Don't own the Characters nor plot.
* * * * *
Winter
Part Two: Snow
~ VII ~
* * * * *
Kaoru blinked as the bright light from the window hit her full on the face. She rolled over, attempting to regain blissful unconsciousness, but the sun was persistent. After a minute, she grumbled something incoherent and sat up, the hope for sleep lost. Out of trained habit, her eyes flicked to the clock by her bed and widened in panic as they displayed the time as a little past noon, and extremely late for work. Then with a bit of relief, and guilt, she remembered that she didn't have to go to work today.
Ignoring her conscience, she kicked off the blankets and sat up, only to be halted by a searing headache. Clutching her head, she made her way to the bathroom and groped around in the cabinet for painkillers. When she found the bottle, she took two and swallowed them without water, desperate to rid herself of her headache. To her relief, the pain was subsiding but she couldn't shake off the sticky feeling covering the rest of her body. Deciding that perhaps a quick shower was called for, she shed her nightgown and turned on the tap. Midway through, although she couldn't quite tell at first, there was a knock at the door.
"Coming!" She yelled over the pouring steam, and quickly dried herself off. She pulled on a small bathrobe and hastily tied a knot in the front, leaving her hair trailing water off her back. She pulled the door open and the memories she had successfully avoided all morning came crashing down.
"Kenshin? What are you doing here?" She clutched the bathrobe to herself. He stood dumbly in the doorframe, taking in her appearance with a light blush on his face. Realizing that he was being addressed, he straightened and coughed, although the blush didn't quite leave.
"May I come in, Miss Kamiya?"
"Sure?" Kaoru stepped back and allowed him in. He took a seat on the couch and Kaoru came and sat adjacent to him in her armchair. Getting a bit flustered by their close proximity, Kenshin stood and went to the window instead.
"I apologize for what I said yesterday," He looked at her with the utmost sincerity, "I made unfair judgements about you when I had known you for such a small amount of time."
"I should apologize too, then, for-..." Kaoru began, but Kenshin cut her off.
"The mistake was purely mine and I have felt extremely guilty for my actions. It was bad judgment on my part to believe rumors."
"Rumors?" Kaoru looked curious.
"Long story," He smiled, "Maybe some other time. But for now, would you accept my apology?"
"Accepted." She smiled back.
"I know I am in no position to ask, but would you still like to supervise with us? Everyone else is back at the resort." He looked a bit afraid that she may say no and Kaoru paused for an exaggerated amount of time before smiling.
"Sure."
* * * * *
Kaoru dressed, and the two of them piled into Kenshin's jeep. No words were exchanged between them. Part of this was due to Kaoru's painful flood of memories and return of a headache. The rocky terrain was doing nothing for her. She tried to focus, instead, on staring a hole in the dashboard, willing her stomach to regain peace.
"Kaoru? Are you feeling alright?" Kenshin cast a worried glance in her direction, "I'm sure we could find some Asprin at the resort, if that's what you need."
"Hm?" Kaoru looked up, barely comprehending the question. She asked him to repeat it, but with her attention divided, it came out as a muffled, "Uhwah?" Kenshin's brow crinkled, this answer obviously giving him more reason for concern.
"If you're still hung over, maybe you shouldn't be coming with me today."
The look on his face combined with his tone of voice caused her anxiety to fade. She smiled and found it extremely easy to say, "No, Kenshin. I'll be fine."
And she willed herself to remain 'fine' until the resort came into view. All thoughts of arguments with Enishi, bad bar scenes and splitting headaches were drowned in a warm feeling she felt, as if coming home for the first in a long time.
Kenshin opened the car door and stepped out. Kaoru stepped out a moment after and Kenshin had gone around to her side to help her down, not that she really needed help, he admitted to himself. With synchronized steps, they walked towards the door leading towards the office. Only to have it burst open in their faces, a pale Megumi blocking their path.
This took Kaoru completely by surprise, but Kenshin seemed to have anticipated it. He regarded Megumi's current state with some level of pity. She did not wear her customary makeup, her eyes no longer shone with sharpness and she was somewhat pale. She still wore her medical outfit, signifying that she had rushed over without changing. Something was wrong.
