A/N: Hi!!! Merry Christmas!! Hope you, all my Readers and Reviewers The best of luck in everything you do. Anyways….Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy! That's all I can say. Happy Reading to you all. And thanks again for all the Reviews…

Story format is as usual….that is -THOUGHTS- &"SPEECH"

Couple Crisis

Chapter 15

Enishi rummage through a large vault in his library. "Where is it?" He muttered frustratedly to himself.

"What are you doing?" A voice made him jump slightly. Slowly he turns to see his sister standing in the doorway staring bewilderly at him. From her attire he could tell that she was going to some type of a meeting.

"Where are you going?" He asked back.

Tomoe smiled lightly. "To a meeting with Seta san and Kenshin. And what are you trying to find in there?" Tomoe walk into the room towards her brother.

"Mother's engagement ring." He replied shortly and went back to rummaging through the many jewelry cases.

"Why do you want it for?" Tomoe asked looking at her brother suspiciously.

Enishi turn to face his sister a small grin on his face. "For my engagement ofcourse."

Tomoe was really surprise. "Engagement? I didn't know you had a girlfriend." She stated quietly.

"But oh well! I'm really happy for you Enishi." Tomoe gushed hugging her brother tightly.

"Thanks. But I can't find the ring anywhere. Mother really got way too many jewelries."

His sister just grins and nodded in agreement. "Try the green case. I remembered mom placing the ancient ones in there."

Enishi reach out to to fading green case and hastily open it. "Oh..Finally." he sigh at the sight of the petite ring with a stunning blood red ruby at the center surrounding by tiny diamonds.

"So who's the girl?" Tomoe asked with interest.

Enishi stood up clutching the ring in his palm. "You'll see..I'll take her to Himura's concert."

Tomoe smiled wickedly. "Hmm..What if I don't like your to-be-fiancee?"

Enishi stared back at his sister a dangerous glint visible in his eyes. "Then I'll kill her."

"Enishi!" Tomoe gasped involuntarily.

The younger guy laughed amusingly. "I was just joking. And would it be okay with you if my girlfriend move in with us?"

Tomoe shook her head. "It's fine…"

"Great! Well see you then." He said and glided briskly away.

Tomoe bit her lower lip in concern. She was sure that the glint in his eyes and the way he had said he would kill the girl was no joke. And she was pretty sure he didn't have any girlfriend. Atleast she never saw him go out with anyone before. As a child she remember her mother talking about engaging Enishi with her best friend's daughter. But that was so long ago…and she couldn't even remember who the girl was. Shaking the thoughts from her head she walk out of the library concluding to herself that she'll see her brother's girlfriend at Kenshin's concert.

-""-

Kaoru sat deep in thought in her apartment. Today was the day that she'll have to answer Enishi.

But she was full of hesitations. She didn't wish to have anything to do with the guy let alone marry him. But he had threatened her with Kenshin's life. She couldn't even discuss the problem with her friends. But there's one thing she knew, she didn't want Kenshin to die. For two full days she had thought the matter over in her head. The fact that Enishi might kill Kenshin scared her. How would she survive knowing that there's no more Kenshin in this world. She would rather die instead of him. Kaoru had turned off her cell phone incase anyone calls her up. She was afraid that either Kenshin or Enishi might call.

A knock was heard causing Kaoru's heart to beat wildly. –I need to make up my mind, now.-

Kaoru threw her front door open and sure enough, Enishi stood smirking lightly at her.

"My..you look awful!" He said shrewdly eyeing her up and down.

"It's none of your problem how I look!" Kaoru shot back hotly.

Enishi push passes her and enters the apartment. "So…Have you made up your mind?" He asks as a matter of factly still having his gaze fixed at her.

"I.." Kaoru started and then she made up her mind. She couldn't have Enishi kill Kenshin at all cost. "Can you promise you'll never have anything to do with Kenshin or any of my friend ever again?"

Enishi smirked. "You're not in the position to make me promise anything, Kaoru. But alright. I won't lay my finger on your friends but for Himura…we'll have to see about that after we're married."

"Enishi you should know that I hate you to the marrow of my bones. But if this will keep you away from Kenshin and my friends. Then…. fine!" she said confidently with only a slight alter in her voice.

Enishi clapped sarcastically. "My..my how touching! Sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of your love ones. Oh Kaoru, you could easily pass as one of those girl in the those soapy TV dramas."

Kaoru gritted her teeth angrily. "Get out of my house Enishi! I couldn't stand you around me!"

Enishi just continue to stare at her in a bemused way.

He stood up and walked closer to the raven-haired maiden. Quickly he grabs hold of her right hand. And smirking he pulled the ruby ring out of his pocket and slid it carelessly onto her finger.

"You think I enjoyed staying in this mouse-hole all that much?"

Kaoru shot him a dirty look. "Then get out!"

Enishi smiled dangerously back. "There's afew more things I need to say. First. I don't' want you, my fiancee to meet up with Himura anymore. Secondly, I'll introduce you to my sister officially as my fiancee at Himura's concert."

Kaoru's eyes widened. "You couldn't, Kenshin will be there! It's his big concert..!

