Author's note: I'm sorry this took so long to update. Quite honestly when I started this story things were going fine. But during the midpoint fate took a turn for the worst and I had to turn my attention away. When things finally settled I tried writing again, but it was like the idea for this story had been tainted by the events that took place while I was writing it. Every time I tried to start a new chapter old thoughts and feelings flooded back and when I finished the chapter, it was always horribly. I've tried several times to do a better job, but every chapter came out like crap. So I gave up. But it seems that people still wanted to read this, and I always hate it when a story I was reading never gets finished, so here goes. I'm not sure how this will turn out, I am certain it won't be the way I planned and almost positive it won't be good. So please pardon my absence, as I truly am sorry, and please forgive me for the story that follows.
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Ever since the day Kaoru left him Enishi was only a shell. Wherever Kaoru had gone his heart and soul must have followed for there was nothing to be found within his body. He loved her, and to say that was an understatement. His entire life revolved around her existence, her presence. Since the day he laid eyes on her he knew there would never be another for him. He was chronically ill, some doctors called it obsessive compulsion disorder but many others wouldn't even call it that. As long as he took his medication, or so the doctors told him, he would be fine. For four years Enishi hid his illness from Kaoru. Afraid that she would reject him like so many others had, he veiled the truth from her and took his aggressions out on others. But his anger grew to terrible heights, and he could no longer hide it, even with Kaoru in his presence. Soon Enishi found himself taking out his aggressions on her, but only when she truly angered him. The day she told him she wanted to attend a different college then him, his anger boiled to a simmering level. He was frightened, knowing that she would find someone better at her new college, knowing that she could live without him. That was the first time he exploded on her. After that his anger became more visible. If she burnt dinner he found himself irritated, if she didn't feel like sitting with him on the couch.
'Someday Kaoru,' Enishi always vowed to himself. 'I will whisk you away from this world, and you and I will be truly happy. Together, I will be able to control this with your strength.' Someone had called the police on him and Enishi knew he had crossed the line. He would make it up to her, when they were married everything would be perfect; when he got out of jail he would never touch her in an unwanted way again. But she wasn't there, wasn't in their apartment when he got home. None of her friends knew were she was and Enishi didn't dare ask the authorities. But he knew, deep in his heart, that she had left him. He had pulled the final straw and caused the love of his life to leave him. For the longest time Enishi wanted to end his life. Without Kaoru he was nothing, he couldn't live without her; even the air was suffocating him. Finally a glimmer of hope lighted deep within Enishi's being. There was a way to find her, through technology, almost anything was possible. He would major in computer science, he would find a job, a home, everything suitable for a family; and then he would find Kaoru. He did that, that and so much more. A man named Katsura took Enishi in on an internship. His company was selling software, but that was only a cover. Soon Enishi learned the company Katsura ran was made up of hackers, the best in the nation. Maybe even the best in the world. Identity theft was a petty goal for them; they could achieve so much more. Katsura offered Enishi into the company, taking him under his wing and teaching him so much more than any college could have. The world was now Enishi's playground; he had the ability to hack into any system. Enishi was now stable; his income could support any family he and Kaoru wanted to start. So Enishi dove into his network of information, scouring the world for his beloved. He found her; she was living in Chicago working for a construction company. Taking his vacation time, Enishi headed off to Chicago, renting a room in the building facing Kaoru's. He didn't show himself for the longest time, and it was harder to keep tabs on Kaoru. She had no computer, he couldn't track her as she searched the internet, the only technology she had in her apartment was a telephone and some calculators. At work Enishi could keep better tabs on her than anywhere else, there were security cameras and she spent much of her time on her computer. Enishi never had to leave his apartment; his laptop was all he needed. If he ever needed to get something Katsura had given him several colleagues, ones who Katsura had given strict orders to obey Enishi. Truly, nothing could go wrong; except that after a few days of watching Kaoru, he saw that she had already moved on. Though they never truly went in the open, it was obvious that Kaoru was in some sort of relationship with her employer, Kenshin Himura.
'It May be nothing,' Enishi repeated to himself as the hours would go by. 'It could be nothing.' But his stage of denial crumbled quickly when Kaoru brought this man to her apartment one night. For the whole night he stayed with her, they sat on the couch together like they had been a couple for years. Kaoru wouldn't sit with him like that until the second year of dating. Enishi was enraged, Kaoru was his and no other man was to possess her. He took action, and soon her life was in his hands. The only time he lost control was when her co-worker got to close to her. Safely back in his apartment, Enishi flew into a rage and ordered one of his men to shoot the man. In his rage Enishi doused too many pills, and fell into a state of shock. When he came too, Kaoru was in the hospital, with no visitors.
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Kaoru awoke in the hospital, engulfed in confusion.
"What happened?" Kaoru sat up, noticing she was wearing a incredibly uncomfortable hospital gown. "Who changed me?" Kaoru demanded as she felt her cheeks flame up. Everything was so blurry in her mind.
"Calm down," a lone nurse entered the room from the hallway. "You're whole building was sent here for a checkup nothing more."
