Subject: [KFFDisc] Tak's Untitled Fic (this is it) Part 2 Date: Mon, 08 Mar 1999 14:19:03 -0600 From: Robin Kloster Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@egroups.com Organization: The Demoness Quartet To: kenshinfanfics@egroups.com Here's part 2. - Meimi ________________________________________________________________________ Tak - Tak62077@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ eGroup of the Day: "QueerLaw" - Discuss queer legal theory, sexual orientation and The Law. http://offers.egroups.com/click/240/0 eGroup home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/kenshinfanfics Free Web-based e-mail groups by eGroups.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: [KFFDisc] Untitled Fic Part 2 (Draft) Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 19:22:15 EDT From: Tak62077@aol.com Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com Hi, minnasan! Sorry it took me so long to finish the second part of my fic! I was suffering from a hectic schedule and writer's block! Thanks again to all of you who gave me very helpful comments on the first part of my pic. I took them into consideration when I was writing the second part too. I tried my best to keep everyone into character without drastically changing their familar personalities that we are used to seeing in the real RK series. I think since this story was mainly about Kaoru, it kind of turned into a shojo type of story that deals more with internal conflicts and emotions. But, I'm pledging to myself that if I write another RK fanfic, then it will definitly be filled with action! Also, I'm kind of having a problem thinking up of a title, any suggestions? Thanks again and I hope you enjoy reading the second part! * * * * * Kaoru's mouth dropped. She felt a wave of darkness sweep over her. She looked up at the sky, and couldn't see the stars shining anymore. She felt surrounded in a sea of darkness with Kenshin's words echoing over and over her mind. "...never marry you", they repeated. She looked at his back facing her. Suddenly the warm, cheerful Kenshin that always opened up and invited her disappeared, yet this was not Hitokiri Battousai either. This was another side of Kenshin she had not seen before. His voice was neither merry like the sweet Kenshin or frightning like the cold-blooded assasin, this time it was solemn. "...marry?", she whispered uneasily. "Whatever brought this about?" Without facing her, Kenshin replied, "I overheard your conversation with Misao dono in front of the Akabeko." Kaoru felt the heat rising to her cheeks recalling the words she had uttered to Misao, "...sometimes I feel impatient waiting for Kenshin to reveal his true feelings for me" He knows, Kaoru thought. Does he feel that I'm rushing him? Is that why he said that? Kaoru felt embarassed, "Did you think I was implying marriage?", she asked. Kenshin turned around. "Then it's not something you wanted? If I'm mistaken, then I apologize. Honto ni sumimasen." Kaoru didn't know what to say. Yes, it's true, she thought. She was referring to something concrete and of course marriage was what she wanted. What girl doesn't dream of marrying the one she loved? She wanted more than anything in the world to become Himura Kaoru. It was dream. Yet, now she was making him for apologize for something he wasn't even wrong about. Kaoru didn't want to lie to him, he deserved the truth. Kaoru blushed, "You're not exactly mistaken, please don't apologize", she admitted. "Of course I dream of marriage, but I know you have something from the past you need to sort out first. But, I'll wait forever for you, just being together like we are is enough for me!" Kenshin shook his head. He knew Kaoru shouldn't have to wait forever. She deserved happiness now. Kenshin didn't know how long it would take to resolve the ghosts that haunted him from his past. Maybe he would never be able to freely love another woman again. Kaoru doesn't deserve someone like me, he thought. "I think you should go with your aunt. They seem to care about you deeply. They came from such a distance to offer you a better life than you have now.", he suggested. Kaoru stared into Kenshin's deep violet eyes. He's heard everything, she thought. She realized that the sliding doors that had seperated them were paper thin. She remembered how she listened in Kenshin's and Megumi's conversation when they first met Megumi. But, why did he want her to leave her dear family? "Why, Kenshin? I'm happy with my life now!", she protested. "They are your family, Kaoru. Your own flesh and blood. Don't you know how precious that is? You should always cherish that and spend each moment with them. You are very fortunate and lucky to have them.", he replied. Kaoru had realized that Kenshin had lost his family at such a young age and it was something he was denied of. A family of true blood realation. Is that why he thinks I am lucky? Is that why he is encouraging me to go? she