To Reveal All

Chapter 22: Revealing Release

By steelphoenix

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters. However, I do own Sokuya Jubei, Naoe Hoshi, Kasumi and Ikumi! I borrowed the names for my meikos (Kagome, Hinata, and Touru) from Inuyasha, Naruto, and Fruits Basket.

Author's Notes: MAJOR apologies for the lateness of this chapter, everyone. I had exams, and so couldn't really write without a mathematical formual popping into my head. Thanks for waiting. And now to end the horrible cliffhanger which I inflicted on you guys last week… I hope you're not disappointed with it…

TO ALL MY REVIEWERS: You guys rock. Totally. I checked my stats page, and I'm like, "Whoa, a hundred and ninety-one reviews!" Then I looked again… and it was two hundred and ninety-one reviews.

Battousai: And then she fainted…

…not quite, but nearly. So, a huge big 'thank you' to you all. /hands out meringues with '291' iced on top/

Language Notes: Kanji are the Chinese characters/iconographs used in writing in Japan.

Warnings: PG-13 for sexual situations/scenes and violence in other chapters. No language warnings.

Sokuya's eyes were narrowed suspiciously. I know I've seen him – heard of him – known him – from somewhere…

Then a memory flickered out from somewhere in the back of his mind. Standing across a courtyard, looking to where a redheaded man knelt, head bent. A man, saying, "Battousai's going out tonight. That's him: red hair, cross-shaped scar, looks like a girl."

The silver-haired man's eyes widened as he took in th's eyes widened as he took in ths-shaped scar, looks like a girl. It all fits…

"I see you have some idea of who I was." Kenshin's voice was calm.

Sokuya nodded, suddenly afraid. His answer was a mere whisper.

"Battousai."

-

At Sokuya's announcement of Kenshin's former battle-name, Naoe's eyes widened, then rolled back in her head, and she keeled over in a dead faint. The two men did not notice, their gazes locked.

As their eyes remained fixed on each other's, frightened brown on fierce amethyst-amber, Kaoru moved silently off her pillow to tend to the okiya mistress. A few gentle shakes woke the woman, and she sat up in a rush. Seeing the two men frozen in place, she unconsciously moved backwards, fear written on her features.

I have to stop this, thought Kaoru. She knew that she was the only one who had some semblance of control over Battousai. From the shifting colours in Kenshin's eyes, and the way they were slanted dangerously close to battle-expression, she could tell that the two spirits within him were battling for control. The warrior spirit was aching to be let loose, and the peaceful one was not daring to let him go, for the Rurouni could not stop him once he was free.

Kaoru's suspicions were correct. The warm tenor of the melded Kenshin had been split once more into dark and light. Battousai and Rurouni were once again clear, and they were fighting for power.

He knew who we were. He cannot be allowed to live! Battousai was adamant.

No! There are many who know what we were. Would you kill them all? The Rurouni's tone was pleading, but held the tiniest hint of slyness.

Yes! replied Battousai, too determined to notice the veiled tone.

Then the hint in the Rurouni's voice became full-fledged. Even Kaoru?

Frustration filled the space between the two as the warrior spirit realised he had been tricked. Rurouni was devious, but cunning alone was not what should decide this. He turned their body to where Kaoru knelt, breaking eye-contact with Sokuya.

Just as he did, Kaoru shuffled forwards on her knees, towards him.

"Kenshin?" Her voice was soft and enquiring, with the most minuscule ripple of disappointment running through it.

Is she… disappointed…? questioned the Rurouni, surprised at the tone he detected.

I cannot read any other emotion… replied Battousai, nonplussed.

"Kenshin, I thought you were stronger than this," said Kaoru, the disappointment strengthening in her tone. Her eyes were fierce and determined. "Battousai, you cannot kill him. Nor can you let Battousai go, Rurouni. You both know what would happen. And I'll tell you both, if you try to kill, or let the other kill, I will never speak to you again."

It was an immature threat, but the mere thought of it was repulsive to both sides of Kenshin.

"Yes…" Both Rurouni and Battousai allowed the hiss of agreement to escape their lips.

We cannot kill him, then. I do not wish to lose her over someone so worthless to both of us. The warrior spirit's capitulation was a sigh of frustration, and yet it held pride. Pride that Kaoru had done as he knew she would. Pride that this woman would stand up to him, unafraid. Pride that he had chosen such a woman to be his wife.

Rurouni's reply held a smile. I do not wish to lose her, either, Battousai.

