Haunted Destiny

by Mana-chan

A cool breeze danced through the trees and into an open window of the Kamiya Kasshin School. With it, came the strong scent of white plums mixed with something else- an unidentifiable trace scent, almost unrecognizable. It dr ifted down the hallway and diffused throughout the dojo, following a direct path, never wavering. Purposefully, it floated through an open door, prancing around a figure lying fast asleep in her bed. Opening its mouth, the breeze whispered, "Kamiya Kaoru"

Kaoru watched in awe as pink cherry blossoms drifted delicately from the branches of their mother trees, ready to take seed elsewhere. A sudden breeze arrived and blew the blossoms, sending them flying to their destinations, and Kaoru looked up, surprised at the sound of a voice- haunting, yet beautiful. Clouds began gathering rapidly in the sky, and Kaoru shuddered as the temperature dropped suddenly, and the friendly breeze became an icy wind. The voice called again, more urgently this time, and K aoru smelled the strong scent of white plums coalescing around her, becoming stronger and stronger as the temperature dropped lower and lower.

"Kamiya Kaoru...Save him...Save Himura..Ken..save him"

Kaoru spun around, suddenly frightened, seeking the beautiful voice haunting her.

"Who are you? What are you talking about?"

A figure appeared before her, fading in and out of existence- a beautiful girl dressed in a tattered kimono covered with blood. She raised one white hand, stretching it out to Kaoru, and looked at the other girl pleadingly, her eyes sad, haunted.

" Save him....he needs you....."

The girl began to disappear then, her hand still stretched out towards Kaoru. The latter ran forward, screaming at the disappearing apparition.

"WAIT! Who are you?"

"I am ...."

A sudden scream escaped the girl\rquote s red lips and Kaoru watched in horror as the girl's skin began to melt, dripping from her face, mingled with blood and the strong scent of white plums. More screams followed as the bloody kimono flew from her body, and a terrifying laugh resounded from an unknown source.

"My beauty.. you forgot the terms of our agreement..and for that, you will be punished!!! But I will alleviate the torture...you have introduced me to yet another beauty, and for that, I am grateful. Kamiya Kaoru...the beauty of kenjutsu..this makes my plans for battousai so much better...so much more fun"

Images of Kenshin appeared everywhere then- Kenshin as battousai, Kenshin fighting an invisible enemy, Kenshin with a sword through his heart, Kenshin dying, laughter.. Kaoru screamed and shook her head forcefully.

"NO!!!!!! STOP!!!!!!!!"

"Kaoru! Kaoru!!" Hands grabbed her, tearing at her, shaking her. Kaoru screamed again and lashed out with her arms, pushing the hands away from her.

"I WON' T LET YOU! I WON'T LET YOU HURT.....K.."

And then a light burst through her darkness, and Kaoru woke up, panting, sweat dripping down her face. A dazed Kenshin sat sprawled on the floor, rubbing his cheek painfully, and Yahiko stood staring at Kaoru, his eyes wide and frightened. Sanosuke stood nearby, a worried expression on his face. Kaoru shook her head, still overcome by her nightmare and stared at Kenshin amazed, as if not believing he was really there.

"Kenshin....."

Kenshin recovered quickly and looked at Kaoru, a concerned expression on his face.

"Kaoru-dono? Are you okay?"

"Kenshin......"

The fear left Yahiko\rquote s eyes immediately and was soon replaced by relief, then anger.

"Snap out of it already! Get to the point. What happened? You scared the hell outta us!!!"

Kaoru turned to look at Yahiko.

"I.....had a bad dream..that's all..just a dream." I shouldn't tell them about it......I shouldn't tell them what happened...I can't ..can't tell them...

Sanosuke put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey Jo-chan. We're here for you....you can tell us about it. That might make you feel better."

Kenshin nodded in agreement."Sometimes, expressing the fear inside brings fulfillment..."

