Disclaimer: I'm sure Kaoru would kill me if I owned Kenshin
Definitions:
¤ Tennyo - heavenly nymph; celestial maiden
¤ Shishou - (to those of you who don't know already) master; teacher
¤ Ohayou - good morning
¤ De gozaru yo - a polite ending, such as 'that I am'
¤ Onegai(shimasu) - please
¤ Matsu - wait
¤ Ojiichan - grandpa
¤ Mochi misutetesaru - don't leave me (general translation)
¤ Wakaru - (I) understand
¤ Kanashigaru - to feel sorrowful, to be sad
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A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 7: Goodbye
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A pair of lazy amethyst eyes slowly fluttered open as a young red haired man detangled himself from the mass of bed sheets that entwined him. He slowly stood up from the bed, not bothering to stifle a tremendous yawn as he looked about the room, smiling softly at the thought of where he was now: his shishou's summerhouse. Kenshin was at ease here, which would explain his curious relaxed state. Usually he would wake up alert and terse, always ready for any danger that he might encounter that day.
Kenshin slowly made his way to the bath, turning the tab for the hot water to fill the tub. After stripping himself of his sleeping yukata and somewhat detangling the mass of red main that fell about his shoulders, Kenshin slipped into the tub without making so much as a splash.
He sank into the tub, allowing the hot water to work at his tense and sore muscles. Flecks of dirt peeled off of Kenshin's skin as well as any remaining sign of exhaustion that he had held for the past few days. As his arms settled to the sides of the tub, his head resting back, his thoughts drifting to a gorgeous young woman with long black hair and blue eyes like the darkening sky.
".Kaoru." Kenshin sighed, knowing that he had purposefully dropped the honorific. But what does it matter when there was nobody present to object? It was better than to have given her his own private nickname, such as tennyo.
Kenshin smirked. Yes, tennyo is the perfect nickname for her. But didn't he just say that he wasn't going to give her a nickname? Kenshin chuckled. How could he resist when the name fit her so perfectly?
Kenshin's thoughts drifted to when he had first heard of Kaoru. The thought of a swordswoman intrigued him, and when he finally met her, he was astounded. He never would have thought that such a harsh utterance could be associated with such splendor. Yet he had proof as he watched Kaoru wield a bokken with an enormous amount of ease and grace, even if she did gain a scratch or two during her battle.
Kenshin shot up in his bath. A scratch? It was more like a bloody cut, and no one had cleansed it and bandaged it yet! He didn't want Kaoru to get an infection. Kenshin stepped out of the tub and hurriedly pulled on a blue gi and white hakama, pulling his damp hair into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck. He planned on finding Dr. Genzai so that he could dress the wounds Kaoru had received the previous day.
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Kaoru's eyes flashed open that morning, her skin and hair were damp with sweat. She tried to remember the dream that had caused her to be in such a state, but she only drew a blank. However, she remembered the sting of a sword as it sliced her upper arm and lower leg. Kaoru traced her fingers up her arm, pausing just below the shoulder. Something was on it that caused it to be sticky, and when she ran her finger over it, pain shot throughout her entire arm. She feared to lower her eyes to look upon it, but she did anyhow and found what she dreaded seeing.
The ivory flesh was covered with cracking crimson blood, slightly sticky when the cut had most likely reopened in the night as a result of her tossing and turning. The cut was ugly, churning colors to a yellowish- greenish-brown. Kaoru scrunched her nose in detest and knew that she would have to find someway to clean it up. She slowly moved her stiff muscles out of the bed and headed towards the bath.
Hot water was running into the tub and the sleeping yukata pooled at Kaoru's feet. She tested the temperature of the water with her finger before dipping her right foot into the tub, then her left, flinching when she noticed that the water stung the skin around her left ankle. Looking down, she saw a second cut slashed across the skin just above her ankle. Kaoru gave an exasperated sigh as she plunged her foot into the water, causing the hot water to splash up and fall upon her chest. She shuddered as the cool air touched the damp skin, and she impatiently sat herself in the tub, dunking her head under the water.
Kaoru stayed like that for a few moments, fingers pinching her nose and her eyes scrunched shut. She moved her foot out and felt a small wave tug at her free hair as it pulled back, then forward, then back, then forward. The movement was relaxing, and soon Kaoru's mind began to drift to a certain red head with a mysterious cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
'I think I will find out more about Kenshin.his past.what he wants for his future.' she thought vaguely, finding the urge to breathe as she resurfaced. But really, why did she want to know so much about Kenshin? She was going to be staying with him for a while, but was it worth getting attached to him if he would eventually have to leave?
'You don't know that for sure.' Kaoru scolded herself. 'You might see him again, once you become stewardess.' Kaoru sighed; she didn't like the thought of being a stewardess. She is just a simple girl who runs a dojo, and she didn't expect life to be more than that. Though it seems that this was not how it was meant to be.
Kaoru opened her eyes and noticed that the water had turned a darker, rosier color as a result from the dirt and blood that had lifted from her body. She quickly washed her body and hair before standing up out of the tub and walked into her closet to pull out an outfit for that day.
"Hmm," Kaoru said, running her hands across the many kimonos that were displayed in front of her. "I don't think I will be practicing until later tonight. A simple kimono will do." Her hand rested on a sky blue kimono and soft yellow obi. "This will work." She said cheerfully, pulling the kimono out of the closet and changing into it, careful that the sleeves wouldn't roll down over the cut and tying the obi loosely so that the fabric wouldn't touch the cut by her ankle. She then reached for a yellow ribbon that she had found in one of the many drawers of her dresser, accompanied by a multitude of other ribbons that matched every color of the rainbow.
Kaoru walked over to the door in hopes of finding Dr. Genzai somewhere downstairs so he could bandage her wounds. To her surprise, she found Kenshin and Dr. Genzai heading up the steps and to her room.
"Ohayou.Kaoru-dono...." Kenshin said slowly as he neared her room with Dr. Genzai by his side. Kenshin's eyes had widened in surprise at Kaoru's flushed state: never had he seen her in a kimono before and immediately found himself wishing that she would wear kimonos more often.
"Ohayou." Kaoru replied sheepishly when she noticed the daunted look on Kenshin's face. She was also curious as to why both men were coming towards her room.
Kenshin shook his head to rid his thoughts and observed Kaoru's uncertainty. "I remembered about your cuts from yesterday, so I went to go find Dr. Genzai to treat them." Kenshin explained.
Kaoru bowed thankfully. "Arigatou." She moved aside as Dr. Genzai walked into her room and gestured for Kaoru to sit down on her bed. Kaoru obeyed the doctor's orders and allowed Dr. Genzai to proceed in cleaning the cuts and wrapping them in bandages.
