One Walk Can Change Lives Forever - 4/4

[Chibi Reli]

One Walk Can Change Lives Forever
4 ? The One Good Thing Came Out Of This Nightmare

?Stop it right there. No one is allowed these gates,? one policeman says as he and another block Megumi from entering the dojo.
?But I came here just yesterday and you guys did this same thing. I want to talk to Kaoru right now.?
?No one is allowed in.?
?Megumi?? Kaoru questions as she walks outside to see Megumi arguing with the guards.
?Tanuki-chan. Thank goodness. I have the ingredients for dinner tonight, so tell these guys to let me in.? She holds out her basket, showing Kaoru.
?She?s alright. I know her.? Kaoru walks up to the guards as they move out of the way and let Megumi through. After looking at the guards for a second, they turn around and head back in. ?Sorry again. These guys are really strict.?
?They?re probably just getting paid extra for actually following the rules. You would?ve guessed you could be worth so much,? she answers, snickering behind her hand.
?They just want to get the guy who killed Kotoh-san and make sure he gets punished. And since I?m the only witness, I need to be alive. I can?t even leave this place without a group following me.?
?IT must be rough. You really are starting to look like a tanuki with those circles,? Megumi comments as she stares up close into Kaoru?s face.
?I know. I just don?t feel safe at night anymore.? She lets out a yawn and rubs her eyes.
?But Ken-san is here with you.?
?I know, but he goes out a lot to help catch the guy. Sano and Yahiko are with me most of the time and it?s just not the same.? She takes opens the door for Megumi and they walk into the dojo.
?Well, why don?t forget about all of this and start with dinner. Your cooking skills need to be improved, especially after last night.? She shoves her basket into Kaoru?s hands and takes off in front.
?DO you really have to bring that up again?? Kaoru says, giggling and looking through the basket.
*
?Kaoru didn?t look very well today. This whole ordeal must be very stressful to her and the government is having trouble locating Kotoh-san?s murderer. I hope tomorrow will be better.? Kenshin thinks out loud as he sits in his futon. He soon hears a faint sound coming from the hallway and looks out towards the door. ?Hn??
*
Kaoru approaches Kenshin?s door and moves towards to knock, but then stops. ?Should I really disturb him? I mean, he spends most of the day walking around and he really needs his sleep. Maybe I should just go back.? She starts to turn around before someone calls her.
?Kaoru, is that you?? She suddenly freezes and turns back around.
?Yeah. Can I come in??
?Of course.? She takes a quick breath and opens the door, to see Kenshin sitting upright, one hand on his sword. ?What is it Kaoru??
?I was wondering if I could?um?if I could stay in your room for the night. I know there are guards posted all over the place, but I still don?t feel safe and the only time that I seem to feel safe is when I?m in the same room as you. I understand if you don?t want me to,? she mumbles, as she looks down and plays with her hands.
?That must be why she hasn?t been looking so well. She hasn?t been able to sleep. OF course you can Kaoru. I don?t mind at all,? he says, smiling and taking his hand off his sword.
?Thanks.? She enters the room and sits herself by the wall facing the door, Kenshin following her steps with his eyes.
?You didn?t bring your futon.?
?I know. There?s no way I?m going to be able to sleep so I thought that bringing my futon would just be a waste,? she says, pulling her knees up to her chest and resting her chin on them.
?But you need to sleep Kaoru. You can take mine,? he says, getting up from his.
?I can?t Kenshin. You need sleep too. You spend the whole day looking for that guy,? she answers, closing her eyes.
?I don?t need one. I?m used to sleeping without a futon. I?ll be fine.?
?But?eep. Kenshin, what are you doing?? she asks as Kenshin picks her up and carries her over to his futon.
?No buts Kaoru. You need to sleep. I?ll be right by the door. It would probably be better anyways since I would be able to react quicker,? he says, putting her down and pulling the covers on her.
?Are you sure??
?Yes. Now go to sleep.? He pushes her down so she lies down.
?Arigatou,? she whispers before closing her eyes.
***
Kaoru walks down the hall of her dojo, stretching from a good night?s sleep, soon to enter the kitchen with the usual group already eating. ?Hey Jou-chan. You?re looking better than usual.?
?Thanks Sano,? she says taking her seat next to Kenshin and starting her breakfast.
?That you do Karou,? Kenshin replies nodding his head as he starts getting up from his seat.
?I guess I just did some sleep. You?re going out again Kenshin??
?Yes I am.?
?Good luck,? she says smiling. He smiles back before leaving, letting Kaoru to finish her meal.
***
Two men run into a small village covered in trees. They run through and enter a small house where a figure stands at attention. ?Sir, it seems that the police have found us. One of the men lead them here.?
?Well what are you waiting for, we need to leave now,? he says as he passes the two men and heads on out. The other men from other houses come on out as well, only to see a large group coming towards them.
