Ch 1

Old Acquaintances and New Beginnings

Sneaking out of the crowded club had been easy. What she hadn't expected was for the bastard to follow her. Sprinting away from his injured form Kaoru darted down an alleyway. Throwing a panicked glance over her shoulder Kaoru cursed. She could see his hulking form silhouetted by the street light at the mouth of the alley.

He was persistent. She had already broken his nose and most likely a finger. Was she really worth the trouble? Behind her she heard lumbering footsteps and a wet muffled voice called out,

"C'mon baby I just want a bit of fun." Apparently she was. Hearing his wet breaths she took the next turn darting into a side alley way hoping to lose him. 'Crap!' dead end. Whirling she turned to face her pursuer.

"Hi there baby." He gurgled as he pulled a knife from his side 'Oh crap!' brandishing the knife before him he had one meaty hand clamped over his bleeding nose.

"Well hi there, Brad. How're you doing? I haven't seen you in a while. You don't look so good, but then I'm sure that chasing helpless women down alleyways has that effect on people." She snarled bitingly, refusing to succumb to the panic that gnawed at her.

"C'mon baby, don't be like that. I love you."

"Oh, so you usually stalk the people you love before cornering them in dark alleys. I dumped you Brad. Leave me alone." The man's drunken face hardened and he stepped forward menacingly

"Well baby that's too bad 'cause you're gonna love me anyway." As he stepped closer she edged away from him. Taking one more step back she felt her back press against the damp bricks of the building behind her. As Brad stepped forward Kaoru lunged forward trying to kick the knife from his hand.

With surprising quickness for a drunk he grabbed her ankle. Twisting it viciously he threw her to the ground. Grabbing the stunned girl by the throat he pushed her against the concrete. Writhing, her nails clawed futility at his hand as he tightened his grip. Taking the knife he ran the blade over her face saying,

"Now, now Kaoru. I would hate to ruin your pretty face with a scar. Wouldn't you?"

"Bastard!" she spat, squirming to free herself

"Stop it!" he ordered his grip on her neck tightening. He placed the knife just below her sapphire blue eyes making a long shallow cut across her cheek. As blood welled from the wound Kaoru went still.

"Good girl, you learn fast." He crooned sickeningly sitting on her legs he used the knife to cut through the silky sky blue shirt she wore. Realizing his intent Kaoru began to thrash violently trying to free herself. So he began to systematically beat her face splitting her lip and bruising her face. When she still fought him he took his blade and set the edge against the bared skin of her neck and again she went still.

"No, no pet you must learn to behave." And slit a deep cut across her collar bones. Kaoru screamed but went silent when she felt the blade, still sticky with her blood press against her abdomen.

"Good girl." He purred pushing his face against hers and licking her cut. She jerked her head away violently smashing her forehead into his. Cursing he slit through her bra and Kaoru screamed twisting against his hold.

Suddenly they both heard the audible click of a gun and went still. An ice cold voice spoke quietly from the shadows,

"Get off of her you bastard." Slowly Brad released her; raising his hands out to the side he dropped the knife.

"It was only a bit of fun-" his excuse was cut short as the man ordered

"Shut up," in a cold angry voice. Kaoru wasted no time, scrabbling out from under him she struggled to hold the tattered remains of her shirt together as she curled terrified against the wall. Her eyes wide she caught sight of her "rescuer".

The man had fiery red hair and furiously glinting gold eyes. Stalking forward he slammed butt of the gun down on the back of Brad's head. Silently the huge man crumpled forward hitting the ground with a meaty thud. Stepping around the body he stepped forward. Kaoru shivered and cringed against the rough, damp brickwork at her back. Her eyes were wide and panicked blood dripped slowly down her face.

"Shh, you're safe now," he murmured soothingly, "I won't hurt you, let me help." He knelt in front of Kaoru's shivering form. Taking a soft cloth from one of his pockets the man reached out slowly. When she didn't flinch from his hand he gently wiped the blood and grime from her face so he could see the cut. Then he noticed the blood that was seeping down her front. Looking into her glassy eyes he spoke,

"You need to see a doctor. Will you let me help you?" slowly she nodded. Gently he lifted the injured girl in his arms. Tucking her small form against him he strode quickly out of the alley. He frowned as he felt warm liquid seep into this shirt. The girl was bleeding, a lot. Luckily, his apartment was close, every once in a while the woman whimpered softly as his movements jarred her injuries.

