Flames of Passion

by blueicequeen

When Kaoru is forced to marry the ruler of her nation, Kenshin, she did not count on falling in love with him, especially since he is in love with her stepsister, Tomoe. Forced to marry a murderess' daughter, Kenshin did not count on loving her either.

7. The Fall

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin!

Warning: There is a near rape scene at the end of this chapter. I tried not to make it too graphic and all I can say is...nothing much happened...I guess....

Chapter 6

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The Fall

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Sanosuke stood rigidly before Syousuke wondering if the older man had ever looked more forbidding than he did at that moment. He had always held a deep respect for the older man due to his forbidding presence but at the moment, he did not really appreciate that presence. He wondered absently what the old man wanted.

Did he want Sano to convince Kenshin to marry Tomoe?

Did he want Sano to make sure Kenshin married Tomoe?

Did he want Sano to leave Megumi?

Did he know about Sano and Megumi?

The last thought made him gulp and he looked resolutely at Syousuke. There were many things Sano would willingly give up but not Megumi. He had never found anyone who could match him so perfectly as her.

Except Jou-chan…

The thought came so unbidden that Sano blinked a few times. Now where did that come from? He liked what he saw of the little missy that was for sure. But the feelings he had for her were…platonic, Sano decided. There was something fragile about her that drew a yearning from deep within him to protect her.

Shaking his head, he concentrated on Syousuke, only to catch the older man watching him guardedly.

"Something wrong, Sano?"

"No, my Lord."

"Still as formal as ever, Sano. You are like your father in that way. He still insists on calling me 'my Lord' although we have known each other for years and have fought for this land side by side. But you call Kenshin by his given name, don't you?"

Wondering where this was leading, Sano nodded. "I understand that when he becomes the ruler, things will be different, my Lord. I am willing to change my familiarity with him once he takes over the throne."

It would hurt, Sano knew but he was also aware that his best friend was not a common man. He was the future ruler and needed to be addressed and respected as one.

Syousuke shrugged as though the whole thing did not matter but inside, he was pleased. He could see the loyalty in Sano's eyes and he also saw the bright gleam in the brunette that he witnessed in his father. Souzo, Sano's father was a great man and Syousuke was looking forward to deepening their bonds through marriage.

"A very important matter has come to my attention, Sano. I am displeased that you hid this matter from me," Syousuke said as he leaned back on his chair and looked at Sano.

Eyes widening, Sano racked his memories to find out what bothered his ruler but nothing came to his mind.

"I'm sorry, Lord Syousuke. I have no idea what you are talking about. Perhaps, if you are willing to refresh my memory?"

Inside, he smirked and laughed at the boy's discomfort. Outside, he kept a stern face.

"Why did you not tell me that my daughter has already found herself a young man? I thought you would know these matters as you have inside information, Sano! I saw her strolling with him and I was shocked!"

The news was a shock to Sano as well!

Megumi and a young man? He was sure Megumi was not cheating on him. He knew Megumi better than that. If Megumi cheated on him, there would be signs. There would be…something! No, Megumi did not cheat in him. Whoever she was strolling with was simply accompanying her.

"My Lord, Lady Megumi is not seeing the man you think she is seeing. I am sure that the man you saw with her was simply accompanying her."

"And you would know this because…?"

Sano wondered if there was an axe nearby that he needed to be worried about and he swallowed inaudibly.

"Because Lady Megumi and I are in love. We were planning to come to you with this matter once Kenshin was settled down and I have gained a steady job."

He waited for the blow. He waited for the shout and when nothing happened, he looked at his ruler. Syousuke was laughing silently as he watched the young man before him and pride shone in his eyes.

"My Lord?"

"You are quite a piece of work, Sano! Lady Megumi? Hah! If Meg hears that she will skin you alive. Are you serious about my girl, Sano?"

Sano nodded rigidly, unable to believe that he had gained Syousuke's acceptance.

"There is still a matter of your employment, Sano."

"You should say it as it is, Lord Syousuke. Unemployment is more like it," Sano muttered embarrassed.

"You have just returned. A man of your skill is difficult to find, Sano. However, there is a matter of your discipline. You are quite an uncontrollable man. From what I've heard, you infamous for starting fights."

Sano said nothing. His palm was damp with sweat and his knees were shaking but he stood still and ignored them all. He wanted to know what Syousuke had for him and he wanted to get the meeting over with.

"I want you to work with me."

Sano blinked.

"Wha…?"

Syousuke smirked. "I want you to work for me."

Sano checked his temper and looked at Syousuke levelly.

"If this is about taking care of Megumi…?"

His ruler shook his head as he stood and walked in front of Sano.

"This has nothing to do with Megumi. Sano, you have a skill that only very few possess. I would be a fool to let you go and waste your talents elsewhere. I want you to work for me. In the 3rd division army."

"3rd division?" Sano asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

The 3rd division army was a special task force that only contains soldiers who have special powers. They were in charge of questionable circumstances around the land.

"Yes. As the captain."

"Captain!? But the rank of a captain is too high. I do not want to hold a position I have not earned!"

Syousuke's level of respect for Sano increased and he smiled. "Are you saying I am a man who favours my people? I choose only those I like?"

"No, my Lord…I just do not want this to be because of Lady Megumi."

"Meg has no place in this. I have always planned to have you here, beside Kenshin. He trusts you and the 3rd division was his idea in the first place."

"Aoshi?"

