Review Comments: Ji-chan, uh, yeah. You're the henjin! Just kidding. Arigatou for reviewing me! Okay, I won't send a Death INC. emails, you'll just get the logo. I won't say anything. I had fun doing the logo. Anyway, Frank the squirrel. Dai-chan, did you have a fun time studying for finals? I bet not! Almost a week since we've been out. Haha! I know it's sad that Mayonaka and Tsuyoi are dead. And poor Fumeiyo. Kage killed him. So sad! I'm glad that you liked the conversation between Jouji-kun and me! It was funny! Arigatou for reviewing me, and My Rurouni, the Tokyo treat!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the fun characters except for the remaining characters since four of them are dead. Sayōnara, Hikari, Tsuyoi, Mayonaka, and Fumeiyo.
Chapter 13- A Shoulder to Cry On
Kenshin's face loomed closer to Kaoru's. "There's something that I've been meaning to tell you. I've put it off for too long," he said.
Kaoru closed her eyes and shuddered. Kenshin stopped and suppressed a sigh. "Kaoru, why are you afraid of me now? You weren't even afraid when you first attacked me, remember?" He smiled at the memory.
"Ne! Hitokiri Battousai!"
The redheaded man with violet eyes and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek, turned.
"Your murderous reign is over!"
"ORO!?"
"Kyaaa!" the raven-haired girl charged at him.
"You weren't even afraid when I was Battousai. Why now?" He cupped her cut cheek carefully with his calloused hand.
"I can't help it," she explained softly. "It's not you. But, every time you advance on me, I lose all rationality and I think it's Kage." Kenshin frowned slightly. "He looked like you, but with gray eyes and black hair." She reached up timidly and brushed his bangs away from his face. Her eyes met his, and she finally realized the emotion that played in his eyes from two days ago. She smiled kindly. Her fingers trailed down to trace his cross scar. "His eyes don't hold the kindness and compassion that yours carry." Her hand trailed down to his chest to rest on his heart. "His heart doesn't have the pureness and cares yours has."
It was then his turn to whisper, "Kaoru, I don't deserve this." His hand gripped the hand that was on his chest. "I am stained with blood. That's not pure."
"Gomen ne, Kenshin," Kaoru said. "I didn't mean to push you away. I don't ever want you to leave me." She started to cry softly. "Gomen ne! Gomen nasai!"
Kenshin pulled her into his arms and cradled her like a child. He rocked her back and forth, singing quietly to her.
"Kenshin?" she asked sleepily, a half hour later.
"Hm?"
"What were you going to say before? You know, when you said that you would tell me another day."
"Oh, that," he said uncomfortably. "I think I will leave that until another day, Kaoru-dono."
We're back to 'dono', she thought sadly. "Okay, Kenshin," she said and fell asleep.
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin asked quietly. "Do you think that you will be okay now?" When he didn't get a response from her, he craned his neck to see her face. He smiled slightly when he saw her sleeping. He bent down and whispered, "Welcome home," in her ear. Her response was to snuggle closer to him and fist her hand in his gi. Yawning sleepily, Kenshin leaned against the wall and slowly fell asleep.
Aoshi woke up to someone sniffing at about three in the morning. He saw Misao standing at the window, moonlight reflecting her tears.
"Misao," Aoshi asked.
Misao jumped. "Aoshi-sama," she said, voice high pitched. She quickly wiped her tears away. "You scared me?"
He got up and put his arms around her shoulders. "Why are you crying?"
"Oh! I wasn't crying!" she said with false brightness. "I got something in my eyes!"
"Don't lie. You can't fool me, Misao," he reprimanded. "Didn't Okina teach you not to lie? I know I did."
Misao gave a short laugh. "Okay. You know me too well." Her face sobered up. "I can't stand the fact that so many people are still dying in the Meiji Era. So much for it being peaceful." She turned to face Aoshi. "I thought that maybe, just maybe our lives would be peaceful after the whole Kyoto incident."
Aoshi scrutinized her face intensely. "Life is far from being free from pain and sorrow. If our lives were ever to be peaceful, there would be no reason to go to heaven. This would be heaven. We are made to have sorrow for a reason. What that reason is, I don't know and I will probably never know."
Misao looked away from him. "It's not fair," she insisted.
"What's not fair, darling?" Aoshi asked, leaning close to Misao's ear.
