Sorry for the long wait! I have had two computers crash on me plus law school taking over within the last few months. I also apologize for any and all typos as I have not had time to edit. Read, enjoy, and review!
Tomoe let out a soft sigh as she looked over her shoulder once again. Kenshin was leaning against a wooden beam that had once been the support of a former restaurant that had suffered from the last battle in Kyoto. Tomoe met his eyes and he immediately looked away. She wasn't sure why he had started following her around after she saved his life but she knew better than to ask. She knew it was probably because she was his last connection to Kaoru. Tomoe took a deep breath before stepping into the shop in front of her.
She looked around the small shop as a deep sadness engulfed her. She had never thought she would be picking out a tombstone for her closest friend when her friend had only been sixteen. She turned as she heard a curtain part and swallowed as a woman not much older than her stepped through. Tomoe met her eyes and the woman tilted her head.
"What can I help you with?" she asked. Tomoe let out a soft breath as she slipped her hands into the sleeves into her kimono.
"My name is Yukishiro Tomoe. I lost a friend...to the war. Her husband and I buried her in the graveyard at the top of hill not far from here. We...we didn't have the time or funds to get her a proper stone. As of right now it is just a wooden plaque. We've managed to save up and want to purchase a proper monument." Tomoe informed the woman. She watched as the woman tilted her head before pulling out a pipe. Tomoe had to hide her wince. She disliked the smell of tobacco. It reminded her of the man who had, ultimately, sealed Kaoru's fate by kidnapping Tomoe.
"I see. And I assume the husband is that redhead out there with the cross-shaped scar?" the woman asked. Tomoe let out a soft sigh as she knew that people were aware of who Kenshin was because of his distinct coloring and scar.
"I'm the one purchasing the stone not Himura-san." she said firmly. The woman laughed as she lit the pipe between her fingers.
"I have no qualms in doing business with the Battousai, Yukishiro-san. I was just curious as to why he did not enter with you." the woman asked. Tomoe sighed.
"It is still hard for him. His wife was...very precious to him. She was my best friend so I know how he feels." she explained.
"I understand. Very well. I'll need name, date of birth, and date of death." the woman said as she pulled out a piece of paper and what looked like a writing utensil.
"Her name was Ka...Himura Kaoru, she was born June of 1848 and died in December 1864. I also have another request." Tomoe said. She met the owner's eyes as the woman looked up from her writing pad.
"Yes?" the woman prompted. Tomoe bit her lips before pulling out a bag that she had been carrying with her since they had burnt the house in Otsu down. Kenshin had told her it would be for the best if they also cremated Kaoru with the house but Tomoe had refused. Her father had paid for Kaoru's body to be returned to Kyoto and buried. He had refused to pay for a stone that held her married name and so Tomoe had improvised by giving her a temporary wooden one. She could only Kaoru would forgive the slight disrespect of not giving her a proper grave marker.
"These are ashes from the house they called home. I...I was wondering if they could be incorporated into the stone." she asked. The woman smiled before taking the small bag.
"I can do that. It would be a nice tribute. I'll have it ready tomorrow afternoon." the woman told her. Tomoe gave a small smile before bowing.
"Thank you very much. I'm sorry...I didn't catch your name." she inquired. The woman laughed before shrugging her shoulders.
"I'm Hajime Tokio. My father normally runs this store but he is ill so I've taken over for the time being. My husband currently has to care for his own ill friend so I'm the only one left. It was nice to meet you even though the circumstances aren't the best. I have the feeling you and I will meet again even after you pick up the marker for your friend." she told her. Tomoe shook her head with a sad smile.
"No. I don't think so. Himura-san...he wants to repent by traveling the country to help others. I have decided to go with him so he will always know that Kaoru has already forgiven him." Tomoe told her. Tokio laughed as she put out her pipe.
"What a noble sacrifice you make for your friend's beloved. Remember this, Yukishiro-san, fate works in mysterious ways. We will meet again. Good-bye." the woman said with a smile. Tomoe nodded before exiting the shop. She turned to look at the closed curtain before jumping as someone cleared their throat. She turned to see Kenshin had approached her.
"Let's go." she said. Kenshin nodded before following her as she went in search of a comfortable place to rest. 'That woman...it was almost like she knew what happened with the knife Kaoru gave me. Cold she know about me and Kenshin? No. That's impossible. Fate or not.'
"The last time I heard the name 'Kaoru' was when I was engraving it into a gravestone after the Bakumatsu." Tokio said as she took a sip of the tea Tomoe had just served. Tomoe had ushered Kaoru, Kenshin, and Tokio into a separate room while putting everyone else, including Saitou and Okita, to work to have the kitchen cleaned up in time for the lunch rush. No one had argued when they saw the look in her eyes. Kaoru now understood why the White Plum restaurant ran so efficiently. Tomoe was a scary woman.
