Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Dream Weaver ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

A Nod of Thanks…Big hugs to my beta, Shrouded View. Thank you for not being afraid to tell me the brutal truth, no matter how hard it is for me to hear. You're the best! And to Melitot Proud Eye for the stunning portrait of Misao you illustrated for me. You can find it on her Deviant Art site under Melitot. Check it out!

 

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the sole property of Nobuhiro Watsuki

 

Dream Weaver

Chapter Four

An eerie silence had descended on the now-empty square. The only sound Kaoru could hear was the crackle and shifting wood of the bonfire. As she stared at Sano's unmoving body, Kaoru could feel the intensity of the amber gaze that was fixed on her, but she didn't dare meet it.

Rising on unsteady legs, Kaoru stumbled across the short distance to where Sano lay. Crouching down, she carefully brushed messy, brown bangs away to reveal blood flowing freely from a deep gash on his forehead.

“Oh…Sano…” Kaoru breathed as her free hand come up to cover her mouth, muffling the sob that had escaped. Kaoru quickly pulled the sash from around her waist, pressing the shimmering fabric firmly to Sano's wound in an attempt to staunch the flow.

`At least he's still breathing,' she thought, though she worried at the shallowness of those breaths.

As Kaoru stared at Sano, her mind was flooded with the memories of her childhood, of all the wonderful times she'd spent with her friend. For so long, it had been just the two of them…

` “Joined at the hip”…that's what Momma used to say…' she thought, tears gathering on her dark lashes. Sano and Kaoru…inseparable.

Now this man, Kenshin Himura, had finally returned for her - had come to take her away.

Kaoru felt something crack and break inside as fear-laced rage filled her. Kaoru fisted a hand in the material of her dress while the other continued to press on Sano's wound.

“Why are you doing this?” Kaoru's voice was flat and emotionless, despite what her white knuckles and trembling form betrayed. Sapphire eyes locked on Kenshin's as her faced melted into a tear-streaked mask of fury and sorrow. “What do you want from me?!” Kaoru's voice cracked on the question.

Kenshin slowly sheathed his sword, though he remained silent. Kaoru felt her control slipping in her desperation to understand why he did all of this. Where were the kind, violet eyes that haunted her dreams? Where was the gentle concern that had drawn her in despite herself?

“Answer me!” she screamed at him as she stood.

As Kaoru's confusion grew, so, too, did her anger. The air around her began to shimmer as Kaoru felt growing within her the now-familiar sensation of magic; however, this time it felt infinitely stronger than before. She focused on the building power and felt it pool deep within as she watched the man in front of her.

Kaoru's anger cried out for vengeance and the magic felt like a creature trying to claw its way out from inside her. She wanted to strike him down…to make him pay!

For her parents…for Sano…

Forgotten was his rescue from the garandou. Dismissed was the regret she saw in his eyes when she dreamed of him.

Kaoru felt an inexplicable…something…call from within her - something long dormant, but powerful which promised the retribution she sought. Flexing her hands instinctively in response to the inner call, Kaoru felt the tingle of sparks form at her fingertips. Kenshin's eyes moved immediately to her hands, and a hint of wariness flickered across his features.

“Kaoru…you must remain calm.” Cautiously, Kenshin stepped forward, one hand reaching out to placate her.

“Too late…” Kaoru growled, her voice deep, guttural and entirely not her own.

It was in that moment that her adversary finally moved, vanishing from where he stood only to appear in front of her in the blink of an eye.

Startled, Kaoru's concentration broke. Before she could register what was happening, Kenshin grasped the sides of her head, lifting her face so that she was forced to look into a swirl of amethyst and gold. Hypnotized by the shifting colors Kaoru felt excruciating pain rip through her body as Kenshin chanted words she did not understand. Clenching her eyes and crying out in agony, she reached up to claw at his hands, trying in vain to pry them away - to end the onslaught.

Despite her efforts, despite her screams, Kenshin continued his assault. White-hot light exploded behind her eyelids and in her mind, a second voice added itself to her cries.

No longer able to stand under the unbearable weight of whatever he was doing to her, Kaoru's arms fell limply to her sides. Her knees buckled, bringing Kenshin down with her.

