Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 4

 

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Quietly she unlatched the window. The moon was hidden behind clouds and Kaoru peered into the darkness below. She glanced over at the bed where Megumi slept on peacefully. Quickly so not to wake her, she climbed over the ledge and reached for the trellis. It creaked under her weight and she cursed silently, all the while praying it held her. It had been some time since she had snuck out through the window. She scrambled to the ground below. She fell the last few feet, a soft cry escaping her lips. Holding in her breath she glanced up. No face appeared and she decided she had done it. Without another sound, she hurried away from the house and to the stream.

 

After finally managing her temper from Megumi's audacious flirting, she had left her room. Kenshin had been helping Tae with the dishes. When they had finished, he had accompanied her to retrieve the remaining sheets still hanging from their earlier washing. She had felt tongue tied and remained quiet. How could she compete when it was apparent to her Megumi had set her sights on the handsome redhead?

 

Kaoru sighed and wrapped the cloak about her tighter. She reached the water's edge and dropped to the ground. There had been no outlet for her anger. She really wasn't sure where it had come from. Jealousy was not a common feeling. She had wanted to hit something, mostly Megumi. That hadn't been an option.

 

“Do you always take walks alone at night?”

 

The shriek tore from her lips as she jumped up. Her heart sounded in her ears as she recognized the redhead in the dark. “You startled me!” She exclaimed, trying to regain her breathing.

 

“Forgive me.” He studied her a moment. She felt skittish and silly for screaming like that. Kaoru shrugged and took a step away from him, closer to the water. Kenshin remained where he stood. She bit her lip, unsure what was to happen between them now. Silence settled; he bowed towards her. “I'll leave you.”

 

“Wait!” Suddenly, Kaoru didn't want to be alone so much anymore. The man stopped and slowly turned back around. Feeling shy, she gestured to the ground. “Would you care to join me?” She asked a bit hesitantly.

 

“I wouldn't want to intrude.”

 

She shook her head vehemently, wanting him to stay with her. “No intrusion.” She spun and dropped once more to the ground, her knees tucked up under her chin.

 

Nothing moved behind her and Kaoru wondered if he would sit or just leave her in the dark. Then she saw him sit on the ground and she blinked, once more startled. She had not heard him move. She glanced up at the stars she could see hovering over the small river. “What brings you out here?” She asked tentatively.

 

“I could ask you the same thing. I was merely following you, that I was.”

 

“Why?”

 

The redhead didn't answer immediately and she again wondered if he would. “I heard you leave. The woods can be dangerous at night.”

 

Kaoru snorted. “You sound like Tae.”

 

“I imagine she is only looking out for your well-being.”

 

She shrugged. “I suppose.”

 

A semi-comfortable silence descended down on them. “Might I ask you a question, Kaoru-dono?”

 

She nodded, her attention trying to dwell on anything but the warm male next to her. She nodded, rocking herself slightly. “You may ask of me whatever you wish.”

 

“And will you answer?” His question held a trace of amusement and she glanced at him, her azure eyes full of surprise.

 

“Why wouldn't I?”

 

He shook his head. “Earlier you knew enough to ask for the answer.”

 

“Oh!” She blushed. “Yeah, he doesn't speak much, so when I want something answered by him in particular, I have to ask for the answer.” She stammered, her thoughts briefly thinking of Aoshi. Sometimes he didn't even answer her questions then. “I'll answer your question if I deem it worth the answer.” She told him a bit haughtily. Then she giggled letting him know she was kidding.

 

He watched her for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. She sucked in her breath, unnerved by his beauty. “Earlier when I was asking about a sleeping tonic, you were afraid of me. Why?”

 

Nervously she bit her lip and gazed at him out of the corner of her eye. Kenshin was looking up at the sky, but she could sense his tension. She debated on her own feelings toward him. She believed he meant no harm. Even Tae had managed to calm Megumi's fears. The ease at which the old woman had performed that act eluded Kaoru, but if Megumi was fine with the redhead staying with them, then she should be as well. No one was looking for her. Still the question lingered: did she trust him?

 

The idea that she had feared him, as fleeting as it had been, seemed to bother him. His eyes darted in her direction and they both blinked. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Tae seemed to believe him, for what reason Kaoru could only surmise. The older woman had always been leery of strangers. But if her guardian was willing to trust the redhead, then so was she. Besides, she was planning on marrying the man.

 

“You came asking for a healer.” She stated slowly. Kenshin nodded, but didn't say anything. “A healer with a way with herbs.” She didn't know what she expected from him. She sighed. “Several years ago, Megumi was caught up with a horrendous man. He was forcing her to create this toxin. It wouldn't have been such big deal, but he was using them on the peasants and some of the lower noble classes to gain control over their land and finances.” The redhead still didn't say anything so she continued. “With some help, Megumi was able to be freed, but the man swore he would take her back and that she couldn't hide forever. In order to make up for what she had done, she swore to help others with her knowledge. She goes to people. However, she gets apprehensive when people come looking for her. That man is still out there, possibly searching for her. And you actually showed up at the cottage. Usually someone waits in the village for her when they need her services.”

