Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 20

How is everyone? I know everyone is anxious to see what happens when Kaoru and Kenshin finally meet again and I really hope I don't disappoint. Therefore I'm going to get right down to it. Read at you leisure and I hope you enjoy.

 

Also, just to state that I do not own the characters below. Nabuhiro Watsuki is the creative genius behind them. Kenshin does haunt my dreams on occasion, but alas, it is just not meant to be.

 

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She was alone. Finally alone. Kaoru perched on the edge of the cot, staring listlessly out the high window into the night. Earlier she heard some kind of commotion outside, but it had abated, dashing what little hope she had of somehow escaping. Enishi's words buzzed inside her head, none of his comments making her feel better. The new picture the blonde had painted of her beloved redhead left her unsettled and feeling hollow.

 

She could not connect the violent Battousai with the gentle man she had met in the woods. Sure, she had seen the murderous glint in his eyes when the man had threatened her in the cottage. But it had been because of her! Not because he was driven by some bloodlust. Desperately she clung to that thought. The man would not kill someone he loved out of cold blood.

 

Adhering the certainty in her mind, Kaoru forced her biggest fear away. Kenshin had already forgotten her. He had not seen her worthy enough to come for. He had decided to leave her to her fate in the hands of a deranged man seeking some sort of vengeance. She had no clue what was going on and she detested that fact. For the first time in her life, she wished she were in the cottage, sitting by the fire, bored out of her mind. Life was simple and easy. She had had enough with this grand adventure.

 

A key rattled in the lock. She cringed, closing her eyes, not wanting to deal with any more accusations from the blonde, driven by his hatred for Battousai. If nothing else, it was apparent; Enishi blamed Kenshin for his sister's death. The door opened behind her and someone entered.

 

“Can't you just leave me alone?” She murmured, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I've heard enough of what you have to say.”

 

“Kaoru-dono?”

 

Her breath caught and she opened her blue eyes wide. Slowly she turned, afraid she might be dreaming. “Kenshin.” She breathed.

 

Relief flooded her at the sight of the redhead. His clothing was dirty and there was a smudge of soot on his cheek, but he appeared unharmed. Trepidation came close behind her solace and instead of flinging herself into his embrace like she wanted, she merely watched him, unsure of him; unsure of herself.

 

“For once he didn't lie.”

 

The words meant nothing to her. They were soft and the edge to them sent a chill down Kaoru's spine. “Lie about what?” She asked a bit hesitantly.

 

The violet eyes studied her. “About you.”

 

Enishi's words came back to her and the possibility that everything that she had been told a lie. She opened her mouth to ask how he had gotten there, intent on giving him time to explain. However, her own heart and mind betrayed her.

 

“Did you kill your wife?”

 

The words came unbidden to her lips, but it was too late to take them back. Instead of gasping or placing a hand over her mouth, Kaoru waited for the denial. Instead of immediately answering, Kenshin's violet eyes flashed and again, she glimpsed the violence which tremored beneath his exterior. Then it was gone and the man sighed.

 

“Where did you hear that?” He asked finally.

 

Not a denial and she began to shift uneasily, fearing that if one thing Enishi had told her was true, it all could be true. “Did you?” She pushed, needing him to be honest with her in this endeavor.

 

He took a step towards her and then hesitated. He was nervous and it took Kaoru a moment before she fully realized he was apprehensive of her. “Tomoe and I were not married.”

 

Her azure eyes widened that he would say that to her, of all things. Her bottom lip trembled. “But you killed her.” She whispered.

 

The redhead closed his eyes briefly and she witnessed the flash of pain and guilt that crossed his beautiful face. He opened his amethyst eyes and nodded slowly. “I wielded the blade that took her life, yes.” He studied her. “Is that you want to hear?” He asked her slowly, taking another step towards her.

 

Kaoru sucked in her breath, trying to gain control of her emotions. She shook her head. Her earlier anxiety hit her full force and she shook as the intensity nearly overwhelmed her. She wrapped her arms about herself, her shaking nearly out of hand. “No. It's not what I want to hear.” She told him, her voice trembling.

 

He was silent, his eyes watching her scrupulously. “What do you want me to tell you?”