The strange words echoed through her skull and wrapped themselves around her mind, pulling and ripping in blinding agony. Dimly, Kaoru became aware that Kenshin was no longer speaking. Strong hands no longer held her in a vise, but cradled the back of her head gently.

Through the fog of dulling pain, Kaoru felt herself lifted against a muscular chest as Kenshin rose with her in his arms. Too weak from whatever he'd done, she was unable to fight back. With great effort, Kaoru opened her eyes and looked up at Kenshin's face as she felt herself carried across the square.

Kenshin stopped before the bonfire. Carefully adjusting Kaoru in his arms, he extracted from his clothing a branch covered in crimson berries. Tossing the cutting into the flames, Kenshin summoned a small, fiery archway.

“No…please…” Kaoru's voice was barely audible, even to her ears.

Tightening his grip on her, Kenshin looked down into Kaoru's unfocused blue gaze, his own eyes completely violet again.

“Forgive me…” he whispered as he stepped through gateway, unaware of the bright eyes glittering with malice that watched them from the darkness outside the square.

Thin, grey lips curled over yellowing teeth as the stranger watched Himura step through the fiery portal. Mouth twisting into a smile of feral satisfaction, the dark-skinned creature sank into the earth and became one with the shadows.

xxx

Kenshin passed through the fiery tunnel between worlds, emerging in the stone circle on the other side moments later. In his arms he cradled a semi-conscious Kaoru. He did not regret what he'd done to her, only the immense pain it had caused. He'd never wanted to hurt her.

Pushing his guilt aside, he called for Misao knowing the girl would be lurking nearby.

“Yo, Himura! Over here!” Misao's high-pitched voice answer. Skipping into the light of the fires, she stopped short at the sight of the still girl in Kenshin's arms.

“What the hell happened?!” Misao exclaimed.

“I'll explain on the way. We need to get her back.”

Looking up at the full harvest moon, Kenshin estimated only few hours before sunrise, but he was not taking any chances. Approaching several well-armed men that stood waiting in the shadows, he hurriedly issued orders. Motioning for the captain to follow him, Kenshin swiftly approached where Misao waited with their horses.

Kenshin shifted Kaoru, murmuring her name and coaxing her back to wakefulness. With the aid of the captain, Kenshin carefully helped her onto his horse before settling himself behind her.

Wrapping a strong arm around Kaoru's waist, Kenshin secured her firmly against him. Grasping the reigns in his other hand, he urged the animal toward the nearby forest with a gentle word.

“Rest, Kaoru. It will be a while before we're there,” Kenshin murmured over her shoulder.

“What…did…you do…to me?” She meant the question to come out indignant, but it only sounded as groggy as she felt. Kaoru swayed gently with the movement of the horse, the rocking motion dulling her already strained senses.

“Shhhh…”

Kaoru felt Kenshin's arms tighten slightly around her, securing her more tightly against him. Softly he began to sing, his gentle baritone soothing her with what sounded like a children's lullaby.

Caitetyë cástye linuvan tyé lindë

Pel coranári va loo-li lai-lay

Ar liruvan tyé murmë ar liruvan tye enwa

Manyané melessë an tië i lelyas

Though she did not understand the meaning of the words Kenshin sang, they enveloped her with warmth like a familiar blanket. Something clenched within her at the feel of his arms around her and the soft timbre of his voice rumbling through her back. In spite of herself, Kaoru relaxed against him. Resting her forehead against the junction of his neck and shoulder, she slowly succumbed to the slumber the melody pulled her toward.

To his right, Kenshin heard Misao clear her throat quietly to catch his attention. Continuing to hum his gentle melody, Kenshin turned to look at the petite woman.

“Well?” she whispered. “What happened?”

Kenshin shook his head quietly and looked down at Kaoru. Misao sighed in frustration, never one to find patience a virtue; however, she understood Kenshin's desire to make sure Kaoru was fully asleep before discussing the night's events.

They continued at a moderate pace, the horses following the familiar forest path. Moonlight filtered through the tree canopy, dappling the forest floor in silvery scales. As Kenshin felt Kaoru drift into sleep, giving in to spell he wove with the song, he allowed some of the tension to leave his shoulders. Though he knew there were rough roads to come, for now, he would be satisfied that he had safely brought her through the gate.

