Hi again, not so late this time, ne? I decided to work on this chapter before my next novel arrives and here it is. :D there are some comments as usual:
- Alwyzme thank you for your reviews, they are so inspiring and they give me some ideas here and there hehe, I really appreciate the time you spend writing them.
- Sosoru: don't worry I was not offended by your review. The problem is that after receiving your review I re-read the last chapter, and I admit I found some typing errors here and there, but you said some errors were confusing and made it hard to read, I did not see those errors. This lead me to an awful conclusion that I'm making some HUGE mistakes that I'm not aware of. So please, to Sosoru and anyone, if you read such errors just point them out and maybe give me an advice in how to correct it. I would really appreciate it.
- bbzachariah: you broke my heart when she said Kaoru resembles Tomoe in the last chap :'(...lol, Kaoru is much better as a character than Tomoe. And maybe some of you noticed that Kaoru's character in my story is very much like Kaoru in the Reflection OVA, I mean stubborn and strong yet calm and kind. (I still have this dream that the whole RK series will be reanimated to be similar to the OVAs. Now you can see how much I love angst. Hehe ) But don't worry Kaoru will have her time to shine ;-)
And I would like to thanks all who took the time to review, they are so encouraging.
Finally, two notes bout this chapter:
- I know nothing about Japanese religion whatsoever, whether they have a God or Gods, or whether they have hell or heaven. Seriously me is innocent .
- Warning: A disturbing scene is coming ahead.
Chapter 10: Twist of Fate
In one cloudy day, the kitchen was noisy with women's chattering and laughing. Some were cooking, some were cutting vegetables, others just talked and laughed.
But Kaoru, who was busy washing the breakfast's dishes, heard none of their voices. She had volunteered to do the whole dishes since she had missed her serving duty this morning and was now lost in her own world, remembering last night and glad that her back was to the all occupants of the kitchen because she could feel her cheeks burning at the memory.
She still could not believe that she had slept with Kenshin, she remembered that in her time all she had ever wanted of Kenshin was a look or maybe a kiss. But he, with all his polite attitude, had kept a constant distance between them. Well, that was until Enishi had come into their lives and after that the roles had been switched. It had been she who had kept a constant and long distance between herself and all those around her. However, here things were so different.
Kenshin was so different.
It was hard to believe that they were the same person. The Kenshin of this time, though insecure and taciturn, knew what he wanted and was very gentle. It's not like the older Kenshin was not gentle, on the contrary, he was polite and considerate with everyone, without any exception, however, Kenshin of this time reserved his gentleness for her alone. Everyone regarded him as a heartless assassin, only Kaoru, maybe Katsura too, knew the other side of him. As selfish as it sounded, Kaoru felt happy for this. It was as if she's the only person he could trust with his emotions.
"Kaoru-chan?"
Kaoru jumped slightly upon hearing her name before turning to the woman who called her.
"Kaoru-chan, I've been calling your name for the last few minutes."
"I'm sorry I did not hear you, Sazumi-san" Kaoru smiled sheepishly. She must have thought I'm deaf.
"You have been day dreaming so often lately" another woman added "come, tell us what is occupying your mind" she laughed.
"Maybe it is a certain redhead swordsman?" Sazumi teased.
"Sazumi-san, what are you talking about?" Kaoru exclaimed as she pretended to dry her hand with the apron.
The two woman only laughed.
"That's may be true" Mizuki, who Kaoru recognized as one of her room mates, joined the conversation "you haven't slept in our room for few days."
"I was...was only taking care of his wound" Kaoru said, she was certain that she was blushing for the women kept smirking slyly at her.
"Oh dear Kaoru-chan, you may only want to attend to his wound, but I doubt he harbours the same intentions," Mizuki replied "we all have seen how he looks at you, during the serving" she winked at Kaoru.
Kaoru did not reply to that, she felt so embarrassed and speechless, for she knew what Mizuki had said was the truth, she, herself, saw the way Kenshin stared at her in more than one occasion.
