Ta da!!!! Chapter 7 is done. Didn't take long, did I?
I would like to thank my beta Karol, who edited this chapter promptly. Thanks a lot.
Now enjoy!
Chapter 7: Loneliness but...
He had promised him, and Kenshin is a man of his word, but I can see the pain in his eyes every time he watched me suffer. Or maybe this is my tired mind playing tricks on me…
Kaoru's eyes widened "Soujiro…" she whispered.
And from the hurt look that dominated his features Kaoru knew that Soujiro had seen her with Kenshin…
And behind the sadness there was something else
"Soujiro…" Kaoru repeated as she took two steps towards him, but she stopped herself when he moved.
"Why were you kissing a vampire, Kaoru?" he asked, his voice betraying different emotions, hurt and sadness were one of those emotions, but there was something else, something that was building within him.
Kaoru's body went rigid when she heard his words. He saw everything…
"Why were you following me?" Kaoru had intended to sound firm, but her voice was shaking. She had not wanted him to know like this.
To her surprised, he ignored her question. "Why were you kissing a vampire?" he asked again, taking a step in her direction.
"I didn't want you to find out this way…I…" Kaoru began, but hesitated.
She gathered her strength. "Me and Kenshin, the vampire king, we decided to follow King Okita's advice."
Silence. Soujiro's eyes never left her face, but his stare was hard to read. Kaoru expected to see shock, but there was nothing there.
"Please, Souji, don't stare at me like that," she walked to him. "Please say something."
"You are going to marry a vampire?" he said finally.
"I know it hard to understand, but please think about it. It's for the good of the two kingdoms."
He didn't even consider her words. "You can't marry one of those leeches." He was close to her now.
"Kenshin treats me kindly, he's a good man." When Soujiro remained silent, only staring at her with a blank look, Kaoru continued. "I know it's hard for you, that vampires had killed your parents. But if we keep holding grudge, the suffering will never end. You must…"
"No you don't understand," he said, his voice was shaking now. "You can't marry a vampire."
"What do you mean I can't? Me and him had already agreed and-"
Suddenly Soujiro reached for her upper arms and grabbed them tightly. "YOU DON"T UNDERSTAND!" he shouted at her as he shook her stunned form. "It's NOT allowed! You can't!"
At first Kaoru was too shocked to speak. In the ten years they had known each other, Soujiro had never showed aggression towards anyone except vampires, and even when fighting he had always been calm and composed despite being taunted by older soldiers. But now as Kaoru stared with wide eyes at him, there was nothing but pure rage.
"Wha…what do you mean? Souji, please what…AH!" Kaoru cried out when he tightened his hands around her arms. The wound on her left shoulder had not healed yet and she felt his fingers digging in the sensitive flesh.
"You are not to marry a vampire, you can't! You can't!"
Kaoru could not recognise the man before her. Gone was the kind, calm boy she had known since she was a mere child of six. Before her stood a man with wild eyes, anger shone from them.
"Souji please calm down, let me talk…"
"Talk?!" He shook her. "Talk won't do! IT'S NOT ALLOWED! There is nothing you can say!" And just like that he pushed her with a great force that Kaoru didn't know he possessed. First she felt herself hit the table, more precisely her left side connected with the edge of her wooden table, and before she hit the floor a pain exploded on her head. At that moment Kaoru had no idea what her head had hit as she tumbled to the ground. She remained lying on the floor, her body in too much pain to move a muscle. She felt trickle of blood along her forehead and throbbing pain on her side and left arm. Despite feeling dizzy Kaoru forced her eyes open, just so she could see Soujiro. She expected to see his worried and guilt stricken face looming over her, instead she saw him pacing along her room muttering words she couldn't make out clearly.
"What am I to do?" Kaoru heard him say to no one. "I have to…no I can't…maybe I should…" She couldn't make out the rest of his words but suddenly he stopped pacing and made his way to her.
"Souji…" Kaoru tried to rise but her body refused to obey.
Soujiro stared down at her, the anger seemed to have subsided, now replaced with resignation as if he had made up his mind about what to do "You've ruined everything, Kaoru" he said without even stooping to help her. Not uttering another word, he strode to the balcony.
"No…Souji don't leave…" Again Kaoru tried to rise, but not only her vision swam but pain radiated to her left shoulder which made her slump back again.
Ignoring her, Soujiro opened the balcony door and spread his wings before taking off in the dark night.
Kaoru called out for him again but only silence met her cries. She remained on the floor, crying. Everything went wrong, this wasn't how it was supposed to happen. By trying to achieve peace she had hurt the most important person in her life.
