Disclaimer- I don't own Rurouni Kenshin
Chapter 7
*Ding Dong* the doorbell rung as Kaoru was putting away the dishes *Ding Dong* it rang again when Kaoru didn't answer. "Dr. Genzai," she called, "can you get that?" Dr. Genzai smiled and walked over to the door and opened it and Kaoru went back to work.
"Hello there," he greeted, "may I help you?"
"Yes we're looking for Kaoru," someone said.
"Yes come right on in," Dr. Genzai let them in and pointed to where Kaoru was, "she's right in there."
"Great," they said, "thanks."
"Hey!" Misao cried making Kaoru jump.
"What the?" Kaoru cried trying to slow her heart down, "Misao, Tomoe, Tae, Megumi, what are you doing here?"
Tomoe held up a bag "this is for you."
"Ummmm," Kaoru took the bag and opened it up.
"Well?" Tae asked.
Kaoru was frozen in shock as she looked at the present in her hands. "Kaoru what is it?" Dr. Genzai asked as he walked in with Ayame and Suzume at his side.
Kaoru then screamed with joy "where did you? How did you?" she cried.
"What is it?" Ayame asked.
"Look," Kaoru said holding up the kimono that she had seen in the store at the mall.
"We knew that you wanted it and when we found out that you didn't have a kimono we all decided to put our money together and buy it for you" Tomoe said with a smile.
"Oh thank-you so much" Kaoru cried, she was on the brink of tears as she continuously thanked her friends over and over again.
"See now you can go to the festival!" Misao cried happily.
"You're right!" Kaoru cried with a smile, "I can."
"Well I guess we'll see you then" said Megumi.
"Yes we're all going to meet at the Himura's around 3:00 and then go to the festival," Misao said, "see you there!" they all waved goodbye as they left the Genzai's home.
"I'm glad you have such good friends," Dr. Genzai said with a smile.
"Me too," Kaoru said, "me too." With that Kaoru ran upstairs as fast as lightning and put her kimono on the bed. Kaoru then changed into her practice gi and ran off to the backyard where she was going to do some practice. After Kaoru took her breaths and did 500 swings she began to swing around her sword. "This would work so much better if I had someone to spar with" Kaoru said. "That's it!" she cried after awhile, "tomorrow I'll get up early and go for a run looking for a dojo I can practice at." Kaoru smiled at her smart idea and went inside.
"Dr. Genzai must've put Ayame and Suzume to bed," Kaoru said when she realized how empty and quite it was, "might as well make some tea." Kaoru knew she wasn't the best cook in the world but she could make tea. So as Kaoru was pouring it into cups for herself and Dr. Genzai he entered the room with a smile. 'How can he smile so much?' Kaoru thought to herself as she handed him a cup.
"Arigato" he said as he took a seat on one of the stools.
"Dou-ishimashite" Kaoru said taking a seat herself. Kaoru suddenly remembered the promise she had made herself and realized that it was now or never. "Dr. Genzai let me start over," Dr. Genzai looked at her with a confused face, "I mean from earlier, 'ya know last time we talked over tea like this."
Dr. Genzai looked at her for a moment before he realized what she was taking about. "I remember," he said.
"Right," Kaoru said with a sigh, "so I'm ready to say it again."
"Alright Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said, "go on."
Kaoru sighed before she began. "Mom died when I was young and Yahiko was just a baby, Dad came home drunk every night and would abuse us till our blood was all over the floor and we could barely talk." Kaoru closed her eyes and sighed before continuing, "slowly our taxes increased and since our Dad had been fired from his job and our money amount decreased every moment until we were kicked out of our home and had to move into an old run down wooden house. I had to get a part-time job since school obviously wasn't free and also to buy money for food and payment for our taxes. My wages were low but just enough to keep us going, every night was the same though come home be abused go to work go home and be abused again."
Every moment flashed through Kaoru's mind and tears began to fall from her eyes, "finally one day it happened...I did the usual routine, pick up Yahiko and walk home hoping that maybe by slim chance father didn't go out and get drunk today. We got home and he opened the door for us holding out his hand he said that there was a guest and that he wanted to introduce us, however Yahiko may have been ten but still immature trusted him and reached out his hand to take our fathers. I on the other had noticed the smell of sake on his breath and tried to warn Yahiko but unfortunately it was to late. Father grabbed him and threw him inside then he grabbed me and threw me inside too slamming the door shut. He began to hurt Yahiko so I grabbed him and ran into the practice hall."
