A/N: All right now, since it seems I have forgotten, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or its characters. Those belong to the brilliant Watsuki-san. That's it for now.
Reviews:
Sakura Hopes: Hey, thanks again for your review!
Lara Chubb of Deephollow: Thank YOU, for your review!
Katana slowly opened her eyes and her vision cleared to find a woman tending to her. Quite sore, especially around her stomach, she winced, feeling like she didn't want to move for another week. From what she could tell, she was in a simple room, laying on a futon. It felt strange being inside a building. She hadn't set foot in one for quite a long time. Katana almost missed the night breeze, as she stared up at the ceiling.
"You're awake," the woman noted, a little surprised.
"What...who are you?" Katana asked, wondering if she had enough strength to sit up. The woman looked at her, before standing.
"My name is Megumi. You've only been asleep for less than an hour. I'd suggest resting for a while, a few more days at least." Megumi left the room without another word. Katana willed herself to sit up, with quite a bit of difficulty. She cradled her stomach in her right arm and tried to stand, but doubled over with a groan.
"You're not going anywhere," a boy's voice ordered. Katana let out a cry of surprise and found Yahiko in one of the corners. The girl lied carefully up against the nearest wall, panting slightly from her attempt to stand.
"I'm surprised you can even move," Yahiko commented.
"Yahiko, where's Battousai?" Katana asked. Yahiko showed no sign of surprise that she knew his name, but narrowed his eyes slightly when she said 'Battousai.'
"Kenshin's in another room," Yahiko answered, putting an emphasis on Kenshin's name.
'Of course...Battousai isn't his real name,' Katana thought. Silence stilled the air between them, as a bright, amber candlelight flickered in the darkness beside Katana's bed.
"I-is he going to be okay?" Katana asked, a little nervously. Yahiko watched her, clearly confused.
"You're the one who hurt him," Yahiko accused, as if she should know the answer. Katana bowed her head slightly and watched the floor.
"I know," Katana said in a soft voice. Her arm was still around her stomach, and as she touched it, she realized something. There wasn't any sign of blood.
"How can I still be alive?" she wondered aloud.
"Kenshin couldn't kill you. Not with his reverse-blade sword anyway," Yahiko answered.
"Reverse-blade sword?" Katana questioned. 'I must've just fainted, then.'
"Why are you helping me, Yahiko? I mean, I did almost kill Kenshin," Katana asked Yahiko.
"Because Kenshin asked us too. Even if you are the enemy, Kenshin wouldn't have left you alone," Yahiko replied.
Katana's head began to throb. Nothing made sense...She tried to stand again, but Yahiko pushed her back down as gently as he could at the moment.
"Go back to sleep," Yahiko told her, before sitting down up against the opposite wall. Katana leaned back against the wall, and closed her eyes. Yahiko watched her for a minute, as if he was trying to figure her out.
Katana heard someone enter the room.
"How's Kenshin?" Yahiko asked, his eyes full of concern.
"Not too good. Megumi says his wounds are pretty bad..." Kaoru answered, trailing off at the end.
"How is Katana doing?" Kaoru asked him, watching the young girl up against the wall.
"She'll be ok," Yahiko said.
"Yahiko...do you think she'll try and attack Kenshin again?" Kaoru asked softly, as if she was afraid of the answer.
"I don't think so. She wanted to know if he'd be okay. And she sounded like she meant it," Yahiko said.
"I'm gonna go back to Kenshin," Kaoru told him, before leaving the room.
Eventually, Yahiko nodded off to sleep. Katana, who had been fighting off sleep, opened her eyes.
Despite what Megumi and Yahiko told her, Katana forced herself to stand this time. Supporting herself with the walls, she managed to leave the room and began searching for the room Kenshin was in. There was no way she could rest, not with her head swimming with confusion. She'd never be able to lay still. She needed answers to her questions. After all these years, she wanted to finally know the truth. She'd never be able to heal any other way.
Katana made her way down the dark hallways. She had to rest against the wall several times, or she felt she'd collapse from the pain and exhaustion. Each time though, it got harder to stand.
It didn't take her long to find Kenshin's room though. It too, had a candle, and she heard Megumi's voice talking to Kaoru.
"Megumi?" Kaoru asked, sounding worried. Katana heard the sloshing of water.
"I'm doing the best I can Kaoru," sounding slightly irritated. Silence...then, "Listen, I'm just as worried for Sir Ken's life as you are. I'm sorry Kaoru, but I've done all I can," Megumi told her, before getting up to leave. Katana pressed herself against the wall, as the door slid open. Megumi seemed to take no notice of her.
Katana stiffened as she heard a Kaoru's voice. She peeked through the door that was open just a crack.
"Kenshin...how are you feeling?"
