19 Thorns of a Rose

Kaoru Gal: Hey guys! I was originally going to update this after Sudden Bloom, but after reading a review recently added by satsujin-muzai I felt so bad for not updating I just had to!

Clipit: You're too easily manipulated.

Kaoru Gal: Little paper clips like yourself should not be talking to big and powerful people like me.

Clipit: I'm the one who checks you're spelling…

Kaoru Gal: Aa…yes, well….-Stuffs orange into mouth-

Clipit: Just start the story!

Warnings: Language this time, but I'm sure you can handle it.

Recap: "Shhh. Relax." He breathed nuzzling her hair.

At that moment the door opened and revealed a boy about 14 years old. He blushed when his wide eyes took in the two of them.

"Ah…um…Sano told me to get you." He stammered.

Battousai to Kaoru's embarrassment continued to stroke her arms although his eyes and attention was focused on the boy. "What for?"

"One of ours has been beaten up pretty bad." The boy replied still averting his eyes from the couple.

Battousai unwound his arms slowly from her. "Give her a windowless room, lock the door and guard it." He ordered running out of the room.

The boy motioned for her to follow him back into the dreary hall.

This will be never ending, Battousai... Kaoru thought as the boy searched for the right room.

Because, I'll never give myself up to you

OoOoOo

"In here." The young boy ordered opening a small dirt stained door.

Kaoru glared at the boy before she peered inside.

It was pitch black considering the lack of windows. From the dull lighting in the hallway she could tell that there was a chest at one end of the room and a pile of rags in the other corner. She guessed that was for sleeping on.

Other then that the room was bare and gave off a strong feeling of neglect. She took a small step in then froze, wondering if she could overpower the boy. She sized him up. Probably.

"Don't even think about it. If you beat me up a million others will come to take you out. And even you can't face more then at least ten men at once, can you?" the boy sneered.

He's right, the brat. Kaoru sighed and moved into the room, watching as the door closed quickly, shutting off the little light of the hall. She curled up and leaned against the wall wondering what Misao was doing.

0o0o0

"Hey, Kaoru?" Misao called rapping her fist gently against the shut door. "You awake? It's almost twelve!"

No answer.

"Kaoru!" Misao knocked slightly harder and raised her voice. She waited as patiently as someone like Misao could. "Okay fine! I'm coming in!" she roared kicking the door with her ankle.

No response.

"You asked for it!" she warned her older friend before she threw herself against the door with all her strength. The door whined against the sudden weight and gave way quickly.

Misao fell with the door but got up quickly, a grin on her face, expecting to see Kaoru's face red from anger. She scanned the room and slowly the smile faded, replaced with a frown. "Kaoru?"

The futon was bare, but showed signs of being slept in. Misao's brow furrowed. So she didn't run away…

She walked over to the futon and bent down close to it. She could see the imprint in the pillow and the few stray strands of black hair abandoned on the pillow. Kaoru had definitely been here.

Misao turned around, feeling how cold it was. The window was wide open allowing an icy wind to fly in. She remembered the bang she had heard last night. Kaoru had said that she was simply closing the window. She must have been snatched while she was closing the window! Misao concluded, looking proud that she figured it out so quickly.

Then she frowned again, realizing that simply knowing what happened wouldn't solve the problem.

She sat back with a soft thump, a thoughtful expression on her young face. She knew that Battousai had Kaoru, but where?

"Damn. He could be anywhere!" Misao cursed running a hand through her long bangs.

"Yo Misao?" a voice of a young girl called loudly from outside the room.

"Go get Danny for me!" Misao answered, not moving.

A girl in her early teens appeared in the doorway. Her layered black hair stuck to her thin face and her dark brown eyes snapped around the room. "Where's Rose?"

"Out." Misao answered slowly, not wanting the whole gang panicked.

"Huh." The girl nodded. Rose was always out and about the city. "Danny's not here today."

"Shit. Why not?"

The girl giggled. "He's busy with Hikaru…"

"Where is he?" Misao demanded impatiently.

The girl paused and scrunched up her face in thought. "I think he left to take her to his place…why do you need him?"

"I wanted to team up with Rose but I don't know where she went. Danny rocks at finding people so I thought I could ask him for help…" Misao lied easily.

"Oh, well he's at his house. You could go to him, though he won't be happy if you interrupt something."

"Oh well, he should have done that last night." Misao answered briskly getting up.

"Can I come?"

"No." came the flat reply.

