First Day Blues and the Man In Black
Amaya fumbled in the large armoire in her room early Monday morning. Saturday had been spent sparring and then as usual she was left home with Aoshi and Misao. Although she enjoyed her time chatting with Misao, she was never able to convince her to go out without Kenshin's permission. Amaya's blood boiled with anger over having to wait on him just to make a move outside of the estate, but she didn't want to get Misao in trouble.
Sunday had gone by similarly and she noticed that Kenshin joined them considerably later in the day in the practice rooms. She wondered what he'd been up to the night before and remembered Sano's comments about his 'acquaintances'. She imagined the type of woman he enjoyed being with and found herself becoming ever so slightly jealous over the thought.
Finally after he came downstairs, Amaya and he once again practiced a few more katas and he even showed her a few sword techniques. She reveled in the adrenaline rush with every kata and every spar she practiced. She felt truly alive as her blood pumped harder through her veins and her body reacted automatically to the intricate moves.
Still standing in her pajamas, thoughts flooded back of his powerful image as she struggled to asses what to wear her first day at work.
"He looked nothing less than a cute, sexy, strong, short, God!" she mused to herself. She laughed mentally at her description of him, "Short but thank goodness not shorter than me!"
There was something dark and brooding about him that she found more and more alluring with each passing day. The way he carried himself with complete confidence, he exuded guidance qualities as all the members of the house had the outmost respect for him, and of course just the sight of him made her melt. "Fiery amber eyes with flaming red hair to match. Who looks like that and still manages to look so good!"
She didn't know him though and her current circumstances left her understandably cautious of becoming too involved with him. But she knew that it would be a lie to say that she didn't enjoy spending time with him.
The sparring brought them within close proximity of each other and she was intoxicated every time. She would sneak a few peaks at him when the peculiarly magenta-colored keikogi would open to expose a rock hard physique. "Funny how it's such a soft, feminine color and meanwhile he could probably take someone's head off in one blow."
She thought about how she'd asked him to demonstrate his katas with the sakabatou for her. He'd looked a bit surprised at her request and she wanted to go bury her head in the ground for being so forward. "Great! Act like a stupid horny school girl in front of everyone!"
But he'd obliged her with a most impressive show of skill and technique. She'd watched in awe as he handled the sword such dexterity and tenderness, but at the same time exuded such power and force with it. Her throat became dry over just the flashbacks of him whipping around the mat and she shamefully found herself wanting to be the sword in his hands.
"Holy crap! What the hell are you thinking?" she shook her head and tried to focus.
She couldn't help but think about her being backed up and pressed against his chest while he helped her with the bokken. As her memories flooded back to her, so did the distinct smell that she identified with him. Her body tingled from the memories and remembered his touch on her hands as he helped her steady the bokken.
Amaya caught herself just standing in front of the closet with several clothes in her hand and nothing matched. She'd just been blindly pulling articles off the hangers and could only see the sexy red-head. Her body ached for his touch and she chastised herself for getting so carried away by just the thought of him.
"Damnit, you're getting horny over a guy that you hardly know and probably could do a hundred times better than you. And I'm sure he does, every single night" she finished sourly.
She finally grabbed her undergarments, a light gray pencil skirt and matching jacket suit with a soft white blouse to go underneath and walked towards her bathroom. "I think I need another shower…" she grinned.
About 20 minutes later Misao had walked in just as she was fussing with her hair and helped to tie it up in a neat French twist that accentuated her slender neck. She left some stray pieces hanging around her face along with the long bangs. At first she wanted to apply some makeup, but opted for a simple lip gloss and a spritz of her body splash.
Just as Amaya thanked her friend and shot for the door, Misao laughed and called after her to stop. Amaya looked blankly back towards the giggling girl and wondered what was so funny.
Misao collapsed on the bed and chuckled, "Um, where are you going with no shoes on!"
Amaya nearly fell over and huffed back to her closet and started to search for something comfortable.
"Oh no! Not those" Misao argued as Amaya pulled out a comfortable pair of black flats.
Misao bent down and opened a box to revel a sexy pair of shiny black, pointy-toe stiletto pumps. "Now these will make your legs look fierce" she exclaimed while dangling the shoes in her face.
"Right! How am I supposed to walk in them?" she replied.
"Oh come on!" the girl pleaded.
Sano stuck his head inside the room and interrupted, "Ah Missy? I don't think you want to keep Kenshin waiting especially since it means he'll be late. He's a bit obsessed with being punctual."
"Argh! Alright, alright…" Amaya took the shoes from Misao's hands and slipped into them. "Holy shit Misao, these things hurt!" she wobbled as she rose from the seat.
"You just have to break them in a bit! But you should see how hot you look!" the girl squealed back.
Amaya sighed heavily and walked out of the room nearly tripping over her own feet. She managed to rush downstairs while tugging her skirt and buttoning her jacket closed. Just as she descended the stairwell, she saw that Kenshin was already being handed his brief case and straightening his overcoat.
He looked up at her and mentally noted how different she looked in the attire. Amaya stood next to him and smiled as best she could despite her overwhelming nervousness. "God, I look like a freak show I think! What am I doing in these heels? This skirt might a bit too tight, argh no this is all wrong!"
Kenshin quickly gazed over her and admired the clingy, knee-length skirt and figure skimming jacket. Her legs looked amazing in the high heeled shoes although he couldn't imagine she was too comfortable in them. The thick black velvet blanket of hair was swept up into a twist and he couldn't take his eyes off of her neck for a moment. "Megumi did a good job, although I think I like her better in her kendo outfit" he thought as he caught the uncertain frown on her face.
"Good Morning, I'm afraid we're running late" he quickly greeted before turning around and heading towards the exit.
"Uh-oookay" she thought as he seemed to be acting colder than usual. "He sure is…different outside of the practice mats."
The two climbed into the silver Bentley as the driver closed the door behind them and moments later they were making the hour long ride into the metropolis. They rode in silence side by and side and so Amaya decided to occupy her mind by staring out at the countryside.
The morning air was still cool and crisp, but pleasant with life as the sun slowly began to cast its rays down on the earth. The scenery was beautiful but nothing that she'd hadn't already been looking at from her balcony. She sighed momentarily forgetting about being seated next to Kenshin.
"Anything wrong?" came his smooth voice and interrupted her thoughts yet again. She snapped from her daydream and wished somehow she could stop getting shaken up by him like that.