"I'll be all right Miss Kaoru, that I will" came Kenshin's voice, weakly. He tried his best to smile. Kenshin closed his eyes. Kaoru couldn't see his chest move to show he was breathing.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried out in a frightened voice. Kenshin moved his hand so that it was resting on top of Kaoru's in reassurance.
"Why did you have to be so stupid? I-I don't want you to die...because you protecting me," Kaoru told him, not bothering to wipe the tears that were running down her face.
Katana bowed her head at what Kaoru just said. 'Because you were protecting me.' Her father and her brother died, protecting her. And now because of her, Kaoru might endure the same pain as well...
"I'm so sorry...It's all my fault, for not staying away like you asked," Kaoru held his hand in both of hers and watched him.
"It's not your fault, Miss Kaoru, that it isn't," Kenshin reassured softly. "You need to get your rest too-"
"No! I'm not leaving you Kenshin!" Kaoru interrupted stubbornly. 'I'm too scared to. I want to be here, with you. I'm not going to let you die!'
"Miss Kaoru, let me rest. I promise I'll be okay," Kenshin said. Kaoru swallowed, and took a last look at Kenshin. If he wanted her to leave, she would.
'You better not die, Kenshin. I'd never forgive you, if you did...I'd never forgive myself either...' Kaoru thought with a shaky sigh. Her cheeks burned slightly from crying. But it didn't compare to the worry that was eating away at her. Kaoru left, and Katana hid herself once again. She needed to talk to Kenshin alone. Kaoru went down the hallway and into her own room.
Facing Kenshin's room, she reached out to slide open the door, but paused her hand resting on the door.
"Come in, Miss Katana," invited Kenshin's voice from the other side. Surprised, Katana slid open the door, and stepped in. Kenshin was lying on a futon. His left leg was bandaged where Katana had cut her. His chest had been tended to as well and his arm was lying there, and the hole was still there too from the bullet.
"You look pretty bad," Katana noted, wincing at his wounds. Katana kneeled in front of Kenshin and studied his wounds, especially his bullet wound.
"The bullet hasn't been taken out yet?" Katana questioned.
Kenshin shook his head. Katana picked up a small knife that had been placed near his bedside.
"Kenshin. I'm going to try and take the bullet out," Katana said. Kenshin looked surprised, but then nodded once. Katana drew in a deep shaky breath, from being nervous, but stopped sharply, when her stomach hurt again and dropped the knife. She quickly placed a hand around it, and waited a few seconds before taking up the knife again.
"Miss Katana?"
"I'm fine," Katana said, full of determination. Katana worked as carefully as she could, and Kenshin did his best to not make it sound as painful as it really was. The minutes went by slowly, and Katana did tried to ignore the thump-thump of her heart.
At last, Katana was able to retrieve the bullet and get it safely out of the wound. It was small, and covered in blood. Katana tore off a piece of nearby cloth and dabbed the fresh blood that was coming from the wound. She dipped it in the water and cleaned the wound as best as she could.
Katana rinsed the cloth for the last time, and sighed, closing her eyes. She did it.
Just as she opened her eyes again, the door slid open. Sanosuke was on the other side, and so were Yahiko, Megumi and Kaoru. One look at the knife in Katana's hand and the blood was all they needed.
"You!" Sanosuke accused Katana. He was over her in a flash. Sano swung a punch to her stomach, knocking her down. The knife escaped her hand and fell to the floor.
"Stop Sano!" Kenshin ordered him too late. If Kanana had been at her full strength, Katana would have been able to dodge it, but Sano had managed to knock her out. She ended up sprawled out on the floor. Kaoru and Yahiko watched from the doorway, both appalled at what Sanosuke had done.
Kenshin, struggled to sit up. Sanosuke glanced over at his best friend. Kaoru, Megumi and Yahiko ran over to him to help him as he was trying to support himself as best as he could in his condition. Kenshin lied back down; he still didn't have the strength to sit up.
"Kaoru, look!" Yahiko said, picking up the bullet.
"Kenshin...Katana-" Kaoru started, realizing what really happened.
"Managed to take it out, that she did," Kenshin finished weakly.
"Sir Ken's life is no longer in danger. I'll clean your wound properly, but you should be better, with a few days of rest," Megumi said in relief, now talking to Kenshin. She left to get more bandages and medicine for him. That left Yahiko and Kaoru to watch over him. Kenshin closed his eyes.
Sanosuke however, kept his eyes on Katana's unconscious form. He knew he had made a mistake, but didn't know how to deal with it.
"She was trying to help Kenshin. Katana saved his life..." Kaoru said aloud. It was the same thought that everyone in the room had.
Within a few minutes, Megumi returned and set to work. Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she looked at Kenshin before turning to Kaoru and Yahiko.
