Holla people! Its HinataUchiha101 here with the third chapter of Past Secrets. A little bit of action between Aoshi and Kaoru in the last chapter. And Kaoru got to kick some ass in the last chapter also. So I hope you guys enjoyed it and that you enjoy this chapter coming up! So her it goes the third chapter!
Chapter Three
Yahiko and Sanosuke walked into the dining room as Kenshin began to set the food out on the table. They sat down in the same spots they had occupied earlier in the day. Kenshin reentered the kitchen and grabbed more dishes full of food. He really wished they would at least help carry the food in since he took the time to make it. With a sigh he walked back out to the dining room and set the dishes down. As he began to sit he noticed two people missing from the table.
"Have you two seen Kaoru-dono or Aoshi?", Kenshin asked them.
"Nope. No since this morning. Ugly is probably in her room right now trying to make her face look at least half way descent. Not like anything can really help.", Yahiko laughed. Kenshin and Sano ignored the comment.
"I'm going to go and tell Kaoru-dono and Aoshi that dinner is ready.", Kenshin said standing from the table.
"Alright. But while you gone we'll get started.", Sano said digging in to the food.
"Just be sure to leave enough for Kaoru-dono, Aoshi, and me."
"Sure, sure.", could be faintly heard as Kenshin walked down the hall towards Kaoru's room. As he reach the corner he stopped and listened to the other sounds in the hallway.
"Come on Aoshi stop it. We have to go have dinner with everyone else and I don't think they would appreciate me eating looking the way I do now.", came Kaoru's smooth voice.
"I'd surely appreciate it.", replied Aoshi's voice.
"Yeah I bet you would. Now please remove your hands so I can straighten my kimono." A rustling came soon after.
"Thank you." Though the voice didn't sound very thankful.
"Wait a moment Kaoru before you go."
"What now Aoshi?" She sounded impatient. For a long while there was no response in the still air. Kenshin held his breathe waiting for a sign anything that could clue him into the activities happening around the corner. Finally curiosity and a spike of anger winning out he peeked around the corner.
To say his heart stopped would be an understatement. Surely he was not seeing what he thought he was seeing. His Kaoru was not kissing the former leader of the Oniwabanshu. There had to be some sort of mistake. Surely if he closed his eyes and opened them again he would only see the to standing there.
No such luck. The two were locked together in a deep kissed. Her back was pressed up against the wall her arms around his neck. His hands were on her waist trailing his hand up and down her sides. She moaned as his tongue rubbed against hers.
Suddenly all he felt was anger. How dare he touch her like that. How could she enjoy his touch when it was supposed to be him that gave her pleasure. Him that made her moan that sweet moan of hers. Not the okashira. He didn't deserve her. Neither of them did. He had worked so hard to keep his blood stained hands from her pure skin and all was foiled because Aoshi didn't care that he was touching her with unclean hand, bloodstained hands.
Well he wouldn't stand for it. It was time him and Aoshi had a talk and soon. Making his presence known he made it seem like he was coming down the hall. The two broke apart and Kaoru quickly tried to straighten her kimono again. Coming around the corner he could see that her lips were swollen and rage squeezed at him again. Controlling his emotions he smiled at the two.
"Dinner is ready you to. We should hurry before Sano and Yahiko eat it all, that we should."
"Right thanks for telling us Kenshin lets go.", Kaoru smiled back. She began walking passing Kenshin leaving the two men behind her. When neither moved she turned back toward the two.
"Something wrong?"
Not at all Kaoru-dono. Aoshi and I just need to have a private discussion, that we do."
She looked at the two suspiciously. Her eyes trailing from one to the other. Almost reluctantly she nodded. She didn't know what they could be about to talk about but whatever it is Aoshi would more than likely tell her later.
"Alright. But don't blame me if the two idiots eat all the food."
"Hai Kaoru-dono."
When she was out of sight and hearing distance Kenshin turned toward Aoshi. His eye shone a bright amber, nothing but anger towards the man in front of him shining through.