The surge of magic Kaoru displayed in her village had surprised Kenshin. It was proof to him that she was as powerful as he believed, but she desperately needed training. His previous encounters with her had shown that Kaoru's emotions were volatile. This, combined with a lack of control over her magic, made the girl a dangerous creature.

`But if she learns to harness her gift…' he mused silently.

Certain that Kaoru was finally deep enough in her sleep not to be disturbed by conversation, Kenshin turned to Misao and began to quietly relate the events that took place after he passed through the portal. Misao was silent as she listened, her face furrowing slightly in concern.

As Kenshin finished his tale, Misao stared at him.

“A summoning?” Misao asked, her question full of disbelief.

Kenshin solemnly nodded his agreement. “I believe so.”

“But that would mean…”

“Yes,” Kenshin replied to the unfinished question.

“Woah…” she breathed, her tone filled with wonder.

Kenshin remained silent, allowing Misao to process the information.

“So you bound her magic,” Misao stated, wincing slightly. The binding of magic was extraordinarily painful. In essence, the spell stripped its victim of part of their being - stole a piece of their soul - to be contained until such time as the caster saw fit to return it.

“You know what would have happened if I hadn't.”

“Mmmm…yeah,” Misao replied softly, as she looked over at him.

Misao heard the regret in Kenshin's voice and she felt for him. He was arguably the greatest warrior their peoples had ever known, but his heart was that of a protector. His efforts to bring this girl to them had challenged that heart greatly.

Misao looked to the girl asleep in Kenshin's arms. Kaoru looked so innocent, almost childlike as she slept; however, if what Kenshin told her was true, he'd been right - appearances were deceiving when it came to this girl.

Silence once again fell between them as they began the ascent toward the abandoned mountain castle they used as a hideaway. Misao observed Kenshin silently from the corner of her eye as they rode on. She noted the way he held Kaoru - her head cradled between his neck and shoulder. The tension which always seemed to simmer under Kenshin's surface seemed to relax just a little.

`He almost looks…peaceful,' Misao thought with wonder. It was clear this girl had an affect on him, but to what extent exactly, she could not yet tell.

Filing her musings away for another time, Misao instead turned her attention toward guiding her mount up the rocky path toward their destination. They would arrive soon. The trees were thinning a bit now and she could see the glow of the coming dawn through the canopy.

xxx

Kenshin and Misao arrived at the deteriorating castle hideout just after the sun crested the eastern mountains. Immediately after seeing Kaoru safely settled into one of the unoccupied rooms, he called a meeting of his small council to discuss the evening's events. The result was the throbbing headache that now pulsed behind his eyes.

Saitoh was nearly apoplectic when he learned that the gate had been opened into a very public - very busy - area in a human settlement.

“Careless fool!” Saitoh growled at him, yellow eyes flashing.

Violet eyes glittered gold at the insult, though Kenshin's outward appearance remained calm. The truce between the two warriors was tentative, but necessary, and he would not let the older man goad him into reacting carelessly.

“We had no choice,” Kenshin replied evenly.

“If the gate was breached? What then?” snarled the Wolf.

“Do you think we're that stupid?” Misao yelled angrily, rising to her feet with fisted hands.

“No evidence to the contrary, Weasel.”

Misao opened her mouth to retort, but Kenshin quickly cut her off. “Sentries were placed on our side to deal with any…issues.”

Kenshin had risked a lot, too much in the opinion of some, to bring the girl here. Once opened, a gate remained until sunrise, allowing anyone and anything to pass between the human world and Ardhon.

Kenshin's thoughts were interrupted by Saitoh's patronizing drawl. “You are a fool, Himura. You and these other two idiots risk everything in pursuit of a fairy tale. This girl could be nothing more than a simple feychild who slipped through the veil! It's happened many times before.”

Kenshin remained quiet. He knew the wolf was right - there was no guarantee Kaoru was the one they sought. There was, however, little room for doubt in his mind after what he'd witnessed in the town square.

