Ice Assassin

Chapter Eleven: May the Best Man Win.

Author: Setzu

Rated: R

Early the next morning the birds were chirping and the sun was brightly looming above the mountains, and to Kaoru, it was perfect. Shifting slightly her gaze landed on the still sleeping redhead. They had ended up sharing a room again since the small cabin was so crowded. With a smile tugging at her lips she brushed her hands through his bangs before slowly sitting up. She had a feeling things were going to get difficult soon and she wanted to bask in this morning all she could.

"Morning Miss Kaoru," Kenshin smiled as he moved to sit up alongside her a few minutes later. He had been awake a good hour before her but didn't want to get up for fear of waking her. She looked so at peace when she slept, not a care in the world. When she did finally awake he pretended to still be sleeping and was surprised when he felt her brush his bangs. It was a simple gesture but he couldn't remember her ever being so bold before.

"Ah, good morning Kenshin, I suppose we should go start breakfast, I don't think Setzu has yet…" The familiar smell of cooking wasn't wafting through the house and it made Kaoru wonder. Setzu was always an early riser and loved cooking.

"That we should." Smoothing out his Hakama he stood and helped her up, internally grinning at her small blush. Perhaps he should just tell her about his feelings, but considering the situation they were in he wasn't sure. It could interfere with the inevitable fight with Yugamu and Kenshin would take as little risks as possible when it came to Kaoru's safety.

Moving to the kitchen they both stopped with raised eyebrows and Kenshin scratched his head confusedly. Sitting at the table, slumped over, was Sanosuke. He looked disgruntled and none too happy.

"Oro?"

"Don't 'Oro' me Kenshin," Sanosuke demanded annoyedly as he lifted his head, and this only further confused the samurai as he sat down at the table.

"Sanosuke, what's wrong?" Kaoru asked gently.

"What's wrong? I got kicked out of my room to sleep on the floor out here last night is what! That Cat gave my bed to that guy Hibiki," he grumbled out. Both Kaoru and Kenshin shared a quick look as things began to click into place.

"Ah, so you're jealous," She smiled and patted him on the head as one might a dog. Sanosuke growled quietly at the treatment and Kenshin sighed before getting up to begin breakfast.

"I'm not jealous, I just don't see why he couldn't sleep on the floor."

"Sanosuke, she loves him, what do you expect?"

"He was gone for four freaking years!"

"And now he's back," came a hiss. The three occupants of the kitchen blinked and looked up at the doorway to see a rather annoyed Setzu. Her eyes flashed as she glanced at Sanosuke. "Just because you can't appreciate that some of us care about other people doesn't mean you have to whine."

"I'm not whining, I'm stating fact. He's gone for four years and your just going to let him waltz back in?"

"Yes, because I love him Sanosuke, four years doesn't change that."

"You'd be surprised what can change in four years."

"What's going on?" Hibiki came up behind Setzu looking as if he had just gotten up, and placed an arm around her shoulder. Without a word Sanosuke got up and headed to the door, slamming it on his way out. Setzu followed him with her gaze for a moment with a confused look in her eyes before shaking her head.

"Nothing Hibiki, now let's eat. Kenshin has made us breakfast."

The afternoon sun was sweltering so Sanosuke took off his jacket and placed it aside as he chopped wood for the cabin. They didn't actually need wood right now, but it was an easy way to release his frustrations. He didn't see why he cared so much about what Setzu did with Hibiki, but he did, honest to god, he did. Heaving the axe high above his head he brought it down with precision and strength, splitting the wood in front of him. It was something specific about Hibiki though that rubbed him the wrong way, the guy didn't seem right. He wasn't sure what it was, but Sanosuke knew it was there.

"Mind if I help?" Sanosuke's arm twitched slightly as he brought the axe up again. Hibiki stood leaning against one of the many trees, watching him.

"I've got it covered."

"You sure about that? Didn't seem that way this morning."

"If you want to say something say it," Sanosuke hissed as he brought the axe down and turned to face the dark haired man. He didn't like where this was going, but knew it was bound to come around sometime.

"She told me you were being rude to her this morning," His gray eyes watched Sanosuke warily, and sizing him up. He would be a worthy opponent, he decided, but in the end he would take him down. Things were going smoothly and in a couple of days he would give the signal to Meimi and it would truly begin.

"No she didn't," Sanosuke's eyes narrowed and he wiped the sweat from his brow, "the argument wasn't serious enough that she would want to tell you, especially since you were 'asleep' when it happened."

"I give, I was awake, but I didn't want to intrude," Hibiki conceded as he moved closer to Sanosuke. He stopped a few feet away and they stared at eachother, trying to read the other. "You see, I find it quite interesting that you have feelings for my woman."

"She doesn't belong to anyone asshole, and you don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, but I think I do. I saw the way you looked at her when she was walking with me yesterday, and how angry you were this morning proves it.

"It proves nothing."

"Whatever you say, but let me say something, stay away from her." Hibiki's eyes narrowed threateningly. He couldn't have this fool make Setzu doubt him or he would never get close enough to Kaoru. He needed her trust, in order to gain access to the Kamiya girl.

"Like hell, if you hurt her I'll kill you," Sanosuke moved to grab Hibiki but he moved swiftly away and began to walk towards the cabin.

"You heard what I said, stay away." With that said he went into the cabin and left Sanosuke to fiercely chop more wood and mutter.

"May the best man win."

Kaoru sat happily and watched as Kenshin began to cook dinner. She was always amazed at how well he cooked and had asked him to teach her. He had agreed, though not eagerly, and soon regretted it. As much as he cared for Kaoru, she could not cook. Twice she had almost burned down the dojo, and as a final straw she had burned herself. So instead she sat and talked with him as he made the meals.

"Neh, Kenshin?"

"Yes Miss Kaoru?"

"Do you think Sanosuke will do anything about Hibiki and Setzu?"

"Oro?"

"Well, think about it," she began to fiddle with her kimono. "We've never seen him like this about someone before and he was certainly angry this morning. I know I teased him about it but…"

"Don't worry Miss Kaoru, I'm sure things will work out." He smiled in an attempt to calm her and it seemed to work as she stopped her fiddling. He had to wonder though, the sparks of hate between Hibiki and Sanosuke were easily noticeable and he wondered how much trouble it would cause. Kenshin was about to say something else when the door opened and in stepped Hibiki. Closing his mouth he gave a polite nod.

"Hello Hibiki-san."

"Hell Kenshin, Kaoru," he grinned and sat himself next to Kaoru. This would be a perfect opportunity to judge how the Battousai felt about the woman. In a friendly gesture he stretched out slightly in his chair and put his arm around Kaoru's chair. "So how's the cooking going?"

"Oh, Kenshin's making some wonderful Tonkatsu tonight," Kaoru smiled not noticing the arm. "It should be done soon, right Kenshin?"

"Yes Miss Kaoru," his eyes narrowed a fraction as he turned back to his cooking. "Perhaps you could help me?" Her eyes lit up for a moment but Hibiki shook his head and gave her a small pout.

"Actually, I was hoping you could help me Kaoru, I wanted to do something special for Setzu tonight and was wondering if you had any ideas."

"Oh, that's so sweet! Of course I'll help. I've already got a few ideas, come with me," grabbing his arm she dragged him down the hall but not before Hibiki could give a triumphant look to Kenshin who watched in annoyance as they left. Was there more to Hibiki than he had thought? Perhaps he should have a talk with Sanosuke, and after this he wouldn't let Kaoru be alone with him long. He didn't like the way Hibiki was around her. With a final sigh he brought his gaze back down to the food and continued to cook. If they didn't come back soon he would go check on them.