Like you did with Tomoe.. Kaoru thought wordlessly to Kenshin. But I can't tell them about it..no, not yet..not until I understand...not until I know what's happening.

Kaoru shook her head and pulled off her covers. Hiding the fear in the voice, she smiled and said, "No..that's okay. I'm fine," and at their disbelieving faces, "Really! I am fine. Here, I'll go make breakfast, okay?"

Reluctantly, Yahiko and Sanosuke nodded and left the room, giving in to the tantalizing thought of food, but Kenshin still watched Kaoru, his eyes worried. After studying her for a few more minutes, he too got up to leave, knowing that she did not wish to speak of her dream.

"Kenshin."

The rurouni stopped and turned around to look at Kaoru. His eyes widened when he saw tiny, crystalline tears forming in her eyes, slowly falling down her face.

"Kenshin...be careful."

Kenshin immediately re-entered the room and walked over to Kaoru, awkwardly putting an arm around her shoulders. The girl melted instantly into his arms and sobbed, intense sadness overcoming her body.

"Kaoru-dono....it was just a dream...a dream."

Kaoru shook her head and pushed away from Kenshin. "I know..I know..but.just be careful Kenshin....and promise me, promise me you' ll never leave me. Promise me!"

Kenshin stared at Kaoru for a moment, then nodded. "I promise, Kaoru-dono. I promise."

Kaoru smiled through her tears and nodded slowly, and the rurouni stood up, walking over to the door. "I'll leave now, Kaoru-dono. Remember, it's just a dream...I'll see you later."

Kaoru watched Kenshin's retreating back and bit her lip as the visions of his death came rushing back and the voice- "Save him..Save Himura Ken.." Save Himura Kenshin...but how can I save Kenshin..how can I save him when I can't even save myself- when its always Kenshin saving me? Kaoru shook her head violently, emptying it of all thoughts and got dressed, forcing herself to forget the dream.

Quickly, she made breakfast, ignoring Yahiko's usual loud complaints about her horrible cooking, and then walked outside. The temperature had dropped drastically, since yesterday, and Kaoru wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she walked over to a tree- the cherry tree that had been in her dream. An image of the girl flashed through her head, and Kaoru felt tears rise in her eyes, but quickly fought them back. So engrossed was she in tearing the vision from her mind, that she didn\rquote t hear the horse galloping up to the dojo until its rider had dismounted and was immediately behind her. Kaoru spun around, surprised, and immediately bowed in acknowledgement.

"May I help you, sir?"

A handsome young man stood before her, his eyes dark and intense, his hair pulled back into a high ponytail. "Are you the owner of Kamiya Kasshin School, Kamiya Kaoru?"

"Hai, Kamiya Kaoru des..."

The man nodded and handed her a sealed envelope.

"I have a letter for you..."

Kaoru bowed again and took the letter.

"Arigatou..." The man shrugged and mounted his horse, riding away.

Quickly, Kaoru opened the letter and scanned its contents. Immediately, her face turned white as she stared in disbelief at the words scrawled before her in blood.

"It was not merely a dream, Kaoru...Save him.. Save Himura Kenshin. Only you can save him. Only you have the power, Kaoru. Take the Sword of Sakura...take it and follow your destiny...follow it beyond time

-A friend"

Soft, pink petals drifted down from above, swirling around Kaoru's body, and she looked up, in surprise. There before her, hovering in midair, was a beautiful sword with a glistening blade and an intricately carved handle. It glowed with a shimmering, pink light and called to her softly, its voice light and musical. "Kaoru..come..come with me."

Slowly, carefully, she took a step forward and reached up to touch the sword. As her flesh contacted the weapon, the scent of white plums filled the air and the cherry blossom petals began to whirl more violently around her. In the distance, Kaoru heard a voice- faint, but urgent.

"Kaoru!! No!!!!!"

Kenshin...

Kaoru's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. Her body began to disappear, blending with the myriad of petals and she cried out for help, calling to the voice in the distance.

"KENSHIN!!!!!"