Anime queen and g14c1nta thank you for your reviews in Chapter 15.
I am sorry for this delay. But after I came from holidays, my work at the office was accumulated and It took me a while to settle everything.
Also, I was writing this chapter for so long that I didn't believe when I finished it today... Wow... I wanted so much to write but sometimes words are not good enough to describe my thoughts... and the scene ends up being describe differently from what I imagine at the beginning.
Well, Hope you like it anyway.
Chapter 16 - Till Death Do Us Part
"Hi!" – Kaoru jumped startled. She had just arrived from school as someone from behind her greeted her enthusiastically. She turned to see a skinny little girl, with an angelic smile, wide green eyes and with her hair in a braid. Kaoru took a while to understand from where she appeared. "I am Misao, and I just moved in to this neighborhood… In that house over there, do you see?" – she pointed to the house in front of Kaoru's. "Well, I really don't know anyone, and as I saw you I thought that… maybe we could be friends…"
Kaoru was surprised because she never noticed that someone new was moving to the neighborhood and that girl was probably her age. She should have noticed.
Kaoru's lack of answer made Misao's smile fade away: "Never mind, I guess you already had your own friends. See you around…" – she turned to leave.
"No! wait!" – Kaoru grabbed her arm, and the girl turned again with a glint of hope in her eyes: "I really want you to be my friend, since I don't have none."
"Really?" - Misao smiled returned to her lips and Kaoru smiled back: "Yes. By the way my name is Kaoru."
"So Kaoru, are going to be friends like, like… that kind of friends that share their secrets? That know everything about each other? " – Misao was super energetic and her energy made Kaoru feel enthusiastic too.
"Yes. You will be my best friend." – Kaoru opened the front door of her house - "Do you want to come in?"
Misao stepped in and continued talking: "If you ever feel sad or lonely, or mad, or happy… " – she circled the couch and stared at Kaoru: "Or even if you fall in love, you are going to tell me, aren't you?"
"Yes." – It was the first time she saw that girl, but Kaoru felt comfortable around her, as if they knew each other for years. "As long as you do the same with me."
"Yuppiii! Best Friends Forever!"
:::::
It was an extremely hot day and Kaoru and Misao decided to gather the money that left from lunch and went to buy a vanilla and chocolate ice cream. As they were on their way home, a bunch of boys they already knew from school stopped in front of them. One of them demanded:
"Give me that!" – he pointed to the ice cream on Kaoru's hands.
"Why in the world should I give you this? It's ours!" – Kaoru answered.
"I was trying to be nice, but if you insist …"
"Nice?" – Misao shouted: "I never heard the word "please" coming out of your mouth!"
"Shut up stupid girl, or I will cut those stupid braids of your head!" – he said with a mischievous grin on his face.
Both girls stepped back in fear. They were bigger and more than them. Kaoru and Misao felt trapped.
"But we can arrange a deal." – he looked at his friends and they grinned as well as if they already knew what he was about to say: "If your friend decide to give me a kiss." – he pointed to Kaoru: "On the mouth of course… I let you keep your ice cream."
"What?" – Kaoru didn't wait to reply: "I would never kiss you!"
His friends laugh at her response and that made him even more angry: "And Why not?" - he was about to grab Kaoru's arm by force when someone said:
"Because you're a stupid coward and ugly dumbass…" – Everyone turned their attention to the boy who was walking into their direction – "You are so gross that even that story about the princess and the frog… that would never work on you… your big sac of shit!"
Kaoru and Misao watched in wonder as their savior placed himself between them and the other boys. They were probably the same age, but this boy was taller than the others.
"It's Sagara from 4th A. I heard he lives on the blocks of the South East…" – Misao heard one of the boys murmuring.
"I am not going to stand against him!" – one of them said leaving the group and walking in the opposite direction. "Neither do I." – Another one said copying the first one.
One by one they went away and the only one that was left was the one that Threaten the girls in the first place. "Are you going to leave me alone?" – his voice made an arc and all the bravery fade away.
"Yeah! It was you that had the idea of stealing the ice cream from them anyway!" – one of them shouted back.
Sano grinned: "What a shame, I thought this was going to be fun." – he turned his attention to the boy in front of him and whispered: "If I was you I would follow your friends… You don't want me to humiliate you more with the girls watching, don't you?"
He frowned and nod. "WAIT FOR MEEE!" – He started running away.
