Thanks to Guest, Icy-kitty117 and Lydia the tygeropean for your reviews.

I am thinking about revising this story in the end, because of the grammar mistakes.

I would thank you if you just tell me some of them.

Chapter 17 - The Scar

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Distant voices echoed in her mind, some were familiar others not. But she couldn't understand their meaning, they seemed so far away…

Then, one was suddenly close: It was your fault that he died. She would never forget that voice: Akira's mother and the pain written on her eyes. Even in that moment Tomoe felt unable to say a word, not even a "I am sorry", or something to stand up for herself like: "It wasn't my fault"… No. she lay her head down in a resolute silence.

She felt numb, wishing it was just a nightmare, because if it wasn't she wouldn't knew what to do. That's why she needed confirmation, she needed to know if he really was dead, and that was the reason she came to see his body, and only then, when she couldn't refuse to believe, because evidence were right in front of her… only then…

Nothing.

She thought she would know how to deal with it…

Tomoe was educated but no one had ever told her how to react to something like this.

With the death of her beloved weighting on her shoulders she decided that something needed to be done. Revenge. She decided she wanted to kill the man who caused her so much pain. He deserved to suffer, he deserved to die.

"Sister I will find a way… You'll suffer no more. That man will pay." – Enishi's voice was also clear in her mind.

How could she drag him to this? He was still a child!

But in that moment her heart didn't allowed her to think clearly… She didn't deserve that pain, she didn't! It was unfair! Battousai was the one to blame! He made her suffer and he didn't even knew her! So she threw all of her anger towards him… until the day she knew him.

He was smaller than what she imagined, he was kind, and he was… in love with a girl probably younger than her. And the look in his eyes when he stared at Kaoru… it reminded her so much of the way Akira looked at her. And then all her rage slowly disappeared as she realized she was making a mistake.

Then again She felt numb… like her body was now. Refusing to move even when she wanted so bad to get up and put an end to this.

"Revenge is yours… He will suffer as you suffered, when you lost him." – Again Enishi's words ranged inside her head.

As I suffered when I lost you my love… No one deserves to feel that, the pain of losing the person you love the most… No one.

::::

There was a deep cut on Kaoru's back. Kenshin places her next to Sakura, when Katsura and some of the guards appear.

"You need to take care of the one that is on the other side as I take care of this one." - Kenshin said didn't even looking at Aoshi. The Okashira obeyed and jumped to the roof.

"You just made your biggest mistake." - his amber eyes locked on his enemy - "You shouldn't have hurt her. Now, you're going to know how I get this title." -

:::

"The cut on her back reopened. This is where all this blood comes." – the doctor turned Kaoru's body and his hands tore apart what was left of her kimono on the affected area of her body. He stared at Sakura and his face was serious: "We need to stop the bleeding, or she will bleed to death."

::::

Kenshin was exhausted after the match. That man was skilled but not good enough for him, in a normal situation he would kill him quickly, but his mind was not on the battle, it was on Kaoru. He had to put her away from his thoughts for a while so that he could concentrate on his enemy, otherwise that would be fatal to him.

As he did that, victory seemed to come at ease. And before the man's body hit the floor along with his chained claws, Kenshin was already on the inside kneeling next to Kaoru.

He had seen wounds before, he saw blood and all kinds of carnage, and it came to a point that his heart became insensitive. But not to this, not to her wounds. Kaoru's wounds affected him like they were his own. And for a moment he wished it was him laying there instead of her.

He saw the blood and the doctor yelling things he couldn't understand, he saw Sakura running in and out of the room with the things that old man asked, and all he could think was that it was his fault. And, for the first time in his life he prayed. Prayed that she could live on even if he had to stay away from her… She didn't deserved this pain, this suffer…

I don't deserve you my dear Kaoru. No one that makes you suffer this much do… - he bent his head and kissed her forehead.

:::

::::

"We need you Kaoru. It's been almost six months since you're like this. The doctors, they are not sure, but they say that it's everything ok with your body… whatever is keeping you like this… it's yourself….It's hard for me to understand, why don't you want to came back?"

Misao paused.

"I know you lost them, but what about us? Aren't we important? We are here Kaoru! We are your friends! No matter what happens we will support you, and you know that!"

