Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodline ❯ Second Chances ( Chapter 13 )
[ 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: 11.05.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 700 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.05.2005 | Updated On: 06.05.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 700 | Status: Work In Progress
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 13 - Second Chances
Kaoru
The soft voice penetrated her mind like a whisper of breath playing across the infinite darkness, bringing a ray of light where only blackness prevailed.
Kaoru
Tugging at her the soft voice pulled her further out of the all encompassing blackness. The gentle scent of sakura blossoms filtered into her senses, the scent bringing back memories of older days when life had been simple and sweet. When the only concern she'd had was how she would be able to fit practice and shopping into one afternoon. Things had changed so much, she didn't want to come out of the darkness, here all her worries were gone leaving just an empty shell floating in the nothingness. She knew there was pain if she followed the voice and she didn't want any more pain, she couldn't take any more pain. She just wanted peace.
Ignoring the voice she sank back into the comforting darkness, falling into the emptiness that promised solace.
Kaoru, you must wake!
Against her will the gentle yet stern voice yanked her out of the nothingness and she suddenly felt a hard firm surface beneath her. Heavenly warmth flooded through her body, causing a sigh of relief to whisper from between her lips. It was so warm. Now that she was here she realized the darkness had been icy cold, numbing her from the inside out. Glorious heat continued to race through her veins, bringing life back to where it had disappeared just moments before making her limbs tingle with happiness.
"Come, little one, it's time to wake."
Obeying the gentle voice this time, Kaoru took a deep breath and instantly sneezed as the rich scent of earth and growing grass permeated her nose. Sneezing again she slowly opened one eye in hopes of finding the owner of the voice. Blinding sunlight pierced into her numb mind and she groaned as she flung her hand up to block it out and snapped the eye back closed, little pinpricks of light now dancing merrily behind her lid. After a moment she signed again and rubbed the watering eye before she pushed herself off the ground and settled blindly into a kneeling position. Shading her eyes against the glare she hesitantly opened them again and gasped when she saw the beautiful woman standing just a few feet away from her. The gentle breeze eddying through the air set her golden locks to dancing across her almost angelic features.
The woman smiled as she tucked the wayward locks behind her ear but the smile did nothing to erase the sadness that lingered in the depths of her sapphire eyes. "Welcome little one, I had hoped we wouldn't meet so soon but fate has taken the choice out of our hands."
Kaoru continued to stare at the woman, her numb mind barely registering the softly spoken words as she tried to pin down the spark of recognition that danced just beyond her reach. She knew this woman somehow, there was something familiar about her that she couldn't quite put her finger on but it was there nagging just at the edge of her memory. With an inward shrug she tore her eyes from the ethereal being and glanced around confused, "Who are you?...Where am I?"
The light whispering of cloth against grass pulled her attention back to the woman before her. She was slightly shocked to find that the woman had moved closer and had settled into a kneeling position right in front of her. "I am the reason you have suffered so, little one, my selfishness has caused you and my descendants more pain than I can ever atone for and for that I am truly sorry."
Kaoru watched as one lone tear traced a wet path down the woman's ivory cheek, the sapphire eyes so much like hers were darkened by a sadness. Remorse so deep she couldn't fully comprehend the amount of pain that would leave such a mark. It was then looking into those eyes, hearing the sadness lacing the voice she had, up until now, only heard in her mind that she realized who she sat before.
"Akiko."
The woman nodded and Kaoru closed her eyes as a sharp pain gripped her heart and squeezed, "Then I really am dead."
Wilting at the truth Kaoru dropped her head and fought the tears trying to break free as a wave of emptiness washed over her, threatening to devour her whole. But if she was dead then that meant Kenshin was alive and that's all that really mattered right? She had won, she had saved him. But why did it hurt so much? Why did it feel like she had lost half of her soul?
A soft smile touched Akiko's lips and she reached out a hand to try to smooth away the look of pain that crossed her descendant's features. She had never wanted to cause one such as her the agony she had but at least this time she would have the chance to correct the mistake she had made so long ago. Gently lifting Kaoru's chin she lightly brushed away the tears, "All is not yet lost, little one, you still have a choice to make."
"A choice?!" Kaoru bit out angrily, "What choice is there to make. I'm dead. I can never see him again!” A sob threatened to strangle her at the truth. “I can never see any of them again, I have lost everything just as Aiko did!"
Pulling her face from Akiko's hand Kaoru curled into herself and rested her head against the soft grass. Kami, she wished there really was a choice but it had already been made and there was no way to undo it even if she wanted to. She had saved them all and that's all that really mattered in the end. She would have to endure the pain and wait, maybe she would get a chance to see him again someday.
A soft sigh spilled into the quiet. "There is a choice little one," Akiko murmured as she gently ran her fingers lovingly through Kaoru's gold kissed locks. "You sacrificed yourself for him and because of that you have been given a second chance if you choose to take it."
Stomping down the tiny flower of hope that tried to blossom, Kaoru sat back up and simply stared at her ancestor confused, "What do you mean a second chance?"
