Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodline ❯ Memories ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Angie-san 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.24.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.24.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Disclaimer - Sadly, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. It is the sole property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and the many companies who have purchased the rights.
Chapter 1 – Memories
11 May 1878
The early morning sunlight crept along the polished hardwood floors of the Kamiya Dojo. In one bedroom a single bright ray seemed especially determined to inch its way up the sleeping form of a woman curled into ball in the center of her futon. Gradually it illuminated her delicate features, drawing bright golden highlights out of hiding in her raven hair. The radiant effect giving her the look of an angel. A growl emanating from deep within the slumbering figure shattered the saintly illusion as she rolled over and buried her head under the silky, soft blanket covering her.
‘Not yet... It can't be time to get up already', Kaoru thought fuzzily, burrowing deeper into her blanket. She flung an arm across her eyes to block out the annoying daylight and tried to recapture the pleasant dream that had been so rudely interrupted by the intruding sun. With sleepy defiance she fought consciousness for several more minutes before finally admitting defeat and, growling again for good measure, rose slowly into a sitting position. One hand lifted to rub her eyes in effort to dispel the spots dancing behind her eyelids as she yawned then blinked to bring the room into focus. With grudging reluctance she rose from the futon to pad over to the chest in a corner of her room and retrieve her hakama and gi. If she had to be awake she might as well drag Yahiko out of bed and get him practicing. The thought rejuvenated her from drowsy thoughts and an evil grin formed on her face as she dressed, plotting ways she could yank the little freeloader from his own blissful dreams.
Chuckling to herself as she settled on her plan of attack, Kaoru proceeded to fold up her futon, leaving it to lie neatly in the center of her room. Task completed, she slid the shoji door open and tiptoed silently out into the hallway, stealthily drawing near Yahiko's closed door. She paused briefly, readying herself. Drawing in a lungful of air, she shoved open the door with a crash and shouted “Yahiko...FIRE!”
Fully expecting to see him shoot out of bed with his hair sticking out in all directions, she was slightly chagrined to see his own neatly folded futon in the middle of the obviously empty room. Wondering where he could have gone so early in the morning she headed for the kitchen, looking for Sano or Kenshin to see if maybe they knew. A little knot of concern formed in her chest at the thought that something might have happened to the boy. Reaching the kitchen Kaoru momentarily forgot why she was there as she watched Kenshin fix breakfast. The opportunity to admire his graceful movements as the redhead glided around the kitchen was too much to pass up. So intent was she on her perusal and the feelings it generated that she didn't notice right away when he turned to look at her.
“Good morning, Kaoru-dono.”
Shocked out of her thoughts, Kaoru locked eyes with Kenshin and realized she had been caught. Lowering her face to hide her instantly blazing cheeks she stared at the floor, finding the grain of the wood far less humiliating than his knowing look.
Flashing a grin at her lowered head, Kenshin asked, “Are you alright? Your face is a little flushed, are you feeling ill?”
“N...No, I'm fine,” Kaoru stammered, scuffing her foot against the floor. Her mind scrambled for a distraction and recalled her initial purpose, “Ah, have you seen Yahiko this morning?”
“Hai, he left a little while ago to go to the Akabeko. He said he needed to help Tae and Tsubame today to pay for the dishes he broke last time he and Sano were there. "
“Oh... Ok...well, I guess I'll go practice then." Kaoru turned and rushed out of the kitchen, embarrassment still raging through her at the fact that Kenshin had probably seen her feelings written all over her face.
Stopping to lean against the wall she rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. 'Good one, Kaoru. It's only been six months since you asked him to stay and in those six months you've managed to fall in love with the baka, too bad he doesn't feel the same way', she thought with a wry smile. 'And now he knows how you feel, or at least he can guess by the lovesick teenager expression you must have had on your face.'
A groan escaped her pursed lips as she let her head fall forward. ‘Now what am I supposed to do?'
Scowling at her childish worry, Kaoru firmly pushed the thoughts aside and made her way to the dojo, retrieving her bokken from the wall mount as she entered. Determined to regain a normal frame of mind she padded lightly to the middle of the floor and took up her stance to begin working out her frustration. The familiar motions of the katas took over her body, freeing her from outside thoughts and allowing her mind to wander, soothing her tension away. Each step and swing almost a dance and rhythm of its own. The soothing familiarity lulled her into a semi-trancelike stare, inadvertently freeing a memory better left buried.
Heavy rain poured from the dark grey clouds hanging low in the sky, casting a thick pall over the countryside. Its steady tap tap tap on the roof of the dojo, drowned out all sound as an eight year old Kaoru practiced her katas, oblivious to everything but her invisible enemy. As she finished, Kaoru turned towards the open door, spying her father's big, sturdy frame blocking out the feeble light. A slight smile on his face.
“Good job, Kaoru, you've really improved.” He said, walking up to where she stood in the middle of the floor, sweat dripping from her hair as she breathed heavily.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she said between breaths. “Do you think I'll be as good as you someday?”
