Author's Note:

Ohayo, minna-san! The next two chapters have the potential to become quite angst-y. Not quite melodramatic but I'm going to start playing with my characters raw emotions and... sigh... it could get ugly. You have been warned!

I decided to do it in two parts. I think it's necessary. I don't want to feel like I'm running on and this chapter already has quite a bit of back story to it.

Thanks times three to those of you who have reviewed. It is greatly appreciated! (It's amazing how much time you can find to write fanfiction while at work. I swear, they pay me too much for this!)

By the way, these chapters are named for the song by Ewan McGregor, Jose Feliciano and Jacek Koman from the Moulin Rouge© soundtrack. I have some of the lyrics there and that sets the tone for the chaptesr when considering the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru right now. I think this is a good direction in which to go, especially when you bear in mind how awkward things were last between the two... And we left on such a sad note what with Enishi losing his son al all... ::sniff:: ::sniff:: excuse Saku-chan. It still brings a tear to her eye...

Okay! Let the emotional wrenching begin!!!! Mwahahahahaha!!!


The Concubine

By Saku-Yume

"His eyes upon your face

His hand upon your hand

His lips caress your skin

IT'S MORE THAN I CAN STAND!

Why does my heart cry?

Feelings I can't fight!

You're free to leave me but

Just don't deceive me!

...And please believe me when I say

I love you..."

Chapter Eight: El Tango de Roxanne - Part One

Kenshin sat glaring into the night; jaw clenched tightly, eyes alight with flecks of violent, churning gold. He unconsciously used his thumb to raise the hilt of his sword from its sheath only to snap it back into its place, the sound of metal piercing the darkness repeatedly.

As much as he'd tried to get his mind used to the idea... as much as he knew it would happen, whether he wished it or not... as much as he knew he could do absolutely nothing to prevent it short of killing his brother-in-law, the thought of it gripped him; shook him to his core. To think of Kaoru lying there, naked, at the mercy of Enishi's lust was too much for him to bear.

He was angry with Enishi for his lust. He knew Kaoru meant little or nothing to him. She was a conquest. Something he would claim and disregard when something new and appealing came along. He would not, did not, and could not love her. It was just another infatuation.

He was angry with Kaoru. Irrational as he knew it was, he couldn't help it. Why did she put herself into this position? Why did she pretend to love this man?

He sighed. Because she had to. Kenshin knew this. But there had to be other ways to make money. Why, of all things, did she have to come here? And enrapture Enishi?

And make him, himself, fall so deeply in love with her...

He hadn't felt this way for anyone except Tomoe. And when she died, he'd given up on feeling that way again. And yet, here she was...

He composed himself when he heard soft measured footsteps advancing in his direction. Hopefully it was a servant in passing so that he might continue to wallow in his melancholy.

No such luck. The door slid open and shut.

"Kenshin,"

He turned and was surprised to see Kaoru silhouetted in front of the door. He hadn't seen her since after he escorted her to her rooms that morning. He was in such an odd mood and then he had to deal with Enishi and Taki for the greater part of the day...

Besides his unfounded and groundless anger towards her.

He turned away from her without a word.

Kaoru's heart sank. She could feel the tension between them earlier as he escorted her wordlessly to her rooms that morning. He hadn't come to check on her after. And now this...

She swallowed nervously. Then she gathered what little resolve she had and went to sit next to him. "Is Taki alright?" she asked, grasping for anything to use to open a dialogue between them.

"She is going to be fine." His voice was colder than he'd intended. He softened a degree. "She lost her child."

His icy tone pricked her. She withered a bit. "I am sorry," she barely whispered.

He couldn't help looking at her. The more lucid part of his mind shoved down his demeanor. He'd made her feel bad. He was being ridiculous. She didn't deserve this, she'd done nothing wrong. He broke.

"She's going to be fine," he offered again, with more gentleness this time.