Kaoru's lid felt so heavy now and as unconsciousness kept tugging at her, a certain image kept popping in her mind; Soujiro spreading his wings in the balcony, only that his wings were not brown.
They were the color of midnight.
But having more dismaying matters to worry about, Kaoru dismissed what she had seen before darkness claimed her.
Kaoru woke up feeling a strong headache. Initially, she had no recollection of what had happened, but when she opened her eyes and saw Tetsuma sitting on a chair beside her bed, everything came back.
"Soujiro!" Kaoru called out and was about to sit up when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder.
"Easy now, Your Majesty." Tetsuma said "I don't believe you're ready yet."
Kaoru looked around and realized she was in her room, lying on her bed. She stared at the balcony, there was still light coming from outside.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Kaoru whispered.
"It's almost time for sunset. We found you this morning," Tetsuma explained, looking at her sharply. "You were unconscious with three injuries, the balcony door was open and your personal guard was no were to be found. We searched the whole castle."
Kaoru looked at him, alert now. "Call off the search" she ordered.
"But was he not who did this?"
"No!" Kaoru lied. "I had an accident, Soujiro would not hurt me."
"Then where is he now?" Tetsuma asked calmly, not believing her.
"I…I had sent him to the border village to see how are the people fairing now." Kaoru was aware that her lie did not fool Tetsuma, but she did not care. She would not allow them to arrest Soujiro.
Tetsuma continued to regard her sharply. "Very well, I will order the search to be off."
Kaoru tried to move her left arm but couldn't. She realized that her arm was bound against her chest so that she wouldn't move it.
"It seemed that you fell on your shoulder and almost dislocated it," Tetsuma explained. "And there was a large gash on your forehead and blood on edge of the chair. I suppose you banged your head when you fell."
Kaoru turned her head towards the balcony where her table and two chairs used to occupy that space. Now only one chair remained and the table.
Suddenly Tetsuma reached for her right hand and planted a kiss on the back of her hand. "I will leave you to rest now, my lady." He let go of her hand and rose to his feet. "I wish you a quick recovery." And he left the room.
Kaoru remained on her back, staring at the top of the canopy of her bed.
"He's nowhere to be found"
Kaoru recalled Tetsuma's words and tears started to well in her eyes.
"Soujiro…" Kaoru whispered in a chocked voice. She tried to convince herself that he needed time to think, that he will be back soon. He had to. Kaoru couldn't imagine her life without him.
How did it go wrong?
That night Kaoru waited for him, but Soujiro did not return.
Once again Kenshin arrived early at the lake. Kaoru hadn't arrived yet but she should be here any minute. Kenshin started to stroll around the lake, thinking. There are things he still needed to tell Kaoru, particularly about the nature of vampires. Avians might have spent most of their lives fighting vampires but that did not mean they know much about how vampires interact with each other or what was expected of a vampire's mate. Most of their knowledge about each other was pertaining weapons and poisons and other means to crush each other. There was one particular matter he needed to discuss with her soon and it filled him with anticipation.
Kenshin felt Kaoru before she actually appeared at the clearing. He turned towards the trees with a welcoming smile just as she stepped out of the woods.
The smile disappeared when his eyes fell upon her.
A white bandage circled around her head, covering her forehead. Her left arm was suspended over her chest. But what shocked him were her eyes. Her usually sparkling sapphire eyes were dim, as if they were shadowed by something terrible that had happened to her.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin was beside her in two strides. "What happened? Who did this to you?"
She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
Kenshin's hands found their ways to her cheeks, cupping them gently. "Speak to me, Kaoru. Who did this to you?"
Her eyes began to shine as tears began to fill them. "He didn't mean to hurt me," she said in a choked voice. "He was shocked, that's all…he didn't mean to…"
"Who is he?" Kenshin demanded.
"Soujiro. He was shocked…he…he's the only family I have and he's gone now." Tears coursed down her cheeks. "I wouldn't bear it if anything happened to him. It's all my fault." She bowed her head and started sobbing.
Kenshin took her in his arms, hugging her gently. He remembered that boy Soujiro. He had first met him near the lake when he had dropped before Kaoru, wanting to defend her from Kenshin. And after that Kenshin had seen him with Kaoru all the time, as if he was her shadow. He had always seemed very protective of her, how could he hurt her in such way?
