Constellation
MysticShadowWanderer

Disclaimer: Wish I was too dead to cry, my self-affliction fades...

Chapter Five: Silence

Kaoru strapped herself into her dress, if a bit apprehensively. Her hair had been swept up on top of her head and arranged into an abundance of soft curls, a feat made more than slightly difficult by the fact that she'd had to do it herself, and she'd meticulously applied light makeup. There was nothing left to do but slip into her sleek, black heels and pace the wall nervously. Now that the time had come, she didn't know if she could handle this. After all, she hated this man, didn't she?

A soft knocking at her door alerted her that it was time that they should be leaving. Battousai was leaning against the wall waiting for her as she stepped out of her room, but when he saw her he stood up straight. It was hard for her to think that she looked quite that good, but she was flattered all the same.

"You are astoundingly beautiful," he said simply.

Her fingers trailed along the line of diamonds at her neck as she fidgeted nervously. Though she wouldn't tell him so, she thought he looked beautiful as well. Beautiful may not have been the type of adjective typically applied to a man, but there was no other way to describe him. He wore a black suit with a black silk shirt underneath the jacket and a white tie, his hair pulled high on his head in its usual fashion. He was simply beautiful, perhaps dangerously so. With a sultry grin, he extended a hand to her. When she cautiously took it, he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her to the door, into the elevator, and then out the elegant, glass-paneled doors.

A limousine stretched lazily in front of them, and Kaoru looked at Battousai with curiously stunned eyes. He shrugged at her, as if this were normal to him.

"I don't have a car," was his explanation. "This isn't mine, I'm just renting it. I didn't suppose you wanted to ride on the back of a motorcycle in a dress."

Well that explained that. Still, a limousine? It seemed a bit extravagant. Just what kind of company was this? Kaoru still wondered all this while the driver opened the door and Battousai helped her in. He was acting extremely gentlemanly tonight. Was the Battousai really chivalrous, or was this just an act to gain her trust?

The interior of the limousine was luxurious, but nothing that Kaoru was unused to; her father, after all, had been very rich. Battousai watched as she ran a finger over back of the leather seat with a sort of disinterest. He couldn't help but be slightly taken aback by her blase attitude; any of the other women he'd been with would have been flitting from one object to another, inspecting everything, amazed by all of it, but she just sat there, obviously used to such comforts.

"Aren't you a spoiled one, then?" he was unaware he said it until the words left his mouth. Shit... she wouldn't like to here that.

Kaoru stared at him, regarding him coolly for a minute. "Yes."

He stared at her, mouth agape. That certainly wasn't the response he'd been expecting. She was intelligent, he reminded himself again, and she seemed to have a firm grasp of reality. Though she'd been indulged in her life, she knew it, and it didn't appear that she expected it. A smile stretched across his face, and continued to grow until he was chuckling softly. Kaoru raised an eyebrow at him as if to ask 'What?'.

"You're very different, Kaoru," he said after a minute. "I like that."

That was something that she didn't know how to respond to, so she fell silent. After a while, she propped her elbow on the edge of the door and rested her chin on her palm, staring blankly out the window. The city lights assaulted her eyes, ugly and overbearing as usual, but she found herself wishing to be out there among them. Anything but here, caged with her wings clipped. A faint sigh passed her lips.

Leaning back against his seat, Battousai observed her quietly. She wanted her freedom back, he could read it in everything about her, her eyes, her down turned, pouting lips, her nearly inaudible sighs. But he couldn't give her that freedom, not yet. Not until he was sure that she'd come back to him when he let her fly. It was wrong, he knew, but he couldn't help it. He pretended that he was keeping her because she was a threat to him, but soon enough she would see through that charade. What he would do then, he wasn't sure, but until then, she was his and his alone.

They ride passed without words from either of them, both respectful of the other's private thoughts. When the car stopped and the driver opened the door, Battousai helped Kaoru out much like he'd helped her in, left instructions with the driver, and led her toward the huge, impressive building that the dance was to be held in. Kaoru's eyes widened slightly. She recognized this edifice, her father had come here often. This was one of the buildings he'd owned. The tears that began to well up in her eyes were blinked away quickly, but not before Battousai could notice and ask what was wrong.

"Nothing," she whispered. "I'm fine."

Battousai knew she was lying, but he didn't press the matter. If she wanted to keep her sorrows private, he would let her, for now at least. They were currently standing at the door, Battousai staring at the man who was taking names at the door. For a brief, very brief, moment, he panicked mentally. But that moment ended when he realized that he could just give the man his real name and no one would be the wiser. Or those who would be knew to keep their mouths shut, in any case.

"Himura Kenshin."

Kaoru glanced at him, but he quieted her with a look. The questions in her mind were begging to be asked, but she rearranged her face to be expressionless, once more the picture of perfection to hang off Battousai's arm. But she didn't allow herself to think those kinds of thoughts, they would only breed hatred. She followed him blindly, averting her eyes as they walked past the office her father used to work in. Memories came flooding back, images of her as a child, playing around her father's legs as he smiled down at her, his pen in hand while he worked.