-

The swirling eyes settled, returning to the strange and beautiful gold surrounded by purple. Tense muscles relaxed, and Kenshin's hands returned to the sides of the cushion, away from the so-tempting swordhilt.

Kenshin's head fell down, relaxing onto his chest, red fringe covering his eyes from view. A deep breath in and out, and he raised his head again.

In front of him, he saw Kaoru's beloved face, and the bliss that he saw in it made it even more beautiful. Pride shone in her eyes, and he could clearly read it: it said that she knew that the two personalities had reconciled on something, finally, and she was proud of him for the fact that the two of them were finally truly making peace – of a sort.

Sweeping his gaze to the other two people in the room, he saw that Sokuya had recovered somewhat, his fear slowly relaxing to a more normal expression. But the okiya mistress still shivered, her gaze flickering away from Kenshin's as it passed her.

"You will not speak of this." was all Kenshin said, voice edged, eyes flickering more amber than they should have been.

The okiya mistress cast a fearful glance at the redhead, her head bobbing madly as she nodded.

Sokuya nodded once. He has a chance of a life with a woman he loves… who loves him, despite what he has been… why taint him with the Battousai's name again? It will only bring grief. I can give him – and through him, Kaoru – that warrior's mercy, at least.

-

A long silence passed as all gathered their thoughts, wondering what should be said, or done, next. Sokuya, thinking of the warrior's mercy, broke it.

"Kaoru," he said, and his tone was affectionate as he addressed the young woman, "I will give you my blessing." At the gasp from Kaoru, and the slight widening of Himura's – Battousai's – eyes, he continued, with a twinkle in his eye. "You are a young woman who has become a dear friend to me in my failing years. You are compassionate, kind, and you have never failed to cheer me up when I needed it most. You deserve a young man who will lavish such care and attention on you as you have on me. I saw the looks that passed between you two, and I believe that what I saw was love."

Immediately, Kaoru's blush was visible through her white makeup, and Kenshin's face nearly matched his hair. To have someone intercept such an intimate communication was embarrassing.

Sokuya smiled gently at their discomfort. "I only hope that I can find a geisha, or mistress, or even perhaps a wife, that will allow me to try and find the same feeling with her."

Kaoru's expression filled with relief and gentleness, and her elation covered her tone as she returned, "Thank you, sir. I can only hope that you will."

Though the same emotions filled him, Kenshin replied more formally, with a deep bow. "This one also hopes that you will." Halfway there… he thought, and turned to the okiya mistress.

The woman's brown eyes refused to meet his, and she turned to Kaoru, choosing the safer person to address. "I will release you, as long as your geisha debts are paid, and you pay the two-thousand-ryo recompense."

Kaoru blinked. Naoe was usually one to drive a hard bargain. Why did she give in so easily? she thought for a second, and then saw the flickering, fearful look cast at Kenshin, and she realised that Naoe was afraid of Kenshin – or more correctly, the Battousai within him.

Sokuya nodded, and said to Kaoru, "Well, my dear, it seems your release is settled." He stood, Kaoru and Kenshin following his lead, and the silver-haired man leaned over and kissed Kaoru on the cheek. "Please accept my best wishes for your happiness together," he said, a benevolent smile on his face as he took in the two standing together, a little closer than okiya proprieties would allow.

Then, ignoring the still-seated okiya mistress, he bowed to the couple, and walked away along the veranda.

-

Kenshin bowed deeply as he handed a small slip of paper to Naoe. Its intricate scrollwork and formal calligraphy indicated that it was a bank order, totalling three thousand ryo.

This was the first time the okiya mistress had had to handle the release of a geisha, and it was certainly the first time she had held a piece of paper worth so much. I wonder how Himura managed to get it? she wondered idly, then, as she remembered swirling amber-amethyst eyes, she unconsciously shivered.

Quickly, she moved her mind away from those thoughts, and with the bank order in her hand, money was the first thing she thought of. Kaoru leaving won't make much of a difference to finances. She was never one of the great earners, though she did well enough. She may have been losing one of her geishas – and thus, one of her income sources – but there were still four other geishas and three meiko living and earning in the okiya. The okiya's prosperity could only increase.

-

Kenshin strolled along the passageway, to Kaoru's room. Sliding open the screen, he viewed the chaos within. A full-scale clean-up was in operation. Kaoru had lived in this room since she became a full-fledged geisha, and the cupboards were full of things she had long ago forgotten.

