Title: A New Beginning
Rated: PG-13 (Violence & Language)
Author: charismatic angel
Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com
Chapter Date: July 2, 2003
All the stuff you do not want to read but I have to say:
* sighs * I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Someone else owns the rights and characters to this series. You know the rest…(Please don't sue me)
Chapter 15:
Hyogo Japan:
Enishi has arrived in Hyogo with the intentions of persuading Aoshi Shinomori to do his bidding. For the past 5 years, Aoshi, the former Oniwaban leader, disappeared without a trace and has since been in seclusion. The members of the Oniwaban group have been imprisoned for four and a half years. After Aoshi's sudden disappearance, they were brought in on charges of non-compliance towards the present day Japanese Government.
Enishi's men were able to locate Aoshi at a meditation house on the outskirts of Hyogo. Enishi was baffled about how easy it was to locate the former Oniwaban leader and how much more difficult it was to find his 'possession.'
When the vehicle stopped, Enishi looked outside of the tinted windows and looked upon the ancient looking building. He made a slight sneer at the design of the building. Cleary, the architecture was not to his taste.
The driver opened his door and stood behind it, waiting for him to exit the car. Enishi smugly drew out of the car and dusted himself off. He threw his coat over his arm and haughtily walked towards the structure.
He slid the wooden door open and inspected the room. The room was empty devoid of any inhabitants. Enishi's eyes flashed behind his small spectacles infuriated that his time was wasted.
"Is or is this not the location of Aoshi Shinomori?" he said in an even tone.
The driver, his assistant, worriedly tapped his fingers together. "I..uhh..uhh..this was the place where he was found…last time.
"hmmm really? Well…Does it fucking look like he's here now?" Enishi bit
The assistant winced at his sudden outburst.
A moment later, an older looking lady rounded the corner of the building. She was curious as to who was out front.
"May I help you gentlemen?" She curiously asked.
The assistant was about to speak when Enishi put his hand up, signaling him to be quiet.
"Yes, as a matter of fact you can." He said sweetly, "I am looking for an old…acquaintance, you may say. His name is Aoshi Shinomori. Do you know where I might be able to find him?"
"You are the third man this week who has come looking for him." She said, eyeing Enishi up, "What do you want with him, if I may ask?"
Enishi was becoming agitated by her question.
"I have something to ask him…something of a rather delicate matter. I would appreciate if you could tell me where I might find him." He coolly said.
The old lady raised her eyebrow and then squinted her eyes as if she could sense something more to this visit.
"He is here." The old woman answered, "Follow me." She said turning as she walked towards the back of the building.
Enishi followed the old lady and signaled for his assistant to wait by the car. Behind the building there were a series of smaller ones hidden behind it. The old lady led him towards the larger of the buildings and slid the door open.
Inside a tall sedate looking man kneeled across from a table drinking tea. His cold eyes rested on the wall ahead of him, neither turning nor glancing to see who entered. The long black wisps of hair shadowed his eyes making it hard to see if he had any expression at all. He quietly set his teacup down and continued to stare at the wall.
"Mr. Shinomori, I have someone to see you." She said bowing before him, "I will leave you two to talk, if you need me I will be in the garden." She bowed once more and left, sliding the door behind her.
The room was dim and silent. He made no efforts to talk. His gaze never faltered. Slightly clearing his throat, Enishi approached him.
"Shinomori." He greeted, as he kneeled down, on the opposite end of the table. His stare went right through Enishi, as if he were not there. He took another sip of his tea without any expression.
"I have a propostion for you." Enishi stated, "My men have told me in their earlier attempts that you refused my offer."
Enishi waited for him to say something in reply. He was becoming uncomfortable with his silence.
Enishi tilted his chin down, letting the glasses slip to his nose. "I have another offer…one I am sure you won't turn down. He smirked.
"One of my prized possessions has… how do you put it…escaped. I have several people searching for me, but nothing has turned up. I have faith, that you, as the former Oniwaban group leader, will be able to locate her. Many people say you are an expert in…locating people. If that is true, you will easily find where my 'fiancée' has ran off to." He said grinning evilly.
Aoshi set his teacup down, "What makes you think I will help you?" he spoke evenly.
Enishi chuckled, "Now we get to the negotiation. In return for your services, I will free the members of the Oniwaban group. I have certain…er… connections that will enable me to do so."
