Kyaa Kyaff here!!!
Disclaimer: Sano & co does not belong to me! (Avoiding saying Kenshin ^_^)
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
Fragile Balance
Chapter 5: Not Again.
"Kaoru," he said reaching his hand out to touch her cheek.
"Enishi," she whispered in disbelief.
She jerked back from his touch standing next to Kenshin. Enishi switched his gaze from her to Kenshin.
"Batto…" Enishi gaze swept across the people at the party, "Himura, it's a pleasure to see you again."
His voice dripped with hatred. Kaoru held onto Kenshin's arm.
"Hey, who do you think you are?" Misao shouted.
He turned to look at her noticing Aoshi beside her, "And Shinomori too."
"What are you doing here?" Kenshin asked his voice flat but deadly.
"Sorry to disappoint you Himura, but I did not come to see you. I came to get my woman." Enishi said pointedly looking at Kaoru.
"I am not your woman," Kaoru said angrily.
"Oi!" Sano said coming next to Kaoru, "Is this your ex?"
Kaoru nodded her head. Enishi watched them calmly.
"You need to leave now," Kenshin said.
"Don't get any ideas about Kaoru, Himura. She is mine." Enishi said with finality.
Kaoru became anger and stepped forward, "I'll never be yours."
Enishi smiled dipping his head down and kissing her lips. Stunned by his action she shoved him away going to hit him. He caught her wrist easily in a tight grip. Next thing she knew Kenshin was in between her and Enishi. No one but Enishi noticed Kenshin's eyes wavering from his normal violet to an amber color.
"If you ever touch her again I will kill you." Kenshin said softly.
Enishi's eyes narrowed, "Like you kil…?"
The rest of his words were too quiet for anyone to hear except Kenshin. Enishi smiled again backing up.
"I'll see you later tonight Kaoru," Enishi said brushing passed Aoshi and a thoroughly pissed Misao.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Sano yelled trying to go after him.
Kenshin put his hand out, "Not here, not now."
Sano looked at Kenshin angrily before trying to get passed him only to realize Enishi was nowhere in sight.
"Gomen ne, Misao-chan," Kaoru said softly.
"For what?" Misao exploded coming over to Kaoru and gripping her shoulders, giving her a little shake.
"Umm…if you don't mind, I would like to go home now." Kaoru said looking at Sano and Megumi.
Misao's hands slipped to her sides. No one really felt like partying anymore.
"Well, I would like to thank everyone for coming! My birthday was great. Now you all have to leave so I can wallow in the splendor of my gifts!" Misao said trying to break the mood.
Kenshin came over to Kaoru and smiled at her reassuringly. Everyone began gathering up there clothes while Misao went to go say goodbye to everyone at the door. Sano and Megumi said they would be waiting for her in the car.
"You know him?" Kaoru asked quietly.
"A few years ago." Kenshin answered.
"I don't know what to do? I …" Kaoru had no idea why she was telling Kenshin this.
"Come, Megumi-dono and Sano are waiting for you," Kenshin said .
"You don't think I should call the police?" Kaoru asked surprised that he hadn't suggested it.
"The police won't help," Kenshin replied.
She nodded her head in agreement while walking inside the house. Misao came up to Kaoru.
"You can stay here tonight." Misao said not knowing what to say.
"No, I will be fine." Kaoru said not wanting to involve Misao.
Misao gave her a hug, "Thanks for the gift. Take care of yourself."
"Your welcome and I will."
Kaoru walked outside with Kenshin. Stopping by Megumi's car she smiled.
"I haven't been to the park to practice all this week. Are you going to be there in the morning?"
"If Kaoru-dono is practicing sessha will come." Kenshin replied.
"See you tomorrow then," Kaoru said trying to retain some semblance of normality in her life.
"Of course."
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Misao sighed as everyone left. She couldn't help but wonder who that guy was and exactly what had happened. A noise startled her and she saw Aoshi had yet to leave.
"Aoshi-sama!" she said surprised.
Biting her lip she asked, "Do you think that guy was serious?"
