Crimson Tears: Day Four
Aoshi sat in the study well past midnight with Enishi and Kenshin. Each were eyeing the others with suspicion. Aoshi calmly lifted his cup of steaming tea to his lips and swallowed the burning brew nonchalantly.
He could feel his throat scream for attention from the assault but he showed no visible signs of discomfort. He stared back at the other two men stonily. "Who was she?"
"A guest by the name of Natasha," Enishi replied before focusing his attention on Kenshin. "Himura, were the two of you not engaged in a lively debate last night?"
Kenshin narrowed his lavender eyes at Enishi, flecks of amber evident within them. "I would hardly call it a lively debate. It was more along the lines that she wanted to keep me 'company' during the night and I informed her that I was not interested."
Enishi sneered, "What's the matter Himura? Got your sights set on another type of companion?" He taunted. He wasn't sure why he was acting like a ten-year-old brat around Himura, but something deep inside drove him to antagonize the man. Perhaps it was his small stature? Doubtful, he didn't feel his inner child wanting to bully Soujiro.
Undaunted, Himura reclined in his chair and propped his chin on top of his hands as his elbows rested high on the arm rests. He looked pointedly at Aoshi in open challenge. "There is someone at this castle whom I would take up such an offer with."
Aoshi took another draught from his scalding tea before setting it on the end table beside him. "I'm a lucky man to have Kaoru warming my bed every night."
"Unless something were to happen to you," Kenshin replied as equally collected as the detective.
"Is that a threat?" Enishi interrupted. Kenshin smiled in a manner that would send a woman's heart plummeting to her feet, too bad there were only two cold, calculating men on the receiving end of it.
"No, I was simply making the observation," he answered.
Aoshi directed his attention to Enishi. "Where are the other guests? My fiancé and I still haven't met half the people here."
Enishi took off his blue tinted spectacles and wiped the lenses with his shirttail. "I wish I knew."
#################
Kaoru refused to close her eyes. She longed for sleep but dreaded the consequences. Aoshi had been gone for over six hours and she was so drowsy. She wanted to find Megumi and Sanosuke, but didn't know where their room was.
If Aoshi saw her wandering the halls unescorted with a murderer on the prowl she was sure to receive an ear full. It was the middle of the night in Britain but it was the middle of the afternoon where Hajime was.
A bright smile lit up her face at the prospect of talking to the love of her life. The phone was in her hand, ready to dial, but she paused as another thought crossed her mind, followed by a frown.
He sent her here and practically forced her to spend every moment of her time under the ever watchful eye day and night of a very handsome Aoshi Shinomori.
Her gaze fell upon her former engagement ring that now represented a lie. A dejected sigh escaped her lips. That should be a sure sign that Hajime wanted her to move on, because he obviously had in order to treat the item in such a detached manner.
She lay the phone aside and moved towards the window doors that led to the balcony outside her room. Maybe the crisp night air would keep her awake until Aoshi returned.
Half an hour passed but Kaoru's teeth were chattering too much for her to remain out in the cold air. Upset with her lack of endurance for the chill, Kaoru walked back inside just in time to hear someone knocking on the door.
Thinking it was Aoshi, she pulled open the door in a flurry with a tantrum ready to spill out of her mouth.
Only, it wasn't Aoshi.
####################
Aoshi returned to the room exhausted from his meeting. He didn't like either Himura or Yukishiro. But, he also didn't think either was responsible for the death of Natasha.
It had to have been one of the other countless guests he had yet to meet. He knocked lightly on the door ready to retire. He just wanted to go to bed and worry about this mystery in the morning. He was confident that all his troubles would seem far away once he held Kaoru in his arms. Granted she would be unconscious and unaware of the comfort he took from such an act.
There was no answer. She must have already been asleep. He pulled out his key to unlock the door, but to his surprise it was already unlocked. He pushed the door in cautiously.
The room was empty.
"Curse that Tanuki," he muttered under his breath as he explored the room for clues leading to her whereabouts. There was no note.
