Author: Bradybunch4529
Rating PG-13 to R
Disclaimers: Not mine in any way. Just borrowing them for awhile.
Summary: AU Modern Kaoru is considered a piano virtuoso and Battousai is a leading mob boss. What happens when the two worlds collide?
Chapter 6: Escape
"Pig!" Kaoru screamed. "All men are pigs!" She tossed her clothes into the open suitcase on the bed. She didn't care that the clothes weren't folded or that everything was jumbled together. Instead charging back across the room to the dresser. She ripped open another drawer and scooped everything out of it and rushed back across the room.
Dumping that load on top of the other clothes already in it. She slammed the suitcase shut, snapping the locks into place and hefting it from the bed. She placed it on the floor and reached for the smaller case. She quickly tossed it on the bed and opened it. She raced around the bed, stumbling over the shoes that she had kicked off, before continuing to the bathroom.
She grabbed her stuff from the sink countertop and piled it into her arms. She turned towards the door and bumped into Soujiro. He was smiling at her and holding out the suitcase. Kaoru said nothing, merely dropping the stuff into the case before turning to get more stuff. All of it got tossed into the case and she swept open the shower curtain and reached for the items in there.
She ignored the remnants of the moisture on them and placed them in the suitcase. Kaoru spun around in the bathroom, bright blue eyes searching for anything she had left behind. When she found nothing Kaoru tried to get around Soujiro but he wouldn't let her maneuver around him.
"Sou move!" Kaoru told him huffily as she placed her hands on her hips. "I want to pack as quickly as possible."
"We need to talk," Soujiro responded calmly. A serene smile on his face as he stared down at her, "about what happened this morning after the interviews."
"I don't want to talk about it," Kaoru replied sharply.
"Miss Kaoru," Soujiro started but stopped when Kaoru stabbed a finger into his chest.
"I said that I. DO. NOT. WANT. TO. TALK. ABOUT. IT." Each word was accented with a stab of her finger.
Soujiro winced and flinched away from the finger. Kaoru used his reflexive movement to get around him. She swept back into the bedroom and moved towards the sitting room and threw open the door. Only to come to a complete stop just inside the sitting room. Her eyes fluttered closed and a deep sigh emerged from her lips. Her head hung down, hands braced on the doorway to the sitting room, black hair concealing her face for a moment.
"Somebody hates me."
"I wouldn't say that Jou-chan," Sano told her cheerfully. "In fact I would say that your happiness is of the greatest importance to at least one man."
"Sagura what are you doing here?" Soujiro asked from behind Kaoru. His hands wrapped around her waist and moved her out of his way.
"Hey Soujiro!" Sano greeted with a smile and shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. "Good to see you again man. We didn't get much chance to talk to each other the other day."
"That is true," Soujiro agreed with a smile in return. "But I did have more important things to worry about."
"Keeping Jou-chan safe," Sano told him. "Which Kenshin is very serious about."
"Which means that…" Soujiro trailed off when Sano meet his gaze calmly.
"I'm going to be her shadow too," Sano told him seriously. "Wherever you go I go."
"Along with all of Aoshi's little shadow's following along behind," Soujiro finished for him with a sigh.
"What?" Kaoru demanded as she grabbed Soujiro's arm. "Tell me you are kidding?"
"Kaoru," Soujiro started only to have Sano break in.
"Don't worry Jou-chan you won't even notice I'm here."
Kaoru looked over at the tall spiked hair man grinning at her. His dark eyes twinkling, expression mischievous, and his white clothes and wrapped knuckles a startling contrast to the calm presence Soujiro had always offered. "You wouldn't know how to hide if your life depended on it," Kaoru muttered under her breath.
"Come on now," Sano protested with a small pout. "I can fit in as much as Soujiro can."
"Really?" Kaoru asked coolly, hands folding across her chest as she slowly moved towards him. "Then you have the tuxedo, the proper society manors and know how to handle yourself during a television interview?"