"Kenshin!" She cried out with some hope, "I've been waiting for you here! I'm so glad you finally came!" She made a move to embrace him but Kenshin took a half-step backwards, enough to show that he did not want to be touched. Megumi dropped her arms and looked at him with pain in her eyes.
"So this is really how it's going to end?"
Instead of replying, Kenshin addressed Kaoru, "Would you mind leaving us for a few minutes? Tell Sano I'll be right in." Kaoru nodded and quickly walked past Megumi, half expecting a cold glare or venomous remark. None came, however, as Megumi hadn't even glanced at her; her pleading eyes were still focused on Kenshin.
As the door had closed with a dry click, Megumi blinked and averted her gaze. "So Misao told you then?" She asked monotonously and looked up again to see his reaction. Kenshin made no verbal reply, although his tired eyes were enough affirmation. "But did I mention," Megumi began, confidence filtering into her voice, "that Misao has had this one obsession to go against everything I say and–..."
"Megumi," The single articulated word silenced her, "There is no need to lie to me any more than you already have." For the briefest moment, his eyes turned another hue, but not long enough for Megumi to notice.
"Kenshin," She tried another tactic, "You know why I did it! I did it because I loved you so much!"
"No." Kenshin said somewhat wearily, "At no time does trying to deceive me prove any good will of yours."
"Please!" Megumi dropped the false tones and spoke with real anguish, "Please just listen to me! I can explain this!"
"That's what we're here for, isn't it, Miss Megumi?"
There was no bitterness in his tone, but the formality of which he used her name stung. But she began her explanation none the less, "I really hadn't lied to you. Not much. It had happened that way, only I reversed the roles somewhat." She looked up and saw that his face was devoid of emotion. Sighing, she continued.
"He was already in love with Kaoru and nothing could change that." She said bitterly, "But I had loved him too. I deserved to love him!" Her voice rose with emotion and then quieted, "I loved him in a way that I can't explain. When he died, I grieved too. More than Kaoru had." She paused meaningfully. "Is it wrong that I recovered more quickly?"
Without waiting, she went on, "Then you came along, and I thought it was my chance now." She looked up into his eyes, "This was my chance to really find happiness for myself, and not from anyone else. I could not let it get away from me. Do you see?"
Her words hung in the air for his judgement, and after a pause he spoke. "I do understand your reasons now. And I sympathize with you for your loss and pain." A relieved smile lit on Megumi's face and she opened her mouth to speak, only to be silenced by Kenshin's upraised hand. "But sincere as your reasons may be, it does not justify your deception."
"Kenshin! Please!" Her voice took on a begging tone. "Just one chance! That's all I ask for to make this relationship work!"
Kenshin shook his head slowly. "I cannot have a relationship with someone who has lost my trust." He walked around Megumi towards the door. As his hand reached the doorknob, a pair of arms encircled his waist and held him fast.
"Please don't do this," Megumi said from where her face was buried in his shirt, "Please." The last word broke out in sobs and Kenshin could begin to feel the tears through his sweater, and he made no movement to leave. Despite himself, his eyes softened with sympathy. Finally, he took a deep breath and unclasped the arms hugging his waist. He took one step forward and turned to face Megumi.
"I'm sorry. This relationship will not benefit you in any way," He spoke with truth ringing from his words, "It will only cause you more pain. You will see later how much better off this is. Goodbye Megumi."
With that, he walked out the door, ignoring the sobs coming from the crumpled woman on the ground. He knew there was nothing else he could do. Now all that was needed was time.
* * * * *
As Kenshin walked down the hallway leading to the lobby, Kaoru stepped out from a shadowed corner.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to eavesdrop." She lowered her head in apology. Kenshin let out a weary sigh and put on a small smile.
"It's quite alright. You have caused no harm."
"But I have!" Kaoru cried out. Then realizing her outburst, she blushed and looked away, "I was the reason you ended your perfectly good relationship."
"That, Miss Kaoru, was not the case. You had nothing to do with what you had just heard. It was a misunderstanding between Miss Megumi and I." His voice did not waver but his eyes begged for understanding.
"Is there anything I could do?" Kaoru asked meekly, determined that there was something she could do, "I could try to talk to Megumi, or--..."
