Author's Note: Okay, so I know that you are all wondering if I have dropped off the face of the world, but I promise I'm still alive and kicking…just not always writing. I've needed a break, there have been a lot of changes in my life in the past 3 years since I've stopped writing. I don't know how old all of my readers are, but I am 24. In the past 2 years I have gotten married, and I've also had a son, Cody. They pretty much take up my world these days, and when I'm not consumed with them, I'm usually reading, verses writing. I do apologize for my lack of appreciation for all of you, who have stuck around during this long lapse of time just waiting for an update…I hope not to disappoint you again. I haven't finished the story but I have completed a couple chapters and will be posting the chapters in increments, as I still desire for your input and critiques on the matter. Well enough is enough…

ON TO THE STORY!!

Disclaimer: As always, I do not now, nor will I ever own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters.

Since it has been so long--

When we last left Captive Hearts…

Planet Areth

"What? You've never seen a child eat before? What's so amazing?" Kaoru asked in annoyance.

"Watch your tone girl," Battousai sneered. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. "Have you noticed it?"

"Noticed what?" Kaoru asked in curiosity.

"Her eyes," he spoke in annoyance.

Kaoru was utterly confused, "What about her eyes?"

Battousai closed his eyes in his obvious annoyance. "The color, stupid wench."

Kaoru didn't understand why he was so annoyed. "Of course I noticed the color. They're a midnight blue like my own. But what I don't understand is, why is that so fascinating to you?" she asked calmly.

"You haven't noticed," he stated.

"NOTICED WHAT?" Kaoru yelled in frustration. Quickly realizing her outburst, she ducked her head down and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell like that. Noticed what, exactly?"

Battousai just quirked an eyebrow at her sudden outburst. She really was amusing when she flew off the handle like that. She immediately withdrew though and apologized. He assumed the apology was due to her fear of what he would do to her. He pushed down the annoying part of his conscience that was eating away at the way she looked at him. For some annoying reason, her fear was bothering him. He leaned back against the tree closing his eyes in thought. After a short time, he graced her with an answer.

"Yes, she does have beautiful eyes. Midnight blue...very beautiful. But when she was screaming her head off in anger, they changed to the most beautiful color," he stated, his eyes still closed as he reclined against the tree.

Kaoru's face fell as she heard the last part of the sentence. She was almost afraid to ask, but decided she couldn't stand not knowing. When she finally found her voice to speak, her words were shaky and unsure, "And what c-color is th-that exactly..."

Kaoru just looked at him. He appeared to be sleeping. She was just about to repeat her question when his mouth turned up into an amused smirk. He brought his face to hers swiftly and opened his eyes, his gaze burning into her own. For a few minutes, burning molten amber, met soft midnight blue. Then he answered just as she feared he would.

"Mine.."

Chapter 10: Mine

Planet Areth

Battousai smirked in satisfaction as he watched Kaoru's face fall right before him. He closed his eyes and leaned lazily against the tree for a second time.

Kaoru's head was spinning. Surely he must have been mistaken. Kaylynn's eyes have always mirrored Kaoru's own midnight blue eyes. She had never seen them even slightly different from her own. He had to be lying, he just had to be.

"You know what? I think you are just beyond cruel," Kaoru muttered gazing down at her now sleeping child. "Kaylynn has never once showed the qualities you've just described. I have never seen her eyes change color, not once, and I've seen her cry too, mind you! Why would you want to play such a nasty trick, why would you want me to think that MY baby has any bit of your twisted personality. She doesn't! She may have been conceived by your horrible acts, but my baby will be nothing like you!" Kaoru spat the last statement out coldly.

Battousai's face was inches from her own in seconds, amber eyes glittering dangerously. He roughly grabbed her jaw pulling her face even closer to his own.

"Don't you ever speak to me in such a fashion again. And don't above any circumstance think that I won't snap your pretty little neck in an instant if you ever disrespect me again. You may think I am lying to you, and that's fine--live in your own little delusional world if it suits you, but mark my words, you will see for yourself that she is much more like myself than you give her credit for. One thing is certain, you sure have gotten a bit more brave since I let you have your reprieve...I won't make that mistake again," Battousai spoke icily.

Kaoru's eyes welled up with unshed tears during Battousai's speech. He released her roughly. Kaoru timidly spoke, "What do you mean, 'you won't make that mistake again?'"

Battousai just smirked, gazing hungrily at every inch of her, "I mean you're mine. You will always be mine. No other man will ever lay a finger on you, unless they are willing to give that finger up to the blade of my katana. If I even catch another man looking at you, I will take pleasure in plucking his eyes from his very body."

Karou glared at Battousai in anger. She was seething. "You can't be serious! What about Kaoru?! You know, the one that is living MY life back on Earth? This isn't fair--she is the one you really want! What happened to me just being a 'lowly wench' who could never replace 'your Kaoru', what happened to that!" Kaoru spat angrily.