“I think you'll be better than me before you know it, if you keep practicing like that.”
Smiling she sagged to the floor and rested her head against her knees, trying to bring her breathing back to normal.
“Kaoru...your mother wants to talk to you.”
She looked up to see the smile had vanished from his face, a sort of sad resignation shadowing his features.
“Is she alright?” she asked, afraid to hear the answer. Her suddenly limp hand releasing the bokken that clattered unnoticed onto the wooden floor.
Shaking his head, her father paused before looking her squarely in the eyes as if coming to a decision. “No, it's not going to be long now, I’m afraid. Dr. Genzai just left and said she probably won't last the night.”
With a sinking feeling Kaoru rose from the floor and walked slowly by him, her feet taking her towards her parents’ room without conscious direction. Within she could hear her mother's wracking cough as she neared the closed door. She slowly slid the shoji open and saw her mother laying propped up on her futon, looking very pale and fragile. So different from the vibrant woman she had once been, before the illness had taken hold of her.
Walking forward, Kaoru knelt down beside her. "Momma, you wanted to talk to me?"
Her mother gave her a wan smile before she nodded and answered in a quiet voice. "There's something I need to tell you before I'm no longer here to protect you, Kaoru," beginning to cough, her mother's small frame shook violently stopping her from continuing. When the convulsion subsided her mother whispered "We are special, Kaoru...our family has a secret that we must protect and never speak about to others." Wracking coughs overtook her mother again, the blood pooled at the corners of her mouth frightening the young girl.
Kaoru shook her head "Momma, you need to rest, you can tell me later."
Smiling slightly her mother shook her head. " There will be no later... you must learn to protect yourself from those who would take your freedom from you."
"Why momma?... Who would want to do that?"
A cry escaped her as white hot pain lanced through her head, blacking out everything but the insistent fire raging through her mind. Dropping her bokken with a clatter, she sank to the floor cradling her throbbing head in trembling hands. Tears burned as they fell from her eyes and she desperately tried to will the pain away. For as long as she could remember the memory had always ended this way, as if someone had made it impossible for her to recall the rest of her mother's warning. Every time Kaoru tried to remember she would be struck by the blinding headache until she gave up, allowing the memory to fade once more. She would be left feeling empty, confused and wondering again what that last declaration meant. Who would want to take away her freedom? Freedom of what? Why? There was nothing special about her.
Rising carefully from the floor as the pain slowly ebbed away, Kaoru returned her bokken to the wall mount and gingerly made her way to the bathhouse. She badly wanted to alleviate her aching head, to wash away the uncertainty and sorrow that always settled over her when this recollection attacked. As she reached the bathhouse she noticed Kenshin had already started the fire to heat her water and with a grateful sigh she made her way inside. In a matter of moments she had undressed, adding a touch of oil to the bath, and slipped into the warm water appreciatively. Leaning her head on a rolled towel she closed her eyes and let the scent of jasmine wash over her as the memory faded into the far corners of her mind, falling into the temptation of a light doze.
She was startled awake by a hesitant knock on the door. “Kaoru-dono... breakfast is ready.”
Scowling at the honorific he insisted on using, she gathered her slumber-befuddled thoughts and managed to answer.“Hai... I'm coming."
A soft scuffling came in answer as Kenshin made his way back to the kitchen. Kaoru rose from the cooling water and began toweling off. Once dressed in her favorite kimono, she tied her hair up in its customary ponytail and made her way to the dining area to find Sano and Kenshin already eating.
“Good morning, Jou-chan", Sano said as she walked in. A big grin on his face.
Kaoru eyed him suspiciously as she settled down at the low table. “Why are you here and not helping Yahiko down at the Akabeko?"
Sano lifted his hands in mock innocence. “Whoa, Jou-chan! It wasn't me who broke 'em. He got a little upset when I teased him about Tsubame. He’s the one that started chucking food at me, dish and all." Flashing her an impish smirk, he added, "See, not my fault at all." Noticing one of Kaoru's eyebrows starting to twitch, Sano decided it was time to flee the dojo and Kaoru's ever-ready temper while his hide was still intact. With a quick, grinning glance at Kenshin he shot out the door and headed to the clinic, intent on pestering his favorite fox; figuring it would be safer than a bokken upside the head.
Hesitantly turning to Kenshin, Kaoru felt a slight blush begin to creep up her neck again. Frantically trying to force it away, she asked “Do you need anything at the market? I don't have any classes today so I'm going to go do some shopping"
Grinning inwardly at her blush, Kenshin shook his head and replied humbly, “No Kaoru-dono, sessha has everything he needs, but sessha would like to go with you if that's acceptable?”
“H...Hai... " she stammered. Covering her embarrassment she turned on his speech pattern of humility that irked her so, she scowled and shot at him "and quit calling yourself unworthy!"