"Thank you, Miss Kaoru, but that will not be necessary. I believe talking to her will only cause more bitterness." Kenshin caught her gaze full on, making her knees go weak" You need not burden yourself with the pain of others. Yours alone is enough for a lifetime." He turned away and walked ahead without another word, leaving Kaoru paralyzed.
* * * * *
The rest of the day passed normally enough. Sano and Tatsumo were happy to see Kaoru return so quickly to work after recovering from her illness, so to speak. One thing that had visibly changed was the attitude in the general area. There was less formality and more warmth between Kaoru and Kenshin, although no one else knew what had brought this on. The rest of the first week followed this suit, with Kaoru noticing the lack of phone calls from Enishi, and Kenshin noticing the persistence of the phone calls from Megumi. Both of them ignored this and devoted all of their time to their work. At the anniversary of their first completed week, the four of them decided to take the night off and relax at a pub a few cities away.
Lively chatter had graced them that night as they walked in. They took their seats at a booth in the back without so much as a pause in conversation. The sound of a broken glass near the bar stopped them soon enough. All heads turned simultaneously to see a man and a woman trying to restrain their drunken friend from shattering another shot glass.
"We know you're upset, but you didn't need to do that!" The woman shouted, "You're acting like a child!"
"Shut up," was the snarled reply as the angered man made no move to pacify himself, "I can do what I want."
"Please. Compose yourself." The taller man said calmly.
"Leave me the hell alone."
"Enishi," the woman sounded exasperated, "we can't."
Kaoru froze as she heard the name, heart pounding in fear. Kenshin, sitting closest to her, saw this and tried to comfort her.
"Let's ignore them. It's none of our business to listen in." He had tried to sound as carefree as possible without raising his voice and catching their attention.
He had not succeeded.
Enishi recognized the voice and practically sprang towards the table, with Aoshi and Misao in tow. With what little conscience he had left, he refrained from picking Kenshin up and throttling him, but his eyes showed he clearly wanted to. Instead he let his wild eyes roam the table from Tatsumo, to Sano, and finally resting on Kaoru. No one spoke and Kaoru barely breathed as they all waited for the next move. Finally, trying to ease the tension for her friend, Tatsumo cleared her throat.
"So," She addressed Enishi, "It's been a while since we've seen you last, huh?" Enishi disregarded this completely and continued to glare.
"Kaoru," He hissed, "We need to talk." She saw something terrifying in his face, but nodded anyway. Perhaps she could quell the monster and settle this once and for all.
"I think everyone should leave us now."
All five sets of somber eyes watched her incredulously. Surely she could not be serious?
"Kaoru," Kenshin did not mask the worry from his voice, "Are you sure that is wise?"
"What's not wise?" Enishi roared, "I'm her fiancé!" Kenshin disregarded this and continued to wait for Kaoru's response. When none was given, he prompted again.
"Would you like one of us to stay so that you have a way to get home?" Enishi made to speak again, but Kaoru interrupted him.
"Please," She said softly without looking up, "It's my request."
"Perhaps I should stand outside, in case you need me." Kenshin insisted.
"Kenshin," She looked up now, "Don't worry about me. Just go home." There was a kind of tranquility in her voice that startled him. There had been no fear in her eyes, only weariness and perhaps a tinge of resolution. Nodding, Kenshin and everyone else left the pair in the secluded booth, alone.
On the way to the exit, Kenshin threw a glance over his shoulder. Misao, who was walking behind him, caught his uncertainty.
"Don't be worried Himura."
Kenshin took no comfort in her words. Instead, only asked, "Are you sure it's safe to leave them alone?"
"He isn't as drunk as you'd think," Misao brushed off the comment with a staged carefree shrug, "Besides, he's her fiancé. He wouldn't harm her for the world." Kenshin sighed resignedly and headed out the door. Misao hesitated and looked back over her shoulder as well. Turning away, she said to herself.
"Enishi has more dignity than to do anything he'd regret later." She said as confidently as she could. Yet she could not help mentally adding, 'I hope.'
* * * * *
Kaoru watched the group leave with something of a sigh. Part of her doubted her own safety with the man standing next to her.
'Don't be silly,' she thought to herself 'This is the Enishi you grew up with.'
"Regret being left behind?" He interrupted her train of thought. "Regret leaving the safety of your precious Battousai?"
Kaoru flinched and bit her lip. "Enishi..."