"I think we need to talk about something that concerns me Aoshi." No longer did he have the Rurouni persona in place.
"Yes we do. For something concerns me as well. I wasn't aware that the mighty Battousai snuck behind corners and listened to private conversations. And to also think that you're a voyeur. My what would the great men of the Bakumatsu that fell before your sword say about you if they could see you now.", Aoshi taunted.
"So you knew I was there and yet you continued on.", disgust shined through his words.
"Of course I did Battousai. Did you expect me to stop because you were watching something you shouldn't have been watching? I don't think so."
"You are not worthy of her. Your hands are stained with the blood of others, she is pure."
"Don't give me that stained hands bullshit Battousai. Just because you were to afraid to give her the love she deserved when you had the chance doesn't mean that I will be afraid to. I love Kaoru and she loves me and I won't shy away from it."
"What about Misoa? Can you really say you'll never be tempted to leave Kaoru for her?"
"Nice try but Misoa is nothing more than my ward. She is like a little sister to me. If I were to ever become involved with her it would be like you being involved with Ayame-chan. Sick and wrong."
"You know you don't deserve her Aoshi.", his last vain attempt to make him see reason.
"Possibly but I'm a selfish man." And with that he strode past him but stopped suddenly.
"Tell me Kenshin. Do you love Kaoru as much as you love Tomoe?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Do you?"
Kenshin thought for a moment, then realized he didn't.
"No."
"Your still in love with the woman of your past. Let me have the woman of my present."
"And if I say no?"
"Well then I suppose you would be the selfish one then wouldn't you? But I waited six months Battousai. I'm through waiting for you to make up your mind. I'm taking some action." He began to walk towards the dining room again.
"If you hurt her. I'll kill you."
"I don't doubt that."
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At the dinner table everyone sat enjoying everyone's company. Kenshin suddenly cleared his throat.
"Minna-san, I will be leaving tomorrow on a mission for Yamagata-san. I will be away for the better part of a month. Sano if you wouldn't mind I'd appreciate it if you would join me on my mission. I believe it would be more efficient that way."
"Really Kenshin you want my help?", Sano questioned. Kenshin nodded back.
"I want to come too Kenshin.", Yahiko shouted.
"No you must stay her and complete your training. Besides I believe that you made a promise to Tsubame-dono did you not?" Yahiko sat grumbling to himself about stupid promises.
"What exactly do you have to do Kenshin?", Kaoru asked.
"Not much Kaoru-dono. We are headed to Osaka to handle a couple of ex samurai who have been terrorizing local villages there. They believe that they are being lead by an ex captain of a group called the Jinshiyu. It seems that he can't let go of the old ways."
"Please be careful Kenshin."
"No worries Kaoru-dono. No harm will befall Sano or I."
"You had better make sure cause if you two get hurt don't expect me to help take care of you when you return."
"Now, now Kaoru-dono. Aoshi how long will you be staying for?"
"I'm not sure. I'll be finding out tomorrow when I receive my assignment."
Kenshin nodded, "Well if it wouldn't be to much trouble would you stay extra days if we're not back when you've finished your assignment?"
Aoshi was slightly shocked he had asked him to stay. Not that he would have left Kaoru here by herself.
"Hai."
"What now I need a babysitter?"
"Not at all Kaoru-dono. It would just make me feel better knowing that you were safe, that it would."
"Whatever Kenshin." he just smiled back at her. He wasn't completely alright with the Aoshi situation but he couldn't exactly stand in their way. Aoshi had hit a sore spot bringing up Tomoe but he had to admit that what Aoshi said was true. He did still love Tomoe, he couldn't overcome it and nothing else could out weigh the love he felt for her. Not ever Kaoru. So honestly he couldn't stand in the way. If that's what she wanted what more could he do. However, he wasn't giving up. As soon as Aoshi made a mistake he would be there to reclaim Kaoru's heart.
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Kaoru stood at the gate waving away everyone who was leaving. Kenshin and Sano headed out first wanting to get an early start on their journey. Kenshin had confronted Kaoru before they had left privately away from prying ears about what he had seen last night. She had come clean about the two and how long they had been together.
