Help! (kenshin)

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko was sleeping silently. Well, it was the middle of the night. She was actually smiling in her sleep. Well who wouldn't if it contained the love of your life in it? "Kenshin.." She mumbled silently as she turned the other way. "Keiko-dono, I won't leave or hurt you again, that I promise to you. Keiko smiled as she hugged the imaginary Kenshin. It was basically a repeat of the first day they were reunited. This always made her happy and her heart light, whether she was awake or asleep. She continued to smile as she slept, that was, until she heard a door silently close. It was times like those when she was thankful she was a light-sleeper. Her eyes popped open as she sat up. Someone is here? This late..? But who..? Kenshin..? No, he wouldn't come here this late.. Would he..?

Keiko got up from her bed and silently walked out of her bedroom. "Hello..? Kenshin, is that you..?" she asked as she walked through the house. she went in the living room and flipped a switch on. She gasped and fell to the ground at her father walking towards her. It was so dark she couldn't see his figure, so didn't know he was so close. Her heart began pounding as her breathing rate increased. She was still on the floor, but backed up as he continued towards her with a knife gradually in his hand. "D-d-d-dad..? Wh-wh-wh-what are y-y-you doing here..?" She stuttered. She finally hit a wall, and he raised the and he raised the hand with a knife it. "Die!" He yelled as the knife went down and into her leg, then down her leg. She screamed from the pain as he lifted it out and back up, ready to stab her again. She moved to the side though before it hit her and got up, limping away quickly.

"Come back, Keiko.. it's not nice to run away from your father.. All I wanna do is reunite you with your mother.." He told her as he followed her. Of course the first thing he attacks is my leg.. and I don't have sturdy doors, so it wouldn't take him long to break one down.. Wait, the bathroom has a sturdy door, and a window! She looked at a little table she had and knocked t down as she went as fast as she could. "Pitiful attempt to lose me.. You never were good at these things." He said as he went over it, but didn't change pace. Keiko reached the bathroom though and slammed the door, locking it. That'll keep him busy for a bit.. She then frantically began to look and bandage up her leg as she heard scratches down the door from the knife. "So where's that violin of yours, hm..? Guess it's not as special as you make some people think, huh?" He said as the knife went through the door, making her scream. "Father gets angry when you hide from him."

Keiko's father continued to stab the door. She was already sliding out the window feet first, but he finally got the door to break down. she gasped and tried to hurry out, but he was faster and got a good cut in her arm before she finally fell out. Just when I was bandaged.. Anyway She looked up and saw he was also slipping out the window! She ran, but wasn't getting as fair as usual since she was injured and it wasn't long until he was behind her. Tears began to form in her eyes as he tripped her. Keiko grunted as she hit the ground, but just stood there as the knife edged deep into her shoulder. "If you'd stay still, this would be less painful." He told her as he twisted the knife, making her scream again. "You deserve to die anyway. You caused much trouble for me and your mother. It's all your fault." He told her. She just laid there. "Cat got your tongue?" He asked as the knife stuck her face.

I have to get away! I don't want to die, not yet! Keiko crawled quickly between his legs and got up, barely dodging the next strike of his knife. Now she was ignoring the pain and running faster than before, even though it wasn't good for her leg. It was making it bleed more, but she couldn't focus on that right now. She could hear him calling, but she continued on. she kept going as the dojo came into view. "Kenshin!!" She yelled loudly as she ran on the steps and began knocking hard on the door and she frantically looked back and forth between the dojo and out form where she just came. "Kenshin please open up you have to open up!!" She said as she sorta wished she wore something else other than shorts that went halfway down to her knees and a tank top, but fashion was the least of her worries. Her hand slid down the door as she put her head on the door, crying. "Kenshin, please open up.. Please.."

[kenshin]

Kenshin stared up at the top of the Dojo. The roof was just plain, but at least it was sturdy. He looked around for Sanosuke, to see if he was awake or asleep. He sighed and then stared back up at the ceiling. Since it was plain it was easy to think of images and see them. He saw Keiko's face, her smiling face. He smiled as though he was smiling right at her. I didn't know how to tell her yesterday, that I for some reason showed that special feeling with her. She accepted me, even in the very beginning. He looked forward and turned on his side to get comfortable. For some reason, even though I had just met her in my mind, I felt as though I had a deep connection to her. "I think that I love Keiko-dono, that I do." Noticing he said that out loud he turned to see if Sanosuke was anywhere in sight. "If he had heard that, I would never hear the end of it, that I wouldn't."

