Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Oblivion ❯ Chapter 7

Standard disclaimers apply. RK not mine… don't sue! I'm just tryin' to write my stuff here…! @_@;

What if some things went wrong from the way Kenshin planned things for the Aoiya's defense while fighting Shishio-and the love of his life being the one to suffer his mistake? Can K&K still triumph over the trials thereafter?

"Oblivion"

Chapter Seven:

"Aoshi-sama…!" Misao called Aoshi as they approached the shrine. "Are you here?!" She ran up towards the shrine.

"Hey weasel-girl Wait up!" Yahiko bellowed behind. I thought she's tired?

Sanosuke and Kenshin came following close behind. Kenshin tried to keep up with the others as they climbed up the shrine's long stairway up. He brushed his sweaty brow with his arm and suddenly paused from walking.

"Oi Kenshin… you okay?" Sano asked upon seeing his sore condition.

Kenshin tried to muster up a smile. "H-hai, Sano. I'm alright. Just tired perhaps."

"You should've stayed behind the Aoiya. Besides, Jou-chan's probably up there so you wouldn't have to worry," Sano said. "You're looking like you're about to faint."

Kenshin continued to walk. "Its alright. I can make it. I have to take Kaoru home personally."

"Oh well," Sano closed his eyes and snapped one eye open. "I've said this before and I'll say it again: you really can't separate selfishness from love, can you?" He said walking up again.

Kenshin sighed and carried on climbing. Kaoru… I know you're here.

I hope she agrees to come home with us. Knowing Kaoru, I know she wouldn't stop until she gets what she wants. This will go on for a while, that I can't bear. Having to know she'll leave without letting anyone of us know will slowly kill me, that I will.

Let her be alright, Kami-sama. Kenshin prayed silently in his mind.

"Were here."

The temple was quiet. Only the rustling of leaves and the soft wind blow were to be heard.

"Aoshi," Kenshin acknowledged the ex-Okashira's mingling presence.

Indeed, Aoshi merged from the shrine.

Misao felt herself catch her own breath. Aoshi was breathtakingly handsome in his crispy white gi which exposed his muscular broad chest.

Oh my… Misao thought.

Kenshin decided to speak. "Aoshi-san, we were just wondering if by any chance you have seen Kaoru here…"

"She's here," Aoshi affirmed.

"Huh?" Sano reacted. "Then where is she?"

"She's inside," Aoshi replied. "But I suggest you maintain your quietness, she is pondering on her thoughts cautiously."

"Hah! So you recruited Kaoru in your Zen-club, huh?" Yahiko muttered.

"Angry demon bird-kick!"

"Awww! Stop that WEASEL-GIRL!"

"YOU stop saying those things to Aoshi-sama!"

"And what if I don't??"

"Angry demon bird kick 2!"

"OUCH! That's it! I may have to defend myself from you, weasel-face!"

"WHAT?!"

"I said weasel-face!"

"Kansatsu Tobikunai!!"

"Kamiya Kasshin RYUU Tsuka no Gedan-Hiza Hijiki!"

The two leaped forward to fight but Sanosuke was fast enough to hold them by the leash.

"Will you two stop it?! If Kaoru gets interrupted from her reflections, I'll throw the two of you down the stairs of this temple!"

Sano released them and the two began muttering curses under their breaths.

"Can we go in now, Aoshi?"

"Of course," he said coolly. "Walk straight ahead and you'll find her in the last room to your left."

"Thank you," Kenshin awkwardly expressed his gratitude. Sano said nothing.

"One thing though," Aoshi pointed out.

"What is it, Aoshi?"

"Understand her heart's desire. She is very confused and troubled, so be sensitive."

"H-hai," And they continued walking along the corridor.

Kenshin could hear the loud thud in his chest. What should I say to her? I hope she comes with us…

"I guess this is it," Sano said shoving the tapestry aside.

And there she was, her back on them.

