Author's Note: Hiya.. This is my second fic.. Hope you like it! Battousai RuleZ!! Don't know who's gonna be with who.. Tell me who do you want to be together.. Enjoy!

Chapter  4

Kaoru had been in coma for two weeks. Battousai was the one nursing her. He and Kaoru had been married for one month now, so, four months to go before she 'left'. But Battousai never think of that. He just kept feeling guilty and praying for Kaoru's safety. 'Kaoru-san.. please wake up! Please.. I don't want to feel guilty! I don't want to be at fault! I just want to.. hear your voice..,' Battousai thought. And one day, his wish was granted.

Battousai was holding Kaoru's motionless hand. "Kaoru. Wake up," whispered Battousai. After a few moments, Kaoru's fingers began to move. Battousai felt it and looked at her. "Kaoru! Kaoru!" Battousai shrieked. Kaoru slowly opened her eyes. He was overjoyed and Kaoru could see it in his eyes even though his face showed nothing. Kaoru smiled weakly.

"Himura-san.. You called me.. you called me.. *cough* Kaoru.. *cough* without the –san part *cough*! I'm glad. Ahh.. my chest hurts..," Kaoru's face showed pain.

"It's okay, Kaoru. I'll call Dr. Genzai now!  Just hold on," Battousai pat her hand reassuringly. But before he could leave, Kaoru grabbed his hand. She shook her head.

"Stay. I'll be fine. Please," Kaoru pleaded. Battousai sat back and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. He touched her face and smiled.

"I will. Don't worry. I'll stay here for you.. even forever," Battousai told sincerely. Kaoru smiled and nodded. Katsura, Koshijiro and Sanosuke who were just arrived as they hurried to the room when Battousai shouted, listened to the whole conversation. Koshijiro smiled joyfully while Sanosuke was still not sure whether to trust Battousai or not. Katsura was thinking to himself, 'Hmm.. I didn't know he's very good in acting!' [But as you guys know, Battousai wasn't acting]

~*~*~*~

Battousai was ordered to meet King Katsura that evening. So, Battousai asked Misao, Kaoru's servant, to accompany Kaoru and go out with her. Battousai bowed to Katsura before sitting in front of him. "My warrior, Himura Kenshin, how are you feeling?"

"I'm pretty fine. And how about you?" Battousai asked, with no formalities. Katsura smiled. Battousai was the only person who dares talk to him casually and Katsura actually enjoyed it.

Katsura nodded and replied, "I'm very good as you can see now. And thank you for asking. I've summoned you here to discuss a very important matter." Battousai was still with his blank expression. Katsura sighed and continued, "It's about your wife."

Battousai's eyes suddenly became dangerous gold, "What about Kaoru?"

"Honestly, I began to like that girl. And now, I feel a bit guilty for lying and using her like this. But as long as you keep up your good work in acting like this morning, everything will go as plan. And Himura, I don't you're such a romantic guy. 'I'll stay here for you, even forever.' Wahahaha. Where did you get that phrase? From Romeo and Juliet?," Katsura laughed.

"You heard that?"



"Of course! Even Koshijiro and that rooster-head guard heard it. And they both believe you," Katsura grinned.

"I meant that," Battousai said gruffly.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Katsura asked, puzzled.

"I meant everything I said to her. I'll always be there for her.. because she's my wife. Even though this is all actually a plan, but she's still my wife. I'll protect her," Battousai snapped.

"HIMURA! You are not supposed to act like this! Or else, you will gradually fall in love with her! Or maybe.. are you in love with her, Himura Kenshin?" Katsura spoke angrily. "No," Battousai answered quickly. There was no need for thinking because he knew what he felt. He was still in love with Tomoe. And Kaoru.. Well, she was like a.. friend he never had. Battousai continued, "I'm still in love with Tomoe."

"Good. And it better stay like that or else, you know what you'll get! Now, dismiss!" Katsura ordered. Battousai bowed at him and left.

~*~*~*~

Meanwhile, Kaoru and Misao were going out shopping. Kaoru was still a little bit weak, so Misao had to assist her when walking. They had gone to all the malls near the castle. "Now, Kaoru-sama, where should we go?" Misao asked cheerfully. Kaoru felt lucky that she brought Misao along. She was always cheerful and it usually would change Kaoru's mood back happy again. Even though Misao was her servant, she was like her bestest friend.. or maybe, her only friend.

