19 Thorns of a Rose

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Joh: Sorry about slow updating, and if you read my other stories I'm stuck on a lot of them that's why I haven't been updating a lot of them. Sorry.

0o0o0o0

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."

0o0o0o0

Kaoru leaned back against the chain link fence and glared at the silver cell in her palm. She wanted to throw it, but that wouldn't stop Battousai. Instead, she pocketed it reluctantly.

'Time to head back.' She thought, standing up straight.

"Kaoru? Shit, are you okay?" a loud voice carried itself down the narrow street.

She looked up and smiled slightly at her younger sister. "Misao. Hi."

The girl scowled and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Where the hell is Battousai? Did he hurt you?"

"Of course not. What's Danny doing with you? He's a pervert."

Danny smirked. "You have such high opinions of me, Rose."

"Not opinions, observations. Anyway, what are you doing with Misao?" Kaoru asked.

"Oh you know, a little bit of this and a little bit of that…" he raised an eyebrow suggestively.

Misao snorted. "He's busy with Hikaru. No, we were looking for you."

"What? I can't take a walk without worrying you?"

"It wasn't just a walk! Battousai was involved, wasn't he?"

Kaoru shook her head. She didn't want to worry everyone. "No."

Misao stared at her. "But…the window was open and…" she trailed off helplessly.

"I always leave by windows, it's a habit you know."

"Ugh, Misao you idiot! You dragged me out here for nothing!" Danny growled, running a hand through his blonde hair.

"No matter. By the way, Danny. What happened to Hikaru when you left?" Kaoru grinned and poked her friend in the arm teasingly.

"She went to school, I guess."

Kaoru's brow furrowed together in a thoughtful frown. "Haven't been there in a long time." She glanced at her younger sister. "It's been a while, huh?"

Misao shrugged, irritable. "You always said school's a waste of time."

"It is…" Kaoru shook her head. "I just forgot about it."

Danny nodded in understanding. "So, Rose, where have you been then if not with Battousai?"

"About." She answered vaguely.

"Misao, why don't you find us a place to have lunch." Danny suggested, glaring at her.

Misao huffed and sprinted ahead of them, leading them someplace to eat. She knew Danny wanted to talk to Kaoru alone, but she was still annoyed by it.

The foreigner waited until he was sure Misao was out of earshot before he turned to Kaoru. "You need to get away from him."

"Who?"

"You know who I'm talking about Kaoru." He sighed. "I'm serious about this."

Kaoru was silent for a long moment. Finally she whispered, "I can't get away from him. Please don't tell Misao or anyone else about this!"

"I won't, we're friends right?"

"Right."

"So that means I'm going to have to help you. As much as I would rather be doing…other things…it's a friendship rule. Gotta help you." He winked playfully at her.

"So there's nothing I can do to stop you?"

"Nope!" he replied cheerfully.

"You guys done flirting?" Misao yelled from ahead of the two. She was waiting outside a small dusty bar. When the other two-gang members caught up to her she stepped inside.

Kaoru and Danny stepped in after her and ignored the looks from the various older men who were drinking. The three sat at a small table, letting the smell of smoke and fries settle around them.

"Get me something to eat, now!" Danny hollered, resting his feet on the tabletop.

Kaoru frowned and slammed her fist down on his left boot, the one nearer to her. "Feet off the table." She growled.

"Yes, ma'am." He winced in pain and dragged his feet off the table.

"Get up and get us some food, they're not gonna serve us." Kaoru ordered, glaring at one of the men who was staring openly at her.

"Why me?"

"Because you're closest!"

"No I'm not! Misao is!"

"Are you suggesting that my sister should wait on us? You pig! Get your lazy ass up already!" Kaoru barked loudly, causing Danny to scramble out of his seat and rush over to the counter.

Misao giggled, her bad mood seeming to be gone.

Kaoru smiled back. Things were beginning to return to normal. If only she could forget the cold phone in her pocket, reminding her of Battousai.

"Your food." Danny grumbled dropping several plates on the table carelessly.

She smiled at him. "Thank you!"

He rolled his eyes and sat down, not noticing how the smile on his friend's face slid off.

A few hours later

"Um, you will be paying for this?" the young woman asked Kaoru once they had finished.

Kaoru blinked, then smirked at the woman. She stood up. "I'm Rose. I don't pay."

