Fair Kyoto
Chapter 3: Questing Eyes
Himura Kenshin watched as the girl interrupted the drunken brawl. He recognized her somehow; only he couldn't remember why or how her face looked so familiar.
'Maybe she's the one I'm looking for.' Kenshin thought, a smirk briefly flitted across his features.
The girl had rushed in without a thought, throwing herself in the middle of a drunken scuffle.
'Foolish..' He mused.
Now, she had pinned the disorderly slob's arm behind his back, effectively bringing him to his knees.
'Not bad..' Kenshin had to admit to himself that her last move had been fluid and controlled, like that of a well-trained fighter. 'Yes, definitely the person I need to speak with..'
He approached her with the intent of starting a conversation that might confirm her to be one of the bodyguard of Hajime Tokio, however that is not quite what the girl had in mind. From a foot behind her, Kenshin noticed that a shudder ran down her back, she seemed to hunch over slightly. The girl clutched at her incredibly pale forehead with her free hand and began sinking to her knees. Kenshin knew what she was about to do and reacted with cat-like reflexes.
He caught the fainting body inches before it hit the floor.
'Just my luck.' Kenshin thought as he stared at her unconscious face. He watched as her eyelids fluttered slightly, then went completely still. 'Great..'
Kenshin carried the lifeless girl out of the throng of people that swarmed about the busy restaurant. He set her against a wall in a shaded corner, positioning her so that her so that her back was resting against its surface. After the application of a glass of cold water to her face, she came about rather quickly. Kenshin smirked as she slowly opened her eyes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kaoru felt something cold and fluid run across her cheeks, she flinched as it hit her closed eyelids. However she only saw darkness, and decided that she would allow her consciousness to join it.
"Open your eyes." A firm male voice commanded.
Kaoru had no intention of doing any such thing, but the voice left no room for argument. So, meekly, she opened her eyes. The blurry colors about her swarmed in unruly patterns, shifting dizzyingly in front of her face. Kaoru felt the overwhelming need to vomit. She stifled it, taking deep breaths; she allowed the images to take form and order.
"Better?" the voice asked, but without any hint of emotion or concern. It was less like a question and more like an order.
Kaoru could only nod, at the moment she found that her throat refused to obey the messages her brain sent. She examined, with great curiosity, the figure that knelt before her; red hair, a cross-shaped scar, and intimidating amber eyes. Those eyes. Kaoru involuntarily shuddered as she looked into them. They seemed to capture her gaze, refusing to allow her to look away until they had completed their own examination.
"Your name." The voice commanded.
"K-Kaoru .. Kamiya Kaoru." She stuttered, conscious of the danger those eyes possessed.
That seemed to satisfy the questing eyes, for they relinquished their hold on hers. She stared at her hands, folding them across her lap.
"What happened?" she asked timidly, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact.
"You fainted." The monotone voice stated matter-of-factly. That voice left no room for interpretation.
Kaoru recollected the drunken men, the punches, and the terrible stench; her head spun slightly as she recalled the reeking smell that had filled her nostrils. Then, in a flash, she remembered her charge, Madame Tokio. Momentary panic flooded her body as she thought of what could have happened in her absence. Kaoru reflexively jumped up, but it was too soon and she began to slide down the wall.
A solid hand grabbed her arm, steadying her for a moment. Kaoru looked gratefully into the eyes of her rescuer. Those cold amber eyes stared back at her, and she blinked.
"Thank .. Thank you." Kaoru managed to say.
Nothing. The hand still held her arm tightly, but not to the point of pain.
"I have to go." Kaoru said as she nervously scanned the room, looking for a sign, anything.
She could see that the back room was dark and void of any signs of activity, but she would have to see for herself. She sincerely hoped that Tokio was fine and had made it back to headquarters safely without her. Kaoru started to move, but the hand held her back. She scowled at the offending arm before looking into his face.
"Let go." She said, no anger or fear in her voice, possibly a little defiance.
The red-haired man looked slightly surprised, then a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. His amber eyes burrowed into hers, but she refused to look away. His grip remained solidly about her upper arm.
"Your employer left a few minutes ago." He said, finally loosening his hold. "Besides you should rest for a little longer." Another command.
"Oh. I see.." Kaoru said slowly as her brows furrowed. If she hadn't been to busy contemplating whether or not she should be angry at being left behind or embarrassed for the incident she might have wondered how he knew of her employment.
However, Kaoru still had to pick up the jo she left in the back room, and seeing that she still had difficulty standing, the red-haired man silently insisted upon helping her. With an arm slung underneath her arms for support, she regained her footing.
The small room was dim and oddly still. She flipped the light switch next to the door, illuminating the pale colored walls. In the center, resting across the table, lay her weapon. Next to it was a small piece of paper covered in small black lettering.