Kenshin you moron, look at what you are making me go through.
"Now, now girls leave the poor Kaoru alone" Ayami's, the landlady, voice sounded as lovely music to Kaoru's ears. She was saved "don't you have other more important matters to attend to?"
"Oh right, lunch should be served in an hour" Mizuki said "and I believe it's your turn today to serve, Kaoru-chan"
"Yeah about that, Mizuki-san, can you please take my turn?" Kaoru asked "I feel kinda tired, but I promise you I will repay this service."
"Tired? despite waking up late this morning!" she winked again at Kaoru and laughed when she saw Kaoru's expression "alright my dear Kaoru-chan I will take your turn, but I will hold you to your promise"
"Thank you, thank you" Kaoru smiled gratefully at her.
After finishing the dishes, Kaoru went to her room, the room which she shared with Mizuki. She had deliberately exchanged her turn with her, she did not want to see Kenshin now, specially not in front everyone. She felt embarrassed about the idea of seeing Kenshin again after they made love just the night before.
Kaoru started to unfold the futon and once done, she tugged at her ribbon and her raven hair came cascading down her back. Not bothering to change her kimono, she threw herself on the futon.
I will sleep for an hour or two, that will do.
A pure oblivion descended upon her as soon as she closed her eyes, but not free of nightmares.
The cold room was dark apart from two torches hanging by the door and a small fireplace which was located on the far end of the room.
She laid unmoving on the hard stone floor, her eyes were half opened. She could see a pair of foot walking in the field of her vision. But her body felt so weak and numb that all she could do was watch as it came closer. The pair of foot was covered in strange shoes, which were kinda unfamiliar to the girl, as were most of the things in this house. The walls were all made of thick, grey stones, in contrast to the wooden walls of her dojo, and she thought that they were designed to hide her screams and suffering from reaching the outside world.
The man stopped right in front of her tired form and knelt.
The girl, which was laying on her right side, did not move or flinch when he extended his hand and brushed a strand of raven hair off her tired face, but her eyes conveyed her hatred and disgust.
"How are you today, Kaoru?" a deep voice sounded in the silent room. To anyone, his tone was affectionate and concerned but only Kaoru could detect the mocking in his voice, so she remained silent.
The man smiled at her small display of defiance "I hope you are not finding my hospitality lacking, since I'm trying my best to entertain you."
"Go to hell" Kaoru's voice came in no more than a whisper, but the man's sharp sense of hearing enabled him to hear it well and he gave a loud laugh.
"Spirit" he said in an amused voice "Oh how I admire your spirit, though your body is almost broken, you still have some spirit left in you. I must admit it all started at something I must do for revenge but now I'm enjoying it" he grinned cruelly "think about it this way my dear Kaoru, it's like a match, a duel between me and you, and one of us will be victorious at the end."
"You are sick" Kaoru said in a disgusted voice and the man eyed her with serious, sharp eyes for few moments before laughing again, but she felt that there was something different about this laugh. It seemed to conceal some other emotion.
And she was right for suddenly he buried his hand in her rich raven hair and jerked her head by her hair "AHHH!" she cried out at the burning pain on her scalp.
"Yes, yes," he growled as he shook her head "yes I'm sick, I'm sick here" and here, he placed his hand on his heart "I'm sick in my heart, which, since my sister had died, knew nothing but hatred. Hatred toward the man who killed her and hatred toward this country which did nothing to protect her" he tighten his grip on her hair, and Kaoru bit her lower lip and squeezed her eyes shut "I despise this world which stole my sister away from me. And the more I live in it the more disgusted I feel. I almost left this world years ago in China but I was saved by the Gods. Do you know why?" he asked calmly, and when Kaoru did not reply, he shook her head hard, almost banging her head to the hard floor "do you know why?!" this time he shouted.
"No, no, NO" she kept saying this over and over. Although she tried not to show it, she was afraid by this sudden outburst.
