Kyaa Kyaff here again!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I belong to Kenshin…*ahem* what I meant to say was Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me.
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
An Alternate Place and Time
Chapter 15: A fight and a kiss
"Get away from her now," Kenshin said in a soft deadly voice.
Kenshin tried to ignore the anger burning inside him upon seeing that man kissing and now holding Kaoru.
"You had better release her," Kenshin said his eyes taking on a dangerous glint, when Soujiro tightened his hold on Kaoru.
"How did you get here?" Soujiro asked holding Kaoru with one arm now and unsheathing his sword with the other.
"I followed you when you left the Ishin shishi hideout," Kenshin said losing any sign of emotion, "Now if you will allow me take my woman back, I won't kill you."
"Your woman?" Soujiro said looking at Kaoru, "I don't think so."
'His woman! What?'
Soujiro moved in front of Kaoru readying himself to fight.
"I won't let you take her this time."
"Once you are dead you cannot stop me," Kenshin said simply.
Soujiro initiated the attack. Kenshin slipped out of the way going for Soujiro's side. Quickly switching the direction of his swing, Soujiro blocked the strike. Kaoru watched unbelieving. She did not have her sakabatou and could do nothing. They were fighting without restraint, both trying to kill the other.
'Not again! Why? I have to do something, but what?'
Ducking low Kenshin sliced his sword up then to the side before reversing the direction and coming down. Each was countered by Soujiro. They stood their blades against each other, each man looking for an opening. Soujiro unexpectedly pushed forward with a mighty heave before punching Kenshin in the face. Kenshin backed up against the wall pushed off of it slamming into Soujiro, who collapsed to the ground to send Kenshin flying over him. Kenshin used his momentum to turn and shove off the other wall and come at Soujiro, who was ready for him.
Kaoru watched Kenshin's labored breathing.
'Kenshin's sick! He is still recovering from the poison. It's only been a day! How is he even up?!'
Soujiro came at Kenshin as he stumbled. Kenshin twisted to the side narrowly avoiding being skewered.
"Getting slow Battousai."
Kenshin stood. Both men waited for the other's move. Kaoru watched feeling helpless. She hated that feeling so much.
'I have to stop them. I just can't sit here cowering.'
Kaoru watched the two staring each other down. Now was her chance. Just as Kaoru went to stand between the two they attacked. Everyone stood perfectly still after the attack. Kaoru stood between the two facing Soujiro. Her eyes widened. Blood began to slip from the corner of her mouth.
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"Did you find him Sano?" Megumi asked meeting up with him right outside the house.
Sano shook his head.
"That baka! What is he thinking?" Megumi exclaimed heatedly.
"He must really care about Jou-chan." Sano said.
"Tanuki? We are all worried about her, but going out when he is sick won't help her any! I don't understand why he couldn't stay put!"
Sano was worried about Kaoru too, but something about Kenshin told him he would find her and bring her back. There really wasn't anything any of them could do right now.
"It's nice seeing you again." Sano said switching the subject suddenly.
Megumi noticed just how close Sano was and backed up a bit.
"What's that all about tori-atama?" Megumi replied.
"You've only gotten prettier, Megitsune. I did miss you, you know."
"Are you feeling okay?" Megumi asked.
"Perfectly fine, but not seeing you for so long and not knowing if you were okay really made me think." Sano said.
Megumi looked at him nervously, "What are you talking about?"
"What I am trying to say is…"
"Megumi! You're back. Tsubame's in pain. Do you have something for her?" Yahiko said coming outside oblivious to the very pissed looking Sano.
"Yes, I do." Megumi said following Yahiko inside.
Sano put a hand to his face. Just when he got the courage to say something that brat… Yahiko would pay.
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"Kaoru," Soujiro said brokenly.
Kenshin's sword was lying across the room where he thrown it to avoid hurting Kaoru. Soujiro, however, stood his sword stabbed through her stomach. Kaoru put her hand down coming up with blood. Kenshin was staring in disbelief at Kaoru's back the blade biting into his side. He pulled away, his wound very shallow.
"Oh, Sou-chan. Gomen ne." Kaoru said quietly placing her bloodied hand on his cheek.
Soujiro pulled his sword gently free of her in horror. As Kaoru began to fall Kenshin caught her. Soujiro dropped to the ground in shock. Kenshin placed Kaoru on the floor pulling off her gi to get to the wound.
*No, you can't die. No, I won't let you die, you stupid girl. Didn't you see we were going to attack? *
"Do you have any medical supplies here?" Kenshin asked.
Soujiro nodded his head slowly.
"Get them now!" Kenshin yelled.
Soujiro got up snapping out of his state of shock.
"Kaoru, Kaoru answer me." Kenshin pleaded.
"Ken…shin," Kaoru said.
"Yes that's right. You are a baka you know that." Kenshin said trying to calm himself.
Kaoru smiled, "Tell Sou-chan…it's no…t… his fault."
