Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 16

Much love and appreciation to all those out there who read my stories. I really mean that. You all make it so worth while. So now I beg for your forgiveness for this taking so long to get out. I got promoted and have working twice as many hours the past few weeks as I go through my training. It's strange to one day saying I aspire to be this and the next, actually be able to that you are. On that note, now that things have finally calmed down, I'm getting a bit more free time. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!!

 

Alas, while I am forever indebted to Nabuhiro Watsuki for his beloved characters, they are his and not mine.

 

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The hand in his seemed small and delicate. Kenshin glanced behind him and offered Kaoru a reassuring smile. Apprehensively, she returned it, her uncertainty growing as he led her down yet another stairwell.

 

He had gone in search of the woman as soon as he had finished speaking with Hiko. Arguing might have been the better word for it. For some reason unknown to him at this moment, he had purposely lost, anxious to get away from his mentor and find the princess. The day before he had been content to watch her from afar. This morning however, his position had changed. Their brief time together had deeply affected him. He had missed her, though she had not once left his sight the previous day. However, he craved her laughter, and desperately had wanted to know what she and Misao had spoken about to animate her beautiful face. He was glad to find her alone.

 

Conversely, her somber mood had plagued him. After observing her for several minutes, he promised to get her to brighten up. He wasn't even sure the playful side of his psyche still existed. It had brought a smile to her face and it warmed him to know that Battousai hadn't swallowed every aspect of his childhood. He glanced back at her. She offered him a questioning smile as he opened another door. He found the torch still on the floor where he had last left it years before. It took a moment to get the old kindling to ignite. He took her hand again and tugged her down the dark corridor.

 

“Where are you taking me?” She asked. There was a tremor of trepidation in her words.

 

“You said you trusted me, that you did.” He paused and turned back to her. Her face seemed softer in the torchlight. She nibbled on her bottom lip, torn. A trace of fear fluttered through him. “If you'd rather go back…”

 

“No.” Her voice was firm. Kaoru lightly squeezed his fingers. “I'll go wherever you lead me.”

 

The statement wrenched him that much closer to the precipice of his emotions. He swallowed and spun away from her. Without another word, he led her down the hall, the flickering flames lighting the way. At long last they reached the door he sought. A sliver of daylight could be seen around the seams. He put his hand on it and pushed. The door groaned underneath his weight, but didn't budge. Kenshin sighed and offered the woman behind him a sheepish grin. She accepted the torch and he pressed his shoulder against the stone door. Bright sunlight filled the hall. The firelight fell from her fingers, sputtering out. With a soundless wonder Kaoru stepped past him and into the small courtyard.

 

It was just as he remembered it, though the weeds he had carefully cut back years ago had grown, nearly overtaking the two small benches and drying out the neglected fountain. The old oak tree in the corner still provided some shade. For a brief moment, he felt as though someone was watching and he glanced up. The only visible balcony belonged to the personal chambers of the king, the rightful king. Kenshin wondered if Koshijirou knew if the raven-haired woman who was spinning around the hidden courtyard was his daughter.

 

“What is this place?” Kaoru asked at last, breaking the calm.

 

Kenshin followed her out into the sunshine and looked around with his amethyst eyes. Memories threatened to overwhelm him for a moment. “It's where I used to come to hide.” He answered her solemnly.

 

She glanced at him. She came to him and gingerly touched his arm. “I can't imagine you needing to hide from anything.”

 

“You've met Hiko.” He snorted.

 

“The king.”

 

He chuckled bitterly, forgetting that she only knew him as that. “I don't think of him in such a way.” Kenshin stated honestly. He sat down on one of the crumbling benches. “He was a harsh teacher.”

 

The woman sat down next to him. “Why does he treat you so?”

 

“Treat me so what?”

 

She shrugged awkwardly. “He speaks so disrespectfully to you.”

 

“It's in his nature. I think the only person who has ever truly had the nerve to argue with the man and won was Koshijirou.” That, possibly because the latter had been the royal heir.

 

“Who is he?”

