Title: Innocence and Blood
Chapter 3 – Battousai Awakens
Series: Rurouni Kenshin
Rated: PG13
Summary: The world is soon to collapse under a war to which no one has ever seen before. Kenshin has fallen into a coma, and the only thing that can save Earth now is innocence and blood.
- - - - -
Three years had passed since that fateful day Kenshin fell into a coma. Though it seemed as though he would fight until past eternity, he was now beginning to grow weaker. No longer would his body take the food and water Megumi and Dr. Gensei tried to give him during his sleep. Dehydrated and now a great deal thinner, it seemed as though the rurouni would not hold on much longer.
Yahiko had left, determined to find something, anything that would bring his mentor back to them, only to find a trail of clueless doctors who could give him nothing more than their sympathy. Before a year had gone by, Yahiko had returned, broken and weary. Though he received a nice thrashing from Kaoru for leaving her, she had embraced him and welcomed him home.
Kaoru herself spent countless hours by Kenshin's side. Just to be near him seemed to calm her. To see him breathing, it made him seem as if he were just dreaming his dreams, ready to wake the next morning. Only when the next morning came, he was still asleep, dead to the world. If it weren't for Sano and Yahiko to constantly take her out and keep her on her schedules, she would have probably never left his side.
Megumi sighed as she held Kenshin's head, watching as he coughed up the bit of food she tried to give him. Once again, it was useless; he was slipping too fast. He had put up a long fight, a fight that had lasted three years.. but now.. now he was loosing that fight.
Taking a piece of cloth Megumi wiped the mess from the rurouni's pale face, her eyes becoming watery. "Sir Ken.." Closing her eyes, she lifted a hand to wipe her tears, tossing the now soaked cloth aside. "If only you would wake up.." Megumi stood then, realizing what it was she would now have to do. She would have to tell them. She would have to tell all of Kenshin's friends that before tonight.. he would die. Giving Kenshin one last tearful look, the young doctor walked out of the door, sliding it gently shut after her.
A slight moan escaped Kenshin's lips, and slowly his eyes slid open. The room was dark, much to his likings, a small candle burning by his side. "Where.. where.." he tried to speak, but found the task impossible, his throat drier than it had ever been, scratching as he tried to mutter his simple words. Wincing, he slowly got to a sitting position, his head spinning from dizziness as he did so. He found that he would have to be very careful with his movements, else he would find himself with further perils to deal with. So he allowed himself a moment to breathe, as well as soak in the scenery and find out where he was.
It didn't take his eyes long to adjust to the darkness, the bit of candle helping him to see more readily. He was at the clinic, he noted and, worst of all, he stunk of an illness he couldn't remember falling prey to. He needed answers, and though a rational part of his mind told him to sit and wait, his body desired and hungered for fresh air and a bath. So, taking his time again to prevent any other discomforts he might find, he slowly got to his feet, his hand quickly grasping at his hakama just before it dropped to the floor. He had lost weight, he noted, though how much he was currently unsure of. He would have to go buy some new clothes soon, or feel the embarrassment of walking around with his hand holding up his hakama all day long. His other hand gripping onto the wall for support, he carefully moved to the door. Not too much longer he had made his way to the door outside and happily swung it open.
The fresh air calmed him dramatically, and seemed to bring his sickly body back to life as he breathed in a lung full. The sun shone down bright on his pale and cold skin, warming him, as if secretly welcoming him back.
"K-Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned and smiled, happy to see an old face. Well, old would be putting it literally. "Dr. Gen.." Kenshin attempted to welcome the doctor, only to find himself struggling with his dry throat.
Dr. Gensei stood up, and immediately began to usher the man to have a seat on the outdoor swing Megumi had gotten Yahiko and Sano to build for them, his words keeping Kenshin from saying anymore. "Sit down, sit down! I'll get you something for your dry throat!" He couldn't hide his excitement, nor did he want to. His eyes seemed to flash with utter surprise and amazement. "I cannot believe it.. it is a miracle!"
