain. It had been 3 long days of this torture. She hadn't seen the other man much, he didn't seem to much like torturing her the scar he had given her being the only pain he inflicted upon her. His name was Enishi, but she couldn't help but wonder who he was talking about when he gave her the cross-shaped scar.
Kaoru knew that at the end of tonight, if no one came and found her, she was going to die. And she knew it was going to be painful. But oh, how she wished she was dead already, instead of going through burn torture, having her skin peeled off, and watching the sick man named Shishio lick her blood off of his weapon of choice. She was weak, healing, but weak still. Not like she had been. The worst wound had been treated. They didn't want her to die yet.
She wished they would let her.
Kaoru had begun to wonder if Kenshin even knew she was gone. Wouldn't he know where to find her? She couldn't be that far away from the Aoiya, could she?
Another blow to the face shook Kaoru out of her thoughts and she looked up at the man that was inflicting pain upon her. Kaoru then noticed she was hungry. She hadn't eaten anything she'd been taken here. They only gave her some water. No wonder she felt so weak, she hadn't eaten. That might help her, she thought to herself.
Kaoru saw a blade in her face, and then felt the tip of it drag completely down from her tight to her ankle on both legs. She shook in pain, not knowing how else to take the pain anymore. Soon enough her body would go numb, and she's be enveloped in the darkness again, with only her thoughts to comfort her.
********* *********
Misao sat in the Aoiya, looking out the window. Aoshi had been gone for 2 days, and she didn't know where he was. She had a feeling he had gone to look for Kaoru, also, just as Sano had and the Battousai had. She cursed all three of the men for leaving her there when she wanted to go look for Kaoru too.
But Misao was worried about Kaoru. If the Battousai needed all this help, then what kind of people had Kaoru? She had to hold onto the faint hope that Kaoru was still alive somewhere, waiting to be rescued.
But even if she was worried about Kaoru, Misao was just as worried for Aoshi. She knew this was dangerous, especially since the Battousai had no idea that Aoshi was heading out to help them. She looked up at the sky, and then down at the ground.
'Bring her back alive, Aoshi-sama, and please be careful' Misao thought before she got up and walked inside to go to bed, since it was late. She estimated it to be around 11 at night.
********* *********
Battousai glanced up ahead. He was right. Enishi had taken Kaoru to the home Kenshin had shared with Tomoe. He could see Enishi inside, but he couldn't see Kaoru anywhere. He could feel Kaoru's ki, though.
"This the place?" Sano asked him.
Battousai nodded, and motioned for him to be silent.
Then together they slunk to the door of the small building, ready to take back what was theirs, to bring Kaoru back home.
Home alive.
Author's Notes: So..... What do you think? I hope you liked this chapter, I was afraid that maybe you wouldn't!!!! I've been sitting here typing it for so long that my butt has gone numb. I really hope this chapter didn't suck. sorry if it did, I want honest opinions from you all!!! What do you think of Kaoru and Battousai sharing the same scar? I don't know why, but I thought it would be a strange way to connect them, if you know what I mean.
I want to do the next chapter but I'm waiting. It will give me time to think it all out instead of rushing it. It's gonna have a lot of fighting in it. and if anyone can help me with moves for the other characters (or what weapon Enishi has!) I would be most grateful!!! Otherwise I'm gonna have to try and figure it all out on my own write it out using bland words again, even thought I try not to.
Yes, I know, poor Kaoru!!! I feel sorry for her, but I need a ROYALLY PISSED OFF BATTOUSAI for the next chapter. What could get me that better than seeing her suffer? At least I didn't kill her, right?
Yeah, yeah, I know, shorter chapter than the last few ones, but I just couldn't think of anything to write before he went off and got Kaoru back. I'm trying to make it go as slow as possible and be as interesting as I can possibly make it, ya know?
Hey!!! Review responses:
Kazuma Girl: Yeah, there are a few Battousai/Kaoru fics out there, and I'm starting to perfer them to regular Kenshin/Kaoru fics for some reason. I'm glad you think I'm portraying Kaoru good because I thought I was doing horrible at that!!! I was adding what I thought I needed for the fic, I'm glad you like it!!!!
