A/N: heeheeblush, blush LOL! I thought it was about time for some action and some waff hope you liked this chapie! Ducks under a table and waves a white flag errrrrr the second half of Kaoru's story is up in the next chapter...please guys don't kill me yet Besides, there will be Dargove-Kenshin stuff there too!
Kamimura Kaoru: Thank you so much for your support! It really does inspire me angain, thanks a lot!
Gypsy-chan: heehee, I hope you liked the waff even though it was quite short...LOL it's always the hardest part to write but I think it's worth it Oh and thanks a whole lot for your comments especially on the Yumi-Shishio bit...that's the part I loved most about the previous chapter! Harharharhar Kajun seems to love the green hair too...errrrrrr I think she got it from constant swimming in chlorinated water ;o) ducks under the table again don't tell her that, please!
Sabrina-Star: Hey miss sorceress! heehee, I'm really glad you liked this chapter and yeah, I do have a lot of reivews(LOL it really makes me soooo happy!) thanks to you and to everyone who keep coming back to review this fic! Thank you very, very much!
Genesis: LOL! yup Toadie Froggie was kinda cute ne? Anyway I hope you liked the Kenshin stuff in this chapter I got more of him in the next so please wait for it okie dokie, and again, thanks so much for your reviews!
LittleDragon5: Hello! Thank you for coming back and I will keep writing because you guys keep on coming back thank you so much!
Willow: Hello miss Willow! heehee, sorry about cutting Kaoru's past slips under the table again uhhhmmm Thank you for all your reviews, and don't worry like I said, the second part of Kaoru's story is in the next chapter. Still I hope you enjoyed this one:c)... Best of luck on your studies!(LOL I know...it sucks) anyway, I'm sure you'll find someone there who likes animes. And if you don't it's ok, you'll always have me
Selene: Hi! ooooppps, errrrr miss greatest sorceress of all time, I know I'm making you wait for the rest of Kaoru's story but please do not use your magic on me! hehehehe...I'm real glad you liked my role for you and I'm very thankful for all you reviews too!
omochi: LOL! I'm so glad you liked Misao as a sorceress! and yeah, she does act childish a lot of times and well, her body isn't that well- developed yet(I think that's why Aoshi thinks of her as a child still) hehehe just don't tell Misao I said that or she's do a terrible spell on me
ArtemisMoon: heehee, I knew you'd like the froggie stuff! LOL I'd better get some control over Sano before he DOES decide to barbeque Toadie Froggie Anyway, you're right, I'm kinda rushing a bit, but it just feels like if I slow down, the story's gonna be crawling and if I try to cut things, it'll move too fast...Oh the perils of a writer! but I'll try to better next chapie(that is, I think I have the same problem with this chapter too) hehehe anyway, 36 pages! WOWEEE that's probably some pretty heavy stuff you're writing for you family I hope you finish it fast...and start on the next chapter of Koishii soon (or else I'm gonna ask someone holding Kenshin's sword to torture you a bit...and I happen to know she's just waiting for an "opportune moment!" bwahahahahaha
Hembadoon-75: LOLOLOL! hehehe, like I told miss Gypsy-chan, Kajun's hair turned green due to chlorine looks around nervously before ducking under the table again Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter too especially with the waff...errrrrr, Artemis said something like you advice her on those stuff. blush I'm no expert you see oh and that aside...let me sharpen Kenshin's sword for you(wink wink wink)
Kajun Spice: harharharhar...hello green-haired goddess! errrrrr, you're not gonna whack me or something are you! LOL I was just kidding about the chlorine stuff(in case you're wondering please read my notes for Gypsy-chan and miss Hembadoo-75) LOLOLOL I answered some of your questions about the story in this chapter, but about how you revived the Toadie...well uhmmmmm, winks mouth to mouth?...nah! let's just say through magic...you are a goddess after all!
tearlesereph: okie dokie you got it! Yumi is the descendant but shhhhhh looks around and pulls tearlesereph under the table that's our little secret ok hehehehe, thanks for all you reviews and I hope you liked this chapie too
konton: heehee...hopefully you liked the stories about the gang, but yeah, there's more to come about Kaoru and it's going to be important LOL but you gotta wait and see okie
me10sai snaps her fingers and mysteriously vanishes till next chapter everyone!(c",)
minna-san... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'M SORRY! I have no valid excuse so please feel free to execute me...ahem, after I finish the story, that is and other comments will come later, for now I think I should post this chapie first.. Seriously, I am sorry you guys..
