Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the
creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump
Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for
entertainment only. FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please
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Chapter Ten
*************
He stood in front of her, shielding her from their eyes. His hair, red as blood, blew in the breeze. They had tried to hurt her and for that they would die a most gruesome death.
Her large sapphire eyes were opened wide in fright. She clutched the silk cloak she wore. He'd come out of nowhere. Demon. That's what they called him. Not because it was his name but because of how he fought.
"For daring to touch her, death is the price." He moved beyond her sight. She crouched down, closing her eyes and covering her ears. Her mid-night colored hair served to block the sight. She would never get used to his ruthlessness. His sense of justice, he knew. But it didn't matter. He would do what was needed whether she liked it or not.
: : : : : : : : : : : : :
Kenshin woke with a start. His eyes had snapped opened expecting to still be in the middle of a fight. Adrenaline still pumped through his veins. His right hand felt empty without his weapon, his sword. He sat up feeling a sense of disorientation. Even though he could see he was in his room. He looked out the window expecting it to be sometime in the wee hours of daylight but it wasn't. His eyes quickly turned to the clock surprised to see it was nine am.
For as long as he could remember, he had never dreamt or slept in. Ever. He rose from his bed quickly, needing the awareness only a cold shower could provide. He felt lines on his brow creasing in the familiar frown.
Why had he dreamt?
He stood under the cold blast of freezing water. Feeling his body coming alive. His thoughts lingered on the dream. It was more out of curiosity than anything else. He had never dreamt before not in the same way normal people do. No, when he dreamt it was always a replay of an actual event. Always. So now he found himself at a loss.
Like everything he'd ever dreamt. It had been vivid, like an actual event replaying in his mind. Except it couldn't be have been. Kaoru's clothes, they'd been different. So had the men's' whom he'd seen as a threat to her. Why were they wearing odd clothing? His thoughts seemed reluctant to move past that small detail.
He stepped out of the shower and quickly dried. She'd said to be there at ten. He pushed all thoughts away as he focused on getting ready. He towel dried his hair and then quickly put it up in its usual ponytail.
He made his way out and quickly glanced at the clock, nine-thirteen. All right ten minutes and he'd head on out.
*************
Kaoru walked down the hall. Hoping what she'd worn wasn't too casual. The fitted charcoal gray sweat suit hugged her curves like a second skin while the white cami she wore underneath peeked out from underneath the unzipped hoodie. She sighed softly just before she reached the door. She practiced a fake smile and then opened the door.
Her eyes widened as he handed her a bouquet of flowers. "Azure Allium and Jasmine flowers," her eyes softened when she looked at him.
"They reminded me of you."
She smiled and moved back in, allowing him entrance. He closed and locked the door behind him. He walked down the hall and into the living room. "Have a seat," she called out from the kitchen. He did as he was told and took a seat on the snow-white sofa. The room had a homey look. Birch woodened furniture adorned the walls of the room while white ottomans and armchairs surrounded the couch.
Minutes later she came back into the room. "Do you want anything before we start watching the movie?"
"No."
"All right," she said taking a seat next to him. "I've got six movies to choose from since I don't know what you like go ahead and pick the one you'd like to watch."
He looked at the boxes and then at her. She waited expectantly. For some reason his thoughts drifted back to the dream. Her eyes had held so much fright, probably because he'd been different. Oni. They'd called him oni because of the way he'd fought.
"You pick," he said after sometime.
"All right but if I pick it'll be girly movie." She announced. She was happy to see a small glint, flashing through his eyes. Panic. She shook her head in mild amusement then turned back to the covers. She wasn't going to be that cruel. No, she'd play something that went with the mood and applied to their relationship. Or had at some point, some lifetime ago. She rose and put the movie into the dvd player. Feeling his heated gaze follow her as she went around the room closing the blinds, making everything dark. Lastly she turned the air conditioner on a little higher so the room would get cold.
Kenshin read the back of the empty box while she was off doing something. She was out of sight so he could no longer see. "Bram Stokers: Dracula." He read softly. His eyes drifted down and stopped on a particular phrase. True love never dies. Something tugged at the back of his mind. Half-spoken words that drifted back to him though so softly he couldn't hear nor understand.
Kaoru returned to the couch, catching a strange expression over his features. "Kenshin?"
Their eyes met and for a heart beat; the world seemed to hold its breath. There was recognition in their eyes. The realization caused a surge of emotions to flare. Like fire the flame blazed. Burning hot in its intensity. A love that would last longer than all the ages of men. Their connection, so strong it's transcended death. Ever lasting for all eternity.
Kaoru tore her gaze away. Feigning ignorance, as she sat down next to him. She felt him looking at her, probably trying to decipher where he knew her from. She reached over for the controls and pushed play, giving it enough volume in hopes of drowning out her thoughts.
