Fanfic by blueroseulan

Standard disclaimers Apply! RK doesn't belong to em!

AN: Here it is, the second chapter… I hope you guys like it! On with the story!

DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!

Previously:

She could only nod whilst he looped his arm tightly around her waist and leapt away from the high window. Kaoru had never even dared in her wildest dreams to use the skylight, as means of escape for it was far too elevated. And as they landed with a heavy thud on the ground, the prostitute could not help but feel grateful, indebted and… drawn to the man?

There was a spring nearby for Kaoru could hear water in her senses. Panic overcame her when she saw his retreating figure.

"Where are you going?" she asked her voice thick with alarm and urgency.

"To the spring. Comeback there an hour before daybreak. I will take you back."

He was gone after then. And she was left alone, standing in the middle of a forest glade.

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CHAPTER 2:

What do I do? He said to do the things I want… what I can't… but what do I do?

She was more than confused. Her mind blank and un- registering no other facts.

Finally, she thought on taking a walk. Her steps starting with a slow pace, uncaring with what direction it took. Her mind suddenly became filled with different thoughts, her chest becoming heavy with emotions. Her breathing became ragged as her slow paced steps soon became rapid and panicked. She was running, though she never felt her feet touch the ground or the wet trails of tears tracing her cheeks. She was crying, for no apparent reason, but soon, she collapsed to the ground, sobbing with face buried on her palms.

She cried because that was what she wanted to do.

She cried because crying wasn't permitted inside the teahouse.

She cried because of the men who had touched her body countless of times.

She cried over the lost innocence and purity, her chastity and morality forever robbed.

She cried because she hated the woman she had become, hated her profession, hated the way she was used and manipulated.

She cried because of how dirty she had become. A woman eternally soiled and unclean. Filthy in the eyes of men, disgusting in the eyes of women.

How many times? How many men? A dozen? Fifty? A hundred? How many? How many more?

She could no longer feel her tears or the sharp stings of the protruding twigs around her. She was slowly numbing, her cries and her world, becoming a distant noise far from her sensitive ears. She was alone, trapped inside the devil of the world she had created for herself.

And then the demons began their attack.

It was nothing literal truly. For her mind was the one responsible for creating such foolish hallucinations. Yet in her eyes, they seem so real, so threatening that Kaoru could only shy away, clawing at her skin in a desperate attempt to banish the cruel visions she bade for herself. Nails leaving red marks and scars on her once smooth skin, the pain it dealt her made her further lead on to the idea that devils were hurting her, the nightmares and memories coming back to haunt her.

Amidst the waves of torment and suffering she felt in her heart, Kaoru screamed high in the heavens above, her cry reverberating in the deepest darkest parts of the forest.

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The Hitokiri Battousai was abruptly jolted awake from his light slumber upon hearing the shrill scream that sounded in his ears. He was up in a flash; Running towards the direction of the voice, very well knowing that it belonged to her.

At first, she was nowhere to be found. Even with his combined speed and agility, the assassin could not find the source of the voice as he desperately searched for the woman. Fearful of what had happened to her. He could feel no other ki in the woods ad he could tell she was very near him. Very near, but still far from his grasp…

Finally, he found her concealed by a rounded azalea bush, body curled in a fetal position, her shoulders heaving with sobs, and mouth tumbling with incoherent noise. No sooner had he reached her did she once again start to claw at herself, desperately trying to wash away the dirt and impurity of her soul.

He was uncertain how to act. Do I call her? Do I just stand here and do nothing? Or do I hold her and quiet her fears? Logically, the man knew that the latter proved to be the far best among the trio of his choices. It was better to comfort her rather than to stand idle beside her. No, that would not do. And besides, he had to stop her clawing lest she further injured herself.

It proved far difficult than he expected. She appeared to be stronger for a person having possessed a small stature. Finally succeeding in cradling her in his arms while he sat on the grass, he wrapped his free arm around her waist while the other struggled to stop her hands from clawing at her skin. Mumbling silent words at her ear, the assassin was more than uncomfortable in the situation. It was his first time to hold someone. Much less a girl. Of course he had, but now, he felt something a deeper connection with this woman they call Bluerose.

After awhile, she had finally calmed down and she opened her glassy blue orbs to stare directly in his cool amber ones. If Kaoru felt any fear, she certainly didn't show it. The woman was far too exhausted and far too drained to even think about propriety and how close their bodies were pressed. All she could think of is how thankful she was, to have someone comfort her in her most desperate times of need.

The swordsman couldn't even depict the number of emotions that swam in her eyes, but he was sure he saw relief and gratitude yet before he could even speak, she had thrown her arms around his neck and buried her head in the muscular form of his chest, murmuring a string of thank-you's. He was astonished to say and a reluctant hand crept to stroke the small of her back. It was not long after though, did he feel her tension slacken and he realized that she had either dropped unconscious, or rather fallen asleep in his arms.

