A/N: I am sorry that it took me so long to update this story. School has been incredibly busy and I have also been having computer problems. Anyway, the updates should be coming quicker now. I hope you enjoy this chapter. K&K finally get somewhere!!

The Price of Blood

Chapter 11: Truths and Emotions

He dropped Kaoru on the ground of the dojo yard, glaring down at her with dangerous eyes. His clenched fists trembled, his mouth firmly set in a taut line.

"Well, are you going to tell me why you were out there?" he barked out, his voice dangerously close to breaking.

Why was she trying to leave again? The thought pained him. Had he not been gentle with her? What is she had gotten hurt?

Her angry voice broke through his thoughts. "I was looking for you."

He blinked at her, his head jerking back in shock. "What?" he questioned.

"I didn't know where you went. I thought that something had happened to you. I'm sorry for caring. I won't ever do it again," she bit out, rising to her feet.

The news came as a shock to him. She cared for him? He felt relieved, but he could not leave it at that. Stepping closer to her, she did not notice the minuet softening of his amber eyes.

"Don't you ever think? What would have happened to you if you actually went to the village? What if they had tried to hurt you while I wasn't there to protect you? Do you want that to happen?" he said softly, but fiercely.

Kaoru stepped back from him, her eyes brimming with tears. Clenching her fists, she shook her head, her soft ebony locks falling free from her high ponytail. She could no longer hide the pain and pain from her face anymore.

"And what if I do? Nothing would happen at the village if they didn't know you stayed with me! You came into my life, trying to control everything that I do. You can't do that. You are not Kami. I've taken care of myself for 5 years before I met you. I took care of myself! I don't need you!" she screamed at him, her voice almost breaking from the pent up frustration.

Kenshin lowered his head, his flaming locks coming forward to mask his face. His shoulders trembled slightly. It was true, what she said. Nothing would happen if he hadn't become involved in her life. He was the reason why the village despised her. But there were also many things that she did not realize. She did not know why she had been safe for all of those years.

"You are a fool," he whispered, his voice so low that Kaoru had to struggle to catch it.

Her face scrunched into confusion, brimming tears catching in the light. "How am I the fool?" she asked softly. Her voice was still filled with animosity.

"You have no idea, do you, Kaoru?" he asked, his angry eyes peaking out from his veil.

"I know that you took over my home. I know that you killed my father. I know that you lied..."

His hands feel upon her, grabbing her wrists tightly. He pulled her forward so that her body came close to his. She was so close that she could feel his body shaking when he raised his face to lock her still with his eyes.

"I lied? You don't know how far you are from the truth you actually are. It was your father that lied," he spat out, shaking her slightly with his hands.

"He would never..." she began only to be cut off by the angered assassin.

"Shut up until I finish!" he barked, his hands pulling her even closer.

"Yes, I killed him, but that was a small price to pay. Your father faked his death five years ago so that he could take over a black crime syndicate. He faked his death so he could have fame in the underground. It was not hard for a man of his new found power to find a body to match his own-one that would even pass inspection by his daughter.

"My body was also claimed to be at the sight. If I was rumored to be dead, then I would be free to work for him. He faked my death. This was not part of the arrangement. It was another way for him to gain power. These were all lies set up by your father.

"I killed your father because he was going to fell my location off to the enemy. He was in deep debt from foolishly spending his organizations money. The enemies would pay dearly to have my life in there hands. He was willing to sacrifice me...while I was doing him the dearest favor in the world.

"You see, it didn't matter that I claimed you from your father. You were mine long before. It was I that he hired to protect you. It was I that kept you safe and looked over you all of these years."

Kaoru shook her head hard, tears falling rapidly down her face. Her lips parted, silently mouthing, "No."

"Don't you believe me?" Kenshin challenged. "Think back to 2 years ago. Do you recall a man named Jineh that came after you? Don't you remember his screams about your father? Did you really think that your wooden bokken stopped him? It wasn't.

"Haven't you ever wondered why no one has ever bothered an attractive woman that lives alone? That is why you felt so alone. I would never allow anyone to get close to you, especially any man. You were mine long and ago and you never knew. Your father caused all of this. He sold me as if I were a toy. People are still looking for me. You are still in danger. I'm still trying to protect you. Why won't you let me?"

His eyes bore into her as he finished, watching the tears pour from her wide eyes. He didn't want to have to do this, but she left him with no choice. She had to know.

A sob chocked in her throat. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Dropping his gaze, he let go of her wrists, his hands lingering briefly on her arms. He watched her slide down to her knees, her legs to weak to support herself.

