Disclaimer: Nope. still don't own Kenshin. oh, wait a minute!!!.. nope, not
yet either. wait, wait!!!. uh. nope, false alarm. wai.uh, no, not yet.
Authors Notes: Okay, here is my first day of school in short for you: I had to change my schedule 2 times, my friends don't see me at all (or I don't see them, which ever you prefer), I'm gonna explode something in Chemistry, I'm being forced into a Business Law class (even if I do like the argue. grrr!) and to top it all off, I HAVE A KINK IN MY NECK AND IT HURTS!!!! I want a massage. to bad there's no one here who can give me one. grr. my neck hurts really bad, it feels like my heads gonna fall off and roll away. Okay, enough of my horrible day (which did start out good. with a few blonde moments by me (I TOLD YOU I'M A DORK!!) and any blondes out there, don't take offense, because my hair is naturally blonde too, I just dyed it red a little while ago (not to copy Kenshin, contrary to popular belief) and I've gotta re-dye it right now because it's faded. Stupid semi- permanent dye), and onto newer things!!!! Okay, the last time I checked I had 111 reviews (yeah, I reached 100!!! I don't know exactly what to do to make something special to celebrate, so you all can give me ideas or something, let me know!!!) And since I had a horrible day and REALLY moody, I decided now is the perfect time to write (hehehe. no, Sireta won't come out full blown this time, PROMISE!!!) so, after I check for reviews, I'm gonna write!!!
Here we goes!!! (yes, I have HORRIBLE english. isn't that why I goes to school?)
~Coming Of The Dawn~
(and I last left you all drooling for more at.)
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.
***Chapter 16- Unforgivable Failure***
Battousai and Sanosuke slowly edged their way to the building, trying not to make any sound what so ever. That was an extremely easy task for Battousai- he was used to using his stealth to sneak up on his enemies and kill them with a single blow, without them ever knowing about it. But Sanosuke, on the other hand, had a hard time keeping quiet as his rage grew, thinking of what could be happing to HIS Jou-chan inside that building.
Finally they made it up to the door, both finally being quiet upon realizing the danger they were putting themselves and Kaoru in. They both took in a quick breath, and in the antagonizing moment before Sano futae-no- kiwami'd the door down, their thoughts were both bent on the same exact mission: To get Kaoru out alive and well. Of course, each had their own separate reasons for doing so.
The door fell into dust. Battousai wasted no time upon retreating inside the building, not minding one bit that the door that used to belong to him when he lived there had been completely destroyed. Sano took a little longer to gain his composure enough to allow himself to enter the stuffy building. He could seem smoke, and the scent of blood. It disgusted him. Knowing that the blood had come from Kaoru just make it worse.
Battousai stopped in front of a door, quickly calculating the offensive and how much strength he'd need to spar. He motioned for Sano to opened the door the was standing before, and then left Sano there to fend for himself.
'Huh, some friend, leave me here all alone.' Sano thought inwardly as he got into his stance, breathing in deeply to calm his frazzled nerves. He brought his fist up to next to his face, his arm extended back. Then with amazing strength and speed, he used his futae-no-kiwami on the door.
It crumbled up much like clumped up rice when you move it around in your hand. Sano waited silently for the dust to clear before making any advances. He had no idea if anyone was in that room, or what he'd find. So he just waited.
********* *********
Kaoru had heard the faint sound of crumbling. She glanced quickly out her window, and could only see the sight of dust clearing away from the building. She sighed inwardly, not knowing exactly what was going on. If she hadn't known any better, she would have said that it was Sano's fuiti- no-kiwami. She shut her eyes.
She wouldn't possibly have that sort of luck.
Kaoru let her eyes wander over to one of the few western luxuries in the room, a working clock. It was 11:55 PM. 5 minutes before she died.
5 minutes she could have been with her friends.
5 minutes she could have used to rescue herself, had she not been weak.
She had thought over every way to get out, and all of them were halted by two factors. One being that she was too weak to move at all, and the other being that her wrists were tied above her head with chains, and chained directly into the cold, stone wall, where she hung limply.
Just five more minutes.
She wondered which one of her captors was going to kill her, and she couldn't help but wonder how. Would it be quick and painless? Or long and torturing? She knew what kinds of torture she had endured, and she silently knew that the man named Shishio could come up with many other forms of torture that would hurt her more than he already had. She inwardly winced at the thought. She was already numbing to the pain she hand. Kaoru had only looked up at her hands once that night, and noticed they were turning blue since the shackles around them had been tightened only moments before.
It was as if someone was trying to be sure she didn't escape.
Kaoru prepared herself for death. She knew she wasn't ready to enter the dark abyss that her death would bring, no was she ready to meet Kami. it just wasn't time yet! She was too young. Yet Kaoru was welcoming the gift. It was not just a gift to her to get her out of the pain. It was a gift to Kenshin.
Inwardly she knew he worried about her, ever since those first men had attacked her at the Inn. If she was gone, then he'd never have to worry about her again. And he'd never have to see her suffer in this condition. Kaoru was willing to die if it meant these people would leave Kenshin alone once and for all, once they had their revenge.
But what Kaoru never thought of was the hell and horror Kenshin would go through knowing he had failed the one he cared about the most. again.
********** **********
Yamagata stared around the Inn. "Tae!! Where is the Himura? I haven't seen him in 3 days, and he's got a mission!"
Tae bustled around the kitchen and twisted her way around Hinoki as they worked quickly and efficiently at making dinner for the entire Ishin Shishi that abided in the small yet spacious Inn. She was going to try and ignore the question that she was just asked, and pretend she didn't hear him with all the stress she was under being so busy. He didn't seem to fall for her trick.
"Tae, I know you can hear me, so speak up!" he demanded, his voice forceful yet gentle.
Tae spun again, and chopped up some vegetables.
"Fine. Hinoki, where is Himura?" he asked again, prying farter into the full kitchen.
"Gone, apparently." Hinoki answered blankly.
She hated having to cover for Battousai. He owed them big time now.
Yamagata wasn't going to give up that quickly. "Where is he?"
Tae shoved a tray of food into his hands. "Serve the men, Hinoki and I can't do all this work on our own!"
Yamagata sighed and did what was asked of him. He wasn't going to get an answer out of those two.
********** **********
Aoshi sped through the woods, twisting around the branches and bushes that got in his way. He zigzagged skillfully through the thick foliage, not once getting caught on any hanging branches or limbs. He found his way to a trail that led farther into the mountains, and he followed it, not once slowing down.
He was going to help Himura and the rooster head; that was the only thing on his mind. He was going to help bring Kaoru back, to make Misao happy. And to ease his own growing worry.
********** **********
Battousai angrily wound his way through the small home, his senses running high and leading him the entire way. He stopped slowly outside a doorway, listening in on the conversation that was taking place inside.
"How are you going to kill her? Why should we? She doesn't seem to have any importance to Battousai or else he would have found us." Came the familiar voice of Enishi.
Then came a huff. "You are a fool. He cares about the girl. For all you know he could be outside that doorway listening to us right now. And don't worry, I've got something special planned for that beauty."
Shishio.
Battousai stiffened at the mentioning of him being outside the door. Did Shishio really know he was there? He prayed not. That would foil the entire plan they had going on at the moment. He breathed in deeply, not ready to move in yet. He had to wait for Sano to finish in the weaponry room he had sent him too ((you thought he was going to Kaoru, now didn't you? No!!! That's for our beloved BATTOUSAI to do!!)).
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Enishi asked.
There was a chuckled. "Many things." Responded Shishio, his evil grin evident with his words. "First, I'm going to raise the bar so she's dangling from those pretty, bruised wrists of hers, and then I'm going to slowly drain the blood from her body by cutting openings just above her arteries, where the bleeding will be slow and painful. I'm going to be sure she's conscience through all this. Then I'm going to set a fire underneath her dainty little feet, and let her feel the pain I felt when I was burned and left for dead. And when I'm done with that and she's squealing and screaming in utter pain, begging me for mercy, I'm going to slowly cut open that little chest of hers, straight through her ribcage, and rip her heart out with my bare hands. Then I'm dropping the heart right on Battousai's door step, with a little message which I will reveal only to myself."
Battousai's eyes glazed over, the deadly amber turning into a torturous, hell-raising gold color. His Kaoru. they were going to do that to HIS KAORU!!!! Possessiveness took over him, and he didn't even bother listening to the warning of the little voice inside his head.
There was no way he was going to allow Kaoru to feel that kind of pain.
If that was what he wanted to do to Kaoru, then once he had Shishio down, that would be how he'd kill him.
********** **********
Sano sweat dropped when he saw he was in a weaponry room. Why did he need a weapon? He had his futae-no-kiwami; he had no need for a weapon at this point. He was silently praying that Battousai was leading him to Kaoru. But no such luck.
Sano looked around at the many choices of weaponry there. He finally picked the zanbatou (hope I spelled that correctly!!!) and swung it once. Yes, the sword was extremely heavy and extremely big, but it suited Sano perfectly. No one could get close enough to him to harm him, all he had to do was swing the sword and hope his aim was right and true, allowing him to demolish whom ever. and whatever. happened to be in his path of travel.
Finally deciding he had chosen wisely, he walked out of the room, one hand helping to steady the sword over his shoulder, and the other nonchalantly in his pocket, as if nothing incredibly nerve-wracking was happening in that particular building.
********** **********
Kaoru felt her heart jump into her throat. 1 minute. 1 more minute to breathe, to enjoy the scent around her.
All though the scent was extremely revolting, as blood is always a revolting scent.
She couldn't help but pick up a familiar scent, one she had only had the pleasure of sniffing when she was close to Battousai. It helped to calm her, although she though she knew deep down in her heart, that the Battousai had no idea where she was and there for couldn't save her.