Soon they reached his apartment. Shoving open his door he walked in and lay the woman onto his bed. Thankfully, she had passed out some time ago. Stepping out of his room he grabbed his phone and called Megumi. At the second ring she picked up the phone,

"Kenshin, are you hurt?" she said worried

"No, it's not me Megumi. I have a woman in my apartment. She got attacked by some bastard in an alley near my place. I need you to come look at her, she's bleeding really badly."

"Be there in five." She said and hung up. Putting down his phone Kenshin walked quickly into his bathroom and grabbed a pile of towels. Going into his bedroom he laid a towel over her before lifting her gently to slide one under her petite form. Making a pad from a dish towel he pressed it firmly onto the long jagged cut on her chest trying to staunch the bleeding.

After several minutes the bleeding stopped and Kenshin sat back on his heels relieved. Hearing someone pounding on his door he jumped up and strode over to the door to let Megumi in. she had her bag of medical supplies under one arm.

"Where is she?"

"In my room" Kenshin supplied and she hurried in. Kenshin walked into the bath room. Finding a small basin her filled it with warm water and draped a clean wash cloth over the side. Going to his bed room door he knocked and opening the door he set the basin inside before closing the door. He caught Megumi's muffled thanks.

Walking into the kitchen he washed the girl's blood from his hands. He also stripped out of his long black coat. Removing his katana he propped it beside his gun holster along the wall. Moving quietly he placed a kettle of water on the stove. Glancing over at the clock he frowned, 3 am, a small vengeful voice in his head whispered, 'still enough time to hunt down that bastard.' Kenshin shook his head. The man was not his problem the girl was safe, the police would deal with him. Pulling the boiling water off the heat he dropped in some peppermint tea bags and let them steep.

Walking into his bathroom he stripped out of his clothing and took a hot shower. Washing the girl's blood from his shirt in the sink, then pulling on his black pants he wrung out his hair. His shirt was wet and Megumi was still with the girl so he left his shirt off. Walking into the kitchen he poured the mint tea into two large mugs just as Megumi walked out of his room and collapsed onto the couch. Silently Kenshin walked over and took a seat beside her, handing her a mug of tea. She smiled tiredly at him,

"How did you know?" he shrugged and Megumi rubbed her face tiredly,

"Oh god, what happened to that poor woman, Kenshin? It took ten stitches to get that cut closed. Her face was beaten to a pulp and she's going to have a lovely hand shaped bruise on her neck; though if she's lucky the cut to her face won't scar." Kenshin swore softly,

"I should have killed the bastard." He muttered darkly. Megumi glanced over at him,

"Honestly I'm surprised to here you left him in this life at all. That's not like you." He shrugged,

"The girl was still conscious I didn't think killing him would do any good if she had to watch me. She was traumatized enough." Megumi nodded absently nursing her mug,

"Aoshi would have been ticked if he had to take care of another body." Kenshin chuckled softly,

"Megumi, I think Sano is rubbing off on you." She glared at him

"Shut up, well anyway, she'll sleep for now, so you can probably grab a shirt. I assume you're going to let her stay here?" he shrugged,

"Well knowing you, I think you found your newest stray. Keep her still, keep her warm and change her bandages every five hours or so during the day. I'll come by tomorrow." Glancing over at a clock she amended her statement, "later today." Standing she handed him her empty mug and grabbing her bag walked to the door saying,

"Get some sleep Kenshin; I left you enough bandages for her on your bed side table." And she was gone.

Standing he placed the mugs in his sink and bolted his door. Quietly he walked into his bedroom. The woman was lying on his bed; Megumi had cleaned her up and dressed her in one of his shirts and sweat pants. Padding over to his dresser he pulled on a white under shirt and grabbing some sweats walked into the sitting room to change. Walking into his closet he grabbed a pillow and some sheets spreading them onto the couch. Poking his head in to the bed room he walked in and grabbing the bloody towels dropping them into a laundry basket which he stuffed into a closet. Returning to the room he checked on the girl one more time.