"Because" his voice was low now and he jerked her head closer to him, so that his mouth was near her ear "because They want me to accomplish two tasks, one is to ruin Battousai, which is in the process. And the second, I will accomplish soon, I'm only waiting for a sign from the Gods, which, I'm sure, I will receive in due time" he released her hair abruptly and rose to his feet.
Kaoru felt him walk a couple of steps and take a deep breath before turning to her with a malicious grin imprinted on his face "are you hungry, Kaoru?"
Kaoru stared astonishingly at him, his demeanour was so calm now that no one would have believed only few seconds ago, he had been shouting angrily.
Kaoru did not say anything.
"Come on don't be afraid, say it if you are hungry" he paused placing one hand under his chin "when was the last time you ate? Was it yesterday? Or the day before?" he smiled and bowed slightly "Forgive me please, don't take it personally, it's just that sometimes my memory fails me."
Kaoru closed her eyes, not wanting him to see the need in her eyes. She was hungry and thirsty, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing her beg. Her eyes opened again when she felt him move to the fire place. He crouched beside it and seemed to pick something up. And when he stood, she saw that he was holding a long metal rod which had a wooden handle and the tip of this rod, which was thicker than the rest of the rod, was glowing red. Kaoru stared at it for a long time and when she realized what he intended to do with it, she tried to summoned what was left of her strength to drag herself backward, eager to put some distance between them.
"I can see that you still have some strength in you" he was looming over her now and Kaoru looked up at him with frightful expression, she was scared, she did not know if she could endure more torture. It was only yesterday that she had been beaten to an inch of her life and her body was still throbbing with pain.
"No..." Kaoru whispered, shaking her head but she refused to let any tear fell in front if her torturer.
"No?" he asked "where is your spirit, Kaoru? Don't disappoint me" he said and kicked her hard on the rib making her gasp in pain. Then he knelt beside her and tore her bloody kimono from behind, displaying her bruised back. Kaoru struggled, or tried to, but his large hand held her by the neck, pressing her hard on the ground.
"Yes, resist, struggle, but not too hard because if I get tired I will chain you to the wall, and that will be more painful for you" and with only this as a warning he placed the hot iron on her skin.
Kaoru screamed, the pain was worse than she believed and she tried to twist out of his painful grasp, but he held her down hard and dragged the blazing iron across her back making a line of red, burnt flesh. Her breaths came as short painful gasps and she shuddered in pain.
Somewhere in her shrieking mind, she tried to be in another place with her loved ones, she tried hard to summon her happiest memories, but was brought back to reality when a second poker burnt her flesh. Her scream echoed in the miserable room again and this time she was not able to hold back the tears. So tears started to flow and sobs shook her weakened form. The stench of burning flesh was making her sick and agony was making her dizzy.
"Let's make a deal Kaoru" she heard his amused voice "if you last half an hour without fainting you will get water, and if you last an hour, you will get food" and he went to reheat the poker.
Kaoru sat up abruptly, looking franticly around her as if to search for her tormentor and she suddenly yelped in surprise when she saw a man in the room.
"Kaoru it's me" the man immediately came to her, grasping her hand.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru blinked rapidly "Kenshin!" she said again "what are you doing here?" she looked around again to make sure she was still in her room.
"I came to see you."
"How long have you been here?"
Kenshin only shrugged, as if to say it did not matter.
Kaoru sighed and put a hand on her heart to still the wild beating. She was breathing rapidly and sweat made her hair clutch to her her face.
"Are you alright?" Kenshin eyed her closely.
"Yes, I'm fine" Kaoru tried to smile.
"I didn't see you during lunch today."
"It wasn't my turn today."
"Don't lie Kaoru, I know exactly when you are supposed to serve" Kenshin regarded her sharply.
Kaoru did not answer, only averted her eyes from his penetrating gaze. And she changed the subject "did Mizuki-san come here?"
