The Price of Blood
Chapter 15: Kisses and Deals
Amber eyes slowly opened to the darkness of the room. Judging by the shadows playing on the walls, he could tell that dawn was still hours away. There was no need for alarm. He could still rest for a little while longer. Kenshin snorted lightly before half closing his eyes once again. His arm reached out slowly, meaning to grab the figure that had been resting next to his body. However, there was nothing but empty space next to him.
Kenshin's eyes shot open in alarm. How had Kaoru managed to move without him noticing? How had she slipped past his defenses and instincts enough to move without rousing him from his sleep? Shifting, he propped his still naked body up on his elbows. His flaming hair draped over his shoulders, trailing down his pale, scared chest. Narrowing his eyes, they scanned over the room, looking for any disturbances in the room. Finally, he found what he was searching for.
Kaoru sat silently by the window, unaware that Kenshin was now awake. A pale blue shawl was draped around her body, blocking it from his eyes. Slight traces of skin were visible over her arms and neck, and her elegant thighs and legs were completely uncovered and tucked under her body. The soft moonlight flooded into the room, caressing over her skin and dark hair. She seemed to glow in the light. But she seemed to be so far away from everything. Her ocean blue eyes were distant. Kenshin watched her eyes slightly tremble and reflect a wetness that he could only recognize as oncoming tears.
Shifting more, the sheet that covered his body fell to his waist. "Kaoru," he called out.
Her body immediately stiffened and her head jerked up. Slowly, she turned to face him, her face now slightly covered in shadows. "Kenshin," she muttered softly.
Kenshin could not help but stare at the woman before him. Yes, she was still beautiful in this moment. But he did not know what to do. He did not want to frighten her and did not know how to confront her tears. So he waited, his eyes burning into her, waiting for Kaoru to react first.
She smiled softly at him before turning away. The soft shimmer of oncoming tears still threatened. "I'm sorry," she softly started. "I did not mean to wake you."
"You did not," Kenshin immediately replied, although his voice was slightly harder than he wanted.
Kaoru's eyes darted back to him momentarily. She shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze. A sigh escaped from her slightly parted cherry lips. She pulled the shawl closer to her body as a tremor shot throughout her body. "You killed them, didn't you?" she asked carefully.
After a moment's pause, Kenshin replied cautiously, "Yes."
The moonlight allowed him to see the lone tear that carved its way down Kaoru's delicate face. Kenshin felt a twinge shoot through his heart as he watched, spellbound by the haunting action. It tore through him, arousing an emotion that he had never felt before: sorrow. He did not want to see her in pain. After all, wasn't that why he killed the men? But how could he explain that to Kaoru. Kenshin prayed that she would not ask.
"Why," she whispered painfully.
Kenshin closed his eyes for a moment, breaking the spell that she had cast over him. He did not know what to say to her. Nothing that he could do would be a good enough explanation. He cringed as he bowed his head, allowing his crimson bangs to cover his face. Since when did he care about Kaoru's opinion? Why did it matter if he made amends for his actions with her? Why?
Silently, he rose from his position, not bothering to cover his nude body. He approached Kaoru, but she did not seem to notice his movement. Kneeling down behind her, he gathered her into his strong arms. Kaoru started for a moment, surprised at the action. However, she allowed herself to fall back into Kenshin's arms and be surrounded by the comfort that he offered. Kenshin ducked his head into the crook of her neck, breathing in her alluring scent of jasmine.
"They were threatening us," Kenshin replied slowly and quietly, deliberately choosing each word that he uttered. "I feared that they would harm you. My training took over. It is difficult for me not to kill now. It is still a new feeling for me. I have no excuses for my actions, Kaoru."
Kaoru turned her head and then bowed it, allowing her lips to drift upon the top of his head. She did not know how to react. She was so drawn to this man for unexplainable reasons but he stood for everything that she despised. The man had killed in her presence and he had killed her father. And now she was wrapped in his arms, nearly naked while he softly pressed his lips against her neck.
"You have no right to take another's life," Kaoru quietly muttered. "There are many ways to go about these situations without drawing blood. Protect with your sword, do not kill."
Snapping his head up, Kenshin tightened his grip upon her and roughly dragged her back into his chest. Narrowing his eyes, the amber orbs melted to his inner turmoil as he stared into her shocked blue ones. His mouth was pressed into a firm line as he addressed her.
"You cannot change the past, Kaoru. What's done is done. Would you have preferred them to kill both you and me?" he hissed to her with intensity. "Did you ever think about the outcomes? They would have open invitations to return if I did not set that example. It would have only led to a larger mess. We are not safe. I need to protect you."