Misao had just heard from a nurse saying to another that all that they could do for Kaoru was done. Now it depended on her reaction. She was so sad after that. All she could ask was why? Why was Kaoru fighting against coming back?

"You should talk to her…But not in a blaming tone." – Misao didn't notice the female doctor entering the room. "Maybe she wants to wake up but her mind is too numb and it could take a while."

She wanted them to wait more? "But Dr Megumi, isn't dangerous for someone to stay like this for so long? It's been six months already."-

The doctor explained: "Some of her motor functions (like walking) might be affected for a while, maybe she will have to learn to do that again, her senses will be numb… and some other small things. But keep your hopes high Misao, I believe your friend is going to recover soon." – she placed a hand on Misao's shoulders and offered her a smile: "Hope." – then she turned to the machine that was connected to Kaoru and wrote down the numbers in it and left.

"Do you hear that? She believes in you, please Kaoru, come back to us."

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Kenshin sighed as he walked away from her room. He felt his prayers were answered when she first opened her eyes after two days ago. She was weak but alive. And that was all he could ask.

He had a sinking feeling inside him.

Exceptionally Aoshi's presence was allowed in that house as he presented himself as Kaoru's friend. And after what happened two days ago Kenshin couldn't deny that. The Okashira defeated the other man on the roof and seemed to want nothing more than Kaoru's safety. And that was why Kenshin was not in her room now. Sakura was with Kaoru as Aoshi was visiting.

Aoshi's presence didn't affect him like before, but he couldn't come to love it. Every time he appears Kenshin feels like he is reminded of how he failed to protect Kaoru. And for a samurai like him, the acknowledge of his own flaws was devastating.

He sighed looking at the door one more time before we went to the outside.

I need to let that go.

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Kaoru stood up to a sitting position.

"Don't push yourself, you will not elude death forever, Kaoru." – the warning tone of his voice made her laugh.

"Don't worry. I am not intending to die." – she smiled and looked at Sakura: "Not now." – Not now that things between her and Kenshin were getting back to normal. It was just a matter of time until Tomoe wakes up and… "Oh! I almost forgot!" – Kaoru glanced at Sakura: "Do you know where that small box is?"

Sakura nod: "Yes. I put it here." – she got up and opened the wardrobe. "It's here." – she gave Kaoru a small grey box.

Kaoru smiled. She had planned this so long ago… Even when Kenshin and her weren't in good terms… she turned to Aoshi: " May I ask you a favor?"

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"Himura?" – Saigoro approaches Kenshin with an envelope in hands. "Is that for me?" – Kenshin's asks.

The other man shook his head negatively: "No. It's for the girl: Tomoe. But she is still… asleep. What I am supposed to do with this?"

Kenshin shrugged his shoulders: "Give it to me. I will left it in her room."

:::::

As the samurai walk along the hallway to her room, He notices the door was open. Immediately he fastened his pace and stopped in front of the door.

His eyes widened in shock as he saw Tomoe's state. She was awake, but her face was as pale as snow, and her yukata was wet with sweat. She was panting as if she just ran for hours. Kenshin also noticed she just used all her strength to reach the door and open it.

"Kenshin… I… I need to…" – she tried to talk but she was hyperventilating. Kenshin stepped into the room and help her to sit on her futon. "Shhh… Take your time."

She tried to calm herself. He was here, it was now. Kenshin wasn't going anywhere until she told him everything. .. But then her eyes stuck in what he had in hands, an envelope with her name. "What's that?" – she asked immediately fear starting to grow inside her.

Kenshin glanced at the envelope in his hand: "It arrived for you just a few minutes ago. I was in my way to place it here, when I saw you're awake."

She turned to him: "How many days was I out?" – worried written all over her face.

"A few days… Since the fire on the restaurant." – Kenshin answered

She took the envelope of his hands and Kenshin stared at her for a while: "If you want some privacy, we can talk later."

She immediately nod. And although he found her change odd, Kenshin got up and left.

::::::::::::::::::

Nervously she read the letter. The message was short but enough to make Tomoe became in an alert state.

Come to us, or we kill the brat.

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Kenshin figured that Aoshi had already left, so he made his way to the room Kaoru was. As he slide the door open he informed Sakura that Tomoe was already awake, and that probably she would be in need of care, since she looked weak.

