Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Survival of the Spirit ❯ Chapter One Slipping Into Darkness ( Chapter 1 )

Survival of the Spirit Chapter 1 Slipping Into Darkness…

If I owned Rurouni Kenshin would I be writing this lousy fic??? ~ _^

The house was silent, and the man stood in the center of the living room, evidence of his handiwork laid out in the light filtering in from outside into the darkened room. Now and then headlights would stab into the darkness and the blood, black in the darkness, would show hints of the red that would be found by the police in two days.

The man, his hair cut short, was not paying attention to his older victims, a man, his wife, and two older children. He was looking at the body of the infant, two years old, who had smiled at him and lifted its arms to be picked up before he'd slashed it's throat. The tiny body lay on it's back, it's eyes open, and he felt, what? The unfamiliar feeling forced him to move, and he stepped out into the yard. He'd carefully avoided stepping in blood, and once outside of the house, the smell of blood gone from his nostrils now, he stripped to his underwear and put the clothing in a garbage bag to be burned later. Sitting behind the wheel in his briefs he adjusted the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of his eyes, deep purple, amethyst one of his bedmates had told him once, with red hair. His eyes changed, and he saw the eyes of the infant, it's smile, and he heard the scream escape before he could stop it. The scream seemed to go on forever….

Kenshin woke with a start, gasping for breath. Again the dream. Again the remembering. His red hair fell unfettered past his shoulders and he closed his eyes, trying to force the image of the infant from his mind. "Take your medicine," they told him.

"It'll help you forget," they told him. But he had to stop, he had to become a normal man, not the killer they'd made him into. If he tried hard enough, the same pride, the same drive that had made him into what some said was the reincarnation of an old swordsman from the Meiji era would make it easier for him to become normal. Battousai they called him. Manslayer they called him. The best his handlers called him. The best killer. The best slayer of humans.

The loft apartment was a luxury here in Japan where most people lived crushed on top of each other. They had provided it for him, paid the exorbitant fees on it, and they had soundproofed it after his screams at night had made neighbors call the police thinking he was being killed. That was when they'd increased his medication turning him into a zombie who lay all day in a dream world. Some of them said it was best to kill him, to give him release from his hell. But his handlers said no, he was too valuable.

They thought he took his medication, but he only did that when he knew they were coming and that they'd take his blood. They'd decreased the dosage so he could go out during the day and do chores, buy food, a CD here or there, he liked traditional Japanese music, black American jazz, and classical European, and go to the gym. When he wasn't out he would surf porn sites, the raunchier the better.

He picked up the remote and turned on the CD player, Mozart's notes streaming into his consciousness. The gym. He would go tonight close to closing time like he always did, and sit and talk with her, like he always did. Thinking of her made his body react in ways it shouldn't, not when it came to her. If he tried to get close to her…

He got up and went into the bathroom turning on nothing but cold water and standing under it until his skin was blue and his teeth chattered. His body once again under control, he got out and pulled on sweats, heading for the kitchen and putting fresh water on to boil before grabbing tea and throwing it into a large mug. No coffee for him, not after having the dream. He sat at the counter and peeled an orange, more to occupy his mind than from wanting the orange, the tendrils of the dream still pulling at his mind. Soon it would be time to decide what to do for the day and he sighed. He had no chores to do today, no reason to go out.

The whistle of the teakettle shocked him back to the present and he got up and made his tea. He took the mug with him and sat down at the computer, logging on and settling back in his chair.

Kaoru saw him when he came in and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. It was eight, close to closing time, and she'd thought he wouldn't come in. She watched as several of the women still there gravitated to him and she saw he was talking to one of them, Megumi, and put her head down. It would be unseemly to make a scene over a man who had been nothing more than polite to her since he'd started coming here three months ago. She had caught him watching her more than once, his purple eyes like a cats marking her every move, but when she would approach him he was cold, and she'd stopped saying more than hello to him. She watched as he began his workout, as usual surprised that for a small man he was so well muscled. There was not an ounce of fat on his body, and he had a physique that most of the people in the place coveted, male and female. When he finished his stretching he looked over the heads of the people around him and right at her, his eyes seeming to drink her in and causing her to catch her breath. When he realized she saw him he turned away, and she looked down. Tonight she would ask him again if he would like a cup of tea or coffee.

