IMPORTANT A/N: Okay…I know there's a LOT of information in this fic…especially in the first two chapters…but that's the only way I could get everything to tie in almost perfectly together. Little information like how Kenshin became 'void of all genuine joy…and love' and how he had gone insane over Kaoru's death are really significant. So try to scan through chapters if you forget what happens between updates ('cause the wait can really throw you off), and if [for u fast readers] you think missed a few important facts. ALSO remember that all the information on Kaoru's parents and how she had to go to Chito are all in the journal/diary entries in chapter 2…Those are quite critical in understanding parts of the story and Kaoru's parents etc.. I know that my chapters aren't exactly short… but I try to make quality the top priority, not quantity (Wouldn't you guys much rather have a few well thought out chapters then a million half-assed ones?). Now that that's done, I would also like you to remember to read these A/N on the top (especially in chapter 2 where I remind you that Kenshin does have the scar and how I purposely make the tenses a little weird). Sorry with all the TOO much information….I'm trying! Plus I'm sorry with all the suspense, everything will be revealed once this story starts to come to a close. And going from how this fic is progressing; this'll probably be less than 10 chapters so don't' except a novel-length fanfiction alright? I'd like to thank you lovely reviewers ^^ Your comments really make my day. I'll try to update as much as I can! And since you all were nice enough to sit through this paragraph of ramble, I'll shut up now and let you guys read!…ENJOY! ~momo~
Angel of Mine
Chapter 3
Ang3l MoMO
Previously on A.O.M.:
I made up my mind and got my stuff ready for tomorrow…. I was going to talk to Soujiro about the diary and then head off on my journey to Chito.
I changed into more comfortable clothes and climbed into bed….with one unconscious thought in my mind.
I wanted to know…I had to know… I needed to know….
****************
"Sir? Sir..? You have to let the body go sir. We can take over from here."
Uncontrollable sobs shook the young heartbroken man as he sat on the cold pavement, drenched in the blood of his beloved. The paramedics stood before him, trying to coax the man to let the corpse go…they dare not force him off, for they've seen this before. The man must be in such despair that even this mere request could push him over the edge; let alone a forced separation from his loved one.
When they had arrived, there was already a crowd of people around the scene…all with shock and sympathy for the poor teenager. The police and paramedics tried to tell the crowd off, but of course…it was futile. A nosey crowd is no better than a stubborn crowd.
"Sir? Please sir…we need to tend to the body. It's best that we bring her body to a better place…it's far too cold here."
Surprisingly, the young man's stopped clutching onto the body abruptly, and he gently placed it on the pavement... then rising to his feet-- taking a small object with him as he did so-- turned around, and walked away. The paramedics watched in pure shock as the man sulked away quietly…completely unresponsive; then realizing they had a job to do…they shrugged off this first on-the-job encounter and immediately started to get out their equipment.
_______________
The young man continued to walk away…not caring where he went. He just wanted to leave, to be away from…the death. His head hung low, with his eyes covered by his unruly crimson bangs; he felt like a zombie…completely empty.
Completely…lost.
With each step he took…his heartbeats began to ring in his head.
With each breath he inhaled…his chest started to heave harder and harder.
With each of his teeth grinding together…he felt more and more hysterical.
With each finger that he clenched in his fists…his knuckles turned a ghastly white.
With each of these…he felt all sense of logic and reason leave him.
He felt anger…no it was more than anger… He felt animosity. He felt hatred.
Suddenly…the man thrust his face toward the sky…screaming bloody murder. His eyes were no longer one of a teenager. No. They had changed. The once gentle lavender eyes were now glazed over with a malicious amber as he screamed. Howling to the heavens has if there was no tomorrow.
The Kyoto streets rang with this enraged cry...echoing eerily.
Then, he broke into a sprint; he ran as if he had a purpose. His speed, the way his hair thrashed in the air, the amber slits called eyes, how his stride never faltered as if exhaustion was a foreign concept…everything thing about him was inhuman. Citizens of Kyoto hurriedly jumped out of this crazed man's way as he ran unmercifully…pushing and shoving; clawing and kicking. Many citizens yelled obscenities at him, but nothing could penetrate his hardcore of hysteria.
Seconds become minutes as he finally came to an abrupt stop at the docks of Lake Biwa. Little did he know that with his act of desperate rage…a dark-haired man, about his age, had seen him sprinting down Kyoto and had followed him.
"Kenshin! Stop! What're you doing?!" The dark-haired man yelled.
