Disclaimer: I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin series or any of its creations. However, I do own Mina, Chanelle, Kenka and Toya. ^-^x
Code Catfight – Chapter 6 – By Cherry Chibi
'Exposed'
* * * *
Kenshin woke for the millionth time from his light sleep. Why was it that he had found it so hard to rest for even five minutes? He thought for a while longer and tried to put pieces of the puzzle together. Had it been a mistake for him to allow Kaoru to join her gang into his? No. He had known that this code would be part of the deal. No complaints there but there was something that had pestered his mind.
Gathering the events from earlier, he made his decision. It was the fact that the Rising Sun were asking for his help. Pleading for him to return Kaoru to her normal self. But what the hell was he supposed to do?
Sitting up in bed, he questioned himself. Why would anyone want his help? Why him? Why? Why? Why? He glanced at the clock on his bedside table, 6am. There was a light knock on the door. Kenshin didn't answer.
He listened as the door knob twisted open, as the door opened slowly.
"Kenshin, did I wake you?" Kaoru asked in a small voice. She was wearing her uniform, her hair was tied into a low ponytail and it almost looked as if the darkness had embraced her.
"No."
"Oh." She entered and then took a seat on the edge of his bed. "In case you're wondering, Yahiko told me where you were." She glanced around the small room. There was a small built in closet, a desk with a computer, a single bed, beside table and a lamp. "Nice room."
Kenshin didn't say anything.
"It's much better than my room," Kaoru said calmly, not a hint of sarcasm at all.
Kenshin cocked an eyebrow. "You would prefer this room rather than yours?" He couldn't see her face since her eyes were hidden under the shadows of her bangs.
"It's simple and easy to keep." She laughed weakly but with no emotion behind it, "you're very fortunate that no one can instantly make judgement of you." She smiled.
What on earth was she getting at? Kenshin was about to question her but decided to let her keep talking. There was a long pause.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to throw all of that gibberish at you," Kaoru said quickly, she stood and was about to leave. Swiftly, Kenshin grabbed her by the arm and turned her to face him but instead, he ended up with her embracing him.
"It wasn't gibberish," was all he could manage to say. "If you need help whenever and whatever, I'll expect that you'll come to see me." He said gently to her.
'When did he decide to care?' Kaoru thought, 'what am I doing?!' She pulled away from him, luckily for her, the darkness prevented Kenshin seeing how embarrassed she was.
"Um, I better get going, the others will be waking up soon and I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea." Kaoru rushed to the door and for some reason, it was almost felt as if the doorknob was impossible to turn.
Kenshin walked up behind her and placed a hand over hers, turned the door knob the opposite direction and opened the door.
"Oh," Kaoru felt her face burn again. "Well, see you later." She rushed through the halls.
* * * *
Kenshin observed as the Rising Sun women trained his men as well as with some training with them. It was quite amusing to see women beat his men so consistently as well as easily. There was a small irritation though.
'Where's Kaoru?' He thought as he stood. Sensing another strong ki in the building and followed it. He was soon on the roof of the warehouse and froze at the door.
"No! That's not true!" Toya shouted, she slammed a fist into the wall, crying. "I can't believe it! No!"
Kaoru was crying too. "I'm sorry Toya. There's nothing I can do about it for you. Even if Persephone has exposed you, there's not a single thing I can do! No matter how much I want to help!" She took hold of Toya's shoulder but she was pushed away.
The two had a strong bond which was slowly changing into something different. Kenshin couldn't interfere, his mind told him to leave but the message didn't reach his body.
"The others don't know do they?" Toya said, "Kaoru, please, don't tell anyone."
"I never have and I never will Toya." Kaoru said. She dried her eyes and plastered on a still face. "Toya, you may… resign and go somewhere else if you desire to."
Toya paused for a moment. "But…"
"I don't want the humiliation to get to you. Listen to me and make sure that these words stay in your head; you did what you had to do so that you can be free. A mind of a female trapped in a male's body is torture!" Kaoru said, she held Toya by the forearms, "Rising Sun loves you no matter what, they love you for who you are not what you are."
"But I am a male…" Toya said disheartened, "It is against the code."