Akiko smiled. "The bond was formed against your will, you did not give yourself freely to that man and when you chose to die to save the man you love the decision was made to allow you a second chance."
Kaoru tilted her head as a tiny flame of hope began to burn again, "But...but how? How can I have a second chance? I'm dead, there is no way to go back."
"You are my descendant little one and that gives you a means to return to the world you left behind."
Akiko reached out and gently tucked the raven strands dancing across Kaoru's cautiously hopeful features behind her ear.
"When I was cast out they took everything from me, everything but my blood. They couldn't take that though sometimes I wish they had. It's that blood that has caused you so much agony but that same blood can give you back your life all you have to do is want to return."
The tiny flame of hope burst into a full blown inferno and Kaoru finally started to believe it just might be possible. If what her ancestor said was true then she really could go back, she would be able to see Kenshin again, she would have the chance to live her life with the man she loved. Suddenly the image of Shishio's laughing black eyes danced through her memory dousing her hope with a wave of icy cold fear. If she went back then Shishio would return too, she couldn't do that to the one's she loved, she couldn't take that nightmare again.
"Do you not wish to go back, little one?" Akiko asked in concern.
Kaoru shook her head and wiped away the single tear that began a slow wet track down her cheek, "I want to, I really do but I can't go back. If I do then Shishio will too and it will start all over again, I can't do that again."
Akiko sighed in relief and smiled. "He cannot return, little one, when your heart ceased to beat the blood he stole from you died within him. The bond is broken, there is no way for him to return."
Kaoru dropped her eyes to her clenched fists and shook her head again, "It doesn't matter if not him then someone else will do what he did and I can't risk that, I love them too much. I will not be the cause of theirs or anyone’s death."
Akiko reached out and lifted Kaoru's chin forcing the young woman to look at her. "You will be the cause of no one's death, little one. If you choose to go back the curse that has hung over my line for centuries will cease to exist within you. With you I finally have the chance to correct the mistake I made so long ago."
For a long moment Kaoru simply stared at Akiko trying to force her mind to accept what her ancestor was saying. The small flame of hope ignited again as she realized that there just might be a way but she had to know for sure.
"Then there really is a way for me to go back?" Kaoru asked, unable to keep the longing out of her voice. "And I'll be free of the power?"
"Yes," Akiko replied with a wide smile, "There really is a way for you to return and you will be free."
Akiko laughed as Kaoru flung herself at her, wrapping her in a tight hug. A moment later her ancestor gently extricated herself.
"Come, little one," Akiko said as she genly extricated herself. "It is time for you to return. Your guardian waits for you."
Kaoru froze as a tiny knot of fear curled in her stomach. "Kenshin really was my guardian wasn't he, but if I'm free he won't need to protect me any more will he? He could...he could..." She trailed off not even able to put voice to the words. An unbearable pain ripped through her leaving her feeling empty and alone at the thought of him leaving.
"Yes, he is your guardian," Akiko replied, "but I do not think he will leave you. You are special to him even without my blood and he knows that." Cupping Kaoru's cheek she smiled, "He needs you just as much as you need him, you both need to love and be loved, you two have found that in each other and I think he knows that too."
Kaoru simply nodded, she knew he loved her but would it be enough to keep him by her side? She could only hope that it was but the only way to truly know was to go back and see. If he decided to leave her she would survive, she had made it on her own before and she could do it again if she had to. She wanted to live even if she was alone.
"So how do I go back?" She asked unable to contain the excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.
Akiko chuckled. "First I have to heal your body and then when I have completed that you simply have to envision the power within you and push, as you push the power will drag you back into your body as it leaves. When the shift is complete you will be alive again and free from the curse that has caused you so much pain."
"That's all," Kaoru asked tilting her head, it seemed too good to be true. "It's that simple?"
"Yes, little one. Are you ready?"
Kaoru nodded enthusiastically, the excitement building to an almost unbearable height. Soon she would be able to see them all again.
Akiko smiled. "Give me your hands and when I say 'now' envision the power and push and when you wake again you will be back where you belong."
Grasping the outstretched hands with her shaking ones Kaoru waited as Akiko closed her eyes, a look of extreme concentration tightening her ancestor's features. She jumped when Akiko's eyes shot back open.
"Now!"
Kaoru immediately closed her eyes and envisioned the power. Gripping the pulsing entity tightly she squeezed Akiko's hands in farewell and pushed with all of her being.
Akiko smiled as she watched Kaoru's form shimmer and vanish. At last the future of her line would be able to live without the shadow she had laid on them so long ago. Their world would finally be set right. Smoothly rising to her feet she took once last look at the crushed grass where Kaoru had sat and turned to greet the smiling man behind her. A couple of steps settled her into his waiting arms and she hugged him close, "She's a very special young woman isn't she?"
The man chuckled and hugged her even closer, "Yes, she is, but she is one of ours after all. Her guardian is a very lucky man."