The window was open, sending a breeze to make the curtains dance eerily.
He noticed her cell phone out and picked it up. Saito's number was on the screen. Had she been about to call him because she was in danger?
He flew out the room, but ran into Kenshin in the hallway. He gripped the smaller man by the upper arms painfully. "Have you seen Kaoru?"
Kenshin calmly plucked off Aoshi's hands to free his arms. He smirked, "I haven't been to my room yet."
Aoshi reeled back his fist and knocked the air out of Himura's stomach, sending him stumbling into the wall. "I don't have time for this." Aoshi brushed past him, but Kenshin ran after him with a hand over his sore stomach.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll help find her." Kenshin told him, his voice determined.
"I don't need your help," Aoshi informed him icily.
"I'm not helping you. I'm helping her." Kenshin corrected. "There is a difference."
#################
On the fifth floor on the Southern wing of the castle, Kaoru's sides were hurting from laughing so much. She hadn't felt so carefree in who knows how long! She was starting to laugh uncontrollably now at the latest witty comment Soujiro expressed.
Sitting beside her, Sanosuke awkwardly rubbed her back, trying to get her to stop her odd hysterical laughter. "Say missy, you going to be okay? Don't want you to spit out a lung in the process."
"No, no, I'm fine." Kaoru assured him as she tried to take deep breaths and control her breathing. It just felt so good to laugh. She didn't realize how stressed out she had been until right now.
She looked on her other side, the grin never left her face. Abruptly she hugged the young man sitting beside her. He tried half-heartedly to extract himself from her crushing embrace, but finally ceded and hugged her just as feverently.
"Geez, Kaoru, we've been together for about two hours now. I'd think you'd have figured out I'm not some phantom by now," Yahiko chided when Kaoru finally pulled back from him.
Kaoru shook her head, tears swimming in her eyes once again. "It's just, after all these years, I thought you were dead."
Beside her, Sanosuke put his arm lightly around her shoulder. "It's alright, we all thought that. Megumi and I happened to run across him this afternoon."
"Kaoru, I'm so sorry. But, I only recovered my memory about a month ago. I saw your name in the newspaper talking about how you had won some sort of journalism award for mystery solving pieces. Then I got wind of this opportunity and I knew you would be here." Yahiko explained for the umpteenth time.
Kaoru just shook her head in disbelief. "It's just, you're here and alive. And you aren't calling me ugly anymore! It's just all so surreal."
"So, did you end up meeting many of the other guests today?" Misao asked from her seat on the couch across from Kaoru. She was sitting beside Soujiro and it seemed like she had completely forgotten about Mr. Aoshi Shinomori.
"No, you guys are pretty much the only people I've seen since we've been here." Kaoru replied. For a moment she forgot the comfort of the new friends she was spending time with. Her mind was focused on the red haired woman, that was dead.
Then the secret passage that she had explored with Kenshin created more questions for her. Who's to say there weren't more secret passages? This place was a murderer's paradise and a potential victim's hell.
"What did Aoshi think of your little stroll with Mr. Himura?" Megumi asked, a mischievous twinkle lit her eyes.
At first Kaoru was drawing a blank on the name Himura, then she realized she was talking about Kenshin. "Well, he did lock me in our room." Kaoru admitted, looking down at her lap embarrassed by the revelation.
Apparently her comment had everyone exchanging nervous looks with one another. "Um, Kaoru, does Aoshi know you are here?" Soujiro asked, his friendly smile firmly in place.
Kaoru shifted uncomfortably and flashed Sanosuke a pleading look. "But I hadn't seen Yahiko in so long and I was so excited, that I completely forgot and....."
The American boxer, Sanosuke, held up a hand to stop her. He smirked at her. "You know little missy, I'm not the one who is going to demand an explanation."
"No, that would be me."
Everyone froze at the entrance of two deadly hunters as they entered the lair of their prey. Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi, Sourijo, and Misao all shared the same expression. However, Kaoru's was a shade more apprehensive when she locked eyes with an icy blue rage.