Kenshin watched Dr. Gensei walk off hurriedly into the clinic, smiling at the warm welcome he received, though his last words confused him. He was in the clinic.. what had happened anyway? Whatever it was, it must have been pretty bad for Dr. Gensei to act like that.. he always seemed more of a subtle man..
The good old doctor appeared moments later with a glass of water and a pitcher, handing the glass to the exhausted rurouni. Kenshin took it, almost roughly though he didn't mean to. The clear liquid went to his tongue, and he relished the moment as he greedily gulped it all down as quickly as he could.
"Slow down, slow down!" Dr. Gensei warned, causing Kenshin to light up a bit as he diluted what seemed to be his eternally parched thirst. When he finished, the doctor did not hesitate to pour him another glass which he happily drank, though not as quickly as the last. That done, he let out a large breath, and turned to Dr. Gensei, smiling. "Th-thank you, Dr. Gensei." It still hurt to talk, and his voice was raspy. However, the water had helped dramatically.
"It's of no problem. I am only glad you are awake."
Kenshin smiled, his eyes returning to the bright sun above, glinting as if in admiration. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked in a tired voice.
Dr. Gensei sighed. "For a long Kenshin.. for far too long." He paused for a moment, and when he saw that Kenshin was not going to speak again, he continued. "You slipped into a coma.. and have been asleep in this world for three years."
Kenshin's eyes widened as his head snapped to Dr. Gensei, disbelief washing over his features. "Th-three years?" he croaked, his face pale as if he had seen a ghost, hoping, and wishing, that it was merely a bad joke.
"I am afraid so.." Dr. Gensei then smiled at Kenshin. "We thought we had lost you. If you hadn't waken up when you did.." his voice trailed off; there was no need to finish the thought.
Kenshin seemed to calm down, and merely gave a short nod. Slowly his eyes fell once again to the sky above. As if the rays of the sun were giving him life itself, he felt stronger.. and he yearned for change.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned and smiled bright as the familiar voices of his friends carried off in the distance, each of them rushing to him like a steam train. Despite better judgment, the tired man got to his feet, his hand clutching a nearby pole that helped keep up the roof as he walked up to greet them. About to greet them all, he was suddenly collided into, Kaoru's strong arms wrapping around his thin waist. Yahiko was the next to grab him, ignoring how embarrassed he would be later, and Sano joined in, latching onto them all with his long arms, practically lifting them up.
"Sir Ken!" Megumi was the first who seemed to grab her voice, and wasted no time in holding onto him as well, the poor man surrounded in a group hug.
Dr. Gensei laughed, and soon, by the commotion, popped out two familiar, yet older children, Ayame and Suzame, who immediately cried out, "Uncle Kenny!" Before going to join the crowd in a hug.
Despite the fact that Kenshin was now finding it hard to breath, and even more difficult to move, he did manage to get a few happy words out. "It is.. good to see you again.. that it is.." And then he was suddenly slapped by Kaoru.
"Don't ever, EVER do that again Kenshin!" the teary-eyed woman hollered, her hands shaking in frustration. "I thought I.. I thought I.." and then she was wrapping her arms around him again, hugging him.
"All right, all right. We're all glad to see Sir Ken back with us, now lets back up and give him some air!" Megumi already began to act like the doctor she was grown to be, pushing each of them away as she tried to get a better look at Kenshin. However, as pressing as her words were, Kaoru, though she did lessen her death grip on Kenshin, still had her arm around his waist, refusing to let go of him.
Placing a hand on Kenshin's cheek, Megumi shook her head. "Now, I'll bet you're going to have a little bruise there thanks to Kaoru here." She glared at her. "You really shouldn't have slapped him, or do I have to restrain you?"
Kaoru began to bubble, her face looking about ready to explode.
"Aye, I am all right Miss. Megumi," Kenshin's hand went up to massage his burning cheek, though his eyes were devoid of any real pain. Reassuring, he placed a hand behind Kaoru's back, drawing her near.
