October 15, 2006

And so I am continuing with the story. I'm afraid I won't be able to change the title until the story is further developed, which is kind of annoying. I just can't think of anything at the moment. Well then, more plot development this chapter. I'm not sure how long the story will be, considering the pace is pretty quick at the moment, but it might slow down… And this story is not going to be happy go lucky forever. It will have some dark elements coming up. And yay for weird powers. Okay, I'm done ranting, enjoy the next chapter!

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Previously:

He passed several desks, and finally came to a stop at one of the closed doors. Pulling out a key, the leader opened it and closed the door with a firm click, "Something unexpected has come up, and I think we have quite a bit of planning to do." The man grinned evilly, a fierce glint emitting from his dark eyes, "And that needs to begin now."

oOoOoOoOoOo

All that Kenshin was able to hear after he had uttered those words was the sound of the train flying across the tracks, and the sound of Kaoru's hastened breathing. She didn't say anything for several minutes, and the two sat in uncomfortable silence. The man inwardly sighed when instead of freaking out like another person might have, the girl stood and sat at the opposite side of the car, and the farthest end away from him. Her blue eyes momentarily were frightened. Kenshin was unsure of whether it disappeared or if she was able to hide it, but the next emotion on her face was one of anger and relief.

Reaching out a pale hand, Kaoru locked the compartment, which she knew was soundproof, "Why didn't you tell me?" Her gaze had lowered as she said those words. The young woman brought her knees up to her chest, and rested her forehead on them. The assassin noted that she had removed her high heels sometime in-between entering the compartment and now. Kenshin made to reach for her, but the girl flinched back when she heard his movement. Looking up when she had no answer, she repeated again, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Rather than answering her question, the red head continued on with what he had started to tell her, "I was recruited at first as his assassin, ten years ago. However, as time went on, he decided I would be suitable as your bodyguard as well," Kaoru's eyes were locked on his face, and he noted she had carefully hidden any emotion for the moment, and stared at his forehead rather than his eyes. "I refused at first," He continued, "But he persisted, stating that no one would ever be able to protect his precious step-daughter as well as I."

Slowly, Kenshin was making his way closer to her, as he slid down the seat. Kaoru was focused on keeping her face straight, and he knew she would not notice until he was sitting next to her. Finally, Kenshin changed seats, and sat down next to her. Kaoru tried to move away, but the attempt was futile, as strong hands grasped her slender wrists, "You stay where you are." His voice was fierce and demanding, causing the girl to again flinch. Sighing, Kenshin loosened his grip enough so that it wasn't tight, "Do you realize how hard it was for me to accept the request to be your bodyguard? I was one who lived alone, and worked alone. I did not need the responsibility of another's blood on my hands."

"So you see me as a hindrance?" Her words were controlled. Kenshin finally decided that she was indeed hiding fear.

"At the time yes, but as time went on, your teenaged mind allowed me to feel and desire. And then you grew up."

The two sat in an uncomfortable silence as Kenshin continued to hold onto her, so that she wouldn't move. The girl finally broke it, "You still haven't told me why you never told me." Kaoru's voice was tinged in anger.

"Because I didn't feel it was necessary," She glared momentarily, "However, due to the most recent happenings, I feel it is important that you know."

"Why?"

He chuckled inwardly. Kaoru had always been one to need an explanation for everything. However, Kenshin finally grew serious, "Because something is happening, and I fear that Katsura is finally putting a plan into motion… a plan that I know nothing about."

"What do you mean you know nothing about!" Kaoru raised her voice, and again tried to get out of his grip, "You nearly died half a year ago, and that man has the nerve to not utter a word to you of what's going on? There must have been some motif for you're employment." The girl eyed him suspiciously. Kenshin found it interesting to watch her emotions continuously change. He hadn't seen her in so long, but he found her beautiful as ever.

Kenshin leaned forward, and Kaoru pushed herself further into the cushions of her seat. Slowly, he moved his hands from her wrists, and moved them to her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. The man whispered into her ear, "He told me that I would be helping rid Japan of bad people. He said that the country viewed us as the greater enemy, but it was the country's leaders that were bad, not us. At the young age of fifteen, what kid wouldn't want to help get rid of the bad guys?"

