One Walk Can Change Lives Forever 3/4

[Chibi Reli]

One Walk Can Change Lives Forever

3 ? I Think You Need To Know Why I Left





As the sun shines down on the hidden dojo, a red-haired man cleans his small room before going off to prepare the meal for the rest of the inhabitants. While cleaning his closet, he stumbles upon a small brown-wrapped package and holds it for a while. ?Kaoru-dono?s ribbon. I almost forgot about it with everything that has been going on. I really should give it to her since I did get it for her. I?ll drop it off in her room before I go off to the kitchen.? HE places the box into his sleeve and closes the closet door, making his leave.

***

?Yahiko. I?m going into town to run a few errands. I?ll be back in time to prepare dinner,? Kenshin says as he walks pass Yahiko and towards the gates.

?Alright. Bye Kenshin,? Yahiko says, stopping his swings as he watches his idol walk out of the dojo grounds. Behind him, Sano watches his form and shakes his head. ?I?ve never seen Kenshin worked up like this before. That whole sword thing really got to him.?

?Kenshin has tried to erase his past as the Battousai for a while now and Jou-chan?s comment didn?t really help the whole healing process. I mean out of all of us, Jou-chan would probably be the last one to ever say anything like she said back there.?

?There has to be a way to make things better again. I hate seeing both of them like this,? Yahiko states as he takes his bokken and practices as Sano lies on the ground.

***

?I still can?t believe I actually said that. I really hope that he doesn?t realize?but he has to. No one could be that stupid. But if he did know, he should?ve done something about it by now,? Kaoru whispers to herself as she approaches her room, nervously playing with her hands and kimono. She opens it cautiously and peaks in to see that the only thing different in her room is a small package by her futon. She enters and picks up the package, looking at the note that is attached.



To Kaoru-dono

From Kenshin



?What is this?? She opens the package to reveal a beautiful silver ribbon. ?I?ve never seen anything like this before. He must have bought this for me while he was out, but??

***

?Ken-san, what are you doing in town today?? Megumi asks as she sees Kenshin walking down the busy streets.

?Sessha has to run some errands today,? he answers, keeping his pace with a bucket in hand and head looking at the ground.

?I heard about Tanuki-chan today. I don?t know what to do with her anymore.? Megumi sighs and looks at Kenshin again.

?I don?t know either.? He stops in place and sighs as well.

?Oh. Don?t worry Ken-san. I?m sure we?ll be able to figure something and the next thing you?ll know, Tanuki-chan will be screaming and acting all unladylike again,? Megumi states as she stands in front of him, putting on her best smile.

?Sessha hopes so. Sessha hates making Kaoru-dono suffer so much.?

***

?Hello. Is anyone here?? the man in the police uniform asks as he enters the dojo grounds.

?Saitoh-san, what are you doing here?? Kaoru asks as she stops sweeping the front and looks at him, surprised to see him.

?Kamiya-san, I am here to see Himura.?

?Kenshin? For what?? The grip on her broom becoming tighter as the two stare at one another.

?I just want to update him on certain activities.?

?Activities?? she questions as Sano and Yahiko come outside to visit the guest.

?Saitoh, what are you doing here?? Sano asks, being wary of Saitoh?s presence.

?I?m here to talk to Himura. Where is he??

?He?s out right now, but he?ll be back soon,? Yahiko answers back.

?Saitoh?? the voice says from behind. They all look to see Kenshin standing with Megumi next to him.

?Himura. Finally you are here. I need to talk to you about Kotoh-san.?

?I saw it in the newspapers.?

?IT looks like we got the wrong man.?

?Wait a sec. What are you two talking about?? Sano asks, confused at the two?s conversation.

?When I left, it was because Saitou informed me of a threat against one of the government officials. We thought we could protect him, but it seems we?ve protected the wrong man,? Kenshin says as the others listen carefully.

?The real one under threat was Kotoh-san. Now we need to find out who did it,? Saitoh finishes and Kaoru?s broom starts to shake as she tremors.

?Kaoru, are you okay?? Yahiko asks as he sees she shaking.

?Saitoh, you were with Kenshin the whole time?? she asks.

?Yes.?

?And did you ever go near the Blossom Forest?? Her tremors become more apparent as she bends her head down.

?Never. Himura wanted to get back here as soon as possible. Going through would?ve taken longer,? he answers, as he and the others wish to see where this is leading.

?So he couldn?t have done it,? she whispers.

?What are you talking about Kaoru?? Yahiko asks her.

?Kenshin couldn?t have killed him and I?ve made him suffer so much.? She drops the broom and puts her hands up to her face.

?What? Kenshin?? Sano, Yahiko, and Megumi question. But before they can get an answer, Kaoru runs out of the dojo and into the forest.

?Kaoru-dono, come back!? Kenshin hollers as he chases after her.

?Hey Kenshin!? Yahiko says, wanting to follow but being stopped by Saitoh.

?You better leave them. I don?t know what happened, but it looks complicated.?

***

?Kaoru-dono?? Kenshin asks out loud as he searches for her. He soon comes across a very familiar place. ?This is where I told Kaoru-dono goodbye that time. Could she be around here somewhere?? After taking a few more steps, he sees Kaoru kneeling by the edge of the pond crying into her hands. ?Kaoru-dono, what happened?? Surprised, she jerks her head up and looks at the man and starts to back away.

