Title: A New Beginning
Rated: PG-13 (Violence & Language)
Author: charismatic angel
Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com
Chapter Date: July 8, 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)
AN: The following chapter contains adult situations. Sorry NO LEMONS. I have tried to tastefully portray the scenes as not to offend anyone. Scenes will remain in a PG-13 genre. If you were expecting more, you'll have to use your imagination…with that said Happy Reading!
Chapter 18:
A week has past since Kaoru's last nightmare. Her bad dreams have been almost obsolete, ever since the night Kenshin comforted her. The more time she spent with Kenshin, the less she thought about Enishi. With Kenshin, she didn't have to worry; he would protect and never hurt her.
Reluctantly, Kenshin resumed his usual schedule and went back to work. He wanted to spend every day with her, but knew it wasn't possible. Kenshin couldn't put his restaurant on the back burner every day. Since he had to work during the day, he'd spend his nights with Kaoru.
They would meet after she got off work from the Akabeko and would go to the rooftop to stargaze. The roof was their haven away from the world. They could be free to hold each other underneath the solitude of the twinkling sky above.
The two would lie on the ground in one another's arms. Words did not have to be spoken because they were said in actions. The peacefulness of the night brought them comfort. They were content with one another's presence and nothing more mattered.
Kenshin loved Kaoru a lot and he wanted to give her something that showed his love. The idea came to him after one of their late night rendezvous on the roof. He remembered how pretty the stars looked when the reflected off her eyes. He knew she loved being up there as much as he did. The gift he wanted to give her was something quite unique.
Kenshin decided to give her the gift on their next visit to the roof. He wanted the night to be special. A romantic picnic complete with soft violin music seemed to appease him. Somehow, he knew she would love it. That evening, he waited patiently for Kaoru to meet him. Kenshin was anxious to see the look of surprise on her face. He wanted nothing more than to make her happy.
Kenshin fumbled around with the picnic blanket and smoothed out the edges. He wanted the night to be perfect. He turned the CD player on, so that soft violin music filled the air. He looked down at his watch and saw she would be there any minute. Kenshin nervously ran a hand through his long read hair, looking around to see if he had forgotten anything. Everything seemed to be in check and so far his plan was running smoothly.
The sky above was filled with stars. They looked as if they were dancing within the blackness. A cool breeze swayed in and out as the scent of jasmine caught his nose.
He turned around to see an image of beauty, sent by the heavens, standing in front of him. The expression on her face was one he would soon not forget. Her mouth slightly opened as the breath noticeably caught in her throat.
"Ken – shin…" she gasped.
Kaoru looked down at the small picnic spread. He had a picnic basket, plates, wine glasses, and candles neatly arranged on top of a checkered blanket. The soft violin music was a nice touch and complimented the surroundings. In no way did she expect him to come up with all of this.
Kenshin got up and grasped her hand. "Come sit." He beckoned her towards the blanket.
Kaoru followed him and beside him on the blanket.
"I…I can't believe you did all of this." She said with disbelief.
Kenshin smiled, "I thought you would like it."
"I do." She softly replied. "Thank you."
Kenshin had a grin that went practically ear-to-ear. He was happy she liked it.
Kaoru moved closer to him and leaned over to give him a soft kiss on the lips. He closed his eyes and savored the romantic moment.
After the kiss, Kaoru looked into his violet eyes and said, "I love you."
"I love you too." He said pulling her hand to his heart.
"I have something else for you but let's eat and I'll show you afterwards." He suggested.
"Kenshin, you didn't have to go to all this trouble. You've done all of this and I haven't anything for you." She said.
"Ssshhh, don't worry." He smiled. "I am happy that you are happy and that's all what matters to me. The look on your face was gift in itself, for I will always remember it."
They smiled at one another and then Kenshin served the meal.
The music played all throughout their romantic dinner and as they shared a glass of wine. Never in her life had Kaoru felt so wanted or appreciated by one man. The little things Kenshin did were what made her heart go pitter pat.
After dinner, Kenshin pulled out a large piece of paper from underneath the picnic basket. He moved closer and put his arm around her.
"I wanted to get you something really special, something that showed how much I love you. I hope you like it." He whispered and handed the paper to Kaoru.
She was a bit puzzled as to what the piece of paper was. She took the paper out of his hands and realized it wasn't one piece of paper but two. She turned the first piece over and was surprised to see it was a certificate.
The certificate had beautiful embellishments of metallic gold and purple and it donned a seal. The embellishments spelled out "International Star Registry."
Her eyes popped open as she read the rest aloud.
"Know ye herewith that the International Star Registry doth hereby * redesignate star number * Ursa Major Ra 9h 4m 33s D 70' 4' to the name * Kaoru Kamiya's star. Know ye further that this star will henceforth be known by this name * This name is permanently filed in The Star Registry's vault in * Switzerland and recorded in a book which will be registered in the copyright office of the * United States of America * *
"Oh my god! Kenshin….I…I…don't know what to say." She said in awe.