Later on in the night he tossed and turned but couldn't get comfortable at all. He had a strange feeling inside of him telling him that danger was near. Though he couldn't sense it he wanted to believe it, but something wouldn't let him. Perhaps it was just him being tired. He sighed and closed his eyes, forcing them shut. He was almost asleep when he heard running foot-steps. He leaned back more and was beginning to lose consciousness until he heard knocking on the door. "Oro...?" He was tired despite not being able to fall asleep. He got up and searched around for Sanosuke one last time. "Hm..maybe Sano went out late for gambling and lost only to come home to the door being locked." He got up and felt as though he tripped over something. "Ne-eve-rmind...." He walked over to door and the knocking seemed to have turned into banging. He heard a familiar voice out the door.
"Kenshin, please open up.. Please.."
He gasped and widened his eyes now running for the door. He unlocked it quick and opened it to see Keiko crying. "KEIKO-DONO!" She put his arms around her and led her inside. He shut the door and locked it again. He went to get a candle from the main room and a match. "Sorry Keiko-dono, me and my friend tend to resort back to Meiji Japan ways. We don't like the more modernized place around here." He light the candle and looked at her. She was all cut up and bleeding on what seemed like every angle. "KEIKO-DONO WHAT HAPPENED!? Why are you all hurt and bleeding!? And why were you so frantic!?" He ran over toward her and began examining the cuts and stabs she had. This is bad. She's in a very bad condition. What could have happened to her!? He looked up at her face to see how badly cut she was there, it didn't look too bad, but he didn't know for sure.

"Hold on Keiko-dono, I'm going to get some bandages and water to clean and bandage you up." He walked into the bathroom and found some bandages and grabbed them. "Normally these are for Sano when he comes back home from a rumble, this time they'll have to work for Miss Keiko, that they will." He walked into the kitchen and got some of the water they had in the house from the well that morning. He got a bucket full and came back to where Keiko was. "Have you calmed down enough to tell me what has happened Keiko-dono?" He sat the water down next to her and unwound the bandages. He took a wash rag and soaked it in the water. "I'm not sure how effective cold water is, but it's enough to wash away the blood and dirt." He washed off her face gently trying not to hurt her or anything. When he finished the rag was covered in blood and he placed it down on the floor. He pulled out a small bandage from a package he had brought in and placed it up on her face. When he finally got it to stay he moved down to her shoulder, which looked the worst. He gently touched it with the rag but felt as though that had really hurt so he backed up a bit. "Keiko-dono, who did this to you?" He seemed to be stopped from what sounded like knocking on the door.

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko could hear movements going on in the dojo, so figured she'd wait. She folded her arms in front of her as she looked back out towards the front of the dojo, not seeing anyone or anything. She could sense him near and new he was near anyway. Her father was the one who didn't give up easily. He's hiding.. Now that I'm near someone he's going to take more precautions.. She began to tremble. First mom, and now he's coming back for me to finish the real reason of their misfortune.. She was scared. This is the most scared she has been in three years, but she felt safer now that she knew she was close to Kenshin. Hopefully. Her eyes opened a bit more as she swore she saw a figure far back standing there, but the door slid open right then.

"KEIKO-DONO!"[/u]

Keiko stood there as she looked at Kenshin. She was still drowning in her fear too much to be able to move. that was, until he put his arms around her and led her inside. She made a trembling sigh as she heard Kenshin lock the door. Father will think twice before acting now.. He might even give up.. she put her head down slightly. That was foolish.. Father doesn't give up until the job is done.. Kenshin went and got a candle and she just sat down in the middle of the room, looking at the door. She still didn't move a muscle as he came back and apologized and explained the reasoning of the house. "It is okay.. I have a Japanese house myself.." She whispered quietly.

"KEIKO-DONO WHAT HAPPENED!? Why are you all hurt and bleeding!? And why were you so frantic!?"[/u]

Keiko just watched Kenshin as he ran to her and examined her. Now she was too calm, but frightened at the same time to cry anymore. "S..Someone, is after me.. Someone from the past.." she said as her bangs covered her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to say her father. She didn't want to consider him her father, not someone like him. She began to tremble again as memories of the past and now flooded through her. She swallowed as Kenshin told her he'd be right back, he was going to get bandages. She just nodded and wished he went quickly, for she didn't want to be alone.

Keiko sat there quietly. She could sense him coming closer. The sense of anger and the lust for her blood to spill coming from him, it was tremendous. It felt as if it was choking her. She stood perfectly still as she felt his presence outside the door. "Kkkeeeeiiikkooo.. I know you're in the room before me.. Open it up before father gets angry.." He chanted quietly. Keiko's hands just went around her ears as she bent forward, beginning to cry silently. "Go..Away.." She whispered, but then she felt the presence disperse from the door as she realized Kenshin came back with bandages and water.

"Have you calmed down enough to tell me what has happened Keiko-dono?"[/u]

Keiko looked at Kenshin with sad eyes, and then down. "Kenshin.. Have I, ever burdened you, or caused you trouble..?" She asked, even though she just technically met with him yesterday. "I.. Want you honest opinion Kenshin.." She said as she looked back at him. "What do you think of me..? Should I be any..different...?" She asked as she tilted her head. She sat there quietly as he spoke about the water, then washed her face off. she winced a bit, but only because of the temperature of the water. She looked at the rag that was covered in blood. wow.. didn't know I was bleeding that much... He then placed a bandage on her face and went to look at her shoulder.

