A/N: Last official chapter. I ended up combining two mini chapers.

Truth Be Told
Chapter 30

"Kao?" asks Soujiro, shaking my shoulders gently.

"Hmmm?" I mumbled, my eyes still closed.

"Do you want to go to work today?"

I opened my eyes slowly and looked up at the ceiling above me. Heaving a huge sigh, I sat up.

"Are you feeling better?" asks Soujiro, sitting down beside me. "Look, I'll just call in for you and tell them you're sick, okay? Then you can stay home and get more rest." He ruffled my hair fondly and then made a move to get up but I grabbed hold of his hand.

"Soujiro…" I say.

"What is it?" he asks, sitting back down.

"Can you send in a resignation letter for me?"

"What? Why?" he asks, his eyes filled with concern. "Did Kenshin do something to you? Or was it Tomoe?" he asks, his eyes suddenly cold and hard.

"No, they didn't do anything to me," I assured him. "I just don't feel like working there anymore."

"Oh, okay then," he says. "Wait…does this mean that you're coming to Kamiya Corps to work?" he asks excitedly.

"Maybe, but not anytime soon," I say, laughing.

"Why not?" he whined.

"Because I won't be here," I say softly, looking up at Soujiro.

"Wh-what do you mean?" he asks.

"I'm going away…for a little while."

"Good morning, Himura-san," Yumi said with a sad tone, getting up from her seat and bowing slightly.

"Morning, Yumi. Any messages?" he asks.

"Hajime Corps would like to know what you think about the proposal as soon as possible. The meeting with Hajime Saitou about the security and the public industry project has been postponed to next Thursday and I've already set up the meeting that you requested with Hyun Jun for tomorrow at 12.30. Oh, and there are some files on your desk which needs to be signed. Here's also a letter."

"Right. Thanks, Yumi, just let him in when he gets here." he says before entering his office.

He set his briefcase down on the floor and took off his jacket, flinging it over the arm of a chair. Then, he loosened his tie, flung it over his jacket and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt. Slumping down onto another chair nearby, he heaved a sigh and massaged his temples gently. He looked over to his desk which was stacked with numerous files and sighed again. Just as he was about to look away, he caught sight of the brown envelope which Sano had addressed to him, laying there on the one spot that wasn't covered with files and papers.

Curious, he got up and made his way over to his desk. He saw the white letter with Kaoru's handwriting on it, but he decided to put that off later, he just couldn't deal with her when his mind is swirling with confusion and mixed emotions.

He picked up the envelope and went back to where he had sat earlier. Carefully, he tore open the envelope and dumped all its contents, which fell with a clatter, onto the glass top of the coffee table. He did a double take when he saw a cassette being one of its items. He reached for the folded letter and hurriedly scanned through it.

Hey, Kenshin! Surprised? Hahaha…you're not the only one! Anyway, you would have probably seen the tape by now, enclosed with this letter, which I left behind for you. I've thought about it very long, before making up my mind to send it to you. After listening to it, I hope you'll do the right thing. Treat Kaoru well, okay?

Sagara Sanosuske.

No, he couldn't deal with Sano either, now isn't the time to bring up the past. Picking up Kaoru's letter again, he tore open the envelope, unfolding the letter and started reading. Two minutes passed, and he was still reading the same page, for the third time.

… I, Kamiya Kaoru, am officially resigning to work at Mitsurugi Inc. … 3:05 pm. June 3, 2004.

He looked at the clock, 2:05 pm. Almost 24 hours since the letter came in, almost exactly 24 hours from classifying this resignation official.

'It probably is for the best after all.' He thought with some doubt.

Kenshin picked up the cassette and held it between his index and forefinger, deep in thought. Deciding to not this off any longer, he stood up and walked over to where his stereo sat and popped the cassette in. He grabbed the remote and poured himself a glass of vodka before sitting down again. He ran his fingers through his hair then pressed the play button.

"Hey, Tomoe."
"Oh Sano? What are you doing here?"
"Here to talk to you about some things."
"Like what?"
"I know you set Kaoru up."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm sure you do. No point trying to pretend, Tomoe."
"You're a very smart person, Sano."
"Why did you do it?"
"To take back what rightfully belongs to me."
"Kenshin doesn't belong to anyone."
"Yes, he does. He was mine, until Kaoru came into the picture. She ruined everything!"
"If that's what you think, you lost him to Kaoru four years ago, Tomoe."
"That's why I did it. I had to ruin her. It serves her right, anyway. She shouldn't have tried to take Kenshin away from me."
"So, you hired a private investigator to find information on her."

