Here are a few definitions to help clarify some Japanese words used in the story.
Obi: A belt of varying sizes and shapes worn with traditional Japanese clothing.
Gi: Japanese shirt garment usually worn with hakama pants.
Hakama: Loose trousers with many pleats in front, forming part of Japanese formal dress.
Sakabatō: If you don't know what this is stop reading now…hahaa. For those who don't know, this is Kenshin's one-of-a-kind holy reverse blade sword.
GONE
Chapter Two – Cruel Discoveries
As many of you realize, I will try to upload a chapter every weekend. Unless I have writer's block and it takes longer than expected, but let's hope that doesn't happen. Onward to the story.
Day 2 – Kamiya Dojo - Early Morning 6:10am
Kenshin woke feeling groggy. To say he didn't sleep well was evident by the tired expression on his face. He had woken up multiple times throughout the night to check if Kaoru had returned. Each inspection of the dojo failed to ease his worry.
He stood abruptly the fatigue seemingly vanished from his face. He heard footsteps approaching. With his trained senses he already knew who the footsteps belonged to. Before the screen slid open Kenshin greeted, "Morning Sano." The figure hesitated for a moment before sliding back the screen, "Should've known you knew who it was." "Unable to sleep either?" "Yeah," Sano answered walking into the room.
"We should wake Yahiko and search for the little Missy." "Looks like we may not have to." Kenshin heard Yahiko's footsteps as well. He slid his sakabatō in the obi of his hakama. Yahiko walked in rubbing his eyes yawning, "Did Kaoru come back yet?" "No, that she has not. We were going to start searching for Ms. Kaoru." "Count me in," the sleepiness forgotten.
The three left the dojo, "So Kenshin, where should we begin searching?" Kenshin pondered Yahiko's question for a moment. "Well, it is too early to speak with Ayame and Suzume. Perhaps we can split up and ask around, someone might have seen Ms. Kaoru." Sano nodded his head once in agreement, "Yeah and then we can meet up at the clinic if we come up empty." The trio agreed and walked around asking various people of Kaoru's whereabouts.
After about an hour of going door to door they stopped to ask any farmer, fisherman, and couple, but still they each came up empty. They had finally settled on heading to the clinic to hopefully get some answers.
Day 2 - Clinic - Morning about 7:35am
Kenshin and the others entered the clinic, "Ms. Megumi." Megumi looked up from speaking with a patient, "I'll be right there Sir Ken." Megumi had finished explaining to a couple how to use the medicine properly to rid the fever that their child had sustained. The couple bowed and thanked Megumi for her help and left the clinic.
"Slow day huh Foxy?" Megumi stared at Sano, "I would hope that people don't need to see me as often. That would mean they're sick and not feeling well." "Right," was Sano's response. Sanosuke didn't want to start an argument as the two always seem to. Megumi turned to greet the others, "So what can I help with?" "Have you seen Kaoru?" Yahiko wanted to get to the point.
"Huh, wait still no sign of Kaoru?" Yahiko and Sano were silent and Kenshin shook his head no. "Well, now I'm really starting to worry. No I haven't seen Kaoru."
"Ms. Megumi, perhaps we can ask Ayame or Suzume what happened to Ms. Kaoru." "I'm sorry Sir Ken, but the girls left with Dr. Gensai this morning to the Police Prefecture. The girls awoke early since they slept a lot." The three were upset by her response. "You three, don't look so upset. Dr. Gensai said he wouldn't be gone for long. He said he was going to bring some breakfast on his way back around 8am or so. You're all welcome to wait a while until he gets here."
"Man, in our rush to look for Kaoru we didn't eat anything." Megumi shook her head at Sano, "Dr. Gensai was actually expecting everyone to come by. So he's bringing extra food." "Alright! This day is looking up." "You said it Sano," Yahiko chimed in. "Freeloaders," Megumi mumbled.
