Author's Note: I do not need to keep saying I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, right? So I shall get straight to the point. In this chapter, there is a mention of child rape again. It is bolded and in italics. You may skip that part. It would not affect the story much. Other than that, please enjoy!

Chapter 2

****************

Chance Meeting

****************

The sound of swords clanging in early in the morning woke both the Master and Mistress of the manor. Aya frowned and snuggled closer to her husband's warmth. It was a cool morning and she was not ready to wake up yet. She felt Syousuke's silent laughter and sighed. Playfully, she hit her husband's naked chest.

"It is not funny. It is still very early in the morning. That boy should sleep!"

Syousuke grinned.

"Be grateful that our son is a disciplined young man, who does not need his master's watchful eyes to stay in shape. He needs to practice and from the sound of those swords, I wager he has beaten them all."

Aya frowned and rose. Her blanket fell and pooled at her waist, earning an appreciate sigh from her husband. He had come to love her body despite the changes it had gone though over the years. It made her proud to be his.

However, at the moment, her mind was filled with other thoughts. Her son was a grown man, one who is ready to have a life of his own. Aya wanted the very best for Kenshin and she already had a woman in her mind.

"He has grown so fast..."

"Aa..."

"Love, don't you think it is time for him to take the next move?"

Syousuke sighed and got out of bed. He knew his wife would broach this subject one day but this was so soon. Their son had just returned. He wanted to spend some time with Kenshin first.

"What's the rush? I am sure he can wait," the tall man said as he walked over to his balcony and watched his son train with the soldiers. His form was magnificent and his concentration was absolute. Hiko had done well.

Aya shook her head. "You and I both know there is something going on between Megumi and Sano. In fact, only a blind man could miss the looks they have shared. Yet they can't make a move unless Kenshin is settled. Being the older one and the future ruler, he needs to get married first. If he gets married, the people will have more faith in him. People only had faith in you after we got married. Why should he suffer the same things we suffered then?"

"Throwing both my children at me, Aya? Don't you think I have given this much thought? Yet I can't think of anyone who is suitable for Kenshin. No one comes to my mind."

"There is a girl..."

Amused, Syousuke looked at his wife and almost laughed at how uncomfortable she looked. "A girl?"

Her hackles raised, Aya squared her shoulders and looked straight at her husband. "A woman. I find her really suitable for our boy."

"Really? And who is she?"

"Tomoe, daughter of Yukishiro."

Syousuke frowned thoughtfully. The name Yukishiro rang eerily familiar.

"Wasn't that the family that faced quite a scandal a few years ago? Something about his wife killing him...?"

Aya nodded. "Lord Heishin was murdered by his second wife, Lady Hana. It seems that the lady had gone crazy. Good breed is so important these days. But Tomoe is the daughter of Lady Saya, the first lady of the Yukishiro household. She is extremely beautiful and very refined. I befriended Lady Saya prior to her death and I liked her very much. Welcoming her daughter into our home seems to be the right thing to do. She is perfect for Kenshin."

Syousuke sat on the bed with a sigh. "Aya, Kenshin has to have a chance to choose. Let him mingle a bit, look around a little..."

His wife grinned. "Hence the party tonight! I have invited her and I am sure she will come. He will get to meet her without an official introduction!"

She was excited, he could see that. Syousuke smiled. Aya always did things without thinking it through first. However, he hoped she was right this time.

Did she even stop to consider Kenshin might not like Tomoe?

He did not know and he did not want to know. He would watch and see what transpires tonight. Whatever it is, he knows that Dioni would intervene if necessary. In Khaheleb, marriage was a very important issue. Marriage is of two souls being joined together before Dioni. Once betrothed, the couple were to be joined within a week. As such, people do not rush into marriages. Never in the history of Khaheleb has anyone even entertained the idea breaking a betrothal, not to mention a marriage.

It was really a blessing, Syousuke thought, that Dioni chose each one's soul mate and the betrothal ceremony would confirm this. Otherwise, many marriages would have failed.

Hearing the clanging of swords, he sighed once more and got ready for the day.

XXX

Before morn broke the sky, Kaoru was already up and about. She had bathed and cleaned her wounds, biting the rock she found so that she did not scream from the pain. Her bottom was terribly marred but she knew it would heal soon. Her ability to heal marvelled her. Ever since she was young, Kaoru was able to heal herself. If she had a cut, it would heal instantly and no marks were left. That was the only way her body was able to be unblemished despite the harsh punishments she had to endure. Even then, her ability to heal made her known as a witch. People did not trust her. Or rather, the Yukishiro's made people distrust her.

