Disclaimer: I never owned Rurouni Kenshin and never will.
WARNING! - Death is in this chapter, hence the name "At Death's Gate". Not a gory death, but a little emotional!
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Unsheathing the Sheathed
Prologue 2, At Death's Gate
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Kaoru plastered a fake smile on her lips as she danced with the older man. At the young age of thirteen Kaoru had gotten again taller then most girls, but she was still slim and had finally budded breasts. She wore a dark purple kimono that had a trail of white sakura cherry blossoms growing from the end of the kimono. A light blue obi had been wrapped around her waist tightly, done in a complicated bow on her back.
The man she was dancing with had to be at least twenty eight. His breath was rancid and Kaoru did everything she could to not wrinkle her nose in his presence. He was a medium sized man, reigning a good three inches taller then her, but Kaoru could tell that he gorged himself in food and sake whenever he could, judging by his plump stomach that made her stand as far away from him as she could.
She glanced around his shoulder, not wanting to have to look at the man's face any longer. These weren't good days at all. Her mother had grown ill, seriously ill and had not been in the best health for a good few months. She would sit by her bedside and just hold her hand, watching her pale face. She was dieing. Kaoru knew it. And they couldn't help her.
Kaoru spotted the only person who had been her friend residing against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His bright red hair shrouded his handsome and youthful face. He still had it pulled back into a high ponytail and it grown longer in the past two years to the middle of his back. He was wearing a simple forest green gi and white hakama. He had continued to train in his style and his arms had grown harder, as had his chest and stomach. Both of his swords were tucked into his hakama. Even though he was only seventeen he was known by most as Hitokiri Battousai, but she knew him as Kenshin Himura.
Sure, she had a few other friends, but not any that knew her as well as Kenshin did. There was the little, spiky-haired stable boy named Yahiko Myojin. He was only six, but had a temper as large as the moon. At his age Yahiko had an unusual thing for making fun of Kaoru. You could say their relationship was all about friendly arguments.
Then there was Megumi Takani. She had formally been forced to make opium by a young entrepreneur. The government had found out about it and saved her from the man who had been forcing her to make the drug. She was a magnificent doctor, coming from a long line of successful doctors. Megumi also had this thing for flirting with Kenshin just to make Kaoru angry. Megumi was older then Kaoru by three years at the age of sixteen. Kenshin would usually just brush off Megumi's flirting with a quick glare or just ignoring it.
They made eye contact and his eyes still entranced her. They had become a dark blue in his stay at the palace, though they were spotted with gold as a warning to all. Kenshin smiled at her pleading look. He may have only been a servant at the palace, but she didn't care. He was just someone she could talk to without them correcting her etiquette.
Kenshin pushed off from the wall and made his way through the crowd of rich dukes, princes, princesses, and all of royal blood there to reach Kaoru. Taking her hand that she had rested tensely on the big man's shoulder, he pulled her away and the big man just gaped before grabbing Kaoru's arm.
"She's dancing with me!" the man stated and Kenshin looked at him in disgust.
"Not anymore" Kenshin spat and wrenched the man's hand from Kaoru's arm. He quickly pulled her away from the older man. They quickly adjusted their arms in the right positions and swayed to the soft music.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Kaoru gasped out, smiling up at Kenshin. Kenshin chuckled.
"He was a stupid lug. I can't believe your father made you dance with him" Kenshin commented and Kaoru nodded in agreement, falling silent. Kenshin watched her in mutual silence. Ever since her mother had fallen ill she had lost some of her spunk, had become quieter then usual.
"You alright?" he whispered. Kaoru looked up. His eyes had lost the golden specks for a gentle blue mixed with violet.
Kaoru smiled lightly. "Yeah sure, as good as I could be if you think of the circumstances" Kaoru stated sarcastically. "When are you going to tell me about your life? You promised you would"
"In a good fourteen years probably" Kenshin teased and Kaoru gave him a punch in the shoulder.
"Stop teasing me! You've been putting it off for two years! When are you gonna tell me?" she asked, her voice lowering. Kaoru reached up a hand and traced the tender cross scar on his cheek and Kenshin closed his eyes at her soft touch. "What happened to you Kenshin? Whatever it is, I'll stay with you. You know all about my life, but I only know a little bit about yours. How'd you get these scars?"
Kenshin had to stop himself from leaning into her touch as she traced each one of the lines tenderly. They had long sense stopped dancing. Kenshin reached up and circled her wrist into his palm and pulled her hand away.
"Kaoru" he said calmly. Kaoru stared into his eyes noticing the amber specks had appeared again. "Stop it. Please"
Kaoru withdrew her hand and nodded. A slow song had started and she tried to hide the tears that had started to prick her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist and let her bury her head into his shoulder. He could tell just by her actions she was sad and somehow, Kenshin always knew how to make her relax. His eyes slightly widened as he felt his gi become slightly wet.
"I'm sorry Kenshin. I'm just so scared. What if Mother dies?" Kaoru sobbed.
"Then she'll be in a better place. She'll be away from all this, from the war. She'll be able to watch her daughter grow and she'll swell with pride at what you become. She'd be happy" Kenshin tried to sooth her, but she just cried harder. "Do you want to leave?"