Each of them sat idly chatting amongst themselves for fifteen minutes. The screen door slid open as Ayame, Suzume and Dr. Gensai all entered the clinic. "Uncle Ken!" the girls chimed in unison. They both ran to Kenshin's side. "Hey what about us," Sano was pouting. "Hi Yahiko and Mr. Sano," Ayame didn't want to be rude. Suzume turned to do the same, "Yahiko, spiky hair guy!" The group laughed at Suzume's name for Sanosuke to his humiliation.
"I figure you three might be joining us and might be hungry." Dr. Gensai motioned for the group to help themselves to the food that he was unpacking. The group helped themselves with the abundance of grilled fish, omelets, rice, miso soup, and hot tea. Everyone enjoyed the meal thanking Dr. Gensai for the food.
After everyone had finished eating, aside from some still drinking their tea, Kenshin couldn't wait any longer. "Dr. Gensai might I ask Ayame and Suzume some questions?" Dr. Gensai was anticipating that after hearing Megumi's story from yesterday after Sano left. "Yes of course Kenshin. Ayame, Suzume be good and answer Kenshin's questions." The girls nodded in unison and jumped up from their spot to approach Kenshin.
"Ayame Suzume, what happened after Yahiko left the dojo yesterday?" Suzume only looked to Ayame to speak. "We wanted to surprise everyone. Big sister Kaoru asked us to help. We walked outside of the city to the big plum tree." She paused to collect her thoughts, Kenshin was struggling to keep the panic and dark thoughts at bay. All eyes were focused on the little girl making her feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Big sister Kaoru showed us how to pick out the ripe and juicy plums." Ayame paused for a moment, "then this guy came out of nowhere." "He…" the girl looked terrified remembering what happened next. "It's ok," Dr. Gensai encouraged. Ayame glanced at her grandfather then back to Kenshin, Suzume held a frown on her face.
"The guy had Suzume and had a sword held up to Suzume," she was on the verge of tears but held them back. "I hid behind big sister Kaoru. She, she begged the guy to let Suzume go. And he did!" The group was a bit surprised by that fact. "Big sister Kaoru tried to leave with us, but the bad man told her to stay."
Ayame started crying at this point, "I didn't want to leave but big sister Kaoru told me to take Suzume and run back to the dojo. So w-we ran." "And, and when we got back the gate was closed and I could reach the handle," the poor girl was sobbing by now. Suzume hugged Ayame and was crying softly too.
All the adults looked at one another, looks of surprise and fear were written on their faces, save for Yahiko who still didn't know the whole truth. He stood, "Well alright! Now we have a lead. Let's go after him and get Kaoru back!" The group still hasn't recovered from the story Ayame just told them. Dr. Gensai was the first to recover, "Yahiko, please take Ayame and Suzume to their room."
Yahiko was baffled, "This is good news right!" "Yahiko," the doctor repeated. Yahiko's excitement dwindled as he stared at everyone else's face. 'What's up with everyone? This is a lead. Kaoru was kidnapped and we should start looking for her. Unless there's something they're not telling me.' Feeling defeated, Yahiko sighed "Come on Ayame, Suzume." The girls complied and followed Yahiko upstairs.
Yahiko took the girls to their room; "They never tell me anything," Yahiko spoke to himself angered. "Then you should see what they say." Yahiko turned to Ayame not expecting the girl to have heard him. "But it's obvious they want me to stay here." "We'll be ok," the girls were no longer crying. "I want to know what happened to big sister Kaoru too." "Big sis Kaoru," Suzume repeated quietly. It's as if she knew the mood was a solemn one. "All right, I promise to tell you what I hear ok." Ayame nodded in affirmation.
"Ms. Kaoru," Kenshin choked out. "Now now, we still don't know if that body really is Kaoru," Megumi tried to calm the panic that was rising and stood up. "Dr. Gensai, didn't you have a chance to examine the deceased woman?" "Hmm," Dr. Gensai thought for a moment and stood as well. Yahiko sat on the stairs and made sure he was still out of sight straining to hear their hushed conversation.
