Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Oblivion ❯ Chapter 8

Standard disclaimers apply. For the nth time: I'm so broke, I don't have money to win law suits okay? ^_^;

What if some things went wrong from the way Kenshin planned things for the Aoiya's defense while fighting Shishio-and the love of his life being the one to suffer his mistake? Can K&K still triumph over the trials thereafter?

"Oblivion"

Chapter Eight

I don't feel anything…

Where am I…?

I feel so light…

Megumi froze in fright. Seeing Kenshin's inconsolable reaction, "Ken-san…"

Trembling, she fainted into the arms of the weeping Oniwaban women.

The event did not stir Misao, who still stood at the end of Kaoru's futon. She glanced at the two fainted bodies of Kenshin, and by his and Kaoru's side, the unconscious Megumi-who was being attended to by Omasu, also now crying herself.

This cant be happening…

Her eyes continued to roam around. She walked slowly towards Kaoru's body.

She could see her big bright eyes were closed…

Her usual naturally rosy-colored cheeks pale from the sudden seizure lapse…

Her lips were shut thinly…

Her skillful but lifeless hands still clutched Kenshin's garment…

I don't believe this…

Misao began to step back, her eyes still wide in shock and hesitation.

Okina was about to rush towards her but felt a lingering presence get passed by him heading for her. He stopped.

Misao started to tremble, her hands shook as her fingers touched her lips-as if she could get some words to force out of her mouth…

But there was none…

N-no… Kaoru-chan…

She called to Kaoru in her mind. K-kaoru…?

Kaoru's eyes did not open to heed her call.

"K-kaoru-" Misao's voice began to stutter.

For the first time in her life, she needed someone desperately to hold on to. Her knees began to buckle, her balance failing.

Two strong arms came to her rescue before she touched the ground. Feeling lightheaded, her eyelids fluttered open slowly. "A-aoshi-sama…" she stared up to him.

"Misao… be strong," Aoshi replied and looked at her apologetically. "Kamiya-san would want it that way."

The serenity in his face took away her sorrow for a moment but as his words sank in her consciousness, it came back instantly.

Tears began to fall from her eyes. Like a small child, she held on to Aoshi's gi and sobbed miserably.

Aoshi was startled with Misao's gesture. Looking down at her as she clutched at his garment, he stroked her back attempting to give her some solace.

At that moment, they heard quick feet padding towards the room.

Yahiko, unaware of what's happening around them, quickly laid the cold pail of water near Kaoru's futon. Shoving an arm to his forehead to wipe the trickling sweat, Okina hovered in front of him, face plastered with poignant expression.

Yahiko's brows arched. His ears suddenly became sensitive to the loud cries of Okon, the silent musings of Omasu to the unconscious Megumi and finally the grief-stricken Misao in one corner, being calmed by the still passive Aoshi.

What the-?

He looked back at Okina, whose expression did not change. Finally succumbing to the urge of knowing what was going on, "What the hell's happening here?"

Before Okina could even speak, Sano barged inside, carrying Megumi's medicine kit. "Hey kitsune… here it-" his last word was cut off by the scene that lay before him.

"Sano," Yahiko called from Okina's side. "Everybody's actin' weird," he said pointing to the others. Raising a brow, he yanked at them. "Hey! Cut the crap people! You all look like somebody just…"

"…Jou-chan," Sano rushed over to her bedside. He began to rub her hands over and over like frenzy. "C'mon now, Jou-chan… wake up please," he said.

Yahiko's mouth dropped open. He automatically glanced over to Kaoru's futon, eyeing her meticulously. She remained firm and stiff to Sano's call.

He looked around him and reality started to penetrate in his mentality.

Okina placed a hand on his shoulder.

Yahiko glanced over to him, displeasing whatever Okina was about to say…

"Yahiko-chan… your sensei, Kamiya Kaoru… had just passed away."

Is this the end…?

Finally…

Kaoru…

Hmm?

Hime-chan…

Who goes there?

You don't remember me?

Gomen… show yourself.

I will, you just wait there, ne?

B-but…

We will see each other soon…

Wait…!

Then come…

What is this place…

I feel like I'm flying…

Where are you taking me?

To the truth, dear princess.

…the 'truth'? W-what do you mean by that…?

Silly… can't you wait a little longer?

Mou! I can't! Honestly!

Haha! You're still the same Kaoru we've always known…

W-wha-? 'We?' You mean there's more of you around?

Of course! I can't possibly help you solely!

