Chapter 16

Home Sweet Home?

AN: To everyone who reviewed…THANK YOU! You guys are the best! Just for that, I was inspired to start writing this chapter ASAP!

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Kaoru cried as Kenshin wrapped his arms around her in comfort. Her heart was breaking and she couldn't stop it, not even with someone as amazing as Kenshin right by her side.

She'd always accepted her family situation as an unhappy reality that she would have to deal with. But now, she wanted more! She wanted happiness like she'd felt with Kenshin. She wanted the chance to live her life each day without having to worry about her father's antics. But at the same time she was torn between her own desires and her family's needs.

"Kaoru…" Kenshin tried to raise her chin toward him once more. But she stubbornly kept her face buried in his chest. She didn't want to look into those thoughtful, big, beautiful eyes and have him see her as the wreck she was. But for some reason he insisted on gazing down at her.

Reluctantly her resolve gave way to his firm hold of her face. She looked up at him as fresh tears continued to gash and stain her face.

He gently wiped her face with his hands and she reveled under his touch. He was quiet and awaited her response to his question.

"I..." she sniffled, "I just don't know what to think anymore. I mean I went there thinking that I expected nothing from him. But…but he didn't even act like he needed me there. I mean he didn't even say 'bye' or anything. Nothing's changed! He's still the same and…and I still love him and all because he's my father. But I find myself having these thoughts that he should be out of our lives for good. And then I feel like crap because I think like that…?" She couldn't continue further because another overwhelming surge of tears went through her.

The emotions of anger, resentment, pain and so much more finally bubbled to the surface. She found herself confiding everything in Kenshin but she didn't regret it. It finally felt good to find someone like him.

"Shhh, Kaoru don't say that. I know you're mad at him, but believe me you still want him in your life. He's your dad and he'll make mistakes just like everyone else, but you still love him. I know you do, and it's okay to want your own life too, you're not being selfish. You're a strong girl and you'll get through it. And I'll be here to help you."

Kaoru took a deep breath and let his words sink in. Kenshin was right. She didn't want to see her dad hurt or even in the hospital. But she did want him to realize how much pain he's caused everyone around him including her.

She wiped at her face in an attempt to salvage what she could of her appearance in front of Kenshin. "Ah…" she sniffled as she wiped away tears "this is so stupid. I'm acting so remedial. I'm sorry Kenshin…"

"Stop saying sorry. None of this is your fault and no one expects you to be perfectly calm and composed when you're going through all this". Kenshin started out a bit agitated although towards the end his voice seemed it's soft, velvety self again.

Kaoru was taken a back by his sudden outburst, but the searing pain in her head overshadowed everything. Her crying, racing thoughts, fears and frustration finally caught up with her. Suddenly she felt as if she wouldn't be able to take another step.

"Uhh…my head is killing me" she whimpered while massaging her temples with both hands.

Kenshin's mood changed to that of worry once more. He braced her arms as she continued to rub at her forehead. "I think this day is finally catching up to you. In fact this whole week has been hard on you."

He ushered her back to the car and they walked in silence as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. After getting in and buckling up Kaoru glanced at the time on the dash.

"3:41 pm" she mentally read. "God I wasn't even there more than an hour!" Her guilt and anger came rushing back as she realized how hurried she must've seemed while visiting with her father. Painful and regretful as her thoughts were, they were again quickly subsided by the piercing pain in her head.

She looked over at Kenshin who was quietly focused on the road ahead. Deciding to just rest her eyes and enjoy the quiet drive Kaoru settled into the comfortable, leather seat. She didn't care where they were going now. As long as she could feel this peaceful forever, she hoped that she didn't have to ever wake up.

-------------- Kenshin's POV --------------

Kenshin continued on his drive down the highway. He glanced over at Kaoru and saw her resting in peace for a change. Her soft breathing indicated that she'd fallen asleep and he couldn't help but glance over at her again and again.

She looked perfectly content and happy in her slumber, and he could swear he saw her smiling slightly. As he concentrated back on the road he realized how tired he'd grown as well.

"I guess the visit at the hospital had me a bit nervous too" he thought to himself.

