Standard Disclaimers Apply

Author's Notes: Finally! After almost a year of hiatus, this is finally posted! (The last time I posted was October 10, 2002!) For this story, this is the last chapter, and the next up would be the epilogue, and therefore finally finishing this very long story. *sigh*

I decided to juggle just one fanfic for a while, since having this and Mirror certainly made this one spend a much longer time in updating. It's best, since I'm already a hard time making chapters for Mirror and updating them quickly. After Mirror (which I don't know when it'll end), I'm thinking of another fic underway.

To know stories I'll post sometime this year, or stories I would update, look at my profile page. It's all listed in order.

Finally, below this notes is the reviewer's page, and then, on with the story!!!

REVIEWERS:

Allyanna, Shunu no miko1, willow, omochi, Dralion Lily, Kamimura Kaoru—thanks for the reviews!

Hotaru Yukishiro Tomoe Kamiya—gomen nasai! No cliffhanger, this time!

JML—what rope? No more dangling, promise! *smiles*

Ewunia—I won't stop this. It's already finished…well, until after I post the epilogue anyway…

Innocence8—um…actually, I don't think vampires who drink blood don't exist, but what the heck? It's for the story anyway…I think that question about Hoshi is answered.

Danielle—did you ever think that, just days after you post your review is the time I'd update this story? Thanks for putting me on your fave list!

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Chapter 18: Final Peace

--====--

Kaoru fell without any restraints, pain from her wound stinging her to alertness when she realized that she was near water. Reaching out, she grasped the water in her hands—and it instantly became a line like a rope because of her powers. It still continued to flow, but she could grasp it like it was solid.

Beneath her, holding Kaoru's ankles was Hoshi, trying to stay conscious while the water from the falls pounded on her already weak and wounded body. She gritted her teeth against the pain and the cold, steeling herself and putting the discomfort deep in the recesses of her mind.

Both of them dangled precariously in a dangerous situation.

Although Kaoru's powers were water, the fight with Hoshi had taken a toll on her, and the loss of blood didn't help. The water rope she made was slowly breaking like any real rope, and if that would happen, both she and Hoshi would plunge down below without any chance of survival.

"If you didn't destroy my plans, Tsuki, we wouldn't be in this situation!" Hoshi shouted, holding Kaoru's ankle tighter when she felt herself slowly slipping.

Kaoru bit her lip on that slight pain. "Well, if you didn't plan on killing me, not one of these things would happen anyway! We wouldn't be here, and we'll all go living our lives quietly!" She snapped. "But no! My dear cousin decides to plan annihilating me!"

"Shut up! You didn't know what's it like when I was growing up! Those trainings that mostly scarred me for life…it wasn't fair how you couldn't experience those, too!" Hoshi cried. "Although your human father trained you in his swordsmanship, you didn't see what Rei and I had to feel. Are you exposed to hot coals everyday? Do swords slash you at with blood already covering you? No! You didn't! You were all comfortable and cuddled!"

Kaoru sympathized at her cousin's childhood, but was angered at her immaturity. Hoshi wanted her dead because she couldn't experience their training? How pathetic could she get? The line of 'it's not fair!' was like one of the phrases children use as excuses.

"Nothing is fair in this world, Hoshi. There is no such thing as fair! Do you think it's fair that father died and left me? Do you think it's fair struggling alone and trying to survive even though my father's honor was doubted? Do you think it's fair that some people close to me died? Do you, Hoshi?" Kaoru questioned her. "You're selfish! Thinking only of yourself will bring you nothing but misery! Think of the people surrounding you, who are being affected by your ignorance. If you didn't think of this before, then you're not worth to be a clan leader and a Chosen One!"

Hoshi gasped, stunned. Was she a selfish woman? Was she that childish of her actions? Nothing of her vengeance made sense to her anymore. Kaoru's words were placed into memory, and now, she could see the senselessness of her plans that Rei pointed out to her but did not listen to. Was she that immature?

"You…" Hoshi was lost for words. Her face looked insulted, but she knew that everything was true. Everything that Kaoru said was right on the target, and she hated herself for it. "You…"

Kaoru ignored her, worried now at her increasingly depleting powers. The water rope was thinner than it first started, and she really started to worry. Calming herself slightly, she stretched out her senses and found out there were people on the cliff above them. There was Rei, her uncle, Sano, Yahiko…

…Kenshin.

"Help me!!!"

Her voice echoed, her words broken and tinted with exhaustion. Arguing with Hoshi was much better, since her anger and annoyance fueled her body. This time, though, there was no emotion to give energy to her, and she could feel herself growing weaker.

This was not good.

"Onegai!" Kaoru shouted. Beneath her, Hoshi tried to speak, but could feel herself growing weary, but she continued to let her eyes remain open. She had no right to complain. Kaoru was holding on the rope she created with her own body weight with the burden of hers. Kaoru's strength was on the line just holding both of them, and it wouldn't be fair now that she was just going to give up and surrender to unconsciousness…and to death.

"I'm losing my strength…help me…quickly!!!"