Turning her attention back to her breakfast Kaoru finished quickly and helped Kenshin clean up the kitchen. Once they finished, she ran to her room retrieve her small money purse from the chest in her room before walking out to the front gate where she found Kenshin already waiting for her.
“Ready?” She asked, pushing the door open.
Folding his hands into the sleeves of his gi Kenshin nodded, following her out.
Closing the gate securely behind her Kaoru headed towards the market, acutely aware of the fiery-haired man walking beside her. It was especially in moments like this it felt as if she couldn't remember a time when Kenshin wasn't there. That it seemed to be longer than the six months it had been. But the words he had said when he agreed to stay still floated around in her head, causing a twinge of apprehension to course through her chest. She was afraid he would leave her someday, that thought was what truly frightened her more than anything. Despite the years of not trusting anyone because of her mother's warning, relying on only herself after her father died, she had become inadvertently attached to the red-haired rurouni and couldn't bear the thought of his departure.
Lost in his own thoughts, Kenshin walked beside Kaoru, quietly relishing the closeness that had formed between them over the months. The distance he tried to keep was starting to be more and more difficult to maintain. Because of this he had often thought of leaving so she wouldn't be drawn into his battles, like she had been with Jin'e. But there was something special about her that he couldn't quite figure out, something that made him stay no matter the danger he put her in. It was as if she was already in danger and needed him to protect her from whatever it was that shadowed her. He had vowed to himself that if he couldn't have her, he would at least do everything he could to keep her safe... from his enemies...and hers.
Glancing over at Kaoru he was startled from his thoughts to see what looked like a very faint golden sheen that seemed to be surrounding her, as if the sunlight was wrapping itself around her, caressing her with its bright rays. As they walked under a canopy of leaves covering the path he watched as the glow vanished. Blinking as if to clear his vision, he mused ‘Must have just been a trick of the light ', and they continued walking down the shaded lane.
As they emerged back out into the sunlight he cast another glance in Kaoru's direction and noticed the glow encircle her again which making him wonder if maybe he was truly seeing this.
“Everything alright, Kenshin?” Kaoru asked, noticing his intent gaze.
“Hai, sessha was just noticing the golden highlights in your hair" he said, grinning to cover his bewilderment.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. “They’ve always been there, my mother and grandmother had them too." In a slightly disheartened voice she added, "You've never noticed before?"
“Hai, sessha has but sessha didn't realize there were so many, that he did not.” Kenshin answered, hiding his true thoughts. The highlights had been the first thing he had noticed about her when they had first met in the street with her standing over him, brandishing her bokken. He had wanted to run his fingers through her hair then, entranced by the oddity of golden highlights in a Japanese woman's hair, a contradiction in the norm of raven black or darkest brown.
Kaoru gave him a skeptical look and turned her attention back to the path.
A comfortable silence fell after that and they continued to make their way towards the market. Kaoru found her mind wandering back to her mother's warning again and she tried to find a way to unlock the rest without the backlash of a blinding headache. Rubbing her temple at the phantom pain that shot through it, she recalled that all her mother's things had been stored away after she had died and where. ‘I wonder if there's anything in there that would help me?!' she thought, incredulous that she had forgotten for so long, despite the chaos of her life following that sad occasion in her childhood.
A few moments later they reached the market and Kaoru filed away the intention to look for the boxes later and ambled aimlessly around to the different shops and stalls. Kenshin followed close behind as she eyed beautiful jewelry and kimonos that were on display, not really seeing anything she truly desired.
Neither noticed the figure that began to track their movements, hiding in the shadows.
Kenshin continued to ponder the weak glow that was still there in the sunlight as he watched Kaoru fingering the items on display. Confused that he couldn't feel anything special in her ki, he reached out without thinking to try to touch this wonder.
"What are you doing?”
Kenshin stopped his hand in mid-air and shifted his attention from the glow to her shocked eyes. Shrugging, he answered sheepishly, "Sessha thought he saw a leaf in your hair, that he did."
“Kenshin, are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Kaoru asked. “You’ve been acting odd today,” she added, peering up at him with a peculiar look. When he didn't answer but continued to gaze at her with his big grin she added irritably, “and how many times do I have to tell you to quit calling yourself that!”
As the silence stretched she grumbled, "Kenshin no baka" under her breath. Her fingers itched for a bokken, or anything for that matter, to whack him with. She finally gave up on getting an answer and sighed, “Are you hungry?” When he nodded she grabbed his hand and led him through the crowds towards the Akabeko, not noticing the slight smile gracing his lips.
Trailing them unseen to the Akebeko, their shadow launched himself onto the roof of the building across the street, contemplating the faint glow that surrounded the girl in the sunlight.
“Kaoru...Kenshin, haven't seen you two in a while.” Tae said with a smile, as they walked through the entrance. “Follow me, Sano and Megumi are already here, we've got a full house so I'll put you with them.”
“Sano and Megumi?” Kaoru asked.
“They came in about ten minutes ago.” Tae winked at Kaoru, “Sano’s got a red handprint on his cheek, wonder what he did this time.”