Kenshin backed away slowly, the intensity that had once been burning bright in his eyes fading drastically. He did not like seeing her like this, he never had. A woman like this should always stay vibrant. Turning away, he walked off to the training hall to release the pain that he felt. He left her crying on the dojo floor.

Her arms hung lifelessly beside her. She could not believe what he had told her, yet she had to. It all made sense, it all worked itself out. The sword that was used to protect, her father had used to kill.

She remembered Jineh. He had surprised her on a trip back from the village. He had been screaming obscenities about her father. Apparently her father had killed his family and ruined his life. He had told her that he would take her life as payment.

She was lucky that she had decided to carry her bokken with her that day. When he had attacked her, she had struggled. Somehow, she had managed to land a blow, but it only managed to daze him. His eyes glared at her with fury, growing more angry and vengeful with each passing second.

Kaoru had run at that point, well aware that she would not be able to defeat him. He was too powerful for her to take on. Her only chance was to escape. Jineh could have easily caught up with her. She had heard his footsteps behind her for a bit. But yet, he did not catch her.

The next day, she discovered that Jineh had been killed. His body was mangled, torn with sword slashes. She found it strange, but the connection never occurred to her. Kaoru had thought that she was strong and clever, but it was really the Battousai that was protecting her.

Her heart clenched in pain. This was too much for her to bear. Her family had betrayed the red headed assassin, yet he still spared her life. Her Father, who she once thought was a gentleman, left her just to fuel his own ambitions. He had lied to her when she had thought that it was the Battousai.

Falling forward, she let out a loud cry ring out as her body folded into itself, hoping for a comfort that she could not find.

From within the dojo, Kenshin could hear her loud cry. With lightening speed, he withdrew his katana, slicing the air with a long forgotten force. He wanted to go to her and hold her. He wanted to comfort her, even though it would be awkward for his steel heart. It was a strange desire, one that he had never felt, but one that he could not ignore. This girl had gotten wedged into his existence. She was as much a part of his life as was the deadly blade in his hands.

But he could not do it. She must come to terms with this on her own. He must wait until she came to him.

Growling loudly, he continued to attack his invisible enemies. Twisting, jumping, and spinning, the blade cut effortlessly through the air, taking the deadly intensity of his struggles. Sweat began to pour from his lean body. His breathing quickened, his legs shaking. Tearing off his gi, his chest shivered at the touch of the cool evening breeze. Yet he still continued.

Crouching low, he swung his blade up, flipping backwards with the swing. Turning sharply, his blade pierced the space in a wide arch. He stopped, facing the wall. His hand still clutched desperately at the sword that hung by his side. His breaths came ragged, his lungs desperately searching for oxygen.

But his pain was still there. The soft sliding of the shoji door caused him to freeze. He sucked in his breath, holding it in. Kenshin's eyes closed tightly as he forced himself to stay rooted to where he was. He did not want to frighten her away any more.

Kaoru walked towards Kenshin slowly, hoping not to startle him. But she knew that he was aware of her presence, as he always was. He eyes quickly gazed over the hall as she walked. His gi was lying carelessly on the floor. It reminded her of the night that she treated his wounds and had gotten to caress his skin.

Her eyes trailed back to Kenshin's form, his presence drawing her closer. His exposed back was as enticing as ever, glistening in the fading light. The evening rays were pouring into the room, cascading amber waves over his body. The shining crimson hair met with the golden hues of his body.

The sight reminded her of his face, the shocking colors that were presented so elegantly. She could tell that his back was tense, the smooth muscles clenched and waiting. Her eyes scanned over the katana, making her heart quicken.

Kaoru wondered what he was thinking about, if thoughts of her plagued his mind. Soon she found herself behind him, tracing the strung lines of his back with her eyes. Unsure of what to do, she pushed her stray hair behind her ear and gazed down at the floor.

"I didn't know. I had no idea. It was wrong of me to take all of my anger out on you," she began softly, cautiously raising her eyes from the floor.

She received no response from the man before her, but she swore that his muscles tightened even further. Reaching her hand out, she delicately rested it upon his shoulder. This was the first time that she had touched him without a fight, the first time where she was not afraid.

Kenshin's head jolted slightly, shocked that she would willingly touch him. His mind reeled in confusion from her actions. With his eyes still closed, all of his attention focused upon that soft hand on his skin. Heat pooled from the source and he willed himself to stay in control. He was so focused upon her touch, that he did not notice her slide to the front of him.

But when her hand shifted, trailing over his shoulder to rest just above his heart, his eyes sprang open. He was lost in her sorrowful azure eyes, framed with drying tears.

