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Crossing the Line	By : HauntedReality Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5367 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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CROSSING THE LINE - Chapter 8: Elephant in the room

DISCLAIMER: Of the many things that are mine to possess,
Rurouni Kenshin and his companions are not among them.

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As Kaoru crossed the entrance of her home, she realized she
had left an awkward situation with Sano, only to be confronted with another by
Kenshin. Standing at the door to his room, he faced her when she approached.

His long bangs hid his eyes from view. She was glad of this.
She couldn�t look him in the eyes--not yet.

�Ken-shin,� she whispered in broken syllables, finding no
other words to express the torrent of emotions that engulfed her. He silently
regarded her from the doorway, and after a long tense pause she helplessly
tried again, �I-I��

�It is late, Kaoru-dono. You should get some sleep, that you
should.� He buried his emotions under a thick blanket of calm Rurouni habit,
but his words were abrupt and somewhat cold. Her lips parted to speak again,
but he had already stepped into his room, and closed the shoji screen behind
him.

The sharp click of the screen shutting sent a wave of hurt
through her body. Fresh tears marred her vision as she stared at Kenshin�s
room. She wanted to go to sleep, and pretend none of this had ever happened.
She wanted to, but she couldn�t. Kaoru felt detached from the rest of her body,
as she silently wept in the hallway.

�Hey Buso, what did you do to Sano? He nearly ran me over,
rushing away from here. You didn�t try to cook did yo�� Yahiko�s voice cut off
as he noticed how shaken his sensei looked. �Kaoru?� he asked softly.

Kaoru turned to meet the young man�s eyes. He failed to
suppress a gasp at the emotion he saw within her. Without a word, she fled to
her room, leaving Yahiko alone in the hallway. His attention moved to the place
Kaoru had been fixated only moments before--Kenshin�s room.

Moving closer, he thought he heard a low wail come from
inside. �It couldn�t be,� he thought, �it must be coming from Kaoru�s room
instead.� But the short spiky-haired boy never took his eyes off that screen as
he retreated to his own room for the night.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kenshin sat upright in the far corner of his room--he was
perfectly still. One would have thought he was asleep if it weren�t for his
eyes. In the dark, all that could be seen was a gleam of light reflecting from
his bright tear-rimmed eyes.

He realized now, there had been a battle these past few
days, and he had lost. But it was not the fight that took place in the forest.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sano couldn�t remember walking to town, but there he was
staring at a particularly seedy sake bar he had not frequented in several
months. Many of the surrounding buildings were little more than hovels--some
even on the verge of collapse. It wasn�t exactly what you would call the
tourism district. There had been a time where this was a second home to him.

The inside was dimly lit. The types of people to be found
here enjoyed the anonymity that came with it. He unceremoniously plopped
himself down at a corner table.

He didn�t want to think about anything that had happened. He
didn�t want to remember the look on his best friend�s face when he had been
caught kissing the girl his friend not so secretly loved. He didn�t want to
remember the way Kaoru had dismissed him, before he could comfort her. And he
especially didn�t want to remember the kiss that started it all.

Rose petal soft lips pressed against his--igniting his
passions, making him realize she was the only woman in the world he wanted to
be with, and knowing that he would move heaven and earth to make her happy.

But she didn�t want him to be the one to make her happy. She
wanted his best friend, and he had betrayed both of them with that kiss.

�Ho, Sagara, it�s been a long time! The usual?� asked the
rough-looking, but kind-hearted barkeep jovially.

�Double.� Sano stated gruffly. No, tonight he would not
think about the kiss.

The bartender raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he poured
the first of many strong drinks he would be serving to the broken man that
night.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kaoru couldn�t remember falling asleep. She woke up, finding
her body sore and exhausted from all the tears she shed during the night. She
hadn�t been thinking about the situation. She had been beyond all focused
thoughts. Her emotions had just flowed unbidden through her--racking her small
frame with uncontrollable sobs.

