Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 25 )

I must admit I was a bit surprised at the continued interest in this story. I'm glad so many are still following it! Yay! As promised, I sat down with a glass of wine and found the muse I needed to put together the pieces.

 

My main problem was I had the ending. I had some scattered scenes. What I didn't have was the exchanges to tie it all together. This next chapter is a prime example. I apologize in advance if some of it appears a bit random. You start one place and end up somewhere completely different. Plus, I would write a scene, come back to it, and have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote the initial dialogue. So to make up for that, this chapter is fairly long, mostly because I couldn't agree on where to end it.

 

Enough with my ramblings! I do not own the characters below. I merely like to borrow them from time to time.

 

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Kaoru thoughtfully watched the tall man disappear into the mist. He had told her some interesting things. “How are you feeling?”

 

Slowly, she turned towards Kenshin. “I'm okay.”

 

`Your leg isn't bothering you too much?”

 

“No.”

 

The night seemed to stretch between them, the crickets chirping in the grass. “I should see you to your tent, that I should.”

 

“May we walk a bit more?”

 

He hesitated briefly before nodding his head in acquiescence. They stood there for a moment before Kenshin finally offered her his arm. Timidly she accepted it. He guided her in the general direction of her tent. “It's a nice night.” She ventured, trying to get a feel for his mood.

 

“Hai, it is.”

 

She nibbled on her lower lip, feeling extremely shy. It was the first time she had been alone with him since their night together. She swallowed, the tension splaying out between them.

 

“I was wondering—“

 

“I needed to ask—“

 

Together they paused, staring at each other. Then his lips curled in a grin and she giggled. The tense mood broken, they continued walking. “What is it?” She finally asked him.

 

“Oro?”

 

“You said you needed to ask…what?”

 

“You said you were wondering about something.”

 

She smiled to herself. “I was wondering what you needed to ask me.”

 

Kenshin chuckled. “I realize now it derived from you relationship with Aoshi.”

 

She frowned. “What?”

 

“Your ability to sidestep away from my vague attempts to brush you off.”

 

She shrugged. “It's the only way to get him to answer anything.”

 

“Fair enough.”

 

She sighed and glanced at him sidelong in the moonlight. “Well?”

 

The violet eyes looked at her. “What?”

 

“Aren't you going to ask your question?” She demanded.

 

“I forget.”

 

She pulled her arm from his grasp. “Kenshin!”

 

He grinned at her and Kaoru blushed. “Highness?”

 

Absently she brushed a dark lock of hair behind her ear. “Don't call me that.” She murmured.

 

He watched her. “It is who you are.”

 

She raised her eyes to his. “Not to you.” She took a step towards him, her gaze searching his face for a glimmer of what she had seen a short moment ago.

 

Kenshin stilled. “Most definitely to me.”

 

His words hurt, but she hid it, taking another step towards him. “Please don't do this.” She pleaded.

 

“Do what?”

 

“Pretend it didn't happen.”

 

The man sighed and reached out and caressed her cheek. She leaned into the touch, relishing in the feel of his fingers straying along her skin. “I will never forget it, that I won't.”

 

Kaoru turned her head and kissed his palm. Taking it in her fingers, she allowed her lips to stray towards his wrist. If not for the wild beating of his pulse, she would think he was unaffected by her kiss. She tugged him to her. He resisted and with a sad shake of his head he pulled his fingers from her grasp. “We cannot do this, that we cannot.”

 

Reluctantly she let him retreat and turned away from him. She lifted her eyes, praying she would not start crying. Her tent was close. He fell into step just behind her and she whirled. “Please don't do that either.”

 

“I must make sure you make it to your tent safely.”

 

His sense of duty ate at her. “If you must protect me, you could do it as a friend and as not as one of my servants.” She told him bitterly. “You can at the very least walk next to me and not wander behind me like a lost dog.”

 

The violet eyes blinked startled. He nodded and came to her side. They took a few more steps in silence. Gone was the playful banter, gone was the easy comfort they had once existed within. They reached her tent and she lifted the flap. “Good night, Kenshin.”

