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 send no flames, I'm sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com

Chapter Eleven

*************

That's it.

He pulled the camera out of the idiot's grasp. Smashed it on the floor and kicked the pieces away. His eyes were hard, glinting with barely repressed fury. Monday morning was not turning out to be so good for him.

At his violent outburst the other reporters and cameramen had backed away, becoming completely silent. They'd moved to the side and created a path for him straight to the elevator.

It was too late though. He was angry now. Truth be told, he'd been angry since Saturday night. His annoyance escalated to real anger then and he shoved the thought away. He turned his anger on those who stood before him. The only outlet he had. "Who let you in here?"

An eerie silence followed his question.

"I want you all out." He barked. At his command most of the reporters ran off, each racing to the door. There were two though that still remained. And one had their camera rolling. "Now before I remove you." He said stepping closer to them.

"Freedom of the press."

"The right of the people."

They said something else but he wasn't listening. Really, his anger was hanging by the thinnest of threats. He closed his eyes and fisted his hands trying to keep calm while there were camera's on him. When he opened his eyes, they were harsh and menacing. They glistened an eerie shade of hoary, lustrous like the reflection of the moon on water. He was not going to pull his gun out on them. He was not going to use his gun. He repeated the phrase in his mind as he approached the speaker. "Trespassers." The one word was his only warning. He grabbed the man by the back of his coat, intending on escorting him out.

Unfortunately the man struggled and in that struggle he caught Kenshin's lip. The red headed man moved so fast the reporter wasn't even aware of having been dropped down onto the floor until his hand's were bound. Kenshin tied him with his own belt and pulled him up to his feet. He spat blood to the side as he looked at the one remaining.

"What's going on here?"

Kenshin's attention turned to the security guard, holding a donut in his left hand and coffee in his right. Kenshin saw recognition come across the other man's face. "Himura-san you're early."

"You're fired." Kenshin responded in turn. What kind of security leaves their post? What if these were armed men or worse. The security guard paled then nodded. The redhead then turned his back to him and addressed the last man. "Give me that tape."

"What?" The cameraman said moving his head from behind the eyepiece.

"Give ME the tape." Kenshin repeated, stressing his words but the cameraman backed away when he approached. If only he had a sword. "Where are you going to go?" Kenshin asked the man that kept trying to back away.

The cameraman stopped; slowly he lowered the camera. Looking from the redhead to the bound reporter. He took a calming breath, trying to build a little inner courage. He ran.

Or at least tried to.

The head of security read the intention even before he set off. His foot tripped the man as he ran by. The camera a long with the man went down. He walked over to the recording object, now in several pieces. He removed the tape and put it in his pocket. He bent down and bound the man in the same way as the reporter. He really didn't feel like calling the police and having them come here. Still, he pushed the men across the long span of the lobby. He would hold them for a couple of hours, maybe instill a little fear in them.

*************

What made him think drinking would make it better?

It was sometime after two and he was in his office drinking. They'd supplied his office with a small bar and he'd never touched it before. Even now he'd only taken one drink from the large bottle of whiskey. He'd spent his entire lunch in bar. Tossing back drink after drink.

Saturday Night.

He was still very agitated. He didn't even know where to begin. They'd been kissing then she'd pulled away. Of course that had upset him but even more was the fact that she'd known about his eyes and her cryptic response had done nothing to appease him either.

"I dream about you Kenshin. Specially about your ever changing eyes."

Kaoru was playing with him. Some game he didn't understand. He couldn't understand what it was about her that drew him so. I mean she was beautiful and very tempting. He'd jump at the chance to get into her bed; he was willing to admit that. Though not aloud. She was very confusing.

Lies.

He'd pushed her off him and called her a liar. She'd only smiled in response. He'd been in some temper and she'd made no attempt to placate him. He'd left then, cursing at everything though mainly her.

He'd been thinking about her since. The whole day had been odd. First he'd gotten mad, which wasn't so odd, he does have a short temper after all but what'd bothered and still bothers him was the fact that nothing happened to make him feel what he'd felt. He'd looked at her and it'd been like he'd been looking at someone else.