Sano laughed amazed. His reputation preceded him after all.
"Wow. You so brave!" – Misao told him still in shock with the change of the events.
"Thank you for helping us." – Kaoru said with a genuine smile.
He rubbed his head and grinned: "You know… In compensation … Could we share the ice cream?"
::
A tear escaped from her yet closed eyes as she remembered the moment they met. She had lost track of time in Japan… But missed them, both Misao and Sano.
I've to carry on… she wipe the tears away and opened her eyes. Where am I?
She looked around. This is not my room at Aka… Realization hit her. The fire! Kaoru got up nervously. Questions filling her mind: What happened? How did the fire started? Was everyone ok? Where was she?, but before she could find any of those answers she felt someone placing a hand on her shoulder.
Kaoru turned and her eyes met his. His name flew out of her mouth: "Kenshin."
He gently made her sit again, and only then Kaoru noticed this was his room. The room in which she slept before. How could she failed to notice that in first place?
No Kaoru, You can't die!
One thing was clear: Kenshin saved her: "I thought It was a dream."She said more to herself.
"Hardly." – he picked her arm and pointed to a burnt he had handled while she was sleeping: "You almost died." – concern written all over his face.
"Thank you." – she said staring at the bruise.How come I didn't wake up even when he was treating this wound?
"Wait here. I was making tea before you wake up…" – he left only to be back seconds later with a cup in his hands. "Thank you." – Kaoru watched as he place it in front of her.
Kenshin seemed to be fighting against himself. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure if this was the opportune moment.
"Arigato…" – her eyes were closed and there was a smile on her lips. "Kenshin…" Those wereher unconscious words from hours ago, when he saved her from that burning hell. He never wanted to see her like that again: Vulnerable, Unable to fight, surrendering herself to death. So he decided to talk: "While I was carrying you here this fell from your clothes." – Kenshin took the paper out of his hakama and showed it to her. She frowned as she recognized it immediately. He didn't wanted to push too hard on her, but all he could think was that Kaoru had probably denied to "fulfill" their "request", and so, they set the restaurant on fire just to prove they weren't kidding. They went too far… "Tell me Kaoru." – he was calm… and there was something in his voice that showed her he wanted nothing but to keep her save, to help her.
"You will not believe if I tell you." – Kaoru shook her head thinking of what to say. Should she tell that everything started with Tomoe?
He placed his hand on hers."Please." – he was almost begging her to tell.
She was reluctant, for the first time. She was fighting as if she wanted to tell him, but there was something stopping her from spilling it out. "It's not my story to tell Kenshin. I am sorry."
He closed his eyes and sighed: "But it is your life that is at stake."
"I am sorry, If you don't know by now then… can't tell you… I am sorry." – That means Tomoe didn't told you… I am sorry Kenshin, I am sorry.
He came for her, even if he doubted her, he came to save her. And Kaoru knew what that meant. That's why she felt horrible in hiding him the truth.
"Are you afraid of something? You're obviously under treat." – he waved the paper in front of her – "Please Kaoru trust me." – facing her lack of answer he changed his tone a bit. Maybe she wasn't aware of the seriousness of the situation: "Do you have any idea of what I felt when I saw that restaurant on flames and realized that you were on the inside?"
Kaoru gasped and looked down. Kenshin voice cracked showing that the mere memory of that disturbed him. "I thought you were dead when I saw you laying on the ground." – the blurred images of her on the floor holding that book so close to her chest filled his mind and his heart flinched – "I only realized you were alive when you started mumbling." – My name. He thought. Even in that situation she was lovely.
And if she was mumbling his name… that meant she trusted him to save her… maybe… maybe… there was hope for them after all.
I am going to save you. You can't die Kaoru, You can't die. – that was his determination during all the time since the moment he made his way into the burning restaurant and left with her on his arms.
The smile on her face as she heard his voice was a gift she never knew she gave him. Even in her delusional state she smiled at the sound of his voice. He knew she loved him. But then, why did she refused to tell him the truth?
Exhausted because of the last night events and glad that she was alive and with him, he end up conforming with her decision. "Very well. I will wait until you decide to tell me."
She sighed in relief and her lips curved into a shy smile... She promised Tomoe she would allow her to explain. "Thank you Kenshin. I know it must be difficult for you."
"Can you walk?" – his questioned out of the blue.
She nod unsure of where he wanted to go.
