Date started: August 10, 2005
Alright, I am back from Sendai. I am going ahead and writing this chapter up before I continue with chapter 3 of Happiness in Slavery. Thanks for the reviews you guys, they greatly encourage me to continue on. Hehehe… this chapter is hopefully gonna be the climactic one. I AM bringing Misao and Aoshi. I think I've got the pair down as playing important roles. Hehe… umm… I just need to run through my head the final run through of my imaginary outline. And then of course, Sano and Megumi. We will see them sometime this chapter, though I'm not sure as to how. No! Wait… I just thought of how. Woot. See you at the end! Please enjoy. –Hotaru
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Butterfly Kisses
By: Hotaru
Rating: R; for language, gore, and some adult material
Standard Disclaimer:
I do not own Rurouni Kenshin in any way whatsoever. I do, however, own any characters that I may introduce as my own, and this plot line. If I catch you stealing it, you grovel at my feet and beg forgiveness, or die.
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However, the moment was cut short, as the car's brakes were slammed down and then the sound of glass and metal crunching together.
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Kaoru was nearly flung forward, a warm arm slithering around her waist protecting her from hitting the window cover that divided the passenger compartment of the limo from the driver's section. Kenshin had managed to stay in his seat, "Holy crap, what just happened!" The woman half whispered, terror filling her voice.
The amber eyes glinted, and he seemed to sense something, "Move now, talk later. Get out of the car, now!" She simply obeyed, and the door was flung open, and the two quickly scrambled out, moving as fast as they could to escape onlookers and the now immobile street. Barely minutes later, the car blew up, erupting into flames, Kaoru's silvery eyes reflecting against the orange that filled the sky.
Surprisingly, they still looked nearly perfect in appearance, the accident or the explosion not ruining the hours work, seeing as her raven hair was still perfectly coiffed and the assassin's fine clothing not even singed. He reached for her hand, "Come on. We have to get to that party. If we don't… well, I am not sure as to what will happen."
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Two figures watched silently from the rooftops as the car blew up. Trained, emerald eyes scanned the streets, and quickly spotted the two who were supposed to now be dead. A set of steely blue ones followed her gaze, and saw too what the other did.
A female voice came from the one with green orbs, "It seems our assassin has not lost his touch, Aoshi-sama." Her voice was filled with an amusement of sorts. Her face could not be seen, for the black mask covering her mouth and nose, yet, even if her face were uncovered, it would have been difficult to see what she looked like, due to the darkness.
The large form crouched next to her glance over, his face masked as well, and said, "Looks like we better continue watching them. That explosion was unexpected. According to my sources, Shishio has no intention of killing the girl. I would like to know who it was that set the bomb." He stood up, and walked to the left. The lithe figure of the girl quickly followed suit, "Yes. That was extremely suspicious. Is it true that the boy is alive?"
"Yes."
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Back on the streets
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The couple tried not to be noticed with their fine dress. But it was a very hard task. It was common to see a few people out in about in traditional dress, but that was normally women, a rarity to see a man dressed as he was. Let alone, in garments as fine as these. However, Kenshin would cast out deadly glares at anyone who tried to get to close. He would not fail this mission. They could not fail it. The assassin had never failed once, and he wanted to keep his perfect record… perfect.
Kaoru walked beside him, trying to hide her katana. It was a simple task really, but one that required the person to remember to keep it hidden, "We are nearly there." His voice quietly said. Kaoru's eyes stared up into his. The red head saw there were traces of silver there, whether it was a good thing or bad, he didn't know, and then there was fear. She would not admit it, he knew she wouldn't, the girl had to much pride. It seemed as though she were thinking hard. Kaoru's face was set with a determination he had not seen before, afraid she may be, but she would not fail, or she would die.
Before they entered the tall gates of the estate that looked as though it were fit for a king, Kenshin's golden eyes turned back, and then up along the buildings. His gaze fell upon two black clad figures that stood on the roof, silently watching. The man simply nodded in acknowledgement, and then returned his attention to the task at hand: get inside, and destroy Shishio.
