Hi Hi
Not much to say today. Just that I don't own RK so on with the story.
Echoe Shayne ^.^
The Battousai lifted his head to watch the old man walk down the hallway let him think that he hadn't known he was standing there. Scanning his surroundings the room was rather bare just the futon, that they were sitting on and a lone candle. The room was well kept though leading him to believe that it had been used recently. Closing his eyes he tried to get some rest but the room was too bright. Looking back and forth between the woman in his arms and the candle that was just out of reach he was presented with a problem. He wanted to put the candle out but he also didn't want to wake Kaoru. Reaching down to his he drew his sword in one quick motion and the room was plunged into darkness. He felt more at home in the shadows the light wasn't meant for the likes of him anyway. Sheathing his sword once more he brought his hand to her forehead again. To his alarm her temperature had risen again. It would a same if she died tonight, but it would be even more amazing if she lived.
Sitting in the dark he focused on the sound of her breathing so that any change would wake him. He was used to sleeping in a sitting position so it was nothing new to him. Doing one last search of his surroundings he closed his eyes.
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Tae looked across to Dr. Genzi who was sitting there sipping his tea like Kaoru wasn't in the next room fighting for her life. With that man no less.
"Are you sure that it's wise to leave Kaoru alone with him." She didn't trust that man weather he had saved her friends life or not she couldn't bring herself to accept him.
"I am." The older man said taking a drink of his tea.
"But you never saw. You weren't there he's dangerous." How could she make the man understand. If he had only seen him at the Akabecko. "Your letting you're feelings for Kaoru blind you." It was true he treated Kaoru like his own daughter and he was letting the fact that this man saved her overpower the fact that he was dangerous.
He could understand why Tae would be worried he trusted the young man dispite what she said. He had saved her life if he had wanted to kill her he would have done it already he wouldn't have went through the trouble to save. Looking at the young woman he voiced his opinion. "If he had wanted to kill her he wouldn't have went through all the trouble to save her life."
Tae took a deep breath. "But I don't want him to be alone with her I'm going to go and check on them."
Dr. Genzi watched the younger woman move to stand. "Sit down. You will do no such thing. If Kaoru is asleep then I will not have her disturbed."
Tae knew that tone of voice from when she had come over as a child to play with Kaoru it meant that the subject was closed and he had the final word. Accepting defeat for the time being any she sank back to her seat. She would just have to trust him. Dr. Genzi usually had a good grasp on people but this time she thought that he was wrong.
"I will do as you say but that doesn't mean that I have to like it." Her arms crossed in front of her chest like a pouting child.
"I didn't ask you to like it."
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Slowly her eyes opened the room was dark and she felt terrible there was still someone holding her twisting a little she waited for her eyes to focus after a few minutes she could make out the form of someone else. That man the same man from before. Though she couldn't see him she knew. She was letting a complete stranger hold her. But she didn't have the strength to protest already she could feel sleep coming to claim her once again. Struggling she fought to keep her eyes open just for a few more seconds at least.
"What's your name?"
'what's your name' he stared at her through the darkness she wanted to know his name it should have been an easy question. Should have been an easy answer, he was the Hitokiri Battousai the legendary manslayer. He hesitated for some reason he did want to tell her that name. He didn't want to soil her. Besides now that he knew her, what she did he didn't know how she would react to finding out who he was. He was supposed to be watching her, he couldn't afford to give away his identity. Even more importantly then that he didn't want this woman to know who he was. Just this once he wanted to be a man. Not the Battousai not the legendary manslayer but an ordinary man.
"Himura Kenshin." He answered statically watching her intently waiting to see how she would react. A small smile touched her lips. He liked her smile he decided right then. Not that he would tell her that.
Unable to keep her eyes open anymore she let them close having learned the mans name. 'Himura' "Kenshin." She said unaware that she had said the second part out loud.
He also liked the way she said his name the way that it rolled off her tongue like she had said it a thousand times before. Himura Kenshin there was a name that he hadn't used in a while. He had locked him away. He had locked everything away to do his duty feelings had no place on the battle field. He lived by the way of the sword a life style that had no room for emotion. He fought for a cause, war was his passion and peace would be the product. He had to believe that. The girls breathing had changed as she slipped back into oblivion- if only she knew. What would she say? Her opinion shouldn't bother him so why did it? Closing his eyes once more he took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night.
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He had receive a mission. An assassination, his target Captain Kamiya. The man was a threat to his cause his men where set to move out and they awaited their Captain in the capital. He was cunning with a good head for tactics. He fought well and had led his men to small victories numerous time. He had earned himself, but such praise during war had come with a price catching the attention of the enemy wasn't a wise thing to do. So he had been sent not to find him not the battle field but to his house because it was rumored that before every battle he returned home.
"Kill everyone that resides in that house." Those where his orders the same orders that he had received countless times.
