Author's Note: Hi guys! This is Jade-eyed Kunoichi, now known as Scarlet Soraya. Wow. So it's been three years since I last wrote something on here and I'm so sorry about that. It's probably redundant to use the excuse that life prevented me from writing so I won't use it, but my laptop did break and then I kind of just lost the inspiration to write. I'm a second-year college nursing student now so I was pretty busy trying to do that while working and all that. But now I'm back! AND I'm a much better writer than I used to be. Having taken a creative writing class, I hope my writing will be better and allow you guys to truly enjoy my story. My style has definitely changed (thus the name change) because I changed as a person in general but I think it'll be better than sixteen pubescent me. My writing won't be perfect by any means since I'm still human and very prone to grammatical errors but I hope you guys can forgive me and look past all that. I felt so bad because I saw how many people left reviews for me and I never responded to them despite how grateful I was. I want all of you who read this little drabble and enjoyed it or sent me feedback, to know that I am so unbelievably happy and thankful. I never thought myself to be a good writer by any means but to see that there are people out there enjoying what I have to write, is a feeling I can't even describe. I'm on break now so I'll definitely do my best to bring more to you guys. Anyways, enough of my rambling. Onto the story! We get to see a bit of the situation more from Kenshin's perspective now so that'll be interesting.

Disclaimer: I sadly don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I'm just an avid fan.

Kenshin could hear the loud beating of his heart and harsh breaths in his ears, panic and shame squeezing his chest in reminder of what he had just done. Images of Kaoru's tear-stained face and fearful eyes continuously replayed in his mind, causing a wave of nausea to roll through his body. He had purposely trained his grip on control, treading carefully around her in fear that his desires would get the best of him and scare her off.

"It was all for nothing. You did exactly what you were trying to avoid." The spite and disgust wasn't disguised in his voice as he sped off in his car. Pale hands gripped the steering wheel till knuckles were white and Kenshin brought one up to pull back his mane of hair in frustration.

He had no destination but he had to get away as far as he could from Kaoru. If he were to stop, he knew that he'd immediately want to turn around and return to her. But they needed space. He needed space. Not because he hated her or couldn't stand to be around her. The hatred towards himself was unbearably strong for having caused his precious Kaoru to fear him. His sweet, innocent Kaoru was so unaware of how desirable she was that it stunned him. There were many moments he had to rein in his desires in attempt to prevent himself from taking her to their bed and worshipping her body till she begged him to stop. And there were many cold showers to wash away his burning lust. Every time she bit her lip when she was nervous or deep in thought, whenever she ate those damned popsicles she loved so much, especially when she would train at the dojo. The focus that would show on her face, the sweat that dripped down her body to cause her clothes to stick to her curvy figure, her heavy breathing. His mind would twist the image, imagining her naked form underneath him and looking up at him breathless with pleasure-dazed eyes. Her impossibly blue eyes were full of want and her lips parted and bruised from his. It would all ignite a heat in his lower belly and cause his loins to tighten uncomfortably.

Kenshin felt another wave of disgust as he pushed down his arousal again. How could he let himself get lost in his lust after what had just occurred? He had caused her to cry. Her tears were something he could not and would not tolerate. Many had suffered in past situations for less, but who was he to punish when the cause of her pain had been him? He wanted nothing more than to run back into their home, scoop her into his arms and plant soft kisses on her face, whispering apologies and endearments into her ear softly. Kenshin almost did exactly that but his phone buzzed with a shrill ring. He let out a heavy sigh and answered it with his Bluetooth feature in his car, his voice firm but weary.

"Himura."

"Kenshin! Let's hit up Katsu's place and get some drinks huh? It's been awhile."

The voice was loud and boisterous with an all too familiar cocky tone. Kenshin rubbed the bridge of his nose between his eyes and turned down the volume of his speakers a couple notches.

"It's not really a good time Sano."

"What, Missy won't let you go out? Tell her you're going out for some meeting or something. It'll only be for a couple hours and I'll have you back before midnight. Come on." Sano had a hint of pleading in his voice.

Kenshin couldn't help but sigh again and resigned. "I'll meet you there."

'It'll give me a chance to cool down and distract me. Maybe Sano will be able to help me with this mess.'

Kenshin scoffed. "Fat chance."