"Tuxedo?" Sano questioned weakly.
"Each time I perform Sou is in a tuxedo," Kaoru told him easily a grin spreading across her face. "Required for all aspects of my life. If not a tuxedo then at least a very very good suit." She paused and looked him up and down, her sapphire eyes twinkling up at him. "You do have a good suit at least?"
"Ummm," Sano hummed slightly under his breath. His dark eyes considering as they met hers, trying to decide how serious she was. "But Seta wasn't in one the other day."
"When he came looking for me you mean?" Kaoru drawled. When Sano nodded she continued, "that's because he had one waiting on him. His tuxedo gets puts in with my dresses when I send them over."
"Sooo…" Sano drawled as he rocked back on his heels.
"You have to have one if you are planning on staying with me," Kaoru told him firmly and spun on her heel. "While you are doing that I am going to go take a shower."
"Miss Kaoru you already packed you shower stuff…" Soujiro started only to fall silent when the sitting room door shut in his face. He sighed, shoulders slumping slightly, as he contemplated the door. Nothing was ever easy with that woman he decided.
"Umm Seta she wasn't serious about that tuxedo and suit thing was she?" Sano questioned nervously. "I mean…"
"If there is one thing that Miss Kaoru is very serious about it is appearance. She doesn't want anyone to be able to trash any of the people with her." Soujiro turned to face Sano with a smile on his face. "I myself had a few problems when I first took up the position of her body guard. When the comments got especially vicious she took me to a tailor and paid him to create several tuxedo and suits." Soujiro shrugged at the expression of horror that was slowly growing on Sano's face. "So we should probably see about getting you outfitted with a suit while Miss Kaoru is other wise indisposed."
"But…but…I don't do suits," Sano whined.
"You will while you're with Miss Kaoru," Soujiro told him with a sigh. His light blue eyes flickered toward the door, head cocked slightly as he listened to the sound of the shower. "I do believe that the concierge can tell us of an excellent tailor that is willing to come here."
"A tailor?" Sano echoed tiredly. His entire countenance one of amazement and disbelief as he stared back at Soujiro. "You're really going to make me get outfitted with a suit and a tuxedo?"
"Do you want to stay here or go back and tell Battousai that you don't want to do it?" Soujiro questioned easily as he looked up at Sano. "You are more than welcome to do that if you wish," he waved a hand at the door.
"Are you crazy?" Sano reared back in fear. "Kenshin would have my head if I go back there. He's obsessed with the little songbird in there," Sano jerked his head towards the bedroom. "If I need a suit," he swallowed thickly before continuing, "then I get a suit." A pained expression crossed his face as he nodded at Soujiro.
"Then let's get started while Miss Kaoru is taking her shower," Soujiro told Sano with another smile. The twinkle in his blue eyes genuinely amused as he watched the fear come and go on Sano's face.
"Lead the way," Sano told him gamely. "Kenshin had better thank me for this later," Sano muttered under his breath as he followed Soujiro out of the room.
Kaoru hurried into the bathroom, the door closing behind her with a click. She quickly turned on the shower and stripped out of her clothes. She jumped into the shower, spending several minutes under the spray unmoving. Her ears straining to hear the muffled sound of the two men's voices over the running water, when she was satisfied that the two of them were firmly wrapped up in their conversation, she stepped from the shower.
She allowed the water to continue to run, drowning out the sound of her drying off and easing out of the bathroom. She went to her suitcase, removing a fresh set of clothes. She dressed hurriedly, listening to the conversation taking place in the other room. The shower masked the sounds of her moving around, pulling her hair back into ponytail and concealing it beneath a baseball cap.
When Sano and Soujiro finally left the room she waited for a several more minutes. Slipping into her shoes and putting money into her back pocket before quietly easing from the bedroom. A small smile touched her lips when she found it empty as she moved towards the outer door. She was careful to avoid the line of sight from the windows, remembering what Soujiro had said about other people watching her.