He felt like the air had been knocked out of him. He was lost in turmoil. A deep well of chaos that spilled as it overflowed. Anger pushed past a haze of desire and longing that had erupted when their eyes had met. The familiar feeling, the loss of control when he was around her. Specially now. She was so close to him he could feel her body heat. As much as he'd always enjoyed her closeness now it made him mad. And the angrier he seemed to grow the more distant she seemed to become even though she hadn't moved from her spot. His senses sharpened as the feeling rose, taking control over his actions. He turned his face and looked at her.
Kaoru turned to look at him. A mask of innocence in place. "What wrong Kenshin?" She said as she took his hand into hers. His eyes were narrowed and they a glint about them that drew her in. Deep pools of amethyst, dark with anger. She squeezed his hand to get a response but he didn't say anything. Instead he turned his face away back to the television. He sunk back into the couch with his mouth set into a firm line. Oddly enough, he didn't pull his hand away from her grasp.
Kaoru turned her attention back to the tv. Her heart was racing, so fast she was afraid it would burst from her chest. She never imagined he might remember her too. She'd held hope in the beginning but it was obvious from the start he did not. But now . . . . . there was doubt and worse then that, she feared he might remember being someone other than battoussai.
*************
Kaoru cried. Her breath hitched in her chest, as she wept, over so many things and really nothing at all. The love they'd shared. Gone. Love stronger than death. Love that never dies. Dracula should have gotten his Elisabeta. For all the pain he'd suffered at her death, he deserved a little happiness.
Her crying began to subside after a while. She sat curled around Kenshin body almost on his lap. The credits were starting to roll and Kenshin chose that moment to stop the dvd. His arm was around her shoulders holding her close.
"Do you cry every time you watch it?" His voice broke the silence though it was nothing more than a whisper.
Kaoru turned her tear stained face towards him. She nodded unable to form words that didn't sound like they were been chocked out of her. Suddenly filled with shame, she turned away feeling stupid for crying in front of him. It's just that she loved that movie and it was so much better than the book. She took slow shallow breaths trying to regain some semblance of control. At least it seemed that he wasn't mad anymore. She stood up and his arm fell away allowing her the space she needed. Slowly she walked into the kitchen, leaned into the sink and washed her face. The cool water felt nice against her hot face. She sighed and dried her face with a paper towel.
How does she proceed now?
Her behavior could spark a memory, if he indeed remembered. She cleared her throat and yelled out to him. "Kenshin do you want a drink?" She took out a whisky bottle from underneath the sink and poured herself a cup. He walked in just as she put her cup down. "Do you want a drink?" She offered again.
He nodded, watching her closely as she poured him a cup and refilled her own. It was obvious she was used to drinking the beverage from the way she tossed it back. She put her cup down and walked back over to the fridge removing large containers of food, take out to be exact.
Kaoru heated the food. The strong smell of garlic bread filled the room as it was being heated and despite it being her favorite it just didn't stir any hunger. She took another sip from her cup; very aware of the intent gaze directed at her. He had stayed in the kitchen but he hadn't said anything else to her. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe he was still mad. She took another sip from her cup, glad when her mind started to get fuzzy. She would only have three cups and not a drop more.
She didn't want to get drunk. She just wanted to numb her brain, keep it from thinking or drawing conclusions of any sort. The timer went off, spurring her forward. She pulled bowls and plates from the cabinets; she piled them together and placed them in front of her guest. "Would you put these on the coffee table, please." He nodded and left with them. Meanwhile she put the containers and forks on a tray and carried them out.
They sat on the floor, eating quietly all the while her thoughts turned over her current predicament. Her being angry with him was one thing but him being angry with her was totally different. She didn't like it one bit and to be honest she couldn't stand.
*************
The room was dark and very cold. They were on their second movie now. Watching a martial arts movie, something that wouldn't make her cry and might appease him all at the same time. They were both sitting on the couch, leaning against the back. Again Kaoru had curled herself around him, needing comfort after his spurt of anger.
A bottle of wine sat on the table, filled only half way. Two wineglasses sat near by, one half full the other empty. They watched the movie in silence. They'd been mostly silent since that awkward moment when their eyes had met and they'd recognized each other. Speaking perhaps five words to each every hour.
Kaoru turned her face towards him drawing his attention. She looked at him from beneath a set of dark lashes that fluttered as she blinked slowly. She leaned closer and tipped her chin, waiting expectantly.
He looked into her eyes, feeling their message he bent his head down just slightly and kissed her. A soft pressing of the lips before he pulled away and turned his head back towards the movie. He didn't have to see her to know she was frowning. She wasn't angry with him and he wasn't either. Not so much anyways. It's just he didn't want to start anything right now.
He was used to knowing how he felt and what he would do. But today had brought out too many questions. She was driving him crazy but that didn't seem to bother him. Not like it would have if she were anyone else. He wanted her in every sense. But he got the feeling that she might not feel the same way. He couldn't be sure. He'd always been too suspicious in either case. Still he was suspicious.
