Subject: [KFFDISC] Real Dreams Chapter 9 Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 13:28:13 +0000 From: "Lee H." Reply-To: kffdisc@nabiki.com To: kffdisc@nabiki.com ooh! hi there! been some time since i posted again... *sigh* i know i promised some people a post last... er... april? may? so sorry, ann-chan and sentora-san ^^x just got reaaaally hooked up in school T.T i'm on sembreak now so i hope to finish something before the next term starts in 2 weeks ^^x ok, im still in the process of cleaning up the rest of real dreams and given the time i'm taking, i ended up starting a new series... again... i'll post that one up after i finish with real dreams (yeah, right... i might finish that other fic first ^^v) 'neways, to view previous chapters of real dreams, please go to http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=848435 ok, the fic. thanks for your reviews so far! ^^ it's greatly appreciated ^^ ***** Disclaimer: RK is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, SPE, Shueisha, Fuji TV, Jump Comics, and all their affiliates. No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposes only and not monetary, people! Note: I don’t know anything about Japan’s religion save for what I needed for a research paper I wrote two long years ago ^^; So, I created a substitute in this fic by creating a ‘council’. However, I will only refer to them vaguely… Okay, think this way: think like Greek mythology. There are many Gods in Olympus and there are roles for each of them. But, here, I will not name them save for who is speaking and such. ^^; *sigh* I hope you understood me! ^^;;; Second note: Please remember that this is an AU fic so please don’t let what happened in the second OVA confuse you with future parts of this fic ;p REAL DREAMS Chapter Nine ********** Clutching a single manila envelope to his side, the mysterious being that acted as Kenshin’s guide moved forward through the narrow hallway. He glanced around and could barely take refuge from the sparse blue and gray decoration of the place surrounding him. Tall columns of material resembling marble made the place reflect all the more the gloominess that surrounded their world, the world of the afterlife. He glanced briefly the envelope containing his summons; he had been called to a special meeting of the Great Ones. ‘Why call me at a time like this? And to think that it’s in the middle of a mission!’ he thought distractedly as a fraction of his mind worried over his younger brother. He then noticed that he had stopped moving. Cursing, he realized that he was going to be late if he kept on drifting off like that. Moving along, he broke into a brisk walk towards the door at the end of the hallway. Moments later, he reached the heavy doors leading to the conference-type room. Breathing deeply, he prayed to the gods that whatever the Beings were going to tell him was not bad news… or worse. Calming down his racing heart, he knocked smartly on the ancient-looking wood. Without further ado, the doors swung open to admit him. The room it opened to was no different in decoration than that of the hallway. However, what it lacked in decoration was made up for by the vastness of the place. Truly, it is a remarkable work of craftsmanship and of engineering. As a matter of fact, judging from the look of the place, the guide thinks that he could fit whole cities in here with room to spare for other things. Other than that, the room is as empty and as sparse as many places in the Other World. Focusing his attention to the middle of the room, he could make out a long table dominating that section of the place. But that wasn’t what surprised him. What did was the fact that there are a lot of Beings sitting around it right now. He counted and was even shocked speechless when he found that all were present. One of the Beings seemed to notice his discomfiture and said, “Yes, we are all gathered as of this moment to give you due notice of what is to happen.” Another of the Beings turned to acknowledge his presence. “As you know, the second phase is about to begin shortly. “We,” the Being said as he moved his arm to encompass everyone gathered, “have decided so even if it is earlier than expected…” “Ano…” the guide hesitated. The Beings waited for the guide to speak as it is unusual for lesser beings to interrupt anyone from a higher authority. The guide was suddenly embarrassed. “I know that it is not my place to ask or to even question your decisions. However…” One Being interrupted him although his voice was not harsh. “We know that you worry for your brother as you have worried for his sake since you left him in the plane of the living. Furthermore, you worry for him because you do not know what is going to happen other than what is written for you to follow.” The guide could only stare at the floor although he acknowledged with a slight nod. One of the Beings sighed heavily before speaking to the others, “Don’t you think it’s time to tell him? After all, he is the brother… No, not all the details but enough to get him, and them, by…” The Beings argued for a few short tense moments before settling down once again. The first Being who spoke turned to the guide. “You wish to know?” The guide’s eyes widened as he looked up to see the Being speaking to him, hardly believing this chance that they were endowing upon him, a mere servant. Not even realizing that his mouth was agape, he nodded slightly. The Being chuckled lightly before proceeding. “Your brother, as you know, is undergoing a test given by us Beings. More than a decade ago, We