Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and all its characters.

A/N: Well hi there. Another chapter is finally up. Hope you'll like it. And really sorry for all the delays..Promise the next chapter would not take this long. So let's take a look at the story format, shall

We…(unless you know it already..)

Story Format: "SPEECH" and -THOUGHTS-

The flashbacks are in italics

Alright on with the Story!

Evangelistic Evanesce

Chapter 5

"Sanosuke! Wait! Are you sure…we should…" Misao screeched, as she was being drag away from the mansion. "Let go of my arm!"

Megumi shook her head lightly and scoff. "Reaally, I thought you'd understand. Our job here is over. The rest is up to…" She jerked her head towards the mansion.

Misao broke free from her friend's firm grip and pout. "But I still think we should ..hang around incase, you know. Kaoru might need us."

"If she couldn't be left alone with Kenshin then she had no hope in getting anything out of that guy."

Sano stated coolly as he let go of the younger girl's arm.

Misao glared back, rubbing her arm. "Fine! But just wait until we're back in Rhea! I'll tell Aoshi sama you dragged me!" The young girl turns and do some mental calculation of the distance from the front door to where she stood. "Exactly fifty meters. You're dead meat!"

Sano acted as if a cold shill had run down his spine by shuddering. "Ohh..I'm soooo scare!" He replied sarcastically.

Megumi shook her head at both of them and mutter audibly. "Quit acting like babies both of you."

-''"-

Kaoru woke up with a splitting headache. Slowly she sat up and blearily rub her eyes, she let her eyes adjust to the sunlight that streamed into the room from the windows. Blinking, the girl took in the room. Definitely it's not her bedroom. It's abit too dark for her room. Nope. Black velvet couches and curtain is abit too grotesque for her taste. –If it not my room then it's definitely…- Her mind drifted back to the two arms that caught her. "Oh…"

Gingerly she threw the thick blanket off of her and got up from the large bed. Kaoru yank open the curtain and stare blankly out into the morning lit garden below. Her heart is getting heavy. She knew she would have chicken out if she had got all her memories back. Why else would she stay away all these years? And now that she did…maybe it would be better if she just go back to her own kingdom and try to..forget.

"Kenshin." Kaoru called as she ran up to her boyfriend. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Let's go. Okina wants to discuss our wedding plans." She said smiling as she tugs at his arm.

Kenshin merely turn around to meet her smiling face. He slowly shrugs out of her tug and step away.

"I couldn't" He said simply making Kaoru's eyebrow furrowed up. "But…atleast we should let him know the exact date so he could announce it out to the public."

"There will be no wedding." Kenshin said shortly with his back to the girl. Kaoru couldn't really believe her ears. "What?" She asked stepping in closer to him. "What did you say?" She asked her voice starting to quiver slightly.

"There will be no wedding." He repeated.

Kaoru's heart fell to her ankle as she heard him and she reach out to him and spun the guy around.

What she saw started her. His handsome face showed no emotion. "What do you mean. What are you talking about? We're getting married." She cried as tears started to pour down her face.

Emotionless purple eyes stared back at her tears strained blue. "Not anymore. I won't marry you."

The young girl's legs gave away and she slid down to the floor as her hand fell to her sides and tears flow continuously down her cheek.

Kenshin stepped away from the crying girl.

Kaoru's hand flew out to his, wordlessly asking him to stay. But to her surprise he turned to pin her to the ground with eyes she had never seen before.. Burning gold met her as he step out of her reach and disappear down the deserted corridor.

That's the last time she had seen him, until yesterday. Shaking her head, Kaoru stood up. –No. He owed you an explanation! Go for it, Kaoru. Or you will never be at peace.- Nodding to herself she made a beeline for the door. The sooner she can finish this, the better. The moment Kaoru stepped out of the room, she immediately knew she was lost. –Okaayyy..now where is he?- For a moment she strongly consider going down each end of the corridor shouting his name. And maybe he'll just pop his head out from one of these many doors. But before she could even proceed with her plan a sad tone of the violin caught her ear. Slowly she follows the sound of the instrument down a set of stairs until she was on the ground floor. The sad melody led to a closed door. As soon as she reached the door the beautiful music stopped abruptly. Frowning she turned the doorknob and step into the room.

Kenshin woke up that morning feeling the urge to play the violin. From the past few years he found that music is one of the best ways to forget about all the trouble. Noticing that Kaoru is just outside his door, he stop playing and put the delicate instrument back into its polished wooden case.

The door opened and he knew that she had stepped in, but he took no notice of that and turn his attention instead to the world outside of the window.

"Why did you stop playing?"

