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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
- 8
- 9
- 10
CROSSING THE LINE - Chapter 9: Confessions...

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

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�Sano?� Kaoru said weakly.

Her mind had already been spinning from trying to
rationalize the situation for Kenshin, but now Sano would be listening too.

Her eyes darted to the tall man�s face. His normally jovial
smirk was missing--in its place was an unreadable mask. When she caught his
gaze, Kaoru abruptly turned away--suddenly feeling very ashamed, but not sure
why.

�Don�t let me stop you. You had something to tell Kenshin
didn�t you?� Sano�s voice was rough, but it was concealing a deeper pain.

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

Sano had heard Kenshin�s confession from outside. He had
been moved, knowing how much guilt the small man carried with him. Sano wanted,
more than anything, to comfort his friend, but before he was able to make his
presence known, he saw Kaoru embrace him tenderly.

Sano felt like someone had used the Futai Nokiwami on
him--crushing his chest, and forcing him to gasp for air. She looked like an
angel of mercy, and she was using her love to heal Kenshin�s wounded heart.
Seeing them together seemed so right, and that terrified Sano.

�I never had a chance, did I? No, I never should have. He is
the hero. He is supposed to get the girl in the end. I�m just the lousy
sidekick. But if this is the way things are supposed to be, then why does it
hurt so much?� he asked himself.

Sano had decided to leave, but he heard Kaoru�s words to
Kenshin. �You are in such pain, and I
have only been adding to it instead of being a friend to you.� There was caring
and concern clearly evident in her voice, but what was not so clear was whether
there was passion. And certainly, the use of the word �friend,� as well as her
overall tone, seemed to hold promise.

�Maybe this sidekick
still has a chance after all.� His attention flickered to the tortured rurouni.
�I hope you can one day forgive me for this, my friend. You, more than most,
know her worth.�

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

Kenshin�s normally
soft violet eyes were set in an unwavering glare aimed at Sano. He was
surprised the former fighter-for-hire had gotten so close without him noticing.
Normally, Kenshin would be able to sense such a powerful ki, but what really
shocked him was the man�s attitude toward Kaoru.

�What happened while
I was gone? Somehow everything has changed in such a short time.� The fighter�s
attention was solely upon Kaoru, and she trembled beneath his scrutiny. �Sano
certainly wants to hear what Kaoru has to say, but I�m not sure I�m as
prepared.

�I have acted the
fool in the way I have treated her for far too long. Can she know the extent of
my feelings for her when I�ve never given her any indication? And once again, I
must consider the truth of the situation--I do not deserve someone such as her.

�But when I saw the
two most important people in my life locked in a kiss, I did not feel happy for
them. I felt broken and angry--mostly at myself.� He noticed Kaoru was still
too distraught to respond, and his heart reached out for the girl he had spent
nearly a year keeping safe at arm�s length.

�Kaoru-dono can speak
when she is ready, and not before,� he said firmly, facing Sano. He rested a
calming hand on Kaoru�s back, hoping to make her feel more at ease in the tense
situation, but she shuddered under his touch so he withdrew the offending hand.

Sano�s hand balled
into a tight fist, and through clenched teeth he said, �Stay out of this
Kenshin.�

The years of guilt
were momentarily forgotten, and everything began to look a lot simpler to the
rurouni. �What exactly do you want me to stay out of Sano? Your betrayal or
your harassment of Kaoru?�

Kenshin heard Kaoru
gasp at the venom in his words, but he was still intent upon the other man.

A veil of pain
covered Sano, but he quickly pushed it away. �I don�t expect you to understand.
After all, you�ve never shown any interest in Kaoru, so how would you know what
it�s like to care about her so much it hurts when you aren�t with her?�

A sharp pang of guilt
stabbed at Sano. He knew how Kenshin felt about Kaoru, and he knew how those
words would resonate with the sword fighter more than she would ever
understand. But he was also counting on Kenshin�s inability to express those
emotions to help him win the battle for her heart.

�Did I really just
say that in front of them? Kaoru hasn�t made a sound, and I can�t bring myself
to look at her. I guess she knows how I feel now--no going back. Baka, there
was never any going back, not once I really saw Kaoru.

�And Kenshin, Kami,
I�m striking at his very heart. I don�t deserve the honor of being his friend.
I may have just lost them both. Well, your move now Kenshin,� Sano thought
bleakly.

Kaoru was dumbfounded
by Sano�s words. A warm glow filled her when he had said them, but it was
quickly replaced by the bitter taste of anxiety as she waited for Kenshin�s
response.

Beneath shaded eyes, Kenshin spoke his mind in tightly
controlled words. �But you have shown quite a bit of interest lately, haven�t
you? A few days ago you were pushing us to be alone together, and now it seems
you want me out of the picture altogether. Tell me Sanosuke, what is in it for
you?�

�Kuso! Does he know why this all began? Could he know of my
plans to alleviate my gambling debt? But even if he does, he must realize my
feelings for Kaoru are genuine.� Sano caught a glimpse of the fire burning in
Kenshin�s eyes, and took an involuntary step backward. �He knows. He is doing
the same thing to me that I just did to him.�

�You were spending quite a bit of time in the gambling
houses last week--more than usual. Tell me, how was your luck?� Kenshin
continued.

