Walking on Mirrors
White Rabbit

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the brilliant works of Rurouni Kenshin. This is strictly for entertainment, and I am not making any money off of it. Also, please don’t steal anything that I have created. I don’t plagiarize, you don’t plagiarize, got it?

Enjoy!

Rated T for violence, language and all-around twistedness
Action/Adventure and Romance

Chapter One: A Parting Gift

Total devastation.

There was no way anything had gotten out safely through that. Most were just glad everyone had been away when it had happened.

Kaoru, on the other hand, was completely heartbroken.

The burnt remains of what was once the Kamiya dojo dissolved into the wind. The wreckage was agonizing.

Kaoru sank to her knees. She stared vacantly at her ruined home. It was…it had been…everything, to her. Tears filled her eyes and she willed the destruction to go away. Wished it wasn’t real. Hoped she was dreaming.

Naruku knelt at her side kindly. She had nothing to say.

Yahiko clenched his fists in fury, the wooden shinai strapped to his back shook as he trembled with anger. This had been his home too—the first decent home he had ever known.

Megumi raised a hand to her mouth, clearly shaken.

Kenshin stared ahead—both accepting that his home was gone and mourning for the loss.

Aoshi stared on, looking as emotionless as possible. But those who knew him well could tell there was a deep hurt in the pit of his cold blue eyes.

Misao looked as miserable as she had ever. She buried her face in her hands.

Sano spoke at last. "No one was hurt," he said, falling into the old optimism he once—and probably still—had.

Kenshin disagreed but said nothing. Yes, no one had been harmed when the dojo was consumed by fire. But Kaoru was, emotionally, traumatized. Everything she had left of her life was in that now dead building. Everything but her friends.

Kenshin’s violet eyes widened as he spotted something among the rubble. He stepped tentatively through the debris and leaned down to haphazardly unbury something.

"K-Kenshin…!" Kaoru said. "Please…don’t…" She winced and looked away, as though she had been slapped. "Stop."

Kenshin looked carefully into her eyes, blurred by tears, and shot her a look of defiance. He picked what it was he had been digging for and presented it to her.

It was her bokken. Amazingly, it was unscathed.

Kaoru reached for it tentatively. Kenshin nodded slightly and she took it with shaking hands. The others looked on with interest. A sword is a tool to protect people…Kaoru looked at the wooden sword distantly, as though remembering. The others stood around her, not saying a word. Kamiya Kasshin revitalizes…

"How…?" Kaoru finally asked, looking up at Kenshin pleadingly. "How did they survive?"

Kenshin shrugged, a gesture meaning ‘you’re guess is as good as mine.’

The sky darkened as night began to fall. With the night, came rain.

Kaoru clenched her hand around the bokken, tears leaking out of her angry eyes.

She exhaled with a slight whimper, showing her sadness once more. She looked up at the ashes of her home. It was too much. She got up and ran away, tears splashing around her.

Misao made a motion to go after her, but Kenshin stopped her. He shook his head slowly.

"What are we going to do?" Naruku questioned softly, running her hand over her right arm.

Kenshin looked at her solemnly. "I…don’t…" He cut himself off as the others looked dismayed. He did not want to worry them by admitting he had no idea what to do, or what would happen. It would only trouble things.

"We’ll spend a night at the Akabeko, that we will."

The others looked at him. Didn’t he have anything else to say? Or maybe for once, Himura Kenshin had no idea what to do.

He isn’t so resolved after all…Naruku thought as they hurried through the rain, all wearing hard, sad expressions. They had no umbrella to shield them from the rain. No one spoke, leaving them alone with their thoughts. Baka, of course he isn’t resolved. Why else would he have been wandering? But now that he has a home…he had a home. It’s gone now. My home, too. Yahiko’s. And the rest of Kaoru’s life…

They reached the Akabeko. Tae did not seem her cheery self at all. So she knew…

"Minna-san, please be our guests tonight. You can stay here free of charge," Tae told them, determined to help.

