~Chapter Five-All in due time~
Candles burned softly in the dim room Kaoru sat in.
A quilt was wrapped around her shoulders, but she continued to shiver.
Her left leg was bandaged up and enveloped firmly, but her whole body grew numb with pain.
She stared off into another world as the shadow of herself danced across the walls around her.
Across the room, a screen door opened, and Yahiko came out with a pouch in one hand, and a cup of tea in the other.
He walked up to Kaoru and set the cup of tea down on the floor in front of her, then knelt down, opening the pouch, and poured a white powder into the hot liquid.
"Dr. Genzai told me to give this to you. It's….for your leg so it won't hurt so much tonight." He spoke in almost a whisper, because it seemed like a sin to speak in this atmosphere.
Kaoru's blue eyes, grown dark as she had been in numb shock for so long, turned to him and stared into his brown eyes.
"K….K…..Ken….sh--" Yahiko put his hand over Kaoru's lips before she could finish the rurouni's name.
He knew if she spoke it aloud, she would realize what was happening, and tears would fall.
Oh how they would fall until that rurouni returned to himself again.
Kaoru's eyes slightly changed into blue again as she looked down at the tea, and picked it up.
For the first time in about an hour, she felt warmth in her hands.
She sipped the tea after about a minute of staring into it blankly.
She smelt the tea's scent as she set it down again, and remembered once when Kenshin had made that very same tea, and loved it so much that he asked if she could buy it more often.
That was long ago though.
Suddenly, Kaoru felt her heart sink into her stomach……….
and she finally realized.
Her first cry was a mournful yell that echoed throughout the dojo.
The cry turned into tears and loud sobs.
The water ran down her cheeks like the world was ending around her.
Yahiko was almost afraid to try and calm her.
"….K…Kaoru…" He said quickly.
Kaoru put her face into Yahiko's lap and grieved for what she was worth.
Yahiko just sat there.
There was nothing he could do….
~In the other room~
"I hear her now…" Magumi stated in a whisper.
Dr. Genzai lifted his head and heard Kaoru's mournful cries in the other room.
His old heart grew sorrow for her.
In the futon at Magumi and Dr. Genzai's knees…..was the form of a sleeping rurouni.
Kenshin.
Magumi put a washcloth in a bowl of ice water, and then placed it over Kenshin's forehead carefully.
"Oh Sir Ken…….if only you hadn't gone out there to find that busho girl. Then you would be safe and away from this illness." She felt like crying, but kept a tough heart.
Dr. Genzai checked his wrist to see how his heart-rate was doing.
His breathing was rough and hors.
Cold sweat grew on his body.
"What do you think he has?" Magumi asked the old man.
Dr. Genzai sighed and sat back. "I hate saying to tell you the truth. It's worse then I thought. ….do you know how long Kenshin was out there looking for Kaoru?"
Magumi thought. "I think it was a good hour and a half…..why?" She grew nervous.
Dr. Genzai pulled off Kenshin's kimono top, and washed over his hot skin with the washcloth. "If he was out there that long….and he's this bad after only being back for an hour…….I believe……he's caught pneumonia."
As he spoke this, Magumi felt her eyes burn with tears. "Sir Ken…no…..It can't be!!! That is one of the worst things to catch this time of year!!! Please tell me there is a way to cure him, Dr. Genzai!!" She exclaimed.
Dr. Genzai's eyes glinted as she looked over Kenshin's body.
His bangs stuck to his forehead with sweat, and his breathing became more harsh.
"I think we can try and save him. I can whip up a remedy that has worked in the past……but if it doesn't work……." He paused and looked towards his doctor bag he had brought with him just in case.
Magumi followed his eyes to the bag, and stared. "What?"
Dr. Genzai's heart softened as he thought for a moment of how to respond. "….in that bag, Miss Magumi….there is a needle. Inside the needle, there is something that doctors use when there can be nothing else done for a person when they have a bad illness or infection….and they'd go through misery in death if they didn't die before the worst comes. I've never had to use that needle before……….but if Kenshin doesn't show progress with the remedy I prepare for him, and continues to get worse…………he'll just slowly fall into a coma and die after a few weeks. Instead of having him go through so much pain though……I'd give him that needle…..so that he won't suffer."