That started the flow of water from her blood struck and drooping eyes, as she silently cried and prayed for the gods to go easily on her. She prayed they would have mercy on her soul, and mercy on those who loved her most. She prayed silently and she cried, cried and prayed, and cried some more. Now the tears didn't sting her scabbing scar on her cheek. They almost felt like a relief to the dehydrated skin there.
Kaoru finally lifted her head.
If she was going to die today by the blade of another's sword, or any other way, she was going to die with her head held high, her pride and dignity still intact, so no once could say she shied away when the hands of death wrapped themselves around her fragile, halfway dead body to take her to the great beyond, the after life- to which ever place her soul bade her to go.
Yes, she would die looking at her killer without fear, simply defiance.
********** **********
Aoshi found himself in a clearing. Looking around he spotted a little house in the distance. It was still far away, and it would take a few minutes to get there, even if he was running at top speed.
All he could do was hope that Battousai and Sanosuke had made it there already.
It had become midnight only 2 minutes ago. The moon was full, the night a dark inky blue shade as she covered the expanse of the sky with her dark cloak. Aoshi looked up at the stars for a fleeting moment, wondering if somehow, somewhere, some god was siding with Miss Kaoru, his friend, his beloved's best friend, and the woman for which the Battousai had found a new reason to fight.
********** **********
Battousai stiffened at the sound of footsteps close to him. He sensed Sano's ki, so he knew not to worry, but he still glanced over in that direction nervously. He couldn't help it, his Battousai instincts had him on edge and he didn't know what else to do. He just wanted to rip someone's throat out for even THINKING they could hurt Kaoru like Shishio was planning to.
He never knew he could be so possessive of someone. He shook the thought away. He couldn't be distracted right now. Shishio was also a manslayer, and Enishi was quite a job in his own right. Battousai side glanced to Sano.
Sano stopped dead in his tracks ((not literally, you people!!!! He's FRIENDS with Battousai, so the glare won't kill him!!)) and looked at him, mouthing 'what's going on?'
All Battousai did was shake his head then using his head, he motioned towards the room in which he was eavesdropping in on. Sano came up next to Battousai and leaned up against the wall, listening just as he had been.
"Don't you think that's a bit harsh? You haven't stopped torturing her since we brought her here." Enishi reasoned.
"Did you or did you not say I could do as I wished as long as you weren't responsible for the death?" Shishio asked. "DON'T try my patience or you'll be joining her just as well."
Enishi glared at him. "Well, I hope you realize it's after midnight."
"Yes, so it is. I just want you to know that I'm keeping that scar you gave her. that will be a nice memento for Battousai to remember." Shishio stated evilly, his grin evident with his words. "I will be off."
Battousai gripped his katana tightly. He was going to swing out when Shishio walked out of the door. Sano took a defensive stance in the hallway, waiting to counter should Battousai's attack fail. And so, they waited, even if for only a small amount of time.
********** **********
Aoshi was near the building now. He saw the mess left where the door used to be, and he immediately knew that Sanosuke and Battousai were there. Strange he would feel better knowing an ex-gangster and a hitokiri where there to get Kaoru, but Aoshi had to admit that was how he felt. It was good knowing that even if he had got their late, there was still a chance for Kaoru.
He stood outside the door, peering in to see Battousai and Sanosuke both prepared to fight. He decided to stay out for the moment. he'd fight when he felt he was needed. There was no need to distract them if they were prepared to fight. That could only lead to disaster in the end, and part of him told him that if he let Battousai die that night and Kaoru still survived, she'd never forgive him.
Call it intuition, but he felt a strong connection between the two. He fought the grin as he made his realization. This was not a time to smile. But yet, his realization still fought with him to grin.
Those two were helplessly in love.
********** **********
Kaoru had taken a quick glance over at the clock. It was now 10 minutes after midnight. Her heart fluttered. Were Shishio and Enishi getting things ready for her? Or had they been stopped? She prayed it was the 2nd idea she had come up. She really didn't want to die, but if she had to, she was going to do it with dignity. She would not let them know the pain they were going to put her through. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that had formed in her stomach.
Why hadn't anyone come yet?
********* *********
Shishio grinned. He knew Battousai and his partner, that stupid rooster head, were inside the building. Yet, Enishi was oblivious to the fact. He had left through the back door, back to the woodshed made of stone where they had been keeping Kaoru. On his way out, he sensed Aoshi, but grinned, knowing Aoshi couldn't sense him as far away as he was. This was perfect.
While Battousai and the rooster head were busy, and Aoshi was watching, he could kill the girl, or torture her enough to make her emit a scream, that would send the Battousai at him. Then he would kill the Battousai, then his partners, and finally, after having his fun, he'd kill the girl, too.
And he had no doubt that Enishi would be finished off before he had a chance to do it himself. He grinned. Funny how Enishi had thought he'd stay loyal to their pact. There was too much to gain if he broke his word. He entered the stone room, and looked at the girl who was hanging limply from the wall.
He didn't expect her to lift her head and glare at him with sapphire eyes of hatred and anger. But never the less, this would be fun. He'd have to break through her inner promise to herself before he'd kill her.
Yes, he decided, it would be much more fun to torment her longer than just the way he had it planned out. But he would finish it that way, with the heart being pulled out with his bare hands. But instead, he'd squeeze the last blood in her head over Battousai and drop her heart into his hands.
Yes, that would work perfectly.
********** **********
Enishi sighed. He couldn't believe that Shishio thought he wasn't aware that Battousai was listening to the conversation outside the door. He had heard him stop near the doorway when they first started speaking of killing Kaoru, and he had known he had stayed there the entire time. He may not have been able to sense him, but he definitely knew he was there.
And it was then that Enishi knew he was as good as dead.
"Enter Battousai, and settle this score now." Enishi stated, waiting with his own sword drawn, for the legendary manslayer to make his appearance into the room.
But instead of Battousai, he was met with a man wielding a zanbatou.
"How about I settle this score for him?" came the reply from the man with the spiky hair and Aku jacket.
Enishi nodded, setting himself into a stance.
"Strike."
********** **********
Battousai stormed out from the doorway. He had lost track of Shishio's ki, and he was starting to worry. Where were they keeping Kaoru? How long was it going to take to find her? Would he get there in time?
"Aoshi." Battousai stated, not even facing him.
"You really thought I was going to let you and the rooster head fight this all alone?" Aoshi asked, his head lowered.
Battousai took a deep breath. "Watch my back. I'm going to need it."
*********** ***********
Kaoru glared up at Shishio. She should have known it would be him who would be the one to end her life. The other man didn't seen to enthused with the thought of her dying, for he only gave her the scar that she would share with Kenshin. To her, it seemed like he just wanted to make Kenshin's life a living hell.
'But why would it be, Kaoru-baka? He doesn't love you. wait, why would you want him too?! He's just a friend. not even an extremely close one. but why else would they have taken you? You know it's because of Kenshin. so you must have some form of value to him.' Kaoru fought with herself inwardly. 'Just because it took you this long to realize why you feel safe with a merciless manslayer doesn't mean that it took them that long to figure it out.'
Shishio neared her. She glared up at him, her stare even more fierce and defiant than it had been before. Suddenly she felt a brute force come to her arms as she was lifted up from the ground with no remorse to the pain it would shoot throughout her entire body. She felt herself held up at least 2 feet from the ground by her wrists alone, and the weight of her body pulled grievously at her tender wrists.
And yet, she showed neither emotion nor hint of agony.
All she did was place more impetuous indignation ((passionate anger. I was using the Thesaurus!! ^_~)) against her already feeble state.
He started to slice her soft skin just above her important arteries, letting the blood slowly spurt from her deep cuts. It slid down her skin; the liquid was sticky and thick, coating her upper arms, shoulders, and some of her face with blood that continued to impound its way from her body to the exterior.
And still Kaoru stared at him with irritation, revulsion, anger, and utter loathing for his very being. Not one bit of her showed the true pain she was really in. Her skin hadn't even quivered under his vindictive blade.
*********** ***********
Shishio gritted his teeth together in anger. She was stronger than he had originally given her credit for. But he had a few more tricks up his bandaged sleeves. He knew EXACTLY how to make her break.
"What? Angry you aren't. getting your wanted. response?" Kaoru asked, as straight and unwavering as she could. She did a pretty good job at it.
And it seemed to fool him. Enough to give her a chance to stall whatever he was doing.
'Now would be a good time for someone to come and help me!' Kaoru's mind screamed as she stared at the man before her.
Shishio continued with his barrage of painful cuts that made the bleeding painful. She still didn't respond to his torture, but Kaoru knew she was slowly but surely losing.
A sudden twist of her skull and her scarred cheek smashing against the wall behind her woke her from her stupor. She bit hard into his hand, not letting go at all when the heat of his crispy skin ((hahaha. kinda like chicken!!! Sorry, I had to get that in there!!)) stung her gums and lips. He let go of her face and shook his hand in pain.
'That bitch.' he thought to himself.
"Bitch, now I won't go easy on you." He told her.
Kaoru gulped inwardly, but that didn't come out of her mouth. "Go ahead, I'm ready for anything, you baka, crispy, disgusting bastard!"
Shishio glared at her, and slowly Kaoru began to smell smoke. She let her eyes waver slightly to the floor, and there she saw flames, licking their way towards her uncovered feet. She tried to pull her feet up towards the stone, but the wall was so hot from the heat of the fire that it did no good. Her arms were to weak to pull her up farther away from the flames that threatened to burn her alive.
Shishio took the moment and held her head down towards her chest with a lot of force, slowly cutting on the back of her neck. Not enough to leave a scar once healed, but enough to draw blood that would flow down her back. Then he let her head fly up, and it ricocheted off of the wall. She let her head hang, but not in defeat.