"I will take you to Katsura's." – he
"No." – Kaoru replied immediately. Iizuka was there, and everyone looked at him as a reliable man. Only Tomoe and her knew about his treachery.
Fear, anxiety… Kenshin could read all those emotions on her eyes: "You don't have to be afraid. Katsura already showed his trust on you. Didn't he?"
She shook her head nervously. But Kenshin got a felling that Katsura wasn't the problem. Who is Kaoru?
She stressed the moment he mentioned taking her to Katsura's house.
Kenshin helped her to stand and stared at her for a while. "I will stay there all the time ok?" – he assured her with a smile: "You will never be left alone again." It was in that moment that she threw herself in his arms gratefully. Kenshin hugged her and allowed his body to feel the warmth of hers.
Too warm. Maybe too much.
He placed his lips on her forehead and his eyes widened as he realized what was happening: "Fever…"
I was a fool to take you here, I should have taken her to a doctor but I couldn't trust anyone to take care of her… Kenshin picked her up and started walking.
She protested: "Put me down Kenshin. I can walk."
He stopped and glanced at her cuddling in his arms: "For once, please, stop being so stubborn."
She humped but gave up as she felt the weight on her head.
Maybe She needed to be carried and Kenshin realized that first than her.
He really is a perceptive man. and with that thought in mind she allowed herself to be carried away by the red-haired samurai.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakura rested her hand on the other woman's forehead.
As Tomoe arrived last night with her white kimono tainted with blood, blood that came from a wound on her head, she mumbled something about Kenshin but she fainted before Sakura could understand what it meant.
"What's happening around here?" – Sakura asks out loud and turns to look at the door as she hears footsteps sees Katsura opening the door followed by Kenshin that held someone on his arms:
"Place her here." – Sakura stand up and her mouth opened when she saw who Kenshin was carrying: "Kaoru!"
Kenshin lay her down on the futon beside Tomoe's and his lips went to her forehead again: "I think it's getting worse."
"I'll get some water and find something to help lowering the fever." – realizing what was happening Sakuraleft the room immediately ready help..
Kenshin almost ran all the way from his house here. Kaoru became more and more quiet in his arms and he was worried. Lots of thoughts crossed his mind: Maybe she had inhaled too much smoke, maybe the wounds from the previous attack were demanding attention after what happened last night… One thing he knew: "She needs a doctor."
"I'll call one." – Katsura got up but Kenshin stopped him: "Not anyone. Call one of your trust, and don't tell anyone that it is for her."
This was Katsura's time to obey. He knew Kenshin had a point and even if he didn't understood what was it, he would help him and leave the explanations for tomorrow.
"What happened to Tomoe?" – he asked as he saw Sakura again.
She knelled down by Kaoru's side and placed a wet bandage on her forehead. "She appeared here last night, and she already had that wound. Seems to me that someone hit her on the head. She fainted before being able to say anything at all."
At Kenshin's eyes, this situation was strange. Who would want to hurt Tomoe? But before he could settle the ideas on his mind: "I already sent a man to call a doctor. But I Told them it was for Tomoe." – Katsura reappeared on the room and sat next to Kenshin: "What happened to Kaoru?"
The hands that rested on his thighs clenched against the fabric of his clothes: "You might think that I am being paranoid, but I think someone sent Aka on fire just to kill Kaoru."
Both, Sakura and Katsura, frowned. "Aka burnt out? How is Yumi and Yahiko and…"
"Don't worry Sakura-chan. Everyone is safe, as far I know." – Kenshin exchanged looks with Katsura: "Kaoru was the one only one who was trapped inside."
He didn't need to say more. Katsura understood.
"And because of that and some other things that I am still unable to understand, I ask your permission to guard this room." – Kenshin went straight to the point. He wanted to make sure he would fulfill the promise he made her. I will stay there all time, ok?
"Permission guaranteed." – Katsura replied immediately.
:::::::::::::::::::::::
"Why do we die?" – se looked up at her father as he looked back at her in awe. Why in the world would a little girl like her ask such question?
"Well, it's the cycle of life: We born, live and die." – he crossed his legs and stared at the sky for a while as he was sure that another question was about to come: "That means you are going to die too?" – the worry on her eyes made his heart cringe. "Eventually." – There was no point in lying to her that was undeniable any way. "But Kaoru, you shouldn't focus on that. The most important things are the ones we do in life. How we live, how we give ourselves to our friends and family… We must do everything at our range to bring happiness to the people we love."
