Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only. FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please send no flames, I'm sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com
Warning: Please try to remember the rating. It does say Pg-13 because there is some adult content. Don't say I didn't warn you. Also there are some spoilers for the Jinchuu arch.
Chapter Seven
(Chapter has been edited)
*************
Kenshin watched as a building started to topple over. He was close enough to the Inn now. It was hard to distinguish things with all these people running around. As he turned his head, his eyes fell on small woman. She was just sitting on a trunk watching the flames. He gave a sigh of relief. He was about to grab her shoulder when he felt someone behind him. He dodged to the left as a blade swished by. With the same move he pulled out his sword and knocked the man out cold. He didn't have enough time to think just react. He felt his senses sharpen. Everything became crystal clear. He saw two men on his left and three more on his right. One of the men from his right lunged at him. The battoussai deflected the attack and as he turned around to strike the man down, he saw as one the men from his left ran at Kaoru.
The blond man watched as the men he'd hired attacked the battoussai. Of course they were nothing to someone like him. This was just a small test to see how much better he'd become over the years. He was fascinated by the turn of events. He saw as one of the men ran at the battoussai 's woman.
Kaoru watched the flames. Something was coming. She crossed her arms over her face as a blade came down. She caught her opponents weapon between her wrists. She twisted her wrists in a motion that sent her opponent flying. She smiled at the defeated man on the floor. Something drew her attention from the man, she looked up to the only building that wasn't on fire. There was someone standing on the roof. She narrowed her eyes trying to get a better look.
She turned when she heard a grunt behind her. As she turned she was sprayed with something. She watched as another man fell to the ground lifeless. Her eyes turned upward. Her heart started to race.
She couldn't believe it.
She felt faint.
Battoussai.
She didn't get a chance to think much else. She was dragged away by her husband.
"My trunk, anata. Your haori is in there. Please don't leave it behind." Her words were affectionate, very out of place in all this chaos.
His amber eyes turned to her. He wiped some blood of her face with his sleeve. "Leave it." He said as he dragged her behind him. They made it to the back of the Inn. He couldn't believe it the carriage was all right. He opened the door and threw her in. She made some protest he didn't quite hear. He jumped to the seat on top and smacked the horses. The horses took off at a run. He rounded the corner and headed down the burning street.
People ran out of the way as the carriage drove by. He stopped in the middle of the road for less than a minute before the carriage took off a fast pace again.
Kaoru smiled. He stopped for the trunk. She pulled out a blanket from under a seat and decided that she needed more sleep. With the battoussai finally free, her adventure was just beginning.
*************
Kenshin drove for almost four hours. He knew the horses needed rest. They would have to stop soon. He estimated about two more hours before they reached Fukui. From there it was smooth sailing till they reached Kyoto. They were in the outskirts of another town. He'd stop there.
-
-
-
Kaoru's eyes opened slowly. They had stopped moving. She stretched in her seat and yawned. The door was suddenly pulled open causing her to choke on her yawn. She felt all the blood rush to her face. The man in who stood before her was a man who could stop others with a look. One of the most feared in all of Japan.
Naturally, she jumped him.
Kenshin felt the weight of her body as she threw herself at him. He smiled.
She looked at those beautiful amber eyes. "Good Morning anata." She greeted as she nuzzled him.
"Morning." He said pushing her back in to the carriage. He couldn't let people see her in her yukata. Not just that she'd been sprayed with blood last night when he'd killed the man who'd tried to sneak up on her.
Kaoru felt goose bumps run all over her arms. His voice sounded so deep. He was handing her something. She looked down to see it was a kimono. Forest green, she'd already worn this. "I don't want this one."
"This is what you will wear. Now hurry and change." He threw the kimono on the opposite seat and left the carriage so she could change. He waited a couple of minutes before he opened the door again.
She had changed but she wasn't happy about it. There was a new burgundy she had wanted to wear today. So she sat there and pouted. She saw as he opened the door. He didn't come in though just pulled her out. "Oi!," She screeched. "What do you think you're doing?"