"He should be fine now," Megumi told them. She turned to Sano, who was still watching over Katana's body.
"I'll carry her to her room. She'll be in some pain when she wakes, so I'll make her as comfortable as possible," Megumi said, walking towards Katana. She bent down to lift her up, but Sano stopped her.
"I'll do it." Megumi looked surprised but then stepped back. Sano lifted her with ease, carrying her bridal style.
"It's the least I can do. I was the one who hit her," Sano said shortly. "Where to, Megumi?" Megumi led Sano out of Kenshin's room and to the one Katana had been in. Sano set her down as gently as he could.
"This was nice of you Sano. An apology might also do some good, when she comes to," Megumi said, smoothing out, Katana's sheets, and laying a thin blanket over her.
"Yeah," Sanosuke said almost reluctantly, then left. Megumi stood up and blew out the candle.
"Give the rooster some time," Megumi said with a smile, before leaving the room as well.
BREAK
"Ready?" asked Katsuro. Katana nodded, holding her sword up in defense. Katsuro came at her with his attack and Katana dodged it, coming around with a counterattack to his middle. Katsuro blocked it and brought his sword across to her neck, the point just barely brushing it. Katana did her best to avoid it, but felt the sting of the shallow cut. Swinging her sword, she cut across aiming for chest, but he threw her sword off, and aimed for her sword hand. He left a shallow cut there as well and thrust his sword toward her. She dodged to the right, and was all of a sudden behind him, bringing her left fist around and slamming it into his head. She saw a flash of metal and leaped back.
Katsuro had a pleased smile on his face. "You learn quickly, Katana-san." Katana fell to her knees.
"But you would have to do better, if you wanted to defeat the Battousai..." Katana felt a cut, deeper than before, on her left side. It wasn't fatal, but the blood still seeped steadily from the shallow wound. When she looked up again though, Katsuro had gone. In his place stood Kenshin and she faintly heard him yell his attacks. Katana tried to block with her sword, but found that she had a knife, not a sword, in her hand.
Kenshin slashed her with his sword, but there was no blood. There wasn't even a wound to show.
Kenshin collapsed to the ground with blood all over him. Katana went to help him, but realized there was blood all over her hands and she jumped back horrified. She ran over to him and turned him over, but found it wasn't Kenshin at all. She found her father's dead face looking up at her and let go with a gasp.
"Katana...how could you kill Kenshin?" Kaoru was standing over her father's dead body.
"No...but that's...I didn't kill anyone!" Katana cried out, grabbing her hair in her fists and curling up into a ball.
"Mitsuko..." Katana looked up and suddenly felt hot all over. She was in her old house, and flames trapped her. Kiyoshi was there with his hand stretched out. Katana tried to reach for him, but he disappeared.
Standing in his place was a girl who looked exactly like Katana.
"What..." Katana asked the girl who looked exactly like her.
"I'll kill him...I'll kill Battousai," the girl said, drawing her sword.
"No! He didn't kill them!" Katana cried out. The girl there, looked surprised. She dropped her sword and started crying.
"No...don't kill him! It was Katsuro! I don't want to kill," her look-alike sobbed. Katana stood there, truly confused. What was going on...?
Katana woke with a start and found herself in a mess. Her sheets had been thrown off, and her clothes were slightly damp from sweat. Her dream began to fade away from her. Already, she didn't remember half of it. Her stomach was still sore as she turned her head. She found two brown eyes staring at her and she cried out. Yahiko was standing over her with a curious look on his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked, fully concerned.
"I-I think so..." she answered, a little unsure of herself. 'I need to find Kenshin.' Katana did her best to stand, still not fully better.
"Hey, where are you going?" Yahiko asked, trying to stop her. Katana turned to him, considering him for a moment.
"To find Kenshin," she said, before opening and closing the door. She didn't get two feet before she found Yahiko behind her.
"Kenshin's resting. Don't bother him, okay?" Yahiko ordered, running in front of Katana and standing in her way defiantly.
"Yahiko, get out of the way," she told him. Yahiko didn't budge.
"What's so important that it can't wait?"
"I have to talk to him. He's the only one who can help me now," Katana said brushing past a confused Yahiko.
"Katana! Stop being selfish! If you really want Kenshin to get better-" started Yahiko after her.
"Selfish?" Katana asked through gritted teeth. Her hands made fists, and Katana wanted so badly to punch something. But when she looked up at Yahiko, she almost looked like she wanted to cry.
"I can't...Everything feels...wrong. I just want to make sense of it all," Katana told him, in a desperate tone. She turned to find Kenshin's room, leaving a surprised Yahiko standing in the hallway.
