Azure Dreams
by Uenki

Disclaimer- Sessha no own Rurouni Kenshin, gomen-ne.

Perse purple eyes softened in concern as he put on his leather trench coat, while his mind drifted to the woman who forced –invited him to go on a trip with her in Paris. He was mussed up from her reaction yesterday, and he knew that he was too harsh for snapping at her at the roadway the day before. He smiled as she reminded him of himself when he was young, so lost, naïve, yet filled with endless pools of determination. Someone had told him once, life is just like the war, the weak will die and the strongest will survive. Simple fact he refused to face, yet he cried for days and nights. He will never admit that he was weak, for he was not. Even though deep inside, he knew he was, he would never shut himself up and curl up into a corner, for no matter how terrible things was, he would have to face it. That was what they called, 'reality'.

His eyes shifted to the sheathed sword that was lying on the soft mattress. He treaded to the bedside and held up the sword with his calloused hands, and he gave a barely audible sigh, as he held the sword that had accompanied him for ten years. He knew that it wasn't possible, but he had other reasons to come to Paris other than looking for inspirations for his next artwork. A mere truth that could disconnect the relationship from his precious, just like how his fiancée had left him ten years ago…

'You know, baka-deshi, it would be best that you could be honest to your friends, and family… It is unhealthy to buried things in your heart that are not meant to be buried…'

It was words of advice, and he heeded it. Only to be faced by a torturous break-up with his fiancée, Tomoe Yukishiro. (AN –No Tomoe-bashing intended.) She was the perfect wife that one could never hate, demure, gentle, kind, soothing, everything being the perfect wife she was. However, she could not accept the fact that he had told her, and she went into a state of emotional break down. Kenshin laughed bitterly upon that special piece of memory.

'I cannot lead a happy life whom I considered to be unworthy. Akira… I'm sorry. I still missed him. You couldn't replace him in my heart.'

Foolish excuse. She had used that excuse to break the current relationship they are in… even though he admitted that it was partially his fault that Akira and her couldn't be husband and wife, he lose the sparring match. So Tomoe was his, even though he doesn't want to. However, another part of him was attracted to the unfazed beauty she held. She slotted the key to his inner demons and let them free. Yet she couldn't accept a mere fact.

A fact that he too, find it too hard to be accepted. He detested himself, he detested his past, and he detested his childhood. Several knocks on his door yanked him back to the present, and a soft voice spoke. It was Kaoru's. He slotted the Sakaba into his stash, which remained safely hidden from Kaoru's prying eyes, and the fact that he actually does have an official license from the government to carry this pellicular sword around, wherever he liked.

"I'm sorry, Kenshin. Gee, I wonder how many times I have said that today… I wonder if you're still in there, but if you are, please hear me out. I wanted to apologise for my earlier attitude, for I am thinking about… something. I tend to be staring into space sometimes, because of some valid reasons… Please, I am-" without even finishing, Kenshin had opened the door. Her mouth dropped open in surprise but she closed it immediately, and she blushed a tomato red. Kenshin grinned and pat her like a chid on the head.

"It's alright, Kaoru-dono." She brightened up and smiled back, and she linked her hands with his and dragged him to the elevator. They stopped, and she gave him a big bear hug causing him to go redder than his hair.

"Oro?!" he cried, and Kaoru smiled.

"You know, you're the first one, who had treated me well. I appreciated it, Kenshin." He flashed his famous trademark smile (Rurouni grin), and reassured her in kind words. In the corner of his eyes, he had noticed how 'fine' she looked, she was not looking sunny like yesterday, but the color seemed to match her mood.

She wore a silvery white halter-top, which was pleated, and long, folded black skirt. It was something simple, yet her moody nature was all reflected in her way of clothing. Too immersed by his own thoughts, he was yelled back to life by Kaoru.

"Hey, are you listening to me?" Kaoru ended her sentence with a fiercer tone, and her brows narrowed. Kenshin looked at her, blinked, and nodded his head. The grin plastered on her face grew wider and wider.

"Yeah… Something about the restaurant nearby?" Kaoru looked as if she was going to strangle the red headed man. Rolling her eyes, she snorted, and glared daggers at the man. Kenshin laughed nervously, and shook his head, confused.