Kaoru looked around, "he followed us and I grabbed a bokken and we began to fight, I told Yahiko to run and get help as father and I attacked each other. Yahiko did as he was told and returned later with the cops and some medics. I had been badly injured by father and he was taken away from the police as I fell unconscious. I woke up later in a hospital bed and after a long talk I found out that if I didn't get enough exercise in a month then I would either be paralyzed for life or even die." Kaoru looked at the ground before looking up into Dr. Genzai's shocked face "I couldn't walk so every night I would get up and try to walk on my own, finally after three long days I was finally able to walk again. I decided to leave Kyoto and come here to Tokyo where you lived. I left Yahiko alone because I knew he would be safe with his friend. He after all unlike me had a life in Kyoto and I didn't want to take that away from him, so after I wrote a note I went and said a good-bye to him while he was asleep I left. Well and here I am."
Kaoru's eyes were filled with tears; all those memories of her life came back to her. The entire one's that she had tried to get away from.
"Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said, "I never knew."
Kaoru sighed and realized that her tea was gone so she put the cup down and excused herself running upstairs into her room quietly closing the door behind her. Kaoru sighed and leaned against the door slowly sliding down it until she was on the floor, she didn't want to move from that spot at the moment. She didn't have the strength to go to her bed so she just lay down on her side and closed her eyes, her stomach was burning with pain and she held it but eventually she fell asleep into a heartbreaking nightmare.
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru looked around, she was in a wheat field and she was wearing a kimono, not the kimono she had gotten from her friends but an aqua kimono with a pink obi on it. She was alone only the wind was making noise; "Kaoru" came a voice. Kaoru turned around and saw Yahiko.
"Yahiko!" she cried and ran towards him, however a big crack in the earth separated them.
"Kaoru," Yahiko said, "you said good-bye to me, and I know you left me for good intensions and I thank-you for that." Kaoru looked at him and watched him turn around, "I'm glad that you're okay Kaoru, however you forgot about me so now it is time we say our good-byes and part forever."
"Yahiko," Kaoru said as tears formed in her eyes.
"So Kaoru," Yahiko said, "good-bye." Yahiko then walked away.
"Yahiko," Kaoru said, "Yahiko!" Kaoru cried and ran towards him jumping in hopes of going over the pit. "Yahiko!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru cried as she fell down the pit.
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru's eyes shot open and she looked around her room, she sat up and held her head "Yahiko," she whispered.
"Kaoru," came a voice as someone knocked on the door, "are you awake?" Kaoru got up and opened the door to see Dr. Genzai standing there.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked him.
"Well I just though that maybe you wanted to go stretch out before you go to the Himura estate," he told her.
Kaoru sighed and nodded with an "mmmhhhmm" sound. Kaoru sighed and closed the door behind her grabbing her clothes she walked out of the room and into the bathroom. Where she turned on the water and after awhile finally turned it on and slipped into the bath, "I don't think that I'd ever be able to live in a time where there was never a hot bath. Kaoru sighed and looked around "okay," Kaoru said before taking a big deep breath of air and diving under the water. After awhile she emerged and heard a knock on the door "yes?" she asked.
"Kaoru don't stay in there to long," Dr. Genzai said.
"Okay" Kaoru said. When she heard Dr. Genzai's foot prints fade away she sighed, "fat chance, my hair is dry and I smell like rotten cheese." So she got her things and washed away, "this feels sooooooo good" she said with a smile. Finally after she decided it was enough she got out of the bath and shivered, grabbing her towel she threw it on and warmed herself as she took the water plug out and let the water drain. She dried off and with her towel on and her dirty clothes in hand walked out of the bathroom, she threw her dirty clothes to the side and took her kimono in hand.
She decided that it was better to hold off on the search since 1. she had already taken a bath and 2. by the time she figured out how to get this kimono on it would probably be time to leave for the Himura's estate. Slowly Kaoru got ready step-by-step and accident-by-accident she was finally able to get her kimono on. Her hair was placed up with her favorite blue ribbon in a high ponytail, picking up her geta Kaoru walked downstairs.
"Wow" Ayame said.
"Wow," Suzume repeated as they saw Kaoru walk down the stairs.
"You really like it?" Kaoru asked as she twirled around. Kaoru smiled and looked at them all Dr. Genzai looked at her with a smile, "you really do have your mothers grace" Dr. Genzai told Kaoru.
"Really?" Kaoru asked and Dr. Genzai nodded, "arigato."
"It's getting late," Dr. Genzai, said, "I'll drive you down there after lunch."
"Alright" Kaoru said with a smile. So Dr. Genzai cooked and they all ate and then hopped into the car. Ayame and Suzume were both in their own kimonos and were laughing excitedly.
"Here you go Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said as he dropped off Kaoru in front off the estate where everyone was waiting, "we'll see you later."
"Bye!" Suzume and Ayame said together before Dr. Genzai drove off and Kaoru walked over to everyone.
"Now what?" Kaoru asked when she saw everyone. There was Misao, Tomoe, Aoshi, Soujiro, Tae, Sano, and Megumi all dressed up.
"We have to go get Kenshin," Sano said.
