Freedom
Chapter 2
No Need To Worry

Kaoru opened her eyes, but then snapped them shut as the rooms brightness stung her eyes. A groan escaped her lips when she felt a hand on her shoulder. I am sorry sir. May I please sleep longer? She mumbled thinking she was back with the gang.
Don't you think it's time you wake up? asked Kenshin's kind voice.
Kaoru shot up in the bed with a scared look on her face. with a sigh though it released into a soft smile. Oh, it's you, Kenshin. He nodded and Kaoru followed him into the kitchen. She sat down on the same stool as Kenshin rooted through the cabinets. A knock suddenly rang through the apartment.
Yes? Oh, Sano it's you. Kenshin said as he opened the door.
So where were you last...? Sano stopped speaking when he saw the young woman sitting at the counter. Man, you should have told me.
No, no. She is being forced to work for a gang and needs some help. Also she is going to help us get rid of them. So she is staying here for protection. Kenshin said as he walked back into the kitchen.
My name is Kamiya, Kaoru. She told him.
Well hi. I'm Sagara, Sanosuke. He said back.
Kenshin closed the last cabinet door and turned around to look at the two. I seem to be low on food. Why don't we go out for lunch?
Mmm, food! Kaoru said as she rubbed her stomach. She quickly jumped down from the stool and ran for the door.
Kenshin, maybe while were out we should get little Missy some clothes. Sano said as he glanced at Kaoru's out fit.
She wore a short green camouflage skirt and a blue shirt that was so big that it hung off one shoulder. All had holes and rips in them. Her shoes were torn sneakers that the soles were just barely hanging on to. Even her socks were mismatched. One stripped, long toe sock in blue, green, and red. The other the same except it was brown, orange, and burgundy.
Kaoru began to squirm under their gaze. Do you two mind?

~*~*~*~*~

So what do you want to eat? Kenshin asked as he peered at her from over the menu.
I can have anything? Kaoru asked in a cheerful voice.
Of coarse! It's a restaurant you know. Sano said.
Oh you just have to be a saint! Kaoru squealed at Kenshin.
What do you mean? Kenshin's great, but the more time you spend with him the more you find that he isn't a saint. Sano chimed in.
Of coarse you are, Kenshin. First you don't call the police. Then you tell me that you want to help me. Third, you give me a bed! I haven't slept on a bed ever since I was a real little girl. And now your giving me food! Kaoru was so happy. This was luxury.
And then new clothes. Sano reminded her.
Kenshin was glad she was happy, but he truly felt that all the praise was un-called for. Miss Kaoru, you needn't call me a saint or anything of that sort. Listen, you deserve to be free. Everyone should have someplace nice to sleep and food is a necessity. Lastly, your clothes are dirty and nothing more that scraps of material. So clothes are also a necessity. Nothing more nothing less.
Thank you any ways. Kaoru said.

~*~*~*~*~

After ordering the food, it didn't take long before it was set down in front of them. Kaoru only hesitated for a moment before plowing full force into the food.
The meal was a silent one. As the three were leaving, Kenshin noticed that Kaoru was walking much slower. He looked over to see Kaoru fiddling with her purse and looking all around her. Kenshin stopped suddenly and turned on his heel to stare at Kaoru who barely stopped herself from from running strait into his chest.
Kaoru looked up into Kenshin's soft violet eyes. What's wrong? She said trying to sound innocent.
Kenshin's only reply was to grab her hand that was in her purse by her wrist.
Dangling from Kaoru's hand was a roll.
Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. Kenshin said as he noticed her expression. He then held out his other hand. Now give me your purse.
Kaoru hesitated, but soon obliged once she saw the soft look in his eyes. Once he had the purse he quickly emptied it out onto a nearby table. Both Kenshin and Sanosuke wore surprised facial expressions when they saw that the purse was full of food. The only other things inside of the purse was a small dagger and saw. Kenshin put the two metal objects back into the purse, but didn't give it back to Kaoru. Instead he grabbed her hand and walked out of the restaurant and to his car. Kenshin allowed Kaoru into the back seat of his black on black leather car and shut the door. Before he got in he opened the trunk and set the purse inside next to sword.
Hey, I need those! Kaoru said as Kenshin sat down in the driver's seat.
Kenshin put the key in the ignition and turned it allowing the engine to roar to life. No you don't. Sano and I will protect you. Kenshin looked at Kaoru through the rear view mirror as a look of understanding passed over her face. Also, please don't take food off of other tables.
Sano turned around in his seat and looked at Kaoru. Yea that's just nasty!
Kenshin skillfully pulled out into traffic and then quickly returned his gaze to the back seat. No, I can understand why you did it, Miss Kaoru. I don't want you to take food because you no longer need to. Kenshin paused as he allowed his eyes to show how much he meant the next words. I will never allow you to go hungry again.