When the process was over, Kaoru thanked Dr. Genzai and attempted to leave when Kenshin stopped her. "Breakfast is ready downstairs in the dining room."
Kaoru looked up at him and blushed. "I don't know where the dining room is." She said quietly.
Kenshin smiled warmly and walked with Kaoru down the steps and into the dining room where they sat down and enjoyed their breakfast.
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Kaoru had announced that she was going to change into her gi and hakama so that she could practice in the dojo after breakfast that morning. After changing into an interesting cobalt hakama and gray gi, she made her way past the garden and towards the dojo, deciding not to acknowledge the ki that had been following her since she had left the house.
As she stepped inside the dojo, she sat on the floor and started her daily meditation. Here was the time when she could strengthen her ki sensing technique and closely examine her surroundings. Outside, Kaoru noted that the pestering ki that had been following her was now stooping by the pond. She lazily revealed one azure eye as she peered out the window to take in Kenshin's familiar silhouette by the pond. 'Why must he follow me everywhere?' she asked herself. By the looks of things, Kenshin was barely acknowledging Kaoru in the dojo, just aware enough to sense if she had gotten herself into any trouble.
Kaoru smirked. She had been working on cloaking her ki for a while now, but hadn't had the chance to test it. Surely Kenshin would be the perfect victim to her trial run. Slowly, Kaoru stood up and made her way towards Kenshin, mildly suppressing her ki so that Kenshin wouldn't sense her eagerness.
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Kenshin sat by the water, absentmindedly looking out across the pond and pondering how long he should stay at Hiko's summerhouse. He could sense Kaoru's ki settling in meditation as he himself settled down by the pond. Kenshin was not particularly paying attention, just aware enough to sense Kaoru's ki if she were ever in trouble or leaving the dojo. It was here when his thoughts began to wonder.
Hiko's summerhouse is the perfect place for refuge, but not for protection. Of course, when Hiko came to his summerhouse, Saitou's entire division would come and watch over the grounds to spy intruders. There was no need for this though since Hiko is the thirteenth master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, as well as the King, and he is perfectly capable of watching after himself. Kaoru, however, is not Hiko, and can not protect herself as well as Hiko can. She proved to have great skill when she fought the five men in the forest, but Shishio had much more than five men going after her.
'Which is why she has me.' Kenshin thought aimlessly. When he would leave to go check on the town and the Aoiya, Kaoru would be left alone, and he didn't know if he could bring himself to do that. He vowed to watch after her, to make sure no one ever hurt her. Kenshin already failed to do so once when Kurogasa had kidnapped her, and he couldn't allow that to happen again.
Kenshin finally decided to let Kaoru determine the final decision. He closed his eyes for a moment and pinpointed to where Kaoru was at the moment. To his surprise, his tennyo had strayed from the dojo and was slowly making her way towards him. Kenshin allowed her to come while vaguely wondering why her ki wasn't as high and energetic as it normally was.
When Kaoru neared within just a few feet of him, he desired to quickly turn around and catch her off guard. Yet when he was about to make the decision to go ahead and do so, Kaoru's ki suddenly disappeared.
Kenshin leapt up and swiveled around to find that Kaoru was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, there was a scream from one of the nearby trees.
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Kaoru had been silently making her way towards Kenshin, amazed at how Kenshin didn't even turn to look at her when her feet treaded upon slim sticks that littered the ground. 'He must have really been deep in his thoughts.' Kaoru steadily made her way forward when she noticed that Kenshin's ki became more aware of his surroundings, and aware of her. She immediately suppressed her ki to as low as she could and leapt up into the air and into a nearby tree.
Kaoru looked down below her and noticed that Kenshin had whipped around. His face was shocked, his eyes wide. She could see the many doubts run past his eyes as they suddenly darkened to a steely blue.
She tore her eyes away from Kenshin and looked at the tree branch she was in. There was a shadowy figure just a few feet in front of her. Kaoru's breath caught in her throat out of surprise. She stayed as silent and as still as she could, watching the branches shift in the lingering breeze. As one of the branches shifted in the wind, she noticed that the figure she had been staring intently at shifted as well, his face catching the light. Before she could get a good look at the figure, she screamed.
The figure stepped forward and Kaoru realized that it was a young man wearing a police uniform. He reached out a hand in an effort to calm Kaoru down, but she remained unmoving, breathing heavily. To make matters worse, she felt a sturdy hand slip around her waist and another slip to her mouth just as she released another scream of alarm.
Kaoru's body was drawn towards a second warm body, and Kaoru felt comforted in this man's arms. The man behind her drooped his head onto her shoulder, crimson locks falling into her face as another breeze whistled through the branches.
".Kenshin." She muttered nervously.
Kenshin did not answer her. "You." He growled at the man sitting on the far side of the branch, Kenshin's voice sending shivers up and down Kaoru's spine. The poor young man was shivering uncontrollably out of fright. "What are you doing here?"
The man bowed his head out of respect. "I'm under Captain Hajime's orders to watch over the grounds as well as some thirty other men."
Kaoru sighed in relief, but Kenshin didn't relax at all. In fact, he became tenser. "And why did you bring Kaoru-dono up in this tree?"
Kaoru gasped and looked up at Kenshin, his eyes icy and his glare hard. The man in front of them was stuttering badly and was unable to answer Kenshin's question. Kenshin, meanwhile, caressed the hilt of his sword, fingers twitching to release the blade from its sheath.
Kaoru struggled out of Kenshin's grasp and matched his glare with one of her own. "I was not brought up here, I was the one that jumped up here."
Determined blue eyes met shocked amethyst ones. "Oro?"
Kaoru bowed her head. "I wanted to test my ki restraining technique. Gomen for all the trouble I caused." She slowly walked towards the edge of the branch and attempted to jump off when she felt Kenshin's hand grip her wrist tightly. Kaoru's head shot up and she looked at Kenshin curiously.
"Gomen nasai, de gozaru yo." Kenshin said softly to the man. "Sessha did not realize that you were under Saitou's command." The man was at a loss of words as he watched Kenshin bring his arms around Kaoru and leap off the branch, landing them both safely onto the ground.
The man had been told that the Battousai was to keep Kaoru safe since she was the stewardess, but never had he thought that the stewardess had so much power. She was very strong in deed to control the Battousai's actions like she had just done, and he was thankful. Otherwise he would have been dead.
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Kaoru pried herself away from Kenshin, her eyes gleaming with anger. "You assume too much too quickly." She spat.
