Rain of Blood
By Vitreux
Standard Disclaimers Apply.
Chapter eighteen
How far will it go?
He stood leaning against the window, alone. It was easier being alone. Staring at the faint stars and light clouds before him, he couldn't help but wonder what he had done after so many things. After so many perfect, tragic, unforgettable things.
He was told to kill, to shut off any kind of possible emotions. He was meant to be dead.
Of course, he didn't know how many times he was reminded by himself for it. But something was different, he realized. When everyone was running off, scared just by seeing his flamed eye- there was her calming blue, soothing away his own darkest fears at the right time. When there was nothing but cold air that stubbornly clung onto him at night- there was her warm, passionate embrace.
And yet when everyone feared him, not even giving a chance to understand him- there was her… standing at the other side, waiting, silently supporting him in her own way.
What would it be like… without her? Would there still be someone who whispers the words he wanted to hear? Would there be someone who he can touch and feel and hold all the same?
He didn't have the courage to think on anymore.
Turning sideways to face the corridor instead of the moon, he wrapped himself mentally. He couldn't live through nights like this alone. He needed someone to tell him it was all right, to calm his fiery mind.
"Don't you understand…?" he whispered harshly, not directing it to anyone. "I am standing here, now, because of you. Because of you, I found the reason in life again… because of you…"
"I understand… I know how you think and what you think exactly." A pair of frail arms surrounded his neck from behind just when he heard those words. His heart felt complete to an emotion lost so long ago. Closing his eyes, he was afraid to let the tears fall.
"Tell me… what am I thinking now?" he croaked.
"You are thinking… is this real?" as she said this, he turned around and met her eyes.
She was alive, more than alive. She was beautiful. A small smile crept upon her pale face, even though the moonlight was dim, he could still make out her features.
How could he possibly forget?
"You… you…"
"Shhh…" Kaoru quieted and brought her hand up to his teary face. "I missed you."
His lips trembled and he reached up to hold her arms. He found it hard to speak. She leaned in to his broad shoulders, head resting softly on his chest. "You're trembling, Kenshin." She whispered.
The hitokiri buried his face in the base of her neck like a little boy, not speaking, just listening to her calm breathing. For a while neither of them spoke. Under the moonlight, on the wooden port they stood.
"Your wound."
Kaoru pulled away as Kenshin stared at her face intently. She reached out to grasp his hand in hers, and guided them softly inside the yukata she wore. Kenshin felt it. Under her right breast, a thin scar rested. He touched it lightly at first, then clasped the whole wound. Staring up into her clear azure eyes, he leaned in closer and slid her yukata down her right shoulder, before breathing hotly on her skin. Kaoru let out a soft breath as he kissed the scar; his arms pressed firmly on her back and pulled her against him.
His lips grazed pass her wound and Kaoru lifted her head up against the sky, her hands grasping his flamed hair. He then tilted up to capture her lips with his passionately, searching for the fervor lost so long ago. He found them, when she asked him to take her inside.
He lifted her up in a swift motion, and walked into the dark corridor as quiet as if it never happened. All you hear is a soft 'click' after he slid the paper door closed.
***
Kaoru lifted the letter down and became quiet; turning sideways to see Kenshin's expressionless face and she wondered what he had in mind.
"About the letter… what are you going to do?"
His brows twisted into a thin frown. Kaoru knew he was feeling responsible again. "You know… wherever you go I'll always be by your side. That's the least I can do."
Kenshin looked at her "Kaoru," he sat down in front of her and held her hands. "This time, I want to hear your voice. Tell me what you have in your mind, and we'll go anywhere you like… I don't want to force you."
A warm wave flooded her heart as she smiled. "No, Kenshin…" she touched his face. "I am saying this because I wanted to. I am staying with you because I want to stay with you… haven't you noticed how I feel?"
Kenshin was wordless for a long time; he bowed down his head and stared down at the floor, hiding the expression he wore that he was afraid to show. Kaoru wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed, "Hasn't it always been like this?"
