DISCLAIMERS : Rurouni Kenshin DOES NOT belong to me, but it belongs to the wonderful people who obviously owns it, so, don't sue me! I'm just 'borrowing' the characters for my story, so please understand..

Millions of thanks to those who had reviewed, even though it's been like, ages ago, but this comes from my heart. So, to :

roxxy

D-Chan3

agaxris

A.

SSJKakarott

cher

RL

Elenaria

wickedtigerlily

Ella

macy

Kate

Crystal Okamino

THANKS A BUNCH! Love u guys..

MIRRORED SHADOWS

Chapter 4 : INTERLUDE

by : ReiTaHomOeShi

"You can't leave Kaoru like this, Keiko. It's not right! She's too young! She needs you! She needs her mother! Keiko, please reconsider!" Koshijirou pleaded with his wife. "Whatever happens, we'll go through it together. We always did! What is different this time, huh Keiko? They have always been after us, but that never stopped us before. That NEVER separate us before! Why NOW! WHY?" rambled the grief-stricken man..

"They are willing to resort to murder, Koshijirou! MURDER! Do you think that I would forgive myself if anything happens to you or Kaoru-chan! NO! I WON'T! I love you both too much! It's me that they want, not you, not Kaoru. If I'm gone, both of you will be safe.. And I'm willing to sacrifice myuself so that you and OUR daughter will survive... I love you too much..." Keiko said, her last words barely a whisper. "I made this mistake, Koshijirou. And they won't forgive me, I admit that. IT IS my responsibility to"

"To WHAT, Keiko? WHAT! You NEVER told me about it, only that they're after you.. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, but,"

"But what? Or is this marriage a MISTAKE for you, huh? Am I YOUR mistake? Or is Kaoru YOUR mistake? Or is it the both of us? Do you hate us so much that you don't want anything to do with us anymore? Is that 'friends' of yours THAT important?"

"NO! It's not like that, Koshijirou. I LOVE YOU! AND I LOVE KAORU! SHE'S MY DAUGHTER, FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHY DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND! Don't you even listen to anything that I said? They are going to murder US, anata. You, me, Kaoru, our lives mean nothing to them! And I'd rather DIE than let that happen to our family. Both of you means so much to me, I can't bear the thought of living without you," and before Koshijirou could interrupt, Keiko kissed his lips, with all passion and love she felt for him, and their daughter, hoping against all hope that HE would understand. 'I love you, forever and for always.. Please remember that, and remember me in your dreams, remember all the good times we shared and go through together.'

"I promise that I will return, anata. Maybe not soon, but I will.. I promise." Keiko said, her mesmerizing eyes shining with tears, when breaking the contact. "I love you and Kaoru. Please take care of her. Promise me!" she said, urgentcy evident in her voice.

"I promise, koishii.. I will take care of our family, and I'll wait for your return." Koshijirou said, his voice strained under the weight of everything that has happened. "Come, see Kaoru for the last time before you went away." that said, both of them make their way to their daughter's room.

The ethereal glow of the moon that peaks through the open windows of Kaoru's room shines upon the young girl's outline. Her sleeping form shows her sereneness of her slumber. And from the shoji door, Keiko and Koshijirou gaze tenderly at their pride and joy. 'You are strong, Kaoru-chan. Your spirit are full of fire, and I know whatever happens, things good and bad, you will go through it with a smiling face. Never give up, my angel, even in the face of difficulties, be strong. I WILL COME BACK! Wait for me...' With that, Keiko kissed her daughter's forehead. Imprinting her face in her mind's eye forever, she turns to her husband. "It is time, anata. Remember your promise.."

"I understand. Take care of yourself, and please remember your promise to me." The usually strong man said to his beloved wife with tears in his eyes.

"I know. Sayonara.." With that, Keiko Kamiya, with her long tresses being done in travelling ways, and wearing men's clothing left her family, her home and her most precious daughter, to pursue her 'secret mission'. And with that, Kaoru Kamiya loses her mother, which triggers the never-ending circle of pain and happiness, love and hate, and life and death.

eNd Of ChApTeR 4 23/06/2005, 10:47:23

AUTHOR'S RAMBLINGS :

It's been 3 long years since I had updated this. I know, I know. It's been hectic, and my life had spiralled out of control, literally. Well, that's common for teenagers my age, don't you agree? Always having problems and reevaluating his/her piorities in life, and I swear, that's what I've been doing all this while, besides reading tons and tons of fanfics and going out with ma friends and such, but thats another story. Anyway, I have been reading my old fanfic (this one, obviously) and it suddenly made me realize what I've been missing. So, this is the new chapter which I had just finished writing. ENJOY!

PS : I won't promise anything, just that I'll try to write the next chapter as soon as possible. Anyway, if you want to flame me of criticize me or even praise me (I wish!), feel free to click the reviews button. Or you can email me at really look forward to constructing reviews from YOU all. It's a way to improve my writings, you know.. So, ja ne.