"I did manage to examine the woman's remains somewhat but Ayame and Suzume were adamant about getting breakfast since they missed dinner, so my examination was cut short. The woman was stabbed in the chest from what I could tell. But the wound didn't appear to be fatal. It's as if the killer wanted her to remain alive while she bled to death. To make matters worse, that was one of three shallow cuts I was able to determine based on the remains." "What," Kenshin responded breathlessly, he stood along with Sano both were terrified at the news.
Dr. Gensai continued, "And I can only speculate this but…" The three adults seemed to be hanging off of his every word. "Go on," Megumi urged hurriedly. "I think the young woman was burned alive.
The world seemed to go quiet to Kenshin, his breath caught in his throat. 'Ms. Kaoru…' Yahiko was still at a loss, 'Why are they talking about a woman who was stabbed and burned alive all of a sudden.' He didn't have to wait long, "So, you're telling me that that psycho killer stabbed Kaoru multiple times and burned her alive!" Sano mentioned a bit too loudly. "Shhh, not too loud," Dr. Gensai warned.
It was too late for Dr. Gensai's warning as Yahiko now understood the fear on everyone's face before he left the room. "Kaoru was what?" he didn't believe his ears.
Megumi didn't want to believe it, "No, I don't believe what you're telling us! That can't be Kaoru…" "Ms. Megumi, you have to consider the facts of Ayame's story and the body that was found…" "No!" Megumi was adamant. "There are no markings that indicate that the burned body is Kaoru!"
Kenshin couldn't hear anymore. He stumbled out of the clinic, 'Need some air!' "Kenshin! Sir Ken!" they exclaimed in unison. Kenshin stumbled and fell to one knee panting in the dirt roadway.
Yahiko rushed down the stairs with tears in his eyes, "Why didn't anyone tell me about Kaoru! Just because I'm a kid you think I can't handle the truth." Megumi regarded Yahiko for a moment before rushing outside herself after Kenshin. Sano followed suit closely followed by Yahiko. The three surrounded Kenshin in the roadway.
Dr. Gensai waited at the entryway, "I must apologize, for the way I explained my findings. It wasn't my intention to come across as detached and uncaring. Kaoru was like a daughter to me…" Dr. Gensai immediately flinched as he just referred to Kaoru in the past tense.
Megumi turned away from Dr. Gensai's comment bringing her attention back to her samurai friend, she tried to calm Kenshin. She bent down to look Kenshin in the face. "Sir Ken, we don't know for sure that it's Kaoru. For all we know that could be anyone." That seemed to have helped Kenshin regain his composure; he gave Megumi his attention standing in the process.
"You are right Ms. Megumi, there is…" he stopped midsentence as a thought struck him. "Huh?" Megumi noticed the pause. But before she could ask more about what he was going to say Kenshin took off running towards the market. "Kenshin, Sir Ken!" everyone called after him again.
Yahiko wasted no time and followed suit not wanting to miss anything else. Sano stared for a second before calling, "Kenshin wait up!" he too took off running. Megumi looked to Dr. Gensai for a moment, "Go I'll be ok here with the girls." Megumi nodded and ran after the trio.
Kenshin ran at blinding speed much to the other's dismay especially Megumi. They followed as Kenshin bobbed and weaved to dodge the various patrons who were starting to occupy the streets. Many looked on baffled as the red blur of the heroic warrior dashed by. Kenshin dashed turning down one street, then another. "Wait up Kenshin!" Yahiko called now met by Sano who had now passed him.
Kenshin wasted no time dashing through the doors of the Prefecture. "M-Mr. Himura," an officer stuttered a little unnerved that one second no one was in front of him and one blink later there he was. "The items that were processed at the scene yesterday are they here?" "Y-Yes Sir. They're in the Chief's office." The moment the word Chief was said Kenshin dashed away. Sano and Yahiko dashed through the door then, "Kenshin?" Sano managed between breaths. The office pointed towards the Chief's office and the duo followed suit.
Various officers dashed out of Kenshin's way as he rushed past, some papers that one was carrying flew off the stack scattering everywhere. Kenshin burst through the Chief's door, "Himura! What is it?" "The basket from the scene yesterday, is it here?" The Chief stared at Kenshin confused for a moment why a basket was so important and astounded that Kenshin wasn't winded after seemingly running all the way here. "It's there on the bookshelf," the Chief motioned.
