EVERLASTING

By : HCK Holy Reimaund

Author's note : Story is inspired by the melancholic theme of BoA's song of the same title. Rurouni Kenshin is also owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shonen Jump, and Sony Productions. But the story plot is all mine.

Also… the song "Dareka no negai ga kanau koro" was the theme song for the movie CASSHERN. It was written, composed and sung by UTADA HIKARU. It's not mine but I thought the song was perfect for one scene in this chapter.

Chapter 2 : Piano

Kenshin paced around his room, impatiently. His brother informed him that their parents had arranged a welcome back party for him tonight. He was also informed that it will be a big formal celebration. Family, Friends and Business associates will all be there to celebrate his coming back home and incoming entry to the Family's business. And of all things, he was the last to know about this. Now he only have 2 hours to prepare, where on earth will he get a good suit and tie for this? Well, he is a man and there's no doubt about it but it wouldn't hurt for a man to be vain right?

And so now he found himself pacing his room, his room that didn't change for the last 10 years he was away. Aoshi, his baka but dependable of a younger brother, told him he has solution to his problem. He said he will have him a suit and tie ready in no time and that he should wait in his room. That was and hour and a half ago. He's getting impatient because he did say 'in no time'.

Finally, anxiety kicked in his nerves and he went outside. Even though he was told not to come out, no one can stop the enigmatic Himura Kenshin on doing what he wants to do. So here he is in the hall way, trying to find his brother. But as he neared their library, and enchanted voice and sound of the piano playing stop him in his track. The soft and soulful voice of the singer combined with the piano's music had him marveled. As far as he knows, no one from their servants can play piano and could sing that well, neither does his brother introduced him a new servant on the mansion.

He found himself wanting to know who is the mysterious singer so he walk towards where the music is coming from. As he neared the room, he felt his heart increase it's beat by the second. He doesn't know why but he feels that he knows the singer all his life.

The first thing he saw as he walks into the room is nothing but light. It almost blinded him. He took a not to tell the servants to make sure this room had at least a few curtains to lessen the brightness. When his eyes adjust to the light, he saw what he think is the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

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Misao happily bounces on the hallway. Her happiness is radiating all over her, making her prettier and glowing as she greets the servants in the hallway. She's excited on tonight's event and could not contain it.

He was here, finally home. She had waited 10 years for him. Patiently and painstakingly, she waited for every news that she will hear of him. She writes boxes upon boxes of letters in the past decade. Yet she didn't have the courage to send it to him. She just contains herself for the few conversations she had with him over the phone, which would be very rare and often happens only during her birthday.

But now, she need not wait any longer. He's finally here and she's also now grown up. She could finally face him as a woman. She could finally tell him how she loves him so much. She was sure that he must've liked her as well. He did show his care for her and never forgot her birthdays. If he's not in-love with her yet, then she's gonna make him, any way he already like her. Giddily, she giggles at the thought.

She continued hopping happily towards the living room. She's gonna need the help of someone so she need to call her. Kamatari is the queen of make ups anyway. She'll be in good hands if she trusts her face to him. Kamatari will help her capture his heart.

Few paces away from the room she found the room spinning around. She smiles half hearted as she thinks she might be in some dream. She wobbled slightly and touches her head. That's when she realize how dizzy she feels

"Too much excitement… I need to calm down" She tells comforts her head as she touches her forehead and went to the side to find support on the walls. She felt a warm and thick liquid flowing above and across her lips. Nervously, her hand reach up and touch the liquid.

The excitement was replaced with nervousness and panicked she looked at the red stain in her hands. Blood flows from her nose and as she about to scream, everything faded into black.

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Aoshi is proud of himself. The suit he found for his brother is the most expensive and the most perfect he could find. Well, it was found by one of his staff but regardless he's still proud of it anyway. He loved his brother and looks up to him as his hero. He's brother is perfect and so he deserves nothing but the perfect and best things they could buy, they have to money to afford it anyway.