were shocked by his behavior during the war in the Land of the Rising Sun. With everything running amok in that country, We decided a heavy punishment for everyone involved in the massacres. And, him being one of the main characters involved, we decided something graver.” With every word the Being said, the guide felt terror running through his veins at the thought of what will happen to his only sibling if the punishment – or punishments – are carried out. The Being sighed wearily then. “Yet, he stopped. We,” he pointed to himself and to the others, “were shocked, so to speak. Why did he stop? What happened? And so, We learned later on that the war was won and that the man known as the Hitokiri has disappeared. Interested, we researched his life from the past as well as sent out Searchers to find this man, to gather as much data as we could about the One Who Slaughtered. We searched, collated, and correlated data We had until we finally saw the man himself for who he truly is.” The Being turned in his seat to face the guide. “Your brother is an interesting character. However, We saw that he can never lead a normal life unless he drops a part of him that he so desperately wants to disappear.” At the questioning look the guide gave, the Being continued. “If you will indulge me, let me bring you back to the Jinchuu of Yukishiro Enishi. “After that particular debacle, your younger brother was able to let go, supposedly, of the pain and the guilt. However, the physical and the psychological scar remains because no matter how he tries, there is still some of the guilt left in him; something that he hasn’t come to realize yet in the time he wasted away in Rakuninmura. “A tragic fellow, to tell you the truth. However, We think otherwise. No other being has held our interest this much before so, in a way, we conceived a little reward for him.” “Reward?” the guide questioned, a little incredulous. Another of the beings smiled albeit wearily. “Yes, reward. You see, We have *lived* his life with him by recounting most, if not all, of the moments of his life that We finally saw the person he truly is. And, what We have found is very much contrasting with the individual that We have judged harshly during the war.” The first Being spoke again. “In conclusion, this is the step to the reward. Although We find ourselves favoring him, We do not believe in giving rewards outright to any person.” “Because they should earn it.” the guide concluded suddenly, understanding coming to light up his features. The first Being smiled. “Correct.” “So, what…” “… will his reward be?” the Being interjected. At the nod given by the guide, the first Being continued. “All his life, blood had been a major factor, blood taken by his hands from those who had inferior skills compared to him... then came isolation and his repentance for an unstoppable crime that he committed that threatened his own sanity but at the same time took away his happiness. “After a thorough review of his life, We… feel… felt what he went through. We are not human yet We had human emotions. And, collectively, We decided that We wanted to fill the true void he bears within him with the happiness that was deprived so suddenly…” “You… You want to… give him happiness?” the guide blurted out with a hint of uncertainty tinting his voice. Although he was glad for his little brother, he thought it extreme of the Beings to give this harsh a treatment for something as… simple… as happiness. The first Being nodded. “Yes… You may be well thinking that We are crazy for giving this sanity-breaking test for something as simple as happiness for a reward and nothing more. Furthermore, in the long run, it is Himura Kenshin who will benefit from it all if he passes the last two phases of the test. We believe that he will pass for he is strong. And, depending on the outcome, We may decide to do more for him than We had done for any other being. As it is, the reward, for now, is named as happiness and security in life in all his reincarnations from this point forth. Never will he fear of innocent blood staining his hands again. That much We guarantee at this point.” Shocked, the guide could only stare at the Beings. Never in his life… has he seen them this passionate about something. Furthermore, for it to be his sibling to catch them in this way! The first Being spoke suddenly. “As you are aware, We have sped up the process of the test as time had dictated the early advancement of the events. However, that means that We are being drained of more energy than We anticipated hence, the recall of the other members. Although not serious, it is enough to keep us occupied. “Since We have to be complete for the task to be done, We are sending you there to help Yukishiro-san.” The guide stared at them. “Join them?” Then he looked at a manila folder that appeared before him. “Those are your new orders. Remember, you are there to guide, not to tell them what to do as you will know what this test is really about with the supplements provided to you.” the Being continued pointing to the other papers stuffed in the envelope. “Yes, Higher Being.” the guide said formally before bowing low respectfully. “Hurry along now. If our estimations are correct, phase two will begin shortly after your arrival there…” The guide panicked and exclaimed. “What?!” and with that, he raced back through the corridors to the portal that would lead him back to the Kenshin-gumi. “Good luck…” the Beings said simultaneously to the quickly receding form of the guide. He turned back to the group to initiate the second phase of