He thought about the visits to the hospital to see his mother, and how difficult it was for him. The fact that he had to go alone most of the time didn't make it any easier. But just knowing that he'd bring a smile to his mother's face brought him back everyday until she was gone. He'd longed to have his father go with him on so many of those visits, but the man stubbornly insisted on not canceling a single business trip and/or meeting.

He glanced once more towards the slumbering figure in the passenger seat. She had had a long today especially since he'd insisting on taking her to the hospital. Seeing her cry stabbed at his heart, but he knew it was the right thing to do. She needed to see her father no matter how much she didn't want to admit it.

The moment he'd decided to take her to the hospital, he knew he would have to chance getting into it with her father. He'd thought about it the entire time they rode the elevator to the 5th floor. He even thought about turning back when he saw the room number on the plaque outside the doorway. But holding her hand he knew that he'd have to remain strong. She needed him at that moment to encourage and comfort her.

"I guess that's why I chickened out at the last moment and let her go inside to speak to the old man alone. Well…that and the fact he probably doesn't need any new surprises and she really doesn't need any extra drama".

Kenshin's thoughts went back once more to the heaviness he was feeling in his eyes. "Uh…damn. Where to go now? I can't deal with any extra noise or annoying people right now. So eating out and a movie is definitely out of the question." He continued to debate where to go next and knew that he had no desire of dropping Kaoru home.

"She'll be home all by herself and have nothing to do but sulk. Hmm…" he continued to think and saw a familiar sign on the highway. "Well…I guess she won't be too mad" he thought as he changed course and merged over to exit the highway.

Kenshin drove for several more minutes and noted that Kaoru hadn't even stirred from her sleep. He'd purposely left the car stereo at a low volume, and his attention was focused on the familiar streets in front of him.

Kenshin turned down several streets as he made his way to their destination. Finally he pulled into the familiar parking spot and looked at the dash before cutting the engine off.

"4:11 pm, I guess I should wake her…"

Kenshin unbuckled his seat belt and turned towards the still undisturbed Kaoru. The afternoon light highlighted her skin and hair beautifully. Her breathing was rhythmic and he could smell a hint of her perfume radiating towards him.

He couldn't help but reach over and caress the side of her face. "Kaoru…" he whispered softly to her.

She stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him for a few moments, blinking and adjusting to the sunlight flooding the car. And smiled slightly before a familiar blush crept across her features.

Kenshin smiled inwardly and gave her a chaste kiss. She finally seemed to notice that they were no longer moving and looked out her passenger window and then out the front windshield to figure out where they were.

He watched in amusement as she was dumbfounded to look around and see nothing of familiarity outside. Instead of satisfying her curiosity, Kenshin looked at her and stated, "Well, we're here! Let's go inside and get some food huh?"

She seemed to still be in a daze, half from just waking up and half from being completely lost.

"Uh, where are we?" she asked meekly.

Kenshin merely smiled back and in a nonchalant tone responded, "We're at my house. I thought we could get something to eat, relax a bit, and then I'll drop you home. Come on inside and wash up." He promptly exited the car and walked around the other side to open her door.

He found Kaoru still sitting in stunned silence in the passenger seat of the car. She looked completely disoriented and when he opened her door to help her out, she snapped back to reality.

"Kenshin, what are we doing here? I fell asleep? What time is it?" she blurted all in one breath.

"Woah, relax for a minute. I just thought that since you had a long day going to the movies or to a noisy place wouldn't be good. So we can hang out here, get some food, and then I'll just drop you back home." Kenshin extended his hand towards her in a gesture to help her out of the car.

She was reluctant at first, but gradually placed her hand in his palm and pulled herself out of the seat.

"But, but…ah…is your dad home?" she asked fearfully.

Kenshin was still holding her hand and started leading her up the driveway towards the front entrance of the house.

Kenshin could barely contain himself at her frightened tone, and responded, "No, no. He's away as usual on business. Don't know when he'll be back. But it's no big deal, it's not like I can't have company over." He looked over his shoulder towards her and added, "Unlike some people".

She looked at him in surprise and rolled her eyes at the comment. "What time is it?" she repeated.