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A lovely young woman with dark hair and deep brown eyes entered the hall. She was dressed in a simple, yet elegant, kimono. It was lavender in color, with light blue flowers trimming the sleeves, and the obi matching the color of the flowers. Looking around, Megumi spotted a man in the hallway, and carefully walked forward and asked, "Excuse me, I am Takani Megumi. I wonder if you would be so kind as to tell me where in this magnificent building the party is being held?"
The short but dangerous looking guard looked her up and down, and then quickly nodded, "It is down the hall, and the double doors on your right lead into the room. You can't miss it." He gave her a wink, and the doctor simply ignored it, muttering her thanks, and continued on her way. She heard the doors open from the front of the building, and she knew it was more guests for the grand banquet.
She wasn't quite sure as to why she had been invited. She couldn't be of great importance. Her clinic was not well known, her skills were only known amongst her patients and few friends. Maybe one of her professors from the university had mentioned her, or maybe even the elder doctor whom she assisted. All Megumi had done was decided she better go, for fear of upsetting the tyrannous leader of her country, and took out her only fancy kimono, and simply done up her hair. And here she was, hoping that she would not find reason to become to noticed by the most likely, wealthier guests.
Finally reaching the huge double doors, she took in a deep breath, and pushed one open a little. The echoes of voices and classical music came through. Taking another breath, she tried to enter the room with the least noticeable care. She was lucky, and was greeted by only one person, a finely dressed butler, who simply asked her name. After checking the list, he beckoned for her to follow and led her to a table. There was an empty chair waiting for her. What caught the woman's attention, however, was not the seat, or the finery that decorated the large ballroom, but the man who was sitting in the seat next to the empty one. His back was turned to her, but she knew that spiky black hair anywhere. It couldn't be. Sanosuke was gone… right?
Thanking the man who had showed her her seat, she gripped the back of her chair tightly, before finally speaking to the one on her right, "Sano?"
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Yahiko sat behind the curtains. His hands were bound in front of him. The long sleeves of his garments hid this however. He heard the laughter, the music, everything that went on in the room on the other side. The teen was afraid. Not for himself, but for Kaoru. Never before had he been so afraid in his life, afraid enough to admit it that is. His eyes were closed tightly, as he was trying to control all the emotions running through him. He wanted to die. He wish he had when the gun had fired at him not days before. Rather die, then let Kaoru go through the shock of seeing someone she thought dead, alive, and then be blackmailed into turning herself over to Shishio.
Yahiko did not know much of the Polaris Shishio spoke so fondly of. All he knew was the Polaris was an alter ego that Kaoru turned into, and that this other self was powerful. Nonetheless, it was still his sister figure. 'God, if there even is a God in this forsaken world, you sure as hell better keep her safe!' It was the last thing the teen could think of to do. He was not a strong believer in religion, he didn't really have one he believed in. Yet, he knew of the God the Christians at the orphanages he'd been stuck in, had so persistently tried to convert him to. They said 'God answered prayers.' If there was an 'all powerful being' now would be a perfect time for it to show itself.
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The two finally made it to the front of the building where there were a few others going inside as well. Entering, Kenshin looked around, as did Kaoru. The girl seemed not to be surprised, as though she had been here before, "So, he just keeps on adding to his crappy fortune." She quietly let the bitter words escape her lips. At least the assassin's thoughts were confirmed. He might have known, considering that she and Shishio had some form of a past relationship.
Her eyes were blue again, he noted, "Do you know how you are going to do things?" He couldn't help asking.
Looking up at the red head, Kaoru hesitantly nodded her head, "I tried to talk with Polaris. She said that if Shishio were to do anything to hurt me she would come help. She wants nothing more than for him to be dead. I just… it's that I don't want her to come out as herself alone. That's what I am afraid she will do. She doesn't want us to be merged as one anymore, like she used to. She thinks that if I sleep, she can take care of things on her own," Pausing, the blue eyes grew distant, "What she doesn't realize is that she has finally made a mistake. Without me, she won't be able to achieve what Shishio expects her to achieve, and that would mean our death."
