Chapter 25

Getaway

Kaoru rode along side Kenshin in his new black on black 4-door BMW. It'd been weeks since his accident and after being released from the hospital, he recuperated back to health at home. Kaoru was always by his side, keeping him updated with school and of course lending her energy and time to keep him in good spirits. He simply hated to be out of the loop for so long and the accident did nothing to curb his appetite for cars and racing.

He'd surprised her one day with news of a weekend getaway and gave her just the bare details of where they might be going.

----- FLASHBACK TO WEEK BEFORE ------

"Kenshin! Where are we going?" she asked excitedly. The two sat comfortably on the couch in the TV room and he'd just announced a weekend trip coming up next week.

He smiled and continued to keep his gaze on the TV, "I told you, it's a surprise. Just pack for the weekend and I'll be there to pick you up on Friday night."

"How long are we going to stay for?"

"Well, weekend trip usually means the entire weekend" he teased.

She nudged him playfully in the chest as she sunk deeper into his side, "Silly! I have to tell my mother that I'm going somewhere, but you won't even tell me when I'll be back. You think she'll let me go away with you for the whole weekend?"

"Why not? Tell her that a group of us are getting together to go and do this before school ends and we'll be back Monday evening the latest" he stated simply.

"Really?" she sat up excitedly from his side and looked back at him.

"Uh-huh" he replied keeping a discrete grin from her, "That's what you can TELL her, doesn't mean that'll be the case."

"Well I don't think she'll mind in that case. Oh I'm so excited! Where is this place again? What are we going to be doing there?"

"Kaoru, the TV!" Kenshin exclaimed.

"Huh? What about it?" she looked at the program wondering what he was trying to alert her to.

"You're blocking it."

She rolled her eyes and slumped back against his side as he brought his arm around her again in the comfortable position. "You're horrible" she whined in a huff.

He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead and let her head rest against his chest. He loved making her smile and laugh, but the way she pouted sometimes was also endearing. Besides that, he knew it would be a perfect opportunity to make up for his 'mistakes'. She deserved a weekend away from everything. Between her father, school, and then his accident he wanted nothing more than to see her relax for a few days.

"And it won't hurt that it'll just be me and her the whole time" he grinned.

Later on, she'd sat down with her mother filling her in about the trip and even inquired about the conversation Kenshin's father had had with her.

"He's a very nice man Kaoru, and he says that you're quite an extraordinary young lady and highly impressed with you. I just had to tell him about your father when he asked about the tension between him and Kenshin." Her mother was a much wiser woman and Kaoru hoped she could have a fraction of that in her.

"Thanks mom, I understand."

"But Kaoru, I don't want you to forget who you are aside from Kenshin. You have hopes and dreams that you shouldn't abandon no matter what. A woman always goes through life being dedicated firstly to everyone else and lastly to herself. You start out by having obligations as someone's daughter or sister, and then it moves on to being a wife and then a mother. I've thought differently for you and that's why I'll never make you do anything you don't want to. To go out and see the world or shouldn't just be the privilege of a boy. I don't mind this trip, even if you're father would normally say no to it, but don't forget the promises you made to yourself."

"I know mom I won't, promise!" Kaoru knew that disappointing an already hard-working woman like her just wasn't an option.

---------- END FLASHBACK ---------

Her thoughts reconvened once more as she looked out the car window and enjoyed the beautiful day outside. Even though it was still winter, the day was unseasonably mild, the sun shown brightly and she felt at peace.

She turned to Kenshin who was happily driving and enjoying the music blasting through the stereo. "Are we gonna' meet up with the rest of them there? Or pick them up? Or what?"

He turned to her and smiled, "You ask way too many questions you know that!" and before she could respond, he took her hand and brought it up to his lips for a kiss.

She blushed slightly at the gesture and decided not to pursue any more information from him. "So he wants it to be a surprise, how sweet!"

He looked back over at her after a few more blissful moments of driving with her hand in his. "You know, this is probably my favorite part about this whole trip. Driving on a great day, a smooth stretch of road with you. Perfect."

She giggled at the compliment and her heart warmed at the thought of having many more trips with him just like this one. "Same here" she whispered.

"Do you need to stop for anything? Hungry? Thirsty? Bathroom break?" he asked as signs of an upcoming rest stop blurred by them.

"Nah, we've got some juice and snacks in the back seat and we're making such good time with no traffic!"

Kenshin smiled back thankful that the two shared so much in common. In truth, once he hit the road for a long drive, he rarely liked to stop unless it was absolutely necessary.

The two went on and enjoyed the pleasant drive: Kaoru stretched out comfortably in the roomier 7-series Beemer as Kenshin relaxed a bit and hit the automatic drive. They chatted about everything from what college would be like to small talk about friends and family.