"Don't talk like you are going to die." Kenshin said fiercely.
Kaoru's face scrunched in pain and a moment later she lost consciousness. Soujiro came running in the room with bandages and other such things. Kenshin looked at what he had. He'd seen this before. Seen a doctor take care of it before, but Megumi was too far away. He would have to take care of it. Soujiro watched Kenshin start to work on Kaoru. His hand trailed up to touch his cheek bloodied by Kaoru's hand. He had hurt the one person he truly cared about. His fault, this wouldn't have happened if not for him. His thoughts were tormenting him.
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Yahiko sat next to a sleeping Tsubame. It was the middle of the night, but a nightmare had woken him up, so he decided to watch her. The medicine Megumi had given her had dulled the pain. Yahiko frowned. Tsubame had yet to become conscious again, since she was injured. Yahiko was worried, but Megumi assured him that it was not unusual for that to happen.
Tsubame moved slightly in her sleep. Yahiko reached down to move a piece of her hair from her face. Seeing she was okay for now, Yahiko stood up to walk outside. The night air was chilly, but he didn't mind. The images of his dream began plaguing his mind. He had willingly killed those men for nothing but pleasure. It frightened him when he thought about it. All the other times he had been ordered. What terrified him most was remembering telling Kaoru to come to him. Something was screaming inside of him not to harm her, but the other part of him wanted to hurt her badly just because she was there.
That had been the first time he had lost control over himself. The first time he realized the extent of what he could do. Yahiko resolved never to lose control again.
He sat down on the hard ground.
"Kaoru, you better come back safe, or I won't forgive you," he said to the night sky.
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Morning light streamed in through the small window. Kenshin sat there watching over Kaoru. He shivered from his fever, which he had not fully recovered from. Soujiro sat in the corner watching Kaoru also. She had survived the night, a good sign, but she was nowhere near safe. The sword had missed some of the vital parts of her body; otherwise, she would not be living right now. Kenshin knew he had to get her to Megumi before long.
"You, we need to get Kaoru to Megumi. She's a doctor. Moving her could be very dangerous, so I am going to need your help."
"All right," Soujiro said, "What can I do to help?"
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Two days later Sano was standing outside stretching when he saw someone in the distance. Squinting his eyes he made out Kenshin with someone else he couldn't see. He rushed inside to get Megumi. Megumi was out the door in a second. Rushing over she saw Soujiro, whom she had met a few times, and Kenshin carrying Kaoru on a makeshift carrier. Bringing Kaoru inside she immediately set to work. Looking over Kaoru she complimented Kenshin on his work.
"If you hadn't done what you did, she would be dead right now."
Soujiro paled as she said such.
"But I still need to take care of this. She's in a very bad condition. She is still not in the clear."
Kenshin nodded getting out of the way. Soujiro stood up and went to leave. Kenshin followed him grabbing him by the arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" Kenshin asked.
"I am leaving. If I don't return the Shinsengumi will become suspicious. I have been gone too long as it is. I don't need to bring Kaoru anymore trouble. Don't worry I won't tell them where you are. Just make sure she is okay. Tell her I am sorry for this. It is my fault. I don't know if I could face her again. Take care of her."
Soujiro's face was one full of torment. Kenshin let go of his arm. Soujiro reached into his gi taking out a nice blue ribbon.
"Give this to Kaoru. Tell her to not worry about me."
Kenshin nodded taking the ribbon and watching Soujiro leave.
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A month and a half passed quickly and uneventfully. Tsubame had recovered fully and was up helping with the chores. Kaoru still had to be careful. At one point she had come close to re-injuring herself. Sano, Yahiko, and Kenshin worked on fixing up the house to accommodate everyone for the winter. There was nowhere else for them to go. Megumi was out buying winter clothes with the little money she earned. Sano also earned a little bit of money, but lost most of it gambling.
Kenshin had spent every night and day by her side making sure she recovered from her injury for the first couple of weeks. After that he began avoiding her. Kaoru noticed and was becoming frustrated with him. Yahiko and Tsubame were even closer now, and Sano and Megumi had a habit of teasing the two. Recently Kaoru was quieter than usual. She fiddled absently with a blue ribbon in her hand. She wondered how Soujiro was doing. She did not want him to blame himself for what happened to her. After this was all over she was determined to find him again. Kaoru was also worried that Kenshin would leave in search of other members of the Ishin shishi. Her thoughts were interrupted by Yahiko.
"Hey, busu!" Yahiko said trying to get a rise out of her.
"What is it Yahiko?" she asked not really paying attention.
"Well, you look like an old hag. Thought you might want to know."
"Yes, arigato," Kaoru said.
Yahiko came over in front of her face.
"Kaoru look at me!" Yahiko said.
Kaoru looked up at him.
"Snap out of it. What's the matter with you!? You aren't being yourself. I am worried about you."
Kaoru smiled, "There is nothing to worry about. I am just tired."