 

Her eyes began to fill with tears, her nerves stretched to the breaking point. “I just don't want any more deception.” She cried.

 

“Who told you?”

 

She shook her head fiercely, hardly registering his question. If one thing is true, then it could all be true. “How am I supposed to know what is fact and what is fiction?” She stammered her fear at last breaking free.

 

Slowly she sank to the ground, her sobs wracking her body. Kenshin hesitated once more before at last coming to her. His hands gripped her and he hauled her up. “Get off the floor.” He murmured, but there was no hostility in it. It was the warm voice she had grown accustomed to.

 

Hearing it made her weep that much harder and she wrapped her arms about his neck, finally giving into the one gesture she'd wanted to do since he had appeared at her door. Desperately Kaoru sobbed into his shoulder, refusing to relinquish her hold when he placed her on the cot. She felt safe and secure and she allowed all her terror to pour out in her tears, giving herself over to sleep when her exhaustion finally overtook her.

 

 

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Asleep. At long last she was finally asleep. Kenshin watched her, wishing she could tell him what was on her mind to cause such an intense outbreak of tears from her. He had noticed it when he had first entered the room. He didn't know what to expect, but her reaction was not it. The cerulean eyes seemed guarded and her body unsure. Then came her question.

 

He didn't know who had been feeding her tales of his past. He had never meant for her to hear of the deeds from anyone save himself. If Kenshin was truly honest, he never had any intention of her ever hearing the sordid details. Yet someone had obviously told her. Her hesitance belied that fact, if nothing else. What he feared was that someone had taken it a step further. What else had she been told?

 

Not for a moment did Kenshin doubt that Shishio would have told the young woman the truth of her parentage. However, the sorcerer did everything for a reason and for the biggest reaction. That little tidbit convinced him some one else had told her who and what he had been. The woman had obviously had time to think about it and it was driving her mad. Kenshin didn't doubt that her outburst had been the onslaught of all her emotions she had felt since she had been coerced. To see her so wary when he first entered, it still bothered him. It was uncharacteristic of the young woman he had come to know and…care for.

 

Now she slept.

 

The woman appeared so at peace. Her long lashes rested against her pale cheeks, her lips slightly parted. He knew she would be breathtaking when she finally accepted her throne. It was a shame he wouldn't be able to stick around. He leaned against the wall with a weary sigh. Just what would he do when his task was over? There was no room for him in her life. She was nobility and he was nothing more than one of many subjects. He still wasn't even sure who her teacher was that she thought she was in love with.

 

A frown touched his brow and he looked at Kaoru with a new look. He had cared for Tomoe, had never wished ill upon her, even when he had discovered her betrayal. But very few had actually known of their relationship; at least the true nature of their relationship. One of those few people had been Tomoe's brother. Tomoe had been a part of Shishio's faction over a decade ago. Plus, her brother had approached Kaoru in the market, something the woman had lied to him about. It was why he was convinced the blonde man was her mentor. Why wouldn't Enishi be working for the man his older sister had worked for all those years ago? And why wouldn't he attempt to brainwash the one person Shishio wanted. Turn her against the man whom Enishi hated. What better way to drive a wedge between all of them than to tell the young woman the truth?

 

Kenshin didn't doubt for a moment that Kaoru had been forced to listen to what Enishi had told her. Left alone with nothing but her thoughts to cloud her mind, was it any doubt that she would focus on the one ugly fact he had told her. Kaoru knew of Tomoe. He had never lied to her, didn't want to. He merely chose not to elaborate when particular topics were brought up.

 

She murmured something again in her sleep and he looked down at her. There was also the question of what exactly Enishi had told her, if it was even Enishi. She had only heard one angry man's view. Had she been informed of how Shishio had purposefully pitted them against each other? How he had been forced to fight the woman he loved in order to save them both? Yes, he had slain Tomoe. The truth had obviously shredded some of the woman's faith in him. Yet one question still lingered. What else had she been told?

 

A part of him desperately hoped Kaoru had not yet learned of her identity. When she awoke, he would have to disobey the king and inform her of her plight. In order to escape this place alive, she would need to trust him. He stared at her sleeping form. Gingerly he traced her cheek. It would be the end of any fantasy he might have harbored, but it needed to be done.