"Yes, two women came, but I told them to go" Kenshin said coldly.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru exclaimed "this is their room."
"I did not want them to disturb you"
"And they saw you here? Now there won't be an ending to their teasing."
"Teasing? Did anyone say anything that hurt you, Kaoru?" his tone was suddenly menacing.
"No, no," Kaoru said hastily "they only joke sometimes, nothing more," she paused for moment then spoke again "how is your wound?" Kaoru was eager to keep talking so she can forget about her nightmare.
"It's fine"
"Did the pain stop?"
"Yes"
"Can you sit without feeling any pain?"
"Yes"
"Can I look at it?"
"No"
"Kenshin! I must see it to make sure it's healing and if not, we can call the doctor back."
"I told you it's fine."
"You are so stubborn, look if you don't allow me to examine it I.." Kaoru paused, blushing slightly.
"You will what?" Kenshin could not hide his amusement.
"I will sleep here every night" she crossed her hand over her chest and turn her head sideways.
Kenshin smirked "I can always drag you to my room, after all you belong to me. And you did admit that yourself" Kenshin felt a surge of triumph at having turned her own words against her.
Kaoru whipped her head toward him and stared at him, lost for words.
"And" he added "our night together made it official" Kaoru felt her cheeks burning as she remembered their love making and she lowered her head.
Kenshin placed his fingers under her chin, raising her head, and leaned to kiss her. But he stopped before his mouth touched hers. Kaoru gave him a questioning look, which went unnoticed by him, for he was staring at her neck.
"Your wound needs to be rebandaged," he extended his hand and pulled the white bandage carefully "you are bleeding".
When the bandage was completely removed, Kaoru touched the scar gently and felt the warm liquid on her finger. This time, she had not felt the stinging pain which usually preceded the bleeding. The crimson liquid kept her attention for few moments before she lowered her head slowly and smiled.
Kenshin, who was watching all this time, eyed her puzzledly when the small smile appeared on her lips.
"Kaoru, are you alright?"
Kaoru nodded "I'm better than you think, Kenshin" she said calmly looking at him with eyes filled with passion and love "I had a nightmare, and usually when I wake up of such nightmares, I find myself alone and can do thing but to huddle in my futon and cry myself to sleep, but now things are different. I'm no longer alone, you are here and somehow the pain seems more bearable and a nightmare stays only a nightmare" Kaoru held his hand in both of hers, clasping it warmly "that's why, I won't cry, as long as I'm with you I won't cry" and Kaoru smiled at him, a smile so genuine that Kenshin could not help but to smile back. Kaoru moved closer and wrapped her hand around his neck, forgetting about her bleeding scar. Her mind was occupied with the smile that Kenshin had just given her. It was a sincere and calm smile which, she noted, had been given frequently on the last five days, since he stopped killing temporarily.
Somehow, he seemed at peace during that short period.
Later that day.
"Practice?" Kaoru asked "practise on what?"
"To defend yourself" Kenshin answered.
Both of them were alone in the backyard of the inn.
"But I already..." Kaoru did not finish her sentence, instead she averted her eyes.
"You already what, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, his piercing eyes seemed to penetrate the depth of her heart.
Kaoru shook her head "it's nothing important."
For a while Kenshin stared intensely at her before grabbing a small, slender knife, which was hung next to his sword on his waist. It was the first time Kaoru saw this knife.
Kaoru blinked few times at it before looking questioningly at Kenshin "what is this?"
Kenshin raised an eye brow "what does it look like?"
"I know it's a knife, but you are not expecting me to use it, are you?"
"Why not? Do you prefer any other particular weapon?"
"A bokken."
This time it was Kenshin's turn to blink rapidly "a bokken?! It's a child play!"
"No, it isn't," Kaoru snapped suddenly "it's a way to protect, and it's far better than a sword. It's lighter and easier to wield and..."
"But it does not penetrate the flesh, hence kills" Kenshin argued calmly.
