LOOK! I EXIST! I'M NOT A ZOMBIE!

I have no real excuse for not updating, but I AM really sorry it took so long. Here is the FINAL CHAPTER everyone has been waiting for. I really hope you like it.

Chapter Four: Forever

Kenshin saw her move before his opponent did. His mind screamed and his heart cried out as memories consumed him. He'd lost one woman he loved this way and he'd be damned if he'd loose another.

The rurouni came to a halt, mid-stroke. The dagger in her hand was pressed against Takashi's throat. His unmoving hand still gripped his sword.

"Don't move." She commanded, glaring at the man.

"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said cautiously. "Put the dagger down."

"Will you kill him if I do?" she asked, refusing to look at him.

"Yes." He answered, standing stone-still.

"You can't if I kill him first." She whispered as if it hurt to say the words.

"Get away, girl, or I'll-" Takashi started.

"Be quiet and drop your weapon." Kaoru interrupted, pressing the blade a little closer to his throat. With a deepening hatred, he did as he was told. In one quick motion, Kaoru knocked him unconscious. Kenshin stared, just a bit dumbfounded.

"I can't let you kill him, Kenshin." She said, finally meeting his gaze.

"I have to." He replied, hating fate more then ever.

"Why?" she demanded, tears welling in her beautiful blue eyes.

"I made a pledge to God." He whispered.

"To kill a man?" she cried.

"Yes."

"Why?" she said again.

"Because you lived."

"What would be the point if you weren't here?" she yelled.

"Kaoru-"

"That's the most selfish thing I've ever heard!" she cut him off. A heartrending smile crossed his features.

"Perhaps that is my true nature," he sighed. "but it cannot be changed."

"I don't know what to do." She cried, starting toward him.

Takashi groaned softly, but Kaoru didn't hear. The rurouni opened his mouth to call out a warning, but it was already too late. The unguarded sadness in Kenshin's face shifted to anger as his enemy grabbed Kaoru's hair. She had enough room to turn and bite his hand.

"You dumb little bitch!" he growled, shaking her off. Leaving one fist tangled in her raven tresses, he snatched the dagger from her hand and held it to her throat.

"Let me go!" she demanded as Kenshin prepared to attack.

"Move and I slit her throat." Takashi barked, ignoring the young woman's words. Kaoru struggled, but the assailant only pressed the blade closer and a line of blood began to trickle down her alabaster skin.

"Leave her alone and finish this."

"After I kill you, perhaps I should take her as my own." Takashi laughed. Gritting his teeth, Kenshin tightened the grip on his sword.

"Release her." The hitokiri snapped. With a sadistic smile, the green-eyed man dragged the girl to the edge of the water.

"As you wish, Battosai." He grinned as he shoved her toward the river. She struggled for a few moments, but the man was too strong.

Kaoru found herself falling, the sound of rushing water taking over her senses. Later she wondered if she'd screamed or if Kenshin had called her name, but all she could remember was frantically reaching out. Her hand closed around Takashi's gi and dragged him in with her.

---

"Hey, Jou-chan, come out and eat something." Sano pleaded. No answer. Sighing, he slid open her door and cursed viciously. Her window was open and the room was empty. Silently, he wondered why he hadn't expected it. Yahiko was asking him something, but there was no time.

"Come on!" he shouted, not slowing down. Hoping they weren't too late, they ran for the river.

---

The sword fell from his hand as he ran for the water. He dived into the rushing current, hoping, praying, and begging that she would be ok. When he resurfaced, he heard her calling his name. She was doing her best to keep her head above water, but the greedy river was fighting to keep its claim.

All thoughts of killing and prayers and promises fled from his mind as he swam toward. All that mattered was her life. He swam hard and fast and after an eternity, his hand closed around her arm.

---

Sano thought he felt his heart stop when he saw them in the river. Frantically he searched the ground for a rope. Finding none, he grabbed a tree branch and pulled. The branch snapped off after a few seconds of pressure. A moment later, Sano was heading toward the river bank.

---

Someone was calling his name, but he didn't have the time of energy to look up to the shore. He fought the current and swam. Just a little more, and he'd be there. Just a little more…

"Kenshin!"

His head snapped up as he finally recognized Sano's voice. The younger man was holding something out to him. Without thinking, the rurouni grabbed the tree branch and held on with one hand, the other still around Kaoru's arm. Sano and Yahiko pulled them out of the water after an eternity.

Saying nothing to his rescuers, Kenshin laid Kaoru out on the ground. Despite all her valiant effort, she was losing the battle. Her skin was pale and her eyes were closed.

"She's not breathing!" Yahiko cried.

"No…" Kenshin whispered. He tipped her head back and plugged her nose. He forced her lips apart and set his mouth on hers. After a few seconds, he pulled away and pushed repeatedly over her heart.

"Kaoru, please." He begged, starting the routine. After the third time, he felt someone's hand on his shoulder.

"No!" he shouted as he shook Sano away. "She's going to be fine."

Once again, he blew into her lungs. Nothing. Once again, he pushed above her heart. Nothing.

"I'll give you anything you want, just come back. Please, just come back." He cried and did the routine again. Nothing.

"I'llgive youmy soul." He whispered for only Kaoru to hear. "I'll stay forever. Anything you want… just… please." One more time he breathed into her lungs. Water sputtered from her mouth and she coughed violently. She rolled to her side and coughed until her lungs were empty.

"Kenshin…" she murmured, her hands groping blindly for his. Forgetting everyone else, the ruouni pulled her onto his lap.

"I'm here." He said, pushing the hair out of her face.

"Please…" Kaoru whispered, clinging to him. "Stay with me."

"I -"

"You made a pledge to Me." She said softly, a gentle smile on her face. A million questions crossed his mind as he pulled her closer, but he couldn't find the voice to ask. Gently, he got to his feet, Kaoru cradled lovingly in his arms.

"I'm taking her home now." He said as he looked at Sano. "Will you finish things here?"

Sanosuke nodded, silently thanking anything and everything that his family was alright. With a slight sigh, he began to walk down the river bank, Yahiko at his heels. They walked several yards and finally found what they sought. Takashi's body had been pushed ashore by the angry. His eyes and mouth were wide open and it was obvious the man was dead.

"I'll inform the police." Yahiko said quietly. "You go and tell Kenshin that it's over."

Ruffling the boys hair, a smile on his face,the older man agreed.

---

Kenshin returned to the dojo and set Kaoru down at the table. Quickly, he set tea on to boil.

"We have to get you into dry clothes, that we do." He said gently as he towel-dried her long raven hair.

"I can do it." She replied softly. Nodding, he helped her into her room. A few minuets later, she called for him. Alarmed, he jogged to her room.

"What's wrong?" he questioned, kneeling before her. "I'll get Megu-"

"No, I'm fine, I just…" she trailed off.

"You can tell me anything." He said, running his hand down her cheek.

"Do you remember your prayer?" she whispered, trapping him in her gaze. He leaned close and rested his forehead against hers.

"Yes." He said simply.

"I'm going to hold you to it forever." She said softly

"Forever sounds perfect, that it does."

Laughing softly, Kaoru leaned foreword and pressed her lips to his.

THE END!

So, what did you think? I had a very hard time coming up with an ending, so I hope this one was alright. Thank you all so much for sticking with me all year! Thank VERY much for your reviews!

Love,

Ahria