"Stuff the code! Rising Sun are no longer going to obey the bloody set of words! I'm going to bring it down and anyone who stands in my way will suffer." Kaoru said angrily. "Toya! I don't want anyone, no one who I love and care for get humiliated or hurt in that way."
Toya hugged Kaoru tightly. "Thank you Kaoru… I understand… but… I won't leave Rising Sun. All of them have been a family that I had always dreamed of. Kaoru, you have always treated me with the kindness and love of a sister. For a while, I had forgotten about my past."
"Alright Toya," Kaoru said quietly, "Just remember that Rising Sun are your friends, protection, family and comrades."
"Yes, I will." Toya replied. (A/N: from now on, I'll be using 'he' for Toya. Hope that this won't confuse you guys.) He released Kaoru from his firm grip and smiled. He walked towards the door and vanished from sight.
Kaoru's smile melted. She leaned against the wall and allowed herself to be engulfed by her grief.
"I'm sure that Dark Blood would support him too,"
She stiffened. Her head snapped up and met with amber eyes. "You heard…"
Kenshin gave a small nod. "I'm sorry about that."
"Promise that you won't tell anyone?" Kaoru asked fiercely suddenly, "You open your mouth once about this and I'll-,"
"I promise." Kenshin said calmly, "It is confidential."
Kaoru sighed and relaxed. "Thank you." She concentrated on breathing. 'Now I have to find a way to kick the bitch's ass...'
Kenshin opened his mouth to tell Kaoru something but a loud interruption prevented him from doing so.
"Battousai! Akurei!" A few members of each gang had rushed to the roof top. They all looked alert and serious.
"Battousai, Street Fighters have arrived, armed and all." Yahiko said, his haired had been scuffed and he looked terribly agitated.
"Akurei! Zanza's asking for you and he's looking…." Tsubame didn't get to finish her sentence; Kaoru had run towards the building's ledge.
"Akurei!!!"
Kaoru leapt off and was dropping downwards until she was caught by a tall, thin man with spiked brown hair. She hugged him tightly. "Long time no see Rooster-head!!!!" She laughed when he spun her around.
"Hey little sis," He squeezed the air out of her. "What's up with you joining up with Dark Blood?" He dropped her onto her feet.
"It's a long story…" Kaoru said.
"You don't say hello to me?" A man with shoulder-length brown hair stepped out from the crowd.
"Tsukioka!" Kaoru threw her arms over Tsukioka's shoulders and hugged him. "I haven't seen you guys for such a long time."
"So Kaoru, got a boyfriend yet?" Sano nudged her.
"No! And get off my case!" She punched Sano in the stomach.
"You'll never get one if you keep being so aggressive." Sano groaned.
* * * *
"Wow, she hasn't been this happy for a while," Kenka said to the other women. A broad smile stretched across her lips. The other women nodded and agreed.
Kenshin followed behind with Yahiko to his right. He never really understood the Street Fighters, the bunch were a group of drinkers and gamblers; practically party-goers but they had always been a thorn with his business. Now that Zanza was here, Dark Blood are surely going to need a box filled with pain killers.
The group exited the building and were soon standing opposite of the Street Fighters.
"Zanza." Kenshin said in acknowledgement.
"Battousai." Sanosuke replied. His eyes narrowed.
The atmosphere tensed. Everyone except for the Rising Sun were on the alert. Kaoru took a step back from Sano and shook her head slowly. Hands on weapons. Eyes on the opposition. Time ticking away.
"Would your group need a place to stay?" Kenshin queried, "I can organise a few rooms." He glanced back at a couple of Dark Blood, sending them off.
"Sure." Sano said. "So have you been treating my sister right?"
Kaoru cleared her throat.
Sano and Tsukioka laughed, bringing relief upon them and others. Kenshin raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Rooster-head!" Kaoru scolded, face blushing furiously.
"Oh boy! When will I be expecting nieces and nephews?!" Sano said to his sister.
"ORO?!"
* * * *
A/N: I've finally updated! Hope that you enjoyed it! ^-^x I'm really trying my best to update whenever I can. Access to the internet is really difficult during this three week holiday. But, however, I'll try my best to update more often.
Thank you for all of your lovely reviews as well!
Ciao!
~ Cherry Chibi