Author's Note- Thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews- Thank you especially to the reviewer that pointed out the whole 'Kaoru' 'Kia' thing. I really appreciate it and was able to fix it. Sometimes my brain is not attached to my fingers- so thanks again. Also, I have been debating what exactly should happen in this story from here on out- cause I could probably wrap it up in a couple of chapters- but I think instead I want to go this other direction which will be lots longer. So, that means there will be more story, but it will take more time. Sorry.

On a side note- Guilty Pleasures has added this story to their archives. I really like this website, as in it is freak'n sweet, and just wanted to plug it. So… go… visit… read… enjoy it.

PS- Can you believe I actually started writing this chapter two days after posting chapter 6?- I really have entered the Twilight Zone… of course then my computer had to be fixed… so I couldn't touch it for over two weeks… Dang you 'A' key! Why did you have to fall off? And then I had to pack and get ready for the new school year, and then I had to move up and start classes! I'm talking Japanese…sweet! And of course I finished work as well, and then started another job. Why again do I need money?

PSS A reviewer last time made the comment that they could tell the last chapter was a bit more rushed. Because I don't want any of my chapters real sloppy, I really focused on getting this one right- hopefully you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer- Long story short- not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Rating- R/M- Be as crazy as you wanna be.

Things Left Unsaid

Chapter Seven

Conversations

Kaoru eyed Kenshin's approaching frame, and pushed herself backwards as quickly as she could. She tried not to think about the words he had just spoken. He wouldn't let her leave his side again? The line played itself again and again in her mind even as she did her best to push it out of her thoughts. How could he possibly still love her? She had left him, had his child without him knowing, avoided him as if he was the devil himself. If given the opportunity, she would dart out of this room and attempt to escape him again. And he still wanted her by his side? It couldn't be true. No one was that much of a saint. No one.

Kaoru's heart hammered loudly in her chest, and she both hoped and feared that he was telling the truth. She did want to get away, didn't she? Of course she did! Kaoru was not just going to fold now- not after all she had been through, right? Her muddled thoughts pushed and pulled on one another, and Kaoru didn't even try to make sense of them. Seeing him again had brought down the wall of emotions she had painstakingly built up. She couldn't deny that she still cared for him, possibly even loved him. Hell, who was she kidding? Kaoru couldn't stop herself from loving him. Catching the rug on her hand, she stumbled on the floor while still attempting to keep up the space between the two of them.

Resisting the urge to let out her frustration in a healthy but loud scream, Kaoru bit her lip painfully in an effort to bring her emotions back under control.

She eyed his approaching frame, Kenshin's posture predatory and the glean in his eyes intense. He was getting noticeably closer. An unnerving tremble went through her body and her fingernails gripped the floorboards hard enough to leave indentations. His intentions were obvious in his gaze. He wanted the truth out of her, and wanted it now. And then he wanted her. Kaoru knew that he was accustomed and skilled at getting what he wanted.

Who was she kidding? This was Kenshin! She had been lucky, amazingly lucky to get away the first time. It had practically been a miracle. No doubt this time he would use every tactic he could to keep her by his side. And that included using her own body against her. And knowing how much she loved his touch, Kaoru could see just how far out of control this situation was becoming. She was aware that if he wasn't able to get the answers another way, Kenshin would have no qualms about seducing them out of her.

She wasn't sure if the thought made her uneasy, angry, or excited. Hitting the far wall, she 'eeped' aloud and glanced around the room. It was slightly blurry from the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. How had she made it so far across the floor? Wasn't the room a bit bigger than this? Her hands reflexively clenched at the ground beneath her, and she winced as the sharp wood bit into her fingers. She was giving herself splinters.

Swiveling her head back towards her silent stalker, Kaoru let out a half yell at how close he had gotten. His gaze narrowed, and flickered briefly over her form. She saw his eyes pause on her outstretched legs. Why again had she bothered to put on a long sleeve shirt if she wasn't going to put on any pants? At that moment, she hadn't really wanted to wear a pair of shorts that were dirty… and today was laundry day so they all just happened to be dirty. Crap. Yeah right, even she could figure out that she was lying to herself.