 

“Kaoru-dono.”

 

She turned sharply. He stood in the pale light, poised, as though waiting for something. She cocked her head to the side slightly, wondering what he waited for. “Yes?”

 

“Know that I will always be here for you if you wish it. Sleep well.”

 

“Kenshin!”

 

The redhead paused and slowly turned back to face her. So much she wanted to say. However she couldn't find the words. “Thank you.” She finally stated. “For everything.”

 

A wisp of a smile graced his features. “You are very much welcome, Kaoru-dono.” Then he was gone.

 

*************************************

 

 

The next day had left him little time to see Kaoru. Quickly they had packed up camp and headed towards town. They had traveled hard. He had purposely avoided the princess. She kept up, stubbornly riding alongside Sanosuke. The two chatted and he couldn't help but feel a little discord at the casual nature of their relationship.

 

Now they had stopped for a quick break. He knew it was about time to decide what to do. He drank deep from his canteen, the water doing little to alleviate the empty feeling in his gut.

 

“The sun sets.”

 

He looked up as Aoshi came up alongside him. He looked up at the sky, noting the scattering of stars that had begun to become visible in the dark indigo sky. “It does.”

 

“We have two options.”

 

“Only two?”

 

“We can make camp here for the night.”

 

Kenshin caught sight of Kaoru standing next to her horse. She leaned wearily against the animal, her eyes closed for the moment. “It might be best. Some are not used to the quick pace set.”

 

The dark eyes flitted to the person he watched before Kenshin focused once more on his face. The tall man was quiet a moment. “The other option is to push onward. We can reach the gate before midnight.”

 

The idea of camping appealed greatly, if for no other reason than he had no desire to face Hiko. The man had not precisely given him permission to seek out Shisio's fortress, but a full report would be required and he wasn't fully clear on the pertinent details. “Why would you want to hurry on?”

 

“I do not wish to have Enishi in my care for any longer than necessary.”

 

That fact he had momentarily forgotten. A sound reason, one he mightily agreed upon. “It might be better to dispatch him to the dungeon sooner rather than later.” He retorted a trace absently. His attention had wandered back to the princess where she was now being fussed over by Megumi.

 

“She spoke with him.”

 

His attention instantly zeroed on the tall man. “Oro?”

 

The dark eyes studied him. “The princess. It was the real reason she had left her tent.”

 

The thought that she had sought out the blonde twisted. He clamped down the rage that threatened to boil over. “What did she say to him?”

 

“Exactly? I do not know.”

 

“Surely you were not stupid enough to leave her alone with the man.”

 

The cobalt eyes flashed. “I would never risk her safety. However I am not prone to listen in on conversations that are truly of no value.”

 

“What did she want?” He demanded tersely.

 

“I'm not sure. However I believe she got what she wanted.”

 

Kenshin fought the urge to strike this man. He wasn't sure who might win if they ever truly dueled. Only once had they ever fought, years ago. Kenshin had been declared the victor, but only because Aoshi had hit the ground first, by seconds. Both men had been young and Kenshin had been sneaking back into the castle. Aoshi had just been appointed Captain and had been doing his duty against an intruder. Kenshin had never doubted the man's abilities and if he couldn't protect Kaoru, there wasn't anyone else he would want to oversee her safety. A fight with Aoshi would solve nothing.

 

The dark eyes were studying him again. “May I inquire into the nature of your abrupt hostility?”

 

“You can always inquire.”

 

“And if I ask, do you even fully understand the answer?”

 

The second question gave him pause. Aoshi took a deep breath and glanced to where the princess and Megumi stood. “Over the course of the last few weeks you have spent a great deal of time with Lady Kaoru. You went after her without a second thought. What precisely is it that you are wanting, Kenshin? Are you angry because you believe I put her in harm's way? Or is it because last night she sought out another man?”

 

“What could she want from him?” He asked tightly.