"Nothing happened to me," Kaoru insisted. "I wasn't shot."
"No," the nurse agreed. "But your employer wants all of his employees checked out for their own safety."
"How did I get here?" Kaoru asked as she rubbed her forehead.
"We found you passed out in an elevator," the nurse said absentmindedly as she looked at Kaoru's chart. "Nothing serious, just lack of sleep. Who could blame you for sleeping; you were stuck in that elevator or almost eight hours."
"Eight hours?" Kaoru asked dimly. "What was I doing in there?"
"You and Mr. Himura were trapped; he told us you fell asleep as soon as the electricity went out." Kaoru thought for a moment, that story didn't match her memories. But she had been really tired for many days; maybe she had dreamed the whole situation up. A hot blush rose in Kaoru's cheeks, how in the world could she even dream about something like that?
"We've taken some blood samples," the nurse continued to speak through Kaoru's silence. "And you're almost ready to be released, let me just get your release papers." The nurse turned on her heel and left. Kaoru glanced around the room and pulled her blankets up to her chin, she felt completely exposed in the flimsy material. A small piece of crumpled up paper caught her eye. It was setting on the table, and as Kaoru unrolled it she saw it was a note, from Kenshin.
'Kaoru,
Please be patient, I'm working on a plan at the moment and I'll contact you when everything is set. Please don't worry.
Kenshin'
Kaoru felt a small smile tug at her lips. As she heard the nurse return she quickly stuffed the note underneath her bed sheets.
"Here you are," the nurse set the release forms on the table. "And here are your clothes. But before you leave, there's a visitor who has wanted to see you for a very long time." Kaoru immediately brightened up, it was probably Kenshin. She waited eagerly for him within her room. Shock and puzzlement filled her when a man she had never seen before entered the room.
"Kaoru Kamiya," the man had a low voice. His appearance was strange enough; his nose appeared it bad been broken more than a few times.
"Yes," Kaoru answered strongly, though her insides shook with fear.
"I am here on behalf of your fiancé Enishi," if the man noticed Kaoru's rigid body he pretended not to care. "He wants to meet you."
"If I refuse," Kaoru asked, glaring at the man.
"If you refuse his terms," the man continued to speak calmly. "He will simply shoot another of your few friends, how many do you have to spare Kamiya?"
"How dare you!" Kaoru gripped the sheets in rage. "What if I told the police, right now?" I could quite easily call someone in here!"
"Do you know where Enishi is?" The man was mocking her. "Do you know who is on his side? He now works for a powerful company."
"Where?" Kaoru's voice was soft, and her fingers were painfully white.
"Downtown by the restaurant you and your boyfriend went to," the man turned to leave. Stopping at the door he added, "Eleven o'clock next Tuesday, don't look for him. He will find you." The man left, leaving Kaoru in the state of a nightmare. Quickly, Kaoru dug out her note from Kenshin.
'I just have to play along long enough for Kenshin to get me some help," Kaoru thought numbly. "Then this whole ordeal will be over with."
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Kaoru was fed up with being treated like a puppet. She was now shivering in the cold downtown fearing for her fate. She was sick of being controlled, and furious at herself for not being stronger. Her very future rested in the hands of men, something she vowed would never happen after she escaped her father's abuse. Kaoru cursed herself over and over again, cursing herself for being weak.
"Kaoru," a voice spoke from the surge of people, the same voice that both haunted and graced her dreams
"What do you want?" Kaoru spun around in circles, trying to locate the man she had once loved. "Where are you?"
"It's to busy here my love," his voice danced and spun in the air. "Make your way towards the back of the restaurant. There is an alley back there we can meet at."
"This is ridiculous Enishi," Kaoru spoke, hoping he could hear her. "We are fully grown, can't we handle this in a more mature fashion?"
"Go back there if you don't want any more misfortune," Enishi's voice had lost flattery and gained an angry edge. Swallowing harder then she'd admit, Kaoru headed towards the back of the restaurant. As she was led away from the hordes of people, she realized how loudly the scrapes of her shoes echoed off the walls, how empty everything appeared around her. The alley was small enough, lined with trash, one large dumpster, and a small door that probably led to the kitchen. Hunching her shoulders against the cold, Kaoru took a deep calming breath.
"I'm here Enishi," her voice wasn't loud, nor was it soft. "What do you want?"
"You," he was suddenly behind her. His steel like hands gripped her shoulders with a striking force. "Everything is ready my love."
"What do you mean," Kaoru held as still as possibly, she wasn't ready to face him quite yet.
"I'm wealthy now Kaoru," Enishi whispered in her ear, his breath pricking at the back of her neck. "I can take you away, wherever you want, and we can start our family, you can have whatever you want." Enishi sucked in a quick breath. "I'm wealthy and stable."
"You're actions have proven otherwise Enishi," Kaoru held herself erect against his body as he dragged her closer. "If you wanted to win me back you should have spoken to me, not trap me like some sort of animal."
"I know you Kaoru," Enishi tightened his grip painfully. "You're stubborn; you wouldn't come of your own free will. I have to prove to you that I can handle it, handle you."