 

Now he would let her sleep. She would need her strength to endure what was yet to come: the truth and the reality that he was a lost cause. After all, what would happen once he had killed Shishio?

 

 

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Leisurely she opened her eyes. She felt so at peace, the feeling not matching the surroundings. She lifted her head, her body protesting. She looked around and Kaoru realized she had been resting on Kenshin's lap. He was sleeping, his head tilted to the side. As she watched him, the violet eyes opened slowly and she rubbed her cheeks, embarrassed at having been caught staring at him once again.

 

“You're awake.”

 

She nodded and moved away from his warmth. “So are you.” She murmured awkwardly. Recollections of their moments before she had finally passed out from exhaustion came to her. She stood, wrapping her arms about her body, trying to stave away the chill in the air. “Why are you here?” She asked, not looking at him.

 

“It doesn't really matter.”

 

“It does to me.”

 

“I told you I would come, that I did.”

 

“Why would you risk it?” She asked, fearful of the answer she might receive.

 

Behind her, she heard him move. A hand on her shoulder turned her. Kaoru refused to meet the violet gaze; afraid her own thoughts would belie her. “Whom have you been talking to?” He asked her softly, ignoring her question.

 

“It doesn't matter.” She whispered, echoing his earlier comment.

 

He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “It does to me.”

 

Kaoru swallowed at the melancholy she read in the depths of his lavender eyes. “Would you have ever told me? Any of it?”

 

He took a deep breath and let her go. The man appeared tired and worn. For the first time since she had met him, he seemed to be a man who had lived more than one lifetime. “It's an aspect of my past that I'm not particularly proud of.” He said wearily.

 

Absently she rubbed her arms, a feeling of guilt washing over her. She licked her lips, not sure what to do. “So where do we go from here?” She asked tremulously.

 

“If you haven't noticed, there isn't anywhere to go.”

 

Kenshin looked up at her, a weak smile on his lips. She gnawed on her fingernail, her lips curling fleetingly. She lowered her gaze and moved to the small window. “What now?”

 

The redhead was silent for a moment. “There's something I need to tell you.”

 

Her heart twisted and she glanced over her shoulder at him. “There's something you need to tell me now?” She asked, an edge of bitterness lacing her words.

 

The man cringed and he ran hand through the fiery tresses. “First, I need you to tell me who told you of my past and what else this person might have told you.”

 

“Are you telling me there might be more?” She cried out in despair. “I don't want to hear it.”

 

“Kaoru-dono…”

 

“Just answer me one question.” He grew still, waiting. “Did you love her?”

 

The violet eyes stared at her for a long moment. His shoulders dropped and he sighed. “I loved her to the best of my ability.” Kaoru didn't know how to feel about his vague answer. It left her with little faith of whether Kenshin could love her. “I answered your inquiry; I need you to answer mine.”

 

She rubbed her eyes. “Fine.” She retorted, too mentally drained to argue anymore.

 

“What exactly have you been told?” He asked moving away from her.

 

“She knows all about your murderous ways, your incapacity for love.”

 

They turned to the new voice. Somehow they had missed Enishi's entrance. He stood now in the doorway. Kaoru swallowed, trepidation stealing over her at the blonde's arrival. Kenshin stepped between them.

 

“Surprised?” Enishi asked.

 

Slowly Kenshin shook his head. “Not particularly. Somehow I knew you and I would face each other again, that I did.”

 

The blonde meandered towards the center of the room. “I've been enlightening my friend. Did she tell of the secrets I have been indulging her?

 

“I'm sure you took great satisfaction in telling her of my past.”

 

“It seemed only right.” He retorted lazily. “You did kill my sister. Kaoru needed to know just what sort of man she was getting involved with.”

 

Kenshin was still and Kaoru realized a fight would break out if she didn't do something quickly. “What more do you have to say?” She demanded, coming between the two men. Seconds passed before either man glanced at her. Kenshin backed down first and turned away. She turned her malevolent gaze on Enishi. “You've said your piece. Now leave us alone.” Kaoru ordered.

 

Enishi grinned at her and she took an involuntary step back. “I still have much to say.”