"Oh wait, it's Kenshin now isn't it?"
"Enishi, listen to me. I—"
"How many men must you break my heart with until your satisfied? Hm, Kaoru?" He spat her name out. "And what's so great about red hair and weird eyes huh?" His words slurred and Kaoru realized that Enishi had less control over his mind than she originally thought. She swallowed her fear and confronted him.
"Stop. This is getting out of hand."
"Enlighten me."
"You can't continue to be jealous like this. If this is how it is when we're engaged, what will it be like when we're married?"
The monster that had remained somewhat dormant in him woke with this last phrase. Enishi's face contorted in rage and he slammed his hands down on the table.
"Are you saying that I can't handle myself like a decent man?!" Enishi all but yelled, earning the attention of the whole bar, "Will I be that much of a burden to you?!"
"Enishi, don't scream." Kaoru tried to pacify him, but her own voice rose in fear, "Everyone's staring."
"Oh so now you're afraid to be seen with me!" His face turned even redder than it had been.
"No! It's not that!" Kaoru said desperately to calm him.
"Then what IS IT THEN?!" The last words were screamed and left a ringing silence in the air, successfully silencing the whole room. Kaoru looked down and muttered,
"I don't feel comfortable anymore."
Then all hell broke loose. Enishi grabbed her by the hair and before she could scream in pain, threw her against the booth, knocking the wind out of her.
"What's not to feel comfortable with, you slut?!" He paused long enough to yell, "Not getting enough in this relationship?!" He picked her up and shoved her against the wall. He brought his face close to hers and spoke so that she could smell the alcohol reeking from his breath, "This is what you want." He kissed her roughly but Kaoru thrashed and her foot connected with his shin.
"You little bitch." Enishi hissed in pain. He pinned her to the wall with one rough hand around her throat and began to tear her blouse with the other. This was enough to bring the rest of the bar out of its stupor. The bartender sprinted over immediately.
"Sir! What do you think you're doing?" The bartender yelled with no success at gaining his attention. Finally, he threw one punch to the side of Enishi's face and it landed square on the jaw. Enishi stumbled enough to let loose of Kaoru's neck and she collapsed in a heap on the floor. Enishi now focused his attention on the bartender, and lunged. This momentary distraction was enough for Kaoru to scramble to her feet and rush out the door. She ran out into the biting cold, hailing the first cab she saw back to the resort.
The driver was a kind-looking old man and he looked at her in concern. It was none of his business to ask, so he kept his mouth shut and took to driving to the address he was given in haste. Kaoru collapsed in the backseat of the worn cab in a sobbing mess. The driver looked on with pity in his eyes and let the girl cry, knowing it was what she needed most at the moment. After an unidentifiable amount of time, the cab pulled to a slow halt.
"We're here Miss." The cab driver said. "Do you need some help?"
She managed a weak smile and shook her head. She dug through her pockets, and then again in haste. Seeing her despair, the cab driver stopped her.
"Don't worry Miss." The cab driver gave her a smile, "It's all taken care of."
Kaoru sat there for a minute in a mixture of surprise and relief before bowing deeply and getting out of the cab. She stood back and watched it drive away, grateful of having met such a nice man. Then realized that she not only lost her purse, but her jacket too and the snow was beginning to fall again. She sighed and turned towards the front doors of the resort. Kaoru started up slowly and only now did she notice the pain. Her back ached and her throat was sore. Her right arm was numb and her head was pounding. A hot liquid trickled down the side of her head. She reached up one hand and saw that she had been bleeding from where she had hit a sharp edge on the table.
She stumbled into the hallway supporting herself on whatever she could find. When she reached the lobby, she gave herself time to take a strained breath. She looked up and saw Kenshin sitting on one of the waiting room chairs, looking down with brows furrowed in internal conflict. As if in waiting for something, he checked his watch and sprang up, grabbing his coat and car keys. Turning towards the doorway, he saw Kaoru for the first time and dropped everything in his hands as his violet eyes widened in horror. Kaoru grimaced at how revolting she must have looked, blouse torn, hair strewn every-which way, blood down the side of her face and drenched from the snow.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin rushed over. Without another word, he began checking her for more injuries and Kaoru blushed at the care he was giving her. Seeing that nothing was fatally damaged or broken, his eyes focused back on hers.
