This fic has been inspired by a RK Dreams forum post by Maeve Riannon.  Her idea was 'What if Kenshin made it back to Japan on that first boat?'.  That just sprung this story in my mind.  Anywho, all characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki and Shoshen Jump and not to me.  I did not make this to make any money.

Fading Away

Part One

By Maria Cline

She waited by the docks as always.  The war in China had ended and people were coming home.  Every day, she waited and prayed that her beloved would return from the sea.  A part of her was scared that he didn't make it but she knew better.  This was Shinta, the man who always kept his word.  Nothing would stop him from coming back to her.

A ship docked and Kaoru watched anxiously as people got off and reunite with others.  Then, she saw a familiar head of red slowly making its way through the crowd.  Her heart pounded as she ran up to the man.  He had gotten thin during his travels and his scar had faded but she knew him instantly.

"I'm back." The man said as he smiled.

"Welcome home… Shinta." Kaoru said as she hugged him and then held him in her arms afraid to let go.

*****

The sun shone as the two walked down the street arm in arm.  Tsubame saw them and gasped in delight at the sight of Kenshin.  "Kenshin-san!" The girl exclaimed as she came forward.  "Welcome back, I was getting worried you cannot come home." She said as she smiled brightly.

Kenshin nodded and stared at her.  He knew this girl, he should know her.  She was Yahiko's wife and he had known her for years before that.  At least, he believed he had known her for several years.

"I told you he would be back, Tsubame-chan." Kaoru said as she took Kenshin's hand.  "We must go home, Shinta needs his rest."

At that moment, a stray wind picked up and it blew open Kenshin's gi to reveal a dark red rash.  Tsubame gasped as the man quickly closed it.  "Of course, I will let Yahiko know." The girl bowed and ran off.

Kenshin watched her leave and then looked down.  "Kaoru-dono, who was she?" He whispered in fear.

"You're just tired.  It had been a long trip and you have not been here in months." Kaoru supported as she took his hand and patted it.

Kenshin nodded as he held her hand.  He was tired and everything felt unfamiliar.  It could just be the exhaustion.   

*****

Tsubame took a deep breath as she climbed the steps to her room.  She had lived in this building since she was first hired over twenty years ago.  She had blossomed into a radiant woman with a handsome husband who was now taller than her.  So much had changed, the Akabeko had gotten more modern appliances as well as more western style foods, she had become the head manager while Tae is the owner, and she had grown somewhat more confident in herself. 

Sadly, while she had grown up, everyone else had grown old.  She entered the room to see Yahiko watching out of the window.  "Yahiko, Kenshin is back and… I'm worried." She confessed.

"Yes, it's good that he's back.  Maybe, Kaoru can stop sitting at the docks all the time." Yahiko said as he looked at her.  "Why are you worried?"

"He… looks different." Tsubame had rung her hands like she normally did when she was nervous.  "When he saw me, he looked at me like he never saw me before in his life.  His eyes weren't as sharp as they used to be.  I'm afraid that… he might leave Kaoru-san alone again permanently."

Yahiko frowned as he picked up his sword.  "I know that things don't look well for Kenshin but I believe he will defeat this like he had other times." He held out his sakabatou to show Kenshin's power.  "He will win over this."

"I pray that you are right." Tsubame said as she looked down.  "He just looked so frail."

*****

Kenshin slowly changed into his clean outfit after a long bath.  He carefully and painfully examined the growing rash on his body.  It had started to take over the other side of his body and went down his forearms.  Touching them didn't hurt but it was horrible to see.  "Shinta?"

Kenshin turned around to see his wife standing there.  She smiled sweetly as she held up a bundle of bandages.  "Maybe these will help you." Without another word, she came up and started to bound his body with soft white bandages around his chest and then around his arms.  Kenshin winced at the pain as the bandages touched his lesions and then sighed in relief. 

"Are you okay?" Kaoru asked softly as she helped him put on his gi.  "You look like you're in pain."