She whimpered softly her sleeping form quaking. Walking to the bedside he touched her shoulder. Her feverish eyes shot open and she tensed,

"Shh, it's just a dream, he can't hurt you." Kenshin murmured squeezing her hand gently. Her fingers laced with his and she griped his hand tightly,

"He's going to find me again." Her voice was rough and raspy, a side effect of being nearly strangled, her terror was evident and she shivered violently. Kneeling at her side Kenshin murmured soothingly,

"You're safe here; I won't let him hurt you." Her tremors became more pronounced. Kenshin sighed he couldn't leave her. Sitting on the edge of the bed her shifted her trembling body. Laying along side her he wrapped his arms protectively about her slender form. Small hands gripped fistfuls of his shirt and her felt her small form burrow against his warmth; tremors occasionally wracking her thin frame. He expected tears, would have understood them, but the tiny woman merely pressed her warm body close to him. Eventually, the tremors ceased and she slept exhausted. Gently, Kenshin attempted to disentangle himself from her. But her sleeping form whimpered softly and she clung to him. He sighed and relaxed into the bed. His arm was wrapped about her slender waist her long black hair lay about her form. It had been in a high pony tail earlier, but Megumi must have let it down and strangely even over the metallic tang of blood Kenshin could smell her…like jasmine and honey… warm and trusting she clung to him. Again he felt his volatile anger lash out toward the monster who'd hurt her. Pulling her lithe body to his side protectively he dozed off…

When Kaoru woke in the morning the first thing that she noticed was warmth, the second was that her face felt like someone had smashed a meat tenderizer into it… multiple times. Cracking her eyes open she froze. All she could see was the white column of someone's throat and flame red hair. Whoever it was had an arm slung over her waist and his face buried in her hair. Warily she glanced up to study the strange mans features. He had a handsome, fine boned face. A deep cross shaped scar adorned his cheek. As if sensing her scrutiny the man opened his amber eyes and gazed sleepily down at her.

"Who are you, and why am I in your bed?" yawning he said,

"Himura Kenshin, I found you after, umm…" she swore softly and ran a hand over the bandage on her chest and face.

"How did he find me?" she murmured to herself. She paled remembering. After a moment she looked up at him their faces inches apart,

"You saved me, thank you"

"I'm glad you are safe." Shifting uncomfortably she plucked gently at his arm silently asking to be freed.

"Oh, I apologize…"

"Kamiya Kaoru" she supplied Kenshin nodded and freeing her he stood.

Trying to sit up Kaoru hissed softly clamping her eyes shut as her movements tugged at her cut. Suddenly Kenshin's gently hands were supporting her. Carefully he lifted her into a sitting position propping her back against the pillows.

"You lost a lot of blood. Megumi says you need to rest for the next few days."

"Megumi?"

"My friend, she's the doctor who stitched you up last night." Kaoru nodded grateful it had been a woman who bandaged and changed her clothing. Gingerly fingering the bandage that wrapped about her chest she murmured,

"How bad is it?"

"Well the cut across your chest needed stitches, but the one on your face should heal without scaring. The rest is just bad bruising." She chuckled bitterly,

"Ah well, the bastard was long over due for and upgrade." Kenshin glanced down at her sharply. In a soft voice he said,

"This has happened to you before." Glancing up at him nervously she nodded tentatively,

"He's never been armed before." She muttered

"Who is he?"

"Brad… Brad Porter," silently Kenshin turned and stalked out of the bedroom. Kaoru shivered Kenshin's friendly amber eyes had gone an icy gold color. She could hear his clipped voice speaking softly to someone on the phone.

Kaoru leaned back closing her eyes. If the man had wanted to he could have easily taken advantage of her last night, but he hadn't, and something about him told her that she had nothing to fear from him. Soon she heard the door open and she looked up. Kenshin walked in and sitting on the edge of the bed handed her a warm mug of tea. Quietly she sipped the warm liquid watching Kenshin over the lip of the cup. He had one hand placed on her knee and she could feel the warmth of his body through the blanket that covered her legs. After a few minutes Kaoru finished the mint tea and set the mug on the bed side table. Kenshin looked up startled from his reverie.

"We should probably change your bandages." He said quietly. Kaoru flushed but nodded.

Standing Kenshin walked into out into the apartment. Soon he came back with a warm basin of water and a towel. Setting the basin on the bedside he helped her lean forward and wrap the towel under her arms.