Kaoru loved the way that their lives would intermingle and was relieved to find that he had his hopes set on the same university that was so close to the one she wanted to attend. But she also knew that her heart was divided equally between wanting to pursue Aichi Med School or staying with her family and going to another school around the area.

"I don't think I could do without you K. If you decide to stay here than I'll do the same" he replied.

"Kenshin you can't do that to yourself just because of me. You've wanted to go to Aichi Daigaku Law School forever!" she answered even though it hurt her heart just to think about being so far from him.

"Well haven't you wanted to go to Aichi Medical School for the longest also? And aren't you doing the same to yourself if don't go on account of your family?"

She thought about it and knew deep down he was right. "I know but how can I leave mom like this?" she gently replied.

Kenshin had no desire to bring the dark cloud of her family problems looming back over their perfect upcoming weekend. "I know, but you know what? Let's cross that bridge when we get there! For now I just wanna' enjoy some time with you with no other distractions."

His words had brought the smile back to her face and she pushed all those thoughts away. "Is it possible just to keep on driving like this? Don't stop ever" she sighed.

Within another hour and half of blissful driving and chatting, the city highways turned into quaint rural roads of the countryside. The air was fresh and crisp and they were surrounded by evergreens of the shrubs and trees.

Finally, they passed a sign at the side of the road and Kaoru got some indication of where they were headed.

"Kinosaki? A hot spring resort!" she spun around excitedly in her seat and faced Kenshin who was already smiling slyly. "Oh my gosh, that's where we're going?"

Kenshin chuckled, "Yes detective, you've found me out. I wanted to have you relax for a few."

Kaoru was filled with excitement at the notion of spending an entire weekend with Kenshin at the resort. "Too bad we won't be entirely alone…" she thought mischievously.

They pulled up to the valet parking and both hopped out of the car with their bags in hand. While Kenshin checked in at the front desk, Kaoru got a good look around at the place.

She walked to the large windows towards the back of the lobby that looked out to a picturesque river with paved stone streets on either side. A small pedestrian bridge made of the same stone could be seen hanging over the river in the distance. The streets were also lined with quaint shops and inns and she could see other tourists strolling along under the shade of swaying trees.

Kenshin walked up behind her with their room key in hand and looked out over her shoulder, "You like it?"

"It's beautiful" she smiled.

"Let's get settled in and we'll go for some dinner and then a stroll" he offered.

The couple was lead into their room when Kaoru remembered something, "Oh hey, where's the rest of them?"

They walked up to two large wooden doors as Kenshin slipped his key inside the slot and the light flashed green. He turned the knob of the door and pushed it open, "Who's that?" He walked inside.

"Um, you know? Our friends! Misao and them!" she chirped. He didn't immediately answer, but she was quickly distracted from her immediate line of questioning as she took in the beauty of the room.

The spacious suite was carpeted and furnished with lush furniture and decorum. The colors were of muted beiges and calm, warm palettes which were only softened by the lamps and candlelight glowing all around them. The first room was reminiscent of a living room with an elegant dining area just to the side. Another room opened into a fully functional kitchen and there were still more doors for her to explore.

She gasped at the luxurious suite and walked around with her hand over her mouth to keep from giggling and screaming in delight. There as no way she couldn't see what the bedroom looked like and when she finally found the right door, she wasn't disappointed.

The room opened to a large master suite bedroom complete with a king-size bed. It was simply decorated in the same warm beige colors of the rest of the suite. The bed looked absolutely inviting after a long ride.

Meanwhile, Kenshin tipped the help and closed and locked the door to the suite. Kaoru came out with her mouth still open in amazement.

"Kenshin! How much is this costing? I mean, this is way too much for just us? Wait! You never answered my question, where are…"

She was cut off as Kenshin wrapped his arms around her and swept her up in a longing kiss. Momentarily silenced by the warmth of his mouth and strong arms around her, Kaoru wondered what the red head was up to.

They broke the kiss and she asked him once more, "What are you up to?"

He smiled mischievously at her and she could see the golden lights of the lamps and candles dancing in the mesmerizing orbs of his eyes. The smile and look on his face told her that he was up to mischief.

"I wanted you all to myself Kaoru, so the rest of them won't be joining us this weekend. And this suite is all for you" he finished off by nuzzling her neck sending shivers of delight down her spine.

She was caught off guard again, but the blow was softened by his touch on her skin. "Evil…" she breathed as they wrapped each other into another kiss. He never gave her much of a chance to argue with him. After a few minutes of kissing each other breathless, she pulled herself from his arms and looked through her small attaché suitcase.