"Kaoru, Kaoru, hush now," Kenshin cupped her face again and kissed her softly on the lips, tasting her tears. Then he steered her to their usual sitting place. As he helped her to sit down, he noticed her wincing and clutching her side with her good hand. Kenshin clenched his jaw. Anger bloomed within him as he thought how much that boy had hurt her. Though the emotional pain was affecting Kaoru more than the physical harm, Kenshin noted.
As they sat down, Kenshin took her in his arms again. "He will be back," he tried to reassure her. "He probably wanted to sort out his emotions first."
"I didn't want him to find out this way," Kaoru whispered, her head resting on his chest. "He had seen us together. He must have followed me."
Kenshin frowned when he heard this. If he had seen them together it means he had been close, couldn't have been more than several meters away.
I should have sensed him.
Kenshin could sense living creatures hundreds of meters away, he should have been able to know if someone was watching them. He dismissed this idea for now, wanting to focus on Kaoru. Her sobbing had subsided and she was calmer now.
"I'm sorry to burden you…I…didn't mean to cry like this…"
Kenshin shifted his position so he can look at her face with his arms still around her. He moved one hand and touched her cheek. "You're not a burden," he brushed an ebony strand off her cheek before kissing her on the mouth. He pulled away and regarded her closely. "You haven't been resting." He had seen her three days ago and she had changed. She looked tired and worn out now. Kenshin had noticed that she was dressed in gray leggings and dark tunic with her sword strapped to her waist.
"You've been looking for him…those past few days," it wasn't a question.
Kaoru averted her gaze. "I'm very worried, what if he's hurt…"
"I'm sure he can take care of himself," Kenshin replied. "Stop tormenting yourself." Kenshin was aware that he was kind of harsh on her, but for some reason the magnitude of love and care she directed to that boy angered him.
Kaoru made no reply, instead she stared at the lake.
"You should rest," Kenshin said, rubbing her arm. "You look tired."
Kaoru nodded and started to rise slowly "Yes I have to go now."
Kenshin was on his feet in a second, helping her up. But he frowned. Kaoru had never wanted to return this quickly.
"You're going to resume your search."
Kaoru didn't meet his gaze.
Kenshin placed his hands on her shoulders, ignoring her wince. "Be reasonable, Kaoru. Your kingdom is large, he could be anywhere."
"I need to see him, to explain everything…" Kaoru said softly.
"He will be back when he feels ready," Kenshin said. "In the meantime you have to take care of yourself, think about your kingdom."
Kaoru's eyes widened for a moment, then she bowed her head in shame. "You're right. I'm the queen. I have responsibilities."
No time to spare for my own feelings. Kenshin could guess the unsaid words, but he didn't say anything since this was true. She's the queen, her kingdom comes first. But that didn't mean that she should stop caring for herself.
Kenshin leaned towards her and kissed her. He felt her trembling lips part under his own as she responded to his kiss. He could tell that being a queen was weighing down on her now that she was alone.
"When you're my mate," Kenshin murmured against her mouth, "you won't be needing anyone but me."
That boy has no place in your life
Tetsuma sat back on his chair, staring intently at Kaoru. They were at one of the council meetings. The debriefing had just finished and Kaoru sat on her chair at the head of the table, bending over some papers as three other members gathered around wanting to bring her attention to some matters. It had been two weeks since Soujiro had disappeared. Her forehead was still bandaged, but her arm had recovered and she can move it freely now.
Katashi leaned towards Tetsuma. "Do you think it's time?" he whispered.
Tetsuma kept regarding Kaoru before answering. "Yes. It's the perfect time. Look at her she seems worn out and tired."
"That boy isn't back yet," Katashi explained.
"Yes, it's been two weeks. It's obvious that she had lied when she that he's in mission at the border village." Tetsuma paused. "We have to grasp this opportunity. She's alone, her spirit seems crushed. We only need to pressure her."
Katashi nodded.
After discussing other issues regarding roads to be forged, houses to rebuild and other matters pertaining the kingdom and its people, Kaoru was ready to dismiss the council.
"Your Majesty?"
Kaoru had just stood up when he spoke. "Yes, Katashi?" Her tone conveyed her tiredness, as if she had no sleep the night before.
"You're seventeenth birthday is approaching."
Kaoru heaved a sigh, "Yes I'm aware of that. You had reminded me two weeks ago."
"Then I don't have to remind you that it's time for you to choose a mate, my lady." The older man replied calmly.
"As I've said before, I will not tolerate anyone interfering with my life," Kaoru said firmly. But even those words were not as strongly emphasized as few weeks ago.
She missed Soujiro so much…
She felt alone.
