Chapter Sixteen

Confessions

Kenshin's POV

Kenshin stood at the window watching the heated conversation between Sagara and Yahiko take place. Sanosuke had convinced Kaoru's brother to come back to the hut, but he had refused to come back in. So currently their conversation was revolved around getting Yahiko to come inside, and from where Kenshin stood it seemed as though Sagara was making little progress "He's going to get her killed Sano!" Yahiko yelled loud enough for his words to cut through the house's wall. Kenshin winced inwardly. He couldn't contest her brother's logic. If Kaoru were to stay with him then she most certainly would be in danger. Kenshin would protect her with his entire being, but what about those times when he wouldn't be there? He wouldn't deny Yahiko's accusation; however, Kenshin would do everything his is power to prevent it from becoming true.

Turning away from the window Kenshin glanced over at Kaoru, his eyes softening upon seeing her. She sat next to the fireplace, her knees tucked underneath her chin, and her arms wrapped securely around her legs. No doubt this altercation between her and Yahiko had cut Kaoru deeply. Though she was a fierce doctor, Kaoru was an incredibly gentle soul. She was full of compassion and empathy. Those who she loved, she loved with her whole heart, and to be at odd ends with them simply crushes her. Kenshin frowned. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve the pain that he constantly brings her. Kaoru was created of everything good in this world. For him to allow her into his life, one of death and destruction, it would slowly destroy her. She was not built for his kind of world, a world in which would extinguish that beautiful light within her. She deserved a better life, a life in Tokyo where she could find a suitable husband, one not tainted in the blood of men, and raise a family in peace without having to worry about the ghosts of war coming back for them. She deserved a life that he may never be able to give her.

Suddenly Kaoru tilted her head to the side, sapphire eyes meeting with his intense gaze. It wasn't until that moment that Kenshin realized he had been staring at her. An unsure smile curved the side of her lips and his heart gave a painful squeeze. He was such a selfish man, and it disgusted him. He should make her go back to Tokyo, but he couldn't. Kenshin crossed the room, and settled on to the floor beside her. How weak he was when it came to this woman "How are you doing?" His question was merely a soft whisper.

"Fine." She replied equally as soft while sweeping her long, black hair onto one shoulder. Kenshin's jaw tightened when he caught sight of that dark purple handprint marring the creamy flesh of her throat. A hot, vengeful anger filled his body at the sight of that hideous marking. Saito had paid a steep price for that bruise, and Shishio would be shone the same curtesy the very next time they encountered one another. Sapphire eyes widening Kaoru quickly slipped her hand over the marking, hiding it away from him "It doesn't really hurt." Kaoru murmured in an attempt to soothe him. However lying was never her strong suit. Knowing that his rage would only upset her farther, Kenshin masked his emotions. Carefully his hand draped over hers, and he gently guided it away from her neck. She didn't say a word as he moved a little closer to get a better look at the mark. Tenderly he probed the edges of the bruise. She flinched just slightly at his attentive administrations. Apologetically he ghosted his thumb across her sore flesh, trying to amend for the pain he had caused. "I'm sorry for what Yahiko said." Kaoru murmured softly "He was angry, and he took it out on you Kenshin."

Kenshin shook his head and dropped his hand into his lap "Your brother wasn't wrong about me." She pursed her lips with the hint of a rather stubborn protest on the tip of her tongue, but Kenshin was quick to prevent the retaliation. It was time that he tell Kaoru exactly what she was getting herself into by staying "I am a dangerous man." Kenshin pressed on "There are things that I have done that you wouldn't be able to imagine in your worst nightmares. I have killed people in the most ruthless of ways, and have taken so many lives that I lost count somewhere along the way." Kenshin looked down at his calloused palms. So many lives had been destroyed by those hands "My work on the battle field has left me with many enemies. Enemies that wouldn't think twice about killing you to get to me." Kenshin curled his fingers into a tight fist "I am such a selfish man Kaoru." He admitted self-loathingly "You deserve a much better life than what I can offer, but I am too selfish to give you that." He eyes reflected deep guilt as he looked at her.