Stalking outside the house he listened to the people move around it sound like there where three people. Slipping into the yard he watched the man that was on guard he was looking around him like he was in a hurry to leave. Slipping through the shadows he slit the man's throat not giving him a chance to worn the other two that were in one of the rooms.
Ducking back into the shadows he flicked his katana to get rid of the blood that coated the blade. Taking a step forward he had been prepared to rush into the room when he heard movement and the Shoji opened. A tall figure emerged from the room venturing out into the darkness it was him Kamiya.
"Koji" Kamiya yelled.
He looked down at the body that laid in front of him assuming that was the mans name.
He could wait he wanted to see how long it took Kamiya to notice that something was wrong. The other man made his way off the porch and into the moon light it was only when he saw the body of his man that he showed any sign of concern. He was looking around now. But the Battousai knew that he hadn't been able to seen him. As he watched the man assumed his stance.
"I know you are there. Come for me and met your death!" his voice sounded confident but he could tell by his movements that the man would be no challenge to him. Stepped out of the shadows he watched waiting for the mans reaction.
"Battousai"
Looking up he glared at the man. It got the desired reaction he could feel the man's fear, but unlike most men he didn't back down. So this is what made him a target. He was a man that didn't know his place. But there was something else some reason that he was facing him like this. None the less he would end it with one stroke. Drawing his sword he felt steel connect with flesh. There was a the sound of a shoji opening. Turning his attention away from the man. He focused on his next target. It wasn't what he had expected a small girl stood there. Her eyes widening as red liquid splattered across her face. She was watching the man fall it was only after he had hit the ground that she realized that there was blood on her face. Her small hand reached up brushing against her cheek smearing the redness in its wake. She just stood there for a few seconds as if she couldn't comprehend what happened.
"Kao-chan" the man said with his last breath it had been low but the sound had brought the girl back to reality. She rushed forward screaming kneeling next to him with tears rushing down her cheeks now mingling with the blotches of blood that covered her face. She had reached for her fathers' sward turning toward him. Her unwaveringly deep blue eyes glaring up at him filled with hate.
"Why!!!!!"
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With a jerk he woke up something happened to woken him from the throws of sleep. Blinking the sound of the little girls scream had followed him hanging like a ghost in the darkened room. Any thoughts of his dream were pushed from his mind as he realized that it had been the girls change in breathing that had woken him. Feeling the dampness of his shit he knew that some of it was his own sweat but the majority of it was hers. Her fever had risen. Her body was covered with a thin sheen of sweat yet her small frame shivering slightly against him. Shifting he pulled the blankets up from beneath them draping it over her petite form.
It was the rustling in the other room that caught Dr Genzi's attention. Picking up the candle he rose to his feet making his way to Kaoru's room
"Her fevers gotten worse." The mans voice was clam conveying no emotion. But the way that he had only looked at him briefly when he entered before he turned his attention back to Kaoru led him believe that he was worried about her.
Nodding he left going to get more blankets.
Tae stepped into the hall to see that Dr Genzi was rummaging through the linen closet with a frown on his face he was holding two large winter blankets in his hands and it appeared that he was looking for another one. With out warning he turned to her.
"Go get me the blanket off your bed." He hadn't waited to see if she would do as she was told rather he continued to rummage through the closet pleased by the fact that he had found another thick blanket. A few seconds later Tae returned and handed him the blanket that he had asked for. Without a word he turned and went back down the hall heading in the direction of Kaoru's room. Leaving a bewildered Tae to follow him.
The Battousai looked up as the man entered again pausing only long enough to situate the blankets that he held in his arms.
Tae watched with a confused expression as Dr. Genzi heaped blanket after blanket on top of Kaoru. "I thought that you weren't supposed to cover up someone that has a fever?" she said voicing her confusion.
"Normally your not but this isn't an ordinary fever. She has the fever because the poison is spreading through her system like an infection. It means that the antidote was administered to late to counter act the full effect of the poison. So her body raised it's natural defenses against it. We have to keep her temperature up now till the fever breaks naturally or she'll loose her only line of resistance against the infection."
"But then isn't it good that she has a fever?"
"No the human body can only take so much if the fever doesn't break soon then her chances of living decrease. The fact that she has the fever even after the antidote means that her chances have been cut in half."
Tae wished that she hadn't asked the pain in his voice was almost too much. Why wasn't there something that she could do.
"Can you go and get me some water and a rag. A glass too." It was just a small thing but anything that she could do to help. Nodding she left the room.
The Battousai watched as the older man fussed with the blankets every now and then he would cast a worried glace at Kaoru. It was obvious that the older man cared a great deal for her. A few times it looked like he was about to say something his mouth would open but before anything came out he would close it again and go back to straitening the blankets.
After a few minutes Tae came running back into the room with a pitcher of water in one hand and glass in the other. She stopped next to them pouring some water into the glass before handing it to the man. Dr Genzi took it, holding the cup to Kaoru's lips. She wasn't swallowing the water though so he massaged her neck he forcing the liquid down her throat. They need to keep her hydrated. After getting almost a full cup of water down her he took the rag dipping it in the water and started to dab at her face. Looking up startled, when he felt a hand brush against his.