She supposed on some level she had remembered just how much Kenshin loved her long legs… and she hadn't been able to resist the urge to taunt him with them- to see what sort of reaction she could get out of him. While setting the table she had caught him out of the corner of her eye watching her, his eyes following the long lines of her legs up to the bottom of the t-shirt that barely covered her underwear. Damn, she could be so stupid!

A slight noise shook her out of her thoughts, and she looked over at Kenshin. Yes, she was exactly where he wanted her to be. Pressing herself into the wall, she felt the peeling paint at her back even as she tried to disappear into the wall. It didn't work. Her hair loosened itself from her braid, and she felt wisps of it fall onto her face and neck. She worked her lower lip between her teeth and froze when the darkness from his shadow fell over her. She was so screwed.

"Now Kaoru, you are going to have to stay still if we want to finish this conversation."

His voice was deceptively calm, and she fought a shiver as it rolled over her. Looking at him from beneath her bangs, she watched him lower himself into a kneeling position close to her. This was it for her. There wasn't anywhere for her to go. And she couldn't just run out of there and start somewhere new. She had a child now… and he knew about it. Even if she was able to get away, Kaoru would never want to deprive Kenji of his father. Right? Not when fate had brought them all back together… right? Her emotions had knotted themselves together and she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to untangle them. She couldn't even figure out what she wanted. For Kenshin to stand up and leave, or pull her close and kiss her.

Kaoru jumped as one of his hands set itself on her leg. The other came forward and rested itself next to her head. Her body hummed with his closeness, and she took deep breaths through her open mouth. Eyes wide, her mind raced as she tried to piece together some sort of defense.

The hand by her head stroked her cheek gently, and Kaoru looked deeply into the eyes of the man in front of her. She could see determination in them, a need to discover the truth. Pushing away the want to fold, to curl up into his arms and spill her heart, she grit her teeth painfully and turned her head to the side away from his hand.

"Just go away."

Her voice was soft and barely audible to her own ears. She heard the deep slow breaths of Kenshin as his hand returned to the wall behind her.

"Kaoru." his voice was clear and only slightly tinged with exasperation, "Nothing will make me leave you now that I've found you. Nothing. You need to accept that."

Keeping her head turned to the side, Kaoru examined the floorboards. His hand lightly stroked her leg, and her skin trembled and burned at his touch. Her body wanted more. Suppressing the urge to grab and kiss him, she tried to disregard him and his soft touch. She focused on trying to stay mad. That's right…. Kaoru was angry.

He had always been like this. Relentless in everything that he did. Completely unsatisfied unless everything went his way. Kenshin had wanted her, and he had gotten her. The fact that he had not been able to keep her, Kaoru was sure that must have bothered him. But it had been more than that. At least Kaoru hoped so. She hoped that he had fallen in love with her as desperately as she had with him. He had said it right? He wouldn't lie about something that important. No, not her Kenshin. Wait…her mind was wandering again… she was supposed to be angry. Very angry.

"I don't have to accept anything Kenshin!"

His eyes were hot and piercing.

"Do you truly want me to leave?"

Kenshin's voice was level and the hand stroking her leg stilled. The words reverberated in her head, and Kaoru struggled to tell him just that. She would tell him to go away, and he would see just how much she meant it. Her mouth opened, a gasping noise barely audible. Her vocal chords seemed to be in disagreement with her. Kaoru tried to speak again, to tell him that yes, she wanted him the hell out of her apartment- but again no such noise came forth.

The hand on her leg traveled farther up, beginning again its light strokes. She consciously suppressed a moan. His other hand grasped her chin, forcing the less than willing Kaoru to look at him. Feeling her eyes drawn to his, she watched the molten amber and dark violet twist and turn in his eyes. He was so enthralling… so captivating even after all this time. The pressure of his hand on her leg increased, and Kaoru felt her heart beat grow erratic. The sensation stirred up emotions within her that she hadn't felt in years, and her eyes slid shut.

Her thoughts raged out of her control.

Love your touch, love you.

Noting his sudden stillness, Kaoru pulled herself out of the mind haze she had trapped herself in and opened her eyes drowsily. Attempting to figure out why he had stopped his ministrations… and why she cared so much that he had stopped- she let her heavily lidded eyes find his.