"Keiko-dono, who did this to you?"[/u]

When the rag touched her shoulder a large shock of pain flew through her, no matter how gently. Keiko gasped and held her breath not to yelp, but finally exhaled. She knew she had to give him an answer this time. "My... My father, did this.. He.. He's come to finish what he didn't three years ago.. He.. Killed my mother, after my fourteenth birthday.. We were having financial issues and he didn't like me or want me from the beginning. He wanted me to be male. He thought males did the most work, so would help out with finances.. But I was born as a female, and the first memory I have of my father when I was really little, was that he didn't like me. So, I tried to copy what my mom would do, which was help around the house. Clean and cook.. Normal house stuff.. Since I was little, I tried to help around, seeing if I could get my father to like me. As I grew older I was able to do more, so would often take some jobs off my mothers shoulders.. Maybe she would've gotten a job and I asked her why she didn't, and she told me she didn't want to leave me alone with either my father, or alone..." she said as she rubbed her arm. She hadn't told anyone about this, but felt comfortable with Kenshin. "I did the best I could, I really did.. It didn't work though.. My parents still fought often, and my father would often try and convince my mother to put me up for adoption, but mom wouldn't do it.. She wouldn't have it.. I loved my mother.. She was a great woman.. I looked up to her.. No matter the life at home, she always looked happy and had a smile on her face around me.. she always spent time with me, feeding me compliments and giving me half of a normal childhood. It was at the age of fourteen though, when things went wrong.. I had gotten into the violin, and even began saving to get one.. I was so close to getting one, just a hundred or so away, so my mom pitched in that one hundred, and got me the violin. I was so happy that day.. It was my birthday, she told me, and that since I was such a good child, I deserved it.. This angered my father.. that hundred really hurt us... They never spoke to me about money though, they fought about it and I usually sat there in front of them, listening to them fight, so I knew everything. My father grew violent and would hit me often.. I did nothing but take it. I figured if I let him it may make him like me a bit more and think of me as tougher, but it didn't." She chuckled a bit. "I was a foolish child back then.. But one day I left the house to run some errands for my mother.. I was a bit weary, since my father seemed as if something was up, and I figured out when I came home.. Mother was lying in front of him.. He held a bloody knife in his hand.. I dropped what I had and he looked at me. I was frozen stiff.. I thought he was going to kill me there and then, but all he did was run out.. I hadn't seen him since. And now he's back.."

Keiko froze as something like a knock came from the door. she stood up, even though she knew who it was. Walking over, she unlocked the door silently and slid the door open just enough for her to slightly see out, but no one was there. Now, she really was foolish, and slid the door open enough for her body to go through, and she did just that, she walked outside. The second she stopped though, he went on the move, and got her right in the side. Blood came out of her mouth as she put her hand around his wrist. he twisted it again and she coughed more blood up, then slashed the knife out of her side, and she fell back, holding her side.

[kenshin]

"S..Someone, is after me.. Someone from the past.."
When she said that he turned to look at her. "Someone..from the past?" He didn't want to pry it out of her because obviously it was too hard to talk about. When she covered her eyes with her bangs he swallowed. He felt bad for her, and he felt bad that he couldn't really do anything. When he left and came back he saw her leaned over crying and ran over to her. He placed his hands around her trying to hug her in a way. "Keiko-dono I think you should stay here for the night. This, whoever it is, is too much for you to handle by yourself. Please allow me to help you out as well, okay?" He tried to smile at her to make her feel better but he knew that it really wasn't the place to do that.

"Kenshin.. Have I, ever burdened you, or caused you trouble..?"
When she said that he widened his eyes and looked over at her. She then asked for his real opinion and if she needed to change any and he shook his head. "No Keiko-dono, not at all. I wish you wouldn't say such things about yourself. You are no burden to me what-so-ever, that you are not. You no need to change yourself, I don't want you to change yourself, that I don't. I like the Keiko-dono who sits in front of me at this very moment. That is the truth, that it is....I promise that to you Keiko-dono. So please," He reached forward and moved her head gentle toward him hugging her without touching her shoulder or anything else. "Don't change yourself, because this one...wouldn't want that." He loosened his grip on her and grabbed the rag. When she looked at the bloodied rag she looked a bit surprised. When she was about to yelp he couldn't bring himself to work on her shoulder anymore. That must be a nerve that I touched right there. I'm afraid to touch or mess with it, that I am. I don't want to hurt her. When she began on who was after her it surprised him a bit. He looked up at her to listen to what she was explaining. When he heard it was her father that was behind all of this he flinched a bit out of anger. No one has the right to kill anyone, no matter who they are. He listened to more of her history and finally decided to move down to her leg. He began to gently tap it to remove some of the dirt then got more water on the rag and began to gently rub it. He continued to listen to her and thought that she was in so much pain over her history that the pain of these cuts and stabs were really nothing. Toward the end of her story he began to bandage up the cut on her leg and nodded when she continued. He became angry to know that her father had killed her mother. Then she finished it.
"And now he's back.."