Kenshin looked at her with surprise. He had never seen her so angry before, but he had a feeling that she could be much worse. Instead, Kenshin felt his belligerent side kick in. It was a side that he had scarcely ever used, and wondered how this woman was in fact the only woman that could bring this side out of him. "And who said I had no reason to?" He said, violet eyes suddenly dimming into the steely blue Kaoru had seen just moments before.
Kaoru quirked her eyebrow in response, urging Kenshin to elaborate.
"You were behind me one second, and the next you were gone! What did you want me to think?" Kenshin growled, his eyes threatening to go a shade darker. It was a shade that Kaoru dreaded on seeing.
"You could have thought twice before attempting to attack the poor man!" Kaoru said irritably.
"Of course I did!" Kenshin shouted, his arm flying up in exasperation. "I asked him what his business was up in that tree! I do not need you to be kidnapped again."
"But if I hadn't apologized, you would have killed that man!" Kaoru yelled furiously.
"I DO NOT KILL!" Kenshin boomed, his eyes steadily darkening until they reached molten amber.
Kaoru gasped and backed a few steps away from Battousai. When Battousai's eyes gleamed at his sense of her fear, she immediately reclaimed her poise and glowered at him, doing her best in hiding her panic.
"You are a manslayer, Battousai. A Hitokiri. Of course you kill." Kaoru said, her words dripping with venom. Her voice quivered when she said it, and her pitch had deepened from trepidation, but she remained her ground. Of course, Kaoru knew that what she said wasn't true, for she had seen his sakabatou during the fight between Kenshin and Jin-eh. But it had been true in the past, and for some reason, something happened back then that changed Kenshin's ways. She was curious as to figure out why, and she vaguely wondered why she still wanted to know when she was irately fighting with him at the moment.
A barrier broke in Kenshin. He never wanted to be called that again. He tried to forget his past. He tried so hard, but now here she was saying it to his face. Had he failed? Many others had called him a manslayer to his face, and they did not matter. Then why did those words falling from Kaoru's mouth affect him in such a way? It was just like her calling him 'Battousai'. He couldn't stand the scorn that she put into her words. How could that be? He had heard those words many times before. Why is it any different now?
Kaoru looked at Kenshin, becoming extremely worried for his well-being. Since when did she care? Kaoru immediately wished she hadn't said such words. She felt horrible with what she just said. She didn't mean it, and to see that it affected Kenshin in such a way made her feel even guiltier. There Kenshin stood, his head bowed, bangs covering the eyes that were an undetermined color. His hands were balled into fists before drooping and falling lifelessly at his side.
"Kenshin," Kaoru said quietly, just wanting to embrace the man in front of her. "Kenshin, gomen. Onegai, I didn't mean it." She reached out a hand to touch Kenshin's shoulder, but he pulled away. His eyes lifted, violet swirling in his amber depths.
"What's been said is done, and now I must go." Kenshin said sadly, turning away from Kaoru.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru wailed. It should have been raining outside. It should have been storming, for that's what she felt like inside. "Matsu! Kenshin! Onegaishimasu, mochi misutetesaru!" She fell to the ground, sobbing quietly.
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Kenshin stormed into the summerhouse and stomped over to the library where Dr. Genzai was sitting and reading a book. When Kenshin entered, Dr. Genzai looked up from his book and smiled warmly at Kenshin, disregarding Kenshin's aggravated expression.
"I'm off." Kenshin said simply before turning around and heading back towards the front door.
"You're off to where exactly?" Dr. Genzai called from the library.
"To see Seijuro." Kenshin called back, slamming the door behind him.
"What about Kaoru?" Dr. Genzai asked softly to himself. He was no match for any of Shishio's men, and his daughters would be in danger at the summerhouse. Kenshin was a baka for leaving just like that, only leaving Kaoru in the protection of the house and the guards that were not as skilled as Shishio's men.
The front doors opened again as Dr. Genzai's two small daughters came bouncing into the room. "Ojiichan!" Ayame shouted, running up to Dr. Genzai's side. "Where is Oji Kenshin going?"
Dr. Genzai sighed. "He has left to go visit Seijuro-sama."
The two girls beamed at each other. "Oji Hiko! Oji Hiko!"
"Do we get to see Oji Hiko?" Suzume asked anxiously.
"Not today, girls." Dr. Genzai replied, groaning as he stood up from his chair. "But do me a favor and find Kaoru-san, and bring her inside."
"Okedoke!" Ayame said brightly as she took her younger sister's hand and exited out onto the lawn in search of Kaoru.
"Obi Kaoru!" Suzume cried as she walked around outside. "Obi Kaoru, where are you?"
Kaoru looked up from the ground at the sound of the young girls' calling. Quickly wiping her tears aside, she stood up to meet the two girls. "Hai, Ayame and Suzume, is there something you wanted?"
Ayame shook her head. "Ojiichan just wanted you to come inside. Oji Kenshin has left to see Oji Hiko!"
Kaoru sniffed and nodded, following the girls inside. "Why is Obi Kaoru Kanashigaru?" Suzume asked as they walked towards the house.
Kaoru smiled softly at the two girls. "It's nothing."
Ayame looked up at Kaoru and smiled knowingly. "I think Obi Kaoru is sad because Oji Kenshin isn't here."
Kaoru looked down at the young girl, eyes wide with disbelief. "Nani? What did you say?"
The two girls giggled and hopped into the house, disregarding Kaoru's question.
Once they had stepped into the house, Kaoru met Dr. Genzai's somber expression. "Kaoru-san," Dr. Genzai said gravely, his eyes revealed apprehension and concern, "I'm afraid that without Kenshin here to watch over you, you must stay within the house until he returns."
Kaoru bowed her head. She hated being locked up in one place, never being allowed to wander, but it was for her own security. "Wakaru." With that, Kaoru left the room and walked up to her own bedroom.
Kaoru lay down in bed, the covers drawn up to her chin. She felt so cold on such a warm day and wondered how it could be. There was a void that she felt within her, a void that had existed ever since she left her dojo and students behind. That void had grown bigger now that Kenshin was gone, and Kaoru questioned what that could mean. Did she have feelings for Kenshin? Yes, but it was more than just feelings. She loved her students, and being without them created that hole in her heart. Was it possible that she loved Kenshin as well? But how could that be? When did her feelings turn from liking to loving?
Kaoru sighed and tossed around in her bed. This wasn't getting her anywhere. She hated Kenshin for leaving her like this, but she couldn't help but worry for him. Never had she seen him been so affected by her words, and it scared her. She wondered if he was okay, and if he would return home safely. Return to her safely.
With that last thought, Kaoru drifted off into the realms of slumber.
