Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
I would like to give a Special thanks to Scented Candles. Thanks for always being there to help me, and I would highly recommend everyone to read her stories.
Cherry Blossom Dream
Chapter Eight: Escape to Him
"No!" A younger, more innocent Kaoru screamed in the light of a fading oil lamp that adorned a nearby desk. "Please, not again."
Her pleas fell on the deaf ears of the angelic man looking at her with so much contempt while he conversed with a man with the feature of a rat. "Silence wretch," he commanded, his voice filling the room with malicious darkness.
Kaoru struggled against the two men holding her, their hands wrapped around her legs and feet, restraining her.
Oh, please not again!
Why were they doing this?
It was not her fault…and now they were punishing her.
And another life would never get a chance to fully bloom.
She tried holding back the tears; for herself, for her situation, for her unborn child that rested innocently in her womb. Maternal instincts to protect her young surged up within her and Kaoru tried once more to struggle free, but the men were too strong and she was too weak.
A broken sob escaped her, it was a cry of pain, of rage, agony and anger…most of all, it was a heartbreaking sound that would shatter even the strongest of hearts.
But these men had no hearts.
They had proven it to her again and again.
"Johnson, gag her mouth. I do not want anyone hearing her screams," Lacher said, his voice sinister and without a shred of mercy. His beautiful face leaned closer to hers as he whispered those cruel words she would never forget as long as she lived.
They would haunt her nightmares and taunt her waking dreams.
"This time I instructed the good doctor to make sure you would never be impregnated again."
Kaoru's eyes widened with sickening horror, blue eyes flaming with indignation. Despite her dire predicament, her eyes were void of fear.
"I despise you Lacher!" She spat out.
He touched her cheek and she recoiled in disgust. His eyes narrowed as he grabbed her chin and jerked it to the side, exposing her neck to his hungry lips as his other hand fondled her breast. There was nothing she could do, she was trapped by two men, and being kissed by the one who stolen her virginity.
She moaned in disgust as she found her body responding to the unwanted feelings he was giving her. She was still unused to the sensations he aroused in her body when he took the time to be gentle. There were times when their coupling was hard and forced, when he used her only as a recepticle for his own pleasure. But Master knew many kinds of pleasure and drew from suffering from every source. He seemed to have tired of making her body bleed and hearing her cry out in pain. He had now grown fond of fanning the fires of unwanted passion in her, making sure Kaoru's body responded to his touch and betrayed her in sickening ways.
After each time, Kaoru had felt a little more of herself die away.
At least when he forced himself on her and raped her, hurt her, she could tell herself there was nothing she could have done.
But now…he forced her to want his touch, to crave it, to like the despicable things he did to her…to enjoy his attentions.
Kaoru whimpered.
After what seemed an eternity he rose and smiled at her. Her breast ached not from passion but from abuse, and her neck was bitten. It seemed as if Lacher had made another mark claiming her. Defiantly, she thought she would never be his.
Not completely.
She would not become like Sally.
She would not!
Kaoru felt emptiness inside her as if a bottomless bit had opened up inside her stomach, leaving her somewhat in a hopeless pit. She could see the light racing farther and farther away from her as the darkness started to consume her.
A voice whispered in her head.
'Goodbye...farewell Kenshin...'
It was her voice.
A hand touched her cheek.
It was cold and unpleasant.
Like ice.
Kaoru no longer called for Kenshin, he would not help her. He was nowhere, and somehow she smiled in the thought that she had been right: He had never loved her.
"Kaoru be a dear and try not to scream too loud." Lacher drawled as he stroked the smooth skin of her cheek. He looked towards the other men and smiled as the doctor came near.
Kaoru struggled more, but beneath the show of defiance, she knew what was going to happen next…it was unavoidable.
All fear vanished in that instant as the realization of the utter hopelessness of her situation washed over her in waves. The darkness that had slowly been eating at her had finally swallowed her whole.
She could no longer see the light.
In fear's place there came a hatred of men.
Men had destroyed her...every single one of them. The two men holding her down, Lacher who stole her purity and sold her, men who bought her for pleasure, the doctor who told the men to spread her legs, and...Kenshin.
It was he who destroyed her two times.
In two different days.
In two different ways.
"Well my dear I have to go." Lacher said, pinching her nose as if she was a beloved child. "Do not amuse yourself too much in my absence."
"Fuck you Lacher."
"Sweetheart, you already did." He smiled, nodding at the good doctor. "Is she not the sweetest girl you have ever met?"
The doctor smiled, moving his greasy hair out of his face. "She should be fun to play with she seems to have some spunk. Most maidens just scream and cry when I do this."
"Yes well get on with it I want this to be finished by the time I'm back."
Kaoru watched the exchange between the two good men, and felt nothing but hatred, but something stopped her in that moment.
It was a voice; it was Sally's voice.
'When hatred consumes a naive little girl like you, Kaoru, simply smile and welcome it, for it is the truth of you. Hatred is what makes women like us survive. Without hatred you are nothing but a toy.'
The door closed and she was gagged with a cloth. Nothing covered her eyes and she was not spared the sight of the doctor turning to her with…Kaoru closed her eyes just as white, hot, screeching pain was slashed through her body as something hard and burning ripped through her sensitive flesh.
Antonio passed by the door as he did his duty, sweeping the floor of the vicinity when he suddenly froze at the sound that assailed him. He stopped, freezing as he heard the muffled screams coming from inside the room. The door itself seemed to shake under the force of those screams as if the job of containing the sound of the woman's pain was too much. His hands trembled in sadness and he collapsed to his knees tears streaming down his cheeks for a girl that would never be a mother.
And the only prayer he could utter was: Why?
Kaoru awoke in an empty bed: cold, bare, and isolated. It was always the same; they came, they took, and they left her a shell of what she once was. It evolved into a covenant that was renewed every night leaving her with memories to shed, reminding her of what she was, and what she could never be again.