Kaoru sat with his right arm firmly around her waist. She entwined her left hand with his right. Intrigued by the difference in their color. He was a soft bronze while she was pale, white porcelain like. They'd always been that way. She traced the tiny lines over his fingers and knuckles. Smoothing the skin over his wrist to his elbow with feathery touches.
She briefly wondered what it would be like to bruise his skin. Would she have enough guts to beat him with a whip like she did two lifetimes ago? She doubted it, though in a fit of rage the idea seemed very plausible.
Though his eyes seemed set on the movie he had stopped paying attention to it sometime ago. His thoughts instead where filled with how soft her hands were and that he liked the way she touched him. He wondered if she was doing this on purpose. It was almost like she had a need to be his priority. To keep his thought occupied with nothing more than his need for her.
She squeezed his arm and the muscles underneath flexed feeling hard and tense, strong. She turned her face back to him again drawing his attention. Her lips parted wanting to ask him something but changing her mind at the very last minute she turned away. She'd already asked for a kiss and he hadn't responded the way she'd wanted him to.
Kenshin watched her with concealed curiosity. For a minute he'd thought she might kiss him and he'd waited. Anticipated the moment but she'd simply turned away. Was he disappointed?
He didn't know.
*************
It was ten past midnight. The room was truly dark now except for the light coming off the television. He was supposed to leave now because he'd said it. She hadn't asked him to stay. She'd even nodded; agreeing with him when he'd said it. And he meant to just as soon as he kissed her goodbye.
They were still on the couch. His arm was still around her waist and she was still holding his arm. Their hands were entwined and settled on her lap. She noted he'd said he'd go but he hadn't moved. The light from the tv reflected off his eyes making them glitter. From where she sat they almost looked like liquid metal so she couldn't help but stare. Just yesterday she'd been in the shop looking into the past and trying to force her wretched slave to submit, to give her a kiss.
Now here they are several decades if not centuries later, sitting on her couch looking at each other. Did she want him to submit? Yes. She's pretty sure she does so she leans in and kisses him. She twists in the embrace untwining their hands so she can cup his face. Finally she's gotten her kiss and it's how she'd wanted it. Its hard and bruising, ultimately exciting. She pushes him down with her weight so that he's on his back, submissive to her wants. Their stomachs and chests alike are pressed closely together as they continue kissing.
She's fervent in her actions like she's never been before. Not with him anyways but then she's not really kissing him. In her minds' eye, she's kissing her slave.
The feelings she'd felt yesterday at the shop come back. The way the empress had felt when she'd tasted the unwilling lips of her slave. The sense of euphoria. The unquenchable hunger and desire. All those feelings seem to flare, all at once and she can't help herself when she rocks her hips against him making him groan. His hands tighten around her waist pushing her down against him, so she does it again. He repeats the sound a little louder this time, a captive to her wants.
Eventually she pulls back taking ragged lungfuls of breath. When she can breath again she chances a look down at her willing victim not sure what to do now that her minds cleared of the other woman's emotions. She's not yet ready for the next stage of this game and she's unwilling to go into it unprepared. So she starts to get off him.
Confusion flashes through his eyes at her sudden pulling away. That feeling however is quickly replaced when anger flares somewhere in his gut at the taunting, at her teasing.
Kaoru pauses then noting the small
flecks of gold that have begun to seep into his eyes. "They still change
color." She notes, her voice is rough almost like she's been screaming.
"How would you know?" His voice is husky, demanding. Hardly anyone knows that and the only people that do are all in S-9 because it happens only when he kills. Not even the tv crew got a glimpse of his eyes.
"I dream about you Kenshin." She whispered, smiling brazenly. "Specially about your ever changing eyes."
Finally I feel like I'm getting somewhere. We are so close to where I really want to be. I have an outline and my favorite chapters are just around the corner. I myself can't wait. Still I hope you guys liked this chapter. It was longer but I didn't like the direction it was going. I tried to rewrite it but nothing worked. Sorry.
Small Notes: His dream, a key point in this story because it wasn't a normal dream like he suspects it might be. Nope, it's a memory from his first life with her. If you read Blue Moon then his dream might have looked familiar to you. It's an excerpt from Dark Times: Blood Bonds.
The flowers he brought her. The Azure Allium is a blue flower, close to the shade of her eyes. Jasmine flowers because the smell is utterly her. The small detail softened her heart for a moment.
Why Dracula?
The theme, True love never dies is a reminder of words she once spoke to him. When she comes back to the couch and their eyes meet. It's his soul that recognizes hers. The bond they share is acknowledged in that second just before she turns away.
Why did he get angry?
He feels she's hiding something. He can't be sure what it is but now he's suspicious of her Still he's infatuated with her and so he doesn't leave. He can't seem to make himself.
His ever changing eyes, a comment that deepens the suspicion he already feels. Angry as that might have made him though she stir something that appeases him. A captive to her wants.
E-mail me if you have questions, just be sure to add your email address so I can respond. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review.