"You make me happy daddy." – she threw her arms around him and heard him laugh, then, he brushed her hair aside so that he could see her face: "You have to promise me one thing Kaoru." - She lifted her eyebrow and waited for him to continue: "Even if I am not here… You will never give up on your happiness, never."
Never….
Never…
::::::::::
"No!" – she stretched her hand trying to bring back that memory, and only understood that it was a dream at the moment Sakura hold her hand in hers: "It was just a bad dream… Shhh…"
Her soft touch made Kaoru sigh. She was at Katsura's home. "Sakura." – she looked around and her eyes widened in shock as she found Tomoe was sleeping in the futon next to her.
"You slept for two days." – Sakura informed and Kaoru stared back at her surprised. How could I sleep for so long? – "The fever was high until yesterday night and only left this morning."
"Fever?" – Kaoru automatically took her hand to her forehead.
"Yes." – Sakura sighed – "I am happy to see that you're better now."
Sakura didn't seem to mind about the rumors that surrounded her. She was there taking care of her… He already showed his trust on you didn't he? – Kenshin's words echoed in her mind. Not only women have a sixth sense… some man also do. Then Katsura's…"Thank you for taking care of me." – Kaoru smiled genuinely. A strange felling of "being home again" enlightened her eyes… "You're welcome."
"What happened to Tomoe?" – Kaoru glanced back at the woman behind her.
"I don't know. She appeared here a couple of days ago, injured. But she fainted before saying anything…." – Sakura stopped. Should I say? "but Kenshin's name."
Kaoru turned her attention to Sakura. "Are you saying that before fainting his name was the last thing she said?"
Sakura nod. "Do you have any idea of what…"
"I know exactly what it means." – Kaoru cut Sakura's words. Then she sighed and her face got serious: "Sakura, I think it's time for me to share the truth with someone."
:::
For almost an hour Kaoru explained the entire scenario to Sakura. Beginning in the day Iizuka appeared and told Kenshin she was the traitor until the moment Saito provided her Tomoe's diary. Then, the conversation with Tomoe and how she suspected that, after seeing her laying there, someone tried to shut her mouth too, so that she couldn't tell Kenshin the truth.
Sakura nod and asked some questions, but it was almost as if she was already expecting that kind of truth. "Yumi must know this, after all it was her life's project that was destroyed by Iizuka's greed." – Kaoru said a touch of guilt on her voice.
"I'll ask her to meet me here." – Sakura replied getting up.
"She probably doesn't want to see me, after all that happened." – Kaoru lowered her head and sighed. Even that Iizuka was able to take away. Her friendship.
"Probably not, because no one likes to be haunted by dead people."
Kaoru frowned at the sentence and only then Sakura realized that she forgot to tell her about Kenshin's plan: "Only me Katsura and Kenshin know that you are alive. It was Kenshin's condition to protect you."
Kaoru got up and walked to Sakura: "People think that I am dead?"
The other woman holds her hands in hers and tried to calm her: "Rest now, or Kenshin will kill me if he sees you up."
"Ah?" Kaoru stared at her taking her words as out of purpose.
Sakura looked at her intently for a moment before telling her: "He really cares for you, you know?"
"What do you mean?" – Kaoru knew what she meant, but she needed to hear it. After everything that happened she needed to hear it. Even if it wasn't from his mouth, to know that he saving her wasn't a dream… Made things more… real… She needed the confirmation that those words could give her.
Sakura knew this and so she said: "For this two days he didn't left this room, waiting for you to wake up.""This morning Katsura called him to a private meeting, that's the reason he is not here at your side… Just a few rooms away..."
Kaoru heart started beating faster. She wanted Kenshin to know everything, her indecision and secrets could led him to believe she didn't loved him, or maybe she didn't trusted him, but that wasn't the truth. She knew that now more than ever. "Maybe… we should tell him… Maybe we can end all of this. Since we don't get Tomoe between, so that she has the time to tell the truth by herself."
"They will ask who your sources are, and even if a name it's enough for Katsura and Kenshin, Okubo and the others will demand to know more. If you decide to share the truth with them, you'll have to showTomoe's secrets." Sakura knew those people well, if they knew the truth about Tomoe they would want to execute her for treason. "Take your time to think. You don't have to worry about Iizuka because Katsurasent him to Otsu to get some information I Think that it will keep him away for at least a week."