“The girl is powerful, Saitoh,” Aoshi intoned evenly. “She unknowingly casts arcane spells in the human world, a realm that has been devoid of magic for millennia. We all felt the power of the resurrection.”

“Enough!” Saitoh declared, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “The Eladrin are myth, Himura. Nothing more than stories told to children.” Turning away from the small group, he moved toward the door.

However, at the sound of Kenshin's voice behind him, Saitoh paused.

“Tell me something, Saitoh,” Kenshin quietly intoned. “Why did you agree to an alliance?”

His question was greeted with silence. When it was clear Saitoh would not answer, Kenshin continued. “Despite our mutual…distaste…for each other, you knew it was necessary.”

Saitoh made a noise of disgust, but before he could reply further, Kenshin spoke again.

“I have good reason to believe that Kaoru is more than just `a simple feychild,' as you put it.”

Turning once again, Saitoh faced the small group, his golden eyes fixed intently on Kenshin, one dark brow arched slightly to indicate his doubt.

“Oh? And what reasons would those be?” Silence and a steady violet gaze were Saitoh's only answers. “Withholding information is not the mark of a true ally, Himura,” he added, his tone low and threatening as he reached for his sword.

Aoshi stood, reaching for his twin swords, but paused when Kenshin spoke. “I have to ask that you trust me, Saitoh.”

The taller man snorted in disbelief. “Why would I do that?”

“There is no reason I could give that you would accept, Saitoh. However, we both know that the chances of defeating our enemy will be that much greater if our peoples are united.”

Saitoh considered these words carefully for several minutes.

“You have three days,” he finally said. “Show me evidence the girl is what you claim or you and your little band of misfits are on your own.” With that, he turned on his heel and left.

Once the door was firmly shut, Misao, unusually silent during the exchange, rounded on Kenshin, red-faced and trembling.

“Why didn't you tell him?” she demanded

“Misao,” Aoshi laid a hand on the small woman's shoulder. His tone held a note of warning.

“You have proof, Himura, and you still don't tell him. Why?” Green eyes flashed as she shrugged off Aoshi's hand.

“Because I don't have proof, Misao,” replied the redhead, leaning his head against the back of his chair, eyes closed and mouth turned down in a slight frown. “While I have little doubt about Kaoru's identity, things are sometimes not all they seem.”

“She was summoning,” Misao said through clenched teeth as she tried to calm herself.

“Perhaps, but I never actually saw the ëala.”

Sighing heavily, Kenshin pushed away from the table and walked toward the open windows, looking out on the valley awash in the early morning light. The brilliant colors of autumn set the hills on fire, though he barely noticed.

“What about your dreams?” he heard Misao ask.

“What about them?” Kenshin questioned in kind. “Saitoh doesn't believe in the Eladrin, Misao. He will not believe what he can't see with his own eyes.

“It is clear that she is powerful, but Saitoh wants proof of Kaoru's heritage,” Kenshin continued wearily. “Having her here will make it easier to get that, Misao. Here, we will be able to help her control her magic.”

“But three days?!” exclaimed Misao. “It's not enough time…”

“Get some sleep, Himura. It's been a long night for everyone.” Aoshi's deep, steady voice carried across the room, cutting across Misao and silencing her arguments. Kenshin could almost feel the glare he was sure Misao was directing at the tall man.

Though he did not turn, Kenshin nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Through the din of his thoughts, Kenshin heard his friends leave the room, Misao muttering under her breath while Aoshi calmly tried to placate her.

A shift in the room's atmosphere alerted Kenshin to a new presence. Glancing quickly over his shoulder, he saw the ranger captain he'd left at the stone circle earlier.

“Hannya, how did it go?”

“We didn't run into any trouble with the gate.”

Kenshin mentally sighed with relief. “And our guests?”

“There was some resistance, even after I explained, but they are safely housed in a spare room.”

“Good. Keep a close eye on those two. We don't need Saitoh killing them because they did something stupid.”

Hannya turned to leave, but hesitated at the door. “Himura?” he asked, facing Kenshin once more. “May I ask why they are here?”

“Because she needs them, Hannya,” Kenshin replied quietly.