?There he is. Follow him,? one of the police men commands.
?Sir, it?s the man with the red hair.?
?Don?t lose him or else you?ll all have no jobs tomorrow,? another commands as they all chase after the fugitives, the red-haired one in front. Soon the group comes up to a cliff and without hesitating, everyone jumps off. The policemen stop and look down at the cliff below to see nothing but crashing waves on rocks.
?Do you think they survived it??
?There?s no way anyone could have survived a jump like that. Let?s head back to headquaters.?
***
?That?s still doing it wrong Yahiko,? Kaoru says as she watches Yahiko practice.
?Well I wouldn?t keep doing it wrong if you were a better teacher busu,? Yahiko shouts, stopping his swings.
?Why you ungrateful little??
?Hey Jou-chan! Someone?s here to see you!? Sano screams from outside. The two stop their fighting and run outside to see a familiar man waiting.
?Saitou?? Kaoru asks surprised.
?I have news for you Kamiya-san.?
?Really??
?IT seems that some men near Kyoto found the murderer and the rest of his gang, but lead them to a cliff where they jumped off. The one they were able to recover most definitely died on impact and the rest have seemed just to float away to sea.?
?So he?s dead?? Yahiko asks as Kaoru stands there dumbfounded.
?Yes he is. So there will be no longer a reason to keep these men around here and the government will not need your assistance with any trials meaning that my presence is no longer needed. You?re a free woman.?
?So it?s finally over,? Kaoru says, starring straight at the police officer.
?Yeah,? he says, nodding his head.
***
?She?s been standing there forever. Why doesn?t she just move?? Sano asks out loud as he and Yahiko watch Kaoru standing by the dojo gates.
?IT?s only been 20 minutes Sano, not forever, but it sure feels like it. It can?t be that hard to step forward.?
?I guess she?s still scared about going off alone.?
?She could just ask one of us to go with her, that baka.?
?I heard that Yahiko,? Kaoru announces as she turns her head towards the two guys sitting on the porch. She turns her head back and takes a deep breath. ?Alright. I can do this. IT?s just a little walk to town. It can?t be that bad.? After taking another breath, she puts one foot forward and starts her way out.
***
?Hey boss, one of the men spotted that girl who saw us. She must?ve told the police what happened,? one of the thugs report as his leader sits on top of a tree branch.
?Where was she heading??
?She was heading for town.?
?Alright. Then we?ll catch her on the way back. She?ll most likely take the same route as she took getting into town,? he says, taking out his sword running his finger over the edge.
***
?I can?t believe how great it feels not be scared anymore. Now that those guys are dead, I won?t have to worry anymore,? Kaoru says, smiling on the way home from town with a basket full of food.
?Little girl, what are you doing out here all by yourself?? Kaoru suddenly stops in her tracks and looks around for the voice.
?Who?s there??
?How could you forget me this soon? I mean, it was only a few days ago that you ratted me and my men out.? Kaoru turns around and sees a figure appears from behind a tree, a sword resting on its shoulder. It opens its eyes to show two large brown orbs.
?You? But I thought you were dead?? she says, dropping her basket onto the ground.
?That?s what we wanted everyone to think. And now it?s time to keep my promise after you went and told the police.? He points her sword towards Kaoru, only to have several more figures appear. After seeing a dozen or so appear, Kaoru does the first thing see can think of and runs, barely missing an arrow hit her leg.
***
?Kaoru has been gone for a long. She should?ve been back from town by now,? Kenshin states, watching the dojo gates as he takes a break from laundry.
?Don?t worry about her Kenshin. Jou-chan can take care of herself just fine.?
?She probably just stopped by somewhere to talk to some people,? Yahiko says as he practices his swings. Suddenly, Kenshin and Sano perk up as they sense something.
?Did you feel that?? Sano asks, getting up from his spot.
?Yeah. Something bad is coming this way,? Kenshin comments, his eyes changing. Suddenly a loud piercing scream is heard that echoes throughout.
?That was Kaoru,? Kenshin says as he grabs his sword from around his waist and runs out of the dojo gates, Sano and Yahiko following behind.
***
?I told you that you would pay for ratting on me,? the fugitive, pointing a sword to Kaoru?s neck.
?Jou-chan!?
?Karou!? The fugitive turns around to reveal Kaoru on the ground. She kneels covered in cuts and dirt, both legs spreading away from her as one leaks blood due to an arrow lodged in it and several cuts on them. She also has her left hand heavily clamped on her right shoulder as blood also leaks through her sleeve, with the rest of her arm trying to cover a gash across her stomach.
?Kenshin,? she groans, lifting her head to look straight at Kenshin.
?Woah. Who is that?? Yahiko asks as he stares at the person with red hair and brown eyes who once had a sword to Kaoru?s neck.
