Chapter 7

Kaoru's Secret and Kenshin's Deadline

She sat there, clutching his shirt in her fists and crying into his chest. To him it was as if she were crying out for help. As if she'd been suffocating for so long under a great weight and was gasping for air. A part of him ached at the thought of Kaoru being in so much pain and anguish. He wanted nothing more at this point than to scoop her up in his arms and hide her from the demons that haunted her so.

Gradually her crying died down as she slowly lifted her head from his chest and sat back in the passenger seat. Her eyes were red and matched the rosy blush that crept across her cheeks. She smoothed some stray bangs clinging around the wet frame of her face. Sniffling several times and taking deep breaths to regain her composure she wouldn't make eye contact with him.

Kenshin sat there looking at her, still waiting for a response to his question. Finally she broke the silence.

"Kenshin", she took in and let out a deep breath and continued, "I am so sorry about tonight. I…I'm just so sorry. My dad…he's…he's a…he has this problem and it's just really hard to deal with sometimes." Her gaze fell and her bangs covered her eyes from sight.

"What is she still hiding?" he thought after she'd finished. "She's still hesitating, and not telling me everything. It's her dad that much I know, but what's wrong with him?"

"Kaoru…" he spoke to her softly as he gently brought her hand from her lap towards him and covered it with his own, "you don't have to deal with it alone. You can tell me." He squeezed her hand gently to reassure her.

She looked up at him and her features were twisted in a frown. She seemed to be in pain and he knew that she was beating herself up over something. The expression on her face was of distress, confusion, and aguish.

"She doesn't trust me…she doesn't trust anyone" he knew why Kaoru was always so defensive. There was something in that house that prevented her from letting anyone in, and she'd built up so many walls around herself that it was difficult for even her to get past them.

"Please, tell me" he didn't want to force her, but at this point, he needed to know what so wrong in her life. How could someone like her have so much misery to deal with at home? Her smiles and laughter had masked so much pain all this time and he had no idea. She'd put on a perfect veneer for her friends and colleagues at school but it caused her to suffer all alone. He wouldn't allow that anymore!

She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. She cleared her throat and seemed determined to get over her weakness. She whispered, "my dad is…is…my dad has a drinking problem…for as long as I can remember. He…he doesn't work. Just drinks…all day" her eyes welled up and she looked out the front windshield towards the sky. She looked at the moon as its light bathed her face and danced in her eyes. Her lips quivered as she continued, "we-we're prisoners in there. No one comes to visit us, no one can help us. No one. My mom…" her tears spilled onto her cheeks, "sh-she works day and night…to the bone to provide for us." Her voice grew louder and he felt the fragile hand in his palm tighten up. "And HE just sits there in the dark living room, drinking, not eating, cursing us…he…HE HATES US!" Kaoru would've probably continued to speak but he noticed the way her voice broke apart at those last words she was didn't have the strength to finish. There was probably so much more she wanted to say but her voice gave way as tears overpowered her.

He was at a loss for words. "What do I say?" He had always known just what to say, the perfect comment in any situation, but now…now he was numb. The idea that she was hiding something like this shocked him. She was always so happy, always smiling and laughing. She never even gave a hint that there was something so twisted going on in her house.

"Kaoru" he snapped out of his stupor, "I…I'm sorry". He could barely whisper. Still holding her hand, he pulled her closer to him and caressed her face. He could tell she felt embarrassed at telling him such a painful secret. She leaned her head towards the touch of his hand and closed her eyes. As tears flowed down her face he gently wiped them away.

Her features were still being highlighted by the silver light of the moon. Her flawless, creamy skin, perfect, full lips, and even with her eyes closed, she mesmerized him. As tears followed in irregular paths down her face, he caught one just as it dripped from her chin. Enclosed in his hand the tear was soft and warm against his skin. He held that hand against his heart for a moment, emotions of want and pain coursing through him. He would not allow any more tears like this to consume her.

He wanted to save her, protective her, and there was this other undeniable feeling of loving her. "How?" he thought. How could she do this to him so quickly, so effortlessly, and without him realizing?This girl had worked him into a tizzy over her, and even now with all this baggage, he still wanted to be close to her. "Either I'm a complete chump, or she's doing some voodoo on me" he thought.

Kaoru opened her eyes and leaned away from his touch. He made up his resolve to tell her everything as he turned facing forward in his seat and looked out the window.

