Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Hey there my darling readers, I've updated faster this time round! I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Healing by KatsunoCZ

Chapter 10

Kaoru looked into the mirror and applied lip gloss to her lips. Suddenly, Misao walked into her room and gasped.

"Knock before you come in, Misao-chan!" Kaoru said. Misao just walked closer and began to circle around Kaoru, her mouth hanging open.

"Kaoru, you're gorgeous!" Misao exclaimed.

Kaoru was a vision of loveliness. Her beautiful raven hair was scooped up elegantly with delicate strands of hair falling about her small face gracefully. Her eyes are bright, framed by sooty black eye lashes and her skin was creamy and radiant. She was dressed in a sleeveless purple dress with a plunging neckline, showing a hint of her bosom.

"Do you think this dress is formal enough? Saitou did not say specifically how formal the party is going to be…" Kaoru said.

"Even if it is not, it wouldn't matter! You look beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Just go and have a good time and don't worry too much."

Kaoru smiled gratefully and nodded before checking her appearance in the mirror again.

"What time is your Hajime-san picking you up?" Misao asked.

"Around 7.30pm…"

"Well, then he is late!"

Kaoru glanced at the clock, "It's 7.35pm, Misao-chan. Only five minutes…"

"A gentleman is supposed to be on time! Plus I don't trust him anyway!"

Kaoru laughed, "Don't worry Misao, it is just a date."

Then, the door bell rang.

Misao sighed, "Your date is here."

Kaoru's eyes lit up, and asked, "You really think I look okay?"

"Yes, you're a stunning. In fact, I almost wished that you look less beautiful so that Hajime-san won't want to play with you anymore."

"Misao…maybe Hajime-san is not playing with me…"

Misao sighed again and then smiled weakly, "Okay, okay. You just go ahead and have a great time. Don't forget about the thing you told me about guarding your heart though."

Kaoru grinned and hugged Misao tightly, "Misao-chan, I really appreciate you for caring about me. I shall guard my heart with care."

Kaoru released Misao from the hug and picked up her white silk shawl and handbag, "Bye bye!"

Misao nodded and watched Kaoru opened the door, revealing a really tall man wearing a black tuxedo. She heard him say 'hello' in a rich, deep voice before Kaoru closed the front door behind her.

Misao sighed.

Saitou grinned at her and Kaoru blushed. She hated it when he had that affect on her. She also hated how he always appeared so sure of himself. Always so handsome and charismatic.

He looked like a black, graceful wolf and just being near him made her heart beat faster.

He took her hand softly in his and leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, and then he whispered huskily, "You are exquisite…"

Then, he led her to his black Mercedes Benz and opened the car door for her. Her heart was still jumping and her breathing was quick.

Saitou got in to the driver's seat beside her and smiled wolfishly at her again. Kaoru smiled back and felt afraid, reading the look in his eyes and the intense desire brewing within.

Attempting to distract him so that he'll look away from her lips, Kaoru asked, "Am I dressed formally enough?"

Saitou grinned again and just nodded. Kaoru wished that he'll talk more so that it won't leave her feeling so nervous and anxious.

Who was she going to meet at the party? His friends?

"Where is the party?" Kaoru asked.

"At my client's new estate. I've been his attorney for more than 6 years. More than 200 people are invited."

Kaoru widened her eyes at the number of people been invited. "More than 200?"

Saitou laughed, "Yes, my client is the multi-billionaire Otojiro Ito."

Kaoru nodded weakly. Saitou's world was obviously very different from hers. Though she was not poor, she did not mix with the rich and famous. Saitou however had so many connections, and his ex-girlfriend was a beautiful and famous celebrity! He was obviously very used being around beautiful women who were all fighting for his attention. He was, after all, very rich, handsome and eligible.

Kaoru turned to look at Saitou and studied his side profile, watching the street lamps' light reflecting off his attractive edgy face. Tracing his forehead, to his sharp nose and neck with her eyes, she wondered if she was beautiful enough for him. He had told her that she was 'exquisite' but she could not help but doubt his words. How many times had he whispered the same thing to other women?

They drove up to a huge white mansion; there were already so many cars and people. All the men and women were dressed so splendidly. Kaoru almost felt like an outsider, she was not used to associating with people that rich and so sure of themselves. She also noticed that the mansion was magnificent, so grand and royal. It was very carefully and beautifully designed, all the edges so précised. The whole mansion was very modern with a slight touch of olden England. It was a great study of art.

Finally, they arrived at the huge entrance where there were many people gathered around. Saitou got out and helped Kaoru out of the car, then, he passed the car keys to the young man waiting on them. People began to glance at their direction, wondering who the new arrival was.

