Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony Entertainment Enterprises, and Shueisha Jump! Comics. All characters mentioned in this, future, and previous installments are being used for non-profit entertainment purposes. Any and all original characters and ideas are mine to claim.
Note: Possible OOCness ahead. Mild references to abuse and rape. This chapter told in Kenshin's POV.
-Save Me From the Darkness-
Chapter Seven – Healing the Wounds
"Moshi moshi. Takani Megumi desu," she answered her cell phone.
"Ohayou, Megumi."
"Oh, Kenshin! How is Kaoru? Has she woken up?"
"Hai. She woke up this morning, actually. I had a question about the IV. How long do you want me to keep it in?"
"I think you can take it out now, considering she's conscious again. Is she awake right now?"
"Iie. She's sleeping. Ano... she had a fever when she woke up, and it's gone down a few degrees, but it's still there. Is there any medicine you want her to take?"
"Hmm... Tylenol should help with the fever. Was she in any pain when she woke up?"
"I didn't ask, but I could see it. Truthfully, she cried herself to sleep just now."
There was a sigh on her line. "Poor little tanuki-chan... No one like her should have to deal with something like this... Okay, I'll give you a prescription for a painkiller. It'll probably allow her to move around sooner as well. Feed her liquids; if she's up to it, give her a light meal. Something like rice and soup, maybe..."
We talked for a few more minutes, and Megumi gave me a few tips and ideas to make her more comfortable. She reminded me to change her bandages [or she would come by to do it, if I was uncomfortable with the idea], and gave me the name of the painkiller so that I could go and pick it up from the pharmacy.
Once I hung up, I headed into the kitchen to make Kaoru some hot soup [Egg Drop Chicken Corn soup, her favorite] with some toast and a cup of jasmine tea [another favorite]. As I cooked, I noticed a note on the fridge from Kamatari.
Dear Kenshin,
I hope Kaoru-chan is doing better. I checked in on the both of you early this morning, but you were both asleep [I was up at around six]. I've left early for a meeting [they asked if I'd mind meeting over coffee and pastries; if I land this deal, my boutique is going to take off like crazy!], but I should be back by about six tonight. Have fun, be careful, and call Sano and Soujirou back [I told them we were going to need some extra futons and sleeping bags, and they want to know when we'll need them].
Luv ya, hun!--Kamatari
I cringed at the second-to-last line of the letter, and then tried to remember why we needed extra sleeping bags and futons.
I'd actually been so out of it since Saturday, I completely forgot. So when I remembered the reason, I just about screamed and fell over.
Once I'd regained my composure, I went back to the stove where the soup was cooking, and grabbed the cordless phone in the process. I dialed Sano's number while stirring the contents of the pot [I'd made a lot since this was going to be my lunch as well].
"Moshi moshi? Who the fuck is this?" came a groggy, half-awake voice over the phone.
"Ohayou, Sano. Were you out drinking and gambling again?"
"Kenshin-baka, don't preach to me. Do you have any fucking idea what time it is?"
"Hai, I actually do. It's eight a.m., and I am waking you up to return your call."
"What call?"
"The call that said you wanted to talk to me about extra sleeping bags and futons."
"Oh, yeah. I have two futons in my closet. You want 'em?"
"Do you need them some time soon?"
"Iie."
"Then yes, I would like to borrow them for a few weeks."
"Okay. When do you need them?"
"Tomorrow night."
"I'll drop 'em by. Now hang up so I can go back to sleep."
"Hai. Sayonara."
"Whatever." He hung up.
I laughed a bit, and hung up as well.
I called Soujirou, discussed the same topic with him [he would bring by three sleeping bags and two futons the next day as well] and finished cooking the food on the stove. Putting it in the oven to keep warm, I went to check on Kaoru to see how she was doing. Entering the room quietly, I walked to my place by the wall and sat down again, never realizing when I fell into a light sleep again.
I suppose the past few days took a toll on me.
My sleep was disrupted abruptly by frantic and jerky movement, mixed with mumbled whispers
of "No", "Please stop", "Don't touch me," and the name "Enishi". I watched in anxious worry as Kaoru's face contorted in fear and pain, her closed eyes scrunched together. Her body writhed in fright and her head moved side to side jerkily as she dreamed her nightmare. Unable to see what was in her subconscious, I could only imagine what she envisioned in her mind's eye. Suddenly, she screamed in fright and pain, and I came out of my stupor as I tried to wake her up and calm her frantic nerves.
