Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

Alright! I will finally find the time to sit and wfinish! Titiana has offered me a bribe and I must follow through.

This chapter has been sitting her for…I don't even know how long. I got stuck and then life kicked in. Mostly I haven't posted it sooner becuawse I'm a bit leery of it and I haven't fully organized the remaining chapters. The problem is, I have no concept of time. None! And then my computer exploded. Long sotry short, I finally found a song that has driven me to pick up the thread and put some closure to this tale. While the details aren't finished, the story does have an end. I will do my utmost best to get the end for those who want it. I don't own the characters below. Enjoy!!

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She moved through a black fog. Desperately she tried to recall what had happened. Shishio had threatened her and Kenshin had fought for her honor. She had somehow found the courage to fight the mad wizard. From the beginning she had known he was better. Still, she refused to let Kenshin fight for her alone. So she had picked up a blade, heavier than the wooden sword she was used to, and challenged the man who had killed her mother.

 

Shishio had laughed at her, trying to draw her attention to the battle between two enemies still fighting over a woman long dead. It had only strengthened her resolve that Kenshin not be forced to revert back to the alter ego that had been his life ten years prior. Their duel had been swift and fierce. Within moments he had driven the weapon from her hands and had her on her knees. Then she had spotted a flash of metallic and remembered the fallen blade Yumi had used as a last attempt to kill Kenshin. Her eyes had scanned for it and she had dived for the dagger just as Shishio had moved to kill her.

 

Fire flared across her side and she gasped out loud as she stared into the passion filled gaze of Makoto Shishio. In that moment, her own life flashed before her eyes. She saw Tae the woman who raised her and Megumi, someone who was practically a big sister; Misao, her best friend, and Sanosuke, a buffoon of an older brother. And most important she saw an image of Kenshin, the man who had somehow brought her heart to life. Then they fell to the ground, the heavy body knocking the breath out of her.

 

She moaned, her body aching. Reluctantly, Kaoru opened her eyes.

 

Violet eyes stared down at her. They widened and it took her a moment to recognize who they belonged to. “Kenshin?” She asked, her voice barely audible.

 

He nodded. “It's me.”

 

She closed her eyes again for a moment and winced. “Am I dead?” She wanted to know, hardly believing she could still be alive.

 

“On the contrary. You are very much alive.”

 

She moved again and winced at the the pain that coursed through her body. “I feel like I'm dead.” She muttered.

 

“You almost were.”

 

“Quit being so melodramatic.” She heard someone snort.

 

Stiffly, Kaoru turned her head and saw Megumi sitting next to her, a thread and needle in her hand. “What happened? How did you get here?”

 

“Aoshi and Sanosuke had mobilized a small rescue party to come find you. Only, it became a rescue party for two since Kenshin went after you alone.”

 

Her eyes flitted over to him. “He promised to come for me.”

 

“There was no way I would leave you to a fate in his hands.” He murmured, taking her fingers in his. “I would respond the same way again, if necessary.”

 

Something about his words had her studying him a bit closer. He took a deep breath and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles. Was he alluding to their illicit night together? Had that really only happened the night before?

 

“How are you?' She asked softly

 

“Nothing a few stitches wouldn't fix.” He told her with a smile. He placed her hand down and rose to his feet. “I should go check on the prisoner.”

 

“Prisoner?”

 

“Enishi has been taken into custody.” Megumi told her.

 

“What will happen to him?” She asked out of curiosity.

 

Something flashed in the violet gaze before Kenshin sighed. “It is not up to me to decide, that it isn't.”

 

“Who?”

 

“Kaoru…”Megumi stepped in.

 

“What? I have a right to know.” She replied stubbornly.

 

The redhead nodded. “When we return to the castle, all of your questions will be answered, that they will.”

 

“All of them?'

 

“Hai.”

 

“Now leave. I need to get the woman bathed properly and I can't do it with you gawking.” Megumi ordered.

 

Kenshin smiled at her. “I'm grateful you are fine, that I am.”

 

Kaoru felt her color rise. “Thank you.”

 

He let the flap fall. Megumi came up to her then and folded her arms underneath her bosom. “What happened?” She demanded.

 

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

 

“Between you two. I know something did.”

 

She stared at the older woman. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

 

“You know damn well what I'm talking about.” She hissed. “Kenshin hasn't left your side unless I demand it. He's hardly registered the fact that Shishio is dead, he's been so fretful about your condition.”

 

“Shishio's dead?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kaoru sat up, a moan escaping her as pain shot through her body. “Did I…?”

 

“You were the one to kill him, yes.”

 

She licked her lips. “Then Kenshin didn't..?”