Kaoru didn't know how long she had cried into the carpet of the floor before she finally pulled herself up off the ground and onto the couch of their living room. The apartment felt cold without him and Kaoru felt shame for having scared him off. She had been so foolish and childish to have let their lack of sex affect their relationship so much. Kenshin had been trying to be gentlemanly, not that she ever asked for it, but he was being considerate nonetheless. He wasn't completely innocent in this situation at all but she could have handled her starving libido more gracefully. She groaned and threw herself into the couch, stuffing her face into the decorative pillow on it.

"I'm an idiot."

Dark hair pooled down the couch as she turned her head to the side to look at the wedding photo hanging on the wall by her television. Kenshin was facing her as they said their vows, his violet eyes soft and loving. They looked completely at peace and happy, their hands holding each other with a tenderness that only their counterpart could bring out. There was no doubt in her mind that Kenshin loved her and she loved him as well. This was something that would never change between them. Even now after having seen the intense, possessive side of him she still couldn't help but feel an overwhelming need to see him again and bury her face into his fiery red mane, inhaling the scent of ginger and everything Kenshin. Kaoru could feel a hesitance in Kenshin's touch as if he was unsure about something. She didn't understand his hesitance because she couldn't think of any other person she wanted to completely surrender her body to. For her, it would be the ultimate happiness to give herself fully to the love of her life. She craved that intimacy and couldn't help but think that their marriage wasn't quite complete without having sealed it with their bodies. 'Not that I'd ever actually say that to his face.'

The raven-haired woman shifted onto her back, staring up at the ceiling with a sigh. Other than this incident, she had no complaints about her marriage with Kenshin. He had been the perfect partner and husband. Attentive, gentle, patient, an excellent cook, and so skilled with his hands that the heavenly massages he gave her should be considered sinful. It was completely unfair that he was so much better than her in house chores and often felt guilty watching him do all the daily tasks without a single complaint. He was perfect to a fault and it left her feeling grateful and extremely annoyed. The way he would treat her like a porcelain doll drove her crazy because she felt that she was anything but. Maybe it was her stubborn nature or the fact that she had been raised by a male single parent but she had always been tough and rough around the edges. She wasn't used to being treated like a flower that could be crushed with just the slightest pressure. And the fear Kenshin almost had of her innocence made her feel distanced from him.

That distance he continued to put between them hurt her and it frightened her to see just how much of his true feelings he hid from her. It wasn't the burning stare that he gave with those piercing gold eyes of his that scared her and it wasn't the sudden loss of control that caused him to snap so suddenly at her words. No, she had seen those eyes often before whenever he was angered by those who upset her or was stressed. Was even a recipient of that intense look back when she had snuck out with her friends, Misao and Megumi, had one too many drinks then got in a car accident on her way back home. Luckily, she had escaped with just a fractured shin but Kenshin had been furious at her for weeks.

What hurt her the most was the secretive attitude he still carried even after the years they had spent together as friends, a couple, then life partners. He had a past she knew that he carried on his shoulders and that burden still weighed him down. She wanted him to share that burden with her as his wife but he still refused to. Never had he shared his complete past and she refused to push him into it because she believed that he would tell her when he was ready to. Kaoru simply wanted him to rely on her. She felt useless and unbearably distressed that he didn't feel comfortable or trust her enough to share his worries and feelings. After all, isn't that what a relationship, much less a marriage, was all about? More tears spilled down her temples to wet her hair and stain the couch.

'How can I stay in a marriage with a husband that pushes me so far away from him?'

There was a lot of noise and Sano's loud voice echoed throughout the decently sized bar despite the packed space. Loud music blasted through speakers and the bar smelled of alcohol, sweat, and a mesh of different perfumes, colognes, and bodies.

Kenshin held a mug of beer that he had been nursing for a good hour or so. He had chased away a number of women and men away with the wave of his ringed finger, politely declining. Sano was already drunk and had a flush on his face, singing along with the music and joking around with Katsu. Sano had somehow dragged their anti-social friend, Aoshi, out as well, though Aoshi looked like he wanted to be there just as much as Kenshin did which didn't mean much. The red head felt a pang of annoyance at Sano's urgent need to get drunk as soon as he got there. He had doubted it but had secretly hoped that Sano would had given him some words of advice that could've helped him even slightly in his situation. Perhaps that had been too much to expect from his carefree friend. Now that Sano had ingested enough alcohol, there was no hope in getting anything of use from him. Aoshi would have been more helpful in that moment and the ice man knew next to nothing about resolving marital conflicts. The man was a master in the art of spying and information intelligence and also an excellent sparring partner. But he was cold and a man of few words, showing little to zero interest in anything remotely female. Kenshin sighed heavily, sipping from his mug.

