Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Cabana Boy ❯ Chapter 8

 

It's interesting to reread my author's notes as I repost these chapters. I was working on this story three and half years ago during my move to Charlotte. So much has changed since then. Kind of bizarre. So I hope that my chapters are in order now. When I was trying to fix my margin problem, somehow my chapters were being replaced and duplicated. I think I have fixed that issue. However, sometimes when I try to access the chapters, they don't come up. If anyone else notes the problem, please let me know. ^_^

 

Just stating that I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. The credit belongs solely to Nabuhiro Watsuki. The following chapter does contain some language and some citrus content. Consider yourself warned. Enjoy!

 

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Kenshin pulled up to the house and turned the car off. He had gone slow, still a bit unsure behind the wheel. Luckily not many people had been on the road. He glanced over at the woman next to him and felt his heart stop. Loose tendrils had fallen free from her ponytail, framing her face. Her lids were closed, her long lashes fluttering gently. Her pink tongue licked her lips and he felt himself grow stiff at the innocence of her appearance. Languidly her blue eyes opened. “Are we home?”

 

“Hai.”

 

She struggled with the seatbelt and he pressed the button for her. She offered him a drunken smile of gratitude and searched for the lever to open the car door. Swiftly he was out and he reached the other side, opening the door for her. “My savior.” She murmured as she stumbled to her feet.

 

He offered his arm and she took it gratefully. He helped her up the steps and unlocked the door. Briefly he wondered where everyone else was. Megumi had mentioned something about taking Sanosuke to his own home. They stepped inside, Kenshin closing the door behind them. She stood at the bottom of the stairs while he locked the door. He approached her and offered her a smile. “Good night.” Then with difficulty, he turned and started towards the back of the house.

 

“Kenshin?” He paused. “Can you help me up to my room, you think?”

 

He turned slowly and saw her still standing where he had left her. She swayed slightly and he knew the last shot had been her downfall. She swayed again and he grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. He swept her up into his arms, relishing the way she felt cradled against his body. He had pushed himself too far already tonight. He should not have gotten so close when helping her with the pool game. The smell of her hair had nearly overwhelmed him and he hadn't been able to resist the deep breath he had taken that had been Kaoru. The snicker he had received in response had earned Sanosuke a harsh glare and the man had not said anything else.

 

They reached her door and he managed to get it open. Then he placed Kaoru down, her feet finding the floor. She turned to him, one had gripping his long sleeved shirt. He went to step away, but her fingers would not let go. He watched her, her azure eyes searching his face. He met them and wished he hadn't. He felt lost in her eyes, her warmth and generosity tugging at him. How he wanted her. He had held himself at bay for so long; the previous encounter in the car had resulted in a long cold shower. The chaste kiss in the kitchen had earned him restless nights of sleep wondering what could have been. She deserved better than him, but she didn't seem to care. How could he fight that logic? He gently had to remind himself she knew nothing of his past.

 

“Kenshin?” Her voice was breathy in the quiet darkness. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

 

“Hai.” His breath was barely a whisper.

 

“Will you tuck me in?”

 

Only if I can come to, he wanted to tell her. Instead he merely nodded. She swayed again and finally let go of his shirt. She made her way to the bathroom and he took a deep breath. She flipped the light, cursing in the brilliant glare. She closed the door and he breathed a sigh of relief. Just a few more minutes and then he would be away from the temptation that was Kaoru. He went to the window, looking out over the grounds. She would return and he would tuck her in and leave her. She would pass out, the alcohol causing her to drift immediately to sleep. He would have a long night, trying to calm his libido down. Suddenly he wished he had had more than the two beers he had nursed all night long. Then he could fall into a drunken stupor and possibly ignore the tempting siren in the next room. The door opened and again, the light turned off and he spun around, trying to calm his breathing, ready to leave the woman's room.

 

He should have known better.

 

Kaoru came towards him dressed in a long silk nightgown. It had thin straps that hung on her pale shoulders. The bodice fell to mid calf in a strait line. Her dark hair had been released from its ribbon and flowed down her back. He swallowed thickly. She was stunning.

