Chapter Nine:

The Unforgiven


Thunder rolled through the thick night air as the torrent of rain slowed to a slight pitter-patter. The mornings first light fought its way through breaks in the clouds as the flowers began to break free from their protective slumber. The smell of damn grass flooded the air, the freshness of the new day...a day that would bring promise.


Kenshin stuffed a small bag with his few belongings. He gathered the small amount of money he had earned at the Kamiya dojo for doing the light chores and cooking and placed it in a pouch. Assured he had left nothing, he walked back to Kaoru's room and opened the screen. She was still sleeping peacefully. She looked so angelic, so beautiful. He wanted to walk over to her and touch her face and place a gentle kiss on her lips one more time. He wanted to take her into his arms and embrace her until his heart was content. But he knew if he did, he would never let her go. He would never stop kissing her. He would never leave her side.


He would be her doom.


He could not bury his love. Not ever again. He had endangered her life by just existing. If he stayed, she would die. If he left, she would live. She would flourish. She would prosper. She did not need him. He would be her death.


Yet, the most difficult thing he ever had to do in his life was peel himself away from her bedroom door.


Kaoru stirred for a moment and Kenshin slide th screen shut before she awoke. He dashed out of the dojo without making any sounds. He made it down the street, before he heard his name being called. He stopped and froze. It was Yahiko.


"Where are you going," Yahiko questioned, carrying an empty bucket and a rod for fishing. Kenshin turned around to face the young boy. Quickly, Yahiko noticed the serious look about his face.


"What are you doing up so early," Kenshin shot back, not at all being his usual, cheery self. Yahiko frowned and walked closer to Kenshin so he wouldn't have to yell. After they were face to face, Yahiko put his bucket down and examined Kenshin. He noticed that he had a bag that was quite full and his Sakabatou was accompanied by a change bag.


"Why are you leaving? Does Kaoru know," quizzed Yahiko. Kenshin winced as if he had just been dealt a blow at the mention of Kaoru's name. Now he wanted to run back inside the dojo and apologize for ever considering leaving again. But, he couldn't do that. He could never come back.


"I am a rurouni, after all If Kaoru knew, she would stop me, that she would," he explained the best he could without crumbling into pieces. Yahiko stomped his foot and pushed Kenshin so hard he fell to the ground. He stood over Kenshin, his eyes covered by his spiky bangs.


"Bullshit! You can't leave Kaoru. You can't leave me or Sano or Megumi. What about Ayame and Suzume? You are being selfish," Yahiko yelled to his idol, his savior. How could he leave now? Why would he? Was he tired of always protecting them? Were they not worthy of his skill? Why after all this time would Kenshin leave them?


"Yahiko-kun, take care of Kaoru," Kenshin said, standing up and brushing the dust off his clothes. Yahiko balled his fists and kicked the bucket he had rested in the ground at Kenshin.


"YOU take care of Kaoru. She will be crushed, but I'm not going to clean up after your mess. You stay here where you belong," demanded Yahiko, but on deaf ears his words fell. Kenshin lowered his head and continued down the street and away from the dojo.


"Kenshin, you coward," Yahiko yelled after him, until he disappeared from ear shot.


"Coward...is that what I am," Kenshin whispered to himself as he exited the city and entered the forest.


Kenshin was never able to answer the question he posed himself honestly. Not then, not now as he looked up at the dark ceiling of the cave. Kaoru had long ago fallen asleep. After their talk, he had taken some of the rice she had and the meat he carried with him and fried it together. She was thankful to have such delicious food again. She ate, then when she was full, she fell asleep. Deep down, she was still the same girl. He could see it in her when she wasn't busy being a murderer. Funny how survival changes a person...


"What is troubling you," Kaoru's voice questioned softly, echoing off the cave walled. Kenshin turned his head to meet her face. She was only a few feet away, dressed in a large shirt and nothing more. Kenshin blushed, then darted his eyes away from her.


"I was just thinking about Yahiko," he admitted. Kaoru sat up a bit, her mind remembering the headstrong lad that was often a thorn in her side. But how she cared for him! Out off all her travels, she has never seen him again. She didn't even know if he was alive, but she was sure he was in her heart.


"Yahiko left soon after you did and never gave a reason. He idolized...no, he worshiped you. I think his heart was as broken as mine," she commented matter-of-factly. She wasn't trying to make Kenshin feel bad, but it was the truth. Kenshin, nodded, acknowledging her words.


"I should have come back when I heard of the happenings in Tokyo, but I was so far away. For some reason, I knew you would all be fine. I was a fool," he said, lowering his gaze to the floor.


"Do not apologize for which you cannot change, Himura. It has passed. I forgive you. I am sure Megumi, Sano and even Yahiko have forgiven you as well," she said, a yawn escaping her mouth. Kenshin nodded and stood up to stretch out, and in doing so, caught a good smell of his body. It had been a while since he bathed and he knew his scent was quite offending. Kaoru noticed Kenshin checking himself out and began to chuckle


"Please, help yourself to a bath. The water is always temperate," she offered. Kenshin bowed politely and walked over to a large stone and treated it as a changing platform that barely covered his lower region. He blushed, having not undressing in front of another woman in some years. Kaoru smirked, the turned her head the other way to give him some privacy. Kenshin took off the pants she had given him then made a short dash for the pool. He slowly lowered himself into the water, getting used to the temperature. Kaoru fought hard not to turn her head completely and it was a losing battle. She turned around and watched as every inch slipped below the liquid. Her eyes were transfixed, scanning a body she had not seen in years. A body her body had been longing for. She continued to stare, not at all shocked by her actions. He was her first, after all, the father of her only child. There was no shame in her lusting after him.


"How is the water," she asked as she stood up and walked over to Kenshin.


"It's perfect," he said, gazing at her body as she walked to him. Kaoru smiled and grabbed a cloth from her chest. She then took off her shirt right in front of Kenshin ans stepped into the pool. His eyes grew wide as he took in all of her magnificent form. Her body was glorious. It was not as thin as it was in you younger years. The curves that motherhood gave her suited her nicely.


"Mind if I join you," she asked, her tone low and her finger tips grazing along the surface of the water, her wet hair clinging to her body. Kenshin shook his head, unable to say a word as she approached. Kaoru let go of the cloth and placed her soft lips upon Kenshin's. It was a short, but gentle kiss, leaving both parties wanting for more. Kaoru fell into his arms and they embraced passionately.


Meanwhile, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, the clouds still gray. A young man walking through the woods happens upon Kenshin's horse. He examines it, then sees the entrance to the cave. His eyes narrows as he backs away and slips further back int the dense growth of trees. He had finally tracked him down. It took six years, but he finally succeeded. He placed his hand on his side and touched the cool metal of his katana.


"Your head will me mine, Himura," the young man whispered into the damp air as he disappeared back into the forest.



Well, well...seems Kaoru and Kenshin have made up quite nicely. Who is this young man (as if we all don't know) and why does he want to kill Kenshin? Ok, it's a kinda-sorta cliff-hanger...but one none-the-less. R AND R