"Should I have brought some type of gift or something?" Kaoru asked when she saw the estate.
"Just relax" Aoshi said
"Let's go" Tomoe said so they all walked up to the big doors.
"Hello?" asked a maid when she opened the door.
"We're here for Kenshin" Sano said.
"Come right on in," the maid said stepping aside so they could all come in.
"They are here Master Himura!" called the maid.
"Do you have to yell Yukina?" asked a man coming out of a room.
Kaoru gasped and said "Mr. Hiko" she bowed.
"Do I know you?" Hiko asked before recognizing Kaoru as the girl he had met on the plane. "Oh yes it's you," he said, "I see you've come with the rest of these low lives to get Kenshin."
"Hai" Kaoru said.
"I'm right here" Kenshin appeared and Kaoru smiled. Kenshin was wearing a white a maroon kimono"
"Yo" Sano said.
"Yo," Kenshin said, "let's get out of here."
So everyone departed and Kaoru turned around to see Hiko standing there, his face filled with emptiness, Tae grabbed her arm and pulled her out.
Let's go" Megumi said, and began to walk off.
"Hey Megumi!" Kaoru cried and they all ran to catch up with her. They all walked in silence as they passed everyone in the streets on their way towards the beach. Kaoru sighed once they got there. It was almost like a dream, Kaoru couldn't wait until night.
"Okay here's the plan" Kenshin said catching everyone's attention.
"Huh?" Misao asked, "what plan?"
"Misao you and Aoshi can hang out, Megumi you go with Sano" Sano and Megumi looked at each other for a minute before Megumi opened her sensu and used it to cover up Sano's face.
"Please tell me why I would want to hang around with this baka all day?" Megumi asked.
"Baka huh?" Sano said, "I totally agree why would anyone want to hangout with this snotty wannabe?"
"Snotty wannabe?!" Megumi cried pulling down her sensu and glaring at Sano.
"That's what I said" Sano yelled as the two began to fight.
"Anyway," Kenshin said, "Tae and Soujiro you two can hang out and Tomoe and I will go off," Kenshin said and smiled.
"Hey what about me?" Kaoru asked realizing that she was the only one left.
"You?" Kenshin said, "well I guess you can go hang out with those people that dropped you off earlier." Kenshin said, "we'll all meet up here just before the fireworks."
Everyone agreed and separated "hey...wait a sec!" Kaoru called. She was alone again, she fell on her knees and everything turned white 'I really am different from everyone else aren't I?" she thought as the outlines of people walked past her. 'I really am alone, friendless, loveless, could Yahiko still love me too or did he stop and forget all about me?' Kaoru began to cry but she shook her head and stood up. "No," she said, "I will be strong, I will no longer be afraid." Kaoru smiled and then marched off to check out the stands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenshin & Tomoe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come one come all!" a man cried, "hey my boy want to try your luck and win a prize for your girlfriend there?" Kenshin and Tomoe looked at each other for a moment before Kenshin asked, "what do I do?"
"That's the spirit my boy all you have to do is hit the target and you win the prize my boy any prize you want so you want to try?" the man asked.
"All right" Kenshin said and took the ball that the man held out.
"Ready, Set, Go!" the man cried and ball appeared and began to shot around.
Kenshin looked around and around, his eyes followed the ball until finally he threw it and knocked the ball off the stand. "Ding ding ding!" the man cried, "we have a winner here people, so what are you gonna get boy?"
Kenshin looked around at all the prizes "what do you want?" he asked Tomoe.
"How about that" Tomoe said and pointed towards a small pink fluffy bunny that was, light green.
Kenshin nodded and pointed towards the bunny, which the man got and handed him, "arigato" Kenshin said before turning and handing it over to Tomoe who smiled and thanked Kenshin.
"Domo-arigato Kenshin" Tomoe said and hugged it.
"Ah it was no prob." Kenshin said rubbing the back of his neck and laughing. "Let's go check out some more things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sano & Megumi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sano and Megumi were sitting at a table eating some noodles "could you eat any faster?" Megumi said when she realized everyone was staring at them.
"Yeah I could" Sano said not noticing the sarcasm in Megumi's voice. "You gonna eat the rest of those noodles?" Sano asked using his chopsticks to point to the noodles.
"Yes I'm going to eat the noodles!" Megumi cried, "you're such a pig."
"You shouldn't be the one to talk" Sano said as he ordered another cup of noodles.
"Damn why did I get stuck being paired up with you?" Megumi asked, "why not Soujiro? Or even Aoshi would do better that you."
"You just wait and see fox," Sano said, "you'll have fun tonight I'll assure you that."
Megumi sighed "whatever Rooster" and went back to eating her noodles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Soujiro & Tae ~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm going to get you this time" Soujiro said as he and Tae paid for yet another game. So far Tae had beaten Soujiro at everything but this time he was sure he would win.
