A New Battle

Chapter 2 - Come Stay With Me

Kaoru awoke slowly to find herself in an unfamiliar room, shutting her eyes back to block out the bright light that invaded her vision. She tried to sit up but her body just wouldn't respond so she just laid still, hoping her body would wake up soon so she could leave. She laid still for sometime, just trying to get her strength back but sleep was starting to creep up on her once more. Just as she started to drift off she felt a cool, slightly damp cloth on her forehead and she forced her eyes open to see who had put it there. She was greeted by a pair of gentle violet eyes and a warm smile as he spoke softly to her, "Hello there, miss, I'm glad you're alright, that I am."

"That I am? Where am I?"

"You're at my place, that you are, you gave me quite a scare when you didn't wake up, that you did."

"What happened to the... vampire?"

"He's gone, that he is, you're safe now so don't be afraid."

Kaoru smiled and tried to sit up again, which she found to still be difficult to do. The man smiled and helped her sit up, chuckling at the flush that came to her cheeks as he did so, "Thank you, sir, so what's your name?"

"I'm Kenshin Himura, what's your name, miss?"

"I'm Kamiya Kaoru, nice to meet you, Kenshin. Thanks for helping me out earlier, I'm sorry to be a bother to you."

"Oh you're no bother, Miss Kaoru, that you're not, I enjoy helping others, that I do."

Kaoru smiled and actually took a look at her rescuer. He was only a few inches taller than her and he had long, blood red hair tied back into a ponytail on top of his head. His eyes were a gentle violet and shone brightly as he smiled sweetly at her, but what caught her attention the most was the cross-shaped scar on his left cheek, it stood out harshly against his pale skin but it did nothing to take away from his handsome, somewhat feminine face.

Kenshin smiled at her observation and cocked his head to one side, "Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru?"

"Huh? Oh no, I was... just thinking is all."

"Is that so? Well let me ask you something, if I may, why were you out so late at night by yourself, Miss Kaoru? It's awfully dangerous for a young woman like you to be out after sunset, that it is."

"I know, I went to see a movie and it lasted longer than I thought it would and I ran to get home but I guess I just wasn't fast enough is all."

"Well what's done is done, you're safe now and that's all that matters, that it is. You're more than welcome to stay until you're well enough to go home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I wouldn't be a gentleman if I let a young lady go home when she's injured, that I wouldn't. You can stay as long as you need to, Miss Kaoru, I don't mind the company, that I don't."

Kaoru smiled, "Thanks, I... hate to ask but... can I get a shower?"

"Of course, Miss Kaoru, there's some towels on the shelf in the bathroom and you're more than welcome to use anything you need. I need to run an errand so you need not worry about me walking in on you, that you don't, but are you sure you'll be ok until I get back?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine, you go run your errand."

"Alright, I'll return shortly, that I will."

Kenshin left the room and Kaoru heard the front door open and shut as he made his exit. She had to sigh, he was so kind and gentle, she was actually starting to wonder if he was for real or not, she'd never met anyone like him before. She cautiously made her way to the bathroom and jumped in the shower, hissing when the hot water hit the cut on her head. After she felt like she was finally clean she got out and changed back into her clothes before heading back into the other room.

She smiled when she realized something that she hadn't before, she was in a hotel room, and a small one at that, the only furniture being a small desk, a couple of small dressers and an old bed. Kaoru looked around in the drawers and found a long dagger hidden in the of the dressers, she took it out and admired the craftsmanship of the weapon, marveling at how beautiful it was. It seemed to be a very old dagger, most likely from the 1800's but the blade shone as if it were brand new. She could see a few blood stains on a couple parts of the blade, guessing it was from when he was sharpening it and nicked himself on it. She put the dagger back where she'd found it and sat down at the foot of the bed, seeing a duffle bag near the door but she didn't see anything else that could belong to Kenshin. Kaoru scratched her chin thoughtfully and let her mind wonder, "He wears nice clothes but he lives in this dinky hotel, maybe he's just in a bind right now or something, or maybe he's meeting someone! But why would I care if he's seeing someone, I just met him! Get a hold of yourself Kaoru, get your mind on something else!"

Kaoru caught something out of the corner of her eye and picked it up, giggling when she saw what she'd found. It was a pair of his boxers but what got her to giggle was the numerous cartoon characters scattered about here and there on the deep blue fabric, "Well now I know what underwear he has on."

The door suddenly opened and in came a smiling Kenshin, "Hello Miss Kaoru, did you enjoy your shower?"

