Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ A Simple Twist of Fate ❯ Chapter 21

Here it is at long last: the chapter that had me banned from ff.net. I still will never fully understand it as I had posted other lemons to no consequences and I know I've read other authors as well. In fact, now that I think of it, `Cabana Boy' had three lemons. (Future reference for those who are awaiting them here) I wasn't even able to ask for the reason, for all I know it could have been a fluke. However, in order to ask, you have to have an account and they deleted mine! Whatever. I have a home for it and ya'll get to read the notorious chapter that ended my time there. Enjoy!!

 

I have merely borrowed these characters for my own lascivious means. They belong to the talented Nabuhiro Watsuki.

 

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Curled in a tight ball, Kaoru shivered, trying to stave off the cold. Enishi had left long ago, laughing manically as he went. She was still in shock over his revelation. Even more humiliating had been Kenshin's reaction. Once the blonde had left, he had merely looked at her and then moved to the window. No words were said, no explanation forthcoming. He had retreated into himself, only confirming everything the blonde had spoken.

 

She glanced over at him. He remained passive by the window. His silence unnerved her, giving rise to her anger. Her temper was manageable; her fear was not. She sat up, sucking in a deep breath, bracing herself for what might occur when she lashed out at the man who had sworn to protect her. “There's something I have to know.”

 

He didn't respond. The man gave no indication that he had heard her. “Do you hear me?” She demanded.

 

“There is nothing more to be said, that there is not.”

 

Kaoru's eyes widened. “How the hell can you say that?”

 

“Enishi has told you all there is to know.”

 

She rose from her position and stared at him. Her chest heaved as the confusing emotions roiled inside of her. Again she felt as though he was shutting himself off from her and she didn't like it one bit. “I don't understand how you could keep something so dire from me.”

 

At long last he turned to her. His violet gaze was unreadable “I had no desire to keep this from you.” He stated softly.

 

Kaoru narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “Then why did you never tell me?” She demanded.

 

“What would you have done if I had?”

 

She licked her lips in apprehension. “Is it really true?”

 

“Is what true?” He asked, turning his face away from her.

 

“Am I the princess?” She asked crossly.

 

“Yes.” He answered irritably.

 

“You decided to keep that a secret from me.

 

“It wasn't my choice.”

 

“The hell it was.”

 

He glanced at her, though his eyes belied no startlement at the curse. “You're angry at me.” He stated flatly.

 

“Should I not be?”

 

“Perhaps it is better this way.” He mused aloud, returning his gaze to the window.

 

“What way is that?” She demanded.

 

The redhead's silence gnawed at her temper and she strode across the room and grabbed his arm, forcing him to meet her angry gaze. “It will be easier for you to accept the reality of what I am.”

 

“What reality? Battousai is something you were ten years ago.”

 

Kenshin's eyes narrowed. “Once you kill, you can not go back. I will always bear the name of Battousai.”

 

She glared at him. “That's right, I forgot. How could I, when I had that bastard gleefully telling me of your incapacity to love and how you murdered your own wife!” She shouted, wanting to hurt him the way he had hurt her.

 

The cool façade cracked and Kenshin pulled away from her. “Enishi had no business telling you of Tomoe.”

 

“Because you would have? Because you have been so honest with me since the beginning?” She sucked in a deep breath and held it, trying to clear her mind. Slowly she let it out as another thought occurred to her. Kenshin had brought her to the palace for some reason. Misao, Megumi, Sanosuke, and even Tae had been in residence. Horror filled her, dampening her anger temporarily. “You have all made me into a fool.” She whispered.

 

The redhead glanced at her sharply. Kaoru hardly noticed as her stomach twisted. Nausea swept through her and she keeled over. “You all know the truth.” She gasped, her shoulders heaving as the realization hit her full force.

 

Hand gripped her shoulders and she looked up into the worried face of the man she had trusted above all else. “Kaoru-dono…”

 

Her fury mounted and she pushed away his hands. “You have all known!” She cried. “All of you. Sano and Megumi. Even Tae would have to be in on it.” She ran her hands into her hair and gripped the long ebony strands, struggling for comprehension of why everyone she loved would lie to her. “Everybody knows, don't they?” When he didn't answer right away she lowered her hands and stared at him. “Don't they?” She demanded.

