Rurouni Kenshin

Eyes on Me

Chapter 13 ~ Lurking

By: C-Chan

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.  I don't have the intellectual genius to produce such a wonderful series.

Warnings: Slight change in writing style.

Notes: So much support!  So many threats!  I'm shocked, minna!  You are all too kind, and as a reward: This chapter is the longest I've ever written!  It may not look it, but in a sense, it is.  I was inspired by a fanfiction I've been reading (Which is NOT finished! *shakes her fist angrily towards the heavens*), and the writing style intrigued me, so I tried to write in a similar way…yet with my own flare, so to speak.  So let me know if you like this more, descriptive approach or my ongoing one….okay?

High ho, high ho, off to the story we go!

……

            Kenshin murmured an agreement as his eyes drifted shut, once again allowing his body to fall into darkness.  But it was alright.  Kaoru was here.

.……

            Kenshin was released that Monday, but Kaoru wasn't there to pick him up.  Unfortunately, school was swinging over her head like a sword ready to chop her in half if she didn't get back into the swing of things.  So, unwilling Kaoru attended the three classes for that day, trying her best to pay attention, but failing miserably.  How could she concentrate on molecules and other nonsense when her brain was filled with thoughts of a certain red-head?  She even found herself scribbling gibberish nervously in the margins of her notebooks, a weak and futile attempt to ease her mind.

            When school finally ended for the day, the worry had increased so much that the only way to stop it was to see Kenshin in person.  She took the bus to the closest stop nearest Hiko's apartment, and barely managed to remain under a job as she headed towards it, and she received many versions of her brother's patented 'death glare' as she maneuvered through the hordes of people heading home from work.

            Disregarding the elevator as she entered the small apartment building, she bounded up the three flights of stairs to the floor Hiko and Kenshin resided on, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.  When she reached the door, she knocked and hunched over knees, breathing deeply to try to catch her breath.  She was in shape, yes, but with worry pressing on her mind made things more exhausting.  Had she even slept the previous night?

            She heard footsteps approaching the door, and looked as the door opened to reveal—Hiko.  Kaoru suppressed an angered sigh and stood up, still gasping in air.  "Is Kenshin home?" She asked, wiping some sweat from her forehead.

            Hiko regarded her for a moment; her haggard appearance from running here, the bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, the disheveled of her clothes, and smirked slightly.  So this girl truly did care for Kenshin.  Interesting.  "He's in his room," His voice was low and slightly amused as he looked Kaoru up and down.  And with those few words, he disappeared back into the apartment in the direction of the kitchen.

            Kaoru blinked, then entered after him, closing the door behind her.  She headed for the small hallway where the bedrooms were, recognizing Kenshin's as the last one on the right.  She approached the door, stopping for a moment to fix her hair and try to fix her clothing, and knocked—

            Or tried to, but the door suddenly swung open and Kenshin was staring at her, a slight look of confusion on his face.  "Kaoru?" He said softly.

"Uhm, hey Kenshin," She said, smiling nervously.  There was a long pause before she continued. "I just got out of school and I thought maybe I'd come see you."

            Kenshin smiled slightly and motioned her in with his hand, closing the door behind them.

            Kaoru had never been in his room, but was slightly surprised at the…blankness of it.  The walls were a dull-white, barely illuminated by the weak light fixture.  There was a desk to the far right corner, a small, old computer sitting on top of it, covered in dust.  His bed was to the far left, the comforter covering it a plain black.

            Kenshin moved over to the bed slowly, an arm wrapped protectively over his ribs.  He sat down slowly, suppressing a wince as his ribs adjusted harshly.  Kaoru noticed, but resigned herself from saying anything.  Instead, she took a seat next to him, dropped her backpack on the floor next to her and smiled.  "How are you feeling?" She asked softly, eyeing the bandage still on his left cheek.
"Better," He replied honestly, his arm sliding from his ribs to rest across his knees.  He leaned over slightly, resting both arms on his knees.  It wasn't very comfortable, but it was better than sitting up straight.  His ribs didn't scream as much.  "How about you?"
            Kaoru raised an eyebrow, but answered softly.  "Still a little frazzled from midterms, but I'm holding up." She said in a joking tone, earning a smile from the red-head.

            Kenshin sighed and leaned over more as his ribs began to ache.  Kaoru frowned, and hesitantly placed a hand on his knee.  "Are you sure you're alright?  Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Yes and no.  You worry too much." He said, looking at her from the corner of his eye.  His smile widened as she pouted.

"Excuse me," She muttered, pulling her hand away.  Kenshin chuckled and apologized.  "I'm sorry."

"All you men are the same," Kaoru muttered, glaring playfully at him.  "You all have to act tough and macho in front of us women so we don't worry."

"You're probably right." He replied, making Kaoru giggled.

"Macho or not, you still need to rest." She said, turning towards him. 

            Now it was Kenshin's turn to pout.  "I've been resting all day," He said, his lips pursing childishly; Kaoru swallowed the urge to giggle at how cute he looked.  "And it's boring."

"Isn't there something you could do?" Kaoru asked, raising an eyebrow.  "Like watch a movie or read a book?"