'Kaoru,
Business here concluded. See me tomorrow. 4:30 PM sharp.
H.T.'
Kaoru examined the small note, turning it over in her hand. 'H.T. must mean Hajime Tokio.' She concluded. Tomorrow. 4:30 sharp must mean a lecture. She groaned inwardly. Then turned to walk out the door, jo in hand. The smoke swirled around the main room, and the smell of sake and beer filled her senses. She felt a little dizzy, but refused to give into the sensation. She would not faint again.
A light hand touched her shoulder, guiding her past the blinding fluorescent lights, and the drunken men sprawled on floor and table. A fresh breeze struck her face, snapping her out of her conscious limbo. She stood on the sidewalk as cars raced by in the streets. Lighted signs and lighted windows illuminated the block. People bustled past her, making their way through the unsleeping city.
"I will help you to your apartment."
Everything in her subconscious told her to refuse, but rationally she knew it was a good idea. If she passed out on the street, she couldn't be sure of where she'd end up.
"Uh..hai.." Kaoru managed. She looked up into his eyes, trying to seem grateful. It was hard when those eyes were so calculatingly cold.
"My apartment, it's only a few blocks away. This way." She said, pointing down sidewalk to the left.
Kenshin offered her his arm, and she leaned on it hesitantly. Cautious, but glad to take some weight off of her tired knees and aching back.
----------------------
He walked besides her, shortening his strides so that they synchronized with her smaller paces. Kenshin looked down at her, she seemed tired and in pain. He could tell that she was trying to shift the weight off of her lower back, so he adjusted his grip, allowing her to find a more comfortable posture. He smiled slightly as she sighed, almost inaudibly, with relief.
He allowed her to direct their movement through the streets and back allies of Kyoto. After twenty minutes of steady walking, the girl named Kaoru had led them to a small, but respectable, apartment building. Kenshin recognized it as one that was completely run by the Hajime yakuza; not trashy, but not exactly extravagant. She headed towards a dimly lit entrance, and into the small foyer. Kenshin followed passively. A short, round man smoking a half-completed cigarette sat partially concealed behind a wooden counter. He glanced up; noting the two entering figures, then went back to his cigarette. Kaoru turned to him and Kenshin caught a glimpse of her startlingly blue eyes before she looked away again.
"Arigato. I'll go now." She said quietly.
"I will help you to your door." Kenshin insisted. He still needed to question her, but it would have to be later, she was too tired now. Then he immediately wondered when he had started to care about another's welfare. But shrugged that off too.
Her apartment was on the third floor, and the only way up was the staircase. So, Kenshin found himself helping an exhausted young woman climb twining stairs at eleven o'clock at night. He stood on the stair above her, when she met his eyes for the nth time that night. He knew that something troubled her mind, she'd been flitting her eyes about like that for almost half an hour.
"What." Kenshin demanded coolly. He had frozen in his movements to help her.
She looked absolutely befuddled, Kenshin mused that it suited her endearing features. He immediately purged that thought from his mind; it was unsuited to one such as him.
"The question you want to ask me." He clarified. Her complexion cleared, and a blush replaced the confusion. Kenshin didn't allow himself to contemplate this new look.
"I..uh..you..you know Goro?" Kaoru saw his deadpan face and decided to be more specific. "The man out front. It's just that he didn't ask about you, like he would normally." Kaoru floundered. "Not that I bring a lot of men here." She corrected quickly, her blush increasing.
Kenshin couldn't help but grin a little at her perplexity and ridiculous embarrassment. She looked up at him after such a long pause.
"Are you part of the gang?" she questioned. "Is that why he recognized you?'
"Hai."
"Oh.." Kaoru said as the worry vanished from her face. "I see."
After hearing of his occupation and relation, she looked more relieved than she had all night. 'Naive.." Kenshin thought to himself.
They reached her apartment door, '304' was embossed in golden lettering across its front. She unlocked the door and turned around slowly. Kenshin made no move.
"Good night and Thank you.." Kaoru started "Your name, I don't remember what you said it was."
"I didn't." Kenshin stated. Then seeing that it wouldn't be enough, he added "It's Himura Kenshin."
Kaoru smiled as she said "Well, Mr. Himura. Good Night."
It was the first time he had seen her smile, and to be honest he was slightly amazed. Her indigo eyes lit up like fireflies in front of him as she wished him farewell. Then she closed the door. He heard the lock click into place, startling him out of his reverie. He was annoyed with himself for accomplishing nothing tonight; he'd have to work even harder tomorrow.
Kenshin left the apartment building the same way he had come in. However, this time beaming blue eyes danced in the back of his thoughts. He disappeared into the dark city without sound.