"I knew you would come back!" Yahiko piped up, unable to hide the giant smile on his face, his eyes becoming teary. "I just knew it! You're too strong for any stupid coma to kill you off!" Turning his head, the boy prompted to pretend he had something in his eye as he tried to wipe away the tears, embarrassed.
"Yahiko.." Kenshin smiled, his hand lowering from his cheek. "You have grown into quite a man, you truly have."
"Feh. He's still a shrimp." Sano stated. Always count on Sano to try to start a fight and lighten the mood.
Growling, Yahiko turned to Sano, his eyes turning fierce. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME FISH BRAINS!!!"
"Shrimp," Sano taunted again, immediately causing Yahiko to leap onto him, attempting to both kill him and bite his head off.
Kenshin laughed. He had truly been gone too long. What was the weirdest of all was that it actually FELT like he had been gone for three years..
Megumi rolled her eyes. "So many violent people!" Immediately she latched onto Kenshin's arm. "You poor thing, having to deal with that everyday! Especially by this little 'lady.'" She didn't fail to put emphasis on 'lady' as she glared at Kaoru.
Kaoru's anger rising by every minute, she grabbed the bokkon by her side, raising it above her. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?? I AM NOT VIOLENT!" She swung at Megumi, though the fox lady ducked just in time.. causing it to swing around and hit Kenshin right in the head.
- - - - -
"Hey, I think he's coming to."
"Sir Ken?"
"Kenshin? Kenshin, I'm so sorry.. please wake up.. Kenshin.."
Kenshin's eyelids slowly fluttered open, his blurred vision slowly coming together. Smiling down at him were the concerned faces of all his friends. "Kaoru-dono.."
Smiling, Kaoru held tight onto Kenshin's hand, her eyes wet with tears. "Yes, Kenshin. I'm so sorry.. are you all right?"
"Y-yes.." Kenshin replied weakly, slowly pulling his hand to lift him up to a sitting position. However, just before he made it all the way a strong hand went to his chest, pushing him down.
"Lie down Sir Ken so that I may examine you," Megumi's calm, yet flirtatious tone relaxed Kenshin, and he remained still as told.
The fox lady went to work silently, checking his pulse, breathing and likes before finally reaching up to her conclusion. "Well Sir Ken, I am glad to say that you're going to be all right." Many sighs of relief were heard through the room, though before they began celebrating she continued. "However. You need to stay here for a while. You have lost a lot of weight Sir Ken, and you are badly dehydrated. Until you are up to par, I think it's best if you stay in the clinic."
Kenshin seemed thoughtful of her words for a moment, before speaking. "Aye.. I will do as you say Miss. Megumi. But.." He blushed a bit from embarrassment. "I really do need to get some new clothes, that I do.."
Understanding, Megumi chuckled a bit. The poor man could barely hold up his hakama outside, and when he collapsed from Kaoru's blow they almost fell down. "Well that's all right Sir Ken, I'm sure we can find something for you-"
"I was hoping.." Kenshin smiled a bit, now getting to the sitting position he had hoped to be in the first place. ".. that I may go off to town to get something." Seeing how Megumi was about to state otherwise in the case of his health he continued, "I do not even know what size I have at the time.. and it would be best for me to try things on instead."
"I think it would be a great idea," Dr. Gensei walked in then, a bright smile on his face. "The fresh air would do you some good."
Megumi sighed. "All right, but I'm going too." Glaring at Kenshin she stated, "And if at any time you begin to feel ill, you had better tell us Sir Ken!"
Kenshin nodded, unable to hide the large grin on his face. "Yes, Miss. Megumi."
Smiling, Kaoru's grip tightened on Kenshin as she helped him to his feet, trying to hide back a chuckle as his hand went to grip his hakama just before it slipped down, his own cheeks growing red with embarrassment. "Kenshin, anything you want today I'll be more than happy to buy!" Kaoru stated, holding him close.
"Kaoru-dono, you do not have to do that-"
"Kenshin don't argue with me!" Kaoru went to say. "You're buying WHATEVER you want, and that's final!"
