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Treasured

Chapter 5 – To Weak to Give In, To Strong to Lose

The weather on the sea back to London was exceedingly good to Kaoru and her crew. The sun hung high in the cloudless skies and the winds were fierce and cutting pushing their boat further towards London.

Kenshin spent quite a lot of time with his sister and Kaoru felt like she was missing out on her time with him. He doesn't spend much time with me anymore…she thought as she watched Kenshin and Ami together.

'Does it really matter Jou Chan'

'Does what really matter Sano?' she sighed

'Don't pretend. You like him. You're jealous of the time he spends with his sister yet you already told him that he has no hope of ever winning your heart.'

'Really none of your business Sano and FYI; I am not jealous' she hissed

'Hey I'm just saying; we both know he has no place in your life with him being aristocracy and you being what you are.'

'And what am I Sano, that prevents me from aspiring earthly desires hmm?'

Sighing Sano knew she was one of her stubborn argumentative moods. 'Just keep it in mind Jou Chan, that's all I'm saying' he stated firmly before striding away from her.

Sighing Kaoru knew what Sano was saying yet for some reason, her logical thought processes had been functioning sub par since the arrival of a certain red headed gentleman. Needless to say Kaoru could not leave well enough alone. She knew she could not have him yet she wanted him too much to relinquish the emotions she felt in his presence.

She noticed the softness, love and happiness in his eyes when he looked at Ami. She wanted these glances, coveted the care he took over his sister wishing it was her he instead. He cherished Ami above all else, and treated her like an incomparable treasure. She wanted to be his treasure. To be loved, unparalleled and irreplaceable to him.

These relationships were those she longed for as a child and had only achieved so late in life. Then again her 'childhood' if one could call it that was not exactly the most sought after…

'1 guinea for the runt' shouted the auctioneer 'she can cook, clean, scrub and anything else you might have in mind' he said leering at the crowd gathering around for the auction.

'I'll take her for the asking price' stated a clear calm voice. It was dark, smooth and velvety like molasses. The emotions the voice invoked within her were tranquillity and relief, yet one look in his eyes had her heart gripped in an icy fist. Her breath seized up and all panic deserted her in favour of an unfathomable emotion which she recognised surpassed her original fear.

As she was lead away, the other 'goods' being auctioned looked at her with sorrow. They knew her fate was worse than theirs, and in that moment her prior emotions were affirmed.

But the past had taught her to persevere against all odds, and for the first time in her life she wanted to have this man, even though it would not be suitable. Oh she had met desirable man in the preceding years but none like Kenshin…perhaps Misao could shed some light on how to make it all work.


Kenshin was feeling decidedly depressed for basically the whole duration of the journey back to London. The last conversation he'd had with Kaoru had left him with little hope of pursuing any relationship he might have aspired to have with her.

He spent the rest of the trip with Ami attempting to assuage his guilt at having her kidnapped whilst under his care, as well as trying to salve his heart against the obviously unwanted emotions he felt for Kaoru. He tried so hard not to watch her as she strode up and down the deck, or as the wind moulded her shirt to her beautiful body on the watchers tower. She was like an intense creation he could spend hours studying her every nuance and every expression.

He wasn't one to back down from something he needed so badly, but the haunted expression he saw in her eyes made him feel like he had somehow missed a piece of the puzzle. When she thought no one was looking she would sometimes slip into a trance and he could almost feel the disturbed emotions roll of her in waves. He wanted to be the one she confided in. The only person who knew all her secrets, her past and would mould her future with him forever.

I'm adhering to your rules Kaoru…You refused my whole heart but a part of my heart will always belong to you…only you.


'I'm dismissing all of you for the next few days. Check in at White's to make keep up to date on anything, but most of all, enjoy your time in London while you can. I'm expecting more orders and anticipate an arduous journey at sea after this break. We'll meet back here after I've received all instructions. Remember to check at Whites for ALL updates. Dismissed.'

Kaoru felt a familiar sense of ease in the instructions she conveyed to her crew. They all knew the standards but she liked roughing them up and keeping them in line.

She couldn't forget the carefully blank expression on Kenshin's face when they were about to leave the port.

'Thank You so much Kaoru San! You have helped my brother and I so much! We could never repay you or the kindness of your crew in a million years!' exclaimed a tearful Ami while hugging Kaoru repeatedly. 'You must call on us while you're in London!'

'Do you think it wise Ami dear? I'm not sure the Tonne would be so gracious as to accept me into their little faction. It may not reflect well on you and your family's name…' stated Kaoru trailing off as she watched Ami's face pinch with frustration.