In seconds Kaoru was slipping out of the door, avoiding the elevators for obvious reasons. Her heart pounded in her throat as she made her way to the stairs, keeping a careful eye out for possible pursuit. She eased open the door, sliding in to the staircase, listening carefully for any sound. When nothing but the echo of emptiness resounded in her ears Kaoru allowed herself to relax slightly. She waited another moment while her eyes adjusted to the dimness before she continued on her way.
Her sneakered feet thumped on the stairs, skipping slightly, fingers caressing the railing as she made her way down the stairs. She was humming as she continued on her way, worries slowly disappearing as she escaped from the tightening security net. As she reached the bottom Kaoru paused and slipped an ipod from her back pocket, unwinding the headphones and slipping them into her ears. In seconds the sounds of golden oldies flooded her ears. She replaced the ipod, pulling her hat down lower before opening the door and striding from it.
Kaoru didn't look left or right, keeping her blue gaze on the door as she pulled a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and eased them on. Her head bobbed slightly as 'Take a letter Maria', began to play in her ears. It had always been one of her favorites and Kaoru hummed as she sailed by Soujiro and Sano talking to the concierge. They didn't even look at her as she nodded at the doorman as he opened the door.
The sunlight caressed her face and a smile graced her lips as she escaped. It is going to be a beautiful day, Kaoru decided as she made her way through the crowd on the sidewalk. Her body began to bounce to the rhythm of the song as she lost herself in the mid afternoon crowd. There is definitely something to be said about a big city, Kaoru decided. So many places to hide in.
Soujiro sighed as he watched Sano argue with the tailor in the elevator. The concierge had been very understanding and had been quick to point out that there was a tailor on site for such a happenstance. He breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator doors slid open and he could escape. Sano and the tailor followed along, still arguing as Soujiro opened the door and waved them in.
He listened carefully and was relieved to note that the shower was still going. He wasn't surprised whenever Kaoru wanted to think she would hide in the shower, losing herself in the water pounding down on her. Soujiro turned his attention to Sano and the tailor finally breaking in and explaining what was needed, overriding any protests that Sano had.
Over an hour later Soujiro watched as the tailor finally packed up his materials and departed. The man had promised that the first suit would be delivered by this evening. Soujiro had to admit that he was impressed, they weren't many tailors that could do that. But the concierge had been quite adamant and effusive when he had recommended this tailor. So Soujiro was willing to bet that the tailor would deliver as promised.
A sigh and a thump had him looking over at Sano, who had collapsed onto the floor. His normally cheerful expression was sour, his clothes in a disarray and his headband lay discarded on the floor. Soujiro could almost feel sorry for him, having gone through something similar that first year with Kaoru. But if Sano was determined to follow them around then he really needed to fit in.
"Man," Sano groaned as he rubbed his neck. "That was grueling. I don't know how Kenshin manages to put up with it."
"Probably the same way that Kaoru and I do," Soujiro responded with a small smile. "Use the same tailor, who already has your measurements and simply order what is needed."
"Huh?" Sano's expression was muddled as he stared up at Soujiro. "Are you telling me that as long as I use the same guy I'll never have to go through that again?"
"As long as you don't lose or gain any major weight, yes." Soujiro uncrossed his arms and looked over at the bedroom door. He could still hear the drumming of the water in the shower. A quick glance at the clock confirmed that Kaoru had been in there for about an hour and a half.
"Does she normally do that?" Sano asked as he nodded at the door.
"Sometimes," Soujiro admitted with a shrug. "Especially if she's had a rough couple of days." He looked over at Sano and smiled slightly, "there was one time when she spent almost 3 hours in the shower."
"That's a very long shower," Sano mused as he looked back at the door. "Don't you think one of us should check on her though? I really don't want to tell Kenshin that we managed to lose her while I was getting fitted for a suit."
