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Treasured
Chapter 6 – The Best of You
Her sapphire eyes twinkled with mischief as she watched him mingle his way towards her. He eventually spotted a tall gentleman with light blue eyes and black hair standing by the drinks table. His best friend Aoshi waited until Kenshin was close enough to lean in and hear what he had to say.
'Don't look directly at them but do you perchance know either of the two ladies standing near the gargoyle statue to the left of the staircase?' he murmured, sipping his punch carefully.
Aoshi watched the reflection of the short energetic girl with long black hair standing next to a taller girl.
'I know the shorter one. Misao Makimachi. She owns an estate on the edge of London. She is highly financially endowed, skilled at swordplay and martial arts. She is not well known amongst the Tonne but highly respected nonetheless.'
'Misao Makimachi? You know nothing about the other one then?'
'No, I've never seen her in my life'
'Introduce me,' stated Kenshin while Aoshi simply stared at his friends face. Kenshin would never willingly ask to be introduced to a female. He had a hard enough time getting rid of the ones trying to bag him for marriage. Placing his empty cup on the table he motioned for Kenshin to follow him to where both the women stood.
Kaoru watched as Kenshin approached with a taller man. Misao positively exuded energy as she anticipated the arrival of her 'Aoshi Sama' which she assumed was the gentleman approaching with Kenshin in tow.
Kenshin stood and stared at Kaoru as of he had never seen a more beautiful creature in all the land. At that moment Kaoru looked exquisite. Her dress was designed with silver and blue cobwebs splayed over her skirt. The bodice was cut low at the front and high at the back with puffed cap sleeves. The actual colour of the dress shimmered somewhere between iridescent blues and silver. She simply took his breath away. Without waiting for an introduction he took her hand and kissed it lightly, savouring the softness of her skin.
'May I have this dance, my lady'
'I told you Kenshin, I am no lady-'
'And I would do best to remember that in the future…how could I ever forget?'
Smiling she allowed him to guide her onto to the dance floor and position himself for the Dance of Netherfield.
It was a dance of lovers with slow rotating movements and close contact with ones dance partner. Kaoru knew the dance resembled their relationship so well. Their hands touched and their bodies flowed so closely. As Kenshin held her hip against his in dance she could feel his heat, and the moments they separated were like torture. Each time she changed partners she could feel his gaze boring into her, knowing he hated each man who touched her.
Why was she being like this…why is Kaoru here when she said we had no future…
As she came back to being his partner for the last segments of the dance he held her closely and whispered.
'I can't see you and not have you Kaoru. You said we couldn't be, so why are you here,' he demanded roughly.
'The maze, in 5 minutes,' was all she whispered back.
The final moments of the dance concluded and after a bow, Kenshin strode away towards the garden and away from probing eyes. They were all surprised at his choice of dance partner. The girl was new, unknown and Kenshin was not known to ask for dances lightly. He only danced with those who he knew would not misconstrue their relationship.
He waited impatiently in the maze entrance and was still taken aback by Kaoru's beauty as she strolled, no glided towards him.
He stared at her until she moved forward and linked her arm with his and progressed into the maze. They walked in complete silence until they reached the centre where a large magnolia tree grew overlooking a love swing which shifted slightly in the breeze.
Pulling him down onto the swing she laid her head on his shoulder and stated the sweetest words he thought he had ever heard.
'I don't think I could ever be without you Kenshin'
Placing his hand under her chin and pushed her head up until he could press a small light kiss on her lips.
'Don't say anything else…I just want this moment to go on forever' his voice hoarse with desire.
'You're a good little girl aren't you,' he sneered coldly
'Please! I'm begging you' sobbed the girl 'what have I done to deserve this' she whispered.
The man ignored the girl's cries and pushed her onto the bed.
Kaoru had been forcefully concealed under the bed by Sakura. She lay on her stomach listening to the man who bought her rape Sakura repeatedly. She knew her own fate hung in the balance. Yet Sakura had not once told her what her nights were like. Only now did she find out. She could hear the man's deep grunting and Sakura's low moans filled with disgust, pain and anguish.