 

He made himself move, striding to the bed to pull back the covers. She watched him mutely, her eyes unreadable. He stepped back and she approached him, her eyes once again on his face. He took a step back from her. “Good night.” He tried once more to turn but didn't get very far.

 

“Kenshin? One more thing.”

 

He looked back at her, his violet eyes devouring the sight of her. “Anything.” Just let him leave in one piece, he prayed.

 

“May I have a kiss?” She asked huskily.

 

Kenshin's heart did stop then, his breath caught. His lips parted and he stared at her. “If you like.” He managed.

 

She swallowed and stepped closer to him. Her hand came and touched his cheek. “I like.” She whispered.

 

Kaoru leaned up and pressed her lips to his. He tried to resist, keeping the contact brief, but then she pressed herself against him oh so subtly and all his thoughts flew away. He'd been waiting for this moment for so long, the feel of her body against his driving away any argument he could have made. His fingers curled into the depths of her hair, his lips seeking over hers. How long had it been since he had touched a woman? Too long. Her hands were in his hair, her fingers caressing his face and then down his chest. He pulled her closer, pressing her against his need and she gasped against his mouth. Her tongue then touched his bottom lip and he parted his lips, gaining entrance to her mouth as well.

 

Her taste was so sweet, sweeter than anything he could recall having had before. She tasted of rum and juice, whatever her drink of choice had been of the evening. Her skin felt like satin against his calloused fingers, her hair like silk. Her own fingers found his waist and then were tugging the shirt from the pants. Immediately his senses came back and he wrenched himself away from her.

 

Pain flashed in her eyes as he stepped away. “I can not do this. Not tonight.”

 

“Why?” She demanded her voice revealing her pain.

 

“I will not take advantage of you.”

 

“I have told you I don't care about the age-“

 

“I'm not talking about the age difference!” He nearly shouted at her. “You've been drinking. You're drunk. When we do this, I want you to be completely coherent with the choice you make. There will be no regrets for you.”

 

She grew still and she studied him. “You want me to be sober?”

 

“Of course. It won't be as much fun if you aren't.” He told her trying to make light of the situation and lessen the sting of his rejection.

 

“So this will happen?”

 

He opened his mouth and stopped. He wanted it to happen and apparently she did as well. That did not mean it could or would happen. “Get some rest.” He told her, dropping the subject, purposely not answering her question. He turned on his heel and left her standing there. He needed to put space between them otherwise he might go back on what he had just said and not wait until she was in a right frame of mind.

 

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“Well of course he did. Otherwise he would probably have given into his carnal desire and had you on the bedroom carpet.” Megumi told her.

 

“I just can't believe he did that.” Kaoru mused aloud.

 

Megumi rolled her brown eyes. “Walked away? I told you Ken-san was a respectable man. He has principles and will not back away from them.”

 

She had awoken the next morning feeling slightly embarrassed. Her head had been pounding and she couldn't vividly recall how much she had drunk the night before. What she did remember was the searing kiss with Kenshin that had left her breathless and aching. The fact he had refused to take advantage of her convinced her of his honor. She wanted him and she would have him.

 

When Megumi had arrived, Kaoru had insisted on going to lunch. Not bothering to inform anyone of their departure, they had left. She attempted to muddle through the scene from the previous night and read between the lines of what had transpired.

 

“He did mention he wanted me to be sober when it happened.”

 

“He said that?”

 

“He used the word when.”

 

The lips curved into a smile and the brown eyes narrowed speculatively. “Then obviously, it's become a matter of when and where it will happen and not if.”

 

“That's what I thought. Therefore I will just have to seduce him. Make it happen that much sooner.”

 

The older woman raised an elegant eyebrow. “Just yesterday you were fretting about getting the man to speak to you. Now you're ready to jump into bed?”

 

“You don't understand. Last night proved something to me.”

 

The woman chortled and tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder. “Please. Why would what happened last night all of sudden make you want him more?”