"Kenshin," she whispered, trying to pull away from his angry expression. But he would not allow her to. Swallowing, she spoke softly to him. "But it is still wrong. Many things are wrong with this situation. I mean, I am still trying to deal with..."
"I killed your father, Kaoru," Kenshin interrupted. "There is nothing that you can do about that now."
Tears flowed down Kaoru's face as she began to shake. Kenshin's arms tightened around her more, pulling her tighter against his chest. The ends of his hair tickled her bare arms, causing her to shiver more. She turned her head away, refusing to look at the amber eyed man beside her.
"But it still hurts. He is dead and I am sleeping with his killer. I understand that he was wrong with what he did. I know what he did, but he was still my father, Kenshin. I am betraying him."
"He betrayed you," Kenshin growled into her ear. "It was he that left you for a life of lies. It was not your fault. He betrayed both of us. Your father died the moment he faked your death. I merely took the life of a shell with the same name."
"Kenshin," she whispered, loosening her grip upon her shawl to grasp his arms lightly. "I don't know what to do or how to help anymore."
"Do you trust me, Kaoru?" he heatedly asked her.
"What?" she asked brokenly, turning her head to look at him.
"Do you trust me?"
Pausing for a moment, Kaoru searched his eyes, looking for anything that she could find. Finally, she responded. "Yes."
"Then let me protect you. Let me take care of everything. I will not allow anything or anyone to harm you anymore."
"Can I…" Kaoru began in a soft, trembling voice. "Can I protect you?"
With a minutely trembling hand, Kenshin reached up and wiped away the cascading tears from Kaoru's cheek. "Kaoru…" he muttered huskily.
Holding her face, Kenshin pulled Kaoru to him, seeking her lips. Kenshin could not hold back the possessive growl as her soft lips willingly accepted his own. What started out as seeking and temperate soon became hard and claiming. Kenshin pulled her lower lip into his own mouth, sucking upon the flesh greedily. Kaoru moaned underneath him, her own hands coming up to span across his chest in a soft stroke. His skin trembled beneath her as his tongue came out to lick and nip at her lips. Her mouth opened for him immediately, allowing Kenshin to taste all of her mouth.
Kenshin's hands roved up to her shoulders, quickly pulling away the light shawl from her body. Caressing her skin, Kenshin branded her body as his own with hot, wet kisses and bites. Kaoru tossed her head back and closed her eyes when he released her mouth to taste the rest of her body once more. Her hands trembled at his chest, reaching around him to grasp onto his shoulders for support. Then, in an instant, Kenshin lifted Kaoru, stealing her lips in another kiss as she was pulled against his body.
Kaoru did not protest when he laid her back onto the futon and began to worship and encompass her body with his own.
Once again Kenshin was awoken from his slumber. However, this time the feelings that arose were different. He felt an aura outside the dojo, one that was not necessarily pleasant. Narrowing his eyes, Kenshin growled slightly. Looking back to the window, he realized that it was indeed light outside. Once again he was shocked. He had slept past dawn, a feat that had never before occurred.
Glancing down, he looked at the raven haired beauty that rested curled beside him. Her pale, delicate hand was stretched across his stomach. His amber eyes softened as he gazed upon her. She was so peaceful and vibrant. He did not deserve her. Sighing, he reached out and ran his fingers down her cheek with a feather touch. His fingers grabbed a silken dark lock. Reveling in its texture, he pushed it from her face before gently lifting her hand off of his body.
Then Kenshin arose, grabbing his discarded pants from the floor. He slipped them on quickly and began pulling his fiery hair back into his traditional high pony tail. As he reached the shoji, he looked back at Kaoru, who was still sleeping soundly. There was no need to awaken her. He did not want her to worry any more than she already did. Scowling, he turned and strode from the room, grasping his katana in one flawless step. He slid it into the strings of his pants, ready for any attack that might come to him.
Kenshin padded quietly and carefully through the halls of the dojo, using his stealth skills to hide his presence from the intruder. His amber eyes began to burn with more intensity as he made his way past the empty rooms. It seemed as though this person merely wanted to draw him out of the dojo. Quickening his pace, he allowed his instincts to lead him the rest of the way. The thought of a repeat of yesterday's antics plagued his mind. He did not want that to happen again. He would not allow Kaoru to be put in danger any more. These fools would learn that they could not win against him.