 

Aoshi shook his head. “Perhaps she wanted to understand his betrayal. Possibly she wanted to apologize. However I think she went there to tell Enishi that he was wrong.”

 

“About what?”

 

“You?”

 

Shock flooded him and his anger fled. He looked at Aoshi startled. “Me?”

 

“She knows of Battousai?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“When did she discover the truth?”

 

Bitterness filled him. “Enishi couldn't wait to tell her the entire sordid tale.”

 

“I do not begin to understand how Hiko thinks. Even you, who know him best, would acknowledge no one truly does. But there are reasons Lady Kaoru spent fifteen years in the woods. She is naïve, yes, but she is not stupid. She believes in you.” Aoshi took a step towards him, his gaze intense. “If you know nothing else about her, know that.”

 

Kenshin's mind reeled with the man's pronouncement. “What's the verdict?”

 

Both turned as Sanosuke approached. “We were just discussing that.”

 

“If we're going to camp we might as well stop. I however wouldn't mind sleeping in a real bed.”

 

“What of the rest of our caravan?” Aoshi asked him.

 

The brunette scratched his head and looked over where the two women stood arguing now. “Jou-chan wants to go on ahead. Kitsune declares she needs to rest.”

 

”And of the two, who would prefer to heed.”

 

The brown eyes widened. “Don't make this my choice.”

 

“But it is. What do you think?” Aoshi asked him again.

 

Sanosuke glared at the man. “I really hate you and your sense of humor sometimes.”

 

Kenshin felt the mood lighten and felt a grin tug at his lips. “The princess says she's able to continue.”

 

Now he tossed a dirty look in Kenshin's direction. “And if I disagree with Kit, she'll be pissed.”

 

“She's always pissed at you.” He shrugged. “And Kaoru-dono is the princess.”

 

Sanosuke swore. “You two suck.” He muttered before moving back to the two women. Kenshin watched as he broke the news. Kaoru sighed and gave Megumi a triumphant look. The tall woman shot a death look at Sanosuke. She said something he didn't hear before she flounced off.

 

“Honestly, it wasn't me!” Sanosuke cried after her. He turned back towards Kenshin and Aoshi and shook his fist. “You owe me now.”

 

Kenshin bit back a chuckle. “I guess we ride on.”

 

“Indeed.” A hand clapped down on his shoulder. “Think on what I said. When we reach the castle the window of opportunity will shrink.”

 

Kenshin opened his mouth to reply, but Aoshi was already striding away. He watched him go, his mind replaying what the man had told him. He wanted to believe that Kaoru had not let Enishi's story mar her opinion of him. The fact that he had not killed Shishio played a great deal in that. He turned back to examine the princess. How was she dealing with that fact? Taking a person's life, no matter how deserving was not a feat easily dismissed. He wasn't sure what would have happened if he had been the one to shed the mad wizard's blood. However it had been a risk he was willing take, for the sake of Kaoru. What risk had she taken?

 

For the first time since the climatic events, Kenshin wondered just how Kaoru was faring. There was only way to find out. All he needed now was the courage to ask.

 

**********************************

 

It was just after midnight when the party finally reached the gate to the town. It took another hour to maneuver through the quiet streets. A steady drizzle had begun and Sanosuke had been tempted to propose stopping despite their proximity. However, he knew he would gain no favor with Megumi and let it slide. If Aoshi wanted to stop now, they would.

 

The palace stood lit up against the night sky. Never had Sano welcomed the sight of those walls than he did now. He glanced at the woman at his side, her face unreadable as she looked up at the building. He saw apprehension mingled with…something on the face of the princess. She had been quiet the last few hours, lost in her own thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder if she contemplated her future. Her life had already undergone drastic changes. Once she crossed the threshold, any life she still clung to would be gone.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

The question came unbidden to his lips. She looked over at him, water dripping from her hood. She offered him a small smile. “As ready as I can be.”

 

“At least the beds will be warm.” Megumi muttered off to the woman's left.

