The Will to Live, A Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic

By Empathic Soul

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Rurouni Kenshin Characters or plot.

Summary: This story happens right after the Jinchuu Arc, however, this is before everyone set off on their own journeys. This story portrays that final battle they have to face together and the realizations they would have.

PROLOGUE

The Meiji Era, the time wherein peace and restoration was held with utmost priority. Every single individual striving to grow out of the memories of bloodshed caused by the previous times have dared to contribute even in the smallest ways to remove the negative memories of the past. Changes are happening. From big drastic changes in the government system, to habitual difference with the adaptation of western culture; slowly in this time, change is about to come and everyone is welcoming it.

The age of the samurai parading with katanas is about to end, and are now replaced by wielding western weapons such as guns and sabers. However, the heart of a samurai will never be lost, as it's intricately embedded in the hearts of every honorable warrior, of every person saved by a noble fighter, and of every person who values the code of honor.

And with every age, the name of the strongest warrior, almost now considered a legend, still resounds to everyone—the name Hitokiri Battousai.

….

"Kenshin?" Kaoru turned around looking at the red-haired samurai standing near the entrance of the dojo. She was practicing her katas whilst preparing herself for the coming of her students.

Kenshin looked at her gently with a soft smile on his face. He just finished doing the laundry and most the menial tasks that he used to do in the dojo. It's been a year since he started living with the Kenshingumi and true enough, this is the closest to what he can describe as having a family.

Kaoru stared at Kenshin, seemingly unable to reply to her query. She brushed off a little sweat from her forehead and proceeded to take a step towards him with her bokken held loosely in her right hand. She raised the bokken and gave him a playful pat on the head—strong enough to bring him back to his senses.

"Oro?" Kenshin looked surprised. The intent to bring him back from his daydream worked.

"Haha, Kenshin, what's wrong? I called your name and you didn't answer." She smirked. "Are you feeling ill?"

"Ahh, no Kaoru-dono. I'm feeling quite fine, that I am." Kenshin replied, looking sheepish. Kaoru raised an eyebrow and Kenshin had to keep himself from berating himself from worrying her.

"Kenshin, we've talked about this. The reason why we're always at a loss sometimes, is because we fail to talk about the small things." Kaoru placed her hand on her waist, seemingly reprimanding the hitokiri. "I do recall that we've agreed that this team, if we want to make it work as a family, should be open to each other."

"I do remember, that I do." Kenshin nodded, "But what I said is true, Kaoru-dono. I'm not feeling sick, I was just perhaps thinking…"

"Thinking?" Kaoru looked at him curiously.

"Yes, thinking…" Kenshin sighed and replied, "…of how grateful I am, to be here…that I am."

Kaoru smiled gently. "Idiot. This is your family. And that's what family does." She proceeded back to the middle of the dojo with a slight smile on her face. She continued her katas while Kenshin stood there looking at her.

It's been quite a while since the Enishi incident but he still couldn't help but worry. A lot of people have come for her life because they wanted him to revert to being a manslayer. But every moment he came close to going back, he would remember the lessons he got from very important people in his life.

As a manslayer, he belonged to his handler-to the faction he served. He killed for the future and earned a lot of enemies.

As a wanderer for 10 years, he belonged to no one but to his oath. He may not have gotten into much trouble as he would have imagined, but he didn't have a place to go home to—he couldn't even go back to Kyoto.

Then, as Kenshin, a member of the kenshingumi, he found this. He had a friend who would punch the living daylights out of him to get him back to shape. He had a supportive and nagging but outstanding female doctor who brings him back to life after always being near death's door. He had a young boy who believes in what he believes and understands the core of his principles. He may be young, but he's a promising samurai of the Meiji era.

And of course, he had her.

The woman who he left because of fear for her safety.

The woman who went after him, travelled miles and miles just to see him again.

The woman who had given him the will to live—the will to struggle and fight for life.

The woman who he now completely accepts as his reason to live.

Kamiya Kaoru is his life and he will not deny it anymore.

That is the truth and his only absolute truth.

….

Yahiko mused looking at the two from a far. He saw how Kenshin literally broke down and went to absolute depression when he thought Kaoru was dead. He also saw how utterly devastated Kaoru was when Kenshin left for Kyoto. However, even though he was young, he practically understood deep down why those two remained somehow with a safe distance from each other. Both of them making sure they could see each other, but at the same time not being too close. It is but human to avoid that feeling of pain, but at the same time, desire that feeling of pleasure.

He's growing up-because finally he's starting to understand these things.

