Puppeteers
Note: Yes... I've made it to the last chapter, and I'm not dead! Yes, I was convinced you were all going to kill me for that last chapter... There were definite attempts on my life, but I'm glad I'm still... alive... sort of... I'm actually in the car, driving to Virginia... eight hours... we're only maybe half an hour in, and I'm carsick. But, I'm writing this, and it's kinda... sad. I loved writing this story, but it has to end sometime, ne? I think you would all have really killed me if I had kept going with Kenshin's torment, anyway. Stick around after this chapter, and there's an epilogue to completely tie things up. I would like to thank all the people who have reviewed me throughout this entire story, even when I went through my spells where I disappeared, because Rhi-chan and I were both so busy that chapters wouldn't go up for a month... It means a lot that you guys have stuck with me through this story, which really saved me from insanity during the last part of Junior year... Every review made life worth it, and I can't thank you all enough for it. Special thanks to Koishii Sweet, MysticShadowWanderer, DarkAngelAhria, catti-dono, Kitty Katana, quirk, and all the others who stuck with me from the beginning (those are just the ones off the top of my head... the rest of you should know who you are, and I love you very much for sticking with me). You guys, simply put, rock. To the last chapter, raise your glasses and get ready. I hope I don't disappoint you all.
Disclaimer: No, I'm not artistic enough to have created Rurouni Kenshin. My art is too surreal, and I don't draw manga very well... It's not mine! Don't sue!
(((((((((()))))))))
Chapter Fifteen- Revolution
No! My mind was screaming, willing my body to act. No! No, no, no! I clenched my fist, squeezing my eyes closed as I battled with myself.
I opened my mouth to scream, but only the chant for blessing was coming out. I gripped my hakama, trying to say something. Anything.
Hiro took the cup back, taking his second sip.
Kaoru's hair was arranged, her robe spread on the floor as she kneeled, submissively taking the cup back. It wasn't like her at all, and I felt the knife in my heart give a terrible twist. She lifted it to her lips, and I saw a flash of pain in her eyes as she drank again.
One final taste was left. Hiro was holding the cup, raising it one last time...
My breathing was becoming labored. I can't do this... I can't... We said we could... I can't. I felt the demon in me winning over the side of me that wanted to avoid trouble.
"I can't!" I cried out, standing before I even knew I had willed it.
Hiro caught the cup before it smashed on the ground; though it was too late for the sake.
Kaoru was on her feet in an instant with the reflexes I had always known she had. She had been hoping that I would do something, I knew by the relieved look she gave me.
I was breathing heavily, staring directly into her deep blue eyes. "I can't, Kaoru..." I shook my head. "I'm sorry... but... I just can't."
Hiro stood up, and I felt my heart falling through. I had just made things so much worse for Kaoru...
He set down the cup on the altar. "I expected you to say something a long, long time ago, Himura-san." He smiled slightly, shaking his head. "But you're more stubborn than I thought you were."
I stared at him. "What?" I choked out after a silent moment.
Hiro took Kaoru's hand and helped her down the single step. He embraced her quickly. "Go on, Kaoru-chan... I knew you wanted to..."
She stared at him. "I don't understand... I..."
He shook his head again. "You always were too stubborn to do what you wanted, if you thought it would upset someone. Go."
She took the smallest of steps back. "Hiro-kun..." She tripped on the edge of her kimono, falling backwards, where I caught her.
Hiro smoothed his gi, staring down at the floor. "Himura-san..." He looked up at me, smiling as I helped Kaoru regain her balance. "Take care of her... she was very dear to me when we were young."
"Hiro-dono..." I shook my head. "Thank you..."
((()))
I'm dreaming... I thought, staring up at the star-speckled night sky. But, if this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up...
Kaoru was sleeping peacefully in her room, and I had left her there when I knew she had fallen into her sweet somnolence. I exhaled slowly, my back pressed up to the wooden post. I flinched a bit at the pain in my back, but after I shifted I felt relief.
"Himura-san..."
"Hm?" I turned to face Hiro, who stood a few feet away.
He gestured to the vast amount of space next to me. "May I sit down?"
I almost laughed. "Hiro-dono, you needn't ask. It's not really my dojo, anyway."
He smiled and settled on the boards, gazing silently up to the stars with me.