Her naked form rolled over to where her Master had lain during the night and again she was met with a bitter chill. Maybe he never had any warmth is his body?
She smiled a little.
How many times had she slept with the devil himself?
How many times had she welcomed the creature of hate, the creature of despair, the man of absolute darkness into her bed?
Once she had tried to escape his clutches only to find out that it was impossible.
The devil, he, was everywhere, and a person had to accept him if they wanted to survive in this world.
A world full of putrid beings, and she never doubted she was apart of those beings, but...was it not better to be apart of the whole than to be isolated?
Rising from the bed she looked disdainfully at it. She wanted nothing but to spit on those white sheets; a glaring contrast to the color of her soul.
She wanted to rip them to shreds.
There was a soft knocking on the door. It was a sound Kaoru's astute hearing easily picked up on. "Who is disturbing me" he demanded. Her voice held not a hint of kindness in it. It was pure calm arrogance. Even if she was told she had to be below men, she and Sally knew that it was just an act.
Just like everything else they did.
The door opened to reveal a man who took in her form as if she were a type of rich meal fit for a king.
Kaoru smiled slightly at his reaction to her, how pathetically predictable.
"What do you want?"
"Lacher sent me over to ask for your company…" the man began, pausing when Kaoru moved. His eyes had never left her exposed body. He did not even bother to hide his interest. He did not even have the courtesy to look at her face.
How easily it would have been to manipulate this man, but then again where was the fun in that? The fun laid in destroying all that he held dear: his pride, his family, his livelihood, and then when he thought he could lose no more, his life.
That was they joy she was taught in the art of manipulation.
A joy that Master had been pleased with, taking particular pleasure in using it, using her, against his enemies.
Master offered her to his enemies, as a peace instrument and then she, in turn would take everything from them.
Complete and utter ruin.
A doll made for pleasure, but every pleasure had a price.
That was hers.
Over time she had learned to love it.
In fact, she reveled in it. Her power. It was her only source of revenge, a way to take out her vengeance against those men who wished to make her a shell of herself each and every night.
Revenge, destruction, and disgrace. These things caused her pure and utter bliss, and for some reason or another it sickened her now to think she took the utmost pleasure in such a thing.
"Where does he want me to meet him?"
"The second floor gallery." The man stated his eyes still upon her voluptuous body. "I'm going to have to ask Lacher if I can steal you away for a night…" he added almost as an afterthought.
Kaoru smirked. He thought too highly of himself. A lot of men did…and she usually let them to their idiotic fantasies. However, this time she did not feel the need to be a little charitable and she decided to put him in his place. She quietly donned on a gown of ruby red. It was a beautiful gown, elegant, magnificent, and purchased with her soul. It showed a generous amount of cleavage. No, it was not modest, but it was not scandalous either. Kaoru was not a cheap whore, just an extremely expensive one. There was just enough of her exposed to let a man's eyes wander, to make him feel the need to explore the bountiful harvest of her body.
A deep red, almost like black blood. Master never did enjoy light colors on her. For her, he always chose dark colors as if it amused him to clothe her in shades that echoed and represented the colors of sin. It was his way of taunting her; telling her that she would never be pure. Never be rid of him or his sin that had eventually become her very core.
Kaoru finished quickly and walked over to the man who still had yet to leave. He had not even averted his eyes when she had been dressing as common courtesy dictated. Did he not see her fit for such respect? No matter, Kaoru did not either but she would not let this man go free without feeling a slight hint of her wrath. They were all her enemies, every single one of them who looked at her and saw her only as one thing. She touched his shoulder and leaned towards his ear. His flesh was clammy, and lukewarm, but she paid no heed to it. After all how many men had she seduced into her camber in much worst conditions and formations?
Too many to count.
"My dear sir," she purred; her breath a hot caress, "I sincerely doubt that a man of your caliber could ever even afford to spend one minute in my bed."
And with that she left him surrounded in cold angered silence; never bothering to look back. She did not see the two vicious black orbs glaring at her retreat.
Kaoru knocked on the door and waited until she heard his voice allowing her entrance. She opened the door and stepped gracefully inside.
"Kaoru, how nice of you to finally join me."
Kaoru gave him a saucy smile while deliberating the gallery in which she now stood. It was decorated perfectly, impeccably, just they way he desired, never anything less. Cherry red drapes hung from the high ceiling windows giving the occupants a view of the city's buildings and the people who, if one looked down, could be seen strolling along the streets of Tokyo.
The furniture was a dark wood, and the ornaments that adorned the room where in cast iron gray or gold. The paintings that adorned each wall were expensive. Kaoru recognized some of the styles from the masters of European art. She knew each painting, each fine work, was either famous or expensive. If not, they would soon be. Through the years of her so-called servitude, she had managed to absorb some of the knowledge that her 'friends' excelled in. She had also been trained to provide pleasure, not only as a bedmate but as a companion as well. It did not do good to be uneducated and Kaoru had learned a great deal about the world.
Too much, in fact.
Yes, her master had taught her well, in many things, all for his own purposes in the end.
No matter.
She curtsied to him, and he motioned for her to come closer. Smiling, she did she was bid. Picking up her heavy skirts she settled herself near the base of his feet and looked up at him with all the fake adoration she could muster. It was a look she had been trained to give on command. A look she had only given Kenshin once, but one she now gave to anyone her master desired for her to.
'Look at him with adoration and complete faith. He loves that.'
Sally's voice still echoed in Kaoru's mind, bringing her back to days when she was the only one Kaoru could rely on, if indeed one could call her reliable. Sally was the image of Kaoru herself, or perhaps she was the image of Sally?