"Give it a rest Soujiro" Tae said.
"Not until I beat you" Soujiro said and they began to shot the water at the target.
Tae sighed and thought about losing purposely for Soujiro's sake but that wouldn't be any fun. Soon she realized that Soujiro's target was even with hers. "Oh my" Tae said as the ending came closer and closer until there came a ring sound.
"And our winner here is the amazing smiling boy!" the guy said handing him a plush toy that Soujiro gave to Tae.
"Are you happy now?" Tae asked him.
"Of course I am," Soujiro, said, "I finally beat you at something."
Tae sighed and the two walked on Soujiro smiling at her side. "Let's go check out that!" Tae cried pointing at something but through the crowd Soujiro couldn't see anything so he just let Tae take his hand and drag him through the sea of people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aoshi & Misao ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Misao and Aoshi walked along "don't you want to do something Aoshi?" Misao thought, "we haven't done anything at all" Aoshi looked at Misao.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Let's go catch a goldfish!" Misao said.
"A goldfish?" Aoshi said in a bored tone however when he saw Misao's pleading face he sighed and they walked towards the goldfish catching stand.
"Here you go sir" said a girl handing Aoshi two nets to catch the fish in.
Aoshi felt very stupid doing this but remembered how sad Misao had looked so he put the net in and caught a gold fish. He smiled and it was put in a bag (with water) and he gave the bag to Misao. "There you go" Aoshi said.
Misao smiled and her eyes sparkled as she took the plastic bag from him. Misao looked at it for a minute "there something wrong?" Aoshi asked Misao.
"I'm going to name him Aoshi!" Misao cried, "after the man the caught him for me!"
"You're going name a fish after me?!" Aoshi yelled.
Misao nodded and said "yep."
"A fish," Aoshi said, "of all things to name after me she decided to use a fish!" Aoshi felt so angry and embarrassed yet at the same time a sliver of happiness was there.
Misao then started on again "wait!" Aoshi cried making Misao stop.
"Aoshi?" Misao asked, "is there something wrong?"
"I just wanted to ask you...if you wanted to go grab some fish and noodles?"
Misao smiled "did you hear that Aoshi (fish)" Misao said, "Aoshi wants to go eat with us."
"Why a fish?" Aoshi asked with a sigh, however he walked on with Misao at his side and Aoshi the fish in her hand.
~~~~~~ Kaoru ~~~~~~
Kaoru sighed and looked around "let's see what to do?" Kaoru said and put her finger to her lip in thought. "I'll go eat!" she said happily and went to the rice stand.
"So you really think that she's here?" asked a man.
Kaoru looked at them through the corner of her eye as she ate her rice. "I have a strong feeling that she is here," said another guy, "this time we'll get here."
'I wonder what they're talking about,' Kaoru thought, 'and what do they mean by this time we'll get her?' Kaoru watched the men shake hands and get up. They put some yen on the table and walked away.
"Is every thing ready?" the tallest man asked.
"Everything's set and ready to go," said his partner.
Kaoru who was too curious to hold back put some of her own yen down and followed them. The men walked towards a truck and opened the trunk "here 'ya go Sakura" the man said handing something to Sakura.
"Arigato Genji" she said in reply.
"What are they holding?" Kaoru said as she hid behind a stand.
"Let's go," Sakura said and the two walked off Kaoru right behind them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenshin & Tomoe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tomoe are sure this is the right way?" Kenshin asked.
"Of course I'm sure Kenshin" Tomoe said as she pulled Kenshin along.
"Stop!" came a voice making everyone stop and look. There stood two figures in the dark, a man and a woman holding out two guns, which were pointed straight at Tomoe.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kenshin asked.
"Oh no" Tomoe said and took a step back.
"Freeze you witch" Sakura said and the guns clicked.
"You've had your fun and now it's over" Genji said.
"Tomoe who are these people?" Kenshin asked.
"Kenshin," Tomoe said, "run!"
Kenshin looked at her but she began to run and he followed. "We said stop!" Sakura cried and pulled the trigger. The bullet shot straight towards Tomoe who ran and ran.
"No!!!!" Kaoru cried out as the bullet shot Tomoe down.
"Tomoe!" Kenshin cried out and he kneeled next to Tomoe.
"Kenshin," Tomoe whispered, "never forget me and never tell anyone these words."
"Tomoe wait," Kenshin said, "don't worry."
"The key is in the raven haired girl" Tomoe said before her eyes closed and she fell limp.
"Tomoe!!!!!!!" Kenshin cried and with a great rage he turned to face Sakura and Genji his eyes the color of amber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy day! I finally posted chapter 7! Hey my readers sorry it's been so long and also to those who have read before now I just wanted to say that I changed the one week to a month. Just to clear that up for you so ai 'ya all. And don't forget to Review!
