Minor Warning: There be a little heat ahead. Please enjoy.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

The sun was setting earlier as the country progressed into winter, and it was already getting dark when Kenshin held open the door for Kaoru. Outside, the wind was biting and chill, but inside the restaurant it was warm and inviting. Kaoru grinned from ear to ear, and rubbed her hands together as she waited for him to lead her in. He wasn't very sure why she had insisted on eating there, even if she claimed it was to see Tsubame. She could have chosen somewhere new, and even a little more expensive, if she had wanted to. Still, his wallet would thank her for the choice later.

One of the part-time hostesses greeted them at the door. Luckily, she instantly recognized him, and he was able to ask if Tsubame was working. Even more fortunate, the girl was there, and the hostess happily agreed to seat them in Tsubame's section. While Kaoru looked excited about seeing someone she knew outside of the lab, Kenshin was worried about the encounter.

Ever since Yahiko's disappearance, Tsubame had grown visibly worried and upset. She knew better than to talk about it openly, but the stress had begun to wear on her. Every time they worked a shift together, she would badger him for an update. Every time he had nothing new to tell her, he felt worse. The news that Yahiko was being held by the Emperor had caused quite the scene at the restaurant. Tsubame had fainted in the breakroom, which had then earned her a lecture from Tae about youngsters not knowing how to take proper care of themselves when living alone. A few people had overhead them mention Yahiko right before the mishap, and a rumor had then spread that Yahiko, who had mysteriously stopped showing up for work, had run away with some other girl. Tsubame had fiercely denied the rumor in a show of uncharacteristic indignation that no one, not even Kenshin, had expected. The rumor had quickly died after that, but the poor floral demon remained on the receiving end of many pity-filled glances.

It was only within the last few days had he been able to reassure her that they were working on a plan to free the young sky demon. Tsubame had clung to his promise like a lifeline, but he feared that that kind of hope might do her more harm than good if the plan did not succeed. Kenshin wanted to trust that Sōzō was a good judge of character and that he had as good of a connection in the palace as he had claimed. However, he worried about such an undertaking when it involved the Sky Emperor and his home palace. The Sky Emperor was notoriously paranoid, and to make it worse, the old man was stronger than anyone else in the country. Perhaps, with the exception of Hiko-sama.

Tsubame looked surprised to see them, and it was only in that moment that Kenshin realized their presence there together was more than likely insensitive. Yahiko was a prisoner, and they appeared to be flaunting their relationship like they didn't have a care in the world. Feeling like a fool, he watched the young lady try to smile at them. It was in that next moment that Kenshin remembered that Kaoru had no clue Yahiko was missing. He had not kept it from her on purpose, but bringing it up had seemed unnecessary when she could do nothing but worry about it. Her ignorance on the matter now, though, created multiple opportunities for awkward scenarios.

"Kaoru-san, it's so nice to see you. It's been… a few months since the festival now. Have you been well?" The floral demon's soft soprano was tinged with sadness, but the words were genuine. The girl was strong, no one could deny that.

"Of course!" The small pad in Tsubame's hands crinkled in her grip, and her petal-like irises widened when Kaoru spoke.

"Oh!"

"I'm so happy you're here. I wanted to say hi while we were nearby." Kaoru grinned cheerfully as Kenshin watched them interact, and he was glad that her throat had finally calmed down from earlier that morning. Her voice, however, had caught Tsubame completely off guard.

"You can talk!"

A smile tugged at Kenshin's features as he witnessed Tsubame react with something closer to normalcy. The slightly wilted flower in her hair perked up, and she took one of the hands that Kaoru offered.

"How is that possible?"

The sapphire eyes of his date watched the flower spring back into life with the same amount of wonder and delight as he had observed the first time Kaoru had met Tsubame. It was amazing how easily she was captivated by the marvels and beauty of the world. Sometimes he wondered if such a thing had been lost in their kind a long time ago. Demons, who witnessed such a wide variety of powers daily, expected the unexpected and were hardly ever surprised by it. More often than not, they were wary, but never excited by another's appearance or power. It reminded him of something Hiko had said to him once, about humans being full of such wonder.