Hannya nodded his understanding before exiting the room, leaving Kenshin alone once again.

With the ranger dismissed, Kenshin turned to once again stare absently out the window. Saitoh's ultimatum complicated things. The most powerful magic users spent years, sometimes decades, learning to harness and control their abilities. Now Kaoru would have to master a talent she'd rediscovered only a week ago. Had it not been for Kenshin's presence in her dreams, she might still be unaware. Kaoru's anadraí had been leeching off him each time he entered her dreams, storing magic until it had finally made itself known through a fëafelmë spell the night the foal was born.

The problem was that Kaoru had been unable to control how much magic she put into the spell. Instinct had taken over and she'd poured literally everything into it, including some of her own life force, in the effort to resurrect the stillborn animal. The strength of the spell was powerful enough to send shockwaves through the veil into Ardhon, alerting all magic users, both light and dark, to Kaoru's existence. It had also plunged her into the shadowy garandou, leaving her vulnerable to any who found her within it.

`But she is here now where we can keep her safe,' Kenshin thought with some relief.

“I will keep her safe,” he whispered determinedly.

Making his way down the hall to his own room, Kenshin paused outside Kaoru's door. Placing a long-fingered hand on the ancient wood, he closed his eyes and reached out for her. Sensing her deep, but somewhat restless slumber, Kenshin murmured a few words under his breath to strengthen the ward on her door. The magic infused into the melody he'd sung should ensure she slept a while longer.

Kenshin entered his chamber, pulling off his tunic and tossing the garment unceremoniously on the end of the bed. He collapsed, exhausted, onto his pillows, barely pulling the sheet over him as he went.

Kenshin closed his eyes but knew that sleep would not be quick in coming. His head was throbbing so badly he could feel his heartbeat in his temples. They had just three days to test Kaoru's magic and teach her to control it. In that time, he also needed to prove who she was not only to Saitoh, but to Kaoru herself.

Kenshin rubbed calloused hands over his face and groaned frustration. He needed to find a way to gain the girl's trust. Everything else would be impossible out it. With any luck, having her meet the other new arrivals would be the first step forward.

Right now, however, he needed rest. Focusing on his breathing, he allowed his mind to empty of all but Kaoru. His last thoughts before succumbing to sleep were of sapphire eyes and raven hair.

xxx

Kaoru's eyes fluttered heavily, her semi-conscious mind vaguely aware of familiar presence reaching out to her. Latching onto it, she was once again embraced by velvety darkness. Burrowing deeper into the blankets covering her, Kaoru rolled onto her side, smiling faintly in her sleep as she dreamed of happier times.

xxx

Kaoru was a child once more. Sitting cross-legged on the braided hearth rug, she played with a small rag doll, oblivious to the man who materialized into existence in a far corner of the room.

The toy Kaoru held wasn't much more than a bundle of soft cotton rope, tied into a loose semblance of a human figure. It wasn't fancy or expensive, but to Kaoru's four-year-old mind, it was precious.

It was her “baby”, and just like Momma's new baby, it was to be handled with the greatest care. Small white teeth worried her lower lip as she gently wrestled the doll into its miniature clothing. Managing to finally maneuver the tiny dress on, her careful treatment of the “baby” was momentarily forgotten in a feeling of triumph.

“Yes!” she cried, thrusting the doll into the air, fingers curled firmly around its neck. “Momma, wook! I dwess Baby a' by my sef!”

“Careful Kaoru. You will hurt Baby if you hold her that way.” Kaida Kamiya softly reprimanded her daughter from where she sat holding her sleeping infant son. A gentle smile touched Kaida's lips as her dark eyes twinkled merrily.

Kaoru's remorse for Baby's mistreatment was instantaneous. Pulling the doll into a hug that would have cracked ribs were it real, Kaoru crooned soothing words of apology. Pulling back she gazed into the blank face, stroking it gently as her fingertips softly glowed.

“Dere! Baby betta now, Momma,” Kaoru exclaimed happily, raising her blue eyes back to her mother.

“That's good,” Kaida replied tiredly, her eyelids drooping. Lethargic from the warmth and weight of the sleeping baby laying on her breast, Kaoru's mother rested her head against the back of the rocking chair, eyes closed, and slowlydrifted to sleep.

