Disclaimer: I do not own the characters borrowed from Rurouni Kenshin, that I do not.

- Romance / Fantasy - Alternate Universe -

Summary: All it takes is one choice to change your entire destiny. Her decision sent her into the arms of a man with no past, who could never be in her future...

Rating: R for adult situations, language, and to give me freedom.

Things to know before reading: It's Alternate Universe. Things are subject to change by whim of the authoress. This might turn into one of those sickeningly sweet romances. Who knows! Depends on how I feel while I write... I kind of miss fluff. Mm, fluff. Anyway...

Pairing(s): A mystery at this point... [Kaoru x Aoshi], most likely.


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Anything For You - Part II

Fate and the Fated


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She shifted, feeling vaguely uncomfortable even as sleep fogged her mind. Something curled warmly behind her knee, and she was far too hot. With a soft whimper, she turned and kicked the blankets from her body, reveling as cool air touched her skin. She sighed, finally content as it brushed against her legs and across her spine.

Unfortunately, some little imp from hell had decided that the covers had to go back on. "No!" she shouted, waving her fists blindly as she kicked them back off her. "Too hot," she sighed as she managed to get them off again. A frown curved her lips as that little devil tried to cover her again. "No no no no no!" she muttered angrily, kicking them down again. "Stop it!"

She heard someone talking, but couldn't make out the words. "Stupid imp," she growled, flopping over onto her stomach and burying her head in her arms, sighing happily as the cool air soothed her burning flesh. So hot, she whimpered. It was too much effort to open her eyes, too.

Something fuzzy pressed against her side. She scowled. That imp is back! Without second thought, she shoved it away, wondering idly at the soft mewling that the menace made. Kaoru never knew that the little devilspawn sounded like cats. Which was bad, because kittens were the cute and imps were... well, bad.

"Stupid," she was mumbling again, curling up now on her side. "Go back to hell and leave me alone." Something brushed against her back just before the blanket was pulled back over her. "No!" She kicked violently. The terror was obviously trying to suffocate her, if he was ignoring all her protests. "Murderer!"


He stiffened at her sleep-induced accusation, before leaning back as she kicked off the covers. If she woke up, she would probably be crimson at the knowledge that she was perfectly naked without anything hiding her body, but she was still foggy from her feverish dreams. Despite her protestations of being too hot, her skin was clammy and cold to his touch.

He had been quick to notice the little scar above her hip, a small crescent in the indentation of her waist. Somehow it had escaped his notice the first time he'd peeled off her soaked garments, but now it kept drawing his eyesight. It was odd to have a mark there, and he wondered idly where and how she'd gotten it. A man's scars were the tale of his life, and he had an unprecedented need to learn of hers. Out of professional curiosity, of course, along with a healthy dose of caution. She was a mystery on the island and a possible link to the men he was hunting. Which was the only reason he was taking care of her and making sure she got through her fever with no lasting ill effects. He just needed a sensible witness to tell him all the information he needed.

Once she settled down again, he grabbed the blanket, noting how she tensed. So she sensed it? She had some training, possibly. That would mean she was a danger.

For someone who could possibly kill him as he slept, she didn't seem so very intimidating, curled up and whimpering, with occasional shouts of imps and killers. Shino glanced at the kitten, who was looking at his new mistress curiously, the tip of his tail twitching in agitation. He had no idea what was going on. "Kamiya Kaoru," he murmured. She was already an annoyance, and he hadn't taken care of her for longer than half a day. The animal mewed at the now-familiar name, golden eyes suddenly hopeful. He padded closer to the sleeping mat, pawing gently at the woman laying upon it. She groaned and reached down to bat him away.

After a long moment of thought, Shino knelt beside her, carefully settling his length to curve around her smaller frame. Before he was completely still, she turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her forehead into his shoulder and giving a content little sigh. Her little murmurs ceased. Once again, he noted how soft and smooth her skin was, sheltered from the sun's harsh treatment. Even her face seemed to have escaped the lines and tanning of the day, though her palms were callused. Remembering his earlier curiosity, he plucked one hand from his back to glance it over. So, she had the calluses of a swordsman. Interesting.

She gave a protesting little murmur, snuggling closer and twining her fingers easily with his. Resigned, he reached behind him to pull the blanket over them both, pushing aside the guilty pleasure of having her body pressed against his - he'd been without a woman for too long. She didn't even stir, which he could only be thankful for. He would have to be certain to wake before her, in case of any maidenly cries of distress in the morning. Those he could certainly do without.

Especially as he was enjoying her very physical presence, in a rather shallow sort of way. It was, he assured himself, natural, and he wouldn't give in to his base desires. After all, any man would enjoy holding a naked woman in his arms, especially if she was as shapely as this one. Which had nothing to do with the fact that she was still nude, when he could have easily lent her his meditation robes...


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Opening her eyes for the second time to a man's chest had an odd effect of waking her up immediately. Kaoru recoiled, jerking the blanket around her as she scrambled away. Good thing he's got his clothes on, or I would definitely be embarrassed, she thought, raising her hand to one burning cheek. To her intense relief, he was still asleep, though why he was on the mat beside her, she didn't know. Idiot, she berated herself sharply. You're the one imposing on him, and it is his mat and blanket. Though he still could have told her they would be sharing. After all, she was naked -

Oh, God. She was naked. Kaoru closed her eyes with a little whimper. She'd slept with a man when she was indecent, and, well, he had his pants on, but still... If everyone at the village knew, she'd never get a chance to make a choice. Her reputation would be utterly destroyed, her family humiliated. Then again - the damage was already done. She had been missing overnight, which would automatically mean the worst in the eyes of the villagers once she re-appeared. All because I had to help that cat, she thought glumly. The fact that she wasn't able to return home to those accusing eyes didn't cheer her up, either. All because of that cat...