"Tokio, you shouldn't jest about such things." Tomoe brandished as she sat down next to the woman. Kaoru was currently seated next to Kenshin and she was sure if he became any tenser his muscles would start protesting.
"I'm not. Kaoru's headstone was the last one I made before Saitou and I moved to Tokyo in the late 1800s. I haven't heard it since." the woman said. Tomoe sighed before shaking her head. Kaoru kept focus on the tea in front of her.
"Just because you haven't heard the name doesn't mean that Kaoru is that Kaoru's reincarnation." Tomoe said. Tokio laughed before pushing her cup away.
"When you asked me to make that stone for Kaoru's grave I told you we would meet again. I was talking about fate, you know. And I'm not saying this because she has the same name as the other Kaoru but because people of my disposition can tell when we meet others of the same disposition." Tokio said. Kaoru raised her eyes as she wondered what the older woman had up her sleeve.
"Disposition?" Kaoru repeated dryly.
"I said I was like your former incarnation, Kaoru, and that means something you already know. Something the other-" Kaoru jumped to her feet to interrupt the woman.
"I don't know what you mean, Tokio. All I know about the other Kaoru is what Tomoe and Kenshin have told me. Nothing more." Kaoru said. Tokio tilted her head before shrugging her shoulders. Kaoru furrowed her brow as the woman's eyes moved to the door that led to the kitchen.
"YEOWCH! WATCH WHAT YOU'RE DOING!" Kaoru jumped at Yahiko's scream along with a loud thump.
"Good grief. I'm going to make sure they don't kill each other. Misao!" Tomoe called as she stood up and entered the kitchen.
"What! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! IT LOOKS LIKE A NUCLEAR BOMB WENT OFF IN HERE! KENSHIN!" Tomoe screamed. Kaoru met Kenshin's eyes before giggling as he winked at her.
"I'm going to go make sure she doesn't kill anyone." he said before also getting up and disappearing into the kitchen. Kaoru sighed before turning her attention back to Tokio.
"Please tell me you didn't seriously maim or hurt anyone with that little stunt." she pleaded as she sat back down.
"No injuries. So you do know what the other Kaoru was and she was the one to tell you, wasn't she? How did she manage that, I wonder, if you're her reincarnation?" Tokio asked as she pulled her teacup back towards her. Kaoru sighed before crossing her arms.
"You're right. The other Kaoru told me what she was but I haven't told Kenshin or Tomoe that...I can communicate with her. I'm not sure how they would react." she confessed. She fidgeted as Tokio continued to study her making her feel more uncomfortable as time continued to pass.
"I still must ask as to how Kaoru is able to communicate with you if you are her reincarnation. She shouldn't be able to communicate with you...unless...is she a voice inside your head?" Tokio asked. Kaoru scowled before shaking her head.
"I'm not hearing voices. And may I remind you that you and everyone else here are the ones that lived through the Bakumatsu and that happened over a hundred years ago? I can see her. It's...like looking into a mirror to be honest. That is the biggest reason I don't want to tell Kenshin and Tomoe I can see her. My similarity to her is...it causes them pain. I can tell." Kaoru whispered.
"So...she's a ghost? How is that possible? You seem to be a full reincarnation." Tokio observed. Kaoru nodded before leaning forward so her elbows were resting on the table. She dipped her finger into her tea and began to stir it. She withdrew her finger and wiped it on the napkin near the plate that held her teacup.
"Sort of. I'm not sure of all the details but she said that she attached part of herself to Kenshin. I guess that means I'm not a full reincarnation. She's been trying to awaken my memories of that time and its working as far as I can tell. Each time I fall asleep it's like I'm in the past with Kenshin and Tomoe." Kaoru said. Tokio nodded with a sigh.
"I see. Kaoru loved him. More than anything." Tokio said with a smile.
"Did she know what she was when she met him?" Kaoru asked. Tokio blinked before shaking her head.
"No. Most people, like you and me, don't know of our powers until we turn eighteen at the earliest. It is likely that Kaoru realized what she was after she passed away and then transferred her power to the knife Tomoe wields." Tokio told her. Kaoru nodded before frowning as she met Tokio's gaze.
"You don't yourself a witch but the other Kaoru calls herself a witch. Is that not...the correct term?" she asked. She swallowed as Tokio's eyes narrowed and could only hope she hadn't insulted the woman. She had a feeling Tokio would be the only one to help her sort through the other memories that Kaoru seemed to be throwing at her.
"Witch is an adequate term, I suppose. I have always thought of people like me and the other Kaoru as saviors. We save people from premature deaths." Tokio explained.
"Yeah, but then they never get to truly live again, do they?" she asked. Tokio laughed causing Kaoru to jump.
"That is where the difference between a true savior like me and someone entrusted with the power like Tomoe becomes obvious. There is a reason I only have two close companions and that is because they do not want their hearts back. They wish to live with me. I have the conviction to return the hearts I take from those who would die otherwise. I do not keep their hearts like Tomoe." she said. Kaoru felt her hackles rise in defense of her friend.