“I’m sure he deserved it.” Kaoru said matter of fact, still a little angry at the roosterhead for leaving Yahiko to suffer the consequences of their childish behavior. “Has Yahiko seen him yet?”
“No, he's in the back washing dishes.”
Grinning wickedly, Kaoru maliciously murmured. "Sano's gonna have more than a red face if Yahiko sees him.”
Tae mirrored her grin. "Oh really?”
Reaching the table where Sano and Megumi were seated they joined them, returning greetings. Kenshin seated himself beside Sano and Kaoru next to Megumi, who was a little irritated that Kenshin hadn't taken the seat she had offered. Tae looked to Kenshin and Kaoru, “Do you two want the special? Its beef simmered in ginger sauce with rice and vegetables.”
They both nodded and Tae set off toward the kitchen.
“Kenshin...Jou-chan." Sano said, apprehension flashing through his eyes as he looked at Kaoru. “What brings you here?”
“Sessha and Kaoru-dono were shopping and decided to have some lunch, that we did.” Kenshin responded. “Did you run into some trouble?” he asked, pointedly looking at the red handprint.
“Naw, some old man at the clinic grabbed the fox's behind and she thought it was me." He answered with a wink. “She decided to treat me to lunch when she realized it wasn't.”
“Tori-a..ta..ma," Megumi grated, raising her hand as she scowled at Sano.
Shielding his face with his hands, Sano grinned. "Ok...Ok, I promise I won't say anymore!"
“Sano, why did you come here, you know Yahiko's here paying off your debt.” Kaoru asked, barely containing her irritation.
“It wasn't my choice, the fox wanted to come here and since she's paying..." he answered with a shrug. “Besides, it wasn't me who broke the damn dishes, the kid's got to learn to control himself."
Megumi fixed Sano with a hard look. “What did you do this time?”
“Hey it wasn't me, the kid's just a little too sensitive." He said, flashing her an impish grin.
So engrossed in their conversation nobody noticed as Yahiko made his way to the table with their lunch.
“S..a..n..o," Yahiko grated between clenched teeth, the illusion of flames surrounding his head as he reached the table and speared Sano with a hard look. "What...are...you...doing...here?"
Sano's face lit up into a huge smirk. “Yahiko! Heh, how's Tsubame today?”
Setting down their food Yahiko launched himself at Sano chewing on his head until Kenshin managed to wrench him off and hold him back.
“Yahiko, you don't want the same thing to happen that did the last time, do you?” Kenshin asked, keeping a tight grip on him.
Fists clenched tightly, Yahiko shot a withering glare at Sano. “No, but I swear that roosterhead is gonna get it!" As soon as Kenshin released him he stomped back to the kitchen fuming.
“Sano, you should not tease Yahiko so much, that you should not" Kenshin said casting an admonishing glance at the recovering fighter.
“I know, but he's so easy to rag, you should'a seen him, flaming red face every time Tsubame came to our table, stumbling over his words. It was like he had never seen a girl before...of course she did look quite cute in her new outfit." he answered amused, winking slyly.
Kaoru shook her head. “Sano, you’re hopeless.” A small smile came to her lips as she added, “Next time you do that I'm going to hold you down so he can pound on you.”
With a grin, Sano dug into the food in front of him, stopping himself from saying anything that might make Kaoru whack him on the head. Being slapped and having his head chewed on was enough for one day.
Kaoru tucked in herself as she turned her thoughts inwards again, contemplating her mother's stored belongings, trying to remember if there was anything special her mother had had. It was during this pondering she suddenly noticed the barrier her mother had taught her to create in order to hide her aura was gone. A twinge of panic coursed through her. ‘How long has it been gone?' she wondered nervously. She immediately closed her eyes and focused her mind on rebuilding her protection, not noticing the odd looks she was beginning to get. Finishing the barrier with a mental sigh of relief, she opened her eyes to see three sets of worried eyes turned her way. Blinking she managed a reassuring smile.
“Is something wrong, Kaoru? You got pale all of a sudden… maybe you should come to the clinic with me so I can check you over.” Megumi said, eyeing her with concern.
Laughing nervously Kaoru waved a hand, "No...No I'm fine, really, I just got a little bit nauseous, but I feel better now."
Megumi gave her a skeptical look and shrugged then turned her attention back to her meal.
Kenshin however continued to watch Kaoru from beneath his bangs not believing her flimsy excuse. He knew she was hiding something, he could feel it.
Finishing with their meal they left, parting ways at the door as Sano walked Megumi back to the clinic and Kenshin and Kaoru made their way home. Noticing the glow no longer was there in the sunlight Kenshin questioned whether he had truly seen it or not, or if it had just been an odd trick of the sunlight that day.
Grinning to himself as the two he'd been following emerged out onto the street, the figure on the roof noticed the faint glow no longer surrounded the girl. Hopping down he began walking in the opposite direction of his prey, a small evil smile materializing on his face as he thought of how his boss was going to react at finding his heart’s desire.
