January 11, 2007

Happy New Year everyone! Sorry to have taken so long. Pre-cal has been weird, and other such things have caused me to be very busy. In addition, I am now a member of a scanlation group. Anyway, I got into college!! Woot. Now, onto the next chapter. Yay for some more waff. Enjoy!

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

Moshi moshi - Hello? (Used for answering the telephone. A more general meaning: Hello? Can you hear me?)

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Previously:

"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."

oOoOoOoOoO

Kaoru picked at her dish of raviolli, while Kenshin was staring out a window, ignoring his lasagna. It wasn't long after they had left Tsuruya before the bodyguard had noticed they were being followed. He had quickly whispered into her ear what he felt, and led his charge into the Italian restaurant they were now sitting in. The assassin didn't know why they were being followed, but he had no intention of said person figuring out where they were residing whether he be friend or foe.

"So who do you think it could be?" Kaoru casually asked, trying to lighten the mood, "All that seems to have happened since we got to Kyoto is us being followed."

Averting his gaze from the busy streets of downtown, he answered, "I don't know. However, I think it is in our best interest to finish here and try to get rid of the trail." Forcing a few bites of ravioli down, Kaoru stood up in her red heels, "I'm ready when you are."

Looking up at her standing figure, the assassin stood as well. He guided her out of the restaurant and through a side exit, rather than the front. The two now stood in a side street. Leaning towards her, he said, "I don't know how long we'll need to go on this wild goose chase. But I'll try to get us home as quickly as possible." The girl nodded. All she hoped was that she wouldn't have to witness anyone else die today. She remembered earlier, noting his wrapped up hand but saying nothing, when they had been walking earlier.

The strong man was guiding her through the back streets of downtown Kyoto. They moved along silently, his hand always on the small of her back to ensure her own safety. Kaoru was comfortable and found herself more safe than she had been in many months. She almost cursed her step-father for not letting her know that her bodyguard still lived, but she then thought that it was also a good thing. Before she had been less defensive. In Kenshin's absence, Kaoru knew she became much more aware, as she would notice new guards with more swiftness daily.

She was suddenly painfully brought down to her knees, as Kenshin's body protected her from an unknown object. She distinctly heard metal hit the ground, and out of the corner of her eye, Kaoru saw what looked like a dart. The assassin reached down for his katana, and suddenly realized it wasn't there, "Shit," He whispered. Reaching into one of his deep pockets, he fished out a short sword. It wasn't his usual weapon, but it would have to do. Kaoru looked down and saw that her jeans were torn and her knee was bleeding.

The girl leaned back on her heels, and stood up stiffly. She watched as Kenshin moved definsively, and gazed up and around, pinpointing the enemy. Kaoru did not want to have to watch another person die today. She feared she would go mental or something. Before anything else could happen, however, her bodyguard was throwing his weapon like a dagger, and she heard it meet with flesh in the distance. Closing her eyes tight, she covered her ears, and patiently waited for the red head to come to her. Her ears picked up the sounds of his walking. Kaoru flinched as she heard him take the blade out of whoever's body it was, and then come back in her direction.

"Let's go. Now." Kaoru opened one blue eye and looked into his steady gaze. She nodded without question, and began to walk forward. However, pain shot up her knee, and without another word, she was in Kenshin's arms.

It took them no time to get back to the apartment and when they were in there, Kenshin said, after setting her down on her bed, "Go get some shorts on so I can take care of this. We're not leaving the apartment for a few days."

He turned around and left the room, sliding the door shut. Kaoru looked around for a few moments, and sighed. She had already kicked off her red pumps at the front door, and now she limped over to where her clothes were and after a moment of searching found some shorts. When she began to take off her jeans, she clinched her teeth, as she pulled them over her hurt knee. She took a glance at it and saw the gravel that was caught in the wound. She closed her eyes and then pulled the shorts on as quickly as she could.

Limping over to the door, she opened it, and went into the living room, where Kenshin was already seated with a first aid kit in front of him on the low table. He guestured for her to sit, and she did. As he began to clean it with a stinging liquid, he said, with a little humor, "What did you do in my absense, that makes you such a popular target?" Lifting his gaze to hers, Kaoru flushed, "I don't know. It's never been like this."

Placing gauze on the scrape, he taped it in place and gently patted her leg, "Well, hope you don't mind being cooped up in here until your classes start again."

"That's only a couple days," She shrugged. Standing, she limped over to the kitchen, "Where are the glasses?"

Kenshin replied, "In the second cabinet on your left," He heard her open a door and then the clashing of glass against glass, a sign she had found them. After a few moments, she returned with two glasses of water, "Here." He took that glass thankfully and quickly consumed the liquid.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Three days passed and the two remained in the apartment. The only exception being when Kenshin had to do this and that for work. Kaoru was browsing the channels on television, when she was brought out of the trance by a shrill ringing. Her bodyguard was in the shower, and curious, she decided to go in search of his ringing phone and check the caller I.D. The college student turned off the T.V. and followed the sound until she found the cell phone on the table by the door. Picking it up, she looked it.

Wolf.

"Wolf... is it?" She asked. Curiosity won out and she hit the 'talk' button, "Moshi moshi?"

An icy voice came over from the other side, "Himura."

"Pardon?" She shakily answered. Her face had paled when she heard that man's voice.

"You heard me."

Without another word, Kaoru looked around. Quickly, she made her way to the bathroom, and knocked, "Kenshin! The phone!" She distinctly heard the water shutting off, "He'll be just a moment."

