Kenshin turned down a deserted street, on his way back to the dojo. He couldn't stand to be there any longer, not with Kaoru so near and his need for her so great. He shook his head. He couldn't, wouldn't endanger her with himself. If any of his old enemies knew of his feelings.
"Kenshin!" He started at the voice behind him, coming to a dead halt. Slowly, he turned. Kaoru stood there in the street, kimono gleaming gracefully in the dim light. Kenshin was glad of the darkness that hid his expression of longing.
"Kenshin, where are you going? You're not leaving again, are you?" Her voice quavered.
"I am going back to the dojo." His answer neither held a confirmation, nor rejection of the idea.
She walked the remaining distance to him.
"Kenshin, you can't leave. If you did, I'd... oh, I don't know. But I can't handle it if you leave again." He could hear the tears in her voice.
Swiftly he caught her up in his arms, breathing in her scent and pressing her close. She sniffed once, and then sighed, leaning against his shoulder.
"Don't leave. Don't leave, please, not again." She whispered, and to her surprise she felt his tears on her bare neck.
"How could I now Kaoru?" He murmured.
"If you left I would be in more danger than I am now." She continued, "In danger of myself"
He didn't reply. She pulled away slightly to look into his eyes.
"I... I love you Kenshin. I love you too much to lose you." She said, holding his gaze.
He smiled, "I love you too Kaoru." And he leaned forward, just enough, that their lips met in a long and gentle kiss.
And when he broke their kiss and held her close, Kenshin knew that no matter what threatened, he would always protect her, more than he had, even if protection demanded the very breath of him. And, in his soul, he was content.
Kaoru felt him hold her closer, as though not willing to let go. She wondered at that, but felt too comfortable to move or ask. He nestled his cheek against her head, breathing deeply of her scent. One hand reached up and stroked her hair, running his fingers through it and reveling in its softness. Kaoru smiled into his chest
Suddenly he grabbed hold of her shoulders and held her away from him, gazing into her eyes as if searching for an answer to a secret question hidden within him. And then, as if finding the answer he wanted, he drew her close again in a tight embrace before letting go again and taking her hand to lead her down the street. His eyes searched every corner until he found what he was looking for: a lone bench set right outside the door of a closed shop. He led her to it and sat down beside her, taking her in his arms again and holding her close. They stayed that way for a few moments before Kaoru spoke.
"I could stay like this forever, Kenshin." She murmured and snuggled up tighter against him.
Kenshin didn't answer right away. He could too, if not for the turmoil and horror of the world around them. If he could, he would protect her from all of it, but he knew he couldn't. All the evil in the world would seek them out, no matter how far they ran.
"I really wish we could Kaoru, that I do." He whispered before he planted a kiss full on her red lips, leaving her breathless.
"Oh Kenshin." She whispered and leaned against his shoulder, arms encircling his neck and drawing him to her. He complied, and after a several moments both were left breathless.
Suddenly Kenshin stiffened.
"What's wrong Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, concern evident in her eyes.
He smiled down at her and spoke softly, "Do not look surprised when I tell you this, just act like I'm entertaining you." He buried his face in the crook of her neck, "Some one's hiding out across the street, watching us." He brushed her neck gently with his lips. A small giggle escaped from her throat, echoing down the street; he withdrew back to his former position.
"We shouldn't try to find out who it is right now. Maybe he'll follow us to the festival." He grinned, and stood, heaving her up with him.
"Come Kaoru, one more dance?" He asked more loudly.
"Why of course Kenshin! Let's go." She answered.
He took her hands in both of his and led her away, nibbling her ear playfully. She giggled and turned her face so his lips met hers. They continued to walk, seemingly lost in each other as they listened to the quiet steps following behind them. Kenshin dared not glance back, for fear of their knowledge being known to their pursuer. Kenshin released one of her hands and wrapped it around her waist, drawing her to him and guiding her back to the festival.
Sano met them at the entrance of the festival.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Where'd you guys go?" he snickered.
"Oh Sano!" Kaoru said as she gave him a fake little punch on the shoulder. She was in too good of a mood to have it ruined.
"Sano, this is very serious so just follow us, ok?" Kenshin murmured with a large fake smile plastered on his face.
Sano heard the tone in his voice and nodded, laughing as though from what Kenshin had said. Kenshin weaved his way through the crowd and found an empty table tucked in a corner, pulling out a chair for Kaoru and scooting another close to her for himself. Sano sat across from them. Kenshin turned so he could watch the entrance from which they had come.
"So what's the deal Kenshin?" Sano asked as he hailed someone to bring over a bottle of sake.
"Someone was watching us on the street with ill intentions. He followed us as far as the entrance, and I want to see if he'll follow us inside." Even as he spoke someone came through the entrance they had used.
He had shoulder-length black hair tied back at the base of his neck, with eyes equally black. A long scar traced its way from the right side of the bridge of his nose to the corner of his jaw. He threw a cautious glance around the room, catching site of the three seated at the corner table. The man stood there for several moments, just staring at the group. Kenshin pretended not to notice, listening to Sano tell them about Yahiko's new infatuation with older women.
"He was whining earlier about there not being any girls his age. Five minutes later he was twirling around a woman more near to my age!" He laughed and took a gulp of sake.
Kenshin and Kaoru laughed along with him, and Kenshin glanced back to where the man had been standing. He was no longer there, and there was no other sign of him anywhere.
"I'm going to go get some food. Want anything?" Kaoru asked, turning to Kenshin.
"No, I'm fine Miss Kaoru, that I am. Do you need any company?" He smiled, eyes pleading with her to be careful. That strange man could be anywhere.
She smiled, taking the sting out of her words, "Kenshin, idiot, I can take care of myself. Stop worrying!" and walked away. Kenshin gave her one last squeeze with his hand before he let her go, and watched her until she disappeared.
"Boy Kenshin, you're really in deep." Sano chuckled. Kenshin smiled, agreeing with him completely.
But a feeling of doubt gnawed in his chest as he wondered if she would be safe. He shook it off and turned back to listening to Sano ramble on.
R&R! grumbles about not having much to say at the end of chapters