Katana found Kenshin's room with little trouble, and opened the door slowly. Peeking in, she found Kenshin still lying in his futon, looking not much better than last time. His eyes were closed, and she spent some time debating on whether she should wake him or not. Seeing him in his condition...
"You can come sit, Miss Katana, that you can," Kenshin invited kindly. Katana stepped all the way into the room and sat down beside him. Moments of silence passed between them, before Katana spoke.
"How are you feeling?" Katana asked in a truly concerned voice.
"A little better, thanks," Kenshin replied, turning his head as much as he could, so he could face her.
"Kenshin..." Katana started, but then paused, unsure of how to word her question. He shifted, slightly, to show he was listening.
"You are...were the Battousai, right?" Katana asked.
"Yes," Kenshin answered, after a moment of thought.
"You killed people then. But if it wasn't innocent people...and why did you stop?" Katana asked, squashing two questions into one breath.
"I did. I killed. But I killed those who were in power, though that's hardly an excuse... But it wasn't ever for pleasure or self-gain. All I wanted was a time and place where people could finally be equal and free, that I did. I am happy I could bring a more peaceful Meiji era...though I still regret ever having taken a life that I do, " Kenshin said. Katana could hear that he meant every word. All these years...she had been wrong...
"I'm sorry. Kaoru was wrong. It wasn't her fault. It was mine," Katana apologized in an unsteady voice.
"Miss Katana...that's not your real name, is it?" Kenshin asked. Katana felt her heart speed up at his unexpected question.
"No. It's Mitsuko. After my brother and father died, Katsuro found me and took care of me. He taught me swordsmanship...and told me that Battousai killed my family. It didn't make sense back then, but I guess after a while I started to believe that what he said was true. I...somehow I felt like I had left my old life behind. I changed my name to Katana... because I'm a swordsman now," she told him. Still she felt so confused...as if she was still missing a part of the puzzle.
"All these years...my true target was right in front of me, and I couldn't see it. Damn bastard..." Katana growled slamming her fists into the floor, anger surging through her body. Kenshin watched with sympathetic eyes.
""Your name. It mean's 'child of light', doesn't? I don't think your father would have wished for you to become a 'child of darkness,' that I don't. Mitsuko, you are a talented swordsman that you are. But killing, even for revenge is wrong that it is, no matter how strong the anger is in your heart. What do you plan on doing next, after you've taken revenge on Katsuro? I can't imagine you've been too happy, thinking about revenge for the past ten years, living the moments of the past, day after day. Happiness never follows taking a life, that it doesn't. You're father and brother protected you, so that you could
live on. Don't you owe them your happiness instead of anger and hate?" Kenshin told her wisely, looking up at the ceiling.
"How could you know...what it's like to lose the ones you love the most?" Katana asked, tears forming in her eyes and her voice breaking.
"Ten years ago, I...killed the one I loved the most. In a fight...she jumped in the way to protect me..." Kenshin said softly, his voice shaking. Katana stopped breathing at what he just said and cold tremors ran through her body.
"Kenshin..." Katana said quietly, as if she was afraid to talk. "I'm sorry..." It was all she could say.
"What am I supposed to do, Kenshin? I...I feel like I've lost everything..." Katana asked, her whole body trembling. She wanted to scream until she lost her voice...she wanted to cry until she could feel no pain...she wanted to run until she felt weak. She wanted to die. This feeling had been buried in her heart, ever since her father and her brother were killed. It was the desperate, defeated feeling of despair...
Kenshin watched her crumple to the ground in a motionless body. Too much in pain to even cry...
Katana felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and flinched slightly.
"Miss Katana. No one should have to go through losing someone they love. The pain won't ever go away, that it won't. However, don't ever give up. Though you might be strong in the art of the sword, there are still ways to make your swordsmanship stronger, that there are. Miss Kaoru believes that one should use their sword to protect people. If you fill your heart with love, instead of hate, you'll be able to find a better strength, that you will. If you truly want to heal, you can't keep living in the past, that you can't.
If you can embrace it and accept, then you become stronger. It's up to you, Miss Katana, that it is. I only hope that's what you decide, that I do," Kenshin told her kindly. Katana heard, and understood.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Though she wasn't sure if she could be brave enough to follow through, she finally felt that she could begin her road to peace.
A/N: Okay...first, I'm sure it'd take people longer than that to wake after being hit by Kenshin's blows, but I needed a way for her to be able to be awake to take his bullet out, so that he hadn't died yet. Also, after the first BREAK, that's Katana's dream, just in case you couldn't tell. And, I know that when people are knocked out it's usually to the head, but I didn't want to risk the question of concussion. Oh and sorry if there's OOCness, but I did try. It's kinda hard, because some parts are deep, but yeah…so…weird chapter. Long one too, at least for me. Hopefully, the next chapters will be happier. Anyway, don't forget to review!