'I don't care! And neither does Kenshin! Do you Kenshin' she cried plaintively tugging his sleeve.

'Of course Kamiya San is welcome to visit us anytime…we would be more than happy for you to call on us.' He stated, his expression revealing nothing.

Kamiya San? Thought Kaoru, what was that all about?


Visiting Misao was always an adventure. Then again Misao was like an on land version of her on sea. She had her own crew and trained her people individually where Kaoru's were a mismatch of those from her past who had come upon their own talents unwittingly through experience.

'Hit it harder! Geez can't you even see what you're doing? Are you blind? NO YOU'RE NOT BLIND SO YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE AAAAAAAAAAAH you're hopeless' she hissed menacingly. Kaoru watched the scene from the dojo entrance and found the poor individual who had the unfortunate task of training with Misao one on one. Cowering on the floor as Misao leaned over him and hissed at him listing his various useless 'qualities' then instructing him to do an impossible 1000 strokes followed by a thorough wipe down of the dojo. 'I want it spotless' she stated before turning and noticing Kaoru poised in the doorframe.

'KAORU! AAAAH! You're back!' she screamed throwing herself into Kaoru's embrace. The two girls were like sisters and shared a familiar past and exactly the same present.

Misao, as always was a semi Lady, but nonetheless more of a lady than Kaoru was at sea. She always wore corseted dresses but with split skirts to allow for fighting should it be required at the drop of a hat. Today she wore a black dress, cap sleeves laced with red ribbon, low cut bodice with her hair pinned in disarray on top of her head. She sported a childish grin as she jumped excitedly around Kaoru as they made their way back to the main house.

'I got the message from Whites that you would be returning soon, but so early?'

'mmm the weather was good to us Misao Chan…and I missed you.'

'Uh oh' chimed Misao in a sing song voice

'What?'

'You've gone and done something haven't you?' she replied smilingly

'No I haven't gone and done anything! That's precisely the problem'

'So what's his name?'

'Who said he was the problem?'

'Stop deferring and fess up Kaoru Chan' she teased her emerald eyes sparkling 'I probably know him and if I don't then I know of him! Come on!'

'Alright! His name is –'

'Kenshin Himura!'

'----'

'Ah hah! I knew it! yeah, don't look so annoyed, I got wind that he'd gone to sea to find his sister who was kidnapped. All his friends are pretending that she went to the 'country estate' for a little downtime, but we know the truth. The thing is that, the Himura's are so well endowed and respected in London that everyone believed the story. How lame is that? But not surprising I guess' stated Misao evenly.

'Misao I know we're not meant to have the things normal people desire in life but do you think it would work between Kenshin and I?'

'I think it would, in fact perhaps I should introduce you to Aoshi Sama…he's Kenshin's best friend and quite the fine gentleman indeed' she winked 'and by fine I mean FINE. If you want it to work you will need to sacrifice a lot Kaoru' stated Misao in a more serious tone 'it's easier for me because I live on land but you…you're born for the sea. I know you feel restless without at least being at sea for a few months at a time. Would you sacrifice that to be with him?'

'I can try can't I?'

Without further prompting Misao outlined all the things she needed for her plan to work, and gradually she felt for the first time that staying on land might not be as painful as she had expected.


Kenshin felt the days after boarding at port, drag on. He accompanied Ami on her outings, tea parties and what not, with practiced enthusiasm. The inane questions the debutantes asked him only reminded him even more of the wit and beauty that Kaoru exuded with natural ease. He enjoyed his time on board and felt no need to pretend around her. With her he was just himself and he loved it that way.

Tonight he had to attend Almacks, an exclusive yet boring as ever ball which was indicative of ones acceptance by London's society. He had breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the invitation as it meant that no one knew of Ami's kidnapping and that her reputation remained untarnished.

After readying himself physically and emotionally for an evening of boredom in its entirety Kenshin escorted Ami to the ball in their carriage. She looked lovely in a white gown trimmed with red ribbon which matched the ribbons threaded in her hair and on the edge of her gloves. She looked like an innocent cherub. They're arrival was anticipated by many as their various acquaintances approached and solicited either a dance from Ami or a simple chat about what their trip to 'the country' was like.

Kenshin nodded politely and murmured a reply at the correct times while occasionally glancing around the room. His eyes, however connected with a familiar pair of azure orbs which he recognised instantly. He felt hot all over and a sudden need to walk up to her without any thought for what anyone else might think.

What was SHE of all people doing here?


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Cheers,

Iuvenalis.