She was in tears as she came to, and she didn't recognize me immediately. It took a few minutes for me to get through to her. For the second time that day, I gladly gave her my shoulder to cry on as I held her close and whispered little phrases of "It's okay", "He can't hurt you anymore", "It was a dream", and oddly enough, "I'm here now". Once she'd finished crying, I asked her if she wanted to eat something. Nodding with a few sniffles, she agreed to being hungry.
I told her I'd come back with something to eat, and she continued to sit in her futon. Unfortunately, Kaoru wasn't going to really be able to move around much for the next few days. It took a lot of her strength to just sit there, and so she tended to hunch forward slightly because of it.
We ate lunch together [I ended up feeding her because she was physically weak at the time], and I told her that my friends from the States were coming to visit me tomorrow night. Kaoru mustered up a small smile and said that she would like to meet them when they came. As we talked, an idea came to me that might help Kaoru heal; I was going to have to talk to Tomoe first to see if she would agree to what I had thought up.
Kamatari and I decided that he would go to the airport to pick everyone up. He rented a minivan for the occasion, since they wouldn't all fit in Kamatari's Honda. Megumi had come by earlier that Thursday to give Kaoru a check-up, change her bandages, and change her clothes after giving her a bath. I gave them the room they would need and stayed mostly in the living room and kitchen area, just cleaning up the place [even though everything was pretty tidy] in preparation for the storm that would hit my apartment that night in the form of my friends.
Once Megumi finished up with Kaoru, she came out of the room while closing the door behind her. I was busy mopping the kitchen floor when she came in and took a seat at the table.
"How is she?" I asked.
"I think she's going to need therapy. She needs to talk about what happened exactly so she can
let it all out. Maybe it'll help her heal faster."
"Well..." I hesitated.
"What did you have in mind? You obviously have an idea."
"Well, my friend Tomoe is coming to Japan today with some of my other friends from LA, and
she's a therapist. I think she's dealt with similar cases, so I was thinking that maybe Tomoe could work with Kaoru, and I thought we could get her into some of her old hobbies..."
"Which old hobby?"
"Ano... Do you remember the sixth grade talent show she took part in? She won first place for her routine."
"Hai! I remember that talent show. It was one of the last school-related functions that her father attended before he died."
"Do you remember what her routine was?"
"Hai...she was twirling flaming batons while performing acrobatics and dancing."
"What do you think of her getting back into it?"
"I think it might do her some good. I remember how happy she was when she performed up there."
"That's what I was thinking. I need to ask Tomoe about it first, though, to see what she thinks and whether or not it's okay for her to do something like that."
Megumi agreed that it would be smart to ask her first, and left after having a cup of tea with me. After washing the cups, I put them away, and went to see how Kaoru was doing. I knocked at the door and waited for an answer.
"Hai?" she asked softly.
"Kaoru-dono, I need to go out and take care of some things, but I should be back in about an hour. Will you be okay here on your own?"
"I guess so..."
"If you'd like, I can bring in my boom box so that you can listen to the radio."
"Hai, I'd like that."
"Okay. Give me a minute."
I went to my room and got my sleek electric blue Psye CD player/AM-FM radio. After wrapping the cord around the apparatus so that I wouldn't trip over it, I went back to Kaoru's room and knocked again.
"Come in," she said softly.
"Here we go," I said after opening the door and plugging in the CD player/radio near her futon so that she would be able to reach it. After explaining the controls to her and saying good-bye, I headed out to the streets to go pick up Kaoru's prescription and find her a gift.
It's always nice to get a gift when you're sick or sad. At least, that's what I think.
As I walked down the streets, I thought about what I could get her.
Flowers?...No, too cliché. Music?...No, she owns a music store. Hmm...
I was still confused after I'd picked up the medicine from the pharmacy two blocks away from the apartment. Continuing to look around at the different shops that lined the street, I stopped when something caught my eye.
It was beautiful, and differently painted from others that I had seen. Memories of our childhood when Kamiya-san was still alive came to mind, and I knew she would like it. I went into the store and asked the cashier how much it was.
"15,456 yen," he replied.
"Does it come with a carrying case?"
"Yes."
I thought it over. The price seemed about right if converted to USD. Deciding to get what I'd found, I nodded to the cashier, forked over my credit card, and paid for the gift. Leaving with my purchase, I made one last stop at one of Kaoru's favorite stores.