Kaoru moved to sit in front of him with a look of stubborn determination on her face. She carefully placed her hands over his tightly wound fists, gently easing them apart "The truth is I'm a bit selfish too." Kaoru began. She sent him a weak, crooked smile "I knew being with you was never going to be easy, but I pursued you anyway. I knew that I would become your vulnerability. I've put you at risk as well Kenshin." She confessed as her hands molded into his. Kenshin held those small, dainty hands tight "And what's worse is that I don't regret anything. Instead I want more. I want to know everything about you, I want to be your weakness and greatest strength. I want to help you bare your burdens… So you have not been the only one to be selfish." Waves of emotion washing over him Kenshin did the only thing he could think of. Carefully he cupped Kaoru's face within his hands and pulled her close. Their lips ghosted against each other once, twice, a third time sending sparks of electricity down his spine. Leaning back Kenshin took in the soft, pink blush spreading across her cheeks, the way her long lashes fluttered dreamily, and the small smile that curved the corners of her lips. Never had he seen a woman more beautiful than her.

For the following half hour the two of them sat in a comfortable silence as they waited to see if Yahiko would come inside. In the meantime Kaoru had laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder, curling her body against his. She had nearly fallen asleep when the door opened. Sagara walked through the threshold alone, grumbling angrily to himself. He crossed the room in a few long strides and settled down in front of Kenshin and Kaoru "He is such a stubborn boy." Sanosuke growled obviously irritated. Kenshin glanced down at Kaoru. It seems as though it runs in the family. He thought privately. Straighten up Kaoru came back to life with a small yawn. Scanning the room a look of disappointment crossed her face.

"I must have hurt him worse than I thought." She mumbled sadly "Perhaps I should try talking to him." Just as Kaoru went to stand up Kenshin placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

Furrowing her brows Kaoru regarded him curiously. Kenshin took to his feet, slipping the sword—that had lain at his side most of the night—through his obi belt "I believe his anger is directed at me." Kenshin announced "Therefore it is probably best if I talk to your brother." Kaoru nodded silently in agreement.

Sagara scoffed "Good luck there, buddy."

Kenshin eased the door shut behind him, sealing away the warmth that was emanating from within the house. Stepping out into the chilly night Kenshin took a deep breath. The crisp, cool air penetrated his lungs with a sobering sting. He didn't have the slightest idea as to what he would tell Yahiko, but he did know that he would not allow things to continue as they were. Scanning the areas around the house Kenshin found the boy sitting next to a tall oak tree a few feet from the house. His knees were drawn up to his chest, his elbows resting atop of them, and his head bowed low. Kenshin deliberately made some noise as he approached Yahiko. He had hoped to gain his attention, but seeing as the boy didn't so much as twitch, Kenshin knew that he had failed in doing so. Dislodging his katana from his belt, Kenshin sat down in the grass beside Yahiko with his swords propped against his shoulder. Again Kenshin tried to obtain the boy's attention by clearing his throat, and again Yahiko seemed keen on ignoring his existence. Kenshin turned his eyes upward. There was a clear, starry sky out that night "The sky is rather beautiful tonight, isn't it?" He asked a bit whimsically.

Yahiko turned to him with a dark scowl "What do you want?" He hissed impatiently. Despite the person this war was turning him into, Kenshin had always had a way with children. He fondly remembered a little girl from the village below his master's hut. She had been picking flowers for her mother in the same field he had been training in. The poor girl—whom he recalled as Suzumi—had fell and twisted her ankle. When Kenshin had stumbled upon her she had been scared and teary eyed. But after he had devoted his afternoon to helping her collect the rest of her bouquet, and returning her home he had unknowingly became her friend. The rest of that summer she had visited him and Hiko quite often with gifts of meals made by her and her mother. She had been a very sweet little girl. However, Yahiko wasn't quite a child, though his actions reflected one.