"He is not part of the 3rd division. He is a captain of his own division. They are a special batch."

"I see."

"You have the qualification for the position. Do you want it?"

He would be a fool to reject it. Sano knew it and when he looked at Syousuke and smiled, the agreement was made.

He was the captain of the 3rd division army.

Sano left Syousuke's office feeling as though he had fought through a major battle and barely survived. He had just turned and walked down the hallway when Megumi came crashing on him.

"Fox?"

"Where have you been, Sano?" Megumi demanded as she dragged Sano into an empty room and locked the door. Sano looked around and leered but Megumi's glare made him check himself.

"You look serious, fox. Got a problem?"

"A problem? No, I think I have a million problems! What the hell is wrong with Kenshin? Why is he agreeing to marry Lady Tomoe?"

Sano blinked. "You sure?"

Megumi nodded. "Mother told me this morning. He had just agreed to marry her. He is simply following mother's orders!"

Sano shook his head and leaned against the wall, thinking carefully about what happened. Despite his talk with Kenshin the night before, he knew Kenshin still liked this girl Kaoru. What happened?

"That's impossible. Why would he agree…when…Kaoru…? I don't get it?"

Megumi pinned him a sharp look. "Whose this Kaoru?"

Caught, Sano shook his head. "Meg, I can't tell you that. I'm sorry."

"He's my brother, Sano! I am not going to simply watch him marry a…a…a…doll! She does not suit him! I do not like Lady Tomoe at all!"

Sano sighed and pulled Megumi towards him. She tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. "Who is she?"

"She is the most unsuitable woman for Kenshin. He is crazy about her but I think it is only because the relationship is so forbidden."

"Sano."

The quiet voice chilled Sano's skin and he wondered how much he could tell Megumi.

"Meg, Kaoru is Lady Tomoe and Lord Enishi's stepsister. Her mother killed Lord Heishin."

Megumi's eyes widened and she tried to move away but Sano held her close. "What?"

Sano nodded and leaned his forehead against Megumi's. "I told you she was not suitable."

"What was Kenshin thinking?"

"I don't think he was thinking at all, foxy. You know your brother. Once he is set on something, he will do everything he can to gain it. But in this matter, it looks like he has given up."

Megumi rested her forehead against Sano chest, comforted by the steady beat of his heart. Her mind wondered to her brother and her heart arched at the thought of him being hurt at the end of the day.

"Could she have lured him knowing who he is?" Megumi asked as she looked up into Sano's eyes. Sano shook his head and shrugged, trying hard now to ignore the pleasant weight against his body or the sweet scent from the woman in his arms.

"I do not know, fox and I can't speculate either. However, if you truly desire, once I meet her, I can see into her thoughts and see if she was indeed luring him."

Megumi nodded at that and smiled gratefully at Sano. "Thank you," she whispered as she leaned up to kiss him passionately on his lips. Sano grinned against her lips and hauled her closer as his lips parted hers easily and his tongue slipped in to taste the sweetness that was his lover.

Megumi had never been a shy participant and once more she proved it as her hand fisted on his shirt while another slipped behind his neck to pull him lower and closer to her. He laughed against her lips but nonetheless complied, battling half heartedly for dominance.

They were so lost in their embrace that they failed to notice they had an audience. Aoshi simply looked at the scene before him blankly as his mind processed it. Just as he was about to leave, Sano noticed him and pulled Megumi away. Both of them flushed deeply at being caught but Aoshi said nothing as he turned and left.

"Well..."

Megumi's eyebrow twitched.

"Is that all you can say?"

Sano grinned sheepishly. "Oops?"

Gritting her teeth and cursing all that was good, Megumi stomped on Sano's foot and left. Cursing himself, the brunette watched sorrowfully at his retreating lover's back and then turned to the direction Aoshi left. He wondered if Aoshi had always known about him and Megumi. Most of all, he wondered if Aoshi would be willing to borrow Jou-chan to him for awhile. He was sure that Jou-chan would know who Kaoru is and once he met Kaoru, he could be certain what her motives were when it comes to Kenshin.

Not that it would truly matter. If Lady Aya had her way, Kenshin would marry Lady Tomoe whether he was in love with her or not. Personally, Sano did not mind Kenshin marrying the young Yukishiro mistress. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman. There was a certain aloofness surrounding her that made men feel like penetrating her shell. She was also the most elegant woman Sano had met. Megumi was beautiful and gorgeous. Yet her beauty was more sophisticated and refined. She had an aura of authority surrounding her. It was very different from Tomoe's.

However, Sano knew his personal feelings in the matter were not important. Lady Aya has chosen Tomoe to be Kenshin's future and it was a match made by the gods. Sano was sure of it. Whoever this Kaoru was, she has no power to stop it. It was just as well. A murderess' daughter was not welcomed in a household.

Right now, he had more work to do. He needed to be certain who Kaoru is and ensure she was not a scheming snake.

XXX

It has only been a day but if Kenshin knew about something, it was courtship. His master practised it often enough for him to get laid at his pleasure. Since he promised his mother he would not back off from the plans she had of him and Tomoe, he had to start with his courtship. He sighed.

He will have to court Tomoe right in front of Kaoru. That was the worst. Any woman will not appreciate being lured and dumped. Even then, wasn't he the one who was thrown aside in the first place?

Kenshin could still remember Kaoru's taste on his lips despite the few hours that had passed since their encounter. He still could not rationalize why he claimed her lips so forcefully before. He just knew that if he did not kiss he, he was going to go crazy. Now that he finally did kiss her, he was going crazy with wanting her once more.