"No it’s really—" Naruku began.

"Thank you Tae-dono," Kenshin cut her off. You need to know when to accept favors, his eyes told her.

"Well, ‘bye then, minna," Sano said, turning back to the door. "Megumi and I will be going back to our houses, I guess."

Naruku started to say not to go back through the rain, but stopped herself. The two of them turned back to the door, feeling uncomfortable. They had a home to go back to. The others didn’t.

"Wakarimashita…" Misao sang from a corner of the room they were all sharing, having successfully changed into a sleeping yukata provided by Tae. "You can turn around now."

After a big meal and warm clothes they’re spirits were somewhat lifted. Still Naruku sat facing the closed off window, listening to the rain pelt the ground, and the wind howl.

Yahiko came over to her. She turned to look at him. "You’re worried about Kaoru, aren’t you?" He asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Naruku turned back to the window and nodded. "Shouldn’t anyone be worried about her! She’s out alone at night—in the rain!" Naruku exploded.

"She’s fine, Naruku. Kaoru may be depressed, but she’s not stupid. She’ll probably be at Dr. Gensai’s," Yahiko assured her.

Naruku calmed and nodded. "Still, I think I’ll—" She fell silent. She was on the receiving end of Kenshin’s glares. She breathed out, wanting to cry. She turned back to the window and didn’t say anything else the rest of the night.

The next day the rain had subsided and it was a clear bright day. The five of them thanked Tae for her hospitality. Sano met up with them on their way to Dr. Gensai’s.

"Yes, Kaoru-chan stopped by here last night," Dr Gensai informed them. "I was worried you were all out in the cold rain but I see you found somewhere to stay—"

"Wait, wait, you said she ‘stopped by?’ Does that mean she’s not here anymore?" Naruku interrupted.

"Why, yes, I assumed she had gone looking for you," Dr. Gensai replied.

They exchanged glances. "I see. Arigato Gensai-sensai."

Soon they were back at the Akabeko.

"Nope, Kaoru hasn’t come by today at all," Tae told them, surprised at their question.

"Oh no…" Misao moaned.

"This is very worrisome, isn’t it?" Kenshin said, sounding troubled.

"You mean, Kaoru’s missing!" Yahiko exclaimed. "Oh no!"

"Why would she leave?" Naruku asked. Everyone else was as confused as she was.

"Maybe it was that guy Hirakatu," Sano suggested. "I mean, she hasn’t paid the taxes and now it’s burned down? Definitely that guy would come after her."

"This is true," Kenshin agreed. "But what about insurance?"

Naruku blinked. "Yeah. Wouldn’t she have insurance on the dojo?"

"Ohh! What if she were kidnapped!" Misao shrieked. "Oh no…"

"I do not believe Kaoru-dono has been kidnapped, that I don’t," Kenshin said patiently.

"Perhaps Kamiya-san has a relative she would find?" Aoshi suggested.

Kenshin shook his head. "Kaoru-dono has no living relatives, aside from this one."

"Oh…" Naruku sighed.

"I do not believe Kaoru-dono is in danger. We should think about this before we—"

"How can you say that?" Misao demanded. "Kaoru-san could be anywhere and you’re not worried that something has happened to her?"

"Maa, maa, Misao-dono. This one is only—" Misao and Kenshin stopped their quarrel as they caught sight of a very distressed Megumi running toward them.

"Woaaah, kitsune," Sano braced her from running into them. "Care to explain what’s going on?"

Megumi bit her lip. "Ken-san," she began, though she was clearly addressing the whole group.

"What? Do you know where Kaoru is?" Yahiko demanded.

"N-no," she answered. "I—um…I got offered a job."

"Megumi-dono?"

"It’s in Aizu. A well-known doctor is asking for me to come work for him in his clinic…" Megumi said quickly.

"That’s great Megumi-san!" Misao congratulated.

