After staying in their intimate embrace for a while, Kenshin led Regan inside the dinning hall to eat their dinner. Kenshin helped Regan set the table and when they were through, they sat across each other and began chewing their food in silence.
Kenshin stared down at his plate as he thought of a way to ask her about the matter he and Yahiko discussed. Should I intervene with their argument? I mean it is just like sibling conflict, right? They won't bear grudges against each other. If I know them better I say that they'll forget about it in a couple of days but… the way Yahiko looked at me earlier today seemed… Kenshin looked up at Regan and asked in a casual manner, "Kaoru, did you and Yahiko have an argument two days ago?"
Regan looked up, surprised at his inquiry. Damn brat! I can't believe he told Kenshin about our confrontation. Well, I'll just have to teach his little tongue a lesson when I see him again, she smiled at that thought and then looking back at Kenshin, she replied, "Yes."
"Why are you smiling, darling?" Kenshin asked, looking at her quizzically.
"Oh nothing, it just amuses me that Yahiko-chan is so sensitive," Regan replied, her smile not leaving her face.
"What was your argument about?"
Regan shook her head and sighed, "I don't know what came into that kid. I just disciplined him and he ran away, cursing me!!"
"Hmmm…" Kenshin began as he placed his hand on top of hers. "You know, Yahiko was pretty hurt with the things you told him. Koishii, what exactly did you tell him?" he asked peering closer to her eyes.
Regan looked back at him innocently with wide eyes, placing her hand to her chest, feigning hurt. "I just told him to wash his foul mouth. Is there anything wrong with that? Honestly, I am really getting tired of his childish name-calling." Caressing his hand gently, she continued in a more serious tone, "Kenshin, if he wants us to treat him like an adult, he should act like one."
Kenshin nodded understandingly and asked, "Kaoru, will you explain that to him when he drops by?"
Regan nodded promptly and beamed, "Alright, will that make you happy?"
"Of course, dear. I just don't want any misunderstanding among us."
Regan grinned at him mischievously as she strut towards Kenshin. She sat down on his lap and straddled on his stomach, "How about we skip to desert? Will that make you happy?"
Kenshin smiled appreciatively as he captured her lips with his own.
~~~~~
The next morning, Yahiko went out to the riverbank to contemplate. He closed his eyes as he replayed for the umpteenth time the events that happened at the dojo a couple of days ago.
After I stepped out of the dojo, I peeked from the side of the door to see if Kaoru was following me. I was disappointed, she didn't even look back. Instead, I saw Kaoru smiling to herself, saying, "Great job, Regan! Now, you don't have to teach that brat something you don't even know."
Regan? Who's Regan?
When I looked back at her, shock was an understatement to describe what I felt. I saw Kaoru spit on her father's shrine, looking at it in disgust. She said, "Kamiya Kasshin Ryu… To protect the ones you love… Bullshit!! You don't even know what the meaning of love is. You call giving me away, love? Fuck you!" Then, she spat on his shrine again as she took out a sword, wielding it with adroit movements.
Yahiko opened his eyes, allowing the soft ripples to clear his mind. She is not Kaoru. She may look like her but she is definitely not her. Kaoru would not say mean words like she did. Kaoru might be a little violent but she had always been understanding and tactful. Kaoru would never ever curse her family and the Kasshin Ryu like she did. I don't have to enumerate everything to myself… All I know is whoever she is, she is not Kaoru. Where is Kaoru? "Chikuso!! Where is the real Kaoru? Who is the impostor?"
Yahiko stood up and paced the area back and forth as he planned his next actions, I have to tell Kenshin! He must know that Kaoru is not Kaoru! Wait a second! I can't tell him that! He won't believe me… I had already tried to tell him yesterday but he won't listen! I have to gather some evidence or information first. Yahiko nodded as he announced proudly, "It's time for Yahiko Myoujin, to investigate. After this, Kenshin and Kaoru will be so proud of me!" Yahiko smiled to himself as he sprinted towards the Kamiya dojo. "Hang on, Kaoru…"
~~~~~
After finishing her daily morning routine, Regan went out to visit Yuku and to check on Kaoru's condition. Regan took the secret path in the woods to steer clear of their friends. Little did she know that the one thing she was avoiding was just silently trailing her a few meters behind.
Yahiko followed her cautiously, looking around carefully to memorize the path and to walk over any branch or root that might snap, giving away his presence. Amidst the thick blanket of trees hid a rather large house of bricks with no windows. Yahiko leaned against a large tree as he glanced at Regan who was walking inside the house. I knew it… so this is where she must be hiding Kaoru. I have to think of a plan… Who is she? What does she want?
