Rurouni Kenshin © Nobuhiro Watsuki

Beta Reader: Kokoronagomu. Thank you very much. :)

Cat Tales

70

Two days later found a crowd of people at the burial site. The sky was neither blue nor black but instead a dull, aching grey. The wind was soft and cold freezing the place eerily.

Kenshin was gone.

Kaoru trembled as incoming tears once again brimmed her eyes and Akira's warm hand came to rest on her shoulder and squeezed. As if on cue her small body began to shake and her knees weakened below her knee-length black dress. The hand over her shoulder quickly snaked around her waist and held her to him.

Akira pursed his lips as he held Kaoru, his own heart twisting with his pain. His eyes blinking rapidly to stop the tears that wanted, needed to flow… but not here, not now. Today he needed to be strong, today he would support this breaking Kaoru and only when she managed to stand again he would allow himself to mourn.

Kenshin was dead.

The pain in his chest once again warmed until he had to take several deep intakes of breath to stop the sob that demanded out. No… not today.

The male college student sighed and focused once again in the words of the priest. He vaguely wondered if Kenshin knew him personally or if it was someone Hiko had known. Kenshin was never very religious… but with age he had become wiser and had agreed with many of their teachings even if he didn't practice them. Perhaps it was fitting to see him off with the Kami's blessing.

He pursed his lips, uncomfortable around these strangers. He knew only a few of them as Kenshin had become a very private person since he came to live with them. Kenshin had stubbornly declared they would stay in Japan and that they needed to be careful. They weren't sure about him but Kaoru did not age. If a lot of people knew about them they would risk Kaoru being discovered as something different and inhuman.

They all accepted it easily. Being honest they cared not for the outside world. Kaoru had confided in him that she was a purely homey person and that she had been bound to a family these last millennia. That she had lived for so long surprised him and he pondered about the possible fate he could endure for almost a month. Then he finally talked with Kaoru and bombarded her with questions. At the end… he still didn't know what to think or feel about the possibility of living forever. He was culturally too human to even understand the concept.

Life with them had been fun. He often trained with Kenshin to control his power. Kenshin was a terrific mix of magic that had kept him entertained for years. His unusual amount of power and the subtle way he could bend his magic taught him everything he needed to know to control his own vast reserves of power. He had been kind to lend him his warped-space, his collective, to store his magic reserves. It had helped a lot in his erratic teen years. Now… now he didn't know what he was to do with that space filled with a surreal amount of items infused with magic… he guessed it could be used as a weapon someday.

A deadly weapon.

A squeeze to his arm made him glance down and Kaoru gave him a grateful smile, "Thanks for being here, Akira." She then took a deep breath and pressed her side to his, seeking comfort, "I can't see," she murmured with no real emotion.

Akira sighed. He was much taller and he could see where the priest stood but Kaoru couldn't. They had decided to stay a little back not wanting to risk being seen, just in case. They were supposedly Kenshin's son and daughter. They knew it would work, they had been doing this for years now but it was never bad to be extra careful, "Of course," he said to Kaoru after a moment.

Her magic brushed against his in a soothing caress and his chest tightened. Her magic felt off. She felt…dead.

After his training with Kenshin, Kaoru took over. Kaoru was a mean master but the singularity of her magic made him crave the training. Even if he ended up hurting and his arms, legs and mind felt like mush the next day.

Being an Esper was amazing.

She taught him to understand his instincts to predict the weather, to hunt, to fight and defend and to transform. Yes, he had the power and control to transform into his chosen animal.

He had chosen a dark-furred wolf. He had been ecstatic when he first transformed. Then he transformed every evening to practice and even went to explore around the house, and into the nearby forest, with his new heightened senses. It was a whole new experience! To be able recognize Kaoru by scent and not only sight, to recognize the different type of plants and animals. To feel the dirt beneath his paw and to feel the wind as it passed through his fur as he ran.

He was in love with himself back in those days.

Now… now he knew the scent of Kaoru's tears and grief by sight and smell. It was how he found her after he received the call from the hospital. They told him they couldn't locate his sister, that she had run off when Kenshin died and never returned.

