I do not own Rurouni Kenshin :-)

Strange Affliction

Chapter 10 – Parlous Straits

The amount of tension Kaoru was experiencing right now was incredible. It was almost as if everyone had been petrified into immobility, and any movement would set off an ominous series of events. Oddly enough Kenshin just felt stunned. He was simply frozen with surprise, possibly even numb with incredulity. He was about to take a step forward when Kaoru let go of his hand and stepped in front of him. It was a possessive gesture, almost as if she was shielding him from whatever it was that was creating such apprehension. Kenshin's gaze flicked to Kaoru as she stared openly at the woman near the fireplace. It was if she was openly issuing a challenge to the woman, Kenshin could almost hear her saying it; just try it…

He leaned into her frame, feeling the strength of her stance and buried his face in her hair. He wrapped an arm around her waist and closed his eyes, his lips resting high against her cheek.

"Alright love?" he asked carefully.

"I should be asking you that." She responded lowly, while leaning into his embrace. Kaoru was now encircled in Kenshin's arms; both facing diagonally away from the fireplace. Everyone behind Kenshin and Kaoru visibly exhaled. "I think a couple of drinks are in order." She said in a louder voice.

"I could definitely use a few of those." Muttered Megumi, without taking her eyes off the woman.

"Amen to that." Agreed Kamatari.

"Hit me up, buttercup!" chirped Misao feeling a little better. Aoshi simply tightened his lips and trailed behind.

As they strolled to the wine bar, Kaoru fervently searched her memory for a name. Kenshin had never given her one. It had always been 'she' or 'her' or 'the woman'. So this was 'the woman' who had almost destroyed Kenshin in his youth. Kenshin had never mentioned where he'd met her, or at what age, which begged the question: what was she doing here? No one else would have incited such a reaction from the whole family, and there was no way she was letting her get anywhere near Kenshin.

As they ordered Kaoru turned to Kenshin, placing an arm over his shoulder in a loving gesture and pulled him closer.

"Is that who I think it is?" she whispered in his ear.

"Who would that be love?"

"You never told me her name." she accused softly.

"If you think it's the woman I never talk about – then yes, that is her." Kenshin looked straight into her eyes as he said it. Kaoru noticed that he didn't seem saddened or angered by it.

"Do you want to go home?"

Kenshin smiled softly at her concern "No – I came here to have a good time with my family, and my girlfriend, and I that's exactly what I'm going to do." He was firm in his resolve.

Kaoru ran her hand under his jacket and over his thin raw silk shirt, feeling the well toned muscle in his chest. "I won't think anything of it if we went home Kenshin. I'd rather spend a night in with you instead of dodging a viper ex-girlfriend." She murmured.

"Keep doing that and we just might." He responded lowly. Kaoru lay her head on his shoulder and bit her lip worriedly. She hoped he wasn't lying.

Kaoru's lips whitened under her teeth as she bit them apprehensively, and Misao was finding it increasingly difficult to understand why everyone was pretending as if everything was okay. In thinking so, her breathing became a little heavy as she contemplated all the ways she could physically maim the viper woman.

"I hear you sister." Kamatari drawled quietly in her ear.

"I cannot believe her nerve. That supercilious bitch." Muttered Misao as she munched ferociously on the olive in her martini. She threw the drink to the back of her throat and immediately ordered another. Kenshin and Kaoru were still standing close together while the viper woman watched them with apparent interest. If she kept looking at them like that she was going to regret it.

"Careful Misao." Warned Kamatari as he noticed the stiff set of Misao's back. It appeared that the carefree ditzy sugar addict wasn't so carefree after all.

"Oh my god, she's coming over here." Whispered Misao angrily darting anxious looks at Kenshin.

Shishio approached the bar with the woman. Her green eyes slanted beautifully, and her body swayed like a siren.

"I'd like to introduce you all to one of the associate dealers in the south coast wine productions – Yuki. She takes our wines and sells them nationwide and abroad. Yuki, this is he Himura family, close family friends of Tomoe Yukishiro who is having her wedding here in a few weeks."

Misao wasn't sure whether she should keep up the charade: that Shishio thought they didn't know each other. Shishio, unaware of the tension turned to Kenshin and Kaoru.

"This is Mr Kenshin Himura and Tomoe's designer Kaoru." Kenshin stared at Yuki with a blank expression on his face before addressing Shishio.

"Thank you Shishio, but introductions are unnecessary. We have all met Yuki before…except Kaoru." He smiled at her. "Kaoru this is Yuki."

"Pleased to meet you." Yuki stated in a soft breathless voice, holding out her hand in greeting. The woman was sex on heels from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.

