Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Friends and Enemies ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer - I don't own RK

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to reply to any of the great reviews you all have left for this fic. Things are a little insane around my house right now but I do want to let you know that I really do appreciate the kind words and constructive criticism. They really are an inspiration so please keep 'em coming.


Chapter 2 - Friends and Enemies

Kaoru sighed and collapsed on the sofa rubbing her forehead trying to dispel the growing ache blossoming just above her eyes. All the paintings were finally hidden in her closet now all she had to do was keep Enishi out of it and life would be just fine. Groaning she glanced at the clock, he would be here pretty soon, she wasn't sure how it was going to be after not seeing him for so long. She had missed him but it still bugged her that he'd set a watchdog on her, the least he could have done was warn her but instead she'd spent three full days trying to ditch the one following her.

She had to admit it had scared her quite a bit, it had only been three months since his sister had been killed and being who she was to him she'd been sure that whoever had killed Tomoe had found her. By the third day of being followed she'd finally decided that enough was enough, she'd slipped into an alley and hid behind a dumpster waiting anxiously to see if she could draw out whoever was following her. She'd heaved a sigh of relief when she'd seen Gein slip into the alley after her, her relief had quickly turned to anger though when she'd realized it had been Enishi's right hand man all along, spurred by her anger she'd shot out from behind the dumpster and punched him square in the face.

A rattle of keys broke into her train of thought and she tensed slightly, hearing the door open she slipped from the sofa and peeked around the corner into the foyer. Her heart sped up at the sight of him, kami she really had missed him. Padding softly to his awaiting arms, her knees weakened slightly when he flashed her the smile that had won her over in the beginning.

"Enishi", she whispered softly against his chest snuggling into his arms, she hadn't realized how lonely she'd been until he'd wrapped his arms around her.

Trailing his fingers slowly up her spine Enishi leaned in close to her ear, "You did miss me didn't you."

A delicious shiver vibrated through Kaoru's body followed by a pair of amber eyes flickering through her mind. Gasping softly she pulled out of Enishi's grasp, shaking her head she stared at the floor, where the hell had that come from, this was not the time to be thinking of her imaginary tormentor.

Feeling his hand grasp her chin she steeled herself for the look she knew she would see.

"What was that about?"

Kaoru shied away from his piercing turquoise eyes, damn why now. Digging up the best smile she could she met his gaze, "Nothing, why?"

Enishi narrowed his eyes and watched her face intently, he could usually read her like a book but this time something was strange. She looked too innocent.....she was definitely hiding something.

Kaoru could feel herself begin to crumble under his intense gaze, if they stayed like this much longer he would be able to see the truth in her eyes. That was his specialty, finding things out others didn't want him to know.

Pulling her face from his hand she headed back into the livingroom, "So did everything go ok in China?"

"Yes, there will be no more problems coming from that front."

The tone of his voice made a shiver of dread race down Kaoru's spine, settling down on the sofa again she burrowed deep into it's softness, she knew he killed she just wished he wouldn't be so happy about doing it. Closing her eyes she listened as he changed shoes for slippers and came into the livingroom, unbidden her amber eyed tormentor's face flashed across her closed lids. With a hiss she popped them open again only to be met by Enishi's piercing gaze, damn she couldn't win either way.

Enishi settled into the chair opposite Kaoru and continued to watch her intently. She was nervous about something, the abuse she was inflicting on her bottom lip paid testament to just how uneasy she was. The only other time she'd acted like this was when he'd caught her having lunch with a man who she claimed was an old friend from high school.

He couldn't help but smirk at the memory. It had only taken a piercing glare and a promise that should this friend ever find himself in Kaoru's company again there would be a bullet with his name on it to chase him away. Kaoru was his and no other man was going to come within a hundred feet of her without his permission. He'd already lost one important woman in his life he wasn't going to lose the other.