He looked at her and then a knock came to the door. He jumped a bit and then sensed a bunch of evil aura pouring out from behind the door. When she stood up he looked over at her. "Keiko-dono, I don't think you should go near that door, that you shouldn't." He watched as she opened up the door slightly. Then he really felt danger. "Keiko-dono.....KEIKO-DONO!!" She stepped out and he saw a knife jab her in the side. He gasped at the sight of her coughing up blood. When he twisted the knife more and she coughed up more blood he almost froze in place. He couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him. "Keiko-dono-o-O-O!!!!!!!" He ran over and caught her before she hit the ground. He was a bit thrown back though. He held her in his arms and tried to get her to answer. "Keiko-dono! KEIKO-DONO!!!" Tears were appearing in his eyes as he couldn't hear her. He placed her down out of sight and then turned to face the man. "How dare you hurt Keiko-dono! I will be sure that you pay for it!" He walked out into the yard and looked at her blood on his knife. It only made him angrier. He put his hand on his sword and stared at the man. "Come at me!" He decided to go head on and slashed not sure if he hit the man or not. He felt a sharp pain in his arm though. He turned to see it was cut, a deep cut at that. He held onto it with his hand and stood up straight. When he waited for the man's response to anything, suddenly he got even angrier and narrowed his eyes, and they had turned an amber color. "Now I will personally end your life. I'll be sure to make sure your head goes rolling, because I already told Keiko-dono I would do anything for her, and that includes becoming the battosai once more!"

[Keiko Morigwa]

"Someone..from the past?"[/u]

Keiko nodded. She didn't know what to say anymore. she was at a loss for words. He then tried to hug her in a way, and she just wrapped her arms around him. I'm probably getting blood on him.. He said she should stay here and said that whoever was out there was too much for her to handle. "B..But if I stay here, I'm putting you in danger too.. I don't want you to get hurt because of me.."

When Kenshin began to tell her she wasn't a burden and went on, she sat there and listened. He then told her not to change and hugged her. She hugged him back and sat there, listening to his words and heart beat. "Alright, I won't change, Kenshin." She said as she smiled. When he began to tap her leg with the rag, she put her head on his knee. "I'm sorry for having to come so late.. It's just, you were the first person I thought to go to right then.. The police didn't even cross my mind..." She chuckled a bit. "You're my go-to guy, okay?" She asked with a smile.

"Keiko-dono, I don't think you should go near that door, that you shouldn't."[/u]

Keiko turned to look at him and smiled. "No worries, I'll be okay." she said as she turned back around. she held her breath as she heard Kenshin continue to call her name out, especially when the knife got her in the side. As she fell, she waited to hit the ground, but she never did. she heard Kenshin call her name, but she couldn't see him, she could barely hear him. I.. Can't see anymore.. I feel as if I can't move.. am I, dying..? No.. No! Noo! I can't die! Not yet! I'm only seventeen! I still have things I want to do, I want to see! I don't want to die.. She fought with herself to stay awake and felt that she was no longer in Kenshin's arms. "Ke...nshin.." She whispered as she was slowly gaining her sight back. She saw him in the yard, saying something to her father, but she couldn't understand it.

"How dare you hurt Keiko-dono! I will be sure that you pay for it!"[/u]

Keiko's father just looked at Kenshin. "Why are you defending her? She's useless! Can't even defend herself.. It'll be her own fault if she dies for not being strong." He told him. Kenshin then told him to come at him, but he just shook his head and began walking towards Keiko. "I'm here for one person and one person only. I have no intention of killing people that I have no reason to kill." He said, but jumped back and got the man's arm as he slashed at him. "Fool! Why do you care for a worthless good-for-nothing such as Keiko!? she can't do anything right, so what's the point of keeping her on earth?! She's just a waste of air and space!" He yelled. Keiko flinched. She heard that loud and clear. She began to crawl inside the dojo. Gotta help somehow.. anyway.. She looked around and finally saw some wooden swords. She got up and walked to them, grabbing one as she turned to walk out as she heard Kenshin speak.

"Now I will personally end your life. I'll be sure to make sure your head goes rolling, because I already told Keiko-dono I would do anything for her, and that includes becoming the battosai once more!"[/u]

Her father shook his head. You are certainly the biggest fool I've met." He said. "What is your attachment to her? why are you wasting your time being concerned for h--" He was cut off when suddenly Keiko came bursting from behind Kenshin as she smacked her father in the side with the wooden sword, making him fall to the ground. He looked at her in surprise. He knew Keiko for fourteen years and he knew that she wasn't one to hit someone else. "shut up! I'm.. I'm tired of hearing you say that about me! I'm done with it! No more!" She yelled as she lifted the wood sword again, about to strike a fatal blow to the head. "Keiko wait! I.. I'm so sorry.. It's just.. I'm so messed up.. I don't know what to do anymore.." He told her as tears were filling his eyes. Please.. Forgive me.. For everything I've done.. Keiko.. I'll be a better father to you from now on, I promise.." He told her as tears fell from his eyes.

