A/N: Hello, my faithful readers. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. But I do have other stories to attend to.
This is where the story starts getting good.
So, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I merely use its characters in my twisted world I call writing.
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Chapter 5: Lessons on Why Life Sucks so Much
Gohei Hiruma.
I could not get the name out of my head. One would think that I couldn't get the annoying bastard to leave my thoughts was because he hurt my Kaoru. But I like to think that I have a pretty rational mind. Meaning, there must be another answer. Hiruma was… is a rat. And if he was someone of any importance, than there would be quite a few problems in the near future. I instantly thought of Kaoru. Sano was with her at the moment. Though, even knowing that she's in capable hands doesn't quell the turmoil and bad feeling resting in the pit of my stomach.
I knew for a fact that I couldn't leave this alone. I had to do something.
I walked down the sidewalk, ignoring the stares my bright red mane was attracting. Cars sped by in the opposite direction. I stopped short, and made a sharp turn into an adjacent alley way. Looking around and scanning the immediate area for any snooping ki's, I found none. Whipping out my cell phone, I dialed a familiar number that I've used far too many times to count.
It briefly rang once, and someone answered on the other line.
"Shinomori, speaking."
"Hey, Aoshi, it's me. I need you to do me a favor…"
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Again, I have a pretty rational mind. I have common sense to the extreme. I know how life works, and I know what I need to do to stay alive. So people should have a little faith in me when I get an idea in my head.
It's a simple concept really. What happens when your loved pet gets into accident? Or when someone starts bullying your friend? Or how about when some bastard, who is obviously so fucked up in the head that he even attempts this, decides he wants to hurt someone you love? You protect them. I reiterate: simple concept. You always feel the need to protect a loved one. Whether it be your pet, a friend, or your soul mate.
"Kenshin! Go away! Stop following me and get the hell out of here! You—" Her eyes shined so brightly when she was mad. It was breathtaking. Her face would contort into the cutest pout. So adorable. One could easily get lost in her fiery orbs of blue.
"Kenshin! Are you even listening to me?" Whoops.
"Of course I am, Kaoru." Well, a little white lie never hurt anyone, right?
"Ok, you ass, listen to me. And I mean really listen!" She glared at me with those fiery sapphire eyes.
I mentally chuckled, not daring to actually utter a sound out loud for fear of my life. But never the less, I smiled my most charming smile; the one everyone always fell for. I can't say I'm not disappointed that Kaoru was immune, but that does make her unique. And Kami-sama knows I always love a challenge. "You have my full attention."
She narrowed her eyes. But she lowered her voice to a deathly calm volume, "Gohei is gone, Kenshin. They took him away. That was on Tuesday. It is now Friday. Three whole days have gone by since the incident and the only time I haven't seen you was yesterday for about an hour when you went who knows where. And even then Sano was trying, "discreetly" might I add, to follow me around too. You don't have to follow me around like I'm some glass doll! I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself." By that time, she was practically yelling again.
This time the charming smile left my face, and it was replaced with a serious expression. My eyes narrowed to mirror hers. "So you say, but I'm not the one with a huge ass welt on my shoulder from some thug getting the best of me. I'm only trying to ensure your safety."
So what If I had been following her around for the past few days? It was for her own good.
"Kenshin, put a little faith in me, ok? Gohei got the best of me because he watched me grow up. He obviously knew my weaknesses. And you cannot blame me for being invulnerable as a child! How was I supposed to know back then that he was going to grow up to be a jackass?!" She was fuming. Though the sight was beautiful, she did look fairly pissed.
Stepping forward, I watched with satisfaction as her demeanor quickly changed and a blush began to rise upon her cheeks at our close proximity. I leaned down close to her face. I was a breath away from her lips. I knew my eyes had started to contain amber swirls when an audible gasp escaped her lips. I whispered, "Listen, Kaoru. I'm doing this my way. And my way is law, right now. I'm sorry you don't like it, but this is for your own good. When I'm not with you, Sano is with you. When Sano isn't with you, I'm with you. And when, god forbid, neither Sano nor I can be with you, than there's always Misao. I know she is trained in the art of ninjutsu. But the bottom line is: I am going to protect you." By this time, my voice lowered even more into something akin to a growl. "I will let nothing hurt you again." My lips then barely grazed hers, before I pulled away.
I stepped back and quietly returned to my original task. Her breaths were coming out in soft, barely audible, short gasps. I loved the effect I had on her. Though, this was not the time to take it any farther. She needed to realize the importance of the situation.
I heard her calm down, though her eyes were glaring holes in the back of my head.
"Uh, Kenshin?"
"Hmmm?"
"Listen, I do get it. I get that you want to protect me. Though, I'm still not sure as to why…" she trailed off, than started again. "I'm just not used to people doing things for me. However, if this means that much to you, than fine. I know that I definitely cannot change your mind when it's set in stone already. But seriously Kenshin," she was beginning to raise her voice again. God, this woman is going to kill my eardrums one day, "this is going way too far!" I honestly didn't know why she was getting so angry again.
I looked at her and saw her eyes trained on the blue sleeping bag I was previously arranging on the floor of her room. It was a tight fit, but it would work. Kaoru's room was a tad bit small. But we would both be able to sleep comfortably without space issues.
"Kenshin!"
I turned to look at her again, "Yes Kaoru?"
She emitted a growl, "Get that thing out of here!" She pointed to the sleeping bag lying innocently on the floor.
"I know. Sleeping in a sleeping bag will be a bit uncomfortable. But your room is way too small for me to get a decent sized air mattress to fit. But thanks for caring." I flashed her my charming smile, and proceeded to dig through my duffel bag for my tooth brush.
Kaoru's face began to flush with anger. I smirked. Gorgeous.