Kenshin turned his attention to his right to the bookshelf and starred at the innocent object attached to it.
Mid-October of Last Year – Around 1:00pm
Kaoru and Yahiko decided to take the day off from training to assist Kenshin on his trip to the market. "Burr, it's starting to get cold," Kaoru said to no one in particular. She rubbed her arms in an attempt to stave off the chill that was soon to come. "Wuss." "What was that Yahiko?" "Oh nothing." Kaoru glared at her student staunching the desire to whack him in public. Kenshin was content with the familiar bickering between the two seemingly siblings.
"So Kenshin, what are we getting for dinner?" "Well Ms. Kaoru, I was thinking about either miso ramen or chicken curry." "Hmm," Kaoru weighed in, "miso ramen is good during cold weather." "I say curry." "Yahiko! Must you object to everything I say?" "Well, yeah." Kaoru clenched her fists, about to take her frustration out on Yahiko. "Now now Ms. Kaoru," Kenshin held his hands up to try and calm her down. "Hmph," she marched ahead. Yahiko chuckled while Kenshin breathed a sigh of relief for the averted scene that would have been caused.
"Ooo Kenshin," Kaoru gushed as she saw her favorite treat. "We can have some sweet potatoes on the side." "Yeah, so you can stuff your face like a raccoon," he said to Kenshin who started to laugh, but it turned into a nervous chuckle as Kaoru was giving them both death glares. She ignored them, "Oh look."
She ran off a short distance away, the other two caught up. "They're already selling fireworks!" she squealed. "And over there, we can catch some fish as pets!" Kenshin smiled, amused by her delight, 'Ms. Kaoru. I would buy anything you want.' Kenshin scolded his thoughts, 'Why am I not able to tell her how I feel?' A darker thought came to mind in that moment of a lover's betrayal. 'Tomoe…' Kenshin shook his head no to rid the memories of his haunted past. 'Kaoru's nothing like her, and I hope she never finds out about her.'
"So, you disagree about the idea?" "Oro," Kenshin snapped out of his brooding to focus on what Kaoru had just asked, the feelings about his past vanishing as well. 'Did she ask about buying some fireworks? Or was it regarding the fish?' "My apologies Ms. Kaoru, my mind was elsewhere," Kenshin laughed nervously scratching the back of his head. "Don't apologize Kenshin. I try not to listen to anything the Busu says either." "What did you say!?" Kaoru drew back the right sleeve of her yukata, poised for a beat down. If there's one thing that could always rile up Kaoru it was being called an ugly hag. Yahiko walked forward a leaned in slowly, "B-U-S-U!" he annunciated. "That does it, you little ingrate!"
Before Kenshin could intervene the two were fighting, Kaoru lifted Yahiko by his gi, her fist about to land a punch. Yahiko bit down on the hand holding his gi causing Kaoru to yelp. "You little savage!" Kaoru was peeved to say the least, "Now Ms. Kaoru, Yahiko…" Kenshin tried. It was no use; Kaoru grabbed Yahiko placing him in a headlock punching his head. Yahiko bit, clawed, and kicked to break free of the hold.
Kenshin tried to break the squabble but only ended up dodging various punches and kicks, Kaoru caught him square in the head. Kenshin spun comically and fell to the ground dazed. Kaoru was pulling on Yahiko's hair trying to pry his head off the arm he was biting. Kaoru stumbled as one of Yahiko's kicks caught Kaoru in her leg, causing her to stumble backward. Both fell awkwardly, Kaoru's hand hit the paper lantern next to the stall.
Said lantern flew and fell on the fireworks that were on display out front. The vendor and a male customer saw the danger about to unfold and ran to safety. Immediately alerted from his stupor, Kenshin grabbed the squabbling pair and dived a short distance away. Just as they hit the ground the fireworks went off and various explosions were heard.