It was strange, sitting there with him. That very morning, I would have been nervous that he would be hostile towards me. Even after the wedding had been stopped, I had been afraid he would be bitter towards me. But there he was, sitting calmly next to me as if nothing had ever happened that would have pitted us against each other.
"I'm glad you said something." He said finally, the moonlight catching on the ebony of his hair.
I turned my eyes down to glance at him. "Hiro-dono-"
"Hiro." He corrected. "Just Hiro."
"Hiro," I amended. "Why? It doesn't... it just doesn't fit." He had been haughty and arrogant when he had first come to the dojo almost two months before, and now he seemed... likeable.
He looked down as well, smiling vaguely. "Kaoru and I grew up together. She was my best friend when I was little, and I would have given anything to make her happy." His smile brightened a bit at memory. "I think I was always in love with her. When she agreed to the courtship..." He sighed. "I don't think I was ever happier. I couldn't wait, so I asked her if it would be okay if we just lived a year apart, so that it may have gone by faster."
"And then you came back here..."
He nodded. "And I found that Kaoru's life had changed completely since I had asked her. She had new friends, and a man who had risked his life to keep her alive staying with her. I was suspicious, yes... and I heard rumors." Another sigh. "I thought that maybe I could change her back to who she had been. When she had been young and carefree. But my Kaoru was gone..."
I watched him, battling with something inside myself. "I'm so sorry, Hiro." I cast my head down. "I didn't mean to... I even tried to stop it."
"I don't think we have control of that, Himura-san."
"If I can call you Hiro, you can call me Kenshin..." I sighed, a laugh in my throat. "Everyone else does..."
He glanced up at me. "Him- Kenshin..." He shook his head. "I don't think you should be sorry... I was holding onto a memory of Kaoru." His eyes moved back up to the stars.
"You told me that you had been afraid when you found out who I had been."
"And you told me you didn't like to talk about it."
"I don't... but it's nothing I can escape." I closed my eyes, screams suddenly echoing in my ears. "It's nothing I'm proud of."
The sound of a soft laugh broke through the screaming of death. My eyes flew open.
"Kenshin, it's that feeling you have that eases my fears for Kaoru." Hiro was smiling differently than before. It had been tinged with pain before, but now it was hopeful and kind. "I have never been in battle. I have never even held a sword... but I had heard stories of the killing demon..."
"I never enjoyed it, you know."
"I can assume so... you were young, I believe... But what I'm trying to say is that I may be a coward, but I can see that you're not what I thought you were. You took care of her when it would have been so easy to allow the situation to be hopeless."
I was silent, watching him as he fidgeted with his gi. "I'm going back to Osaka tomorrow." He announced quietly. "I was there for a long time... I work for a merchant there, and I think it would be better if I did stay there."
"Hiro... you don't have to. It would be terrible if I were to ask you to... It's not any trouble, really."
He stood up slowly. "You both have my blessings... She loves you more than anything I've ever seen. I knew it when she went after you... You're a very, very lucky man."
I stood up slowly next to him. "I will take care of her..." I whispered to him. "But I can't find the words to thank you enough..."
As the young man turned to back from walking toward his room, he smiled. "I always wanted to make her happy... who am I to keep her from the person who makes her truly happy?"
I watched as he stepped into his room, sliding the shoji shut. I stood, staring where he had been for several moments, before slipping back into Kaoru's room.
She stirred when I had been leaning against her wall, watching her, for a few moments. "Kenshin...?" She murmured upon seeing me.
"Yes?" I whispered, leaning over to touch her cheek.
Her fingers reached for mine, sliding them together like two puzzle pieces sliding into place. "You're here..." She whispered.
I smiled at her, moving to lie next to her. "I'm here, Kaoru... I'm here to stay."
I never went back to my room that night, lying there with Kaoru. We never spoke a word, just stared up at the ceiling in absolute silence.
Just before dawn broke, I rolled onto my side and stared into Kaoru's eyes. "Kaoru... are you awake?"
She nodded, "Yes."
"Come with me..." I whispered, helping her to her feet and off of the futon.
I led her to the yard, directing her to look to the east sky. We stood there quietly as the sun rose, brilliant shades of pink, orange, and yellow.
"Kaoru..."
She looked back up at me, smiling faintly. "Hai, Kenshin?"
I took her hand. "Remember the fireflies? What I told you..."