"Ah-no" she replied, "I-I guess I'm just a bit nervous." She wished she hadn't admitted that so readily, "Stupid! Argh…tell him you're shaking in your stilettos because you're afraid of screwing up!"
Kenshin had sensed her apprehension the moment she came down the stairs. "Don't worry" he tried to put her mind to ease, "you're with the boss so it's not like they'll scream at you for being late."
She chucked at that and tried to calm her nerves. "Okay, calm down and focus on not screwing everything up the first day there!"
Kenshin reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He turned to her and held it out with one of his winning smiles plastered across his face. "This is for you on your very first day."
She was doubled over with surprise at the gift and wondered what it could be. "Oh my gosh!" Kenshin noted she was a bit shocked by the gesture and offered to open the case for her and reveal the treasure inside. His fingers pulled open the box that contained a beautiful white gold, black-faced Movado bracelet watch.
She gaped at the sight of the shiny object as he held it out before her. "I-I, this is way too much! I can't…" she started with a shaky voice.
Kenshin silently took the watch from the case as he gently took her right wrist into his hands. Amaya was breathless at the simple touch and fought a deep blush as her skin felt electric from his touch.
He wrapped the beautiful white-metal watch over her slender wrist and snapped the lock close. After he released her wrist, Amaya looked down at it. A single crystal was placed in the 12 o'clock position against the round black face of the watch.
She looked at him and genuinely smiled, "Thank you, but this is too much! You're burdening me with all of these gestures. I don't know how I could ever repay any of you…"
Kenshin was taken aback by her sudden streak of maturity and saw the glint of shyness creep across her porcelain, creamy skin. He was impressed over and over by her. "You staying with us has really been no trouble at all and I don't want you to think otherwise. Ever! This is just so you can be on time and hopefully it'll help you in the life you're trying to rebuild." She looked at him and was met by the intense seductive gaze of glowing amber eyes.
His voice had been so soothing so silken as it caressed her senses and entered her mind. For a moment she forgot about her surroundings as her eyes focused only on him. He sat beside her with his hair tied back neatly but still unruly bangs kissed his perfect skin. An unbearable desire coursed through her and she fought the urge to rake her fingers through his tresses. Quickly she averted her gaze and ended the conversation only with a shy smile.
Her body tingled once more as the thoughts and daydreams from the morning rushed through her mind. Kenshin noticed a change in her heart rate and focused on her sitting beside him. His primitive side begged him to take a taste from her exposed milky neck and he grappled to gain control of himself.
The car ride would shift her slender frame from side to side and the tight fitting skirt would become every so shorter exposing more of her lean legs. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so seduced by a woman who had no such intentions. "Or does she?" he mused as he read her thoughts. "Aoi Kasai…quite the temptress" he dismissed his thoughts quickly as the rural mountainous terrain ended and they entered the city limits.
She looked out excitedly into the busy bustling streets of the city. The bridge connecting the old world with the new was her gateway to go where she'd probably come from. "I wonder if I lived here? Maybe I passed through these streets before…" she lets those ideas die as she remembered there were no missing person's reports for someone fitting her description. "No, not my home" she determined.
Kenshin silently rode along side and kept track of her thoughts wondering if the change of scenery would trigger something in her memory. Again her mind was an array of different thoughts. They were instances of excitement and happiness and other times sadness and loneliness. Finally the car veered onto the streets of the business district and stopped in front of an impressive towering glass building.
The driver stopped with such an abrupt brake that she nearly slid right off the slick leather seat if not for her quick grasp on the door handle. Kenshin didn't seem to notice and quickly exited the car as his door was opened by the chauffer. He turned back around and helped her out of the car much to her delight. "I probably would've fallen out" she cursed herself for wearing those shoes.
Kenshin walked up to the entrance of the building and was greeted by two doormen bowing in respect and opening the glass doors for him and Amaya. She walked alongside him and struggled to keep up with his stride as the tightness of the leather around her feet stung incessantly.
He slowed his pace slightly and noticed her curiously looking around in the lobby of the building. "We're a multi-billion dollar, multi-national, and multi-sector industry" he stated.
She didn't know what to say but, "Oh, ah, this is the only building in town?"
"No, we have several different operations ranging from the docks by the water to the banks that are operated by us. This is just central headquarters for our Asia sector. We have one in New York for the North America sector, London and Paris for the European divisions which have all been there for years. And we're considering something in Australia or South America."
The two were joined by a short woman, her frame was slender and her hair was tied neatly into a low bun. Amaya assessed that she looked about 40-ish by the graying of her blond hair. She wore a black business suit with a green tank underneath. "Good Morning Mr. Himura!" she exclaimed while walking up to them.
"Ah, Good Morning Ms. Tsao" Kenshin took the files from her hands.
"I have your meetings set for the day and we'll start out with the one at 10:30 am today with the representatives from…" she started while reading from her PDA.
"Hold on one second Ms. Tsao" Kenshin interrupted. "I don't believe you've met our newest member of the team" he looked towards Amaya.
"This is Miss. Amaya Yoshida and this is her first day here. I want her to work with you and just start her off with a few simple admin tasks. She's very bright and very smart so keep her busy!" he added.
"Amaya this is Mr. Sally Tsao and she's much more than my executive assistant. She's been with our organization for over 15 years and I couldn't get through a day without her!"
"Good Morning Ms. Yoshida" the woman bowed.
Amaya nearly jumped at the formal address and laughed, "Oh-uh please call me Amaya Ms. Tsao. Nice to meet you!" she put forth her sweetest smile.
The three continued to the elevator cars as Sally continued to recite the days schedule to Kenshin. Amaya looked around in amazement at the contemporary looking furniture and décor which were all stark contrasts to the antiques of the estate. The building was a balance between shiny metals and glass along with strategically placed indoor fountains and lush green plants.
The company's employees bustled about but no one was too busy to greet and bow to the boss who she was conveniently walking just behind as they made their way to his office. He was on the 30th floor of the building and as the elevator door separated, the palatial spread of executive digs came into view. Large wooden tables, lush beige carpets and more expensive décor graced ever square foot of the suite.
They made their way past the secretary at the front desk and she bowed and greeted them all. "That was Miss. Nguyen. You'll meet her later, she's just moved from the states here" Sally whispered to Amaya.
Finally they reached Kenshin's office. A black leather couch along with three matching arm chairs rested to one side around a glass coffee table. Just in front of them was an impressive large wooden desk behind which were large glass windows overlooking the city below. The room was enormous and she expected as much from Kenshin by now. Other doors lined the wall to her right but she focused on the red head now making his way towards his desk.
