Wow I am so sorry about this delay for those of you who care I didn't die obviously. If only I could use the force to fix my computer "Be one with your emailing system". Anyway, for those of you reading this here is the long awaited chapter ten. In addition, before you say anything no he didn't have a shovel. I also wish to apologize to all garlic salt lovers. U GUYS ROCK!

The price of turmoil

Chapter ten:

Rain ran down Aoshi's face; into his eyes his mouth, he did his best to ignore it for he had to finish the task at hand. Flashes of lightning illuminated his gruesome task; with his bare hand, he was digging a grave. It would be over soon, as the ground was wet, even so the mud that he worked with gathered in clumps under his nails. It didn't have to be deep.

"Just deep enough" he muttered. Before long, it was deep enough for him to place their unfortunate host in. Why did this particular killing haunt him so badly? He had killed many some more naive than this. Was he losing his nerve?

Even as he stood a wave of dizziness dropped him to one knee. No, he couldn't give in to weakness, if he did the Battosai, would find them. Struggling to his feet, he staggered over to where Mr. Durham lay, and with all the nerves in his body tingling, he picked up the corpse and deposited it roughly in the grave. Now he had to recover it. Methodically he began to shift the mud with his feet each swipe made the earth more level. Before long, the torso was covered then the head, which he had saved for, last. Kneeling down he closed the mans mouth, which still held that horrible look of pity. So cold he shuddered. With one final swipe, his view was obscured by mud.

He sighed now he could begin to forget. Now to take care of his minx she had better be ready they couldn't spend to long here, no matter how nice it was. Raising his eyes heavenward he thanked the rain, which poured it, would not slow down him or Kaoru, nor the Battosai but it would stop Kenshin he smirked. Slowly he rose to his feet but an extreme attack of vertigo threw him off balance. He barely had time to put his arm out to break the fall. What was wrong with him he had removed the bullets and protected the wound against infection was this guilt? Somewhere in the haze of a spinning world he thought he heard someone cry his name "Aoshi" then his world began to go black around the edges.

Kaoru stood in the doorway watching Aoshi collapse. "No" she cried "Aoshi" why couldn't he have done this earlier when she actually had wanted to escape. Escape she could do it now. However, as she eyed the pitiful form before her she knew that she wouldn't she couldn't leave him like this and besides there was no way she could face Kenshin now. God she had been a fool fawning over Kenshin, tears collected in her eyes she would have followed him to hell and back. Oh, now she would never have him but she would hurt him, as much if not more than he had hurt her. With a new determination, she crossed to where Aoshi lay.

Kneeling down she winced thinking of her kimono. "Aoshi"she whispered. "Come on wake up I can't carry you". Fear crossed her mind as she say how pale he was (not that he wasn't always pale) tentatively she placed her good hand to his forehead. Well his temperature was fine…she guessed. Then abruptly she remembered his limp had he been bitten during the wolverine attack back then she hadn't cared, and she didn't really now. Besides, she was sure that he knew how to take care of himself. She jumped a little as he moaned. Cautiously she leaned closer. She had to admit he was cute when he was like this utterly disheveled she could do without the vulnerability though. She was beginning to feel the stirrings of a foreign emotion could it be…lust. He moaned again. "Aoshi" she whispered. Suddenly his hand snaked out gripping her own she cried as she could feel a mixture of blood and pus oozing from her wound.

"Please", she gasped, "let go".

Slowly the world was coming back into focus "please let go". Kaoru? Confusion causing his head to reel; what was the minx doing out here why hadn't she escaped? Looking into her face, he was wrought with guilt; tears ran freely, down her face her hair was as wet as her kimono soaked through the latter plastering to her skin. Each curve each pucker visible. She was beautiful. Reluctantly he released her hand.

Shivering she cradled her hand. They had to get inside. "Come on" he gestured towards the house. Grunting he attempted to raise himself it was a shock for him to realize that his arms were trembling. Somehow, he managed to get onto his knees. He was ashamed to admit it; but there was no way he could walk on his condition. Seeming to realize his predicament Kaoru placed her hands onto his bare arms (his coats gone remember) her blood running with the rain. Smiling gently, they rose together she was straining a bit under his weight but that was a small price to pay for revenge. As soon as they reached the doorframe, he held it for support allowing her to enter first.

The house pleased him immensely it was quaint a thing rarely found in modern architecture. It was then that he started the room was no longer spinning whatever it was seemed to have past. Shrugging it off he moved to explore the cupboards. As he opened them he noted that they were hand carved, bandages that meant that he could properly care for his leg and Kaoru. Moving along FOOD how long had it been since he'd eaten, say the minx could probably cook. He would bandage her hand then she would cook for him. Swiftly he grabbed the dressings and went to find Kaoru.

To his surprise, he found her sitting silently in a chair while the door remained open. What was this? Ah so she thought that she could build up his trust so she could run well it wouldn't work. Moving to her, he took her hand and began binding it. To her credit, she did not cry out. From the redness of the wound, he would have to careful of infection. Looking up he found her staring at his chest (he was wearing that tight black shirt mmm). Smirking with his eyes, he used his fingers to gently tilt her head till it was looking into his eyes.

"Minx…get into the kitchen and cook if you value your life". To his annoyance, she laughed.

"Oh Aoshi san." He cut her off his voice dripping with venom.

"I am not nor will I ever be Aoshi san I am your captor and once you have outlived your usefulness I will do away with you". "Now go cook and don't try anything funny". Keeping her eyes to the floor Kaoru fled the room. Sighing Aoshi set to work on his leg wounds.

Food stood before Kaoru it stood silently blatantly mocking her. She didn't even know what half of this stuff was. Garlic salt what in the world would you use garlic salt for. Aoshi wasn't a vampire (or is he). Her hand throbbed and a tad of red could be seen already it would have to be changed soon. She had to admit his words had shaken her. Well maybe it had been a tad to soon to add a title at the end of his name. Oh, how would she ever get him to fall for her?

Well it certainly it wouldn't be through her cooking. Groaning she gathered together the ingredients, she needed to make rice balls. As long as he didn't die, after the first bite, it would be ok. Besides, he was hurt, he couldn't be that hungry.

Before long they were simmering, well they looked ok and smelt ok but she didn't really want to taste it. Sighing she knew that they were done.

"Um… Aoshi she called dinners ready". With all the dignity she could muster, she began to portion out the food. "Well I guess its time to face my destiny", and with that she went out to serve Aoshi.

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Megumi removed Kenshin's hand from her face. "Kenshin I can't let you do this".

"Oro?"

"I mean", she continued oblivious to his obvious confusion she continued, "Kaoru loves you". Kenshin frowned he knew that; but she was so impulsive. He knew that she would eventually, outgrow him.

"I know and I care for her; and I swear if Aoshi has harmed her in any way the tales of my days as the Battosai shall be relived". Eyes alight with rage he took his blade and sliced down a young sapling.

A.N

Will Kaoru gain magical cooking skills can she seduce Aoshi, will Kenshin ever catch up with them?" find out in the next installment of (echoing) The price of turmoil. I promise to update sooner. For those of you who read this story I thank you. Please review I love all reviews