NEW AN- Okay, a couple of reviewers mentioned a few mistakes- I went back and fixed some, (the ones I could find) plus added a sentence or so here or there- Nothing major- but just so you readers are aware. Thanks!

Author's Note- Well, this chapter has a bit of everything (including the long awaited meeting). I realized that introducing the whole Aoshi/Misao relationship, then not touching on it for like a bizillion chapters- would not be a good thing. Although this story is most definitely Kenshin/Kaoru oriented, I do want to include other characters and their relationships involving one another. (As the story unfolds and as characters are introduced) Hopefully- you'll all enjoy that as well….grin.

PS- I know, the wait is killer. Why am I such a slow writer?

Disclaimer- Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Rating- R/M- Read at your own risk….dun dun duuunnnnn.

Things Left Unsaid

Chapter Six

Reading Between the Lines

Misao tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ear and shifted beneath the cool sheets of the hotel bed. Twirling the errant strand of hair between her fingers, she rolled her shoulder blades back and rubbed at her still sleep filled eyes. Twisting her mouth in what could be called an annoyed grimace, she rolled onto her side and fluffed the pillow beneath her head violently. Fearing that she may permanently damage the stuffing, Misao regretfully stopped her assault on the now slightly battered object. She was not a happy girl.

Last night was supposed to have been a night full of Aoshi! Her hands gripped the sheets painfully and she rolled across the bed fitfully. It was supposed to have been perfect! Instead, the night had gone dismally down hill from the beginning. Glancing at the light that was just starting to show between the gaps in the drapes, she grabbed at the clock next to the bed.

It was just after seven. She groaned.

The night had started out so perfectly. Sarah had said she would stay late for her at the restaurant, she had made a bundle in tips, and Aoshi had been on time and looking hot enough to eat with a spoon. She had even been able to introduce Kia to him, something she'd been trying to do for weeks! Her and Aoshi were going to stay in a fancy hotel, make love until she passed out, and spend the entire next day wrapped up in each other! It had all been going flawlessly too, until she had jumped in the shower.

She couldn't help it that she didn't want to have sex smelling of food, liquor, cigarette smoke, and all other aspects of a restaurant. Of course, he hadn't really seemed to mind. Misao shivered at the sudden heat that ran through her. Yeah right, she had thought for a moment last night that his control had completely snapped. That had only happened on a few occasions, and Misao could remember just how sore she had been the mornings…errr afternoons after he had cracked. Those nights also contained some of her most pleasant and mind blowing memories. She edged the sheet lower in a sudden attempt to cool off.

He had been so intensely set on her, so out of control the moment they had stepped into the hotel room. His passionate nature that was hidden from the world was one of the things that she found most attractive about him. He was so different from her in so many ways, but at the same time could be just as- if not more passionate than she could be. And it was amazing and breath taking to be the center of his focus. To have all of his attention honed in on her.

She had noticed the trait in him the first time they had met. His steely gaze that spoke volumes while he spoke nothing. He had been tall, dark, handsome, and mysterious. And luckily for her, interested. That she still didn't understand at times. He was so amazing and had such depth within him- how could he possibly want someone as energetic, annoying, and painfully average as her? She knew what she looked like. As one of the boys in her college calculus class had said, skinny and childish looking with an air of immaturity. Misao still had nightmares in which Aoshi would look at her and suddenly realize how much better he could have done. They were not pleasant.

Misao rolled over again, trying to turn away from her suddenly unpleasant thoughts. The thoughts however followed her and she growled at her inability to rid herself of them. Pushing herself up onto her elbows, she blew her bangs haphazardly out of her face. There wasn't any way she would be able to get back to sleep now.

She crawled out of bed, cursing the cool air that hit her exposed skin. Repressing a shiver, she recalled last with a frown on her face. Aoshi had given her very little information when he had left. Stating simply that an emergency at work had come up, and that he needed to take care of it immediately. She hadn't argued with him, knowing that his work was important and often involved odd hours. This wasn't the first time their evening alone together had been ruined by an unexpected problem at his work.