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Chapter 1 – Memories
11 May 1878
The early morning sunlight crept along the polished hardwood floors of the Kamiya Dojo. In one bedroom a single bright ray seemed especially determined to inch its way up the sleeping form of a woman curled into ball in the center of her futon. Gradually it illuminated her delicate features, drawing bright golden highlights out of hiding in her raven hair. The radiant effect giving her the look of an angel. A growl emanating from deep within the slumbering figure shattered the saintly illusion as she rolled over and buried her head under the silky, soft blanket covering her.
‘Not yet... It can't be time to get up already', Kaoru thought fuzzily, burrowing deeper into her blanket. She flung an arm across her eyes to block out the annoying daylight and tried to recapture the pleasant dream that had been so rudely interrupted by the intruding sun. With sleepy defiance she fought consciousness for several more minutes before finally admitting defeat and, growling again for good measure, rose slowly into a sitting position. One hand lifted to rub her eyes in effort to dispel the spots dancing behind her eyelids as she yawned then blinked to bring the room into focus. With grudging reluctance she rose from the futon to pad over to the chest in a corner of her room and retrieve her hakama and gi. If she had to be awake she might as well drag Yahiko out of bed and get him practicing. The thought rejuvenated her from drowsy thoughts and an evil grin formed on her face as she dressed, plotting ways she could yank the little freeloader from his own blissful dreams.
Chuckling to herself as she settled on her plan of attack, Kaoru proceeded to fold up her futon, leaving it to lie neatly in the center of her room. Task completed, she slid the shoji door open and tiptoed silently out into the hallway, stealthily drawing near Yahiko's closed door. She paused briefly, readying herself. Drawing in a lungful of air, she shoved open the door with a crash and shouted “Yahiko...FIRE!”
Fully expecting to see him shoot out of bed with his hair sticking out in all directions, she was slightly chagrined to see his own neatly folded futon in the middle of the obviously empty room. Wondering where he could have gone so early in the morning she headed for the kitchen, looking for Sano or Kenshin to see if maybe they knew. A little knot of concern formed in her chest at the thought that something might have happened to the boy. Reaching the kitchen Kaoru momentarily forgot why she was there as she watched Kenshin fix breakfast. The opportunity to admire his graceful movements as the redhead glided around the kitchen was too much to pass up. So intent was she on her perusal and the feelings it generated that she didn't notice right away when he turned to look at her.
“Good morning, Kaoru-dono.”
Shocked out of her thoughts, Kaoru locked eyes with Kenshin and realized she had been caught. Lowering her face to hide her instantly blazing cheeks she stared at the floor, finding the grain of the wood far less humiliating than his knowing look.
Flashing a grin at her lowered head, Kenshin asked, “Are you alright? Your face is a little flushed, are you feeling ill?”
“N...No, I'm fine,” Kaoru stammered, scuffing her foot against the floor. Her mind scrambled for a distraction and recalled her initial purpose, “Ah, have you seen Yahiko this morning?”
“Hai, he left a little while ago to go to the Akabeko. He said he needed to help Tae and Tsubame today to pay for the dishes he broke last time he and Sano were there. "
“Oh... Ok...well, I guess I'll go practice then." Kaoru turned and rushed out of the kitchen, embarrassment still raging through her at the fact that Kenshin had probably seen her feelings written all over her face.
Stopping to lean against the wall she rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. 'Good one, Kaoru. It's only been six months since you asked him to stay and in those six months you've managed to fall in love with the baka, too bad he doesn't feel the same way', she thought with a wry smile. 'And now he knows how you feel, or at least he can guess by the lovesick teenager expression you must have had on your face.'
A groan escaped her pursed lips as she let her head fall forward. ‘Now what am I supposed to do?'
Scowling at her childish worry, Kaoru firmly pushed the thoughts aside and made her way to the dojo, retrieving her bokken from the wall mount as she entered. Determined to regain a normal frame of mind she padded lightly to the middle of the floor and took up her stance to begin working out her frustration. The familiar motions of the katas took over her body, freeing her from outside thoughts and allowing her mind to wander, soothing her tension away. Each step and swing almost a dance and rhythm of its own. The soothing familiarity lulled her into a semi-trancelike stare, inadvertently freeing a memory better left buried.
Heavy rain poured from the dark grey clouds hanging low in the sky, casting a thick pall over the countryside. Its steady tap tap tap on the roof of the dojo, drowned out all sound as an eight year old Kaoru practiced her katas, oblivious to everything but her invisible enemy. As she finished, Kaoru turned towards the open door, spying her father's big, sturdy frame blocking out the feeble light. A slight smile on his face.
“Good job, Kaoru, you've really improved.” He said, walking up to where she stood in the middle of the floor, sweat dripping from her hair as she breathed heavily.
“Thanks, Daddy,” she said between breaths. “Do you think I'll be as good as you someday?”