Kenshin looked at his watch, "4:15 on the dot. Don't worry it's still early. I'll have you home after a nice early supper".

Kaoru seemed content at his answer and he was happy that she wasn't arguing any further.

"Well, she's not tearing my head off so that's a good sign."

He continued to lead her up the familiar walkway and towards his home.

-------------- Kaoru's POV --------------

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe he brought me here!" Kaoru thought.

During the drive back from the hospital, her overwhelming headache and activities of the day had forced her to fall asleep in the car. She felt completely comfortable around Kenshin and allowed herself to rest by his side for a while. But now waking up to his house made her rethink that decision.

In all honesty, she didn't want to go out to a noisy restaurant or the movies or anything either and was in a way relieved that Kenshin knew better as well.

"God, what if his Dad comes home? I mean I know its okay for Kenshin to date or whatever…he's a guy! I wonder what his dad will think of me for being at a guy's house. What am I thinking? This isn't the 50's for god sakes! But, his dad wasn't born yesterday! Oh god…he's gonna think I'm some silly little girl…just another one of Kenshin's 'friends'…damn you Kenshin!"

She was completely immersed in her own thoughts and decided that she would be on guard around Kenshin. As they approached the large front doors, Kaoru took a look around for the first time since arriving.

The house was perched in the middle of a rather large front lawn, which was more of sprawling, lush garden in its own right. Kaoru looked back and noticed that they'd parked off to the side of the house and had walked right by an enormous, all white water fountain. The center ornament was a statue of a beautiful woman holding an urn from where the water fell. Kaoru was instantly reminded of the Greek goddesses she'd read about and saw similarities between the pictures and the statue.

The front of the house was adorned with lush foliage planted in oversized intricately carved urns and planters. The front doors were two large dark wooden giants with heavy hardware running up and down the front in a geometric pattern.

"Woah" Kaoru couldn't help but take in the beauty around her and started to slow her pace to admire the views.

Kenshin turned to look at her and saw Kaoru looking around in amazement. "Uh…yea the fountain and other crap he got from his traveling all over".

"It's not crap. It's beautiful. I didn't know there were houses like this around here. I mean, the fountain is breathtaking!" Kaoru defended.

Kenshin merely rolled his eyes, "Whatever, it seems like a bunch of overpriced, useless crap to me". The sourness in his tone was irrefutable.

Just as they approached the front, the two large doors were opened at their arrival and a short middle-aged man in a concierge suit appeared at the entrance.

"Good afternoon Sir" he bowed towards Kenshin and acknowledged Kaoru with an additional, "and good afternoon to you madam".

Kaoru was completely a gush of surprise and nervousness at the overly respectful demeanor of the man. "Ah, good afternoon" she replied and smiled back. "Did he just call me madam?" she thought in amusement. "Wow, I had no idea Kenhsin lived like this. So why the hell does he go to OUR school?"

"Hey Edgar, could you please arrange to have supper ready for us. We're starving! And we'll take it in the TV room." Kenshin replied.

"Right away sir!" and with that the man rushed off into the depths of the house.

Kaoru continued to look around and couldn't believe the large space she was standing in was just the foyer of the house.

"God Kenshin. You're house is really amazing."

Kenshin looked at her and started leading them through the first floor to their TV room. "It's too damn big for two people I think" he started. "I mean look all this, who needs so much stuff? The only reason we have Edgar is because we're just two guys living on our own. Edgar keeps everything in order and has been with us forever!"

Kaoru listened to him and continued to look around in amazement. They passed a few rooms down the wide hallway and each one was decked out in décor that rivaled any palace. Everything seemed to be in its place and shown spotlessly.

"It's like living in a damn tomb. You don't wanna' touch half the crap because you're afraid you'll break it and the rest of it just serves no purpose." Kenshin continued as they walked on.

"Well I guess you're dad has a thing for collecting stuff" Kaoru replied trying her best to salvage what she could of the conversation. "Gees, what's up with him all of a sudden?" Kenshin's pleasant demeanor seemed to have changed to something she wasn't enjoying. She thought it be best to stay quiet for now. "But if he starts acting up, I'm gonna' insist on going home!"