He hadn't been thinking when he had taken the rag away from the man it had been more like and instinct. Now he was sitting there the cool rag held in his hand as he blotted the sweat from her face before finally letting it rest against her forehead.
Tae was shocked by the mans actions. She stood there watching as the red headed man took the rag away from Dr Genzi now he was tenderly wiping Kaoru's pink feverish cheeks. Was this man the way that he had looked at her with such venom in the restaurant earlier that night? He still had the same cold look about him but there was something different about the way that he treated Kaoru. Something told her that this side of him was reserved for Kaoru and Kaoru only. She may not like the man but she had to admit that he was taking good care of her friend and for that she would be thankful.
As he got up to leave Dr Genzi paused turning his attention on the young man. "Would you like me take over so you can get some sleep."
"No she owes me."
Dr Genzi nodded as he turned to leave the room motioning Tae to leave too. He hadn't understand what the man had said. It didn't particularly make any sense to him. Did the mean that he owed Kaoru? No this was the type of man that said what he meant so what did Kaoru owe him?
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The Battousai looked down at the woman in his arms as she moved ever so slightly. She seamed to be uncomfortable. Shrugging out of his outer coat he frowned. Her kimono was twisted about her and a soaked with sweat. Reaching under the covers he undid the intricate obi feeling it come free he pulled it off her fallowed by the rest of the kimono leaving her only in the thin juban that she wore beneath. She sighed in her sleep and he guess that was a good sign.
Kaoru knew she should have been warm, she knew she should have been hot because she could feel the sweat pouring off her skin. There were blankets pilled on top of her but she still felt cold. Squirming back she pushed herself futher into the warmness behind her
Looking down at her he frowned before easing himself down on the futon.
Kaoru opened her eyes as she felt herself being lowered down onto the futon the warmness following her. Concerned were eyes gazing intensely at her through the darkness. The concern that she saw there made her curious he hardly even knew her and suddenly she wanted to know why? Before she could lapse back into unconsciousness she wanted to know.
"Kenshin. why? Did you save me?" She wanted to hear why this man had saved her. Why he was comforting her under the cover of darkness.
Her question startled him how was he supposed to answer he didn't even know himself why he had done half the things that he had done. Because she had made him feel something? That should be considered a weakness. It amazed him that he could feel things that this woman could make him of all people feel something. Reaching his hand out he brushed back the damp hair that was clinging to her face.
"Because it was you."
'because it was you' it wasn't that much of an answer. But she had no reason to doubt him. Part of her was saying that he was dead serious, that if it had been anyone else he wouldn't have even risen a hand to help them. The thought made her feel warm and she nodded. Closing her eyes she rested her head against his neck. His hands closed around her pulling her closer to him, his chin moving rest on her hair.
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Dr Genzi sat in his room it was a little after dawn but sleep had eluded him. He was worried about Kaoru despite the fact that he knew she was in good hands. He had thought about the man all night. An answer never came he always drew up blank. Though he had to admit Tae had been right in her assumption that the man was dangerous he had seen that last night in his eyes. Even though they hadn't been trained on him he knew that the man had watched his every movement studying him.
Yes the man was dangerous, how did he know Kaoru? She would have surly told him if she had met him before wouldn't she? A man like that would have a reputation and he was determined to know what it was. His thoughts turned back Kaoru and he looked out the window he was afraid to go in that room. He had treated many people he had seen people slip away. He didn't want her to be one of those people he would rather die himself before something happened to that girl. She had been through so much in her life and she disserved to be happy more that any one he knew.
It was taxing on him to see her in this condition. Burring his face in his hands he wished that he had a drink. Witch was saying something because he wasn't much of a drinking man. But he refused to drown himself in sake if he did it wouldn't help him or Kaoru. So instead he did something that many would consider unmanly, he cried. Quite silent sobs that only he would ever know about. Sure his tears didn't help him and they most definitely didn't help Kaoru but at lest he could shake off the affect of tears better then he could shake off the after effects of sake.
After the tears had stopped he sat there for the longest time just staring down at his hands. Clenching and un clenching them, with a deep breath he rose to his feet it was time to check on Kaoru.
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The Battousai laid there his eyes closed just listening to the sound of the woman's breathing. She was different this one. He pictured her the first day he had met her by chance. He didn't know. He had taught himself to believe that nothing was chance when you live your life as a warrior you learned that. Nothing was chance it was all of your own making out there in the real world. You had nothing but your own skill if you relayed on chance then you were dead. But still he had been there when those men were arguing they were getting on his nerves then she had been falling forward onto him.
That's when he had noticed the difference, the way that she had looked up at him in defiance when the grown men had coward away from him in the streets. He could have left her then, he had planed to leave her then but she had reached out taking hold of his gi.
