Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Rurouni Kenshin… dreams can only go so far. ^_~
I was blown away by all the reviews… and here I was only expecting three of them… thanks! You've made me a very, very happy girl!
Chapter 3
*I feel sorry for the fool who tries anything while I'm around…* With his hand firmly holding the hilt of his sword, he stepped around the corner and…
stood still at seeing a sight nothing short of breathtaking.
Drawing water from the well was the young Kamiya, with her long dark hair draped over one shoulder, shimmering under the dwindling twilight. She moved gracefully, filling a cup full of water before raising it to her lips to drink. He heard her sigh in relief, the water having satisfied her late night thirst. Yet she didn't move away like he had planned (or hoped), instead she lingered, leaning a hand against the side of the well. She filled the silence by softly humming a song, one that Kenshin hadn't heard before.
His hand slid off of his sword as he debated with himself whether or not to make his presence known. Letting out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, he stepped forward softly, not wanting to startle her from her beautiful song. He watched as she swept up her hair away from her neck, revealing the soft skin to the touch of the moonlight.
Kenshin swallowed at the sight. The first complete thought to come to his mind in over a couple of minutes was one word, *…beautiful.*
She stayed put for another minute or so until she finished her song and got up to refill her cup before heading back to bed. But in the middle of her first stride her head snapped in the direction off to her left. She had heard something, she was sure of it…
Kenshin silently cursed himself for not watching his footing as he stepped behind him to make his getaway. He then glared at what it was he stepped on. *Stupid twig, getting in my way like that…* He held his breath when he heard Kaoru's footsteps approaching. He plastered himself against the wall, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Sadly, it didn't work.
Her mouth wide and ready for screaming was quickly yet gently covered by a hand not her's.
"Miss Kaoru, don't be alarmed. It's just me Kenshin." Her eyes lost their surprise and narrowed as he removed his hand from her mouth.
"What, might I ask, are you doing up so late?" Her face softened as she saw him run a hand through his hair, noting the way it pooled around and over his shoulders when let down.
"I am very sorry Miss Kaoru, that I am. I didn't mean to startle you." He saw her shift her weight onto one foot, crossing her arms, expecting something more from him. Remembering the question he offered another apology. "Oh, um… I couldn't sleep." He saw her ease up, her arms dropping and hands folding together out of sympathy.
"Was it the bed? I told my father to get a new futon, yet he wouldn't listen to me even though…"
"No, Miss Kaoru." Kenshin held up his hands to dispel her worries. "The futon was wonderful, the most comfortable I've slept on in years." She smiled at his response, waiting for more of an explanation. "My mind wouldn't allow me to enjoy it, that's all. I think too much sometimes…"
"What is it you think about?" Kaoru asked, her eyes showing genuine concern. Kenshin was amazed at the honesty they held, after all, they had just met some odd hours ago. He smiled, taking comfort in her sincerity.
"I'm afraid they aren't thoughts that I like having…" Kaoru simply nodded her understanding. Taking a few steps she waved at him to follow.
"Thinking too much can be a curse. But an ear willing to listen can ease away that feeling sometimes." The smile she sent his way made it's way to his heart, touching it in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.
"I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to talk to anyone like this in years." Kenshin heard her laugh softly, turning around to meet his gaze.
"Well, we'll just have to make up for lost time, I guess." She spun on her heal lightly, continuing to lead the way. Kenshin just shook his head in amazement at the girl in front of him.
They reached the porch and sat down in the darkness. Tucking her night time robe around her to secure more warmth, Kaoru began the conversation.
"So, what's been troubling you, Mr. Himura?"
"Kenshin, call me Kenshin." He said lightly, his voice soft and comfortable.
She looked away toward the yard, not taking the chance of him seeing her blush, even if it was dark.
"Okay, Kenshin…"
"So you want to hear of my thoughts, do you?" A bitter laugh followed, tired yet heavy with what Kaoru recognized as… pain, something she knew all too well.
"Yes, Kenshin, I do… only if you are willing to share them." Kenshin saw her get comfortable leaning against one of the posts from the porch, folding her hands neatly on her lap and facing him.
"They're thoughts of the past, my past. Something ugly and frightening at times… continues to be so even for me." He paused, glancing over at Kaoru as seeing her just as attentive as before. He moved his eyes to the ground again, the moonlight just as far from touching him as it was before… but now it looked to be even farther.
"I lived a life quite contrary to the one I live now. As a young boy I grew up only to see my parents slain before my very eyes… The eyes of a child retain their innocence until they see the evil present in another's heart. So was the case with me."
Kaoru held back the tears at hearing of his childhood or lack there of. His childhood had been stolen from him, and Kaoru's heart broke at hearing such a thing. Her eyes never left his face, shadowed behind his long hair, yet she knew of the pain etched within his eyes.
"Can it be true?" He asked all of a sudden, causing Kaoru to frown slightly.
"What is this 'it' you speak of, Kenshin?" She said, confused at where his question came from.
"Wielding a sword to simply protect others. The way your father said it made it seem so easy."
"It is." Kaoru answered, her eyes moving to look down at her hands. Upon raising them she met a pair of eyes staring intently into hers, searching out her soul for the meaning behind her simple answer.