Chibilover 2000: I'm glad you like it!!! Yeah, I like the arguing parts too!!! I just run out of things for them to argue over. it gets so hard to find things for them to argue over. I mean, it's not like they can argue over the remote control or anything!!!! I'm trying to make it all work out right. And how do you know she won't die?! She could!!! I resent that!!! ^_~, I am capable of it although, you are right, I wouldn't kill Kaoru!!! Grrr... I'm too nice.
Krystlsailormoon: I am a brave authoress, ain't I? Okay. you suck. how did you know it was Shishio? Grr. I gave too many clues!!! But who was the OTHER guy, HUH? Don't worry, I like Kaoru too much to kill her. but I do want Shishio to die. hehehehehe. someone has to die. I'm sorry, but I always have someone die!!!
Sano and Kenshin: Why?! That's mean!!!
Crystal (in Sireta mode): Shut up or it'll be you!!!
Sano and Kenshin: (gulp) Yes authoress.. (hide under bed)
Crystal: Sorry, you know I wouldn't kill you!!! That's to mean! (bear hugs them)
Sano and Kenshin: (gasp for air).
I'm gonna update ASAP!!! Yeah, people actually like to know what I have to talk about!!!! I'm so happy, SOMEONE OUT THERE LOVES ME!!!! Maybe I will use that idea. if I do IT WAS YOUR IDEA ANGIE YOU GET ALL THE CREDIT!!!!!! I like it when you say you bounce with glee. It's just funny to read. I make people happy!!! I bounce a lot when I'm happy too, I thought I was the only one who did that!!!! Oh, and read Hooked Reader's response, I mentioned you for a good reason, it deals with Kenshin!!!!
Angelic Countenance: I can't help writing so fast!!! I have nothing else to do with my life!!! I don't own ANY video games or anything like that!!! I have no choice but to write. I have 3 sibilings, so we have NO money to go anywhere. grr. I don't want to upset anybody, so I'm NOT GOING TO KILL KAORU!!! SIRETA WILL NOT KILL KAORU, EITHER!!!! She will be alive, but probably not in good shape because, I dunno. Someone's gonna die though. It probably won't be her, or Battousai. But someone will. I have to, it's a habit.
Kenshin'sgrl: Yeah I rock!!! Oh yeah (does victory dance across room and smiles like a big goofy monkey) Sure, go ahead and print it out if you want to to add it to your collection. I'm so happy you like it THAT MUCH!!!!! And you're welcome for your shout out, so here's another one girly!!!! Cookies and Kenshin plushies for you!!!!! I love suspence.. (grins evilly)..
Xiao zhu: Geez, you people don't want her to die, huh? I won't kill her (although it kinda makes me want that SOME OF YOU think I wouldn't!!!!) I won't make Kenshin suffer that bad, I'm not THAT EVIL. Well, Sireta's not that evil, and Crystal's not that evil either. but I'm gonna update soon, no worries!!!!! Thanks for your review!!!!!
Disturbed-demon-gurl: I'm making people cry!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!* cries for making people cry and hands out apology gifts of whatever you want * I will not kill her. Battousai would KILL ME!!! (you forget, Kenshin is in here too. in my room like all the time (okay, only in my head he is, but still) and I don't want a fulfledged Battousai after my head!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!!! SCARY!!!!!). * kenshin laughs at the fear on authoress's face * * authoress thoinks him on the head * I'm glad you like the evil chapter. I actually like to write evil things. I guess I got a little evil in me ( * Sireta tries to take over authoress again but fails *)
KagomeKia: Yes, killing her is too evil, but torture? Nah. that's not too evil. that was really my idea, too!!! I mean, still pissed off Battousai either way, right? And that means SOMEONE'S gonna lose their head!!!!! Hehehehe. my evil side is coming out too much now. must shove her back inside.
Beriath: Yes the evil will prevail!!! I was wanting to do that too!!! I want Kaoru to be 'fake unconscience' just like Battousai did!!! Hehehe. revenge. but no, she won't die. yes, VERY near death. hehehehehe. doesn't that just bug you that hiruma is too much like himura? I hate that!!! GRRRR!!!!!!!!! (authoress jumps in with her rubber sword (okay, I can't afford a real one right now, Kenshin stole it from me!!) and protects her friend Beriath from angry reviewers) Oh don't you worry. this is going to be good. I thought I wrote a good cliffhanger. hehehehe.. I'm getting evil. evil is not good. (Sano: No DUH, Crystal!).
