Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Forgotten Past ❯ Hands of the Past ( Chapter 2 )

Forgotten Past

Hands of the Past

Chapter 2

Kenshin scrubbed the dishes slowly. His mind focused on Kaoru. Last night she had another nightmare, but different from the previous ones, that he'd seen since he came to live at the dojo. This last one had her shook badly. Who was he kidding? It had the whole dojo residents shaken badly. The worst was she refused to talk about them--not even to him. That's what hurt most of all Kenshin thought to himself, maybe this is her revenge. I didn't talk to Kaoru about Tomoe, until her life was in jeopardy.

"Damn." Kenshin whispered under his breath, shocking the shadow that had taken a lazy stance upon on of the dojo's support beams. "Why the hell, won't she talk to me?"

It wasn't rare for Kenshin to swear, when he was in a fighting mode, but it was rare for him to utter any expletive in his rurouni mode. This wasn't his everyday goffy-friendly-oroing-rurouni face, that his friends were use to seeing. No, this wasn't like him at all. Sanosuke pushed off the stationary pole and walked down the steps slipping into his black shoes as he reached the bottom.

"It's her hand that's bothering her," said Sano looming over Kenshin.

Glancing over his shoulder, Kenshin spied Sanosuke standing behind him with his hands crossed over his chest, staring toward Kaoru. She had been in that position since that morning hardly moving an inch.

Looking toward Kaoru poised in front of the rose bush, clutching her hand in a fist as she stared down at it Kenshin asked, "What do you mean Sano?"

"I've been watching Jou-chan, and every few minutes she glances down at her hand, sighs and clinches it closed." Sano sighed and uncrossed one arm to run a hand through his hair. "Or maybe I'm just imagining things, because I wish she would just tell us something!

"Your not imagining things, Sanosuke," said Yahiko, as he entered the conversation. Sanosuke and Kenshin both turned and looked at the young boy. He was dressed wearing his training gi and hakama, which consisted of a white shirt and powder blue pants. In his small hands, he clutched his shinai and a bokken.

The trio just stood there looking at each other. Each of them is waiting--for some kind of clarification from the other.

"You said something about Sano not imagining things de gozaru ka," prompted Kenshin breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I've seen her glaring at her hands a lot, and crying when no one's around, since that last big nightmare. I haven't said anything about it 'cause… well, damn, I was hoping she would say something to at least you Kenshin."

"Che," muttered Sanosuke. "Most of the time we can't shut you up, but when something this important happens, you clam up tighter than a virgin."

"What was that Chicken-head! I'll whip your ass right now!" Threatened Yahiko.

"Just go ahead and try it, kuzo! Sanosuke threatened back. "I'll teach how I became the most feared street fighter."

"Don't you mean punk!"

"NANI!!"

"Yare, yare," Kenshin murmured to himself. Standing up he stepped between the two opposing figures. "Maa, maa, Yahiko and Sanosuke. We're all a little frustrated, and worried about Kaoru-dono de gozaru yo."

Backing down, both nodded in agreement to postpone the fight, until things were back to normal at the dojo.

"By the way kuzo, why do you have those swords with you. I don't think Kenshin will want to train you right now."

"I don't want Kenshin to train me," answered Yahiko. "It's time for Kaoru to do something other than stare at her hands--and it is time for my training lesson."

"Demo, I don't think that Jou-chan is up to training just yet. I still think she needs some time alone--to think."

"She's had time alone--since this morning," pointed out Yahiko. "Besides Ugly needs to do something other than stare at her hands, ne Kenshin."

Kenshin blinked. "Oro? Did you say something Yahiko?"

"Che, Kenshin," exclaimed a highly exasperated Yahiko. "I said shouldn't Ug-Kaoru practice with me to take her mind off her hands, and the nightmares."

Kenshin opened his mouth to answer 'No', but noticed the hopeful look upon the boy's face. Yahiko may act tough, and seem far from child mentality, but deep inside he was still a vulnerable little boy. Who still needed stability and this situation with Kaoru was extremely uncertain, and the only stable person he's had was on shaky ground herself.

"Aa. Go ahead and ask her if she would like to train with you today."

"Yes!" Exclaimed Yahiko, while he stuck his tongue out at Sanosuke.

"Tame," said Sano as he stepped forward to teach Yahiko a lesson himself.

"But…" Kenshin quickly interrupted before they could come to blows.

"But?" Questioned Yahiko.

"Yes, but. If she isn't up to practicing today don't force her."

"That means no insults Yahiko-chan" snickered, Sanosuke feeling vindicated.

Running away Yahiko shouted behind him, "I knew that, I'm not as stupid as you look, Chicken-head. And don't call me CHAN!!

"Come back here brat, and say that to my face!"

Kenshin just shook his head; those two will never change. Squatting back down Kenshin tested the dishwater to see if it needed some more hot water, or was still warm enough to finish the few dishes he had left. It wasn't. Rising to his feet Kenshin headed toward the house to fetch the water.

"Oi, Kenshin" called Sanosuke.

Kenshin stopped and turned around, waiting for Sano to continue.

"I'm going into town to see if I can get the Fox to talk with Jou-chan."

Kenshin smiled. He knew how hard it was for Sano to ask for anything from Megumi well, anything except for food. "Arigatou de gozaru yo, Sano. I'm sure that's just what Kaoru-dono needs. You're a true friend."

Looking uncomfortable with the praise from Kenshin, Sano coughed, "Yeah, well, I figured that Jou-chan might wanna another woman to talk with--and the closet thing we'll get is the Fox Lady, especially with Tae-san being so busy. Anyway, I'm off."

Kenshin nodded his thanks again as he watched Sanosuke go through the dojo gates. Turning around Kenshin went to get some more water for the dishes and the laundry he would have to start doing in a minute. Slipping off his sandals, Kenshin climbed the short three stairs, and rounded the corner going toward the kitchens in the back.

As he prepared more hot water Kenshin thought back to what Yahiko and Sanosuke mentioned about Kaoru spending a lot of time staring at the hands. When he first became a rurouni, he often spent many thoughtful and lonely nights gazing at his hands, and seeing the blood that he spilled with his sword covering his hands. Blood that made his hands unclean, blood that he often spent many times trying to wash off to make him clean again. But Kaoru didn't fight during the Bakumatsu No Doran; her hands are clean and pure.

Aren't they?

Slowly Kenshin got a weird feeling starting at the pit of his stomach. How much did they really know about Kaoru? How much did he know about Kaoru? The feeling intensified to a slow ache. Who was Kamiya Kaoru? Was she the person they all thought she was? Or was she someone entirely different?

Her hands are clean and pure, aren't they? They all knew who Kamiya Kaoru is didn't they? They are clean and pure, aren't they? Kenshin wasn't so sure.

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End Part 2. [Created: 03/16/00] pmchivas@hotmail.com [Modified: 04/23/00]. This isn't where I planned to end this chapter, but I didn't want it to continue on and make it really long, so this is end of Part 2 A. As always any criticism is welcome, and that includes flames. Shishou M-- All standard disclaimers apply.

Japanese Words:

Che--Damn

Kuzo--Brat

Nani--What

Yare, Yare--Oh, dear; Oh, well.

Maa, Maa-- Calm down; Easy, Easy.

Ne--Isn't that right.

Jou-chan--Little Missy.

Demo--But

Tame--You

Oi--Hey

Arigatou--Thank You.