"I need to get freshened up before dinner" she headed to the bathroom and found it just as luxurious as the rest of the suite. "This is going to get some used to" she thought sarcastically.

She showered quickly and changed into a comfortable pair of dark-rinsed jeans and a cream tank topped by a bolero. She shook her damp hair and heard a knock at the bathroom door.

After being let in, Kenshin looked at her amazement "You look so good…"

She smirked and blushed at the compliment, "Thanks, you're turn to get freshened up."

"I'm just gonna' wash up and change. I can't wait to try out their hot springs here."

"I've got to give my mom a ring and let her know we got here safe and sound."

Kenshin disappeared into the bathroom and Kaoru grabbed her cell phone from her purse.

"Hello Mom? Yea, we just got here."

"Good to hear Kaoru, did you meet up with your friends alright?"

Kaoru could hardly think about how to tell her mother that it would just be her and Kenshin. "Wait! What am I thinking? I can't tell her that! She'd flip!"

"Uh, yea, they're all getting settled in and washing up. You should see this place mom! It's so beautiful. There's a river and adorable shops along the way!" she quickly changed the subject.

"Enjoy yourself and be careful! Tell Kenshin to drive carefully. I was so nervous with that long drive. Good thing there is a group of you together. Safety in numbers!"

Kaoru's heart twisted in guilt at her mothers words, "Y-yea…uh, so what's Yahiko up to?"

"He finished his homework early went over to his friend's house and he's playing video games now. I think I'll have my cup of tea before asking him to turn in for the night. Good thing I finally got a Friday night off huh that way I can keep an eye on your father too!"

"How is he?" she asked knowing the answer all too well.

"Well you know the same. He started throwing up again and still won't eat a bite of food. I tried to give him some soup today and even fruit juice earlier, but it's near impossible to make him eat more than a spoonful."

"Why do you even bother mom?" she whispered not really intending for the woman to hear.

"I guess my conscience just gets the better of me. The more I say I wont stress, the more I can't help but stressing over him. I just need to know he has something in his system, just for my peace of mind if nothing else."

She twisted a bit more as thoughts of her poor mother being stuck at home with the intoxicated man flashed through her mind. Feelings of guilt, anger, and frustration hit her all at once. Looking around the lux room, she felt unworthy of sitting in such a place while her family suffered.

"Hello?" her mother's voice came piercing through the darkened thoughts of her mind.

"I'm here mom" she replied in a slightly shaky voice.

"Well why don't you go ahead and finished getting settled in? I hope you all have fun and remember what I told you!"

"Okay mom, bye…I love you." She couldn't remember the last time she uttered such words towards anyone in her family. It wasn't because she didn't feel love for them it was more or less her family just didn't interact that way.

"I love you too" and with that the two women hung up.

Kenshin walked out of the bathroom in his dark blue button down shirt with black slacks and his hair freshly brushed back into his signature pony tail. He could see the look on Kaoru's face and the unshed tears in her eyes as she nervously turned her cell phone in her hands.

"What's wrong?" he walked over and crouched down in front of her as she sat on the sofa.

She looked up and shook it off, "Nothing, I just spoke to my mom. I just…didn't think lying to her about this trip would be so hard."

"K" he held her chin and turned her face towards him, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to get away from all the drama back home and just enjoy time alone with you. I didn't want you to feel so bad about lying to her." She purposely left out the parts about her father. He was throwing up again, which could only mean his body was getting weaker under the abuse of the alcohol.

Kaoru winced inside again as she realized another person was hurting because of her, "No, no Kenshin! It's not your fault." She draped an arm around his shoulders and leaned her forehead to his, "Thank you for this. I don't deserve all this…"

"You deserve this and a lot more so don't even start that!" he interrupted and gently brushed a kiss on her nose.

She closed her eyes and drunk in the warm smell of him all around her. His shoulders felt so strong under her arm and she was content to remain that way for the remainder of the night. He broke away from her and smiled, "We'd better get going before we miss dinner."

"What time is it?" she asked.

He looked down at his wrist watch, "A little after 6. We made really good time on the drive over. Your mom say anything about that?" he inquired referring to his driving accident only a few weeks before.

She giggled, "No, she has no idea how evil you are just yet."

He gave her the most innocent look she'd ever seen on a guy, "What?"

She all but doubled over in laughter, "Uh huh and who told me to tell her that it would be a group of us coming here?"

He gave her a smile and pulled her to her feet. "Dinner time!"