He told his brother to wait in his room cause he'll be getting his suit in no time. And boy, was it fast. His brother is already anxious that he did not prepare anything for the party, how surprise would he be if he found the perfect suit ready in just 15 minutes? As he carry the box, he whistles a soft tune. Anticipating the surprise in his brother's face.

He turned in the left of the hallway that will lead his upstairs. But as soon as he turned, he stopped in his tracks. In the middle of the hallway is what looked like a sleeping girl. He walks casually, thinking how weird would it be for girl to sleep in the middle of a hallway. As he neared the girl the more familiar she becomes to him

"Oi! Get a hold of yourself, wake up!"

He quickly went down and tried to wake up the girl the moment he approached her. Misao, the girl her tormented since he was a kid, lies deathly pale and nose bleeding. Her skin looks deathly white as if life had been taken away. Panicked, he quickly grabs and carry her to safety. The coldness of her skin makes his own blood run cold from fear.

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Kaoru, sat and stared at the piano. Three years ago, she learned to love the piano as much as she loved playing the violin. But since their parents couldn't afford to buy her a piano, she just borrows the piano of the Himura's. They would even call her out sometimes so she could play for them.

She opened the cover and lay her hands on the ivory keys. She started humming as she touched the piano's keys. She proceeded to play the most beautiful song she had ever heard. The one she learned playing without even getting a copy of piano chords. The song very first song she ever learned playing. As she plays the song, she couldn't help but sung it as well…

"…Chiisana koto de daiji na

mono wo ushinatta
Tsumetai yubiwa ga

watashi ni hikatte
Miseta
Ima sae areba ii to ittakedo

sou ja nakatta
Anata e tsudzuku doa ga
Otomonaku kieta

Anata no shiawase negau hodo
Wagamama ga fueteku yo
Soredemo anata wo hikitometai

itsudatte sou
Dareka no negai ga kanau koro
Ano ko ga naiteru yo
Sono mama tobira no

oto wa naranai

Minna ni hitsuyou to
Sareru kimi wo iyaseru tatta

hitori ni
Naritakute sukoshi gaman

shisugitana

Jibun no shiawase negau koto
Wagamama de wa nai desho
Sorenara anata wo dakiyosetai
Dekiru dake gyutto
Watashi no namida ga kawaku koro
Ano ko ga naiteru yo
Kono mama bokura no

jimen wa kawakanai

Anata no shiawase negau hodo
Wagamama ga fueteku yo
Anata wa watashi wo hikitomenai
Itsudatte sou
Dareka no negai ga kanau koro
Ano ko ga naiteru yo
Minna no negai wa douji ni wa

kanawanai

Chiisa na chikyuu ga mawaru hodo
Yasashisa minitsuku yo
Mou ichido anata wo dakishimetai
Dekiru dake sotto…"

She was surprised as she looked backed at the person who had been silently watching her sing and play the piano. The moment their eye's met, she had known right away who he is. The very same person who gave her her first kiss.

Ten years ago...

She on the outside, looking in. Parties was never really her forte. She doesn't like it a bit. But her parents and sister insisted on her coming. She should have expected to worse. So what if it's his going away party and that she will never see him again? It's not like they're close anyway. Well maybe her sister is, ever since Misao met him she had been too clingy to him. Misao had admitted to her that she indeed like him very very much. She liked him more than a sister would a brother. And she also often wonders if the guy has a thing for her sister. If he somehow reciprocates her sister's young love for him

But as she thought about this she feels uncomfortable knowing if he indeed also liked his sister. He's seven years older than her. But that's not what she really uncomfortable about and she dare not want to know why she's so uncomfortable of the idea.

She turned from the party inside and looked upon the stars. The balcony is perfect for stargazing and this night have a very clear sky, letting her see the countless beautiful stars there is. She sighed as she took in the fresh air. She could enjoy the silence outside than go inside to party.

