Rain of Blood
Standard disclaimers Apply.
Chapter seventeen—Take me home
He often stared at her face, wondering, hoping that sometime soon, she would open her brilliant blue eyes he longed to see.
"Wake up soon Kaoru, so I can see your eyes again." He often said gently to that unconscious form on the futon. He would stroke her face, brush away the dark strands of her hair away and he would kiss her on her closed eyelid.
It was his everyday routine.
Slowly, hours turned to days, days turned to weeks. He lost track of time, but he never lost his hope. Everyday the paper door of the room where she slept opened and closed. He became used to it. Used to the fact that she would not wake up soon in her long sleep. But he could wait. It was something he promised with his life to that young woman. And he would wait- if it meant the rest of his life.
After that incident- the fight with Enishi, he collapsed with Kaoru in his arms, and went unconscious. He never had the chance to open his eyes after a few weeks. He woke up in a clinic somehow, surprisingly he found out the doctor who took care of both Kaoru and him was a friend of Megumi. Her name was Toki.
"Where's Kaoru Toki-san? Is she all right?" that were his first words to the doctor, and she smiled, telling him that she will be fine. A coma had struck her, but she'll recover. The only matter was time.
Where was Enishi then?
He disappeared and Kenshin did try to search for his news in Kyoto. But unfortunately he received nothing. Enishi could've killed him when he went unconscious… why didn't he? Why did he leave? Is he still alive?
"I think Enishi understands now, Kaoru…" he said while lying beside her on the futon. Just as he expected, no reply came. He continued on, "Maybe he did find the answer to his question…just like I have found mine." He gathered her cold hand into his calloused ones, and stared at her closed eyes.
"You're the answer to everything Kaoru. The revolution, and how history repeated… I know now. Gomen nasai for not realizing it sooner koishii… I was foolish enough." He paused. "Will you forgive me?"
Her breathing slowed.
"Ever since I met you… I had visions about you and me lives ago… visions about our past time. Someone said to me that history repeats itself over and over again until one brings an end to it. I think this is it Kaoru. It is the end of this replicate cycle. And…and it's all because of you." He said gently. "You should have never blocked the blow that was meant for me Kaoru. It was my battle. My battle alone. I thought I have been through it only once before, but in truth…I've been through it, time and time again. Do you know?"
Kenshin turned to face her, he felt his throat throbbed.
"There are so many memories within us that are so far to reach…I failed so many times, all because of one decision. Why did you take the fall for me Kaoru? Why do things have to end up like this? I would rather die again and again…than having to see you like this." Something wet traced along the outline of his eyes, something foreign to him. He blinked and tears fell, hot and salty.
Toki paused behind the shouji door. Every word he said she had heard. Closing her eyes, she decided it was not the best time to interrupt. But gods knew why when she accidentally kicked the paper door, causing it to ruffle.
Kenshin lifted his head up and stared at the black figure behind the shouji door. "Toki-san?"
She slid it open. "Gomen nasai for interrupting Battousai-san, I was-" then she stopped. Was that tears she saw?
Kenshin blinked and abruptly, he turned away from her and brushed his tears away. "F-forgive me," he muttered.
"Iie," Toki breathed out.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them, until the doctor spoke, "I've made some sweet cakes, perhaps you would join me?"
Kenshin glanced at the sleeping figure beside him.
"She needs rest." Toki assured.
He nodded and placed a soft kiss on Kaoru's forehead and left the room, before stealing a last look toward her sleeping form. His eyes saddened.
The shouji door slid closed.
"She must be very import to you." Toki said and drank her tea.
"She is." Kenshin replied, then fell silent again.
"If you don't mind me asking, Battousai-san, can you…tell me about her?" she asked, her eyes resting on the redheaded assassin.
No reply came.
Toki felt ashamed on asking such a private question toward the legendary warrior. "I shouldn't have asked that, perhaps-"
"She had long, black hair, darker than any nights in Kyoto." He started slowly. Toki became quiet, and listened as he continued on.
"Her eyes are the bluest I've ever seen. Even when she was upset, there was so much life in them. Always this look of sweet innocence. And her smile…it made me feel like I was flying every time I saw her smile. Just to know that she was happy, made everything all right. Just to know that she was safe. When I was with her it was like finding heaven. Just her presence made me feel like I could do anything, be anything. She gave me so much confidence without words." He paused, then spoke again. "And…she could always sense when I was upset, and she always knew how to make me feel better." To this point he smiled, "She was the kindest, gentlest person I'd ever met, and I loved her for it. I loved her for everything. Even when she was angry, and would yell at me…even then I loved her. I would give anything just to hear her yell at me one more time."
Toki could sense the sadness that weighed his every word, even when he smiled. "She must be very generous."