Still holding her hand, he spoke, "Kaoru, you know by now how I feel about you. I…I really like you. I just can't deny that anymore. And I want to help you, I don't know how but I'll try…if you'll let me." He'd purposely let his bangs fall over his eyes as he'd spoken. Falling silent, he waited for her response.

Silence

Kenshin turned to look at her once more. He couldn't bear not to look at the expression on her face and to see what she was feeling at his confession. She sat there, staring out the front window, her face red, and her eyes deep in thought.

"Damn this is where she shoots me down", for the first time in his life Kenshin was feeling self-conscious. He'd always been completely smooth and cool when approaching someone he was interested in. Never the one to become nervous, or be at a loss for words, usually his smile was enough. But now this girl before him was tearing his heart apart with her silence. "Damn…say SOMETHING" he thought feeling frustrated.

He saw her look up and look at him as if somehow she'd read his thoughts.

"Kenshin, I-I need some time to think about this…please?" she said softly.

"Okay not exactly a rejection, but she didn't accept either. Maybe she doesn't want to break your poor little heart by saying 'NO' to you right away. You're such a jack ass Kenshin!" He continued to curse himself for being so forthcoming to a girl about his feelings. But then again, he'd never really felt this strongly for any other girl. He decided that if time was what she needed, he would be patient, but not for too long.

He smiled at her, giving her hand a little squeeze, "okay Kaoru. I'll see you Monday morning in school. You can tell me then." He was content with that statement but still felt uneasy at her hesitancy in the first place. Kenshin chuckled mentally, "Hehe, okay, at least now YOU'RE in control of something. Still a jack ass though!"

She looked up at him with an inquisitive look on her face and was about to say something when she looked towards the dashboard. "Oh my god, its late! I am so dead!" Her eyes racing back towards the dark house. Kenshin didn't want her to leave, but knew she was in enough trouble and was concerned for her.

"Kaoru, I'll go inside with you if you want. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"N-NO! I'll be fine Kenshin" she shot back while unlocking the door and pulling the handle. "It'll be okay, I'll ummm…I'll see you Monday, k? BYE! And thanks!"

And with that she was gone. Just like that he found himself sitting in the car alone. The vanilla and jasmine lingered in the spot where she was sitting just moments ago. He watched her walk up the dark path to her front door as she struggled to take out keys from her purse. He wanted to run behind her and make sure she made to the door safely, but was glued in place at her insistence for him not to follow. Settling on watching her from his car, Kenshin kept his eyes glued on her figure until she opened the door and disappeared into the darkness on the other side. Just before she shut the door, he saw her look towards him. Those blue eyes shown like bright crystal orbs even in the dark.

He found himself still staring at her front door, "I hope everything's okay in there. Hopefully her mom isn't as bad as her dad". The thought of her father conjured up dark thoughts in his mind. "How can someone do that to their family?" he let that thought stew in his mind, "then again…I can't talk". Pushing the thought of having to return to his own large, empty house, Kenshin put his car into gear and took one last look towards the still dark house. "You're such a god damn punk Kenshin. What the hell happened to you? You're letting this girl affect you as if you were some love-sick puppy! Shit!"

With that, the Z3 pulled off and disappeared down the street. As the engine roared under his controls, he decided to get home in a new record time.

---------------- END KENSHIN'S POV -----------------------------------------------

---------------- SAME NIGHT, SAME TIME AT KAORU'S HOUSE -------------------

Kaoru had stumbled down the brick path to her front door while digging through her bag for the house keys. Finally she felt the cold, sharp edges of the metal and pulled them out of her bag. She nervously shoved one into the lock and turned as slowly and softly as possible. She new that the effects of the alcohol might be evident, and wanted nothing more than to quietly slip into her room and sleep.

Trying not to arouse any extra attention as she entered the house, she mutely turned the knob and then slowly opened the door. Recognizing the darkness as she entered, she took in the scents of vomit while adjusting her eyes. Kaoru turned around and looked out towards the silver Z3 once more and spotted the red head inside looking out at her. She felt her heart drop as she longed to jump into the car and have him drive away. All she wanted to do was get away from this place. But she knew she would have to face the truth. Grudgingly she slid the door shut and snapped the locks in place.

She turned around and let out a deep sigh. "I wonder where mom is?" she thought nervously while trying to focus her ears. Listening for any movement upstairs she heard a soft bustling coming from the second floor. She heard nothing coming from the dark living room and sighed with relief, "I guess he's passed out. Thank God!"

