Chapter 3

Forbidden Desires

Dinner was quite an event. Kaoru, who took instant liking to Sano, felt the different energies radiated from him and Kenshin. While Kenshin made her angry, Sano's teasing only made her blush and laugh. He was fun and easy to talk to. She enjoyed the brotherly aura he was radiating and concluded that he must have a sister in his life for him to treat her successfully as one.

It was easy to conclude this. Most of her boy friends treated her like a sister/brother and they really had sisters who they took care of.

Sano too enjoyed dinner very much. He had expected a spoilt selfish brat who was pushing Kenshin around but instead was stunned by the easygoing attitude Kaoru had. She didn't mind football and they debated about their favourite teams. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about something she liked and her laugh was infectious.

If Sano didn't know better, he would say she is utterly an innocent girl.

She admitted having a lot of boy friends – emphasize on friends – and so that made her comfortable around the male population. Her experience with her own sex was however, embarrassingly limited.

Although he didn't look like it, Sano noticed that Kenshin was eyeing him with a bit of resentment and laughed inwardly. His pal was trying to act like Kaoru's closeness to Sano didn't effect him but Sano knew from his looks that Kenshin was mentally killing him.

Slowly.

They walked in the garden in comfortable silence. So far a lady has never come between them and Kenshin wasn't going to let this one be any different. Sano and him had grown up together and he trusted his friend more than anyone in the world.

"She is one hell of a girl, right Kenshin?"

Kenshin glanced at Sano from the corner of his eyes. He raised his eyebrow at that question and Sano laughed. "Don't kill me yet buddy. I ain't gonna steal your girl, you know that. But she is one hell of a girl!"

"Because she practically ignored me and paid attention to you?" Kenshin replied sarcastically thinking back on how Kaoru barely spared him a glance during dinner and concentrated on Sano.

"No. Because she loves football," Sano replied solemnly with mock seriousness. Kenshin laughed easily at that and they both stopped by the fountain and sat down.

"I don't know, Sano. I know she is young and that our engagement is Shishou's plans. But I can't stop myself from thinking about her. It's crazy! She's going to think I'm crazy!" Kenshin confessed shaking his head.

Sano glanced at him. "She is not Tomoe, you know. She was brought up differently, in a whole different environment. I can sense she is unlike the women we have come to know. In my opinion, she will do you good."

Kenshin sighed and leaned back. He looked up at the clear skies and closed his eyes. "I will not fall in love again, Sano and you just met her once. She's a pain in the butt, I assure you." Even when he said that he smiled at the fights he had got into with her.

"She might be a pain, Kenshin but ever since Tomoe, only now you are laughing and smiling like your old self."

Kenshin kept quiet and Sano became more annoyed.

"Look, man. There isn't anything not to like about her. One look and I know Jou-chan is one of a kind. She is smart, witty and not inhibited. She is fiery but not in a bad way. I mean, she even got the looks to match. That is a pair of great..."

"Sano!!" Kenshin cut off annoyed.

"EYES! I wanted to say EYES!" Sano yelled scandalized. Kenshin snorted. "Really, Kenshin. You see, you just met her yourself and your defending her honor."

This statement was so ironic that both of them burst out laughing.

"Can you imagine me defending anyone's honor?" Kenshin said while laughing.

"Yeah, the amount of women you have warming your bed..."

"You are not any better, Sano."

Sano sobered at that. "I know but...see where I am going. Why don't you take a good long look and see for yourself?"

Kenshin groaned. If he took anymore 'good, long looks' Kamiya Kaoru would find herself cornered and ravished without a second thought. Sano grinned impishly at the look on Kenshin's face.

"I know. Do you know how you looked like during dinner?" At Kenshin's baffled look Sano went on. "I was worried for my safety. And Jou-chan's for that matter. You look like you were going to kill me and ravish her!"

"I'm that obvious?" Kenshin nearly yelled, surprised.

Sano laughed. "Just give this relationship a shot, Kenshin. You'll regret it if you don't."

Kenshin kept quiet at that.

He wasn't denying that Kaoru had a sort of attraction and pulled him to her. He loved it when she was angry and now he was captivated by her laughter. He desired to see the blush spreading on her face and wondered how far along her body did the redness spread.

He wanted her.

But he could not have her.

She might be engaged to him-unknowingly- but she was still a minor.

She was not a woman, yet.

He grinned.

She would grow up to be quite a woman.

And he was going to have the chance to watch her grow.

XXX

He was in his study.

That gave Kaoru the chance to sneak into her old gi and hakama. She had a feeling if Kenshin saw the state of her gi and hakama, he would buy a set or two for her.