"This was not the way to go about this situation," Kaoru tightened her body preparing herself for what she knew was coming. "If you're so stable and wealthy, why not go for a girl with more class?" Kaoru turned herself towards him, and for the first time in a long time, faced her former lover. He was different then she remembered. His face was distorted and stretched from late nights ad constant worries. His once beautiful eyes were now drained and filled with nothing but hatred. She allowed him to gaze into her eyes, drawing him in as deeply as he could. Slowly, Enishi leaned his head in towards. Waiting, Kaoru knew she had to end this, tonight.
"Enishi," Kaoru whispered his name. He turned his eyes towards her once again, his large and vulnerable eyes. Kaoru lifted her hand as if to touch his face. Without a second thought she suddenly jabbed her pointer finger deeply into his eye. Enishi released his grip and howled in pain. Dodging around him, Kaoru raced back towards the large crowd amassed outside the restaurant. She wasn't surprised to feel Enishi wrap his arm around her neck. Kaoru had been expecting this and sunk her teeth into the muscular flesh. Tearing herself away, Kaoru burst back into the open. People didn't spare her a second glance, as if they were used to the sight of a desperate woman racing for her life. Diving into the crowd, Kaoru elbowed her way through, and angry shouts and curses followed after her. Finally breaking free form the group, Kaoru tore down the sidewalk. Her arms and legs were pumping, she was desperate to gain any sort of lead. The world rushed all around her, creating the sensation of being sucked down a drain pipe. Lights, sounds, and sensations drained away, leaving Kaoru in an empty void. She thought of nothing else but the task before her. She had to lead Enishi into her trap. Tramping down the well lit sidewalk Kaoru was caught completely off guard when she felt a stony grip grab her from the side.
"Let me go!" Kaoru tried to scream, but a pale hand clamped down over her mouth.
"You stupid wench!" Enishi angrily banged her body up against the wall, causing Kaoru to see stars.
"You stupid, fucking wench!" Enishi banged her once again. "I love you!"
"Not enough," Kaoru spoke softly. Gathering her strength, Kaoru kneed Enishi in the groin, hard. Groaning loudly, Enishi keeled over, allowing Kaoru a chance to escape. Limping down a separate alleyway, Kaoru could hear her breath rattle in her lungs. A small trickle of blood ran down her temple, but she ignored it.
"Kaoru!" Enishi let out an angry wail and took of after her. Cursing her luck, Kaoru braced for impact. There was no hope, he would surely catch her. She didn't brace herself well enough. Enishi hit her from behind with his entire body, hard, trapping her underneath his bodyweight.
"You have to let me go Enishi!" Kaoru pleaded as her cheek painfully grinded against the cement.
"Never," Enishi swore. "You are mine and mine alone!" He flipped Kaoru around, forcing her to look at him. He was now straddling her, one knee on both sides of her hips. Keeping her arms pinned to either side of her head, Kaoru was completely trapped, but still, she struggled vainly.
"It's no use Kaoru," Enishi bent low and whispered softly in her ear. "You can never escape me. I'll follow you forever, even into death." Bile rose in her throat, but her anger surged higher. She was not a toy for his sick amusement. Kaoru pushed all her strength into her right hand, and with a surge of adrenaline, was able to break his grasp. Remembering the compass in her coat pocket, Kaoru quickly pulled it out and with her single hand fumbled to get the sharp side ready. Finding the resolve deep within herself, Kaoru plunged the knife deep into Enishi's throat. Blood spattered down and covered Kaoru's face in specks. Gurgling in confusion, Enishi stumbled and fell onto his back. With his claw-like hands, Enishi tried desperately to dislodge the compass from his throat. His entire body withered as he tried to pluck the sharp instrument out. Kaoru stumbled to her feet and stared down at the man she once thought she had loved. She had to act, before he did. Kaoru quickly drew out her pocket knife and with blood covered fingers, frantically tried to open it. With a sickly sucking sound, Enishi finally pulled the compass from his neck and stumbled towards Kaoru. With tears stinging her eyes and a frantic cry, Kaoru finally managed to get the blade out. As Enishi wrapped his arms around her Kaoru plunged the knife into Enishi's heart. His grasp on her tightened, one final time, then slackened. Sliding down her body, Enishi lowered himself to his knees and stared up at his love with large eyes.
"I'm sorry," Kaoru's voice was full of tears. "Enishi, I'm sorry."
"I love you," Enishi grasped her hand. "So much." Carefully Kaoru lowered him to his back, still holding his hand.
"Please forgive me," Kaoru whispered as she touched his cheek. "Enishi." She was too late, his eyes had clouded up, and his skin was pale. Giving into her body Kaoru turned her head and vomited. Sobs racked her body and she curled up into a fetal position and cried. She rocked her body back and forth. She had finally rid herself of her problem, but at a terrible cost.
"Are you proud father?" Kaoru asked the frigid air before she gave into her next compulsion.
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Once again, I'm sorry for the long delay. But thanks for reading it despite the fact that it isn't a long chapter and I promise I'll upgrade sooner. Cross my heart and hope to die.