"I do not mean Tomoe has done this on purpose. She just doesn't have the necessary conviction." Tokio said. Kaoru found she was still intent on defending Tomoe.
"Tomoe would do anything to return the hearts to her friends. She has the conviction to return the hearts! I know she does!" Kaoru exclaimed. Tokio just shook her head with a small smile.
"She also needs the power, Kaoru. It was the power of the other Kaoru, entrapped in that dagger, that gave her the ability to take the hearts and save the lives. It did not, however, give her the ability to restore the hearts. Unfortunately, you do not have that ability either." Tokio told her. Kaoru could feel her brow furrow.
"But if I'm truly Kaoru's reincarnation, shouldn't I be the one able to restore them? If she had power then so do I! I should be able to help them! I should be able to give them their lives back so they can age and not have to hide from society. They can be part of it again. I know I can restore their hearts to them! If Kaoru could have done it, why can't I?" Kaoru demanded.
"Kaoru's powers were not reincarnated into you, Kaoru. She sealed her power, on accident, in that dagger. When she gave it to Tomoe she was doing it to protect her friend. In doing so, she gave her power to Tomoe on accident so it would protect her. I do not know how to unseal her or your power." Tokio told her. Kaoru sighed before shaking her head.
"There has to be another way then. I promised myself I would save them. I will." she said.
"Perhaps. I will look into to see if there is a way to unseal the power. I think for now it would be best to focus on defeating Yumi and Shishio. It is an advantage, at this point, for no one facing them to have a heart. I worry about your mortality but something tells me you are not easy to take down." the older woman observed.
"That is the truth, that it is. Kaoru-dono held Yumi off on her own for at least ten minutes and you know what Yumi is capable of, Tokio-dono, that you do." Kaoru jumped as Kenshin sat down beside her. She glanced at Tokio as another thought hit her.
"Wait a minute. Yumi also has a dagger. Does that mean she isn't like you?" Kaoru asked.
"No, she's like me. A savior who's gone rogue in the search for power. She did not seal her powers in the dagger like the power trapped in Tomoe's. Instead, she uses it like a satellite. It amplifies her magic to make her more powerful." Tokio told her. Kaoru chuckled nervously as Kenshin gave her a dry look.
"I wish I had known that before I broke at least three of her ribs." Kaoru said before quickly picking her tea up and gulping it down.
"You what? You broke her ribs? Did she not heal herself?" Tokio demanded. Kaoru thought for a moment before shaking her head as she remembered the way the broomstick head had been forced to assist in escaping.
"No. She was hurt when she left. She couldn't stand by herself at the very least." Kaoru recalled. Tokio hummed causing Kaoru to glance at Kenshin. The redhead shrugged his shoulders as he sipped his tea.
"Did she kill anyone?" Kaoru asked in reference to Tomoe as Tokio continued to hum.
"No. Everyone is alive and all limbs are still attached. I convinced Tomoe to help setup the main dining room with Aoshi. So everyone is safe for now." he told her. She giggled as she smiled at him. She felt her cheeks redden when he returned the smile.
"Tomoe told me she had been injured by Yumi's dagger. How is she still alive?" Tokio asked.
"She didn't tell you, Tokio-dono?" Kenshin asked. The woman just shook her head.
"I...I cut my hand with Tomoe's dagger and used my blood to heal her. Something told me that was what I had to do so I did. I wasn't going to let her die." Kaoru defended.
"What about your hand? Neither of your hands are bandaged and don't seem to be bothering you in a way that would indicate they'd been hurt." Tokio observed. Kaoru glanced at Kenshin and he nodded in encouragement.
"It healed almost immediately afterwards. I don't even have a scar." she explained.
"Well, well, well. That's interesting." Tokio said with a smile. Kenshin cleared his throat.
"I'm not sure I like the way you say that, Tokio-dono." he told her. The woman laughed before standing up.
"Perhaps. But I believe, Kenshin, that our young friend here is the key to stopping Shishio and Yumi from turning Kyoto into an inferno. I have some research that needs to be done." she told them before disappearing into the kitchen. Kaoru let out soft sigh before slumping in her chair.
"Are you alright? I know Tokio-dono can be overwhelming but she is a good friend and ally." Kenshin said. Kaoru chuckled before glancing at him.
"I'm fine, Kenshin, just thinking is all. Just thinking. Is it alright if I grab Misao and go on a walk? I need to clear my head." she asked as she stood up. Kenshin immediately followed suit.
"I'm free unless I'm one of the things you need to clear from your head." he told her. She chuckled before shaking her head.
"No. You're one of the few things that actually makes sense right now. I thought you'd prefer to be her doing possible damage control instead of showing me around a city I know holds unpleasant memories." she said. He smiled at her causing her cheeks to heat once again. She swallowed as she realized she was starting to have feelings for the redhead.