She had offered him a place to stay for the night. To tell the truth it made him mad to think that she was that kind of girl, the kind that would offer them selves out. He thought of the blush that was on her face when she had actually realized what she had said. He had never thought that he would have ended up holding her in his arms like this. With that thought in mind he smiled a real smile because he knew that no one could see it.
The sound of the shoji opening filled the small room and his hand went instinctively to his Katana that was laying under the covers next to him. The shuffling of feet could be heard and he opened one eye to see the older man standing there looking at them a worried expression gracing his face. Taking his hand off his katana he allowed himself to relax. The man just stood there like he didn't know what to say but he knew the man well enough to know that the reason he didn't say anything was because he didn't want to wake the girl from her sleep.
Dr Genzi saw the man looking at him he had thought to just sneak in and make sure that she was ok but it was obvious that there would be no sneaking up on this man. Though as if the other man under stood him, he saw him nod in a silent conformation that Kaoru was alright. Giving a nod of his own he turned his back on them and left the room.
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Tae laid there she hadn't been able to sleep that much during the night. She heard footsteps in the hall and knew that Dr Genzi had his own case of insomnia. She worried about him really she did almost as much as she worried about Kaoru she wasn't stupid. Kaoru always tried to play it off saying that she was collecting herbs and distributing medication for Dr Genzi but she knew that wasn't truth. She had known Kaoru almost all her life. From when they were small children to now and though other people might fall for that she knew better. She just wished that Kaoru would tell her what was really going on. She hated to be left in the dark. That was were Kaoru always left her, then again you never knew. After seeing Kaoru brought in last night in that condition. She didn't know if she wanted to know what it was that her friend was doing. Then again now that she had seen her like that she didn't know what was worse knowing or not knowing. Turning on her side she watched the sun pour through the wind and onto the floor.
___________-
He felt the exact moment that her fever broke. The tenseness left her and her delectable curves molded themselves to his frame and her breathing deepened like a strain had been lifted. It was at that moment that he decided before he left he would claim her for his own.
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Dr Genzi looked at the woman in front of him her features looked drawn and sweat was still dampening her hair but she was alright unable to restrain himself he closed the short distance between them and pulled her into his arms.
"You don't know how worried you had me?" He had heard a commotion in the room and when he had walked in he had seen that Karou was sitting up in the bed. The man was laying on the bed his eyes swirling in circles. He smiled thinking of Kaoru must of reacted when she had realized that she had been sleeping with the man. He knew that Kaoru never let any man touch her and it must have been a shock to wake up next to one. But he would have hated to think what it would have been like if that man hadn't been there for Kaoru.
The Battousai recovered leaning back on his elbow he watched the young woman. He could have stopped her fist if he had wanted to. But he knew that her pride wouldn't allow her to let him get away with spending the night with her and escape unscathed. Flexing his tender jaw he had to resist the urge to bring his hand to it. He had to admit she had quite a punch on her better then some of the men that he knew in fact.
"I'm sorry I know that I always worry you." She said into his shoulder. She felt hot and sticky and she really wanted a bath. At that moment she was glade that Dr Genzi Knew her so well.
"I'll go and draw you a bath, I'll also send Tae to get you something else to wear."
"thank you."
"You should thank this young man he was the one that stayed with you through the night." Pulling away from her he stood walking out of the room and leaving the two of them alone.
Kaoru turned looking at Kenshin he had been with her all night. She remembered him telling her his name but she didn't remember much else. Looking at him she smiled a little before launching her body across the futon and wrapping her arms around him.
"I don't know how I'll ever thank you Himura san. But it seams that I always owe you." Catching her he held her close to him a few seconds before tilting her head up and looking into her beautiful eyes.
"You could start by calling me Kenshin."
Want more just a leave a review ^.^ because you know I love them.
Heheh this chapter was a little fluffy. Maybe I should but that at the beginning of the chapter. Oh well next chapter things will get serious again I promise.
There should be a comment for everyone that left a review for the last chapter if I forgot you just yell at me. ^.^
Manda- I updated thanks.
KeNsHiN- ::blushes:: thanks. I hope that I don't disappoint you then and that you enjoyed this chapter.
Lid02- Thankies
Inuyashachic515- thanks ::smiles:: I will never get used to someone saying that to me about a story. u.u if you like this one I do write Inu Yasha fiction you might like some of it.
Kitteny13- Yes this is going to be a Battousai Kaoru fic.
Kike- here more. That's nice to here I'm looking forward to hearing from you again too.
Califpinay3001- Thanks
Jazz-chan- Thanks. As always I love hearing from you. ^.^ heheh I tried to do better with this chapter too. ::laughs:: it's so taxing on my poor little brain. I'm really really bad at it. But I am trying. I will. Hope to hear from you again.
Ewunia- thanks. I'll see what I can do about that. ^.^
Not much to say today. Just that I don't own RK so on with the story.
