Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Voix ❯ Sway ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five- Sway

Kaoru woke slowly, head pounding. She opened her crusted eyes and brushed the dried tears away from them.

"You're awake…"

She recognized the voice from… As she sat up and looked at the white-haired angel, the events from the night before came tumbling back into her mind.

A choked sob tore its way from her throat. "Okaa-san… Otou-san…" She buried her face into her knees.

A gentle hand touched her back, and she jerked her head up to stare into the eyes of the angel.

"I cannot claim to understand your suffering. Only my sister is dead…" She stared at him, unable to bring the apology forth. "But I had three years to despise your mate… he never did anything to me, and I know the truth now… I will help him, by helping you…"

She opened her mouth to protest. "I'm not his mate." She whispered through her tears.

He shook his head, but she was glad he did not argue with her. "My name… is Enishi."

"Kaoru… Kamiya Kaoru…" She stared at her hands sadly. It seemed she was still in danger… her grief would have to be put aside.

Enishi sat next to her, tucking his pale blue wings close to his back. "Where did he go?"

She felt suddenly as though he were spying, but she quelled that fear in memory that he seemed trustworthy- and Kaoru was excellent at judging one's character. She shook her head.

"I don't know… he didn't tell me… I didn't even think he would really leave."

He sighed and stared at the elegant walls. "I figured that was what he had done… he did the same to my sister…" She heard him laugh very softly. "For the sake of keeping her sake, he left her… and she died anyway… I would have thought he would learn by now."

Kaoru kept herself curled in a tight ball, watching Enishi carefully. "What happened to your sister?" She whispered.

He tugged on a lock of his own hair. "I was told that Kenshin killed her… but even that seemed wrong… I found someone who knew, and was willing to tell, the truth. He told me the whole story… even parts I did not know."

Kaoru sensed that it was a sensitive subject, and bit her lip. "Is… it the reason that he fell?"

Enishi glanced down at her. "It is." His eyes burned with a question.

"Oh…" She paused, and then glanced up at him. "What is it that I feel you want to know?"

He seemed stunned, but recovered quickly. "I wanted to know how you met him… what it was you did that bound him to you."

She stared back down at the cover. "I was in the forest where he fell… I found him, dying on the roots of one of the oldest trees in the forest… And I took care of him… brought him to live with my fa-" She couldn't finish the sentence, but he understood.

He pressed for no more answers, choosing instead to watch her quietly.

"Why are you here?" She asked finally.

"To guard you. Kero believes my hatred for the black-winged angel will create a watchful eye for you." He sighed. "I should go fetch Hiko… he wanted to meet you." Enishi stood, nodding his head once to her, and then left.

Kaoru's shoulders shook in misery, crying again.

Mother… Father… I don't believe they're dead… I can't believe it… She closed her fists around blanket, laying her head down.

She had not moved when Enishi came back with a huge angel. The first thing she noticed was the dark, midnight blue of his wings. They were not black, but the closest she had seen yet.

His eyes swept over her appraisingly. "Is this her?" He boomed, earning him a sharp, quieting look from Enishi.

"Yes."

The tall man extended a hand, pulling her to her feet. "Not surprising… not in the least…" He turned her forcefully, and Kaoru felt naked, then abashed. She was still wearing her yukata from the night before.

"What isn't, Hiko?" Enishi asked, keeping his eyes on the door.

Kaoru thought it best to keep silent.

Hiko took her arm and touched her upper arms. "She's no regular woman…" He looked into her eyes fiercely. "Do you know how to wield a sword?"

She nodded numbly. "Most women, at least the daughters and wives of samurai, do… my fath-" She stumbled, almost unable to complete the statement with the memories of her father bubbling to the surface. She swallowed and pressed on. "My father taught me his style… since I have no brother."

He nodded and released her. "Completely different than your sister, Enishi." He turned to leave, but Kaoru found her confidence.

"Wait!" She cried. "I need to know some things…"

He turned, stared at her, and then nodded. "What is it?"

She inhaled slowly. "Why did he fall? I found him after he fell, but he never told me why…"

Hiko sighed, but turned around again, looking at her eyes. "Is it something you truly desire to know?"

She nodded, staring back up at him intently.

Enishi glanced at both of them. "Fine… but remember… Kero's going to be here in a few hours to check on her." He stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

Hiko turned to look at her, then settled on the floor. "It started when he met that boy's sister…"

((()))

Kenshin kicked at the remains of the broken gate. He let go of the reins on his rage and slammed his fist into the wall. "Dammit!" He shouted furiously.

He felt no life in the dojo, and the telltale marking of feathers in the yard told him all he needed to know.

She even thought this would happen… He thought, clenching his fists tightly. He stepped into the rubble, opening the shoji to her room.

Her futon was still unmade, as if she had simply gotten up in the middle of the night, and would be returning soon. Did they take all three of them? He wondered, stepping to her parent's room.

Sliding open the shoji, he felt a sudden sense of foreboding. He threw it open, then recoiled at the sight of Kaoru's parents.

Stepping carefully into the room, he murmured prayers for their souls, and kneeled beside them.

Their eyes were closed, as though they had never seen, nor heard the approaching death. Dried blood crusted the futon, and Koshijirou's hand was closed around Takao's in tenderness.

The stench of death caused Kenshin's head to pound. He did not want to disturb their bodies, but could not bring himself to let his concern for Kaoru overtake his desire to give them rest.

He reached over to brush the hair from Takao's face.

She stirred.

He froze.

"Kamiya-san…" He whispered to her. He could feel life sliding away from her as her misted brown eyes fluttered open to meet his.