Magumi's hands were over her mouth now.
She was holding back her tears.
Dr. Genzai saw the terror on her face, and placed his hands over hers, and took them off her face. "I only said if he doesn't show any progress with the remedy. He most likely will, and he'll be fine in a few days. Don't worry."
Magumi's terrified expression turned to angry.
Her fists tightened. "This…is all Kaoru's fault!!!! THAT SELFISH BRAT!!!!! IT'S ALL HER FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed.
"Hush now! Kenshin needs his rest!!!" Dr. Genzai exclaimed.
"NO!! I HAVE TO LET HER KNOW WHAT SHE'S DONE!!!!! HER PITTIFUL SELF HAS RUINED SIR KEN'S LIFE FOR THE LAST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Magumi screeched, and then stood up quickly.
"Miss Magumi!!!! Come back here!!!! Don't bother her!!!" Dr. Genzai shouted after her and got up to follow.
In the next room, Kaoru still laid in Yahiko's lap, her cheek rested on his knees.
Yahiko's hands were on her back, and he caressed her for comfort.
She had finally settled down, but tears still covered her cheeks, her skin flushed greatly.
Suddenly, the screens opened to the room, and there stood a horrifying Magumi, glaring down at Kaoru's weak body.
"Magumi? What is it? How's you know who?" Yahiko asked, feeling that nothing was wrong.
Magumi's eyes shot down at the boy, then back at Kaoru.
"He'd be fine if it weren't for her!!" She sniffed, heaving a finger towards Kaoru's back.
Kaoru didn't respond.
She knew it was her fault that Kenshin was sick.
She didn't need to be reminded.
"WELL??!!! AREN'T YOU GOING TO SAY SOMETHING? ARE YOU GOING TO ARGUE LIKE YOU NORMALLY DO?? OR THROW A FIT LIKE A LITTLE CHILD??? I'M WAITING!!!" Magumi shouted with rage.
Yahiko's eyes glinted as he stared up at Magumi. "God, Magumi. What's your problem? Kaoru's in enough pain as it is!! Go away!" He hissed, being his usual protective self.
Magumi's eyes shut tightly. "STOP PROTECTING THAT BITCH!!!!! SHE'S THE ONE THAT CAUSD THIS TO HAPPEN TO SIR KEN!!!!!! SHE'S ALWAYS THE ONE TO RUIN HIM!!!!!!! HE DOES ALL THIS STUFF FOR HER, AND ALL SHE CAN DO IS GET HIM INJURED, OR CLOSE TO DESTH, OR SICK LIKE NOW!!!!!!! SIR KEN HAS PNEUMONIA BECAUSE OF HER!!!! PNEUMONIA!!!! IT'S ALL HER FAULT!!!! EVERYTHING IS HER FAULT!!!!! WHY CAN'T SHE JUST LEAVE SIR KEN ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LORD, HE COULD DIE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH SHE WOULD JUST-----"
"Whoa whoa!!!!! What's going on here???!!!!! Magumi, stop!!!!!!" A familiar voice filled the air.
Yahiko, Magumi, and even Kaoru, crying more upset now, turned to find Sanoske standing in the doorway of the dojo across the room, soaking wet, but otherwise fine.
"LIKE I WAS SAYING, I WISH KAORU WAS THE ONE SICK AND DYING!!!!!!!!!! THEN EVERYONE WOULD ALL BE HAPPIER, AND MAYBE THEN SIR KEN WOULD BE ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Magumi screamed, and then ran out of the room.
The 3 left in the room heard the backdoor to the dojo slam shut.
Sanoske turned to Yahiko sitting on the floor with Kaoru, now cradling her in his small arms as she whimpered in sorrow.
"W…..what'd I miss?" He said, not meaning to be playful like he usually was.
Yahiko had him sit down, and as she rocked Kaoru in her arms, he told the story from the very beginning. From the time in the afternoon where they found out a storm was coming in, to the time where Magumi first came in screaming at Kaoru.
Sanoske's eyes were wide and his breath was lost. "………so……..Kenshin has pneumonia now and Magumi thinks it's the missy's fault?" He questioned, trying to get the last part of the story straight.
Yahiko nodded.
Sanoske's heart ached. "Damn…..I wish I hadn't had left the other day. I could have helped out a lot if I had stayed. I feel so bad now."