"Thank you." – Kaoru was confused but thankful to be heard and understood.
"And rest. You have the best samurai in Japan as your bodyguard." – she said signaling at the door's direction, smiling at the sight of Kenshin coming into the room.
The moment he saw her awake he stopped walking and stared at her. So many thoughts in his mind… Sakura left in the meanwhile leaving them alone. But Kenshin only noticed her absence when heard her voice a few meters away asking about her husband. So he walked towards her, took the sword from his hip and place it on his side as he kneeled next to Kaoru.
Kaoru lips curved into a smile. "Thank you for saving me, again."
A smile. She was smiling. Like the other night, when he saved her, but this smile was different, because she was alive, she was awake and conscientious and she was smiling at him, not as if he was a dream, but as a real person. This smile was real. And that brought relief to his heart: "Compensation…" – he lowered his head. "I need to compensate for the times I failed to save you."
She said nothing to that instead she placed her hand on his hoping that even in silence he could understand her feelings. And as the sun filled the room through the paper door she wished she could go on the outside: "Seems to be a pleasant day on the outside."
He immediately raised his head, eyes filled with concern: "Please don't leave this room."
She nod: "I know… Dead people don't use to walk around…" An image of the series walking dead appeared on her mind and she shivered at the idea of herself like one of those walkers: "Sakura told me."
He didn't masked how he felt about that, but it was a necessary evil: "I am sorry."
"That's ok Kenshin. I know the reason behind this decision." – she assured him: "It's just bad that people like Yumi and Yahiko Haruka Yumiko and Aoshi think that I am dead. They are my friends after all."
Kenshin turn up his nose as she referred at Aoshi as her friend. He couldn't picture them together without felling sick of jealousy… He needed to change the subject: "Do you miss Misao and Sanosuke?" – the question caught her by surprise. Knowing that it might seem out of scene he shrugged his shoulders: "Your friends…You told me about them once."
Do you still remember that? "Yes, I even dreamt about them a few days ago..." – she smiled remembering her dream and the ice cream story: "Yes, I miss them a lot."
"The reason that you miss them so much, is because you don't feel home here, isn't it?" – he needed to know.
She blinked and thought for a while. " I miss them because they're my friends for so long, that it is almost as if a part of me is missing when they are not around. And here, in this country, things are strange. Where I came from, people don't act so suspicious… maybe that's because we are in peace… I never thought war could make people act so crazy around each other."
He shook his head. "How is it possible Kaoru? How is it possible for you to appear here and…" – he stared at her and she sighed. Kaoru had asked herself the same question over and over again: "I don't know… As I told you before I think that after my parent's death I was in a state… I think I never really wished to die, but I wanted to believe that my live in that moment was just a nightmare. My pain wasn't real… And maybe my wish was just too strong… And I end up here… With you."
"Do you want to go back there?" – he stared at her but she looked away. How it possible to answer that frankly? There was a time that she wished to be here in Japan with him, but there was also times that she would give everything to be in her country, with her friends…."You said you knew me from a
dream." – Kenshin's hands were still holdings hers, and his voice was calm and low as he looked at her with something like hope in his eyes.
A small smile formed on Kaoru lips as she remembered her dreams about him: "Yes… As a child you appeared in my dreams… It was you, but, just a little different…"
"How different?" – He didn't wanted her to think this was an interrogation, but he wanted so bad to believe her, but he needed to at least understand some of the circumstances that brought them together.
Kaoru closed her eyes for a while. Of course she knew the person on her dreams was him, but after all this time she needed to made an effort to remember the differences between the man on her dreams and the one in front of her now. They were the same person but they were different. "You seemed older…. and the scar on your cheek… its shape was an X, not like now."
The scar was something she had mentioned before…
Flashback:
"What happened to your face?" – she asked noticing he was there. His hand flew to the wound, covering it : "It's just a small cut."
Kaoru came closer: "It bleeds a lot, we must take care of that. Where's the first aid kid?"
"What?" – those words were new to him, what was she talking about? Kaoru widened her eyes in surprise but didn't answer. Facing her lack of words he decided to start moving to the inside and Kaoru followed him."I am going to fetch some water to clean the wound. " – she informed passing behind him.
"That's not really necessary." – he said
"Off course it is." – she ignored him-
"Kaoru-dono, I just need to rest, I'll take care of that later." – he took of the sword from his hip and placed it on the porch.