Flashback
"Kaoru-dono would you mind if I had a word with you?", Kenshin asked from his seat on the porch. She turned her head toward his and nodded.
Since it was only the two of them outside right now he couldn't think of a better time to confront her about her and Aoshi. He didn't want to leave knowing that she would be sneaking around to afraid to tell him the truth.
"What is it Kenshin?", she asked taking a seat next to him on the porch.
"It's about you and Aoshi."
"What about us?", she asked fearing the worst.
He took a deep breath before he began, "I happened to walk in on the two of you in the hallway yesterday when I went to retrieve you for dinner, that I did."
"So you saw everything?", she whispered.
"Yes."
There was a moment of silence between the two, neither speaking. The air was tense with unspoken words. Kaoru was to afraid to look up at him to search his face for a reaction. But then she realized, there was nothing to be afraid of. Who cared whether or not he approved of their relationship. The only opinion that mattered was hers and Aoshi's.
If he was happy for them then great but if not she found she really didn't care as much as she thought she did. With this sudden realization she looked up at him and studied his face. She couldn't detect any emotion on his face.
"I'm glad you know."
"You are?", he turned towards her as he said it. He was shocked to say the least. He hadn't expected that answer. Embarrassment maybe, fear even, but not happiness.
"Yes, because I realize that you shouldn't be ashamed to love someone. That you shouldn't hide you love in empty hallways.", she laughed at the last part.
"Love? How can you be in love after only a few days?" Was she crazy? She was talking about love and Aoshi had only been there for three days.
"Actually we began this back in Kyoto after you had all returned from your battle Shishio. I had been so worried about you and your injuries when you came back. Aoshi had comforted me and we had began a friendship. Somehow we progressed from friends to something more. On the morning that we were to return home Aoshi had asked me to stay with him, to be with him. But I was afraid. I had fallen in love with him so quickly and I wasn't sure if he felt the same. I let my fears bush us apart and said I was still in love with you. He told me he would give me six months before he came for me. If we weren't together he said he wouldn't hold back and we would be together.", she stopped for a breath and he sat quietly listening.
"I… I never actually expected him to fulfill his promise. I was sure that once I was gone and he had had time to clear his head he would see that he wasn't in love with me. That he was just acting in the moment. In truth I had forgotten about what he had told me. Imagine my surprise when he came to 'collect' on his promise."
"Six to seven months.", he said.
"Yeah.", she nodded.
"Well that makes me feel somewhat better.", he smiled. She looked up at him.
"Before I had thought that he just wanted you for your body. But now I know that he does love you. Not that approve completely but at least now I can rest easier."
"So your fine with this?"
"Would it matter if I was?", and somehow he already knew the answer without her saying it.
"No, but it's nice to have a friends support all the same though.", he smiled at that.
End flashback
As Kenshin and Sano walked away Yahiko rushed past her.
"What's your hurry?", she yelled at him.
"I've got to go help out Tai at the Akabeko." , he yelled back
"Stay safe. And don't be home to late."
"I'm stayin at the Akabeko tonight, got an early shift tomorrow."
"Alright.", sighing she turned back into the yard only to crash into Aoshi's broad chest.
"Oh, Aoshi didn't see you there sorry."
"It's alright. I must be heading out now I'll return shortly." She nodded.
"Stay safe."
"I will." he placed a gentle kiss on her lips and smiled at her when he pulled away. She really loved his smile seeing as he only smiled when it was the two of them alone.
"And when I return when can finally have some time to ourselves."
"Mm yes finally." Giving her one last kiss he pulled away and walked through the gate closing it behind him. Turning back to the yard Kaoru tried to think of something to do, then finally decided to plan out an evening with Aoshi. She was definitely going to give him something to smile more about. And with that she headed inside to think of ideas on how to torture him.
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Well there you go chapter three, hope you enjoyed! Please review and give me your ideas. If you want a lemon in the next chapter or upcoming chapters please let me know. Thanks for reading.
-HinataUchiha101