He pulled her hard and she tripped over the step of the carriage. He caught her as she fell. He held her up and leaned his face close. "We need to let the horses rest so we'll be here for a couple of hours. Don't draw attention to yourself." He squeezed her shoulders to get the idea across.
Kaoru pouted the whole time they spent in town. She refused to talk to him. 'Hmm, draw attention to myself,' she thought. I don't draw attention to myself. If anything it's him with that stupid sakabatou of his. He had finally let go of her hand. They walked down the busy street when she saw something she just had to buy, so she ran off.
Kenshin looked at the reflection in the glass of the small shop. He was right they had been followed here. He saw the man sneak back in to the alley. Now would be the perfect time to get information. He looked to his side but Kaoru was gone. 'Damn Woman,' he thought. She can't sit still for more than a minute. His eyes scanned the area. Where could she have gone? He thought he saw her but wasn't sure.
He saw a flash of jade. He ran across the street to a small shop to see if it was her.
"Yes, thank you." Kaoru said as she was handed her package.
It was her, he sneaked up on her so when she turned around she let out a shriek. He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. That man following them might not be alone and she wasn't in the right set of mind. She just couldn't run off.
"Let go of me." She said pulling on his arm.
He dragged her down the street. They had spend enough time in this town. It was time for them to leave.
"Let me go!" She shrieked grounding her feet into the road.
"Hey man! You want to let the lady go."
The battoussai turned to the man.
Kaoru had stopped struggling. She bit her lip. "Hmm, it's alright." She said smiling at the man.
The man felt encouraged by her smile. "Let her go!" He said more forcefully.
"Or me and my friends will make you."
The other men in the gang grinned and snickered. One of the men pulled out a sword and the battoussai turned fully around.
Kaoru stepped in between them. "Look I thank you for your help but it isn't necessary." She turned to Kenshin and nudged him so they could continue walking.
They kept walking but the men kept following.
'Sweet-stuff, wouldn't you rather come with some real men." The others laughed at the remark.
The battoussai's step faltered. He was becoming angry.
They were walking by another alley when he caught a glimpse of the man who'd been following them. He ran into the alley where the man was waiting. The battoussai pressed her against the wall.
"Stay." he commanded as he took his stance.
"Himura Battoussai." sneered the man. "I've been sent to give you a message." With that he pulled out a set of long sword.
The battoussai's eyes hardened, he recognized the swords. It was the same ones Cho had used "Why?"
"Don't know, battoussai." he said as he lunged at him.
The battoussai didn't hesitate. In one quick stroke he took the man's arm off.
The man drew back and pulled another sword from his back and held it with his good hand. He was loosing blood fast. He lunged at the battoussai again.
The battoussai used the speed of the attack and decapitated the man.
He slashed the air one last time to get the blood off. He put his sword back in it's sheath and made his way over to his wife.
She latched onto his arm. "I Love you." She said, using her body to push him against the wall.
It was the first time she'd said it. He looked down into the mischievous face and felt an animalistic craving to taste her.
She kissed him hard and long with all the insanity and love she possessed.
"Oi!, there they are."
The battoussai growled, he'd had enough of this.
Kaoru panted against his chest trying to catch her breath. She looked up at him when she felt him move away. He was looking over her shoulder. She looked behind her to see the men had followed them here. Her eyes went back to him as he pushed her aside.
He stepped in front of her. A very possessive move.
One of the men laughed and drew his sword. The battoussai took that as sign of aggression.
Kaoru watched with eager eyes as he blurred and then reappeared behind the men. He knocked them all out but one. The one who'd made the remark about 'coming with real men.' She smiled at the his behavior. "Battoussai, I want to go." She called out to him.
The man who hadn't run away yet. Froze. The color drained form his face. He trembled before he peed in his hakama.