Kaoru only endured it for one person.

Her mother.

Many wondered, including Yahiko, why she stayed. Tae knew. Kaoru knew. If Kaoru left, her mother would return to her as a corpse. Enishi and Tomoe had already warned her. She could not leave. She would not be responsible for the death of her only living relative.

The desire to see her mother was strong and Kaoru wanted to leave immediately and go to her. Yet visiting hours were still hours away. Knowing the siblings might find excuses to keep her there, Kaoru started on some chores. She cleaned the kitchen, took in the clothes and folded them and soaked the new batch of clothes.

The moment she finished her chores, she saw the first ray of light dancing in the sky. Taking that as her chance to leave, she walked quietly out of the house, dressed in a loose robe Tae had given her last night. She sneaked out and slipped into the shadows of dawn.

Stalls were already up and people were already starting their day. As long as no one recognised her, Kaoru was fine. However, those who knew her gave her quite a lot of trouble. She had to be careful not to get into any fights because she could possibly end up in prison like her mother. No one believed a murderess' daughter. What the parent is capable of is also in the child, the older ones would say. The blue-eyed woman refused to give people that satisfaction.

She walked silently, staying as invisible as possible. She enjoyed watching people and she watched as they went about their work, yelling at each other. She enjoyed the noise and the camaraderie. Hours after going to town, she could still imagine the scene before her. She could capture it so well that she threw it all in her sand paintings. She loved each moment of it. She had always longed to be part of this. Yet people shunned her.

Life in Khaheleb is extremely important. Simply because of Dioni. Dioni is the giver of life. Dioni is also the destroyer of life. No one has the right to take a life except Dioni. That is why murder in Khaheleb is looked at as one of the worst crimes ever committed. Kaoru was lucky she wasn't condemned to imprisonment. Even then, people had been saying she would follow her mother's footsteps.

Her only savior was Lady Saya.

Kaoru would never forget the face of the enchanting woman who stepped down from the carriage and tilted young Kaoru chin up so that their eyes could meet. Turquoise gemmed eyes studied her with a curiousity the child was unfamiliar with. Yet Kaoru could not help but be taken in by the power this woman had excluded. People tend to look up to her.

Even then, Kaoru, at ten, was baffled why Lord Heishin would choose her mother over Lady Saya. Truthfully and unbiased, Kaoru knew her mother was a goddess like woman. People would stop whatever they were doing when she walked by. She had that effect on them. Yet Lady Saya was not much of a difference. She had a beauty and charisma a woman would die for.

And that woman took her in.

Despite heady protests from family and friends, Lady Saya took Kaoru in, gave a roof over her head and put food in her empty stomach. For seven more years, she lived like a princess under Lady Saya, learning how to be woman like Tomoe. She mastered the art of sewing and secretly learned how to paint. She had taken an interest in managing the household and a deeper interest in her country's politics. She was like a dry sponge, soaking up every bit of water presented to her.

At that time, she did not notice the resentment in Tomoe's eyes. She did not notice the dissatisfaction in Enishi's eyes.

She had been denied a proper life for so long that she craved every bit of attention Lady Saya would spare her. She craved every moment the woman asked her opinions and thoughts. It had mattered.

She had mattered.

Kaoru shook her head from her reverie and begin walking towards the prison.

It was an old underground building. The prisoners never see the light of day from the cells. Many stopped having visitors soon after they are placed in the prison. The cold, damp cells would cause any visitors to shudder in fright and leave.

In the midst of the cold, the dark and the damp sat a woman, once so beautiful a man would have dreams about her with just one look. Her long dark hair had lost its beauty and lustre. It hung limply about her, uncombed, unwashed, unmanaged. Her eyes, once a bright playful blue, were reduced to a blank dull wall. Her lips were chapped and dry. Her skin looked old and wrinkled, the healthy glow long absent.

Kaoru took all this in with one glance as she walked over to her mother's isolated cell. The guard had known her for so long that he only nodded his head in acknowledgement and cleared her in. He did not follow her down. For this, the young blossoming woman was glad.

She sat before her mother, ignoring the stab of pain on her rear. Her mother would worry if she did not act as though everything was well.