Echoe Shayne ^.^
The Battousai lifted his head to watch the old man walk down the hallway let him think that he hadn't known he was standing there. Scanning his surroundings the room was rather bare just the futon, that they were sitting on and a lone candle. The room was well kept though leading him to believe that it had been used recently. Closing his eyes he tried to get some rest but the room was too bright. Looking back and forth between the woman in his arms and the candle that was just out of reach he was presented with a problem. He wanted to put the candle out but he also didn't want to wake Kaoru. Reaching down to his he drew his sword in one quick motion and the room was plunged into darkness. He felt more at home in the shadows the light wasn't meant for the likes of him anyway. Sheathing his sword once more he brought his hand to her forehead again. To his alarm her temperature had risen again. It would a same if she died tonight, but it would be even more amazing if she lived.
Sitting in the dark he focused on the sound of her breathing so that any change would wake him. He was used to sleeping in a sitting position so it was nothing new to him. Doing one last search of his surroundings he closed his eyes.
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Tae looked across to Dr. Genzi who was sitting there sipping his tea like Kaoru wasn't in the next room fighting for her life. With that man no less.
"Are you sure that it's wise to leave Kaoru alone with him." She didn't trust that man weather he had saved her friends life or not she couldn't bring herself to accept him.
"I am." The older man said taking a drink of his tea.
"But you never saw. You weren't there he's dangerous." How could she make the man understand. If he had only seen him at the Akabecko. "Your letting you're feelings for Kaoru blind you." It was true he treated Kaoru like his own daughter and he was letting the fact that this man saved her overpower the fact that he was dangerous.
He could understand why Tae would be worried he trusted the young man dispite what she said. He had saved her life if he had wanted to kill her he would have done it already he wouldn't have went through the trouble to save. Looking at the young woman he voiced his opinion. "If he had wanted to kill her he wouldn't have went through all the trouble to save her life."
Tae took a deep breath. "But I don't want him to be alone with her I'm going to go and check on them."
Dr. Genzi watched the younger woman move to stand. "Sit down. You will do no such thing. If Kaoru is asleep then I will not have her disturbed."
Tae knew that tone of voice from when she had come over as a child to play with Kaoru it meant that the subject was closed and he had the final word. Accepting defeat for the time being any she sank back to her seat. She would just have to trust him. Dr. Genzi usually had a good grasp on people but this time she thought that he was wrong.
"I will do as you say but that doesn't mean that I have to like it." Her arms crossed in front of her chest like a pouting child.
"I didn't ask you to like it."
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Slowly her eyes opened the room was dark and she felt terrible there was still someone holding her twisting a little she waited for her eyes to focus after a few minutes she could make out the form of someone else. That man the same man from before. Though she couldn't see him she knew. She was letting a complete stranger hold her. But she didn't have the strength to protest already she could feel sleep coming to claim her once again. Struggling she fought to keep her eyes open just for a few more seconds at least.
"What's your name?"
'what's your name' he stared at her through the darkness she wanted to know his name it should have been an easy question. Should have been an easy answer, he was the Hitokiri Battousai the legendary manslayer. He hesitated for some reason he did want to tell her that name. He didn't want to soil her. Besides now that he knew her, what she did he didn't know how she would react to finding out who he was. He was supposed to be watching her, he couldn't afford to give away his identity. Even more importantly then that he didn't want this woman to know who he was. Just this once he wanted to be a man. Not the Battousai not the legendary manslayer but an ordinary man.
"Himura Kenshin." He answered statically watching her intently waiting to see how she would react. A small smile touched her lips. He liked her smile he decided right then. Not that he would tell her that.
Unable to keep her eyes open anymore she let them close having learned the mans name. 'Himura' "Kenshin." She said unaware that she had said the second part out loud.
He also liked the way she said his name the way that it rolled off her tongue like she had said it a thousand times before. Himura Kenshin there was a name that he hadn't used in a while. He had locked him away. He had locked everything away to do his duty feelings had no place on the battle field. He lived by the way of the sword a life style that had no room for emotion. He fought for a cause, war was his passion and peace would be the product. He had to believe that. The girls breathing had changed as she slipped back into oblivion- if only she knew. What would she say? Her opinion shouldn't bother him so why did it? Closing his eyes once more he took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night.
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He had receive a mission. An assassination, his target Captain Kamiya. The man was a threat to his cause his men where set to move out and they awaited their Captain in the capital. He was cunning with a good head for tactics. He fought well and had led his men to small victories numerous time. He had earned himself, but such praise during war had come with a price catching the attention of the enemy wasn't a wise thing to do. So he had been sent not to find him not the battle field but to his house because it was rumored that before every battle he returned home.
"Kill everyone that resides in that house." Those where his orders the same orders that he had received countless times.