Reviews:
Sakura Hopes: Hey, thanks again for your review!
Lara Chubb of Deephollow: Thank YOU, for your review!
Katana slowly opened her eyes and her vision cleared to find a woman tending to her. Quite sore, especially around her stomach, she winced, feeling like she didn't want to move for another week. From what she could tell, she was in a simple room, laying on a futon. It felt strange being inside a building. She hadn't set foot in one for quite a long time. Katana almost missed the night breeze, as she stared up at the ceiling.
"You're awake," the woman noted, a little surprised.
"What...who are you?" Katana asked, wondering if she had enough strength to sit up. The woman looked at her, before standing.
"My name is Megumi. You've only been asleep for less than an hour. I'd suggest resting for a while, a few more days at least." Megumi left the room without another word. Katana willed herself to sit up, with quite a bit of difficulty. She cradled her stomach in her right arm and tried to stand, but doubled over with a groan.
"You're not going anywhere," a boy's voice ordered. Katana let out a cry of surprise and found Yahiko in one of the corners. The girl lied carefully up against the nearest wall, panting slightly from her attempt to stand.
"I'm surprised you can even move," Yahiko commented.
"Yahiko, where's Battousai?" Katana asked. Yahiko showed no sign of surprise that she knew his name, but narrowed his eyes slightly when she said 'Battousai.'
"Kenshin's in another room," Yahiko answered, putting an emphasis on Kenshin's name.
'Of course...Battousai isn't his real name,' Katana thought. Silence stilled the air between them, as a bright, amber candlelight flickered in the darkness beside Katana's bed.
"I-is he going to be okay?" Katana asked, a little nervously. Yahiko watched her, clearly confused.
"You're the one who hurt him," Yahiko accused, as if she should know the answer. Katana bowed her head slightly and watched the floor.
"I know," Katana said in a soft voice. Her arm was still around her stomach, and as she touched it, she realized something. There wasn't any sign of blood.
"How can I still be alive?" she wondered aloud.
"Kenshin couldn't kill you. Not with his reverse-blade sword anyway," Yahiko answered.
"Reverse-blade sword?" Katana questioned. 'I must've just fainted, then.'
"Why are you helping me, Yahiko? I mean, I did almost kill Kenshin," Katana asked Yahiko.
"Because Kenshin asked us too. Even if you are the enemy, Kenshin wouldn't have left you alone," Yahiko replied.
Katana's head began to throb. Nothing made sense...She tried to stand again, but Yahiko pushed her back down as gently as he could at the moment.
"Go back to sleep," Yahiko told her, before sitting down up against the opposite wall. Katana leaned back against the wall, and closed her eyes. Yahiko watched her for a minute, as if he was trying to figure her out.
Katana heard someone enter the room.
"How's Kenshin?" Yahiko asked, his eyes full of concern.
"Not too good. Megumi says his wounds are pretty bad..." Kaoru answered, trailing off at the end.
"How is Katana doing?" Kaoru asked him, watching the young girl up against the wall.
"She'll be ok," Yahiko said.
"Yahiko...do you think she'll try and attack Kenshin again?" Kaoru asked softly, as if she was afraid of the answer.
"I don't think so. She wanted to know if he'd be okay. And she sounded like she meant it," Yahiko said.
"I'm gonna go back to Kenshin," Kaoru told him, before leaving the room.
Eventually, Yahiko nodded off to sleep. Katana, who had been fighting off sleep, opened her eyes.
Despite what Megumi and Yahiko told her, Katana forced herself to stand this time. Supporting herself with the walls, she managed to leave the room and began searching for the room Kenshin was in. There was no way she could rest, not with her head swimming with confusion. She'd never be able to lay still. She needed answers to her questions. After all these years, she wanted to finally know the truth. She'd never be able to heal any other way.
Katana made her way down the dark hallways. She had to rest against the wall several times, or she felt she'd collapse from the pain and exhaustion. Each time though, it got harder to stand.
It didn't take her long to find Kenshin's room though. It too, had a candle, and she heard Megumi's voice talking to Kaoru.
"Megumi?" Kaoru asked, sounding worried. Katana heard the sloshing of water.
"I'm doing the best I can Kaoru," sounding slightly irritated. Silence...then, "Listen, I'm just as worried for Sir Ken's life as you are. I'm sorry Kaoru, but I've done all I can," Megumi told her, before getting up to leave. Katana pressed herself against the wall, as the door slid open. Megumi seemed to take no notice of her.
Katana stiffened as she heard a Kaoru's voice. She peeked through the door that was open just a crack.
"Kenshin...how are you feeling?"