No thank you.

Her father never believed in spending extravagantly. He wanted Kaoru to experience the live of normal people. Thus, staying in the country. It was the best for her. They had led a simple life and she enjoyed working hard. Unlike Tomoe, she did not have smooth hands or dressed elegantly. Kaoru was used to keeping herself busy with housework and training.

Living with Kenshin had changed that. With no work, Kaoru was getting increasingly agitated and restless. She had a feeling that she would strangle the redhead annoying her if she was left with too much energy.

Thus...the idea to make used of the dojo.

According to Hiroshi-san, Kenshin and Hiko used the dojo in the early mornings. That means Kaoru could have the dojo in the afternoons. It was just too bad she couldn't have it in the morning. It was much cooler but who is she to argue.

Grinning happily to finally have something to do, Kaoru tighten her hair band and made sure her hair was in place before slipping into the garden and between the sakura trees to the dojo.

The cool air provided by the trees made her feel fresh and relaxed. Kaoru choose a bokken and placed it on the floor. Then, she started with her warming up exercises. Sweat dripped from her forehead and traveled down her face and neck only to be absorbed by the bandage around her chest.

Kaoru preferred using bandages rather than a sports bra. It was cheaper and traditionally used. Her father had trained her since young to use bandages and she wasn't planning to change that soon. As she completed her warm up, Kaoru picked up her bokken and started on with a couple of swings. She enjoyed the familiar weight of the bokken in her hands and felt like she was back at home with her father once more.

Kaoru never felt closer to her father as she did right then practicing her kata. Each move reminded her of her father. Each step brought his memories closer than ever. Each swing took her back to the night of the shootings and the policeman who came by to tell her the news.

She will not cry.

Kaoru bit her lips as she forced herself to push down the emotions. She had cried nearly every night since his death. She had barely got out of bed for a week after the funeral. She realised only then how lonely she was. How alone she was.

With a cry of anguish, she perfected the kata before falling into the steps of a new, more complicated one, totally oblivious with the spectator she had gained.

Kenshin watched the young woman...girl as she practiced her kata. His eyes instantly latched to her body. Amethyst orbs with slight flecks of gold eyed the slim youthful body. He could see her creamy shoulders at the top of her gi and her collarbone before the bandage restricted any more sight of her skin. He watched, transfixed as droplets of sweat trickled down her face and neck to disappear under her bandage.

Licking his lips at the sight, Kenshin found himself mesmerized as she twirled and turned, her hands bringing down the bokken with startling precision. He could read the concentration on her face and was enchanted with the determined look in her eyes.

They were glowing.

Biting back a moan when his treacherous mind envisioned her under him, writhing and moaning, Kenshin tried to focus at her steps but found himself vastly distracted. He just couldn't understand why he was so enamored by this girl when there were many bautiful women out there. Yet she managed to steal his attention and his mind.

Maybe it was because she was the only one who dared stand up to him so far right in front of his face!

Not many men much less women dared to do so.

She intrigued him.

His low growl caught Kaoru's attention and she turned to the doorway, pausing in the mid of her kata. She stared at Kenshin, wondering what he was doing there and then noticed a certain look in his eyes.

"oh..oh"

That was not a good look. She had seen that look in many men's eyes when they meet Mizuki, her town beauty. She had never received that look and was at lost at what to do.

Amethyst eyes with a tinge of gold held the sapphire gems without even once breaking their contact. Kenshin felt himself drowning in her eyes. She really did have magnificent eyes. He could stare at them for the rest of his life…

Wait! Wait a second!

Kenshin shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? Staring at her eyes for the rest of his life? When did he get so sappy? What was this girl doing to him?

Kaoru watched warily as Kenshin shook his head and walked towards her.

"Are you any good with that?"

She wondered where he was heading with it and shrugged carelessly. "Won't know until you try me, right?"

Kaoru easily settled into her sparing stance and watched as Kenshin's eyes rose in interest before picking up a bokken himself. He stood before her and they both bowed simultaneously. No one moved.

Just like that, in a fraction of a second, Kenshin disappeared from kaoru's sight. Blinking in surprise, she felt a movement on her left and quickly shoved her bokken in time to block his attack. Stunned at the speed and force behind his attack, Kaoru found herself being pushed backwards and flipped a couple of paces behind. Breathing heavily, she saw him smirking at her.

"You're pretty good. I'd have not expected any less from a Hiten Mitsuryugi Ryu deshi."

He took her compliment graciously and decided to return one of his own. Kind of.