 

“No.”

 

She let go a sigh of relief. Then the full weight of the conversation hit her. “I killed him.” She stated, more in wonder than anything. Megumi moved to her side and lifted her skirt. Kaoru moved to stop her and cringed. “What are you doing?” She demanded her voice an edge as she fought the pain.

 

“Checking your injuries.” The woman told her herself. She shoved up the skirts and Kaoru felt her eyes widen at the sight of the two long gashes on her hip and thigh. They had been neatly stitched. Megumi rubbed a poultice from a small jar on the two wounds before dressing them again.

 

“How bad was I?” She wondered allowed.

 

She licked her lips. “It wasn't a mere scratch, though it wasn't nearly as bad as some made it out to be.”

 

“Who?”

 

Megumi sat back and studied her. “What happened the night you were taken?”

 

Kaoru averted her eyes. “Kenshin left me alone in my room and told me not to leave.”

 

“Then why did you?”

 

“Someone attacked me.” She told her. She shrugged, searching for the right words to explain what had occurred that night. “I knew that I wasn't any safer there so I left, looking for Kenshin. Only I found someone else.”

 

“Enishi.” She nodded. “Did you know him? From before?”

 

Kaoru looked up at Megumi and shook her head. “No.” She blinked as the answer came out. “No.” She shook her head in confusion. “But, no, I can't…I can't….”She looked up at the woman pleadingly.

 

Understanding seemed to come to the older woman. “He cast a compulsion spell on you.”

 

“Even now.” She thought she might cry at what was happening to her. It reminded her of the terrible afternoon when Kenshin had tried to force the answer from her. She had lied to him then, something she could never understand. “I can't admit it.”

 

“It's okay.” Megumi took her hand. “Working with Shishio, is it any wonder he managed to cast some simple spell on you to prevent you from telling anyone of him.”

 

Kaoru sighed in relief to know this woman understood. “There was a woman. After that everything became a blur. I woke up in a cell. Then he was there.”

 

“Enishi.”

 

She nodded and closed her eyes. “He told me the most awful things.”

 

“What things?”

 

“He told me about Kenshin and his wife.”

 

“His wife?”

 

Kaoru opened her eyes, seeing genuine surprise on the woman's face. “She was Enishi's sister. He threw in my face how Kenshin killed her at the end of the war. I didn't want to believe him. But then Kenshin was there and he confirmed it.” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “He told me who I am.” She stated after a moment.

 

Megumi went still. “Did he now.”

 

She looked up at her. “How long have you known?”

 

The woman rose and wrapped her arms about herself. “Not long. Maybe a week.”

 

“Really? What about your trips to the castle that you kept secret for so long?”

 

Her lip twitched. “That was for my own protection. I was in a lot of trouble before I came to live with you and Tae. You know nothing of the madman who kept me for his own personal gain. If Aoshi hadn't rescued me, I don't know where I'd be. I have secrets without having been burdened with yours.”

 

“What secrets are you talking about? Everyone's been keeping this from me for years!”

 

“Your teacher? Who is he?”

 

Her bravado faltered and she backed down from the argument, too weary to really even bother. “His name is Kisho. He's a guard at the palace. He didn't want anyone to know because he didn't want the king to realize he was shirking his duties.”

 

Silence fell between the two of them. “Is that all?” Megumi asked after a moment.

 

Kaoru shrugged. “What else is there?” She curled her legs underneath her.

 

The woman deliberated for a moment and she watched her with interest. Finally she sat back down next to her. “Kaoru, there's something else I need to ask, mostly because I'm a bit confused.” Kaoru immediately grew wary, unsure where this new line of questioning would go. Slowly she nodded. “Were you raped?”

 

The question had her blinking. “What?” She stared at her dumbfounded. “Why would you think such a thing?”

 

“You can tell me.” Megumi reached for one of her hands. “You didn't ask for any of this to happen. It isn't your fault.”

 

Kaoru jerked back. “Of course not, because it didn't happen.”

 

“I did an exam.” She colored slightly. “I had to make sure everything was okay with you.” Megumi took a deep breath and let it go slowly. “There…was bruising.”

 

Color drained form her face. Kaoru licked her lips anxiously. “No one was supposed to find out.” She whispered.

 

“Who raped you?”

 

“No one raped me. I did it willingly.”

 

“Just because you conceded doesn't mean that it was any less. You were in a precarious situation.”

 

“Stop!” Kaoru sighed in frustration. She fought the urge to jump up, not sure how her body would handle it. “Don't make it into something it wasn't. It was magical and wonderful…it was… it was Kenshin.”

 

Now Megumi stared at her perplexed. “Kenshin took advantage of you?”