She looked sad for a moment. "Yes..." She paused, then continued. "That they only had a brief light to find their love... and if they failed in that light... then they had lost their chance... But, Kenshin-"
I held a finger to her lips. "Sh..." I smiled at her as the first rays of the rising sun struck her. "I forgot something then... about fireflies..." I squeezed her hand. "Their lights go out... leaving them in complete darkness for a moment, where they fall into absolute desolation." I pulled her into my chest, holding her close. "But their lights always, always, come back... Things may be different from when they last had light to see... but their lights come back, and they can see again..." I took a long inhaling breath, full of her scent.
"I didn't make the same mistake twice... once I got that light back..."
(((((((((())))))))))
Note: Okay! Now! All in unison! ::listens to the collective 'awwww' from her muses:: Now... didn't I tell you it would be KK? Aren't you all glad you kept me alive? ::bounces:: I liked this chapter a lot... not because it's the end, but because I tied things up a bit (getting ready for the epilogue), and I got to do what I intended from the beginning... Make Hiro a decent guy... I was kinda sad that I never managed it when I created the story initially, because I wanted it to be hard for Kenshin to hate him... but I like this too... ::hugs Hiro:: I think I'm keeping him now... he makes a good muse... ::hugs all her reviewers:: Thank you all! Please leave me reviews, and IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED, PLEASE DO SO! I have to know in your review for this chapter, or the epilogue, because after that... well, that's when I start writing. So far, The Samurai Wives is really looking to be the next story (aren't I glad that I have a chapter and a half done already...). But the others are just as worthy in my eyes... After that, I think I really want to write the untitled fantasy story... if you guys like it enough for me to write it...
Thank you all so much for reading this child of mine, and I hope you keep on the look out for the epilogue (it should be up tomorrow), as well as the first chapter of the new story, which may be up as early as Monday. I hope to see you all there! Please leave us reviews! ::hugs poor Hiro, who glances at her suspiciously:: No, no, dear... I won't let them kill you... I keep my muses safe... ::hands out RK chibi dolls to all reviewers who missed them in the past:: I know so many people who came in late wanted some... ::poofs Hiro into cute kitty ears and hands him a large basket of muffins, and begins to hand them out with him:: I love muffins... I hope you guys do too... See you in the epilogue!
Note: Yes... I've made it to the last chapter, and I'm not dead! Yes, I was convinced you were all going to kill me for that last chapter... There were definite attempts on my life, but I'm glad I'm still... alive... sort of... I'm actually in the car, driving to Virginia... eight hours... we're only maybe half an hour in, and I'm carsick. But, I'm writing this, and it's kinda... sad. I loved writing this story, but it has to end sometime, ne? I think you would all have really killed me if I had kept going with Kenshin's torment, anyway. Stick around after this chapter, and there's an epilogue to completely tie things up. I would like to thank all the people who have reviewed me throughout this entire story, even when I went through my spells where I disappeared, because Rhi-chan and I were both so busy that chapters wouldn't go up for a month... It means a lot that you guys have stuck with me through this story, which really saved me from insanity during the last part of Junior year... Every review made life worth it, and I can't thank you all enough for it. Special thanks to Koishii Sweet, MysticShadowWanderer, DarkAngelAhria, catti-dono, Kitty Katana, quirk, and all the others who stuck with me from the beginning (those are just the ones off the top of my head... the rest of you should know who you are, and I love you very much for sticking with me). You guys, simply put, rock. To the last chapter, raise your glasses and get ready. I hope I don't disappoint you all.
Disclaimer: No, I'm not artistic enough to have created Rurouni Kenshin. My art is too surreal, and I don't draw manga very well... It's not mine! Don't sue!
(((((((((()))))))))
Chapter Fifteen- Revolution
No! My mind was screaming, willing my body to act. No! No, no, no! I clenched my fist, squeezing my eyes closed as I battled with myself.
I opened my mouth to scream, but only the chant for blessing was coming out. I gripped my hakama, trying to say something. Anything.
Hiro took the cup back, taking his second sip.
Kaoru's hair was arranged, her robe spread on the floor as she kneeled, submissively taking the cup back. It wasn't like her at all, and I felt the knife in my heart give a terrible twist. She lifted it to her lips, and I saw a flash of pain in her eyes as she drank again.
One final taste was left. Hiro was holding the cup, raising it one last time...
My breathing was becoming labored. I can't do this... I can't... We said we could... I can't. I felt the demon in me winning over the side of me that wanted to avoid trouble.
