I am so sorry about this atrociously long delay. But I failed geography and then there was this thing with these two guys and I'm still trying to sort it out. Anyway enough about that. Thanks for the reviews and for reading this story. Anyway I've rambled on long enough. Enjoy the story.

The price of turmoil

Chapter nine:

"Oh he had better buy me a new kimono", she moaned, as she crawled across the terrain. Soon she found herself in front of him. "Aoshi", she whispered. Tentatively she waved her hand in front of his face. Not even a blink. His eyes were like two vacant holes. Without meaning to, she found herself starring into them so empty she shivered. She felt as if they were drawing her in. She gasped as her stare was broken by a blink. 'Wait this is my chance.' Grinning she wanted nothing more than to give him a parting slap. She raised her hand.

"I better not", she murmured, "but I owe you one". She scrambled to her feet determined not to look back. 'He really was pathetic'. Just lying there. Each step felt harder then the last; her mind was screaming allegations of cruelty at her. "Shut up" she shrieked. "Oh no"! She had spoken aloud, she heard Aoshi stir behind her; without backward glance she bolted.

Aoshi screamed trapped in the prison that was his mind. Faces floated before him, friends, enemies, all gone now. How long must he suffer, would being sorry, really make a difference. A name pierced the horror unfolding before his eyes. "Aoshi", his name, was being spoken by a feminine voice. The minx, his mind snapped into action why hadn't she left she had had all the time that she needed. Slowly his vision cleared she was hesitating her profile perfect against the darkening sky. In one swift movement his was on his feet, his leg still throbbed but it was bearable. He heard her gasp and bolt. No, he had come to far to lose her now. "Kaoru", he called her name in a kind of desperation. It had the desired affect she turned. Quickly he unsheathed his sword and hurled it at her hand.

She saw it coming, why had she turned around. She felt it enter her hand. She was beyond pain, it burned, her mouth was open but no sound came out. She felt a hand over mouth a voice imploring her to be still. A whoosh sound and her hand was free.

Aoshi winced at the size of the wound and the pain in her eyes. Why did she have to resist? He didn't want to hurt her. The assassin knelt down and wrapped his arm around her legs lifting her from the ground. Cradling her in his arms like an infant. Her body tensed then relaxed. It felt as if she had been made to sit in his arms. Her hair was soft it felt like silk against his arms her skin so moist. Her lips were shut and trembling he remembered their kiss by the tree. Why shouldn't he kiss her again now?

"No" he hissed. She was his enemy's lover. Suddenly her face transformed into that of the Battosai with hatred etched on his features he raised his hand and delivered a powerful slap on her cheek. The sound rang while his hand tingled. However, before she could scream he covered her mouth with a passionate kiss.

Kaoru went limp she didn't know how to respond. His lips sough hers with an animal like desperation. Without meaning to, she responded her lips parted to admit his tongue. Pleasure laced through her, her back arched. His hand cupped her bosom.

'No I will not be violated', her mind screamed. With a twinkle in her eye, she bit down hard. She felt the warmth that was his blood pored into her mouth, he moaned, leaning against her, and it filled her with a sadistic feeling of pleasure.

Megumi stared at the gruesome heads before her. Not one bore the terrible mask of pain. It was all too much; Kenshin's brutal regime and all the shock.

"Kenshin", she called, "we have to rest look its going to rain they'll have to find shelter." Sure enough, began to rain, gently but steadily. It plastered their hair to their heads. A fair ways off Kenshin stood, brooding he could not continue to ignore their need for sustenance and rest. The words chocked him yet he forced them out.

"We'll camp out here till morning after all were catching up". As he spoke, a lone tear slid down his cheek disguised by the falling rain.

Megumi rose, and touched his arm. "Don't worry we'll find her". Smiling he rubbed his hand down her cheek.

"Ah still got some fight left haven't you my little minx" his words were slightly slurred.

"Don't call me that," she snapped. 'I'm not a little anything'. The rain was making her kimono cling to her body, in what must have been a provocative manner.

"Please lets just go in," she implored. Why was she bargaining with him?

"And forgot our kind host" he gestured toward Mr. Durham. Setting her down, he smirked at her. "Grab his legs". She did so with a heavy feeling of revulsion. "Ugh" she moaned. He gave a chuckle "and you say that you run a dojo".

"Yeah well people don't usually die at my dojo." This elicited a full-blown laugh from her captor.

Her hand was numb and couldn't close properly. "I'll treat your hand when we get inside." Despite everything, she was grateful, for his kindness.

Aoshi knew that he was hauling most of the weight; but at least this kept her occupied. He was doing his utmost to forget the kiss but the throbbing of his tongue was a sharp reminder. Before long, they had crossed the threshold. (They left the body on the doorstep) The manor while majestic on the outside had a quaint feeling on the inside. It was mostly earthy colors. With a colorful bowl or cushion here or there. For a moment, he imagined living here, with the minx, what an odd though. A small squeak made him round on the girl.

"You go bath and if you pull another stunt it will be your foot with a sword through it." With that, he went make sure their tracks were properly hidden.

Kaoru watched his receding form before setting off to explore her new surroundings. The stairs were endless all perfectly carved. It was easy to lose yourself, in the décor. Durham, must have entertained often.

Somehow, she wound up on the roof, with winds whipped through her hair. She raised her hand over her eyes a lone object inhabited the roof. A telescope she hurriedly looked through it. 'Maybe I'll find Kenshin'. Adjusting the lens, she looked aimed at the forest. Through the foliage, she struggled to find anything. Suddenly her eyes fell on a cave she could make out Kenshin she'd know him anywhere; and no her hand rose to cover her mouth. Megumi and Kenshin no staggered backwards. She wasn't up to speed; maybe it had been her imagination. Maybe it was just trees or animals. However, it wasn't long before her shock gave way to anger. Maybe she had seen the truth. (Mood swings)

"So I'm that easily forgotten, well I can forget him just as quickly. "He'll, pay and it's a good thing I have the tool to exact my revenge right here". Smirking she walked to the roofs edge and gazed down at her soon to be lover Aoshi.

Oh will they get together did she even see Kenshin? What time is it?

All these questions and more will be answered in chapter ten.

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