"I don't care what Himura will think. That's none of my problem." Enishi said grinning contently.

"You should be locked up in the mental hospital! Y-you're…" Kaoru raged unable to find a word harsh enough to insult the guy.

Enishi shook his head lightly and sigh. "Don't talk like that to your fiance, Kaoru. It's not nice." He mocked laughing lightly.

"GET OUT!!" Kaoru shouted in his face making him stop laughing abruptly. Enishi's eyes blazed up at her.

"You will not shout at me." He breathes dangerously at the young girl.

Kaoru gulped at his tone. She had heard it once before and had to shudder at the remembrance of what had happened at that time.

Enishi noted her expression and smirked. –Good! she remembered. That'll remind her that she should not mess with me.-

"You will move into my house after our official announcement. So be ready for that."

Laughing he exited her apartment calling over his shoulder. "And one more thing do not loose that ring. It's very expensive."

Kaoru stormed after him and slammed the front door shut. She eyed the Ruby ring on her finger with pure disgust. –How could I say, yes to him?! But if I didn't…Kenshin will..- she argued with herself as she slid down onto the cold floor, warm tears flowing down her cheek.

-""-

Kenshin sat staring out the window, his mind wandering away to a certain raven-haired girl.

-Why didn't she turn on her phone? Did she get any of my messages?-

"Kenshin? Kenshin." Tomoe said louder bringing him out from his thoughts.

He blinked twice before turning to her. "What did you say again?" He asked.

Tomoe and Soujirou sighed in unison. "Yukishiro san had been asking if you would want anything else added to the show's schedule." Soujirou said tiredly.

Tomoe nodded. "You can add another song or a tiny opening and ending speech if you like. That is if you want." She said smiling lightly.

Kenshin looked thoughtful for awhile. "Can I add another song that I just finished writing at the very end?"

Soujirou look at the idol and grinned. "A special song for a special someone?"

Tomoe smiled brightly a small glint appearing in her brown eyes. "Ofcourse you can. A song for Kaoru isn't it, you're just so sweet."

Kenshin blushed slightly but kept his voice neutral. "I didn't say if was for Miss Kaoru."

Tomoe and Soujirou both burst out laughing. "Come on Kenshin! Admit it. It's not wrong that you love Miss Kaoru." Soujirou stated trying to look serious.

Tomoe nodded in agreement. "Seta san is right."

Kenshin acted as if he didn't hear it.

"So that's about it, Yukishiro san. Thank you for coming." Soujirou concluded indicating the end of their meeting.

Tomoe stood up gathering her folders together. "No problem, Seta san. Another minute of being stuck here with us might as well finish Kenshin off."

Kenshin blinked at her in confusion. "What's that?"

Soujirou patted him on the shoulder. "Your mind is clearly not here with us today. So get going to where you really wanted to go."

Kenshin shook his head despairingly. "Would you two please quit teasing me?" He asked exasperatedly as he sprang up from his seat. Kenshin made for the door but before he reached it he turned to face his manager and friend. "Thanks a lot you two." And with a wink he disappeared down the hallway.

Soujirou grinned at the smiling Tomoe. "So Yukishiro san, shall we continue about his concert schedule over lunch?"

"Sure. I know this very good restaurant." And the two new colleague set off together chatting animatedly about their work.

-""-

Sanosuke drove through the lane that led to his old apartment building. Megumi sat next to him on the passenger's seat talking merrily about their trip to the beach.

"I think we should do go there again next year." She said grinning at her boyfriend.

Sano nodded in agreement. "Yea if your dad lets me, that is."

Megumi rolled her eyes and scoffed. "If you didn't get all jiggly in front of him there won't be a problem."

Sano raked a hand through his spiky hair. "Yea right. Your dad hated me even before he actually met me. How could I not be? He was throwing dead glares at me all the time."

Megumi folded her arms to her chest and shook her head. "But you've got my mom on your side so why scare of my dad?"

Sanosuke perked right up. "Yea! I forgot! Wow so next year, I'll get to go with you again."

"Hey should we stop by at Kaoru's?" Megumi asked nudging her boyfriend.

"Sure! If you want." Sano replied as he made a turn onto a smaller lane that led to the apartment building. Sano pulled his car into the parking space and was about to get out of the car when a caught glimpse of a familiar looking guy. His eyes widened. –What is that guy doing here?-

"Comon rooster head, unlock the door." Megumi said trying to open the door.

Sano's eyes followed the figure. "Wait." Was all he said.

Megumi's gaze followed her boyfriend's. "Ooh that's one hot guy."

Sano turned swiftly to her. "Hot? That guy's mental."

"How would you know?" Megumi said her eyes following the guy as he stepped into his own car and sped out of the parking space.

As soon as the guy's car disappeared from sight Sano unlocked the door and got out.

"Really cool." Megumi repeated then eyed her boyfriend wondering why Sano couldn't be half as hot as that departed guy.

"You won't say that if you know him, Megumi." Sano said as they entered the building.

"You knew that hot guy?" The girl asked in surprise.

Sano ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I know him well enough to say he's one mental person." He stared at his girlfriend and continued. "I wonder what brought Yukishiro Enishi here."

