Disclaimer: I don't own RK
We're near the end!
"Raikouji Kentaro? Are you sure you talked to him?"
"Yes, I've been seeing him around Tokyo for a few days now." Kaoru was quick on her feet and was already trying to stand up. "Take me to him! Where is he?" she stumbled on her way and Kenshin couldn't just take it to stand there doing nothing.
He carried her off her feet. "He said he loved watching the fireflies." he said as if it would help. It all seemed so hard to him seeing the determination in Kaoru's eyes, how she pursued on walking with her ankle swollen proved a lot. Who is this Kentaro to Kaoru? Why didn't the man mention anything about Kaoru all those time they just talked with nothing else in mind? He didn't know, but, as if from the pit of his stomach, he felt something. A strange feeling, fear, not that of when faced with an adversary, a certain tinge of doubt was there although he didn't know why.
When they finally got out, Kentaro was there standing on the middle of the road. That serene look on his face as if he knew exactly what was going on and was ready to receive them anytime. The fireflies were around him and he had such a soft smile that it would break anyone's heart.
"Why did you stop? Take me to him." Kaoru was just looking at him. There were already tears around her eyes as she pleaded for Kenshin to take her to Kentaro. Kenshin stepped closer to Kentaro. "Why did you stop?" Kaoru said, confused still. She did not understand. Kenshin was just standing there with her leaning her weight on him. She looked at the direction he was looking at and her knitted in confusion.
"Miss Kaoru, he's here, right in front of us." Kaoru looked around and all she saw were the fireflies dancing in the dead of the night.
"I don't see him." Looking around frantically, "How come you can see him when I don't? Kentaro! Please show yourself to me..."
But still, Kentaro didn't show himself. A cold breeze went through them and both could not help but shiver at the feeling. The biting cold was getting through their clothes and stinging their skin. Kenshin noted how inappropriate for the cold Kaoru was dressed in. Kentaro was there in front of them yet, Kaoru said she saw no one. Then it dawned on him. He knew what Kentaro was, a phantom of the past. "Kentaro? Why wouldn't you show yourself to me? Are you still angry? I'm sorry..."
The clouds moved away and the moonbeam caressed the ground. All the fireflies seemed to move away from one area. Kaoru signaled for Kenshin to sit her down while he settled himself beside her, looking directly at Kentaro as if urging the man to show himself. The pain in Kaoru's eyes as she searched was cold death. Closing her eyes, she reached out and whispered to the wind, "Kentaro, please forgive me..."
With her lids still closed, she suddenly felt he was there. Kentaro, standing proud and so calm with his hands behind his back as he smiled endearingly at her. Tears squeezed out of his eyes like unbreakable testaments to her hidden emotions and she stopped herself from crying out loud as if the noise would chase the ghost away. One hand came to her cheek, soothing as if trying to break the oncoming sobs. Kenshin could only watch as Kaoru leaned to the man's touch.
"I'm so sorry for hurting you." she mumbled as tears fell drop by drop catching the light from the moon, shining at one quick instant then die away.
"No one should be blamed for being honest. You shouldn't be blaming yourself either."
Kentaro looked up to Kenshin, "Mr. Himura, thank you for letting Kaoru and I have this moment."
"This unworthy one only wants Miss Kaoru to be happy." He turned his back and moved to go to the dojo. Hating himself for wanting to take Kaoru away from one stranger. Their meeting reminded him of old stories of a lovers' encounter and the realization that he was out of place stung.
"Mr. Himura, what're you doing?"
"I thought that maybe you wouldn't want me around while you talk."
"No, it's okay. I have no more time to stay. I'll just say what I want then I can finally go in peace." The man's voice was pleading and Kenshin couldn't help but oblige even though all he wanted was to bolt away from what he was seeing. He could tell that no matter what, Kaoru felt love for this man.
"I'm sorry Kaoru. I wanted to make you my wife without asking how you'd feel." he said whispering the tender words as if pulling all his strength from a distant source, as if fighting off the force that was pulling him away.
"No, you gave me a choice for everything. It's my fault I wasn't grateful." More tears. Both men wished she would stop crying. It was breaking not only her but them as well. Her sobs are as bitter as death.
"Like I said, you can't blame yourself from being honest..." he said almost with a laugh, as if she had said the silliest thing and he was being polite.
"I'm sorry Kentaro..."
"I'm sorry Kaoru. Goodbye."
"Why can't you stay a little bit longer!" she said still with her eyes tightly shut afraid that when she looked he would be gone forever.
"Someone else will take care of you now, Kaoru..."
Kentaro looked at Kenshin and said finally breaking the serenity in his voice, his words broke into choking sobs, "Please take care of Kaoru. You're the only one I can trust with her." Kaoru, with her eyes still closed, this time with a smile turned to his direction and what she said was priceless.
"Thank you, Kenshin...for this..."
Kentaro moved Kaoru to face him and open her eyes, he planted a kiss on her forehead. Kaoru felt that it was really goodbye and tears flowed down her cheeks once again. It was as they just wouldn't stop flowing.
"Kaoru, be happy with Kenshin." Kaoru nodded
This time, Kentaro faced Kenshin, contemplating first on what to say. He stared at Kenshin with so much contempt that the man almost snapped.
"You better treat Kaoru well or else I'll come back and haunt you and I'll make sure I bring her father along the next time..." the man still held him by his hard stare and finally Kenshin broke the silence
"I promise I will make Kaoru-dono happy..." he finally said. Kaoru heard him say these words and she couldn't hide away her blush and smile and Kenshin knew he answered right. Kentaro's face broke into a smile and for a moment, it even looked as if he became fond of Kenshin so much all of a sudden.
"I knew you would said that. I certain lady ghost friend of mine said you would." he said then his one eye closed into a wink.
"Do you mean? You have met her?" Kenshin was almost stammering out of excitement. He couldn't believe it. Has she really forgiven him to say something so nice about him to another person or in this case, fellow ghost? Has Tomoe really forgiven him?
Kenshin only smiled at Kentaro and as if knowing what he was thinking, the man suddenly spoke. "She's happy now, Kenshin. And she sends her wishes for your happiness..."
After a while, Kentaro was gone. The cold breeze was no longer there and all that surrounded Kenshin and Kaoru were the fireflies. Kenshin dared to move towards Kaoru. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she leaned to his touch.
"Are you okay?" she nodded. He helped her up and Kaoru held him tighter. "Thank You."
"It's alright..." With one final glance at the place where they saw Kentaro, he whispered, "I'll make her happy, I promise."
"What did you say?" Kaoru whispered.
"That I'll take care of you..."
"Good. I thought you'll get jealous all over that."
"Hmmm...maybe."
"So you do get jealous...that's new."