Kaoru's mom was light sleeper, and besides that, being a mother, there was no way she could sleep in peace knowing her daughter wasn't home yet. Kaoru knew this well, and just as she anticipated, her mother descended the stairwell with a worried/relieved look on her face.

"Kaoru, where have you been? Do you know what time it is?" she tried to whisper and reprimand her daughter at the same time.

Kaoru knew that her mom didn't want her father to wake up and ask the same questions, so she'd kept her voice hushed. She looked apologetically at her mom and just as she was about to answer, her mother shushed her.

"I don't want him to wake up and see what time it is and you're NOW coming home. Come upstairs quietly. Are you hungry?" she asked.

Kaoru shook her head as both women made their way up the stairs as inaudibly as possible.

The young girl went straight into her room. Her head was spinning at this point, and all she could think of was showering, changing and going to bed. Although she didn't think she could do more than change out of her clothes…if even that much.

She caught a glance of the mirror and frowned at her reflection. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her hair was messy in the pony tail. She effortlessly let it down and smoothed it down with her fingers. She knew she wouldn't be able to take the pain of brushing out the tiniest of tangles while her head was throbbing. Suddenly she felt her eyelids grow heavy as she strained to stay awake. "Mom will be in here soon to interrogate me so I'd better wash my face at least and gargle out the small outt'a my mouth".

Kaoru went to the bathroom and quickly washed her face, dried it and gargled some mouthwash. She wanted to change, but her limps felt heavy and sluggish, and all she could think about was crashing onto her soft bed. As she went back into her room and lay down on her bed and was barely able to bring the covers over her form, her mother entered the room and switched on the light. Kaoru winced at the sharp light and turned onto her stomach as she faced away from the door. The woman walked softly around her daughter's bed and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Kaoru, are you okay honey?" she asked, clearly concerned. "It's not like you to be out so late without calling me. You should've at least called and said you were going to be late. You know how your father gets when you're out like that." Her tone had changed from concern to that of irritation at her teenage daughter's ignorance.

Anger and aggravation welled up inside her and she replied back to her mother, "Mom, you know that I NEVER go out like this. We ran into some friends from school and lost track of time. I came home as soon as I realized what time it was. Please mom I am really sleepy, I'll tell you about it tomorrow, okay?" She realized how cranky and snappish she must have sounded, and she felt guilty. But at this point all she wanted to do was sleep.

But her mom wasn't focused on her daughter anymore. Instead her gaze was set on the bedroom doorway, her eyebrows raised in surprise and anxiety.

Quietly and like a stealthy tiger he'd slipped up the stairs and to the second floor. As if stalking them, he'd peaked inside the bedroom door and listened to his wife and daughter. No one knew he was there, until he wanted them to know and until it was too late.

Kaoru saw her mom look towards the doorway and turned her head to look in the same direction. And that's where she saw him standing. Half in the doorway and half in her room, he stood in silence. The look on his face, and the intense anger in his eyes said everything. Kaoru quickly flipped around and sat up in her bed as her mother rose from her daughter's side and stood up. The man kept his intent stare upon the young girl. He just stared at her as if she was nothing more than prey to him. He never blinked, just kept staring at her. As if he'd pounce at any moment and devour her. But he wanted her to squirm; he wanted her to fear him before he'd tear her apart.

Before any of them could say another word he took a few steps into the room. "This is the time you decide to come home?" he spat at her.

She was frozen in fear. Her eyes wide and staring back at the towering figure at the side of her bed. Her mother stood there in silence as she too looked on. Kaoru had no answer for the man, because she felt her throat dry up. Even if she wanted to scream she couldn't, it was as if he'd sent out an invisible hand and grasped it around her neck and held her there. Frozen in place and in fear, she sat there, just looking back at him.

"What did I always tell you Kaoru? Hmm? Girls should never be out late at night, I told you THIS!" his voice gradually rose.

All she could do was sit there and wait for the inevitable. Would he hit her? Drag her out of the house and throw her out?

"From the time you were little, I told you! I told you that girls are the honor of the household. And girls who spend whole nights out the house, well you know what happens to them don't you?"

"Oh God please make him go away" she fought back tears, but her eyes deceived her as they began to well up.

