Chapter Thirteen

Intentions

Battousai's POV

Watching the doctor curiously Kenshin paid close attention of every little move she made. Memorizing those tiny details that defined her gentle tendencies. He noted the way the tip of her tongue would poke out from between her lips as she concentrated on efficiently wringing out her rag, and how her eyebrows pinched together when she dabbed the damp cloth against his cheek—as if worried that she would hurt him. There was a graceful way to how she practiced medicine. From her elegant posture as she sat on her knees in front of him, to the delicate movement of her fingers. Softly she hummed to herself as she settled into a routine composed of cleaning his wound, then turning to the water bowl beside her to clean the cloth. Back and forth she repeated those motions over and over until she was satisfied. For a moment Kenshin closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall behind him. Quietly he listened to the sweet musical tune that derived from her throat. He could almost swear that sound was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. Making a final round, Kaoru relinquished the rag, and turned her focus on his wounded cheek. Gingerly she prodded the marred skin around the nasty gash. A small frown weighed down her pink lips "It's not deep enough to need stitches." Kaoru murmured "It will leave a terrible scar though." She sighed wistfully.

Turning his ember eyes to the doctor, Kenshin was dismayed by what he saw. Kaoru had captured her bottom lip between a set of perfectly white teeth, and her stunning sapphire eyes conveyed deep despair. That look simply wouldn't do. He didn't want her to worry about him. Especially about something as trivial as a scar. Tenderly he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He refused to allow such a melancholy expression to haunt that gorgeous face. What was it about this woman that made him so daring? Tracing the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip, he dislodged her teeth, and captured her gaze with the intensity of his own. Kenshin was fully aware that one day he would pay for this. He knew that there was no atonement for tainting such an innocently pure soul, and yet that knowledge seemed so irrelevant in these moments. For years Kenshin had allowed the darkness inside to control him. With Kaoru he somehow found the strength to seize, and recapture that small bit of humanity that had been locked away for so long. It was selfish, but he would readily take any and all that she was willing to give him. Nothing more nothing less.

Knowingly Kaoru closed her eyes, long, black lashes fluttering against her flushed cheeks. This was her permission to continue. It was almost unfair that she trusted him like this. Kaoru had only seen snippets of the monster that lurked just below the surface. The poor girl didn't really understand the true nature of his beast—one day though, she would understand. Kenshin wasn't an ignorant man. He knew that if Kaoru was to ever discover just how black his soul was she would leave, and he would not stop her. However, until then he would revel in her oblivious bliss. Slowly Kenshin's hand traveled across the delicate line of her jaw, and down the smooth curve of her throat. Her head tilted to the side as his fingers slid around the back of her neck. Mindfully he guided her closer to him. Hesitantly she complied and moved with the guidance of his hand. Faintly his lips brushed against hers. Once, twice… again. Once more he found her entirely too intoxicating.

Using what was left of his faltering will, Kenshin leaned away from her with a sense of a success. The frown that had previously marred her rosy lips had vanished, and been replaced with a subtle, contented smile. Those once sadden sapphire gems now glimmered enticingly at him through impossibly dark lashes "Will I ever get used to that?" Kaoru asked breathlessly. Kenshin slipped her a rare smile of his own, and ran his thumb over her collar bone. It was a question that he himself had pondered. Kaoru astonished him. Left him speechless at times with all that she was. She was an irrevocably innocent woman. Her entire being was the embodiment of purity. Her eyes shone bright with unsoiled curiosity, and unbridled acceptance. She gave those around her the benefit of the doubt, and more often than not forgave people who wronged her. Kaoru was one of those people that simply shouldn't exist in such a grave era. Yet she did. There in that clinic she thrived, her light seeping into the darkness that her patients had been forged in. That light was infectious, and so very beautiful in a time of blood and death.

"Probably not." Kenshin whispered as he regarded her lovingly.

An attentive hand glided over his temple, nimble fingertips trickling lightly along his skin until a warm satin palm rested flat against his right cheek. Between them a silent intimacy grew as he leaned into her caress. Did she truly know how rare she was? Kaoru was strong yet compassionate, intelligent yet innocent. Kenshin was unimaginably lucky to have her in his life—even if her presence wouldn't last, he would continue to cherish what time he did have with her "Battousai?" Her tone was mindful, and her eyes displayed apprehension. Those eyes read like an open book.

Kaoru's POV

A tight, relentless knot had twisted itself painfully inside of her stomach, and Kaoru found that her words were trapped within her throat. She was hesitating. Afraid of the answer that she would receive, of rejection, of getting hurt. The courage she had built brick by brick had crumbled the moment those molten golden eyes met with hers. A gentle calloused hand swept a few stray hairs from her face, making her stomach do a back flip, and her heart falter. Surely he had to feel this. Based on his reaction Kaoru knew that he was already aware of her inner distress, and that sweet gesture was meant to comfort her. How strange it was how quickly the two of them were developing this relationship—it was almost as natural as breathing. Kaoru knew where she stood in this, she would readily see their growing relationship to the end, but what she didn't know was where the Battousai would stand. Swallowing hard Kaoru made a firm decision to ask him her question. Kaoru squared her jaw, and forced away the nerves that held her back "I need to know..." She began as that sudden burst of determination began dissipating. Clearing her throat Kaoru went on "I need to know your intentions Battousai. This thing—this relationship," She corrected her eyes now focused on the floor "it is progressing fast, and I believe I have a right to know how you feel a-about us—about me." Satisfied that she was able to keep the stuttering to a minimum Kaoru chose this moment to look up.

