***********Kaoru's POV**************
Beep beep beep beep.
What is that noise?
Beep beep beep
"Whoever she is, her prognosis is stable. She was relatively healthy prior to these wounds." A female voice said.
"It's a wonder how such a small thing acquired so many injuries. Something awful must have happened to her." Another voice said.
"What did the police say?"
"They aren't sure what to make of it. They are reviewing missing person's reports."
"How could someone do this to another human being?"
BEEP BEEP BEEP.
The talking stopped.
Kaoru opened her eyes to a room with blue and white lights that she didn't recognize. She was lying on a soft bed. The smell of chemicals filled her nostrils.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
What is this place?
"Hello, Miss, you've finally regained consciousness."
Kaoru turned her head to see two nurses standing over her. It was surreal, they looked like two angels. Worry and concern was evident on their faces. She realized she was in a hospital. Somehow, she had made it out of Shishio's mansion in one piece. The drastic change in scenery hit her like a ton of bricks. It didn't seem possible that she could be here right now. This had to be a dream.
Questions flooded her mind, how had she gotten here? The last thing she remembered was..
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
Kaoru looked over to the large machine on her right. Several red and green lines fluctuated on a graph. That irritating noise was coming from a heart monitor?
It was her heart!
"Miss please take a deep breath, it's going to be alright you're safe now."
The two nurses were trying to engage her. Kaoru tried to speak but she noticed her mouth was covered with a mask. When Kaoru lifted a hand to take it off and she noticed long tubes attached to her arm. She gasped and let her hand fall back to the bed and looked back to the nurses in panic.
"No don't take that off, leave that be!" The first one said.
"Miss, we are here to help you, I'm nurse Joy and this is nurse Tae."
Kaoru looked back and forth at both of them. Not sure which one to address first. Nurse Joy was a round older woman, with a kind face and brown her. Nurse Tae looked a bit younger, with short brown hair and blue eyes. Kaoru was overwhelmed, now fully aware that she was definitely not dreaming, and this was her current reality. She wasn't sure how to navigate this new situation or what to expect.
"I want to ask you a few questions, please nod yes or no to answer, okay?" Nurse Tae directed.
Kaoru nodded in affirmation.
"Do you know your name? Do you know your family?" Nurse Joy asked.
Kaoru nodded again.
Okay, we are going to check that your airway is secure and then we will take your mask off, okay?
Kaoru nodded eagerly this time.
Nurse Tae took her stethoscope out and put it over Kaoru's chest. While Nurse Joy lifted the mask carefully. She kept one eye on Kaoru, and one eye on the monitor.
"Please take two breaths for me." Tae directed.
Kaoru took two small breaths, and then burst into dialogue the second the mask left her face.
"What hospital is this?! How did I get here? I'm Kamiya Kaoru, I was kidnapped! I work at the…ohh."
Kaoru's eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she tipped forward. Nurse Joy rushed to slide Kaoru's mask over her face again. Kaoru inhaled a few times and felt the dizziness go away. What had happened to her, that she couldn't breathe normally without a mask? Her mind swam in confusion at this new occurrence.
"Miss Kamiya you are going too fast, you need to go slow, okay?" Tae directed again.
Kaoru looked at them in frustration and pointed at her mask. She shook her head in confusion and threw her hands up. Her body language asked the question where her words failed.
"When you were found laying on the street, there was a very high dose of opium in your system, you're very lucky you're alive. Your body needs time to heal. The oxygen is temporary."
"WHAT?!" Kaoru exclaimed from behind her mask, her eyes bulged in her head.
This was new to her. How could have such a vile substance made its way into her system. She had never been one to indulge in substances. The last thing she remembered was screaming in pain as Yumi healed her wounds.
And the smell of something funny making her cough…
"They drugged me! "She shouted from behind her mask. Kaoru's eyes rolled again, and the machine followed her activity faithfully. Her heart rate sped up to Its previous tempo.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.
"Miss Kamiya please calm down, I know this must be shocking for you."
"Listen to the sound of my voice, breathe 2-3-4, breathe 2-3-4."
Kaoru concentrated and followed Nurse Tae's directions giving up on her original quest. She had so many questions, they would have to wait. She couldn't ask them all right now.
"Breathe 2-3-4 Breathe 2-3-4"
Kaoru followed the nurse's instructions verbatim. With each breath, the beeping returned to normal levels again and her vision stopped blurring. Kaoru decided two occurrences were enough, she would stop trying to vocalize her perspective. For now.
"Alright, you're doing great, keep following that rhythm with your breath." Tae continued.
Kaoru nodded.
Nurse Joy had grabbed a notepad and a pen and laid it on the bed next to Kaoru. They needed to collect her information to give to the authorities. The hospital had a missing person's protocol to follow.
