Chapter 10.

Bad language.

'thinking'

"dialogue"

What the hell is wrong with me? How could I have been so careless? For fucks sake I am the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu's master and I completely let my guard down. Why didn't I notice I was being followed? Really now who the hell could be good enough to go unnoticed by me! The only people who could possibly do so are the…no…it couldn't be. Damn it to hell! How the hell are the Oniwabanshu being employed to follow me? Who has that much control over the group? They'd have to be someone very wealthy and respectable. The Oniwabanshu don't work for just anyone. Damn it!

During my self interrogation I failed, once again, to notice a hyperactive weasel bouncing toward me.

"Himura!"

"Oro!" I managed to mutter as I fell to ground by the impact of a 100 pound weasel jumping through the air.

"Are you ready for your first day of Kendo club?"

"Not really." I replied sheepishly.

"Come on Himura, where is your self confidence?"

"It's not that I think I can't do it. It's just that I don't want to embarrass myself too much in front of Kaoru-dono."

"Don't worry about it. Kaoru's not going to humiliate you, she'll help you if you need it, and I'll be there to try to keep the tension down with you and the others. The only ones who might try something are Aoshi-sama and Sou-chan."

"Great." I said very unenthusiastically.

We entered the gym and everyone was doing their warm-ups. I followed Misao to where Aoshi, Sojiro, and my Kaoru were.

"Hi guys! Guess who wants to join the team?"

Immediately all eyes were on me. It was my Kaoru who broke the tension.

'Yeah good job weasel' I snorted to myself.

"Are you really Kenshin? That would be so wonderful!"

Her eyes sparkled as she said it. I could hear the sincerity in her voice and wondered why I didn't do this sooner.

"Yeah I am Kaoru-dono."

"Remember Aoshi, when uncle Hiko was talking about his baka-deshi? Well Kenshin is uncle's baka-deshi!"

Now I know my Kaoru didn't mean it the way it sounded but come on. So much for not being humiliated. I noticed the quirking of Shinomori's lips, and the now genuine smile on smiley's face. They must have heard the stories too. 'groan'

"Oi busu! He's THE baka-deshi?"

Gods will it ever stop?

"Yeah Yahiko-chan, and don't call me busu! Do 500 swings now!"

"What? Come on busu!"

"700! You better get moving before it becomes 1000. You know I'll do it!"

"I'm going, I'm going che... busu acting all tough just cuz her boyfriend's here."

The last part was muttered under his breath but to our trained ears it was loud and clear. I wanted to just bury myself right then and there not because of what he said but where he said it. I might be ready to go public but my Kaoru may not. Icy eyes captured my own and I would not back down this time. He may have her on paper but I have her heart and that paper is easily ripped. The uncertain baby blues of Sojiro just looked between an icy Aoshi, a red Kaoru, and amber eyed me.

'Come on Misao this is your chance to shine.' Unfortunately Misao has left the building, literally.

"Ummm… where is Misao-dono?" Shinomori's eyes got colder if that were possible. I am a goner.

"Misao usually trains in the gym across the hall." The reply came from Sojiro of all people, smile firmly in place though slightly strained. "She is more of a hand to hand, stealth fighter."

"Misao-chan trains in the ninja arts." My Kaoru's sweat voice flowed through my ears.

"Really?"

"Um hum, she's really good. If she keeps up the hard work, then when she finishes school the Oniwabanshu will recruit her."

"Kaoru!" Came a not to happy snap at my wife.

She just looked at Shinomori slightly taken aback but none the less still confident.

"Aoshi! Don't yell at me! It's just Kenshin. He'll know sooner or later. He is now the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu master. He's not stupid, he'd figure it out. Besides Kenshin is my friend. Please try to get along."

My Kaoru was pleading with her betrothed on my behalf. My chest swelled with pride and adoration, but also with loathing at that man for putting her in this situation.

"Ahem!" Came the much needed interruption for Sojiro. He bowed toward me. "Welcome to the team Himura-san."

He said it with obvious reluctance. It is my Kaoru's wish for us to get along and he has put in the first effort. I can tell he isn't completely over his loss. I can't blame him though. My Kaoru, I have come to know is quite the extraordinary person. I have a new found respect for Sojiro. I will try to befriend him somewhat for my Kaoru. And as a sign of respect I will try not to be blatantly affectionate in front of him. Possessiveness cannot be helped as it is in my nature to be so, but I will respect him so long as he keeps putting forth the effort to make my Kaoru happy.