"I'm so sorry...Kenshin," she whispered, holding the gaze with his strained amber eyes.

"Kaoru," he muttered.

Swiftly, he pushed her fully against the wall, his sword forgotten and falling to the dojo floor. His hands rested upon her hips, holding her firmly in place. Moving closer, he came within inches of her body, stopping himself from consuming her right there.

Kaoru's eyes grew large at his actions, but she did not show any fear. She made no move to struggle, like she would have done before. This ordeal must have hurt him, for never before had she seen so many emotions cloud his eyes.

Bringing his head close to hers, he gently moved his mouth over the tear stains, kissing them away. She gasped slightly, surprised at how soft his lips were against her skin. She never knew that he could be so gentle, and so compassionate. If only she would have given him a chance before. She was so lost in his touches that she almost missed his words.

"It is I who should be sorry. I am unworthy of your kindness. There is no denying that I have wronged you. But, please, stop crying," he muttered desperately against her skin.

Her hand gripped his flesh a little more, and her other hand moved up to match the position of the first. He breathed lightly against her as she did so, pulling back slightly as he did.

"Kenshin," she whispered again.

He loved the way his name rolled from her lips. It brought forth emotions he never thought that he would feel.

"Kaoru," he responded.

His head dipped, tilting to the side as he approached her once more. His lips consumed her gently, waiting for any sighs of repulsion. Finding none, he pushed her mouth open with his, loving the way she tasted.

His hands snaked from her hips to wrap around her waist, moving against her until her body molded with his. Her arms trailed up his chest to wrap around his neck as she closed her eyes in contempt. His kisses became greedier, wanting to have more of her. Somehow this just felt right.

Kenshin's tongue prodded against her lips, licking and encouraging her. When her mouth slowly opened more, his tongue dug deep inside her mouth, running over every surface that he could find.

Kaoru pulled back, needing to find air to breath. As she panted, his mouth smoothly switched to her neck, lavishing her skin. She moaned as he found the hollow of her neck. Kenshin moved even closer to her, his grip wrapping around her further. She almost stood underneath him, her head bent back so he could remain in contact with her neck. Unconsciously, her back arched off the wall, pushing her body closer to his heaving chest.

Her hands buried themselves in the silk of her hair, holding tightly as her knees became weak from the ministrations. Kenshin could not get enough of the honey taste of her body. Her light jasmine scent set his mind afire. IT took all that he was to keep himself in check.

Although he did not want to, he knew that he must stop. This emotion was new to the both of them. He did not want to frighten her by pushing her too fast. Kenshin understood how easy it was to break the tentative bond that they had just formed.

Capturing her lips for a long kiss, he pulled away. Her slight whimper at his retreat tugged at him. Burying his head in the side of her neck, he still held her fiercely to him.

"Kenshin?" she called out lightly.

"Hmm?" he muttered, still not moving from his position.

"Is this wrong?" she asked.

He breathed in deeply before responding. "Does it feel wrong?" he asked, his voice low and muffled from his place in her neck.

She shivered as his lips moved against her skin as he spoke. The sensation sent sparks through her body.

"...I don't know. It should, but I don't think it does."

Her words tore at his heart slightly. The pang ran up his body, a sensation that he had never felt before. It was true. It should be wrong. After all, he had killed her father and he was cold hearted. But to him, it still felt right.

"Do what you feel is right, Kaoru," he replied solemnly.

Smiling gently, she pulled back the crimson locks from his neck. Moving her head down, she gently kissed the exposed skin, letting her lips linger slightly as she felt him groan into her neck.

"You're right. I should," she whispered.

She wanted to help him, to save him from a terrible fate. Although she could not forget what he had done, she could forgive. She needed his help to heal, just as he needed her help.

Pulling back, Kenshin's lips brushed over hers before he released her. He turned away, walking to pick up his fallen katana and gi. He then stood in the middle of the dojo, his back still to her.

"Come, Kaoru," he commanded.

She still stood against the wall, her breathing jagged as she watched him move. She had not wanted to be released from his grasp. When she heard his words, she stepped forward, walking to his side.

Kenshin exited the training hall slowly, his eyes straining back to watch the woman without fully turning. Carefully, she reached out, her fingers touching his briefly. Her eyes shot up to his face, watching for a reaction. He did not move, but his gait slowed even more, as if giving her permission to touch him. Quickly, she placed her fingers over his. He did not move his hand, but it still pleased her that he allowed this. Maybe Kenshin wasn't so bad.

TBC...