Looming Sun chapter 2

A/N: The not so long awaited second chapter! I was busy concentrating on the Model Student to update sorry! Oh and dragon's breath isn't real.

Thank you to: Sahei, Morning Wolf and Cosmic-lover for reviewing

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin in any way shape or form!

Kaoru ran back to Tomoe's room and slipped through the door just in time for Tomoe to call her so Kaoru could help her dress. After dressing Tomoe in a simple but gorgeous, as Tomoe put it, white dress Kaoru sat on the floor her face as red as a tomato and extremely grateful that no one could see into her hood.

"Is there something wrong Kamiya?" Tomoe asked, "Oh I know you're in love with Himura-san and your sad he's fallen for me." Kaoru's eyes widened and blushed even more, "Not at all Yukishiro-sama." The truth was that Kaoru was dreading seeing Kenshin, especially after what had happened last night. Tomoe glared at Kaoru, angry that she wasn't jealous. Someone knocked at the door, "Your majesty breakfast is from now until two candle marks." A man said quickly shuffling away Tomoe opened the door and walked down to the dining room for breakfast.

Her seat was next to Kenshin's, who wasn't yet there, and looking around the table she could see no lady with her rank in any nation. 'He is going to fall hard for me, they always do.'

Meanwhile:

Kenshin groaned as he walked towards the dining room with Sano. "Hey Kenshin, are you okay, you look like crap."

"I feel like crap." Kenshin muttered darkly.

"You're close to being Battousai, aren't you?"

"Yep."

"You must not have gotten enough sleep." Kenshin grunted in response. The truth was that he couldn't get the picture of Kaoru's blushing face out of his head and had needed to take a cold bath that morning.

Sano snuck a glance at Kenshin, his glow that was naturally around him since he was the sun god was dim and his face was flushed. Something must have happened and Megumi would be happy to help him find out what. They entered the dining room and Sano looked towards Kenshin's seat and snickered, seeing that Tomoe was the one with the seat next to him. Noticing Kenshin's sigh he had realized that too.

…

Kaoru looked around the room looking for escape routes and places people could easily attack from. Allowing herself to relax she looked to the right of Tomoe's chair and saw Kenshin. Her heart sped up and a light blush graced her features as she unconsciously licked her lips.

Her senses were assaulted by the smell of poison and wood. Looking out the window she could see an archer aiming straight for Tomoe. For a second she considered letting the arrow hit Tomoe but decided that her reputation didn't need to be ruined. Stepping forward right as the arrow was fired Kaoru managed to grab it, a foot away from Tomoe's face. Ignoring gasps as another arrow was fired she grabbed the second one and threw the first one at the Archer's leg.

Kaoru's aim was true and the arrow lodged itself in the Archer's leg causing the man to fall from the tree. "Pardon my interruption but I suggest you capture the man and get an anti-poison in him before he dies." Kaoru stated inspecting the poison soaked arrow. Kenshin stood and ordered guards to protect Tomoe, "Kamiya," Kenshin called, "Come with me and bring the arrow, I would rather not be poisoned by touching it." Kaoru loyally followed to the healer's rooms where the archer was withering on the table.

Megumi stood there ordering people out of the room until only Sano, Misao, Aoshi, Kenshin, Kaoru, Hiko and herself were in the room. She was reluctant to letting Kaoru stay but Kaoru was carrying the arrow.

Megumi ordered Kaoru to set the arrow down on the tray after carefully inspecting the arrow she recognized the poison. "It's dragon's breath, there's no cure." Everyone except for Kaoru's eyes widened. Red welts started to appear on his body. They knew there was no cure; the skin would boil until the body exploded. Megumi turned to Kaoru, "This is your fault, if you hadn't thrown that arrow at him he wouldn't be poisoned. Kenshin's eyes turned gold and he almost snarled at Megumi. "If I hadn't done anything someone would be dead, you could be grateful," Kaoru's voice was light and teasing, "And how do you know there is no cure?"

"I'm the sun goddess of healing, I would know."

Kaoru retracted her arm from her sleeve and grabbed a little bottle that hung in a bag in her robes. Pulling her arm back through the sleeve she walked toward the archer, stopping in front of him. Opening the bottle she let a drop slide down the man's throat. The welt's disappeared and the man bolted upright only to be restrained by Sano and Aoshi. Megumi stared, "What did you give him?"

"The cure." Kaoru said in an 'I told you so' voice. "Now if you'll excuse me I'll be getting back to Tomoe-san." Kaoru left the room. Hiko chuckled, "She gets better every day."

…...

Kaoru found Tomoe in the stables after she washed the poison out of her glove. She found Tomoe glaring at the horse she was on. "Kamiya, this is a competition to see who is able to ride a horse the best but," Tomoe said looking down at the horse she was on, "my horse is being uncooperative. Yet I will win so stay to the sides."

"Yes milady." As it turned out Tomoe couldn't get her horse to move and it stubbornly stayed in the same spot. Seeing a flash of red Kaoru looked to the stands only to notice it was Kenshin's hair and that he was staring at her. She quickly looked away, a blush forming on her cheeks and the image of her pulling her fingers through his hair. His hair looked soft and Kaoru couldn't help but wonder if he washed it regularly. She mentally smacked herself; she didn't have time to think about that!

As it turned out Tomoe lost and even though Kaoru saw it coming, Tomoe was shocked. Managing to dismount her horse she fumed, "I can't believe I didn't win! The country bumpkin who had won was raised on a ranch; I'm royalty, why should I have to ride a horse like a man!" Kaoru didn't answer; Tomoe was horrible at riding horses and made up a lot of excuses for why.

"I'm sure she cheated Tomoe-san." Tomoe nodded angrily; Kaoru slowly twisting Tomoe around her finger. Kenshin walked up to the pair, "Hello ladies." Tomoe stopped her rant and fluttered her eyelashes, "My lord why have we been graced with your presence?"

"I would like to compliment you on your… unique riding."

"I usually ride better my lord; I'd love to show you sometime." Tomoe said fully aware of all the glares she was receiving.

"Yeah…" Kenshin's eyes travelled to Kaoru who stood behind Tomoe, it looked as if he was ogling her.

"Hey Kenshin! We have a meeting!" Sano yelled earning a glare. Kenshin nodded at him, "I would love to borrow your guard; we have some questions for her."

Tomoe nodded, "Feel free."

Kaoru sighed following Kenshin into the castle.

A/N: Please review!