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Kenshin did all he could do, he ran. He ran out of his Shishou's summerhouse and dashed towards the town. He felt ashamed of himself for yelling at Kaoru. What he wanted to do now more than ever was to run back and console her, to run his fingers through her ebony hair, or rock her back and forth in his lap, watching her saffron eyes drift shut while she succumbed to sleep. But after that argument that Kenshin had with Kaoru, he figured that Kaoru deserved someone much better than himself. He was after all like she said, a hitokiri. He wouldn't want to stain Kaoru's innocence with his dirtied hands; a stewardess should never be called into duty while being tainted.
The countryside flashed by Kenshin as he bounded forward. The town would only be about an hour away. Then he could make sure that preparations would be made for his return with Kaoru. Kaoru probably hated him now for the way he told off that young man in the tree and then arguing with her afterwards. She probably wouldn't even want to see him again. Kenshin bowed his head, crimson bangs shielding his eyes from the world, eyes that revealed hurt and longing for one girl that meant the world to him.
Yes, his tennyo meant everything to him. No other woman had affected him the way she did, no woman had ever defied him the way she did. And yet no other woman had ever cared for him the way she did. Kaoru had a special place in his heart, and he would do anything to make her happy. Even if it meant leaving her and her life, he would do it, as long as she would be safe.
Then why had he run away from Kaoru if he just wanted for her to be safe? He was going to make things safer for her by checking on the town and the Aoiya, but she was left with little protection back at his Shishou's summerhouse. But that risk was worth taking for the ultimate benefit. Plus, Kenshin needed this time for himself. Those feelings he had in the pit of his stomach all needed to be sorted out. Some say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and indeed it was true. Kenshin started to miss Kaoru with all his being, despite how mad he was at her. These feelings of longing and adoration led to just one vital verb: love.
'I love her.' Kenshin thought absentmindedly, a smirk spreading across his face. His feet picked up speed, determined to get to town and back to Kaoru before the end of three days.
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The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and the wind was humming a delightful tune as it brushed the trees and whistled past homes. Yet Misao wasn't as delightful as the morning when she woke, thrusting her body straight up, eyes wide and body panting. There was something that was out of place; Misao could feel it.
She slid out of the covers on her futon and made her way out of Kaoru's room and through the hallways that led to Yahiko's room. Something was amiss, and she hoped that it wasn't Yahiko. Misao pushed open the shoji door and sighed when she found Yahiko splayed across the futon, his snores shaking the walls. Misao stifled a giggle as she turned away from the room, not forgetting that feeling of incorrectness.
She moved her way into the dojo and sat on the floor, folding her arms across her chest. She peered out the windows and felt a rush of wind blow inside the entrance door that she thought was shut.
"Misao." She heard a deep voice resonate from the door.
Misao swiveled around to face Aoshi. Her jaw fell open as she noticed that her Aoshi-sama was missing his usual trench coat and his gi was gaping open to reveal the perfect chest.
Aoshi easily suppressed a smirk as he noticed Misao's reaction to his appearance but chose not to comment on the matter seeing that there was something more important to address. Before he could even address the issue, however, Misao had spoken up first.
"Something is wrong." She said, worries streaking across her face. "Aoshi- sama, what's going on?"
Aoshi looked down at her and had to observe on how well he had trained her. Not many people, as well as ninjas, could notice such a thing amiss in a large society such as the kingdom underneath Seijuro's rule. "You are right, Misao." Aoshi said, sitting himself down across from Misao to promise his stay in the dojo for at least a few more minutes.
Misao frowned when Aoshi wouldn't continue freely. "What is wrong, then?" She asked.
"Look around," Aoshi said calmly, "And you tell me."
Misao stood up and walked towards the shoji door, opening it anxiously. She stepped out into the street and looked around, noticing that there were very few people on the streets. "There's practically nobody out there." Misao said, which would usually end the matter to any other person, but Misao looked much deeper. "Those men," Misao said softly, "They're gone."
Misao turned in time to see Aoshi nod. "That's right. Okina spotted them leaving in the middle of the night."
"B-but what about Kaoru?" Misao asked worriedly, "Do you think they'll find her?"
"She's with Himura." Aoshi said as if that were reason enough to not be worried.
Misao turned her head away from Aoshi, fearing that a tear might slip from her eyes and cause Aoshi to think that she was weak. Aoshi noticed this and stepped forward about to wrap his arms around the girl he had come to love when the shoji door behind them abruptly slid open.
"Kenshin." Aoshi said, barely stifling his surprise.
"Himura!" Misao cried out, and then suddenly her voice lowered unusually to a growl. "Where's Kaoru?"
Kenshin was panting in the doorway, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "She's back at the summerhouse." He gasped. "I must speak to Shishou!"
"What happened?" Aoshi asked, "And who's protecting Kaoru?"
"No one!" Kenshin wheezed, "That's why I must hurry!"
Misao was outraged. "Who is looking after Kaoru then?"
"Saitou's men." Kenshin replied, standing up straight after overcoming his weariness.
Misao growled and lunged at Kenshin while screaming, "That's not good enough! Go back and protect her!" However, Aoshi grabbed Misao around the middle, drawing her back towards him where her back rammed into his chest. Misao looked up at Aoshi and shot daggers at him, but Aoshi just responded by shaking his head, causing Misao to pout in his arms.
"Go, Himura, don't waste time." Aoshi said calmly but with an edge of anxiousness. "Go talk to Seijuro and return quickly to Kaoru."
Kenshin nodded and ran straight up to the castle just as Yahiko entered the room.
Yahiko found Misao in Aoshi's arms wondering what on earth was going on. "So I see you two have finally hit it off, ne?" Yahiko teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Misao struggled out of Aoshi's arms and ran after Yahiko. "Why you little- !"
"I'M NOT LITTLE!" Yahiko retorted, fleeing from Misao's wrath.
Aoshi couldn't help but smile, which was actually just a small tug of his lips.
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A/N: Kind of disappointed on the lack of reviews, but oh well! This story is fun to write, so it's worth continuing. In case anybody cares to know a little about my small life outside of writing, I got a job!! YAY! Lol And I also had my audition, which went amazingly well. My teacher was really pleased. But yeah, those are my accomplishments for the past week or so. But now back to being humble and thanking all of my reviewers!
Bando-Eido no Megami-sama: I think I actually have that episode on DVD, I'm gonna hafta check.
MizLee: You're going to hafta keep reading to find out ( but you'll find out in the next chapter!!
Koishii Sweet: Thanks for the advice!
Sweet Cherries, Bloody Rune, tikigurl293, Kaname-chan, chibiBattousai, Silver Eyes Bright
A LITTLE SIDE NOTE: I was wondering whether or not I should put Tomoe in the story. Just as an FYI, I'm NOT a Tomoe fan, so you can bet that if I do put her in the story, she's not going to play an obliging role.
