Author's Note: And so forth with the story! Sorry if some of the information from last chapter didn't match up with previous chapters. I've kinda lost track of where I was going for a bit because of the change and re-do. What ever you read in the last chapter will be the truth I swear! If you were able to guest who the mysterious "Boss" is, good for you! I won't officially say until closer to the end of the story!

I've also done something a bit different with this chapter. Since I am using a poem for the story, each stanza of the poem was going to be a chapter. Although for my ideas for this chapter, I am actually using two stanzas, instead of making two chapters because they fit together so nicely. I also have plans to do this one or two more times.

Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin, Kaoru, or any of the other characters. I also do not own JL Conrad, or her poem August I do own the idea to this story though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.

Chapter 5: Memories of the Past

Since August five years ago
When you said, kiss me so I will

:---:

"What are your plans for the girl?"

"Nothing for now." The Boss answered, watching the cars far below him in downtown Tokyo.

"Then why are you having me watch her?"

"Partly because she is always with Himura, obviously they are dating, and are serious. I need to know what possibilities I may have with her. Or if Himura declines, what possibilities are there for that decision, and whether she will be able to be brought on as well if he does decline."

"I see." The subordinate standing in front of the boss's desk answered.

"What have you found out?" The boss asked, turning.

"She does have a special ability, I do not know what yet, but what I have heard from her and her friends it might be beneficial to you. Very beneficial."

"Hm. See if you can find out more about Himura's woman, and keep an eye on both of them still."

"Yes, sir. Is that all for now?"

"Yes. You may leave."

:---:

"Kaoru, have you tried reading Kenshin's memories?" Megumi asked as they sat in their dorm room Friday afternoon. It had been four days since they had found the diaries. Nothing that they had read getting them any closer to the why they were looking for.

"Not since we got the diaries. I've wanted to, but he worries about me when I read his thoughts and memories. I did it a couple of times when we first met, I don't remember them though. He won't say what they were, except that they were horrific." Kaoru responded.

"Maybe you should push the matter with him. Now that you've both read some of the diaries, it might bring new images up." Misao said.

"I was going to push the subject tonight when we go out. Maybe I'll be able to get somewhere."

"You probably will. Kenshin would do anything for you. He also wants to know as much as you do about what is happening to you both." Megumi said.

"Yes, I know. He also doesn't want anyone hurt, especially me."

"What have you found out about Kaoru from your readings?" Misao asked.

"Her past is creepily like mine, there are few differences, like, she didn't loose both parents at the same time, and women of that time didn't go to school, but other than that, it's pretty similar. Her mother died when she was a young child, of disease. Her father raised her and trained her in the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, the sword that protects, until she was about 16, then he died as well. At that point she took over running the dojo. She had to scrape by to live, and often taught at other sword schools. This was at the beginning of the Meiji, when sword techniques where loosing their battle against the government and the banned swords law. Kamiya Kasshin was a bit easier to allow because they don't use swords, but Bokken. That's about as far as I've gotten. I looked ahead a bit and it seems that she meets Kenshin Himura when she was about 18." Kaoru explained.

"Nothing about her having a skill like yours though?" Misao asked.

"Nothing. I don't even think she had an ability like mine." Kaoru asked.

"That's perplexing." Megumi asked.

"Tell me about it." Kaoru asked, getting up when the phone rang. "I feel like maybe our name and our similar pasts are our only connection." Kaoru said to the girls as she picked the phone up, "Hello, Kamiya Kaoru speaking."

"Kaoru, its Kenshin. I'm about to leave the apartment, Aoshi and Sano are coming with me so they can meet up with Megumi and Misao for the evening."

"Okay, see you in a few. Love ya." Kaoru said as each hung up the phone.

"Kenshin and the guys are leaving to come over." Kaoru said. "I guess this means I better finish getting ready. Hey, Megs, can I borrow that green dress of yours?"

"Sure, where are you guys going tonight?"

"I have no clue. It's so beautiful out, I thought that would work for pretty much anything though."