 

“Is that what you want to hear?”

 

“No it isn't.” She yelled. She spun around. “I want to hear that they were much in the dark as I.”

 

“No one was ever told precisely who you were.”

 

Kaoru chuckled bitterly. “They just miraculously discovered it on their own.”

 

“Supposedly. Did any of them ever treat you as though you were royalty?”

 

She thought about it and her anger at her friends dissipated somewhat. “No.” She murmured. “All of them I met through circumstance.” She raised her azure eyes to his face. “You on the other hand are a much different case.”

 

“I didn't know who you were when we first met, that I did not.”

 

“You expect me to believe that? My life was some boring existence. Then I met you and I've been kidnapped, rejected, and my reality totally turned on its head. I find out the one person I trusted more than anything, is a cold-blooded murderer who lied to me time and time again!”

 

His face drained of color. “I never lied to you.” He stated menacingly.

 

“What do you call it then?” She demanded shrilly. “I have asked you so many times what the hell was going on. And you have said nothing. If that isn't purposely keeping me in the dark, then I guess I really am as stupid as everyone thinks I am.”

 

“Do not say that.” He ordered, his face darkening.

 

“What? That I'm stupid? You obviously think I am. Even if I am the princess, you apparently don't think I'm worth much more than a peasant.”

 

“I have never thought of you as such.” He had taken a step towards her, but Kaoru didn't back down.

 

“Then why didn't you tell me the truth?”

 

“Do you really believe this has been easy for me, keeping my silence when I saw it was tearing you apart?”

 

“You were the one person I trusted!”

 

“I was warned time and time again not to tell you.”

 

“Don't you think that perhaps I would have expressed more caution?” She cried. “Maybe I would have been more understanding? That perhaps I might not have let Enishi take me by the hand and willingly bring me here. You and I might not be standing here if you had just been honest with me from the beginning?”

 

Now the amethyst gaze flashed, but Kaoru wasn't afraid of his temper. “Perhaps if you had not lied to me when I first questioned you of Enishi, you would have been enlightened of his true nature.” He told her softly, warningly.

 

Enraged, Kaoru put her finger in his face, too angry to care. “Do not turn this around on me! Maybe I didn't tell you of Enishi, but that is nothing compared to what you have kept from me.”

 

He grabbed her wrist, lowering her hand. His grip was firm and she brushed away a flicker of fear that he would snap her wrist. “You can not know the suffering I have undergone where you are concerned.” He accused.

 

She swallowed and jerked her arm away from his grasp. “And you do not understand the swirling confusion that has tortured me for days.” She returned.

 

“If you would let me explain…”

 

“Explain what?” She shrieked. “How everyone I thought cared about me has been lying for the past fifteen years?”

 

“You know nothing of the politics of the world, Kaoru-dono.” He cried. “You are ignorant and naïve—“

 

The echo of her hand hitting his cheek cut him silent. His head snapped violently to the side, the force of her assault stinging her palm. The redhead stared at the floor, his body still. His cheek turned white before the blood began tingeing the skin pink in the imprint of her hand. Wide-eyed, her chest heaving, Kaoru stared at him.

 

In that instant, she hated him, just as Enishi had predicted.

 

Her palm stung and she backed away from him slowly. “Forgive me for being so naïve. I'm sorry if I can't understand human nature enough to comprehend why some people are malicious for no reason. However, if I am ignorant of what is going on, it is because you made it so.” She whispered harshly, her voice thick with emotion.

 

The eyes flashed and then died as Kenshin turned to look at her. She swallowed, wondering if she had pushed him too far. “You cannot comprehend how these men think. You are oblivious to the treacherous nature they live their lives by.”

 

“If you had only told me.” She whispered, afraid she might have crossed the point of no return.

 

“What would you have done, honestly? If I had told you from the moment I suspected who you were, what would you have done?” Kaoru pressed her lips together, unable to answer his inquiry.

 

“I wouldn't have… I wouldn't…It's too late to ever know.” She told him, unable to confess what she had long known in her heart.

 

“It wouldn't have changed anything.” He told her quietly.