There really isn't a way to describe the feeling. Though it was kind of like the first time he'd been in a shoot out. Years ago when he'd first joined PSB but before he was S-9 he'd been caught in a cross fire and he'd been trying to help one of the ministry officials get away. Bullets had rained down on them from all directions. Blood had spilled on him and he'd thought for a minute it was his. He'd been shocked that he hadn't felt the pain but he quickly realized that it wasn't his blood but that of the other man's. He'd never had anyone die on him, literally. It was like the wind had been knocked out of him. The cold realization had sent chills down his back. He knew death.

He knew Kaoru.

*************

He'd just gotten out of work and what had he done?

He'd driven to her house where he'd thought he'd confront her. About what? And what did he think he was going to say when she opened the door. Bloody temper. He was parked outside, two houses down from her home. Confused and maybe just a little drunk.

Maybe he just wanted to see her. Kami only knew how he felt because he had no idea. He was just so . . . . so . . . . infatuated with her. Hm, that's what he wanted to call it because he didn't want to think about the alternative.

He leaned over the steering wheel wanting to bang his head against it instead of just resting on it. Today was Monday, October ninth, their six week anniversary. He'd never been good remembering holidays or anyone's birthday but hers he knew. He knew what day they'd met. What day he'd seen her at the museum and what day they'd first had dinner together.

An unnatural affinity had developed. He was sure it was infatuation. It had to be. It was the only way he could explain why he constantly thought about her. Why he longed for her. He couldn't escape her and he knew it. He groaned in frustration. He needed another drink. He turned his car on and drove away.

*************

It was a cold dark night. The moon hung high in the sky though it was obscured by dark large ominous clouds. Leaves fell around, blown by an unseen wind.

He was sitting quietly off to the side. His eyes were closed, ignoring the rising voices of his companions. The others had done nothing but argue since they'd gone here.

Suddenly his eyes snapped opened. An amber glint shown off his eyes as he looked around, sensing.

"Put out the lights." He ordered. "They're coming." He rose using his katana as support. Everyone scrambled. The other guards rushed on ahead of him, idiots. He was the last to step through the front door.

His katana slit a man, right down the middle, small droplets of blood slid down the blade pooling on the floor. Two others rushed to block his path. The handle of his wakazashi served to fend of the first attack. With the same movement he slashed across from right shoulder to the left hip. His katana came back up cutting across the second man's stomach dropping him where he stood.

He finished down the last step. His eyes focused on those of another man. They held a silvery glint and his ki was strong, another hitokiri. The other man's katana rose in the beginnings of a stance. He himself did the same, gripping the handle. There under the moonlight they faced off, reading each other before they attacked. The swords clashed, lighting fast and with the familiar metallic clank. They ran simultaneously each gaining speed. The other man jumped, his sword coming down but he was ready. He drove the other man back and leapt into the air. When he came down, the other man's blade slit the air where he'd stood. No matter how fast, he was faster. He was already in the air in the beginnings of the Ryu Tsui Sen. He growled as he came down, the familiar clink of cutting through metal resonated through the woods as he set down.

The other man stood several seconds before his katana fell on the floor, cut into pieces. Blood spurted out, washing him with blood. His opponent fell back, bleeding but already dead.

He stood and slashed the air, ridding his blade of blood. That same blood that dripped from his chin and back onto the floor. He re-sheathed his sword and walked away. His read hair swayed in the breeze as he disappeared into the shadows.

: : : : : : : : : : : : :

Kenshin was not pleased. He'd woken up wiping his brow. The blood had slipped into his eye or so he'd thought. But it was just another dream. Though what kind of dreams they were, he didn't know. Groggy as his mind was he could still see that all these strange dreams seemed to have the same thing in common. Old clothes, swords and him as the protector. He frowned in confusion. What the hell was going with him? And how was it that he could recognize a regular guard from and hitokiri?