"There was… something restricting my vocal cords." The easy way she brushed off the question was another reminder that Kaoru was good at hiding the truth. Not lying, necessarily, but she had a habit of making the truth sound less important than it was when it came to herself. "I still like using sign language, though. Will you practice with me sometimes?"

"Sure! I mean, please. It helps me out a lot with school."

Maybe this was a better idea than I thought. A distraction will be good for her, no matter how brief.

The girls chatted for a little while, before Tsubame remembered that she had other customers to tend to. She remained slightly more cheerful, however, and communicated with Kaoru with a mixture of sign language and giggling dialogue. Kenshin couldn't believe the difference a little friendly interaction had made, and he resolved to bring Kaoru back more often while they waited for Yahiko's prison break.

Not long into their meal, Tsubame questioned Kaoru about the bandage over her eye. Though her blue-highlighted bangs hid the wound well enough, the skin around where the rock had struck had swollen and turned dark. Kaoru tried to wave it off, but Tsubame had insisted that she let her look at it after they were finished eating. Since Kenshin was also aware that his bandage job was rather clumsy, he convinced Kaoru to let her take a look by casually bringing up their early return to the lab, instead of going for desserts as they had initially planned after supper.

"Please let me take a look. I… I might be able to help more than you think."

Eyes of perfect flame blue mock-glared at him from across the small table, but she reluctantly agreed to Tsubame's offer. When their meal was finished and everything was paid for, Kenshin followed Kaoru into the back of the restaurant where the employee lockers were. It was empty, since everyone was currently working, and Tsubame locked the door to make sure they had privacy. Kaoru sat without prompting on one of the benches, and Kenshin remembered the last time they had been there together. Briefly he realized how strange it was that her episode during that time had resulted in her body temperature dropping, when her most recent episode had nearly overheated her.

When the bandage came off, Tsubame's concern came back to pinch her pretty features.

"Oh no, Kaoru-san. This will leave a scar if we don't take care of it."

"Do you think so?" There was a laughing-nonchalant tone to her voice, and Kaoru didn't look as bothered by the notion as the floral demon was. A frown tugged at Kenshin's brow line, and he wondered if she thought one more scar would mean nothing to the many already scattered about her body. Tentatively, Tsubame's dark eyes glanced in his direction.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with… what happened this morning, would it?"

Red eyebrows lifted straight up in surprise.

"What do you know about this morning?"

"Well…" Her chin ducked to watch herself meticulously fold up the used bandage. "Everyone saw the pillar of fire. It was on the news."

Violet eyes closed.

Dammit.

"Did someone hurt you, Kaoru-san?"

"Oh, well…" Laughing tensely, and running the braided hair charm through her hands, Kaoru again tried to downplay the situation. "It was just a misunderstanding. Kenshin didn't hurt anyone. He wasn't even trying to, right Kenshin? We just needed to make a fast exit, and the fire was a good distraction…"

"I see." Tsubame smiled, but still looked a bit intimidated. "Whatever happened, I think I should heal that wound before it leaves a scar. Do you mind if I try?"

Kaoru and Kenshin both blinked.

"You can do that?"

The words were spoken in near tandem, and the floral demon blushed.

"Plants are the original source of medicine. I'm still only able to heal minor wounds, but… this shouldn't be a problem." Both of her baby soft hands came together, and she appeared to be praying. Then she lifted her palms to Kaoru's forehead. A gentle, warm glow permeated from her skin, and the young lady continued to talk as the wound healed.

"My powers are strongest with healing, but I've never tried to improve them before." Her sweet voice was slightly shy as she confessed the nature of her ability. "I thought they were good enough for me to get by on. My parents tried to encourage me into being a doctor, but I love languages. I want to travel the world someday and learn to communicate with lots of different kinds of people." Her gentle dream made Kaoru smile encouragingly. "But… that day we first met, when you couldn't breathe, I realized that… I also wanted to help others. I wanted to get stronger so that if a situation like that ever happened around me again, I could do something about it. More than that, though, if I'm going to travel the world, then maybe I can do some good while I'm at it."

Slowly, her hands lowered back into her lap, and with the barrier out of the way, Kenshin found that the wound was completely gone. As if it had never been there to begin with. Kaoru touched a hand to her healed eyebrow, and then curled her fingers around Tsubame's. Her face was lit with joy.