Kenshin closed his eyes, his body out of control again. His handlers had come and convinced the police not to bother him, that he was under their control. He had stood silently in the middle of the destruction, his furniture, his apartment, a shambles. The neighbors had called the police on him and the owner of the building was saying he'd have to move if there was any more trouble. His hair was wild around his face and he stood with his hands over his ears. The damn baby wouldn't stop crying.

When he'd come out of the fog they'd still been there, their eyes sad.

"You need to come in for tests Kenshin."

Their code for incarcerating him again, probably forever he thought to himself.

"No."

They had flinched, but he was still too groggy to even attempt to attack them.

"You said the baby was crying."

"Not now. I'm fine."

He opened his eyes again and saw the car parked just outside, the man and woman inside watching him. If he went in again he would be killed.

He smelled jasmine, and looked up. Kaoru was wiping down a machine next to him, and he looked at her, a plan forming in his head, one that would depend on how she felt about taking in strangers.

"Hello Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru almost hit her head when she stood up, shocked at the sound of the man's voice.

"Are you all right?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her face.

"Yes. I, well, I was surprised."

"I, uh, need a favor, and you can tell me to go fuck myself if you want to. I got thrown out of my place, and I need somewhere to stay for a few days."

Kaoru stared at him. He had barely spoken to her and now he was asking to move in with her?

"I'll sleep on the sofa, or anywhere you tell me. Just for a week or two."

"What about your things? And I can't afford to feed you…"

"I have money. That I have. I'll take care of myself."

There were a million reasons to say no, starting with I don't know you, but when Kaoru opened her mouth she said yes.

"Just for a few days."

"Where do you live?"

"In the dojo I run."

"Dojo?"

"Yes. This gym makes the money. The dojo is a labor of love."

"Where is it?"

"Down the street. I usually leave by the back door."

"I'll wait in the back for you," he said with a smile, and she was shocked at how that one expression changed him. It went to his eyes, and she wondered what he was running from, why tonight he had to be anywhere but home.

He put the barbell down and headed for the showers while Kaoru put the lights out and locked up. When she went into her office he was sitting in the dark, his large eyes fixed on her.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

They walked in silence down the alley, Kaoru greeting various residents as they walked by. Kenshin knew they wanted to know who he was and what he had to do with Kaoru, but for now they simply made note of him. Their scrutiny meant that Kaoru was a valued and loved person in this neighborhood and that if he harmed her in any way they'd all be able to describe him to a t.

She stopped and opened a door, giving him a tense smile.

"Sano is a bit on the rough side so don't be put off by him," she said.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"No. Actually he's Megumi's boyfriend."

"Who?"

"The one you were talking to earlier."

"Oh. I didn't know her name," he said calmly, following inside. The lights surprised him, and he saw her eyes soften as she watched the girls go through their paces. They were teenagers, and some of them were very good he noticed. The man putting them through their paces was tall, with his hair spiked and a red scarf tied around his head. Kenshin wondered how much his good looks inspired the girls as he followed Kaoru to the apartment behind the place. When he saw the size of it he regretted imposing on her. There was one large room that included the cooking area and a smaller one off of it, the bedroom. The bathroom and shower were off her bedroom.

"Look, I'm sorry to impose. I'll find somewhere else…"

"No!! I mean it's late and it's no problem."

He couldn't be that close to her, couldn't risk doing to her what he'd almost done to Tomoe before she'd sacrificed herself for him.

The sound of voices saying good night drifted in to where they were standing, and Kaoru looked towards the door, smiling as Sano came in.