Kenshin stared off into the distance as he spoke "I would like to resolve this issue you have with me." He replied quietly.

"Alright, then leave." Yahiko retorted. The boy turned to Kenshin with a fiery temper "If you weren't here than I wouldn't have to worry about Kaoru getting hurt. I've seen your kind Battousai. I know what you can do to her, and Kaoru deserves someone better than you."

"Well then there is something we do agree on." Yahiko's expression faded into shock "Kaoru does deserve better than me. I have done things that I am not proud of Yahiko. I am ridden in sins, and tainted by the blood of men. I have a dark past and a darker future that I fear I will never entirely rid myself of. I don't know if I could ever give Kaoru the kind of life she deserves. Still, though I have warned her, she seemed set on staying."

The few moments of silence went by, and eventually the initial shock wore off and was replaced with anger. Yahiko pointed an accusing finger at Kenshin "Yeah right, you don't really care about her. You don't know her like I do, she would never be fine with a man like you, not unless you have been lying to her. Well I don't believe your sappy act at all." Kenshin chuckled softly, igniting a rather sour look from Yahiko "What's so funny?"

"I suppose that stubborn nature runs in the family." Kenshin murmured as he stood up "I'm sorry that you do not believe me, but I will promise to keep Kaoru safe. Whether you want to believe me or not, I truly do care about her." Just as he was about to walk back to the house a little red flag went off in his head. Someone else was here. Kenshin reach for his katana just in time to sense the throwing knives aimed for Yahiko. I one smooth, fluid motion Kenshin had pushed Yahiko out of the line of fire, drawn his blade, and deflected the knives. The boy hit the ground with a hard thud as Kenshin readjusted his stance. The deflected knives embedded themselves into the ground at the samurai's feet. Concentrating on the aura this opponent was giving off Kenshin was able to pinpoint it up in the trees "Yahiko, go back to the house." Kenshin warned knowing that the boy would only be in his way if there was a fight.

However Yahiko seemed to be paralyzed in fear and unable to move. Therefore Kenshin knew that he would need to end this quickly. Using his god-like speed Kenshin vanished from his spot underneath the tree and reappeared a few branches above their attacker. The solider dressed in a Shin Sen Gumi uniform had yet to sense the Battousai's presence, which gave Kenshin the element of surprise. Angling his sword directly above the solider Kenshin allowed himself to free fall downward on to the attacker. Within seconds his blade entered through the top of the man's skull and straight on down into his body. Blood gushed from his ear, nose, eyes, and mouth as the weight of death pulled both of them from the tree branch. Mid-fall Kenshin pulled his katana free from the corpse, and glided to the ground gracefully. The dead body collapsed into the dirt, Kenshin landing just a few inches away from it. Yahiko, who up until this point had remain petrified with fear, slowly came back to "Y-You save my life…" he gasped his eyes moving between Kenshin and the corpse "W-Why would y-you do that? I've been terrible to you."

Kenshin flicked his blade clean and returned it to its sheath "I choose to save you, because it would cause Kaoru a great deal of pain to lose her brother." He replied stoically.

After that close call Yahiko and Sanosuke escaped under the cover of the night to Tokyo. The departure was short and sweet. Yahiko asked Kaoru once more if she would join him in Tokyo. Again she refused his proposal and this time he merely responded with a worried frown. Once they had said their farewells the two disappeared into the darkness to begin their long journey. While Sanosuke worked in Tokyo to send Kyoto help, Kenshin and Kaoru had decided to use their time to try and gather the remaining soldiers that had been stationed in the Tea House. Kenshin had also thought to try and get a lead on Katsura's whereabouts. He knew that there was a slim chance that the commander could have been killed in the attack. He had a secret emergency pathway built into the walls of the Tea House that would have ensured him a safe passage out. Now it would be only a matter of finding him in the aftermath of the attack.

A/N: I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for reading. Please leave any comments below! :)