Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Built on a Dream ❯ Return ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

***Author's Note: Ohayou minna! Extra points to anyone who can find the verse that Kara's key words comes from!

*Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin… though, I really really really wish I did..

Kara stepped onto the front porch of Mrs. Tanaka's house. Bringing a hand to her forehead, she shielded her eyes from the sun and looked around. Rough weather had torn shingles off the roof and they had never been replaced. Paint was peeling off the exterior walls, leaving behind dirty gray plaster. Kara sighed, trying not to let her gaze wander to the cobwebs stringing from the low porch roof, and rang the doorbell.

Something brushed against her ear. As she reached up to swat it, she noticed it was a dead flower. The sad, cracked stem was leaning out of a pot hung from the patio roof. Mrs. Tanaka had been ill for quite awhile, and her house showed it. Expecting no one to answer, Kara reached for the doorknob. But before her fingers could reach it, the door swung open and a small boy glared up at her.

“Who are you?” Angry eyes peered out at her from the dark house.

“Kara... Camiya,” she responded, looking over the boy's head into the darkness. “I'm here to see Mrs. Tanaka, as I promised.” The boy crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, his black hair falling into his dark brown eyes. He seemed to be thinking something over.

“Get out of the way, brat.” A tall young man with blond hair grabbed the boy by his collar and swung him out of the way. He looked Kara over with eerie hazel eyes and sighed, annoyed. “Mother is far too sick to have any visitors.” A loud hacking cough echoed through the house, seeming to emphasize that fact. Kara winced. Mrs. Tanaka must have gotten worse. She tried to dig her hands into her pockets, but realized she was wearing a skirt. This was going to be a long day.

“I promised my step-mom I would come by for a visit,” Kara said, trying to keep her voice calm. “Mrs. Tanaka knows who I am, and is expecting me.” The young man's mouth twisted into an amused smile.

“You really don't remember who I am, do you, half-pint?” He looked Kara over again, his eyes lingering on her legs. Kara paused, confused, then lashed out in fury.

“Ryan!? It's you? Goodness, you've grown, but I can see you are still as dumb as ever!” Her eyes followed his. “And I see you're still perverted!” She pushed her way past the smirking man. “Where's you're mom?” His smile faded.

“Mother is very sick. Actually, the nurses I've hired say that today might be the day.” He stood still, his face erased of all emotion.

“What do you mean?” Kara looked around the dark, musty house. He sighed and shook his head.

“I mean that she will most likely die today,” Ryan said nonchalantly, muttering that it was about time.

Kara whirled around and stared at him. “What's wrong with you!? Your mother is dying, and you don't even care?” The boy that Kara had greeted earlier stepped into view, brushing himself off.

“He doesn't give a damn, and never will.” The boy glared angrily at Ryan, who was now staring out the window. Kara's eyes widened at the language, but before she could comment, Ryan spoke.

“I used to give a damn, until she started taking in every stray she found.” Ryan's voice was harsh, and Kara's hands balled into fists. The boy was silent, ignoring what he had just heard.

“I'll take you to my mother,” Ryan stated, turning to Kara. “But she is very weak... and now she is speaking of crazy things.” He began to walk down the hallway, motioning for Kara to follow. “Last time I went in there, she was telling me that some spirit came to visit her, or something. The nurses say she's delirious and that it's not uncommon for people her age, especially now that her time has come.”

Her time has come? Kara crossed her arms and continued walking. That insensitive, selfish-

“Well, here's her room.” Ryan opened the door a few inches. “I have to make a quick visit to the funeral home, so that should give you enough time.” He turned around and briskly walked away, yelling at the boy to stay put and out of trouble.

Kara took a deep breath and opened the door. She had never been around someone so close to death. It seemed as if Mrs. Tanaka had been sick for as long as she could remember, but now...