Kenshin smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
Chapter 3 – Battousai Awakens
Series: Rurouni Kenshin
Rated: PG13
Summary: The world is soon to collapse under a war to which no one has ever seen before. Kenshin has fallen into a coma, and the only thing that can save Earth now is innocence and blood.
- - - - -
Three years had passed since that fateful day Kenshin fell into a coma. Though it seemed as though he would fight until past eternity, he was now beginning to grow weaker. No longer would his body take the food and water Megumi and Dr. Gensei tried to give him during his sleep. Dehydrated and now a great deal thinner, it seemed as though the rurouni would not hold on much longer.
Yahiko had left, determined to find something, anything that would bring his mentor back to them, only to find a trail of clueless doctors who could give him nothing more than their sympathy. Before a year had gone by, Yahiko had returned, broken and weary. Though he received a nice thrashing from Kaoru for leaving her, she had embraced him and welcomed him home.
Kaoru herself spent countless hours by Kenshin's side. Just to be near him seemed to calm her. To see him breathing, it made him seem as if he were just dreaming his dreams, ready to wake the next morning. Only when the next morning came, he was still asleep, dead to the world. If it weren't for Sano and Yahiko to constantly take her out and keep her on her schedules, she would have probably never left his side.
Megumi sighed as she held Kenshin's head, watching as he coughed up the bit of food she tried to give him. Once again, it was useless; he was slipping too fast. He had put up a long fight, a fight that had lasted three years.. but now.. now he was loosing that fight.
Taking a piece of cloth Megumi wiped the mess from the rurouni's pale face, her eyes becoming watery. "Sir Ken.." Closing her eyes, she lifted a hand to wipe her tears, tossing the now soaked cloth aside. "If only you would wake up.." Megumi stood then, realizing what it was she would now have to do. She would have to tell them. She would have to tell all of Kenshin's friends that before tonight.. he would die. Giving Kenshin one last tearful look, the young doctor walked out of the door, sliding it gently shut after her.
A slight moan escaped Kenshin's lips, and slowly his eyes slid open. The room was dark, much to his likings, a small candle burning by his side. "Where.. where.." he tried to speak, but found the task impossible, his throat drier than it had ever been, scratching as he tried to mutter his simple words. Wincing, he slowly got to a sitting position, his head spinning from dizziness as he did so. He found that he would have to be very careful with his movements, else he would find himself with further perils to deal with. So he allowed himself a moment to breathe, as well as soak in the scenery and find out where he was.
It didn't take his eyes long to adjust to the darkness, the bit of candle helping him to see more readily. He was at the clinic, he noted and, worst of all, he stunk of an illness he couldn't remember falling prey to. He needed answers, and though a rational part of his mind told him to sit and wait, his body desired and hungered for fresh air and a bath. So, taking his time again to prevent any other discomforts he might find, he slowly got to his feet, his hand quickly grasping at his hakama just before it dropped to the floor. He had lost weight, he noted, though how much he was currently unsure of. He would have to go buy some new clothes soon, or feel the embarrassment of walking around with his hand holding up his hakama all day long. His other hand gripping onto the wall for support, he carefully moved to the door. Not too much longer he had made his way to the door outside and happily swung it open.
The fresh air calmed him dramatically, and seemed to bring his sickly body back to life as he breathed in a lung full. The sun shone down bright on his pale and cold skin, warming him, as if secretly welcoming him back.
"K-Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned and smiled, happy to see an old face. Well, old would be putting it literally. "Dr. Gen.." Kenshin attempted to welcome the doctor, only to find himself struggling with his dry throat.
Dr. Gensei stood up, and immediately began to usher the man to have a seat on the outdoor swing Megumi had gotten Yahiko and Sano to build for them, his words keeping Kenshin from saying anymore. "Sit down, sit down! I'll get you something for your dry throat!" He couldn't hide his excitement, nor did he want to. His eyes seemed to flash with utter surprise and amazement. "I cannot believe it.. it is a miracle!"