"You don't have to kill in order to defend yourself, there are other means."
"Unless one's opponent is dead, one is not safe" Kenshin said in a matter-of-a-fact manner "so you will use a knife. It's light and can be concealed properly."
Kaoru sighed, Kenshin was more stubborn than her. She looked at the knife. It's not like I will kill anybody. I will only use it to scare any enemy, that's all.
Kenshin held the dagger balanced on his middle finger, resting an inch or so below the blade "the balance point, that's where you want to hold it, so it fits comfortablely in your hand."
Kaoru tried with the dagger. When she had it comfortably fitted, Kenshin showed her different moves with the dagger.
"Here is the spot to aim for" he pointed on the centre, just under the breastbone chest "if you are killing face to face, aim straight up and in, as hard as you can. That will go to the heart, and will kill in a minute or two," he continued "but be careful, you have to avoid the breastbone, or the knife will be stuck and you will be without a weapon"
Then he set her to try stabbing in various positions and postures.
"Now charge as me."
"But Kenshin..."
"Do it Kaoru!"
Kaoru lunged at Kenshin, aiming at the centre of his chest. And when he did not show any sign of avoiding her strike, Kaoru stopped midway.
"Kaoru do it as though you mean it," he instructed her firmly "don't pull back at the last minute."
"But you did not move" she protested "What if I..."
"Don't worry about me, I can avoid your strikes."
Kaoru took a deep breathe and charged at him again. Kenshin dodged easily, he did a quick manoeuvre and grasped her hand firmly.
"Ouch" Kaoru cried out, the dagger fell off her hand at once.
Kenshin released her hand "let's try again."
The training lasted most of the afternoon. But Kenshin was good instructor and very patient. He was particularly good at demonstrating moves, over and over. And he noticed that Kaoru was a fast learner and she was able to pick up various moves in a short time. He also observed that she was starting to breathe deeply and despite the cold weather sweat beads were glistering on here forehead.
"That will do for today."
"But I can go on" Kaoru protested.
"We will continue other day, now rest."
"Did you have any previous training?" Kenshin asked once they were resting under a leafless tree.
Kaoru who was leaning against the trunk, eyes closed, opened her eyes when she heard his voice.
"Yes, since my childhood I've been practising using a bokken. But," she paused "but I haven't trained since..." again she stopped "since months ago."
Kenshin understood that she meant since those days, when she had been abused "who taught you?"
Kaoru smiled "my father."
Kenshin only nodded. He remembered her telling them that her parents died on their way to Kyoto, so it must be a painful subject to bring about.
They stayed silent for a while each lost in their own thoughts. Kenshin was looking at grey sky, whereas Kaoru closed her eyes again.
After few minutes of silence, Kaoru spoke "I've been wanting to ask you this," she looked at the one particular window which belonged to Kenshin's room "there is this toy, a spinner which I always see in your room. Is it something precious?"
"Yes," this was Kenshin's only reply, and when Kaoru thought he wouldn't say any more he spoke again "it's the only thing which remained of my childhood. I consider it as a reminder that one day I was innocent, one day my hands were clean of any blood" Kenshin kept looking straight ahead.
Kaoru's eyes were fixed on his profile before she moved closer to him and hooked her arm with his "is it from someone special?"
Kenshin nodded "but this person is no longer in this world"
Kaoru only squeezed his arm gently and rested her head on his shoulder. Then she felt him shift slightly and she looked at him. He was staring at her intently and opened his mouth to say something but decided against it at the last moment.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru asked with concern.
"It's nothing."
Kaoru refrained from asking more about himself and again rested her head on his shoulder. So they stayed like this, each is content with the other presence.
Then Kaoru broke the silence again "Kenshin, did you suspect me of being a spy when we met?"
Kenshin turned his head toward her wondering why she brought this subject, before he answered: "yes I thought you were a spy, but as the days passed by I thought you would make a poor spy."