"I suppose," Soujiro agreed and moved towards the door but stopped when a knock sounded on the suite doors.
Kenshin Himura was rather pleased with himself. A smile was gracing his lips and his golden eyes danced with pleasure. He had finally tasted his little bird and found her to be full of surprises. There was a passion in her that so far he had only seen when she was playing music. And while he knew that this morning he had taught her to want him, he also knew that she was not going to give him in that easily.
In fact he had a pretty good idea that it was perfectly possible that Kaoru would run the first chance that she got. So he had sent Sano over right after he had gotten back. And Sano had very strict order, Kaoru was not to go anywhere without him. His tone had promised all kinds of hell if his directions weren't followed to the letter.
Aoshi had managed to get a copy of her schedule and all flight information. Kaoru was scheduled to fly out of Tokyo International Airport tomorrow morning. She then had a concert in Paris that evening. Followed by a return flight home to San Diego. Kenshin had spent most of the morning considering that schedule. And how he was going to make sure that she didn't make it home.
He knew that there was nothing he could do about the Paris concert. Kaoru would definitely not be happy if he prevented her from doing that. Kenshin had already made arrangements to go to Paris, with reserved seats for the concert, and informed his team. A house was being prepared even now, with very special instructions.
Kenshin chuckled as he thought of the expression on Kaoru's face when she saw what he had done. His hands steepled together as he rested his elbows on the glossy surface of his desk. There were so many things that he couldn't wait to do Kaoru. But for that he was going to need privacy. A frown crossed his face for the first time that day. Which means that he was going to have to find out a way to get around her father and her bodyguard.
Which brought with an entirely new set of problems. The Wolf was not known to willing give up anything under his protection. That meant that Kenshin had to a) make Saitoh believe that Kaoru was dead, b) have Kaoru come with him willingly, or c) have Saitoh decide that Kaoru was safer with Kenshin. But which one would work better? Kenshin mused.
His thoughtful golden eyes swept his study. Absently noting that the curtains were open, allowing the sunlight to shine in. The wooden floor gleamed in the sunlight; several plush chairs were arranged in front of his desk. Slightly to the right side a large couch was pushed against the wall. There were several bookcases lining the left wall filled with books concerning every subject.
By the time his eyes had traced each feature of his room Kenshin had yet to come up with an answer. There were so many variables to consider. The least of which was Soujiro's and Kaoru's relationship. There were many things about them that made Kenshin uneasy. How close were they? Did Kaoru secretly love Soujiro? But her kiss had proven that she was an innocent in so many ways.
Which made Kenshin believe that their relationship was nothing more than especially close friends. That in turn meant that if Soujiro was harmed in the taking of Kaoru, she would never for give him. And while she was no match for him there were other ways to cause pain. If she didn't kill herself outright over the loss of Soujiro. Who knew exactly how dependent they were on each other.
Of course Sano would be able to observe them in close quarters. And hopefully that would give him some insight. Kenshin's eyes narrowed again as he contemplated the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. His lids dropping halfway and concealing the slumbering fire in his eyes. He was going to take no chances with his little songbird. He was going to observe and plan for each possibility. Until she finally admitted that she was his.
A knock on the door brought a scowl to his face. Before he could order the person away the knob twisted and Aoshi stepped into the room. His dark blue eyes were calm as they met the fire burning in Kenshin's gaze.
"Get out," Kenshin ordered.
"There's a problem," Aoshi informed him coolly.
"So?" Kenshin challenged gruffly. "Handle it."
"It's about Kaoru Kamiya," Aoshi told him emotionlessly, eyes never shifting from Kenshin.
"What about Kaoru?" Kenshin growled from in front of Aoshi. His hand bunching in the fabric of Aoshi's coat.
"She's missing."
Soujiro opened the door with a smile. His blue eyes sparkling pleasantly as he nodded at the man standing in front of him. "Hello Saitoh," he greeted as he stepped back and let him into the room. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to check on Kaoru after her interview this morning," Saitoh told him as he swept by him.
