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
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Chapter Fifteen
*************
Mid-afternoon found her in a panicked state. She still didn't known what had made her agree to go? But she had and now she was running between her closet and her suitcase. Wondering what she should take and what should be left behind. She would need several outfits; he had said a month. A whole month.
She threw her last pair of pants into the suitcase and snapped it closed. She dragged it to the living room where two other bags sat. She looked at the Louis Vuitton luggage for a moment wondering if maybe she should change bags. Grr, she pulled her hair in frustration. She was making too much of this. It was only Kenshin. She turned and walked back to her room. She just had to dress now.
Quickly she put on her clothes knowing that if she looked at the outfit too much that she'd want to change out of it. She had decided to wear black pinstripe skirt, menswear pattern with an uneven hem and pleats. The wide waistband rode low on her hips and looked great with the winter white turtleneck she'd decided to wear. The sexy boyfriend turtleneck sweater was silk and cashmere in a fitted, cropped silhouette. It was warm and soft; it was great now that the wind had picked up. She stood in front of the mirror, turning to the sides as she examined the effect it had once combined. All she needed was her shoes. And she knew exactly which ones she would take too. She had satin cuffed pumps with rhinestone rings around the ankle bracelets. The champagne color was an exact match to the turtleneck.
She sat on the bed, putting her shoes on, that way she'd be ready when he came. She sighed and moved to her vanity table. A quick brush of the hair and then some lick gloss that was all she needed to be done.
*************
Kenshin looked at his watch, swearing as he swerved around a car. He was going to be late. Well not really late since he'd left work two hours early so they could beat traffic. The point was he wanted to be at her house by four not six. He swore louder and turned the corner, tires screeching as he made a right turn. He raced down the street, knowing he was almost there.
He turned the corner and slowed his speed. His car crept in front of her house until finally he came to a complete stop. He pulled the keys from his car and quickly strode out to her door. He rang the doorbell and looked at his watch, four o'clock. He almost smiled.
He heard the soft clicking of her heels from behind the door, it must have meant she was ready. He ran a hand through his bangs and straightened just a second before the door opened.
His lips parted in surprise as he took the sight of her in. She was much too beautiful. The white little sweater she wore stopped a couple of inches from her belly button and because her skirt rode low on her hips, he could see her mid drift. The tantalizing skin seemed to call out to him and his body responded without question or thought. His eyes darkened in hue, feeling the stirring of the demon within.
Kaoru smiled at the expression on his face. "Kenshin," she drawled, amusement lacing through her words when she spoke. "My luggage is inside."
Quickly he halted his straying thoughts. He nodded and moved past her. Smelling the sweet scent of jasmine as he made his way inside. It had been less then ten hours since he'd left her home and since he'd kissed her. He shook his head disapprovingly. Self-control is something he had always prided himself in. But since meeting her, he'd begun to loose hold on his restraints. He never knew himself to have such a thin hold on the control he had so carefully built up. He picked up the suitcase and the two matching bags, easily carrying them out of the house.
Kaoru quickly locked the door and followed him out to his car. She watched as he shifted the luggage to one side, freeing his right hand and opened the door to the car for her. Kaoru smiled at the gesture as she sat down comfortably in the seat of his car. This trip she hoped, would turn out to be very educational, she wanted to see where they stood.
The sound of the closing trunk brought her out of her thoughts. Her sapphire eyes watched him as he got into the car and noted that his face had set into an emotionless mask. Keeping his face averted as he turned the ignition on.
Kaoru shifted in her seat feeling annoyed at his actions. She wasn't sure what had happened but she didn't care. She didn't like to be ignored, not by him or anyone else for that matter. Purposely she crossed her legs, left over right, exposing her leg as the uneven hem shifted to the side.
He blinked, seeing her from the corner of his eye. Still he didn't turn in her direction. He wasn't going to give into the slightest of provocations. Yet his hold on the steering wheel tightened and his knuckles turned white on the knob as he shifted gears.
Kaoru turned her face away, her mouth forming into a pout. Maybe she could ease up on things during the drive. There was no need to start pushing buttons so soon. She sighed under her breath. "What are going to with me Kenshin?"
At that he did turn. Not so much at the question but at the tone. So soft and wistful but more than that she sounded weary. "What do you mean?" Her face was turned away and it was hard for him to see her expression.
She smiled despite herself. "You wouldn't take me to camp with you, so where am I going to stay?" She kept her face turned away, watching the streets fly by. She opened the window letting the air play with her hair, caressing her face with icy hands. It had been so long, since she'd enjoyed the day, simply because it was just a day.
"I've rented a house in the city."
Kaoru turned away from her window, turning to look at him, she wondered why he would want to keep her in Kyoto while he was off training. "So I'll see you on the weekends, rather than on the usual days?"
"Aa," he confirmed.
The warm scent of autumn drifted into the car as it stopped at a red light. "Are you going to show me where you'll be staying before you drop me off?"
"There's no women allowed."