"I think that's a wonderful plan."

A pained smile creased the floral demon's face, and she looked down.

"I want… Yahiko-kun to come with me. I…" A quick inhale choked her voice, and she swallowed. "I really don't want to go without him." A tear escaped her clenched lashes, and Kaoru's mouth opened but nothing came out. She appeared confused and strangely overwhelmed.

"Ask him." Both sets of eyes glanced in Kenshin's direction, and his low voice was gentle. "He'll like that you want him with you."

"Okay." Covering her face with her hands, Tsubame sniffled and fought tears. Unsure what was going on, Kaoru hugged her and gave Kenshin a puzzled look. Forming a quick hand sign, Kenshin asked Kaoru to wait for an explanation. She agreed with an uncertain nod, and continued to pat the young floral demon on the back.

Naturally, a soothing hum began to vibrate her throat. The tones were mellow and comforting, and they drifted about the air like ethereal reverberations. When Kaoru opened her mouth to sing, the words were quiet, like a lullaby. Somehow, though, her voice carried clearly, and the busy noise from the restaurant faded into silence as the world stopped to listen. Slowly, Tsubame sat back as the words of warmth and security wrapped around her sorrow, and the moment her eyes connected with the glowing blue of Kaoru's irises, her being relaxed. Like someone transfixed, she stared into Kaoru's mesmerizing gaze, and cried tears of relief instead of anguish.

When the tune ended, Kaoru smiled shakily in the face of the girl's steady attention.

"You were so lonely and scared. It was overwhelming, wasn't it?" Touching a finger to the blossom in her hair, Kaoru next tucked Tsubame's bobbed hair behind one ear.

Dark lashes squeezed back shut, and she nodded her head almost violently in agreement.

"You've done such a good job being strong, but it's okay to be weak sometimes, too."

Thick tears, unlike the suppressed and bitter ones from earlier, ran down the floral demon's cheeks like rain over flowers. Even while crying, she was a beautiful creature.

"W-will… you sing for me again… if I need you to? A-and… maybe hug me, too?"

"Anytime!"

Watching the spectacle with no small sense of pride, Kenshin found a box of tissues and offered them to Kaoru when she glanced up at him. The tissues were in turn used to dry Tsubame's tears, and the peaceful atmosphere created by her singing clung to the air. A few moments later, and Tsubame collected herself with a soft inhale.

"I'm sorry." Her sweet voice was embarrassed now. "I've been such a mess since I found out Yahiko was taken prisoner."

Sapphire eyes widened in shock, and a wry expression creased Kenshin's face.

Well, that's one way for her to find out.

"W-what?!"

"Sōzō and I are already working on a way to free him." Speaking up quickly in order to avoid Kaoru's immediate reaction, he watched both ladies look over at him with two very different expressions. Tsubame looked grateful, and Kaoru still looked astonished. That astonishment quickly faded into acceptance and then determination. In this type of situation, it seemed, she trusted him completely, and he was glad for it.

"If Kenshin says they're going to get him back, then you've got nothing to worry about." Tsubame's dark eyes darted back to Kaoru. "You'll have that little brat back before you know it." Tsubame giggled, which in turn caused Kaoru to giggle, and Kenshin joined in with a brief chuckle of amusement.

"I know. I'm so grateful for everything, and for everyone's support. Even Yūtarō-kun has kept in touch." Kenshin frowned slightly, because he knew that information would probably not make Yahiko very happy. "He walks me home when I have the late shift, so I don't have to walk home alone in the dark." Even Kaoru lifted her newly healed eyebrow, and they shared an amused look. "He's been a very good friend."

"That's… good. I'm sure Yahiko wouldn't like it if anything happened to you while he wasn't here." Trying to be kind, Kenshin offered the platitude. "You haven't told him where Yahiko is, though, have you? You understand why this needs to be kept quiet."

"Y-yes… I understand." Looking very much like a child expecting a scolding, Tsubame twisted her fingers together. "I'm sorry, Himura-san. I-I didn't mean to tell him. It was an accident, but…" Now she looked earnest. "I think it's okay. He seemed to understand the situation right away. He even said he wanted to help."