Kenshin stood beside Aoshi, quiet, scanning the inhabitants of the friendly circle as if he was categorizing every detail about them for future reference. His normally lavender eyes were amber when he first entered the room but were slightly melting into a harmless lavender.
"Aoshi," Kaoru whispered. It was the only word she could think of, all explanations she had running through her brain to use were suddenly abandoned her when faced with the detective.
Aoshi's attention was directly sole upon Kaoru. He was so relieved to have found her safe and sound. He wanted an explanation, but what he really wanted to do was assure himself that she was alive.
"Um, Yahiko, I'd like you to meet Aoshi. And the other man at the door is," Kaoru paused, "Mr. Himura."
Kenshin gave Yahiko a polite bow. He was familiar with all the other occupants of the room.
"S'up Kenshin," Sanosuke greeted.
Kenshin turned his attention to Kaoru, "Your fiancé and I have been quite concerned."
Yahiko frowned as he laid his hand on Kaoru's shoulder to tear her eyes away from that Aoshi figure. "What's he talking about Kaoru?"
Kaoru wouldn't look at Yahiko, her gaze shifted from Aoshi to Kenshin to Aoshi. "Aoshi is my fiancé."
"But, he doesn't even look like he would like people!" Yahiko complained, rising to his feet. He felt like he was ten years old again, defending his sister from all the jerks that tried to get her attention.
Aoshi turned his deadly stare to the young man, whom visibly shrunk under it's intensity. Aoshi took precise steps towards him until he was standing directly in front of Kaoru, but looking at Yahiko. "I don't like people. But, I do love Kaoru."
He then held out his hand for Kaoru to accept and completely ignored the other inhabitants of the room. Megumi and Sanosuke exchanged bewildered looks at his declaration, he seemed to be acting a little too much. Sano didn't fail to notice the dark light that seemed cross Kenshin's eyes.
Kaoru accepted his hand and allowed him to help hoist her to her feet. She was feeling remarkably embarrassed, like a child caught disobeying her parents. She tore her gaze away from Aoshi to look at everyone apologetically. "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course, Kaoru-chan," Soujiro answered for them all, having found the power of speech. It was as if the moment Aoshi and Kenshin had stepped into the room, all the air had been vacuumed out, leaving everyone speechless and at their wits' end.
Kaoru was afraid that Aoshi wanted to hit her! He looked completely natural and yet, the look in his eyes betrayed his intense anger. She was surprised when all he did was lightly pull her by the elbow after him.
She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room boring into them as they left. She wanted to turn around and wave goodbye, especially to Yahiko. But, she also didn't want to anger Aoshi anymore. She ventured a look at her watch. It was four thirty seven in the morning.
The pair walked in silence, Aoshi leading the way towards their room on the third floor on another wing of the castle. When they reached the elevator, Kaoru crumbled, she never was good at the quiet game.
"I'm sorry Aoshi, but it was Yahiko and,"
Aoshi put his free hand up to cover her mouth. He glanced up at the top of the elevator as if looking for bugs. He didn't speak, he merely shook his head no.
Effectively silenced, Kaoru followed behind him like an obedient puppy. He turned the lock to their room and then opened the door and locked it behind them. He released Kaoru as he doubled checked the windows and then the closet and bathroom.
After his impromptu search he turned back to Kaoru. His worry plainly displayed across his features. There was no anger in his eyes now, only concern. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Kaoru couldn't meet his intense gaze and looked down at her feet. She was surprised to discover that she was bare foot. You would think that's something you would notice as you walked along a stone floor. But then again, she was dressed for bed when Yahiko had dropped by earlier.
Aoshi hooked his finger around her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. "Kaoru, I specifically told you not to leave this room. There is a murderer on the loose, you are celebrity amongst the guests here, you left the window wide open, your cell phone in the middle of the floor and left the door unlocked. You could have at least left a note." He sounded tired now, and no longer angry.
Kaoru could feel her eyes watering but she wouldn't cry. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was just so excited to see Yahiko."
