"Always"
By: O. Juice
::-::
Overwhelmed, Kaoru ran out of the cellar, leaving a hurt and confused Kenshin behind.
::-::
---
She couldn't bear to look at him after she had run off. She needed to get away. Nobody had really dared talk to her about what happened in the cellar, and Kaoru thought it was in the best interest of everybody if they didn't. Kaoru felt horrible; it seemed as though their friendship had just ended, and there would be no more Kenshin in her life. She found it ironic, how something that she supposed was aimed to bring them together, only tore them apart. The thought saddened her, but she believed it was for the better.
'Kenshin doesn't deserve such an ugly person like me,' Kaoru bitterly thought as she pulled her robe closer.
She sat quietly at home, finishing a term paper that was due in a few days. A good week had passed since the party and, during which, Kaoru had been a strictly work-school-and-home kind of girl. She didn't want to run into Kenshin, or anybody for that matter. Even Misao had given her ample space to brood - she returned a few days after Kaoru had.
Kaoru stretched out her arms, hoping to finish before she had to go to work in a few hours. She heard a knock on her door; a feeling of certain doom crept on her face as she heard the knock again, a little louder than before. Lazily, and quite shakily, she headed to the door.
'What if it's Kenshin?' She bit her lip, her heart beating fast. 'What then?'
Her sweaty hands turned the cool knob of the door, and a small sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"Oh," she forced a smile, "it's you, Sou-chan. Come in."
Like Kaoru, he didn't seem to be in the best of moods. He wordlessly walked in and sat on the sofa.
"Kaoru, sit," Soujiro's voice was even and serious; "we need to talk."
She obliged and sat next to him. "What is it?"
He scratched at his head, "I don't get it."
"Don't get what?"
"You," he simply said.
Kaoru gave way to a laugh. "What do you mean, 'me'?" Her laughter was cut short, her face wrinkling slightly. "Is it because of what happened in the party?"
Soujiro nodded. He took Kaoru's hands and looked at her in the eyes. His eyes had nearly the same effect as Kenshin's hand, though it affected her a lot less. Both their eyes seemingly were always searching for something, an answer perhaps, in Kaoru's eyes. Kaoru was starting to get uncomfortable.
"I want you to answer me honestly," Soujiro said, "I don't want you to lie, because if you do, I'll never forgive you."
"I won't lie," Kaoru promised.
"Do you love him?" He simply asked.
"Who?"
"Kenshin."
The question wasn't complicated or labyrinthine, but its simplicity stumped her. What could she say to that?
"O-of course," Kaoru stuttered, her eyes averting his, "he's my best friend. Why wouldn't I?"
"No, Kaoru," he brought her eyes to meet his, "do you love him?"
::-::
"That doesn't go there, Kaoru," Megumi took the file from Kaoru's hands and placed it aside.
"Oh, sorry," Kaoru snapped out of her thoughts and picked up another file to be placed away.
Megumi let out a tsk, "What's wrong with you today? You seem to be so out of it lately. Maybe you should go now? You're off in only half an hour."
Kaoru simply shook her head and returned to filing. She didn't need an early leave; if anything, it was the last thing she needed. Ever since she left the apartment for work, it seemed that things around her reminded her of Kenshin. Sometimes, from the corner of her eye she could have sworn he was standing there. But every time she'd turn to look, it would be somebody else. She didn't need the extra time to think about Kenshin. What she needed now was to be busy and stay busy. Kaoru sighed, but even that didn't seem to work.
"I'll prep rooms before I go," Kaoru said before walking off.
Megumi just nodded while continuing to arrange tomorrow's files.
She tossed used items into the special trashcan and changed a few things here and there. Kaoru continued to tidy things, the thought of cleaning surprisingly banishing Kenshin from her mind. She glanced at her clock, nine o'clock, and decided it was time to head home. Unbuttoning her lab coat as she headed to the locker rooms, she was once again faced with a flash of red by the waiting room. She blinked, and then it was gone. Kaoru heaved a heavy sigh, maybe Megumi was right. She should have left sooner.
Kaoru pulled on her beanie as she readied herself to leave.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Riyo," she bid farewell to their receptionist.
"See you," Riyo sent her a sympathetic look, "try to get some rest tonight. You might catch something if you continue around so down like that."
Kaoru flashed a smile, and headed out the door. She froze.
It was not the chill air, nor was it the snow all around that made her freeze. In fact, it could have very well been the beginning of summer and she still would have felt her temperature drop drastically to the point that her face paled and her hands were ice to the touch. It was Kenshin, and here he stood before her now with a smile on his face as if nothing had happened. Perhaps that was his intention for seeing her? To tell her to forget about what happened?
He didn't say anything for a while, and didn't seem to intend to say anything. Kaoru frowned a little before walking off.
'Great, another hallucination,' her mind grumbled, 'just what I need.'
She walked briskly for a while, red barely visible from the corner of her eye. Kaoru wanted to get home before she bumped into the real Kenshin. She took her short cut through the park where the snow nearly covered everything save for a few benches that were used quite often. Usually this place was quite scenic and full of flowers and families having a good time. But the green life in the park was gone and was replaced with a strange shadowy sense of doubt all around her. Could all this snow really give way to such an abundance of life?