He sat down and immediately laid out the files before him. She felt uncomfortable just standing there waiting to be validated by him and looked towards Sally who was busy fiddling with her PDA.
"Ms. Tsao please show Amaya around for today. What am I doing for lunch today?" he asked.
The woman plugged in some key strokes into the handheld device and answered, "You have a lunch with the PR people from the local news station today. You'll be dining with them at Lotus."
"I see. Well I'm afraid that you'll be completely bored to death if you go with me on that lunch Amaya. Why don't you have lunch with Ms. Tsao and rest of the girls? Would that be okay?"
Amaya was obviously put on the spot, "Oh of course! I-I mean I don't want to bother you from your work" she looked towards the shorter woman at her side and smiled, "that would be lovely!"
Sally smiled back and Kenshin continued, "Excellent. You'll meet me back here at 5 pm sharp and we'll go home from there. I'll check in on you during the day okay?"
Amaya smiled as him reassured that he would be there for her if she needed him. "Okay, see you then" and she and Sally exited.
"Well, I'll be in the meeting with Mr. Himura at 10:30 am so in the mean time we have some time to get you acquainted with everyone here. Follow me" and she was off. Amaya struggled to keep at the woman's pace as she quickly trotted along. "Damn heels…"
"This is Miss Jane Nguyen" she introduced. A sweet-looking young woman from behind the desk looked up and smiled at her. She had cherub pink skin and short, shoulder-length light brown hair which reflected brilliantly under the lights. Her eyes were a subtle mix of green and hazel and she was dressed in a navy blazer and pants with a white dress shirt.
"Jane this is Amaya Yoshida and she's just started her first day here. Apparently Mr. Himura was very impressed by her and brought her onboard himself!" she added.
"Nice to meet you Amaya. Good to have you on board" she pleasantly replied.
Amaya smiled and thanked her as Sally continued, "Jane is the receptionist for only the executives on the 30th floor including Mr. Himura. She's also a student at the local business university and studying accounting."
"An intro and a life story, how…interesting" Amaya thought as she wondered what hers was.
"I'm going to show her around" Sally continued as she started to walk off.
"Bye" Amaya waved at the girl who pleasantly waved back.
After a few more introductions to the support staff, Amaya could barely walk even an inch further. "And this is just one suite! Damnit does she plan on taking me throughout the entire building?"
Finally the woman turned to her as they entered a smaller office which was placed well inside the one of the many rooms of the suite. It was cluttered with piles of files and boxes with computer on a small desk. Thankfully two large windows were cut into the bland white walls so the brilliant sunlight shown through to drawn out the harsh fluorescent lights. "It's definitely not the Executive suite" she thought comparing the tiny office to Kenshin's.
"Alright young lady" Sally went around to the desk and switched the computer on. "We'll start you off by some simple data entry for today. Just go through these files and enter the information of these vendors into the database one by one. There's no rush since there're so many of these old files. But the information can be used in the future so it's important to have it cataloged and saved electronically. Just do that for today and I'll be back to check on you after the meeting which should be just in time for lunch. Will you be okay with that?"
Amaya walked around the desk and plopped down in the seat looking at the screen. "Okay with it? Well, it's better than staring at old paintings and furniture all day I guess."
"Ah-yea, sure it's fine" she answered looking at the screen.
"Well if you need anything, just go back to Jane at the front desk and she can direct you. Sorry I can't stay longer I have to run to this meeting with Mr. Himura. I'll be back shortly" and with that the woman walked out of the room.
Amaya looked at the piles of files in cardboard boxes all around her and wondered just where she should start. She decided with the ones littered across the desk and gradually picked up speed with her data entry task. The last time she checked the time it was nearly 10:20 am and she buried herself in the task.
Her eyes began to burn slightly from focusing on the screen and her back tensed as well. She sat back in order to take a break and look at her work. "About 3 cases worth of work done. Not a bad day although I can't help but feel that this is making no huge contribution to this company. Oh well, I guess I can't expect them to give the reins on the first day especially since I still don't know just what they do except for really big expensive business deals."
She looked at the digital time display on the computer screen, "Damn, almost 1 o'clock already? I didn't even have breakfast today. I am famished!" She rose from her seat and walked to the windows and looked out. A bright sunny day greeted her and she couldn't help but stretch under the warm rays of the sun.
After that she decided to take a walk to stretch out her legs and find out about food. The windy narrow hallway stretched endlessly on but she remembered exactly which direction she'd come from and followed it back. Finally she made it to the front desk receptionists' desk and found Jane sitting behind it.
"Hi" she greeted as she walked up to Jane.
"Hey there, how's the first day working out for ya'?"
"Not so bad. Data Entry!" she added dryly.
"Sounds…adventurous" the girl quipped back. Both laughed and Amaya could feel her stomach turning and burning from lack of food.
"Ah, what do you do about lunch?" she asked.
"Hm, what did Ms. Tsao say?"
"She said she'd be back by lunch time, but I didn't have breakfast and I am famished!"
Jane let out a giggle and picked up the phone, "me too, let's call and see where she is." With that she punched in a few numbers on the phone and waited for an answer.
"Hello? Ms. Tsao? It's Jane and Amaya…" she stopped and listened to the other person.
"Oh o-okay. No problem. I'll take care of it. See you soon. Bye." With that she hung up and looked at Amaya. "It seems that the meeting ran longer than scheduled which pushed back the other meetings so now Ms. Tsao is busy trying to keep Mr. Himura on schedule for the rest of the day." Jane laughed, "So we'll go to lunch together and one of the other girls can take over the desk while I'm gone. We could go to the cafeteria downstairs, but I am so tired of that food. How's a nice sandwich shop sound? It's not too far from here."
"Oh my gosh anything sounds good right now!" Amaya grasped her stomach.
Jane giggled and came around the desk, "Okay, wait here and let me grab my purse. Be right back!"
"Holy crap! Purse!" Amaya screeched. She hadn't brought one from home, which meant, "I don't have any cash!" Her stomach nearly dropped to the floor and she felt defeated by hunger and fatigue.
"Oh don't worry about it. I know this guy there and let's just say it'll be his treat!" Jane smiled devilishly and disappeared down the hallway.
"Okay" Amaya laughed but was quickly overcome by anger over not even being able to pay for a meal for herself. "This is so embarrassing! How did I come to work not even thinking about not needing money? What did you think Amaya? That Kenshin would hold your hand all day and make everything better? Damnit…" suddenly the torture of her shrouded memory began to weigh heavy on her. The pain in her stomach paled to the mental fatigue that racked her brains at the moment.