?It almost looks like Kenshin,? Sano comments as the known assassin fully turns around, revealing the true identity. ?Woah! That?s a girl!?
?So you must be the one who killed Kotoh-san? I never expected a woman would be an assassin,? Kenshin says, his sword coming forward.
?Many don?t. That?s why it?s a good cover-up, Battousai.?
?You let Kaoru go right now.?
?OH, so she?s with you then? I?m sorry but I can?t. I promised her this little get together if she ever went to the police and since she did, she must?ve been wishing for her death.? She puts the sword back under Kaoru?s chin and lifts her head up with it as Kaoru fights to breathe.
?You??
?Men, finish them off. Show this girl what happens when she messes with us.? The men go forward and Kaoru tries to get up, only to be forced to the ground by the assassin. ?You stay down.?
?Kaoru.?
?Kenshin. Just get away from here,? she mumbles. After a few punches from Sano and a few hits from Kenshin and Yahiko, the thugs all lay lying on the ground.
?I must?ve underestimated your power Battousai. I thought my men could take you on. But it looks like instead, I?ll have to. And then I?ll finish off the girl and the others.?
?You will never defeat me.? He charges for her, only for her to move out of the way, leaving Kenshin in front of Kaoru. ?Sano, Yahiko, take Kaoru to the doctor?s quickly.?
?Sure thing Kenshin.? Sano picks her up and runs with Yahiko as Kenshin makes sure that the assassin won?t follow them.
?Now it looks like it?s just you and me,? she smiles, swinging her sword around.
?Right,? Kenshin states, his eyes changing amber.
***
?Hey, she?s moving her eyes. Maybe she?s going to wake up,? Yahiko says as he watches Kaoru moan and eyes flutter. They soon open to her seeing a familiar red-haired man.
?Kaoru, are you alright??
?Kenshin?? She attempts to get up, but stops as a sharp pain come to her stomach. Kenshin takes her shoulders and gently puts her back on the ground.
?You shouldn?t get up. You?re badly injured.?
?What happened??
?While Yahiko and I brought you here, Kenshin took care of that look alike. And don?t worry. He didn?t kill her. She and her men should be locked up by now.? She looks around and see her room filled with familiar people.
?How long have I been out?? she asks weakly.
?Only a few days, busu.?
?Don?t call me that. You?re not the one who was almost killed,? Kaoru shouts as she tries to get up, only to be brought back by the pain jolting through her body.
?You need to calm down Kaoru. You were injured very badly and could?ve died if the boys came any later. It?s going to be quite a while before you?ll be back to yourself,? Megumi says as she checks her forehead for fever.
?Kamiya-san, I see that you?re up.?
?Saitou. What are you doing here?? Yahiko asks as the man enters the room. He drops his cigarette to the floor and stomps it out with his foot.
?The government has sent me to come and get you. They want to put Kotoh-san?s murders to death as soon as possible and they need you right away to testify.?
?But there?s no way she can make a trip to Kyoto in her condition.?
?I?m going Megumi-san. I want that woman punished as soon as possible, though I wouldn?t exactly want it to be death. And you can come with me to act as my doctor,? Kaoru states.
?I would, but I?m too busy here at the hospital and there?s no way I would let you go to Kyoto alone with that man.?
?I?ll go with her. And as for a doctor, I don?t think the government would mind hiring someone if it gets Kaoru over to Kyoto faster. Right Saitou?? Kenshin asks as everyone looks towards the man. He nods his head and a smile comes across Kaoru?s mouth.
?Then it?s final. We?re going.?
***
?Mmm. That smells good Megumi,? Sano says as he tries to sneak a taste of dinner. HE soon finds himself being smacked on the hand with a spoon.
?Not yet Sano. WE gotta wait until Kaoru and Kenshin come back.?
?OH yeah. I forgot they were coming back today.?
?Hey. A carriage just pulled up. They must be back,? Yahiko says running into the kitchen and then back out with Sano and Megumi following. They go to the front and indeed see a carriage up front. The door opens and Kenshin comes out first. Once he?s out, he extends his hand to signal Kaoru to come out next. She holds onto the sides for safety, then grabs Kenshin?s hand as she attempts to take her first step off.
?Watch your step Kaoru.?
?I?m alright Kenshin.? She puts one foot forward and makes it down very slowly, a few twitches appearing on her face from pain.
?NO you?re not. You still very injured and have a while before you can start doing as you used to do.? Megumi yells from her spot by the gates.
?Megumi. Sano. Yahiko. It?s felt like so long,? Kaoru says as she finally gets off the carriage and stands with Kenshin?s help.
?That it has.?
?Let?s get you two inside first. That way, we can start eating,? Sano says as he makes his way towards Kaoru to help her walk faster.