"Okay, okay, let her rest. She's already sorry. Come on now, she's just a child, she made a mistake. You're sorry aren't you Kaoru?" her mother hurried from around the bed and towards the man. Kaoru nodded in a stupor and continued to stare up at her father.

"WHAT SORRY? This is all YOUR doing you know. You're not as strict with her as you should be. This is YOUR DOING!" he shook an angry finger in his wife's face. Kaoru saw and felt herself fill with fear at the sight of how close the enraged man was to her mother.

"Please don't let him hit her!"

"Please, are you going to have the neighbors hear this conversation as well? She's a child, she understands her mistake now. Come on, let's go downstairs" her mother grasped his arm with both of her small, petite hands and gently pulled him towards the doorway.

The man didn't budge. His gaze still fixed on the girl before him, "Don't do anything to dishonor me Kaoru. Otherwise it'll be your head on a pike on the roof. I will not be dishonored", he said all that while unceremoniously bringing his hand across his own neck to show the slicing motion that he described to her.

Tears rolled down her face as her mother finally succeeded in pulling the man out the bedroom. She promptly turned off the light and before shutting the door she called out gently to her daughter, "Kaoru, don't cry. Just rest okay?"

And she was consumed with darkness again. Kaoru threw herself back onto her bed, as the last restraints on her tears broke. She brought her comforter to her lips as she tried to muffle her cries and sobs. Thoughts of the entire night, her father, her mother, and lastly of Kenshin circled her mind. She kept crying, knowing that no one could possibly help her.

She was alone in this. Even her mother and brother were little comfort at this point. The monotonous life she lived of lying to her friends and then coming home to deal with this was finally starting to break her.

Eventually it was her tears that lulled her to sleep as she stared out her window towards the moon. "Nothing will ever change Kaoru, it's all the same".

END CHAPTER 7

I know this one was a bit short, but I thought that was the perfect place to leave it off.

Now as for responding to reviews:

DK, a good read as always, I especially liked the ending where Kenshin made a bold move and not let Kaoru just leave without him finding out what was wrong.

I was a bit surprised at how much Kenshin was willing to admit how he feels about Kaoru especially so soon; and not only to himself but also to Kaoru, even in a state of intoxication.

So are you going to take us back into Kaoru's POV with the next entry? I can't wait to see her inner thoughts about what is going on, how much she will remember, the kiss, the slap, getting drunk...! I can only imagine!

On a side note, I want you to know that I'm grateful for your stories and really enjoy reading them. When things are really slow here at work and all I can do is sit and wait for leads to come in, this is an escape that I enjoy.

Thanks!
3NJ

Thanks ENJ, much appreciated as always! As for how much Kenshin is practically head over heels with Kaoru, well in all honesty I was feeling much the same way you are while writing this chappy. I mean, I know it's insane how he's only known her for a week and is practically obsessed with her. I did put some consideration into having their courtship span a few months, but I thought that it might have been extremely boring for you guys to read. I had to loose some reality for the sake of keeping things going and on a fast pace, but for the sake of preserving some realism, I did make him say he "liked" her instead of "loved" her!

As for admitting to Kaoru how he felt so quickly, again, I didn't want to drag it out. In the series, he's pretty much pining for her and in love with her, but won't admit it for reasons including him thinking he doesn't deserve her. This Kenshin is a bit more up-to-date. He's a bit of a player, with a womanizing streak as you may have noticed. He's not a bad guy, but a guy who's never had to act like a scared little Romeo around women. Practically a suave little Casanova at the very least! LOL, and I like him this way. A guy who's sure of himself, just a little cocky but with a nice soft center. That's why he's so concerned about her. But I did conceinsouly make him a bit nervous around her. That's why he second guesses himself so much about admitting how much he likes her so soon. She the "different sort of girl" who he's not too sure about. She doesn't chase after him, and he's intrigued by her strength not just her beauty.

And besides, isn't it a great fantasy if a wonderful guy who's strong, charismatic, sweet, able to sweep you off your feet, and very cool all at the same time would just come along and tell you how much he's into you? LOL…wishful thinking? Not for all of us! Like I said, the characters aren't mine, but the story line…well let's just say Kenshin's based on a certain sweety!

I hope this chappy was as good as the rest…or better. I know it was a bit short, but don't like to mix too many different moods into one chapter. The last was more of Kenshin and Kaoru and this one…well you read it! Family drama! Anyhow…it's my pleasure to keep you entertained, and I am grateful for your sweet reviews!

Arrigato!