Author's Note: Hello again, everyone. This time, I just want to say that this chapter is basically all about Kaoru and Enishi (we finally meet him). This is because it was originally part of chapter nine, and would have been balanced by all that stuff with Megumi, Sano and Kenshin going to see Aoshi, but that made that chapter way too long, so I cut it into two separate chapters. So just bear with it all you Sano/Megumi lovers, I'm trying to steer it back to them. Hopefully, I'll be able to work in some more serious and private interaction between those two, but I don't know how soon it'll be. Also, to answer the Yahiko/ No Yahiko question, I'm leaving him out. He doesn't do anything other than string the story out for a few more chapters, and the very valid point has been made that this is a Sano/Megumi story, and Yahiko would just distract even more from that. As it is, this story is like a supermarket shopping trolley, constantly pulling to the right when I'm fighting to make it go left. So I'm trying to wrestle it back on track, but I need to get it to a point where that makes sense first.

Chapter 10

When Kaoru got home from Kenshin's in the afternoon, she was still upset. None of them knew Enishi like she did, and who were they to judge the man she had chosen to live with? She was determined to prove them wrong. She knew there was some decency in Enishi somewhere. She had seen it when they had first started dating. They just didn't appreciate his qualities because they were so subtle.

So she made up her mind to have a proper evening with him. A romantic dinner, with his favourite meal, and then dessert, with his favourite lingerie. With a smile on her face, she rushed back out of the apartment to get the ingredients, and then she would spend the rest of the afternoon in the bathroom, making herself as beautiful as she knew how to be.

Enishi came through the door at six thirty, just like he always did, tired and annoyed from work. Kaoru heard him drop his briefcase by the door, and called out to him,

"Hi, honey, how was your day?"

"Fine," he grunted as he walked past the kitchen on his way to the living room. Kaoru began setting the table, very pleased with herself. As she did so, however, she heard the TV come on and the twin thumps of Enishi's kicked-off shoes hitting the floor, followed by the cheer of a sports crowd.

She stuck her head into the living room.

"Enishi, I'm just setting the table, I've made steak with black pepper sauce, just the way you like it," she said, her smile faltering as she noticed the violent martial arts match on the TV.

"I'll eat it in here," he told her over his shoulder, not taking his eyes from the screen.

Kaoru fidgeted. "I was kind of hoping we could sit down and eat it together, you know, at the table," she tried.

Her boyfriend looked confused. He glanced at her, giving her a once-over, presumably noticing the extra make-up and jewellery, and the nicer clothes, but he didn't smile or comment on it. "Is it our anniversary or something?" he asked, turning away from her again before she could answer.

"No, I just thought it would be nice," she said. "And that is on the Tivo anyway. You don't have to watch it now."

"But if I don't watch it now, when am I going to watch it?" he replied, and when Kaoru didn't answer, he added an insistent "Hmm?" determined to make her acknowledge him.

"I don't know," Kaoru conceded, surrendering.

She brought him his steak on a tray, along with a glass of the wine she had picked out, then she went to the kitchen to eat hers by herself. She could have chosen to eat in the living room with Enishi, but she didn't like the violence in the sports he watched. She didn't mind the ones that worked on a point system, she could quite enjoy things like judo or karate, but it was the ones where the sole object of the match was not to display your skill as a martial artist, but to beat your opponent's face into a cauliflower. She also knew from past experience that the conversation wouldn't exactly be stimulating, any attempt she made at talking to him would just irritate him.

But it was alright, it was her fault really. She'd picked a bad night. Things would have been better if there hadn't been a fight earlier in the day. This didn't prove anything about Enishi, husbands all over the world had more time for televised sports than for their wives. It was just something women had to learn to live with. She was sure she did things that annoyed him. It was the stuff sitcoms were written about, and what could be more wholesome than that? She would just get him later, with the second part of her plan.

So she finished her meal slowly, washed up all the plates and pans, left everything neat and tidy the way she was supposed to, and went to the bedroom to wait for the fight to finish. She put more perfume on, and brushed out her hair. She changed out of her clothes and into a blue silk robe, that not only matched her eyes but also the lingerie she was wearing underneath.

Finally, she heard Enishi begin to channel hop, and knew she had her chance. She walked out and joined him, sitting on the arm of his chair. He frowned at her, but didn't say anything.

"Enishi…" she began in what she hoped was an attractive tone, touching his arm gently. "Do you want to come to the bedroom? I was thinking maybe we could… you know…" She smiled coyly at him.

He glanced away from the TV, taking in her state of undress and the ample view of cleavage very near his face.

"Alright, in a bit," he agreed begrudgingly. Kaoru was a little put out that his reaction wasn't more passionate or enthusiastic, but then she reminded herself that this was all part of a plan she'd made up by herself. She couldn't hold it against Enishi if he didn't know this was supposed to be a special evening, since she'd never told him. And it wasn't very often that they were both in the mood at the same time. This was good.

