EDITED REPOST, 09/26/05. Note: Another edited chapter. I wonder if anyone is really reading this story anymore. I have no idea, I haven't gotten a review in so long. It'd be nice if at least someone could let me know whether they like the edited stuff better or not. It'd be much appreciated. Or am I just wasting my time?

Disclaimers: Kenshin, and crew, as always, belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama.

(This is rated R)

CHAPTER 13

"What are you doing Enishi?" Kaoru started to panic as he locked the bedroom door, and turned all the lights off. She couldn't see anything. She couldn't even make out his shape anywhere within the darkness.

"Enishi?" She called out again, her body trembling with fear. Without a moment's warning, he threw her down on the bed with such force that her head snapped back, and the dizziness that was pulsating through her head only increased.

"What are you do— stop it!" she shouted, and tried to push him away with both hands.

"I've waited too long for this, babe. I need you, now," the raspy voice growled and blew alcohol filled breaths into her face. The sloppily planted kisses he had been dropping on her were missing their mark ninety percent of the time; saliva now wetted her cheeks and her neck. Reality sunk in with a horrifying realization: he's too heavy for you to push off.

One of his hands roughly jerked her skirt up. "Oohh," he crooned into her ear while his free hands roamed underneath to cup her bottom. "You're so hot Kaoru, you know that?"

"Stop it!" she shouted again, and wiggled out of his reach as much as possible. Without any warning he slapped her across the face, hoping she would cease her annoying movements but she continually cried out for help.

"He may have been able to help you down there but I guarantee he won't this time. That bastard just doesn't get the point does he? He's starting to really piss me off."

Enishi reached beneath her neck, and clumsily began to untie the string that held her shirt onto her skin. In desperation she tried to plea with him, hoping that if yelling didn't work perhaps he'd find some pity in that rotten heart of his to stop. He doesn't even care for his own blood relation, his sister, do you think he'll really stop to understand to you?

"Please don't do this. How will this be enjoyable if you're taking me by force?"

Still he didn't pause or even bother to say anything back. Anger infuriated her and she yelled in his face, "Are you some sick jackass that gets pleasure out of doing that?"

Again he didn't respond. So she chose to lash out by scraping his face with her fingernails. This time there was a verbal response as Enishi growled in pain. In order to prevent her from doing it again, he grabbed her hands and held them down with his own. His teeth were used to finish the job, and to pull her now loose shirt down. Pleased at the sight of the newly revealed skin, he let out a low, satisfied grown. One of her hands were freed but it didn't help much as he moved his own on her jaw, just above her neck, and at first Kaoru thought that he was going to strangle her. She was slowly losing her ability to breathe properly anyways with all of his weight forced down onto her.

This is it, she thought as she savagely twisted her body, he's going to rape me. He's going to rape me, or kill me, and there is nothing I'm able to do about it. Or is there? Her mind was a torrent of thoughts, and the alcohol had her spinning non stop. Just wait patiently until he takes his pants off. Then you rip his— She thought she heard a zipper, but the sound seemed so distant, so faraway.

"I've waited too long for this so stop moving and just SHUT UP!" he roared and slapped her with such force that her head snapped to the side. Kaoru's face burned like the fiery winds of hell but she kept herself absolutely limp. Though that time she hadn't even been saying anything. Silently now, she waited for him to clumsily take his actions to the next level, to the removal of his pants which would result in his just rewards.

"He thinks he's really fucking smart doesn't he? Playing my sister and fucking you on the side. I'm gonna make sure I have the last laugh, slut, so you better force yourself to—"

A loud bang at the door made him pause in mid-sentence.

"Enishi!" Kenshin's voice rang out dangerously from the other side of the wood. Kaoru suppressed a cry of relief. She had never heard him sound so angry before.

"Open the door right now!"

"Your lover boy thinks he's going to save you," Enishi laughed. He reached underneath Kaoru's bra, and tightly clenched her breast. Never had she ever felt so violated in her life. Blood red stripes of nausea rocked her body.

Kaoru screamed.

"Enishi!" Kenshin yelled out again, "Open this door right now!"

"He sounds so brave doesn't he? He ain't gonna do SHIT!" He yelled the last word in her voice. Still restrained, she couldn't even wipe off the bits of spit he sprayed. Two of his shaky fingers managed to lock onto the string of her thong. One final desperation of energy soared through her and she let out several raucous screams.