He was watching her, his sight wandering over her entire frame. A look of victory and want covered his face, and Kaoru couldn't help but notice how soft his hair looked brushing against his forehead… how much she wanted to run her fingers through it. Just a quick touch, its so beautiful. She felt a blush spread over her cheeks. What had come over him so quickly?

"I heard that."

His words crawled over her skin and she felt her blood grow slow in her veins. Shit. She was under the distinct impression that some of her inner monologue was not so inner. Something inside of her that had been slowly bending broke. Had he heard her say that she loved him? She could feel her blush crawling down her face. What had she said out loud? Why, why, why was she such an idiot!

"You had a passion for my hair back then too, Kaoru." The grin on his face grew wicked, "But to be honest I didn't realize how much you enjoyed my touch. I might have to use that information against you… I'm sure you understand."

Her breathing hitched. Yep, he had heard about the hair… and seeing that he had remarked on his touch… Kenshin had also heard her proclaim her love for him…Dammit. How exactly was she going to get him to go away again? She was sure her plan did not involve stating how much she still cared for him.

Seeming to gain his composure back, his hand once again resumed its movement on her body. To her chagrin however, his other hand took up residence on her other side, resting where her hip met her leg. Despite her attempt to hold onto her self control, beneath his ministrations she lost herself once more. Kaoru heard her breath grow quicker and harsher, her uneven breaths loud in the suddenly quiet room. She knew that she needed to be angry, knew that her leaning up against a wall and gasping for breath while his hands did delicious things to her body was not a good idea.

Kaoru just couldn't get her mind and her body to coordinate with one another. And as each moment passed, she felt her mind drift further and further into the pleasure Kenshin was causing.

His hand pressed into a particularly sensitive spot on her abdomen and her soft breathy moan turned into a sharp cry of pleasure. Her head snapped back even as her hips instinctively moved up, and she didn't stop her keens of pleasure as his head bent toward her neck and she felt soft kisses and nips there. Kaoru's back arched up into his caresses, her form beginning to thrash beneath his attentions. How long had it been since she had felt this way? She didn't even have to guess, it had been the last time she'd been with Kenshin. Through the past few years even the thought of another man touching her besides Kenshin seemed ridiculous.

God their lips hadn't even met yet and she was complete putty in his hands.

"Kaoru."

His voice ghosted along the shell of her ear, and her hands fisted themselves in the back of his shirt. If she let go of him she was sure that she would die.

"Tell me why you left."

The words floated down through her haze and she attempted to make sense of his words.

"What?"

She could barely get the word out of her mouth before it turned into a groan.

"Tell me why you left me four years ago."

One of his hands slipped beneath her shirt and Kaoru tried to get a hold of herself. Her head jerked from side to side, and she felt her now messy hair brush against her cheeks and neck. She knew that this situation was completely out of her control. Opening her mouth she struggled to say something.

"Ken…shin…"

Her voice sounded desperate and craving in her ears.

"Its okay Kaoru, I'm right here."

She lost herself in his voice, and the ruthlessness of his questioning registered only in a far off corner of her mind.

"Tell me Kaoru."

"I…I left…" the throat didn't seem capable of forming the words, "I left because…" her sentence was interrupted with a breathy moan. Kenshin had turned his attentions to her collar bone.

"Yes?"

He spoke against her skin.

"Because of…" Kaoru's brain attempted to put the words together. Why had she left Kenshin again? Oh yeah, now she remembered, "The scar."

She felt him still briefly before his actions continued. If anything they were more urgent than before. Kaoru became very aware that she hadn't put a bra on. A heaviness weighed her down, and the small circles he made along her inner thigh were making her see stars. His fingers edged a little higher, and she could feel her blood boil with anticipation.

"Go on."

"That is… I know its not your…" she paused to catch her breath, "…f- fault, but if I had stayed you would…would have," Kaoru swallowed, "d-d-destr-…y …and oh…and I couldn't let you do that to yourself."

"More Kaoru."

Watching the ceiling through fluttering eyelids she tried to construe more sentences in her mind. Her hands clenched at his shirt, and she distantly realized she was attempting to pull it off him. A ringing filled her ears and Kaoru felt herself slowly spiral back to earth at the noise. Her breathing was loud in her ears. It sounded again, and she stiffened slightly. What was that noise?

"Fuck."

Kenshin's voice was soft and she could hear the underlying anger. His hands on her body stopped their ministrations. She couldn't help the slight plea that escaped her parted lips. Why did he stop?