 

“No! Would you listen to me? We were in a room together and vulnerabilities apparent and…”

 

“He took advantage of you.”

 

“More like I took advantage of him.”

 

“Really?” She smirked.

 

“I told him since we could die when the sun came up I didn't want to die a virgin.” She admitted sheepishly.

 

“That sounds more like something Tori-atama would say than you.”

 

“You forget that Sano is a good friend of mine. I have it on authority that the line works.” She grinned slyly. “It worked on you didn't it?”

 

The woman sucked in her breath. “How do you know about that?” She hissed.

 

Kaoru grinned impishly. “I have the book. You didn't think I wouldn't figure out that one chapter was about how he managed to seduce you.”

 

She pressed her lips together. “That line didn't work on me but rather three of the other trollops who wander about the palace.”

 

“What line did work?”

 

“Seriously, Kaoru.” She brushed away the question. “What were you thinking?”

 

She rolled her eyes again. “I wasn't thinking. Isn't that the point?”

 

“You haven't thought this through. Do you understand the repercussions of what happened between you and Kenshin?”

 

Anxiety caressed her. “What do you mean?”

 

“There will be a push for the two of you to marry.”

 

“What does that matter? I think I love him. Isn't that what you're supposed to do?”

 

Megumi sighed in frustration. “Don't you realize that you are most likely already betrothed to someone?”

 

She nibbled on her lower lip. “No one else can know.” She stated a bit regretfully. A thought occurred to her and glanced up at the woman sharply. “Who else knows?”

 

Megumi shook her head. “I can't be sure but Aoshi probably figures something might have transgressed between the two of you. I'd bet money on it. Very little gets by that man.”

 

“And Sano?”

 

“He won't notice anything subtle unless he thinks Kenshin already compromised you before you even came to the palace.” The dark eyes studied her. “Did he?”

 

She colored at the memories that suffused her. “No. In fact he practically pushed me away anytime I attempted to do anything.”

 

Her eyes narrowed. “Did he kiss you? You seemed pretty intent on accomplishing that task when I left you alone with him in the cottage.”

 

“That's in the past!”

 

She let the matter go. “There will be a push for you to marry.”

 

“By who?”

 

“If the king finds out what happen he'll probably arrange for Kenshin to marry you.”

 

Kaoru grew still at the prospect of him being coerced into marriage. The idea made her ill. “I don't want to wed him out of duty.”

 

“Then they'll ask either your betrothed or some other noble, provided he won't mind that you're no longer innocent.”

 

“I lost my innocence when I killed a man, not because I had sex.”

 

“Regardless, Kaoru. You will marry.”

 

“Why?”

 

“What if you're pregnant?”

 

The thought didn't scare her. In fact the idea she might be with Kenshin's child warmed her. “What if I am?”

 

“It would not do to have the heir pregnant out of wedlock.”

 

“I don't want to be queen!” She finally cried.

 

Megumi sighed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know. However, there are some things in life we cannot change and your fate is one of them. If you have a child, you need him to be legitimate in order for him to inherit the throne someday.”

 

She ran a hand over her face. “This isn't what I thought would happen when …” She sighed. “I never thought it would really be that big of a deal. I wanted it, wanted him.”

 

“This is what it means to be queen. Every action you take will have consequences that can affect the entire kingdom.”

 

A melancholy fell over her as she finally realized that whatever shred of her prior life she had maintained was now gone. “What if I'm not even pregnant? The rush will be for nothing and I'll be stuck with some person I might not even like.”

 

Megumi sighed and pulled her into an embrace. “I know. We have a bit of time before any decision has to be made. I won't tell anyone. Aoshi likely won't either. Kenshin, if he's anything, he is discreet.”

 

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Kaoru peered through the mist, hoping no one stirred. Nothing seemed to move and she cautiously moved towards the next tent, her feet making no sound on the grass. She was crazy for doing this. Her body ached and her head still throbbed slightly. She peered around the tent and saw her destination. She squinted into the darkness, surprised that she saw no one about at this point.

 

“Should you not be in bed?”

 

Panic seized her and she whirled, clutching her cloak to her. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out when she recognized Aoshi. `What are you doing?” She gasped.

 

“I'm guarding a dangerous man. What are you doing?”

 

“Taking a walk?” She offered, knowing he would see through her.

 

“Your walk happened to lead you over here? I'm surprised it didn't take you to Kenshin.”

 

The thought had wandered through her head. However, she was more afraid he would turn her out and couldn't handle that possibility. Therefore, she had stolen towards another destination. “Why would you assume I would seek Kenshin?” She asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

 

The tall man didn't answer, merely stepped around her. His gaze was on the tent. “I am still trying to ascertain why you would seek this one out.”