"Right about that. It'd look adorable on you too."

:---:

"Kenshin, will you let me read your memories?" Kaoru asked as they walked downtown Tokyo. It was warm for a spring evening, had they been in the country they would be able to see the lightening bugs and the stars, but they weren't, so they watched the neon lights of the city as they walked towards the park nearest campus.

"Kaoru, I've told you, I'd rather not hurt you like that. You don't remember much, if any, and what I remember I'd rather not." Kenshin responded.

"Kenshin, your memories could be a key to what we each have to remember. There might be something in your mind locked away that I'm meant to unlock, for you remember." Kaoru pleaded.

"Kaoru,"

"You won't be hurting me. It's just a reaction to the change in my body, that's all. A reaction." Kaoru said, referring to how she went rigid every time she read thoughts, memories of anyone.

"I hardly remember my own memories." Kenshin countered.

"Stop fighting me. The park is nearly empty, sit. You're not going to win this time Kenshin Himura."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Kaoru said, sitting next to Kenshin on the park bench in a more secluded part of the park. Kaoru said as she started peeling her gloves off of her hands, and taking Kenshin in her own.

:---:

The target was just ahead of him, he had him in sight. The rain was making it harder to see, but it did not deter him any from his goal this evening. He crept up to his targets and the blood splattered through the night's darkness, mixing with the rain, blood droplets falling like the peaceful rain had been.

:-:

The shadow fell across the hill as he watched the house, his memories, his only love, burn in the flames that consumed what he had become. And out of those shadows he emerged. He left them, walked far beyond where the light could reach.

:-:

The sadness nearly overwhelmed Kaoru as she continued to watch. She knew the man in these shadows was Kenshin. The high ponytail, the smell of blood, the smell of him, was still the same, the same as the man sitting next to her. She didn't know the connection, except for the sword, the style was Hiten Mitsurugi. And somehow, Battousai. The sadness that was in the soul of the man watching the flames was the same she often felt in Kenshin when he was quiet, thoughtful, possibly remembering.

:-:

"Coward! You kidnapped me because you couldn't fight and win against Kenshin otherwise!" Kaoru yelled to Jin-e who was standing in the clearing in front of the small shack with porch that she was kneeling on.

"Don't get it do ya?" Kurogasa asked, laughing. "I can finish the Battousai as he is now in less time than it takes to smoke a cigarette. That's no fun. Battousai will be angry when he arrives because I have kidnapped you, bringing the legendary Battousai out in his anger."

Time moved forward by a few minutes, Kurogasa Jin-e laughing as he talked to Kaoru. A twig snapped, causing Jin-e and Kaoru to look up.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled.

Kenshin and Jin-e took a few steps towards each other and drew their swords.

They clash swords for a few minutes, Kenshin reading Kurogasa's every move. Kenshin went in for the attack, moving as Kurogasa's sword hit his shoulder, Kenshin fell to the ground, blood spilling onto the ground from his shoulder. Kenshin remains on the ground, "Kenshin!" Kaoru calls out. He doesn't move, Kurogasa stands over Kenshin's body and taunts him. "You're horrible! You're a horrible, horrible beast!"

"Let your anger build in you." Kurogasa replies to Kaoru, speaking to Kenshin as well. He brings his eyes up to look Kaoru straight in the eye, holds the contact, a blinding light pierces the black night, lit only by the moon.

"Ken…shin." Kaoru says weakly as Kurogasa looks down to where Kenshin has brought himself onto his knees.

"Miss Kaoru, no!" Kenshin yells, "You bastard! What have you done to her?"

"I have placed a stronger version of the Shino-ippo on her. It is so strong that I have paralyzed her lungs. The girl can only last five minutes before she dies of suffocation."

"What!" Kenshin said as Kurogasa laughs.

"There are only two ways to overcome this attack. The first way is for the target to overcome it themselves, but this takes a very high swordsman spirit, one that this girl does not have." He explained. "The other is for the person who casts the Shino-ippo to be killed." He finished saying, watching the Battousai. "So are you going to let her die without lifting a finger?" Jin-e asked Kenshin.

