Kyaa Kyaff here!
Disclaimer: Yep…you guessed it. The RK characters aren't mine.
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
Facing Adversity
Chapter 4: Saitoh's words
"Poor Maya. Having to take care of that little brat!"
"Maya, you're so brave and kind."
"The girl resembles the hussy that broke the family up. Now Tomoe, on the other hand, is a charming girl, who takes after you."
A young Kaoru listened to the voices in the other room as they started to praise Tomoe comparing her to Kaoru. Tears formed in her eyes. She was seven-years-old, having moved here after her father's death a year ago. The beautifully dressed women talked haughtily to each other as her new mother smiled and agreed. Kaoru backed away from the room bumping into someone. Turning she saw Tomoe.
Kaoru shoved away from her angrily. Tomoe looked surprised, but did not react in anger as Kaoru had suspected she would. Kaoru had kept her distance from all of them. They all hated her just like her real mother. They all talked about her. She wanted to run away. She wanted her father.
"Why are you crying?" Tomoe asked calmly with her piercingly dark brown eyes.
Kaoru wiped away her tears, "I'm not."
"You are," Tomoe stated softly.
"I don't want to be here! No one loves me! Everybody hates me! I don't want to live anymore!"
Tomoe tilted her head to the side watching the infuriated girl, "Is that so? But I don't hate you."
Kaoru glared at her unbelieving.
"Don't you want to be my friend?"
Kaoru refused to reply to Tomoe's question.
"Why do you care what they say?" Tomoe inquired.
"I don't understand you!" Kaoru cried out trying to push past Tomoe.
Tomoe caught onto her arm and pulled her into a hug.
"I love you," Tomoe said earnestly.
Kaoru eyes widened as tears began to slip from her eyes.
"We are sisters. You can call me onee-chan. I would like it very much if you did."
Kaoru threw her arms around Tomoe with a cry, "Onee-chan!"
----------------------------------------------------
Pain lanced suddenly lanced through Kaoru's body as her eyes snapped open. Tears tracked down her face as she stared at the white ceiling of a hospital room. She felt stiff as she lowered her arms causing more stabbing pain. The events of the night before abruptly attacked her disoriented mind.
"Akira!"
The door opened slowly, startling Kaoru. A vase of flowers appeared first followed by Tomoe. As she walked in she looked up catching Kaoru's gaze. Tomoe's eyes widened as the flowers slipped from her hands.
"Kaoru! Oh god! Kaoru you're awake," Tomoe cried rushing to Kaoru's side the flowers forgotten.
She gently took one of Kaoru's hands in her own.
"How long have I been out?" Kaoru asked.
"Two weeks," Tomoe replied.
"Two weeks!" Kaoru looked frantic, "Tomoe! What about Akira? Is he…?"
Tomoe shook her head dispelling Kaoru's fears, "He's alive."
"He's alive. What do you mean by that?" Kaoru asked her lethargy disappearing in a flash.
"He was shot in the back. It did some damage to his spinal cord. He may be paralyzed from the waist down. They say there is little chance of recovery, but other than that he's fine."
Kaoru tried to take this all in. Her hands drifted down to touch her bandaged sides, then up to her left cheek, which was also bandaged.
"What about Ookubo-san?" Kaoru asked.
"He made it out without a scratch," Tomoe reassured.
"Did they catch any of the attackers?"
"No one," Tomoe replied.
Kaoru tried to move, but Tomoe stopped her.
"Stop. You need to rest. You're injuries are serious," Tomoe reprimanded.
Kaoru lay back down her mind filled with questions and disappointment. She had lost so easily. What good had all her training been? She never took it quite as seriously as she should have.
"I'm going to sleep for a little while," Kaoru said.
"Alright. I'll tell the nurse you've woken up. I'll be back later."
"Okay," Kaoru replied as she watched Tomoe leave.