"She is, the most giving person I have ever met." Kenshin finished quietly, still holding onto that distant look in his eyes. He whispered to himself, "The most important."
Toki placed down her teacup on the table and a smile tilted her lips, "Megumi-san told me all about you when I was back in Tokyo," she met his eyes, "She is very fond of you."
He didn't say anything.
She raised her cup again and sipped the tea, "She wrote me a letter. I received it a week ago." She felt him stiffen.
"In the letter, she told me you just…disappeared. She thought you might be here in Kyoto. With a girl."
"How…how did she know?" he stuttered.
"You're the one she knew best, Battousai-san. Never underestimate her judgment, she does have a clever mind." Toki loosened her grip on the teacup. "She saved the both of you, you know."
Kenshin stared at her.
"It is because of her you are here now, being taken care of in a clinic. She informed me before it's too late." Kenshin turned his gaze away.
"She asked me to give you something," she took the letter out of her pocket and placed it on the table. Studying his features carefully, she pushed the paper to him. "It's for you."
Kenshin stared at the letter for a few seconds, pondering on what he should do.
"It's all right. Open it." Toki assured.
He hesitantly reached out his hand and grasped the paper, and brought it to his own hands. He opened them carefully and soon the doctor's steady writing greeted his eyes.
Ken-san, it wrote.
I'm under the impression that you will be in Kyoto. Thankfully I have a friend of mine over there, she's also a doctor. I trusted her and her knowledge on medics is far more wiser than me.
She must be right there with you now, isn't she?
Kaoru.
Over the days she stayed in my clinic, I learned to love her like my own sister. She has a kind heart, a pure one that no one can compare to. Forgive me Ken-san, I was foolish before to say those cruel words. I did not mean to choose the best and worst for you. And you are right. No one can decide your way of life. You have to fight for your own.
Kaoru is everything to you, isn't she? I can see it in your eyes. You have fought for your own happiness Ken-san. That is why I must tell you; don't come back to Tokyo again. Things have gotten worse ever since I remembered.
When Katsura-san knew about your departure, he became mad. He sent people to my doors, demanding to know your position. I didn't tell him, but it's up to you to save your own life…and Kaoru's as well. I could only tell you and do so this much.
Please, for her and for you. Keep your own safety and contentment. Keep your track hidden.
-Megumi Takani
Kenshin breathed in slowly, his muscles tightened. Katsura…he must be furious. His eyes stayed on the line; don't come back to Tokyo again. He read it over and over again just to make sure the words were there.
Not going back to Tokyo? The new thought dawned on him and he became quiet. Not going back to Tokyo…
"I'll leave you in your own thoughts Battousa-san. I will stay beside Kaoru for now." Toki said in silent and left him.
He never moved.
=======*=======
She was standing in front of her dojo.
The wind blew and her eyes fluttered in confuse…what happened? Why was she here? She remembered the last blow she took instead of Kenshin…where was he? Where was Kenshin?
Her blue eyes surveyed the Kamiya dojo, the place where she grew up…the place she once called home.
I must be dreaming…
It looked really gorgeous, not a hint of dust, but brand new as if it was just built. She felt as if a concealed string was pulling her inside, guiding her like a lost child. Slowly, she took the first step, hands trembling just a little. With courage, she opened the front gate and went inside.
Light streamed her vision and she held up a hand to block it. After blinking a few times, she revealed her brilliant eyes to meet the memorable background.
She heard laughter, mirth which belonged to a young girl. Her whole being seemed to relax by the melodious sound. It sounded so peaceful, so serene. She opened her eyes just in time when a little girl skipped bubbly and hopped into the picture, the smile on her face could light up a whole room.
The little girl bent down, playing with a flower that grew on the dusty ground. Kaoru watched her back, staring at the recognizable ravened hair. Her eyebrows knotted together slightly at all the familiarity.
As if on cue, the little girl with black hair stood up and turned to Kaoru. The young woman took a step back hesitantly, pondering on what she should do. To her surprise, the little girl giggled and ran up to her. In an instant Kaoru found herself staring at her own eyes, like a mirror reflecting her past.
"Kaoru-chan! Kaoru where are you?"
Kaoru froze at the masculine voice. Her eyes widened and her head lifted up without warning.
"OTOU-SAN!" the little girl yelled gleefully and ran away from Kaoru's sight. Kaoru's heart pounded against her chest, and stared in front at the empty ground the little girl had stood upon.
"C'mon big girl! Our dear Okaa-san has made some sweet cakes for us! Your favorite!"
"Honto honto?" excitement sparkled the little girl's tone as she jumped up and down, "Yatta!"