 

Kenshin looked up at her, studying her face intently. The name had elicited no recognition, her query sincere and innocent. He struggled internally, nearly telling her exactly who Koshijirou was. He cast another glance at the balcony. Who would even know? Instead he rose, moving to the large oak tree. He placed a hand on the trunk and stared up into the leafy branches. “I used to hide up in those limbs when I had been particularly unpleasant, that I did.” He recalled.

 

“I take it this was your childhood playground?”

 

“If you could call it that.” He turned back around to face her, comforted that she had not pressed the issue of the true king.

 

“You wouldn't call it your playground?”

 

“I wouldn't call it much of a childhood.”

 

Her azure eyes blinked and she appeared to come to some realization. “The king taught you to wield your blade?” He nodded, curious to see where her train of thought would lead. “Since you've known him?” Again he nodded. “How old were you when your parents died?” She asked, rising to her feet.

 

Knowing he had a hard question to ask her, he pondered her inquiry. If he answered, it would make his questions easier for her to answer. Kenshin leaned against the oak, trying to remember. “I was eight, nine.” He sank to the ground resting his elbows on his knees. “Hiko took me to the mountains where my training began. After a few years, he brought me here.”

 

Kaoru strode toward him and sank carefully into the grass, her back pressed against the solid trunk. Her cerulean eyes watched him. “How did you find this place?”

 

A soft smile tugged at his lips. “Hiko didn't train me out in the open. It wouldn't do for my sword technique to be widely known. Usually I could handle the humiliation that followed when I didn't adhere to a precise movement. There was no one to witness. But that day, there was another watching.” Quickly he glanced at her, wondering if she would want to know whom. If she did, he didn't think he'd be successful in dodging it.

 

“You've heard how Hiko speaks of me.” He continued before the thought could form in her head. “It's worse when he's demanding perfection. He embarrassed me and I fled.” He shrugged, trying to make light of the situation. It was ironic that it was more her presence than the queen's that day that had unnerved him. Kaoru hadn't been much older than a year.

 

“So you stumbled upon this small courtyard.” She finished.

 

“Hai.”

 

They sat next to each other, absorbing the serenity of their surroundings. Kaoru took in a deep breath and leaned her head on his shoulder. Startled he looked at her and saw she had her eyes closed. “I could stay here forever.” She murmured.

 

“It has that affect.” He agreed softly. He swallowed, his heart racing.

 

The scent of her hair drifted to him and he tipped his head closer to her in an attempt to breath her smell in deeper. Abruptly she picked up her head and Kenshin jerked back, smiling brightly at her.

 

Kaoru returned the grin and glanced down at her lap. Her fingers twisted nervously. She looked back up at her, her cerulean eyes shy. “Thank you.”

 

He blinked at her stupidly. “For what?”

 

“For showing me this place. It obviously means a lot to you.”

 

His violet gaze surveyed the area. “It holds the last shreds of my innocence you could say. I haven't been back here since…since I made a vow.” He realized slowly.

 

The clarity of that day came to him like a bolt of lightning. After the wizard's fortress had burned to the ground, he had come here, finally mourning the murder of his lover. She had refused to let him kill Shishio and had taken up her own sword in the madman's defense. For three days afterwards, he had sat under the oak tree, trying to find some solace.

 

“What vow?”

 

Kenshin sighed, her questions wringing up memories he had longed to suppress. He only feared where else her inquiries might lead. “You know what I was.” He stated a bit reluctantly. “During the war, I was constantly in one battlefield or another, spilling blood. When the fortress of Shishio fell, I came here seeking peace.” He said slowly, trying to determine how much he could tell her without lying. “For three days I sat. Finally I vowed to never kill again.”

 

She turned away from him, staring at the distant wall. ”You gave up the name of Battousai forever.” She mused aloud.

 

“I gave up the name.” He agreed. While he no longer answered to the name given the mythic manslayer, Kenshin couldn't deny the emotions were not completely eradicated. It was those feelings, which had led to the death of Tomoe. Those same sentiments lingered too close to the surface now where the princess was concerned.

 

He studied her. The woman had leaned her head back against the bark, a soft smile on her face. As he watched her, a sudden realization came to him. For the first time in a long time, he longed for an ordinary life. He wished he was Kenshin and she was Kaoru. No titles, no gruesome history, no aristocratic future. Just two people who had met, become friends, and been allowed to experience where life took them.

