Title: The Geas

Author: Dragon's Daughter

Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I am making no profit by writing this fan fiction. It is intended for recreation purposes only.

Pairing: K/K A/M

Rating: R / NC-17

Summary: Life hasn't been good for Kaoru since the day her father died and her evil witch of a stepmother turned her into a literal slave. A spell binds her every movement and hides her from the sight of the world until she happens across the path of Kenshin, a veteran of the Revolution who can not only see her, but is instantly smitten with her!

Archiving: Shattered Theories, Adult The unedited version of this fic will be available at Adult and at my personal webpage, Shattered Theories.

Chapter Five: Deception

Once again, life at the Dojo went back to what passed for normal. Shinomori took a room down the street from the Dojo and every time Yumi stepped out for so much as an hour he was knocking at the back gate almost before she shook the dust of the courtyard off her heels.

Under Shinomori's expert care, the bruises on Kaoru's back faded to a sickly yellowish-green by Friday and her ribs didn't pain her unless she overexerted herself. Luckily Misao conned Shinomori into doing the heavy lifting when he wasn't asking Kaoru questions about anything and everything she knew that might pertain to the geas. When he exhausted her knowledge he took measurements of the Dojo and filled notebook after notebook with notes, calculations, and strange mystical symbols.

Saturday came around so soon that Kaoru barely realized it had arrived until Misao reminded her to get changed so that she'd be ready when it was time to go.

She was still more than a little sore, but with Misao pretty much living in her pocket since the revelation of their true relationship she was looking forward to the few scraps of alone time she could glean before Idiot-sama found her in the market. That could be anywhere from twenty seconds to two hours depending on whether Shinomori had reported recent events to his employer. She liked to think he hadn't since Idiot-sama hadn't appeared on her doorstep with god-only-knew-what that he'd bought on the way there.

As always she made her rounds with the deliverymen before considering the contents of her basket. She had half a mind to patronize a different fruit stand this week. He would be waiting for her at the old one, she was positive of it. Still, that felt like cowardice. To delay the decision she went to the docks first and picked up two fillets of sea bream before turning towards the direction of the fruit stands.

Her steps lingered and slowed as she returned to the throng of shoppers. She really didn't feel up to facing Himura, she wasn't sure if it was because of the way he had to touch her every time they met or if it was just the look in his eyes. She didn't want those eyes to see what she'd been reduced to…

She snorted. "Since when did you start caring about what he thinks, Kaoru?" she chided herself and forced some energy back into her stride. After all, she still had to tell him what she thought of his sending a spy into her home. Oh yes, Himura Kenshin was going to catch hell over that one. Shinomori was worth his weight in gold, but he was still Himura's eyes and ears in the Dojo.

Unfortunately, Kaoru became so preoccupied by her thoughts that she didn't notice Himura's gray sleeved arm as it circled around her waist and tightened. It wasn't until his muscles contracted around her rib cage that she realized what was happening and by then she was helpless to stop it.

The world narrowed down to a tiny point of light and tears sprang into her eyes. She must have cried out because he released her immediately. When her vision cleared once more she was on her knees with Himura's hands on her shoulders.

"Don't… do that again…" Kaoru's breath came in unsteady little gasps, but she managed to get it out before he could say anything.

Himura's eyes were golden again and his jaw was threaded so tightly that she was certain she could hear his teeth groan in protest. "What happened?" His voice was gruff and brooked no argument… not that she paid any attention. The day she was afraid of Idiot-sama would be the day she danced nude in the streets.

"It doesn't concern you." She said coldly and started to get to her feet. Himura grip on her shoulders tightened. He was stronger than she'd thought, she realized with surprise. He held her down so easily she might as well have been a child, his hands didn't even shake.

"You're in pain." He said bluntly. "You've been in pain since the first time I met you. You do concern me, Kaoru. Whether you like it or not, I care about you and I refuse to stand idly by while you're being abused!" He shook her… gently if such a thing were possible, but however he did it Kaoru didn't feel any pain from her maltreated ribs. "Why are you so damn stubborn?" He demanded.