Akiko sighed in contentment and nodded, "That he is, koishii, that he is."
oooooooooooooooooo
Saitou flicked his wrist to rid his katana of the blood droplets clinging to its surface and leaned down to finish the job on the gi of the dead man lying at his feet. With a smirk he grabbed a fist full of material and finished wiping the blood from the blade. This one hadn’t been a challenge at all, it had been like killing a child, he almost felt guilty for killing someone so inexperienced ... almost. This so called assassin had turned him into a watchdog and for that and that alone he had deserved to die.
Regaining his feet he sheathed his blade and wiped at the blood dripping from his jaw. The shallow cut on his cheek was the only hit the spineless murderer had managed to get on him and that had only been a lucky shot when the ground had started to shake and heave beneath their feet. It seemed Kamiya truly did hold the same power within her as Aiko had. Unfortunately because of that he would have to kill her when he finished with Battousai, he couldn't allow such a threat to remain alive.
With an inward shrug he cast one last glance at the dead man at his feet and turned on his heel to make his way into the compound. A frown slowly grew on his lips as he made his way silently down the deserted hallways. He couldn't feel Battousai's homicidal ki anymore. Had Shishio actually managed to kill his predecessor? Quickening his steps he silently wended his way through the halls of the manse searching for some sign of life, but to his surprise he could feel nothing. A moment later he finally came to an open shoji and stepped into the room only to be stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening at the sight before him. He didn't know exactly what he'd expected to find but this was most definitely not it.
Shishio was dead of that he was sure, the hitokiri laid in a pool of his own blood the nasty gash cut across his chest still seeping blood into the wide crimson puddle darkening the hard wood floor. But that wasn't what shocked him, it was the sight of the former Hitokiri Battousai kneeling on the floor cradling the lifeless body of the woman he'd come to save. It seemed Battousai had failed again and this time it looked like it had sent him over the edge. If it wasn't for the steady rocking he could have sworn the redheaded assassin was dead himself, he could feel nothing coming from the small man, nothing at all.
A small twinge of anger blossomed in his chest, snorting in disgust he spun on his heel and prepared to leave. To battle Battousai now would be pointless; it would be like killing a child. Stepping through the door he stopped dead again when the room behind him suddenly filled with an unearthly light, the golden glow spilling into the hallway.
Surprised, Saitou spun back around and simply gaped at the sight unfolding before him.
oooooooooooooooooo
Oblivious to everything around him but the steadily cooling body in his arms, Kenshin continued to rock back and forth, the constant motion soothing the turmoil ripping his soul apart. He couldn't summon the energy to do anything but hold her, he didn't want to let her go, if he did that would sever the last tie with her. He wasn't ready to deal with that yet, the very thought turned his stomach, sapping what little energy he still had left. Why had this happened? Why was she dead and not him? If anyone should have died it should have been him not the innocent woman in his arms. She had too much life flowing through her small body to have it snuffed out so soon. What force had decided he was worthy to live and not her?
Locked in an endless spiral of self-hate Kenshin didn't immediately notice the soft golden glow beginning to fill the room. Slowly as if in a dream he began to feel warmth seep into the body he was holding, the sensation suddenly flooding into him heating him from the inside out. Surprised, he snapped his head up and stared in disbelief at Kaoru's body, the glow wrapping around her almost too bright to look at. The heat continued to steadily rise as the glow intensified and he closed his eyes against the piercing light. A moment later the skin of his damaged chest and shoulder began to tighten and itch, he instinctively reached up to soothe the irritation and was shocked to feel smooth skin under his fingertips.
And then the warmth suddenly vanished.
Hesitantly Kenshin slid his eyes back open and stared at the woman clasped in his arm hoping to see some semblance of life. His heart fell when he saw her eyes still closed, her chest healed but unmoving, not a whisper of breath passing through her pale lips. The crushing emptiness returned tenfold and he clutched her to his chest the pain of losing her again almost too much to bear. A heartbeat later he was caught off guard again when he suddenly felt something trying to pull her out of his grasp. Surprise and confused, he held on fighting against whatever was trying to take her away from him. When the pull became too much, Kenshin finally released his hold and was stunned to see Kaoru's body immediately rise into the air to float just out of his reach.
And then she began to glow again.
The intense golden glow grew and solidified around her slowly pushing out of her back until a perfect golden silhouette of her shape pulled away hovering just behind her. All of a sudden a pair of wings unfurled from the silhouette, wrapping Kaoru in a loving embrace before folding out to span the entire room. Moments later Kaoru's eyes shot open and her body shuddered as she took a great gasp of air. At the exact same moment she drew breath the silhouette exploded into a thousand tiny dots of light, the golden essence raining down softly on all in the room like a shower of falling stars warming everything it touched.
And then she slowly began to fall.
Kenshin instantly shot to his feet and caught her limp body before she could hit the floor and cradled her gently in his arms. Falling to his knees again he held her tight to his chest and reveled in the feel of her chest moving against his, the sensation setting his heart to pounding a furious rhythm. Could she be?...was she really?