He sighed.

The marketplace was full of people and Kenshin strode past the shops absently and stopped by an old woman who was selling flowers. She gave him a toothless smile as she displayed her flowers before him. Kenshin knew fresh flowers when he saw them and he picked a handful of flowers to be packed.

"For your future missus, young master?" the old woman mumbled and Kenshin strained to hear her clearly.

"Missus?"

"Aye. Heard ya getting the missus soon, young master. Word 'round town, yer know. Everyone know."

Kenshin blinked and then he slowly registered the faces staring pointedly at him.

When people realized he noticed them, they came up one after another, congratulating him on his upcoming marriage. Kenshin accepted their wishes blankly and nodded mechanically as his mind frantically processed what happened.

How in the world did the news he was to be engaged spread so quickly?

He separated the flowers into two bouquets. The most beautiful flower, he placed in an old cloth while he passed the others to the old woman to be wrapped. When they were done, he thanked and paid her. Carefully extricating himself from his people, he slipped back on his horse and rode off to the Yukishiro household. Even as he rode there, he wondered if after his earlier encounter, he would have a chance to apologize to her. If only he had known!

Not surprisingly, a man servant ushered him inside and directed him to where Tomoe seemed to be resting. When he spotted the young woman, he sent the servant away with a curt nod. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward with the beautifully decorated flowers in his hands.

Tomoe knew the moment Kenshin had arrived. She knew he would come to start their courtship. His mother had sent a lovely letter early in the morning about how pleased he was with her and how he was willing to marry her. The letter pleased Tomoe and she set about setting the stage so that when he arrived, he would notice her in her full glory.

Kenshin did notice her.

He saw a beautiful, dark haired woman, with her hair loosely flowing around her, its natural glow pleasing to a anyone's eyes. He saw her gown, a daring low cut dress, made of pure silk and looked like it would slip off with just the flick of a finger. He saw her creamy skin, displayed by her arms and her neck. Her curvy legs were bare for all to see as she had them stretched out before her as she lay partially on the long chair.

He swallowed and cleared his throat.

She looked up, putting up a shocked mask and blushing bright scarlet as though he had caught her in a compromising situation. She gracefully rose for her position and straightened her gown.

"My Lord, I did not know you were coming! Had I but known, I would have welcomed you myself!"

Why did those words sound so hollow, Kenshin thought irately as he too put on a pleased mask.

"Had I but told you, I would not have the pleasure of such feminine display. I quite enjoyed the show," he teased as he approached her, his long hair swinging just the slightest as he sat before her without an invitation.

Tomoe smiled graciously and sat before him. With a barely noticeable nod, she signalled a waiting maid to bring out the drinks.

"I did not expect to see you so soon after last night," Tomoe said as she leaned slightly forward, ensuring his male eyes shifted to the curve of her breasts. Kenshin smiled and allowed his eyes to roam her barely clothe figure and smiled appreciatively.

"I am here because of an unexpected interference."

"Interference?"

"I suppose my mother would have written to you?"

She could see the barely concealed accusation in his eyes and played along with it.

"She did. I thought it was unexplainably terrible of you to not say your feelings to me. For your mother to tell me, I felt...well, it was truly unexpected..."

He did not want to go on with the charade but he smirked dangerously. "My mother took away the pleasure I could have in courting you earnestly. I truly apologise for that."

"She was excited. Somehow, I wanted to hear from you first."

Kenshin leaned forward, as though they were in a deep discussion and said solemnly. "My Lady, my feelings for you are so strong it will be a shame if we did not exploit it. My mother stole my courtship moment from me but I am determined to have this. Can we push our engage date a bit later? I want to know you better first!"

Tomoe had a hard time keeping herself from yelling but she nodded.

"I would like that too," she lied as she daringly touched his hand.

He simply turned his palm and grabbed hers. He lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of her palm lingeringly, his eyes holding her captive.

"If a beautiful woman is not wooed the man is an idiot."

"You are no idiot, my lord."

"That makes you the beautiful woman," he teased as he kissed her hand once more, his lips lingering on her skin, his eyes lingering on hers.

"You're making me blush," Tomoe whispered, caught in the stunning violet gaze.

"I like making you blush," he replied, a small amused smile on his lips.

She turned away and tugged a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks were bright red and her eyes looked down shyly. Tomoe hid a victorious grin when she saw his smirk at her maidenly antics.

The game of love was one Kenshin was good at. He also easily saw through Tomoe's ploy as he flirted with her. She would be a good wife, he knew that. Yet, she would not amuse him as much. He hid a frown at that thought and wondered if Kaoru would forever plague his mind.

The thought of her reminded him of his hidden agenda. He needed to see her.

"My Lady, perhaps we can go out today? I really want to spend some time outside with you," Kenshin whispered softly as he gazed charmingly into her eyes. Tomoe smiled her agreement and he helped her to her feet.

"I will be ready in a few moments."

Kenshin laughed and leaned his hip against the chair he just rose from. "A smart man never rushes a woman."

"You are the smart man, then?" she asked with laughter in her eyes. Her dark hair danced around her, giving her an almost sensual look.

"I believe, I am," he replied seductively, his eyes easily showing what he truly wanted from her. Tomoe's face flushed and she slid past him to get ready for their outing.