But, he also knew that time was running out. Kenshin has been in much too many battles and soon his body will no longer take it. He didn't need Megumi to tell him that. It was basically common sense. The battles he faced had presented him to death's door more than once. Yahiko clenched his fists in frustration, he needed to run faster, train harder, and develop his skills even more. He should stop dwindling and start focusing. This time, to be stronger not just to reach his level—Kenshin's level, but to be stronger to protect more people.

Scenes of Kaoru's death still flooded in his memory, maybe not as much as Kenshin's. He may love teasing Kaoru and calling her ugly and sometimes making her cry out of frustration and worry, but the truth is, Kaoru is his family. If there is one person here in this dojo that he would lay down his life for without a single thought, it would be Kaoru. She gave him a home when he had none. She gave him food when he was hungry. She gave him the chance to be a swordsman, a much needed change of career from pickpocketing. Kaoru was the refreshing change in his life that bought him to be a respectable man.

Without her, he probably would still be some worthless scum of a pickpocketer taking advantage of old men with kids in the market. But tsundere as he is, he will not admit that to her—never!

He looked behind him and saw Sanosuke coming in the dojo with the usual fishbone in his mouth. The gangster looked at the little boy and smirked.

"Yo! Wazzup?" Sanosuke looked at the direction Yahiko was looking. "Kenshin proposed already?"

"Tsh, you know he'd rather face three Shishio Makotos and Two Enishis twice in this lifetime than propose." Yahiko snorted.

"Haha, manslayer he may be, but a coward when it comes to love." Sanosuke laughed.

"As if you're someone to talk. Have you ever had the courage to go and tell that fox what you feel about her instead of recklessly trying to injure yourself just so that you can visit her in the clinic?" Yahiko teased.

Sanosuke could have sworn that he choked on that fish head but caught himself before Yahiko noticed it. He playfully punched the little boy's head causing Yahiko to grunt and grind his teeth in annoyance.

"Kids. Stop meddling in these kinds of situations." Sanosuke waved his finger. "When you're 18, that's when I can lend you an ear."

"Tsh, By 18, I'm probably married and you're still single. Coward." Yahiko spat while crossing his arms. "This little kid that you're talking to already gave flowers to his woman."

"W-woman?!" Sanosuke didn't hold back this time, because he really felt the fish head slide down his throat. It hurt, yes it definitely did. He coughed thrice. "You're referring to that T-tsubame chick right? The nerve boy!"

"What?! I'm not allowed?! I'm a man not a boy!" Yahiko shouted towards Sanosuke.

"You're a boy! You don't even have the height of man yet! Are you kidding?!" Sanosuke snorted. "Look, you barely reach half my waist and you claim to have a woman! Bwahahaha!"

Yahiko wasted no time hitting the much taller man on the shin and then to the stomach. Sanosuke was caught off guard but didn't falter to retaliate. He hit the boy on the head and started gritting his teeth in annoyance. A rumble suddenly started and noise could be heard all over the dojo until a certain flying object reached the two of them—hard, super hard, female sandals.

Kaoru was seething mad.

"You idiots! Get out of this dojo if you're going to create a distasteful scene!" Kaoru shouted. "Away noisy freeloaders!"

"Ow! Kaoru, that shoe hurt!" Yahiko complained, he took one direct hit, with that bumb on his forehead as proof.

"Jou-chan, you'll never get married if you're going to continue being this violent." Sanosuke muttered tending to his nose that got hit.

But well, he was asking for more right? Kaoru wasted no time hitting him with her bokken.

"What did you say?!" Kaoru seethed. "Say that again rooster-head."

"Maa…maaa…" Kenshin interrupted holding the bokken before he saw mangled bodies. "Kaoru-dono, Sano, Yahiko, let's put a halt in this. The students are coming in."

The three still glared daggers towards each other while being dragged by Kenshin to the side. Students started coming in the dojo greeting their teacher a pleasant morning. After the series of incidents and news of the heroism of the battousai and the members of kenshingumi, more people are getting interested to learn about the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu—the sword that protects. With the support from the government as payment to Kenshin's patronage and help also during dire incidents, recruits for the police and interns for the government are tasked to learn the basics of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu.

Income was steady for the Kamiya dojo and life couldn't be more peaceful…more perfect that it seems.

…

After the lessons, the kenshingumi settled in the dining hall to take their much-needed fill to eat. Kenshin placed the plates and Kaoru and Yahiko bought in the food. Kaoru sat beside Yahiko and Sano and Kenshin across them. This is the usual routine during weekends wherein they're all complete. Sometimes Megumi, Dr. Genzai and the kids would drop by for dinner or they would dine at the Akebeko, but most of the time they eat in peace.