"Stop it! Get off of me! Let go you bastard!" She screamed like she'd never screamed before, not even when she heard the darkened tidings of her parent's death. That sick smile never left his face for a moment. He was enjoying her struggle. Thankfully before he could get any further, like managing to remove her undergarments, the door burst open. Splinters of wood went flying about, and Kaoru cried out from the harsh brightness of the light.

"Get away from her you BASTARD!" Kenshin swore in mid-charge. She was prepared when Enishi pushed her off the bed. Instead of landing painfully, she managed to break her fall, but her head still felt like it was going to explode.

"Ugh…" she moaned into the carpet facedown. Sano was immediately by her side, and he wrapped a blanket carefully around her trembling form. Slowly he turned her over, and coaxed her up into a sitting position.

"Do it!"

Over all the pandemonium Kaoru could make out Enishi's daring yells to Kenshin, who had him pinned up against the wall.

"I don't need your fucking permission…" it came out as a deliberate whisper, an ominous hiss. Pulling back his arm all the way, Kenshin released a devastating blow straight into Enishi's smirking face. His head hit the wall with a sickening whack, and he slid to the ground, his body making no movements once upon the carpet.

Kaoru eyes followed upwards to look at Kenshin's face for the first time since he had burst inside the room.

It was a scary sight. He looked nothing like the sweet natured, polite boy from her university. The red mane of his hair was no longer pulled back, the black fastening had snapped amidst his rage, letting it loose to cascade wildly around his shoulders and back. Where his lavender eyes were supposed to be, she now saw pure, liquid amber. It was like they had been soaked in kerosene and set on fire. If the devil was able to take on a shape or form he probably would have looked very much like him. Easily, as if the platinum blonde didn't weigh an ounce, he hauled the body up and punched him again.

"Stop it!" Kaoru found herself yelling, not even knowing why she did it.

But her voice couldn't reach Kenshin.

He was beyond sanity.

He had gone completely berserk.

"Kenshin, please! Stop it!" Kaoru cried even louder. The tears in her eyes that had built up around the weak dam broke free. It was like a nightmare. The only thing that was focused in her mind was to stop Kenshin before he killed Enishi. And he WAS going to kill him.

Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Kaoru did the bravest thing she could even though she wasn't in a state to be doing a thing. Crawling away from the safety of Sano, she tossed herself onto Enishi's body becoming and acting like a shield.

Instantly Kenshin stopped as if he had been hit with ice, his body quaking heavily, his breath jagged, and inconsistent. Standing there like a formidable angel of death, he looked like a savage, bloodthirsty lion.

"Please…" Kaoru whispered to him. Seeing the cool, midnight blue of her eyes seemed to calm him down somewhat. Kenshin closed his own, and exhaled deeply. Sitting back on her knees, Kaoru examined Enishi's bloodied face from a safe distance. One small hand reached out to touch his scratched cheek. The skin there was cold and clammy. As for the body itself, it had been knocked out.

"I'll take care of it, jou-chan," Sano said from somewhere behind her.

Suddenly more aware of her surroundings, Kaoru pulled the blanket closer to her half naked body.

"Jou-chan?"

She placed a hand on her head, her hair falling down like a veil. Silently, motionlessly, she cried. The chaos around the room… the broken door… Enishi's figure lying almost lifelessly and the look on Kenshin's face…

It was all her fault.

From behind she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her, enveloping her in a soft embrace like the wings of an angel. A hand began to stroke her hair gently, immediately soothing her internal sobs. Kaoru looked up through her wet lashes to meet Kenshin's pensive, lilac eyes.

"Come on," he whispered, and helped her up.

Kenshin held her, and kept his arm around her, supporting her as they walked past the aftermath of the battle, together. Only at the spot that once had a proper door did he stop and turn his head over his shoulder.

"Sano…"

"I understand," his friend replied grimly, and gave Kenshin a light smile with a brief nod, which he returned. The relief felt good. Sano would take care of the mess but Kenshin knew he was in his debt.

They made it back downstairs, and Kenshin helped Kaoru get her shoes on without causing a scene with the people around there. He was being so delicate, and subtle that it only made her feel even more helpless.