The battoussai watched the man. Pathetic. He hit the man in the face with the hilt of his sword. He watched as the man flew back a couple of feet. He'd only knocked him out. But it brought him satisfaction to know he'd broken the nose. It would take a long time to for the nose to heal. And it wouldn't heal straight.
She picked up the package she'd dropped in all of the commotion and headed over to him. She grabbed his hand and they walked down the street. She felt very content.
They walked through town, making their way back to the carriage. He opened the door this time and she stepped in. She sighed when she felt the carriage start to move. She held the package close to her heart. She was hoping to use this real soon. She bought it in blue. The same shade as his Gi.
*************
Fukui.
They arrived some time in the late afternoon. They'd have to spend a night here. The ship wasn't due to come till some time tomorrow.
Kaoru was very pleased. She'd been hoping to stay here for a couple of days. They walked to a nice restaurant where he ordered for them both. She scooted over.
He watched her out of the corner of his eyes. She kept moving closer. He turned his head when she laid her hand on his lap. She flashed him a sultry smile. He blinked. Her hand was making its way up his leg. The color in his eyes came alive. He took hold of her hand. Her expression didn't change and neither did his.
The battoussai turned his head just as the waitress came. She placed the food in front of them and left. He cooled his inner fire and let go of her wrist. He redirected his gaze at her and watched what she did.
She pouted, something he found terribly tempting. She looked at her wrists. He'd left a red mark from where he'd grasped her. She lifted her wrist to his mouth, "kiss it."
He looked down at the injured wrist and gave her a chaste kiss on the wrist.
She frowned that's not what she had in mind.
"Eat." He said as he picked up his eating utensils.
She narrowed her eyes for a moment, contemplating her current situation.
She let a smile curve over her lips and began to eat.
He didn't want to look a her. He was sure he knew what she was thinking. However, now was not the time, as much as he would like to give into the temptation, he needed to remain alert in case they were attacked. He would let her have her fun later. When he felt they were safe.
They continued to eat neither saying much. Each preoccupied with things to come.
*************
Kaoru looked around the room. A scowl clearly visible on her face. The rooms here were to close together and very small. With all her things here in the room there was barely any room for her and her 'anata.' If she didn't know better she would think that he was trying to avoid the inevitable. She changed her clothes an put her yukata on. She had already set the futon but she spread her own covers over it. Kami only knew who'd slept on it.
Kenshin was in a foul mood. Six trunks. She'd made him drag six trunks into the room. She didn't trust the people in this part of town. He couldn't really blame her but it still pissed him off. This was the last one. He slid the door open and pulled the last one in. He set it over by the others. 'Finally,' he thought.
Kaoru head turned to the side when she heard him come in. She yawned he'd certainly taken his time bringing their things. "What took you?"
He didn't bother to look at her, he took his daisho off and laid back with his eyes closed. She pouted and waited a minute before she scooted over. He felt her reach for him much like she used to do. She placed her head on his upper arm and curved herself around him. She threw her left leg over him and her hand snaked into his gi. She rubbed a spot on his chest lovingly. She liked the feeling of his skin.
He kept his eyes closed. By tomorrow after noon they'd be long gone. Once they were in Matsue then he'd give in to her. He brought his left arm around her waist and held her close. Hopefully she'd go to sleep soon.
They spent an hour in that position. Neither had fallen asleep yet. He kept his eyes closed and his breathing even. No one could tell the difference.
No one but her that is.
How long before he gave in?
She laid back in his arms very comfortable but not happy. She pulled her hand from underneath his gi and allowed her hand to trace over the top material. She didn't understand why he fascinated her so. But she could look at him all day long and not get bored. She allowed her hand to trace down.
"Why don't you go to sleep?" The rich male voice sounded perfectly awake.
Thought so.
She continued to touch him over his clothes.
He let her touch him, wondering just how far she'd really go. The reasonable part of his brain told him to grab her hand and make her go to sleep. But that part didn't seem to work anymore. He'd lost it sometime in the last year.