"It was my fault," His violet depths showed self-loathing, "I shouldn't have left you there." Kaoru shook her head.
"No." She said, but it came out more of a rasped whisper. She found that speaking had hurt her and she put her hands to her throat, only to flinch away from the contact. Kenshin's eyes widened and he lifted Kaoru's hair away from her neck as gently as he could to see the hand-shaped bruise branded there. As if seeing that triggered something, his anger doubled.
"This never should have happened." Kenshin tore his gaze away from her neck and looked back into her eyes, "If I had been there to protect you, then—..."
"No." Kaoru said and tried not to wince but didn't quite succeed. She tried again, "No, it's not your fault." Kenshin was about to argue, but he noticed her shiver from apparent cold.
Without another word, he scooped her up and carried her to her room. He placed her on the bed and went to the bathroom to run a bath. While the water was filling the tub, he rummaged through the cabinet for bandages and cotton swabs. Without waiting for a response, he sat down next to Kaoru, gently pushed the hair away from the top of her forehead where her wound was. Gently, he cleaned and placed a bandage over the bloodied area. To his relief, it wasn't as bad as it initially looked. He pulled back and was greeted by her questioning eyes.
"It should be fine now. I just put some cream on it." He explained, putting the remaining bandage away.
"Why?" Her whispered tones were almost drowned out by the sound of running water from the bathroom.
"I thought you may have wanted that cleaned before you took a bath." He looked confused as well.
"No." Kaoru shook her head, "Why are you doing this for me?"
Almost without thinking, he replied, "Because I care." Kaoru's eyes widened and she felt a blush spread across her cheeks. Kenshin, also feeling the awkwardness of the moment, cleared his throat.
"Go take a bath and change your clothes. I'll have some food and tea ready by the time you come down."
Kaoru nodded and thought Kenshin would leave now. Instead, he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, setting her on the edge of the bathtub. For one crazy moment, Kaoru thought Kenshin was going to help her bathe, but he retreated. Before closing the bathroom door, he looked over his shoulder and said,
"I'll be a few rooms over if you need me." And he forced a smile despite the situation and closed the door, leaving Kaoru alone once again.
* * * * *
As she soaked, Kaoru willed her mind to be blank, void of all memories of the past evening. She found that the steaming water relieved her sore muscles and revived her somewhat. She was reluctant to leave the comfort of the bath, but felt lured out by a tantalizing smell coming from the kitchen.
With less effort than before, she eased herself out of the bath and changed into a new set of clothes. She drained the bathtub and let her other set of clothes soak in the sink in hopes of ridding them of the blood and dirt stains.
She then set out towards the general direction of the delicious aroma. She found herself in the staff kitchen, watching Kenshin stir-fry something with practiced ease. But his attention seemed not to be on the food in front of him. There was something unusually stoic in his stance and Kaoru could not quite place what it was. She took one more step into the room and paused.
"Kenshin?" She asked hesitantly. He turned towards her with a strange look in his eyes, still caught in his train of thought. The rage and raw anger consumed the normal pale violet hue and lit his eyes aflame. His eyes locked on hers for a breath of a moment and Kaoru inhaled sharply. She would have sworn that they had truly been the color of a burning fire. Realizing he startled her, Kenshin blinked and harnessed his emotions once more. The fire melted away into violet again as he looked at her apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Kaoru," He sounded somewhat weary, "I was...thinking." Kaoru nodded and drew a slow breath, still shaken up from the intensity of the gaze. Kenshin took this for exhaustion and came around the counter to help her. As his hand reached to guide her towards the table, Kaoru involuntarily flinched. He gave her a pained look.
"Please allow me to help you to your seat," He said with trained formality. Kaoru nodded and looked ashamed. She let herself be guided to the chair and tried not to flinch again. What was she flinching for, anyway? It's only Kenshin...Kenshin, who would never hurt her deliberately...Kenshin, who cared about her.
'But his eyes...' she thought as she sat down, 'He looked just as Enishi had...' her mental voice trailed off and she wince.