"My car," Kaoru began but didn't get very far. She started to cough violently, and her throat gave a dry gag. She shakily pointed her car out to Kenshin, and gave him the keys. Still, he didn't move, only stood by her and patted her back till she stopped. Drinking water would help, but I think getting some of this cool night air in her body will do her some good, Kenshin considerately thought and pushed her down to sit for a moment. Then he quickly retraced his steps back inside and fetched a cup of water. All his senses were fixed on the girl outside, making sure that she stayed in place and no other presence dared to disturb her. I won't let anyone touch her, the familiar growl burned in his throat.

When he came to sit beside her again, he saw that she had fallen asleep, curled up against the cool concrete steps.

"Kaoru, I want you to drink this," he whispered into her ear, gently rubbing his hands up her bare arms.

"Hmm? Oh god, no. I don't want anything to drink," she murmured hazily, her voice already losing itself to the fatigue that drowned her. He wasn't going to accept no as an answer.

"It's just water," he pointed out. "If anything, it'll make you feel better Kaoru, so please drink some. Just have a sip, that's all you need to do."

Very slowly her slanted eyes opened and focused wearily on his red shirt. Her head moved to acquiesce and he gently tilted the cup against her parched lips. After he made sure she had drank the whole thing, which she did with such thirst that it would seem she had been dehydrated for days, Kenshin took her slender hands within his and pulled her up so that he could lead her to her car.

Buckling her in was a complicated manner. It came to both his and her attention that the blanket was still firmly wrapped around her body like a towel. And for a good reason, one that she didn't want Kenshin to see. He compromised that he'd turn around while she fixed her top. He did so in time to make sure she couldn't see his smile of amusement at the heat flaring up in her cheeks. As she double checked on him and then removed the blanket, she found that her clumsy hands just couldn't manage the simple task.

"Here," Kenshin offered almost after fifteen minutes of waiting patiently. Almost hesitantly, he reached out to slide his hands up her cool, bare shoulders. Her eyes followed every movement but not once did she interrupt him while her nerves were running like a basket case. In fact, she was thankful that his touch was warm. Gently, he guided her head downwards so that he could flip her hair over in order to tie it back up without catching any stray strands. For him to say that it wasn't enjoyable to touch her naked skin, it would have been a downright lie. The whole concept of dressing her aroused him in such a way that he felt deep shame pinch inside.

From this point on, Himura Kenshin went downhill from separating the lust he felt from his real emotions. She's completely out of it, and even then she still manages to be such a seductive woman. God, Kaoru… Kenshin tastefully thought. Her dry lips parted and she uttered a thank you before collapsing back against the seat, her hair thrown wildly around her body, covering the shapely curves of her chest. This time her eyes stayed firmly shut, her thick black lashes brushing the tops of her cheeks. Every detail created on her, from the exact hue of her skin to the length of fingers, Kenshin sat there, in the driver's seat, drinking all of it in. I guess we should get going, he managed to tell himself and reluctantly took his eyes away from her gorgeous form bathed in the pale moonlight.

With her belt safely on, he started the car and moved the gear into drive.

Ten minutes later he received a tell tale sign that Kaoru was soon going to be sick. In a dizzy pattern, her head started to roll around, and she was groaning incomprehensible words beneath her breath.

"Are you ok?" Kenshin asked as they approached a red light.

"No… I have to…" But she didn't obtain the chance to finish. Quickly, she threw the door open wide, and ran out, almost stumbling onto the pavement at first. To be honest, Kenshin didn't think twice to see if there was any traffic behind. To hell with everyone, he anxiously thought. She was in need. She needed him. Swiftly he ran after her and came close to her side.

"Here… Kaoru-dono, here."

His expert fingers swept all of her hair into his hand, away from her face, as he lightly patted her back, encouraging her, letting her know it was ok to get it out of her body. Kaoru nodded weakly and jerked her head away as the spasms took over. A sick taste burned her throat, and she threw up effortlessly. Blessedly it subsided and she found her body robbed of its energy. She fell back into Kenshin's solid form.

"I'm… I'm sorry," she whispered, and started to cry again. "I'm so fucking sorry Kenshin. For everything I said, like how I bitched about Tomoe, but you understand don't you? Ne? Please?" Sudden strength flowed into her and she caught him off guard by spinning around and looking up into his wide eyes. "I care, Kenshin! I care! Am I talking too much? Do you hate me right now?" Desperation twitched her lower lip, a sure sign that she was about to burst into tears again. Gripping her shoulders carefully, but steadily, he pulled her close into a tight embrace.