'This isn't happening. I'm not here,' she closed her eyes and told herself. It was almost effective. Almost, but not quite. Enough so that she could keep the tears from spilling down her beautifully painted and composed face. If Battousai could kill men and think nothing of it, then she could keep herself together, if just for one night. Gentle fingers brushed against her cheek, and she opened her eyes in shock, jerking her face away instinctively.

"So cold," his words were soft, almost reproachful, certainly regretful. "When did you become so cold, so afraid?"

It was a rhetorical question, they were both aware of it, but Kaoru couldn't help but answer him.

"I believe that would be the day you imprisoned me in your house."

Battousai blinked, amazed that she had something to say to his statement. There were so many ways he could reply to what she said, most of them centered around the fact that she tried to kill him, but he left all of those things alone. Tonight, he wanted to enjoy himself, and to help her learn to be herself again. Perhaps this might not have been the best of places to do that, depending on the kind of activities she liked, but he had to start somewhere.

Two large doors stood in front of them, and Battousai turned to Kaoru with a grin.

"Ready?"

"No," she decided to be honest with him. "I don't know who these people are going to be, how am I supposed to know what to say or do?"

A pair of eyebrows were raised in her direction; she was ever the example of a primed and polished lady, intelligent but repressed, admired for her beauty but not her mind. Battousai frowned, that would have to be changed.

"Do and say whatever you want," he replied. "They'll love you. Just stay with me, I don't want anyone thinking that you're here by yourself."

Kaoru cocked her head thoughtfully, not sure whether she should take that as a compliment or not. Whichever it was, Battousai didn't allow her the time to decide, as he took her by the arm and led her through the doors.

The crowd before them was all tuxedos and swirling dresses, gold and pearls and glittering diamonds. Where Kaoru had previously been feeling overdressed, she now realized that she fit in just perfectly. She wasn't sure whether she liked that or not. All her life, she'd been taught to fit in. Maybe things were better this way. Battousai stood out enough on his own as it was with his vibrantly red hair and cross-scarred cheek.

"Come," he said suddenly, interrupting her silent musing. "Dance with me."

Slightly shocked, she was unable to answer, and let him lead her onto the dance floor. His arms came around her to pull her closer, and they slipped easily into a waltz. A slow smile crept onto Kaoru's face as they danced. Never would she have guessed that Battousai was a wonderful dancer. Battousai watched her face, and his own smile was soon mirroring hers. It was odd, because he generally didn't smile often, but somehow she was able to make him happy.

The song drew to an end and the floor cleared as people began to take their seats. Despite resistance on Kaoru's part, Battousai insisted that they sit at the head table, hissing in her ear that it was expected of him, and if he didn't do the very few things that they expected him to do, he would be in more trouble than she was worth. When his grip on her wrist tightened enough to be painful, she meekly relented, and walked by his side to the end of the head table, all the while trying to ignore the apologies that he was whispering in her ear.

Kaoru sat at Battousai's side, her composed face giving away nothing of how nervous she was, as were her thumbs, which were fidgeting under the tablecloth. Battousai reached out and discreetly took one of her hands in his, giving her a reassuring squeeze. It wasn't that she disliked people, although she was certainly more wary than she used to be, but this kind of event was straining even for her with her instilled manners and forced poise. She didn't like to be fake.

The man at the center of the table was still droning on, though long ago Kaoru had tuned him out. Her attention was recaptured, however, when she heard her name, or rather, her father's name.

"I'd like to take a moment to commemorate Kamiya-san, may his soul ever be at peace, for the many contributions, not only monetary but in an overall sense of good will, that he made to this company."

A firm pressure on her hand reminded Kaoru that Battousai was still there; she realized that she appreciated his support, as unlikely as it would have seemed to her before.

"We're pleased to have with us tonight, Kamiya-san's daughter." Kaoru's head snapped up in a moment that was entirely in opposition to all the training she'd had, both as a swords and martial artist, and as a "lady." No sudden movements that were unplanned for. "Please allow me to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to Kamiya Kaoru, whose presence tonight is an unlooked-for but pleasant surprise."

Battousai swore under his breath as Kaoru nodded politely. She was handling this well, he thought. Everything that had been thrown at her, she'd taken in stride. What kind of man was that doing the speaking, anyhow, to draw all that attention to Kaoru? Battousai scrutinized him more closely. Ah. An American.

A few more excruciating minutes of "thank you"s and celebratory words congratulating the success of the company, and dinner was served. A quiet "Thank God" passed Battousai's lips. This was something he could endure. The voice of the speaker, not to mention the way he called focus on Kaoru, made him want to kill the man right then and there. At least food didn't go on and on in monotone.

To Kaoru's great relief, Battousai didn't attempt to make conversation during dinner, choosing instead to glance at her every now and then. It was as if he was checking to make sure she was really ok. Once, they met gazes, and she could, for once, read his expression. He was offering to leave if she wanted to; she shook her head slightly. She was alright, as alright as she ever was.