thought. "Even though they are my flesh and blood, they don't care about me as much as you think! When my parents died and I was left alone, they didn't welcome me into their home then! They left me all alone without ever visiting or writing me letters! They have only come around now because they think I'm disgracing the family name and to ruin my new life! They are not saints and I don't consider them my family!", she protested as she could feel tears welling into her eyes. She stood up and grabbed Kenshin's sleeve. "I don't understand why are you saying all this?! Why are you acting like this?! " "Kaoru, you deserve a better life than this. I'm just being a burden to you and keeping you from experincing life. I don't want you to wait forever because I'm not worthy of being with you now or ever. How can you say you are happy when this is the only life you've experienced? Don't you think there might be other things in this world that would make you more happy?", Kenshin replied. Kaoru shook her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "No, I don't want any other type of happiness! There's nothing in this world that could ever make me more happier than being with you! You are the only man I want to be with for the rest of my life! Please believe me!", she pleaded desperatly. Kaoru couldn't believe the words she had just muttered, but willing to make him believe her, all the emotions where released beyond her control. "I'm sure I'm the first man you ever associated with closely. How do you know for sure that I am the one for you if you never had the opportunity to meet anyone else?" Kenshin smiled at her gently and wrapped his strong arms around her as she buried her face in his chest. "I care for you Kaoru, that's whay I can't deny you of this chance. I want you to live your life with no regrets unlike myself. Right now with my past and your future at stake, I can't and have no right to give you the life you wish for." Listening to her cry, made Kenshin's heart break. He kept reminding her that this was for her benefit. Trying to hold back his own tears and emotions he gently let go of her and walked away. No, he's going to leave me again, she thought. But, again she couldn't move and dropped to the ground. As tears streamed down her face she was relieved to see that Kenshin had not walked out of the dojo. Instead, he picked Yahiko where he was dozed off and carried him into his room. She watched as he put Yahiko to bed, then went to his own room and shut the door quietly. Even though, she knew he didn't leave her, she still couldn't stand up. This was a nightmare, her one true love had made it clear to her that he could never return her feelings. Even though Kenshin was still in the dojo, she felt as if he was far away beyond her grasp. What should she do? Kaoru knew things were never going to be the same after this night knowing Kenshin was incapable of ever loving her. "Ken....shin.... no baka!", she cried. * * * * * The next morning, Yahiko was up early practicing his kenjitsu excercises by himself in the dojo. Strange, he thought to himself. Kenshin left for fishing without waiting to say "ohaiyo gozaimasu" to Kaoru and Kaoru didn't wake up early as usual to prepare breakfast for them. Yahiko thought it had something to do with Kaoru's aunt's unexpected visit yesterday, but was afraid to ask. Just then, Yahiko heard someone come into the dojo. He went outside of the training hall to see who it was. It was Kaoru's aunt and cousin, Hikari again. Being a little intimited at such a stern face he greeted, "Ohaiyo gozaimasu." Kaoru's aunt turned and narrowed her eyes, "Young man, please notify my niece that I would like to speak with her now.", she demanded. What an old hag, Yahiko thought to himself. "She's still sleeping!", he responded and crossed his arms. "Nani?!" her aunt shrieked. "This late? What bad habits she has acquired! Wake her up immediatly child!" Yahiko felt the heat raging to his cheeks. Child?! That's even worse than being called Yahiko chan! Muttering under his breath he stomped over to Kaoru's room and slide the door open. "Kaoru! Wake up!", he yelled. Kaoru sat up from her futon. "Yahiko! How dare you enter a woman's room without knocking!", she snapped. "Your baba of an aunt is demanding for you!", he retorted. "Eh?! Again?!", Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Fine, tell her I'll be out in a minute", she said. Yahiko just nodded and left the room. Kaoru quickly changed into her kimono and tied her hair up in a ponytail with her favorite aoi ribbon. She quickly went to meet her aunt. She found them waiting in the sitting room drinking tea. Hikari turned to Kaoru,"Ohaiyo gozaimasu! I took the liberity to make some tea for us while we were waiting for you. Doozo.", she said. Kaoru smiled. "Arigato." She sat at the opposite end of the table. "What would you like to talk to me about now.", she sighed. Her aunt took out an envelope and placed it on the