As if sensing the tension and the sudden drop in their conversation, Kenshin stopped in his tracks and turned to Kaoru. His features looked worn and as if he were carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders. He let out a deep sigh and put both his hands on her shoulders, bringing her close to him, "I'm sorry about snapping at you. I just…it's not too good between me and my pops so I guess the entire subject of my family is pretty touchy for me. Sorry…" he gently lifted her chin up so their eyes met, "…hm?"

"Argh…sweet-talker! First get all defensive and then melt me with those eyes" Kaoru thought. "Yea, I know how that is too. Don't worry, just…just talk to me if you need to okay?"

Kenshin smiled and then his entire demeanor did a 180, "Alright, well we're lets get to the food and TV already!"

He took her hand and led her into the giant room that she would've called a theater, but Kenshin referred to as the 'TV room'. It was probably the most contemporarily furnished of all the rooms, but was in no way lacking. Instead of small and large antique looking statues, furniture, and paintings that the other rooms had, this room had a different array of expensive merchandise.

The entire room looked like a cool, sophisticated and modern suite that you'd normally visit in upscale resorts/hotels. The walls and rugs were snow-white in color and the accessories were all metallic in nature. As they walked inside the large room Kaoru saw that the couches were dark in color, either black or dark brown, and were leather. She looked up at the lighting and noticed how dim it was set at and therefore the dark and light components in the room contrasted even greater with each other.

The coffee table and end tables were of an intricate glass and steel design she guessed they were the ones that folded out into several different surfaces and levels.

Kenshin invited her to sit on the couch and as she crouched down to sit, she expected a cold, hard surface beneath, but was pleasantly surprised to feel the leather was warm to the touch. She looked curiously at Kenshin while feeling the surface of the couch with her palm.

"Oh…yea, it's heated. So in the colder months you don't freeze on it." Kenshin smirked and sat down next to her. "It's the only room besides my bedroom where I actually got to have a say on the furniture and stuff. So of course I got all the electronics first and the décor was some designer woman that my dad hired. Alright, what do you wanna' watch?" he asked while reaching for one of many remotes that were on the glass table.

"Ah…anything. There's really nothing good on TV on the weekends you know." Kaoru felt a bit nervous now sitting next to him in such an expensive room, in an expensive house and felt completely out of place.

Kenshin began to randomly flip through channels and settled on some reality show on MTV. They watched in silence and Kaoru couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling she was having being there.

"God, it's not like you're on another planet! Just relax Kaoru, it's still the same Kenshin…" she thought to herself.

After a few minutes the lights were brightened and Kaoru quickly looked up to see Edgar walking in rolling a trolley in front of him. "God, this feels like room service", Kaoru thought as the man set plates of food on top of the glass table in front of them.

There was an assortment of dishes, everything looked delicious and as if it deserved to be photographed and not eaten.

After the man set down their soda drinks, he turned to Kenshin, "Will there be anything else Sir?"

Kenshin didn't miss a beat and without giving it a second thought replied, "No. Thank you Edgar."

With that the man left and closed the room door behind him. Kaoru turned to see Kenshin already going through the food and he looked up at her after a bite, "What's wrong? Do you need something else?"

"Ah…n-no thank you" Kaoru replied nervously.

The two ate in silence and continued to focus their attention on the TV before them. After they were done eating, a familiar silence fell back over room and the only voices came from the TV.

Kenshin sat off to the side of the couch in a comfortable corner and Kaoru sat in a rigid fashion in the middle. She wanted to concentrate on the TV, but just sat there thinking about where she was and how appealing the coziness of her own home was now.

Kenshin, noticing something was off was the first to break their silence. "Hey, what's wrong? You're pretty quiet."

"Oh…uh nothing. The TV…uh this show is pretty silly huh?" Kaoru replied trying to cover for her lack of interest in the program.

"Riiight," Kenshin mused, "you're not into it at all. What's up? Worried about you pops still?"

Kenshin lowered the volume on the television and slid closer to her. Her senses were instantly assaulted by his scent and warm body so near her.

"No…no. What's with my dad is what it is. I guess I can't change that. I just get a bit stressed by it sometimes and start acting crazy I guess."