He wanted to go home and see his wife.

Sano slapped Kenshin's back and threw his arm around Kenshin's shoulders, slightly shaking him. "Hey Ken-man! Why do you look so down?! Rejoice! We have booze, the company of friends, and no women to tie us down!"

Kenshin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry if I'm ruining the mood a bit. Kaoru and I got into it tonight."

Sano and Katsu looked at him surprised, well as surprised as a drunk can look. Aoshi spared him a glance but otherwise continued to ignore them all.

"You and the missy? Damn. And I thought you guys were supposed to have like the perfect marriage or whatever. She's obsessed with you, you're obsessed with each other, you love each other till you're both graying and wrinkly, and end of story."

Kenshin chuckled a little. "Thank you, Sano, but we're far from perfect. This time I think it's a bit more my fault than it is hers."

"Well just go to her, apologize, kiss up to her, have some make-up sex, then boom. Everything will be solved."

"That's the thing. I…. haven't… done anything with her."

Sano's jaw went slack. "Are you fucking with me? You and little missy haven't…. done it yet?"

Katsu rolled his eyes. "It's called sex Sano."

Sano ignored him. "And she hasn't lost it?"

"That is why I'm here. She thought I saw her as unattractive and even went as far as to accuse me of cheating on her. She said that she doesn't think I love her because I seem to be avoiding her."

"Are you an idiot Kenshin? How do you go five years in a relationship without ever having sex? If you had sex, then my solution would be useful to you too. It works for me with the fox every time."

Katsu raised a brow. His voice was dry, "Didn't you get kicked out your house last month for a week because you did that and expected Megumi to forgive you right away? You loitered in my house AND my bar for the entire week till I begged her to just forgive you and let you back into your house. You ate all of my groceries and drank all the booze you wanted. For free at that!"

Sano laughed nervously. "Well it works 90% of the time when you haven't used it a bunch of times already. Besides, this isn't about me. It's about our poor friend Kenshin here. I still can't believe you haven't gotten laid for five years but I know something else that could help your situation. Let me let you in on a little secret tip buddy of mine." Kenshin sweat-dropped as Sano pulled him in close and leaned in towards Katsu and Aoshi.

"I'm about to enlighten you all. This includes even you ice man."

"Go to hell, Sano."

Sano spoke quietly but loud enough for the other men to hear.

"The ultimate key to making a woman forgive you when you screw up is…"

Katsu looked at Sano expectantly and Sano looked at the others, building up the expectation and tension.

"…To just don't talk to her."

A peanut hit Sano's forehead and was followed by an ice cube, Katsu's laughter filled the space.

"Get the hell out of here Sano. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Hey man! I know these things. The people back in the city I'm from called me the 'Love Doctor'."

"Sure Sano. I'm sure they called you Santa Claus too."

"Go to hell Katsu."

Kenshin sighed and looked at them hopelessly.

"Battousai."

Kenshin's head snapped up in surprise at the voice and the old nickname. Aoshi's dark eyes peered at him with an almost bored expression but was sincere despite his serious, monotone voice.

"If you want to make up with her, perhaps it would be best to talk to her and ask what made her upset then work it out from there. She may be upset but taking the problem lightly or ignoring her would most likely upset her more. Space is good for a short period of time but too much will leave you both anxious which is what you are experiencing I'm sure. I do not believe that everything is what it seems on the surface. I doubt that your woman is that angry at you because you would not get," he frowned a little distastefully, "physically intimate with her. I would hope that you did not choose a woman as base as that."

Kenshin took in Aoshi's words and thought back on the events with Kaoru. Kaoru wasn't a shallow woman who'd react so negatively to something so menial which was one of the many reasons why he loved her so much. If what Aoshi said was true, which Kenshin hoped he was, then it was time to go back home.

Kaoru woke up to the sound of keys jangling and soft footsteps. Long, dark lashes opened to reveal swollen and tired sapphire eyes. Her eyes were met with the sight of Kenshin, peering over the couch to look down at her with soft eyes.

"You're awake."

"You came back."

Kaoru sat up and rubbed her eyes, curling up on the far side of the couch away from Kenshin. Kenshin felt a pang of hurt and regret at the space she put between them. He sat down on the other side of the couch from her.