The room was dimly lit, candles in either side of the tabernacle.

Kaoru's eyes were closed, her face light and serene. They could see her deep meditation in front of the altar with a big candle that shone on her features, making one feel nostalgic upon seeing her. Her jet-black hair falls freely against her shoulders as her ribbon lay beside her.

Sano and Yahiko were both speechless.

Kenshin swallowed and prevented himself from rushing towards her and check if she's alright or anything.

"K-kaoru-san…"

"…"

"Kaoru-san…" Misao softly called. She tiptoed near her and touched her shoulders lightly. "Its getting dark… we should get you back home…"

There was no reply.

"Kaoru-san…"

Kaoru's head began to tilt.

"Kaoru…?"

"Let's go home," she whispered inaudibly but to Kenshin, her words were loud and clear.

"A-are you sure?"

Kaoru opened her eyes and stood up slowly. She turned around and walked straight passed Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko. Wordlessly, she shoved the concealing tapestry and stepped out of the room.

The Aoiya welcomed Kaoru back joyously and automatically attended to her needs. Megumi checked her up as Okon and Omasu assisted her back to her room.

"I'm going to take a bath," Kaoru said emotionlessly. Okon instantly glanced at Kenshin, who quickly turned around to fix Kaoru's bath.

Okon followed Kenshin who was on his way now to the bath house and spoke to him, "Gomen ne, Himura-san? I don't know Kaoru's preferred water temperature… if only I do I could've been doing it myself," she apologized.

Kenshin let out a faint smile. "Its no problem, Okon-san… I love doing things for Kaoru, anyway," he chuckled.

"But you're tired," Okon smiled apologetically.

"It won't take long, you know," Kenshin assured her.

Kaoru was now sitting quietly in the porch with Kenshin also sitting relaxed, eyes closed, fanning her. Okon sat behind her, carefully brushing Kaoru's hair to dry.

Yahiko and Sano were back out also in the porch, fat and bloated.

Okina sipped his tea quietly in one corner, as Misao fidgets with her Kunai daggers beside him.

Sanosuke burped, "Man, I ate well! With all this stuff going on, I feel like I've been brought back to life!"

Megumi was taken aback with his awful mannerism. "You always say that, Rooster." She said smirking at him, tossing her beautiful hair with one hand.

"What?!"

Megumi did not talk back. Standing slowly, "Excuse me, but I better get to bed early," Tapping Kaoru on the shoulder, "Just tell Yahiko to wake me up anytime if ever you feel something strange, okay?"

Kaoru maintained her icy demeanor and did not even looked nor replied to what the doctor said.

Sighing, she again excused herself to Kenshin and went inside.

"The police are already starting to investigate Shishio's headquarters. I heard they have been excavating the burned down remains in Mt. Hiei." Okina informed them.

Kenshin listened quietly and continued fanning Kaoru.

"Sooner of later they'd find Saitou's body, for sure," Sano scoffed. "Hah! He didn't stand a chance against that fire, did he?"

"Only idiot people like you couldn't think of ways how to get out of that fire, Sano," Yahiko commented.

"Shut up, kid," Sano muttered.

"Yahiko-CHAN's right, Rooster-head," Misao seconded. "That government dog, Saitou knows how to get out of trouble, while you-you suck."

"Why you-!"

The conversations went on as Kenshin cracked one eye open to look at Kaoru. She still hadn't talked to any of them, nor even explain her sudden leave this morning that almost drove them all crazy. She just stares blankly in space, not mindful of the people that talk to her.

He regarded her from the side he was in carefully. Her lashes were low, her eyes lacking the luster it naturally has before. It seemed she was thinking hard, not aware of her surroundings.

"There," Okon gave her long hair one last brush. "Your hair's already dry Kaoru… you can sleep now if you like."

She just shook her head incessantly and did not say a word. Okon sighed and went up to Okina and got his tea tray. She asked him if he had wanted more tea, which he refused.