I found what I was looking for—a royal blue, satin hair ribbon with jasmine flowers for the border—bought it, and left. Heading home with my purchases, I wondered what Kaoru was doing while I was out.
Did she fall asleep listening to the radio? Is she singing along with the music? Maybe she's daydreaming. Maybe she's just listening to the music. She might just be lost in thought...
Letting myself into the apartment, the sound of "Noumu--Dense Fog" from one of the Silent Mobius movies [I'm pretty sure it's the first one...] playing on the radio.
It must be Total Request Hour.
I put down the medicine on the kitchen counter, and went with the gifts to Kaoru's room.
Knocking softly on the door, I opened it when I got no answer. Going inside and looking at her, I couldn't help but smile.
So she fell asleep listening to the radio after all...
I put her gifts down in a corner, and walked over to her futon. She seemed more comfortable; Megumi had removed the IV, and had redressed Kaoru in something more traditional [after all, she is a dojo master; it just seems more fitting for her to be traditionally dressed]—a light blue sleeping yukata. There was a dark blue haori hanging off of the now empty coat rack. Her hair was braided again, and lay coiled next to her head on the futon.
I was glad to see that her bruise was about healed, as were the other injuries on her face. She still had reminders of the bruises on her neck, however, and I knew for a fact that she still had many other bandages on her body. Deciding to let her rest some more, I left the room.
At six o'clock, Kamatari called me and said that he was leaving the boutique so that he could go pick everyone up, and that he would be at the apartment as soon as possible.
"What are we going to do for dinner?" I mused aloud over the phone.
"I dunno. Why don't you make some of your specialties?"
"No, too complicated, and it would take a while."
"I'll pick something up then."
"Music Planet does take out, and so does the Akabeko. Pick one of them."
"Hmm... I'll go with Music Planet. That way, we'll get in a little sightseeing for the newbies in on
the way home."
I chuckled—Kamatari meant Chou and Anji when he mentioned the word 'newbies'; the two had never been to Japan before. "Okay. That's fine with me."
We hung up; Sano and Soujirou shortly after to drop off the extra futons and sleeping bags, along with flowers, cards and little gifts [like boxes of chocolate].
They noticed my questioning glance at the gifts and Sano explained.
"I talked to Megumi yesterday, and she told me what happened to jou-chan. We told the others, and we decided to get her a few 'Get Well Soon' presents. Everyone had something to give, and they asked us to bring them by since we were coming over here anyway."
I nodded, smiled, and helped them bring everything inside. Taking the gifts for them, I slipped into Kaoru's room [she was still sleeping] and put the new gifts with the other ones that I had bought that day.
After putting the sleeping gear in the extra room, Sano and Soujirou said good-bye and headed to their respective homes.
Once done with a last minute check of the apartment [making sure everything was in order, checking to make sure that there was enough food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next few days, etc.], I sat down on the couch to watch some TV and wait for everyone.
Channel-surfing should have been an Olympic sport.
Coming across an episode of Get Backers, I settled down to watch as Ban and Ginji made utter fools of themselves. Two episodes of Get Backers and an episode of Arjuna later, Kamatari called and said that they were driving to the apartment and that he had gotten dinner enough for all of us [Kaoru included]. Twenty minutes later, there was a jangle of keys at the door, and I headed over to greet my newly arrived [and jetlagged] friends.
"Welcome to Japan, ladies and gentlemen," I said with a grin as the came inside. Hugs [and kisses on the cheek from the girls] went around and we all moved into the living room. Everyone either sat down on the couch, the armchair, or the floor around the coffee table.
"I like your place, guys," Akira commented. "Nice view. Must be great to go out onto the balcony and watch the sunrise."
"It might be," I said. "I'll let you know when I know for sure."
Everyone laughed.
"What? It's true; I haven't been out that early!"
They laughed harder.
Some friends I have.
"Gomen, Kenshin. We couldn't help it," Tomoe apologized.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru's voice came from the hallway entrance. "What's going on?"
I turned my head to see Kaoru standing there wearing the dark blue haori over her light blue yukata, leaning heavily against the wall for support. She looked like she was struggling to keep her legs from collapsing under her. Confused blue eyes roamed around the room as she tried to figure out what was going on.
"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
I shook my head 'no', and made my way over to her to help walk her to where everyone else was sitting, watching interestedly.
"I'm glad to see you awake and about Kaoru-chan!" Kamatari said.
"Thanks, Kamatari, but I don't know if I can call this being 'about'," she joked with a small
smile. I led her to the last empty space on the couch [where I had been sitting previously] and took a seat by her feet instead.