Kenshin ignored him. He stood like a rock, immovable…solid. His head still hung low, back towards the brunette. Not once did he dare lift his eyes.
"Kenshin…" the man started, as he began to approach him, "What happened? I've never seen you like---"
"Like what?" Kenshin finally hissed. Spitting the words out harshly.
The man sighed…"Kenshin…What happened? You were fine yesterday…What caused you to act the way you did?"
"Like WHAT way?" He spat again.
"Kenshin…please don't start--"
"START WHAT?!" Kenshin whirled around and glared evilly into the eyes of the man before him.
"What Sano? What did I start? What was I like? WHAT did I do? Is this a game of Jeopardy to you? A game you think you know all the answers too? WELL GUESS WHAT SANO!! YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS TO THIS GAME!" Kenshin grabbed the nearest piece of old plywood that lay on the dock and charged at Sano.
"YOU THINK YOU KNOW? YOU REALLY THINK YOU KNOW?!" He swung the wood at Sano's head, only to have him grab it with both arms and twist it around…sending Kenshin's arm to twist harshly behind his back. Kenshin screamed as pain seared up his arm and swung a punch at Sano with his other fist…only to have Sano block it away and shove him down.
"I dunno what's gotten into you Kenshin," Sano panted as he pounced onto Kenshin's stomach, slamming the smaller man's wrists against the damp dock, "But you've sure let your emotions get the best of your fighting skills."
Kenshin thrashed and screamed as he tried to get out of his friend's grasp.
"GET OFF OF ME YOU MOTHER FUCKING---"
"It's no use…I've got the upper hand now!! So unless you want me to knock some sense into you, I suggest that you calm down!" Sano yelled over the insults Kenshin screamed.
Kenshin just glared…and ignoring Sano's threat, he spat in Sano's face.
Sano's face drained of all color, as pure shock was clearly evident. He had had enough and, unable to control his own temper, he punched Kenshin across his face.
The smaller man stopped struggling immediately. Sano watched Kenshin as he stubbornly kept his face to the side, tears trickling down his swollen cheek.
Sano couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy…even if he didn't know what caused this crazed behavior. He sighed and loosened his grip on Kenshin's soldiers.
"Look at me."
Kenshin stubbornly ignored his request.
"Look at me!" His voice rose.
Inhaling deeply, Kenshin reluctantly brought his eyes up to meet that of his friend's.
Sano smiled; for what he saw pleased him. Kenshin no longer had the dark menacing amber eyes he had moments ago…they were now a vulnerable and desperate lavender, as tears continued to cascade down the side of his face.
Realizing his open display of emotion, the troubled teen once again snapped his head to the side to avoid eye contact…trying to hold onto what was left of his dignity. His breathing, though still ragged, had calmed down.
Sano smiled, and cautiously got off of his friend.
The young redhead pulled himself into a sitting position, ignoring the sharp pain in his arm.
"Now…after that little incident, don't you think I deserve to know what the hell happened?"
Kenshin scoffed and got up.
Deciding not to press the topic any longer…Sano waited for a response.
Seconds ticked by and still…nothing.
Then, as if remembering something important, Kenshin reached into his coat pocket, taking out a minute object. He looked at the ring that lay in his palm and muttered something.
"It should've been me…" Unable to stand the sight of the object any longer, he clenched it tightly in his fist…sending chills down his spine as it dug into his hand.
"IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!"
He turned sharply toward the large body of water and grunted as he threw the ring as hard as he could…sending it flying through the air. Sano watched as the glistening small object landed in the water with a small 'plop'.
Sano knew what that object was…
'Kaoru's engagement ring…'
Kenshin then sunk to his knees…and hunched over in pain…hoping his tears would wash them away.
************
I woke with a start…drenched in sweat; my back sticking grossly to the bed sheets. The dream, or nightmare, had seemed so real. The screams…the blood…the insanity…the pain…the Kyoto streets…the paramedics… everything seemed like a Déjà vu. As if reliving a lost memory as an observer……as part of the crowd.
With the fresh thought engraved in my mind, I got lost in my confusion and forgot I was in the hotel. I jerked up into a sitting position, panicking, looking at my surroundings…making sure I was actually in the Tachikawa suite. I scanned my frantic eyes over my room, I found that everything the night before was still in its rightful spot; the couch, the TV…everything. Completely untouched and undisturbed.
I flung myself back against my pillow, sighing.