"Yes I did, thanks, but can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Are these yours?" she asked playfully, holding up the boxers.

Kenshin turned the color of his hair and snatched them away from her, putting them into his bag before laughing nervously, "I'm sorry about that, that I am, I wasn't really expecting company tonight, so I didn't bother to clean up, that I didn't."

Kaoru giggled, he had such an unusual way of talking but seeing his embarrassed flush and hearing him say 'that I am' made him look very cute and innocent, "I'm sorry, I was being nosy."

"That's ok, that it is, I don't have anything to hide, well... not anymore at least."

Kaoru laughed and Kenshin cracked a smile, "You have a pretty laugh, Miss Kaoru, that you do."

"Oh, flirting with me now, huh?"

Kenshin flushed brighter and started stuttering, "Um... no... I didn't mean anything by it... I was just... oh never mind, Miss Kaoru. I'm sure you're tired and want to get to sleep so why don't we turn in for the evening?"

"Sounds good."

"You can sleep on the bed, Miss Kaoru, I'll be over here if you need me."

Kaoru watched as he went over and sat against the far wall, leaning against it and resting one of his arms on his raised knee, "Are you sure you don't want the bed, Kenshin, it's your room after all."

"Oh no, I've slept on the wall before, that I have, I'm actually more comfortable on the floor than on the bed so please don't worry about me."

Kaoru smiled and crawled into the bed, trying to get comfortable but her tight jeans made that a difficult task to accomplish. Kaoru heard Kenshin chuckle as he dug something out of his bag before tapping her on the shoulder and handing it to her, "Here you go, Miss Kaoru, I think it will fit you."

"What is it?"

"It's an old shirt of mine, that it is, it's too small for me but I think it'll fit you just fine, it'll be more comfortable than your jeans, that it will."

Kaoru smiled and took the shirt into the bathroom, quickly changing into it and looking into the mirror to find out that he had lied about the size. It was a deep red T-shirt and it went down to just above her knees and she could've fit Kenshin in with her and still had room, "I guess he likes baggy clothes, but it is comfy."

Kaoru went back into the other room and got into bed, finding it much easier to get comfortable and it didn't take long before she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Kaoru awoke to a sweet smell and looked over on the dresser to see a cinnamon roll, some toast and a small cup of orange juice with a note beside of it. She read the note and couldn't help but smile, "Sorry about the breakfast, Miss Kaoru, it was the only thing we had in the lobby this morning, that it was. I'm working at the front desk if you need for so please don't worry, I'll be back soon. Kenshin."

Kaoru giggled and started eating her breakfast, Kenshin really was a sweet man, he didn't have to take care of her but here was this total stranger treating her like a friend or even a sister, making sure she had a place to sleep and eat until she was better. After she finished eating she threw away the paper plate and cup and looked around for her clothes, finding them on the edge of the bed folded neatly. She held them up to her nose and smiled when she realized they were clean, apparently Kenshin had washed them for her this morning. She chuckled to herself and changed into her normal clothes, planning to go find Kenshin to talk to him but by the time she finished dressing she felt nauseous and dizzy so she laid back down on the bed and covered her eyes with her forearm. She woke up about an hour or so later when someone tapped her shoulder, looking up to see Kenshin with a worried look in his eyes, "Still sleepy, Miss Kaoru?"

"No, I have a bad headache and I feel sick to my stomach for some reason."

Kenshin smiled and reached into his pocket, handing her a pack of aspirin and a soda from off of the desk, getting a smile from her, "Where'd you get those?"

"I figured you'd have a headache this morning after what happened last night and so I asked Taka to go and get this for you, that I did."

Kaoru took the medicine and playfully ruffled his hair, "Thanks Kenshin, you're really sweet."

"No problem, Miss Kaoru."

"So you work here?"

"Yes, I've been working here since I started staying here, that I have."

"How long have you been here?"

"About... two months, I think."

"Wow, they must like you, I've never heard of a hotel keeping a desk clerk that long."

Kenshin laughed, "Well, I'm not so sure, the boss seems to try and find different reasons to fire me, that he does, he just doesn't like me for some reason."

"I think it's because you're cuter than he is and he's just jealous."

Kenshin laughed and turned pink, "Thank you, Miss Kaoru but I don't think..."

There was a tap on the door and Kenshin answered it, smiling at the man there, "Hey Taka, what can I do for you?"

"Hey Kenshin, sorry to have to tell you this, man, but the boss wants you gone."