"Must we remind you, my lady," now it was Tetsuma who spoke, "that whoever you choose will not only affect you but the whole kingdom. And," he added, not giving Kaoru a chance to speak, "by law, a girl not wedded by the age of seventeen, loses the right to choose. Her guardians can choose for her."
Kaoru's eyes widened, but only for a moment. She gathered herself only to give the wrong answer. "Both my parents are gone."
Another member spoke, "We, the council, are your guardians." The council had talked among themselves about what to say and how to respond so that they give her the impression that she's cornered.
"No, you're not!" Kaoru exclaimed. "You only have a say about decisions regarding the kingdom. My life is my own."
"You are underage," another member said. "Anyone under eighteen must have a guardian. And since you have no other relative, the council can take that position."
Kaoru could only stare at them with wide eyes. She didn't expect them to use the law against her. She could get angry and throw a fit, but she wasn't above the law.
And she was alone.
"And," Katashi spoke again, "we held such respect for your father that we would honor his wishes. And he wished for you to marry a certain one among us. The son of his dearest friend," he indicated at Tetsuma with his hand, "Tetsuma. He wanted you to be mated to him."
Kaoru stared at Tetsuma, who smirked at her and gave her a curt nod.
She would be damned if she married him.
"I've already chosen," Kaoru announced, her head held high.
Silence
Now it was the council's turn to stare at her with wide eyes.
"Yes, I've already chosen. Does this satisfy you now? I'm sixteen and I still retain my right to choose."
Tetsuma could barely contain the anger that shone from his eyes. "Who is he?"
Kaoru glared at him. "You will know tomorrow." Now she stared at each one directly into their shocked eyes. "All of you will know tomorrow. Now go! Leave me alone!"
Tetsuma was the first one to stand. He forcefully pushed his chair back and stalked out of the room. The others followed his lead but they walked as if in trance, shock showing on their faces.
Once the door was closed, Kaoru sank on her sat and bent over the table, burying her face into her arms.
And just like that she began to cry.
Even though she managed to ward them off, she had felt scared, as if she had just realized she's only sixteen. The constant presence of Soujiro behind her had always given her strength, strength to stand firm and face them all. But now he's gone. He had left her all alone.
"Oh Souji…" Kaoru cried. "Please come back."
Outside it began to rain.
Later that day.
Kaoru landed in a small clearing surrounded by the huge trees of the forest.
This is crazy
Kaoru was in the vampire territory, very close to their capital city. All she had to do was cross the woods and then she would see the walls of the city. She understood the risk she was putting herself at, but she need to talk to Kenshin urgently.
Kaoru inhaled deeply before starting to walk into the forest. The sky was clear, it had stopped raining to Kaoru's relief. Flying with wet wings was laborious and sometimes even impossible if the rain was heavy enough.
Kaoru was dressed like a soldier, dark tunics and leggings with high leather boots. As usual her sword was with her. Kaoru continued to walk between the trees, aware of her luck. She was lucky that she made it this far without being targeted by vampires' arrows. But she knew that the closer she got to the capital the more likely she would encounter vampires' patrols. That's why she had landed. It's better to encounter them on land and ask them to take her to Kenshin.
The sun had not set yet so Kaoru found her way easily. She had no idea how long she had been walking when suddenly she heard a voice. Kaoru halted, looking around, but all around her stood trees. She strained to hear where the voices were coming from.
"…this way…I…" Kaoru heard a man's voice. He was getting closer.
"I'm telling you, I smell…" The man stopped as he emerged from the tress, few paces away from Kaoru. And then a woman stepped beside him.
Kaoru recognized them immediately, and from the way they stared at her they did too.
Enishi and Tomoe
Kaoru remained silent, staring at them. Both were dressed similarly in tunic and black pants. The male had a long sword strapped to his waist but the female carried a bow and a bag of arrows over her shoulder.
"Well, well, well," Enishi said, overcoming his shock and moving closer to her. "If it isn't the queen of the avians."
Kaoru stood erect and stared squarely at him. "Take me to your king. I need to speak to him."
Both vampires exchanged a quizzical look before they stared back at her.
"And what is it that you want from him?" Tomoe asked, not bothering to hide her hate for Kaoru.
"It's only for his ears." Kaoru matched her glare.
Again Enishi and Tomoe looked at each other, but this time something unsaid passed between them before they both smiled.
Tomoe began to walk towards her slowly. Kaoru had seen her wearing a dress before, but she couldn't help but to think how beautiful her long slender legs looked in those tight pants.
"I'm sure my king will be delighted to see you," Tomoe said with a smile. "Such opportunity can not be wasted."