Kenshin hid his irritation carefully and looked around, allowing his ki to scan and search the large house. He immediately sensed the woman he was truly looking for at the back of the house and she was quite alone. Knowing he only had a few precious minutes he easily sneaked away and hunted for her.

Kaoru had just finished taking in all the dried clothes and hanging all the newly washed ones. Her eyes were oddly blank as she completed her task, her body strangely numb.

She did not know why she felt this way.

No...she did.

With a defeated shake of her head, she made her way back to the house with the intention of folding the clothes. Her mind kept replaying the kiss she shared with Kenshin and her heart still hurt sharply knowing he kissed her when he had agreed to marry another woman. The hurt she felt was nothing compared to the crazy insane sense of betrayal that crept past her defences and haunted her.

She had already rejected him, hadn't she? Then why did she feel like the whole world was somehow against her? It wasn't fair. She had already known that having a relationship, however platonic it was, would never work as long as she was with the Yukishiros. It was a good thing that Tomoe was getting married and moving away. When her mother was free, Kaoru would leave this nightmare and build a real home for her on her father's land.

A real home.

And Kenshin son of Himura was not in the picture at all!

She walked quickly yet gracefully. Her eyes shifted from the ground to the door and her body stilled.

Standing there like the whole world belonged to him was her mental tormentor. Her eyes widened as she saw him and frightened, Kaoru bowed low.

"My lord," she greeted.

Kenshin took a deep breath and watched the dazzling woman make her way towards him before her incredible eyes locked onto his. He saw the fear in her eyes and cursed himself for placing it there. What he did not know was that fear was not meant for him. Rather, she was frightened someone had noticed him there, watching her.

"I will get Lady Tomoe, my lord."

"No need," Kenshin drawled, reluctant to leave his position as he stared at her. "She already knows I'm here. I'm here to see you."

"I do not understand," Kaoru replied simply, although she knew why he was there. She masked her face of all emotions and looked at him. "Did you need something?"

Kenshin sighed and pulled out the badly wrapped flower. He offered it to her.

Stunned, Kaoru felt a trace of panic sneak through her nerves. What did he think he was doing? Why was he doing this?

"I believe you have mistaken me for someone else, my lord. I will get Lady Tomoe at once," Kaoru stammered as she made a move towards the door. Then, she stopped and looked at him, their bodies close.

"Will you please move, my lord?" she asked as she waited for him to move away so that she could enter.

Kenshin smirked and shook his head. He lowered the flower to his side and tilted his head to the side, watching her with amusement. Yet inside, he was disappointed that she did not accept the flower he had handpicked for her. Determined to spend as much time as possible with her, he looked at her teasingly. "I will not. You may, however, walk past me."

Furiously, Kaoru glared up at him. "This doorway is too narrow. It would not be appropriate unless you move out of the way...my lord," she said bitingly, angry at this man who seemed obsessed with playing around with her.

"And if I don't? How will you go to your mistress? I can stand here all day and maybe...just maybe...someone will pass by," Kenshin teased as his amused eyes looked at her laughingly.

Dioni, she was beautiful! He could stare at her all day if he wanted to and with her standing so close, Tomoe's perfection seem to dim around Kaoru. Where Tomoe had wiles and was good at the art of flirting, Kaoru was innocence and naiveté. Where Tomoe was elegant, Kaoru was innocently sensual. The fact that Kaoru did not notice how sensual she was made Kenshin want her even more. But he reined his desires and watched her carefully. He could flirt with her but anything else was forbidden. His mother had decided on Tomoe and he had already given his word to Tomoe.

But this one small sinful pleasure, he hoped he could indulge. For the very last time...

Kaoru tensed and looked around, wondering if she could go ahead with what he said. She could take the long way back into the manor. If she walked past him through the doorway, their whole bodies would brush very intimately against one another and she did not want that! Did she?

Even then a small nagging, sinful voice whispered to her that this was the only chance she had. She had enjoyed his kiss and she wanted very much to feel his body against hers. Would once hurt so much?

How would it feel if she wanted this too? Would it feel as disgusting as Enishi's touch or would she enjoy it?

Should she?

She watched the man carefully, masking the desire she felt for him. Despite everything, he dominated her thoughts. She had never felt this heart-pounding, mind numbing experience before. It felt so foreign and so very exciting.

Will once hurt?

He will belong to Tomoe soon...Can't she feel him even once?

Her mind made up, she tentatively took a step towards him and saw him lean against the doorway, watching her with guarded eyes. Kaoru almost gave up her initial impulse to slide past him but a noise from the far corner made her jump and she rushed towards him, changing her mind and intending on making it so quick, that they would have felt nothing.

Instead, the moment she slid against him, their bodies fit perfectly at the doorway. Her whole body was firmly enveloped by his, her breasts, heavy against his chest, her nipples aroused by the closeness. Her legs were intimately pressed between his, their thighs brushing sensually against each other. Kaoru's eyes widen when she heard him growl softly before he placed both his arms on either side of her, effectively blocking her exit.

"What are you doing?" she whispered quietly, her uneven breath touching his face gently. Kenshin said nothing and he stared at her. She looked like a trapped deer, eyes wide with fear and dare he hope, anticipation...

"I am sorry," he apologised, simply to take his mind away from their current position. He would be a fool to let her go especially when she felt so good against him. "I am sorry about the kiss."

Her eyes closed and she looked away from him. "You should not have kissed me after you announce your engagement to someone else."