"You're not too bad, I suppose, for a girl. But don't think sucking up to me would get you anywhere," Kenshin replied with a grin as he settled back in his position.

Kaoru growled angrily. "Unlike the frightened employees you seem to have, Himura-san, I do not and will never suck up to you or anyone else for that matter!"

"You have a short temper, Kaoru," Kenshin said easily as he poured fuel into the fire by calling her Kaoru.

She gritted her teeth. With a move she just learned, Kaoru swung her bokken upwards before turning her body to the right. Kenshin's eyes narrowed at her move and eased left when he felt a sharp pain as her bokken connected to his stomach. Pushing back he flipped his body and landed behind her as she twirled around, barely blocking his attack as his bokken grazed her arm.

"I told you. It's Kamiya-san to you."

He shrugged carelessly. The flush on her face pulled him to her and it took all of Kenshin's will power to stay away. Her pants made him focus on her lips and Kenshin was acutely aware that he was enjoying the match too much for his own good.

The weather had changed for the worse.

Rain pummeled the ground. Kenshin turned his gaze outside before returning his amethyst orbs to Kaoru.

"Let's end this."

She tensed.

He was fast.

Within a move, Kaoru found herself on the ground with him above her, his bokken on her neck. Stunned beyond expectations, she stilled beneath him and her eyes widened at their position.

How the hell did this happen? Kenshin wondered.

One moment, Kaoru was standing there and he remembered both their bokkens making contact before in was flung away and his was at her throat. However, the impact seemed to have made her stumble backwards and he barely stopped himself from falling on top of her.

"Himura-san?"

Get up! Get up! Get up! Get up! Kaoru mentally yelled. It was bad enough he distracted her with his looks alone and those eyes of his. Now she would know the feel of his body too! Life is not fair! How is she suppose to get over her puppy love if the said object of her attention would not stay away!

He looked at her intently, making no move to leave. She was warm and sweaty. He could feel the curves of her body beneath him. When she said his name, Kenshin's attentions shifted to her lips.

Soft cherry like lips.

How does it taste?

Just like that, he bent his head lower and swiftly kissed her.

Kaoru's eyes widen as she saw him leaning forward. She squirmed slightly, trying to get away but his hold tighten. Automatically, she closed her eyes when his lips met hers.

Kaoru's body stiffen and she stilled beneath him. Her lips was as soft as it looked, Kenshin thought. However, he was very aware that she had no experience whatsoever.

Pulling back, he cursed as he got up. Kaoru opened her eyes, bewildered. She sat on the floor and watched as Kenshin racked a hand in his hair before turning away.

Was that all there is to a kiss? Just a mere brush of lips? Kaoru wondered confused and focused on Kenshin instead.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid…" he muttered and she felt her blush exchange for a flush of anger.

"What are you berating yourself for?" she asked as she got up. Brushing the back of her hakama, she stilled when she heard his reply, her heart slightly pained.

"I have to be insane!"

"Naze, for kissing me?" Kaoru said angrily, controlling her voice despite the rolling thunder.

Kenshin glanced at her. "For kissing the child you are. I must be mad!"

A flush of embarrassment stained her cheeks. "I know I am not experienced…"

"That's for sure! Hardly any would be the truth!"

Kaoru's fists curled. Taking a deep breath, she looked directly at him. "You don't have to insult me for that, you know!"

He looked at her angry form, wondering how he could feel so turned on by it. "Save your real kiss for someone else. It'll not be from me."

Before Kaoru could answer, he walked out in the rain leaving her alone in the darkening room.

She slowly slid to the floor. How could she love him? He was a heartless bastard and here she was wanting to be in his arms! How could she?

A real kiss?

What was it that they had shared then? Was there something more to this 'kiss' thing?

Walking slowly in the rain, completely lost in her thoughts, Kaoru pondered on what he could have meant.

A real kiss?

The memory of his lips brushing softly on hers popped into her mind and she pushed it away.

In the movies and books, they made a great deal about kissing. When a couple kisses, it is as though the girl loses her mind. But Kaoru didn't feel anything like that.

Oh she had heard the girls talk.

The few friends she had practically sighed dreamily when they spoke about their kisses. It was like fireworks, they said. When two people with chemistry kiss, there are sparks.

She didn't feel any sparks and apparently neither had he. It had been nice. Her heart tingled and she had felt giddy. That was all.

Chemistry…?

"Uggh!"

So lost was she that Kaoru failed to notice the stone before her and tripped. A startled cry died in her lips as she fell into the fountain. Kaoru cursed as she got up and a pained cry tore from her throat as she eyed her ankle. It was swollen.