 

Kaoru glanced over at her. “Do you think it will be possible for you to stay with me tonight?” She asked after a brief hesitation.

 

Megumi blinked. She reached out and touched the princess's cheek. “Of course.”

 

The doors to the palace opened, bright light flooding the courtyard. Keegan, Hiko's chamberlain came down the steps. “We weren't expecting you until the morning.”

 

Aoshi dismounted, handing his reigns to the one of the stable hands. “We decided to ride on. No one wanted to have our prisoner in our custody in longer than necessary.”

 

“Prisoner?”

 

“We have Yukishiro.”

 

Keegan visibly paled. “And...And Shishio?”

 

Kenshin dismounted. “He's dead.” He declared.

 

The chamberlain swallowed. After digesting the news he nodded. “The princess may follow me. I would recommend the prisoner be taken to a cell. You, sir.” He indicated Aoshi. “His majesty would like a full report from all of you.” The eyes landed on him and Sanosuke stifled a groan.

 

“Surely he would prefer we have a good night's sleep.” He argued.

 

“His majesty was quite clear. The moment you return, no matter the hour, you were to report directly to him.”

 

Aoshi looked over at him. “Go change. I personally wish to oversee the transference of Enishi.”

 

“Hiko said directly.” Sano reminded him.

 

“Then by all means.” The tall man granted him. “I'm not relinquishing control of Enishi until I know he is fully restrained and I have a feeling Kenshin will make sure Lady Kaoru gets to her wing if not her suite of rooms. I'm sure the king would love for you to be to the one to offer a full report on the day's events.”

 

Sanosuke looked at him a second. “Point taken. I'll meet you at the door.”

 

Aoshi offered him a thin smile and then moved to where four men were handling a drunken Enishi. Sanosuke glanced at Megumi. She caught his eye and turned her head, indicating she was till peeved with him. He approached her anyway. “Kit, watch over her.” He told her.

 

Megumi turned back to him. “Always.” She consoled him.

 

He watched her enter the large doors, Kaoru and Kenshin with her. He grabbed his bag from the horse and headed inside out of the wet air. He hurried to his room and quickly changed. Despite not wanting to deal with Hiko alone, he did not dally. He didn't fully expect Aoshi to, no matter what his duty was. Kenshin however was another story. Personally he wondered if the redhead might leave the castle tonight. If not for the obvious tension between him and the princess, he probably would.

 

Dressed in dry clothes, Sano headed towards the king's chambers. He reached the doors and skidded to a halt. Several guards stood there. They came to attention when they spotted him and one moved to open the door. He glanced around, not spotting Aoshi.

 

“He's expecting you”

 

“No, I'm not ready.”

 

The door opened and Sanosuke balked before he was compelled inside. He swore softly and entered, the door echoing behind him. Hiko sat at a desk writing something. He looked up at his entry and paused.

 

“You aren't precisely who I expected.”

 

“Sorry to disappoint.”

 

“Nevertheless.” He returned to the parchment in front of him. “What have you to say?”

 

He hesitated. “We've returned with the princess in one piece, Shishio's dead, and Enishi is in chains.”

 

The quill in the king's hand stopped. Slowly Hiko looked up at him, his face unreadable. “Go on.”

 

Sano rocked on his toes. “About what?” He asked finally, not sure what else the king wanted from him.

 

Slowly the man put down the pen and sat back. “While I do admire your approach, succinct and to the point, I will need to know how it happened.”

 

Behind him the door opened and both turned to see who had entered. Aoshi strode across the carpet and Sano breathed a sigh of relief. “Majesty.” The tall man bowed to the king and Sano felt himself redden to realize he had not acknowledged any formality upon his own arrival.

 

“I imagine you will elaborate on the single sentence I received from your colleague.”

 

Aoshi shot him a look and Sanosuke could only shrug in response. “Sir, we headed towards the location you provided us. Upon our arrival, we ambushed the few guards. We successfully infiltrated the fortress and made our way to the grand hall where we found an interesting sight. Kenshin had injured Enishi and had procured him as a prisoner. Meanwhile Shishio lay dead on the floor.”

