October 17, 2006

I'm very disappointed in you guys! Only one review for chapter three??? Well let me just say, I very much appreciated that one review from sapphireracoongal. Thank you so much! Well, since I don't have school tomorrow (yay!), due to PSAT stuff for underclassmen, I have decided to write the next chapter of this story. I think this chapter will mainly contain KK smut… but I might feel inclined to give the plot a little push. We'll see. Remember, they've known each other for several years. It's not like they just met and are suddenly throwing themselves at each other! I have a feeling that within a few chapters, the rating will be upped to M. Enjoy!

Eeh – A very lazy way of agreeing with something, or saying yes.

I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

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Previously:

After doing that, he padded over to a small couch, and stared aimlessly at the blank television that he had never used. He had lived in this apartment for a time once before, having paid for the full ownership. And now it was finally doing some good. The curtains to the left were closed, but he didn't mind the dim light. Instead, he focused on Kaoru's presence in the other room.

How he longed for her… but could never have her.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

As soon as the door was slid shut behind her, Kaoru stood for several moments in a slight state of shock. The sound of a man dying in his own blood still could not escape her mind. The young girl hadn't actually watched the gruesome scene, but she had heard it all. The memory of pained breathing; with each minute passing, the struggle becoming harder and more pain filled. Kaoru was glad that her bodyguard had taken her from the scene before the man had actually died.

Shaking her head, as if to clear her thoughts, Kaoru finally looked about the bathroom. She noted a door to her left, which she assumed led to the toilet. In front of her was a set of glass, sliding doors, separating the shower and tub from the rest of the room. On the right stood a sink with a medicine cabinet above, with a mirror doubling as the door; to the right of the sink was a low shelf with several towels folded neatly on top. It was a small bathroom, but not unbearably so.

Kaoru opened one of the glass doors, and stepping onto the cool tile, she reached over to turn on the water for the bathtub that was raised off the ground. It took just seconds for the water to warm up, and once it was at a temperature she liked, she put the plug in the drain, and then left the tub to fill up.

Outside of the shower again, she carelessly unzipped her forest green skirt, and allowed it to slide down to the ground. After picking it up and folding it neatly, she placed it on the shelf that had the white towels. The college student then unbuttoned her black, jacket style shirt, and hung it on a little peg on the wall. She quickly untied her hair, and then removed her undergarments.

Once again opening the door to the shower area, the steam that came into contact with her naked body immediately began to soothe her. Turning off the water to the now steaming bathtub, Kaoru then turned on the shower water, and sat on the little blue stool on the ground. She rinsed her body, drenched her hair, and then reached for the shampoo. The girl went through the motions of shampooing and then washing her body quickly, deliberately focusing on what she was doing, so as not to think of the days happenings.

As soon as she was sure all soap had been rinsed from her body, she turned off the water, and made to get into the deep tub. She noticed some bath salts that she had missed earlier, and decided to try them out. The sweet smell of jasmine assaulted her senses, and she realized that Kenshin must have kept those for her. The man hadn't forgotten her favorite scent. She smiled gently as she poured a reasonable amount into the water, and swirled it gently.

Satisfied, Kaoru finally got into the water, which was still steamy. The girl at long last allowed her tense muscles to loosen up. Resting the back of her head against the ledge of the tub, she propped her elbows along the sides of the bath. This was so much nicer than the community bathroom she had to use at the university she attended. While she had money through her step-father, she most definitely did not abuse it. The smell of the salts soothed her, allowing her to forget the events of the day, and before she knew it, she was dozing.

Fire.

It surrounded her with a cool but warm sensation. Kaoru was huddled on the floor as the flames continued to grow and spread. However, she didn't seem to notice it. The girl found the feeling of fire touching her skin soothing.

'It's alright Kaoru.'

The blue eyes of a child looked up to see a woman leaning down towards her. While she couldn't make out a face, she saw black strands of hair falling over the lady's shoulders, and piercing blue eyes staring at her. A small hand reached up to take the hand of the woman, but as soon as they touched the peaceful atmosphere faded away.

The once delicate hand turned into a bandaged one with cracked finger nails. Kaoru screamed and fell back, seeking solace in her fire. The terrifying image of a bandaged man with evil eyes stared at her menacingly, "You did this to me you selfish girl! You will pay."

