Fanfic by Blueroseulan

October 29, 2005

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AN: I don't have much to say (partly because I'm so practically tired right now and partly because I know I don't need to babble on) Oh well, the slight lemony um… limey…citrusy… part on the last chappie… I hope it didn't sound so corny… ugh… Gomen…

Anyways, don't forget to review!

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Kaoru was most definitely glad she already had him in her life when she discovered that she was very ill. He has always been there for her. Every night, coming inside her room, sharing the night with her. As such, it did not mean they had sex, for both of them knew she was too weak for such an intricate task. Yet, the mere fact of his presence was a sign of reassurance itself.

Things too had also begun to change in the Red Dragon Teahouse. In the course of her absence, Maeba had found a substitute for the Bluerose and after a few nights of entertaining and pleasuring, the name Bluerose was thrown off into the farthest corner of the house. A whore who can never have sex is useless according to the old woman. But Kaoru never got the chance to wallow in sorrow and self-pity for Maeba pushed her further and harder into chores. Determined not to waste her precious money in another mouth to feed, she had decided that Kaoru work twice harder for her to earn her keep. It was all right. She could still do it. Probably. But still, she wished the woman would not be so hard on her.

Days seem to filter her mind in an almost hazy motion. Back then; there was no known cure for tuberculosis in Japan. Either you waited for it, or you died. Kaoru knew that she wasn't getting better or worst yet, going better. She was afraid the disease would cause complications in her body to arise. One night, she talked about this to the swordsman when he had settled once again beside her, nestling her between the warm comforts of his protective embrace.

"I don't like this…" she started.

He looked at her innocently, surprised about the topic she had opened. Since the start, they had decided to avoid the topic of death, of anything that would make her sad or depressed. No, Kenshin would not have that. He would rather make her smile during her last days on Earth.

"What is it that you don't like love?"

She smiled at his innocence, glad that the savageness he always carried in his voice somewhat gone. Ever since they had begun a relationship, Kenshin was no longer the Hitokiri Battousai in her eyes. He still killed, carried out his orders, but gone was the attitude, the brute force, the insolence and impertinence in his aura. His personality had toned down into a much gentler persona and Kaoru was darned glad about that.

"This feeling I have… this helplessness I feel. I don't want to lie here on a futon and wait for death to knock on my door for the rest of my days… I don't want that. I hate that…." She whispered, eyes becoming sad and holding a faraway look.

He did not speak, only held a thoughtful look on his handsome face. He knew that feeling. It was the same as just making him watch while his comrades took off for battle. He knew her and the wild spirit that soared inside her. She didn't deserve to be cooped up here, inside a room, inside a body that threatened to take her away from him. No that would not be.

But what was the rightful thing to do?

His mind supplied no answer, no response to his query. Not until he held her dozing form, watching her lips breathe did he finally realize what was supposed to be done long ago.

"Kaoru. Kaoru."

He shook her wide-awake, voice thick with urgency and excitement. He already knew the answer and he wanted to have her approval. He hated having to wake her, but she needed to get ready.

"Kenshin…" she sleepy mumbled, a bit irritated by the slight disturbance. "What is it?"

"I'm taking you with me." He said no explanations, no other words et al.

"You're what!" she exclaimed, eyes as big as saucer cups.

"I'm taking you home with me." He blankly said.

"Excuse me, but are you out of your mind?" she asked disbelievingly, wondering if she was just making up things.

"I am not. I'm going to take you to my house love. Where you will be properly taken care of. I hate the fact that I only get to see your condition during the dark of the night." He admitted as a matter-of-factly.

"But," she started, "How about Maeba-san? What would happen? To the teahouse?"

He shook his head in defiance.

"It was you who told me that they don't need you anymore. They've found another. So I'm rather hoping that they wouldn't notice you're gone."

"But what if not?" she asked

"Then to hell with them." He muttered coolly.

Kaoru gasped, unable to believe what was happening. Inwardly, she wanted to scream and shout, run wild with happiness and euphoria. She knew that he would take care of her, more than anyone else in the world.

