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Chapter 4

Fear welled up inside Kaoru like she couldn't believe. The wolf of Mibu had her cornered and there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it. Her heart was racing and adrenaline was coursing through her body at the same time.

"What are you trying to do?" she asked with a cracking voice.

He leaned closer, a white glove resting on the wooden post above Kaoru's head.

"What is it you want me to do? Raccoon girl?" he practically purred.

She shook her head rapidly, "I don't understand why you're acting this way! Don't you have a wife to go home to?"

Saitou closed his eyes and opened them quickly, his gold eyes piercing, "Obviously you don't listen. I told you once before, I was married… previously, but no longer."

Kaoru gulped, sweat beads running down the side of her face.

"I also told you before," he grabbed her chin, making her eyes meet his, "Not to play games with me."

Kaoru gritted her teeth, "I don't know what you're talking about! I'm not 'interested' if that's what you mean! You're so much… older!"

Saitou stepped back and she stumbled forward, "For not being 'interested' you sure do seem weak in the knees, or am I mistaken?"

Kaoru huffed and furrowed her brow, "I was frightened! Normal people don't break into other's homes and corner them!"

Saitou whipped out a cigarette and lit it in a matter of seconds. He took a deep drag and exhaled with a thoughtful expression.

Kaoru growled and lunged forward to swipe the fire stick from his hand. Saitou's mouth contorted into a wicked smirk and he grabbed her wrist. Kaoru gasped in pain as he twisted her arm behind her so she was immobilized.

"Enough of this childish play, I have a proposition for you."

Kaoru cautiously looked over her shoulder where she could see the tip of his burning cigarette hanging from his mouth.

"We both are obviously… lacking, in certain departments. I'm a man of action, and I plan to do something about it. You seem to have a bit of spark in you as well, so if your immature brain can handle it, meet me outside the police station after dark tomorrow night," the wolf said hotly; releasing his hold on her.

Kaoru turned to argue, but the tall police officer was gone and her eyes landed on her companions who were walking through the entrance of the dojo with cheerful expressions.

All of them stopped and their faces dropped at the sight of her.

Yahiko walked up to Kaoru and tilted his head, "Why are you all sweaty?"

Kaoru narrowed her eyes and smacked the boy over the head, "Keep your mouth shut!"

"Ouch! Jeez ugly! Something's got you all worked up!" Yahiko said, rubbing the bump on his head.

Kenshin and Sanosuke approached and Kaoru gave them a small smile.

"We were worried about you Miss Kaoru that we were!" Kenshin stated with a parent-like tone.

Kaoru brushed off the comment and looked down at the goods they were carrying.

"For dinner I assume?" she questioned and they both nodded.

Kaoru shifted from foot to foot, "I think I'm going to make a trip to see Dr. Gensai, I haven't been feeling that well today," she told them.

"I can escort you if you wish," Kenshin offered warmly.

"Nah, I'll take her Kenshin, you stay here. I need to have a word with that fox-woman anyway," Sanosuke told the wanderer.

"Very well, just be back in time for dinner, I'll have it ready."

"Thank you Kenshin," Kaoru said genuinely as she followed Sanosuke out the door.

"You feel just fine don't you missy?" Sanosuke asked her after they had been walking for a few minutes.

Kaoru stuttered, "I, well…"

"No need," he brushed her off with a hand movement, "I didn't ask why you needed to go, none of my business."

They were silent for a few moments, and Sanosuke peered over at the pensive woman next to him, "Unless you want to tell me."

"You jerk!" Kaoru cried, "You ARE nosey! You just pretend you aren't so people will trust you and think you're 'cool' because you act like you don't care!"

Sanosuke let out a guilty laugh, "Maybe."

They arrived at Dr. Gensai's and Kaoru rounded on the spikey haired fighter, "I get to see Megumi first, you can wait!"

Sanosuke huffed, "Whatever missy, just get it done, I need to speak with that foxy lady too."

Kaoru paused, "Don't you mean fox lady?"

Sanosuke froze, "That's what I said."

"No it isn't," Kaoru shook her head with a coy smile as she walked away from him.

"Oy! Missy! Don't you tell her I said that!"

…

"I wasn't expecting to see you," Megumi said plainly as she straightened up a patient room.

"I need some advice."

The female doctor paused and turned with a knowing look, "It involves a man, am I right?"

Kaoru's eyes shot to the floor and she nodded.

Megumi motioned for Kaoru to sit down and the two women faced each other.

"Are you just going to sit there? Because I have plenty of work to do," Megumi spat after moments of awkward silence.

Kaoru gulped nervously, "I don't know how to say this."

"Nothing you say can be that horrible."

Kaoru clenched her fists, "How do you know? It's horrible for me!"

Megumi pursed her lips, "Then stop acting like a child and say it."

Kaoru's eyes looked watery and she said quickly, "Saitou asked me to meet him tomorrow night."

Megumi raised an eyebrow, "How did this come about?"

"After you left, he showed up at the dojo. I can't remember half of what he said because I was so nervous."

Megumi spoke, "You were nervous?"

"Yes."

"Not frightened?"

"Not really."

The female doctor let out a small laugh, "I thought Sir Ken was a stretch for you, but a man who is over twice your age?"

Kaoru cringed at the words, "I don't like him!"

Megumi shook her head, "There's obviously something there, or it wouldn't be bothering you so much. You can't decide if you'll meet up with him or not, can you?"

Kaoru put her head in her hands, "It's terrible!"

"That bastard asked you to meet with him?"

The two women both jerked to look at the doorway where Sanosuke was standing with a shocked expression.

"Why are you in here?" Kaoru shouted with horrified eyes.

"You were taking a hell of a long time, and I was curious," he replied.

Megumi frowned, "Sano, why did you come here with her?"

His eyes dropped, "I had something to say."

Megumi's eyebrows shot up, "Well what is it?"

Sanosuke sputtered, "I think missy is the one with the problem, don't worry about me."

Megumi's eye twitched in annoyance and she crossed her arms, "I suppose since you've heard you might as well stay. Who knows, maybe a rooster head will have some interesting points… but I doubt it."

Sanosuke plopped down on the ground next to Kaoru and he gave a "Pfft!" in reply to Megumi's comment.

"What do you want to do Kaoru?" Megumi asked, returning her attention to the problem at hand.

"I hate to admit it… my mind is screaming I'm an idiot and that I need to just stay home like a good girl. But, I have this urge for a rush, a thrill maybe."

"He's a rotten bastard, I don't want to see you getting hurt missy," Sanosuke said with dark eyes.

Megumi smiled at Sanosuke, "Astounding, you were useful to keep here after all."

"Oy! Fox-woman!"

"Be quiet, we're here for Kaoru, not you!"

Sanosuke clenched his jaw, but a hint of amusement sparkled in his eyes, and Megumi's eyes met his.

"I'm going."

Megumi and Sanosuke's heads both snapped to stare at Kaoru who had a determined expression on her face.

"I'm not happy, and I don't know what to do to be happy. Kenshin isn't and never will be the answer. I have no other men in my life that I'd be remotely interested in, nor would they be interested in me. I've got nothing to lose, so I'm just going to hit the ground running," Kaoru spoke boldly.

Megumi nodded slowly, "As long as it's what you want."

Sanosuke shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, "I don't think it's a good idea, but you're as stubborn as they come so I won't even try."

Kaoru stood slowly, her mind buzzing over what could result from her future meeting with the wolf.