"How about you, Himura-san? Do you like some more tea?"

"No, thank you," Kenshin replied. Smiling as she left, she excused herself from all of them and took the tray to the kitchen.

Soon afterwards, one by one they left until only he and Kaoru was left in the porch. Kaoru still doesn't even look at him.

"Would you like to rest now, Kaoru?"

No reply.

Kenshin could feel the chilling breeze blowing around them. He caught Kaoru hugging herself from the cold air. "C'mon now, Kaoru… its cold out here. You could get sick again," his voice was full of concern.

"I'm already sick."

Kenshin's brow arched upon hearing Kaoru's expression.

"Why don't you just let me be… I'm sick anyway…" she whispered to herself.

Kenshin stopped his fanning. He looked at Kaoru and saw the bading tears in her eyes.

Kenshin began to speak. "It hurts me to see you like that, Kaoru. But I guess I don't have any right to deprive you of your right to know your identity. Believe me, all I'm after is your safety… and your health is at risk once your mind is strained. I-I can't afford to see you get hurt, Kaoru…"

Kaoru did not respond.

"The time when I left you for Kyoto to fight my Bakumatsu successor, Shishio Makoto, it was the first time I felt like this…"

Huh? Kaoru listened attentively.

"I fought the urge to embrace you… to let you see the vulnerable side of me. Never have I exposed this to anyone… but I was wrong, I can't. In front of my enemies, the rest of those who are around me, I had managed to hide them my sensitivity. But I don't know," Kenshin knotted his head. "That fateful night… I have shown you what I shouldn't have. I couldn't hide that overwhelming emotion that pained my heart…" He paused.

Kaoru felt something stirring up in her chest. Am I nervous?

"… I embraced you, I held you near my heart. Where no one will take you away from me… I can take you with me… you and your memory. But with me you will find no peace, only danger. I had to go, though my heart wants to stay," Kenshin almost choked due to too much emotion.

Kaoru still sat motionless.

"I told you how much you have made me happy telling me you don't care of me being the Hitokiri Battousai… and that you don't care about my past. You have accepted me as who I'am, wholeheartedly welcomed me into your home. And since then…"

Kaoru froze. I d-did that…? But it was the most natural thing to do…

"… I have made a solemn vow to myself that I will protect you and your happiness… all that is yours, and all that you cherish will be my responsibility to keep. Even if it costs me my life… I left to fight Shishio to safeguard your happiness. This era is yours, and yours to live. I will make sure you will continue to live in this Meiji era in tranquility and harmony…" he said.

"B-but why do you do this…? I mean, its folly to risk your own life so that others may live in happiness… why for me?" the questions long plagued her mind burst out, and startled the melancholic Kenshin.

"B-because," he explained. "Because I-I have learned to…"

Oh my… her heart beat faster. Tears welling up in her eyes began to fall on her cheeks. What is happening to me? I-Its like I've been waiting for this to happen…

"I have learned to…"

Kaoru hears her ragged breathing. Why do I feel this way? Why? Why!

The all-too familiar distress she had felt, the first time she saw Kenshin came back-this time, far more intense and powerful. Visions came flooding her senses… a girl threatening a surprised man with a wooden sword… a boy pick pocketing from the man she was with… a tall spiky-haired man who wields a huge weapon…a woman involved in a drug syndicate… a doctor with two cute girls…

And a face…

A face very familiar to her…

Owned by the person in front of her at this very moment.

"…love you," Kenshin finished.

"W-wha-?" Kaoru gaped. "W-what are you saying?"

"You heard that right, Kaoru," Kenshin stood up, laid the fan beside and kneeled in front of her. Gazing directly in her eyes, he continued. "I have loved you since that fateful day you found me in the streets of Tokyo… something about you, your compassion for others appealed so much to me…"

Kaoru's eyes widened. Her mind ceased to work. Her chest beating faster, she found herself dumbfounded by Kenshin's words.