"It's gonna. take more than that. to break me." Kaoru warned him; her voice not wavered except for when she stopped for a breath.
Shishio grinned. "Then I won't wait any longer."
He bent down, ticking up a piece of burning wood, and holding it close to her skin. Kaoru didn't wince or cry out when the flames touched the sensitive skin on her stomach; she just looked at him, hiding her tears of pain. He let the flame circle her stomach, and he pulled I back.
Her clothing had stopped burning, and there was a long, dark, and angry brown mark from where the flame had destroyed her skin. He pulled back, set the piece of wood down on the fire. It ignited enough to lick her toes, and burn them just slightly. Kaoru didn't wince, and she didn't cry, even though every sense inside her told her it was the smartest thing she could.
Then Shishio lifted up his blade, his blood red eyes looking back her.
It was then Kaoru knew that his bloodlust needed to be fulfilled, and he was going to fulfill it by using her.
********** **********
Battousai reached the back of the house, and sensed Shishio's ki again. He watched as he walked out of the old woodshed, his hands bloodied with something small in his hands. Battousai stopped dead in his tracks. He knew Aoshi was just around the corner of the house and made a quick gesture for him to move farther away. Aoshi did as he was requested to do.
Shishio looked up, very pleased to see Battousai. He walked up to him, his gaze not wavering from the prize within his hand. He reached Battousai, who could only stare at him dumbfounded at what was in his hand.
Shishio placed his prize high above Battousai's head, and squeezed.
"Now bathe in the blood of your beloved." He stated, as the blood oozed its way out the object in his hand.
Battousai couldn't move at the statement. Then he felt the thing fall on his head, and he caught the squishy object in his hand.
He looked down, his eyes wide with shock. 'No, no. there's no way. she would've screamed. oh my Kami-sama. no. please.' And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to cry. What's more, in front of his enemy? But he couldn't help it, all the truth he needed was there in his hands.
In his hands, he held. a heart.
Authors Notes: STUPID SIRETA GET BACK IN MY HEAD!!! (tires to squeeze Sireta through her ear but doesn't work) GET BACK IN MY HEAD YOU RUINED MY STORY YOU EVIL EVIL EVIL PART OF ME!!!! Sorry reviewers, PLEASE I BEG OF YOU DON'T KILL ME!!!! (runs and hides not only from reviewers but from Kenshin, Sano, Misao, Megumi, Yahiko. and the rest of the gang. And yet again, a moniter falls on her head). I'm so sorry, but my mood was changing and my alter ego took over and, well. it just kind happened. I was so mad when I wrote this, and then I got all upset and sad, and it just happened. I'm SOO sorry. Stupid emotions pour out into the story.. Please don't kill me, but it's for the affect of the story, okay!!! It IS an ANGST/ROMANCE fic, is it not? And I leave lots of room for you to think. Anyone wish to help?
Sireta: Me!!
Crystal: Besides you!!
Sireta: Well, YOU came up with Shishio's idea in the FIRST place, I just EXPANDED your idea.
Kenshin: How. could. you. do. that.to. ME?!
Crystal: Sorry Kenshin. (pouts, and points her finger) it's HER fault.
Sireta: So? It's a story. It's not like it REALLY happened.
Kenshin: Oh yeah. well. I'm gonna go check on Kaoru-dono.
Crystal: (strangling Sireta) You meanie, you made me break my promise!!!
Sireta: It was a stupid promise that you made!!! You knew you couldn't keep it!!!!
Crystal: I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU TO COME IN AND INTERFERE WITH MY STORY!!!! Now all my reviewers are going to hate me :: authoress cries :: WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME, I ALREADY HAD A BAD DAY!!!!
Sireta: It is my nature.
Again, DON'T KILL ME!!!! Again. maybe I can find a way out of this perdicament (throws big, hard thing as Sireta. Big, hard thing was Sano.) But I wonder if I want to. I want this story to ignite a lot of emotions in you. I want you to laugh, cry, and feel what they feel. I guess I may not work around this. but I can. if you want me too. AND THOSE OF YOU WHO WANTED ME TO KILL KAORU JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE KENSHIN, GUESS WHAT? YOU STILL CAN'T HAVE KENSHIN!!!!!!! I feel bad now..
But, is she REALLY dead? Or is Shishio playing mind games? Huh? Now, truthfully, I wanna know how many of you really think she's dead, and how many of you think she's not, and how many of you wanna kill and how many of you really think I'm not capable of killing Kaoru in my fic. And I wanna know how many of you cried at all through this story.
Next chapter will be up soon, I can't rightfully leave you here, now can I? Hehehe. 140 reviews to next chapter, AND I'M NOT BACKING OUT ON THAT ONE BECAUSE I'M BEING EVIL!!!!!! (Crystal attempts to attack Sireta, but with no avail).
Now, to your review responses (note, some are LONG!!!):
Disturbed-demon-gurl: AUGH!!! Your story does sound so evill.. What's it called, I wanna read it!!! LOL. Yeah, I can't really kill Kaoru, I promised too many people that I wouldn't kill her (I'm such a pushover :: ducks books through at her by Kaoru, Kenshin, and Sano, and radom reveiwers :: ) Yeah, thank you so much for reviewing!!! Oh, and we're all disturbed in the head, just some of us more than others!!!! (grins wide and laughs at herself)
Kenshin'sgrl: I keep getting better and better? AWWWW YEAH MAN I SO ROCK!!!! (does a dance and the other RK characters stare at her, blushing in embarrassment at the authoress). You want help with your story, huh? Okay, e-mail me at freakishlyinsanelycrazy@yahoo.com and explain your story more in depth to me, and in the subject box write 'story from kenshin'sgrl' and I'll be sure to open it and I'll respond to you that way because I have this thing where I can't help if I don't know exactly what's going on!!! And the description you gave me was a little confusing, but you said megumi kissses kenshin and he says he loves her in front of kenshin. I didn't know Kenshin could split and become two different people at one time. LOL, no reason to make fun of you, that wasn't what I was trying to do!!!! I will help you though, I LOVE HELPING OTHER PEOPLE!!! But I have mean evil ideas that Kaoru could attack him and like injure him and stuff or attack Megumi. I don't know, I just want Kaoru to beat the crap out of someone and so far your story sounds like the PERFECT place for Kaoru to beat the crap out of someone I know, I'm evil. (rereads kenshin'sgrl's review) I'm your. ::sniff:: all time. ::sniff::. favorite author? And I'm cool?! (bear hugs kenshin'sgrl and gives her Kenshin for the day with a request to have him back so she can keep writing her story and Kaoru doesn't think he disappeared) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT WAS SO NICE!!!! Okay, so maybe I'm overreacting, but I love all my reviewers because you guys are all so nice to me, especially you, Kenshin'sgrl. No, Kaoru can't die, I promised too many people that could and disturbed-demon-girl said that only she kill Kaoru in a story. Maybe in another one she'll die and I'll have a big old Kenshin healing story. I dunno. Maybe a spin off to this one? Okay, that's long enough, sorry for talking your ear off!!! Thank you!!!!
Chibi Binasu-chan: 5 REVIEWS FROM YOU?! Wow!!! Yay, you will review all of my chapters. I feel so loved!!! Oh, and by the way, I have been reading your story and it's AMAZING. I love it. It's cool. I like Battousai/Kaoru fics (as if you can't tell). I can't believe you can't give me a bad review. I have 101 reviews (as of the time I'm responding to yours) and I STILL HAVE YET to get a bad review. (knocks on wood). oh yeah, I get 10 out of 10!!!
Crystal: (looking at Sano) Hey, Sano, can you hold up 10 fingers?
Sano: (looks at her like she's stupid) Yeah, how hard is that? (holds up 10 fingers)
Crystal: THAT'S HOW MUCH CHIBI BINASU-CHAN gave me for my efforts in the story!!! So nuuhhh!!! (sticks tongue out at him)
Sano: It's because you've got more me in there.
Crystal: (glares at him) This is a Battousai/Kaoru story, not a Sano-is-the- sex-god story, so stop being so full of yourself. You're not a sex god anyway.
Sano: (glares at her) And how would you know?
Crystal: Megumi told me!!!
Megumi: (blushing) CRYSTAL-CHAN!!!
Crystal: (giggles) Oopsie, wasn't supposed to say that, huh?
Okay, enough of my stupid banter, thank you so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akasha_death: I'LL BE THE VICTIM OF A ROYALLY PISSED OFF TO-BE WRITER? Ahhhh!!!!!!!!! Where's Kenshin, I need to hide behind!!! Oh yeah, he's visiting Kenshin'sgrl. grr.. Aoshi come here, you need to protect me from Akasha_death!!!! (grabs Aoshi and pulls him in front her, and computer moniter falls on her head. Misao glares down at her and picks the moniter up again and throws at her head again.) Ow!!! LOL. okay, no, don't cry!!!! (hands Akasha_death boxes of tissues) I will try and make sure Megumi helps Kaoru get all better but the CROSS SHAPED SCAR STAYS!!! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I might need to get my Sireta side out if people are going to attack me.(punches self for thinking like that) I have to go to school!! WAAH!!! I don't wanna! I wanna but I don't because I won't be able to update, grr. anywayz, I will try to update BUT I AIN'T FINISHING THE FIC YET!!!
Brittanie Love: Well it's coming soon. well, it is already here when you're reading this. why can't I just put these on the chapter before?! I don't know, dumb question, so sorry!!! I found that you updated your story (oh yeah!!! Me so happy for me get to read!!!!) Bazillions of hugs to you for liking my story and then having a fic that I like to read!!!! And just so you know, CHAPTER 4 OF YOUR STORY MADE ME CRY!!! This is partly revenge on you, Brittanie Love, for making me cry when Kenshin died in Kaoru's dream because I THOUGHT IT WAS REAL!!! I was really crying!!! Grrr... hope you liked this chapter! ^_^
Krystlsaliormoon: POOR ANGIE!!! Get attack by Kaoru!!! Aww. thank you so much for the review, it was most entertaining. and guess what? Kenshin'sgrl wants Kenshin too. looks like there's gonna be a cat fight!!!