"Let's go to Raven," Kaoru suggested. Misao knew that place. It was where Tomoe, Himura-san's girlfriend lives. Kaoru told her once. Seeing Misao shocked face, Kaoru smiled, "I just like it there. Even though, Himura-san made me angry there but I really love it. Let's go there. Please.."

Misao nodded in defeat. Kaoru jumped happily and hugged Misao. Once they're there, it was Misao who got over-excited. She had never been to Raven, or better still, out of the castle. They sold good, interesting new stuffs and there were so many people. The town was so busy.

"Kaoru-sama! This is so so so cool! Thanks for letting me come here with you! You're the greatest!" Misao shrieked eagerly. Kaoru smiled. 

Kaoru and Misao was tired so, they decided to rest near the river. They sat for about a few minutes when suddenly, a beauty stood in front of them. It was Tomoe..

~*~*~*~

Battousai was searching for Kaoru but she was nowhere to be found. Hmm.. 'Where is she? It is getting late and she is still weak! Misao! I told her to get home early,' Battousai began to worry. He saw a servant coming and asked, "Do you know where the princess and Misao is?"


The servant bowed and answered, "No, your Highness. The princess and Misao had left 2 hours ago but I believe that they are out of town.. No, they're out of Kamiya Kingdom. I heard they're in Ishin Sisshi Kingdom right now."


"WHAT?!" Battousai yelled. Kaoru always brought trouble to him. He was about to hurry to Ishin Sisshi Kingdom when Sanosuke called him, "Yo, your Highness! King Koshijiro and King Katsura want to have tea with you." Battousai cursed something and had to follow Sanosuke to the tea room.

~*~*~*~

"Miss Tomoe," Kaoru whispered. Misao was surprised. This was Tomoe? Wow! She was truly a drop-dead gorgeous lady! No wonder Himura fell for her. But still, Kaoru was still on the top of Misao's 'the-most-amazing-lady' list. And there was something about this Tomoe that bother Misao. Kaoru stood up and Misao as well.

"What can I help you?" Kaoru asked.

"Give Himura back to me," Tomoe answered hastily. There was anger and sadness in her voice but her face showed nothing. Just like Battousai himself. Like boyfriend, like girlfriend. Kaoru was shocked. She was speechless. "Hey! You have no right to say that!" Misao shouted.

"Shut up! This is between me and the princess. You stay out of this!" Tomoe hissed. Misao was about to throw her shinai when Kaoru stopped her and shook her head. Tomoe turned to Kaoru and said, "He belongs to me! He loves me! And I love him. I just couldn't stand the fact that he's marrying with another woman and sleeping with another woman."


"I haven't done it with him," Kaoru told.

Tomoe was shocked and happy at the same time. "Then please let him go before it's too late. I need him. I can't live without him and I know he needs me too.. even right now! Our love is so strong!"

"Hmmphh! Yeah right! If you're saying your love is sooooo strong, he will always love you even when he's with someone else, so why are you pleading for Kaoru-sama to let him go? Are you worried that Himura will fall in love with my stunning princess? Do you even call that strong love? Puh-lease," Misao said sarcastically. She received a dangerous glare from Tomoe.

"Just because you're a princess, doesn't mean you can get all you want! You're such a brat!" Tomoe roared angrily. "Hey! You..," Misao started to say but she was cut off by Tomoe, "For your information, you brat! Marriage is about love but you.. Hahaha.. You couldn't find any man who will love you, that's why you use your illness to bait the guys. So they pity you! But still, no one came to propose you!

"So you asked your father to find a man and forced him to marry you! Even when he loves someone else! Your marriage is surely not a marriage at all! You think he's falling for you but you're wrong! This is all an act!"

"An act?" Kaoru asked. 

Tomoe giggled evilly and said, "Yes! An act! My dear princess, do you know the deal? If Himura was to marry you, then Kamiya Kingdom will share lands with Ishin Sisshi kingdom. At first, he hesitated but after knowing that you're only gonna live for 5 months, he agreed," Tomoe told her. At the last statement, Kaoru's heart shattered into pieces but Tomoe still continued, "And you know what! The night before he married you, he met me and told me that he loves me and only me! So if you're thinking he's in love with you, stop dreaming! He doesn't even like you a bit! He told me that!"