“I think you'll be better than me before you know it, if you keep practicing like that.”
Smiling she sagged to the floor and rested her head against her knees, trying to bring her breathing back to normal.
“Kaoru...your mother wants to talk to you.”
She looked up to see the smile had vanished from his face, a sort of sad resignation shadowing his features.
“Is she alright?” she asked, afraid to hear the answer. Her suddenly limp hand releasing the bokken that clattered unnoticed onto the wooden floor.
Shaking his head, her father paused before looking her squarely in the eyes as if coming to a decision. “No, it's not going to be long now, I’m afraid. Dr. Genzai just left and said she probably won't last the night.”
With a sinking feeling Kaoru rose from the floor and walked slowly by him, her feet taking her towards her parents’ room without conscious direction. Within she could hear her mother's wracking cough as she neared the closed door. She slowly slid the shoji open and saw her mother laying propped up on her futon, looking very pale and fragile. So different from the vibrant woman she had once been, before the illness had taken hold of her.
Walking forward, Kaoru knelt down beside her. "Momma, you wanted to talk to me?"
Her mother gave her a wan smile before she nodded and answered in a quiet voice. "There's something I need to tell you before I'm no longer here to protect you, Kaoru," beginning to cough, her mother's small frame shook violently stopping her from continuing. When the convulsion subsided her mother whispered "We are special, Kaoru...our family has a secret that we must protect and never speak about to others." Wracking coughs overtook her mother again, the blood pooled at the corners of her mouth frightening the young girl.
Kaoru shook her head "Momma, you need to rest, you can tell me later."
Smiling slightly her mother shook her head. " There will be no later... you must learn to protect yourself from those who would take your freedom from you."
"Why momma?... Who would want to do that?"
A cry escaped her as white hot pain lanced through her head, blacking out everything but the insistent fire raging through her mind. Dropping her bokken with a clatter, she sank to the floor cradling her throbbing head in trembling hands. Tears burned as they fell from her eyes and she desperately tried to will the pain away. For as long as she could remember the memory had always ended this way, as if someone had made it impossible for her to recall the rest of her mother's warning. Every time Kaoru tried to remember she would be struck by the blinding headache until she gave up, allowing the memory to fade once more. She would be left feeling empty, confused and wondering again what that last declaration meant. Who would want to take away her freedom? Freedom of what? Why? There was nothing special about her.
Rising carefully from the floor as the pain slowly ebbed away, Kaoru returned her bokken to the wall mount and gingerly made her way to the bathhouse. She badly wanted to alleviate her aching head, to wash away the uncertainty and sorrow that always settled over her when this recollection attacked. As she reached the bathhouse she noticed Kenshin had already started the fire to heat her water and with a grateful sigh she made her way inside. In a matter of moments she had undressed, adding a touch of oil to the bath, and slipped into the warm water appreciatively. Leaning her head on a rolled towel she closed her eyes and let the scent of jasmine wash over her as the memory faded into the far corners of her mind, falling into the temptation of a light doze.
She was startled awake by a hesitant knock on the door. “Kaoru-dono... breakfast is ready.”
Scowling at the honorific he insisted on using, she gathered her slumber-befuddled thoughts and managed to answer.“Hai... I'm coming."
A soft scuffling came in answer as Kenshin made his way back to the kitchen. Kaoru rose from the cooling water and began toweling off. Once dressed in her favorite kimono, she tied her hair up in its customary ponytail and made her way to the dining area to find Sano and Kenshin already eating.
“Good morning, Jou-chan", Sano said as she walked in. A big grin on his face.
Kaoru eyed him suspiciously as she settled down at the low table. “Why are you here and not helping Yahiko down at the Akabeko?"
Sano lifted his hands in mock innocence. “Whoa, Jou-chan! It wasn't me who broke 'em. He got a little upset when I teased him about Tsubame. He’s the one that started chucking food at me, dish and all." Flashing her an impish smirk, he added, "See, not my fault at all." Noticing one of Kaoru's eyebrows starting to twitch, Sano decided it was time to flee the dojo and Kaoru's ever-ready temper while his hide was still intact. With a quick, grinning glance at Kenshin he shot out the door and headed to the clinic, intent on pestering his favorite fox; figuring it would be safer than a bokken upside the head.
Hesitantly turning to Kenshin, Kaoru felt a slight blush begin to creep up her neck again. Frantically trying to force it away, she asked “Do you need anything at the market? I don't have any classes today so I'm going to go do some shopping"
Grinning inwardly at her blush, Kenshin shook his head and replied humbly, “No Kaoru-dono, sessha has everything he needs, but sessha would like to go with you if that's acceptable?”
“H...Hai... " she stammered. Covering her embarrassment she turned on his speech pattern of humility that irked her so, she scowled and shot at him "and quit calling yourself unworthy!"
Turning her attention back to her breakfast Kaoru finished quickly and helped Kenshin clean up the kitchen. Once they finished, she ran to her room retrieve her small money purse from the chest in her room before walking out to the front gate where she found Kenshin already waiting for her.