Kenshin looked at her closely and sighed. "I just found out about it. My mother rushed into this without warning me. I did not know this before. I swear. I would never have kissed you had I been aware of this, Kaoru."

She trusted him and she knew he was telling the truth. But there could be nothing between them, she knew that too. Sighing she pushed him back. She had wanted to take the chance and although the chance was now present, she realised the weight of what she was doing. She would never be able to forget this unattainable man if she went any further. This has to stop.

"It's alright. Will you please let me go, now?"

He shook his head and pressed his body closer to hers, feeling all her curves and wanting nothing more than to taste her. Feeling her warm and willing body, his heart beat increased rapidly and he took in a deep breath, memorizing the scent of her.

"I think I've fallen in love with you," he whispered against her hair and he felt her stiffen noticeably.

"My lord, I am sure Lady Tomoe is waiting," Kaoru said coldly, burying her shock she felt at his confession. She knew he was interested in her but she also knew that she could not encourage him in any way. Even if she wanted very much to know where this relationship might lead...

He jerked back as though he was scorched and looked away, hiding his eyes beneath his bangs.

She took the opportunity to slid past him and leave, not once looking back.

Only once, she told herself. She had only wanted to feel him once and she had managed to do exactly that. Now, she was going to pay the price for it, she thought dejectedly.

To hear him say those three beautiful words were a torture and to know the woman he will be bedding was her enemy, was agony.

Kaoru wished now that she had taken the longer way inside.

Behind her, Kenshin crumpled the flower he was holding and stuffed it into his top. Then he turned around and disappeared.

XXX

The anger in his eyes was enough to make his people scurry away. They did not want to be caught in their young master's net when he was in this mood. They wondered what had ticked the young master off especially since he was in a good mood when he left the house earlier.

Kenshin stalked angrily to his parents' room and slammed the door wide open. His mother was sitting on the chair, her legs curled up beneath her while she was knitting and his father was on the bed, stretched out, and reading.

They both looked up, surprised at his sudden entry.

"Kenshin, what's wrong?" Aya asked, concerned at the anger in her boy's eyes. Syousuke too looked at him, surprised.

"Why did you announce to everyone about my engagement to Tomoe? You should have told me first! You should have asked me first!" Kenshin yelled, furious at his mother for interfering and more for hurting Kaoru.

"Kenshin!" Syousuke raised his voice as he stared sharply at his son. His eyes took in his wife's pale features and he rose from the bed to approach her. "You do not raise your voice at your mother!"

"I would not have to if only you would stop interfering with my life! It is not only my life, mother! It is also the life of another young woman and she deserved better! She deserved better..." Kenshin felt the irritation and annoyance he felt building the whole day slam hard against him and he turned away to walk out of their room, wishing his mother would just leave him alone.

He was stupid!

Stupid!

Stupid!

He should not have cornered her like that! He should have simply apologised from far and left. Instead, he had to feel her body against his. He had to feel each curve and smell her addictive scent!

Now all he wanted was to call off his engagement to Tomoe and beg his mother to accept Kaoru.

He remembered his startling confession, one he had not expected to make. As he sat on his bed and covered his face with his hands, Kenshin realised the painful truth he was forced to accept.

In a matter of days, he had fallen in love with Kaoru and there was nothing he could do about it.

XXX

"Kenshin?"

Aya walked into her son's room and felt her heart break at the sight of the redhead curled on his bed, fast asleep. Her shock at hearing her son yell at her had gone away, replaced by regret and guilt that she did not talk to him first. She should have. She should have talked to him. Everything was going so fast and her boy must have been terrified.

She sat beside him and stroked his long hair, loving the smooth texture of each strand.

When he stirred, she started to pull her hand away but he caught her wrist and tormented violet eyes opened to meet hers. Without saying a word, he moved his head to her lap and hugged her waist tightly.

"I'm sorry."

Aya's eyes sparkled with tears and she shook her head. "It was my fault, my dear. I should have thought of you more."

"I should not have yelled at you. After all these years, my temper is still atrocious."

"Kenshin, what's wrong?"

Kenshin looked up at her and sighed. "You will not be happy. I do not want to do anything to sadden you. Mother, forget about anything I said."

"But Kenshin!"

He shook his head. "I'm ready to pledge my life to Tomoe."

Somehow, her motherly instincts told her this was not what he wanted.

"Mother?"

"Yes?"

He looked straight into her eyes and kept hers on his. "I want to push my engagement to the week after. I've already talked to Tomoe."

She didn't want to hurt him again so she simply nodded and smiled.

Pulling away, she kissed his head and walked out the room. Her husband stood outside and when she walked out, she hugged him tightly.

"Something is wrong, Syou. I know it. He doesn't want to tell me."

Syousuke hugged his wife tightly and looked worriedly at his son's room.

"Let us lift it all to Dioni. Dioni will show the way, Aya."

Aya nodded and buried her head on her husband's chest and took a deep steadying breath. Suddenly she wasn't so sure about Kenshin's future with Tomoe.

XXX

They were a very fetching couple.

For the next few days, people could see them everywhere. They could see how the young master doted on Lady Tomoe and they all approved. Lady Tomoe was a very beautiful and refined woman. She came from a good lineage and she was known far and wide for her exceptional beauty. They all thought the couple were well suited.

Kaoru wished she would not hear about them anymore. Her heart could not handle it anymore. Everywhere she went, she heard of the golden pair. Every time Tomoe had to go somewhere Kaoru would be called to dress her. The sight of Kenshin picking up and sending Tomoe back made her small heart twist in jealousy and pain.

