I do not own Rurouni Kenshin ;-)

Jewel

Chapter 1: A Proposition

'You call this a business proposal?'

'Mr Himura, I know we have had a chequered past-'

'Chequered? You stole 160 Million dollars from me.'

'We gave it back…eventually' admitted Yahiko.

'Only after I had you cornered!'

'Kenshin. We need your assistance, or financial backing so to speak. This 'heist' will leave your business in a much better position.'

'And you've exhausted your funds…There's no way you would ask me for assistance unless…you really must be desperate.' He paused for a moment and studied the crystal whiskey glass in his hand. 'You shall have your answer by the days end…there's someone I need to consult with before agreeing.' In that moment he knew could precipitate the actions of a certain individual who had left him all those years ago…

'Do you know what the plural for octopus is?'

'Octopi?

'…………'

'Octopus'?'

'It's Octopodus'

'And suddenly you're a genius because you know the answer to a question you asked me because you knew I wouldn't know the answer?' she asked with a dark look on her face. 'Don't test me' she hissed.

Grinning wickedly he tumbled her onto the bed 'I love it when you get angry, you look so beautiful', he captured her mouth in a long deep kiss, reflecting a heated desire which he could never assuage.

The way he had felt with her was unparalleled. That was the way he loved it. The way he loved her.

After talking to his personal consultant he managed to acquire her whereabouts. Honestly being a criminal of such proportions one would think she'd at least cover her tracks sufficiently.

He watched as she entered Tiffany's. Her long black hair parted at one side and left out cascaded down her back like an obsidian waterfall. After waiting for a moment he followed her inside and joined her at the counter where she was asking to view a large uncut emerald.

'Perhaps diamonds would suit you better love.' He suggested. Without turning she knew exactly who it was.

'I've had my share of diamonds…They cost me too much in the past.' She said, piercing him with a glance. 'I'd still like to view the emerald thank you'

'What are you doing here Mr Himura?' she asked in a low voice

'We have a few things to discuss. No doubt you are aware of your comrade's current situation.'

'Leave them out of this' she hissed

'How can I? They're the ones who approached me after all. Let's go somewhere private, after all it has been a long time has it not Kaoru Love?'

Kaoru was furious. She thought she'd seen the last of his smug face; then again life had a funny way of throwing her a curveball just when she thought she had a hang of it.

He looked good; in fact he looked fantastic. The suit was cut to fit his muscular frame perfectly. His hair was still as vivid as she remembered. She recalled how its silky softness had once caressed her bare flesh and she shivered at the sweetness of that particular memory.

Damn the man. He can still make all giddy inside. She rubbed her arms to rid herself of the goose bumps. Noticing her discomfort, Kenshin shrugged of his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. A familiar smell wafted of the clothing. A slight cologne and male scent she knew so well.

Sighing she sat down in the booth of Tea'se Me, a connoisseur café for tea & coffee and made an appreciative sound as a hot chocolate was placed before her. The aroma of Vanilla, Hazelnut and Caramel floated into the air in a swirl.

'I ordered your usual' Kenshin said gruffly

At a loss for words she simply returned his stare until he spoke.

'The heist that your associates are pulling has led them into a dry pool. They have no money left Kaoru. You know this. That's why you were sizing up the emerald, am I correct?' At her silence he continued 'I've agreed to give them the money, on one condition'

'What condition? They never said anything to me on the phone about a-'

'Because I never told them. Don't you want to know the condition?'

'I'm sure a greater thrill could not be had. So lay it on me' Kaoru was out of ideas, out of money and out of inspiration.

Whatever Kenshin's condition was, she really had no choice but to hear him out.

What do you think of it so far?

Iuvenalis.