The moment she sat, Hana's blue eyes focused on her daughter and a thin, almost skeleton-like hand reached between the bars to touch her.

"So much pain..."

Kaoru looked up startled.

"Mother?"

"You're in so much pain."

Unsettled, she pouted. "You always seem to know things. How do you do that?" Kaoru asked, hoping to distract her. Hana smiled; a gentle tilt of her lips.

"I'm your mother. I know. I should have known."

The smile was gone. Kaoru cursed silently. Her mother had never forgiven herself for so long. She blamed herself for not noticing Heishin's abuse. For years, Hana believed that she deserved imprisonment. She deserved it because she was not able to protect Kaoru. She deserved being known as a madwoman for not paying attention to her daughter. Not even Lady Saya's gentle words of persuasion could change her mind.

"Mother..." Kaoru murmured helplessly. She had to be strong. She had to. "Please stop blaming yourself. You did help me. If you can't remember, look at this cell. It will remind you why you are here," She said cheekily and felt her mother pinch her cheek.

"Ouch!"

"Don't be cheeky, my little princess...have you heard the news?" Hana asked, her blue eyes on her daughter.

Kaoru tilted her head, confused. "News?"

"Aa. I am going to be released..."

Kaoru's eyes widened and she gripped her mother's hand. Hope, a sly snake, sneaked into her eyes and it shone with dreams she never dared to think about.

"Mother, are you sure? When...?" she couldn't think, could barely form a coherent sentence. Overwhelmed with emotion, she choked back the tears that were threatening to fall. They had been separated for so long that she could not remember how it felt to have her mother's arms around her. It has already been eight long years and Kaoru wanted nothing more than to lay her head on her mother's lap.

Hana leaned her haggard face on the cell grills and sighed, content. "In a few weeks time...a couple of months or more. But this year, definitely. It's all thanks to Lady Saya...I owe her."

"So do I, mother."

"That woman has helped us so much despite everything that has happened. If not because of her, I would have to spend the rest of my life in here. She had shortened the punishment. How can she stand to help us, I wonder...I stole her husband from her!"

Smiling, Kaoru placed her mother's calloused hand on her cheek.

"Mother! Enough of that! How many times do I have to tell you that you did not steal him? He came sniffling at your feet! He lied to you that Lady Saya was already dead and that is why you agreed to marry him. It is not your fault and Lady Saya knows this. She knew it. " Kaoru gritted, outraged that her mother could blame herself. Besides, he had not exactly married her mother legally. Since separation is not favoured, Heishin had married Hana without the legal bonding of souls. This was also why people looked down on Hana. A woman who did not bond in the presence of Dioni was considered a mistress in polite environment and a whore in hostile ones. The only lady of the manor was Lady Saya. She might have been referred to as a 'Lady' but Hana was never the lady of the manor. She was a woman who warmed Heishin's bed for nearly five years. She never expected her child to be doing the same thing.

"To think that I sacrificed my life for you only for the sacrifice to turn into something so sick and sinister...I fail as a mother. This is my punishment, Kaoru and don't you dare deny it! I have accepted my punishment and when I am finally free, we shall go away together...we shall go back to our old home. Your father would have wanted that. All I need to do is get the documents from the household of Yukishiro. I think Heishin left it in the safe..."

Kaoru frowned thoughtfully. "Documents?"

Distracted, Hana impatiently waved her hand. "Aa. Documents of the land. It is in your name, you know. Your father immediately placed it under your name when you were born. You are going to be eighteen soon. In only a few more months, you'll be eighteen. Then you are the legal owner of the land."

Kaoru paled. Her whole body froze as realisation hit her hard. She had always thought the land belonged to her exclusively and she can return there whenever she wanted. But if there is a land deed, it would be difficult to recover it. There is no way Tomoe and Enishi would give those documents to her willingly. They would rather destroy it than return it to her. They might even claim that since her mother married their father, the land belongs to the Yukishiros. Even if she went to the authorities, they might not help her. Who would they believe? A member of the elite society of Khaheleb or a murderess' daughter?

As though sensing her daughter's worry, Hana stroked Kaoru's cheek. "Don't worry, ahera. It will be alright. Things will work out. I am sure we can get the deeds back from the household of Yukishiro."

Shaking her head, Kaoru hid her discomfort and fear desperately behind a tired smile.