"Why do you care?" It burst out of her in a half-furious half-anguished wail. The one question she'd been wanting to ask since the insane man had attached himself to her. "What does it matter? What is it that you want from me?"

He sat back as she screamed at him, eyes contemplative. When the last strains of her voice faded he touched her cheek softly and traced the outline of her face. A rueful little smile lingered on his. "I care… because I do. Don't ask why. I don't know. As for what I want…" he took a breath and looked her in the eyes. "I want you. With me. I want your trust and one day I want your love. For that I'm willing to give you everything that I have and everything that I am."

Kaoru was in shock and had been since the moment he'd inadvertently proposed to her. She was docile as a child and made no protest when he hailed a carriage and let him hand her up. It was nice that she was being amenable for a change, but Kenshin knew that the moment was coming that she was going to snap out of it and give him hell.

His first instinct was to take her back to his town house or better yet his estate outside of the city and keep her there until Aoshi presented him with the bloody head of whoever had hurt her. Unfortunately the few reports he'd received from Aoshi only confirmed that she had a very limited amount of freedom. Either one was likely further than she could go. Fortunately he'd rented a room the day before over by the storefronts so that he'd have a convenient place to wait for her to appear. He took her there.

The room was sparsely furnished with only a tall western table and a few chairs scattered about. He vaguely recalled the landlord saying that he usually let it out to a group of poker players from the Americas on Sundays. Before she could protest, Kenshin scooped Kaoru up the waist and sat her on the table.

For the first time since he'd made his untimely declaration, Kaoru's eyes focused on him. "What are you doing?" she didn't sound angry, but one could never tell where she was concerned.

"Where are you hurt?" Kenshin tried to keep his voice steady for all that he felt like shouting and breaking things. If he yelled then she'd yell and at that particular moment he only wanted to assess the damage. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep until he knew how bad it was.

Her black brows beetled over her blue eyes, but she replied easily enough. "My ribs on the left side." She gasped as his hands went for the tie on her obi. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Let me see it." He hated the quiet desperation he could hear in his own voice. Unfortunately he was desperate and there was nothing he could do about it until he had a warm body to murder; specifically the one that had hurt her.

"My ribs are fine, Himura!" she spat. "You don't need to see them. Your spy set them and they're knitting just fine. You just want my clothes off!"

Humor filled him, the completely inappropriate kind. "Make no doubt that I want to see you –all of you-, but at the moment I don't think you're up to what I would do with you after." He grinned and something in his expression must have surprised her. "I won't touch you in any way you don't want me to."

She didn't believe him, but miraculously Kaoru let him untie her obi. The worn folds of her kimono fell open to reveal her modestly bound breaths and her under-skirt. Kenshin grudgingly forced his eyes away from the trim outline of her body and focused on the ugly purple bruise on her left side. He didn't have to touch in order to know that those were broken ribs. He could smell Shinomori's power seeping through her skin however and it had the minty tang of healing magic.

The scent was too strong however to be only centered on her ribs. Kenshin shot a glance at her. "Where else are you hurt?"

Kaoru colored prettily and shrugged her kimono off her shoulders. Taking the hint, Kenshin circled around the table to find her back literally colored with unsightly bruises that were all fading to jaundiced yellow. Red anger flooded his vision just the way it had when Kaoru crumpled at his feet.

Someone would pay for this with his life!

Kenshin's arms slid around Kaoru from behind, but this time he was as careful with her as if she were made of glass. "I'm going to kill the man responsible for this." His voice was a sibilant hiss. His breath was hot against the back of her sensitive neck and when she gasped his grip tightened.

"Ah… you…" Coherent thought fled her mind as she felt the warm wet rasp of his tongue against her skin. One hand trickled down her front to splay against her flat tummy. Something quivered deep inside her and it wasn't unpleasant –it felt right somehow. The other hand rose to touch her lips, lingering on the bottom half.

