Standard Disclaimers Apply
//Italics// = flashbacks
Italics = thoughts
Bold = letters
What Keeps Us Alive
Chapter Four: I Take the Insanity Plea
What's love got to do with it?
Tina Turner
Girlfriend.
Her eyes went wide.
I'm his girlfriend?
Before her bewildered thoughts could go on any longer, she found herself coming in contact with Kenshin's hard chest, with her arms having no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist. She was breathing heavily as her nervousness became more profound each time she thought about her brief encounter with the new student, Enishi.
"This is interesting," Enishi murmured.
Her heart was pounding as she forced herself to close her eyes, willing her mind to calm down. Kenshin's hand began to run through her back gently as if he were trying to reassure her. She lifted her head up to meet Kenshin's eyes. She knew he was glaring at Enishi, through his fiery locks.
"So if she's yours Himura, prove it."
He had lit the fire within her. She sure as hell didn't belong to anybody. Kaoru whirled around from Kenshin's grasp to say something utterly nasty to the pompous boy, but was stopped in her tracks by Kenshin's arms.
"I don't need to prove anything," came Kenshin's voice.
She froze, his hands brushing her bare arms and sending shivers down her back. His hands worked their way up to her shoulders and then to her neck, forcing her to expose it to him. She threw her head back as his lips touched her skin, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her mind was numb and her thoughts were beyond chaotic. Why am I responding like this? What's wrong with me?
Her arms snaked around Kenshin's neck and she tilted her head more to give him more access. The kissing assault continued, both of them obvious to the fact that Enishi had already departed with a deep frown on his face.
She whimpered when she no longer felt the softness of the butterfly kisses on her neck, but soon found herself looking up at Kenshin. Her eyes widened slightly, as she raised her slender hand to touch his face. Her fingers danced across his left cheek, tracing two lines.
There should be a scar there. Two quick slashes, right to left.
"Kaoru…"
She met his gaze, his eyes burning into hers.
"Your eyes," she whispered, her fingers grazing his face gently. "Your eyes, they're amber…"
But Kenshin seemed to be in his own world, pulling her closer to him. It was an embrace of possession, total and complete possession. It's weird. Her eyes closed as she began to give in to the warmth of Kenshin's arms.
"Ken-shin?"
He said nothing.
"Kenshin." She tried again, this time with far more urgency laced in her voice. He turned his head towards her, his eyes a raging gold. A slow and shaky hand reached up to touch his face.
"Mine. You are my woman."
The Battousai's woman.
I am-
**
She was closer with Kaoru than she was with Megumi. Both Kaoru and her shared the same interests and there was just something about her older sister that was just completely and utterly comfortable. Kaoru was approachable, but never easy to read. Kaoru gave the best advice, but sometimes she found herself wondering what exactly was in the mind of her older sister.
Especially now.
Both herself and Megumi shared the boy-crazy genes; her time with Aoshi was developing into the all too familiar "boy of the month" regardless of the fact that she felt a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head, her eyes pinned on her sister who was preoccupied at the moment.
Her older sister was making out.
Making out with a hot guy in the middle of the school library mind you.
With people staring.
Make that gaping.
"Are you…?"
Misao turned to face Aoshi who held several books in his hands. So much for getting work done today or spending time with him for that matter. There was no way she was going to be able to get anything done.
She sighed, stepping forward to try to end the heated kiss. Word travels fast in school and most of the men that worked under her father had daughters and sons that went to school with them. She spotted Keiko across the room.
Oh, their dad was going to have a field day with this one.
Especially since it was Kaoru.
**
He watched the blossoms of the sakura tree dance in whirls to the wet ground. He made his way over to one of the benches, which was the farthest away from the school grounds. He couldn't think if anyone saw him, it was bad enough that the majority of the girls flocked around him when he was introduced to the class today. He held everyone's attention. The bright and boyish rich boy ready to conquer the school and the ladies.
He held everyone's attention.
But hers.
This was supposed to have been simple. He was supposed to have found Himura and eliminated him. But then again, he himself never liked anything to be too easy. It was just the problems that irritated him. Problems like Haijime Kaoru, the reincarnation of the Battousai's woman. The Battousai's comrades and even Mibu's Wolf had been given a new life. Yes, he had rather large problems. The ties would not be easy to cut through.