Yahiko shook his head. "Nah. It's not your fault."
"I….I…..It's…..m…..m…..mine t…though." Kaoru's small voice managed to whimper out.
Sanoske looked down at Kaoru in the boy's arms. "Aw, Missy….it's not your fault. Defiantly not. Don't listen to Magumi. She's just upset right now like everyone else. She just tends to take her anger or sorrow out on other people and not herself. She should have blamed you for Kenshin's illness."
He rested a hand on Kaoru's back for comfort.
Kaoru shook her head and looked up at the two above her.
These two…they were apart of her family. She could tell them anything.
She knew they cared about her dearly…..even if Magumi didn't.
She blinked away some tears. "B…But it is my fault. If I hadn't have gone out to take Ayame and Sazume home, and had just let Kenshin go as he originally planned to….this never would have happened……I never would have been trapped out there, and he wouldn't have had to risk his life to save me and end up dying in the process……NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru, saying such things aloud to others, made her scream with fear.
The thought of losing the rurouni tore her insides apart, and her heart bled with sorrow.
"Kaoru, it's not your fault! You gotta take it from us at least!!" Yahiko blurted out, wanting her to stop crying.
Kaoru sobbed harder though.
She wouldn't believe what the boy tried to convey.
Sanoske looked into the other room real fast.
Dr. Genzai had a torn up expression on his face as he worked on the remedy he spoke of to Magumi minutes before.
His eyes were drawn down to the limp body laying in the futon below Dr. Genzai's feet.
*Kenshin…you jerk. I know you. The missy says it's her fault….but I know it wasn't. You could have stayed here at the dojo and not gone out for her….but instead you did….because……* His thoughts stopped.
He looked back to Kaoru, and placed his hand on her back once more.
"Missy, listen. I know things….and….I know Kenshin. It wasn't your fault that he's sick now. He went out there, and he probably figured he'd come down with something….but he did it all for you. He could have chose not to, but he did it anyway. That's how he is, plain and straight."
Kaoru looked up from Yahiko's arms and stared into Sanoske's eyes.
"…And I know…..that he would hate to see you blaming yourself for something he chose to do." He finished, with a smile.
He read Kaoru's face, and knew she understood.
Even though it still hurt inside to be in this situation….it was nice to hear something more like it wasn't her fault.
Her sobs were delayed only a little though.
Sanoske stood up, and decided to go find Magumi.
Even though he knew she needed her space to think things through for herself, he wasn't about to let her stand in the middle of the wild storm while doing so.
Yahiko looked back down at Kaoru. "Here…."
He pulled from his pocket a handkerchief, and she took it slowly.
She sat up and whipped her tear away.
She sniffed, and then she seemed to be more calm, although her body still shook.
"Where are you gonna sleep? Here or in your room? Cuz if you're sleeping out here, I'll stay with you." Yahiko offered.
Kaoru looked around her.
The room was dark, and getting cold.
But it was the closest room to Kenshin….and she'd sleep outside in the rain if it meant that that was how close she could get to him.
"Here is good." She spoke in a rusty voice.
Yahiko nodded. "Right. I'll go get our futons, and a water bowl."
As the boy Kaoru so greatly appreciated got up and ran to get his deeds done, Kaoru continued to sat and began staring off into space again.
She wanted so badly so see Dr. Genzai come out of the room next door with a smile on his face indicating that Kenshin was awake, and wanted to see her. And that he'd be fine most certainly.
Her heart and hopes lifted so suddenly when she heard Dr. Genzai walk towards the doorway of the room! But to her utter disappointment, he only shut the screens, and a candle went off in the room.
All became quiet.
She wondered what was happening.
A moment too soon, Yahiko reappeared with futon blankets and pads in his arms.
He set them up, one beside Kaoru, and one close by for himself. Then he set out a bowl filled with water, and a washcloth for their faces.
"Y…Yahiko? Can you get my some water. I'm so thirsty." Kaoru spoke in a tiny tone.
Yahiko smiled weakly to her, and then rushed out to fetch her water.
Kaoru's eyesight returned to the hallway, and the shut screens in which Dr. Genzai and the sickly Kenshin were behind.