"It's alright! I don't hate you. I could never hate you," he admitted lightly, stroking the fine strands of her long hair. "But that's not the point. Listen," he paused and leaned back so that he could make eye contact, ignoring the small whimper of disapproval that came from her. She wanted him to hold her like that forever. She needed that comfort and nothing else had ever felt as good as he did. But Kenshin hoped that with direct contact she would understand him better.

"You have to do something for me now. Do you think you can do it?"

"Hai…yes… whatever you want," she moaned a little, the tears still streaking, twinkling down her face like liquid diamond.

"Please stop crying."

She bit her bottom lip and watched as his eyes swept over her face, the concern apparent everywhere, even in his body that would not leave hers for even a second. She nodded an agreement and then he helped straighten her up, leading her back to the car. Whatever cars had been around had swerved past him angrily and he was thankful that it was just her and him on the road again. With her dizziness being that serious, he'd have to drive slower.

"Don't worry ok. Just breathe through your nose, Kaoru. Breathe deeply, we're almost there."

"Are you… are you going to leave me?" She asked Kenshin a little hesitantly, her deep blue eyes open wide and wavering on him. Kaoru was silently pleading, hoping that he wasn't going to.

"Iie," was his firm reply as he continued to stare ahead at the road. Comforted by that response, Kaoru shut her eyes.

She must have passed out for several minutes because the next thing she heard was a car door shut. Slowly her eyes opened and she sat up, staring wide eyed at her surroundings. I… I know this place. I've been here before, but where am I? This isn't my house, I mean apartment. And Kenshin was no longer in the driver's seat. Instead he was standing at her door, about to open it.

"Here, give me your hand Kaoru-dono," he said and offered a hand.

Every so often along the way up the stairs and inside the main hall, she'd bump into him, tripping over her own feet.

"I'm sorry," she shyly whispered, avoiding his surprised, concerned filled eyes. Those white heeled shoes, he had to admit, hurt every time she stepped on him, but being able to hold her this close to his body while she clung helplessly to him was worth all the pain in the world.

"My head…" She whispered faintly. She stumbled away from Kenshin and reached for a wall near the elevators. With her back firmly pressed against it, she slowly, very slowly slid down, and almost landed on the elegantly carpeted flooring. By this point her skirt was all the way up.

Kenshin tried to avert his eyes.

At first.

He really did, but her shiny sequined undergarment caught his attention. Sparkling attractively under the crystal chandelier lights, he found his eyes becoming glued to her. As they devoured her from head to toe, he almost growled at the sight of her bare thigh, and how it met the lovely curve of plump flesh behind. No, this is wrong, he mentally shook his head.

"No, no. Kaoru-dono, I need you to get up."

Like seriously, he wished he could have said just to get it out of his itching system, I need you to get up before I end up on that floor with you beneath me.

By now his aroused thoughts were screaming.

Oh god. She's not getting up. And I can see her butt. Oh my Kami-sama. I can see her butt. That is once nice— STOP IT!

If anyone had seen him, they would have thought he was drunk too. The way he forced his body down even though it was intent on standing there, staring at all that skin, he looked like a rigid nutcracker man using its legs for the first time. Kenshin bent down, and waited patiently for her to respond while carefully making sure to not look THERE again.

"Just…" she tried to say but stopped.

"Hai, go on," he encouraged his companion as he rubbed his hand against her leg. She's so cold, he thought with surprise. I think I might have a few ideas on how to get her body temperature back to normal. Maybe a little above normal…

"Just gimme a couple minutes…" Kaoru trailed off.

To Kenshin's ears, he could've sworn he heard her moan. Oh my god. That is the LAST thing I really want to hear from her.

Or is it…?

The heat in the center of his body pulsated, bringing the organ that deservingly made him a man to stiffen with held back desire. Her head tilted back, and she slid down further.

Kenshin stood back up, taking a couple steps away but not for her safety alone. It was for his own good as well. He stood there blankly watching over her like an angel.

A perverted angel. You shouldn't be thinking these things.

God forgive me when I have such a beautiful girlfriend of my own.

Look away. Stop thinking of Kaoru.

But he couldn't find himself to obey.

Kami-sama, he stepped back and observed, she looks pretty bad. Well, her face does. She looks sick but her body is just fantabulous…

When his hand smacked his head, the echo followed down through the hall.

Ok, different tactic. Look away and count to a hundred.

