Disclaimer: First off I would like to point out that I don't look anything like Watsuki-sensei so I could never own RK, and CLAMP owns all rights to XXXHolic so I own nothing!
A/N: This chapter has a small bit of horrible KK fluff in it, just what we need ne? OMGS BC wrote something with KK fluff? never... :rolls eyes:
A special thank you to my two reviewers! This chapter is for you. (I hope you like it)
"I would say that you coming here is hitsuzen." Yuko said it again, it may have been for the thousandth time in her life, but she still acted like it was the first.
"Hitsuzen?" Kaoru looked at the woman incredulously, 'what is she talking about?' "Who are you?"
"My name is Yuko. I already know who you are, Kamiya Kaoru." Yuko smiled kindly at Kaoru's confused and skeptical scowl. "There is something you want, something you can't have no matter how hard you try."
Kaoru just stared, it was like this strange woman was reading into her mind. "Anou..."
"The one that is closest to your heart, the one who has sworn to protect you, he is in pain, a pain that he has caused by his past mistakes." Yuko said; it wasn't really a question, more like stating a fact.
Again, Kaoru just stared, she was at a loss for words. Kaoru didn't realize it, but a tear had rolled down her cheek as the Woman started talking again.
"You want his pain to stop, but you can't even get to the surface of his being now. Am I right?" Yuko looked down at the girl with the utmost sympathy as the girls expression seemed to drop even further.
This woman was seeing straight into her thoughts, "H-how can you know that?" she whispered.
Yuko cupped the Kaoru's cheeks in her hands, "Your heart cried out for help, and I heard it. But, my help comes at a price, one that will not be so easily paid."
Kaoru was terrified to ask what the price was, but she was desperate to help Kenshin. To heal him, she would do anything.
"I can alleviate his pain, letting him come to terms with his past, accept it, and let him move on. This will take tampering with his soul, something that will come at the ultimate price. I want to know are you willing to pay that price?"
Kaoru's eyes asked the question that she could not voice aloud. There was nothing that she wouldn't pay if it meant that Kenshin's suffering would cease. She still wanted to know what she would be losing for the one she cared so much for.
"Your price-" Yuko continued knowing the question in her eyes. "-Is your attachment to this man. If I grant you your wish you must stay away from him. You must cut all contact with him, and move on without him, for eternity. If you don't do this, his suffering will return once again. Tell me, are you willing to do this?"
Kaoru swallowed a lump that seemed to form in her throat. 'For him, I would give up my existence.' She nodded her ascent as Yuko smiled bitterly at the young woman before her. She knew that Kaoru would do this without a second thought.
"Take this," Yuko handed Kaoru a small silver ring that had a braid that interlocked around the silver band. "Put on that ring, and tomorrow before the sun rises, leave your dojo without looking back, I have granted your wish, you have my word."
Kaoru couldn't explain it, but as she slipped on the silver band, she couldn't help but trusted this woman's word. She knew it would be truthful.
0-0-0
Kaoru entered the dojo an hour later than she had expected, she was surprised to see of all people Kenshin standing in the kitchen humming mindlessly away as he cooked.
"Hello Kaoru!" Kenshin smiled genuinely at the girl as she walked in staring mildly surprised at the man's cheerful manner, "I hope you don't mind, but I thought I would prepare dinner tonight."
'He said 'I' not sessha... and he didn't use the 'dono.' That woman did it, didn't she?' Kaoru was suddenly reminded of her part of the deal and frowned, not noticing the grimace that plastered her face.
"If you don't want me to make dinner, I can step aside and let you do it." Kenshin suggested seeing her upset face.
"Wha- no it's alright Kenshin," She smiled, snapping herself out of her reverie, "I was just thinking about something... How are you today?" This question would test what she thought.
"I can't explain it," he replied thoughtfully looking straight into her eyes, "But, I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders... Kind of like-"
"Your heart is at peace?" Kaoru finished, smiling at him gently, not letting on what she was truly thinking. 'These are my last moments with you, I am glad I could finally see your true smile.'
"Yes, exactly, like I feel at peace." Kenshin smiled again, he didn't know why but part of him wanted to thank Kaoru for this.