table. "It's your father's will. If you read it, you will find that you don't own the dojo as you always believed you did", she said. Kaoru's eyes widened. "Uso yo!", she exclaimed. The dojo was always hers after her parents passed away. She's the one who took care of it and protected it with her life. She quickly grabbed the envelope and pulled out old piece of paper. It was a will written by her father. She would never forget her father's writing. As Kaoru read, her aunt replied, "As you can see, the dojo remains under my name until you turn twenty years old. I am free to do whatever I please with it until you reach that age.", she continued. "At the time your parents passed away, I felt you could manage it by yourself. I always thought you were quite mature for your age. And also for your father's sake, I decided to keep his budo alive by keeping the dojo open. But, obviously I was greatly mistaken." Kaoru's hands tightned around her father's will. This can't be happening, I'm losing everything at once, she thought frantically. "What do you plan to do?", she asked suspiciously. Her aunt sipped her tea and continued, "If you choose to continue this disgraceful life living here with these people, then I will have no choice but to break up your so-called family by force!", she said. Kaoru stared at her aunt. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She glanced at her younger cousin, who shifted uncomfortable and looked down. "By force?!", she exclaimed. "I'm going to sell the dojo before you even turn twenty. You and you're friends won't be able to live her any longer." Kaoru laughed, "You must be kidding? Do you think that will stop us from being together? We can always find another place?!", she snapped back sarcastically. "Oh, really? And how do you manage to pay for it? If this dojo wasn't already owned by the family, you would never be able to afford living expenses. I can't believe how drab and broken down this dojo had become! And while Hikari was making the tea, she noticed how empty the kitchen is.", her aunt retorted. Kaoru bit her bottom lip. Her aunt was right. Kaoru was the only one working to support Kenshin, Yahiko, and even Sanosuke with food. And ever since she lost all her students, she couldn't afford to rebuild some parts of the dojo that needed repairs. "Also, how do you think your father would feel if I sold the dojo because of your disgraceful actions?! He'd nearly turn over in his grave!", her aunt added. Kaoru couldn't take it anymore. How dare her aunt use her father to make her feel guilty. Kaoru had worked like a slave trying to take care of the dojo and keep her father's good name. She nearly got killed doing it if it wasn't for Kenshin who saved her. Kaoru reached over the table and slapped her aunt across the face. Hikari gasped and her aunt stared at Kaoru with narrowed eyes. "Don't you dare talk ill of my father!", she said. Her aunt looked at her while she held her slapped cheek and simply replied, "I'm not shocked at all at this behavior. But, I'm not going to blame you. You haven't had decent upbringing." Kaoru thought her aunt was going to blow up at her, but was surprised at the opposite reaction she got. Kaoru looked at the hand that slapped her aunt. She couldn't believe what she had just done. She slapped an elder, if her father was alive, he would have been definitly disappointed in her. Kaoru looked at her aunt and saw that her aunt was no longer mad anymore, but a sad expression appeared on her face. It reminded her off the solemn expression on Kenshin's face and his words "....They are your family, Kaoru. Your own flesh and blood. Don't you know how precious that is? You should always cherish that and spend each moment with them. You are very fortunate and lucky to have them..." Looking at her aunt's similar expression made her think, She's really worried about me now. "Alright, what do you want me to do?", ashamed of herself, she admitted defeat. "I want you to return with us and learn to become a proper young lady.", she requested. Kaoru looked down. This was it, she thought. This was the ultamaidum she was given, by both her aunt and Kenshin it seemed. As painful as it was, she had to make a decision and a sacrafice. If I leave I have to say good-bye to my friends, but I can save the dojo and they can continue to live her without me. But, if I stay, I will loose the dojo forever, even thought I'll still be with them. She looked at her aunt and with determined eyes annouced, "Alright, I'll leave the dojo on one condition. You will not sell it and allow Kenshin and Yahiko to stay here!" Her aunt was a bit surprised with Kaoru's stern and stubborn voice. It reminded her of Kaoru's father. He was a stubborn man and when she heard that tone of voice, she knew when she had to back down. "Agreed, but you will leave this afternoon with us. I will not allow you to stay another day longer. That is my final offer." Today? She thought. I'd have