"It's just a second, and I will stop bugging you." – she replied.
After some minutes she reappeared on the porch along with a bucket of water and a strand of cloth. Kneeling beside him she started cleaning the cut:
"How did this happen?"
He didn't reply not wanting to scare her with details. She understood and asked nothing more.
After a while she stooped cleaning it and stared at the wound: "This cut… It will leave a scar…" – her eyes widened as if she was remembering something, then words flew out of her mouth without her consenting: "The first part…" – she murmured
"The first part? " – he asked "The first part of what?"
"Nothing…" – she said nervously, shaking her head negatively.
."Kaoru-dono, why don't you tell me the truth?" – it was easy for him to realize she was hiding something. "I told you I will not hurt you… "
"I know you don't wanna hurt me." – she answered - "You saved me." – she put the cloth inside of the bucket and took a deep breath. "It's just that it doesn't make any sense."
Kenshin leaned forward to look her in the eye: "Tell me." – his tone was calm. He could feel that she was experiencing a dilemma and he wanted to help her.
"You're going to assume that I am crazy." – she turned her head to the side avoiding his gaze, but he didn't let his chance escape,Kenshin gently touched her chin forcing her to face him. "I thought you were crazy when you gave away your life to save someone you didn't know… So… Try me."
His eyes were scrutinizing every muscle of her face, anticipating her words or encouraging her to talk...
"I… think I've seen you before." – her words sounded like a whisper but once again he captured it.
"When?" – he asked is face not showing any difference from before.
She took another deep breath and said: "In a dream."
This time he reacted… He lifted his eyebrow "In a dream?"
"Ye…Yess… But in the dream you're a bit different." – Kaoru's hands were shivering – "I know you would think I am crazy, so let's just stop right here." – she has about to get up but Kenshin's arm made her stop. "I want to know the rest. Please how different was I?…"
Kaoru swallow hard - "You looked older… And… You had a scar… An X… in your left cheek."
::::
Kenshin swallow hard: "Do you think that it's possible to happen otherwise?" – This was all crazy, but in the middle of all the nonsense there was some things that made sense to him.
"Going from here to Portugal?" Kaoru asked
He nod. "Hum hum."
"Seems fair… But I don't quite understand the process... Why?"
Kenshin thought for a while. A world in where he didn't have to kill, without streets and memories of the sins he committed… a World with her… He didn't mind leaving the few friends he had behind if he could replace them with peace of mind and happiness in his heart… And of course… with her. With no more stories of treason, and no more loyalty to anyone else and not her… " Because I never met the world in peaceful times Kaoru… And it seems an amazing view."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kaoru opened her eyes facing the darkness in the room. She couldn't remember how or when she fell asleep. My senses are dizzily than before… Maybe it is because of the medication… She looked at the door and smiled. Kenshin was sitting on the outside of the room: Just like he promised.
Then her head turned to the woman laying maybe a meter from her. She was as beautiful as the porcelain dolls her grandma used to give her when she was a child… Pale face, black long hair… at the exception ofher lips, that were almost as pale as her skin…
Please Tomoe, I want to keep the promise I made you… Please wake up soon.
:::::::::::::::..
Days passed by and next week was calm. Iizuka was out and that left Kaoru at ease. And,Kenshin usually spent most of his time by her side, except when Sakura came to see check on her. In those times he was "dismissed" to other duties so that they could have their female time together.
It was in one of those occasions that Yumi came to the house. It was by the end of the day, almost at dinner time.
Kaoru stood quiet observing her ex-boss reaction at the sight of her.
First the shock… then with a million questions in her mind, she kneeled down and touched Kaoru's face, just to see if she was real. Then…a smile… But after that her eyebrow knitted together and she spoke not in a very happy tone: "What the hell is happening here?"
::::::::
First reactions put aside, Yumi heard them both (Sakura and Kaoru) attentively. She understood the reasons that lead to so much secrecy and agreed to keep the secret. She wanted Iizuka to pay for what he did to, since he was the one to blame to what happened to her restaurant.
Sakura assured her friend that she and Katsura would do everything in their reach to help her to rebuilt Aka, and that made her sigh In relief. "It's being difficult… Since all that I have was there. Aka was my house too… But, I am sure we will be able to put everything together again."
"I am sorry Yumi this was my fault." – Kaoru lowered her head: "But as compensation, I promise that I will work for you for free till the rest of my life."
