October 26, 2006

Eew. My retreat for school was unbelievably suckey. But it's over and my feet hurt. So that aside, I am starting our newest chapter!! Thanks for the reviews! I hope you all enjoyed that smut, because it's back to plot time (although, I'm not saying smut is gone). Let's see how things go, no?

Hai? – Yes?

Tsuruya - A book/movie/music store chain in Japan, similar to Borders, Barnes and Nobles, etc.

Zipper - A popular fashion magazine for teens in Japan. Usually features a star or famous person every month.

I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Don't steal my plot.

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Previously:

"And you had to kiss me to make me be normal?" Her voice was furious, but Kenshin knew this girl. She wasn't seriously angry. Kaoru stood and marched off to the bedroom, and slammed the door as it slid shut viciously. Sighing, Kenshin went into the bathroom again, this time to relieve himself from the heat that filled him.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Kenshin had finished his second shower, and was now standing in front of the mirror, applying some ointment to his bruised knuckles. He had completely forgotten about the swollen hand until he had accidentally hit it against the wall during his shower. The assassin was usually pretty good about taking care of any injury, whether it was a paper cut or a concussion.

He tied his hair back and opened the door that led into the rest of the apartment. As the ointment was absorbing into his hand, he went around making sure everything was clean and in good order. Now that Kaoru was here, he'd have to make sure the entire place was clean. The man knew she couldn't stand a mess. Upon thinking of Kaoru, he was surprised that she had forgotten about his hand, 'Well… she was in shock from earlier…' He thought.

As he moved to check the kitchen, his cell phone rang from his coat pocket, which was resting on a table by the door. Inwardly sighing, the man sauntered over to the main entrance, and grabbed the heavy material, searching for the device. Finally finding what he was looking for, Kenshin flipped it open, "Hai?"

"Have you reached Kyoto yet?"

"Yes sir." It was Katsura on the other line. Typical of the 'oh so caring' step-father, to call.

The boss continued, "Is everything alright? Where have you settled in?"

"We had some trouble on the way here, but it was taken care of," Thinking a moment, the assassin added, "For Kaoru-san's safety, I feel that our current location remain secret. However, she will probably be returning to classes next week."

Katsura sounded a bit defensive with his response, "For her safety? If anything happens to her, you know what happens to you." A door opened in the background of the apartment.

"Yes, sir." Kenshin was a bit surprised that Katsura hadn't pressed their location. He needed a new phone, and Kaoru needed a new one as well, 'I bet the lines will be tapped…'

"Well then, as long as you all are there," Katsura then changed the subject, "Saito is in the city. And I will leave you free of night time jobs for a few days, so you can figure out how to avoid the wolf. However, you need to meet the Kyoto contact downtown today at five at the Tsuruya. Next time I contact you, it will be by text message. You know the drill."

"Yes, sir." Then Kenshin shut the phone, 'Damn. What's the wolf doing here?' Saito worked for the current government, and knew of Katsura's inner-workings. The man had no solid proof, but was constantly a thorn in Katsura's side. This meant that Katsura's enemies, were Kenshin's enemies.

Turning around, the red head saw Kaoru standing in the doorway of the bedroom, "Was that him again?" She was playing with the ends of her hair as she stood there. He gave a curt nod, and tried to ignore her elegant hands as they toyed with the locks of black hair.

Kaoru studied him. The man seemed more tense than usual, "What'd he say?" Her blue eyes were particularly noticeable as she asked this. Her eyebrows were knit together in some form of frustration.

"Just that the Wolf is in town." He deliberately forgot to tell her that he was supposed to meet a contact from the company.

"The wolf?" Tilting her head to one side, she gave him a curious glance, finally leaving the bedroom door. She sat down at the kitchen counter. Kenshin made his way from the entry hall and sat down on the couch where they had kissed not half an hour before.

After a few moments, the assassin finally spoke up, "The Wolf, otherwise known as Saitou Hajime, is probably one of Katsura's biggest enemies. On a personal note, we have an unspoken rivalry. The Wolf wants the corporation destroyed, whereas your step-father wants the man dead," He paused to make sure Kaoru was getting it all, "Saitou Hajime works for our current government, making it extremely difficult to take care of him."

"So, basically," She started, "Katsura makes the good guy bad." Kaoru was a supporter of the government that was in existence, and had no idea why Katsura was so against it. However, since Kenshin worked for the evil man, the girl was unsure of how to act. She observed her protector carefully. The girl was sure he wouldn't openly let her know how he felt, but she could at least try to interpret his emotions.