The animal in question was looking at her from a little nest he'd made, seemingly happy - and innocent. All her grumbling toward him disappeared, and she held out her hand. "Oh, Fate," she sighed. And stiffened.

Something was touching her thigh. And if the cat was over there, then it could only be...

Very, very slowly, Kaoru turned her head, azure orbs lowering to the large hand clasped just above her knee. Then she glanced at her companion's face; his eyes were closed, his face peaceful in sleep. How long has his hand been there? she wondered. And how did I not notice before?

She needed to get away - but she would have to take the blanket in order to do so. Which meant that he'd either wake up or be cold while sleeping, neither of which her soft heart would allow. Biting down on her lower lip, Kaoru judged the distance between the sleeping mat and her clothes. Too far - if he woke up, he would probably see her. Though he'd obviously seen her nude before - he was the one to have undressed her, after all - it wasn't as though she wanted him to see more than he already had!

First thing to do - get some clothes. Far easier to be thought than done. Kaoru carefully nudged his hand from her leg and began to inch the blanket off him. I'll just give the blanket back once I get dressed, she decided, brightening when the cover was slowly brought from his shoulder to his waist. Almost...

She refused to allow herself to look at him, but her eyes were still drawn to the muscles cording his arm and the scars crisscrossing over his chest. It was her first time actually seeing a man without his shirt, she excused herself. It was rude but...

Shaking her head sharply at her thoughts, Kaoru jerked the blanket a little more firmly to her side. She only barely managed to keep from moaning her disappointment when he twitched and rolled to his back, trapping it beneath him. Bad, bad! she seethed inwardly, awkwardly wrapping the soft fabric around her. If I run I might be - no. If he wakes up, that'll be the most embarrassing thing ever. Ever. She shivered. I could wake him up, but... what if he's tired? I wouldn't be happy if someone woke me up from a sound sleep.

Fate crawled into her lap, mewling curiously. She shushed him nervously, glancing over to make certain Shino was still sleeping. He was. "Do you think you could bring me my clothes?" she inquired of the kitten. Golden eyes blinked up at her blandly, and she sighed. "Didn't think so. Uggggggh." She flinched at a movement from her side; another quick look told her that Shino hadn't opened his eyes. Need to be quiet, she thought, casting an anxious glance at her clothes. It was amazing how absolutely vulnerable you could feel without them.

This is getting me nowhere. I need to get my dress. Kaoru took a deep breath. He's seen me naked before, so... I don't need to be too embarrassed if he wakes up. Come on, Kaoru, you can do this. Come on. She slid one leg carefully off the mat, scooting away from the warm body beside her. He didn't make the slightest movement. Good. She clamped her lower lip firmly between her teeth before making the madly silent dash to the chest, grabbing for the first thing she could find - an off-white, soft cloth robe that she pulled over herself. Just in time.

She heard the unmistakable sounds of Shino waking up just as she belted the robe tightly around her waist, turning to cast wide blue eyes onto the awakening figure. "Good morning, Shino-san!" Her voice hitched a little higher than normal, her cheeks an almost violent shade of crimson.

He blinked a little at her, aquamarine orbs cloudy with sleep. Then he nodded. "Good morning, Kamiya-san."

"Oh - you can just call me Kaoru," she mumbled, fiddling with the belt. Then she noticed his keen gaze lingering on the robe. "I - um - my clothes are still wet," she lied, not having checked to see if they were or not. His brows arched, but he nodded slightly.

"That's fine." After a moment he stood, letting the covers fall into a graceless heap at his feet. "Your fever is gone?"

"Fever?" she asked nervously, pushing herself, too, to her feet. "Did I have one?"

"For the past two days..."

"Oh." Her eyes widened. "Two days?" He gave her a look that could only be interpreted as 'Did-I-Say-That-Only-To-Amuse-Myself', and she gave a nervous little shrug. "I didn't... I didn't realize I was asleep so long," she muttered.

"Hmm," came his noncommittal response as he glanced over the fire. For the first time, she noticed the flames were burning low. "We're out of firewood," he explained at her cautious questioning. "The storm finally abated, and I'll be able to cut some more before night falls."

She glanced automatically out the window, frowning at how bright it was.

"It's late afternoon," he added helpfully. She gasped, twirling to confront him, shocked by his impassive expression.

"I slept so long?!"

"Indeed."

She flushed as she realized that there was no way her clothes could still be wet, after they'd been drying for so long, but was thankful that he didn't bother to press for information. Then he tossed a casual statement over his shoulder. Casual for him, and a statement of doom for her.

"You can use snow to boil some water and make breakfast."

Cook?

Her?


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CJ's Blurb: Short chapter and it sucks to boot... Yay. I really hated writing this one because there was nothing really happening. Ugh. Bleh. Horrible. Anyway, updates will be very sporadic for this fic because although I still love the idea, it's going to be a little harder to write than... um... well, I expected. Heh. ^_^;; I'm trying to avoid it seeming like a blanket scenario. Which it kind of is, not that I really realized it until I started writing this installment of it. But... oh, well. Anyway. Thank you all for the kind reviews. :)


02/13/04: Revised for formatting