Rain of Blood
Digi*girl: Okay, chapter eleven has two parts, and this is part one! The one you¡¦ve all been waiting for! Just read on and the plot thickens¡K:D
Disclaimer: RK does not belong to me.
Chapter eleven¡Xchoices and decisions (part one)
¡§Okina!¡¨ Misao exclaimed, peering her head from behind the paper door. ¡§I¡¦ve brought visitors.¡¨
Okina raised his eyebrow. Before he could say anything, Misao slid the door open wider and stepped in. She glanced behind her and nodded briefly. Then they stepped in. The Battousai and the last of Kamiya.
Okina¡¦s eyes widened and he stood up shakily, stammering, ¡§Himura¡Kis it really you?¡¨
Kenshin met Okina¡¦s surprised gaze, frowning slightly. ¡§Okina-san.¡¨ He addressed him politely.
¡§It is you¡K¡¨ Okina looked relieved to see an old friend again. The tension around them slowed. Okina turned his attention to Kaoru, ¡§Who is this young lass?¡¨
¡§She¡¦s Kamiya Kaoru, Okina. The last of the kin.¡¨ Misao explained it for Kaoru, and smiled at her reassuringly. Kaoru smiled back and bowed, ¡§It is most kind to meet you, Okina-san.¡¨
Okina waved his hand in the air and chuckled, ¡§No need.¡¨ He frowned after, ¡§I¡¦m very sorry to hear about the tragedy of your family, Kamiya-dono.¡¨ The news had spread that far.
¡§Iie, it¡¦s the past now.¡¨ She said quietly. Misao shot Okina a look. He cleared his throat.
¡§Okina-san, you wanted to see me?¡¨ Kenshin cut in, and stared gravely at the old man. His face looked weary as a sigh escaped his lips.
¡§Yes, I do. Come, Himura, we have a lot to talk about. Misao, would you take care of Kamiya-dono here while we¡¦re absent?¡¨ Okina motioned him to follow him through another doorway. Kenshin stood there, rooted. He stole a glance towards Kaoru, who was smiling for him to go. Kenshin became hesitant. Okina was waiting for him patiently by the doorway.
¡§Go, Kenshin. I¡¦ll wait for you.¡¨ With Kaoru¡¦s reassuring words, Kenshin¡¦s eyes softened as he turned towards the doorway, stopped and looked back.
¡§I won¡¦t take long,¡¨
¡§Hai. Don¡¦t worry, I won¡¦t go anywhere.¡¨
¡§Wait for me.¡¨
Kaoru nodded her head.
Misao stared at those two in wonder. The words they had said etched deeply into her mind. Even an outsider could feel the affection they held towards each other. Misao grinned in vague realization.
With smile so small that no one saw it besides Kaoru, Kenshin left with Okina.
Kaoru and Misao stood alone in the room. Kaoru¡¦s eyes still stayed at the spot where Kenshin had left. Misao closed her eyes in understanding.
¡§You like him don¡¦t you,¡¨ she stated flatly. Kaoru stared back at her in surprise and utter embarrassment. She then looked away, cheeks flushing.
Misao¡¦s smile got even wider, ¡§I can see that he cares for you, a lot. He had never shown anyone with this much of affection before.¡¨
Kaoru¡¦s eyes softened and smiled gently, ¡§I know,¡¨ she said.
Misao looked around, ¡§Come, let¡¦s not stay here. I¡¦ll show you around the Oni!¡¨ she chirped happily and led her towards the exit. Kaoru responded by a cherry ¡§Hai!¡¨ and followed.
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¡§What?¡¨ Kenshin¡¦s cold voice cut through the air, as he stared shocked at Okina.
¡§Yes, we¡¦ve been attacked by another clan.¡¨ Okina sighed resignedly.
Kenshin kept silent then.
Okina took that as a chance. He began slowly, ¡§That¡¦s why we need your help, Himura. With you on our side, we-¡§
¡§Hold on,¡¨ Kenshin cut in and he looked like he was about to stand up, ¡§Who said I was going to get involved in this battle?¡¨
¡§¡KI-no one, Himura.¡¨ Okina finished off lamely.
Kenshin settled back down and gave him a cold stare. Okina averted the piercing gaze. ¡§When did this occur?¡¨
Okina paused, ¡§Since a month ago. They wanted to take over our land. I-I couldn¡¦t afford that.¡¨
Everything was so quiet, so still, except for the heat were rising from their cups filled with hot tea.
At last Okina spoke, ¡§I am pleading you, Himura. Please, think it over before you gave an answer.¡¨ He said it sincerely.
The Hitokiri¡¦s face only darkened.
-----==-----
¡§Wow, the Oniwabanshu is a big place,¡¨ Kaoru breathed in and looked around, astonished.
Misao smiled and scratched her head, ¡§Yeah, well¡Kwe need enough room to train ninjas and all.¡¨
¡§So, you¡¦re a ninja?¡¨
¡§Yup! And proud of it!¡¨
Kaoru smiled, since how long had she seen anyone with such a cherry spirit? She missed the feeling.