"Not all of my memories are unpleasant. I can show you where my beloved wife thought it was necessary to push me into the river, swords and all, and then proceeded to laugh at me." he told her. Kaoru blinked before laughing.
"She did what?" she demanded once she was able to gain her breath. He was grinning her, as though delighted by her laughter, before shrugging his shoulders.
"She was mischievous, she was. She never did give me an explanation I could accept. She just told me I looked like I could use a good shove." he told her. Kaoru studied him for a moment before smiling.
"Was this before or after you two realized you cared for each other?" she asked. She noticed the way his brow furrowed and wondered if she'd said something to give herself away. She could see the question in his eyes and had to prevent herself from sighing in relief when she saw the question disappear from his eyes. It would seem that her good luck was holding and he'd managed to come up with an acceptable answer himself.
"It was during that time period. I knew I cared for her but I certainly hadn't classified it by that point and I don't think she had yet, either." he told her. Kaoru sighed in exasperation as she put her hands on her hips.
"I might not know much about dating but even I can tell she was flirting with you. That should have become obvious once the two of you got married." she told him. He studied her for a moment then nodded.
"I suppose you're right. I just wish she hadn't pushed me in with my swords. Do you know how hard it is to swim to shore with a katana and kodachi on your belt? While they are both sheathed?" he asked. She found she couldn't hold back her laughter when she noticed the deadpanned look on his face.
"Who would've thought the Battousai would be defeated by a teenage girl pushing him into a river?" she giggled. Kenshin rolled his eyes at her as he watched her attempt to get her giggles under control.
"Are you done?" he asked. She glanced him through her bangs and nodded even though her smile still lingered.
"Yes. I would also like to explore the older parts of the city. It might give us some clues about where Shishio is hiding." she explained. She watched as his gaze shuddered and he tilted his head.
"I thought you wanted to clear your mind not look for trouble, Kaoru-dono." he observed. She sighed as she shook her head.
"I meant to clear my head from what Tokio and I talked about. I still want to do everything I can to help stop Shishio. Besides, you offered to come with me and I realized you wouldn't be allowed to scold me for going into danger by myself since you'll be there to protect me." she told him. She had to bite back a smile when he let out an exasperated sigh.
"You are twisting my wishes, Kaoru-dono, that you are." he informed her. She shrugged with a smile.
"Perhaps but you did say you'd prefer to be with me if I went into a potentially dangerous situation. I would guess looking for clues about Shishio's whereabouts can be considered a potentially dangerous situation. You will come with me, won't you?" she asked.
"I'm not going to let you go after him by yourself if that's what you're asking." he responded.
"Great! Let's go!" she said brightly as she grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the door of the restaurant. They slipped their shoes on and she then proceeded to drag him out onto the busy streets of Kyoto. She glanced at Kenshin to see he was staring at her curiously. She frowned as he grinned at her and knew he had figured out she had no idea where to go.
"The oldest part of the city is near the center. It expanded outwards during the two World Wars and even more after the Second War ended. The oldest structures have actually been very well maintained for not having modern technology to help preserve them until recently." he told her as he began to lead her. She tried to keep from blushing as she realized he was now holding her hand.
"It's probably because the people that operated businesses in those buildings also live in them. They had to make sure the buildings were safe to live in with their families which meant they were preserving the buildings." Kaoru observed. He glanced at her as they continued to make their way through the busy streets.
"That would make sense. A lot of people's houses were destroyed when Kyoto was attacked during the Bakumatsu. It didn't hit the business district as much people thought it did. The reason business closed because of the attack was because people were scared. They closed their businesses because they feared being attached to the Ishin Shishi as the Shogunate was not kind to our allies." he explained. Kaoru thought for a moment before tilting her head.
"By closing, thought, weren't the owners admitting to being involved with the Shogunate's enemies?" she asked. Kenshin shook his head as they paused at a crosswalk that would put them on the main street that would allow them to access the oldest part of the city.
"Not at all. The Shogunate thought the businesses were closing because they were afraid the Ishin Shishi would retaliate because they had stayed open to sell supplies to the Shogunate army. They were able to survive by making the Shogunate think they refused to help the Ishin Shishi by closing shop. Although, most of the owners still sold goods under the table to our forces. The business section of Kyoto actually became a residential district until the end of the Bakumatsu." he explained as they waited for the light to turn green. Kaoru couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face.
"Amazing. I think I could listen to you talk all day about the past. Have you ever considered teaching history?" she asked teasingly. He shook his head before leading her across the road as the light finally turned green.
"I have enough trouble keeping everything running smoothly so Tomoe won't kill anyone. I don't want to think about having to do that in a classroom as well." he said as he pulled her so she was walking beside him. She shook her head as she thought about the scary glint Tomoe seemed to get in her eyes when things didn't go her way.