"So you like here better than inside eh. I kinda know how you feel…"

She turned to see who said those words. There stood the man her mind was just thinking minutes ago. He let his hair down, cascading long locks of red on his back. He opened his polo a little, letting her glimpse a little of his chest. He stood not too tall but tall enough than her height, and she felt like he could tower over her. He's piercing eyes looked at her all over, making her shiver. At fifteen years old, this boy—no—man is very enigmatic. She's not really sure if she wants to be alone with him here outside the balcony.

He took off his coat and gently placed in on her shoulders. Amazingly, she feels comforted. His coat smells nice and definitely soothes him. She looks on him as he settled beside her. He also looked up at the sky. She thinks he's very handsome that way.

"I never really liked parties as well. I feel of it more like a responsibility than an enjoyment. I love the calm quietness and solitude than be in a party" He looks at her and smiled. She felt like that smile alone made her heart skip a beat. How could such a man be so wonderful and enigmatic at the same time.

"…that's why I think I like you."

She looked at him. Eyes as wide as it could. She doesn't believe and almost asked him to repeat himself. She couldn't possibly heard what she heard right?

"You always look so quiet, calm and alone. Sometimes you're like a mystery to me. And I really like it. I wanted to know more of you every time I see you walking away from people. I want to know the 'you' that not anyone knows. But every time I get close, you always slip away and walked off some where. So I was wondering if you would again walk away from me again like you did most of the time. I hope you would not though, it's not very easy coming this close to you. And this might also be my last chance."

He turned his face and once again looked at the stars. Kaoru on the other hand continued staring at him intently. She was determined not to walk away this time. For the first time, she would want to give him a piece of her mind. She's not like a girl that he could sway with those 'enchanting' words of his. So if he thinks that by telling her that, she would give into him, then he's wrong

"Kaoru, I'm not really lying here..." How could he read her mind?

"When I say I like you, it means I do. I thought about it too many times before. Well actually, I'd though about you since the first time I saw you. You were only three years old yet you already are so full of mystery. You wouldn't even want to play with us. Kaoru, what I really want to say is that, you're only 11 but I think you're someone I wanted to be with. If you could give me a chance"

His eyes show how earnest he is. She couldn't help but melt on the look on his eyes. She felt like his baring his soul tonight in front of her. But what she couldn't understand is why. Why her?

"Ten years is a long time, you will grow up and I will too. You'll meet a lot of people and I too. Kaoru, would you think of me as a fool if I told you that at fifteen, I fell helplessly in-love with the 11-year-old daughter of our Butler and housekeeper?"

She took a step back. She was not sure how to feel. He invoked mixed emotions upon her. Like him, she too is wondering how at 11, she could feel like this with a man that is supposed to be her master. She lower her head. Not sure of what she'll respond to him. She couldn't understand but his confession somehow makes her feel happy. She doesn't want to. Not when her sister is feeling the way she feels about this man.

Even with her head low, he could sense the confusion and hesitation on her. Although she always near yet so far to him, he felt like he could connect to her. She's lonely, as like him, probably more. He had always wanted to comfort her. Ever since Misao was born, their parent forgot that they have two daughters. Their focus is only on the younger, leaving the older lonely and alone and most of the time discarded. But even though, she still threats her younger sister and kindness and gentleness. Something he's not sure he could do if he was in her shoes. The very same quality that attracted him to her

For years he tried to understand her, follow her and talk to her. Yet, every time he goes near, she would walk away. And now he had this chance. He won't let it slip away. It's been about a year when he realized he's in-love with her. He struggled because he thinks she's way too young and he is too, but it's futile. She had him and his heart already. He took a step closer to her. He neared her and stopped when he's just an inch from her. He waited for her to look up but he doubted she even realize he had come this close.