Kaoru: Why can't people just leave him alone? HE'S MINE!!!! ALL MINE!!!
Kenshin: * blushing * Kaoru-koishii..
Kaoru: (glares at him) Well it's true!!!!
Crystal: You can't even share?!
Kaoru: (beating authoress to a pulp) STOP THINKING BAD THOUGHTS ABOUT MY KENSHIN!!! DIE!!!!
Sano: (grabs Kaoru and holds her high in the air) Stop it Jou-chan, the reviewers NEED a live authoress to finish the story else you're going to be in bad shape forever and we're going to be waiting outside that damn house forever!!!!
Kaoru: (glares at him) FINE!!!
Crystal: (pushes Sireta back into mind and hides dead bodies of Shishio and Enishi to help Angie destroy the evidence) Now, okay, that's enough, Kenshin, go do something to make Kaoru be nice!!! I've already been abused enough for the day!!!
Kenshin: * grins * GLADLY!!!
Angie: Wahhh!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!! Come take me shopping!! (grabs his arm)
Kenshin: ORO!!!
Kaoru: (glares at Angie) Grrrr.. (holds bokken at point blank range)
Angie: My Battousai. MY KENSHIN ANGEL!!!
Kenshin: (suddenly feels REALLY SMALL and blushes like a tomatoe) Please stop this..
Crystal: Come on Angie, we can finish that cloning of Kenshin we were working on. did you get the hair?
Angie: (yanks on Kenshin's hair) Here we go!! Remember, I get the Battousai side.
Crystal: NO I DO!!!!!
(Angie and Crystal fight, and Sano looks at Kenshin)
Sano: How come you get all the action?
Hahahahahaha. okay, that was stupid but I LOVED YOUR LONG REVIEW!!! I love long reviews. but I suggest we hide before Kaoru kills us..yes, Kenshin going Battousai is kinda yum. hehehehe (gets hit on head with moniter that is pounded into head by bokken so head is sticking out of one side) uh. I think I'd better go before Kaoru kills me!!! Thanks a billion, I'll be updating soon, my dear friend!!! Ah crap. Sireta and I split again. crap. she wants Battousai too. RUN ANGIE RUN!!! YOU HAVE KAORU AND SIRETA AFTER YOU NOW!!! RUN I TELL YOU!!!!! LOL..
Cutie Blossom: Glad you like the match up. I wanted ALL THE VILLIANS in my story and this is great because we get to see all 3 guys in action (hehe.). And yeah, I can't ruin Kenshin and Kaoru, Battousai would kill me and he wouldn't feel any reason to atone for the sin (gulps and clutches onto Sano for protection since Sireta is in persuit of krystlsaliormoon). You liked baka bastard? I thought it was funny too!!! Yeah, but guess what, my school system is full of BAKAS!!! Grr. our new superintendent expects us to call our teachers 'sir' and 'ma'am' and I'm thinking he's almost ready to make us wear school uniforms!! And I got to a PUBLIC school!!! Grr. and my schedule got changed, so I only got 2 hours with that teacher and I'm in buisness law. grr. Chemistry will be okay, I guess, because I get to see what things explode and what don't.(if I don't update at least once a week you can say that I killed myself during an experiment with deadly chemicals). Dude, I love it when other people have birthdays near mine!! Sweetness, I'm gonna write that down on my calender and I'm gonna do something for your birthday. it's gonna be cool because I like to be nice!!! Anywayz, I have to get ready to go pick my baby brother up from football practice (trust me, football where I live is EXTREMELY important. my little town would be dead if it weren't for football). I wanna get out that early!!! I'm so tired!!! I wanna go to sleep!! I went to bed at like 10:30 (I was supposed to go to bed at 10) and then I couldn't sleep. I don't think I fell asleep until like 1 (I checked my clock a lot). Sleep would be much easier IF I WASN'T NOCTURNAL AND WE WERE RICH ENOUGH TO OWN AN AIR CONDITIONER!!! Hehehe. I'm getting happier though, my day did suck but I'm feeling better (I love you all, all my reviewers, make me so happy!!! ^_^!!). And my mom is purposely being annoying (grr.) she keeps coming up to me saying "you love me!!!" and I'm like "what makes you think that?". She's been doing that none stop ever since I got home at 3, and it's almost 4:15!!! Grr. baka mama. well, I'd better go (these responses are becoming super long. hehehe. I talk too much!!) Thanks for the long review!!!
Innocence: Hehehe. devious cliffhanging author. I could get used to that.
Marissa: 125 isn't THAT HARD TO REACH!!! As of right now I have 107. maybe I'll go lienant on you guys. and thanks, I'm glad you like the chapter. couldn't think of a million things worse. I'm sure I could have. (Crystal: Shut up Sireta!!!!) (Sireta: You shut up Crystal!!!) Anywayz, thanks for the review. I love hearing from you!!!
Ana: Whew, she won't kill me!! THIS TIME? Ahhh!!! Must hide again!!! Yes, you are a lot of help because your reviews are support, even if you don't know anything (okay, THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE THAT!!!) about the moves. That's okay!!! I'll find something somewhere. I hope. stupid me. yeah, I like the cross shaped scar shared thing. it's gonna be like a family trademark or something!!!! I don't know why I did it, I just write what comes out. Hehehehe!!!
Ami-chan: Yeah!!! I got a new reader!!!! I'm glad you wanna keep reading this story!! I feel so loved that people ACTUALLY wanna read my stories!!! (grins extremely wide) Thank you!!! I can't believe I'm descriptive. I'm trying to be super descripitive in this story!!!
Baka-Ryu: I love that name, it's so funny!!! Anyways (grovels at Baka-Ryu's feet) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY FIC!!! I hope that chapter didn't make you cry, I tend to get some really sad stuff in there!!! Ya know how it is. you put the emotions into the story. Ya, you can tell my mood by my story chapters!! LOL. I'm SOO glad you think I'm doing good on this fic. your opinion means so much. Don't you HATE IT when computers get viruses? It makes me wanna scream. Luckily, I can type on one computer and post my stuff on another so viruses are no problem to me!!! And yes. grr. Saito or Battousai. that's just evil. I was shocked to see Saito as Kaoru's betrothed, but still, ya never know. it's your story!!! (grins) Thanks again, thank you SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! I'm glad you like the slow relationship building (as you can tell it's kinda hard to write, I'm starting to get their feelings in there. Oh well, we all know Battousai's gonna go in denial before he'll admit he loves her. hehehe. so I'll get a few more chapters outta this fic.)
Catrina3: Yeah, I got more people jumping up and down with glee!!! Yay! (runs around her room like an insane freak until she needs to catch her breath, then takes a swig of Crème Soda and starts to run around again) I'm so happy!!! Hehehehe. my day is starting to look up now!!! And you are welcome for the shout out!! Yes, I didn't kill Kaoru, I just tortured her (beats up Sireta, who in turn bonks her on the head and runs off after she picks up her katana to do go find krystlsaliormoon). Yes, I LOVE RUROUNI KENSHIN TOO!!! LOL!
KagomeKia: Keep it interesting, eh? :: grins evilly :: will do, anything for my beloved reviewers!! I'm on your favorites list! You're the 10th person who's put me on their list, I feel so loved!!! (grins) And don't worry, Shishio is gonna die a painful death. I'm not to sure about what I wanna do with Enishi though. I don't know if Battousai should go easy on him or not. since he really didn't DO anything but give Kaoru a scar. huh. we will see, now won't we?
Marie: WOW, how confusing? I think I found me a new friend. (laughs). krystlsaliormoon, that's okay, your friends don't scare me, I actually found it HIGHLY entertaining, if confusing.lol. reminds me of my friends. well, I'm updating soon, BUT NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO HATE ME!! I WILL HAVE TO ESCOP-AY to my own planet if anybody tries to attack me for this chapter. remember, a dead authoress can't fix the wrongs that her alter ego began.. Hehehe. SO YOU GUYS CAN'T HURT ME!!!
Emma: I will write more soon, very very very very soon. I already started chapter 17, yes I did!! I GOT BORED AT SCHOOL, OKAY?!
Daisymaisy2121: Awww. I got so many new reviewers. hehehehe. I'm so very loved. (hugs reviewers to death).
Piper: Hehehe. was this chapter good enough for Kenshin seeing Kaoru before taking on Shishio and Enishi? I think I've got a broken hearted Battousai on my hands write now. great. and don't you worry, HE'S PISSED BIG TIME!!!
Rhapsody07: Geez, 7 reviews? How kind of you!!! It's getting a lot easier to write Battousai now for some reason. now it's hard to write the Rurouni. YES, NOTHING SHOULD GET IN THE WAY OF KENSHIN/KAORU'S HAPPINESS!! Not even this kniving authoress's alter ego (glares at Sireta). And of course he told her his name, she IS Kaoru, she would've found out anyway!!! Yes, Sano is a pshyco.. But we all love pshyco's. and yes, I LOVE TO MAKE THINGS GROSS LIKE THAT!!! I like to use peaceful things and make them nasty. The slower their relationship builds, the better the story!!! Yes, I was trying to make everything be gross in particular sections, that's what makes the story!!!!
And treats for all of you (and apology plushies for this chapter!!!!!) for reviewing my fic and letting me know what you thought!!!!!
Again, 140 reviews to next update!!!!
Until next the chapter!!!! I'm at 124 reviews, so I'll go lienant on ya'll!!!!