It had started off as Kaoru packing her belongings to go, but Megumi and Tae had come to give her best wishes, and had been coerced into helping too. Kasumi and Ikumi, the two other geishas of the okiya, had chanced by at the wrong time, and they too had been put to work – not at all unwillingly, for they were both friendly enough with Kaoru to want to help anyway.

Tae was in one corner, sliding open kimono racks and neatly folding their contents into two neat piles, tissue paper placed between the beautiful kimonos. Most of these were the okiya's, placed in Kaoru's room because she was their most frequent wearer, but there was also a pile of eight fancy kimonos that belonged to Kaoru herself.

Kasumi was packing Kaoru's makeup, intent on a black lacquer box. Tiny pots of rouge and cream were mingled in with numerous brushes and sponges, but all fitted perfectly into the sakura-decorated box. A matching mirror sat beside it, and the pile of tissue paper indicated that Kaoru was taking it too.

The shoji that led into the garden were open, but no-one was looking at the view. On the veranda, Megumi and Ikumi were struggling with Kaoru's futon, trying to get its various pieces to fold into a trunk, with little success.

Kaoru was also struggling. Somehow, she had managed to wedge a pair of bokkens into the cupboard, but then had evidently lowered the shelves, for they were now firmly stuck. Grinning at his beloved's predicament, Kenshin walked into the room, unnoticed, and went over to help.

"I think you should lift the shelves first," he whispered into Kaoru's ear. With a shriek of surprise, she whirled, hands striking out as if she were carrying one of the weapons she was trying to extract.

Godlike speed allowed the redhead to catch her hands before they could do any damage, but it was close. Grinning impudently, he lifted the woman's fists, and laid a kiss on each set of knuckles. "You will have to be quicker than that if you wish to catch this one, Kaoru."

Kaoru's shriek had also attracted the attention of the geishas, and as they saw the kisses on her hands, the two who knew Kenshin thought, Kenshin's being mischievous again… The other two were sizing Kenshin up, and their first thought was inevitably about his unusual looks. The second was, Damn… I wish he wasn't taken…

"So, Kaoru, shall we try this together?" questioned the redhead. At a nod from Kaoru, they lifted the offending shelf out. The chatter between the geishas resumed, and Kenshin was unofficially pulled into the working group.

-

At long last, all Kaoru's belongings rested in the centre of the room, and the pile was surprisingly small. Each of the geishas picked up a bundle, and carried them out and along the veranda, to the back entrance of the okiya. Kenshin followed after, lugging the trunk with Kaoru's futon, the last three bundles balanced (rather precariously) on top.

The cart that stood at the entrance was small and tidy, and the driver's seat was taken by Yahiko.

As Kenshin and Yahiko loaded the cart, Kaoru said her farewells. There were embraces from all the other geishas, and the meikos, who had just returned from the morning's classes.

"Well, Kaoru, we're going to miss you," said Tae. "Especially your tea." Kaoru's nearly-undrinkable tea had been a running joke between the geishas, especially Tae, who was admired as one of the best geishas at tea ceremony. But now, the tease was said with wet eyes, and a slight sob to the voice.

"Yes, we won't have to call the doctor so often!" Kasumi's high-pitched giggle was joined by the others', but only weakly, and the joke fell rather flat.

Best wishes were given by Ikumi and the meikos. Kagome, Hinata, and Touru presented Kaoru with origami fans, symbolising happiness, their purple creases the colour of love.

Tsubame's hug was close and tight, holding close the woman she had come to regard as a sister. As she pulled away, Kaoru whispered in her ear, "I hope to see you at the dojo, younger sister."

Kaoru'll help me with being a geisha? At the implication, Tsubame's lips curved upwards. She needed as much help as she could get. But then another thought struck her. Does she mean that she hopes I'll really be her younger sister…?

Kaoru smiled at the blush that rose in the girl's cheeks. Yahiko was still working at the okiya, and it didn't take much to figure out the obvious jump Tsubame's thoughts had taken.

Then she turned to Megumi. The older woman's face shone with joy at Kaoru's release, but glimmering trails of sorrow tracked her cheeks.

"Well, younger sister?" asked Megumi, waving a hand to Kenshin, who was now waiting behind her. Her tone was questioning and teasing, but held the slightest whisper of bitterness. "Why do you stand there, when you have a wonderful man waiting for you, and a new home to go to?"