Kaoru looked into his eyes. She had a feeling she knew why he was so upset. It was the same thing after he'd gotten her from the garden the day she arrived in the palace. She went out on a limb, ready to be shot down at any moment. "I am sorry about Taki as well," she paused. "But I was apologizing for this morning... I... I don't want you to think that this is what I want. I don't desire Enishi." She trailed off afraid to offer any more. "You must think very little of me."

His eyes softened a bit more, the corner of his mouth raising up a bit. "Not at all. In fact, I think very highly of you, Kaoru. Surely you must know that?" When her eyes caught his and held again, more meaning within them, he looked away; the emotion too much for him. Was what he was feeling taking him over or could he sense the same feelings toward him within her? "You are doing only what you must... I just..."

Kaoru urged him on. "You what, Kenshin?" she asked gently.

"I just..." he looked back into her deep blue eyes. He couldn't say it. It wasn't right. "I don't like seeing anyone being taken advantage of..."

"Oh," Kaoru replied. She'd hoped he would have given her a little more than that. But the emotion seemed to have left him as suddenly as it came upon him.

Kenshin sighed and closed his eyes. "Who am I kidding. Inappropriate or no, I don't like seeing YOU being taken advantage of. You deserve so much more than this, Kaoru. He may be my emperor but that doesn't change the fact that I don't think Enishi can give you what you deserve. Yes, he may have money and power. He can keep you wrapped in priceless silks and adorned with jewels, but I see you. You are not like these girls here. You are so... amazing. And you deserve someone who will be just for you. You shouldn't have a love that must be divided. You deserve love. Unconditional and exclusive love. And he will not give that to you..."

Kaoru's heart was racing. She couldn't believe her ears. Was Kenshin saying what she thought he was saying?

"Kenshin...?"

He looked directly at her this time, his hand coming to rest atop her own. He took it and raised it to his mouth, closing his eyes as he pressed her palm to his lips. The gesture overwhelmed Kaoru. It was the most intimate touch they had ever shared. She could only stare in wonderment.

Kenshin opened his eyes slightly; the moon emerged, lighting the violet within them. He guided her hand to his chest, holding it over his pounding heart. He drew her closer and when they were breaths apart he whispered, "Forgive me."

Then his lips were on hers and Kaoru felt her world melt away. It was just the two of them emerged deeply into a languid sea of soft kisses and silent breaths. Kaoru raised her free hand to his chest to rest atop his and he wrapped his free arm around her waist deepening their kiss. He was pleased to hear her moan faintly instead of pulling away from him. Their tongues danced timidly, their kiss shy at first, growing more confident as time passed.

Kenshin pulled away momentarily. He let his eyes pass over her, enjoying the look on her face, the color in her cheeks, the feel of her so close to him. He had her gathered in his arms as he'd been dreaming almost since he'd met her weeks ago. She opened her eyes when he didn't continue kissing her and looked up into his pools of violet. Suddenly he realized the seriousness of their situation.

"Forgive me, Kaoru... that was..."

"Wonderful," Kaoru sighed.

"But Enishi..."

"Enishi-san is not here now. Please, let's enjoy this, Kenshin..." when he nodded she kissed him again.

Kenshin was both relieved and surprised at her reaction to his advances. But he was also wary. Things certainly weren't going to get any easier now. But, for the mean time, he allowed himself to enjoy this one moment...


Kaoru was floating all day long. Even though she had not yet seen Kenshin, the memory of their kisses lingered in her mind. When she awoke, she went to bathe in the mineral springs alone. Afterward she allowed Suki to dress her and chatted with the girl cheerfully. She picked up her charcoals and set out to find Megumi, taking the scenic route along the grounds. When she finally reached the building Megumi used as her temporary office and living quarters, it was nearly noon.

"Ohayo, gozaimasu, Megumi-san!" she called cheerily when she didn't see her immediately.

Megumi emerged from the back storeroom and smiled when she saw Kaoru. "Ohayo, Kaoru-chan. How are you this morning?"

"Lovely," Kaoru sighed. She swung up to sit on one of the examination tables. "And yourself?"

Megumi smiled but wondered at the girls light mood. She figured she'd find out eventually. She predicted it had something to do with the redheaded swordsman.