"Kaoru-dono, I would like you to meet my friends from L.A. The girl in the purple shirt is Komagata Yumi."
"Hi. Kenshin's talked a lot about you," she said smiling.
"I'm Shishio Makoto. Fire is cool."
Kaoru laughed. "It can be," she said.
"Kiyosato Akira desu. Hajimemashite."
"Same here," Kaoru replied.
And so the introductions continued until the only one Kaoru hadn't met was Tomoe, because she had gone to refresh herself before dinner. Tomoe returned to the room, and sat down on the beanbag next to Akira's feet while he sat on the armchair.
I noticed Kaoru was staring at her with a look of amazement. To bring her out of her stupor, I gave her a subtle poke on the foot; she reacted and blushed because I caught her staring at Tomoe.
Tomoe looked at Kaoru, and smiled.
"Konnichiwa. You must be Kaoru-san, right?"
"And you're Tomoe-san, Enishi's cousin."
"Hai. How do you know Enishi?"
Kaoru's eyes turned distant. "We...just recently broke our engagement."
"Oh. Sumimasen. I didn't mean to pry..." Tomoe trailed off.
Deciding a change of subject [and in Kaoru's case, mood] was direly in order, I cleared my throat and turned to Kaoru.
"Ano...did you see the semi-large pile of stuff in your room when you came out?" I asked her.
She looked at me and shook her head. "There was only a desk lamp on."
I nodded and grinned. "Then wait here while I bring that pile out. I think you'll like what you'll
find."
"In the meantime, why don't the rest of us go into the kitchen and have dinner?" Kamatari suggested. Most everyone else agreed with him, and followed him into the kitchen.
I went and got Kaoru's gifts from her room [it took two trips], then sat down next to her on the
couch while she opened each present, read each card, and smelled the two bouquets of flowers. Finally, the only gifts left were the ones I had bought. She took the smaller package first and opened carefully after reading the card I had picked up on the way.
"Oh my..." she stared at the satin hair ribbon in amazement. "Kenshin, it's beautiful..."
"I'm glad you like it," I replied. "Though there's still one last gift from me."
"Nani ka? Where?"
I turned to look at the first gift I had bought her that day. She followed my gaze and gasped.
"Oh Kenshin, you didn't..."
"Go on; open it. See for yourself, Kaoru-dono."
She leaned over, and I helped her put the carrying case in her lap so she could open it. Lifting the latches that held the case shut, she opened the top.
"Y-You did..." she said, tears brimming her eyes as she ran her hands over what lay in the case.
It was a violin, finely crafted out of cherry wood, with a blooming jasmine flower painted delicately in the corner near where the instrument was tucked under the player's chin.
"Arigato gozaimasu. Demo, you didn't have to do this for me, Kenshin. Taking me in and taking care of me is more than enough of a token in itself."
"Just because you think so doesn't mean I do. When I saw this in the window of the shop I bought it from, it brought back memories of when you used to play and sing for your father," I explained.
She leaned her head against my shoulder, and nodded while snapping the case closed and latching it shut. "I remember... He said the pain was more bearable when I played or sang for him," she said softly, a few tears sliding down her cheeks.
I reached over with my right hand and thumbed the tears away. "Cheer up, Kaoru-dono. He's happier where he is now."
She smiled softly and nodded. I decided now would be as good a time as ever to talk to her about what Megumi had told me this morning.
"Kaoru-dono?"
"Hai?"
"Ano...Megumi talked to me today after she was done seeing you. She...she recommended that you go to therapy or counseling."
So the words weren't exact, but that is what she meant.
Kaoru sighed. "I know; she talked to me about it too. And...I think I want to go through with it. I think it might help me get over all of this."
"Well, if you wouldn't object, I can talk to Tomoe about it. She might be willing to take you as a client since she herself is a therapist."
Kaoru nodded. "Okay."
And we continued sitting there, staring at the full moon through the balcony doors.
-Two Months Later-
Over the course of the two months following Tomoe's arrival, Tomoe worked with Kaoru to help her heal. Tomoe gave Kaoru a diary to write all her thoughts and feelings down, because Kaoru couldn't bring herself to tell her what had happened that night I found her in the rain.
Many times I would come across Kaoru sitting on the balcony at night, a flashlight in one hand and a pen in the other, writing away in her diary. Or diaries, I suppose, since she filled up at least two and a half books with words and thoughts and feelings.