Aoshi removed his hand from her and turned his back to her. She thought she had angered him with her answer but she was relieved to discover he was merely getting ready for bed.
He tossed his shirt across the room and kicked off his shoes. He kept his slacks on as he turned back towards her. "I understand, just try to think things through more carefully. I understand how exciting it is to be reunited with someone you thought was dead."
"I won't do it again," Kaoru offered, with a hopeful edge to her words. She felt absolutely miserable for causing Aoshi to search for her for God knows how long.
"No you won't," Aoshi agreed as he moved in on her and then wrapped her into his arms. It was then that Kaoru could feel the tenseness of his muscles. They all seemed to relax the moment he held her in his arms. "I was afraid that you would have been next. I would die if something happened to you." He confessed his dream from the night before haunting him.
Kaoru pulled out of his arms to look him in the eye. "Oh, Aoshi, I'm sorry, I really didn't think about what you would think. I promise to be more careful."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure you are. I'm not letting you out of my sight. You better get used to having me serve as your shadow." Aoshi told her, his voice soft and tired and yet still full of determination and strength.
"Well, you'll be glad to know I didn't totally waste my time. Misao mentioned that she caught Enishi locking up a monitoring room on the second day here. The evidence should all be on tape, unfortunately, its locked until the end of the fourteenth day under a failsafe system that can not be overridden." Kaoru explained as she left Aoshi's side and climbed into her side of the bed. She was already wearing her pajamas when Yahiko had come by earlier.
Aoshi stood silently, like a stone guardian for a while before responding. "Yukishiro, Himura, and I had a fruitless conversation. Nothing substantial came from our meeting. Enishi didn't mention the monitoring system."
Kaoru stifled a large yawn as she looked up at Aoshi. "I doubt if it matters right now. It's almost dawn. I'm going to sleep. What do you want to do tomorrow?"
Aoshi didn't answer for a while. Silently he pulled back the covers and climbed in behind Kaoru. He closed his eyes and willed whatever was left of the tension from earlier to abandon his muscles. "We will do nothing tomorrow."
"Well I know there isn't much we can do, but we must be doing something," Kaoru argued, frowning in the dark.
Two warm arms snaked around her waist, drawing her into a firm chest. A chin rested upon her shoulder. Soft, silky ebon colored hair, not her own, fell onto her cheek. "We will do absolutely nothing. If the other guests don't bother showing themselves I'm perfectly content to sit in here all day like a hermit."
"But, you can't be serious." Kaoru argued. She had a perpetual case of boredom and it would be torture to be stuck in a room all day.
Aoshi hugged her to him in response. "I have never been more serious in my life. I think you are a target and have been drawing too much unwanted attention to yourself. Tomorrow we do nothing. Perhaps the next day we will start investigating."
"Doesn't sound like the kind of detective Hajime would assign to such a case. Besides, it's only one murder. The first was the actor. It could have been an isolated case or the start of a spree, we need more information" Kaoru grumbled, clearly not too happy with Shinomori's plans.
Aoshi kissed the side of her neck, startling Kaoru. "Shut up and go to sleep. I know plenty of pressure points to make you."
"Fine, but I don't get why you're acting like this. We're not really engaged, who are you trying to impress with this act?"
"This is the safest place you can be. With you tucked within the security of my arms I'm confident nothing bad can befall you. Now stop arguing and go to sleep or I'll make you stay in this room for two days." Aoshi replied before relaxing completely, but his arm muscles never slacking.
Kaoru was frustrated. Why was he acting so possessive? Was something said in his meeting that made him this way? She did have to admit she was at fault for not informing him of her destination.
Regretfully, she understood his behavior. He was just doing his job. She sighed, relaxing against his solid build in the process. Should she feel used or secure? She wasn't sure and frankly it really didn't matter as sleep claimed her.
It was regrettable that the two slept so soundly in one another's warmth that they never heard the screams that came later that morning. Nor did they hear the terrified footsteps racing down their hallway later that evening.
On the bright side, they were both well rested which was good because it would probably be a long time before they would get any refreshing sleep after that.