"Yes, but she will be fine." Aoshi replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Aoshi said.
"How can you be so sure?" Misao exclaimed.
"I have my reasons."
Misao frowned at his answer, but decided to change the subject since he didn't seem up to answering her questions.
"I want to thank you for the gift. I didn't know if you were really listening when I told you about the kunai thing." Misao said shyly.
"I always listen to what you say."
Misao was surprised by his answer.
"So you really will teach me how to use them properly?" Misao asked nervously as Aoshi came closer to her.
"Yes," Aoshi said.
"That's good! And I will get to spend more time with you!" Misao said wanting to bite her tongue at the last part.
Aoshi smiled, actually smiled, at Misao. He placed his hand under her chin. Misao was completely mesmerized.
"Never change," Aoshi said leaning forward slowly and kissing Misao hesitantly.
Misao couldn't believe it. Aoshi was kissing her. She began to wonder if she was daydreaming again, but as she slowly brought her hands up to touch his cheek, and then slid them around his neck, she realized that this was definitely real. The hesitancy in his kiss was only for a moment. Feeling Misao respond Aoshi did what he had wanted to do for a long time. He pulled her into his arms, her feet coming up from the ground. Misao felt warm and safe. When the kiss ended she stood staring up at him in amazement.
"Aoshi…"
"Misao, would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow?" Aoshi said.
Misao's eyes widened trying to take this all. First Aoshi was actually talking to her. Second he had just kissed her. And now he was asking her on a date. Misao began to think she was dreaming once again. She even pinched herself to make sure she wasn't.
"A date?" Misao said.
"Yes," Aoshi answered.
Her reply was to jump into his arms.
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"If this guy is serious, you need to get a restraining order on him," Megumi said driving to the apartment complex.
"A restraining order won't protect me." Kaoru said.
Megumi accepted this answer. It was true. A restraining order hadn't stopped Takeda Kanryu from almost beating her to death for refusing to work for him anymore. He was a renowned drug dealer that became greedy and had been forcing Megumi to make a new more addictive drug. No, a restraining order didn't save her, Sano did. She glanced over at the tori-atama as he watched Kaoru worriedly. Megumi was, she admitted, jealous of all the attention Sano gave to Kaoru. But she was slowly beginning to realize that Sano saw Kaoru as a friend only. That still didn't help the jealous feeling she felt whenever the two were together. Megumi smiled. She had nothing to worry about. In a contest of looks, elegance, and intelligence Megumi would win any day.
"Ohohohohoho!"
Sano and Kaoru looked at Megumi confusedly.
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Sano kissed Megumi goodnight while Kaoru waited. Heading upstairs Sano entered Kaoru's apartment first. She grabbed some pajamas, then picked up her pillow, and anything else she might want before following Sano to his apartment. Kaoru did not want to take any chances. The two had agreed that Kaoru would stay at Sano's tonight. She didn't want to involve him, but she didn't want to leave this place. She didn't want to run away. Kaoru didn't know what to do. She took the couch; even though, Sano said she could have the bed, since he wasn't going to sleep in it anyway. Kaoru knew she wasn't going to get much sleep either. Seeing Enishi again had her remembering. Remembering everything that had happened between the two of them.
"You hungry? It's only five, I could order some pizza or something," Sano said.
"I'm not really hungry," Kaoru replied.
"Good, cause I didn't plan on sharing the pizza with you."
Kaoru smiled, "Do you have newspaper?"
"Yep, I needed it to see the lotto numbers," Sano replied throwing the newspaper to her.
It fanned out and would have gone everywhere had Kaoru not jumped up to catch. No instead she got a whole lot of newspaper in the face. Sano laughed as he went to go pick up the phone to order a pizza. Kaoru sat back down with the newspaper looking at the front page. There was some more news on different crimes, and something about an assassination of an important government official. Flipping through the newspaper she went to the opinion column. Scanning down the page one caught her attention.
