Subject: [KFFDISC] [angst]Real Dreams Chapter Five Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 05:31:41 +0000 From: "Lee H." Reply-To: kffdisc@nabiki.com To: kffdisc@nabiki.com Disclaimer: RK's the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, SPE, Jump Comics, Shueisha, and all their affiliates. This is just for entertainment and not monetary gains de gozaru. ^^; REAL DREAMS Chapter Five By Lee ***** One week later... Tomoe sat up from the futon and yawned deeply. The early morning sun had just risen and it's warm touch had just encouraged her to get going to start the day. She quickly stood up and put on her clothing with a speed and an expertise that is second nature to her. Then, after some stretching, she got out and walked along the house's halls towards the kitchen. At this hour, everyone's still in bed as they always kept a late vigil over Kenshin who appeared to be in some sort of coma. But, Tomoe knew better although she can't say that out loud just yet. So, when Tomoe had recovered a few days before, she had taken the job of preparing the early morning meal if not all of them. She *had* tasted Kaoru's cooking and... well... it wasn't an experience to relive. Tomoe still felt weak not only because of the attack of the men she encountered a few days back but also because of the pain she had to endure in her transition from the dead. She sighed in resignation. 'Yare yare... Demo, it still feels good to be alive.' she thought although some sadness crept in. 'For the moment...' She stopped walking suddenly when she realized that she was just outside Kenshin's room. Her mouth parted slightly as her expression betrayed shock. Ever since she could move around more, she was overcome with panic when she found out later on that she was in the same place her husband... iie, *former* husband... is in! Her first thought was, 'It's too soon... too soon!' Panic is an emotion she rarely had and even showed. She was just thankful that everyone else thought her panic was brought upon by the thought of being in unfamiliar surroundings so they tried to make her comfortable. For her gratitude, she forcefully came to grips with reality and calmed down enough to appreciate all the fuss. After all, she was touched by the warmth shared by this odd combination of personalities and how they're handling the situation at hand. Afterwards, using the information she was given by her partner, Tomoe told the group that she was just a traveler with no knowledge of where she came from and such. That she happened to be passing by when she was attacked. Kaoru then came out of her shell and offered Tomoe shelter amidst their problems with one of the inhabitants. Although they were all worried about a certain redhead, they were pretty much accepting of one lone stranger to be part of their growing family. Touched by their openness, Tomoe accepted. However, ever since that time, she never bothered to visit Kenshin although she did pay close attention to how his condition is. She didn't want to intrude anymore as the group was already suspecting her of something after she said her name. After all, it wasn't too long ago that her brother committed his so called 'Jinchuu' and memories of Kenshin's wife... her... was all too fresh. For her name to sound just like her old one... well... She sighed deeply. 'Otouto no baka.' [stupid younger brother] However, standing just outside his room made her insides twist. It had been a long time... too long in fact since she last saw him. Bringing up her hand to her chest, she stood frozen yet curious. Her heart pounded insistently as the pain there increased. 'Should I...?' she thought silently. A determination came and so, hesitantly, she silently slid the shoji open and peered in. What she saw made her expression soft and her feeling light. Kenshin was lying down peacefully now with his chest rising and lowering ever so slightly as no nightmares were intruding at the present. 'He looks just like he did more than a decade ago except now, he's more mature...' Tomoe thought wistfully as she scanned her former loved one's exposed body. Upon seeing the cross-scar, her expression softened more. 'You kept your promise... Thank you.' A genuine smile touched her lips. She was proud of whom Kenshin had become and seeing the people with him reassures her that what she hears *up there* were no lies and the rare times she was allowed to see him as a spirit had only strengthened her suspicions. 'It's good he's found a home...' A movement inside the room made her turn her head. The woman named Kaoru was sleeping beside Kenshin, her hand holding onto his as if to offer support. Another smile touched Tomoe's lips after the astonishment faded. 'Kamiya Kaoru... Take care of him.' was all she thought as she closed the shoji back to its shutters. For a moment, all she could do was keep her hands on the door as she lowered her head, the rare smile still there on her lips. 