Megumi blinked at her boyfriend then shrugged.

They made their way to Kaoru's apartment. Sano rang the doorbell and took a step back to wait.

"I bet she must be very jealous that we get to spend time together at the beach." Megumi said grinning wickedly at her boyfriend who returned her with a wink.

"Oh I didn't know you two are coming." Another voice caused the couple to spun around.

Sano's face broke into another large smile. "Kenshin! Are you here to take Kaoru somewhere?"

"Hello, Ken san." Megumi greeted smiling at the red head.

Kenshin joined the couple and smile back. "Nope. I haven't seen Miss Kaoru for sometimes now so I was just stopping by to check on her."

Sano whistle lightly before muttering. "Maybe she's not home." And he rang the bell once again.

The three friends stood waiting patiently until the door creaked open to reveal a very worn out girl.

"Kaoru!" Both Sanosuke and Megumi gasped in unison. Both of them had never seen Kaoru that pale and worn out before. The girl had always been strong and courageous.

"Miss Kaoru. Are you okay?" Kenshin asked hurriedly as he rushed to the girl who stood at the doorway.

Kaoru quickly took a step away from his reach. She didn't dare look him in the face. It would make everything worse. She didn't want to see the concern in his eyes; it would only hurt her more.

"Megumi, Sano. I'm abit busy right now. I'll see you later." She said ignoring Kenshin completely.

Kaoru tried to shut the door but Kenshin wouldn't let her. "Miss Kaoru. You don't look good. You should see a doctor."

Kaoru looked at her own feet. "I'm fine, Kenshin." She tried to close the door once again but to no avail. Kenshin wouldn't let go of it. "But Miss Kaoru. You look very ill."

"I'm fine." She repeated again and yanked the door shut.

Kenshin stared at the already closed door in concern. Sano and Megumi also seemed as worried.

"What is up with her." Sano muttered to his girlfriend.

Megumi looked thoughtful. "Maybe it was one of those days."

Sanosuke rolled his eyes but said nothing. He shifts his gaze to his friend who still stood unmoving at the door. "Kenshin. Megumi and I are leaving now. Are you coming?"

At the same time Kenshin's cell phone rang. He answered it and sighed. "I'll be right there." He spoke softly into the phone before shoving the phone back into his pocket.

He turn and give the door one more look before walking off to join Sanosuke and Megumi who stood waiting for him.

The three of them got into the elevator together. "Busy days, isn't it?" Sano asked his friend.

Kenshin just nodded. His mind was playing back something. He had seen a glitter of something on Kaoru's finger. –A ring? No it couldn't be. Miss Kaoru never wear a ring. And she doesn't look like she's feeling well. What should I do.-

An arm flung around his neck, taking him out of his thoughts. "Kaoru will be okay. I guess she just need sometime to herself. Don't worry about it too much Kenshin." Sano assured winking at his friend.

That made Kenshin smiled lightly. –Yea..Sano's right. She needs some privacy. I shouldn't be that paranoid. It's not like Miss Kaoru is a baby. Yep. That must be it. She must feel I'm treating her like a tiny kid. –

With that Kenshin relaxed and returned his friend with a light smile.

The three of them stepped out of the building. Sano and Megumi waved goodbye to the redheaded idol as they departed for their own car. Kenshin waved back and also made for his car a little strange feeling nagged at him. He turned and stare at the apartment building. – Why do I feel that it will be the last time..that I would be here?- "Come on Kenshin. Pull yourself together. It's just the stress from to much work.". Shaking his head he sighed lightly. "Hope Miss Kaoru will feel better soon. Then she might tell me what is wrong."

-""-

Kaoru ran as fast as she could to her bedroom where she threw herself onto the bed and cried her heart out. She didn't expect Kenshin to come to her place. It was so sudden and to see him cared so much about her well-being. A part of her knew her decision was plainly stupid and that it will hurt both herself and Kenshin but the other part of her wouldn't risk Kenshin's life for anything. It was too high of a risk. Kaoru glared in total disgust at the ring that had been crammed onto her finger earlier through a fog of tear that blurred her vision. She hated Enishi and everything he did to her. She knew he had no feeling what so ever for her. And to him she was just a tool to make who she love most suffer. But knowing Enishi well enough she knew he would not hesitate to do what he had threatened. Closing her eyes she let streams of tear roll down her cheek as she buries her face deep into the pillow. –I don't care about how I am. As long as he is safe.- Kaoru didn't know how long she had lay there crying but after what felt like an eternity she fell into an uneasy sleep.

In her dream, Kaoru found herself on a dark path; a voice so warm and soothing was calling for her from somewhere. Kaoru ran on and on trying desperately to find the source of that comforting voice. But after awhile her legs gave away and she fell to her knee sobbing. She couldn't ever reach that voice. Never..

A/N: Hmm…Well that's it for this chapter. And I know…it's abit soapy..but I promise this story won't turn all soapy all of the sudden so people…rest assure! And the next chapter is the concert whoo hoo! So hope you guys will like it. Oh and do let me know how you think of this chapter alright?! Until next time!! Goodluck and please Review!!