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Tomoe felt an immense weight lift from her shoulders as she shut the door. She feared Kaoru would never wake up. Tomoe walked over to the nurse currently at the desk.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, Yukishiro-san?"
"Kaoru has woken up," Tomoe informed.
The nurse smiled, "That's wonderful to hear. I'll go in there then. I have to take care of a few things."
Tomoe put a hand to her face suddenly and spoke apologetically, "I…I dropped some flowers on the floor and forgot to pick them up."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
"Thank you," Tomoe said as the nurse went into Kaoru's room.
She stood there for another second before walking to Akira's room. Steeling her expression she put on a smile as she opened the door.
"Tomoe," Akira said in the soft pleasant voice she loved.
"Akira, I'm glad to see you awake. I have some good news. Kaoru woke up," Tomoe said coming over to sit by Akira.
Akira looked relieved, "I knew she would. She's just too stubborn."
Tomoe lifted his hand in hers pressing it to her cheek, "I almost lost you both. I was so scared."
Akira moved his other hand up to cup her cheek, "Gomen nasai."
"No, don't worry about me. Once you start recovering we can start planning the wedding."
Akira's face fell suddenly. Tomoe watched him concerned as he rested his hands back on his lap.
"Akira?"
"What if I don't recover? What if I stay crippled like this? I don't want to be a burden. Tomoe…I don't want you to feel like you have to stay with me," Akira said.
"I want to stay with you," Tomoe replied.
Akira gazed at her beautiful determined face and felt relief. Leaning forward she kissed his lips gently.
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It took a month and a half for Kaoru to recover completely. The doctors said she'd been very lucky with her wounds. They could have been much worse. She had gone home but was still not allowed to work right away. Kaoru became restless and went with Tomoe often to visit Akira. He was going through physical therapy. So far he had made little to no progress, sending him into a state of depression. Tomoe remained strong for the both of them the whole time. Her constant encouragement kept Akira trying. She had to repeatedly calm Kaoru down. Akira struggled physically as Kaoru struggled mentally. All she could think of was how weak she was. She thought of how easily she had been beaten. Kaoru felt like a failure.
Kaoru had started back at her work for about three weeks now. She was given no assignments and spent all day training with her sword. Sometimes she spent the night there. Tomoe was becoming increasingly worried for both of the people she loved. She supported them as best as she could. No one noticed Tomoe's paler and thinner appearance. Her eyes looked a little hollow as well. Akira was beginning to give up, giving Tomoe subtle hints that she didn't have to stay with him. He didn't want to burden her. Tomoe faced this all bravely with an unwavering conviction.
Misao continued to work for Saitoh. Kaoru had not spoken to her and did not wish to confront her. Whatever Misao had been doing there, it wasn't to help that man. It was to stop him. Kaoru rarely saw the girl anyway. Her mind somewhere else.
Kaoru passed Okita early one morning heading for the training room.
"Kamiya-san."
She walked right passed him without a word. It was as if she hadn't even noticed him. Okita frowned as he entered the elevator. Stepping out he went over to Saitoh's office.
"Saitoh-san," Okita said in greeting.
"Okita."
"I am worried about Kamiya-san. She spends all her time training. One night I found her here well past the time everyone should have left. You must speak with her," Okita said.
Saitoh closed his eyes before slowly opening them, "Baka."
Okita tilted his head to the side his face questioning.
"I'll take care of this," Saitoh informed Okita as he stood up.
Okita smiled, "Don't be too rough, Saitoh-san."
"Heh."
It didn't take long for Saitoh to make his way to the training room. Over the three weeks he hadn't spoken much to Kaoru. He kept there practice times. He figured she would work it out of her system. Apparently she wasn't going to the tanuki. He watched her with narrowed eyes as she twisted this way and that. Time to make himself known.
"Tanuki, you didn't even sense my presence?"
Kaoru stopped immediately turning to him, "Saitoh-san!"
Leaving his shoes at the entrance he walked over to her, "What are you doing?"
"I'm practicing."
