Summary: The two religions, Sanctus and Diablos, have never been at peace. Meet Kamiya Kaoru of Sanctus, Oracle of Shinzuru, and Himura Kenshin of Diablos, Prophet of Kurayami. Chaos is set free when all find out that the Oracle and the Prophet are engaged. B/K.

Pairings: Battousai/Kaoru

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, at all. All the characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.

Cryptic Faith
Chapter Three – The Dreams

"Kaoru-chan?" called out a woman with long raven hair that reached to the midsection of her back, "Kaoru-chan?" Her blue eyes were glazed with worry as she tried to look for a young girl of four years old. Her brow furrowed as she couldn't find the little girl. She had always been a hyperactive child, always needing to do something and refusing to stay still or at least in a single area. A small red haired boy had seen her but did nothing of it. After all, his parents told him to never talk to strangers. "Kaoru-chan! Come out now, please!" called out the woman, worry evident in her voice. The red haired boy frowned slightly as he heard her frantically calling out the child's name. "Kaoru-chan!" Unable to stop himself, the little boy walked towards the woman and tugged the hem of her kimono. "Ara?" said the woman in surprise as she looked down, only to be met by a mass of red hair.

"Oba-san, who is this 'Kaoru-chan' you are looking for?" asked the red haired boy innocently, a wide look in his endless amethyst depths. He knew of a Kaoru but he wasn't entirely sure if the older woman who looked strikingly like his friend was actually looking for her. The older woman smiled and bent down, patting the lad's head. "Maybe I know of this, Kaoru-chan of yours," spoke up the little boy shyly, "If oba-san could please describe her for me, I can most definitely help!" The older woman smiled once more and said that the Kaoru-chan she was looking for had long raven hair and blue eyes like she. The little boy's eyes widened. "Oba-san is looking for my new friend! Oba-san will follow me? I know where Kaoru is!" said the little boy excitedly as he tugged on the older woman's skirt. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she stood up, allowing the little boy to lead her to Kaoru, her beloved daughter.

They walked quickly as the little boy chattered animatedly about his friendship with Kaoru. The older woman smiled. Kaoru was an unusually shy girl and to think she had gained a new friend in such a short while. The older woman's feet padded softly against the wooden floor, taking long, slow strides as the young boy took quick, short ones. The older woman looked down at the young boy who was slightly ahead of her, with a soft smile on her face. Her impression of him was that he was a good kid. Their decision, as well as the young lad's parents, would hopefully be a good once. Soon, the red haired boy stopped and pointed straight at the pond. Looking in that direction, she saw a young girl with the same raven hair and sapphire blue eyes as she, wearing a violet kimono. The young girl turned her head to the direction the woman and the red haired male were and a smile played on her lips.

"Kenshin! Okaa-chan!" said the girl with a joyous yip. Hunting around feverishly, her eyes darted here and there to look for her zori sandals. Her feet were covered in pale lavender tabi that they were almost white, dirtied on the cloth that covered the sole of her feet. Her mother laughed slightly as she ran a hand through her long, stray raven tresses. Kaoru never did like to wear zori sandals and she was showing an adamant distaste to wearing them. However, she would soon have to learn. Finding them, she slipped them on and ran as quickly as she could to her mother and her new friend. "Okaa-chan!" said Kaoru happily as she clung to her mother's legs, a wider smile on her face. The older woman bent down and rested a hand on her daughter's head, a smile coming from Kenshin's face in the process.

"Kaoru-chan, I've been looking for you everywhere!" said her mother as Kaoru pulled apart. Her daughter made a face as she crossed her arms. Kenshin stifled a laugh as he saw his new friend doing that. Clearly, it did not suit her. A smiling face and her laughing suited her best. She looked pretty like that. As he was thinking about it, he unconsciously turned a faint red, so faint that it was hardly noticeable. "Anyway, Kenshin-kun, Kaoru-chan, come with me. We four have to tell you both something." Standing up, she stretched out her hands, one each for the two children. Kaoru put her hand in her mother's as Kenshin did the same, only shyly. It was silent as the three of them walked towards the room where Kaoru's father and Kenshin's parents were waiting.