"The bandage may stick so we need to wet it down." He said quietly. Nervously she chewed her full lower lip but she allowed him to gently push his large cotton shirt down her shoulders baring the bandage. pulling a small pair of scissors from a drawer in his nightstand he carefully cut through the bandage where it ran over her shoulder. Neatly, he managed to unwrap the white cloth holding the pad in place. It was wrapped over her right shoulder and under her left arm. As he'd expected the pad had stuck to her cut carefully he wet the pad with warm water managing to free it without disturbing too many of the newly formed scabs. Taking a wash cloth he gently cleaned the dried blood that clung to her fair skin. Glancing down Kaoru hissed softly when she saw the size of the cut.

"Huh, that's worse than I thought." She murmured

"It will heal," Kenshin murmured as he gently pressed a clean pad over the wound and bound it in place. Carefully he slid the cotton shirt she wore back onto her shoulders before helping her unwrap the towel from about her torso. Gently turning her face he also removed the small bandage taped onto her face. Looking critically at the shallow slice he said,

"I think we can leave this cut like it is, it will heal faster exposed to air." Picking up the bloodied bandages he stood and tossed them into a trash can. Walking back in, he said,

"If you want I can move you to the couch while I make something for you to eat." Smiling she said,

"That sounds great, thanks" he nodded and walking over scooped her up as though she weighed less than a kitten easily depositing her onto the couch.

"If you need anything just ask." He said as he walked into the kitchen. Kaoru leaned her head back on the couch's armrest. After a few moments Kaoru asked,

"Hey Kenshin, you wouldn't happen to know what happened to my hair tie would you?"

"Umm… no you'll have to ask Megumi, here use one of mine." Listening closely she heard him rummage through a drawer for a moment before he walked over handing her a black hair tie. Smiling at him up at him she began to finger comb her long black hair securing it into a low pony tail. Looking closely at her arms she grimaced they were mottled with small bruises. The print of a large hand wrapped about her slender wrist. Touching her face gingerly she wondered how bad it looked. If it looked half as bad as it felt she must look like a wreck. After a few moments of self inspection she had a comprehensive catalogue of her injuries; bruised right ankle and left wrist, bashed up face, cut on chest, large bruise on her left side and back. 'Lovely' she thought. After a few minutes Kenshin walked over with two plates of scrambled eggs and toast. He set them on the low coffee table in front of the couch. Kaoru pulled up her legs so he could sit at the foot of the couch. Taking a seat Kenshin handed her the plate and a fork before lifting her feet so they lay across his lap, blithely ignoring Kaoru's protests. Kaoru sighed, there was no arguing with the man. She mumbled a thank you and dug into her plate. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she began to eat. She finished quickly and Kenshin took her plate setting it onto the table. After a moment she said,

"Umm…Kenshin could you drop me off at my apartment." Warm amber eyes looked into her blue for a moment before he asked,

"Are you staying with someone?"

"Well, no," she replied

"Then no, I can get someone to grab your things if you want." Kaoru scowled at him and he looked back mildly,

"Kaoru, you are injured. I am fairly certain you aren't able to change your bandage your self, much less take care of yourself properly without help. You are welcome to stay here till you recover or I can drop you off at a friend's." her scowl deepened but his logic must have reached her because quietly she muttered,

"Fine, my apartment is at 2100 25th street, its number 15, second story. There's a spare key under the eaves beside the gutter. Let me borrow your phone." Kenshin smiled

"Will you stay here or at your friends?"

"Ugh… here I guess. Misao is in the process of moving she doesn't need me taking up space. Just remember you're the one making me stay." He just grinned, saying,

"Is there anything you need specifically from your place?"

"Umm, a change of clothes, toothbrush, and toothpaste would be good." he nodded,

"You live near Megumi's clinic, she won't mind dropping by." Kaoru just sighed and let her head fall back against the arm rest. She listened as shifting her legs over Kenshin stood and picking up his phone called Megumi. Quietly telling her what was needed. When he hung up Kaoru lifted one hand in his direction before she intoned,

"Phone?" he reached over and placed it in her waiting hand. He was struggling not to laugh aloud. Opening her eyes Kaoru quickly punched in Misao's number. Soon a worried voice practically shouted,

"Kaoru! Where are you!? You like, disappeared from the club and you didn't call me last night!"

"I'm fine Misao. Breath, it's alright. Let's just say I ran into an old acquaintance."

The other line was silent for a moment before she heard Misao swear softly,

"He found you again, didn't he?"

"Yeah,"

"Oh god, are you okay he didn't hurt you did he!?!"

"It's ok I'm fine now."

"You're fine now what about next time? What will you do then? Where are you? I'm coming over."