One… two… three… four… Kenshin silently agreed and began to do so. When he had reached the final number, he roused her from her comfy looking rest. Seeming very reluctant to get up from that much needed snooze, he tried helping her up but she stumbled once again in those damned high heels.

"Take them off Kaoru," he told her and began to steady her with both her arms hanging loosely off his shoulders.

"My clothes?" she murmured innocently.

Kenshin froze.

"…O… …RO…"

At first he thought his mind was playing deviously dirty tricks on him. He couldn't breathe.

Her clothes. She thinks the clothes. Take off the clothes.

The halter. Coming off.

Naked.

Body.

Kaoru.

"My clothes?" She asked sweetly again, one hand falling down to the already low neckline, the fingers tugging at it and revealing even more of that pale curve of her breast.

Holy shit. If there is a god out there, save me now. Please. This unworthy one, this really REALLY unworthy one needs saving right about now!

Of course nothing miraculous happened and Kenshin was left to handle the situation by himself.

I have to get her to stop.

"No, no!" He squeaked. Good going. You sound like you just hit puberty and heard the word sex for the first time.

"I meant for you to take off your shoes, koishii," he smiled politely, hiding his thoughts and pathetically trying to cover up the feeling of supreme idiocy.

"Oh," Kaoru sighed.

Why does she almost sound disappointed? Or am I hearing things that I want to hear that aren't being expressed?

Still she clung onto him while slipping them off.

I'm going to have to carry her. She won't be able to stand in that elevator for two seconds.

Out loud he said, "Kaoru, I'm going to carry you now, alright? It'll be easier for you that way and it'll take less time. I know you probably just want to get into my bed right and I promise we'll be there soon enough."

Idiot! He fumed. During his furious storm he accidentally bit down on his tongue. Kaoru, in her drunken state, barely noticed when he punched his leg and swore angrily under his breath, words that would have shocked anyone that knew him.

"Yeah, I do," she breathed against his neck, sending prickles of shivers to course through his body as her own toned one curled itself against him.

"Ok. Um. On the count of three, I'm going to… ah… pick you up, if that's ok with you."

"I don't mind," she sighed again and closed her eyes, her body weight fully being supported by his arms. "You can do whatever you want."

Oh, if it were only that simple, Kaoru.

"Oh ok," he replied stupidly but lucky for him, she was way too out of it for her to notice the internal struggle that he was fighting with.

"On the count of three: One… two… three."

She was quite light. A little heavier than Tomoe, Kenshin compared. With a nice butt like that, I'd think you'd require a couple extra pounds.

He carried her into the elevator, and soon enough they were in his home. Ever so gently, Kenshin placed her on his bed.

"Wha…what are you d-doing?" Kaoru stammered. She sounded scared, and looked utterly confused. Black mascara had smeared down her face, causing her to look like a ravaged doll.

"Shhhh, relax Kaoru. I'm just going to get something for you to change into. Just lie back down for now." It wasn't like she could have disagreed even if she had wanted to. Falling back onto the thick comforter, she passed right back out into la la land. Going to his dresser and rummaging quietly, Kenshin knew well enough that even if he made a considerable amount of noise she wouldn't have woken up, but he still felt as if he needed to be quiet. A whole army including a military tank could have stormed in and she wouldn't have noticed. Still, to him she felt so fragile in this state.

That and a couple other thin—

Deservingly, he shut his fingers in the drawers. Mutely now, both mentally and verbally, he fished around the bottom ones until he produced a pair of track pants and a sweatshirt that would fit her. At least cover her from head to toe. Anymore little distractions and Kenshin didn't know what he would do next.

"Ya know, Kenshin," Kaoru's voice sounding out so suddenly nearly made him jump. Turning to face her, he said, "Hai, Kaoru-dono?"

"I always loved your cologne."

Kenshin smiled to himself, both pleased and amused by her cutely unnecessary odd comment. "Arigatou."

He lowered his head politely for a mere second before coming to approach her, clothes in hand. "Here, put these—"

"But not on Tomoe," she interjected in a final sounding tone, like a parent addressing a teen in a serious matter. The silence that followed between them was deafening. Neither one of them made any movements, or said anything at all, but just continued to lock awkward stares.

"And for that, I'm not sorry," Kaoru concluded and hiccupped. Being the gentleman that he was, Kenshin cleared his throat and handed her the clothing, telling her politely that she should change into them to keep warm. When she only sat there, staring and blinking blankly, he laid them beside her and propped her up.