Akira hadn't been close, not far either but he had rushed back to the house when he heard about her being missing. Kenshin had told him about the deal she had made with Enishi when he had turned fifteen. By then Kenshin considered him old enough to understand matters of grown-ups. Kenshin explained how Kaoru saved him from Tomoe, who he later discovered was his mother and how Enishi had promised to return for her, to make her his woman when Kenshin died.

He had been so scared after that call. He knew Enishi was going to come for her… but he had been terrified to think he would be there so fast after Kenshin's death. He wouldn't, would he? Enishi couldn't be so cold.

Instincts had taken over and before he even knew it he was running in his wolf-form and he started tracking Kaoru. It took him hours but he found her. He found her on a bed of fallen leaves, naked, numb and crying. He carefully took her home, placed her in the bathtub and let her to her own devices. Thankfully she had taken it upon herself to wash and dress into a yukata before coming to meet him.

She did little more than sob and hold on to him that night.

He did little more than rub circles into her back and sigh.

He felt so lost.

Kenshin knew how to deal with her and how to stop her crying but he didn't. He was only a kid of twenty-something while Kenshin was over thrice his age… that without mentioning Kaoru's age. He was nothing compare to them, just a fool of a child.

"It's over," whispered Kaoru as she clenched his coat.

Akira blinked at the crowd who quickly gathered to say their last farewells and to throw their white flowers into Kenshin's grave.

Kaoru's hand clenched on his desperately, "Do you want to—"he tried to ask.

"No," she hissed brokenly, "It doesn't matter…we shouldn't."

Akira said nothing. He agreed with her words… they shouldn't go near yet. Not with so many people lurking around… making small conversation and looking for familiar faces.

So they waited until everyone had said and did their things and left before nearing the now empty place. It took some moments for them to approach the grave of the man who gave them so much, who loved them so much, but together…they did it.

Kaoru collapsed and he quickly caught her and gently helped her down the rest of the way. She was limp in his arms. When he released her she didn't kneel like he expected, instead she dropped down to lay over Kenshin's tomb. Again she started to sob.

Akira moved around her and placed the white lilies next to the huge pile of flowers already decorating the stone. Then he knelt down and sent Kenshin his prayers and apologized for not being there when he was ill. He knew Kenshin understood. He knew what Kenshin wanted… but he was yet undecided about what to do. It was… complicated.

He turned to see Kaoru watching him through sorrowful blue eyes, "Ken-Kenshin said…to be happy," she said between harsh intakes of breaths, "He said…that I would…k-know what to…do, but…I don't," she finally whined between sobs, "I don't know what to do."

Akira sighed and was about to pat her head when a brush of magic, wild and powerful, surged through the field and collided against theirs. Kaoru jumped to her feet with her face pale and hands shaking. "He-he's here," she stammered, borderline panicking.

"Enishi?" he asked with a frown and when he startled blue eyes met his he flinched at her accusing look, "Kenshin told me."

Unable to even start to ponder the fact that he already knew everything she began to back away from where the magic originated, from the main danger. She looked like a young and frail girl, her eyes wide and her hair floating behind her ominously. The black dress with lace at the bottom didn't help much to instill confidence or intimidate anyone. "No…not now…," she whispered as tears started to flow down.

Akira shivered inside, the terror in her eyes doing something to him and he quickly moved closer to her and made hushing sounds, "Calm down, Kaoru," he whispered as he hugged her, "It will be all right," he added softly, all the while conscious of the energy coming near them.

"No…he won't…" she tried between tears, "We can't…"

Akira hushed her and placed himself between her and the new comer…and waited.

To Akira this was an awkward moment. He watched the silhouette of a tiger shift form to that of a human man as he walked down the last steps towards him. Like the tiger the man had white hair and blue-green eyes and his aura shone with raw power and intimidation. He wore simple jeans and t-shirt but anyone who laid eyes on him would know he was different. The man stopped before him and his eyes glared at him from over his dark shades.

Even Akira, who had enough Esper blood, felt his skin crawl with this male's power, "Father," he acknowledged with an even and confident tone of voice.

Instantly Enishi's eyes blinked and a placid expression appeared on the man's hard face, "Oh! So this is where you were," he said as if surprised and then a grin appeared, "You have aged well," he stated proudly.