Kenshin watched Dr. Gensei walk off hurriedly into the clinic, smiling at the warm welcome he received, though his last words confused him. He was in the clinic.. what had happened anyway? Whatever it was, it must have been pretty bad for Dr. Gensei to act like that.. he always seemed more of a subtle man..
The good old doctor appeared moments later with a glass of water and a pitcher, handing the glass to the exhausted rurouni. Kenshin took it, almost roughly though he didn't mean to. The clear liquid went to his tongue, and he relished the moment as he greedily gulped it all down as quickly as he could.
"Slow down, slow down!" Dr. Gensei warned, causing Kenshin to light up a bit as he diluted what seemed to be his eternally parched thirst. When he finished, the doctor did not hesitate to pour him another glass which he happily drank, though not as quickly as the last. That done, he let out a large breath, and turned to Dr. Gensei, smiling. "Th-thank you, Dr. Gensei." It still hurt to talk, and his voice was raspy. However, the water had helped dramatically.
"It's of no problem. I am only glad you are awake."
Kenshin smiled, his eyes returning to the bright sun above, glinting as if in admiration. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked in a tired voice.
Dr. Gensei sighed. "For a long Kenshin.. for far too long." He paused for a moment, and when he saw that Kenshin was not going to speak again, he continued. "You slipped into a coma.. and have been asleep in this world for three years."
Kenshin's eyes widened as his head snapped to Dr. Gensei, disbelief washing over his features. "Th-three years?" he croaked, his face pale as if he had seen a ghost, hoping, and wishing, that it was merely a bad joke.
"I am afraid so.." Dr. Gensei then smiled at Kenshin. "We thought we had lost you. If you hadn't waken up when you did.." his voice trailed off; there was no need to finish the thought.
Kenshin seemed to calm down, and merely gave a short nod. Slowly his eyes fell once again to the sky above. As if the rays of the sun were giving him life itself, he felt stronger.. and he yearned for change.
"Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned and smiled bright as the familiar voices of his friends carried off in the distance, each of them rushing to him like a steam train. Despite better judgment, the tired man got to his feet, his hand clutching a nearby pole that helped keep up the roof as he walked up to greet them. About to greet them all, he was suddenly collided into, Kaoru's strong arms wrapping around his thin waist. Yahiko was the next to grab him, ignoring how embarrassed he would be later, and Sano joined in, latching onto them all with his long arms, practically lifting them up.
"Sir Ken!" Megumi was the first who seemed to grab her voice, and wasted no time in holding onto him as well, the poor man surrounded in a group hug.
Dr. Gensei laughed, and soon, by the commotion, popped out two familiar, yet older children, Ayame and Suzame, who immediately cried out, "Uncle Kenny!" Before going to join the crowd in a hug.
Despite the fact that Kenshin was now finding it hard to breath, and even more difficult to move, he did manage to get a few happy words out. "It is.. good to see you again.. that it is.." And then he was suddenly slapped by Kaoru.
"Don't ever, EVER do that again Kenshin!" the teary-eyed woman hollered, her hands shaking in frustration. "I thought I.. I thought I.." and then she was wrapping her arms around him again, hugging him.
"All right, all right. We're all glad to see Sir Ken back with us, now lets back up and give him some air!" Megumi already began to act like the doctor she was grown to be, pushing each of them away as she tried to get a better look at Kenshin. However, as pressing as her words were, Kaoru, though she did lessen her death grip on Kenshin, still had her arm around his waist, refusing to let go of him.
Placing a hand on Kenshin's cheek, Megumi shook her head. "Now, I'll bet you're going to have a little bruise there thanks to Kaoru here." She glared at her. "You really shouldn't have slapped him, or do I have to restrain you?"
Kaoru began to bubble, her face looking about ready to explode.
"Aye, I am all right Miss. Megumi," Kenshin's hand went up to massage his burning cheek, though his eyes were devoid of any real pain. Reassuring, he placed a hand behind Kaoru's back, drawing her near.