"Umm, well here's Kenshin he'll give you directions."

"Who's Ken-" was all Kaoru caught before she handed the phone to Kenshin saying,

"She won't rest until she sees me." He nodded taking the phone

"Hello?"

"Yes, she's at my place."

"768 Walsh St. ground floor apartment number 4." He said before handing back the phone.

"Oh Kaoru, you didn't mention his voice was totally hot. If I didn't have Aoshi I'd be all over him. Is he cute?"

"Misao that is so not the point at the moment," Kaoru muttered flustered

"You're right, sorry. I'll get Aoshi to drop me off. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"See you"

"I'm glad he didn't hurt you."

"Err… yeah" Kaoru muttered not wanting to frighten her. Hanging up she passed the phone to Kenshin

"She'll be here in twenty. Ok honestly, how bad do I look? I feel like crap but do I look it?"

"Umm… it's pretty bad… lots of very visible bruising." Kenshin murmured. Kaoru groaned.

"She's going to flip." Kenshin just rubbed her bruised ankle soothingly. Quietly he asked, "Why did that man attack you?" Kaoru leaned her head back closing her eyes before she answered

"He is the epitome of a boyfriend gone bad. Misao is never going to forgive herself when she sees me."

"How bad?"

"Misao introduced us. We had just gone on a few dates. That's when it started. I'd get these creepy phone calls at like two in the morning telling me I was being watched. They'd tell me the food I'd bought at the supermarket and stuff so I knew they were having me followed." She shivered and Kenshin rubbed her leg soothingly, "He suggested he could move in. You know, protect me… turns out all the phone calls stopped." she chuckled bitterly

"Of course they did… he couldn't very well make menacing phone calls living with me."

"After he got drunk one night and hit me I dumped him. When the calls started up again Misao did some looking into it, traced the calls right to his cell. He never was the smartest." She opened her eyes to glare at a spot on the wall

"I've moved three times. Misao's given me a hand, hiding the records; I always stayed in the city though. He's found me every time, the bastard, this is the first time he's bothered with a weapon." She smirked vindictively, "got tired of getting his fingers broken I guess." For the first time she glanced at Kenshin gauging his reaction, his eyes were pools of liquid gold. The air fairly crackled with his anger.

"Knew I should've killed him," he muttered, Kaoru shivered at the very real threat in his voice.

"He won't ever touch you again." He murmured and she smiled halfheartedly at him. She had heard that many times, though it did seem more reassuring coming from him.

Soon they heard frantic knocking at the door and Kaoru sighed, saying,

"Misao is early." Standing Kenshin opened the door and for a moment there was stunned silence Kaoru glanced over the back of the couch curiously, Aoshi stood at the door behind an anxious Misao. The two men locked eyes.

"Aoshi" Kenshin greeted

"Kenshin… The girl you called about was…" he trailed off as his voice was drowned out by Misao's panicked questions. Catching sight of Kaoru she went silent

"Oh my god, Kaoru this is really, really bad." She murmured walking over and kneeling by her side.

"I'm fine Misao, just a bit banged up. I was very lucky." Glaring accusingly at the large bandage on Kaoru's chest she said,

"This is not fine. What if Kenshin hadn't found you?" glancing quickly over at the two men she said, "Oh! Seems they know each other," before her emerald green eyes zeroed in on Kaoru once more, "you will not allow yourself to be alone ever." She insisted. "He could have killed you." Then she wrapped her arms around Kaoru hugging her about the waist so she didn't jostle the bandage. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. How on earth did he grab you?"

"Had a knife," Kaoru murmured and Misao hissed in sympathy. Both of the women turned to look at Kenshin and Aoshi. From the looks on Kenshin's face Kaoru wondered if Brad would live long enough for Misao to implement her plan. A quick glance at Misao's face confirmed her suspicion.

Disclaimer : I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, (edging slowly away from lawyers) author mutters scheming plans quietly (dives for cover as lawyers brandish flaming arrows)

Hi! (Discreetly smothers still flaming ends of hair while brushing soot off t-shirt) I know the story line is very familiar but it just wouldn't leave me alone so don't kill me. (Shameless plugg ^_^ read Gaurdian) after Gaurdien I decided Kaoru needed some bed rest . I hope you like it so far.. .

please drop a review. you know you want to... please (author looks pleadingly at you while holding a small pupy befoe your eyes) you cannot resist the puppy ^_^