Author's Note I just watched Darkness Falls and now I'm really afraid to go into the dark without someone being there with me. -_- How pathetic! LOL! Doesn't matter… This story is almost ending… I can feel it, but I'm trying to stretch out the chapters so that there's more to read! LOL! I hope that's okay with you!

Summary Amber eyes glowed eerily in the dark surrounding them. All he knew was that a soft heart wasn't a heart at all. It must be of stone, so as to carve the law of living: The strongest survives. Will a light pierce the dark abyss they call insanity?

Disclaimer I don't own Rurouni Kenshin so don't sue me.

King's Box

Chapter Thirteen: Beloved

"Kenshin…"

Kaoru looked up at the wonderful figure contrasting with the bright orange background.

She couldn't contain herself anymore. She broke. Her love for him overwhelmed her senses and she wanted nothing more than to love him and for him to love her. She wanted him to hold her. To hold her and whisper sweet nothings into her ear. To kiss her and tell her everything will be alright.

"Kenshin!" She broke into a run.

She ran towards Kenshin and lunged into his arms. It surprised her when he held her. When he opened his arms to her. She felt her heart flutter as it did the first time she saw him.

It sent shivers of nervousness through her body.

"Kenshin…" She buried her head into his chest and held him close to her.

Kenshin looked down at Kaoru and for the first time in a long time… he smiled. It was a true and loving smile.

Kenshin cupped her cheek and slowly dipped downward…

Kaoru's eyes returned to their blue color. It had been a vision. Something she wanted to happen forever. She wanted him to love her just like her vision.

Kenshin moved. He moved out of the light and could be clearly seen now. Kaoru felt her heart stand still as he approached her. Something about him had changed. He seemed to be different as if something had changed him. He stood in front of Kaoru, his amber eyes examining her.

"Kenshin… why are you here?" He grinned.

"Kaoru…"

"Himura!" Shishio destroyed their moment and Kaoru felt anger build up inside her, but she pushed it down. Kaoru turned her face away and hid it from Kenshin. She didn't want him to see her. She didn't want him to be here at all. Could she really surrender to Shishio when he was here?

"Shishio, I know where the box is."

Shishio looked down at Kaoru. His mouth tilted up into a malicious smile. He looked down at Kaoru with a burning lust in his eyes and he let his eyes travel hungrily down her thin form.

"Where is it?"

Kaoru wanted Kenshin to believe that she still had her pride, but how would he if she surrendered now? She needed to give the box to Shishio so that Hiko-sama can be free. She didn't want anything bad to happen to Hiko.

"It's… it's with…" She trailed off and became silent.

"Well, where is it?" His eyes narrowed. He was getting angry because of her hesitance.

"Tell me where Hiko-sama is!"

"I need the box!"

"I know why you want it!"

Shishio looked challengingly down at Kaoru. He seemed to be willing her to tell him why he wanted the box. It was like he wanted to humiliate her with her lack of knowledge, but deep down, she knew the reason he wanted the box.

Her mother… she was disowned… thrown out and given to another as a foster child. Her father was… was he the king? She didn't know, she didn't understand. She desperately wanted to, though. Sorrow crept into her as she thought of the horror that came with the box. If Daupnir was able to awaken the evil inside her, how would she be able to suppress it?

Kaoru's eyes flashed red, like the first time Shishio saw her. They flashed dangerously and Shishio saw the desire for blood in them. He saw fire and the need to kill. She lusted for blood… his blood. She wanted to kill him and there was nothing he could do, but stare into her eyes. He could do nothing, but to stare at his one fear. He did not know why he feared her, but he did. If he didn't need her, he would have killed her sooner.

Fear overwhelmed him and his senses were suddenly numb. He couldn't move. Those eyes… those fearful eyes.

"Tell… tell me why…?"

"Do you really want me to say it out loud? In front of all your servants?"

There was a loud clattering sound and Gohei and Houji entered the hall. Kaoru's eyes fluttered back to their sapphire colors.

"Yes… tell them all!" Shishio grinned threateningly at Kaoru. "Tell them!"

"You killed Izanami… You murdered the king's mistress, and your scared! Your trying to cover it all up! You…"

"You are charged with treason!"