Just then, there was a knock at the door and Tomoe let herself into the room. "Hey, Ken—"

"And also on Sakura."
"How did you find out about Sakura? If I'm not mistaken, only a selected few were informed about it."
"Pure luck. Kenshin accidentally dialed my number without him knowing it and I overheard the entire conversation he had with Kaoru."
"Then you decided to use everything you had to break them apart, am I right?"
"Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself."
"Why aren't you trying to deny any of this, Tomoe? Aren't you afraid I might tell Kenshin about it?"
"You can try, but I doubt Kenshin will believe either you or Kaoru anymore. Besides, you don't have any proof."
"You play the game well."

Certain that the cassette had stopped rolling, Kenshin stood up numbly and turned to face Tomoe who had turned so pale, that she could have blended in with the color of the walls.

Jinchuu
Chapter 31

"Yukishiro Tomoe," he says, so coldly and so sharply, that she flinched.

Kenshin grabbed her by both of her wrist, pulled her in and closed the door with his foot. Pushing her against the wall, he struggled to remain calm.

"What is the meaning of that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She says, trying avoid his gaze, but Kenshin didn't let her.

Taking her by the chin, he forcefully tilted her head to look directly into his golden eyes.

"I'm sure you do." he said quietly, glaring at her. "would you still like to explain?"

Swatting his hand away, "She deserved it! She never should've messed with me in the first place. She got herself into this mess."

"Kaoru? Kaoru DESERVES THIS? You think…"

"YES, I tried to get her out the picture." Tomoe tried to squrme out of his grasp.

Pressing his own body closer to hers, in a low quiet voice, "You were trying to take her out the picture so we can get back together, right?"

"Yes!" Looking down, she saw Kaoru's resignation letter, "and it worked, she resigned because she couldn't put up with me anymore, SHE lost our battle."

"I don't think she resigned because of you." Kenshin said by her ear.

The door opened once more.

"Himura-san is waiting for you." A distant voice said.

Walking in, Saitou's wolf eyes glanced at the two. "I think I'll come back in a few minutes."

Pushing himself away from Tomoe, "No, Let's talk now."

Tomoe tried to sneak out, not wanting to being under the Battousai's glare again.

"Wait, Yukishiro Tomoe. This is convient, I needed to talk to both of you, but for once, company matters will come later."

Kenshin turned from Saitou to Tomoe, what did they have in common?

"I am Hajime Saitou, president of Hajime Corporation, in charge of all Tokyo crime scenes and security department of Japan."

Tomoe's face turned white as a ghost.

"I will be arresting you for your crime five days ago for second degree murder." He goes towards Tomoe.

"Murder?" Kenshin placed a hand on his arm, stopping him, "You will not arrest anyone in this building with my consent. What did she do?"

Saitou pulled out a video tape, "this."

Kenshin took it and shoved it into his VCR. May 30th 12:45 pm. The tv projected the scene where Tomoe walked towards Sano's car after Kenshin entered the restaurant, took out a mini saw, opened Sano's hood and sliced the brake line in half.

"Is that enough to allow me to arrest her?"

"Not yet, please step outside. I need five minutes with her."

Kenshin's amber eyes blazed back to pure gold again. Saitou, seeing he wasn't going to help her get away, agreed.

At the click of the door, tomoe backed up to the wall. Kenshin took his time as he walked up to Tomoe.

"Tomoe. I can understand jealously, I can understand you hating Kaoru, but I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD HARM SANO!"

"IT'S HIS OWN FAULT!"

"How?"

"He recorded me and was going to tell you, I had to."

"Your obsessed—"

"I AM, I AM OBSESSED WITH YOU, I'VE BEEN OBSESSED WITH YOU, BUT YOU DITCHED ME FOR THAT … THAT BITCH!"

Kenshin just realized Kaoru went with Sano that day to the restaurant. 'What, what if Kaoru was in the car?' His hand came flying out, landing on the side of her face without even thinking. Her face snapped at the force of the impact.

"You set Kaoru up, killed Sano, and almost Kaoru too! Don't you DARE call Kaoru a bitch!"

Slowing touching where Kenshin had slapped her, "Does this mean you'll fall in love with me now?" She started to laugh hysterically.

Taking her wrist, "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, You DISGUST me."

He opened the door, and threw her towards Saitou, "Take her away."

"I suppose we'll reschedule for another day." Saitou said on his way out with Tomoe heaved over his shoulder laughing like a maniac.

Slamming the door, he sank to the grounding, trying to comprehend everything that happened.

I, Kamiya Kaoru, am officially resigning… "…let's just hope it isn't too late."

Her words echoed in his head. Turning towards the clock, it read 2:28 pm.

I still have time, I having to get to her now.

Kenshin bolted out the door, jumped in his care and slammed the accelerator.