Kaoru sat down for a moment to think about it. It wasn't often that she was able to think of anything else lately, so the idea of thinking about something unrelated to Kenshin appealed to her. She rubbed her near frozen nose as a gentle snowfall began. For a while, she waited there like a frozen statue. The way the snow fell entranced her, lured her into a place of calm. Realizing that she couldn't stay out here all night, she stood and continued on her way, the snow, and the light from the lamp post following close behind.
Suddenly, almost unnaturally, the light was gone and Kaoru was cast in the shadow of somebody else. She felt fear pale her face. Kaoru had heard of many stories of women walking alone at night in secluded places and how they get abducted and almost always end up in a ditch somewhere. She felt a lump in her throat as she tried to think of an escape. Was it a thief? A criminal who stood behind her? Kaoru decided that she didn't want to find out. She took quick steps to get away but was held back by a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You shouldn't stay out late in the park, that you shouldn't."
Kaoru's breath caught in her throat as she swirled around to see Kenshin; the same Kenshin that had met her in the clinic. He smiled at her, and it seemed it was the only thing Kaoru needed before going into hysterics.
"Kenshin," she cried out suddenly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for what happened. I shouldn't have run off like that. But," she paused, "but--"
Kaoru frowned as Kenshin began to laugh. Was this some sick joke? Was it all just a game to him? The thought bothered and angered her. With a huff, she continued on her way.
"No, Kaoru, wait," Kenshin said, his laughter starting to die out as he reached out for her.
"Kenshin, I'm trying to apologize and you're laughing at me." Kaoru frowned at him; she sighed.
He smiled again; Kaoru took a moment to admire his face and how the lamp behind them and the moon above them made him look handsome. Kaoru soon found herself smiling too. She looked away for a moment and bit her lip.
Kenshin took a breath. "I'm sorry."
Kaoru grew nervous. Was Kenshin going to apologize for kissing her that night? For leading her on to believe he, on some level, cared deeply for her just as she did? It certainly wouldn't be the first time Kenshin had backed down like this with a girl. Kaoru's eyes turned downcast, feeling her heart turn heavy a little.
"For what?"
The world was at a standstill as Kaoru waited for his answer. Even the snow seemed to stop falling just for them, as ridiculous as it may sound.
"Kaoru," he said refusing to answer, "you might hate me for this, but I think it's something you should know."
She bit her lip again. Kaoru was sure he was going to apologize and tell her that the two of them were not meant to be.
"What is it?"
Suddenly he wrapped her up in his arms, his breath tickling the hair by her ear as he said it. He said it so softly; she thought she was just hearing things and that it was just something her warped mind had made up. Her eyes closed as she released a slow breath. For a moment she relished in his hold before he let her go, their eyes fearfully meeting each other. The world resumed its pace, and the snow began to fall again.
Kaoru tried a smile. She knew nothing would be the same since.
:::: Epilouge ::::
The picture frames in Kenshin's apartment stood like they always have been with the exception of a few additions here and there. Kaoru stood before the mass of pictures holding a familiar macaroni frame. She smiled; it would only be a matter of time before the aged glue and constant handling on her and Kenshin's part would result in a big clump of macaroni and tattered cardboard. Kaoru grinned as she placed the picture frame back.
'In that case,' she thought to herself as a feeling of excitement bubbled in her, 'I'm going to have to make him another one.'
She continued to scan the collection and picked up another frame. This frame was much sturdier. Kaoru smiled as she looked at the picture. During their outing to the fair, Tokio had been insistent, since the Ferris wheel, to get one massive picture of everybody before she left for her honeymoon.
"Come on!" Tokio frowned as she dragged Kaoru into the picture. "Come on, Kaoru!"
She felt herself being forcefully shoved against Kenshin. Kaoru remembered blushing madly and clutching onto her fuzzy rabbit as the poor stranger Tokio coerced to take their picture counted down. Kaoru smiled as she examined the picture with her shyly looking up at Kenshin and Kenshin doing the same to her.
'I should try to get Tokio to get everybody to go back there,' Kaoru mused. 'Maybe that fortune teller would still be there.'
Kaoru heard familiar footsteps approach as she put the frame down.
"Are you ready to go, Kaoru?" Kenshin offered his hand to her.
Kaoru nodded and smiled as she took it.
'If there was one thing the fortune teller was right about,' Kaoru thought to herself, 'it was that he really was there for me. Always.'
They walked out of the apartment complex, meeting the lunch rush head on. Kaoru smiled as Kenshin's hand tightened on hers. Kaoru did the same as they weaved through the crowd together, hoping that nothing would tear them apart.
The end.
::::
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin!