KENSHIN the DRAGON HUNTER Chapter XIII: Revelations Part III
...Dark Castle...
Shishio watched from the shadows as Yumi collapsed at the center of the star figure, blood still oozing from the wound she had cut on her wrists. Her consciousness was quickly slipping away. "It is done..." she said before giving in to her body's need to rest, and heal.
Shishio smiled wickedly. "Very good, Yumi!" he thought, picking up the exhausted woman. "Tomorrow, the chosen one dies with your spell, and I, will make sure that my beloved nephew would join her... in hell!" Bwahahahahahaha!
...Cepheus Forest...
"Dargove let's go!" Yahiko said turning away, feeling mixed emotions about this. Part of him was very glad to see Kaoru drink the potion, another part of him was angry that it wasn't him, but an enemy who made her drink it and in an very unusual way too!
Kenshin pulled away reluctantly from Kaoru before he relinquished her to Misao and stood up.
"Wait! You can't go!" he said putting a hand on Yahiko shoulder.
Yahiko shrugged it off and raised his stick sword at Kenshin. It had just hit Yahiko that this man would definitely come between him and Kaoru. "Who the hell is he anyway?" Yahiko asked himself. "I think you should just stay away from me, and from Dargove, and most of all from my sister!" Yahiko yelled at him.
Kenshin's eyes remained calm at Yahiko's words. "A lot of people have attempted to get the Heart Mushrooms but none succeeded, that's because it's guarded by a ferocious beast called Omochi! I've seen you fight, and I know you're good, but..."
"But what!" Yahiko said cutting off Kenshin's words.
"I hate to admit it kiddo but if what he says is true, you really should stay here. I'm going!" Sano said firmly eyeing Kenshin as he spoke.
"You can't go either Sanosuke!" Misao said. "You know this area better than any of us here and I need you and Willow to go get the rest of the herbs for the spell..."
"Let me do it" Kenshin said and walked towards the male dragon, but Yahiko stepped in between them. "I'd risk my life against that Omochi, rather than let you come near Dargove!"
"I know you don't trust me, and I don't blame you, but all I want right now is for your sister to get better. Think about it, you'll not only be risking your life, but also Kaoru's. Let me go, please!" Kenshin said almost desperately.
Yahiko was struck hard by the truth in the man's words. Still, he knew that Kaoru would hate him forever if something happened to Dargove. The young boy looked at Kenshin. He seemed sincere enough, but is he honorable enough not to hurt their dragon friend?
Yahiko bowed his head, thinking hard for the right decision. "Oh Kaoru, what do you say to all this?" the young man asked silently, miserably, knowing he would not get an answer.
But it was Dargove who decided for him. "We have no more time to waste, we'd better go now... dragon hunter!"
Kenshin walked to the speechless Yahiko. He had known the fear of losing the ones he loved right in front of him, and somehow, the red-haired dragon hunter wanted to assure the boy that it was going to be alright. Kenshin placed a hand on Yahiko's shoulder again, and this time, Yahiko let it stay there.
He looked up at Kenshin, his eyes pleading. The hand on his shoulder tightened a little, giving some sort of comfort to the boy. No words were spoken but both men understood each other. Yahiko stepped aside to let the red-haired man pass giving him all hope for his sister's recovery.
Dargove watched the exchange with both interest and curiosity. From the way he was acting, Kenshin the dragon hunter looked no different from Kenshin the young prince he had meet years ago... his heart is still set on saving and protecting. "But what could have driven him to become so angry, not only at dragons, but seemingly at the whole world?"
Dargove shook his head. "I will have some time to ask him later, for now saving Kaoru is top priority!" he thought as Kenshin jumped ever so lightly on his back.
...the heavens...
The Goddess Artemis walked slowly towards her domain in the heavens. She was the one who told Kajun that the permission to tell the whole event about Kaoru's past was granted. But there were no order from the Higher Gods. Artemis had acted on her own, knowing that time was running out for the whole earth. She was not surprised when two gods were waiting for her at her door. They were Ice-God, the God of Ice, Water and Storm and Thor, the God of War and Thunder. "Perhaps they came to inform me of my punishment" Artemis thought to herself. It does not matter, she will take full responsibility for her actions...