TBC
Aoshi sat in the study well past midnight with Enishi and Kenshin. Each were eyeing the others with suspicion. Aoshi calmly lifted his cup of steaming tea to his lips and swallowed the burning brew nonchalantly.
He could feel his throat scream for attention from the assault but he showed no visible signs of discomfort. He stared back at the other two men stonily. "Who was she?"
"A guest by the name of Natasha," Enishi replied before focusing his attention on Kenshin. "Himura, were the two of you not engaged in a lively debate last night?"
Kenshin narrowed his lavender eyes at Enishi, flecks of amber evident within them. "I would hardly call it a lively debate. It was more along the lines that she wanted to keep me 'company' during the night and I informed her that I was not interested."
Enishi sneered, "What's the matter Himura? Got your sights set on another type of companion?" He taunted. He wasn't sure why he was acting like a ten-year-old brat around Himura, but something deep inside drove him to antagonize the man. Perhaps it was his small stature? Doubtful, he didn't feel his inner child wanting to bully Soujiro.
Undaunted, Himura reclined in his chair and propped his chin on top of his hands as his elbows rested high on the arm rests. He looked pointedly at Aoshi in open challenge. "There is someone at this castle whom I would take up such an offer with."
Aoshi took another draught from his scalding tea before setting it on the end table beside him. "I'm a lucky man to have Kaoru warming my bed every night."
"Unless something were to happen to you," Kenshin replied as equally collected as the detective.
"Is that a threat?" Enishi interrupted. Kenshin smiled in a manner that would send a woman's heart plummeting to her feet, too bad there were only two cold, calculating men on the receiving end of it.
"No, I was simply making the observation," he answered.
Aoshi directed his attention to Enishi. "Where are the other guests? My fiancé and I still haven't met half the people here."
Enishi took off his blue tinted spectacles and wiped the lenses with his shirttail. "I wish I knew."
#################
Kaoru refused to close her eyes. She longed for sleep but dreaded the consequences. Aoshi had been gone for over six hours and she was so drowsy. She wanted to find Megumi and Sanosuke, but didn't know where their room was.
If Aoshi saw her wandering the halls unescorted with a murderer on the prowl she was sure to receive an ear full. It was the middle of the night in Britain but it was the middle of the afternoon where Hajime was.
A bright smile lit up her face at the prospect of talking to the love of her life. The phone was in her hand, ready to dial, but she paused as another thought crossed her mind, followed by a frown.
He sent her here and practically forced her to spend every moment of her time under the ever watchful eye day and night of a very handsome Aoshi Shinomori.
Her gaze fell upon her former engagement ring that now represented a lie. A dejected sigh escaped her lips. That should be a sure sign that Hajime wanted her to move on, because he obviously had in order to treat the item in such a detached manner.
She lay the phone aside and moved towards the window doors that led to the balcony outside her room. Maybe the crisp night air would keep her awake until Aoshi returned.
Half an hour passed but Kaoru's teeth were chattering too much for her to remain out in the cold air. Upset with her lack of endurance for the chill, Kaoru walked back inside just in time to hear someone knocking on the door.
Thinking it was Aoshi, she pulled open the door in a flurry with a tantrum ready to spill out of her mouth.
Only, it wasn't Aoshi.
####################
Aoshi returned to the room exhausted from his meeting. He didn't like either Himura or Yukishiro. But, he also didn't think either was responsible for the death of Natasha.
It had to have been one of the other countless guests he had yet to meet. He knocked lightly on the door ready to retire. He just wanted to go to bed and worry about this mystery in the morning. He was confident that all his troubles would seem far away once he held Kaoru in his arms. Granted she would be unconscious and unaware of the comfort he took from such an act.
There was no answer. She must have already been asleep. He pulled out his key to unlock the door, but to his surprise it was already unlocked. He pushed the door in cautiously.
The room was empty.
"Curse that Tanuki," he muttered under his breath as he explored the room for clues leading to her whereabouts. There was no note.
The window was open, sending a breeze to make the curtains dance eerily.