Author's Notes: I feel like crying and jumping for joy at the same time now that I'm officially done with "Always." I apologize if the ending didn't have enough "oomph" - endings is my weakness. Well, it's been a bumpy, yet pleasant ride with you guys. I've got a few more stories in mind before I'm officially exhausted of ideas. I'm including a trailer/teaser of what I hope will be my next fic, "Picture of You" (An Always Spin-Off), on the bottom. Which, by the way, isn't going to be placed up here for a while. I'm hoping to take a break from writing fanfictions and focus on other things, if that's all right. Hopefully I'll be back on ffnet in full force. So please keep an eye out for me in the future!
Ahh...how could I have done it without you guys to push me along? Thank you so much for everything - the support, the encouragement, the threats, and the wonderful things you have said! You all have made writing this a more wonderful experience. x]
HitokiriSky (Thanks for putting me there! Also, thank you so much for your reviews. I really appreciate them. I hope the ending was worth ploughing through all the chapters. =])
Rurouni Kaoru Kenshin's Love ( =] I'm glad you think so. Thanks for your reviews along the way! I hope you liked the end.)
El Capitan (Thanks! Also, thank you for your review!)
KuTiExAzNxAnGeL (I'm glad you like it! Thank you for your wonderful reviews! I hope you liked the ending. =])
gracianeko (Ahh, no, I didn't forget you! =] It's all right that you couldn't comment on other chapters; life can get really busy. As for the reason Kaoru ran off... To be honest, it's poor planning on my part. I didn't make it quite clear, huh? == ==;; Sorry. But I'm glad you like the chapter. I hope the ending is up to par. Thank you for your wonderful reviews along the way; they're always welcomed and appreciated.)
rainingfruit (Bohaha. Go ahead and use it; I really don't mind at all. =] Yeah, I've actually watched Fruits Basket - it's so funny! Bohahaha. Fruity bunch! All right! x] Thank you for your review! I hope you like the ending. )
The evil witch (It's okay. Thank you for your review! I hope you like the ending!)
Lyphta (Bohaha, what Kenshin said to Tomoe? Er, I think I should know this one. == ==;; Haha. Just kidding. I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you like the ending. Thanks for your reveiws!)
animegurl23 (Where was I? Er, refilling creative juices? == ==;; Haha. Thanks for your review! I hope you like the ending!)
xsoukaokenx (That's all right. Ahh, thank you for the reviews you've left me over the past chapters. You've been there since... A long time ago! Thank you for your encouragement and feedback along the way. I really enjoyed them. I hope you liked the ending.)
tintin-chan (Bohaha! Yeah, I was pretty nervous about updating myself. Don't worry, if I say I'll update something on that date, chances are I will. I hope you like the ending and thanks for your review!)
SoujiroSetadoris (Ah, so many questions! Bohahaha. That's okay. =] Well, frankly, it's my own fault that there are some holes in the story. It's poor planning on my part. Sorry. == ==;; I'll be sure to plan better next time. But to answer a few of your questions... Soujiro is now trying to get Kaoru and Kenshin together. I hope that fits. Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews along the way. They always help me type a little faster. I hope the ending was good enough! )
anabell (Thanks! I'm glad you think so. I hope you like the ending and thank you so much for your review!)
CharlieTheOtakuNymph (Bohahahahahaha! That cracked me up. I used to watch that show all the time. Heffer (the big yellow cow) is my favorite. x] Thank you so much for your reviews along the way and I do hope you like the ending.)
GranolaBar (Oh, wow, thanks! Bohaha. Gargh, homework! Homework is horrible. But thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I'm glad you like it and I do hope you like the ending. Thanks for your review!)
Shin1 (I'm glad you like the story! Haha, yeah, I think there is such a word. Anyway, thank you for your review and I hope you like the ending!)
Also, many many praises and thanks to those who I may have lost between long updates == ==;; (I hope you all like the ending): donna8157 (Thank you for your encouragement along the way! I really appreciate them. I hope you like the ending.), MZ. AMbER EYES, archangle3000, Rurouni Kaoru Kenshin's Love, ebonyfox, Koishii Sweet, Papaya!, CrismHeart, Sora Himura, Korai Rumikashi, SilverLightning177, Keiry, Kaoru Himura2, CurlsofSerenity, Kitaru, Califpinay3001, Sasami9876, Serenity, thunder sister, Kaoru Gal, Sanoshi, sukadono.
(I apologize if I fail to include your name. It's hard to sift through reviews and remember who has been reviewing more than once. == ==;;)
And finally, a thank you to those who have read the story.
Until next time,
O. Juice.
Review!
Picture of You
From the moment I laid eyes on that man, I knew we would never get along. He was always so rude when we'd meet, which, by the way, was quite often. I swear, he's some kind of frustrated stalker who has nothing better to do but follow me around all day. But he's also kind of cute. Wait a second. What are you thinking, Misao?! He isn't cute! He's the enemy! But then one day, I needed his help and, surprisingly, he helped me out without some witty remark or insulting comment on how I don't understand some things. He's actually a really nice person, once you get to know him. Ah, just thinking about it makes me blush! Blush? Me? Oh, don't even say it! Misao Mikamachi, you haven't fallen in love with Aoshi Shinomori, have you?