Kaoru fought down the panic that started to rise, now she remembered why she didn't keep secrets from Enishi, there was no way she could under those eyes. Shifting nervously she rose and padded into the kitchen, "Do you want something to eat?"

Enishi let her escape, he knew she hadn't been near any other man, Gein had kept him well informed on everything she did, so what was making her so nervous? Following her into the kitchen he leveled one last piercing gaze on her then shrugged, he would let it slide for now, she would break eventually.......he could wait.

Wrapping himself around her from the back, he took a deep breath inhaling the gentle scent of her jasmine body wash, "Not really, unless it's you."

Kaoru felt a deep blush creep up her neck, "You know you're not getting that until we're married."

Turning her in his arms a small smile played across Enishi's lips, "I think I might be able to persuade you."

Kaoru's knees weakened at the seductive tone of his voice the smile tickling his lips nearly making her lose her resolve. Damn she'd also managed to forget just how powerful that smile was.

The ringing of his cellphone broke the silence freeing her from his spell, she gratefully slipped out of his arms as he dug the phone out of his pocket and flicked his wrist to answer the call, "What?"

She watched as a frown grew on his lips his turquoise eyes turning icy, whatever it was wasn't making him very happy. Without another word to the person on the other end he flicked his wrist to close the phone and leveled a piercing gaze on her, "It seems you're going to have company."

Kaoru eyed him confused, how would he know that and then it hit her, Gein must still be downstairs watching her apartment building. A surge of anger ripped through her, meeting his gaze she glared at him, "Maybe it's time you sent your watchdog home."

Enishi couldn't stop the grin that blossomed on his lips, he knew she'd be angry about that but he'd had no choice he wasn't going to lose her too. He'd personally wiped out every last member of the Triad organization that had killed Tomoe hence the reason he'd been gone in the first place, but he knew there were others out there who would target her and he wasn't going to take that chance.

"He's not going anywhere, he will continue to watch you until you finally agree to move in with me." Ignoring her glare he spun on his heel and headed for the door, "It's either him or me it's up to you."

Kaoru glared at his back fuming, what right did he have to keep her a prisoner in her own home, or his for that matter. Misao was right he only thought of her as a possession. She was just about to voice her opinion on moving in with him when a knock echoed through the apartment.

Sending one last glare at him she walked past him to the door and flung it open, her anger vanished as her eyes fell on the man outside her door. "Sano!" she squealed throwing herself into her adopted brother's arms.

Sano chuckled hugging her tight, "Hey jou-chan, how've you been?"

Pulling back a little Kaoru smiled, "I've been ok, how about-" she stopped when she noticed the glare he was sending over her head. Oh damn here we go again.

"Yukishiro."

Enishi scowled, this was the last person he wanted to see right now, if it wasn't for the fact that Kaoru loved this man like a brother he would have already killed him. This man had been the one obstacle in their relationship he hadn't been able to overcome yet. Narrowing his eyes he glared at the black-haired fighter, if this man had come to try to get in between him and Kaoru again nothing would stop him from putting a bullet in his head.

Kaoru could feel the tension beginning to fill the air around her, if she didn't stop this soon she was going to have to explain to the superintendent why there were blood stains on the carpet in front of her door. Trying to pull out of Sano's arms she sighed when all she got for her effort was a tightening of his grip, "Sano let me go."

"What the hell is he doing here Kaoru?"

"He-"

"That's really none of your business Sagara." Enishi answered for her as he slipped past them into the hall, turning he leveled a hard look on his enemy, "Don't overstay your welcome."

With the veiled threat hanging in the air between them Enishi spun on his heel and left the two of them standing in the hall, he didn't have time to deal with this right now, he'd been gone too long and now he had to remind of few of his miscreants that he was back.

Sano watched Enishi until he was out of sight then leveled a piercing brown gaze on Kaoru, "What the hell was he doing here Kaoru?"

Pulling out of his arms Kaoru padded back into the apartment, she really didn't want to deal with this right now. Slipping the ring from her finger she tucked it safely into her pocket. "He just stopped by to say hi."