"Yes," she replied hurriedly. "But I don’t want to leave Tokyo now! We have no idea what’s happened to Kaoru and you are in need of—"

"Take it," Kenshin said shortly. "If you truly want to help us, you’ll take that job in Aizu."

"Ken…shin?" Naruku said questioningly.

"Oh—Oh, hai," Megumi nodded, understanding. "I will. I will send my wages to restore Kaoru-chan’s dojo, and make sure it’s much less run-down that before."

"Megumi…"

"I’m leaving tomorrow morning," Megumi said pointedly.

"We wish you the best of luck," Naruku answered. "Stay safe Megumi-san."

Kenshin and Naruku were training at the side of the river bank. Naruku went through her speed drills and katas. She had mastered them. She was ready to learn something new.

"Naruku-dono," Kenshin said, after a demonstration of the final kata.

"Hai?"

"I’m going to teach you an attack today."

Naruku’s eyes lit up. "H-Honto?" She asked breathlessly.

Kenshin nodded. "I’m going to show it to you first. Climb that tree," he pointed. "And knock down that branch. Watch carefully." Naruku nodded and climbed the tree.

"Can you see well from there?" Kenshin inquired.

"Hai!" Naruku yelled down at him.

"Good. Now knock down the branch," Kenshin instructed.

Sitting on her knees, Naruku wrapped her arms around the bough and heaved. It made snapping noises as she slowly pulled it lose. With a final CRACK! Naruku let go and the branch toppled down right in front of Kenshin. Who had his Sakabatou out in a standard position. With a hardened look of concentration, Kenshin roared,

"HITEN MITSURUGI, RYUSOSEN!"

The branch was quickly cut into many different pieces. Naruku carefully noted the exact timing and angle of each sword stroke. It wasn’t as hard to follow as she thought, so she assumed Kenshin had slowed it down a little to help her see.

Naruku hopped down from her perch in the tree.

"The point is to strike many different targets, or one target in many different places," Kenshin informed her, sheathing his sword. Naruku took in the vital information. She touched one of the pieces of wood.

"It’s cut."

"Hai. I flipped the sakabatou to help demonstrate the effect of Ryusosen," Kenshin told her.

"But doesn’t that edge toward reverting to Battousai?" Naruku asked.

"No. The branch is not a person. There is no reason to feel remorse for chopping up a log. I do it all the time to collect firewood!" Kenshin told her.

"I see."

"Now you try the Ryusosen," Kenshin told her.

"…me?" she squeaked.

Kenshin blinked. "Of course. How else would you learn?"

"Um, ok," Naruku agreed. I guess that makes sense. "So what should I try it on?" she wondered, looking up at the trees for any loose branches.

"Your sensai," Kenshin responded simply.

Naruku stopped looking up at trees. Her head snapped back and she gaped at Kenshin. "You?"

Kenshin smiled. "Hai," he moved to face her.

"Demo, I don’t want to hurt you!" Naruku protested.

"With your size and build, you won’t be able to do any damage to this one, that you won’t," Kenshin told her truthfully. "Shikashi, if you manage to do Ryusosen correctly, you may hurt me."

"I don’t want to hurt you!"

"You won’t," Kenshin assured her.

"What, have you no faith in your pupil? Are you saying I won’t be able to do the Ryusosen?" Naruku cried in mock-outrage.

"Naruku-dono…"

"Yare, yare, I was only kidding!" Naruku smiled sheepishly. "Okay then." She turned to face him and held her sword out erect, as she had seen Kenshin do. She breathed in, concentrating. With a sudden fierce look, she charged.

"Hiten Mitsurugi, Ryusosen!" she bellowed. She swung her sword, twisting it around her wrist exactly as she had seen Kenshin do. She finished the attack and landed on the other side of Kenshin, kneeling. She breathed hard and turned to look back at him.

"Eh…?" she blinked in confusion. Kenshin stood behind her, completely unharmed. "I missed?"

Kenshin turned to look at her. "This one dodged."

Naruku’s eyes widened. "Oh yeah! Well now I’m really gonna hurt you! How am I supposed to know if I did it correctly when you dodge?"