Misao stood and scrunched the long carpet beneath her toes. Soft carpet on her bare feet was one of her favorite simple pleasures. Yawning away the last bit of sleepiness she stepped into the bathroom. She poured herself a tall glass of water from the tap, and sipped at it delicately while at the same time examining her appearance. The cool water felt wonderful on her throat, and she rested the chilled cup against her neck. Misao had hoped that he would have been back by now. If she had known he wouldn't, she wouldn't have bothered to sleep in the black teddy she had splurged on last week. She had tried on over twenty different pieces before deciding on this particular one. Misao supposed now that it would have been just as effective to wear her paper bag grandma pajamas, since Aoshi hadn't seen her in them.

Turning slightly in the mirror to examine her figure, she furrowed her eyebrows. Although her body wasn't as 'developed' compared to many others, the skimpy lingerie did enhance what she had. And she knew that Aoshi enjoyed black quite a bit.

Stupid Aoshi and his stupid job.

Even she would admit that having a long distance relationship wasn't easy. Misao was only able to see Aoshi once every two or so weeks. It had been fine when they were still getting to know each other and the dating had been casual- but now it created a mess of problems. She wanted to see him, wanted to just be with him in everyday situations. And of course she wanted to wake up to his face every morning. That was a new thought for her.

Misao had never been involved so much in a relationship, never had been so invested in one. Aoshi had been the first one she had ever been physical with. Her hormones were in overdrive because of him. It had been the first relationship in which she had thought the words, I love you. Misao hadn't said those words out loud yet, but even thinking them was a huge step on her side of their relationship.

She didn't want it to end just because of the distance.

But she couldn't continue in the relationship the way it was. Every time she had to say goodbye, it tore her heart more and more. Shutting her eyes against her reflection, she took a deep cleansing breath. If only she knew how to tell Aoshi what she was feeling. Misao wasn't sure what to do- what step to take. The thought of moving terrified her, the thought of staying and him leaving alarmed her more.

And worst- she worried that for him, this wasn't serious. That if she told him how much he meant to her, he would calmly tell her that she was overreacting. Misao was just a casual relationship while he was in Chicago. That she was nothing more than a fuck buddy.

Her stomach dropped.

Feeling a sudden stiffness in her back, she set down the glass and allowed herself a half back bend. She pushed the heavy thoughts to the back corner of her mind. Hearing a satisfying crack, she sighed in content. Allowing her body to stay in the slightly contorted pose, she eyed the now upside down wall behind her with concentration. Thinking about the future right now was not a good idea. Misao prided herself on the fact she lived in the present, and didn't become lost in the unchangeable past and the possibility filled future.

She would wait until the hotel check-out time for him, hopefully he would come back and they would be able to spend some of the day together. Otherwise….Misao shook her head…right, she wasn't going to think about the future.

Shutting her eyes, she pulled herself out of the backward pose and leaned forward toward her toes. Letting her hair hang unbound, Misao rested her forearms against the cool tile of the floor. She hadn't stretched this well in a long while. Feeling the muscles in the back of her legs loosen, Misao groaned aloud at the wonderful sensation.

She jerked reflexively as a cool hand rested itself against her barely clad backside. Alarmed, Misao attempted to straighten herself. Who had the gall to come into a stranger's hotel room and feel them up? The body connected to the hand moved closer until she could feel the person's body directly behind her, squeezed close due to the small confines of the room.

Feeling them lean forward over her, she tensed at the feeling of him molding his body to her own.

"Misao."

His hot breath ghosted along the shell of her ear, and her heart beat began to slow as she recognized the voice. Relaxing against him, Misao bit her lip to keep from crying out as one hand traveled up to touch her breasts and the other gripped her hip, pulling her up.

Opening her eyes, Misao watched in the mirror as Aoshi smoothed her hair away from her neck. He tugged gently on it, and Misao felt her head fall to the side. Letting her eyes drink in all that she could see of his reflection, she took in the outside coat and wind tousled hair. She glanced at his face, and had her eyes caught in his intense gaze. A slow smirk spread across his face as he lowered his head to nip and lick at her neck.

His breath and tongue set Misao's body on fire, and she writhed against his strong form. From the time they had first started dating, Misao had realized that Aoshi had a fondness for her neck and shoulders. Often times after he visited, she would need to break out her turtle necks for a few days until the telltale signs of his obsession faded. It looked like she would have to again.