Chapter 7
*Ding Dong* the doorbell rung as Kaoru was putting away the dishes *Ding Dong* it rang again when Kaoru didn't answer. "Dr. Genzai," she called, "can you get that?" Dr. Genzai smiled and walked over to the door and opened it and Kaoru went back to work.
"Hello there," he greeted, "may I help you?"
"Yes we're looking for Kaoru," someone said.
"Yes come right on in," Dr. Genzai let them in and pointed to where Kaoru was, "she's right in there."
"Great," they said, "thanks."
"Hey!" Misao cried making Kaoru jump.
"What the?" Kaoru cried trying to slow her heart down, "Misao, Tomoe, Tae, Megumi, what are you doing here?"
Tomoe held up a bag "this is for you."
"Ummmm," Kaoru took the bag and opened it up.
"Well?" Tae asked.
Kaoru was frozen in shock as she looked at the present in her hands. "Kaoru what is it?" Dr. Genzai asked as he walked in with Ayame and Suzume at his side.
Kaoru then screamed with joy "where did you? How did you?" she cried.
"What is it?" Ayame asked.
"Look," Kaoru said holding up the kimono that she had seen in the store at the mall.
"We knew that you wanted it and when we found out that you didn't have a kimono we all decided to put our money together and buy it for you" Tomoe said with a smile.
"Oh thank-you so much" Kaoru cried, she was on the brink of tears as she continuously thanked her friends over and over again.
"See now you can go to the festival!" Misao cried happily.
"You're right!" Kaoru cried with a smile, "I can."
"Well I guess we'll see you then" said Megumi.
"Yes we're all going to meet at the Himura's around 3:00 and then go to the festival," Misao said, "see you there!" they all waved goodbye as they left the Genzai's home.
"I'm glad you have such good friends," Dr. Genzai said with a smile.
"Me too," Kaoru said, "me too." With that Kaoru ran upstairs as fast as lightning and put her kimono on the bed. Kaoru then changed into her practice gi and ran off to the backyard where she was going to do some practice. After Kaoru took her breaths and did 500 swings she began to swing around her sword. "This would work so much better if I had someone to spar with" Kaoru said. "That's it!" she cried after awhile, "tomorrow I'll get up early and go for a run looking for a dojo I can practice at." Kaoru smiled at her smart idea and went inside.
"Dr. Genzai must've put Ayame and Suzume to bed," Kaoru said when she realized how empty and quite it was, "might as well make some tea." Kaoru knew she wasn't the best cook in the world but she could make tea. So as Kaoru was pouring it into cups for herself and Dr. Genzai he entered the room with a smile. 'How can he smile so much?' Kaoru thought to herself as she handed him a cup.
"Arigato" he said as he took a seat on one of the stools.
"Dou-ishimashite" Kaoru said taking a seat herself. Kaoru suddenly remembered the promise she had made herself and realized that it was now or never. "Dr. Genzai let me start over," Dr. Genzai looked at her with a confused face, "I mean from earlier, 'ya know last time we talked over tea like this."
Dr. Genzai looked at her for a moment before he realized what she was taking about. "I remember," he said.
"Right," Kaoru said with a sigh, "so I'm ready to say it again."
"Alright Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said, "go on."
Kaoru sighed before she began. "Mom died when I was young and Yahiko was just a baby, Dad came home drunk every night and would abuse us till our blood was all over the floor and we could barely talk." Kaoru closed her eyes and sighed before continuing, "slowly our taxes increased and since our Dad had been fired from his job and our money amount decreased every moment until we were kicked out of our home and had to move into an old run down wooden house. I had to get a part-time job since school obviously wasn't free and also to buy money for food and payment for our taxes. My wages were low but just enough to keep us going, every night was the same though come home be abused go to work go home and be abused again."
Every moment flashed through Kaoru's mind and tears began to fall from her eyes, "finally one day it happened...I did the usual routine, pick up Yahiko and walk home hoping that maybe by slim chance father didn't go out and get drunk today. We got home and he opened the door for us holding out his hand he said that there was a guest and that he wanted to introduce us, however Yahiko may have been ten but still immature trusted him and reached out his hand to take our fathers. I on the other had noticed the smell of sake on his breath and tried to warn Yahiko but unfortunately it was to late. Father grabbed him and threw him inside then he grabbed me and threw me inside too slamming the door shut. He began to hurt Yahiko so I grabbed him and ran into the practice hall."