"Who the fuck is he Kaoru?" the tall man asked, already preparing an attack. Kenshin could kill him in one move, but he stood calmly, his eyes never leaving the man.

"Kenshin…"

"Himura Kenshin," he said bowing slightly.

Kaoru filed his last name in her heart, but stepped in front of Kenshin.

"He's a customer at the gym, and he needs somewhere to stay…"

"Let him get a hotel room. Kaoru, its not like he's a cat or dog. He's a man…"

Someone was at the door, and Kaoru started at the sound. No one came this late she thought to herself, already past both Kenshin and Sano and headed for the front. Sano glared at Kenshin before following her. Kenshin knew who the visitors were, and he decided that he would do as the big man had said and go get a hotel room. He was on his way out when he heard Kaoru speaking.

"…I know he comes in to the gym, yes. He pays, and he works out. Why do you ask?"

"Has he asked to live with you for a while?"

Kenshin expected Sano to give him up, but the big man stayed silent while Kaoru spoke.

"He's really a stranger to me Miss. Why would he ask that?"

Kenshin could see the woman's face after Kaoru's response.

"If he does, refuse him. He is a skilled liar and a murderer, and your life would be in danger. Here is my card. Contact me if he comes to the gym tomorrow."

"Of course."

They left, probably not convinced, but having no reason to come in now. They would watch his apartment, and all the trains and buses, as well as the airport over the next few days. By the time they figured out he was still in Japan he'd have moved on and Kaoru would be safe.

Sano and Kaoru found him standing in the doorway and they stopped.

"Where are you going Kenshin?"

"Away. I shouldn't have involved Miss Kaoru in my problems."

"She promised you could stay the night. There's an old storeroom under the roof. Stay there as long as you like."

"Wha…"

"I've been there pal. Kaoru gave me a chance. I'm giving you one."

Kaoru was deathly pale and he saw the tiredness in her face. He hadn't realized her days were so long.

"Thank you. I am grateful," he said, his eyes still on Kaoru. All he wanted to do now was sweep her in his arms and hold her, make all the loneliness he saw reflected in her eyes go away. She wasn't involved with Sano, that he knew now, but they were close, like brother and sister so if he wanted to make a move, take her out on a date, the way was clear. She had sent signals that she was interested and he'd started more than once to ask her out. But what would happen if one day he forgot, if he woke up and instead of making love to her…

Her voice cut his reverie off, and he brought his eyes back into focus to look at her.

"You look tired Kenshin. Good night."

She closed the door to her apartment behind her and he looked at Sano.

"Let me show you your room."

Kenshin woke up to the sound of voices and sat bolt upright, reaching for a weapon that wasn't there, and beginning to hyperventilate when he realized he wasn't at home, that he was in an attic…

He hung his head, his hair forming a curtain around his face. He was in a woman named Kaoru's attic in her dojo. He had come here to escape his handlers who were going to take him into custody and kill him because his psychological problems were spiraling out of control. He knew that, but he felt he could handle it if he had time, if he were given time. A man didn't become a killer and stop it like turning off a faucet. He had already had a mental breakdown…

Kaoru had looked really tired last night, and if his body was following its normal schedule it wasn't dawn yet.

Kenshin pulled on his sweats from the day before and went looking for a bathroom. Someone had put a sign up and he followed the direction the arrow pointed in and found himself in a rather spacious room. He showered and then lowered himself into the tub for a good soak, closing his eyes and sinking his head under the warm water. When he came up for air he felt better, as if his head as well as his body was coming clean. He dried himself and looked at the dirty underwear from the day before, frowning. He'd have to buy new underwear unless he could get into his apartment and get his clothes. And his music. He'd wanted to hear traditional music today, and had to content himself with hearing it in his head. As he walked back to his room he heard the voices again and stopped to listen. Kaoru he heard at once, and he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.

"The food was good," he heard Sano say.

