AN: Guys I'm back! I have survived from my atrocious studies. Well this is another chapter to entertain you and I hope you'll love it too. Wow, I never thought I would have 53 reviews and to say that I'm in awe. Thanks a lot and I hope you would enjoy this chapeee… ^_^

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. I'm just a fan and I'm only using the characters for fun so no suing. ^_^

Prophecy

She opened her eyes and squinted from the morning light. She then looked at her clock that was on the right side of her bed; it was only 6 in the morning. Slowly, she moved her head to face the ceiling and stared at it for a moment. She sighed and stood up to do her morning routine. After taking a bath, she went downstairs and ate her breakfast.

At 7:30, she asked permission from her parents to go to a sick friend; she gripped her hands tightly as she waited for their indecisive frowns and refusal, however, they agreed to her request with ease.

While walking down the road towards the hospital she thought about her dream last night. "It seemed real, the way I walked on the grass and how I stood in front of the girl. Everything seemed special, but why me? Why was I the one sitting and waiting?" Her thoughts were interrupted by an old woman leaning against a wall. Her head are bowed down as she spoke to Kaoru "Hi, there young lady"

Kaoru stopped and faced the old woman "hi, can I help you?"

"Your help is a definite requirement" the woman answered as she looked up at Kaoru.

"Then what is it?" Kaoru asked gently, unsure of what was to say

The old woman smile "You're such a fine beautiful woman, you don't have to be afraid of what is to come because he will be there for you and I can see from your frowns that you are uncertain of him that your mind is in turmoil. " Kaoru hastily responded "Who are…" but was cut off when the old woman shook her head in a negative motion and continued, "You don't have to know who I am, all you have to know is what I'm about to say… the man who will be there for you is the man you saw in your dream, you must take precaution from him and as much as possible you must avoid him. His very existence is surrounded by pain and deaths that would only give you eternal grief, however, he would also give you happiness as well. Think this message is all for naught? Iya, but it's a suggestion for you to use in the future. " She looked at her with a smile and left, leaving a stunned Kaoru aside.

"What was that?" she asked no one in particular as she bowed her head down and her eyes roamed from left to right. She shook her head to ward off the old woman's message and went on her way. But with each step she took, her conscience nagged her into believing the old woman's 'suggestion'. Upon arriving at Kenshin's "sick room", she stood infront of the door and hesitated to knock. A nurse passed by her back and stopped. "Miss, the room is not locked" she smiled "if you want to, I'll knock for you"

"Oh please, I certainly want your help" Kaoru took hold of the girl's hand and squeezed it gently as she whispered her plea. "All right, I can see that you're worried." The nurse agreed in a whisper and knocked on the door.

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Hiko Seijirou sat beside his sleeping son and was starting to doze off when a soft knock was heard in the silent room. He turned his head to the left and said, "You may come in"

The door squeaked open, revealing the same girl who won his admiration last night for taking good care of Kenshin. He abruptly stood up and walked toward his visitor. "My dear, I 'm surprised with your early visit but I thank you all the same for coming. Do you want something to eat or drink?" Hiko asked in a mild voice

Nothing. Not a word, not a sound, not a nod, not even a blink could be seen and heard from Kaoru's face. Kami Sama's truth, she couldn't. The man standing infront of her was much more terrifying and intimidating than last night. He was the only person who could ask a question but make it seem like he roared at her for doing something wrong or stupid. "Oh Kami Sama, I'm in a lion's den and the man in front of me is the strong almighty lion who would tear me into pieces and have me as his supper, Kami Sama I'm not that tasty, am I?" she thought.

"I'm not a lion and I don't eat girls like you, and as for your taste I cannot answer that" Hiko remarked, he smiled at her absurd thoughts, and only then did she realize she'd spoken her thoughts aloud.

She took a step backward, and realized what she was doing and how that cowardly retreat must have look to Kenshin's father, and quickly stepped forward again. "I think, she thought, I have to start digging my own grave." She gave him her most serene face she could muster but the feeling won't go. She started squeezing her hands then.

Hiko sighed as he took mercy on her and placed his hands on her shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid of me; I'm not a lion or a monster that would surely hurt you. Now cease this fear you have for me and let me know what you want to eat?" Hiko smiled as he saw a glint of fire in her eyes. 

"Did he just order me to cease being afraid?" she thought. "He just did" she nodded to placate him

He waited for her to speak up. After 2 minutes of silence, he spoke up. "Come have a seat" Kaoru nodded and went over to the seat. "Do you want a sandwich?" she nodded again. Hiko went over to the refrigerator and took out a made-sandwich and went back to her. He gave it and a whispered thank you was all he could draw out from her. When she was finished with her sandwich, he asked if she wanted a cookie, she moved her head up and down. He was starting to hate the nod movement. After eating all the cookies, he took hold of her hand and said, "Didn't I tell you to stop being afraid of me" A nod was all Kaoru's response. He gritted his teeth in exasperation and continued, "Now, has your fear of me disappeared?" Kaoru's head started to move up and stopped then shook her head in negative motion.

Hiko breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm glad".

Kaoru was intrigued by Hiko's answer. She finally spoke up "Why?"

Hiko smiled. "Because not only can your head move up and down it could also move from left to right."

"Did you just insult me?" Kaoru asked trying to understand that peculiar statement

"No dear, those were just my observations, and I'm not blind not to know that you fear me from the moment I stood up and went to you, Am I right?"

Kaoru nodded 

"Okay so enough of this nonsense; do you want me to leave you for a while with Kenshin so that you could freely talk to him?"

"No" her denial was as quick as a dagger hurled at a wall, she, then, qualified her answer "What I meant to say was, I could spare a moment with Kenshin and help you tend him and….and" she stammered out.