"I'll be all right Miss Kaoru, that I will" came Kenshin's voice, weakly. He tried his best to smile. Kenshin closed his eyes. Kaoru couldn't see his chest move to show he was breathing.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru cried out in a frightened voice. Kenshin moved his hand so that it was resting on top of Kaoru's in reassurance.
"Why did you have to be so stupid? I-I don't want you to die...because you protecting me," Kaoru told him, not bothering to wipe the tears that were running down her face.
Katana bowed her head at what Kaoru just said. 'Because you were protecting me.' Her father and her brother died, protecting her. And now because of her, Kaoru might endure the same pain as well...
"I'm so sorry...It's all my fault, for not staying away like you asked," Kaoru held his hand in both of hers and watched him.
"It's not your fault, Miss Kaoru, that it isn't," Kenshin reassured softly. "You need to get your rest too-"
"No! I'm not leaving you Kenshin!" Kaoru interrupted stubbornly. 'I'm too scared to. I want to be here, with you. I'm not going to let you die!'
"Miss Kaoru, let me rest. I promise I'll be okay," Kenshin said. Kaoru swallowed, and took a last look at Kenshin. If he wanted her to leave, she would.
'You better not die, Kenshin. I'd never forgive you, if you did...I'd never forgive myself either...' Kaoru thought with a shaky sigh. Her cheeks burned slightly from crying. But it didn't compare to the worry that was eating away at her. Kaoru left, and Katana hid herself once again. She needed to talk to Kenshin alone. Kaoru went down the hallway and into her own room.
Facing Kenshin's room, she reached out to slide open the door, but paused her hand resting on the door.
"Come in, Miss Katana," invited Kenshin's voice from the other side. Surprised, Katana slid open the door, and stepped in. Kenshin was lying on a futon. His left leg was bandaged where Katana had cut her. His chest had been tended to as well and his arm was lying there, and the hole was still there too from the bullet.
"You look pretty bad," Katana noted, wincing at his wounds. Katana kneeled in front of Kenshin and studied his wounds, especially his bullet wound.
"The bullet hasn't been taken out yet?" Katana questioned.
Kenshin shook his head. Katana picked up a small knife that had been placed near his bedside.
"Kenshin. I'm going to try and take the bullet out," Katana said. Kenshin looked surprised, but then nodded once. Katana drew in a deep shaky breath, from being nervous, but stopped sharply, when her stomach hurt again and dropped the knife. She quickly placed a hand around it, and waited a few seconds before taking up the knife again.
"Miss Katana?"
"I'm fine," Katana said, full of determination. Katana worked as carefully as she could, and Kenshin did his best to not make it sound as painful as it really was. The minutes went by slowly, and Katana did tried to ignore the thump-thump of her heart.
At last, Katana was able to retrieve the bullet and get it safely out of the wound. It was small, and covered in blood. Katana tore off a piece of nearby cloth and dabbed the fresh blood that was coming from the wound. She dipped it in the water and cleaned the wound as best as she could.
Katana rinsed the cloth for the last time, and sighed, closing her eyes. She did it.
Just as she opened her eyes again, the door slid open. Sanosuke was on the other side, and so were Yahiko, Megumi and Kaoru. One look at the knife in Katana's hand and the blood was all they needed.
"You!" Sanosuke accused Katana. He was over her in a flash. Sano swung a punch to her stomach, knocking her down. The knife escaped her hand and fell to the floor.
"Stop Sano!" Kenshin ordered him too late. If Kanana had been at her full strength, Katana would have been able to dodge it, but Sano had managed to knock her out. She ended up sprawled out on the floor. Kaoru and Yahiko watched from the doorway, both appalled at what Sanosuke had done.
Kenshin, struggled to sit up. Sanosuke glanced over at his best friend. Kaoru, Megumi and Yahiko ran over to him to help him as he was trying to support himself as best as he could in his condition. Kenshin lied back down; he still didn't have the strength to sit up.
"Kaoru, look!" Yahiko said, picking up the bullet.
"Kenshin...Katana-" Kaoru started, realizing what really happened.
"Managed to take it out, that she did," Kenshin finished weakly.
"Sir Ken's life is no longer in danger. I'll clean your wound properly, but you should be better, with a few days of rest," Megumi said in relief, now talking to Kenshin. She left to get more bandages and medicine for him. That left Yahiko and Kaoru to watch over him. Kenshin closed his eyes.
Sanosuke however, kept his eyes on Katana's unconscious form. He knew he had made a mistake, but didn't know how to deal with it.
"She was trying to help Kenshin. Katana saved his life..." Kaoru said aloud. It was the same thought that everyone in the room had.
Within a few minutes, Megumi returned and set to work. Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she looked at Kenshin before turning to Kaoru and Yahiko.