Feeling his teeth scrape against her shoulder, she jumped beneath his ministrations. His tongue quickly followed, and her eyes slid shut at the sensation.

"A…Aoshi…"

Her voice came out breathy and low, and the grip around her waist tightened. She let her lower body move against his, her instincts taking control of her actions. He reciprocated by nipping up along her neck and holding her hips still. The breath along her neck accelerated.

"Misao."

The words ran through her body, and Misao was suddenly turned completely around. She loved the way he said her name. Not bothering to wait, she immediately went up onto her tip toes to kiss him.

She prayed that for Aoshi, this was more than just sex.

Shutting her eyes, she let Aoshi pull her from the room and half drag half carry her to the bed. Feeling it behind her knees, Misao allowed herself to fall back- trusting that Aoshi wouldn't let her harm herself. She hit the comforter softly, his hands cradling her slack form. Waiting to feel his mouth on hers, she opened her eyes when instead his hand rested against her cheek. He stared down at her, and she could sense a blush forming. His forehead followed after it, and he touched their foreheads together.

Seeing something unidentifiable in his eyes, she curved her arms around his neck and idly played with his hair. Something was definitely going on with him.

"You will not leave me."

The words were spoken plainly, and were in direct contrast to his hands which had started to do wicked things to her body. Struggling to hold onto her conscious train of thought, she quickly let go of it as his hands started removing her clothing. Her head jerked from side to side as his mouth trailed over her skin.

"You will not do to me what she did to him."

She wasn't sure what he was talking about, and gathering every ounce of self control she had, she forced his head up toward her own.

"Aoshi, I need you."

She kissed him again, and found herself once more lost in his caresses. Misao wasn't sure what was bothering him, but at the moment she just wanted to be with him. His hands tightened on her almost painfully, but she didn't mind.

She had no idea what the future would bring, but Misao was determined not to worry about the future. To hell with the future. She wanted to stay in the present, with Aoshi. Where they were together and there were no problems with the distance, moving, his job, her school, and there wasn't a serious talk that was long overdue.

She wanted this moment to never end.

Kaoru sat at the small dingy table, sure on some level that she must have entered the Twilight Zone. Kenji sat next to her, his legs swinging back and forth as he munched happily at his plate of pancakes- oblivious to the heavy tension that was thick in the air as he continuously chattered. He spoke to no one in particular, the small child seemingly addressing the pancakes in front of him with his comments on just how sticky and yummy they were. She could hear the television playing Kenji's favorite cartoon in the other room, the loud noise filtering through the thin walls. Kaoru stared at the pancakes in front of her, trying her best to make the syrup soaked breakfast food more interesting then the man sitting at her other side. She clutched a fork in her hand, the metal digging painfully into her flesh from the death like grip she had on it.

When she had opened the door less than an hour ago, Kaoru would never have guessed in a million years that Kenshin would be on the other side. Not if she could have guessed a hundred times. Looking at the pancakes more resolutely, she consciously kept her breathing steady. How? How had he done it. She had been so careful. Four years! For four years she had evaded him. How had she slipped up? She shut her eyes at the absurdity of her situation. She was sitting and eating breakfast in a civilized manner with the same person she had ran desperately from just four years ago. Kaoru resisted the urge to slam her head down painfully. She didn't want to upset Kenji.

Glancing over at her still oblivious son, she wondered if Kenshin knew that he was his son. Kaoru resisted the urge to roll her eyes at herself- Even a blind man could see the similarities between Kenshin and Kenji. When she had walked into the kitchen after waking up and seen them huddled close together, conversing with one another- she was struck with the sudden urge to cry. They looked so cute together, so much like a family. The real question was- What would Kenshin do now? He had found her, and now also knew that she was raising their son. That was what was scaring her most. Did he still want her? Did he want the son they had created together? Or did he hate her. Her breathing hitched as the thought struck her. What if he wanted Kenji? What if he tried to take him from her? She couldn't fight him, he was too powerful. And then she would be alone, and -

NO!