"Dioni would take care of it. I know. I am just worried. Our path for a new life is not as smooth as I thought it would be. Land deeds...how did I forget?"

"We have strayed so far from our original topic, ahera," Hana said with an amused smile. "We were speaking of your pain."

Touched, Kaoru kissed her mother's hand, ignoring the grime and dirt there. "My pain has already begun to pass. You know I heal well and fast."

"But what are you healing from, Kaoru? You look pained even the other day!"

She fought with herself, wanting to tell her mother but not wanting to trouble her. She did not want her mother to know the pain she went through at the hands of the siblings hell bent on destroying her. But her mother was being freed soon and Kaoru did not want her to walk into the sun, disillusioned.

"I did a mistake yesterday and Eni...Lord Enishi punished me. He whipped me. So I can't really sit. Don't worry though. My power of healing is already at work!" Kaoru said in a falsely chirpy voice that made her mother wince.

"Whip you? He has no right to do so. Even if you are only a servant, he has no right to do so! Why did you not fight him, Kaoru? Lady Saya did train you in hand to hand combat and swordsmanship, did she not?"

"Only because Lady Tomoe would not learn. *Sigh* Oh mother, I can't fight them, I can't! I worry if I say anything wrong, they might hurt you. Even worse, you might be dead! I can't do anything that will result in you leaving me. You are the only one I have, mother," Kaoru replied passionately, pressing herself at the bars of the cell, feeling the chilled body of her mother.

Hana shook her head, furious at the Yukishiros and Kaoru. She held Kaoru's chin firmly, her strength surprising her daughter and she forced Kaoru to meet her eyes.

"I do not want to see this anymore, do you understand. Even if Enishi puts his hands on you, you fight him off. No more temporary marks on your body, ahera, do you understand?"

"Do you understand what you are saying? Mother, they might kill you?! All I'm doing is making sure you stay alive!"

"At what cost? At what cost, Kaoru? Ashitoni, you are a princess! You should be treated as one or at least look at yourself as one. Do not worry about me. I am an old woman looking for peace and solitude. This prison is solid. The guards here do their job with integrity and honesty. Enishi will not be able to harm me at all. He knows that. That is why he is hurting you! You must promise me you will not let this happen again. Do I make myself clear, Kaoru?" Hana said firmly, needing her daughter to understand. "You are not a scapegoat."

"If anything happens to you, mother..."

"Nothing will," Hana hurriedly reassured her daughter. Soon, we will both be free of our prisons."

Kaoru nodded. Neither said a word, both leaned their heads against the bars of the cell and seek solace in each other's presence.

"Mother, what was father like?" Kaoru asked in a small voice, breaking the silence of the prison. She already started feeling suffocated by the dark walls and eerie atmosphere.

A small sad smile appeared on Hana's face. It amazed Kaoru that such a small smile transformed her mother's face into something akin to beauty. Old matured beauty.

"Your father was not the most handsome man I have seen, you know. I can't really say that he was the most good looking man I have known. But there was something undeniably attractive about your father. He had really beautiful eyes. Seichiro's eyes were really the window to his soul. Yours are like his. If he is happy or sad, one look into his eyes will tell you the answer. That is why he is so trustworthy. No matter what other people say, if your father denies it, I would believe him. I fell for his laughter and his cheerfulness. He could make me laugh even when I am in the worst mood possible."

Hana looked at her daughter, eyes gentle and fond. "I love him very much, Kaoru. I love him more than I have ever loved anyone else. I gave up a life of wealth and prosperity to lead a life of hardship with your father. He never earned much as a swordsman but then, he never really charged his students. You know, he will teach them for free. He was a really good swordsman but he believed in protecting life so much that he never took any. He worked hard on the farm and it blossomed well. Harvest was always aplenty and enough for the three of us."

Kaoru was drawn into the world her mother depicted. She could easily imagine a tall laughing man throwing her up in the air. She remembered so little of her father and her mother's stories always kept her memory of him alive in her.

"Was father disappointed that he never had a son?" Kaoru asked the question she had always been curious about. Since her father died without a son, did he, like many men, feel disappointed?

Hana shook her head, her hair falling limply at her shoulders. "No, ahera, he never was. Instead, he always wanted a daughter. He told me he wanted a girl the moment he found out I was belly full with child. He wanted someone who looks like me. It amused me. I remember so well the day he held you in his arms. He was actually crying. A tall, big man with a tiny babe in his arms...that was the most touching scene I had ever seen. And you...ah, you twirled your old man in your tiny fingers like you would a rope. He did everything he could to please you, his little angel."