 

Kaoru gnawed on her lip. “I wanted to confront him.” She admitted.

 

“Why?”

 

“I thought he was my friend.”

 

The dark blue eyes swung in her direction. “Kenshin will not like it.”

 

She swallowed, her eyes falling to the ground. She recalled the animosity between the two, was well aware of its source now. Also fresh in her mind was the anger when Kenshin had discovered her relationship with the blonde. She left her gaze to his. “I need to see him.”

 

Aoshi studied her face for a moment and then nodded. “You have five minutes.”

 

He stepped aside and nodded to the four guards that materialized out of the gloom. She blinked in surprise to see them and shook her head slightly too honestly have thought she could sneak up undetected. One lifted the flap and she ducked inside.

 

A small lantern cast an eerie glow on the man lying prone on the cot. All four limbs were tied to the bed, though she wondered if it would have mattered. His body was covered in bruises, his jaw swollen and both eyes blackened. She hesitated, not sure if she should disturb him when he slowly turned his head to look at her.

 

“What do you want?” He demanded softly.

 

“I…I don't even know.” She whispered.

 

“Then why come here?”

 

“Enishi…I …I am sorry.” She whispered

 

He snorted and shook his head. “Don't feel sorry for me.”

 

“You have no one and for that I am sorry.”

 

“I had my sister, but that murderer took her from me. Then he took you from me as well.”

 

Kaoru licked her lips and wrapped her cloak about her even tighter. “I was never yours.”

 

“It doesn't even matter now.”

 

She took another step towards him. “You were wrong.” She murmured.

 

His lips curled. “You did come to gloat.” A sinister chuckle issued from his cracked lips. The malice flickered and then the spark died and Enishi turned away from her.

 

“Your wizard is dead.” She argued. “You're still alive.”

 

He glanced back at her. “Shishio is dead and you doubt what I say?”

 

“Kenshin didn't kill him. I did.”

 

Something gleamed in his grey eyes and it took her a second to realize it was respect. “What will happen to you now?” He murmured aloud.

 

He asked a question she had been pondering and therefore she thought about it. “I don't know.” She answered truthfully.

 

He laughed bitterly. “He will use it to his advantage.”

 

His words caught her attention and she glanced at him. “Use what?”

 

“Come now princess. Let's not be coy. You and I have experienced far more together for you to claim naïveté now.”

 

“What are you talking about?” She demanded softly.

 

“Your liaison with Battousai? He will use it to take what he wants.”

 

She colored at the mention of her one night with Kenshin. “What do you know of it?” Kaoru seethed.

 

“Please. It's written all over both of you. He has claim now, at least until its evident there are not dire consequence for your affair. However, I don't think your father will want to risk it and will waste no time in marrying you off. Why not to the nefarious Battousai? Once he sits on the throne he will destroy this kingdom and you will be the one to have put him there.”

 

His words froze her heart and she vehemently shook her head. “Battousai doesn't exist any longer. He's a legend that died with your sister.”

 

Enishi struggled to sit up, hindered by his restraints. Kaoru backed away, a sliver of fear breaking through her anger. “Tell yourself whatever you want. I saw the look in his eyes. He might not have killed Shishio, but he would have had you not done it for him. Battousai will never die. Not until Kenshin is dead.”

 

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She wiped away the stray tear hanging on her lash and stared at him. “You speak of things you know nothing about.” She turned to leave.

 

“You think he loves you?” Kaoru paused and glanced back over her shoulder. “Perhaps I'm wrong and you are right. He is incapable of love. He will never marry you for love. Is that something you really want?”

 

The tent flap opened and Aoshi stepped inside. “Your time is up.” He told her softly.

 

Kaoru looked up at the tall man and nodded slowly. She looked once more at the broken blonde laying on the cot. “Goodbye Enishi.”

 

His lip curled and he nodded his head. “Goodbye princess.”

 

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Aoshi watched her step back into the night, wrapping her cloak about herself. She was shaken by her encounter, and he wondered if he had been wise to allow her the breach in protocol. However, she was his future sovereign. It was interesting when it occurred to him he had always thought of her so, ever since he had figured out the true nature of her identity. “May I escort you back to your tent, your highness?”

 

“If I say no?”

 

“I'm not leaving your side until I know you are safe within the confines of your tent.”

 

A sliver of a grin touched her mouth. “Then so be it. Escort me wherever you will.”