"Kaoru-san?" Kenshin's concerned voice called out, "Are you alright?"

The young adult nearly shot out of the water in startled surprise, her heart racing against her ribcage. She sat in the now cool water, her long hair floating around her shoulders, without uttering a word as she caught her breath, all traces of the nightmare fading away by the second.

"Kaoru-san?"

His voice rang out again as he continued to knock. Collecting herself, she pulled the drain on the water, and replied loudly, "I'm fine! Don't come in please!" Stepping out of the water, she slid open the shower door, and reached for one of the towels that rested on the ledge near the sink. She quickly dried off her body and as she was about to reach for her garments, she noticed a robe hanging. Grabbing the black material, she quickly wrapped herself in the thin, but warm material. Finally, Kaoru towel dried her hair and left it loose to dry. Once she gathered her clothes, she slid open the door and was greeted by a golden gaze just inches from her face.

"Sorry," She muttered with a faint blush tinting her cheeks, "I didn't mean to take so long. I fell asleep in the bath." Kaoru waited for Kenshin to move so that she could walk past him and out of the bathroom. The fierce man studied her momentarily, and then merely nodded. Moving out of her way, he slid the door shut for her. As if remembering for the first time, she asked, "Where did you put my stuff?"

"It's in the bedroom," He gestured to the door that was opposite the restroom. Without another word, he headed straight for the kitchen. Kaoru observed him as he reached up into a cabinet, pulling down a pan. The man caught her stare, but as soon as he did, Kaoru looked away and entered the bedroom quickly.

It didn't occur to her until this moment, but Kaoru had the eerie feeling that Kenshin had planned to bring her to this place. The convenience in which he had found her with her step-father, his sword already in the train compartment, and the fact that he had taken her here, it all seemed too planned out. Kaoru walked over to the low futon that rested in a simple wood frame. It was neatly made up with a pale yellow comforter and a small pillow, covered in the same shade. Her small suitcase rested innocently on the yellow material, and Kaoru quickly unzipped it.

She surveyed her belongings, there wasn't a lot. Kaoru wasn't sure whether or not to ask if her other clothes had been moved from her dorm or not. The girl decided to simply pull out what clothes she did have. She dressed just as casually as she had undressed in the bathroom. After putting on fresh undergarments, she tugged a loose, long sleeved shirt over her head, and a pair of blue jeans, that hugged her lithe legs, were pulled up with just as little care. Kaoru put on a pair of fuzzy socks, and then brushed her hair out, leaving it down to dry.

Before leaving the room, she neatly folded her dirty clothes and set them in her suitcase for later washing. She placed the small bag on the ground near the door, and finally noticed that there was a closet on the far side of the room. As Kaoru grabbed the bag and moved it over there, she contemplated some more, 'How could he have known that I was going to be in Tokyo? Did Katsura warn him not to show up or something?' Heaving a sigh, Kaoru finally dropped the subject for later discussion, and then left the bedroom.

As soon as the door slid open, the smell of food permeated the air. Breathing in, Kaoru thought it smelled like curry. Looking at the kitchen that was to her right, she saw him stirring something in a pot. Padding over to the kitchen counter, which was made of polished wood, Kaoru then leaned over the edge to see what was in the pot. Indeed, it was curry, "Smells good," She unconsciously said.

"Eeh."

Startled slightly, Kaoru looked up to meet his fiery eyes, "Did I say that out loud?"

"Yes," He said pointedly, "You did, Kaoru-san."

'Why are you so self conscious all of a sudden Kamiya?' She berated herself. Fighting off a blush, Kaoru pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and asked, "Is it almost ready? Can I help you with anything?"

A look of shock covered his features, and he laughed, "Kaoru-san, do you really want to risk this wonderful curry and my rice?" She narrowed her eyes at his indirect comment towards her ill cooking skills, but said nothing.

'It's weird,' She thought, 'It's so… so normal. As if we were never apart, and I had not thought him dead. How can it be this way?' Kaoru desperately did not want to confuse herself over the situation, but she couldn't help but think.