A distant memory sparkled in her mind. A warm voice whispering daisha.

It sounded so painfully familiar.

"Daisha..." Kaoru murmured softly. Hana looked up, surprised.

"Yes, that is what he called you. His daisha...he was so proud of you, Kaoru."

"Oh mother, I miss him so!" Kaoru chocked as she pressed her forehead against the cold metal. "I miss him so!"

Pained, her mother said nothing. She stroked her daughter's hair, as much as she could, and said nothing. Not a word will be helpful. Not one. That part of her past was long gone.

Sharp sound of boots coming down the stairs made Kaoru pull back and wipe the tears that might have fell, away. She did not want an outsider asking questions about her condition. Her conversations with her mother were never really so deep. In fact, she had never had proper conversations with her mother. Her mother had gone crazy for a long time after killing Heishin. She would scream and rant. She would not allow anyone to come close to her. Even then, Kaoru would come every day to meet her mother. She would watch her mother though the bars and she would talk to her mother. Whenever the child had the chance, she would touch her mother.

Kaoru believed that was what helped her mother escape from her demons. Her mother came to rely on her. Kaoru became her mother's rock and salvation. It took five years for her mother to become sane and throughout the five years, Lady Saya stood by Kaoru and kept a close eye on her. Then, for two years she fought to free Hana, using every influence she had. Ever since Lady Saya died a year ago, Kaoru's life had become a living hell. Tomoe and Enishi made it difficult for her to live in peace but Kaoru was no more bothered about it. She had a plan. She was going to search for the land deeds and prepare a home for her mother to return to.

The idea of living under the Yukishiros much longer suffocated her. She did not want her mother to live with them either. Keeping this in mind, Kaoru begun to plan.

Hana could see the determination in her daughter's eyes and she smiled. Her daughter was very much like her. When something needed to be done, Kaoru would do it. Hana both respected and feared that determination. It can be bring someone very far but it could also be one's downfall. It had been her downfall. Whatever road lies for Kaoru, Hana prayed that her daughter would find peace and love. Hana could see that Kaoru needed that a lot. Ever since Lady Saya died, Kaoru looked worse for wear.

The guard looked at both mother and daughter and cleared his throat. He did not feel any need to be rough and rude with Kaoru. The young woman had proven to be a very trustworthy and wonderful child. She would never stay a moment longer if the guards ask her to leave. She would greet them when she comes and goes. There was always a gentle smile on her face. It reminded the old guard of the day Hana was brought in. She had been a beauty and most guards would have taken advantage of her. Luckily, her insanity kept them away. Even then, despite the wilting beauty, Hana was a pleasure to have around. So was Kaoru.

"Kaoru, it is time. I'm sorry."

Kaoru looked up and smiled softly. Her eyes shone with gratefulness as she rose from the ground. Her mother too stood up. Both smiled at the guard.

"It is fine, Hiroshi-san. I'll leave now. Mother, I will come again," Kaoru told her mother as she bowed and kissed her mother's hand. Hana smiled sadly and nodded.

"Be safe, Kaoru."

"I will."

She waved slightly and followed Hiroshi-san out.

"I'm sorry you have to leave, Kaoru," the old man said apologetically.

Kaoru shook her head. "It really is fine, Hiroshi-san. Mother seems better already and I got to see her. That is enough for me."

"You are a good girl, Kaoru."

She laughed; music to his ears. "I just do not want to be a bother, Hiroshi-san. I should leave now. I hope you and your family are well, Hiroshi-san."

"We are, thank you."

She grinned and bowed, a sign of deep respect. Then she turned and left.

Watching her leave, Hiroshi realised he wished Hana had been innocent so that the young woman could have led a better life. She was going to die an old maid because no respectable family would want their son to marry a murderess' daughter. It was just too bad he did not have a son.

XXX

Kaoru would have head straight back to the Yukishiro household under normal circumstances but since it was her day off, she headed towards the river. It was mid day by now and not many would visit the river on such a hot day. She desired a swim and knew it would help refresh her tired body.

As she suspected, no one was there. Kaoru headed over to a secluded spot and began to strip. As she removed her robes, she realised the sting of her wounds had healed. It pleased her and lightened her mood. Despite being called a witch, Kaoru was glad that her amazing ability to heal meant that she would not any remaining scares from Enishi's tortures.