"… in your eyes I see loneliness, you were sad by the passing of your father, the inheritor of the Kamiya Kasshin school, in which you are the adjutant master. You ran the dojo by yourself, was left in the care of Doctor Genzai…"

"… you found me, Yahiko and Sanosuke. You took us all under your wing… loving and trusting us unconditionally. The love you gave us touched my heart in a special way that it did… but I never had the chance to-K-kaoru?"

Kaoru was panting hard, her hands shaking as she held her head.

"G-go on…"

Kenshin looked horrified, seeing Kaoru's desolate state. Pulling her close, he made her lean on him and attempted to pacify her trembling body.

"K-kaoru… we should get you to bed. Y-you should rest…"

"N-no, please go on…"

"No," he hissed. "I'm not telling you anything any further-Megumi! Misao! Sanosuke!" he called.

Kaoru closed her eyes. She felt light-headed, as Kenshin held her hand, preventing her from closing her eyes.

"Kaoru… no, don't close your eyes! Help is on the way… Megumi!" Kenshin cried out desperately.

"Kenshin…?"

"Hmm-?" he cradled her in his arms.

"I-I'm seeing you…"

"Where?"

"I s-see you…" Kaoru said dreamily. Her eyes focused in the skies, tears falling down relentlessly. "Y-you said you love m-me… is that true?" she whispered.

"I do…" Kenshin held her hand tight. "Please, don't speak now… Sano!"

"I don't understand but, I feel… happy hearing that," she smiled. "I-I wish I know what to say… wait… it is very strange… Kami, my head is swimming… I cannot see!"

"Megumi! Okina! Misao!" Kenshin called. Misao was first to approach them. "Her hands are icy cold," cried Kenshin. "I should've known! She is ill! She is fainting!"

While Misao called for help with all the power of her strong voice, Sano and Megumi came running next and immediately checked her pulse.

Just then, Kaoru's face turned livid; her whole body shook with painful spasms, and she crumpled, panting into the arms of Megumi and Sanosuke.

Okina, Omasu and Okon worriedly came.

"Oh!" Okon couldn't look at her. Omasu was now crying as Okina watched over as Megumi ordered Kenshin to carry Kaoru to her room.

He lifted her up swiftly. Almost running, he immediately laid her on her bed with the others following close behind. Kaoru! don't do this to me…

He massaged his head and let Megumi attend to Kaoru.

Kenshin never felt so helpless in his entire life at that moment. He feels like crying to console the fear that looms around them.

"Kenshin! Kenshin!" cried Kaoru. "Where are you? Do not leave me… I'm dying!"

Kenshin rushed over to her.

Her beautiful face was distorted with agony, her eyes were glassy, her whole body was shuddering convulsively, and sweat was rolling down her forehead.

"Megumi-dono! Please help her! Please help Kaoru!" he called to the doctor desperately.

Megumi was deathly pale as she shoved Kaoru's chest. "Yahiko, go get some cold water! Sanosuke, get my things! And somebody please boil some water!"

Gathering all her strength, she took Kenshin's head between her hands, looked at him for an instant as if her whole soul were passing into that gaze, and with a muffled cry pressed her lips to his.

"Kaoru! Kaoru!"

"Hey, Tanuki… you hang in there…!" stuttered the already paling Megumi. "You're strong, remember? You're much stronger than that…!" she cried.

Kaoru sighed, and the breath of that sigh caressed Kenshin's lips. That sigh was her soul, so chaste and so loving, rising to heaven.

Kenshin held only held a corpse in his arms. He groaned, and collapsed by the side of his beloved, as pale and as icy as herself.

The Oniwabanshuu women wept while Okina stood there, wailing his head continuously.

Thank you for all who reviewed here in MediaMiner. You just don't know how grateful I'am to know how you appreciate the works of a simple dreamer like me. Thanks a lot.