 

Kaoru lifted her chin and turned away from him. He fell in step alongside her. He kept his thoughts to himself, though he was curious as to what had transpired between her and Yukishiro. He had long learned to curb such inquiries, knowing such answers revealed themselves. Or else allow Misao to have free reign over the princess and he'd have his responses.

 

“Aoshi, will you answer something for me?”

 

“If it is within my ability to answer, I will your highness.”

 

Her step faltered and she looked at him. “When did you know?”

 

“Know?”

 

“Know I was the heir, the princess, the missing link.”

 

He took in a slow breath. This was one question he didn't know he could avoid. “When Megumi was initially put into the care of Tae, I first wondered. Why was the king so convinced she would not be discovered so close to the castle, particularly when she had another ward, you, in her care? When I discovered he was allowing Misao to shirk her duties to spend time with you, it became clear.”

 

She gnawed on her lip, pondering his statement. “When did she know?”

 

“That I am unaware of. What I do know is she brought you back to my attention after I caught you spying on petitions.” She colored as she recalled the time his protégé had snuck her into the palace. “She argued that a woman with such regal stature had a need to see nobility at work.”

 

“Why did you never say anything?”

 

“It wasn't my place. It wasn't until Kenshin disappeared again that I was alerted to the possibility of Shishio still maintaining a presence in the kingdom.

 

“Again?” Her steps faltered and she placed a hand on his arm. “What do you mean by again?”

 

Aoshi paused and studied the young woman. “Kenshin makes an appearance at court for a few days and then vanishes into the countryside.”

 

“What do you mean by vanishes?”

 

He could sense her anxiety beneath her calm demeanor. He took a deep breath. “How much do you know of him?

 

She rolled her eyes. “I know all about Tomoe and the whole mess.” She grated.

 

“You know of his vow, of course?”

 

“Vow?”

 

He blinked, startled to realize she did not know of the vow Kenshin had made ten years ago. “During the war, Battousai roamed the country, lusting for blood and little else.”

 

She buried her face in her hands. “I already know all of this. Why won't you stop harping about it?” She cried.

 

He reached out and grabbed her wrist lightly. He tugged it from her face. “His relationship with Tomoe penetrated that veil for a short period of time. However her love was not enough and he killed her when she was unable to pierce the façade of Battousai.”

 

Kaoru's other hand fell from her eyes and the dark blue orbs glittered up at him in the moonlight. “I don't understand.”

 

“Kenshin didn't kill her; Battousai did.”

 

“But he's nothing more than a legend now.”

 

“No, he's not. He's very real.”

 

“What does this have to do with his promise?”

 

Aoshi took another deep breath and briefly wondered if perhaps he shouldn't be the one to enlighten her. “Kenshin decided he would never allow his passion to override his reason and he swore he would never kill again. That is the reason for his sword.”

 

Understanding came to her. “With a blade on the opposite side.”

 

“It gives him some reprieve when the emotions boil to the surface.”

 

She shook her head. “But Battousai is still a legend. I know Kenshin. He doesn't let the feelings to the surface.”

 

“Forgive me, but that's where you are deluding yourself. Battousai is who stormed Shishio's fortress. He is the one who would have killed Shishio and who would have slain Enishi if not for one thing.”

 

She closed her eyes at his words. “What?” Kaoru murmured her voice thick with tears.

 

“You.”

 

Her eyes flew open. “Me?”

 

“Kenshin has wandered for ten years. He has never stayed in the same place for longer than a few days. Yet he followed Hiko's order to find you, brought you to the palace, and has done everything he possibly could to see to your protection. For the first time I don't know what Kenshin will do and neither does anyone else.”

 

"Why?”

 

“Because a manslayer was set loose three days ago and yet he took no one's life. The only life that was taken was by your hand.”

 

A twig snapped off to her left and Aoshi grabbed her arm and swiftly pulled her behind him before she had time to register the noise. A figure emerged in the late night fog. “Checking the perimeters?” A familiar voice called out.

 

He relaxed slightly as the redhead came into the light. “Merely escorting the princess back to her bed.”

 

The dark eyes turned on her. “What is the princess doing out of bed at such a late hour?”

 

“I needed some air.”

 

She grabbed the neck of her cloak and Aoshi couldn't help but surmise that something egregious had happened between the two of them. Kenshin's eyes flickered over them before he nodded his head curtly. “I will to see to the princess's safety.”

 

There it was again; the simmering animosity. However he was surprised to realize it was directed at him. He glanced at the woman at his side. “I will leave you.” He took her hand in his and bowed over her fingers. “Sleep well, your highness.”

 

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I hope this suffices. I will do my best to update soon and not wait so long for the next chapter. And don't forget to check out Titiana's fanart her on this site. Much love and kisses!