"What for? I haven't done anything wrong, that I haven't."

"I know, I want you to stay, you're the best worker here but what the boss says goes as you know. He said that he doesn't want his employees to have their girlfriends living with them while they're here."

"Oh, Miss Kaoru's not my girlfriend, she's just a young lady that I helped out last night, that she is."

"I know, sorry buddy, but... he said that you have to leave today."

Kenshin sighed but smiled sadly, "Alright, I'll clean the room and leave that I will."

"Sorry man, wish I could do something, gonna miss ya."

Taka shook his hand and went back to the office before Kenshin shut the door and ran a hand through his unruly hair, muttering to himself, "That's great..."

"Kenshin? Did they fire you because of me! I'm so sorry, Kenshin, I didn't mean to..."

Kenshin stopped her by placing a finger to her lips, smiling brightly at her, "Don't worry, Miss Kaoru, the boss has been trying to get rid of me since I got here, that he has, it's not because of you. He found you as a good excuse and I'm sorry for that, that I am, but don't worry, it's no big deal."

"Where are you going to stay now?"

"I'll find somewhere, that I will."

"Do you have family nearby?"

Kenshin paused for a moment and answered softly, "I don't have any family, Miss Kaoru, that I don't, I'm just a wanderer, I travel around and get a job where I can until they fire me then I go somewhere else, that I do."

"A wanderer! Well I won't have it, why don't you come and stay with me?"

Kenshin turned to look at her, his eyes wide in shock, "Miss Kaoru you hardly know me, I'm afraid I'll be far more trouble than I'm worth."

"Nonsense! You helped me and took care of me so it's the least I can do, besides, I think that if you were going to do something evil to me you would've done it already, right?"

Kenshin chuckled, "True, but Miss Kaoru..."

"No buts, you're staying with me and that's final and if you argue with me I'll kick your butt so hard you'll have a new set of shoulders, got it?"

"Got it!"

"Good, now let's get this room cleaned up and I'll take you home."

Kenshin smiled, he didn't realize that she could be so aggressive but he liked that in a woman, "Maybe this will turn out ok, who knows, maybe Miss Kaoru and I can become... friends."

After they straightened up the room they locked it back and Kenshin took the key to Taka and waved goodbye to the other workers before meeting Kaoru outside, "You ready, Kenshin?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Ok, let's go."

"Mr. Himura!"

They turned and a little boy run up to Kenshin and give him a high-five, "Hey Kobe, how are you today?"

"I'm good, are you leaving, Mr. Himura?"

"I'm afraid so, kiddo, the boss fired me because he was afraid I'd get you to work here and he'd lose his job."

The little boy laughed and hugged him, "I'll miss you, oh and my mom wants to know where she can get an extra towel."

Kenshin smiled and whistled shrilly, getting Taka to poke his head out of the door of the office, "What?"

"Can you get Mrs. Inmashi a set of towels?"

"We don't have any clean ones yet, their all in the wash."

"No they're not, I have a few stored in the janitor's closet for just such occasions, just be sure to keep it locked or Mushashino will get them all."

"Thanks man, come here Kobe, I'll get them for you."

"Ok, bye Mr. Himura."

Kobe ran off to the office and Kenshin started walking alongside Kaoru, not noticing her smirk as she looked to the office, seeing a large man at the door, "Who's that?"

"That's the boss."

Kaoru giggled, "Oh yeah, you're definitely cuter than he is."

Kenshin laughed and waved at a few of the guests as they headed off to do their daily routines, smiling down at Kaoru when she poked him in the ribs, "The guests seem to like you."

"The guests like me, the boss doesn't. Most of the guests ask for me when they come because I'm one of the only ones who actually get up and do something to help them."

Kaoru laughed, knowing what he meant. They talked the entire time they headed towards Kaoru's house, enjoying the company as they walked side by side. After about an hour they arrived at her dojo and she unlocked the door, "Here we are, come on in, I'll show you to your room."

Kaoru lead him to a room down near the end of the hall and slid the shoji open to let him inside, "This is the guest room just make yourself at home, Kenshin."

"Thank you, Miss Kaoru, I don't know how I can thank you for this."

Kaoru smiled, "Oh that's easy, you can do the laundry for me, I hate that chore."

Kenshin smiled and was about to say something then they heard a loud scream, "Kaoru! You're back, what happened to you!"

A little boy with spiky black hair came into the room and glared daggers at Kaoru, "Where have you been, ugly! We've all been worried about you!"