Kenshin saw Kaoru shudder and could only incorrectly guess her train of thought. He felt disgusted with himself. Now he had made her frightened of himself. Kenshin returned to the food he had been preparing and divided it into two portions and placed the larger one in front of Kaoru while staying an arm's-width away. With that done, he picked up the second on the way to the door. Kaoru, who had watched the whole procession in silent confusion, called out as Kenshin was about to exit the room.
"Wait!" The urgency in her own voice surprised her, "What are you doing?"
Kenshin looked over his shoulder and smiled, ignoring the pain it caused him, "I'm going to the other room to eat, Kaoru. I thought you may have been uncomfortable in my presence."
"You haven't eaten?" Kaoru asked incredulously.
"No." Kenshin made for the door again. "I offered to wait up for you and told the others to go out for dinner." He was a few paces past the door when the words finally sank in.
"Kenshin! Come back!"
He came back through the doorframe, but didn't quite enter the room. Kaoru returned his curious look with a guilty expression.
"I-I won't mind if you ate with me."
"It's alright, Kaoru," He began to politely decline, "You don't have to offer anything for my sake. If it doesn't put you at ease, then you shouldn't—"
"No!" Kaoru burst out. She blushed and said again, "No. I'd...like for you to eat with me."
Kenshin stayed at the door, slightly unconvinced.
"It's not you, Kenshin. It's just been a long day." She looked at him apologetically. Seeing his hesitation, she added, "Please?" In resignation and a bit of relief, Kenshin made his way over to the table and sat down opposite her on the long table, making sure to stay out of touching-range. He kept his eyes on his food and ate without a word. Kaoru watched him for a moment before sighing sadly and starting on her own food. She found she wasn't as hungry as she had thought.
They both finished around the same time and Kenshin began collecting the dishes with obvious intent of washing them. When his hand reached out for her bowl, Kaoru put her own hand over his to halt the movement.
"You don't have to, Kenshin." She looked up into his startled eyes, "I'll do the dishes." She added with a smile. He nodded dumbly and retracted his hand, letting Kaoru take over.
After watching her for a few moments, he took to wiping the table, counters and stoves. When he finished, he wiped the cabinets and windows as well to keep in time with Kaoru so that they'd finish at around the same time. He sort of enjoyed the silent company. It felt strangely normal and comforting for the two of them to be doing something as simple as household chores together. The strained tension had slipped away without either of them noticing.
Kaoru washed dish after dish, until her hands hit the bottom of the empty sink. She rinsed her hands off and wiped them dry on a towel. Turning, she saw that behind Kenshin was a spotless kitchen and assumed that he was finished as well. Focusing on folding the towel carefully she tried to ask nonchalantly, "So what's next?"
"I was going to wait for the others to return. But it's been a long day, Kaoru," He looked at her with an unreadable expression, "You should rest."
"If you don't mind," Kaoru began shyly, "I'd like to wait with you."
After a pause, he smiled and said, "I'd like that."
* * * * *
Kaoru settled herself on the couch with a thick blanket as Kenshin fed the fireplace a log. After making sure the fire wouldn't die out, he settled himself on the couch a safe distance away, just in case Kaoru still wasn't comfortable with contact. They had been sitting for ten minutes in silence before Kenshin saw a red light blinking from the phone at the front desk. He got up and padded over. He pressed a button on the message machine and it beeped to life.
"Hey man," It was Sano's voice, "We're trying to rush back, but we've been stuck in traffic two towns over. I'm calling from my cell but it's running low. You probably can't call me back. We'll be home pretty late, seeing that we haven't moved hours...What Tatsumo? Oh, fine. Fifteen minutes, happy? In any case, don't wait up if you don't have to. Later."
The machine beeped again and recited the time stamp. The message had been left over an hour since Kaoru returned. Kenshin looked sheepishly at her.
"I'm sorry for making you wait for nothing."
"I don't mind." Kaoru smiled earnestly, "Really."
Before the last word had dropped from Kaoru's mouth, a cab came screeching into the driveway outside the lobby window. Lights flooded into the window, blinding them both. Then there was a loud slam of a car door and the lights panned around the room and finally disappeared. There was silence for only a few moments before there was a loud pounding on the door. Kaoru and Kenshin exchanged worried looks. Was Sano back early? Had something happened? Kenshin headed towards the door and Kaoru followed, leaving the quilt behind. Both stopped in their tracks when someone began to yell.