She wanted him so badly. Didn't he realize that?

Kaoru jumped at the loud ring and tried to come back to her senses.

Banishing the lethargic feeling in her body, Kaoru felt her entire body grow tense. What the hell had just happened? Was she completely screwed? Kaoru felt the list of reasons why she most definitely was accumulating in her mind. 1. She was against her bedroom wall thoroughly mussed up. 2. Kenshin had been doing incredibly wicked things to her body, and she had liked it. And he knew that she had liked it. 3. She had let it slip that she still had feelings for him. 4. Kaoru had just given him information about what happened four years ago. Yep, she was most assuredly over her head.

The ringing sounded again, and Kaoru completely came to awareness. Pushing on Kenshin's shoulders, she scrambled past him and into the kitchen- attempting to straighten her horribly skewed shirt in the process. Picking up the ringing phone, Kaoru hit the 'Talk' button and put it to her ear. She pointedly ignored Kenshin.

"Hello?"

She disregarded how breathy and soft her voice sounded.

"Kia is that you? This is Melinda."

The voice on the other end was like a bucket of ice water. That's right, she was Kia…not Kaoru here. She hadn't been Kaoru in four years. She wasn't some teenage girl anymore that was new to the world and its trials. Melinda, the woman on the phone, had made that abundantly clear to her. A fellow server at the Blue Spot, she was a nice enough girl- If only a little high maintenance.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Look I know this is real short notice, but I was wondering if you could stop by and work my shift. My boyfriend just flew in and I wanted to meet him at the airport."

Kaoru brought her hand up to her head and attempted smooth her untidy locks.

"When?"

"My shift starts in forty five minutes."

Glancing at the clock on the stove she praised her luck. Kaoru needed an excuse to get out, and this was practically handed to her on a silver platter.

"Sure, no problem."

"Thanks Kia, I appreciate it!"

"Yeah."

Hearing the dial tone Kaoru slowly hung up the phone. Now that she had gotten a hold of herself she felt her anger simmer and grow. How dare he use her body against her! She could still feel his hands on her legs and chest, could still feel his breath ghosting over her ear. Never mind the fact that she had enjoyed his touch immensely, or that if Melinda hadn't called she wouldn't have objected to anything Kenshin may have wanted to do. She didn't want to deal with that piece of information yet.

"Who was on the phone?"

Kenshin's voice tugged Kaoru out of her inner thoughts. Spinning toward the infuriating man, she ignored how calm he looked. He leaned against her bedroom doorway, his eyes still holding the intense look they had had only a few moments ago. They also looked more determined than ever. Her stomach flipped at his gaze, and she pointedly stomped down on the feeling. She had to get out of there before things could get any worse. Not that she thought they really could, everything that could have gone wrong, had most assuredly done so.

She disregarded Kenshin's question.

Turning back to the phone, she dialed Mary's number. Talking to the younger woman she shut out the very male presence in the room. She could feel his eyes on her, taking in her obviously disheveled form. She couldn't help but shiver. How could he make her feel like the sexiest woman in the world with just one look?

Kaoru knew how lucky she was that Mary could babysit on such short notice. Thanking her profusely, and saying a quick goodbye to her son, Kaoru hung up and headed back to the bedroom to change. Maybe she would be able to bring Kenji to the zoo later this week, she didn't like to disappoint him. And she would have to slip Mary an extra couple of dollars the next time she paid her. It just couldn't be helped- she could not deal with Kenshin right now. Still ignoring Kenshin, she walked past him and slammed the door.

Throwing on a bra, a pair of comfy jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers she glanced briefly into the mirror. She looked a mess. Grabbing a brush she attempted to smooth her tangled hair. It was no use. Throwing it into a ponytail she grabbed her purse, headed towards the door and wiped at the tear stains that had been visible in her reflection. She had to leave and it had to be now. Making it to the entry way, she found herself spun around and pushed into the wall. Kenshin gazed at her with a less than pleased look on his face.

"I asked who was on the phone Kaoru."

His voice was tight. Drawing on the rage she had been swamped with earlier, she didn't try to hide it.

"That is none of your business. Please leave so I can lock the door."

She was proud that her voice didn't shake. His eyes narrowed at her words.