"No evil…" His words were hushed, and his eyes downcast following the receding moonlight as it disappeared into the silent shadows of the night.
He felt a slight twitch in his right hand, it drawing his eyes to look at his upturned palms. Just as soon as his eyes fell on them his skin started changing color, a bruised shade covering the once soft tan of his hands. His breath started to come in faster with the increasing beats of his heart. Was what he was seeing real? His head began to feel light as beads sweat collected on his brow, yet the whole time he couldn't take his eyes away from his hands… especially after what he saw next. Something wet glistened on them, too dark and thick to be perspiration, yet there it was, seeping out of his very own pores. *Blood…not your own, but their blood,* his mind told him. Squeezing his eyes shut he tried controlling his breathing, telling himself that what he'd seen was nothing but an illusion.
Kaoru had watched Kenshin shut his eyes, the same eyes that were clouded with what looked to be… fear? What had this incredibly skillful man to fear, she wondered.
Worried, she quietly scooted closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. Startled and panic stricken violet quickly met compassionate blue, his eyes softening as she held his gaze. Remembering where he was, Kenshin saw the hand on his shoulder. His expression calmed greatly and to reassure Kaoru that he was okay he reached over and gently squeezed her hand, offering her a soft, genuine smile.
Relieved at his smile, Kaoru sat back, sitting on her legs.
Kenshin stood from his spot on the porch. "I believe we should call it a night, that I do." In return he received a pout, the young lady not agreeing with his words.
"No, you are mistaken Kenshin… I don't want to go to bed now that we've been talking."
"Thank you for lending me your ear, Miss Kaoru." He smiled. " Yet I don't wish to impart any more of my sad past onto your shoulders. I wish to bear these memories on my heart alone, a sign of repentance." The last words were once again whispered, and Kaoru wondered if he was for her to hear. His face was hidden once again from her view, his eyes turned to the far side of the courtyard walls.
"It was my pleasure to listen, Kenshin. Especially if it eased your mind for the night." She said, her hands twisting the material from her night robe. "As for repentance I see you aren't the man you used to be… the painful lifestyle you've lived through is no more." Her words were wise and a little unexpected all the same.
Kenshin turned around, surprise and awe written on his face. *How did she know… does she know that I used to be…?* The smile with which he had been greeted was inviting and comfortable, easing away the worries her words had risen. Her smile was something Kenshin found himself drawn to, causing him the chuckle lightly and sit again.
"You win, Miss Kaoru. We'll stay just a little while longer if you wish." Kaoru beamed in her victory and the two of them began a conversation that continued until just before dawn broke.
The rest of the night slipped away rather quickly and Kenshin woke to find something weighing against his left shoulder. Lifting his sleepy eyes he made out a head of black hair nestled against his arm.
Sometime during the night a cat jumped out of a bush near the porch, scaring Kaoru enough to cause her to move right next to Kenshin, close enough for her arm to brush up against his. He tried disguising his laughter with a fake cough but to no avail. Kaoru pouted again, and turned her head away from him at having been laughed at. They spoke some more and somewhere around the issue of the new way available to travel, steam locomotives, they had fallen asleep with his head against the top of his sword's hilt and her head against his shoulder.
He looked at her and silently admired how peaceful she looked when asleep. Slowly, as to not awake her, Kenshin braced her against himself as he secured his sword at his waist, picking her up in his arms as he too got up. Walking down the hall of the house Kenshin realized he didn't know where Kaoru's room was. He stopped near his room and just stood there, exhaustion slowing down his thinking process. A soft moan shook him from his thoughts and he felt Kaoru stir in his arms. Half lidded eyes met his and Kaoru mumbled something he couldn't make out. He decided to ask her herself where her room was.
"Miss Kaoru, which room is yours?" Stifling a long yawn, he let her down on her feet, keeping a hand at her back in case she fell. She led the way to her room, Kenshin's hand ready to steady her if she needed. With uneasy steps she made it to her room and slid the door open. Turning around she stood there with her mouth open as if to tell Kenshin something. Not knowing what she wanted to say she quickly closed it with a frown instead.
"It is morning, so good morning would be accurate." She smiled at his words, nodding sleepily in agreement.
"Good morning then, Ken…" she yawned, "shin…" With a slightly dopey smile she slid her door closed. Kenshin turned to walk back to his own room when he heard a large thump come from within Kaoru's room followed by a muffled moan of comfort. The rurouni smiled at the sound, and headed to rest his eyes for another hour or so on the most comfortable futon he'd slept on in years.
A/N: Hi there! Thanks for continuing to read this story… I hope you liked it! I'm sorry about not updating a little sooner. I would have had it up last night but I was having computer trouble… but here it is, at the end of the week like I promised *sheepish grin*. Reviews, please?
I started college this past Thursday and it was insane! I'm happy about my classes yet I do have a lot of reading and studying to do for them… so I'm hoping that it doesn't slow down how fast I write and get the next chapters up. Anyhoo, all the reviews were awesome! They totally helped lift me out of the funk I was in this past week. As I've said in the past, you guys ROCK!! Ciao~ The Honorable Gucci