 

“What more could possibly spin to your advantage?” She spit.

 

“You know just about everything, but not quite. There is one last detail that you are unaware of.”

 

“I don't want to hear anything more you have to say about Kenshin. Just leave.”

 

“It isn't about Kenshin. It concerns you and why you're here. I'll tell you what Shishio wants with you.”

 

Kaoru paused, blinking. “What?”

 

“I imagine it is the one question you have asked and had no one oblige you with the answer.”

 

She swallowed, knowing the man was right, but not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hurting her anymore. “You know what's going on?” She asked hesitantly.

 

Enishi grinned slowly. “Yes.”

 

Her lips trembled and she stepped towards the blonde. “You know the significance of who I am to these people?”

 

His grin deepened. “I do. As does another.”

 

Anguish washed over her. She turned her azure gaze to the redhead. “Do you know who I am?” She asked tremulously.

 

The gaze was hard, his animosity directed at the blonde. Then Kenshin turned towards her. The eyes were cold and distant and Kaoru didn't doubt any longer the reality of what Enishi had told her of the assassin. “Yes.”

 

Betrayal had her moving away from him. His gruesome past, she could accept. Even knowledge of what he had once been capable of she could handle. She realized he had never openly lied to her about Tomoe, though he had omitted certain truths. It didn't concern her. However, to learn he had kept certain truths that directly corresponded to her tore at her heart, particularly since she had revealed to him her torment at being left in the dark.

 

Kenshin blanched to see her distress. His features softened and he held a hand out to her. “Kaoru-dono…”

 

She looked away, unable to look at him anymore. She glanced at Enishi. Lifting her chin she forced herself to meet the stormy eyes. “Tell me.” She ordered softly.

 

Enishi smiled, his lip curling with malicious glee. “With absolute pleasure.”

 

Anxiety had goose bumps breaking out across her skin. Kenshin moved away from her to stare out the small window. Kaoru fought the impulse to go to him and demand he explain to her. She knew whatever was to come would be better coming from him. However, he had repeatedly refused to inform her of what was going on. Though she knew Enishi would tell her some convoluted version of the truth, the blonde, ironically, had not withheld the facts from her.

 

“Tell me.” She whispered, her stomach clenching.

 

“Have you heard the tale of the king?” Despite herself, she shook her head. “How he lost his wife and daughter and retreated to spend a life of mourning behind closed doors?”

 

“I've met the king.” She told him defiantly. “He didn't appear to be upset.”

 

“You have met the man acting as king. Hiko has no claim to the throne. He never has.”

 

Kaoru stared at him, stunned by this new revelation. She turned to Kenshin, looking for either confirmation or denial. He continued to stare out the window; whether he was listening was uncertain. Cautiously she looked back to the blonde. “Why would he do that?”

 

The blonde moved finally and advanced towards her. She stepped away from him, causing the man to stop and study her. “What man doesn't crave power?”

 

“Not every man.” She spit. Once more she looked at the redhead. Despite her earlier feeling of pain, she needed some sort of emotion from him. However, he revealed nothing. Terror touched her again.

 

Enishi chuckled and shook his head. He seemed oblivious of the open hostility directed at him. “You know of course already of Shishio and his epic battle with Battousai.”

 

“We've already covered that.” She retorted tightly.

 

He ignored her. “I believe you also know of the war that ended ten years ago.”

 

Kaoru parted her lips to reply, and then closed them. She ran a hand through her dark hair, absently pulling her ribbon from her tresses. “I'm still unclear on what this has to do with me.” She whispered. Suddenly she felt exhausted. Tremulously she moved to the cot, her azure eyes looking at Kenshin once more. He stood off to the side, merely watching. More than anything, she longed for him to comfort her. “The war ended. Life went on.”

 

“Have you ever heard of the reason for the war in the first place?”

 

She shifted and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “There was a wizard. He killed… the queen.” Kaoru knew the reason, but somehow it seemed out of context with what she knew. A frown marred her brow. There was no indication that Hiko had been married. Then again, Enishi claimed he wasn't the rightful king.

 

The man's smile deepened at her confusion and Kaoru wanted to hurt him. “That wizard is Shishio.”