She lowered herself into the cool waters and sighed in relief. Instantly, she felt sad that her mother could not experience this wonder. It was quite a pleasure to get rid of the dirt and grime from the prison.

As she soaked, her mind ran through whatever her mother said about her father. Her memory of his was fading from her mind and she fought to keep it. She remembered a tall man, holding a wooden sword and showing her how to use it. She remembered sleeping in a man's arms, cocooned in warmth and safety. That seemed like a thousand years ago.

But she did remember a certain face. A face of a tall dark haired man, whose features were sharp and handsome. He had icy blue eyes and a serious personality.

Aoshi, son of Shinomori.

He was her father's favourite student. Kaoru remembered Aoshi from her childhood and she occasionally met him over the years. He knew about her past. He knew that Heishin had raped her because he came to meet her when he heard that her mother was imprisoned. She had tearfully told him the truth and begged him to help Hana. But Aoshi could do nothing. Even then, he would secretly visit her at night and chase her demons away. As she was growing up, Kaoru had a tiny crush on him but she had quickly crushed her own feelings and locked them away. Aoshi was her friend. He was her brother. As long as she saw him in that light, everything was fine between them.

Lately, Kaoru had not seen him. She heard that the ruler's son was coming home and Aoshi must be involved in the preparations of greeting the future ruler home. Since Aoshi worked with the Himura household, Kaoru did not see him very much. Yet she felt happy that he was leading a good life.

He was a friend and that was all she needed.

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the riverbank and fell asleep.

It was so cold. The house was so quiet. No one was home. Mother had left to visit a poor family. Tomoe and Enishi had left to visit Lady Saya. She was alone in the house.

She had been sick and was told to rest in bed. Mother wanted to stay beside her but father had told her not to worry. He told her visit some people. It was her duty to do so. Mother did not want to leave but father forced her out of the house. She wanted to call out. She wanted to scream and ask mother to stay. She opened her mouth.

He looked at her. That was all he did to turn her blood cold. He looked at her.

In that one look, there were all the warnings in the world.

Scream and you will pay.

She tried to fight free from his gaze but he forced her to hold it. He touched her mother, one hand in her glorious thick mane of hair, just at her neck. He had told her once. He told her that he could snap her mother's neck in half if she did not listen to him.

She paled. She tried to fight the fear in her and failed. So she closed her eyes and waited for her mother to leave.

Her mother kissed her head and whispered sweet nothings into her ear but all she wanted was to beg her mother to stay. Her mother stood up and left the room. He followed her.

She knew he would come back and she could do nothing about it. She wanted him to stop but how?

Who would believe her? He had told her that no one would believe her. She belonged to him. She was doing with him the same thing her mother was doing with him. It was not wrong, he said. This was her job. And one day, he will stop doing it and Enishi will continue his work. He had said it so coldly, so confidently that she believed him.

It was wrong. Her heart screamed it was wrong.

What was a child to do?

She fell asleep. Her fever was high. He had been very rough before and she had fallen ill. She had drank the medicine left by the doctor and fallen asleep.

She woke to pain. He was already in her. Ramming inside her over and over again. She was too shocked to cry out. Too stunned to scream. The medicine was making her inside burn and her head fuzzy. She could not think.

Tears fell silently to the pillow. She could see him hovering over her and fear so deep, so fierce gripped her that she chocked on her own breath. There was no air coming into her. She could not breath. She scrambled around, tiny hands trying to push the man away. She tried to find some sort of anchor.

She felt him slap her really hard but she still could not breath.

She could not breath.

Stop!

Help!

Please!

Kaoru's eyes snapped open and she gasped for air. Her hands tried to reach for anything, something and she grabbed soft cotton and hang on and she gasped for air. Dimly, she heard someone asking her to calm down and breath. Warm hands held on to her and she was pressed against sturdy shoulders. Kaoru forced herself to calm down and she took in mouthfuls of air. Slowly, she began to breathe normally.

Once she caught her breath, she pulled back and found herself wrapped in a large robe. Its material was soft and warm against her chilled skin. She gripped the material hard and wondered what had happened.

Oh right...the water...the nightmare.

Embarrassed, she turned to thank her saviour and froze.