Kaoru's reply was simple, formal, eloquent. "Because, older sister, I could not say goodbye without telling you how much I have truly appreciated your support, your guidance, your love. You are truly a sister to me, and I wish to acknowledge that."

With the most elegant, practiced grace of a geisha, she bowed fully.

"Megumi, my sister in all things, I wish to give you a gift which is worth but a little to my love for you."

As she rose from the bow, she turned to Kenshin, who held out a package to her. Kaoru folded the fragile petals of tissue paper open, revealing an expanse of lightest purple silk. Unfolding the layer of the silk, she showed the design on the front of the kimono.

The pale mauve faded through a mist of white to a gentle sage green at the hem. A crane leaping into flight spread its wings, its red crest a splash of brilliant crimson at the knee of the kimono. Embroidered at the hem were reeds, intricately coloured and curved, and subtly shaped themselves into three kanji – blessing, charity, and mercy, the meanings of Megumi's name.

Megumi gasped at the exquisite beauty of the garment, and as Kaoru folded the tissue back into place, and handed the packet to her, she said, "I… I don't know how to thank you, Kaoru… this is…"

"This is my thanks, Megumi. For everything." And the sapphire-eyed woman took the maroon-eyed woman into a tight embrace, the package pressed between them, close to their hearts.

-

That night, Kaoru sat on the dojo's veranda, watching the sky darken as night set in. Stars began to show in the dark blanket, tiny points of light that grew as the orb of the sun fell.

Soft footsteps scuffed along the veranda, behind her, and as she looked up, Kenshin lowered himself to the wood beside her.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Kaoru's voice was hushed as she gazed at the peach-streaked sunset.

"Yes, that it is," replied the redhead, following her gaze to purple-splashed clouds. He gently folded his arm around her waist, and a comfortable silence settled between them, broken only occasionally by movement or a quick smile at the other. The stillness of night came gently, and they simply sat and watched as the glow faded from the sky.

As the moon began to rise, Kaoru finally broke the silence. "It's strange, but that is the last sunset I shall ever see as a geisha."

"Kaoru… you don't regret giving it up, do you?" Kenshin's tone held implied worry, but Kaoru's quick smile to him belied it, and her answer did so even more.

"I never really wished to be a geisha, I think… But I had no other option. Once Father was dead, my fate was sealed… We were very lucky not to end up on the street – thieves or whores – and I was incredibly lucky to be taken in by a good okiya mistress…" Her voice trailed off as she thought through the possibilities, the paths that her life could have taken.

Kenshin's arm tightened around her waist. "But you have broken your fate, that you have… You are no longer the girl whose father died, no longer the geisha… You are here, safe, mine, and I will not let you go, that I will not." The answer was thoughtful, but the edge of possession in the last sentence tugged at Kaoru's pride. I am his…

"You've claimed me…?" It was a question that had never occurred to her before, and her voice held a loving, teasing note.

Kenshin nodded, turning towards her, nuzzling in at her shoulder. The gesture was both possessive and protective, and his reply was muffled by hair as dark as the new night.

"I cannot let you go, not now… not so close…" The tone was gentle, yet was backed by steel, and there was a strange double harmony to his voice. Both sides of Kenshin loved Kaoru, and would do anything to keep her.

Then the nuzzling ceased, and his body tensed as he moved backwards, turning her to look in his eyes. "You don't… want to… leave me… do you!" The voice was hushed and harsh, and Kaoru could see the colours of his eyes begin to meld and move.

"No!" she snapped out instantly, and the eyes stopped wheeling. "No…" she repeated. "I want… I want to no longer be a geisha. I want to be a normal woman… I want to be yours…"

The relief that dawned on Kenshin's face was instantly comforting, and he pulled her close again.

"Please, beloved," she whispered, almost into his ear, "I love you. I don't want to leave." Never. I'll never, ever leave you, added her mind.

"Kaoru…" a breathy exhalation, her name, and he pulled her into him as though to swallow her up.

Hauled ever-closer, she murmured into his ear again. "I'll never leave you…"

Author's Notes: Weeeelll… just a little evening of the situation for Kaoru there… she's always the one left behind… why shouldn't Kenshin get that sometimes, too? I always felt it was unfair that she was always having to worry about waking to a 'Dear Kaoru-dono' letter.

And before you all ask, no, this is not yet finished. I know I said that it was probably going to another three chapters long when I was at Chapter 19, but… Battousai's added the twisted bit with Sokuya, and Rurouni wants more meringue… DAMN MUSES/screams in frustration/

Review Replies: Thanks to all my reviewers!

evilteddybear – Thanks! Here's more!