Misao suddenly stopped, ¡§Aoshi-sama!¡¨
Kaoru followed her gaze to see a tall, striking young man. He held a gaze that¡¦s so cold, it reminds her of Kenshin. She raised her eyebrow delicately.
¡§Aoshi-sama¡K¡¨ Misao said as the man called Aoshi gave her a look, and went away. Misao¡¦s shoulders slumped; Kaoru¡¦s curiosity was getting the better of her.
¡§Misao¡Kare you alright?¡¨
Misao turned to face her and put on a fake smile, ¡§I¡¦m fine!¡¨
Kaoru wasn¡¦t very convinced, ¡§That man¡KAoshi-san, who is he?¡¨
Misao¡¦s face suddenly turned as white as a sheet.
¡§Misao¡K¡¨ Kaoru tried to catch her gaze, ¡§Misao!¡¨
The young ninja snapped, ¡§Nani? Oh¡Kumm, excuse me,¡¨ she muttered under her breath and strode away. Kaoru stood there, confused. There was definitely something going on between those two.
The young ninja walked in quick paces behind Aoshi along the riverbanks.
¡§Aoshi-sama! Wait!¡¨ Misao tried to catch up, reaching out her hand to grab his sleeve. Aoshi stopped, his bangs covered his face. Misao ran in front of him and panted, ¡§Why won¡¦t you talk to me?!¡¨
Aoshi kept silent, he didn¡¦t even move.
Misao¡¦s tears flowed out, ¡§After that night¡Kwhy did you leave?¡¨
Aoshi lifted his head up, still holding onto that expressionless gaze, ¡§It wasn¡¦t right, I¡¦m sorry.¡¨ He said no more.
A wave of hurt washed over her, as she stood there, trembling. Aoshi looked as if he wanted to move, his muscles tensed as he forced to contain his own emotions.
Misao wiped her tears away and looked up sternly, ¡§So is this what you wanted? First realization and leave?!¡¨
Aoshi looked away as he breathed in sharply, ¡§I did not leave you Misao,¡¨ he spoke softly.
¡§Oh really? Then why did you ignore me? Every time¡Kevery time I tried to talk to you, you¡¦ll just give me a cold look and went away!¡¨
¡§Please, let¡¦s just not talk about this anymore¡K¡¨ he stiffened.
¡§Aoshi¡Kno baka!!¡¨ Misao managed through her tears and ran away; leaving the man standing alone, fist clenching.
¡§Misao¡KI¡¦m so sorry¡K¡¨
-----==-----
Kaoru wondered to the room where Kenshin and Okina had left. Now Misao¡¦s gone, she wondered what happened.
Suddenly the paper door slid open forcefully, and in came Kenshin. His cold gaze diminished when he saw Kaoru.
¡§Kenshin!¡¨ Kaoru smiled and walked up to him, ¡§How did it go?¡¨
¡§Kaoru¡K¡¨ Kenshin said in a low tone, Kaoru stepped back worriedly, her face of confusion and fear.
¡§Kenshin, what¡¦s wrong?¡¨
¡§We need to talk.¡¨
¡§Tell me what¡¦s wrong,¡¨ Kaoru said, taking his hand in hers. They sat on the porch, staring at the orange sky. A bird flew by.
¡§Okina-san¡K¡¨ he began, squeezing her hand, ¡§He seeks for my help.¡¨
Kaoru breathed in, staring at his lavender eyes, waiting.
¡§Yes?¡¨
Kenshin turned his gaze towards the young woman melancholy, ¡§Kaoru¡Khe wanted me to be involved in a battle,¡¨
Kaoru¡¦s eyes widened, her lips trembled. ¡§W-what?¡¨ she asked hesitantly.
¡§The Oniwabanshu clan was losing, and Okina-san wanted me to help them to gain back their pride.¡¨ He explained slowly, studying her reaction.
Kaoru¡¦s breathing quickened, fear filled her delicate features. She tried to find her voice, but no sound would come out.
¡§Kaoru?¡¨ Kenshin stared at her worriedly, his hands rested gently on her shoulder. ¡§Are you alright?¡¨
¡§N-no¡K¡¨ Kaoru croaked, Kenshin was about to say something when cut off by her, ¡§Y-you¡¦re going?¡¨ she asked in a small voice.
Kenshin sighed, ¡§I don¡¦t know, honestly.¡¨
¡§Don¡¦t go¡K¡¨ she repeated the words the night when they revealed their feelings to each other. ¡§Don¡¦t go!¡¨
Kenshin was surprised to see Kaoru¡¦s sudden outburst, ¡§Kaoru?¡¨
¡§You¡¦re the only one I¡¦ve got¡Konegai, I don¡¦t want to lose you!¡¨ Kaoru pleaded with her watery eyes, her hands stayed on his chest. Kenshin¡¦s eyes softened as he pulled her into a firm embrace, ¡§Quiet now, I didn¡¦t say I was going to help them¡K¡¨
Kaoru sobbed into his chest, shoulders trembling. ¡§I-I don¡¦t want to have that feeling of losing someone again¡K¡¨ Kenshin closed his eyes. ¡§Of course¡K¡¨ he said softly into her ear. He looked past the horizon.