She found herself waking up on her own futon that morning. Rubbing her sore head as memories of last night came rushing back to her mind. Images of the man standing on her room, flinging both of them towards the forest. Visions of herself, crying, clawing at her own skin and the feel of touch and comfort as he stroked her in the back. Kaoru couldn't help but smile inspite of the headache she felt that was soon coming. Still surprised over the behavior of the man, she knew from what she had heard from men that the Hitokiri Battousai was a ruthless cold-hearted killer, who held neither mercy nor compassion in his heart. He was the most prized assassin of the Ishinshishi and he killed to bring a new era.

She met a totally different person last night.

She was sure it was him. It had to be him. The unmistakable cross scar in his cheek, the flaming red hair and his cool amber eyes the other whores swoon about was still clearly etched deep in her mind. And forever it will be… The man she met was kind and compassionate, gentle, and comforting… if not a bit awkward? Though he tried to cover it with a monotonous tone and an impassive face, she could clearly see that he pitied her.

Kamiya Kaoru frowned at the thought.

Of all the things she loathed, pity was the most she hated.

I do not need his pity.

Yeah. Her self-pity was enough on her list.

Further maddened at the thought, she stood up and kicked the covers away from her legs rather violently, donning a simple kimono, fully intending to busy herself with her chores to forget about the strange man.

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It would be weird saying, but even though the woman felt angered with her thoughts that morning; Kaoru could not help but wish and crane her elegant neck amidst the crowd in search for a particular flame haired man. Eyes roaming whilst she did her graceful dance, she felt her heart beat wildly against her chest when she spotted the familiar figure obscured in a dark corner, his eyes focused intently on her dancing form. Doing so much even hasten her number, Kaoru could only wish for nothing more than to join him, to thank him for what he has done.

Finally finishing her dance, she immediately hurried towards his direction, almost carelessly forgetting to walk gracefully, her steps falling into a pitter-patter movement. Careful not to draw attention for herself, she approached him with a flushed face, a gentle smile carved on her lips.

His eyes roved on her panting form, eyes sweeping over the fall of her kimono and to her bosom heaving in panted breaths.

"Battousai-san?"

He looked up to acknowledge her form, face red with the creeping blush.

"A—Arigatou… for last night…"

He could only nod, a small smile lighting his face before he suddenly grabbed her arm and led the surprised woman in the hidden recesses of the room where Maeba sat, counting money in a small table.

"Wha—what are you doing!" she whispered, eyes wide as saucer teacups, mouth pouted in a lovely frown.

His tone betrayed no emotion.

"Simple. I'm, having you again for tonight."

"Bu-but you can't!"

An eyebrow rose with her statement. "And why can't I?"

"Because you'll go poor. That's why."

Shaking his head he continued to half drag her towards the direction of the old woman. Dropping a heavy bag of money in front of the table, both watched as Maeba counted the coins with a look of growing satisfaction on her face.

Finally, she nodded; giving her permission to the man she thought would bed the Bluerose. Scant moments after, the leaving couple heard a famous politician mouth off in the background.

"And why can't I have her! I'm going to pay so why can't I have her tonight!"

Looking behind, they saw the form of Takeda Shukuchi, the famous corrupt politician seated as head of Finance department of the Shogunate.

"Gomen Shukuchi-san… demo the Bluerose has left with a man already… Come back again…. Perhaps tomorrow?" Maeba apologized, bowing in respect.

The round fat man looked up to catch a glimpse of the couple staring at him. Takeda could almost swear that he caught the woman grin at him and the man he identified as the Hitokiri Battousai smirk. With this, he roared, overturning the counting table with forced strength, attracting a great number of crowds and frightened whores.

"She's with the Hitokiri Battousai isn't she!"

"I…She.." Maeba stuttered.

"ISN'T SHE!" he roared.

Before the poor old woman could even nod, the pig was off again.

"STUPID WOMAN! You're frightened with what he could do right?"

"I didn't know!" Maeba defended.

"FUCK THAT WHORE! TELL HER I'D BE BACK TOMORROW AND THE HELL I'M GOING TO HAVE HER! AND MAKE SURE SHE'S RESERVED TOMORROW NIGHT!"

TBC….

AN: Takeda Shukuchi is a FICTIONAL character. I made him up and he isn't really the head of the finance dept. in Japan so there.

Kenshin was a bit cooler this time, a bit more trusting. I hope nobody complains about that… and I do wish you appreciate it.

Till the next chapter!

PLEASE REVIEW!

JA!

Blueroseulan