AN – Well here is the brand-spankin' new chapter of Between Lives. This chapter is more of a filler chapter that leads onto the real plot later on. So that should make you happy, because that means that the story is really going to become, well, a story! From what's in my head right now, chapter three seems to be v. exciting if I may says so myself. So until then, read chapter two so that you can understand things later on.

Once again, thank you to my most awesome beta Kylie. I think my writing may possibly be improving… but we all know that can't possibly be true because then the world would be ending.

Disclaimer – Well, I forgot it in the first chapter so here it is. I don't own any small part of Rurouni Kenshin. Does that make you happy?

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Smile Empty Soul

Chapter Two - By Venus Goddess

The whole room became abuzz with excitement when Enishi and Kaoru finally made their entrance from the top of the grand staircase. Guests and reporters alike were all clamoring for a chance to get close to the couple. Questions and praise poured in from all sides and the two had a hard time answering them all. Only when Enishi had firmly stated that he would answer all their questions a little later, even the ones about that weren't about the hotel, had the paparazzi finally given them a little room to breathe. With the reporters a safe distance away, Kaoru and Enishi could begin to mingle with their guests.

Dragging Enishi along, Kaoru searched for Ayame and Suzume. She had met the two sisters while looking at some design books in the library, when they had approached her claiming that they loved her work and wanted to be just like her when they grew up. Kaoru had been more than just a little surprised by this statement, because she hadn't really designed anything big enough at the time to get noticed by anyone. After this, they had become fast friends and Kaoru even looked upon them as adoptive younger sisters.

When they saw Kaoru approaching, Suzume let out a squeal of surprise before coming in closer to give her a hug. "I love what you did with the place! It's fantastic how you've managed to combine Japanese and Chinese designs into one. I really am happy for you."

"Copycat," said Ayame before she too gave Kaoru a hug. "Just so you know, I was saying that exact thing before you came over."

Enishi said hello to the two before politely excusing himself under the pretense of letting them catch up on old times. He quickly gave Kaoru a kiss then left.

Rubbing the spot, Kaoru turned back to the two. "So, how's college been for you guys? Shouldn't you be graduating soon, Ayame?"

"Yeah, but first I have to go through this grueling week test. If I don't pass it, I won't be able to graduate," she said with a note of despair in her voice.

"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll do fine. And after you graduate, you'll come and work under me. I've been saving a spot up for you, you know," said Kaoru. This was followed by an indignant "Hey!" from Suzume. "You too, Suzume. I haven't forgotten about you just yet. Just concentrate on college for now." With that, Kaoru bid her farewells to go greet her other guests.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Enishi was talking to his friend as well.

"So, are you gonna do it tonight?" asked Chou.

"Yeah. I'm going to do it during the dinner tonight," he replied, fingering the box in his pocket.

"But what if she says no? I mean, isn't she known for dumping guys on a daily basis?"

Enishi had to restrain himself from punching Chou right then and there. "How dare you say that! Those other guys were losers, that's why she had to dump them. Now that she's with me and knows what a real guy is like, she won't even think of dumping me. She loves me."

Chou cowered under the glare that Enishi sent his way. "Sure, sure man, whatever. Of course she'll say yes. She's gotta be crazy not to."

Nodding his head in approval, Enishi left to go talk to his sister whom he'd just spotted.

"Tomoe!" he said when he got close enough for her to hear him. She gave him a blank look in return. "Oh sister, please don't be mad at me. You'll like her in the end, I promise."

At this a scowl crossed her face. "I'll like her even more if you'd just let her go."

"It's just you being protective over me, you always have been," he said, trying to placate himself and her.

"It's not that. There's something wrong with her, you just can't see it. She won't make you happy, brother. She'll only bring you despair in the end."

Sighing, Enishi decided on just dropping the subject. Tomoe hadn't liked Kaoru from the start and he would just have to hope that her mind would change. He was about to leave when he saw Tomoe's usually bland expression break into a smile. Turning around, he immediately scowled.