Kaoru looked around, "he followed us and I grabbed a bokken and we began to fight, I told Yahiko to run and get help as father and I attacked each other. Yahiko did as he was told and returned later with the cops and some medics. I had been badly injured by father and he was taken away from the police as I fell unconscious. I woke up later in a hospital bed and after a long talk I found out that if I didn't get enough exercise in a month then I would either be paralyzed for life or even die." Kaoru looked at the ground before looking up into Dr. Genzai's shocked face "I couldn't walk so every night I would get up and try to walk on my own, finally after three long days I was finally able to walk again. I decided to leave Kyoto and come here to Tokyo where you lived. I left Yahiko alone because I knew he would be safe with his friend. He after all unlike me had a life in Kyoto and I didn't want to take that away from him, so after I wrote a note I went and said a good-bye to him while he was asleep I left. Well and here I am."
Kaoru's eyes were filled with tears; all those memories of her life came back to her. The entire one's that she had tried to get away from.
"Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said, "I never knew."
Kaoru sighed and realized that her tea was gone so she put the cup down and excused herself running upstairs into her room quietly closing the door behind her. Kaoru sighed and leaned against the door slowly sliding down it until she was on the floor, she didn't want to move from that spot at the moment. She didn't have the strength to go to her bed so she just lay down on her side and closed her eyes, her stomach was burning with pain and she held it but eventually she fell asleep into a heartbreaking nightmare.
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru looked around, she was in a wheat field and she was wearing a kimono, not the kimono she had gotten from her friends but an aqua kimono with a pink obi on it. She was alone only the wind was making noise; "Kaoru" came a voice. Kaoru turned around and saw Yahiko.
"Yahiko!" she cried and ran towards him, however a big crack in the earth separated them.
"Kaoru," Yahiko said, "you said good-bye to me, and I know you left me for good intensions and I thank-you for that." Kaoru looked at him and watched him turn around, "I'm glad that you're okay Kaoru, however you forgot about me so now it is time we say our good-byes and part forever."
"Yahiko," Kaoru said as tears formed in her eyes.
"So Kaoru," Yahiko said, "good-bye." Yahiko then walked away.
"Yahiko," Kaoru said, "Yahiko!" Kaoru cried and ran towards him jumping in hopes of going over the pit. "Yahiko!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru cried as she fell down the pit.
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru's eyes shot open and she looked around her room, she sat up and held her head "Yahiko," she whispered.
"Kaoru," came a voice as someone knocked on the door, "are you awake?" Kaoru got up and opened the door to see Dr. Genzai standing there.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked him.
"Well I just though that maybe you wanted to go stretch out before you go to the Himura estate," he told her.
Kaoru sighed and nodded with an "mmmhhhmm" sound. Kaoru sighed and closed the door behind her grabbing her clothes she walked out of the room and into the bathroom. Where she turned on the water and after awhile finally turned it on and slipped into the bath, "I don't think that I'd ever be able to live in a time where there was never a hot bath. Kaoru sighed and looked around "okay," Kaoru said before taking a big deep breath of air and diving under the water. After awhile she emerged and heard a knock on the door "yes?" she asked.
"Kaoru don't stay in there to long," Dr. Genzai said.
"Okay" Kaoru said. When she heard Dr. Genzai's foot prints fade away she sighed, "fat chance, my hair is dry and I smell like rotten cheese." So she got her things and washed away, "this feels sooooooo good" she said with a smile. Finally after she decided it was enough she got out of the bath and shivered, grabbing her towel she threw it on and warmed herself as she took the water plug out and let the water drain. She dried off and with her towel on and her dirty clothes in hand walked out of the bathroom, she threw her dirty clothes to the side and took her kimono in hand.
She decided that it was better to hold off on the search since 1. she had already taken a bath and 2. by the time she figured out how to get this kimono on it would probably be time to leave for the Himura's estate. Slowly Kaoru got ready step-by-step and accident-by-accident she was finally able to get her kimono on. Her hair was placed up with her favorite blue ribbon in a high ponytail, picking up her geta Kaoru walked downstairs.
"Wow" Ayame said.
"Wow," Suzume repeated as they saw Kaoru walk down the stairs.
"You really like it?" Kaoru asked as she twirled around. Kaoru smiled and looked at them all Dr. Genzai looked at her with a smile, "you really do have your mothers grace" Dr. Genzai told Kaoru.
"Really?" Kaoru asked and Dr. Genzai nodded, "arigato."
"It's getting late," Dr. Genzai, said, "I'll drive you down there after lunch."
"Alright" Kaoru said with a smile. So Dr. Genzai cooked and they all ate and then hopped into the car. Ayame and Suzume were both in their own kimonos and were laughing excitedly.
"Here you go Kaoru," Dr. Genzai said as he dropped off Kaoru in front off the estate where everyone was waiting, "we'll see you later."
"Bye!" Suzume and Ayame said together before Dr. Genzai drove off and Kaoru walked over to everyone.
"Now what?" Kaoru asked when she saw everyone. There was Misao, Tomoe, Aoshi, Soujiro, Tae, Sano, and Megumi all dressed up.
"We have to go get Kenshin," Sano said.