Kenshin couldn't ignore her any longer. "I got tired of it." He reply simply before walking over to his favorite armchair and sank down into it.

Kaoru watch as her ex-boyfriend picked up the morning paper and start browsing through it.

"We need to talk. You owe me an explanation." She said hurriedly.

Kenshin who had pretend to be reading the newspaper paused and contemplate how he should reply to that. –Why did she have to do this. She should just try to forget everything and let it be. But that's what I like about her, the spirit she' got. –

Without looking up he made his voice neutral, "I don't remember owing you anything, your highness."

Kaoru flinched, it was okay when people call her your highness but when Kenshin said that..somehow it made her heart give a tiny twitch. "Oh. So I'm..your highness to you now?" She couldn't resist snapping back.

Kenshin only sigh heavily and look up to see her annoyed expression. "I think you should go home. Sano and the rest left this morning..there's no use staying here."

"No. I won't go anywhere until..I get your explanation." Was her instant reply although she deeply feels like killing off Sanosuke and Misao for leaving her behind. Atleast they could have stay and give her some support.

Kenshin cast the newspaper aside and got to his feet. "You want explanation? Fine, I'll give you one…I left because I finally find out what is the most important thing in my life is." –Which is you and your kingdom's well being.-

Kaoru furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "And that is…?"

Kenshin shrugged, "My ascension to the throne."

"That's not a good enough explanation." Kaoru stated stubbornly.

The older guy frowns back irritatedly. "Well that's all I can say."

Folding her arms across her chest, Kaoru replied coolly. "So until you can say more. I'll stay."

Kenshin hearing that rub his temple tiredly. "Kaoru, why can't you understand? We are two parallel lines that will never cross. You knew that the heir and heiress of two kingdom couldn't marry each other. And you officially seal your title by using your power to get here. I use mine long time ago. We are both bound by that power to ascend the throne. Nothing can change that."

Kaoru frown darkly. "I don't need any reminding of my circumstances. All I ask is your explanation…I can never move on without knowing it."

"I told you already."

Kaoru shook her head. "I know there's more to it and I won't go anywhere until I got that out of you." She said and sat herself down on one of the chairs to stress her intention.

-She is just so predictable.- "Fine…do whatever you like. But know this, you won't get anything else out of me."

Kaoru was about to say something else when the door banged open to reveal a very troubled looking guy."Kenshin! You have to come with me. Shishio and Enishi are preparing another secret invading plan."

Kenshin's eyes instantly flash up dangerously. "Does Hiko know about this yet?"

The younger guy shook his head. "No. I rush over as soon as I knew. You better be quick."

"They won't stand the chance, as long as I'm still alive." Kenshin mutter darkly before turning to Kaoru. "You. Go home." And with that he stormed away leaving Soujirou to smile weakly at the young girl.

"Hi..." He greeted but he never got her answer for the girl rush off after Kenshin.

"Girls…" Soujirou mutter as he too took off after the other two.

Kenshin reached the underground mirror and was about to walk through it, when the familiar scent of jasmine drift over to him. Frowning, he turn to see Kaoru standing there slightly out of breath from running. "I told you to go home." He said loudly.

"I also told you I wouldn't leave until I got your explanation." She returned just as loud.

Soujirou appeared at that moment only to hear Kenshin's command. "Soujirou take the princess up to the mansion and see that she returns to her kingdom."

"Who? What princess?" The younger guy look over to the fuming girl and the recognition dawned on him. "Oh…"

"I won't go home. I'll magnet myself to you until you give me the explanation." Kaoru repeat, her eyes flashing strong determination.

Seeing that he could never win the argument when the girl's in this mode, Kenshin merely scoff.

"Fine do whatever you want. But you cannot get through this mirror. It won't let you pass." Nodding at Soujirou he added. "Let's go Soujirou, we don't have much time."

And without any further ado, Kenshin walked right through the portal and stepped out safely onto the carpeted corridor. Afew seconds later his friend emerge out after him.

Kenshin nodded to the younger boy as they started to take off down the corridor.

That instant the mirror gave an earsplitting screechy sound, which cause both of them to spin around.

And to Kenshin's horror, Kaoru was trying desperately to squeeze herself through the mirror.

Without second thoughts he took two long strides over to the mirror and tug strongly at the girl's hand pulling her to him. Within second, Kaoru was standing next to a very red-faced Kenshin.

"What-do-you-think-you're-doing." He hissed angrily at her.

Kaoru glared back. "You should know me better."

"Did you realised that you could have died!"

Kaoru smirked back. "You won't let that happen."

Kenshin was stunned, how true she was. He would never let anything make even a tiny scratch on her delicate skin. "Don't be too sure about that." He replied smoothly wiping the smirk off her face.

