Title: A New Beginning
Rated: PG-13 (Violence & Language)
Author: charismatic angel
Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com
Chapter Date: July 14 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 22: (Re-uploaded)
The next couple of days Kenshin became more worried over Kaoru's condition. The stress from working such ungodly hours seemed to be taking a toll on her. She'd come home like a zombie and would sleep most of the day until she had to go to work.
They hardly spent any time together because she was so tired. Kenshin felt bad that he wasn't able to do anything for her. He wanted nothing more than to tell Kaoru to stop working and move in with him but he knew she wouldn't. Kaoru wasn't the type of girl to sit at home. She took pride in her job and loved working.
The only thing he could do was to be with her when she came home. Kenshin would wait for her to get off work and would spend the rest of his morning with her. When Kenshin got off work, he'd go to her apartment and would lie next to her as she slept. Even if he wasn't able to talk with her, he loved being in her presence. He found comfort in the little things life bestowed upon them.
"Kaoru wake up." Kenshin softly whispered as he shook her sleeping form.
"Wha?" she said groggily.
"It's almost time for you to leave. I fixed you something to eat, so you could sleep in."
"Thank you." She replied smiling.
Kaoru stretched and proceeded out of bed. Another waive of dizziness passed through her body as she got up. She fell back onto the bed and in Kenshin's arms.
Kenshins face was etched with worry.
"I don't want you to go to work tonight." He whispered.
"Kenshin I told you, they need my help."
"You've been working 9 days straight. Your body can't take much more."
"I don't need you telling me what I should or shouldn't do." Kaoru snapped.
Kenshin was taken aback by her sudden mood change. He had good intentions; he wasn't trying to be bossy or anything.
"I am sorry." He said in a low voice, "I am concerned for you that is all."
Kaoru felt bad about snapping at him.
'He was only trying to help. I shouldn't have snapped at him.' She thought to herself.
"No, I am the one who should be sorry. I know you only had good intentions. Don't worry about me I'll be fine. She said calmly.
Kenshin smiled and gave her a kiss on the lips. She returned his kiss and softly whimpered.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He softly whispered.
"I guess this means I'm walking you to work, huh?"
"Ya, I guess it does." She smiled.
Kaoru got ready and Kenshin warmed up her dinner. He made her a rice ball along with some fried fish. She gladly ate the small supper and was thankful Kenshin was looking out for her.
After she finished Kenshin put the dishes in the sink and reminded himself to come back later to wash them. They both put on their coats and headed out the door.
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Meanwhile: A Hotel in New York
To Aoshi's surprise the plane ride had been a smooth one. Misao was her usual blabbering self, as Aoshi remained dejected throughout the whole trip. She didn't make any protests, saying she wasn't going to go. She was acting a little too agreeable for his taste.
When they arrived Aoshi got a room at some no name hotel and settled in. He had no plans to pick Kaoru off the street. He'd have to make her come back willingly…even if it meant hurting one of her friends.
Misao was his trump card without her, his mission would be much more difficult. If Kaoru were like any other woman he knew, she'd risk her life for a friend.
He decided to spy on her for a while so he could find out what her habits and who friends were. He had to have a back up plan if Misao pulled something unexpected.
He knew from their emails that Kaoru worked at a place called the Akabeko. Without a doubt, he knew she'd be there.
There was one problem though…what was he going to do with Misao? He couldn't leave her in the hotel room by herself because the first chance she got she'd try to warn Kaoru. The chloroform he used on her only worked for a few hours. It wouldn't give him enough time to spy Kaoru.
He decided to slip some sleeping drugs into her food. The sleeping drugs would knock her out longer than the chloroform. They would buy him just enough time to scope out where she works.
That night, Aoshi slipped the drugs into her food. He opened the capsule and let the powder pour onto her food. He mixed it in and hoped she wouldn't taste it.
He watched from the corner of his eye as she ate the food. She didn't seem to recognize anything strange about the taste.
A few minutes later she dropped her fork and her head bobbed up and down. She looked as if she were trying to say something. Before long she slumped in her chair and was unconscious.
Aoshi picked her up and moved her to the bed. He gently laid her down on top of the covers and made sure she was comfortable. He was about to leave when he heard her whisper something.
"Aoshi"
He turned around and went back to the bed. She didn't look like she was awake. He figured she must have been talking in her sleep.
"Aoshi" she whispered again.
A single tear ran down her cheek.