Jane made her entrance and was ready to go. "Hey there, all set?"
Amaya snapped from her thoughts and focused once more on the bubbly girl in front of her.
"Y-yea, um are you sure about…" Amaya started.
"Don't worry about it, now come on! I told you he's like a little puppy on a leash for me!"
The two girls giggled all the way down the ground floor and exited the building. Amaya wished that she would see Kenshin but knew deep down that he was probably busy meeting with important people. "Sigh, no time for you silly girl" she thought. "Thank god Jane is fun though!"
The girls walked down the crowded business districts streets and the familiar pain in her feet returned from the shoes. "Shit, hold on. These things hurt like hell!" she propped herself against a light post and adjusted the shoes on her feet.
"That's the problem with cute shoes they're never good to walk in!" Jane laughed. "Come on, we're not too far away, you can rest those bunions there!"
"Bunions!" Amaya screeched! With that the two girls exploded into laughter earning a few choice stares from the business people passed by. "Uptight aren't they?" Amaya noted.
Jane continued to contain her laughter, "Yea it's like that around here. But you know what? They're the weird ones not us!"
"What makes you say that?"
"You'd be surprised what some these white collar, buttoned up preppies are really like behind closed doors! Freaky!"
"You sound like you're talking from experience!"
"ME! NO!" she laughed.
Amaya noted that and wondered about a certain odd red-head. "Um, what about Kenshin?"
"Who? Oh you mean Mr. Himura. Nah, he doesn't come off that bad but then again he's not married or anything. I mean he's never been mean or disrespectful to any of us and keeps everything strictly business. Oh, we're here!"
Amaya looked up and saw a corner establishment with a burgundy awning stretching around the edifice. The windows were slightly darkened but she could make out the figures of customers dinning on their lunches. She read the sign aloud, "Empire Billiards?"
Jane laughed and replied, "Yea, don't worry. It's a nice spot right in the middle of the most uptight places you could be in. It's like our salvation from the hoity-toity restaurants around here that charge half your paycheck for just a stupid salad!"
Amaya burst into laughter and thanked her fortune for finding such a delightful person to spend time with. They walked inside and she surveyed the area. The place was big and the front half was designated for tables and chairs for the dine-in customers. It was separated by a railing from almost a dozen pool tables scattered into neat rows. Lined along the side of the area was the bar and ordering counter.
"You grab a table. Anything particular you don't eat?" Jane asked.
"Nope! Just as long as it's edible, I'm open!"
"My kind of girl. I'll be right back."
With that the shorter, brown haired girl trotted off towards the bar. Amaya scanned the tables and chairs and spotted something perfect right by the large windows. She quickly made her way over and sat down silently looking out the window towards the pedestrians on the street.
They all seemed to be rushing off somewhere and couldn't waste a moment's time. She wondered where the different souls were headed to. "He looks he's having a long day at work" she noted as a stressed-out bald-headed man walked by. "She looks like she's having a fight" she watched a woman seemingly yelling into the cell phone plastered to one ear. "Not one of them look like they're just wondering around…just…walking nowhere. They all have lives, all have destinations and places to be…except…"
"Alrighty, all set" her thoughts were interrupted by a chipper voice and she snapped back from the window. Jane sunk into the seat in front of her and set a tray full of food in between them.
"Woah" Amaya started.
"Hehe, I told you. He's got this thing for me so he pretty much gives me whatever I want for free. Eat up!"
Amaya gladly started filling her stomach with the delicious hot food. Jane looked up casually and after taking a gulp of her beverage she sought out to getting to know her new friend a bit better. "So, where are you from? Oh and by the way I meant to tell you earlier, Amaya is a really nice name!"
The raven-haired girl gagged slightly at the question as she struggled to finish chewing her last bite. "Right I'm supposed to answer crap like this, damnit! Okay what to do? Lie? Tell her the truth? Why not, she's been nothing but nice to me."
Amaya straightened up and looked at the girl before she answered wanting to catch every expression she would have after finding out about her new friend. "Well, actually I don't know."
Jane waited for a bit more information, but noted that the girl just stopped talking, "What do you mean by that?"
Amaya savored the perplexed expression on the petite girl's face a while longer before answering, "I mean I don't remember. I was in a car crash a few weeks ago and lost my memory." She sat back and waited for the other girl to digest more than just her food, "At least, that's what I think happened."
"W-wait, wait, wait! So you mean you have no idea who you are?" Jane asked shockingly.
Amaya shook her head and sighed, "I didn't realize this would be so tiresome."
Jane continued with her investigation, "No family, friends, house, job, NOTHING?"
Amaya grew slightly aggravated but understood Jane's puzzlement. "Nope" she replied simply, "Nothing".
"Wow! I-I'm really sorry to hear and even sorrier for asking so many stupid questions."
"It's okay, I just, um, I'd like this to stay between you and me okay?" Amaya asked.
"Oh of course! I mean this is serious! So where are you staying now?" she asked in concern.
"Oh, um, I'm staying with Kenshin" Amaya responded. She felt shy answering that question as if it implied something more.
"Ken-? Oh you mean Mr. Himura, I can't used to anyone in our office calling him anything but Mr. Himura" Jane laughed, "Wow, you're staying with him?"
"He's the one that found me and pretty much saved my life. His family has been really nice to me and they've been letting me stay with them until things get sorted out I guess. That's why he brought me into work today, I was just getting so bored at home all day."
"Ooh! Still wow though! That's very nice of him to help you out like that." She smirked evilly and added, "And plus it doesn't hurt that he's hot! That man is just full of surprises though" she laughed thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Amaya asked giggling.
"Oh nothing major, just he's very…I don't know how to describe it, rigid? I guess that'll have to do, yea, just very involved with his work. I mean everyone knows he's a good guy but you know he's not too involved with anyone it seems. I don't know, I've been here for almost 2 years and I can't figure him out."
Amaya thought about the girls description, "Sounds a lot like him."
"Sooo," Jane leaned in, "are you two…you know…?" she smiled devishly.
Amaya sat back in her seat in shock and blushed furiously, "Oh my gosh no! Nothing like that! He's barely ever home! N-No!"
Jane giggled and noted the bright blush on her friends face. "Alright well at least I can warn you not involved with any of these other jerk offs around here."
"Jane, we're NOT involved. And what do you mean by that?"
The brown-haired woman laughed, "It's just that these guys walking around in their designer business suits, and with the egos to match are all just a bunch of sickos when you get down to it."