~~~~~
As usual, Regan greeted Yuku with a smile, "Hi nana! How's my sister?
Yuku shrugged and replied, "Pretty much the same."
"Really?"
"Yes." Yuku nodded. "I thought she would've adjusted by now."
Regan looked up at the door leading to Kaoru's room and wondered, "Nana? Why is she so quiet now?"
"She is probably sleeping." Leaning closer, she said grimly, "She is really stubborn, Regan..."
"Hmph! Just like her pesky student," she snorted.
"What was that?"
"Oh nothing," Regan replied, smiling, while waving her hand in front of her.
Yuku continued icily, "She keeps on asking me things. I think it is wise that you answer her questions."
Regan nodded in understanding. "Alright. But I have to go now. I'll answer her questions in a couple of days. I just dropped by to check on her. By the way, I can't visit until next week. I need to polish up my plans."
"Don't worry, I know how to handle her. Besides, Hiruma will aid me if something goes wrong."
"Do you think she is planning to escape?"
"Probably," she smirked.
Regan smiled gleefully at her response.
"What should I do when she does?"
"Well, let's see…" Regan began as she narrowed her eyes in deliberation. Moments later, she lighted up and said excitedly, "Have you heard of the saying 'the best kept secret is taken to the grave?"
"Go on, I'm listening…" Yuku replied, leaning forward in interest.
"Well, it goes something like that. Anyway, I have just the perfect plan in case my hard-headed sister becomes too persistent for her own good," Regan grinned sinisterly as she pulled Yuku closer to divulge her plans.
~~~~~
Kenshin woke up immediately upon hearing the moans and thrashings inside Kaoru's room. He quickly opened the shoji doors and ran to Kaoru's side.
Regan tossed and turned on her futon, mumbling incoherent statements, "Miharu… why did you let him give me away!!"
"Kaoru, wake up!"
"Bastard!! Get off me!! Father… why are you doing this to me!!?"
"Kaoru! Kaoru! Wake up! Wake up honey!" Kenshin yelled, shaking her shoulders violently to rouse her.
"Please, don't do this! Please stop!!!" Regan pleaded, tears streaming from her eyes.
Regan's moans became louder causing Kenshin to panic some more. Kenshin did not know what to do anymore. Desperation caught up with him so he pulled her up to his chest and kissed her passionately on the mouth.
Regan snapped her eyes open in surprise as she reflexively pushed Kenshin with brutal force against the wall. Kenshin gaped at her sudden display of violence. "Kaoru?"
Regan's eyes widened when her actions caught up with her. Knowing no other escape, she smiled. "Koibito, what are you doing here?"
Kenshin was extremely baffled at Kaoru's sudden change of emotions. One minute she is terrified, pleading for help. The next minute she is raging mad to the point of violence and now… she is smiling? "Honey, you were having nightmares, I came to wake you up."
Regan grinned at him sheepishly, wiping away the sweat on her face, "Anoo… I just read a horror novel last night. Sorry for waking you up."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Regan crawled towards Kenshin, sitting on his lap, "You worry too much. Kenshin, everything is fine. Trust me. Things had never been better."
Closing his eyes, Kenshin rested his cheek on top of her hair. He inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet scent of roses on her. Kenshin instantly opened his eyes, revealing a fiery amber hue. He glared at Regan's sleeping form, studying her carefully with a critical eye. Por fabor? Kaoru, since when did start yelling out foreign statements during your nightmares?
Author's Notes:
Kenshin and Yahiko's reactions will be justified on the next chapter!
Sorry if I won't be giving individual responses now but please keep in mind that these reviews fuel me and help me. Leave me a review, ok? I really need it now. I need to be inspired because the only thing that comes in to my mind right now are angsty things and you wouldn't want all my unfinished fics to end badly, right?
Anyhoo, my fic 'Breaking You' is on hold for the moment because I need to sort out my thoughts and feelings now. I was supposed to write the next chap last Thursday but I was so busy and I guess… I lost my writing momentum so I guess, I'll just have to wait until it returns.
Belated Happy Birthday to Terrence.
Thanks to all my beloved reviewers!Special thanks to Mids for pre-reading. Hey Bunny! Nice Party Artemismoon! Gypsy-chan and Dora-chan, I hope you are enjoying your vacay.
Dementedchris, can I just hold your hand now? I can't talk about it yet.
leave me a review. make me smile.