There was no reply, just the sound of rushing water beside and below them.

"They might not heard you," Hoshi muttered.

Kaoru gritted her teeth in dismay. If no one heard her, then—

"Kaoru!!!"

The simultaneous voice that called her were all the people she sensed, and was happy they knew that she was alive. She had enough strength to do one more trick, just enough to let Hoshi go up and tell Rei about her. Kaoru created another water rope, now long and going up until where the falls started.

"Grab that, climb up and tell Rei to help. He can carry you and me with the wind he has," Kaoru instructed, seeing Hoshi was already grabbing the rope. "I don't want to die here just yet."

Hoshi looked at her. "You'd trust me with your life? After all I've done to you?"

Kaoru gave a small smile. "I'm sure you won't do such a thing as leaving me here to die. I don't think Rei would appreciate it, either…nor would Honou-jiisama. Just go!"

Hoshi hesitated a bit before she started climbing the water rope Kaoru made. She could grasp it like any rope, although it was a bit slippery and more liquid-like, since water was flowing in her hands. It felt a bit weird, feeling this new rope, not the hardened ones she was trained to since she was small. It was a new feeling, and she wished that the ropes were this soft but sturdy.

After a while, Hoshi saw the cliff and connected eyes with Rei. He was about to shout to her when he stiffened. Hoshi was reading his mind, somehow telling him to read hers. He gently complied and immediately knew what she needed for him to do. Summoning his winds, it carried Hoshi safely on the ground, where she collapsed tiredly with her father fussing her.

"I'm fine, otou-sama…" Hoshi murmured, battling sleep. "Tsuki…is fine, though she is very tired…Rei will bring her up…"

Honou sighed. "Go to sleep, Hoshi. Things would be fine from now on."

Hoshi slept.

--==--

Kaoru's arms were weary holding on to the makeshift rope she created. She was just about to let go when soft winds coaxed her away from her position and slowly carried her upwards. It's comfortable… She couldn't help but close her eyes. The feeling was like she was back in her dojo in Tokyo, sleeping peacefully in the futon as dawn was coming.

She was already half-asleep when she felt the firm arms taking her away from the wind, one on her back and the other at the back of knees. Long hair was tickling her face, and the warm, muscular chest that her head rested on heaved. Groggily, she opened her eyes halfway and raised it, seeing violet eyes peering back at her.

"Kaoru…" Kenshin choked out.

She smiled sleepily. "Tadaima, Kenshin." Kaoru whispered, and closed her eyes with the sound of Kenshin's breathing lulling her back to sleep.

--==--

Both Kaoru and Hoshi slept for two days without waking. Rei took charge of the clan while Hoshi was still asleep and deliberately told them not to touch the humans within their territory. Honou would stay with Hoshi, after he had treated both women of their wounds. Kenshin stayed with Kaoru, as did sometimes Yahiko and Sano.

On the third day, Kaoru groaned lightly; moving her muscles gave her pain. She opened one bleary eye and saw that she was in a comfortable room, the blanket she was tucked in resting on her until her shoulders. Wincing slightly at a sudden stab of pain, she kicked the blanket off her and rubbed sleepy eyes.

Once Kaoru managed to get her brain working correctly, she saw that her wounds were almost healed, fading very fast in a span of days, though she wasn't sure how many days she had been in bed. The room was empty except for a chair beside her bed, and a wooden table in the corner. She was a bit amused when she saw a chime hanging by the window.

Her attention turned to the door, which was opening slowly. Kaoru blinked when Kenshin entered, holding what she assumed was medicine.

"You're awake!" Kenshin whispered, standing still for a moment before he unconsciously dropped whatever he was holding and hugged her for dear life. "I'm so glad you're okay now! I was so worried over the past few days, and the times you weren't with me…"

Kaoru didn't speak. Instead, she combed her fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry…I worried you too much, didn't I?" She murmured soothingly. "I didn't mean to…oh, Kenshin!" She buried herself into his embrace. "I missed you. I'm so sorry! I did hurt you…I remembered everything when the potion was still effective."

"You didn't mean to…you said so," Kenshin told her, calming her down. "I believe you. You would never hurt anybody if there weren't any purpose. You'll never deliberately beat up any of us." He said, kissing her forehead. "I'm so glad you're safe."

Kaoru smiled, wiping away the last of her tears. "Me, too. I'm so glad to be back." She peeked through Kenshin's shoulder. "What's that?" She asked, pointing to the bowl that Kenshin dropped a moment ago.

He turned, blinked and groaned when he realized what he had done. "That was supposed to be a herbal soup Honou-san concocted for you. He said that it would heal your wounds faster." Kenshin sighed. "I guess I have to ask Honou-san for another batch. He wouldn't like it, considering he's in Hoshi's room, taking care of her."

"Is Hoshi alright?" Kaoru asked, tugging on his sleeve to bring back his attention. "Is she hurt badly?"