Through those six years, Sally's voice and hands had taught Kaoru the cruelest lesson she now took to heart: She was nothing but a toy that needed hate as her fuel.
"Master, you needed to converse with me?" Kaoru's voice blended with the air like honey; smooth, soft and very feminine. Docile. She was but a pup trained to meet her Master's every whim; a mindless doll, a marionette.
"Yes, Kaoru I need your services." He looked down at her a smiled as he petted her hair. Kaoru merely nodded. Her curiosity about these types of things had simply vanished a long time ago; along with her will and self-respect among other things.
"Anything."
What a simple answer to sell your soul with.
She could not help but smile.
She loved smiling.
"Good." He looked at her with some kind of cynical, triumphant glance that made Kaoru's breath catch in her throat.
What was that look for?
"I am aware of your past Miss. Kamiya."
It was in that second that the world stopped.
Miss. Kamiya...Kaoru-dono...
She had never told him her last name, but then how did he know? A bubble of disgust rose in her. How dare he! How dare he place his filthy hands on her past? It was the only thing pure about her, the only thing that she could claim as her own. She had already given him everything, and he had taken all of it and demanded even more.
Kaoru felt inflamed as if her body was on fire, but she doused the blaze within her eyes. He would never know what she felt. No, he could not ever know what she felt. She beamed at him instead and spoke in a jubilant tone of voice. "Oh, Master however did you find out? I never told you such a thing."
Lacher just closed his eyes, a small smile playing across his sinfully beautiful lips. His little actress, he could never fully guess what she was thinking. How different his Kaoru was now from the stupidly naïve girl she had been before. He had taught her well, sometimes it seemed he had taught her a little too well. No matter, she was his, his toy but he knew he would have to take a closer look at her later. His Kaoru was a little spitfire when she wanted to be, especially all those times in the past when she thought she could escape him.
But one thing was for sure; she was a gem, a tainted one at that, but a gem all the same.
"Kaoru my dear little foreign money maker, you know that I have my ways." That was all he sad to her on the subject, but Kaoru needed to hear no more.
Fire was welling up inside her cold heart, blazing down a path that was melting the barriers she had erected long ago. The fire was filling her with anger, awakening parts of her that she had long since considered dead.
Disgust was filling her.
She finally drowned in that moment.
She had to get out.
She had to be free of men.
It was either she die, or escape to freedom.
She had money did she not? His voice she interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up at him. What did he want from the only thing that was hers?
"Tell me, treasure, who was this Himura Kenshin to you?" The question broke her mind. Her innards twisted in revulsion. How dare he say that name in front of her? Any name but his name would do. She never wanted to see him again. She did not want to see his sad eyes upon her when he found out that she was a whore.
Could she even remember what their relationship had been?
Was it even a relationship?
She had hated him for so long that her memories were colored by the bitterness she felt towards him.
Blinking her eyes she laughed trying to hide an old hurt that surprised her with its intensity. "That man."
She blew away her bangs. "Well one could not call him a lover, but at one time I took a fancy to him. I might even call it love, if such a thing existed…" Kaoru's lips arranged in a smirk that indicated that she clearly no longer believed in such a thing. She looked up at master's facial expression taking notice of the way his eye lit in some kind of sick joy.
"Perfect."
Kaoru swallowed.
Somehow she knew she was going to be used against him, just like always, she was a pawn in a man's game. It would be like old time when enemies of the great Battousai took her and used her. Lacher was just the same; just smarter. It was not like she cared for the redhead any longer but Lacher- he had stolen her past without her consent. She had given him her body, her soul, her present, and her future, but it still had not been enough to assuage his hunger. He had wanted her past as well.
'...he does whatever he can to gain what he desires.'
There was Sally's voice again. The Sally she had known as a hateful mother telling her the wisdom of a whore.
Whore.
Slut.
Prostitute.
Lady of the Night.
The words that she had used so many times, the names whose meanings and connotations she had fulfilled on her own body came to her now and filled Kaoru with disdain and ugliness.
She glanced down at her hands noticing that they were starting to tremble slightly.
What was happening to her?
"What does that fool Himura have to do with anything?"
Master laughed, grabbing her hand and placing it on his crotch. "Everything my dear."
He took her silence and fed it with his own words. "You see he is a chief detective for the government, and a couple of people you once knew are also important players that need to be eliminated from the board."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Who are these others Master?"
"Men known as Sagara Sanosuke, Shinomori Aoshi, Myoujin Yahiko, and Fujita Goro." A faint memory of laughter penetrated her hearing, but in the next moment it was gone.
"Yes, I know of who you speak, but Sagara he was a nobody. Poor and stupid fool he was."
Lacher tsked at her statement. "But, treasure, he is a renowned merchant now."
He leaned back against his chair, placing a hand underneath his chin, as if he were thinking. "And you're going to help me bring them down."
Kaoru smiled even as the hate built up inside her so fast she could barely control the urge to scream. Her gazed flickered to a knife that lying innocently at the side table. Her hands itched to plunge it into his soulless body. She could just picture the blood flow down the blade while it dripped onto her fingers and her hands. She brushed off the though. The blood would never go, and he would never leave her, not even in death.
His memory was far too pungent and real for that.
"They are that bothersome, Master?"
"Yes." He took her chin and kissed it lightly. "But I think for the police reports I have managed to review, that your friends were always so." He arched an eyebrow at her expectantly.
"I'd rather not think about them, Master."
"You really despise them my dear...your old friends?" He questioned in an almost laughing manner. She smiled up at him making him think that she shared his joy when in reality she wanted nothing more than to slap that beautiful smile off of his face.
"I would not even consider giving them that much emotion, Master."
...Not when it is you that I hate.
"Sylvia wake up." Kaoru shook the girl in the dark room. She wore nothing but the same dark red dress, and carried nothing but a small carpet bag. She had stridden out of the dinning hall not one hour ago as she informed Master that she would be in her quarters if needed.
