A Split Soul
By: NekoYokai
Disclaimer: The Rurouni Kenshin characters in this fic belong to the brilliant Watsuki Nobuhiro, not me.
Summary: There are two parts to Kenshin Himura, The Rurouni, and the Hitokiri. When those two separate it's up to Kaoru to put them back together, but how? Chapter 5: The Scent of Cherry Blossoms
P.O.V: Sano
Now this was some weird shit…Kenshin, Saitoh and I had just sat down and in walk in Kaoru, Yahiko…and Kenshin?!!! Maybe it's just me but something's wrong with that equation, besides the fact that Saitoh was with us.
Saitoh looked as though he had just been told that he was supposed to go into Kyoto dressed as a woman and compete in a karaoke contest, it was the first time I had ever seen him taken off guard and I would have laughed if I hadn't been just as shocked. Everyone was still for a moment, the tension almost suffocating.
"Shit, Saitoh's still here," This came from the Kenshin at the door, the one with burning amber eyes. Kaoru looked around the room desperately, searching for something to say, but she ended up with nothing. After all, what does one say after bringing the Battousai home? Hullo, look who I found in the market day? I don't think so.
Our Kenshin looked like he was about to pass out, and kept gulping as a fish would, opening and closing his mouth, but no sound coming out. I tried to greet them, or yell, something, but as with Kenshin nothing came out of my mouth but a few gasps for air. No one moved for awhile, until finally Saitoh stood.
"Be glad my son is here Battousai," his predator eyes narrowed as he spoke, and no one needed to ask why he was lucky. Saitoh picked his son up and walked out, leaving the house in cold silence.
Had Saitoh known? Is that why he had been here? I'll bet it was…
P.O.V: Saitoh
Head reeling from shock and confusion, I walked out. There were two of them; it seemed impossible I was starting to doubt my own senses, senses that had never before failed me. Had I gotten soft in my older years, senile perhaps? To my knowledge things like this didn't, COULDN'T, happen, but I couldn't deny what I had seen.
As I walked my head stopped spinning and I decided to investigate the situation further. It didn't make sense that I had gone loony now, there had to be another explanation.
"Time to call in Cho…" I said aloud to myself, drawing a sleepy gaze from my son.
"Go back to sleep Kabu-chan," I whispered in a gentle voice, and he obeyed closing his eyes. Maybe Tokio would help to you never knew what that crazy woman could do…
P.O.V: Himura-Battousai
My other half stood for a few moments after Saitoh's departure and then collapsed in a faint. I looked down at him in faint disgust, but helped Sano carry him to his room and lay him down there. No one said a word; the house was silent and the pressure unbearable. After the Rurouni's body was safely in the room, I headed off to the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" Sano asked, the faint traces of poorly hid suspicion in his voice.
"Someone has to cook, don't they?" I said rather coldly, "No one else in this house can cook but me and my other half is in no condition to do such a thing." He nodded at my response, and eyed my cautiously before leaving me be. I walked to the kitchen and began to make miso, rice and fish.
How could I be so stupid, thinking that I could live here? Kaoru might have said I could be a part of this family, but it was easier said then done. Yet I could not refuse, and here I was, cooking for people that were barely a hair's width shy of hating me. I was the Battousai, the one who took over their precious Kenshin. The murderer with blood lust forever stained in his eyes.
I sighed in resignation as I brought the rice to a slow boil. There was nothing to do now except cook and wait for my other half to wake up. Then maybe we'd decide what to do.
"Himura-san?" A voice behind me gasped, "I didn't know you were cooking…" I turned and saw a flustered, almost frightened looking Kaoru behind me.
"I'll just go then…" She turned to leave.
"Wait," I said, she stopped and looked at me with luminous blue eyes filled with curiosity, "I…could you tell the others that dinner will be ready soon?" Her eyes fell and she nodded, practically running out the door. I starred at the closed door for a minute, but before long a burbling sound alerted my attention.
The rice!!!