"Yes… it has always been like this." He returned the embrace. "You always put me before yourself. Think more about your safety… if you're hurt…" he leaned more into her. "I'll be very exhausted."
Kaoru smiled, "Look at what you just said, and you get more bruises than I do."
"I would rather have my arms cut than seeing you hurt."
The evening found them like that, giving each other replies back and forth over and over again. Kaoru then knew what the hitokiri had decided, and she wasn't planning against it. She had told him before, hadn't she? She would always be with him no matter what.
"I can't be insensitive anymore. Many people had shed their lives because of me."
A while later, she asked, "When are we leaving?"
He straightened his body as determination filled his voice.
"Tomorrow. I want this to end as fast as possible."
***
Toki walked into the long corridor and knocked on the wooden attachment lightly. Evening came sooner than she expected, she thought inviting Battousai and Kamiya for desserts wouldn't be bad.
"Battousai-san? Kamiya-san?" she questioned, but no reply came. She knocked again. "It's me, Toki."
Silence.
Carefully, she slid the paper door open and peeked inside. It was empty. Confusion etched upon her face as she ascended inside to take a better look. The futons were neatly done, all were clean as if they're never been slept on. Her eyes traveled around, but stopped when she noticed a note on the table.
Toki-san,
I'm sorry for our abrupt departure, we cannot stay here. Troubles will come; we must keep our tracks hidden.
Kaoru and I cannot say how thankful we are, you've helped us so much. Someday somehow we will find a way to thank you.
Battousai
"Find a way to thank me ne?" Toki laughed silently to herself. "How honored for me of him to say that." Placing the letter down, she watched as the sunlight lit up the room in a tranquil way. She thought maybe… she just saw Battousai and Kamiya smiling at each other beside the window.
"Good luck." She closed her eyes and smiled.
***
"How long is it going to take us, Kenshin?"
"Maybe a week, or more. I can't say." The hitokiri paused as the couple stopped in the middle of the road. "This is the second time, isn't it?"
"Nani?"
"The second time we travel, but this time, we are facing our past. Not running away again." He showed her a sad smile and began walking once more.
Treading beside Kenshin, Kaoru suddenly said something he wasn't expecting.
"I'm so proud of you, Kenshin."
Kenshin stopped his tracks and stared at her.
"Truly, so much." A genuine smile crept upon her face as she met his eyes.
Perhaps it was the smile on her face, or the words she spoke had the expressionless Battousai stutter. "L-let's just get going."
Kaoru giggled in bewilderment, and she teased, "Wow is the fearsome Battousai blushing?"
"I'm not blushing."
"Yes you are! I know you're embarrassed… but it's okay, I forgive you." The amusement on her face was far more than his own. Kenshin looked away from her bright smile and sighed.
"Do you always have to taunt me?"
"Well maybe changing the expression on your face helps you relax. Doesn't it?"
"Not really."
Kaoru gave him a questioning look. "What does then?"
"Maybe…" he looked deviously at Kaoru. "Oh I don't know."
"Don't flatter yourself. Tell me!"
Kenshin leaned into her and captured her lips in quick kiss. Kaoru had a light scowl on her face when he pulled away and said "Let's get going already. We haven't got much time."
"Yeah sure Kenshin, I'm sure we've got plenty of time." She ran to him and locked his hand with her own, while leaning against his broad shoulder.
To Tokyo.
Minna-san… *hides* this chapter was kind of short…hai…gomen nasai!! It's just that exams and even my birthday is coming up!! Jan 12^^ I tried my best for a quick update. And I finished this in like what, two hours? I promise the next chapter will be longer than this, of course.
Hope all of you haven't forgotten this piece!! I'm truly sorry for the slow update! And the voting showed that Kenshin and Kaoru are going back to Tokyo and deal with Katsura!! Well that will add a lot of chapters to this ficcie *hugs*
Review so I know what you think!!