Kenshin emerged from the shadows where he'd been watching the scene. Over the past year, he and Kaoru had shared many dreams, though ones of her childhood were rare. Curious about what might be revealed in this memory, Kenshin walked across the room before coming to kneel next her.

To Kenshin's surprise, Kaoru turned to look the small red-headed man next to her, completely unphased by his appearance.

“Hi!” Kaoru replied smiling brightly. “What your name?”

Startled by her notice of him, it was a moment before Kenshin found his voice.

“I'm Kenshin.”

“Will you play wif me, Kenny?”

“If you like.” Kenshin smiled at the nickname.

“I be the mommy and you be the daddy, `kay?”

Kenshin couldn't help by chuckle. This young version of Kaoru was just too cute to resist.

“Okay. What's your baby's name?” he asked.

“Our baby,” Kaoru corrected.

Clearing his throat to cover his amusement, Kenshin posed his question again. “What's her name?”

Kaoru shrugged, as she fussed over the doll's dress. The little girl began to hum softly and Kenshin recognized within the broken melody the lullaby he'd sung to the adult Kaoru.

“You haven't given her a name?” Kenshin asked, curious.

Kaoru shook her head. “Nuh uh,” she replied before continuing to hum.

“Such a beautiful baby should have a name, don't you think?”

Kaoru propped a round cheek in one hand as she regarded the doll closely. Moments later, the child's face lit up. “Sha'ilya!” she declared.

“That's a very pretty name.” Kenshin did not to let his surprise at the child's choice show.

Kaoru nodded enthusiastically, her black pigtails bobbing with the movement.

“Do you know someone with that name?”

Kaoru's mouth turned down in a small frown as she tried to remember. Suddenly, the child's rosy lower lip started to tremble and Kenshin saw a single tear fall, leaving a dark stain on her doll's dress.

“Kaoru?” He questioned gently.

Kaoru hugged her doll tightly against her chest as tiny sobs escaped her lips.

“What is it, little one?” Kenshin coaxed softly.

Kaoru squeezed her eyes shut and only cried harder. Kenshin reached out and rested his hand comfortingly on the child's dark head.

“You can tell me.” Although he already suspected the answer, he needed her to confirm it. With any luck the adult Kaoru would remember after she awoke.

“Emilinya…” came the choked reply.

“Your mother?” From the tears, Kenshin knew Kaoru was not referring to the woman dozing in the chair. The child was probably not even aware she'd spoken not in the human tongue, but that of the elves.

Kaoru nodded, sobbing harder as she bowed her head toward her chest.

“Kaoru, yétalyen,” Kenshin spoke gently to the child in the Elvin tongue, hoping it would coax the memory from her. Reaching out, he gently turned the round tear-stained face toward him.

“Look at me, little one,” he repeated softly. Liquid sapphire eyes rose to meet violet. The pain Kenshin saw in them made his heart ache.

With gentle fingers, Kenshin wiped away some of the tears that flowed freely from those large eyes. He knew forcing her to remember was causing her more pain, but Kaoru's mind had made her forget in order protect her. Remembering was the first step to confirming who she really was.

“Did something happen to her?” Kenshin asked gently, continuing to wipe away falling tears.

Kaoru nodded slowly still looking up at him, her eyes impossibly wide.

“Nyarní martanës,” he coaxed softly, pulling the child into his strong arms. “Tell me what happened to her.”

“Ní nahtanë sé!” cried Kaoru pushing away from Kenshin as hard as her little arms could. Springing to her feet, she bolted from the room.

“Kaoru!” Kenshin called after the child, but the dream faded around Kenshin, the child's confession echoing in the darkness

I killed her…

xxx

A scream echoed through the halls, startling Kenshin awake. Kenshin leapt from his bed, throwing his tunic back on as he raced to Kaoru's room.

Quickly, Kenshin dispelled the ward protecting Kaoru's door with a sweep of his hand before bursting into the room. There he found Kaoru sitting on the bed hugging her legs, sobbing. She did not look up as he entered but kept her face hidden.