He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid her eyes on. He had thick mane of dark red hair, tied low on his head. She had never seen red hair in her life. It looked like fire and yet it also looked so soft and inviting to touch that she nearly reach out to test her theory. His eyes were a deep violet, currently shining with concern and some other emotion Kaoru was unfamiliar with. He looked thin, too thin but she had a feeling that he was well built under the robes.

Shaking herself out of her sudden brain freeze, Kaoru backed away and scrambled to her feet. The man rose, eyeing her carefully, making sure she did not fall.

"Thank you so much! I am so sorry to bother you like this. I did not expect this to happen," Kaoru apologised profusely as she bowed before him, her head hanging low.

He shook his head and pulled her to her feet.

"Please miss, it is alright. You did frighten me when I saw you struggling in the river. I am only glad you are alive, miss...?" he asked, his voice gentle and warm.

Kaoru did not think. She only reacted. "Ah...Kaoru. My name is Kaoru."

He smiled. "My name is Kenshin."

He had been riding out in the hot afternoon, hoping against hope that he would meet the mysterious figure he followed the other day. Instead, despite him searching, he did not see her. He was sure it was a woman and he was dying to meet her. Just as he was about to give up and head home, he head frantic splashes of water and rushed over to the river.

He recognised the ki of the figure struggling in the water. It was similar to the one he followed back to the village. He did not stop to think. Instead, Kenshin had jumped off his horse and rushed to the water. Luckily, he did not need to jump into the water to pull her out. She was already by the river bank. He grabbed the woman and hoisted her over to solid ground.

If things had gone differently, Kenshin would not have rejected the offer of seeing the splendour of the naked body before him. The woman had the most beautiful skin he had ever seen. However, her eyes were firmly shut and she was trashing violently, trying hard to breath.

This was something more than a simple drowning. Knowing that, Kenshin lifted his own tunic and slipped her into it before forcing her to breathe. When her eyes flew open, his heart nearly stopped.

They were the most glorious blue eyes he had ever seen. Even in the midst of panic and fear, those blue orbs shone with an unknown light. It was so bright and so blinding that he did not stop to think what he was doing. He pressed her against his shoulder and tried to calm her down. He almost willed her to breath.

It worked. She stopped trashing and began to take deep breathes until she began to breath normally. When she pulled away, Kenshin had to stop himself from reaching out and hauling her back into his arms. He had never felt this way before and wondered what possessed him to act so passionately with a woman he just met.

As she bowed before him, Kenshin couldn't help but think that her beauty was very different from others. Sure, he had seen many gorgeous women but somehow, this woman had an exotic air around her. She looked so different. Her eyes did not need any enhancements to bring out the sheer beauty of it. She lips were a sweet pale pink. Her cheeks were a healthy red. And her skin glowed.

It took him a lot of effort to concentrate on what she was saying and it hit him hard that this was his chance to get to know her. Deliberately, he posed his answer as to require her name and she gave it to him.

Kaoru...

"Kenshin-san?"

"Sorry. I was thinking of something," Kenshin apologised and he saw her face lit with a playful smile. Once more, he was struck by the strength of her ki. He could feel the strong beat of her ki with her smile.

"I really have to head home already. I have been out for so long. If you will wait for a moment, I will return your robe to you," Kaoru said quickly and looked anxiously at the sky.

Kenshin shook his head. "It's fine. I really do not mind you keeping the robe. I have many more."

Kaoru smiled sadly. "As much I would love to, I will be questioned about it and so will you. It was so nice of you to borrow me this and I am sure you need to return it to its rightful owner. Just wait for a while and I will hand it back," Kaoru said as she disappeared behind the thick trees.

Realisation hit Kenshin and he struggled not to laugh. She thought he was a servant and the robe belonged to his master. Oh well, no sane man would come out here in the hot sun anyway. It would be better if he kept his true identity a secret for awhile. As much as his mother would disapprove of him mixing too freely with the help, he could not help but be attracted to this woman. He needed to spend time with her and ensure that this feeling would go away. Besides, isn't it wrong to leave a woman, who nearly drowned, alone in this weather?

"I'm done," Kaoru announced as she slipped out from behind the trees. She smiled gratefully at him and placed the well folded robe in his hands.

Kenshin nodded and placed it back in the saddle. He did not wear it in case she suspected anything.

"What were you doing, Kaoru-san?"

