Chapter 7

(Kaoru)

It was silent in the apartment for a moment, only the sounds of my own heart beating and His labored breaths came to my ears. I watched Him silently, almost waiting for Him to make the first move. To my surprise He spoke.

"You…" His voice was deep and guttural, coming from Kenshin's chest. "What do you want with me?"

I glared at Him defiantly. "To find out what you want with me. Why did you try to kill me last time you escaped?"

He laughed and I flinched. "Stupid girl. I wanted to get rid of you. You're a threat to our existence."

I blinked. "How?"

Again He chuckled, rising onto feet that were now steady and strong. "They've fallen in love with you, wench. What did you think?"

I couldn't help it, my mouth fell open. Kenshin and Shinta had fallen in love with me? His laughter circled around me and I fought the urge to cover my ears at the sound coming from my normally shy quiet redhead. "They love me?"

"Hai. They're weak. They've fallen prey to an emotion as weak as love." He growled, walking closer to me. "And with a stupid meddling girl like you."

My eyes flashed. "How dare you!"

He laughed again. "I dare because I can little girl. I could easily rip you to pieces and not even care."

I couldn't help myself. I brought up my hand and slapped Him full across the face, snapping His head back. I growled, clenching my hand into a fist at my side as He turned back to look at me. He put a hand up to His jaw, slender fingers rotating it. "Not bad Kaoru. You have my attention."

I was slightly surprised that He knew my name, but I didn't let it show. I took a step toward Him, putting my finger in His face. "I can handle myself perfectly well, and I don't need you to tell me who I am. You stay out of my life, and out of Shinta and Kenshin's. They, unlike you, are trying to live a normal life. You just want to ruin it for them!"

He smirked. "And why do you think I ruin it?"

I slapped Him again, and this time I elicited a snarl from His lips. "You killed the woman they had fallen in love with, the one that accepted them, and even you! How can you think that's not heartless?"

He growled, His hand shooting out to take hold of my jaw and pull me towards him. "Tomoe was weak. Just like you. She was not worthy of us, and they were just too stupid to realize that. I am smarter than either one of them."

I yanked myself from His grip and brought my foot up to catch Him in the groin. He let out a yelp and fell, curling in on Himself. I stood above him, anger in my eyes. "I can bring you down with one shot, you are not better than Shinta or Kenshin, and I don't ever want to hear that again."

He slowly worked His way back up to my eye level, His face only slightly scrunched in pain. He suddenly grabbed my chin again, bringing my face within inches of His own. He smiled. "I like you Kaoru, I misjudged you. You are not like Tomoe." With that He closed the distance between us, and His lips met mine, hot and soft. I squeaked and tried to pull away from Him, but the iron grip He had on my chin stopped me. His tongue probed into my mouth, diving in to explore my mouth.

Fire began to build in my lower stomach, and before I knew it I had wrapped my arms around His neck, pressing my body flush against His and deepening the kiss. When I finally broke away both of us were gasping for air. He ran His tongue down my neck, hands roaming up and down my back. "Hai, I like you Kaoru." He stepped away from me. "You will do."

I didn't understand, but suddenly His eyes rolled up and He crumpled like a rag doll to the floor. I cried out and jumped forward, carefully catching his head before he hit the ground. I cradled his head in my lap, tears escaping to flow down my cheeks. Slowly his eyes fluttered open, and I smiled down at him. "Kenshin…."

He blinked, and then smiled back at me. "Hai Kaoru, I'm back." He slowly sat up, and then hugged me close, bringing his lips to mine again. This time the kiss was hesitant, soft and gentle instead of dominating and heavy. I looped my arms around his neck, pulling him down with me to the futon. His weight didn't bother me even as he lay full on top of me, his hands roaming through my hair. I deepened the kiss by twining my tongue with his, my own hands pulling at the tie in his hair and letting the thick red locks tumble across his shoulders. I tangled my fingers in it, moaning slightly into his kiss.

He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine. His breath was slightly heavy, but he was smiling. "He accepts you Kaoru. You are safe."

I grinned. "I think I convinced Him well enough. I was afraid there for a bit that He wouldn't agree with my way of thinking, but I got Him to see things my way."

Kenshin chuckled, nodding slightly. He kissed me again, his fingers tilting my head the way he wanted it. I pulled away again to ask him a question. "Kenshin?"

He blinked. "Nani?"

I cocked my head. "How is Shinta?"

His eyes flashed amethyst, and the childish smile crept onto his face. "I'm fine Kaoru, arigatou for asking. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll let Kenshin get back to what he's been planning to do to you for some time now."

As his eyes faded to a lavender a blush spread across Kenshin's high cheekbones, giving him a very cute look I must say. I laughed. "'Back to what you've been planning to do'? What is that supposed to mean?"

He murmured something and I laughed again. He grinned weakly. "I've liked you for a long time Kaoru."

I kissed his forehead gently. "I love you Kenshin." His eyes seemed a little lost and forlorn, and I sighed. "It's okay Kenshin, I accept all of you, even though you think you're not worthy of me, because I know that's what you think and don't you dare try to tell me anything different."

He blinked, and then smiled. "Aishiteru Kaoru." His voice was husky and I felt a shiver run up and down my spine. His lips met mine, and I was lost in him.

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