Kaoru felt more nervous than ever, but Saitou placed an arm around her waist reassuringly and usher her forward through the huge wooden door. Kaoru let her legs move together with Saitou's long strides, but inside she was distracted by the number of people and overwhelmed by the surroundings. There were many antique sofas and paintings about everywhere, there was also a large dignified-looking grandfather clock and in the middle of the huge hall was a large fountain supplying an inexhaustible amount of punch. Beautifully-dressed women glided past them gracefully, smiling suggestively at Saitou. Kaoru fumed at their flirty smiles, how dare they do that in front of her and when it was so obvious that he already had a date?

Then, an elderly, plump man in a white tuxedo walked towards them. He was smiling, and as he reached them, he slapped Saitou friendly on the back.

"Hello, Saitou!" He exclaimed, "I almost thought you weren't coming!"

Saitou smiled back, "How could I miss your party celebrating the completion of your wonderful new mansion?"

The man chuckled and turned to look at Kaoru, "Who's the lovely young lady here?"

Kaoru tried her best to smile casually and extended her hand, "Kamiya Kaoru."

The man took her hand, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "Please to meet your acquaintance, Kamiya-san."

"Don't flirt with my date, Ito. You're too old for that," Saitou joked.

Otojiro Ito gave a shout of laughter, "Ah, but it isn't fair that you get all the lovely ladies."

Saitou smiled. Then, Ito turned Saitou to another side and asked in a low voice, "I thought that you are bringing Tokio along with you?"

"Didn't you read the news? Tokio and I are over."

"Well, what a shame. You two were so good together."

Saitou remained silent and his face was grim. Ito sensed that Saitou did not want to talk about it, and changed the subject. He waved to someone from afar and motioned to that person to come over.

"I'm going to introduce you two to one extremely talented and very capable young man who planned every detail of this house."

Saitou just smiled and Kaoru felt numb. Though Ito had turned Saitou away and asked him in low tones, she had heard every word of the conversation and it made her felt uncomfortable.

A young man appeared before them, and Ito said, "This is Souji Okita. The wonderful architect who made this all possible."

Saitou reached out to shake Okita's hand, "Hajime Saitou," he said. But Okita was not paying attention to Saitou, he was staring at Kaoru, very surprised and annoyed. In return, Kaoru was surprised to meet him again. Ito looked at them confusedly, "What's wrong Okita?"

Okita shook his head and smiled, "No, nothing is wrong. It's just that I've already met Kaoru."

Both Saitou and Ito looked taken aback by Okita's familiarity with Kaoru, by calling her by her first name.

Kaoru just nodded uneasily. Then, Okita put her into an even more awkward position by asking her to dance.

"Would you like to dance, Kaoru?" He asked, holding his hand out to her. His brown eyes were looking meaningfully into hers. Kaoru stared at his hand. What should she do? By accepting him, Saitou might be offended. But if she decline his offer, she would appear rude.

"Okay," she replied uncertainly.

Okita smiled happily and without a word to the other two men, he took Kaoru away. Saitou and Ito stared after them. Saitou's face showed unmistakable annoyance while Ito was just amused.

"Okita is a queer kid. I've worked with him in many projects and he has always given me the impression that he is completely immersed in his work. He has never shown any interest in women…"Ito murmured thoughtfully.

Saitou just continued to glare at Okita as he and Kaoru disappear among the crowd. Ito watched Saitou's face with a sly smile and patted Saitou on the shoulder, "She'll come back. Come, let me introduce you to some of my new friends."

Saitou nodded and followed Ito.

The dance floor was wide and spacious. And loud pop music was booming loudly. Disco lights were shining every where, and there were already many people grooving to the beat and having a great time.

Kaoru was relieved that dancing with Okita wouldn't include much interaction since it was pop music. But as if luck was not on her side, a slow song came on and Okita automatically put his arms around her waist. Kaoru just went along with it and closed her eyes, putting her arms around Okita's neck loosely. Throwing herself into the music, she let go of her nervousness.

That was until when Okita suddenly bent down his head, brushing his lips lightly across the base of her neck. Kaoru snapped back to full alertness and whispered, "Okita! What are you doing?"

She felt him smile against her neck, and realized that he was not embarrassed at all. He was very daring and he also enjoyed teasing her.

Then, he shifted his head and whispered softly into her ear, "I like it when you call me by my name, Kaoru."

Kaoru blushed and whispered back, "Would you please just put your head straight right up, people are looking!"

Okita chuckled lightly, "Let them look, I don't care."

"I care!" Kaoru protested.

With that, Okita lifted his head and looked Kaoru straight in the eye. "Are you and Hajime-san together?"