"Um…" Kenshin hesitated as he ran from the angry Naruku. "I would not have dodged if you hadn’t done it correctly."

"Huh?" Naruku stopped in her tracks. "You mean I did it?"

"A bit slow, aren’t you?" Kenshin muttered.

"Look who’s talking!" Naruku shot back. Her eyes began to sparkle. "I did it! I really did it!" she jumped up and down happily. "Sugoi!" she stopped and turned back to Kenshin.

He looked at her uncertainly.

"Can I practice again?"

Kenshin resigned to her and stood opposing her.

Naruku breathed in, completely focused on this one attack. I’m going to be faster this time…I’m going to so much faster, that baka won’t be able to dodge…

"HITEN MITSURUGI, RYUSOSEN!" She cried, running foreword with all her speed. She executed each of the strikes as rapidly as she could. This is it, she thought to herself. The epitome of Ryusosen!

She landed gracefully on the other side of Kenshin.

"That was very fast Naruku-dono," Kenshin spoke. When he turned to face her she noticed he had faint bruises.

"Wow Kenshin, I really hit you! I’m so happy! Are you okay? I mean, I’m sorry…" Naruku babbled, giving him a once-over to make sure he was fine.

"Daijoubu," Kenshin assured her. "That was very good."

"I guess that’s the end of our lesson for today, isn’t it?" Naruku asked.

"Hai. You did very well. Don’t forget to practice," Kenshin instructed.

"Why…?" Naruku didn’t finished. "Nevermind."

"Should we gather the others and have lunch?" Kenshin asked.

"Can we…stay here a little longer?" Naruku pleaded. "I mean, it’s so pretty by the river. It’s like…one moment of peace."

Kenshin nodded and they headed down toward the edge of the river. Naruku sat down on the ground and Kenshin followed suit.

After a few seconds, Naruku spoke. "I wonder where she is…"

"You mean Kaoru-dono?"

Naruku nodded. "It must be terrible for her…but where could she be?"

"I’m sure wherever Kaoru-dono is, she is safe."

"I’m not."

The seven of them sat around a table at the Akabeko, having just finished the last of a beef hot-pot.

"I guess we should be getting to sleep then," Misao announced. The others nodded in agreement.

Kenshin looked troubled.

"Minna-san," Megumi addressed them. "I’m leaving tomorrow morning."

"Megumi-san…"

"We’ll miss you."

"You’ll come back, right?"

"Maybe…some day. I’ll have to come back to see how the Kamiya dojo has been restored."

"Kaoru…"

"Sayanara Megumi-san…we’ll really miss you."

"I’ll come tomorrow morning to see you off Megumi!" Naruku promised.

"Yeah…"

"Sayanara minna…" with a last look at the group of them, Megumi departed. A few minutes later, Sano left too. Of course, he was just going home. Of course that’s what he was doing…

"Megitsune?" Sano called cautiously.

"It’s Megumi, rooster-head, and what do you want? I have to pack," Megumi’s voice echoed through the hall.

"Well, er, actually I wanted to say goodbye," Sano admitted.

"Oh? Could you not have said goodbye back at the Akabeko?" Megumi asked, coming down the hallway and into view.

"Well, no, actually," Sano told her. His hand twitched involuntarily. "Because…" he didn’t finish his sentence as he found himself staring into the accusing eyes of Megumi.

"Because of what?"

Her tone made him hesitate. Yet it also absolved his actions. Sano leaned down and kissed Megumi. She didn’t push him away—that was a good sign. She didn’t kiss back either. She stood there in shock as he pulled away.

After making a few inaudible gasping noises, Megumi found her voice. "Sano?"

Sano grinned. "Sayanara Megumi."

Megumi stared at his retreating back. "Matte!" she yelled. Surprised, Sano turned toward her.

"Doushite?"

Megumi ran up to him and jumped up on her toes to kiss him on the lips. She pulled back; they were both breathing hard.