Everyone in the area was caught off guard and ducked to cover themselves from the stray fireworks. Other fireworks that ignited were the dangerous cherry bombs that caused some of the stand to fly apart.
Kaoru managed a peak but immediately duck when a piece of the stand engulfed in flames flew over her head. The commotion died down quicker than anticipated. Many patrons were timid to look at first but breathed a sigh of relief as it was over.
Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko each stood to survey the damage. Yahiko pointed at Kaoru astonished, "Busu your hair is on fire!" She glared at him regarding the Busu remark but the other part of the response registered a moment later, "What! Ahhh, put it out!"
Kenshin reacted before he knew what he was even doing. With godlike speed, Kenshin scooped the captured fish out of the fishbowl with the paper scooper, set the fish in the pool, and splashed the water at Kaoru's face effectively dousing the flames and Kaoru. Kaoru gave Kenshin a half-lidded stare of disdain. Kenshin laughed nervously, "The flames are extinguished, that they are." Yahiko laughed at Kaoru pointing, "The drowned rat look suits you better Busu." Kaoru gave Yahiko a murderous glare and turned to Yahiko slowly, "Why you…"
"Look at my stall!" the vendor was pissed. Yahiko and Kaoru immediately looked at the destroyed stall then looked at the ground in shame. Kenshin visibly slouched forward sighing. He turned to the vendor with a smile to talk to him and calm him down.
"We really screwed things up," Kaoru whispered to Yahiko. "Speak for yourself Kaoru, you're the one that hit the lantern." "What, you caused me to fall." "Yeah, well you started it." "You are such a…" Kaoru closed her eyes trying to be the adult that she barely was. She calmed herself down, "Yahiko, let's agree to no more fighting for the rest of the day. I think Kenshin might be mad at us…" Yahiko nodded in agreement.
Kaoru ringed the water out of her hair and gingerly checked to see the damage caused to her hair. She sighed dejected, 'I'll check the damage when we get home. I really blew it this time, getting in a fight with Yahiko in public.' Kaoru glanced around at the disgusted faces of some nearby patrons feeling embarrassed.
Kenshin approached his friends, "Well we paid for the fireworks, that we did." Kaoru was even redder with embarrassment, 'Kenshin just used his money to pay for the damages. Nice going Kaoru,' she chastised herself. Kaoru was grateful for the extra money coming in though.
Right after the Feng Shui incident, the government agreed to pay Kenshin a stipend due to Kenshin's help on multiple occasions to save Tokyo and Kyoto, keep the people safe, and devoting himself as the Battōsai to win the war. The last part Kenshin wasn't too proud of Kaoru recalled during that meeting. He ultimately rejected it until Kaoru reasoned with him about expenses with the school and ultimately threatening him to take it.
He reluctantly agreed. Kaoru even promised that he would have sole control of the money. Kenshin accepted the arrangement vowing to help put the money towards the school and taking care of Kaoru. It was a moving gesture that made Kaoru love him even more.
"Oro…Ms. Kaoru, you are not sick are you?" The question brought Kaoru from her thoughts, she tilted her head to the side in question. 'She's so cute when she does that,' Kenshin thought. "You are all red, that you are." "Oh," Kaoru's eyes grew, "It's nothing." "But I recalled you mentioning how cold you were before." "It's ok Kenshin."
After her scuffle with Yahiko and the embarrassed glares they received, she had warmed up considerably. She twiddled her thumbs nervously, "Did you have to spend everything on the damages to his stall?" "Not at all Ms. Kaoru. I have quite a bit saved up. I just only bring a small amount at a time." Kenshin may have to rethink that philosophy if today's events were any indication, at least if Kaoru and Yahiko accompanied him that is. "Oh, ok." She forced a smile.
"Well, we should make haste and get the remaining items for dinner. We do not want Ms. Kaoru getting sick, that we do not." Kaoru blushed at that, half from embarrassment due to the events leading to her waterlogged clothes, the other from the concern.