Amaya laughed at that, "What?"
"No seriously! I once worked for this guy and he would have his mistress visit him in the office while his wife was one the phone waiting to talk to him! What a dog! Then this other man, I mean he looked so clean cut and straight as an arrow, but he was a total strung out drug addict. Oh and did I forget to mention that he was some high director of the accounts department at the bank. Then this other guy, charming, handsome, smart and it turns out, he's gay! All the good ones are…" she sipped her drink.
"I didn't know being gay was such a taboo" Amaya teased.
"It's not, but when you have a wife and two kids like he did, well it tends to get a bit sticky and I'm not talking about his date!" Jane stated winking.
Both girls burst into laughter once more as Jane rose from her seat still giggling, "A bunch of loonies they all are. Anyhow, lemme go dump this garbage and say bye to my apron clad hero. Be back again in a few."
"Okay" Amaya managed still giggling from the girl's statement. "She is so funny…" she thought while glancing once more out the window of the restaurant.
More people were busily walking along not paying the blue-eyed girl any mind. She thought about Jane's comments more seriously and thought about Kenshin. "Mistresses, well we know he's got those according to Sano" she thought sourly.
Her eyes suddenly focused on the only static object across the busy street. She couldn't immediately make it out and focused harder on it. It was a dark figure seemingly a black hole in the middle of the perfect sunny day outside and it stood ominously facing in her direction under the awning of another restaurant. "What's that?" she pondered still trying to focus her gaze between the pedestrians and vehicles that separated her from the shadowy form.
For some reason it'd grabbed her attention completely and held it there as she finally began to make out more details. It was quite tall and statuesque in physique and frame. Dark clothing: a long coat with the collars popped up around its neck, standing about 6 feet tall. Shivers went down her spine and she couldn't turn her gaze away from him. He wore dark sunglasses and kept his head bent down so she couldn't make out his features immediately, but she knew that he could see her. "Who is that?" she thought frantically.
Her heart pounded from an unknown fear other than the fact that she couldn't let him catch her. "Catch me? Why would he do that?" she thought as the images of her nightmare came crashing though her mind. She saw him turn his head up in her direction and felt his intense icy gaze on her. There were possibly hundreds of people between them in this open and public area, but the feeling of complete fear and danger surged through her.
"Amaya!" she snapped her attention from the shadowy figure and was met with Jane's in front of her. "Hey, you okay? It's time to head back."
"Huh? uh" she glanced back out the window to find the space across the street no longer occupied. "Um, y-yea. Let's go!" She was glad to get out of the restaurant and head back to the office. Her heart was beating rapidly as she tried to gain control over herself.
"You okay? You look a bit pale?" Jane asked.
Amaya rose from her seat, her eyes still peering outside across the street, "I'm fine. Just thought I saw…something" she finally answered looking back towards Jane.
The two girls walked back towards the building, Amaya could barely concentrate on what Jane was saying as her thoughts were still whirling from memories of her dream. "Was I daydreaming again back there? No, can't be! I-I know I saw it, him, something!"
"Hello! Earth to Amaya you there?" Jane's voice came into focus once again.
"Oh! Yea, sorry about that, I guess I'm a bit sleepy from my full stomach" Amaya grinned hoping she wasn't arousing too much suspicion.
Jane laughed as they entered the building and headed towards the elevators. "So what're you doing for the rest of the day?" she asked.
"Ah, well, Ms. Tsao asked me to do as much data entry as possible so I guess it's back to the dungeon I mean office for me!" she laughed.
"Aw, don't worry about it. Better than being stuck home right?"
"Yea" she grinned.
"Well time to get back to the grind, see you later" Jane waved as she headed back towards the desk.
"K, later" Amaya glanced down at her watch, "1:43, still have almost 3 hours until I'm done." She walked back to the small office in the recesses of the suite still trying to settle her uneasy mind. The figures' looming presence was causing her quite a bit of anxiety and she couldn't help but still think about it.
Just as she walked into the office she looked up from her daydream and saw Kenshin sitting at the edge of the desk flipping through one of the files. Her heart nearly popped out and her voice was caught in her throat as she could only muster out a surprised, "OH!"
He looked up not in the least bit startled by her presence, as if he was expecting it. The look on his face told her immediately something was wrong. "He looks royally pissed. Did I screw up the work? Oh no, my first day and…"
"Amaya, I've been looking for you for quite some time" he stated with that sedate tone in his voice, which nearly made her melt every time.
"I uh went to lunch with Jane" she struggled not moving from the doorway.
"Come in and sit down please" he motioned and she made her way behind the desk and into the chair once more. He stood up from his perch on the edge of the desk; his black suit looked just as crisp as this morning and contrasted brilliantly against the red of his hair. She noticed though, that he looked a bit paler than usual.
"Where did you girls have lunch? In the cafeteria?" he asked simply not changing the tone in his voice.
"No, we went to this place about a few blocks away. She knew the guy working there and all, and well, she mentioned that they had better food and invited me to come." She felt like he was interrogating her just as before when he'd probe her for information about the night she was found at the side of the road.
"I went all over the cafeteria and the building looking for you. You know that it's not really too safe for you to be walking around without one of us since who knows what might happen!"
Was he mocking her or intentionally treating her like a 5 year old? She was becoming more upset by his tone. "We just went to lunch is all. I don't see how…" she started trying her best to control the anger.
"Amaya I need to know where you are at all times. It's for your own good." he interrupted. This time the tone of his voice was harsher.
"My own good? I am not your child Kenshin! I just went to go get a bite to eat with Jane, in the middle of the day and we were gone for what…"
"Exactly 47 minutes" he offered.
She frowned at the information, "I got out of the house just to avoid being watched like a child, and you're doing this here too?" She was highly irritated with him at this point and didn't care who he was or how she was addressing him.
"Let me remind you that you were found at the side of the road with cuts and bruises and barely holding on to life. I'm sure you've heard about all the other homicides in the area and yet you fail to realize that I'm doing this out of the best intentions for you! Whoever did that to you left you for dead, and could come back to finish what they started."
She was a stubborn one and not grasping her slender wrist to make his point took much of his self control.
Amaya stared at him in disbelief, "I understand that, but I will not live my life in seclusion just because of some sick bastard. I need to know who I am, where I'm from, and what the hell I was doing out there in the first place. You think you can keep me locked away in a closet until you figure all that out?"
