Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin… I'm going to say it because I say it in every chapter (it's illegal)

Whispers of the Wind

Chapter 4: The Chill of the Wind

Kenshin stared at Aoshi. "Wh-what?" Was all he could choke out.

"Just come with me, I'll explain on the way to the hospital." Aoshi grabbed Kenshin and pulled him down the hall, muttering, "Kenshin, this isn't the time to go into shock!"

Soon they were in the car and Kenshin stared blankly ahead, his thoughts were this: I'm the one who kept her out last night. It's all my fault. It's all my fault. It's all my fault.

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Kaoru lay in the hospital bed, tubes connecting her to several machines. She felt weak and wet. She moaned up to her mother, "Mom… get rid of the water. Please…"

She felt something soft on her forehead and the water was gone. Kaoru smiled and she heard someone sniffle. "Mom… don't cry…"

"It's all my fault," her mother whispered.

"How can it… be your fault…? You… adopted me…" (hahaha! Now you know!)

She didn't answer and Kaoru heard the door open. A low voice whispered something and her mother nodded, said to her, "I'll be just outside dear." And left.

Kaoru shifted her head and opened her eyes. The person she'd expected to see wasn't the person who stood before her. "What… do you… want, Enishi?"

The tall man smiled, and pushing some silver hair from his eyes. Glasses covered his eyes, but Kaoru knew what they looked like and she could seem them glisten as he took a step closer to the bed. "I was so upset, Kaoru-chan," He sneered. "When I heard you'd fallen ill. So I rushed right over here."

Kaoru struggled to make her voice empty, "That was awfully kind of you, but you should return to class. You are the teacher."

"But you are my most treasured student."

Kaoru flinched. "Honestly, you don't-"

The door opening and Kenshin charging in, Aoshi and Kaoru's mother hot on his heels, interrupted her. Kenshin froze upon seeing Enishi and Kaoru colored. Stiffly, Kenshin bowed. "Sensei," he muttered, face turning red.

"Kenshin," Kaoru said quickly. "What are you doing here? What about school?"

Kenshin, upon being addressed by his love, turned quickly away from Enishi, forgetting he was even in the room. "I had to come," Kenshin said softly, kneeling by her bed, pushing wet hair from her face. He smiled slightly, "A thousand storms could not keep me away." ((aww!))

Kaoru blushed and smiled, leaning into his touch.

Enishi cleared his throat. "This all very touching," he said, causing Kenshin to get to his feet. "But I have a matter to discuss with Kaoru… alone."

Kenshin glared at him. "I'm not leaving."

"Now, now," Kaoru's mother said, finally entering the room. "Kenshin, please, let Enishi sensei speak with Kaoru."

Kenshin looked reluctant to go, but he wanted Kaoru's mother to like him, so with a sigh and peck on the cheek, Kenshin left Kaoru, whispering, "I'm right outside."

Kaoru looked at Enishi, "What do you want?" she asked.

Enishi smirked. "I want…" he leaned closer and licked his lips. "I want you."

Kaoru's eyes widened and she pushed him away. "What's wrong with you?"

Enishi grinned wider, and took a step closer. "Nothing, I've had my eye on you for quite awhile."

Kaoru looked around, nervous. "What… what about my AIDS?"

"I can over look such a defect." He leaned closer and lowered his face toward Kaoru's.

"Get away!" Kaoru shrieked and Kenshin charged in, tearing Enishi off Kaoru. Aoshi was in in the next second and held the perverted teacher in his iron grip.

Enishi glared at Kaoru's mother. "What the h (I'm on a no swearing thing, for my church) What's the meaning of this? You gave me the okay!"

Kaoru was pulling herself out of bed and she froze, covers halfway off her. "Mom… you allowed this?"

Kaoru's mother turned red. "Dear! He promised to take care of you! I thought you'd be happy!"

"Happy? How could I be happy…?" Kaoru turned away from her mother and pushed Kenshin away. As she turned back to them after a few moments, tears were in her eyes. "I hate you!" She screamed, pushing them aside and running down the hall. "I hate you all!"

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Kenshin stared after her, watching as she staggered down the hall. He wanted desperately to chase her, but his legs wouldn't move. Not with those last words ringing in his ears. "I hate you all!"

Aoshi had thrown Enishi to the ground and had come up behind Kenshin, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Go after her man. Go after her and find her. And tell her you love her."

Kenshin looked down. "Do I Aoshi? Do I really?"