"Don't call me ugly! I had a long night and I'm not in the mood for your insults today, Yahiko, and besides where are your manners, we have a guest!"

Yahiko looked over at Kenshin and smiled evilly, "So you finally managed to kidnap a guy huh? What did she do to you, knock you over the head and drag you here?"

"Oro?"

Kaoru promptly hit Yahiko in the head with her fist and slightly growled at him, "Knock it off, Yahiko! And any ways, aren't you supposed to be practicing?"

"I've already practiced today and now I'm bored."

"Go find Sanosuke then."

"He went off with Misao to look for you."

"Then call his cell phone and tell him to get back over here, I have stuff to do."

Yahiko glanced at Kenshin and smirked, "I bet you got something to do, are you going to 'teach' him something?"

Kenshin and Kaoru both flushed and she started after him but he made a hasty exit down the hall, missing the glare Kaoru was giving him, "I'm sorry about that, Kenshin, Yahiko can be really obnoxious sometimes."

"That's ok, Miss Kaoru, that it is. Is he your little brother?"

"No, he's my student, his parents died about a year ago and they were good friends of mine so I took him in and now he stays with me."

"That's very kind of you, that it is, so what do you teach him?"

"The Kamiya Kasshin style, my several times great-grandfather invented it back during the 1800's and it's been a family tradition ever since."

"I'm impressed, that I am, so you're the master?"

"Well... I guess you could say that, but I'm really just the Assistant Master."

"I'd like to see you practice one day, I'm sure you're very good."

"I can fight if I have to, just as long as their not vampires but I have you for that now."

They both laughed and Kenshin set down his bag before he and Kaoru went out onto the porch to see Yahiko talking to a young girl with a long black braid and a tall man with spiky brown hair. The girl looked over at Kaoru and ran up to her, hugging her tightly, "Oh Kaoru, I was so worried! What happened to you?"

"Long story put short, I was coming home and I was pulled into an ally and then Kenshin saved me."

"Who's Kenshin?"

"He's Kenshin."

The girl looked over at him and frowned, "He looks like a bum."

Kenshin laughed, "Well I guess I kind of do look like a bum, that I do, so who are you?"

"I'm Misao Makimachi."

"And I'm Sanosuke Sagara, thanks for helping Missy."

Kenshin looked at Kaoru and raised an eyebrow, "Missy?"

"Sanosuke's always called me that, just ignore him."

"So your name's Kenshin huh, what's your last name?" Sanosuke asked

"Himura, Kenshin Himura."

"Himura huh? Are you related to Battousai?"

Kenshin chuckled, "Well... I believe he was my so many times great grandfather, that he was."

"Cool, so are you staying for movies tonight?"

"Huh?"

"We all get together every weekend and watch scary movies and eat junk food, it's a lot of fun." Misao explained

"Of course he is, Kenshin's staying here now, Misao."

"He's going to live here! Kaoru, you just met the guy!"

"I know but he's so sweet and kind, he's no trouble and besides he helped me out and I owe him."

"How do you know he's not a vampire or something in disguise!"

Everyone looked at Kenshin and he promptly gave a pathetic "Oro?"

They busted up laughing and Misao shook her head, "Ok, I was wrong, but I warn you right now, Himura, if you as much as touch Kaoru I'm going hit you so hard that your ancestors will feel it! Got it?"

Kenshin smiled and held up his hands, "Got it, Miss Misao."

"That's good and all but I'm starving, when are you going to start dinner, Kaoru?" Yahiko asked

"Soon, Yahiko, I need to figure out something to fix first."

"I can cook dinner for you, Miss Kaoru, that I can."

"You don't have to, Kenshin, I can..."

"Now, now, it's the least I can do, you've shown me great kindness and given me a place to stay so I'm more than happy to do a few chores for you, Miss Kaoru, that I am. Fixing dinner is no trouble at all, that it isn't."

Kaoru smiled and pointed down the hall, "If you insist, the kitchen's that way."

"Thank you, dinner should be ready shortly, that it should. It was nice meeting you Miss Misao, Sanosuke, Yahiko."

Kenshin went down the hall after a polite bow, not noticing the shocked expression on the others' faces as Kaoru giggled at them.

Thanks for the reviews gang, I'm glad you like it so far. I want to thank ICE SAKURA for the idea, I'm having a lot fun with it so far. Any ways, the next chapter's in the works and I'll have it up soon, until then, byebye.