Kaoru shook her head, "No."

"Then, there is nothing wrong with us dancing here." Okita whispered. "Plus, I've notice that you are very tensed, it might do you good if you just forget everything else and dance."

Kaoru stared back into his dark eyes and blushed, and Okita smiled.

"Thank you." Kaoru said, smiling.

Okita just grinned and shifted her closer to him. Kaoru allowed herself to relax again and reminded herself that they were just dancing and nothing else.

Saitou walked around from the large group of people and breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally managed to shake off all those pestering ladies and rich businessmen. He looked around and decided that Kaoru had been absent for long enough. He began to walk towards the dance floor.

There he saw that young architect holding Kaoru close, whispering into her ear. And she was actually laughing at whatever he had just said. She was obviously enjoying his company. Saitou watched them amusedly, and felt some sort of anger stirring in him. Should he go over and interrupt them? No, he decided. He will just watch them in a corner where she could not see him and wait.

Luckily, she did not make him wait too long. After two more songs, they decided to take a break. And while doing so, a few men came along and engaged Okita in a conversation. Then, Kaoru said something to Okita and walked away.

Saitou got up from where he was watching them and followed Kaoru.

He found her outside in the large deserted balcony. She was leaning against the railing, looking up into the sky. Saitou watched her and thought that he had never seen anyone so beautiful. He could see her dress more clearly now, and notice how the purple fabric suited her so perfectly, the cutting of the dress flattering her slim figure in everyway. Saitou glanced at the slender neck that Okita was nuzzling at, than at her perfect firm breasts, her flat stomach and her tiny waist. His eyes traveled all the way down to her long and shapely legs with delicate ankles strapped by a pair of adorable white simple flats.

Her blue eyes were brighter than usual because of the moonlight reflecting off them, her hair had became a little messy and her intoxicating scent was driving him mad with desire. He walked towards her without a sound, and stood behind her.

He placed his hands on her waist and drew her against him. Kaoru spun around in surprise and found herself looking into roguish molten golden eyes.

"Saitou," she exclaimed.

"Hmm..?" Saitou murmured, descending his head to nuzzle at her neck, then, he began to kiss his way up and nibbled playfully at her ears. His hands moved up and cupped her breasts possessively.

Kaoru gasped at being touched by him again. It hit her like a huge rock; he still had such affect on her, such control over her. Just the slightest touch put her on fire. She turned around and moved her hands up his chest and Saitou's lips captured hers, rough and demanding. Kaoru parted her lips and he began to ravage her mouth with such overwhelming intensity and passion that Kaoru felt herself going weak.

Her knees gave out on her and Saitou caught her easily and pushed her against a wall, and continued to kiss her hungrily. Kaoru kissed him back with all the love and desire she felt for him and held onto him tight.

Then, suddenly, they heard someone opening one of the balcony doors and shifted more into the dark shadow of the corner.

Saitou lifted his lips reluctantly from hers and looked down at Kaoru. Her face was rosy from all the heated passion they shared and her lips were bruised and swollen from his kisses. Her silky hair was loose from the clips, and falling about her face. She was looking at him with large unsure eyes.

"My god, you are beautiful," he whispered, touching her cheek gently.

Then, a loud voice said, "There you are!"

It was Okita.

Saitou withdrew his hands and moved away from Kaoru. His face was calm and sharp again. Kaoru stared with shock and hurt at what was happening. He was looking like he was not affected at all! Like nothing had happened, and he moved away from her like he was ashamed to be found with her.

Kaoru felt tears gathering in her eyes.

What was she to him?

"Kaoru, I've been looking for you. What have you been doing out here with Hajime-san?" Okita asked, looking at them suspiciously.

Kaoru looked at Okita and didn't know what to say, "I…"

Saitou answered for her in a curt and cold voice, "We were talking about business, Souji-san."

Kaoru looked at Saitou with surprise. Business? They had been talking about business?

She understood that he couldn't really tell Okita what they were really doing out here, it was his actions and the tone of his voice that she did not like. It was like nothing had happened between them, and that he wouldn't want anyone to know what happened. It made her feel small, like a toy he played with when he wanted to. It made her feel sad, angry and stupid.

Then, there was a very tensed silence between the three of them. With Kaoru looking down at the floor, Okita staring suspiciously and Saitou being too calm beyond imaginable.

Finally, Kaoru looked up bravely and smiled, "I am really thirsty, so I'll go and get some punch."

She opened the glass balcony door and walked away without looking back.

She was so confused and angry at her own stupidity, that she did not notice that Saitou had come after her. She was having trouble getting hold of the large spoon to take the punch when suddenly a dark and tall figure pushed past her and took hold of it.