"Kaoru, I can stand here all day. Tell me who was on the phone and where you are going."

Clenching her fists at her side, Kaoru fought the urge to scream. How could he be so wonderful and so infuriating! Taking a deep breath, she did the only thing she knew would get her out of the apartment. She gave him what he wanted.

"A coworker was on the phone. They needed help so I'm going in. Now if you don't mind, I don't want to be late."

He didn't let her go. Instead he leaned forward and hugged her to his frame. Feeling her body tremble at the sudden affectionate gesture she couldn't help but wrap her arms around him. Shecherished the way he felt beneath her hands, so strong and powerful. Sheadored the way he smelled, the scent of ginger that followed him wherever he went. She loved the way he smiled, his face becoming mischievous, sexy, and sly. Kaoru couldn't help but love him, that was what had made everything that had happened four years ago awful- that was what was making everything that was happening now miserable.

"We still need to finish this conversation."

He pulled back slightly, and her eyes fluttered shut when he brushed his lips across her forehead.

She didn't respond to his words, but nodded her head slightly. Kaoru wasn't sure if she would be able to get out of this anymore, wasn't sure if she wanted to. But what exactly she did want, Kaoru had no idea. She really just needed to think. And he undoubtedly had to think about everything she had revealed as well. Unfortunately. Kaoru was not looking forward to the end of their conversation. He opened the door for her and she stepped out. Not meeting his gaze she locked the door and headed outside. Unsurprisingly, he had vanished from the hallway. She could feel his eyes however as she exited the building and headed down the street towards the Blue Spot.

Keeping her gaze trained forward, she felt her hands itch. The outside air was cold, but Kaoru welcomed the bite in the air. Waiting for a light to change, she glanced quickly at those around her. She knew that he was watching her, knew that he was hidden somewhere in the busy street. Afternoon commuters filled the walkways. Confidently striding across the street, she veered slightly to the left and entered a small telephone booth.

It didn't matter that Kenshin was spying, she didn't think she could make it these next few days without making this call. Kaoru just was not that strong. Pulling out some loose change from her pocket, she dialed a familiar number and waited for someone to pick up.

Please, just this once…please be there.

"Hello?"

Kaoru let out shaky breath, and fought the sudden tears that sprung to her eyes. The voice was deeper than she remembered, but still held the same curiosity and love of life that she remembered.

"Yahiko."

Her voice sounded wretched even to her own ears. How long had it been since the last time they talked? Seven months? Eight?

"Kaoru? Is that you?"

A smile broke over her face even as she tried not to cry.

"Yeah, its me."

"What's wrong?"

He sounded stronger than the last time they had talked. Kaoru knew that he would do anything to help her. Yahiko wasn't sure what had happened to her in the past, but he had gotten very overprotective of his older sister and nephew. She loved him for that… even if it was a bit aggravating.

"I need you."

She knew she was being selfish again… she couldn't help it. Kaoru wanted her family right now, needed Yahiko. They had fought as children, they still fought at times. But she could trust him completely, she could lean on him for strength while she tried to figure everything out.

"When?"

A soft laugh bubbled up her throat. He was so willing to drop everything for her, so willing to help out his older sister.

"As soon as possible."

She could almost see him nod in response.

"Are you still in Chicago?"

Leaning forward, Kaoru rested her head against the side of the booth.

"Yeah."

She felt her shoulders relax slightly.

"I'll be on the next bus out."

Hearing the sound of him starting to hang up the phone, Kaoru stood up straighter.

"Yahiko, wait!"

"Yeah?"

His voice was near the phone again.

"I… that is…" How could she do this without sounding like a total ass? "I…know I don't say this much… but, I really do… I do lo-"

"It's okay," His voice cut across hers, soft and understanding, "Me too Kaoru, me too."

Her smile grew wider.

"I'll see you soon Kaoru."

A/N- Well, that took forever- Thank you all for your patience! Please review! And to all my reviewers...Again- I thank you. Because of you, Iwrite.

Also, I know that this is the shortest chapter I have written... but there was originally going to be another scene tacked on... but then the chapter wouldn't have been out in who knows how long.

Next time- Kenshin thinks back on the night Kaoru mentioned, and Yahiko gets on a bus with something Kaoru isn't expecting.