 

Kenshin didn't say anything and she risked another glance at him after a moment. He was watching the water. “You thought I was working for this man?”

 

She shrugged. “If you hadn't noticed, we live kind of deep in the woods. We don't get visitors much.”

 

Again, he said nothing and Kaoru sighed. It drew his attention and he gazed at her with what might have been mild surprise on his face. “Are you alright?”

 

She nodded. “I'm just tired.”

 

“Then you should probably return to bed.”

 

“Not sleepy. I'm just tired of being kept here. I feel so overprotected. For what? Megumi is the one who has some madman after her, not me.” Kaoru shook her head in exasperation and looked at him for support. However, there was a strange glint in his gaze.

 

He studied her before focusing his attention on the water. “This man could use you to get to Megumi-dono if he suspected of your connection.”

 

Kaoru shifted. “I suppose.” Another thought occurred to her. “Then why does she get to go to the village?”

 

“You aren't permitted?”

 

She shook her head and wrapped her cloak about her a bit tighter. “Not often. And not without supervision.”

 

A wry grin touched the corner of his mouth. “Somehow I do not believe that has ever stopped you.”

 

A giggle bubbled to her lips. She clasped a hand to her mouth to keep it in, but it burst forth anyway. She shook her head and leaned forward, her mirth at the number of times she had actually been to see people rising up. “I have a secret.” She whispered elatedly.

 

Kenshin raised an eyebrow and studied her. “Do you?”

 

She nodded and bit her lip. “Can you keep a secret?” His eyes were dark in the pale light. They watched her and slowly she saw the head nod. “You can not tell Megumi or Tae. Tae wouldn't ever let me leave the house if she knew how many times I have snuck off, or why.”

 

“I will not tell anyone. You have my word, that you do.”

 

The statement hung between them and Kaoru honestly believed he would do as she asked. She licked her lips at the seriousness of his tone and knew then without a doubt that Kenshin could be trusted, possibly even with her life. The thought sent a thrill through her. She sucked in a deep breath and opened her mouth to tell someone the one thing she had never told anyone.

 

A loud twig snapped and Kenshin jumped up. A trace of panic touched her, only because she could sense the abrupt tension in the air. Kaoru peered around him into the darkness, noticing his hands were on the hilt of his sword. She could see no reason for alarm. Slowly she rose to her feet and placed a hand on the man's arm. He jumped, one hand grabbing her wrist tightly. Almost immediately the painful grip loosened so that Kenshin barely held her.

 

“It was probably a raccoon or something.” She told him, watching him, her own blue eyes full of trepidation.

 

“How can you be sure?” His voice was deathly quiet. He still looked around the quiet night. Another twig snapped, closer this time and Kenshin grabbed her again, this time pulling her to her feet and behind him. Her cloak slipped from her shoulders and she shivered as she huddled against the man's back. Anxiously she peeked over his shoulder. An opossum followed by three of her babies crawled out of the underbrush. Their eyes glittered gold in the moonlight and the man visibly relaxed.

 

A thought occurred to her and she glanced at the man with a new light as he slowly turned to look at her. Kenshin was running from something. What it could possibly be, she had no clue. She hardly knew the man. She convinced herself of one thing as they stared at each other in the darkness. She would make him stop running and settle down with her. Only now she needed to figure out just how to do that.

 

“We should go.” He reached down and picked up her cloak where it had fallen. He placed it over her shoulders. Did his hands linger on her for an extra second? She couldn't tell and then he was moving away from her. He stopped and turned to look back.

 

There was something in his stance that called to her. Kaoru couldn't tell what she felt. Quite possibly she merely fell a bit more in love with him. Then without another word, she made her feet move.

 

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Kenshin woke as the early morning sun filtered through the window. He had barely slept, bits of his late night conversation with Kaoru still flitting about his mind. He slowly sat up and stretched his arms about his head and peered out the window. Kaoru was at the well, hauling a bucket full of water. He watched her, thinking of everything she had told him last night.

 

The tale of Megumi lingered in his mind. He thought he might know of whom Kaoru had spoken of. He had known of a man who had been terrorizing the less fortunate farmers and landowners. Kenshin had even heard of the man's search for the apothecary that had escaped him. The person in question quite possibly was Megumi. Aoshi had been responsible for the rescue of the doctor in question. A reason, he imagined, why Hiko thought she would be safer here in the woods than at the palace. He thought about passing along the knowledge that Kanryuu had died, killed in an uprising not too long ago. Perhaps then they wouldn't have to fear strangers any longer at the very least.

 

He recalled the fear he had witnessed in Kaoru's expressive blue eyes the night before at dinner. It unnerved him even still. For some reason the thought of her in particular fearing him did not bode well. Why should it matter? But if he was to protect Tae and Megumi, then Kaoru also needed someone to watch out for her. That could prove tricky.