Stalking outside the house he listened to the people move around it sound like there where three people. Slipping into the yard he watched the man that was on guard he was looking around him like he was in a hurry to leave. Slipping through the shadows he slit the man's throat not giving him a chance to worn the other two that were in one of the rooms.
Ducking back into the shadows he flicked his katana to get rid of the blood that coated the blade. Taking a step forward he had been prepared to rush into the room when he heard movement and the Shoji opened. A tall figure emerged from the room venturing out into the darkness it was him Kamiya.
"Koji" Kamiya yelled.
He looked down at the body that laid in front of him assuming that was the mans name.
He could wait he wanted to see how long it took Kamiya to notice that something was wrong. The other man made his way off the porch and into the moon light it was only when he saw the body of his man that he showed any sign of concern. He was looking around now. But the Battousai knew that he hadn't been able to seen him. As he watched the man assumed his stance.
"I know you are there. Come for me and met your death!" his voice sounded confident but he could tell by his movements that the man would be no challenge to him. Stepped out of the shadows he watched waiting for the mans reaction.
"Battousai"
Looking up he glared at the man. It got the desired reaction he could feel the man's fear, but unlike most men he didn't back down. So this is what made him a target. He was a man that didn't know his place. But there was something else some reason that he was facing him like this. None the less he would end it with one stroke. Drawing his sword he felt steel connect with flesh. There was a the sound of a shoji opening. Turning his attention away from the man. He focused on his next target. It wasn't what he had expected a small girl stood there. Her eyes widening as red liquid splattered across her face. She was watching the man fall it was only after he had hit the ground that she realized that there was blood on her face. Her small hand reached up brushing against her cheek smearing the redness in its wake. She just stood there for a few seconds as if she couldn't comprehend what happened.
"Kao-chan" the man said with his last breath it had been low but the sound had brought the girl back to reality. She rushed forward screaming kneeling next to him with tears rushing down her cheeks now mingling with the blotches of blood that covered her face. She had reached for her fathers' sward turning toward him. Her unwaveringly deep blue eyes glaring up at him filled with hate.
"Why!!!!!"
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With a jerk he woke up something happened to woken him from the throws of sleep. Blinking the sound of the little girls scream had followed him hanging like a ghost in the darkened room. Any thoughts of his dream were pushed from his mind as he realized that it had been the girls change in breathing that had woken him. Feeling the dampness of his shit he knew that some of it was his own sweat but the majority of it was hers. Her fever had risen. Her body was covered with a thin sheen of sweat yet her small frame shivering slightly against him. Shifting he pulled the blankets up from beneath them draping it over her petite form.
It was the rustling in the other room that caught Dr Genzi's attention. Picking up the candle he rose to his feet making his way to Kaoru's room
"Her fevers gotten worse." The mans voice was clam conveying no emotion. But the way that he had only looked at him briefly when he entered before he turned his attention back to Kaoru led him believe that he was worried about her.
Nodding he left going to get more blankets.
Tae stepped into the hall to see that Dr Genzi was rummaging through the linen closet with a frown on his face he was holding two large winter blankets in his hands and it appeared that he was looking for another one. With out warning he turned to her.
"Go get me the blanket off your bed." He hadn't waited to see if she would do as she was told rather he continued to rummage through the closet pleased by the fact that he had found another thick blanket. A few seconds later Tae returned and handed him the blanket that he had asked for. Without a word he turned and went back down the hall heading in the direction of Kaoru's room. Leaving a bewildered Tae to follow him.
The Battousai looked up as the man entered again pausing only long enough to situate the blankets that he held in his arms.
Tae watched with a confused expression as Dr. Genzi heaped blanket after blanket on top of Kaoru. "I thought that you weren't supposed to cover up someone that has a fever?" she said voicing her confusion.
"Normally your not but this isn't an ordinary fever. She has the fever because the poison is spreading through her system like an infection. It means that the antidote was administered to late to counter act the full effect of the poison. So her body raised it's natural defenses against it. We have to keep her temperature up now till the fever breaks naturally or she'll loose her only line of resistance against the infection."
"But then isn't it good that she has a fever?"
"No the human body can only take so much if the fever doesn't break soon then her chances of living decrease. The fact that she has the fever even after the antidote means that her chances have been cut in half."
Tae wished that she hadn't asked the pain in his voice was almost too much. Why wasn't there something that she could do.
"Can you go and get me some water and a rag. A glass too." It was just a small thing but anything that she could do to help. Nodding she left the room.
The Battousai watched as the older man fussed with the blankets every now and then he would cast a worried glace at Kaoru. It was obvious that the older man cared a great deal for her. A few times it looked like he was about to say something his mouth would open but before anything came out he would close it again and go back to straitening the blankets.
After a few minutes Tae came running back into the room with a pitcher of water in one hand and glass in the other. She stopped next to them pouring some water into the glass before handing it to the man. Dr Genzi took it, holding the cup to Kaoru's lips. She wasn't swallowing the water though so he massaged her neck he forcing the liquid down her throat. They need to keep her hydrated. After getting almost a full cup of water down her he took the rag dipping it in the water and started to dab at her face. Looking up startled, when he felt a hand brush against his.