The scene moved into another scene, Kaoru standing, looking out into the black sky as he approached her. He said something, but Kaoru couldn't hear in her thoughts what it was, and she turned, tears running down her cheeks. He slowly walked up to her, and pulled her close. Behind Kaoru's tears was a surprised look. He had never hugged her or touched her in any intimate way before, and her tears fell harder. He let go of her, slowly turned, and walked away in the moonlight.

As the scene shifted again, Kenshin laid on a futon, with Kaoru next to him on one side, and a woman doctor on the other side, attending wounds that could be seen all over his half clothed body. Kaoru's eyes had tears lining her eyes, ready to fall at any point.

"Is he going to be…?" Kaoru started, emotion catching in her throat.

"He's going to be fine, Kaoru." The other woman said, taking her hand and squeezing it as to reassure her. "He won't be able to withstand battles like this, and probably shouldn't fight at all anymore, but he will still be with us."

:---:

Kaoru let Kenshin's hands fall into her lap, her own hands going to her chest and throat. Kenshin brought her chin up to look into her eyes, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Kaoru."

"You're so sad sometimes Kenshin." Kaoru started. "I've felt it within your soul, I often thought that you didn't know why. I think I'm starting to understand where those feelings of sadness are coming from." She said, touching his cheek, not even thinking of what might happen.

"Kaoru…" Kenshin started to ask, but it was too late, she was already reacting to the touch.

:-:

He felt peace, a peace he had never felt before. Her scent filled his senses, he turned seeing her, waiting for him to go to town. He would sell his medicines, they would go to the market in a peaceful quiet, all the while pretending, lying, to those around them. They wouldn't know the difference though. They were also lying to themselves. He cherished these moments. Cherished them for he knew they would not last. Cherished them because he had rarely had moments to cherish before these moments with her.

:-:

Kaoru felt peace, love, and happiness roll through her body. Feelings that she felt now when she was with Kenshin, when they were laughing, having fun, making memories together and with their friends, the feelings that she often felt with him.

:-:

Laughter filled him. It had been so long since he felt that mirth within his body. It felt strange, coming from him, him, the legendary manslayer that had brought in the Meiji Era, Laughing. He looked at the people surrounding him. They were the reason he was laughing. Kaoru-dono, Gensai-sensei, Tae-san. They were his friends now, they accepted him as he had been.

:-:

He woke with a start. The sun was just starting to come through the slatted windows, falling across the room. He rolled over, expecting her to be next to him, but the other side of the futon was cold. He sat up, looking about the room, listening for sounds telling him that his wife was up, and safe. Giggling came from down the hall, coming closer as he listened. He laid back down, a smile on his face. The smile that had been permanently placed on his face for the past many years brightened as he heard her shush the young child and followed him to the futon. Once they were both settled under the covers, he wrapped his arms tightly around them both, reveling in the feeling of love, being loved, and most of all, being happy.

:---:

"What did you see?" Kenshin ask as Kaoru pulled away from him.

"Memories of Kenshin's. Ones dealing with happiness, and with love." Kaoru responded.

"Happiness and love?" Kenshin asked.

"Yes, in both parts of his life. Kenshin felt happy that people he met during his rurouni days accepted him as who he is, and was. It didn't matter to them that he had been the Battousai. The last image was one a sunny day. He had woken up, startled to find no one there next to him. A few minutes later a woman followed a little boy in, and Kenshin pretended to be asleep, and once they were both back in the futon, he held them both. He found love after what he had done in his past. That made him very happy, that his life was peaceful, that he was content." Kaoru said. Kenshin had wrapped her arms around her, and pulled her close to him as they looked at the sky through the trees there in the park.

She closed her eyes and the image of the woman through Kenshin's eyes came to her mind. She hadn't really seen her face, but the woman seemed so familiar. Kaoru wasn't sure what to think about the feeling of reciprocated love she had when the woman had moved closer to her son and Kenshin. It wasn't normal for Kaoru to feel the feelings of both parties in her visions, usually just the person's she was in contact with.

:---:

remember. My hands
caught the rail behind

:---:

Himura Shinta
1855

and written later:

For My Love, Kamiya Kaoru
Here is my life, for you,
an open book, as is my heart

"Hiko keeps calling me his 'Baka Deshi,' but I see the small smile on his face when I do something right or finally get a technique or a motion right. He told me at dinner tonight that I have improved greatly over the last year. I've been with him for five years now. He says I'm gaining quite a bit of muscle, toning up as he said. He said laughing that I would never be as big as he is though. I wouldn't want to be as big as Hiko though. He's huge, he towers over me with these huge muscled arms and long hair and that huge cape. He told me about the cape once, when I was littler. He said that it had been passed from one master, to the next master of Hiten Mitsurugi from the first one, to him, the thirteenth master. He said once I become a master, it would be mine. To tell you the truth, I don't want it, I would swim in it, its so wide in the shoulders and long in length. Maybe I would just fold it up and put it in a chest for special occasions. That would be a better plan."

:---:

Kamiya Kaoru
Written to my true love,
Himura Kenshin

I have loved you, I think possibly since the first time we met, on that day when I challenged you in the market place. You had such a gentle soul, even after I found out who you had been, it didn't scare me. You settled into my life, as I settled into yours. It's hard to think of what happened in those six months, hard to believe all of those events, all of those fights, all the friends found, were in six short months. One half of one year.

I have continued to love you all of these years, as I know you love me. Today I start this diary so that our son, and our descendents after him, may know the truth.

:---:

I have found a place where I can be content, be accepted, be happy. My life here at the dojo is one that is completely different of any other point in my life. Yahiko, Sano, Megumi-dono, Gensai-sensei. Kaoru-dono. Everyone, has made my life a peaceful one since the day that we met. Here is where I want to stay for my life. If Kami-sama allows it, I will be grateful for the second chance he has allowed me.

:---:

Kaoru sat up in her bed. She glanced over at her friends and thankfully found them sound asleep. She quietly got out of bed and made her way to the TV area of their room, to the refrigerator. There she grabbed a cup and the water pitcher. She sat down on the couch with her cup of water to think of the dream she had just awakened from.

Who was that? Was it Kaoru? It had to be she looked so much like me. And the boy, he had Kenshin's red hair with her blue eyes, it had to have been their son. It was the same little boy from yesterday's vision that she had when she looked into Kenshin's thoughts. Her dream had continued though, from when he was just a toddler, to his teen years, when he left to find Hiko. Hiko, Kenshin's master, the 13th master of Hiten Mitsurugi. Kenshin had been in her dream, but only when the child was young. What happened to him, had he died? No. No, Kenshin couldn't-wasn't dead. What had the boy said? Hm, oh yes 'Why won't father teach me? You've taught me your sword technique, why won't father! Why is he traveling all over Japan, why isn't he home!' Kaoru had just stared at him from where she was viewing the fight between mother and son. So he was alive. What caused Kenshin to leave again? He had felt so happy, Kaoru loved him, and he loved her. And what did the teen mean, Kenshin wouldn't teach him Hiten Mitsurugi?

Kaoru got up from where she was sitting. The best way to clear my head is to go for a walk. Kaoru thought as she slipped a jacket over her pajamas, put shoes on, and left a note for Misao and Megumi. Misao & Megumi, I had a bad dream and went for a walk to clear my head. Don't be alarmed if you wake up and I'm not here. K.'

:---:

Kaoru walked through town, staring up at the streetlights as she passed under them. As through her entire life, she was thinking why she had been chosen to have an ability like she did. Maybe she was the only one. Her recent thoughts and visions dealing with Kenshin made the entire thing seem like fate. She had always felt that her ability would lead her to something, or that it had been leading her to a specific something. A something that would change her life. Meeting Kenshin that night he saved her, and having their friends set them up, Kaoru was sure it was fated. Now all she had to do was figure out why it was fated.