?Stay away from me. You shouldn?t come near me.? She backs into the pond, only to trip in the water and fall. She tries to get up, but is unsuccessful as she grabs one of her ankles.

?Kaoru-dono, you?re hurt. Just let me?? Kenshin begins as he tries to approach her.

?I said stay away, please,? she cries, begging this time as new tears start to fall.

?But why??

?All this time I've been ignoring you and making you worry when I didn?t have to. I can never forgive myself for thinking the worst of you and making you suffer so much.? She buries her face in her hands, giving Kenshin the opportunity to move closer.

?You said ?He couldn?t have done it?. What did you mean?? he asks, kneeling down in front of her in the water.

?If I tell you, he?s gonna kill me.?

?Who is going to kill you??

?I can?t say.? She tries to look away from him, but he follows her face everywhere. He finally grabs her hands in his, making her look at him.

?Kaoru-dono, you know that I will always protect you no matter what. If you know something, you can tell me.? They stare at each other for a few seconds before she starts speaking again.

?I know who killed Kotoh-san. I went out for a walk that night and saw the men who killed him. They chased me away and the one in charge said he would kill me if I ever told anyone what had happened. The guy had a sword and looked just like you in the dark. So I thought when you left, it was to carry out the assassination. I'm so sorry for thinking the worst about you. I know how much you want to forget about being the Battousai and I?I?? She once again buries her face in her hands, only for Kenshin to take her into his arms, letting her cry into his chest and grab his clothing.

?Kaoru-dono, it?s alright. I should?ve told you all where I was going in the first place.?

?But I?ve caused you so much?I?m not worthy of being near you at all.? She shakes her head, trying to move away but he doesn?t let her.

?If anyone?s not worthy, it?s me.?

?But all the things I said,? she says, starting to calm down a bit.

?Kaoru-dono. I know you would?ve never have said any of those things if you didn?t mean it. It was all just a mistake and it can be forgiven.? HE pulls her away from him to see that she has finally stopped crying.

?Kenshin.?

?Kaoru.?

?Arigatou,? she says, burying her face in his chest again.

?You know what you have to do though. You need to go to the police and tell them everything.?

??But what about?? she says, her hands shaking a bit.

?I?ll always protect you and everyone else I care about. I promise.?

***

?I wonder if Ken-san found her?? Megumi asks as it turns dark and Saitoh has left.

?Maybe we should go look for them. It is getting dark.?

?There?s no need for that Sanosuke. We?re alright, that we are,? Kenshin replies as he walks in with a sleeping Kaoru on his back.

?Kenshin. Is Kaoru alright?? Yahiko asks as they all run to greet the two.

?She?s just been under a lot of stress lately. That?s all.?

?Do you know what happened?? Sano asks.

?I?ll tell you all about it after I put Kaoru-dono in her room.?

***

?So Kaoru really saw Kotoh-san being murdered,? Yahiko says as he and the others sit around the table.

?Yes. And she said that the man looked just like me in the dark, but he was turned so she couldn?t see if there was a scar on his cheek.?

?NO wonder she?s been all over the place lately,? Megumi comments, feeling bad for the younger woman.

?So what happens now?? Sano asks.

?We?ll just have to wait and see I guess,? Kenshin replies.

***

?Kenshin, have you seen busu? She?s supposed to give me my lesson soon,? Yahiko asks as he sees Kenshin walking towards Kaoru?s room.

?I?m sorry Yahiko, but Kaoru-dono won?t be able to give you your lesson until later on today. We have to go into town and run a few errands.?

***

?Alright Kaoru. You can do this. There?s nothing to worry about. Kenshin is going to be with you the whole time and maybe that guy doesn?t really know who you are. But maybe he does and maybe he knows I told Kenshin and is waiting for me to put my guard down,? she says to herself, giving herself a pep talk as she fixes the silver ribbon into her hair.

?Kaoru-dono, are you ready yet?? Kenshin asks from outside.

?Almost. Um, Kenshin??

?Yes Kaoru-dono??

?DO you think you can just call me Kaoru with no dono from now on?? she asks, putting the last touches on the bow.
?I guess, if that?s what you want Kaoru.?

?Alright. I?m coming out.? She opens her door to meet Kenshin. She looks up at him and he looks back at her. ?I wonder if he notices.?

?That ribbon looks very beautiful on you Kaoru-dono,? he comments smirking.

?You have very good taste then Kenshin,? she says as she starts her way out.

***

Soon after reaching town, the two stand outside the police station. ?I don?t know if I can really do this Kenshin. I mean, what if he finds out somehow?? she asks looking at him for some kind of guidance.

?You don?t have to worry Kaoru. Even if he finds out somehow, I?ll be right here to protect you. I promise.? With that, she takes a few steps and soon arrives inside the station with Kenshin right behind. She soon walks up to the counter and Kenshin walks up beside her.

?Um, excuse me.?

?Yes, what is it?? the man asks as he stares at his paperwork.

?Um, I?? She looks at Kenshin and he slips his hand into her, giving it a reassuring squeeze without looking at her. ?I?m here because I want to talk to someone about Kotoh-san?s murder.?

?Sorry, but we are only allowed to talk about what information we give out to the newspapers and nothing more. You?ll just have to wait until we release more information.?

?Actually, I?m not here to ask questions. I?m here to answer questions. I saw Kotoh-san bring murdered that night. I know who killed him.?