He noticed her cell phone out and picked it up. Saito's number was on the screen. Had she been about to call him because she was in danger?
He flew out the room, but ran into Kenshin in the hallway. He gripped the smaller man by the upper arms painfully. "Have you seen Kaoru?"
Kenshin calmly plucked off Aoshi's hands to free his arms. He smirked, "I haven't been to my room yet."
Aoshi reeled back his fist and knocked the air out of Himura's stomach, sending him stumbling into the wall. "I don't have time for this." Aoshi brushed past him, but Kenshin ran after him with a hand over his sore stomach.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'll help find her." Kenshin told him, his voice determined.
"I don't need your help," Aoshi informed him icily.
"I'm not helping you. I'm helping her." Kenshin corrected. "There is a difference."
#################
On the fifth floor on the Southern wing of the castle, Kaoru's sides were hurting from laughing so much. She hadn't felt so carefree in who knows how long! She was starting to laugh uncontrollably now at the latest witty comment Soujiro expressed.
Sitting beside her, Sanosuke awkwardly rubbed her back, trying to get her to stop her odd hysterical laughter. "Say missy, you going to be okay? Don't want you to spit out a lung in the process."
"No, no, I'm fine." Kaoru assured him as she tried to take deep breaths and control her breathing. It just felt so good to laugh. She didn't realize how stressed out she had been until right now.
She looked on her other side, the grin never left her face. Abruptly she hugged the young man sitting beside her. He tried half-heartedly to extract himself from her crushing embrace, but finally ceded and hugged her just as feverently.
"Geez, Kaoru, we've been together for about two hours now. I'd think you'd have figured out I'm not some phantom by now," Yahiko chided when Kaoru finally pulled back from him.
Kaoru shook her head, tears swimming in her eyes once again. "It's just, after all these years, I thought you were dead."
Beside her, Sanosuke put his arm lightly around her shoulder. "It's alright, we all thought that. Megumi and I happened to run across him this afternoon."
"Kaoru, I'm so sorry. But, I only recovered my memory about a month ago. I saw your name in the newspaper talking about how you had won some sort of journalism award for mystery solving pieces. Then I got wind of this opportunity and I knew you would be here." Yahiko explained for the umpteenth time.
Kaoru just shook her head in disbelief. "It's just, you're here and alive. And you aren't calling me ugly anymore! It's just all so surreal."
"So, did you end up meeting many of the other guests today?" Misao asked from her seat on the couch across from Kaoru. She was sitting beside Soujiro and it seemed like she had completely forgotten about Mr. Aoshi Shinomori.
"No, you guys are pretty much the only people I've seen since we've been here." Kaoru replied. For a moment she forgot the comfort of the new friends she was spending time with. Her mind was focused on the red haired woman, that was dead.
Then the secret passage that she had explored with Kenshin created more questions for her. Who's to say there weren't more secret passages? This place was a murderer's paradise and a potential victim's hell.
"What did Aoshi think of your little stroll with Mr. Himura?" Megumi asked, a mischievous twinkle lit her eyes.
At first Kaoru was drawing a blank on the name Himura, then she realized she was talking about Kenshin. "Well, he did lock me in our room." Kaoru admitted, looking down at her lap embarrassed by the revelation.
Apparently her comment had everyone exchanging nervous looks with one another. "Um, Kaoru, does Aoshi know you are here?" Soujiro asked, his friendly smile firmly in place.
Kaoru shifted uncomfortably and flashed Sanosuke a pleading look. "But I hadn't seen Yahiko in so long and I was so excited, that I completely forgot and....."
The American boxer, Sanosuke, held up a hand to stop her. He smirked at her. "You know little missy, I'm not the one who is going to demand an explanation."
"No, that would be me."
Everyone froze at the entrance of two deadly hunters as they entered the lair of their prey. Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, Megumi, Sourijo, and Misao all shared the same expression. However, Kaoru's was a shade more apprehensive when she locked eyes with an icy blue rage.