He didn't knew why a glint of hope appeared in Kaoru's eyes, but he choose not to ask. Since she was conscious, he wanted to spend some time with her, he felt he needed that, now more than ever.

Only if I could take you away from this place…

He sat in front of her and even if she was smiling at him, Kenshin couldn't stand to look at her in the eye. "I am sorry Kaoru, once again you're suffering because of me."

She placed her hand in his and her tone was so comforting that for a while he thought she wasn't in pain anymore. "Kenshin please, don't blame yourself." – she squeezed his hand, and he finally looked up at her: "You don't have to carry the world on your shoulders just because you're strong."

He sighed disagreeing.

Kaoru knew he felt guilty of many things, and even… if someday they would come to live together, and be something more that what they were now… every time he saw the scars that her clothes usually hide, all that guilt would surface again. "What happened to me, could happen to anyone."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "I am tired of this, of this bloodshed of this place…" – his voice sounded like a whisper, more like he was praying… Was he is praying?

"What do you mean?" – Kaoru asked. Was he talking about Katsura's house? Could be, he spent much time there than in his own place.

Kenshin opened his eyes and answered her with sincerity: "Every… inch of this city brings me bad memories…" – he bit his bottom lip: "Sometimes I just wish that we could move on to somewhere different. Somewhere new." – he took her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently: "And start over again."

Kaoru blushed with the unexpected gesture: "What's keeping you from doing it?"

He raised his eyebrow in surprise: "I have to wait until you get better, to take you with me." – he said as if it was obviously something that she should already know.

Kaoru lips curved into a smile: "Do you? And where do you wanna take me to?"

"Isn't it obvious?" – he placed his other hand on top of hers and stared straight at her with those giant violet eyes. "I want you to show me your world."

For a second Kaoru felt she was lost in his eyes, only when the meaning of his words reached her brain she woke up, but he continued: "The one that you always talk about… I want to meet your friends..." – his hand flew to her face and traced her lips. "I want you to teach me how it is to live in peace, how it feels to be truly happy." – Kaoru closed her eyes and smiled. His voice was like a melody to her. "And I know I don't deserve you, I know my hands are dirty while yours are clean. I know I am monster, But, you're the only one that can make me happy Kaoru."

Kaoru used all the strength she had to wrap him in an embrace. "You're not that Kenshin, you're not a monster, please don't use that words to describe you."- Slowly she made him place his head on her lap, while she caressed his face and played with his hair: "You're the man I love, always had been. And you do have the same right to be happy, just everyone else does, or even more, my love."

He exhaled in relief. Her lap was so warm and relaxing that he felt he had already reached a part of that peace he wanted so much : "That means you're going to show me your world?"

"You're my world Kenshin." – she tried to bend and kiss him but her back complained reminding her that her wound was still fresh. Noticing that, Kenshin, placed one hand on her side, supporting the weight of his body, and with the other on the back of her neck, his face slowly came close to hers. He missed her lips, he was anxious to taste them, so much he forgot his senses telling him that someone was approaching, and went ahead and kissed her.

His lips were hot just as much as the hand on her neck… And Kaoru was ready to enjoy more and more of this moment but, Kenshin stopped abruptly and she only noticed the motive when saw Sakura standing on the door, blushing at the scenario in front of her: "Ops… I am sorry to…" – the woman was clearly embarrassed. "Interrupt."

It was a short kiss… Kaoru thought that no one in the world could blush more than Sakura, but that opinion changed when she turned her attention to Kenshin. He was as red as a tomato.

Since Sakura was too embarrassed to say a thing, she just gave Kenshin a paper.

He read it and looked back at her. "The boy is her brother, Enishi. Where is she?"

Sakura shook her head: "I've been looking for her since you told me she was awake, and couldn't find her."

"Tomoe?" – Kaoru asked glancing between Kenshin and Sakura.

The other woman nod.

"When I found her awake she said she wanted to tell me something, but I insisted that she should rest… she seemed so weak. "Kenshin sighed frustrated: "I would like to help, but I won't leave Kaoru's side." Then, he felt Kaoru grabbing his sleeve: "Kenshin, please… Take her back."

He denied. "No. I won't leave you here alone."

