Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

ENDLESS SORROW

(BY: MYSTERIOUS MAIDEN)

Summary

AU: When Kenshin rejected Kaoru's confession of love to him, she became so depressed. Her past & secret haunts her. Prophecy will come true: Death & Rebirth. Dark fiction. Tragedy. Very short one.

Chapter 1

Rejection

Kaoru & Kenshin were both sitting by the porch, gazing through the stars. Yahiko was already asleep 2 weeks ago they celebrated Kaoru's 18th birthday. Kenshin gave her a necklace as a gift.

While they were sitting quietly, Kaoru pondered.

KAORU'S POV

I think it's time to tell Kenshin my feelings. After the Enishi incident 3 months ago, Kenshin & I became closer than before. Oh Kenshin! Why do I have to be the one to confess first? I know you love me too. But it doesn't matter. I need to tell him how I feel for him.

She took a deep breath & clutched the necklace that Kenshin gave her. "Kenshin?" she began.

"Yes, Kaoru-dono?" He took his eyes from the sky & his gaze landed to her loving face.

"I need to tell you something." She stared at the ground, unable to look at his eyes. "What is it?" She took another deep breath. "I love you." She held her breath. She cast a glance at him & saw a stunned look written all over his face. She smiled. "I've love you ever since the day I met you. I was very shocked when you told me that you had a wife before. To tell you the truth, I was really jealous. She held your heart all this time. But after you fought Enishi, I think that you have move on. Kenshin, let me help you heal." She let a sigh of relief after her confession. God it was a relief to let it all out. Now that Kenshin knows, I wonder what he's gonna tell me.

But silence answered her. Curious, she looked at Kenshin & tensed.

Kenshin was intensely staring at her. "Kenshin, what's wr---?" She was interrupted.

"Kaoru-dono, Sessha doesn't know how to say this but, Sessha loves you too." Kaoru's face lit up. "But, Sessha only love you as a SISTER & nothing more." He emphasized the word sister. "Sessha cannot accept your love, that it is. Gomen nasai."

Kaoru's face dropped, her bangs shadowing her eyes. She was not prepared for this. I-I thought he loved me. Was I wrong? All those times he looked at me. He saw me as a child? A SISTER? How could I've been stupid! I'm such a fool!

Kenshin was still looking at her. His eyes very solemn, his hands made his way to her arms. Wanting to comfort her.

"Don't." her voice pleaded. Her lips quiver & she bit it. She was on the verge of tears. Finally, she stood up & headed for her room.

A pair of hands stopped her. It was Kenshin's. "Please Kaoru-dono, don't do this. I'm sorry. (he dropped the Sessha thing but not the –dono) I don't want you to suffer, that I don't. I wish I could do something to ease your pain." Kenshin apologized once again.

Kaoru was fighting the urge to laugh at his words. She was afraid she might be losing her sanity. He makes it sound like he cares. Don't want me to suffer? Ease my pain? Kenshin, you can't ease my pain because you the one who makes me suffer, the one who broke my heart. But, I cannot seem to find it in my heart to hate you. Why?"

She somehow found a way to speak. "If what you said was true, then don't do anything for me. If I depend on you, I might just fall in love with you more," she said wryly. He flinched at her words. She made her way back again but suddenly stops. "I was wrong. Tomoe still hold your heart until now. Forget what I said." Her voice was more than a whisper. Kenshin could only look at her.

She shut the shoji as she reached her room. She slumped at her futon & let the tears fall. She cried herself to sleep.

KENSHIN'S POV

He didn't sleep at all after what happened. The truth is, he really love Kaoru just as the same as she love him. But he can't tell her that. For him, it was the best way. I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono. I hate myself for making you cry. But Sessha is not worthy to be with you. You're too pure & innocent for me. We're far too different. Please don't take it very hard. This is the only way. Sooner or later, you'll forget the love you have for me & find someone else more worthy of you. But Sessha promise to protect you always & be with you as long as you want. A single tear trailed to his scarred cheek, for he too, was heart-broken that very same night.