"Kaoru, when you feel centered, please write your name, date of birth and any phone number of any relative you know."
When the doctor handed her the paper and pen it took her fingers a minute to adjust. They were stiff like chopsticks, not flexible enough to bend. Painstakingly she formed one letter and number at a time. The nurses patiently waited for her. When she was finally finished Kaoru handed Nurse Joy the piece of paper.
"Nurse Tae, is going to stay with you, and I am going to contact your family, okay?"
Kaoru looked at nurse Joy and nodded one last time. In truth, she hadn't given nurse Joy the phone number for anyone in her immediate family. She'd given them Megumi's phone number to contact. The thought of Misao or Gramps seeing her in this condition made her stomach turn.
Kaoru wasn't ready to face them or their judgement. They'd been right about their warnings, right about Kenshin being a dangerous person to hang around. Despite everything, Kaoru still loved him. Wishing him ill will or blaming him for what happened to her would do nothing now. She'd made her choices, and there was no going back.
**********Kenshin's POV*************
Kenshin sped down the highway in Hiko's silver Aspark Owl. Leave it to Hiko to have one of the fastest cars in the world. The man was a living piece of history, powerful enough to use a portal to bend time and space to anywhere his heart desired; yet his ego allowed for a fancy car. Kenshin took the Kyoto route 9 on highway 176 which would take him back towards Osaka.
He had spent almost a week searching for Kaoru. He'd tried everything he could think of. He'd gone to all the underworld stomping grounds, interviewed multiple demons, checked intersection cameras, tried to track the cell phone towers Soujiro might have used for his personal phone, the list went on and on. Kaoru didn't have her phone on her person when she was kidnapped. It had been left in Sano's car. They'd managed to elude him on all fronts. Kenshin had to hand it to his enemy; he was extremely good at disappearing and covering his tracks. That is one of the reasons it was so hard to kill him.
He'd transformed into many different shapes to find her. He tried to track her scent, fly over the city, swam in the water ways to look for hidden entrances, nothing had worked.
He hadn't been home, hadn't slept. He'd tried everything he could think of. He was truly at his wits end. He hoped when he got back to Osaka Hiko would be able to give him some advice.
Kenshin's phone rang.
The ogre was calling him.
Kenshin's knuckles turned white, and he tightened grip on the steering wheel.
He pushed the phone button on the steering wheel with his thumb.
"What do you want Sano!"
"Kenshin, we found her!"
Kenshin hit the brakes and swerved to the side of the nearest exit lane. He narrowly missed hitting 6 or 7 cars with sheer steering skill. This earned him a symphony of honks from the cars he'd almost destroyed.
"Kenshin?" Sano had heard the honking, and the engine revving, but no words from Kenshin.
"Where is she?" Kenshin growled in a deeper voice.
"She's at the Kyoto Kujo hospital!" Sano sounded worried, rushed.
Kenshin grimaced. That could only mean one thing. Kaoru was in bad shape.
"Are you already there?"
"No, I'm leaving soon with Megumi to go see her."
Normally he would question this kind of response. Kenshin didn't care what Sano was up to. He was lost in his own world of shit. At this time, he was not motivated to question why Sano was with her. His main focus was Kaoru.
"Alright, I'm turning around now, I'll meet you in 45 minutes."
Kenshin sped up and used the exit he took to make a U-turn. Kaoru was in the opposite direction.
He needed to get there fast.
*******Kenshin's POV***********
Kenshin made his way to the room that held Kaoru. Given the nature of Kaoru's hospitalization, He'd had to sneak into her hospital room to avoid raising suspicion. The hospital was trying to protect her.
The front desk had more than assertively informed him that Kaoru would not be taking on any visitors. He had borrowed a face of one of the medical assistants coming in from the parking lot and gone straight to her room. The real medical assistant would wake up confused and naked behind a dumpster. The scrubs that the medical assistant wore were stiff like cardboard, and smelled of starch. He wore them over his first set of clothing.
Kenshin's heart stopped as he saw the small figure on the bed in the middle of the room. Time stopped and everything else in the room disappeared. The woman he'd been searching desperately lay before him. She laid in the hospital bed as if she awaited death.
Kaoru…. She was as still as a corpse.
Her blue-black hair was tangled in a mass under her head, it was dull and lifeless. The only thing that reassured him that she was alive was the slight rise and fall of her chest, paired with the beeping from the heart monitor.
Kaoru was hooked up to more machines than he'd like to count. An oxygen mask covered her face hiding its beauty from him. Tubes and wires extending from her body covered the floor of the room, twisting and wrapping around the room like vines.
He wanted to tear them all off of her.