to say good bye to everyone. Yahiko, Sanosuke, Tae, Dr. Genzai, Megumi, Ayumi, Suzume, Tsubame, and ....Kenshin. Can I do it? she questioned herself. Kaoru shook her head. She had to, she had to save her dojo and her friends no matter what. She sadly nodded. "Fine, I'm sure you have things to take care of. Meet us at the train station at sundown. Don't bother packing any clothes. I've noticed your kimonos are all in awful condition as well. We will provide you with new clothing.", she turned turned to Hikari. "Let's leave." Hikari shook her head. "I want to stay with Kaoru san. It's been awhile since I've met with her. Onegai?", she asked. Her aunt briefly nodded her head and walked out of the dojo. Hikari turned to Kaoru and stared at her sad face. She felt sorry for her dear cousin, but she tried to cheer her up. "Kaoru san, it won't be so bad. I'm sure you will learn to like it. Personally, it will be nice to have someone like you I can spend time with." Kaoru forced a smile. Hikari was one of her cousins that she had forgotten. She hasn't changed, she thought. She's still the cheerful and kind girl she has always been ever since we were children. "Hikari, did you want to stay with me so you could see Sanosuke?", she teased. Hikari turned beet red, "Uh...well...", she stammered. Kaoru laughed, "Sanosuke seems to have an unofficial girlfriend already by what I think." Hikari's eyes widened. "No way!", she pouted as she crossed her arms. Kaoru laughed, Megumi's got competition, she thought. * * * * * Yahiko was running to Doctor's Genzai's office. He had heard the whole conversation between Kaoru and her aunt. "Baka, Baka, BAKA, Kaoru", he cursed. She's always thinking about us, he thought, even though he cursed her under his breath. When he reached the medical office, he found all of them there, even Sanosuke who was getting his hand bandaged again by Megumi. "Taihen!", he shouted. They all looked up at him "What's wrong, Yahiko?", Megumi asked. "Is something wrong with Ken-san?" "It's Kaoru!", he replied. "She's leaving Tokyo!" "Nani?", Sanosuke demanded. "Remember her aunt came yesterday? She told Kaoru if she didn't go back with them, she would sell the dojo! That baka is sacrificing herself so she could keep the dojo and let us remain there!", he annouced. Megumi looked at Dr. Genzai, "Did you know about this?! Can this happen?" Dr. Genzai looked down. "Her aunt came to see me yesterday afternoon. She told me she was going to take Kaoru back with her. But, I didn't think Kaoru would go. I'm shocked to hear that her aunt would stoop this low to get Kaoru to go with her." "Why don't you do something?", Sanosuke demanded. Dr. Genzai shook his head. "There's nothing I can do. I'm not a real relative, this is their family business. I have no say in the matter or the right to interfere. It was Kaoru's own choice." Yahiko pulled on Megumi's sleeve. "Hurry! You have to talk some sense into her! You're the only one who can do it! You got her to follow Kenshin to Kyoto!", he said. Megumi nodded. After the long lecture she gave to Kaoru after Kenshin defeated Shishio, she was definitly angry and disappointed in the girl. She had given up Kenshin to Kaoru and she was going to make sure they were going to stay together no matter what. * * * * * Kaoru was sweeping the dojo for the last time. How am I going to tell them? she asked herself. It's already noon! What will Kenshin say? Will he try to stop me? Maybe he's changed his mind? Inturrupting her thoughts, Kaoru heard the front door of the dojo slam. It's them, get ready, she prepared herself. Kaoru ran out to the front, "Okarinasai.", she said. "Kaoru san! Baka janai ka?!", Megumi san's voice raged. "Why are you leaving the dojo?!" "How in the hell can you do something this stupid?!", Sanosuke demmanded. Kaoru just stared at them. How did they know? "You knew I was going to leave the dojo?" "I told them, I heard everything you and your aunt were talking about this morning.", Yahiko replied. Megumi walked over to Kaoru, "After all Ken san went through, you are going to desert him?! Didn't I tell you that you were the only one who he deeply cares about? The one person he said good-bye to in Kyoto!", she reminded. "Eh...", Kaoru nodded. Hikari, who was sitting in the dojo, heard voices raised. She ran outside and found Kaoru and her friends arguing. Megumi put her hands on Kaoru's shoulders, "Then, why?", she asked again as she started shaking Kaoru, "Why are you leaving?!" "I have to, to save my dojo", Kaoru replied softly. "That's the reason?!", Megumi snapped back angrily. "You selfish girl!" Megumi was furious that Kaoru would even think of leaving Ken san for such a superficial reason. Was her dojo worth more to her than being with Ken san? Megumi thought. Megumi continued to think about how she sacraficed her own happiness and gave up Ken san to Kaoru. After she went through all that heartbreak and emotional pain, this selfish girl was now