"But-"

"Rei…" The older girl said in warning.

The girl named Rei pouted. "Why not?"

"You might see Danny and Hikaru doing something…unpleasant." Misao struggled to find the appropriate word.

Rei snorted. "So?"

"No."

"I don't care if I see something unpleasant though!"

"No!"

OoOoO

"Hey Danny!" yelled Misao buzzing the apartment door's bell.

She heard someone curse loudly, a crash, another curse. She smiled, sounded like Danny.

The door opened a slit and a gray eye peered out at her. "What the fuck do you want, Misao?" he hissed.

"I need your help."

"I'm busy, so sorry, come back another time. Have a nice day." He told her dryly, making to close the door.

Misao stuck out her foot quickly, keeping the door from being shut. Something she had seen Kaoru do tons of times. "Can't. This is important."

Danny cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah? That's nice, but so is what I'm doing…so…"

Misao sigh, Kaoru had always said she was too easy going. "No. Get the hell out here. Now." She barked, but keeping a pleasant smile on her face.

The two glared at each other until the older of the two finally gave in. "Fine! Just don't come in!" The door slammed shut making a small rat that had been lingering in the hall skitter away in fright.

Misao could hear Danny speaking in low tones to Hikaru who seemed indignant. A few moments later the door opened quickly and was shut even faster so that Misao wouldn't see inside.

He was tall and had a thin face and thick blonde hair giving away the fact that he was a foreigner. His large gray eyes were sharp and dark, throwing off his otherwise innocent appearance, that and the metal chain of a rose with 19 thorns around his neck.

He glared at Misao, although a hint of amusement lay in his eyes. "You're changing and I'm not sure I like it, been hanging out with Rose too much?"

"Are you implying that she is rubbing off on me?" Misao demanded sarcastically putting her hands on her hips.

"Just a thought."

"Hm. Well I learn from the best."

"Great. Well tell me what's up. This better be good." He groaned, running his hand through his hair.

"It is. I need you to help me find Kaoru." Misao said seriously, using Kaoru's real name this time. Danny was one of Kaoru's close friends so it was okay for him to refer to her by Kaoru, although he usually used the nickname Rose for fun.

"Does she want to be found?"

"She's been snatched. Or forced into leaving."

"Kaoru? Our Kaoru? Snatched?"

"Yes."

Danny shook his head, disbelieving. "Who the hell could snatch Kaoru?"

"Battousai could, evidently."

The older boy froze. "Shit! Battousai?" he cursed again. "I can't believe she was stupid enough to take him on! He's not just a gang leader; he's a killer!"

OOoOo

"Wake up." A voice cooed while a gentle hand shook her awake.

Kaoru's eyes fluttered open and she stared, dazed, into the face of Battousai. As soon as she came to her senses her soft gaze turned into a glare. She slapped his hands off her shoulders.

"What?" she snapped.

He stood up, smirking. "Not a morning person, huh?"

"It's morning?"

He nodded.

"You didn't…" she trailed off awkwardly.

Battousai chuckled and grinned at her, helping her to her feet. "Poor Rose is disappointed."

"Shut up." She growled looking around. She was still in the maddeningly dark room, although a flashlight was turned on in the corner now. She returned her eyes to the gang leader. "So I'm free to go?"

He sighed. "Parting is sad, is it not?"

"Cut the crap. I take it I can leave now?"

Battousai smiled. "You have to return, you know that don't you?" His smile widened as he watched her face fall.

"What? Are you just going to appear whenever you want me?" she scoffed.

"I could, but I have a better idea." He took her hand, ignoring the way she tried to jerk her hand back and held it firm. From his pocket he drew a small silver cell phone. He pressed his lips against her hand softly and licked each finger before pressing the phone into her palm. "Here is your leash."

She cocked a delicate eyebrow. "Where did you nick this?"

"Off some kid."

Kaoru almost smiled at the reply. "I could always just turn this off or chuck it."

"And I could always just come get you myself. No skin off my back. I'm using the phone for your sake not mine."

Kaoru scowled, seeing his point and pocketed the phone, immediately hating it.

His amber eyes glowed as he watched her movements. "Good girl. Now come here and give me a kiss goodbye."

"You're kidding me." Kaoru spat, looking disgusted.

He didn't respond.

Kaoru, hating herself, leaned forward and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

He smirked and grabbed her. "You can do better then that." He whispered huskily in her ear before pushing his lips against hers in an aggressive kiss.

