Summary: It was only a moment but she knew she had lost. He had won, he always did. Kenshin and Kaoru. AU.

Rating: T

Pairing: Kenshin and Kaoru

Here I am, back again. sighes You must be getting tired of me popping up in the most unlikeliest of places. Yes, no updates where they are needed, and more, "experiments" with writing. This is another "get-out-of-the-rut-and-on-with-the-plot things. It's not earth shattering, not the most amazing thing I've ever written, but its mine, and so I'm happy its here. it's not very long, which is evidence in itself that the ol' gray cells are beginning to fade. Just getting stuff out of my head so I can think upon Hiko and Kaoru's confrontation thing at court and figure it out. Yes, contrary to what you may have read on my profile, it is NOT sorted yet.

I am slowly losing my sanity. Gyahhh. Right, please comment. because reviews are love, and I'm an unhappy smiley right now.

Beloved

"What?"

A single word, nothing special, no cutting remark, no hoarse expression of disgust and anger, not even the customary raised eyebrow intended to patronize. Nothing had happened that would suggest that the Duke, their father was upset, but Aoshi knew better.

He sucked his breath in. He felt his blood drain from his face and he quickly glanced left towards his sister. Kaoru sat with her back straight as a poker, her fingers curved around the wood of her seat, clenching tightly, as though she was trying to absorb strength from it. The skin over her knuckles was stretched tight till he could see the bulge of her blue veins over bone through her translucent skin. He shivered.

"What did you say?" Here was the question. The voice was still cultured, still soft, but for Kaoru, it was like the soft hiss of the rattlesnake as it moved in for the kill. She had never been so terrified in her life but she knew she couldn't back down, not now, she was so close! She dared to glance at Aoshi, who mirrored her father's expression, almost. Aoshi's eyes still managed a glimmer of emotion now and again. He wasn't quiet as well trained as her father preferred.

She took another deep breath. Then another. "I can't do it." She whispered, half of her hoping he wouldn't hear her.

Her father raised his wine glass to the light of the dying sun. The few faded beams of sunlight gleamed as they hit the surface of the glass then disappeared inside the liquid. The Duke delicately sniffed the air above the rim of the glass and lifted a corner of his mouth in approval. He brought the glass to his lips and tilted it slightly, allowing the

wine to slide over his tongue and down his throat. He sighed in appreciation, then glanced at his only daughter.

"That is unfortunate. You are, of course aware that I perceive your inability to do anything a slight upon my honour." He stood. "I do not care what you think. I have no time for it."

Kaoru looked up, her eyes pleading. "But Father, I….cannot."

"You are getting engaged to Lord Yukishiro in three days. That is final. Do not bother me again." He turned. A distinguished-looking manservant with greying hair stood before him, holding a cane and a pair of kidskin gloves. The duke accepted them. The valet next produced a mirror for his Grace. The duke adjusted his cravat minutely, picked up his cane, and strode away from his children. As he descended the stairs leading to the street, a man appeared at his side.

The duke did not acknowledge his presence but lost not ime in giving instructions. "I do not trust Aoshi. Tell Battousai to stand guard till the engagement. Kaoru must not leave this house under any circumstances."

"The Battousai will be busy tonight. Your Grace sent him to take care of the…."

"Whatever it was, get him back here tonight. I don't care if he's swimming in blood when he arrives," he let loose a hoarse chuckle. "In fact, seeing him like that is exactly what my daughter needs to toe the line."

"As your Grace wishes." The man held open the door to a carriage. A page jumped nimbly onto the back of the carriage. The driver cracked his whip and loosed the reins and the carriage was soon hurtling down the cobbled streets.