Kenshin was about to respond but felt someone approaching and decided to regain his calm. He'd spent nearly an hour frantically trying to search her out in the myriad crush of other employees and pedestrians in the bustling city. Somehow he'd felt she was in distress and even now she refused to tell him as much.
Seconds later, Jane walked into the room reading loudly from a paper in her hands, "Amaya, Mr. Himura left a message on my desk…" she looked up and saw the red head in the room. "Oh, I'm sorry…"
"It's okay Jane, I've found her. Thank you" he stated warmly. She smiled towards them both and sensed the tension in the room before leaving.
He turned back towards Amaya who was busy trying to figure out how in the world he'd know that Jane was approaching and to stop talking before she arrived.
"Amaya," she looked at him as he called her name. How her name just seemed to roll off of his tongue, "I know you're upset with me, but please understand that I, any of us, don't want to see you hurt in any way."
She was speechless for a moment, her anger subsiding as he continued. "I see you need some time to cool off and unfortunately I have another meeting to get to" he added while glancing at his watch. "I'll meet you back here at 5 right?" he asked in his slick voice with a smirk on his face.
She nodded after which he took his leave. The presence of his aura still filled the room and she could still smell the allure of his woody, ginger cologne. "Maybe I was being stubborn, but he needs to know that I'm not his property to tote and leave as he wishes. Argh, just get back to work for now Amaya, back to work. At least that'll get your mind off of all this nonsense!"
After another hour and a half of mind numbing typing the room started to feel much warmer and smaller than it actually was, and a feeling of fatigue weighed on her body and mind. She wanted nothing more than to discard her binding clothing and soak in a warm tub of scented bath water. "God, I'll fall asleep if I keep thinking like that" she decided to visit Jane at the front desk to refresh herself.
She walked to the front desk once more and found her friend reading a book. "Slow day?" she asked walking up to the desk.
Jane put her book down and smiled, "Yea, really is! Mr. Himura is in a meeting right now in his office. Did you need to see him?"
"No, I'm just taking a walk and decided to come visit you!"
"I feel so special" the girl teased.
Amaya laughed just as the light lit up on the phone and Jane answered. After a few seconds, Amaya noticed a frown on her friend's face. Jane looked up and asked the other party to hold on.
"Amaya, I need a favor!" she asked.
"What's up?"
"There a package here for Mr. Himura but security in the lobby wants me to come down to sign and retrieve since Ms. Tsao is in the meeting with him. And the thing is, I can't' leave this desk unattended and I freakin' sent the other girl on her lunch break. Could you cover for me while I rush downstairs? I'll be like 5 minutes I promise."
"Sure, no problem!"
"Oh you're the best! Okay," she whipped around the desk, "just sit tight until I get back and if anyone calls or comes into the office for Mr. Himura, tell them he is not to be disturbed for another hour since he's in a meeting. Do not let anyone go in there okay? I'll be right back!"
"Gottcha!" Amaya sat in the seat as Jane rushed out. She picked up the book that Jane was reading and flipped through it for several seconds. Everything seemed quiet enough and hopefully Jane would return shortly.
A few minutes later the elevator doors dinged and Amaya looked up expected to see the petite girl once more. In stead a raven haired, almond-eyed vixen in a tight black, spaghetti strap dress walked out. She was slender and walked with a confident stride towards Amaya.
"Good Afternoon" she greeted the porcelain-skinned beauty.
"I'm here to see Mr. Kenshin Himura" the woman stated not acknowledging the greeting. Her voice was a high pitch and the words rolled off of her full fire red lips.
"Uh, well he's in a very important meeting and won't be available for about an hour. You are?" Amaya responded wondering what business she had with Kenshin. "Especially dressed like that!"
The woman lowered her gaze towards Amaya and seemed angry that she even had to deal with someone like her, "Tell him Tomoe is here to see him. You must be new." She spoke with an egotistical air of regality and Amaya wanted nothing more than to knock her off that high horse she was on.
"Ms. Tomoe I'm afraid he's asked not to be disturbed under any circumstances so you'll just have to wait until he's done…"
"Who the hell are you anyway?" the woman suddenly shrieked. Her sedate and alluring nature ripped away to unveil a nasty attitude. "Well that's not important, because obviously you don't know who I am!"
"I'm sorry but I've already told you he's busy" Amaya was using every fiber of her being to keep from pouncing on the woman and beating her to a bloody pulp.
"Are you stupid? Do understand what I'm telling you" she snapped back. "Call Kenshin and tell him that Tomoe is here to see him! NOW!" she yelled.
"And I just TOLD you that he's BUSY, so you'll have to WAIT" Amaya could've added a few more choice words to that phrase, but decided against it, for now.
"You little…secretary…telling me what to do? Are you out of your damn mind you little trailer trash tramp!" the woman assaulted back.
Just then the elevator door parted once more as Jane ran out and discovered a catastrophic scene before her.
Amaya's blood boiled in her veins and she felt herself ignite with rage, "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING TO? YOU SCRAWNY, UPPITY GOD DAMNED WHORING LITTLE…"
Jane couldn't believe what was happening and recognized the vile woman arguing with Amaya. She wished that they would keep their voices down before…
"Amaya! What's going on out here!" came the booming voice.
"Too late" Jane thought as the familiar sight of her boss came around the corner followed closely by Ms. Tsao.
He stood in front of both women and looked accusingly towards Amaya. He could tell she was enraged with anger and so could anyone else just by looking at the livid look in her eyes.
"Oh Kenshin! Do you hear how this girl is talking to me" Tomoe whined and ran towards the red head. She stopped at his side and Amaya saw scorching amber eyes staring at her.
"Amaya, what are you doing at the front desk?" he demanded in a low, menacing tone.
"Mr. Himura, I had to run downstairs and sign for this package for you and since Ms. Tsao was busy and Yuri was on lunch, I asked Amaya to cover just for 5 minutes. I told Amaya not to let anyone disturb your meeting, not know that you were expecting Ms. Yukishiro. I'm very sorry" Jane quickly explained.
"In any case, you should not talk to anyone in this office with that tone of voice Amaya. We constantly have business clients, partners and investors walking through here. You should've asked Ms. Yukishiro to wait in my office since I was in the board room." Kenshin was upset with both women but didn't wish to make any more of a scene.
"Kenshin, but…" Amaya started to argue.
"We'll discuss this later. Tomoe wait for me in my office" with that he walked away without so much as another glance towards Amaya and called behind him, "Ms. Tsao!"
