Disclaimer:: ::sings:: This fic is my fic--it isn't your fic--so if you take it--I'll get my shotgun--and blow your head off -this fic was made for you to read not take---::stops singing:: I mean...uhhhhh ::grins:: I don't own any of the original characters in The Rurouni Kenshin series!
Chapter 18: Lean on MeShinta felt himself unconsciously lean into Kaoru's mouth, feeling the softness of her flesh against his lips. She was soft, almost like a goose down feather, and creamy. Shinta grinned a little, pushing against her, letting his lips massage tenderly against her own. Hands danced lightly, tentatively towards the back of his head, making his raw scalp tingle. It didn't hurt, but it was a strange feeling.
Kaoru jumped back, gasping, "Oh! I'm terribly sorry! I think I just-"
"No, no," Shinta chuckled lightly, "You didn't hurt me."
Kaoru smiled a little bit, a blush brushing over her cheeks lightly. Her hands went back towards his head, caressing the soft contours of his face. Shinta smiled in response, reveling in the feel of her gentle touches.
"I just want to take away pain..... instead of giving it," she whispered, her smile faltering into sorrow.
Shinta cocked his head curiously, his eyes glittering with worry as he asked, "What do you mean?"
Kaoru quickly looked down then back to him, seeming to decide on what she should let him know. She bit her lip out of habit before she responded, "It's what Hiko told me."
"What was that?" Shinta asked, his eyes and voice hardening in response to Hiko's name.
"That I was a weapon to be used against good. That all I was going to be good for was bringing down Urako and bringing forth a new Age of Darkness," she said as she swallowed nervously.
Shinta arched an eyebrow in suspicion, doubt swirling around his eyes. "What? That doesn't make any sense to me. Why would you be-"
"Just think about it!" Kaoru suddenly snapped, tears slowly trailing down her face, "Think about what I was used for where your sister was concerned! I made her vulnerable and blind! I made her easier to catch for my brother!" Kaoru looked away hurriedly in shame, shaking and sobbing.
Shinta's eyes widened in full understanding of what she was getting at, though instead of pulling away, he turned more towards her and wrapped his arms around her. He lightly stroked her hair and back, trying to calm her down.
What is Hiko trying to accomplish here? He's made Kaoru fully realize her destiny; by giving her the choice of becoming what she was ultimately reincarnated to do. Wait a minute.... what am I saying? Who would she be reincarnating? Son of a bitch! I need that journal!
Shinta narrowed his eyes slightly, and unwantedly pulled slowly away from Kaoru's whimpering form.
"It's going to be alright, Miss Kaoru. I'm going to get the answers from that journal my sister has kept somewhere in our old Dojo," Shinta explained gently, kissing her forehead.
Kaoru looked down and shook her head, "Even so, what if it states the same thing? Then what? Am I to just wait for the Evil to possess my soul? I wouldn't know how to defend myself against something of which I have no idea about!"
Shinta sighed and tried to look in Kaoru's watery eyes for some answer, but found none in his mind. He didn't want her to lose hope, but he didn't want her to have false hope either. Shinta inhaled sharply, barricading any tears of hopelessness from escaping his eyes, and lifted Kaoru's chin up with his fingers.
"I'm going to find a way for you to live your life happily, Miss Kaoru. Understand that I will not rest until I do," he said sternly, his eyes boring into her own.
Kaoru could only shakily nod as she kept her gaze glued to his bright orbs. Shinta smiled lightly, and pulled her close to his mouth.
I will find her happiness......
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Saitoh heaved heavily, not believing for a second what had just occurred. Urako's body lay torn, bloodied, and naked on top his own. She was dead. His wakazashi was imbedded to the hilt through her breastplate, the steel jutting out her back like a bloodied thorn. His chest was torn and blood was pouring at a fast rate from the wounds he had received.
With each breath he took, pain sliced through him, causing him to groan.
Our..blood...binds...us..
Urako's last words haunted his mind, not letting him alone. Her dead body lie peacefully still on his own, and he envied her peacefulness. He felt no heartbeat from her, unlike all the other times he could have while they lay together.
Saitoh frowned and shook his head vehemently, trying to destroy the feelings of guilt and loss. Memories of their past slipped past his closed eyes, reviving past feelings he thought he had killed. He clenched his jaw tightly, trying to stop the unwanted tears that flowed slowly down his high cheekbones.
His hands slipped underneath Urako's body to find his pocket where the time machines lay. He absently heard shuffling footsteps off to his right, and he turned to face those who gave him the opportunity to kill Urako.
"You damn dog!" a man with spiky hair held up by a bandana shouted angrily, his eyes shining brightly.
"Saitoh....," the one who looked like Shinta, whispered harshly. How this man knew his name, he didn't know nor did he care to find out.
"Urako!!" a child screamed, reaching out towards the body that lay on top of him.
