Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Sadly, I never will.
Gin-Soaked Roses
Chapter Two
The silence was deafening.
His violet eyes roamed over her slowly, his crimson bangs falling against his forehead. He wore a loose t-shirt that was a reddish pink that she would never have imagined him wearing, along with jeans and dirty gym shoes. He didn't look a day over 25, though she knew him to be 34. He was as handsome as ever.
Kenshin slid onto the bar stool beside Katie, glancing at the numerous beer bottles clustered together in front of her on the bar. He frowned, raising his gaze to her eyes.
"You were never one to drink, Kaoru. Don't tell me I drove you to drink," he said jokingly, a small smile gracing his lips. For the first time she really looked at him, narrowing her eyes to truly drink in his form and features. They disgusted her.
"Don't pretend everything's all right suddenly, Kenshin. You are not part of my life anymore," she whispered fiercely. Rising from the stool and hurrying behind the bar, she scurried through the kitchen towards the stairwell.
"Kaoru!" His shout crashed against her ears, bringing tears to her eyes.
"Don't call me that, you bastard!" she shouted, glancing quickly at Rob who just stared before rushing up the dark stairs.
Kenshin leaped over the bar, scattering beer bottles and shot glasses, running into the kitchen only to be stopped by Rob's large arm. He glanced quickly over at the disgruntled cook, before disappearing before the man's eyes.
"Hey, where'd he go?" Rob said to no one as he glanced around the kitchen, feeling the sudden breeze brush against his face.
She heard his footsteps, quick as lightning but soft and agile, coming up the stairs behind her. With a small cry, she increased her pace. She made it to her floor. Her high-heeled shoes were awkward on her feet, and pounded against the ground as she ran as fast as she was able towards her apartment door. She heard and felt him come through the stairway door, as fast as he was when she met him, inches away from her.
"Kaoru!" he called, reaching out to grab her arm.
"I told you to stay away, Kenshin!" Katie screamed, slamming the door in his face.
She heard him crash against the door, unable to stop. She tried to catch her breath. She leaned against the door, unable to stop the tears, waiting for his next words.
"I want to see my son, Kaoru." His voice came through the door, and she felt more tears well up in her eyes.
"Don't call me that!"
"Why? What should I call you? And where is Kenji? Is he alright?"
"Mommy?" a soft voice asked from across the room. Katie looked up to see Jake standing in the doorway of his bedroom, clutching his blanket to his chest. His red hair was in a tangled mess around his head, and his wide violet eyes stared concernedly at her, glazed over with sleepiness.
"Kaoru?! Are you okay? Let me in!"
"NO!" she screamed, sliding down the door and crying loudly. She felt small arms wrap around her waist. Jake was hugging her tightly, leaning his head against her chest.
"Who is that, Mommy?" he whispered.
"It's no one, Ke- Jake. No one." She nearly let it slip. How long had it taken her to finally get used to calling her son by a different name? In her dreams he still was Kenji, but in her life he had to be Jake. It was a matter of life or death.
"Kaoru! Kaoru!"
"For the love of God, stop calling me that! That isn't my name!" She stopped herself from saying 'anymore'. They could be listening right now.
"What?" The voice was softer this time, but she could still hear it. It burned her ears, the familiarity of it. Just go away. Please...
She sighed, deeply, the last of her tears dripping from her chin. I can't run away from this. From him. She unwrapped Jake's arms from her waist. Rising slowly from the floor, she told him to go to his room and sleep. He obeyed quietly.
With a collecting breath, she reached to unlock the door. At the same time, she wiped the tears from her face as best she could. He was just standing there.
"Come on in, Kenshin."
He stepped into the apartment, glancing around slowly. It was pretty clean, she admitted to herself proudly. The liquor had been stashed away in the cabinet, the clutter organized in the hours when Jake was at school. Letting her hair out of its ponytail, it fell in a wave over her shoulders, and she slipped an unruly lock behind her ear. She gestured towards the couch, and he settled himself on it uncomfortably.
"Why can't I call you Kaoru? What are you called?" His eyes were filled with confusion. She didn't meet their questioning gaze.
"My name is Katie Jones."
"What? Why?"
With the deepest sigh she may have ever heard, she settled down into the armchair by the couch, meeting his gaze steadily. He was breathless, hanging on her next words. She fought away the tears that came with just looking into those deep purple eyes, the same ones that lit up Jake's face.
"It all began when you left us..."
To be continued...
A/N: I am so horrible at updating, and I apologize! I don't even have an excuse. I have a whole new plan for updating, so expect quick updates from now on. Anyway, I hope this installment answered some questions- most of the confusion will be dispelled in the next chapter. This story won't be too long, so don't expect an epic storyline here, but hopefully it is and will remain entertaining for you. Again, I live for your opinions, good or bad, and hope you will review. See you next time.
Preview:
"Baka," she said swiftly beneath her breath. "Baka, baka, baka! You think they left us alone just because you weren't there?"