Kaoru nodded into his gi. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Kenshin led her out of the ballroom, despite the unusual glances they were getting from the other dancers. They walked down the gloomy halls, Kaoru practically walking with her eyes closed. She kept chanting a mantra over and over in her head. "I will be strong. I will be strong. I will be strong."
Kenshin opened a door for Kaoru and she walked in hesitantly. The room was gloomy and held a pestering smell in it. An enormous western bed had been provided for her mother, who lay under the thick covers trembling. A thick water soaked cloth was placed over her forehead and Megumi stood by her bed, a mourning look on her face.
Megumi was a beautiful woman with a pile of black bangs over her forehead. She left her hair undone so it sprawled down her back almost perfectly straight. She had a very womanly figure, resulting in her having many admirers. She wore a doctor's kimono, a light purple color with a light pink kimono underneath it. Megumi looked up at Kaoru sympathetically.
"Kaoru . . . are you sure you want to be in here?" Megumi asked hesitantly. Kaoru just nodded mutely and sat in the chair by her mother's bed. Megumi sighed and withdrew to the side of the room to give them their space.
"Mother?" she whispered. The woman turned towards her daughter and smiled weakly.
"Oh Kao-ru" Queen Kamiya whispered. Kaoru clutched her mother's sweaty hand against her chest, tears flowing from her eyes.
"You're going to be alright, Mother! You're going to be alright!" Kaoru repeated. Queen Kamiya chuckled softly, resulting in a harsh cough racking through her body. Kaoru jumped to her feet and rested herself on her mother's bed, leaning over fearfully. The queen smiled gently.
"Kaoru, I know I'm going to die. Just please, do one thing for me" the queen whispered.
"Anything Mother! Anything for you!" Kaoru sobbed out, squeezing her mother's hand reassuringly.
"I want you to . . . to not marry unless you feel you can live with that person all your life. No matter what your father says. Do not marry unless you know you can love that person and never have that love waver" Queen Kamiya begged. Kaoru nodded hurriedly.
"Of course Mother! I promise you!" Kaoru gasped. Kaoru leaned down over her mother and buried her head in Queen Kamiya's bosom. Kaoru's mother patted her back weakly before looking over to where Kenshin hid in a corner in the shadows.
"Battousai" she whispered. "Come here" Kenshin's eyes widened slightly and he hesitated, before approaching the sick woman.
"Yes?"
Queen Kamiya smiled. "I remember when they brought you in. You acted so wild, so furious. I never thought I'd see you beside my daughter protecting her. Please, forgive me for looking down upon you. All I ask of you now is to still protect her and make sure she keeps her promise to me"
"Of course" Kenshin replied, nodding to her.
"Oh and please forgive my husband for making you go on those midnight assassinations" Queen Kamiya begged and Kaoru's sobs settled when she heard these words.
Kaoru pushed herself up and looked at Kenshin who had hid his face under his hair. "Father is making Kenshin assassinate again?" she asked, looking back at her mother. Queen Kamiya nodded. Kaoru's face burned with anger.
"How could Father do that?! How could he?!" Kaoru shouted.
"Kaoru . . . ?" her mother whispered. Kaoru looked back at her and she could tell that she was in death's gate. "I love you. Remember that" With those words, Queen Kamiya closed her eyes for the last time.
"Mother?" Kaoru whispered, her face turning a deathly white at the sight of her dead mother. "Mother? M-Mommy?! MOMMY!" she shrieked.
Tears flooded down her cheeks when the door was swung open to reveal her father panting. He stared at his wife's dead form, eyes wide with fright. Kaoru swung around and glared at her father. With a violent yell, she jumped from the bed and launched towards Kenshin.
"She's dead! You were too busy with your parties to even be here when she died!" Kaoru yelled furiously. "And how could you?! How could you make Kenshin kill again?!" Kaoru pulled Kenshin's katana from its sheath and leaped towards her father in her anger, the slim sword raised.
Kenshin's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed Kaoru's waist, pulling her backwards and away from the shocked king. She swung the katana wildly despite her training and Kenshin grabbed her wrist, raising it into the air so the katana couldn't hit anyone. Giving her wrist a squeeze, Kaoru dropped the sword. Kaoru struggled tumultuously, but Kenshin wrapped his other arm around her waist, lifting her into the air as she kicked furiously.
Quickly flipping her around, Kenshin held her arms and looked her in the eyes. Kaoru calmed down, but cried relentlessly. With a yell, Kaoru threw her arms around Kenshin's neck, burying her head into his neck so her feet weren't even touching the ground. Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru's back comfortingly.
"Why'd she have to die, Kenshin? Why? And why'd Father make you kill? This doesn't make sense!" Kaoru cried and Kenshin couldn't help, but blush as he felt Kaoru's lips on his neck as she spoke.
"Sometimes life just doesn't make sense" Kenshin mumbled back to her.
"Kaoru?" Kaoru's father said hesitantly. Kaoru glanced at him; his shocked expression. But who could blame him? His thirteen year old daughter had just raised a weapon to him. "Oh Kaoru, I'm so sorry!" he cried out.