“Ready?” She asked, pushing the door open.
Folding his hands into the sleeves of his gi Kenshin nodded, following her out.
Closing the gate securely behind her Kaoru headed towards the market, acutely aware of the fiery-haired man walking beside her. It was especially in moments like this it felt as if she couldn't remember a time when Kenshin wasn't there. That it seemed to be longer than the six months it had been. But the words he had said when he agreed to stay still floated around in her head, causing a twinge of apprehension to course through her chest. She was afraid he would leave her someday, that thought was what truly frightened her more than anything. Despite the years of not trusting anyone because of her mother's warning, relying on only herself after her father died, she had become inadvertently attached to the red-haired rurouni and couldn't bear the thought of his departure.
Lost in his own thoughts, Kenshin walked beside Kaoru, quietly relishing the closeness that had formed between them over the months. The distance he tried to keep was starting to be more and more difficult to maintain. Because of this he had often thought of leaving so she wouldn't be drawn into his battles, like she had been with Jin'e. But there was something special about her that he couldn't quite figure out, something that made him stay no matter the danger he put her in. It was as if she was already in danger and needed him to protect her from whatever it was that shadowed her. He had vowed to himself that if he couldn't have her, he would at least do everything he could to keep her safe... from his enemies...and hers.
Glancing over at Kaoru he was startled from his thoughts to see what looked like a very faint golden sheen that seemed to be surrounding her, as if the sunlight was wrapping itself around her, caressing her with its bright rays. As they walked under a canopy of leaves covering the path he watched as the glow vanished. Blinking as if to clear his vision, he mused ‘Must have just been a trick of the light ', and they continued walking down the shaded lane.
As they emerged back out into the sunlight he cast another glance in Kaoru's direction and noticed the glow encircle her again which making him wonder if maybe he was truly seeing this.
“Everything alright, Kenshin?” Kaoru asked, noticing his intent gaze.
“Hai, sessha was just noticing the golden highlights in your hair" he said, grinning to cover his bewilderment.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. “They’ve always been there, my mother and grandmother had them too." In a slightly disheartened voice she added, "You've never noticed before?"
“Hai, sessha has but sessha didn't realize there were so many, that he did not.” Kenshin answered, hiding his true thoughts. The highlights had been the first thing he had noticed about her when they had first met in the street with her standing over him, brandishing her bokken. He had wanted to run his fingers through her hair then, entranced by the oddity of golden highlights in a Japanese woman's hair, a contradiction in the norm of raven black or darkest brown.
Kaoru gave him a skeptical look and turned her attention back to the path.
A comfortable silence fell after that and they continued to make their way towards the market. Kaoru found her mind wandering back to her mother's warning again and she tried to find a way to unlock the rest without the backlash of a blinding headache. Rubbing her temple at the phantom pain that shot through it, she recalled that all her mother's things had been stored away after she had died and where. ‘I wonder if there's anything in there that would help me?!' she thought, incredulous that she had forgotten for so long, despite the chaos of her life following that sad occasion in her childhood.
A few moments later they reached the market and Kaoru filed away the intention to look for the boxes later and ambled aimlessly around to the different shops and stalls. Kenshin followed close behind as she eyed beautiful jewelry and kimonos that were on display, not really seeing anything she truly desired.
Neither noticed the figure that began to track their movements, hiding in the shadows.
Kenshin continued to ponder the weak glow that was still there in the sunlight as he watched Kaoru fingering the items on display. Confused that he couldn't feel anything special in her ki, he reached out without thinking to try to touch this wonder.
"What are you doing?”
Kenshin stopped his hand in mid-air and shifted his attention from the glow to her shocked eyes. Shrugging, he answered sheepishly, "Sessha thought he saw a leaf in your hair, that he did."
“Kenshin, are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Kaoru asked. “You’ve been acting odd today,” she added, peering up at him with a peculiar look. When he didn't answer but continued to gaze at her with his big grin she added irritably, “and how many times do I have to tell you to quit calling yourself that!”
As the silence stretched she grumbled, "Kenshin no baka" under her breath. Her fingers itched for a bokken, or anything for that matter, to whack him with. She finally gave up on getting an answer and sighed, “Are you hungry?” When he nodded she grabbed his hand and led him through the crowds towards the Akabeko, not noticing the slight smile gracing his lips.
Trailing them unseen to the Akebeko, their shadow launched himself onto the roof of the building across the street, contemplating the faint glow that surrounded the girl in the sunlight.
“Kaoru...Kenshin, haven't seen you two in a while.” Tae said with a smile, as they walked through the entrance. “Follow me, Sano and Megumi are already here, we've got a full house so I'll put you with them.”
“Sano and Megumi?” Kaoru asked.
“They came in about ten minutes ago.” Tae winked at Kaoru, “Sano’s got a red handprint on his cheek, wonder what he did this time.”