He seemed a little surprised at her words, and indeed, the man was. He sensed wisdom within her, something that had been of lacking not more than a few hours ago. The red head knew it was Kaoru speaking, and felt she deserved more respect than ever. Things would go well, he knew it. When the two entered the room, they were greeted by the same butler whom had escorted Takani Megumi to her seat. The girl remained silent, as the assassin had told her to do, and he gave the butler the two false names they had assumed, "Right this way, Iwamoto-sama, Uemura-sama." Kenshin sent out his ki, searching for any familiar blood. Shortly, he noticed Sanosuke and Megumi, who seemed to be off in a darker corner behind some curtains, having an argument of sorts. Then next person he noticed was Shishio, however, he was far from the party. The next person his mind sensed, shocked him. He felt the presence of someone who was supposed to be dead. His golden eyes opened wide in a mixture of worry and shock.
Soon after being seated, the man loosely grasped Kaoru's arm, and said, "Would you mind if we stepped outside for a moment? There's something I need to tell you." Looking up into his eyes, Kaoru replied with a hint of worry, "Of course. What is it? Something's bothering you."
"It can wait till we are out of hearing range of everyone." Then he stood up, and Kaoru quickly followed suit, and followed Kenshin out two doors that led to a small pavilion that was relatively deserted. Facing her, he looked down to meet her blue orbs, "Look… I just searched around to see if there were any familiar faces around… and, well… there is-"
Then he was abruptly cut off, as a woman entered the area, "KAORU?" It was Megumi, Sanosuke following closely behind her. Kenshin wanted to do something drastic after the interruption. He needed to tell Kaoru who he had noticed. She needed to know so she wouldn't go and do something stupid, "Me-megumi." Kaoru quietly said, and then quickly made her way towards her doctor and friend, and meeting with an embrace.
"Oh my god, Kaoru. I was so worried. All I knew was who you were with and that made me even more-"
"Takani-san, you should not be here. You should not be seen with Sanosuke. It is far to dangerous right now." The assassin's calm voice rang in the air. Sano simply stood behind them, not saying a word, "I know you just had a little argument, made up, etc, but, you want to know why he has not spoken to you for months. There was good reason that he disappeared. He cannot tell you anything until this is all over."
Megumi's brown eyes looked confused, as she stared at the Hitokiri, still embracing Kaoru, "What do you mean! He told me he-"
"I am sorry, kitsune," Sano's deep voice finally spoke, "I can not give you a good explanation as to why I disappeared, not yet anyhow." Kenshin bobbed his head in agreement, and they seemed to wait for Kaoru to also agree. Looking at her dearest friend, Kaoru gently said, "Soon, very soon, you can know what all has happened. Maybe even after tonight. But, believe me, don't let Shishio see you two together, except for acquaintance sake."
Megumi seemed at a total loss for what to say. She was thinking that everything was perfect, now that she had found her lost lover. He had told her that he had lost all contact information, and any form of contact with the outside world was not possible. He said he had gone to the rural of Japan, and that things continued to happen, preventing him from getting home. It made sense. What the three had just agreed to, however, had confused her, "Kaoru, what do you mean? What's going on?"
Sad blue eyes met the confused murky brown ones, "I am so sorry Megumi." Then, her eyes flashed a very dark silver, all traces of blue leaving. It seemed like Polaris was becoming more powerful within Kaoru's mind, for the voice that came out was not the girl's, but the alter ego, and the eyes turned black, "This will be painless, but you must not be allowed to interfere what will happen tonight." And then, two slender hands reached up to the tall girl's head, and pressing her finger's against Megumi's temples, she said, "Go to sleep for a little while. When you wake up, everything will be as it should be." Then, the doctor's eyes grew weary, and almost immediately, she passed out. Sano ran forward, to catch the girl's body before she hit the ground.
Polaris seemed to become very dizzy, and she walked unsteadily towards the balcony's edge, and tightly grasped the banister, so tightly her knuckles turned white. Kenshin walked over to her, and asked sharply, "What did you just do to Takani-san?" The midnight eyes looked up at him, "I simply made her sleep. She will not wake up until I have accomplished what needs to be done." The girl's face was pale. Whatever she had done must have taken some sort of affect on her body, "Have Kaoru back. When Shishio comes, I will come out and take care of everything. I will not allow for history to repeat itself, for if it were to do so this time around, the consequences would be far worse."