"That's good to hear. I am doing well. Better than yesterday. Taki is doing better and is far less demanding and dramatic than yesterday."

Kaoru didn't miss the disdain in her voice. "Surely anyone would act dramatically after losing a child..." she ventured.

Megumi made a sound and shook her head. "I suppose."

Kaoru pushed a bit more. "You and Taki don't get along either?"

Megumi gave Kaoru a look. "Kaoru, you're not stupid. If you want to ask something, I'd appreciate if you'd just ask," she snapped.

Kaoru held back, surprised at Megumi's sudden bristling. "I..."

Megumi apologized immediately. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." She smiled contritely. "To answer your question; no, we do not get along. And if I have shown no sympathy for the loss of her child it is because I have none for her."

Kaoru nodded. Then ventured a bit further. "Why?"

Megumi sighed after a moment. "I will go against my paranoia and trust you but what I am about to tell you must not go beyond these doors. Agreed?"

Kaoru nodded. "I would never..."

"Good." Megumi looked around before leading Kaoru into her back room. "My sister, Yuri, was Enishi's first wife before she died. Before Taki became first wife. She was empress. And not a few months before her death she discovered she was with child. It was to be Enishi's first heir. Once word got out about this, Taki became strangely attentive to my sister, demanding she oversee her care completely, even overruling my instruction. One day, Yuri became ill with a stomach virus. Something easily treated and hardly fatal. However, no matter how much of my medicine she took, she only grew worse. I demanded to Enishi that I have time to examine her exclusively but Taki's word overruled mine. Megumi paused, her voice choking up. "One morning, I broke into her rooms and took the vial from which she was drinking her medicine. I left her sleeping. I wanted to run a few tests on the container. I was sure someone was poisoning her. By the time I got back with the proof, she was dead. Gone in her sleep. The virus had spread out of our control. Her son was dead as well."

Kaoru had tears in her eyes as Megumi told her story. She took the older woman's hand and squeezed it gently.

Megumi couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "I knew," she said shakily, "I KNOW she had something to do with it. She was so jealous of Yuri! So envious! And when she became the first wife to get pregnant, she knew she would never be any more than a second wife. She got rid of her, MY sister, to get ahead. That is why I have no remorse for what has happened to her. It is EXACTLY what she deserves."

Kaoru hugged Megumi, rubbing her back. "Why didn't you tell anyone you had evidence of foul play?"

"When I tried to see Enishi, those loyal to Taki kept me from seeing him. And one night the vial 'mysteriously' disappeared. I couldn't go against her without hard evidence. She hates me because she knows I know what she did. She knows I will expose her if I ever get the chance. That is why I no longer work here at the palace permanently. She makes sure I am sent away so that time and distance may dull the memory."

Kaoru didn't know what to say. What an awful story. How terrible Taki was. She knew the woman was vain and selfish but she had no idea she would stoop to such levels. If what Megumi said was true, then Taki had gotten precisely what was coming to her.

Megumi straightened up, wiping her eyes. "I am sorry. I still get emotional when I think on it." She laughed a bit.

"I understand. You can trust me, I won't tell a soul."

Megumi smiled. "Thank you." When she'd composed herself and splashed some cold water on her face, they went back to the main room.

"So what brings you here, anyway. I figured you'd be in the gardens with Kenshin again," Megumi smiled slyly.

Kaoru smiled, blushing. "I have not seen Kenshin today, as yet. I just wanted to see you..."

"Mm-hmm. You expect me to believe that entirely?"

Kaoru smiled a bit. "No I suppose not." She paused. "I like Kenshin."

"Well, that's OBVIOUS." Megumi laughed, grinding some herbs into a powder.

Kaoru blushed slightly and stood at the table across from Megumi. "I don't think you understand, Megumi. I really, really like him. I think I... I think I love him." Kaoru was smiling

Megumi wasn't any longer.