She rubbed her hand along the side of right his leg. Nothing. She didn't get so much as a twitch from him. She bit her lip and with sudden swiftness, cupped him. She felt the reaction it had on him almost immediately. It brought a smile to her lips.
Kenshin froze. He fought down to uproar of emotions. His breathing increased just the slightest.
Kaoru noticed the difference. How could she not she was right next to his heart. She grabbed him a bit more firmly.
He closed his eyes and bit his lip. He was trying to stay still but she was very insistent. He finally grabbed her hand when she started to pull on him. He turned his face and kissed her. He pulled her arms over his neck and pressed her into the futon.
She untied the small band that held his hair in place. She felt it cascade around them. She entwined her finger into his hair. It was so soft. She felt faint. She was running out of air.
He drew back a bit, sensing her need for air. Their breaths mingled.
"Are you ready yet?" She asked bringing his face down again.
He had to smile at that. She'd been trying to bed him for quite a while. He looked down into her face. There was just enough light to make out her form. She let him go and he drew back further. He leaned over her trying to decide between the now and the later. It was so hard to say 'no' to something that seemed so promising.
Kaoru watched him, he seemed to be battling with his inner thoughts. She drew her arms back from around his neck. She started to undo the tie of her yukata. She shrugged it off, leaving her completely naked on the futon. "I think you're ready," she said bringing his head down.
In the darkness of the room, as the night grew short all that could be heard is the slight panting for breath and muffled cries of ecstasy. Two people finally giving themselves over to their love.
*************
Kaoru woke up sometime in the afternoon. She stretched lazily. Her body felt odd but good. She rose up bringing the blanket up with her to cover her breasts. She looked around the room. The trunks were gone. She started to rise.
The door opened suddenly.
"Morning," she said giving him a wide smile.
"Afternoon," he said closing the door right behind him.
She flushed.
He watched as it spread over her body. He noticed the bite mark on her shoulder. Hmm, it was as deep as he'd thought. He was afraid he'd bitten too hard. "You have enough time to eat and take a bath."
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that all I have time for?"
"Yes," he said standing at a distant.
She gave him a warm smile. "All right will you escort me to the bath house then?"
He nodded before he turned his back to her. He heard the rustling of her yukata as she put it on. He let out an inaudible sigh. How he wished they had more time.
"I'm ready." She called out to him.
He slid the door open and waited just outside the door.
She stepped out with her things in her hands and waited for him to show her the way.
As soon as she passed by him he could smell himself on her. He blinked back the tide of memories it brought. He took a step back. His eyes took her in. He noticed what he'd tried to avoid since he'd woken up. The way she looked, the way she smiled, and mostly the way she smelled.
She didn't shy away from the heated look he gave her. She outstretched her hand to him. "Show me." She said to him.
He wasn't sure what she meant but took her hand nonetheless. He led her away from the room and to the bathhouse. He watched her step into the bathhouse.
She was on cloud nine, walking along side her husband. Kami, how she loved him. Everything was falling into place. Soon, she hoped everything would be perfect. Just perfect. She just needed 'that last thing' to happen for her. She watched as he opened the door for her. She stepped inside and sat by the tub. She leaned in and felt the water. Hmm, nice and warm. Her muscles could sure use the warm water. She looked over at her husband letting her gaze start from the bottom of his sandals to the top of his red hair.
Kenshin turned around at the heated gaze he felt on him. He turned around slowly. She watched him with a dark intensity. He watched as her eyes made there way up his body, lingering on his thighs for a moment before she continued. His eyes darkened, he knew what she was thinking. He could see it in her eyes, the way they had darkened to almost black.
Her eyes met his and stayed there. He closed the door without looking and made his way over to her. He bent low and kissed her.