Slowly releasing his hold on her he glanced to her pale face and saw her eyes closed once again. He lifted a hand and hesitantly traced her cheek with a shaking finger, the soft flesh warm and alive beneath his touch. He smiled as he felt a soft sigh escape her lips, leaning down he whispered, "Kaoru..."
Kaoru snapped her eyes open at the familiar voice and she blinked several times to bring the room into focus as she searched for and finally found the hope filled violet eyes of the man she thought she would never see again. A huge grin split her face and she flung her arms around his neck, hugging him for all she was worth as tears of joy streamed down her face. It had worked, it had really worked, she was back...but was she free? Dropping her eyes closed for a moment she sought the power and found nothing. There was no barrier and there was no power. It was truly gone, she was finally free of the beast. A surge of relief flooded through her and she hugged Kenshin tighter, a giddy happiness making her head spin.
A light chuckle spilled from Kenshin's lips as he wrapped his arms around her, enfolding her close. He didn't know how she could be here but he wasn't about to question such a gift, all he needed to know was that she was here in his arms alive and well and he wasn't about to let her go again.
Several glee filled moments later Kaoru finally began to notice the feel of rough textured cloth against the bare skin of her chest. Confused she tried to figure out how that could be and then it suddenly dawned on her...Shishio had cut her chest open but to reach her flesh he'd had to go through her obi and her kimono. Instant color blazed to life on her cheeks and with a strangled cry she ripped out of Kenshin's arms and backed away clutching the shorn clothing together trying to hold on to what modesty she had left.
Seeing an amused smirk play across Kenshin's lips her embarrassment quickly burned away under an intense anger, "You...you hentai!"
A soft laugh was her only answer as he continued to stare at her, the smirk vanishing under a full-fledged smile. Ignoring the increase in her heartbeat his intense regard was causing she jumped to her feet and spun on her heel, stalking towards the door. But she'd only made it a handful of steps when her toes bumped into Shishio's leg. Stopped dead Kaoru let her eyes wander up his body until they landed on his very pale, very dead face. She couldn't contain the small smile that touch her lips...she was finally free, he would never touch her again.
With a slight spring in her step she stepped over his prone form and headed to the door only to be stopped in her tracks again. Saitou stood in the doorway blocking her exit with a strange look on his face his hand gripping the hilt of his katana. Moving closer she waited for him to either say what he had to say or move so she could get some decent clothes to replace the kimono currently leaving her upper attributes open for perusal. The dried blood had stiffened the cloth making it hard for her to hold the pieces together.
She started to fidget slightly under his stony gaze as his eyes wandered over her from head to toe and then he finally spoke, "Well?"
Surprised by his tone Kaoru met his eyes and tilted her head trying to figure out what he was asking and then it hit her. With a smile she dipped her head and murmured, "It's gone."
A long moment passed before her self appointed guardian nodded once and finally stepped out of her way. Slipping past him she hurried down the hallway towards her room. All she wanted to do right now was change and go home. A moment later she crossed the threshold into the beautifully appointed room that had once been her ancestor's and a bittersweet smile came to her lips. She still couldn't quite believe it was all over, she had suffered the same fate as Aiko had but for some reason those who ruled the afterlife had found her worthy of a second chance. She wasn't sure if she actually deserved it but she wasn't going to let it go to waste.
Her smile widened slightly and she quickly stripped out of the ruined kimono then hunted up her hakama and gi and gratefully slipped them on. They had seen better days but she just couldn't stand the thought of wearing something he had bought for her. She would carry nothing away from this nightmare but her memories and those she would try to bury in the farthest reaches of her mind.
With a far lighter step Kaoru slipped back into the hallway and without a backward glance headed back to the audience hall. It was time to go home.
Watching as Kaoru fled past Saitou into the mansion, Kenshin couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. For some reason he'd been given a second chance, he didn't know if he deserved it or not but he wasn't about to waste it. He was going to grab ahold of Kaoru and never let go, although it looked like he was going to have to convince her that she really was his, and that was going to be very pleasurable. His smile widened slightly as he rose and collected his sakabatou. With practiced ease he sheathed the blade and headed towards the door to wait for Kaoru to return. He stopped when his eyes fell on his Saitou who still stood to the side of the door.
Eyeing the tall man warily Kenshin settled into a defensive stance and looked at his nemesis with an invitation in his eyes.
Saitou stared at him for a long moment as if he was gauging something and then he snorted derisively and spun on his heel. Vanishing out the door the cop's heavy booted steps slowly faded away as his former enemy made his way out of the mansion.
Kenshin simply shrugged and followed in the tall man's footsteps. Stepping into the hallway he stopped and cast one last glance into the room; the sight of the angel hovering just behind his beloved dancing once more before his eyes. With a smile he turned at the sound of light footsteps coming his way and gazed at the woman who held his heart as she walked down the hallway towards him. She really was special...she didn't know it yet but she was his angel and she always would be.