"But I won't be staying I just want to look and see." She said lowering her voice into a more persuasive tone. He kept his tone even when he answered rather than annoyed as he was beginning feel. "No." There were rules and regulations, an order which needed to be followed. Besides he had his reasons for not wanting her at the camp, rather for not wanting her to be seen. He had never been the jealous type but just the same he felt a twinge of possessiveness flaring in the depths of his soul.
"But Kenshin?"
"No Kaoru," he turned his face looking at her sternly. She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, turning her face away in annoyance. This was going to be a long trip.
*************
Long and silent. The ride had been, awkward. She hadn't spoken to him since he'd snapped at her. She was annoyed still. It wasn't such a big deal perhaps but she was curious and she wanted to see where he'd be. She needed to know where he'd be.
Twilight bled into night just as they entered the streets of Kyoto. The breeze seemed stronger, howling against the car. They drove slower now that they were within the city limits. She looked around feeling a sense of deja vu as they drove through streets she knew though she'd never seen them before.
The car came to a halt in front of traditional looking house. Tall and narrow with exquisite detail. It was beautiful. She opened her door and stepped out. The air had grown chilly and she felt herself shivering in response. A passing wind blew her skirt up as it howled by; quickly she held it down, blushing to the roots at having her thighs exposed. Another gust of wind blew her hair around her face playing with the ends in a familiar way.
Kenshin closed the trunk and made his way to the house. His mood had grown darker the further away they got from Tokyo. He was angry, though he wasn't sure why. He opened the door, holding it open for her to come in.
Kaoru strode into the dark house, watching her step as she went inside. The light came on a moment after Kenshin closed the door. So there was electricity after all. She walked in slowly feeling a stronger sense of deja vu, she stepped all the way to the back not surprised to see a yard. She opened the door and walked out, smelling the scent of flowers and rain. Walking a little further out into the yard, she paused feeling a small prickling behind her eyes.
This house . . .
It was just like the one from her dream. That long dream she'd fallen into when she was sick. She remembered bits and pieces from that time. She remembered being found out in the yard; Kenshin had come for her, angry that she was out in the rain again.
She remembered that.
He'd taken her by the arm and dragged her into the house. Kicking the door to her room open as he waltz inside, dragging her behind him until he sat her in front of the fireplace. He'd wrapped her in a blanket before he'd spoken, asking her something. Something she couldn't remember thought she knew it had upset her.
No.
She was wrong on that, she'd already been upset, she'd lashed out at him after she'd fallen victim to his eyes. Eyes that froze and burned. Eyes that bewitched her still. She hated him.
"What are you doing?"
Her face had been tilted up, looking to the heavens for what could only be guidance, perhaps. At the sound of his voice she'd snapped her head down. This wasn't then, she reminded herself. She turned her back to him and dabbed the sleeve of her sweater over her eyes. This wasn't then. She'd been mad then. She wasn't now; she knew what she was doing. She knew why she was angry. She knew why she hated him. Of course now wasn't then.
His hand on her arm startled her. Her eyes opened wide in fright, for a split second she hadn't known him. That look in her eyes, he'd seen it before. In that one dream. That one dream when he'd killed for her. The only difference was, she hadn't been afraid of him then.
His hand dropped to his side as walls of ice were built between them. The amount of control she held over him, it was too much for someone he had only just met. "Dinner." He said in a tone, he knew all to well.
A tone she recognized as well. Battousai. She'd know him anywhere. She turned the rest of her body towards him, searching his eyes for confirmation. She drew closer to him, so close she could make out every one of his lashes, the arch of his brows and the curve of his lips. Such a sensual lips. 'He really was beautiful.' She closed her eyes wishing it were another life, wishing so much tears escaped their confines as she leaned forward and kissed him. A warm, chaste kiss full of wishes, she knew would never be.
She sidestepped him and quickly made her way back into the house. Kenshin stood there, starring at that vast sky wondering what it was about her that called to him so much. Why did he feel responsible for the mood she was in?
Sometimes during very small flashes he could see beyond her gaze, past the veil that often covered the pain that lurked and shadowed her eyes. It felt like she harbored grief, such an unfathomable sorrow. It pained as well as accused him. And he didn't understand.
Why did he feel responsible for her unhappiness?
*************
She lay there with her eyes opened, starring at the ceiling. Morning had come and she hadn't been able to catch even the slightest wink of sleep. Silence had ruled their evening as it had during the day. They'd gone to some restaurant near by. She couldn't quite remember it's name. The whole evening seemed to be like that. She just couldn't quite remember. Kenshin had sat there with ice over his eyes, acting cold and detached. He'd barely even looked at her.
Sniffling a bit, she blinked a couple of times.
It was one thing for her to be mad at him; she had every right after all. But for him to get mad at her after everything he'd done, she couldn't stand it. She hated him. So much sometimes she thought the feeling would eat her alive. She couldn't understand why it bothered her so much.
It'd been sometime after ten when they'd arrived at the house. They'd walked back from the restaurant in silence. He'd opened the door and held it open, letting her in. For a splint second when she'd walked past him, she'd felt him stiffen. She thought he would apologize then but instead he'd caught her wrist and given her a key just before her turned and left. He'd left. Just like that and without a word.