"Where have you been Artemis?" asked Thor. "We've been waiting here for some time now and we have a job to do" Ice-God added.
Artemis took a deep breath, "Alright then, I will not resist any order from the Higher Gods. What do I do now?"
"Do?" Thor asked looking confused. "We just came here to return Koishii who seemed to have wandered about. Anyways, we have to get going, we were ordered to brew a thunder storm down below and we may be running a bit late" Ice-God said smiling and handing Artemis the sleeping turtle.
"Oh" the Goddess of the Earth said. "I thought... well, forget what I was just saying then!"
"We will" Thor said turning around, but then stopped. "Oh and the Higher Gods said to tell you that they don't know anything that happened down at Mt. Altair with the Goddess of Revelation." Thor winked at her then left following Ice-God.
Artemis stroked Koishii happily. "Heh... I guess they would let me go with this one" she whispered to herself, as the turtle was sleeping soundly in her arms.
...Near Sacred Mount Genesis...
Dargove and Kenshin had been flying in silence ever since they left Cepheus. Now their silence is broken with the loud rumbles of the heavens. The storm would be upon them any second now, they both know it.
"Give me a few more minutes" Dargove pleaded. He was weakening fast and was still losing blood from his wound and he might not be able to handle the force of the storm.
Kenshin knew this as well and started reprimanding himself. "If they arrive too late... If Kaoru dies..." Kenshin could not bear the thought. "Please let her live!" he begged. "I'd be happy as long as I know she's well... even if she loves someone else" Kenshin told himself, thinking of the tall skinny man who said he would protect Kaoru.
"Hang on Kenshin," Dargove spoke at last. "We're almost there!"
Kenshin, lost in thought a moment ago looked up to see that they were indeed very close to the mountain.
Dargove seemed to know exactly where the cave was located and he headed straight for it. Seconds after they flew inside, the storm unleashed its fury.
"It's almost like it waited for us," Dargove said and Kenshin found himself nodding. "The gods are kind today."
"Well..." the dragon hunter began, "I have to go now."
"Good luck" was all Dargove can say.
An awkward silence followed before Kenshin turned and left.
Kenshin ran swiftly inside the cave. He thought of Kaoru in pain and he moved even faster. He also thought of Dargove, he couldn't help himself. He wondered if the time came, would he be able to forgive the dragon? The beast had killed his parents and ruined his life, but for Kaoru... Kenshin clenched his fists. "Perhaps if she asked him..."
The air suddenly became cool and very comfortable. Kenshin was alert at once. Something wasn't right here! He was inside the cave but he felt a strong breeze as though he was outside. He slowed down a bit, holding the hilt of his sword as he walked cautiously. Many strong warriors have died by the hands of the said Omochi, guardian of the Heart Mushrooms.
Kenshin stopped walking. He felt something, no, someone behind him.
"Welcome young prince! I have been expecting you" a female voice said.
Kenshin turned around and saw a very beautiful woman standing a few feet from him. She smiled, sweetly so, and said her name was... Omochi.
Kenshin could do nothing but stare. He was not expecting this! He had a ferocious beast in mind and now… Omochi smiled again.
"I'm sorry" Kenshin said finding his voice. "It's just that I'm a little confused with all this."
"I know and I understand. I am the guardian of that precious treasure that you seek and I also know what has been said of me, and one thing holds true. Great warriors HAVE died in this cave. But you will soon understand why. For now, all I can tell you is that, to get the sacred mushroom you have to go through a very difficult test... Are you up to it Prince of Surlow?"
"Yes I am" Kenshin said without hesitation. Kaoru's life depends on that musroom!
"Good" Omochi said softly. But before we proceed, I just want to tell you to remember the reason why you're doing this. It might be the only key to your survival.
...Dark Castle...
"Your majesty, a traveler came forward saying he saw the dragon hunter by the Arcturus Castle Ruins. An army of one thousand is stationed a day's ride away from that place, should I send a message to dispatch them?"
"No you fool, think!" Shishio hissed at the officer kneeling before him. "He would probably be gone by the time you arrive there. But I feel it strongly... he will come here! Send a message to those one thousand men and tell them to camp at Rowe Valley. Surely they would be able to stop one man from passing through."
"Yes milord!" the soldier said, "Oh and what about the reward, you majesty? The man who gave the information is asking for it. He said his wife is expecting a child and they need the money."