The older woman who was staring at Amaya and Jane quickly rushed behind her boss and disappeared into the board room. Amaya stood with her mouth still gaping open from being interrupted by Kenshin. He'd looked so upset with her and then on top that he spoke to her so harshly. She could hardly contain her anger and misery.
Tomoe turned towards Amaya and snickered as she walked into the Kenshin's office and slowly shut the door behind her.
"Bitch" Amaya whispered under her breath. Obviously she was no business partner or investor. "What was her name? Tomoe! Argh…I could snatch her eye balls right out of her head!" she thought bitterly remembering Jane's words about mistresses.
"Hey girl, you okay?" Jane asked as she walked up to her friend.
Amaya took a deep breath to calm herself and faintly smiled towards the other young woman. "Yea, I'm fine. Who is that anyway?"
Jane snickered, "Argh, she's this pretentious little whore. The only thing that separates her from the rest of them at the street corner is her father's money! Daddy's a big time arms dealer. She's completely stuck on Mr. Himura. I honestly don't know what he sees in her!"
"So he is involved with her" Amaya thought dejectedly. "Why not? She's a hundreds times prettier than me, rich family, well-breed, but I swear if she gets in my face again, I'll have to tear that pretty little smirk off!"
"I should get back to work before I get in any more trouble" Amaya responded. "Sorry about this Jane."
"Amaya, no, I should apologize for stringing you out here. Argh, that stupid delivery guy was so incompetent. Sorry girl!"
Amaya smiled gently towards her before walking out and back towards the small office. She sunk into the chair as the emotions of the day flooded back. "This is insane! What am I doing here? Living off of someone's charity and then disrespected by his high-class hooker!"
Her eyes began to fill with tears, "I just wish I knew what was going on with me…" she rested her head on the table and let her tears slip silently down. "He's with someone else Amaya…get over it…"
Meanwhile Kenshin finished up his meeting with the investors but couldn't keep his mind off of the blue-eyed girl the entire time. He knew he'd spoke to her harshly and the look of hurt was more than evident on her beautiful features. "Beautiful? Get a hold of yourself Himura. You've forgotten what the purpose of bringing her home was. You're no closer to figuring out anything about the wolves than from day one. I need to sit down with Aoshi and Sano tonight to see if they've found anything."
He continued to think about the gruesome attacks and murders as more bodies were discovered. "I will have to apologize to her for being so harsh…" he walked back into his office and silently passed Jane at the front desk.
After closing and locking the doors he turned to see his pet suggestively perched on top of his desk. Her tight dress rode higher on her thighs and she sucked on a cigarette while giving him a coy look. He'd long grown tired of her dramatic entrances and ploys for attention, but knew that he needed something to hold him over until he could feed later on. The day's strenuous schedule had him traveling all over town and on top of that, he had been worried about Amaya.
"Amaya…" he thought, walking towards the woman on his desk. He remembered the look in her eyes as they sparred just yesterday. It was so different from the glazed over, passive look that Tomoe had. Amaya was entirely different and he could picture her under the light gray suit she wore today. "She'd looked much better in her gi working up a fast sweat" he thought hazily.
He stood in front of Tomoe and she wrapped her arm around his shoulders, bringing herself against his chest. "I missed you…" she purred with her nicotine breath that he hated. She nuzzled his neck and licked trails up towards his jaw.
"I've told you a million times not to sit on my desk" he brought his hand around and grabbed a fistful of her midnight hair as the other pressed down on her bare shoulder. She let out a yelp as he harshly yanked her head back giving him access to her bare neck and décolleté. She was completely submissive to his every desire and was too doped up even to notice that he wasn't in the least bit happy to see her.
She straddled him as her dress rose up higher to reveal she wasn't even wearing underwear. Kenshin had no desire but to see her gone from his office, yet his primal nature coxed him to have her completely. He slid his hands under the thin straps of her dress and pulled them down to reveal her chest.
The desire to pierce the soft flesh filled him to the brim and he struggled to keep a hold of himself. She tried to slip his suit jacket off but he was in no mood and instead only tightened his fist in her hair as he yanked her head back harder. She must've been pretty doped up not to notice the pain and only groaned in satisfaction as her hands dejectedly fell from his shoulders.
Fangs descending, he dipped his head down just under one of her breasts and hungrily sank his teeth in. His free hand kneaded and pinched her pert nipples as she continued to ungulate under his harsh assault. He would've nearly drunk her dry if it wasn't for her breathing his name out and snapping him back to his senses. He licked the area around wound clean of all her blood as she continued to pull him closer to her on the large desk.
He rose from her near naked form and looked down in disgust as she writhed in agony in the absence his touch. "You're doped up on ex again" he stated as he moved away and adjusted his tie.
She groaned seemingly in pain for being left unfulfilled by her lover and sat up on her elbows to look at him. "Kenshin" she whined, "please…" she pleaded with him.
"Tomoe go home, you're a mess right now" he felt the filth in her blood now inside and it angered him to even think that he'd been so desperate to taste her just moments ago. Sometimes his hunger just couldn't distinguish between what he truly wanted and what he craved. It was a beast that took control of him completely if given the opportunity.
She clumsily pulled her dress straps back up and adjusted the rest of it down her thighs again. "Promise I'll see you tonight" she asked.
"No not tonight, I have plans" he stated wanting to be rid of her presence as it only reminded him of his weakness.
"Kenshiiin" she whined incessantly. He walked over and effortlessly picked her up from his desk. She wrapped her legs around him and continued to taste his skin with her tongue as he carried her to the couch. He let her drop unceremoniously with a thump on the cold, black leather. "Get yourself together" he instructed as she lay still too hung over to even move.
He sighed heavily and walked back towards his desk to finish up the rest of the paperwork for the day. "She'll need to sleep some if off." As the time lingered around 4:30 Kenshin rang the front desk.
"Jane, call a cab for Ms. Yukishiro downstairs and tell Amaya…never mind. Just call for the cab immediately."
He hung up as Tomoe made her way out of his private bathroom. The rest had done her some good, but she soured at the sound of the girl's name.
"That was that bitch at the front desk today right?" she huffed walking over to Kenshin.
"Her name is Amaya" he stated from behind his desk while shoving some files into his briefcase becoming angry at the almond-eyed woman.
"Whatever her name is, you should fire her for being so rude!"
"She was doing her job and following instructions to not to disturb me when I am in a meeting. I've told you many times to let me know when you'll be coming here."
"I know, but I missed you so much and I just needed you" she whispered as she slid down on his lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Tomoe, I don't have time for this. Your cab should be coming any minute" he rose from the chair and nudged her away from him.