 

Kaoru sucked in a deep breath. “It would have changed everything.” She whispered. She didn't want to hate this man. She loved him. Her heart was in such turmoil over the truth Enishi had revealed to her. If Kenshin had denied his role in slaying the man's sister, then she could have forgiven everything. Now to learn the redhead had been lying to her from the start hurt more than anything

 

She couldn't deny she had entertained the possibility of a future with him. For fleeting moments she had honestly thought he had returned her feelings. With the true reason for his presence in her life coming to reality, it bloomed a horrible idea to life. Of all the people in her life that she loved and cared for, how many of them genuinely cared for her?

 

Tears threatened and she blinked them away, turning away from him. Her anger faded, replaced by a deep sorrow for the life she had once detested.

 

“Now that I've been enlightened, tell me this, how much of it was real?” Kaoru swallowed and she turned back to meet his gaze. “I know why I've been taken; I know why you're here.” She fought back a sob, breathing in deeply, gasping for air.

 

“Just tell me one thing.” Her voice cracked. “How much of what you said to me was true? The compliments, the stories, how much of it did you really mean? Or was it just because someday I might be your queen?”

 

Kenshin swore and rubbed his hand over his face. Then he looked up at her. The look frightened her. A mixture of anger and compassion on his face, he rose and came towards her. “Kaoru-dono, you have to understand…” He reached out to touch her, but she moved away. His hand stilled in the air for a second before slowly drifting back to his side. “I honestly did not know who you were when we first met.”

 

She wanted to believe him. So much. “Don't lie to me.” She whispered.

 

He crossed the room, grabbing her tenderly by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. She tried to pull away, but he gently took her chin in his long fingers and lifted eyes. “I might have kept your identity and my past a secret, but anything and everything I have ever told you is true. I did not know you were the princess I sought when I met you, that I did not.”

 

“When did you know?”

 

He shook his head, his fingers straying down her neck to her shoulder. “I'm not really sure. I had my suspicions, particularly the day in the village.” He glanced up at her sharply. “They were confirmed when Chou came for you. Only because it confirmed that Shishio was still alive.” He studied her for a moment. “I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest.”

 

“Just as you've been so honest with me?” She spit.

 

He cringed. “Fair enough.” He moved to the cot and sat down. “Ask your questions. I won't stop you. I will not even attempt to brush them aside, that I won't. Ask me what it is you want to know and I will tell you the truth.”

 

The sincerity, in which he gave her permission to inquire about anything, nearly had her weeping again. Now that she had it, she wasn't even sure where to start. The beginning was always a good place. Her mind raced with what to ask. She recalled the moment they had met, bringing another memory to the surface. `You once told me that I ask a lot of questions.” She murmured.

 

A wisp of a smile touched his face. “It never seemed to prevent you from asking them.”

 

She couldn't help but return the smile. “Why were you in the clearing?”

 

“I was looking for you, though I didn't realize it at the time, nor did I fully know why.”

 

“You said you didn't know who I was when we met.”

 

“I didn't.”

 

“You just stated you were looking for me.

 

Kenshin tilted his head, lost in thought. “I was trying to leave the castle. Hiko had stated that I might find a distraction in the woods. A young healer was living nearby and she would be needed in the near future.”

 

Memory surfaced and clarity touched her. “The reasons you asked about Megumi.”

 

He nodded. “And I would have left when she did, except your guardian was adamant about me remaining behind with you. It made me wonder the significance of who you might be. Why would you need my protection?”

 

Kaoru nibbled on her lip. It only verified her own thoughts of Tae knowing her identity. “But why would Tae trust you. I know now she knew. How could risk leaving me in your care?”

 

“That is something I'm not positive about. I believe that she was told I would be sent and when I was, she was to return to the palace.”

 

“Who would have told her that?”

 

He looked up at her for a moment. “Your father, the king.”

 

She stared at him, her azure eyes wide. She had not once given thought to her father since Enishi had revealed to her she was the princess. Now her thoughts filled with him. “My father?” She breathed. Enishi's comments led her to believe the man was still alive. “Do you know my father?”

 

Slowly Kenshin shook his head. “I haven't seen the king in a long time.”

 

Kaoru moved towards the cot and gingerly sat down on the edge. “Is that why you brought me to the castle?”