Sliding open a shoji to the outside lawn, Kenshin paused. One socked foot peeked through the opening, lying poised against the deck. His expressionless eyes scanned the yard before him, searching for the soul that had darned to come. His muscles were tensed and ready with his left hand resting against the hilt of his sword in preparation. Finally, his eyes found the intruder. Kenshin snarled as he took in the form, unconsciously moving forward to meet the person.
By the gate of the dojo was a tall, lean figure. He leaned against the panes, patiently waiting until he was noticed. Although he appeared relaxed, his muscles were ready for any immediate action. A lightweight katana was attached at his hip, alight from the morning's sun. His silted, yellow eyes stared at the dojo, directly to Kenshin. Those eyes never missed a movement, silently surveying like the wolf they resembled. A slender cigarette hung from his thin, pursed mouth. The smoke danced through the air, twirling and spinning before the slender wisps of hair that framed his face.
"Saitou," Kenshin growled.
The man removed the cigarette from his mouth, distastefully moving from his leaning position as he began to move forward. "Battousai," Saitou replied blandly. "It seems that your senses are dulling. It took you longer than expected to recognize my presence."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes further but said nothing in reply. His mouth set into a hard line as his hand slowly moved from the hilt of his sword. Kenshin moved from the porch of the dojo, stepping gracefully and collectedly onto the emerald grass of the lawn.
"What is it that you want, Wolf?" Kenshin said simply but darkly.
Saitou raised a thin eyebrow at the man before taking another long hit off of his burning cigarette. "Has your brain dulled as well, manslayer? It should be obvious as to what I am here for."
Kenshin straightened his back as he glared at the taller man. He knew why he was here but how had he found out so quickly? There was something happening that Kenshin was not aware of. Was this wolf against him as well? Had Saitou helped those souls in their attack against him and Kaoru?
"How are you aware of what had happened? Even a policeman such as your self would need more time to discover the occurrences. Have you broken our deal, Saitou?" Kenshin questioned, stalking closer to Saitou with each word.
Saitou smirked. "I have been keeping tabs on you, Battousai. I am aware of many things, including your…bonding with the Kamiya girl. However, it seems that you were the one to back down on our deal first," he replied calmly and disinterestedly.
Kenshin hissed angrily, immediately closing the remaining gap in the blink of an eye. He now stood directly before Saitou, his erratic eyes burning holes into Saitou's soul. His fist was clenched in a desperate attempt to check his rage. The thought of his and Kaoru's actions being watched snapped a wire within his soul. It took much of his will power not to draw his blade upon the man.
"How dare you spy upon us? If you taint her honor in any way, I swear I will end your life without a moment's hesitation," Kenshin spat out.
"Hmmm," Saitou drawled. "Perhaps if you didn't pull stunts such as this, there would be no need to survey this dojo. Why did you break our deal, Battousai?"
Kenshin cocked his head to the side while he glared at the man. His eyes disappeared in angry, glowing slits. "Why did you give away my location, Wolf?"
Saitou frowned at the fire haired man. "I do not know what you are talking about. Although it would be entertaining, I have better things to do than give away your location to any person that asks. You have been misinformed," Saitou explained in a dry voice.
"Then how did those fools find me?" Kenshin hissed out.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Battousai," Saitou said, getting another cigarette out from his pocket. "However, it did not change the fact that you killed some men."
"However, they were disposed of on their own accord. Their deaths cost you no work or trouble. I did not go back on my deal, Wolf," Kenshin snapped.
"Hmm, I suppose that you do have a point, man slayer," he said as he lit another cigarette with the others flame. "Still, I cannot allow this to continue. If this gets out to the citizens, they will not allow me a moment's peace. They will be in hysterics if they think that you are killing once more. I will not tolerate this."
Kenshin looked away for a moment, briefly thinking over Saitou's words. He wanted quiet and to be left alone. If these killings continued, it would not become a likely fate for him. Also, Kaoru would continually be in danger. He internally sighed, closing his eyes for a split second, mentally gathering himself. Finally, his tawny eyes turned back to Saitou. He glanced up and down his form, preparing himself to make yet another deal with this fowl wolf.
"I agree," Kenshin replied heavily. "This cannot continue. Why don't we make another deal, Wolf?"
Saitou took a long drag off of his cigarette, his yellow eyes unmoving as they stared at Kenshin, looking for any signs of reproach. "Well, what is it, Battousai?"
"If you help me discover the source, I will eliminate it," Kenshin said darkly.
TBC….
A/N: This story is getting increasingly harder to write. I have no idea what I want to do with this story and I really don't have a plot either, lol. I am sorry that it is taking me so long to update this story, but I am trying my best! I will update as soon as I can think of something for the next chapter, lol! Hope you enjoy!