Chapter 3: Questing Eyes
Himura Kenshin watched as the girl interrupted the drunken brawl. He recognized her somehow; only he couldn't remember why or how her face looked so familiar.
'Maybe she's the one I'm looking for.' Kenshin thought, a smirk briefly flitted across his features.
The girl had rushed in without a thought, throwing herself in the middle of a drunken scuffle.
'Foolish..' He mused.
Now, she had pinned the disorderly slob's arm behind his back, effectively bringing him to his knees.
'Not bad..' Kenshin had to admit to himself that her last move had been fluid and controlled, like that of a well-trained fighter. 'Yes, definitely the person I need to speak with..'
He approached her with the intent of starting a conversation that might confirm her to be one of the bodyguard of Hajime Tokio, however that is not quite what the girl had in mind. From a foot behind her, Kenshin noticed that a shudder ran down her back, she seemed to hunch over slightly. The girl clutched at her incredibly pale forehead with her free hand and began sinking to her knees. Kenshin knew what she was about to do and reacted with cat-like reflexes.
He caught the fainting body inches before it hit the floor.
'Just my luck.' Kenshin thought as he stared at her unconscious face. He watched as her eyelids fluttered slightly, then went completely still. 'Great..'
Kenshin carried the lifeless girl out of the throng of people that swarmed about the busy restaurant. He set her against a wall in a shaded corner, positioning her so that her so that her back was resting against its surface. After the application of a glass of cold water to her face, she came about rather quickly. Kenshin smirked as she slowly opened her eyes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kaoru felt something cold and fluid run across her cheeks, she flinched as it hit her closed eyelids. However she only saw darkness, and decided that she would allow her consciousness to join it.
"Open your eyes." A firm male voice commanded.
Kaoru had no intention of doing any such thing, but the voice left no room for argument. So, meekly, she opened her eyes. The blurry colors about her swarmed in unruly patterns, shifting dizzyingly in front of her face. Kaoru felt the overwhelming need to vomit. She stifled it, taking deep breaths; she allowed the images to take form and order.
"Better?" the voice asked, but without any hint of emotion or concern. It was less like a question and more like an order.
Kaoru could only nod, at the moment she found that her throat refused to obey the messages her brain sent. She examined, with great curiosity, the figure that knelt before her; red hair, a cross-shaped scar, and intimidating amber eyes. Those eyes. Kaoru involuntarily shuddered as she looked into them. They seemed to capture her gaze, refusing to allow her to look away until they had completed their own examination.
"Your name." The voice commanded.
"K-Kaoru .. Kamiya Kaoru." She stuttered, conscious of the danger those eyes possessed.
That seemed to satisfy the questing eyes, for they relinquished their hold on hers. She stared at her hands, folding them across her lap.
"What happened?" she asked timidly, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact.
"You fainted." The monotone voice stated matter-of-factly. That voice left no room for interpretation.
Kaoru recollected the drunken men, the punches, and the terrible stench; her head spun slightly as she recalled the reeking smell that had filled her nostrils. Then, in a flash, she remembered her charge, Madame Tokio. Momentary panic flooded her body as she thought of what could have happened in her absence. Kaoru reflexively jumped up, but it was too soon and she began to slide down the wall.
A solid hand grabbed her arm, steadying her for a moment. Kaoru looked gratefully into the eyes of her rescuer. Those cold amber eyes stared back at her, and she blinked.
"Thank .. Thank you." Kaoru managed to say.
Nothing. The hand still held her arm tightly, but not to the point of pain.
"I have to go." Kaoru said as she nervously scanned the room, looking for a sign, anything.
She could see that the back room was dark and void of any signs of activity, but she would have to see for herself. She sincerely hoped that Tokio was fine and had made it back to headquarters safely without her. Kaoru started to move, but the hand held her back. She scowled at the offending arm before looking into his face.
"Let go." She said, no anger or fear in her voice, possibly a little defiance.
The red-haired man looked slightly surprised, then a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. His amber eyes burrowed into hers, but she refused to look away. His grip remained solidly about her upper arm.
"Your employer left a few minutes ago." He said, finally loosening his hold. "Besides you should rest for a little longer." Another command.
"Oh. I see.." Kaoru said slowly as her brows furrowed. If she hadn't been to busy contemplating whether or not she should be angry at being left behind or embarrassed for the incident she might have wondered how he knew of her employment.
However, Kaoru still had to pick up the jo she left in the back room, and seeing that she still had difficulty standing, the red-haired man silently insisted upon helping her. With an arm slung underneath her arms for support, she regained her footing.
The small room was dim and oddly still. She flipped the light switch next to the door, illuminating the pale colored walls. In the center, resting across the table, lay her weapon. Next to it was a small piece of paper covered in small black lettering.