Tonight the menu was classic, with rice, miso soup, some stir-fried vegetables, grilled fish and some agedashi tofu. They had some fruits to share at the end of the meal. One of their students shared with them some fruits their family just harvested.

And as usual, dinner is not complete without the habitual teasing.

"Oi, Jou-chan. Piece of advice. Don't cook." Sano commented spitting the piece of hard rock-like formation that came with his miso soup. "I can't believe there's someone who can mess up a miso soup."

"Then don't eat." Kaoru replied coldly. "You can go find your own food."

Yahiko and Kenshin silently munched and focused on their dining privileges. This conversation is going to get ugly soon. They better finish quick.

"It's a friendly advice." Sano looked at her. "But to give you much credit, the rice is getting better."

Sano took a mouthful of rice and a piece of fish. The table was full since there was steady income for the dojo now. With Yahiko also working part-time at the Akebeko and Kenshin doing some errands with the police once in a while, everyone's working pretty well together to make ends meet.

"I have to agree, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin nodded and Kaoru glared at him.

"What do you agree with, hmm?" Kaoru threated.

"Ahhh, that-that the rice you cook is getting better." Kenshin put his hands up in surrender as Kaoru glared at him. "Also the grilling of the fish…"

Kaoru scoffed and placed down her bowl. She stood up and proceeded to the exit. The two men were confused, because for them, they kinda thought that they were giving her a compliment. She stopped when she opened the door and looked back at them while glaring daggers towards the redhead and the rooster-head.

"Yahiko cooked the rice and the fish."

She slammed the door loudly that they could have sworn the entire dojo shook. They looked at Yahiko who still continued to eat. Yahiko opened one eye and smiled.

"Well, thanks for the compliment guys."

Kenshin and Sano sighed.

…

Kaoru went towards the kitchen area pouting and looking at the utensils. It's true; she doesn't know how to cook even rice or miso soup. She can't even freakin' fry an egg without making sure there are egg shells. But how can she learn, growing up with only her father, focusing on swordsmanship, and making sure she's literate is all that she was required to do.

She was never given the chance to learn the basics of being a lady, except wearing a kimono. She can never be as elegant as Megumi, as soft-spoken as Tae and Tsubame, she can never be that traditional Japanese girl, because she was not made to be that way.

She was the successor of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. She lifted a knife looking at it as the moon gleamed on its blade. She looked at the chopping board and sighed in remorse. She wanted to learn that, she wanted to have that simple life of being a woman of the house, a woman who would greet her husband as he arrives from work and provides him with the much needed care. She would cook for him and he would tell her, it tastes delicious. Domesticated but very much sophisticated, a dream for her.

But due to her daydreaming, she was unable to decipher that demeaning aura behind her until the knife in her hand was taken. She was forcefully turned around towards the big tall lean man with black hair and squinted amber eyes. He was probably as tall as Aoshi but a little more svelte. His hand quickly placed on her mouth and dragged her to the darker side of the room.

He pushed her to the wall and she could feel the cold concrete slamming to her back. She almost lost her breath but she tried her best to stay conscious; her eyes not leaving her assailant. The man placed the knife on her throat and smirked.

"I will not kill you, Kamiya Kaoru, but I will definitely immerse you in a world of pain." He threatened, his voice sounding very low. The blade ran through her neck slowly drawing a small light cut, which started to bleed. Kaoru winced a little but held on to consciousness tightly. And then it came.

The knife was dug into her side, purposefully and skillfully avoiding vital organs just a bit on top of her kidney area. The knife was dug deep enough to penetrate almost towards her back. Her eyes widened at the attack. Usually, it was kidnapping, suffocating, and well, mostly kidnapping, but this was a first, a true blue killing intent only towards her.

"I'm sure you're pretty surprised. This is revenge. My revenge towards your family." His voice slithered like a snake as he hissed towards her. "Your family bought misery to mine. Now its time I bring misery to yours."

Kaoru fought hard to stay conscious. Soon, Kenshin would start feeling that something was wrong, he would sense it due to her aura. She knew that he was very vigilant about it especially after the Enishi incident. But what surprised her more was the knife was forcefully drawn out and he dug another one on the other side. Her eyes widened even more with tears starting to fall down. She couldn't even should, with his hand still fully covering her mouth.