Luv,
Crystal Renee
Authors Notes: Okay, here is my first day of school in short for you: I had to change my schedule 2 times, my friends don't see me at all (or I don't see them, which ever you prefer), I'm gonna explode something in Chemistry, I'm being forced into a Business Law class (even if I do like the argue. grrr!) and to top it all off, I HAVE A KINK IN MY NECK AND IT HURTS!!!! I want a massage. to bad there's no one here who can give me one. grr. my neck hurts really bad, it feels like my heads gonna fall off and roll away. Okay, enough of my horrible day (which did start out good. with a few blonde moments by me (I TOLD YOU I'M A DORK!!) and any blondes out there, don't take offense, because my hair is naturally blonde too, I just dyed it red a little while ago (not to copy Kenshin, contrary to popular belief) and I've gotta re-dye it right now because it's faded. Stupid semi- permanent dye), and onto newer things!!!! Okay, the last time I checked I had 111 reviews (yeah, I reached 100!!! I don't know exactly what to do to make something special to celebrate, so you all can give me ideas or something, let me know!!!) And since I had a horrible day and REALLY moody, I decided now is the perfect time to write (hehehe. no, Sireta won't come out full blown this time, PROMISE!!!) so, after I check for reviews, I'm gonna write!!!
Here we goes!!! (yes, I have HORRIBLE english. isn't that why I goes to school?)
~Coming Of The Dawn~
(and I last left you all drooling for more at.)
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.
***Chapter 16- Unforgivable Failure***
Battousai and Sanosuke slowly edged their way to the building, trying not to make any sound what so ever. That was an extremely easy task for Battousai- he was used to using his stealth to sneak up on his enemies and kill them with a single blow, without them ever knowing about it. But Sanosuke, on the other hand, had a hard time keeping quiet as his rage grew, thinking of what could be happing to HIS Jou-chan inside that building.
Finally they made it up to the door, both finally being quiet upon realizing the danger they were putting themselves and Kaoru in. They both took in a quick breath, and in the antagonizing moment before Sano futae-no- kiwami'd the door down, their thoughts were both bent on the same exact mission: To get Kaoru out alive and well. Of course, each had their own separate reasons for doing so.
The door fell into dust. Battousai wasted no time upon retreating inside the building, not minding one bit that the door that used to belong to him when he lived there had been completely destroyed. Sano took a little longer to gain his composure enough to allow himself to enter the stuffy building. He could seem smoke, and the scent of blood. It disgusted him. Knowing that the blood had come from Kaoru just make it worse.
Battousai stopped in front of a door, quickly calculating the offensive and how much strength he'd need to spar. He motioned for Sano to opened the door the was standing before, and then left Sano there to fend for himself.
'Huh, some friend, leave me here all alone.' Sano thought inwardly as he got into his stance, breathing in deeply to calm his frazzled nerves. He brought his fist up to next to his face, his arm extended back. Then with amazing strength and speed, he used his futae-no-kiwami on the door.
It crumbled up much like clumped up rice when you move it around in your hand. Sano waited silently for the dust to clear before making any advances. He had no idea if anyone was in that room, or what he'd find. So he just waited.
********* *********
Kaoru had heard the faint sound of crumbling. She glanced quickly out her window, and could only see the sight of dust clearing away from the building. She sighed inwardly, not knowing exactly what was going on. If she hadn't known any better, she would have said that it was Sano's fuiti- no-kiwami. She shut her eyes.
She wouldn't possibly have that sort of luck.
Kaoru let her eyes wander over to one of the few western luxuries in the room, a working clock. It was 11:55 PM. 5 minutes before she died.
5 minutes she could have been with her friends.
5 minutes she could have used to rescue herself, had she not been weak.
She had thought over every way to get out, and all of them were halted by two factors. One being that she was too weak to move at all, and the other being that her wrists were tied above her head with chains, and chained directly into the cold, stone wall, where she hung limply.
Just five more minutes.
She wondered which one of her captors was going to kill her, and she couldn't help but wonder how. Would it be quick and painless? Or long and torturing? She knew what kinds of torture she had endured, and she silently knew that the man named Shishio could come up with many other forms of torture that would hurt her more than he already had. She inwardly winced at the thought. She was already numbing to the pain she hand. Kaoru had only looked up at her hands once that night, and noticed they were turning blue since the shackles around them had been tightened only moments before.
It was as if someone was trying to be sure she didn't escape.
Kaoru prepared herself for death. She knew she wasn't ready to enter the dark abyss that her death would bring, no was she ready to meet Kami. it just wasn't time yet! She was too young. Yet Kaoru was welcoming the gift. It was not just a gift to her to get her out of the pain. It was a gift to Kenshin.
Inwardly she knew he worried about her, ever since those first men had attacked her at the Inn. If she was gone, then he'd never have to worry about her again. And he'd never have to see her suffer in this condition. Kaoru was willing to die if it meant these people would leave Kenshin alone once and for all, once they had their revenge.
But what Kaoru never thought of was the hell and horror Kenshin would go through knowing he had failed the one he cared about the most. again.
********** **********
Yamagata stared around the Inn. "Tae!! Where is the Himura? I haven't seen him in 3 days, and he's got a mission!"
Tae bustled around the kitchen and twisted her way around Hinoki as they worked quickly and efficiently at making dinner for the entire Ishin Shishi that abided in the small yet spacious Inn. She was going to try and ignore the question that she was just asked, and pretend she didn't hear him with all the stress she was under being so busy. He didn't seem to fall for her trick.
"Tae, I know you can hear me, so speak up!" he demanded, his voice forceful yet gentle.
Tae spun again, and chopped up some vegetables.
"Fine. Hinoki, where is Himura?" he asked again, prying farter into the full kitchen.
"Gone, apparently." Hinoki answered blankly.
She hated having to cover for Battousai. He owed them big time now.
Yamagata wasn't going to give up that quickly. "Where is he?"
Tae shoved a tray of food into his hands. "Serve the men, Hinoki and I can't do all this work on our own!"
Yamagata sighed and did what was asked of him. He wasn't going to get an answer out of those two.
********** **********
Aoshi sped through the woods, twisting around the branches and bushes that got in his way. He zigzagged skillfully through the thick foliage, not once getting caught on any hanging branches or limbs. He found his way to a trail that led farther into the mountains, and he followed it, not once slowing down.
He was going to help Himura and the rooster head; that was the only thing on his mind. He was going to help bring Kaoru back, to make Misao happy. And to ease his own growing worry.
********** **********
Battousai angrily wound his way through the small home, his senses running high and leading him the entire way. He stopped slowly outside a doorway, listening in on the conversation that was taking place inside.
"How are you going to kill her? Why should we? She doesn't seem to have any importance to Battousai or else he would have found us." Came the familiar voice of Enishi.
Then came a huff. "You are a fool. He cares about the girl. For all you know he could be outside that doorway listening to us right now. And don't worry, I've got something special planned for that beauty."
Shishio.
Battousai stiffened at the mentioning of him being outside the door. Did Shishio really know he was there? He prayed not. That would foil the entire plan they had going on at the moment. He breathed in deeply, not ready to move in yet. He had to wait for Sano to finish in the weaponry room he had sent him too ((you thought he was going to Kaoru, now didn't you? No!!! That's for our beloved BATTOUSAI to do!!)).
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Enishi asked.
There was a chuckled. "Many things." Responded Shishio, his evil grin evident with his words. "First, I'm going to raise the bar so she's dangling from those pretty, bruised wrists of hers, and then I'm going to slowly drain the blood from her body by cutting openings just above her arteries, where the bleeding will be slow and painful. I'm going to be sure she's conscience through all this. Then I'm going to set a fire underneath her dainty little feet, and let her feel the pain I felt when I was burned and left for dead. And when I'm done with that and she's squealing and screaming in utter pain, begging me for mercy, I'm going to slowly cut open that little chest of hers, straight through her ribcage, and rip her heart out with my bare hands. Then I'm dropping the heart right on Battousai's door step, with a little message which I will reveal only to myself."
Battousai's eyes glazed over, the deadly amber turning into a torturous, hell-raising gold color. His Kaoru. they were going to do that to HIS KAORU!!!! Possessiveness took over him, and he didn't even bother listening to the warning of the little voice inside his head.
There was no way he was going to allow Kaoru to feel that kind of pain.
If that was what he wanted to do to Kaoru, then once he had Shishio down, that would be how he'd kill him.
********** **********
Sano sweat dropped when he saw he was in a weaponry room. Why did he need a weapon? He had his futae-no-kiwami; he had no need for a weapon at this point. He was silently praying that Battousai was leading him to Kaoru. But no such luck.
Sano looked around at the many choices of weaponry there. He finally picked the zanbatou (hope I spelled that correctly!!!) and swung it once. Yes, the sword was extremely heavy and extremely big, but it suited Sano perfectly. No one could get close enough to him to harm him, all he had to do was swing the sword and hope his aim was right and true, allowing him to demolish whom ever. and whatever. happened to be in his path of travel.
Finally deciding he had chosen wisely, he walked out of the room, one hand helping to steady the sword over his shoulder, and the other nonchalantly in his pocket, as if nothing incredibly nerve-wracking was happening in that particular building.
********** **********
Kaoru felt her heart jump into her throat. 1 minute. 1 more minute to breathe, to enjoy the scent around her.
All though the scent was extremely revolting, as blood is always a revolting scent.
She couldn't help but pick up a familiar scent, one she had only had the pleasure of sniffing when she was close to Battousai. It helped to calm her, although she though she knew deep down in her heart, that the Battousai had no idea where she was and there for couldn't save her.