“I’m sure he deserved it.” Kaoru said matter of fact, still a little angry at the roosterhead for leaving Yahiko to suffer the consequences of their childish behavior. “Has Yahiko seen him yet?”
“No, he's in the back washing dishes.”
Grinning wickedly, Kaoru maliciously murmured. "Sano's gonna have more than a red face if Yahiko sees him.”
Tae mirrored her grin. "Oh really?”
Reaching the table where Sano and Megumi were seated they joined them, returning greetings. Kenshin seated himself beside Sano and Kaoru next to Megumi, who was a little irritated that Kenshin hadn't taken the seat she had offered. Tae looked to Kenshin and Kaoru, “Do you two want the special? Its beef simmered in ginger sauce with rice and vegetables.”
They both nodded and Tae set off toward the kitchen.
“Kenshin...Jou-chan." Sano said, apprehension flashing through his eyes as he looked at Kaoru. “What brings you here?”
“Sessha and Kaoru-dono were shopping and decided to have some lunch, that we did.” Kenshin responded. “Did you run into some trouble?” he asked, pointedly looking at the red handprint.
“Naw, some old man at the clinic grabbed the fox's behind and she thought it was me." He answered with a wink. “She decided to treat me to lunch when she realized it wasn't.”
“Tori-a..ta..ma," Megumi grated, raising her hand as she scowled at Sano.
Shielding his face with his hands, Sano grinned. "Ok...Ok, I promise I won't say anymore!"
“Sano, why did you come here, you know Yahiko's here paying off your debt.” Kaoru asked, barely containing her irritation.
“It wasn't my choice, the fox wanted to come here and since she's paying..." he answered with a shrug. “Besides, it wasn't me who broke the damn dishes, the kid's got to learn to control himself."
Megumi fixed Sano with a hard look. “What did you do this time?”
“Hey it wasn't me, the kid's just a little too sensitive." He said, flashing her an impish grin.
So engrossed in their conversation nobody noticed as Yahiko made his way to the table with their lunch.
“S..a..n..o," Yahiko grated between clenched teeth, the illusion of flames surrounding his head as he reached the table and speared Sano with a hard look. "What...are...you...doing...here?"
Sano's face lit up into a huge smirk. “Yahiko! Heh, how's Tsubame today?”
Setting down their food Yahiko launched himself at Sano chewing on his head until Kenshin managed to wrench him off and hold him back.
“Yahiko, you don't want the same thing to happen that did the last time, do you?” Kenshin asked, keeping a tight grip on him.
Fists clenched tightly, Yahiko shot a withering glare at Sano. “No, but I swear that roosterhead is gonna get it!" As soon as Kenshin released him he stomped back to the kitchen fuming.
“Sano, you should not tease Yahiko so much, that you should not" Kenshin said casting an admonishing glance at the recovering fighter.
“I know, but he's so easy to rag, you should'a seen him, flaming red face every time Tsubame came to our table, stumbling over his words. It was like he had never seen a girl before...of course she did look quite cute in her new outfit." he answered amused, winking slyly.
Kaoru shook her head. “Sano, you’re hopeless.” A small smile came to her lips as she added, “Next time you do that I'm going to hold you down so he can pound on you.”
With a grin, Sano dug into the food in front of him, stopping himself from saying anything that might make Kaoru whack him on the head. Being slapped and having his head chewed on was enough for one day.
Kaoru tucked in herself as she turned her thoughts inwards again, contemplating her mother's stored belongings, trying to remember if there was anything special her mother had had. It was during this pondering she suddenly noticed the barrier her mother had taught her to create in order to hide her aura was gone. A twinge of panic coursed through her. ‘How long has it been gone?' she wondered nervously. She immediately closed her eyes and focused her mind on rebuilding her protection, not noticing the odd looks she was beginning to get. Finishing the barrier with a mental sigh of relief, she opened her eyes to see three sets of worried eyes turned her way. Blinking she managed a reassuring smile.
“Is something wrong, Kaoru? You got pale all of a sudden… maybe you should come to the clinic with me so I can check you over.” Megumi said, eyeing her with concern.
Laughing nervously Kaoru waved a hand, "No...No I'm fine, really, I just got a little bit nauseous, but I feel better now."
Megumi gave her a skeptical look and shrugged then turned her attention back to her meal.
Kenshin however continued to watch Kaoru from beneath his bangs not believing her flimsy excuse. He knew she was hiding something, he could feel it.
Finishing with their meal they left, parting ways at the door as Sano walked Megumi back to the clinic and Kenshin and Kaoru made their way home. Noticing the glow no longer was there in the sunlight Kenshin questioned whether he had truly seen it or not, or if it had just been an odd trick of the sunlight that day.
Grinning to himself as the two he'd been following emerged out onto the street, the figure on the roof noticed the faint glow no longer surrounded the girl. Hopping down he began walking in the opposite direction of his prey, a small evil smile materializing on his face as he thought of how his boss was going to react at finding his heart’s desire.
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