Don't let your heart falter,

Let alone your dreams.

Darkness can be overwhelming,

But with the shadows there is always light,

No matter how small.

Unleash your mind,

But never lose your soul.

Warning: Some blood

Innocence

By Boomerang-chan

Chapter 5: Fragments

After that fateful day, Kaoru expected to be down, and perhaps never be able to smile again. Instead, she was skipping with a happy bounce into class, Soujiro trying to keep up. Was it strange? No, Kaoru said she was happy for Kenshin and she was not lying.

After all, she thought to herself, he will come back. In the classroom a few students talked and went over work before the bell rang signaling the start of the school day. Amongst them was Misao, scribbling hastily.

"'Morning Misao!" Kaoru chimed.

"Good morning," Soujiro added.

Misao hastily threw her hands over the paper, grinning widely. "Ehhh... Ahaha! G'morning!"

Kaoru crossed her arms and she mock-grinned at her best friend. "You didn't do your math homework again, did you?"

Misao prodded two fingers together like a little girl caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar. Under Kaoru's expectant gaze she threw her hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay! I didn't do it Kaoru-chan because it's SO confusing!"

"Why don't you come to our house later and Sou and I can help you. Especially Sou, since he's really good at math!"

"That'd be great! Hey, so how are the kendo lessons going? You thinking of joining the school team?"

Kaoru's hands unconsciously clenched. "Um.... there are no more kendo lessons."

"Hm, really? So then you've already learned all there is to learn?"

"No... Kenshin's left to go to Tokyo University."

____________________

"Um... please don't... ORO!" Kenshin jumped a foot away from the woman. Wasn't it supposed to be a man that chases a woman and not the other way around...?

Kenshin picked up his fallen books and stuffed his papers in them. The ebony haired woman gave him a sneaky grin and advanced on him again. Behind him, he knew Sano was smirking. How Sano was able to get to college? Who knows, but he claimed his parents forced him.

"Ohohoho! Such a modest man!" The woman purred. Kenshin shifted uncomfortably.

The flirtatious woman had seen him the first day, and tagged after him with very obvious hints of her intentions. She was a med student, Takani Megumi, who very much wanted to be a doctor. Kenshin of course kept his distance from the always elegant dressed up lady.

"Ano, Sano, let's go..."

______________

"You don't like Takani?"

Kenshin shrugged at Sano's question. "I have no interest in Miss Takani."

"Oh, I see," Sano smirked, "So you've been hiding that you do like younger chicks. And a certain young one named Kaoru?"

Stopping in his tracks, warmth spread on Kenshin's cheeks. He glowered at his friend. "Sano! Don't talk of Kaoru like that!"

Lifting his hands, Sano stepped back. "Okay, sorry man."

Gazing longingly out the window, Kenshin watched the gray covering the blue sky. Blue... reminding him of Kaoru.

I promise to return. Kaoru.

Kenshin ran out, and the first drops plopped onto his nose. Hurrying, he ran to his car, fumbling in his pockets for his keys. He dumped his books, papers, cell phone, and other loose articles into the passenger seat.

Starting the engine, Kenshin cranked up the heat. He sighed as the cold began to lift away to warmth. Pulling out of the parking spot and out of the college's lot, he drove off into the night.

_________________

"...First, you multiply that, and then multiply it by the other one. Is it starting to make sense?"

"Yup, a little! Thanks Sou-kun!"

"Here, try this one now."

"Erm... can you show me again?"

"Hmm, all right. Okay, you go like this, and then that..."

"Thanks! Um, one more?"

"...You mean once more?"

Kaoru laughed at Misao who smacked her head onto the desk, almost squashing Soujiro's hand on the smudged math worksheet.

Kaoru looked at the red led numbers on her clock.

6:04 p.m.

Kenshin ought to be out of class by now. She smiled and skipped downstairs. "I'll be right back!" she called over her shoulder.

Kaoru went downstairs and took the phone in the kitchen, sitting atop the island countertop. She punched in a few numbers embossed into memory quickly.

_______________

A frustrated Kenshin frowned at the amount of rain that was now coming down. He could barely see through his windshield, and the wipers were at their highest speed.

BRRIIIING! BRIIIING!

Kenshin started, jolting in his seat at the sound that shattered the monotony of the rain's drumming.

He glanced at the seat next to him, wondering where his cell phone was among the mess.

Leaning over, he shoved a book away.

Kenshin failed to see the red flash.

Knocking aside a few more objects, he muttered angrily as the phone accidentally fell to the floor on its fifth ring. Quickly, he bent down.

Just because

 Of those few seconds...

"EAAAAAH--"

WUMP

Gasping, Kenshin swerved his steering wheel widely.

_________________

"RRR--We're sorry, this number is not available right now. If you'd like to leave a message, please press one no--"

Kaoru put down the phone, brows creasing with worry.

_______________

Kenshin hands slipped across the leather wheel, slick from sweat. Heart thundering, he bit his lip hard. The screeching of his tires echoed loudly in his ears and the tightness in his throat made lights appear in his vision.

There was one last screech and the whole car shook. A deep yell of anguish tore the evening, and his car flipped to the side.

Glass shattered, bits flying straight at Kenshin who shielded himself with his arms. Arms that now ran rivulets of red. Kenshin, covered in blood, rain, and panic flung himself out of the car.

Another scream ensued, joined with a child's hollers. Guilt flooded through him and Kenshin ran to the source of the pained yelps.

The two bodies, drenched in blood, only a foot away a bundle had been flung out from its baby carriage. Rushing over to the couple, Kenshin placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry! Wh--"

"Get away!" the man snarled, wrapping himself around the woman who was hacking up blood.

"I'm sorry," Kenshin repeated, trying to approach to help.

"Your apologies won't do anything to help!" he snarled back. He turned back to his wife, brushing black strands from a pale face.

"Tomoe, dear...."

"A--Akira....." the woman whispered, opening bleary eyes. She smiled, touching her husband's cheek.

Her legs, crushed by the wheels of Kenshin's car... And he, her husband, had thrown himself over her to take most of the blow... from his feet to his waist; he was a huge massacred mess.

Akira choked, taking in shuddering breaths. "I--I'm sorry..." He took his last breath, and then nodded off into the eternal dark.

Tears coursed from the woman's dark eyes. "I forgive you..." she rasped to Kenshin. Remorse coursed through Kenshin, and he collapsed by her side, bowing his head.

"But... my husband does not...... for him..." Picking up a shard of glass, she lashed it out, and it ran on Kenshin's right cheek. Deep, and running across.

Kenshin did not feel the pain.

"Take care... of my son... please...." Kenshin nodded weakly. She smiled up at him, before her head lolled to the side.

Standing, Kenshin stumbled over to the bawling bundle wrapped in blankets. He picked the child up, lifting the covers to see brown eyes pouring distress. Kenshin pulled the boy to him, closing his eyes as the cloud's tears continued to soak him.

~~

Whew! And there's the tragic stuff I was talking about! I promised not to make this as late, and I just wrote this about half an hour ago.

Kenshin: Why must you put Sessha through this?

B-chan: Heheh... trust me, this is just the start...

Kenshin: o.O

Sorry, no individual responses today. It's almost dinner... But I'll be sure to do it next chapter!

Thank you for reading! Please review! ^__^