Yumi placed her hand on Kaoru's shoulder and laugh: "We talk about that when you find yourself able to work, girl. Besides, I don't want anyone in my restaurant working for free. It's bad publicity."
:::
It was nice for Kaoru to see Yumi again and to know she hold no grudge against her. And in the moment they were about to say goodbye, Kaoru felt the urgent need to go with them. Sakura denied immediately: "You can't be seen Kaoru."
"It's just a little walk to the front garden. The gates are high and no one will see me." – Kaoru insisted. She was tired of being in that room and since no one except Kenshin Sakura and Katsura were there, it shouldn't be a problem. Sakura end up agreeing. "Ok, but it needs to be fast. And I am sure that Kenshinis not going to like the idea."
"He doesn't need to know." – Yumi said.
The three women made their way to the front door, but Kaoru stood on the garden a few feet away from the main door.
It was the first time in a week that she left her room. Of course it wasn't as if she was a prisoner, but she missed seeing other things besides paper doors and walls.
"Now," – Sakura approached her: "Let's go to the inside before Kenshin finds out we are here."
Kaoru nod. "Hai!" – she followed the other woman. But then, right before she place her foot on the inside, she felt something, someone… It was a presence… At first she wanted to ignore it, because she knew it would cause her troubles, but then she couldn't go inside knowing that he was there. "Aoshi?"
She asked, still unsure if it was him or not. She had involuntarily learned how to feel presences around her. And there were few people that she could distinguish clearly. Sakura was light and contentment… her happy spirit always enlighten Kaoru's mood. Kenshin's presence was always calm. She could feel him stopping in front of the closed-door waiting for her to notice him and invite him… Wishing for her to invite him…
"I came to see how you were doing" - That voice. It was definitively him. Kaoru turned to face the man who had saved her life once. "I am fine. I am sorry that I wasn't able to tell you that I am alive. But it was…"
"For your protection." – he finished her sentence.
Kaoru was in an inner battle. She knew that every time she mentioned Aoshi, Kenshin changed the subject, she knew somehow In his misplaced sense of protection, he thought he needed to shield her fromAoshi. But Kaoru also knew Aoshi would never do anything else than help her. Kenshin and him wanted the same thing for her. Why in the world they couldn't get along?
"Yes…" – she took two steps in his direction but stopped hearing Sakura's voice warning her: "Kaoru…" Of course, that stupid story about choosing sides…Politics anyway. – she exchanged looks between her andAoshi and end up staying at the same spot: "Kenshin thought it was for the best."
"Hum…Hum." – he nod – "I see you're succeeded in your plan to prove your innocence."
"Not yet." – she took two steps in his direction. "I am depending on someone to that…"
His head nod in realization. Battousai learnt to trust her after all.
Kaoru smiled. "Thank you for coming. But I really need to go." – she made a move to go on the inside. Part of her wishing that he wouldn't take that as an offense, but the other half didn't wanted to cause any kind of trouble to the people who were giving her a place to stay. "I am happy to see you." And it was in the moment she turned to the inside that her face almost hit Kenshin's chest.
Oh no…
Kaoru swallowed hard. "Ken…shin." - her voice faltered. Kenshin was staying in front of her, but not looking directly at her. His eyes were locked on Aoshi, and as she looked back to the Okashira, his eyes too locked on Kenshin.
Both of them were in Battle Mode... Kaoru wanted to bring Kenshin out of that. She didn't want them to fight or hurt each other. She would feel miserable if that happened. So she touched Kesnhin's shoulder hoping her words would be enough to snap him out of that state. "Kenshin, Aoshi just came to see If I was ok."
He blinked and slowly turned his head to her staring at her for a while thoughtfully. Then, he stretched his hand to her.
Kaoru understood. He needed confirmation. Kenshin felt uneasy around her when it comes to Aoshi, so, he wanted her to show him that she would choose him and him alone. And even if that didn't make any sense, because Aoshi was just a friend, Kaoru agreed and accepted his hand. "Let's go on the inside." – she said. Then again, she turned to look one more time to Aoshi apologetically.
"We will meet again."
Aoshi's words made Kenshin stop walking and turned back to the man on the garden. Kaoru closed her eyes. Dammit!
"Stay away from Kaoru." – Kenshin growled.
"Or what Battousai?" – Aoshi wasn't the defiant man type. So why in the world was he acting like he was enjoying this?
