The characters in the story don't belong to me. Just borrowing them for a
little escapade so lay off with the lawyer's letters.
Chapter6
Kaoru looked out of the tiny window. Lush, fluffy clouds floated below, hardly disturbed at all by the passing of the aeroplane. A smile lifted the corner of her lips. Finally, she was going to see them face to face. For the first time in seventeen years. Four years ago, when she saw Kenshin, the naked feelings in his amber eyes had seared itself onto her heart. She never knew that he had that in him or that she could read him so clearly. Ever since then, she discovered from Aoshi that he was always seen with shades that shielded his eyes. Her lips tilted higher. It was nice to know that she had that effect on him.
Hong Kong
"Soujiiro, are you saying that she's coming here today?" Kenshin could hardly believe his ears.
"Yes, she should be arriving in about thirty minutes." Soujiiro looked at his watch. He, too, could not suppressed the sense of excitement at seeing her again especially after knowing of the bond between them. Sano, however drew his brows together in a frown. "She just got the leadership of Shinzuku. Why is she coming here now instead of staying in Japan to take care of her duties? Something's not quite right."
Getting over his surprise, Kenshin shrugged, "That's because she has something more important to do here first." He did not voice it but he was certain that he knew what she was about.
"You know, Kenshin, it doesn't mean that just because she's our old companion or because she's beautiful that you can let your guard down around her. For all we know, she had already allied herslf with Usui." Sano pointed out. The fact that she had once been Usui's goddaughter was an open secret known to all.
"She would never do that." Kenshin said confidently. Usui and Jineh, two men who had conspired and worked together to cause Tsubame's sufferings. Kaoru would die before she work with Usui.
"But it's been seventeen years, Kenshin. Who knows if she had changed."
The door slided open silently and an amused voice joined in, "Well, Sano, you haven't changed. Still as suspicious as ever." Kaoru leaned against the doorway, her arm folded, her stance relaxed as though she had come home. The hair which she had slashed off was now neatly trimmed and styled, framing a face deceptively young for all that she had gone through. She looked at the three of them in turn. They had all changed but she could still see the shadow of the children they were. Smiling, she entered the room.
"You remember us?" Sano asked hesitantly. Soujiiro was too taken by her to react at all. Only Kenshin was not taken aback by her sudden appearance. He moved forward to help her remove her coat, his actions so smooth and familiar that it seemed he had done it many, many times before. "You are early," he said, his hands on her coat, stripping it down her arms. Through the layers of cloth, Kaoru could feel the heat from his hands. And it roused a strange shiver from her.
"I don't like to be late." She smiled at Kenshin before turning to face Sano and Soujiiro. "Of coure I remember you. I did not forget anything. Did you forget me?" she added playfully.
"Forget you? How can we forget someone like you, so beautiful and charming?" Sano answered with his customary filrtatiousness. Soujiiro groaned. Shaking his head, he spoke up, "He's been led astray by the those Italians around him." Kaoru laughed, "He's always been like this, as far as I could recall."
It was only then that Kaoru felt truly welcome. It was as she had hoped it would be. Finding them was the best thing that she had done. She crossed the room to sit opposite Sano, ready to go into the real reason why she came to see them. The change in her expression led them to look at her expectantly. And they were not disappointed.
"Do any of you remember your parents?" Sano, Kenshin and Soujiiro exchanged puzzled glances.
"As far back as I could remember, I've always been in the orphanage. But according to the nuns who took care of us, both my parents died in a car accident," Kenshin recalled. Sano added, " It's the same for me except that it was a plane crash." Soujiiro did not answer but his brows were knitted as he tried to remember but all he got were faint, wispy images of smoke and fire, too elusive for him to grasp. Finally, he shook his head, "I can't remember anything."
Sano, Kenshin and Kaoru were not surprised. Soujiiro was the youngest of them when he was brought to the orphanage. It was perhaps natural that he retained no memory at all of his life before he came to the orphanage. But it should not be so for them. "Kenshin, you, Sano and Enishi came to the the orphanage at the age of seven. No matter how faint, there should be some things you remember but none of us know anything about our past except for what we were told. Isn't that very strange?"