The identity and whereabouts of the Battousai are still unknown. There is no reason, however, to believe that the recent murder of Okuba Toshimichi is connected to the person known as Battousai. As of yet it is quite possible we are dealing with a new threat. All of the victims of Battousai have been either drug dealers or other criminals. To automatically assume that this is Battousai's doing is a mistake. There will be serious repercussions if we do not take this new threat seriously.
Kaoru read a little bit more. It went on with the same argument, defending Battousai it seemed. Kaoru read the name of the person who wrote the article, Katsura Kogoro. Next to the article she was reading was a counterargument to the one that was just made. Kaoru decided to go read her horoscope instead. She didn't believe in those things. It even said that they were just for fun. Finding it Kaoru began to read her horoscope.
Maintain your principles. Perceive truth about others around you. You have been disillusioned, but give romance another chance. Flirtation should be taken seriously; it will progress from lukewarm to hot. Keep your records straight; you will need them for research.
"What're you reading?" Sano asked sitting on a stool by the kitchen counter.
"My horoscope," Kaoru replied.
"Read mine," Sano said.
"What's your sign?" Kaoru asked.
"Pisces."
"What you lost three weeks ago will be retrieved within twenty-four hours. You possess the key to making a fortune," Kaoru started but was interrupted by Sano.
"Here's my key," Sano said holding up his favorite dice.
Kaoru gave him a look before continuing, "Money owed to you will be paid back within six days. Guard your possessions. Refuse to give up something for nothing."
Kaoru began to look through the newspaper some more. Sano was watching the clock waiting for the pizza man. The phone began to ring disturbing the silence. Sano jumped up to answer it.
"Hello… Hey Megitsune! Miss me already?" Sano was saying.
Kaoru tuned out the rest of the conversation still reading the paper.
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Enishi approached the apartment complex to see Kaoru as he promised. A noise caught his attention.
"Battousai, how did I know you would be here tonight?" Enishi said as the amber-eyed man stepped from the shadows.
"I won't let you near her." Battousai said calmly.
"She is mine. She has been mine willingly since we were younger."
"And she has willingly left you," Battousai countered emphasizing the word willingly.
"I am afraid she doesn't have a choice in the matter. She is just a little upset at the moment. Once I make her see that everything is alright…" Enishi started.
"Enough talk," Battousai said pulling his sword out.
"It's like that is it," Enishi said with pure hatred for the man standing in front of him.
Battousai rushed forward with seemingly unnatural speed. Enishi was prepared and had his own sword ready. The two blades connected with a sharp ring.
"We are going to attract attention this way," Enishi said.
"Then leave," Battousai replied.
"Kaoru is mine. I will not allow you to take her away from me as well," he said angrily.
Their attacks were silent except for when their swords met. Enishi jumped back dodging one attack before countering to the left, then bringing his sword up with a quick slice, before defending himself once again. They were attracting attention as one man opened his window to see what the noise was all about. A car started to pull up with a big pizza logo on the top of it.
"You can't keep her from me forever. We belong together. Next time we meet I will be sure to kill you." Enishi said.
The two men instantly separated and vanished out of sight leaving the man to yell about juvenile delinquents and vandalism. The fight was far from over.
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Sano was still talking to Megumi on the phone. Kaoru had resorted to reading the comic section. The doorbell suddenly rang and Sano jumped slightly.
"Hey. Got to go, pizza's here. I'll talk to you… no pizza isn't more important then you. Yes, Kaoru is over. You know why she is… Why is there a problem now? Where else is she going to stay? She's sleeping on the couch… No!… Yes...You know I love you baby. Megumi…Megumi?" Sano hung up the phone frowning.
Going over to open the door he paid the man the money before bringing it inside. Going over to Kaoru he opened the box and started waving it in her face.
"Oh look. Doesn't it look so yummy?"
Sano went placed the box on the counter and grabbed a slice. He started eating while saying how wonderful it tasted, and how Kaoru couldn't have any. Kaoru finally gave in, seeing that it was her favorite kind of pizza, and Sano would shut up if she had a slice. Getting up she chucked the newspaper at his head.
"Oh what? You want the pizza now. Well, you can't have any." Sano said blocking her way to the box.
Kaoru put her hands on her hips, "Come on."
