Disclaimer: Battousai will give me a full sword slash if I don't say that I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or anything from it... oh, and I ah... feels sword tip poke her back ... don't own Battousai.
Behind My Back – Chapter Eleven – By Cherry Chibi
'Hearts' Binds'
- - - -
"Don't think that way." A quiet voice whispered. It sounded like Kaoru was saying it in her sleep. "Kenshin, don't think that way. I'm happy that I've met you." Her words made a small smile touch his lips, even though he knew she was saying those words in her dream. Battousai watched her sleep for a while longer, he wondered if she would ever be able to share his feelings.
- - - -
A chill rolled on her skin as she bit against the cold morning. She didn't know what was going on really. Battousai had suddenly asked her to come with him to some place without even really telling her where it was. So here she was, early in the morning, following him blindly along the streets. It was pointless to ask because for the last ten times she had questioned him, he gave her his stone face and continued walking. No reply or anything. "It's… cold…" She said. It didn't help that she was already wearing several layers.
To her surprised, Battousai took her icy cold hand in his. "That is why I'm taking you here." She didn't know what to think next. However, she was grateful that her hand was feeling warmer. Blushing lightly she looked ahead and took note that they were almost at a shopping centre. She raised a curious eyebrow.
Battousai had taken notice that Kaoru didn't have many winter-suited clothes, and he didn't really like the thought of her wearing his clothes too. Kaoru observed him for a moment, following him as he led her into the shops. He walked at such a fast pace that she had to double of speed to keep up. It didn't look like that he was aware that she was having difficulty either. She clasped her other hand around Battousai's arm that had grasped her other hand for support.
It caught his attention for a second and Kaoru felt another butterfly float in her stomach when he slowed his pace a bit. The rest of the walk was silent, it seemed as though Battousai already had a destination in mind. Kaoru wondered where he was taking her though. She wouldn't have thought that he would approach such public places. He was the kind that preferred his peace and quiet.
Another question then came to her head. What he had said earlier sounded as though he decided to take her hear for a reason that included her. It was an awkward situation thinking about it. She wasn't sure what to think next. He was hard to understand most of the time and it was frustrating.
In a few minutes, they were inside a clothes shop. A woman's clothes shop to be more exact. "So… what are we doing here?" Kaoru asked quietly. Battousai didn't reply. She sighed and looked towards the shopkeeper who had eagerly approached them.
"Hello, are you here to get this young lady winter clothing?" The woman asked. She smiled in a way that showed that she was eager to do business. "It's been awhile since I've seen you young man." Kaoru glanced at Battousai curious again. Did he know this woman and was he really going to do what that woman just said?
Battousai gave a small nod.
"Well then, let me sort everything out." The woman then took Kaoru's arm, "Come on dear, I'll show you our latest releases." She took Kaoru towards the nearby racks. So it really was what the shopkeeper had said. Kaoru felt her cheeks burn with a bit of embarrassment. "Now… from what I've heard… you need quite a number of outfits."
Kaoru paused with a questioning look in her eyes.
The woman flashed a smile quickly before continuing on with the clothing. "I'm Maemi Kimiyama." She started flicking through the racks of clothes and picked out several pieces. She gave a cheerful chuckle. "Now… your clothing must suit your lifestyle… as well as the weather and oh! I'm sure that you would want to impress your lover over there too…"
"Um… wait… I think… " Kaoru blushed furiously. "We're not exactly… um…" She never got to finish what she was meaning to say since Maemi had just cut straight through and continued on. Poor Kaoru still was feeling a little dazed from the suddenly realization of things. Unable to help it, she kept glancing over to Battousai, as if it were some form of comfort for her uneasiness.
"Let's make this quick… I'm very sure that these will fit you." Maemi lifted a black jumper and checked its length compared to Kaoru's body. "Ah yes… perfect fit. This will definitely suit you…" Without Kaoru's confirmation, the woman soon enough had picked out a few outfits for her and had taken her measurements. She supposed that maybe all people who had worked for the Choshu were taught to work efficiently and not waste any time.