"Aa" Enishi replied
"If you decline my offer, those same connections can make things difficult for your friends. You know, high treason is a crime punishable by death? It would be sad, if such evidence showed up linking your friends to such a crime."
Aoshi abruptly stood up and unsheathed his kodachi. He pointed it straight at Enishi's throat.
Enishi nervously gulped, feeling the cold sharp blade against his throat.
"Is that a theat? Aoshi growled.
"Kill me and your friends remain in prison. How much help can you be to them if I am dead?"
Aoshi squinted his cold eyes and re sheathed his kodachi.
Enishi rubbed the spot where the sword rested as Aoshi took his place on the other side of the table.
"If I am to help you, I work alone and as for the members of the Oniwaban group, they are to be released immediately." He said, drawing his mouth into a thin line.
"I can't just release them yet…you haven't..."
"Do it or you can find this girl by yourself." Aoshi replied
"Very well…I will make arrangements right away." Enishi said in an annoyed tone.
Enishi pulled out a folder from underneath his coat and threw it in front of Aoshi.
"This is everything you need to know about her. I would recommend starting with her friend. I believe you and Miss Makamachi know each other quite well." He ginned malevolently, "I hope this doesn't set you back?"
Enishi stared coldly at the folder. The shadows surrounding his eyes became darker. "It won't." he replied unemotionally.
"Good! I hope to be hearing from you soon." Enishi said and then turned to leave.
********************************
New York:
Before Kaoru left Kenshin's apartment he gave her a slight peck on the nose before they said goodbye. For once in a long time, Kaoru was happy. She felt safe with Kenshin, knowing he was nothing like Enishi. Kaoru wanted to stay longer, but knew it was better to leave before things got a little too heated.
It was hard to control her from going any further than kissing. She knew Kenshin would never take advantage of her and wanted to wait awhile before they did anything else.
Kaoru walked up the stairs with a cheerful look on her face. She lightly hummed to herself thinking about a certain "red head." She was so caught up in her happiness that she didn't hear Sanosuke when he greeted her in the hallway.
"EARTH TO MISSY!" Sano called out.
"Wha?" she mumbled
"Hello!" he said waving his hand in front of her face.
She slapped it out of the way and scowled at him.
"You're sure moody. One minute you look as if you'd won a million dollars and the next your scowling. What's the deal? Is it that time of the mo…."
He was interrupted, when Kaoru grabbed his ear and pulled him down by it so he was eye level with her.
"Listen Rooster Head…if I ever hear you say that one more time, so help me god I will make sure that you won't have any nuts left! Got it?!"
Sano nodded, fearing she might have the guts to do it.
Kaoru released his ear, which was now red. He winced when he began to rub it.
"Have a good day Sano." She said cheerily as she opened the door to her apartment and slammed the door shut.
**********************
Kaoru promised Kenshin that she'd drop by after work to check on him. She planned to bring him some chicken noodle soup, store bought of course. She knew her cooking wasn't great and didn't want him to suffer like Sano did. Kenshin was a keeper and didn't want to scare him off.
It was going to be a long night at the Akabeko. She had a hard time concentrating and mixed up a couple customers drink orders. Her mind drifted as she thought of Kenshin.
"Kaoru…Kaoru?" Tsubame said, trying to get a reply.
"Huh?" Kaoru said, shaken out of her revelry.
Tsubame smiled, "I think I know what's wrong with you."
"What? What's wrong with me?" Kaoru said hastily.
"You're thinking of someone…could it be…no…maybe?" Tsubame said, trailing off.
"Whom would I be thinking of?" Kaoru replied, a bit agitated.
"Ohh, well maybe it's that handsome redheaded guy you know." She said, grinning widely."
Kaoru did not meet her eyes and simply avoided her question. "Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes, and so do you. That's why I came over to talk to you. You've been in a daze since you got her."
"I have not!" Kaoru shot back
"Whatever…" Tsubame replied. "Just don't let Tae catch you staring off into space, or she will let you have it."
Kaoru gave Tsubame an annoyed look and resumed working.
The hours seemed to drag along and Kaoru was wishing she could go home. She would have to work later tonight, because Tsubame filled in for her the other day. She let out a sigh of anxiety wanting the night to be over with.
All of sudden, Kaoru spotted a familiar patch of red hair weaving through the crowds. Her heart beat quickened and her breath caught in her throat.