His hands left her for a moment, but he was in front of her and holding her face before she could blink. Amber eyes bored into her and his tongue flickered across his lips.

Kaoru had no idea what she looked like sitting there before him laid out like a feast. Her lips were parted and her breath came in little pants that did interesting things to her chest. Kenshin's fingers itched to unbind those magnificent breasts so that he could cup her in his palm and taste her flesh.

It had been so long since he'd wanted a woman the way he wanted Kaoru: mind, body, heart, and soul. He'd never wanted to give all that in return. She had no way of knowing how completely she'd come to possess him without even lifting a finger.

He wasn't going to be able to keep from touching her. The taste of her skin still lingered on his tongue and he wanted more.

Kaoru's mouth opened with innocent ease just like it had the last time, but now he wasn't contenting himself with a mere promise of things to come. He wanted her and his kiss reflected ever possessive moment, sleepless night, and jealous thought he'd had since knocking her down in the street. She whimpered against his mouth, but her fingers clutched at his shoulders and held him close.

Kenshin fumbled with the bindings on her breasts, but Kaoru lifted a pale hand and pulled out the bottom layer with a single tug. The rest of the cloth fell around her waist like water leaving her soft breasts free for his perusal.

When Kenshin bent his head down to her chest Kaoru had no idea what to expect, but the first brush of that nimble tongue of his over her tender nipple left little to doubt. A moan broke free of her throat and he nibbled and gently sucked that sensitive nub.

It felt so good that she barely even noticed his hands go for the folds of her skirt until the folds were gathered around her waist. She opened her mouth to tell him to stop, but speech abandoned her when he placed a hand beneath her knee and lifted her thigh to bare her womanhood to him. Nameless longing shot through her and all she knew that was whatever was coming she did not want him to stop!

"Tell me to stop, Koibito, and I'll never touch you again until you give me leave." His voice was a shock that jarred her back into reality. Kenshin was staring up at her with eyes the color of clear honey. His fingers brushed against her bottom dangerously close to her. Color flooded her cheeks as she realized that he was asking permission to touch her… there.

"Kenshin…" His name felt odd on her tongue, but well hell if she couldn't use his first name now then she'd never be able to. His eyes darkened to pure gold and his breath came in a slow exhalation.

"Say it again." He growled.

She hadn't said his name before now had she? He'd always been 'Idiot-sama' or 'Himura' at best. "Kenshin." She repeated shyly and was rewarded by a slow sexy grin.

"I like the way you say my name." he purred and went in for another kiss, slow this time. He nibbled at her bottom lip afterwards. "You break it up into two parts: 'Ken-shin'. God, it sounds like you're saying something completely different."

Kaoru squirmed as his fingers teased the edges of her labia. Each little touch electrified her and her whimpering for more. Her body knew what it wanted, but Kaoru had no idea how to translate that desire into speech. "Please…don't" she gasped. "Stop!" His fingers retreated, leaving her bereft. Kenshin's warmth started to leave her and she realized that he'd misinterpreted her words.

She tightened her grip on his shoulder and glared up at him with indignation simmering in her blue eyes. "I said don't stop!" she snapped. How dare he start in on her and then just quit!

His dark red brows lifted in amusement and his touch returned. Kaoru sighed in bliss as he pressed past her gates and into that wonderful melting warmth that was consuming her alive. Kaoru's sobbing moans urged him on deeper until she felt him go up against the tenuous barrier of her hymen. She squirmed a little at the unfamiliar sensation, but Kenshin's fingers retreated out of her body.

He laughed at her whimper of protest and laid a lingering kiss on the corner of her mouth. "Ah… no, Koibito, we're saving that for our wedding night." He purred into her ear and lifted his glistening fingers up so that she could see. "That's all you, my love." He grinned and slowly licked his fingers clean never letting his eyes stray from her once as he did so.

