Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply for the whole story...
Chapter II: Kenshin's Dream
I knew Kaoru was standing there. I knew she was staring at me, but why? Was there some monstrosity on my back? I was afraid to turn around in case she started laughing at me, telling me of some perversion that I had. Some embarrassing perversion…Oh, what was I worried for? I turned around to face her.
She had a hazy look, like she was daydreaming or something. When she saw that I was facing her she came into focus, "Kaoru-dono?" I said.
"Oh, Kenshin…Um…I'm going to bed, now, so… good-night… Kenshin…"
"Oh, right, of course, then, good night, Kaoru-dono!" I said nervously. I don't know why but something seemed strange that night before we went to sleep. I think I was starting to get restless. It was becoming harder and harder not to spill my guts to her. As she stood there I wanted to run up to her and pull her close, to hold her, to…be with her…
She turned and headed for her bedroom, as did I. My bedroom, of course, not hers…unfortunately…Wait, forget I said that last bit!
I laid down on my futon, staring up at the ceiling. How I wished Kaoru were lying next to me. I pictured her smiling face as I stared up at the ceiling. Sleep was coming. My eyes started to shut and I tried to dream about Kaoru. If I couldn't have her, at least I could dream of having her.
She asked me to love her…No, I told her in my dream, I cannot be with you, though I long so much to love you. I do love you, actually…But I can't…I…
Gee, I sound like an idiot…
Suddenly though, after I told Kaoru this, she started to cry, and where her tears touched, she disappeared. She cried and cried harder and harder until she was completely gone, tears had washed away every inch of her body. I was frozen. I could not move, I was glued to the spot. Something was making me unable to move. I wanted to grab her before she was gone but it was too late. The moment she was gone I was freed, and fear crept over me like mist. It chilled me. I was all alone.
Then, suddenly, I wasn't. Someone was walking up to me through the dark. A woman…
Kaoru? I called, Is that you? Please, answer me!
What a loser I am! I'm making a fool of myself…In my own dream!
But the woman was close enough now. It was…it couldn't be…
Tomoe? W-What are you doing here?
She smacked me. Real hard, too. Right on the cheek that she helped scar those many years ago.
"What the hell are you doing, Kenshin!" She screamed.
Oro! What do you mean, Tomoe?
"Kaoru is in love with you! You're in love with Kaoru! I'm sick of watching you make yourself miserable! I died for you! I gave up my life so you could live! I wanted you to be happy! Now why are you making yourself suffer! God! If I knew you were going to be like this I wouldn't have sacrificed myself! You idiot!" There were tears threatening her now, but she blinked them back and stood up straight, calming down, "Now, you are going to wake up, you are going to skip making breakfast, and skip the laundry…Hey, hey, hey. Don't make that horrified face, just listen. When you wake up you will march straight to Kaoru's room and tell her how you feel. Then you'll make out and be all happy. THEN you'll make breakfast, got it?"
I-I-I can't do that! Kaoru is…I can't be in love with Kaoru! I won't…I don't want to hurt her…like I hurt you…I don't want to make the same mistake. I didn't want you to die…I don't…I'm sorry, Tomoe, I can't do it…
"Hmph! Well, will you ever be sorry! This is MY punishment to you Kenshin! I have watched over you for your entire life after I died, and I'm sick of what I'm seeing! Take this punishment and hope you change your mind about what you've said!" And with that she smacked me again, harder this time, and stood there for a second.
Then she kissed me. Right on the lips! I was shocked, but I let her…knowing that resistance was futile. She pulled back with new tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I had to do that, Kenshin, but you won't except your love. Take that punishment, and eat your words with it…" She turned on her heel and left me. My eyes shut. Some punishment that was. A kiss. Heh…The dream world around me crumbled as I was starting to wake.
a/n: reviews r grately appreciated!