Kenshin stood beside Aoshi, quiet, scanning the inhabitants of the friendly circle as if he was categorizing every detail about them for future reference. His normally lavender eyes were amber when he first entered the room but were slightly melting into a harmless lavender.
"Aoshi," Kaoru whispered. It was the only word she could think of, all explanations she had running through her brain to use were suddenly abandoned her when faced with the detective.
Aoshi's attention was directly sole upon Kaoru. He was so relieved to have found her safe and sound. He wanted an explanation, but what he really wanted to do was assure himself that she was alive.
"Um, Yahiko, I'd like you to meet Aoshi. And the other man at the door is," Kaoru paused, "Mr. Himura."
Kenshin gave Yahiko a polite bow. He was familiar with all the other occupants of the room.
"S'up Kenshin," Sanosuke greeted.
Kenshin turned his attention to Kaoru, "Your fiancé and I have been quite concerned."
Yahiko frowned as he laid his hand on Kaoru's shoulder to tear her eyes away from that Aoshi figure. "What's he talking about Kaoru?"
Kaoru wouldn't look at Yahiko, her gaze shifted from Aoshi to Kenshin to Aoshi. "Aoshi is my fiancé."
"But, he doesn't even look like he would like people!" Yahiko complained, rising to his feet. He felt like he was ten years old again, defending his sister from all the jerks that tried to get her attention.
Aoshi turned his deadly stare to the young man, whom visibly shrunk under it's intensity. Aoshi took precise steps towards him until he was standing directly in front of Kaoru, but looking at Yahiko. "I don't like people. But, I do love Kaoru."
He then held out his hand for Kaoru to accept and completely ignored the other inhabitants of the room. Megumi and Sanosuke exchanged bewildered looks at his declaration, he seemed to be acting a little too much. Sano didn't fail to notice the dark light that seemed cross Kenshin's eyes.
Kaoru accepted his hand and allowed him to help hoist her to her feet. She was feeling remarkably embarrassed, like a child caught disobeying her parents. She tore her gaze away from Aoshi to look at everyone apologetically. "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course, Kaoru-chan," Soujiro answered for them all, having found the power of speech. It was as if the moment Aoshi and Kenshin had stepped into the room, all the air had been vacuumed out, leaving everyone speechless and at their wits' end.
Kaoru was afraid that Aoshi wanted to hit her! He looked completely natural and yet, the look in his eyes betrayed his intense anger. She was surprised when all he did was lightly pull her by the elbow after him.
She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room boring into them as they left. She wanted to turn around and wave goodbye, especially to Yahiko. But, she also didn't want to anger Aoshi anymore. She ventured a look at her watch. It was four thirty seven in the morning.
The pair walked in silence, Aoshi leading the way towards their room on the third floor on another wing of the castle. When they reached the elevator, Kaoru crumbled, she never was good at the quiet game.
"I'm sorry Aoshi, but it was Yahiko and,"
Aoshi put his free hand up to cover her mouth. He glanced up at the top of the elevator as if looking for bugs. He didn't speak, he merely shook his head no.
Effectively silenced, Kaoru followed behind him like an obedient puppy. He turned the lock to their room and then opened the door and locked it behind them. He released Kaoru as he doubled checked the windows and then the closet and bathroom.
After his impromptu search he turned back to Kaoru. His worry plainly displayed across his features. There was no anger in his eyes now, only concern. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Kaoru couldn't meet his intense gaze and looked down at her feet. She was surprised to discover that she was bare foot. You would think that's something you would notice as you walked along a stone floor. But then again, she was dressed for bed when Yahiko had dropped by earlier.
Aoshi hooked his finger around her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. "Kaoru, I specifically told you not to leave this room. There is a murderer on the loose, you are celebrity amongst the guests here, you left the window wide open, your cell phone in the middle of the floor and left the door unlocked. You could have at least left a note." He sounded tired now, and no longer angry.
Kaoru could feel her eyes watering but she wouldn't cry. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was just so excited to see Yahiko."
