Chapter Eleven

Aoshi jumped into his ice-blue Mazda RX-7 and raced towards the Himura residence. The urgency in Tomoe's voice startled him. While he hated leaving Misao's side, he had to be with dearest childhood friend. He was never shy about how important Tomoe was to him. It was no secret, no guessing required. Before Kenshin became her husband, he was her protector, her defender. No matter what Tomoe needed, Aoshi provided it for her. A relationship much like brother and sister, this is what they shared. He would kill whoever hurt her. He would die for her if need be. And he still cursed the day he let Kenshin meet her.

Kenshin.

He knew him. He knew he couldn't do it. Being a respectable man was just too much for him. They say you can't turn a ho into a housewife. Well, you can't turn a man-whore into a husband, either. Kenshin was proof of that. Sure, he talked the talked and even walked the walk for a while. He did do away with his black book. He stopped seeing all his other girls before he asked Tomoe out on a date. He didn't spend his nights in clubs critiquing the new talent. For the past couple of years, he had played the part. But he was only playing...only acting. His true self just came bursting through as soon as he started working for that god forsaken firm with that god forsaken woman. The same woman...the same amoral, despicable cunt of a woman...was the sister of the woman whom he had grown a soft spot for...the ONLY other woman he has acquired a soft spot for.

She was so indescribably sweet, so pure...much like Tomoe was at that age. But, she really wasn't like Tomoe at all. His childhood friend was quiet. She was a silent beauty, very feminine, very gentile. She was always aloof, always cool. Misao was just vibrant and full of life. She's a tomboy, but uniquely feminine. She had the perfect balance of innocence, passion and fire. She was one in a million...hell, a billion. Out of all the women he had met, been involved with, screwed and dealt with, Misao was the only one to capture his heart so quickly, so completely. It was like witchcraft.

Aoshi found himself at the front door of the Himura residence before he even realized. Thoughts of Misao ran fast-paced through his head. So much so, he almost forgot why he was even where he was, until the door flew open and he was looking into the sad, blue eyes of his childhood friend. Those eyes, usually clear and bright were now bloodshot and dilated. Tomoe fell into Aoshi's arms, crying. He slowly raised his hands and rubbed the back of her head, her soft tendrils gliding between his fingers. Salty tears rolled down her cheek and onto the soft silk shirt Aoshi so carefully picked out this morning. Noting that nosy neighbors may be peaking out their windows, Aoshi carefully walked forward into the house, shutting the door behind him. At that moment, Tomoe clutched at the soft, blue shirt and began to sob uncontrollably, making Aoshi's heart tear at the seams. He held her tight, bracing his tall, thin frame against the faux-stucco wall.

"Hush, Tomoe-chan," Aoshi coaxed, kissing her forehead.

"You warned me," Tomoe whispered through her tears.

"Of what, my dear?" He said in a soothing tone.

"To stay away from him..."

A long moment of silence persisted as both parties sorted through their emotions. Yes, Aoshi had warned Tomoe about Kenshin and told her to stay far away from him. Aoshi threatened his best friend. If he broke her heart, he would break his neck. He meant it. He still did. But, he was here covering for Kenshin, helping him hurt Tomoe. But, if he ever revealed the truth, that would hurt her infinitely more. Tomoe was no idiot. Though he couldn't believe she fell for some of the stories he told, he knew she was no fool. Perhaps it was her deep love and devotion that wouldn't permit her to question her husband. However, the more that went on, the more doubts that crept into Tomoe's head. She did not want to doubt her husband, doubt his loyalty. She might as well stab him in the back. No...that was not an option. Her love couldn't be...

"You wouldn't lie to me, right?" Tomoe asked.

"Hai," he replied.

"Kenshin...loves me, right?"

"Hai."

"If he was doing something...deceitful...you would tell me, right?"

"Hai."

Tomoe closed her eyes tight and took in a deep breath. Perhaps...just maybe she was over reacting. If Aoshi knew something was going on with Kenshin, he would let her know. He wouldn't allow her to be hurt in any way. They had been through too much for him to betray her like that. Plus, she knew in her heart her husband would not betray her like that. How could she have let the doubt creep up on her like that! How disloyal she was! Tomoe pushed herself away from Aoshi and began to dry her red eyes. She ran a thin hand through her hair in an attempt to tame the strands and then wrapped her arms across her chest.

"I'm sorry," she said finally.

"For?"Aoshi questioned.

"For making you rush here for nothing," Tomoe replied.

"That sure didn't seem like 'nothing' to me," he said matter-of-factly. "Tell me the truth."