Keiko listened to every word as she began to lower the sword. "Dad..." She whispered. He looked up at her. "Keiko..? You forgive me..? Can.. I have a second chance..?" He asked her as he stood up and looked at her. "Of course.." She told him as he smiled at her and came towards her, moving an arm to put her in an embrace. "Thank you, Keiko.." He said as he pulled her closer. She didn't hug back though, instead, she stood there as blood was coming out of her mouth. He grew a smirk on his face as he let Keiko go, letting her fall to the ground with a knife stabbed into her chest.

[kenshin]

He listened to her concern about her staying there and them getting hurt. He looked at her and put his head down. "No not at all Keiko-dono. We won't get hurt because you are here. We are much more skilled then normal humans, that we are. We will do whatever it takes to protect you." He held onto her head and pulled he close to him. Trying to give her a feeling of protection. When she explained that he was her go-to person. He smiled and nodded. "That's fine with me that it is Keiko-dono."

When Keiko's father went on about her being useless he glared at him. "The only reason she can't fight you is because she knows you! She's knows what you are capable of! You're supposed to be her father! Not her killer! So for that she is frozen because she is torn in two!"
"Fool! Why do you care for a worthless good-for-nothing such as Keiko!? she can't do anything right, so what's the point of keeping her on earth?! She's just a waste of air and space!"
Kenshin's glare became piercing. He was really angry at the man now. "NO SHE'S NOT!! KEIKO-DONO IS NOT A WASTE OF AIR OR ANY SPACE!! SHE IS MORE WANTED HERE THAN YOU! SHE IS HERE FOR A VERY SPECIAL REASON AND TO ME SHE IS ALL OF MY WORLD!! KEIKO-DONO WILL NOT BE TALKED TO LIKE THAT!!" He pulled out his blade again and came at him hitting him in the right elbow, tearing his ligaments and breaking his bone. He was about to turn and come at him again. But then he saw Keiko run right in front of him. "Keiko-dono!" She ran over and hit him with the sword making him fall. Those swords were found when Sano and I came to this dojo. They are nothing more than displays so I would've never expected them to be used for battle.
"shut up! I'm.. I'm tired of hearing you say that about me! I'm done with it! No more!"
"Keiko-dono..." He looked at her in a bit of disbelief. He hadn't expected Keiko of all people to say that to someone. He was beginning to go back to his normal self slowly.

Please.. Forgive me.. For everything I've done.. Keiko.. I'll be a better father to you from now on, I promise.."
He watched as tears began to fill in his eyes. He stared at him as though he was hiding something.
"Dad..."
He looked over at Keiko as she lowered the sword. He was happy for her but he still felt strange in a way. He quickly moved his attention back over to her father.
"Keiko..? You forgive me..? Can.. I have a second chance..?"
He listened as she accepted and then narrowed his eyes on him. Something isn't right about that man. He watched as Keiko came over to him and he put his arm around her.
"Thank you, Keiko.."
He watched as he backed away and Keiko began to fall. It was like in slow motion. It seemed like an eternity that she was falling for. The same look on her face never seemed to change and the blood that was pouring from her mouth froze him. When she finally hit the ground he was still frozen. His eyes were glued to her what seemed motionless body. He couldn't get a word out of his mouth. He couldn't even get the slightest noise to make sound. "Ke...Ke........KEIKO-DONO-O-O-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Tears began forming in his eyes despite the fact that he was still in battosai mode. They were blurring his vision completely. He couldn't see the features of her body. He blinked and tears poured down his face. He stood up breathing heavily and he turned to face the man.

"You took her away.....you took away Keiko-dono.........you took her away from me..." He pulled out his blade and turned it around. "Now I will see to it that the same fate happens to you. THERE IS NOTHING THAT WILL STOP ME FROM DOING THAT!!!" He came at the man but was so blurred by rage that his body wouldn't move the way he wanted it to. He missed the man so many times he felt as though he was going to completely break. "MY HEART WAS TORN BEFORE IN MY PAST BUT NOW MY HEART HAS BEEN TORN IN TWO COMPLETELY BECAUSE YOU TOOK HER AWAY!!!! YOU TOOK AWAY MY ONLY TRUE LOVE!!" He came at him once again and ran right past him. "SHE DOESN'T MEAN NOTHING!!! SHE MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!" He ran and missed him again. Tears were pouring out of his eyes. Because I....I......I.... He looked up and opened his mouth up wide. "BECAUSE I LOVE KEIKO-DONO!!!! THAT IS WHY SHE IS NOTHING!!! SHE IS EVERYTHING!!! SHE IS MY GODDESS!!!" He ran at him one last time and managed to get a cut in his leg. "Now you can't dodge me anymore. Now I will finish you off!" He looked at him and then came at him. He aimed right for his neck and then.........he switched the blade back around. Despite all of this he still couldn't break his vow to not kill. Instead he knocked him out.