 

His thoughts darkened his mood. In seeming response, a dark cloud passed over the sun. They were two who would never be. Not if her father had anything to do with it.

 

“Kenshin?” His name on her lips drew him back to reality. “May I ask you something and will you answer?”

 

Kenshin could only dread what her next inquiry might be. Recalling once again he had his own pressing matters, he decided he would be truthful with her. “All these questions.” He stated, trying to lighten the mood. “Who am I to constantly receive this honor?”

 

She grinned bashfully, lowering her eyelashes. “Forgive me. I just…It's been bothering me for a while. I trust you and I know you wouldn't lie to me.”

 

Kenshin felt his heart plummet with her last statement. He looked away from her. “I will answer any question to the best of my ability, that I will.” He glanced back at her. “On one condition.”

 

Kaoru pulled back from him, wariness clear in the azure depths of her eyes. “If it is within my power, I will comply.”

 

He blinked to hear her speak so formally. It reminded him she was much more than she appeared. He rose, needing to put space between them. When had he lost control? He took a deep breath to steady himself and turned back to the woman.

 

“If you get your questions, I am allowed to ask mine and you will answer. Truthfully.”

 

The woman swallowed and anxiously wrapped an ebony strand around her finger. “You speak as though these questions and answers are dangerous.” She nervously laughed.

 

Kenshin studied her. “You are young. I have seen horrors that you cannot even begin to fathom, some, which I have executed. If you wish to open one door, you open them all. In return, I am allowed to ask my own provocative questions.”

 

He could see his words had the woman thinking twice. She curled up her knees and wrapped her arms about them. “I can't possibly imagine what it is you'd like to ask me.” She mused aloud. She deliberated another moment, all the while Kenshin holding his breath. “You've been honest with me. It's only fair that I answer your questions.”

 

Letting go of his breath Kenshin perched on the edge of the bench. “May I go first?” He asked, figuring his question of Enishi might deter any possible query of hers.

 

“But I'm the one with the insatiable curiosity!” She burst petulantly. She rose to her feet and placed her hands on her hips. If he hadn't been apprehensive of what he was about to ask, he would have laughed out loud.

 

“You're the one who has already probed into my past, that you are.”

 

She pouted and turned up her nose. “Fine.” She petulantly agreed, crossing her arms underneath her bosom. “Ask your question before I change my mind.”

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Change your mind about what?”

 

“About asking you a question.” She retorted as though he should already be aware of her reasoning. Her azure eyes widened. She held out a hand, palm up. “Hurry up and ask!” She ordered absently. Kaoru blinked and looked up at the sky.

 

“What happens if I don't?” He teased. Then he felt it.

 

Surprised, he glanced up as well as a second drop of rain fell on him. At some point, grey clouds had covered the sun. The water picked up in frequency. “Hurry up before we get wet!” She shrieked.

 

He followed her to the door, pushing it open as the heavens let loose a deluge of water. It closed behind them with a thud, leaving them in darkness.

 

“Are you alright, Kaoru-dono?” He asked, peering into the shadows, waiting for his eyes to adjust. He didn't know where the torch had fallen.

 

“Other than I don't know where you are, I m fine. Its just water.” There was a muffled thud. “Damnit!”

 

Her voice had come from his left. He turned that way and saw her. “The light went out I'm afraid.” He reached out and found her arm. “What did you do?” He asked, concerned for her welfare.

 

Silence and then a reluctant, “I ran into the wall.”

 

Kenshin chuckled. His fingers slid down her arm to her hand. “Are you alright?”

 

“My arm hurts, but I'll live.” She was quiet a moment. “How will we get back?”

 

Kenshin grinned in the darkness. He gave her hand a squeeze; momentarily wishing their circumstances were different. “Once again, follow me and I will lead you to the real world.”

 

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They emerged from the gloomy hallway. Kaoru peered around, not seeing anyone. Her hand was still gripped in Kenshin's and she wrenched herself free, a smile on her lips to lighten the upset. The redhead merely turned to her, laughter in his lavender eyes. “Are you in such a hurry to be away from me?”