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Kaoru sat in the park, freezing in her hospital gown. She rubbed her arms as tears fell down her cheeks, freezing before they hit the ground. Stupid Mom, Kaoru thought angrily. Stupid Enishi, stupid Kenshin, stupid AIDS, stupid ME! She broke into sobs at this, rocking back and forth as her shoulders shook violently. "Not," she whispered. "Not stupid Kenshin. Come and find me. Hold me. Make me all better. Make me forget… I have this… disease… make me forget I have… AIDS."

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Kenshin sat in his room, staring out at the snowy scenery. Hiko knocked on the door and after he'd opened it leaned on the doorframe. "What day is it?"

"Day four," Kenshin said without looking up.

"You should be out their finding her."

"She doesn't want me to find her."

"Sure she does, kid."

"She said she hated me."

"She was upset with her mom, she really wants you to be there, holding her."

"Maybe I don't want to find her."

"Why is that?"

Kenshin didn't answer.

Just then there was a knock on the door and Hiko sighed, muttering, "Stupid kid." Before leaving to answer the door. He returned a few minutes later, a young woman in tow. She had long, black hair, black eyes and a decently attractive face. "Someone's here for you."

Finally Kenshin turned and Hiko noticed his eyes brightened. "Tomoe!" Kenshin cried, jumping to his feet. He rushed forward and hugged the girl. But as Hiko stood there, watching, he noticed Kenshin face was still thick with sadness, even pain.

Hiko sighed and turned his back on them, closing the door. As the door was about close he whispered, "Don't do this Kenshin."

Kenshin shut his eyes tightly, burying his face in Tomoe's shoulder. Desperately wanting the tears to go away, wanting the pain to go away.

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Kaoru stared up at the cloaked figure, frozen solid. Her blue lips moved slowly, forming the word, "Aoshi"

Her brother leaned down, shrugging off the cloak and pushing it around her shoulders. "Come on, kid. Time to go home."

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Kaoru sat in the hospital bed, staring glumly at her hands.

"You could have died out there!" Her step-father was yelling. "Do you understand how much you scared us?"

Aoshi was sitting next to her, holding her hands.

Kaoru looked up at "father". "I'm sorry… really I am… just please… let me be…"

Her "father" sighed and nodded, taking his wife with him out of the room.

Aoshi smiled at her, "Dad's just a little upset. He was so worried."

"At least he cares."

"We all care, Kaoru, all of us."

"And who is 'we'?"

"Your mom, Dad, me, Misao…"

"Not Kenshin though… did he even try to find me."

Aoshi looked down. "No Kaoru," he whispered. "He didn't."

Kaoru felt the tears and shut her eyes tight, trying to make it all go away. The tears… and the pain.

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Kenshin was at dinner when he got the call. He stood there, rooted to the spot, holding the phone limply. From the table, Tomoe and Hiko watched him. Finally Hiko asked, "What is it?"

"It's Kaoru," Kenshin said slowly, returning the phone to the cradle. "They found her."

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Kenshin took a deep breath and gripped Tomoe's hand firmly. "Let's go." He said and pushed the hospital door open.

Kaoru looked up, her face become bright, but soon the color drained from her face. "Kenshin…" she said softly.

Aoshi was on his feet in a moment and standing between his sister and Kenshin. "What the h are you doing here with her?"

Tomoe looked down and Kenshin growled, "Be nice, Aoshi!"

"Why should I? You don't help me find my sister, the woman you said you loved! And then when we find her, you show up with another woman!"

"Quiet Aoshi."

Both men looked at Kaoru who had her face down, bangs covering her eyes. "It doesn't matter," she continued. "Kenshin's moved on. Let him be." To Kenshin she said, "It's nice to see you again."

Aoshi glared at Kenshin before returning to Kaoru's side.

Kenshin walked forward and said, "Kaoru, this is Tomoe… my girlfriend."

Kaoru looked up, trying her best to smile through the tears. "Nice to meet you."

Tomoe nodded, saying dryly. "You too."

Kaoru shook her head, tears forcing their way out. She turned away and Aoshi was on his feet again. "You've done enough, just get out."

When Kaoru didn't correct Aoshi, Kenshin sighed and left, looking back one final time with his heart breaking at her shaking form.

A/N: Don't hate me! Don't throw things at me! I'll fix it all I promise! I needed some drama. In case you didn't pick up. Kenshin is taking Kaoru's words to heart the "I HATE YOU" thing but he still loves her. He just wants to move on and is horrible at it. So yeah… it will all right itself in the next few chapters, I'm going end this baby soon. I hope you like it and that the chapter was long enough!