"Then take me to him now," Kaoru said, not liking the smile Tomoe gave her. She felt the male's eyes on her but she tried her best to ignore him, focusing on Tomoe who was standing before her now.
"First give me your sword," the female ordered, the smile gone now.
Kaoru didn't like this. "I think that I rather keep it."
"Oh come on little bird," it was the male now who spoke. "We won't kill you. You are more valuable alive than dead."
Finding no other option, Kaoru reluctantly unstrapped the sheath and handed the sword to the waiting female.
Again Tomoe smiled but suddenly she swept down and struck Kaoru on the back of her knees with her sheathed sword.
Kaoru gasped and fell on her knees. She tried to rise again but felt strong hands pulling both her arms forcefully behind her.
"There are certain precautions we must take," Kaoru heard Enishi's voice close to her ears. He held her arms tightly behind her, forcing her body against his.
"I'm…only here to talk…" Kaoru tried to reason with them.
"Of course you are," Tomoe said sarcastically and then started to loop a rope around Kaoru's wrists while Enishi held her from behind.
Once her wrists were tightly bound Enishi pushed Kaoru towards Tomoe, who held her upper arms tightly.
"Have to make sure you're not hiding anything," Enishi said with smirk as his eyes roamed over her body. Then he advanced and started to search her for any weapons.
"You took my only weapon," Kaoru tried to jerk her body free from Tomoe's grasp but with her bound hands and hurting legs there wasn't much she could do. "Stop it!" Kaoru protested angrily when Enishi's hands brushed her breasts and lingered there. She heard Tomoe's laugh behind her and saw Enishi's amused expression.
What is he doing? He's not searching for weapons…
When Enishi's hands went further down and touched her between the legs Kaoru tensed then rage overwhelmed her. She summoned all her strength and delivered a painful kick to his shins. "Don't touch me you bastard!" The kick was unexpected and delivered with such force that Enishi almost fell to the ground. He cursed and went on one knee.
Kaoru wanted to kick him some more but Tomoe pulled her back.
"You bitch!" Tomoe hissed, digging her nails into Kaoru's arms.
Kaoru winced when she felt Tomoe's finger on her wound and then gasped when Tomoe kicked her on the back of one of her already hurting knees. Again Kaoru found herself on her knees.
"You whore!" Enishi appeared before Kaoru, his black eyes flashing. And without any warning he slapped her hard across the cheek.
Kaoru would have stumbled to the ground if Tomoe hadn't been holding her. For few moments the world swam around her and there was a terrible ringing in her ears.
"Let's take her to the castle," Enishi said before grapping her arms and dragging her stunned form towards the city.
Kaoru was already regretting coming to the vampire kingdom.
Kenshin sat on his desk, reading papers regarding the villages on the border. He was so immersed on what he was doing that he didn't feel a soldier approaching the door from outside so the knock almost startled him.
"Come in," he said before the second knock sounded on the door.
The soldier entered and bowed to him "Your Majesty, Lord and Lady Yukishiro request to see you immediately."
Kenshin raised an eyebrow at that. Those two had never requested an audience with him, they always come to him unannounced.
"They said it's urgent and they had a girl with them," the soldier continued.
"A girl?" Kenshin remembered them saying they want to go hunting. That was two hours ago. "I'm coming now," Kenshin said with a dismissing gesture to the soldier. The soldier bowed again and was gone.
Kenshin placed the papers on his desk and rose to his feet. He walked to the door and stepped out. As he made his way to the hall, he wondered what those two are up to now. Kenshin rounded a corridor and then took the stairway down one level. Now Kenshin could hear their voice, it was Enishi's speaking and laughing.
Kenshin passed through two pillars and under a huge arched passage way and was in the main hall.
He froze at the passage way.
Enishi was holding a girl's chin, tilting her head upwards.
And that girl was Kaoru.
"Take your hands off her!" Kenshin roared, freezing the three right on their spots. Kenshin wasted no time. He strode to them and pulled Kaoru towards him. First he held her at arm length scanning her frantically. His eyes lingered on her neck to see if she had been bitten. Seeing no bite marks, he stared darkly at her cheek, where a dark bruise was forming.
"Kenshin this is the avian queen," Tomoe spoke. "We found her in the forest."
"I know who she is!" Kenshin snapped, angry at the way Kaoru had been handled. He walked behind Kaoru and started to work at her bonds.
"I'm sorry, Kenshin," Kaoru whispered "I'm sorry…"
Kenshin pressed his mouth into thin line.