Embarrassed, Kaoru tugged on her robe and grinned sheepishly. "I was soaking in the river. Somehow, I must have fallen asleep."

Kenshin shook his head condemningly. "That is very dangerous, Kaoru-san. What would have happened if there was no one nearby? You could have died. You really should join the womenfolk when they come to bathe."

Kaoru eyed him curiously. "You are new here, aren't you?"

"Eh?"

"You are either new here or you have just arrived after years of spending your time elsewhere."

"That's right. For many years, I have been studying in foreign lands. How do you know?"

Kaoru shook her head and smiled. "I think we will not be seeing each other again after today."

Baffled, he stared at her. "Why not?"

"Because you will inquire about me and decide that I am not suitable to be seen with," she replied simply and started to gather her things.

He watched her and felt his heart constrict at the thought that people are shunning her.

"Then, I will not inquire and we will meet."

She laughed. She could not help but think that the man before her was sweet, charming and naive.

"You should head home, Kenshin-san. I have to be on my way too."

"Let me help you. You are not steady yet," Kenshin said as he stepped towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Horrified, she pulled away and took a few steps away from him. "That is not such a good idea, Kenshin-san. You should leave before you are spotted with me."

Violet eyes darkened and Kenshin barely resisted ordering her to climb on his horse. Instead, he mounted his horse and watched her before pulling the reigns and turning it the opposite direction. He left without a word.

Feeling depressed that she angered him and yet knowing she did it for his own good and hers, she started to walk when she heard loud hooves rushing towards her. Kaoru turned, startled and saw Kenshin smirking as he rode fast towards her. She watched, stunned and before she could move, he leaned down and scooped her in one move.

Kaoru shrieked and felt herself being pressed against a warm chest. She held on to Kenshin, breathing hard to steady her galloping heart.

"Are you an idiot? What in the world are you doing?" Kaoru yelled.

Kenshin laughed and slowed down, not once easing his hold on her.

"Why, my lady, I am giving you a ride back home."

"Please, you can't," Kaoru begged, her face paling at the thought of the people seeing her with him.

Of Enishi seeing her with him.

Noticing the sudden change in her ki, Kenshin sighed. "Don't worry. I will stop before we reach the village. It is a short ride and I will not hurt you."

'You can't hurt me much more than I have already been hurt,' Kaoru thought silently but she said nothing.

They rode in silence and as they arrived near the village, he stopped and helped her down.

"Thank you," Kaoru murmured before turning to leave. A warm hand on her arm stopped her.

"Can I see you again?" Kenshin asked desperately. He had never felt this way and he wanted nothing more than pulling her in his arms once more. The ride had been a silent torment for him, having her so close and yet she did not lean into his arms once. She had rode with her back straight and a rod and her eyes on the road before them. Anyone else would have taken advantage of the situation but she had just pulled back.

Who was she?

"I don't think we will bump into each other a lot."

"Perhaps, if we can meet by the river...?"

"I do not think that is wise. Excuse me," Kaoru murmured as she tried to leave.

He did not loosen his hold. "I want to know you."

She turned then and her eyes held a world of pain and sadness. "No, you don't. This is for the best."

She pulled away and walked back into the village, leaving him to stare at her back.

He knew he should forget about her. Every instinct tells him to. He knew his mother would never approve. He knew she had already warned him. He knew she was being isolated by the people and that means she and her family are soiled.

He also knew she caught his heart. He also knew she caught his mind. He also knew she was a exotically beautiful woman with painful and playful eyes and the sweetest smile a man could ever know. She was a mystery and a forbidden fruit wrapped in tempting gold.

She was not to be touched.

She was not to be taken.

But he wanted her.

If he learned about her, would he still want her? That was a question he would answer once he got to that bridge. For now, he needed to know about her.

Who was this woman?

XXX

Glossary:

Ahera : sweetheart (endearment)

Ashitoni : my sweet princess

Daisha : my little angel

Author's note:

Well everyone, thank you so much for your reviews and thank you so much for telling me the title of the story. It means a lot to me that you all are so helpful and means more when you enjoy my story. This story is progressing well and I already have a sort of timeline for it. Hopefully it will work out well. No promises that I can update often as I have just started college and it is going to be a busy year for me.

However, enjoy! To all of you who celebrated Christmas, Merry Christmas. I know it is belated but I was really busy. Also, Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot for reviewing and hope you enjoy this new chapter!