A short time later, Battousai was accepting the bags from Maemi. "I'll be sending her formal gowns later. They'll probably be ready by tomorrow evening at the latest." Battousai acknowledged it with a nod. Kaoru stood beside him. She had finally settled in with all the shock. "You're very fortunate woman Kaoru." Maemi said.
"Huh?" Kaoru looked up surprised. She couldn't say anything more since Battousai was already heading out the door. "Good bye and thank you." She said quickly before hastening her steps to follow Battousai. What was that about? Kaoru yawned inwardly. 'I guess I didn't get enough sleep…'
- - - -
Battousai opened the black envelope that consisted of his next task. It had been sealed with red wax so it was a sign that this task was different from the others. Although it wasn't unusual for him to be receiving important tasks, there still was a dark feeling that it wasn't right. That there was something behind it all.
Tonight at ten o'clock there'll be a function held at the Yamada Hall. Arrive there with Kaoru Kamiya at half past ten. Be aware of the bodyguards positioned around the hall. Assassinate Hideaki Adachi, Kazuki Hachirobei and Nibori Kuroda. Any witnesses, leave them to Kaoru. Leave the hall by half past eleven.
Three in one hour. That really was unusual. Battousai memorized the task word for word before disposing it safely. He glanced over to Kaoru who was peacefully taking a nap on the sofa. His instincts told him that for a while, Katsura had been scheming a great deal and was planning to do something to Kaoru. It was cleverly disguised but not good enough to hide from him.
A part of him hoped that whatever would happen, that Kaoru's life would be spared. However, there was no guarantee. Life was a pain. It always found ways to bother him. No matter how cold he became, it still managed to break through the ice and find a way to torture him. His protective gaze over Kaoru was soon caught as she woke up with a sleepy look in her eyes.
"Is something wrong?" She asked him innocently.
"We have a task tonight." Battousai replied. "We're leaving at nine." He was taken aback when Kaoru smiled at him and shifted on the sofa. She was soon back into her nap. Apparently, it looked as if she had gotten use to living with him and was comfortable… in some ways too comfortable. Maybe Katsura planned it this way so…
Battousai stifled a sigh. Maybe he was just beginning to get paranoid. These days, every odd thing that happens just makes him feel as though Katsura had planned it. With Kaoru being here… she had just shown him how much he had gotten use to Katsura's plans and orders. 'I have much to thank her for…' He couldn't shake the thought that Kaoru was supposed to be elsewhere. Instinct told him that she was meant to be with someone else… where she'd be happier.
- - - -
"It seems as though your plans are working very well Katsura…" A woman said as she entered the room. In her hands, were photos in black and white. She placed them on the desk and pushed them gently towards Katsura. "I'm impressed." The woman tossed her rich black hair back off her shoulder and eyed her boss with emerald green eyes. As always, the room was dim with no other source of light except for the fireplace. She wondered how a man can survive in such an environment.
Katsura chuckled and flicked through the photographs. "Yes, I'm sure that things will continue heading the right direction…" He paused at the photograph where a young girl entered the store with her hand in another and her arm linked around the man's. He smirked. "However, I guess that by the looks of it… I'm going to have to push things a little further. Maemi…"
"Yes…?"
"I would like you to finish up Kaoru's formal gown by six o'clock tonight. There is a task that requires it." Katsura stated. He picked up the pile of photographs and tossed them into his desk draw. "I would ask… that you make it one of the best." He saw the tasteful glimmer in the woman's eyes as she smiled.
"I've already sorted that out, isn't that right… Uno?" Maemi said.
Uno stepped forward, she and her husband had been listening patiently and now it was finally her turn to speak. "That's right. Maemi has made the preparations. However, with Kaoru… I would like to seek permission to finish of the appointments for her and get her ready for the formal. She must fit in if the task is to run as smoothly as possible." She locked eye contact with Katsura and took careful notice of how he responded.
