Beyond the Beyond
by Uenki

I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 1: A House

She is a 22 year old office lady, currently working as an advertising manager. Most girls of her age had probably been married, with a kid or two. However, Kamiya Kaoru was different; she was single, bull-headed, very hot-tempered and was in a relationship that lasted for six years, which started from her high school days.

She was a grouchy woman in the mornings, with an ordinary looking figure and a face with refined features.

Currently, she was sitting in the café with her best friend, Makimachi Misao, who was ranting away complaining about her work and life. Kaoru just listened quietly, uninterestedly while fingering with the plastic spoon in her cup filled with coffee.

"Misao," she called, trying to stop the ranting, patience has its limits after all, "hello, earth to Misao?" Misao continued to blabber on and off and five seconds later, she halted abruptly. Her eyes focused on Kaoru.

"Did you call me?" She questioned, and Kaoru rolled her eyes instinctively. It was so like Misao to have a delayed reaction. Kaoru placed her cup on the table, and brushed the wrinkles out from her black working suit.

"Yes, five seconds back and still counting." Kaoru replied, humorlessly. Misao raised an eyebrow. It was not like Kaoru to be so grim in the morning, even if she was not a morning person. Misao eyed the other woman speculatively; it was so very interesting to Makimachi Misao, the number one gossiper in the company.

"So," Misao chirped, cheerfully, "was it something with your boyfriend again? Or have you made a rash decision and you're regretting it now?" Kaoru looked like someone has just stabbed a knife into her heart. Misao grinned, bingo.

"Both," Kaoru admitted. "Well you see, I was not demure, not pretty, with a flat chest, boyish," Misao interrupted with a soft gasp, her eyes as wide as saucepans. Her palms were clapped together and her eyes were sparkly.

"It was so unlike you to admit your bad points!" She exclaimed. Kaoru gave a huff of annoyance and folded her arms, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, I know I am bad… B-but… How could he…" She stuttered slightly, "we uh, quarreled. We were having a highly unstable relationship since January, and it's on the verge of despair now… I…" Kaoru took a deep breath that filled her lungs and sighed. Her sapphire orbs were glistening with unshed tears. Misao sympathized with the woman; Kaoru had worked hard for a relationship that lasted for six years, trying to please her boyfriend as hard as she could.

"So," Kaoru continued, "I used his money to buy myself a house under my name." She paused, expecting the loud and highly appalled reaction. It occurred instantly. Misao stomped on the ground and stood up, both of her palms slamming onto the table as she inched her face close to Kaoru.

"You did… what?"

Kaoru looked at the younger woman helplessly and smiled weakly. Misao took several minutes to calm down, as she glued herself to the seat.

"I guess you just have to grab the house. It's no use crying over spilt milk now." Kaoru nodded, obediently.

The day before, in a fit of anger, she grabbed her luggage out her boyfriend's house, and it's currently under her work desk. She has no choice but to move into the house.

"Fine, I will move into the house after my work."

-

That was what Kamiya Kaoru has concluded at breakfast. However, she regretted it when she was all alone at the pavement, trudging, pulling her heavy luggage on one hand and holding the address in another. She cursed inwardly, thinking where the hell the house was situated at.

As she stomped and grumbled, she never realized that she have reached the house until she was face to face with a white-washed cottage. It was an average cottage that does not look like it was abandoned for years. It has neatly trimmed grass and beautiful wild flowers at the front door.

She fumbled for the keys in her bag and opened the padlock at the metal gate, then stepped into the porch area. She approached the front wooden door and singled out another key before opening.

She entered the room, switched on the lights and was in awe. The floor was well polished, and was shining with glamour. The leathery couches were placed neatly and were cleaned beautifully. The television looked so new as if someone has just bought it recently. The utensils and the counters in the kitchen were gleaming at her.

"Wow. I didn't expect the agent would be hiring a cleaner just for me to buy the house," she murmured, grinning from ear to ear. She pushed the bedroom door open and squealed at the four poster bed with a two seated sofa leaning on the end of the bed and a sheathed sword hanging on the wall. Her bedroom was filled with warm and cozy lights. She pushed the luggage to the wall and flopped straight into the bed.

It was so warm, just like someone had slept into it moments ago.

Little did she knew, someone was sleeping in it moments ago, and he was watching her every movements. He was staring at her intently, studying the woman behind the bedroom door. A small smile reached his lips; he finally has a companion now.

He had been alone for years, even if she cannot see; he would be comforted with just someone warm in the house. Someone to fill this dead house with warmth and care.

He chuckled.

Kaoru snapped her eyes open immediately. Though it was barely audible, she was affirmed that she heard a chuckle. She sat up on the bed and glanced around. There was no one. She dropped onto the bed again, resting her head on the fluffy pillow.

"Was it my imagination?" she uttered to herself. The resounding silence replied her, as if they were mocking for her foolishness.

She huffed and threw the matter to the back of her mind. It was no biggie, she thought. Everything was made up; there is no ghosts, no spirits, nothing.

She pulled the bolster and covered her head. She sees nothing and feels nothing.

The man continued to watch with interest.

A/N: I posted the Prologue together with Chapter 1. It had been a while since I last wrote RK fanfiction, so please be gentle. I tried to come out with an original idea, so here it is. (: The story writes itself, so don't blame me if anything goes awry.

Uenki 3

Full Summary:

She bought a house. She could see him. He was a weird man. He was transparent, he was finding his past. He wanted to know his real name. Everything was unordinary. Her life was ordinary and uninteresting, until she met him. Things started to go horribly wrong, and she was soon tangled up into a complicated situation. KxK