.

.

.

.

.

.

Review responses:

Lathayan: Thank you for your review! Here's chapter four :)

Kaede-Rukawa-ice-prince: Thank you! Oooh, you like Rukawa Kaede too? (grins)

kenshinlover2002: Well, some of your questions would be answered in this chapter. Don't want to spoil the thing for you ;) Thanks for the review!

Pink Angel: Haha my gosh, I must say your way of thinking is intriguing and very much complex :P. It's like this, Enishi kidnapped her only once. That once was enough for him to fall in love with her, so when Kenshin first came to the island, the first part of chapter one took place. Hopefully that gives you a little bit more sense of clarity in this story :) And thank you so much for your lovely review! And yes, Battousai rocks over Himura Kenshin any time! ;)

DeathScythe07-: Thank you for even liking my story :D And thanks for your very much compliment-filled review!

dis is unsown: Hehe, who doesn't like happy endings? Hopefully this one would end happily. Thank you so much for your review!

Kura-sama: Thanks for the review! Here's chapter four :D

animefanatic36: Thank you! I really appreciate that :). Glad you like it!


.

.

.

.

.

.

Faking Lies

By Scarlet Rayne

.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 4

Kaoru,

If you are to read this letter, it must mean that you are already under Enishi's care. I'm regretfully sorry to leave you so abruptly like this, but after my parting, I had left you with him for a reason; and that reason you will discover for yourself as time passes.

Follow him as he leads, and do not question as he directs. Those are the words that would build you a … pleasant relationship with him, at least. (at this point of the letter, Enishi could not stop himself from smirking cynically™ in delight)

Do not mourn for my leaving, but stand up and continue your journey to the path of life, for your path has not ended.

Live life to the fullest, and live it for yourself. Enishi would be there to help you get up, if you are ever to fall. Start a new life if you have to, as I gave up my life so that you could continue yours.

Thank you for everything you've done, I was eternally grateful. Forget my existence if I caused you pain, but remember the ones who brought you happiness.

Himura Kenshin.

"It was you who brought me happiness, idiot." She murmured to herself, as she crumpled the paper and threw it across the room.

"Kaoru..." he whispered silently, as he gently, but firmly, held unto the narrow piece of blue cloth that she had used to use to tie up her hair. An unknown tear rolled down his grubby cheek, as he lifted up his head to the dark sky and inhaled.

It was still raining, and here he was, in some old isolated corner at the end of a road.

"Why didn't you wait for me?"

He was all too late.

He was just all too damn late.

Closing his eyes as he leaned against the wall, his ears were open to the sound of water droplets that were rinsing through the face of the earth. He desperately needed something to rinse him through, to cleanse himself entirely from the invisible filth and dirt that he felt crawling beneath his skin.

'I can never find the same peace and serenity ever again,' he thought miserably. Every time he was left with his thoughts, his mind would wander back to the pain and regrets, wander back to the image of her face.

Her sweet and darling face that he had adored.

But..

He did feel some calming on his emotions just now, didn't he? When he had mercilessly slaughtered those annoying thugs that irritated him.

At that moment, he knew exactly what he felt. It was like a wall, a thick block of metal that was instantly rebuilt, covering up his emotions, numbing his every being. Once again. It was once again, as he revived his mind back the familiar era, when he was always victorious, never stumbling or nerved, when he did not feel sad, happy or angry. As a matter a fact, he had always felt …. nothing.

With that thought in mind, he suddenly felt better. It was like a new tool he took hold of, that instantly washed away his sense of guilt, shame, and most of all, it washed away all his stinging pain deep down in his heart.

Then..

It was decided. The conclusion of it all, a decision has been wordlessly made.

Eyes fluttering open, a small cynical smile graced his lips. Getting up from where he was, he started strolling down the path, under the rain, leading him to .. nowhere. With his new found sakabatou held tightly in his hand, that unidentified place was going to be a new beginning. A new chapter in his life, resurrecting his old name from the past.

Battousai was back from the dead.

"Feeling better?" he casually asked, as he walked into her room without bothering to knock. He walked up next to her, joining her as she starred out into the midnight sky.

She did not reply, but continued to look out the window. Watching the rain fall down, into the sea. Thunder roared angrily as if on cue, as her eyes looked downcast. It was a sad pair of eyes, as she slowly blinked. Her nails dug deep into the wooden window frame, collecting wood debris in her nails.

She was stressed and filled with tension, and he knew it.

"A little." She replied finally in a small, strangled voice. "I-I just.. I …" she muttered, as her right hand ran over her face sub-cautiously. "I'm just so.. confused."

"What about?"

"I… I don't know… I'm just… I'm just so confused about everything! Every single damn thing that's happening now. Kenshin, you.. and… things." She finished lamely, much to her displeasure.

He, on the other hand had found it amusing, being the barbaric man that he was. It was not that he enjoyed seeing her so down and upset, but.. he just could not help but find the way she was simply amusing.

"I'm sure you'll find clarity soon enough."

"I-I… I guess."

There was a silence, but it was not uncomfortable nor was it comfortable.

"E-Enishi? Would you be so kind… and grant me a favor?" her voice was soft, but his trained ears had picked it up rather clearly.

"Depends. What is it?"

"C-Can I have a … a … hug?"

"A … hug?"

"I know it's not something that someone like you would do, but I need som-"

Cutting her off with a tight embrace, he kept her close enough for him to be able to smell her scent. She instantly returned the hug, and slowly, gradually, she started sobbing. She held on to him as if clinging for dear life, letting out all her pain, all her distress and all her confusion that frustrated her so much out to him. The only person she could turn to, the only security she was able to get.

He was surprised at the unusual and very much unexpected request, but he was pleased none the less. I mean, who wouldn't want to hold someone that you like close to yourself? And not like he was taking advantage of her or anything… and even if he did, she did not need to know that.

Stroking her hair and mumbling some comforting words, they stayed in that same position for quite some time, but none of them complained.

AN: Sorry for the late update. This was written quite spontaneously, since I'm still struggling to get my desire to write back. Life has been like a roller coaster for me lately, but I'm still hanging around :)

Thank you so much, to Lathayan, Kaede-Rukawa-ice-prince, kenshinlover2002, Pink Angel, -DeathScythe07-, dis is unsown, Kura-sama, and animefanatic36.

Your reviews were certainly encouraging.

Please leave a review or a comment. Two words or three makes a difference, trust me. With that being said, review please:D