"Are you so afraid of me that want me so far away?" – He said calmly, hands on his pockets, no trace of fear or anxiety. "You'll need my help very soon."
Kenshin left Kaoru's hand and walked out of the porch:"I am not afraid of you. You know I don't." – he placed his hand on the hilt of the sword
"Stop!" – Kaoru ran and placed herself between them. "Aoshi thank you for visit me, but I think It's better now if you leave, please."
Aoshi turned to her and then to Battousai.
"Kenshin, let's go inside please." – she pushed him to the inside but Kenshin's body was stiffen, still focused on Aoshi.
"Kenshin!" – she called his name again and only then he turned. "Kaoru, step aside please."
Kaoru couldn't believe that. Kenshin only used to fight if he had no other option. But here, she could see in his eyes… he wanted this… Kyprotnyte. Aoshi was Kenshin's kryptonite. He wanted nothing but to fight him.
Kaoru was still shocked with the tension that was building between them, and how the situation had changed. She watched terrorized as they positioned themselves to fight.
"Come, Kaoru." – Sakura's voice woke her. She turned her head to the woman on her side: "I can't let this happen. "- she said hopelessly .
"There's nothing you can do." – she answered pushing her to the side.
:
"We were meant to fight anyway…" – Aoshi took off his gabardine and Kenshin could clearly see his twokodachi one on each side. "Better sooner than never."
Still driven by that rush of adrenaline Kenshin answered: "Fight me will only prove that I am stronger." – his hand flew to the hilt of his sword.
"The emperor might be falling, but Oniwabanshu's glory won't fall with him. And as head of this group, I have to prove that I am stronger than the famous Hitokiri that put an end to Tokugawa's regime."
"How dare you use Kaoru to get to me?" – Kenshin's fists clenched.
Aoshi face didn't changed: "That's not true. When I saved her from Udo, I didn't knew who she was."
"Kenshin, stop this please!" - he heard her pleading – "Please, this is pointless! Aoshi saved me just as a good deed. Not because he knew who I was for you. " – she run into Kenshin direction and grabbed his sleeve: "Please Kenshin, stop this fight! Aoshi is my friend, if you ever hurt him I would never forgive you!"- Then she turned her attention to Aoshi: "Kenshin is the man I love! If you hurt him you'll hurt me too!"
Both man stared at her blankly.
"Don't you see? Either one way or another I will get hurt in the end! By your actions!" – she didn't knew if they were listening to her, but at least Kaoru needed to try. "By your stupid pride and stupid political divisions!"
"Do you mean what you said?" – she turned to see Kenshin looking at her intently.
"Of course I meant it! Don't you think that it's stupid to fight just because you think differently?" – she threw her hands up showing how tired she was.
"No, I am not talking about that." – he said: "I am referring to what you said before." – the look on his eyes changed. He was no longer focused on Aoshi… His attention was now to her.
Kaoru eyebrow lifted: "What are you talking about Kenshin?"
The red-haired samurai took her hand on his and brought her closer: "When you said that you loved me. Do you mean it?"
Kaoru eyes widened in surprise. "Oh." – I said that out loud. – Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment: "You know I do." – Kenshin smiled and stroke her face gently: "Then, If it is your wish… I will not fight."
Kaoru's lips curved into a smile. "Thank you Kenshin…" – she jumped to him in a hug: "Thank you so much." – he accepted her hug gratefully. He buried his face on her hair so that he could feel that sweet scent that only she had.
Perfection.
That was the word that would describe that moment….
But, he should know best that there is no such thing as perfection in his life.
At the moment he felt that something was about to hit him, he took her in his arms and jumped.
What was that? He thought as he land with her on the roof and stared at the garden above.
Chains, and in the edge of it, there was a metal claw attached.
Aoshi had his kodachis unsheathed.
I've seen this before… But where?
Kaoru was still on his arms he could feel her nails craving on his arm… she too scared to say a word.
"WATCH OUT!" - Sakura's scream woke Kenshin up, and he dodged the attack that came even from above him.
It was Tight. He thought as he landed on the garden again.
"Kenshin…"
"Don't worry anata… I'll not let anyone hurt…" – he stopped as he felt his hand wet. He stared at the floor and saw bloods drops, and then he looked back at her. "No, It can't be!"
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And another chapter.
I know it might seem a little confused, because too many things happen here.
I hope that you like it anyway.
And please... please... leave your reviews. I want to know what you're thinking.
Jou