She remained motionless on her futon, staring up at the
ceiling. Her eyes traced along a faint crack, following its every zig and zag
as it spidered from one side to another. The line split into two, and then into
three, and Kaoru closed her eyes tightly. There were no tears left to cry.
There was only a vague empty feeling.

�I�ve felt comfortable with Kenshin almost from the first
moment I met him. After I was done attacking him, that is. But how can I look
at him now? He seemed so hurt last night, and so far away.

�But�it isn�t as if we were promised to each other. Isn�t
that why I was so upset following Kyoto after all? He hasn�t seemed interested
in me as anything other than a friend. Maybe he wasn�t upset about the kiss at
all.�

Her fingers traced a path over her lips, and for a moment
she thought only of the tall strong man with gentle lips. She then balled her
hands into fists, and admonished herself for straying from the topic of
Kenshin.

�Maybe something else was wrong. Come to think of it, his
clothes were shredded in places, and there was...� her eyes shot wide open, and
she sat upright, �dried blood!�

Her chest constricted, and her heart pounded unbearably. A
single tear slid down her cheek, and splashed against her neck. �I was thinking
about what happened between Sano and myself too much to even realize Kenshin
was injured. What if it is really serious?!� Before she was even aware she was
standing, she found herself running out of her room.

The smell of food drew her to the kitchen. She stopped short
when she saw a full array of food stocked in the previously barren cupboards,
and breakfast already sitting on the table. �Who?�

�Hey Buso, are you trying to blind me?!� shouted Yahiko, who
was quickly turning away.

�Wha?� Then she realized that in her panic she hadn�t
changed out of her sleeping clothes. Embarrassment sent her back to her room
before she could continue her search for Kenshin.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�Another!� Sano half shouted, half slurred while slamming a
fist onto the table, effectively slicing it in two.

The bartender�s patience was wearing thin with the
belligerent man�s demands. �You haven�t been able to pay for the last five
drinks, and that is the second table you�ve destroyed. Besides, it is morning
now, and you should be getting home.�

�Just one more.� Sano said, this time very quietly.

�You could have a dozen more, but I don�t think they are
going to make you forget, whatever it is you�re trying to escape.�

Sano pulled himself to his feet with a great deal of
difficulty. The bartender�s words had hit too close to the mark for Sano�s
liking. �What do you know?� he managed to say dismissively as he stumbled out
of the bar, and into a group of thugs.

�Out of my way!� the intoxicated Sano ordered.

�Nobody pushes me, you drunk fool!� The five men each pulled
out a sword, and surrounded him.

A smile crept into Sano�s somber features.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After hastily throwing on a simple kimono, Kaoru ran by the
kitchen to see Yahiko hurriedly binging on the lavish spread by himself. She
hesitated at Kenshin�s room. Her pulse quickened as she softly knocked. There
was no answer. She pulled the screen open, and saw his room was immaculate. In
fact, there were no personal items lying around at all.

Fear gripped her heart as she sped outdoors to continue
looking for the rurouni. She was now desperately afraid that he had left for
good. A quick survey of the yard showed freshly washed laundry hanging on the
line, but no Kenshin.

Kaoru gasped for air. �He left. Oh Kami, He really left this
time!�

�I didn�t even get to say goodbye,� she said to herself as
her eyes burned with unshed tears.

�Kaoru-dono?� said Kenshin�s voice from behind her.

She spun around, and saw his concerned violet eyes studying
her. Relief swept over her, and she flung her arms around a very surprised
Kenshin�s waist.

Kenshin�s wide eyes slowly closed as he wrapped his arms
around her in reciprocation. She felt warm resting against him. He rubbed her
back comfortingly, and secretly hoped she wouldn�t pull away.

Maybe he had misinterpreted what he saw the night before.
Maybe it wasn�t too late for him to show Kaoru how he truly felt. He held her
tightly, and took in her sweet Jasmine scent.