"Let me know when you're finished okay?"

Turning his back before hearing her response, he waited and stared at the plain white wall in front of him.

"Finished?" Kenshin asked a couple minutes later. "Kaoru-dono? Are you done?"

There was still no reply from her. Feeling somewhat anxious, Kenshin turned around then and let out a surprised laugh. There she was, curled up into a little ball on the bed. Sleeping away like a little baby. And then there was that small matter. That teeny tiny skirt. It was enough to drive any sane man mad. Especially when it was flaring out like that, which helped to cut the length by a quarter. Maybe it didn't sound so significant but it sure looked it.

"No, no, no."

Gently he scooped her up again into a sitting position. "You have to change Kaoru. Look, you're cold!" He pointed out at the tiny goose bumps that were forming on her arms.

"Ok," a small voice came from within her. After many failed attempts, Kaoru gave up. She nearly fell over three times, and lucky for her, Kenshin kept on catching her.

"Okay," he said when he caught her for the final time. She snuggled against his arms, and closed her eyes.

"No Kaoru!" He almost scolded. "I know you're tired but you have to change first. Ok, stand up," he guided her. She obeyed, but had a slight sway.

"Here, put your arms here. Like this."

He showed her by taking her hands, and placing them on either side of his shoulders for her to balance. Ok, he breathed deeply. He had an idea. Getting the pants on isn't going to be very hard because she's wearing a skirt! I can simply slip them on underneath. He guided her gently, telling her to first lift up her right leg, then her left.

Yosh, the pants are on!

"Ok, keep your arms on me," he instructed. His hands reached around, feeling against her butt for the zipper. Oh Kami-sama, Kenshin thought, Tomoe's behind definitely doesn't feel as good as this.

"Found it," he whispered this to himself.

So the skirt was off, and pants were on, but now that shirt looked like it was going to pose a problem, a nice inconvenient roadblock for him.

Inconvenient?

No.

Enjoyable…

"Turn around," he rushed his voice, desperate to delay his primal instincts that twitched inside. Comprehending everything, she did exactly what he asked. Now his arms were hugging around the inwards curve of her waist, and he pulled her back to sit between his legs on the bed. Deftly brushing her hair aside with his fingers, underneath he found the knot that held her top in place. Taking his time, he undid it carefully as if afraid to hurt her.

One last slip of the string, he thought as it pulled through his fingers.

And then it fell away and all he could see was smooth, creamy skin. Kenshin stared hungrily at her back, the both of them frozen in place.

For Kami-sama's sake, why me?

It was taking all of his strength to sit as still as possible. He could hardly restrain himself from touching her skin, caressing it with his experienced hands and giving her the ultimate in pleasure. He just wanted to trace his fingers along the smoothness of it all, against the fine curves of her shoulder blades and down the shadow of her spine.

Tomoe!

Hearing her name echo in his mind, sounding so faraway that it was almost unrecognizable caused shock to course throughout his body but his inner conscious patiently reminded him of the main fact:

…She's not around.

Even as he leaned in, lips moistened and parted, he could feel the flicker of amber coming to life in his eyes.

"Kenshin… I'm cold."

Damn it.

Within that second of hearing her indigent voice, the flicker of need was gone and he slowly moved away from her. Catching her completely off guard as his thighs were no longer supporting her, she nearly fell off the edge of his bed but Kenshin was there to stop it from happening. Both his hands were clamped around her stomach and were able to feel her softly toned muscles beneath the layer of skin.

"Uh… turn back around, okay?"

She did so, and he began to instruct her again, but he could feel his awkwardness. "Put your arms up ok? Keep them up."

Kaoru looked down into his eyes, lazily fluttering her lashes, and to Kenshin, it felt like the most seductive thing ever. He knew it was the alcohol inside of her that was speaking, that was making her so deliciously naughty, but he couldn't pull away from her invisible grip. The way she had slowly narrowed her midnight blue eyes, the way they closed, and opened subtly, it was erotically enticing to watch her slanted eyes watch him.

"Are we playing cops and robbers now?" her silky smooth voice purred. Kaoru tilted her head, and curved her lips into a sexy smile. At first Kenshin was confused but then he realized she was talking about his instructions. Her slightly heaving chest wasn't helping either when it was so close to his face. Those tasteful curves were begging to be set free from that lacey black bra that was acted like a prison to them.