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Chapter 13 - Second Chances
Kaoru
The soft voice penetrated her mind like a whisper of breath playing across the infinite darkness, bringing a ray of light where only blackness prevailed.
Kaoru
Tugging at her the soft voice pulled her further out of the all encompassing blackness. The gentle scent of sakura blossoms filtered into her senses, the scent bringing back memories of older days when life had been simple and sweet. When the only concern she'd had was how she would be able to fit practice and shopping into one afternoon. Things had changed so much, she didn't want to come out of the darkness, here all her worries were gone leaving just an empty shell floating in the nothingness. She knew there was pain if she followed the voice and she didn't want any more pain, she couldn't take any more pain. She just wanted peace.
Ignoring the voice she sank back into the comforting darkness, falling into the emptiness that promised solace.
Kaoru, you must wake!
Against her will the gentle yet stern voice yanked her out of the nothingness and she suddenly felt a hard firm surface beneath her. Heavenly warmth flooded through her body, causing a sigh of relief to whisper from between her lips. It was so warm. Now that she was here she realized the darkness had been icy cold, numbing her from the inside out. Glorious heat continued to race through her veins, bringing life back to where it had disappeared just moments before making her limbs tingle with happiness.
"Come, little one, it's time to wake."
Obeying the gentle voice this time, Kaoru took a deep breath and instantly sneezed as the rich scent of earth and growing grass permeated her nose. Sneezing again she slowly opened one eye in hopes of finding the owner of the voice. Blinding sunlight pierced into her numb mind and she groaned as she flung her hand up to block it out and snapped the eye back closed, little pinpricks of light now dancing merrily behind her lid. After a moment she signed again and rubbed the watering eye before she pushed herself off the ground and settled blindly into a kneeling position. Shading her eyes against the glare she hesitantly opened them again and gasped when she saw the beautiful woman standing just a few feet away from her. The gentle breeze eddying through the air set her golden locks to dancing across her almost angelic features.
The woman smiled as she tucked the wayward locks behind her ear but the smile did nothing to erase the sadness that lingered in the depths of her sapphire eyes. "Welcome little one, I had hoped we wouldn't meet so soon but fate has taken the choice out of our hands."
Kaoru continued to stare at the woman, her numb mind barely registering the softly spoken words as she tried to pin down the spark of recognition that danced just beyond her reach. She knew this woman somehow, there was something familiar about her that she couldn't quite put her finger on but it was there nagging just at the edge of her memory. With an inward shrug she tore her eyes from the ethereal being and glanced around confused, "Who are you?...Where am I?"
The light whispering of cloth against grass pulled her attention back to the woman before her. She was slightly shocked to find that the woman had moved closer and had settled into a kneeling position right in front of her. "I am the reason you have suffered so, little one, my selfishness has caused you and my descendants more pain than I can ever atone for and for that I am truly sorry."
Kaoru watched as one lone tear traced a wet path down the woman's ivory cheek, the sapphire eyes so much like hers were darkened by a sadness. Remorse so deep she couldn't fully comprehend the amount of pain that would leave such a mark. It was then looking into those eyes, hearing the sadness lacing the voice she had, up until now, only heard in her mind that she realized who she sat before.
"Akiko."
The woman nodded and Kaoru closed her eyes as a sharp pain gripped her heart and squeezed, "Then I really am dead."
Wilting at the truth Kaoru dropped her head and fought the tears trying to break free as a wave of emptiness washed over her, threatening to devour her whole. But if she was dead then that meant Kenshin was alive and that's all that really mattered right? She had won, she had saved him. But why did it hurt so much? Why did it feel like she had lost half of her soul?
A soft smile touched Akiko's lips and she reached out a hand to try to smooth away the look of pain that crossed her descendant's features. She had never wanted to cause one such as her the agony she had but at least this time she would have the chance to correct the mistake she had made so long ago. Gently lifting Kaoru's chin she lightly brushed away the tears, "All is not yet lost, little one, you still have a choice to make."
"A choice?!" Kaoru bit out angrily, "What choice is there to make. I'm dead. I can never see him again!” A sob threatened to strangle her at the truth. “I can never see any of them again, I have lost everything just as Aiko did!"
Pulling her face from Akiko's hand Kaoru curled into herself and rested her head against the soft grass. Kami, she wished there really was a choice but it had already been made and there was no way to undo it even if she wanted to. She had saved them all and that's all that really mattered in the end. She would have to endure the pain and wait, maybe she would get a chance to see him again someday.
A soft sigh spilled into the quiet. "There is a choice little one," Akiko murmured as she gently ran her fingers lovingly through Kaoru's gold kissed locks. "You sacrificed yourself for him and because of that you have been given a second chance if you choose to take it."
Stomping down the tiny flower of hope that tried to blossom, Kaoru sat back up and simply stared at her ancestor confused, "What do you mean a second chance?"