Kaoru shook her head, displacing the thoughts. Even if Kenshin had never forgiven her, he would never cut Kenji out of her life. Kenshin was a good person. She was the wicked one that had left. She was the one that deserved no pity. His anger- she could handle that. Kaoru wanted him to yell, to demand the truth out of her. To hate her with all that he was. Then it would be so much easier for her to get angry as well. To hate him as he hated her. Instead, he quietly ate pancakes next to her, as if there were no unresolved issues between them.

For some reason, she felt like crying.

Her grip on the fork tightened as she noticed Kenshin's unhurried movements beside her. She shivered at his proximity, the closeness was almost more than she could bear. Kaoru knew that if she took a breath in through her nose, the familiar sent of ginger would greet her. The scent was both comforting and unsettling. Shifting the sleeves on the long t-shirt she had thrown on after awakening, she bit at her lip in an effort to keep her slowly bubbling emotions in check.

"Kaoru, if you don't eat soon your pancakes will get cold."

She went still at his words, her body responding to the way his mouth said her name. Somehow, it seemed like so much more when he said it. The years felt stripped away with him next to her, and no longer was she the poor single mother named 'Kia,' but rather the young woman she had once been with her entire life ahead of her. Unable to help herself, she felt her gaze slowly slide up his body to his eyes. Violet rimmed with gold, he stared back into her eyes with an intensity that had the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She looked away quickly, feeling a blush spreading over her cheeks. Kaoru didn't know what to make out of his look.

Nodding numbly at his comment, she unclenched the fork in her hand enough to cut through the round edible objects. Stuffing the warm doughy pieces into her mouth, she chewed automatically, barely noticing just how delicious they were. It didn't surprise her how good they tasted. Kenshin was a fabulous cook.

She ate mechanically, each pancake disappearing in a slow and steady fashion. Kaoru stared continually at her plate, afraid and unwilling to let her eyes shift their gaze to the table's other occupants. Her head felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. She didn't want to finish this meal- knowing that as long as it continued, so would the calm before the storm.

A sharp knocking jilted her out of her daze, and she looked around in unexpected confusion. She felt Kenshin next to her tense. Hearing the noise again, she realized that it was someone at the door. Pushing her chair back noisily, she glanced quickly at Kenji. He was up to his elbows in syrup. Not having the energy to smile, she allowed a slight upturning of the mouth before walking to the door. Cracking it open, she glanced outside into the hallway.

"Good morning!"

Mary stood on the other side of the door, her face bright and awake for the time of day. The appearance of her baby sitter seemed to bring a harsh realness to the previously surreal situation.

"Good morning Mary."

Kaoru forced a smile, and allowed the door to open a few more inches. Mary chewed loudly on a piece of bubblegum, her entire jaw working open and shut as she fiddled with her shirt. Kaoru wasn't sure what possessed her to chew gum so early in the day, but her teeth were hurting just looking at Mary do it.

"Oh, I'm sorry- I didn't know you had company."

Mary's voice had grown suddenly much more formal, and her hands stopped their fidgeting. A light blush covered her cheeks.

"Huh?"

Kaoru followed Mary's gaze, and found Kenshin standing only a few inches behind her. He leaned on the doorframe, the heat caused by the nearness of his body sending a shiver through her. Kenji stood half hidden behind his knees. Kaoru's mouth opened then shut as she thought of some way to introduce him. After all, if she didn't- who knew what Mary would think then. After all, it was before noon and she wasn't exactly dressed for company. And Kenshin was standing awfully close. But how to introduce him? It wouldn't be proper to say, 'This is Kenji's father, that I ran away from and have been hiding from for just over four years- Oh, and I didn't tell him that I was pregnant when I left.' She didn't think that would go so well. His hand suddenly snaked its way around her waist, while the other one reached out for Mary's hand.

"Hi, I'm Kenshin. I'm just an old friend of Kia's that's visiting."

Mary's blush deepened, and Kaoru noticed the way she eyed Kenshin's hand around her waist. OLD FRIEND? He sure as hell wasn't presenting himself as an 'old friend.' And she couldn't help but cringe at the way he said her supposed name. How could Mary not notice the way he stressed it? He might as well have said, 'I'll call her Kia for now- but it's not her real name! And she knows it, and I know it- and you should really be able to figure it out. Kia? I don't think so.'

"I'm Mary, I live down the hall. I watch Kenji five or six days a week. He is such a sweetie pie."