The Shinta-look-alike's eyes narrowed and flashed amber, an untamable fire raging on behind that cool hard facade. Saitoh swallowed thickly, finally closing his hand around the other time machine.
"She fucking loved you!" the rooster-head shouted, tears brimming his eyes. He slammed his fists together, a cracking sound resonating through the forest.
"Ya..Yahiko," the red head breathed lightly, "Get Megumi here....NOW!"
The little kid named Yahiko, nodded while he held back tears of his own and ran off towards town, stumbling a little bit.
"I ..I loved her, too," Saitoh said, pain filling his mind and chest as he clenched his fist tightly around the small time machine. He felt the machine hum through the vibrations it created, feeling it open up.
"NO YOU DIDN'T! YOU KILLED HER!!" the rooster head shouted, running towards him, his fist raised.
"Sano!" the red head barked angrily, unsheathing his weapon.
"No, Kenshin! This man deserves death!!" Sano screamed, his pace quickening.
Saitoh could only smile grimly, knowing that he would suffer more while being alive. Saitoh closed his eyes just before the flash blinded all around him and Urako's body, sending them back to the future.
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Megumi sighed as she rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes, her previous headache slowly receding. She really needed to get out of the Hospital, people depended on her and her skills to live and survive in this unforgiving world. She glanced over to the I.V. that was inserted into her arm, giving her water and medication. She inhaled sharply as she quickly pulled them out, letting them spill out over her bed and the floor. She immediately heard her heart monitor go flat line, and waited patiently for the nurse to come running in.
A nurse, who was new, came running into her room, her eyes bulging out of her head and her breathing labored.
"Don't worry, nurse, I'm alive. I just pulled them out because I can't stand not doing my job," Megumi explained with a slight smirk.
Megumi could see the relief flash through her expression as the nurse replied, "Oh, alright Dr. Takani. Yea, I can understand. Would you like me to have the other scrubs come in here and clean this up?"
Megumi yawned a moment before she responded, "Thanks, hon, that would be great. Just tell the other doctors that I'll be in for work in a few hours."
The nurse nodded vigorously, feeling the need to return to the desk, smiled and left hastily down the white corridors.
Megumi groaned as she sat up, feeling the pain gather in her head and back. She had to get back to work and make it seem as if nothing happened here. She couldn't be suspected here or else it would blow her cover. And then she wouldn't have any income to support herself. Besides the fact that she wouldn't be able to find any work in the medical field. She could rely on the Oniwaban, but she was too proud to get anything from them. She just wanted to help her friends.
She pulled on her doctor scrubs, placed her I.D. on her breast pocket, and walked down the hall towards the desk to get new files on her awaiting patients. She passed numerous colleagues of hers, all of them staring at her either worriedly or suspiciously. Shifting nervously under their gaze, she continued her comfortable pace to her office.
Closing the door behind her, she placed the folders down upon her oak desk.
They're on to me....I have to make them see otherwise...Her eyes scanned her desk absently as her mind swirled in thought, though stopped as she spotted a yellow sticky note on her computer. Frowning slightly, she got closer to it and read:
Doctor Megumi Takani please report to my office immediately following your recuperation.
--Doctor Metsumi--
Megumi's eyes widened in slight fear, feeling her heart beat quicken. She stepped away slightly, licking her dry lips. She had to contact Aoshi quickly and tell them that she was a threat to them. Nodding to herself, she got out her cell phone and dialed his number.
She waited for him to pick up at the first ring, but to no such luck. Frowning as she heard his recorded voice for the message, she left the important memorandum there.
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Aoshi could just barely hear the buzz of his cell phone as his mind was totally focused on her. Misao. Even as her form was now covered with a blanket, she still looked so beautiful. He just loved her so much that it was ridiculous. She was the only one who could make him smile; make his face shine just as brightly as her attitude. He let his hand softly caress her soft cheeks below her closed lids.
He had waited in her room until she fell asleep, trying to be stern with her because he didn't want anything complicating her health. His touch was gentle albeit a little rough considering the callouses on his fingers. He trailed down to her chin, stopping whenever she stirred or made a noise.
He sighed and looked down and away from her, knowing all too well that he also couldn't complicate the lives of the other members of the Oniwaban. Aoshi leaned forward and kissed Misao's forehead softly, pulling away tentatively.
He got up briskly and walked to the door while he picked up his cell phone from his pocket.
Megumi? Aoshi thought quite disturbed as he saw her number on his cell. Frowning, he listened to her voice message.
Aoshi, I believe that I may be a possible threat to your Organization, and so request that you destroy all evidence of your knowledge about me. I may be suspect in allowing Sanosuke and Kaoru go and that's why you must leave me.
Aoshi's eyes narrowed in thought. Even so, I cannot allow her to leave my Organization. She means too much to us, besides she being the only professional medical doctor we have available. Not everyone will understand, and so I'll do everything in my power to secure her future.
Aoshi walked down the corridors of the Aoiya, searching for Okon and Omasu. His pace quickened as he thought about what kind of time frame Megumi was in.