Kenshin brought her out of her thoughts, when he had come around from the kitchen, and was by her side. She noted he had turned off the stove, something she would not have done out of carelessness. He brushed her shoulder with his hand, "I know you are thinking that it's strange. And I know you wonder why you got here so easily after the months of separation." The girl nodded. The simple touch of his fingers felt like fire through the material of her shirt. He continued with a steady gaze, "I have, during the time of absence, learned many things that I did not know before. That has led to my returning to your services." The assassin added in his own thoughts, 'The fact that I desire to protect you, and to destroy those who would dare hurt you.'

He was close, dangerously so. Kaoru could feel the heat from his breath against her cheek. The red head now had an all too familiar grip on her arm, and had even leaned down some to match her sitting height. A sharp intake of breath as he leaned even closer brought them both out of the trance.

Kaoru sat frozen, and Kenshin stopped his advance. He merely released her and went back into the kitchen. He silently grabbed a bowl, and spooned some of the sticky, white rice into it, and then followed with some curry. Setting it down in front of her, he asked, "Is that enough?"

The assassin placed a spoon by the plate, and Kaoru replied, "Yes."

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"Water would be fine."

After getting what she requested, Kenshin made his own bowl of curry, and then sat down next to her at the counter. They ate silently, lost in their own thoughts.

"I'm sorry that I…"

"It's fine," Kenshin cut in. She was trying to apologize for being so shocked in the alley, "There is no need for your apology. Kaoru-san should not be exposed to other people being killed."

Her blue eyes finally looked into his gold ones. The normally fierce gaze was unreadable, but she noted it was a bit softer than usual, "What have you been doing these past months?"

"Work," Kenshin began, "And more work. Katsura felt that since I was no longer protecting you, that I should go and take care of a few things."

"How many?"

"Not a lot."

"Does Katsura know about this place?"

Kenshin continued to stare at her. Their conversation was awkward, but at the same time it was not, "He shouldn't know about it. It is not under my name, and is in a most unlikely part of Kyoto. He would assume I'd find a Kyoto neighborhood over an apartment."

She relaxed a little, and grabbed her empty bowl, as well as his, and went into the kitchen, "Won't he be suspicious though? That he doesn't know where we are living?" The girl turned on the water faucet of the sink, and tested the temperature with a slender finger.

"I don't think so. He might prefer that our location is unknown if only for the reason that you will be safer." Kaoru began to wash their dishes and did not reply. She still did not know why her step-father had not said anything about Kenshin still being alive.

"I missed you, you know," She finally said.

"I know you did. You expressed that well enough when we were in Tokyo," Amusement laced his words. Kaoru wiped her hands on a hand towel, and turned the water off. She walked out of the kitchen, and noticed the couch in front of her. Making her way towards, it, the girl finally sat down in the well made cushions.

"I'm going to take a shower now."

Looking up, Kaoru saw her bodyguard head for the bathroom, "Don't answer the door for anyone. If there is a knock, don't give them any reason to believe anyone is here." Without another word, the man had stepped into the bathroom, and Kaoru heard the shower turn on. She focused on the television set in front of her, much like Kenshin had earlier. She noticed a thin layer of dust that covered the screen, 'He's probably never watched it.' Kaoru did not have a single memory of him watching T.V. However, now that she thought on it, the college student herself never really watched the contraption much either.

She looked to her left and saw the curtain covered windows. Standing up, Kaoru walked towards one of them, and pulled back the thin material. She squinted her eyes as the bright light hit them, but she quickly adjusted. Now that her eyes were capable of actually seeing, she looked down at the busy streets of the downtown district. The people were walking about, going into stores, leaving restaurants. Kaoru then looked out ahead of her. She was on a high enough floor that the buildings did not really block her vision. Her eyes scanned the city as it expanded over miles. She saw the old castle in the distance, as well as some ancient temples, and then past that, the country side very far off.

Heaving a sigh, she froze as she heard footsteps. Kaoru did not move until she heard them walk past the front door, and continued on their way. Releasing her breath, she leaned her forehead against the window pane and thought, 'I'm so uptight right now I jump at every little thing…'

Someone's hand gripped her shoulder, and Kaoru whipped around preparing to smack whoever it was that had touched her. She stopped mid-swing and realized it was Kenshin. She blushed and mumbled an apology, "I'm sorry… I'm really…"

He smiled softly and simply shook his head, "Don't worry about it." He gripped her fist that was still in the air, and lowered it. Kaoru looked up at him and saw he was wearing a pair of pants but no shirt. His damp hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and a few drops of water dripped from his bangs down his face. Both his hands were still occupied by her shoulder and fist, and Kaoru made him let go by her movement towards the couch. The girl again settled down in the cushion and stared forward.