"Kaoru! I know you're there! Just listen to me please!"
It was Enishi.
Kenshin looked over his shoulder and saw Kaoru staring in horror at the door. The color had drained from her face and she had been gripping the nearest table so hard that her knuckles had turned white. Swiftly, he returned to her side and put an arm around her shoulders, leading her away from the door.
"We won't open the door if you don't want to." He said gently, "We could just stay in one of the back rooms and wait until he leaves."
"Please Kaoru! I'm sorry! I was drunk!" The voice begged, "I had no idea what I was doing! I hate myself a thousand times over for it! I love you Kaoru!"
Kaoru looked into Kenshin's comforting eyes and listened to Enishi's pleading while mentally debating. She drew a shaky breath and braced herself. She pulled out of Kenshin's semi-embrace and looked at him with a new determination in her eyes.
"I'm sorry Kenshin. I have to give him a chance to explain." Kaoru looked at him sadly, "I owe him that much."
'You don't owe him anything!' Kenshin wanted to yell. Instead he took a breath and said, "Are you sure?" Kaoru closed her eyes briefly and nodded.
"Please don't interfere? This is something I have to do." She looked at him almost pleadingly. Kenshin consented but ducked into the shadows instead of leaving. He was not making the same mistake twice.
Kaoru made her way towards the door and lifted the safety latch, then undid the lock. Enishi's yelling immediately quelled and he fell through the door in a torrent of apologies.
"Kaoru! I'm so sorry! I had no idea what I was doing! When I realized, it was too late to go after you! It took me so long to find this place and—...God! Did I do that to you?" He touched the bandage on Kaoru's forehead. In his stupor, he wasn't as gentle as he had meant to be and Kaoru winced. From the corner, Kenshin repressed the urge to pounce. This was what Kaoru wanted. He'll wait for now.
"I did this too?" Enishi was now checking Kaoru's bruises with a hint of despair, "I'm so sorry Kaoru. I promise to make this up to you! I love you! You know that! This will never happen again!" Kaoru smiled. She found her heart warming again. This was the Enishi she knew. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could get any words out, Enishi pulled her into a fierce hug that momentarily knocked the wind out of her.
"I know you hate me for this. But you know I only do it because I love you so much! I'm so worried that you'll realize that you're too good for me and leave me one day. Promise you'll never leave me? For anyone?"
'I promise,' Kaoru was getting ready to say, but before she opened her mouth, Enishi continued,
"Not even that Kenshin guy?"
Kaoru had been eager and willing to agree to any terms that he set up until he mentioned Kenshin. The awkwardness of the situation made her unable to answer. Her hesitation made Enishi prompt again.
"Just promise me Kaoru. You'll never leave me for anyone." His voice was a little more demanding now. "Damnit, that's all you have to promise!"
"Enishi..." Kaoru trailed off, unsure.
"Why can't you promise me Kaoru?" His tone had grown fierce and his embrace constricting, "Just promise me this one thing. Nothing like this will ever happen again."
"Enishi, please," Kaoru's own voice took on a pleading tone. Vaguely, she wondered how the roles had been reversed; she was supposed to be demanding loyalty and he was supposed to be asking for her mercy.
"I'm not letting you go until I hear you say those words!" He ignored her plea completely.
"Please, Enishi," Her voice was getting hoarse again, her bruised neck pushed brutally against his shoulder, "Stop, I can't breathe."
"I'll make you promise me damnit!" Enishi was on the verge of hysterics, "You love me! No one else! Do you hear me?"
Kenshin had been trying to hold back, but now he saw that he could no longer remain in unawares. He narrowed his eyes and growled, "Enishi, let her go."
Enishi looked up at the source of interruption and jealousy drained the last bit of morale from his conscience. He pulled back from Kaoru abruptly and gripped her roughly by the arms.
"So this is the explanation, huh? You really were just planning on screwing me over! You little bitch!"
"Enishi!" Kaoru winced in his grip, "Stop! You always do this!"
"So it's always my fault, is it?!" Enishi raised a hand and Kaoru closed her eyes and waited for the impact. It never came. In the same instant, other hand gripping her arm was ripped away. Without the support, she sank down to the ground and looked around confusedly. Her blue eyes widened as they focused in the dark.