Mesmerized, Kaoru watched every flick and glide of his mobile tongue. She remembered all too well the havoc that wicked thing played when he invaded her mouth and all of a sudden she was aware of all the other possible things he could do with it as well.

Things might have proceeded from there only Kaoru felt the first few tugs of the geas begin to echo in her chest. She swore. Kenshin blinked in confusion until she started to wrestle back into her clothes. He pulled a pocket watch out of his coat and checked the time. Then he swore too and started to help.

"We'll finish this later." He promised with a quick kiss as his fingers fumbled with her obi. Kaoru grinned and batted his hands away.

With her obi securely fastened she hopped down from the table and scooped up her basket. Kenshin arms encircled her waist from behind and for a second she let herself drift in his embrace. Who'd have thought…?

"Later…" she agreed breathlessly before he treated her to another of his earth shattering kisses. This time Kaoru kissed back with everything she had and was rewarded by the distinctly novel experience of having a man melt in her hands. She could taste the lingering traces of her own arousal on his tongue mixed in with the citrus taste of him. Her hands came up of their own volition and tugged the tie out of his hair to let the thick glossy stuff spill over her fingers.

The geas beckoned again, more instantly this time and Kaoru felt Kenshin growl against her mouth before forcibly pulling himself away. His flame colored hair was wild around his face framing his blazing gold eyes. "Go." He said hoarsely. "Go or I won't be able to let you leave!"

'… but I don't want to leave!' the though came unbidden and Kaoru banished it. Taking one last lingering look at the man she'd despised only a few short hours ago she turned and fled.

Letting her walk out that door was without question the hardest thing Kenshin ever did in his entire life. Even holding himself still and not charging after her took every shred of will power he possessed.

If he closed his eyes, Kenshin could still see her laid open and panting with desire –all for him. Then he saw the hideous bruising on her side and the rage came back in a torrential downpour. Kaoru, his lover, his love was still in danger and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it except cool his heels and wait for Aoshi to report.

He could still taste her on his lips, just remembering that last passionate kiss made his blood heat all over again. 'I knew she had it in her,' he mused. He'd seen that buried fire in her since the first time their eyes had met… a few seconds after she'd slapped him silly… and again when she'd beaten him into the ground.

"Good lord…" he muttered. "I'm a masochist!"

Then he remembered the feel of her satiny smooth skin beneath his hands.

He was a masochist all right and he loved every second of it.

At that very second on the other side of town Misao was perched on the window seat in Aoshi's small, grubby, and hideously expensive rental room. The onmitsu was seated at his table/desk absorbed in mapping out the parameters of Kaoru's geas based on the conversion of power that Yumi could draw off her little node.

She wouldn't have told him, but Misao was almost as interested in his work as she was in the man himself. From what she'd learned in the days since his fortuitous arrival Aoshi was actually a leading mind in his field. She was watching a Master at work and Misao was paying keen attention to everything he did. Later she'd pepper him with her questions, but that looked important and had to do with her beloved Kaoru-nee (who was more of a Nee than she'd realized) Such things were not to be interrupted.

Still, she couldn't help but admire the elegant lines of his hands and his swift precise movements. Misao would never have predicted the day that she'd go for an intellectual, but here it was large as life and twice as sexy. Later she'd amuse herself by wondering what those hands would do on a different canvas; one of skin.

'I'm going to seduce this man,' Misao thought idly as she leaned over his shoulder to peek at his scratch sheet, which was covered with numbers. It wasn't a new decision, but rather one she'd come to over the course of several days.

She was pretty sure that her attentions would be well received. Sometimes when he thought no one was paying attention, Misao felt Aoshi's gaze lingering on her body. She wasn't sure what had his attention, she was hardly a voluptuous seductress or even as nicely filled out as her Kaoru-nee, but she had his interest and she wasn't complaining. Aoshi observed his personal space in a way that most people would call 'ascetic', but oddly enough he didn't protest no matter how close Misao got.