Aoshi softly ran his fingers down the trail of the tear, wiping it away. A feeling of love tugged at his heart as he did this. He felt guilty, for treating her in such a way.
Slowly, Aoshi bent over Misao and gave her a soft kiss on the nose. He wanted to give her a kiss on the lips but at the last minute aimed for her nose.
"I'm sorry." He whispered as he got up to leave.
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The Akabeko
Kenshin and Kaoru held hands as they walked together. She seemed a lot more chipper than before. He was relieved to hear that she was going to ask Tae for some time off. He wasn't sure how much more she or even "he" could take.
They walked passed a series of buildings until the lights of the Akabeko could be seen. Crowds of people swarmed the entrance as the music from inside pounded away.
As they walked closer Kenshin felt his ki suddenly rise. He stopped midwalk, pulling Kaoru to a halt with him.
He could feel the ki of a killer nearby, but this person was no ordinary killer. This person's ki was different from those who resided in the city. This person had a cold unemotional feeling about them, which unnerved him.
'That ki…it's so familiar.' He thought to himself.
"Kenshin, what's wrong? Kaoru asked a bit worried.
Kenshin snapped back into reality.
"Oro?"
"Don't oro me, stop staring into space otherwise I am going to be late." She said tugging on his arm.
Kenshin closely followed Kaoru to the building.
"Thank you for walking me but I need to get to work." She smiled and gave his a quick kiss.
"I think I will stay awhile." Kenshin said.
"I'll be fine, trust me." She said reassuringly.
Kenshin smiled back, trying to cover as to why he wanted to stay.
"I would like to see what it is you do on these busy nights, that is all." He grinned.
"ya right." She said underneath her breath.
'He's got to stop worrying so much about me.' She said to herself.
"Suit yourself." She said, turning around to go inside.
Kenshin was happy she didn't put up too much of a protest to let him stay. Kenshin felt slightly better knowing he'd be there to protect her.
The entire night Kenshin felt the coldness of the killer's ki. He knew there wasn't something right about it.
'I wonder if it's them? I should have known after all this time; someone would come looking for me. That ki is of someone who has killed just as much as I have. Once a hitokiri always a hitokiri, I was once told. Why did this person have to come now…when I have Kaoru…'
The night winded down and Tae told Kaoru she could go home early. Tae also told her to take the next few days off because she looked a little under the weather. Kaoru happily agreed and went in the back to get her stuff.
Kenshin waited patiently as she got her things and returned out front.
"I get to go home early!" she said in an excited voice.
Kenshin smiled, "Let's go home."
The whole way back Kenshin held her closer than usual. He was afraid that whoever was after him would take away the one he loved. There was no way he'd let it come down to that. He would die fighting to protect her if he had to.
When the reached the building, Kenshin felt the coldness of the killer's ki vanish. His suspicions were confirmed someone was following him.
That night Kenshin tucked Kaoru into bed as he held her tightly in his arms. He never wanted to let go of her.
Kenshin didn't sleep that night. He was too apprehensive, thinking the killer may return. Kenshin spent most of the night watching Kaoru sleep. She looked just like an angel. Her shiny black hair spilled across the pillows and smelled of sweet jasmine and her long dark eyelashes fanned out beneath her eyes as her soft breath hit against his arm.
The sun rose and shined it's warm light upon Kaoru's face. She woke up and rubbed her eyes and adjusted them to the light. She was about to turn around and kiss Kenshin good morning, when she realized he wasn't there.
'That's strange…I could have sworn he was here last night.'
A bit puzzled, Kaoru jumped out of bed and walked into the kitchen. She was about to make herself a cup of tea, when she caught site of Kenshin sitting by the window.
His expression seemed blank as he peered outside. She was a little worried because it wasn't like him to be so quiet.
Kaoru walked towards him and softly put her hand on his shoulder.
"Kenshin?" She whispered
Kenshin snapped out of his revelry and looked back at Kaoru.
"What are you doing up so early? You should be resting." Kenshin stated.
"I am not tired but what are you doing out here by yourself. Is something wrong?" she asked.
Kenshin hated lying to her but there was no way he could tell her the truth. She'd be likely to get hurt if she knew too much.
"No, nothing is wrong." He whispered.
Kaoru looked deep into his violet orbs.
'He looks as if something is troubling him, but what? Why won't he tell me? I know something is wrong.' Kaoru thought to herself.
"I must be going. We got an early shipment coming today and Aya will want to do inventory." He stated.
