Standard Disclaimers Apply. The rights to Rurouni Kenshin are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics and other associated groups. Do not sue!!! I am writing this to satiate my urge to write.

Lie to Me

Chapter Ten: Pressed

~~~~~

'Inside Authors' Blind Item #1

…one of the latest romance bestseller author had been sighted in a beach resort making out with an alleged red-haired man. Is this where she finds her inspiration or does she lure men in to living out her novels?

[Kaoru]

I groaned loudly as soon as I had finished reading the article. What did they think I was? Some crazed schizo who lures men to 'live out my novels'.

Well, technically, I fainted to catch Kenshin's attention in the first place but… lure? They made me sound so cheap!

"Come on, Kaoru. Tell me, who is that guy anyway? Why haven't you introduced me to him?" Misao asked with a hurtful expression.

"Because…" I started, thinking of an escape route.

"Because?" she repeated, tapping her foot impatiently. "Well…"

Oh, how am I going to put this nicely.

"Hedoesn'tknowwhoIreallyam," I replied super sonic speed.

"What!? Kaoru I am going to kill you!"

"Why?" I asked feigning innocence, "What's your problem with that…"

"Hello!? What about that 'You know you never keep this up for long' speech you gave me a couple of days ago, you hypocrite!" she snapped while pointing her finger at me.

"Hey! That hurts!" I frowned.

"Oh, sorry," she grinned. "Must be a line from your novels."

"Misao!!" I laughed. Whew! For a moment there I thought she meant it.

Well, in any case, it did hit a nerve.

"Well, honestly, I think you should be taking your own advice, sister dear. I mean…" Pausing for a moment, she raised her Hmmm… wait a minute. Is he gorgeous?

I nodded, smiling proudly.

"Well-built muscles?"

I nodded again as my grin grew, recalling our date at the beach

"Tanned Complexion?"

My blush deepened.

"Tall?"

Oh... Hmmm... "Well, he's taller than me."

Misao sweatdropped as she giggled under breath.

I placed my hands on my hips, frowning, "Misao! Don't underestimate him! He has the most beautiful violet eyes I had ever seen."

"Oohhhh... exotic, ain't he?" she swooned. "Well, what are you planning to do? You can't keep this up for long. It's not as if he'll never find out."

How many times have I heard that line this week?

"I know that," I replied weakly.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Sighing in resignation, I slumped my shoulders, giving in, "I'll tell him."

"Now?"

"...when I am ready."

Misao face-faulted, probably reading my mind.

I don't think I'll ever be ready.

Telling him might meant letting him go... or in this case, pushing him away.

~~~~~

'Real Life Soap' Hot Enchilada of the week.

...highly acclaimed soap star found in a private beach ravishing an alleged black haired, blue-eyed woman. Is she the secret to this man's success? Who is she? Find out soon on the next issue!

[Kenshin]

Oro? Ravishing? I wouldn't exactly call our 'ahem' make-out 'ahem' session, ravishing!

"So that's where you had been last night!!" Sano winked.

"Sano... we're not even sure that they are talking about me," I looked away nervously.

"Well, where were you last night?" he pressed.

Seriously, I thought Sano should stick his foot in his mouth once in a while. I glared at him, challenging his eyes.

Sano rolled his eyes, seemingly unaffected. I didn't know if he was just brave or really incredibly stupid. "Oi Kenshin, it's written clearly in your face! Who's your mysterious chick? She hot?"

Feeling my irritation intensifying, I sneered, "Sano, I would much appreciate it if you would give her some respect."

"So it is true! You were with a woman!"

Oro! I can't believe I slipped.

With a silly grin on his face, he asked, "Tell me, how does your babe-dono looks like?"

I returned to my serious façade and sat down on the chair.

He sat down beside me, not backing down, "Oh yeah right, black hair and blue eyes. When are you going to introduce me to her?"

"Never," I smirked

"Geez, Kenshin. It's not as if I'll try to steal her away."

"That isn't my concern, Sano."

"What is?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

I didn't know if I should tell him or not. Sano was my best friend but he did have a big mouth. Telling him was synonymous to telling the tabloids. But, in fairness, he was trustworthy…

…in some matters.

Giving in, I sighed, "Well, she sort-of still doesn't know that I am an actor."

What? No reaction? I was kindda expecting he'd be floored but he just shook his head and simply said, "Impossible."

I nodded my head, emphasizing that I had spoken of the truth.

It was then that it hit him. He sweatdropped, mumbling incoherently words that seemed to mean something like, "Really? Does she live in a mountain of some sort?"

"She loves reading," I stated flatly.

"A geek?" he asked almost unbelieving.

"No, not a geek, Sano!!!" I protested with much conviction?

A geek? Definitely not!!