"Kaoru-san getting," she struggled to get the next word out. "Getting raped. She's such a wonderful person! She didn't deserve all that humiliation, pain, and suffering. She's too nice!" Tears began to gleam in her eyes. "And Tsuyoi-kun and Mayonaka-chan. They didn't deserve to die! They were so young. Mayonaka was so determined. So was Tsuyoi. You could feel their spirits."
"Though it is unfair, it's what fate has chosen for us. Whatever is thrown at us, we have to learn how to handle it. Kamiya-san had to watch three friends die tonight. That was what their fates were. As it was fated for us to love each other and it was fated for the Battousai to love Kamiya-san."
Misao giggled and hugged Aoshi around the neck.
"What's so funny?" he asked with a quizzical look on his face.
"Hearing you say stuff with the word fate in it, is like," she thought for a moment. "Okina being serious for more than an hour."
Aoshi arched an eyebrow at her. "Misao-chan," he said, nuzzling her neck. "You're the weird one, not me."
"Whatever you say, Aoshi-sama," she said and kissed him on the nose. "Oyasumi."
She turned, but Aoshi caught her arm and pulled her back to him and kissed her back, but on the lips. "Yoi yume o, my Misao-chan," he said affectionately and he laid back down on the futon.
Misao gently touched her fingers to her lips. It was strange for Aoshi to act like that. She shook her head and lay down, resting her head on Aoshi's chest. He smiled faintly and they fell asleep a few minutes later.
The dojo was mostly silent that night. Fujitaka was sharing a room with the two male members of the Oniwabanshu, while the two girls were in the neighboring room. Yahiko and Soujiro were snoring slightly in the room they shared, while Sano and Megumi were asleep in the practice room. Sano was leaning against the wall and Megumi's head rested in his lap.
Aoshi and Misao slept soundlessly, fingers entwined. Aoshi smiled slightly at the young Misao in his dream.
Misao shifted and muttered, "Okina, I finally did it! Aren't you proud?"
Kenshin and Kaoru lay in Kaoru's room, Kenshin against the wall and Kaoru cradled in his lap. They both slept dreamlessly for the first time in the last two days. Kenshin's arms tightened around Kaoru's fragile form and she snuggled closer. She smiled. Her nightmare was over.
A red spray doused the lantern, and a crimson rain stained Hikari's white kimono. The hollow thud of a body hitting a wooden floor was accompanied by the sickening splash of it falling into a pool of blood. Then, there was silence.
Fumeiyo slowly turned around to stare at Kage's body, lying on the bloody wood. His face was twisted into a smirk of grotesque happiness combined with pain. The pistol was clutched loosely in his right hand. He was now with Hikari in eternal bliss, forever happy.
Fumeiyo shook his head. "You could have been a great man," he informed the still body blandly. "Too bad you didn't learn how to forgive sooner. This might have been avoided."
Fumeiyo turned towards the door, his bag slung over his shoulder. He calmly walked out of the room, past the shocked servants and the men that had rushed to the room. Kage's reign was over. He was released from hell and breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out of the shattered gate door.
"Sayōnara," he said into the early morning air. "Or at least I hope!"
The smell of cooking food woke all the occupants of the dojo with an exception of Kaoru and Kenshin, who were sleeping soundlessly. The light babble of voices and the delicious smell of the food gently pulled Kaoru out of her sleep. She shook her head slightly, trying to get rid of the haze that trapped her. When she could see properly, her breath caught in her throat. She found herself staring into Kenshin's dozing face. Her small movements caused him to stir and Kaoru looked away quickly.
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin mumbled. "Are you awake?"
"Hai, Kenshin," she squeaked. "Ohayo gozaimasu."
Kenshin moved his arms so she could get up and when she did, he shifted himself into a more comfortable sitting position. He sniffed the air. "Ohayo gozaimasu. Hmmm. That smells good. I wonder who's cooking."
Kaoru inhaled deeply, realizing how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten since the morning she was kidnapped. When she opened her eyes, Kenshin was looking at her, seeming to have an internal battle.
Should I tell her now? No. It'll just stress her out even more than she already is.
He finally convinced himself that he would tell her another day.
"Ano, Kenshin," Kaoru asked. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, nani?" he asked, startled. "Ano, hai. I'm fine." He changed the subject quickly. "Are you hungry. Kaoru-dono?"
"Hai!" she said enthusiastically. "I haven't eaten in three days."
Kenshin looked at her disbelievingly. "You mean to tell me that you fought last night without nourishment?" Kaoru nodded and Kenshin inhaled sharply. As an experienced fighter, he knew that not eating then fighting was very taxing on the body and could kill you if you did it too often. "Promise me that you'll never do something like that again!"