He felt Kaoru struggle, and he released his hold on her at last. The college student looked up at him, and now instead of suspicion, she was sad. Kenshin knew that the fear was gone, and he sighed in relief. Kaoru shifted so that she had her legs tucked under herself, and she leaned forward in an embrace, "I'm so sick of these lies," She gripped him just as tightly as she had in the alley just hours earlier, "I know you can't tell me everything, but…" She pulled back, and looked up at him with those piercing blue eyes of hers, "But, I appreciate your telling me this. I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit afraid… but you have always protected me, and I know that you won't hurt me."

The girl leaned into him, as if to prove a point. Sitting up, she unexpectedly asked, "Where are your katana?"

"Perceptive as ever," He smiled softly, "I made arrangements earlier. They are tucked away in this compartment."

She raised an eyebrow, and stood. Reaching up on her tip toes, she brought down the weapons from a shelf above. Once, Kenshin had never let her touch the deadly weapons, not wanting her fingers tainted in old blood. However, the girl had triumphed in her attempts, and Kenshin had even taught her a few defensive moves. 'In case I am not available, use these techniques until I get there.'

Almost religiously, Kaoru placed the two swords by his side, "I wondered why you would never sleep soundly. I thought that it was because you wanted to watch me at all times… but now, I think I know the real reason."

"Katsura must not know anything of our conversation." The words startled her, but the girl nodded, "If he finds out… I don't know what he will do." Kenshin knew exactly what would happen, but he wasn't sure how Katsura would do it. The assassin was her bodyguard, and he would be her bodyguard until further notice.

Heaving a sigh, Kaoru simply rested her head in his lap, and whispered, "Don't worry. I won't tell…" And then, the girl drifted off to sleep for the rest of the ride.

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Shishio's red eyes peered out from their bandages, as Katsura had said those words. Coolly, he asked, "And what, Katsura-dono, do you expect to happen? What do we need to do?"

The Choshu leader sat down in the dimly lit office, and said, "The girl has discovered the little secret."

"She knows that bastard child is alive?" Shishio chuckled in the back of his throat, "How unfortunate for her."

Katsura folded his hands, and crossed a knee, "Well you see, Shishio, this creates a dilemma. I was hoping that the so called death of Himura would allow certain… things to happen, seeing as when her mother died…"

"You are referring to the fire incident?"

"Why else do you think I married the whore and killed her off?" Katsura smiled, "Unfortunately, I was never able to figure out how to get the little pyro to activate."

Noticing a stiffening in Shishio's composure, the leader said, "Don't take the words to heart. I plan to keep her under control once everything is completed. You need not fear any fires from her. In the meantime, I have threatened her death to Himura, should she find anything out."

"Evil as ever," Shishio smiled, "What do you plan on doing with Himura when this is done?"

"I'll either kill him, or keep him around through blackmail. Those will be his only options. I know he desires my daughter. He just hasn't realized it yet."

"What if he tells her and the two decide to disappear?"

"Himura is too far gone in this game. He wouldn't dare drag her into this so called 'mess.' He'd rather keep her safe than risk that," Katsura again smiled, "I have things under control."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Kenshin shook Kaoru gently wanting her to wake up before the train came to a full stop, "Kaoru-san, wake up." The girl didn't budge, but remained in his lap. Sighing, he grabbed her underarms, and pulled her up. He shook her a bit harder, "Wake up, Kaoru-san." After a few more attempts, she finally woke up.

"What?" Her eyes were wide in awe, as she momentarily forgot the most recent happenings. As soon as she got her surroundings, it came back, and she simply hugged him, and then stood, putting her heels back on. Kenshin attached his swords to a belt, and hid them under his coat as they got off the train. Walking briskly to the baggage claim, with a firm grip on Kaoru, he spotted a small bag that he knew was hers.

Kaoru looked up at him, and he released her so that she could grab her stuff. The girl attracted a few stares as recognition grew in several people's faces.