“Kaoru?” Kenshin spoke her name gently as he closed the door behind himself. He approached her cautiously, certain that his presence would be unwelcome.

Kaoru looked up, sapphire eyes wide and startled. He stepped closer to the bed expecting her to skitter away from him; surprisingly, however, she did not. Instead, she stared up at him with large, teary eyes, filled with so much confusion and pain. The look reminded him forcibly of the four-year-old Kaoru.

Kaoru whimpered, clasping the back of her head and hiding her face against her knees. “Momma, Papa, Sano…” Kaoru sobbed, clenching her eyes closed as she tried to escape the images forever burned on her mind.

Now, there was a new vision to add to the nightmarish images of her parents and Sano…that of a woman she didn't know…

`And yet I do…' Kaoru thought.

“Who is she?” Kaoru whispered aloud to herself as her sobs slowly subsided.

“Who do you mean, Kaoru?” he asked carefully.

Kaoru lifted her head slightly, staring blankly at the bed sheets. “A woman…so familiar…but I don't…” she whispered brokenly before her voice faded and she was lost in thought.

When Kaoru looked up at him again, Kenshin could see realization dawning in her eyes.

“You know, don't you?” she whispered, her gaze hardening. Before Kenshin could reply, she continued, her voice steadily rising with her increased agitation. “Of course you know. You're the key to this whole nightmare!”

“Kaoru, you need to…” Kenshin began, trying to stave off the coming anger.

“What?” Kaoru interrupted angrily as she slipped from the bed to stand before him. “I need to what? Calm down? You have torn my life apart!”

Kenshin caught her right wrist effortlessly when her hand reached up to strike him. Spinning her around, Kenshin captured Kaoru's other wrist and crossed the two over her chest, firmly trapping her within the circle of his strong arms.

Kaoru struggled fruitlessly against his grasp. “Let me go!” she demanded, fighting the grip with all her strength.

“Don't fight me,” he softly commanded. Panting from her efforts, Kaoru slumped in Kenshin's arms.

“Kaoru, I…” He hesitated. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“Then why?” Kaoru asked, her broken voice so quiet Kenshin barely heard her.

His breath ruffled the hair near Kaoru's ear as he released an audible sigh, and Kenshin felt a small shiver ripple down her spine. “Kaoru, you need to rest.”

“No, I…” Kaoru began to protest.

“I will answer all your questions tomorrow.”

Before she could reply, Kenshin began to hum the same lullaby he'd sung the previous night. The trembling in Kaoru's shoulders eased and that same sense of comfortable warmth filled her again. Feeling the pull of sleep, Kaoru allowed Kenshin to ease her back to the thick mattress. Reaching down, he pulled the heavy coverlet over her small frame. A deep, dreamless sleep claimed Kaoru moments later.

For several minutes, Kenshin sat next to her just watching her steady rhythm of her breathing. As he considered what his next steps would be, he reached out to brush away a few stray ebony strands that had fallen across Kaoru's pale cheek.

xxx

Stepping from Kaoru's room, Kenshin found Aoshi and Misao waiting in the hallway, whispering in low, urgent tones.

“What has happened?” Aoshi asked, breaking off his conversation with Misao.

“She's begun to remember, but…” Kenshin frowned as he thought about the day's events.

“What is it Kenshin?” Misao asked.

“Let's not talk here,” Aoshi suggested solemnly when Kenshin hesitated.

Kenshin nodded. Turning, he led his friends to the sitting room attached to his bed chamber.

Aoshi and Misao settled themselves onto one of the couches while Kenshin paced in front of the cold fireplace, taking a few moments to order his thoughts.

“I was pulled into another of Kaoru's dreams today,” he finally said.

“Really?”

Kenshin nodded. “I'm as surprised as you are, Misao, especially considering what happened last night.”

“I take it this was not her usual dream of last Samhain,” Aoshi said.

“No, this was a different memory altogether. She was a child, four, maybe five years old.”

Misao and Aoshi sat quietly as they listened to Kenshin recount the details of the dream, Misao's eyes widening slightly when he said Kaoru had spoken in the language of Ardhon.

