warning: This fic is based on the manga and contains major spoilers for the Jinchuu Arc.

author's note: This fanfiction is an alt. pairing/alt. ending fic based on the manga. It's basically the result of the question: "What would happen if Kenshin never left Rakuninmura?" Since we all know that Kenshin DID leave Rakuninmura the fact that he doesn’t in this fanfiction can only mean one thing: Kenshin is out-of-character. But he’s only OOC due to his depression lasting a few days longer than it did in cannon. I do my very best to keep all of the characters ‘in character.’

Save for the prologue below, this fic occurs shortly after the events of chapter 214 of volume 24 ("Enishi's Lapse"). Later chapters assume that the events of chapter 224 of volume 25 ("Reality") never happened.

This fic assumes that Oibore's attempts to reach Kenshin ended in failure, and therefore, he never "came to his senses" in time to save Yahiko and eventually confront Enishi.

disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I never claimed to own Rurouni Kenshin. I wish I owned Rurouni Kenshin. Then maybe I could pay off my mortgage and quit my job or something cool like that. Alas, I cannot. I'm only a fanfiction writer and I do this sort of thing just for fun. Watsuki Nobuhiro, Jump Comics, Shueisha, Sony Picture Entertainment, Fuji Television, Media Blasters and Viz Comics own the right to make money off Rurouni Kenshin.

Bummer.

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Catharsis

malefaction
.:prologue:.

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The gentle squeak of a door opening down the hall instantly stilled their conversation. Both men paused, waiting and listening. Seconds later, the floorboards groaned in confirmation. The girl was awake.

Sighing tiredly, Enishi ran a hand through his disheveled white hair. He was in no mood to deal with a frightened girl. Or a weepy one, for that matter. He just wanted to send his lackeys away and get some much needed rest. His body was beyond tired.

"It seems you didn't use enough chloroform," Gein whispered, his eyes dancing behind his skull mask. "Somehow I'm not surprised. She's about the same age as your sister—"

Eyes narrowed and expression tight, Enishi cut him off with a withering glare. He was in no mood to discuss why the girl was suddenly awake when they had expected her to sleep for at least another four to six hours. The girl had to be dealt with before she wandered too far.

Enishi dismissed Gein with a gesture before moving to intercept the girl. He spotted her just as she stepped beyond the threshold of the house, a shocked gasp stealing her breath as she took in the view before her.

Ocean. Miles and miles of ocean...

Expression impassive, Enishi stepped beyond the threshold as well. "It's no use trying to run away."

She spun around at the sound of his voice, blue eyes fierce, teeth bared and thin arms raised for battle... with a vase for a weapon. If it had been any other time or situation, Enishi would have laughed. Instead, he found himself suddenly struck by the strangeness of her. She wasn't at all what he expected.

Where was her grace? Her calm? Kaoru Kamiya didn't even stand like his sister. She seemed hard where nee-san seemed soft.

Kamiya was a tomboy. Nee-san was a lady. One was an antithesis of the other.

'Why her?'

They regarded each other silently. He could feel her gaze move over his body, taking in his obvious fatigue and recently bandaged injuries. Her lips parted soundlessly as she eyed his arm held secure in a sling.

‘She’s a pretty girl,’ Enishi thought, noting the anxious flush of her cheeks and intelligent alertness of her eyes as she sought out his weaknesses. ‘But not like nee-san.’

"This is a deserted island," he began, voice course. "My organization uses it as a relay station to ship goods by sea to Tokyo. It's at least twenty kilometers to the nearest island and the waters are infested with sharks."

She swallowed hard, but said nothing. Pushing an errant lock behind her ear, she gave his words her full attention.

"On top of that," he continued, "except for the inlet you see before you, it's all sheer vertical precipice. Aside from the weekly ferry, no one can get in or out.”

Kamiya glanced behind her, showing Enishi her profile.

“In short,” he said, “this island is a natural prison."

He stepped past her then, walking a few feet from where she stood and gazed out over the ocean. It was almost over. All the pain, the nightmares, the rage...

It was almost over.

"You'll just have to be patient," he said without looking at her. "Sooner or later, I'll send you home. Back to Tokyo."

She said nothing for several seconds. He felt her gaze fixed upon his face, her expression still even as her hand clenched at the white fabric of her robe. He was certain she was only a few heartbeats away from crying. Breathing deeply, he waited for the inevitable.

"How soon will that be?" she asked, her voice steady.

He looked at her and saw the raw concern in her eyes. Concern for him. A predatory smirk lifted his features, 'As soon as Battousai dies...'

Kamiya swallowed hard, waiting.

"Well," he said finally, "not long."

His answer did nothing to deflate her worry and he was glad. Neither spoke for several seconds as the ocean played with the shore. He felt her move closer to him and knew she was gathering her courage.

"Just tell me one thing," she said, voice still amazingly calm. "Why didn't you kill me? I was certain that I'd be killed..."

Silence was her only immediate reply. Enishi could only stare at her and wonder once more. Why her? Why did Battousai choose her as a replacement for his sister? The Kamiya girl was most certainly attractive. Heart-shaped face, lovely mouth, long black hair and bright blue eyes. She had already surprised him by not sobbing or begging. She treaded carefully around him, but not so much as to be completely passive. He knew that she would fight him if necessary. Most women would simply submit.

Nee-san, for all of her beauty and intelligence, was a lady first. Kamiya dressed in men’s clothing and taught kendo. Her hands were small and calloused. Nee-san’s hands had been small and soft.

Bone-weary, Enishi turned away from the girl and started toward the house. He would have plenty of time to consider the Kamiya girl after a much needed nap.

Her eyes bore holes in his back as he reached to pull open the door. He still hadn't answered her question. Nor did he want to. The simple fact was his jinchuu would be far more effective if he had killed the girl in front of Battousai. Himura deserved to feel the torment of being unable to stop the slaughter of someone dear. That would be true justice.

Standing in the doorway, Enishi peered at the crux of his Jinchuu and finally answered the question in the only way he felt comfortable.

"That's not something we ever need to discuss."