Definitions:
¤ Tennyo - heavenly nymph; celestial maiden
¤ Shishou - (to those of you who don't know already) master; teacher
¤ Ohayou - good morning
¤ De gozaru yo - a polite ending, such as 'that I am'
¤ Onegai(shimasu) - please
¤ Matsu - wait
¤ Ojiichan - grandpa
¤ Mochi misutetesaru - don't leave me (general translation)
¤ Wakaru - (I) understand
¤ Kanashigaru - to feel sorrowful, to be sad
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A Love for One Hated
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 7: Goodbye
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A pair of lazy amethyst eyes slowly fluttered open as a young red haired man detangled himself from the mass of bed sheets that entwined him. He slowly stood up from the bed, not bothering to stifle a tremendous yawn as he looked about the room, smiling softly at the thought of where he was now: his shishou's summerhouse. Kenshin was at ease here, which would explain his curious relaxed state. Usually he would wake up alert and terse, always ready for any danger that he might encounter that day.
Kenshin slowly made his way to the bath, turning the tab for the hot water to fill the tub. After stripping himself of his sleeping yukata and somewhat detangling the mass of red main that fell about his shoulders, Kenshin slipped into the tub without making so much as a splash.
He sank into the tub, allowing the hot water to work at his tense and sore muscles. Flecks of dirt peeled off of Kenshin's skin as well as any remaining sign of exhaustion that he had held for the past few days. As his arms settled to the sides of the tub, his head resting back, his thoughts drifting to a gorgeous young woman with long black hair and blue eyes like the darkening sky.
".Kaoru." Kenshin sighed, knowing that he had purposefully dropped the honorific. But what does it matter when there was nobody present to object? It was better than to have given her his own private nickname, such as tennyo.
Kenshin smirked. Yes, tennyo is the perfect nickname for her. But didn't he just say that he wasn't going to give her a nickname? Kenshin chuckled. How could he resist when the name fit her so perfectly?
Kenshin's thoughts drifted to when he had first heard of Kaoru. The thought of a swordswoman intrigued him, and when he finally met her, he was astounded. He never would have thought that such a harsh utterance could be associated with such splendor. Yet he had proof as he watched Kaoru wield a bokken with an enormous amount of ease and grace, even if she did gain a scratch or two during her battle.
Kenshin shot up in his bath. A scratch? It was more like a bloody cut, and no one had cleansed it and bandaged it yet! He didn't want Kaoru to get an infection. Kenshin stepped out of the tub and hurriedly pulled on a blue gi and white hakama, pulling his damp hair into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck. He planned on finding Dr. Genzai so that he could dress the wounds Kaoru had received the previous day.
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Kaoru's eyes flashed open that morning, her skin and hair were damp with sweat. She tried to remember the dream that had caused her to be in such a state, but she only drew a blank. However, she remembered the sting of a sword as it sliced her upper arm and lower leg. Kaoru traced her fingers up her arm, pausing just below the shoulder. Something was on it that caused it to be sticky, and when she ran her finger over it, pain shot throughout her entire arm. She feared to lower her eyes to look upon it, but she did anyhow and found what she dreaded seeing.
The ivory flesh was covered with cracking crimson blood, slightly sticky when the cut had most likely reopened in the night as a result of her tossing and turning. The cut was ugly, churning colors to a yellowish- greenish-brown. Kaoru scrunched her nose in detest and knew that she would have to find someway to clean it up. She slowly moved her stiff muscles out of the bed and headed towards the bath.
Hot water was running into the tub and the sleeping yukata pooled at Kaoru's feet. She tested the temperature of the water with her finger before dipping her right foot into the tub, then her left, flinching when she noticed that the water stung the skin around her left ankle. Looking down, she saw a second cut slashed across the skin just above her ankle. Kaoru gave an exasperated sigh as she plunged her foot into the water, causing the hot water to splash up and fall upon her chest. She shuddered as the cool air touched the damp skin, and she impatiently sat herself in the tub, dunking her head under the water.
Kaoru stayed like that for a few moments, fingers pinching her nose and her eyes scrunched shut. She moved her foot out and felt a small wave tug at her free hair as it pulled back, then forward, then back, then forward. The movement was relaxing, and soon Kaoru's mind began to drift to a certain red head with a mysterious cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
'I think I will find out more about Kenshin.his past.what he wants for his future.' she thought vaguely, finding the urge to breathe as she resurfaced. But really, why did she want to know so much about Kenshin? She was going to be staying with him for a while, but was it worth getting attached to him if he would eventually have to leave?
'You don't know that for sure.' Kaoru scolded herself. 'You might see him again, once you become stewardess.' Kaoru sighed; she didn't like the thought of being a stewardess. She is just a simple girl who runs a dojo, and she didn't expect life to be more than that. Though it seems that this was not how it was meant to be.
Kaoru opened her eyes and noticed that the water had turned a darker, rosier color as a result from the dirt and blood that had lifted from her body. She quickly washed her body and hair before standing up out of the tub and walked into her closet to pull out an outfit for that day.
"Hmm," Kaoru said, running her hands across the many kimonos that were displayed in front of her. "I don't think I will be practicing until later tonight. A simple kimono will do." Her hand rested on a sky blue kimono and soft yellow obi. "This will work." She said cheerfully, pulling the kimono out of the closet and changing into it, careful that the sleeves wouldn't roll down over the cut and tying the obi loosely so that the fabric wouldn't touch the cut by her ankle. She then reached for a yellow ribbon that she had found in one of the many drawers of her dresser, accompanied by a multitude of other ribbons that matched every color of the rainbow.
Kaoru walked over to the door in hopes of finding Dr. Genzai somewhere downstairs so he could bandage her wounds. To her surprise, she found Kenshin and Dr. Genzai heading up the steps and to her room.
"Ohayou.Kaoru-dono...." Kenshin said slowly as he neared her room with Dr. Genzai by his side. Kenshin's eyes had widened in surprise at Kaoru's flushed state: never had he seen her in a kimono before and immediately found himself wishing that she would wear kimonos more often.
"Ohayou." Kaoru replied sheepishly when she noticed the daunted look on Kenshin's face. She was also curious as to why both men were coming towards her room.
Kenshin shook his head to rid his thoughts and observed Kaoru's uncertainty. "I remembered about your cuts from yesterday, so I went to go find Dr. Genzai to treat them." Kenshin explained.
Kaoru bowed thankfully. "Arigatou." She moved aside as Dr. Genzai walked into her room and gestured for Kaoru to sit down on her bed. Kaoru obeyed the doctor's orders and allowed Dr. Genzai to proceed in cleaning the cuts and wrapping them in bandages.