When dinner was finished and the plates cleared away, Battousai took Kaoru by the hand and directed her to a remote and shadowed corner where he peered intently at her. She leaned back when she felt his breath hot on her face.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes." Maybe she wasn't, she wasn't sure.

"I'm not going to force you to stay if you don't want to be here," he dropped his voice as people walked past.

"But you'll keep me in your home if I don't want to be there?"

Battousai chuckled, not the response she'd been looking for. "Sweetheart, you held a gun to my head. You can understand how I'd be a little suspicious, can't you?"

"I suppose so..."

"Let's not argue, anyhow. I want you to enjoy the evening."

Nodding, Kaoru allowed herself to be maneuvered onto the dance floor. Battousai wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body close to his and swaying gently. Her body stiffened at the contact, but she tried to relax, telling herself that he couldn't do anything to her when they were in a crowded room like this. With his lips skimming her earlobe, he began to whisper to her.

"I'll never hurt you," he seemed to say that often, but he sensed that she needed the reassurance. "I'll never let anyone else hurt you. I promise I'll protect you."

The words were odd to Kaoru at the time, but he was being so sweet and kind that she couldn't say anything in reply. After a few moments of quiet thought, her head finally dipping forward to rest on Battousai's shoulder, she thought she might be able to respond coherently, but as soon as she opened her mouth to speak she was interrupted.

The sound of gunshots rang in the large hall, causing people to scream and scatter. Battousai's grip on Kaoru tightened for a moment before he swung her away from the floor and shoved her through the door of the coat closet.

"Stay here," he hissed through his clenched teeth, swearing and fuming as he slunk into the shadows, pulling a pistol out of the waistband of his pants.

Kaoru blinked as she saw him moving off; she hadn't even noticed the gun. The man was good, she had to give him that. Watching him skirt the edges of the room, seemingly oblivious of the crossfire that was now blazing across the hall, she could sense raw power radiating like heat off his body. This was his element, obviously, she realized as he fired a few shots from a side wall, taking down three men. There were already bodies everywhere, dead and wounded men and women that were nothing more than pawns in this cruel game that she'd somehow gotten caught up in.

Battousai blew his bangs out of his eyes quickly while he reloaded with fingers that knew what they were doing without instruction. Only a few more to go, and he could leave, make his silent escape before anyone realized who he was. A click from somewhere beside him alerted him to the presence of another gunman, and he shot before he asked questions. That was the way he always did things. If only he had his katana. Guns were certainly not his favorite weapons to work with, there was, to him, no honor in shooting someone. A two-year-old with his father's rifle could do that. There was no art to aiming and pulling a trigger, no dance. This was not his job.

Wide blue eyes followed the entire scene in a sort of horrified fascination. If she could have turned away, she would have. But Battousai's icily cold glare, lithe power, and nimble movement kept her enraptured. He was beautiful as he rose to his full height, though it was diminutive in comparison to other men, extended an arm and with lazily perfect aim, shot the last man standing between the eyes, spewing blood, bone, and tissue all over the floor.

What a way to end an event.

Having grabbed Kaoru and made a run for the parking garage, Battousai practically tossed her into the back of the limousine and leapt in behind her, breathing heavily. The driver sped off with a squeal of tires, heading a different direction than the way they came, presumably to confuse anyone who might have been keeping watch over them. It was then that Kaoru came to a conclusion: Battousai was paranoid, and in the worst way.

She sat completely still as Battousai pulled her into his arms, his fingers trailing lightly over her now-ruined hair. His chest heaved, just slightly, as he held her to him.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," he exhaled the words into the skin at her neck. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He kept repeating, stroking her hair when she finally allowed herself to break down and cry.

So much death, too much death. Kaoru didn't like to see people die, hated it in fact. And here she was, being held and comforted by the man who was one of the premier artists in the very work that she loathed. And her arms were around him as well. The world was tilting upside down, it seemed to her. No longer was anything wrong or right, good or bad, up or down, it just was.

Kaoru laid in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She'd clung to him, let him hold her and stroke her, kiss her forehead. But that was all. For someone she'd been so afraid of, it was strange. She no longer held any fear of him. She felt so much differently now. Over the course of the past few days, he'd worn her down. The darkness in him was still there, but he'd shown her that he wasn't all bad, that he was capable of human emotion.

That night, amidst gunshots and spraying blood, she'd fallen in love with the hitokiri Battousai.

A/N: Wow. This took a LONG time to write. I had a lot of ideas and stuff, but I just never got around to actually writing it out. :slaps hand: Bad me! Whatever. I'm inspired, I really am. Seriously. But I'm freaking lazy, so who knows where that's going to go. This fic WILL be finished, eventually, because I know exactly what's going to happen. Fear not, brave readers! And now, it's is 10.44, and I have exams tomorrow. Excuse me as I go to try to capture some sleep. Even though the exams are only art and chorus tomorrow... Oh the challenge! More like the boredom... Love this radio station... "If you can come up with one good reason why we're doing all of this... we'd love to hear it." OO! Puddle of Mudd's "Control"! Wicked... :does a lil dance: Bedtime, anyhow... :snort: Yeah right...