Kaoru blinked several time and frowned "mou Kenshin, do you mean I'm stupid?"
Kenshin gave a small smile "no, it's because everything you think is written on your face, I can see it as plain as day, it isn't in you to lie."
Kaoru opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her so she immediately lowered her head, not wanting Kenshin to see the guilt which assailed her face. She felt as a horrible person. Since the moment she met Kenshin, Most of what she had been telling him were lies.
Was she ever going to tell him the truth? That she didn't belong to this time. And how was he going to take it? Would he forgive her for lying to him?
However, she thought that he did not need to know. There are things which better be left undiscovered, besides her time in the Meji era was starting to become something of the past. A past that she could not return to, which would only remain in her memory. She felt that she belonged here, with Kenshin. After all she loved him and as long as he was with her, as long as they were by each other's side everything will be fine.
Yes things will be fine.
And she snuggled closer to his warm body.
The next day.
On her way to kitchen, Kaoru ran onto Mizuki.
"Ah Kaoru-chan!" Mizuki said as she clasped her hands "I'm glad I ran into you before going to the kitchen, I need to speak to you"
"What is it, Mizuki-san? Is something wrong?"
"No, no, it's just that..." she paused for a moment "do you remember the promise you made me the other day?"
"Yes."
"I need you to act upon it,"
"Sure, after all I have promised."
"Thank you my dear," Mizuki said gratefully "now, today is my duty to buy the grocery, but I need to meet someone important, will you cover it up for me?"
Kaoru smiled, a smile someone gave to tease another "you are going to meet Yoshida-san, aren't you?"
"Hush girl, not here" Mizuki said urgently as she looked around "you know that no one knows about it except you and Nami" Nami was Kaoru's second room mate.
"But, why are you keeping it a secret? From what you told me Yoshida-san seems as a good man" Kaoru asked with genuine interest.
"Because I'm a widow and it's been years since my husband has died and..." she paused, looking embarrassed "he is married."
Kaoru opened her mouth in shock when she heard the last words but Mizuki was not done "Furthermore, I'm not as young as you are, Kaoru-chan" Mizuki was a woman of twenty-seven "nor my man is called Battousai" she finished with a smile.
Kaoru pressed her lips together, she did not like it when people called Kenshin Battousai "what do you mean?"
"My point is, no one would dare to badmouth you here, everyone is afraid to call upon Battousai's wrath, so no worries about you, you have it easy" she paused again before smiling sadly "as for me, I must keep my relationship a secret till Yohida finds a decent job outside Kyoto"
Kaoru remained silent, she was thinking of Misuki's words you have it easy.
Kaoru kept her promise to Mizuki and took the list from her. So she headed to the gate but not before glancing around to make sure Kenshin was not close by.
She reckoned that it must be about three in the afternoon, and Kenshin must be in his room or with Katsura. Glancing at the partially clouded sky, Kaoru made a mental note to do a quick grocery shopping because the days are shorts in winter and she estimated about two or three hours until sunset. So with quick steps Kaoru made it to the gate and pulled it open slowly, the hinges squeaked and Kaoru thought that it was louder than usual. When she opened it enough for her to slip out, she clutched her shawl and was about to exit but stopped dead when she came face to face with Kenshin.
Kaoru went pale and nearly slammed the door shut on his face.
As for Kenshin, for a split second a look of surprise was written all over his face, though no one would have detected it, for his expression immediately switched to a deep frown. He narrowed his eyes at Kaoru "where do you think you're going?"
"I..." Kaoru was inwardly cursing her bad luck that she could not answer.
Kenshin impatiently grasped her hand and pushed her backwards, but not too forcefully, before he pushed the door shut.
"No, Kenshin!" Kaoru found her voice when she heard the the door slammed shut "I need to go."
"Where?" Kenshin asked, his burning eyes seemed to reflect fury and Kaoru suspected that he was thinking of Okita.
"I'm going to town."