throwing it all away as it was nothing. For that, Megumi could not forgive her. Megumi slapped Kaoru across the face with back of her hand. She had hit her so hard that the impact sent Kaoru flying to the ground. "Kaoru san!", Hikari exclaimed. Yahiko and Sanosuke stared at the two girls unable to say anything. Yahiko, even though he didn't want to admit, was a bit afraid for Kaoru. The way Megumi's eyes were narrowed and full of rage made him step back a little. When girls fight, it's ten times as scary, he thought to himself. Sanosuke went over to Megumi and held her back trying to calm her down. He was sure that Megumi still cared deeply for Kenshin and realized that was the real reason for letting out her anger of Kaoru. Kaoru just remained and stared at the ground. She put her hand to the slapped cheek and held it as she felt as if she was being stinged with needles. She felt tears coming to her eyes, but she couldn't blame Megumi for her anger. "Even if you don't agree with me, I want to save my dojo at any cost", she repeated. "What?!", Megumi yelled as Sanosuke held her back again. "I have an obligation to my father to make sure the Kamiya Dojo will remain open", Kaoru replied still looking at the ground. "And to make sure Kenshin and Yahiko will always have a home even if I'm not there." The three of them stared at Kaoru. Megumi's body relaxed and Sanosuke let go of her. Kaoru turned and looked up at them. "I want to be with Kenshin more than anything in the world. But, I have an obligation to my both of my families. An obligation to my blood one to try and live with them and a responsiblity to my new one. When I offered Kenshin and Yahiko to live with me, I was accepting the responsibility along with as if they were real family.", she explained. "I wanted to do my best to take care of them." "So that's why you always worked at other budo halls. You felt responsible for providing us with food and the things we needed. That's why you never asked us to find jobs", Yahiko realized. "You shouldn't have to find jobs. I didn't want Kenshin to work, especially after being a rurouni for ten years. When I first met him, I thought he had a tired soul. A soul that needed to rest and recover. And Yahiko, you're only ten years old, yet you were forced to work as a pickpocket at such a young age. You never had a chance to even be a child even if you wanted too. I wanted you to at least live the remaining years of your childhood without worries.", Kaoru said. Sanosuke looked down and Jo chan. He felt a little guilty about always coming over and eating their food. Jo chan worked so hard to take care of them and now he was realizing it too late. Even though she was only seventeen, Jo chan had taken the responsiblity as a mother to them. Even now when her own future is on the line, she was still thinking about everyone else but herself. Kaoru looked up to the speechless Megumi. "I've arranged it so Yahiko and Kenshin can remain here. I have one request Megumi san, please take care of them. I know if you and Sanosuke are here in Tokyo, then you'll watch over them for me and I don't need to worry. And I know if you are here, Kenshin will never wander away again. After ten years of being a rurouni, I believe he has truly thought as the Kamiya dojo as his home. A home is something he deserves more than anyone else in the world. I said it, didn't I? When we returned from Kyoto, I told Kenshin "okarinasai" and he replied "tadima". I told him that he is home and he agreed. And at any cost, I want to protect his home and happiness he has found living here as he has protected my life. Please be his family while I am away. Please make sure he is happy.", she said. Kaoru bowed her head to the ground with tears welling in her eyes again, "Onegai shimasu." Megumi looked down at Kaoru. She didn't know what to believe anymore. If you want to be with someone, then you should be willing to sacrafice anything, Megumi thought. But, Kaoru san is sacraficing her own future and happiness for the sake of her father's dojo and in order for Kenshin and Yahiko to remain here with her and Sanosuke, her thoughts argued. Could she do the same thing? If her family ever returned for her, would she be able to remain with them. Megumi shook her head. Even though she would never forget what Kenshin and everyone did for her, she would probably go back with her real family. And now it was the opportunity that Kaoru had now. Megumi bent down to Kaoru and lifted her chin, "Alright, I promise to take care of them no matter what.", she replied sadly. She hated to see Kaoru go. Even though they fought and Megumi was jealous of her relationship with Kenshin at times, she had always thought of Kaoru as a younger sister she never had. "But what about you? Are you sure you will be okay?" Hikari ran between them and put her arm around her cousin. She was proud to have Kaoru as her cousin despite what her mother had told her. "Don't worry. I'll take