Kaoru's Journey
Chapter 1 :The Rise and Fall of Hope
In the darkness of the outside, the only thing standing in the way was a small candle placed between the police chief and Kaoru. It still was raining hard, a constant reminder to Kaoru of Kenshin and their fight. "Miss Kamiya?", The police chief spoke quietly, breaking her train of thought. "Yes?" Kaoru answered gently. " I think it is best time to tell you what has happened to Kenshin Himura, but first, you must answer a question honestly that may insure his survival." Kaoru gasped. "Insure his survival?! What had happened to Kenshin that would include her? What could she do in this?" Kaoru then nodded, unwillingly, wondering what kind of sentence could possibly insure the life of the man she loved the most. The police chief heaved a sigh and crossed his arms, then firmly stared at Kaoru. "How far are you willing to go to save Kenshin? Would you give your very life to save him?" He asked her silently. Kaoru was then outraged. "Sir, stop with these mindless games! You know I would do anything for Kenshin, and I want to know right now!! Where is he and what has happened to him!?" Kaoru was now standing, her anger getting the best of her. The police chief closed his eyes and smiled with a painful irony. "Miss Kamiya, I suggest you sit down for this." Kaoru then calmed and did, her eyes locked onto his figure. " According to an anonymous letter sent to the police station this afternoon, we received word that Kenshin was being held captive by Makoto Shishio. Shishio has put him through grueling tortures, and now we are sure he lies unconscious from a poison that paralyzes the body and knocks the victim out for 72 hours. Now Shishio plans to let Kenshin drown in the last bit of sorrow, of his former wife Tomoe, in which you understand his pain I am sure. And after the 72 hours are up, Shishio will cut Kenshin's throat infront of all of his old enemies, who are guarding the mansion Shishio resides in, so they all can see the end of him. The letter was gruesomely detailing how they would lick his blood off the steps of the mansion." He finished, his eyes closed now, as Kaoru began to cry, tears pouring down her face. She began to flashback, to where they first met, and Kenshin held her in his arms as she was trying to attack Gohei (Very first episode where Kenshin tried to stop Kaoru from attacking him). Then she flashed to where he said goodbye to her before going to Kyoto. Then she had images of Kenshin's weak and frail body being held up by Shishio, then the crazed man cutting his throat, the blood spewing everywhere. Then her vision faded as she had a hand over her mouth, before choking with sobs, trying to hold them back, her ocean orbs closed. She then outrageously broke out at him, tears streaming down her face, her voice quivering as she yelled. " Why do you tell me this now!? How can you expect me to save Kenshin when he had trouble with all of his past enemies!? You know there is no way I can even get passed Ji-ne, or any one else of that matter. I will give my life for Kenshin, but there is no possible way I can save him from such a gruesome death!" The police chief smiled. "No, Kaoru. Not you alone. But all of your friends have enlisted help to save him, but only you will have access into the mansion. You are the only one who can possibly bring Kenshin back to us, even mentally. So you are the only one allowed into the mansion by the police force. Your friends will help you. And then, she was taken by surprise as through the dojo doors, stepped Kaoru's friends. Sano, Yahiko, Megumi, even Aoshi and Misao, and to Kaoru's dire surprise, the new Oniwaban group, and Master Hiko. Kaoru's eyes widened as she smiled, tears pouring down her face. "We're going to save Kenshin, Little Missy." Sano said comfortingly, dripping wet from head to toe. And Misao grew weasel ears, and she raised her hand in the air in fake victory. "Were gonna kick Shishio's a..." Aoshi slapped Misao in the back of the head. " Not now." he said warning her. "Owwiiiee...but.." Misao groaned and sat in the floor like a brat, crossing her arms. Master Hiko then spoke up. " Kaoru, we are going to assist you in every way we can to help you make it into the mansion. But after that, you know we cannot help you, because with the kind of poison Kenshin is on the surprise of us all could kill him in the weakened state he is in. We want you to realize that Kenshin has never been this damaged before, and he may not make it through the process of rescuing him." Hiko said grimly. However, Kaoru managed to bring a smile about as she looked to them all, her voice cracking as more tears came. " Even the slightest hope of Kenshin's survival is enough to give my life for." Then, Misao had the biggest grin as she got in Kaoru's face. "You love him...don't you!?" Misao exclaimed. Anger ticks appeared all over Kaoru, as Misao continued in her parade. "Kenshin and Kaoru sitting in a tree..K-I-S-S-I-–.." Aoshi then hit her across the back of the head again, and she waved her arms and legs, tears shooting out of her like a fountain.(Funny anime style.) "Well.. she- I was only trying to help I can't help it she-..!" Aoshi groaned and put a hand over her mouth and picked her up by the waist, while she still waved her arms in protest. "Kaoru, we will meet you in 1 day. You have tomorrow to prepare, but on the dawn of the next day, we ride to Kyoto."Aoshi said in his dark and mannered tone. Kaoru then nodded gently, then she smiled and looked to them all. "I appreciate all of your help..I don't know how I-.." She was stopped by Megumi. "Not another word. We are more than glad to help bring Kenshin home. Now, get prepared Kaoru." Sano stepped forward, shutting the door behind them, leaving only Kaoru and the police chief again. He began to rise, putting his hat on, looking to Kaoru. "I am sending law officers with you to help aid in the survival of Kenshin. I must be off." He spoke gently. Kaoru then stopped him. "Thank you for all of your help, sir. I will bring Kenshin back to us all." Kaoru said, looking aimlessly around. He then smiled. " I think you need to bring yourself home before you go after Kenshin." He then nodded toward her, his hat tilting. "Good day, Miss Kamiya." He then stepped through the dojo doors, shutting them behind him. Kaoru kept her vision aimed at Kenshin's sword, while listening to the footsteps of the police chief drown out in the sound of the rain as he left the dojo." Kaoru looked to the sword, the blood still dripping onto the drill hall floor. "Kenshin..."
End of Chapter 1
Authors Notes
Well, let me explain the poison thing, because it is a bit confusing. Kenshin has been poisoned by an Opium mix of poison. It alters the awareness, and increases the adrenaline in the body. So, if all of them went into the mansion at the same time, he would..well, have an overload of memories, and the adrenaline in the poison could kill him. So naturally, with this being mostly a K&K fic, I just made Kaoru the only one to go in to make it romantic. ;;. Well, I honestly hope you don't hate the story, and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Well, I should have the second chapter up very shortly. Thank you! D
-Kasumi-mun