Kaoru didn't want to touch her, so she smiled prettily and bowed her head instead of shaking hands. Yuki, lost her smile, her hand dropping back to her side. The wine handlers expertly poured the wine into their glasses before Kenshin and Kamatari were led away by Shishio to be shown the processing style. Kenshin moved slowly to follow Shishio but his each move was weighed down with trepidation. He didn't want leave Kaoru alone with Yuki, in fact he wished that she'd never met her.

Kaoru felt like running after Kenshin. Watching his retreating form with longing, he threw her a reassuring look over his shoulder and winked as he strolled away.

"So are you and Kenshin dating then?" Yuki asked without preamble.

"I don't know you well enough to get into that." Kaoru stated sweetly. Yuki grinned almost menacingly.

"I'm surprised he's dating you." Yuki continued as if Kaoru hadn't spoken. "He's a little out of your league isn't he?" Kaoru wasn't sure of the woman was naturally a bitch or whether she was being more bitchy than usual because she thought that Kaoru knew nothing about what role she had played in Kenshins life.

"Really?" Kaoru offered Yuki a crafted look of surprise.

"Oh yeah. I thought I saw him with that woman the other day, ummm what was her name."

"Tomoe?" Kaoru offered blithely.

"Mmm yes. They seemed quite cosy." Yuki watched Kaoru face carefully. "In fact, not to put a sour note on your relationship, but Kenshin was quite the ladies man when I knew him." Kaoru was at the end of her tether, and the woman was worse than Kenshin had described.

"If you're trying to convince me that Kenshin is having an illicit affair with Tomoe, then you have no idea who I am. I've heard less stupid things than that and known it was a lie. Christ you're such a bitch." All the while Kaoru maintained low volume and overly sweet tones. Yuki was a little stunned, her mouth falling open inelegantly before she shut it with a decisive click.

"Misao chan you should taste this wine, it's heavenly." She swapped her glass with Misao, shepherding them away from Yuki towards the processing style. Yuki watched the two women walking away, feeling the hairs stand on the back of her neck. Looking back at the bar she noticed Megumi staring at her. Raising an eyebrow she sneered at Megumi with dislike.

"What do you want?"

Megumi simply stared a little longer before giving her derisive look. As she swept away after Kaoru and Misao, she heard Yuki mutter 'bitch' under her breath. Catching up with them she leaned in confidentially.

"I am going to slice that woman's face off if she even looks at Ken san again." She murmured in a sugary tone. "I brought my surgery kit with me."

"Pfft surgery schmurgery, I got my blades in the car." She winked back. They both looked at Kaoru expectantly, waiting for her to add to their repertoire of slicing and dicing. She looked own at her nails. She could scratch her face and be done with it, though she had a feeling that it wouldn't be brutal enough for them.

"Umm I have my material cutting scissors at the house?" when they looked unimpressed she added to it "And my metre long slicer for heavy duty materials." To this Misao and Megumi nodded appreciatively.

"Oh yeah we could throw her under there any day." Misao agreed making quick slicing motions with her hands with accompanying sound effects.

Kaoru found the evening had proceeded with relatively few hiccups. Yuki had remained social and Kaoru had seen her keeping an eye on Kenshin. There was no doubt in Kaoru's mind why Kenshin had fallen in love with her. She was certainly very beautiful and a young naïve adolescent would have been blown away if she had been interested in them. Kaoru vainly tried to remember what little Kenshin had told her about Yuki.

"There was something about her I'd never seen before…Her eye's spoke of an indescribable sadness…I was in love with her even before the introductions were finished. We were in a long term relationship and by the time I had realised that she didn't love me at all, she had cheated on me several times. In fact, I only knew about a few of her indiscretions. I doubt I knew about all of them…"

Kaoru thought back to the times when she had been cheated on by men that she had dated casually. It had been hurtful, mostly humiliating, but it hadn't been a ground breaking moment for her. It was simply wastage and she had moved on knowing that there were better things to look forward to in the future. Perhaps as an adolescent in love, because they're emotionally untried it hurts more? She wasn't sure. It was either adolescent naïveté or something else had happened. She experimentally touched her throbbing lip where she had bitten it too hard and tasted the metallic blood. Whatever it was Kenshin hadn't told her about, she hoped he would tell her was sooner rather than later. At her thoughts she remembered Kenshins words when she had cut him down as he'd asked about her past

"I'll wait…"

So if he could wait, then by all rights she should return the gesture. Kaoru knew that she could allude to knowing that he hadn't told her the whole truth and let it be, or she could ask. She wanted to be understanding, but the reality of the situation could not be denied. Her past, was something which could be discussed at any point in the future, unless some event occurred which accelerated the process. Yuki however, was right in front of them almost like a subliminal disaster in their young relationship. It was an issue that had to be dealt with now, and quickly, for who knew what things Yuki had planned.