A new person entered the room. He had a mysterious air around him. One that commanded respect and obedience. Kaoru bowed her head.

The king has come.

"You… I called you friend… I trusted you! You traitor!"

The king unsheathed his blade and listened to the gentle whistle it gave off. He raised his sword, but Kenshin stopped him.

"You shouldn't stain your hands with blood of this traitor." Kenshin unsheathed his blade and looked up at Shishio.

"This is my revenge… for Kaoru…"

Kaoru's head snapped up at the sound of her name. What did he mean? What was he going to do?

"No! Kenshin… I… I need to know where he put Hiko-sama…"

"He's with Aoshi… their coming right now." Kenshin went into his fighting position, crouching down low with his katana positioned in front of him.

"I saved him… for you, Kaoru…" Kaoru was about to smile, but an image of him and Tomoe… of them kissing flashed in her mind. She backed away from him, unable to look at him the same way. She wondered if he still loved Tomoe. She wondered what happened when she left. Why was he here? He had Tomoe waiting for him, why did he leave her? Kaoru felt tears prick her eyes, but she would not let them fall.

Suddenly, Gohei unsheathed a sword at his side. He charged at Kaoru before she could do anything. Kaoru stared at him with wide eyes. She was numbed with fear. Her mind told her to move, but her body couldn't. Kaoru heard a voice in the back of her head. It was a beautiful voice, so masculine… Kaoru recognized it as Kenshin's.

If it was wrong, why does it feel so right?

Why was she remembering this? Kenshin… the day he kissed her… that evening he kissed Tomoe… She ran away that night. Kaoru suddenly felt a spirit within her. She needed to live. She needed to remember her sorrow and unrequited love. She loved him and each day she just fell deeper into the sorrowful pit of tears. She craved his love, but she couldn't just tell him.

Kaoru dodged Gohei's attack and savagely pulled her sword from its sheath. She needed to live…

She met each of Gohei's attack with her own. Gohei's weight and height gave him the advantage. His weight empowered his attacks causing Kaoru to tire.

Kenshin…

Kaoru leaped and noticed that Gohei was much slower than she was. Kaoru charged at him and he attacked, just like she knew he would. She dodged and attacked him once more. He was too busy recovering from his last attack. Kaoru attacked him with the tip of her blade, embedding it into his shoulder. Kaoru backed away and watched as Gohei writhed in pain.

Kenshin watched as Kaoru fought Gohei from the corner of his eyes. He then turned his attention to fighting Shishio. Although wrapped in bandages, Shishio was a very tough opponent. Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he watched Shishio's sword weave from attack to attack. Kenshin's sword flashed in the light. Shishio grinned and suddenly his blade jabbed into Kenshin's leg.

Kenshin grit his teeth to suppress his cry of pain. He continued to fight, although the pain in his leg grew more and more painful. Shishio grinned as he saw this. He believed he was going to win.

"You traitor… Battousai, you will die!" Shishio slashed at Kenshin, but he was able to dodge the attack. Suddenly Shishio knocked Kenshin's sword from his hand.

Kenshin looked up at Shishio with his glowing amber eyes. Shishio just smirked in return.

"You will die… Battousai, you and that cursed woman… you will both die!"

The king watched helplessly, suddenly Houji pulled a gun from his coat. He aimed at Kaoru, who was trying desperately to help Gohei who just pushed him away. The king felt responsible for Kaoru, for some reason she looked just like his beloved mistress… The king ran at Houji and stabbed Houji through the heart. Kaoru stared at the king, a word lingering on her lips.

Father…

This was her father. Did he realize that she was his own daughter? Did she look like her mother? She could only wonder how she was like. Kaoru felt the urge to hug the older man. He was her father after all. Kaoru wanted to ask him what her mother was like.

Shishio killed her mother and kidnapped her Hiko-sama.

TO BE CONTINUED…

I had no idea what to put in this chapter! I desperately need help!!!! Someone give me ideas!!

I'm so sad... Around two more chapters till there's no more!! *cries* But, there are still my other stories you can read… *wink wink hint hint* PLEASE REVIEW!!! I NEED REVIEWS!! It's all for a confidence boost! LOL!

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