"Was she always so controlling and scary?" she asked. Kenshin remained silent and Kaoru wondered if she had overstepped her boundaries.
"No. I know she's told you what I was like when Kaoru passed away. She was my strength for a long time and I can admit needing that strength. It took me time to realize she needed someone to be her strength. She was just as devastated as I was about losing Kaoru. I'm not sure if she's told you about the rest of her family but there wasn't much support left for on that front." he said.
"She told me a little about Enishi and how he blamed you for Kaoru's death." she said.
"Enishi began to blame her for betraying Kaoru by remaining with me. He basically disowned her after their father passed away. She was just as alone as I was. I believe she followed me around the county because she needed me just as much as I needed her. It wasn't until we returned to Japan after living in England for thirty years, a way to keep people in Japan from questioning our unending youth, that she got the idea to open a restaurant. That's when she became so...detail-oriented." he said with a chuckle.
"Translation: she became controlling and scary." Kaoru deadpanned. Kenshin laughed before nodding.
"You said it, that you did. She is good at what she does and it makes her happy. I hadn't seen Tomoe smile that much before so it was a pleasant surprise, it was. I like to think Kaoru is happy with how far we've come." he said. Kaoru smiled as she thought of the way the other Kaoru would look at Kenshin and Tomoe with pride and longing in her eyes.
"I'm sure she is, Kenshin. I'm sure she would do anything to be with the both of you." she told him. She swallowed as his hand tightened around her own.
"I would do anything to see her one more time." he whispered.
'I know, Kenshin, she would as well. But...I'm all that's left of her and I can't tell you that because I don't want to hurt you. I'm also selfish because I don't want to be anyone's second choice.' she thought as they continued their journey in silence. She wanted to soothe the pain she could feel coming from him but she didn't know how to do so without making the pain worse.
"Here we are. Historic Kyoto. Doesn't look much different than it did when I first came here minus the electricity and cars, that is." told her. She sighed before looking down one of the wooden alleyways formed by the old buildings. Her eyes went wide as a memory, one that was not hers but the other Kaoru's, flashed before her mind.
"It feels like we've stepped back in time." she whispered before her visions started to fade. The last thing she heard was Kenshin asking her if something was wrong.
"I hope I can convince her to wear plum blossoms for her wedding. They signify spring which means a new life and they also are used as a protective charm for evil. That way she and Akira-san can have a happy life together! Wouldn't that be good, Enishi-kun?" Kaoru asked as the boy walked with her towards their house.
"I guess. I don't see what the big deal is." he grumbled. Kaoru rolled her eyes before wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him close. He struggled for a moment before realizing she was currently stronger than him.
"It's because they're in love which is unusual since it was an arranged marriage, Enishi-kun. Tomoe is very happy with Akira and they won't live far so you can see her every day if you want. Think of it as getting a big brother instead of losing a sister, okay?" she said. Enishi sighed before pulling away from her. She met his eyes as he stepped in front of her to stop her journey.
"That's great and all but what about you, Kaoru? You'll get married one day and you'll have to leave the house like her. What if you marry some guy that wants you to leave Edo? We'll never see you again." he said. She laughed before bending down so she was on eye-level with her pseudo-brother.
"Enishi-kun, no matter what happens I will always come home. Even if my future husband is from the West, I will make him come visit as much as possible. I promise." she said as she held out her pinky. He smiled at her before taking her pinky with his own and shaking it.
"He better because I'll grow up to be bigger than him and I'll come make him let you see us." he said stubbornly. She laughed before straightening up as she ruffled his hair.
"Of course you will, Enishi-kun. Let's go. I want to see what Tomoe thinks of the flowers I picked out for her. If I keep her mind on planning the wedding, she won't think about the danger Akira might be in by fighting in Kyoto." she reminded him. He nodded as they began to move towards the gate that opened into their front courtyard. The Yukishiro house was rather large as Enishi's father was a successful shoe merchant.
"Yeah. She's really been worrying about him. At least you can get her mind off of it. I think I just remind her that he's fighting when I show her the new moves sensei teaches me each week." he said as he pushed the gate open. Kaoru ruffled his hair once again for good measure.
"Well, you can show Akira-san all your moves when he gets back. Now go help get the firewood chopped so we can have a hot meal tonight." she said as she pushed him towards the back of the house. He made a face at her.
"As long as you promise not to cook!" he said before running away. She stuck her tongue out at him as he disappeared around the corner of the house. She rolled her eyes as she smiled to herself.
"Kaoru-chan. I'm relieved you're back." Kaoru turned around as she heard Tomoe's father approach her.
"Relieved, Yukishiro-san?" she inquired. The older man nodded and she swallowed at the sad look on his face. Her mouth opened in surprise as she watched two dressed in the uniform of the Shogunate army walked past them and through the gate. She met her surrogate father's eyes and he nodded.
"Akira-san...he isn't coming back, is he?" she whispered. He shook his head and her heart dropped. "Where is she?"