She'd gotten back into old hobbies—flaming batons, gymnastics, singing and playing instruments—and she had returned to working at Music Planet on a regular basis. Her kendo students welcomed her return as well, though I hadn't figured out why she hadn't moved back to the house on the dojo complex. Not that I was complaining; I was glad she was staying with me and Kamatari.
Maybe the house brings back too many memories. Either that, or she's waiting until she's ready.
And soon the two months were up, and it was time for the others to return to LA. On the last night that they were there, Tomoe pulled me aside after dinner to talk to me.
"She's healing Kenshin, but she's still hurting too. I've done as much as I could for her. I'm afraid I can't do much more."
"Thank you for everything Tomoe."
"Don't thank me. It's what I do."
"But, why would she still be hurting?" I wondered aloud.
"She's confused about several things. She's trying to understand what's going on within herself. I
managed to save her from feeling worthless after what the man I regret to call my cousin did to her, but she's still a little lost on her own feelings about all that's happened. Give her time. I'm sure with people like you and her friends around, she'll be all right."
I nodded.
"One more thing," she said. "You should tell her how you feel. Otherwise she'll start wondering why keep looking at with that weird grin on your face."
Grinning, she retired for the night while I stood there blushing like an idiot. It's true that I did want to tell her my feelings, but I wasn't exactly sure how.
Scowling I couldn't help thinking, You make it sound like it's the easiest thing in the world, Tomoe.
Then next day, Tomoe and everyone left to return to their lives in L.A. Kamatari, Kaoru, and I exchanged good-byes with everyone else at the airport; Kaoru and Tomoe had an especially heartwarming farewell. They exchanged numbers and email addresses, and promised to keep in touch, all the while trying hard not to cry. Hugging each other like sisters [and finally giving into the tears], I smiled at how close they had become.
They left, and the three of us returned to the apartment. On the way to the elevator, Kamatari picked up the mail and flipped through it in the elevator.
"There's an invitation to some party for you Kenshin," he said.
"Really? Let me see that," I said taking the card from him.
You are cordially invited to attend the Technology Business Association's
Seventh Annual Summer Ball,
held on June 23rd at 7:00 P.M.
Please confirm you and your escort's attendance no later than June 15th.
RSVP to or call 0120-27-8786.
"What's it say, Kenshin? You look a little confused."
I can't tell her I need an escort. Not just yet!
There was a little plan forming in my mind; a plan where I could reveal my feelings to her. Since June 23rd is her birthday, it would be even more special. But I had to do this just right. So I answered her, "Just mentally checking over some dates to make sure they don't clash."
She accepted the answer and went into the apartment when Kamatari unlocked the door.
"I can tell you're planning something, Ken," he told me softly, once Kaoru was safely out of earshot; she stood on the balcony, watching the moon.
"I am, and I'll tell you, but I'd like it if you'd help me with it. She's going to need a new outfit and some accessories," I hinted. "But I'll let you know when to start on that when I know for sure."
"I get it. Let me know when you'll need me. Oyasumi nasai, Kenshin."
"Oyasumi nasai, Kamatari."
He left for his room, and I headed to the balcony.
Time to start this ball rolling—no pun intended...
-To Be Continued...-
A/N
Ice: Well, that is the longest chapter I've written for this chapter so far. Sixteen pages!
Oh my gosh, thank you all so much for your reviews. You are absolutely wonderful people, and it makes me feel so loved. ::starts crying::
Kenshin: ::hands IceAngelKaoru a tissue:: Daijoubu de gozaru ka?
Ice: ::wipes eyes and nose:: Hai! ::glomps Kenshin:: KAWAII!!
Kenshin: ::swirly eyes:: Orororo... ::passes out::
Ice: Oops. Gomen, Kenshin.
Kenshin: ::wakes up:: Review Ice Angel Kaoru-dono's chapter, onegai! ::passes out again::
Ice: Kaoru's gonna kill me... ::looks worried::
Kaoru: ::looks murderous:: Oh, Kaoru-chan...
Ice: Uh oh... ::runs for her life:: REVIEW ONEGAI! SAVE ME!!! ::runs faster::
Kaoru: WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT SURPRISING HIM LIKE THAT? ::looks around:: ::sees IceAngelKaoru nowhere:: COME BACK HERE YOU COWARD! ::runs after IAK::
--IceAngelKaoru [Signing out: 8:51 PM PST, Saturday, August 24, 2004]