It was Saitou.

He then proceeded to pour punch into her glass and handed it to her graciously. "Here," he said.

Kaoru took the punch from him stiffly and moved away from him quickly. Saitou followed her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" he asked, turning her around to face him.

Kaoru bowed her head, "Nothing."

"Something is wrong with you, tell me," he persisted.

Kaoru remained silent.

"Tell me, Kaoru. Don't hide anything from me."

"Were we really talking about business?" Kaoru asked.

Saitou laughed, "You are upset because of that? You know very well that I can't tell him what we were doing."

"But why did you move away from me like you want nothing to do with me?"

"It was an instinctive reaction, Kaoru."

"So what if Okita knows what we are doing? It is not wrong."

"Oh, so it's Okita now, huh?"

Kaoru looked up and glared at him, "Don't change the topic, and answer my question."

Saitou sighed, "I agree that what we did is not wrong, but you don't understand. Please don't be upset just because of this."

Kaoru remained silent until she finally said, "Okay, I won't be upset. But I would like to go home now."

"Let's go say our goodbyes to Ito first."

Kaoru nodded and allowed Saitou to take her arm in his as they made their way through the people to Ito. They said their thanks and made their way out of the mansion.

All the way from Ito's house back to Kaoru's apartment, they did not speak a single word to each other. When Kaoru was getting out of the car, Saitou stopped her.

"I know that you are still upset with me, but don't let such a small thing spoil our evening together. Whatever I had done to upset you was not done intentionally, Kaoru." Saitou said.

Kaoru nodded, and felt the hard wall around her heart melting, she wanted so much to stay angry at him, to hate him and to not desire him. She wanted to stop herself from falling more hopelessly in love with him. But with him looking into her eyes like this, those golden eyes of his, she could not possibly stay angry at him. He was irresistible.

"Okay,"she whispered.

Saitou smiled and leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips. Kaoru kissed him back gently.

Then, she got out of the car carefully.

"Sleep tight," he said, smiling at her.

Kaoru smiled back and watched him drove away.

She turned around and began to climb the stairs to her apartment.

When she reached the door and was about to stick the key into the lock, the door flung opened, revealing a very energetic and excited Misao, "Spill!" she squealed.

Kaoru laughed and told her very briefly about what happened at the party, but skipped the parts about the heated passion they share on the balcony or the insecurities brewing inside her. Though she had told Saitou that she won't be upset anymore, she could not help but feel sad and confused.

Then, she dismissed Misao's further questions with an excuse that she was tired and that she wanted to sleep. She knew that Misao was watching her as she walked into her room, but she ignored it and closed the door quietly behind her.

She took off her dress and removed her makeup, but inside she was numb. Then, she threw herself against the bed and stared into the ceiling, her eyes wide opened.

A/N: Hey, this chapter is done. I hope that you like the contents of this chapter, and I hope I did okay with the scenes of Saitou/Kaoru and Okita/Kaoru. Please tell me what you think and your thoughts and feelings when you read this chapter. If there is any mistakes, grammatical or sentence structuring, please tell me. I will really appreciate it if you all would let me know what you think!

Tameka-tanuki-jouchan: Hey, thank you for reviewing! Yeah, he'll need to stop his womanizing ways but that will be after several interesting events and twists! Haha! I hope that you like this chapter and do review again!

Kaori-Angel: Heyyyy, thank you for dropping a review again! I'm glad that you liked that last chapter! I didn't think of Okita showing up at the party but you gave me the idea! Thanks, this chapter could be out so fast because of you! I hope you like this chapter and tell me what you think! Please review again!

FairyMage: Thank you! Thank you, Thank you! For dropping such a long review telling me about my mistakes, I really appreciate it! Haha…hmm…Kaoru was anxious because she had not heard from Saitou for so long and he just suddenly appeared in front of her and she wanted to look good enough in front of him because she is falling in love with him. But than, just like you said, she could be happy and relieved as well! I hope that you like this chapter and do review again!

Pixel-the-evil-fairy: Hey, thank you for reviewing. I am glad that you find it funny. Thank you also for sharing me with your thoughts on Kao/Sai relationship, Saitou will learn a very important lesson in his life in this fic. I hope that you enjoy this chapter and do review again to share with me your thoughts!

anime pixie: Thank you for you review and I am happy that you liked the last chapter. And thank you for your compliments, it's very flattering! Yesss, I agree with you, I think they make a great couple too! I hope you like this chapter and please review again to tell me what you think!

Jrz: Dude, I hope you like this chapter…and tell muah what you think about the scenes in this chapter! Hahah…thank you for always reviewing and again…I hope you review again!