 

The teasing tone was back and Kaoru licked her lips in glee. "Not at all. However, unless you have some other mysterious place to take me I do believe I might be needed elsewhere.”

 

“Are you so inspired to wriggle your way out of our agreement?” He asked.

 

Unexpectedly, a feeling of hesitation swept over her. For some bizarre reason, she feared just what his question might be and wondered if she was ready to give him an answer. “I really should check in.”

 

“I have patiently answered your questions, that I have. It is only fair that I get my turn.”

 

Kaoru felt on the spot. Briefly she wondered if this was how Tae felt when she asked about her parents. His violet eyes turned somber and he took her hands in his. “There is something I need to ask you.”

 

The gravity of his comment weighed on her. She felt her heart speed up. Kaoru had been imagining this moment for so long. Her eyes widened and she turned away, not sure how to respond. She tugged her hand away and held it to her body. Footsteps sounded and two guards walked by. They nodded at her and Kenshin as they passed. Then they turned the corner and disappeared. She turned once more to the man at her side.

 

He was watching after the two guards, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Then the amethyst eyes looked at her. Kenshin grabbed her elbow. “Here.” He led her to a window embrasure. There was a small seat. Gently he pushed her down and dropped to his knees.

 

Kaoru's blue eyes blinked in shock and she swallowed thickly. She had been wishing for this moment. “I really need you to give me an answer, that I do. Your answer could be imperative to what may happen next.”

 

She opened her mouth to agree, but couldn't form the words. Instead, she nodded, her heart in her throat. She sucked in a ragged breath, her bottom lip trembling. “I'll do what I can.” She finally whispered.

 

Their fingers were entwined on her lap and Kenshin glanced down at them. He shook his head and looked back up her, his gaze unreadable. “I cannot think of a tactful way to ask, so I'm just going to be brazen.”

 

Kaoru nodded quickly, her breath held as she waited for the most important question this man could ever ask her.

 

“I need you to tell me what your relationship to Enishi is.”

 

Confusion touched her as her mind registered his inquiry. She blinked stupidly, thrown off guard. “What?”

 

Kenshin rose from his position and sat next to her, her hands still wrapped in his. “Yukishiro Enishi. You are acquainted with him, are you not?”

 

Stunned, she could only stare at him. Then, only because she had lied to him once before, did she repeat the offense. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

 

The redhead's eyes flashed and he took a deep breath. “Please do not lie to me Kaoru-dono.”

 

She jerked her hands from his, her cobalt eyes wide. A tremble coursed through her to have been so easily discovered. “I don't know what you're talking about.” She reiterated stubbornly.

 

Kenshin rose stiffly from his seat. “I saw you, that I did. You lied to me then and I know that you are lying to me now.” He stated, his voice flat and hard. He whirled and Kaoru cringed to see the pain in his eyes along with his anger. “You have never lied to me and I want to know why you are now. Who is Enishi to you?” He demanded.

 

Not ready to relinquish that information just yet, though she couldn't even begin to explain why, she squirmed. There had to be some way out of this mess. “You saw me that day in the market speaking with him?” She asked carefully.

 

The violet eyes stared at her incredulously. “Yes, I did. When I asked you about him, you denied it. I want to know why.”

 

She opened her mouth to answer and found the words would not come. She shook her head and ran her fingers through the damp ebony tresses. “I can't tell you why!” She cried miserably.

 

Kenshin took two steps, closing the distance between them. “But you are acquainted with him?” Miserably, she could only nod. He leaned down closer, his eyes glinting with a golden light. “Are you two lovers?” He insisted harshly.

 

The mere thought was laughable, though Kaoru again found herself only capable of staring at him stupidly. Then she jumped to her feet, the entire situation too surreal to even continue. “The idea is appalling.” She stated, wrapping her arms about herself.

 

“Is it?” He grabbed her arm and spun her around so she faced him. “Then why keep him a secret from me?”

 

There it was again. A flash of pain before his fury took over. “Why are you so angry with me?”

 

“He is not what he appears.”

 

She was well aware of that, but how Kenshin would come to this notion eluded her. A thought occurred to her and Kaoru lost the inertia of her own temper. Puzzlement touched her. “You've met him before.” She mused aloud.