Akira remained still for some moments, taking in this stranger in front of him. He resembled his father little… he had more of Tomoe. However, there was an odd, inhuman, glint in his father's eyes that had his insides churning nervously, "What are you doing here?" he finally asked, dark eyes locked on his father's.

A smirk appeared on Enishi's lips and he showed Akira a simple, wild flower, "I came to send the half-mage off with my regards," he said simply and moved past Akira slowly, glanced furtively at Kaoru, and then went to the grave.

Enishi stood in front of the grave for long moments, simply staring down at the carvings on the gravestone before he finally dropped the tiny flower over the rest. Then he turned to them and there was a flicker of apprehension in his gaze, "You took care of my son?" asked Enishi with keen aqua eyes directed at Kaoru.

Kaoru had tears in her eyes, from panic this time, so she merely nodded her head. She wasn't sure she could even speak. She made sure to hold on tight to Akira's coat.

Again, that flash of confusion crossed Enishi's eyes and he turned to his son again and measured him up. "Power flows from him… but it's controlled," Enishi whispered to himself and then turned to Kaoru, "Are you going to come with me today?" he asked with a serious expression.

Kaoru tensed behind Akira but before she could say anything Akira responded, "Allow her time to grieve," he said in a growl, "Kenshin just died."

Anger blazed on those aqua eyes at an alarming rate as he glared at Akira, "Shut your mouth," he ordered with an uncomfortable push of his magic, "You shouldn't be here at all… you shouldn't be with Kaoru at all!" Again, another push of dark magic seemed to throw itself at Akira who took a deep breath and pressed a hand to his chest, "She's not even human! Espers don't grieve!"

"Stop!" cried Kaoru as she moved in front of Akira and allowed the vortex of energy to come into her, slowly permeating it through her reserves and releasing it as carefully.

Enishi watched her with guarded eyes as she channeled his energy and waited until she was finished before speaking again, "Be careful of what you do little Kaoru," the white haired Esper warned as he turned away, "We will meet again soon." After that, and a dubious glance at Akira he walked away from them.

Slowly the tension started to leave Akira and he breathed normally again. It took some time and effort to bring his energy levels to a semblance of balance again… they had been attacked so viciously… never had he thought it possible for this to happen. He had expected, perhaps, strong magical attacks and had learned about shields… he had expected the manipulation of the elements…maybe… but an attack to his own control of himself was terribly unexpected, "Damn."

Kaoru sighed at his side and squeezed his arm, "That's your father," Kaoru said with a sad smile, "Yukishiro Enishi."

Akira made a noncommittal sound and brushed off invisible dirt from his clothes, "He didn't seem happy to see me."

The statement hung in the air and Kaoru sighed, "He didn't, did he?" she said uncertainly, "He didn't seem happy with me either."

Akira grinned, "He didn't, did he?" he mocked her and he was glad when she replied back with a similar grin.

Then her face sobered some, "He terrifies me sometimes," she told him honestly, finally glad to be able to talk about her fate and Enishi, "He's never done anything to me… but his reputation precedes him. He's an Esper of war and battle… a barbaric warrior in heart and soul…and I am not warrior at all."

Akira said nothing, he didn't know what to say or do. He was merely a duckling who had a lot of power but though his control was reasonable for his age it was not exceptionally good. He was a warrior too, though, Kenshin had said so… but… could he do what Kenshin had asked him?

"Perhaps…" he started and when Kaoru looked up at his quizzically he stopped for a moment, "Perhaps we should fight him." He said it evenly but there was fear inside of him. Could he really kill his father?

There was a minute of silence were Kaoru simply looked to where Enishi had disappeared to. Then she turned to Akira with a sad smile, "Let's go home, Akira," she said with an almost normal voice, "I am tired."

Akira nodded and followed her softly a few steps behind but when the first drops of moisture began to fall from the crying sky he quickly opened his umbrella and moved next to Kaoru to cover her from the incoming rain as well.

Kaoru looked up, tears once again threatening to fall, and…smiled.

xxoOoxx

FIN

xxoOoxx

Cat Tales is finally over :]

As previously stated, there may be a sequel but that would be after I finish 'The Blood'.

Please, let me know what you think and if there was a sequel which pairing would you support?

Thanks for reading! Until we meet again!