0o0o0o0

'So far, so good. He hasn't called yet.' Kaoru mused, walking down the rows of old apartments. 'I wonder if my Aunt even remembers me, it's been so long since I've actually slept there.'

She glanced up at the dark building. It looked just like all the others on the block. With a sigh Kaoru headed inside. No one was awake.

'She lives on the 3rd floor I believe…' Kaoru walked over tot eh elevators but decided on the stairs. Elevators here broke easily.

The stairs smelled like urine and were littered. She was used to it.

Up the stairs and through the door into a dark rickety hall. White doors lined the hall, paint peeling off of them, room numbers faded into the door.

'105…106…107…108…109..110' Kaoru nodded and tried the door, hoping it was unlocked. No luck. With a sigh she bent down over her converses and pulled out a paper clip from the heel.

Working quickly she soon had the paper clip bent in a certain way and pushed it into the lock, working it skillfully until she heard a gentle click.

She smiled at her skills and pushed the door open. The apartment was dark and the grimy windows had moth eaten shades pulled down over it. An old black and white TV was playing muted of course, sending flickers of light across the room.

Kaoru sighed and switch the TV off and tiptoed to a door across the room. She peeked in and spied on a woman snoring loudly in a small bed. Good. She closed the door and left to the room next door.

She closed the door behind her and looked around her old room. A ratty western bed was pushed against wall, red covers draping off the sides. A dresser with random possessions was in one corner; drawers spilling open revealing old clothing. Bags and bottles were littered across the floor, adding to the messy surroundings.

Kaoru pulled her hair loose and flopped down on the bed. It was cold and the mattress sunk under her weight. She closed her eyes wearily.

What was that? Something was vibrating in her pocket. A feeling of loathing rose in her as she pulled out the phone. It was ringing.

0o0o0o0

Joh: to be honest, I had a lot of trouble writing this. It was so slow. But now worries, the next one shall have a lot more action in it. Trust me, okay?

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS

happyloveygirl
Thanks! I'm sure this was a slow update, but I tried right? Nice new account!

Purplehairedpunk
Thanks! That's so cool! I'm flattered that you like this story so much!

.Via x Infinito
Don't you love that leash idea? Haha!

UNCHAINED BEAST
Dude, you have multi-colored socks! Rock on! XD And yes you're pen name is awesome! Good job on the originality!

Cyberwing
Sorry if you think this chapter is boring, I think it is compared to the others…;;

Snow Lepord
He is a jerk! Kaoru can't run away from him though, because she can't just abandon her gang and what not…poor Kaoru!

patience&love
Hmm, good point! Kaoru really should have gotten drunk after drinking that beer thing! Let's just say she has a high tolerance for beer!

Pixel-the-evil-fairy
Thank you evil fairy! XD

Black Metalmark
Thanks, last chapter was the best. Don't know why, just was…

byekxk 4 ever
Of course! Soon enough?

lilrich
Aw thank you! You sound really interested!

I LUV Anime 0.0
Go oranges! -Dances-

bubblygoo
Me too, best part was the kiss!

2dalu
I hope you like this chapter

Horsegirl
Did I update soon enough?

Anime Girl
Thank you! Glad you love it, I love writing it!

Rurouni-maxi
I love Battousai as a pervert! It's so much fun to write! What's up with the cell phone? Well I always thought of them as leashes parents put on kids sooooo…XD

tif
Sure! But if I make Aoshi kaoru's brother then Misao can't get it on with him because she's Kaoru's sister! I can have Aoshi be a brother like figure to Kaoru though!

antica
Cool review! Thanks!

Kaoru4
Everyone loves the kiss scene! Haha!

Shinta-FAn
Thank yous!

Reignashii
Sorry, I'll make Kaoru get back at Battousai soon! She shall get her revenge on him! But that's all I can say…

Jisusaken
Haha! I just said that to the person before you! Yep, I have something planned with Kaoru getting her revenge on Kenshin.

rain angst
Kenshin is very huggable and loveable!

LadyAkina
I figured that would be too much if Kenshin bothered her during the night. She deserves some rest. Why 19 thorns? You'll see…it's a surprise!

insaneningen14
Oh, this is your first story? I'm so flattered you read mine first! Welcome aboard then!

tenshi hoshiko
No, but I could have someone teach her martial arts, you know?

Adelaide MacGregor
Yep, I know what you mean.

half-breed-demon-fox
The end was cute, I agree!

Review my friends!