Akiko smiled. "The bond was formed against your will, you did not give yourself freely to that man and when you chose to die to save the man you love the decision was made to allow you a second chance."
Kaoru tilted her head as a tiny flame of hope began to burn again, "But...but how? How can I have a second chance? I'm dead, there is no way to go back."
"You are my descendant little one and that gives you a means to return to the world you left behind."
Akiko reached out and gently tucked the raven strands dancing across Kaoru's cautiously hopeful features behind her ear.
"When I was cast out they took everything from me, everything but my blood. They couldn't take that though sometimes I wish they had. It's that blood that has caused you so much agony but that same blood can give you back your life all you have to do is want to return."
The tiny flame of hope burst into a full blown inferno and Kaoru finally started to believe it just might be possible. If what her ancestor said was true then she really could go back, she would be able to see Kenshin again, she would have the chance to live her life with the man she loved. Suddenly the image of Shishio's laughing black eyes danced through her memory dousing her hope with a wave of icy cold fear. If she went back then Shishio would return too, she couldn't do that to the one's she loved, she couldn't take that nightmare again.
"Do you not wish to go back, little one?" Akiko asked in concern.
Kaoru shook her head and wiped away the single tear that began a slow wet track down her cheek, "I want to, I really do but I can't go back. If I do then Shishio will too and it will start all over again, I can't do that again."
Akiko sighed in relief and smiled. "He cannot return, little one, when your heart ceased to beat the blood he stole from you died within him. The bond is broken, there is no way for him to return."
Kaoru dropped her eyes to her clenched fists and shook her head again, "It doesn't matter if not him then someone else will do what he did and I can't risk that, I love them too much. I will not be the cause of theirs or anyone’s death."
Akiko reached out and lifted Kaoru's chin forcing the young woman to look at her. "You will be the cause of no one's death, little one. If you choose to go back the curse that has hung over my line for centuries will cease to exist within you. With you I finally have the chance to correct the mistake I made so long ago."
For a long moment Kaoru simply stared at Akiko trying to force her mind to accept what her ancestor was saying. The small flame of hope ignited again as she realized that there just might be a way but she had to know for sure.
"Then there really is a way for me to go back?" Kaoru asked, unable to keep the longing out of her voice. "And I'll be free of the power?"
"Yes," Akiko replied with a wide smile, "There really is a way for you to return and you will be free."
Akiko laughed as Kaoru flung herself at her, wrapping her in a tight hug. A moment later her ancestor gently extricated herself.
"Come, little one," Akiko said as she genly extricated herself. "It is time for you to return. Your guardian waits for you."
Kaoru froze as a tiny knot of fear curled in her stomach. "Kenshin really was my guardian wasn't he, but if I'm free he won't need to protect me any more will he? He could...he could..." She trailed off not even able to put voice to the words. An unbearable pain ripped through her leaving her feeling empty and alone at the thought of him leaving.
"Yes, he is your guardian," Akiko replied, "but I do not think he will leave you. You are special to him even without my blood and he knows that." Cupping Kaoru's cheek she smiled, "He needs you just as much as you need him, you both need to love and be loved, you two have found that in each other and I think he knows that too."
Kaoru simply nodded, she knew he loved her but would it be enough to keep him by her side? She could only hope that it was but the only way to truly know was to go back and see. If he decided to leave her she would survive, she had made it on her own before and she could do it again if she had to. She wanted to live even if she was alone.
"So how do I go back?" She asked unable to contain the excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.
Akiko chuckled. "First I have to heal your body and then when I have completed that you simply have to envision the power within you and push, as you push the power will drag you back into your body as it leaves. When the shift is complete you will be alive again and free from the curse that has caused you so much pain."
"That's all," Kaoru asked tilting her head, it seemed too good to be true. "It's that simple?"
"Yes, little one. Are you ready?"
Kaoru nodded enthusiastically, the excitement building to an almost unbearable height. Soon she would be able to see them all again.
Akiko smiled. "Give me your hands and when I say 'now' envision the power and push and when you wake again you will be back where you belong."
Grasping the outstretched hands with her shaking ones Kaoru waited as Akiko closed her eyes, a look of extreme concentration tightening her ancestor's features. She jumped when Akiko's eyes shot back open.
"Now!"
Kaoru immediately closed her eyes and envisioned the power. Gripping the pulsing entity tightly she squeezed Akiko's hands in farewell and pushed with all of her being.
Akiko smiled as she watched Kaoru's form shimmer and vanish. At last the future of her line would be able to live without the shadow she had laid on them so long ago. Their world would finally be set right. Smoothly rising to her feet she took once last look at the crushed grass where Kaoru had sat and turned to greet the smiling man behind her. A couple of steps settled her into his waiting arms and she hugged him close, "She's a very special young woman isn't she?"
The man chuckled and hugged her even closer, "Yes, she is, but she is one of ours after all. Her guardian is a very lucky man."
