The usual warning and disclaimer applies, see chapter one.
Chapter 10
"What an idiot."
"Mr. Himura, I…"
"Shut up." Kenshin ordered a coach and took Kaoru to his flat. He didn't know quite with whom he was angry, just that he was. He sat Kaoru on the couch where she remained, shaking violently, and went to get a cool cloth with which to wash her face, as well as a glass of brandy which she drank on his order. After he had set the empty glass on a nearby table, he proceeded to wash her face, which she allowed with a slight flinch. "How long, exactly, has this been going on?" His voice was soft but it had a hard edge, as he was finding it difficult to contain his ire.
"He hired me about three months ago. Everything was fine until the week before last when he came home drunk. I don't know what happened, but I woke up the next morning in bed, bruised all over. I can't wear anything that shows skin, he's afraid of what would happen if anyone saw."
"You're not going back, I hope you know," Kenshin murmured, not really looking at her.
"Oh, God, I can only wish. I don't want to go back, not to that, not to him, but I have to!" Kaoru could feel her breath catching in her throat. "I have to! It's my only way of earning a living!"
"Why, exactly, did you work for him anyway?" He was growing angry again. As a former employee, he still cared, in some way, and the thought of her being harmed rattled him.
"He was the only one who would hire me." Kaoru wasn't about to tell him that, after he'd let her go, rumors flew that damaged her reputation as much as Kenshin's hiring her had elevated it. She was not a whore, oh no, but she may as well have been one. A rejected courtesan wasn't worth most people's time or money.
"So, what happened to you your temper, hmm?" Kaoru merely shook her head, unable to answer and refusing to look at him. "Hmph. Whatever." Kenshin threw the rag into the refuse box and sat in a nearby chair. Only then did Kaoru raise her head to look at him.
"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to do this."
"I know. You understand why I had to let you go, don't you?"
"No, not really, but it doesn't matter."
"You became reclusive."
Well, whose fault was that, she thought bitterly. "I'm sorry." She stood, and made her way to the door. "Thank you for saving me, Mr. Himura, but I really should return home. I've stayed far longer than I should have."
Kenshin nodded. "Goodnight."
Kaoru walked slowly down the stairs, half-heartedly hoping that he'd call her back, and not even hearing his footfalls on the stairway behind her. As she opened the door to the building, she was met with the ugly, and irate, face of her employer. It was a good thing, Kenshin thought, that he'd followed her down. He stared at the man, the look rapidly dissolving into a baleful glare. Not one to mince words, he bit out, "Did you want something, sir?" The "sir" was acid-laced. For some reason, even though he really didn't care for Kaoru in any way that would make him possessive of her, he tried to convince himself, seeing this man made him want to spit nails.
"I want my property back," the man spat. "This little wench has to pay for the trouble she's caused."
Kenshin gave him a look. "Sir, Kaoru is a courtesan, not some country whore. I'll thank you to leave, right now. Kaoru, go back upstairs." She did, grateful that Kenshin had intervened, although she was praying that he wouldn't be hurt. However, Kenshin rang a bell and his manservant, a huge fellow who towered over Kenshin's potential assailant, appeared.
Her employer snarled at Kenshin. "The little slut might as well be a whore after you tossed her out! She's not good enough for anything else now!"
"Have you listened to her play the piano?" Kenshin turned to his manservant. "Soloman, please see that this gentleman leaves," and with that, he headed back up to the flat. Inside, Kaoru was slumped against the wall, berating herself. All you see to do, she snarled to herself, is bring trouble to Mr. Himura. Kenshin opened the door to see her leaning against the wall, looking half miserable and half angry. He almost smiled at the expressions that were flashing across her face, her eyes fairly sparking. She was quite clearly irritated with herself. Perhaps, he thought, she'll come back to her normal, infuriating self now. "You'll stay here. Come on, let's get you in bed, hmm?"