He was not meant for her.

As long as she said that, she was safe. As long as she believed that, she would be fine.

She only had one goal and she needed to concentrate on that. Pining away for a man she could never get was hopeless.

More so when the engagement was in five days time.

Preparations for the engagement were in full swing. The Yukishiro household was so very busy. Kaoru saw Misao more often nowadays. She would come in with Okina and Kaoru would guide them to Tomoe's chamber. There, she watched as the dressmaker measured Tomoe and brought a cart load of clothes to be tried on.

Misao and Kaoru barely had a chance to talk but on the third day, Misao slipped by the people around her and pulled Kaoru into her room. Her eyes were huge and excited.

"Misao! What in the world are you doing?"

Misao laughed and hugged her friend. "Why didn't you tell me you have a man already?"

Kaoru's eyes paled, wondering frantically where Misao heard about her and Kenshin. "Misao, I do not know what you are talking about!" she replied pulling away but Misao would not budge.

"Nonsense. You choose very well. He was so handsome. You are lucky you have Aoshi-sama, you know?"

Kaoru almost choked. "Aoshi-sama?"

Misao's grin was wide as she took out two new gowns, their design extremely simple.

"He chose these for you."

Kaoru's eyes were wide and she touched the fabric gently, almost reverently. "Mine?"

Misao nodded and smiled widely. "Yours. Made specially by me."

"For me? But...I can't! If I take this...!"

"You better accept this, Kaoru or I swear I will be truly mad at you and I will never speak to you again!"

"You don't understand..."

"Kaoru...!"

Kaoru's lips trembled as her hands fingered the gowns lovingly.

"Oh Misao, thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me, my friend. Thank your friend, Aoshi-sama. I would love to have him over again!"

Kaoru laughed and put the robes away before tackling her friend into another tight hug. "I'm really happy. I'll thank him later. For now, let us go first, okay?"

Misao nodded and the two of them separated to continue their respective jobs.

Kaoru kept the gowns safely, hidden from prying eyes. She mentally thanked Aoshi a million times for his generosity but she could not help but fear that Tomoe would find the gowns and burn them once more.

The days were busy and the nights were filled with Kenshin's presence in the manor, taking Tomoe out and showing her off to his people. When he came around, Kaoru would disappear, making herself invisible. She knew he was well aware of her actions but she did not care. If Tomoe and Enishi were to even find out about them, Kaoru was sure she will be dead.

Or worse...her mother.

Or that was what she continuously told herself. Kaoru buried the feelings of jealousy that sprung from deep within her when Kenshin came for Tomoe. She buried the resentment she felt when he laughed with Tomoe, fingers playing with her long dark hair. She suppressed the pain that rose at an alarming rate when she saw Kenshin passionately kissing Tomoe every time he brought her back to the manor.

It hurt. Every time she saw them together, Kaoru felt so unhappy that she would simply disappear from their sight.

And the foreign feeling blooming in her heart was squashed mercilessly. It had no place there at all.

Kaoru disappeared outside, letting the cool air brush her skin lovingly. She wanted nothing more than to lay down on the wet grass and sleep. Hopefully, she could sleep forever. She sighed. This was nothing like her. She had never wasted her time thinking of men before. Once again tonight, she found herself thinking of him, of his bright red hair and piercing violet eyes. She closed her eyes and brushed her stray strands from her face absently. Then, she shook her head as though to push Kenshin far away from her thoughts and she turned around to enter the manor once more.

Kaoru stifled an involuntary gasp when she saw Enishi watching her hungrily.

Irritation sparked in her eyes and Kaoru wondered how much longer she had to put up with him. Enishi was constantly seeking her out and trying to get her alone. If before she felt a trickle of fear, now after all the weeks' hard work, Kaoru only felt annoyance. Not to mention her growing feeling for Kenshin was becoming quite a hindrance. She wanted nothing more than to be rid of the man before her but she knew better than to go against him head on. She still had her mother to think of and Kaoru needed to know where the deed to her property was.

"My lord," she greeted him blandly, carefully watching his moves so that she could sneak back inside. She knew she did not have much of a chance but if she could only stall him for while, Kenshin and Tomoe would be back and she would be safe. That way, she could avoid the man before her without an incident.

"You know, I have eyes and I seem to notice something rather peculiar, Kaoru," Enishi murmured as he circled his prey, watching satisfactorily as her back stiffen and her lips thinned. "I noticed Lord Himura's peculiar obsession of you."

Kaoru congratulated herself for masking her face rather well. If Enishi had managed to even sniff her discomfort, he will know that there was something between her and Kenshin.

"Lord Himura? I do not understand, my lord. Lord Himura has always been in the presence of Lady Tomoe. I do not understand why you think he has his eyes on me," she replied as calmly as she could, hoping he would not be able to hear the rapid racing of her heart beat.

Enishi mentally applauded the woman before him. She managed to mask her feelings rather well. Even then, Enishi had spies and those spies are very reliable. He reached into his robe and withdrew a mangled flower.

Kaoru's eye widen at the sight of the flower, the cloth surrounding it was awfully familiar.

"Beautiful, is it not?" Enishi asked as he looked at her before fiercely crushing the ruined flower. "Guess where I found it, little Kaoru?" he asked as he trailed the flower down her cheek.