 

“I didn't know what to do. I had come to the realization that you were the missing link. I had questions; Hiko had answers. I couldn't leave you alone, but I needed to see him. You're life was in jeopardy and I knew that by bringing you to the palace, Hiko would realize how imminent the threat had become.”

 

Absently she chewed on her fingernail. “Why didn't you tell me?”

 

Guilt passed over his face and the man rose. “I was forbidden. I don't spend much time at court. Perhaps it was, in some twisted way, some form of denial. If I corroborated the evidence, then you would no longer be the beautiful young woman who befriended me that day.”

 

She colored to hear him once again comment on her beauty. Memories of the horrific night in the cave came back to her. “Is that why you pushed me away?” She asked aloud, voicing her thoughts involuntarily. Realizing her folly, she raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes round. He didn't answer and she began to hope that perhaps he hadn't heard her.

 

Kenshin turned slightly. “It is one reason, that it is.”

 

“Tomoe.” She breathed.

 

“In some ways she is another.”

 

Enishi's words came back to her. He claimed Kenshin was not capable of love. But something told her there was much more to the story than the crazed blonde had led her to initially believe. She opened her mouth and closed it, nibbling on her lip. Wrapping her arms about herself she leaned against the wall, gradually sliding to the floor.

 

“Was she really sent to murder you?”

 

He shook his head slightly. He faltered and glanced at the far wall, lost in thought. “Perhaps, though I believe it was more an infiltration on her part. Spy on the enemy. We were.”

 

“And the two of you fell in love.” She stated indifferently.

 

“I honestly don't know when that happened.” His comment had her staring at him, startlement in her cerulean eyes. He met her gaze and shrugged. “At some point we became lovers, but I don't know when the trust was established; if it ever fully was established.”

 

“You loved her though, didn't you?” She asked, fearful now the blonde's allegations held truth.

 

“As much as possible at that age.”

 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 

The eyes flashed and she bit the inside of her cheek. “You forget that I was eighteen. I had spent the prior five years of my life leaving a bloody trail in my wake. My name was uttered in fear and awe amongst everyone. I lived for the kill and had very little satisfaction outside of feeling my blade slice into another living being.”

 

Kaoru swallowed, her stomach turning at the vivid words he uttered darkly. “Tomoe appeared in the gory turmoil I had fallen into and found something inside me to her liking. She nursed it and cultivated it and for a brief time I craved something besides bloodshed.”

 

She began to tremble. The heat faded from his persona and she sat back once more and closed his eyes. “Forgive me, Kaoru-dono.” He whispered.

 

“How did you receive the scar on your cheek?” She inquired quietly. She looked up at him, knowing it was a query already put forth.

 

His long fingers strayed to the mark in question. “Once I had realized her betrayal, I went to seek her out. Only she was not the one I found waiting for me.”

 

“Enishi.”

 

He nodded. “We fought. I thought he was dead, but he was merely unconscious. Then I went in search of Tomoe and Shishio. However, the wizard was the only one I cared to kill when I reached them.”

 

“Why did you kill her?” She softly asked.

 

“When I stood over Shishio, the man practically defeated, she took up her sword against me. Ultimately her loyalty to this evil man was stronger than everything; even her love for me.”

 

“She challenged you.” Kaoru breathed.

 

He nodded, completely lost in the memory. “I didn't want to fight her, but she left me no choice. It was kill or be killed.” He sucked in an anguished breath. “She left me no choice.” He reiterated. “I knew it was over the moment my sword pierced her flesh.” He closed his eyes, a lone tear spilling down his cheek.

 

“That is when Enishi stumbled once more upon the scene. He saw the fatal blow. Enraged, he attacked me, his dagger catching me unaware, marking my cheek. He swore revenge and then set the place on fire.” Slowly, he opened his luminescent eyes. “I don't know how I made it out alive.”

 

Dully he looked up at her. “Are you satisfied now?” Kaoru could only look at him, too mortified to answer. “That is who I am. I never wanted you to hear my tale, not because I didn't want you to know. You do not bear my burden.”

 

Tears rimmed her eyes as she stared at him. She couldn't even begin to fathom how painful it must be for the man to relive those wretched memories. Her heart ached to see the man sitting there, looking so lost. The fierce and powerful Battousai appeared no more than a little boy. Her heart went out to him and she moved to his side, her hand tentatively touching him on the shoulder. He shuddered at her touch and she immediately withdrew it. Then she realized he trembled not because of her, but from withholding his sobs. Recalling how desperately she had released her own emotions the night before, she followed her instincts and wrapped her arms about his shoulders.