"You know I love you Kenshin" she added while placing a long cigarette in her mouth.
"I hate it when you smoke" he curtly responded.
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Amaya rose from her desk and straightened her skirt and top as well as her constrictive hair do. She glanced at the time, "4:40 shit, almost time to go." She began to gather the files into a neat pile and wrap up her data entry work.
After a few minutes she walked out and greeted Jane who was also busy getting ready to leave.
"Hey there you, how're you feelin?" Jane asked.
"Oh fine!" Amaya lied as best she could. She felt like crap, like after being dealt a low blow by Tomoe she had to endure more pain from Kenshin's indifferent attitude. "Ah, I'm supposed to meet Kenshin to head home" she started feeling the uncomfortable feeling once more, "is he in there?"
She honestly would've done fine by not even seeing him, but knew that she also had to get home somehow.
"Ah, he said he'd be right back. Hang out here and wait with me wont ya?"
"Oh sure. Where did he go?"
Jane looked back at her friend hoping that she didn't have to answer that same question. "He went to go drop Ms. Yukishiro downstairs after calling her a cab."
Amaya's heart dropped once again and she felt like smacking herself for even being surprised at that. "Of course" she muttered realizing the woman hadn't left his office in hours and just what that could've meant.
"Amaya don't fret, she's just plain trash! I don't know for sure, but she looked totally strung out and Mr. Himura looked beside himself with aggravation towards her. He's not even a smoker so he hates all that nonsense."
"Yea, but I'm sure that didn't stop him from continuing his little meeting with her!"
She gathered her thoughts, "It doesn't matter Jane, I'm not his keeper or anything. He can do as he pleases without worrying about offending me. I'm still pissed off at her for what she said."
Jane gave her a comforting smile just as the elevator doors parted to reveal the distressed Mr. Himura inside. He walked out silently and made eye contact with Amaya, "I'm just going to gather my belongings and we can leave, give me two seconds."
She nodded without much of any expression on her face, and he disappeared in his office once more.
"Well I better get goin'. See ya tomorrow sweety!" Jane chirped as she gave Amaya a hug.
The simple gesture caught her off guard as she awkwardly hugged the girl back. "I don't remember the last time I felt a friendly pat on the back like this."
"Bye, thanks for lunch!"
With that, Amaya was left standing at the front desk alone in silence waiting for Kenshin. "He said 2 seconds…" she wondered what was taking him so long but was reluctant to venture into his office.
He rushed out with his briefcase and coat in hand. "Let's go, sorry about the wait, I had a phone call."
She didn't say anything in response and they rode the elevator downstairs in silence. She wasn't sure if she was still angry, hurt or aggravated with him. "All of the above" she decided.
Kenshin noted the sourness and wondered where he would start to smooth things over with her. They rode in silence through the city street and headed back towards the estate. Amaya gazed out her window and remained silent, letting her thoughts drift her away from his side.
She scanned the city streets as they passed by the restaurant where she and Jane had lunch earlier. Kenshin made a mental note of the spot as he continued to read her thoughts.
Amaya remembered the shadowy figure from before. "I wonder who he was? There's no way he was following me…but he looked so much like" she continued to reminisce about her dream.
Kenshin's suspicions had been validated by all of this and he strained to gain control over his anger with her for not telling him about what she'd seen earlier. "She could've been abducted or worse, and she's sitting there as if…" and he remembered why she was angry with him in the first place.
He made sure there was nothing further on her mind that was of interest to him, before interrupted the silence. "Amaya" he started and noted that she didn't even turn towards him. "I apologize for today." He couldn't remember the last time he'd ever apologized to anyone last.
She turned to him with the same indifferent look on her face, "for what?" she asked simply. Her eyes looked genuinely filled with confusion, but he knew better.
"For today of course" he answered trying to restrain his own growing anger. "Is she testing me on purpose?"
"You're the boss Kenshin, you make the calls. I was wrong to yell like that and you said so. So no need to apologize" came her swift and curt reply.
He wasn't sure if he was irritated or amused by her at this point. "Amaya I'm trying to level with you here and you're acting like…"
"Trailer trash?" she interjected. Her eyes were on fire once more with anger that seemingly had arisen instantly.
"What?"
"Yes, that's what you're little friend Miss. Yukishiro had put it just before you came in. You didn't even give me a minute to explain myself and just…argh, never mind." She turned her face away from him once more and looked out the window.
"I don't think I've ever been yelled at like that"
"I had no idea and I apologize for her actions. She had no right to say that or behave rudely with you, but please understand that I couldn't have the both of you yelling at each other like that in the middle of the office."
No response. "Stubborn one aren't you?" He tried again, "Amaya" he softened his tone, "I truly am sorry and I admit I treated you harshly. What can I do to make it up?"
She looked over at him as he gazed into her with those electric eyes of his. "Argh…weak!" she berated herself after realizing she couldn't resist those eyes. "Fine, apology accepted, but that doesn't mean that your little friend is off the hook! Just keep her away from me! That's a fair warning!"
Kenshin had to suppress an amused laugh at the deliberate threat. "Just promise you'll restrain yourself in the office at least."
She chuckled at that and remembered what he said again, "So, now for your payment to me…" The look on her face was nothing shy of tactfulness. Kenshin found himself wondering what she would come up with and decided to not read her thoughts.
Her features brightened and she happily told him, "Teach me more sword techniques! Every week you have to spar with me! And um, start off ASAP!" She had been quite pleased with herself over the request.
Kenshin was surprised over the request, "She could've asked for shoes, clothes, an expensive dinner, anything, but she asks me for that? You really are different…" he couldn't finish his thought as he found her staring at him waiting for a response.
"Deal" he stated. "Aoi Kasai, I can hardly wait myself."
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Wow, what a long chapter! It took forever to write and I'm proud of it. It's nearly 30 pages long, so please excuse any mistakes you may find. If it's something that really bothers you, just send me a message.
Jane Nguyen was a culmination of two good friends, well at least the name was anyway. She's cool though no?
So I know you guys will hate Tomoe even more now (as if you needed another Kenshin-related reason), but I was really happy to write Kao wanting to kick her ass! LOL…no level-headed, submissive, sweet-heart here! She's a bad ass!
LOL…so the next chappy's will reveal of course Kao's past, connection to the man in black, and of course…duh…she finds out about Kenshin being a vamp and all!
Thanks for the reviews! Ya'll keep em comin now!
Muah!