The girl opened her eyes, startled and scared.
"Stupid girl come on we must hurry."
"Mistress what?" Her words were cut off by Kaoru's cold ones.
"I do not like you and you do not like me so shut up and be thankful I'm getting you out of here."
The girl's hair started to shimmer lightly in the setting sun of her drab room. "Then…why?"
Kaoru clenched her hands. She did not know why she wanted to save this girl except that no one else was there to help the girl. In that moment when she had decided to do this deed, Kaoru had felt something good fill her. It was something she did not want to feel. It was too awkward, too fair hearted.
"Because," she lied. "I want to harm Lacher as much as I can and knowing that I got past him with you will be absolutely fantastic."
Sylvia wanted to smile. In that instant when she first questioned the dark haired girl, she had seen a girl that looked much younger, and a girl that she wished she could have known. Her mistress, Kaoru, had many layers. Some layers she wanted no part of. And then others, she wanted to comfort and embrace. The glimpses were few and very brief, but Sylvia had come to realize they were there. Dormant, but still very much alive. Her blond caught a flicker of drowning sunlight.
Kaoru tugged her to the door and listened, barely breathing.
"What if we get caught?"
"Then you run and do not look back." Kaoru turned and looked at her. "If you want help, and you end up escaping, then I suggest you look for a man named Himura Kenshin. He may help, but everything requires payment." Kaoru smiled cynically at the girl.
"Be sure you are prepared to pay the price."
"And you?"
"Silence." Her voice was deadly soft. "If you want to get out of here then I suggest you follow my every move."
Kaoru and Sylvia waited for a few moments when Kaoru pushed the door open and walked out into the hall. It was dark, the candles still having not been lit. Kaoru grabbed the younger girl's hand as she made her way to the end of the hall and opened a door that lead into a small room.
It was dusty, and white sheets covered most of the furniture. Kaoru surveyed her surroundings, placing a hand on the side of her waist where she felt a hard metal object. She breathed. The last time she had tried to escape she nearly died. But it would not be the same this time. This time Lacher had stolen something that she would have never allowed anyone to touch: her past.
Quickly she closed the door behind Sylvia. The room had a bluish tint to it. The only window in it did not face outside; rather it faced the wall of another building. In between the buildings was an alleyway.
Sylvia looked around the room, and could not help but shiver a little.
What were they going to do? What if Lacher found them?
Kaoru looked at her through narrow eyes. "If you are scared then leave. I do not need you to slow me down."
Sylvia looked calmly at the raven-haired woman in front of her. "Why are you running?"
Kaoru stood silent, did not answer, and searched through her bag. She pulled out a small dagger and some money and handed it over to her.
Sylvia looked at it then back at her.
"Do what you wish with it girl. If you escape then use the money to get back home, and if you are attacked then kill them."
Sylvia stared at the strange fairy in front of her. Did she just wish her well? Did her mistress indeed have a shred of kindness in her heart after all?
She smiled at Kaoru. "I will not leave you; after all, we are in this together."
"We are in nothing together." Kaoru said in a wintry tone of voice as she walked to the window and looked down. No one was to be seen.
"We are going to jump down into the alley, can you mange that sweet heart?" Kaoru questioned sarcastically.
Sylvia frowned, thinking that she was still a bitch, though a strange layered woman still. "Mistress, the question is can you?"
Kaoru smiled and tilted her head in invitation. "You may go first then."
Right then came a sound that made Kaoru's heart jump to her throat.
The door burst open.
Tokio walked down the street, back to her house, after an unsuccessful attempt of trying to find her husband. That man never wanted to be found. He would be angry with her for going out unaccompanied, but she was a grown woman and refused to be treated like a helpless child. Still, she could not muster anger or even mild annoyance at him. He was over-protective with her and Tokio knew it was because he was just too much in love with her. The woman snickered a little. Now, she only needed to get him to admit it in front of everyone.
It was a handsome day; the sun was setting in a blood red horizon and tonight Kenshin and his friends would be coming over to eat. She had convinced Saitou that they needed to have company over now and then, though she shuddered at the thought of what would happen when Sanosuke finally arrived.
The two men did not mesh together well, but for her it was always an amusing scene.
Never people would think serene Tokio could be so devious at times.
She smiled to herself.
Truthfully, she loved Kenshin and the other's company, and was proud of the many things she had accomplished in bringing to two worst enemies together in mutual respect. She raised a hand to cover her eyes from the sun, and could not help but think of Kenshin.
The man was so sullen, and it was all because of that girl.
The one known as Kaoru
The lovely girl whom Tokio had used to laugh with once or twice, and although their meetings had been few and far between, she cherished each moment just the same.
Tokio knew so many stories about the girl. Each one told to her by those who loved Kaoru and held such a deep-abiding love and respect for the lovely girl. The stories depicted the lovely young woman as a violent, good-hearted, and tomboyish girl who believed in a non-killing vow and that the sword was meant to protect. Yes, to Tokio, Kaoru was an angel.
A pure hearted angel gone to soon; like so many of the rest.
Kenshin did not deserve the kind of pain he went through.
Did he not have enough in his life?
A noise caught her attention.
Startled, Tokio looked around, frightened. That was the sound of a gun. But where did it come from?
Gathering her kimono, she ran behind the nearest object thinking quietly, that if her husband found out about this he would indeed be more than a little peeved.
Her heart pounded against her chest as she reached down to feel the angle of the blade she always carried for protection.
What was going on?
There was no one but her on the quiet side street, and since it was becoming dark everyone was most likely to be inside there houses, but this was not a resident district, therefore not a soul was to be seen until...