 

Kenshin hesitated, making a feeble attempt to push her away. She refused to let go. After a moment, he relinquished control and buried his face in her neck, quietly shedding his tears. Kaoru didn't know how long they sat there, her playing the role of comforter. Eventually his sobs subsided and he lifted his head from her neck. He pulled back and they stared at each other, their faces inches apart. Tenderly she touched his cheek, her thumb rubbing the soft skin.

 

Her azure eyes studied his face, searching for something. Tentatively he reached up, his fingertips lightly trailing her jawbone. His violet eyes followed where his fingers led. Kaoru swallowed. “What are you thinking?” She asked breathlessly, hardly daring to break the spell that seemed to have fallen over them.

 

His gaze lifted to meet hers and she took in a deep breath by the desire she witnessed in his eyes. He was quiet a moment before he answered. “I wish you were just Kaoru and I was just Kenshin, that I do.” He murmured.

 

She felt like crying at the heartbreak she heard in his voice. She feared he would pull away, but his left hand trailed down her shoulder, his right rubbing her neck. “We are.” She argued softly.

 

Mournfully he shook his head. “You are the princess; one day you will be queen. I am an assassin who has outgrown his purpose.”

 

His fingers once again trailed up the column of her neck to her cheek. He continued to caress her gingerly. His words tore at her. It answered the possibility of why he had pushed her away before. She licked her lips, drawing the redhead's attention to her mouth. “If one day I'll be queen, that makes you one of my subjects.”

 

Absently he nodded, mesmerized by her lower lip. His thumb trailed the edge of it. Her heart was racing and Kaoru's breath became a bit ragged. She needed to seize this moment, lest she been denied the one thing she wanted. “What I say is final?” She asked hesitantly.

 

His fingers on her skin were making her swoon. She fought for control, needing him to know that this was her choice. The hand at her waist put slight pressure, pulling her closer to him. She knew all it would take was a word and he would back off. He paused, his striking amethyst eyes looking at her. “I suppose.”

 

Her bottom lip quivered at the intensity she could feel between them. She took a deep breath, ready to take this leap. “Then I say that you are just Kenshin—“

 

He blinked. “Kaoru…”

 

“Shhh.” She put a finger to his lips, hushing any protests he would have made. “I am only me.”

 

“I can't allow this to happen.” As though awaking from a daze, his fingers fell from her skin.

 

“We could be dead in the morning.” She rationalized. His eyes were dark and unreadable. “Please.” She pleaded softly. “This is what I want.” She murmured.

 

The man swallowed thickly. “I don't deserve this. You'll be my queen, some day.”

 

She reached up and caressed his cheek. He turned his face into her palm. A surge of triumph coursed through her. “Some day.” She whispered, her cerulean eyes searching his face. “Right now, I'm Kaoru and you're Kenshin. What we have is this moment and nothing else.”

 

For a moment he stared at her. He pulled back slightly, her fingers falling from his marred cheek. Then he caught them in his hand, turning his lips to her fingertips. He kissed her tenderly on her palm and then her wrist. He watched her reaction. Her chest heaved, the slight touch of his lips to her skin, raising her heart rate. A slight smile adorned his face, and she realized he could probably sense her rapid pulse. Slowly, he lowered her hand. He leaned towards her, his thumb once more coming to her jaw. His eyes once more met hers, as though giving her one last chance to back away. Instead, she closed the distance, landing a hasty kiss on the corner of his mouth.

 

In response, Kenshin caught her face in both of his hands. He held it for a second, and then kissed her, his lips soft and warm. The kiss was sweet and gentle, making Kaoru almost swoon. Abruptly, their passion and desire, so long held in check threatened to break free, and she found herself throwing caution to the wind. Her arms wrapped about his neck, his snaking around her waist. Carefully he laid her back on the cot. Kenshin reached up and caught a tendril of her dark hair between his thumb and forefinger. He twirled it around his finger and looked at her. He let it fall and touched her cheek, his fingertips straying over her skin. His thumb traced over her mouth, his gaze following his fingers.