Hep-hep! You begin to sound like I have a problem when actually I don't have and FEEL like having one…

Believe me, you don't have any idea of what you're saying. You'll soon face them one-by-one, I tell you. And you're not supposed to be feeling like that, anyway.

Uh-huh? Is that so? You're gonna give me problems? Fine. I'll leave you now…

Where are you going?

I'm going home…

And do you KNOW exactly where your 'home' is?

Uhmm…

Okay now…

Mou! Okay, you won-I lost. What do you need from me?

Me? I don't need anything from you. I think what you mean is otherwise…

And what would I WANT from somebody… errr, 'something' that I don't even see!

I've already told you you're gonna see me…

I still have clear eyes, you know.

But not as yet.

Fine. When, then?

Once you…

I what?

Never mind. You'll get to there anyway.

Mou! I'm outta here…

You STAY here!

Huh? *gulp* Now you're beginning to sound like…

Like who?

Like…

"…"

Somebody I know that I don't know!Awww, don't mind me. I don't remember who!

THAT'S precisely why I'm with you right now-

-to teach me how to sound stupid?

Ha-ha. Nice try. Of course not, to help you remember, silly!

Help me remember? Why? Did I forget something?

Not 'someTHING', but someone…

…

…

What?

'What' too?

You know, this all sounds crazy, ne? How could I possibly…

"Kaoruuuu!!!" Yahiko screamed. He hastened over to Kaoru and shook her shoulders. "Kaoru! Wake up! I said, WAKE UUUPPP!!!" he wailed uncontrollably.

Okina held Yahiko and tried to calm him down

Sano could not hide his true feelings anymore. He moaned miserably and stared blamefully at Kaoru.

"Jou-channn…" he called on to her. "Y-you can't do this to us…"

Sano stood and walked limply to a beam. He muttered under his shallow breath, "What now, Jou-chan… what will become of us…?"

Yahiko was still crying hysterically in the arms of the old man. Each sob sends goosebumps all over the body of each of the persons inside the room mourning over Kaoru Kamiya.

Misao, who was a bit calmer now than Yahiko, only stared silently at the boy. She knows how much he loves Kaoru, she was more than just his kenjutsu sensei; she was his beloved sister, a mother and a friend. Underneath those taunts and frequent insults, it was evident how much he 'respects' and protects Kaoru in the most possible way he could. He even risked his young life countless times just for her… especially during this last fight with Shishio.

She glanced over the rooster-head and sighed at his condition; he was as devastated as Yahiko. His Jou-chan was irreplaceable. Nobody gave him as much importance as Kaoru did. Nobody would just welcome a street fighter unconditionally inside a home as she did. Nobody gave him free food and entertained him tirelessly as she did. Nobody smiles at him brightly no matter how naïve he may be… only Kaoru. His Jou-chan.

And now…

Misao shuddered again at the thought. She huddled up against Aoshi's chest, who continued to make her feel relaxed by stroking her arms as he once again felt the sudden stir of her emotions.

What are they doing…?

As you can see they're crying.

But why?

They're sad, of course!

I mean, about what?

…

Kami…

???!?

T-the girl over t-there…

What about her? *grins*

… she looks like m-me!

Of course she does not just look like you… that's because she's YOU, for heaven's sake!

M-me…?

…

Am I dead?

…

Mou! I'm floating…

…

I think I'm gonna faint…

???

Heyy! Aren't you gonna tell me anything?

… *looks at other directions*

!!!

I thought you don't want to have ANY problems?

I'm just curious.

Don't look like it.

It does.

Does not.

Does…

… not.

*sighs* Oh-kay, I'm sorry. Now will you tell me what's goin' on?

That's more I like it. Now, if I ask you to tell me something about yourself would you be able to say at least anything?

…

I'll take that as a nos. See? You don't remember anything because you had forgotten 'your life'.

…

My job here is to help you remember. You are one important person, Kaoru-hime, you just don't know how…

M-me? Important?

Can't you see from the way the little boy cried? Silly…

Ow.

And once you have regained your memory you'd wish you'd be back with those people around you down there…

D-do you think so?

Of course.

Why…?

What 'why'?

I mean, why do you want to help me? I don't even know you yet. You won't even show yourself to me…

Its because its not yet time to.

But do I really get to see you?

Yes, Hime-chan.

Okay. Hey wait… you always call me 'Hime-chan'. Only one person calls me that…

And that would be who? *smiles*

I don't remember. But I know there's ONE that calls me that…!

Onto the next chapter…