Hi, wow, it's been ages. Loyal fans, thank you for sticking with this story. Through all its quirks, and bad grammar (Oscar music plays) Ok enough of that. After such a long wait, I should just get right to the story. So, without further ado, here is chapter eleven.

The Price of Turmoil

Chapter eleven:

Yahiko sat perfectly still, oblivious to the mud forming around him. Before him stood, some bloody leaves. He knew the blood belonged to the heads; but it made him think of Kaoru. He just wanted to see her again, he would be nice, and eat all her food; he just had to see her again.

"Hey guys", came Sanosuke's voice, "I found a cave".

"Thank god", breathed Megumi. The last think they needed was the young one getting sick, from inadequate shelter.

Rising slowly, Yahiko trudged after the others, hoping that the rain would stop, that he'd wake up in bed, and that this whole thing had never happened.

Meanwhile

Kaoru wondered for the twelfth time whether she should have added oregano to her food. Once again, she decided on no, since she had no clue, what oregano was.

Definition Break: Oregano, a spice used to season food

Trembling slightly, she entered the sitting room. At least she assumed it was, due to all the chairs. She gasped as she saw him. He had pulled the legs of his pants up, not a hard task seeing as they were in tatters. His legs were puffy and discolored, pus oozed, from his numerous wounds. How had he functioned like this? She felt a leap of admiration for him. 'He must be in horrible pain.' Setting down her tray, she hurried back into the kitchen, and filled a bowl with water. Lukewarm, searching her mind, she attempted; to remember any first aid she could.

Aoshi tore away the extra shreds of fabric, from his pants. He hardly noticed, when the minx, came and sat down next to him. He hissed as he felt wet fabric connect with his inflamed skin. She was washing his wounds; he hadn't asked her to do that.

"Thank…you…Kaoru", his breath hitched in between each word. He felt it was prudent to thank her; two could play at the game of trust. She blushed at the use of her name. Gently she moved the cloth up and down. Part of her was terrified; by how perfect the moment felt, as if they were the only people that mattered. How long had he had these wounds, they were small circular, and deep. She had never seen anything like them before.

"How did you get these, I've never seen anything like them". He gave a bitter laugh

"Yes, well consider yourself lucky". "I though I told you to make food". Immediately the cloth fell from her hands.

"I did its over on the…", she didn't want him eating her gunk, not while he was sick.

"Well what are you waiting for?" "Feed me minx!" Furious she rose and grabbed her tray. 'Well he can gunk it up, happy eating jerk-boy'. Out load, she said.

"Here you go". An evil gleam in her eye she watched, as he raised her typical looking rice balls to his mouth. Smirking, she lowered her head to look at his leg, waiting for his reaction.

"Umm, this isn't bad, not bad at all".

"What", she cried staring at him. "You like my cooking". He laughed at her exclamation.

"Why?" "Shouldn't I?" "Has the Battosai been telling you that you can't cook?"

"Yes…because I can't, how sick are you".

"You mustn't listen to that failure of a Hitokiri, your cooking is absolutely adequate". Despite herself, Kaoru filled with pride. Somebody appreciated her culinary skill. (That wasn't much of a compliment) Humming she began to bandage his leg.

Meanwhile (back with the poor people trapped outside)

"A cave", they all exclaimed in unison. It had taken them off their course; but being dry was too appealing to pass up. Kenshin found that his rage had fled with his energy. He had completely underestimated Aoshi, the man was a machine, and he couldn't even bare to think of what he must have done to Kaoru. Suddenly Yahiko's laugher rang through the forest.

"I'm sorry its just there's this plant thing, that looks exactly like Kenshin's hair". "Oh and look this tree in the corner looks like Megumi"

"Humph", came Megumi's reply.

"With the wind blowing like this it looks like their kissing". For a few moments, there was silence, then the whole company burst out laughing; sharing their first relaxed moment all day.

Aoshi stared down at the crown of black hair, as it worked hard ministering to him. Suddenly he hated her; he didn't deserve to be treated with such kindness. Using his foot, he pushed backwards. Unprepared she flew backwards, knocking over a tea table in the process.

"What the hell's your problem", she shrieked.

"Shut up", he snapped back. Kaoru sighed in frustration, not feeling the least bit scared, if he had planned to kill her he would have already. It was so tiring, for every step she took forward, she took two steps back. In front of her, he was doing a shoddy job of finishing his dressings. She began to crawl forward; after all, they both wanted the same thing to hurt Kenshin.

Moving up between his legs, she took the bandages from his hands. Unsure of how to proceed, she tilted her head towards his.

"So you're not only a minx you're also a whore", he smirked, pulling her closer. If this was what she wanted who was he to deny her. Kaoru knew that he didn't mean it badly.

"I told you I'm not with Kenshin", she gasped as he pulled her into a tender kiss. Aoshi had never felt so perfectly content. His worth wasn't an issue here, neither were her intentions. All that mattered was the chemistry, the passion, the sex. Roughly, his hand snaked up her kimono, cupping her breast. She moaned already floating in a sea of pleasure. Impatiently he threw her to on the couch. Now another kiss, harder, he ground into her, eliciting a groan of pleasure. Forget Kenshin I want him, this wasn't about revenge anymore, this was about fate. Leaning into him she whispered, two words.

"Take me", grinning he obliged and this time there was no one there to interrupt them.

A.N

How was that, not too steamy, not to plain. I know this chapter was a bit slow, but I had to build an atmosphere. (So, sue me)

So please review, we all know I love reviews.