“You came.” Kara nodded and walked toward the raspy voice. Mrs. Tanaka looked older than ever; her pale skin shriveled up and gray hair jutting out in splotches from her head. She turned her face with much effort to see her visitor. “I was hoping you'd get here, before it was too late.” She gasped for air. “Come closer, child.” Kara kneeled by the bed, grasping Mrs. Tanaka's fragile hand between her own.

“It's never too late; you shouldn't say things like that,” Kara pleaded, her eyes watering. If Tish had been her second mom, then Mrs. Tanaka had been her third. She had always stayed so strong, not only for herself, but also for everyone around her. She had devoted her life to the church, and was always there to lend a helping hand to those that needed it. Mrs. Tanaka had given whatever she had to everyone and had left little for herself. Even right now, with death knocking on her door, she was smiling.

“Time is not always on your side, dear, and will run out.” She coughed, and then continued. “My time is running out, and yours is counting down too.” Kara's eyes widened, but she stayed silent, waiting for Mrs. Tanaka to continue. “You have a very important test tonight, child, and before you know it, you'll have no time to prepare.” Kara was completely still. Was she talking about Spiritworld?

“Your friend, Kami, paid me a visit,” Mrs. Tanaka explained, pausing to take a breath. “Such a sweetheart. I am so grateful for the opportunity she gave me. It would be so lonely to die here, alone in my bed. Kami said that you should guide me to Spiritworld, and from there I would make my journey to eternity.” Kara gasped. If Mrs. Tanaka spoke to Kami, then everything was real? It wasn't a hallucination? She cleared her throat and spoke.

“Mrs. Tanaka, are you sure about this?” Kara asked, looking into the woman's weary eyes. “I've only been there once, and I don't even really know what I'm doing.” Her eyes searched the dim room, seeing that the life had been sucked out of it. “I didn't even know if it was real,” she continued, “until just now.” The woman's hand tightened her grip on Kara's.

“I know you may not think you're ready, so I'll be ready for the both of us,” Mrs. Tanaka whispered, closing her eyes. Kara glanced once more at the woman's face, and rested her head on the edge of the bed. Her legs were beginning to ache from kneeling, but it didn't compare to the pain she was feeling inside. She would be the one to lead this woman to her death. After letting out a soft sigh, she let her eyes close and spoke the words.

"I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place."

Kara's mind began to sway to a strange and beautiful rhythm. She felt as if she was spinning and slowly rising at the same time. Her breaths became slow and even, and she tried her best to keep a tight grip on Mrs. Tanaka's hand. Colors swirled, as if she was at the center of a kaleidoscope, and lights flashed to the beat around her. Everything seemed to be singing.

She felt weightless, like she was snuggled in the arms of someone who was carrying her to a place she knew and loved. It was almost like floating on water. The lights and colors moved around her, as if it all was a choreographed dance. Then she felt the stars around her; each singing its own little part in the great song; each giving off a small bit of light, and each trying their hardest.

Kara was tense. This was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. When Kami had taken her, the trip was short and intense, almost like being pulled through a waterfall. This time it was completely different. She felt like she was underwater; slowly rising to the surface, and everything around her was encouraging her on.

Suddenly aware of Mrs. Tanaka's hand in her own, Kara finally relaxed. At that moment, her consciousness began to tear away, and her mind became fuzzy, as if it wasn't completely hers. All of her memories seemed harder to reach and she felt like she couldn't control her body. Her limbs began to sway with the dance, though she did nothing to stop it, because before she knew it, she was there.

Kara looked around. They were in Spiritworld. It seemed to be night in the field they had arrived in, though it wasn't completely dark, for the stars and the heavens provided light. The air was coated with a slight chill, and the trees swayed in greeting. Kami was directly in front of them, dressed in a light blue dress, and bent low in a curtsy.

“I welcome you, Mrs. Kerri Tanaka to Spiritworld.” She looked to Kara. “And Kara, my little one, I welcome you back. You have my deepest gratitude for deciding to return; and we have much to do.”