"I can't fucking wait till these two weeks are over." I mumbled to myself.
It was my second day back in Japan, and I've already hallucinated, had an emotion outburst, and a disturbing nightmare. Could my 'vacation' get any better?
I grunted.
Of course it would, it always does.
I was about to bring the blankets over my head in an attempt to go back into a more peaceful slumber, when I noticed the morning's sunlight seeping through the window's curtains.
What the…?
I looked over at the digital clock on the bedside table. It was 7:23AM.
"Oh shit...!"
This was the PERFECT morning. I haven't even bought my train or plane tickets and I still had to talk to Soujiro!
I grabbed the digital clock and pulled it roughly so that the wire connecting it to the wall snapped; apparently my alarm hadn't gone off.
"I should've asked for the morning wake-up call."
Hurriedly, I jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom…turning on the shower.
**************
Soujiro had gotten another call from the cemetery the other night saying there was, once again, more strange activity. Only this time, Daisuke Nagasuko (the owner of the cemetery) had said the music was reported to be less desperate…almost calming. And the markings had changed…into legible words.
Soujiro had to investigate this sudden change in the 'phenomenon' as soon as possible. So, first thing in the morning, he got dressed and left ASAP.
Little did he know a special redheaded friend of his had wanted to meet up with him that morning. Considering how Kenshin blew up the night before…who could blame Soujiro for thinking the last person that'd come to this apartment would be Kenshin?
In less than an hour, Soujiro had arrived at the cemetery.
"Ohayou Gozaimasu Seta-san! It's so nice of you to come at such short notice!" An elderly man called from the cemetery gates. The man was short, overweight, and bald with a ring of hair around his head and bad attempt at a comb-over. He had a bushy mustache and a very cheery-grin. One could've never guessed someone like him would work at a cemetery, let alone be the rightful owner.
Soujiro smiled, "Ohayou Gozaimasu Nagasuko-san! It was really not a big task for me to do so sir. Any activity around that involves what I've been observing would be gladly looked into."
The cemetery was only a small section in the large land owned by the Nagasuko family. Although the well-kept and well-groomed cemetery, and crematory made the property famous, it was the large temple located in the middle that truly showed the dedication Mr. Nagasuko and his family has toward living a life of spirituality. The temple was painted a beautiful pearly white along with well polished navy blue roof tiles; thus proving how well kept this place was.
Having such a large piece of land in Japan was worth a lot more than the spiritual landmarks Nagasuko had; but…predictably, over the years, Nagasuko turned down many offers to buy the land by large companies such as Ghibli Inc.*.
"Thank you Seta-san, but please do excuse me for interrupting your Sunday morning."
"Oh don't worry about it Nagasuko-san, it's really quite ---" But before he could finish, a young boy, no more than 12, came frantically running.
"Nagasuko-san!! Nagasuko-san!!"
"What is it Yahiko? Is something the matter?" Concern was clearly evident on the old man's face.
The young boy stumbled over his own feet as he clumsily, but quickly, found his way towards where Soujiro and Nagasuko stood. Yahiko panted harshly as he tried to regain himself.
"Sir… the…the grave," he gasped, "The grave of Miss Kamiya…. It…"
The eyes of Soujiro widened…. Something had happened, and noticing how distressed Soujiro was, Nagasuko pressed the boy to tell more.
"What happened Yahiko? Tell us what happened!"
Yahiko swallowed. "I was…I…" Hesitation over came the young boy as he stuttered. Should he be telling this bit of information in front of this strange man? But after realizing he had already opened his mouth… he knew he had to say it.
"Go on boy, don't leave us hanging. Tell us what happened with Miss Kamiya's grave." Nagasuko gently pressed on.
"I…I was sweeping Miss Kamiya's grave… like you tell me to do everyday sir. And then… then…"
"What Yahiko? WHAT HAPPENED?" Soujiro couldn't stand the anticipation anymore and grabbed the young boy by the shoulders.
"A….a sudden gust of wind hit me and it knocked me over… then… I saw it! I saw writing on her grave and a strange tune seemed to play in my head… it sounded like a lady was speaking to me through a song."
Soujiro's voice dropped down to a mere whisper as his eyes darted across the distressed boy's face, "What'd she say Yahiko? What'd she say to you?"
"She said…." Yahiko paused and looked at Nagasuko, not sure if he should go on. Nagasuko smiled at his hesitation, "Go on son, it's alright… tell him."
"She… she said 'love will conquer all'."