"I had one of the maids help her back to her room. Would you go sit with her? I am unsure about how to comfort her." he asked.
She nodded before looking at the flowers in her basket. She gave a dry laugh before moving to place the basket on the porch. She slid her shoes off and quickly entered the home. She followed the hallway that led to Tomoe's room and paused outside the door. She took a deep breath as she listened to the older woman's mourning.
"Tomoe? May I come in?" she called. She listened as her friend went silent before jumping slightly as the shoji slid open. Kaoru caught Tomoe as the woman threw herself into her arms sobbing. Kaoru gently lowered her friend into a sitting position as Tomoe sobbed into her shoulder. She gently ran her fingers through her hair as she thought of what to say to comfort the woman.
"He's gone...my beloved is gone...I...I...I..." Tomoe continued to sob and Kaoru placed a gentle kiss on top of her friend's head.
"You need to breathe, Tomoe. Remember that you're not alone." she whispered. She let her friend go when the woman pulled away. She watched as Tomoe wiped her eyes and sniffled.
"I know that, Kaoru. I have a request." the woman whispered.
"Of course, Tomoe." Kaoru responded.
"I need to go to Kyoto to say good-bye. So I can move on. I want to visit the place he died so I can tell him I love him." she whispered. Kaoru blinked in surprise. She wanted to protest but after she met Tomoe's gaze she knew it would be futile. The woman had the stubborn look that meant she was on a mission.
"Of course, Tomoe. Did the soldiers tell you where they found him?" she inquired gently. Tomoe nodded as she took a deep breath.
"It's an alleyway in the center of Kyoto called Sakura Lane. I've heard it's a beautiful place. So...he at least was able to see the Sakura Blossoms before he passed." she whispered. Kaoru wondered at how specific the soldiers had been in relaying Akira's death but knew better than to ask.
"Then I will go pack my bags. We'll tell your father we're going to a hot springs near Kyoto so you can relax. That way you don't have to tell him that you're headed into a town that is at the heart of the revolution." she said. Tomoe nodded before climbing to her feet. Kaoru quickly climbed to her feet as well. She met her friend's eyes as the woman cleared her throat.
"Do you think Akira-kun died in vain?" she asked. Kaoru blinked before shaking her head vehemently.
"No. I believe Akira-san died for a noble cause. He died for a peace he believe would one day arrive in this land. I believe that in my heart, Tomoe, because he wanted that peace for you. More than anything, he wanted you to live in a safe world." Kaoru told her. Tomoe smiled at her, her cheeks still wet from her tears, as she nodded.
"You're right, Kaoru-chan. Thank you. I'm glad to have a friend like you."
"The feeling is mutual, Tomoe."
"Kaoru? Kaoru? Can you hear me?" Kaoru blinked at the sound of Kenshin's voice and looked around in a slight daze. She was surprised when she realized she was sitting on a bench on a busy street in the historical district of Kyoto. She reminded herself that she had insisted on Kenshin showing her the area. She jumped as the redhead covered her hands that were folded in her lap. She noticed he was kneeling on the ground in front of her and seemed to be searching her eyes for something.
"Are you alright, Kaoru?" he asked. She blinked a few more times before nodding as her memories started to sort themselves out. She hadn't expected a flashback and she certainly had not expected to learn the reason why Kaoru ended up accompanying Tomoe all because she looked down an old alleyway.
"What happened?" she asked. Kenshin chuckled as he stood up to take a seat next to her.
"I should be asking you that, I should. You looked down an alleyway, an old one formed by two of the oldest buildings, before nearly collapsing. You were mumbling about Sakura Lane and plum blossoms. You weren't making a lot of sense. I brought you over here to sit you down and nearly called an ambulance when you started crying. Then you seemed to be okay. So, what happened?" he told her. She sighed before leaning forward as she placed her head in her hands.
"I can't believe this is happening." she grumbled. She glanced up at Kenshin as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Kaoru-dono, what is going on?" he asked.
"You have to promise me that you won't be mad. I was going to tell you. I was going to tell you and Tomoe at the same time, I swear. I only found out a few days ago." she whispered. She watched as Kenshin swallowed.
"Tokio-dono was right. You're Kaoru's reincarnation." he whispered. Kaoru nodded before straightening up and turning to look at him.
"Yes, but that's not all, Kenshin. Kaoru...Kaoru loved you more than anything. She...she didn't want you to be alone so before she could be reincarnated, reincarnated as me, she bound part of her soul to you. She wanted to stay with you." she whispered. She swallowed as Kenshin remained silent and knew he was processing what she was having to tell her.
"I'm not sure what caused it but after you and Tomoe told me what happened to her in Otsu, she came to me." she continued before pausing as he made a choking noise.
"Came to you? What do you mean came to you?! You saw Kaoru?!" he demanded as he grabbed her hands. She bit back a wince at the strength in his grip but knew it was only because he was frantic. He hadn't seen the Kaoru he fell in love with in over a hundred years.