"I was afraid of this." She paused and looked Kaoru, who was no longer smiling, dead on. "Kaoru," she said evenly. "A slight penchant and mild flirtation is one thing between Concubine and those who serve The Emperor. But love? That is entirely another. I know Kenshin is fond of you but he knows that any hope of having any relationship between you both is slim to none; and even then, gravely dangerous. With so many eyes upon you and so many you cannot trust you cannot even venture the thought of a private affair."

Kaoru looked distressed now. The reality of it hit her. "But I do not love Enishi."

"You did not come here for your love of Enishi. You have a duty to fulfill. Do not throw your good fortune away on something so foolish."

Megumi felt bad for speaking so firmly when she saw the look on Kaoru's face. Her whole image had been shattered. She reached across the table and lifted Kaoru's chin with delicate fingers. "Forgive me, Kaoru, but I only want to be honest with you. You cannot afford to do this to yourself. Especially with Kenshin. The blood between these two men, however strong, is bad. The slightest error could cost both of you everything. Enishi is a powerful man and you do not want to be on his bad side. You already have so much against you, what with Taki and all. Do not give her or anyone else anything to say against you. It will cost you both too much, indeed."

Kaoru tried to hold back the tears but they escaped her despite her efforts. "What is it between them, anyway?" her voice trembled.

Megumi hesitated. "Tomoe. Enishi's late sister and Kenshin's wife. She was the Empress before Enishi took the throne after her death."

Kaoru's eyes widened. "Kenshin was married... but he's so young."

"They were married for just under a year when it happened."

Kaoru was quiet mulling it all over in her mind. "So... Enishi and Kenshin are at odds because... Kenshin wanted to be emperor???"

Megumi hesitated again. "Not entirely." She wrung her hands, unsure if this was a story she should be telling. "Enishi was very fond of Tomoe. To the point of jealousy when Kenshin married her. And when she died, he blamed Kenshin."

"Jealousy? What do you mean he was 'fond' of her? Why did he blame Kenshin?" Kaoru fired one question after another.

Megumi rolled her eyes. "Look, there are many rumors behind the relationship between the three, and while I know what happened through Kenshin's account, I don't feel it is my place to tell you. If Kenshin wants to tell you, then let him. I'm sorry. It's far too controversial."

Kaoru nodded. There was obviously more to the people around her that met the eye... she didn't know why, but she suddenly felt the urge to get to the bottom of it all...


Kenshin had been in a state of emotional limbo all day. Most of his duties had successfully kept his mind off of his concerns for the most part, but now that he sat with nothing to do, they flooded his mind.

Or rather her touch, her scent, her taste... the way she moaned flooded his mind. Every time he went over the previous night's events in his mind he felt light hearted... and he also felt a sense of trepidation. He knew this wouldn't end well. And he didn't want to risk indulging in it only to lose and get hurt in the end. Or hurt her...

"Kenshin."

He looked up from where he had been leaning against the stone wall and couldn't help smiling.

Kaoru was glad to see him smile. The large dose of reality Megumi gave her had brought her down hard. To see him smile brought her warm feelings back. She returned the gesture.

"Kaoru," he said softly.

She stood less than a foot from him. They shared a meaningful glance. Kaoru melted under his steady gaze. How she had longed for Kenshin to look at her this way...

Megumi's words came back to slam her in the back of her head. Her smiled faltered as did her gaze. Kenshin noticed and asked immediately, "What's wrong?"

Kaoru faltered a moment. "I wanted to talk to you..."

Kenshin's heart skipped a beat and a half. There was something about a woman saying those words in that way that scared the hell out of a man. Nothing good could come of it.

"Of course, Kaoru," he said warily.

She led him toward the house Enishi had given her. She knew there they could be completely alone and uninterrupted...


Post:

Thankee for the reviews! Sorry for the slight cliffie. This is going to be a two parter as I said. It wasn't initially but I think it will be better than a long drawn out melodramatic chapter. I like to maintain one tone per chapter. I find changing too much can muddle the effect of what you're trying to portray. Plus I wanted to post before I lost fan-interest again. As always tell me what you think and please visit my live journal for up to the minute Concubine and authoress updates!! The link is on my profile page! Ja!