"You train with me today," Saitoh said.
"You have no weapon."
"I don't need a weapon to beat someone as pathetic as you," Saitoh replied with an arrogant smile.
Kaoru's mouth thinned as she stared at him, not replying.
"Come on," Saitoh urged sliding into a fighting stance.
Kaoru tightened her grip on the shinai seeing Saitoh was serious.
"Well?"
Kaoru dashed forward swinging directly at him with all her strength. He dodged the swing coming to her side easily. She immediately switched directions and struck at him again. She sliced through thin air.
"You're frustrated. It makes you easy to read."
Kaoru ground her teeth together as she pivoted around to see Saitoh standing behind her. He had his hands crossed in a relaxed posture as he watched her. Angry frustrated tears started to form in her eyes. Kaoru lifted her shinai and gave a good swing at him. She was surprised when he caught it in his hand.
"You are weak."
Kaoru's face flushed as she tried to pull her shinai back. He gave a sharp tug catching her off balance. Next thing she knew she was being held in his arms. She tried to pull back, but he wouldn't let go.
Saitoh paused as he held Kaoru before almost reluctantly saying, "It's okay to cry."
She fisted her hand in his shirt as she felt her tears falling, "I failed. I was beaten so easily."
He sighed as he felt the girl tremble, "What was your mission?"
"To protect Ookubo-san."
"Was he hurt?" Saitoh asked sternly looking down at the crown of her head.
"No."
Saitoh placed one hand on her shoulder before grabbing the shinai in her hand and shoving her back. Kaoru took a few surprised steps back trying to regain her balance but ended up falling backward in a heap.
Saitoh pointed the shinai at her, "Did you fail that mission?"
"No."
Saitoh lashed out suddenly causing Kaoru to shut her eyes tight. When she wasn't hit she slowly opened them to find the shinai just a few centimeters from her face.
"You've learned you're not invincible. Good. Now get over it."
Kaoru pushed the shinai out of her face, "All you taught me was worthless against those people!"
Saitoh threw her shinai at her. She caught it quickly.
"Stand up. Worthless? You are still alive, tanuki. It seems to me you learned something, but your training is not complete."
Saitoh walked with ease over to the side and picked up a shinai, taking off his jacket.
"I won't hold back any longer. Come on tanuki. Don't disappoint me."
Saitoh attacked her relentlessly, pointing out her mistakes, never giving her time to recover. He laughed at as he pushed her to her limits. Finally she watched him breathing heavily, sweat covering her brow. Saitoh seemed a little winded as well.
"Never tell me your training was worthless. Now that you are ready to take it seriously, you will come every morning. I won't go easy on you any longer."
Walking over to the shinai rack he placed it back up before grabbing his jacket and slinging it over his shoulder.
"I expect you here tomorrow. No excuses."
Kaoru watched as he left. She didn't understand why, but the despair she had been feeling lifted. His words to her had struck the right spot. She would become stronger. Leaving the training room she decided she would pay a visit to Tomoe and Akira.
Okita smiled as he saw Kaoru leave a smile gracing her face. He looked over at Saitoh, who had a faint hint of a smile on his face as well.
"You got through to her," Okita stated.
Saitoh nodded.
"That's good. She quite skilled and very pleasant to work with," Okita remarked.
"She will take her training seriously from now on," Saitoh replied.
Okita followed Saitoh as he made his way into the elevator.
"She's a stubborn girl," Okita said, "Once she reaches her full potential, she'll be quite good."
Saitoh merely stepped out of the elevator as it stopped and opened. Okita noticed Saitoh was lost in thought and decided to go to his own office for now. Saitoh walked into his office sitting in his chair. He stared at the wall for several seconds before lighting a cigarette. It dangled in his fingers as he opened one of his desk draws pulling out a photo. A woman stood there smiling holding onto Saitoh, a rare smile crossing his face. He ran a thumb along the woman's picture as he brought the cigarette to his lips.