"Sayanara Rooster-head…Sano."

The next morning Naruku awoke to find Kenshin gone. His futon was neatly folded in a corner, the pillow propped on top. Just like him to not leave a mess… Naruku thought affectionately. I wonder where he could be…Her mind told her not to worry, but her gut was telling her something was wrong.

"I’d better look for him," She concluded. She dressed and slipped on a pair of geta. Pulling on a haori, she went out the door. She met Tae in the hallway.

"Ohayo, Naruku-san."

"Ohayo," Naruku responded, passing her. With a sudden idea, she wheeled around. "Tae-san?"

"Hai?" Tae turned to look at her.

"Have you seen Kenshin this morning?" Naruku asked thoughtfully.

"Oh, yes, he actually just left a few minutes ago," Tae told her. "I have no idea where to."

"A few minutes ago?" Naruku repeated. "Great. Could you tell Yahiko, Misao and Aoshi that I’m out?"

Tae agreed to do so. Naruku stepped out of the Akabeko and learned it had been a good idea to put o a haori. It was chilly outside. She went through town without pausing once.

Soon she was back on the old path that led to the dojo. Instead of turning, she went straight on the path, which led her to the riverbed. She ran faster. Holding the haori close to her shivering body, she surged foreword.

"Kenshin!" she called, spotting the small redheaded figure.

"Oro?" he turned around.

"Kenshin!" Naruku called again joyfully. She stopped as she reached him.

"Naruku-dono it’s very early. What are you doing up?" Kenshin asked.

Unwilling to admit she had come all the way from the Akabeko to see him, Naruku said quickly, "I could say the same thing. What are you doing up?"

Kenshin sighed. "Have you had breakfast?"

Naruku shook her head, still smiling.

"Naruku-dono, you should—"

"I’m fine," she replied breathlessly. Kenshin looked at her a moment more and then glanced over to the path ahead of him.

Naruku looked slightly concerned. "Kenshin? Where are you going?"

"I just have something I have to take care of. It’s very important that it is."

"Could I come with you?" Naruku asked desperately, knowing she sounded frantic.

"It would be better for me to go alone, that it would," Kenshin responded.

"I see," Naruku answered, sounding a little colder than she had intended. "Well, I guess I’ll see you at dinner then, ne?"

Kenshin sighed and didn’t turn around. After a few moments of this silence, Naruku spoke, "Kenshin?"

"Sayanara Naruku-dono," he said over his shoulder. He turned and left.

"Ken…shin?" she watched him retreat. Is he leaving? Naruku ran back to the Akabeko, tears blurring her vision.

"Hey watch it," someone yelled as Naruku tripped over them. It was a police cop.

"Su-sumimasen," Naruku apologized hurriedly. She quickly tore away from him and raced to he Akabeko. She burst through the door and ran down the hall to her room. She flung open the shoji.

"Kenshin’s gone!" she cried.

"Nani?" Yahiko asked, looking up from his game of shogi.

Naruku nodded rapidly, having a hard time catching her breath. "Kenshin’s gone!" she sank to the floor, moaning. "Kenshin…gone…"

Misao kindly put an arm around her shoulders. "Maa, maa, Naruku," she said soothingly. "He’ll come back."

Naruku shook her head, face buried in her hands. "Iie, he said…he said he had some ‘business’ to take care of…I asked if I’d see him at dinner. He just said…"

"What did he say?" Yahiko demanded. Misao sent him a glare.

"He said goodbye. That’s all."

Misao and Yahiko exchanged glances. "Don’t worry about it," Misao said carefully. "It’ll be alright."

Naruku nodded, completely unconvinced.

Misao snapped, and her face suddenly brightened. "Hey, I have good news!"

Naruku looked at her.

"Yeah, I found Makkou!" Misao chirped.

"Y-you did?"

Misao nodded, eyes closed and smiling. "Tae wouldn’t let him in though. He’s on the side of the Akabeko.