Surely about Battousai didn't even like Kaoru a bit was a lie! Tomoe lied about that!

Tomoe smiled in satisfaction. The princess would cry, break down and loses all hopes and Himura would be hers again. But Kaoru said something unexpected.

"Are you done yet? No hard feelings but I'm bored." Tomoe and Misao looked at Kaoru with surprise. Kaoru was standing there with an angry face. It was Kaoru's turn to babble.

"Well Tomoe-san, honestly, I don't care about everything you said even if it's true. As you know, I only have 4 more months to live and right now, I have Battousai, the hottest guy ever as my husband. No way am I letting him go."


Kaoru walked towards Tomoe and said coolly and arrogantly, "Oh yeah. And you said that he met you the night before we married and told you that he loved you, right? But he didn't say he'll love you after that night. So, if you're thinking he's still in love with you, right now, stop dreaming girlfriend! So open your eyes and see.. because someday, I'll make him fall in love with me."

With that, Kaoru gestured a smirking Misao to go home and so they left with Tomoe clenching her fist with anger. 'Damn her! Damn her! Himura is in love with me! I'll make her see that! She'll regret everything she said to me!' Tomoe thought furiously.

~*~*~*~

They were on their way back to Kaoru's room but Kaoru told Misao to go to the garden with her. Luckily, there were only the two of them in the garden. Misao was actually surprised when Kaoru fought Tomoe back. She was about to throw her shinai and kicked Tomoe's sorry ass.

"Ne, Kaoru-sama! You were so awesome and cool just now! That'll teach the stupid bitch not to mess up with Kamiya Kingdom greatest princess. Right, Kaoru-sama?" Misao asked. But Kaoru was looking away and this made Misao worried. "Kaoru-sama, are you okay?"

Kaoru then turned to Misao. She was crying. Misao hugged Kaoru and rock her back and forth. "Shh.. It's okay, Kaoru-sama. Stop crying. Stop crying." Misao knew why Kaoru was crying. Misao's eyes burned in anger and promised herself to teach that Himura a lesson for hurting her best friend. Then, a voice startled them both.

"Kaoru?" It was Battousai. His amber eyes never changed. Misao looked at him with her eyes on fire. Battousai was confused by her anger. "YOU JERK! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Misao roared. But Kaoru stopped her just in time and told her to leave. Misao was reluctant at first but left when Kaoru's eyes glared at hers.

"What was that all about? Kaoru? KAORU! Why are you crying?" Battousai walked quickly towards her and touched her cheek but Kaoru wiped his hands away. Battousai was more confused than ever now.

"Because of you," Kaoru told, "I met Tomoe today. She told me everything. About your fakeness. That all your kindness was just an act! You actually never care for me. And maybe, you're actually counting the days and waiting for me to die quickly! She told me that you told her that you never even like me a bit. Even a little! That's why I'm crying! Nobody will ever love me! I hate you.. No, I will never hate you. Even your kindnesses are fake but I still treasure it."


Battousai was really angry at Tomoe. How dare she do this? She lied! Well, it was true that he didn't care and like her at first but as time passed by, he knew he cared for Kaoru. His eyes changed into gold. "So, you believe her and not me? Kaoru, why.."

But Kaoru snapped, "Even though the truth hurts but I will never lose!" She turned to face Battousai and made eye contact, "Not to her and not to you. And someday, Himura-san, you'll fall in love with me first. And with that, Tomoe will lose and so will you. So you have to play the game too. Make me fall in love with you. I'll make you fall in love with me first, though. I'll make sure of it." Kaoru smiled evilly and left.

Battousai stood there and smirked. This girl was so honest and bold. 'Well.. Let me see you try that, my princess,' he thought and smiled. He didn't know why, but he felt enjoyed by Kaoru's plan. 'Let see who fall in love first! You or I..'

--------------------

HoNeyZ_RiNoA: Hello.. This chapter is so cool! Kaoru is kinda tough in here. And tomoe… WAHAHAHA…. She gets what she deserves! And to all Tomoe's fans, cool down yo~ Actually this proves that Tomoe loves Battousai dearly.. Anyway, our Kaoru will never give up! Next chappie will be kinda cool and 'evil' too. Wait and see~ Please review~ Ja ne~ v(^^)v