*VI*

*CRYING BLOOD*

Kenji entered the area filled with trees just as the sun was setting. The girl beside him was stopped by his firm hand, which he held in front of her with a stern glare. "No," he simply stated before pressing his lips to hers in a quick kiss of hope before turning towards the river where Megumi told him his father's death place would be.

He walked merely a few feet into the land when the smell of the cherry blossoms, once so sweet and pure, were covered with a new scent. Blood: a powerful scent of a woman's hope.  Moving swiftly though the trees that continued to cry their pink blossoms he finally spotted his mother. The blossoms around her rained red instead. The trees had scarlet streaks splashed against barks and upon their falling blossoms. The trees were crying blood, their tears soaking his mother and father, both sprawled upon the ground.

Kenji stepped closer to his mother. In her hand, coated with the same crimson tears, was the dagger. Bending down, he kissed a part of her cheek that was still dry and brushed away a few of her bloody strands of hair. He then brushed his hand over her own pale one then gently lifted it with ease to remove the dagger from her icy grip. It felt warm and heavy in his hands, but oddly soothing compared to the coldness arriving with dusk's approach. He found the other part of the sheath and quickly closed it, putting it into the sleeve of his own gi.

Then his eyes moved to his father. Although he hadn't died a bloody death, like he had lived a bloody life, his body was still soaked in it from his mother's actions. Almost as if there was no other way to die that didn't involve blood. When raised with the smell of blood, one must die with it. He stared at his father's closed eyes, a few of the scarlet petals freckling his cheeks. They hid nothing though, since the scar he was famous for was gone. He was really Shinta again.

He hesitated before extending his hand to meet that of his father's. He had never known him as a father, thus never loving him as one. Nor did he ever know how much his father loved him. And now he was dead. A sin upon Kenji's heart.

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he stood up and drew his arms inward to his chest. A sudden pain on his left arm made him stop abruptly and stare down at it. A bit of blood was soaking through the sleeve of his gi. Curious, he stuck his hand inside a pulled out the dagger now open. His eyes were wide with fear as they moved toward his father. He strangely expected Kenshin to suddenly arise and explain that it was his doing, so that his son may always carry this feeling of guilt in the shape of a small scar on his arm. Almost like a curse carried from father to son for generations. But the corpse remained still, as most corpses do and no ghost was anywhere in sight. It was just coincidence. Coincidence that the dagger just happened to open up as he drew away from his father. All a coincidence.

Swallowing rather loudly, he inched backward until his back hit the bark of a tree. Its cherry blossoms rained from the infinitely high branches, crimson as the ones that soaked the floor. Kenji swallowed again and jumped as he felt a touch on his shoulder. He turned around, afraid, but only sighed in relief as he saw the girl from before beside him.

"Are you alright?" she asked, innocently.

He nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes. I…I just…"

"Who are they?" she asked, pointing to the bodies behind Kenji, resting on the crimson soaked ground.

"N-no one…" he stuttered as he stared at his mother and father. He could feel the dagger's cut bleeding again.

"Aren't they you're parents?" she asked, standing on her tiptoes to get a view of them above Kenji's carefully placed head.

Kenji was silent for a moment. "The woman, she is my mother, yes. But…I don't know of the other." More pain from the wound.

"He looks just like you. Are you sure?"

Kenji nodded, "Yes. Sure." Another sting from the cut.

The girl, although doubtful, nodded anyway. An awkward silence filled the now present night.

"We should be getting back."

"Yes. Megumi should know."

*

a/n: chapter 6 done! Eh, I did tell ya it would be sad…anyhow there is still one more true chapter, and then a humorous epilogue for those who hate death, so don't forget to read that! ^^ Hm, seems like its been an angst-y day. First the Inuyasha where Sango goes suicidal, then I rewatch the Ring…then I post this! Egad…then I probably failed my math test…Hope the audience continues reading, and if you like, or dislike, or even have no opinion whatsoever, please leave a review ^^

Anyhow, Crystal Renee, glad you're still enjoying it…eh, so Kenji didn't make it in time before I killed off Kaoru…hope that's not too much of a problem…but she's in the next chapter so hope that's a hint ^^ I'll be sure to read the stories too ^^ Thx for honor of a fav story too ^^

Allan: Eh, well as I saw it…she did protect Kenshin from killing himself…but I probably should have wrote 'hurting' himself to be more exact…since without her he would just be all killing people ruthlessly without any mercy or second thought like in the beginning, but once he has her, she sorta restrains him, and acts as his sheath, covering up his true murdering nature…without her after many years all the deaths would be heavy on his heart as guilt and pull him down and hurt him (like Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter…egad that book stinks) and I am analyzing waay too much here .  Could be killing though too…but too much analyzing for today…But I hope it makes sense, sorta ^^  Hurting people= hurting self, in summary ^^