"He should be fine now," Megumi told them. She turned to Sano, who was still watching over Katana's body.
"I'll carry her to her room. She'll be in some pain when she wakes, so I'll make her as comfortable as possible," Megumi said, walking towards Katana. She bent down to lift her up, but Sano stopped her.
"I'll do it." Megumi looked surprised but then stepped back. Sano lifted her with ease, carrying her bridal style.
"It's the least I can do. I was the one who hit her," Sano said shortly. "Where to, Megumi?" Megumi led Sano out of Kenshin's room and to the one Katana had been in. Sano set her down as gently as he could.
"This was nice of you Sano. An apology might also do some good, when she comes to," Megumi said, smoothing out, Katana's sheets, and laying a thin blanket over her.
"Yeah," Sanosuke said almost reluctantly, then left. Megumi stood up and blew out the candle.
"Give the rooster some time," Megumi said with a smile, before leaving the room as well.
BREAK
"Ready?" asked Katsuro. Katana nodded, holding her sword up in defense. Katsuro came at her with his attack and Katana dodged it, coming around with a counterattack to his middle. Katsuro blocked it and brought his sword across to her neck, the point just barely brushing it. Katana did her best to avoid it, but felt the sting of the shallow cut. Swinging her sword, she cut across aiming for chest, but he threw her sword off, and aimed for her sword hand. He left a shallow cut there as well and thrust his sword toward her. She dodged to the right, and was all of a sudden behind him, bringing her left fist around and slamming it into his head. She saw a flash of metal and leaped back.
Katsuro had a pleased smile on his face. "You learn quickly, Katana-san." Katana fell to her knees.
"But you would have to do better, if you wanted to defeat the Battousai..." Katana felt a cut, deeper than before, on her left side. It wasn't fatal, but the blood still seeped steadily from the shallow wound. When she looked up again though, Katsuro had gone. In his place stood Kenshin and she faintly heard him yell his attacks. Katana tried to block with her sword, but found that she had a knife, not a sword, in her hand.
Kenshin slashed her with his sword, but there was no blood. There wasn't even a wound to show.
Kenshin collapsed to the ground with blood all over him. Katana went to help him, but realized there was blood all over her hands and she jumped back horrified. She ran over to him and turned him over, but found it wasn't Kenshin at all. She found her father's dead face looking up at her and let go with a gasp.
"Katana...how could you kill Kenshin?" Kaoru was standing over her father's dead body.
"No...but that's...I didn't kill anyone!" Katana cried out, grabbing her hair in her fists and curling up into a ball.
"Mitsuko..." Katana looked up and suddenly felt hot all over. She was in her old house, and flames trapped her. Kiyoshi was there with his hand stretched out. Katana tried to reach for him, but he disappeared.
Standing in his place was a girl who looked exactly like Katana.
"What..." Katana asked the girl who looked exactly like her.
"I'll kill him...I'll kill Battousai," the girl said, drawing her sword.
"No! He didn't kill them!" Katana cried out. The girl there, looked surprised. She dropped her sword and started crying.
"No...don't kill him! It was Katsuro! I don't want to kill," her look-alike sobbed. Katana stood there, truly confused. What was going on...?
Katana woke with a start and found herself in a mess. Her sheets had been thrown off, and her clothes were slightly damp from sweat. Her dream began to fade away from her. Already, she didn't remember half of it. Her stomach was still sore as she turned her head. She found two brown eyes staring at her and she cried out. Yahiko was standing over her with a curious look on his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked, fully concerned.
"I-I think so..." she answered, a little unsure of herself. 'I need to find Kenshin.' Katana did her best to stand, still not fully better.
"Hey, where are you going?" Yahiko asked, trying to stop her. Katana turned to him, considering him for a moment.
"To find Kenshin," she said, before opening and closing the door. She didn't get two feet before she found Yahiko behind her.
"Kenshin's resting. Don't bother him, okay?" Yahiko ordered, running in front of Katana and standing in her way defiantly.
"Yahiko, get out of the way," she told him. Yahiko didn't budge.
"What's so important that it can't wait?"
"I have to talk to him. He's the only one who can help me now," Katana said brushing past a confused Yahiko.
"Katana! Stop being selfish! If you really want Kenshin to get better-" started Yahiko after her.
"Selfish?" Katana asked through gritted teeth. Her hands made fists, and Katana wanted so badly to punch something. But when she looked up at Yahiko, she almost looked like she wanted to cry.
"I can't...Everything feels...wrong. I just want to make sense of it all," Katana told him, in a desperate tone. She turned to find Kenshin's room, leaving a surprised Yahiko standing in the hallway.
Katana found Kenshin's room with little trouble, and opened the door slowly. Peeking in, she found Kenshin still lying in his futon, looking not much better than last time. His eyes were closed, and she spent some time debating on whether she should wake him or not. Seeing him in his condition...