Kenshin was pinning Enishi to the wall with one hand on his neck.
And he seemed to have no trouble despite the fact that he was a good head shorter and Enishi was wildly thrashing.
One more thing that had struck Kaoru was the look on his face. It was the same as before. Unbound rage. Towards Enishi.
Enishi seemed to notice the change in demeanor as well and it had quieted his struggle. He hung limply as Kenshin narrowed his eyes. When Kenshin spoke, the voice was not his own, but one deeper and more dangerous.
"If you understand what is good for you, you will not see her if she does not wish to see you. You will not touch her if she does not want to be touched. And you will not look for Kaoru here again. Clear?" He loosened his hold enough for Enishi to nod with fear-stricken eyes. Kenshin dropped him without warning and didn't mask his disgust by bothering to look at him.
"Leave."
Enishi scrambled out the door and slammed it behind him. For a few moments, silence hung in the air as tension began to grow again. Kenshin hadn't moved and his eyes still had not focused. Slowly, he took a breath and leaned against the wall with his head in his hands. Although she couldn't see his face, she could still hear him when he spoke.
"I'm sorry you had to see that Kaoru." His voice sounded weary, and disgusted by himself, "I should have had more control over my temper. I don't blame you if you are afraid of me now." Kaoru silently stood up despite the sudden nausea it caused, and walked over to Kenshin. He couldn't see her do this and went on, "What I did was not responsible nor what you wanted me to do. I'm should—" Kaoru threw her arms around him and halted his speech. He dropped his hands and looked at her with startled violet eyes.
"Don't say that." She said from where her face was buried in his shirt, fighting down the pain and sleepiness that came over her, "I should be thanking you."
"But shouldn't you be afraid of my temper now?" He sounded a little sad, "I may hurt you like Enishi did."
"No," Kaoru wrapped her arms more tightly around his torso, willing herself to stay conscious a little longer, "You fought for my protection. You would never hurt me. I trust you." She looked up into his eyes and he saw she meant it. She would willingly put her life in his hands. His eyes warmed and he returned the embrace.
"Thank you, Kaoru."
She smiled up at him before her eyes fluttered closed, rendering her unconscious from mental and physical exhaustion.
* * * * *
When Kaoru came to, she found Kenshin's worried face hovering over hers. She blinked for a minute and took in her surroundings. She was back in the lobby, stretched out on the couch with the blanket tucked around her. When she realized what happened, she blushed.
"Did I faint?"
"You were tired," Kenshin gave her a relieved smile, "It hasn't been that long."
She sat up with Kenshin's help and held her head to clear the lingering bouts of sleepiness. "Are the others back?"
"No. Not yet."
"I...I don't really want them to see me like this," She looked sheepish "There will be too many questions about the bruises and...I don't know if I want to tell them." She looked to him for understanding, and she had no trouble finding it.
"Perhaps you should take a few days off." Kenshin suggested, "I'll cover for you while you're gone." He smiled warmly.
"I'd like that," Kaoru looked away blushing, and muttered something just softly enough for Kenshin to hear, "But I'd rather you come with me." Kenshin regarded her look and considered for a moment.
"You know," He began thoughtfully, "I wouldn't mind taking a vacation myself." Kaoru smiled at him, relieved and happy.
"But if we want to avoid them," Kaoru began to consider, "we should leave soon. Where could we go on such short notice?"
"I have an old friend who owns a house in the mountains he rarely visits. He welcomed me to use it whenever I should need to."
"Sounds great."
* * * * *
A/N: Sorry everyone! That took too long for me to update! I had the worst block and grades and distractions. I tried to make it long, but I just made it normal length. Instead I packed it with wholesome drama-y goodness. ^_^
Thanks to all of my faithful reviewers who've supported me all this time! Kudos for not giving up hope!
Oh and I got nominated for this best RK fanfic contest. I'm very flattered, but most likely not going to win, considering my competition. (I'm up against some elite's, like Silver and such) But go see it anyway! When I find the address eventually.
And personally, who thought it was cute to see Kenshin and Kaoru act like a married couple, doing chores together? ^_^ And realized that Enishi used every excuse in the book? @_@ I don't mean to be mean to him. Honest!
More goodness soon! And a cookie to whoever guesses who Kenshin's friend is! Yes, it does matter.