"I am not alone." – she replied.

But Kenshin was firm in his conviction."No Kaoru. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Tomoe is just another victim in this scheme and she is the only one that can give you the name of the traitor." – that was it. She had said it.

"What are you talking about?" – he looked puzzled at her – "And even if what you're saying is true… how would I know where to find her?"

"The Black forest. I don't know if it was Saito or Aoshi who told me something about a group that works there… They want to destroy Ishin. I am almost sure that she went there. And it's snowing isn't it? Can't you follow her footsteps?"

Kenshin sighed in exasperation.

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I have a bad feeling about this… Kenshin thought as his foot buried in the snow making it hard for him to walk: I am going to regret this decision…. He stared at the mountain. It wasn't a long path, but the snow was slowing him down, what pissed him off, since all he wanted was to come back to Kaoru's side as soon as possible. Besides he couldn't shut down the inner voice screaming inside his of head: Go back…

Kenshin was determined to do it, just because she asked him to. But if something happened in his absence, he would never forgive himself.

Almost half way there, Kenshin noticed how odd this place was. It was winter and there shouldn't be no leaves left on the branches but the trees were full of them like the winter never came to them, and They were darker than usual, almost black. Probably that was why people called this place the Black Forest. On top of all the energy there was… strange… deadly. He knew he was being watched, but it was so silent, that for a while he thought that even the wind stopped blowing. And it was in that moment the first attack came.

Kenshin dodged easily. And when he looked to see whatever tried to hit him, he saw another claw attached to a chain, like the one from two days ago, when Kaoru got hurt. They don't give up.

He looked up at a tree as he saw the chain being pulled up by a man dressed like a ninja. Kenshin didn't wait to strike, and even when the ninja dodged, Kenshin still managed to hurt his right arm.

The man fell on the ground, his blood tainting the snow. Then probably realizing that there couldn't fight him with his arm injured like that, he did something strange: He took some snow to his mouth and pushed a chain that was hidden below it.

What happened next made Kenshin fell from the tree hitting hard on the ground.

:::

It was all fuzzy for a while. He got up but his body wasn't ready yet. The explosion had affected his hearing . Kenshin's hand flew to his ear as he felt liquid coming out of it. It was blood. This is not good.

He searched for the ninja but all he could see was pieces of his body, here and there. Why would he do that? He knew the explosion would kill him to!

Although that, Kenshin forgot the logic and the fussiness in his head along with the exasperating noise inside his ears and move on.

He didn't take much long until he saw another ninja straight ahead.

This one didn't have any chain or claw, but Kenshin knew, with all his experience, that hidden weapons were the dangerous ones. As he ran to him, forgetting all of his pain, the ninja dodged all his attacks with agility. I am slowing down… Kenshin realized.

It wasn't easy to fasten his attacks when his audition was affecting his balance. I have to do it. This guy was fast! But not as fast as me!

Don't be lazy! He remembered his master's voice. You would be perfect if you weren't so lazy my baka deshi!

"No!" – Kenshin unsheathed the other sword with his left hand – "I can't be lazy, not when it comes to Kaoru!" – the ninja was caught by surprise with Kenshin left strike. Kenshin's sword cut through his stomach and the man fell careless on the ground.

Kenshin turned his back on him and started walking again. I have no time to waste.

Behind him, the ninja picked up his darts and threw one directly to Himura's shoulder. That will do it.

Then, like the other before him, he took the snow to his mouth and pulled another chain.

Kenshin's knees hit the ground, this time not because of the explosion, but because his vision was blurry and his head was spinning. He immediately realized he has been poisoned.

Who are this people?

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Katsura walked frantically from one side to another, when he heard the second explosion: "We have to go there and see what's happening."

"Do you think it's prudent?" – Shishio asked – "This explosion seems distant than the first one."

Katsura shook his head: "I need to know what's happening. Gather the men!"

As Shishio left to call the others, Yutaro said: ""We must call Kenshin, to come with us too." – he was ready to go on and do it when Katsura's hand stopped him: "No, Kenshin is with Kaoru, let's allow him to have some rest. He deserves it, and we can handle this by ourselves. Also this house is safe as long as he is on the inside."