�What is Kenshin getting at, and why is it making Sano look
so uncomfortable? I have a bad feeling about this,� Kaoru thought nervously.

�My luck or lack there of is of no consequence to this
conversation,� Sano said sternly, hoping to put an end to his dangerous line of
questioning.

�So your debts have no effect on Kaoru then? You weren�t
trying to find a way to ask her for the money?� he pressed. �You didn�t plan to
lighten her mood by getting her and I together?�

�How does he know this?! I never mentioned the plan. Kami,
is this the true extent of his ability to read ki, and study human behavior? I
knew he was sharper than his rurouni persona reflected, but I had no idea.

�How can I possibly respond to this? I have already done too
many things I�m not proud of this week. I will not add to the list by lying to
them.� Drawing a deep cleansing breath, Sano replied, �It is just as you�ve
said.�

He turned to Kaoru in time to see sparkling tears fill her
eyes. One managed to escape the pack, and left a shimmering trail down her pale
cheek before splashing against her neck. Sano felt his heart plummet at the
knowledge that it was he that had made her cry this time.

�And when I wasn�t around to be manipulated, you decided to
seduce her instead.� Kenshin said firmly.

�NO!� Sano shouted at the accusation.

�I suppose it was more convenient for you.� Kenshin�s
control never wavered, but a hint of spite intertwined within the words.

�SHUT UP!� Sano knew his words were false, but to have
someone he admired as much as Kenshin saying them hurt more than he could have
imagined. �Is that what he honestly believes, or is he trying to convince
Kaoru? Oh Kami, Kaoru!� Before Sano could see her reaction, he heard Kenshin
continue.

�And it would make a good story for your gambling friends,�
he said with an eerie calm. Kenshin wanted to stop, but he couldn�t allow
himself to be on the defensive again, so he just kept attacking. �You could
tell them about the way you tricked the Battousai, and the assistant dojo
instructor into thinking you cared just so you could take advantage of them.�

Sano was beyond words. He hurled a punch at Kenshin�s face,
but he never made impact. The smaller man was already floating above the man
with the kanji for �wicked� on his back. He did not draw his sword, but as he
returned to ground level Kenshin brought his elbow down hard against Sano�s
back--coupled with the inertia of his own attack--the additional blow caused
Sano to stumble forward.

To his credit, he recovered quickly, and turned the momentum
to his advantage--this time landing a powerful hit against Kenshin�s ribs. His
victory was short lived, when the redhead managed an inhumanly speedy recovery,
followed by launching a volley of hits to Sano�s already wounded side.

The two men were so embroiled in their fight, that Kaoru�s
screams never reached them. She watched in horror as they continued to trade
blows, causing great injury to one another. She feared they might actually do
serious damage while they were so angry, but she couldn�t make them listen.

She screamed for them to stop until her voice was too weak
to continue, and only choked out sobs could be heard from the huddled girl.

�Oh Kami, they are killing each other! What can I do?� She
desperately wanted to avert her eyes as the two men she cared about most
bitterly fought one another, but she could not. No amount of denial could put
an end to the tragic scene unfolding before her.

Yahiko watched from the doorway. He knew something bad had
been building, but he was still unprepared to see people he depended on in the
midst of battle.

Taking stock of the situation, he realized that as angry as
they were, there was no real power behind their attacks. Normally, Sano would
send pulverizing punches hailing toward his opponent, while the lighting fast
Kenshin would skillfully avoid every attack, before delivering a swift and
final blow. However, the current combat was of the sort you would expect to
witness in a street brawl--vicious, but almost clumsy. It was not a serious
match between fighter-for-hire and assassin.

Yahiko breathed a little easier, knowing the dispute would
not end in death, until he witnessed Kaoru�s reaction to events. �I don�t think
I have ever seen her so upset, and after everything we�ve been through, that is
really saying something.�

�Kaoru?� he said as delicately as he could, and rested his
hand on her shoulder hesitantly. His mouth fell open slightly at the raw look
of agony her face held when she turned toward him.

�Oh Kaoru, what have those bakas done to you?� Anger boiled
over Yahiko. Gripping his bokken tightly, the young samurai hurled the practice
weapon with surprising force. Kenshin evaded it, but it smacked Sano across the
shoulder. Both men seemed taken aback to see the fuming Yahiko and devastated
Kaoru watching them.

Yahiko had planned to yell at them, but instead it was
Kaoru�s voice that broke the silence.

�Did you fix it?� she asked just above a whisper. Kenshin
opened his mouth, but closed it again, finding no words to help mend the torn
look Kaoru held. Sano bowed his head, looking ashamed as a trickle of blood
seeped out of his recently bandaged wounds.