P.O.V: Rurouni-Kenshin
Blood shone on the rusty blade and I looked down to find I was the one holding it. My face reflected in it, blood thirsty and distorted, like looking through red tinted glass. The corners of my mouth twisted up in malicious glee and I looked up from my sword. I was in the dojo, it's walls spattered with blood, the ground littered with the limbs of my friends and enemies. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a dark shape, a male figure, but it disappeared as I turned my head to face it. I shook off the feeling of fear it gave me.
"One more left," the words were torn from my mouth against my will and I could do nothing to stop them.
In the corner was a figure, huddled up against the wall, I tried to stop myself but despite my efforts I moved towards the figure, and when I got close enough to see it I stopped. The eyes staring out at me were a warm brown, and filled with fear. Tomoe's eyes. I looked at her for a moment and as I plunged my sword through her I heard two words.
"You monster."
I looked at her again and saw empty blue eyes staring back at me, Kaoru's eyes. Those last words taunted me, circling around me, surrounding me.
'Monster monster monster monster monster monster monster monster monster monster…' Pretty soon I was screaming, and then that's all there was, the sounds of my screams.
I awoke to a voice calling my name, "Kenshin! Kenshin, wake up!!"
I sat up in confusion, when had I fallen asleep? It took a moment before I jolted back to reality. 'Battousai!' My mind screamed at me. It felt like a horrible nightmare. Kaoru was sitting over me, looking at me in confusion.
"Kenshin?" Her voice was a little more high pitched then normal. I stood up and flashed her a carefree smile at her.
"Thank you for waking me up Kaoru-dono, this one's sorry for being so much of a burden to you," that was all I could say to her before hearing a voice, my voice, yell "DINNER'S READY!!!"
Carefree smile frozen in place I looked back at here, "Let's go."
P.O.V: Normal
The filed in one by one, as though attending a funeral. Sano, for once, made no wise ass remarks as he sat down to eat, and not one single, 'Busu' escaped Yahiko's lips. Battousai sat at the far end of the table while Kenshin and Kaoru sat across from Yahiko and Sano. Battousai started to serve the food and everyone was silent.
"Nice weather we're having isn't it?" Kaoru laughed nervously, and when no one answered she continued, "Yeah the sun has sure been beating down since the snow melted, and the cherry trees have started to bloom. Heheheh…" She trailed off looking desperately for help. When no one spoke after awhile she looked down at her food and began to eat in silence. Dinner progressed in much the same way, the only time anyone spoke was when asking for more rice.
"D-do you think we could go see the cherry trees tomorrow?" A soft voice said, and it took everyone awhile to see who was speaking. Kaoru smiled gently as she saw who spoke, it was the Battousai, looking away in embarrassment. The group smiled gently, except for Yahiko who was busy putting his eyes back in his head.
"The cherry trees?! Why would a-mmhhffft!!" Sano put his hand over Yahiko's mouth so he wouldn't say something he'd regret.
"That's a not a bad idea Ba-Himura!! We could have a picnic or something, I mean as long as you guys provide the picnic," Sano felt a little more at ease seeing Battousai's humility, but he was far from comfortable. A sigh came from Kaoru at his attempt at mooching off them, even at a time like this.
"Of course we will Sano," the Rurouni, "I'll make the food tomorrow and then we can walk out to the bridge in the afternoon!!" Battousai stood up after words, and he started picking up the dishes. Kaoru helped him, and without saying a word, the rest of the went about there normally nightly business.
-.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x
P.O.V: Kaoru
"I'll do the rest Kaoru," Battousai's voice awoke me from my thoughts, "You can go to bed." I smiled at him and declined, but really I wanted to take him up on the offer, his golden eyes gave me chills. It was my fault he was here, my fault that all this was happening. The least I could do was try to help him warm up to people.
"Suit yourself," was all he said and he began working again. Twice I almost told him what was happening, he looked so lost, but both time his eyes stopped me. They spoke of murder, of hardships and most of all, pain. I never wanted to see him angry, especially directed at me.
"I'm sorry," He said, turning to me, "I didn't think…I mean…" He trailed off and once again started cleaning the dishes. I looked at him in confusion for a few moments.
"What's wrong Himura-san?" I asked, and for a moment something dark flit across his face.