The sun shone through the window as the thin rays of light caressed the face of the Prophet. He closed his eyes tighter, turning around to make his back face the window to get more sleep. However, it was in vain that he did that. Soon after he shifted positions, a soft knocking sound hit the door. Grabbing a pillow, he threw it to the wooden frame as it bade a soft thud. The knocking sound grew even louder, much to Kenshin's annoyance. Grumbling, he sat up straight, rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes. How many hours was he able to sleep? Four, maybe five hours of sleep? They had arrived at around two and he was fairly sure it was already six or seven in the morning. Running a hand through his loose, blood red hair, he slipped on his tatami sandals. He had fallen asleep donning his black gi and his off white hakama, as well as his black tabi. He'd have to have a bath in an hour, at the latest. Walking towards the door, he opened it, only to be greeted by Soujiro's smiling face.

"Good morning, Kenshin-san," said Soujiro amiably, trying to block Kenshin's view of what was outside of his room. Kenshin muttered a reply, trying to see what was behind him. All he could see was black but that wasn't a problem. Most people here wore black anyway. With the exception of Soujiro who usually whore a blue gi and a dark blue hakama but that was beside the point. "How was your sleep? Good?" Soujiro seemed to want to prolong Kenshin from peering behind him. Kenshin sighed, exasperated. "Okay, okay. This isn't your daily wake up call from me, Kenshin-san," said Soujiro, his voice suddenly becoming grave. The Prophet raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "It seems that Tazuya-san and the elders present last night had warned the others not within the vicinity of the Main Temple and they're all here, demanding an explanation. It's a wonder you couldn't hear. What were you dreaming of, if I may ask?"

"When I first met the Oracle's mother," said Kenshin plainly as Soujiro stepped aside, allowing him the full view of what was below. His hair spilled over his shoulders, making him look like a girl if no one knew any better. His eyes turned an irritated gold as he realized the mass of black down in the atrium. Why did they have to question this matter? It was simple enough that he only needed a few people surrounding him to give him a lesser headache, if he'd even get one. They were just power hungry fools who deserved to die at his blade, at least some did. The others would die by the blade of those directly beneath him. "Soujiro, call Kamatari. The two of you will be the only ones close to me from this moment on." The Tenken nodded before disappearing. Whenever he, Kamatari and Kenshin had their weapons out, it meant death to all who opposed them. They were known as the Three Shinigami, as wherever they walked with their weapons out, death would soon follow.

"Our Prophet who has been chosen by Kurayami-sama, why do you choose to disregard our presence!" shouted Shibahara Tazuya as Kenshin walked to the edge, his hands resting on the railing sculpted from marble. Kenshin shot a blank look towards Tazuya, fear overtaking his body. However, with the knowledge of losing a revered post as elder within Diablos, he refused to back down. "We have served you since you had become the Prophet of Kurayami-sama, what did we do to make you lose your trust in us?" called out Tazuya, the other elders chanting. Kenshin bent down slightly, his blood red hair spilling down as a demonic smile found its way to his face. He did not enjoy killing, as most people have said about Battousai. It was when he was feeling particularly sadistic, which was rare to begin with, that he enjoyed the kill, the pain on his victims' faces. "Our Prophet, please reconsider! You won't be able to keep Diablos organized if there are only a few near you!"

"Because you have gone against me," said Kenshin, the promise of pain hiding within his words. He did not know why he had dreamt of meeting Kaoru's mother for the first time. His sleep was usually a dreamless state but lately, he had been dreaming of things relating to Kaoru and their engagement. It was as if the restless spirits of their parents wanted them to get married already. When they were small children, they belonged to one of the few families that did not see the barriers of believing in a different religion. They did not see that as something that would hinder them from remaining friends. "And you were lucky to be spared last night, let alone leave that room unharmed," spoke Kenshin, a fluctuating sensation of two strong chi behind him, "But you dare test my patience? I know you have called me reckless, seemingly incapable of being the Prophet but who do you think chose me? Kurayami did, no other. And besides, are you really loyal to me or are you loyal to the power you receive?" Tazuya stiffened. Kenshin knew that most, if not all, of the elders wanted the power that came with being an elder.