"Damn," Kenshin muttered under his breath, banging his hands onto the steering wheel when he got caught up by a traffic light. "Damn, damn, damn, DAMN!"

His stomach twisted as he thought back to all the accusing things he said to her.

"What do you think you're doing here?"
"I came to see how Saku—"
"She doesn't need you."
"But I was just tryi—"
"Don't you think you have done enough damage already?"
"Look, Kenshin, whether you believe me or not, I didn't do it."
"Really? Then tell me, who could be the culprit?"
"I—I have no idea."
"You do know, that apart from the guys, you are the only other person who knows about Sakura?"
"Yes."
"And I am willing to bet my life on it, that none of the guys did it. So, where does that leave you?"
"Like I said earlier, I didn't do it."
"How do you expect me to believe you, Kaoru? After all, you did hide your true identity from me. And like a fool, I trusted you with my biggest secret."
"You know what? This is getting nowhere. I am so sick and tired of this whole thing. I'll just say this for the last time and I hope it gets into that thick skull of yours. I didn't do it. Why would I want to do something so mean and cruel in the first place? Sakura never did anything to hurt me. As for you, I can't really say much. Just one word of advice, Kenshin. When you finally realize that I didn't do it, let's just hope it isn't too late already."

When you finally realize that I didn't do it, let's just hope it isn't too late already.

Isn't too late…

The moment the lights changed to green, he stepped so hard on the accelerator causing his car to zoom past so fast, that if you blinked, you would have missed it. He had to find Kaoru and apologize. Right away.

Before he lost her forever.

He skidded to a stop in front of the shiny black gates, looked at the clock: 3:15 pm. The 24 hours requirement has been met. Kenshin didn't care he would make any exception for her, running to the door he rang the doorbell continuously.

"Come on, already," he muttered under his breath.

Just then, Tae came running out to the now open gate. "Yes, may I help you?" she asks warmly.

"I'm looking for Kamiya Kaoru," he says in a rush.

"Kaoru-dono? May I know what your name is, sir?" she asks, her brows furrowing.

"Kenshin. Himura Kenshin."

"Mr. Himura," she says, shifting uncomfortably. "You see, at about seven minutes ago, Kaoru-do…"

"What? What about her?" he asks anxiously.

"She already—"

"Tae!" yelled Soujiro, running over to her. "I'll talk to him. Why don't you go inside and resume your work?" he asks, smiling warmly down at her.

"All right, Soujiro," she says, returning the smile before bowing and leaving the both of them alone.

Once Soujiro was sure that the Tae was out of earshot, he turned and forced a smile at Kenshin. "What do you think you're doing here?"

"I came here to see Kaoru," replied Kenshin, leveling his gaze with Soujiro's.

"No," says Soujiro sharply.

"Look, I don't have time to play these games with you, okay? I'm here to apologize to her, so if you'll excus—"

Before Kenshin could even finish his sentence, Soujiro had delivered a punch to his jaw, so strong, that he stumbled a few feet backwards. "What the hell was that for?" he yelled, wiping the blood off his lip with the back of his hand.

"That, is for you being such an ass."

He walked towards Kenshin and punched him again.

"That, was for not trusting Kaoru. And this," he says, throwing another punch at Kenshin. "Is for hurting her."

With great difficulty, Kenshin stood up to face Soujiro again. "If you're done, can I see her now?" he asks, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth.

"You can't," replied Soujiro grimly.

"Look, I'll do anything you want me to do, okay? Just let me see her, dammit!" yelled Kenshin angrily, pushing past him.

"She's gone." Soujiro said quietly.

Kenshin stopped dead in his tracks.

"What do you mean she's gone?"

"She's not here anymore. Not here as in not in this house, not in this city, and not in this country. Got that?"

"No…" whispered Kenshin, looking defeated.

"Oh, and she left behind something for you," says Soujiro, reaching into his pocket and flipping the item into the air.

It landed right at Kenshin's feet with a soft clink. Soujiro turned on his heel and headed back towards the house.

"You have no one but yourself to blame, Kenshin. You had your chance and you blew it."

Kenshin bent down to pick up the silver ring, the one that he had given to Kaoru on his birthday. He tilted it slightly so that the sunrays glinted off the sides of the ring. And as he read what was inscribed on the insides, a lone tear escaped from his eyes and fell onto his hand.

A/N: Should add the epilogue to make a different ending? If not, that would be the end.

1. If I do, I'll need my readers to give me a few suggestions.

2. Is this enough punishment for Tomoe, or does she need a lot more.

3. Should I let Tomoe and Akira hook up?

4. Should Kaoru and Kenshin meet again?

Tomoe was OOC on purpose, and sorry for such a late update, I had to decide how to punish Tomoe.