He hadn't been thinking when he had taken the rag away from the man it had been more like and instinct. Now he was sitting there the cool rag held in his hand as he blotted the sweat from her face before finally letting it rest against her forehead.
Tae was shocked by the mans actions. She stood there watching as the red headed man took the rag away from Dr Genzi now he was tenderly wiping Kaoru's pink feverish cheeks. Was this man the way that he had looked at her with such venom in the restaurant earlier that night? He still had the same cold look about him but there was something different about the way that he treated Kaoru. Something told her that this side of him was reserved for Kaoru and Kaoru only. She may not like the man but she had to admit that he was taking good care of her friend and for that she would be thankful.
As he got up to leave Dr Genzi paused turning his attention on the young man. "Would you like me take over so you can get some sleep."
"No she owes me."
Dr Genzi nodded as he turned to leave the room motioning Tae to leave too. He hadn't understand what the man had said. It didn't particularly make any sense to him. Did the mean that he owed Kaoru? No this was the type of man that said what he meant so what did Kaoru owe him?
_______-
The Battousai looked down at the woman in his arms as she moved ever so slightly. She seamed to be uncomfortable. Shrugging out of his outer coat he frowned. Her kimono was twisted about her and a soaked with sweat. Reaching under the covers he undid the intricate obi feeling it come free he pulled it off her fallowed by the rest of the kimono leaving her only in the thin juban that she wore beneath. She sighed in her sleep and he guess that was a good sign.
Kaoru knew she should have been warm, she knew she should have been hot because she could feel the sweat pouring off her skin. There were blankets pilled on top of her but she still felt cold. Squirming back she pushed herself futher into the warmness behind her
Looking down at her he frowned before easing himself down on the futon.
Kaoru opened her eyes as she felt herself being lowered down onto the futon the warmness following her. Concerned were eyes gazing intensely at her through the darkness. The concern that she saw there made her curious he hardly even knew her and suddenly she wanted to know why? Before she could lapse back into unconsciousness she wanted to know.
"Kenshin. why? Did you save me?" She wanted to hear why this man had saved her. Why he was comforting her under the cover of darkness.
Her question startled him how was he supposed to answer he didn't even know himself why he had done half the things that he had done. Because she had made him feel something? That should be considered a weakness. It amazed him that he could feel things that this woman could make him of all people feel something. Reaching his hand out he brushed back the damp hair that was clinging to her face.
"Because it was you."
'because it was you' it wasn't that much of an answer. But she had no reason to doubt him. Part of her was saying that he was dead serious, that if it had been anyone else he wouldn't have even risen a hand to help them. The thought made her feel warm and she nodded. Closing her eyes she rested her head against his neck. His hands closed around her pulling her closer to him, his chin moving rest on her hair.
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Dr Genzi sat in his room it was a little after dawn but sleep had eluded him. He was worried about Kaoru despite the fact that he knew she was in good hands. He had thought about the man all night. An answer never came he always drew up blank. Though he had to admit Tae had been right in her assumption that the man was dangerous he had seen that last night in his eyes. Even though they hadn't been trained on him he knew that the man had watched his every movement studying him.
Yes the man was dangerous, how did he know Kaoru? She would have surly told him if she had met him before wouldn't she? A man like that would have a reputation and he was determined to know what it was. His thoughts turned back Kaoru and he looked out the window he was afraid to go in that room. He had treated many people he had seen people slip away. He didn't want her to be one of those people he would rather die himself before something happened to that girl. She had been through so much in her life and she disserved to be happy more that any one he knew.
It was taxing on him to see her in this condition. Burring his face in his hands he wished that he had a drink. Witch was saying something because he wasn't much of a drinking man. But he refused to drown himself in sake if he did it wouldn't help him or Kaoru. So instead he did something that many would consider unmanly, he cried. Quite silent sobs that only he would ever know about. Sure his tears didn't help him and they most definitely didn't help Kaoru but at lest he could shake off the affect of tears better then he could shake off the after effects of sake.
After the tears had stopped he sat there for the longest time just staring down at his hands. Clenching and un clenching them, with a deep breath he rose to his feet it was time to check on Kaoru.
___________-
The Battousai laid there his eyes closed just listening to the sound of the woman's breathing. She was different this one. He pictured her the first day he had met her by chance. He didn't know. He had taught himself to believe that nothing was chance when you live your life as a warrior you learned that. Nothing was chance it was all of your own making out there in the real world. You had nothing but your own skill if you relayed on chance then you were dead. But still he had been there when those men were arguing they were getting on his nerves then she had been falling forward onto him.
That's when he had noticed the difference, the way that she had looked up at him in defiance when the grown men had coward away from him in the streets. He could have left her then, he had planed to leave her then but she had reached out taking hold of his gi.