"Kenshin-sama, can't we just kill them?" asked a figure donning a green kimono, the sleeves hitched up as the figure wrapped an arm loosely against a giant scythe that stood nearly as tall, or slightly taller, as the one who held it. The one who had just spoken was Honjo Kamatari of the Scythe. Despite the feminine features on Kamatari's face, and the fact that a kimono for women was Kamatari's outfit of choice, Kamatari was male. "It'll be fun to see their mutilated, mangled bodies lying down in the atrium, blood trailing down this scythe of mine." A slight laugh escaped Kenshin's lips as he looked behind him. Soujiro was standing beside Kamatari, slightly waving. Kamatari had that ever calm look on his face, the one he always had before he went on a killing spree. "Well, Kenshin-sama?" prodded Kamatari as he waited for the Prophet to say something.

"At least Tazuya, kill at least Shibahara Tazuya," said Kenshin as he pushed himself off of the railing. Turning around, he began walking back to his room. Stopping, he spoke once more. "And, if they're still going to be a pain after I tie my hair, kill the rest of them. I've had enough of them, not only as elders but as power hungry, corrupt fools who think they can influence me." A bright gleam appeared in Kamatari's eyes as he turned to face Soujiro, his right hand balled into a fist. They were going to play Jan Ken Po to find out which one of them would have the honor of letting the first blood drop and coat their weapon. Kenshin sighed sadly as he went inside to look for his hair tie.

"Yes!" shouted a joyful Kamatari as his fingers were in the scissors positions.

"Damn!" mumbled Soujiro as his shoulders sagged, his hand wide open.

Carriage on the Way to the Sanctus Main Church

Yuuko bit her lower lip as she looked at the two women in front of her. Kaoru's head rested against the side of the carriage, her head lolling against the wood. Misanagi was looking outside, her chin resting on her right palm. It had only been an hour since they left the town and surprisingly, the townspeople woke up early to bid the Oracle farewell. They knew it wasn't within Kaoru to go against the barriers set by the two religions and actually kiss the Prophet. That was not her fault, rather the Prophet's. A small smile found its way to Kaoru's face as she shifted her position slightly, the sun's rays touching her face. It had been a long and tedious experience, since the Prophet had shown up to the gathering at the town square. At least, the Oracle was getting her much needed rest. Looking up, Misanagi noticed the worried expression on Yuuko's face.

"Yuuko-san, don't worry, Kaoru-sama will be alright," said Misanagi softly as she looked at the younger girl with a soft smile on her face. Yuuko nodded bashfully, as a reddish tinge found its way to her face. Noticing the concern the younger girl felt for the Oracle, Misanagi spoke further. "You truly care about Kaoru-sama, don't you, Yuuko-san? I mean, you hardly know a thing about her except she had gone through the same loss of a family as you and that she's the Oracle," said Misanagi as she faced the younger girl, "Yet, you fully trust in her. Continue trusting in her, Yuuko-san. Shinzuru-sama will not leave Kaoru-sama in her time of need, be aware of that. I should know, as Shinzuru-sama entrusted me to take care of Kaoru-sama twelve years ago, when I was six." Yuuko looked up at Misanagi with a smile on her face, nodding. "Good. You need your rest. You were awake while Kaoru-sama was resting. Don't worry about her, okay?" With that, Yuuko gave the Okashira a nod as she began to sleep herself.

Sapphire eyes belonging to the Oracle looked around. The place seemed familiar but she couldn't quite rightly say. She had hardly any recollection of what happened to her before the goddess took her in to become the Oracle. Spying three figures, two with raven hair like she and one with flaming red hair like the Prophet's, she decided to follow them. It might clear up what the Prophet had said about them being engaged. Walking soundlessly, the Oracle managed to get into the room before the other raven haired woman managed to close the door. Kaoru's heart stopped as she looked at the older woman then down at the children. Why she could see the faces of the children but not the adults, she did not know. Why the young girl looked so much like her, she did not know either.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," spoke the woman with long raven hair. The young girl looked up to see her mother's face but she could see nothing, the long raven tresses covering her face. Looking straight in front of her, she could see her father and two other adults she did not know. The other woman, however, had the same flaming red hair as Kenshin. Clinging to her mother's skirt, the younger Kaoru hid. Kenshin had long left the side of her mother as he walked towards his parents, a childish grin on his face. "Kaoru-chan and Kenshin-kun are here." The other three adults looked at each other before looking at Kaoru's mother. Her husband gave a slight nod as he motioned for Kaoru to come to him. The small girl looked awkwardly at the other two adults before rushing into her father's arms.