He had to find a new pawn, his ties with Kaoru would not allow him to hurt her or use her for that matter. She was far beyond the role that she had served in the past. Ah yes, he had fallen in love with her. He admitted it whole-heartedly. But with the Battousai, he served no chance.
A single petal landed in his open palm. His eyes watched it in slight curiosity.
"Beautiful…"
But beauty doesn't last forever…
The sakura blossom fell slowly to the ground, crushed and crumpled in the palm of his hand.
Everything will die.
**
Days seem so empty now. The island is beautiful, but it's… it's not home. I miss you more and more each day, Kenshin. There are times where I feel like I can't handle the solitude much longer. My voice of reason has turned into nothing more than my insanity. Even the idea of writing as if I were talking to you has lost it's fulfillment. Although it has only been nearly a week, I feel like I've been trapped here for all eternity…
Nothing could describe the whirl of emotions coursing through his body. He gripped the book tighter, trying to ignore Aoshi's piercing gaze across the table. He looked for a spot to focus on, his gaze landing on Misao and Kaoru who were both whispering quietly. His eyes danced over her slim figure, his fingertips itching to run through her soft ebony locks once more. He felt like an animal almost…
"Battousai."
He jumped, the book falling to the ground. He began breathing in short huffs, staring at Aoshi in complete shock.
"What did you say?"
The silent boy looked at him strangely.
"I didn't speak, Himura-san."
Kenshin nodded quickly, bending over to pick up the fallen book. Hallucinations… I'm having insane hallucinations. These weren't really written by Kaoru. I don't feel any connection. I'm eighteen. I'm going to the university.
He let out a shaky sigh, his gaze wandering back to Kaoru.
If only we could go back. If only we could be happy once more…
// "What's your greatest fear?"
He watched as she turned to face him, her fearless eyes regarding him carefully. She then stepped forward, taking his large hand into both of hers.
"My greatest fear," she repeated. "My greatest fear is losing all of this. Our friends, the relationships, the good times, and even the bad. I'm afraid to lose the memories." //
I just want to understand.
**
"Are you crazy!"
She shook her head, leaning her back against the wall.
"You must be since you were sucking faces with a senior in the middle of the goddamn library so everyone, including the kids who have parents that work with dad, mind you, to see! You've got to be insane. Otou-san's gonna fry him!"
She was trying to listen to her sister, but obviously was failing miserably. Her fingers reached and touched her lips softly.
"Kaoru?"
He was like a sun god from mythology. Hair the color of shoots of fire…
"Ka—or—u?"
His eyes were unmistakably violet, but there were times when they were a gold hue, amber and ready to pounce.
"KAORU!"
She jumped, both her and Misao getting glares from the old librarian.
Misao took her bad the shoulders and spoke in a hiss, "What about otou-san?"
She ignored Misao's voice, words like "boyfriend" and "new kid" plagued her mind.
I have a boyfriend…
A boyfriend…
Her eyes widened as suddenly there was a stark realization of what exactly the situation was yet to bring.
Otou-san's gonna kill him…
She glanced back at Kenshin.
I just won't bring him home, I guess.
**
Special Thanks To:
Jason, battousai angel, dementedchris, Hana Himura, Gypsy-chan, Angels Exist, chibi-rinoa, Bunny, macy, Zackire, Leigh, Mako, lyn, Yui-Mag, Smabbi-chan, chibi-angel, and Nemi.
Even bigger Tys to chibi-angel for beta-reading this. And of course, Smabbi-chan you can host my fic, it helps my ego. ^_^
Teeny-weeny Preview
Look for Yahiko to make his first appearance in the fic and well, Saitou finds out rather *disturbing* news about his daughter…
AN~ I know, I know. I took too long. I couldn't help it, it's been a really stressful April for me. I *finally* picked the college I wanted and prom's this week. I'm ready to finish all together. *_* Anyhow, I want to pose a question having to do with the next chapter.
Would you rather see:
Half-naked Kenshin, dripping from the shower? Kenshin in boxers or briefs (a whole 'nother discussion in itself)? Total naked Kenshin?*points to a blushing Kaoru* She won't help me decided, 'cause I love all three but I decided that I'd let the readers decided this time around. Let me know!