His look was one of defeat, the typical walls that stood so tall on most occasions were down. He was allowing her inside that cold barrier once more. Those golden eyes had faded in intensity, leaving behind a muted shade of purple. For the slightest second Kaoru wondered how such a physical change was even humanly possible, but quickly filed the thought away for a more appropriate time. In this moment she and Battousai were on the cusp of a revelation in their new-found relationship. It was not the time for her to inquire about his shifting eye color "My intentions." Battousai mumbled in a low baritone "Are to be with you Kaoru." The unmistakable solemnity of his tone left Kaoru totally speechless. It seemed that his words always impacted her in unexpected ways. Turning her body away from him—hoping to conceal her blush—Kaoru was surprised when his hand found her wrist, and ever so vigilantly drew her into him. Suddenly the doctor found herself sitting between his legs, her back against his chest, and his arms bound safely around her waist. This was perhaps the most intimate moment Kaoru had ever experienced.

Delicately his chin came to rest on her shoulder his face turned slightly into her neck. Sparsely Kaoru could feel his warm breath splaying across the now sensitive skin of her throat "Battousai." She whispered weakly.

The tip of his nose nuzzled against her shoulder "Kenshin." He told her "My real name is Kenshin Himura."

"Kenshin." Kaoru repeated slowly, liking how his name rolled off her tongue. Relaxing into his embrace she wondered how many people knew his real name. Kaoru suspected the possibility that she could be the only one, especially since the only name anyone had referred to him with was Battousai. It was then that it dawned on her how vulnerable he had just made himself. Battousai was an assassin. He led a dark life, one that would collect many enemies—Giving out his name could be dangerous, and yet he had given it to her. He was taking a chance with her, allowing her to have whatever was left of his trust in people (which she imagined wasn't much given his work). Kaoru was honored. She understood the implications of his actions enough to know that it was his way of saying that he was in this relationship for the long term. For a while the both of them simply sat there, each lost within the archives of their own thoughts. Then as an early morning sun drifted through the room's window pane, producing an incredible display of reds and oranges, there was a mutual acceptance that they would have to depart.

Kaoru reluctantly stood up, convincing herself that it was for the best, and Battousai—Kenshin followed in suit. Other occupants of the tea house would soon be up and bustling about the halls, which would undoubtedly cause avoidable complications. In addition to preserving their privacy Kenshin still needed to check in with the commander. After all he couldn't resume his body guard status until Katsura ordered so. With a small sigh Kaoru politely walked him to her bedroom door "I'll be back soon." Kenshin informed her, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. Kaoru nodded ruefully and saw him off with a small kiss.

Once the shoji screen closed behind her, Kaoru ventured over to her desk and sat down. Picking up her mirror Kaoru took a look at her reflection. Flushed cheeks, a messy ponytail, and tired eyes stared back. She needed to go back to the clinic this morning, but first she should try to clean up. She laid the silver encased mirror down on the surface of the desk, and reached for the light pink ribbon holding together her tangled hair. With a slight tug the ribbon easily fell to her lap, releasing a thick, raven black water fall to pool to her waist.

Just as she was about to reach for her brush a heavy hand encased her mouth as another knotted into her hair "I have a message for you: You're beautiful when you're scared doctor." Those words belonged to Shishio. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Not again. She couldn't allow this to happen again. With a strong resolve for perseverance coursing through her Kaoru defiantly sunk her teeth into the aggressor's finger. The coppery flavor of blood filled her mouth, yet Kaoru was determined to hold her bite. If she was going down, then she would go down with a fighting chance. While he was distracted with his injured finger, Kaoru forced her elbow sharply into the attacker's ribs, successfully freeing herself as the air deflated from his lungs. Without hesitation the doctor formed a good grip on her mirror and swung around to face the assailant. Before her was Saito doubled over, and gasping in pain. The attacker's identity perplexed the doctor, she wasn't sure how he had gotten in, or how he related to Shishio, but in this moment none of that matter. The only thing Kaoru needed to concentrate on was getting out of this room alive "You bitch." Saito growled his black eyes glaring at her in a fiery rage. He stood to his full height and then launched forward. Adrenaline coursing through her body, Kaoru threw all her force into slamming her mirror into his face.

In the midst of her swing Kaoru was met with the solid force of Saito's hand. His fingers were tightened around her wrist painfully. Kaoru froze as a sinister smirk drew up the sides of his mouth. Saito's other hand clasped around her throat cutting off her oxygen, and constricting her vocal cords. She opened her mouth, trying desperately to call out for help, but she couldn't vocalize anything. It was like ice water running through her chest and penetrating her lungs so that she couldn't breathe—like she was drowning. Tiny black spots began to blur her vision as the darkness surrounded her. Kenshin…

A/N: Thank you for reading, and as always please leave any comments below. :)