'It can't be? Can it?'
From across the room the most gorgeous pair of violet eyes greeted her. Kaoru made a warm smile as he approached the bar. Kenshin sat on a barstool in front of her and reached out for her hand and kissed it.
"I missed you, Miss Kaoru." He said lovingly.
Kaoru broadened her smile as a pink blush spread across her cheeks.
"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be out. You should be in bed." She lovingly scolded him.
"I am sorry for upsetting you Miss Kaoru. I wanted to see you that's all." He said, giving her a puppy dogface.
"I told you I'd visit after work. A don't give me that face." She scolded.
"What face?" he said, trying to act innocent.
Kaoru laughed at his behavior until she saw a mad looking Tae approach her.
"Kaoru, I need to speak with you" Tae said, pulling her aside.
"I thought it was made very clear, that you are not supposed to flirt with customers." She said, hotly.
"I am sorry Tae, but he is not a customer. He came to see me. I can tell him to leave." Kaoru replied in a worried tone.
"No, he doesn't have to leave, as long as you do your job while he's here." Tae said eyeing him and Kaoru. "I have to get back to work and I recommend you do the same." She ordered.
Kaoru nodded and looked sheepishly at Kenshin.
After Tae left Kenshin told Kaoru he would leave but she insisted he stay. So Kaoru wouldn't get in trouble he sat at one of the tables near the dance floor. Kaoru smiled, thinking how thoughtful he was.
Every now and then, Kaoru would eye Kenshin to see what he was doing. He patiently sat at the table smiling at her. The night seemed to go by a little faster, now that he was there with her.
The next time Kaoru glanced in his direction, he was talking to a group of "overly eager" girls. She felt a twinge of jealousy shoot through her as he talked to them.
'Kenshin what are you doing?' Kaoru said to herself.
Moments later the group of girls left his table with a disappointed look on their faces. Kaoru was pleased that they left. She gave Kenshin a look of disapproval and he gave her back an "I didn't mean to smile."
The rest of the night she watched him like a hawk as he turned down the numerous invitations to dance. She was agitated by the whole situation.
When the time came to leave she sulkily walked towards where Kenshin was sitting.
"Are you ready." She said, a little too coldly.
"Yes, but is something wrong? You seem a little upset." He said with concern.
"No, everything's fine."
With nothing more said, she put her purse over her shoulder and walked out ahead of him.
"Miss Kaoru, Wait!" he called after her.
She stiffly walked ahead, ignoring his calls.
Kenshin ran after her until they got outside the door.
"Miss Kaoru, please wait…tell me what's wrong?" he pleaded.
She didn't respond and so he reached out to touch her arm when she shook nudged his hand away.
"What did I do? Please tell me?" he said, worry etched in his voice.
Kaoru turned towards him with unshed tears in her eyes.
"You could have danced with them you know. I wouldn't have stopped you." She said, barely above a whisper.
'Is this why she's made at me? Because those girls asked me to dance? I didn't dance with them though…so why is she so upset?'
"Miss Kaoru" he spoke gently, "I didn't want to dance with them. I only want to dance with one person and that is YOU.
"Oh Kenshin!" she said, as she threw herself into his arms. "I'm sorry. I was jealous. I knew you wouldn't dance with them but it made me so jealous that they could dance with you and I couldn't."
He embraced her as her heard her sniffling against his chest.
"I understand." He said, gently tilting her head upwards so she was looking at him.
Kaoru looked into his eyes and could see much sincerity in them. She could see they were calm and soft looking.
Kenshin bent down to meet her lips with his. He gave her a tender kiss and then wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Let's go home." He said, grasping her hand as they started walking home.
End of Chapter 15
Ooh…so now Aoshi will be searching for Kaoru. How will he find her…if he does? Will Misao tell him? Does Enishi have ulterior motives? Guess you will have to read and find out!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I have. I think you guys are right that I should stay at the current pace…so I will for now.
I want to give great big thanks to all of those who emailed me saying my story wasn't showing up. It was very kind of everyone for bringing it to my attention.
As for the fourth of July, I should be updating. My family isn't doing anything for the 4th…thank god! They are so dysfunctional. I know that wasn't nice of me to say, but it's true. If you had to spend a holiday at my house you'd know why. Lol
Thank you for reading!
~*Charismatic Angel*~