"Himura," was all he said as Kenshin handed his sister a glass of wine.

Kenshin didn't smile at him or his sister and only inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment of the terse greeting. Just as Enishi was turning to leave, Kenshin stopped him with a question. "How is Miss. Kamiya?"

Slowly turning around with more than a hint of suspicion, he asked "How do you mean?"

"I mean how did you like her as an employee?" he clarified.

"She was an excellent employee. I don't think this hotel would be half as magnificent as it is now if anyone else had taken on the job," said Enishi with pride.

Just then, Kaoru herself joined them. She and Tomoe exchanged cool glares before she looped her arm through Enishi's.

"Kaoru! We were just talking about you and your work on the hotel design," said Enishi, completely ignoring the tension between the two women.

"Were you now? Like what?"

"Well Mr. Himura was asking about how you were in the work field. I was just explaining your expertise in design."

Kaoru noticed the man standing next to Tomoe for the first time when Enishi pointed him out. Although he was short in stature, his whole demeanor exuded a quiet strength and intensity that let you know he was not to be underestimated. Unusually colored scarlet locks that were tied up high on his head seemed to complement his masculinity. All in all, Mr. Himura had her interest piqued.

"I hope Mr. Himura here does not find my designs too boring. I tried my best," said Kaoru, looking directly into honey-colored eyes. Holding his gaze for less than a second, she looked up to face Enishi. "It's time for the dinner. The waiters have told me that everything is ready and they're just waiting for you to announce it."

Smiling down at her as a silent thank-you, the couple excused themselves and made their way over to where the orchestra was playing. The musicians slowly came to a halt so that Enishi could make his announcement.

"Excuse me, everybody, but the dining hall has just been opened and if you could all direct your attention to the waiters, they'd be happy to escort you inside." Waiting a second to make sure that everything was going smoothly, Enishi stepped down from the platform and waited for Kaoru to loop her arm through his before proceeding with the rest of the guests toward the dining hall.

The guests waited twenty minutes before the meal actually started, in which time they continued to chat and sample some of the offered hors d'oeuvres. After the elapsed time, Enishi stood up from his place at a long table in the back of the room to catch everyone's attention. He bade them all a happy dinner before signaling the waiters to bring out the first course.

By the time dessert had been served, all the guests had had a good time stuffing themselves with the five star foods. It was during this time that Enishi introduced her to everyone as Sekihara Sae and others applauded and praised her work. She left after the initial applause had died down and then Enishi stood up to make another announcement.

"Now is the real moment that I've been so excited for tonight," he said while placing the microphone down on the table before getting down on his knee before Kaoru. Although no one could hear him, everyone knew what he was going to do and a pregnant silence fell over everyone as he pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket.

Two seats away, Yukishiro Tomoe was scandalized by what was happening. She couldn't believe that he was actually going through with this. A scowl spread across her face when a very shocked Kaoru slowly nodded her head yes.

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AN – So you read it, huh? Now if you would kindly tell me what you thought of it, I would be better able to make you like it better. I write to please. Not really… but leave a review anyways and I'll like you better.

Oh and I'll start using that reviewer reply thingy on the next chapter. So yeah, expect that. Until then, here they are.

Animelover – Why thank you! That makes me so giddy. Heh, I just used 'giddy'. I updated Mistakes, so if you haven't already, you can go check it out if you want.

StarFairy14s – Sorry, but it has nothing to do with the band. I didn't even know there was a band called Smile Empty Soul before you mentioned it. I looked up some of their songs, and they're pretty nice.

Nixy-Chan – I know, so do I! Stories with dark mysteries just keep you guessing and interested. I hope I haven't disappointed with the KxK interaction in this chapter, I know it's lacking. But I will definitely make up for that in later chaps.

Sueb262 – Yay, thanks. I hope you liked this chapter.

Reignashii – Yeah, I'm redoing it. The lack of flow and horribleness of it all was really grating on my nerves. Well here's the second chapter! Not everything's the same, so that should please you.