Brittanie Love – Yes, it was evil, wasn't it! Anyway, I hope you don't mind the way I ended it. Here's the update.

Crisa Rei – Thanks again for pointing out the edit mistake! As for falling off the cliffhanger…/puts down big gymnastics mat/ land on that… As for comparing my work to chocolate… mmm, yummy! I'm honoured!

Zenegami – Thank you very, very much for your so-helpful review. Constructive criticism like yours is just what every writer needs. I don't mind the fact that it's a bit 'old-school' and keeps to the conventions, after all, this is my first (published) long fic. I'll try to get more interesting with my work. As for writing a bit much/winces/ sorry about that… I do tend to be a little too long-winded.

reader00 – You're welcome!

scythe195 – I know, it's a bit overdramatic, isn't it/sweatdrops/ But yes, you must wait for the next update… heh, you know you have to… patience is a virtue. As for stealing Battousai…

Battousai: I don't know how to cook, dammit! So give back my weapons! NOW!

Nix: Please, Battousai, be polite. She said you can see Kaoru.

Battousai/growls/ I don't want to just see Kaoru…

Nix: …errr… that's dodgy, Battousai.

Battousai: And that's a problem why…/hand nearing where katana hilt should be/ Dammit! scythe, give back my weapons… OR ELSE!

…he doesn't like being temporarily unarmed… But here's the update… no need to be scared/hands chapter to scythe/ And while you're distracted by reading… /steals Battousai's weapons back, hands them to aforementioned Muse, who goes into a corner to check that they're okay/

nilnil – Thanks!

DragonBlade666 – Kenshin was a little too bold there, but it doesn't matter. I like the drama… though, as I said to scythe195, it's a little overdramatic…

inuyasha/kenshin gurl – Well, here's your answer. I hope you liked the update!

kenshinlover2002 – Sokuya was scared… wouldn't you be? But as you see, they didn't deny Kenshin Kaoru… I wouldn't deny Battousai anything, personally.

Battousai/loud raspberry/

…well, mostly, anyway.

Amanda – Thanks very much. /bows/

Thefunnymonkey – Never reviewed! Shock, horror! Never mind, just kidding. But partially obsessed with TRA…/blinks/ Wow… There isn't much more TRA, but I can tell you that there will be more fanfic coming from me! Arigato gozaimasu!

Anonymous Miss – Sorry about the cliffhanger… Here's the next chapter, hope it fulfils expectations!

Peachie-Chan – No, Battousai doesn't hate you, he was just a little traumatised after his 'holiday'.

Battousai/through clenched teeth and Peachie's hug/ True. BUT. I. Hate. Hugs. From anyone other than Kaoru.

…So, it's possibly not a good idea to glomp him too frequently.

kitsune – Didn't you read the rest of the reply (Battousai's part, I mean)? And he wouldn't let martial arts get in the way of him… But like I said, I'll try to stop him. Something along the lines of 'I'll lend you out for yaoi if you don't stay in line'. Not that that'll hold him for long…

Rurouni: This one suggests that you start running, that this one does.

chizuru-chan – That's the first one-word review I've ever had… Aw? What's that supposed to mean? Is that disgust, or happiness, or what? Please… elaborate! I'm not psychic, and I am easily confused!

Crewel – Thanks! But who said that there's going to be a happy ending for Sano and Megumi/grin/ I can't say right now how they end up… but you'll see in a couple of chapters' time.

thechickenlittle – Thanks for the remarks about the chapter. Now, I want to clear something up right here… I've never asked Battousai or Rurouni to do yaoi… nor do I have any intentions of doing so (now, anyway).

Battousai: What was the 'yet' for? Anyway, chickenlittle, thanks for caring… unlike someone. /glares at Nix, who whistles innocently/ I wouldn't mind being 'borrowed' for a while… she still has Rurouni as a Muse, and you probably won't be as sadistic with me as she is…

Nix: Oi! I'm not sadistic!

Battousai: …okay, not all the time. I'm not cutting back on the bloodshed, by the way… I like it. /evil grin/

…and that's why I don't let him do the fight scenes… But anyway, you can borrow Battousai for a while… perhaps we could work together, to try and keep him under control and Musing correctly? I dunno how Chrono is, but Battousai can be a real handful sometimes…