"I knew you would come back!" Yahiko piped up, unable to hide the giant smile on his face, his eyes becoming teary. "I just knew it! You're too strong for any stupid coma to kill you off!" Turning his head, the boy prompted to pretend he had something in his eye as he tried to wipe away the tears, embarrassed.
"Yahiko.." Kenshin smiled, his hand lowering from his cheek. "You have grown into quite a man, you truly have."
"Feh. He's still a shrimp." Sano stated. Always count on Sano to try to start a fight and lighten the mood.
Growling, Yahiko turned to Sano, his eyes turning fierce. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME FISH BRAINS!!!"
"Shrimp," Sano taunted again, immediately causing Yahiko to leap onto him, attempting to both kill him and bite his head off.
Kenshin laughed. He had truly been gone too long. What was the weirdest of all was that it actually FELT like he had been gone for three years..
Megumi rolled her eyes. "So many violent people!" Immediately she latched onto Kenshin's arm. "You poor thing, having to deal with that everyday! Especially by this little 'lady.'" She didn't fail to put emphasis on 'lady' as she glared at Kaoru.
Kaoru's anger rising by every minute, she grabbed the bokkon by her side, raising it above her. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?? I AM NOT VIOLENT!" She swung at Megumi, though the fox lady ducked just in time.. causing it to swing around and hit Kenshin right in the head.
- - - - -
"Hey, I think he's coming to."
"Sir Ken?"
"Kenshin? Kenshin, I'm so sorry.. please wake up.. Kenshin.."
Kenshin's eyelids slowly fluttered open, his blurred vision slowly coming together. Smiling down at him were the concerned faces of all his friends. "Kaoru-dono.."
Smiling, Kaoru held tight onto Kenshin's hand, her eyes wet with tears. "Yes, Kenshin. I'm so sorry.. are you all right?"
"Y-yes.." Kenshin replied weakly, slowly pulling his hand to lift him up to a sitting position. However, just before he made it all the way a strong hand went to his chest, pushing him down.
"Lie down Sir Ken so that I may examine you," Megumi's calm, yet flirtatious tone relaxed Kenshin, and he remained still as told.
The fox lady went to work silently, checking his pulse, breathing and likes before finally reaching up to her conclusion. "Well Sir Ken, I am glad to say that you're going to be all right." Many sighs of relief were heard through the room, though before they began celebrating she continued. "However. You need to stay here for a while. You have lost a lot of weight Sir Ken, and you are badly dehydrated. Until you are up to par, I think it's best if you stay in the clinic."
Kenshin seemed thoughtful of her words for a moment, before speaking. "Aye.. I will do as you say Miss. Megumi. But.." He blushed a bit from embarrassment. "I really do need to get some new clothes, that I do.."
Understanding, Megumi chuckled a bit. The poor man could barely hold up his hakama outside, and when he collapsed from Kaoru's blow they almost fell down. "Well that's all right Sir Ken, I'm sure we can find something for you-"
"I was hoping.." Kenshin smiled a bit, now getting to the sitting position he had hoped to be in the first place. ".. that I may go off to town to get something." Seeing how Megumi was about to state otherwise in the case of his health he continued, "I do not even know what size I have at the time.. and it would be best for me to try things on instead."
"I think it would be a great idea," Dr. Gensei walked in then, a bright smile on his face. "The fresh air would do you some good."
Megumi sighed. "All right, but I'm going too." Glaring at Kenshin she stated, "And if at any time you begin to feel ill, you had better tell us Sir Ken!"
Kenshin nodded, unable to hide the large grin on his face. "Yes, Miss. Megumi."
Smiling, Kaoru's grip tightened on Kenshin as she helped him to his feet, trying to hide back a chuckle as his hand went to grip his hakama just before it slipped down, his own cheeks growing red with embarrassment. "Kenshin, anything you want today I'll be more than happy to buy!" Kaoru stated, holding him close.
"Kaoru-dono, you do not have to do that-"
"Kenshin don't argue with me!" Kaoru went to say. "You're buying WHATEVER you want, and that's final!"
Kenshin smiled and nodded. "Thank you."