He put his hand on either side of her shoulder. Shocked, she looked up at him with wide eyes. He was hurt by what he saw. Confusion and hesitation is clear, she doesn't want to believe him. He sighed and smiled at her. After all, it would be hard for someone who had always been alone to trust anyone.

As he smiled at her he couldn't help but really looked at her. His eyes swept all over her lovely face. The face the most often wears no expression is now inches away from his, with the look of vulnerability that ached him. He wanted to protect her.

As his eyes caught upon her lips, he couldn't help but stare. Her lips looks very soft than most of the lips of the girls he had kissed before. Her lips look so sweet and he couldn't help but taste it.

He intend it to be sweet and short but as he dipped and touch his lips on her, he couldn't help but deepen the kiss. The sharp intake of her breath made it easier for him to kiss her fully. He kissed her as comforting and gentle as he could. This is probably her first kiss and he will make sure it's a good memory. As he felt her relax, he slowly wraps his arms around her little body.

She felt all tingly and warm. So this is how it feels like. A kiss, she often wondered. She puts her small hand on her chest and closed her eyes and let herself relax. She felt him wrap his arms around her and it comforted her more. She sighed and he deepened the kiss, yet he still remained gentle. Her hands now clutch at his polo shirt as she tried to respond to him.

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Ten years after…

She still remembers it till this day. How he kissed her as gentle as he could and how he hugged her to him after he let go of her lips. During that time, she felt secured and warm in his arms. He whispered sweet nothing and promises to her ears. Promises that lead both of them to this day,

He slowly approached her. Ten year certainly do him good. If he looks handsome at fifteen, nothing could prepare her on how he looks today. This man could control a girl's heart with just a smile. With the look of his eyes, he could convey command on others. Enigmatic, she describe him as that before but now that word seems not enough to described Himura Kenshin

"It's been so long Kaoru…" He smiled and motioned for her to come to him. She need no more encouragement.

"Kenshin!" She cried on his shoulder as she come to hugged him. The man she was in-love with for the past decade. The man who had her heart at an early age of eleven. This is finally the fulfillment of his promise to her. Both of them had been away for so long that she couldn't help but cry with joy. They can finally be together.

"Tonight, at the party, I will tell them about us Kaoru. Just wait a little more, then we don't have to hide this and we can be together freely." He whispered as he pats her back. For Kaoru, it no longer matter. What matters is he's finally home.

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Aoshi watch, worried as doctors attended to Misao. She still looks lifeless and its not really seating easily on his stomach. He was about to scream his frustration when the doctor turned to him. The doctor looks so serious, it made him nervous.

"She's okay, she just passed away from exhaustion. She look like she never had any sleep and she also didn't eat much. Once she wake up, give her a bottle of water and this medicine. She'll be able to go home tonight"

Aoshi sighed. That girl had him worried. He look at her as she lay sleeping in the clinic's bed. This girl had him always worried. Although he tormented her, he was always worried of her. He is because for the past ten years, he liked her more than a brother should a sister. And it bothered him so much since this girl is obviously in-love with his brother. How could he compete?

As he looks at her sleeping, he couldn't help but feel emotions. He's not used to it and was not sure if she like the feeling. Nevertheless, he'll make sure he's the only guy that will have the right to torment and protect her at the same time. Even if he will only be in the sidelines

It's kinda long, I think. Sorry for the late update. My Boss's at work is making me take 3 hours of over time and although I'm being paid, I feel like they're taking my time for myself and my interest away from me. My off days are spent recuperating from lack of sleep. Sorry if I haven't been writing. I'm gonna work on BSSM's 'Here Comes the rain' after I post this. I also feel like doing a Fushigi Yuugi HotohoriXHouki fic as well. I do have an Idea now but I'm not gonna work on the yet. Gotta finish HCTR first before work on that. Anyway, HCTR will be finished soon (I hope).

PS : Tell me if the plot for this story is overly dramatic. So I'll work on a lesser dramatic chapter next time.

Signing off…

HCK Holy Reimaund