"Isn't that Katsura Kogoro's daughter?"

"She's even better looking in person!"

In the streets of Tokyo, she hadn't been as recognized since the city was so crowded, but in Kyoto, it was a bit different. Kenshin immediately walked over to her, and grabbed her bag. This time, he merely placed his hand on the small of her back, and pushed her along, glaring at anyone who stared.

There was a car waiting for them, and Kaoru go in without question. Once the two were settled, she said, "You did make plans," The girl laughed softly, "So where are we going now?"

"I'm taking you to my apartment. Your stuff has been moved already." The girl eyed him suspiciously, "I plan on guarding you at all times. That includes at night, of course."

"You sure didn't change."

The man had always been in the same area at all times, when she was younger. College had begun about a month after his apparent "death," and the new bodyguards had merely stayed somewhere in the building. She already felt more secure.

The one thing that Kaoru dreaded, however, was the talk. No doubt, word would spread that she was living in the same apartment as another man. Not that it wasn't normal, but people knew who she was. Sighing in the car, Kaoru figured that it didn't matter anyway. She only had a few friends here and there, so a few rumors wouldn't kill her.

Familiar streets of Kyoto greeted her as they drove along. Ten minutes passed, and then twenty. Kaoru noticed that they were not following the normal route to her university. Worry grew in her gaze, and she looked down at the door. It was locked.

Kenshin noticed her change in demeanor and leaned down, "What's wrong?"

"I don't think we are going to the university any more."

His amber eyes narrowed, and when they reached a light, he tried the door handle discreetly. It didn't open, even after he pulled up the lock. The two exchanged glances and both minds were racing to figure out how to get out of the vehicle. Some mischief entered her blue eyes. Despite the fact that they had been apart for months, Kaoru had quickly recovered from the shock of earlier this morning.

This wasn't the first time someone had tried to take her by being in a car with a bad driver. Putting a catty grin on her face, mixed with desperate blue eyes, Kaoru leaned forward in her seat, "Excuse me sir, but I really need to use the restroom. Would you mind stopping?"

The driver glanced up with very dark eyes, and said, "But we are almost there, Kamiya-san."

"Oh… but I really have to go." She pleaded with a cute voice. The driver did not seem to be the brightest of men, and the two companions exchanged glances as the car was pulled over by a convenient store. Kenshin already had Kaoru's small bag in his grip, and was ready to get out of the car behind her.

The driver unlocked the doors, and came around to her side, opening the door as any normal driver would do. As soon as it was open, Kaoru kicked the man in the shin, and stepped on his foot hard with the heel of her shoe. She climbed out of the car quickly, with her bodyguard close behind her.

Kenshin immediately had the man on the ground, with his heavy boot at the man's throat. The assassin couldn't risk having a blade out in broad daylight, "Who sent you?"

Kaoru was standing right behind Kenshin, clutching her purse, "Eat shit." Reaching down, the red head hoisted the driver up by the collar, and took him into an alleyway, Kaoru only a few steps behind. She knew not to be out of Kenshin's sight, no matter how much she hated watching him do his job. Fortunately, there had no one on the street, "Now tell me, who sent you?"

The driver said, "Fuck you." He was met with a punch in the face, as Kenshin's knuckles cracked against his nose. Ignoring the pain of his fist, the man immediately drew his sword, its tip aimed at the enemy's jugular, "I will ask you again. Who. Sent. You." When there was no answer, Kenshin shook him, "If you don't tell me I will be sure you die a painful death… a very long one."

Kaoru had her eyes shut tight, but she heard everything. She stood against the opposite wall of the alley, knowing that Kenshin would notice anyone else who entered the area. While she had been stuck in a car trap before, their escape had been a quick one. Kenshin had not been so insistent on knowing who had tried to capture her.

"Did you seriously think that you would get away with taking her in the car, especially with me in there? You are one stupid kidnapper. You even believed her bathroom story. And whoever you work for is most definitely not creative with his capture methods." Kenshin studied the other man disdainfully, "Your last chance: Who sent you?"

