Rurouni Kenshin
Eyes on Me
Chapter 14 ~ Attack Again
By: C-Chan
Disclaimer: I don't own it, damnit! Santa said no, remember? Watsuki-sama owns it, though. ^^
Warnings: Violence, blood, re-appearance of the "looming figure", pretty much just a rather short chapter…again. *Fumes*
Notes: Nyao, I didn't know it's been so long since I've updated! I'm sooooo sorry! *Points to a couple CDs sitting next to her* It's their fault! Silly Fruits Basket, it distracted my attention! Alas, it was my inspiration to get into this again. Don't worry! I AM going to follow through with this story…have no fear!
High ho, high ho, off to the story we go!
……
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.
.……
The figure moved silently through the hallway, remaining in the shadows left by the poor lighting fixtures hanging from the walls. Pausing every so often to make sure no one was around, his heartbeat began to quicken.
He wasn't afraid of this mission, though. Being trained in the art of killing, the figure knew exactly what he was doing; years of experience helped that. But it was excitement. The boy, Himura, was very different from his usual targets. For one, he wasn't a political figure or a syndicate leader. In fact, as far as the figure knew, Himura had no important stature whatsoever, which got him wondering…
But before he could wonder about anything, he found himself standing in front of the specified apartment. Reaching under his trench coat, he laid his hand over the sword hilt, grinning. This was one of his more exciting jobs. He'd enjoy this one.
O_O
Inside the apartment, Kenshin smiled as he looked down at the sleeping Kaoru, cuddled next to him. Her arms were wrapped around him lightly—to be careful of his ribs—and her head rested lightly against him, her ponytail spilling over his shoulder and over her own arms. His own arm was wrapped around her while the other rested on her knee. Sighing to himself and feeling the pull of exhaustion, Kenshin gently laid his head against Kaoru's….
It's time. The figure mused, taking a step back. He took a deep breath, then leapt forward, kicking the door in.
Kenshin jumped as the door flew open, his body tensing. Kaoru awakened immediately, a small scream escaping her as she heard the door slam against the wall. The figure stepped in silently, his body shrouded by his trench coat, all except for the sword hanging front his belt. "Himura, we meet again." The figure grinned, a row of white teeth being illuminated by the TV.
Kenshin
frowned and stood up, blocking Kaoru with his body. Kaoru blinked as she saw Kenshin's fists
tense at his sides. Standing slowly, she
peered around Kenshin just as the figure drew his sword. "Kenshin…"
"Stay back, Kaoru." Kenshin whispered, taking a step forward. "He's only after me."
"On the contrary, Himura…" The figure said, leveling his sword towards the
couple. "The girl's in the way, so I'll
have to kill her too."
"Leave Kaoru out of this!" Kenshin demanded, his fists clenching tighter.
"Tsk, tsk…so disrespectful," The figure admonished, shaking his head. "I'll punish you for that."
With blinding speed the figure leapt forward, his sword pulled back near his hip for a stabbing attack. Kenshin grabbed Kaoru and dove out of the way just before the blade got too close, instead stabbing into the couch. The figure sighed and removed his blade, looking over at Kenshin. "Don't make this too hard, kid. I do have other jobs to do, ya know." He said tiredly.
Kenshin turned to look at Kaoru, his gaze stern. "Go into my uncle's room and wait there," He whispered, keeping track of the figure in his vision. "Call the police."
Kaoru was going to argue, but she was pushed aside as the figure charged again, his sword aimed for Kenshin's head. Kenshin brought his hands up and caught the blade bare inches away from his face, his face scrunched together in concentration. "Go Kaoru!" He demanded.
Kaoru nodded and stumbled down the hallway, searching for the other bedroom. She found it at the end of the hall and barged in, the door slamming hard against the wall and cracking slightly.
Where's the phone? She thought frantically, too caught up in her search to bother with the lights. Her hand brushed across something and she picked it up, bringing it close to her face to examine. A sword?
Blinking, Kaoru hugged the scabbard to her chest and rushed back out of the room and down the hallway, where the fight was continuing. Pausing just before she reached the living room, she took a deep breath and held the sword scabbard ready, not bothering to draw the sword itself.
As she was about to attack, she gasped as Kenshin flew in front of her, his head cracking against the wall of the hallway. His body slid down and sat slumped against it, his arms wrapped tightly around his midsection. The figure appeared right next to her, his sword held out. She could almost hear the grin in his voice as he spoke. "Giving up so soon, Himura? I thought you'd give me more of a fight."
Taking another deep breath, Kaoru let out a battle cry, swinging the scabbard around with practiced strength to slam into the figure's face, sending him back towards the living room. When she heard the crash, she fell to her knees next to Kenshin, freeing a hand from her white-knuckle grip to rest gently on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Damned woman!" The figure cursed, stumbling to his feet. A black-gloved hand rested across his face, cradling his now-broken nose. "Just for that, I'll kill you first!"
Kaoru stood up and held the scabbard out, her face set in firm concentration. She slid into a defensive stance and glared at her opponent.
"Oh? Challenging me are you?" The figure snickered, picking up his sword. He held it out one-handed, his other hand resting on his hip; his stance was arrogant, testing Kaoru's patience. "I won't go easy, girl. You don't stand a chance."
Kaoru was about to retort, but the tell-tale sound of sirens coming closer distracted both of their attention, all eyes shooting to the window.
"Damn," The figure cursed, sheathing his blade. "I'll have to finish this another time."
The figure gave Kaoru and the fallen Kenshin one last look before dashing out of the apartment, merging with the shadows once again.
Kaoru dropped the scabbard and turned back to Kenshin, who was attempting to get to his feet. Gently she slid her arms underneath his and lifted, allowing Kenshin to rest his weight against her. "Are you alright?"
Kenshin took a few deep, raspy breaths before raising his head to look at her. "Are you nuts?" He whispered, his throat scratchy.
"I wasn't about to let him kill you!" Kaoru said sternly, glaring down at him.
Kenshin sighed, his legs collapsing beneath him. Kaoru knelt with him, cradling his body to her own. He wrapped an arm around his midsection, wincing. "You could have gotten killed…"
"But I didn't, and neither did you, right?" She whispered, smiling slightly. He looked up at her, matching her smile before leaning back against the wall. "Ah."
"Someone must have called the police…" Kaoru mused aloud as she heard footsteps padding down the hallway. "Good."
Turning to Kenshin, her face hardened slightly. "You should talk to the police about this…he said he'll be back."
"I know…" Kenshin sighed, resting his head against the wall. "And now you're in danger too."
Kaoru sighed and sat next to him. "I know…"
A/N: Gasp! Now Kaoru's a target…but we still don't know why they're after Kenshin…mwahahaha. This isn't a cliffhanger really, so I hope you're all a bit more happy with me. ^^
Ano…I was watching one of the two Aoshi/Kenshin fights the other night, and when Kenshin was talking, this crazy idea popped into my head…
Kenshin: You're not the same Aoshi…the one I made a promise to for a rematch.
Aoshi: Oh? But you're the same Battousai…you haven't grown an inch.
Kenshin: -.-;;
Weird? Oh yeah. I don't know WHERE that came from but I felt like sharing. Until next time, minna!
Next Chapter ~ More Secrets Revealed? Perhaps. ^^