"Yes. I met her, Kenshin. She...she has been...awakening my memories." she explained. His hands tightened even more around hers and she was sure her hands were going numb. "There are things about her that you didn't know Kenshin and not because she didn't trust you. She didn't know what she was. Tokio did. That's...that's why I had to talk to her alone. I didn't want to tell you."
"Didn't want to tell me? Why would you keep something like this from us, Kaoru?!" he demanded. She shook her head as she fought back the tears that were attempting to form.
"Because, Kenshin, once I get all of her memories...the Kaoru you and Tomoe knew will be gone. She'll be fully reincarnated into me and I'll have to find a way to awaken her powers. I didn't want to be the one to tell you that Kaoru...the one you love...she can't come back. Not in the way you want." she whispered. She could feel her jaw quavering as she attempted to hold her tears back. The look in Kenshin's eyes not only scared her but broke her heart at the same time.
"I've lost her once, Kaoru-dono. I knew there was no way to bring her back. I just want to know why you didn't tell me you could see her. You could have given me a chance!" he growled.
"A chance for what, Kenshin?" she asked softly.
"To apologize!" he responded.
"She never blamed you. She didn't want an apology. She told me not to tell you because she didn't want you to relive what happened. She wants you to move on." she whispered.
"How can I move on when she is the only person I've loved?" he demanded.
"Is that true? I know you love Tomoe, not in the way you loved Kaoru, but you care. And Misao. And Megumi. Sano. Yahiko. And maybe even Aoshi. Friendship is a form of love, Kenshin, and you have some strong friendships." she whispered. She glanced around and found she was glad they weren't garnering lot of attention. She felt guilty for telling him in a public place but she had the feeling he wouldn't have waited to get back to the Aoiya to gain privacy.
"You didn't list yourself, Kaoru-dono." he responded. She gave him a sad smile as the tears finally formed and escaped.
"Have you ever, truly, thought of me as only a friend, Kenshin? You can't even call me by my name in an informal manner." she whispered. He immediately let go of her hands as though they were on fire. She stretched her fingers to get the feeling back in them before meeting his eyes. She shrugged as a sad smile spread across her face.
"What are you saying, Kaoru-dono?" he asked. She nodded before wiping her eyes even though the tears continued to come. She wasn't sure why she kept crying but she felt as though she was losing someone she loved dearly. She had only known him for a few days but she felt as though she had known him her entire life and had loved him just as long.
"I'm saying, Kenshin, that I can't be your second chance. I'm not the Kaoru born in the 1800s. I am Kamiya Kaoru, a student and information mercenary who has learned some pretty odd things about who she is. But that is who I am. I am just Kamiya Kaoru." she whispered.
"You are her reincarnation. There is a part of her in you." he whispered.
"You're right. I am her reincarnation. I am not her. I am me." she whispered softly. He reached out touch her cheek and she withdrew. She stood up as she continued to fight her tears. She felt like she had just lost her heart. "Besides, you can't offer love, remember?"
"Kaoru-" he was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone and Kaoru turned away from him as he answered. "Tomoe, this isn't the best time. What? Yes, of course. We'll be back shortly."
"We should go since it sounds like Tomoe needs you." Kaoru said as she stood up.
"Kaoru, wait. We need to talk." she turned on him as she shook her head.
"No, Kenshin. We don't. I told you the truth and that is all I'm saying. Please, I'm begging you, don't make me fall in love with you more than I already have." she whispered. She watched as his eyes widened and his face paled.
"You're...in love with me?" he asked.
"I don't know, Kenshin. I've never been in love before but I really care about you. So, I'm begging you, just stop. Let me help you defeat Shishio then let me leave. I will not fall in love with a married man and I will not make you choose between me and her. So, no, Kenshin we don't have anything else to talk about because I am not her." she said as the tears continued to fall. She stepped back as Kenshin reached for her.
"I won't push it. For now. But we have to talk, Kaoru. However, here's a thought for you: what if you aren't my second chance but a continuance of something that you cannot remember yet?" he whispered. She shook her head at his stubbornness.
"I'm not her." she insisted.
"Maybe you don't see it yet, Kaoru, but you are her." he responded. She swallowed before turning her back on him.
"We should-" she screamed as he tackled her to a wall of a nearby building as a gunshot echoed through the air. She slowly opened her eyes to see that Kenshin was looking over his shoulder. She stood on tiptoe only for her eyes to widen. What she had classified as a gunshot looked more like a bomb had gone off in the middle of the street. She was relieved to see that it looked like no one had been hurt.
"Are you hurt?" she moved back so she was flat on her feet before looking up at Kenshin. She nodded with a shaky smile.
"I'm fine. Although, from the destruction I feel as though I need to figure out what a gunshot sounds like again. It looks like a bomb went off in the middle of the street." she whispered.