"Uncle Hiko doesn't own any movies," Kenshin replied, with a wry grin.  "Or any books that are interesting.  The only thing TO do is laundry…"

"You and laundry," Kaoru sighed.

"Despite acting tough and macho, I do like doing the laundry." Kenshin explained, chuckling.

"Well, you can do that later," Kaoru said, reaching down to pick up her backpack.  Reaching inside, she pulled out two tapes, handing them to Kenshin.  "I come prepared to battle boredom."

            Kenshin read the titles of the movies, laughing at the second.  "The Princess Bride?  Do you know how much it's going to hurt laughing at all those jokes?"

"That's why I brought the other one." She said, motioning to it.  It was Titanic, and favorite of Kaoru's.  Kenshin eyed it for a moment before looking up at Kaoru.  "I haven't seen this one."

"I think you're the only one I know who hasn't," She giggled.  "Even my brother saw it." Since Misao dragged him there. She finished silently.

            Kenshin shrugged and stood up, heading towards the door.  "Better now then never." He said, looking over his shoulder at her.

            A few minutes later, Kenshin and Kaoru were snuggled into the semi-comfortable couch in the living room, watching the opening of the movie.  Hiko meandered in, raised an eyebrow, and scoffed.  "What kind of crap is this?" He rumbled.
"Titanic," Kaoru replied, glaring at him.  "It's a good movie."

"It's a silly love story," Hiko countered, grinning smugly.  "I'm going out for a while, don't make a mess." He said to Kenshin, who raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with surprise.  Before he could reply though, Hiko cut him off: "And don't make any smart comments about hermits, boy.  I'll be later."
            Kenshin narrowed his eyes at the door as Hiko slammed it shut, then sighed.  He was so…so…insufferable!

"You're uncle's a hermit?" Kaoru giggled.
"He never goes out," Kenshin replied.  "I always wondered how we managed to get groceries, though…"

            Kaoru laughed and moved closer to Kenshin, carefully snuggling against him.  He looked down at her, his cheeks tinted lightly.  "You're comfy." She whispered as her excuse, and the two smiled at each other.  Kenshin slowly—gently—wrapped his arm around Kaoru's shoulder, wincing as his ribs adjusted again.  But it settled down quickly, and slumped into the couch. 

O_O

"You didn't finish him."

"I know, I did it for a reason."

"Ah, so you want to play with his already fragile-psyche?  Interesting."

"Of course, then this wouldn't be fun to me."
"Fine, fine…take your time, but I want him taken care of quickly."

"And the girl?  She's in the way once again."
"I don't care about her.  Like I said, she's a mere sheath."

"Then what should I do with her?"
"Kill her if you must, but I want Himura dead."
            A sigh.  "Fine then.  I will report to you later tonight."

X_X

            The only light illuminating the small apartment came from the TV, causing the shadows to jump and dance against the dull walls.  Though Kenshin was paying attention to the movie, he couldn't help but worry…

            Ever since the attack at the party, he'd been on edge, jumping at the weird sounds and shadows.  The overwhelming fear that someone was watching him was unnerving, and he was angry he couldn't figure out why.

            Why was someone after him?  And who?

            His first guess was Enishi, Tomoe's overprotective older brother.  He'd hated him from the beginning, and that only grew worse after her death.  And the words he'd said to Kenshin at the restaurant…

            But Enishi wouldn't stoop that low.  Kenshin gave Enishi that much credit.  Hatred only could stretch so far, and despite the way the pale-haired man glared at him, it was far from its limits.  It was a dull hate, more of a pain, seeing the man that could have saved his sister's life enjoying his own.

            For some reason, the night he arrived at the hospital seemed to spark in his mind.  Like he explained thousands of times, he recalled nothing, except getting drunk and passing out in his apartment….could something have happened before that?

            Kaoru, sensing Kenshin's body tense, looked up at him, her brows furrowed in worry.  Gently, she snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder.  "Stop doing that.  You're worrying me again."

            Kenshin sighed and hugged her tightly despite his protesting ribs.  The warmth from her body seemed to soothe him, like always; making most of his worries fade away.  Her mere presence was a salve for his rampant mind, the self-loathing demons that usually resided there seemingly cowering away, waiting for a moment when the girl wasn't around so they could come back and chant the mantra that everything was his fault, from Tomoe's death to making Kaoru worry.  "I'm sorry…I'm just a little on edge." He whispered.

"I understand, but stop that.  Nothing's going to happen." She whispered, back, her hand reaching down to clasp his tightly in a reassuring grip.  He squeezed back just as tightly, and their attention returned to the movie, where Jack was screaming his trademark, "I'm king of the world!"

            Though Kaoru didn't knowing, saying those very words only proved Kenshin's fears true….for outside, a very familiar looming figure was moving silently into the apartment building, his intentions solely focused on death.

Notes:  *Sweatdrops* I don't believe I did it again!  First off, I'm sorry for waiting so long for updating, but I had writer's block…It seems with the arrival of my muse Eko's "relatives", she's been…hiding.  And I sure as hell can't write anymore lighthearted chapters!  This chapter was inspired by a dream I had, where the above situations were more or less expressed to me. ^^ Yes, I dream about my fanfiction…weird, ne?