 

He didn't answer immediately his fingers straying to the mark on his left cheek. “Our paths have crossed.” He murmured, his eyes taking on a distant look

 

“Kenshin!”

 

They both looked up at the shout. Sanosuke strode towards them. As he got closer, he slowed his stride. “What's going on?” He asked, his dark brown eyes skirting between them.

 

“Nothing.” Kaoru answered quickly.

 

“Right.” Something in his voice had Kaoru looking at the situation from his perspective. She and Kenshin stood mere inches apart, their faces close together. The redhead's hands were still on her shoulders. She flushed and jolted away from the man. Understanding bloomed into his violet eyes and he turned a hard glare on the brunette.

 

Sanosuke took a deep breath and focused his attention on the redhead. “The king needs to speak with you.”

 

Kenshin looked at him piercingly. “Has something happened?” He demanded, his embarrassment receding.

 

The brunette's gazed strayed to Kaoru for a second before returning to the shorter man. “It appears that way.”

 

Kenshin nodded and looked at her. His emotions were gone, replaced by the hard demeanor of a warrior. “Sanosuke will take you to your room. Stay there until I come for you.” She opened her mouth to argue when he took a step towards her. “This isn't over. I will come for you before the end of the day.”

 

Kaoru closed her mouth and nodded. “I won't wait forever.” She told him irritably, annoyed that once again she was being left in the dark.

 

He glanced back at her once more. The corner of his lip curled and then he nodded to Sano.

 

She watched him turn the corner. “What was that all about?”

 

Kaoru shrugged and looked at the tall brunette. “Don't really know.”

 

“Come Jou-chan. You are a horrid liar.”

 

Debate waged in her head. “He asked me something and didn't like my answer.”

 

The dark eyes swept over her face. “What did he ask?”

 

She turned away from him, taking a few steps towards her room. “It's not really important.”

 

“It didn't appear that way.” He retorted, catching up to her easily with his long legs.

 

“You don't know what you saw.” She snapped.

 

“Look, Kenshin is under a lot of stress at the moment.”

 

“It doesn't give him reason to yell at me.”

 

Sanosuke could come up with no comment to that. They continued on in silence for a few moments. She struggled not to rehash the peculiar exchange. Instead, she focused on their time in the small courtyard. “Did you know he gave up killing?”

 

“Kenshin?” She nodded. He glanced at her. “I take it you know that he's Battousai.”

 

“Everyone says that as though it's some terrible secret.”

 

“It's not widely known.”

 

Kaoru shrugged. “I suppose.” They reached her door. She turned to Sano. “Thanks.”

 

“For what?”

 

“You never push me. I also think you're the only one here who doesn't treat me any differently since this ordeal began.”

 

He touched a strand of her dark hair. “Kaoru,” She looked up at him in surprise to hear her name on his lips. “I don't know what will happen. I do know that everything happens for a reason. Regardless of that, you will always be who you are. There is nothing that will change that.”

 

She smiled. “Meg doesn't give you nearly enough credit.”

 

He grinned sheepishly. “I need to go. The king needs to speak with me as well.”

 

“Sano.” She called after him when he turned to go. “Be careful.”

 

The grin deepened. “I can't be too careful. Then there's no fun to be had.”

 

She giggled and closed the door, waiting for Kenshin to return. She leaned wearily against it, rain sounding on the window. The redhead's return might not be pleasant. She caught her lower lip between her teeth. He had demanded to know of her relationship with Enishi. How could she convince him there was no relationship. The blonde had made her acquaintance, she couldn't deny that. However, nothing but friendship had existed between them. She'd never thought to mention him to anyone.

 

Kaoru moved away from the door and began to pace. The redhead seemed to know him. Have a familiarity with him, that even she lacked. She might have denied speaking with him in the market, but Kenshin was obviously keeping something from her. She was going to demand some answers when he returned. She'd explain her relationship with Enishi even. Regardless, one way or another, she was going to figure out just what Kenshin's connection to Enishi was.

 

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Again forgive me for being so late. I keep promising to be better and then life sneaks up on me. But I want to see how the story ends as well!!

 

Comments and suggestions, as always, are always welcome. Sending out all my love. Kisses until next time!