Chapter: 9

Sitting goose

The car ride there was loud. Though neither of them said a word unvoiced questions rose rapidly. Both of them were wondering what HE wanted with Kaoru so soon, but Kenshin had an idea. Kaoru nervously looked at his concentrated face. Kenshins eyes only left the road once to glance up at her terrified face.

"HE's not that bad Kaoru. Really, I've talked to HIM a couple of times and he is a all around nice man." Kenshin said reassuringly. She looked up to him sarcasm washing over her face.

"Oh sure Kenshin, the mob boss is always a nice man, he always rubs some one out with a smile." She said disdain filling her voice. Kenshin smiled.

"Technically, im the one who rubs them out." Kenshin said slowly. Kaoru rolled her eyes and looked at his smiling face.

"Great, im riding in a car with killer, and im going to go meet his master." She said crossing her arms and looking out the window. Kenshin frowned and glanced at her then back to the road.

"HE is not my master!" Kenshin said forcefully. At the sudden explosion Kaoru turned to him.

"Sorry, im just nervous about seeing him." Kaoru said quietly. Kenshin's raging eyes diminished into soft ones.

"No one will hurt you with me there, and HE is a fairly negotiable man." Kenshin said looking at her. Her smile was melancholy as she looked to him sadly.

"Kenshin, do you always do what boss says?" Kaoru asked him softly.

"He does not ask me to do things I do not want to do." Kenshin said looking mystified at her.

"Kenshin, if he told you to harm me...would you do it?" Kaoru asked slowly. Kenshin stared blankly out the windshield thinking hard. The car pulled to a halt as both Kenshin and Kaorus doors opened. Kenshin looked to her handing the keys to the man. Kaoru was waiting for an answer form him as the men stood impatiently outside the car.

The man on Kaorus side held out his hand to help her out. Kenshin shook his head. "No." He said quietly stepping from the car. Kaoru, smiling but still full of fear, took the man's hand. They walked into the large building as the men parked his car. They walked slowly into the building awaiting the news.

Kaoru timidly stepped into the large metal elevator, kenshin by her side. They ascended eleven floors before it came to a screeching stop. They stepped out as many other people filed in. It seemed like a regular work office. Kenshin lead her past the busy office and through a rather secluded hidden hallway. He walked down the hallway turning this way and that. Kaoru could tell he had memorized exactly what turns to take and what was behind every door.

She followed him uneasily until he stopped by a set of large cedar doors, two guards clad in black suits head gear and shades stood on either side of the doors.

"HE has been expecting you." One of them said to Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Gentlemen." Kenshin said in a warm but stern voice. Each of them grabbed the handle of one door and opened them revealing a red and black room. Kaoru stepped in nervously behind Kenshin.

"Ahh Kenshin and the girl." Came a man's voice from behind a large leather chair. The man turned the chair around revealing a small thin mask hiding his eyes. Kenshin smiled.

"Yes. You asked to see us." He said slowly. The man nodded.

"Himura, you may be dismissed, I want to speak to the girl." HE said. Kaoru frowned and watched Kenshin slowly walk away glancing back and smiling supportively at her. She smiled uncomfortable and turned back to the man in the chair.

"Kaoru is it? Come, have a seat." HE said welcomingly. She walked towards him and the floorboards separated revealing a red chair waiting for her to sit in it. She sat down and found it to be quite comfy.

"Kaoru, it has come to my attention that you are the heiress of a rather large sum of money." HE said as she nodded.

"You could be very valuable to this company, so long as you cooperate." He said smiling.

"I would like to know what you want me to do for you before I dive head first into the mafia." She said as kindly as she could.

"Smart, good, I like that." HE said a small smile on his lips. "Once this large sum of money given only to you reaches the press, which it will, every one will be after your life to take your money. I can work that to my advantage, especially with this new case." HE said vaguely telling her what she would be doing.

"So you're telling me to inform the press im inheriting millions of dollars, and wait in the wide open for some one to try and kill me? Then you'll work that to your advantage?" Kaoru asked slowly not understanding.

"Sort of. Im telling you to notify the press so someone I am looking to...confront will try to attack you, in which he will be at my fingertips." HE said.

"Oh, and what if some one else gets to me first?" She asked.

"Believe me, they wont. This man probably already knew you were to inherit this money the moment to spoke one word to one of my henchmen." He said smiling still. Kaoru was disturbed by this thought and frowned.

"So, I am being stalked by more than one person." Kaoru said quietly to herself referring to soujiro.

"Excuse me, I didn't catch that." HE said to her leaning more towards her.

"Oh nothing, I was just wondering what would happen if I declined to be your sitting goose." Kaoru said cheerily.

"Now miss Kamiya, nothing good can come from that." HE said beating around the bush. Kaoru gulped.

"How long do I have until I have to give you an answer?" Kaoru asked hiding her fear.

"Ill give you...two hours. How does that sound?" HE asked, but Kaoru knew it wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Yes of course." Kaoru said to him standing up. She reached a hand across the table and the man clasped her hand in his.

"It was nice meeting you." She said to HIM. HE nodded and smiled. She slowly walked out the door the men opening it for her. Kenshin was pacing outside and looked up when the doors opened. He was relived to see Kaoru alive and well.

She smiled solemnly at him. She turned and began to walk out even though she didn't know the way. Kenshin walked up beside her leading her out of the building. Once they got into his car he stuck the key in he ignition and looked at her.

"What happened?" he asked turning on the radio silently so no one could ease drop.

"Kessler knows im a billionaire, once the press knows he'll come after me to get my money and blah, blah. What your boss wants me to do is inform the press myself and stay close to him. Then when Kessler attacks he will be right there to "confront" him." Kaoru said slowly.

"So what did you tell him?" kenshin asked.

"He's giving me two hours." Kaoru said slowly looking at him. Kenshin nodded. They were silent until they pulled into his garage.

"Are you going to do it?" Kenshin asked.

"I don't want to, but I have a feeling if I don't do it, Kessler wont be all HE is after." She said to him stepping out of the car.