She slid off the armrest and strolled to the bedroom, swinging her hips a little just in case he was watching. She then climbed onto the bed, pulling back the covers. She arranged herself to be alluring, and waited.

She was tracing the pattern on the spread by the time Enishi appeared at the open door. She smiled to him encouragingly and he came forward taking his shirt off as he walked.

He climbed on top of her and Kaoru put her hands on his arms as she lay back. She knew he didn't like her hands to be too active or wandering. She was generally limited to below-the-waist activity if she wanted to contribute. Otherwise, he preferred it when she lay somewhat still. That was fair enough, everyone liked different things.

Kaoru closed her eyes as his mouth came down on hers. He tasted like steak, but then, she supposed she must do as well. She kissed him back, steadily letting herself go. As his hands slid roughly up her sides, she thought of the Rurouni. It was something she felt bad about, but as long as Enishi never find out, what harm did it do? Ultimately, it was Enishi she was making love to, not anyone else. And frankly, it was necessary in the beginning so that it wouldn't hurt later, because Enishi liked to move fast, and didn't always take the time to… make sure she was comfortable first.

Images of the stripper came easily to her. He fell into place in her mind as easily as the last jigsaw piece. It was his hands on her, though he was touching her more gently, more reverently than Enishi was at the moment. And if she cared to open her eyes, she knew she would find his beautiful, rare violet gaze looking down at her.

She moaned quietly as Enishi moved to her neck, his wandering hand tearing open the silk robe. So this was how it felt when the Rurouni was taking care of you… Enishi gripped her breast hard, and Kaoru effortlessly skipped forward in her mental scenario to that point. She wriggled as heat gathered between her legs, and she sighed again. By now the Rurouni would have told her he loves her and that she is beautiful, only from his lips it wouldn't sound clichéd. She remembered his voice from earlier, and suddenly she had audio to go with the images she was seeing. His voice was so exquisite as he told her again that he loved her.

And now she knew what his touch felt like. She transposed the spark she had felt when he had taken her arm as she was leaving onto the current situation. Imagining it was him, the hand on her breast became sensual and maddening. Fast-forwarding again, she gasped as she imagined that spark tenderly exploring her damp folds. But what was his name again?

"Kenshin," she whispered.

Enishi froze, and when she wondered why, she realised with unprecedented horror that she had spoken aloud. She opened her eyes hesitantly and saw Enishi staring down at her in shock. But then his face collapsed into a portent of fury, and she winced as his fingers bit hard into the flesh of her arms.

"What did you say?" Enishi questioned angrily. "What did you say, you bitch?!" he shouted.

"I'm sorry, Enishi, I-" Kaoru desperately tried to make it better, but he wasn't listening. She was mortified, how could she have done that?!

"Who the fuck-?!" But then Enishi seemed to decide that she didn't deserve talking to. He hauled her up onto her knees and backhanded her across the face so hard she fell off the bed. He had never hit her before, and Kaoru was so shocked, and in so much pain, that she was still seeing stars as he came around the bed and lifted her up again. He dragged her roughly as she tried to keep her feet under her to the front door. As he opened the door, Kaoru saw her handbag sitting on the little table by the door where she always left it, and quickly grabbed it on impulse. Enishi then threw her out into the hallway and slammed the door in her face.

"Enishi, please! I'm sorry, it was an accident, and it doesn't mean anything! Will you let me in?" she called through the door, but got no reply. She didn't want t try again as it would attract the attention of the neighbours. It was a very conservative, proper building, and what they'd already heard was enough to bring most of them to their doors to investigate. And she didn't want to be there, wearing only some lingerie, a thin robe, and some heels.

She quickly arranged her clothes to cover as much of her as possible, and rummaged in her bag for her cell-phone as she walked quickly down the corridor. She found the number for the hired car company she used for special occasions when she needed something special, and put the phone to hear. She hid in the service elevator as she made her call, agreeing to pay any sum if they could just get a car to her building as soon as humanly possible to pick her up in the underground car park.

After that, it was merely a question of hiding behind pillars, shivering and hugging herself tightly, hopping from one foot to the other as she waited for the car to show. Finally, a black Lincoln rolled silently into view and parked by the elevator. She slid into the back, registering the driver's sceptical look in the rear view mirror.

She gave him the only address she could think of where anyone would help her. It was strange, but as she'd waited, she hadn't thought about where she was going at all, it had seemed self-evident. Only once she had spoke the address out loud to the driver that she realised maybe she was being foolish. But she needed her friend, and she knew Megumi would never turn her away when Enishi was the source of the problem.

As the car slid to a stop outside Kenshin's house, the driver looked back at her.

"Are you sure, Ma'am?" he asked worriedly, obviously thinking her current ensemble was not suited to this kind of neighbourhood.

Kaoru smiled at him as best she could. "Don't worry, they're friends," she said, preparing to open the door. "And count yourself a huge tip in the bill, you just about saved my life tonight," she finished, and got out.