Throughout the dinner the two engaged in regular small talk, but were more content in enjoying the quiet comfort of being in each other's presence. However, Kenshin noticed a sharp change in Kaoru as the sadness in her eyes wasn't masked by the beautiful smile gracing her lips. He wondered if there was more to the conversation with her mother than she was telling him about.

Deciding to brush it off for later, the two finished the hearty dinner of fresh crab, which was a specialty of the resort in the winter months and headed towards the river side for an after dinner stroll.

Kenshin could hardly contain his heart as he caught sight of the beauty in the clean, bright moonlight. Her skin glowed and eyes glittered, but there was still that sadness shining directly through to him.

"Kaoru you okay?" he asked as they strolled, his arm draped over her shoulders and holding her against his side.

She was shaken from her mix of thoughts between her family and the beauty all around her. The mild winter air carried the scents of the flowers and warm smells of the shops all around them. She basked in Kenshin's hold and wished the world would stop at this moment just for them.

"No, nothing. Why?" she replied in almost a whisper. Her voice clearly gave away what her eyes were reflecting.

"You seem down. Everything okay at home?" he tested.

She sighed heavily as the perfect moment shattered, "My dad. My mom said he was throwing up again, but still won't eat."

Kenshin could sense the pain in her voice and knew she was the edge of tears. He'd thought long and hard about her father and wondered if the man had a clue as to what he did to his family. He'd even thought about going over and sitting him down for a man to man talk. "And if he doesn't listen, I could just kick his ass into line!" He'd then thought more logically about that approach, "Right, then Kaoru would kick my ass."

"Let me guess," he stated, "you feel guilty being here while she has to deal with him?"

She nodded and he stopped to turn her to him. Her eyes twinkled and her lower lip quivered as she neared her breaking point. He immediately cupped her face and brushed his thumb under her eye. "Don't you dare cry" he whispered, "this trip I only want to see you laughing and smiling."

"I know" she started, her voice cracking at the attempt, "I just…I feel so guilty for her having to suffer and Yahiko being alone and now I've made a mess of this perfect night you planned. I just…I screw it all up…"

"K stop!" he brushed away the precious tears as they fell from her long lashes. "You didn't ruin anything. I can't expect you to forget everything and I know you feel bad. But she's his wife and even though she doesn't deserve this, she has to bare the brunt of it. You can't always carry all the burden and pain on your shoulders."

She sunk into his chest and wrapped her arms around him as she nodded in agreement. "I know…but it doesn't mean its any easier" she cried.

"I know" he cooed.

"Every time it starts I tell myself that I won't let it get to me. I mean we've been dealing with for years, but there's some part of me that still hopes that one day it'll stop. One day he'll snap out of it and say 'I'm really hurting my family', but I know that's hoping beyond any reason."

He hugged her tightly and let her shed the tears that came forth. "How do I make it better for you?" he thought.

"Come on, I wanna show you something." He pulled her into a steady pace for several minutes as they walked further away from the resort's main building and the river side. Soon the building disappeared from view as they neared something remotely familiar sounding.

The board walk was still a buzz from the tourists and vendors, but the couple managed to find a quiet bench and looked over the crashing waves under a perfect full moon. He wrapped her under his arm and she happily sank down against him as the sweet lullaby of the waves filled her ears. The salty fresh sea air mingled with the cool breeze and filled her lungs as she inhaled deeply several times.

"Why does he do this?" Kenshin asked. She could feel the hum of his voice vibrating through his chest and into her ears.

"I don't know. He always has been for as long as I can remember."

"And you said he just does nothing but drink?"

"Yes, and if we try to stop him it isn't pretty."

Kenshin winced slightly and felt his pulse race at the thought of what those words meant, "Like what?"

"Like cursing and screaming. He used to hit my mom" her voice softened at the memories of bruises and broken bottles, "but he stopped after me and Yahiko started standing up to him."

"He never hit you guys…"

"No, he just yells and curses. If mom's not home he needs money, he'll bother us and won't let us sleep until we finally give it to him."

Kenshin instinctively tightened his arm around her and clenched his jaw at the thought of that. "K, I know he's your father and all, and even though he really doesn't approve of us I still don't have anything against him. But if he ever…" he thought about it for a moment before banishing the thought, "if he ever touches you, I swear I'll break those hands."

Kaoru sat up and looked at him not knowing if she should be angry or impressed at his boldness.

"I mean then you could kick my ass and all," he chuckled lightening the mood once again, "because I know that you're still your father's daughter." He pulled her back to his side, "I know you love him, but I do mean what I said because I love you. I don't want anyone putting a finger on you, I don't care who it is."

"Yes Kenshin-san" she teased.

He laughed it off and dropped the topic for now. "I just want you to know that never in my life would I ever cause you so much pain. I mean aside from the nonsense already, you're absolutely the most important person to me."