"Don't lie to me I saw the ring."

Sano saw her shoulders tense at the statement, grabbing his bag he followed her into the apartment flinging the door close behind him. Kicking off his shoes he came up behind her and grabbed her arm, "What the hell is wrong with you? You were supposed to dump him the last time I was here and now you're engaged to him!"

Kaoru yanked her arm out of his hand and spun on him her eyes snapping in fury, "Why do you hate him so much! Ever since the first time you two met you've hated him! What is it about him you don't like?!"

Sano's anger faded as he watched her eyes begin to water, gathering her in his arms he held her tight as she fought to break free, "There's just something about you two being together that isn't right. I can't explain it but for some reason the thought of you in love with him turns my stomach."

Loosening his hold on her he pulled back enough to look into her eyes, "He's not the one for you Kaoru."

Kaoru yanked out of his arms and made her way into the livingroom, collapsing on the sofa she growled they'd had this fight so many times now that it was almost expected. "Then who is Sano? You? We already tried that, remember, that definitely didn't work."

A small chuckle escaped Sano's lips, flopping down beside her he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "That's because I knew I wasn't the right one for you unlike that Yukishiro bastard." Leaning over he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and sighed, "I don't know who's the one for you jou-chan but you'll know when you meet him, I'm sure of it."

Kaoru just shook her head. There was no one else she'd already accepted that, she just wished Sano would too. Sighing she decided it was time to change the subject, she would never get it through his thick head that she had chosen Enishi and nothing was going to change that.

Pulling away from him she settled against the arm of the sofa with her knees tucked up to her chin, wrapping her arms around them she eyed him suspiciously, "What are you doing here Sano? You're suppose to be training in Okinawa."

A sheepish smile came to Sano's lips, "I kinda went awol." When a shocked look instantly materialized on her face he quickly added, "They told me I couldn't come to your opening so I told them to shove it and left."

Kaoru could only stare at him, narrowing her eyes she pierced him with a hard glare, "So you're telling me that you left off training for your biggest fight to come to my measly little opening. What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Hey jou-chan there is nothing measly about your opening, you've painted some of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen and I wanted to be here to see all those people who said you'd never make it eat their words."

Rubbing her forehead she sighed in exasperation, the headache that had been teasing her for so long finally decided at that moment to spring fully to the surface, "None of those people will be there Sano, they were in high school with us and we've been out of school for the past seven years."

Sano dug up his most winning smile and winked at her, "I doesn't matter I still wanted to be here for your big day, I'll go back after that ok?"

Kaoru couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped her throat. Shaking her head she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight, kami she really did love this big lug, "Fine but I expect you to still win you got that!"

"Was there ever any question that I wouldn't beat the broomhead?" Sano asked in mock anger.

"No my great roosterhead, there was never a question" she chuckled pulling out of his arms, "So where are you staying?"

Sano flashed her an impish grin, she was gonna kill him but what else could he do, "Well ya see jou-chan I kinda didn't grab enough money for the plane ticket and a hotel and if I call Katsu he's gonna know where I am sooo.........can I stay here?"

Rolling her eyes Kaoru shook her head, she should've known, "What makes you think I want to suffer your presence for the next two days, hmm?"

"Ah jou-chan you know you love me."

Looking at him from beneath her bangs she secretly smiled, he did have a point she wouldn't know what to do without him, "Fine you can stay here but on one condition."

Sano gave her a skeptical look, he knew he wasn't going to like this, "And that would be?"

"No more thoughts of killing Enishi ok, he just got back and we haven't seen each other in a month."

Sano scowled, "I can't guarantee anything but I'll try ok?"

Kaoru sighed she knew that was the best she was going to get out of him, rising from the sofa she headed into the kitchen, "I guess that will have to do, so are you hungry?"