*************
Kaoru sighed. Four days on another ship. When were they going to make it to Matsue. She looked out into the vastness of the ocean. So much water. The skies were dark, it looked like their might be rain. Spring summer storms were nice. She'd runaway from Tokuma once when it had been raining. She tilted her head. 'I wonder what he's doing,' she thought. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was. She smiled as he pressed her against the rail. "Shigeru," She sighed. She felt as he tensed behind her. Her smile grew wider. She tried to hide her smile as she was turned around roughly.
"Who the fuck's Shigeru?"
She blinked, "Anata?"
He didn't buy that the innocent look. His eyes narrowed.
Her arms linked around his neck. She smiled at him. She tried to kiss him but he turned his face. She laughed. "Oh, anata." She kissed the spot under his ear. And nuzzled him. "Don't be mad, I was only joking." She bit his earlobe playfully. She pulled back to look at his face.
He was pouting.
"Ah, can you get any cuter?" She said in a joyful voice.
He didn't turn.
"I bet you can." she said in a breathy voice right into his ear. It stirred something in him and she knew it. She'd learned quickly just how much control she held over him. She saw the hairs on his neck stand on end. She reached for him and he tensed. His head turned to her, his eyes glowed with a suppressed urge to punish her. She simply kissed the side of his mouth and entwined her left hand with his right. She turned and dragged him behind her.
*************
Kyoto was their next stop. He felt the ship dock. They'd spent only enough time to meet Aoshi and then they'd move on. He turned his head and watched as his wife snuggled closer into his embrace. He couldn't help but smirk, the only time she let him rest was when she was asleep. He didn't want to get up yet but he knew Aoshi was somewhere down there waiting for him. He untangled himself from her limbs and rose. He dressed quickly and silently. He slipped out of their room and headed for the dock.
When he got there Aoshi was already down there.
"Himura." Aoshi spoke in his monotone voice. He took in the appearance of the battoussai. He was different. Colder.
"Aoshi, I need for you to make sure this gets to Tokyo. I couldn't trust anyone else." He said handing over the a small package.
He took it without questions. "The carriage you requested for is right over there."
The battoussai nodded.
They both gazed at one another for a moment longer before they each walked off in different directions.
*************
"Koishii."
Nothing.
"Koishii."
No response.
He bent low over her and kissed her neck. He pulled back when he heard her murmuring something but still she didn't wake.
"Koishii, are you ready?"
"I'm ready," she murmured back.
Her eyes fluttered open. She was having such a nice dream. "Morning," she said reaching up to him for her morning kiss.
He smirked.
She wiggled her fingers.
He bent low enough so she could reach him. She threw her arms around his neck and as he leaned back he brought her with him. Her blanket fell to her waist.
"The boat's docked." He said not looking down.
"Has it?" She said playing with the high pony tail.
"We need to go." He expressed in a deep voice. He noticed the goose bumps it created over her skin but chose not to say anything. They really needed to get off, they still had a long way to go.
Her eyes darkened considerably. He'd done it on purpose he knew how that tone affected her. Her reaction to him was very natural. He was beautiful after all. Her lips formed a pout as she gazed at him. "Tease," she accused bringing the blanket up to cover herself.
He laughed. A rich delighted laugh. He gave her a large smile as he rose. "Hurry." He said as he left the room before she became more than temptation.
She dressed quickly in the forest green kimono. Might as well she thought. She hadn't bathed and she was all sticky. She put her hair in a loose bun and put everything else into one of the trunks.
"Anata." She called for him.
He opened the door and took the trunk away, it was the last one. The others were already in a carriage he'd purchased.
They both made their way down. His face remained cold and expressionless as he hauled the trunk and loaded it on to the carriage. Kaoru on the other hand smiled at everything and everyone.
He opened the door and she got in. She smiled at him as he closed the door. She pulled something from underneath her kimono when she felt the carriage start to move. She brought the blue cloth up to her nose and smelled it. It smelled like him. She wrapped his Gi around herself and fell asleep.