What was he going to do?
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Kaoru opened her eyes, she turned over to expect the familiar face of Kenshin, but instead, she found none. She sat up on the futon and looked around for any sign of him. It was past midnight, where could he be? She clutched onto the soft cover, she needed time alone to think.
She hated herself.
She was being selfish for her own needs. While there are hundreds and hundreds of people outside, dying, she kept the Hitokiri to herself when he could be out there, helping the innocents.
She bit her lip. She knew she would do anything to prevent Kenshin involving the battle, but she knew that it wouldn¡¦t be right. She was the daughter of a famous politician, where did all the pride go? She was seventeen now, she could take care of herself; just would Kenshin take care of himself in the battle. He was the most feared assassin for kami-sama¡¦s sake. Of course he would be fine.
She stood up and tried to lift her head up. The thing that she needed the most now,
Courage.
-----==-----
He stared out the dark sky, where did all the stars go? Pieces of clouds sometimes would drift to block the pale moon, his killing aura surfaced.
Things are so familiar, while so different at the same time.
He had been in this situation thousands of times, where one would ask for his help for murdering. And he would obey. Killing.
But this time, he swore, it was the first time he was lost. He didn¡¦t know what to do. Kenshin smiled bitterly. The most feared assassin was confused, how foolish. But he knew what his problem was.
Kaoru.
Honestly, he felt atrocious. Who was going to take care of his Kaoru while he¡¦s away? Not even in the Oniwabanshu could Kenshin feel safe to rely his Kaoru under their caring. No one would. No one but himself. He felt scared. Simple.
The Legendary Hitokiri Battousai was scared of a seventeen, the beautiful, bold, spirited young daughter of a famous politician. Does that sound official to you?
Then he felt her presence.
Kaoru stepped behind the wooden pole, staring at Kenshin¡¦s broad back. She would have to do this. And when all of this is over, everything would be different. She would be living the life in her dreams, where only happiness exists.
¡§Kenshin?¡¨ Kaoru whispered into the night.
Kenshin turned to face her, gaze softening. ¡§Hey,¡¨
¡§Hey,¡¨ Kaoru stood beside Kenshin, both staring at the pale moon.
¡§I have something to tell you¡K¡¨ Kaoru said slowly and took a deep breath. Kenshin glanced at her sideways.
¡§What is it?¡¨
¡§It¡¦s about the battle,¡¨ she started in a calm voice, ¡§I¡K¡¨ she bit her lip. She tried again. ¡§I want¡K¡¨
¡§Kaoru, what are you saying?¡¨ Kenshin turned towards her fully and took her hand in his. The moonlight illuminated her beautiful face as she looked up at him. He caressed her hand with the back of his hand.
Staring at the Hitokiri standing in front of her, she brought her hands up to touch the cross scar, making him hers more than ever. She smiled sadly, how was she going to give up for him again?
¡§I¡¦m being selfish Kenshin¡K¡¨ she admitted softly with closed eyes, leaning in to his warmth. His breathing quickened.
¡§What do you mean?¡¨
¡§I kept you to myself, when you could be out there, helping the innocents.¡¨ Kaoru revealed her azure eyes, ¡§I want you to go, Kenshin.¡¨
Suddenly, he stopped. Kaoru was looking up at him with all the strength she could mutter, ¡§You must help the Oniwabanshu clan, they¡¦re all good people.¡¨ She choked as she fought back the surfacing tears.
Kenshin was having a hard time on his own. A moment ago she was begging for him to stay, and now she¡¦s telling him to go. His eyes burnt in amber flames.
¡§Talk to me Kenshin¡K¡¨ Kaoru begged, ¡§Or I know I wouldn¡¦t let you go, not ever¡K¡¨
¡§Why the sudden change?¡¨ Kenshin whispered, quavering.
¡§Because I wanted to be strong,¡¨ Unwanted tears flowed out of her eyes once more. ¡§Please say something¡K¡¨
¡§But there¡¦s nothing to say¡K¡¨ Kenshin swallowed the lump in his throat and stared into her watery eyes. Oh kami-sama, why must everything be so hard?
¡§You wanted me to go?¡¨ Kenshin asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer.
Kaoru nodded fervently.
Kenshin clenched his fist, ¡§Then¡Kif I¡¦m going, what about you?¡¨
¡§I¡¦ll be staying here. I¡¦ll wait for you.¡¨ Kaoru smiled through her tears.
Kenshin fought back his own urge to collapse, he grabbed her forcefully and crashed his mouth down to hers, making Kaoru cringe.
For a second, the moon seemed to shine brighter in the dark sky.
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Muahaha!!! I¡¦m SO evil! I made Kenshin go off to war!! *march flag around* the next part will be called ¡¥Wishing tomorrow never comes¡¨ it¡¦s kinda like a short one describing KnK and A+M relationship thing¡Kcuz they¡¦re going off to war *sniff* and stuff like that. To me I like it very much! Read and review everyone! Oh and Merry Christmas!! ^O^