Kaoru eyed him warily and stood up, stretching. "I don't plan on being kidnapped again and fighting for my freedom, silly," she said, tapping him on the head lightly. She slid open the door and looked back at Kenshin.
"Coming, Kenshin?"
"Hai, Kaoru-dono."
"Fumeiyo!" Kaoru exclaimed when she saw the man sitting by a miso soup pot, handing bowls out to everyone.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kaoru. I hope you don't mind that I partially raided your kitchen," he said, smiling slightly.
"Maybe I should call you Commodore Perry for invading my kitchen," she joked.
Fumeiyo feigned shock and horror. "Anything but that!"
The group laughed.
"Arigatou for making breakfast, Fumeiyo," Kaoru said, accepting a bowl of miso soup.
"Hai, arigatou," Kenshin echoed stiffly, also taking a bowl of soup.
The large group of people was finishing eating when they heard the gate open. Katsu came into view, carrying two medium sized stones.
"Oi, Sano! Would you help me with these grave markers?! They're heavy!"
Sano went and helped Katsu with the head stones.
"Ano, Jou-chan," Sano asked Kaoru softly, who went silent. "Where are they being buried?"
Kaoru sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking. "I think we'll bury them by the practice room," she decided. "They loved the art of sword fighting, so I believe they should always be close to it."
Fumeiyo clasped her shoulder and said, "It's a good choice. Their spirits will enjoy it there."
"Yeah," she said, her eyes misting over. Kaoru blinked quickly and said, "After we're finished eating, we can prepare for Tsuyoi-kun and Mayonaka-chan's last rites. That' if you all don't have anything to do." She looked at Megumi. "I know you have patients to tend to."
Megumi flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I do, but I want to stitch and bandage their wounds for when we bury them."
"Before you bandage their injuries, Megumi-san, I would like to wash them." Kaoru sat there thoughtfully. "I think when I'm done, I'll go to their house and get them clean clothes." She drained her bowl and stood up. "Kenshin. Sano. Would you please get some things for me at the market?"
Kenshin started to protest. "Kaoru-dono, I would prefer if I went with you. Kage could try and take you again."
"Kage won't touch Kaoru again. That's a guarantee."
"Nani?!" Kenshin asked, eyebrows shooting up. "How?!"
"Kage killed himself last night. He shot himself in the head," Fumeiyo said plainly, looking at Kaoru directly, trying to read her as the Battousai did. He frowned when he was unsuccessful. Her face showed no emotion, but the Battousai laid his hand on her shoulder. Fumeiyo watched as she smiled slightly at the redheaded swordsman and said, "Arigatou, Kenshin."
Kaoru turned to Yahiko and Misao. "Yahiko, when Megumi-san is done stitching Tsuyoi-kun's wounds, will you bathe him?"
"Sure," Yahiko said, putting his bowl next to him."
"Misao," Kaoru began. "Could you-"
"Wash Mayonaka-chan?" Misao finished for her. "Sure."
Kaoru smiled. "If you're all done with your dishes, I'll take them and wash them before I leave."
Everyone handed Kaoru his or her bowls and she went into the kitchen. Kenshin looked at her retreating back.
"Kenshin," Sano joked. "It's rude to stare!"
Kenshin didn't hear him and stood up.
"Oi, Kenshin! Where are you going?" Sano asked, but Kenshin kept walking. Sanosuke looked at everyone, "Does anyone know what's wrong with him?" jerking his thumb at Kenshin. Everyone but Megumi and Aoshi shook their heads.
"I wonder what's troubling Himura-san?" Soujiro asked.
"I dunno. Maybe he still has adrenaline in him from last night," Yahiko suggested.
"Hmm. That's a possibility," Soujiro told him.
"What do you think is wrong with Himura, Aoshi-sama?" Misao asked the tall man in a whisper.
"I think the problem just went into the kitchen," he answered.
"Kaoru-san!?" she exclaimed. She looked thoughtful. "You think?" Aoshi nodded.
"I think I know why," Megumi said, her eyes sorrowful.
Sano looked at her in surprise. "You do, Kitsune? Nani?"
She shook her head and got up. "I'll leave his problems to him." She made her way towards the practice room. "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the practice room, taking care of Mayonaka-chan and Tsuyoi-kun's wounds."
"H-hai," Sanosuke said, giving her a peculiar look. "What's with everyone today?" he muttered to himself.