He went over to him and found a cell phone in his pocket and pulled it out. He called 911 and told them that someone was seriously injured and that the one who did it was unconscious. When he hung up he sheathed up his sword again and then walked over to Keiko. He looked down at her with tears still in his eyes. "Keiko-dono....?" He wasn't sure he heard a response from her. Tears began to form even more. He fell to his knees and began to tear up more. "Ke......Keiko-do--" His voice was beginning to crack. He picked her up and held her in his arms. "Kei...ko.....dono......" He held her tight to him and began to sob. I did it again. I let another person.....so dear to me.......I let them down again.....

[Keiko Morigwa]

Keiko couldn't move anymore. She was beginning to feel cold. Even the pain was beginning to fade. That's not right.. I should be feeling loads of pain right now.. Why is it stopping? I'm getting cold too, but it's a warm night.. Wait.. Everything's going black.. I can barely hear.. I'm dying.. I am.. I've lost too much blood, and I was stabbed so many times.. I.. Don't want to die.. I won't die.. I want to live.. Please, please, don't let me die yet.. Mom.. mom, I'm so sorry.. I;'m sorry, I wasn't of any help to you the day you died, and I want to see you again, your smiling face, but, but it's not my time, please don't let it be my time yet.. You can't let me die yet.. Let me live longer. This is the only thing I ask of you, I BEG of you, don't let me die! Tears fell from her eyes as she laid there without a sound, listening to the sound in the background that she could barely hear.

Keiko's father couldn't say anything, now he just looked at the ma in amazement. He changed. He was crying, so he missed a lot, but finally did hit him and got a cut in his leg making him yell in pain. "Earlier, you said, I am supposed to be her father, not her killer.. I'll have you know, if you raised a child like her, you'd be doing the same.. And now, you've lost someone like I have.. Because of her I lost it and got angry at my wife and killed her. Now it's her turn to die. Feel my pain." He told him before he knocked him out, not even acknowledging anything else before that.

Keiko could barely hear, but she heard every word Kenshin said, and was smiling slightly. She heard him talking to someone, but wasn't sure who, then sensed him coming near. She heard him slightly call her name, but she couldn't answer. She could hear his voice crack and felt him pick her up as she heard sobbing. Kenshin.. Don't cry, please don't cry.. It's okay.. Her arm twitched a bit, but she finally got it moving as she looked at him, wiping tears away from his face and eyes. "Kenshin.. Don't, cry.. It's okay.. I, won't die... Even if I do.. I'm glad to know, that you love me.. I, couldn't be happier.. I.. Love you too. Kenshin.." She told him as she smiled as tears fell from her eyes as they shut and her arm went limp. Before she lost consciousness, she could've swore she heard sirens coming. She even felt them pick her up and take her in the ambulance as they drove away, faintly talking. Kenshin..

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A week or so later

The doctor once again entered Keiko's room to see how she was doing to see Kenshin again. "Sir, why don't you go home? I'm sorry to say this, but her condition was quite severe, and it's not getting better.. The chances of her waking up is very slim. Besides, we'll call you if anything happens.. you need rest." He told him, really being concerned. He then walked over and saw if anything was changed, but nothing had.
He sighed and shook his head. "What a shame. Such a nice looking, young girl.. Had so much to do in her lifetime.. Had to be one real monster to do that to her.." He said as he walked out.

Keiko looked around in the dark. "Hello?" She asked as it echoed. "Where am I..?" She asked herself. She stumbled around and began to look for someone or something, but it was endless. No matter where she went, it all looked the same. A bright light then shined and she covered her eyes with her hands. "Ow.." She said as she looked at it. It was just a white light. She gradually began to walk towards it. "Keiko-Dono." Echoed a familiar voice. Turning around, she saw Kenshin, smiling. "Kenshin!" She said happily as she ran towards him. When she reached him and jumped in his arms, everything disappeared and she now was hearing beeping sounds. She felt comfortable and warm too, and was even feeling faint pain. she closed her eyes a it tighter, but then opened them up as she squinted at the light. "Ah.." She whispered. "What is it with the lights..?"