She was so content to hear those words, so elated and happy. "Kenshin would you do one thing for me then?"

"Anything…"

"Would you at least try to make things better between you and your father?"

He tensed at the thought and wondered why she was asking something like of him. "K…it's a bit more complicated than us just sitting down and smoothing things out in 10 minutes."

"I never said it would take 10 minutes, but you two need to take at least a step in the right direction. I don't want you to regret not talking to him god-forbid anything happens."

He sighed heavily, "Why is this so important to you?"

"Because" she stated simply.

"Because why?" he insisted.

"Because I know what it's like to almost loose my father. I was lost for a few when he had the attack and didn't know if I'd ever be able to tell him that I love him. I wondered if I would get the chance to apologize for all those times I wished him out of our lives. I wanted to let him know that I didn't hate him…" she trailed off while trying to control her resolve. "That I love him no matter what" she finished.

"K, when it comes to fathers we're not too different from each other. Your's makes his family suffer in life and mine made me and my mother suffer as she slipped away from us."

Kaoru looked up at him and brushed her hand against his cheek. "Tell me…"

"He let her waste away K, just like that. I remember begging him to come to the hospital with me to visit her, but he was always too busy in one meeting or another. I saw her tears for him even when she tried to hide it and that's why I can never forgive him. I can't forget the moment she took her last breath and l was holding her hand. She left me there alone and he was no where to be found…the bastard."

She looked at him lovingly and wondered how she could tell him about the conversation she shared with Hiko.

"Can I tell you something and promise you won't get mad?" she asked.

Kenshin raised an eyebrow at the request but complied wondering what she had to say.

"When he introduced me to your doctor in the hospital he referred to me as his soon-to-be daughter-in-law."

Kenshin's mouth dropped open, "What? Why did he…"

"I don't know. He just kept saying something about how much happier you are now and he credits it to me." She blushed all over again at the comments. "I also asked him to be patient with you after that fight you two had in the hospital room."

"Feh, what did he say?" Kenshin asked remembering his anger.

"He said that you were just as stubborn as he was. But he also said you were right to be angry at him."

That caught Kenshin off guard and he listened closely to her.

"He said that when you're mom was sick he didn't know how to act. From what he told me, I think he was too scared and heart broken to see his wife in the hospital. I thought about it and remembered my own apprehension at seeing my father in the hospital until you dragged me there."

"K, it's still different because I must've asked him a million times and every time it was some excuse about work."

"That's just how he dealt with it by burying himself day and night into work. Everyone deals it differently Kenhsin. I didn't realize that until I knew what it felt like to have a loved one in the hospital. The only way I even made to the hospital to see you without completely falling apart was because you'd forced me to go face my father."

Kenshin was quiet as he took in her words into consideration, "It's not that simple."

"I never said it was or that it'll be easy, but imagine if it was your father in there god-forbid! What would you do? Not see him? No, that's wrong Kenshin. He knows he was wrong for how he reacted to your mom getting sick, but you think being bitter at him your entire life will change anything?"

"You won't give up on this will you?"

"Nope" she smiled.

"Well at least it has you focused on something else and smiling" he brushed stray hair from her face as it blew in the wind.

The two made their way back to the room, each one slightly more lessened to the burdens on their hearts. He asked her more about her childhood and she his as they both forgot about the TV program that was on.

Kenshin brushed his fingers through her hair and admired her in the soft candlelight. He swept his hands across her face and placed kisses all over. She melted in his touch and buried her slender fingers in his thick hair as she worked it out of the pony tail. There was nothing more important and precious for either of them than each other at this point.

The two never made of use of their sleeping clothes as they settling into a tight embrace under the warm sheets and relaxed completely until their heartbeats became rhythmic with one another.

He brushed a kiss on her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against him. She let out a content sigh and closed her tired eyes as a smile graced her lips, "I think I like sleeping naked" she whispered.

"Mmm, as long as you only do it with me…" he tightened his embrace and they drifted off into a deep slumber.

END CHAPTER 25

----- --------- --------------

Well nice and fluffy huh? I just thought they both needed at least one nice getaway didn't you? I mean alcoholic fathers and car accidents aside, they need to have some peace.

So I hope you guys are enjoying it so far and I really don't want it to drag on any further, just wanted to put in a nice semi-peaceful chapter in midst of the madness.

Upcoming will be finally about Kao and her father…some peace in that relationship? Not sure. And college decisions before the end!

So what are your comments on sleeping in the nude? I'm for it as long as the sheets are super clean and soft! Interesting place to leave it off huh? LOL!

R & R please!

Arrigato!