After a couple of seconds, Sano calmed down and asked, "How do you intend to tell her? It's not as if she'll never find out…"

Why do I keep on hearing that line?

I sighed in resignation and answered, "I know that…"

"So?"

"I'm planning to tell her when we go out tonight."

"Good luck, pal," he cheered, slapping my back.

I looked at his extremely amused face quizzically, "Why did you say that?"

"You'll need it."

At that, I gulped a huge lump that suddenly formed inside my throat.

Could I do that? Could I tell her tonight? I was so afraid of losing her but Sano was right… my conscience was right. And…

I had to tell her before she finds out from other sources.

~~~~~

[Kaoru]

I paced our room nervously as I waited for Kenshin' arrival. This was it. I was going to tell him tonight.

For the umpteenth time this evening, I checked my appearance in the mirror. It's not that I was so concerned with how I looked like. It's just that I didn't know where to vent out all my nervousness.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I ran towards the door, stopped and breathed deeply a couple of times before I opened it. "Hi Kenshin!" I greeted.

"Hello Beautiful. Let's go?" he asked, offering me his arm.

I accepted it, nodding slightly, "Alright. Where to?"

"Umm, well, would you like to go horse back riding in my… I mean, in a club that I am a member?"

"Sure," I answered enthusiastically.

From the kitchen door, I heard a loud and disturbing cough.

Misao.

Smiling at him, I opened the door, revealing my genki little sister as I introduced them both, "By the way, this is my sister, Misao. Misao, this is Kenshin."

"Nice to meet you," Misao smiled, giving him a slight curtsy.

On the other hand, Kenshin bowed his head and said, "Pleasure."

I wonder where they got all these formalities all of a sudden.

Shaking that trail of thought, I walked beside Kenshin, "Let's go?"

He nodded as he led the way out. I turned to wave at Misao just in time for me to see her mouth, "Tell him tonight."

I sighed audibly as I nodded.

~~~~~

[Megumi]

Sanosuke and I met in front of the hospital to go to the studio. He insisted on picking me up at home but I didn't let him. If he saw the mansion I was living in, he would be suspicious.

No, I couldn't afford that.

The drive to the studio was short, we arrived almost immediately. As soon as the car stopped, Sano came out and announced, "We're here."

As if I didn't know that.

I sat in my seat patiently waiting for my escort to open the door for me. Seconds later, I rolled my eyes and opened it myself.

So much for chivalry. Ugh!

He led me inside the small studio where the scenes for the soap were being filmed. I scanned the area, noticing that something isn't quite right. "Where is everybody?" I asked.

"Well, since it's the season break, the rest of the cast are on vacation. Well, all except me, Aoshi and the other writers," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Then why did you take me here?"

"You wanted the role, right?"

"Yes." I nodded nervously. Why did I have the feeling that he was up to no good.

"Well, if you need the role that bad, I have to give you pointers in acting."

"I don't need acting pointers, tori-atama!" I snapped.

Ugh! The nerve of this man! Thinking that I needed pointers. I may not be a genuine actress but I certainly did not need any tips from this… this… arrogant hooligan who just happened to be so… so sexy when he was considerate.

Grr… how much I loathed this man!

"Che! Calm down, kitsune-chan!" he said defensively. "I am not underestimating your acting abilities but in this business, we are not only looking for pretty-faced actresses. We are looking for people who will fit the role that is why I am giving you this pre-audition session to guarantee you the role."

See? So considerate…

Wait a minute, did he just said…

"So, you think I am pretty, eh?" I teased.

"Maybe," he replied, giving me a sly smile.

"You just said so."

"I did, didn't I? Well, I take it back."

At that, I frowned. Normally, I didn't care about what other people think. I was confident about myself but… I…. Why did he have to take back the compli—

"I think you are beautiful."

—ment. I looked at his deep brown orbs, smiling seductively.

Beatiful, eh? Better compliment than pretty. Points for you Sanosuke Sagara.

"Have you eaten dinner?" he asked, breaking the tension

"No, not yet."

"Good," he smiled. "I ordered food. We can start after eating."

"My, my, Sagara-kun. I didn't know this was a date."

"Only because you said so."