Kenshin stopped caring altogether about the rest of the world.

Untamed flecks of amber sparked again.

Before he knew it, Kaoru had climbed on top of his lap, both hands pressed against his chest, clearly trying to push him down. And frankly he wasn't in the mood to try and stop her. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Both of them had been on the brink of snapping from all the sexual electricity that cackled like a static storm.

Kaoru was being rough and feisty; calling all the shots. Kenshin had no objection to that. The burning amber soul in his eyes only welcomed her behavior more. Tangled on top of each other, after several aching seconds, their lips finally touched and Kaoru fuelled the passion, pressing hard and working it fast. It was dirty. Lashing her tongue mercilessly against his closed lips, Kenshin denied her for as long as he could withstand it, but with a deep groan he became submissive to her intent and allowed her to explore inside. A satisfied sound escaped from her as she roamed his mouth, leaving no area unexplored in search of her target. Marveling in everything from the faint taste of sweet spice to the velvety smooth texture, she sighed audibly as her pointed tongue found what it had been searching for; his own.

A vicious game of erotic tag ensued, bodies twisting against each others as their tongues followed suit. Under his shirt her hands roamed freely, eagerly rubbing at the hard muscles of his chest. Smugly, Kenshin knew that she was probably getting a little ahead of herself. God knew that she was rather inexperienced in the whole 'sex department' but Kenshin couldn't have complained. Her feisty eagerness and carelessness was very apparent to him but he let the little tigress roam free. Just the thought of her complete innocence aroused his senses even higher.

I'm her first, and only.

A fierce growl of pleasure had to be suppressed inside. Of course he was being selfish but he relished in the fact that this virginal goddess was doing these things to him and him only. He was her first. Eyes closed, he let his thoughts instead slip down to the pulsating heat that had hardened between his legs. It was almost too much to bear, feeling her ride him up and down through the irritating, unnecessary clothing. Speaking of which, it's getting in the way, he thought deviously. And that was Kaoru's thoughts exactly. Only difference was that she turned them into actions, which Kenshin was thankful for. Though he thought of her as being fierce, if he compared that to what he would have done, she'd undoubtedly have to be labeled as tame. Two of her fingers sliced down the front of his shirt, scattering the burgundy buttons so that they went flying about. Frankly not giving a damn about his shirt, his thoughts only consisted of: it had been a nice shirt but now… now it's just getting in the way. He just wanted Kaoru to be able to keep on caressing his bare body with her amazingly soft hands. Softly drawn out moans from her caused him to groan in turn, voicing out his ferocious need that spiraled back down to his hardened member.

"Ohhh… God Kaoru," Kenshin murmured into her shampoo scented hair, "You're so beautiful. And you're so hot."

His eyes traveled up and down her flesh. All her undergarments were still on he noticed with dismay. He reached out and pulled her down to him. With both hands rearing behind her to unfasten her bra, he whispered, "You make me hot Kaoru. You're so damn hot, you know that?"

Kenshin groaned into her ear, and lightly bit down on it as his fingers playfully pulled at the clasp, not quite removing it free from all the hooks. Instantly Kaoru's eyes widened but she wasn't seeing Kenshin.

She was seeing Enishi instead.

The man beneath her was just about to flip her underneath him, and give her a night in paradise with his former self, Battosai, when she suddenly jerked away. And she did it so fast, and froze like a deer caught in the oncoming headlights. Her eyes were wide open, and they were staring at him in such a way— he didn't like it at all. He gazed back and called out her name.

"Kaoru?" It sounded out hoarsely.

"D..don't touch me," she stammered but yelled. "He said that!"

Kenshin's brows crinkled together. "Kaoru? What are you talking ab—"

"Enishi!" She hissed, backing away when he re-approached her with his hand. "Enishi said that to me. What you just said."

Right now the look she gave wasn't an impressed one. She wasn't looking at his exposed upper body in a hungry way. Instead, to her those tightly developed muscles and heaving hairless chest reminded her of him. Kenshin closed his eyes, and shook his head, his bangs settling themselves across his eyes. Nothing she had just said made sense to him at all. In fact if anything he was more confused than to begin with.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Kaoru."