She hadn't stopped shivering for the entire ride, even though the car had been heated. She thought she might be in shock, as she trotted up the concrete path to Kenshin's door for the second time that day. She felt hysterical, like she could either laugh like a maniac or break down and cry her heart out. It was few hours past dusk, so she hoped no one could see her, as she knocked and waited for the door to be answered. She could see lights on inside and thought they looked particularly welcoming.

But then the door opened and she was once again face to face with the Rurouni.

"Hi," she said shyly.

The instant he had seen her his eyes had bugged and his eyebrows had practically disappeared into his bangs. His gaze crawled from her face down to her feet in their little strappy shoes.

"Er, hi," he answered, dumbfounded. "This is new," he commented finally, deciding that was the best way to bring up the subject without offending her.

"Yeah, I know. Can I come in? It's kind of cold out here." She smiled jokingly.

Kenshin shook himself as he remembered his manners. "O-of course! Please do," he said, stepping back so that she could hurry in.

Just like before, the others came to investigate as Kenshin closed the door and the Lincoln was heard driving away, having stayed to make sure she was safe. Sano was the first on the scene, strolling out of the living room and screeching to a halt when he saw her.

"Jesus Christ!" he cried unabashedly, looking her over. She scowled at him.

Then Megumi emerged. "Kaoru? What are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?!" she said, coming closer.

Kaoru didn't really want to do this in the hall, but she felt like she wouldn't be taking another step before they had got the whole story out of her.

"Enishi kicked me out," she said, with a flash of a fake, awkward smile. But then she met her friend's sincerely concerned eyes. "I messed up." Her lip began to tremble, and the taller woman rushed forward to envelop her in a warm hug.

"Oh, Kaoru, it'll be alright, tell me what happened…" she murmured comfortingly. The boys dispersed silently.

Megumi sat Kaoru down in the tiny living room and handed her a tissue. Now that Kaoru was crying, really, properly crying, she was sure she must look a real state. She had been wearing a lot of eyeliner.

"How could he kick you out? It's your apartment," wondered Megumi, kneeling before her friend.

"I deserved it. I did something pretty bad," moaned Kaoru, wincing at the memory of it. But she felt so miserable at being disowned so violently by the man she loved that there wasn't room in her to be embarrassed about it.

"What did you do?" Megumi asked solemnly.

"I said the wrong name." She sniffed. "In bed."

"What name did you say?"

Kaoru gave her a pathetic look.

"Oh…" Megumi did her best to sound commiserating, but Kaoru still looked at her suspiciously. After a moment's staring contest, Megumi couldn't keep it in any longer, and the corner of her lips twitched briefly.

"Are you laughing?!" Kaoru demanded, appalled.

"No! Of course not, it's just… I couldn't have done it better myself," Megumi answered.

Kaoru groaned and threw herself sideways along the length of the short couch, burying her face in the armrest. "He'll never forgive me!"

Megumi moved up to sit in the space in front of Kaoru's stomach, laying her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Maybe this is just the opportunity you needed to see that he's no good for you, Kaoru," she said.

"But I love him."

"Do you? Every time I've criticised him, you've always come to his defence, but you've never said you loved him. If you had, I would have stopped."

Kaoru opened her eyes and found that she didn't have a reply for that. Was it true that she had never said she loved Enishi? Maybe she didn't…

They were interrupted by Kenshin, warily intruding with a cup of tea, with Sano lurking in the background. "Miss Kaoru? I've brought you some tea. Sano and I have to go to work now. We hope you feel better, that we do," he said.

Kaoru sniffed and sat up. The poor guy looked scared, having his home invaded by bawling women in underwear. She reached for the tea and let it warm her hands. "Thank you. I'm very sorry about all this," she said sadly.

"It's no trouble at all, feel free to stay here tonight," he offered, giving her a small, but infinitely kind smile, which she did her best to return.

"You should open a hotel," she joked darkly.

"Really? I thought I already had," he replied, before nodding his goodbye and taking Sano away with him. Once they were gone, Kaoru sipped her tea thoughtfully, until Megumi broke the gloom by slapping her thigh and saying,

"You need clothes. Let's see what I've got that'll fit you."

Hours later, when Kaoru was all cleaned up and dressed for bed, the two women lay awake silently in the dark. Megumi had kindly let her friend take the couch, and was herself sleeping on a makeshift pile of sheets and clothes.

"I never liked it, you know," Kaoru spoke suddenly, staring up at the ceiling, not even sure if Megumi was awake to hear her. "His white hair. I said I did, but I didn't. It creeps me out. And you know it's white everywhere. His junk looks like it belongs to ninety year old man," she said seriously.

The silence returned for a moment, but then Megumi began to chuckle, which Kaoru joined in with, and then they were both laughing until tears ran into their hair.

"Get some sleep, Kaoru," Megumi chastised, but to herself, she recognised what an important step Kaoru had just made, in finally admitting that Enishi could be faulted.