"I'm fine." Kenshin replied as he put his hand on hers.  Out of the murky depths of his memory, he remembered his last night with his wife.  "Kaoru, did you…" He couldn't finish, instead he lifted Kaoru's sleeve to see a rash creeping down her right arm.  "Oh… Kaoru… I'm… so…"

Kaoru lifted her finger onto his lips to silence him.  "I chose this remember?  I want to share your pain, your burden.  There is nothing more I can do for you than that."

"It will only get worse." Kenshin whispered as he wrapped his arms around her body.  A wave of pain struck him and he slumped down as he held his chest. 

"I can handle the pain now that I am with you." Kaoru helped him up and held him.

*****

Yahiko stared at the dojo for a long time.  He remembered the first time he had been in that place.  Kenshin saved him from a group of gangsters he worked for as a pickpocket.  If it weren't for him, he would have been dead or worse.  He had been in this dojo ever since, he had changed from a brash young boy to a confident young man with the duty of teaching the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu Style.

Summoning his courage, Yahiko opened the door and marched into the dojo.  His wife wanted to come but she told him that it would be better if he was alone with them for a while.  Tsubame's words of concern echoed in his mind as he walked the familiar path to the kitchen.  He didn't want to believe her but he knew that Kenshin was not as strong as he was before.  He could not even hold a sword.  Forcing himself to remain calm, he opened the door to see Kenshin and Kaoru sipping tea. 

Yahiko's face paled at the sight of his old friend.   Kenshin was thinner than ever, his skin pulled back from his face.  His old scar had faded so only someone who knew about it could see it.  What troubled him most of all was the somewhat distant look in Kenshin's eyes as he looked up at him.  Kenshin was a fighter in the Bakumatsu, a time when one must be aware all the time or they would end up with their head chopped off.  Instincts learned from those times do not fade with time.  Yahiko had met with older veteran fighters who are always wary of everything around them. 

"Hello… Yahiko-kun." Kenshin smiled slightly

"Hey, welcome back, Kenshin." Yahiko said as he sat down next to the two.  "How was China?"

"Tiresome." Kenshin confessed as he laughed softly.  He groaned as he tried to get up.  Quickly, the younger man helped him and then as they stood together, Yahiko's eyes widened.  It was the first time he noticed how much shorter Kenshin was.  "I don't need help." Kenshin said firmly as he pushed himself away. 

"Sorry." Yahiko muttered as he let go feeling stupid. 

Kenshin smiled again and then stared at him.  "Where's my son?"

"He's gone." Yahiko looked away from Kenshin's steely gaze.  "He left to train with Hiko several months ago.  He didn't write or anything but he was there.  If you want me to go there and tell him you're home, I will."

Kenshin looked down and sighed.  Every time he came home, Kenji just seemed more and more difficult to deal with.  It frightened him to see Kenji and then see himself back before he was the Battousai.  Kenji had the same feelings of resentment, righteousness, and cockiness that made Kenshin wonder how Hiko put up with him in the first place.  Then, he remembered that this era and the Edo era were completely different.  Even if Hiko taught Kenji the Hiten Mitsurigi Style, there was little chance that the Government would come to him to assassinate anyone.  Japan fights with guns and huge armies now.  They even use battleships like Shishio.  He nearly laughed at the irony, if Shishio knows about how Japan is now; he would be laughing in his place in Hell.  "No need.  Kenji will come back when he is ready.  I may be dying but it will be a long time before I pass on.  Just tell him that I am back and waiting for him."

"Right." Yahiko muttered as he frowned.  He trusted Kenshin's judgment despite his weakness.  He would always believe that Kenshin knows what was best but he still felt uncertain about what the future will bring. 

*****

Days passed in the dojo and everything had calmed down after the excitement of Kenshin's return wore itself out.  Kaoru and Kenshin spent their days alone in the dojo.  Yahiko and Yutaro taught the students at a different dojo so they would not be disturbed.  They were rivals in many things, in swordfighting, in growing up, and even in gaining the fair hand of Tsubame.  From the rivalry, sprouted a friendship that they relied upon when they fight together.  The sun was setting as the two went to the Kamiya dojo to see Kaoru and Kenshin.  Yutaro had just returned from an assignment in Yokohama and he had just heard about Kenshin's arrival.