Turning to his friend Kenshin half merely order. "Take her to my place—I'll be right ove--"

"Kenshin!" A voice called as a pretty girl with long glossy hair sprinted up to them. As soon as she reached the redhead she shook her head. "Please knock some sense into Enishi. Brainwashed that's what Shishio had done to him." And that's when she seemed to notice that another girl is staring at her strangely.

Soujirou almost giggle at the two girl's expression. "Tomoe..this is princess Kaoru."

Instantly a small smile appeared on the lady's lips. "I see…"

"Soujirou..." Kenshin repeated causing the guy to smile sheepishly back. "Alright." And he took hold of the young princess's hand and proceeded to shimmer her out.

As soon as the two had completely vanished, Tomoe advanced on the redhead. "Soo…"

Kenshin kept his face annoyed. "What?" The best way to deal with Tomoe is to act ill tempered.

Only the girl had managed to see through that act long time ago. "You ask me for a favor…long time ago..I want to know if---"

Kenshin now looked anxious. "You want to break it off?

Tomoe shook her head chuckle mirthly. "On the contrary, I want to know if you still want that favor."

Kenshin nodded instantly only to see the girl shook her head. "Don't reply to something like that instantly, I'll ask you again sometime later."

Kenshin kept his annoyed expression in place. "Whatever..I'll see you later." And he took off leaving the girl behind.

"When will he see..this is not the only way out?" She whispered to herself before shimmering out as well.

Kenshin rounded the corner and rethink what Tomoe had asked. He was really grateful of what she had done all these years. And he wouldn't know if he can hold out this long if it wasn't for her help.

Kenshin searched the castle for a certain someone and he was getting really frustrated. He halted in midstep as something came into his mind. Turning he sprinted into the direction of the garden behind the castle. And as he had expected, a very beautiful girl is sitting on the swing, her once beautiful eyes are blank. She didn't seem to notice as he approached her silently.

"I really believe…" She spoke up abruptly causing Kenshin to stop dead in his track.

"….I believe in love surviving death and into eternity…" She whispered almost to herself as tears started to stream down her pale face.

Kenshin strode over to the crying girl and hug her. "Tomoe…I know what I say might not cheer you up. But you've got to be strong. Akira wouldn't want to see you in distress."

The girl looked up and wipes her eyes. "You're right." She put on a weak smile. "I'm sorry. It's been years and yet I still hadn't completely get over the fact that he's gone." Taking in a deep breath, Tomoe got up and turn to her childhood friend. "So what brought you here? I heard you were chosen the heir..sorry I didn't make it to the ceremony. Hope it's not too late to say..congratulations."

Kenshin shook his head. "No thanks alot. Err..Tomoe..I want to talk to you about something."

The girl looked suspiciously at her friend before nodding.

"You know how people are thinking I'm not suitable for the title." Kenshin started as he pace restlessly infront of his friend.

"Uhuh..Enishi had always been the one they thought most suitable..but I won't take my brother's side. He's too much of a pushover to take that much of a responsibility." Tomoe stated as her gaze follow her friend. "I haven't talk to him for awhile now, everyone knew Shishio is responsible for all the nasty things that happened, yet Enishi still idolize that git. I hated Shishio. He killed my father, just to marry my mother, he's responsible for the death of Akira and now he's taking my brother away from me…I would love to kill him." She said dangerously and caught herself. "Sorry.."

Kenshin shook his head mildly. He knew Tomoe had been through a lot. "It's okay..Tomoe I'll get to the point. I'm here to ask you for a favor."

Tomoe cocked her head to the side. "Favor?"

Kenshin nodded. "But you don't have to do it, I won't force you."

"What is it?"

Kenshin sigh. "I want to prove that..I'm worthy of being the heir. I might have Lord Hiko as a guardian but I'm still in reality just his nephew. Eventhough my mother was his sister, that meant nothing since my father was just a low class squire…I need an external support form someone with pure noble blood."

Tomoe now had some idea he was going, let a small smile adorn her face. "I think I know what you meant. But you knew I love Akira…"

"I do know…and like I've said, you can think it over and whatever you've decided, there will be no hard feelings."

Tomoe chuckle darkly eyeing her friend out of the corner of her eyes. "..You didn't even let me finish what I was saying."

Kenshin blinked at his all-time friend. Tomoe is one of those unpredictable type. If you expect her to do this, she wouldn't, but would do something totally unexpected.

The young lady stood up from her swing and walk gracefully to one of the many bushes of dark crimson rose. "I'll do it. Out of our many years of friendship." She stated airily as she gingerly touch the beautiful flower. "And I really don't want to see my own brother on the throne as a puppet for Shishio."