Kenshin eyed Kaoru with new respect. Apparently, she had been giving a lot of thought to this just as he had. "You're right. A few years ago, I tried looking for records of the orphanage but nothing turned up. It seemed to have vanish into thin air after we were adopted." Kaoru nodded, "I discovered that too. But there's another thing. We were all adopted into triads."
Sano interrupted, "We found out about that when we recognised you and Enishi," he paused before adding with a strange glint in his eyes, "You think these two matters are connected."
"Yes," she admitted freely. The three men exchanged a meaningful look. Just a few days before, they were also comtemplating the strange circumstances thay were in. "All right then, Kaoru, you have something up your sleeves. Spill it."
Kaoru smiled as she looked at the three of them in turn. "Eight years ago, a priestess told me that the mysteries of fate will be solved when we have gained in power and strength. And I think that it's time." Her smile grew predatory. "All five of us were used as tools to garner power in the triads. Once all of us have gained undisputed leadership in our territories, the hand behind this will have to show himself. Enishi, Sano and the both of you have already done that. But in Japan, there's still Usui standing in my way."
"You don't really need our help, Kaoru. You could take him by yourself." Soujiiro looked at her, hoping to deter her from seeking Kenshin's assistance. He knew that for HongXing to act with her, there must be deeper ties between Shinzuku and HongXing than mere friendship. And what could be better than the tie of marriage between the two leaders? Even if he knew both Kenshin and his godfather were in favour of it, he still wanted to try one last time for them to reconsider this.
"I could. But a partnership with HongXing would not only be an asset in the confrontation with Usui's Kobe, it would mean putting the whole of asia under our control." Kaoru was speaking to Soujiiro but her eyes were pinned to Kenshin's, willing him to remove his shades. He walked over, knowing what she intended but wanting to hear it from her. They stood a foot apart, facing each other. Although no part of their body was in contact, they presented a strangely intimate picture. "And how do you propose we begin our partnership?"
"Propose is the right word, Kenshin. Let's get married."
He smiled as he considered this. "Is this just a business arrangement, Kaoru?"
With a sultry lift of her lips, Kaoru reached out to remove his shades. Kenshin did not stop her. Setting the dark glasses aside, she looked deeply into his amber eyes now unguarded and open to her. Without warning, she combed her fingers through his flaming hair, pulling his head down for a kiss. Her lips moved over his, coaxing and fiery at the same time, demanding an equal response from him. Within seconds, she found that she had lost control. His arms closed around her back, drawing her to him, leaving no space between them. His mouth was hungry, devouring, taking all she had to give and wanting more. The seducer was seduced. Lost in the storm she had stirred up. Clinging tightly to his shoulders, she gave herself up to the drugging power of his lips, firm and intoxicating on hers making her feel so treasured and needed. She never dreamt that he would have this effect on her. She was always in control. Always. But with Kenshin……
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally lifted his head. He blinked once to clear away the residue of passion that clouded his mind. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed, lacking their customary sharpness and cunning. Satisfied, he rumbled, "Well, Kaoru, is this just a business arrangement?" Kaoru took a deep breath to calm her still frantic heartbeat. Her brains began working once more and she narrowed her eyes at how cleverly Kenshin had managed to get the upper hand. Two can play this game. With one hand still in his hair, cradling his head, she drew the other slowly across his chest, pleased at the leapt of fire in his eyes.
"What do you think?"she purred.
Across the room from them, their presence all but forgotten, Sano swallowed the long wolf whistle he was dying to let out. He didn't think they would appreciate any interruptions now. But, boy, what a kiss! He didn't know Kenshin had it in him. Soujiiro could feel his heart crumbling. He never stood a chance. Turning away, he walked out of the room to find a place to nurse his wounded heart.
Poor Soujiiro. This time, he'd finally given up. The kiss was very problematic 'cos I really don't know how to describe the intensity of feelings that they felt. Oh well. I tried my best. Having many projects, reports, essays and assigments to do, the next chapter would probably take some time. As always, looking forward to your reviews.