Ana: WHAT? YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME!!! AHHH!!!! KENSHIN HELP ME PEOPLE HATE ME THEY WANT TO KILL ME!!!! (kenshin shows no mercy on authoress as he is still mad at her for last chapter, too) Oh, I updated, so don't hurt me please (cowers under computer desk and again moniter falls on head)
Angelike Riddle: Angel-chan, you are so right on the debate question!!! I always liked Kenshin. I dunno why. but YES we all know there is more going on in that rurouni/battousai head of his.he's not as innocent as he wants us to think he is. OH MY GOD YOU ARE SO NICE TO ME!!!! I'm glad you like this story and I'm not disappointing you. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more, but I went through the whole chapter after I wrote it and I wrote in more where I could to make it longer (it went from 10 pages to 14!!!!) and if I gave away TOO MUCH then the cliffhanger would've sucked big monkey butts (okay, don't ask, sorry for my language but that's just how I talk sometimes!!! In a monkey mood right for some reason.) It's okay that you didn't review before, just thanks for reviewing now so that I know you exist!!!! (smiles so whole face is a smile * Sano: Geez, she's got a big mouth! * Stops smiling to bonk Sano and then smiles again) I'm doing a fantastic job? (cries happy tears and stuffs Angel-chan with all the treats she could ever need)
Alannah1: Nope, Sireta can't control me that long. I will take over and I will avenge Kaoru's pain by making Battousai do stuff. yeah. stuff. uh. yeah. okay, that was the dumbest comeback I've ever had. It's okay that you never reviewed before!!! I understand, my computer sucks sometimes too!!!! It makes me so angry I wanna kill the thing!!!! LOL, thanks!!!!
Catrina3: I WON'T KILL KAORU, I WON'T KILL KAORU, I WON'T KILL KAORU (repeats over and over and over again).Yeah I made that firefly part up on my own, with of course, a little help. I was reading Dance of the Fireflies when I came up with that scene, besides, fireflies are supposed to have some meaning to Kenshin and Kaoru, right? So I decided I would add it in there!!! Aren't I so cool? LOL, no, I'm a dork!!! Anywayz, I'm glad you liked that part, I was afraid it would be too mushy too soon. Oh well, I like waff and violence. I know, strange mix.
Hooked Reader: NO I WILL HAVE KENSHIN BEFORE YOU IF KAORU DIES!!! (plugs Kenshin's ears.) but I fear I have to give him to Angie before I can have him, since he is her 'Kenshin-angel' (hahaha Angie if you are reading this, because guess what? I'm thinking thoughts about your Kenshin-angel!!! MWHAHAHAHAHA!!!). And I don't want to kill Kaoru, it would break my readers hearts. So, she lives. Kaoru prevails. I'm glad you like this!!!
BlackDeath: Geez. dark name, ne? But I like to torture you with cliffhangers!!! It's so much fun!!!!
Geminidragon: NOOOOO!!!!!! Wake up!!! (gets kenshin and sano to do CPR to revive Geminidragon). Don't let the suspence kill you, just let it torture you!!!! Geez, ya scared me!!!! LOL, anywayz, I'm gonna come up with something soon!!!!
Piper: Oh yeah, we're gonna go REAL DEEP into Kenshin's emotions on that, yes we will, and he's gonna be PISSED OFF!!!!! Okay, sorry for the language, but there's not better way to say it because that's even an understatement!!!! Yes, we all like to see a protective Kenshin/Battousai, don't we? Hehehehe. I'm sure Kaoru does too. (gets hit on the head with Kaoru's bokken) Ouch!!!
Ewunia: Me? Cruel? Never!!! LOL, yeah, I know, that was pretty mean, wasn't it! I'm glad you think this story is different, I didn't want to end up copying anyone else's story or plot, I want my work to STAND OUT!!!! Now, if I told you what was going to happen to Kaoru, that would ruin the WHOLE story, now wouldn't it? Naughty, asking me to tell you!!!
Elisa Ang: Yeah,I know, I got home and I'm like "87 reviews? Oh my god!" but I was gone to my friends house!!! So that's why I'm writing this chapter RIGHT NOW TONIGHT BEFORE I GO TO BED!!!!!!!! That's okay that you get excited, I do too!!!! LOL!!!! It's a habit!!!! I'm glad you like the story!!!