"You can come sit, Miss Katana, that you can," Kenshin invited kindly. Katana stepped all the way into the room and sat down beside him. Moments of silence passed between them, before Katana spoke.
"How are you feeling?" Katana asked in a truly concerned voice.
"A little better, thanks," Kenshin replied, turning his head as much as he could, so he could face her.
"Kenshin..." Katana started, but then paused, unsure of how to word her question. He shifted, slightly, to show he was listening.
"You are...were the Battousai, right?" Katana asked.
"Yes," Kenshin answered, after a moment of thought.
"You killed people then. But if it wasn't innocent people...and why did you stop?" Katana asked, squashing two questions into one breath.
"I did. I killed. But I killed those who were in power, though that's hardly an excuse... But it wasn't ever for pleasure or self-gain. All I wanted was a time and place where people could finally be equal and free, that I did. I am happy I could bring a more peaceful Meiji era...though I still regret ever having taken a life that I do, " Kenshin said. Katana could hear that he meant every word. All these years...she had been wrong...
"I'm sorry. Kaoru was wrong. It wasn't her fault. It was mine," Katana apologized in an unsteady voice.
"Miss Katana...that's not your real name, is it?" Kenshin asked. Katana felt her heart speed up at his unexpected question.
"No. It's Mitsuko. After my brother and father died, Katsuro found me and took care of me. He taught me swordsmanship...and told me that Battousai killed my family. It didn't make sense back then, but I guess after a while I started to believe that what he said was true. I...somehow I felt like I had left my old life behind. I changed my name to Katana... because I'm a swordsman now," she told him. Still she felt so confused...as if she was still missing a part of the puzzle.
"All these years...my true target was right in front of me, and I couldn't see it. Damn bastard..." Katana growled slamming her fists into the floor, anger surging through her body. Kenshin watched with sympathetic eyes.
""Your name. It mean's 'child of light', doesn't? I don't think your father would have wished for you to become a 'child of darkness,' that I don't. Mitsuko, you are a talented swordsman that you are. But killing, even for revenge is wrong that it is, no matter how strong the anger is in your heart. What do you plan on doing next, after you've taken revenge on Katsuro? I can't imagine you've been too happy, thinking about revenge for the past ten years, living the moments of the past, day after day. Happiness never follows taking a life, that it doesn't. You're father and brother protected you, so that you could
live on. Don't you owe them your happiness instead of anger and hate?" Kenshin told her wisely, looking up at the ceiling.
"How could you know...what it's like to lose the ones you love the most?" Katana asked, tears forming in her eyes and her voice breaking.
"Ten years ago, I...killed the one I loved the most. In a fight...she jumped in the way to protect me..." Kenshin said softly, his voice shaking. Katana stopped breathing at what he just said and cold tremors ran through her body.
"Kenshin..." Katana said quietly, as if she was afraid to talk. "I'm sorry..." It was all she could say.
"What am I supposed to do, Kenshin? I...I feel like I've lost everything..." Katana asked, her whole body trembling. She wanted to scream until she lost her voice...she wanted to cry until she could feel no pain...she wanted to run until she felt weak. She wanted to die. This feeling had been buried in her heart, ever since her father and her brother were killed. It was the desperate, defeated feeling of despair...
Kenshin watched her crumple to the ground in a motionless body. Too much in pain to even cry...
Katana felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and flinched slightly.
"Miss Katana. No one should have to go through losing someone they love. The pain won't ever go away, that it won't. However, don't ever give up. Though you might be strong in the art of the sword, there are still ways to make your swordsmanship stronger, that there are. Miss Kaoru believes that one should use their sword to protect people. If you fill your heart with love, instead of hate, you'll be able to find a better strength, that you will. If you truly want to heal, you can't keep living in the past, that you can't.
If you can embrace it and accept, then you become stronger. It's up to you, Miss Katana, that it is. I only hope that's what you decide, that I do," Kenshin told her kindly. Katana heard, and understood.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Though she wasn't sure if she could be brave enough to follow through, she finally felt that she could begin her road to peace.
A/N: Okay...first, I'm sure it'd take people longer than that to wake after being hit by Kenshin's blows, but I needed a way for her to be able to be awake to take his bullet out, so that he hadn't died yet. Also, after the first BREAK, that's Katana's dream, just in case you couldn't tell. And, I know that when people are knocked out it's usually to the head, but I didn't want to risk the question of concussion. Oh and sorry if there's OOCness, but I did try. It's kinda hard, because some parts are deep, but yeah…so…weird chapter. Long one too, at least for me. Hopefully, the next chapters will be happier. Anyway, don't forget to review!