So went the first day of Kendo club. I was accepted on the team as my credentials were high. My Kaoru was ecstatic. We lingered in the gym for a while longer than everyone else. She gave an excuse to Shinomori which he didn't question since I offered to bring her home safely. Of course he threatened me and I just smiled and nodded my head. Who does he think I am? I would never hurt my wife. Oh, but he thinks she's his wife doesn't he? Why does he seem so possessive toward my Kaoru when he already had Misao?

"Kenshin?"

I turned my full attention to the remarkable creature standing before me.

"Yes, Kaoru?"

Her eyes widened. This is the first time I have said her name without an honorific. She smiled beautifully. It was well worth it. I'll never use the dono in private again.

"Kenshin, will you spar with me?"

"Oro!"

"Please Kenshin? Uncle would not train me at all and I want to see how I'd fare against a master."

"Kaoru, when will you take your final test?"

"Not for another year. My father thinks that I'm not ready yet."

I could hear the disappointment in her voice and I didn't want it directed at me but if she wasn't ready to take the master's test then I could not spar with her.

"Perhaps after you take the test and learn the final technique I'll spar with you."

I looked at her waiting for her to blow up and start yelling. However, what she did was worse. She sighed a sigh of resignation. I hate that. I don't want her to give up.

"I understand Kenshin. What is it that I am lacking that causes me to not be ready for the test?"

I went closer to her and held her. With my lips to her ears I whispered, "It is different for everyone, but I promise that when you are the master of your style I will spar with you and I will not hold anything back."

She seemed satisfied with my answer. I felt her nod her head into my chest.

"O.k. Kenshin, I accept your terms only because I'll know that if anything should happen to separate us, you'd have to come back to me to keep your promise. Right Kenshin?"

"Yes you are right Kaoru. Nothing could keep me away from you, my Kaoru."

I swooped in for a heart searing kiss. I felt her melt away and somehow we ended up rolling around passionately on the gym mats. Our session was interrupted by the door slamming open. We stopped abruptly and my eyes went amber in annoyance.

"Ken-san, are you still here?"

My eyes went from amber to gold at the sound of that voice. We had dimmed the lights earlier so the team would slowly start working in different conditions. This allowed us a little privacy from prying eyes but very little. My Kaoru gently cupped my face with her hands and whispered my name drawing me from my anger and reminding me of our position. I really didn't care though, it felt too good to be on top of my Kaoru. My eyes went back to amethyst.

"Ken-san? Oh Kaoru? I'm sorry, did I interrupt? Hmm… I guess I did. Anyways it's getting late and Aoshi-san said I might find you here but I get a bonus seeing that Ken-san is here too, and I could use his help."

My shoulders tensed as I helped my Kaoru on her feet.

"Really now kitsune, what could you possibly want with Kenshin?" She said this playfully but I knew what she wanted.

"Oh not much, just some help with something."

"Well Kenshin is helping me practice then he is giving me a lift home so he'll have to help you another time."

I snickered as my Kaoru emphasized the word help all the while blushing cutely. She elbowed me in the ribs. My woman was being playful tonight and thanks to that whore I would not reap the full benefits of such playfulness. I could tell she too was annoyed at being interrupted.

"Yes, yes whatever tanuki-chan. What could a big strong man like ken-san here see in a little girl like you? Surely a man of his, caliber, would want an experienced woman to fulfill his needs at night." Megumi said this as she came over and grabbed onto my arm.

My Kaoru was starting to fume. I had to play along so as not to give anything away between Megumi and myself. Oh how I loathed this.

"Now, now Megumi-dono I did promise Shinomori-san to bring Kaoru-dono home safely and I would not want to break my promise."

"Oh you don't have to Ken-san. You see after I went looking for tanuki-chan here he said I could borrow your services now since Kaoru needed to get home real soon and he sent Sojiro with me to get her."

I looked over and sure enough there was Sojiro. He looked heartbroken. I bet he was here the whole time watching. Well my attempt at respecting his feelings just went down the shitter. His skill is remarkable and mine is on the fritz in my impassioned state. My Kaoru will have to become mine very soon or I fear my skill will get even sloppier.

"Let's go Ken-san." That leach latched herself on to my arm and pulled me out. I had no choice but to follow given the situation as it was. I sighed. A fox indeed.