'You two make a good pair... Thank you, Kami-sama for saving him...' was all Tomoe could think of as she dropped her hands to her sides and proceeded to the kitchen, a lightness to her step as she moved on. ***** Swish... Swish... Swi- SMACK! "Ittai [ouch]..." a quiet voice protested quietly. "Baka deshi! [stupid pupil!] You're not doing it right again! Do another set!" a harsh reply came at the heels of the protest. "Demo... Shish..." "No buts! Do another set or you won't get dinner!" A set of grumbles and curses. "Well...?" "Hai, hai... " Kenshin reluctantly opened his eyes not knowing exactly when he fell asleep. All he could remember was that his last thoughts still focused on why all the memories were coming back to him. It's the nth time and he's given up trying to figure out what to do yet everytime he sees some of the events from the past, he would unconsciously break down and start the questions all over again. With a heavy sigh, he sat up to see what the next painful event is to wake up to. His eyes widened. "Shishou..." the boy started as a grunt emanated from him right after the statement as he brought down the katana in long, swooping arc. "What is it?" Hiko said irritatingly. "Isn't there anything we could do?" "Do about what?" "Don't... play blind... or deaf with me... " a chibi Kenshin declared as he completed a move, "people are suffering. Can't we do anything?!" "Baka yarou!" his master cried out, "How many times do I have to tell you that..." "'... we can't side with anyone because that side would win.' I know that! But..." chibi Kenshin interrupted only to receive a blow to the head from an SD Hiko. "Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking, baka deshi! As I was saying..." The adult Kenshin could only smile at that particular memory. How foolish he had been then. After all these years, he still would go back to that time and regret his decision. He should have stayed and listened to his shishou. It would have spared him of the pain. Just then, another scene came in. It was snowing and he was fighting with Hiko. "Demo, shishou! People are truly suffering! How long can we hold back and do nothing while people..." "Listen to me! Ken wa Kyouki! Kenjutsu wa saisujin-jutsu! [note: I think those were the words of Hiko that translates to: "A sword is a (kenjutsu) weapon. Kenjutsu is a killing technique."] Chibi Kenshin stood still in shock while the adult Kenshin looked at his master. He was surprised to find the pain in the older man's expression that he didn't know was there since the man was facing the other direction. He caused Hiko that much pain? As Kenshin watched, he recalled that that marked the start... the start of his downfall as a pure and innocent individual. ***** Sano woke up to the sounds of laughter outside his apartment. After taking the fox home late last night, he went straight home. Although it may seem a miracle to many, Sano was just bone weary. Since Kenshin's demise, he had stopped virtually all of his habits to lend support to the Dojo and did many other things to the surprise of everyone such as helping out with the chores at the Dojo. But, his help was appreciated and badly needed. Once his head cleared of the morning fog, he stared at the ceiling and placed both of his hands behind his head and started to think. Since he came back with the woman named Tomoe, he's been bothered about her. He couldn't quite place his finger on the problem but there's something strange, even familiar, about that woman in question... Yeah, she's a great cook, a great all-around help, and more, suggesting someone born and raised in the uppers of society given that she does perfect womanly duties as well as educated to some extent... But, she's quiet and distant at the same... Growling in frustration, Sano stood up and grabbed his clothing. Time to see Katsu with this particular mystery... ***** Later on that day... "Ne, kitsune-onna!" Sano cried out as he waved to the familiar figure ahead of him. "Baka! You don't have to yell!" Megumi fumed back. "Good day to you too. Geez, what's got you worked up anyway?" Sano countered with a smile. "Nothing...." "Whaddya mean, 'Nothin' '?! Knowin' you..." "Nothing!" Megumi snapped before calming down and apologizing. "Sorry... Just... well..." Megumi suddenly stopped walking, her motion so sudden that Sano just walked past her before skidding to a halt. "Why'd you stop?!" "Baka! We're at the dojo already!" Megumi said with a sweatdrop. "Oro..." Sano imitated the redhead. Big mistake he realized just after he made the sound as Kaoru became visible at the now-opened dojo gate. Kaoru had started to get some of her spirit back after Kenshin's strange illness, her being more determined now than ever to do anything to care for the redhead after some encouragement from the rest of the mottled family. However, she is still young and the pressure of having her loved one in an unknown state weighed down on her much more than it did on anyone. And, upon hearing her friend's voices outside, Kaoru came out to greet them with a smile when Sano made the remark. Then, as sudden as her appearance, her joy faded to worry and to horror. "Jo-chan..." Sano started. Kaoru snapped back to reality, fighting off the tears that threatened to pour. "Iie, Sano, Megumi..." she said with false happiness, her voice shaking just a tad bit. "Come in! I'll be with you in a moment..." With that, she dashed back inside, shouting to Yahiko to do some more practice moves and swings with the latter complaining about the overload. Megumi looked at Sano with malice in her eyes. No words needed to be exchanged between them as the tall man sweatdropped. However, to ease the tension, the woman doctor merely said, "That was too close..." before heading inside the dojo. Sano stood rooted for a few more minutes before releasing a shaky breath. 'Ya... too close indeed.' he echoed. Then, "Kitsune didn't tell me what was on her mind! Darn that woman!" he said before dashing after her inside the dojo, taking a few seconds to close the gate behind him. Unknown to all of them, Tomoe had been watching, worry and guilt somewhat etched to the fathoms of her eyes although none of these emotions reflected on her face. She closed her eyes and leaned her back against a nearby wooden post she had been using as a hiding place as well as a support. 'Hang in there, minna-san... All will be known soon... Soon...' End chapter five. Notes: took long ne? Gomen... Any comments would be greatly appreciated! More chapters will be out soon, I promise... this time also, in less time than usual. Thanks for the support so far! ^^ Lee ^^v