'Kaoru,
Business here concluded. See me tomorrow. 4:30 PM sharp.
H.T.'
Kaoru examined the small note, turning it over in her hand. 'H.T. must mean Hajime Tokio.' She concluded. Tomorrow. 4:30 sharp must mean a lecture. She groaned inwardly. Then turned to walk out the door, jo in hand. The smoke swirled around the main room, and the smell of sake and beer filled her senses. She felt a little dizzy, but refused to give into the sensation. She would not faint again.
A light hand touched her shoulder, guiding her past the blinding fluorescent lights, and the drunken men sprawled on floor and table. A fresh breeze struck her face, snapping her out of her conscious limbo. She stood on the sidewalk as cars raced by in the streets. Lighted signs and lighted windows illuminated the block. People bustled past her, making their way through the unsleeping city.
"I will help you to your apartment."
Everything in her subconscious told her to refuse, but rationally she knew it was a good idea. If she passed out on the street, she couldn't be sure of where she'd end up.
"Uh..hai.." Kaoru managed. She looked up into his eyes, trying to seem grateful. It was hard when those eyes were so calculatingly cold.
"My apartment, it's only a few blocks away. This way." She said, pointing down sidewalk to the left.
Kenshin offered her his arm, and she leaned on it hesitantly. Cautious, but glad to take some weight off of her tired knees and aching back.
----------------------
He walked besides her, shortening his strides so that they synchronized with her smaller paces. Kenshin looked down at her, she seemed tired and in pain. He could tell that she was trying to shift the weight off of her lower back, so he adjusted his grip, allowing her to find a more comfortable posture. He smiled slightly as she sighed, almost inaudibly, with relief.
He allowed her to direct their movement through the streets and back allies of Kyoto. After twenty minutes of steady walking, the girl named Kaoru had led them to a small, but respectable, apartment building. Kenshin recognized it as one that was completely run by the Hajime yakuza; not trashy, but not exactly extravagant. She headed towards a dimly lit entrance, and into the small foyer. Kenshin followed passively. A short, round man smoking a half-completed cigarette sat partially concealed behind a wooden counter. He glanced up; noting the two entering figures, then went back to his cigarette. Kaoru turned to him and Kenshin caught a glimpse of her startlingly blue eyes before she looked away again.
"Arigato. I'll go now." She said quietly.
"I will help you to your door." Kenshin insisted. He still needed to question her, but it would have to be later, she was too tired now. Then he immediately wondered when he had started to care about another's welfare. But shrugged that off too.
Her apartment was on the third floor, and the only way up was the staircase. So, Kenshin found himself helping an exhausted young woman climb twining stairs at eleven o'clock at night. He stood on the stair above her, when she met his eyes for the nth time that night. He knew that something troubled her mind, she'd been flitting her eyes about like that for almost half an hour.
"What." Kenshin demanded coolly. He had frozen in his movements to help her.
She looked absolutely befuddled, Kenshin mused that it suited her endearing features. He immediately purged that thought from his mind; it was unsuited to one such as him.
"The question you want to ask me." He clarified. Her complexion cleared, and a blush replaced the confusion. Kenshin didn't allow himself to contemplate this new look.
"I..uh..you..you know Goro?" Kaoru saw his deadpan face and decided to be more specific. "The man out front. It's just that he didn't ask about you, like he would normally." Kaoru floundered. "Not that I bring a lot of men here." She corrected quickly, her blush increasing.
Kenshin couldn't help but grin a little at her perplexity and ridiculous embarrassment. She looked up at him after such a long pause.
"Are you part of the gang?" she questioned. "Is that why he recognized you?'
"Hai."
"Oh.." Kaoru said as the worry vanished from her face. "I see."
After hearing of his occupation and relation, she looked more relieved than she had all night. 'Naive.." Kenshin thought to himself.
They reached her apartment door, '304' was embossed in golden lettering across its front. She unlocked the door and turned around slowly. Kenshin made no move.
"Good night and Thank you.." Kaoru started "Your name, I don't remember what you said it was."
"I didn't." Kenshin stated. Then seeing that it wouldn't be enough, he added "It's Himura Kenshin."
Kaoru smiled as she said "Well, Mr. Himura. Good Night."
It was the first time he had seen her smile, and to be honest he was slightly amazed. Her indigo eyes lit up like fireflies in front of him as she wished him farewell. Then she closed the door. He heard the lock click into place, startling him out of his reverie. He was annoyed with himself for accomplishing nothing tonight; he'd have to work even harder tomorrow.
Kenshin left the apartment building the same way he had come in. However, this time beaming blue eyes danced in the back of his thoughts. He disappeared into the dark city without sound.