Akiko sighed in contentment and nodded, "That he is, koishii, that he is."
oooooooooooooooooo
Saitou flicked his wrist to rid his katana of the blood droplets clinging to its surface and leaned down to finish the job on the gi of the dead man lying at his feet. With a smirk he grabbed a fist full of material and finished wiping the blood from the blade. This one hadn’t been a challenge at all, it had been like killing a child, he almost felt guilty for killing someone so inexperienced ... almost. This so called assassin had turned him into a watchdog and for that and that alone he had deserved to die.
Regaining his feet he sheathed his blade and wiped at the blood dripping from his jaw. The shallow cut on his cheek was the only hit the spineless murderer had managed to get on him and that had only been a lucky shot when the ground had started to shake and heave beneath their feet. It seemed Kamiya truly did hold the same power within her as Aiko had. Unfortunately because of that he would have to kill her when he finished with Battousai, he couldn't allow such a threat to remain alive.
With an inward shrug he cast one last glance at the dead man at his feet and turned on his heel to make his way into the compound. A frown slowly grew on his lips as he made his way silently down the deserted hallways. He couldn't feel Battousai's homicidal ki anymore. Had Shishio actually managed to kill his predecessor? Quickening his steps he silently wended his way through the halls of the manse searching for some sign of life, but to his surprise he could feel nothing. A moment later he finally came to an open shoji and stepped into the room only to be stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening at the sight before him. He didn't know exactly what he'd expected to find but this was most definitely not it.
Shishio was dead of that he was sure, the hitokiri laid in a pool of his own blood the nasty gash cut across his chest still seeping blood into the wide crimson puddle darkening the hard wood floor. But that wasn't what shocked him, it was the sight of the former Hitokiri Battousai kneeling on the floor cradling the lifeless body of the woman he'd come to save. It seemed Battousai had failed again and this time it looked like it had sent him over the edge. If it wasn't for the steady rocking he could have sworn the redheaded assassin was dead himself, he could feel nothing coming from the small man, nothing at all.
A small twinge of anger blossomed in his chest, snorting in disgust he spun on his heel and prepared to leave. To battle Battousai now would be pointless; it would be like killing a child. Stepping through the door he stopped dead again when the room behind him suddenly filled with an unearthly light, the golden glow spilling into the hallway.
Surprised, Saitou spun back around and simply gaped at the sight unfolding before him.
oooooooooooooooooo
Oblivious to everything around him but the steadily cooling body in his arms, Kenshin continued to rock back and forth, the constant motion soothing the turmoil ripping his soul apart. He couldn't summon the energy to do anything but hold her, he didn't want to let her go, if he did that would sever the last tie with her. He wasn't ready to deal with that yet, the very thought turned his stomach, sapping what little energy he still had left. Why had this happened? Why was she dead and not him? If anyone should have died it should have been him not the innocent woman in his arms. She had too much life flowing through her small body to have it snuffed out so soon. What force had decided he was worthy to live and not her?
Locked in an endless spiral of self-hate Kenshin didn't immediately notice the soft golden glow beginning to fill the room. Slowly as if in a dream he began to feel warmth seep into the body he was holding, the sensation suddenly flooding into him heating him from the inside out. Surprised, he snapped his head up and stared in disbelief at Kaoru's body, the glow wrapping around her almost too bright to look at. The heat continued to steadily rise as the glow intensified and he closed his eyes against the piercing light. A moment later the skin of his damaged chest and shoulder began to tighten and itch, he instinctively reached up to soothe the irritation and was shocked to feel smooth skin under his fingertips.
And then the warmth suddenly vanished.
Hesitantly Kenshin slid his eyes back open and stared at the woman clasped in his arm hoping to see some semblance of life. His heart fell when he saw her eyes still closed, her chest healed but unmoving, not a whisper of breath passing through her pale lips. The crushing emptiness returned tenfold and he clutched her to his chest the pain of losing her again almost too much to bear. A heartbeat later he was caught off guard again when he suddenly felt something trying to pull her out of his grasp. Surprise and confused, he held on fighting against whatever was trying to take her away from him. When the pull became too much, Kenshin finally released his hold and was stunned to see Kaoru's body immediately rise into the air to float just out of his reach.
And then she began to glow again.
The intense golden glow grew and solidified around her slowly pushing out of her back until a perfect golden silhouette of her shape pulled away hovering just behind her. All of a sudden a pair of wings unfurled from the silhouette, wrapping Kaoru in a loving embrace before folding out to span the entire room. Moments later Kaoru's eyes shot open and her body shuddered as she took a great gasp of air. At the exact same moment she drew breath the silhouette exploded into a thousand tiny dots of light, the golden essence raining down softly on all in the room like a shower of falling stars warming everything it touched.
And then she slowly began to fall.
Kenshin instantly shot to his feet and caught her limp body before she could hit the floor and cradled her gently in his arms. Falling to his knees again he held her tight to his chest and reveled in the feel of her chest moving against his, the sensation setting his heart to pounding a furious rhythm. Could she be?...was she really?