Yahiko sighed in exasperation, "I am going to find Tsubame."
Kaoru didn't respond. Yahiko left frowning. Megumi was out getting warmer clothes. Kenshin was sitting outside the house. Sano was out gambling with his friends. Yahiko found Tsubame and invited her to walk with him, which she accepted. Kaoru stood up slowly still recovering from her injury. She walked outside and sat down next to Kenshin. He went to stand, but she grabbed his gi. So he remained seated.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Kaoru asked quietly.
"I am not," Kenshin replied.
Kaoru sighed a shiver running up her spine in response to the chilly air.
"You are going to get sick out here." Kenshin said.
Kaoru shook her head. Kenshin sighed in irritation.
"I almost lost you once. Now I am not chancing you getting sick in your weakened state."
Kaoru looked over at him in surprise. Next thing she knew he was picking her up and carrying her back inside.
"Kenshin, what are you doing? Put me down right now!" Kaoru exclaimed.
He walked over to her futon and placed her in it. He then took a blanket and put it over her.
"Now stay put." He said.
Kenshin tried to get up and leave, but Kaoru grabbed onto him again.
"If you leave I am going to get up and follow you," she said.
Kenshin knew she was serious, so he sat down beside her.
"Kenshin?"
"What is it?" Kenshin asked.
"Do you dislike me?" she asked.
"No," he said.
"Then what do you think of me?" Kaoru asked.
"Why do you ask?" he said standing up and walking across the room to look outside.
"I was remembering some things you said." Kaoru replied following him as she said she would.
Kenshin walked back over to her looking into her eyes.
"Stop getting up."
"Stop telling me what to do!" Kaoru countered.
"You are so frustrating," Kenshin said exasperated.
"Now you finally show some emotion."
"What do you want?" Kenshin asked.
"I want…I want you to kiss me." Kaoru said bluntly.
"What!" Kenshin exclaimed.
'Eh? Did I just say that out loud? Judging from his expression I did. Well…'
"Just one kiss. I will leave you alone after that. I promise." Kaoru said deciding there was no turning back.
"Kaoru…"
"I am not taking no for an answer Kenshin. We are both adults. I just want a simple kiss. If you don't feel anything, then I will leave you alone." Kaoru said.
*Why is she being so bold? I want to kiss her though. I will just act like I don't enjoy it. A small quick kiss. *
Kaoru watched him.
'What came over me? Ack! He probably thinks I am weird now.'
Kenshin leaned closer to her.
'He's going to kiss me!'
He hesitantly pressed his lips to hers. That was all Kaoru said she needed, but she lied. Kenshin had sworn he would be unaffected, but he was wrong. He started to pull away before he did something stupid. Now that Kaoru had him she didn't want to let him go. As he pulled back she followed him bringing her hands around his neck and pushing him against the wall turning the kiss into a more passionate one.
Kenshin was definitely taken by surprise at her boldness, when she shoved him against the wall pressing her whole body against his possessively. She deepened the kiss, and he couldn't help but respond. Kenshin wanted this. To be able to kiss her like this. Just for this one moment he would let go. He brought his arms around her pulling her gently closer, if possible, to him.
Kaoru felt his arms go around her. This seemed like a dream to her that was shattered a few seconds later.
"Oi Jou-chan, I…" Sano stopped his mouth hanging open.
Kaoru and Kenshin jumped apart from each other. Kaoru's face was bright red. Kenshin muttered something inaudibly before brushing past Sano to go outside.
Kaoru bit her bottom lip and cleared her throat in the awkward silence, "You wanted to tell me something Sano?"
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Hiya! Kyaa Kyaff here! Hope you liked the chapter! No cliffy and KxK action here! Yay!
I have decided to try to start sending update notices to anyone who wants me to. So if you want me to put you on my list tell me so in your review!
About Soujiro, Kaoru, and Amakusa. Kaoru was only able to defeat Amakusa cause he underestimated her and he hesitated, it wasn't that she was stronger. And Soujiro was training longer than Kaoru, and someone had to gain the upper advantage in the last chapter!
Soujiro doesn't know Amakusa is dead yet. Ummm…I think that is what I wanted to say.
Oh yeah!
*Kyaa Kyaff runs backstage and comes back with Soujiro*
Come here Sou-chan! Okay everyone Sou-chan needs a little comfort. He may be smiling but he was devastated in this chapter. *hugs Soujiro* Thanks for being such a good sport Sou-chan!
I want to thank everyone who reviewed! Me me me and only me, Gypsy-chan, Fudgieangel, Mango, Chibi-Gami, nena, Sano, shizuka, Ayumi, kawaii sakura-chan, Apple, Spike's baby, Omochi, Jim, Chiki, Vesca, Gina, Bunny, Naomi, lizzie, Mari Simoes, chibi-hime, moonblossom, Alannah, sky fire, Lina, Crystal, and Joey.
Love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kyaa Kyaff saying 'til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!