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 10 – By Cherry Chibi

 'Whispers'

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Kaoru smiled and watched her older brother swallow the next bowl full of beef stew. It had been a while; she had almost forgotten what it felt like to eat at a table alongside with her family and friends. She placed her chopsticks neatly on top of her bowl. "I'm done."

 "Already Jou-chan?" Sano asked. His mouth was filled with food. He swallowed. "That was only your second bowl."

Kaoru laughed gently. "Well, I don't have a big appetite like you." She stood and rolled her shoulders back. "Sorry Rooster-head, I have to get going. I'm expecting some calls today." She paced to the restaurant's counter and paid the bill to Tae.

 "Kaoru, it has been so long since I've seen you. Why are you leaving so soon?" Tae asked her.

 "I've got some work to do." Kaoru replied. She glanced back at the table where Sano and Kenshin were seated. Tae noticed Kaoru's direction of feelings and smiled broadly.

 "Boy-trouble?" Tae asked. "He is very charming."

 "Hm?" Kaoru flashed back to earth. "Oh, yeah…" Kaoru just realised what had slipped out of her mouth and she clasped her hand over it. 'I didn't say what I did, did I?' She heard Tae giggle.

 "Now dear, you do need someone. After all, he would be quite a catch." Tae giggled slightly harder. Kaoru shot her a warning glare.

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Satisfaction tinkered Kenshin's mind when he heard the women's conversation. He was seated opposite of Sano. He had the rest of today and tomorrow to figure out a way to show Kaoru what he really felt. How did he ever get himself into such a mess anyway? He had never wanted to fall in love with anyone. He had never intended to become who he was now.

 "Battousai, you better watch your back ya know?" Sano said suddenly. "If I see you harm Jou-chan, you better prepare for hard core time."

 "Zanza, I wouldn't intend to bring pain to her. Especially her." Kenshin replied.

Sano arched an eyebrow. So, maybe there was a way to get on and stay on Battousai's good side. However, could or would Jou-chan help the guy? Maybe. But the main thing that Sano was sure about was that if the two got together, there was a highly likely chance that Akurei and Battousai could be soothed and the pain will go; bringing back his bright little sister back for good.

 "Alright," Sano started, "Me and the guys will leave you and Jou-chan alone for a couple of days. We'll be back the day after tomorrow got that?"

 'Did I say something wrong?' Kenshin thought.

 "Seriously, I know when I see a man try to put moves on my sister. I trust you and you better not betray that trust." Sano and Kenshin stood.

 "I won't." Kenshin said seriously. Battousai was on the merge of kicking in, finally, no more interruptions from Sano.

* * * *

Kaoru hanged up her mobile with relief. So far, so good. All bases are doing well and they are all safe. The day had gone by fast too, just a few hours ago, she had said bye to Sano and that she hoped to see him again soon.

She leaned back against the railing of the staircase. "What if I do something less stressful…" She muttered as she walked towards her room. When she closed the door behind her, she changed out of her gang uniform and into a black skirt and a midnight-blue skin tight sleeveless top.

She zipped on her knee high boots and tied her hair into a braid. With a sigh she walked out of her room and down the stairs. She stopped at the warehouse door. 'Hang on, where did he go?' Her hand grasped the door knob but the door opened.

Her eyes gazed into amber after her heart skipped every second beat. 'What am I going to do?' She felt her hands chill. That chill had spread up her arms to the rest of her body. She was glued to the ground. She couldn't move. "Ah, g-good evening, Kenshin." She said with a soft tone. 'Tell him… tell him… do something!' She nagged herself.

A smirk touched his lips. "Evening." Kenshin brushed passed her gently to get inside. Skin embraced skin. He frowned when he felt how cold her flesh was. "You should put something warm on."

Kaoru shook her head. 'No, I'm not cold, it's just you…' She thought. She lost track of Kenshin's ki and sighed. "I failed to let him know again." She growled with frustration. She almost yelped when an arm wrapped itself around her waist and pulled her back close to warmth.

 "Let me know what?" Kenshin whispered in her ear, his hot breath tickled her ear.

Her breathing picked up pace. So did her heart and a surge of adrenaline pulsed through her blood. She tilted her head sideways and planted a gentle kiss on his neck.

Kenshin wrapped another arm around her. Kaoru felt the comfort from his warmth and smiled. Kenshin placed a gentle kiss on Kaoru's forehead and then a gentle touch at the corner of her lips. "What did you want to tell me?" He asked in a husky tone as he stroked her forearm.

Kaoru turned around so that she faced him. A devious smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned forward, her cheek brushed passed his and she whispered, "I don't know, you tell me, or…" She flicked the tip of her tongue over his skin. And in a quieter whisper she said, "You're going to have to wait."

He couldn't stand the teasing she was giving him. Kenshin stepped back and held her face in his hands. Kaoru was amazed at his blood red eyes. She must have done something that made him that frustrated. She heard Battousai's whisper.

After his finished saying the three words, he leaned towards her lips and kissed her tenderly; shattering her into millions of particles of dust. Then he reluctantly broke away from her. Met her gaze with his blood red eyes and vanished into the shadows of the dark.

Kaoru swam in a cocktail of emotions.

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A/N: Ahahahaha! Well, another chapter that was meant to be up last Friday, so sorry too! But I was soooo caught up studying for my exams and tests that it is not a joke. How's the chapter? I know that probably some of you are thinking, 'She's is so damn evil!' Alright, now, *deep breath* I need your suggestions badly. How many of you would like to have lime or lemon coming up? Please tell me! I'm in a dilemma! And I would like to thank you all for reviewing!

Tsugoi Kakarlena: Lol. Have you ever thought of writing a fic that is like a play script? ^o^ Thanks for the review!

Wolf: Hope this chapter pleased you. I couldn't help myself. ^-^xArizosa: *Shrinks into small Cherry* don't get me! *Rolls under the bed* Lol. Alright, I hope this chapter made up for your frustration ne? Nee-chan: *blushes* Well, here's another update. ^-^x Thanks for the review. BillabongBob: Lemon or lime huh? Highly likely. I'll have to see about the other readers. I might have to write an uncut and an edited one. I'm pretty much aware that there are readers who don't really like reading lemon. Lime I will try to attempt doing at some stage.  Moonlight's Sorrow: *Ducks under the pompoms* Ah yes, here's another update. *Chains Moonlight's Sorrow down to the ground, chains break, gulp* Noner_89: Glad that you did. ^-^x Thanks for reading!RKKL: *Clasps hands together and tilts head* Ah, you know, romance is something I love writing, only I have to make it realistic so that readers would get the feeling that it would be right. Often romance in my fics has some sort of long process beforehand.

Holly Nave: Thanks for sending me the review! I really appreciated it! ^o^x

See ya all (hopefully) next week!

Ryoku.Kilala: Wow! You must have stayed up late to read and be up to date. I'm totally flattered that you would read my fic at that time of night. Well, here's another chapter for you and I hope that you enjoyed it.

Now back to studying for exams…

~Cherry Chibi