Tokio blinked. A woman struggled through a dense alleyway while she tugged on some younger girl with hair as gold as the sun on a foggy morning. Her attention was again pulled to the woman wearing a blood red European dress…there was something…
Tokio gasped.
Long raven hair fluttered around the young woman's back in disarray, ivory skin, and…Tokio held her breath as the woman turned to look at her…sapphire eyes.
Kaoru.
She was here.
She was back.
Tokio was about to run out and hold the girl in her arms. Kenshin would have her back! He would not be so miserable anymore! Sanosuke, Yahiko, everyone would be so happy and finally, finally the quiet grieving and worry in their eyes would finally fade away!
She came out hurrying towards the Kaoru with a big smile of welcome on her face.
The woman looked at her, and something flashed in the young woman's sapphire eyes.
It made Tokio stop in her tracks.
Something was different about her.
She knew it was Kaoru, her appearance said it all, but the way she held herself, and the way her eyes held disdain and icy darkness in them made Tokio's cry of welcome quiet in sudden fear.
"Kaoru."
Kaoru looked at the woman and held back a shudder of surprise.
She knew that woman, Tokio?
Yes, Saitou's wife. Buddha in any other words.
Why was she here?
Did she hear the gunshot?
Kaoru smiled at her cynically, bowing her head slightly. "Tokio-san."
A commotion brought Kaoru out of her dreams. She looked back without an ounce of fear in her eyes, and pulled on the girl. "Come on we must hurry."
Kaoru gave Tokio an astringent look as the other looked back and forth between the two women; a puzzled expression on her face that soon began to mix with fear.
"You too, Tokio, we must go before they find us." Kaoru tugged at the girl pulling her into the next alley leaving Tokio to follow.
Tokio did not stand unmoving for long, but went after Kaoru, knowing there was danger.
What was going on?
The alleyway was dark when Kaoru swept Sylvia into its shadow, placing her flat against the cold brick. Kaoru pressed her back to it as well, never once breathing. She saw a shadow move in close behind them.
Tokio.
Kaoru pulled her against the wall, covering her Tokio's mouth with her hand to muffle the woman's gasp of surprise.
It was then Kaoru heard their voices, and felt Sylvia's breath quicken in trepidation. She could not help but glare at the girl.
Any little thing could ruin them.
A small sound could alert the men of their whereabouts.
"Where did that bitch go?" A man yelled to another, his voice filled with spite.
"She fucking shot Yuka."
"That whore is going to pay."
"Shut-up, all of you! Master wants her back, and he wants her now."
The voices were getting closer and closer, and Kaoru closed her eyes for a brief moment washing down all fear. She knew the consequences of her actions, but her hate was far too great now. Lacher, Master, had tried to take something that she would never give.
Never.
He would not have the pleasure of breaking her in that way; not while she still had her hate.
"Listen," Tokio whispered. "I do not know what those men want, but I suggest we get out of here now, unless you want to fight." She looked at Kaoru, nodding to her.
Kaoru cocked her head as the woman took out two twin daggers, and Sylvia trembled as she talked.
"We do not know how to fight."
Tokio looked at Kaoru puzzled, and then back at the girl who spoke in broken Japanese. "Kaoru does."
The girl looked like she wanted to laugh, but Kaoru, in much joy, took favor of the statement. "No, Tokio-san," she denied. "I do not."
Tokio's jaw slackened. "What?" You are the kenjutsu princess, the one who helped defeat the Kamatari. How can you claim not to know how to fight?
There were so many things Tokio wanted to say but all she managed was a strangled, "Why?"
Kaoru, shrugged. "It is unfeminine." She explained no further for now was not the time to converse, but a time to escape. Kaoru held her gun close to her heart, blood still on her hands from the man she had wounded. It had felt so good to take out her revenge against a man, and she wished she could have killed him. She frowned, puzzled.
What had stopped her?
Was she that much of a coward?
"If you ladies want to get out of here, and not get hurt, then I suggest you follow my lead." Kaoru's voice whispered in the darkness. The voices of the men got louder as the closer they got to the women. Kaoru held her back against the wall and slowly made her way father down until she reached the other street. Without looking back, Kaoru slipped into the other street and started walking.
This street was more populated with people, but Kaoru took no chances as she slipped into a nearby store. Tokio and Sylvia soon followed, breathless, from their own running. Kaoru just raised a delicate eyebrow noticing what kind of store they stood in.
Colors filled every wall and table. Kimonos, obis and other women's accessories lined each self and every available space. A sickness filled her, and the bright colors made her dizzy. Kaoru's slender frame wavered as bile rose in her throat.
Tokio came near her and grabbed her shoulders to steady her. "What's going on, Kaoru?" Her voice was so mellow and sweet that Kaoru almost gasped in surprise. She had not heard a voice speak to her in such a motherly manner as Tokio-san did right then.
Kaoru's mother had died when she was very young and the years had slowly erased her memory from Kaoru's mind. She had always been surrounded by men; her father, Dr. Genzai, Kenshin, Sano, Yahiko. No, she had never known an older woman whom she could view as a mother. Sally did not count. Sally did not act like a real mother should.
Kaoru's smiled bitterly as she shrugged Tokio's hand off of her shoulders.
"You may go now, Tokio-san, I did not ask for your help." Kaoru looked at the older woman with no emotion in her eyes, and Tokio had to strain to hear what she said. When she understood, she was taken aback at the girl's manners. This was not the Kaoru she had once known, but, still, Tokio smiled and shook her head.
After all she did live with Saitou, and his manners were just as this Kaoru's were. Maybe, worst. She could take a little heat.
"Yes, but what about the young girl?" Tokio asked, bringing the girl forward, blond hair covering her face. It was obvious the poor girl was still frightened.
"I got her out of there, now she can get herself out of Japan." Kaoru laughed quietly, but stopped immediate when Tokio grabbed her hand forcefully.