No thanks. No acknowledgment that her voice was heard. The bathroom door slid open, and a rush of hot, humid air met. However, when she caught sight of her red head protector, her jaw nearly dropped. He had walked out in nothing more than a towel. When she looked up into his eyes, however, she cowered slightly at his 'why did you answer the phone,' glare. He simply pulled the electronic device from her hand and lifted it to his ear, "Hai?"

Trying to distract herself, Kaoru went and turned on the fan in the bathroom and slid the door shut. Meanwhile, Kenshin walked into the kitchen and pulled out a glass. She stood there, leaning against the wall, watching him, "What the hell do you want?" There was silence for a few moments as he listened to what the caller had to say. Kaoru had only heard him use that tone once or twice. And each time, it had not been good.

Momentarily, she forgot about his phone conversation, and became distracted by his towel clad figure. She had never seen him this way. Shirtless, yes. But Kaoru had never seen him with almost nothing on. His well toned body seemed to only stand out even more when... Stop it Kaoru. That sort of thing can't happen...

But he did kiss me, She thought to herself in argument. Shaking her head to clear it up a bit, she went into her room, hoping to avoid any argument that could happen on the phone. The girl decided she'd go ahead and change out of her large T-shirt and shorts, and put some real clothes on. Later on in the first day the two had been here, Kenshin had left and ended up bringing back some of her stuff, including clothes. Pulling out a white tank, she pulled it over her head. A black wife-beater was quick to follow. It was covered in pain splatters. A pair of pale, blue jeans were pulled on and a pair of black socks followed.

Kaoru felt better now that she was properly dressed, and satisfied that dressing had distracted herself. Her distraction was short lived. A quick knock on the door was her only warning, and then the door was slid open. Kenshin had managed to pull on a pair of loose sweat pants in between his conversation and his arriving at her bedroom. However, she didn't have time to admire, as he immediately walked towards her, and forced Kaoru to sit down on the bed, "Why did you answer the phone?"

"Because..." She tried to think of an excuse, "It rang?" He raised an eyebrow, and Kenshin studied her with his gold eyes.

"Don't ever answer my phone again. Our goal right now is to be invisible. And if you are answering my phone, they'll know we are together, and it will only be easier for us to be found."

Nodding in understanding, Kenshin releaxed a bit. His muscles became less tense, she noticed, "I'm sorry. Just... it said it was the Wolf. Which means..."

"Yes. It was him. You're probably wondering why I have the enemy's number in my phone. Well, I have my reasons." Kaoru looked at him questioningly.

'Is he really against my father... perhaps?' Kaoru wouldn't dream of suggesting that... but if it were so, she would gladly follow Kenshin to the Wolf over her Step-father, "What did he want?"

"To warn me," He looked down at her, "And you I suppose. Katsura is up to something and it looks like it's probably not for the better of either of us." Kaoru looked up at him with confusion written all over her face, "Don't ask me why he knows this or why he is even bothering to tell us."

Kaoru sighed, "Well, I just know that I don't like the way that man has done things in the past." She looked up sadly at Kenshin. He nodded, knowing that she was referring to Katsura never coming out and always holding off on revealing things. In other words, not telling her he was alive. Reaching out with her slender arms, Kaoru pulled her bodyguard into an embrace, "I missed you, Kenshin."

'And I never want to let you go...' Were her silent thoughts. The heat of his body radiating into hers was quite comforting. The red head had tensed, but soon releaxed and returned the hug. Tilting her head back, Kenshin asked, "Can I kiss you?" The girl blinked up with her blue eyes somewhat shocked.

Blushing fiercely, Kaoru looked away shyly, "Kenshin... do you really have to ask me that?"

"I'll take that as a yes?" He inquired. Looking up, she was about to say something, but he cut off her words. He pushed her back and leaned down, kissing her lips gently. Deepening the kiss, Kaoru played with a lock of his red hair, and enjoyed the kiss she was recieving. It was warm and with Kenshin's body so close to hers, she felt very comfortable. They continued the action for a few more moments, and then he pulled away.

"I know that times are messed up right now, but I can't help it," He started to say.

Kaoru shook her head, "Don't worry. I understand. I feel the same. Just... Katsura can't know. I don't know what he'd do." There was a silent fear that rested in her eyes when she mentioned Katsura. Her bodyguard was about to lean in for another kiss, when his phone went off, "Crap."

Standing up, he said, "I think it's him."

Digging into the pocket of his pants, he looked at the phone. Indeed, it was Katsura, with his promised text message.

Ookawahara Shun. 10 P.M. Gion Corner.

Kaoru goes with you.

The man could do nothing but stare at the last line.

"Kenshin?"

Her words didn't register.

"Kenshin? What's wrong?" Looking up from the cell phone, Kenshin said, "You father want's me to bring you with me... tonight."

"For what? I don't understand."

He stared at her for several moments, when it suddenly dawned on her. The girl paled drastically, "Why? Why do I have to witness more death??"

Crouching in front of her, Kenshin said, "I have no choice but to take you... however, I can keep you from seeing or hearing. I promise you Kaoru."

"Why is Katsura doing this to me? And why am I suddenly the target of everyone and their mother?" She has an edge to her voice, which sounded both angry and scared.

"I don't know." That was all the Kenshin could say, "I don't know." He held her tight, as Kaoru tried to calm herself down.

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Well then, another chapter done. Again, I'm very sorry I took so long in my update. I just got really busy with school and family. And scanlating. Go here: vampireknight. read Angel Voice! That's the one I'm editting. xD Anywho, please review you guys. I'll update as soon as possible. But I absolutely MUST update my other stories... or someone will probably shoot me or something. Lol. Bye!

-Hotaru