Slowly releasing his hold on her he glanced to her pale face and saw her eyes closed once again. He lifted a hand and hesitantly traced her cheek with a shaking finger, the soft flesh warm and alive beneath his touch. He smiled as he felt a soft sigh escape her lips, leaning down he whispered, "Kaoru..."
Kaoru snapped her eyes open at the familiar voice and she blinked several times to bring the room into focus as she searched for and finally found the hope filled violet eyes of the man she thought she would never see again. A huge grin split her face and she flung her arms around his neck, hugging him for all she was worth as tears of joy streamed down her face. It had worked, it had really worked, she was back...but was she free? Dropping her eyes closed for a moment she sought the power and found nothing. There was no barrier and there was no power. It was truly gone, she was finally free of the beast. A surge of relief flooded through her and she hugged Kenshin tighter, a giddy happiness making her head spin.
A light chuckle spilled from Kenshin's lips as he wrapped his arms around her, enfolding her close. He didn't know how she could be here but he wasn't about to question such a gift, all he needed to know was that she was here in his arms alive and well and he wasn't about to let her go again.
Several glee filled moments later Kaoru finally began to notice the feel of rough textured cloth against the bare skin of her chest. Confused she tried to figure out how that could be and then it suddenly dawned on her...Shishio had cut her chest open but to reach her flesh he'd had to go through her obi and her kimono. Instant color blazed to life on her cheeks and with a strangled cry she ripped out of Kenshin's arms and backed away clutching the shorn clothing together trying to hold on to what modesty she had left.
Seeing an amused smirk play across Kenshin's lips her embarrassment quickly burned away under an intense anger, "You...you hentai!"
A soft laugh was her only answer as he continued to stare at her, the smirk vanishing under a full-fledged smile. Ignoring the increase in her heartbeat his intense regard was causing she jumped to her feet and spun on her heel, stalking towards the door. But she'd only made it a handful of steps when her toes bumped into Shishio's leg. Stopped dead Kaoru let her eyes wander up his body until they landed on his very pale, very dead face. She couldn't contain the small smile that touch her lips...she was finally free, he would never touch her again.
With a slight spring in her step she stepped over his prone form and headed to the door only to be stopped in her tracks again. Saitou stood in the doorway blocking her exit with a strange look on his face his hand gripping the hilt of his katana. Moving closer she waited for him to either say what he had to say or move so she could get some decent clothes to replace the kimono currently leaving her upper attributes open for perusal. The dried blood had stiffened the cloth making it hard for her to hold the pieces together.
She started to fidget slightly under his stony gaze as his eyes wandered over her from head to toe and then he finally spoke, "Well?"
Surprised by his tone Kaoru met his eyes and tilted her head trying to figure out what he was asking and then it hit her. With a smile she dipped her head and murmured, "It's gone."
A long moment passed before her self appointed guardian nodded once and finally stepped out of her way. Slipping past him she hurried down the hallway towards her room. All she wanted to do right now was change and go home. A moment later she crossed the threshold into the beautifully appointed room that had once been her ancestor's and a bittersweet smile came to her lips. She still couldn't quite believe it was all over, she had suffered the same fate as Aiko had but for some reason those who ruled the afterlife had found her worthy of a second chance. She wasn't sure if she actually deserved it but she wasn't going to let it go to waste.
Her smile widened slightly and she quickly stripped out of the ruined kimono then hunted up her hakama and gi and gratefully slipped them on. They had seen better days but she just couldn't stand the thought of wearing something he had bought for her. She would carry nothing away from this nightmare but her memories and those she would try to bury in the farthest reaches of her mind.
With a far lighter step Kaoru slipped back into the hallway and without a backward glance headed back to the audience hall. It was time to go home.
Watching as Kaoru fled past Saitou into the mansion, Kenshin couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. For some reason he'd been given a second chance, he didn't know if he deserved it or not but he wasn't about to waste it. He was going to grab ahold of Kaoru and never let go, although it looked like he was going to have to convince her that she really was his, and that was going to be very pleasurable. His smile widened slightly as he rose and collected his sakabatou. With practiced ease he sheathed the blade and headed towards the door to wait for Kaoru to return. He stopped when his eyes fell on his Saitou who still stood to the side of the door.
Eyeing the tall man warily Kenshin settled into a defensive stance and looked at his nemesis with an invitation in his eyes.
Saitou stared at him for a long moment as if he was gauging something and then he snorted derisively and spun on his heel. Vanishing out the door the cop's heavy booted steps slowly faded away as his former enemy made his way out of the mansion.
Kenshin simply shrugged and followed in the tall man's footsteps. Stepping into the hallway he stopped and cast one last glance into the room; the sight of the angel hovering just behind his beloved dancing once more before his eyes. With a smile he turned at the sound of light footsteps coming his way and gazed at the woman who held his heart as she walked down the hallway towards him. She really was special...she didn't know it yet but she was his angel and she always would be.
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