DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN
AN: Hope this chapter answers your questions, sorry it's taking so long to update. I'm having exams, and on that note I should be studying right now but here I am addicted to writing fanfictions. I wish there was a test on this..sigh alas there is not!
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE who review, just know it's soo greatly appreciated I can't tell you that! So please do continue! :)
The Cause
"...I couldn't let you stay, not with him. I could tell you didn't know what sort of thing he was doing behind your back and I wouldn't let you be an accomplice to an action you were unaware of only to have you blame yourself later."
I snuggled closer into something soft, relishing the feel of the fabric all the while trying to drown out the incessant noise of bickering. Shutting my eyes tightly trying to gain another minute of sleep, I growled when I heard screaming, looking to my left the clock blared 2:47 am. 'What the hell?'
Stepping out of the warmth of the bed, I dragged myself out the door and carefully descended the stairs, when I heard Kenshin, "I can't do that to her! She has to decide on her own without that certain aspect weighing her decision! "
"You're still the very same soft-hearted fool ya'know? You're still as damn crazy about that girl as you were before. It isn't any different this time, no matter how much you want to believe it is!"
"Sano! Listen to me, I'm not going to drag her into something she doesn't want!" Kenshin glared at the lanky figure standing in front of him, who snorted unceremoniously, and dropped onto the couch lazily.
"Then tell her the whole story! You can't keep her in the dark about what Enishi's really doing!"
I padded more noisily down the whole way to ensure they heard me, coming into the living I saw a tall attractive man with dark brown sticking up in all directions scowling. Hearing me arrive, he looked up from his position and his eyes widened slightly, before a smirk graced his face. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I moved toward Kenshin, who started glaring at me? 'What did I do to him?'
The tall brown-haired man, at my actions let out a bark of laughter, before turning towards Kenshin.
"Oi Kenshin, I can see why you want her around. When she's dressed like that who wouldn't."
At his outward comment and looked down at what I was wearing and mentally cringed, no wonder Kenshin was glaring.
Clearing my throat I stepped out from behind Kenshin, and walked to the man named Sano. Pulling my hand out from behind me, I put it forward in an attempt to look dignified and independent.
"Hello, I'm Kaoru. A friend of Kenshin's," I waited in vain, as he only laughed louder at my attempt to shake his hand. Wiping away a pretend tear, he rose from his seat, and pulled me into a bear hug. My eyes widened at the intimate gesture, and I could feel Kenshin's dark gaze. 'What was he so angry about anyways? The man, his friend was just hugging me.' Pulling out of the warmth of the hug, he smiled at me and ruffled my hair, "And I'm Sano."
Before I could respond, I felt a pull on my arm, Kenshin. Pulling me back towards him, he glared at Sano.
"Kaoru, there are somethings which I haven't been completely honest with you about." He stared at me in wait for reprimanding but I knew if he had hid something, it was because he thought it would be the best for me, at least that is what he had done before the incident, and he could not have changed very much right? At that moment I realized the man standing before me was a stranger, yes, we had been inseparable before but now it seemed I barely knew him, and he barely knew me.
It was an odd sort of pain that overcame me, I felt hurt but at the same time excited? Excited that once more, I would soon discover who he was; I would know whether he loved ketchup chips like no tomorrow, or if preferred the right side of the bed? At that thought I frowned, 'Why should I care?'
"Kaoru, the video of Enishi I showed you last night wasn't just for any reason. It seems..um," looking at his faltering state, I realized he was trying to come up with the best way to lightly word it. Looking to Sano, he frowned and shook his head.
"He, uh, he's trafficking girls because there he's learned about the prophecy," I saw Kenshin visibly shake at the mention, and I put my hand on his arm to provide some sort of semblance that I was on his side for the time being. Looking at my hand, he steered me to the couch before taking a deep breath and continued, "It seems there's been a prophecy foretold about the underworld. Apparently, the underworld has their own version of Adam and Eve. It's been told she's the link between the underworld and mankind. She apparently has the power to ensure that they both get along."