He slowly approached the bed and stopped.
Kenshin laced his fingers through Kaoru's and gently lifted her hand to his face.
He pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. He inhaled her scent as he kissed her hand. It was bland, mixed with the smell of the hospital and its various chemicals. The usual vibrant lavender and jasmine was overpowered by hydrogen peroxide, and the hydrochlorides they used to clean the room.
Kenshin felt a pang of frustration. Her scent didn't bring the sense of relief he had hoped for. His demon simmered beneath the surface, adding to the emotionality of the moment.
Kenshin delicately released her hand and placed it by her side on the bed. He grabbed the chart next to her bed and began reading over her current condition prognosis.
While he wasn't a doctor, he had lived through enough violence and bloodshed to understand well beyond the basics of human and demon biology.
He paused when he got to the page that mentioned her burns. His eyes read and reread the page several times.
-Second degree burns all across her chest, back, forearms inner thighs, legs, 2 fractured ribs –
Shishio…THAT FUCKING BASTARD.
Distracted, Kenshin put the clipboard down and his eyes flew to Kaoru's chest. He couldn't see anything from the way her hospital gown covered her torso.
He inched closer to her and leaned over. He slid a long finger to the neckline of her hospital gown and lowered it down.
I have to see if it's true.
Kenshin stared fixated by the thick white bandages covering the burns on her chest. They were misshapen by the swollen wounds pushing against them. Pink singed flesh peeked out from openings in the bandages. A wave of possessiveness passed through him.
Kenshin's fist clenched as he stared at Kaoru's marred flesh. He shook with rage.
There was no mistaking the message from Shishio. This was his signature way to torture his victims.
Her wounds mocked him and his inability to protect her.
His inner Demon howled, demanding revenge, vengeance, bloodshed.
How dare he do this to Kaoru.
She was innocent and he made her suffer.
No one can touch what is mine, NO ONE.
Shishio will pay with his life for this.
LET HIM FEEL THE WRATH OF THE BATTOUSAI, ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Kenshin's eyes bled red, and he grabbed the edge of Kaoru's bed to steady himself. He felt the metal bend out of shape beneath his iron grip. His demon was wide awake and ready to hunt, Kenshin wanted to let him loose. Kenshin felt as riled up as the battousai, he too would find great satisfaction in maiming Shishio. He knew that killing Shishio would be the only way out of this. He would come for Kaoru again and again until he got what he wanted.
He was snapped out of his bloodlust as Sano and Megumi entered the room. Megumi wore her Doctor's coat, and scrubs. She had come from her hospital. Megumi's face twisted in rage when she saw him next to Kaoru. He turned to face them.
"She got into this mess because of you! Because of your crazy bullshit and look at her now?!"
Megumi screamed at him and jabbed her pointer finger into his chest harshly.
Kenshin stood there and took it, he didn't even try to fight back. Sorrow filled his soul at Megumi's words.
She is right. It is my fault.
Sano stood behind Megumi and tried to calm her down.
"No Megumi, you've got it wrong. Don't blame Kenshin. They took her on my watch."
At those words, Megumi spun on her heel and repeated the same assault on Sano. She rained punches to his chest and stomach. Sano held up his hands to catch her punches.
"HOW COULD YOU! YOU DUMB ROOSTER HEADED FUCK!"
"That's right. You're right, let it out. That's my girl." Sano soothed as he took fist after fist.
When she realized what he was doing, Megumi collapsed against him and bawled into his shirt. She clutched the fabric of his shirt in her hands. Sano wrapped his arms around her and held her.
Kenshin watched them both feeling dumbstruck. What was going on here? He had missed an important development between the two of them. They had clearly become much more intimate with one another. That was a story for another time, now was not the appropriate setting.
A small, muffled voice spoke behind him catching his attention. It was weak, but he had exquisite hearing.
"Kenshin?"
It couldn't be…
Kenshin turned around and saw Kaoru struggling to sit up. He rushed over to her and used a hand behind her back to help her. He set about propping her up with her pillows, stifling his rage when he saw her flinch in pain. He clenched his jaw realizing how much pain she might still be in.
Not now Kenshin, be positive for her.
"Kenshin." Her voice was muffled behind her mask.
Kenshin pulled up a chair near the bed and sat down. He leaned over the bent metal and clasped one of her hands in both of his. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them tenderly.
"Kaoru…oh Kaoru. I've been looking everywhere for you."
He looked at her so lovingly, his violet eyes full of concern. A thin film covered his eyes, as if he might cry at any moment. Kaoru studied his handsome features. He was a sight for sore eyes.
"Is this real?"
"Huh?" Kenshin blinked, pausing his affections.
"Is it really you? Am I dreaming?"
"No Kaoru this is not a dream."