"Ken…shin…" Her eyes glanced over him slowly. "You… don't… look the same…"

His wings were folded on his back, eyes burning gold. "I know…"

"Where… is Kaoru?"

He shook his head. "I'm going to find her… I'm sure they have her…"

The woman took in a rattling breath.

They missed her heart… She's dying slowly from a puncture in her lung… It's filling with blood… Kenshin fought the calculating thoughts that analyzed Takao's wounds.

"Kenshin…"

He took her freezing hand, staring into her eyes. "Yes?"

"Find her… Take Koshijirou's sword… I know you're a swordsman. Koshijirou always knew you were…" She closed her eyes, but continued. "Save her…"

A tear fell from his eyes, onto the woman's face. "Takao-san…" He murmured.

Like a gentle sigh, he felt her life flow away.

He stood up, releasing the woman's hand.

Hours later, the pale dawn appearing on the horizon, Kenshin stood between the graves of the couple. Carefully marked stones at stood proudly at their heads, and his head was bowed in prayer.

As the light touched him, he lifted the katana Takao told him to take and opened his wings, lifting into the new morning.

((()))

Kaoru had changed into a kimono provided for her, and was calmly kneeling in her room across from Enishi. Her hair was neatly combed, and they had successfully convinced Kero that she knew nothing.

Which, of course, I don't. She thought forcefully.

The sound of a scuffle in the hallway caused Enishi to jump up.

"He's here…" He looked back to her and offered her a smile. "I didn't think he would be so soon… but you're lucky… he came for you."

Kaoru was on her feet quickly, rushing to the door, only to find Kenshin backing his way in.

"Kenshin!" She cried, and he turned to glance at her quickly, blocking an attack.

"Kaoru! Go to the window! Now!" He cried, the urgency causing her to move quickly.

Enishi turned to the other attacking men. "Go! He has others with him! Find them!"

They turned and ran at his orders, leaving Enishi facing Kenshin with his sword drawn.

Kenshin's sword pointed to the ground. "You know I don't have anyone with me…"

Enishi peeked out the door and then shut it quickly. He lowered his own sword. "I know."

"And you don't want to kill me?"

Enishi shook his head. "No. I know the truth… Hiko offered it to me… But I don't have time… You don't have time. Kero's going to be here any minute, now that you've announced yourself."

Kenshin froze. "Kero? What the hell is he doing here?"

Enishi raised his sword and made to strike, which Kenshin blocked easily. "He's in charge of the army now. You have to go! Get her out of here!"

Kenshin raised his sword and struck Enishi's blade, as Kaoru realized they were mock fighting for anyone who might be listening. "And what about Tomoe? Does anyone know about that?"

Enishi shook his head. "No…" His sword lowered. "They still think you killed her… they were in a panic when they heard the black-winged angel was alive on Earth."

"You know… Master knows… who else?" Kenshin took Kaoru's hand and backed toward the window.

Enishi shook his head. "Kero, of course… mostly corrupt people…" The sound of approaching soldiers filled the hallway outside. "There's no time!" He hissed, striding closer to them. "Go! I'll be in touch!"

Kenshin raised his sword, pulling Kaoru into his chest. "Thank you…" He whispered as the door banged open and Kero strode in, a smirk on his face.

Kaoru looked up to see Kenshin's eyes burning with fury.

"Kenshin… I would have thought you would have not had the courage to come here…" His smile grew. "Have you come to take responsibility for violating, then killing a Seer?"

Kaoru saw Enishi's knuckles turn white; he clenched the hilt of his sword so tightly.

Kenshin's voice was even and cold. "I will do no such thing… Especially since I will not take responsibility for a murder you committed."

Kero laughed. "I did not kill her."

"Is that what you convince yourself?" He stepped back, closer to the window. "Kaoru…" He whispered lowly, just loud enough for her to hear.

"Yes?" She whispered, keeping her eyes on Kero, as Kenshin did.

"Do you trust me?"

The question caught her off guard, but she nodded slightly. "I do…" She whispered.

"Good…" He picked her up suddenly and threw her out the window. "I won't forget it, Kero!" He called back, sheathing his sword, tucking his wings to his body, and letting himself freefall.

As he tumbled through the sky, he saw Kaoru, her eyes wide in fear. He opened his wings and caught her.

"Kenshin…" She whispered. "They're dead… My parents! They…" He held her close, wings closing around them as they fell.

"I know…" His arms were tight around her, wings sheltering her from the rush of the passing air. "I… I was so afraid something had happened to you…" He told her, the ground approaching them.

She screamed as the ground leaped up to meet them, closing her eyes. We're going to die… She thought as Kenshin hit the ground, cushioning her fall.

"Kenshin!" She cried, trying to push herself away from him to ensure his own welfare.

He groaned and sat up. "I hate that…" He muttered.

"Are you okay?" Her hands flew over his body, searching for any sign of major pain.

He shook his head. "Barely…" He looked up to the sky. "I was afraid it wouldn't work, there at that last second…" He looked back down to her. "I just bruised my wings."

She stared at her hands. "You shouldn't have taken that risk… I can't bear to lose you too…"

He reached over and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry… I found them… Your mother told me to take your father's sword…"

Kaoru's hands reached over and touched the sword at his waist. "It is…" Her eyes glanced up to meet his. For the first time, they did not seem so intimidating. She did not mind the golden glow that seemed to fill her soul. "Kenshin…"

He was silent, but allowed himself to lean down and take her lips again.

She did not fight him, but let him pull her into him. The world was raging at them, but she could not bring herself to pull away from him. The misery she felt was tearing at her soul, but his touch soothed the pain. The void in her heart closed a bit, as his wings closed around them, holding them together like two halves of one broken whole.

Lighting struck in the distance.