Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. I am just a fan girl with a wild imagination.
*******Okina POV***************
Okina watched Kaoru leave and made his move.
Carrying the sutra scrolls in his robes, he made his way back to the guest room.
On the outside of the door, he pressed a sutra to the door and pasted it down. Closing his eyes, he began to chant softly.
Once he had finished that side, he went to the shared wall between the guest room and Kaoru's room and repeated the process.
Lastly, he went outside and pressed a sutra underneath the window and chanted softly once more.
With the last sutra, in place he readied the seal.
Reaching into the other pocket of his robe he pulled out some sake and poured it over the ground to complete the seal.
The sutras glowed for a minute and then faded a few moments after the ritual had been completed.
Once he was finished, he peaked through the window. Okina stumbled back in terror.
The demon was sitting up staring at him through the window with amused golden eyes.
As they made eye contact, the demon slowly smiled. His aura was surrounding him in red haze, making his already flamboyant hair seem like it was on fire.
"Won't you come in and sit with me? It has been a long time since a priest attempted to place a seal on me."
Okina knew he had no choice. He had to try to communication with the demon.
Every demon had a weakness, but he would be no match for this one on his own. Maybe they could make truce or strike a deal.
Okina nodded back at him and slowly made his way into the house. Before he entered the room, he slid a small katana into the sleeve of his robe.
Okina brought in a tray of sake and two small glasses as an attempt at a peace offering.
As Okina set the tray down, he bowed slightly and introduced himself to the demon.
"I am Kashiwazaki Nenji, the former leader of the oniwanbanshu, but please call me Okina."
He sat cross legged facing the demon and pouring them both a glass of sake.
The demon smirked back at him. He seemed relaxed despite the circumstances, sitting cross legged and resting one hand under his chin.
"Ah, so you guys are still around? This is my first time of having the pleasure of dealing with you. I am the Hitokiri Battousai, but you may call me Kenshin."
"H-hitokiri Battousai?!" Okina gasped.
This was worse than he thought. Why would such a powerful demon come here? It was too late to call for back up.
No. He must be strong for Kaoru and Misao. If he died, he would die protecting them.
"What do you want demon?"
Silence. With a shrug the golden eyed demon raised a glass of sake to his lips and slowly sipped it.
After basking in it's after taste he set it back down and spoke.
"I need a place to hide for a little while longer before making my next move."
Okina read in between the lines.
He was still injured. He needed a safe haven.
"What will you do when you are ready to move on?" Okina said this hesitantly, eyes glancing quickly over to the broken sword. The meaning was not lost on the battousai.
"Don't worry, I don't waste my time needlessly killing humans. I don't like the taste of them either."
"Why should I believe you? The word of a demon holds little value to me."
The demon threw his head back and laughed. Okina felt a drop of sweat run down his temple.
"What choice do either of us have? Idiot, you sealed my power meaning I am stuck in this shrine for now."
Okina wasn't buying it. Once the demon was back to full power, he could break the seal easily. He wanted something else.
"What do you want battousai?"
"I need to rest and then to find a demon swordsmith. There is one hiding in Kyoto, I suspect."
"If I help you find him, will you leave us in peace?"
"Harm you? No. Leave you in peace? Maybe. I may stop by again. You have something that piques my interest. Something unexpected."
Kaoru! NO. She is just a child.
"You can't have her demon. She is only 20 years old. She doesn't need to get wrapped up with the likes of you."
"If you want to negotiate your safety, you will not tell me what I can and cannot have."
"I will let you stay here, and I will help you find your swordsmith, but Kaoru knows little of the outside world. Please don't force this on her."
"You have yourself a deal. It will be her choice. If she chooses not to accept, then I will leave her alone."
Both man and demon raised their glasses to toast and then shook on it.
Okina quietly bowed and excused himself from the room. He had work to do. He also needed to warn Misao and Kaoru.
The battousai sat silently after Okina left sipping his sake.
That stupid old man. Did he really think a simple seal could subdue a demon like him?
Any experienced priest would have acted differently.
Pathetic.
In fact, the seal had only served to irritate his demon side and bring him to the surface faster.
In addition, Okina did not know is that he had never had to force a woman before. They had all come to him willingly, some even throwing themselves at him. Kaoru would be the same. She may put up a fight initially, but eventually she would give in.
And when she did, he would be ready.
Ah yes, the vision of her laid out before me…pale skin illuminated by the moonlight.
Blue-black hair flowing and free all over the futon. It would be an experience he would relish. Virgins were rare in this day and age.
The battousai patted his side gently, the wound was almost healed. He should be able to move around soon… He felt the edges of his mind fading, and the walls in front of him begin to blur. He was losing control of his senses again.
Ugh….god damn it. this fucking other side of mine. Always trying to take over!
The empty glass of sake slipped out of the battousai's hand and rolled away from him.
One of his hands raised up..as though it was being controlled by another force. With a closed fist, it punched forward and hit the battousai in between the eyes.
After the blow, the man paused, hunched over holding his face.
For long moment he sat, before peering out over his hand with violet eyes.
It worked… Thank the Kamis.
********Kaoru & Misao**************
Meanwhile at the market, Kaoru and Misao were catching up and shopping.
Whenever the two of them hung out, they brought out the best and worst in their personalities. They were truly the best of friends.
'So Kaoru, what happened next with that Kenshin guy? Is he still at the shrine?"
"Well, so after Megumi patched him up, she went back to work the next day and he's been with us ever since."
Kaoru decided not to tell Misao what Kenshin had revealed to her. She hated keeping secrets from her friends, but this time was the exception to that rule.
"That's all? He's awfully handsome."
"Misao! What are you implying? I barely know the guy!"
"AHA! So, you have thought about it.