"Tokio…"
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Walking home she felt refreshed. Saitoh had made her see things more clearly and all the fury building up in her had been released. She blushed remembering Saitoh's arms around her, and how she had broken down and started to cry. Saitoh didn't seem the type of person to do such a thing. Course next thing she knew she was being shoved away.
'I was being stupid. I've ignored Tomoe and Akira. What must they think of me?'
Kaoru wasn't watching where she was going, and next thing she knew she bumped into another person.
"Gomen!" Kaoru exclaimed as she stepped around the person.
"Kaoru."
Kaoru stopped and turned to actually look at the man. She blinked a couple of times recognizing the man from the party immediately.
"Ano…"
"It's good to see you again after that terrible night," Kenshin said smoothly.
"Yes."
He stepped closer, "You know I never did get your last name."
"Kamiya," Kaoru replied as her left cheek with the scar began to sting.
"Kamiya Kaoru…a very beautiful name."
"Oi! Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned as Kaoru looked around him to see a tall man with brown hair that seemed to defy gravity coming their way.
"Kenshin…where've you been, man? I've been searching all over for you," the man declared.
"I am busy at the moment Sano," Kenshin replied.
Sano finally noticed Kaoru, "Hi there Jou-chan. Name's Sagara Sanosuke."
"My name is Kamiya Kaoru."
"If you say," Sano replied.
Kenshin frowned, "I'll be there in a moment."
"Alright. I'll be waiting," Sano said passing the two, "See ya later Jou-chan."
Kenshin smiled at her, "Gomen, my friend is rather crude."
"And you are not? You were rather forward at the party."
Kenshin's smile brightened, "I was forward? I remember being kissed quite unexpectedly by a beautiful woman whose last name she wouldn't tell me."
Kaoru felt her face heat up, "It was an impulse. Don't think you're special."
A silence followed her words before he spoke up, "You're bleeding."
Kaoru's hand came up to her cheek. The scar slashed across her face from the night of the attack was bleeding as if she had just been cut. It shouldn't be.
"Here," Kenshin said handing her a cloth.
"No, I couldn't," Kaoru replied.
"I don't need it."
She took it reluctantly and pressed it to her cheek, "Thank you, but I must get going."
"Meet me here tomorrow?"
Kaoru thought it over before replying, "Why should I?"
"So we can get to know each other better."
"What if I don't want to get to know you better?" Kaoru countered, knowing she wanted to come see him tomorrow.
"I'll be waiting here around four."
"I might decide to show up if you're lucky," Kaoru said.
"I'll wait the whole day then."
Kaoru gave him an incredulous look before turning and continuing on her way. Kenshin's eyes followed Kaoru the whole time until he could no longer see her. Sighing he started to make his way to Sano.
*What is it about her that fascinates me?*
Kenshin walked up to Sano's car and got in.
"That's the girl that shot me that night, isn't it? The one you saved from Seta."
"Yeah. What of it?" Kenshin replied.
"Oh nothing. Just wondering."
"What did you find out?" Kenshin asked.
Sano turned the car on and pulled out, "Something really interesting about your Jou-chan."
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Kaoru entered the house putting her things down.
"Onee-san…I'm home."
Kaoru frowned when she got no reply.
"Akira."
Still nothing. Kaoru went into the kitchen, the study, then finally Tomoe's room. That was where she found her.
"Tomoe!" Kaoru cried out alarmed.
She was lying in her bed wrapped in a blanket, staring blankly at the wall. Her eyes looked hollow and had deep dark bags under them. Her face looked thinner as well. Kaoru rushed to her side and kneeled down.
"Tomoe! What is it? What's wrong?"
"Kaoru…" Tomoe said faintly
"Yes, I'm right here," Kaoru said holding Tomoe's hand in hers.
It was cold and felt lifeless. Kaoru was really worried now.
Tomoe smiled dimly, "Akira decided to break off our engagement."
"What?!"