"Wait! I need to tell-" But, before Kenshin could tell the woman what he wanted to, Polaris left, and then it was Kaoru's blue eyes that were looking up at him.
"Oh god… what happened?" She groggily asked, "Why do I feel so tired… I feel as if I'm all cold inside…"
"It's ok. Polaris put Megumi to sleep for awhile. It took an effect on your body somehow." Looking back at Sano, carrying the now sleeping Megumi, "Sanosuke, we need to find a safe place for her to sleep. Things could get nasty, and we don't want her getting hurt."
Nodding in agreement, Sano said, "I'll get her somewhere safe." And then he left carrying the limp body of Kaoru's friend.
Kenshin brought his attention back to Kaoru, "Are you alright?" He rested his hands on her small shoulders. She was looking out into the night sky. It was as if she hadn't heard him. Pointing out to a specific star, her voice quietly said, "Polaris, the north star. So beautiful, shining up in its spot in the sky." She felt the heat from his hands seep into her skin, through the thick folds of the kimono. The chilling breeze blew, yet not a hair came loose, "I always loved the stars. Polaris… I believe she came from her star." Kaoru turned around so that she was facing her savior, "If I were to die, I believe that is where I would go. To the stars." It sounded as though she were giving her obituary, her words so calm, yet so sad, "This might be the last time we see each other in a peaceful environment, just the two of us." Leaning into his broad chest, she allowed him to embrace her tightly. She relished in his warmth. So much different than what she was used to. Then, she looked up at him with her eyes, and she changed the mood, "So, let's have fun with it and enjoy it!" Then quickly, she brought her face to his and gave him a quick kiss, and ended it as quickly as she began it.
Standing there for a minute, the assassin tried to take in everything that happened just then. She seemed to be recovered from the whole ordeal with Megumi, and seemed to be happy. He knew it was an act, the change of mood. She sounded to sad and serious moments earlier to just change the mood for real. He looked back down at her eyes that were trying so hard to smile, and promised huskily, "I will protect you." And then he kissed her; not a quick, stolen one, but a deep passionate kiss.
They pulled away from each other, warmed by each others heat, and Kaoru flushed slightly. And then she made her way back into the room where the party was going on. Before following her, Battousai looked up and spotted the two from before standing on a roof not far from him. He knew exactly who they were. He was grateful that they had come to help. They had their own reasons for disliking Shishio, and luckily, they were good ones. Quickly, Kenshin looked back and followed Kaoru so as not to loose her. He intended to keep his promise to protect her.
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PLEASE PUSH THE PRETTY LITTLE BUTTON AND GIVE ME A REVIEW OR TWO. I HAVE 2000+ HITS DAMNIT, SO… WHY NOT 2000 REVIEWS! COME ON… BE NICE. AND READ HAPPINESS IN SLAVERY. CHAPTER 4 WILL BE UP SOON.
Ok, I hope I gave you guys enough fluffy shit. Sorry if it has any grammatical errors etc... i didnt beta it. Hmm… ok, I cut this chapter off long before I intended to… the chapter could be twice as long, but it's been two weeks, maybe more now since I updated this story, so I want to put this up so you who keep badgering me to update soon, will get your update! Not that badgering is bad, it is good because I then, indeed update. It took far to long to update I think. Mainly I blame Sendai, and the reading of a Fruits Basket fic, as well as a lot of festivals and excursions. Ya, so, now we have the other four in here, Misao, Aoshi, Megumi, and Sano. I am sorry, I'm not giving Megumi that important of a role in the fighting, but she will definitely be needed eventually. I swear, next chapter we'll see Shishio and his big plan go into action. Will he succeed? Or will something else happen? I have decided to take the longer route in finishing this story. WHY? Because it will make it more angsty and torturous. I feel like torturing some characters ok? Maybe not just physically too. YAY! I'm gonna be mean… wait… is that a good or a bad thing?
Please review, be nice and you'll get a sooner update! –When I get back from Kyoto that is… I'll be gone the 22nd-24th-
Hotaru