"You're not going anywhere."
Kaoru regarded him angrily before prying her hand free so suddenly and forcefully that Kenshin raised an eye brow at her strength "listen Kenshin, you don't have the right to order me around, you did not even listen to why I want to go there."
"I don't care, you are not going."
Kaoru clenched her hands tightly and glared at him. She was willing to explain everything to Kenshin and do it the easy way. But Kenshin was being a jerk "I'm going and you can do nothing to stop me".
"Don't challenge me Kaoru" Kenshin could see clearly now what kind of girl Kaoru used to be. He took a step forward intending to seize her upper arm, but Kaoru reflexly took two steps backwards.
She stared at him, he looked resolved and Kaoru had no doubt that he will drag her by force back inside the inn. So she closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled deeply "please Kenshin, I'm doing a favour for someone, and I'm the only one who can help her. And it's really something small, I won't be late."
"What are going to do in town?" Kenshin decided to listen.
Kaoru waved a small piece of paper "just buying what's in here."
"Any other woman can do it"
"No, no, to everyone Mizuki is now in town buying these things, I don't want to cause her any problem by asking someone else."
"Then I'm going with you."
"No, No" Kaoru said quickly "you can't."
"Why not?" he narrowed his eyes in suspision.
"What if we were attacked again?" Kaoru involuntarily shuddered as she remembered how she had felt when Kenshin was injured.
"And what if you were attacked?"
"I won't be, don't worry" Kaoru said dismissively.
"It's either I go with you, or you won't go anywhere."
Kaoru's blue eyes stared directly at his amber orbs, she wouldn't go out unless he came with her. But Kaoru was afraid. What if someone followed them? What if Shinsen gumi attacked again? What if he got injured or worse..? Kaoru shook her head. Maybe she better ask another woman, but Mizuki had specifically asked Kaoru and Nami was busy somewhere else. Kaoru gave out a long, deep sigh. This was giving her a headache.
It took a while before she replied "fine, but I'm really angry at you" and she walked back to the gate.
Kenshin simply followed her with impassive face and opened the gate before her.
Kenshin and Kaoru walked silently first, but upon reaching the crowded town. Kaoru began to break the heavy silent. She stopped here and there asking Kenshin's opinion about different kimonos.
Kenshin inwardly reflected at how twenty minutes ago she declared that she was angry with him and now she was smiling happily. Not that he minded, he loved to see her smile.
"Wow Kenshin, look at this" her voice cut through his thoughts and she showed him a pearl bracelet with a white ribbon tied at the middle. It was simple, yet so dazzling.
"It's so lovely" she admired the bracelet.
Kenshin regarded Kaoru for few moments before turning at the salesman "I will take this one" he gestured at the bracelet Kaoru was holding.
"No, I was only showing it to you, you don't have to buy it."
Kenshin simply paid the man and gave the bracelet to Kaoru "it yours, Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled widely before she suddenly jumped at Kenshin, hugging him tightly "thank you, thank you, thank you."
Kenshin's usually sharp eyes were wide now. He was shocked for two reasons. The first one was for the intensity of his lust for her, even a brief touch can set him on fire. As for the second reason, he looked around them. Some people stopped and were looking at him and Kaoru, for she was hugging him intimately in front of everyone. He looked back at Kaoru, whose eyes were glittering with joy.
Kenshin found himself uncaring for what people thought. Seeing Kaoru happy made him feel warm at heart.
However, unknown to him, a pair of eyes was watching their every movement. This person, upon seeing them move, lowered the straw hat on his head and followed their track.
As the sun was setting, Kenshin and Kaoru made their way back to the inn. Kenshin was carrying the bag which contained what was written on the list, while Kaoru pulled her sleeve up and was admiring the pearl bracelet.
Kenshin thought that it looked lovely on her slim wrist.
Kaoru held Kenshin's right hand "thank you for buying it for me, I really like it."
He only smirked.