Misao was pretty sure this was the closest thing she'd ever get to encouragement from the man, but it didn't bother her. She liked him the way he was and perhaps that counted for more than she realized. As she leaned over him, Aoshi neither tensed nor looked at her. However she could practically feel his awareness of her.

You didn't see Aoshi's emotions so much as you felt them.

Just to see what would happen Misao let a warm gust of air caress the shell of his ear as she leaned back into her spot to watch from a distance once more. Unexpectedly a shiver ran through his entire body and he slammed down his pen to turn and loom over her.

"What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?" Each word was bitten out as if he was holding back a flood of words.

Misao didn't have to feign surprise. Aoshi's normally chill eyes were blazing and she could practically hear his teeth grinding. His hands slammed into the wall on either side of her head and he leaned in close.

Not one to waste an opportunity, Misao decided to act on his level and let her actions speak for her. His eyes widened when her head darted up to capture his mouth and his lips parted in surprise. Misao slid her tongue in past his barriers and lapped at his mouth like a kitten with cream. He tasted strong and smoky like richest coffee and she threaded her arms up around his neck as she continued to peruse his mouth.

Aoshi hung suspended in mid-motion for a split section before closing his hands around Misao's slender waist and lifting her up for a better angle. He settled his weight back against his table and Misao let her knees rest on the table top so she could straddle his lap.

Bliss! Misao groaned softly against Aoshi's mouth as his mobile hands roamed her body leaving trails of delicious energy in their paths. When the kiss broke Aoshi went for her throat and Misao gladly craned her head back to give his hot lips free access.

He paused breathing hard against her sternum. Misao squirmed a little, but he held her tight. "I am not the sort of man one toys with, Makimachi." He said after a while. "If this is a game to you then you will rue the day you met me."

"Misao," she corrected automatically. "Kamiya Misao." Misao ran her fingers through his short hair as she smiled down at him. "You must have a pretty low opinion of me if you think I play games. Sorry baby, the only game I play is 'for keeps'. I don't share well either. Also, don't threaten me. Ever. Any problems with that?"

Something like a smile warmed his eyes and he settled her more securely in his lap. "None at all."

Kaoru ran all the way home. The cool Autumn breeze took the pink stain from her cheeks, but nothing could erase the enduring sensation of Kenshin's hands scalded into her flesh. She could still hear him, feel him, taste him, smell him, and she never wanted it to end! Scratch that, she wanted more!

That wonderful citrus flavor mingled with musk dawdled on her tongue, making her wonder what his desire tasted like. At the moment she'd have given all she owned for the leisure to explore him and the boundaries of their passion. She wanted to feel him on every plane of her body and touch every inch of him. She wanted to claim him. She wanted to be mastered. She wanted everything and had no idea where to begin!

As usual she stepped in the gate the exact moment the Geas borders slammed down behind her. The malevolent energies behind her had roughly the same effect on her that a bucket of ice water had on a lit match.

Kaoru squeezed her eyes shut and forced her racing heart to beat at a more normal tempo. With great reluctance she banished the delightful images of Kenshin (delectably disheveled) and drew her tattered cloak of sullen dignity back around her. It wouldn't do to be too happy in Yumi's presence.

The groceries were quickly shelved in the kitchen and Kaoru hurried to finish the dinner preparations. As she was scaling the fish (mountain char today, oddly enough) Yahiko came scuttling into the kitchen with his brown eyes wide with shock. He gestured sharply for her to bend down to his level.

"Kaoru, you've got hear this!" he hissed into her ear. "Yumi and Shura are planning to kill someone!"

Kaoru's head snapped up and she automatically grabbed a dust rag then followed Yahiko to the hallway outside Yumi's dressing room. They arrived just in time to hear Shura's nasal whine echo through the shoji…

"…but Mother, he's dull! He hardly ever goes out into society even if he is rich enough to spit on a Rockefeller. He's a political novelty that the Meiji government trots out to impress the gaijin! I don't see what good marrying him is going to do!"