"Kill him!" Shishio said coldly. The soldier nodded, brought out his sword and walked out the door.
Shishio heard the terrified scream of the man followed by a muffled sound then a heavy thud on the floor. He smiled, "Squealers are never worthy of rewards," he thought.
...the Sacred Mt. Genesis...
Dargove awoke to the heavy thudding of the rain outside the cave... No, it was more of the heavy beating of a weary heart.
"Kenshin..." he thought. "I'm sure he got the mushroom, but, is he worried about Kaoru?"
Dargove kept his eyes closed. They could not leave the cave anyway with the storm spewing strong rains outside.
He was surprised though when he felt gentle hands caress his wounded shoulder. Those same hands carefully applied a soft sticky substance directly over his wound.
A sharp breath escaped from the dragon as a sudden burst of burning sensation coursed through his wound. But in a matter of seconds, the unpleasant feeling was replaced by a soothing, comfortable warmth. Dargove sighed as the pain faded. He did not realize how bothered he was of it until it was gone. Thankful, the dragon sighed again.
For a moment, the only sound heard from the cave was the pattering of the rain. Then... "I'm sorry" Kenshin spoke, clearly, but hoarsely.
Dargove opened his eyes at last and looked at Kenshin. His head was bowed and he looked really tired. The cold heart of ice was gone, and in its stead was the heart of an uncertain little boy.
"What happened inside there?" Dargove asked, worried. "Was the Omochi that hard to defeat?"
Kenshin shook his head, his eyes still downcast. "Omochi is not a monster. She is a very nice guardian of the Heart Mushroom. But it is her duty to give all who seek it a test of strength... not physical strength though.
She brought me back to my past, to the time my parents died, and she showed me EVERYTHING. All these years I have blamed you for their deaths and yet all you ever did was try to save them."
Kenshin broke off as he tried to control the emotion and again the guilt that filled his very soul. The guilt that almost made him take his own life.
Kenshin closed his eyes as he recalled just moments before, he was about to run his sword through his heart. The 'test' Omochi was talking about was really a play of emotions... of guilt. And no human is conscience-free.
"Dying is the easy part. It takes a strong man to want to live." These were Omochi's words. But Kenshin knew, if Kaoru's image had not suddenly flashed before him, he certainly would have killed himself with his very own sword.
"Kenshin?" Dargove said, bringing Kenshin back to the present. "I know what you have gone through, and I understand why you did what you did. An old lady named Gypsy-chan came and sought shelter on this cave while you were gone... she showed me what you had seen, and thought that awful day. It's not your fault. It was fate acting then, as it is fate acting now."
Kenshin looked up. "You would... forgive me and everything I've done?" he asked.
"Yes" Dargove answered, "if you would forgive me too."
"Forgive you, Dargove? You haven't done anything wrong. You tried your best to save my parents. That's more than anyone ever did!"
Dargove looked away. It was his turn to feel troubled. "I'm not talking about your parents Kenshin, I'm talking about Kaoru..."
"Kaoru!" Kenshin said, surprised, attentive... worried.
Dargove turned to look at the red-haired prince of Surlow. He knew that Kenshin had a right to know the whole truth… The way he felt for Kaoru, and the way Kaoru felt for him… Perhaps together, they would find a way to regain both their kingdoms and bring peace to the land once more.
"Almost a hundred years ago," Dargove began to tell the story, the key to all mysteries, "when the land was still rich, it had been decided that the time had come for us dragons to finally ascend to the heavens and let the people on earth take care of the land. Only one dragon has the power to open the gateway between this world, and the heavens. The Orb of Life, which is the key to that portal, is passed on from one dragon who harbors it, to one of his children when he or she dies. The Orb chooses its host and it had chosen my father, and then later on, my brother."
"I had no objections. My brother was a strong, kind, and gentle dragon. And as the 'Chosen One', he had to be protected at all times. I was assigned to do that task."
Dargove closed his eyes, almost like he was in pain, and Kenshin stood up worried about him.
"I'm alright" Dargove said softly, opening his eyes. Kenshin nodded and sat back down.
"I don't understand Dargove" he said. "I don't see what all these has to with Kaoru."
"Because," the dragon said... "because Kaoru is the successor chosen by the Orb of Life!"
...to be continued(c",)