�DID YOU FIX IT!?� Her eyes burned with fury, but her voice
still struggled to sound clear around the tears that choked her. �Did you beat
all the conflict out of each other? Do you feel better now? DO YOU!?�

She stepped forward, and grabbed Kenshin�s hand, forcing him
to cup her throat with his long fingers. �Go ahead. Choke me, hit me, bruise
me, beat me, but just fix me too, Kenshin. Just like you fixed Sano, just like
you fix everything!�

�Kaoru-dono� he mumbled weakly. He had never seen her so
cross, and certainly not at him. Her words did more damage than any blade could
ever have hoped to cause his small frame.

�Please Jou-chan...� Sano pleaded as he pried her hand from
Kenshin�s so he could release her delicate throat.

Kaoru violently shoved Sano�s hand away. �Please? Please
what, Sanosuke?� she stressed the use of his full name as though it were a
curse. �My money is in my room in the wardrobe. Help yourself since it is all
you really care about!�

She paled slightly at the broken look on Sano�s face. Pain
drummed inside her as she took in both men. They seemed so thoroughly defeated
by her words that she immediately regretted them. Biting her bottom lip hard to
keep fresh tears from bursting forth, she turned and fled the room.

Sano fell to his knees. A thin line of saline traced along
his strong facial features. Suddenly, the fresh and reopened wounds paled in
comparison to the injury Kaoru had just inflicted. And the worst part was he
knew he deserved every word.

Kenshin remained standing after watching the dark haired
girl run out of her dojo. His eyes were fixed, exposing none of the emotions
swirling within him. The only sign of the pain that ravaged his very soul were
his nails scratching the already abused skin on his hand. Somehow, he just
couldn�t convince himself that the blood was gone.

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

Kaoru ran through the forest with no particular destination
in mind, although her path was leading her to town. Her normally swift stride
was impeded by her inner turmoil causing her to weave clumsily.

She tried not to think. She just wanted to get far away from
everything that had happened, but she couldn�t outrun her own thoughts. In the
end, it was her legs that betrayed her--she landed hard against the cold ground
on her hands and knees. Her palms were scraped and bleeding slightly from the
impact against sharp rocks and twigs.

But she didn�t register the physical pain--not when a much
deeper one tore at her heart.

�Oh Kami, what have I done? I didn�t mean those terrible
things. I just hurt so much that I wanted them to hurt too, or I thought I did.
No, I wasn�t thinking, that was the problem. I did the same thing they were
doing. I just didn�t use my fists.

�I�ve yelled at them before, but that was different. The
things I said...� She shuddered visibly in remembrance of the spite in her
words and actions from a few minutes before. �were just true enough to be
dangerous.

�Sano would never lie about his feelings to get money from
me. And Kenshin, oh Kami, Kenshin!� Horror marked her face as a new realization
gripped Kaoru. �How could I have forgotten that only moments before he was
telling me about a man killing himself on his sword? It wasn�t his fault, but
he was clearly haunted by it, and then I tell him he solves his problems with
violence.

�When did I become so hopelessly cruel?� Kaoru�s eyes burned
as her heaving body desperately wanted release, but there were no tears left to
fall.

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

AUTHOR�S NOTE: I know things just keep getting worse for the
characters, but the light at the end of the tunnel is creeping ever closer!
Reviewers, you are my favorite people ever! You have given me such insightful,
thoughtful, heart-felt reviews that it has made this whole experience really
wonderful. I am glad I started writing the story, and I hope that everyone
enjoys it up to the very end. OK, now I�m going to list you all by name. You
each deserve individual thanks, but please accept this for now.

FF Reviewers: In no particular order, thank you Starian
Princess, BelleDayNight, gaby (hyatt, Angel of lonelyness, baka-chibi-puffs,
Jen, Captured Moon, Mistaken Otaku, Angel6582, snuffles, HoNeyZ-RiNoA,
mARSgoDwAR, JBella, lady isil, dragonflyelj, Becca, Obsidian Cherry,
star_crystal, Shaded Emerald-Eyes, Silent Tears of Agony, Elva, kogas-mate05,
Reiya, Inc, brittany8, catti-dono, xim-chan, and x1nfernal.

AFF Reviewers: Again, in no particular order, thank you
Alabaster Dragon, Wolf Demon, Psy Face, Diva Queen, Sexy Hanyou, Mega Man,
Video Vixen, Albino Elf, Venus, Pixie Elf, Linkin Logs, Ring Master, TLC, Baby
Boy, Albus the great, kouga kun, Clemen, Kaoru-chan, Litalya-Chan, kallipygia,
anonymous Reader, mariska, De Lazy Lady Lime, NUNI, and thebigW.

OK, now please review! :)
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Crossing the Line

CROSSING THE LINE - Chapter 9: Confessions...