 

The night before he had nearly missed her sneaking out. It was the soft cry she had emitted when she hit the ground that had allowed him to pinpoint her location. She was quite adept in sneaking around and briefly he wondered where she had picked up such a skill. He had followed her, thinking maybe she would meet someone, her mentor or quite possibly a lover. He wasn't sure why the second thought left him unsettled.

 

However, none of these proved true as he noticed she sank to the ground by the water's edge. He sensed her loneliness and it called out to him. Perhaps that was why he had approached her rather than stay in the shadows. He had to admit he was tired of remaining in obscurity. For so long he had done it and it was nice to emerge and have a conversation with such a vibrant young woman.

 

Kenshin sighed and rubbed his head. He stood and dressed quickly. He ran his fingers through his unruly fiery hair and then tied it back. Grabbing his sword he lifted the door to the ladder and descended downstairs. Tae stood at the table, her hands lost within the depths of the bowl. She offered him a smile.

 

“There's still a bit of coffee on the stove if you like. It should still be warm.”

 

Kenshin returned her smile and moved towards the stovetop. He poured himself a cup and then sat down opposite her at the table. “How did you sleep?”

 

The violet eyes gazed up at her and he shrugged. “I slept fine.” He retorted, not sure the reason for her question.

 

“Did the sleeping tonic work?”

 

“Sleeping tonic?” He blinked and then recalled the small cup Megumi had handed him last night. He had not consumed the contents, focused on working through his conflicting thoughts. However, he did not want this woman to realize his true aim for staying here. “It seemed to work fine.” He murmured after another moment.

 

The old woman chuckled and removed the dough from the bowl. They sat in silence for a few moments, Kenshin watching her work the bread as he sipped his coffee. “Megumi and I will be leaving this afternoon.” She finally blurted.

 

He looked up at her in surprise. He didn't say anything, just absorbed the news. This could help him out. After deciding Megumi was the reason he was here, he would need to protect her. If she left, he could offer his services. “If you need someone to accompany you on the roads, I would be willing, that I would.”

 

She paused and looked at him. “I was wondering if you could do me another favor.” She said slowly. Tae returned to kneading the dough. He waited patiently for her request. He wasn't sure what else she could need him for. Somehow he would find a way to follow the two women and keep them out of harm's way. Perhaps she wanted him to carry a message ahead of them. “I hoped you would keep an eye on Kaoru.”

 

The violet eyes blinked. “Kaoru-dono?” He asked in surprise. “You want me to stay here?”

 

“She is young and needs someone to watch after her. She is quite spontaneous and rarely stops to think. It would not be safe to let her remain in the woods alone.”

 

Kenshin found her reasoning odd. If it was so dangerous to allow the young woman to wander the woods alone, why had he found her unaccompanied? Then he recalled how well the dark haired woman had slipped out of the house. He met the eyes of the old woman and he realized that Tae knew full well Kaoru snuck away to the village. She probably did need someone to keep an eye on her. But he had another job to do. He was torn by his sense of duty. He should stick with Megumi and Tae. Hiko had mentioned the healer, intentionally stating Kenshin should visit her. But she wanted him to watch her young ward. He could not refuse without fully revealing his own objectives.

 

“I hadn't planned on staying long.” He attempted to argue.

 

“It wouldn't be but for a few days.”

 

He hesitated and squirmed slightly underneath her penetrating gaze. “Tae-dono, it isn't a matter of time…”

 

“There are unfriendly characters that appear in the woods from time to time.” She stopped her task and met his gaze directly. “Surely you have heard the unsettling rumors.”

 

Before he had discovered the three women, he had heard of strange men appearing in the villages, recruiting men for something. The people had been shady on the details and Kenshin had not had time to follow up. “I have.” He reluctantly admitted.

 

“Kaoru is young and naïve. She needs a guardian. One of these strange men could arrive here and take her.”

 

“Why don't you take her with you?”

 

The woman stopped what she was doing and leaned across the table. Her eyes were hard and Kenshin thought of Hiko. Which of these two would win, when the other threatened one's will? “Kaoru has to remain here for the time being. She can not stay here alone.”

 

He remained silent. He could think of no reason why anyone would wander so deeply into the woods, particularly looking for a young woman. What could one woman truly mean?

 

“Please. Just until I return from the market.” The look was gone, replaced by the worried tone of a mother.

 

He watched her unsure of what she was looking for. Why was it so important to watch Kaoru? Why was she not permitted to enter the village? Another thought suddenly came to him. What if Tae or even Megumi wasn't whom he was to guard. What if Kaoru was the one who needed protection? The thought stemmed an entire new barrage of thoughts. Who was she, that Kaoru needed protecting at this time?

 

“I suppose I could stick around a bit longer, that I could.” He agreed slowly.

 

 

 

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