Mirrored Shadows By : reita_homoeshi

Chapter 3 - Mother?!!

Disclaimers : OH, I'm really really really sorry for getting this story out this late. It's just that I've kinda lose my will to write. But, when I remember my passion of writing, I felt like I've wasted my time far too long. So, very sorry to those who've waited patiently for my story, please accept this. I dedicated this to all fans of Rurouni Kenshin. Now, onwards...



*****dReAmInG*****

'Where am I? What am I doing here? How did I get here?' Kaoru asks herself. It's very peaceful, the light from the moon illuminating the gentle sway of trees.

'I'm in a forest. But, somehow it looks familiar..... Wait a minute, this is the place. The place where Mother leaves me.'

And suddenly, she was there, and she was helding out her hand. Willing it to be accepted. Like a child, Kaoru held out her hand, wanting to touch her, to fell her comforting present around her...

*****eNd DrEaM*****

Kaoru woke up with a start. "What was that all about? Why, after ten years did my mother appear again? " She recall the time, when she dreams the exact dream. At that time, they were the happiest family. Nothing could tear them apart. Until one day, one night, she dreamed about her Mother. She was standing there, her face showing nothing, but one thing that she vaguely remembered was her long tresses being done in travelling ways, and she's wearing men's clothing. Like a samurai's. And when she woke up... her dearest Mother was gone.

She did ask her Father, but he reveals nothing. He only said that, "Your Mother got some unsettled business, so she must go away. Maybe one day, she'll come back, maybe not. But, tenshi, please know that she will always love you, for you're her daughter."

She never understand what made her mother go away, and that remains a mystery even until now. And, that dream, what does it means?

She spent a few minutes pondering about her life, and she remembered what she had to do today. Remembering that, she felt her uneasiness. Should she do it???

-30 minutes later-

Kaoru was dressed with her practising gear. She decided to go for her morning exercises. Then, she heard Kenshin's voice, calling for them to have their breakfast. 'Oh, Kenshin. How can I let you go? But, if that would make you happy, then I guess that it's better this way...'

-while they were eating-

It was a normal breakfast. Sanosuke and Yahiko were bickering as usual, Kenshin was oroing in the background, and Kaoru was sipping her tea quietly. She was deeply thinking, and was driving attention from the males around her.

"Did busu lost her tongue or sumthin'. She sure is quiet." said Yahiko. Sano decided that he would not miss out. "Someone wake up at the wrong side of their bed today. No wonder she's..."

"Would you all please quiet. I need to tell something to all of you." Kaoru said, finally. She began to muster her courage and prepared for what she's going to say. A decision that'll change her life.

"First of all, I want to ask you, Kenshin. Are you feeling restless here, living with me in this dojo? Please tell me the truth." Kaoru asks.

"What do you mean, Kaoru-dono. I feel alright," Kenshin answered, but traces of doubt could be seen in his eyes, before it disappears completely.

"Yeah, like doing laundries everyday, cooking like an onna and doing chores everyday," interrupted Sanosuke. Snickers could be heard from Yahiko but it stopped when he look at the young girls face. Kaoru's face are showing pain and sorrow, both are enough to shut the student's mouth.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Kaoru. We don't mean it. We thought you're just joking." the chicken head and the boy claimed, while at the same time, Kenshin was trying to change the subject, to no avail.

"I know you don't mean it, but please listen to what I'm going to say. Kenshin, I think it's time for you to continuie your journey. It's been a long time now, and I'm sure you're bored out of your skull. Let me finish," Kaoru said before Kenshin can say anything. "I understand that you're restless and I know you don't want to leave because of my safety, but believe me, no one would hurt me. So please Kenshin, return to your rurouni ways. I won't stop you." she said, while forcing her tears not to fall. She must show that she's not weak.

After taking a deep breath, she said to Kenshin, "Do you agree?" Kenshin looks like he's going to refuse, but after a long time, he finally bows his head, indicating his approval.

Kaoru felt her heart shatters, but she summons more of her courage and begin again. "Yahiko, I want you to go with Kenshin. Your lessons with me has come to an end, and now I want you to practice it on your own. If it do not trouble you, Kenshin, I would like you to bring him with you, considering the fact that he would follow you even if you don't let him." Yahiko listens to this and was overjoyed that he would travel with the very man that saved him years before. The one whom he respects, and that make him very happy.

Kaoru sees this reaction, and felt a tinge of hurt for he did not seem too sad to leave her, but at the same time, she knows that it is the right thing for her student. It is HER student, yet she's no more then just an assistant teacher. But, with all her heart, she knows that Yahiko shall learn more on the road, literally than staying with her at the dojo.

Then, she turns to the last person. The person that she sees as a brother, an older one, just as Yahiko being the younger. 'Even though he probably sees me as a stupid boyishly looking girl, compared to Megumi- san.'

"Sanosuke, you are also a fighter. So, I think it would do you good if you follow them." Kaoru ended.

"What! Are you trying to kick me out or something? I thought you loved me." Sano said, his voice sounded with mock hurt. "Oh well, I'll go with them." the chicken head said, not managing to hide his delight from the grieving lady in front of him.

"Thank you, everyone, for being here with me. I've grown much this past year, and I've learn many things too. Now you are free to go. Don't worry about me," she said, her eyes showing nothing of the burning turmoil in her poor heart.

Kaoru felt the gaze of the wonderful rurouni on her, as she stood up to wash the dishes. "Take anything you want from your room, Kenshin. You can go after this, OK." smiling, she said.



*****an hour later*****

"Good bye, Kaoru. Don't forget us, will ya." Yahiko shouted, waving to the lone girl at the front gate. Kaoru praised herself for not letting a single tear fall at their departance.

"Take care, everyone and don't fight each other too much, okay." Kaoru said, while waving her hand at the three most important men in her life.

Kaoru continued waving and smiling until their forms are no longer visible to her human eyes. 'Good bye. I will always remember all of you. Especially you, Himura Kenshin. No man could ever steal my heart like you did, so no one shall have it. Goodbye.'

She walks slowly towards the dojo feeling empty. 'What would it be without them? Well, I'll just wait and see. I've always been alone before. Why should be different this time?' she said to herself. Walking with a grace that she never know existed, her hair billowing in the gentle morning breeze, so much like her mother a very long time ago...









~eNd Of ChApTeR 3~ {09/10/2002, 4:12:25 PM}

Auther's babbling:

-Sooo, how did it go? Is it good, is it bad? Review. Oh, and one other thing,in this story, Kaoru is 18 years old. Her mother left her when she was 8, and her father died when she was 10. If it clashes with the facts, please bear with me, kay, because I'm too lazy to change it. If anybody is asking, please understand that I don't know anything about Kaoru's mother so, this character I design with my own imagination. Believe me, her mother shall play a big part in this story, and you shall know her true identity soon. Review, kay.....