"You care a great deal for my son" Hiko commented

"NO…!" she was startled by Hiko's statement; she jumped to her feet, almost shouted at Hiko again. She took a deep breath to calm her muddled emotions and sat down "Do I really care about Kenshin? But I has been such a short time… she thought, how could that be? "No. 'A great deal' is not the correct phrase to describe my concern for Kenshin, although I do care for your son… as a classmate," she said

"No? Then why do you help me tending him? A classmate would only visit, but as I can see, yours is a different matter?" He was enjoying himself, with each of her frown and hesitant answers, he knew that she was struggling to be diplomatic, and he was actually finding out far more about her than she could possibly realize.

"One has nothing to do with the other, sir. And I had always had this nature to help those people who are sick and in need"

"Of course as a classmate you would do that" Hiko finally conceded. He smiled as he thought about how his son would surrender his heart to this young courageous girl and how she would yield to him as well.

Kaoru pulled Hiko away from his thoughts and back to the present. "Sir where would I place these flowers I bought for Kenshin?" Kaoru asked

"You could place it on the table and I'll be the one to rearrange it. I'll just leave you for a minute to buy foods, okay?" he asked

"Sure"

Hiko left the two on their own and went on his way. Kaoru sat next to Kenshin and stared at his peaceful face. A lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, giving him a boyish look; she straightened them out, the back of her hand deliberately brushed his smooth forehead not just once but twice. She thought of how smooth and perfect his skin is, she smiled, stood up and went to the bathroom. In a second or two she appeared and went back at his side. "I have to confess something to you Kenshin, your father was right, I care 'a great deal' about you, but you'll never know" she whispered in his ear.  She straightened and smiled, pleased with her feat. Hiko entered the room and asked about his son's condition as he placed the food on the counter.

"He's fine, nothing happened." She looked at her clock and stood up. Mister Hiko I think I have to go now. And sir could I have a last request, I promise it won't be a bother."

"Okay" he asked when she faltered.

"Pls. don't tell him that I helped you tend him" Kaoru pleaded.

"Why is that?" He asked

"Well because we had a lot of misunderstandings and… I want to keep it secret" Kaoru hid her blushing face with her hair.

"But it's best to tell him so that he knew that you want his forgiveness." Hiko drawled out

"But you see, I really don't want him to know" Kaoru pleaded.

"All right, I won't tell him." Hiko assured

 "I have to get going Mister Hiko. Thanks for everything and I'm pleased I meet you again, Sir"

"The pleasure is all mine Kaoru. I think I'm the one who should thank you—not the other way around. And so much for the formality, you can call me Uncle for future preparation and that would be enough." She smiled. A brilliant smile that was so contagious Hiko also smiled in return.

They both stood up and Kaoru turned to leave but glanced at Kenshin for one last time. Then she went out.

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Morning light filtered the room through the window that was left open. Kenshin slowly opened his and blinked twice. He moved slightly and winced as he felt an excruciating pain in is body, as if he was badly beaten. He lay unmoving for another minute waiting for the pain to subside then turned his head and saw his father sleeping on one of the chairs near his bed. He lifted his right hand to touch his forehead but stopped, and frowned, when he noticed a dextrose protruding in his right hand. His frown deepened as his eyes went about the room.

"You're finally awake"

Kenshin whirled his head to his father. "Yeah" he smiled weakly "Where am I?" he asked his father

"You're in the hospital. And for Kami Sama's sake I don't know why my idiot son fainted, of all causes why that?" Hiko announced.

"I fainted? What day is this?" Kenshin asked

"It's the seventh day"

"WHAT?????" Kenshin burst out

"Will you lower your voice, baka deshi, you're disturbing the dead. Now lie down and do as I order. I'll call the nurse to inform her your sudden consciousness, okay"

"Okay" Kenshin groaned. He laid down and a thought struck him hard. "Something's amiss, he thought, maybe I died and gone to hell or…." His frown deepened as he figured out something in his mind. "Is it a fact or a fantasy that I saw a girl tending me? A beautiful girl who has a raven hair… but I cannot put my finger on who it was. I guess it was just a dream." He sighed and turned his head as his father entered the room

Two days had passed and still there was no sign of Kenshin in the school. Kaoru knew that he gained consciousness 2 days ago. She thought about how he was doing and what he was doing at that time. She kept on thinking until her friends barged in her little private thoughts. Misao and the other laughed but Kaoru stared at them as if they've been from another planet only-god-knows-where. She shook her head and stopped thinking about Kenshin. She joined in and laughed, forgetting Kenshin thoroughly.

*****************

"Ei pal, I'm glad you're fine now." Sano said

"Me too."

"So, where is Jou-chan?" Sano asked

"Jou-chan??? You mean Kaoru?" Kenshin asked

"That's what I said"

"Why would Kaoru be here?"

"My god, are you that forgetful or you are just plain stupid? She tended you from all the days you were unconscious"

"She took care of me?" Kenshin whispered in disbelief

"Well Yeah….."

Kenshin remembered when he gained consciousness and saw a blurry face of a young beauty who sat beside him. Now he knew who she was and he promised that he would have her no matter what happens.

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AN: A special thank you for these people ReinaQueen, Nanakilover/Brukaoru, ChocoChocoChan, KeNsHiN, Konika, Shadowsage Hopesong, Koneko-chan8, Lara, dropppe_X, cute-cute, AnimeFreakBoy, d-lolo, Cutie-Kaoru, damsel_n_distress, MaraiGurl, XP-DarkAngel, paula, koishii-glory, Ocean Fish, RK-128…. Thanks for supporting me and thank you for loving this story. I want you to know that I love hearing from you.

By the way I would like to thank Angela Conde for reading this chapter and reediting it again.hehehehehe…

Ja Ne… ^_^