care of Kaoru and make sure she is happy. I promise.", she pledged to Megumi, Sanosuke, and Yahiko. Kaoru smiled as tears rolled down the sides of her cheeks, she was so lucky to have so many people that cared about her. "Arigato, minna", she said. "Such a cry baby", Megumi replied. * * * * * It was almost time, Kaoru thought to herself. She walked towards the river bank where Yahiko had told her where Kenshin was fishing. She wanted to say good-bye to him even though it would have been easier to leave without facing him. But, she knew she would regret it is she left and something happened to him. She saw Kenshin staring out at the river. It reminded her of the time when he sat there thinking about his fight with Udou Jine. She was so afraid he would become a hitokiri again and leave her. He's always made me worry, she thought to herself. As Kaoru walked closer, she grew nervous, how was she going to tell him? Finally without turning around Kenshin replied, "Kaoru dono." Kaoru stopped. "How did you know it was me?" Kenshin let out a small chuckle. "I've memorized everything about you. Your smile, your laugh, even the sounds of your footsteps." He stood up and faced her. Just by looking at her face, he knew what she had come to tell him. "You're leaving with your family, aren't you?" Kaoru silently nodded. She couldn't say anything without breaking down in tears, even though she had made the decision for herself. Even though Kenshin knew what her anwser would be, he still felt a little shocked. Deep inside, he didn't want Kaoru to go and wanted to remain here with him forever. Kaoru had to say something, she couldn't leave without saying a word. "Arigato, Kenshin. For always protecting me", she said forcing the words. Kenshin shook his head. "No, I should be thanking you. You've given me family and a home.", he replied. Kaoru smiled. "You deserve it, more than anyone else in the world. Promise me you won't ever leave Sanosuke, Yahiko, and everyone. You won't find what you're looking for by wandering again because you've already found it. You've found people that will always care for you", she said choking back the tears. "I promise to protect them all no matter what", Kenshin said. "I guess I won't be able to finish training Yahiko. I'm sorry that I won't be able to fulfill his request to become strong.", she said. "Hiten Mitsugi Ryu should have a fifteenth sucessor. Even though you say it's only meant for killing, I've seen you use it to protect the ones you love", Kaoru said. "Maybe...", Kenshin said. Kaoru forced a weak smile, "I guess I better go now. Hikari and my aunt are waiting at the station.", she said. "Don't you want me to accompany you?", Kenshin asked. Kaoru shook her head. She had to leave him now or she would never be able to find the strength to do it. "Here is fine." She looked at Kenshin one last time. Farewell, my beloved, she thought. "Sayonara", she replied as she turned to walk away. Kenshin watched as Kaoru dono started walking away. She leaving, he thought. He wouldn't taste her bad cooking tonight, he wouldn't see her practicing in the dojo anymore, he wouldn't see her loose her temper, he wouldn't see her fighting with Yahiko, or nagging Sanosuke about food, he wouldn't see her smile or hear her laughter, he wouldn't see her tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after... She'll disappear from my life, just like... Finally, as Kaoru started to disappear from his view, he ran to her. When he caught up to her, he stopped her and wrapped his arms around her from behind and embraced her tightly. "Ken...shin...", Kaoru replied surprised. Kenshin didn't want her to go, but he knew he had to let her go no matter what. Even though his heart screamed "Don't go", he simply replied. "Take care of yourself. Promise me you will find all the happiness in the world." She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. She rested her hand on Kenshin's arm. She wanted to stay like this forever. She wished time would freeze so she could remain in his embrace. "I promise.", she choked. "I guess I've become the rurouni now." Kenshin finally let go of her. Kaoru couldn't look at him. As the tears flowed and the wind brushed through her hair, she continued walking without looking back. His last words echoed in her mind, "...Take care of yourself. I hope you find all the happiness in the world." Kaoru let out a sob and thought about all the wonderful memories she had made with her new family and was now leaving behind. But, with the beautiful memories she had created living with Kenshin that would always be sealed in her heart made her truly believe that she had already found all the happiness in the world. End of part 2 * * * * * ____________________________________________________________________ List Site: http://www.findmail.com/list/kenshinfanfics/ To unsubscribe, send to kenshinfanfics-unsubscribe@makelist.com FREE group e-mail lists at http://www.findmail.com