Kenshin's eyes shone gratefully as he smile at his friend. She was clever, very clever indeed. Too bad that she could never love another guy. Akira is clearly very lucky. "Thank you." He whispers as he shimmers out, leaving the girl to drift back into her own little world, a place where time didn't exist and her lover is still by her side.

-""-

Kaoru was about to open her mouth to protest as Soujirou arms interlocked with her's. Before she could even say anything, she saw the scene before her fade slowly along with Kenshin and the girl Soujirou had called Tomoe.

Almost instantly the young girl find herself in a courtyard of what looked like a very large castle.

"Sorry, I could only get this far by orbing. Kenshin doesn't like it when people just barge into his place." Soujirou clarified as he usher Kaoru into the castle.
Kaoru returned him with a small smile. And then her curiosity got the better of her. "Um. Who is that..lady?"

Soujirou halted his step and blinked. "Lady?…Ohhh! Tomoe? Well um she's.."

He didn't know what to say. "She's er..Kenshin's fiancee."

Kaoru's face gave a very weird expression of mingled surprise and something the young man couldn't quite place. Was it anger, betrayal? Hard to say.

Kaoru almost couldn't believe her ears. He's got himself a fiancee. And a very pretty one at that. Kaoru felt her heart sank painfully in her chest, but kept on a light expression. Years of hiding her feeling she knew what was expected. A princess always have to look good no matter how awful she's feeling. That's one of the very first things she was taught as a child.

"I see…a good match. She's a noble blood, I trust?" The sharp edge in her voice betrayed her expression completely.

A small nod from the other party made her heart clenched tighter. –Perfect. Way to go Kaoru. Running after an engaged guy. And they're such a great match.-

Then that second she remembered something. She was also his fiancee. As far as she knew they didn't break up yet. Not that she could remember, that is.

With that in mind she took one sweeping look around at the interior and smile. "This place is really nice."

Soujirou nodded in agreement. "Yep. This castle is one of the most beautiful around."

He glanced abruptly down at his watch and sigh. "Really sorry but I just remember I had a very important to attend. Um..make yourself at home..I'm not sure which room Kenshin would want you to use soo…"

"It's okay, Souji. I'll take it from here." Kenshin's voice sounded as he shimmers in next to the girl.

Soujirou winked once at the couple and shimmer out leaving the two ex-couple to stare at each other in an unbreakable silence.

Kenshin drew out a breath he was unaware he was holding and gesture for the young girl to follow him. "I'll show you to your room."

Kaoru couldn't help but say something nasty. It's not like she meant it but atleast that's one way to let him show she was annoyed. "Why..thank you, your highness. A room next to your finacee's would be nice. Maybe we could be friend."

Kenshin stopped abruptly and spin around, his eyes flashing dangerous gold. "Don't let me hear you talk in that tone again. I don't like it and keep Tomoe out of this."

For a moment Kaoru unable to breathe. How could he change so much, she wondered.

"I don't care if you like it or not. I'll say anything I want and in any tone I like." She replied testily.

Kenshin just shook his head and stomped off before the girl.

They walk on in total silence and then Kenshin stopped. Slowly he fish out a gold key from his pocket and unlock the door.

"This is your room."

Without waiting he stepped into the room causing Kaoru to follow suit.

The young princess almost gasp at what she saw. Nicely polished wooden floor with large four-poster bed in the middle of the room with deep black canopy hangings. A double door opening to a balcony. And in one corner of the room a painting of a very beautiful lady adorned the wall.

"Wow.."

And the young girl set off to examine the beautifully furnished room. If she had turned to see her host she would have seen his cold amber gaze soften into the amethyst color she was familiar with.

Kenshin loved the way she smiled when something delighted her. This room had been his mother's room and since his mother died no one had dared enough to enter this room without asking his leave. But it seemed only right for Kaoru to stay in this room. After all he had loved his mother dearly and no doubt, Kaoru is his most cherished treasure as well. Too bad he couldn't let her know that.

"I have thing to attend to…see you at dinner. And if you don't know how to get to the dining room..then you'll just have to miss it..so be there at six P.M. sharp." He said nonchalantly as he shimmer out leaving the girl to stick her tongue out where he stood just a second ago.

Kaoru heaved a sigh and walk over to the dresser. What looked like a bottle of perfume and brushes were placed neatly in a silver tray. –Must have belonged to his mother.-

"Oh well…no more turning back, Kaoru….." She mutters to herself as she sat down lightly on the black armchair.

A/N: Well Please do Review and let me know your opinions. Thanks a lot and see you all again soon.