"I can't!" I cried out, standing before I even knew I had willed it.
Hiro caught the cup before it smashed on the ground; though it was too late for the sake.
Kaoru was on her feet in an instant with the reflexes I had always known she had. She had been hoping that I would do something, I knew by the relieved look she gave me.
I was breathing heavily, staring directly into her deep blue eyes. "I can't, Kaoru..." I shook my head. "I'm sorry... but... I just can't."
Hiro stood up, and I felt my heart falling through. I had just made things so much worse for Kaoru...
He set down the cup on the altar. "I expected you to say something a long, long time ago, Himura-san." He smiled slightly, shaking his head. "But you're more stubborn than I thought you were."
I stared at him. "What?" I choked out after a silent moment.
Hiro took Kaoru's hand and helped her down the single step. He embraced her quickly. "Go on, Kaoru-chan... I knew you wanted to..."
She stared at him. "I don't understand... I..."
He shook his head again. "You always were too stubborn to do what you wanted, if you thought it would upset someone. Go."
She took the smallest of steps back. "Hiro-kun..." She tripped on the edge of her kimono, falling backwards, where I caught her.
Hiro smoothed his gi, staring down at the floor. "Himura-san..." He looked up at me, smiling as I helped Kaoru regain her balance. "Take care of her... she was very dear to me when we were young."
"Hiro-dono..." I shook my head. "Thank you..."
((()))
I'm dreaming... I thought, staring up at the star-speckled night sky. But, if this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up...
Kaoru was sleeping peacefully in her room, and I had left her there when I knew she had fallen into her sweet somnolence. I exhaled slowly, my back pressed up to the wooden post. I flinched a bit at the pain in my back, but after I shifted I felt relief.
"Himura-san..."
"Hm?" I turned to face Hiro, who stood a few feet away.
He gestured to the vast amount of space next to me. "May I sit down?"
I almost laughed. "Hiro-dono, you needn't ask. It's not really my dojo, anyway."
He smiled and settled on the boards, gazing silently up to the stars with me.
It was strange, sitting there with him. That very morning, I would have been nervous that he would be hostile towards me. Even after the wedding had been stopped, I had been afraid he would be bitter towards me. But there he was, sitting calmly next to me as if nothing had ever happened that would have pitted us against each other.
"I'm glad you said something." He said finally, the moonlight catching on the ebony of his hair.
I turned my eyes down to glance at him. "Hiro-dono-"
"Hiro." He corrected. "Just Hiro."
"Hiro," I amended. "Why? It doesn't... it just doesn't fit." He had been haughty and arrogant when he had first come to the dojo almost two months before, and now he seemed... likeable.
He looked down as well, smiling vaguely. "Kaoru and I grew up together. She was my best friend when I was little, and I would have given anything to make her happy." His smile brightened a bit at memory. "I think I was always in love with her. When she agreed to the courtship..." He sighed. "I don't think I was ever happier. I couldn't wait, so I asked her if it would be okay if we just lived a year apart, so that it may have gone by faster."
"And then you came back here..."
He nodded. "And I found that Kaoru's life had changed completely since I had asked her. She had new friends, and a man who had risked his life to keep her alive staying with her. I was suspicious, yes... and I heard rumors." Another sigh. "I thought that maybe I could change her back to who she had been. When she had been young and carefree. But my Kaoru was gone..."
I watched him, battling with something inside myself. "I'm so sorry, Hiro." I cast my head down. "I didn't mean to... I even tried to stop it."
"I don't think we have control of that, Himura-san."
"If I can call you Hiro, you can call me Kenshin..." I sighed, a laugh in my throat. "Everyone else does..."
He glanced up at me. "Him- Kenshin..." He shook his head. "I don't think you should be sorry... I was holding onto a memory of Kaoru." His eyes moved back up to the stars.
"You told me that you had been afraid when you found out who I had been."
"And you told me you didn't like to talk about it."
"I don't... but it's nothing I can escape." I closed my eyes, screams suddenly echoing in my ears. "It's nothing I'm proud of."
The sound of a soft laugh broke through the screaming of death. My eyes flew open.
"Kenshin, it's that feeling you have that eases my fears for Kaoru." Hiro was smiling differently than before. It had been tinged with pain before, but now it was hopeful and kind. "I have never been in battle. I have never even held a sword... but I had heard stories of the killing demon..."