They'd been riding for hours and they had just barely made it to the outskirts of Kyoto. The carriage slowed down, eventually coming to a stop. Kenshin jumped off his seat and crept towards the side of the carriage. He opened the door to see she was sound asleep. He didn't want to leave her alone here though. He was about to retrieve her when he felt the air drop down a notch.
"Battoussai."
The battoussai turned around to face Raijuuta
"I never thouht I'd see you in Kyoto, don't you live in Tokyo?"
The battoussai didn't appreciate the sneer on the man's face. He looked around to see if there were any people starring at them. He didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. "What?" The voice was cold. The look deadly.
The man blinked in surprise. This wasn't the same man he'd encountered before. The man refused to show fear however. Instead he gave short laugh. "Fucking paranoid aren't you?" he said turning on his heel and heading the opposite way.
The battoussai looked after the man. Was it really such a good idea to let him go? He hated him after all. He wouldn't have approached, if he hadn't had the intention of doing something. He'd expected a challenge but the man chickened out at the last minute.
"Anata?"
The battoussai thoughts cleared at the tone in her voice. He turned his head and puller her out of the carriage. "Koishii, will be here for a couple of hours before we continue. Take the time to bathe and eat. You can sleep in the carriage, all right?"
She remained at his side while he got the room. Once they settled in, he walked her to the bathhouse where he stood watch outside her door.
She sensed his worry. He was in a foul mood. If she wasn't so tired she'd say something. For the moment things would have to wait. They both ate their dinner and went to sleep while the sun was still out.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kenshin raced towards the dojo.
Kenshin (thinking): Kaoru-dono! Kaoru-dono!
He rushes past Megumi.
Megumi: Ken-san!
Something pulls him up short.
Kenshin (thinking): That scent . . . That's . . .
Enishi (appearing out of the fog): White plum. For me, my sister's
perfume. For you, now--
Kenshin: Enishi! What have you done with Kaoru-dono!
Enishi: The scent is your guide. Go and see. The answer you're looking for is there.
Kenshin sprints past him.
Kenshin (thinking): Kaoru-dono!
Enishi (thinking): Look well, with those eyes!
Kenshin (thinking): Kaoru-dono!
Enishi (thinking): Mourn! Wail! Repent! And then weep yourself to death!
Kenshin (thinking): Kaoru-dono!
He runs into the dojo and then stops, transfixed. Sanosuke and Megumi catch up with him.
Sanosuke: Kenshin!
Megumi: Ken-san! Ken . . .
Kenshin drops his sword.
Kenshin: What was the Hiten Mitsurugi good for.
(falling to his knees)
What was Himura Kenshin . . .
Once again, I couldn't protect the one I truly loved . . .
(tears forming) Kaoru . . . . dono . . . .
"Kaoru!!"
Kaoru sat, slumped against the dojo wall with Enishi's sword through her heart and a cross scar scratched on her cheek.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kenshin sat up in a cold sweat. Some memories just couldn't leave him. He looked around the room. His wife was gone.
"Kaoru?"
Ok, Sorry this took so long. I finished a couple of days ago but I didn't want to post it during X-men weekend. But here it is I hope you guys like it. Also very important. For those who expected the LEMON, I didn't post here. I didn't wan to hear any complaining. So if you want to read it you can find it at my website. I've uploaded the new chapters.
Small Notes: What's there to say. Kaoru and Kenshin are married. The Hitokiri Battoussai has been released, at last. Partly because of the danger and partly because of the tea Kaoru slipped him. She's extremely happy, specially since they've consummated their marriage.
Nago was the owner of the small shop where Kaoru bought her night gowns from. (Chapter 3 Do you guys remember?)
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Please remember, when you see these dash things over dialogue it means one of them is dreaming. In this chapter it was Kenshin who had a nightmare. His dream sequence however is what actually happened in the manga. (Jinchuu Arch: During his fight with Enishi at the Kamiya Dojo.)
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I want to thank everyone for reading. Please continue to review.