"Stop it, Kaoru!" The woman's eyes flashed in horror at the once kind girl. "Stop it now."
Kaoru snatched her wrist back and tilted her head, not at all intimidated by the woman's eyes. She said nothing, but inside, Kaoru was laughing. This woman, from what she remembered, still had not changed.
Tokio sighed. "I have no clue what has happened in these past six years, Kaoru, but I want you to come home with me."
Kaoru backed up a little, frowning.
"You need a place to stay, besides..." Tokio held a short breath. "Kenshin, missed…misses you."
The world became silent at the sound of his name.
The name of the one who had first ruined her.
Kaoru saw Sylvia's head come up and look at her with curiosity.
Kaoru had heard Tokio say his name with such a happy tone of voice, and all she cold do was stand there, cold and alone.
Images came to her mind: his hair, eyes, and goofy facial expressions. They were all so carefree, all so long ago. They were all so happy weren't they? She had been so happy, encased in her stupid innocence that was really nothing but ignorance.
She remembered his features, the way his eyes would turn gold when she was in danger. She remembered how she felt when he withdrew from her, the frustration and anger that coursed through her because she knew he kept her away because she was supposedly to pure, to innocent…he had always been afraid of tainting her.
I wonder what he would think of me now?
A small cruel smile formed Kaoru's lips.
Still, she waited for the searing agony she always expected in the wake of her memories of him…her heartache…the catalyst of the eventual destruction of her soul.
She waited.
And she felt nothing but ice.
"Himura-san, yes, of course, I know of him."
Tokio's hands dropped to her side. "You have never called him Himura-san." Her voice was flat, as if the hope went from it.
Kaoru smiled. She had noticed that she often took hope from people. It was always amusing to see them deflate, to see their smiles wilt like dying flowers.
But as quickly as Tokio's voice faded, it came back. "Please, do me the favor of coming to dinner at my house. I'm sure Saitou would love to see you." And with a pause she turned to Sylvia.
"Saitou is my husband, dear, such a cad."
The girl smiled a little.
Kaoru, looked at her cynically.
'Everything cost something, Kaoru.'
"What do you want?"
Tokio turned to Kaoru, puzzled at the girl's narrowed eyes and suspicious tone. "Nothing."
Kaoru looked at her again and then looked at the tables full of colorful kimonos. She would know what the woman wanted later, but for now she needed to swallow her disgust and buy one of these outfits. Hopefully, Lacher would not be looking for a girl who looked and acted innocent, wearing light colors of pink, and yellow.
Yes, this was the only way.
Kaoru shook off her emotions of hate and smiled a little girl smile as looked up at Tokio. "I'm sorry, Tokio-san," she bowed deeply, reverting to her learned manners of old. "I do not know why I'm acting like such a unmannered person. I guess the shock of being chased got to me."
Tokio's expression was one of shock. She was glad to see some semblance of the old Kaoru back and yet she could not help but feel just a bit uneasy about the sudden change.
What was Kaoru up to?
"But for now I'm not so comfortable telling you why Sylvia and I were running. Gomen nasai." Kaoru murmured, her eyes lowered apologetically even though she felt anything but apologetic. It was so easy to pretend really. She had been doing nothing but pretend for the last six years. She would become sweet once again. She would behave like a little girl, an innocent little girl too pure for her own good. A small flicker danced through her clear blue eyes.
Saitou would be a problem.
Tokio, eyes were guarded, but smiled at Kaoru. She was acting almost as she use to, and she accepted that Kaoru could have been acting like she did from the shock of her whole experience, but something told her differently.
Kaoru noticed Sylvia's puzzlement over her new adapted behavior so she looked at Sylvia's face and winked at the girl. The blonde quickly put down her head, Kaoru's message sent and perceived correctly. Sylvia would be silent, of that Kaoru was sure.
"If you would not mind Tokio-san," Kaoru began, "I think Sylvia and I will buy a new kimono, and get washed up. I injured someone when were chased." Kaoru held out her hand that was splattered with blood while assuring the other she did not kill the man. She had her morals, Kaoru explained smiling to Tokio.
Silently, Sylvia chuckled.
Kaoru caught her eye and smiled.
The walk from the shop to Tokio's house was by far the longest trek that Kaoru had been through in so long, and not only that, but she had to listen to the two other women talk. She remained distant and quite, smiling prettily every time Tokio looked her way. Every now and again she has to assure the woman that she was just tired, but somehow she felt as though a burden had been slightly lifted off her shoulders. Yes, the dark was still there, but its shadow was lighter.
She felt herself rising to the surface of dark water, but she had to take it slow. Breath, that would come later, if ever.
"Now, Sylvia-dono, you must not be afraid of my husband..." Tokio's laughing voice filled the quite air.
It was dark all around them; the sun had set not to long ago. Tokio had laughed, telling them what her husband would probably say when she returned. Kaoru remembered thinking that it was impossible for any man, especially the Mibu Wolf, to care for anything. She smiled cynically; maybe he only cared out of possession for Tokio. He probably only wanted no man to touch her except for him. Yes, that was it.
Men were always so territorial.
Just like Master was to her.
Lights started showing up around the streets signifying they were coming closer to a wealthy residential area. They only had lights for important people. Kaoru sighed, she preferred the dark, for in the dark no man could see her face, and no man could lust for her. Lastly, in the dark Kaoru could not see the light lavender kimono which adorned her body. She could not remember the last time she had been this covered; her chest was beneath purple fabric, and her arms were covered in the same material.
She may as well been one of those Catholic nuns back in San Francisco, she was covered enough to be one.
"Kaoru were almost there. I do hope we won't be too late."
"To late for what Tokio-san?" Sylvia questioned her blond hair shimmering more wonderfully in the light. Kaoru smiled with practiced lips.
"Diner." Tokio answered the girl.