Kenshin scowled. He did not want to involve anyone else, especially when it was the Sky Emperor they were dealing with. The Emperor would have no problem killing them all and claiming they were a threat to the national security.

"No. That's not a good idea. Tell him we have it handled."

"Well… I do agree, and I did try to talk him out of it, but he mentioned something about already being involved. I assumed he had been in touch with you."

"What exactly did he say? Tell me everything."

"O-oh, um, he mentioned something about his father working with a connection that he had at the palace. He couldn't tell me anything else, though. He said it was too dangerous."

Why does that sound like Yūtarō and his father were in touch with Sōzō's connections before Yahiko was taken prisoner? Do they have anything to do with why the connections in the palace want to talk to me? Is there some kind of coup happening to overthrow the Emperor?

I don't like this. If something like that goes wrong, it could start another war, and too many people will die as a result.

Violet eyes glanced at Kaoru.

Whatever happens, I have to make sure Kaoru is safe, but… am I strong enough to fight a dragon for her?

A sharp shake of his head broke him from the thought. He already knew the answer to that, and it was not reassuring.

"That kid is in over his head. I don't agree with what he's doing, but I have no say over what his father does. Regardless, we will get Yahiko back safely."

Tsubame stood, and bowed deeply in gratitude.

"Thank you so much." A knock alerted them to someone wanting in, and the floral demon quickly fixed her appearance. "I should get back to work. Please… come back soon." She spoke the request to Kaoru. "I'll see you at work tomorrow, Himura-san."

X

Kaoru was a bit upset with him for not being told about Yahiko, but she ultimately understood why nothing had been said to her. For one, she barely knew him, and another, she knew there wasn't much that she could do to help him. What ended up surprising her the most was learning that Yahiko was the illegitimate child of the Sky Emperor. For some reason, though, he got the feeling that she was excited about using the knowledge to tease the kid.

Kenshin appreciated that she didn't appear worried. He was worried enough for them both. The instant way she had placed her trust in him at the restaurant had been immensely gratifying. Even now, the feeling lingered. He wanted that trust in all aspects of their relationship, and looked forward to the day when neither even questioned it.

Smiling as she chatted away next to him, he upped his output of heat and warmed the cold fingers wrapped inside of his own. Without missing a word, her free hand gravitated over and enveloped his knuckles like they were a warm cup of tea. Now walking half-sideways, she stared up at him while expressing excitement for the desserts carefully tucked in the bag held in his other hand. They were on their way to his apartment, where they planned to eat the sweets and watch a movie. It was almost eight o'clock in the evening, and Kaoru was pushing his promise that they would spend the entire day out together to the absolute limit.

It was probably best that she did not know about his desire to keep her permanently with him. At least, for now. He might not be able to convince her to go back at all.

Maybe I'll have Megumi-san teach me how to create a barrier first. That way I can be certain she's safe while I'm at work. We still don't know where Sōjirō is, or when he'll come back. I doubt he'll just let her go.

The dark thought briefly interrupted his pleasant evening, but he forced it from his brain to instead agree with Kaoru that the city had changed a lot since their childhood. The war had changed much of the landscape, and almost everything had been rebuilt as a result. With the exception of her childhood playground, it seemed. Frowning, Kenshin remembered what Kaoru had said that morning about remaining inside the Veil, and wondered once again about how it was possible.

What could be strong enough to keep Death at bay for three hundred years?

As they traded their shoes for slippers at the entrance to his apartment, Kaoru bounced in ahead of him like a child at a sleepover.

"You're kind of a neat-freak, aren't you?"

The laughing question echoed back to him down the short hallway, and he shook his head. Under his breath, he mumbled a reply.

"At least I'm not a disaster."

"What?"

She turned, and he smiled innocently.

"Nothing."

Her lips pursed, but then she caught sight of the windchime hanging next to the balcony door. A soft, red blush dusted her nose, and she chewed her lip happily. The broken shells would never look perfect, but he had done his best to put it back together. When the wind blew through the doorway on nice days, it still created a pretty sound. She neither said nor asked anything about it, though. Instead, her dark lashes clenched shut over a smile, and she skipped over to help him move a small table closer to the TV.