"What can I say," Battousai smirked. "You've managed to change my mind. That girl couldn't even hold a candle to your flame. From the second I knew you were to mother me a child, I have been consumed with you. Let that stupid husband-to-be of yours keep that filth. You. Are. Mine."

Planet Earth

Kenshin glanced up from his inner ramblings to find Kaoru approaching him.

"There you are darling, I have been looking everywhere for you! What are you doing just sitting by yourself?" Kaoru questioned.

"I've just been thinking. Somehow, I just can't help thinking that we've made a dreadful mistake by tearing down those pillars, that we have. Something about them just keeps speaking to me telling me that they were more than they seemed," Kenshin said.

Kaoru's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe that he was still so drawn to those pillars. He has to stop thinking about this, or he's going to piece things together. Kaoru ceased her inner thoughts to close the space between herself and Kenshin. She sat down next to him on the boulder he was seated upon. "Kenshin, stop torturing yourself with this. Even if they were more than they appeared to be, which I highly doubt, what can be done about it now? Why can't we just let it go and move on?" Kaoru questioned, placing her hand comfortingly upon his own.

"I know Koishii, you're right, that you are." Kenshin laughed, "You know, I've been thinking about it so intensely that I was actually having an inner battle just then, that I was. Part of myself was trying so hard to convince me that I had just made the hugest mistake ever. You would think if that was the case that the annoying voice would have at least had the decency to tell me why it was such a huge mistake in the first place, that it would!"

Kaoru gasped in suprise. His memories! They must be trying to convince him of what he's forgotten. Kaoru laughed uneasily, "See honey? See how silly you're being? Having inner battles over some stupid pillars! Make me a promise Kenshin, promise me that you'll just leave this be and never think of it again. Can you do that for me?"

Kenshin felt unsure of himself. Could he really promise something like that? He wasn't one to break promises, and he just didn't know if it could be something his mind was ready to let go of.

Don't do it Kenshin! Don't make that promise or you'll never here from me again. If you want your memories back, you have to let me help you along the way, that you do.

You again! But you said yourself that I have to figure this out on my own, you won't even tell me why it was such a mistake!

Come on Kenshin, be smart! I can't tell you what you don't already know, I can only help you figure things out, that I can. You knew deep down in your heart that it was a mistake to tear down those pillars, that is why I was able to confirm it for you!

Kenshin gazed at Kaoru's pleading eyes. She was looking at him so hopefully.

I just don't know what to do...

Kaoru could see the inner struggle Kenshin was going through. She knew he was fighting her request. Somehow she had to get him to give into her plea. She knew Kenshin didn't break promises...she knew that if she could get him to swear to her to never think of it again, that he would force himself to forget. She just needed to improvise a little to give him the push he needed to say yes to her. She glanced around to be sure no one was within sight and quickly swung a leg over Kenshin's lap so she was straddling him.

"Come on Kenshin, promise me you won't think on this anymore. Promise me that you'll forget all about it and just concentrate on us, and your life with me," Kaoru whispered in Kenshin's ear, lightly nibbling on it as she did so. "I mean, surely you find thoughts of me more entertaining than thoughts of enchanted pillars, right?"

Enchanted pillars? Does she know something I don't?

Exactly! Now you're seeing things clearly. You can't trust her.

I can't? What have I gotten myself into? Marrying someone I don't trust?

Kenshin gently pushed back on Kaoru's shoulders. "As much as I enjoy your attentions, I'm afraid this is neither the place nor the time for such affections. And as for making that promise...you should know I don't make promises I can't keep, and that is one I'm unsure of right now, that I am. The fact that you called those pillars 'enchanted' just brought more questions to the surface that my mind is probing for answers. So, for the time being, all I can say is I will drop it for now," Kenshin spoke matter-of-factly. Kaoru looked extremely uneasy and upset. She quickly dismounted his lap and stepped back a few paces.

"Very well, Kenshin. If you don't mind then, I think we should be heading home, the men were finishing up their work when I came to find you. I will be waiting in the wagon whenever you're ready," Kaoru spoke in a cool tone of voice and swiftly took her leave.

Kenshin sighed. Well, I may have just made the only woman I have ever loved incredibly upset with me, but for some reason, things just don't feel quite right. Something about Kaoru, doesn't feel quite right. I just can't seem to put my finger on it, that I can't, Kenshin spoke to himself. Kenshin sighed again and picked himself up. Heading towards the wagon, Kenshin couldn't stop his troubled thoughts.

Author's Note: Well that's it for this chapter. What did you guys think? I know I know, not as long a chapter as usual, but hey, at least I'm updating again, right? Well let me know.

Thanks for taking the time to read, and for those who have been around since the beginning back in 2003, thanks for your patience and thanks for your loyalty. I'm sorry it has been a whirlwind I know, but hopefully I will be able to keep more up to date this time...Ja-ne!

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