"I invited my friends over." She spared a glance at Kaoru who simply looked back at her with wide, angelic eyes.
"Well, they are Kaoru's friends too."
"Really?" Sylvia seemed as if she wanted to ask more, but Kaoru quickly exclaimed:
"I have wanted to see them ever since I have returned." Kaoru looked at Sylvia explaining. "My friend from my past, you will absolutely love them."
Sylvia's blue eyes widened, and she shook her head. Her mistress was actually being...pleasant. What was going on in that mind of hers? Sylvia looked again at the side of her mistress' face; Kaoru was facing forward without a single expression. There was no hate, no anger, no coldness...it was just bare. It suddenly hit her. Her mistress, Kaoru, she was...
"Is there something on my face, Sylvia?" Kaoru turned to look at the younger girl who was smiling as she had just found the most precious treasure in the world. Kaoru did not like the look on her face. The girl shook her head.
"Forgive me?"
Liar, Kaoru screamed in her mind. How dare the little twit. Calming her nerves she nodded her head and turn back to face the road in front of her. She ignored Tokio's curious look paying attention the looming entrance gate. Tokio's pace slowed, and finally faded to a stop. She turned and looked at Kaoru and her young companion.
"Well we've finally arrived." Kaoru wanted in that moment just to turn away. She did not want to go in and face her past. She did not want to face him. She felt nothing for the man except...nothing. Again, his image brought a barren hole in her black heart, but he was a man, and men deserved nothing but her spite.
Slipping back on an innocent smile Kaoru watched as Tokio opened the gate only to come face to face with...
"Hello Saitou." Tokio greeted pleasantly, but her husband's brief examination of his wife came to an end when his eyes fell upon Kaoru. Two eyes turned a hint of gold, but he did not give her away. No doubt, the Wolf was having fun. Kaoru bowed her head slightly. It seemed as though he had not revealed her presence in Japan to anyone.
His eyes snapped back to his wife. "Where have you been?"
"That's not important right now, Saitou." She motioned to Kaoru. "Look who has come back."
Saitou looked over her and smirked, and then once he was done, he turned his attention to the younger girl. "Kaoru, nice to see you again."
"Yes, it was quite a pleasant surprise to see you at the festival."
"What?" Tokio's voice interrupted as she looked at her husband accusingly . "You never told me."
Saitou gave one more smirk in Kaoru's direction. What was the girl up to? She was acting in a completely different manner than what she had been at the festival. The once dark figure stood innocently in front of him, smiling...sinister. Yes, that's what she was. Shrugging, he did not want to say what she was, that would ruin the fun, besides it was up to her to tell her friends when she was ready. Saitou never messed with anyone's personal affairs, especially a woman's.
"I did want to give away the surprise."
Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him for the token of seconds before her face was once again smiling. "She told me that she was going to come see us, but had some things to do. Isn't that right, Kamiya?"
Kaoru laughed, bring Sylvia close to her in a sisterly fashion. The girl played along wonderfully. "I'm so sorry, Tokio." Kaoru explained to the other woman who was still glaring at her husband.
"You see I was trying to find this silly girl here," she indicated Sylvia, "and I met Saitou and told him not to tell anyone of my presence here. I wanted it to be a surprise."
Kaoru pouted at the older woman bring her two hands together in a mock prayer. "Please, do not take it out on your poor husband he was just doing a favor for me, and you know how he loves playing games."
"Games would not be the word, but Saitou does seem like one who would do..." Tokio raised a delicate brow at her husband who took out a cigarette. She narrowed her eyes.
She hated him smoking.
"Saitou, put out that vile thing now I will not stand for it in my home." Saitou, looked at her for a moment, and then in the next threw the vile thing to the ground. Sylvia giggled a bit, while Kaoru's face beamed in her act.
"Everyone is here, Tokio, and I do not want you going out by yourself anymore." Tokio left Kaoru and went to her husband and whispered something in his ear. The man visibly stiffened. Smiling, she back away again.
"I think it is time to go and..."
Her voice faded as she looked at Kaoru who smiled strangely in almost a crazed fashion. Her eyes followed the direction of the blue eyed girl's gaze...Kenshin.
He was standing and…regarding….
Kaoru felt ice flood her heart. It was him. Kenshin.
He stood just a few feet away and looked at her as if she were a ghost. A flash of gold covered his eyes, and she felt herself smile. She wanted to laugh. Here was the man who had first ruined her. His scarlet hair was still the same as it always was, but something was different. Kaoru cocked her head. His cloths..
"Kaoru."
She heard his voice clearly on the crisp night air. Everyone was quite, but something bothered her. There was something missing from the Kenshin that stood now in front of her. She saw his steady movements forward to her; it was almost as though he thought she would disappear.
She wanted to snort in disgust. The man who eyes were now amber regarded her...though not in a fashion she was use to; there was no lust, but there was something.
What was it?
Kaoru, back up slowly seeing his eyes widened a fraction.
She regarded him as if he were an insect.
There was nothing in her eyes except calculation, and coldness.
"Kenshin." She smiled "Where's your magenta gi?"
And before she could even blink strong arms gathered her and held her close.
"Kaoru, I have prayed for your return." His voice was exactly as she remembered it; husky and smooth.
And as he held her close, she acted as she always did.
'Make them think you want to be in their arms.'
Sally's voice guided her...
...and she felt nothing, not even in Kenshin's arms.
A/N: Hello everyone.
I know, I know...this chapter was not that great, and the way they met...I'm sorry. It should have been better. Do not worry though I will try to have the next chapter out soon. If you have a suggestion please tell me. God know I need it.
Okay, well I have to go right now. I hope this chapter pleased ya'll somewhat.
OH YEAH IT'S LENT: I gave up disobeying my parents, and all sweets! Pray for me!