"Proceed."
- - - -
At six o'clock there was a sharp knocking on the apartment door. The sound breaking through the piece and quiet. Battousai narrowed his eyes and his prowled towards the door and opened it. "What is it?" He questioned. At the door, stood Uno who looked rather casual compared to her usual secretary suit.
"I'm here to collect Kaoru, we wouldn't want her to be late for her appointment." Uno replied as she stepped it. She flashed a smile before looking into the apartment. When she saw Kaoru enter the room wearing a pair of black jeans and a matching jumper, she spoke, "Kaoru, hurry now, you're going to have to come with me." Seeing the uncertainty Uno continued, "Katsura wishes for you to take the appropriate preparations for tonight's task."
"He didn't mention…" Battousai started.
"The plans had just been changed." Uno said, "I'll be taking Kaoru out for a while, you'll proceed and be at the hall at the correct time. However, you won't be taking Kaoru with you. She will already be there but disguised just a little so that your presence won't be so obvious." She took Kaoru's wrist. "Now, we better hurry."
Kaoru was silenced. Unsure of what to say. She glanced over to Battousai once before following Uno rather self-consciously. Battousai eyes followed the departing women before closing the door shut. What was going on?
- - - -
Sanosuke walked silently. In his mind he cursed over and over. How did he get himself into such schemes? How was he going to get Kaoru back? Was she alright? At some part, it was his fault that she was lost. He kicked a stray soft drink can across the foot path. "Damn them."
"Sanosuke Sagara."
He looked up and from the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar group approach. "What do you guys want?" Now wasn't the time for him to be reminded of the Shinsengumi. He gritted his teeth and faced the Oniwabanshuu.
"We want to know if you know what's going on with Kaoru." Misao said as she took two steps forward. "What do the Choshu want with her?"
"Can't you guys use your Empath abilities to figure that out?" Sanosuke replied rather curtly. To be honest, he didn't have the slightest clue of what was really happening. What did the Choshu want to his adopted younger sister? And what did the Oniwabanshuu want with her?
"Unfortunately, our abilities aren't helpful in that case." Aoshi said coldly. "Kaoru is being used for some unexplained purpose. We thought that you, being her brother… would know." The leader looked dangerous. The gleam in his icy blue eyes showed that there was some big activity going on underground. Well, Sanosuke didn't need that indication to know that something big was happening anyway. Ever since the so called 'kidnapping' of a great politician's daughter got on the news, all political, police and underground groups have been on the alert. The only people who wouldn't know what was going on would be the normal civilians.
"As far as I know, Katsura is a bastard who has something planned to take over the government." Sanosuke said, "And he is succeeding."
"We know that!" Misao said. Her tone showed her frustration. "But what's up with the 'perfect assassin' thing?" She lowered her sound so that she wouldn't catch the attention of any unwanted people.
"Perfect assassin?"
- - - -
Kaoru stared at her reflection. The black velvet formal gown fitted her perfectly, matched with leather black high heels. Earlier on, Uno had taken her to the beauty parlor to get her make up and hair done and now she was in a hotel room near the Yamada Hall getting her outfit done. Uno was giving her the final touches, she put on a silver diamond necklace around Kaoru's neck and added a couple of silver bangles to her left wrist. Then she sprayed a little bit of perfume.
Even though they were preparing for the task, there had been a sad aura around the whole evening. She tasted blood and salty tears in the air. Her Empath abilities told her that tonight's events were more that what they seemed. "You wanted to talk to me privately didn't you, Uno?" Kaoru asked as the woman finished up. Silence took over and then the woman nodded. "What is it?"