They ended up choosing a scary movie to watch. It surprised Kenshin, since he had assumed that Kaoru preferred romance movies to anything else. Which in turn made him wonder if she had chosen the horror flick just to appease him. Kenshin wasn't particularly affected by scary movies, and instead found them a little amusing. He had agreed to the show, though, with an obvious ulterior motive in mind; one that Kaoru seemed oblivious to. It was a bit cliché, but if she felt the need to huddle closer to him because she was scared, he wasn't really going to complain.

Unfortunately, the only way a scary movie seemed to affect Kaoru was through indignation. Every time the characters did something she thought completely stupid, she was more than happy to say so out loud. Though disappointed that his plan had fallen through, it was rather amusing to watch her shout at the television.

Another bite of her dessert during a lull in the movie brought his attention to the colorful cup sitting in front of her, and he made a face.

"I still don't understand why you wanted ice cream when it's freezing outside."

The spoon paused in her mouth, and she glanced over at him guiltily. Then she grinned, and the spoon popped out clean.

"It's parfait, Kenshin. Not just ice cream. Besides, didn't you know that ice cream sales actually increase in the wintertime." One red brow lifted in disbelief, and she giggled. "It doesn't really make sense to me, either, but someone told me that once at the convenience store."

"Aren't you cold?"

"Nope." Her head shook, and she scooted closer to him. "Your house is really warm. It's like summertime in here." Peeking over at his small plate, she leaned her face into his shoulder. "Is your lava cake good?" Before he could agree, or offer her a bite, she made the single most egregious suggestion he had ever heard. "I bet my ice cream would make it better."

Almost involuntarily, his hand lifted to block her and he frowned.

"Don't you dare."

Playful laughter informed him that she was merely teasing, and his tensed muscles relaxed in chagrin. Still grinning, she leaned closer to point out something else.

"You've got chocolate on your chin."

Self-conscious, he reached quickly to wipe the chocolate off with his thumb, but her cheek blocked him as she got to it before he could. A thrill raced up his spine as her tongue rasped against his skin, and her giggles were lighter this time with suppressed embarrassment from the intimate action but also open surprise.

"Why do you taste like cinnamon candy?" The way her words rose as she said it hinted that she might have liked the flavor. "And your skin's rough, like scales or somethi…"

The remainder of the word issued through her nose as just happy noise, but while he wanted to savor the kiss and drawl it out as long as possible, there was something off-putting about the flavor in her mouth. His face must have said as much, because she laughed when he pulled away.

"You really don't like ice cream, do you?"

More giggles, and she sat back to let him take a large mouthful of the coffee he had served with their desserts. As he rid himself of the cold and milky flavor her tongue had carried, she went happily back to her parfait. Tentatively, his hand touched his chin where the moisture from her tongue had already dried.

"Is there… something wrong with my skin?"

Sapphire eyes shot over to him and blinked.

"No." Enlightenment dawned in her eyes, and her immediate denial softened. "Oh, because I said it's rough? I knew it was. It just always catches me off guard, because it looks like it would be softer, but," she shrugged, "I like it. It's kind of the same texture as the salamander's scales."

The knowledge wasn't very pleasing to be compared to the pain that was his hair charm, but they were basically the same being. The salamander was merely a very watered-down version.

My human form did not used to have rough skin, though. Is it because of those red scales that I'm now hiding?

Almost as if she had read his mind, she spoke up thoughtfully.

"Does that mean your true form has scales? I thought you were more like the sun, with less of a solid form and more like swirling flames."

A light crease formed between his brow line. Her description was mildly specific, and strangely accurate for his younger form.

"Can I see your true form sometime?" One hand lightly touched his arm, and her eyes were lit with excitement at the prospect.

"Why?" The question was quietly insecure. Surely his true form would only frighten her.

"Well, because it's you." Her hand lifted to touch his face. "While I really appreciate this very handsome human form you created, and I understand that you wear it for safety and convenience, I would like to look at the real you, at least once. How can I say I know and love everything about you if I've never seen who you really are?"

"You won't find it pleasant, Miss Kaoru." Despite his words of distance, one arm folded around her waist to pull her closer. The fact that she wanted to see his true form, and had asked on her own, was pleasing. So much so, that his chest felt tight. "I would scare you."