Could this day get any worse?

The thunder and rain carried away her cries so Kaoru struggled to get back to the main house. She tripped and fell, bruising herself even more. But she made it. Glad to be out of the rain, she gave a pained smile to Hiroshi when he opened the door.

"Help?"

Shaking his head, the butler carried her and ordered the maids to help him and fetch the doctor.

XXX

Megumi Takani stared at the patient she was called for in genuine interest. She was a child, no more than 18. Her body was bruised and she had a high raging fever. Despite all that, she was unquestionably adorable.

But she wasn't Kenshin Himura's type.

So, who was she?

There is no way she is the said fiancée that seemed to appear in the papers.

"Bed rest and sponge her. No walking for a week. Medication after meals. You can handle that?" Megumi asked as she turned her attentions to the older maid in the room. She nodded.

Closing her bags, she left without a word.

"Ken-san?"

Kenshin turned to meet his old friend. Megumi and Sano had been dating once before in high school before they broke up. Being his best friend's ex he had never dated Megumi but the fox doctor always flirted with him. However, she was useful when he needed a doctor.

"How is she?"

"Very high fever. If it doesn't die down after 2 days, you'll have to admit her. Who is she?"

"A family friend, according to Shishou. He arranged for her to stay here."

"She's young."

"16. Why?"

Megumi smiled slyly. "Ohohohoho! She just doesn't seem your type, Ken-san. Unlike me," Megumi said with a sly smile as she hooked her arms around him. Kenshin's eyes widen as he stumbled back.

"Oro!"

Megumi laughed once more. She enjoyed it whenever Kenshin begins stuttering like that. He was more human and less a monster he was nicknamed for.

"Sa, I got to go. Maybe a another time?"

Kenshin waved his hands frantically. He watched with relief as Megumi gracefully walked away. Although he knew she was kidding, that woman made him nervous!

His eyes swept to the stairs. Should he?

Kenshin shook his head. He has to stay away from her. No one suspects anything because they know she isn't his type but if they find out, they'll be surprised.

That kiss made him long for more and he knew she wasn't ready. It was better for them both if he stayed away.

XXX

Three weeks!

In three weeks that she has been ill and recovering, Kenshin had never visited her once!

The first week was hard but she made it without a trip to the hospital. The second week and third she had used to recover but he never even came to see her once. Hiko and Sano had visited her. Even that doctor who annoyed her had regularly checked in.

But not him!

Excuses that he was busy were often thrown back apologetically by the maids and Kaoru felt a burning desire to hurt him. Badly.

There lived under the same roof! Was it so hard to poke his head in and say hi?

All she wanted to do was thank him.

Kaoru growled and crunched the newspaper in anger before throwing it against the wall.

X

He knew she had been asking for him. He knew she wanted to see him.

He knew he wanted to see her.

But Kenshin remained silent. He had warned his maids not to speak a word about that first week. He wanted to forget it but he couldn't.

She was burning hot.

No one knew what to do. The medication wasn't working and she was delirious.

Kenshin didn't want to send her to the hospital. It would cause too much of a ruckus. He wanted Kaoru to stay out of sight of the public. Marching into her room, he was stunned at the paleness of her features and how thin she was just in two days.

"Get out!"

The maids stared at each other.

"Get out!"

The scurried away. Locking the door, Kenshin gazed at the figure lying on the bed. He slipped out of him shirt and slipped under the cover. Pulling Kaoru towards him, he hugged her shivering form and warmed her body. After a few moments, she stop shivering but he fever was still high.

It took him two days of sleeping with her and caring for her until the fever subsided. She had called out to her father the most and clung to him like a lifeline. Kenshin had gone ahead with it. He felt sorry for her.

X

Banishing the thoughts of her body clinging desperately to his, he tried hard to focus on his work. She was healing, that was good. She didn't need him.

"Baka deshi!"

Looking up at his master who just visited Kaoru, he saw the anger and groaned knowing what was coming.

"Why haven't you seen her?"

"I have seen her. I was the one who saw her at the door after all."

Hiko hit him with the sake bottle he was carrying. Kenshin winced and rubbed his head. "Don't be a smartass! Why haven't you visited her?"

"She doesn't need any visits from me to cure her," Kenshin replied as he turned back to his work. Another hit came and he glared at his shishou.

"What!?"

"Kaoru is your fiancée and it is your duty to visit her. She only wants to thank you and you have been avoiding her! Why?"

"She doesn't know I'm her fiancé so it won't hurt her. I'm busy.'