Finally he let her go and she tumbled back. She ran to the door then paused once she was in the doorway. She turned and raised her middle finger, mouthing the words 'screw you'. Then she ran.

Battousai blinked, then laughed. "Really, Rose. You do amuse me to no end."

OoOoOo

Kaoru Gal: Go me! I did it!

Clipit: Big deal.

Kaoru Gal: shut up! You're supposed to be encouraging me!

Clipit: Uh…Way….to…go…-Forces a smile-

Kaoru Gal: It's just my luck to get a cynical paper clip assistant.

Ti: Poor KG

Kaoru Gal: Poor me…-Hugs twin-

Crystal: Please, not in front of me! –Shields eyes-

Ti: -Sticks out tongue-

Sano: A kiss is no fun without some tongue!

Crystal: Ew nasty images!

Kaoru Gal: If that made you think nasty things you are way too naive.

Crystal: Go screw yourself.

CC: Now guys…I think KG needs to answer the reviews now. (Peacemaker)

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS

satsujin-muzai

Hey thanks to you I updated! -Shakes hand- Good job!

purplehairedpunk

Aw but Kenshin is naturally a naughty boy…

Adelaide MacGregor

I know I suck at making long chapters, but quality not quantity, eh?

Reply: -Silence-

Krystal

You really think I made it realistic? –Blinks- Yay!

tkdl

I tried to update soon, but I failed…

aznmoonstargurl

Poor Kaoru indeed –Sniggers-

Lenna Hunter

Haha! At first I thought you were a stalker…heh

nilnil

Don't worry, in this story Kenshin is a good person, deep down…there somewhere. He just acts like a, what did you call it, a colorful word yes.

crasyducky

It's fun too make the characters out of character! -Evil laugh-

tenshi hoshiko

I know you want more! (not meant to sound wrong)

Lyna

Um, I don't think Kaoru knows any martial arts in this story, maybe she could learn some though.

Spring Rose

Kaoru must have spunk! 'cuz she's a spunky person!

Rurouni-maxi

I'm magical! Haha!

Via x Infinito

Thanks, hope you stick with the story then!

elgaladangel
Thank you! I'm glad to know that I'm portraying Kaoru well…and duh Kenshin is hot!

!Miko Kagome Archer
I thought I needed to have a reason Kenshin is the way he is, so Tomoe just popped in

anon

I know, I did make Kaoru seem too weak, but maybe Kenshin was just so much stronger?

kawaii meeh
Thank you so much! And, you're right! That boy was Yahiko! Good for you!

meeh2DaLu
Thank you! Usually I'm, so bad at developing the character so it was nice to hear that!

kimberlyann
I know I liked that part too when she asked for the worst beer they had…haha!

.Xujin
I wouldn't mind being Battousai's sex slave! -Snickers-

.Ayuka
It's okay, it's kind of hard to make really long reviews that actually make sense! You know?

Amber Wolf
.Thanks! Love your pen name, by the way

I LUV Anime 0.0
Hey thanks! You rock for being so nice! Have an orange –gives orange-

Sims are awsome
Hey! I know you!

Dhalf-breed-demon-fox

Don't worry, Kaoru will find a way to get her revenge

royal blueKitsune
Is it okay that the story is rough? –blinks-

lilrich
Thanks! I'm happy!

pkimburger
Everything works towards Kenshin's advantage! Haha! That's what it probably seems like to Kaoru.

duDe
Haha! Kick ass Kaoru!

Snow Lepord
-Teary eyes- You like my stories! You're so nice! Thank you so much!

.BlueberryStain
I know I'm talented! Haha! Just kidding…heh

Brittanie Love
Thanks! Interesting review! Haha

Black Metalmark
I know that was funny how the whole chapter was basically me responding to a million reviews!

Jisusaken
I couldn't think of anymore…

Reignashii

I know I didn't mean to make Kaoru out as weak, she really isn't. Kenshin is just at a whole different level.

Kaoru4
Kenshin won't be a '!#$' all the time…-laughs-
Um, when the law says she has to do anything Kenshin asks of her he can't demand her lands because that would defeat the purpose of choosing. So yes there are limits.

rain angst
Kenshin is a bad boy for attempting many things…-shifty eyes-

Review my people!

Ti: Or else…

Kaoru Gal: Twiny, don't scare my readers…

Zolo: Why shouldn't she?

Kaoru Gal: You guys live to make my life difficult, don't you?

Crystal: Damn right!