Ah, I apologize for the last chapter... it's been a while and I'm out o the swing o things. Think of it as a warm up ^_~ here's my apology.
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Kaoru stared at the cherry blossoms a little dazedly for a few minutes before it came to her notice that she was being stared at. She turned to look over at Enishi. The look on his face was rather indiscernible... or maybe she just didn't want to know what the hidden meaning behind that look in his eyes was.
She smiled a little nervously, but it quickly fell apart as the intense look didn't even shift slightly. She backed up to the side only to find her back to the huge trunk of a cherry blossom tree. A small hiccuped sound of nervousness and a little fear escaped her throat.
Enishi frowned as he ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He looked a little sadly at Kaoru for a few moments.
You don't have to be afraid of me Kaoru. he said softly. Kaoru felt a bit badly, having never seen such a personal expression of Enishi's face. Kaoru shook her head at him
I'm not she exclaimed lightly, adding a little hand wave into it, as if to convince him of it. Enishi looked at her wryly. Obviously not at all convinced. No really! Kaoru continued stepping towards him a bit. I... I feel really comfortable around you. Really I do. A slight look of surprised crossed Kaoru's face as she realized how true it was. Her perviously tensed shoulders relaxed as she gave up on trying to convince him.
Enishi was convinced by that. He smiled at her, yet something about the smile didn't seem altogether free.
Kaoru asked, a little confused. He sighed.
Knowing that now, makes it hard for me to do this. he replied. Kaoru looked startled as he leaned over her, bracing his arm on either side of her, against the tree behind her. A sense of morbid curiosity prevented Kaoru from being anything more than just a little nervous.
I need to know Enishi said as he looked strait into her eyes. How you think of me Kaoru looked at him for a few moments before looking away from his searching gaze.
Kaoru started but trailed off. It was obvious to Enishi that she wasn't going to say anything more. A slightly annoyed expression crossed his face, but before Kaoru could notice, it was gone. Had he planned things wrong? Pulled his cards a little too soon? No.. he'd just have to improvise again.
What's between you and Kenshin He said suddenly
Kaoru said a little too suddenly, lifting her head. Bulls eye, Enishi thought to himself, back on track again. He dropped his hands from either side of her and Turned away with a heavy sigh.
I was afraid that was the case. It would just be my luck... he trailed off. Kaoru walked forward and tried to look around him at his face.
Your... luck? she asked curiously.
Kenshin... He took my sisters affections completely away from me, Hell she died for him... How did she think d feel about that... my feelings... he trailed of a moment before continuing My luck that, the man who took away my sister, would be the same man that had the love of the only woman I fell in love with He turned around to look strait at her. Kaoru was dumbfounded.
You.. You love me? Kaoru said, her eyes a bit watery. Enishi stared at her unwavering. I.. I... she looked down at her hands You.. I really...
About the other day, Enishi cut in I'm sorry for kissing you so suddenly like that he stated. He of course, wasn't sorry at all, and worried that he'd said it a little to flat.
Oh no, no not at all... actually I.. she said her hand raised to her mouth, fingertips just barely brushing. I was glad you did.. a little Kaoru was blushing horribly. Enishi really smiled at that this time. He didn't expect that. Startled he looked over her shoulder. How the hell did he get so close without him noticing, Enishi thought.
Kaoru followed is gaze around, only to catch a flash of red hair before she was grabbed and pulled towards it. Kaoru gave a little shriek before she heard a panicked,
from Kenshin. She sighed and relaxed as Kenshin's arms let go.
Is there something wrong Kenshin? Kaoru asked a little exasperated. Kenshin looked past Kaoru at Enishi, who had a very self satisfied sinister smirk on his face.
What are you doing here alone with him? Kenshin asked a little worried and accusatory. Enishi's smirk widened into a grin. Kenshin glared.
For gods sake Kenshin. What a silly thing to worry about. If Enishi could hurt me, he would have killed me that first time instead of just kidnapping me. Enishi raised an eyebrow. She was rather perceptive. Good thing her judgment wa a little off when it came to personal relations.
Kenshin started, then with a shake of his head he continued. No, Kaoru.. Kaoru looked a little startled at the drop of the honorific and backed off a bit. A horrified and hurt expression crossed Kenshin's face. Enishi placed a hand on Kaoru's shoulder in reassurance... and a bit of possessiveness for Kenshin's eyes only. It worked... maybe too well.
Kenshin's eyes dilated as they narrowed, and an expression Enishi had been hoping to see for as long as he could remember, crossed Kenshin's face.
It's stupid of you to touch what is mine. came a lower than usual voice from Kenshin. THe coldness of it made Enishi's eyes narrow as he smiled just as coldly back. But softly he spoke to Kaoru.
Please stay out of this Kaoru. This situation seems dangerous.
Your tone doesn't match that smile on your face. The battousai commented mockingly. Interesting, Enishi thought with a quirk of his lips, He's quite aware of my game it seems. Enishi dropped the smile and replaced it with his typical cold look.
I can't help it that the thought of a challenge excites me Enishi said blandly. His statement was met by a cold glare from Kenshin.
Kaoru looked at both of them, first one, then the other, before she started backing off. She stopped just outside of the grove.
I don't like this She whispered to no one in particular, maybe afraid to address either.
I'm sorry Kaoru, but I can't let him hurt you again Enishi said, glancing at her afterwards to gauge her reaction. It was very startled. Ah, so that is what they were keeping from me, Enishi thought satisfied. It made justification of fighting Kenshin now so much simpler. He turned back around to Kenshin only to be met by a sakabatou to the face. A trail of blood flew out after the blow and Enishi wiped off some more that was dripping from his mouth.
He grinned widely and laughed, tossing his over shirt aside and unraveling the wrapping round his sword.
So that's how it's to be. he said with a chuckle. Crouching down into the low Tiger stance, sword poised above his body, he waited for Kenshin's next move. Kenshin shifted to the Battoujitsu stance, after a second long pause that seemed to las hours, they moved instantaneously. Kenshin with the quick draw at godlike speed, and Enishi with a block that seemed way too close for comfort to a hit, and a counterattack rushing forward with a mesmerizing faster version of a katta Kaoru had seen him do before, he brought his sword downward only to be met by Kenshin's.
From that point on, time seemed to speed up and all Kaoru could make out was a furious clashing of forms, one blurred short red streak that that struck quickly and violently, and the other, decidedly larger form that moved as lithely as a cat, sanding one moment, crouching another and pouncing at others, sword and body working as one.
And all around them, the cherry blossoms fell, raining delicately around the violent scene, giving it an ethereal feeling. Kaoru, powerless to do anything, felt the tree's, just like her, were crying.