They stood staring for a few minutes, and then the red head said, "Come, let's go get some food," Kaoru continued to stare at him blankly, "And maybe a movie for you?" Finally coming to her senses, she nodded quickly, and went into the bedroom to grab a light jacket from her luggage, and a pair of trendy red pumps that had about an inch of heel. Kenshin already had his shoes on when she made it to the entry hall, and he patiently waited as she put on her shoes. Taking her jacket, he helped her put it on, and then opened the door, leaving the room first with Kaoru close behind him.

Almost immediately, even though they were still in the apartment, the assassin placed a protective hand at the small of her back, guiding her to the elevator. Rather than going to the garage, they went to the first floor, and out a door that led to a back street crowded with parked bicycles. He led her down the street, took a left, and then they were suddenly on one of the busy streets of downtown. Looking at his watch, Kenshin noted that it was 4:45, "Let's go find you a movie first."

"Alright." Kenshin studied her. She looked beautiful even thought she was so casual. Her hair was dry, but she had left it hanging down to her waist, and she had no make-up on, but that seemed to enhance her natural glow. 'Get those thoughts out of your head,' He berated, 'Just because you got to kiss her, it doesn't mean anything is going to happen. It CAN'T happen.' Taking his attention from her, he scanned the streets for any signs of threat. Considering the attention she had recieved in the train station, he knew that she wouldn't go long in the area without having anyone see her in the streets.

Kaoru remained silent as they walked. She saw the Tsuruya up ahead, automatically assuming the huge movie, book, and music store was their destination. She found it somewhat amusing that his television would be used for her amusement. Looking around the familiar street, she noted the little boutiques and restaurants.

As soon as they reached the sliding doors, Kenshin led her inside and to the movie section. Kaoru was immediately glued to the action section. Relenquishing his hold on her, the trained man searched out his contact. Keeping the girl in view as she looked for a title she liked, he looked at his watch, and it read 5:00. As if out of no where, a man with a low brim hat walked by him, and if the red head weren't trained, he would have probably missed that something was slid into his pocket. With a quick nod, the two immediately continued what they were doing. Returning back to Kaoru's side, he asked, "Have you found anything yet?"

"This American film, The Italian Job looks good. I heard it's funny as well," She looked up with those blue eyes, as if waiting for permission.

He gave her a soft smile, and nodded. Kaoru grabbed it, and the two headed for the counter. A cute girl with chin length, brown hair was their cashier. As she rang them up, she seemed to realize the girl in front of her, "I'm sorry, miss, but you're Katsura Kogoro's daughter right?" Kaoru's face flushed at the question. People usually kept quiet when they recognized her, but this girl looked like one of the cutesy type who were so naive that they couldn't help but ask.

"Umm... yes," Kaoru meekly replied. She hated being put on the spot. Sure, she had been interviewed by Zipper magazine once, but it wasn't something that the young college student wanted to brag about.

And speak of the devil, the cashier continued to ramble as she placed the movie in a bag, "I just thought I'd tell you, but I read your interview in Zipper. You sounded so nice! And your pictures were so pretty!" Kaoru's flush deepened. She muttered some thanks, and then looked over to Kenshin, with a plea for help plastered on her face. He quickly complied, "I'm sorry, but we are in a hurry."

Blushing, the cashier quickly apologized and gave them their change, "Have a nice day!"

--

Shishio asked, "Katsura-san, what should we do now? Do you want to try and get her fireworks running or do you have something else in mind?"

The leader of Chosu turned around in his office, "Hmm... I would really like to have the brat produce those flames, but with her, I have a feeling we are going to need to take different measures than last time."

"Do you think perhaps exposing her to actual murders might bring about something?"

Katsura looked at his right hand man with an interested look in his eye, "Explain."

"Well, when she heard her mother was dead, her pryomania was let loose. But only that one time. You want the brat to be able to use her power to place fear in the Japanese population through sponaneous combustion of political leaders, correct?" Katsura nodded, "We had no results with the supposed death of Battousai. However, since death did start her power once, I think that exposing her to Himura's work might make her flame burn pernamently. The only drawback would be... perhaps her control."

Nodding thoughtfully, Katsura stroked his chin, "She has learned to control strength through martial arts. It should not be hard for her to control this. Although, it would be interesting to who or what might go in flames." The two men grinned, and Katsura added, "Himura will be given another assignment in three days. That should give the two enough 'catch up' time."

--

Happy Halloween! Okay guys, I know it is a really short chapter and it is probably really crappy done, but I wanted to get something out to you guys. But I'm sick!!!! TT I can't breath and my throat is messed up and my eyes are pressured. I will curse that football game that made me sick! You can probably tell where my good writing went to crap, i.e. the point that I started from when I got sick. I promise next chapter will be better. I wanted to give you guys a really nice one this time too!! I don't think I will start next chapter until I'm at least breathing right. Lol. But it shouldn't be too long. I hope.

As always, reviews are welcome, anonymous or otherwise.

Hotaru

October 31, 2006