When the process was over, Kaoru thanked Dr. Genzai and attempted to leave when Kenshin stopped her. "Breakfast is ready downstairs in the dining room."
Kaoru looked up at him and blushed. "I don't know where the dining room is." She said quietly.
Kenshin smiled warmly and walked with Kaoru down the steps and into the dining room where they sat down and enjoyed their breakfast.
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Kaoru had announced that she was going to change into her gi and hakama so that she could practice in the dojo after breakfast that morning. After changing into an interesting cobalt hakama and gray gi, she made her way past the garden and towards the dojo, deciding not to acknowledge the ki that had been following her since she had left the house.
As she stepped inside the dojo, she sat on the floor and started her daily meditation. Here was the time when she could strengthen her ki sensing technique and closely examine her surroundings. Outside, Kaoru noted that the pestering ki that had been following her was now stooping by the pond. She lazily revealed one azure eye as she peered out the window to take in Kenshin's familiar silhouette by the pond. 'Why must he follow me everywhere?' she asked herself. By the looks of things, Kenshin was barely acknowledging Kaoru in the dojo, just aware enough to sense if she had gotten herself into any trouble.
Kaoru smirked. She had been working on cloaking her ki for a while now, but hadn't had the chance to test it. Surely Kenshin would be the perfect victim to her trial run. Slowly, Kaoru stood up and made her way towards Kenshin, mildly suppressing her ki so that Kenshin wouldn't sense her eagerness.
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Kenshin sat by the water, absentmindedly looking out across the pond and pondering how long he should stay at Hiko's summerhouse. He could sense Kaoru's ki settling in meditation as he himself settled down by the pond. Kenshin was not particularly paying attention, just aware enough to sense Kaoru's ki if she were ever in trouble or leaving the dojo. It was here when his thoughts began to wonder.
Hiko's summerhouse is the perfect place for refuge, but not for protection. Of course, when Hiko came to his summerhouse, Saitou's entire division would come and watch over the grounds to spy intruders. There was no need for this though since Hiko is the thirteenth master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, as well as the King, and he is perfectly capable of watching after himself. Kaoru, however, is not Hiko, and can not protect herself as well as Hiko can. She proved to have great skill when she fought the five men in the forest, but Shishio had much more than five men going after her.
'Which is why she has me.' Kenshin thought aimlessly. When he would leave to go check on the town and the Aoiya, Kaoru would be left alone, and he didn't know if he could bring himself to do that. He vowed to watch after her, to make sure no one ever hurt her. Kenshin already failed to do so once when Kurogasa had kidnapped her, and he couldn't allow that to happen again.
Kenshin finally decided to let Kaoru determine the final decision. He closed his eyes for a moment and pinpointed to where Kaoru was at the moment. To his surprise, his tennyo had strayed from the dojo and was slowly making her way towards him. Kenshin allowed her to come while vaguely wondering why her ki wasn't as high and energetic as it normally was.
When Kaoru neared within just a few feet of him, he desired to quickly turn around and catch her off guard. Yet when he was about to make the decision to go ahead and do so, Kaoru's ki suddenly disappeared.
Kenshin leapt up and swiveled around to find that Kaoru was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, there was a scream from one of the nearby trees.
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Kaoru had been silently making her way towards Kenshin, amazed at how Kenshin didn't even turn to look at her when her feet treaded upon slim sticks that littered the ground. 'He must have really been deep in his thoughts.' Kaoru steadily made her way forward when she noticed that Kenshin's ki became more aware of his surroundings, and aware of her. She immediately suppressed her ki to as low as she could and leapt up into the air and into a nearby tree.
Kaoru looked down below her and noticed that Kenshin had whipped around. His face was shocked, his eyes wide. She could see the many doubts run past his eyes as they suddenly darkened to a steely blue.
She tore her eyes away from Kenshin and looked at the tree branch she was in. There was a shadowy figure just a few feet in front of her. Kaoru's breath caught in her throat out of surprise. She stayed as silent and as still as she could, watching the branches shift in the lingering breeze. As one of the branches shifted in the wind, she noticed that the figure she had been staring intently at shifted as well, his face catching the light. Before she could get a good look at the figure, she screamed.
The figure stepped forward and Kaoru realized that it was a young man wearing a police uniform. He reached out a hand in an effort to calm Kaoru down, but she remained unmoving, breathing heavily. To make matters worse, she felt a sturdy hand slip around her waist and another slip to her mouth just as she released another scream of alarm.
Kaoru's body was drawn towards a second warm body, and Kaoru felt comforted in this man's arms. The man behind her drooped his head onto her shoulder, crimson locks falling into her face as another breeze whistled through the branches.
".Kenshin." She muttered nervously.
Kenshin did not answer her. "You." He growled at the man sitting on the far side of the branch, Kenshin's voice sending shivers up and down Kaoru's spine. The poor young man was shivering uncontrollably out of fright. "What are you doing here?"
The man bowed his head out of respect. "I'm under Captain Hajime's orders to watch over the grounds as well as some thirty other men."
Kaoru sighed in relief, but Kenshin didn't relax at all. In fact, he became tenser. "And why did you bring Kaoru-dono up in this tree?"
Kaoru gasped and looked up at Kenshin, his eyes icy and his glare hard. The man in front of them was stuttering badly and was unable to answer Kenshin's question. Kenshin, meanwhile, caressed the hilt of his sword, fingers twitching to release the blade from its sheath.
Kaoru struggled out of Kenshin's grasp and matched his glare with one of her own. "I was not brought up here, I was the one that jumped up here."
Determined blue eyes met shocked amethyst ones. "Oro?"
Kaoru bowed her head. "I wanted to test my ki restraining technique. Gomen for all the trouble I caused." She slowly walked towards the edge of the branch and attempted to jump off when she felt Kenshin's hand grip her wrist tightly. Kaoru's head shot up and she looked at Kenshin curiously.
"Gomen nasai, de gozaru yo." Kenshin said softly to the man. "Sessha did not realize that you were under Saitou's command." The man was at a loss of words as he watched Kenshin bring his arms around Kaoru and leap off the branch, landing them both safely onto the ground.
The man had been told that the Battousai was to keep Kaoru safe since she was the stewardess, but never had he thought that the stewardess had so much power. She was very strong in deed to control the Battousai's actions like she had just done, and he was thankful. Otherwise he would have been dead.
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Kaoru pried herself away from Kenshin, her eyes gleaming with anger. "You assume too much too quickly." She spat.
Kenshin looked at her with surprise. He had never seen her so angry before, but he had a feeling that she could be much worse. Instead, Kenshin felt his belligerent side kick in. It was a side that he had scarcely ever used, and wondered how this woman was in fact the only woman that could bring this side out of him. "And who said I had no reason to?" He said, violet eyes suddenly dimming into the steely blue Kaoru had seen just moments before.
