a/n: Long time no update! I didn't forget about you guys, though. Here's the second part, as promised. Hope you enjoy! Let me know!

Disclaimer: I don't own RK

Carriage Ride
Part II

Kaoru used his momentary distraction over her sex to roll away from him and regain her feet. She was ashamed of herself. She was a better horsewoman than that. She should have never let him catch up to her, let alone throw her off!

"Thanks for noticing," she snapped, pulling her hood up once more. It was past time to go. She'd underestimated his ability and determination. It wasn't a mistake that she'd be making again any time soon.

Now that he knew she was a woman, Kenshin couldn't believe he hadn't noticed sooner. Even with her face covered, it did nothing to hide the obvious curves of her body. Maybe it was because she had been riding, but now that he knew, it seemed plain as day to him. He let his eyes wander down her body as she adjusted her garments. He was so concentrated on his perusal that he was startled when she took off into the woods.

"Wait!" Kenshin took off after her, cursing himself for thinking that she'd just let him catch her.

Kaoru wasn't going to let him have the advantage again. She ran towards a tree with a low hanging branch that looked as if it could support her weight. Taking a small leap, she grasped the branch and used her momentum to swing up into the tree. She watched as he slowed down, searching his surroundings. She held her breath for a moment, wondering if he would look up. She cast a small look towards the higher branches. She wasn't sure she could climb up without drawing his attention.

He paused in his movements and closed his eyes. Her brows furrowed as she tried to understand what it was that he was doing. She blinked as she saw a slow smile curling on his lips. Her heart dropped to her stomach. She didn't like the quality of that smile. She pressed herself against the trunk of the tree, wishing she could hide herself more completely as she saw his gaze swing up towards her.

Son of a bitch.

It took her a moment to realize what he had been doing. He was sending out feelers, searching for her life energy. She only knew of a few people who were adept at it. She'd been taught some as a child, but she wasn't as good as she had once been. She'd long since lost her ability to cover her energy, but she hadn't thought too much on it. Hardly anyone in the Kingdom possessed the ability anymore.

"Oh, little bird. You're clever." She bit her lip and looked up once again. She wondered if it would do her any good to try climbing now. Probably not.

"Don't even try," he said softly, eyes catching hers. She blinked at them. How...? His eyes, which had been a burning violet when he'd pulled her off her horse, were now a raging amber. She swallowed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so trapped.

"Come down here." Although his voice was low, she could hear the threat in his voice. Everything in her wanted to rebel, to find an escape, but that voice... She dropped to the ground and glared at him.

Kenshin was mildly surprised when she obeyed his command. He had almost been expecting her to make another run for it, even though it wouldn't have done her any good. He watched as she gazed at him, eyes hard. He wouldn't be giving her another opportunity to escape. He'd already made too many mistakes where she was concerned.

"Now that you're on the ground, perhaps we can talk civilly," he said, taking a step towards her.

She took a step back and glared at him. "Not likely, my lord."

He chuckled. "I take it you have no intention of returning what you stole?" She didn't bother to answer, just stared at him. "I'm guessing that means no." He shook his head. "That means we have to do things the hard way."

She licked her lips and took a step back. She had one more trick up her sleeve... but was this worth it? A small frown pulled at her lips. It hadn't been easy to come by, but she'd gotten her hands on some fairy dust. There wasn't a whole lot of it for sale, even on the black market, and she wasn't sure she was ready to part with it quite yet.

"What does the easy way entail?" she asked.

He raised a brow at her. He hadn't been expecting that. "You may keep your spoils... but there is a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yes." He smirked. "Do you agree?"

"What's the condition?"

"What I want... is a kiss."

Kaoru's mouth pulled into a hard line, wondering what the catch was. "What do you get out of this?"

Kenshin chuckled. "Why, I get a kiss, little bird."

She swallowed before slowly nodding. A kiss was a small price to pay for the amount of gold she'd lifted from the carriage. And besides, he was not so terrible to look at. In fact, she thought she may actually enjoy this silly condition of his.

"So you agree to my terms?"

"I do," she answered, taking a small step forward for emphasis.

A wicked smile trembled on his lips as he looked upon his prize. One kiss was all he would need to have a permanent trace on her life energy. She wouldn't be slipping away from him quite as easily as she thought, but she didn't need to know that yet. For now... a kiss would suffice.

With that thought, he let his hands ghost up and around her waist until his hands were firmly pushing her body into his. She came with a small noise of surprise, her mouth parting with the sound. He took advantage of that fact and sealed his lips over hers, letting his tongue slide in to caress hers briefly before retreating. Kaoru's hands fisted in the material of his shirt and her eyes drifted closed. Kenshin gave her bottom lip a soft nip before kissing her gently once more and pulling away completely.

Kaoru blinked as she watched him back away from her. "Until next time, little bird!"

She laughed. "There won't be a next time, my lord!"

Kenshin smirked as she watched her turn and walk away. She may not think there would be a next time, but he knew better. She would find out sooner or later... Most likely the former.

a/n: This is it for this little set, just the two pieces. Something new for next time! Let me know what you thought!