Kaoru laughed; she knew she was trapped.
Well, I guess it's alright if I tell her about my crush.
Kaoru sighed and the grocery basket she had in her hands sagged with her as she looked down.
"He's the most handsome man I've ever seen. I do care about him. But he seems to have this strange other side."
"What? Another side?"
This caught Misao's attention. Maybe there was more to this guy than they thought.
"Ya, when I went to go check on him the other night, I must have scared him because he lashed out and got in my face."
"WHAT? did he try to attack you or something? I'll kill him!" Misao started to get worked up.
She dropped her basket and rolled up her sleeve. Kaoru set her basket down and grabbed Misao.
"Wait, Misao! He calmed down and apologized to me. It was just so strange because it seems like his earlier actions were out of nowhere compared to how gentle he is now."
"Okayyyy..so is he bipolar or something?" Misao was starting to lose excitement for this guy. He didn't sound right for Kaoru. She was protective of her friend.
"I haven't thought of that, but it could be a possibility."
"Pshh, sounds like a real catch."
Kaoru and Misao went to stand in the checkout line. After that they prepared to part ways. Misao had plans to stop by the A-oya and visit her friends.
Kaoru knew it was secretly so Misao should see Aoshi.
"So, when will I see you again?"
"Probably in a few days! But if anything, else happens let me know and I'll be down there immediately!"
They hugged and Kaoru made her way back to the shrine, carefully holding her groceries in bags on her arms.
When she arrived at the shrine Okina was sitting on the front porch with his legs crossed. He seemed to be deep in thought. As soon as he saw her, he waved her over.
"Kaoru! I've been waiting for you."
"For me?! Is everything okay?"
"Yes of course, I was just hoping to have a word with you. Here let me help you with those."
Okina took some of the weight of Kaoru's bags, and they walked into the main hall and headed towards the kitchen together.
They chatted as they put the groceries away and Okina placed a few teacups on the table. One for him and one for Kaoru.
"Kaoru, please sit with me for minute."
Kaoru sat opposite of Okina and waited patiently for him to talk. He seemed pensive, tense. Kaoru was curious to see what he had to say.
"Kaoru, I have always been honest with you, and today will be no different."
"Okay? What's up?"
"I don't want you to get attached to Kenshin. I had the pleasure of speaking with him today, and the sooner he leaves this shrine the better."
"You spoke with him?! What did he say?" Kaoru her chest constricted.
She knew Kenshin was in trouble. Could it be worse than she thought?
Okina studied her reaction. It seemed she was already attached to him. The fear and concern in her face told him everything he needed to know.
Damn that monster.
"Kaoru, the people that are after him, will not stop until he is dead. I am going to assist him in securing his next place to go, and then we will all cut ties. We can't get dragged into the crossfire."
Huh? She already knew all of this.
"Okina, I already know all of this, is there something else that he told you that has you worried?"
She's smart. But telling her that demons exist? That's going to be a hard pill to swallow.
"Kaoru, I need you to trust me. Promise me you won't do anything rash because of that man."
Okina held her hands in his, Kaoru dropped her head in defeat.
If everyone is this worried about this guy, then she better acknowledge all the red flags.
"Okay, I promise. Please don't keep things from me, I don't like being in the dark."
"Of course, Kaoru, I will tell you if the time comes."
Okina let go of her hands and got up. He busied himself with cleaning up their tea pot and other dishes while Kaoru got up to prep some food for dinner.
****************Kaoru POV************
For dinner Kaoru made some teriyaki chicken, white rice, miso soup, and seaweed salad. After she finished eating with Okina, she created a small tray to take to Kenshin's room.
It had been quiet from his side of the house; Kaoru was sure he was still resting.
However, she felt a little more hesitant this time, approaching his room.
Everyone's warnings had her a little spooked about the guy. Now her fascination with him was starting to turn into dread.
Sliding the shoji screen open, Kaoru carefully entered his room, careful not to shake the tray and spill any of the contents on the tray. She set the tray down on a side table and carefully turned on a small lamp on the table.
Turning on the small light, she saw Kenshin still asleep on his futon. Even in sleep, his striking good looks made him stand out from all the other men she'd known.
Good, I am happy he is resting. That will make this less weird.
Kaoru tip toed over to Kenshin and set the tray down next to him.
Should I just leave it there?
Kaoru bit her lip. She couldn't deny that she was disappointed. She had wanted to talk to him.
Maybe if I wait here a bit he will wake up?
Kaoru decided to straighten up the room a little bit. She also remembered that Kenshin's clothes needed to be washed. She gathered his laundry up in her arms, then placed it by the door of the room.
She looked over at him, still asleep.
The poor guy must really be tired.
Kaoru went slowly back over to him, collected the old dishes, and rearranged the tray closer to him. She sighed again while looking at him. Come to think of it, she had been sighing a lot lately.
If only they met under more normal circumstances. Maybe things could have been different. If only he wasn't a fighter/warrior, or whatever. Maybe they could have courted, dated, or at least have become friends.
An urge Kaoru hadn't felt before compelled her to move closer to Kenshin and gently brush her lips over his.
She leaned back slowly and looked at him. He hadn't moved or changed his breathing at all.
Kaoru leaned in again and kissed him once more.
This time he did shift slightly, and Kaoru panicked and backed up mortified.
What the hell is wrong with me? Am I some kind of night stalker now? who goes around kissing sleeping men?!
Kaoru's heart began to pound. She needed to get out of there.
This man led her to do stupid things. Like some crazed teenager.
She stood up and tried to tip toe/run out of the room as quickly as she could while gathering all the shit she came in for.
Her socks and kimono made little noise against the tatami, but her panicked breathing sounded loud in the quiet room.
As she left the room, a small smile turned up the corners of Kenshin's lips.