"When have you ever scared me, silly?" She could tell he was happy, because her smile was bashful when his forehead leaned in to rest gently on top of her own. "And what do you mean I 'won't find it pleasant'? I think you should let me make up my own mind, especially if you're going to suggest your true form is ugly. Your red hair is a reflection of your true form, right? And your eyes? I will have you know that I find both to be very pleasant."

A long, slow exhale pushed from Kenshin lungs, and his violet eyes slid shut as he focused on lowering his external temperature. Pulled into his side, Kaoru's body was warm and relaxed, and one of her hands was loosely curled into the front of his sweater. He had no intention of wasting such a perfect moment, and planned to take his time with enjoying it. Hooking his thumb under her chin, he sat back only enough to angle her face up towards his own.

"Very well, Miss Kaoru. I will look forward to the moment when there are no barriers between us."

The claim was suggestive and carried an obvious double-meaning. Red blossomed across her face to relay that she understood, but the unwavering strength of her gaze showed no hesitation or reluctance. Tension had frozen her muscles too, though, and slight tremors worked through her body to also confirm the presence of uncertainty and innocence. When he leaned in closer, her eyes squeezed shut in preparation, and the kiss was somehow laced with stronger emotion than any time before.

Her mouth, however, still bore that awful taste of ice cream, and he couldn't force himself to tolerate it.

Still blushing furiously, Kaoru bit her lip when he made a face, but no laughter escaped her smiling features this time. Instead, she leaned forward to pick up his plate of half-eaten lava cake, and cut out a generous portion with his fork to offer him. He accepted while at the same time captivated by the impassioned glow of her irises and the warmth of the atmosphere they had created. With him taken care of, she carefully took a bite herself before settling the plate back down on the table. Without a word, her arms slid up around his neck, and it was her clear intention to return them seamlessly back into that perfect moment. Kenshin, however, saw his chance for sweet revenge, and took it.

A sliver of chocolate mousse had remained at the corner of her mouth, and it provided him the opening he needed. The lingering slide of his tongue cleaned away the mess a moment before he pressed his lips over hers, but he should have known that revenge was double-sided. He certainly did not count on how erotic the action would feel, or how it briefly spiked his external temperature to dangerous levels. The soft little moan of pleasure that rubbed at her vocal cords did nothing to help.

Breaking away gently, he checked her bottom lip with his thumb to confirm she was unharmed before he felt safe enough to continue. Her breath hitched, and the arms around his neck slid lower to bracket his neck and the lower portion of his jaw with her hands. There was something different about the mesmerizing depths of her irises, now half-hidden behind heavy dark lashes. They were vulnerable, and they looked upon him with full reliance and trust that he would take care of her. Impossibly, their next kiss felt nearly euphoric as their desires pushed and pulled at one another like comforting flames.

Everything was starting to feel natural in that moment, even expected. So much so that Kenshin couldn't be sure if she was moving or he was moving her. Regardless of the cause, his hand reached quickly to brace her lowering weight, and he settled her gently against the hard wooden floor. Inadvertently in the process, his hand skimmed up under the hem of her shirt, and the sudden rush of soft, bare skin under the callouses of his fingers nearly startled him. Unconsciously, his touch trembled with overstimulation. Although no denial darkened the air, with her laid out half-beneath him, he pushed back to quickly study how earnest her reaction was instead. Then watched in fascination as she gasped and turned her face away as his hand slid further up the arch of her back until his fingertips stalled at the bunched elastic of her bra. As if willingly submitting to him, her hand dropped to rest passively next to her on the floor. Her other cinched tightly into the back of his sweater in conflicting demand.

Enthralled, aroused, and nervous, violet eyes stared for a few seconds at the bared length of her neck as he decided what he should do now with her mouth out of reach. Her chest heaved with uncaught breath, but not in any troubling way. Each shaky inhale felt like a fan strengthening his internal fire, and he swallowed hard to fight the rise in temperature. Leaning hesitantly in, he pushed a soft kiss to the base of her neck, then another when she reacted encouragingly. A third, fourth, and fifth brought him slowly closer to her jawline, and the hand under her shirt drew carefully down each bump of her spine in wonder.