That started the flow of water from her blood struck and drooping eyes, as she silently cried and prayed for the gods to go easily on her. She prayed they would have mercy on her soul, and mercy on those who loved her most. She prayed silently and she cried, cried and prayed, and cried some more. Now the tears didn't sting her scabbing scar on her cheek. They almost felt like a relief to the dehydrated skin there.
Kaoru finally lifted her head.
If she was going to die today by the blade of another's sword, or any other way, she was going to die with her head held high, her pride and dignity still intact, so no once could say she shied away when the hands of death wrapped themselves around her fragile, halfway dead body to take her to the great beyond, the after life- to which ever place her soul bade her to go.
Yes, she would die looking at her killer without fear, simply defiance.
********** **********
Aoshi found himself in a clearing. Looking around he spotted a little house in the distance. It was still far away, and it would take a few minutes to get there, even if he was running at top speed.
All he could do was hope that Battousai and Sanosuke had made it there already.
It had become midnight only 2 minutes ago. The moon was full, the night a dark inky blue shade as she covered the expanse of the sky with her dark cloak. Aoshi looked up at the stars for a fleeting moment, wondering if somehow, somewhere, some god was siding with Miss Kaoru, his friend, his beloved's best friend, and the woman for which the Battousai had found a new reason to fight.
********** **********
Battousai stiffened at the sound of footsteps close to him. He sensed Sano's ki, so he knew not to worry, but he still glanced over in that direction nervously. He couldn't help it, his Battousai instincts had him on edge and he didn't know what else to do. He just wanted to rip someone's throat out for even THINKING they could hurt Kaoru like Shishio was planning to.
He never knew he could be so possessive of someone. He shook the thought away. He couldn't be distracted right now. Shishio was also a manslayer, and Enishi was quite a job in his own right. Battousai side glanced to Sano.
Sano stopped dead in his tracks ((not literally, you people!!!! He's FRIENDS with Battousai, so the glare won't kill him!!)) and looked at him, mouthing 'what's going on?'
All Battousai did was shake his head then using his head, he motioned towards the room in which he was eavesdropping in on. Sano came up next to Battousai and leaned up against the wall, listening just as he had been.
"Don't you think that's a bit harsh? You haven't stopped torturing her since we brought her here." Enishi reasoned.
"Did you or did you not say I could do as I wished as long as you weren't responsible for the death?" Shishio asked. "DON'T try my patience or you'll be joining her just as well."
Enishi glared at him. "Well, I hope you realize it's after midnight."
"Yes, so it is. I just want you to know that I'm keeping that scar you gave her. that will be a nice memento for Battousai to remember." Shishio stated evilly, his grin evident with his words. "I will be off."
Battousai gripped his katana tightly. He was going to swing out when Shishio walked out of the door. Sano took a defensive stance in the hallway, waiting to counter should Battousai's attack fail. And so, they waited, even if for only a small amount of time.
********** **********
Aoshi was near the building now. He saw the mess left where the door used to be, and he immediately knew that Sanosuke and Battousai were there. Strange he would feel better knowing an ex-gangster and a hitokiri where there to get Kaoru, but Aoshi had to admit that was how he felt. It was good knowing that even if he had got their late, there was still a chance for Kaoru.
He stood outside the door, peering in to see Battousai and Sanosuke both prepared to fight. He decided to stay out for the moment. he'd fight when he felt he was needed. There was no need to distract them if they were prepared to fight. That could only lead to disaster in the end, and part of him told him that if he let Battousai die that night and Kaoru still survived, she'd never forgive him.
Call it intuition, but he felt a strong connection between the two. He fought the grin as he made his realization. This was not a time to smile. But yet, his realization still fought with him to grin.
Those two were helplessly in love.
********** **********
Kaoru had taken a quick glance over at the clock. It was now 10 minutes after midnight. Her heart fluttered. Were Shishio and Enishi getting things ready for her? Or had they been stopped? She prayed it was the 2nd idea she had come up. She really didn't want to die, but if she had to, she was going to do it with dignity. She would not let them know the pain they were going to put her through. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that had formed in her stomach.
Why hadn't anyone come yet?
********* *********
Shishio grinned. He knew Battousai and his partner, that stupid rooster head, were inside the building. Yet, Enishi was oblivious to the fact. He had left through the back door, back to the woodshed made of stone where they had been keeping Kaoru. On his way out, he sensed Aoshi, but grinned, knowing Aoshi couldn't sense him as far away as he was. This was perfect.
While Battousai and the rooster head were busy, and Aoshi was watching, he could kill the girl, or torture her enough to make her emit a scream, that would send the Battousai at him. Then he would kill the Battousai, then his partners, and finally, after having his fun, he'd kill the girl, too.
And he had no doubt that Enishi would be finished off before he had a chance to do it himself. He grinned. Funny how Enishi had thought he'd stay loyal to their pact. There was too much to gain if he broke his word. He entered the stone room, and looked at the girl who was hanging limply from the wall.
He didn't expect her to lift her head and glare at him with sapphire eyes of hatred and anger. But never the less, this would be fun. He'd have to break through her inner promise to herself before he'd kill her.
Yes, he decided, it would be much more fun to torment her longer than just the way he had it planned out. But he would finish it that way, with the heart being pulled out with his bare hands. But instead, he'd squeeze the last blood in her head over Battousai and drop her heart into his hands.
Yes, that would work perfectly.
********** **********
Enishi sighed. He couldn't believe that Shishio thought he wasn't aware that Battousai was listening to the conversation outside the door. He had heard him stop near the doorway when they first started speaking of killing Kaoru, and he had known he had stayed there the entire time. He may not have been able to sense him, but he definitely knew he was there.
And it was then that Enishi knew he was as good as dead.
"Enter Battousai, and settle this score now." Enishi stated, waiting with his own sword drawn, for the legendary manslayer to make his appearance into the room.
But instead of Battousai, he was met with a man wielding a zanbatou.
"How about I settle this score for him?" came the reply from the man with the spiky hair and Aku jacket.
Enishi nodded, setting himself into a stance.
"Strike."
********** **********
Battousai stormed out from the doorway. He had lost track of Shishio's ki, and he was starting to worry. Where were they keeping Kaoru? How long was it going to take to find her? Would he get there in time?
"Aoshi." Battousai stated, not even facing him.
"You really thought I was going to let you and the rooster head fight this all alone?" Aoshi asked, his head lowered.
Battousai took a deep breath. "Watch my back. I'm going to need it."
*********** ***********
Kaoru glared up at Shishio. She should have known it would be him who would be the one to end her life. The other man didn't seen to enthused with the thought of her dying, for he only gave her the scar that she would share with Kenshin. To her, it seemed like he just wanted to make Kenshin's life a living hell.
'But why would it be, Kaoru-baka? He doesn't love you. wait, why would you want him too?! He's just a friend. not even an extremely close one. but why else would they have taken you? You know it's because of Kenshin. so you must have some form of value to him.' Kaoru fought with herself inwardly. 'Just because it took you this long to realize why you feel safe with a merciless manslayer doesn't mean that it took them that long to figure it out.'
Shishio neared her. She glared up at him, her stare even more fierce and defiant than it had been before. Suddenly she felt a brute force come to her arms as she was lifted up from the ground with no remorse to the pain it would shoot throughout her entire body. She felt herself held up at least 2 feet from the ground by her wrists alone, and the weight of her body pulled grievously at her tender wrists.
And yet, she showed neither emotion nor hint of agony.
All she did was place more impetuous indignation ((passionate anger. I was using the Thesaurus!! ^_~)) against her already feeble state.
He started to slice her soft skin just above her important arteries, letting the blood slowly spurt from her deep cuts. It slid down her skin; the liquid was sticky and thick, coating her upper arms, shoulders, and some of her face with blood that continued to impound its way from her body to the exterior.
And still Kaoru stared at him with irritation, revulsion, anger, and utter loathing for his very being. Not one bit of her showed the true pain she was really in. Her skin hadn't even quivered under his vindictive blade.
*********** ***********
Shishio gritted his teeth together in anger. She was stronger than he had originally given her credit for. But he had a few more tricks up his bandaged sleeves. He knew EXACTLY how to make her break.
"What? Angry you aren't. getting your wanted. response?" Kaoru asked, as straight and unwavering as she could. She did a pretty good job at it.
And it seemed to fool him. Enough to give her a chance to stall whatever he was doing.
'Now would be a good time for someone to come and help me!' Kaoru's mind screamed as she stared at the man before her.
Shishio continued with his barrage of painful cuts that made the bleeding painful. She still didn't respond to his torture, but Kaoru knew she was slowly but surely losing.
A sudden twist of her skull and her scarred cheek smashing against the wall behind her woke her from her stupor. She bit hard into his hand, not letting go at all when the heat of his crispy skin ((hahaha. kinda like chicken!!! Sorry, I had to get that in there!!)) stung her gums and lips. He let go of her face and shook his hand in pain.
'That bitch.' he thought to himself.
"Bitch, now I won't go easy on you." He told her.
Kaoru gulped inwardly, but that didn't come out of her mouth. "Go ahead, I'm ready for anything, you baka, crispy, disgusting bastard!"
Shishio glared at her, and slowly Kaoru began to smell smoke. She let her eyes waver slightly to the floor, and there she saw flames, licking their way towards her uncovered feet. She tried to pull her feet up towards the stone, but the wall was so hot from the heat of the fire that it did no good. Her arms were to weak to pull her up farther away from the flames that threatened to burn her alive.
Shishio took the moment and held her head down towards her chest with a lot of force, slowly cutting on the back of her neck. Not enough to leave a scar once healed, but enough to draw blood that would flow down her back. Then he let her head fly up, and it ricocheted off of the wall. She let her head hang, but not in defeat.
"It's gonna. take more than that. to break me." Kaoru warned him; her voice not wavered except for when she stopped for a breath.
