Title: Because It Hurts
Chapter Four: My Girl
Pairing: Kenshin/Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke/OC, slight Megumi/Sanosuke
Summary: The death of Kaoru leaves Kenshin in heartbroken grief as he escapes to the depths of his mind. Yahiko, Megumi, and Sanosuke try their hardest to try and revive the Kenshin they know and love but things turn to the worst as the Legendary Man Slayer Himura the Battousai seems to be reviving instead. Will the arrival of an old friend be any help? Or will we lose of beloved Kenshin to the likes of his former self?
Disclaimer: I do not own the anime Rurouni Kenshin.
The boughs of the trees rustled as the wind moved through the night, leafs falling to the cold earth around him as Sano stared up at the sky, he shook his head growling as he head toward the gate, head bowed.
"Excuse me, sir?" called the driver of the carriage. "Could you tell me if Master Yutaro will be leaving any time soon? It's getting awfully late."
Sanosuke looked up frowning slightly before he turned away to the street but not before baring his teeth and growled out a "no". 'Yutaro?' he thought as realization struck him, the young man from before…that had been Yutaro. Not paying attention to where he was going he walked right into the door of the carriage as the carriages occupant came out. Sanosuke cursed as he landed on his behind, a hand rubbing his aching nose.
Violet-blue eyes started at the disgruntled man on the floor.
Giving his nose a final rub as the pain subsided Sano got up and looked for the culprit who'd caused this mishap in the first place on to blink. "What the- What are you doing here?" he snapped pointing an accusing finger at the woman before him.
Violet-blue eyes blinked before narrowing, "Do I know you?"
"Do you know me?" repeated a confused and slightly irritated Sanosuke before he growled, "What are you playing at Rika!"
"Who is this Rika?"
Sanosuke's jaw dropped before his earlier anger revived and he grabbed the young woman by the shoulders shaking her, "Stop playing dumb with me! What are you doing here!"
"Unhand me!" at hearing this the footman and driver looked at the feuding duo and promptly went to aid the young woman.
"Sir, unhand her this instant." Said the coachman.
"Yes, master Yutaro will be unpleased if his companion is harmed." Said the footman.
"Companion…Yutaro…" Sano repeated before staring down at the woman he was holding. "What are you doing with Yutaro?"
"Unhand me this instant!" she screamed struggling and managing to get an arm free in as Sanosuke was temporarily at a loss for words and did what any other woman would do. She slapped him.
He blinked, a hand subconsciously going up to rub the stinging flesh on his cheek.
"What's going on here?" demanded Yutaro as he appeared at the gate.
"Sir –" started the coachman before stopping as Yutaro held up a hand to silence him. "Mr. Sagara what is going on here?"
Violet-blue eyes seemed to narrow more, if it were possible, '…Sagara…'
"Hn…nothing," was all Sanosuke said before he walked off stuffing his hands into his pocket.
Yutaro motioned for the young woman to get back into the carriage before looking towards the coachman. "Let's go," with that he joined his companion in the carriage and they were off.
The soft clapping of the horse's hoofs was heard as Yutaro closed his eyes for a moment before opening them once more and turning to look across from him. "It seems…Mr. Himura has been greatly devastated by Ms. Kaorus death."
"...Ms. Kaoru?" was the quiet question as a pale fingers paled with the petals of a small white rose.
"She was my teacher for a time back when I was still young. I met her along with Mr. Himura and the rest then as well. If it had not been for Mr. Himura I would probably be dead by now. Ms. Kaoru was a wonderful sensai and very beautiful." He laughed slightly seemingly remembering a fond memory. " I would be a complete and total opposite of the man I am today if it hadn't been for her teachings and Mr. Himura."
"Is that so…"
"Ms. Megumi, that doctor I visited with at the clinic, told me that Ms. Kaoru died about 6 months ago."
"I would think Mr. Himura has a right to be devastated then…was he a relative of some sort?"
Yutaro gave a weak smile before shaking his head in the negative, "No. I believe they were very much in love."
"Ah"
"That's not all though. It would seem that Ms. Kaoru died…" he frowned, hands clenching into fists, " …on their wedding day…in the ceremony itself."
"…how tragic…was it before they were married?"
"That just it, from what Ms. Megumi told me it seems that she was about to accept when she just fell into his arms …dead." He tore his gaze away from her as he stared out the window eyes flashing in rage and pain. "For such a young and beautiful soul to die on such a special day…it just seems so cruel…yet so ironic that she would die on the day that would have been their happiest. Its not fair."
His companion said nothing as she crushed the white rose in the palm of her hands, "…nothing in this world ever is …"
"And what if I don't want to go," said a grumpy Sanosuke as he walked around Megumi only to have her move into his way.
"You have to. Yutaro said he wants us all there," she said in voice that left no room for argument.
Sano only shrugged, "It's not as if we're all going to be there" he said before his eyes widened.
Megumi's resolve faltered as images of Kaorus smiling face appeared in her mind and she took a deep breath stopping the tears she knew would come at the memory of the sweet girl.
Sanosuke opened his mouth to say something only to stop as a screen door was opened a little ways away from them and Kenshin stepped out. He hadn't seemed to notice them as he stared up at the sky his face emotionless as usual.
An eternity seemed to pass before he finally turned in their direction looking at each of them in turn before he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "When do we leave?" he said in a dead tone that sent a shiver down their backs.
"This afternoon. Yutaro is sending a coach." Answered Megumi giving him what both he and Kenshin could tell was a forced smile. Kenshin only nodded before walking away.
Yahiko looked down at his reflection in the shallow river from his position on the wooden rails of the small bridge. "What could he possibly be up to?" he whispered to himself watching as a small flower floated by. "It's been…what…four years since he left for Germany and now he's back."
"It's not good to talk to yourself you know. People might start to wonder."
Yahiko jumped having completely forgotten he hadn't been alone. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head before turning to the girl sitting next to him. "Sorry"
She raised a hand waving it as she said, "no problem"
Yahiko smiled at her softly, "You remember that guy I told you about. Yutaro?" he said turning back to the river below.
"How could I not, you wouldn't stop talking about him for about a month. You kept saying that you'd kick his butt once he came back."
Yahiko blushed before nodding. "Yeah well he came back yesterday."
"Really? Well that's nice."
He nodded again before turning his gaze up to the sky above, momentarily watching as a blue jay flew by. "Yeah it is." He paused closing his eyes and enjoying the small breeze that flew by them. "He invited us to his place, we leaving today. I'm not sure how long well be gone though."
"…oh…well good luck!"
He let out a sigh of relief and turned to her giving her a big grin and a victory sign. "I'm gonna win" he said before they both started laughing.