He seemed to take her silence as her negativity to the situation, so he was quick to add,

"Kaoru, all you have to do is trust me. Do you trust me?"

"Of course." she replied as if his question was most stupid.

"Good. I won't allow anyone to hurt you. I will protect you, I swear. Just trust me."

She nodded and as if to harden her decision, she added.

"When do we leave?"

His response was short, and unruffled.

"Tomorrow night. We leave tomorrow night."

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Tsubame-chan.

I am quite sure that I'd be gone by the time you have started reading this letter. I won't tell where I am or whom I am with (Although I know that you are already aware of this person I am talking about) lest this small piece of paper falls on wrong hands.

I am safe Tsubame. No need to worry about. I know that somebody has already taken my position in the teahouse and Maeba would not be twice mad. As for my ailment, I don't know if I could make it. If I should, then I'll never forget to visit you. But if I don't survive this, then you know I died happy and free of the ethics of prostitution constricting my soul.

Take care of yourself Tsubame. I will not be there to protect you anymore. You have to learn to stand up and face the world yourself with your own two feet upright. That's the most important thing that you have to understand. I hope someday we could meet again. In a place where both you and I are free and at peace. Don't let your job ruin you. It's not your profession that becomes the scale of the limpidness of your soul. Remember that Tsubame and be well.

Your loving oneechan,

Kaoru

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Kamiya Kaoru would have might as well guessed that the Hitokiri Battousai had a home so far from the very outskirts of Kyoto. It was nestled in the woods, hidden and obscured by thick branches of leaves that one would have to be hard pressed to see that it concealed a house. But if she had anything to say about the distance, the sight of it made all her inhibitions vanish.

It was beautiful, so neat and peaceful that it was hard to believe it belonged to such a notorious assassin like him. It was big, with a wide garden and a big well outside. It reflected a peaceful aura and as she entered the house, she could not help but release a gasp.

It was big. Much bigger from the outside. Plush big zabuttons occupied the spacious tatami floor mats and the whitewashed walls held frames of Japanese art.

"Wow…"

He chuckled with her lack of words as he watched her look with fascination and curiosity the paintings that hung on his wall.

"Do you like it?" he asked, hoping for a positive answer.

"Are you kidding me? I love it Kenshin. Seriously, I'm starting to believe you're already sharing this house with someone." She joked.

"Why?" he asked incredulously.

She laughed the sound ringing like bells in his ears.

"It's so neat, so spacious and decorated. It's hard to find that qualities in a man like you. It's like a woman lives here!" she exclaimed while touching the wide marble slab of a low table.

He scratched his head, face looking rather sheepishly.

"It's so big…" she murmured.

Glad at her approval, he neared her, wrapped his arms around her slender waist and whispered in her ear.

"You know what; I've always promised myself that I would only bring one person inside my house aside from myself."

"Hmm? Why is that so?" she asked softly.

"It's because, when I bring a person here inside my house, that would only mean that she is the one I love most and the only one person I would want to spend the rest of my life with." He murmured.

To say she was speechless would belittle the feelings she had. She was touched, compelled by his actions and words that she could not control the tears that constricted her throat.

"Kaoru… why do you cry?" he asked, a bit alarmed by her reaction.

She shook her head, giving a choked smile and embracing his form.

"Nothing… it's just that… I'm so happy…" she murmured, body shivering with happiness.

He smiled; a genuine one as he held her trembling form tightly. Truly, he had remained steadfast to his words. He would only bring one person in his home, the one he would love most.

TBC…

AN: Ok guys… I hope I don't get multiple violent reactions regarding Kenshin's house (sweatdrops) We all know Kenshin's a neat freak so I decided to incorporate it here in this fic… and well, that's the way the story goes… so I really didn't have any choice about it. Hope you can imagine his house… Oh what am I saying! I'm just blabbering! 0o

Geez… on with the nxt chapter!

Don't forget to review!

Ja!

Bluerose