Shishio grinned. "Then I won't wait any longer."
He bent down, ticking up a piece of burning wood, and holding it close to her skin. Kaoru didn't wince or cry out when the flames touched the sensitive skin on her stomach; she just looked at him, hiding her tears of pain. He let the flame circle her stomach, and he pulled I back.
Her clothing had stopped burning, and there was a long, dark, and angry brown mark from where the flame had destroyed her skin. He pulled back, set the piece of wood down on the fire. It ignited enough to lick her toes, and burn them just slightly. Kaoru didn't wince, and she didn't cry, even though every sense inside her told her it was the smartest thing she could.
Then Shishio lifted up his blade, his blood red eyes looking back her.
It was then Kaoru knew that his bloodlust needed to be fulfilled, and he was going to fulfill it by using her.
********** **********
Battousai reached the back of the house, and sensed Shishio's ki again. He watched as he walked out of the old woodshed, his hands bloodied with something small in his hands. Battousai stopped dead in his tracks. He knew Aoshi was just around the corner of the house and made a quick gesture for him to move farther away. Aoshi did as he was requested to do.
Shishio looked up, very pleased to see Battousai. He walked up to him, his gaze not wavering from the prize within his hand. He reached Battousai, who could only stare at him dumbfounded at what was in his hand.
Shishio placed his prize high above Battousai's head, and squeezed.
"Now bathe in the blood of your beloved." He stated, as the blood oozed its way out the object in his hand.
Battousai couldn't move at the statement. Then he felt the thing fall on his head, and he caught the squishy object in his hand.
He looked down, his eyes wide with shock. 'No, no. there's no way. she would've screamed. oh my Kami-sama. no. please.' And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to cry. What's more, in front of his enemy? But he couldn't help it, all the truth he needed was there in his hands.
In his hands, he held. a heart.
Authors Notes: STUPID SIRETA GET BACK IN MY HEAD!!! (tires to squeeze Sireta through her ear but doesn't work) GET BACK IN MY HEAD YOU RUINED MY STORY YOU EVIL EVIL EVIL PART OF ME!!!! Sorry reviewers, PLEASE I BEG OF YOU DON'T KILL ME!!!! (runs and hides not only from reviewers but from Kenshin, Sano, Misao, Megumi, Yahiko. and the rest of the gang. And yet again, a moniter falls on her head). I'm so sorry, but my mood was changing and my alter ego took over and, well. it just kind happened. I was so mad when I wrote this, and then I got all upset and sad, and it just happened. I'm SOO sorry. Stupid emotions pour out into the story.. Please don't kill me, but it's for the affect of the story, okay!!! It IS an ANGST/ROMANCE fic, is it not? And I leave lots of room for you to think. Anyone wish to help?
Sireta: Me!!
Crystal: Besides you!!
Sireta: Well, YOU came up with Shishio's idea in the FIRST place, I just EXPANDED your idea.
Kenshin: How. could. you. do. that.to. ME?!
Crystal: Sorry Kenshin. (pouts, and points her finger) it's HER fault.
Sireta: So? It's a story. It's not like it REALLY happened.
Kenshin: Oh yeah. well. I'm gonna go check on Kaoru-dono.
Crystal: (strangling Sireta) You meanie, you made me break my promise!!!
Sireta: It was a stupid promise that you made!!! You knew you couldn't keep it!!!!
Crystal: I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU TO COME IN AND INTERFERE WITH MY STORY!!!! Now all my reviewers are going to hate me :: authoress cries :: WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME, I ALREADY HAD A BAD DAY!!!!
Sireta: It is my nature.
Again, DON'T KILL ME!!!! Again. maybe I can find a way out of this perdicament (throws big, hard thing as Sireta. Big, hard thing was Sano.) But I wonder if I want to. I want this story to ignite a lot of emotions in you. I want you to laugh, cry, and feel what they feel. I guess I may not work around this. but I can. if you want me too. AND THOSE OF YOU WHO WANTED ME TO KILL KAORU JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE KENSHIN, GUESS WHAT? YOU STILL CAN'T HAVE KENSHIN!!!!!!! I feel bad now..
But, is she REALLY dead? Or is Shishio playing mind games? Huh? Now, truthfully, I wanna know how many of you really think she's dead, and how many of you think she's not, and how many of you wanna kill and how many of you really think I'm not capable of killing Kaoru in my fic. And I wanna know how many of you cried at all through this story.
Next chapter will be up soon, I can't rightfully leave you here, now can I? Hehehe. 140 reviews to next chapter, AND I'M NOT BACKING OUT ON THAT ONE BECAUSE I'M BEING EVIL!!!!!! (Crystal attempts to attack Sireta, but with no avail).
Now, to your review responses (note, some are LONG!!!):
Disturbed-demon-gurl: AUGH!!! Your story does sound so evill.. What's it called, I wanna read it!!! LOL. Yeah, I can't really kill Kaoru, I promised too many people that I wouldn't kill her (I'm such a pushover :: ducks books through at her by Kaoru, Kenshin, and Sano, and radom reveiwers :: ) Yeah, thank you so much for reviewing!!! Oh, and we're all disturbed in the head, just some of us more than others!!!! (grins wide and laughs at herself)
Kenshin'sgrl: I keep getting better and better? AWWWW YEAH MAN I SO ROCK!!!! (does a dance and the other RK characters stare at her, blushing in embarrassment at the authoress). You want help with your story, huh? Okay, e-mail me at freakishlyinsanelycrazy@yahoo.com and explain your story more in depth to me, and in the subject box write 'story from kenshin'sgrl' and I'll be sure to open it and I'll respond to you that way because I have this thing where I can't help if I don't know exactly what's going on!!! And the description you gave me was a little confusing, but you said megumi kissses kenshin and he says he loves her in front of kenshin. I didn't know Kenshin could split and become two different people at one time. LOL, no reason to make fun of you, that wasn't what I was trying to do!!!! I will help you though, I LOVE HELPING OTHER PEOPLE!!! But I have mean evil ideas that Kaoru could attack him and like injure him and stuff or attack Megumi. I don't know, I just want Kaoru to beat the crap out of someone and so far your story sounds like the PERFECT place for Kaoru to beat the crap out of someone I know, I'm evil. (rereads kenshin'sgrl's review) I'm your. ::sniff:: all time. ::sniff::. favorite author? And I'm cool?! (bear hugs kenshin'sgrl and gives her Kenshin for the day with a request to have him back so she can keep writing her story and Kaoru doesn't think he disappeared) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT WAS SO NICE!!!! Okay, so maybe I'm overreacting, but I love all my reviewers because you guys are all so nice to me, especially you, Kenshin'sgrl. No, Kaoru can't die, I promised too many people that could and disturbed-demon-girl said that only she kill Kaoru in a story. Maybe in another one she'll die and I'll have a big old Kenshin healing story. I dunno. Maybe a spin off to this one? Okay, that's long enough, sorry for talking your ear off!!! Thank you!!!!
Chibi Binasu-chan: 5 REVIEWS FROM YOU?! Wow!!! Yay, you will review all of my chapters. I feel so loved!!! Oh, and by the way, I have been reading your story and it's AMAZING. I love it. It's cool. I like Battousai/Kaoru fics (as if you can't tell). I can't believe you can't give me a bad review. I have 101 reviews (as of the time I'm responding to yours) and I STILL HAVE YET to get a bad review. (knocks on wood). oh yeah, I get 10 out of 10!!!
Crystal: (looking at Sano) Hey, Sano, can you hold up 10 fingers?
Sano: (looks at her like she's stupid) Yeah, how hard is that? (holds up 10 fingers)
Crystal: THAT'S HOW MUCH CHIBI BINASU-CHAN gave me for my efforts in the story!!! So nuuhhh!!! (sticks tongue out at him)
Sano: It's because you've got more me in there.
Crystal: (glares at him) This is a Battousai/Kaoru story, not a Sano-is-the- sex-god story, so stop being so full of yourself. You're not a sex god anyway.
Sano: (glares at her) And how would you know?
Crystal: Megumi told me!!!
Megumi: (blushing) CRYSTAL-CHAN!!!
Crystal: (giggles) Oopsie, wasn't supposed to say that, huh?
Okay, enough of my stupid banter, thank you so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akasha_death: I'LL BE THE VICTIM OF A ROYALLY PISSED OFF TO-BE WRITER? Ahhhh!!!!!!!!! Where's Kenshin, I need to hide behind!!! Oh yeah, he's visiting Kenshin'sgrl. grr.. Aoshi come here, you need to protect me from Akasha_death!!!! (grabs Aoshi and pulls him in front her, and computer moniter falls on her head. Misao glares down at her and picks the moniter up again and throws at her head again.) Ow!!! LOL. okay, no, don't cry!!!! (hands Akasha_death boxes of tissues) I will try and make sure Megumi helps Kaoru get all better but the CROSS SHAPED SCAR STAYS!!! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I might need to get my Sireta side out if people are going to attack me.(punches self for thinking like that) I have to go to school!! WAAH!!! I don't wanna! I wanna but I don't because I won't be able to update, grr. anywayz, I will try to update BUT I AIN'T FINISHING THE FIC YET!!!
Brittanie Love: Well it's coming soon. well, it is already here when you're reading this. why can't I just put these on the chapter before?! I don't know, dumb question, so sorry!!! I found that you updated your story (oh yeah!!! Me so happy for me get to read!!!!) Bazillions of hugs to you for liking my story and then having a fic that I like to read!!!! And just so you know, CHAPTER 4 OF YOUR STORY MADE ME CRY!!! This is partly revenge on you, Brittanie Love, for making me cry when Kenshin died in Kaoru's dream because I THOUGHT IT WAS REAL!!! I was really crying!!! Grrr... hope you liked this chapter! ^_^
Krystlsaliormoon: POOR ANGIE!!! Get attack by Kaoru!!! Aww. thank you so much for the review, it was most entertaining. and guess what? Kenshin'sgrl wants Kenshin too. looks like there's gonna be a cat fight!!!
