Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Standing Tall ❯ Unexpected Guest ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: *points to Watsuki-sama's sakabatou* NOT MINE.

It had been a tiring day indeed. From early that morning until almost 10 at night, everyone was at the Aoiya re-building. According to Misao and Sano, who were somehow working together and not calling each other names, if they worked hard for the next three days, they'd be able to finish re-building the frame and the first floor, and then be able to move on to the second.

When they returned, Sae had graciously made them all a lovely dinner. The group sat down and ate peacefully, which kinda surprised to Shirobeko owner. In fact, there wasn't a single 'Busu', 'Tori-atama', 'Itachi Musume', 'Yahiko-chan', and even 'Baka' used at all. They must have really tired themselves out.

But not all good things last long, Sae noticed when Megumi came down to join them. Almost immediately the bickering between doctor and fighter began, and that started the onset of the usual 'nicknames' just mentioned.

Even that didn't last long, as dinner was complete and everyone returned to their respective rooms, all except for Kaoru. She may have been tired, but she wanted to check up on Kenshin. She was afraid he was having more nightmares, and if they were anything like the one she witnessed last night, she wanted to be at his side to comfort him.

Kaoru acended the stairs slowly, stiffling a yawn as she paused in front of Kenshin's room. She could hear movement inside, and figured he must still be awake. As she slid open the shouji, she couldn't help but gape. Inside, Kenshin was sitting on his futon, and sitting next to him was none other than the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu master himself, Hiko Seijuro the 13th.

Master and apprentice turned to her as she stepped in, Kenshin greeting her with a smile and Hiko just staring at her. "K-Konbanwa, Hiko-san." Kaoru said, moving to sit next to him.

The master nodded towards her, then turned to Kenshin, who was still smiling. "Continue with your explanation, baka deshi. I don't have all night."

Kaoru listened with mild surprise as Kesnhin described the fights between him and Aoshi, Soujiro, and Shishio, paying slightly more attention to the affectiveness of the ultimate attack, Amakekeru Ryu no Hirameki. Though Kaoru new briefly about each fight, she was surprised to learn how he received his wounds, and that only caused her to worry. He went into the battle with Shishio already wounded? Kenshin no baka... She thought sadly.

"...after he..killed Yumi-dono, Shishio tried one last attack on Sessha, but I was able to block it thanks to...but, Shishio's body suddenly erupted into flames, and he burned to death, de gozaru." Kenshin finished.

"Burned to death, you say? Heh." Hiko mused, then took a long swig from the sake jug sitting next to him.

"After that, Sessha doesn't remember what happened, de gozaru yo." Kenshin added.

"Che, you went into battle even after performing the ultimate attack twice." Hiko said.

"Sessha really didn't have a choice." Kenshin replied, his eyes traveling to meet Kaoru's.

He frowned at the expression on her face, and the look in her eyes told him that he shouldn't have explained those things in front of her, because he knew the moment they were alone she was going to scold him. Though the thought did warm his heart a bit.

With a long sigh Hiko stood up, then slung the sake jug over his shoulder. He looked down to his student and grinned. "I guess teaching you the final attack did have it's payoffs." The 13th master said, turning to head to the door.

He grinned over his shoulder, then slid open the shouji and left. They heard the familiar cries of 'Hiko-sama!' downstairs from Omasu and Okon, signalling he was downstairs and trying to make his exit.

Kenshin turned to Kaoru, smiling. "Konbanwa, Kaoru-dono." He asked, trying to change the subject.

Kaoru looked up at him, the same look of concern and shock in her eyes as when she listened to Hiko's story. She moved closer to him. "Kenshin, you fought Shishio right after Soujiro and Aoshi?"

"Aa." Kenshin replied, his smile fading.

The shihondai lowered her head a bit, her bangs obscuring her eyes. How could he have been so careless? Didn't he care at all about what happened to him? Was he really only focused on defeating Shishio? The questions came to her mind, but her throat closed everytime she wanted to ask one. Kenshin suddenly placed his hand over hers, smiling up at her. "Kaoru-dono, please don't worry."

"How can I not worry after hearing that? You went into battle already injured, and through fighting that...that monster, you almost lost your life!" She said softly, her voice quavering a bit.

"True, Sessha almost lost his life, and I almost gave up too." Kenshin replied, looking down at his lap.

Kaoru rose her head to look at him, shocked. He didn't say anything about giving up in his story to Hiko. "After Shishio plunged his sword through Yumi-dono's body and pierced my side, I didn't have anything left. I was bleeding badly, and I decided then that if I were to die right now, even if Shishio rose again in the next few years, someone would be skilled enough to stop him. I protected Japan...and that was good enough for me." Kenshin explained slowly, his hand slipping from Kaoru's to rest next to the one in his lap.

"Shikashi, I remembered something that gave me the strength to get back up. I remembered something someone had said to me before I left for Mount Hiei." The rurouni continued, his eyes rising up to meet Kaoru's.

His smile returned, and he turned completely towards her. "It was your words, Kaoru-dono, that helped Sessha get back up."

Let's go back to Tokyo, together. The words echoed in Kaoru's head, and she couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "Also, I remembered what you looked like when I left you in Tokyo, and I didn't want to see you like that again if I never came back, de gozaru yo." Kenshin added, reaching up to brush some of the tears from her cheek.

Kaoru sniffled and managed a smile, and her hand covered Kenshin's, squeezing it softly. "I'm glad you came back..." She whispered, the only words she could say despite what was going on in her head.

"Sessha mo." Kenshin whispered back, squeezing hr hand just as softly.

Kaoru stood up, reluctantly letting go of his hand. "I'm going to bed now. I'll come see you in the morning, okay?"

"Aa." Kenshin replied, his eyes arching up as his smile grew.

"Oyasumi nasai, Kenshin." Kaoru said as she stepped out of his room.

"Oyasumi, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin replied, laying down.

I wanted to see you again, too...Kaoru. That's why I found the strength to continue fighting. Kenshin thought before drifting off to sleep.

Kaoru slid the shouji shut and went to the room she was sharing with Misao, smiling when she found the other girl sound asleep. She quickly changed into a yukata and unrolled her futon, then laid down. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, Kenshin's words playing over in her mind. It was your words, Kaoru-dono, that helped Sessha get back up. She rolled over on her side, and fell asleep, her smile still on her face.

A/N: I also wondered how Kaoru would react when she heard about Kenshin's battle, so I thought this should have been included. From the looks of things, I'm guessing two or three more chapters will finish this off, *Sigh*, even though I am enjoying writing this. Minna-san, once again thank you for the kind reviews! I know Kenshin was a bit OOC last chapter, you know, him crying after realizing it was just a dream and all. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and the next is on it's way! Arrigatou, Ja ne, and Review, onegai!

A/N 2: Ano..I was wondering if minna-san could help me. I've been trying to find a story on FF.net that I read a while ago, and I can't seem to find it! I'm not even sure if it was on FF.net, but still....It's about Kenshin and Kaoru (of course!). Kaoru's pregnant, but Kenshin's afraid to touch her because he thinks he'll taint his unborn child. So Kaoru goes to Saito for help and....yeah. That's what the story's about. If anyone knows where I can find it, will you please leave the link or the name of the story in a review? C-Chan would greatly appeciate it! Thanks!