"I am truly happy for you." Her words seemed strained but sincere nonetheless. If she was right, Kenshin probably had no real recollection of the blood he had spilled in his life, at the least he had no realization of it anymore. It was all she could ask for.
Dinner seemed to be normal, like dinner used to be before everything had happened with Jinchuu. The meal was filled with light hearted conversation of the day's events (barring a certain run in with a dimension witch).
After dinner, Kaoru sat on the steps in front of the dojo. She was contemplating what to do now. She had to leave; she had promised the dimension witch that as her payment. Kenshin was happy and that was all that mattered now, right?
"Kaoru?"
"Kenshin," She didn't need to turn to see that the redhead was taking a seat beside her. "I thought you were in bed?"
"I wasn't as tired as I thought." He smiled at her again, she couldn't get enough of that smile, it was so real. "Kaoru, is there something wrong, you seem different today, did something happen to you in the market?"
Kaoru shook her head, "No, it's nothing Kenshin, I have just been stuck in my own thoughts lately."
"Don't think too much otherwise you might get a headache." He joked light heartedly as he tapped on her forehead.
"What are you implying?" She said in mock anger as she swatted his fingers away.
"Oro!" Kenshin smirked taking Kaoru by surprise as he lightly kissing her on the lips, "I meant nothing by it other than to see that glint in your eyes."
Kaoru blushed, she didn't know what to say, "Kenshin..."
"Thank you." He whispered tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "I can't explain why, but I feel like I need to thank you." He smiled lightly as they did nothing more than stare at each other for several minuets.
As she stared at him couldn't help but notice that he seemed so much more at ease. 'I wish this moment could last forever.'
But all good things must come to an end.
0-0-0
"Yuko-san?" Watanuki asked carefully as the two sat in a tall tree, watching the residence of the Kamiya dojo eat dinner.
"Hmm?" The woman responded as her eyes seemed to be intent on watching the young girl eating and talking below.
"Why was this girl's price so different, it seems a bit harsh for her?" Watanuki couldn't help but glance at Kaoru himself. She was beautiful, but not like Himawari-chan.
"To tamper with other humans' emotions," Yuko said still looking at the girl below. "To strip them of sorrow that they were born into is something that is extremely dangerous, the repercussions could be horrendous if something goes wrong." Yuko now looked at the red-head below. She was still amazed that he had yet to sense their ki being as close as they were. "The price for such a thing has to be one of the highest. This woman would give up her life in a heart beat for this man, she would jump into an endless abyss for him. Those would be easy fates for her to accept, but the true price for something so risky is to renounce all attachments for the one she would sacrifice everything for. In doing so, sacrificing her heart for that person, do you understand Watanuki?"
"Not really." He responded dumbly staring down at the two people eating, and talking lightly.
"You feel love towards Himawari-chan, don't you?" The woman asked raising an eyebrow knowing the response.
"Yes." He answered simply as he blushed slightly.
"Would you sacrifice everything for her? Would you throw yourself willingly into the pits of hell?"
"I... I don't know," He responded truthfully, how was he supposed to answer that?
"That would be your price, dying for the one you claim that you love. This woman, Kamiya Kaoru, She knows that she would do so in an instant, making it easy for her to accept it. But to live life without her heart, the other half of her soul, that is the ultimate sacrifice for this girl."
"But that is cruel!" Watanuki exclaimed looking at Yuko 'How can Yuko-san be so cold?'
"Destiny has something in store for these two," Yuko responded as if she heard his thoughts. "What I do will make no difference in what will happen to them; I am just helping those two along."
Watanuki didn't know whether he should be comforted or not.
"We are going to be staying in this place for a little while longer Watanuki," Yuko smiled, changing the subject. "Why don't you go get us a hotel room, and some good sake!"
"Mokona wants sake!" The little fuzz-ball finally woke up from its nap, nothing could keep Mokona away from drinking for too long.
"You bunch of drunkards." Watanuki muttered as he sauntered down towards the Meiji era Tokyo to find a place to sleep, and some good sake.
To be continued...
A/N: Poor Watanuki, he's nothing more than Yuko's bitch and we all know it too. Please review!
Well until next time :Waves: