Author's Note: Hey, sorry it's taken a bit longer than I thought to get this up! It's had a lot of different parts to it, as you'll find out and some difficult parts as well, so that everything will fit together. This is the second to last chapter, so please enjoy!

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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. I do not own Dragon Half or DVD…haha!

Chapter 10: Walking in the Dark

receding into the hot summer
dark. Tonight, you walk

:---:

"Are you about ready Kaoru?" Kenshin asked through the door.

"Yes, I'll be right out!" Kaoru said as she finished putting her hair up in a ponytail. The group had come back to the apartment, had dinner and a short time later Kenshin and Kaoru were getting ready to leave for their meeting with Katsura-san. This meeting would be in a different place, Katsura saying the only one who knew was Iizuka

"Okay Kenshin, I'm ready to go." Kaoru said coming out into the living room.

"Okay, let's meet with Katsura." Kenshin said, opening the door for Kaoru.

"Good luck guys." Everyone said as they left the apartment.

:---:

"Kenshin, do you know what your answer is?" Kaoru asked quietly as they walked through the park where Katsura-san was waiting for them.

"Yes, I've known it since shortly after our meeting." Kenshin answered her.

"How did you figure it out?"

"I'm not sure. I was reading the diaries after we returned from our last meeting. Something that Kenshin reported on Katsura made me decide." Kenshin responded. "Have you decided yet?"

"Yes, but I decided for far less." Kaoru said. "I had a feeling. Like one of my dreams or visions."

"It doesn't matter why. As long as what you decide is what you believe is true." Kenshin said. "Look, he's just up ahead."

"Himura-san, Kamiya-san, it's a pleasure to see you again. " Katsura said as they walked towards him.

"It is nice to see you again as well Katsura-san." Kenshin said, bowing slightly.

"Good evening Katsura-san." Kaoru said, also bowing slightly.

"Good evening Kamiya-san, Himura-san."

"Konnichiwa Katsura-san." Kenshin said, looking at the man standing before them. The park was fairly dark, the moon had risen, but it was only a half moon and didn't shine and reflect as much light as they needed. The area Katsura-san had chosen was by the small lake and was not as well lit as the rest of the park due to the lesser number of streetlamps.

"It's a beautiful night is it not? I come past here every evening going home and stop on such evening as this one. It reminds me of my many memories. Memories I'm sure you share some of. Blood spurting in the moon light, looking almost black." Katsura said, turning to face the couple.

"Yes. But we are not in those times anymore. They are simply what you called them just now, memories." Kenshin said quietly.

"Yes, they are just that. But we learn from those memories, don't we? We learn that history can not repeat itself."

"Yes, we can change so that history does not repeat itself. That is often for the best." Kenshin said.

"I assume you have both made up your minds on the topic of both of you working for me?"

"Yes sir. Kaoru, would you like to tell him your answer first?" Kenshin asked.

"Sure. Katsura-san, I am very honored at having you choose me to work for you, but it is not what I wanted to do, and even though I have thought of it, I have my aspirations and would like the attain those goals. I'm very sorry, but working for you does not move me closer to those goals." Kaoru said, bowing to him in gratitude after her answer.

"I'm pleased to hear your answer even if this job is not in your future, I'm glad you are not moved as easily as other, but stick to your goals. I will be sorry not to have you as my employee, but I will look forward to possibly collaborating with you possibly?"

"I would love that opportunity Katsura-san." Kaoru said smiling as she bowed.

"Himura-san, have you also chosen not to work under me?" Katsura said, turning to Kenshin.

"Yes, but I have learned from Kenshin's words. Although it wasn't you specifically, the revolution changed Himura for the rest of his life, I don't want that some outcome. And, along with Kaoru's decision, I have goals I would like to accomplish and your company is not within those goals, I am sorry Katsura-san." Kenshin said smiling.

"It's fine Himura. I should have guessed that the history between you and I would work against me instead of for me. My own miscalculations. I hope you the best in both of your future endeavors and if you ever need my help, I hope that you realize I will try my best to do exactly that."

"And we will try to help you with the information that we know about Kenshin and Kaoru." Kaoru said, as she glanced at Kenshin and saw his slight nod.

"I will most certainly take your offer of help. I am trying to fill in a few holes and will appreciate that very much."

"Is that all than?" Kenshin asked.

"Yes, I believe so." Katsura said, turning to face the pond once again. "Be careful though, there are those still out there that want to hurt you. Be aware, and keep safe."

"Do you know of someone?"

"Enishi. His anger towards you has grown greatly. The hatred I saw for you when we first met has been growing since childhood, and even more so since he has learned of his own past. He is a powerful foe for both of you."

"Arigatou, Katsura-san." Kenshin said, taking Kaoru's hand and leading her back to the bath.

"Your welcome, Himura-san." Katsura said quietly as he stared into the lake reflecting the past, and if their choices now were really changing the future for the better.

:---:

Iizuka was waiting by the car, and as Kenshin and Kaoru approached him, he got up from his leaning position. "So, you have told him that you won't be working with him?"

"How did you know?"

"He called."

"Efficient as ever huh?" Kenshin said, smirking.

"Of course." Iizuka said.

"We will be walking home Iizuka-san. Thank you for the ride, but we know where we are, and it isn't that far from the apartment."

"Don't worry. I'm going to see my friend who lives next to you guys. I'll be happy to give you a ride."

"So you really do have a girlfriend there huh?" Kaoru asked.

"Yes. We've known each other since High School." Iizuka said, walking around the car as Kenshin and Kaoru got in the back seat. "She also works for Katsura-san, although, because of that we can't be together seriously."

"It's a sad thing when you can't be with the one you want to be, isn't it Iizuka?" Kenshin said, smiling gently at Kaoru.

"Yes, your lucky thought Himura. You've not only found her, and are with her, but can stay with her as well." Iizuka said, looking in the backseat with a sad smile on his face.

"Would you quit your job for her?" Kaoru asked.

"If it comes to that, yes." Iizuka said. "As it is, she's not happy in the position that she's in now. She basically took the job because she was trying to put herself through law school. Now that that's done, it probably won't be long before she looks for a new job."

"Ah, she's not happy, but you are? So she will quit, and you both win?"

"In theory."

The drive back to the apartment was quiet after that. The complex was only a few minutes away, and everyone was thinking their own thoughts, so the silence wasn't awkward, but more so contemplative.

"Well, here we are." Iizuka said, turning the car off and getting out on the street side while Kenshin and Kaoru got off on the yard side.

"Hope to see you around man. Take care." Kenshin, holding his hand out to shake Iizuka's.

"You too. I'll see ya around. I'm gonna be staying around here a lot more I have a feeling." Iizuka said chuckling. "If everything goes smoothly that is."

"Good luck than, Iizuka." Kaoru said, turning towards the apartment complex with Kenshin.

"Thank you." Iizuka said, turning towards Kairi's apartment.

:---:

"Looks like they waited up." Kaoru said as they approached the door. The sound of laughter was coming through the door and light was peeking out from under it.

As they opened the door, Misao turned and said, "Hey look! Their back!"

"That didn't take long." Sano said.

"No, we simply told him that we didn't want to accept his offer and we left shortly afterwards." Kaoru said, stooping down to take off her shoes.

"What are you guys up to?" Kenshin said.

"An impromptu drinking game to…what anime is this?" Misao asked, giggling.

"Dragon Half Misao." Aoshi said calmly.

"Wow. Highly interesting." Kaoru said, smiling as she sat down between Misao and Megumi. Megumi had paused the DVD player. "So who's loosing?"

"Can't you tell?" Megumi whispered.

"Hm. I don't know. Aoshi is…a lot…wordier than normal. But Misao is very giggly and more hyper than normal as well. I know you and Sano aren't. You both have high tolerances." Kaoru said, looking at each of her friends.

"Misao is loosing, she got Mink. Aoshi isn't far behind, he managed to pull Dick Saucer. I was lucky enough to pull Rosario. Sano pulled the Great Dauberabu. He's pretty gone, even if he doesn't look it." Megumi said, following Kaoru's glaze.

"We were just about to quit. We do have class in the morning." Misao said, bouncing off towards the bathroom.

"Was it real alcohol?" Kenshin asked, his gaze following Misao down the hall.

"Yes, Sake." Aoshi said, a grimace on his face.

"She's not going to make class in the morning is she?"

"Not a chance of it. I'll try to wake her up in the morning, but she probably won't hear of it." Aoshi said, getting up and following Misao back the hall. A few minutes later they heard Misao scream, then her fighting Aoshi as he took her into the shower, dumped her into the tub and put the cold water on. A few moments later the shrill screaming and screeching became quiet and they heard Aoshi's disgruntled comments as he took her to bed.

"Hm. Interesting." Sano said.

"Oh shut up. You know he was only trying to sober her up." Megumi said.

"A shower together?" Sano smirked standing
"You're such an idiot Roosterhead." Megumi said, getting up, a little shakily, but straightened up quickly enough.

Kenshin helped Kaoru stand, and they laughed as they followed Sano and Megumi down the hall. Megumi leaning more and more towards Sano as they went down the hall.

"Come on Megumi, just a bit farther. Or do I have to carry you?"

"I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own Sanosuke Sagara!"

"Okay, just wondering." Sano said very unlike himself.

"Have a goodnight guys!" Kenshin said

"Don't kill him okay Megs?" Kaoru yelled after them as she went into Kenshin's room. "You want the bed tonight? I can sleep on the futon."

"No go ahead, I don't mind the futon." Kenshin said, grabbing it from the closet and laying it out next to the bed.

"One day, you're going to sleep in the bed and I'm gonna get the futon Kenshin."

"One day maybe," Kenshin said, smiling. "I'll let you."

"You better." Kaoru said, flying under the comfortable covers, they were warm and smelled of Kenshin's cologne. She burrowed down farther and closed her eyes.

"Sweet dreams Kaoru-dono." Kenshin whispered.

"Sweet dreams Kenshin." She whispered back.

:---:

"I'm coming!" Kairi yelled when she heard the doorbell ring. 'Who would it be at this time of the night?' She thought as she wiped her hands off and started towards the door. She had gotten home about and hour ago, and had just finished preparing her dinner and put it in the oven; she was hungry, tired and grouchy. She didn't want company. "Who is it?" She asked, walking up to the door.

"It's me Kai. It's Iizuka." She heard his muffled reply.

"What are you doing her this time of night?" She said as she opened the door.

"Himura and Kamiya met with Katsura-san this evening, and since I was coming here, I brought them back.

"And why were you coming here in the first place?" She asked, letting him in, and closing the door behind him.

"I wanted to see you, to talk."

"I see. Well, you can talk while I eat. I just put dinner in the oven, so it'll be a few moments. I'm tired and grouchy too, so beware." She said, walking back to the kitchen.

"I don't mind." Iizuka said, following her. "You wouldn't have any extra would you?"

"I might, why?"

"I haven't eaten for awhile, thought you might want to share."

"Sit down, want some wine?"

"Sure. Actually, make it a big glass. It was a long day."

"Biggest one I got." Kairi said handing him a cobalt blue wine glass.

"Perfect." Iizuka said, taking a sip.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Kairi asked.

"Kairi, you know how I feel about you right?" he asked, leaning back in his chair and tilting his head at her.

"Iizuka?"

"Hmm?"

"Nothings changed. There is no way that we could be together."

"That might change." He said, taking a drink of his wine.

"What's going on?" Kairi said, getting up to answer the ringing oven bell.

"I'm gonna change jobs."

Kairi turned, the hot casserole dish in her hands, and looked at him. Her face showed one of shock and curiosity, wondering what had made him change his mine on working with Katsura.

"I thought you liked your job?" She asked as she placed the dish in the center of the table.

"I do. I want a future though. One better than the one I'm gonna have if I stay with Katsura-sama."

"Who was able to give you a better offer?" Kairi asked, sitting down across from him.

"The police." Iizuka said, scooping some of the baked noodle casserole onto Kairi's plate.

"Now I'm confused."

"I want to amend for certain things that I have done in my life. Katsura-san was able to use one of his connections to get me into the police force here in Tokyo." He said, serving himself.

"Why?"

"I already told you, I want a better future."

"What have you done to Katsura-san that made you change your mind about your job?"
"I told Enishi where Himura lived, what his schedule was. I plan to correct that as well. But that is in the morning. Right now, I have to do something more important."

Kairi looked up from her plate with a questionable look on her face.

"Now that one of us is not in the employment of Katsura we are free." Iizuka said, searching Kairi's face for any reaction.

"I didn't think this decision would have to be made so quickly after our discussion the other night." She said quietly after a few minutes.

"It doesn't have to be." Iizuka said. "Your choice."

"Iizuka…" Kairi started to say.

"Hmm?" He answered, his mouth full of food.

Kairi looked at him. "We've always just fallen back to each other. The best friend that was always there. The rebound relationship…"

"Yeah, I know." Iizuka said, following her to the sink to clean his dishes.

"Is this different for you than?" Kairi asked. There was a comfortable silence for a few moments, each busy with the cleaning and scrubbing of their own dishes. It felt right with him here. Standing next to him, a late dinner, she knew that he loved her, he knew that she loved him. That was nothing new. The seriousness of their conversation implied a different tone to what their relationship would be like now.

"I've always loved you, Kairi."

"I know that. What's different this time?"

"I want more. I want to be with you forever. Not the hiding, keeping our relationship secrete, to actually have a relationship now. I want you to be happy. I want to be happy with you. If we don't get out from under Katsura, or at least one of us, that will never happen." Iizuka said, putting the dry dishes back in the cupboard, standing there for a moment, waiting for her to respond.

"I want the same, but, I'm worried." Kairi said, coming up behind him.

"About?"

"You, what else?" Kairi said. "Why such a sudden change to the police?"

"Not such a turn. We've often worked with the police." Iizuka said. "And it's not like I'm a harden criminal

"Of course. It just seems so sudden."

"It'll be fine."

"So are we serious about it this time?" Kairi asked, looking up at Iizuka.

"Hai."

"Hai."

:---:

"Sir, we're here." The driver said to the man in the back seat. The man that had hired him to drive him around was a bit of a freak. He was so young, about the age of his own son, who was attending University for the first year, but his hair had gone pure white, and he wore his sunglasses all the time. The one time he saw his employer's eyes though, he shuddered at the thought. They were a gold-yellow, like a werewolf's, but they were empty of any emotion other than hate.

"Thank you, Akito." His boss said, looking up at the apartment building. He saw Iizuka's car out the front window, just like he said he'd see. Must have gotten lucky. Enishi thought as he looked out the window at the house where Himura lived with his two pals Sagara and Shinomori. Himura, you mine now. He thought as he pushed open the door and walked towards the door. It was still dark, about an hour or two before sunrise. Himura will be lucky if he sees it rise. Enishi thought as he started pounding on the door.

"Wake up Himura! It's your turn!" Enishi yelled. "I've come to end your life. My sister will again be able to smile."

"Man, what in the hell are you doing here? Its 4:30 in the morning. GO AWAY!" Sano said through the door.

"Open the door!"

"Why should I?" Sano replied.

"Because if you don't, I will slice through the door and kill you like I would anyways." Enishi said, laughing.

"I will be out in a moment." Enishi heard Himura say through the door.

Finally. Sister, you will finally smile down on me. I will avenge your murder.

"He'll be out, why don't wait on the porch, scumbag." Sano said through the door.

"You will regret saying that to me when I murder your friend Sagara."

:---:

"Are you sure you want to do this Kenshin?" Sano asked, turning from the door.

"I will have to. He won't leave us alone any other way." Kenshin said, putting shoes on. "If Kaoru wakes up, keep her in here, please. I don't want her to see this." He added, grabbing the sword from where he kept it hidden behind the couch, along with Aoshi's Double Kodachi, and Sano's Zanbato.

"I won't stay in here Kenshin Himura!" Kaoru said from where she stood in the entry to the living area.

"Kaoru, this is something you shouldn't see."

"You forget I've already seen it."

"This time is different." Kenshin said, coming over to her. "This is here, now, not in your dreams or visions."

"I was there the first time, I saw it in my dream and visions yes, and I will watch it again, to keep you safe, and to keep you here."

"I don't want you hurt. I want you safe, so I can come back." Kenshin said against her ear as he held her close.

"Can't I at least go on the porch?" Kaoru asked against his chest.

"No further?"

"No further." Kaoru promised.

"Not one step off of the porch." Kenshin said placing a kiss on her forehead and walked to the door.

:---:

"Enishi."

"Himura, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't sure if you would make it. Even if I came to you." Enishi said.

"What do you want Enishi?" Kenshin asked.

"I want you to pay for what you did to my sister!"

"Why just me? Why not everyone that was in the car that night?" Kenshin asked, still not moving off the last step of the porch. He had heard the door open and Kaoru come out, standing behind him on the first step. He could tell that Sano and Aoshi were there as well, even though he hadn't looked behind him.

"Our recent pasts are not just on the line tonight Himura. You killed my sister the first time we knew each other as well."

"So you do know about that." Kenshin said quietly.

"Why do you think I was working for Katsura? He didn't exactly tell me everything though. I knew a bit, he filled in a bit more, and I filled in the holes with research in resources he had at the office. It wasn't hard to put one and one and one together to get three. Just like now. You killed my sister, I will kill you, and I will be smiled upon once again by my sister."

"Killing me won't make your sister smile. It didn't then and it won't now Enishi!" Kenshin said.

"Let's start the fighting. I've had enough chit-chat." Enishi said, lunging forward.

Kenshin quickly counterattacked and forced Enishi back into the yard, away from the others.

I can't let him near the porch. Kenshin thought. The ones there are counting on me. To be safe. To keep them safe. To come back.

"Enough Himura! Come at me! Show me the true strength of the Battousai!"

"The Battousai is gone. He's been gone for many years and generations now." Kenshin said, readying himself for Enishi's next attack.

"He still resides in you Himura. Deep down within your soul you know that that is the truth." Enishi said, once again lunging for Kenshin.

Kenshin blocked the attack easily. Fighting it off and backing up and going at Enishi, then again at a faster speed as he blocked the first attack.

The attacks went on for minutes. Kaoru had reached behind her for both Sano and Aoshi's hands, squeezing their hands until they pried her hands out of their own. As she fell to her knees they moved their hands to her shoulders, offering support with the hands that now had no feeling in them.

Ken…shin. Kaoru thought as she watched him block one attack, but the next catching the sleeve of his shirt, ripping it.

Ken-shin. Kaoru's tears started as she watched him fight for the safety of his friends once more. Kenshin, I love you. I love you. Kaoru collapsed into tears, memories coming back to her.

:---:

"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.

"Ken-shin!" Kaoru whispered as she fell to her knees on the dojo floor, watching Kenshin and Saito battle back and forth.

"Kaoru-san, you have to get better. Get better for Kenshin's sake. You were the only one he said good-bye too, there is a reason for that."

"Kenshin!"

"Stay where you are. Do not leave the edge of the forest." Enishi said, placing his Chinese sword out in front of her.

"I'm fine Kaoru-dono. Do not worry."

"Kenshin?"

"KENSHIN!" Kaoru yelled as she flew into his arms, Enishi fallen to the ground, howling in pain.

:---:

"He'll be fine Kaoru." Misao said quietly, gathering Kaoru into her arms as they watched the battle.

"Ken-san pulls through it, for himself, for you, for all of us. To keep living, to stay with you." Megumi said from the other side of her.

Knowing that her friends were right and were there for both of them, Kaoru nodded her head up and down in acknowledgement of their words.

Enishi was kneeling on the grass, clutching the side of his head. With the damage he had done to his eardrums, and the attack Kenshin had used, there was no use to continue. There would be no return of Enishi Yukishiro to their lives.

"I'm sorry Himura-san that he has caused so much sadness in your life." Akito said, coming out of the car and picking Enishi up.

"I'm sorry that I have caused so much in his life as well." Kenshin responded.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru said quietly. He lifted his head, looking at her, letting his sword drop as she broke free of Megumi and Misao's embrace and through herself in his arms.

"Kaoru, you're safe."

"What's important is that you are. Let's get you into the house so that we can fix those cuts." Kaoru said, helping him stand as they had fallen with her impact. "Megumi…"

"I'm already on it!" Megumi said racing into the house gathering medical supplies from the bathroom and her room as Sano helped Kaoru get Kenshin in the house, Misao and Aoshi readying the couch so Megumi could patch Kenshin up there.

"It's not as bad as it looks, but he will still have to rest for a few days. He was lucky that they weren't worse." Megumi said about an hour later when she had cleaned, looked over Kenshin, put ointment on and bandaged each of his wounds while Kaoru sat on the arm of the couch, keeping him steady and peaceful as Megumi saw to the wounds.

:---:

"Kenshin you should be inside." Kaoru said coming out and sitting next to him on the steps. "Your wounds are going to take awhile to heal."

"I'm fine Kaoru, just a bit tired and worn, but I needed fresh air." Kenshin said, looking up into the sky. "Would you mind taking a short walk?" He asked after a few moments of silence.

"I don't know Kenshin. You really shouldn't be…"
"Just a few houses and back. Megumi said a little bit of exercise wasn't too bad for me."

"I suppose. Let me grab my shoes." Kaoru said.

"Ready?" He asked as she came back out.

"Yep!" She said, placing her arm around his waist as he did the same, half supporting him as they walked down the driveway. The moon was being three-quarters full was bright on the clear night and the stars were also bright, adding the still spring night, the humidity lessening from earlier that day now in the dark.

They walked a few moments in silence before Kenshin spoke. "Do you think we will get full memories of our lives back?" He asked.

"To know everything of every single day?"

"Well, memories are only the important things right? The funny, sad, happy, joyous, poignant moments, the little things, and big things that you remember." Kenshin said. "Those memories."

"Maybe one day. I don't really know. I think we've gotten a majority of them back already. Maybe the little things will come eventually." Kaoru said, leaning her head on Kenshin's shoulder as they turned for home.

"Arigato Kaoru."

"What for?" She answered, loving the warmth that was coming from him, soothing her, being steady and comforting.

"Being here, loving me."

"Then I should thank you as well. For being here, loving me, Koshii.

"Hai. I will always be here." Kenshin said, leaning down and brushing his lips over her forehead, then cheek.