"Should I have brought some type of gift or something?" Kaoru asked when she saw the estate.
"Just relax" Aoshi said
"Let's go" Tomoe said so they all walked up to the big doors.
"Hello?" asked a maid when she opened the door.
"We're here for Kenshin" Sano said.
"Come right on in," the maid said stepping aside so they could all come in.
"They are here Master Himura!" called the maid.
"Do you have to yell Yukina?" asked a man coming out of a room.
Kaoru gasped and said "Mr. Hiko" she bowed.
"Do I know you?" Hiko asked before recognizing Kaoru as the girl he had met on the plane. "Oh yes it's you," he said, "I see you've come with the rest of these low lives to get Kenshin."
"Hai" Kaoru said.
"I'm right here" Kenshin appeared and Kaoru smiled. Kenshin was wearing a white a maroon kimono"
"Yo" Sano said.
"Yo," Kenshin said, "let's get out of here."
So everyone departed and Kaoru turned around to see Hiko standing there, his face filled with emptiness, Tae grabbed her arm and pulled her out.
Let's go" Megumi said, and began to walk off.
"Hey Megumi!" Kaoru cried and they all ran to catch up with her. They all walked in silence as they passed everyone in the streets on their way towards the beach. Kaoru sighed once they got there. It was almost like a dream, Kaoru couldn't wait until night.
"Okay here's the plan" Kenshin said catching everyone's attention.
"Huh?" Misao asked, "what plan?"
"Misao you and Aoshi can hang out, Megumi you go with Sano" Sano and Megumi looked at each other for a minute before Megumi opened her sensu and used it to cover up Sano's face.
"Please tell me why I would want to hang around with this baka all day?" Megumi asked.
"Baka huh?" Sano said, "I totally agree why would anyone want to hangout with this snotty wannabe?"
"Snotty wannabe?!" Megumi cried pulling down her sensu and glaring at Sano.
"That's what I said" Sano yelled as the two began to fight.
"Anyway," Kenshin said, "Tae and Soujiro you two can hang out and Tomoe and I will go off," Kenshin said and smiled.
"Hey what about me?" Kaoru asked realizing that she was the only one left.
"You?" Kenshin said, "well I guess you can go hang out with those people that dropped you off earlier." Kenshin said, "we'll all meet up here just before the fireworks."
Everyone agreed and separated "hey...wait a sec!" Kaoru called. She was alone again, she fell on her knees and everything turned white 'I really am different from everyone else aren't I?" she thought as the outlines of people walked past her. 'I really am alone, friendless, loveless, could Yahiko still love me too or did he stop and forget all about me?' Kaoru began to cry but she shook her head and stood up. "No," she said, "I will be strong, I will no longer be afraid." Kaoru smiled and then marched off to check out the stands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenshin & Tomoe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come one come all!" a man cried, "hey my boy want to try your luck and win a prize for your girlfriend there?" Kenshin and Tomoe looked at each other for a moment before Kenshin asked, "what do I do?"
"That's the spirit my boy all you have to do is hit the target and you win the prize my boy any prize you want so you want to try?" the man asked.
"All right" Kenshin said and took the ball that the man held out.
"Ready, Set, Go!" the man cried and ball appeared and began to shot around.
Kenshin looked around and around, his eyes followed the ball until finally he threw it and knocked the ball off the stand. "Ding ding ding!" the man cried, "we have a winner here people, so what are you gonna get boy?"
Kenshin looked around at all the prizes "what do you want?" he asked Tomoe.
"How about that" Tomoe said and pointed towards a small pink fluffy bunny that was, light green.
Kenshin nodded and pointed towards the bunny, which the man got and handed him, "arigato" Kenshin said before turning and handing it over to Tomoe who smiled and thanked Kenshin.
"Domo-arigato Kenshin" Tomoe said and hugged it.
"Ah it was no prob." Kenshin said rubbing the back of his neck and laughing. "Let's go check out some more things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sano & Megumi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sano and Megumi were sitting at a table eating some noodles "could you eat any faster?" Megumi said when she realized everyone was staring at them.
"Yeah I could" Sano said not noticing the sarcasm in Megumi's voice. "You gonna eat the rest of those noodles?" Sano asked using his chopsticks to point to the noodles.
"Yes I'm going to eat the noodles!" Megumi cried, "you're such a pig."
"You shouldn't be the one to talk" Sano said as he ordered another cup of noodles.
"Damn why did I get stuck being paired up with you?" Megumi asked, "why not Soujiro? Or even Aoshi would do better that you."
"You just wait and see fox," Sano said, "you'll have fun tonight I'll assure you that."
Megumi sighed "whatever Rooster" and went back to eating her noodles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Soujiro & Tae ~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm going to get you this time" Soujiro said as he and Tae paid for yet another game. So far Tae had beaten Soujiro at everything but this time he was sure he would win.