She had offered him a place to stay for the night. To tell the truth it made him mad to think that she was that kind of girl, the kind that would offer them selves out. He thought of the blush that was on her face when she had actually realized what she had said. He had never thought that he would have ended up holding her in his arms like this. With that thought in mind he smiled a real smile because he knew that no one could see it.
The sound of the shoji opening filled the small room and his hand went instinctively to his Katana that was laying under the covers next to him. The shuffling of feet could be heard and he opened one eye to see the older man standing there looking at them a worried expression gracing his face. Taking his hand off his katana he allowed himself to relax. The man just stood there like he didn't know what to say but he knew the man well enough to know that the reason he didn't say anything was because he didn't want to wake the girl from her sleep.
Dr Genzi saw the man looking at him he had thought to just sneak in and make sure that she was ok but it was obvious that there would be no sneaking up on this man. Though as if the other man under stood him, he saw him nod in a silent conformation that Kaoru was alright. Giving a nod of his own he turned his back on them and left the room.
___________-
Tae laid there she hadn't been able to sleep that much during the night. She heard footsteps in the hall and knew that Dr Genzi had his own case of insomnia. She worried about him really she did almost as much as she worried about Kaoru she wasn't stupid. Kaoru always tried to play it off saying that she was collecting herbs and distributing medication for Dr Genzi but she knew that wasn't truth. She had known Kaoru almost all her life. From when they were small children to now and though other people might fall for that she knew better. She just wished that Kaoru would tell her what was really going on. She hated to be left in the dark. That was were Kaoru always left her, then again you never knew. After seeing Kaoru brought in last night in that condition. She didn't know if she wanted to know what it was that her friend was doing. Then again now that she had seen her like that she didn't know what was worse knowing or not knowing. Turning on her side she watched the sun pour through the wind and onto the floor.
___________-
He felt the exact moment that her fever broke. The tenseness left her and her delectable curves molded themselves to his frame and her breathing deepened like a strain had been lifted. It was at that moment that he decided before he left he would claim her for his own.
___________-
Dr Genzi looked at the woman in front of him her features looked drawn and sweat was still dampening her hair but she was alright unable to restrain himself he closed the short distance between them and pulled her into his arms.
"You don't know how worried you had me?" He had heard a commotion in the room and when he had walked in he had seen that Karou was sitting up in the bed. The man was laying on the bed his eyes swirling in circles. He smiled thinking of Kaoru must of reacted when she had realized that she had been sleeping with the man. He knew that Kaoru never let any man touch her and it must have been a shock to wake up next to one. But he would have hated to think what it would have been like if that man hadn't been there for Kaoru.
The Battousai recovered leaning back on his elbow he watched the young woman. He could have stopped her fist if he had wanted to. But he knew that her pride wouldn't allow her to let him get away with spending the night with her and escape unscathed. Flexing his tender jaw he had to resist the urge to bring his hand to it. He had to admit she had quite a punch on her better then some of the men that he knew in fact.
"I'm sorry I know that I always worry you." She said into his shoulder. She felt hot and sticky and she really wanted a bath. At that moment she was glade that Dr Genzi Knew her so well.
"I'll go and draw you a bath, I'll also send Tae to get you something else to wear."
"thank you."
"You should thank this young man he was the one that stayed with you through the night." Pulling away from her he stood walking out of the room and leaving the two of them alone.
Kaoru turned looking at Kenshin he had been with her all night. She remembered him telling her his name but she didn't remember much else. Looking at him she smiled a little before launching her body across the futon and wrapping her arms around him.
"I don't know how I'll ever thank you Himura san. But it seams that I always owe you." Catching her he held her close to him a few seconds before tilting her head up and looking into her beautiful eyes.
"You could start by calling me Kenshin."
Want more just a leave a review ^.^ because you know I love them.
Heheh this chapter was a little fluffy. Maybe I should but that at the beginning of the chapter. Oh well next chapter things will get serious again I promise.
There should be a comment for everyone that left a review for the last chapter if I forgot you just yell at me. ^.^
Manda- I updated thanks.
KeNsHiN- ::blushes:: thanks. I hope that I don't disappoint you then and that you enjoyed this chapter.
Lid02- Thankies
Inuyashachic515- thanks ::smiles:: I will never get used to someone saying that to me about a story. u.u if you like this one I do write Inu Yasha fiction you might like some of it.
Kitteny13- Yes this is going to be a Battousai Kaoru fic.
Kike- here more. That's nice to here I'm looking forward to hearing from you again too.
Califpinay3001- Thanks
Jazz-chan- Thanks. As always I love hearing from you. ^.^ heheh I tried to do better with this chapter too. ::laughs:: it's so taxing on my poor little brain. I'm really really bad at it. But I am trying. I will. Hope to hear from you again.
Ewunia- thanks. I'll see what I can do about that. ^.^