"I never enjoyed it, you know."
"I can assume so... you were young, I believe... But what I'm trying to say is that I may be a coward, but I can see that you're not what I thought you were. You took care of her when it would have been so easy to allow the situation to be hopeless."
I was silent, watching him as he fidgeted with his gi. "I'm going back to Osaka tomorrow." He announced quietly. "I was there for a long time... I work for a merchant there, and I think it would be better if I did stay there."
"Hiro... you don't have to. It would be terrible if I were to ask you to... It's not any trouble, really."
He stood up slowly. "You both have my blessings... She loves you more than anything I've ever seen. I knew it when she went after you... You're a very, very lucky man."
I stood up slowly next to him. "I will take care of her..." I whispered to him. "But I can't find the words to thank you enough..."
As the young man turned to back from walking toward his room, he smiled. "I always wanted to make her happy... who am I to keep her from the person who makes her truly happy?"
I watched as he stepped into his room, sliding the shoji shut. I stood, staring where he had been for several moments, before slipping back into Kaoru's room.
She stirred when I had been leaning against her wall, watching her, for a few moments. "Kenshin...?" She murmured upon seeing me.
"Yes?" I whispered, leaning over to touch her cheek.
Her fingers reached for mine, sliding them together like two puzzle pieces sliding into place. "You're here..." She whispered.
I smiled at her, moving to lie next to her. "I'm here, Kaoru... I'm here to stay."
I never went back to my room that night, lying there with Kaoru. We never spoke a word, just stared up at the ceiling in absolute silence.
Just before dawn broke, I rolled onto my side and stared into Kaoru's eyes. "Kaoru... are you awake?"
She nodded, "Yes."
"Come with me..." I whispered, helping her to her feet and off of the futon.
I led her to the yard, directing her to look to the east sky. We stood there quietly as the sun rose, brilliant shades of pink, orange, and yellow.
"Kaoru..."
She looked back up at me, smiling faintly. "Hai, Kenshin?"
I took her hand. "Remember the fireflies? What I told you..."
She looked sad for a moment. "Yes..." She paused, then continued. "That they only had a brief light to find their love... and if they failed in that light... then they had lost their chance... But, Kenshin-"
I held a finger to her lips. "Sh..." I smiled at her as the first rays of the rising sun struck her. "I forgot something then... about fireflies..." I squeezed her hand. "Their lights go out... leaving them in complete darkness for a moment, where they fall into absolute desolation." I pulled her into my chest, holding her close. "But their lights always, always, come back... Things may be different from when they last had light to see... but their lights come back, and they can see again..." I took a long inhaling breath, full of her scent.
"I didn't make the same mistake twice... once I got that light back..."
(((((((((())))))))))
Note: Okay! Now! All in unison! ::listens to the collective 'awwww' from her muses:: Now... didn't I tell you it would be KK? Aren't you all glad you kept me alive? ::bounces:: I liked this chapter a lot... not because it's the end, but because I tied things up a bit (getting ready for the epilogue), and I got to do what I intended from the beginning... Make Hiro a decent guy... I was kinda sad that I never managed it when I created the story initially, because I wanted it to be hard for Kenshin to hate him... but I like this too... ::hugs Hiro:: I think I'm keeping him now... he makes a good muse... ::hugs all her reviewers:: Thank you all! Please leave me reviews, and IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED, PLEASE DO SO! I have to know in your review for this chapter, or the epilogue, because after that... well, that's when I start writing. So far, The Samurai Wives is really looking to be the next story (aren't I glad that I have a chapter and a half done already...). But the others are just as worthy in my eyes... After that, I think I really want to write the untitled fantasy story... if you guys like it enough for me to write it...
Thank you all so much for reading this child of mine, and I hope you keep on the look out for the epilogue (it should be up tomorrow), as well as the first chapter of the new story, which may be up as early as Monday. I hope to see you all there! Please leave us reviews! ::hugs poor Hiro, who glances at her suspiciously:: No, no, dear... I won't let them kill you... I keep my muses safe... ::hands out RK chibi dolls to all reviewers who missed them in the past:: I know so many people who came in late wanted some... ::poofs Hiro into cute kitty ears and hands him a large basket of muffins, and begins to hand them out with him:: I love muffins... I hope you guys do too... See you in the epilogue!