:Thanks To:
erica6060: Well Kenshin, as you can see, is not going to find out as soon as you think...unless I feel a sudden change of heart. Thanks for the review, I look forward to the next one.
Kaoru4: Aww, thanks a bundle for liking that part. I did not think anyone would really like it. And sorry for not mentioning you last chapter. Will you ever forgive me, I feel horrible about it. Thanks for your review!
Mini-MoonStar: Thanks for thinking that way. Yes, I always love to put Kaoru in different situations, just like in my other story, The Introduction. Thanks for the review!
Jupiter's Light: Yes, I hope that is enough of a twist for you, but here is a real question: Who is Antonio really? Thanks for your review!
horse-crazy-gurl :I love horses too! Yay! Well what do you think of Kaoru and Kenshin meeting. I know it was not good so please do not hurt me! And thanks for thinking me a good writer, lol. You're funny, I like that! Thanks for the review crazy girl!
no name: I wish I had no name, and then no one would talk to me, lol. Well here is the answer to your question. Hope you liked the chapter. Thanks for the review!
Deux X Machina: Have I ever told you I adore your pen name. It's awesome. And thanks for the information...lol. I can be a stupid at times. Thanks for the review!
star0704: Well I hope you liked this chapter, and I would like to hear about what you say about Kenshin's reaction...I thought it could have been better, but I just could not get the words out right! And, I'm not that great of a writer than anyone else, all it takes is practice, and seeing my many errors I know I have a long way to go, but thanks for the compliment and the review! send some of her mysterious talent over to star I hope it doesn't make you a worst writer. I tried!
kitsu watanabe: Thank you so much, you make me blush. And my story being weird...hehe…I know. I just can't help it. I'm a weird person. Heheh…thanks for liking my story enough, and I know this story is upsetting a times. Thanks for the review!
Scented Candles: Don't worry girl he will she Kaoru for what she is. Also, sorry for not emailing you back. I have been way busy. I will try to type you a letter later. Also thank you so much for fixing some of this chapter...its the only part that is good, lol. Thanks for the review!
Reignashii: Yes you are cruel! And your idea about Antonio was like an idea I had about him, but you just made it more solid in my mind...I might use it...though it will be implied. I'm still pondering over it. And thanks for enjoying my story and I love your reviews. I can't wait for the next one, Thanks!
...(this person left no name): Aww thanks for the review. I know the story is sad, but I can't help but torture Kaoru and the RK cast. Thanks for the review! I hope you like this chapter.
Galadreil Hermione Potter: Goodness your name is so long...hehe! Thanks for loving my story, it really makes my day. And sorry for taking so long to update. Thanks for the review!
BabyKaoru-sama: Thanks, and don't worry about leaving me long reviews, though I love them, I'm thankful for any so don't worry about it! Thanks for the review and don't worry: I will do things that make me happy!
Kaorurules: Hey. I thought my story was always intense, lol. Thanks for the review; I hope you get more interested in this chapter...hopefully.
Hiei's.punk.rocker.girl: I know I love sad stories, hehe. Thanks for saying you will support me...will you support me when I'm old and senile? lol. Okay thanks for the review!
MightyTaco: Yummie, me loves tacos...lol. Your name is awesome. Thanks for the review, and thats for thinking my story is awesome!
blue faery: Yes, it will be lots and lots of torture! I hope you like this chapter, and thanks for the review!
ifylapeach: Yo! What's up? I have listened, but not when reading my fic, but when I hear the song and think of it, and I have decided you are totally right. Thanks for saying that it gives me inspiration to write more of this story! Thanks for the review! And if you want to find out what Kenshin will think about Kaoru you have no choice but to continue reading, lol.
Sable: Sable fable...lol, sorry! I could not help myself. cries Oh, thank you so much, I'm glad I was able to brighten up your day with my dark, sad, depressing story Raises and eyebrow...weird...lol And I love this Kaoru as well, she is awesome and she will stay that way...though will changes. I hope you like this chapter; I know it was not the best. Thanks for the review!
Ayiaka: Thanks for reviewing and liking my story...and I like to have Kaoru suffer, but most probably this will be a good ending. Kenshin became a detective...umm that's a good question. I kind of left it open for interpretation, but if I had any say in it, I would tell you that he needed money to keep up the dojo, and being a detective helps out people, and since Kaoru left he need something to take up his time. Sorry, that was a lame reason...
Chikifriend: OMG! You don't known how honored I' am by you reviewing my story! screams And thanks for the reminder...I'm still learning how to write good, and I always have sucked at grammar, but really I' am trying to get better. And if you have any questions feel free to ask, and thanks for liking how I combine the story. Thanks for your review! And also what do you mean Kaoru's thoughts on the Bible are wrong? I'm Catholic, and I was just saying what I hear from non-believers...Kaoru at this point does not believe in God or anything like that. Thanks again!
Letica Himura: Thanks for your awesome review, I really appreciate it! And I hope to you enjoy this chapter. My fingers are getting tried to typing, lol. Well I hope to hear from you again. Thanks! And don't worry your English is far better than mine! Really...its sad...
donna8157: My fic is different…how so, lol. Thanks I like being different. Yes, Lacher did rape her and do numerous others things to her until she was completely broken and different. She left Kenshin out of anger and sadness, you see she was so blinded by them she didn't think clearly and she just had to get away. And I think I'm going to have an happy ending, but not like a way happy ending... but don't worry it will fit with the story. Thanks for the review! I think I would cry myself if they story had a sad terrible ending...lol.
skenshingumi: Okay well I have already sent you an email and stuff...well I hope you like this chapter if you are reading it. Well thanks for the review and I do hope you continue reading this story even if you think it is sad! Thanks!
If I have missed thanking anyone please notify me!
Respectfully Yours,
CrypticMaidenRK