After what seemed like the briefest glimpse into eternity,
Kaoru spoke. �I thought you left.�

Kenshin pushed away his trained rurouni responses for a more
honestly forward approach. He moved a hand to her chin, and lifted her face to
his. �I�ll always come back to you.�

Their lips were only inches apart, and the relief she had
felt drained away from her. This man who had made speed his weapon, was now
edging forward so slowly it was nearly imperceptible.

Kaoru was so confused. She had felt devastated when she
thought Kenshin had left her, and when she found he hadn�t all she wanted to do
was hold on to him, but now as he moved to kiss her something felt wrong.

�How could it feel wrong? This is what I�ve been waiting for
since Kyoto. He is finally returning my affections, but is this what I�m
feeling now?� Kaoru�s mind answered her unspoken question, and summoned the
image of the tall man with laughing eyes.

Before their lips met, Kaoru twisted away from Kenshin. She
kept her head bowed so she wouldn�t see the new pain she was causing her
long-time protector.

�Gomen Kaoru-dono.� He finally said before walking to the
laundry.

Her attention fell upon the tattered blue robes he was
carefully attending. They were the same ones he had been wearing last night.
�What happened to you while you were gone Kenshin? What happened to us?�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Megumi heard an insistent knock on the door. �If that baka
is here wanting more food for Kaoru, I�m going to give him a real injury to be
treated.�

Pulling the door open, she found a very inebriated Sano
leaning against the doorframe for support. There was a fresh trail of blood
extending from beneath his bandana over a swollen eye. His fists were raw and
bloodied, and there were multiple sword gashes on his arms and chest, including
one rather deep one on his right side.

�Morning Fox, I was just out for a walk, and thought I�d
drop by.�

�Baka,� she chided with evident concern written in her stoic
features.

She wasted no time leading him to a bed where she began
assessing his wounds, paying special attention to his side and head. Her
skillful hands darted about his body, removing clothing where necessary,
cleansing, and bandaging.

She said nothing as she worked. Once she was satisfied that
his body had been properly attended, she moved to his face, taking extra care
to be gentle.

�Don�t look so serious, Doc. You should see the other guys,�
he choked out a laugh as she applied a stinging substance above his eye.

�That cut in your side is nothing to laugh about Sanosuke.
If it had been even a little deeper, I may not have been able to stop the
bleeding.� Megumi�s voice quivered as she spoke angrily, and her hand shook
slightly at his cheek.

Sano curled one bandaged hand around her wrist. �Hey,
Megumi, it�s all right, really. I�ve had worse.�

�You can�t keep doing this. You can only take so much
punishment before it refuses to heal.�

His sobering eyes regarded her thoughtfully. �Are you sure
you�re talking about me here?�

She jerked her hand away from his. �I have to finish this
wound, then you should get some sleep.� She said, ignoring his question
completely.

He allowed the evasiveness because his head had started to
spin, partially from the loss of blood, and partially from the hangover that
was forming. His eyes suddenly felt heavy, and to Megumi�s relief, he was soon
asleep.

She ran her fingers softly through his thick hair, and once
again whispered, �baka.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As Sano dreamed, he found himself confronted with the very
thing he had tried so hard to escape. There they were again--standing alone on
the porch under a beautiful starlit night sky. Both of them were slightly
trembling from fear and excitement--both of them were so unprepared for what
would happen next, but they dove in nonetheless.

As their lips brushed together, he knew with certainty, this
was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life holding, protecting, and
loving. He had been drifting through life since the fall of the Sekihou Tai,
but she had anchored him. At last he had direction and purpose again.

It was like a fairy tale--with Kaoru in his arms--he was
complete.

But just like a fairy tale, not everything has a happy
ending. His dreamscape darkened violently, and he felt her pulling out of his arms,
and sending him away.

Sano jerked awake. A cold sweat had beaded over his skin as
his heart rate sped out of control. He found himself still lying on a bed in
Megumi�s clinic. He could hear her giving examinations in another room, and was
thankful he was alone.