"I apologize for how I acted earlier Kaoru."

Kaoru looked at him quickly, taking note in his changed way of speaking.

"I lost my control and took it out on you. You have every reason to be upset and I will do anything I can to get your forgiveness."

There was a long silence before Kaoru let out a loud sigh and looked at him, sliding her legs down to hang off the couch.

"I'm not mad at you or frightened of you because of what happened earlier Kenshin. I was shocked but more than that, I was sad."

Kenshin looked at her confused. "Sad?"

Kaoru nodded and moved closer to him, taking his hand into her own and resting her head on his shoulder. Kenshin gently squeezed her hand, feeling the lines of her fingers and palm. He felt at peace once again in her presence. Kaoru could feel the relief in being reunited with her husband and closed her eyes. She didn't say anything and he didn't either. They wanted to savor the company of each other and even though Kenshin wanted to know what Kaoru had to say, he didn't push her to continue.

This continued for a couple of minutes then Kaoru's soft voice broke the silence.

"You distance yourself from me. I don't know why but you do. Like you're afraid of something and it hurts me. I love you so much Kenshin and as your wife, I want to be able to support you. I want to know all of your concerns, your true feelings. When you lost your control, you revealed to me all of the emotions and feelings you kept secret and I came to realize how much you hid from me. I hate that you feel like you need to shoulder this burden on your own. Whether you do it because you think I'll get hurt or run away, it doesn't matter. I won't get hurt and I promise with my life that I would never run away." Kaoru stared up at him, her eyes displaying the sincerity in her words.

Kenshin looked at her a little surprised then he frowned as he realized the truth in her words. "Kaoru, I didn't realize that I was hurting you so much. It's just that you're so pure and innocent where I'm dirtied by the things I did in the past and I'd be devastated if I soiled that innocence in you. You're my light and the only thing I have to give me strength to live. If that light were to dim and fade…" He looked away from her, his chest aching at the thought of losing Kaoru.

Kaoru looked up at him with concerned eyes. "Kenshin, I will never leave you. I want to be able to carry your burdens with you. It won't make you any weaker or make me a different person. As your wife, it's my job to support you and be there with you during your hard times. Remember our vows?" Kenshin smiled a little and looked back at her. His other hand cupped her cheek tenderly and Kaoru leaned into the warmth of his hand.

"I've been an idiot."

"You have no idea."

Kenshin chuckled and put his forehead against hers. Kaoru basked in the touch and their lips touched briefly, sparking a warmth in their bodies. Her nose brushed his lovingly.

"I want you to trust in me and tell me when there are things that bother you. I'm sorry for reacting so extremely and saying those things to you. I didn't mean any of those things you know."

Kenshin nodded. "I was a bit of a fool so I don't blame you." Kaoru smiled. "I'll share my worries with you from now on."

Kaoru hugged him closer to her body, feeling the tension between them melt away. She kissed his lips softly and he returned it in fervor, his hand moving from her hand to her small waist. It was a tangle of hands, lips, and tongue as they expressed their love and relief. A new tension built up between them and Kenshin felt no hesitation as he picked her up by her backside with every intention of properly showing her just how much he desired her. Kaoru's legs immediately wrapped around his hips as she showered his neck with kisses. Kenshin groaned softly as he carried her to their bedroom, clothing falling to the floor one by one in a trail. They had both waited for far too long and Kenshin was determined to make it the best for the both of them. A smirk tugged at his lips as he kissed her again.

She wouldn't be moving for a while once he was done with her.

And she had no complaints. Her friend, Misao, had said something to her many years ago and in that moment, she couldn't help but remember them.

It's always the nice ones you don't expect to be so passionate in bed.

The End

Oh my god I'm done! I can't believe I finally finished this little thing after so many years. I shocked myself haha. But to be honest, I'm not completely satisfied with this story because I wrote it so long ago in such a different mindset and style so it was hard to write it the way I wanted to without breaking the flow of the first chapter. I think I lost my way when writing this since I started it so long ago and I definitely could have wrote it much better but I'm just happy to finish it for you guys. Hopefully it wasn't too bad. Please let me know what you guys thought and share any criticism you may have. AND BIG NEWS. I have another little drabble in the works! This one is called The Quiet Ones. Can you guess who it'll be about? (lol) Please keep an eye out for that as I'll have that out as soon. Once again, thank you all so much for reading!