Kaoru quirked her eyebrow in response, urging Kenshin to elaborate.
"You were behind me one second, and the next you were gone! What did you want me to think?" Kenshin growled, his eyes threatening to go a shade darker. It was a shade that Kaoru dreaded on seeing.
"You could have thought twice before attempting to attack the poor man!" Kaoru said irritably.
"Of course I did!" Kenshin shouted, his arm flying up in exasperation. "I asked him what his business was up in that tree! I do not need you to be kidnapped again."
"But if I hadn't apologized, you would have killed that man!" Kaoru yelled furiously.
"I DO NOT KILL!" Kenshin boomed, his eyes steadily darkening until they reached molten amber.
Kaoru gasped and backed a few steps away from Battousai. When Battousai's eyes gleamed at his sense of her fear, she immediately reclaimed her poise and glowered at him, doing her best in hiding her panic.
"You are a manslayer, Battousai. A Hitokiri. Of course you kill." Kaoru said, her words dripping with venom. Her voice quivered when she said it, and her pitch had deepened from trepidation, but she remained her ground. Of course, Kaoru knew that what she said wasn't true, for she had seen his sakabatou during the fight between Kenshin and Jin-eh. But it had been true in the past, and for some reason, something happened back then that changed Kenshin's ways. She was curious as to figure out why, and she vaguely wondered why she still wanted to know when she was irately fighting with him at the moment.
A barrier broke in Kenshin. He never wanted to be called that again. He tried to forget his past. He tried so hard, but now here she was saying it to his face. Had he failed? Many others had called him a manslayer to his face, and they did not matter. Then why did those words falling from Kaoru's mouth affect him in such a way? It was just like her calling him 'Battousai'. He couldn't stand the scorn that she put into her words. How could that be? He had heard those words many times before. Why is it any different now?
Kaoru looked at Kenshin, becoming extremely worried for his well-being. Since when did she care? Kaoru immediately wished she hadn't said such words. She felt horrible with what she just said. She didn't mean it, and to see that it affected Kenshin in such a way made her feel even guiltier. There Kenshin stood, his head bowed, bangs covering the eyes that were an undetermined color. His hands were balled into fists before drooping and falling lifelessly at his side.
"Kenshin," Kaoru said quietly, just wanting to embrace the man in front of her. "Kenshin, gomen. Onegai, I didn't mean it." She reached out a hand to touch Kenshin's shoulder, but he pulled away. His eyes lifted, violet swirling in his amber depths.
"What's been said is done, and now I must go." Kenshin said sadly, turning away from Kaoru.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru wailed. It should have been raining outside. It should have been storming, for that's what she felt like inside. "Matsu! Kenshin! Onegaishimasu, mochi misutetesaru!" She fell to the ground, sobbing quietly.
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Kenshin stormed into the summerhouse and stomped over to the library where Dr. Genzai was sitting and reading a book. When Kenshin entered, Dr. Genzai looked up from his book and smiled warmly at Kenshin, disregarding Kenshin's aggravated expression.
"I'm off." Kenshin said simply before turning around and heading back towards the front door.
"You're off to where exactly?" Dr. Genzai called from the library.
"To see Seijuro." Kenshin called back, slamming the door behind him.
"What about Kaoru?" Dr. Genzai asked softly to himself. He was no match for any of Shishio's men, and his daughters would be in danger at the summerhouse. Kenshin was a baka for leaving just like that, only leaving Kaoru in the protection of the house and the guards that were not as skilled as Shishio's men.
The front doors opened again as Dr. Genzai's two small daughters came bouncing into the room. "Ojiichan!" Ayame shouted, running up to Dr. Genzai's side. "Where is Oji Kenshin going?"
Dr. Genzai sighed. "He has left to go visit Seijuro-sama."
The two girls beamed at each other. "Oji Hiko! Oji Hiko!"
"Do we get to see Oji Hiko?" Suzume asked anxiously.
"Not today, girls." Dr. Genzai replied, groaning as he stood up from his chair. "But do me a favor and find Kaoru-san, and bring her inside."
"Okedoke!" Ayame said brightly as she took her younger sister's hand and exited out onto the lawn in search of Kaoru.
"Obi Kaoru!" Suzume cried as she walked around outside. "Obi Kaoru, where are you?"
Kaoru looked up from the ground at the sound of the young girls' calling. Quickly wiping her tears aside, she stood up to meet the two girls. "Hai, Ayame and Suzume, is there something you wanted?"
Ayame shook her head. "Ojiichan just wanted you to come inside. Oji Kenshin has left to see Oji Hiko!"
Kaoru sniffed and nodded, following the girls inside. "Why is Obi Kaoru Kanashigaru?" Suzume asked as they walked towards the house.
Kaoru smiled softly at the two girls. "It's nothing."
Ayame looked up at Kaoru and smiled knowingly. "I think Obi Kaoru is sad because Oji Kenshin isn't here."
Kaoru looked down at the young girl, eyes wide with disbelief. "Nani? What did you say?"
The two girls giggled and hopped into the house, disregarding Kaoru's question.
Once they had stepped into the house, Kaoru met Dr. Genzai's somber expression. "Kaoru-san," Dr. Genzai said gravely, his eyes revealed apprehension and concern, "I'm afraid that without Kenshin here to watch over you, you must stay within the house until he returns."
Kaoru bowed her head. She hated being locked up in one place, never being allowed to wander, but it was for her own security. "Wakaru." With that, Kaoru left the room and walked up to her own bedroom.
Kaoru lay down in bed, the covers drawn up to her chin. She felt so cold on such a warm day and wondered how it could be. There was a void that she felt within her, a void that had existed ever since she left her dojo and students behind. That void had grown bigger now that Kenshin was gone, and Kaoru questioned what that could mean. Did she have feelings for Kenshin? Yes, but it was more than just feelings. She loved her students, and being without them created that hole in her heart. Was it possible that she loved Kenshin as well? But how could that be? When did her feelings turn from liking to loving?
Kaoru sighed and tossed around in her bed. This wasn't getting her anywhere. She hated Kenshin for leaving her like this, but she couldn't help but worry for him. Never had she seen him been so affected by her words, and it scared her. She wondered if he was okay, and if he would return home safely. Return to her safely.
With that last thought, Kaoru drifted off into the realms of slumber.