"How was Kenshin feeling?" Yutaro asked concerned.  "Tsubame told me that he was looking bad."

"He was tired from his trip so he had been resting." Yahiko replied, "He's not as young as he used to be you know."
"I know… I am a part time doctor." Yutaro reminded as he smirked then his face became solemn.  "Yahiko, did Kenshin made any plans about what will happen after..."

"Not that I know of.  Kaoru didn't tell me anything.  Kenshin will survive this.  You know that."

Yutaro stopped and put his hand on Yahiko's shoulder.  "Kenshin is still human no matter what he could do.  His body had deteriorated from the Hiten Mitsurigi Style so he is weaker than most men his age.  I respect Kenshin as much as you do but this disease… no one, not even the strongest warriors had been able to live through it.  I want to believe that Kenshin can survive the odds but there is only so much medicine can do for him now."

Yahiko glared at him.  "Nothing is stronger than the will to live."

"Excuse me?" A man asked as he came up.  He was dressed in a black western style suit with a pair of spectacles on his face.  He was tall with black hair with streaks of white along his temples.  "Did I hear right?  There is something wrong with Himura-san?"

"Yes, who are you?" Yahiko asked as he studied him.  There was a definite aura around him, he was strong and had been a fighter.  He was definitely not Sanosuke but he cannot figure out who he was. 

The man laughed as he adjusted his glasses.  "Am I that unrecognizable?"

"Sanosuke?" Yutaro guessed hesitantly.

The mysterious man shook his head.  "No, I… am an acquaintance of the family, so to speak.  Perhaps its better this way, Yahiko-san, Yutaro-san." He walked towards the dojo and the two men followed him.

"Do you know who he is?" Yutaro asked as he put on hand on his bokken.

"No, he does seem familiar… weird."

The three reached the dojo and Yahiko ran ahead of him.  "I won't let you see Kenshin alone." Yahiko said as he put his hand up.  "You obviously know us from some time in the past but I can't trust you until Kenshin says so."

"I understand." The man bowed his head and Yahiko opened the door.  The light shone in to reveal Kenshin sitting on the floor with Kaoru in his arms.

Kenshin weakly looked up and said, "Yahiko-kun, Kaoru… Kaoru…"

"Let me look at her." Yutaro advised as he picked up Kaoru and laid her down on the floor.  "Her pulse is steady… breathing is a little weak…" With shaking hands, he lifted part of her kimono to reveal a red rash; the same rash Kenshin has.  "Kami… no…"

"Not her too." The mysterious man gasped as he slumped down.  "After all these years, I didn't expect her to see her like that."

"She's exhausted but she's not going to die." Yutaro said as he picked up Kaoru.  "I'll take her to lie down on something more comfortable."

"Of course." Kenshin bowed his head down and then looked back up at the mysterious man.  The former wanderer smiled slightly and said, "Your hair has gotten dark again."

The mysterious man stared at him in shock and added, "Yes, it started going like that since that day." He looked at Kenshin's cheek.  "I see that scar of yours had nearly healed; the scar my sister helped create.  Good."

Kenshin put his hand over his scar.  "It's almost gone; perhaps it will fade completely before I die, Enishi-san."

"Enishi?!" Yahiko yelped in shock.  He could not believe he didn't recognize him.  Enishi was the man who had taken Kaoru hostage and nearly destroyed Kenshin's spirit.  Enishi was the man who had sworn vengeance against Kenshin and had done everything in his power to fulfill Heavenly Justice.  At that moment, he didn't know what to do.  Should he fight him?  He was much stronger than he was before but what if he tried to take Kenshin hostage or something like that.

"Yahiko-kun?" Kenshin said as he pulled himself up.  "Can you make Enishi some tea?  I would but I need to see Kaoru."

"Sure." Yahiko nodded.  /Tea, I am going to serve that white haired psycho some tea… well, he doesn't have that white hair any more./

"Arigato." Kenshin bowed and then nodded toward Enishi.  "Perhaps, we can talk later when I feel better."