Aoshi removed his hand from her and turned his back to her. She thought she had angered him with her answer but she was relieved to discover he was merely getting ready for bed.
He tossed his shirt across the room and kicked off his shoes. He kept his slacks on as he turned back towards her. "I understand, just try to think things through more carefully. I understand how exciting it is to be reunited with someone you thought was dead."
"I won't do it again," Kaoru offered, with a hopeful edge to her words. She felt absolutely miserable for causing Aoshi to search for her for God knows how long.
"No you won't," Aoshi agreed as he moved in on her and then wrapped her into his arms. It was then that Kaoru could feel the tenseness of his muscles. They all seemed to relax the moment he held her in his arms. "I was afraid that you would have been next. I would die if something happened to you." He confessed his dream from the night before haunting him.
Kaoru pulled out of his arms to look him in the eye. "Oh, Aoshi, I'm sorry, I really didn't think about what you would think. I promise to be more careful."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure you are. I'm not letting you out of my sight. You better get used to having me serve as your shadow." Aoshi told her, his voice soft and tired and yet still full of determination and strength.
"Well, you'll be glad to know I didn't totally waste my time. Misao mentioned that she caught Enishi locking up a monitoring room on the second day here. The evidence should all be on tape, unfortunately, its locked until the end of the fourteenth day under a failsafe system that can not be overridden." Kaoru explained as she left Aoshi's side and climbed into her side of the bed. She was already wearing her pajamas when Yahiko had come by earlier.
Aoshi stood silently, like a stone guardian for a while before responding. "Yukishiro, Himura, and I had a fruitless conversation. Nothing substantial came from our meeting. Enishi didn't mention the monitoring system."
Kaoru stifled a large yawn as she looked up at Aoshi. "I doubt if it matters right now. It's almost dawn. I'm going to sleep. What do you want to do tomorrow?"
Aoshi didn't answer for a while. Silently he pulled back the covers and climbed in behind Kaoru. He closed his eyes and willed whatever was left of the tension from earlier to abandon his muscles. "We will do nothing tomorrow."
"Well I know there isn't much we can do, but we must be doing something," Kaoru argued, frowning in the dark.
Two warm arms snaked around her waist, drawing her into a firm chest. A chin rested upon her shoulder. Soft, silky ebon colored hair, not her own, fell onto her cheek. "We will do absolutely nothing. If the other guests don't bother showing themselves I'm perfectly content to sit in here all day like a hermit."
"But, you can't be serious." Kaoru argued. She had a perpetual case of boredom and it would be torture to be stuck in a room all day.
Aoshi hugged her to him in response. "I have never been more serious in my life. I think you are a target and have been drawing too much unwanted attention to yourself. Tomorrow we do nothing. Perhaps the next day we will start investigating."
"Doesn't sound like the kind of detective Hajime would assign to such a case. Besides, it's only one murder. The first was the actor. It could have been an isolated case or the start of a spree, we need more information" Kaoru grumbled, clearly not too happy with Shinomori's plans.
Aoshi kissed the side of her neck, startling Kaoru. "Shut up and go to sleep. I know plenty of pressure points to make you."
"Fine, but I don't get why you're acting like this. We're not really engaged, who are you trying to impress with this act?"
"This is the safest place you can be. With you tucked within the security of my arms I'm confident nothing bad can befall you. Now stop arguing and go to sleep or I'll make you stay in this room for two days." Aoshi replied before relaxing completely, but his arm muscles never slacking.
Kaoru was frustrated. Why was he acting so possessive? Was something said in his meeting that made him this way? She did have to admit she was at fault for not informing him of her destination.
Regretfully, she understood his behavior. He was just doing his job. She sighed, relaxing against his solid build in the process. Should she feel used or secure? She wasn't sure and frankly it really didn't matter as sleep claimed her.
It was regrettable that the two slept so soundly in one another's warmth that they never heard the screams that came later that morning. Nor did they hear the terrified footsteps racing down their hallway later that evening.
On the bright side, they were both well rested which was good because it would probably be a long time before they would get any refreshing sleep after that.
TBC