Kaoru turned when she heard footsteps behind her. She smiled at Kenshin, who smiled back nervously.
"Did you need something, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked sweetly.
He shook his head. "Ano, no. I just wanted to tell you that I drew a bath for you. I'm sure you'd want to bathe after fighting last night."
Kaoru sighed gratefully. "Hai, arigatou! I've been looking forward to a 'normal' bath for a long time!" Kenshin looked at her, one eyebrow raised. She laughed when she saw his expression. "I actually got to use a Western style bathroom. Kenshin, it was so amazing!"
Kenshin smiled at her excitedness. As they walked to the bathhouse, he watched her, red-cheeked from excitement, with longing. He'd never be able to make Kaoru his.
When they reached the bathhouse, she turned to him. "Arigatou for the bath, Kenshin!"
He nodded.
"Oh!" she turned back to him. "I'll make a list of what I need at the market when I get out."
Kenshin nodded again and they went their separate ways for the time being.
Okay, please don't hate me. I know at the beginning of this chapter I said that Fumeiyo was killed, but I lied. I like to make my readers be surprised. That's if I actually have readers. Haha. No one likes to review me anymore. smile The anime sleepover is tomorrow! Yay! I can't wait! Hopefully I'll feel better than I did today. Don't want to get Dai-chan and Ji-chan sick. That would be bad. I'm still in the process of writing chapter 14, but I'm hoping that I won't take too long. I'm going to start typing what I have now and hopefully I'll be done by the middle of July. Sorry that this chapter was short. My last chapter was twenty pages so, deal. (I'm so nice about it.) Alrighty then. I think I'm going to end Keito-chan's adventures in this chapter. I want to finish it so I won't have to worry about it being unfinished. Until next chapter! Abane!
The next exciting chapter in, Keito-chan's Adventure in Japan!
curtain rises
Dai-chan- Kuso, Keito-chan. Nice planning. You're dumb.
Keito-chan- Shut up, Dai-chan. Go play in traffic. You're gonna have to deal. We'll do it when I come back. If you're nice, I'll get you something.
Dai-chan- Did you know that bribing is illegal?
Keito-chan- Since when have you been technical? laughs Just kidding. Will you two come see me off? My plane leaves tomorrow at 11:00.
Dai-chan- Sure, why not. See ya tomorrow. Abane!
Keito-chan- Abane!
The next day…
Keito-chan- Abane, you guys! I'll be back next week. That's if I don't get arrested.
Ji-chan- I can't believe you're really going to do this. He's gonna have you arrested, you know that!
Keito-chan- I have to take the chance.
Dai-chan- Whatever. See you soon!
Keito-chan- I'll call you two! Abane! waves
Dai-chan and Ji-chan wave
In Japan…
Keito-chan- Hmm. Where does Watasuki Nobuhiro live?
Passerby- In that apartment complex over there. points to white building
Keito-chan- bows Arigatou, tomodachi.
Keito-chan- knocks on Watasuki-sensei's door Watasuki-sensei! Are you home?
Watasuki-sensei- Ano, konnichiwa. Can I help you?
Keito-chan- Hai. Konnichiwa. bows I am Keito-chan. I live in America and I am a big fan of Rurouni Kenshin.
Watasuki-sensei- Is that so? Ano, what can I do for you?
Keito-chan- Give me ownership of Kenshin and his suge tomodachis! Onegai.
Watasuki-sensei- Uh, crazy American child. I don't think that's possible. If you don't leave I'm going to call the authorities. I really don't want to do that, but you're scaring me.
Keito-chan- Demo! I didn't mean to scare you. sighs Ji-chan and Dai-chan were right. I should have known that you wouldn't let me have ownership of Ken-chan. sniffs Oh well. Can I at least have your autograph?
Watasuki-sensei- Hai. signs Rurouni Kenshin manga, volume one Here you go, Keito-chan.
Keito-chan squeals and bows Domo arigatou! Ah! I have to get to the airport! Sayōnara, Watasuki-sensei. Maybe we'll meet again.
Watasuki-sensei- Sayōnara, Keito-chan. I hope we can.
Back in the States…
Ji-chan- How did it go with Watasuki-sensei?
Keito-chan- Not as I had hoped. He said no.
Dai-chan- Told you so!
Keito-chan- Shut up. Now where should I put your gift? The garbage disposal!? Just kidding! Let's have the anime sleepover!
curtain closes
THE END