"What are you doing?" Tomoe asked.
"Leave, you two," Kenshin ordered blackly.
"What do mean leave? Where are you taking her?"
"She can be ransomed," Enishi supported his sister. He narrowed his eyes at the way Kenshin was looking protectively at Kaoru. "Just throw her in a dungeon."
"She is going nowhere near a dungeon," Kenshin almost hissed at him.
"So what? Are you going to execute her straight away?" Tomoe asked. "We should take advantage of this."
Kenshin saw the confusion in Tomoe's eyes turned to suspicion. He urged himself to calm down. He hadn't told her yet about his betrothal to Kaoru. And now there was no escape.
Kenshin sighed and looked at Tomoe "I will explain everything soon, just wait." And he began to steer Kaoru toward the entrance.
"What are you going to do?" Tomoe persisted. "We found her so we get to have a say on what to do with her."
"I am your king!" Kenshin bellowed, no longer containing his anger. "And I'm ordering you to wait, both of you!"
Not waiting for them to speak he held Kaoru's arm and guided her out of the hall.
Kaoru allowed Kenshin to steer her out of the room and up a flight of stairs. He didn't speak nor did he look at her, but he kept a firm grip on her upper arm. They walked along a short corridor and Kaoru noticed how beautiful and luxurious the decoration was. Kenshin halted before a double door and pushed them open before he pulled Kaoru inside and closing the door. His movements weren't aggressive but Kaoru could tell that he was angry. Once inside the room he released her arm and started to pace.
Kaoru remained silent. She scanned the room briefly. It was obvious that they were in a study. The room was large with a huge desk situated before a wall-long window. There were two armchairs facing the desk and a divan situated to the side. Kaoru longed to sit down and rest her aching legs. But she turned to face Kenshin and was about to speak but he spoke before her.
"What are you doing in my kingdom?" he demanded, not looking at her, but he stopped pacing and now stood with his back to her.
Kaoru frowned. "You came to my kingdom too."
"I sneaked into your kingdom," he turned to look at her now, his eyes flaring. "But you, on the other hand, could have as well shouted at the top of your voice saying: I'm an avian!"
"My plan was to encounter your patrols so they can take me to you," Kaoru explained.
"What if you were shot?" The anger was too evident in his amber eyes. "The poison could kill you before they bring you to me."
Kaoru sighed, even though she could see the fury in his eyes she knew that he was worried about her. "I'm sorry, Kenshin," Kaoru took few steps towards him. "I know I acted foolishly but I needed to speak to you."
Kaoru watched as he closed his eyes, as if trying to control his emotions. When he opened them he seemed little bit calmer, but anger was still lurking.
Kenshin covered the distance between them and stopped before her, staring at her face intently. His eyes lingered on her bruised cheek.
"Does it hurt?" he raised his hand to touch her cheek.
"No, I'm…" Kaoru winced when his fingers touched the bruised flesh.
Kenshin clamped his jaw. He had no doubt that it was Enishi who hit her. A woman's hand wouldn't leave such a bruise.
"Kenshin…" Kaoru whispered when he continue to look at her cheek. Suddenly he leaned towards her and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. She closed her eyes. His lips felt like a feathery caress on her hot flesh. She felt him kissing his way to her mouth and she responded to his deep kiss. His hands found their way around her waist and Kaoru rested her own on his hard chest.
Finally Kenshin broke the kiss, but he still held her close to his body. "Whatever you want to say must be very important to risk your life like this."
Kaoru nodded. "I'm going to announce our betrothal to the council and to my people…tomorrow."
Kenshin frowned. "Why tomorrow?"
"The council members are plotting. They want to force me to marry someone of their choosing…"
"What?!" The temperature seemed to drop as Kenshin's anger was rekindled. "They can't! You're the queen."
"I know but I'm under eighteen, and in my kingdom anyone under eighteen has to have a guardian and they plan to be mine."
"Don't you have any relatives?"
Kaoru shook her head. "I only have one exiled uncle, whose whereabouts are unknown and my mother has no relatives."
Kenshin found the statement about her mother weird but it was beside the point now. "So it means as your guardians they can refuse to acknowledge our betrothal."
"No, they want me to marry before my seventeenth birthday and I will grant them that. Tomorrow I'm going to turn their own plan against them." Kaoru said confidently.
Kenshin saw the determination in her eyes. Despite her young age she was forced to act beyond her years and fight those who wanted to oppose her. Kenshin had no doubt that whoever the council had chosen was among them. They were seeking to control her by any means and forcing her marry was an effective way to subjugate her.