"Of course, just focus on getting well and send my love to Kaoru." Enishi said as he bowed back.

"I will." Kenshin walked away slowly.

Enishi sat back on his hands as he watched him leave.  His heart broke at the sight of his old rival and archenemy worn down to a mere shadow of the man he was before.  /It will only get worse./  He thought mournfully.

*****

/I cannot believe that I am drinking tea with Enishi./ Yahiko thought as he and the other man sipped some green tea.  An hour had passed and so far the former white haired psycho had been a good guest.  He was polite, quiet, and not once did he rant about Kenshin killing his sister.  Many things can happen in twenty years, Yahiko know that more than anyone.  There was a very good chance that Enishi had reformed and now was seeking peace for what he did.  On the other hand, it was the same guy who claims to see his sister's ghost on a regular basis.

"You know, I am not here for revenge." Enishi said calmly as he put down his tea.  "I know my sister loved him and that she would not want him to suffer.  I just wished I had come earlier when he wasn't so sick."

Yahiko studied him like always.  What surprised him was the sincerity of his voice and gestures.  He should believe him; after all, Kenshin's past was not so rosy when he first met him.  "I see." He stared at him and asked, "Do you still talk to your sister?"

Enishi looked away and smiled slightly.  After a long moment, Yahiko asked again, "Well?"

"Yahiko-kun, don't interrogate Enishi like that." Kaoru said as she entered the kitchen dressed in her nightgown being led by Yutaro and Kenshin.  "Shinta told me that you were here, Enishi-san.  I'm sorry you had to see me like that after all those years.  I just fell asleep and forgot to lie down first." She smiled sweetly.

"Shinta?" Enishi repeated confused.

"The name my parents gave me." Kenshin explained as the three sat at the table.  Yahiko got up to get more tea.  "Before I left the final time, I asked Kaoru to call me Shinta since Kenshin was the name of a swordsman.  Yahiko and many others still call me Kenshin since that was the name they are familiar with."

"I see." Enishi nodded as he sipped more tea.  He promised himself not to call him the 'Battousai' when he saw him again.  Yet, the name 'Kenshin' was just as unsettling.  Shinta felt right.  "Then, I shall call you 'Shinta' as well."

"Good." Kaoru smiled at him again.  "I have not heard from you in so long.  How have you been?  I was getting worried I may not see you again."

"You do not have to worry about me, Kaoru-san." Enishi said as he looked down.  "I had been doing quite well.  I managed to make some money in some investments I made over the years."

Yahiko raised an eyebrow as he watched the man. "What kind of investments?"

"Yahiko!" Kaoru chided sounding more like what she was over twenty years ago. 

"Art, inventions.  Nothing illegal as you might think."

"I did not ask that." Yahiko argued.

Yutaro watched the conversation in awe.  The people who should be angry at Enishi were treating him with great respect.  Despite the fact that they are sick and dying, they were still being polite and kind.  The only one who was having trouble with this was Yahiko but with good reason.  "Oh, Kenshin, Kaoru, I ah… I know this is a bit sudden but Kaoru-sensei, you are sick and so I was wondering if we can have Megumi come back from Aizu to help take care of the both of you."

"That would be a good idea." Kaoru said as she smiled slightly again.  Then, she looked at Enishi and said, "Oh, Enishi-san, will you be staying in Tokyo long?"

"I have business here with the local museum in regards to some artwork as well as some other things so I'm staying around for a while." The man replied as he shrugged. He stared at Kaoru and Kenshin.  They had been kind to him and he cannot just let them die like that from a horrible disease. 

"Then, maybe you can visit us once in a while." Kaoru suggested, "That is unless you were too busy."

Enishi blushed as he looked down.  "I'll… consider it."

Yahiko's jaw dropped as he watched.  He didn't know what was weirder; the idea of a psycho hanging around the dojo or the fact that Kaoru had just invited the man who kidnapped her to visit them as much as possible.

To Be Continued...