"It's not his fault she's dead Miss Kaoru. It's nobody's fault" Kenshin whispered into Kaoru's ear. She nodded against his neck and turned her head to look at her father. Kenshin pulled his arms away from her slowly so she wouldn't hit the ground abruptly.
Kaoru turned towards her father and took quick steps forward before wrapping her arms around King Kamiya's waist, giving him a thorough hug.
"All I ask of you, Father, is to please, please don't make Ken-Battousai kill people anymore! Please! I don't want him to!" Kaoru begged, looking up towards her father's face. King Kamiya sighed.
Kenshin bent down and picked up his katana and slipped it back into its sheath.
"How'd you find out about that?" he asked calmly, looking straight at Kenshin.
"Mother told me" Kaoru responded. The king looked down at his daughter and sighed again, his eyes softening.
"I can't promise you anything, Kaoru. This is a time of war and we needed someone with Battousai's skills to help us in the war" King Kamiya responded. Kaoru drew away from him and glared at her father.
"If it wasn't for me, then he'd be dead" Kaoru said in a deathly tone. "He owes me his life, not you. He shouldn't have to do what you say. What are you threatening him with? Death? Torture? What is it Father?!"
"Kaoru . . ."
"Don't you 'Kaoru' me! Answer me Father!" Kaoru cried out. Before he could answer, Kaoru ran out the door, leaving a shocked father and Kenshin. Kenshin started after her and when King Kamiya raised a hand to stop him with. Kenshin looked slightly up at the man.
"Try to make her understand, Battousai. Lately, you're the only one she'll listen to" King Kamiya asked of him. Kenshin slid past his hand.
"She already does" Kenshin muttered before breaking off in a run after Kaoru.
Kenshin easily caught up with her and grabbed her arm, swinging her so she could see him "Miss Kaoru, calm down!" he whispered to her.
She groaned. "I just . . . I'm so angry Kenshin! How could Father do that to you?" Kenshin sighed as he was again reminded.
"Go to your room and change into a gi" he ordered. Kaoru looked at him in confusion.
"Why?" she asked surprised.
"We're gonna get you rid of these frustrations" Kenshin replied simply. Kaoru just looked at him in confusion before walking to her room. Kenshin rested his head on the outside wall. In a matter of a few seconds Kaoru was out of her room dressed in a blue hakama and a cream gi. Underneath you could see that she had hurriedly bound her chest.
"Alright, follow me" he murmured and Kaoru nodded to the teenager. They began to walk down a series of halls until they had reached an area Kaoru was enormously familiar with. The dojo.
"Kenshin, what the heck is going on?" she asked, looking up at him. Kenshin looked down at her out of the corner of his eye as they walked in.
"We're going to spar" he stated simply and a wide smile spread across Kaoru's face. She'd begged him to spar with him countless of times, only to have him refuse.
"Why is it that of all times, now is the time you actually agree to fight with me?" Kaoru asked quizzically.
"You can let out your frustrations. Before I hadn't been used to fighting for fun. I only knew how to go all out and at it. But I've trained myself to refrain from using my whole strength" Kenshin explained.
He removed his two swords from his waist and propped them up against the wall. Picking up a bokken from the wall, he tested it in his hand. He wrinkled his nose at the wooden practice sword. Kaoru giggled at the face he made and pulled out a bokken of her own.
"Are you implying that I'm weaker then you, Hitokiri Battousai?" Kaoru tested, raising her bokken towards him with both of her hands around the handle. Kenshin raised his eyebrows at the change of name, but let a small smile grace his lips.
He tapped his bokken against Kaoru's quickly to the side then popped her on the head, catching her totally off guard. "Exactly" Kaoru growled something under her breath and swung her bokken at Kenshin and he easily blocked it with a flick of his wrist. Kaoru jumped forward again, raising her bokken over her head. She swung it down and Kenshin simply lifted his bokken in the air
"Quit playing around!" Kaoru shouted angrily and swung her bokken at Kenshin's side. Kenshin parried it by twisting his bokken to the side and smiled slightly.
"As you wish" Kenshin said in a voice that made Kaoru look up at him in surprise. Kenshin shoved her away with his bokken and thrust it at her. Kaoru squeaked at the pressure as she blocked Kenshin's attack and she was surprised she didn't slide on the ground.
"No rules?" she whispered.
"None" Kenshin answered and she smiled.
"Good"
Kaoru kicked out at him and Kenshin grabbed her ankle, pulling it harshly so she fell to her back. Letting out a grunt of pain, Kaoru wrapped her legs around one of Kenshin's while lying down and jerked him back. Kenshin fell back, but pushed himself onto his knee.
Grabbing one of her feet, he pulled one of her getas off and began to tickle her foot mischievously. Kaoru let out a shriek of laughter and dropped her bokken, reaching forward to try to grab Kenshin's hands.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru began, but a squeal of giggles interrupted her. "That's . . . not fair!"
Kenshin stopped for a minute and smiled widely at Kaoru. "Weren't you the one who wanted no rules?!" Kaoru stopped her giggling and looked away, humming innocently.
"Me? Never!" Kaoru exclaimed. Kenshin leaned over her and gave her a glare.
"Liar! I distinctively heard you ask for 'no rules'!" Kenshin accused and Kaoru shook her head.