Kenshin's eyebrows lifted slightly at her last comments. Kaoru let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Thank goodness that Mary didn't pick up on Kenshin's obvious sarcasm involving her name. Kaoru watched him from the corner of her eye as he inspected the girl in front of them more closely. A soft smile lit up his features.

"Thank you so much for watching him. That's quite a responsibility."

If possible, the blush on Mary's face grew. She eyed Kenshin's hair, and Kaoru noticed the way her eyes flickered to Kenji. The babysitter's lips pursed in thought as her eyes went back and forth between the two of them again. Crap. Even Mary wasn't that dim. It was obvious that Kenshin was Kenji's father.

"Old friends you say?"

Mary's voice stayed respectful, but Kaoru could hear the barely concealed curiosity. Like a spy she was trying to drop under their radar and pick up clues on Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship. Kaoru's mouth opened to tell Mary that now was not a good time, when out of the blue Kenshin spoke.

"You know Mary, Kia and I really have some catching up to do. I don't suppose you'd be able to watch Kenji for the next couple of hours? I would gladly double your usual pay for such short notice."

The girl melted under the attention of the older man, and immediately she started nodding- punctuating the movement with a loud snap of her gum. Her hands returned to fiddle with the ends of her shirt. Kaoru clamped down the sudden jealousy that wormed its way inside of her and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Mary, the silly girl that she was, was practically melting into the floor under his gaze! What was that about? She was jealous of Kenshin showering Mary with attention? What was wrong with her? Mary was sixteen for goodness sake!

"Is that okay with you Kenji?"

Kenshin knelt down next to the young boy, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Kenji was busy chewing on the sleeve of his pajama. Kaoru watched Kenji look from her to Kenshin -then back again.

"Okay, but can we have pizza for lunch?"

Standing back up Kenshin nodded his head, the young boy already going with Mary. Fixed in a stupor, Kaoru listened as the two of them walked down the hall and chatted about how yummy pancakes were. Kenshin closed the door, leaving just the two of them in the apartment. The air felt thicker than concrete.

How the hell had that happened?

Kaoru stood still, unable and unwilling to turn herself away from the door. Kenshin still stood behind her, his hand still lightly resting on her hip. Her breath felt heavy in her own ears, and she felt her chest rise and fall with the strain of air moving through her lungs. She couldn't do this. His hand moved over her shoulder and set itself on the now closed door. Feeling the closeness of his proximity grow, she couldn't help but uncontrollably shake. She had to get out of this situation.

She spun away from him, ducking under his outstretched arm. Flying across the room, thinking only of escape, she couldn't help the words that spilled from her mouth.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no….."

The words were soft and practically breathless as she darted through the kitchen. She could hear Kenshin's footsteps follow her through the room.

"Kaoru."

His voice was calm, but loud enough that she could hear it over her mantra. Kenshin's hand suddenly encased her arm, and he spun her around to face him. His eyes shown amber with only a touch of violet. He may be acting calm, but he was not happy. She twisted her arm desperately trying to release herself, but his grip never wavered. It seemed that today was not her lucky day.

"We need to talk."

His voice was low.

"There is nothing I have to say!"

Kaoru fought to keep her composure. She didn't want to have this conversation. She wasn't prepared to have this conversation. The grip on her arm tightened at her words, and she found herself half set half thrown onto the dingy couch. He stood next to the couch, his tall imposing figure hovering over her.

"Nothing to say to me?" Kaoru could feel the emotion under the surface straining to break free, "Nothing? Well, I find that very hard to believe."

She looked at a spot on the floor, hoping that if she concentrated hard enough she would sink into it. His hand came close to her face and she stiffened as it brushed away a stray hair. His fingers were warm and gently on her cheek. Kaoru knew her resolve was already crumbling. It moved lower, and she felt the hand rest against the stone around her neck.

Damn. Why did he have to notice the necklace?

"Please, leave."

Kaoru clung to her stubbornness.

"No. I wont. It took me four years to find you, and I'm not leaving."

Her mouth opened, but any response she had was cut off.

"How?" His voice sounded calm, but the words cut deeply into her. "How could you leave me? How could you have my child and never tell me? How Kaoru? Do you hate me that much? Did you really wish to destroy me?"