He smiled, "There is more. Look at the other paper."
She turned the other paper over to see a map of where her star was located. The star was located above the end of Ursa Major (Bear) and was circled in red.
"I can't believe this….you did all of this…for me?"
He nodded his head, "I wanted to give you something that not a lot of people had. I wanted something that would magnify your beauty inside and out."
A deep blush spread across her cheeks.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Kenshin took his hand and place it under her chin. He drew gently drew her face upwards and planted a kiss on her soft lips. She responded by opening her mouth by letting him deepen the kiss.
Their lips tantalized one another's mouths as they hungrily went for more. Their lips were becoming a dark pink and were swollen. They leaned back onto the picnic blanket while never letting their lips part.
She embraced him pulling him closer to her. He let out a muffled groan and ran his hands through her silky hair. Her hair smelled of jasmine and assaulted his nose every time he glided his hands through it. He was losing himself in her pure beauty.
She felt herself being taken by desire. She wanted him, more than that she wanted to give herself to him.
He kissed her lips until they became bruised. He broke the kiss as she sighed in his ear. Kenshin wanted to do more wasn't sure he should go that far. He lifted himself up, so there was some space between them. He disparately needed some air.
Kaoru saw his sudden hesitation and how he suddenly separated himself from her.
"Kenshin." She whispered
"Yes." He said looking down at her.
"Why did you stop?" she asked
He smiled and then looked away. "I don't know if I can control myself. I don't want to do anything to hurt you or ruin anything between us." He softly said.
Kaoru smiled and lifted herself from the ground so she was face to face with him.
"I love you Kenshin. I know you would never do anything to hurt me. Trust me, I want this more than you." She whispered.
Kenshins violet eyes were now flickering with amber.
'His eyes…they are amber…yet they are still violet…how strange?' she thought to herself.
Kaoru wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back down onto the blanket. They began kissing once again, more passionately than before. Kenshin slowly moved his hand underneath her shirt and pulled it up to reveal her stomach.
He moved from her lips and trailed kisses down her neck and then moved towards the bare spot of her stomach to plant more kisses.
Kenshin softly caressed her smooth skin before putting his lips on her tummy. When he removed his hand, he was shocked to see yellowish-purple bruises. It looked as though they were huge at one time but were slowly healing.
His eyebrows furrowed wondering who did this to her. There was nothing he knew of that could do damage like this. He had seen injuries like these on guys who had been in fights, not on a woman like Kaoru. The look of passion washed off his face and was now a look of concern. Whoever did this to her would pay.
"Who did this to you." He said in a low whisper.
Kaoru panicked, she forgot about the bruises. They were only piece of evidence that showed the cruelty of her ex-fiancée. She quickly came up with an excuse because she didn't want to ruin their night together.
"There…ummm, well when I first came here I was attacked and almost mugged. (she conveniently left out the part about almost getting raped.) Sano rescued me before anything else could happen. I guess that's where they came from." She said weakly, hoping he would buy it.
His expression did not change and his eyes looked as if they were completely amber.
"I am glad Sano was there to help you." He said firmly as the expression on his face softened. "I don't want anything to happen to you. I care too much to let you get hurt." He said.
Kaoru mustered up a smile and said, "I love you."
"I love you too, Kaoru." (minus the Miss)
Together they laid back onto the blanket and for the first time that night they made love.
****************************
The next morning Kaoru awoke after the most peaceful slumber. Her head sunk into the pillow as she thought about what happened the other night. A smile crept onto her face and she softly laughed.
She reached onto the other side of the bed looking for her lover, when she realized no one was there. She patted the spot several times and turned over to find the side empty.
Kaoru sat up, looking around the room for some kind of evidence that he was there. There was no clothing or shoes or anything else from that night she could see.
Puzzled she thought to herself.
'Am I going crazy? Was it all a dream? Whatever it was…it seemed so real!'
She got up from the bed and let the covers fall from her body.
'Oh my God! I am naked!'
She quickly took the sheet off her bed and wrapped herself in it.
A few seconds later, she heard someone whistling. It sounded as if it were coming from outside her bedroom door.
Slowly, she turned the knob and opened it to find her redheaded lover preparing breakfast. He was whistling all the while as he busily attended the food on the stove.
She grinned to herself.
'Oh Kenshin, you do so much for me! Silly guy! I love you.' She said to herself.
She noticed he had on the same clothes from the other night and his hair was a bit disheveled. Nonetheless, he looked hot.
Quietly, she moved closer wanting to surprise him but before she could he spoke.
"Good morning sleeping beauty." He said without turning.
"How did you know it was me?" she said pouting.