"Nope it's all mine," Sano said waving his slice in her face before taking another big bite of it.
"Sano," Kaoru growled out.
He gave her an innocent look before taking another bite of pizza. Kaoru took the opportunity to lunge forward and shove the rest of it in his face. Sauce and cheese now covered his face.
"You are going to get it now," Sano said grabbing another piece of pizza and running at her.
With a yelp Kaoru went rushing toward the living room. She jumped over the couch. They were circling it now as he tried to get close enough to give her face full of pizza.
"You can have a piece now." Sano said trying to wipe his face off at the same time.
"No, never mind. Really I…" Kaoru ran toward the kitchen as Sano jumped the couch.
Kaoru held up her hands as she used the table to keep Sano at bay.
"It was an accident, I swear. Come on now. The pizza is hot."
Sano nodded his head in understanding, "That's too bad cause mine won't be an accident, and it's cooling down."
Sano came after her and she ended up in the living room again. Sano tackled her to the ground. With an evil gleam in his eye he squashed the pizza in her face. Sano sat on her laughing in triumph. The door swung open sharply, and a gasp was heard. Sano turned to look behind him. Megumi was standing in the doorway. All she saw was Sano sitting on top of Kaoru in what appeared to be a rather intimate position not noticing the pizza sauce and cheese on Kaoru's face.
"Megitsune," Sano said as she turned from the door without another word.
Sano jumped off of Kaoru and went running after Megumi.
'Oh no, that did look bad.'
Kaoru sat up wiping the globs of sauce off her face, while making a disgusted face. Kaoru looked down at her shirt.
"Ack! My favorite shirt." Kaoru exclaimed jumping up and shutting Sano's door before pulling her shirt off to run it under some water.
The door reopened and shut again.
"Wait! Don't come into the kitchen. I need to get my shirt on. You got sauce on it."
Kaoru heard a bit of noise as she turned off the water, "I am sorry about all this. Maybe you should call her or I could talk to her…"
Kaoru got no reply. She was getting a little nervous.
'Is Sano angry at me?'
Kaoru didn't hear the soft footsteps coming up from behind her until it was too late. She was caught in a strong embrace that wrapped around her arms keeping them to her side. She struggled frantically, but was unable to get away. Kaoru tried to turn her head to see the person's face, but couldn't.
"Who are you?" Kaoru asked.
"I won't let him bother you," the man whispered in a soft harsh voice not answering her question.
"Who?" Kaoru asked shakily.
"Enishi."
"What about you?" Kaoru asked trying to keep him talking.
'Sano, where are you?'
"I won't hurt you," the voice whispered holding her possessively.
"Won't hurt me. He said the same exact thing! You're just like him," she said suddenly becoming extremely angry and fed up with being seen as a possession.
The arms around her tightened for a moment before releasing her as if disturbed by her words and the truth in them. Kaoru spun around to see this man, but just as quickly as he appeared he was gone. Kaoru felt her knees go weak. This was too much for her to take. It wasn't enough that Enishi had found her, now this unknown person was after her too.
'How did my life get so messed up?'
She began to remember when she first met Enishi. She was fourteen, a freshmen in high school.
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Hiya! Hope you liked the chapter!!! Umm… if you would like me to send you an update notice for this story just tell me so in your review! ^_^
And just so you know, Misao has been chipping away Aoshi's icy exterior for quite sometime! Waaaaaaaaaay before Kaoru showed up. And hmmm… next chapter goes into Enishi and Kaoru's relationship and what happened with them!
Thanks you to Jason M. Lee, Crystal, Tesuka-chan, kawaii sakura-chan, marstanuki, chibi-hime, chibi-Ken14, Vesca, Chiki, sarah0sleds, Kame Hime, kawaii_tenshi77, Lina, cherrybubbles, Apple, Ro-chan, Gina, Misanagi, Isis 13, Leigh, mystic wolf, Sujakata, Gypsy-chan, SakuraCherryBlossom, and Jim for all you wonderful reviews!
They motivate me lots!!!!
Kyaa Kyaff saying love you lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