The tall man chuckled. Kaoru blinked repeatedly and watched as he lifted the young girl up to his shoulders and sang along with her, walking back into the dojo.
Hot tears began to fall unnoticed by Kaoru. She wanted to shout out, to cry out and chase after them.
"Wait," her voice croaked hoarsely, "Wait!" She followed them and cried, "Wait- otou-san!!"
It was him. It had to be. The dark hair, those firm eyes and strong body…it must be him.
Her dear otou-san.
The little girl was herself, she realized. She felt like she flew back time, to the very core of her heart. Her heartbeats never slowed when she reached the shouji, and there they were, sitting calmly around a small counter.
Her family.
Kaoru's hands went up to her chest, feeling the loud thumps that followed. She saw her family, sitting alive in front of her. Alive. Not dead…not deceived…but alive and breathing. Her younger brother was there too, giggling as otou-san swept a mouthful of sweets into his little mouth.
"Anata! You're going to choke him! He's only two years ago…" her okaa-san scowled gently and wiped the stains off his mouth.
A relieved smile touched Kaoru's lips as she watched them from behind. They were all right. Her family was fine. Safe. Happy. Contented.
But suddenly, the laughter had gone out and her family disappeared, leaving the little girl searching frantically around. The little girl sniffed and cried, sliding onto the tatami sheets hopelessly. Kaoru's heart stopped and she looked around, "Okaa-san? Otou-san?"
The little girl began to fade too. Kaoru gasped and ran to her, hands reaching out to touch the youngster…but was met by solid air. Quiet struck the whole dojo; the only sound was her panic breathing.
"No! Please no! Okaa-san! Otou-san! Where are you?!" she shouted but no reply came. She swallowed and her eyes darted to the only shouji straight ahead of her. She lowered her head and walked to it, before sliding it open.
Another scene greeted her as she blinked again. A different aura blended in and she saw someone's backside facing her. The flamed red hair was painfully certain; she found the tears surfacing again.
"Kenshin…" the word escaped her mouth like a whisper.
Slowly, the redhead turned around, she met the scar on his face and later his whole feature. He smiled at her. He was wearing a different gi, and his face was gentle. No longer did he have a sorrowful face or knotted eyebrows, but replaced by a pair of tender violet eyes. He looked calm.
"Kaoru-dono," he said.
Kaoru stood there, her eyes stayed on the hitokiri. Kaoru-dono? Why is he calling me that? What's happening? Someone tell me!
She made a sound to move when suddenly, he began to walk toward her. Kaoru felt paralyzed as she watched. When he was no more than centimeters apart in front of her, she reached out her hand to touch him when he walked passed her. Her blue eyes trembled with tears and she whirled around, only to see somebody else wrapping her arms around his neck. Kaoru couldn't see the face of the young woman, not until she tilted her head.
Realization struck her and she stumbled back, tears trailing down her cheeks freely.
Kenshin closed the gap between him the young woman and brought down his head, his arms wrapping around her tightly. Kaoru watched as herself smiled against his lips and complied with equal amount of passion. His hand moved up and loosened the indigo ribbon and her black hair spread down like a waterfall.
Kaoru slid down to the floor, she could think no more and her eyes stayed on the couple, each throwing the fervor toward another she had never seen before.
"Tadaima Kaoru…"
"Okaeri nasai…Shinta."
Everything went black.
Minna-san!! Gomen naisai for not updating in a VERY long time ne! Gomen! I was actually sneaking to get this chap uploaded…hai, I got exams tomorrow! And I can't believe I'm sitting here instead of studying…^^'
So, does this chappy explain to you the confusion earlier? The 'cycle' I meant were the lives that K&K lived through. Kenshin was suppose to die after Enishi killed him, and the cycle will repeat again…and another life for K&K will take its place. But then Kaoru in the last chapter decided to take the blow from Enishi INSTEAD of Kenshin…so that stopped the eternal cycle.
The last part where Kaoru saw her family and the rurouni (Kenshin) belong to a part of her past lives too…the dojo was kind of like a key to her past. And she was remembering those memories. ^^' Is that too hard to understand? If so…gomen I'm not a good author __
AT LAST!! Hmmm I have two ideas in my mind right now…so I want you minna-san to vote:
1. Kaoru wakes up from her coma and together they live in Kyoto, and will start a new life. This meant that they are not going back to Tokyo.
2. OR Kaoru wakes up and Kenshin decided to go back to Tokyo…and deal with Katsura the boss O_o.
In the end, it will only be a matter of time ne? MORE CHAPTERS please choose 2. If you want this fic to end please choose 1. ^__^
START VOTING MINNA-SAN!!! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!!!!
Oh, and don't forget my newest fic 'Daddy's Ten Rules of Engagement'!
More to come!!