"How dare you call one such as myself a liar!" Kaoru exclaimed, pretending to be astonished.
"I dare because I am . . . !" Kenshin began then pushed his bokken to her neck. "Hitokiri Battousai!" he exclaimed in a deep voice.
"Right, Mr. Battousai! Whatever you say Mr. Battousai!" Kaoru whined. Kenshin pushed himself off from where he had been leaning and sat down, after pulling off Kaoru's legs.
"Feel even in the least bit better?" Kenshin asked hopefully.
"I didn't exactly feel like I was taking out my anger, but I definitely feel somewhat better. Also that was the most I've ever seen you smile before!" Kaoru taunted. Kenshin frowned and Kaoru couldn't help, but giggle. Kaoru jumped to her feet, stumbling slightly with the one geta. Kaoru quickly kicked it off "C'mon! Let's go to the lake! I want to swim!"
Kaoru grabbed his hand and pushed aside the dojo door to the outside world. Giggling the whole time, Kaoru pulled Kenshin towards the lake ahead, even though the sun was close to setting. Once they reached the lake, Kaoru let go of Kenshin's hand and hopped on one foot as she pulled her two toed socks off. Stumbling towards the lake, Kaoru ran in comically until the water was up to her knees before turning towards the assassin.
"Oh c'mon!" Kaoru cried. "The water's great!" Kenshin watched her uneasily. The last time he had gone underwater someone was trying to choke him to death. "Scaredy-cat!"
Kenshin narrowed his eyes at this. He kicked off his getas before pulling off his socks. Climbing up from where he had sat down, Kenshin walked towards the water slowly, much to Kaoru's distaste. When his feet finally touched the water, Kaoru grabbed his hand again and pulled him further into the water. Kaoru bent down and splashed him, smiling widely.
Kenshin just watched her, eyebrows raised as the water soaked his body. Kaoru stopped when she saw he wasn't responding. "Hey? What's a matter?" she asked softly. Kenshin closed his eyes for a second and smiled lightly.
"Nothing. Just . . . just stay the way you are" Kenshin requested, smiling warmly at her. Kaoru put on a perplexed face.
"What do you mean, Kenshin?"
"Innocent" Kenshin explained simply. Kaoru couldn't help, but laugh.
"Okay, sure, I guess" Kaoru responded, smiling. Suddenly not feeling so up to the water, Kaoru made her way out of the lake, Kenshin on her tail. When they reached the shore, Kaoru looked back at him and winced. "Sorry I got you so wet" she apologized, blushing. Kenshin looked down and indeed his entire hakama was soaked and the bottom of his gi as well was plastered to his stomach. Kaoru sat down and hugged her knees to her chest.
"Don't worry about it" Kenshin replied. Kenshin crouched down in front of her and lifted her chin. "My turn. What's the matter?" Kaoru looked up at him sadly and Kenshin nodded sympathetically.
"Kenshin, have you ever had someone who you loved taken away from you?" she whispered mournfully. Kenshin flinched visibly.
"Twice" he murmured back. Kaoru nodded.
"Well that's one thing we have in common" Kaoru muttered. Kenshin sat down next to her and tried to be supportive.
"I don't have much experience with comforting people, but I hope the fact that your mother is probably happy right now watching you will comfort you in some way" Kenshin said hopefully. Kaoru smiled at him.
"How'd you get over it when it happened to you?" she asked and she saw Kenshin flinch again.
"Those wouldn't be good examples. Just try not to think about it" Kenshin responded. Kaoru just nodded and rested her head on Kenshin's shoulder. Kenshin tensed, but when he saw her face, Kenshin let himself relax.
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There's the second chapter! ^_^ Hope it was enjoyable! I loved the income I got for my first chapter! It was great! I was so excited when I got reviews so quickly that I thought about posting this right away. But I decided I'd be nice! I did finish another chapter for this so what heck! Why not put this one up?! THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN OFTEN!
Here's Kaoru's kimono in this chapter: Graceful Rose Motif Purple Irotomesode (it says rose, but it's really sakura I believe):
http :// www. ichiroya .com /item /list3. php? no= 56905
All you got to do is take out the spaces!
Okay now to the reviewers! :
jodibet: I answered how old Kenshin was in the first chapter. In this one he's seventeen if you didn't ead it up there. Thanks for reviewing!
moonsilver: I liked that line too! Thanks for telling me about the beta- reader!
tati-chan14: I will . . . when I feel like it! Mwahahaha! JK, we'll just have to see.
Rei: *laughs* I love your enthusiasm! Don't worry, I probably won't drop this! I hate it when people do that so I don't want to do that to my readers. I don't want people hating me.
a reader: *blushes* Thanks! I hope you'll think the same thing as more chapters come.
jen: I know what you mean about other stories, too many times do I fine those! Keep reviewing! You're more then welcome too!
Serenity: Well, as long as you keep reviewing and telling me what you think, I'll be happy.
kenshin's-angel: Thank you!
I'm so happy! LOL! Well, I'll be back later some time with the next chapter! I think what I might do is when I finish a new chapter I'll put up one of the earlier ones. That good for you all?
Bring on the reviews, baby! LOL! I hate school . . . project . . . must try to start . . . ugh!