"It's okay to be stressed. Just you shouldn't keep it all to yourself you know. I'm here for you whenever you need me."

He reached over and caressed her cheek. For a moment she felt completely weak under his touch but regained her senses quickly.

"Yea, I know. Thanks for today by the way. I don't think I thanked you for taking me to see him." She tried to change the subject and felt her face become flush even after he'd removed his hand from her skin.

"You're welcome. I knew you needed to go see him. Just maybe a push or whatever. Or maybe someone to go with you." He seemed to reflect for a moment at his own comment.

She smiled sweetly at him and in an instant felt his lips close over her mouth once more. "Gees, he works fast" she thought sarcastically.

The two continued to dip in and out of each other's mouths and Kaoru could feel herself drowning. She had a distinct feeling of guilt and hesitation that panged through her, but his touch, smell and taste diluted every thought.

"Oh my god. Kaoru you complete hoe! You're on some guys couch making out with him even with everything else that's going on at home!" she chastised herself. "Oh damn him it feels really good though".

She decided that the kissing would not lead anywhere else and of course this was not just any guy, it was Kenshin. The same sweet guy that was there for her when she needed him. "I can trust Kenshin" she thought.

She felt his touch through her hair and instantly inhaled deeply under the caress. The other hand supported her back as he turned her body towards him and began to hover closer to her.

Kaoru felt a bit concerned at the compromising position they were getting into and without breaking their embrace she flexed her spine and wouldn't move any other way. She felt him nudge her a bit to relax and lay back on the couch, but she decided that was not going to happen.

"Oh god, where is this going to go? What's he trying to do? Okay…what the hell!" she was growing tenser under his touch.

Kaoru felt his free hand travel down her shoulder and arm and then rest on the side of her waist. She felt him fumble a bit with the edge of her top and slowly his kisses started traveling down her throat and away from her mouth.

The kisses caused her to explode with sensations never felt before and she was momentarily completely immobile under his touch. His lips traveled expertly down her throat and she felt him lick at her skin and continue to travel still lower.

"What the hell?" she thought weakly. Kaoru was familiar with the short make out sessions in his car when he drove her home, but this was completely different. Even her thoughts were invaded by his seductions and she fought to gain some control.

"K-Kenshin…" she breathed. "I…please…we…c-ca" she tried to express her thoughts, but her body was weak. Her mind was screaming for body to stop what was going on, but it was getting more difficult.

Her thoughts were a perplexed tornado of different images. She imagined the all the wonderful moments with Kenshin she'd shared. The moments where she saw true concern in his thoughtful eyes for her. But she also saw images of her mother slaving away at her job, pulling double shifts when needed. She saw her father lying alone in his hospital bed; the sour and putrid smells were unbearable. Moments of guilt began to course through her.

He didn't seem to listen to her and only continued on with what he was doing.

His hands knew exactly where to touch her and his lips never left her flesh. She felt his lips at the neck of her blouse and his free hand finally found what it was searching for.

In a second he slid his hand under her shirt and up under her bra.

Kaoru's eyes instantly flew open as the sensation was completely foreign and not right to her. The moments of hesitation and guilt finally accumulated to this moment and Kaoru finally found a reason to stop what was going on.

"KENSHIN!" she yelled. As if completely automated, Kaoru immediately grabbed his arm and yanked it from under the shirt. She quickly pushed him away from her and before another word could be uttered, she slapped him across the face.

END CHAPTER 16

So what did you guys think? Please don't hate me for that last part. I know it looks really bad for our boy Kenshin, but please, please keep in mind…he's a guy! LOL. And remember, he's a lady's man. But our girl Kaoru isn't like the rest! Another lesson learned for Kenshin? He let the first slap go, but will he let this one slide?

I guess you guys will just have to wait and see what the heck happened to his better judgment and I thought he totally deserved to get slapped. Hehe!

Anyhow…I getting a few different ideas all at once so hopefully I can keep up this updating soon at a good pace.

As for future chappys…I definitely know where I want to take it. It's just a matter of actually writing (typing) it. So please let me know what you thought about this one and I promise the next one is coming soon!

Much love to you all!