:_:::

He had never been like this before. So… weak. Kenshin's ears were bleeding, his head was fuzzy and his body was so numb… ready to shut down at any time… But he kept walking.

He could barely see, but there were three people waiting for him near the house. Kenshin recognized one of them was Tomoe.

"Now this will end." – the man with grey hair said as he started walking towards Kenshin.

The red-haired man was visibly exhausted and didn't saw the other one coming into his direction. So when he was punched right in the face, he didn't know for where that punch came from. Kenshin swung his sword in every direction, as he couldn't figure where his enemy was.

This was a lost battle since the beginning.

::

"This is not fair." – Enishi heard his sister saying. He shook his head negatively. A few minutes ago, when she was asked about Battousai's flaws, the only thing she said was: He is to kind. And now, she was acting as if she was worried about his fate in battle. Why was she acting like this around this man? He stole her happiness!

Fear grew inside his heart as his sister looked at him apologetically and ran to the battlefield, with her dagger In hand.

Then, everything happened so fast, that Enishi didn't even have the time to mutter a single word.

She placed herself between the two of them, while they were fighting, and tried to kill the taller one. The next thing Enishi saw was his sister's white kimono tainted with blood, as she fell on the arms of the red-haired samurai.

::

Kenshin felt the weight of a body falling in his arms making him fall on his knees . As he looked down he immediately recognized who was: "Tomoe…" – he whispered her name, as she contorted in pain. "I am sorry." – she said with tears on her eyes. "It will bleed no more." – he ignored the fact that she was using her dagger to slash the left side of his face: "Tomoe, why?" – Kenshin asked regret filling him realizing what just happened. "I am sorry…" – she took a deep breath, as much as she could and added: "Kaoru, Kaoru, go to her."

"I have to take you to a doctor." – Kenshin tried to lift her but she protested: "No. She needs you, now, or it will be too late…" – he stared at her: "Why?"

"She is just someone who loves you too much and…" – she tossed and the dagger on her hand fell in the snow. "I can't have her death weighing on my conscience." Then she smiled for the first time since he met her and replied: "Akira…"

Kenshin watched in horror as the woman on his arms gave her last breath.

And there were so many contradictory feelings inside him now.

Should she leave her there?

Should he take her with him?

No. I need to go to Kaoru… she is my priority now.

When he left he asked a guard of his trust to stay at the entrance of her room, and he knew he would do everything in his grasp to fulfill the task he gave him but… her death weighing on my conscience…he remembered Tomoe's last words.

So, he got up and started running, as fast as he could in his condition.

Kaoru Just wait for me… Please don't let it be too late.

:::::::::::::::::

Iizuka made his entrance after Katsura left with the guards. Only four guards were left in the house, and he knew they would never suspect him. T

he three on the outside weren't a danger. But, as he gets inside he notice there was one guarding a room.

"Hai Tsetuma!" – he greeted him – "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be guarding the entrance like Shinji, Kaji and Chen?"

The boy answered: "I was asked to guard lady Kaoru."

So she is here… and Himura is out: "Who asked you to do that?"

"Himura himself." – he said proudly. Iizuka knew Tsetsuma looked at Kenshin as his model and it would be difficult to persuade him to act against his orders.

"I'll do that. You are needed outside." – he tried, but the boy didn't faltered: "I am sorry, but Mr Himura said that I shouldn't leave this place even if someone told me to."

Iizuka tried again, there was no need to kill him if he collaborates: "Mr Himura is my friend, do you think I would ever do anything to hurt is girlfriend?"

The boy raised his hands defensively: "I am not saying that. But you understand as good as I, that orders are orders."

"Ok kid." – Iizuka turned his back on him. "You could be good someday…" – Unfortunately for you, that day will never come –"I am sorry, I really liked you, but…" – he turns around and craves a katana on Tsetsuma chest – "Bigger things than you and I are at stake kid." - the guard fall on his knees still trying to understand why was one of the most antique members of IShin doing this to him.

::

Kaoru gasps as she sees the door sliding open and the guard, Tsetsuma laying on the floor.

Sakura immediately gets up and tries to face Iizuka, but he knocks her down punching her on the stomach. She faints.

Kaoru watches in horror as the responsible of her fatalities makes his way towards her.

"Finally alone." – he said.

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So, How was it?