Kenshin felt like slaughtering them all for thinking like that.
"Kenshin, I'm sorry." Kaoru's apology brought Kenshin out his reverie.
"You've just apologized, I'm not mad at you anymore." He touched her un-bruised cheek before kissing her again.
"No," Kaoru said when he pulled away, "I came her unannounced and now that woman, Tomoe, has to know in such way about us. I thought you would have told her."
Kenshin heaved a trouble sigh, then he steered Kaoru to the large sofa at the side of the room. Kaoru leaned back, glad to be resting her legs. Kenshin sat with his arm behind her and his torso angled towards her.
"No I haven't told her," Kenshin began. "I suppose I was trying to delay revealing our betrothal so I wouldn't hurt her because I know no matter how I approach her with the news nothing will change, I know exactly how she's going to react."
Kaoru remained silent, thinking about Soujiro. Will she leave like Souji? Kaoru wished not. She didn't want Kenshin to suffer they way she was suffering now.
"You haven't heard from him yet?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru shook her head, staring down at her hands. "Nothing. I just hope that wherever he is, he's unhurt."
He knew that it was cruel of him, but Kenshin felt relieved that that boy had disappeared. Soon Kaoru wouldn't be needing another man in her life. She had no idea now but soon she will discover how possessive a vampire can be.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru whispered. It was obvious that he was thinking deeply but he was also looking at her in an odd way. Kaoru watched him as he edged closer to her and took her in his arms again. Kaoru gladly yielded her lips to him as he kissed her, for she loved the way his lips felt against hers. And she was happy that after weeks of meeting with and kissing him she was finally starting to overcome her shyness. However, as she felt his hands trying to find their way under her tunic, blood rushed to her face.
"Ken…shin," Kaoru murmured against his mouth.
"Hmmm…" that was all the reply she received before he covered her mouth firmly with his again. Kenshin kissed her passionately as his hands settled under her tunic. The belt around her waist prevented him from going up any further. An irresistible urge to take her to his room, to his bed tugged at him as he kissed her jaw and down her neck. He knew what her reaction would be and he wouldn't force her, however, he could seduce her. The pleasure he would make her feel would overwhelm her and she would be unable to resist, she would want more. He could now hear her heavy breathing as he kissed and sucked at her neck.
"Kenshin…" he heard her whisper his name wistfully but he could detect the confusion in her voice. All those feelings were foreign to her.
Kenshin almost groaned with lust as he pulled her to his lap and started to kiss her again. Kenshin brushed his tongue against her lips, tasting her. "Coming to my kingdom was the wrong thing to do," Kenshin pulled back as he said that. But he kept her on his lap, one hand around her shoulders and the other was looped around her small waist "I don't think I can let you go in the same condition as you were when you arrived."
Kenshin chuckled when he saw her blue eyes widen in fear. "Do you even know what I'm talking about?"
Kaoru blushed in embarrassment and shook her head.
"It means," Kenshin began, his amused and lust-filled eyes never leaving her, "I want to take you to my bed this very moment and …do things to you." And he kissed her before she could reply. "Your mere presence is a test to my patience."
"But…we…" Kaoru was overwhelmed and confused by the way her body was reacting. She was supposed to pull away, yet her body refused to edge anywhere away from Kenshin's. She had never felt like this before.
"But we're not married?" Kenshin continued for her. "I doubt that there is a man who could wait to have his hands on you. You have no idea…" He dipped to kiss her again "No idea at all…"
All of a sudden, Kenshin tensed. He seemed to be listening to something. Then he sighed. "Those two…" he muttered to himself.
Kaoru blinked, confused.
Kenshin kissed her briefly again before he helped her to her feet.
"When it comes to patience, Tomoe is even worse than me," he said. "It cannot be delayed longer. I will tell her now."
Kaoru looked at him, still not understanding. "She's coming?" Just when she asked this someone knocked on the door.
Kenshin held one of Kaoru's hands, his face serious now. "Come in."
"Kenshin, why are taking this long?" It was Tomoe who entered the room, followed by Enishi, who first shrugged at Kenshin as if saying you know how my sister could be. But then both Tomoe and Enishi froze when they saw Kenshin and Kaoru holding hands.
"Kenshin this is…" Tomoe began her eyes wide.