To reassure her, he squeezed her hands harder and leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.
Kaoru nodded. A tear slid down her cheek. She squeezed Kenshin's hands in return, it had become their gesture. She realized how much she had missed this. His touch felt healing. He was really here, it was really him.
The room had fallen silent during their reunion with Megumi and Sano as observers. The moment was broken when Megumi intervened.
"Kaoru!" Megumi cried from across the room.
She walked over and not- so-kindly pushed Kenshin's chair to the side. He was on wheels, so this maneuver wasn't hard. He rolled to the side, forced out of the way.
Kenshin didn't react to Megumi's rudeness.
Megumi knelt down and cupped Kaoru's face.
"I was so worried about your Kaoru, I thought you were dead!"
"I'm so sorry to make you worry Megumi."
"Oh, don't start that." Megumi carefully wrapped her arms around Kaoru and hugged her. Her hug was light, and tender. The way one would hug a child who had fallen down and skinned their knee.
"I can't believe you're here. Thank the gods!" Megumi exclaimed, choking up.
"Yes, I'm relieved."
"Are you in pain? What can I get for you? Are they taking care of you?"
Megumi released Kaoru to look at her with concerned chocolate eyes.
"Yes they hav-"
"I swear to god if they have neglected you in any way, I'll get them all fired!"
"No really it's-"
"No, it's not! Let me look you over."
Megumi stood up and scanned Kaoru. She grabbed the chart next to the bed and flipped through it.
"Mark my words, I am going to make sure they give you the best treatment!"
After a few moments, Megumi put the chart down with a shaky hand. Her stoic doctor face in place.
"Thank you, Megumi."
"Don't you worry Kaoru, I can easily transfer you to another hospital."
Kaoru nodded.
"I am going to go speak with one of the doctors now. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Megumi wait, does Misao and Grandpa know?"
Megumi looked troubled for a moment. She paused in front of the door with her hand on its handle.
"Kaoru, I haven't told them yet, I wasn't sure what condition you would be in when I found you."
"Thank you, can you please refrain from telling them just a little longer? I just need a little more time."
Kaoru didn't want them to see her like this.
"I'll wait until tomorrow afternoon. After I've spoken with the doctors. It isn't right to keep them worrying."
"Okay, you're right."
Megumi stiffly marched out of the room. She was on a mission.
Sano was the last person to approach Kaoru. He had quietly observed, giving them each a chance to greet Kaoru.
The truth is, he was being eaten alive by his guilt. Kenshin's human had ended up in this situation because of him. That thought had torn him up inside.
After Megumi left, he glumly made his way over to her. He had spent the last few days with Megumi, comforting her.
Kaoru looked up at him as he approached. Kenshin had rolled the chair back over to her bedside.
"Missy..I'm so sorry.."
Kaoru looked at him, her expression devoid of any emotion. She didn't know what to think of him right now.
Should she be mad at him? Blame him?
He looked so crestfallen. His tall figure stood over her, waiting for her response.
"Sano, I.." Kaoru paused. Her voice caught in her throat.
"It's all my fault, I an apology doesn't mean much right now. But I'll do whatever I can to help at this point, even if it means staying away."
He was really trying. Kaoru could tell he was sincere.
Who would have thought that all the demons she met, save for Soujiro would be so broody and morose?
Kenshin spoke up for Kaoru. He could tell she was struggling.
"Sano, thank you. And thank you for telling me when the hospital staff found Kaoru."
"You were the one who told Kenshin?"
"Ya. I was with Megumi when she got the call."
"Oh."
Kaoru wanted to say more, but she was drained. The little energy that she had was being depleted from this emotional reunion. Her body slumped against the pillows.
Kenshin spoke again on her behalf.
"Sano, I think it's time for Kaoru to rest. Why don't you go check in with Hiko? I'll touch base with you later."
"Ya. Sounds like a plan."
He waved to Kaoru and left without waiting for a response.
Once Sano was out of sight, Kenshin reached over the bed and kissed Kaoru on the cheek.
"Kaoru, I'm staying here with you while you rest."
"You are?"
"Yes, I will not be leaving your side again."
"What about the hospital visiting hours?"
"Hours of operation will never stop me."
"What if they try to kick you out? I don't want there to be a scene."
"Kaoru, I can always take on another form."
"Kenzo? Are dogs allowed in the hospital?"
"No something smaller and incognito." Kenshin said with a gleam in his eye.
*****Author's Note*****
I have so many ideas you guys!
So many stinking ideas for this story, it has been really fun to write!
Yes there will be a big show down with Shishio, at some point.
I want to make that the grand finale.
There is a new Rurouni Kenshin series coming out in July in Japan! AHHH! \(_)/