***
?It looks like you?re healing nicely tanuki-chan,? Megumi comments as she sets out dinner for everyone.
?The doctors took good care of me, didn?t they Kenshin?? she asks, turning towards him.
?Yes they did. They were very nice and helpful.?
?We saw the newspaper about that girl and her group beginning executed. Did you see them?? Yahiko asks.
?We left back for the room before they were executed. And anyway, there was no way the government would do anything different with them,? she says as she attempts to use chopsticks with her left hand to eat her rice, not being very successful.
?Here Kaoru,? Kenshin says, offering her a few grains of rice.
?Thanks.? She blushes and takes the food before Kenshin takes a bite of his own. The three remaining people look at the two in confusion, before Sano starts to grin.
?If I didn?t know better, I would?ve thought that something else happened in Tokyo.?
?What are you talking about Sano?? Kenshin asks as he and Kaoru start to turn red. Megumi laughs on the side and Yahiko chuckles.
?You were just feeding Jou-chan. That?s something.? He leans over the table between the two.
?I was just helping her out. She was unable to eat her rice, so I offered her some. Kaoru needs food if she wants to get well soon.?
?Then what?s with the Kaoru and not Kaoru-dono?? He smiles, but not before getting a bowl of rice broken over his head, rice sticking out of his hair. ?Gack!?
?Just drop it Sano,? Kaoru says, crossing one arm instead of the usual two.
?It looks like all that food really is helping Kaoru to get better sooner,? Yahiko whispers to Megumi as she nods and continues to eat her food.
***
?I should go check on how Kaoru is doing,? Kenshin says as he makes his way through the dojo, only to see Kaoru out on the porch looking at the night sky. ?Kaoru? What are you doing up? How did you get out here??
?I walked. How else was I supposed to get out here?? she says, turning her head towards the man. Kenshin exits the dojo and heads out to join Kaoru on the porch, her head following his movements.
?YOU shouldn?t be walking by yourself yet. Your legs aren?t fully healed,? he squats down next to her and looks over her quickly. Then looks at her, eyes meeting.
?I?m fine Kenshin really. It wasn?t even that much of a walk. You can check on me if you want to.?
?I?m just worried about you.?
?You don?t have to. I can take care of myself.? She turns her head away and looks back towards the night sky. He takes a seat next to her and looks up into the sky as well.
?I?m sorry,? Kenshin mumbles, lowering his head.
?What for?? Kaoru asks, looking at her friend.
?For not being there to protect you. For letting you be attacked and having to find you half dead.? She takes her hand and places it over Kenshin?s, giving it a small squeeze and smiling.
?It?s not your fault Kenshin. You had no idea they were still alive.?
?But?? He stops as he feels his hand move and be placed on something soft. He looks up and sees Kaoru looking straight at him, his hand placed on her chest and being held by her two smaller ones.
?No more. I don?t like you blaming yourself for everything. You don?t have to take the world onto your shoulders. All I know is that if you weren?t there, I would be dead. Arigatou Kenshin.?
***
?So how does it look Megumi?? Kaoru asks as she puts her kimono back on after being checked over by Megumi. By her side, the doctor puts her stuff away into her bag and getting up. The two start walking away and towards the outside.
?Well Kaoru, if I were you, I would stay in bed for a few more days just to be careful. But I?m not and in my opinion as doctor and friend, I don?t see why you can?t go out. Just don?t over do it. Your legs have healed but they will take time to fully recover and your other wounds could still open up, so just be careful,? she says, smiling but still trying to be stern.
?Yes doctor,? she says, stepping outside and down the stairs.
?Now you better get going before the others somehow trick Kenshin out of your lunch,? Megumi says as she sees Sano and Yahiko torturing Kenshin. Kaoru soon makes her way over and grabs Kenshin, pulling him away from the two other men.
?Alright. We?ll be back for dinner,? Kenshin says as the two stop and turn around.
?Have fun you two,? Sano says, winking and making them blush.
?Hey there busu. You look just as bad as ever,? Yahiko says.
?Why you little?thanks?.Yahiko-chan,? Kaoru answers, smiling and sticking her tongue out.
?Hey.? The two make their way out hand in hand.
?Sorry to keep you waiting. But Megumi finally gave me permission as long as I take it easy.?
?Don?t worry. This afternoon will be as relaxing as possible. I promise koishii,? he says, leaning down and giving her a quick kiss before going off.

***
There. It?s done. Sorry it took so long, but school has been murder. The only time I get to write anymore is when I have to do laundry. Anyways, I can?t believe I got so many reviews for this story. Thanks so much guys. I really hoped that it was ok. It sounded like it was from the reviews. I was also planning on writing another RK story, so we?ll see how that goes.
-Chibi Reli

[Roa_Aoife]

hey, what happened to 2 and 3? @_@