Brittanie Love: You be very very very very very very very very very very (takes breath) very very very very very very very very very very very very very very welcome!!! Now, I myself still have to see where the sword hit Kaoru because it can't kill her. (I promised TOO MANY TIMES that it wouldn't kill her) so I'm guessing it was the force of the blow alone with the position of where it hit her. Remember, she WAS sitting so her head was over her chest, which means if I was going to kill her (I considered it, don't kill me please!!! I'm just a drama queen sometimes!!!) in the story, then the person would have sliced the sword through her head and then through her heart in the same motion. So.. I guess I gotta find out what happened, ne?
Cutie Blossom: No, I LOVE LONG REVIEWS!!! They remind me of letters and I love letters because I love to talk to people who will listen to my rants. Yes, I like Kaoru being very very stubborn like that. "I'm not leaving until you answer me!!" hehehe. Okay. I never really ANSWERED your question on if Kaoru or Battousai would die. I've decided that SOMEONE is going to die, but, I'm not going to make it them because the story is about them. I'm thinking it'll be a bad dude (who better to die, anyway?). I know school is so gonna suck!!! I'm suck a freakin' night owl. and school start TUESDAY and I have CHEMISTRY first thing in the morning 0_o;; that a distater in the making. something's going to explode I just KNOW IT!!!! I always stay up late. I've been getting in trouble for it too. I'm nocturnal, OKAY!!! But what's funny is I have to have TOTAL darkness in order to fall asleep. Hahaha. no wonder I'm so screwed up half of the time!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well. when school comes I'm gonna be so zoned out I don't know what I'm gonna do. at least I have no school on Friday or the Monday after that!!! Hehehe!!!! Just to get myself settled in!!! What I noticed really sucked about school this year though is that I have to come back on my birthday from Christmas break. My b-day is January 5th (like you care, but oh well, I'm telling ya anywayz!) and we come back from break that day. Grrr!!! Oh well. Glad you like the story, and sorry if I TALKED YOUR EAR OFF!!! I talk too much.
Kenshin'sgrl: I was gonna put it up sooner, but 1, I was gone, and 2, guess what, I couldn't get the site to open!!!!!!!!!! Sorry!!!!!!!!!!! Don't die on me , the story needs you to read it!!!!!!!!
HiEi FoR sale (Zeus The Moose): do you have like 50 different names? Yes, everyone liked the chapter but hated the cliffhanger. but I like cliffhangers. I don't know, I'm a strange child!!!!!
Marissa: Yes, I can be evil, I know that was a horrible place to leave off. But I'm gonna update, that I am, no worries for you!!!!!!!!!
And treats for all of you!!!! Yummy, this time it's ice cream with whatever topping you want and soda pop all around!!!
Anywayz..
Kenshin: You're evil. You always make your readers wait, that you do.
Crystal: But you gotta do something to make sure they will keep reading. I sure did get myself some reviews for the last chapter!!! Goodness gracious!!!
Sano: I wonder why, you were going to kill Jou-chan!!!
Crystal: No.. Sireta was going to kill Kaoru.
Kaoru: No one's gonna kill me any time soon, so you two can stop worrying.
Crystal: Yeah, Kaoru's gonna kick some butt.
Kaoru: Uh. I'm kinda INJURED in the story.
Crystal: Oh yeah. oops. forgot. stupid brain don't work.
Kaoru: And who was asking about taking Kenshin if I died?
Kenshin: Oro?!
Crystal: (tries to look innocent) Uh. a reviewer but they were playing.
Kaoru: And who calls him Kenshin-Angel?
Crystal: Uh. a reviewer?
Kaoru: (reads responses) Oooo. where's my bokken?
Crystal: Angie and Hooked Reader, watch out KAORU'S COMING AFTER YOU!!!!!
Kenshin: Kaoru-dono. don't hurt anyone innocent- (door slams in his face) please.
Sano: Uh oh..
:P, Well I'm gonna go for now!!!!!! It's almost 2 AM and I need to sleep!!! I gotta go to school on TUESDAY and be up by 6:15 AM. there is NO WAY I'm gonna survive this school year. I've got 3 HOURS with the same TEACHER RIGHT IN A ROW and it's a computer teacher!!! I'm gonna go insane!!! If I don't update, blame it on being on computers too much at school!!!!
So, until the next chapter!!! 125 reviews, okay?
Luv,
Crystal Renee