WARNING! - Death is in this chapter, hence the name "At Death's Gate". Not a gory death, but a little emotional!
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Unsheathing the Sheathed
Prologue 2, At Death's Gate
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Kaoru plastered a fake smile on her lips as she danced with the older man. At the young age of thirteen Kaoru had gotten again taller then most girls, but she was still slim and had finally budded breasts. She wore a dark purple kimono that had a trail of white sakura cherry blossoms growing from the end of the kimono. A light blue obi had been wrapped around her waist tightly, done in a complicated bow on her back.
The man she was dancing with had to be at least twenty eight. His breath was rancid and Kaoru did everything she could to not wrinkle her nose in his presence. He was a medium sized man, reigning a good three inches taller then her, but Kaoru could tell that he gorged himself in food and sake whenever he could, judging by his plump stomach that made her stand as far away from him as she could.
She glanced around his shoulder, not wanting to have to look at the man's face any longer. These weren't good days at all. Her mother had grown ill, seriously ill and had not been in the best health for a good few months. She would sit by her bedside and just hold her hand, watching her pale face. She was dieing. Kaoru knew it. And they couldn't help her.
Kaoru spotted the only person who had been her friend residing against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His bright red hair shrouded his handsome and youthful face. He still had it pulled back into a high ponytail and it grown longer in the past two years to the middle of his back. He was wearing a simple forest green gi and white hakama. He had continued to train in his style and his arms had grown harder, as had his chest and stomach. Both of his swords were tucked into his hakama. Even though he was only seventeen he was known by most as Hitokiri Battousai, but she knew him as Kenshin Himura.
Sure, she had a few other friends, but not any that knew her as well as Kenshin did. There was the little, spiky-haired stable boy named Yahiko Myojin. He was only six, but had a temper as large as the moon. At his age Yahiko had an unusual thing for making fun of Kaoru. You could say their relationship was all about friendly arguments.
Then there was Megumi Takani. She had formally been forced to make opium by a young entrepreneur. The government had found out about it and saved her from the man who had been forcing her to make the drug. She was a magnificent doctor, coming from a long line of successful doctors. Megumi also had this thing for flirting with Kenshin just to make Kaoru angry. Megumi was older then Kaoru by three years at the age of sixteen. Kenshin would usually just brush off Megumi's flirting with a quick glare or just ignoring it.
They made eye contact and his eyes still entranced her. They had become a dark blue in his stay at the palace, though they were spotted with gold as a warning to all. Kenshin smiled at her pleading look. He may have only been a servant at the palace, but she didn't care. He was just someone she could talk to without them correcting her etiquette.
Kenshin pushed off from the wall and made his way through the crowd of rich dukes, princes, princesses, and all of royal blood there to reach Kaoru. Taking her hand that she had rested tensely on the big man's shoulder, he pulled her away and the big man just gaped before grabbing Kaoru's arm.
"She's dancing with me!" the man stated and Kenshin looked at him in disgust.
"Not anymore" Kenshin spat and wrenched the man's hand from Kaoru's arm. He quickly pulled her away from the older man. They quickly adjusted their arms in the right positions and swayed to the soft music.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Kaoru gasped out, smiling up at Kenshin. Kenshin chuckled.
"He was a stupid lug. I can't believe your father made you dance with him" Kenshin commented and Kaoru nodded in agreement, falling silent. Kenshin watched her in mutual silence. Ever since her mother had fallen ill she had lost some of her spunk, had become quieter then usual.
"You alright?" he whispered. Kaoru looked up. His eyes had lost the golden specks for a gentle blue mixed with violet.
Kaoru smiled lightly. "Yeah sure, as good as I could be if you think of the circumstances" Kaoru stated sarcastically. "When are you going to tell me about your life? You promised you would"
"In a good fourteen years probably" Kenshin teased and Kaoru gave him a punch in the shoulder.
"Stop teasing me! You've been putting it off for two years! When are you gonna tell me?" she asked, her voice lowering. Kaoru reached up a hand and traced the tender cross scar on his cheek and Kenshin closed his eyes at her soft touch. "What happened to you Kenshin? Whatever it is, I'll stay with you. You know all about my life, but I only know a little bit about yours. How'd you get these scars?"
Kenshin had to stop himself from leaning into her touch as she traced each one of the lines tenderly. They had long sense stopped dancing. Kenshin reached up and circled her wrist into his palm and pulled her hand away.
"Kaoru" he said calmly. Kaoru stared into his eyes noticing the amber specks had appeared again. "Stop it. Please"
Kaoru withdrew her hand and nodded. A slow song had started and she tried to hide the tears that had started to prick her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist and let her bury her head into his shoulder. He could tell just by her actions she was sad and somehow, Kenshin always knew how to make her relax. His eyes slightly widened as he felt his gi become slightly wet.
"I'm sorry Kenshin. I'm just so scared. What if Mother dies?" Kaoru sobbed.
"Then she'll be in a better place. She'll be away from all this, from the war. She'll be able to watch her daughter grow and she'll swell with pride at what you become. She'd be happy" Kenshin tried to sooth her, but she just cried harder. "Do you want to leave?"