I look at him blankly to convey my hesitancy at his words, to which he continued to tell me more, "I know it seems extremely unconceivable, but the evidence we've found tells us that the prophecy is correct. All those girls you saw had an essence. The prophecy, though we aren't completely clear on all the facts, tells that when the girl finds a human as her mate and joins with him on the night of the full moon the energy-"
I held up my hand at Kenshin to stop talking, he raised his eyebrow in question, "What I don't understand is why Enishi raping them?"
He swallowed hesitantly before responding, "Because he needs to kill off the girl before she can actually bond with someone else. However, you are right it does not make sense, so we are assuming Enishi does not know about the fact that the mate must be human. That leads us to believe he thinks the prophesized essence can bond with anyone to cultivate the power needed to restore balance between the two worlds."
"Enishi's being quite messy about this, he's not usually this.. tactless."
"Well he has this idea that if he can find this Eve, the balance of power will sway in his favor. So he's trying to get the job done, even with the minimal amount of information he has."
I nodded understanding Enishi's motive, he was power hungry and could not think of losing all his influence to whom he considered 'filthy urchins'.
"Kenshin, question?"
"Shoot"
"How does this involve me?"
At this, he visibly pinkened, and the first thing that came to mind was 'Kenshin blushing?'
"I..uh.. wasn't planning on involving you but seeing as you were at the party and with him," Kenshin narrowed his eyes, "I couldn't let you stay, not with him. I could tell you didn't know what sort of thing he was doing behind your back and I wouldn't let you be an accomplice to an action you were unaware of, only to have you blame yourself later."
Kenshin intently stared at me as I felt myself tingle under this gaze, he hit home base with that statement. If I had found out later of Enishi's doings, I would only think of it as my fault to no end. Smiling at Kenshin, I leaned forward before noticing our third presence was missing. Pointing this out to Kenshin he merely smiled, "I think he went to go fetch Hiko, now that you know the real story. Hiko will probably want to know if you'll join our cause."
I snorted at this statement, and rolled my eyes. I had decided last night. I did not need an explanation; rape could not be justified.
Hearing the stomping of footsteps I looked up to see Sano clambering down the staircase, while Hiko calmly went and thumped Sano on the back of his head.
"Stupid fool"
Smiling slightly I stood up to greet Hiko when he put his hand out to signal me to seat. Obliging, I took my seat next to Kenshin, whom I felt more aware of every second.
"As I'm sure Kenshin has explained the scenario, I'm here to know of your response. In addition, to how you will be able to benefit us."
Smirking slightly, Hiko explained his plan, which to my chagrin was quite good, "Since the facts encompassing the prophecy are still unclear. We have decided to send you and Kenshin to do a little investigating. I am sure you have heard of the Louvre Museum. Well that museum does not only contain human artifacts, rather it holds some of the rarest underworld pieces. The prophecy is said to be locked up there, and as of two hundred years, no one has had access to it. Neither has Enishi, much to our relief. All the information he has heard, is from word of mouth. So if can get a glimpse of this prophecy we will clearly be at an advantage. We can't go about this cause without a clear description of the girl that would render us wandering about aimlessly, like Enishi."
Nodding of approval, I watched, as Kenshin looked deep in thought.
"That makes sense, so what would you like us to do?"
At this question, the grin, which overcame Hiko's face, made me slightly suspicious.
"Well you two will pose as a married couple of course, what else? Two curious tourists in the Louvre Museum, poor things are bound to get lost." He smiled mischievously, and I only grimaced at the thought of having to role-play.
"So then I should assume you will be taking our side then, Miss Kamiya?" He looked at me diligently as if to find any trace of doubt in my resolve. Matching his gaze, I nodded affirmatively.
Pulling himself up he threw one last glance at me before working himself up the stairs, "Well good, I'm sure you'll fit right in our band of misfits. In addition, I am sure Kenshin can assist you if you have any troubles whatsoever. Otherwise, you and Kenshin are to leave tomorrow morning. Your flight has been booked and all you need to do is execute this plan."
Looking at Kenshin, I smiled at him tightly, "Looks like we're going on a trip."
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