Kaoru furrowed her brows "I don't like this smile."
"You know this bracelet is not for free," he moved one step ahead and stopped before her "you will pay for it tonight."
Kaoru smiled and moved closer, closing the gap between them. Then she kissed him briefly on the mouth "this is your payment" she teased.
"That's not enough, I will consider this as a pre-payment" and he wrapped his free hand around her waist and pressed his lips against hers, in a deep, passionate kiss. His tongue easily gained access to the inside of her mouth and he eagerly explore it with wild passion.
Their figures were outlined against the last of the sun's orange rays. The sky was almost dark now but the two lovers were oblivious to their surroundings, each was lost in the lovely feeling of being close to one another.
"Well, well, we could have killed him easily just now."
Kenshin span immediately upon hearing the strange voice.
"Imagine the almighty Battousai, killed because of a woman" the same voice continued, amused.
Kenshin saw, about seven paces away, thirteen men . All of them were clad in black and masked. Only their eyes were visible.
Assassins? Kenshin wondered.
"Battousai, we have come for your life," the man aimed his sword at Kenshin "this night will be your last" then, his black eyes settled on Kaoru "and your woman will be our whore."
Kenshin pushed the bag into Kaoru's hands before he took two step toward them, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword "if you so much as touch a single hair of her," his voice was icy cold and his piercing eyes were glowing in the dark "I will cut you piece by piece like a dog, starting with your foul tongue. And I will throw your rotten flesh in the river so that no one will ever remember your miserable existence."
Some men were taken aback by this. He was alone and outnumbered, still, his threats seemed so real and menacing. To these men his aura was evil and dangerous.
"Don't listen to his empty threats," the man who spoke first told the rest "we will kill him and rid Japan of this demon."
"Kaoru I want you to run" Kenshin whispered to Kaoru.
"No" Kaoru shook her head "I won't leave you."
"There is no time for this, just obey" he gritted his teeth.
"I will fight, you taught me how to."
"Prepare to die" and one of them men ran to Kenshin, but just then, when a thick cloud obstructed the pale lights of the moon, a scream sounded from behind the group of men, making the charging man halt and one by one the other men began to fall motionless on the ground.
All Kaoru could see was a shadow moving, faster than a lightning, among the men before they fell with a thud on the ground.
As for Kenshin, he saw the men fall, he heard them scream, but he could not smell the metallic odour of blood.
The last of the enemy gave a loud groan of pain before he went down. The man, who saved Kenshin and Kaoru, stood hunched in a battle stance for a moment, his back to them, then he straighten up and sheathed his sword. After few moments he span toward them. The stranger was wearing a straw hat which shadowed his face, even if he weren't, the light was so poor that the only distinguishable things were his small figure and long hair. The man took a step forward, removing his hat and at that moment the clouds dispersed off the moon and the silver shafts illuminated the mysterious person.
Kaoru unconsciously dropped the bag, the items rolled on the ground, when she took in the looks of this man. A white hakama, a pink gi, long red hair tied in a low ponytail...a cross shaped scar. Her legs moved on its own accord and took a single step forward.
"Kenshin..."
On that night, under the cloudy sky and as the cold wind blew and lifted Kaoru's hair, she thought that fate was cruel. When she finally began to feel a sense of belonging to this time, when she fell in love, when the past was starting to become nothing but a beautiful memory in her mind, fate decided to remind her that she was nothing but an intruder in this time. Still, Kaoru thought that fate had a purpose for everything, it must have a purpose for bringing to two Kenshins in her life.
But fate was mocking her.
Yup our rurouni is back, now it's two Kenshins and one Kaoru. Hehe don't kill me people, many questions will be answered in the next chapter, specially this time travel concept.
Things will start to get complicated from here on and from the next chapter the real angst will begin!!
Now, now I need someone to tell me the difference in strength between the two Kenshins. I can't remember what technique he developed after Bakumatsu!! please help.
Until the next update take care.