Kaoru stood, petrified, her whole body braced for flight. She kept her eyes on Enishi and not once did her eyes waver.

"I found it outside. Someone gave it to me. Guess what the someone saw, little Kaoru?"

No matter how much Kaoru tried, her throat felt oddly dry and she could barely get a word out. When Enishi's hand reached out, she instinctively ducked and tried to run past him. She slipped under his outstretched hand and shot past him.

Unfortunately, Enishi is stronger and faster. His hand shot out and grabbed her long hair in a punishing grip, pulling it back and bringing her towards him. He grabbed her chin and tilted her head sharply, his grip punishing and painful. Kaoru swallowed back the whimper she almost made and eyed him steadily.

"Bitch! Whore! How dare you look at another man when you belong to only me?" Enishi cried out as he slapped her hard across her face. Kaoru swallowed the cry from her throat and would have fallen to the ground. However Enishi's grip on her hair forced her head back and the bright red hand print on her cheek contrasted strongly against her pale pallor.

"I did not look at him! I have nothing to do with him!" Kaoru shouted as the pull on her hair became too painful to bear.

"Liar! Whore! Ungrateful lying bitch! I will teach you to lie to me, little Kaoru. I'll teach you what it means to go against me. When I'm done, you will beg me to take you. You will beg me to let you go. And I'll watch you beg. You will never seduce another man again. Be glad I'm not telling my dear sister anytime soon. But you will pay!" Enishi said coldly, cruelly against her ear, his hand reaching down to roughly grab her breast with a bruising grip.

This time, Kaoru did cry out and she tried hard to pull away from Enishi's grip. He was mad! She was sure he was mad and Kaoru did not want him to touch her.

When he felt her pulling away, Enishi's anger escalated. He dragged Kaoru by her hair as he marched into a secluded room at the back of the manor. Kaoru frantically tried to loosen his hold as the pain became increasingly unbearable.

"Please, my lord! Please! I do not know what Lord Himura wanted! I swear! I did not know! Please, please let me go!" Kaoru begged, swallowing her pride in exchange for whatever he was planning to do to her. She knew instinctively that he was not going to stop at simply groping her and despite the bile rising dangerously on her throat, Kaoru's mind worked hard to find an escape.

Enishi remained deaf to her pleading. In his mind, he still remembered his spy appearing before him with his report.

Apparently, his dear little stepsister was pressed intimately against Himura. They were moulded so closely together that the spy could not discern what was happening between them. Whatever it was, apparently Himura did not get what he wanted because he threw the flower away. A flower that Enishi realised with disgust, was more beautiful than any of the flowers he had brought for his sister that day. Enishi had become so angry that he wanted to tell Tomoe about it but then he decided to keep the information to himself. He wanted to know what was going on so he watched Himura carefully for the past few days when he came to pick Tomoe up. At first, there was nothing. Then he had noticed it. The faint buzzing of ki travelling around the house, searching. Only when the ki counted Kaoru's that it calmed and moved away.

It made Enishi furious, both at Himura and Kaoru. Himura was engaged to his sister, dammit! Kaoru was his whore! His! How dare they have an affair behind his back?! It was unforgivable.

He threw Kaoru roughly to the ground and shut the door and knowingly sealed her fate inside.

Despite the fearful beating of her heart, Kaoru said nothing. She knew that if she said anything it will only make him act unpredictably. She looked around conspicuously, eyeing her surroundings. It was the laundry room. Heaps of clothes were lying around. Kaoru knew the room well and she knew that there was no other escape from this room. There was only one escape and Enishi was blocking her way. Her eyes shifted to the door, wondering if she could escape. When she looked back at Enishi, her insides turned numb, paralysed with absolute fear.

The coldness of Enishi's eyes only dared her to even try escaping.

"Strip," he ordered emotionlessly. Kaoru looked up, shocked.

"What?" she stammered.

His eyes narrowed dangerously, watching her with a hunger that reminded Kaoru of the nightmare of her past.

"Please...no...don't do this to me, please!" Kaoru begged with fear clearly written on her face. She did not want to go through her childhood nightmare once more. No more. She hugged herself tightly, looking up at Enishi and plead with her eyes.

"Strip, little Kaoru or I will strip you. You will not like it if I strip you. I am not my father. He let you go with clothes on your body. If you make me strip you, you will walk out of here naked. Strip!" Enishi ordered as his eyes burned with anger and desire, waiting for his prey to strip. He wanted to see her naked skin. He wanted to feel her beneath him. He wanted to hear his name from her lips.

Kaoru shook her head, terrified at the both the prospects he gave her.

"My lord, please! Please, I beg you! Please!"

"Stop shouting! If you scream, I will drag you out in the middle of the crowd and strop you there. Is that what you want? Do you want everyone to watch while I pound into you?" Enishi yelled crudely as slapped her other cheek.

Kaoru fell, tears streaming down her face but she refused to give up, hoping, praying for some sort of miracle to happen.

"Please, please! Please!"

She knelt before him, abandoning all dignity and pride as her tears flowed from her eyes. Of all the things he had done, Kaoru could not bear to bare herself before this man. She could not! In her mind, she saw Kenshin and she cringed when she thought of him.

Enishi took three quick strides to her side and grabbed her arm. He pulled her roughly to her feet and reached out to tear the robe from her body but Kaoru screamed and shield herself.

"NO! Don't! I will take them of myself! Please don't!"