"I hate you Sano," she said. "Just because I ordered from Akabeno…"

"It means I can save a few yen."

"Bastard."

Sano laughed, a good laugh Kenshin thought to himself.

"Your guest is sleeping late."

"I know. I would go up and check but I think he really needed the rest."

"If I had the secret police after me I'd need rest too. But seriously Kaoru, are you going to let him stay here?"

"Yes."

Kenshin heard the finality in her voice and his feelings towards her were multiplied by admiration of her strength being added to them.

"Kaoru, you've got the hots for him…"

"That's not it Sano."

"It's a large part of it Kaoru and you need to face that. He himself said he wasn't going to stay long, that he needed to be on his way."
"Last night you defended him."

"I thought about it."

There was silence, and Kenshin knew that what Sano was telling Kaoru was true, that it wasn't a good idea for him to stay here too long. They would be watching the place to see if he was here, if they were sleeping together.

"You're a woman Kaoru, and I know its been hard for you these last few years, keeping this dojo open and running the gym, and it would be nice to have someone share the burden, but not someone like him."
Kaoru looked up at Sano.

"They got to you last night didn't they?"

Intelligence was added to Kaoru's good qualities in Kenshin's mind.

"Kaoru…"

"It's okay Sano. It's me putting my neck on the line, not you."

She looked up towards the attic and got up.

"I'd better go check on him," Kaoru said.

Kenshin walked back to his room, wondering what time it was. He never slept past dawn he thought to himself.

He had just gotten to the room when Kaoru came up the stairs.

"Kenshin! You're up!!"

"Yes Miss Kaoru. I slept well."

"Good. It's one in the afternoon, too late to offer you breakfast…"

"What time did you say it is?"

"One in the afternoon. Thirteen hundred…"

Kenshin collapsed back against the wall.

"Are you…"

"I'm okay. It's just unusual for me to sleep so late."

"There's food…"

"I need to get back to my place and get some things, underwear among them."

"Oh. Is that smart?"

"What?"
"Going back there. If you want me to get your things…"
"No. I'll go."

"I'll go with you."

Kenshin pulled on the hooded sweatshirt he'd worn last night and looked at Kaoru.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

They went via the back streets and Kenshin picked the lock to the basement of the building after covering the camera lens with black spray paint. Kaoru watched wide eyed but followed him inside. They took the freight elevator up to his floor and he motioned for her to wait where she was. He walked down the hall and opened his apartment door and stepped inside. When two or three minutes had passed Kaoru walked to the door and entered.

"Whoa!"

The space had been cleaned up and looked as if the havoc he'd wreaked the day before hadn't happened. It was beautiful, well laid out with a view of the city she'd never even suspected existed. How could he give this up so easily to live in her attic? She found Kenshin in his bedroom and he whirled on her, assuming an attack stance that was meant to kill.

"Kaoru. Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Sorry. I was afraid…"

He was throwing his clothes into a duffle bag, a very expensive one, and she opened the one next to it.

"What do you want to put in here?" Kaoru asked him.

"Casual clothes from those drawers over there," he said to her.

In an hour they'd managed to clean out his closets and take most of his CD's.

"Kenshin, your music…"

"Leave it. Our hour is up. Let's go."
They left the way they'd come, and once back in the dojo Kenshin seemed to relax.

"Kenshin, I have to go to the gym…"

"I know. Thank you."

They stood looking at each other in silence for a few minutes, neither one knowing what to say.

"Maybe tonight, when you finish, we can go to the sushi bar down the street."

"I, I'd like that Kenshin."

He smiled again, and sat down in the middle of the futon. He would clean this place up a little although for an attic it was neat.

"You need a CD player."

"We can shop for that tonight too," Kenshin said with a smile.

Kaoru didn't know what to do, so she smiled back.

"See you later then," she said, backing out of the room.

"Yeah," Kenshin said. "Later."

"Oh, and there's food downstairs. From the restaurant."

"Thanks."