Chapter6
Kaoru looked out of the tiny window. Lush, fluffy clouds floated below, hardly disturbed at all by the passing of the aeroplane. A smile lifted the corner of her lips. Finally, she was going to see them face to face. For the first time in seventeen years. Four years ago, when she saw Kenshin, the naked feelings in his amber eyes had seared itself onto her heart. She never knew that he had that in him or that she could read him so clearly. Ever since then, she discovered from Aoshi that he was always seen with shades that shielded his eyes. Her lips tilted higher. It was nice to know that she had that effect on him.
Hong Kong
"Soujiiro, are you saying that she's coming here today?" Kenshin could hardly believe his ears.
"Yes, she should be arriving in about thirty minutes." Soujiiro looked at his watch. He, too, could not suppressed the sense of excitement at seeing her again especially after knowing of the bond between them. Sano, however drew his brows together in a frown. "She just got the leadership of Shinzuku. Why is she coming here now instead of staying in Japan to take care of her duties? Something's not quite right."
Getting over his surprise, Kenshin shrugged, "That's because she has something more important to do here first." He did not voice it but he was certain that he knew what she was about.
"You know, Kenshin, it doesn't mean that just because she's our old companion or because she's beautiful that you can let your guard down around her. For all we know, she had already allied herslf with Usui." Sano pointed out. The fact that she had once been Usui's goddaughter was an open secret known to all.
"She would never do that." Kenshin said confidently. Usui and Jineh, two men who had conspired and worked together to cause Tsubame's sufferings. Kaoru would die before she work with Usui.
"But it's been seventeen years, Kenshin. Who knows if she had changed."
The door slided open silently and an amused voice joined in, "Well, Sano, you haven't changed. Still as suspicious as ever." Kaoru leaned against the doorway, her arm folded, her stance relaxed as though she had come home. The hair which she had slashed off was now neatly trimmed and styled, framing a face deceptively young for all that she had gone through. She looked at the three of them in turn. They had all changed but she could still see the shadow of the children they were. Smiling, she entered the room.
"You remember us?" Sano asked hesitantly. Soujiiro was too taken by her to react at all. Only Kenshin was not taken aback by her sudden appearance. He moved forward to help her remove her coat, his actions so smooth and familiar that it seemed he had done it many, many times before. "You are early," he said, his hands on her coat, stripping it down her arms. Through the layers of cloth, Kaoru could feel the heat from his hands. And it roused a strange shiver from her.
"I don't like to be late." She smiled at Kenshin before turning to face Sano and Soujiiro. "Of coure I remember you. I did not forget anything. Did you forget me?" she added playfully.
"Forget you? How can we forget someone like you, so beautiful and charming?" Sano answered with his customary filrtatiousness. Soujiiro groaned. Shaking his head, he spoke up, "He's been led astray by the those Italians around him." Kaoru laughed, "He's always been like this, as far as I could recall."
It was only then that Kaoru felt truly welcome. It was as she had hoped it would be. Finding them was the best thing that she had done. She crossed the room to sit opposite Sano, ready to go into the real reason why she came to see them. The change in her expression led them to look at her expectantly. And they were not disappointed.
"Do any of you remember your parents?" Sano, Kenshin and Soujiiro exchanged puzzled glances.
"As far back as I could remember, I've always been in the orphanage. But according to the nuns who took care of us, both my parents died in a car accident," Kenshin recalled. Sano added, " It's the same for me except that it was a plane crash." Soujiiro did not answer but his brows were knitted as he tried to remember but all he got were faint, wispy images of smoke and fire, too elusive for him to grasp. Finally, he shook his head, "I can't remember anything."
Sano, Kenshin and Kaoru were not surprised. Soujiiro was the youngest of them when he was brought to the orphanage. It was perhaps natural that he retained no memory at all of his life before he came to the orphanage. But it should not be so for them. "Kenshin, you, Sano and Enishi came to the the orphanage at the age of seven. No matter how faint, there should be some things you remember but none of us know anything about our past except for what we were told. Isn't that very strange?"