[kenshin]

"Kenshin.. Don't, cry.. It's okay.. I, won't die... Even if I do.. I'm glad to know, that you love me.. I, couldn't be happier.. I.. Love you too. Kenshin.."
When she said that his eyes popped open. He was still crying though. He looked down at her and almost smiled when he saw her eyes even though he thought they looked a bit bleary. "Keiko-dono.....I'm so sorry, that I am! I couldn't protect you even though I told you I would. This one went back to Hitokiri Battosai once more, and right in front of you. I'm so sorry Keiko-dono.." When her arm went limp and her eyes closed his eyes widened. "Keiko-dono! Keiko-dono! KEIKO-DONO!!" He began to sob on her again and then took in a deep breath. "AHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

"Sir, why don't you go home? I'm sorry to say this, but her condition was quite severe, and it's not getting better.. The chances of her waking up is very slim. Besides, we'll call you if anything happens.. you need rest."
When he said that he jumped back into reality. He looked over with a questioned look and then noticed what he said. "No sir. I can't leave her, I promised her that I wouldn't ever leave her, that I did." He shook his when he remembered him saying that the chances were very slim. "This one doesn't care for that much. I know she will wake up, that I do. Keiko-dono is much too strong to give up so easily, that she is." He looked back at her and chuckled a bit. "Besides, being a bit selfish here but this one wants to be the first one to see her wake back up." He smiled at her and grabbed her hand holding it. "Then we can go back to the dojo Keiko-dono, and this time for a visit instead of life or death situations."
"What a shame. Such a nice looking, young girl.. Had so much to do in her lifetime.. Had to be one real monster to do that to her.."
He nodded when he said she was a nice looking girl. When he said that the person who did it to her must have been a monster, his smile turned into a frown and he slammed the side of the bed with his fist. "That man acted as though he was not human, he was indeed a monster, that he was. Anyone who would do this to their own daughter is a monster.."

When she opened up her eyes he froze in place staring at her face.
"What is it with the lights..?"
He stared straight at her and tears began to form in his eyes. "KEIKO-DONO!!!!" He reached over and hugged forgetting that she still might be in pain. At that thought he jumped back and just smiled real big at her. "Keiko-dono, I am sooo happy to see you awake, that I am!!" He just stared down smiling at her crying with tears of joy. "I'm sorry Keiko-dono, this time I can't contain my tears, that I can't." Happy to see her he suddenly got a sudden chill as a thought came to his mind. Sanosuke had fire behind him with red eyes and holding a knocked out Kenshin by the hair and he was laughing. He got a little blue under the eyes and then looked down. "I guess I should have let Sano know I was here at the hospital, that I should have.. He is probably on an angry rampage searching for me.. I don't think I want to see his reaction when I get home, that I don't." He sighed and then turned back to Keiko. "So Keiko-dono, are you feeling better now?"

[Keiko Morigwa]

"No sir. I can't leave her, I promised her that I wouldn't ever leave her, that I did."[/u]

The doctor looked at him and smiled. "You must really like this girl. I couldn't blame you, she is very pretty. But alas, I am probably much older than she is, therefore I have no chance. Probably wouldn't even if I was of age. She more than likely has guys lining up at her door. I'd watch it, if she makes it, you'll probably have a lot of competition." He told him with a laugh.

"This one doesn't care for that much. I know she will wake up, that I do. Keiko-dono is much too strong to give up so easily, that she is." "Besides, being a bit selfish here but this one wants to be the first one to see her wake back up." "Then we can go back to the dojo Keiko-dono, and this time for a visit instead of life or death situations."[/u]

The doctor continued to smile. "Well, I hope you're right. It'd be a shame to see someone like her die so soon. She has much to learn still and much t do. She also probably has a lifetime with you waiting for her." He said as he leaned on the side of the bed a bit and and looked at her. "Don't worry about saying that stuff. Hear it all the time from people who have someone close to them dying. Nothing new here, not when you've met pretty much everyone in town at least once." He listened as the man spoke to the unconscious girl, or, so it seemed. "ah, so her name is Keiko.. Pretty name.. Did you know it means Happy Child?" He asked the man with curiosity.

"That man acted as though he was not human, he was indeed a monster, that he was. Anyone who would do this to their own daughter is a monster.."[/u]

The doctor's eyes widened a bit as he slammed his fist on the side of the bed and said this. "Her father did this? My word! All the times I've worked here I've never seen a father do this to their child purposely! I hope he gets much more than jail time..." He said as he walked out the door.

"KEIKO-DONO!!!!"[/u]

Keiko finally realized that the place was the hospital when she heard Kenshin call her name. Before she could even look at him, he had her in an embrace. "Ah.. Kenshin, don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see you too, but that hurts.." She told him as she patted his back.

"I'm sorry Keiko-dono, this time I can't contain my tears, that I can't."[/u]

Keiko just looked at him and smiled as she wiped them away. "It is alright, do not be afraid to cry in front of me or anything. I will never be disillusioned." She told him with a soft smile. He then went on about his friend Sano and told her how unhappy he'd be. "Oh my.. Well, I'm sure he'll understand..." She told him encouraging.

"So Keiko-dono, are you feeling better now?"[/u]

Keiko looked at him, then smiled. "I'm doing much better now that I can see your smiling face." she told him as she closed her eyes, smiling at him. She then looked u at the ceiling. "You know.. I was in the dark for quite awhile.. It was lonely and sorta scary.. But then a light shined and I was going to walk towards it, until I heard someone call my name.." She looked at him and smiled. "And when I turned around, it was you, smiling your normal happy smile as you stood there looking at me.. I ran over to you, and tried to hug you, but you faded away, it was nothing but an illusion, but that illusion, soon turned into the real thing." She said as she reached for his hand.