“This is not the first time I have dreamed of the child Kaoru, but she has never been so young, nor has she allowed me to interact with her.”

“Why now?” Misao asked.

“I don't know,” Kenshin replied.

“It seems this memory is from not long after she disappeared,” Aoshi reasoned. Kenshin nodded his agreement, but remained silent.

“But you said she remembered Sha'ilya, right? Isn't that a good thing?” asked Misao.

“It is,” replied Kenshin. “I had not expected her to remember anything so soon. Unfortunately, it seems the recollection hasn't fully carried over to her conscious memory. We won't know how much she remembers until she wakes up again.”

`If she's willing to talk to us,' Kenshin added to himself.

“So what now?” asked Misao, looking between the two men.

“Because of Saitoh's ultimatum, time is not on our side,” Kenshin replied, frowning. “I think, Aoshi, it may be time for us to pay our guests a visit. I believe they are essential to gaining Kaoru's trust. However, they must first understand and accept the situation before we approach her again.”

xxx

Kenshin and Aoshi walked across the sunlit courtyard toward the fortress-castle's northern wing while they discussed different ways to approach the task ahead. After climbing several flights of stairs, they found themselves in front of a heavy door where Hannya was talking intently to a guard.

“Hannya,” Kenshin interrupted, gaining the captain's attention.

“Himura, Shinomori…” Hannya began, but was interrupted by a loud commotion from inside the room.

“What's going on in there?” Aoshi asked, arching a dark eyebrow. From through the thick door, they could hear an exasperated feminine voice steadily rising in pitch as its owner began to lose her control.

“It seems one of them is giving the good doctor problems. I think she's about ready to re-injure him,” Hannya replied.

“Awww…c'mon, Foxy. Don't be mad…I was only kidd-ahh-ing!” exclaimed a man from behind the door, his deep voice strained by pain. “Geez, lady, did you have to wrap it so tight?”

“Obviously Kenshin didn't hit you on the head hard enough. Maybe I should finish the job!” yelled the woman in return. Her declaration was followed by a string of choice epithets that caused Kenshin's brows to disappear behind his ruddy bangs. Even Aoshi's normally stoic face cracked a smirk of amusement.

“I don't think Saitoh's the one we have to worry about, Himura,” Hannya said, his mask hiding his own grin.

At that, the door was yanked open by a tall woman dressed in healer's robes, her elegant face red with fury. The men outside quickly schooled their features, hiding their mirth. Seeing Kenshin outside the door, she turned her intense glare on him. “Do not expect me to treat that…that…idiot again, Kenshin.”

“Megumi,” Kenshin replied, giving a small bow of respect. “Thank you for seeing to our guest.”

“Pfft!” With a flip of her long hair, Megumi pivoted on her heel and marched away.

“Well, Aoshi, shall we?” Aoshi inclined his head slightly as he followed Kenshin through the door.

The room's seemingly only occupant lay sprawled shirtless on the bed with his eyes closed. The lower portion of his muscular torso was wrapped heavily in white dressings, a matching bandage circling his head. At the sound of the door opening, the man did not open his eyes, but spoke instead.

“Back already, gorgeous?”

“I wouldn't count on Megumi returning to see you any time soon, my friend,” Kenshin replied, smirking.

Startled by the unexpectedly masculine voice, the man sat up quickly, but immediately regretted his actions. Grabbing his head, he fought to keep his vision from swimming as he looked toward the two figures standing at the end of the bed.

Recognition flashed across his face as his gaze focused on Kenshin. “You!”

“Hello, Sanosuke,” said Kenshin, his voice low. Violet eyes made a swift sweep of the room. “Where is Yahiko?”

xxx

A/N: Thanks so much for reading.

 

For any who are curious, Kenshin's song as well as our favorite couple's brief stint into another language is based on Tolkien's Quenya language, one of his most fully formed tongues. I found some amazing online resources that helped me decipher some of it. I did my best to follow the structure as I understood it from the texts I read. Hopefully I haven't brutalized it too badly.

 

The song which Kenshin sings to Kaoru is actually a translation of the first verse of “Sleepsong” by Secret Garden. The English lyrics are:

 

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay

And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love for the road that you go.