Yumi voice cracked like a whip. "You'll marry woo and marry whoever I tell you, girl, like it or not. Besides, it's not like the Battousai is going to live long enough to bed you. All you have to do is sign your name at the marriage register and be a convincing grieving widow for a short year. Himura's heart will stop at the altar if we get the proper spells in place."

"What if you don't, Mother? Then I'd be shackled to a monster and cut off from you. Himura Kenshin is dangerous. I've heard the stories… he slaughter people by the dozen during the Bakumatsu for the thrill of it! What makes you think a wife would last any longer? How do I know he won't wed me just for a sport kill?"

Kaoru's heart stuttered and died in her chest. Had she heard that right? Kenshin… the Battousai? They spoke of it as though it were common knowledge. She shuddered. Had she just given herself up to a murderer?

"Don't be ridiculous, stupid chit." Yumi said scornfully. "I know the milksop from Shishio-sama's revolt. The man's taken a vow to never kill again. He's just another disgusting idealist, just a little more skilled than others. Besides it's been ten years and he's weakened considerably. I wouldn't be trying now unless I knew I'd succeed. I've been watching him for ten years. Follow my orders exactly and you'll profit, but cross me at your peril."

Shura gave a long suffering sigh, obviously unaware of the lengths her mother was capable of going to. Kaoru bit her tongue to keep from making any noises. Yumi was casually plotting Kenshin's demise in there and had just name him as the greatest Hitokiri of time. While she refused to accept Yumi's word above any other source… too many things made sense when she looked at it that way: his strength, his speed, and that dangerous glint that appeared in his eyes when he dropped his playful exterior.

It wasn't too hard to imagine him as Battousai.

Not hard at all…

"Fine, I'll go to that stupid ball and distract him while you cast your spell. Just get it right, mother, please! You'll only get one shot. I'm not going to beard the lion in his den for you twice!" Shura agreed sulkily. "Has the Embassy sent our invitations?" she changed the subject.

"There won't be a second try." Yumi snorted. "Yes, they have. The Ball is Wednesday night and it's a Western Masquerade. I've already ordered our costumes from our usual Modiste. We have our final fittings tonight."

Kaoru stiffened. It was time to go. She shooed Yahiko away from the screen and they scuttled around the side of the house and back to the kitchen before the two women could leave the room. They barely made it back to their chores before Yumi came sweeping in amongst them for the nightly inspection.

She didn't linger, rather the woman obviously had other things on her mind. Yumi gave the kitchen a once over before clapping her hands for attention. When Kaoru and Kenshin were facing her she spoke. "Shura and I will be out of the house for the night and most of tomorrow. I expect you to carry on as if we were here though." She nodded. "That is all."

Kaoru waited until Yumi left and she heard the carriage outside pull away before she dropped her cleaver and sank to her knees. The geas ordered her to get up and DO something, but for once she had the strength to resist it for a while. That should have cheered her more than it did, but she couldn't think of anything except what she'd heard.

Yumi was planning to use Shura to kill Kenshin somehow… she was going to use a spell like the one on Kaoru to make him wed with her spider-child and then kill him the moment he was of no more use! Tears prickled her eyes as she contemplated that.

She couldn't… Yumi couldn't kill him…he… she… she loved him! Kaoru felt as though she'd been hit between the eyes with a hammer. She was in love with Kenshin. It was more than bodies. She wanted to find him and tell him 'yes'.

"... but he's the Battousai." She murmured to herself.

Kaoru didn't believe it on strength of Yumi's word. Who else could he be? The weight of all the lives he'd taken bowed those slender shoulders. She'd seen the sadness buried deep in his violet eyes, but hadn't really comprehended it.

"Kaoru? Are you all right?" Yahiko small hand settled on her shoulder and Kaoru steeled her jaw and looked up at him.

"I don't know how, but we're going to stop her."

End Chapter Five

Seiyuu: Don't kill me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! The olong and short of it is that I moved, switched jobs, and was without internet access for a period of months. I have this ready now so please don't kill me!