"K-Kenshin."

Because he thought he'd done something wrong or feared that he might have burned her, he instantly pulled away. Unharmed and unaware of his fear, she rolled back towards him, wrapped her arm around his neck, and half-lifted her head to initiate a kiss so sweet it bordered on reckless. Practically melting back into the press of her mouth, he slipped a knee between her legs for support, and stifled a groan when he felt her arch a little less innocently against him.

For the first time, the salamander did not disturb them, but the annoying trill of the cell phone he had purchased for her splashed over them like a bucket of cold water.

Yanking apart with a gasp, Kaoru's red face and bruised lips appeared mortified by the reminder of reality.

"T-that's… Tomoe-nee-san."

Promptly removing his hand from her shirt with a guilty jerk, he sat up stiffly so that he could help her. He then turned away to hide his pained and undeniably disappointed expression when she picked up the phone from the table.

"It's just a text…" Nervous jitters were clear in her voice as well as in the strained laugh that didn't quite make it out of her mouth. "She said it's getting late and we need to head back." A click announced she had taken a picture of their desserts, and he imagined she was letting her know where they were. Clearing his throat, he turned to offer her a harmless smile. It was even faker than usual as he failed to hide his true feelings on the matter.

"She's right. We should get going."

"Okay." The disappointment in her agreement was tangible, and he sympathized whole-heartedly. He, however, wished she was not quite so openly upset. It only eroded what little control he had left.

"Um…" Timidly, her hand reached over to curl into his sleeve. "I… I've never had a… boyfriend before."

Sapphire eyes glanced up at his frozen look of surprise. For a moment, he couldn't understand why that would be important enough to voice aloud. At the same time, a fiercely possessive side of him, that had awoken purely for her, was ecstatic to know she was his and only his.

"So, I… know I'm not going to be as… as experienced as others you've been with."

Her head ducked in what looked like shame or humiliation, and she missed the way his eyebrows shot up in shock, curled back down in confusion, and then how his eyes looked off to one side at the absurdity of her suggestion.

What others?

"I just don't want you to be… disappointed, since I don't know what I'm doing."

Instant indignation was Kenshin's first response to Kaoru's concern, since he couldn't even imagine how she would disappoint him. As he stared down at the back of her neck and the spill of her long hair over her shoulder, he realized that she was genuinely concerned. He didn't want to take her fears lightly, and instead pulled her warmly into his chest so that he could take a moment to think.

"Kaoru… I don't think you should react or feel a specific way. I think… you should just react naturally, like you have been. If you like or don't like something, then you should tell me… so that I don't accidentally hurt you." His voice softened, and was more urgent with his fears. "More than anything, I don't want to hurt you."

"Is that how it works?" Her face burrowed into his shoulder, and she hugged him tight. "It's just… so overwhelming at times I… I don't know what I feel or what's natural. I just," her voice lowered to a meek and embarrassed whisper, "know that I don't want you to stop."

The arms around her back tightened almost desperately without him willing them to, and his red lashes cinched shut to fight for the remainder of his control. If his temperature rose any hotter, he'd burn her through their clothes. Catching his breath as quietly as he could manage, he swallowed and pushed his nose into the top of her head.

"Then next time… I won't stop."

Strong fingers curled against his shoulders, and she nodded silently against him in eager agreement. Now to figure out whether they needed to leave immediately and avoid any further temptation, or wait a few more minutes for his body to calm down. Tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling, he wondered if that ice cream would be disgusting enough to cool his desire.

X

A/N: A nice long chapter as a treat for my readers. (I know it's not really that long, but for this story it is, lol.) I believe I was sick last week and into this one, so it's been a bit tough to get these chapters out on time. These last few days I've just been exhausted. I apologize if this has affected my writing in any way. I tried my best to stick with my schedule despite nearly falling asleep at my laptop. I'm sure my grammar and flow have been atrocious, and I need to go back for some editing. Either way, I hope you're still enjoying the story. The cap I gave myself for page/word count does limit how much of the plot I can get through per week, so I understand if it feels slow at times.

Next chapter, Kenshin asks Kaoru to draw his dreams, and a surprising source has unexpected information about the Kagu-tsuchi. See ya!