~*~*~*~*~

So we'll meet at 10 tonight? Sano said as he was getting out of the car.
Yea. I'll see you then. when the door closed Kenshin sped off.
Kaoru still sat in the back seat finally allowing her curiosity get the best of her. So your going out tonight?
Yes. Sano found out that there had been a good amount of robberies in the one apartment building. I have just enough time to change clothes. So I'm going to have to leave you for awhile. Okay? Kenshin noticed that a look of fear passed over her features. Don't worry. No one knows where I live.
Okay. Yea, I'll be fine. She said satisfied with his answer.

~*~*~*~*~

Kenshin had dressed quickly and at about nine he was out the door. Kaoru rooted through the many bags of clothes and finally found her new yukata. I was right. A yukata is a luxury. She said with a smile as she held the cloth up against her. Kaoru then rushed into the bathroom closing the door behind her. After stepping out of her clothes she sank into the hot bath water.
Ahh. This is wonderful. Kaoru mused to herself as she remembered how hard it was to wash herself at the gang house. She had to bring a lot of money to be rewarded with alone time so she could wash.
Kaoru slowly pulled the washcloth from her face as she heard a loud noise. Her lungs began to tighten and her eyes became wide. What was that? She thought. Her mind was creating a worse case scenario. She heard the noise again and allowed her body to release the air that she was holding. It was only a car horn. I must've left my window open. Throwing the cloth away Kaoru gingerly got out of the tub. She reached for her yukata, but with a sharp scream, she lost her footing and fell down to the ground. As she reached for her ankle tears rolled down her cheeks accompanying her shrieks of pain. Kaoru tried to stand up, but with a hard thud she fell again this time banging her hip. Again she began to cry from the pain. Kenshin won't be back for a while, so I'm stuck!

~*~*~*~*~

Are you okay Kenshin? Sano asked as he stepped back into the car.
Hmm? Oh yes. I just have a bad feeling. Kenshin said absent minded.
Well knowing you, we should follow your feeling. Sano replied with a sigh.
Kenshin nodded and zoomed off towards his apartment.

~*~*~*~*~

Kaoru now tightly tied in her yukata took a deep breath and scrambled to her feet. I've got to do something. No way am I just going to lay here like a baby! With another deep breath, Kaoru let go of the sink and with her weak ankle she took a large step forward. This didn't work to well however. As Kaoru's ankle collapsed under the weight, she tried desperately to grab onto anything to help her from falling, but sadly the only thing that she made contact with was her head and the sink. Kaoru's body fell awkwardly to the cold bathroom floor below her.

~*~*~*~*~

Kenshin unlocked the door and threw it open allowing it to bang on the wall. Miss Kaoru? As Kenshin got closer to his apartment he could feel the atmosphere becoming thick with trouble and so he had no doubt that Kaoru wasn't okay. Miss Kaoru, where are you? Kenshin yelled again, his tone panicked.
After checking the bedroom he saw that the door to the bathroom was still closed and rays of light were streaming through the cracks around the door. Kenshin ran to it and also threw open this door. With a gasp Kenshin was horrified to see Kaoru sprawled out on the floor with a pool of blood increasing in size around her head. Kenshin quickly scooped Kaoru up into his arms and ran out of the apartment. On his way he passed Sanosuke who had just stepped out of the elevator. Come on, Sano! She needs a doctor!

~*~*~*~*~

Kenshin sat on the back seat of his car, holding Kaoru tightly in his arms as Sano drove through the streets of Tokyo. Why is it that when Sano should drive fast, he doesn't, but at other times it seems as if he never uses the breaks. Kenshin fumed to himself as he looked down at Kaoru's face. The street lights and neon signs danced over her body painting colorful designs as they flew down the streets of Tokyo.
With the jerk of the car, Kenshin knew the they were there.