"You, like Katsura, can tell what would happen in the future right? Or more likely, taste the essence of the future…" Uno said slowly, "But sometimes the past is what you really need to know about." The room's aura suddenly took on a graveyard like feeling. The woman wasn't telling Kaoru directly what she wanted to tell her. It was almost as if she was afraid to. Even thought Kaoru really wanted to get straight to the point, she felt that it wasn't right to get the answers straight out. "Kaoru, I wanted to just ask you… who do you want to become to Battousai?"
Her heart pulse froze for a few moments. She didn't know what to say to answer. Anyway, what did Uno mean by asking such a question? Suddenly, Kaoru's eyes widened when Uno kissed her gently on the cheek. Something was slipped into her hand.
"You remind me so much of Kikuno, Kaoru…" Uno whispered, "But I just hope that your fate won't be like hers. Take care of yourself tonight alright? You should arrive at the destination in ten minutes." Without another word, the woman left the room… leaving Kaoru alone. She stared at her reflection again, 'What is going on…?'
Opening the palm of her hand, she gazed down at the white plum blossom. 'Uno knew my mother… and…' She sighed. Why were things so complicated? She stared out the hotel window that gave her perfect view of the Yamada Hall. 'Kenshin…'
- - - -
Half past ten. The designated time for him to arrive. Battousai then slipped into the building unnoticed and reached the upstairs rooms. Walking silently like a cat in the dark, he reached the fourth room down the hall and opened the door. Just as Katsura had told him, it was clearly prepared for the politicians' personal use. Here was where he would wait for… Kaoru.
- - - -
She been in the hall for a while and had quickly spotted the three politicians. Each one in his own little area surrounded with beautiful women who weren't your everyday civilians. She had plastered a smile on her face and joined in with the crowd. Music rummaged through the atmosphere and was chorused with laughter and much flirting.
There had been some moments where she had to find a way to get herself out of the attention of other men but at the same time, keep acting like she was meant to be there so that she wouldn't blow her cover. Somehow, she had a feeling that someone had been keeping an eye on her. It felt like some sort of cat-and-mouse game. Where the cat had to try to catch the mice but at the same time, had to avoid the dogs.
Throughout the evening so far, she had been reaching her targets and doing what she had been told to do. It sickened her but it had to be done. Why? Because she promised Katsura that she would do as much as she could to lessen the amount of bloodshed that would've been done by Battousai.
Kaoru spotted her final target – Hideaki Adachi. Aware that she was to avoid any other unnecessary attention, she weaved her way towards the man. Putting on an act that made her look like she was a very available woman.
"Good evening sir." A sickeningly sweetly said sentence whispered to the politician's ear, immediately catching his attention. Kaoru flashed the best smile she had.
"My, my… what is a pretty young lady like you doing here…?" He asked her. It sounded very clear that he thought of her as one of the hired escorts. She had the urge to just get out of there. He greedily took her wrist and pulled her towards him. "How may I help you?" He stared at the beautiful ultramarine coloured eyes and grinned.
Kaoru faked a giggle and slipped a note into his hands. "Come… see me later." She whispered. On the note, she had written the time and room number that was where he was supposed to meet her. So far, everything had been successful, and now her task was done. She moved away towards the stairs and headed up. From the corner of her eye, she saw something that she knew wasn't right and frowned.
- - - -
He finished up his second target.
Upon hearing the hurrying footsteps, Battousai's alert heightened and he took his hiding position in a blind spot area. He watched as the door knob twisted and the door opened. Kaoru was roughly pushed into the room. Bruises marring her skin. He narrowed his eyes. It was sudden. He was supposed to be given at least a minute to get rid of the body.
"No… I'm not…" Kaoru was struggling, he had decided to come earlier that expected. "Not now…" She gasped when Hideki suddenly advanced on her.
"Oh, so you're playing coy?" Hideki asked, sounding like a predator seeking its prey. However, then he noticed a dead corpse and his eyes widened. "Wait! You!" He then grasped Kaoru's neck. Instantly, it looked as though the politician quickly knew what was going on. Overpowering Kaoru easily since she was at the disadvantage of being in the unsuitable clothing for fighting, he forced her down threatening to strangle her to death.