"Who else would it be?" he said
"I wanted to surprise you! No fair!" she said teasingly.
He turned around frying pan in hand and a giant grin on his face.
"Oh but you did surprise me, I didn't think you'd come out here wearing just a sheet." He said with a wink.
She smiled back and walked up to him. He placed the frying pan back on the burner and she gave him a passionate kiss to the lips.
"Uhh, we better finish this later." He said with a laugh, "The foods burning."
She looked back to see billowing black smoke, similar to when she cooked.
Immediately, Kaoru raced to the coffee table and grabbed a magazine.
"We have to get rid of this before the smoke detector goes off." She said
No sooner when she said those words, the smoke detector started its sharp beeping. Kenshin turned off the burner and removed the food. He then raced to the other side of the room and opened the windows.
The smoke lifted as Kaoru waved the magazine around and Kenshin stood by the window watching the smoke pour out.
"Sorry about that." He said nervously scratching the back of his head.
"Don't worry about it. This is routine for me." She said with a laugh.
Kenshin gave her a puzzled look, wondering what she was talking about.
The beeping finally stopped and Kaoru quit waiving the magazine around.
"Whooh….I am glad it stopped. I had a hard time keeping this sheet on, trying to waive that magazine and all." She said.
"Would it be so bad if it wasn't on?" he said with a chuckle.
Kaoru chucked the magazine at him and hit him on the head.
"baka" she said shaking her head.
Kenshins eyes were all swirlly looking as muttered "Ororororororo."
A few moments later a loud knock or rather banging came from the front door.
Kaoru's eyes popped open with surprise as she wrapped the sheet tightly against her body. Kenshin shook his head and snapped out of the daze.
"Who do you think it is?" Kenshin asked.
"I don't know….go answer it!" She hissed
Kaoru moved to the side as he went to answer the door.
'I wonder who it could be?' she said to herself.
Kenshin slowly opened the door and Kaoru clung to her sheet with anticipation.
Sano pushed the door open, knocking Kenshin against it as he barged in.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" He barked. "Are you trying to burn my apartment down again Missy!" he said moving inside.
From behind the door Kenshin was going, "Ororororororo"
Sano heard the "oro" and looked at Kaoru with a puzzled expression. She was wearing nothing but a sheet!
'What the hell?!' he thought
He could see her lips weren't moving but someone was talking. The sound seemed to be coming from behind the door. Slowly, Sano opened the door as Kaoru's eyes bugged out of her head.
"No Sano! Don't!" She yelled but was too late.
Kenshin laid on the ground his eyes even swirlier than before. Sano stared at the fallen figured with an expression that equaled Kaoru's.
"Kenshin?!"
Sano quickly looked back a Kaoru and then back at Kenshin as he pieced the situation together. A tight grin formed on his face.
"Missy, never knew you had it in you." He chuckled. "And Kenshin, Way to go!"
Kaoru gripped the sheet tighter as her cheeks began to get hot.
Kenshin got up and balanced himself against the door. He couldn't believe this was happening.
"Get out…Get OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" Kaoru said, moving towards Sanosuke.
She held the sheet with one hand as she pushed him out the door.
"Oooh touchy!" Sano remarked.
"Bastard!" Kaoru shouted.
He was finally out the door and with a slam she closed it. Moments later the door reopened pushing her from her spot.
"Kenshin, you really need to give her some. She's in a nasty mood!" he snickered.
Before he could say anything more Kaoru forced the door shut and slammed it in his face.
"OUCH! My nose!" Sano cried out behind the door.
"Serves you right pervert!" she retorted.
Kenshin looked at Kaoru with a scared look on his face.
"What are you looking at?!" she snapped.
"Nothing..nothing..." he said waiving his hands in front of him.
He was scared she'd pick that magazine up again and really let him have it.
Thanks to Sano, their semi-romantic morning was ruined.
End of Chapter 18
I hope this last chapter didn't offend anyone? I wanted to make it romantic but discreet as possible.
I got the idea for the "star thing" from my boyfriend. Last Valentines Day; he named a star after me. I thought it was very romantic and sweet.
I apologize for the delay of this chapter. I had to do a lot of thinking before I wrote it. I had to think about where I was taking this fic and all. Also, I was suffering from "writers anxiety."
I have so many ideas for this fic, but the problem was how to fit them together. It kind of felt like standing on one side of a cliff trying to get to the other. I needed to find a way to get over the gap without falling! Lol have it figured out for this chapter at least!
We still need a few people for the discussin group I am trying to form. If you don't already know, I am trying to form a RK fanfiction group. Basically, the group will reads fanfiction stories and discusses them among other group members. It is really quite fun. If you are interested please contact me or go to the group link and sign up!
Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! You really know how to brighten my day!
Once again, thank you for reading!
~*Charismatic Angel*~