"Oh." She replied
Kenshin grabbed his jacket from the back of the couch and gave her a small peck on the cheek before he left.
As soon as he left, Kaoru put her hand to the cheek he kissed.
'He didn't even say goodbye…he acted as though he didn't want to kiss me.' She sadly thought.
The next couple of days Kenshin distanced himself from Kaoru. Every now and then he would feel the killer's ki around the building, which made him uneasy. If someone was indeed following him, they may use Kaoru in order to get to him. He didn't want anything to happen to her so he reluctantly kept his distance.
He knew she would catch on sooner or later and would start asking questions. If she knew too much about his past, it could put her in danger. He loved her too much to let her get caught up in his mess. From the beginning, Kenhsin knew he wasn't worthy of her love but he selfishly took it.
' I am sorry Kaoru; there is no other way. I promised I wouldn't hurt you or let anyone else for that matter…but now I must go back on that promise in order to protect you. I love you with all of my heart…I don't deserve someone like you. You are the only one who has brought happiness into my life these last ten years. I am thankful that I met you and that you let me love you. Maybe one day my enemies will look for me no longer and then and only then can I be with you.'
*******************
Kaoru noticed Kenshin's strange behavior. The last couple days he seemed to be avoiding her. The more and more she thought about it, the more upset she became.
'Why won't he tell me? The distance is tearing me apart.'
She missed seeing him at night and waking up to him in the morning. He was the one that made her day complete.
That night she decided to take matters into her own hands. One way or another she would get Kenshin to confess, as to why he was avoiding her.
Kaoru rehearsed what she was going to say to him before she went downstairs. After hours of rehearsal, Kaoru took a deep breath and decided it was time to confront him.
She stood in front of his door, afraid to knock. The nerve she had earlier was slowly disappearing. Kaoru gulped and softly knocked on his door. Her heart pounded as she waited for him to answer the door.
'It's now or never.' She reassured herself.
The door opened a crack and Kenshin peeked out.
"It's me, Kaoru." She waived towards the opening.
Kenshin slid the chain lock from the door and opened it wider.
"Come in." he said quietly.
Kaoru slowly entered as he shut the door behind them locking it.
'He seems different…it's like he's nervous or something.' She thought to herself.
Kaoru stood in place, afraid that if she sat down, she'd lose all nerve to confront him.
"K…Kenshin." She stuttered.
'No, no please not now…I can't do this…' he thought
"Miss Kaoru." He spoke.
Kaoru looked taken aback that he used her formal name, instead of just plain Kaoru.
'Why is he calling me Miss Kaoru? There is something wrong. I can feel it.' She panicked.
"I…I…we can no longer see each other." He blurted out.
Kaoru's eyes widened, not totally comprehending what she was hearing.
"Wha? She gasped.
"We can't see each other anymore." He said coolly.
'I knew there was something wrong…I didn't expect this…why is he doing it?'"D..d..don't you love me anymore?" she started sobbing.
Kenshin didn't answer.
"Why are you doing this? I love you so much!" she shouted.
Kenshin refused to face her. It would be too hard to watch her cry.
'I'm sorry Kaoru, I do love you…please forgive me.' He kept repeating in his head.
"I'm sorry, I don't feel the same." He bit, "I had to tell you before this went too far."
"You mean…that this was all a show? You never loved me? After all…. what we…how could you? I thought you were better than this." She shot back.
"I guess you were wrong." He whispered.
Kaoru felt the tears begin to flood her eyes.
'He doesn't love me…he doesn't want to be with me…I was wrong to trust him…I was so foolish!'
"Please leave." He said in an even tone.
She didn't have to wait for him to say anymore. She was ready to leave from the first time he spoke. With all the dignity she could muster, Kaoru walked out the door and never looked back. Once she got outside, he closed the door and locked it.
Kaoru cried all the way upstairs and back to her apartment.
"How could he do this to me? She sobbed.
End of Chapter 22
I felt like writing another chapter tonight…so I did. How do you like the drama so far? Didn't see the break up coming, did you?
I am enjoying all the feedback and suggestions I am getting from you guys. It's interesting to see where you think the fic is going. I am thinking of doing a live chat or something for those interested in talking and sharing ideas for this fic. Let me know what you think…I have some things planned for this fic and others left completely open. I would love to get you suggestions on what I should do next!
I had a few problems with the uploading of this chapter…I am not sure why but I ended up deleting it. So here it is again, for those who didn't get to read it!
Thanks again for reading! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
~*Charismatic Angel*~