She'd half a mind to jump a plane back to Tokyo. He hadn't even left her any money. What kind of man brought a woman all the way out here and then didn't give her any money to buy groceries? Bastard.
She made a derisive sound at the back of her throat and she flung the covers back. Agitation had just stepped up a notch. No good for nothing bastard. She was sorry she'd lost sleep over him now. She stomped over to the bathroom. A quick shower and then she'd be off. She'd spend the day out. No thinking of him at all. Her plotting could wait a day.
She stepped out of the house dressed in a white cord mini skirt and pink sleeves turtle neck. The knee-high stockings looked great with the white prada boots she'd bought sometime ago. The wind blew strong and she was glad she'd put her hair up into a ponytail. She would probably get groceries first, make a little lunch and then back out.
*************
It was like she had two left feet. It had been that long since she'd been to a club, no wonder she'd forgotten how to dance. Luckily she'd found herself a nice gay guy by the name of Tai. He'd offered to take her to a straight club but she'd opted for the safe choice and joined him at Miyuki's. A place Tai knew well.
After a great many drinks some of which where bought by girls, she was able to dance. She felt the alcohol taking its effect as she began to loosen up. Dropping her inhibitions. She closed her eyes and fell into the rhythm, flowing with the beat until there was nothing outside the hypnotic trance.
Streams of smoke flowed from machines near the front, close where the DJ stood. Bass laden music flowed from speakers in the walls and the roof. The thumping rhythm along with the ultraviolet lights made the place appear like something out of a movie. Something unreal.
It was almost four.
They had left the club sometime ago and she was on her way home. They were in a taxi she knew because she'd cracked an eye open. Her feet were killing her while the rest of body felt like she'd just been through work out. Next time she went out to a club, no boots. She felt the taxi slowing down and again she opened just one eye. Yeah, this was her stop. She pulled some money out of her boot and presses it into Tai's hand.
"Wait, here." Tai's requested as he helped Kaoru out of the cab. "I'll only be two minutes." He waited for the taxi driver to nod before he took his new friend into her house. She leaned heavily on him as they walked across the sidewalk and to her porch. "Can you make it Kaoru, or do you want me to come inside?"
Kaoru straightened at the front door. "I can make it Tai, thanks for letting me tag along." She opened her eyes and smiled at him drunkenly. "You've got my number call me Monday and we'll do something." Kaoru nodded at him. "Sure, "she said waiting for him to unlock her door. He pressed the key into her hand and waited till she was in before he walked back out to the cab.
Kaoru stumbled just a little at first, seeing as how dark the whole house was. She made her way up the stair and into the bathroom. She was going to have a bath. She fell near the tub but still she didn't bother to turn the light on. She stripped out of her clothes and boots before she stepped into the shower. Having turned on the hot water first, all she had to do now was adjusted the cold. She sighed, feeling the tension living her body. Her shower was brief. She'd shampooed, washed and stepped out.
After wrapping a towel around her head, she headed out to the bedroom. All she wanted was to fall onto that bed and sleep. A dreamless slumber. Yawning she crawled under the blankets. She tucked her head under several pillows and proceeded to fall asleep.
*************
Kenshin entered the darkened house. It was just a bit past five am and he was officially off for the weekend. He wasn't due back till five am Monday morning. Plenty of time to make up with Kaoru. His step was light, soundless as he made his way up the stairs and to their room. He stepped through the open door, his eyes quickly darting to the open window. His eyes drifted to the bed and over the small form hidden underneath a mountain of blankets and pillows. He put his bag down on the floor and walked across the room to the window, drawing the curtains closed. He would have closed the window too but she seemed to like the cold.
Moving to the bed, he sat down on a corner and proceeded to pull his boots off. His military garb was easier to pull off and soon he was undressed. He'd showered before coming over so there was nothing to do but sleep a while before she woke up so he could apologize. Now only in his boxers, he lifted a corner off the blankets and slid underneath. The bed dipped slightly with his weight causing her to mumble a protest.
Recognizing him even in sleep, she scooted closer when she felt the warmth of his body. Kenshin smiled and scooped her into his arms, immediately becoming aware of the fact that she was nude. Swallowing a sudden lump in his throat, he closed his eyes and breathed.
The face that had been hiding underneath a mountain of pillows now slowly began to make its way out. Yawning as she finally freed her head out from underneath the pillows. She pressed close to him, smelling the familiar scent of his skin.
Kenshin could smell the alcohol on her breath as soon as she freed her face. "You've been drinking."
.
Same as chapter thirteen. The chapter is much larger than this but FF.net won't let me put up anything over PG-13 so if you want to read the original chapter go to my website.
Small Notes: The need to touch her has been ruling over him for sometime but it isn't till Thursday afternoon that he actually begins to feel frustrated at his lack of control around her. So when she starts to push him on the subject of camp, he snapped at her. Both annoyed and somewhat angry, they now reach Kyoto. Exchanging very few words between them that night. After dinner he walked her home, handed her a key and left. Kaoru now thoroughly bothered decided that she wouldn't think about him. Spending all of Friday out, she didn't bother coming home till sometime around four am. Only an hour before Kenshin came home.