She had ridden home with Kenshin while he answered a conference call from his London office. As soon as they arrived home he ad kissed her on the cheek and told her he would working late. With Aoshi in tow he had disappeared into his office and three hours later he still hadn't emerged. She waited patiently by the front drawing room window for Kamatari to return. She really needed someone to talk to.

"How do you feel?" Aoshi asked quietly.

Kenshin glanced over at him warily "I've been better." He replied "way better."

Aoshi nodded solemnly "This Yuki woman, she's the one from before isn't she?"

Kenshin merely nodded.

"I didn't know she was working in the wine industry." He thought out aloud.

"That's how we first met." He sighed "We were both casual workers at a small French winery, provence."

"I'm guessing this was during your freedom of youth days." Aoshi observed dryly.

"Some freedom of youth it was." Muttered Kenshin swirling the gin and tonic in his glass. "Had I not met Yuki, things would have been very different." He admitted. "very different" he repeated almost in a daze.

Kenshin had always been careful with his emotions, and was never seen to be complacent. His thoughts and words worried Aoshi immensely. He liked watching people and saying little, because it allowed his to observe, analyse and theorise about people's situations based on their behaviour. He was always able to gain valuable knowledge in this manner as well. He'd heard Kamiya respond to Yuki's barb with surprising derision. This Yuki woman could not have shown up at a worse time, and she was obviously here for a reason. If her looks were anything to go by then that reason was Kenshin, and he, Aoshi Shinomori would make sure that Kamiya was ready.

Kaoru paced the floor slowly and rushed over to the window as Kamatari's car winded slowly up the long driveway. It crunched to a halt outside the house and she could just make out Misao mincing her way towards the front door.

She strolled out casually to meet them as they all made their way to the kitchen. She sidled up to Kamatari and leaned her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her.

"You're all snug in your jammies."

Kaoru grimaced "Yeah I wasn't about to wait around in my dress, as pretty as it is, it's still not that comfortable."

"You were waiting for moi?" he feigned a look of surprise and Kaoru rolled her eyes.

"Yes I was waiting for you." Exasperation evident in her tone.

"I think hot chocolate and cookies are in order." He informed everyone stoutly.

"I'm getting changed." Misao snarled before clomping upstairs.

Kaoru watched her go with fascination.

"She wanted to murder Yuki but I wouldn't let her. I tried to placate her by making her realise that the satisfaction gained from Yuki's painful death would pale in comparison to the years of jail she would receive as a result of her actions." Megumi informed her factually, before shrugging elegantly and tugging Sano after her towards their bedroom.

"Uh huh. Misao is very…very." Kaoru finished lamely.

"She is that and many other things." He stated watching the empty space at the top of the stairs that Misao had disappeared into.

In the kitchen Kamatari made them both hot chocolates, using cocoa and choc chips, before placed them ceremoniously in front of Kaoru. She sniffed the steam rising from her mug appreciatively. Not wanting to begin the discussion with her own issues Kaoru decided to start off with Kamatari's.

"So anymore news on the Shishio front?"

Kamatari responded after a moment "None."

"Oh." Kaoru replied in a small voice.

"There are other things that need attention before I can even begin to think about that." He sighed.

Seeing her opening Kaoru dived in "Kenshin is avoiding me."

"He might need some time to think Kao. It's not as if Yuki is some small thing that affected him. His experience with her changed him completely."

"I understand that, but how am I supposed to deal with this when I don't know the full story."

Kamatari shrugged "Well no one but Ken knows." He gripped his mug tightly despite the heat emanating from the ceramic "It must have been something terrible."

"I know," Kaoru sighed and couldn't help repeating herself "How am I supposed to help him if I don't know?"

Kamatari stared at her for a moment, as if weighing up his words carefully before speaking. "Kenshin has helped you, hasn't he?"

"Well, he's shown me that we can have a great relationship, and that we're great friends."

"He's helped you with your past Kaoru – shown you that he understands. I know he's said something to you, to that effect." He nodded knowingly.

Kaoru pursed her lips in thought. "He has been understanding of my past, that much I'll admit." She reasoned, but before she could continue Kamatari smoothly finished her train of thought for her.

"But your past isn't affecting anyone right now, where as Kenshin's has quite literally turned up on our doorstep."