Kaoru felt deep sorrow so profound her heart hurt and her breathes became short with the rising hysteria. Sakura…
Kaoru woke with a start. Her back stinging in remembrance of the painful past she thought she had left behind. Yet somehow it continued to haunt her relentlessly. These scars were her symbol of her fight to freedom and an icon of her despondent past. Kaoru had not re-called that particular memory for a while. It was usually the other one she hated the most, which appeared incessantly. That memory…I need reminders like this…I'll never forget you Sakura…Never.
Kenshin opened his eyes and watched as Kaoru slipped from the bed with his shirt wrapped around her frame. She shuffled to the mirror and appeared to be captivated by something she saw there. Turning so her back was diagonally to the mirror, she lifted the shirt and bit her lip as she inspected what she saw before letting the shirt fall again.
Kenshin held back a cry of pain as he saw her back reflected in the mirror. It was ravaged with whiplash scars. The healed welts had mottled her back in a myriad of deep pink and white lashes. How had he not felt those scars when they made love? Dear god…Kaoru was right; how much she has suffered I'll never be able to comprehend…
Kaoru sighed and watched Kenshin sleep as the sunlight streamed through the curtains and lit upon his slumbering figure. He looked like a fallen angel with his flame red hair and muscular physique. Kenshin could feel her gaze as she watched his chest rise and fall steadily in sleep. He was so flawless, so graceful. Unmarked, precious and unfettered by a dark past. His perfection and in many ways his innocence regarding how terrible life could be made her love him even more. He showed her that love could lighten pain and enhance the beauty of life in so many ways.
He only just managed to catch her soft words. Had he not strained to hear her voice, he would have missed it altogether. 'I'll never submit. Never relinquish you.' Gently Kaoru lay down next to him, placing her hands over his as he turned into her embrace. Kaoru did not know how she would feel the next time she woke up. All she wanted was to feel this moment and all its beauty.
By the time Kaoru had woken again Kenshin had already bathed and waited contentedly for her to awaken.
'Morning'
Grimacing Kaoru pulled all the pillows and blankets over her head until only a tuft of ebony hair was visible in the mountain of white linen. Chuckling Kenshin lifted the pillows away from her burrowing figure and presented her with a cup of hot tea.
'Drink, bath, dress and then we'll walk in the park? I took the liberty of arranging for some clothes to be delivered in your size' he stated pointing to a lovely day gown in buttercup yellow with matching bonnet, kid shoes and reticule. Next to the dress however lay a pair of breeches, shirt, tan coat and matching tan boots.
'Men's clothes?' she enquired lifting and eyebrow
'I wasn't sure which you would prefer to wear today…' he trailed off
Smiling Kaoru grasped his shirt and pulled him towards her for a kiss.
'Ask what sweetness of thy kiss is…Ask thyself what beauty is…You are a truly wonderful man.'
'I'm glad you think so,' he whispered 'We need to talk about a lot of things Kaoru,' he continued in an even tone. 'I won't accept anything less than everything. You have known this from the beginning. You need to tell me what your connections to the Prince are…and don't even try convincing me you don't because I know better.'
Kaoru remained motionless on the bed before turning and grinning at him over her shoulder.
'Well, who would have thought that mouse had friends in high places,' she said lifting her eyebrow. 'And how is it that you know dear Prinny?'
'This conversation is not about me, it's about you-'
'Kenshin Himura; Age 28; a formidable warrior of Prince's royal regiment. Served in France for 5 years before returning to London after earning his reputation as 'Himura Battousai'. Began Kaoru in a tone befitting the style and measure of an narrator reciting a documentary.
Is known in financial circles to be quite knowledgeable and has invested his funds in many speculative Agribusiness ventures which have performed phenomenally well.
Presently you have funded a new venture which involves breeding two particular breed of cows, producing a hybrid cow which is easier to look after, contains 50 more meat and creates 2 more litres of milk. Kenshin Himura is currently unmarried and maintains a high position in the political arena. I am well aware that you are an overt operative for Prinny himself. And because I live in the shadows and yet have such intimate information, what do you think I am?'
Thanks to Alzywme for editing once again!
Tell me what you think :-)
cheers,
Iuvenalis.