She waited for some sort of sound to come from the darkness, but nothing occurred.
She felt worry pour over her, but she tried to force it back. *No…you must stay strong. For Kenshin. He would have done the same for you….and in fact he did. How he did….so much that he may not…….be with me…..any…more….*
She shut down her wondering thoughts as her blue eyes shadowed behind her bangs.
Soon Yahiko came in and handed her the cup of water.
The boy had been so helpful, but Kaoru say the tire in his eyes.
"Go to bed now, okay? Thank you for everything." She said up to Yahiko and tried her best to grin.
Yahiko nodded and sat down on his knees in front of her. "I…I know I'm still just a kid and all, and I may not know much…….but……" He jumped up and hugged her from around her neck. "….I hope things get better…..and I hope…..no….I pray that Kenshin wakes up by tomorrow. That he'll make it through tonight, and be fine tomorrow like nothing ever was wrong!"
Kaoru wrapped her arms around the boy and felt him tremble a bit.
He was shedding tears for her and for Kenshin.
Of course though.
She and Kenshin were the first family he got back, followed by everyone else…..but to him, she was like his older sister……and Kenshin….was like his older brother.
He looked up to Kenshin in such a manner that it was hard for her to see Yahiko doing so well with the Kamiya Kashin style without the rurouni around to guide him!
Kaoru shoved her thoughts away once more. "…Yahiko……K…Kenshin wouldn't know what to believe if he saw you like this…crying over him. H…He'll…be okay. He won't leave you…" She stared up at the ceiling, searching for an answer, "…or anyone else."
Yahiko sat back and wiped his tears away with the back of his sleeve.
He managed a smile on his lips. "If you tell anyone about this I swear you're dead by sunrise."
For the first time in what seemed like forever, Kaoru laughed slightly.
"Get some rest. We'll see what's going on tomorrow." She stated to Yahiko.
The boy nodded. "Yeah. But you get some rest too. God knows you need it."
Kaoru met eyes with the boy once again and smiled.
She watched him get into his futon.
She crawled into hers as well, drinking her water before laying down.
Yahiko blew out the candles burning beside him, and then the room fell under darkness.
The whole dojo was quiet.
The only thing that could be heard was the sound of the storm outside.
The rain was falling on the roof above their heads, and every now and then, thunder rolled into their ears, and lightening lit up the outside.
Kaoru was not afraid though.
At least not completely.
She heard Yahiko's slow breathing soon.
He had fallen asleep.
She wondered how long she had been laying there, but soon, she realized, her eyes adjusting to the darkness, that Dr. Genzai had come out of the room, closing the screens behind him.
She sat up and stared towards the old man that had taken care of her ever since her father had died.
"D…Dr. Genzai?" She whispered, trying to let him know she was awake.
The man turned to her, and walked over to the edge of her futon.
His expression was hard to read in the shadows.
"Kaoru…you should be asleep. Your leg is broken, and it needs for you to settle down for the night." His old voice spoke.
Kaoru lowered her head. "I…I know. I was about to go to sleep when I heard you come out of the other room. Um…..how…..is Kenshin?"
Dr. Genzai tensed up at this question. "Well…it's not certain how he is really. I mixed up a remedy that I will try to get him to follow. It's the only medical and logical remedy I know that treats cases like this one. It's worked every other time in the past…so…I'm looking forward to seeing how he's doing in the morning. Nevertheless, his case….is rather severe. I'm not sure if….he'll follow the remedy well. I'm just telling you the truth, Kaoru. I don't want to lie to you and tell you he'll be on his feet in no time. That would be wrong. Especially seeing how….he's so important to you."
Kaoru stared into the old man's eyes.
She felt her own pricking with the hot tears once again. "W…when will…I be able to see him?"
Dr. Genzai put a hand over her cheek. "Tomorrow, I promise…you can stay with him as long as you like."
Kaoru felt herself lifting all of a sudden. "Thank you so much…..oh god, thank you. I didn't think you'd allow me to stay with him at all! I promise…I'll take care of him…and I'll make sure he gets better."
Dr. Genzai smiled and held the girl he still remembered as a child. "All in due time, little Kaoru….all in due time."
~Oh goodness. I love this job! ^_^ Go on to find out what happens next, okay?~
~Smile B~