Kenshin eyed Kaoru with new respect. Apparently, she had been giving a lot of thought to this just as he had. "You're right. A few years ago, I tried looking for records of the orphanage but nothing turned up. It seemed to have vanish into thin air after we were adopted." Kaoru nodded, "I discovered that too. But there's another thing. We were all adopted into triads."
Sano interrupted, "We found out about that when we recognised you and Enishi," he paused before adding with a strange glint in his eyes, "You think these two matters are connected."
"Yes," she admitted freely. The three men exchanged a meaningful look. Just a few days before, they were also comtemplating the strange circumstances thay were in. "All right then, Kaoru, you have something up your sleeves. Spill it."
Kaoru smiled as she looked at the three of them in turn. "Eight years ago, a priestess told me that the mysteries of fate will be solved when we have gained in power and strength. And I think that it's time." Her smile grew predatory. "All five of us were used as tools to garner power in the triads. Once all of us have gained undisputed leadership in our territories, the hand behind this will have to show himself. Enishi, Sano and the both of you have already done that. But in Japan, there's still Usui standing in my way."
"You don't really need our help, Kaoru. You could take him by yourself." Soujiiro looked at her, hoping to deter her from seeking Kenshin's assistance. He knew that for HongXing to act with her, there must be deeper ties between Shinzuku and HongXing than mere friendship. And what could be better than the tie of marriage between the two leaders? Even if he knew both Kenshin and his godfather were in favour of it, he still wanted to try one last time for them to reconsider this.
"I could. But a partnership with HongXing would not only be an asset in the confrontation with Usui's Kobe, it would mean putting the whole of asia under our control." Kaoru was speaking to Soujiiro but her eyes were pinned to Kenshin's, willing him to remove his shades. He walked over, knowing what she intended but wanting to hear it from her. They stood a foot apart, facing each other. Although no part of their body was in contact, they presented a strangely intimate picture. "And how do you propose we begin our partnership?"
"Propose is the right word, Kenshin. Let's get married."
He smiled as he considered this. "Is this just a business arrangement, Kaoru?"
With a sultry lift of her lips, Kaoru reached out to remove his shades. Kenshin did not stop her. Setting the dark glasses aside, she looked deeply into his amber eyes now unguarded and open to her. Without warning, she combed her fingers through his flaming hair, pulling his head down for a kiss. Her lips moved over his, coaxing and fiery at the same time, demanding an equal response from him. Within seconds, she found that she had lost control. His arms closed around her back, drawing her to him, leaving no space between them. His mouth was hungry, devouring, taking all she had to give and wanting more. The seducer was seduced. Lost in the storm she had stirred up. Clinging tightly to his shoulders, she gave herself up to the drugging power of his lips, firm and intoxicating on hers making her feel so treasured and needed. She never dreamt that he would have this effect on her. She was always in control. Always. But with Kenshin……
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally lifted his head. He blinked once to clear away the residue of passion that clouded his mind. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed, lacking their customary sharpness and cunning. Satisfied, he rumbled, "Well, Kaoru, is this just a business arrangement?" Kaoru took a deep breath to calm her still frantic heartbeat. Her brains began working once more and she narrowed her eyes at how cleverly Kenshin had managed to get the upper hand. Two can play this game. With one hand still in his hair, cradling his head, she drew the other slowly across his chest, pleased at the leapt of fire in his eyes.
"What do you think?"she purred.
Across the room from them, their presence all but forgotten, Sano swallowed the long wolf whistle he was dying to let out. He didn't think they would appreciate any interruptions now. But, boy, what a kiss! He didn't know Kenshin had it in him. Soujiiro could feel his heart crumbling. He never stood a chance. Turning away, he walked out of the room to find a place to nurse his wounded heart.
Poor Soujiiro. This time, he'd finally given up. The kiss was very problematic 'cos I really don't know how to describe the intensity of feelings that they felt. Oh well. I tried my best. Having many projects, reports, essays and assigments to do, the next chapter would probably take some time. As always, looking forward to your reviews.