Soujiro's heart stopped as he remembered something…
He stood by his dear friend as he shook uncontrollably in his room in the psychiatric ward.
"She…she said 'I have faith in you… love will find a way to conquer all'…isn't that the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard Soujiro?To have faith in someone like me?"
"Kenshin--"
"No Soujiro… don't try to comfort me…just leave me alone."
"But Kenshin…"
"NO Soujiro! No…let me be!" Unable to find anything else to say or do to comfort his friend, Soujiro quietly left the room.
Soujiro shoved Yahiko out of the way as he hastily ran toward the graveyard.
"SETA-SAN?!" Nagasuko called out to see what was the matter…but to no avail. Instead, the elderly man made his way to the young boy.
"Are you alright son?"
Still dumbfounded by the strange man's actions, all Yahiko could say was… " Y-yes sir…but…is HE?"
Nagasuko gently hoisted the boy up from his position on the dirt ground and sighed.
"I'm not sure m'son, I've never seen Seta-san that distressed before. But… don't worry boy, you've done well. I'm sure he'll be fine." Yahiko smiled, which of course, the older man returned.
"Now… how about we go get you cleaned up and send you home m'son. You've had quite a day."
"Th….thank you sir."
No more than a few seconds passed before Soujiro made it to the grave. As he brought his eyes over the two simple words engraved on the tombstone, he braced himself.
He opened his mouth to read it aloud…when a soft breeze brushed against his cheek. Then, following, a tune…a soft gentle tune started to play in his head.
Thank you.
Soujiro gasped and turned around to see who had whispered those words.
No one was there.
**********************
I rang the door bell for the second time.
Diiinnng...DONG…
Damn…he's not home. Where the hell could he have gone? He can't be working, it's a Sunday.
I checked my watch.
"8:15! Well... There's no way I'm waiting, I've got a tickets to buy and a plane to catch."
Grabbing my bags and turning around, I sighed to myself.
There's no way in hell I'm going to let anything slow me down…every second counts and I need to make it to the airport in time.
It seemed colder than usual that day as I walked out of the apartment building. It was a wonder how it wasn't snowing… but since I became a native to New York, I couldn't complain.
As my mood started to get worse as the bags' handles began to dig into my palm, making the walk to the subway almost unbearable… I saw a taxi.*
"HEY!! TAXI!! OVER HERE!" Throwing all my pride away, I flailed my arms around in the air…hoping to catch the driver's attention.
Thankfully the guy stopped and pulled over; helping me put the bags into the trunk.
As I got into the passenger seat, the driver turned to me. "Where to mister?"
"Tokyo airport, Terminal D."
"Alright…Terminal D it is."
Sighing, I leaned back into the seat. Although I was relieved I was able to catch a cab, I couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable sitting next to this driver. Therefore, I tried to break the tension by striking a conversation.
"Hey uh…" I looked at the card on the dash-board, "Mr. Watanabe… y'think buying a ticket when I get to the airport will be t'late for me?"
The guy slowly grinned, an evil grin, and turned to me.
"I don't think it'd matter sir, since you won't need any tickets to go to Chito."
I couldn't believe my ears… how did he know about me going to Chito? I don't recall telling him that.
"Wh…what?!"
"Oh don't worry sir, you're safe in my hands…why I'm nothing but the 'messenger' boy in this game of yours."
"Who... WHO ARE YOU?! AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
Ignoring my question, this…Mr. Watanabe cackled, and the locks on the doors slammed down…locking me in.
"That's for me to know… and for you to never to find out."
I tried to unlock the door, but nothing happened. "WHAT THE FUCK YOU CRAZY BASTARD!! LET ME OUT!!"
"Hmm… I see you're going to be a problem… how about shutting up now?"
Unable to respond, I saw his fist going towards my face, harshly making contact.
I was consumed my darkness.
*************************
Ghibli Inc.* – I just had to throw that in there, but if I'm not mistaken, Ghibli is the animation company Mr. Miyazaki has. (Miyazaki made movies such as Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke… and the recent Spirited Away). Haha ^_^
Taxi – Uh… I dunno how the taxi (or transportation in general) works in Japan so just… PRETEND EVERYONE!! ^^; it's a frickin' fanfiction after all. =P
A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS!! As promised… this is my gift to my reviewers!! Sorry this is WAY shorter than usual, but having visitors for the break really cuts down time. Be it as it may… enjoy everyone! Review please!! ~momo~
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