"I expected you earlier," Soujiro told him as he closed the door with a soft click.
"I had things that I needed to do," Saitoh told him dismissingly. His cigarette smoke trailing in the air as he waved his hand. He came to an abrupt stop as his eyes swept the sitting room. "What is he doing here?" Saitoh demanded sharply.
"Battousai sent him over," Soujiro told him easily.
"Why?"
"Kenshin wants her to be protected while she's in Tokyo," Sano told him.
"And he sent you?" Saitoh drawled mockingly as he turned from him. "What would a stupid rooster know about guarding anything?"
"What!" Sano demanded as he started to rise. "I'll have you know…"
"Where's Kaoru?" Saitoh demanded of Soujiro. His voice easily overriding Sano's.
"Taking a shower."
"How long has she been in there?"
"Over an hour."
"Great," Saitoh muttered as he moved across the sitting room floor. "One of those showers. I should have killed the Battousai years ago." He opened the bedroom door and headed for the bathroom door.
The shower was running in the bathroom and Saitoh could feel the steam and moisture as he stood just outside of the door. It was obvious that his daughter was troubled. She always headed for water or the dojo when she was having trouble making sense of everything. With no dojo here it meant that she would have to either swim or take a long shower.
Kaoru didn't like to swim with a lot of people around. Too competitive and driven. He sighed softly and knocked on the door. No answer. He frowned and knocked louder. Still no answer. "Kaoru?" He called through the door, hoping that she would respond to his voice. Nothing.
He stepped back and scanned the room. Her suitcases were lying open on the bed, clothes and toiletries jumped and heaped in both. His eyebrow flicked upward in surprise. Kaoru was very particular when it came to packing and neatness. Obviously his little girl was very upset. He turned back towards the bathroom door and took a deep breath. "Kaoru?" He called again. "Open up. Don't make me go and get your mother," he threatened.
Still no reply. A feeling of dread was slowly spreading through him. His hand tried the knob and found that it was locked. His mouth tightened as he contemplated his options. He could try and wait her out, which could take hours, break down the door and have a shrieking female on his hands or he could make Soujiro do it. A smirk crossed Saitoh's features as he pondered that option.
"Soujiro," Saitoh called. "Kaoru had locked herself in the bathroom. Come and get her out."
"Me?" Soujiro's voice was fearful and face pale as he stepped into the bedroom. "You want me to drag her out of the bathroom?"
"Yes." Saitoh's voice was commanding as he waved at the door. "I want to speak with her."
"Why don't you do it?" Soujiro asked as he moved hesitantly towards the door.
"Because I told you to do it?" Saitoh drawled musingly as he sat on the bed. "Yes I do believe that is why I am not doing it."
Soujiro glared at Saitoh for a moment before knocking on the bathroom door. "Miss Kaoru it's time to come out." Silence. "Miss Kaoru are you all right?" Nothing. "Miss Kaoru?" He looked over his shoulder at Saitoh who simply waved his hand at him, still smoking his cigarette. Soujiro turned to face the door again, his hand now grasping the door knob firmly.
"Let me," Sano told him and muscled Soujiro out of the way. "It'll take you forever and I'm not going to get blamed by Kenshin if jou-chan passed out in there." Without any effort at all Sano crushed the doorknob and its locking mechanism. The door swung open easily and all of them peered inside cautiously.
An empty room met their gazes. The shower was running but the curtain was open to show the empty tub. Droplets of water splashed onto the bathmat placed outside the tub. Three pairs of eyes closed and a whispered word emerged from all of their throats at once.
"Damn."
A/N: Well there is another chapter. I really hope it was worth the wait. I just got back from my vacation and have been working non stop on this chapter. I have also got a couple new ideas and those first chapters should be up by this weekend. But don't hold me to it. I'll try to be more regular on updating this one. I really hope you enjoyed it. Remember to let me know what you think.