Tomoe backed away further until she was against the opposite wall. She held herself tightly, glaring down at the marble floor. Her lips moved, but words were slow to follow. Aoshi burst forward, taking her by the shoulders.

"Tell me!" he said through his teeth, shaking her. Tomoe cried out, making him cease at once.

"Alright!" she yelled. Aoshi released her and took two steps back. Tomoe glared at her childhood friend with contempt...contempt for making her say what she never should have thought.

"I believe Kenshin has been lying to me...about something..." she said.

Aoshi looked on with his normal, cool eyes. Yes, he already knew that's what she suspected...right from the first words they spoke. What's missing now is that something she's referring to.

"I also know you wouldn't let him live if he did so. I've been so foolish," she said, covering her sad face with her hand. If his heart was tearing earlier, it was completely bleeding now. He felt directly responsible for her pain...not Kenshin. He extended his arms and took her within them. Puzzled, she complied, her head against his chest again. Though he showed a cool exterior, she could hear his heart racing, beating at a phenomenal speed. This worried her...more than her own suspicion. As often as she laid her gentle head upon him, she never felt him like this.

"Don't worry about it. If you need me, call," he said, kissing her on the forehead, then silently let himself out.

Tomoe couldn't seem to make sense of the encounter. She was supposed to feel better, to have reached a conclusion. Now, she only felt more uncertainty. Could Aoshi be keeping something from her, also? The thought was even more unbearable than Kenshin being deceitful. No...this could not be happening to her. No...not again. Tomoe pulled herself off the wall, only to fall into a sobbing pile on the floor.

Aoshi peeled out the driveway and sped down the otherwise quiet street. He came to a stop sign a screeched to a halt. He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and dialed his best friend's number. Within two rings, the line picked up.

"Yes?" Kenshin asked, his voice tart.

"If you hurt her, I will kill you," Aoshi said coldly.

Kenshin was about to reply to his friend's outburst, but Aoshi hung up before anything further could be said. Kenshin glared at his phone, then back down at the paperwork. Kenshin didn't have time to worry about the meaning of Aoshi's comment. He had to get through this work and soon. He placed his phone back into his pocket and shifted through some files. Kenshin glanced over at me, then down at the files, then at me again.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Oh...nothing," he lied.

"Oh, come on. You and I both know 'nothing' means 'a whole hell of a lot'. Don't front. Tell me what's going on," I said, placing my pen down on the desk.

"It's Aoshi. He's still upset over our...relationship," he admitted.

"Oh...that's all," I said nonchalantly.

"That's all?" he threw back.

"What I mean is...he'll get over it. If he can't deal, stop tossing him the juicy details. Keep him from being involved. Let's put it like this...not even my sister knows all of my dirt. Aoshi is a bit of a loose cannon since he is also your wife's friend. Take my words very seriously, Kenshin...you need to keep him on a short leash," I said, picking my pen back up. I'm sure he was still shaken by my verbal beating earlier. I knew he would do what I said. I could see it on his face. He was contemplating my words.

Smart boy.

"I see the truth in your statement," he replied.

"Of course you do. I'm sure you've been somewhere similar to here before. Do not forget how truly alike we really are, Kenshin," I purred, leaving a sly smile on my face.

"I won't," he said, leaning forward to take my lips. Before he could, I moved back and waved my finger in front of him.

"No...not while we still have work to do," I said in a teasing voice. Kenshin smirked, his eyes flashing that sexy hue of amber that drove me wild.

"I like it when you are assertive," he said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. This time, he kissed me and kissed me hard. I swear, this man makes me melt like a hot knife on butter. I took his lips hungrily as he pulled me on top of him.

"Naughty boy, we have work to do," I said as our clothes flew all over the office. Within moments, we both were nude. His hands raked across my back. I arched gracefully and nipped him on the neck. I positioned myself so I was sitting on his lap, facing him.

"We'll tend to that later," he said, taking my breast into his mouth, teasing my pert nipple. I giggled and moaned, trying to control myself. As upset as I was earlier, I truly felt he took my words seriously. Besides, he and I made much better lovers than enemies.

Actually, we made wonderful lovers. The moment of penetration was second only to the moment of climax with him. It felt like an eternity since the last time he was inside of me. My body had been aching for him. Finally, my request was fulfilled. We made a royal mess of the office, but the romp was well worth it. It was more than worth it. Only one thing about it disturbed me, though. As we held each other in a show of post-coital tenderness, Kenshin nuzzled his cheek against mine and kissed me tenderly. I inhaled deeply as he told me he loved me. I smiled, then quickly pulled away as his words registered in my brain.

He loved me?