"I tried to change his mind, but…" Tomoe drifted off as she began to cry.
'What the hell is Akira thinking?'
"Tomoe…I'm sure he's not thinking right. Why don't I go talk to him?" Kaoru said smoothing Tomoe's hair out of her face.
"No…he's been saying it for weeks now. He finally went through with it. I'm okay. Don't worry about me. You look in a better mood. I was very worried about you," Tomoe replied putting on a brave face as she changed the subject.
'I'm so selfish. I was so wrapped in my own self-pity that I didn't see Tomoe was suffering. She is always there to help me, never complaining. Never letting anyone see her vulnerable side.'
"I'm fine now. You should take care of yourself, you know," Kaoru said wiping away a tear that was trekking its way down Tomoe's cheek.
"I'm going to rest for a little while then I'll make some dinner for you."
"No, how about I make dinner…or buy some…why don't we go out later? Just you and me. It's been awhile," Kaoru suggested.
"That sounds nice."
"You get some rest…I'll be back," Kaoru ordered as she stood up.
"Alright."
As Kaoru opened the door she paused, "I love you nee-san."
"Love you too."
Kaoru shut the door fuming. She was going to talk to Akira and get some things straight, "Baka, you don't think you're going to get off that easy."
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Hiya! No way…I couldn't kill Akira off…but I think Kaoru is tempted to. Well anyway…hope to hear from everyone. Tell me what you thought!
On to the individual thanks…
Sujakata- Love you too! In the same non-sexual manner…lol! Glad to hear your enjoying it! Thanks for the encouragement. Can't wait to hear from you again.
Jason M. Lee- No! I couldn't possible kill Akira off. Just wanted everyone to think so! Thanks for the added info…might need that later on. Til next time.
Shizuka- Sorry bout the cliffhanger…Kenshin will be back in the next chapter! Glad you liked the fight scene! Hope to hear from you again!
Kriska- Always a pleasure hearing from you! Thanks for all the support! No, I couldn't kill Akira off, but he's being a baka at the moment…Kaoru is going to have to straighten him out. *o*
Val- Sorry for the evil cliffhanger! Yep it was Seta! *hands Val a homemade cookie* there's the prize! Enjoy!
Random Reader- Thank you! You are very sweet. Good luck to you as well. Hope to hear from you again!
Sarah- Hiya! Nice hearing from you. I tried to make Akira and Kaoru the kind of friends who like to tease each other to no end! I'm glad you like it! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter.
H.E.R.- *o*!!! ^_^ I'm glad you like my story! I hope you stay with it so I can hear from you again!
Omochi- No way! I wouldn't kill Akira off. He's not getting off that easy *sweat drops* that didn't sound right…anyway thanks for all the support…I look forward to hearing from you again.
Chibi-ken14- Persistence is the key…??? Hmm…never mind. But anyway great hearing from you. Glad to know you like this story too!!! ^o^
AaarikaaA- Thanks for the review! ^_^ yeah I know it would sound better that way, but it was dialogue and some people would say blah and me ….and so on. All constructive criticism is welcome!!!
Kamimura Kaoru- Hey girl!!! Nope it was Kenshin at the end saving Kaoru…if that's what you are talking about! Anyway it was nice hearing from you! Love your stories! Update soon!
MP- Nope! Akira is alive and being a baka! But anyway thanks for the motivation! Hope to hear from you again!
Lina- Thanks for the encouragement. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Chibi-hime- Seta said his orders are his own. Kenshin was saying Ookubo was never you're target…did that help any…Akira's alive! But not for long once Kaoru gets a hold of him!!! ^o^ Thanks for the encouragement, it is vastly appreciated.
Jim- Butthead!!! *whacks Jim on the head with a bokken, then walks away dusting her hands off* maybe that'll make you think twice before calling me butthead…^_~
Redroseprincess678- Hope you liked the chapter! No prob with the pics! Hope to hear from you again!!! Until then!
Kyaa Kyaff saying love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!