Kaoru: Why can't people just leave him alone? HE'S MINE!!!! ALL MINE!!!
Kenshin: * blushing * Kaoru-koishii..
Kaoru: (glares at him) Well it's true!!!!
Crystal: You can't even share?!
Kaoru: (beating authoress to a pulp) STOP THINKING BAD THOUGHTS ABOUT MY KENSHIN!!! DIE!!!!
Sano: (grabs Kaoru and holds her high in the air) Stop it Jou-chan, the reviewers NEED a live authoress to finish the story else you're going to be in bad shape forever and we're going to be waiting outside that damn house forever!!!!
Kaoru: (glares at him) FINE!!!
Crystal: (pushes Sireta back into mind and hides dead bodies of Shishio and Enishi to help Angie destroy the evidence) Now, okay, that's enough, Kenshin, go do something to make Kaoru be nice!!! I've already been abused enough for the day!!!
Kenshin: * grins * GLADLY!!!
Angie: Wahhh!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!! Come take me shopping!! (grabs his arm)
Kenshin: ORO!!!
Kaoru: (glares at Angie) Grrrr.. (holds bokken at point blank range)
Angie: My Battousai. MY KENSHIN ANGEL!!!
Kenshin: (suddenly feels REALLY SMALL and blushes like a tomatoe) Please stop this..
Crystal: Come on Angie, we can finish that cloning of Kenshin we were working on. did you get the hair?
Angie: (yanks on Kenshin's hair) Here we go!! Remember, I get the Battousai side.
Crystal: NO I DO!!!!!
(Angie and Crystal fight, and Sano looks at Kenshin)
Sano: How come you get all the action?
Hahahahahaha. okay, that was stupid but I LOVED YOUR LONG REVIEW!!! I love long reviews. but I suggest we hide before Kaoru kills us..yes, Kenshin going Battousai is kinda yum. hehehehe (gets hit on head with moniter that is pounded into head by bokken so head is sticking out of one side) uh. I think I'd better go before Kaoru kills me!!! Thanks a billion, I'll be updating soon, my dear friend!!! Ah crap. Sireta and I split again. crap. she wants Battousai too. RUN ANGIE RUN!!! YOU HAVE KAORU AND SIRETA AFTER YOU NOW!!! RUN I TELL YOU!!!!! LOL..
Cutie Blossom: Glad you like the match up. I wanted ALL THE VILLIANS in my story and this is great because we get to see all 3 guys in action (hehe.). And yeah, I can't ruin Kenshin and Kaoru, Battousai would kill me and he wouldn't feel any reason to atone for the sin (gulps and clutches onto Sano for protection since Sireta is in persuit of krystlsaliormoon). You liked baka bastard? I thought it was funny too!!! Yeah, but guess what, my school system is full of BAKAS!!! Grr. our new superintendent expects us to call our teachers 'sir' and 'ma'am' and I'm thinking he's almost ready to make us wear school uniforms!! And I got to a PUBLIC school!!! Grr. and my schedule got changed, so I only got 2 hours with that teacher and I'm in buisness law. grr. Chemistry will be okay, I guess, because I get to see what things explode and what don't.(if I don't update at least once a week you can say that I killed myself during an experiment with deadly chemicals). Dude, I love it when other people have birthdays near mine!! Sweetness, I'm gonna write that down on my calender and I'm gonna do something for your birthday. it's gonna be cool because I like to be nice!!! Anywayz, I have to get ready to go pick my baby brother up from football practice (trust me, football where I live is EXTREMELY important. my little town would be dead if it weren't for football). I wanna get out that early!!! I'm so tired!!! I wanna go to sleep!! I went to bed at like 10:30 (I was supposed to go to bed at 10) and then I couldn't sleep. I don't think I fell asleep until like 1 (I checked my clock a lot). Sleep would be much easier IF I WASN'T NOCTURNAL AND WE WERE RICH ENOUGH TO OWN AN AIR CONDITIONER!!! Hehehe. I'm getting happier though, my day did suck but I'm feeling better (I love you all, all my reviewers, make me so happy!!! ^_^!!). And my mom is purposely being annoying (grr.) she keeps coming up to me saying "you love me!!!" and I'm like "what makes you think that?". She's been doing that none stop ever since I got home at 3, and it's almost 4:15!!! Grr. baka mama. well, I'd better go (these responses are becoming super long. hehehe. I talk too much!!) Thanks for the long review!!!
Innocence: Hehehe. devious cliffhanging author. I could get used to that.
Marissa: 125 isn't THAT HARD TO REACH!!! As of right now I have 107. maybe I'll go lienant on you guys. and thanks, I'm glad you like the chapter. couldn't think of a million things worse. I'm sure I could have. (Crystal: Shut up Sireta!!!!) (Sireta: You shut up Crystal!!!) Anywayz, thanks for the review. I love hearing from you!!!
Ana: Whew, she won't kill me!! THIS TIME? Ahhh!!! Must hide again!!! Yes, you are a lot of help because your reviews are support, even if you don't know anything (okay, THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE THAT!!!) about the moves. That's okay!!! I'll find something somewhere. I hope. stupid me. yeah, I like the cross shaped scar shared thing. it's gonna be like a family trademark or something!!!! I don't know why I did it, I just write what comes out. Hehehehe!!!
Ami-chan: Yeah!!! I got a new reader!!!! I'm glad you wanna keep reading this story!! I feel so loved that people ACTUALLY wanna read my stories!!! (grins extremely wide) Thank you!!! I can't believe I'm descriptive. I'm trying to be super descripitive in this story!!!
Baka-Ryu: I love that name, it's so funny!!! Anyways (grovels at Baka-Ryu's feet) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY FIC!!! I hope that chapter didn't make you cry, I tend to get some really sad stuff in there!!! Ya know how it is. you put the emotions into the story. Ya, you can tell my mood by my story chapters!! LOL. I'm SOO glad you think I'm doing good on this fic. your opinion means so much. Don't you HATE IT when computers get viruses? It makes me wanna scream. Luckily, I can type on one computer and post my stuff on another so viruses are no problem to me!!! And yes. grr. Saito or Battousai. that's just evil. I was shocked to see Saito as Kaoru's betrothed, but still, ya never know. it's your story!!! (grins) Thanks again, thank you SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! I'm glad you like the slow relationship building (as you can tell it's kinda hard to write, I'm starting to get their feelings in there. Oh well, we all know Battousai's gonna go in denial before he'll admit he loves her. hehehe. so I'll get a few more chapters outta this fic.)
Catrina3: Yeah, I got more people jumping up and down with glee!!! Yay! (runs around her room like an insane freak until she needs to catch her breath, then takes a swig of Crème Soda and starts to run around again) I'm so happy!!! Hehehehe. my day is starting to look up now!!! And you are welcome for the shout out!! Yes, I didn't kill Kaoru, I just tortured her (beats up Sireta, who in turn bonks her on the head and runs off after she picks up her katana to do go find krystlsaliormoon). Yes, I LOVE RUROUNI KENSHIN TOO!!! LOL!
KagomeKia: Keep it interesting, eh? :: grins evilly :: will do, anything for my beloved reviewers!! I'm on your favorites list! You're the 10th person who's put me on their list, I feel so loved!!! (grins) And don't worry, Shishio is gonna die a painful death. I'm not to sure about what I wanna do with Enishi though. I don't know if Battousai should go easy on him or not. since he really didn't DO anything but give Kaoru a scar. huh. we will see, now won't we?
Marie: WOW, how confusing? I think I found me a new friend. (laughs). krystlsaliormoon, that's okay, your friends don't scare me, I actually found it HIGHLY entertaining, if confusing.lol. reminds me of my friends. well, I'm updating soon, BUT NOBODY IS ALLOWED TO HATE ME!! I WILL HAVE TO ESCOP-AY to my own planet if anybody tries to attack me for this chapter. remember, a dead authoress can't fix the wrongs that her alter ego began.. Hehehe. SO YOU GUYS CAN'T HURT ME!!!
Emma: I will write more soon, very very very very soon. I already started chapter 17, yes I did!! I GOT BORED AT SCHOOL, OKAY?!
Daisymaisy2121: Awww. I got so many new reviewers. hehehehe. I'm so very loved. (hugs reviewers to death).
Piper: Hehehe. was this chapter good enough for Kenshin seeing Kaoru before taking on Shishio and Enishi? I think I've got a broken hearted Battousai on my hands write now. great. and don't you worry, HE'S PISSED BIG TIME!!!
Rhapsody07: Geez, 7 reviews? How kind of you!!! It's getting a lot easier to write Battousai now for some reason. now it's hard to write the Rurouni. YES, NOTHING SHOULD GET IN THE WAY OF KENSHIN/KAORU'S HAPPINESS!! Not even this kniving authoress's alter ego (glares at Sireta). And of course he told her his name, she IS Kaoru, she would've found out anyway!!! Yes, Sano is a pshyco.. But we all love pshyco's. and yes, I LOVE TO MAKE THINGS GROSS LIKE THAT!!! I like to use peaceful things and make them nasty. The slower their relationship builds, the better the story!!! Yes, I was trying to make everything be gross in particular sections, that's what makes the story!!!!
And treats for all of you (and apology plushies for this chapter!!!!!) for reviewing my fic and letting me know what you thought!!!!!
Again, 140 reviews to next update!!!!
Until next the chapter!!!! I'm at 124 reviews, so I'll go lienant on ya'll!!!!
Luv,
Crystal Renee