 

Kaoru bit her lip. “He refused to take advantage of me when I was drunk.” She colored and looked away. A young couple ambled by the restaurant hand in hand. She felt lonely and nostalgic. They could have that she knew it. It was merely convincing Kenshin to let it happen. He was honorable; more so than her previous boyfriend and it occurred to her she had never admitted aloud the darker aspects of her relationship. Feeling a twinge of embarrassment, she idly played with her fork. “Toward the end Enishi would purposefully get me drunk I think. That way he could do what he wanted, I wouldn't fight him.”

 

“Like what?”

 

Her cheeks deepened in color. She had never told anyone of some of the things her previous lover had done to her. “He would tie me up on occasion. Nothing serious. No whips or chains or such. But he would drive me mad, give me a taste of pleasure and then leave me wanting. Make me have sex in positions I'd rather not go into detail about. Anything to prove his dominance over me.”

 

“When did this begin?”

 

“Right after he found out about me and Sano. That was the beginning of the end.”

 

“Did you ever get off on any of it?”

 

“Meg!” Shocked and a bit outraged she glared at the woman across the table from her.

 

“What? I'm just making sure that if he were to suddenly walk back into your life, you wouldn't take him back.”

 

“No. I didn't get off on it. He could call me today and I wouldn't talk to him.”

 

“That's comforting.”

 

“It's not like we know where he is anyway. Enishi hasn't tried to contact me since I left for England last summer.”

 

Megumi grew still and sipped her drink. “Doesn't mean he might not suddenly come crawling back from the dredges of society wanting you back.”

 

Kaoru shrugged. “He left the country last I heard.” Her eyes strayed to the couple outside, laughing in the warm summer day. “Do you think they're in love?”

 

Megumi glanced out the window, biting into a breadstick. “I don't know, maybe.” Her gaze reverted back to her. “But you're changing the subject, tanuki!” She snapped.

 

Kaoru grated underneath the nickname. “I don't want to talk about my ex anymore. I have my eye on someone else. And this time you approve of my choice.”

 

“As though that matters.”

 

She frowned and touched her friend on the arm. “I know that when Enishi and I first began dating you didn't approve. I'm sorry that I claimed it was just jealousy. But you know I wouldn't have learned if I hadn't learned the hard way.”

 

The gaze softened. “I'm just glad you got out before anything serious happened.”

 

“Me too. Whoever called that day saved my life.”

 

“But we aren't talking about this anymore.”

 

“No we aren't.”

 

“So what do you think is up with Aoshi and Misao? He's been spending more time away than he was initially.”

 

Kaoru shrugged. “I don't know. What he does is something I'm not aware of.”

 

“You know he's a spy.”

 

“I don't know that for sure. What he does is his business.”

 

“You aren't even a little bit curious?”

 

Kaoru sighed in exasperation. “No.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because of my father. He has his secrets and I have come to respect them. Part of me is content to live in ignorance of what Aoshi does. I don't want to know.”

 

Megumi raised an eyebrow. “Not even a little bit?”

 

“If the man were to come and tell me what he did, I wouldn't exactly turn a deaf ear. However, I know not to ask questions.”

 

“Is that why you haven't pressed about Kenshin's past?”

 

“The man is evasive and doesn't answer my questions.”

 

“Maybe you're asking the wrong ones.”

 

Kaoru crossed her arms and glowered at her friend. “I suppose you know the right ones?”

 

“Of course I do.”

 

“And yet you can't seem to find the courage to ask Sanosuke if he really likes you or if he merely wants to get you into bed.” She snorted. To her satisfaction, Megumi blushed.

 

“That was a low blow.”

 

“I'm sick of you telling me you know everything about men and how their minds work when you are so oblivious to how the man feels.”

 

Brown eyes swung in her direction. “You seem to act as though you know so much where the man is concerned. Forgive me if I can't understand why you haven't slept with him again.” She cried. “And then you turn around and end up with a creep like Enishi. It's a conundrum that eludes me. I don't get it and that's what drives me crazy.” Kaoru stared at the woman, her blue eyes wide. “I don't understand how you aren't attracted to him.” Megumi finished and sighed, releasing her tantrum.

 

“What do you want me to say?” She asked after a moment.

 

“I don't know.”