Kaoru nodded into his gi. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Kenshin led her out of the ballroom, despite the unusual glances they were getting from the other dancers. They walked down the gloomy halls, Kaoru practically walking with her eyes closed. She kept chanting a mantra over and over in her head. "I will be strong. I will be strong. I will be strong."
Kenshin opened a door for Kaoru and she walked in hesitantly. The room was gloomy and held a pestering smell in it. An enormous western bed had been provided for her mother, who lay under the thick covers trembling. A thick water soaked cloth was placed over her forehead and Megumi stood by her bed, a mourning look on her face.
Megumi was a beautiful woman with a pile of black bangs over her forehead. She left her hair undone so it sprawled down her back almost perfectly straight. She had a very womanly figure, resulting in her having many admirers. She wore a doctor's kimono, a light purple color with a light pink kimono underneath it. Megumi looked up at Kaoru sympathetically.
"Kaoru . . . are you sure you want to be in here?" Megumi asked hesitantly. Kaoru just nodded mutely and sat in the chair by her mother's bed. Megumi sighed and withdrew to the side of the room to give them their space.
"Mother?" she whispered. The woman turned towards her daughter and smiled weakly.
"Oh Kao-ru" Queen Kamiya whispered. Kaoru clutched her mother's sweaty hand against her chest, tears flowing from her eyes.
"You're going to be alright, Mother! You're going to be alright!" Kaoru repeated. Queen Kamiya chuckled softly, resulting in a harsh cough racking through her body. Kaoru jumped to her feet and rested herself on her mother's bed, leaning over fearfully. The queen smiled gently.
"Kaoru, I know I'm going to die. Just please, do one thing for me" the queen whispered.
"Anything Mother! Anything for you!" Kaoru sobbed out, squeezing her mother's hand reassuringly.
"I want you to . . . to not marry unless you feel you can live with that person all your life. No matter what your father says. Do not marry unless you know you can love that person and never have that love waver" Queen Kamiya begged. Kaoru nodded hurriedly.
"Of course Mother! I promise you!" Kaoru gasped. Kaoru leaned down over her mother and buried her head in Queen Kamiya's bosom. Kaoru's mother patted her back weakly before looking over to where Kenshin hid in a corner in the shadows.
"Battousai" she whispered. "Come here" Kenshin's eyes widened slightly and he hesitated, before approaching the sick woman.
"Yes?"
Queen Kamiya smiled. "I remember when they brought you in. You acted so wild, so furious. I never thought I'd see you beside my daughter protecting her. Please, forgive me for looking down upon you. All I ask of you now is to still protect her and make sure she keeps her promise to me"
"Of course" Kenshin replied, nodding to her.
"Oh and please forgive my husband for making you go on those midnight assassinations" Queen Kamiya begged and Kaoru's sobs settled when she heard these words.
Kaoru pushed herself up and looked at Kenshin who had hid his face under his hair. "Father is making Kenshin assassinate again?" she asked, looking back at her mother. Queen Kamiya nodded. Kaoru's face burned with anger.
"How could Father do that?! How could he?!" Kaoru shouted.
"Kaoru . . . ?" her mother whispered. Kaoru looked back at her and she could tell that she was in death's gate. "I love you. Remember that" With those words, Queen Kamiya closed her eyes for the last time.
"Mother?" Kaoru whispered, her face turning a deathly white at the sight of her dead mother. "Mother? M-Mommy?! MOMMY!" she shrieked.
Tears flooded down her cheeks when the door was swung open to reveal her father panting. He stared at his wife's dead form, eyes wide with fright. Kaoru swung around and glared at her father. With a violent yell, she jumped from the bed and launched towards Kenshin.
"She's dead! You were too busy with your parties to even be here when she died!" Kaoru yelled furiously. "And how could you?! How could you make Kenshin kill again?!" Kaoru pulled Kenshin's katana from its sheath and leaped towards her father in her anger, the slim sword raised.
Kenshin's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed Kaoru's waist, pulling her backwards and away from the shocked king. She swung the katana wildly despite her training and Kenshin grabbed her wrist, raising it into the air so the katana couldn't hit anyone. Giving her wrist a squeeze, Kaoru dropped the sword. Kaoru struggled tumultuously, but Kenshin wrapped his other arm around her waist, lifting her into the air as she kicked furiously.
Quickly flipping her around, Kenshin held her arms and looked her in the eyes. Kaoru calmed down, but cried relentlessly. With a yell, Kaoru threw her arms around Kenshin's neck, burying her head into his neck so her feet weren't even touching the ground. Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru's back comfortingly.
"Why'd she have to die, Kenshin? Why? And why'd Father make you kill? This doesn't make sense!" Kaoru cried and Kenshin couldn't help, but blush as he felt Kaoru's lips on his neck as she spoke.
"Sometimes life just doesn't make sense" Kenshin mumbled back to her.
"Kaoru?" Kaoru's father said hesitantly. Kaoru glanced at him; his shocked expression. But who could blame him? His thirteen year old daughter had just raised a weapon to him. "Oh Kaoru, I'm so sorry!" he cried out.