[kenshin]

He laughed along with the doctor as he talked about the competition. "I wouldn't blame everyone, that I wouldn't. I can definitely understand why they would all want her. She is much more beautiful then a cherry blossom itself." He closed his eyes and then turned to look at the doctor. "I must tell you that I don't think that you wouldn't have much of a chance. This one is 28, that I am. I see not a lot of difference in your appearance of age so you would probably have just about as much as a chance as a 17 year old. Love is a funny thing, that it is. How it works is much of a mystery wouldn't you say?"

"ah, so her name is Keiko.. Pretty name.. Did you know it means Happy Child?"
Kenshin smiled as he said that. "I never put much thought into it, that I don't, but I knew her name was the best fit for her. The name is quite pretty, that it is." When the doctor explained that he hoped the man would be punished more than just jail Kenshin nodded in agreement. Normally he would be against killing, but he could see no point in sympathy for that man.

He felt her pat his back and finally lifted back up when she said that that had hurt still. He felt a little bad for that though. He looked down at her as she wiped away his tears.
"It is alright, do not be afraid to cry in front of me or anything. I will never be disillusioned."
He smiled at her and shook his head. "No Keiko-dono, I could never be afraid of you, that I couldn't." When she tried to encourage him that Sanosuke would understand he smiled at her. "Maybe so, but you haven't met Sano yet....so you don't know what he's like, that you don't. He would have probably if not by now thought that I went off to wondering again. I just hope that when I go home that he's still there, probably better like that, that it would be."

When she said she was feeling better seeing his smiling face, he smiled better to make her feel more better. She began to explain what she had seen and how he had faded away. When she said that it had became a reality he smiled. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You know Keiko-dono, not once did I dream about you........beacuse it wasn't an illusion, you were already a reality, that you are."

[Keiko Morigwa]

Kenshin lifted himself back up from the embrace and suddenly felt cold and sort empty. Aw, his warmth is gone.. I, don't want it to leave.. Keiko then grabbed his sleeve and beckoned and motioned for him to lay down next to her. When he smiled at hr, she smiled in return.

"No Keiko-dono, I could never be afraid of you, that I couldn't."

Keiko's smile grew soft as she gave him a loving look. "You don't know how happy i am to hear that. It would truly be upsetting, if the person I loved most had any fear of me whatsoever." she told him. It felt right and also, nice to tell Kenshin she loved him. And with his personality, she guessed he didn't mind, but she didn't know of his feelings, since she had already blacked out when he said them. "By the way, what, what has happened to my father? Where is he!? On the loose?! Did he hurt you?!" She questioned, getting more anxious and began to sit up. She grunted though, for the somewhat healed stab wound on her chest ached. "aah.." She whispered, clutching her chest.

Kenshin then explained the issue with his friend. "That's right.. You were, a traveler when I met you too.. What was it called again..? Rurona.. Rurino...?" she guessed, but she knew she was way off, she could feel it. She couldn't remember to her disappointment and gave up, leaning back for now thee pain from her wound hurt too much. Shouldn't have tried that..

Keiko returned the smile and looked at their hands as he held it, and also kissed it, making her blush. She listened t him speak, smiled again as faint tears swelled in her eyes. She then chuckled. "I'd give you a real kiss, but I haven't brushed my teeth in who knows how long." She told him. "How long have I been here, anyway? Or, been unconscious?"

[kenshin]

He watched as she tried to get him to come over and lie down next to her. He walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. He knew how narrow the bed was so he didn't really want to take up any room. As she explained that she was happy he couldn't be afraid of her, he smiled and nodded his head.
"By the way, what, what has happened to my father? Where is he!? On the loose?! Did he hurt you?!"
He shook his head. "The police came and got him. That's how they brought you here. No he didn't hurt me badly. I got a few cuts but nothing at all really. The police said they would take care of him though, that they did." He turned to see her grunt and grab her chest as she began to sit up. "No Keiko-dono don't!! You shouldn't be moving much!" He put his hands on her back and shoulder and guided her down to the bed again.


"That's right.. You were, a traveler when I met you too.. What was it called again..? Rurona.. Rurino...?"
He smiled and chuckled a bit. "This one is called a Rurouni, that I am." As he kissed her hand he saw her as she blushed slightly. He saw as faint tears appeared in her eyes and he gently pressed his thumb up below her eyes and wiped then away. He still continued to smile down at her. When she explained why she wouldn't kiss him he smiled at her and laughed a bit. "It's all good, that it is."
"How long have I been here, anyway? Or, been unconscious?"
He looked over at her and then looked up trying to remember. "I'd say about a week or so, somewhere around that time." He turned and turned on the TV only to see Keiko's father put up ready to be executed in front of everyone he gritted his teeth and quickly turned it off. Keiko-dono, despite being probably quite angry at her father, probably wouldn't want to see that though.