 

“And the princess?”

 

“Lady Kaoru was unconscious. However we returned her to camp where Dr. Takani deduced her injuries to be fairly minor. She made a swift recovery and is now in her own rooms here.”

 

“The king tensed ever so slightly before he asked his next question. “And how is it that Shishio's death came to be?”

 

The tall man took a deep breath. “That bit remains slightly unclear.”

 

“Why?”

 

“We have not fully learned the events that lead to his death.”

 

“And who has those details?” Hiko rose, his voice revealing the slightest trace of irritation. “Where exactly is he?”

 

The door opened again and Sano felt the tension leave him. Kenshin entered the room and came forward. He bowed low. “Majesty.” He murmured.

 

“And what have you to report?”

 

Kenshin rose from his bow. “Shishio is dead.”

 

The man lifted an eyebrow. “So they say.” He leaned on the desk. “What I have yet to learn is how this transpired. You are certain he is dead? You believed it over a decade ago and yet here we are.”

 

Next to him, the redhead stiffened. “He's dead.”

 

“You are certain? You saw his body?”

 

Kenshin shifted awkwardly. He looked over at Sanosuke for help. He stepped forward. "I personally noted the wizard's death.”

 

“I confirmed it as well.” Aoshi chimed in.

 

Hiko stared at the two of them before his gaze went back to his student. “How is it they had to confirm? Were you not there?”

 

“I was there, that I was.”

 

“Did you not kill him?” He demanded.

 

“No. Kaoru-dono was the one who wielded the blade.”

 

The man blinked startled. He cast a glance off to the left for a split second. Sano caught the look and frowned. He looked over and saw nothing but a wall. He was startled to see the man thrown off guard. Usually nothing but composed, the man rarely revealed any emotion at all.

 

“How is it she came to slay him?” He demanded after a moment.

 

“I was otherwise engaged with Enishi.”

 

Hiko sat back down in his seat and studied the trio. “He has been stopped?”

 

“He is in custody, that he is.”

 

“I assume that is the reason you were late?” The question was directed at Aoshi.

 

“Yes, your majesty.”

 

Hiko sat back, his composure gained. “And how does the princess fare?”

 

“She is well. She obtained only slight injuries from her duel with the wizard.”

 

The tall man blinked again. “She fought with him?”

 

There was a slight movement to his right and Sanosuke's dark brown eyes darted between the king and the wall. A column stood there. He studied it a moment, again not seeing anyone. “As I said previously, I was otherwise engaged.” Kenshin reiterated.

 

“Interesting. What has become of the body?”

 

Kenshin sucked in a slow deep breath. “I don't know.” He finally admitted.

 

The imposing man studied him for along moment. The dark eyes moved back towards him.

 

“The body has been cremated. The bones scattered.” Aoshi stated.

 

Hiko shook his head. “You're dismissed.” He declared with a wave of his hand.

 

Sanosuke along with Aoshi turned to leave. Only Kenshin remained. Sano paused, glancing back towards the redhead.

 

“Something else you wish to know?” The king asked curtly.

 

“I have one question, that I do.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“What will become of Yukishiro, now that Shishio is dead?”

 

Hiko looked down at him, his face impassive. “Enishi kidnapped the princess. The crime carries a death sentence.”

 

Kenshin seemed to struggle and Sanosuke studied him, curious to what the redhead was thinking. “He'll be executed?”

 

“You have another suggestion?” He asked, incredulous at the possibility of letting the man go.

 

“With all due respect, your majesty, I do.” The violet eyes darted at him before focusing on Hiko. Sano watched stunned. He knew it was hard for Kenshin to call the man by his royal title.

 

Hiko stared at him for a moment. “Speak what's on your mind.”

 

“Clearly Yukishiro is insane. I do not believe he should be held completely accountable for his actions.”

 

“Are you suggesting I let him go?”