"I, Kamiya Ayato, and my wife, Kamiya Yanagi, present to you our daughter, Kamiya Kaoru," said Kaoru's father as he showed his beloved daughter to Kenshin's parents. The younger Kaoru's face reddened as she waved her hand slightly. The older one, however, could see no one's faces except Kenshin's and her younger self's. Her parents' faces were like blank slates, as the faces of Kenshin's parents. She could not hear them speak at all. She could see their lips move but no sound came out of them. She could only hear silence. "And Kaoru, these are Himura Ryuuki-ji-san and Himura Shuuko-ba-san," said her father as he motioned for his daughter to look at the other two adults who smiled. The Oracle strained her eyes to see but to no avail. "You've met their son, right Kaoru? Himura Kenshin," said her father as he looked down at the red haired boy with kindly eyes. Kenshin nodded in acknowledgement.

The older Kaoru could feel her chest constrict as she watched her parents talk with Kenshin's, her younger self playing with Kenshin's younger version as their parents talked. From the way the atmosphere was, she could simply deduce that everyone was having a fun time. They were talking, the children were playing and getting along with each other, what more could anyone else ask for? The Oracle covered her mouth with her right hand, her left hand balled into a fist. Why couldn't she remember anything about her parents? About thirteen years ago? About what happened to her when she was merely a child? As she wallowed in her self-pity, everything around her blackened, except the younger Kenshin who had already stopped moving around. He walked towards the older Kaoru. Every step he took, he grew a year older. There were thirteen steps that separated them from each other, as if they were the thirteen years they did not hear or speak to each other.

"Kaoru, a look of fear and panic does not suit you," whispered the older Kenshin, his lips barely a centimeter away from her hand. His amethyst eyes were flashing from the passive violet color to a golden one. Ignoring the look on Kaoru's face, Kenshin pressed his lips against the skin of the back of her hand, sending shivers down her spine. Pulling away for a single moment, Kenshin removed the hand blocking her mouth, pushed Kaoru's body against the wall and kissed her half-open mouth. The Oracle found herself kissing him back, no matter how much her mind was screaming at her. Her body had a will of its own and her heart was soaring at the sudden amount of attention. Pulling away, Kenshin had a satisfied smile on his face. "You look better with your skin flushed because of me," said Kenshin, his hot breath dancing on her skin.

Kaoru's eyes snapped wide open as she sat up straight; her raven hair slightly messed up. Her breathing was erratic. Running a hand through her long raven tresses, she tried to calm herself down. Yuuko and Misanagi were at the edge of their seats, concerned at what had happened to the Oracle. One minute, she was sleeping soundly, the next she was wide awake and unable to breathe normally. "I hate you, Himura Kenshin, I really do," muttered Kaoru to herself as tears began to fall. He haunted her, even in her dreams. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see Kenshin's face barely away from hers, about to kiss her. She felt electricity running through her body, no matter how much her mind wanted to deny it. She yearned for his touch, for his words, for his actions and yet she couldn't bring herself to believe in it.

Tsuzuku…

And here ends yet another chapter of Cryptic Faith called The Dreams. Pretty obvious as to why, isn't it?

Kenshin is dreaming the first one while Kaoru is dreaming the second. As you know, Kaoru can't remember her parents' faces so she couldn't see them, even in the dream. They just appeared like blank slates. I wonder why though? Well, you and I will all find out the minute I get to actually writing that part.

Seriously! When I write the chapter of a fanfic I'm working on, I only find out what's going to happen next the minute I type it out. So, even I am left at a cliffhanger, well, maybe not since I know what next to write about if I leave it in a cliffy, like you guys.

Anyway, that's all from me. See you all next chapter!

And I know you want to click that button so you can review in this fanfic.