*************

Kenshin walked into the lobby glad to see no reporters. Maybe today would turn out better than Monday.

"Himura-san there was a man here looking for you."

Kenshin's looked across the lobby towards the new security guard at the front desk. "Did he leave a name?" He said walking closer to the new guard.

"No, when he didn't find you. He asked to speak either to Akihito-san or Kurizuma-san."

Kenshin frowned at the bit of news. "Did he call up?"

"Yes, Kurizuma took the call. He called him to his office."

"Bring up him on camera four." Kenshin ordered moving behind the security desk.

With the punch of a few keystrokes, the image of a tall man came up on camera four. Most of the cameras were black and white. There were several that were colored though and one of those was hidden behind the company logo. The logo was large and stood high above the security desk, it caught all those coming in whether they registered at the desk or not. He was glad now he'd had it installed. It was one of the first things he'd installed on coming to work for Akihito corp.

"I need a different angle."

The security guard punched a few other keys changing the angle. It was useless though the man had kept his face averted, almost like he'd known where the cameras where. It was hard to make out who it was. There was nothing but a few characteristics, he was tall and lean with dark midnight hair that covered his eyes. Longs bangs that kept his face from view.

Kenshin felt an uneasiness creep into him. "Print that picture and post it down here. Call me immediately when he shows. Don't try to detain him." The security guard's eyes were wide. He nodded with avid curiosity. Kenshin made his way to the elevator just as the doors opened. He strode in and punched the key for his floor.

He didn't like the feel of this.

*************

"I really couldn't see his face but he showed me government credentials."

Kenshin gave Kurizuma a penetrating gaze. It was cold and calculating. "What was his name?"

Kurizuma had the feeling he was been interrogated. "I don't remember. He pulled out a badge and showed it to me but it was so quick I didn't catch the name on the Id. It did say Public Service Bureau though."

Kenshin had straightened to his full height and was now standing rigidly. His face and tone alike were devoid of feeling. There was no inflection in his voice when he spoke. "What did he tell you to call him?"

"Iwakami."

The redhead had stilled, his features schooled. He made no reaction when Kurizuma answered. That man hadn't been Iwakami. Iwakami Toru had been his commander for several years and he would know the man even if he were blind. This had been someone else but he couldn't fathom whom.

"He wanted to know how you were adjusting."

Kenshin thoughts snapped back immediately. "What did you say?"

Kurizuma frowned in thought trying to remember exactly what he'd said. "I told him you were fitting in great. You were the best head of security we've ever had. He also asked about the company holidays."

Kenshin jumped on that. "Did he mention the Eea treaty?"

"No, what's that?"

"National security, the treaty overrides all other contracts. I can be pulled back on assignment." Kenshin's voice was hard. It held an uncompromising edge that frightened.

Kurizuma's skin crawled and he was glad he was wearing a suit. "Could they take you today if they wanted?"

"No, I haven't agreed to take any assignments." Kenshin moved towards the large glass desk in front of him. He took a leaf of paper and a pen and wrote down a number. "Contact me right away if you see him." He slid the paper over. "Don't approach him, especially if you see him outside of this building. Do you understand?"

Kurizuma nodded curtly not liking the way he was spoken to. Still Himura was head of security and he had his reasons for the decisions.

Kenshin had waited long enough to see Kurizuma nod before he turned around and left. "I will have security escort you down tonight when you leave." He tossed over his back as he reached for the door. "The same goes for Akihito."

Small Notes: Kenshin's short tempered and his patience is wearing thing. His frustrated with Kaoru leads to a violent outburst early in the morning. Monday really was not his day. His irritation seems to grow as the day wears on.

He contemplates things with Kaoru, understanding that she must be playing some kind of game he's not yet aware of. Despite that he can't seem to keep away from her. He goes to her house after work wanting a confrontation though once he's there he realized that the reason why he might have gone was just so he could see her.

His dream is not really a dream. It's something that happened when he was still the hitokiri battoussai. Fans who've watched the movie will recognize this as the opening scene.

Can you guess who the unidentifiable man is?