 

Blinking, she stared at him. “But…” She glanced again at Kenshin. It occurred to her that she had no knowledge of the enmity that existed between Kenshin and Shishio. She looked at everything that had happened as separate events, not once thinking about how they connected. She knew Kenshin and Shishio had fought and the battle had occurred at the end of the war. Kenshin had killed Enishi's sister. Regardless of what had happened between him and his lover, the clarification of why they were on opposite sides still remained elusive.

 

“Why would he kill the queen?” She asked fretfully.

 

“Shishio was in love with a young woman. They were betrothed. However, she broke off the engagement and married another. Shishio was heartbroken. So heartbroken that he went to plead for her affection. But she spurned him. Then the king, her husband, attacked Shishio. He was forced to defend himself and in the end, he killed his beloved.”

 

“That's stretching it a bit, that it is.” Kenshin declared softly.

 

Enishi ignored him. “The king sent his child of into the wilderness to be raised by his sister-in-law. Shishio, still feeling the loss of his heart, swore to claim her for his own.”

 

Kaoru held her breath. She had not heard this part. Tae had told her over and over of the evil wizard who had killed his supposed love. For whatever reason it was why Kaoru was not to wander alone in the village. She knew it was why Kenshin had stayed when the old woman had gone to the castle.

 

“The child had disappeared and Shishio was badly wounded by the king's most notorious assassin.”

 

The blonde continued and Kaoru sat down slowly. “Battousai went about his merry little way, never realizing he had failed miserably in his most important mission.” The stormy eyes glinted towards Kenshin, malevolent amusement glittering in their depths. “The sorcerer bided his time, waiting until the princess had ripened into a young woman.” A lazy grin curled his lips. “Shishio was always aware of her location, merely waiting for the right time to step in and claim what should have been his. The king sent several to guard over his daughter, but to no avail. Alas, Shishio did make one slight error. He had not counted on Battousai's change of heart.”

 

Again she stared at him stunned. Kenshin had never mentioned anyone else to her. She didn't know what he had done in the ten years since the end of the war. She cast him a quick look, before directing her attention towards Enishi. “When the wizard sent someone to claim her, Battousai was there, acting as her personal bodyguard. Then the princess went missing. So instead, the wizard changed tactics. He decided he would use her father, the king, to draw out his prey. Except, the assassin made a surprise move. He brought the princess home to her family. Again, all was for naught. Battousai failed once more.” He lingered over his words, his hateful glare on the redhead. “He proved to be a worthless outdated opponent and the princess was taken.”

 

Despite herself, Kaoru watched him fascinated by his tale. Her heart slowly sank with every word the man uttered. To hear Kenshin had suffered more tragedy after the wars surprised her. Slowly her azure eyes swung in his direction. For the first time since Enishi had entered the room, he looked at her. The harsh edge faded and his amethyst eyes filled with such sadness and longing. “Is what he says true?” She asked breathlessly, her heart aching that he would carry not one burden, but another.

 

Slowly he nodded. “More or less. Forgive me for not telling you sooner.”

 

Bewilderment replaced her apprehension. She licked her lips and looked back at Enishi. “What happened in the end?”

 

“The ending hasn't been written yet.”

 

`But what happened to the princess?”

 

The grey eyes widened slightly. Then he began to chuckle. It was low and bitter, growing in volume until the blonde finally tossed his head back and laughed openly. “You're kidding right?” Perplexed she could only shake her head. She looked once more at the redhead, wondering if he knew the reason for the man's delight. “You still haven't realized it yet?”

 

“Realized what?”

 

“Lady Kamiya, Kaoru. You're the one person that Battousai failed to protect. You're the missing princess.”

 

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For those of you who have patiently waited, your wait is nearly at an end. Hopefully it won't be too long before the next chapter comes out and there, all of ya'll who have been clamoring for some more romance between our favorite couple will finally get what you want. However, as a bit of a preview, it won't be smooth sailing. There is still Shishio, Enishi, Hiko, and Koshijirou to deal with, not to mention the feeling of betrayal Kaoru will ultimately be feeling. It will get ugly, deliciously ugly.

 

And there's where I'll leave you. Much love to everyone. Kisses until next time!