"That's because it's a special bullet. A special bullet shot by only one person that I can think of." he responded.
"Yumi, right?" she whispered as panic began to erupt around them.
"Yes. You must have frightened her when you fought her. It was as I feared: they've made you an outside target." he told her.
"Then I guess it's a good thing I have friends like you that can help me survive." she told him. He nodded and she realized how close they were. "Umm, do you think you could let me go?"
"Huh? Oh." he glanced down and she saw the realization spread across his face as he noticed how close they were. She felt her cheeks redden when the look in his eyes shifted to something she couldn't classify. Her eyes widened as his hands moved to cradle her head. She felt her heart pounding in her ears as he slowly leaned down.
"Kenshin, what-" his lips gently met hers and she felt her mind go blank. Something told her it was alright to kiss him back and that was what she did. She leaned into the kiss and felt his hands moved so his hands cradled the entire back of her head. She felt as though a puzzle piece had fallen into place. A puzzle piece she didn't know had he had been missing.
'He's not kissing you. He's kissing her.' her mind reminded her heart. Her eyes snapped open and she pushed him away immediately. She met his confused gaze and shook her head.
"Kenshin, we can't." she whispered.
"I apologize for being forward. We should go before the police show up." he told her. She nodded and allowed him to pull her away from the scene and down the streets towards the Aoiya. After they crossed the crosswalk they had paused at previously, Kaoru pulled Kenshin to a stop. He turned to look at her and she could see the way his eyes had shuttered. The look he gave her was much the same as it had been when they first met.
"Kenshin, I am sorry." she whispered. He laughed dryly before letting go of her hand. She felt her heart crack even more as she saw the hurt in his eyes that he had been trying to shield. His eyes had turned a deep blue and she knew, from her memories, from Kaoru's memories, that blue meant he was hurting or unhappy about something.
"Kaoru, I would never think of you as a replacement." he told her. She smiled at him sadly as she crossed her arms over her stomach.
"You say that, Kenshin, but you would always be comparing me to her not because she's your wife but because I'm her reincarnation. I lived that life once. I shouldn't have to compete with it. I want someone who will love me for who I am now not who I was." she whispered. He wouldn't look at her and she sighed.
"Alright, I've obviously hurt you without meaning to. I'll make sure once this is finished we will never meet again. I do care for you, Kenshin, I might have even grown to love you but I will not risk being second best to anyone including my past self." she whispered. "The Aoiya is just ahead. I'll tell Tomoe you're right behind me."
Kenshin watched her go with a feeling in his heart that he hadn't felt in a long time. He dragged his hand down his face. He shook his head as he felt anger at himself for pushing her when he had promised he wouldn't. He understood why she was so hesitant. She want him to love Kaoru as she was now not as she was then. He knew he needed to assure her that just because he loved her former incarnation did not mean he was incapable of loving her reincarnation.
"I'll give her some time and then try to talk to her. I have to fix this." he murmured to himself before following after her. He entered the Aoiya and was slipping his shoes off when Tomoe came from the kitchen. He nodded at her before freezing as she spoke.
"Why isn't Kaoru with you?" she asked. He looked up from where he had been untying his shoe.
"What do you mean? She said she was going to come here ahead of me to tell you I was right behind her. She isn't here?" he asked.
"No. I haven't seen her. Are you sure she came to the Aoiya?"
"I watched her walk in this direction, Tomoe, where could she be?"
"What's going on? Why do you two look like the world is ending?" Misao asked as she also exited the kitchen.
"Kaoru is missing." Tomoe told her.
"There's something else you should know, Tomoe. We were in the historical district looking for Shishio's hiding place and Yumi greeted us with one of her special bullets. They must have taken her." Kenshin relayed.
"Himura is right. I just received a phone call from Seta Soujiro. He said they've capture Kamiya Kaoru and the only way to get her back safely is to trade your life for hers, Tomoe." Kenshin met Aoshi's eyes as the man appeared from the stairs that led to his office.
"What do we do?" Misao asked. Kenshin glanced at Tomoe to see her eyes had gone steely. Kenshin looked at Misao and from her gasp he was sure his eyes were not only steely but golden as well.
"We are going to save her and we are going to show them that we don't do threats."
"A rescue mission? I'm on board." Kenshin had to keep from sighing as Sanosuke walked through the front door. It seemed like everyone was showing up just as needed.
"Count me in too!" Kenshin watched as Yahiko came running from the kitchen. He did a mental count and turned as Megumi walked in from the front door as well. She winked at him with a small smile.
"I'll setup rooms so I can treat any injuries. I'll also let Saitou and his wife know. If you're going up against Shishio, you'll need the help." she told him. He bit back a scowl but nodded. He knew the more help the better.
'Hang on, Kaoru. We're going to save you.'
Remember to let me know what you think! Things are beginning to heat up so let me know what you think is going to happen! Until next time, my dear readers!