"Painful?" He asked. "Yes. You should feel pain…"

The assailant took a step back assessing the moment with an evil smirk. He shook his head and then cupper her chin with his index finger and thumb, slowly mesmerized in the blood that slipped out of her lips.

"Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth."

He then left without a trace.

…

Kenshin suddenly stood up, his eyes widening in alarm. Kaoru's aura suddenly jolted and then vanished. Dishes flew from where he stood as he raced out of the dining room in absolute panic. Sano and Yahiko looked in surprise towards the manslayer and followed him as he ran out of the dining hall towards the kitchen. He slammed open the doors with his blade at hand. Narrowing his eyes preparing for a battle, he drew his sword in a fluid motion. Seeing that there was none in front of him, he quickly scanned the room and found the person he was looking for.

"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin's heart raced.

"Kaoru!" Yahiko shouted looking towards her direction, he was stoned in the area.

She was slumped on the wall, bleeding profusely but still conscious. He ran quickly and his breath was taken from him when he saw the sight. She was bleeding uncontrollably on two sides, one with the knife still in it and the other with the open wound. Kenshin immediately tore a piece of his clothing and placed it on the wound to temporarily stop the bleeding.

"Ken…" Kaoru spoke weakly. She felt her strength being drained as fast as the blood is getting out of her.

"Yahiko, call Megumi!" Kenshin shouted. "Kaoru-dono, stay conscious. Fight, don't give up!"

Yahiko raced out of the dojo as fast as he could. Sano quickly went to get more cloth to cover the other wounds. It was brutal. The knife was slid on the other side as if it was a key trying to open a lock. The other wound was open, blood flowing out like water.

"Jou-chan…" Sano weakly muttered. "Don't give in. I'll eat your miso soup every day without complaining…"

Kaoru almost wanted to laugh at his comment but she can feel consciousness slowly starting to disappear. She felt Kenshin's hand hold hers, with a blurry vision, she focused her eyes on the desperate and immensely worried redhead in front of her.

"Ken…shin…" Kaoru muttered, blood coming out of the side of her mouth.

Kenshin was desperate. He felt his heart thumping really hard in his chest. He wanted to berate himself for being reckless and for allowing this to happen, but he knew this was not the time. He couldn't move her recklessly because of the open wound. They needed a doctor immediately.

"Kaoru-dono, stay conscious. Megumi is on her way." Kenshin looked at Sano as if to beg to hasten the call. Sano understood and raced out of the house.

"I…I…will live…" Kaoru weakly said. "I…I won't give…up…"

Kenshin nodded and held onto her hand tightly. She slowly blinked her eyes and tried to focus but she's slowly losing against this battle. She gritted her teeth trying to stay conscious, but it was just too hard. She cannot give up, she's not going die. Death is too soon for her, too many things left unfinished and too many words still left unsaid.

Not yet…not death…

Kaoru felt tears running down her face. This can't be happening, not now when everything is peaceful. She looked at the worried Kenshin in front of her. He was desperately holding on to her wound, not even extracting the knife in fear that more blood would spill.

Lavander eyes met navy blue.

Kaoru lifted a bloody hand towards his face, cupping it gently. She smiled softly but weakly. She burned his image in her mind, in fear that this may really be the last time she would see him.

"Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin took the hand cupping his face and held it tightly. He could feel her slowly drifting, fading, leaving him alone. "Don't…please don't…."

Her eyes slowly lowered as it closed. Her hand fell limp towards his and her head slowly lowered to the side. Kenshin fell into almost a dream-like trance. His body shook in a mix of emotions, he could barely hear the round of footsteps headed towards their direction.

He placed his hands on her face, gently massaging her cheeks, patting it a little bit to wake her up. She wouldn't respond. She remained silent in her almost ethereal position sans the bloody mess.

"KAORU!" Yahiko screamed what Kenshin could not say in shock.

"Ken-san, get out of the way." Megumi pushed Kenshin out of the way. He weakly stepped to the side staring at the scene with dead pan eyes. "Ken-san, please help me, let's move her to the bedroom. Sanosuke, find clean cloth and boil water. Yahiko, press here, so we can stop the bleeding."

Kenshin was barely moving while the other two scrambled to follow instructions. Megumi stood up and slapped Kenshin. Kenshin was surprised and saw the female doctor almost on the verge of breaking down.

"Ken-san, we don't have time. She's dying!" Megumi shouted, her voice cracking.

Dying? She's not yet dead?

Kenshin's eyes widened and he rushed to carry Kaoru's limp body to the bedroom.

…

To be continued…

Please review. :)