"No, she's okay. Although she did have more wounds that you had," That sentence elicited a raised eyebrow from the red-haired swordsman. Kaoru blushed, muttering incoherently under her breath. "But she came out just fine. She's strong, and she is a vampire, isn't she? Honou-san assured me vampires have more tolerance than humans." Kenshin rolled his eyes on that sentence.

Kaoru smiled, amused. She was already imagining her uncle lecturing Kenshin on vampire manners and life. "I'm glad she's okay now. For twenty years of putting up with her wrath, I'd rather end it than let it continue. It gets boring after a while." She sighed, heaving her shoulders exaggeratingly to prove her point.

"It nearly cost your life."

She looked at Kenshin. "But Rei was there to protect me. You and Yahiko and Sano were there to protect me. Honou-ojiisama protects me, as Yume-obaasama does. I wouldn't ask for anymore." Kaoru told him. "Everything has a price to pay. Every happy ending does, Kenshin. There would be no happy ending if there is no sacrifice."

Kenshin smiled. "Do you think our story is a happy ending, koishii?" He whispered, already tipping her chin and nearing her face.

Kaoru grinned, wrapping her around Kenshin's neck, meeting their lips for a kiss. "Definitely."

--==--

When Kaoru limped out of her room, with the help of Kenshin, she was shocked stunned to see Rei joking with Hoshi. Her jaw dropped open when she saw the sight and looked at the redhead beside her for a reaction of it. He didn't seem surprised at all; in fact, he looked as though everything was completely normal.

"Maybe I'm not that well. I can't believe that Hoshi is joking around with Rei," She whispered to Kenshin. "It must be the truth, or I must be hallucinating."

Kenshin chuckled. "Maa, maa. Hoshi-dono has been like this ever since she first woke up. She's changed."

"A big change," Kaoru agreed, letting Kenshin lead her to her two cousins, who were bickering lightly.

"No, Rei! Did you not know of the Western science? Are you stupid or something? They have already known gravity, you idiot! In several years time, humans would discover medicines for an incurable disease or maybe invent something that would surprise all of us." Hoshi argued. "There is no such thing as a world with no gravity. Even the moon, as we know of it, has gravity, although it is quite weak."

Rei rolled his eyes. "Hoshi, I know there's such a thing as gravity. I was just assuming if there were a world that has no gravity, would it not be a wonderful feeling? Flying on the air without any restraints and you're assured that you wouldn't fall down on the ground."

"If there was no gravity, even the water would float, numskull." Hoshi pointed out. "I don't think even the humans would want that. Besides, it isn't a wonderful feeling when you know the very soil float around you."

Rei glared, knowing she was right. "Okay, you got your point!" He cried, exasperated. "What is it with you today?" He muttered, shaking his head. His aqua eyes flickered towards the pair walking towards them. "Hey, Kaoru! You okay now?"

Kaoru smiled weakly. "I think so. Besides, I am half-vampire." She said, looking at Hoshi. "You've changed. You're not the same girl that used to haunt me or try to kill me for some reason or another." She teased lightly, poking Kenshin slightly when he frowned.

"I realized…just what Rei and otousan meant after all these time," Hoshi confessed. "That you were not to be taken forcefully to us because you weren't meant to be with us. Otousan once told me that you suffered more than you could handle, but did not break. Losing your parents must be hard…" She murmured, looking at her fingers. "And then, knowing that you've done well in your training here, surpassing me far more than I can imagine, I guess everything comes down into a draw, doesn't it?"

Rei nodded in every word that Hoshi said. Kaoru looked proudly at her cousin. Kenshin smiled and tucked his hands into his sleeves. Honou stood behind a pillar in the room, listening to his daughter's words.

"You've come far, cousin," Rei said, patting Hoshi lightly on the shoulder. "I knew you'd be smart enough to take down the details one day." He told everyone smugly, grinning.

"What?! What does that mean?" Hoshi cried. "You're implying that I'm stupid?!!!" She asked him threateningly, glaring at him.

Kaoru laughed mildly behind her hands as Rei sputtered and looked around the room, deciding where to escape before Hoshi pummeled him to the ground. Kenshin scratched his head sheepishly, whispering to Kaoru that it reminded him of her, when he was in trouble. That earned a light smack and a huff on Kenshin's part, while Hoshi shrieked at Rei's insensitiveness.

Honou waited for a while, smiling softly for a while, before he turned to the shadows and went unnoticed out of the room, or so he thought.

Kaoru looked at the place her uncle stood moments before, gazing at it before closing her eyes and smiling cheerfully, shaking her head lightly. Hoshi continued to scold Rei, while Kenshin tried to coax Kaoru to talk to him, a rurouni smile on his face and apologizing for any inconvenience he had brought her, which did not appease Kaoru much, but she did cast a teasing glance at him before turning away again.

Hearing the noise, Sano and Yahiko entered the room and jumped towards Kaoru at seeing her well again. The two tumbled over her, earning them a good shout and an intense smack with her bokken. Everything was back to normal, in a warm sort-of way. The peace gained between Hoshi and Kaoru created a bond that everyone wanted to have.

The bond of being a family.

To be continued…