"Why? Why do you always force my hand, little Kaoru?" Enishi growled as he roughly pulled her face to face him. Before she could say anything, his lips claimed hers in a bruising kiss. Kaoru tried desperately to pull herself free but her strength was nothing compared to her assailant.

'Kenshin! Aoshi-sama!' Kaoru thought with terror at what might happen. 'Someone! Please!'

Enishi pulled away and pulled her hair back in the same rough manner.

"Strip."

It was the absolute coldness of his voice that warned Kaoru to heed him. She could barely manage to nod and watched as he pulled back, pleased. He took a few steps back and kept his eyes on her.

"I will not repeat myself again, little Kaoru."

With quivering fingers, Kaoru undid her sash and dropped it to the floor. Her lips trembled with fright. Her mind stopped working. She knew she could not escape the madman before her. How could she allow herself to be pushed back into the past? How could she allow him to do this to her? Kaoru thought numbly as her fingers undid the ties of her robe slowly and clumsily, her fingers slipping more than once.

Enishi's eyes greedily took in the unconscious gracefulness of Kaoru's fingers. He could not wait to see her bare skin. He could not wait to mark her as his.

Soon, he promised himself.

Soon.

When the ties of her robe became undone, Kaoru held it with one hand across her chest and another around her waist, wishing someone would come along so that she would not have to go through with the horror.

"Little Kaoru...I'm waiting," Enishi said in a sickeningly sing song voice, sending shudders of disgust crawling at her skin.

When Kaoru remained motionless making no move to drop her robe to the floor, Enishi took a warning step forward and growled. She closed her eyes, knowing all was over and feeling the same helplessness she felt when she was a child. She could only beg for her mother's forgiveness for getting into this fix.

"Now," Enishi's voice frostily demanded and Kaoru dropped her robe.

As the flimsy, faded material pooled at her feet, Enishi feast his eyes on the beauty before him. He had seen many beautiful women before but none came close to what he saw before him. The body Kaoru had hidden as she grew up could incite lust in any man. It was splendid, beautiful.

He was tongue tied for only a moment before he smirked. He watched as Kaoru's skin turned a deep red, more from embarrassment and humiliation than anything else. He slowly circled her and growled warningly when her hands crossed before her breasts, shielding them from his view. However Kaoru did not put her hands down and kept her head low, shame filling her as he viewed her like a horse in the market. Enishi's smirk grew and he trailed a hand down her smooth back, his mind curious on how it could have remained smooth from all the whipping he had given her.

"What happened to the marks I left on you, little Kaoru?" Enishi whispered against her ear, his body wrapping hers tightly. Kaoru tried to pull away and refused to answer him.

Angered, he forced her hands apart and stared at her breasts. From his side view, he saw her tears dropping one after another but it did not stir his pity for her. Instead, her tears inflamed him even more, pushing him to hurt her. Pleasure filled him and he bit her neck sharply, drawing a startled cry from her pale lips. He watched as blood seeped through the wound and licked it clean, enjoying the tangy taste of her blood on his tongue.

She was his toy, his whore as she had been his father's.

She needed to be reminded of that.

When Enishi grabbed her naked breast and fondled it, Kaoru was forced to swallow the cry that nearly ripped from her throat. The disgusting feeling of his hand on her, roughly fondling her and pinching her nipple made her feel like throwing up. She wanted nothing more than to scream. However, Enishi had warned her not to cry out and she did not want him to go ahead with his threat. He would do it. She knew he would. He would rape her in front of every worker in his home and no one will raise a hand to help her. Not one will voice out for her. Not even Tae. Because they knew the power he held. They knew the meaning of fear. He invoked it within them. Being raped before them would do nothing more than humiliate and shame her. She did not know if she could handle it any more than she could handle this. As she did when she was a hopeless and helpless child, Kaoru wished he would simply hurry up and be done with her.

As Enishi trailed his hand over her smooth, unblemished skin, Kaoru looked away from him and looked pointedly at the door. Her hope that anyone would open it and safe her had died when she was forced to strip.

Just then, Tae's voice rang out and Kaoru and Enishi froze. However, Enishi felt something very strong and the grin on his face was unmistakable as he looked expectantly at the door. Kaoru, on the other hand, knew that help was on the way and she tried hard to break away from Enishi's grip. If she could only escape from his death grip...

To her horror, she heard Tae's voice clearly from outside the door addressing the last person she wanted to meet in her current condition.

Tae ushered Tomoe and Kenshin towards the laundry room, wondering why her mistress was so determined to show the young master her home. Tomoe had simply asked Tae to bring her around the house to show Kenshin the place.

"It's here, my lord," Tae said respectfully as she opened the door and took a step in only to stare in horror at the sight before her.

Behind her, Tomoe and Kenshin stopped short and stared at the two figures before them, one obviously naked.

When Kaoru's wide eyes met those of her unexpected spectators and rescuers, she saw Kenshin looking at her coldly, his eyes burning with unmasked fury.

And her whole body simply froze.

XXX

Author's Note:

Well, how do you like this? It was really hard to come up with this chapter. I struggled for days trying to find the correct plot without seeming to drag the story too much. I hope you all like this.

To all my faithful readers and reviewers, thank you so much for taking your time to read my story and review. It means so much to me to read each and every review. I truly regret being unable to reply each and everyone one of you. For now, this is all I can give to you. My thanks. So, thanks a lot for the wonderful reviews I have received. Please, do not hesitate to criticise me as you see fit.

Once again, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Have a nice day!