Summary: Drabbles from the Love, Lies n Empire universe. All characters. Situations and events referred to in the main story. Read n Review.

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin and its characters belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro. I borrow the gang for my fics.

Rating: T

Annals of Empire

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Drabble 7: Miscommunication

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"What difference is there between us, save a restless dream that follows my soul but fears to come near you?"

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(Khalil Gibran)

He still wasn't used to being around Kamatari. Despite the fact that he was now engaged to Kaoru and almost a member of the family, Kamatari still watched him like a hawk watches a wayward vulture on his turf. Goodness! What was wrong with the man? Couldn't he just let her go? Kaoru had chosen him of her own free will. Could he not trust her judgment?

The older man still managed to unnerve him and make him tense whenever he was around. Kaoru had told him Kamatari was just being possessive. He didn't like having to share her attention with anyone apart from Shishio. He would come around.

Taro just needs time, he is getting used to you. Give him time, and you'll see, he can be the best friend you've ever had.

Sure. But when? It was alright for Kaoru to say things like that, but she wasn't the one who was subjected to a glaring scrutiny each time he appeared. Kamatari made him feel like a child caught stealing from the sweet bowl. Okita sighed.

He watched him silently as he stood hunched over a 'present for his minx', industriously polishing the dark wood to a shine. He had been slaving over it for days, finding time whenever he could between his duties and sleep. Kamatari stepped back and sighed contentedly. It was finally ready.

The ebony shone in the sunlight. The sleek blades glinted and the feathers were cut to perfection, streamlined with wax to make them cut through the air faster. The quiver and bow were just as exquisite. A bow and quiver fit for a princess. Okita smiled as he thought about Kaoru practising with them in the archery ground behind the palace.

Kamatari picked up the bow and stroked the painstakingly carved pheasant on the shaft. "It's really too bad she won't be able to get her arrows back. I worked so hard on them."

Okita frowned. "Why not?"

Kamatari looked at him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Because…..they'll be sticking out of dead soldiers on the other side of the walls."

"Dead …..dead soldiers! You're not suggesting that she'll be fighting, are you?" Okita turned towards him aggressively.

Kamatari rolled his eyes and looked once more at the young nobleman. "Why else would I give her a bow? To shoot at trees? Don't display your stupidity if you can help it." He stalked out of the workroom, closely followed by Okita. He caught up with him at the turn of the corridor.

"Kaoru cannot fight in this war!" He blurted.

Kamatari arched an eyebrow. "And why not, pray tell?"

"Why not! I can't believe you're actually asking me that! She's a princess! The battlefield is no place for a woman."

"Is that so?" Kamatari narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then what is her place?"

Okita pursed his lips together. "She cannot fight. Her life is too precious. She will be hurt if she is not kept safe."

"Kept? Kaoru? Are we even talking about the same girl here Captain?"

It was Okita's turn to glower at Kamatari now. "General, you may feel inclined to indulge some childish fantasy she has of war and what it means to fight in one, but I will certainly not allow it."

"Not allow it? Just who the hell do you think you are, that you think you can make her decisions for her?"

"I am the man she's about to marry, and I reserve the right to influence her every decision. She's not just your niece anymore, General. She is going to be my wife, and I will never allow her to be exposed to such blatant danger." He watched with cold eyes as Kamatari visibly bristled at his last comment.

"You cannot tell her what to do."

"Watch me. Kaoru will not put one foot outside her chamber. She is my world, and I will protect her with every last breath in my body. No one, not you nor Kaoru herself can stop me." Okita turned on his heel and walked away.

Kamatari's hands hung limply to his sides. He smirked. Fool. You're so blinded by love you cannot even see her anymore. Kaoru is like the wind. Trap her in a cage and she will die. Try to chain her to yourself and she will run away.

Author's Notes

Hi everyone, Hope you liked this. Read and Review please.