"Give it a rest Soujiro" Tae said.
"Not until I beat you" Soujiro said and they began to shot the water at the target.
Tae sighed and thought about losing purposely for Soujiro's sake but that wouldn't be any fun. Soon she realized that Soujiro's target was even with hers. "Oh my" Tae said as the ending came closer and closer until there came a ring sound.
"And our winner here is the amazing smiling boy!" the guy said handing him a plush toy that Soujiro gave to Tae.
"Are you happy now?" Tae asked him.
"Of course I am," Soujiro, said, "I finally beat you at something."
Tae sighed and the two walked on Soujiro smiling at her side. "Let's go check out that!" Tae cried pointing at something but through the crowd Soujiro couldn't see anything so he just let Tae take his hand and drag him through the sea of people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aoshi & Misao ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Misao and Aoshi walked along "don't you want to do something Aoshi?" Misao thought, "we haven't done anything at all" Aoshi looked at Misao.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Let's go catch a goldfish!" Misao said.
"A goldfish?" Aoshi said in a bored tone however when he saw Misao's pleading face he sighed and they walked towards the goldfish catching stand.
"Here you go sir" said a girl handing Aoshi two nets to catch the fish in.
Aoshi felt very stupid doing this but remembered how sad Misao had looked so he put the net in and caught a gold fish. He smiled and it was put in a bag (with water) and he gave the bag to Misao. "There you go" Aoshi said.
Misao smiled and her eyes sparkled as she took the plastic bag from him. Misao looked at it for a minute "there something wrong?" Aoshi asked Misao.
"I'm going to name him Aoshi!" Misao cried, "after the man the caught him for me!"
"You're going name a fish after me?!" Aoshi yelled.
Misao nodded and said "yep."
"A fish," Aoshi said, "of all things to name after me she decided to use a fish!" Aoshi felt so angry and embarrassed yet at the same time a sliver of happiness was there.
Misao then started on again "wait!" Aoshi cried making Misao stop.
"Aoshi?" Misao asked, "is there something wrong?"
"I just wanted to ask you...if you wanted to go grab some fish and noodles?"
Misao smiled "did you hear that Aoshi (fish)" Misao said, "Aoshi wants to go eat with us."
"Why a fish?" Aoshi asked with a sigh, however he walked on with Misao at his side and Aoshi the fish in her hand.
~~~~~~ Kaoru ~~~~~~
Kaoru sighed and looked around "let's see what to do?" Kaoru said and put her finger to her lip in thought. "I'll go eat!" she said happily and went to the rice stand.
"So you really think that she's here?" asked a man.
Kaoru looked at them through the corner of her eye as she ate her rice. "I have a strong feeling that she is here," said another guy, "this time we'll get here."
'I wonder what they're talking about,' Kaoru thought, 'and what do they mean by this time we'll get her?' Kaoru watched the men shake hands and get up. They put some yen on the table and walked away.
"Is every thing ready?" the tallest man asked.
"Everything's set and ready to go," said his partner.
Kaoru who was too curious to hold back put some of her own yen down and followed them. The men walked towards a truck and opened the trunk "here 'ya go Sakura" the man said handing something to Sakura.
"Arigato Genji" she said in reply.
"What are they holding?" Kaoru said as she hid behind a stand.
"Let's go," Sakura said and the two walked off Kaoru right behind them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenshin & Tomoe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tomoe are sure this is the right way?" Kenshin asked.
"Of course I'm sure Kenshin" Tomoe said as she pulled Kenshin along.
"Stop!" came a voice making everyone stop and look. There stood two figures in the dark, a man and a woman holding out two guns, which were pointed straight at Tomoe.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kenshin asked.
"Oh no" Tomoe said and took a step back.
"Freeze you witch" Sakura said and the guns clicked.
"You've had your fun and now it's over" Genji said.
"Tomoe who are these people?" Kenshin asked.
"Kenshin," Tomoe said, "run!"
Kenshin looked at her but she began to run and he followed. "We said stop!" Sakura cried and pulled the trigger. The bullet shot straight towards Tomoe who ran and ran.
"No!!!!" Kaoru cried out as the bullet shot Tomoe down.
"Tomoe!" Kenshin cried out and he kneeled next to Tomoe.
"Kenshin," Tomoe whispered, "never forget me and never tell anyone these words."
"Tomoe wait," Kenshin said, "don't worry."
"The key is in the raven haired girl" Tomoe said before her eyes closed and she fell limp.
"Tomoe!!!!!!!" Kenshin cried and with a great rage he turned to face Sakura and Genji his eyes the color of amber.
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Happy day! I finally posted chapter 7! Hey my readers sorry it's been so long and also to those who have read before now I just wanted to say that I changed the one week to a month. Just to clear that up for you so ai 'ya all. And don't forget to Review!