Touché.

~~~

[Sano]

While eating, I kept stealing glances from this remarkable woman in front of me. I had never been so interested in a woman my whole life. I wonder what it is in her that captivated me.

No, it was not just her beauty. Her wit. The way she teased me. The way she reacted when I teased her. Everything about her drives me wild.

And in the same way, because of her, I wanted to become a better man.

After eating, I led her to one of the sets. I motioned her to sit beside me on the couch as I handed her the folder I was carrying. "The role I want you to play is Sayo. She is going to play a major role next season."

"Sayo? I can't play her. She is too… soft. Isn't there any other role?"

"No, she's perfect!" I exclaimed. "That is why you have to practice. If you really are a good actress as you claim, you should be flexible."

I saw the glint in her eyes when I said 'as you claim'. At that point, I knew she was the type of woman who would never put down a good challenge.

With that, she just made me love her more.

She took the script from me as we started with our rehearsal.

"You don't have to do this for me, Shouzo."

"But I want to, Sayo," I replied looking deep in her eyes.

She gazed back into mine, wrapping her arms around me, "But I don't think I am worth it."

"You are…"

Just then, she raised her lips to meet mine, parting it slightly to coax me to respond. As seconds passed, the intensity increased until I pulled back, utterly surprised. "That kiss, it was real, wasn't it?" I panted as I looked straight into her eyes.

"Maybe," she replied, giving me a half-smile.

Oh, kitsune-chan, you asked for it.

Smiling mischievously, I said, "Then I'll just have to make sure then." I instantly grabbed her arms, pulled her towards me as I gave her the most passionate and turbulent kiss I could offer. I was afraid that it might turn her off with the way I ravished her that moment, but I couldn't hold back any longer. I had to release my pent up desire or else it will consume me.

To my relief, she responded with the same strong ardor I had offered her.

Finding the need to breath, I pulled back and asked as I caressed her blushing cheeks, "Real enough for you, kitsune-chan?"

She just stared at me wide-eyed with her mouth partially opened.

I took that as a yes.

~~~~~

[Kenshin]

I drove to the ranch I owned a couple of hours from Hokkaido. Since I was planning to tell her everything now, I might as well do it inside my home court. Just in case she planned to run away from me.

As she, stepped out of the car, she gaped, "Wow! It's beautiful here. I wonder why I had never even heard of this club."

Uh-oh. She's right. The popular clubs here in Japan were always advertised.

I cleared my throat, thinking of a loophole, "Well, anoo.. actually, it isn't a club, club per se. Someone I know quite well owns this so he lets me use it once in a while. He usually hosts parties here so the place is quite maintained."

Well, at least it was technically true because I know myself, right? It wasn't technically a lie right?

We strolled along the premises hand in hand as we talked about things.

Little things that actually meant a lot to me.

We stopped by the stable because she told me while ago that she had never ridden on a horse. I smiled inwardly, thinking that I would tell her while we're ridding together.

I led her to my black horse, allowing her to caress its soft mane. "Oh. Is this baby your horse?"

"Huh?"

"Well, he seems to be on the wild side but it seems to be pretty fond of you."

"Oh, yeah. He's mine," I replied humbly as I scratched my head. How did she know that? "Lovely, ain't she?"

She nodded as her eyes held a mischievous glow. "Can I ride her with you?"

"I thought you'll never ask," I winked.

I kneeled down on one foot to assist her on mounting but surprisingly, she mounted the horse by herself.

Hey! I thought you didn't know how to ride!

I smiled inwardly at the independence that she had shown as I mounted the horse behind her. I buried my face on her neck, placing open mouth kisses on it.

She moaned slightly and said, "Kenshin, I thought  you were going to teach me how to ride."

"Oh, that. I guess I forgot," I replied as I pecked her cheeks.

After I taught her how to hold the reins and how to control the horse, I wrapped my arms around her, letting her take charge.

"Hold on tight, Kenshin!" she smiled mischievously. "Hhiiiyyyaaa!!!"

"Whoah!!!!" I shouted. She's good at this! Almost like a natural… I couldn't believe I was with such an amazing woman right now. I was so lucky I have her. I nuzzled my face in her neck once again as we strode across the ranch.

~~~

Later that evening…

I kissed Kaoru goodbye as I watch her go back inside her room. She insisted that I should stay for coffee but I declined, feeling the need to sleep.

I never had so much fun since I met her, I sighed audibly as I descended the building.

Oro!!!

I forgot to tell her the truth.

Well, there was always tomorrow, right?

Author's Notes:

Hehehe… Kenshin and Kaoru are now pressed to reveal their identity! Hahahaha! Sorry for being evil to them now. I'll make it up to them in the ultimately waffy epilogue!

Thanks a lot for those who left a review! I hope that you would stick to me until the end of the fic. For those who want to be notified of updates, just join the mailing list. It can be found in my site… www.geocities.com/chibi_angelica/kkindulgence.html.

Special thanks to all those who left a review!

Marstanuki- it's because I uploaded two chapters in chapter 3. did I make sense. The reason I added jaded before was well… I was unhappy during that time. Sorry for not mailing… I had been so busy. I hope you are okay there.

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dfourthhorseman, JML- hehehe… I just remembered I already gave Kaoru a nosebleed in Take the Plunge… hehehe… guess she's the lucky one in my fics!

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