 

The amethyst eyes moved up to her. Kenshin sighed and smiled gently. He shook his head slightly and swallowed again. “I have yearned for this for far too long, that I have.” He murmured.

 

Kaoru thought she might die of anticipation and reached for him, her hands shyly sneaking into the depths of his red hair. He seemed to understand and they came together, his mouth on hers, his tongue light, seeking entry. She moaned softly as their tongues tangled. She moved beneath him, her body striving to make closer contact. His arm moved under her head, his fingers intertwined within the ebony strands. His other trailed down her side, pausing on the side of her breast. The feeling made her flush, her groin tightening at the jolt that coursed through her.

 

The man moved from her mouth and she groaned in disappointment. He nibbled on her jaw and she thought she could sense him smiling. His hand grew bolder and moved over a breast, brushing the nipple through her dress. She gasped at the shock and instinctually arched her back. He moved to untie the laces at the front, his lips moving down the column of her neck. He dipped his tongue into the hollow at the base of her throat. She swallowed, her breath catching. Then he moved, his mouth leaving her. She cried out, only to realize he was sliding her dress and chemise up and over her head. Kaoru sucked in her breath as the cool air struck her skin.

 

He moved back over her, her face in his hands as he kissed her deeply. “Forgive me.”

 

She wrapped her arms about his neck, one hand shyly sneaking underneath the neck of his shirt. She felt nervous, realizing she was naked from the waist up. “It isn't fair that you still have your clothes on.” She murmured against his lips.

 

Kenshin grinned and then reached up to pull his shirt from his head. He tossed it aside and she felt again a flush of warmth flood between her legs. She arched against him and now he moaned softly in the stillroom. He buried his face in her neck, his fingers returning to roaming her body. Only now, with nothing between his gentle fingers and her naked flesh, the feelings were intensified. He tweaked a nipple and she gasped, throwing a leg around his waist.

 

Her head fell back as the redhead's tongue moved lazily across her skin. His hands squeezed one breast before straying down across her navel. Kaoru's breath was ragged, the sound filling the small room. The muscles in her abdomen clenched as his fingers lightly stroked her flesh. Kenshin's breath blew over one turgid tip and she moaned again. One hand supported her. His tongue flicked the puckered skin. She whimpered as he teased her and finally gave her what she had long been craving.

 

His mouth was warm on her bosom, his tongue sending delicious waves of pleasure through her. Fingers gently touched her cheek, his thumb skimming over her bottom lip. She took it into her mouth, suckling in the same manner he tugged at her breast. Then he moved hastily back to her mouth, the heat between them making her insides boil. Feeling bold she pushed him to his back, straddling him, raining kisses on his face. He growled and Kaoru nipped at his neck playfully.

 

“This is to be my seduction of you.” He rumbled.

 

She pulled back, shoving her dark hair from her face. Her chest heaved as her breath caught, the look in his golden eyes making her heart race. “I've been fantasizing this moment for so long.” She breathed.

 

Kenshin didn't hesitate and sat up, pinning her once more to the mattress. Hungrily he fell on her body and she writhed underneath his tongue and hands, the reality better than any dream she could conjure. His fingers swiftly moved down her body and underneath the remaining undergarment she wore. His fingers slipped past her pleasure bud, running along the length of her slick folds. She gasped in a hoarse breath, his touch alone bringing her to the breaking point. Her hips bucked and he obliged, slipping one finger and then a second inside of her. She whimpered, her back arching as she felt her body clench. Sensations she didn't even understand but knew was right seized her and she cried out again as his thumb touched the part she been craving him to caress.

 

He grinned against her neck. “Already?” Her murmured. “We're only getting started, Koishi, that we are.”

 

Kaoru felt weak and helpless. She was vulnerable to his hands and he knew it. He pulled back long enough to brush her damp hair from her face. She saw the desire in his eyes and nodded shakily. She reached up, pulling him down for a kiss. “Take me there, Kenshin. Again and again.” She pleaded, not sure she could handle the passion she could sense in the man but more than willing to try.