Kenshin faced them both. "I should have told you this a week ago," Kenshin said, his eyes on Tomoe only. "There is no way to say it that can alleviate the shock nor is there any introduction I can make to make it easier for both of us. So I'm going to say it without sugarcoating it," his amber eyes flickered to Enishi before they settled again on the now frightened Tomoe "I, the vampire king, your King, will take Kaoru, the avian queen as my mate." Kenshin squeezed Kaoru's hand, as if telling her to brace herself for their reaction.
For few moments Tomoe was silent, staring at Kenshin intently, as if waiting for him to take back his words. Then her eyes flared in anger.
"What?!" she almost shouted. "Taking an avian as your mate? Don't be ridiculous Kenshin. She's the enemy."
"She is no longer so," Kenshin replied calmly. "Once we announce our betrothal tomorrow the road to peace will be forged."
Tomoe stared from Kenshin to Kaoru and to Kenshin again, still not believing.
"The people will not accept her. No vampire will accept her as a queen."
As Kenshin tried to reason with her, Kaoru's eyes travelled to her brother, who had been silent since Kenshin had revealed their betrothal. To Kaoru's surprise Enishi was smiling. He was smiling and looking directly at her. She couldn't understand why he was smiling nor could she decipher the way he was staring at her. But the way he was smiling conveyed not only his amusement but his anticipation also.
"You can't do that to me…you can't, I love you…" Tomoe's choked voice made Kaoru look at her.
Kenshin's expression softened, "Don't make it hard on us both, you know my feelings, I've always made them clear."
"Still I've always hoped. I waited for your emotion to change…"
Kaoru stopped listening after the word "waited". Soujiro had said something similar.
I will be waiting…always
Kaoru couldn't bear to see her suffering like that, so she let go of Kenshin's hand and took a step towards Tomoe.
"Please understand," Kaoru began. "Kenshin and I are doing this for peace. We want to stop the bloodshed by uniting the two kingdoms. Please try to understand and support him. I'm positive that he's doing this protect you too. He told me that you are someone special to him." Saying those words brought jealousy to Kaoru's heart, but nonetheless she continued. "He doesn't want you fighting again nor to risk your life in another war."
Tomoe was silent, and for a moment Kaoru thought that she had calmed down, that her words had reached Tomoe. However, Tomoe's eyes flared and Kaoru felt and saw the hatred in her black eyes.
"You will not have him, you filthy avian," Tomoe advanced towards the shocked Kaoru. "He will be my mate."
Kenshin put himself between Tomoe and Kaoru. "Tomoe," his voice was dark and it conveyed his warning. "I know that you're hurting, but I will not tolerate you insulting Kaoru."
Tomoe stepped back, then before walking to the door she gave Kaoru a glare full of loathing. "I should have killed you in the woods." With that she left the room, banging the door after her.
The three in the room were silent for few moments.
"I will speak to her," Enishi declared. He walked to Kaoru and bowed curtly to her. "I for one will look forward to you moving here and serving you as my queen," he said with smirk. He then nodded to Kenshin before leaving the room.
Kaoru didn't like that man, especially after the way he was touching her in forest. But she didn't reveal any of this to Kenshin. He had enough troubles as without it.
Kaoru walked to him. He didn't say anything but it was obvious that he was angry at the way Tomoe had reacted. Battling her shyness and embarrassment, Kaoru slid her arms around him and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He was motionless for few moments but then she felt his strong arms around her.
"So it begins now," he whispered, resting his cheek against her head.
"The world will know about us tomorrow," Kaoru said. Despite what had happened between her and Soujiro, the last few weeks spent with Kenshin were wonderful. Meeting him secretly and getting to know him in that clearing near the lake, made her forget about everything, forget about the burden of being a queen and made her feel safe. "Things will change now."
"They will," Kenshin agreed. "But no matter what, we will face the world together." Now Kenshin moved his head to look into her eyes, then he leaned toward her and kissed her.
Kaoru loved what she saw in his eyes. The way he had warmly stared at her, made her feel as if he was making a vow to be there for her, to protect her.
At that time Kaoru did not know, but she was starting to fall for Kenshin.
-sighs- I'm in love with this couple.
And please give Souji a chance, wait till next chapter before you judge him.
Nma5 had asked if I will explain everything regarding Kaoru's mother and the reason behind her actions and then her suicide, the answer is yes I will!!! It's an important part of my plot.
And I think I gave a big hint in chapter, if you can connect it with something that happened few chapters back, you will know my second focus of the plot ;-)
Also the part in the woods is inspired by a scene in Hawksong, though mine is kind of different with regards to the motivations and the consequences. Thought you should know.
Thanks again for all you lovely reviewers, you make me write faster –hint, hint- hehe ^_^