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Kenshin did all he could do, he ran. He ran out of his Shishou's summerhouse and dashed towards the town. He felt ashamed of himself for yelling at Kaoru. What he wanted to do now more than ever was to run back and console her, to run his fingers through her ebony hair, or rock her back and forth in his lap, watching her saffron eyes drift shut while she succumbed to sleep. But after that argument that Kenshin had with Kaoru, he figured that Kaoru deserved someone much better than himself. He was after all like she said, a hitokiri. He wouldn't want to stain Kaoru's innocence with his dirtied hands; a stewardess should never be called into duty while being tainted.
The countryside flashed by Kenshin as he bounded forward. The town would only be about an hour away. Then he could make sure that preparations would be made for his return with Kaoru. Kaoru probably hated him now for the way he told off that young man in the tree and then arguing with her afterwards. She probably wouldn't even want to see him again. Kenshin bowed his head, crimson bangs shielding his eyes from the world, eyes that revealed hurt and longing for one girl that meant the world to him.
Yes, his tennyo meant everything to him. No other woman had affected him the way she did, no woman had ever defied him the way she did. And yet no other woman had ever cared for him the way she did. Kaoru had a special place in his heart, and he would do anything to make her happy. Even if it meant leaving her and her life, he would do it, as long as she would be safe.
Then why had he run away from Kaoru if he just wanted for her to be safe? He was going to make things safer for her by checking on the town and the Aoiya, but she was left with little protection back at his Shishou's summerhouse. But that risk was worth taking for the ultimate benefit. Plus, Kenshin needed this time for himself. Those feelings he had in the pit of his stomach all needed to be sorted out. Some say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and indeed it was true. Kenshin started to miss Kaoru with all his being, despite how mad he was at her. These feelings of longing and adoration led to just one vital verb: love.
'I love her.' Kenshin thought absentmindedly, a smirk spreading across his face. His feet picked up speed, determined to get to town and back to Kaoru before the end of three days.
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The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and the wind was humming a delightful tune as it brushed the trees and whistled past homes. Yet Misao wasn't as delightful as the morning when she woke, thrusting her body straight up, eyes wide and body panting. There was something that was out of place; Misao could feel it.
She slid out of the covers on her futon and made her way out of Kaoru's room and through the hallways that led to Yahiko's room. Something was amiss, and she hoped that it wasn't Yahiko. Misao pushed open the shoji door and sighed when she found Yahiko splayed across the futon, his snores shaking the walls. Misao stifled a giggle as she turned away from the room, not forgetting that feeling of incorrectness.
She moved her way into the dojo and sat on the floor, folding her arms across her chest. She peered out the windows and felt a rush of wind blow inside the entrance door that she thought was shut.
"Misao." She heard a deep voice resonate from the door.
Misao swiveled around to face Aoshi. Her jaw fell open as she noticed that her Aoshi-sama was missing his usual trench coat and his gi was gaping open to reveal the perfect chest.
Aoshi easily suppressed a smirk as he noticed Misao's reaction to his appearance but chose not to comment on the matter seeing that there was something more important to address. Before he could even address the issue, however, Misao had spoken up first.
"Something is wrong." She said, worries streaking across her face. "Aoshi- sama, what's going on?"
Aoshi looked down at her and had to observe on how well he had trained her. Not many people, as well as ninjas, could notice such a thing amiss in a large society such as the kingdom underneath Seijuro's rule. "You are right, Misao." Aoshi said, sitting himself down across from Misao to promise his stay in the dojo for at least a few more minutes.
Misao frowned when Aoshi wouldn't continue freely. "What is wrong, then?" She asked.
"Look around," Aoshi said calmly, "And you tell me."
Misao stood up and walked towards the shoji door, opening it anxiously. She stepped out into the street and looked around, noticing that there were very few people on the streets. "There's practically nobody out there." Misao said, which would usually end the matter to any other person, but Misao looked much deeper. "Those men," Misao said softly, "They're gone."
Misao turned in time to see Aoshi nod. "That's right. Okina spotted them leaving in the middle of the night."
"B-but what about Kaoru?" Misao asked worriedly, "Do you think they'll find her?"
"She's with Himura." Aoshi said as if that were reason enough to not be worried.
Misao turned her head away from Aoshi, fearing that a tear might slip from her eyes and cause Aoshi to think that she was weak. Aoshi noticed this and stepped forward about to wrap his arms around the girl he had come to love when the shoji door behind them abruptly slid open.
"Kenshin." Aoshi said, barely stifling his surprise.
"Himura!" Misao cried out, and then suddenly her voice lowered unusually to a growl. "Where's Kaoru?"
Kenshin was panting in the doorway, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "She's back at the summerhouse." He gasped. "I must speak to Shishou!"
"What happened?" Aoshi asked, "And who's protecting Kaoru?"
"No one!" Kenshin wheezed, "That's why I must hurry!"
Misao was outraged. "Who is looking after Kaoru then?"
"Saitou's men." Kenshin replied, standing up straight after overcoming his weariness.
Misao growled and lunged at Kenshin while screaming, "That's not good enough! Go back and protect her!" However, Aoshi grabbed Misao around the middle, drawing her back towards him where her back rammed into his chest. Misao looked up at Aoshi and shot daggers at him, but Aoshi just responded by shaking his head, causing Misao to pout in his arms.
"Go, Himura, don't waste time." Aoshi said calmly but with an edge of anxiousness. "Go talk to Seijuro and return quickly to Kaoru."
Kenshin nodded and ran straight up to the castle just as Yahiko entered the room.
Yahiko found Misao in Aoshi's arms wondering what on earth was going on. "So I see you two have finally hit it off, ne?" Yahiko teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Misao struggled out of Aoshi's arms and ran after Yahiko. "Why you little- !"
"I'M NOT LITTLE!" Yahiko retorted, fleeing from Misao's wrath.
Aoshi couldn't help but smile, which was actually just a small tug of his lips.
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A/N: Kind of disappointed on the lack of reviews, but oh well! This story is fun to write, so it's worth continuing. In case anybody cares to know a little about my small life outside of writing, I got a job!! YAY! Lol And I also had my audition, which went amazingly well. My teacher was really pleased. But yeah, those are my accomplishments for the past week or so. But now back to being humble and thanking all of my reviewers!
Bando-Eido no Megami-sama: I think I actually have that episode on DVD, I'm gonna hafta check.
MizLee: You're going to hafta keep reading to find out ( but you'll find out in the next chapter!!
Koishii Sweet: Thanks for the advice!
Sweet Cherries, Bloody Rune, tikigurl293, Kaname-chan, chibiBattousai, Silver Eyes Bright
A LITTLE SIDE NOTE: I was wondering whether or not I should put Tomoe in the story. Just as an FYI, I'm NOT a Tomoe fan, so you can bet that if I do put her in the story, she's not going to play an obliging role.