 

 

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Her panted words sang to him and Kenshin fell on her again, wanting nothing more than to make this night memorable for her. And for him as well. After all, this could be their only chance to be together. He kissed her possessively, knowing that selfish motives also drove him. The knowledge that he would be Kaoru's first calmed his hatred for her future husband. No matter what, Kaoru would always remember him. Her desire tugged at him, begging for so much. It took all of his self-control to prevent himself from merely taking her. He took a deep breath, nipping at the flesh just beneath her jaw. Then he settled in to taste every inch of her.

 

The flesh was warm and sweet. He ran his nose down her sternum, breathing in her smell. She arched her back, her turgid tips rising into the air, demanding attention. With a wry grin, he couldn't deny her and took the taunt nipple between his lips. Beneath him, she groaned, her fingers in his hair. He didn't waste time on her bosom, as she began to recover. His tongue licked a wayward path down her stomach, her hips moving as her body tensed for what was about to come. Gently he spread her thighs and looked up at her.

 

Kaoru's skin gleamed in the soft light, her head thrown back, her full lips parted in a silent cry. Both hands were thrown over her head, one last in the ebony sea of her hair. Gingerly he caressed her sex and she whimpered, her hips lifting slightly. He followed his touch with his tongue. The woman cried out, half rising from her position. He reached up a hand, pressing her back down to the cot as he delicately licked at her sex.

 

She whimpered his name as he slid on finger inside of her, his lips closing around her engorged bud. Kaoru shuddered, her fingers tugging out his hair and he smiled against her as she released once again. Deciding it was time, that he had prepared her for the moment as best as possible, he moved up alongside her body, his hands roving over her skin.

 

“Kenshin.” His name was but a whisper on his lips as she pulled him to her. Their mouths met hungrily and he settled over her. Carefully, he searched for entry, pausing when she called out again. He felt her barrier and bit his lips for control.

 

“Forgive me, Koishi.” He murmured. Her eyes flew open in confusion. He gave her no time to react however and thrust fully within.

 

She whimpered at the sudden rush of pain that broke through the pleasure. He rained kisses down on her cheek, not moving as he allowed her to get used to him. Her breathing slowed somewhat and he eased back out. Once more, he glided within her, gritting his teeth to not lose himself. As he slid in deeper, a feeling of triumph touched him. No matter what happened beyond this night, she was his and would always be his. The feeling turned into a wave of possessiveness and he thrust a bit harder. Kaoru cried out, her nails digging into his back. He sucked in a deep breath, attempting to reign in his passion. He moved against her a bit slower, waiting for her to respond. This time she arched her hips up against him. Her movements, based purely on instinct as opposed to experience, drove him crazy. Without think he moved to his knees, pulling her with him into an upright position.

 

He nuzzled her neck, as he was able to move deeper within her. Her cry was filled with undulated passion and she clung to him, a cascade of her dark hair falling around them as she held onto his shoulders. His hands strayed down her back, helping to guide her. Already he could feel her tightening, ready for another release. She threw her head back, her gasp echoing in the small room.

 

She was stunning in the faint light that filtered through the window. Her pale skin glittered, her long dark lashes fluttering against her flushed cheeks. One hand skimmed up her side and caught her face in his hands. Her eyes were dark as she met his gaze and their lips connected in a fiery kiss. With a soft groan he reached his own peak and he clutched her, realizing just how far he had fallen where this woman was concerned.

 

Long moments stretched in the dim room. Kenshin caught his breath and then slowly moved to his side. A satisfied groan echoed and the woman rolled over to embrace him. He pressed a tender kiss on her shoulder, hugging her to him. “Will it always be like this?”

 

He swallowed, a feeling of guilt washing over him. He breathed in deeply and leaned back to look at her. Unable to say anything he merely kissed her. He couldn't bring himself to lie to her. “Are you warm enough?” He asked softly.

 

Kaoru snuggled against him. “With you next to me, I don't think I could be cold.”

 

He closed his eyes and reached for the thin blanket at the end of the bed. He wrapped it about them, ignoring the voices in his head. He would face the consequences of this night in the morning. For now, he would lay with the woman for at least one night.

 

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I hope I have satiated everyone for the time being. I'm doing my best to get the next chapter up and running, particularly since it will be completely fresh material for everyone. Bear with me as I'm taking over my new position. I appreciate all the support and love. Until next time. Kisses!