Before Hideki was able to take a step further, Battousai knocked the politician off Kaoru. He unsheathed his sword, "You will die tonight." Seeing the sudden fear in the man's eyes, he advanced towards his target and quickly executed the assassination before any scream was able to be released. After finishing, his amber eyes darted towards Kaoru who was breathing quite heavily.
She got up and locked eye contact with him. There was some sign of disappointment in her aura. "… Thank you." After a moment of silence, Kaoru sighed. "Shall we go?" She hastened her steps out of the room with Battousai following. They took the back exit which was easy for them to leave unnoticed.
- - - -
The unforgiving cold winter air made Kaoru shiver. She had been walking alongside Battousai for awhile now. There was a tenseness coming from him. Was something wrong? Did she do anything to make him angry at her? She decided to slow down her pace a little. Walking alongside him made her feel a little uncomfortable. There was a cold feeling within her. Soon she was walking behind him. Unaware that Battousai had stopped, she almost walked into his back.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked. Since earlier on, the thoughts had been going through his head. She wasn't meant to have anything to do with the Choshu. The only reason why she was around here was because Katsura had some sort of scheme that needed her to be part of it. The moment when he succeeds, he wouldn't have any use for her anymore. Then what would happen? For sure Kaoru would know this. She was an Empath and therefore must've been able to know about her future. Then why? Why was she still around?
"Why am I doing what?" Kaoru replied, amused by the sudden question. When he turned around and faced her with amber eyes looking down at her with almost a tinge of sadness showing, her breath slowed unusually. He looked like a cornered deer.
"I know that you aren't supposed to be here," Battousai said, "There is someone else isn't there?"
Kaoru bit her lower lip. Where did this suddenly come up? Anyway, she had no where else to go… it wasn't like she could ever go back to stay with Sanosuke, he hated her. He had stated that they were enemies. She wouldn't go back to the Shinsengumi either. It would be only running to another cage. Seeing that he wanted an answer, she shook her head slowly. "I am meant to be here." She could see the surprise rising in his amber eyes.
The world around her didn't exist anymore. There were only amber eyes looking directly at her. The walls of the buildings near them melted away and their place were screens of past memories… not hers…
One moment, there was a young boy, seeing the last breaths of his parents, the next, an older boy, clutching onto a sword in his small hands and slashing at a tree until his hands were covered in blisters. Next moment, an older boy being brought into the Choshu faction by Katsura…
A couple of quick steps forward and she embraced him. Breathing in all his suffering and creating his pain into her own. "I want to be here with you… Kenshin." It was a modest, quiet voice that engraved itself into the moment. All the pain she saw coming from Battousai was enough to bring tears to her eyes but a gentle warm expression remained on her face.
"Do you…" Battousai wrapped a protective arm around her waist and lifted her face up to meet his, "… really want to… Kaoru?" He placed a gentle kiss at the corner of her lips, a whisper 'yes' passed her lips before he caught her breath with another kiss.
She was his to love and was his to protect. Before he would have never thought that he would ever be able to rid of the emptiness within again… then a new fire burned and he was determined to keep it burning, to keep it safe.
After the kiss ended, he took note of the tears in her eyes and brushed them away. "No more tears." Kaoru kissed him on his scar cheek before linking hands with him. Maybe when the ordeal is over, they can be together elsewhere…
"Will you ever stop killing?" Kaoru asked him quietly after a while later.
"Maybe."
- - - -
AN: Hello everyone!! I'm sorry that I've updated so late! But I've been suffering from writer's block and it's painfully slowly vanishing…
Thank you for reading and supporting me!!! I really, really, really am grateful! Thank you for all your reviews too! Hope to see you all next time I update again! Until next time!
Cherry Chibi