 

Their food arrived then and Kaoru stared blankly at the sandwich in front of her. “I never found myself sexually attracted to Sano. I told you it just happened. I was upset and he was a shoulder to cry on. I was feeling ugly and unloved and he tried to make me feel differently. If we had become involved, we wouldn't be friends today.”

 

“You'd be lovers.”

 

“I don't know that. My feelings for him are deep and I do love him. But I don't want anything more. He's like a brother to me. I want him to be with you.” She reached across the table and gripped Megumi's wrist. “You make him happy.”

 

The brown eye blinked. “All we ever do is argue.”

 

“That's not true. Lately you two have been much calmer around each other. You helped him home last night. Why you took him to his house, I don't understand.”

 

The woman blushed and stirred her salad with her fork. “I think I might organize a dinner party for the six of us.” She said, changing the subject.

 

Caught off guard, Kaoru stared at her, her mouth full of her food. She swallowed. “Why?”

 

“Why not? Maybe I can ask the questions you haven't been able to where Kenshin is concerned.”

 

“I don't want you to ask the questions. His past is no concern of mine.”

 

“Don't lie to me.”

 

“I'm not lying!”

 

Her cell phone rang then, the sounds of a favorite song interrupting the dispute. Kaoru pressed the answer button and placed the phone to her ear. “Yes?”

 

“Kaoru-dono?”

 

A smile broke out on her face to hear the man's voice. Megumi rolled her eyes and focused on eating her salad. “Kenshin. What's up?”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

The voice sounded frantic and she frowned slightly. “I'm fine. Meg and I are having lunch.”

 

It sounded as though he sighed with relief. “I was worried. You never came down this morning and I went to find you to see if you were hungry. You were no where to be found.”

 

Her heart warmed to hear he had been concerned. “I'm sorry, Kenshin. Megumi arrived and I needed to speak with her about………some stuff. I didn't think to leave a note or anything.” Actually she had been afraid to face him with what had happened last night.

 

“It's okay. I just don't want anything to happen to you.”

 

“I'm just out with Megumi.”

 

There was a pause. “When do you think you'll be back?”

 

Kaoru glanced at the woman across from the table. “When do you think we'll be back?” She whispered.

 

The woman tossed her dark hair over her shoulder and held out her hand for the phone. Kaoru reluctantly handed it over. “Ken-san, how are you this glorious day? Rested? No tossing and turning from unfulfilled urges?” She asked, her dark eyes sparkling with amusement.

 

Kaoru glared at her. “Kitsune, shut-up.” She hissed stressing the nickname Sano had given her.

 

Megumi chortled and listened to what the redhead was saying. “I'm not sure. I've decided to make dinner this evening since Elena won't be there. It's going to be quite a spectacular spread so eat light……I'm keeping a close eye on the tanuki so don't overly concern yourself……if the phone rings don't answer it. If it's important, whoever will either leave a message or call back.” Kaoru sighed and dug into her food. “And Kenshin, whatever you did to Kaoru, you need to do more of it. She looks quite radiant today. Kisses!” Megumi blew a kiss into the phone and hung up before Kaoru could grab it from her.

 

“What did you do that for?”

 

“Just trying to get the ball moving.”

 

“I don't need your help.”

 

The older woman sighed and sat back. “If you hadn't been lit last night, would you have made a move?”

 

She nibbled on her lip. “I don't want to think that the alcohol had something to do with it. I really like him.”

 

“I know.” Megumi leaned forward and reached over to brush a hair from her forehead. “I'll leave you alone. No more blatant attempts and comments for the rest of the day. We'll have a nice dinner; maybe watch a movie, who knows? However, you have to make me a promise.”

 

Kaoru sighed in resignation. “What?”

 

“If at any point during the evening an opportunity occurs for you to make a move and finally put an end to this asinine dance the two of you are performing, you do it. I don't care when or where or how. But you go for it and I want to hear another juicy tidbit tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll reinstate operation Kenshin and Kaoru until you two get together for no reason other than to shut me up.”

 

Kaoru rubbed her eyes and smiled in defeat. “Fine.” She grinned. “But I'd be more inclined to keep the more scintillating details to myself.”

 

Megumi returned the grin. “Honestly, I don't think I want to know anyway.”

 

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