"No. I said, 'Why don't we go to the café nearby that is closer to the beach?' … Obviously, you aren't listening." Kenshin scratched his head and smiled, and the tension faded, Kaoru smiled back. "Besides," Kaoru stared at the her reflection in the large mirror on the elevator, seemingly nervous, "there's something I needed to speak to you." She ended softly, and they stepped out of the elevator.

Kenshin nodded his head, "This unworthy one would be glad to be a listening ear, Kaoru-dono."

--

They sat on the sandy beach, while Kaoru smiled weakly. "Well, I didn't expect that… we are sitting here… on a beach." She spoke and hesitated, while Kenshin smiled at her willingness to speak. He shook his head and eyed her fondly; she looked so much like one who had accompanied him, a long time ago. He pulled back those locks of crimson that tickled his eyes, and fished out a cup of take-away latte, and held it out to her, her lips curved and she accepted gladly.

The breeze was their only source of comfort, and the crashing of the waves was like a music record. Kaoru closed her eyes and inhaled a sharp intake an air, and Kenshin put his hand onto hers, comforting her. She trembled slightly for a moment, not that the beach was cold, but for the chillness in her heart.

"I have psychiatric disorder, Kenshin." Kenshin seemed puzzled, and Kaoru gave a sigh.

She was deep in thought, and he stared intently at her. She seemed so… beautiful. The moonbeams were shining down on her, and her ivory skin seemed so angelic. She ceased her brows as she tried to think, but then she relaxed again.

"But I don't know," she whispered, and it grabbed hold of Kenshin's attention, "I know that I have psychiatric disorder, but there was something so important that I was trying to recall… But I just can't…" her hands grabbed her forehead, clutching a fistful of raven hair.

"What do you mean by you don't know…?" Kenshin asked, concerned. Kaoru shook her head harshly as she tried to recall, but what reached her mind was a sea of darkness.

"There is something, I am trying to remember. I don't know why I travelled around… It was just someday, I suddenly woke up in Megumi's home, and I remember nothing. Still, I can make out some blurred visions… It seemed to connect with a scar, but then…" her voice was soft and frantic. Kenshin put a hand on hers, and she calmed down.

"It's alright… This one is your listening ear, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said, reassuringly.

"I don't know… It was this day; I woke up in Megumi's house… And she told me that I have this psychiatric disorder… And I know no more." Her eyes glanced around, and their eyes met. It was a pleading look, Kenshin noticed. She seemed to be searching for something as she looked deep into his eyes, Kenshin felt a tinge of something in his heart and he chose to ignore it. A moment later, Kaoru turned her head away, and he sort of felt… disappointed.

"Then why are you travelling around the world for?"

Kaoru shrugged, and gave a hushed laughter.

"I seemed to be looking for someone, but I don't know who… The memories always come and goes, when the time I remember what it was, I would forget again." Fear was evident in her speech.

"Kaoru-dono," her head tilted up and their eyes met again, "who am I?" his face was deadly serious and Kaoru had to suppress another fit of laughter.

"You are Kenshin." Kenshin nodded, his seriousness faded. He gave a small smile.

"Then Sessha can assure you, there is nothing wrong with you, Kaoru-dono, for you still remember Sessha." Kaoru nodded her head, the information digesting slowly. She looked up onto the starless sky, the sphere hanging high up.

"The lunar is so beautiful tonight, isn't it, Kenshin?" Kaoru whispered, and Kenshin peered up.

"Yeah, Kaoru-dono…"

Author's Note: Well, there is something I need to clarify… Kaoru is 'forgetful'. Not those times when you forgot to bring your stationaries, but those where the memories just come to you and on the other moment, you seemed to forget everything… I have did some research on the Internet, and for the sake of my sanity, I do hope that Kaoru would remember something. And yes, Tomoe is in this chapter… Flashback will occurred, and I'm sorry that you'll have to be disappointed, but Tomoe is dead.

I firmly believe that Kaoru belongs to Kenshin and Tomoe belongs to Akira.
Forcefully, I don't like to bash Tomoe, and I don't like people to bash her either.
No one is perfect.

Sorry for the long awaited chapter, I hope you will enjoy it. Be sure to send your comments!

Love,
Uenki –the girl who bugs my friends on Kenshin and more Kenshin.