"I have warned you not to hurt her. Go!"

"Shishou…" but his arguments died down when he saw his master's glare. "Hai…hai…I'll go."

"Hmmph!"

The departure of Hiko left Kenshin with no choice but to visit Kaoru. Deciding only to greet her and leave, he knocked on the door.

Tsubame opened it.

"Himura-sama?"

"Is she available?"

Tsubame turned to Kaoru who shook her head frantically and bit her lips.

"Iie. Gomen nasai, Himura-sama. Kamiya-san is resting."

"Oh…" he hadn't expected that but she was recovering after all.

"Wakatta. Tell her I'll visit her in an hour."

Tsubame nodded and closed the door. She tuned to Kaoru who was laughing and shook her head. "That wasn't very nice, Kaoru-san."

Kaoru grinned. "I wasn't planning to be nice. That nerve of a man. I know he came to visit because uncle told him too. Well, his apology would have to wait. He has to try harder."

An hour later, Kenshin reappeared.

Tsubame gulped and told him that Kaoru was sleeping.

An hour later, she told him that Kaoru was in the bath.

The hour after that, she told him Kaoru was talking to Hiko-sama on the phone.

By then, it was near dinner time and Kenshin's patience had reached his limit. Kaoru was playing a game with him and he didn't like it. Pushing the door open, he strode past the startled maid and heard the water in the tub. Uncaring how she might be, he flung the door open despite Tsubame's gasp and stared at the white skin flashed openly before him.

Kaoru was getting up from the tub when the door was flung open. She turned to see Kenshin staring at her openly and shrieked. In her haste and surprise, she slipped in the tub and fell hard into the water. Her healing ankle throbbed painfully and she cried out.

Kenshin was instantly at her side. He slipped his arm around her and was about to lift her when she screamed.

"Get the bloody hell out of my bathroom you darn pervert!!"

Pulling back, he stared at her in shock only to realize that her eyes were filled were unshed tears and that she was very frightened.

Turning, he threw his sight at Tsubame. "Help her. I'll send someone else and get a doctor."

Tsubame nodded and hurried to Kaoru's side.

Kenshin walked out of the door, ordered a servant passing by to help Kaoru and stumbled into his study. Sitting in his chair, he tried to control the various feelings in his body at that encounter.

He never expected the body beneath the clothes to be so…beautiful.

Dripping wet, she looked like a nymph.

He sighed. Desire had surged through him as he stared at her. He hadn't expected it.

All he wanted was to apologise and check in. Instead he caused her healing leg to worsen and frighten her as well.

He gripped his fingers.

He didn't like the fear in her eyes.

He never wanted to see them again.

Gathering his wits, he picked up the phone and called Megumi.

XXX

"Jou-chan! You were healing very well too!" Sano said with a dejected sigh as he sat on her bed. Kenshin sat on the sofa and avoided looking at her. She avoided him as well.

Too well for his liking.

As it is Sano laughed when he told him how Kaoru got hurt again. Then, his –supposed to be- best friend dragged him up and forced him to sit there while they had dinner and chatted like old friends.

"I'll get better. Don't worry."

"Yeah. But will it be on time?"

Kaoru looked at him quizzically. "For what?"

Sano's grin widen. "My sister's birthday party. Her 16th. You two are the same age."

Kaoru's eyes widen. "When is it?"

Kenshin's head snapped up and he focused –a bit jealously- at the two of them.

'In a week. It's a themed party and I thought it would be nice if she met you."

"She's not going."

They turned to Kenshin and Kaoru finally spoke to him. "And that would be because…?"

He held her gaze. "You are not well yet."

Kaoru scoffed. "And whose fault is that?"

"I also don't think it would be a good idea. That would be the week you are to leave and there are many things to do."

Kaoru glared at him. "I don't have much to do. I'll be fine."

"Hey man! What's the deal? At least let Kaoru enjoy a bit of town life when she's here. One party ain't gonna hurt her."

Kenshin fumed. He could imagine the men crowding Kaoru for a dance and shook his head but Sano refused to give up. "It'll do her and Sayo much good."

"It'll bore her."

"Yup and Sayo as well which is why I'm asking her." He turned to Kaoru. "You see, in our world, parties like these are filled with business associates. And my sister has been pretty ill all her life so she doesn't have any friends. I thought, you could be hers."

Kaoru beamed. "I'd love to. I'll get better and I'm sure uncle would let me."

Kenshin scowled but said nothing.

Now he had to go too to keep her from trouble.

Author's Note:

Thank you ALL for your reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter and look out for the next one : Arabian Nights