"Okon!" he shouted loudly, "Omasu! I have new orders for you to fill!"
Bustling and stomping were heard as they both pushed themselves through the twin sliding doors. Falling on top of one another and quickly standing tall, they looked at their leader with wide eyes and full attention.
"Yes Leader?" they both chimed, their breath labored.
Aoshi curtly nodded and filled them in on Megumi's situation, making sure they understood the importance of their mission. When they had bowed and let the other members know where they were to go, Aoshi went back upstairs to quickly check on the injured.
He walked towards Shinta's room, though was disappointed when he found an empty bed, the wheelchair gone from its place in the corner. Frowning, he slowly closed the door, possibilities of Shinta's sudden disappearance swirling around his mind.
He opened the door to Kaoru's and Sano's room, finding only Sano fiddling with his bandana.
"They aren't here, Ice man, they went to the ol' Himura Dojo to find Urako's journal," Sano explained immediately
"Urako's journal?" Aoshi questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Well," Sano began turning to face Aoshi from the bed, "It's actually the ol' journal the Kamiyas had, but now it's in Urako's possession."
"Isn't that the missing puzzle piece to Makoto's whole plan?"
"Yes it is, however, it's a bitch to find," Sano said with a smirk. "If anything, Urako knew how to hide her shit."
Aoshi's gaze remained cool as thoughts flashed through his mind. If they go out there now, Makoto's goons will surely follow them. And as they are now, they can't fend off many, if any at all, of them by themselves. I must track and find them before Makoto's minions do.
"They are fools to go out as they are now," Aoshi said dismissively, closing the door harshly in front of him.
Aoshi could hear Sano's reply, though chose to ignore it. He had to find those idiots before they got themselves killed.
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Shinta had a bad feeling about going out and finding the journal at the old Himura Dojo, but he had to find it. He couldn't explain his need to find this piece of irreplaceable history; he just had to find it. It wasn't just for Kaoru's sake, but Urako's, too. He felt like he was being led somewhere by a powerful force. He kept his musings to himself as he wheeled himself towards the dojo, Kaoru running at his side.
"Don't you think this is a little dangerous, Shinta? My brother's followers could be around here somewhere," Kaoru said, her eyes shifting around nervously.
"I know, but we've been in hiding for awhile. I don't believe that they'd think we'd come back here," Shinta explained hastily, watching for any sign of disturbance amongst the trees.
"Still, I think we should have at least packed some weapons, just in case. We're both high on the wanted list my brother has,"
For some reason that little tid bit of information had slipped his mind; his thoughts solely focused on finding the journal. He frowned, trying to understand why he was so blinded.
"Kaoru..." he murmured, feeling fear enter him as he stopped his movements.
"You two really are stupid, you know that?" a voice said, snaking from behind them.
Kaoru and Shinta both turned around quickly, faced with Enishi. His platinum hair shimmered in the gentle light that shot through the thick foliage. His face was graced with a wicked smirk, his eyes glinting with promising pain. Shinta noticed his long crescent shaped blade that hung on his back, and swallowed fearfully.
Enishi continued as he walked imposingly towards them, "It looks like Shinta here loves pain," he paused for a moment, looking at Shinta, "How are your broken legs, by the way?"
Shinta's eyes widened as Enishi laughed sinisterly.
That was him? That bastard! I thought....well screw whatever I thought! He's a traitor and traitors should die!
"You fiend! How dare you! Betraying a friend is horrendous!" Kaoru screamed, her fists clenched tightly.
"I know, but you should know that she wasn't my friend. Just a means to get more power," Enishi said simply, stopping a few feet in front of them.
How can he say such things about a person?? Just a means of getting more power? People aren't to be used in such a way! Least of all my sister! Urako was more than just a damned key!
"Bastard.." Kaoru growled deeply, her head bowed.
Enishi frowned, his attention going behind Kaoru, and asked, "More help, hmm?"
"What are you talking about, Enishi? There's-"Shinta began, but stopped and felt around his surroundings with his chi. His eyes widening, he turned quickly to a familiar presence.
"Who is it, Shinta? Someone who can help us?" Kaoru asked as she turned slightly to look behind her.
Shinta's eyes widened with fear as he saw a silhouette of a man carrying someone in his arms. A bloody, naked, dead woman.
"Urako..."
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A/N:: What you think?? Good?? I finished this up before I went to class at 12:30—it's now...10:28 a.m.---so wootage! I hope to write more—which reminds me!—I have another story out—well—I hope to have it out—anyways—it's called True Love in True Life((it's an original story found at (((or something like that..... )))) oo—I need to check my laundry-hehehehe.... Have fun my kiddies! My pen name for that is Akukage ((Shoru's last name—a guy my friend and I made up from our very own Anime series—Akuma Kokoro))
To my loyal reviewers!—I love you- I love you! big huggles to all ya'll Keep reviewin' and I shall keep writin'