"Exactly!" she sighed.

"And you need to be informed to be able to defend yourself against the villainous harpy who so obviously wants Kenshin back."

"Exactly – wait, what?" Kaoru exclaimed. "She wants Kenshin back?" Kaoru repeated incredulously.

"In a nutshell." He confirmed. "Why did you think she was back?" he asked curiously.

Kaoru wasn't sure "I –" she faltered, knowing that her response would display a notion uncharacteristically unlike her. "We just started dating," she threw up her hands.

"You were never one to back down from a fight love. And you faired so well this evening." He grinned saluting her with his hot chocolate.

"Oh yeah, it was great." She grumbled with displeasure.

"I think talking to Kenshin is your best option. I know Yuki's style. She'll bring you down by trying to isolate you, make you feel as if you don't belong here at all. I mean its human nature at it's simplest, that you're weakest when you're alone. We won't leave you alone, but it's really you and Kenshin that have to show a united front."

"Oh please, I was born into isolation - I'm fine with that…it's just Kenshin I'm concerned about." She whispered. In those few moments Kaoru realised that her feelings for Kenshin were deeper than she had originally thought. That she wasn't willing to see him rehash the past, and allow this woman to hurt him was enough of a clue. She was willing to protect him, and Kaoru knew that shielding him from pain was devotion beyond simple gestures of love. It was a mixture of loyalty and passion she could scarcely fathom; and she had freely allowed herself to fall into the unknown chasm.

Is this how Kenshin feels? She thought as his low voice whispered into her mind lovingly telling her how beautiful she looked. The dawning realisation gripped her: there was so much more stake.

Kenshin rubbed his eyes tiredly, and wondered how a multi-million dollar buyout which was supposed to be like taking candy from a baby was proving to be more like convincing Germany that the war was over in 1947. The call couldn't have come at a worse time and he knew Kaoru thought that he was avoiding her. Well he secretly hoped she didn't think that. Aoshi had leaned back in his chair, stretching his long frame when the phone on his desk rang. Kenshin wasn't sure he wanted to answer it, just in case it was an idiot from London who had another problem. Hesitantly he picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey…it's Kaoru."

"I know." He murmured softly his heart beating a little faster at her soft voice.

"I just wanted to know what time you think you'll be done with your work"

"I'm done now. Did you want to grab a night cap?"

"No, I had some hot chocolate – just knock on my door whenever you come upstairs okay?"

"Sure." He agreed uncertainly. Kaoru never invited him up to her room.

Five minutes later Kenshin stood in front of Kaoru's bedroom door. He ran his hand through his hair before lifting it to knock. The door swung open to reveal Kaoru in a cute pair of Pyjamas. Her white shirt was loose and the long pants hung low on her hips, folded several times at the bottom.

"Hey." She greeted softly, motioning for him to come in. "How did the work stuff go?" she asked politely.

Kenshin slanted her a look of amusement "Since when has my work been of so much interest to you?"

"I was trying to be a supportive yet polite girlfriend." She stated folding her arms.

He chuckled lowly "It went alright."

"And?"

"And it'll keep until I get back." He settled himself onto the edge of her bed. His eyes were tired and his back hurt, so he fell backwards onto the soft comforter, linking his hands on his stomach. "You didn't ask me up here to talk about my work Kaoru." He flicked an eye open and watched her. Kaoru climbed onto the bed and lay on her side next to him.

"I talked to Yuki." She stated simply and he waited for her to continue. "She tried to convince me that you and Tomoe had something going on, and that you didn't really care about me. Not that I believe her." Kaoru added quickly.

Kenshin sighed and rubbed his face. Yuki would never learn.

"What do you want me to say Kaoru?"

"I don't want you to say anything. I need you to tell me whatever it is you're obviously not." Obviously? Kenshin thought wryly.

"What makes you think I am?" he asked his voice measured and steady.

Kaoru's tone was final "I know you've been understanding about my issues, but I also know you're not telling me something, and I know it must be terrible – which is why no one knows what it is. But I can't help you unless I know."

Kenshin blinked repeatedly and stared at the ceiling. He didn't appear to be relenting at all as he turned his head to look at her.

She slid her hand over his and kissed his mouth softly "Kenshin. Please. I don't want to see you hurt again. If I can help you through this, if I can even minimise the pain by just a bit - I'll stay and fight."

"Okay" his voice was heavy with defeat.

I have my final exams in a week, so updates will slow down considerably...I'm stressing like there's no tomorrow :-s

You know the drill - the good, the bad and even the ugly - I can handle it ;-)

cheers,

Iuvenalis.