~*~*~*~*~

Sano sat in the waiting room with his legs stretched out in front of him. His hands were laced together over his stomach and he kept his head bowed as he tried desperately to ignore Kenshin's annoying pacing.
Kenshin breathed in deep frustrated breaths as he paced the floor. Thoughts flooded his head, all sickenly mixing with each other. Kenshin began to scream multiple thoughts at himself. How could I have let this happen?, How long was she lying there?, I promised her that I would protect her!, Why do I care so much though? That thought stopped Kenshin in is tracks. Why do I?
Why do you, what? Sano perked up at Kenshin's question.
Hey you guys, she's awake now if you want to come in. Megumi said as she extended her arm through the opened door.
Kenshin was at the door to where Kaoru was before he even knew it. What is happening to me? he asked himself
Once Sano and Megumi had caught up Kenshin slowly opened the door.
Kaoru spun around quickly when she heard the door open. Her eyes were huge and filled with shock. In her hands though were the object of her distress, a metal tool that seemed to be broken.
Hey! You broke that! What were you thinking? Megumi said as she yanked it out of her hands.
I...I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Kaoru pleaded. She looked over at Kenshin and Sano for help as Megumi just rambled on.
Um...thank you Miss Megumi. We'll just be leaving now. Kenshin said as he picked Kaoru up and walked out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~

On their way home, Kaoru breathed in a deep sigh. She hated being hurt, but not anymore than the amount that she hated being poked by doctors. She hadn't been to a doctor since before she was taken by the gang. Kaoru looked down at her ankle and scrunched her nose at the fact that she couldn't move it. As she stared out at the buildings passing by she lifted her hand to her head.
Don't touch it. The voice was soft and caring, but it still pierced the silence. Kenshin turned his gaze to the road when he saw her with draw her hand.
Kaoru breathed a deep sigh. Are you going to say something, Little Missy, or are you just having trouble breathing? Sano teased.
There was a pause as she decided on what to do. What's up with that doctor?
Sano said as he turned around.
Kaoru only nodded, hoping nobody got mad.
Kenshin kept his eyes on the road as he spoke. Miss Megumi is a very talented doctor and if she did something that you didn't like then it was probably only for your benefit.
Kaoru let out a quiet, almost inaudible huff, but said nothing more. She disagreed with him, but knew that he would never say something ill of another, so she agreed to disagree with him on this matter.

~*~*~*~*~

Sano opened the door for Kenshin and stepped aside.
Kenshin gently carried Kaoru into the room and set her down on the couch.
It was almost humorous to watch Kaoru bicker with Kenshin, insistent that she was able to walk, or hobble on her own. Kenshin had said nothing, he only picked her up and carried her in.
Well I'm tired so I think I'll be going. Sano said. He patted Kaoru on the head before he left with a smirk at how angry it made her. Get healed, Little Missy.
Kenshin locked the door behind him and then turned around to Kaoru. So why don't I help you get to bed? Kenshin asked even though both knew it was more of a statement.
Um, Kenshin? I...um...I...er. Kaoru didn't know why, but she was scared to ask.
Kenshin walked over to the couch and sat down next to her. What is it?
Kaoru stared into his deep violet eyes. Again she saw such a rare emotion in them. The eyes held a true emotion of concern. It amazed her, but this man actually cared about what she wanted to say. It was a honest, forgiving, and simple emotion, but one that Kaoru had forgotten about over the years. Her prison' had no such thing. Everything was hopeless and cold there. It was striking how much different it was around this strange man.
When Kenshin waved his hand in front of Kaoru's eyes her mind snapped out of its trance. She was almost embarrassed at being caught. Kenshin, I'm...hungry.


~*~*~*~*~

A.N.
Kawaii Kokkei Tsuita no Neko, Nicky: Thanks for the reviews. Hope you two like this chapter.
MikoGoddess: I am so proud to have my story be the third one you've read.
Bootles967: It was great to talk to you. Glad you like the story.
I sure Hope this story lives up to all expectations! Also, I am working on a newwebsite so feel free to check it out. It's on my profile. Another note. Please review and feel free to E-mail or if you see me online then instant message me. There are no bad reviews, only un-written ones!
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