"I know how much trouble my staying here has caused you," His eyes hid behind his bangs, "Thank you for taking me in." I smiled softly at him, he really was sweet, and I was beginning to see a lot of Kenshin in him.
P.O.V: Normal
The night progressed almost normally. Both Kenshins slept in one room, while Yahiko and Kaoru retired to theirs. Yet despite the promise of a picnic the next day nighttime brought nightmares for the occupants of the Kamiya dojo, and all was not well.
-.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x -.-x
The next morning was semi-normal too, with the Rurouni making food for the picnic, Battousai training and doing laundry, Sano nowhere to be seen, Yahiko at his job at the Akebeko, and Kaoru teaching classes. It wasn't until noon that everyone got together and by then Battousai had become quiet and unresponsive, not that many people asked him questions. He had pulled his hair back into a high ponytail, but looked strange without a sword at his waist, and carrying a large basket. Sano had dark circles under his eyes and Yahiko started to say how he looked almost as much like a raccoon as Kaoru, and the Rurouni was standing between Kaoru and Yahiko to stop Kaoru from jumping the little guy.
"We're here," Battousai said, effectively stopping the brawl. Kaoru and Yahiko helped Battousai set up the meal, while Sano pulled The Rurouni to the side.
"Kenshin," he said slowly, in a quiet but firm voice, "What's going on here? Why is there another you? I mean, strange things always happen around you, but this.." Kenshin sighed, knowing this moment would come eventually.
"I honestly don't know why Sano. One morning he was just…there." Sano looked at him incredulously.
"He could be dangerous!" He snapped at the Rurouni who flinched slightly, "Have you seen his eyes Kenshin?! They're the eyes of a murderer, he could kill us all if we aren't careful!!"
"What's wrong Himura-san?" Kaoru's voice stopped the short conversation and Sano looked behind him to see Battousai staring at the ground eyes hard. Before Sano could do or say anything, Battousai used his famed god like speed and fled, leaving only a few disturbed cherry petals in his wake.
"What just happened?" Kaoru asked in a voice filled with confusion and hurt, "Why…?"
Sano stared at the spot where Battousai had been, "Aw shit…"
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Neko: Hello again!! - merry Christmas!! This is kind of a present for reading my fanfic…not that the fifth chapter wouldn't have come out anyway…
Crickets: We don't get paid enough to do this… ((Cricket Chirps))
Neko: Not again!! Well, here's a small preview of the next chapter and replies to reviews!! -
Next Chapter: Fresh Blood and The Wiles of a Fox
Saitoh smirked, his predator eyes gleaming in excitement, "We meet again, Battousai," he said, drawing his sword."
Battousai matched his smirk, "You show up at the worst times, don't you, you mangy mutt?"
"Only for you," he said before striking with his blood thirst blade.
Review Replies!!!
Lady Yuya Shiina: Thanks for your review! Hope you like this chapter!!
Artemis Mayeko: Extreme trouble! Kenshin's just a magnet for it! A little, weird, but he is only half of a soul!
Samuraiduck27: I'm sorry it wasn't very soon, but I'm glad you like it!
A-chan: Heh, I'm sorry, I'll try to, but I just get so caught up in so many things…eh I know, excuses excuses, I'll try, I promise!! Hope this gave you something new to ponder!!! -
BubblyBoo: Thank you for your review!! Heh, hope this chapter didn't destroy that happy feeling too much…
Flaming-Amber: Thanks for your review and here you go!!
KillingPerfection-sama: Heh, I shall keep that with all the other random trivia I have!! Thanks for the review…I think.
animegurl23: See? I did update!! ((does a small victory dance)) Yeah it is sort of ironic, but here's the next chapter!! Hope you enjoy it!! ((and sorry about the late update!))
Josh-a-holic: Thanks for the review!! Glad you like it!!!
Sailor-Earth13: That's okay! I know how time can wear away your interest in some things…Well, hope you get a chance to read this chapter!!
Chibi Binasu-chan: Updated!! But you still haven't updated MIV !!! . Oh well, hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Love ya!!!
Neko