the operation. ‘And I thought that this assignment would be a great time for reunion…’ the guide thought as he read the documents while traveling in the portal. He didn’t even feel himself being made human by the mere fact that he was too shocked by the details of what phase two is about and what needs to be accomplished by his younger brother to live through it. ********** “Watakushi wa Yukishiro Tomoe de gozaimasu.” Such simple words of introduction spoken elegantly by a simple woman shouldn’t have surprised anyone. In fact, they should be acknowledged and even returned by those who received the greeting. “Yoroshiku. Onegai itashimasu.” [these are some usual things you say after introducing yourself] Furthermore, it is polite to not stare at the person introducing themselves like they were abominable aliens. Five minutes. Tick… tock… tick… tock… tick… tock… Even the crickets were making more noise than the occupants in the Kamiya household’s dining area as all the occupants, save for the one who gave the greeting, had their mouths hanging open in shock. Their eyes were wide, the food forgotten. Furthermore, they all had one thought crossing their minds, ‘Yukishiro… Tomoe… is… alive…’ Tomoe took this in patiently and waited behind the impassive mask of hers. Ten minutes. Tick… tock… tick… tock… tick… tock… Tomoe sighed, almost imperceptibly. That broke everyone’s reverie. “Yukishiro Tomoe” “Oi, …” “What’re you…?” Kaoru, Sano, and Yahiko breathed out all at the same time even before Megumi could open her mouth. This was followed by longer sentences that flew by at higher speeds that Tomoe looked a little troubled by the onslaught of questions. “QUUUIIIIET!” The three looked at a very vexed Megumi, smoke still escaping from atop her head. With gritted teeth, Megumi said, “Could… you… wait… one… at… a… time…?! We’re all… curious!” They settled down. Megumi sighed deeply before assuming again the air of superiority. “Maybe we should let her explain ne?” she gestured towards Tomoe. Nodding her gratitude, Tomoe faced the group, nervousness gone. “Yes, for the meantime, I am alive to act as a guide for you all.” At the questioning glances, she continued. “As we are pressed for time, I will make this short. “Kenshin is undergoing a test that is given by the Higher Beings. With this, he must overcome some obstacles in order to be able to be rewarded by them. You, as his friends, may assist him. However, your task will be limited by what he needs and by what you will be limited to by them. I and my partner have been assigned to guide you all. This is all you have to know for now.” “Why?” Kaoru asked solemnly, not even entertaining her shock in hearing Tomoe speak more than a couple of sentences at a time. Tomoe turned her attention to the younger woman. “I don’t really know as that information was never passed to me. However, I am hoping that all will be clear and over soon.” She turned her gaze to stare at the sky outside. “I pray for his success and yours.” For the next few minutes, they questioned Tomoe about everything about her appearance to the living world to issues surrounding Kenshin. For the meantime, everyone is reassured that he is not dead, that he is going to come back to them eventually. With the brief pause that followed, everyone tried to digest the shocking information that they had received. Then, he came. A portal opened directly into the dining area. It was Sano who noticed it first. “Shimatta! What the hell is that?!” he asked, pointing to the black void that had appeared a few inches from the wall. Before anyone could react or even panic, Tomoe held up one hand to silence them while she stared at the portal curiously. Then, a man stepped forth. “Shinji-san!” she exclaimed, referring to the guide. She noticed his appearance. “You’re…” She never got to finish her sentence because when Shinji looked around, and his gaze fell on Tomoe, he said immediately, “Tomoe-kun! Good, I found you. All of you.” he added when he saw the rest of the people in the room. Quickly, he reiterated for everyone’s benefit why he was there. However, he left out some details, facts that were unnecessary at the moment. Although the Kenshin-gumi still had some apprehensions about the newcomer, Tomoe seemed to trust him so they decided some time later to do so as well. It was minutes after that Shinji looked at Tomoe, worry etched in his eyes enough to betray his nervousness. “What is it?” Tomoe asked, curious. “There’s no hiding it from you is there?” he smiled briefly before looking down. “Well, the Beings said that phase two will commence soon after I arrive but I don’t know when it…” Suddenly, a scream is heard. One long, agonized scream. It stopped abruptly. “… will start.” he finished dully as he knew what this meant. Everyone else looked around the room but noticed that none of them emitted the bone-chilling scream. “Who…” The question was barely out of everyone’s mouths when the scream repeated, more painful in nature than the first. “Seems familiar…” Sano said thoughtfully when he felt something brush past him in a hurry. “Kenshin…” was all they heard from Kaoru as she ran out into the night. End of chapter nine. Notes from Lee: *sheepish* I think I bored you all with this one by its simplemindedness… I made a lot of ‘shortcuts’ to cover more ground so this chapter is a little rushed or something… Ok, so I’m on the losing side with the battle with stress! I’m getting my class cards tomorrow so I’m nervous with worry! *turns SD and crosses fingers* I hope I passed all my subjects!! Ara… C&C greatly appreciated!