 

“No. He is unsafe to leave roaming the countryside, that he is. He has more than proven he cannot be trusted.”

 

The king studied him. “What would you have me do?”

 

Kenshin closed his eyes and swallowed. “Send him to the mines. He'll be of no major threat there.”

 

Hiko stared at him for a full minute before his lips curled slightly. “He's as good as dead if I send him there. No one has ever escaped.”

 

“Hai. But I will have no bearing on his death then, will I?”

 

The man sat back, the dark eyes scrutinizing his pupil. “Duly noted. I will take your suggestion under advisement. You may go.”

 

Kenshin bowed. “Thank you ever so much.” He muttered. Both he and Aoshi followed him out of the room.

 

”What was that?” Sanosuke demanded once they had cleared the doors.

 

“What are you referring to?”

 

“You just pleaded for his life?”

 

The redhead paused and looked at him. “I didn't plead for his life. However I do not want his death on my conscious. It was the least I could do to make up for the sins I have committed.”

 

“You don't owe her anything more.”

 

“I do.” For the first time a look of remorse crossed the features of the man who had once been the most feared manslayer. “I took her life. The least I could do was spare her brother's.” Then he spun and strode down the hall.

 

“What just happened?” He asked Aoshi.

 

The tall man shook his head. “I'm not sure. But it will be interesting to find out.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“It appears your fears have been allayed.”

 

Hiko continued to stare at the closed door, still in disbelief by what had just occurred. From his left the man appeared. “It might not mean anything.”

 

“Not mean anything? It means Battousai has not shed blood.”

 

“He would have.”

 

“But he didn't.”

 

He rolled his eyes and glanced at Koshijirou. “Why do you insist on believing he is a changed man?”

 

The king stepped out from the shadows. “Why do you insist he isn't?”

 

He sat back, pondering the question. “In the years I spent training him, he never once exhibited an ounce of remorse.”

 

“Just because you're dead inside, does not mean the boy is.”

 

The grey eyes narrowed. “Don't push it.” He rose from the chair. He moved to the table where a decanter of his precious beverage waited. “I can't imagine you're happy considering your daughter turned out to be the killer.” He shot, pouring himself a drink.

 

“That's just mean.”

 

“And she's so forgiving?”

 

“Enishi would be dead if she wasn't.”

 

He sipped the sake, his mind racing through the exchange. “Do you think she knows?”

 

“Knows what?”

 

He glanced at his longtime friend. “Do you think Kaoru is aware of just what transpired all those years ago?

 

Koshijirou sat down in the chair he had just vacated. “There's only one way to know for sure.”

 

“You'll ask her?”

 

“It's time she knew. We'll probably never know the full extent of what was said but I have to assume Enishi would do what he could to drive a wedge between her and myself; between her and Kenshin. With Shishio dead at last, there is no need to protect her identity.”

 

“You are also aware of what else will come to light once her petition is known.”

 

“We start planning a wedding.”

 

Hiko watched the man. “Do you still plan to follow through with that promise?”

 

He chuckled bitterly. “How can I not?”

 

Hiko put down his cup. “Would you trade one moment with Eiko if it meant you would have avoided all of this? She would have married Shishio and who knows what might have happened. You would have married some silly chit. Kaoru would have been raised here amongst the courtiers.”

 

“I wouldn't trade it at all.”

 

“Then why?”

 

“What if he comes forward to make a claim? I can't not follow through.”

 

Hiko sighed. “What if he doesn't?” He asked.

 

“Does he seem like the kind of man who would forget a promise?”

 

He shook his head. “No. From what I know of him, he's never forgotten, nor has he broken one.”

 

“How can I?” The man rose and ran hand through his dark hair. “I just want to get it over with. Let's see what happens. This should be the easy part.”

 

“The morning then?

 

Koshijirou nodded. “In the morning, we put everything in motion and hope the gamble you and I took fifteen years ago finally pays off.”

 

***********************

 

There you have it. Hugs and kisses to all. Don't forget the return of love is always appreciated.