Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Desire ❯ La Torretta, Il Messaggero, La Comodita ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter II: The Tower, The Messenger, The Comfort

It felt so surreal; like hanging upside down on a tree branch. All the blood seemed to drain from his face and left him feeling numb. He felt the pumping in his head like a hammer, not so subtle, and he felt his heart go into meltdown. He knew what was happening although it appeared to him like an out-of-body experience. He saw it, but he was so far removed from the situation that it was as if he was watching Noh. But like the theater experience, the scenes affected him. Greatly.

He can see each teardrop depart from Kaoru's eyes as another batch filled them to the brim. Some of the moisture attached themselves to her eyelashes and appeared like diamond dusts, carved from pain and disillusionment. He wanted to reverse time, needed to deny what she had just heard. But the tongue is always giving, never taking anything back. He felt his eyes sting with the same liquid diamonds.

The saké at her feet pooled around her and reflected the light of tonight's golden moon. Her lower lip quivered as she uttered once more his name, always the same; so trusting, so loving, so weakening. Her tone was questioned him about who those genuflecting people are, especially the semi-clad woman in front of him, and why they called him "Your Grace." Her eyes were full of questions, her mind in obvious turmoil, her heart tattered to shreds. And so was his.

"Kaoru." No endearments, no honorifics. Just the sound of his very soul, the very name which he has caressed just that afternoon; a name which he would never forget for eternity. Kenshin looked at her, so afraid, so timid and all of his sadness translated to anger towards the ethereal intruders. He glanced at them fiercely, warning them to do no further damage than they already have. He started towards her, slowly at first; his eyes forming somber pools of despair and sorrow. And love.

He reached for her, attempted to hold her. She reluctantly gave in to his embrace, needed his warmth and assurance more than anything in the world. She crushed her face to his chest and breathed in feebly, "Are you really a god?"

That question struck him like a blow to the face. He tilted her face to look at her softly. She smiled sadly at him and laughed, "Of course you are; you have god-speed because of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, ne Kenshin, ne?"

She looked at him imploringly, all hopes erased from her heart. He lowered his lashes apologetically, confirming what she had heard earlier wordlessly. His hands dropped away from her, sensing her muted disbelief. But just in case she would faint, he kept them within close range.

"Koibito, I'm sorry if I didn't tell you before…I thought the Ascension wouldn't come until…" he trailed off.

"My death?" her face was blank, yet full of sadness.

"No. You will not die," he said softly, conviction permeated his tone. He lightly touched her forearm and hoped against all hopes she would trust him through all these.

"Kenshin, will you leave me? Again?" No, no. Not again.

A short, derisive snort faded in the background. This snapped the two out of their reverie. Kenshin sighed impatiently. Suddenly, as if they were just figments of Kaoru's imagination, the yard was empty. He looked at her only to see her sinking to the ground. He swiftly supported and cradled her to him. The tears that threatened to flow were now unleashed, the two of them mourning for their fated love.

"Anou, Kenshin…" a familiar voice.

"Sano. Could you - give us a minute?" he asked.

"Does this mean we have to go back to Heaven?" the taller man queried and seemed unperturbed by the news.

This didn't escape Kaoru's grieving mind. "What," she breathed heavily, "you knew about this, Sano?" Her incredulous tone made the two men flinch.

He scratched his head nervously. "Gomen, Jou-chan. Like Kenshin, I thought the Ascension wouldn't happen for another hundred years. There was no need to worry you…"

"Baka!" she screamed at them, "tell me, how am I supposed to take in all of these?" her tears coursed endlessly, like a river of molten anguish.

"With unwavering love and perfect trust?" another person entered the room. It was Megumi, who was carrying an unconscious Yahiko. She handed him over to Sanosuke and walked toward Kenshin and Kaoru, who figured that she too, knew about the secret.

"Would you like me to give you a sleeping tonic? It might help you rest. You are tired. We can talk about this tomorrow, aren't I right, Ken-san?" Megumi asked softly.

Kenshin nodded. He looked down at his precious bundle who cowered at his chest. "How do you feel, beloved?"

A short moment.

"I feel betrayed," she whispered. "I feel so damn betrayed!" with that, she pushed herself away from Kenshin and leapt to the nearest corner. Kenshin looked at her helplessly.

"What have you done to Yahiko?" she seethed.

It was Megumi who answered. "He is resting. He has just received his pendant a while ago for he too, is one of the Pillars." She breathed in deeply and continued, "I suppose you want to be enlightened about this deity fiasco. Very well. What you heard is true. Sano, Yahiko and I are Pillars. Sano is The Tower, Yahiko is The Messenger and I am The Comfort," she paused for effect, "and Ken-san is our master."

"He is our god. He keeps the Equilibrium in perfect order to keep us alive. Or at least, that is his job, if he accepts it. Don't you see, he is willing to sacrifice the fate of the whole world for you, and here you are making it all difficult for us." She sighed.

"I'm sorry, it's just that, I've grown to love you too, and this life. And I couldn't bear to see Ken-san miserable again…" Megumi amended.

Silence grew, tears flowed, uncertainty intensified. Kaoru stood and took Yahiko from Sano's arms. She stroked his face gently and noticed the dangling chrysolite from his neck. She fingered it, wondering how such a small trinket could change someone's life forever.

"But he's too young, don't you think?" she said softly. "And how about his messenger business? Would he deliver notes and letters to you and to other people?"

Sano chuckled softly. "No, Jou-chan, that chrysolite symbolizes fame, dignity and protection, a fitting emblem for him," he explained softly. He tucked his fingers under his shirt and revealed his own pendant. "Mine's topaz for strength and Megumi's chalcedony for serenity and peace."

Kaoru only nodded and settled Yahiko down on the floor. She moved towards the silent Kenshin, whose eyes were hidden beneath his bangs. She placed her palm on the crown of his head. He kept it bowed.

"Would you like to have dinner now, Kaoru-do…Kaoru-koishii?" he asked.

"Mhhm. But I'm afraid the food's gone cold and the saké is no more," she invited. "Deities do eat, don't they?" she laughed. She was the only one who did. Soon, her laughs turned to shallow tears. They don't seem so alien to her at that moment, only tiring, only draining.

"What are we going to do now?" she said amidst her sobs.

And the only thing left whole was the moon.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

"Ah, so you are awake, my friend. Have you heard of the good news?" a voice asked his companion.

"Rather, I have felt it. Have you found the Light?" he asked while wiping his spectacles.

"Not a moment wasted, have you? If we're going to work together we have to establish some, shall we say, rapport?"

"Agreed. Is our mutual hatred for the Battousai enough?" he said and placed his lenses on the bridge of his nose.

"Aa. But our intentions stem differently. Whilst you want Heaven's revenge, I want my rightful position."

The other man said nothing while he retrieved his sword from its rack. He was about to go out the door when his new comrade called after him,

"Whatever you do, don't let your existence be known."

"Don't worry, Shishio, I am The Shadow."

Another chapter done. The reference to the Twelve Pillars is based from the Revelations. The research material for the meaning of the precious stones is the Encyclopedia of Gems.

Thank you, readers and reviewers.

EbonyFox