"You're not sleeping here!" And with that, she grabbed my sleeping bag from the ground, along with my duffel bag, and threw them out of her open window.
She watched with a sick grin as the flying items landed in her koi pond with a splash.
Damn her.
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"Where is she?" Sano and I were seated at a bar. I had long ago ceased to be surprised at the amount of alcohol the man could consume. So, it also didn't come to a surprise when he was served willingly without being carded at almost any bar.
"Teaching a kendo class. Misao is with her." I downed a shot, feeling the slight burn as it traveled down my throat, followed by a pleasing warmth, settling in the pit of my stomach.
"You know you're going to have to tell her sooner or later. Better sooner than later, man." His chocolate brown eyes glanced at me with a disapproving look.
"Ok Zanza, sure. And than we can all sit around and giggle about cute boys and paint each other's nails." The sarcasm lacing my speech was not appreciated by the tall man sitting beside me.
"It's always the long haired guys you gotta watch out for," he smirked. When he saw my eyes start to darken, he grinned and continued, "You need to tell her, man. If I know anything about Jou-chan, is that she'll be pissed as hell when this all spills out."
My patience was wearing thin. Since when did the rooster head make any sense, at all? Ah fuck.
A total of four days had passed since the attack. Sano and I were right to keep a close eye on her.
00Flashback00
His ki was stained with blood. He was perched at the edge of the street. I noticed him as soon as he was within a mile radius of our location. Surprised was the last emotion in my mind as he neared us. The moon rose high in the sky, and I knew it was about midnight. Kaoru was asleep.
"Where is he?" a soft murmur sounded behind me.
"A few blocks away, at the end of the street," I replied.
"Damn, another one?"
"Looks like it."
"Shit, second one this week."
I didn't merit that with a response. I grunted in reply instead and focused on the on-comer. He was unaware of our presence. Meaning, he was just a low underling, given the dirty job for some petty cash.
He was a few feet away from the house when we pounced.
Within a minute I was behind him, katana placed at the base of his throat. His breathing increased and his ki became frazzled.
Sano was in front, he bended his knuckles, receiving a loud menacing crack from them.
"Who are you working for?" I growled out. I slightly placed more pressure, causing a thin line of blood to form underneath the blade. The man became tenser, and his hand edged towards the gun I knew he had inside his jacket.
Watching the slight movement with narrowed eyes, Sano grabbed his arm, none too lightly. A satisfying crack resounded from the offending limb, and the man had to refrain himself from crying out in pain.
"Hey dipshit, answer the question."
I was slightly astonished at the dignity this guy could muster up with a broken arm and a blade pressed against his throat. "I won't tell you!"
Sano's eyes filled with rage, mirroring mine, I knew. He applied more pressure to his grasp on his arm. I almost laughed at the tears starting to leak down the bastard's face. "Tell me your mission," I demanded.
"I was only supposed to take her to him," he cried out.
"Who?!" Sano and I both yelled.
He didn't answer, for he fainted dead away.
I was outraged. Someone was targeting her; just as I'd feared.
Sano hauled the shaking man over his shoulder and began to walk away.
The police would get a nice present tonight.
00End Flashback00
I sighed. So much for peace.
Sano was right though. Kaoru deserved to learn the truth about me. The truth about my past. If I wanted to pursue any kind of relationship with her, than she deserved to know what kind of man I was.
I was about to down another shot when a soft tune rang from my pocket. I took out my cell phone and flipped it open with out checking the caller ID. I had a slightly idea who it was.
"Himura"
"Battousai"
"Ah, Aoshi. Did you get that information I asked for?"
Sano passed me a questioning glance and I motioned for him to wait.
"Yes. Gohei Hiruma is a rat. You were right. He worked for the underground. I am still unsure of who exactly he worked for, but I do know he had connections far across the field. News of him being in jail has caused quite an uproar, though. Whatever he wanted your woman for must've been important."
"That makes no sense though. Kaoru is an ordinary girl. I'm certain she has no ties to the underground."
"That's not what you should be concerned about now. She will be a target—"
"Yeah, I know. She's been targeted twice, already."
"Ah. Than be careful. I have a… well, I suppose you can call her an agent, in your area. She should be of some help before I arrive."
"Name?"
"Makimachi Misao"
"Small world. We are acquainted."
"Good. Expect me in two days."
And with that, the line went dead.
"Who was that?"
"A friend. Shinomori Aoshi. He and I used to… work together, so to speak."
"He knows about the situation?"
"Yes. He can help. He's the okashira of the Oniwabanshu."
"Ah. Ice man."
I gave him a puzzled look. "You know him?"
Sano let out a chuckle. "He and I had a few run ins way back when."
I grinned, but didn't ask him to elaborate on the situation. I knew both of them well enough. "Alright man, you're wasted enough for tonight. Let's get outta here."
In truth, neither of us was really truly wasted. Our speech wasn't slurred, and we walked fine. My vision wasn't impaired in the slightest. Both of us seemed to have an uncanny tolerance for alcohol.
Upon stepping outside, I stopped short. Sano, noticing my hesitation, tensed and looked around. I felt a way too familiar ki, and the scent of plumb hung in the air. I let out a growl.
The silhouette of a figure stood in the distance. I didn't have to see her face to know who she was.
"Tomoe…" I growled out.
A soft laugh was my answer. "My, my, Battousai. I thought you were dead."
God, my life sucks ass right now.
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A/N: ha! Cliffhanger!!! Lol I know that's a horrible place to end the chapter. But I wanted to get something up before you guys got mad at me…
Well, I suppose the story is really beginning now.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Though I'm still open to any and all criticism, compliments, advice, flames…etc. you name it. leave it all in a review.
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This isn't just a cheesy line to get you guys to review, but they really do inspire me to write. So keep em comin'!
Love you all.
Lonely Soul