�I love her. I love Kaoru.� He allowed the thought to sink
in before getting dressed. �I have to find her--I have to know how she feels.
I�m sorry Kenshin. You are like a brother to me, but I can�t lose her without
at least knowing I tried.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kenshin had completed all his usual chores in less than half
the time it normally took, and now he seemed to be doing an impression of the
ninja, Aoshi. He was sitting in the dojo in complete silence--apparently
meditating. Kaoru�s concern managed to outweigh the guilt she felt, so she
decided to confront Kenshin about his trip.

�Kenshin?�

Without looking up, he replied, �yes, Kaoru-dono?�

She nervously ground her shoe against a rock that was lodged
in the earth just outside the dojo entrance. �I�that is�I wondered�um.�

�Is it time for me to prepare your bath?� he offered.

�N-no, that�s not what I wanted to ask you.� She fidgeted
with the sleeve of her kimono, suddenly finding it fascinating.

�Did you want me to leave the dojo?� he asked, trying to be
helpful, as she was obviously flustered.

�NO! I don�t want you to leave!�

Kenshin�s eyes softened at her explosive reaction. �I only
meant, did you want me out of the way so you and Yahiko could train?�

�Oh,� she said, a little embarrassed by her outburst. She
closed the distance between them, and sat across from the red-haired man. �What
happened, Kenshin?�

With great strain, Kenshin summoned the response, she would
expect, �oro?�

�Don�t,� she said with surprising firmness.

�Kaoru-dono?�

�Don�t pretend like nothing happened! We both know better. I
saw your clothing in tatters--I saw the blood.� She lifted her head to meet his
gaze. �And you are hurt, so what happened out there?�

This time it was Kenshin, who turned away. �How can I tell
her? After what I saw pass between her and Sano.� He flinched at the memory. �I
might already have lost her, if she knew about the death, then�then what? I
already know I don�t deserve her, she may as well know it too.�

�Kaoru-dono, the man I was chasing is dead.� He took on a
faraway look, and continued. �I followed him for days. Occasionally we would
engage in fighting, each time it would end in a stalemate.�

Closing his eyes, he prepared himself for what would follow.
�Until the last time. He was nearly victorious, but I managed to turn things
around. He was defeated, he looked at me, he laughed, and he pushed himself
onto my sword.�

He wanted to continue. He wanted to explain the situation
better so she wouldn�t run from him in fear. But the words stuck in his throat
as he felt her arms wrap around his shoulders. She laid her head against his
neck. Her warm breath fanned across his cool skin causing him to shiver
slightly.

�How can she bare to touch me after what I just told her?�
He tried to ignore the emotions boiling inside him at her touch,
�K-Kaoru-dono?�

Kaoru backed up slightly. �I�m so sorry Kenshin.�

�For what?� He missed her closeness, but suppressed the urge
to bring her back into the embrace.

�You are in such pain, and I have only been adding to it
instead of being a friend to you.�

�Friend?� The word scorched his thoughts, but the anguished
look on Kaoru�s face brought his attention back to her.

He lightly took her hand in his own, and squeezed it
reassuringly. �You could never cause me pain Kaoru-dono.�

�Kenshin, what you saw with me and Sano�� Kenshin visibly
recoiled at her words. She wasn�t sure why she had started the sentence, but
she had felt an impossible amount of pressure from avoiding the topic, and for
a moment she believed she could clear things up.

�Now what? How can I fix things when I�m not even sure how I
feel?�

�It was�� her mind scrambled to find the right words, but
nothing seemed to fit. Before she could continue, a voice from outside halted
her.

�Yes, Jou-chan, what was it?�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sorry it took me so long to update this time. I must admit,
I was feeling a little let down with the amount of reviews I received on
chapter 7, at least initially. They have been trickling in though. Thanks to
all my reviewers!
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Crossing the Line

CROSSING THE LINE - Chapter 8: Elephant in the room