"It's not his fault she's dead Miss Kaoru. It's nobody's fault" Kenshin whispered into Kaoru's ear. She nodded against his neck and turned her head to look at her father. Kenshin pulled his arms away from her slowly so she wouldn't hit the ground abruptly.
Kaoru turned towards her father and took quick steps forward before wrapping her arms around King Kamiya's waist, giving him a thorough hug.
"All I ask of you, Father, is to please, please don't make Ken-Battousai kill people anymore! Please! I don't want him to!" Kaoru begged, looking up towards her father's face. King Kamiya sighed.
Kenshin bent down and picked up his katana and slipped it back into its sheath.
"How'd you find out about that?" he asked calmly, looking straight at Kenshin.
"Mother told me" Kaoru responded. The king looked down at his daughter and sighed again, his eyes softening.
"I can't promise you anything, Kaoru. This is a time of war and we needed someone with Battousai's skills to help us in the war" King Kamiya responded. Kaoru drew away from him and glared at her father.
"If it wasn't for me, then he'd be dead" Kaoru said in a deathly tone. "He owes me his life, not you. He shouldn't have to do what you say. What are you threatening him with? Death? Torture? What is it Father?!"
"Kaoru . . ."
"Don't you 'Kaoru' me! Answer me Father!" Kaoru cried out. Before he could answer, Kaoru ran out the door, leaving a shocked father and Kenshin. Kenshin started after her and when King Kamiya raised a hand to stop him with. Kenshin looked slightly up at the man.
"Try to make her understand, Battousai. Lately, you're the only one she'll listen to" King Kamiya asked of him. Kenshin slid past his hand.
"She already does" Kenshin muttered before breaking off in a run after Kaoru.
Kenshin easily caught up with her and grabbed her arm, swinging her so she could see him "Miss Kaoru, calm down!" he whispered to her.
She groaned. "I just . . . I'm so angry Kenshin! How could Father do that to you?" Kenshin sighed as he was again reminded.
"Go to your room and change into a gi" he ordered. Kaoru looked at him in confusion.
"Why?" she asked surprised.
"We're gonna get you rid of these frustrations" Kenshin replied simply. Kaoru just looked at him in confusion before walking to her room. Kenshin rested his head on the outside wall. In a matter of a few seconds Kaoru was out of her room dressed in a blue hakama and a cream gi. Underneath you could see that she had hurriedly bound her chest.
"Alright, follow me" he murmured and Kaoru nodded to the teenager. They began to walk down a series of halls until they had reached an area Kaoru was enormously familiar with. The dojo.
"Kenshin, what the heck is going on?" she asked, looking up at him. Kenshin looked down at her out of the corner of his eye as they walked in.
"We're going to spar" he stated simply and a wide smile spread across Kaoru's face. She'd begged him to spar with him countless of times, only to have him refuse.
"Why is it that of all times, now is the time you actually agree to fight with me?" Kaoru asked quizzically.
"You can let out your frustrations. Before I hadn't been used to fighting for fun. I only knew how to go all out and at it. But I've trained myself to refrain from using my whole strength" Kenshin explained.
He removed his two swords from his waist and propped them up against the wall. Picking up a bokken from the wall, he tested it in his hand. He wrinkled his nose at the wooden practice sword. Kaoru giggled at the face he made and pulled out a bokken of her own.
"Are you implying that I'm weaker then you, Hitokiri Battousai?" Kaoru tested, raising her bokken towards him with both of her hands around the handle. Kenshin raised his eyebrows at the change of name, but let a small smile grace his lips.
He tapped his bokken against Kaoru's quickly to the side then popped her on the head, catching her totally off guard. "Exactly" Kaoru growled something under her breath and swung her bokken at Kenshin and he easily blocked it with a flick of his wrist. Kaoru jumped forward again, raising her bokken over her head. She swung it down and Kenshin simply lifted his bokken in the air
"Quit playing around!" Kaoru shouted angrily and swung her bokken at Kenshin's side. Kenshin parried it by twisting his bokken to the side and smiled slightly.
"As you wish" Kenshin said in a voice that made Kaoru look up at him in surprise. Kenshin shoved her away with his bokken and thrust it at her. Kaoru squeaked at the pressure as she blocked Kenshin's attack and she was surprised she didn't slide on the ground.
"No rules?" she whispered.
"None" Kenshin answered and she smiled.
"Good"
Kaoru kicked out at him and Kenshin grabbed her ankle, pulling it harshly so she fell to her back. Letting out a grunt of pain, Kaoru wrapped her legs around one of Kenshin's while lying down and jerked him back. Kenshin fell back, but pushed himself onto his knee.
Grabbing one of her feet, he pulled one of her getas off and began to tickle her foot mischievously. Kaoru let out a shriek of laughter and dropped her bokken, reaching forward to try to grab Kenshin's hands.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru began, but a squeal of giggles interrupted her. "That's . . . not fair!"
Kenshin stopped for a minute and smiled widely at Kaoru. "Weren't you the one who wanted no rules?!" Kaoru stopped her giggling and looked away, humming innocently.
"Me? Never!" Kaoru exclaimed. Kenshin leaned over her and gave her a glare.
"Liar! I distinctively heard you ask for 'no rules'!" Kenshin accused and Kaoru shook her head.