Yahiko only managed an eye roll at the exchange between the two. Staying true to his agreement, Yahiko held his tongue to refrain from causing any more trouble. The trio went to various stands to get the ingredients they needed for dinner without incident. They walked home in silence, Kaoru getting the gate for everyone. Yahiko went to the dojo to get some training done and give him something to do.
Kenshin headed to the kitchen to unload the groceries. Kaoru sat down on the engawa and tugged on the ribbon loosening her hair. 'It looks like the ribbon took the brunt of the flames.' Kaoru inspected her hair running her fingers through it, satisfied that the long strands were untouched by flames thanks to Kenshin's fast reaction. 'Well, at least my hair's almost dried.'
Kaoru sighed, "This was one of my favorite ribbons." Kaoru surveyed the damage to the ribbon. It was a slightly dark deep blue ribbon with a large white flower in three places, a few white petals blowing from it seemingly in a breeze. Surrounding the delicate bloom were smaller yellow flowers with hints of pink cherry blossoms surrounding everything and scattered throughout the entire design. A third of the ribbon was burnt with burn spots on both ends.
Kenshin watched her silently as her face saddened. He loved it when her hair was down wishing he was running his fingers through her dark locks. 'I have to do something about that frown though, that just simply will not do.' Then an idea came to him. He gathered the materials and walked up to Kaoru. "The ribbon can no longer be worn in your hair, that it cannot. But we can repurpose it." Kaoru looked to Kenshin confused wondering what was behind his back. "May I have a look Ms. Kaoru?" She nodded and Kenshin sat down facing her. She handed the ribbon to Kenshin baffled by what he meant.
Kaoru watched intrigued as Kenshin inspected the ribbon, brought the pair of scissors out, and cut the burnt one-third of the ribbon completely off. He thought a moment then cut the other burned end off but at an angle. He cut the other end that had the large burned portion in an angle as well. Kenshin then took the basket that Kaoru often used to go to the market from behind him. Kaoru's eyes lit up as she figured out Kenshin's intentions. Kenshin tied the ribbon on one side of the basket's handle, being sure to position it where the handle met the basket.
Kaoru smiled brightly at the beautiful addition to her basket, "Oh Kenshin, Thank you!" Kaoru hugged Kenshin. She pulled away and admired the basket inspecting it closely, "I'm going to use this everywhere!" 'That's better. That smile is all that matters.' Kenshin smiled back happy that he was able to help.
Day 2 - Back to the Present - Prefecture 8:35am
By now Sano, Yahiko, and even Megumi caught up to Kenshin. All three surrounded him and followed Kenshin's gaze to the basket on the bookshelf with one of Kaoru's ribbons tied on one handle. The three looked at each other before turning back to Kenshin.
This was the proof he rushed to see, the object that proved that the woman that was seemingly tortured and burned alive was indeed Kaoru Kamiya. Megumi was at a total loss now. She brought her hand to her mouth and started to cry while dropping to her knees. No more could she say that the murdered woman wasn't Kaoru.
Yahiko looked at the floor angrily, tears started flowing freely down his face. He tried to bow his head to hide the evidence of tears.
Sano stared in disbelief. He saw Kaoru use the thing a lot, but it never clicked until now. 'Then the basket, when we saw the body…' Sano was too stunned to do anything else and continued to stare blankly at it.
As for Kenshin, he stood there for a good minute staring at the infernal thing. He hoped, no prayed that it wasn't hers. The entire sprint to get here he chanted to himself, 'Please don't be hers. Please…' Kenshin's world seemed to shatter as he gazed at the basket. A haunted looked shadowed his eyes. He crumbled to his hands and knees not caring who saw and cried. Kaoru was gone.
'Sweats profusely as readers plot intentional bodily harm, insults & curse words…' Yes I know, I'm a b****. Hopefully, I didn't put too many Kaoru fans out. But please stay with the story, there's more to come. I wanted Kenshin to seem confident in his thoughts but too afraid to voice them out of fear that he might end up hurting his loved ones. I also wanted to portray Kaoru similarly but she tends to demonstrate her feelings a bit more. I would appreciate any comments or reviews about the story so far. Until next time…