Sano eyed her retreating form with something akin to horror, "You're not cooking are you?" Ducking out of the way of the pan that suddenly came flying around the corner towards his head he laughed, "Ok, ok I get it but can't we get takeout or something?"

Kaoru laughed, she had to admit she didn't like her own cooking either. Digging into her wallet she dug out some money and tossed it at him, "Fine but you have to go get it."

With a twinkle in his eye Sano grabbed the money out of the air and headed towards the door, "Sushi it is then, be back in a minute."

Kaoru just shook her head, reaching for the Tylenol on the counter she popped the much needed relief and wandered back into the livingroom as the door closed behind him. Collapsing into the chair Enishi had vacated not too long ago she stared at the rain drops falling from the sky, how was she going to explain this to Enishi, he was not going to be happy about Sano staying with her for the next two days. It was bad enough when Sano came to visit for an afternoon but this was definitely going to do more than just irritate him.

Tucking her knees up under her chin she wrapped her arms around them and settled in waiting for the inevitable phone call, it shouldn't be long considering her watchdog would more than likely let Enishi know that Sano hadn't left after a couple of hours like he usually did.

oooooooooooooooooo

Kenshin stared blindly at the concrete passing under his feet as he made his way back to the apartment his arms loaded with enough groceries to last him for a couple of days. He'd finally managed to calm himself enough to return to the apartment building but now that his head was cleared he was having a hard time figuring out how to go about approaching Kaoru. He didn't want to frighten her but he wasn't sure if he would be able to just walk up to her and not want to grab ahold of her right then and there.

So far the only idea he'd been able to come up with was to show up at her opening and casually introduce himself and see what kind of reaction he got and then go from there, at least amidst all those people he'd have a better chance of controlling himself. Hopefully his little excursions into her dreams wouldn't cause him any problems but once he'd found out that he could be that close to her he hadn't been able to stop. He'd done everything he could to keep his identity hidden..........well up until last night, he'd been driven by an overpowering need to see the sapphire eyes that had taunted him in his dreams for so long. It had been foolish but at that moment he'd been willing to throw it all away just to have those eyes look on him again. Sighing he shook his head, maybe he should stay out of her dreams from now on, it was only going to be two more days until he saw her again he could wait that long.

Pulling his attention from the sidewalk he was surprised to find himself in front of the apartment complex. Heading into the building he stepped into the elevator and elbowed the button for the tenth floor. Leaning against the wall he let his eyes fall closed as a wave of exhaustion swept over him, he was completely drained from the move. It would have helped if he'd had some help but he didn't know anyone except the old man who ran the Myojin dojo for him. Shrugging he smiled, then again it had been over a hundred years since he'd lived here so it was understandable.

As the bell dinged to announce his arrival on the tenth floor he pushed off the wall and stepped out of the elevator only to stop dead in his tracks and stare at the man walking towards him. It couldn't be, but from the looks of him it was, but how?

Shaking his head he chuckled lightly, who would have thought he'd be reunited with more than just Kaoru. He should have expected it though considering the current heir to the local dojo he owned was none other than an eleven year old kid named Yahiko who looked almost exactly like his namesake. Not to mention he could have sworn he'd seen Misao entering Kaoru's apartment earlier this afternoon.

Shaking his head at the strangeness of it all he continued on his way to his apartment, just as he came up beside Sano he glanced up and for a split second violet locked with chocolate brown. A flicker of recognition passed through the tall man's eyes before he shook his head and continued on his way. Smirking slightly Kenshin wondered if his old friend would remember him in this lifetime, it would be rather interesting to see.

Sano stepped into the elevator and turned to see the man slip into the apartment next door to Kaoru's, shaking his head he saw again the scene that had flashed before his eyes when he'd met that violet gaze, his own voice echoing in his ears,

"So do we kill him?"

A slight man kneeling before a newly made headstone turned his head just enough to pierce him with glowing amber eyes beneath a shock of fiery red hair, "Hai Sano we kill him."