"How dare you call one such as myself a liar!" Kaoru exclaimed, pretending to be astonished.
"I dare because I am . . . !" Kenshin began then pushed his bokken to her neck. "Hitokiri Battousai!" he exclaimed in a deep voice.
"Right, Mr. Battousai! Whatever you say Mr. Battousai!" Kaoru whined. Kenshin pushed himself off from where he had been leaning and sat down, after pulling off Kaoru's legs.
"Feel even in the least bit better?" Kenshin asked hopefully.
"I didn't exactly feel like I was taking out my anger, but I definitely feel somewhat better. Also that was the most I've ever seen you smile before!" Kaoru taunted. Kenshin frowned and Kaoru couldn't help, but giggle. Kaoru jumped to her feet, stumbling slightly with the one geta. Kaoru quickly kicked it off "C'mon! Let's go to the lake! I want to swim!"
Kaoru grabbed his hand and pushed aside the dojo door to the outside world. Giggling the whole time, Kaoru pulled Kenshin towards the lake ahead, even though the sun was close to setting. Once they reached the lake, Kaoru let go of Kenshin's hand and hopped on one foot as she pulled her two toed socks off. Stumbling towards the lake, Kaoru ran in comically until the water was up to her knees before turning towards the assassin.
"Oh c'mon!" Kaoru cried. "The water's great!" Kenshin watched her uneasily. The last time he had gone underwater someone was trying to choke him to death. "Scaredy-cat!"
Kenshin narrowed his eyes at this. He kicked off his getas before pulling off his socks. Climbing up from where he had sat down, Kenshin walked towards the water slowly, much to Kaoru's distaste. When his feet finally touched the water, Kaoru grabbed his hand again and pulled him further into the water. Kaoru bent down and splashed him, smiling widely.
Kenshin just watched her, eyebrows raised as the water soaked his body. Kaoru stopped when she saw he wasn't responding. "Hey? What's a matter?" she asked softly. Kenshin closed his eyes for a second and smiled lightly.
"Nothing. Just . . . just stay the way you are" Kenshin requested, smiling warmly at her. Kaoru put on a perplexed face.
"What do you mean, Kenshin?"
"Innocent" Kenshin explained simply. Kaoru couldn't help, but laugh.
"Okay, sure, I guess" Kaoru responded, smiling. Suddenly not feeling so up to the water, Kaoru made her way out of the lake, Kenshin on her tail. When they reached the shore, Kaoru looked back at him and winced. "Sorry I got you so wet" she apologized, blushing. Kenshin looked down and indeed his entire hakama was soaked and the bottom of his gi as well was plastered to his stomach. Kaoru sat down and hugged her knees to her chest.
"Don't worry about it" Kenshin replied. Kenshin crouched down in front of her and lifted her chin. "My turn. What's the matter?" Kaoru looked up at him sadly and Kenshin nodded sympathetically.
"Kenshin, have you ever had someone who you loved taken away from you?" she whispered mournfully. Kenshin flinched visibly.
"Twice" he murmured back. Kaoru nodded.
"Well that's one thing we have in common" Kaoru muttered. Kenshin sat down next to her and tried to be supportive.
"I don't have much experience with comforting people, but I hope the fact that your mother is probably happy right now watching you will comfort you in some way" Kenshin said hopefully. Kaoru smiled at him.
"How'd you get over it when it happened to you?" she asked and she saw Kenshin flinch again.
"Those wouldn't be good examples. Just try not to think about it" Kenshin responded. Kaoru just nodded and rested her head on Kenshin's shoulder. Kenshin tensed, but when he saw her face, Kenshin let himself relax.
--+--
There's the second chapter! ^_^ Hope it was enjoyable! I loved the income I got for my first chapter! It was great! I was so excited when I got reviews so quickly that I thought about posting this right away. But I decided I'd be nice! I did finish another chapter for this so what heck! Why not put this one up?! THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN OFTEN!
Here's Kaoru's kimono in this chapter: Graceful Rose Motif Purple Irotomesode (it says rose, but it's really sakura I believe):
http :// www. ichiroya .com /item /list3. php? no= 56905
All you got to do is take out the spaces!
Okay now to the reviewers! :
jodibet: I answered how old Kenshin was in the first chapter. In this one he's seventeen if you didn't ead it up there. Thanks for reviewing!
moonsilver: I liked that line too! Thanks for telling me about the beta- reader!
tati-chan14: I will . . . when I feel like it! Mwahahaha! JK, we'll just have to see.
Rei: *laughs* I love your enthusiasm! Don't worry, I probably won't drop this! I hate it when people do that so I don't want to do that to my readers. I don't want people hating me.
a reader: *blushes* Thanks! I hope you'll think the same thing as more chapters come.
jen: I know what you mean about other stories, too many times do I fine those! Keep reviewing! You're more then welcome too!
Serenity: Well, as long as you keep reviewing and telling me what you think, I'll be happy.
kenshin's-angel: Thank you!
I'm so happy! LOL! Well, I'll be back later some time with the next chapter! I think what I might do is when I finish a new chapter I'll put up one of the earlier ones. That good for you all?
Bring on the reviews, baby! LOL! I hate school . . . project . . . must try to start . . . ugh!