Naruku had an urge to see the dog, but she didn’t feel much like moving.

Misao patted her shoulder. "C’mon, let’s go see him."

Naruku nodded, resigning. Misao led her and Yahiko outside. Aoshi stayed in the room.

Misao guided them around the Akabeko and to the back. There they found a familiar black dog digging through trash.

"Makkou!" Naruku cried. The dog looked up and barked. "You stupid dog, it’s me, baka!"

Makkou contemplated. He tilted his head as if to say, ‘oh yeah.’ And jumped into her arms, muddy and wet.

"Ugh," Naruku cried in disgust. She took of her haori and wrapped it around the dog. When she took it away it was covered in mud. She was cheered for the moment, though her mind was still on Kenshin. "Sano! We have to go to Sano’s place."

Not quite sure where he resided, the four of them wandered through town.

"Here!" Misao cried in triumph. "To think I’d be the one to find it, and I don’t even live in this city!"

"Well, we usually try and avoid this place as much as possible," Yahiko returned, exasperated.

Naruku brushed past them and knocked on the door. "Sano! Sano!"

Sano’s head appeared. He stepped out. "What is it?"

"Sano, we wanted to tell you…Kenshin left."

"WHAT?"

"He left this morning."

"Oh man…" Sano groaned. "Do you know where he went?"

"We figure he went to that police building. He said he had some ‘business’ and according to Yahiko the police were trying to recruit him a while ago," Naruku supplied.

"Those damn bastards!" Sano yelled. "They’ve done this before!"

"No one’s gonna take Kenshin away from us!" Yahiko piped.

"Least of all those government pigs," Sano agreed.

"Well, that’s great and everything, but what are we going to do?" Naruku asked, uncharacteristically cynical.

"We go there. Demand to see Kenshin," Sano said.

"But he’ll probably be gone by then," Misao interrupted.

"Where’s he going?" Yahiko shot back.

"Probably Kyoto again," Aoshi spoke up.

"Oh no! Come on, let’s go!" Naruku exclaimed.

"Woah, hang on there, it’s too late today. We’ll go tomorrow morning," Sano instructed, being strangely reasonable.

Naruku complained and they argued for a while more, but it was decided they would go the following morning.

"Gomen nasai, minna-san, but these plans cannot include me," Aoshi told them.

"Why not?"

"I have no intention of looking for Himura-san. I will be going back to the Aoiya." Aoshi explained. "If something is going on, it will be important that I be there."

Misao nodded. "I can’t leave Tokyo quite yet. But I can’t go with you guys to the police…I need to look for everyone. Kaoru, mainly."

"Oh…’bye Misao…" Naruku said, hugging the younger girl.

"Yeah…ja," she and Aoshi turned and left.

"So are you guys going back to the Akabeko or what?" Sano asked.

"Y-yeah," Yahiko said, dazed. Naruku blinked.

"I don’t think I’ll sleep there tonight," Naruku said truthfully. "I’m going to go over to the Shinto shrine for a little."

Sano knew that ‘for a little’ meant she was going to camp out there. "Guess you won’t be able to sleep any other way," he muttered.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Here take these extra blankets," Sano handed her a bundle. "Take care. See you tomorrow."

Naruku nodded.

Ryusosen…Naruku thought, only half-awake. He taught me that before he left…why? Because I was ready…because…Yes that was it. But that’s not all…Kenshin knew he was leaving and…and what? Naruku asked herself. And he wanted me to take care of myself. So he taught me the first attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi. He wanted me to be prepared…Prepared for what? Could it be that Kenshin wants me to go after him? No…no…More like, he knew I would go after him anyway…and he wants me to be prepared for whatever he’s—WE’RE—up against.

Ryusosen…What does that mean? "Dragon Nest Strike." What does that mean? Does it mean…it means…Kenshin is coming back. Because his home is…it’s here. His home is where my home is. Dragon Nest Strike…Ryusosen…

Chapter Two: Convicted and Confused
Return to chapter list
Go to Naruku's page