In the same tone as she used previously, she explained once again, "Enishi said the exact same thing that you just said. He said it when he was trying to… when he tried to …"

"…I see," Kenshin completed for her when she stumbled on uselessly, unable to finish. Giving up, Kaoru collapsed back against the fluffy pillows.

Shit, shit, SHIT, Kenshin swore inside to himself. To make things worse his lower extremities were not comprehending the situation properly. Being able to still taste her presence, drink her warmth, it didn't help at all. Ok, instead of replaying everything in your head, why don't you start off by apologizing? Kenshin looked up and said, "I'm sorry… Kaoru."

She flicked her eyes to his upon hearing the apology. Fathomless midnight blue stared back, almost hinting him a sorrowful feel. "It's not your fault. I…I shouldn't have reacted that way. I'm sorry too." She closed her eyes for several minutes, gathering up all her thoughts about what had just happened. And what it had almost been leading to. Gone was all the lust. It had been cut away coldly, and was barely there clinging to the air like old perfume. She felt something being draped across her upper body.

"Here, put this on."

Trembling so badly, Kaoru's hands just couldn't manage to slip on the sweatshirt. Soon her eyes did the same and she was fighting hard to avoid a waterfall of tears. Wordlessly Kenshin assisted. Even when he felt wetness land on his hand he did not question her, only helped her to get under the safety of the down covers. In his own mind he was thinking that now wasn't the time to evaluate what they had been doing. Time would come later to be appalled.

After changing into a pair of grey jogging pants, he decided not to don a shirt. He was still feeling hot, and he usually slept in boxers anyway with a thick comforter. Usually that was more than enough to keep him warm. That or the lovely warm blooded body of his girlfriend.

Tomoe.

Thinking her name bit down on him like a snake.

Don't think about her though. Don't you think it's time to take Sano's philosophy to heart? Worry about her later. But even with that firmly set in mind it didn't completely comfort him. Sooner or later he was going to have to face the music and it was just in his nature to worry over these things until they happened. Kenshin moved away from the bed, taking his eyes off the lump that had its back towards him. In case she was already sleeping, he whispered, "If you need anything Kaoru-dono, I'll be in the liv-"

"Don't leave me!"

The bed shook and her body entangled itself in the comforter in order to turn around. She had sounded so… so pitiful, his mind put in. Battered and depressed. Like a scared child that had no one left. Upon initially hearing her, he almost didn't recognize her voice.

"Kaoru-dono," he sighed and bent down, putting his arms onto the bed. "I'll only be just down the hall."

"Still," she persisted, eyes wide, "Please don't leave me."

Kenshin didn't really want to argue with her. Desperation from her panged his heart. He was a fool for people in need, and when it came to her he'd do anything. Second, fatigue was beginning to catch onto him too like a heavy burden dropped on his back.

"Ok, I'll stay."

"Thank you," she expressed her gratitude softly.

Slipping down in beside her, he felt her body stiffen as he drew closer. Gently, as soft as silk, she felt his lips on her cheek and he held her momentarily.

My whole life, this is all I ever wanted. But I can't have it can I?

Thoughts turned to nothing and the alcohol rocked Kaoru to sleep. Each passing second steadied her breath until it developed a rhythmic pattern that Kenshin could count to. As it settled nicely into a calm pace, his arms reluctantly slid away, and he moved back to his side of the bed. That was one HELL of a night, he thought, rolling his eyes. No more parties for me. I don't even drink. There's no need; enough drama goes around when you're sober. In the back of his mind he could hear Sano's convincing voice and exactly what he would say.

"Oy, Kenshin! What are ya talkin about? It was a win-win situation! You got to deal Yukishiro some payback and you completed the evening with a fine female lying in your bed. Admit it; it WAS a good party!"

Sano, Kenshin smiled fondly.

But it didn't last very long, and Kenshin's eyebrows drew closer together.

Enishi…

Thank you to everyone who reviewed

I have to admit I was little angry that I hadn't received many reviews. It was always the same supportive people, and I was hoping that some others would begin to give me feedback too. It's not all about getting happy reviews or feeling great because of it. It's because it gives me support, and makes me write more, and try my best at it. Whether it be positive or negative I appreciate any feedback that I get. It only takes less than a couple minutes to do so.

This story will be a long one I think. I personally know what the pairing is going to be. Don't be upset or get disappointed because I still have a little ways to go, and ANYTHING can happen so just stick around… and you'll see : )

Thanks again to the main people who have been reviewing constantly.