When there was no answer, Kenshin moved the blade of his sword to the man's gut, and pierced him in the stomach. Blood did not splatter, as Kenshin removed his sword from the man's body with skill. Flicking the blood off his blade, the assassin sheathed his sword and went over to Kaoru, shielding her from the gruesome sight, even with her eyes shut. Before leaving the collapsed man, he said, "Enjoy your last fifteen minutes of life."

He pulled Kaoru towards him, and kept her face in his chest, covering her ears. He needed to make sure the man was nearly dead before they left, to make sure he didn't try crawling out of the alley, 'Not that the wimp could…'

The dying man stilled, as he drowned in his own blood and stomach acid. Silently observing, Kenshin finally took Kaoru out of the alley, and to the car that was still running. He checked the area with his own senses, and sighed in relief as the only person seemed to be rustling around in a closet.

Kenshin guided Kaoru into the back seat, and she sat quietly. The assassin then got into the driver's seat, and drove off. He opened his cell phone, and called one of the Kyoto contacts, "There's been an incident in the southern district. Shouldn't be hard to find." Shutting the phone, Kenshin looked at the girl in the back seat. She looked very pale.

'Must be in shock.' He accelerated, wanting to get her to the apartment as soon as he could. As they entered the more familiar districts, he finally reached downtown, where he had the apartment. Driving down a back street, Kenshin came to an underground parking garage. He stopped at the gate, and pulled a card from his wallet. The guard allowed the car to drive by, and Kenshin parked in an assigned spot: 2544. Turning the car off, he opened the door and went around to fetch Kaoru. When he opened the door, the assassin made sure to take the child security lock off.

The young woman was still slightly shocked from the event, but he made her walk regardless. Kenshin held her bag, and guided her to the elevator. He punched the number 25 and they began their way up. There were a few stops where people got on and off, before they reached what was the top floor. When the doors opened to the twenty-fifth floor, Kenshin gave Kaoru a little push, and he pressed something into her hand.

Looking down, Kaoru saw it was a key. She smiled slightly, and glanced up at Kenshin, "I'm alright. I just need a shower." Nodding knowingly, the assassin led her to a door that read 2544. Inserting a key of his own, Kenshin led her into a nice apartment. It wasn't huge, but most definitely wasn't small. She removed her shoes in the entry way, and then stepped onto the hardwood floor, "Kenshin, you've outdone yourself…"

He too removed his shoes and simply replied, "No. I just want you to be comfortable and well protected." The man bolted the door, and followed her. He walked past her and headed right. The wall was pushed back, as if it were to become a hallway. Instead, a small table with a phone sat there, and one sliding door was on the right, and another was on the left. Opening the door on the right, he gestured, "The bathroom." Hesitating, she asked, "Maybe you should go first?"

"No." That was all he said, and he pushed her in, abruptly sliding the door shut behind her, "Take all the time you need. The towels are in there, and your room is the door across from you." He smiled when he heard the water start, and then he went and placed his swords in a chest that was sitting against a wall. The crystal that was placed in the doors allowed the katana to be displayed but untouchable.

After doing that, he padded over to a small couch, and stared aimlessly at the blank television that he had never used. He had lived in this apartment for a time once before, having paid for the full ownership. And now it was finally doing some good. The curtains to the left were closed, but he didn't mind the dim light. Instead, he focused on Kaoru's presence in the other room.

How he longed for her… but could never have her.

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Yay! I have another chapter out for you little schemers. It's longer for those of you who wanted a longer one. So no complaints okay? Thank you so much for reviewing! I feel loved. I only got seven, but that's better than none. I'm sure you all want to know what the hell Katsura has going on, and where his position is in all of this. All in good time, my readers, all in good time! You got some gruesome action this chapter. And it's true, that if you have an open wound in the stomach, it gives you a very painful fifteen minute death. I read that in a book once. And… yeah. So Kaoru thinks Kenshin has changed since before. And maybe he has. Bahaha. You all just have to wait around until the next chapter.

All reviews are welcome, anonymous, flames, or otherwise.

-Hotaru