She didn't want things to be awkward, but she couldn't help it. She was even more surprised when he came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, "It's okay." His calm words soothed her, and Kaoru began to relax, "I know it's strange… but I'm still here." Kaoru loved the simple words, and leaned back. The arm of the couch prevented her from coming in contact with his bare chest. Kenshin came around, and sat down beside her on the couch. He leaned towards her, and asked, "What are you thinking?"

His straight-forward words came as a bit of a shock, but she replied nonetheless, "I'm thinking… well… I'm so glad that you're here. I'm angry at Katsura. And… well…" She was blushing. Kenshin smiled again. He thought, 'Maybe… maybe I can…' However, he contradicted his thoughts, with others, 'No… it can't be.'

Kaoru was definitely more relaxed than earlier, and she leaned forward, her face upturned, "I can't forgive him for what he did to you." She wrapped her arms around him, and burrowed her face in his neck. The assassin paused before he embraced her, pulling her petite form close to him, 'I don't deserve her sympathy.' Despite those thoughts, the red head reached for her chin, and made her look at him. He suddenly wasn't thinking. Rather, he leaned down, and brought her face towards his own.

The girl stopped breathing, as his lips brushed against hers. Kaoru was at a loss, but she did not pull back. Taking more initiative, Kenshin then kissed her, pushing gently against her mouth. 'What is he doing?' She thought. Kaoru did not resist the motion as the tip of his tongue danced across her bottom lip. She realized then that she was not moving her lips, and Kenshin was prying with more intensity. Opening her mouth by just a few millimeters, it was all that he needed to receive before he was able to fully access her mouth.

She did not notice that she was now lying on her back, or that Kenshin was on top of her, propping himself up with one arm, to keep his full weight off of her. All that Kaoru was concentrating on was controlling her breathing as they kissed. She began to move her tongue against his gingerly, as she experimented. Kaoru was vaguely aware of her hands, one entangled in his damp ponytail, the other on his bare back. The girl enjoyed the weight of his body molded against her own, as a finger toyed with a lock of her hair.

It was then that Kaoru became aware of the entire situation. She stopped responding to Kenshin's ministrations, and just laid there. Kenshin moved his mouth away from hers, both of them panting, "What is it?" His voice was low and husky.

Kaoru replied, "Do you realize what we're doing?"

"Yes."

"My father would kill you."

Her words amused him. She was not denying him based on her own opinion, but on the basis of what her step-father would do, "Katsura isn't here is he?"

"No…"

"And he doesn't know where we are, does he?"

Kaoru began to see the game he was playing with her, "No."

Kenshin continued, not moving, "And did you enjoy what we just did?"

She blushed, something that was beginning to annoy her greatly. Kaoru then narrowed her eyes and pushed him off of her with all her strength, "Shut up." Her voice was demanding, but Kenshin did not think she was being very serious. Despite the fact that he knew she could never really be his, he thought it might be possible for her to return his feelings.

The two stared at each other for several minutes, and then Kenshin chuckled. An eyebrow twitched, and Kaoru asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing…" He then said, "Just glad to know that you are acting normal again."

"And you had to kiss me to make me be normal?" Her voice was furious, but Kenshin knew this girl. She wasn't seriously angry. Kaoru stood and marched off to the bedroom, and slammed the door as it slid shut viciously. Sighing, Kenshin went into the bathroom again, this time to relieve himself from the heat that filled him.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Okay, so I didn't put any plot development in, although there is the character development of sorts. Did you guys enjoy the smut? Again, they know each other. They can throw themselves at each other and not have it be some love at first sight thing. Hahaha. Next chapter the evil scheming of Katsura will be back, and I think I will bring a few more characters into the plot as well. The plot will move, and yeah.

I'm not quite sure how soon the next chapter will be. I have to go on a senior retreat this week for school. Maybe a week? Sorry this one took so long as well.

All reviews are welcome. Thank you!

Hotaru

October 22, 2006