She pressed her back into the couch behind her, and felt tears start to gather in the backs of her eyes. How could she possibly explain what had happened four years ago? There wasn't any way. Did he think that this was easy for her? Did he think these last four years had been a dream vacation?

Biting her lip, she said nothing.

"Kaoru, don't hide this from me- I am going to get to the bottom of this."

He sat next to her, his hand resting on her knee as a reminder of his presence. And she was sure it would also hold her down if she attempted to bolt again. It felt good against her leg, and she cursed herself for her weakness. Kenshin leaned forward, his face getting disturbingly close to her own. Her breath quickened even as she felt her palms grow sweaty. It had been so long and her body still reacted to his. He was still as gorgeous as she remembered, still as stubborn as she remembered. And she thought that he maybe even still cared.

His hand moved to her shoulder and she felt herself lean into his touch for a second before pulling herself away. Damn her traitorous body!

He chuckled softly.

"Kaoru, I know that you still care."

To punctuate his point the hand on her shoulder rubbed soothingly. She couldn't suppress the low moan. Her blood burst into fire, and she caught a slow smirk on his face. Feeling a hot blush on her cheeks, she jerked away from his grasp. Part of her wished he would just kiss her. His hand followed, resuming its non-predatory role on her leg. She shook her head back and forth, attempting to dissuade his claim that she cared. This was not going as she planned. Then again, she still hadn't been able to form a plan.

"Don't lie Kaoru, you know that I can tell when you're being untruthful."

The little playfulness that had been in his voice was now completely gone.

"I am not playing a game anymore, Kaoru. You will tell me what happened."

She shook her head, feeling her tears finally start to gather.

"Kaoru, I need to know why today is the first time I've met my son. Why I wasn't there with you when you delivered. Why I wasn't even told that I was going to be a father. My son Kaoru."

Kaoru felt her body twitch. She was a horrible person. How could she ever expect him to understand when she had done what she did? How could she explain?

"Kenshin," she felt her body tremble as she tried to keep her voice steady. "You don't understand. I didn't want… I never ever… you don't even know…"

She couldn't get anything else out. Glaring down at her wringing hands, she felt her teeth bite into her lip painfully. This was stupid! He was stupid! Why, did he have to find her? Kaoru had hidden herself for four years, four years! She had been beginning to think that he would never find her! Feeling her mood shift to anger, she welcomed the protective emotion that spurred forth.

Wrenching his hand off of her leg, she jumped to her feet and turned toward him.

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING?"

Kaoru wasn't sure if she was crying or yelling.

"EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER DONE I DID FOR YOU! EVERYTHING!"

Her hand covered her mouth attempting to muffle the loud gasps for air that seemed to be unstoppable. Her chest rose and fell unsteadily, and she felt the blood rush to her head. She had not just said that! Kenshin's eyebrows rose as his face took on a look of unbridled curiosity.

Dammit! That was just what she needed!

Turning on her heel, Kaoru ran to the only place she could think of for escape. Her room. Maybe she was acting juvenile, maybe even younger than that- but she didn't care. She just had to get away from him and his penetrating gaze. Lurching through the doorway, she heard his heavy footfalls behind her. Grasping the old metal door knob, she pushed the rickety piece of plywood shut as fast as she could. She knew that she was being irrational. Kaoru wasn't fast enough. Kenshin's hand snaked through the gap between the door and the door frame and held it fast. His eyes, sharp pieces of amber emerged from behind the door, and she fell back in trepidation.

"Kaoru…"

His voice was low and dangerous. He had gotten something out of her, and now he wanted more. Why did she have to let that out? How could she be such an idiot? She crawled backwards, scuttling on her elbows and heels. He entered the room fully closing the door behind him, and silently moved across the floor.

"I know this isn't easy for you to accept Kaoru. But I will never allow you to leave my side again."

AN-Yeah! Another chapter finished! FINALLY! I'm sure that is what you are all thinking. Oh, and about any grammatical errors- I just tried to get the chapter out as soon as possible- forgive me. NEXT CHAP- Kaoru lets the cat out of the bag! Why did she leave Kenshin? What is going on?

OH- BTW- You should review! It only takes a second! I'm just saying!